China appreciates Italy's cultural heritage protection, lost relics return work: spokesperson Xinhua) 08:07, November 12, 2024 BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes the return of the 56 pieces of Chinese artifacts that were lost overseas for years and highly appreciates Italy's sense of responsibility in protecting cultural heritage and promoting the return of lost relics to countries of origin, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Monday. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked to comment on China-Italy cooperation on the repatriation of cultural relics. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife viewed returned relics with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter Laura Mattarella a few days ago, Lin said, adding that this is the second event of this kind since the Chinese and Italian leaders witnessed repatriation cooperation outcomes in 2019. It demonstrates Italy's respect for China's cultural heritage and is a vivid example of China-Italy friendship. China and Italy have carried out sound cooperation on the recovery and return of lost relics and achieved fruitful results in recent years, Lin said. In October 2022, competent authorities of the two countries started the repatriation cooperation on this collection of cultural relics under the framework of the bilateral agreement aimed at preventing the illegal import and export of relics. Based on the identification opinions and legal basis provided by China, Italy decided to return the relics to China, Lin said. The competent authorities are discussing the protection, restoration, research and display of the returned relics, he added. "We stand ready to work with Italy to continue the dialogue and practical cooperation in relics repatriation and other fields, promote exchange and mutual learning between the two civilizations, and advance the deepening of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership," Lin said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Spotlight on key military hardware at Airshow China Xinhua) 10:05, November 12, 2024 A J-35A fighter jet conducts adaptive training for the upcoming 15th Airshow China in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Tan Sicheng/Xinhua) ZHUHAI, Guangdong, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- As Airshow China opens on Tuesday, an impressive lineup of cutting-edge military hardware is set to debut, offering a glimpse into the latest achievements in the modernization of the Chinese military. Among the highlights, the J-35A stealth fighter, the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile weapon system, a new type of attack-reconnaissance drone, and J-15T carrier-based fighter jets are poised to steal the spotlight at the airshow. Officially known as the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the airshow is scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai. J-35A STEALTH FIGHTER Unlike the J-20, a heavy stealth fighter designed mainly for air superiority, the J-35A is a medium-sized multi-role stealth fighter capable of both air superiority and strike missions against ground and maritime targets. This file photo shows a J-35A fighter jet. (Photo by Chen Yang/Xinhua) The combination of the J-20 and J-35A features both air superiority and multi-role capabilities, greatly enhancing the Air Force's ability to conduct offensive operations in high-threat and contested environments, said military expert Wang Mingzhi. J-20 stealth fighter jets conduct adaptive training for the upcoming 15th Airshow China in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Tan Sicheng/Xinhua) "The successful development of the J-35A has enabled China to possess two types of stealth fighter jets, providing the Air Force with enhanced capabilities to safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity," Wang added. HQ-19 SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE WEAPON SYSTEM Another key highlight is the debut of the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile weapon system. It is designed primarily for regional interception of ballistic missile targets and represents the new-quality combat capabilities for China's land-based air defense and missile defense. It is also flagship equipment for the country's strategic air force to fulfill its role in safeguarding national aerospace security. NEW ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE DRONES A new type of attack-reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will be unveiled at the airshow. The drone performs tactical reconnaissance, surveillance and strike missions in low to medium-threat environments during wartime. Together with existing drones, the new UAVs form an integrated unmanned reconnaissance and strike system for strategic and operational missions. The unmanned drone fleet combines a mix of electronic-optical, radar imaging and electronic reconnaissance payloads. In terms of mission capabilities, it integrates reconnaissance, identification, targeting and real-time precision strikes. J-15D, J-15T, Z-20J CARRIER-BASED AIRCRAFT The airshow will unveil the J-15T fighter, J-15D electronic warfare aircraft, and Z-20J helicopter. They are among the latest main combat equipment in active service with the Chinese Navy, forming core weaponry for carrier and amphibious groups. A Z-20J shipborne helicopter conducts adaptive training for the upcoming Airshow China in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 10, 2024. (Photo by Ma Ruizhao/Xinhua) The J-15T boasts a large combat radius, strengthening air superiority and anti-ship strike capabilities. As a specialized electronic warfare aircraft, the J-15D is a crucial component of the carrier-based aircraft fleet. The J-15D and J-15T are expected to engage in aerobatic displays during the event. NAVY MARINE CORPS The Navy Marine Corps will make its inaugural appearance at the airshow, featuring demonstrations of air assault operations using the Z-20J carrier-based helicopter and Z-8C transport helicopter. The corps is responsible for amphibious assault operations in the Navy. A Z-8C transport helicopter conducts adaptive training for the upcoming Airshow China in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 10, 2024. (Photo by Jia Chenglu/Xinhua) In recent years, with the commissioning of large amphibious vessels and various types of carrier-based helicopters, the Navy Marine Corps has enhanced its ability to carry out multidimensional assault operations. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) About one out of every four people killed in Oklahoma law enforcement car chases were innocent people not involved in the pursuits, according to a Tulsa World and Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism investigation. About two out of every five of the pursuit deaths werent even the drivers trying to elude law enforcement. They were innocent motorists or passengers who were riding inside of fleeing vehicles. One was an Oklahoma Highway Patrol lieutenant who was on foot when struck by one of two troopers colliding at their own roadblock while chasing someone for traffic infractions. Broadly, the vast majority of 68 fatal chases that killed 79 people from 2016 to 2022 were prompted by traffic violations or property crimes. Those reasons arent considered worth pursuing by many leading experts and certainly not worth the loss of human life. Oklahoma ranks eighth highest in the U.S. for pursuit-related deaths in the seven-year span examined, according to a World and Lee analysis of the latest federal traffic crash data available. Some discussions among members of the House Public Safety and Judiciary committees are about whether they should address pursuits in Oklahoma, according to a legislator involved in the conversations. Meanwhile, family members of loved ones killed in such pursuits have described their devastation, outrage, emptiness and depression. They question why and try to pick up what pieces they can. Tredrick Johnson lost his innocent sister and 13-year-old niece who were running errands in east Tulsa after a Highway Patrol trooper chased a possible stolen truck from a nearby town on the word of a motorist who flagged down the trooper at a traffic light in February 2021. It just made me angry. Thats it. I hated the whole world, Johnson said. Literally, I lost my best friend to something that was stupid. The state doesnt track pursuits or pursuit-related crashes. So the World and Lee Public Service Journalism Team spent months piecing together a database of Oklahomas deadly pursuits through various federal, state and local public records sources to learn who was being killed, which agencies were pursuing and why. The World and Lee investigation found that 18 (23%) of the 79 pursuit deaths from 2016-2022 were motorists not involved in the chases. At least 33 (42%) of the deaths were people who werent the fleeing drivers. The number of deaths that occur in Oklahoma pursuits is troubling, said retired longtime Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel, who advocates for pursuit policies and training to adequately reflect care and safety for the public and officers. Whetsel has a personal stake in the issue. His innocent wife and 2-year-old daughter were killed by a state trooper in the pursuit of a drag-racing motorcyclist in 1980. He was a local police chief at the time and responded to the scene, finding disbelief and despair. I just keep encouraging law enforcement officers across this country to develop those standards internally, so the legislature or the courts dont have to do it for you, Whetsel said. But if they fail to, the Legislature has a duty. Oklahomas Secretary of Public Safety, Tricia Everest, didnt respond to requests for comment for this article. Nor did Tim Tipton, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, who also oversees the Highway Patrol. Deaths stemming from traffic infractions or property crimes A headlight was out. Headlights were off. A driver failed to signal. Another driver failed to come to a complete stop. One had an incorrect license plate. Another had an expired license plate. Each were the lone offenses prompting law enforcement to engage in vehicle pursuits that turned deadly after the respective drivers didnt submit to traffic stops. The World and Lee found that the vast majority of the fatal chases by Oklahoma law enforcement were prompted by traffic infractions or property crimes. Some leading experts for years have argued that police vehicle pursuits are too dangerous to perform for anything less than a violent crime and that drivers merely eluding police shouldnt factor into the equation. The World and Lee presented its findings to Rep. Stan May, R-Broken Arrow, who is a retired Tulsa firefighter and member of the House Public Safety and Judiciary committees. May said recurring conversations among committee members about pursuits have been spurred by news stories, phone calls and law enforcement chatter at the Capitol. He said the problem is much larger than what the World and Lee investigation shows because many people are injured by pursuits some for life. Ultimately, May said, lawmakers probably should look at creating some kind of a more stringent, uniform policy across the state but not at the expense of hampering officers ability to stop certain criminal activity, such as pursuing known drug dealers or terrorists. He called it a pretty big stretch for officers to pursue a traffic violator without knowing whether illegal drugs or firearms are involved. And he also noted its difficult to explain away when someone gets hurt or killed. How do we make sure that our pursuits are worth it and are as safe as possible for everybody involved? May said. Just because youre the guilty party and you wind up as a fatality youre still a fatality. Was it worth that fatality for what you just did you eluded the police over speeding? Well, thats not a capital offense. A 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Justice and Police Executive Research Forum recommends that chases only take place when a violent crime occurs and there is an imminent threat to the public based solely on the known criminal action and not driving behavior. The World and Lee found only two deadly Oklahoma pursuits that clearly satisfied the two-pronged standard recommended in the DOJ and PERF report. One was a driver firing a shotgun at other motorists on Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. The other was a fresh armed robbery of a convenience store in Oklahoma City. Police are becoming the judges The World and Lee found that even when fleeing drivers were captured alive, they werent convicted of violent offenses aside from crimes tied to the chases. Except for pursuit crimes, the most serious convictions among 14 eluding drivers in public court cases were drugs, stolen property or DUI. Those 14 chases killed 18 people. Ten were innocent motorists (including an unborn child). Seven were passengers in eluding vehicles. One was Highway Patrol Lt. Heath Meyer hit and killed by one of his colleagues. Five more evading drivers who survived were juveniles at least two as young as 14 years old whose court records generally are protected. And the adult drivers identity was redacted in records in another instance. Angelo Brown, an Arkansas State University criminology researcher and professor, said high-speed chases for traffic violations or minor crimes are the opposite of public safety. And doing so, he said, costs agencies legitimacy in the community especially when an innocent person is killed. Police are becoming the judges, Brown said. (Eluding drivers) should have due process give them a trial. Brown said research shows that police often apprehend the person they were chasing within 24 hours through other tactics or technology that are less dangerous. He said fleeing drivers many times are teens or young adults who have a chance to reform if apprehended in safer ways saving innocent lives and keeping offenders from decades to life in prison from unnecessary pursuit deaths. The World and Lee found that 12 of the 45 (27%) eluding drivers who were killed in chases were ages 15 to 21. At least five of 20 (20%) fleeing drivers who survived the fatal pursuit wrecks were juveniles. A sixth driver was 20 years old. Some investigators not acknowledging chases Three families shattered by deadly pursuits share an obscure but significant common thread. The official traffic collision reports documenting the crashes that killed their loved ones dont acknowledge chases preceded each of the wrecks because the police investigators didnt disclose that information. Three of the four people killed in those pursuits were innocent motorists hit in chases initiated by reports of stolen property. In one case, Cherokee Nation Marshal Service Deputy Preston Oosahwee pursued a petty larceny suspect despite knowing that his alleged accomplice was in custody. The fleeing drivers truck slammed into and killed Malinda Phillips, a 36-year-old wife and mother driving herself to jury duty in 2018 in Tahlequah. The girls, they are like I am, Scott Phillips, her husband, told a federal judge in the civil lawsuit trial. I mean, they might look fine on the outside, but they are dying on the inside a lot of times. They try to hide it just like I do. Johnsons sister and niece were killed Lanise Dade, 31, and Camyea Miller, 13. In that case, Highway Patrol Lt. Mark Warren knew his Ford Explorer had less giddy up and go than the pickup truck, according to audio of his interview with investigators. But the trooper didnt stop because he thought the eluder might make a mistake or a colleague would intervene. Johnsons 7-year-old son, Dedrick, or D.J., survived but was pinned in the backseat. The 30-year-old father received a hospital call about his son and tried phoning his sister. Me, personally, I thought my son was dead, Johnson said. I thought it had just happened, and she didnt have the heart to tell me. I got to the hospital, and he was there by himself. In the third case, Collin Carpenter, 24, died in a motorcycle wreck in Broken Arrow while fleeing Highway Patrol Trooper Henry Perryman after an alleged traffic violation. His parents wonder why OHP kept chasing because two other local law enforcement agencies decided against doing so. It started with Collin, but there were multiple adults who could have stopped this situation, said his mother, Julie Carpenter. One bad decision doesnt define who my son was. Because investigators made zero mentions of the chases in the collision reports, none of those deaths are tagged as pursuit-related in the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) that tracks unintentional wrecks in the U.S. In a few other cases, Oklahoma law enforcement avoided using the words pursuit or chase in traffic collision reports to describe what took place. 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The General Director of Imoveqroo, Rodrigo Alcazar Urrutia, highlighted the importance of this achievement. With the installation of this committee we reaffirm our commitment to build safer and more sustainable mobility in Quintana Roo and it is made up of representatives from the government, civil society, academia and the private sector, to work collaboratively. He said Bacalar joins the eight other municipalities that already have this mechanism for citizen participation. Bacalar Mayor Jose Alfredo Contreras stressed the importance of this committee for the municipality. This is a fundamental step towards building decent and accessible mobility for all Bacalar residents. By joining forces between the government, civil society and the private sector, we are shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for our municipality. The Bacalar Technical Committee on Mobility and Road Safety seeks to identify problems and provide tailored solutions through the active participation of all sectors. Alcazar Urrutia explained that the Committee will promote actions to reduce polluting emissions, promote the use of public and non-motorized transport and improvements to road infrastructure, in addition to the implementation of measures to reduce accidents and protect all road users. By working together, the government, civil society and the private sector will be able to build a safer, more inclusive and sustainable municipality, said the head of Imoveqroo. Abel Lopez Dodero, the Coordinator of the Mobility Agenda for the World Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean, who was invited to the inauguration of the Committee, highlighted the potential of Bacalar as a model to follow in the region. Quintana Roo is at the forefront in terms of mobility and the installation of this is a clear example of that commitment, he said. WestJet starts direct Toronto, Calgary to Tulum routes Tulum, Q.R. Over the weekend, WestJet celebrated the inauguration of its service to Tulum. The service began with the departure of WS2320 from Calgary at 8:55 a.m. MST and WS2034 from Toronto at 9:00 a.m. EST. WestJet is pleased to further enhance our connections to sun destinations this winter with new seasonal service to Tulum from Calgary and Toronto, allowing guests from coast-to-coast to explore the beauty of Mexicos Riviera Maya, said Daniel Fajardo, WestJet Vice-President, Network and Schedule Planning. Cementing our position as the countrys leading leisure airline, the WestJet Group will provide more seat capacity than any other carrier to sun destinations this winter. The airline says their new Tulum route from Calgary and Toronto adds to their robust network of service offerings to and from Mexicos Riviera Maya. Mexico has long been a favourite getaway for passengers departing from Toronto Pearson, said Kurush Minocher, Executive Director of Customer Experience and Airline Relations, Toronto Pearson. Were delighted to welcome WestJets new direct flights to Tulum, adding even more convenient travel options for our passengers to reach this vibrant destination. WestJet lands its first flights Saturday at Tulum International from Calgary and Toronto The Quintana Roo Secretary of Tourism, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, said this is an important achievement for Tulum, which is consolidating its position as a top-notch global tourist destination. The arrival of WestJet not only increases connectivity options for our international visitors, but also opens up new opportunities for economic development, employment and the strengthening of local tourism infrastructure. The two routes began November 9, 2024 with one Calgary to Tulum flight per week and two Toronto to Tulum flights per week. WestJet says they will offer the two direct Canadian flights into Tulum International until April 26, 2025. The debate over whether Islam can affirm freedom of conscience and the separation of religion and state rages. A new book adds welcome fuel to the intellectual fires. Once in a while a new book in religious studies comes out with a bold thesis, challenging old assumptions and raising some eyebrows. The Islamic Secular, a thick, dense, and elaborate monograph by Sherman A. Jackson, Distinguished Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California, is one such book that deserves attentionby both Muslims and others who are interested in the destiny of Islam. The book is notable first because of its author: Prof. Jackson, an African American who converted to Islam at a young age only to become one of the most prominent Muslim scholars in the Western world. He has also been named several times, most recently in 2023, as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center in Amman, Jordan. His earlier books, including Islam and the Problem of Black Suffering and On the Boundaries of Theological Tolerance in Islam: Abu Hamid al-Ghazalis Faysal al Tafriqa, were widely read and rightly praised. The Islamic Secular, perhaps Jacksons magnum opus, at least so far, is notable also for the provocative thesis that is apparent right in its title. For many people, including Muslims themselves, the very terms Islamic and secular appear contradictory, and their amalgamation would coin only an oxymoron. But Jackson carefully makes sense of what he means by the Islamic Secular: that Islamic law, namely the Shariah, does not cover all the vast areas of human experience and knowledge, leaving many spaces that are secular, where Muslims can still act and think with a religious ethos. It means, in his words, While everything remain[s] within the purview of the divine gaze of the God of Islam, not everything [can] be determined by Shariah or on the basis of its revelatory sources. Various aspects of state-policy, the economy, science, and the like [are] differentiated, from Shariah and its revelatory sources, without becoming non-religious or un-Islamic. One may wonder why this is not obvious. It is not because there is also a totalizing view of the Shariah, which assumes that Islamic law should define anything and everythingfrom personal practices to politics, from economics to all sciences. Jackson finds this totalizing view in the narrative of the political Islamist movements, which typically insist that Islam is the solution to any worldly problem that one can imagine. They also insist, in Jacksons words, that the Islamic State must apply the shar, the whole shar, and nothing but the shar. (Shar is a cognate of Shariah.) Bounded vs. Unbounded Shariah Jackson ties the resurgence of this totalizing view of Islamic law to fears about the encroachments of Western secularism. But, as he notes, it was also present in the premodern Islamic tradition. It goes all the way back to Imam Al-Shafii (d. 820), who is widely recognized as the founder of not only one of the four Sunni schools of jurisprudence but also the very architect of the legal methodology that other Sunnis largely followed. In his seminal book Al-Risala, Al-Shafii attacked the more rationalist jurists of his time (the ahl al-ray, or people of reason), who besides revelation used their intuitive ethical judgements (called istihsan), reflecting an Islamic strain of natural-law-based thinking. According to Al-Shafii, however, reason without revelation was always untrustworthy, and hence revelation had to be all-encompassing. No situation befalls anyone who adheres to the religion of God, he famously wrote, but that there is in the Book of God an indication regarding the correct action therein. This resulted in a concept of unbounded Shariah, which dominated the formative centuries of Sunni jurisprudence. This was not the only view, however, as Jackson painstakingly shows in the book. Instead, he argues, Islamic jurists gradually realized the limits of Islamic law, and by the 11th century, it was rather the bounded view of the Shariah that became more pronounced. He points to examples such as the great Imam al-Ghazali (d. 1111), who defined mathematics, geometry, astronomy as aqli, or rational areas of human knowledge, as opposed to naqli, or transmitted religious knowledge. Another one is Ibn Aqil (d. 1119), who also saw the pursuits of grammar, medicine, lexicography as outside the purview of Islamic lawin other words, as secular. Throughout The Islamic Secular, Jackson both resurrects this bounded view of Islamic law and applies it to modern circumstances. He builds the ground for a conceptual shift, which indeed would be an important contribution to contemporary Islamic thought. The Islamic secular can indeed help invalidate the totalizing ambitions of political Islamists, who theorize a simple Islamic solution to any complex problem, often with unfortunate results in practice. It can also help ease the intuitive suspicion many conservative Muslims have against modern sciences, philosophies, laws, and institutions. It can help Muslims walk the world more confidently, by keeping one leg in the religious texts but the other one in universality, without collapsing into existential crisis. What About the Shariah Itself? However, laying the boundaries of the Shariah still does not resolve the issues within the Shariahand that is the part of the book where Jacksons approach may begin to look inadequate. Of course, one may not see any issues within the Shariah, especially if his or her only guide is the Shariah itself. But for most outsiders, as well as for many Muslims who think outside the box, there are issues: The Shariah, as articulated by the traditional schools of jurisprudence, has verdicts that conflict with modern standards of human rights, in areas such as religious freedom, freedom of expression, and equality under the law regardless of religion and gender. Jackson frankly notes that the Islamic Secular alone has no direct response to this problem. But he has another response to the problem, with which I would not agree: to argue that religiously coercive elements of the Shariah may be just fine. This is evident in one of the most interesting chapters of the book, The Islamic Secular and the Secular State, where Jackson critically engages with another American Muslim academic, Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim. (In other chapters, Jackson also engages with the perspectives of Wael Hallaq and Andrew March, all insightful and interesting discussions.) An-Naim, Charles Howard Candler Emeritus Professor at Emory Law School (who has spoken at Acton), deserves a little introduction here. He is originally from Sudan, where he saw what religious coercion can do: His own teacher Mahmoud Mohammed Taha was cruelly executed for apostasy for merely interpreting the Quran differently. An-Naims 2008 book, Islam and the Secular State, called for ending all such abuses by placing Islam in its rightful placethe individual conscienceand through a political shift: separation of the Shariah and the state, making the observance of the former a voluntary choice, not a dictate of the latter. (On all these points I fully agree with An-Naim, as I have argued elsewhere: All religious aspects of shariasuch as prayer and fasting, as well as dress codes and sexual moresshould not be enforced by state power, but practiced by faith, like the Jewish halakha.) Is Coercion Good for Religion? But Jackson disagrees with An-Naim. First, he objects to An-Naims reading of Islamic historyon whether the separation of the Shariah and the state is really the normative relationshipand he may have a point there. But he also criticizes An-Naim for seeing no positive role at all for coercion owing to the liberal view of heteronomy as archenemy. Jackson then explains why religious coercion may actually have a positive role: My point here is that certain practices are likely to produce certain enduring effects, regardless of their practitioners sincerity or intentions. Something similar can be said about Islamic law as practice: observing its dictates breeds or at least contributes to the instantiation of a particular subjectivity, a mode of being in the world, and even the instantiation of virtues, all independent of intention. Even forced prayer can ignite a spiritual spark, or at least reinforce the normativity of prayer as a value. No wonder that, with this line of reasoning, medieval Islamic scholars imposed harsh punishments on Muslims who gave up prayer. Even today, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan dictate such practices as strict dress codes for women. (This is not to say that Jackson justifies the policies of Iran and the Taliban, but if religious coercion is good for reinforcing normativity, then why would those policies not be justified?) This is perhaps the most interesting discussion in Jacksons multifaceted book, and if I had a chance, I would add a counterpoint: The liberal view he deprecates also has a religious justification. It is that religious coercion, far from helping religion, can corrode it by generating hypocrisy and resentment among those who are coerced. This was one of the key objections John Locke raised against religious coercion in A Letter Concerning Toleration. It is also painfully obvious in Iran today, where decades of reinforcing normativity by the Islamic Republic have made millions of people not more religious but only more secular, if not fiercely anti-religious. (There is also a lesson here for Christian post-liberals, as I have argued elsewhere.) To his credit, Jackson also notes that An-Naim logic, meaning noncoercion in religion, is not entirely alien to the Islamic juristic tradition. He reminds us of the prominent Sunni scholar Shihab al-Din al-Qarafi (d. 1285), who barred the state from intervening in religious observances and the like, and with a notably Lockean concern: The sole purpose of [religious observance] is to extol and worship God, which cannot be realized in the absence of the worshippers proper intention. But al-Qarafi was not entirely consistent, Jackson adds, as he also accepted punishment for abandoning prayer. Hence I would see the former point by al-Qarafi as a seed of freedom in the Islamic tradition, among others that Daniel Philpott identified, which wasnt cultivated enough in the past but that can be cherished today. In fact, the Islamic secular itself can be a seed of freedom that can be taken further than Jackson does in his book. For if there are rational areas of human knowledge and practice, not necessarily defined by religion but in which the religious can act ethically, why cant we add governance and legislation to them? Why cant we even see the Shariahs interventions in these areas not as enduring enactments but as contextual applications of universal principlesas various Islamic modernists have been arguing since the late 19th century? I am not sure whether Jackson himself would go that far, but his thought-provoking book is full of facts and insights that could spark many rich conversations about the place of Islam in the modern world. For anyone interested in that big question, it is a must-read. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. District 8 City Council Member Manny Pelaez and his law firm Pelaez-Prada PLLC is on trial this week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court over claims they owe $193,500 to BVF Fund II for storm damage appraisal reports. Kaylee Greenlee Beal District 8 City Council Member Manny Pelaez and his law firm are on trial this week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Antonio over whether they stiffed a business that provided property damage appraisal reports related to insurance claims. Pelaez and the firm Pelaez-Prada PLLC owe San Antonios BVF Fund II $193,500 for the reports, Chapter 11 trustee Michael Colvard has alleged in a breach-of-contract lawsuit. BVF sought bankruptcy protection over three years ago. Pelaez disputes that he or his firm owe BVF any money. He also denies that another firm hes a name partner in Flores & Pelaez-Prada PLLC, which does business as Stormlex Law Group owes any money. However, he said it would be willing to pay $8,000 for reports that it used on cases. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The council member, who has announced his candidacy for mayor, declined to comment on Tuesdays court proceedings. He told the San Antonio Express-News last year that he was going to tell Colvard to go pound sand after the trustee filed suit. Colvard listed the article as one of his exhibits for the two-day bench trial before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ronald B. King. The judge is expected to issue his ruling Dec. 10. Pelaez-Prada agreed to pay $1,500 or $2,000 for each appraisal report, Colvard alleged in his lawsuit. Pelaez is an arbitrator and conducts that business through Pelaez-Prada, he said. Storm-related litigation is now handled by Pelaez's other firm, which promotes itself as storm damage lawyers representing property owners whose claims are denied or underpaid by insurers. BVF formed in 2016 to finance appraisals for the repair costs to homes and commercial buildings that suffered storm damage. Specifically, it financed the purchase and resale of appraisals that were produced by an affiliate of Nevada-based Correct Claim Public Adjusters LLC called OnPoint Appraisal Services LLC. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Both of those companies landed in bankruptcy, resulting in Correct Claim defaulting on $1.2 million owed to BVF, the San Antonio company alleges in a 2022 court filing. BVF has blamed its troubles on that bankruptcy and various lawyers who it alleged defaulted on the purchase of the appraisal reports. Houston lawyer Cristobal Galindos firm last year agreed to pay $190,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by Colvard alleging it owed BVF $624,000. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Colvard also has sued San Antonio lawyer James Rosenblatt and his law firm. Rosenblatt, who has denied his firm did anything wrong, is appealing the denial of his motion to arbitrate the dispute. During opening statements, Colvards lawyer H. Anthony Hervol told the judge that the defendant law firms began talking with each other and came up with a story that they didnt have to pay for the damage reports unless there was a successful result. Were going to hear excuses like that to get out of the contract, Hervol said. Attorney Peter Kilpatrick, who represents Pelaez and his firm, responded that BVF is suing the wrong party. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lors de la recente Biennale des arts ouverte le 7 novembre dernier a Dakar, la Barbade a marque sa premiere participation. Andrea Wells, directrice de la Fondation Nationale de la Culture de lile, a dirige ce projet ambitieux visant a etablir des connexions culturelles au-dela des oceans. Pour la premiere fois, la Barbade participe a cet evenement artistique majeur en Afrique. Sous limpulsion dAndrea Wells, ce projet a introduit lart barbadien et son riche heritage afro-caribeen au public africain. Wells a cree le projet Transatlantic One, qui raconte lhistoire et la culture de la Barbade a travers des expressions artistiques visuelles. This is the first time that a group of Barbadian artists represents the island at the Biennale, said Wells. The exhibition features eleven artists exploring universal themes such as African heritage, Caribbean mythology, and the diaspora experience. Despite logistical delays, the artworks are presented digitally, allowing interaction with visitors in a novel way at Dakars Village des Arts. Russell Watson, one of the featured artists, draws on the islands Afro-Caribbean mythology and its intimate connection to the sea in his work. Using the sea as a symbol of spiritual continuity, Watson explores the resilience embedded within Barbadian identity. David Guru McLean reflects on early Africa-Caribbean relations before the slave trade, celebrating a often ignored history. His work depicts African merchants ships, highlighting a dignified trade relationship pre-colonization traumas. Photographer Rizee Chaderton-Charles addresses the painful memory of slavery using mythical figures like Mami Wata, transforming the ocean into a sacred space commemorating lost souls. The Barbadian governments investment in this venture is considerable, at about 200,000 US dollars, advocating for enhanced international cultural exchanges. Supported by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, the initiative seeks to open new collaboration avenues for Barbadians. Andrea Wells sees the projects success as integrating Barbadian art into an international network, enriching dialogue around African roots. By melding myth, history, and modern expressions, the initiative positions Barbados as a dynamic source of global creative discourse. Sabin 33 #2 - Are toxic heavy metals from solar panels posing a threat to human health? Posted on 12 November 2024 by BaerbelW On November 1, 2024 we announced the publication of 33 rebuttals based on the report "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles" written by Matthew Eisenson, Jacob Elkin, Andy Fitch, Matthew Ard, Kaya Sittinger & Samuel Lavine and published by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School in 2024. Below is the blog post version of rebuttal #2 based on Sabin's report. Roughly 40% of new solar panels in the United States and 5% of new solar panels in the world contain cadmium1, but this cadmium is in the form of cadmium telluride, which is non-volatile, non-soluble in water, and has 1/100th the toxicity of free cadmium2. Most solar panels, like many electronics, contain small amounts of lead3. However, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DER) has assessed that because PV panel materials are enclosed, and dont mix with water or vaporize into the air, there is little, if any, risk of chemical releases to the environment during normal use.4 The Massachusetts DER has further assessed that, even in the unlikely event of panel breakage, releases of chemicals used in solar panels are not a concern. All materials in a solar panel are insoluble and non-volatile at ambient conditions, and dont mix with water or vaporize into air. Moreover, they are encased in tempered glass that not only withstands high temperatures, but is also strong enough to pass hail tests and is regularly installed in Arctic and Antarctic conditions. It is theoretically possible that, when exposed to extremely high heat exceeding that of a typical residential fire, panels could emit vapors and particulates from PV panel components to the air. But that risk is limited by the fact that the silicon and other chemicals that comprise the solar panel would likely bind to the glass that covers the PV cells and be retained there. When a cadmium telluride panel is exposed to fire of an intensity sufficient to melt the glass on the panel, over 99.9% of the cadmium [is encapsulated in] the molten glass. Furthermore, a 2013 analysis found that, even in the worst-case scenarios of earthquakes, fires, and floods, it is unlikely that the [cadmium] concentrations in air and sea water will exceed the environmental regulation values.5 One peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Natural Resources and Development (A. Robinson & Meindl 2019) found it unlikely for lead or cadmium to leach into the soil from functional solar panels. Measuring heavy metal concentrations in the soil at various distances, researchers found no significant differences in lead or cadmium concentrations directly underneath solar panels, compared to soil 45 or 100 feet away. The study further found that lead and cadmium were not elevated in soils near PV systems and were far below levels considered to be an imminent or future danger to environmental health.6 Although the study did find higher levels of selenium in soil directly underneath solar panels, the study noted that the presence of selenium was possibly a result of the cement used in construction, rather than leaching from the panels themselves. In addition, the study noted that even the highest selenium concentrations observed were below the EPAs risk threshold for mammals. Finally, the study noted that fly ash, a product of coal combustion commonly disposed of in landfills and as a soil amendment in agriculture, contains significantly higher concentrations of lead (40x), cadmium (1.1x) and selenium (4x) than the soil samples taken directly underneath the solar panels in the study area. Footnotes: [1] Polycrystalline Thin-Film Research: Cadmium Telluride, Natl Renewable Energy Laboratory, May 2022 and Taking Cadmium Telluride Technology to the Next Level, US-MAC (last visited March 25, 2024). [2] Health and Safety Impacts of Solar Photovoltaics, NC Clean Energy Technology Center, May 2017 [3] Mark Hutchins, The weekend read: A lead-free future for solar PV, PV Magazine, Oct. 26, 2019 [4] Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources et al., Questions & Answers: Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Systems, 10-11 (Jun. 2015) [5] Yasunari Matsuno, Environmental risk assessment of CdTe PV systems to be considered under catastrophic events in Japan, First Solar, Dec. 1, 2013 [6] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ecological Soil Screening Level (2018), (last updated May 3, 2023) Skeptical Science sincerely appreciates Sabin Center's generosity in collaborating with us to make this information available as widely as possible. There are 40 men on federal death row who have been convicted of capital offenses by the federal government going back as far as 1993. The offenses committed by federal death row inmates include drug-related murders, a murder in a national park, killings during terrorist attacks, and the fatal shooting of a bank guard during a robbery. Eighteen of them are white; 15 are Black; six are Latino; one is Asian. All told, there have been 50 federal executions in the past century, 13 of which were carried out by the Trump administration between July 2020 and January 2021. In contrast, Biden has a mixed record on capital punishment. Unlike his predecessor, he has not carried out any federal executions, but, as the Atlantics Elizabeth Bruenig explains, neither has he instructed [Attorney General Merrick] Garland to stop pursuing new death sentences, or to stop defending ongoing capital cases. Now that the 2024 election is over and Trump will be returning to the White House, it is even more important that President Biden do as I urged him to do last July and use his clemency power to empty the federal death row. He should make sure that none of the men now there will ever be put to death. Sometimes it is hard to get out front and do the right thing. But in this case, Biden can follow in the footsteps of several governors who waited until late in their terms to issue mass commutations to people awaiting execution in their states. That is the least that Americas first abolitionist chief executive can do. Like those governors, Biden has ample grounds to use his clemency power to advance the cause of justice and to save lives. As former Sen. Russ Feingold wrote last year: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A blanket commutation would realize Mr. Bidens anti-death-penalty stance and move the United States further along the path to abolition. It would also prevent another federal execution spree such as that carried out in the Trump administration. The commutation of federal death row sentences could be a defining feature of Mr. Bidens legacy of, as he describes it, restoring the soul of the nation. Advertisement He can take inspiration from many sources, including former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who commuted the sentences of all 17 men on her states death row in December 2022 on her way out of office. At the time, Brown said: I have long believed that justice is not advanced by taking a life, and the state should not be in the business of executing peopleeven if a terrible crime placed them in prison. This is a value that many Oregonians share. Unlike previous commutations Ive granted to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary growth and rehabilitation, she explained, this commutation is not based on any rehabilitative efforts by the individuals on death row. Instead, it reflects the recognition that the death penalty is immoral. It is an irreversible punishment that does not allow for correction; is wasteful of taxpayer dollars; does not make communities safer; and cannot be and never has been administered fairly and equitably. Advertisement To offer one other example, Biden could learn from what Republican Illinois Gov. George Ryan did in 2003 when he emptied his states death row by issuing a blanket commutation to all 167 inmates. At the time, Ryan acknowledged his own journey, a journey like Bidens, from death penalty supporter to critic. Advertisement Unlike Brown, Ryan did not condemn state killing itself. Instead, he focused on what he saw as crippling defects in its administration. Advertisement He noted that In Illinois last year we had about 1,000 murders, only 2 percent of that 1,000 were sentenced to death. Where is the fairness and equality in that? The death penalty in Illinois is not imposed fairly or uniformly because of the absence of standards for the 102 Illinois State Attorneys, who must decide whether to request the death sentence. Should geography, Ryan asked, be a factor in determining who gets the death sentence? I dont think so but in Illinois it makes a difference. You are 5 times more likely to get a death sentence for first degree murder in the rural area of Illinois than you are in Cook County. Where is the justice and fairness in that? Where is the proportionality? Advertisement Advertisement And the Illinois governor called special attention to miscarriages of justice in the death penalty system, including its racially discriminatory history and the fact that Illinois had, at that time, released 17 men who had been falsely convicted from death row. Other governors who have done what Brown and Ryan did, and what Biden should do, include Lee Cruce, governor of Oklahoma from 19111915, Winthrop Rockefeller, governor of Arkansas from 19661970, and Tony Anaya, governor of New Mexico from 19821986. Each of them took advantage of the period immediately before they left office to do what might have been too much of a political risk to do when they had to stand for reelection. And now it is President Bidens turn. Advertisement Many of the problems highlighted by Brown and Ryan when they commuted death row apply to the federal death penalty as well. Moreover, the federal death penalty has been afflicted with the same problems of racial injustice that have plagued the states where it is also legal. Advertisement The American Civil Liberties Union reports that Defendants of color make up the majority of federal death row and the majority of modern federal executions. Furthermore, modern Attorneys General seek the death penalty at far higher rates if the victim is White, and White federal defendants are far more likely to have their death charges reduced to life sentences through plea bargaining. These issues, along with the injustice of a government putting anyone to death, provide ample reason for Biden to issue a mass commutation. But so far Biden has not seemed eager to wield his clemency power in this or any other area. Writing in September of this year, law professors Rachel Barkow and Mark Osler note that Biden has granted 25 pardons and commuted the sentences of 131 other people. That is a mere 1.4 percent of the petitions he has received. No modern U.S. president, going back to Richard Nixon, has had a rate so low. Advertisement Clemency, they argue, is more important than ever in an era of grossly excessive punishments and mass incarceration. Timidity is not a path to legacy. Like the governors who overcame such timidity and granted clemency in capital cases, President Biden, now facing the end of his time in the White House, has, as Bruenig correctly observes, the freedom to act on his values and save dozens of lives. He ought to use his clemency power to keep his campaign promises, and to honor the dignity of human life. Preventing another gruesome Trump execution spree is one final thing the president has the power to do. Its an opportunity he must not pass up. H-E-B plans to upgrade its store at Tezel and Grissom roads. Google Earth H-E-B plans to renovate its store at Tezel and Grissom roads on San Antonios Northwest Side, though the grocer wont say what that will entail. The San Antonio-based company plans to begin $3.4 million worth of work at the store at 9255 Grissom Road in June and finish construction in February 2026, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The filing describes the scope of the upgrades as a remodel but does not include any details, and a H-E-B spokesperson declined to share more information. Retailers periodically update aging stores, and the Grissom location was built in 1987, according to the Bexar Appraisal District. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other filings describe recent or upcoming renovations at H-E-B stores at Castle Hills, Las Palmas, Foster Road, Nacogdoches and OConnor roads, Deco District, Commerce and Chupaderas streets, Marketplace on Bandera Road, and U.S. 281 and Loop 1604 as well as its Central Market store on Broadway. The company also appears to be adding a True Texas BBQ restaurant at its Plus store in Schertz. Along with remodeling stores, H-E-B continues to expand its footprint in the area. The company plans to build a store near Texas 211 and Culebra Road on the far West Side and a store near the University of Texas at San Antonios main campus on the Northwest Side. Judge James Ho secured his spot on Donald Trumps likely Supreme Court short list by staking out extreme, far-right positions that cleave to the MAGA movements goals. Theres really been only one glaring exception: Ho has long endorsed birthright citizenship, the constitutional guarantee that virtually everyone born on American soil automatically becomes an American citizen. The son of immigrants himself, Ho has written eloquently in support of this principle, refuting conservative arguments for its abolition. But Trump just won reelection on a promise to abolish birthright citizenship, and he seems unlikely to elevate a vocal foe of his own plan to the high court. It should surprise no one, then, that less than a week after the election, Ho is already walking back his once-steadfast commitment to this fundamental right. In an interview with the conservative law professor Josh Blackman published on Monday, Ho sketched out his excuse to repudiate birthright citizenship by framing immigrants who lack permanent legal status as invading aliens whose children born on U.S. soil may be denied citizenship by states and the federal government. It is a strange and illogical claim with no basis in constitutional text or Supreme Court precedent. But Hos audience is not lawyers, journalists, or immigration experts; its Trump and his allies, whom he clearly seeks to convince of his total ideological commitment to MAGA. His backflip is yet another ominous confirmation that we should expect Trumps next round of judges to not show even a glimmer of independence: They will be selected for their loyalty to the presidents agenda and spend the next four years auditioning accordingly. Ho currently sits on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Its the most extreme appeals court in the country, an ultraconservative, brazenly partisan body that relentlessly reshapes the law in the Republican Partys image, often going too far for even this very right-wing Supreme Court. Even among his reactionary colleagues, Ho stands out as a bomb thrower. On every conceivable issue, he takes the stance preferred by GOP hard-liners. He uses pugnacious, sometimes trollish oratory to present himself as Trumps avatar on the bench, an unapologetic brawler who fights for ordinary people against woke liberals and condescending elites. All these traits make Ho a perfect candidate for the Supreme Court under Trumps second term. Theres just that one problem: On birthright citizenship, Ho has consistently bucked Trumpist orthodoxy. In 2006, while working in private practice, Ho wrote a concise, persuasive law review article defending the principle. Nearly a decade later, Ho transformed his article into a piece for the Federalist, a Trump-aligned media outlet. His message to the GOP seemed unmistakable: Birthright citizenship sits at the heart of the Constitution, and any attempt to revoke it would be an ill-fated betrayal of the 14th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hos argument aligns with the overwhelming consensus among legal scholars, historians, and courts. It flows directly from the 14th Amendments text and history. In drafting this amendment, Congress expressly intended to overturn Dred Scott, the odious 1857 decision that denied citizenship to Black Americans. The drafters of the amendment wanted to consign Dred Scott to the dustbin of historynot only by abolishing slavery, but also by compelling the government to forever recognize the equal citizenship of all people born in the U.S., so that no caste of inferior people could ever again be established. The 14th Amendments very first sentence therefore guarantees that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Congress excluded just three groups from this guarantee, each of whom fell outside the reach of American law: first, members of tribes that maintained separate sovereignty; second, foreign diplomats; and third, members of an invading army. Native Americans were considered members of quasi foreign nations and thus not fully subject to U.S. law. Diplomats and alien soldiers residing in the U.S. were deemed agents of a foreign state who held legal immunity from American law. So their children were not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and could not acquire citizenship at birth. Advertisement Advertisement Note who does not fall under these narrow exceptions: the U.S.-born children of immigrants, whether lawful or unauthorized. There is no indication from congressional debates that the 14th Amendment was intended to exclude immigrantswho are fully subject to U.S. law when present in the countryfrom birthright citizenship. And in 1898, the Supreme Court acknowledged that an individual born in the U.S. to noncitizen parents must still receive citizenship. Although the case involved an individual whose parents had traveled to the U.S. legally, no aspect of the courts reasoning rested on this detail. Advertisement And so it has become a foundational American principle that the children of immigrants obtain automatic citizenship. This guarantee has allowed millions to become full participants in American democracy instead of foreigners to the only country theyve ever known. And it stands as a bulwark against state efforts to discriminate against American citizens because their parents lacked permanent legal status. Revoking birthright citizenship would create a new underclass of young stateless people whom the government could deport to their parents country of origina place they may have never set foot in. In his earlier writings, Ho cogently explained why the Constitution flatly forbids these dire consequences. Now it seems he has had a change of heart. In his interview, Ho sought to carve a massive loophole into the 14th Amendment. He assured Blackman, Birthright citizenship obviously doesnt apply in case of war or invasion. No one to my knowledge has ever argued that the children of invading aliens are entitled to birthright citizenship. He likened these invading aliens to unlawful combatants captured after 9/11. Everyone agrees, Ho said, that birthright citizenship doesnt apply to the children of lawful combatantsthat is, alien soldiers invading the United States. And its hard to see anyone arguing that unlawful combatants should be treated more favorably than lawful combatants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This statement might sound anodyne. But it is actually a shocking reversal of Hos own long-held beliefs. The judge is equating immigrants lacking legal status with terrorists by likening them to unlawful combatants. And he is arguing that, just as the government can deny citizenship to the children of terrorists, it can deny citizenship to the children of those immigrants. The full scope of Hos about-face in Mondays interview becomes clear only when read alongside a concurring opinion that he authored barely three months ago. In that concurrence, Ho declared that unauthorized immigration may qualify as an invasion under the Constitution akin to a foreign army storming over the border to wage war. The Constitution directs the federal government to protect states against invasion and allows states to defend themselves when actually invaded. It describes invasion in terms of war waged by a hostile power. Yet, according to Ho, the government may conclude that unauthorized migration constitutes an invasion and use force in response. Crucially, he argued that this decision was a purely political question for states, Congress, and the president to decidemeaning that courts cannot overrule their determination that an invasion exists. Advertisement This theory is wildly false and dangerous. And it has devastating implications for birthright citizenship, which Ho has now spelled out. His reasoning goes like this: The government may decide that immigrants who lack legal status qualify as invading aliens. The children of invading aliens do not receive citizenship under the 14th Amendment. So the U.S.-born newborns of those who have been declared invading aliens may no longer receive citizenship. Advertisement How exactly would this happen? Ho has sketched out the road map. The birthright-citizenship statute enacted by Congress largely mirrors the 14th Amendment and therefore includes the same exceptions. The president could, under Hos theory, announce that he believes that unlawful migration amounts to an invasion. He could then direct federal agencies to deny U.S. citizenship to all newborns of migrants. And the courts would be powerless to stop him, because they could not interfere with this political question. Put simply, Ho has provided intellectual scaffolding to Trumps promise to abolish birthright citizenship by executive order. He has laid out precisely what the president must do to deny U.S. citizenship to babies of migrants under his view of the law. In Mondays interview, he tried to pass off this turnabout as obvious, as if he had believed it all along. But in his earlier writings, Ho took pains to state that all children born of migrants should receive citizenship, with no mention of this glaring exception that would nullify the rule. It sure looks as if he scrambled to develop this novel theory to assure Trump of his fealty and avoid getting bumped off the Supreme Court short list for his lone defection from MAGA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SCOTUS is probably not yet extreme enough to embrace Hos theory. If Trump replaces even one liberal with a conservative like Ho, though, it could be. And in truth, the judges abrupt pivot on this issue, while shameless and cynical, is tactically wise. The GOP is disappointed in Trumps first three justices, each of whom has deviated from the party line in some ways despite their overall hard-right ideology. Trump will be looking for loyalty above all else, and screening out any whiff of heterodox or independent thinking, from his next appointees. The smartest thing that short-listers can do right now is demonstrate that theyll abandon any views that dont align with Trumps agenda, proving their lockstep compliance with the boss. It took Ho less than a week after the election to bend the knee. "I think one of the basic defining characteristics of humans is that we are curious...if you see something you don't understand, you ask questions like where did it come from, how does it work?" German nuclear physicist Jurgen Schukraft tells The Slovak Spectator. This article is supported by the ESET Foundation, whose annual ESET Science Award recognises exceptional scientists. Schukraft is a founding member of the ALICE collaboration, one of several detectors at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN whose goal is to investigate what are thought to have been the conditions at the beginning of the universe. He spoke to The Slovak Spectator ahead of the ESET Science Award ceremony; Schukraft was a member of the international committee which chose this years winners. Is it correct to say that the ALICE Collaboration opens a window onto the creation of the universe? To give a general context, what we are trying to do in all high energy physics is indeed trying to understand the very small, which is related also to the very early universe in general. So all of what we are doing at CERN, not only what ALICE is doing, but what CERN actually does, is trying to understand the ingredients of nature, its forces and particles. And because the early universe was born in a Big Bang - that's what we currently think - which was a very high energy density and very hot environment. If we can understand the small particles, we can also understand the early universe. So in that sense it is correct. We are trying to understand matter at its smallest scale, which is the matter which was relevant in the early universe. What kind of matter is that? The early universe started with what we call The Big Bang, which was a very hot environment which then expanded and cooled. And as it cooled, it changed its state every time it became cooler and cooler. To stay up to date with what scientists in Slovakia or Slovak scientists around the world are doing, subscribe to the Slovak Science newsletter, which will be sent to readers free of charge four times a year. Is there an example you could give to help visualise that? Take steam for example - you cool it, it becomes water. And if you cool it even more, it becomes ice. We call these transitions from one material to another phase transition. What is astonishing is that this matter at high temperature looks nothing like the matter at lower temperatures. Steam doesn't look the same as water. If you have water at 1, you can make tea. If you have water at 99, you can make tea. But if you have water at 101, when it's steam, you can't make tea any more. And the same thing happened to the matter at the beginning of the universe? A joint venture between Stellantis and Chinese carmaker Leapmotor has decided to move the production of its new SUV, the Leapmotor B10, away from Poland, where it was initially planned, according to Reuters. The venture is now considering Stellantis factories in Eisenach, Germany, and Trnava, Slovakia. The decision follows a directive from the Chinese government urging domestic carmakers to halt major investments in European countries, which have supported the imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. While Poland supports the tariffs, five EU countries, including Slovakia, do not. The tariffs target Chinese manufacturers, whose cheaper electric vehicles are subsidised by the state. If the Trnava plant secures the new production, it would mark the facilitys first non-European model, points out Dennik N. So far, the plant has only produced vehicles for French brands Peugeot and Citroen, and more recently, the smaller SUV Opel Frontera, originally a German brand. Should the Trnava plant secure the new production line, it would also confirm its position as the fastest among domestic car manufacturers in transitioning to electric vehicle production. The factory, employing around 3,500 workers, saw a drop in revenues last year, from 3.7 billion to 3.3 billion, primarily due to the retooling of production lines for electric vehicles. However, its profit increased from 34 million to 57 million, driven by rising vehicle prices following the post-pandemic recovery. Moreover, both Trnava and the Kia plant in Zilina have an advantage over competitors like Volkswagen in Bratislava and Jaguar Land Rover in Nitra, as they produce smaller, mid-range vehicles primarily for the European market. These plants will be less affected by potential tariffs on European car imports to China or by the US administration under Donald Trump. In contrast, the production of luxury SUVs in Bratislava and Nitra, much of which is exported to the US and China, is more vulnerable to such tariffs. Leapmotor, founded less than a decade ago, has rapidly expanded, opting to grow its presence in Europe through a partnership with Stellantis. The joint venture, with Stellantis holding a 51 percent stake, was established last year. The Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland, already produces the small Chinese electric model, the T03, using components imported from China. It remains unclear whether this production is also at risk, according to Reuters. Starting in January 2025, the state will take over the funding of kindergartens in Slovakia. Starting in January 2025, state funding will replace municipal budgets for the operation of kindergartens in Slovakia. However, parents in some towns will still face higher fees for these services. As reported by Hospodarske noviny, a business daily, teacher salaries and education in kindergartens will be funded from the Education Ministrys budget. This shift will reduce municipalities share of personal income tax revenues, which they have often used to finance kindergartens - from 70 percent to 56.1 percent, causing local governments to lose 559 million. Despite this, municipalities will still have to contribute to kindergarten funding, such as covering salaries for kitchen staff. Local governments are now seeking ways to plug this financial gap. According to Jozef Bozik, the head of the Association of Towns and Villages of Slovakia (ZMOS), 70 percent of municipalities have opted to increase various fees, including those for kindergartens and creches. In Michalovce, in eastern Slovakia, the monthly kindergarten fee has already risen. For parents with permanent residence in the city, the fee has increased from 20 to 25 per child. For those without permanent residence, the fee has climbed from 40 to 50. These fees do not include meal costs, which could increase the final sum by several dozen euros. The cost of day care has also gone up, from 200 to 270, excluding meal or supervision fees. While many municipalities have yet to increase fees, cities like Nitra, Banska Bystrica, and Zilina are holding off. It remains unclear what will happen in 2025. The parliament passed the kindergarten funding reform at the end of October. In early October, a fiscal consolidation package was also approved, which will impact local governments, notably through a rise in VAT from 20 percent to 23 percent, further driving up the cost of goods and services. Some Bratislava districts, such as Petrzalka, Podunajske Biskupice, and the Old Townhome to many foreignershave also not raised fees yet. Currently, in the Old Town, parents with permanent residence pay 55 per month for kindergarten, while those without permanent residence face fees of 90. A meal costs 2.30 a day. Looking ahead, a change in the amount of the parental contribution towards partially covering kindergarten expenses is expected in 2027. According to the proposed amendment to the law, municipalities will not be required to set the contribution, but will instead have the option to do so, the Education Ministry said, as quoted by the daily. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241111/north-korea-ratifies-treaty-on-strategic-partnership-with-russia---report-1120857462.html North Korea Ratifies Treaty on Strategic Partnership With Russia - Report North Korea Ratifies Treaty on Strategic Partnership With Russia - Report Sputnik International North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has signed a decree to ratify the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow, the Voice of Korea has reported. 2024-11-11T23:25+0000 2024-11-11T23:25+0000 2024-11-11T23:25+0000 world kim jong un russia pyongyang koreas voice of korea north korea strategic partnership https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/13/1119024836_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_8ba834116a9fb3452bfc5f257951e3f9.jpg The decree was signed on Monday in Pyongyang, and the treaty will enter into force from the day the two countries exchange the ratification documents and has no expiration date, the news agency said. In June, Russia and North Korea signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. According to Article 4 of the agreement, should one of the parties be subjected to an armed aggression by any state or a group of states and find itself in a state of conflict, the other party shall immediately provide military and other forms of assistance with all available means in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and in conformity with Russian and North Korean laws. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240618/russias-strategic-partnership-with-north-korea-to-symbolize-new-level-of-ties-1119009218.html russia pyongyang koreas 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 russia-north korea, russia-dprk, russian-north korean relations, russia-north korea relations, russia-dprk alliance, russia-north korea friendship, kim jong un, russia-north korea ties, russia-north korea relations, putin-kim meeting, putin-un meeting, putin-kim talks, putin-un talks, russia-north korea talks, russia-north korea negotiations, vladimir putin, putin-kim, putin kim, russia-dprk, ussr-dprk, ussr-north korea, ussr-north korea ties, kim jong-un https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/costa-rican-salvadorian-leaders-propose-creation-of-small-nations-league-1120860433.html Costa Rican, Salvadorian Leaders Propose Creation of 'Small Nations' League Costa Rican, Salvadorian Leaders Propose Creation of 'Small Nations' League Sputnik International Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles and his Salvadorian counterpart, Nayib Bukele, on Tuesday proposed to create a league of "small nations" for the security and prosperity of their people. 2024-11-12T06:45+0000 2024-11-12T06:45+0000 2024-11-12T06:45+0000 world us costa rica northern europe el salvador latin america south america https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/0c/1120860525_0:161:3067:1886_1920x0_80_0_0_4d34c47daa5cdbea8f4a10ed98064946.jpg "In the beginning, we will look for small countries with clear minds and a firm aim: security and prosperity. And we are going to bring this work to the level where we can formulate joint proposals and present them to the rest of the world and to the new US government," Chaves said at a joint briefing with Bukele. The Salvadorian leader expresses his confidence that in the region, there are leaders who think the same way and stand for the well-being of their people. These leaders will be invited to join the union "in due time," he added. The name "league of nations" was proposed by Bukele, and the leaders reviewed the idea during his visit to Costa Rica. Building on the idea, Chaves mentioned the Hanseatic League, which had brought together free cities of Northern Europe and the Baltic for them to become "isles of prosperity among terrifying poverty." Chaves also said that, along with El Salvador, they will begin work on attracting investments, international trade, interstate security, and combating drug trafficking and illegal migration. Bukele, in his turn, expressed readiness to build the league's headquarters and bring together leaders interested in the well-being of their peoples to sign the memorandum of understanding between the founding states. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240729/el-salvador-may-apply-to-join-brics-in-1-2-years---russian-diplomat-1119551004.html costa rica northern europe el salvador south america 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 'small nations' league, costa rican salvadorian cooperation, costa rican salvadorian partnership, costa rican salvadorian ties https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/elon-musk-believes-fate-of-us-aid-to-ukraine-deserves-investigation-1120868624.html Elon Musk Believes Fate of US Aid to Ukraine Deserves Investigation Elon Musk Believes Fate of US Aid to Ukraine Deserves Investigation Sputnik International Tech mogul and Donald Trump ally Elon Musk has agreed that generous financial assistance by the United States to Ukraine in the wake of the conflict's escalation deserves scrutiny. 2024-11-12T17:44+0000 2024-11-12T17:44+0000 2024-11-12T18:04+0000 world us ukraine elon musk military aid weapons supplies https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/18/1118100166_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_54318c2d65c5f823b2cc570ddf0ee248.jpg X owner Elon Musk has weighed in on the subject of US aid to Kiev after one X user suggested that, once the Ukrainian conflict is resolved, American people deserve a full accounting of where their money went in Ukraine.Where did the money go? What was it for? And was it a productive use of funds? I think a lot of us know the answer to those questions but I want to see definitive proof, the user wrote. And then I really want people to have a reckoning with the fact that continuously pouring money into foreign wars is only good for the military industrial complex.Following the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict in February 2022, Washington has provided billions of dollars worth of assistance to Kiev, including both weapon shipments and financial aid.Much of the weapons provided to Ukraine by the US and its allies, however, ended up in the hands of Ukrainian black market dealers that, coupled with reports of rampant corruption in Ukraine, make American taxpayers wonder where their money ultimately went. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231228/ex-pentagon-analyst-honest-audit-of-us-ukraine-funding-only-possible-without-team-biden-1115860438.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us, ukraine, elon musk, us help to ukraine, us weapons supplies to ukraine, us aid to ukraine, audit of us help to ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/eu-now-has-two-choices-new-arms-race-or-mend-fences-with-russia--swedish-military-veteran-1120867792.html EU Now Has Two Choices: New Arms Race or Mend Fences With Russia Swedish Military Veteran EU Now Has Two Choices: New Arms Race or Mend Fences With Russia Swedish Military Veteran Sputnik International The European Commission may redirect some 392 billion ($416 billion) from the 2021-2027 cohesion funds to support their defense industries and military mobility projects, The Financial Times reported on November 11. 2024-11-12T16:34+0000 2024-11-12T16:34+0000 2024-11-12T16:34+0000 analysis military & intelligence donald trump russia sweden ukraine european union (eu) european commission white house us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104524/72/1045247293_0:290:5568:3422_1920x0_80_0_0_c788512999c935c296a53c004f2a0bb3.jpg The Ukraine conflict and Donald Trump's return to the White House are likely to impose pressure on the EU to boost defense investments, according to the newspaper.Many in the bloc would love to become more independent from the US in terms of defense, but it would require gargantuan military budgets which European countries are unable to afford, Valtersson argues."Without the US the EU has very limited power projection capabilities and even less nuclear deterrence capability," he explains. "Building and keeping a strong nuclear capability will be extremely expensive for the limited European defense budgets."A possible way out is a shift from the expensive militarization and growing dependence on the US to resuming working relations with Russia, the pundit alleges. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called for discussing common European security for all. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241108/pepe-escobar-putin-outlines-the-moment-of-truth-1120820957.html russia sweden ukraine 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 european union's defense spending, trump demands that eu step up its defense spending, trump demands that nato allies meet their defense spending obligations, eu economy, eu's dependence on the us, europe's relations with russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/eu-sanctions-independent-reporter-to-hide-donbass-reality-from-global-audiences-1120861510.html EU Sanctions Independent Reporter to Hide Donbass Reality From Global Audiences EU Sanctions Independent Reporter to Hide Donbass Reality From Global Audiences Sputnik International Andrea Lucidi, an independent military correspondent reporting from Donbass, has requested that Russian President Vladimir Putin grant him Russian citizenship, citing a witch hunt instigated by Italian authorities and media at the behest of Kiev as the reason for his appeal. 2024-11-12T12:12+0000 2024-11-12T12:12+0000 2024-11-12T12:12+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia europe donbass sputnik european union (eu) kiev italy european parliament ukraine crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/0c/1120861482_0:15:1904:1086_1920x0_80_0_0_b36108da8a64b8e2561eb652bfedd3bb.png He revealed to Sputnik the double standards of Italian policy towards war correspondents. He noted that while the EU and Italy seem poised to crack down on freedom of speech and the press, these freedoms have historically been vital to Europeans and European society.Italy's Witch Hunt Against ReportersLast week, Linkiesta, an Italian media outlet, published an article exposing the fact that Kiev was pushing the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to slap personal sanctions on Andrea Lucidi and his colleague, Vincenzo Larusso. The main reason was their work as war correspondents in Donbass. Lucidi also noted that the Zelensky regime had accused him of entering Ukraine without an official permit. That said, Italian authorities and media did nothing to support him as a journalist doing his job there."In my case, in the case of my colleague Vincenzo Larusso, nobody in the official mainstream media spend one word to support us. And for saying that it's impossible to make war journalism with such authorization for the others from the other side. I think it's the right of European audience to know the real situation in Russia and in Donbass, and we are trying to respect this right and work honestly and free or give them the possibility to have a complete opinion about the conflict. But someone wants to stop us," he added.Italian and European politicians like Vice-President of the European Parliament Pina Picerno were among those who tried to stop his efforts. During a European Parliament meeting, Picerno deliberately removed the journalist's photo from Soledar and labelled Lucidi a "foreign agent and Kremlin propagandist."'Russian Values Are My Values'Lucidi has been working in Lugansk since November 2022 as an independent war correspondent. He has already visited all of Russia's new regions, writing articles and producing video reports for European audiences.Speaking about the prospects of his life in Russia, Lucidi noted that he shares Russian values and appreciates the opportunity that he can work freely in the country. This is precisely why he wants to obtain Russian citizenship and reside there. russia donbass kiev italy Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Christina Malyk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/08/1113208579_137:0:1097:960_100x100_80_0_0_39342d3133a15b1549ec31c158221a34.jpg Christina Malyk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/08/1113208579_137:0:1097:960_100x100_80_0_0_39342d3133a15b1549ec31c158221a34.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Christina Malyk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/08/1113208579_137:0:1097:960_100x100_80_0_0_39342d3133a15b1549ec31c158221a34.jpg donbass, italian journalist, kiev regime, putin, russian citizenship, russian values, european sanctions, eu sanctions against journalists, eu sanctions against reporters https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/french-army-on-high-alert-20000-troops-ready-to-respond-top-brass-says-1120865011.html French Army on High Alert, 20,000 Troops Ready to Respond, Top Brass Says French Army on High Alert, 20,000 Troops Ready to Respond, Top Brass Says Sputnik International The French army is ready to immediately engage in combat to defend the country if necessary, General Pierre Schill, the army chief of staff, said in an interview to the Journal du Dimanche. 2024-11-12T12:25+0000 2024-11-12T12:25+0000 2024-11-12T12:25+0000 military emmanuel macron europe france french army https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/1d/1118675099_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_fd280cbfa15f54646e519a2a43540ad5.jpg "If the situation requires it, we are ready for combat starting this evening to protect the French people and the country's vital interests," he told the newspaper in an interview published on Monday. The French army is undoubtedly prepared for high-intensity warfare with a peer adversary, the general added. A force of 20,000 soldiers is on standby, some of whom are currently deployed abroad, including in Lebanon, Iraq, Estonia and Romania. French instructors have been training Ukrainian soldiers in France and Poland. The general said that the army's main objective was to develop an ability to adapt to new methods of warfare. Earlier, Schill said in his op-ed in March that the French army was ready for the "toughest" engagements after French President Emmanuel Macron repeatedly suggested that Europe should send troops to Ukraine. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231003/macron-france-experiences-security-issues-across-all-country-1113871060.html france 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 france, french army, european secuiry, general pierre schill Guidehouse will take the third floor of the former Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. campus at 9903 Nationwide Drive, shown here, on the citys West Side. Google Earth Guidehouse, a global consulting firm that advises government agencies and businesses, has opened an office in San Antonio with plans to hire 1,000 workers in the next five years. The McLean, Va.-based company said Tuesday it has set up a regional operations hub on the West Side, on the third floor of the former Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. campus at 9903 Nationwide Drive. It will provide advisory, corporate and digital services to clients in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Our expansion into San Antonio an industry hub for cybersecurity, financial services, health and life sciences, intelligence, defense and security reflects our commitment to supporting clients in this dynamic market, Guidehouse CEO Scott McIntyre said in a statement. We look forward to working in close proximity to our many clients and colleagues, becoming part of the greater San Antonio community, and providing local opportunities for our expanding network of Texas-based employees and trading partners. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The firm already has offices in Austin, Houston and Lewisville, among other cities. The city of San Antonio is among its clients, as Guidehouse assisted officials in developing a climate action plan. San Antonio offers the ideal location for Guidehouses continued growth and ability to better serve its Texas-based clients, Chief Operating Officer Charles Beard said in a statement. A spokesperson for the firm said it will seek to fill roles such as investigative analyst, compliance adviser, executive director, controls analyst and rebate application specialist for its work with clients in the financial services, energy, sustainability and infrastructure industries. The firm was established in 2018 when Veritas Capital bought PricewaterhouseCoopers consulting business and named it Guidehouse. Bain Capital bought Guidehouse last year in a deal that valued it at $5.3 billion. It has more than 17,000 employees. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Guidehouse said Greater:SATX, the regional economic development organization, helped the firm choose a site. Nationwide shifted to a hybrid workplace model during the pandemic and sold its 270,000-square-foot facility to Dallas investment fund Reserve Capital Partners in 2021 for an undisclosed price. Reserve Capital rebranded it as the Reserve at Westover Hills. It appears to be empty aside from the 99,046 square feet Guidehouse is leasing. The spokesperson for Guidehouse said the facility has room for the firm to expand. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/houthi-forces-target-uss-abraham-lincoln-with-drones-and-missiles-1120869513.html Houthi Forces Target USS Abraham Lincoln With Drones and Missiles Houthi Forces Target USS Abraham Lincoln With Drones and Missiles Sputnik International Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, have attacked the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea and two destroyers in the Red Sea with drones and ballistic missiles, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria said on Tuesday. 2024-11-12T18:47+0000 2024-11-12T18:47+0000 2024-11-13T09:30+0000 military middle east red sea yemen ansar allah houthis uss abraham lincoln us red sea crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107796/63/1077966328_0:102:2000:1227_1920x0_80_0_0_1569618726f1756f9af3b5c7c4799fdc.jpg "The missile, UAV forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out two specific military operations. The first operation targeted the American aircraft carrier (Abraham) located in the Arabian Sea with a number of cruise missiles and drones while the American enemy was preparing to carry out hostile operations targeting our country. The operation has successfully achieved its objectives, and led to thwarting the operation that the American enemy was preparing against our country," Saria said o Telegram.The second operation targeted two US destroyers in the Red Sea and was "successfully carried out using drones and ballistic missiles," said Saria. According to him, both attacks lasted eight hours. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder commenting on the development said later in the day that CENTCOM forces repelled a Houthi attack on US destroyers.The vessels were not damaged, and no personnel were hurt, the official added.Ryder said he is not aware of any attacks against the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.The Shiite political-military movement Ansar Allah, which controls much of Yemen's Red Sea coast, expressed its support for Palestine amid the conflict in Gaza, declaring its intent to attack any ships associated with Israel and urging other countries to withdraw their crews and avoid approaching such vessels. The Houthis emphasized, however, that they do not interfere with the freedom of navigation in the region and do not target vessels from other nations. Following the attacks, some companies decided to suspend shipments through the Red Sea. Meanwhile, since mid-January, the US and the UK have been striking Houthi targets, citing a response to threats to the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Supreme Political Council of the Ansar Allah movement, condemned these strikes as acts of terrorist barbarism. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241029/what-is-houthis-new-al-qaria-submersible-strike-drone-and-how-does-it-operate-1120720125.html red sea yemen 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 houthis, red sea crisis, uss abraham lincoln, us navy group in red sea, red sea, arabian sea https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/israeli-air-force-strikes-beiruts-southern-haret-hreik-suburb---reports-1120863967.html Israeli Air Force Strikes Beirut's Southern Haret Hreik Suburb - Reports Israeli Air Force Strikes Beirut's Southern Haret Hreik Suburb - Reports Sputnik International The Israeli air forces struck the Haret Hreik neighborhood in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday, a Sputnik correspondent in Lebanon reported. 2024-11-12T11:05+0000 2024-11-12T11:05+0000 2024-11-12T11:05+0000 military israel lebanon beirut airstrike https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/0c/1120863809_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_04184c2c10c63131fd507cc5bb4b2556.jpg A large plume of smoke rose above the targeted area. An Israeli reconnaissance drone was spotted in the sky over the southern suburbs of Beirut and the Lebanese capital's central districts. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) told residents of the Haret Hreik, Bir el-Abed, Sfeir, Mreijeh, Laylaki, and Hadath neighborhoods to leave their homes. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted aerial photographs on X, marking 11 designated targets in the southern Beirut suburbs. Since October 1, Israel has been conducting a ground operation against Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon while continuing airstrikes. Despite losses, the Lebanese movement 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. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241107/israel-uav-strike-near-lebanese-sidon-kills-3-people-4-un-peacekeepers-injured-1120807516.html israel lebanon beirut Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israeli airstrikes in lebanon, israeli invasion of lebanon https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/raw-materials-and-troop-deployments-how-zelensky-tries-to-woo-trump-with-revised-victory-plan-1120863511.html Raw Materials and Troop Deployments: How Zelensky Tries to Woo Trump With Revised 'Victory Plan' Raw Materials and Troop Deployments: How Zelensky Tries to Woo Trump With Revised 'Victory Plan' Sputnik International Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed his "victory plan" to Donald Trump back in September, with two clauses designed specifically to spark the US president-elect's interest in potential resource-related deals, Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing several European and Ukrainian sources. 2024-11-12T10:37+0000 2024-11-12T10:37+0000 2024-11-12T10:37+0000 world us ukraine donald trump volodymyr zelensky plan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/1b/1120317702_0:0:2993:1685_1920x0_80_0_0_5d12ddcf980e19b5c1c701819a904a9b.jpg According to the newspaper, Ukraine is adjusting its "victory plan" for the future Trump administration, emphasizing potential business deals, access to raw materials and the deployment of troops in an attempt to secure his support. According to the sources, Ukraine's allies in Europe and the US, including leading representatives of the Republican Party, gave advice on how best to formulate proposals that would stimulate close cooperation with Kiev, rather than stop critically important assistance to the country. One of the two tailored clauses suggested replacing part of the US's contingent in Europe with Ukrainian troops after the end of the conflict. The other, which was first developed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (listed in Russia as a terrorist and extremist), involves the sharing of Ukraine's most important natural resources with Western partners. Zelensky unveiled his "victory plan" in mid-October, insisting that it could help end the conflict in Ukraine no later than 2025. The document includes five clauses and three secret addendums. In particular, the Ukrainian leader proposes inviting Ukraine to NATO, lifting restrictions on strikes deep into Russian territory, and deploying a "comprehensive non-nuclear deterrence package" in Ukraine. Zelensky's plan drew criticism in the EU and NATO for outlining in detail the multiple obligations of Ukraine's Western allies but not assigning any to Kiev itself. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed it as a set of incoherent slogans that pushed NATO into a direct conflict with Russia, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the real peace plan for Kiev would be to realize the futility of the Ukrainian policy. He said that Kiev should "wake up" and understand the reasons that led it to the conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241111/us-eyes-holding-presidential-parliamentary-elections-in-ukraine-in-2025---russian-intel-1120850759.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International zelensky victory plan, us military aid to ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/russia-china-relations-one-of-pillars-of-global-politics-security---shoigu-during-meeting-with-yi-1120859762.html 'Russia-China Relations One of Pillars of Global Politics, Security' - Shoigu During Meeting With Yi 'Russia-China Relations One of Pillars of Global Politics, Security' - Shoigu During Meeting With Yi Sputnik International The press office of the Russian Security Council earlier said that the bodys Secretary Sergei Shoigu will visit China on November 11-14 to meet with the country's top political leadership. 2024-11-12T05:47+0000 2024-11-12T05:47+0000 2024-11-12T05:51+0000 russia china world sergei shoigu wang yi vladimir putin meeting talks cooperation https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/0c/1120858841_0:0:2894:1628_1920x0_80_0_0_d12aa64dad0779497d1b968921b93a83.jpg Relations between Russia and China are one of the pillars of global politics and security, as well as one of the global stabilizing factors, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday.The Russian Security Council earlier said that the two officials are expected to discuss current issues of international and regional security, as well as bilateral cooperation during the talks. Shoigu, who is currently on a four-day working visit to China, will also hold talks with Chen Wenqing, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, later this week.During the visit, the Russian Security Council Secretary will also attend the Airshow China 2024 international airshow in Zhuhai, where Russia's fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet will be demonstrated abroad for the first time.The visit comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said at last week's meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club that relations between Russia and China are at an unprecedented level and based on mutual trust. Putin stressed that cooperation between Moscow and Beijing remains one of the most important factors of international stability. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241107/trade-between-china-russia-in-january-october-increases-by-28-to-202bln---customs-1120800461.html russia china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg press office of the russian security council, russian security council secretary sergei shoigu's meeting with chinese foreign minister wang yi, relations between russia and china, key issues affecting strategic security interests of russia and china, russian president vladimir putin's speech at the valdai international discussion club https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/russia-venezuela-trade-growth-result-of-understanding-2-economies-integration---maduro-1120860795.html Russia-Venezuela Trade Growth Result of Understanding, 2 Economies' Integration - Maduro Russia-Venezuela Trade Growth Result of Understanding, 2 Economies' Integration - Maduro Sputnik International Russia and Venezuela have reached a mature understanding and understand the potential of each other, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday, adding that the 453% two-year growth in bilateral trade is a result of the integration of the two economies and of the work of the two governments. 2024-11-12T06:50+0000 2024-11-12T06:50+0000 2024-11-12T06:50+0000 economy nicolas maduro delcy rodriguez dmitry chernyshenko venezuela russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0a/17/1120660308_0:0:1280:721_1920x0_80_0_0_7d4967913032bd58667682d553e7124c.jpg "This is the result of the work done. Between the two governments as well as on the integration of the economies... The Russian economy replaces imports from Western countries, and it has a number of needs to replace what has been coming in from countries that... imposed sanctions. Now Venezuela can satisfy those needs," Maduro told the Maduro+ program. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has said that exports from Venezuela to Russia have grown by 453% since 2022. Among the exported goods, Rodriguez mentioned cocoa, coffee, avocado, cane sugar, and vegetables. Russian exports to Venezuela have grown by 34% over the same period, mainly thanks to exports of fertilizers, soy oil, wheat, peas, potassium chloride, and vaccines. The recent session of the bilateral commission chaired by Rodriguez and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko was "one of the most effective from the operational perspective," the president said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241001/venezuela-russia-to-sign-10-year-strategic-alliance-in-december-says-maduro-1120369425.html venezuela russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia-venezuela trade, russia-venezuela cooperation, russia-venezuela ties, russia-venezuela partnership, why are russia and venezuela close https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/serbs-who-remember-1999-bombings-will-never-embrace-nato---deputy-pm-1120867076.html Serbs Who Remember 1999 Bombings Will Never Embrace NATO - Deputy PM Serbs Who Remember 1999 Bombings Will Never Embrace NATO - Deputy PM Sputnik International Nothing can force the generation of Serbs that survived the 1999 NATO bombings of Yugoslavia to join the US-led military alliance, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin said on Tuesday. 2024-11-12T14:31+0000 2024-11-12T14:31+0000 2024-11-12T14:31+0000 world aleksandar vulin serbia belgrade yugoslavia nato 1999 nato bombings https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/18/1108759729_0:173:1992:1294_1920x0_80_0_0_78be863808ebc07bdb2f89239a4ba1fe.jpg "We, who are not so young, can tell you exactly where we were on March 24, 1999, that night. Every one of us can describe exactly how they felt, who they were with, what the world around them looked like, what they thought at the moment, which would come to define every one of us forever. Therefore, there is no such force, policy or bribe that could make Serbs join NATO. At least not until this generation dies This is the long-term effect of NATO aggression," he told a conference in Belgrade. Vulin said that the bombing of Serbia and the NATO airstrike on the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade made Russia and China realize the dangers of a "unipolar world." The minister recalled how the NATO command "apologized with a smile for not knowing who they were bombing." The international conference on the long-term effects of the 1999 bombings on the Serbian society and the formation of a multipolar world opened at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Belgrade on Tuesday. Yevgeny Primakov, head of Russian outreach agency Rossotrudnichestvo, and Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko attended the event. In 1999, an armed confrontation between Albanian separatists from the Kosovo Liberation Army and Serbian security forces led to the NATO bombing of then-Yugoslavia, which consisted of Serbia and Montenegro. The military operation was launched without the approval of the UN Security Council after Western countries accused Yugoslav forces of engaging in ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. The air strikes continued from March 24 to June 10, killing thousands. The use of depleted-uranium bombs led to a rise in cancer cases. On September 21, 2000, the Belgrade District Court found US General Wesley Clark and former NATO Secretary General Javier Solana guilty of war crimes for bombing Yugoslavia, but the verdict was overturned by the Serbian Supreme Court after the overthrow of President Slobodan Milosevic. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240814/serbia-remains-island-of-independence-from-globalist-us-empire--analyst-1119762245.html serbia belgrade yugoslavia 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 serbia, nato, nato membership, 1999 nato bombings, yugoslavia bombings https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/skorea-expects-ties-with-russia-to-improve-after-conflict-in-ukraine-ends-1120868206.html S. Korea Expects Ties With Russia to Improve After Conflict in Ukraine Ends S. Korea Expects Ties With Russia to Improve After Conflict in Ukraine Ends Sputnik International South Korea expects an end to the conflict in Ukraine to create opportunities for mending ties with Russia, a senior official at the South Korean Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. 2024-11-12T17:12+0000 2024-11-12T17:12+0000 2024-11-12T17:49+0000 world russia ukraine south korea bilateral relations asia-pacific region https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/0c/1120868046_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_42d6e2b20b1632325faec97fbde85e48.jpg "I can confidently say that the space for our diplomacy will expand after the end of the war when it comes to the relations with Russia," the official was quoted as saying at a press conference by the South Korean news agency Newsis. The official conceded that it would be "difficult to restore relations immediately after the end of hostilities," since much would depend on facts on the ground in Ukraine. Seoul plans to see how the situation evolves post-conflict before taking action, they added. The official said it was "highly unrealistic to expect an improvement in relations" and a meaningful dialogue at a time when North Korea was allegedly preparing to get involved in the conflict. Despite this, Seoul does not see the need to supply weapons to Ukraine, they said. Commenting on US President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to end the conflict soon, the South Korean official said that Seoul and Washington were expected to coordinate their policies while the new US administration took shape. Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev said in an interview to Yonhap news agency in February that relations between the two countries were "not as good as we hope them to be" but nowhere near "rock bottom." He said Russia was ready to take the path toward reconciliation but expected the same mindset from South Korean officials. https://sputnikglobe.com/20180601/south-korea-wants-russia-korean-peace-1064995995.html russia ukraine south 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 russia, south korea, russian-south korean relations, ukrainian crisis, ukrainian conflict https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/south-korean-military-accuses-north-of-jamming-gps-signals--reports-1120863287.html South Korean Military Accuses North of Jamming GPS Signals Reports South Korean Military Accuses North of Jamming GPS Signals Reports Sputnik International MOSCOW (Sputnik) - South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff accused North Korea on Tuesday of jamming its GPS signals for five days in a row, in a move that it said affected maritime navigation and civilian aircraft, South Korean media reported. 2024-11-12T10:27+0000 2024-11-12T10:27+0000 2024-11-12T10:27+0000 asia north korea south korea kaesong gps jamming https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107962/70/1079627075_0:120:3215:1928_1920x0_80_0_0_16521635b722d418de787317fb15e7bb.jpg "The GPS signal jamming took place in some areas today ... They took place in the western border islands, involving weak signals in the early hours," JCS spokesperson Lee Sung-jun was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. The North has been reportedly conducting "GPS jamming attacks" against the South since Friday, in what is believed to be part of the North's ongoing anti-drone drills. Jamming attacks were reported last week in the Hezhu and Kaesong regions in the north of South Korea. The South Korean military called on Pyongyang to "immediately stop" the attacks and warned it about repercussions. North Korea last tried to jam GPS signals in the South Korean waters of the Yellow Sea for several days from late May to early June. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241108/south-korea-conducts-ballistic-exercise-in-response-to-north-koreas-missile-tests---jcs-1120815095.html north korea south 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 south korea north korea relations, north korea jamming, gps jamming https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/threats-to-provide-ukraine-with-german-cruise-missiles-are-merely-paper-tiger-moves-1120867543.html Threats to Provide Ukraine With German Cruise Missiles Are Merely 'Paper Tiger' Moves Threats to Provide Ukraine With German Cruise Missiles Are Merely 'Paper Tiger' Moves Sputnik International CDU party leader Friedrich Merz, who seeks to become Germany's new chancellor, has boasted that, if he gets the job, he would present Russia with an ultimatum: cease all combat operations in the Ukrainian conflict zone in 24 hours or Kiev gets German Taurus cruise missiles along with permission to use them to strike deep into Russian territory. 2024-11-12T15:13+0000 2024-11-12T15:13+0000 2024-11-12T15:13+0000 analysis friedrich merz ukraine germany russia taurus cruise missile https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0b/1117249434_0:125:2394:1472_1920x0_80_0_0_8a08fd9d2e6c8a81c7caf21fc67790d5.jpg Merzs bellicose rhetoric seems to be a product of the current political instability in Germany where the ruling coalition collapsed amid a deep economic recession and the loss of residual hopes of good transatlantic relations due to Donald Trumps victory in the US election, says Paolo Raffone, a strategic analyst and director of the CIPI Foundation in Brussels.Merz understands that the heavyweights of Germany are the financial-industrial conglomerates who are openly against the war against Russia in Ukraine and the crazy sanctions against Russia and China. However, Merz must appease the war-minded Green [Party] who are also ideologically anti-Russian and anti-Chinese, to embark them in a possible government coalition, he explains.However, forming a new government might necessitate forming a coalition with the SPD, who, Raffone points out, would not support Merzs intent to lift restrictions on long-range armaments supplied to Ukraine and even less the idea of issuing an ultimatum to Russia.NATO support of Merzs ultimatum initiative also seems unlikely as it would require unanimous approval of the military blocs members who would probably first wait for the United States, their real tutor, to weigh in on the matter.Trump (as also his predecessors and some EU leaders) is not a fan of NATO playing any direct concrete role in the war or post-war in Ukraine. Even Poland, that is genetically anti-Russian, would be very careful to support any Ukrainian capacity to strike inside Russia with West-provided missiles, Raffone suggests.He also warns that, with all the serious domestic confusion in Germany, anything that any German leader says may just be reversed in the blink of an eye.Moreover, the US, that is still occupying Germany with military bases and personnel and nuclear capacities, would not like to be dragged in any direct military confrontation with Russia, Raffone adds. None of the EU countries can be taken seriously without the consent of the US. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241107/germanys-coalition-collapse-signals-uncertain-fiscal-path-as-finance-chief-lindner-axed-1120807350.html ukraine germany russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International taurus missiles for ukraine, friedrich merz, german military aid to ukraine, ukrainian conflict https://sputnikglobe.com/20241112/trump-meets-with-netanyahus-consultant-to-discuss-middle-east---reports-1120861036.html Trump Meets With Netanyahu's Consultant to Discuss Middle East - Reports Trump Meets With Netanyahu's Consultant to Discuss Middle East - Reports Sputnik International US President-elect Donald Trump has met with Ron Dermer, a consultant to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the Middle East crisis and the US future actions on the matter, the Axios news portal reported on Tuesday, citing two Israeli officials and two US officials with knowledge of the meeting. 2024-11-12T06:56+0000 2024-11-12T06:56+0000 2024-11-12T06:56+0000 world donald trump benjamin netanyahu us israel lebanon east white house palestine-israel conflict israel-lebanon tensions https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/03/1120757510_0:0:3074:1730_1920x0_80_0_0_802ccc28d7c5ae597cb6ef9daa555865.jpg Dermer met with Trump in his Florida residence, Mar-a-Largo, on Sunday to pass messages from Netanyahu and brief the president-elect on Israel's plans in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. "One of the things the Israelis wanted to sort out with Trump is what are the issues he prefers to see solved before January 20 and what are the issues he prefers the Israelis to wait for him," a US official told the portal. The Israeli side reportedly wanted Trump's opinion on several issues, including post-war plans for Gaza, a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and the normalization of Israeli-Saudi relations. The Biden administration has been notified of the meeting in advance, they added. Trump, who had already served as US president after the 2016 election, won the presidential election on November 5. He became the first politician in the United States since the 19th century to return to the White House after a four-year hiatus. All leading media outlets involved in vote counting, including the Associated Press, Fox News, CNN, NBC, ABC, and CBS, announced Trump's victory. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris addressed supporters and announced that she would concede, while incumbent US President Joe Biden spoke with Trump and congratulated him. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241106/what-does-trumps-win-mean-for-the-middle-east-1120798774.html israel lebanon east 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 genocide, is israel committing genocide, whats happening with gaza, israeli genocide against palestinians, will israel be charged with genocide, whos backing israel, un hearing on gaza, current developments in gaza, whats happening to palestinians, us military aid to israel, us arms supplies to israel, us violating international law, what weapons is israel getting from us, israeli strikes, israel strikes gaza, israel kills civilians, operation in rafah, incursion into rafah, palestinian statehood, palestine independence, israeli hostages, jewish hostages, how many people did hamas abduct, how much money does us give israel, military aid to israel, financial aid to israel, hamas leader killed, haniyeh assassination, gaza peace talks, gaza ceasefire talks, israel vs hezbollah, israel lebanon tension, israel lebanon hostilities, israeli strikes on syria, airstrikes on damascus Monterrey, Nuevo LeAn, Mexico - May 27, 2022: Elevated view to the San Pedro Garza GarcAa neighborhood of Monterrey, the capital city of the Mexican state of Nuevo LeAn. It is a hub for corporate headquarters, luxury shopping malls and hotels, and high-end commercial real estate developments. Monterrey is the second-largest metropolitan area in Mexico, with a population of over 5 million. Simon McGill/Getty Images Travelers at San Antonio International Airport walk through Terminal A. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer San Antonio travelers are getting another option to head to Mexico with a new nonstop Volaris flight from to Monterrey. Passengers were given a send-off by a mariachi band before boarding the inaugural flight, which took off Tuesday morning from San Antonio International Airport. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Volaris, a low-cost airline based in Mexico, had announced the new daily route in August, an addition to its existing service to Guadalajara and Mexico City. The nonstop flight is to depart San Antonio daily at 10:25 a.m. and land in Monterrey at 11:35 a.m. A return flight will take off at 8 a.m. and arrive in San Antonio at 9:10 a.m. Monterrey shares many important cultural, educational and business ties with San Antonio, Jesus Saenz, San Antonios director of airports, said in a statement. This a win-win for our customers. The airport has been working to increase such direct flights. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nonstop service to Monterrey also is offered on Viva Aerobus three times daily. For its part, Viva also will be launching new nonstop service out of San Antonio to Guadalajara. Starting Dec. 2, it will offer flights four times weekly. Volaris currently has daily flights to Guadalajara. ALSO READ: Wells Fargo Bank reaches settlement with 17 Hispanic workers who accused it of discrimination Also this week, Delta Air Lines marked the launch of its nonstop flight to Boston. That flight will depart from San Antonio at 2 p.m. daily; the return flight will leave from Boston at 9:15 a.m. daily. This is fantastic news for San Antonians, especially our business travelers from our bioscience, technology and financial industries, Saenz said when Delta announced the flight. In October, the U.S. Department of Transportation tentatively cleared American Airlines to fly nonstop between San Antonio and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. San Antonios flight was one of five the department awarded for nonstop, round-trip service at the Washington airport. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once San Antonios slot is finalized, Saenz said at, American Airlines could make its first flight from San Antonio to D.C. within the next three months. Also in October, Spirit Airlines announced it will be adding daily nonstop flights to the worldns busiest airport, Atlanta, starting this spring. The push to add nonstop service started in 2022 with Visit San Antonio working with Greater: SATX, the public-private regional economic development group on the issue. They created a fund that would be used to pay subsidies to airlines to support nonstop service, with a goal of adding flights to 18 cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Twin B Joe Fresh held the top spot for the 18th consecutive week in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll. Twin B Joe Fresh was followed by the retired Jiggy Jog S and Kindergarten Classic Series male trotting champ Maryland to complete the top three in the Week 22 edition of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown polls Top 10 rankings released on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Captain Albano, who won last weeks Matron Stakes for three-year-old male pacers, made the only move in the week's poll, rising from sixth to fifth in a swap of positions with Sig Sauer. The only other horse in the Top 10 in action last week was My Girl EJ, who finished third in the Matron Stakes for three-year-old female pacers. She remained ninth in the rankings but dropped 23 points from a week ago. The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, which will be released every Tuesday through the remainder of the Grand Circuit season, does not determine U.S. Horse of the Year. The members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association vote on all Dan Patch Award division winners plus Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year and Horse of the Year. Rankings based on the votes of harness racing media representatives on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll: Week 22 Nov. 12, 2024 Rank Name (First Votes) A/S/G Record Earnings (USD) Points Pvs 1 Twin B Joe Fresh (31) 4mp 12-10-2-0 $827,062 346 1 2 Jiggy Jog S (3) 5mt 6-6-0-0 $934,188 294 2 3 Maryland 2ct 9-6-1-1 $1,227,695 261 3 4 Chantilly 2fp 9-9-0-0 $560,315 208 4 5 Captain Albano 3cp 16-10-1-3 $967,093 181 6 6 Sig Sauer 3ct 10-5-0-1 $871,812 174 5 7 Nijinsky 3cp 15-11-3-0 $1,142,920 119 7 8 Winners Bet 4ht 11-8-0-0 $729,254 98 8 9 My Girl EJ 3fp 17-9-4-2 $759,643 53 9 10 Karl 3ct 13-9-1-1 $1,004,089 43 10 ALSO: Mirage Hanover 42; Call Me Goo 28; Louprint 20; R Melina 13; Southwind Amazon 11; Legendary Hanover 6; Sir Pinocchio 5; Allegiant, Ervin Hanover 4; Champagne Problems, Little Rocket Man, Miki And Minnie 3; Abuckabett Hanover, Greenspan 2; Direction, Rocket Deo 1. Southwind Amazon received one first-place vote. (With files from USTA) A Nebraska Supreme Court decision last month in a Box Butte County case will result in a change at the Lancaster County jail in how consecutive jail terms are calculated, resulting in nearly two dozen people here serving more time in jail before their releases. In a split decision, a majority of the Supreme Court affirmed a Box Butte County District Judges decision finding that county jail good time credit, which excludes the first 15 days, applies to each sentence imposing confinement. In other words, an inmate who is sentenced to a year in jail on each of three misdemeanor convictions would have to serve 45 days in jail before beginning to earn credit for good time, which cuts the rest of the sentence in half. Thats not how the Lancaster County Department of Corrections had been doing it as of Oct. 31, when the decision came out. Instead, the jail on the western edge of Lincoln considered three terms together to be one sentence, meaning after 15 days not 45 the inmate would be getting day-for-day credit for the rest of his or her term. The Supreme Court in Samuel Mullins case said the appeal presented one legal issue: Where an individual is sentenced to consecutive terms in a county jail, arising from separate sentences in separate cases, does the first 15-day period specified in the county jail good time statute apply only at the commencement of the first sentence or at the commencement of each sentence? The majority found that the statute applies separately to each sentence to the county jail. And it affirmed Box Butte District Judge Derek Weimers judgment finding that the jail was right. Mullins who had been sentenced to two terms of 30 days would have to serve 30 days total before earning credit for good time. He had filed a complaint asking the judge to review the jails decision. Mullins contended that for any continuous period of county jail confinement, only one first-15-day period should be excluded from earning credit for good time, according to the decision. His attorney, Bell Island, asserted that the proper calculation was to subtract the 15 days from the aggregate sentence of 60 days. The jails calculation meant Mullins had to serve eight more days in jail. Mullins appeal got the attention of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, which submitted a friend of the court brief weighing in on the issue. Attorney Spike Eickholt argued the statute doesnt specify that a term of confinement is limited to an individual case, or an individual count. It refers simply to confinement, which in its ordinary meaning means the duration or time in which a person is in the custody of a jail, he wrote in the brief. Eickholt said a sentence is determined by the court as punishment for a crime, but good time is determined by jail officials as a reward for good behavior. The majority rejected the idea, saying they were persuaded that the Legislature intended county jail good time to differ from state prison good time, which doesnt have a first-15-day exclusion. On his last day in the position before retiring, Chief Justice Mike Heavican offered a dissent, joined by Justice Stephanie Stacy. If significant work must be done to discover whether a statute is unambiguous, that statute is probably ambiguous, he wrote, calling the majoritys attempt to conclude otherwise Sisyphean. Heavican said that because the statute could be interpreted to apply to a persons aggregate sentence, ambiguity should be resolved in the defendants favor. Chief Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Chris Turner said the courts holding would necessitate a modification of the calculation of good time credit for some inmates serving sentences at the Lancaster County Department of Corrections. Our office will continue to review and advise Corrections on the full implications of (the) decision by the court, Turner told the Journal Star last week. In the week that passed since the decision, the jail completed an audit to review the jail credits of those serving sentences at the jail as of Oct. 31. On Friday, Brad Johnson, the director of the county jail in Lincoln, said after going through all the individuals within their facility, they found 23 people who are going to have their release dates changed, adding a collective 304 days more jail time. Individually, he said, the smallest change was six days, and the largest was 32. Johnson said he would be writing letters to those folks to explain about the change in release dates, which followed the Supreme Court decision, and to let them know they can contact their attorneys with questions. If theyre frustrated, he said he understands, he would be, too. Johnson said they made an opinion and clarified the issue, and were going to have to comply. It is what it is, he said. Johnson said he hasnt yet talked with jail administrators across Nebraska about the decision, but he thinks they have been busy with similar audits. He thinks most calculated good-time credit on consecutive sentences the same way the Lancaster County Department of Corrections did up until Oct. 31. Asked about the decision, which will mean some people who her office represented will have to serve more time in jail, Lancaster County Public Defender Kristi Egger respectfully expressed frustration with the majoritys verbal gymnastics. She said the majoritys refusal to look to legislative materials, like committee reports and floor debates, does a disservice to all the legislative effort that went into trying to equalize the amount of credit to be given at county jails. At a time when the jails are full and the cost of housing people in custody is higher and higher, and when it is obvious that the Legislature was trying to do something to give appropriate credit where credit was due by changing the good time statute, the majority opinion in Mullins misses the mark, Egger told the Journal Star. We would love to hear your thoughts... 1. How did you come up with the idea for your startup? 2. What was the hardest part in the early stages of the startups growth? 3. What are the services/solutions/products that the startup offers? Who are the targeted audiences? 4. What are your strengths and advantages over your competitors? 5. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics? 6. Is the company bootstrapped or funded? What milestones will the financing get you to? 7. What is the road map ahead? How are you planning to achieve it? Key Management : Founding Year : Milestones : Awards/Recognition : Clients : Cedric the Squirrel is spotted Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, on the roof of Sarah Reveley's home in Alamo Heights. Courtesy of Sarah Reveley Against all odds, Cedric the squirrel of Alamo Heights is alive two and half months after someone apparently shot him through the neck with a blowgun. The dart is still there. And so is Cedric. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His unofficial caretaker, Sarah Reveley, 79, first spotted Cedric with his grievous wound Aug. 25. A week later, Sept. 1, she saw him again. When he didn't reappear after that, though, Reveley assumed the worst, and she's been processing her grief. But then Monday morning rolled around, and her neighbor snapped a photo of Cedric on Reveley's roof and sent it to her. "It sounds silly, but you know how people are when they lose their pets or a family member? I had gotten over that grief, finally," Reveley told the Express-News. "So when (my neighbor) sent me that picture, I was like 'oh my goodness!' ... I just couldn't believe it, I was astounded." Reveley initially spotted Cedric with the blowgun dart through his neck on Aug. 25, when she went out to her backyard to feed her beloved band of neighborhood squirrels. However, when she stepped outside, she came across an upsetting scene: one of her favorite squirrels, whom she affectionately named Cedric, was impaled through the neck with a blowgun dart. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ALSO READ: Wells Fargo Bank reaches settlement with 17 Hispanic workers who accused it of discrimination An Alamo Heights resident has been feeding Cedric and his family before him for the past 20 years. courtesy of Sarah Reveley "I was horrified," she told the Express-News. "I thought it was a twig or a branch or something, but when I saw what it was, I was shocked." After disappearing for about a week, Cedric surprised Reveley by appearing in her backyard again, on Sept. 1. "It was such a bittersweet moment," Reveley said when she saw an injured Cedric for the second time. "I was happy to see him, but I'm still so worried about him being out there, hurt like that." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Now, nearly three months after Reveley initially spotted Cedric with his "horrifying" injury, the squirrel was spotted seemingly alive and well or at least, as well as anyone could possibly be after getting shot through the neck. Reveley's mission remains the same: humanely capture and rehabilitate Cedric, so he can live out the rest of his squirrel days in peace. Reveley has been in contact with a local wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center to bring Cedric to an animal surgeon in the case she's able to capture Cedric. "Cedric was shot on August 25th and is still here," Reveley said. "No telling how long he has been here, but I just hope he will come down to eat on the patio so we can catch him." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new study by researchers, including at The University of Western Australia, has revealed how U.S. data breach notification (DBN) laws are influencing the cost of private debt for companies. The research, published in The British Accounting Review, investigated the effects of DBN laws, which mandate the disclosure of data breaches to protect consumers. It shows the laws lead to an increase in the cost of borrowing for firms, as lenders adjust their risk assessments to account for potential future costs from breach disclosures, such as litigation expenses. Lead author Nishant Agarwal, a lecturer at UWA's Business School, said the research showed lenders were taking into consideration heightened risks associated with potential data breaches when determining borrowing costs for firms. "This results in higher costs of private debt for companies affected by the laws," Agarwal said. "However, our research also revealed good news in that firms investing in robust cybersecurity measures can mitigate the increased costs. "Companies with strong cybersecurity infrastructure and technology leadership in their top management are viewed more favorably by lenders, leading to more favorable borrowing terms." Agarwal said by investing in cybersecurity, firms could signal a proactive approach to managing cyber risks, which reassured lenders and resulted in lower borrowing costs. "Our work highlights the intersection of cybersecurity, regulation and finance, and underscores the importance of forward-thinking risk management strategies," he said. The research used the staggered passage of DBN laws across different states in the U.S. to assess their impact on private debt costs. It found the increase in borrowing costs was particularly pronounced for firms in industries susceptible to data breaches, those reporting internal control weaknesses, or those disclosing cybersecurity risks in their risk factor disclosures. Conversely, the increase in the cost of private debt was less significant for firms that focused on cybersecurity measures, such as investing in cybersecurity or appointing a technology officer to the board. "Our study emphasizes the critical link between financial resilience and cybersecurity preparedness, suggesting firms should adopt comprehensive risk management strategies to navigate the evolving regulatory environment effectively," Agarwal said. More information: Nishant Agarwal et al, Data Breach Notification Laws and the Cost of Private Debt, The British Accounting Review (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.bar.2024.101518 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The Meta logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris, France, on June 14, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File Facebook and Instagram users in Europe will get the option to see less personalized ads if they don't want to pay for an ad-free subscription, social media company Meta said Tuesday, bowing to pressure from Brussels over privacy and digital competition concerns. Meta Platforms has been offering European Union an ad-free subscription option for about a year to comply with the continent's strict data privacy rules, but regulators had accused the company of giving people a false choice. The company said in a blog post that while people will still be able to choose between the subscription and existing free versions, it would also start giving free users an extra option over the coming weeks to see digital ads that are less personalized. This means ads will be targeted at users based only on what they see during their current session on Facebook or Instagram going back no more than two hours, plus minimal personal information such as age, location, gender as well as how they engage with ads. Data from all of a user's previous time spent on Facebook or Instagram, which is typically combined to precisely target an individual with tailored ads, won't be used. "While this new choice is designed to give people an additional control over their data and ad experience, it may result in ads that are less relevant to a person's interests," Meta said in a blog post. "That means people will see ads that they don't find as interesting. This drop in relevance is inevitable given that drastically reduced data is being used to show these less personalized ads to people." People who choose the new option will see ad breaks that can't be skipped for a few seconds, Meta said. European Union regulators had accused Meta of breaching the 27-nation bloc's digital rules when it gave user the option to pay a monthly fee to avoid being targeted by ads based on their personal data. The U.S. tech giant had rolled out the option after the European Union's top court ruled Meta must first get consent before showing ads to users, in a decision that threatened its business model of tailoring ads based on individual users' online interests and digital activity. The company also said Tuesday it's slashing monthly subscription prices for the ad-free option. Web users will pay 5.99 euros ($6.36), down from 9.99 euros previously, while iPhone and Android users will be charged 7.99 euros instead of 12.99 euros, which includes commissions charged by the Apple and Google mobile app stores. Meta's new subscription model could hit the company's lucrative digital ad business in one of its biggest markets. The company said it has already factored the new offering into its most recent business outlook and financial guidance. The options are available to users 18 and older in the EU's 27 member countries, plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: UMD researcher's new haptics system provides force feedback using water pressure rather than via mechanical devices. Credit: UMD Small Artifacts Lab Increasingly sophisticated computer graphics and spatial 3D sound are combining to make the virtual world of games bigger, badder and more beautiful than ever. And beyond sight and sound, haptic technology can create a sense of touchincluding vibrations in your gaming chair from an explosion, or difficulty turning the wheel as you steer your F1 racecar through a turn because of g-forces. While all this typically relies on force feedback using mechanical devices, University of Maryland researchers are now offering a new take that delivers lifelike haptic experiences with controlled water jets. But don't worryyou and your surroundings will stay dry. The team presented a paper and demoed its new waterjet-based technology known as JetUnit at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST 2024) last month in Pittsburgh. In addition to its use in gaming, the system might one day aid blind users by providing force feedback cues for spatial navigation and other interactions, thus enhancing accessibility, said project leader Zining Zhang, a computer science doctoral student in the Small Artifacts (SMART) Lab. The UMD device offers a wide range of haptic experiences, from subtle sensations that mimic a gentle touch to sharp pokes that feel like a needle injection. User testing has demonstrated that JetUnit is successful at creating diverse haptic experiences within a virtual reality setting, with participants reporting a heightened sense of realism and engagement. Compared to other available haptic technologies, the system can create an unusually broad range of forces based on changes in water pressure. The key is a thin, watertight membrane made of nitrilethe same synthetic rubber used for sterile glovesattached to a compact, self-contained chamber that effectively isolates the water from the user. And to reduce water turbulence within the membrane, the team 3D-printed several internal devices to allow strong forces without any leakage. Zhang said the UMD team decided to try using contained water jets due to water's efficiency in energy transfer as an incompressible fluid. It also presented the challenge, though, of keeping users drya significant focus of work as the team developed the system, she said. Zhang said she received significant feedback as the project progressed from her adviser, Huaishu Peng, an assistant professor of computer science who is director of the SMART Lab. Other help on the project came from Jun Nishida, an assistant professor of computer science whose research involves wearable technologies for cognitive enhancement. Both Peng and Nishida have appointments in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, which Zhang credits with providing a "rich, collaborative environment" for the team to do their work. The Singh Sandbox makerspace and its manager, Gordon Crago, also assisted, providing an array of tools and lighting hardware as the team was developing the JetUnit prototype. Looking ahead, Zhang envisions integrating thermal feedback via multi-level water temperature control and expanding JetUnit to become a full-body haptic system, paving the way for even more "sensational" uses. More information: Zining Zhang et al, JetUnit: Rendering Diverse Force Feedback in Virtual Reality Using Water Jets, Proceedings of the 37th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (2024). DOI: 10.1145/3654777.3676440 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: Screenshots of relevant moments during Meta advert ID# 710027057632847 for Blackjackist showing how it glamorized gambling by implying that gambling is linked to financial and sexual success and is therefore socially irresponsible. Credit: 2023 KamaGames. Computer Law & Security Review (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.clsr.2024.106069 A study from the IT University of Copenhagen reveals a high rate of non-compliance in social media advertising for gambling-like loot boxes in video games, with only 7% of ads disclosing their presence as required by UK advertising regulations and EU consumer protection law. The work is published in the journal Computer Law & Security Review. A total of 185 ads for popular games on Meta (Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram) and the 100 most-viewed TikTok video game ads were analyzed, finding that 93% were misleading by omitting essential information and therefore illegal. The study highlights major concerns. The 93 most-viewed illegal TikTok ads were seen over 292 million times by UK consumers alone, or 11 impressions per active user. Loot boxes raise significant concerns due to their resemblance to gambling mechanics, as they allow players to spend real money for randomized rewards. This unpredictability can encourage repeated spending, potentially fostering addictive behaviors similar to those seen in traditional gambling, especially among young users. Given that many loot boxes appear in games accessible to children, experts worry about their potential to drive overspending and lead to long-term financial and psychological impacts. Stricter enforcement is required to protect consumers, especially young users, from uninformed gambling-like purchases. Social media must be better regulated. More information: Leon Y. Xiao, Illegal loot box advertising on social media? An empirical study using the Meta and TikTok ad transparency repositories, Computer Law & Security Review (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.clsr.2024.106069 Provided by IT University of Copenhagen 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: Ben Weintraub and his co-authors conducted a large-scale analysis of exploitative trading activities on Ethereum and across popular rollups. Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University Ethereum, a decentralized online platform that allows users to conduct financial transactions in Ether cryptocurrency, prides itself on the system's high security. But new findings from Northeastern University's computer scientists and researchers at ETH Zurich, a public research university in Switzerland, show that it might not be so bulletproof, and its users might be susceptible to some market participants' predatory practices. "There are direct monetary incentives," says Ben Weintraub, a Northeastern doctoral student in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences. "So in my view, it's better if researchers find and publicize it first before people mistakenly lose money." Weintraub presented the paper on the findings at the Association for Computing Machinery's annual Conference on Computer and Communications Security (ACM CCS 2024) held Oct. 1418 in Salt Lake City. The study is available on the arXiv preprint server. He and his co-authors conducted a large-scale analysis of exploitative trading activities on Ethereum itself and across so-called rollups, or off-the-platform services that allow faster processing of higher volumes of transactions. The researchers found evidence that certain actors can manipulate the market on rollups, which was previously thought to be impossible. "It was known to be possible on regular Ethereum, but it was thought to be impossible on rollups and we showed that it is not impossible," Weintraub says. The paper presents three novel types of attacks in which predatory traders could have made about $2 million in profits in the last three years by manipulating transactions within Ethereum trading networks. Ethereum is a network of independent computers across the world that follows the Ethereum protocola set of rules on how the computers in the global network can interact with each other. It uses blockchain technology, pioneered by Bitcoin. A blockchain is a database of transactions that is shared across computers in a network. Once a new block, or a new set of transactions, is added to the blockchain, that data can no longer be removed by anybody, primarily due to cryptographic techniques that highlight any attempts at tampering. Anyone can create an Ethereum account from anywhere, at any time. No central authority such as a government or a company has control over Ethereum, which means no individual can change the rules or restrict users' access. Any Ethereum protocol changes require approval from more than half of the network. Unlike Bitcoin, which is solely a payment system with a name-sake cryptocurrency, Ethereum allows users to build applications, communities and organizations on its platform. The Ethereum network, however, has a scalability problemas the number of people using it has grown, the blockchain has reached certain throughput limitations that further inflated the costs for conducting transactions on the platform. One solution are the rollups, such as Arbitrum, Optimism and zkSyncwhich were analyzed by Weintraubthat aim to improve Ethereum's speed by taking batches of transactions and calculations off Ethereum. This reduced the processing cost of a transaction to roughly 1 cent, Weintraub says. Some actors make profits trading cryptocurrencies by trying to achieve maximal extractable value, he says, by manipulating the order of transactions that are pending inclusion on the blockchain. The research provides exclusive insights into the volume of maximal extractable value transactions on rollups, costs associated with them, profits made by such exploitative traders, competition between them and response time to such activities across Ethereum and the rollups. Some methods that malicious actors use are common to financial markets, like arbitrage, when a user buys something on one exchange and quickly sells it for profit on another exchange. "It's generally thought to be a good thing because it keeps different exchanges balanced in terms of price," Weintraub says. "But there are also types [of maximal extractable value] that are not good. One that's fairly well-known in research is called sandwiching." In sandwiching, when a speculator sees someone is about to buy an asset, they buy it first, driving up the price. The speculator then quickly sells it at the higher price. Sandwiching is considered a "bad," manipulative trading strategy affecting the price that other traders get. On Ethereum, block producerspeople or groups who get paid when their hardware is randomly selected to verify a block's transactionscan try to maximize the amount of profit they make by manipulating how transactions are ordered or included in a block before it is added to the blockchain. "The reason we call this an attack is because it is purely damaging to that victim, who now has to pay a little bit more for their transaction," Weintraub says. "The system broadly does not benefit at all. There's just the one who profitsthe 'sandwicher.'" While the researchers didn't find traditional sandwich attacks on popular rollups, they identified three potential strategies for them when transactions move between Ethereum and rollups with a time delay. "This just came from analyzing the protocol and looking at the exact flow of transactionswhen they get sent, when the rollup seems to respond to them or when they end up on the blockchain," Weintraub says. "We tested our attacks on [Ethereum's] test-net, a network of 'fake' money that is used by developers to test their applications," he says. "And, essentially, we stole all of the money from only ourselves." Weintraub is currently in contact with major rollups' developers to see what can be done about the possibility of the attacks. Two types of these novel attacks can be prevented, Weintraub says, while it is unclear how to protect users from the third type. "Our view is that it's better to just get this information out there so people, at least, are aware of the risks," he says. More information: Christof Ferreira Torres et al, Rolling in the Shadows: Analyzing the Extraction of MEV Across Layer-2 Rollups, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2405.00138 Journal information: arXiv This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu. Radio listeners are starting their mornings without two familiar voices amid the departure of Jenny Lee and Tony Cortez from local station Hits 105.3. The station announced in a social media post Wednesday that the pair, who hosted "Jenny and Tony in the Morning" from 6 to 10 a.m., were no longer with the company. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Theyve been a vital and successful part of our team for a long time and were going to miss them," the station wrote. "They are both wonderful people and they will always have our appreciation and respect." Hits 105.3 did not provide a reason for the sudden departure, but Lee took to her own social media page a day later and explained she was terminated due to budget cuts. "The truth is, its just a tough time to be in radio," she wrote. "I was fortunate to make it through years of budget cuts, and I just wasnt so lucky this time." "Im immensely proud of my 11 years at that station. Thats a radio lifetime," the Wisconsin native said. "Theres no need to be upset on my behalf. No one was mean to me - its just business." Advertisement Article continues below this ad ALSO READ: Wells Fargo Bank reaches settlement with 17 Hispanic workers who accused it of discrimination Cortez also confirmed in a statement to the Express-News that he was also let go from the station, writing that the outpouring of support following the announcement is the most he's received in his 30-year career. "We considered it the biggest privilege and honor to be allowed into your family each morning as you drove your kids to school and played along side our silly games," he wrote. "Thank you for having fun with us, allowing us to entertain you, and for sharing in the joy, love and all the community service support weve passionately been fostering through the years." Cox Media Group, the parent company of Hits 105.3, did not respond to a request for comment. The departure of the beloved duo sparked backlash from fans, who flooded the station's Instagram page with messages of disappointment. Hits 105.3 had posted the announcement on Facebook, but later took it down. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "If there's no more Jenny & Tony then there is no more 105.3 for me... They are the only reason I listened," one Instagram user wrote. Comments of appreciation like these caused Cortez to reconsider retirement, he said in his statement. "I cant speak for Jenny, but I know I can say Im willing now to make a comebackbut only if it means staying in the city I call home," he wrote. Hits 105.3 said in its announcement that there's more to come for listeners despite the loss of two fan-favorite hosts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We have some fun plans coming soon for you...stand by!" A man casts a net into a canal in McAllen on Sept. 14, 2021. Canals used to deliver water in many parts of the Rio Grande Valley lose anywhere from 10% to 40% of the water they carry to seepage and evaporation, according to the Texas Water Development Board. Eric Gay/Associated Press An aerial photo shows the dam at Elephant Butte Lake, a Rio Grande reservoir in Elephant Butte, N.M. Roberto E. Rosales/Associated Press The dry Rio Grande riverbed is seen on July 26, 2022, near Albuquerque, N.M. The U.S. and Mexico have reached a long-awaited agreement on an amendment to the 1944 treaty governing water in the Lower Rio Grande aimed at making Mexico's water deliveries to the U.S. more reliable. Brittany Peterson/Associated Press A former channel of the Rio Grande, or resaca, winds through agriculture fields near Los Fresnos July 17. The Rio Grande Valley is facing a drought, greatly affecting farmers in the region. Eddie Gaspar/Associated Press The U.S. and Mexico have reached a long-awaited agreement on an amendment to the 1944 treaty governing water in the Lower Rio Grande aimed at making Mexico's water deliveries to the U.S. more reliable. Susan Montoya Bryan/Associated Press The Rio Grande flows near Las Cruces, N.M., on Aug. 10, 2023. Susan Montoya Bryan/Associated Press The United States and Mexico have reached a new agreement on water usage in the Rio Grande, but South Texas officials said the deal is likely to bring little relief to farmers suffering from ongoing water shortfalls. The two countries have signed an amendment to the 1944 treaty that governs water in the river basin, giving Mexico more options to meet its water obligations to the United States. The water from Mexican tributaries that flow into the Rio Grande is allocated between the nations under the treaty, and cities and the agriculture industry in the Rio Grande Valley rely on the rivers flows. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under the new agreement, known as a minute, Mexico will have more tools and flexibility to provide water to Texas, according to the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission. That includes transferring ownership of water already in shared international reservoirs, as well as providing water from other rivers that werent previously covered by the treaty. A key feature will allow Mexico to use the tools at any time to reduce or prevent shortfalls in water deliveries to the United States, the commission said in a news release Saturday. But water officials in South Texas said the agreement could be too little, too late. With the new agreement, the vehicle is there, said Sonny Hinojosa, the former longtime manager of an irrigation district in Hidalgo County. We dont know if Mexicos going to exercise that at this time, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad New tools The 1944 treaty allocated water in the Rio Grande and Colorado River between the two nations. It requires Mexico to deliver water from its tributaries in Chihuahua to the Rio Grande, and stipulates that those deliveries must be at least 350,000 acre-feet per year on average over a five-year period, which amounts to 1.75 million acre-feet over each cycle. One acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons, enough water to cover 1 acre in 1 foot of water. During the current cycle, which started in October 2020, Mexico has delivered about 425,000 acre-feet, according to the International Boundary and Water Commission, an agency that oversees international water treaties between the U.S. and Mexico. That water is stored in two reservoirs: Amistad, near Del Rio, and Falcon, southeast of Laredo. Ownership of water in the reservoirs is split between the countries. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the Texas Water Development Boards Water Data for Texas website, Amistad is about 27% full and almost 66 feet low; thats a slight improvement from the record low reached in July, but still less than half of the median level for November. Falcon is less than 14% full. The delivery shortfall, along with ongoing drought in South Texas, has left some water users in the Rio Grande Valley high and dry. When river flows drop, cities have priority, so farmers and ranchers have seen severe cutbacks in their water allocations. The last remaining sugar mill in Texas, Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, Inc., closed this year after operating for five decades, citing the lack of adequate and reliable irrigation water deliveries, and locals have been sounding the alarm that other crops are suffering. That could have major economic impacts: the four-county region of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy accounted for $887 million in agricultural production in 2022, according to a Texas A&M Agrilife report. The IBWC has been working on the latest minute since 2020, when the last delivery cycle ended with another amendment allowing Mexico to meet its obligations. After Mexican farmers occupied a dam in Chihuahua to block water releases to meet the treaty requirements, the countries agreed that Mexico could transfer some of its water already in Amistad and Falcon instead. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new deal will allow Mexico to do that again in order to reduce or avoid a potential deficiency. Mexico can also use some of its share of the tributaries' flows to meet the obligations, as well as water from the San Juan and Alamo rivers. Those rivers enter the Rio Grande below Falcon, meaning it cant be stored in the reservoirs the way water from the other tributaries can be, but the new minute allows water provided from them to be credited under the treaty, as long as the water can be put to beneficial use in Texas. The U.S. government is working with the Mexican government to ensure the earliest possible use of the new agreement to deliver water, the IBWC said. 'A whole lot of nothing' The goal of the agreement, which has been under negotiation for more than a year and a half, is to improve reliability of water deliveries to the river. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The last 30 years of managing over-stretched water resources in the Rio Grande basin have produced broad agreement that the status quo was not acceptable, U.S. IBWC Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner said in a written statement. Our work will continue to bring predictability and reliability to water deliveries. I want to thank Valley agricultural and municipal water users for our countless consultations and their advocacy for needed changes. But for some of those users in the Valley, the agreement offered little sign of immediate relief. Mexico does not have enough water in storage to even make a dent in what they owe us, said Troy Allen, general manager of the Delta Lake Irrigation District, which provides water to farmers, ranchers and several cities northeast of Edinburg. Right now, Im not sure were going to see any impact of the minute being signed soon. Water from the San Juan River could bring some assistance, but so far, there isnt agreement on how the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality would account for it. Were asking for that water to be released at 'no charge,' Allen said, which would mean it wouldnt count against farmers' water accounts. Farmers' water rights for water from the reservoirs act similarly to bank accounts; farmers who are already out of water because of the ongoing cutbacks cant take any of the San Juan water unless its given at no charge, Hinojosa said. Theres also not enough to make a difference, he said. Mexico has offered 120,000 acre-feet from the San Juan River currently, he said, but thats about one-tenth of what the valley needs, and because it cant be stored in the reservoirs, it leaves farmers unsure of whether theyll have water in the future. Our farmers are not going to invest in seed and preparing their land if they dont have that water in their account, Hinojosa said, so farmers are still facing uncertainty. Giving Mexico more ways to meet its requirements wont make an immediate difference in Texas if Mexico doesnt choose to use them, said Anthony Stambaugh, general manager of Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2. Franco Xavier Summers, 32, is charged with murder in the death of Christopher Fuentes, 43. He has a long criminal record, including domestic violence and a murder charge that was dismissed. Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff's Office A man is accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend's father early Saturday outside a North Side Taco Palenque. Theo Esquivel/21 ProVideo Evidence markers can be seen outside a North Side Taco Palenque. San Antonio police said a man shot and killed his girlfriend's father early Saturday on the North Side after an argument. Theo Esquivel/21 ProVideo A man accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend's father outside a San Antonio Taco Palenque early Saturday has been arrested. Franco Xavier Summers, 32, is charged with murder in the death of Christopher Fuentes, 43. He has a long criminal record, including domestic violence and a murder charge that was dismissed. At 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, someone called 911 to report a "family disturbance with a gun," police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Officers responding to the disturbance at a home in the 18000 block of Blanco Springs and found out that the person involved was the same suspect in Fuentes' death. Police had set up outside the house and were calling for additional resources when Summers surrendered. Summers was booked on the count of murder as well as three other unrelated charges. An arrest affidavit supporting Summers' arrest on the murder charge details how a night out escalated from argument to deadly shooting. On Friday night, Summers, his girlfriend and her father Christopher Fuentes had been drinking at their apartment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They went out to a club, but Summers got angry when his girlfriend and her father Christopher Fuentes didn't want to pay the cover charge to get inside. Summers drove them to another location, and they continued to argue. At some point, Summers told his girlfriend and her father that he had a gun. At that point, Summers' girlfriend and her father got out of the vehicle, but Summers grabbed his girlfriend's arm and tried to pull her back in the car. However, her father convinced her to get back in the car. Back in the car, they continued to argue. Fuentes and his girlfriend got out of the car a second time. Shortly after midnight, Summers drove up to his girlfriend and her father as they were walking in front of Taco Palenque in the 18000 block of Blanco Road. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Security camera footage captured the moment that Fuentes walked up to the driver's side of the car to talk to Summers. Investigators said the footage shows Fuentes appearing to reach inside to grab Summers' right arm. During their struggle, Fuentes looks back and motions to his daughter to run. Summers then fires multiple shots at Fuentes, according to the affidavit. Fuentes staggers away and falls to the ground. His daughter runs to the nearby restaurant to call 911. Summers flees the scene. EMS pronounced Fuentes dead at 12:36 a.m. on Saturday. Fuentes' daughter had been dating Summers since November 2021, according to the affidavit. Fuentes had recently been released from prison and was living with his daughter and her boyfriend. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Summers has a lengthy criminal record that included domestic violence charges. In 2023, there was an incident of domestic violence involving Summers and his girlfriend. Summers was charged with family violence assault. On Aug. 4, 2023, Summers allegedly told her that he would be returning her dog after they had broken up the month prior. But when he went to her place, he had no dog. Instead, he invited her out to dinner. While driving however, he asked her for her phone and questioned her about who she was dating. She refused to give him the phone, so he pulled over into a parking lot near Loop 410 and Blanco Road. He grabbed her seatbelt and tied it around her neck, according to an affidavit. She told police that Summers put his hands around her neck and she couldn't breathe for about 30 seconds, according to an affidavit. She was able to open the door and get out of the car, but Summers bit her leg, she told police. Summers then emptied her purse, taking her phone, bank cards, and social security card. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While they were at a nearby restaurant, an employee intervened and asked if she was OK and called the police. Summers left without her. But the next morning, the woman heard noises at her kitchen window and saw Summers outside. She called police, who investigated and found that a city meter had been damaged and the electricity had been cut off. There was a separate case involving Summers in December 2019. Summers took an 8-year-old child and a 52-year-old woman hostage at a North Side apartment complex when he refused to be taken to the Bexar County jail to face charges in a separate case. He has later convicted of aggravated assault and served two years in prison. READ MORE: Man arrested after allegedly taking child hostage during North Side standoff FCC Reports Strong Interest in Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program The Federal Communications Commission has received 2,734 applications totaling $3.7 billion in funding requests from schools, libraries, and consortia for its Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, the agency reported in a recent announcement. The pilot will provide up to $200 million in funding over three years to selected schools and libraries to help offset the costs of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment. The application window closed on Nov. 1. Applicants represented schools and libraries from rural and urban communities across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, the FCC said, noting that the "wide range of applicants will help facilitate the inclusion of a diverse selection of eligible schools and libraries with differing cybersecurity needs and experiences as participants in the Cybersecurity Pilot Program." In reviewing the applications, the FCC plans to "target funding to as many qualified applicants as possible with a special focus on the neediest eligible schools, libraries, and consortia who will benefit most from cybersecurity funding (i.e., those at the highest discount rate percentages); Tribal entities; and selecting a mix of large and small and urban and rural, schools, libraries, and consortia," the agency said. The FCC will utilize data from the pilot to "better understand whether and how universal service funds can be used to improve school and library defenses against increasing cyberattacks." "The vulnerabilities in the networks we have in our schools and libraries are real and growing," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, in a statement. "The overwhelming response to our pilot program makes clear that the cybersecurity threats impacting school systems are widespread. The Pilot Program provides an excellent opportunity to both learn from these varied experiences, and also test out solutions in different environments." Brian Stephens, director of stakeholder engagement at E-rate consulting firm Funds for Learning, commented: "We're encouraged to see 2,734 applicants step forward in pursuit of cybersecurity funding representing about 13% of all E-rate participants in 2024. But this is only part of the broader need. Our E-rate Trends Report highlights this urgency, with 87% of respondents identifying cybersecurity funding as essential. We hope the FCC considers the depth of demand and maximizes support to meet it. This could even include increasing the budget cap above $200 million, should additional Universal Service funds be available. Schools and libraries require enhanced support to safeguard their networks effectively." Participant selection and next steps will be announced in a future public notice, the FCC said. For more information, visit the FCC site. To contribute greater efforts to world peace, development 10:20, November 12, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima and pay a state visit to Peru at the invitation of President of the Republic of Peru Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra. Xi will attend the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro and pay a state visit to Brazil at the invitation of President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Against the backdrop of a weak global economic recovery and a multitude of global challenges, Xi's visit to Latin America will contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to keeping to the correct direction of Asia-Pacific cooperation, promoting global development, and improving global governance. This visit will also inject new impetus into the development of China-Peru, China-Brazil, and China-Latin America relations. APEC is the highest-level and most influential economic cooperation mechanism with the broadest range in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its establishment more than 30 years ago, it has turned the region into a powerhouse for world economic growth, an anchor of stability for global development, and a pacesetter for international cooperation. Since 2013, Xi has attended or chaired the APEC Economic Leaders' Meetings and delivered important speeches, planning the shared future of the people in the Asia-Pacific region. Chinese philosophy and plans have made positive contributions to promoting stability and prosperity of the region, from building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future to forging an Asia-Pacific partnership based on mutual trust, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, and from the Asia-Pacific dream to building a comprehensively connected Asia-Pacific. Currently, the world economy is facing various risks and challenges, and as a global growth engine, the Asia-Pacific region bears greater responsibilities in this era. During Xi's attendance at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, he will deliver an important speech, introducing China's significant measures to deepen reform and opening up, and elaborating on China's policies to advance Asia-Pacific cooperation. These efforts will help foster more consensus in promoting regional economic integration and building an open world economy. The G20 is a major forum for international economic cooperation. It shoulders the important mission of stabilizing the world economy and unlocking growth potential. Xi has attended or chaired G20 Summits multiple times, providing important guidance on addressing significant practical challenges in global development and on improving global economic governance. In the world today, changes on a scale unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerating pace, and the Global South is rising collectively. The G20, bearing new expectations and embracing new opportunities for development, should fulfill greater responsibilities. Xi's attendance at the 19th G20 Summit demonstrates China's firm support for multilateralism and underscores China's high regard for G20 cooperation. Xi will deliver an important speech focusing on the theme of "Building a just world and a sustainable planet," engage in in-depth exchanges with leaders of other countries, and work with all relevant parties to promote positive outcomes in upholding multilateralism, building an open world economy and advancing sustainable development. This will send a clear signal to encourage all countries to work together to cope with challenges and achieve common prosperity. Peru is one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations and a comprehensive strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China. It is also the first Latin American country to sign a package of free trade agreements with China. In recent years, with joint efforts from both sides, cooperation between China and Peru has yielded fruitful results in various fields. China and Brazil, both major developing countries and key emerging markets, are like-minded good friends and partners that join hands and move forward together. Over the past 50 years since the two sides established diplomatic relations, China-Brazil relations have maintained stable development, contributing to the two countries' own development and revitalization and playing an important role in maintaining world peace, stability, prosperity and development. Xi's state visits to Peru and Brazil will further solidify bilateral political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, promote cultural exchanges, strengthen multilateral collaboration, and elevate the comprehensive strategic partnerships between China and Peru, as well as between China and Brazil, to new heights. In 2014, Xi proposed the building of a community with a shared future between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) during his visit to Brazil, which received widespread and positive responses from Latin American countries. Over the past decade, continuous progress has been made in building a China-LAC community with a shared future and the China-LAC relationship has ushered in a new era characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and more benefits for the people. As members of the Global South, China and Latin American countries have firmly upheld world peace, promoted common development, and actively contributed to improving global governance. Xi's visit this time will further consolidate the consensus on unity and cooperation between China and Latin America, and promote the building of a China-LAC community with a shared future and the modernization of the Global South. Pooling wisdom and forming synergy, China is willing to work with all parties to promote the spirit of partnership and deepen cooperation in various fields, so as to advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and contribute greater efforts to world peace and development. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Work continues on the Interstate 10 and Loop 1604 interchange on the north side of San Antonio in this photo from June. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Drivers around the University of Texas at San Antonio's campus on the Northwest Side should expect heavier-than-usual traffic congestion this week as roadwork will lead to nightly closures of a stretch of Loop 1604. The Texas Department of Transportation will close the eastbound lanes of 1604 between the exit ramp for Vance Jackson Road and the entrance ramp for Lockhill Selma Road from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. every night through Saturday. Crews are building a flyover ramp for the highway's new interchange with Interstate 10, according to the state agency. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TxDOT will also close the exit ramp from I-10 westbound to 1604 eastbound and the cloverleaf ramp from I-10 eastbound to Loop 1604 eastbound during those hours, according to the agency. Local law enforcement will be present to direct traffic through detours. 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). Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (Adnic) posted a nine-month (9M) net profit before tax of AED342.5 million ($93.25 million), a 13.5% year on year increase, backed by successful execution of its strategic growth initiatives. Following Adnics successful acquisition of a 51% stake in Allianz Saudi Fransi Cooperative Insurance Company (ASF) in Saudi Arabia, all financials presented here reflect the full consolidation of ASFs performance from the transactions completion date. As of September 30, 2024, both companies consolidated total assets were AED12 billion (growth at 55.6%), with total shareholders equity at AED3.4 billion (growth at 16.1%). Emerging opportunities Sheikh Mohamed Bin Saif Al-Nahyan, Chairman of Adnic, said: As we are coming towards the end of this very unique and extremely challenging year for our industry, we are positioning Adnic to capitalise on suitable emerging opportunities in the insurance sector. Our international expansion reflects our commitment to delivering sustainable value to shareholders while supporting the ongoing growth of the region's insurance industry as we strive to become the regions leading insurer. Charalampos Mylonas, Chief Executive Officer of Adnic, said: "Adnic continues to deliver exceptional financial results, achieving an all-time record Gross Written Premium (GWP) of AED6.1 billion, representing a growth of 56% compared to the same period last year whilst continuing to deliver simultaneous and consistent operating profit growth in line with our pedigree and strategic objectives. Automation and simplicity remain central to our strategy, going beyond product and service creation to ensure accessibility for all. We are committed to fostering transformation at the very heart of our business through innovative solutions. By staying true to our values and embracing innovation, we are confident in delivering long-term value for our stakeholders and solidifying Adnics position as a regional market leader." Key financial highlights Insurance revenue grew 57.2% year on year to reach an all-time high of AED5.2 billion. This reflects continuous excellence in the provision of corporate insurance solutions for mega projects as well as the companys underlying multi-channel, product line and territory infrastructure and readiness. Insurance service result grew 13.7% year on year to reach AED308.5 million. While the insurance market in UAE was tremendously impacted by the flood events Adnic was the only top tier UAE listed company able to deliver double-digit growth in this critical KPI which reflects the robustness and strong underwriting and analytical discipline in the way our business is managed and produced. Net investment income grew 27.3% year on year to reach AED202.3 million. It reflects the resilience of Adnics underlying asset allocation mix to the emerging market conditions and trends. Net financial result which is the consolidated output of all of the above after incorporation of the IFRS-17 required risk charge and discounting adjustments has grown by 18.4% year on year to reach AED508.7 million. Tax expense for the year is AED34.7 million yielding a profit after tax for the year of AED307.8 million. --TradeArabia News Service National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has reported a 5% increase in net profit attributable to shareholders reaching BD19.1 million ($50.7 million) for the third quarter ended 30 September 2024, compared to BD18.2 million in the same period of 2023. The increase is driven mainly by asset growth leading to higher net interest income, the bank said. Earnings per share at 8 fils (USD 2 cents) for the third quarter of 2024 are in line with the same period in 2023. Total comprehensive income attributable to NBBs shareholders for the quarter decreased by 2% to BD20 million ($53.1 million) compared to BD20.5 million ($54.4 million) in 2023. The decrease is mainly attributable to the mark-to-market movements of the bond portfolio, it said. Year-to-date NBB reported an 11% increase in its net profit attributable to the shareholders for the nine months ended 30 September 2024, recording BD65.7 million ($174.3 million) compared to BD59.0 million ($156.5 million) for the same period of 2023. The increase in net profit is mainly due to higher net interest income driven by a stronger balance sheet compared to the same period in 2023, and higher gains from investment securities and treasury activities, the bank said. Earnings per share increased to 29 fils (USD 8 cents) for the period compared with 26 fils (USD 7 cents) for the same period in 2023. Total comprehensive income attributable to NBBs shareholders for the period increased by 13% to BHD 71.4 million (USD 189.4 million) compared with 63.3 million (USD 167.9 million) in 2023. The increase is mainly attributable to the positive mark-to-market movements of the equity portfolio and to a higher attributable net profit. Balance sheet The groups total equity attributable to shareholders of 30 September 2024 is at BD567.6 million ($1,505.6 million) compared to BD565.0 million ($1,498.7 million) reported as of 31 December 2023. The groups total assets increased by 7% during the period to BD5,759.9 million ($15,278.2 million) compared to BD5,372.5 million ($14,250.7 million) recorded on 31 December 2023. The increase was mainly due to loans and advances registering a growth of 16% from 31 December 2023. Hala Yateem, Chairperson of NBB, said: Another strong quarter is a testament of our unwavering commitment to continue delivering impactful shareholder value. NBB reported double-digit growth in attributable profit for the nine months ending 30 September, reaching BD65.7 million with a 11% increase from the same period last year. The third quarter also saw us reach the highest level of total assets in the groups history, amounting to BD5.8 billion and representing a 7% growth from the year-end level. This robust balance sheet signifies the trust our customers place in our services. Looking ahead, we remain focused on sustaining our strong performance while pushing the boundaries of innovation to achieve continued success. Usman Ahmed, Group CEO of NBB, commented: The third quarter of 2024 highlights NBBs continued strength and successful execution of our strategy, as it marks the fifth consecutive quarter with year-on-year attributable profit growth. Our operating profit for the nine months reached BD75.5 million with a 10% rise compared to the same period last year. This performance is driven by our organic growth across the region, with significant increases in loans and deposits of 16% and 9% respectably from the year-end level. As we move forward, we remain focused on driving growth by creating tangible value for our clients and stakeholders. - TradeArabia News Service Infracorp, a leading specialised company in investing in the infrastructure and sustainable development sector, has announced its partnership with Gallery BR and Cafe 668. This initiative aims to provide unique experiences both within the art and specialty coffee community. The agreement with Gallery BR is part of the companys efforts to add distinctive experiences within their projects, with Bahrain being the first branch of the global art exhibition series to be opened outside of Europe. It will also be the first permanent art gallery located at Bahrain Harbour, emphasising the companys strategy to create a new destination for art exhibitors, following its successful series of local and regional art installations and exhibitions in recent months, said the statement. Gallery BR offers an immersive art experience that inspires and allows visitors to explore a unique collection of diverse artworks. The gallery features a selection of custom-designed art pieces, including modern furniture inspired by mid-century styles, contemporary paintings, and classical sculptures. The gallery aims to enhance culture and art in the region. Furthermore, this announcement coincides with a leasing agreement signed with Cafe 668, which is set to launch within the upcoming months. The 668 brand was a key factor leading the company to sign this agreement, with its notable success and rise to popularity since its inception. This branch is part of a chain of outlets that have seen remarkable success since their initiation in the Kingdom in 2018. Speaking on the occasion, Amani Al Alawi, the Director of Leasing and Business Development at Infracorp, said: "We are pleased to announce the introduction of a diverse mix of tenants in the Bahrain Harbour community, which will undoubtedly enrich the experience for visitors and residents. This project elevates the site to a different level, enhancing its position as a leading, integrated destination." Established with a capital of up to $1.2 billion, Ifracorp manages a portfolio worth $3 billion in infrastructure assets, including 250 million sq ft spaces designated for sustainable economic and social infrastructure across the GCC, North Africa and South Asia. "The global 'Gallery BR' reflects our commitment to providing an immersive art experience and exclusive cultural diversity, while Cafe 668 will also be a unique place for coffee enthusiasts," she stated. "In light of changing market dynamics and emerging trends, we believe that adding a diverse mix is a key element in attracting more distinctive brands," explained Al Alawi. "The signing of these agreements aligns with our leasing strategy aimed at providing a variety of options for this prime location in the heart of the capital. This underscores Infracorp's commitment to developing a vibrant and sustainable living environment, embodying our continuous pursuit of this goal through our current and future projects, where Bahrain Harbour represents a comprehensive community combining modern infrastructure with cultural experiences," she added. The first 500 guests who visit each participating shop across the U.S. Nov. 13 can receive a dozen doughnuts for free. Krispy Kreme/Business Wire/Business Wire Krispy Kreme is celebrating kindness this week the best way they know how: by the dozen. The American doughnut company is giving away a dozen original glazed sweet treats for free to the first 500 guests who visit participating U.S stores on Wednesday, Nov. 13 as part of a global campaign for World Kindness day. Customers who come quick for a bite can snag a free glazed dozen in shop and via drive-through. World Kindness Day is a reminder that we can all make a positive impact in peoples lives, including through small gestures like sharing a sweet treat. We hope that each dozen Original Glazed doughnuts we give away enables and inspires many dozens of small acts of kindness, said Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme global chief brand officer, in a news release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What is World Kindness Day? The international holiday centered on promoting goodwill has been celebrated across the globe since 1998, when the World Kindness Movement launched it. The movement, independent from any political or religious affiliation, came together a year prior, with leaders meeting at a conference in Tokyo to discuss the subject. In 2019, the World Kindness Movement was registered as NGO under Swiss law. Krispy Kreme is known for free treat offers throughout the year on Election Day, National Doughnut Day in June and Super Tuesday in March, to name a few. Hyundai Engineering & Construction (E&C) has won a KRW1 trillion ($725 million) order to build an ultra-high-voltage transmission network, the largest overseas transmission line project won by a Korean construction company. Hyundai E&C signed the contract at the Saudi Power Authority (SEC) in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, to build an ultra-high-voltage transmission line for the Saudi Riyadh-Kudmi 500 . The "Riyadh-Kudmi Transmission Line Construction Project" is a project to build a total of 1,089 kilometres of ultra-high voltage direct current transmission line connecting the PP14 power plant located in Riyadh to the Kudmi area on the southern coast. Among them, Hyundai E&C is in charge of a 369 km section adjacent to the Kudmi area. The scheduled completion date is January 2027. Low energy loss Ultra-high voltage direct current transmission is attracting attention as a next-generation transmission technology because of its low energy loss due to long-distance transmission and excellent stability and efficiency. The direct current transmission line to be built this time is the first HVDC two-line transmission line structure to be introduced in Saudi Arabia, and the amount of power reaches 4,000MW. Hyundai E&C won the order for this project in a turnkey manner that performs the entire business process, including design, purchase, and construction. Hyundai E&C's order is drawing more attention in that it is a follow-up to a partnership signed at the "Energy Localisation Forum" organised by the Saudi Ministry of Energy last month. At the event, which established strategic cooperation with related companies such as power, renewable energy, oil and gas, supply networks and services, Hyundai E&C was in charge of building an ultra-high voltage transmission network to expand the power grid. A Hyundai E&C official said: "Hyundai E&C, which is recognised for its unique power grid construction capability in Saudi Arabia, has won the largest transmission construction project ever in recognition of its next-generation technology." New transmission history He added: "We will successfully carry out the project with ultra-high voltage direct current transmission lines, which are drawing attention as the core of the renewable energy grid industry, to write a new transmission history in Saudi Arabia." Since entering the Saudi construction market for the first time in 1975, Hyundai E&C has successfully completed a total of 35 transmission line projects. Including the projects currently being carried out, Hyundai Engineering & Construction's power grid is about 20,000 kilometres in total. Hyundai Engineering & Construction plans to actively expand new markets such as Australia, while also participating in renewable power grid projects to further strengthen its position on power infrastructure. --TradeArabia News Service The Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) has announced partnerships with governments of the UAE and Bahrain to expand its efforts in industrial decarbonisation across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. This is the ITAs second region of focus, following the early success of its Brazil programme, announced in a partnership with Brazils Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services in July this year. The industrial sector contributes 40% to Menas GDP, surpassing the global average of 26%, and with advantages in both conventional energy and renewable energy generation, the Mena region is well-positioned to lead the global decarbonisation of heavy industry. UAE and Bahrain first partners The UAEs Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Bahrains Ministry for Industry and Commerce are the ITAs first partners in the Mena region, with further country partners expected to be announced in the coming months. The ITA will collaborate with regional governments, industry leaders, and financial institutions to bolster the investment case for Mena's emerging green industries and mobilise the critical capital needed to advance regional and global decarbonisation efforts. The ITAs analysis, using the Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) Global Project Tracker shows a pipeline of announced green industrial projects in the Mena region. These projects are awaiting billions of dollars of investment to start production of green commodities but require a stronger demand signal from the market to give businesses and investors the confidence to act. Sustainable manufacturing Abdulla Bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain, said: We are delighted to be the first partner to join the ITA along with the UAE in the Mena Project Support Programme in this critical initiative to expand green industry in the region. Being part of this reaffirms our commitment towards promoting sustainable manufacturing in line with our Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026). The opportunities are vast and exciting and the need to advance this industry is urgent to accelerate our efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. Faustine Delasalle, Executive Director of the ITA, said: Unlocking the existing pipeline of green industrial projects in the region would make a significant contribution to the regions green growth agendas and help the scale-up of green markets globally. This new partnership with the governments of the UAE and Bahrain will showcase how the Mena region can speed up its energy and industry transition. Road to Final Investment Decision (FID) in the UAE The ITA is working to identify and support large-scale industrial projects that can be accelerated toward FID by 2026 and operational by 2030. To get on track with Paris-aligned climate targets, a critical mass of large-scale projects that have the potential to drive a deep reduction in emissions, must reach FID in the next two years and be brought online by 2030. The MPP Global Project Tracker has identified more than six announced net-zero aligned industrial plants in the UAE which, if brought to FID and combined with those already operating or at FID, would represent a total of approximately 30% of UAEs 2030 climate target. Targeted regional support To help mature the project pipeline in the Mena region, the ITA will provide on-the-ground, practical, tailored implementation support. Specifically, the ITA is partnering with project developers to identify and help overcome their barriers to investment by, for example, helping to stimulate demand for green goods by addressing policy and regulatory needs at a regional level, while building low-emissions value chains and identifying mechanisms to de-risk regional project investment. Corporate partnerships The following companies from the UAE are the first to sign formal agreements to work with the ITA as part of the Mena program: EMSteel, Emirates Global Aluminium, and Arabian Gulf Steel Industries. Eng Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of EMSTEEL, said: As one of the largest publicly traded steel and building materials manufacturers in the region, we are honoured to be working with the ITA to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy industries in the UAE and beyond. EMSTEEL has been actively driving low-carbon products and setting sustainable benchmarks for the region, and our pilot project with Masdar demonstrating the use of green hydrogen to produce green steel is a clear testament to our efforts. It is essential for us to work with the wider ecosystem to effectively address viability concerns of commercial scale decarbonisation projects, and we are confident that our partnership with the ITA will help in overcoming those obstacles and in driving the wider adoption of sustainable solutions. Decarbonisation challenges Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: Many decarbonisation challenges are shared between industries, and we must work together to solve them. The Industrial Transition Accelerator is a forum to advance this cooperation. Asam Hussain, CEO of AGSI, stated: As a signatory to the ITA, and the worlds first carbon neutral steel plant, we are excited to see the opportunities for advancing net-zero goals in the Mena region. We are committed to being an innovation leader in industry on the ground, actively implementing sustainable solutions and driving decarbonisation across the sector. In order to drive progress effectively, we need a clear path to scale demand, clarity in industry definitions and confidence in policy frameworks that support project scalability.--TradeArabia News Service IFZA, Dubais most dynamic free zone community, has officially opened Der Mittelstand BVMW e V (BVMW) representative office in Dubai, marking a major step in strengthening UAE-German business relations. IFZA has worked with the BVMW on many events and conferences and is proud to be the organisations official representative in Dubai. The official launch event took place at IFZAs offices and welcomed notable attendees including Alexander Schonfelder, German Ambassador to the UAE, Senator Christoph Ahlhaus, Chairman of the Federal Executive Board of Der Mittelstand BVMW e V and President of the European SME Association, and Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, Director General of Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). IFZAs CEO Jochen Knecht opened the event and the programme featured panel discussions and networking opportunities, facilitating valuable exchange and connections. The launch of this representative office signals a strategic partnership aimed at fostering growth and cooperation between the UAE and Germany. As IFZA expands its offerings, the office will serve as a key resource for German SMEs, providing essential support, strategic connections, and access to the UAEs business-friendly environment to facilitate their success from Germany to Dubai and beyond. IFZA supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by bringing Foreign Direct Investment into the emirate. Key step Jochen Knecht, CEO of IFZA, said: The opening of the BVMW representative office in Dubai is a significant step in IFZAs commitment to serve our partners and aligns with our strategy to attract foreign direct investment by taking Dubai to the world and bringing the world to Dubai. Establishing a representative office is key to our legacy-building efforts as we work to position the UAE as a global centre of opportunity. Through this partnership, we are excited to strengthen our ties with the German market and create pathways for German SMEs to thrive within the UAEs business-friendly environment. Christoph Ahlhaus, Chairman of the Federal Executive Board Der Mittelstand BVMW e V, commented: The Gulf region is among the fastest-growing globally, and we are pleased that our long-standing association with IFZA will help us strengthen our presence in the UAE market while supporting German businesses in achieving their goals. This office will serve as a focal point for connecting with local partners, providing a gateway to an extensive network that offers valuable insights into regional potential and dynamics. It creates a collaborative space that encourages trade, knowledge exchange, and mutual growth between Germany and the UAE. Germany has long held a prominent place in the UAEs economic landscape, with over 1,200 German global corporate companies in Dubai and a thriving community of more than 30,000 German residents in the country. The new BVMW office will act as a bridge for German SMEs to enter the UAE market, offering guidance on establishing operations in Dubai and connecting them with potential local partners. IFZA is increasingly recognised as a destination of choice for international businesses seeking a streamlined and supportive market entry into the UAE. This launch is part of IFZAs ongoing efforts to attract global SMEs. The company has an established presence in Spain, Switzerland, China, and Seychelles, and additional offices are planned for Austria, the UK, India, Africa and Latin America in the coming year.--TradeArabia News Service Lockheed Martin will participate in the Bahrain International Airshow 2024, which opens tomorrow (November 13), showcasing its latest defence innovations and reaffirming its commitment to strengthening regional security partnerships. As a long-time supporter of the event, Lockheed Martin will return as Bronze Sponsor of the airshow and as Platinum Sponsor for the Manama Air Power Symposium (MAPS), the official conference, being held today (Nov 12). The MAPS, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and supported by the Royal Bahrain Air Force and the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication, will bring together 300 air force commanders and operators, policymakers, and industry leaders from more than 36 countries to explore the future of air power and defense. Lockheed Martin will engage with key stakeholders from Bahrain and across the broader region to discuss advanced technologies that can address rapidly evolving security challenges in todays complex environment. Gen Gary L North, USAF (Ret), Lockheed Martins Vice President of Customer Requirements, will moderate a panel at MAPS on November 12 titled Maintaining the Technological Edge in Air Power and Air Defense Capabilities. On November 14, Gen North will deliver a keynote address at the airshow, The Future of Combat Air and the Roles of Advanced Technology, discussing how Lockheed Martins cutting-edge solutions continue to shape the future of air power and support partners defense objectives. With more than 50 years of history in Bahrain, Lockheed Martin has long supported the kingdoms aerospace and defense capabilities, from delivering the L-1011 TriStar commercial airliner to providing the first F-16 Fighting Falcon in the Gulf regionand most recently, the F-16 Block 70, the most advanced variant of the aircraft. Lockheed Martin platforms will be on display at the event, including the F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-130J Super Hercules airlifter, and the Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter, demonstrating the companys ongoing commitment to the security and prosperity of Bahrain and its allies. As part of its 21st Century Security vision, Lockheed Martin delivers mission-critical capabilities using emerging technologies such as AI, edge computing, and 5G.MIL connectivity, enabling rapid, responsive solutions for the U.S. and allied nations across all domains. The airshow runs till November 15.- TradeArabia News Service The Google Cloud Summit Saudi Arabia underscored Google Cloud's commitment to the kingdoms digital transformation journey and highlighted the growth and potential witnessed in KSAs technology landscape. Marking the first anniversary of the Dammam Cloud Region launch in Saudi Arabia, the event brought together over 1,500 attendees, including Google Cloud partners, customers, government officials, and industry leaders, to celebrate the achievements of the past year and explore the future of cloud computing and AI in the kingdom. In his keynote speech, Bader Almadi, Country Manager for Google Cloud in Saudi Arabia, said: "This summit marks a significant milestone in Google Cloud's journey in Saudi Arabia. We are deeply committed to supporting the kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives by empowering businesses, government entities, and individuals with the transformative power of cloud technology and AI. We are confident that together, we can drive sustainable economic growth, create new opportunities, and establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for digital innovation." Thriving ecosystem Abdul Rahman Al-Thehaiban, Managing Director, Turkey, Middle East & Africa, Google Cloud, said: "Building on the momentum of our recent announcement with the Public Investment Fund to establish a global AI hub in Saudi Arabia, Google Cloud is dedicated to advancing the kingdom's position as a leader in technological innovation. We will continue to invest in infrastructure, introduce cutting-edge services and features, and foster a thriving ecosystem of partners and developers to unlock the full potential of Saudi Arabia's dynamic digital landscape." The summit featured an engaging agenda with keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and interactive demos showcasing Google Cloud's latest innovations in AI and data analytics. Prominent businesses like Saudi Airlines, ROSHN, and Almarai shared how they are innovating with cloud technologies and AI. Empowering startups and developers Recognising the vital role of startups and developers in the kingdom's digital ecosystem, the summit offered dedicated programmes to support their growth and innovation. The Founders Lunch provided a targeted gathering specifically for operators of early-stage startups. A dynamic group of speakers, including successful entrepreneurs, investors, and Google Cloud experts, shared invaluable insights on key topics such as fundraising, product development, marketing, and scaling a business. The Founders Lunch also offered a valuable opportunity for attendees to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and discover how Google Cloud can empower their startup journey. Notable speakers at the Innovators Hive included Omar Shabaan, CEO & Founder of The Space; Baraa Koshak, CEO & Founder of Abwab.ai; and Naif Al-Obaidallah, Co-Founder & Managing Director of SDM.sa. For developers and practitioners, the Innovators Hive offered a half-day program of in-person, interactive hands-on labs. With over 630 registered participants, the program featured six sessions, spotlight labs, mini-courses, and a two-hour hands-on labs competition focused on "AI with BigQuery" and "MultiModality with Gemini. Championing women in tech Underscoring Google Cloud's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the summit featured two dedicated sessions focused on empowering women in the technology sector. The She leads: Navigate the path to leadership for women in tech session tackled invisible barriers and equipped attendees with actionable strategies to overcome them. Inspiring speakers such as Reem Al Adeeb, the first Saudi racer to drive Formula E Gen 2, Gen3, and GenBETA (an all-electric GEN3 race car powered by Google Cloud); Rasha al-Khamis, the kingdom's first certified female boxer and accomplished mountaineer; and Lisa Martinez Gomis, Sales Manager at Google Cloud, shared their personal journeys and insights on championing women's leadership in tech. A special breakfast exchange, titled Discover the Future of Data: Empowering Women to Lead celebrated the contributions of women in data and analytics. This session provided a platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and inspiration, highlighting the crucial role women play in shaping the future of this dynamic field.--TradeArabia News Service QatarEnergy has entered into an agreement with Chevron to acquire a 23 per cent working interest in the concession agreement for the North El-Dabaa (H4) Block, in the Mediterranean Sea offshore Egypt. Pursuant to the agreement, QatarEnergy will acquire a 23 per cent interest, while Chevron (the operator) will retain a 40 per cent interest. The other partners on the block are Woodside with a 27 per cent interest and Tharwa Petroleum Company, an Egyptian state company, with a 10 per cent interest. Saad Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, said: This agreement demonstrates our commitment to the oil and gas sector in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and further strengthens our partnership with our valued partner Chevron. Minister Al-Kaabi added: "We look forward to the drilling of the first exploration well on this block and to a successful and promising outcome. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Egyptian authorities and our partners Chevron, Woodside, and Tharwa Petroleum for their support. The North El-Dabaa (H4) Block lies about 10 kilometers offshore the Egyptian Mediterranean shore at water depths ranging between 100 and 3,000 meters. -TradeArabia News Service CRC Evans, a leading provider of welding, welding technology, and coating services, has signed a contract with Offshore Oil Engineering (COOEC) to provide critical welding services for the Ruya Batch 1 Project, part of the expansion of the Al-Shaheen field, Qatar's largest oil field. The formal signing ceremony was held at China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. The contract was signed by Paul McShane, EMEAA President of CRC Evans and Wang Zhangling, Chairman of COOEC, and witnessed by Zhou Xinhuai, President of CNOOC, COOECs parent company and Frederic Castrec, CEO of CRC Evans. The North Field East (NFE) Project in Qatar, also known as the Ras Laffan LNG Expansion Project or "Ruya" Project, is a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) expansion initiative aimed at boosting Qatar's LNG production capacity. This new contract underscores CRC Evans' commitment to driving innovation in welding and delivering enhanced value to COOEC. CRC Evans's technical and operational expertise will support COOEC in meeting the stringent demands of the Ruya development, delivering superior quality welding solutions essential for this complex field development. CRC Evans will deploy its innovative welding technology and proven methodologies, which are specifically tailored to withstand the challenging conditions and high standards required to support the offshore energy sector. Frederic Castrec, Paul McShane, Tom Feteris, Offshore Director and Jack Tan, Country Manager of CRC Evans, attended the CIIE and met with delegates from COOEC. "We are honoured to secure this significant contract with COOEC for the Ruya Project, which is crucial to Qatar's LNG expansion," said Frederic Castrec, CEO of CRC Evans. "This collaboration utilises our specialised expertise in welding services, allowing us to contribute to the development of Qatar's largest offshore field, Al-Shaheen, with an emphasis on safety, reliability, and precision. We look forward to working closely with COOEC to ensure excellence on this project and to further our shared commitment to advancing the offshore energy sector." Landmark Group, the leading value conglomerate in the retail and hospitality sectors, has unveiled plans to invest $1 billion to expand its presence across the Gulf, India and South-East Asia. The group, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, will open 400 new stores in the next three years and will also invest in ecommerce, supply chain and technology as it looks to build on its current annual revenue of more than $7 billion (as of FY23-24) across all markets. The investment will result in a retail footprint growth of 20% by 2028. The groups plans include the introduction of one of its newest brands, VIVA, in Saudi Arabia in 2025, and the launch of its first brand, Babyshop, in four cities across India over the next six months. Relevant products and value Renuka Jagtiani, Chairwoman, Landmark Group, said: Landmarks entrepreneurial core, its purpose-driven approach, adaptability and strong leadership have enabled it to evolve in line with changing consumer habits and needs and play a leading role in advancing the sector." Jagtiani, said: We are deeply committed to serving our customers through our own brand portfolio by offering relevant products and value. Physical stores remain a vital part of the retail experience, and we continue to upgrade store design whilst we invest in ecommerce and in the latest technology and innovation. We believe that this is key to staying relevant to ensure a seamless customer experience, both on and off-line. Kabir Lumba, CEO of Landmark Retail, added: We still see great momentum with our stores, and our online business is growing strongly at over 20% per annum. To maintain this trajectory, we are committing $1 billion in the next three years towards our physical expansion and upgrading our ecommerce, technology and supply chain capabilities. Landmark Group currently has 12 million square feet of warehousing and distribution capacity with high automation capabilities, including its $350 million flagship Mega Distribution Centre, in Jebel Ali. Landmark created Logistiq in 2022, a third-party logistics company, that caters to clients outside Landmark Groups ecosystem. Build a leading logistics business In just 18 months, we have rapidly scaled our last-mile delivery services to handle over 20,000 daily shipments across KSA and UAE for more than 50 clients, with a fleet of over 800 vehicles, Lumba continued. Looking ahead, our vision is to build a leading logistics business by developing our end-end supply-chain offering, including freight, warehousing & cross-border delivery solutions; while expanding our coverage across the GCC. Committing to becoming net zero by 2050 across its value chain in the region, ESG goals have been intrinsically linked to Landmark Group's value proposition. Responsible sourcing is a key part of its sustainability framework. Landmark Group is the first member in the region of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and today is the largest buyer of BCI certified cotton in the Middle East. Recently, the Group launched a textile and furniture takeback programme, across its key brands in the UAE and plans to launch this initiative across the GCC. Most of its banking facilities and treasury products have been converted to green financing. The group has long been an active supporter of community well-being, with initiatives like its flagship Beat Diabetes programme that has touched the lives of 165,000 people over the past 15 years. Landmarks multi-retail category portfolio of brands range from fashion, home, footwear, electronics, and grocery retail supported by other offerings that serve customers lifestyle needs, including fitness outlets, F&B and hospitality. Today, Landmark Group operates 22 brands across more than 2,200 stores, totalling 33 million square feet, and spanning 17 countries. The group also operates 12 independent ecommerce stores, accounting for 20% of total sales. The Group employs 53,000 people throughout its various businesses and geographies. --TradeArabia News Service Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort has appointed Sietze Hoefnagel as its new Director of Operations, effective October 22. With over 15 years of international hospitality experience spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, Hoefnagel brings a wealth of hospitality industry knowledge and leadership to the resort. After gaining a Master's Degree in Operations Management from the University of Manchester Hoefnagel began his hospitality career in Cairo with Sofitel before advancing to prestigious roles at luxury brands including W Hotels and Mondrian. He excelled in pre-opening roles in South Korea and Ibiza before his most recent role in Singapore. His journey has been defined by a commitment to enhancing guest satisfaction, driving revenue growth, optimising operations and driving community collaborations. Most recently, he served as Hotel Manager at Mondrian Singapore Duxton, where his expertise in managing large teams and delivering superior guest experiences earned enhanced guest satisfaction scores and improved hotels online reputation. Ramsey Saarany, General Manager of Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort, expressed his confidence in Hoefnagels leadership: Sietze's passion for hospitality and track record of achieving excellence in every role he has held make him an outstanding addition to our team. We look forward to seeing the continued success he will bring to the resort. Hoefnagel will oversee daily operations, ensuring seamless guest experiences, while also focusing on team development, operational efficiency, and innovative service delivery. Set amid the natural beauty of protected mangroves and lagoons, Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort is a beachfront retreat with 174 rooms, suites and the emirates first overwater villas. Guests can enjoy exceptional dining at six elegant venues, Anantara Spa, and a wide array of land and water-based activities, including eco-conscious adventures such as guided mangrove kayaking. - TradeArabia News Service U.S. Sen. John Cornyn surveys the scene of the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to U.S. Army Dustoff Crews who flew during the Vietnam War at Fort Sam Houston on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite/AP U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, talks with reporters following party policy luncheons on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/TNS) Kent Nishimura/TNS If it came down to money, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn would become the first Texan to be Senate Majority Leader in over 60 years. As he competes with two other Republicans for the top post, he knows his biggest strength is how much he has helped raise for other GOP Senate candidates this election cycle and in years past. Cornyn has been reminding other Republican Senators, who will vote in the election via secret ballot on Wednesday, that he raised almost $33 million to boost the party's prospects in the Senate this year. And maybe more importantly, he has stressed how he raised $415 million for other Senators since he was first elected to the Senate in 2002. Advertisement Article continues below this ad READ MORE: What happens if Donald Trump calls on Texas officials to go to Washington? "I'm deeply grateful to the thousands of Americans who contributed to our efforts this cycle," Cornyn said in a statement to the media. "Their unprecedented support helped build the resources needed to advance our shared priorities in the Senate. Senate majority leaders have vast power in Washington that allow them to thrust their states priorities onto a national stage and make it easier to bring important projects home. When Texas icon Lyndon Baines Johnson was Senate majority leader, he used the post to make sure Houston would become Mission Control for the nations then-budding space program. Cornyn is being challenged for the top post by Sens. John Thune of South Dakota and Rick Scott of Florida. While Thune has also touted his efforts to help fundraise for other candidates since he was elected 20 years ago, his lifetime fundraising doesnt match Cornyns. Scott, meanwhile, is just completing his first term in the U.S. Senate and doesnt have the tenure of either Thune or Cornyn. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Senate majority leader races are very personal campaigns with the contenders all making direct appeals to current Republican members of the Senate. Thune is the current Republican whip in the Senate, making him the second-in-command after Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, who is leaving this position, but remaining in the Senate. The whip is critical in helping to count and mobilize votes on major bills and help iron out any potential defections on key issues. Before Thune, Cornyn, 72, held that same post from 2013 to 2019. Cornyn, who spent much of his childhood in San Antonio, graduated from Trinity University and attended law school at St. Mary's University. He rose through Texas politics via the judiciary, first winning a race to be a district judge in Bexar County in 1984, before winning a 1990 race to get on the Texas Supreme Court. He became the Texas Attorney General in 1998 and first ran for the U.S. Senate four years later when then-Sen. Phil Gramm announced he would not seek reelection. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The wild card in the race for majority leader this year is Donald Trump. The incoming president has waded into U.S. House leadership races in the past and has been a frequent critic of McConnell. But this time around, Trump has largely stayed out of picking a favorite. Cornyn and Thune have run into problems with Trump in the past. Last year during the GOP presidential primary, Cornyn said the GOP should pick a candidate who can actually win and said of Trump: Time has passed him by. Cornyn came back around and endorsed Trump later, helped Trumps vice presidential pick J.D. Vance raise money in Texas and campaigned with Trump in other states like Nevada during the final weeks of the campaign. And publicly, the Texan has pitched himself to colleagues and the public as an experienced hand who can work closely with Trumps agenda and provide effective, conservative leadership in Washington." Trumps supporters arent forgetting past dustups with Thune either. They are reminding their social media networks that Thune in 2016 said Trump should withdraw from the presidential race after his crude comments from a hot mic moment with Access Hollywood became public. Even last year, Thune avoided saying if he would support Trump as the GOP nominee and added that he was hoping we have other options. Similarly, critics of Cornyn have been taking to social media over the last few days reminding Republicans of when he was booed at the Republican Party of Texas convention in Houston two years ago. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im just reminding everybody how upset Texas was, the Texas GOP was and how mad every Republican was, a popular conservative social media account named Insurrection Barbie wrote on X above a video of the 2022 booing. There is no way we should be supporting him for Senate Majority Leader. Flashback: when Cornyn tried to make a deal with democrats and pass national red flag laws. He made that deal in some back room because he knew back then when McConnell steps down he wanted to be majority leader. Im just reminding everybody how upset Texas was, the Texas GOP https://t.co/yottBcOACB Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) November 9, 2024 The boos stemmed from Cornyn's decision to work with Democrats after the Uvalde school shooting to beef up background checks for gun buyers under 21 to look for possibly disqualifying juvenile and mental health histories. Most senators have avoided publicly endorsing any candidates as they've faced pressure from outside groups. But there have been some exceptions., Cornyn has won public endorsement from Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, while Thune has picked up support from neighboring North Dakota, Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven. While Scott has picked up some endorsements, including from Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, hes seen as a long shot and has his own trouble with gun rights groups. Gun rights advocate and talk show host Dana Loesch has been blasting Scott for days on her platforms, reminding Republicans he helped pass red flag laws in Florida. After the Parkland school shooting in Florida, Scott signed a law that allows police to take firearms from people who pose a danger to themselves or others. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But Scotts other big problem is the 2022 election cycle when he led the National Republican Senatorial Committee through a disastrous showing in a midterm election cycle that many expected would help the GOP pick up seats. Instead, Scott was blamed for weak candidate recruitment and poorly running the NRSC. Rick Scott cost Republicans the Senate in 2022 at NRSC, steamrolled over 2,4,& 5A rights as governor, backs amnesty, but sure, put him in charge of Trump's agenda in the Senate, that s great F-You to voters. Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) November 11, 2024 Diriyah, The City of Earth, and the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will gain increased visibility through a series of new travel trade agreements signed by Diriyah Company at WTM 2024 in London with leading Saudi tourism partners. The collaborations, with Tetrapylon DMC, 88 Destinations, and Athaar Arabia DMC, are designed to further elevate Diriyah as a premier global cultural and tourism destination. Diriyah is projected to attract 50 million annual visits by the turn of the century. Under the agreements, Diriyah Company and its travel partners will collaborate to promote Diriyah, The City of Earth, as a leading premium cultural destination for discerning global travellers. Working together with these partners Diriyah Company will produce tourism reports and develop a comprehensive marketing toolkit to highlight the various offerings for inbound cultural travellers visiting the kingdom in groups. The agreements follow two travel trade agreements signed on the first day of WTM with global luxury firm Abercrombie and Kent and local Saudi travel platform, Almosafer. All five of the travel partner agreements are aimed at positioning Diriyah, The City of Earth, as an emerging must-visit destination on the global tourism map. Diriyah Company recognises the impact of leveraging the expertise of world class specialised partners to further enhance its marketing efforts and ensure access to top-tier market data, ultimately delivering world-class visitor experiences. Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: We are delighted to have signed three additional travel trade agreements with leading international and Saudi based travel companies. These strategic collaborations will enhance our appeal to both domestic and global tourists as we continue our journey in transforming Diriyah, The City of Earth, into a world-class destination for discerning travelers and international explorers." Diriyah Company is participating in WTM 2024 to provide the travel industry with an in-depth look at its transformation journey. With plans to develop 40 luxury hotels, the Royal Diriyah Opera House, and the 20,000-seat multi-purpose Diriyah Arena, among many other attractions, Diriyah is set to become one of the greatest gathering places in the world, situated on the outskirts of the capital city of Riyadh. Since opening the UNESCO World heritage site of At-Turaif and the premium dining destination of Bujairi Terrace at the end of 2022, Diriyah has welcomed over two million visits and will open its first hotel the 134-room Luxury Collection Bab Samhan later this year. - TradeArabia News Service Sibec 2024, a platform enabling collaboration and knowledge exchange on sustainable development and safety across the MENA region, is set to draw hundreds of fire and life safety experts from across the world, when it gets underway between November 13 and 14, at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. Organised by Sibca, a leading fire, life safety, and ICT solutions provider in UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, Sibec is taking place this year under the theme Innovation that Keeps You Safe. The comprehensive two-day programme is designed to advance fire and life safety innovations, including in the building management system (BMS), extra-low voltage (ELV), audiovisual (AV), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and information and communication technologies (ICT) sectors. The 2024 edition of the show will spotlight cutting-edge solutions driven by AI and IoT technologies in smart building systems, as well as the use of data analytics to proactively manage risks, underscoring the importance of leveraging innovation to enhance safety and sustainability across the MENA region. It is being hosted with the support of 30 vital industry partners such as NFPA, UL Solutions, Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Huawei, ABB, Excel Networking, Pelco by Motorola, AWEX, TTK, Doncaster, Dahua, Hanwha. The event will feature high-level presentations, panel discussions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities for senior management and decision-makers, as well as offering training and workshops for technical staff and engineers to deepen their understanding of the current market trends and industry requirements. Sibec is also pleased to announce the establishment of the Trainovation Fire and Safety Academy Center in Abu Dhabi. Launched in partnership with the NFPA, the new academy will provide NFPA-certified training for professionals working in fire and life safety, equipping them with the essential knowledge needed to protect lives and property, further contributing to the region's safety and sustainability efforts. As the UAE and the GCC continue to expand vital infrastructure to accommodate the regions rapidly developing economic and demographic trends, it is vital that the industry embraces the role of connectivity in driving innovation for a safer and more sustainable future, said Ibrahim Lari, Chairman of SIBCA and founder of Sibec. Sibec provides a critical platform for industry leaders and stakeholders to come together to shape the future of safety and technology in the built environment. Sibec 2024 will be a pivotal event for those committed to enhancing the safety, performance, and sustainability of the built environment in the MENA region. As the event brings together key stakeholders and thought leaders, it will be an invaluable opportunity to share ideas, forge new partnerships, and drive the next generation of safety and technology solutions for the regions future. TradeArabia News Service Air Arabia, the Middle East & North Africas first and largest low-cost carrier operator, is participating in the 7th edition of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), taking place from November 13 to 15, 2024, at Sakhir Airbase in Manama. The airline will display its state-of-the-art Airbus A320, configured with 174 seats, providing visitors an exclusive glimpse into Air Arabias modern fleet and unique onboard experience. Over the course of the three-day event, Air Arabias crew will be present to welcome visitors on board and answer any questions regarding the airlines products and services. The A320 showcased at BIAS highlights Air Arabias commitment to providing a value-added travel experience and showcases one of the most advanced and best-selling single-aisle aircraft in the world. Attendees will experience the extra comfort provided by the most generous seat pitch and learn more about Air Arabias onboard products including SkyTime, a complimentary in-flight streaming service, and SkyCafe, which offers a variety of meals and snacks at affordable prices. Since launching its inaugural flight to Bahrain in 2003, Air Arabia has continued to strengthen its presence in the Kingdom and now operates 35 weekly flights from its operating hubs in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Pakistan, meeting the travel needs of residents and visitors alike. With a current fleet of 77 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft and 120 new aircraft on order, Air Arabia is committed to expanding its network and enhancing travel experiences for its passengers. The airline continues to grow its extensive network, and currently connecting over 200 destinations from six strategic hubs spread across the UAE (Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al-Khaimah), Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan. TradeArabia News Service WHITE candles were yesterday placed on the side of the road in Sennon Village Number Three, Siparia, where the severed head of 59-year-old Joanne Estick was found in a bag on Thursday. Estick, a mother of one and grandmother of three, was last seen in the village earlier this week. A senior police officer of the South Western Police Division said they are yet to officially confirm that the head is that of Estick without the rest of the human remains. The COP29 climate talks open Monday in Azerbaijan, under the long shadow cast by the re-election of Donald Trump, who has pledged to row back on the United States' carbon-cutting commitments. Countries come to Baku for the main United Nations forum for climate diplomacy after new warnings that 2024 is on track to break temperature records, adding urgency to a fractious debate over climate funding. But Trump's return will loom over the discussions, with fears that an imminent US departure from the landmark Paris agreement to limit global warming could mean less ambition around the negotiating table. "We cannot afford to let the momentum for global action on climate change be derailed," said Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's special envoy for climate change and environment. "This is a shared problem that will not solve itself without international cooperation, and we will continue to make that case to the incoming president of one of the world's largest polluters." Outgoing President Joe Biden is staying away, as are many leaders who have traditionally appeared early in COP talks to lend weight to the proceedings. Just a handful of leaders from the Group of 20, whose countries account for nearly 80 percent of global emissions, are attending. Afghanistan will however be sending a delegation for the first time since the Taliban took power. They are expected to have observer status. Diplomats have insisted that the absences, and Trump's win, will not detract from the serious work at hand, particularly agreeing a new figure for climate funding to developing countries. Negotiators must increase a $100 billion-a-year target to help developing nations prepare for worsening climate impacts and wean their economies off fossil fuels. How much will be on offer, who will pay, and who can access the funds are some of the major points of contention. "It's hard. It involves money. When it comes to money, everybody shows their true colours," Adonia Ayebare, the Ugandan chair of a bloc that groups over 100 mostly developing countries and China, told AFP on Sunday. Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change a "hoax", has vowed to pull the United States out of the Paris agreement. But Ayebare brushed aside the potential consequences of a US withdrawal, noting Trump already took Washington out of the Paris agreement during his first term. "This has happened before, we will find a way of realigning." Developing countries are pushing for trillions of dollars, and insist money should be mostly grants rather than loans. They warn that without the money they will struggle to offer ambitious updates to their climate goals, which countries are required to submit by early next year. "Bring some money to the table so that you show your leadership," said Evans Njewa, chair of the LDC Climate Group, whose members are home to 1.1 billion people. But the small group of developed countries that currently contributes wants to see the donor pool expanded to include other rich nations and top emitters, including China and the Gulf states. One Chinese official warned Sunday during a closed-door session that the talks should not aim to "renegotiate" existing agreements. Liang Pei, an official at China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, urged negotiators to instead address "the climate crisis collectively, constructively." The talks come with fresh warnings that the world is far off track to meet the goals of the Paris agreement. The climate deal commits to keep warming below 2C compared to pre-industrial levels, preferably below 1.5C. But the world is on track to top that level in 2024, according to the European Union climate monitor. That would not be an immediate breach of the Paris deal, which measures temperatures over decades, but it suggests much greater climate action is needed. Earlier this year, the UN warned the world is on track for a catastrophic 3.1C of warming this century based on current actions. "Everyone knows that these negotiations will not be easy," said Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. "But they are worth it: each tenth of a degree of warming avoided means fewer crises, less suffering, less displacement." More than 51,000 people are expected at the talks, which run November 11-22. For the second year running the talks will be hosted by a country heavily reliant on fossil fuels, after the United Arab Emirates last year. Azerbaijan has also been accused of stifling dissent by persecuting political opponents, detaining activists and suffocating independent media. 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. There is no federal law that requires a business to accept cash. And as you might expect, neither the State of Texas nor any city in Texas has that type of law. Inti St Clair/Getty Images/Tetra images RF Q: I'm a nonprofit executive, and I'm both perplexed and disturbed by the growing phenomenon of businesses that don't accept cash, requiring instead that payment be made by credit and debit cards. Today, low-income earners are already marginalized by society, and now they're even worse off because of the "no cash accepted" business model. Can you help me reconcile this seeming contradiction between the words on our currency which read "This Note is Legal Tender for All Debts Public and Private" and the reality of current business practices? A: A number of states and large cities agree with you and have enacted laws which require businesses to accept cash. However, there is no federal law that requires acceptance of cash. And as you might expect, neither the State of Texas nor any city in Texas has that type of law. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Absent state-wide or local legislation, I dont think theres any way to stop the trend toward a totally cashless society. But I am neither perplexed nor disturbed by this, and heres why: It's really easy to open a bank account and get a debit card. There is also typically either no cost or only a nominal monthly charge associated with opening an account. Anyone who would be spending cash can go to any bank and open an account and then have access to every business or service that requires electronic payments. Perhaps the nonprofit you are involved with should focus its attention on teaching low-income workers about the benefits of opening a bank account and using debit cards. Its certainly safer to carry a debit card with a secret PIN than to carry cash. Q: Can my husband skip his $500,000 inheritance willed from his father and have it go directly to our adult son without incurring taxes? Our son needs the money more than we do. A: Your husband can disclaim his inheritance, but if he does, it will pass as if your husband had not survived his father. His father's last will and testament would then control how the inheritance passes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If your son is the next named recipient in the will, then a disclaimer would work well, and your husband should either hire a lawyer or ask the estate's lawyer to prepare a written disclaimer. If your son is not the next in line, then your husband should accept the inheritance and then give it to your son. With the gift and estate tax exemption at just under $14 million per person next year, unless the two of you are extremely wealthy, the gift of $500,000 should not cause any extra taxes to be owed. Before your husband does anything, he should speak to an attorney and an accountant. The information in this column is intended to provide a general understanding of the law, not legal advice. Ronald Lipman of the Houston law firm Lipman & Associates is board-certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Email questions to: stateyourcase@lipmanpc.com. Vietnam should consider reviving its nuclear power development with appropriate technology to enhance national energy security and support its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, industry experts suggest. Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper spoke to several experts on this topic in light of many deputies from the National Assembly (NA) recently suggesting the government resume nuclear power development, which was suspended in November 2016, to ensure national electricity supply sources. The lawmakers made such suggestions while discussing the draft revised Law on Electricity presented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade during the eighth session of the 15th-tenure NA, which commenced on October 21 in Hanoi. Nuclear power is a necessity Nuclear power discharges zero emissions, therefore using this green power to gradually replace emission-producing power sources, like those generated from coal or gas, will be one of the factors to help Vietnam achieve its net-zero target by 2050," said vice-chairman of the Vietnam Energy Association Nguyen Anh Tuan. "Nuclear power plants provide a steady and sustainable energy supply with a reliable fuel source, unaffected by international political shifts or the volatile prices of oil, gas, and coal -- critical elements for ensuring national security. "As coal import prices increase, nuclear power production costs will become more competitive, making nuclear energy more affordable than wind or solar options." He also claimed that the chances of a nuclear power plant technology having a problem are only 1/10 million, and that nuclear safety mainly relies on the operation stage. This aerial photo shows Vinh Hai Commune in Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam, where the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant was previously planned to be built. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre Pham Van Hoa, a member of the NAs Law Committee, said that the country previously planned to build a nuclear power plant in south-central Ninh Thuan Province, but it was suspended due to many concerns about safety, high investment costs, technological issues, and developments in the global energy situation at that time. However, the question remains whether the development of nuclear power is a dangerous trend. In the past, countries turned away from nuclear power plants but are now revisiting them because of the huge demand for green electricity. Hoa stressed that Vietnam cannot exclude nuclear power from its electricity development planning if it wants to maintain power security. "If Vietnam were to proceed, the development process would be strict while assessing impacts and ensuring it meets requirements on defense, security, safety, and environmental protection," Hoa said. I think that the Ministry of Industry and Trade should soon recommend the government to restart the investment policy to build a nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan as soon as possible to meet the countrys energy demand." Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that Vietnam's electricity demand by 2030 will double the current capacity, adding that by 2050 it will be five times higher than the present figure. Meanwhile, there is no longer room to develop traditional power sources, such as coal, hydro, and natural gas power plants, so nuclear power and other new energy supplies must be developed in the future, Dien said. Nguyen Quang Huan, a member of the NAs Committee for Science, Technology, and Environment, commented that nuclear power can be used as a base power, making up for Vietnam's future power shortage. The Southeast Asian country is promoting the development of digital technology, which consumes a lot of electricity and requires power safety, so nuclear power is a very good solution. Regarding technology, if we cannot master it, we will have to depend a lot on external support. Other countries can develop nuclear power because they master the technologies used, Huan said. He also emphasized that "the investment cost for nuclear power is substantial because we need to import the necessary technologies, and ongoing operational costs will hinge on how well we can master those technologies." Suitable technology needed Prof. Tran Dinh Long, vice-chairman of the Vietnam Electricity Association, noted that countries struggling with fuel shortages are all turning to nuclear power, a clean energy source with zero emissions, unlike coal and gas power plants. If Vietnam pursues nuclear energy, Prof. Long stressed two essential requirements: selecting nuclear technology that best aligns with Vietnams specific conditions and thoroughly assessing investor commitments. Huan concurred, adding that nuclear waste storage and disposal need thorough research and evaluation to prevent pollution, alongside careful consideration of related defense and security issues. Safety is a crucial issue Dr. Tran Chi Thanh, director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, asserted that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will not agree to any country developing nuclear power if they fail to meet safety requirements. Forsmark nuclear power plant, one of Sweden's largest nuclear plants. Photo: Vattenfall Only when Vietnam meets the conditions does the IAEA allow the country to engage in developing nuclear power, Dr. Thanh stressed, adding that the establishment of a nuclear power plant requires a long preparation time, from training operators to building infrastructure and improving legal systems. Dr. Thanh said on average, a nuclear power plant requires 10-15 years of preparation and investment before it can be put into operation. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son, an independent consultant on energy development, stated that only large countries possess nuclear power plant technologies, so if Vietnam builds a nuclear power plant, it must import such technologies. He explained that modern nuclear power technologies -- now in generations III, III+, and IV -- are designed with robust safety features. According to him, most safety risks stem from human error rather than the technology itself. Recent nuclear incidents in places like the former Soviet Union, the U.S., and Japan were primarily caused by operator mistakes or natural disasters, not by flaws in the technology. Dr. Son suggested that Vietnam should initially focus on building small-scale nuclear power plants of 50 to 150 MW, with a maximum of 300 MW, as a pilot project. This approach would allow the country to gain operational experience and ramp up workforce training before committing to larger-scale nuclear investments. If Vietnam moves forward with nuclear power, he noted that Ninh Thuan remains a viable location due to extensive prior research conducted there. While the initial investment cost for a nuclear plant is significantly higher than that for coal, gas, solar, or wind power plants, he highlighted that nuclears operating costs are comparatively lower. Nuclear power regulations required The draft revised Law on Electricity has been supplemented with provisions on nuclear power, said Hoang Duc Chinh, an agricultural economic expert and an NA deputy, who also commented that this marks an important step in the countrys energy orientation. To ensure nuclear power sustainability, it is necessary to develop clear provisions on investment, management, and operation that will form a legal basis for future development. The law should include clear regulations on managing radioactive waste to ensure community and environmental safety during nuclear power plant projects, addressing public concerns and fostering social consensus. Following Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Sons direction, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is consulting with the Ninh Thuan People's Committee and other relevant agencies to develop a draft nuclear power development plan for Vietnam, drawing on international expertise. After completing the draft, the ministry will submit it to the government for consideration before presenting it to the Politburo for approval. Moreover, the draft revised Law on Electricity should also include a provision on the state's monopoly on nuclear power development, and on the prime ministers authority to stipulate a specific mechanism for investment, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants. Nuclear power development around the world According to the Ministry of Industry and Trades data in late August, 415 nuclear power reactors are operating globally with a total installed capacity of about 373,735MW and 62 reactors capable of about 64,971MW under construction. Nuclear power plants account for about 10 percent of the total electricity produced worldwide and play an important role in the power structure of many countries. Thirty-two countries own and operate nuclear power plants while about twenty others are mulling over developing nuclear power to meet their energy needs and realize their climate commitments. At the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), twenty-two countries, including the U.S., Japan, the UK, France, and Canada, signed a declaration to triple the installed capacity of nuclear power plants by 2050. In May 2024, the Swedish Energy Agency granted US$4.7 million to a nuclear project to develop a Generation IV nuclear power system and rebuild national expertise in nuclear technology. In Southeast Asia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines are planning to build nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, China is also implementing a nuclear power program to meet its goal of becoming the world leader in nuclear power generation capacity by 2030. China aims to reach a total nuclear power operating capacity of about 180 GW by 2035. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Professor Le Viet Ly's scholarship fund, established by his family in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam, has contributed over VND75 billion (US$3 million) to the development of schools, teaching equipment, and scholarships over 17 years. Recently, the Thanh Hoa association for promoting education, in coordination with the provincial Department of Education and Training, awarded scholarships to students and honored teachers for their achievements. Dau Thanh Tung, vice-chairman of the Thanh Hoa administration, expressed gratitude for the family's generosity and support for local education. Students in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam receive scholarships from the family of Professor Le Viet Ly, November 11, 2024. Photo: Tuoi Tre contributor Professor Lys scholarship fund has supported over 7,000 students with grants ranging from VND2 million ($79) to VND3 million ($118) and nearly 500 students with awards worth VND10-15 million ($394-590) each. In 2024 alone, the fund has allocated over VND2 billion ($79,000) to provide scholarships for 449 students and 50 teachers and educational managers, according to the Thanh Hoa association for promoting education. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Climate change makes people ill and urgent action is a matter of life and death, the WHO said on Thursday, insisting health should be centre stage at this month's international climate negotiations. The World Health Organization highlighted in a new report published ahead of the November 11-22 COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan how extreme weather events were costing lives and fuelling disease. There has been growing focus on the health impacts of global heating at the annual United Nations climate talks, with last year's COP28 in Dubai for the first time including a day focused on health. The Baku summit will be the last UN climate summit before Donald Trump's return as United States president in January. Trump has long denounced climate change as a "hoax". During his 2017-2021 term as president, he withdrew from the landmark Paris Agreement on curbing global heating -- and began pulling the United States out of the WHO, accusing the UN health agency of being a puppet of China. Trump has pledged to reverse the more climate-friendly policies of outgoing US President Joe Biden, under whom the US rejoined the Paris Agreement. Trump's threat to again walk away from this international effort to curb global heating adds to the sense of urgency for the UN summit to push through agreements before he becomes US president for a second time. The WHO report put the links between climate and health in abrupt language, citing recent disasters. "Climate change is making us sick, and urgent action is a matter of life and death," it said. "From the direct effects of extreme weather and air pollution to the indirect consequences of ecosystem disruption and social instability, climate change threatens physical and mental health, well-being, and life itself. "These impacts are not distant or abstract -- they are felt now, through record-breaking temperatures in India, deadly floods in Kenya and Spain, megafires in the Amazon, and hurricanes in the United States." WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said extreme weather was disrupting health, water and sanitation systems, fuelling and worsening outbreaks of non-communicable diseases. "The climate crisis is a health crisis," he insisted. Tedros said the health and associated economic benefits of measures to help the world cope with climate change far outweighed the investment needed to put them in place. "COP29 is a crucial opportunity for global leaders to integrate health considerations into strategies for adapting to and mitigating climate change," he said. The report said air pollution was linked to almost seven million premature deaths annually. Some 2.41 billion workers -- 71 percent of the working population -- are exposed to excessive heat, resulting in 22.85 million injuries and 18,970 deaths annually from heat stroke and other non-communicable diseases, it said. Extreme heat leads to health risks such as kidney disorders, strokes, adverse pregnancy outcomes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, organ failure and ultimately death. "Climate change increases the transmission of deadly infectious diseases such as dengue, malaria, West Nile virus, Vibriosis and respiratory infections, including pneumonia, Legionella, TB, Covid-19 and influenza, across existing and new locations," the report said. And air pollution and climate change increase the risk pregnant women face of pre-term birth, low birth weight and maternal death, it warned. The WHO issued guidance for policy makers on integrating health into national climate plans -- something few countries have done so far. It made six core recommendations: -- Make human health "the top measure of climate success"; -- End reliance on fossil fuels, and subsidies for them, to reduce pollution-related diseases; -- Mobilise funds for climate and health initiatives; -- Invest in "proven solutions" like heat warning systems and clean energy for domestic use; -- Focus on designing more sustainable cities, with improved sanitation and housing that can better withstand extreme weather; -- Better protect the natural world to make air and water cleaner and improve food supplies. Chile highly values and wishes to elevate multifaceted relations with Vietnam to a higher level as part of its overall diplomatic policy toward the Asia-Pacific region, Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font has announced. During talks with Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong, Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed strong support for elevating the Vietnam-Chile partnership. The meeting, part of President Cuongs November 10-12 visit to Chile, highlighted measures to advance cooperation across various sectors and further strengthen bilateral relations. President Boric valued the visit as the first by a Vietnamese state president in 15 years, emphasizing its potential to deepen traditional ties and multifaceted collaboration. He aired Chiles commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam, especially in light of the two countries' 10-year free trade agreement and shared membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). He highlighted that Vietnam holds an important place in Chile's Asia-Pacific foreign policy. Boric also commended Vietnam's achievements in national development, particularly under the Doi Moi (Renovationl) policy, initiated in 1986, which has driven significant economic progress. President Cuong affirmed that his visit was intended to deepen the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between Hanoi and Santiago, the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on March 25, 1971. The Vietnamese leader expressed his gratitude to the Chilean people for their invaluable support for Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as the present cause of national defense and construction. Cuong and his host shared the need to foster collaboration in the fields matching the two sides advantages and needs, including free trade, agriculture, sustainable development, renewable energy, science, education, tourism, defense, and security. The Chilean and Vietnamese leaders agreed to expedite negotiations for key bilateral cooperation documents to establish a solid legal foundation for sustainable growth. They insisted on enhancing business collaboration to maximize trade potential. Both sides were committed to strengthening cooperation, and providing mutual support in international organizations as well as multilateral and inter-regional forums, and fostering deeper coordination across diplomatic and economic spheres. Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong (L) and President of the Chilean Senate Jose Garcia Ruminot are seen at their meeting in Santiago, November 11, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency They affirmed that they would instruct the relevant bodies of both countries to prepare for upgrading bilateral relations and identify strategic cooperation priorities to create more opportunities for collaboration. The two presidents also discussed and exchanged views on various regional and international issues of mutual concern. Regarding the East Vietnam Sea issue, the two sides agreed that disputes over sovereignty and territory should be resolved by peaceful means, based on respect for international law, especially the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. President Cuong extended the best regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to President Boric. Cuong also invited his host to visit Vietnam in the near future, an invitation that the Chilean leader accepted with pleasure. Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a joint statement by their foreign ministers, a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation between their defense ministries, and several other cooperative documents in agriculture, culture, and trade promotion. Before his talks with his Chilean counterpart, President Cuong had separate meetings with President of the Chilean Senate Jose Garcia Ruminot and Speaker of the Chilean Chamber of Deputies Karol Cariola in Santiago. In the discussions, State President Cuong and the Chilean legislators explored ways to enhance cooperation between their respective parliaments and strengthen the bilateral comprehensive partnership through government, legislative, and people-to-people exchanges. Cuong extended invitations from National Assembly Chairman Man for the legislators Jose Garcia Ruminot and Karol Cariola to visit Vietnam at their convenience, fostering further diplomatic and cooperative ties. Since establishing diplomatic ties 53 years ago, Vietnam and Chile have fostered strong bilateral relations, especially in trade, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Trade between the two nations has quadrupled in the last decade, reaching $1.5 billion in 2023. Chile, the first Latin American country to sign a free trade pact with Vietnam in 2014, remains a crucial partner for Hanoi in the region. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! U.S. President-elect Donald Trump affirmed that Washington attaches great importance to ties with Vietnam, particularly in economic cooperation, during his phone talks with Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam on Monday. As reported by the Central Commission for External Relations, Party General Secretary Lam congratulated the president-elect over the phone from Hanoi on winning the 47th presidential election and highly appreciated Trump's contributions to promoting relations between the two countries. Trump expressed his pleasure speaking with Lam and extended his best regards to the Vietnamese people. Both leaders then reviewed the achievements of the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership in recent times. Expressing his satisfaction with the fruitful development of the bilateral ties, President-elect Trump affirmed the importance he attaches to the U.S. relationship with Vietnam, particularly in economic areas. He emphasized some specific areas of economic and trade cooperation that the U.S. is interested in and wishes to promote. He believed that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will continue to thrive. Trump expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese people, reminiscing about his experiences during his two prior visits to Vietnam. He also praised the Vietnamese-American communities in the U.S. for their significant contributions. Party chief Lam told the U.S. president-elect that Vietnam is ready to promote the steady and long-term development of the bilateral ties for the sake of the two nations, as well as for regional and global peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. Lam exchanged ideas with Trump concerning major advancements for beefing up economic, trade, and investment cooperation. The Party leader invited Trump to visit Vietnam again, and the president-elect accepted the invitation with pleasure. In return, he looks forward to Lam visiting the U.S. at a convenient time. In September this year, Lam, as the Party general secretary and state president of Vietnam, visited the U.S. to attend the United Nations (UN) Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. During his trip, Lam had various meetings with leading U.S. officials and conducted many other important diplomatic activities. President-elect Donald Trump has visited Vietnam twice. Trumps first visit to Vietnam took place in 2017 when he attended the APEC Leaders Week in Da Nang and later traveled to Hanoi. His second visit, in 2019, centered on the U.S.-North Korea Summit in Hanoi. Notably, Trump is the only U.S. president to have visited Vietnam in his first year in office since the two countries normalized relations. Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their diplomatic relations in July 1995 and entered a comprehensive partnership in July 2013. A decade later, on September 10, 2023, the two countries lifted their ties directly to a comprehensive strategic partnership skipping the strategic partnership level during President Joe Bidens official visit to Vietnam. The two nations look forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary of normalized relations in 2025. Over the past several years, the U.S. has been Vietnam's largest export market and second-biggest trading partner, Dau Tu (Investment) newspaper reported. According to Vietnams General Statistics Office, trade between the U.S. and Vietnam approximated $110.7 billion in the first ten months of 2024, matching the total trade volume for all of 2023. In the same time frame, Vietnams exports to the U.S. totaled $98.4 billion, marking a 24.2-percent jump over 2023, while imports from the U.S. reached $12.3 billion, up 12.7 percent year over year. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! What you need to know today in Vietnam: Politics -- Vietnams Party General Secretary To Lam talked over the phone with Donald Trump on Monday evening, congratulating Trump on being elected the 47th U.S. president while highly valuing the latters contributions to the development of the two countries relations, the Vietnam News Agency reported. -- Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font hosted a welcome ceremony in Santiago on Monday for Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong, who is on an official visit to the South American country through Tuesday. -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday offered his congratulations to Ishiba Shigeru over his reappointment as the prime minister of Japan, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Society -- International tourists to Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam made up 30 percent of the countrys total of 12.7 million in January-September, heard a conference on Monday. -- Typhoon Toraji entered the East Vietnam Sea and became the eighth to hit the sea this year, while typhoon Yinxing, the seventh to strike the sea, weakened into a tropical depression on Monday evening, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. -- The 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo is set to take place between December 19 and 22 in Hanoi and cover an area of over 100,000 square meters, including nearly 35,000 square meters for displaying defense industry products. Business -- Vietnam's digital economy is continuing to show solid double-digit growth and is forecast to reach a gross merchandise value of US$36 billion in 2024, with e-commerce accounting for $22 billion, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2024 report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company. -- Vietnams state-run lottery company Vietlott announced on Monday the winner of the American-style Power 6/55 jackpot worth over VND148 billion ($5.9 million). World News -- U.S. climate envoy John Podesta urged governments to keep faith in the country's promise to combat global warming, saying Donald Trump can slow, not stop, the transition from fossil fuels when he returns to office in January, Reuters reported. -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday announced 3.76 billion euros ($4.01 billion) in additional measures to reconstruct the Valencia area after the deadliest flash floods in Spain's modern history, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many parents let their children touch guns and climb onto historical tanks and cannons in the newly-built Vietnam Military History Museum in Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi last weekend, stirring up public outrage. On Sunday, the museum welcomed some 40,000 visitors, especially veterans. Young people were specifically interested in learning about Vietnam's history. The behavior of both children and adults, such as climbing on exhibits for photos, sparked public frustration. Despite repeated warnings from museum staff, some visitors ignored them, causing artifacts and plaques to fall. Many children and parents even used tanks and cannons as photo props, disregarding clear signs that prohibited climbing or leaning on the exhibits, according to Le Thi Yen, a resident of Hoang Mai District, Hanoi. I saw some people drying their clothes at the entrance hall, and others having meals in the lobby, she recounted. Phan Hong Quan, a tourist from Vinh Phuc Province, northern Vietnam shared that when he alerted some parents to their childrens mischief, they were disrespectful toward him. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, head of the museum's public relations and education department, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the management board had devised a detailed plan to protect the artifacts. Given the large space and numerous historical relics, preserving and safeguarding the exhibits poses a significant challenge. To address this, Huong mentioned that efforts will be increased to deploy staff across all areas, ensuring the safety of the artifacts while improving visitor experiences. Children get onto a military vehicle in the Vietnam Military History Museum in Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi. Photo: Trang Luong Minh The museum officially opened on November 1 and offers free admission until the end of December. After the free admission period, entrance ticket prices will be VND40,000 (US$1.6) per adult and VND20,000 ($0.8) for students and the elderly. Soldiers and veterans will permanently enjoy free admission. Residents and tourists can visit the museum from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Covering an area of 23,198 square meters, the museum is home to over 150,000 exhibits, including four national treasures listed as two MIG-21 aircraft, a T54B tank, and a map. Its exhibition areas focus on six themes related to the nations establishment, protection, and development. The property's two outdoor squares, which span over 20,000 square meters each, display historic aircraft, tanks, weaponry, and war relics. The museum features modern technologies such as 3D mapping and 3D films. An automated narration software detailing Vietnams heroic wartime victories is also available. Previously located at Dien Bien Phu Street in Ba Dinh District, the museum was relocated to a 38.6-hectare property straddling Nam Tu Liem Districts Tay Mo and Dai Mo Wards. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! A small banh uc stall in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City has built a loyal clientele over the years, including regulars like eighty-year-old Nguyen Thi Nhung. Each visit, she warmly greets the owners, asks about their family, and proudly mentions that her son brings her here to enjoy a bowl of banh uc. Banh uc is a Vietnamese type of savory rice pudding with a slightly chewy texture, normally topped with minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, fried shallots, and mung beans, complete with the true soul of the dish light fish sauce. A bowl of banh uc at the 116/2/3 Phan Dang Luu Street stall includes the same ingredients, all layered together, with the seller drizzling a few spoonfuls of fish sauce on top. A bowl of banh uc fetches VND30,000 (US$1.18) at the stall at 116/2/3 Phan Dang Luu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dang Khuong The gentle aroma of fried sliced shallots adds a crispy, flavorful touch to the banh uc bowl. Fried to a golden brown, these shallots are nearly the key ingredient that elevates the dishs delightful fragrance. Fried shallot plays an important part in leveling up the dish. Photo: Dang Khuong Beneath the fried shallots is a layer of minced pork mixed with wood ear mushrooms. The pork is tender, while the mushrooms hold a crunchy texture to create the perfect bite. At the very bottom is the thick layer of the soft white rice flour base. Nhung shared that she has been eating at this stall for decades, drawn by the flavors that bring back memories of the past. Ive been eating here since the 1980s," Nhung recollected. "Back then, the stall was right on the main street, and Id often stop by in the late afternoon. "The taste of the banh uc was so special and delicious that its stayed with me all these years, even now at 80. "I used to bring my son here, and now its his turn to bring his mom back to enjoy it." Diners have banh uc at the stall tucked away in an alley on Phan Dang Luu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dang Khuong Besides the flavor, many commented that the stall is also famous for the attitude of the owners. This banh uc stall is well known, but it's my first time trying it," one client said. "It's tucked away at the end of an alley in a house with a lovely flower trellis. "However, the seller is a bit cold. "If you're ordering to-go, you have to stand in line, but if you're eating there, just find a seat in the yard. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! He may be on the nose this week after making a public apology but Jamie Oliver will feature in a new series, Jamie Oliver: Fast & Simple, this week on 10. Oliver is in Australia currently promoting his new cookbook, but his 400-page fantasy novel that has come under fire. Titled Billy and the Epic Escape, the Australian subplot in the book tells the story of a First Nations girl living in foster care. She is kidnapped by a villain who says that First Nations children seem to be more connected with nature. While the character is from Mparntwe, or Alice Springs, they use vocabulary from the Gamilaraay people of NSW and Queensland. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) blasted the book for contributing to the erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences. After NATSIEC called for the book to be pulled from shelves, publisher Penguin Random House UK and Jamie Oliver decided to withdraw it from sale. It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue, he said. Together with my publishers, we have decided to withdraw the book from sale. Episode 1: Jamie makes a Korean-inspired Gochujang chicken traybake, shows us eight ways to use salmon fillets, creates a spectacular quesadilla toastie and tops it all off with a no-cook banoffee fro-yo tart. 7:30pm Friday on 10. Source: ABC Stan has released the trailer for the second season of Black Snow, premiering on New Years Day. Actor Travis Fimmel (Vikings, Dune: Prophecy) leads the six-part mystery-drama, and marks his directorial debut with the sixth and final episode of the series. Filmed in Queensland and set amongst the Glasshouse Mountains, he reprises the role of Detective Cormack, and stars alongside new cast members Jana McKinnon (Bad Behaviour), Megan Smart (Class of 07), Alana Mansour (Erotic Stories), Dan Spielman (Bad Behaviour, The Newsreader), Victoria Haralabidou (The Tourist) and Kat Stewart (Offspring). In this returning season, cold case Detective Cormack tackles two separate missing persons cases. One is professional, as he investigates the disappearance of Zoe Jacobs (McKinnon), who hasnt been seen since her own 21st birthday party in 2003. And the other is personal, as Cormack searches desperately for his own younger brother, who went missing when they were children. The first season of the Stan Original Series Black Snow was a global success, embraced by audiences and critics alike. With an audience spanning three continents, season one has since premiered internationally in the USA, UK and Canada, and rights have recently been sold to a suite of other territories including Africa, the Middle East, New Zealand, Austria, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Greece and Iceland. Season one was nominated for Most Outstanding Drama Series at the 2023 Logie Awards, as well as seven nominations at the 2024 AACTA Awards, including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Actor in a Drama for Travis Fimmel. After a critically acclaimed first season, director Sian Davies (Stan Original Series The Gloaming), executive producer Rosemary Blight (The Invisible Man), and series creator Lucas Taylor (Harrow) return to the series, with Helena Brooks (Stan Original Series Population 11) joining as director with Travis Fimmel. Season one lead actor Talijah Blackman-Corowa joins the second season as directors attachment, supported by Screen Queensland. The brand new season of the Stan Original Series Black Snow is produced in association with All3Media International and Sundance Now and with financial support from Screen Queensland, Screen NSW and City of Gold Coast. A Goalpost Pictures Production. Stan Executive Producers Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie. Black Snow will return to U.S. audiences via AMC Networks popular streamer, Sundance Now, in 2025. Double episode then weekly from Wednesday January 1 on Stan. Matt Lanza, one of two popular Houston-based meteorologists behind the websites the Eyewall and Space City Weather, joined CenterPoint Energy in the newly created position of manager of meteorology. Courtesy of CenterPoint Energy Matt Lanza, one of two popular Houston-based meteorologists behind the websites the Eyewall and Space City Weather, joined CenterPoint Energy as its manager of meteorology on Monday, according to his post on X, formerly Twitter. The role, new to CenterPoint, will be part of a new team led by Don Daigler, who was hired two weeks ago as the senior vice president in charge of revamping the companys emergency preparedness and response, CenterPoint spokesperson Alyssia Oshodi said in an email statement. Matt will lead the companys internal weather intelligence efforts for daily, short-term and long-term weather planning and weather data analysis for outage modeling. He will work to transform how weather data and analytics are integrated into CenterPoints outage planning, Oshodi wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lanza and fellow meteorologist Eric Berger have become must-reads in Houston, a city known for its capricious and at-times dangerous weather. The two have amassed large social media followings and post frequent weather and tropical activity updates to their two free websites. Lanzas work with the Eyewall and Space City Weather will continue as he works at CenterPoint, he wrote in his X update. Before joining CenterPoint, Lanza worked for a decade as the lead meteorologist for Cheniere Energy, a liquefied natural gas giant based in Houston, according to his LinkedIn. Online followers celebrated Lanzas new role as good news for Houston, especially since CenterPoint has been plagued with a lack of public trust after Houstonians largely found its response to Julys Hurricane Beryl lacking. Oshodi said the hiring was part of the companys commitment to strengthening its emergency planning, response and coordination efforts. The company owns poles and wires delivering electricity in the Houston area and in southwestern Indiana and delivers natural gas to homes and businesses in Texas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi and Ohio. Lanzas role will help CenterPoint prepare for extreme weather such as hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, winter weather and wildfires in all those regions, Oshodi wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A third-party review of CenterPoints response to Beryl found that the utilitys damage prediction model at the time was largely ineffective in preparing the company and its customers for the Category 1 hurricane. The report, which CenterPoint commissioned from London-based consulting firm PA Consulting, said both the model and the source weather data were areas that needed improvement. M. Night Shyamalans Trap was almost immediately met with divisive reactions upon release. Some derided it for being another twist-filled walk down Shyamalan Road while others were completely turned off by its tongue-in-cheek humor and style. To me, it was pretty clear that Shyamalan was making a movie about being a father. This is about action and reaction; breaking down the behaviors of a father when his own demons prevent him from being as present as he wants to be. But to do something that lofty in a thriller structure? No wonder the film was met with derision and dismissiveness. That isnt to say that Trap is by any means immune to criticism, because it is a wildly corny stakes-raising thriller that can be seen as doing a disservice to its genre elements. Trap follows Cooper (Josh Hartnett) and his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) as theyre on their way to see Rileys favorite pop artist perform at the Tanaka Center in Philadelphia. The pop star is Lady Raven, played by Shyamalans daughter and respected pop artist Saleka. But as the duo arrives at the concert, Cooper starts noticing a lot of police activity at the stadium and inquires with a merch vendor about it. The vendor informs him that the police are looking for The Butcher, a serial killer recently wreaking havoc on locals, and the police have set up the concert as a trap for him. Now, with Coopers charming facade starting to break down, will he be able to escape the venue without being caught? And how will he avoid his daughter finding out? As you sit down and get ready for 105 minutes of rollicking suspense and more twists than you can shake a stick at, lets have a word about believability. Yes, everything that happens in Trap would most likely never happen in real life. All the stakes-raising twists and dumb police cliches are ripped directly from the Hitchcock handbook, but I found how Shyamalan was using twists to show or hide empathy to be really engaging here. Cooper is a serial killer, plain and simple. His smarmy smile cannot hide the fact that hes a monster, but watching him try to evade being captured all the while making sure his daughter is happy can only be taken as a direct metaphor for how Shyamalan feels about parenting. In a way, Shyamalan is very clearly positioning Coopers addiction as his own. An addiction that will destroy the family unit. But how it does that is Traps biggest lure to audiences. Take the foo-foo nutty script away for a second and look at Trap from a technical perspective. Shot by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Luca Guadagninos usual DP) the film is a gorgeous and dizzying display of claustrophobia on the biggest scale possible. Those classic confessional close-ups reveal the humanity and slickness of empathy that Shyamalan is trying to capture, then the camera revels in watching Cooper manipulate spaces to his own benefit. Theres no need for a thriller to be this breathlessly captured for something so silly, but thats Shyamalans mode and nobody else does it better. The manipulation of morals is on the menu in Trap, and Shyamalan makes a thrilling work of it all by showing where the darkness lies within the classic American family unit. That may sound all too much to you for your classic thriller, but thats the movies challenge to viewers. By showcasing how difficult it is for its characters to stay in the present moment, the twist is that the movie is about all of us impatient idiots in the audience. Whether you can accept that message is up to you. Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Alright, everyone! Lady Raven is ready to get up on stage in M. Night Shyamalans Trap, now available as a one-disc 4K release from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. The 4K disc is a UHD100 and houses both the feature and special features. The disc sits in a classic black amaray case and theres a glossy slipcover that goes over it as well. The disc boots up to a standard menu screen with options to play the film, set up audio, browse bonus features and select chapters. HA NOI The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has finalised a draft circular to help non-bank credit institutions, including financial companies, further expand and develop. According to the SBV, some non-bank credit institutions have encountered difficulties and obstacles in their operations, partly due to limitations in their scope of operations. As a result, they requested that the SBV convert their types from specialised financial companies to general financial companies. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new regulation to allow the conversion to facilitate the development and expansion of the companies scope of operations. Under the draft circular, the SBV proposes that credit institutions are reorganised in the form of converting non-bank credit institutions, after receiving written approval from the SBV. The draft circular regulates filings, procedures and steps for granting establishment and operation licences to credit institutions in cases that commercial banks contribute capital or purchase shares of credit institutions, which causes a change in the legal form of credit institutions. The SBV will grant the establishment and operation licences to credit institutions in the cases. According to financial and business information service company FiinGroup, finance companies saw pre-tax profits plunge by VN3.62 trillion last year, continuing a downward trend which started post pandemic in 2020. However, they are entering a new growth cycle. According to FiinGroups analysts, lending of consumer financial companies is gradually improving. For example, following restructuring in business operations to optimise operating costs and strengthen risk control, FE Credit, which is the consumer finance company with the largest market share in Viet Nam, posted a profit of nearly VN300 billion in the third quarter of 2024. The analysts believe that consumer finance companies will promote caution in disbursement activities with an aim for a sustainable growth this year, instead of the overheated growth seen in past years. According to FiinGroup, despite the challenges, Viet Nam's consumer finance market remains highly promising in the long term, driven by low penetration rates and favourable demographics. Sharing the same view, Nguyen uc Vinh, general director of VPBank (FE Credit's parent bank) said, though Viet Nam has 16 consumer finance companies licensed by the SBV, they still do not fully meet the market's needs. Therefore, Viet Nam is potentially a lucrative market for consumer finance. In Viet Nam, the consumer credit scale is only just over 10 per cent of GDP, much lower than that of many other countries and territories, such as South Korea with more than 40 per cent of GDP and Hong Kong (China) with more than 20 per cent of GDP. VNS HA NOI VinFast has delivered a total of over 51,000 electric vehicles (EVs) to the Vietnamese market, making it the top-selling car brand in Viet Nam for the first ten months of 2024. In October, VinFast continued to deliver a substantial volume of electric vehicles to customers, exceeding 11,000 units, a 21 per cent increase compared to the previous month. The best-sellers were the VF 3, with nearly 5,000 units and the VF 5, with more than 2,600 units. VinFast becoming the best-selling car brand marks a milestone and a turning point for the country's car industry. In just five years in the market, VinFast has firmly established its position, surpassing foreign brands to gain the largest market share. Notably, VinFast is the first electric vehicle brand to outpace traditional petrol or diesel car manufacturers, achieving market leadership within just two years of its transition to electric production. VinFast's exceptional growth underscores the capabilities and resilience of Vietnamese industry in high-tech manufacturing, while also reflecting consumer enthusiasm for environmentally friendly, smart electric vehicles. Viet Nam now joins the ranks of a few countries where an electric vehicle brand has overtaken gasoline vehicles to lead the market. This remarkable accomplishment would not have been possible without the support of hundreds of thousands of VinFast customers, those who bravely backed a young Vietnamese brand, patiently and persistently used and provided feedback on VinFast products and services from the beginning, Chairman of Vingroup and CEO of VinFast Global, Pham Nhat Vuong said. Currently, VinFast offers the Vietnamese market seven EV models across all segments, from mini-SUVs to E-SUVs. VNS HA NOI PVI Insurance leaders recently participated in the 20th International Reinsurance Conference (SIRC), held from November 5 to 8 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. The delegation from PVI Insurance was led by Chairman Duong Thanh Francois, CEO Pham Anh uc, Deputy CEO Le Hong Linh and representatives from various divisions, including Reinsurance, Aviation Insurance and Corporate Clients. At the conference, the company sought to expand its global network and explore opportunities for collaboration with major insurance and reinsurance companies worldwide. For the first time, PVI Insurance secured a dedicated meeting room to maximise participation in multiple working sessions, allowing the firm to engage more effectively in discussions while promoting its image, position and brand. SIRC has been held since 1991 and has become one of the most prestigious events in the insurance and reinsurance industry in Asia. Over the past three decades, it has developed into a key platform for industry professionals to exchange knowledge, share insights on market trends, and update one another on important considerations ahead of the renewal season. The conference also fosters relationship building and networking for future cooperation among participating companies. This years conference, themed 'Revolutionising Reinsurance', attracted more than 400 companies and over 3,300 attendees, including top executives, experts, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from around the globe. Marc Haushofer, Chairman of the SIRC 2024 Organising Committee, said this years theme is highly relevant as we navigate a world reshaped by climate change, technological disruption and changes in the global economy. The industry must adapt to emerging risks and adopt new technologies He emphasised the need to address urgent challenges posed by climate change as well as the profound impact of integrating AI. These discussions could help shape the future direction of the industry while also identifying current opportunities. Moreover, attracting, retaining and nurturing talent remain crucial to the sectors success. PVI Insurance, ranked as Viet Nam's leading non-life insurance company and holding an A- ('Excellent') financial rating from AM Best, attracted considerable attention at the event. The company received multiple collaboration invitations and engaged in meetings with over 600 clients from 132 reinsurance and brokerage firms across 20 countries and territories. These included industry giants such as Hannover RE, Swiss Re, Guy Carpenter, Singapore Re, HDI, Gallagher Re, Korean Re, SCOR Re, AXA Insurance, CCR RE and Canopius. Through its participation, PVI Insurance aims to increase its international presence and strengthen its relationships with existing partners. The company also looks forward to leveraging these connections to create new, long-term and sustainable opportunities for future collaboration in the global insurance and reinsurance markets. VNS HA NOI VIAC Limited Partnership, part of the Vietnam Oman Investment (VOI) fund, announced that it received more than 29.65 million shares from Van Phu - Invest (VPI) on November 1. Oman Investment Authority is a joint venture between Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and the State Capital Investment Corporation of Viet Nam. These shares represent 9.3 per cent of the total VPI shares in circulation on the market. As a result, VIAC has officially become a major shareholder of Van Phu - Invest. VIAC first invested in Van Phu - Invest in 2021 by purchasing 690,000 convertible bonds, without warrants, worth a total of VN690 billion (US$27.2 million) issued by the real estate company. The bonds have a 3-year term and are secured by more than 27 million VPI common shares owned by a third party. According to the agreement, VIAC will convert the entire bondholding into VPI shares upon maturity. The conversion price is set at VN35,000 per share, with adjustments outlined in the bond purchase agreement. With the funds raised, Van Phu - Invest invested in real estate projects such as Phong Phu Riverside (VN453 billion) and BT Saigon (VN100 billion). The remaining funds will be used to supplement the companys business operations. By the end of July, Van Phu - Invest and VIAC reached an agreement to convert the bonds into shares at an adjusted price of VN23,271 per share, which is equivalent to VN29.65 million shares. On Tuesday, VPIs share price was last traded at VN58,000 per share, down 0.51 per cent from the previous session. This means VIAC's conversion price is about 60 per cent lower than the current market price. Since the beginning of the year, the share price of VPI has risen by more than 28 per cent. In the third quarter, Van Phu - Invest recorded VN855 billion in net revenue and VN110 billion in profit after tax, respectively 3 times and 3.4 times higher than the same period last year, thanks to revenue from the sale of real estate at the 'The Terra' project in Bac Giang Province. As of the end of the first nine months of this year, the company posted a profit after tax of VN206 billion, achieving 59 per cent of its yearly target. VNS HCM CITY HCM City has huge potential due to its strategic location to develop transhipment ports for oversized and heavy cargo from around the world, a conference has heard in HCM City. The 22nd Annual Membership Conference of the Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC) is being held for the first time in Viet Nam from November 10 to 13. It focused on investment opportunities and logistics development in Viet Nam, and global logistics trends, and was attended by over 100 businesses from 60 countries. Wolfgang Karau, President of the WWPC, said the conference would help foreign businesses understand about the development and investment opportunities in the oversized and heavy cargo sector in Viet Nam. The country had in recent years been developing international transhipment ports and investing in transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of large cargo, he added. Huynh Vi Phuc, a WWPC member, said Viet Nams strategic location would make it ideal for developing transhipment of oversized and heavy cargo. But its infrastructure in terms of roads and ports had not reached full potential and was not yet able to handle such cargo regularly, he said. Tran Thi Hai Yen, director of the Southern Investment Promotion Center, said the Government was simplifying import-export procedures to attract investments. The country has many large ports with great potential for logistics development, particularly HCM City and Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, which have invested heavily in maritime infrastructure, according to Yen. Many of its port infrastructure projects have attracted the attention of global shipping companies such as Air Canada Cargo, BBC Chartering and Wallenius Wilhelmsen, providing a great opportunity to boost its logistics industry. Companies attending the conference hoped HCM City would invest in infrastructure and develop transhipment ports like Can Gio to attract global cargo. VNS John Waters will be in Houston to discuss his iconic 'Hairspray' film. courtesy Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center presents 'Hairspray.' Jeremy Daniel Nikki Blonsky, right, and John Travolta in a scene from "Hairspray." David James/AP Filmmaker John Waters courtesy Filmmaker John Waters courtesy Filmmaker John Waters courtesy "Hairspray" has become the ultimate crowd-pleaser. The 1988 cult-classic film about hair hoppers and segregation in '60s Baltimore has spawned a Broadway musical, a big-budget movie musical and a live TV adaptation. There have been countless high school productions, including one earlier this year at Dawson High School in Pearland. For filmmaker John Waters, who wrote and directed the scrappy original, it was always a secret weapon. 'Their Hair Was Perfect, But Their World Was a Mess: John Waters Live Commentary of Hairspray' When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday Where: Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center, 800 Bagby Details: $36.66-$106; www.cinemahtx.org/hcaf/ Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It has been my most devious movie because it snuck in middle America. Even racists like it. They're too stupid to know it was making fun of them," he says. "You never make your enemy feel stupid. You make them feel smart, you make them laugh, and then you trick him over to your side." Indeed, the original themes that propelled "Hairspray" veered from racism and police brutality to cultural diversity and body image. In the film, "The Corny Collins Show" struggles to integrate Black dancers through an early version of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Tracy Turnblad, the film's heroine, is bullied because of her weight. The role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy's mother, was immortalized by drag queen Divine in the 1988 original and has been played by a man in subsequent versions. Filmmaker John Waters courtesy "Tracy Turnblad doesn't think her mother's trans. It's a secret between the actors and the audience, so they can't attack it," Waters says. "It is my deepest film, and it makes you laugh." Waters will provide live onstage commentary for his 1988 original during a Nov. 14 screening at Zilkha Hall in the Hobby Center. The presentation is part of the 16th annual Houston Cinema Arts Festival. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He will answer audience questions after the film and promises "the real dirt about what happened." Not that there's anything particularly salacious about what he says was a "joyous shoot." HOUSTON CINEMA ARTS FESTIVAL: What to see at this year's festival. "Ricki Lake was great, the kids were doing those dances all the time. It was a really happy set. Everybody felt that it could really work. You just felt the magic in it. But at the same time, we didn't know what was going to happen," Waters says. "To me, I thought they all would be hits and many weren't. So you never know." Waters became known as the king of filth through a series of transgressive films that toed the line between shock and satire, including "Multiple Maniacs," "Pink Flamingos" and "Female Trouble." The success of "Hairspray," led to (slightly) more mainstream fare, including "Cry-Baby" with Johnny Depp and "Serial Mom" starring Kathleen Turner. Waters' last film as writer and director was 2004's "A Dirty Shame" and he has continued to work in TV and onstage. John Waters will be in Houston to discuss his iconic 'Hairspray' film. New Line Cinema/Courtesy Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Despite, or because of, its deceptively wholesome feel, Waters was "shocked" when "Hairspray" got a PG rating, his only film to do so. It was warmly received by mainstream critics and made more than $8 million on a $2 million budget. Waters has a small role in the film as Dr. Fredrickson, a psychiatrist who tries to hypnotize Penny Pingleton into only dating white boys. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Hairspray" was the last of Waters' many collaborations with Divine, who died of a heart attack nine days after the film's release. "I remember the first day on the set, Divine said, what drag queen would allow themselves to look like this? That's why he got great reviews, because he was playing against type," Waters says. "I've said this before, but if Dolly Parton got out of drag and played a junkie, she'd win the Oscar." Waters says the film's high-school protagonist was based on his own experiences growing up in Baltimore. John Waters will be in Houston to discuss his iconic 'Hairspray' film. courtesy "I was Tracy Turnblad. All those things happened to me in a way. I went to the first anti-Gov. (George) Wallace rally. He ran for president of the primary in Maryland, and there were riots. I was involved in all that political scene at the time," he says. "I wasn't a fat girl, but I was a gay man." Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2022, the original "Hairspray" was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Waters says he was paid to write three different sequels that never materialized, including "White Lipstick" with the cast of the 2007 musical. A previously announced film version of Waters' novel "Liarmouth" starring Aubrey Plaza is no longer happening, either. He stays busy with touring shows, acting gigs from "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" to "Chucky" and the John Waters Summer Camp, an annual sleep-away adventure for fans that includes dance parties and film screenings. He also just completed a pair of "major fashion campaigns" that will be announced soon. And he continues to enjoy the lasting hold of the "Hairspray" legacy. "It was a movie that changed a lot of things for a lot of people, and I'm really happy about that," Waters says. "Wherever I go, big girls, they smile at me. I feel like Jack Sprat." HA NOI Dual transition is an inevitable trend that the Vietnamese business community needs to grasp in the coming years, participants heard at the annual Sustainable Development Conference held by the au tu (Vietnam Investment Review) Newspaper on November 12. The conference was expected to serve as a bridge between Government agencies, domestic and foreign organisations, experts, businesses and the community, to share valuable practical experiences in sustainable investment, production and business activities, thereby spreading inspiration for innovation and creativity for greener, more sustainable development in key areas. Opening the event, with the theme 'Taking the lead in dual transition for a green Viet Nam', Vietnam Investment Review editor-in-chief Le Trong Minh said that promoting green growth through digital transformation had brought the country a special opportunity to achieve sustainable development, increase labour productivity and improve people's quality of life. "Innovative solutions coupled with pioneering actions play a nuclear role in promoting Viet Nam's 'dual' transition and sustainable development activities," said Minh. Director of the Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Planning and Investment Le Viet Anh said that digital and green transformation had become the top priorities of most countries in the world, including Viet Nam, towards long-term sustainable development. Digital economic development will be the path to creating important breakthroughs for Viet Nam to achieve its goal of becoming a modern industrial country and at the same time, helping to realise sustainable development goals of Viet Nam by 2030," said Anh. However, Anh said, these two processes currently mainly take place separately, not synchronised to take full advantage of the potential to increase productivity and efficiency for businesses and economic activities of the economy in general. According to the World Bank's 2023 Report on the Dual Transformation trend, in the period 2017 - 2021, Viet Nam held 15 per cent of the total 493 green patents in the emerging market, ranked behind Malaysia (51 per cent) and Thailand (20 per cent). Most of Viet Nam's patents relate to fields such as wind energy, waste management, air and water pollution reduction and green construction. Meanwhile, in terms of digital transformation technologies, Viet Nam only owned eight per cent of the total 537 patents of developing economies, behind Malaysia (58 per cent), the Philippines (16 per cent) and Thailand (11 per cent). The report shows that digital transformation is an important driving force to promote the success of green transformation and the 'dual' transition trend. To promote the 'dual' transition process, Anh recommended that digital transformation and green transformation needed to be closely and organically linked together, both based on an important foundation of science and technology and innovation with high-quality human resources. Therefore, prioritising investment in science and technology and training high-quality human resources must be the prerequisite foundation for successfully implementing the dual transition. The destination of the dual transition is by people and for people, with people as the centre. Therefore, this transition process needs to be carried out on the principle of ensuring fairness and equality and we need a roadmap to minimise impacts on vulnerable groups such as the poor and ethnic minorities, women, children and the elderly in this process, said Anh. Anh said that implementing the dual transition required close and comprehensive coordination of all stakeholders, in which the State would play a leading role, creating an institutional and policy framework, providing initial support and enterprise community would play a pioneering and core role in this process, especially large enterprises. On this occasion, I call on businesses, large international corporations and FDI enterprises to promote their leading role and support small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries like Viet Nam during the transition process, added Anh. During the event, participants also heard speakers share experiences and successful lessons on green growth and sustainable development. New Zealand's Consul-General and Trade Commissioner to Viet Nam Scott James shared that his country took sustainability seriously and its commitment to preserving the natural environment was embedded in both policies and practices. New Zealand actively supports our businesses to make sustainability a core part of their export strategy and a point of difference in global markets This is especially important as more than 85 per cent of New Zealands exports are going to countries with (ESG) Environmental, Social and Governance legislation in place or coming into force that require businesses to report on sustainability practices," he said. He added that New Zealand had committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. By investing in research and technology, the country was working toward more efficient, lower-emission farming practices that balance productivity with environmental responsibility. Our dedication to renewable energy is another area where New Zealand demonstrates its commitment to sustainability. Around 80 per cent of New Zealands electricity already comes from renewable sources and we aim to increase this share to 100 per cent by 2030, said James. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hue, General Director of Strategic Human Resource Management, External Communications and Sustainable Development at AEON Vietnam, said that human sustainability was one of the three main pillars of its sustainable development strategy. Placing human resources in the role of attaching values and promoting innovation and creativity has brought remarkable results to AEON Vietnam. The harmony between personal goals and corporate culture is the factor that helps each AEON employee feel like they want to bond and contribute more to the company, thereby improving labour efficiency and ensuring the stable operation of the business. At AEON Vietnam, we always uphold human values and consider human resource development as the key to the business's sustainable success, said Hue. VNS HA NOI - Iran movie Hard Shell took the top prizes at the 7th Ha Noi International Film Festival (HANIFF) last night. The movie won as Best Feature-Length film and the award for both Best Director and the Best Actor. The piece, written and directed by Majid-Reza Mostafavi, tells of a teenager who falls in love with a performer who used to be a tightrope walker in the circus but shes banned due to an order made by the authorities. Her father, is a foreman of a donkey farm, who finds out the donkeys are missing and then he uncovers terrible secrets of corruption. "HANIFF is a prestigious film festival and I feel honoured," said 39 year old Mostafavi at the awards ceremony. "I thank the festival organisers and the Ha Noi audience. I will present the meaningful award to my family and my beloved wife." Mostafavi started his film career by editing and making short films. His first feature-length film, Unripe Pomegranates (2014), was screened in the main competition sections of more than 12 international film festivals including Moscow 2014, Sao Paulo 2014, Fukuoka 2015 and Zurich 2015 and was received with critical acclaim by FIPRESCI. His second Astigmatism (2018) was screened in the main competition sections of more than 10 international film festivals and received the award for Best Screenplay at the Iranian Academy of Cinema. Estonian 8 Views of Lake Biwa's actress Tiina Tauraite took the Best Actress at HANIFF with the film also winning the Jury Award for the best feature-length film. In the Best Short Film category, Colombian A Bird Flew was honoured and Iran director Nasim Forough was given title the Best Director. The Jury Award for the best short film went to Cambodian entry The Rubber Tappers. The Asian Film Commission Network (AFCNet) award was given to Russian film Liar. Vietnamese actress Ngoc Xuan received Promising Artist title for her first role in film Ngay Xua Co Mot Chuyen Tinh (Once Upon A Love Story). "I'm a new actress and the award is significant to motivate me further to reach my dream," Xuan said. Bangladeshi's Red Lights Blue Angles by Afsana Mimi and Turkish Rahma by Faysal Soysal were winners at Project Market section. Over five days HANIFF welcomed 800 international and Vietnamese delegates, from over 50 countries and territories. - VNS SEOUL A Vietnamese culinary contest was held in Ulsan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), aiming to foster connections among Vietnamese residents in the Ulsan-Gyeongju area and neighbouring areas. Held on November 10, the competition featured 10 teams with around 70 participants showcasing iconic Vietnamese dishes such as pho (beef rice noodle soup), banh mi (Vietnamese baguette), and bun cha (vermicelli noodles with grilled pork). According to the organiser, the event was designed to strengthen bonds within the expatriate community and provide an opportunity for them to socialise, adapt, and integrate more comfortably into life in the host nation. The Vietnamese Association in Ulsan noted that, in light of the RoKs aging population, the citys population is declining, while the number of foreign residents there has risen by 21 per cent year-on-year, with the Vietnamese community being the largest with around 5,000 members. Ulsan is the countrys largest heavy industry and chemicals hub, located over 300km southeast of Seoul. Yoon Hye-jin, Director of Its Room a company supporting the event, highlighted that the increasing foreign workforce is making a significant contribution not only to the local economic recovery but also to the national competitiveness. Collaborative efforts and supportive measures are necessary to help foreign communities settle and coexist as good neighbours alongside Korean residents. VNA/VNS SANTIAGO DE CHILE Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and President of Chile Gabriel Boric Font discussed measures to enhance the relationship between the two countries, making it more intensive, substantive, and pragmatic, towards advancing it to a higher level, during their talks in Santiago de Chile on November 11 morning (local time). The leaders informed each other of the situation in their respective countries and exchanged views on the bilateral ties. Stressing the significance of Cuongs ongoing official visit, the first by a Vietnamese State President over the past 15 years, Gabriel Boric expressed his hope that the trip will help deepen the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries. The host noted his admiration for Viet Nams achievements in national construction and development, especially those recorded in the oi Moi (Renewal) cause, considering them valuable experiences for Chile to learn from. Chile always treasures and wishes to enhance the relations with Viet Nam in its policy towards the Asia-Pacific, especially in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the implementation of their bilateral free trade agreement, and both are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), he said. Cuong, for his part, affirmed the importance Viet Nam places on its traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Chile, the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam on March 25, 1971. The leader expressed his gratitude to the Chilean people for their invaluable support for Viet Nam during its past struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as the present cause of national defence and construction. Cuong said his visit aims to affirm that Viet Nam wants to strengthen the bilateral comprehensive partnership, saying it holds special significance, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the historic meeting between President Ho Chi Minh and President Salvador Allende in Ha Noi on May 23, 1969. The 1969 meeting laid the foundation for the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relations in 1971 and the development of the Viet Nam-Chile relations today, he said. At the talks, the two leaders expressed their delight at the countries flourishing relations as seen in the maintenance of high-level mutual visits and meetings between their Parties, States, parliaments, and localities, as well as the fruitful implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms such as the free trade council and the political consultation at the deputy foreign minister level. They held that economic and trade ties have continued to be consolidated amid many global economic challenges. Chile is the fourth largest trading partner of Viet Nam in Latin America while latter ranks first among trading partners of the former in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Presidents highly valued Viet Nams official establishment of a defence attache office in Chile, expected to help further promote bilateral defence cooperation in the time ahead. Besides, they also applauded the two countries close and effective cooperation at international organisations and inter-regional forums, especially the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Forum for East Asia - Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), and the ASEAN - Pacific Alliance cooperation. They were unanimous on the need to foster collaboration in the fields matching the two sides strengths and concern such as free trade, agriculture, sustainable development, renewable energy, science, education, tourism, defence, and security. Viet Nam and Chile should actively negotiate and sign bilateral cooperation documents to perfect the legal framework for their relations to grow sustainably, while creating favourable conditions for their businesses to boost partnerships to raise bilateral trade on par with the countries potential. The leaders agreed that their countries will enhance coordination, cooperation, and mutual support at international organiations along with multilateral and inter-regional forums. Sharing the countries development visions along with support for free trade values and cooperation for common development and mutual benefits, they agreed to assign Vietnamese and Chilean ministries and sectors to discuss, review, and consider the elevation of the relationship in the coming time in order to create a broader space for bilateral cooperation, and identify breakthrough and strategic cooperation priorities. The Presidents also looked into and shared their stances on many regional and international issues of common concern. With regard to the East Sea issue, they perceived that sovereignty and territorial disputes should be resolved by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the UN Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). On this occasion, Cuong conveyed regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to his host. He also invited the Chilean President to visit Viet Nam in the near future. Boric Font accepted the invitation with pleasure. Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a Viet Nam - Chile joint statement by the two foreign ministers, a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation between the two defence ministries, and some cooperation documents in the fields of agriculture, culture, and trade promotion. They also engaged in a joint press meeting. VNA/VNS SANTIAGO DE CHILE Viet Nam and Chile on Monday issued a 14-point joint statement on President Luong Cuongs official visit to the South American country from November 9-11 at the invitation of Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font. According to the document, both leaders held talks on the bilateral friendship as well as global and regional issues of mutual concern. President Cuong also met with Senate President Jose Garcia Ruminot, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Karol Cariola, and Mayor of the Commune of Santiago Iraci Hassler; delivered a policy speech at the University of Chile; and met with executives of prominent Chilean enterprises. The leaders underlined the historic significance of the visit, the first by a Vietnamese President in 15 years, and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the bilateral friendship. This year also marks the 55th anniversary of the historic meeting between Salvador Allende and President Ho Chi Minh in 1969 which paved the way for the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971. President Cuong commended Chiles recent accomplishments, while President Boric expressed admiration for Viet Nams impressive socio-economic achievements over the nearly 40 years of renewal and global integration. Both leaders agreed to deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership established in 2007, and reiterated their commitment to promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific and globally. They pledged to intensify high-level exchanges to guide the future of Viet Nam-Chile relations, foster cooperation among legislative bodies, local authorities, academic institutions, and people-to-people exchanges. Acknowledging the growth of economic and trade exchanges, they underscored the importance of the Viet Nam-Chile Free Trade Agreement and committed to ongoing coordination to maximise the effectiveness of this deal and other key agreements. The leaders committed to expanding bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest, including defense, security, agriculture, sustainable development, renewable energy, science, education, culture, and tourism. They acknowledged the necessity of opening their markets to each others agricultural and aquatic products, and expressed their interest in continuing to streamline procedures for market access for the goods. They praised the Vietnamese Governments recent establishment of the defence attache office in Chile and Chile's opening of an agricultural attache office in the Southeast Asian country. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting multilateralism and strengthening cooperation in multilateral mechanisms based on adherence to the UN Charter and international law, and on respect for national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Chile expressed its support for Viet Nam's hosting of APEC 2027. Besides, Chile underscored its desire to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Viet Nam welcomed Chile's proposal and pledged to actively promote discussions among member states on this matter. The leaders affirmed that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) serves as the legal framework governing all maritime and oceanic activities and highlighted its strategic importance as the legal basis for actions and cooperation at national, regional, and global levels. Additionally, they emphasised the significance of resolving maritime disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the UN Charter and UNCLOS 1982. They said they wish to effectively implement cooperation initiatives within the framework of the ASEAN-Chile Development Partnership for 2021-2026. The leaders expressed their delight at the outcomes of the Vietnamese Presidents visit, saying it will create crucial momentum for deepening the bilateral relations in the coming time. On the occasion, President Cuong extended a formal invitation to President Boric to visit Viet Nam at a mutually convenient time in 2025, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure. VNS SANTIAGO DE CHILE State President Luong Cuong met with prominent business executives from the Promotion Society Fabril (SOFOFA) in Santiago de Chile on Monday, as part of his official visit to Chile starting last Saturday. Established in 1883, SOFOFA is an association of Chile's 22 largest business groups, representing over 160 member companies more than half of which are titans of the Chilean stock exchange. With 49 trade unions under its umbrella, SOFOFA's influence spans key economic sectors such as mining, forestry, agro-industry, energy, and information technology. Speaking highly of Vietnams market growth potential, the Chilean side expressed their eagerness to capitalise on the trade agreements linking the two countries. Representatives also showed their admiration to the Vietnamese economy's dynamic developments over the recent past and their hope for chances to find more cooperation agreements with new partners so as to enter the Vietnamese market. They outlined their keen interest in collaborating with Vietnamese partners in mining, banking, finance, information technology, and others. To expedite these ventures, they sought support from relevant Vietnamese authorities. President Cuong underlined the strong and enduring bond between Chile and Viet Nam, noting that successive Chilean governments have valued and actively worked to fortify relations with Viet Nam, while Viet Nam views Chile as a strategically important partner and is devoted to deepening ties across multiple sectors. The leader said that over the 50 years of building and development, economic-investment-trade cooperation has maintained a crucial position in the bilateral relations and achieved significant progress. However, there remains considerable untapped potential for cooperation between the two countries. He called on Chilean investors to study and expand investment cooperation in various areas, including trade, renewable energy, agriculture, mining, and deep mineral processing while bolstering potential collaboration across such potential domains as high-tech agriculture, climate change response, digital transformation, and advanced technology. According to Cuong, business associations, particularly SOFOFA, should continue working closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Vietnamese Embassy in Chile to connect business communities and competent agencies of both sides and serve as a vital bridge to link enterprises and international partners. Viet Nam always accompanies domestic and foreign firms and works to protect the legitimate rights of the investors as well as ensure the harmonious benefits of the State, investors and people, he said, committing to creating a favourable business and investment environment for foreign businesses in general and those from Chile in particular. He said he believes that the economic-investment-trade cooperation will continue to be an important pillar in the bilateral relations. VNS SANTIAGO The Vietnamese Ministry of Defence hosted a solemn ceremony in Chiles capital city of Santiago on Monday evening (local time) to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (VPA) and the 35th anniversary of the All-Peoples National Defence Day (December 22, 1989-2024). The ceremony also saw the official opening of the Vietnamese Defence Attaches Office in Chile. State President of Viet Nam Luong Cuong and his entourage on an official visit to Chile attended the event, which also drew Chilean Defence Minister Maya Fernandez Allende, representatives from various Chilean ministries, the diplomatic corps, and attache offices in the Latin American country. Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang highlighted the history and achievements of the VPA, which was established on December 22, 1944, under the instruction by President Ho Chi Minh. Over the past eight decades, it has grown into a modern and revolutionary force deeply rooted in the people, fighting for the people, becoming a special political force and the absolutely loyal and trustworthy fighting force of the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam. The VPA has recorded glorious achievements in the cause of national liberation, construction and defence. Giang further emphasised that the designation of National Defence Day on December 22, 1989, was a continuation of the Vietnamese peoples tradition of united defence against foreign invaders, demonstrating the Partys belief in the vital role of the people and the armed forces in building and safeguarding the nation. He also noted that Viet Nams defence diplomacy, a key pillar of the countrys foreign policy, has gained momentum over recent years, bolstering the nations international standing through strategic trust-building and enhancing relations with countries and international organisations. As part of its broader goal of strengthening bilateral relations between Viet Nam and Chile, Minister Giang announced the formal opening of the Vietnamese Defence Attaches Office in Santiago. The new office, located next to the Vietnamese Embassy, will focus on promoting bilateral defence exchanges, disaster relief cooperation, and military training programmes, among other activities. For his part, Chilean Defence Minister Maya Fernandez Allende congratulated Viet Nam on the 80th anniversary of the VPAs founding and praised the event as a testament to the close and all-round ties between the two nations. She highlighted the significant role of defence cooperation in the overall bilateral relationship, which had been touched upon during the recent talks between Chiles President Gabriel Boric and Viet Nams President Luong Cuong. The cooperation framework between the two countries was formalised through a memorandum of understanding on defence collaboration. The minister welcomed the opening of the Vietnamese Defence Attaches office in Chile as an important milestone in deepening the defence relations between the two nations. She noted that the move will facilitate cooperation in areas such as disaster response, humanitarian aid, and military training. VNS STOCKHOLM Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Monday, as part of her on-going official visit to the West European country, during which the two sides agreed to further deepen bilateral relations in the time to come. The Swedish PM congratulated Viet Nam on its remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, stating that Sweden treasures its relations with Viet Nam. He expressed a desire to further boost cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, climate change response, and sustainable development. For her part, Xuan affirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to strengthening and expanding its traditional friendship and good cooperation with Sweden. She thanked the Swedish government and people for their valuable and effective support for Viet Nam in the struggle for national liberation in the past, and socio-economic development and international integration efforts at present. Regarding economic cooperation, the Vietnamese leader expressed her appreciation for Sweden -- one of the first countries that ratified the new-generation EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) at an early date. She suggested the Swedish government continue to encourage businesses to increase their investment in Viet Nam in sectors where it has strengths and Viet Nam has demands, such as renewable energy, digital transformation, green transition, circular economy, and infrastructure, especially helping Viet Nam shift to a new economic growth model that integrates innovation. The two expressed satisfaction at the positive development of Viet Nam-Sweden relations over the past more than half a century since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties. They agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations by enhancing delegation exchanges at all levels and continuing their close coordination at regional and international forums such as the UN and the ASEAN-EU cooperation framework. They also emphasised the need to expand collaboration in areas such as innovation, science and technology, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, thus enhancing mutual understanding, tightening the friendship between the peoples, and contributing to elevating bilateral relations to a new height. Ulf affirmed that the Swedish government will continue facilitating the Vietnamese communitys integration into Swedish society, enabling them to contribute to the host countrys prosperity and cultural diversity, as well as promoting their role as a bridge fostering friendship and good cooperation between the two countries. In their exchange of viewpoints on international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two sides showed worries over escalating tensions in several global hotspots. They emphasised their support for the search for sustainable and long-term peaceful solutions to conflicts, based on respect for basic principles of the UN Charter and international law. Xuan took the occasion to convey Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs invitation to Ulf for an official visit to Viet Nam in the coming time. Before the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of two memorandums of understanding on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. VNA/VNS HA NOI Viet Nam is finalising its legal framework to handle cyberspace violations and impose sanctions on, not only individuals, but also social network platforms which break the laws, said Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung on Tuesday. Hung was the third head of sector who took a National Assembly (NA)s question and answer session, with a focus on digital journalism, advertising and infrastructure. He said information management on social media was a global challenge. Previously, regulations had been in place to handle individuals using social networks to spread false information, but recently there had been a decree to handle social networking platforms when they violate Vietnamese law. Responding to NA deputies questions on solutions to curb fake news, he emphasised the responsibility of social network platforms in autonomously managing content, ensuring accurate and healthy information. "They have their own space, their own hundreds of millions to billions of subscribers, so they must be responsible for scanning, detecting and automatically removing toxic information," the minister said. He also highlighted the need to step up communication and education to help people strengthen their resistance in the digital space, improve their ability to recognise and avoid fake news. Everyone can contact the national and local anti-fake news centres to report and request help upon reading fake news, he said. NA deputy Tran Thi Thanh Lam, a permanent member of the NAs Committee for Social Affairs, fielded a question over key solutions on fake advertising on social network platforms. Hung said the ministry had tried its best to curb fake advertising and progress has been made. In the past, the platforms removed only one to two out of 10 pieces of content asked to be removed by the ministry. But now, they had followed the management agencies order by removing over 90 per cent of the violating content, he said. Platforms must disable accounts and pages that keep violating the laws, he said. However, he acknowledged that this was a complex and ever-changing issue, requiring management agencies to constantly update and adjust legal regulations to adapt to the new situation. Building a complete and effective legal framework for cyberspace is an urgent task and requires the efforts of the whole society, the minister said. Developing social networking platforms Chairwoman of the Quang Binh Women's Union Nguyen Minh Tam said that Minister Hung had once stated that without a digital ecosystem and Vietnamese social networks, there would be no negotiating power with Google and Facebook. This was a major and the right strategy to ensure independence and national cybersecurity sovereignty, she said. When will this strategy become a reality so that Vietnamese social networks can develop? she asked. Minister Hung said social networks had two sides. They had positive impacts, such as facilitating people to communicate and do business, but social networks also posed many risks. However, he also admitted that banning cross-border platforms was not feasible. Instead, the ministry had encouraged the development of domestic social networks to create healthy competition and diversify choices for users. "The ministry has licensed nearly 1,000 social network platforms in Viet Nam, mainly focusing on niche markets, while we have only about 20 large social networks. The total number of Vietnamese social network users is now equivalent to, or even surpasses those of large platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, according to the minister. Thirty-eight other national digital platforms are also contributing to Viet Nams digital ecosystem. This shows the huge development potential of the domestic social network market. To make the most of this opportunity, Viet Nam needs to promote technology mastery and build indigenous digital platforms. Regarding fake advertisement on cross-border e-commerce platforms, he said there was no other way but all sectors and levels must "manage their own cyberspace". "If cross-border platforms, even those without a representative in Viet Nam, do not comply with the laws, we have enough capacity to stop all of their activities," Minister Hung said. Role of journalism Other deputies raised worries over citizen journalism on social network which might replace mainstream journalism. Hung said if the press followed social networks, it would be left behind. "If mainstream journalism wants to maintain its position, it must have a different approach, return to core values of authenticity, accuracy, objectivity, accountability and professional ethics while taking advantage of digital technology, regaining the position, increasing the number of readers and attracting more advertisements," he said. The minister emphasised that the press needed to improve the quality of content so that press information could lead public opinion on social networks. This was the orientation on the role of revolutionary journalism. The press needed to make use of social network technology and consider social networks as a distribution tool. "Press agencies need to appear on social network platforms to disseminate information better," he said. Despite their desire for greater autonomy and flexibility, traditional press agencies were facing major challenges as online advertising revenue was being taken over by social networks. The number of press agencies was increasing (800) while revenue was on the decline. Since last year, agencies had increased their budgets for the press. The ministry would have a section on press economics in the Press Law to be revised, allowing large press agencies to do business in content and the media sector, he said. According to the plan for the press, the State looks to focus investment in six key news agencies to make them into media forces and create special conditions and mechanisms for them. I hope the NA will support the Government in building special mechanisms for key press agencies," he said. VNS HA NOI The Government and the Prime Minister have been resolute in directing ministries and all sectors to strictly implement tasks and solutions to ensure an adequate electricity supply under all circumstances. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made the remarks while addressing the National Assembly on Tuesday during the Q&A session, clarifying a number of issues that the deputies had questioned. The Government leader noted that electricity demand was expected to rise rapidly, with a projected increase of about 1213 per cent in 2025 and even higher in subsequent years. The Government would continue to refine legal regulations to address obstacles in implementing power infrastructure projects. It would build a smart and flexible power grid with high automation capabilities and address the legal issues hampering renewable energy projects, ensuring accurate and reasonable pricing to encourage the development of new energy sources. Over the longer term, the Government had proposed to the relevant authorities to restart nuclear power projects and robust development of offshore wind energy. It had also submitted to the National Assembly the proposed amendments to the Electricity Law to create institutional breakthroughs and remove legal obstacles to energy infrastructure development. The Government respectfully requests the National Assembly to pay attention, share and coordinate with the Government to improve quality and consider passing necessary legislation at this session to promptly resolve legal bottlenecks, PM Chinh said. Digital transformation The PM also stressed the need to promote digital transformation, as it is a strategic choice and top priority for rapid, green and sustainable development. The process was happening vigorously, creating significant opportunities but also presenting numerous challenges. With the motto 'acceleration and breakthrough' the Government and the PM were focusing on mobilising the entire political system and active participation from the people and businesses. The Government was also working to complete the digital legal framework, developing special policies to support and promote digital transformation among businesses and citizens. The Government would continue improving policies for developing scientific and technological infrastructure and persevering in research, innovation and creativity. Efforts were being made to strengthen national, regional and local innovation ecosystems, with businesses as the centre and research institutes and universities as the foundation. PM Chinh also highlighted the administration's efforts to ensure that at least 20 per cent of total state budget expenditures would be allocated to education and training. There would be breakthrough policies in recruiting, using and rewarding talent at all levels, especially in new growth sectors like the digital, green and circular economies, along with the knowledge economy. We aim to complete the training of at least 50,000 high-quality personnel to meet the semiconductor industry's development needs, PM Chinh told the assembly. VNS A scene from season 1, episode 1 of Landman, which begins streaming on Paramount+ Sunday. Emerson Miller/Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Now that the wait is over for last Sunday's return of "Yellowstone," the phenomenally successful series from Texas director-producer-writer and all-around multi-hyphenate Taylor Sheridan, the countdown is on for his latest dramatic series, "Landman," which begins streaming Sunday on Paramount+. Texans should pay close attention to this one because, unlike "Yellowstone," which is largely filmed in Montana and Utah with the occasional foray into Texas, "Landman" is all about the Lone Star State. Sheridan, who is from the small north-central Texas town of Cranfills Gap and owns the Bosque Ranch in Weatherford and the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, decided to make this one for his home state. Starring Jon Hamm, Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore and James Jordan, set in the roughneck world of the West Texas oil fields and overseen by Sheridan, the guy who gave us one of the great Texas movies of the last decade in "Hell or High Water," "Landman" could turn out to be the most Texas TV show ever. Advertisement Article continues below this ad So, here are five reasons Texans should tune into "Landman." It's Totally Texas Fort Worth plays a major role in Taylor Sheridan's series 'Landman.' Sky Noir Photography by Bill Dic/Getty Images Unlike so many productions that are set in Texas but filmed elsewhere, "Landman" is set and filmed entirely in the state, largely in Tarrant County (Fort Worth), Parker Country (Weatherford) and Young County (Loving). For those familiar with Fort Worth, aka Cowtown, some of the locations used include the headquarters of the American Association of Professional Landmen, The Fort Worth Petroleum Club, and Texas Christian University. Billy Bob's back Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris in season 1, episode 3 of Landman streaming on Paramount+. Emerson Miller/Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Billy Bob Thornton hails from Hot Springs, Ark., but he might as well be an honorary Texan. He lived in Tomball for a time in the '80s and became friends with the members of ZZ Top. He has starred in such Texas-themed projects as "Friday Night Lights" and "The Alamo." In "Landman," in which he plays a fixer for an oil company, he returns to the state which he described this way in Texas Monthly: Theres something about [acting in Texas] that automatically feels like youre authentic when youre doing it...It's an authentic state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad James Jordan, Too Demi Moore (left) and Jon Hamm (second from right) play members of a wealthy family in "Landman." San Antonian Rylie Rodriguez, right, also stars as does Dani Raen (second from left). Emerson Miller/Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Billy Bob's not the only one with ties to Texas in the cast. Co-star James Jordan, who has also been in "Yellowstone" and Sheridan's "Wind River," was born in Houston in 1979 but moved to Missouri in the '90s. Also, appearing in three episodes this season is Rylie Rodriguez who hails from San Antonio. From 'Boomtown' to Tinseltown Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris in season 1, episode 4 of Landman streaming on Paramount+.? Emerson Miller/Emerson Miller/Paramount+ The show may be hotly anticipated in Hollywood as another notch in Sheridan's belt but its roots are squarely here in Texas, and not just because Sheridan filmed it here. It is based on Texas Monthly's 11-part 2019 podcast "Boomtown," which the magazine describes as telling the story of "the billionaire wildcatters and roughnecks" who are "fueling an oil boom so big its reshaping our climate, our economy, and our geopolitics. This modern-day gold rush has sent both big oil companies and scrappy start-ups scrambling to secure a piece of the action." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston for next season? Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris in season 1, episode 7 of Landman streaming on Paramount+.? Emerson Miller/Emerson Miller/Paramount+ Viewers should be on the lookout for areas in which Houston might be added to the plot. After all, if "Landman" gets a second season, it might be time to get southeast Texas get in the frame? After all, can you make a series about the Texas oil industry and not include Houston at some point? Come on, Taylor. You've already shown a willingness to film in the region with "1923," the "Yellowstone" spin-off, in which your production came to Galveston to shoot some scenes this summer. Now watch the "Landman" trailer: HA NOI The 15th National Assembly (NA) concluded question-and-answer activities at its ongoing 8th session on November 12 afternoon, with a high sense of responsibility and determination shown by the Government, agencies, and organisations in the entire political system to secure the highest possible socio-economic results for 2025 and beyond. So said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man while delivering a speech wrapping up the two-day Q&A event, which focused on three groups of issues within the remit of the Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Information and Communications. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the Government, provided further information about the matters under the Governments management. He also directly fielded questions raised by legislators. Other officials replying to legislators queries included Deputy PM and Minister of Finance Ho uc Phoc, Deputy PM Le Thanh Long, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang, and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. Man said the matters under discussion at the Q&A session matched the concerns of voters, people nationwide, and legislators. Meanwhile, he noted, the ministers/heads of sectors showed a high sense of responsibility and a good grasp of the issues they are in charge of. They provided clear and straightforward answers to many complicated issues while specifying many solutions to shortcomings in the time ahead. Basing on legislators questions and the Government members answers, the NA Standing Committee will order related agencies to draft and submit a resolution to the parliament for approval by the end of the 8th session. The Q&A session was successful with strong commitments made, Man said, asking the ministers/heads of sectors to do as they say and act immediately in order to bring into play the obtained results, quickly address shortcomings and bottlenecks, and devise new measures to perform the set tasks and targets more efficiently. VNA/VNS TOKYO Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu on Tuesday presented Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's Certificates of merit to Yoichiro Aoyagi, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives, and the organising board of the Viet Nam Festival at Yoyogi Park for their contributions to Viet Nam-Japan relations. Hieu noted that with 17 successful editions, the Viet Nam Festival at the Yoyogi Park has become a key event to foster people-to-people connections between the two countries. The ambassador extended his congratulations to Aoyagi on his re-election in the general election on October 27 and expressed his hope that Aoyagi would continue to strengthen the friendship between Viet Nam and Japan in his role as a member of the House of Representatives. For his part, Aoyagi expressed his gratitude and appreciation for this noble award, considering it a honour for collectives and individuals, including Vietnamese friends, the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, the Vietnamese Government, and Japanese people who have joined hands to build a good relationship between the two countries through the Viet Nam Festival at the Yoyogi Park since 2008. He thanked the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan and Vietnamese friends for supporting the organisation of activities, not only the Viet Nam Festival at the Yoyogi Park but also many other activities. Aoyagi affirmed his commitment to furthering the strong relationship between Japan and Vietnam in the future. VNA/VNS VIENTIANE Representatives from the Governments of Viet Nam and Laos met in Vientiane on November 12 to discuss preparations for the 47th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation which is scheduled to take place early next year in Laos. The event saw the participation of Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation; Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment of Laos Viengsavanh Vilayphone, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Laos-Viet Nam Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation; representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, departments and agencies of the two countries. Speaking at the event, Phuong said that Viet Nam always attaches importance to and gives the highest priority to preserving and developing the special Viet Nam-Laos relationship, considering it a priceless asset, of vital significance to the revolutionary cause of each country. The official said he hoped that in the coming time, the two sides continue to thoroughly grasp the content of the agreement reached by the two countries senior leaders and the agreement on the annual cooperation plan between the two governments. Ministries, agencies, and localities of the two countries will strive to successfully complete the agreement on the Viet Nam-Laos cooperation plan for 2024 and 2025. Accordingly, the two sides need to strengthen connectivity and complementarity between the two economies; create a stable, transparent legal corridor, and a favourable environment; have specific mechanisms for key security-defence projects. The two countries aim to reach trade turnover growth of 10-15 per cent; as well as strengthen trade promotion, branding, and distribution channels for goods in each country to ensure stable presence and sustainable output. At the meeting, the two sides also discussed cooperation relating to power imports from Laos to Viet Nam, education, national defence, border management, culture and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides agreed to continue supporting each other at international forums, strengthening ASEAN's role in promoting sub-regional cooperation, linking sub-regional cooperation with the process of building the ASEAN Community and ASEAN's regional integration; encourage ASEAN countries and partners outside the region to invest and support the development of the Mekong Sub-region in areas such as infrastructure connectivity, clean energy transition, climate change adaptation, poverty reduction, digital transformation, and human resource training. At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed on two draft documents including the Minutes of the 47th Meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation and the Agreement on the Viet Nam-Laos Cooperation Plan for 2025. VNA/VNS SANTIAGO State President of Viet Nam Luong Cuong visited and delivered a policy speech at the University of Chile in Santiago on Tuesday morning (local time) as part of his official visit to the Latin American nation. Established in 1842, the university is the largest and oldest educational institution in the country and also one of the oldest in the region, having trained many prominent scientific and cultural figures as well as international influencers, including many Presidents of Chile such as Gabriel Boric who is now in office. In his remarks, Cuong mentioned some issues that form the foundation of the Viet Nam - Chile relations, the development path and foreign policy of Viet Nam, as well as the vision and orientation for the two countries traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership in the new era. Special similarities Despite the half-of-the-earth distance, he said, Viet Nam and Chile always have special bonds which come from their many rare similarities in terms of history, culture, geography, economic development model, and vision about the world today. He noted that both countries are developing nations and members of the Non-Aligned Movement, with long-standing and glorious histories of struggles for national independence, and also show strong determination and efforts in national development. The Vietnamese people never forget the solidarity from the Chilean people during the years full of hardships of the fight for national independence, with the most impressive being young Chileans protests against the war in Viet Nam, President Cuong said. The President added in terms of economy, both countries are export-driven economies and attach importance to international integration to promote their national development. This could be seen in the fact that they are members of international organisations and big multilateral and inter-regional free trade agreements such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Forum for East Asia - Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC). He affirmed that with an open and inclusive vision as well as support for trade liberalisation, the two sides share a common perspective on building and consolidating a multipolar, equitable, and international law-based world order in which countries in the Global South hold an increasingly important role and voice. The two countries also made commitments and are taking strong measures to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Both are aware of the importance of green and sustainable development, energy transition, digital transformation, along with the proper management of strategic minerals. Lauding the outstanding socio-economic development achievements of Chile, the first in Latin America and one of the few developing countries that have escaped the middle-income trap, the Vietnamese leader perceived that Chile is a typical example of optimising globalisation and trade liberalisation in national development. Chile is increasingly affirming its stature and role in the region and the world, Cuong went on, expressing Viet Nam's wish to learn from the country's precious experiences in economic development so that it can become a developed nation by 2045. Viet Nam's development path and foreign policy Mentioning Viet Nam's development path, the State President said nearly 80 years after its founding and almost 40 years of reform, Viet Nam is standing at a historic turning point of the new era the era of the nations rise. From a poor, backward, heavily war-torn country once blockaded and subject to severe embargoes, Viet Nam has risen to reap significant achievements, earning the status of a middle-income developing country that is intensively and extensively integrating into the world, he said, adding its economy has grown 95 folds, now ranking 35th among the world's 40 largest economies and the top 20 in terms of foreign investment attraction and trade scale. With regard to foreign relations, Viet Nam has established diplomatic ties with 194 countries with 32 strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships, including with all the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council as well as the G7 economies. The leader went on to say that Viet Nam now has trade relations with over 220 countries and territories, with trade turnover reaching US$683 billion in 2023 and expected to hit a record of nearly $800 billion this year. With 17 free trade agreements (FTAs) and nearly $450 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) invested in 41,000 projects from over 143 countries and territories, Viet Nam has become a crucial link in the Asia-Pacific and global supply chains. The State President highlighted Viet Nam as a bright spot in the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Viet Nam has considered climate change response as a top priority and put in place specific policies to ensure that all citizens benefit from the achievements of national development and innovation. Although its per capita income remains at the lower-middle level, its Human Development Index (HDI) has consistently ranked high for years. State President Cuong stressed that the country persistently pursues the goal of national independence linked to socialism under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, considering this the lodestar in national defence and development. Viet Nam's goal is to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030 and become a developed nation with high income, he said. The leader also noted that Viet Nam will continue its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, and multilateralisation and diversification of relations; being a friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community; and proactive, intensive, extensive and comprehensive international integration. Viet Nam shares other countries views on the importance of ensuring a peaceful and stable environment in all regions, and wishes to contribute more to global politics, the global economy, and mankind's civilisation, the leader stated. He also underlined Viet Nam's "four Nos" defence policy - not partaking in military alliances, not siding with one country to act against another, not allowing foreign countries to set military bases or use Viet Nam's territory to counter a third country; not using force or threatening to use force in international relations. Viet Nam consistently advocates for peaceful settlement of disputes based on the UN Charter and international law, and opposing unilateral actions, coercive politics, and the use or threat to use force in international relations. Amid intensifying strategic competition among major powers, the State President emphasised the increasingly important role of Southern countries as well as South-South cooperation. Viet Nam actively participates and contributes constructively to joint efforts, fulfilling key roles in various multilateral mechanisms and engaging in UN peacekeeping operations and international search and rescue operations, he remarked. Vision and orientations for Viet Nam - Chile relations Reviewing the history of the Viet Nam-Chile friendship ties over the past 50 years, the State President said that at his talks and meetings with Chilean leaders, the two sides agreed on the principles and major directions of cooperation to bring the bilateral comprehensive partnership to a new height, and make it more extensive, effective and practical. The two sides also reaffirmed common values such as treasuring peace, the spirit of independence and self-reliance, upholding multilateralism, respecting international law and the strength of international friendship and solidarity. Based on the solid foundation of more than 50 years of the bilateral relations, historical similarities and common vision of the world, and high economic complementarity, the leader proposed a number of orientations for the Viet Nam-Chile relations in the coming period, in which the two countries need to enhance political trust and practical cooperation through the exchange of delegations at all levels, enhance mutual understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation in areas where both sides have potential and strengths, including exchanges and cooperation between the Communist Party of Viet Nam and major political parties in Chile. President Cuong proposed promoting the connection between the Vietnamese and Chilean economies, and defining economic cooperation as the top priority and the key area in the bilateral relationship. In particular, it is necessary to continue to take advantage of and effectively implement the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Viet Nam - Chile Free Trade Council mechanism, as well as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to create new momentum to bring trade and investment relations between Viet Nam and Chile to new milestones. He also held that it is necessary to further promote bilateral investment opportunities as well as identifying priority areas of strategic breakthrough cooperation, helping to connect the two economies, towards sustainable development, contributing to the common prosperity of the world, especially in the fields of green transition, climate change response, building appropriate cooperation frameworks in international organisations, forums and mechanisms of which both sides are members. The State President also proposed promoting educational cooperation, cultural and artistic exchanges, and developing tourism cooperation, thereby enhancing people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding. In that process, the University of Chile can make important contributions and Viet Nam encourages cooperation between universities of the two countries. This is an extremely important factor to promote understanding, knowledge sharing, and innovation cooperation. According to the leader, in a world with many fluctuations and challenges, small and medium-sized countries like Viet Nam and Chile must strive to contribute more actively to global governance, and promote multilateral approaches and international law. Many new international issues such as green development, energy transition, and artificial intelligence governance need to have a more comprehensive international framework soon. Viet Nam and Chile need to continue promoting multilateral cooperation, respecting international law, maintaining security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in seas and oceans, including the Pacific Ocean, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). President Cuong expressed his belief that with good traditional relations, goodwill and potential for bilateral comprehensive cooperation, the Viet Nam - Chile relationship will continue to reach new heights, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, and for peace, cooperation and development in the two regions and the world. This marks the final activity of State President Cuong's official visit to Chile. On the afternoon of November 12 (local time), the State President and the high-ranking delegation of Viet Nam departed for an official visit to Peru, where he will attend the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders Week in Lima from November 12-16. VNA/VNS HA NOI As an ancient Vietnamese village located on the Nhue River, in Van Phuc Ward, Ha ong District, Ha Noi, Van Phuc Village has the oldest famous silk weaving profession in Viet Nam with a history of over 1,000 years. Van Phuc silk is imbued with the beauty of traditional Vietnamese culture and has long been famous throughout the country and around the world. The artisans of Van Phuc have long been renowned for their skill, producing silk from locally sourced natural fibres. Known for its lustrous sheen and delicate texture, Van Phuc silk has remained popular over generations. Nearly 300 households in the village are currently involved in weaving and trading silk products. In recent years, the Silk Street area has been thoughtfully arranged to create a memorable shopping experience, offering new designs, handicrafts and fashionable items that continue to attract visitors. Van Phuc artisans have recognised the importance of preserving the unique character of their silk products in the face of rapid change. In response, they have gradually revived traditional weaving techniques, producing high-quality, authentic silk products. To protect our brand, products crafted by association members now carry a distinctive hallmark, assuring quality and drawing interest from domestic and international customers alike, explains Pham Khac Ha, President of the Van Phuc Craft Village Association. Each resident of Van Phuc shares a deep commitment to their villages heritage. Artisan Nguyen Thi Tam, who heads the Trieu Van Mao Silk Weaving Workshop, belongs to the only family in Van Phuc with two generations of artisans. Despite being the daughter-in-law of master artisan Trieu Van Mao, she is dedicated to preserving her familys legacy. My love for the craft drives me to preserve and develop this tradition," she said. "While keeping our beautiful traditions alive, Im also introducing innovations, researching new techniques and using modern methods to meet fashion trends and consumer demands both locally and globally. To bolster tourism, local authorities have developed a network of silk streets featuring supporting industries, such as food streets, an ornamental plants street, an antiques exchange and options for accommodation and shopping. Additionally, the Vun Art Cooperative has been established to create income for disabled artisans by using silk offcuts to craft silk paintings for export. Nguyen Van Chi, director of Ha Nois Rural Development Sub-Department, said that Van Phuc residents take pride in their traditional values and see it as their duty to preserve and pass them on. However, he acknowledges that to remain relevant on the global stage, the village must develop new designs that appeal to international tastes, thereby strengthening exports and enhancing its reputation. In line with Ha Nois efforts to preserve local craft villages, the city has partnered with French consultants to restore Van Phuc silk village as a living museum. This project aims to showcase artefacts and cultural relics that span the villages rich history, drawing in visitors interested in its cultural heritage. *The article was written in collaboration with the Ha Noi Rural Development Sub-Department. HCM CITY Vietnamese police have apprehended five individuals on charges of murder, robbery, and kidnapping in Cambodia. The defendants, identified as Nguyen Khac Manh, 34, Nguyen Van Khoa, 29, Hoang Van Thanh, 24, and Nguyen Ngoc Thao and Phan Sy Dung, both 27, are accused of subjecting their victims to severe mistreatment. The An Giang Provincial Police have recommended prosecution for murder, robbery and kidnapping. Several additional suspects remain at large as the investigation, overseen by the Ministry of Public Security, continues. According to investigative reports, on August 24, 2023, five Vietnamese individuals from the northern provinces of Hai Duong, Ninh Binh, Bac Giang, and Thanh Hoa were unlawfully transported to Cambodia under the pretence of job opportunities in Taiwan (China). Upon their arrival, the victims were detained by a group led by Khoa, Manh, and Thanh, who confiscated their belongings in a boarding house located in Cambodias Kandal Province. The victims were subjected to extreme abuse, which was recorded by Thanh, who subsequently demanded ransom from their families. One victim from Hai Duong Province died from a traumatic brain injury after his family failed to comply with the ransom demand. On August 25, following the transfer of nearly VN500 million (US$19,600) by the families of three victims, Khoa and his associates fled the scene. The remaining four victims managed to escape and sought assistance from Vietnamese authorities, who later discovered that Khoas group had stolen nearly VN500 million along with property valued at over VN70 million. In July, five Vietnamese individuals implicated in facilitating the illegal border crossing of the victims were sentenced by An Giang Provincial Peoples Court to prison, ranging from five years to six years and six months for organising illegal emigration. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday morning issued an urgent directive to bolster response efforts for Storm No. 8, known as Tropical Storm Toraji. The directive, addressed to provincial People's Committees from Quang Ninh to Binh inh and various ministries and state media agencies, outlines measures to tackle the growing threat posed by Toraji in the northern East Sea. Toraji intensified on Monday, with the storm's centre moving to an approximate latitude/longitude of 18.5 degrees north and 118.9 degrees east by 4am on Tuesday. The storm's wind speeds are at level 10 (89-102km per hour) with gusts reaching up to level 12, and it's moving westward at a speed of 10-15km per hour. Minister Le Minh Hoan called for heightened vigilance. The directive urges continuous monitoring of the storms progression and strict control over seafaring activities. Local authorities must inform ship owners and captains about the storm's location and projected path to ensure they avoid hazardous areas or can return to port as necessary. The Ministry has delineated a danger zone within latitudes 15.5 to 21.5 degrees north and east of longitude 114 degrees for the next 24 hours, subject to updates as forecasts evolve. Localities are also instructed to mobilise rescue teams and resources in preparation for potential emergency operations. Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, the Vietnam News Agency, and other media outlets have been advised to enhance coverage, delivering timely updates to local authorities and communities, particularly those involved in maritime activities. The Ministry also emphasised the necessity for inter-ministerial coordination, with each sector contributing to emergency response efforts according to their designated roles. All local authorities are to remain on 24-hour alert and provide regular updates to the Ministry. VNS THAI BINH Thai Binh Province has implemented many flexible measures and methods to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses for poor and near-poor households, to achieve sustainable poverty reduction. The province has a target of getting rid of all temporary and dilapidated houses by September 2025. The plans in Thai Binh have been put at the centre of the entire local political system, many temporary and dilapidated houses have been upgraded and replaced, improving the quality of people's lives. According to the project to support poor and near-poor households in Thai Binh, the province currently has 2,106 poor and near-poor households in need. Of which, 1,164 ones need to build new houses, whereas 942 others need to have their homes repaired. Thai Binh Province has agreed to give VN100 million (US$3,900) per household to build house and VN50 million per household for repairs. The capital is from the National Fund to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, local budget and the provincial Fatherland Front Committee. Secretary of Thai Binh Provincial Party Committee Ngo ong Hai said that the province had issued the Directive No 38-CT/TU on October 31 this year, on strengthening leadership and direction to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses. Accordingly, the support methods will be in a diversified, flexible manner, suitable to reality in the spirit of : "Whoever has time and labour helps time and labour, whoever has property helps property, whoever has little helps little, whoever has a lot helps a lot". Provincial authorities have directed all sectors to develop plans and roadmaps for implementing the eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses programme. Provincial leaders requested the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Thai Binh Province to call for State employees, armed forces, the business community and people of all walks of life in the province to join the programme. VNS HCM CITY HCM City Police have reported that two additional suspects have been detained in an ongoing investigation into the illegal transport of 716 diamonds. Nguyen Thi Linh, 52, from Giong Trom District in Ben Tre Province and Ly Thi Ngoc Bich, 45, from Go Vap District in HCM City are now under investigation for suspected fraud related to an alleged attempt to influence the smuggling case for VN1.2 billion (US$47,300). Their detention follows the arrest of Indian national Prajapati Shaileshkumar Hareshbhai for allegedly smuggling the diamonds into the country. During the investigation, police summoned Linh, who subsequently fled her residence, according to police. While in hiding, Linh allegedly sought assistance from Ly Thi Ngoc Nga, also of Go Vap, who then allegedly involved her sister, Bich. Bich allegedly assured Linh that she could use her connections to secure leniency in the case and offered to retain a lawyer for her, on the condition that Linh provided funds. Linh then allegedly borrowed and handed over VN1.2 billion to Bich. Bich reportedly spent VN150 million on legal fees, but took no further action. The city police then conducted a raid and recovered over VN1 billion from Bichs residence. Both Linh and Bich have since confessed to their involvement. Police are now widening the investigation to uncover any broader distribution network tied to diamond smuggling in HCM City and nearby provinces. On October 23, HCM Citys economic crime police, along with Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs and Tan Binh District police, discovered Hareshbhai during a customs inspection upon his arrival from India. Inside his luggage, officials allegedly found small packets labelled 'IGI' and ten nylon bags containing stones later confirmed to be natural and synthetic diamonds worth tens of billions of ong. IGI may be an abbreviation for the International Gemological Institute, an organisation that grades diamonds and other gems. Hareshbhai has since been charged and detained under Article 189 of the Penal Code for illegally transporting goods across borders. VNS OTTAWA The Canada-ASEAN Business council (CABC) has recently held a conference to help Canadian enterprises seek business opportunities in ASEAN. The event attracted over 200 participants, including Canadian government officials, ASEAN diplomats, and businesspeople and experts from both sides. The conference focused on key issues affecting ASEAN and Canada, with a spotlight on trade and investment opportunities, policy updates, and practical steps to enhance bilateral cooperation. Through knowledge-sharing sessions, experts discussed strategies to foster mutually beneficial business connections in such areas as green technology, clean technology, and energy transition. TB Nguyen, CABC Director for Montreal, highlighted the significance of the event in strengthening Canadian businesses engagement with ASEAN. With a substantial turnout of businesspeople, officials, and stakeholders, the conference created a valuable platform for networking and knowledge exchange, expected to catalyse stronger cooperation across multiple sectors. Canada is proactively advancing its trade strategy in the Indo-Pacific, with an emphasis on securing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN as a bloc and with Indonesia individually. These agreements, slated for completion by 2025, are anticipated to invigorate trade relations and complement the existing partnership framework under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), in which four ASEAN countries participate. Upon completion, the FTA with ASEAN could boost Canadas GDP by US$2.5 billion and ASEANs by nearly $40 billion. Jean Charest, former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and former Premier of Quebec, noted that Canadas experience post-COVID-19 and with evolving security concerns has underscored the need for trade diversification, particularly in Asia and ASEAN. He emphasised the growth potential ASEAN offers in sectors like energy, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure, where Canada possesses both expertise and financial resources. To further support Canadian businesses in ASEAN, Canada is planning to establish a Canada-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce, complementing the CABCs efforts. Viet Nam, in particular, stands out as a dynamic economy and an entry point for Canadian companies into ASEAN. With direct sea transport connectivity between Montreal and Hai Phong, Viet Nam is strategically positioned to enhance logistics and supply chains between the regions. CABC CEO Wayne Farmer remarked on Viet Nams commitment to energy transition and decarbonisation, areas where Canadian investors can contribute expertise and investment. Farmer added that Viet Nams role in the supply chain offers reciprocal benefits: Canadian companies gain access to Vietnamese production capabilities, while Vietnamese consumers gain access to Canadian products. As an export-driven economy, with exports comprising 60 per cent of its GDP, Canada is keen to reduce its dependence on the US market and diversify its trade. ASEAN, and Viet Nam specifically, presents an attractive alternative, with increasing potential to become a primary destination for Canadian businesses. VNS A motor bank designed by I.M. Pei as a drive-thru counterpart to the Texas Commerce Tower, now known as the JPMorgan Chase Tower, was featured prominently in the film Paris, Texas. But the building's proximity to Buffalo Bayou means it floods easily. It has, for years, served as an inefficient parking lot. Staff graphic; Photo by Andrew Dansby Among Houstons downtown buildings that clamor for attention skyscrapers with unusual color glass, spikey embellishments, a Mayan Temple the Chase Motorbank draws notice by laying low. Forty years old yet still quite modern, the building, which is no longer a bank or affiliated with Chase, resembles a submersible breaking through the sea. What is Chase Motorbank? Famed architect I.M. Pei was hired to design what was then called the Texas Commerce Tower in the late 1970s. His vision was intriguing: a five-sided, 75-story building that rose 1,002 feet, making it the tallest building in Houston and the tallest in the United States west of the Mississippi River when it opened in the early 1980s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After work began on the tower, Pei learned the projects developers expected another structure: a building for drive-thru banking, known as a motorbank. John Blooms Texas Monthly story on Texas Commerce which would later become Chase and then JPMorgan Chase suggests Pei was unfamiliar with the concept of a motorbank, and he deliberately avoided researching the concept to avoid outside influence for this secondary space he was tasked with designing four blocks from his tower. A motor bank designed by I.M. Pei as a drive-thru counterpart to the Texas Commerce Tower, now known as the JPMorgan Chase Tower, was featured prominently in the film Paris, Texas. But the building's proximity to Buffalo Bayou means it floods easily. It has, for years, served as an inefficient parking lot. Andrew Dansby Pei envisioned a central hub spiraling outward in three directions with drive-thru canopies rather than a single entry point and a single exit like a more typical motorbank. Peis design sought to minimize traffic snarls. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pei also saw room for panache. Its certainly architecturally significant, says Stephen Fox, an architectural historian at Rice University. The Pei Cobb Freed partnership designed a lot of banks over the years. But I don't know how many drive-in banks they did. Its a distinctive site. Theres an elegance and refinement one doesnt necessarily connect to drive-in banks. And, of course, Paris, Texas gives it added cache. Houstons role in Paris, Texas Forty years after its release, Wim Wenders 1984 film Paris, Texas, retains its status as a classic film. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its a story of love and loss, lives interrupted and resumed. Without delving too deep into the plot, the quiet film picks up momentum when a father and son travel to Houston to search for the childs mother. Wenders sought to establish an imposing urban environment, one disorienting to these visitors. So, he featured our very own Chase Motor Bank. Perhaps the most crucial scene in the film was shot in downtown Houston, as the two circle the drive-thru bank with its futuristic polished gray stainless steel fascia. This is a bank? the child says. What kind of bank is this? Today, sadly, the space is an oddly shaped lot operated by Platinum Parking. The motorbank ceased to be a banking center long ago. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A few green OPEN lights look sickly but remain illuminated. Cars are awkwardly nestled around and under the buildings distinctive canopies. Washed out by floods Cache offers little resistance against flood waters. Its resemblance to a submarine was enhanced during Hurricane Harvey when most of the building was submerged in flood waters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Because the space is so close to Buffalo Bayou, future flooding is inevitable, so retrofitting the building into some other use, as happened with the nearby Barbara Jordan Post Office, is unlikely. The motorbank will likely remain an inefficient parking space until a new plan is devised to build upward or landscape it into a public space. Either path would mark the end of one of downtowns curiosities. Le Trong Minh, VIR's editor-in-chief In his opening remarks, Le Trong Minh, VIRs editor-in-chief, highlighted the significance of climate finance as a central focus of the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. Climate finance is the biggest concern for nations globally, and COP29 is anticipated to be a pivotal moment for climate action, Minh said. He noted that one of COP29s primary objectives will be to establish an annual funding target to assist poorer nations in addressing climate change challenges, an outcome that Vietnam strongly supports. Following Vietnams commitments to net-zero at COP26 and a just and equitable energy transition at COP28, the government continues to take decisive measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive energy transition, Minh said. Green transition, digital transformation, and innovation remain top priorities to secure rapid and sustainable development, shifting the economy from brown to green. Minh emphasized the essential role of the business community in supporting the governments green agenda. Companies in Vietnam have made significant advances in both green transition and digital transformation, spanning all sectors of the economy. The dual transitions are creating vast opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to adopt sustainable models, though they also bring challenges, particularly regarding regulatory frameworks, finance, and technology. Le Viet Anh, director of the Department for Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, under Ministry of Planning and Investment This years conference focuses on exploring practical solutions for the dual transition, including innovative applications, ESG initiatives, and strategies to access green capital. Despite notable progress, Minh highlighted ongoing challenges in mobilising resources to expedite the transition. It is time for us to re-evaluate Vietnam's competitive strengths and areas for improvement, as well as the policies needed to drive dual transition, Minh said. The world, including Vietnam, is confronting an unprecedented climate crisis. Typhoon Yagi, which recently impacted northern provinces, is a stark reminder. Now more than ever, we must act for a greener world and a more secure Vietnam, for both current and future generations. Le Viet Anh, director of the Department for Science, Education, Natural Resources, and Environment under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, underscored the conferences value as a platform for dialogue between government agencies, the business community, and other stakeholders. This conference is an important and effective forum to discuss actionable solutions to accelerate dual transition, he said. It also recognises the unwavering contributions of Vietnamese businesses in the journey towards sustainable development. Anh noted that dual transition has gained urgency as Vietnam faces mounting environmental and sustainable development challenges. The country remains committed to achieving its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and net-zero targets by 2050, with the vision of creating a safer, healthier future for all. I believe VIRs sustainable development conference provides a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to exchange best practices, address challenges, and make recommendations to authorities for advancing dual transition, Anh added. I commend VIR for its continued commitment to hosting these conferences with relevant themes that contribute to the nations broader sustainable development goals. Taking the lead in dual transition for a greener Vietnam On November 12, VIR will host its annual sustainable development conference, with the presence of hundreds of leaders from ministries, international organisations, and domestic and foreign businesses pursuing digital and green transitions in Vietnam. CEO of SuperPort Vietnam discusses sustainable development During Vietnam Logistics Summit 2024 which took place in Ho Chi Minh City on October 31, VIRs Mai Ngoc spoke to Dr. Yap Kwong Weng, CEO of Vietnam SuperPort, about his assessment of Vietnam's investment strategy for the logistics industry. Chefs and restaurateurs celebrate winning one Michelin star with champagne during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer BCN Chef Luis Roger puts on his Michelin jacket as the restaurant is awarded One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Le Jardiniers Felipe Botero, executive chef, left, and Alain Verzeroli, culinary director, pose for a photograph as the restaurant is awarded One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Steven McDonald, of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, puts on his Michelin jacket as he is awarded Sommelier Award during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer International Director of the Michelin Guides Gwendal Poullennec, left, and emcee Java Ingram kicks off the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Musaafer Chef Mayank Istwal celebrates the restaurant receiving One Michelin Star award during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer March Chef Felipe Riccio, right, and partner June Rodil pose for a photograph as the restaurant is awarded One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Tatemo Chef and Co-owner Emmanuel Chavez and Co-Owner Megan Maul are awarded One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Chefs and restaurateurs celebrate their friends and colleagues during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer One Michelin Star winners celebrate each other on the stage during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Hiroko Sekiguchi watches Tatsu Dallas Chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi taking a selfie with the Michelin Man while all One Michelin Star winners are celebrating on the stage during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer March Chef Felipe Riccio puts on his Michelin jacket as the restaurant is awarded One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Chefs celebrate being named Bib Gourmand, which offer good quality food for a good value, during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Kau Ba Chef and Owner Nikki Tran celebrates the restaurant being named one of the Bib Gourmand restaurants, which offer good quality food for a good value, during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer BCN Chef Luis Roger, center, poses for a photograph as the restaurant is awarded One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Mixtli Chef Diego Galicia takes off his Michelin jacket and puts it on Chef De Cuisine Alexana Cabrera as the restaurant is awarded One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Cecilia Abbott, wife of Gov. Greg Abbott, attends inaugural Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer International Director of the Michelin Guides Gwendal Poullennec speaks during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer CorkScrew BBQ Chef Will Buckman says were the cool kids now, as all the restaurant is awarded One Michelin Star are celebrated on the stage during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Tatemo chef and co-owner Emmanuel Chavez poses for a photograph as he is awarded One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Supporters of Emmer & Rye cheer as the restaurant is awarded a Green Star, which recognizes sustainably-operated restaurants, during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Theodore Rex Chef Justin Yu, left, and Street to Kitchen Chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter, known as Chef G, walk toward the stage as their restaurants are named among the Bib Gourmand restaurants, which offer good quality food for a good value, during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer CorkScrew BBQ Chef Will Buckman gets a new jacket as the restaurant is awarded One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Musaafer Chef Mayank Istwal takes a selfie with Owners Shammi and Mithu Malik to celebrate the restaurant receiving One Michelin Star award during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Emmer & Rye Chef Kevin Fink puts on his Michelin jacket during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Musaafer Owners Shammi and Mithu Malik and Chef Mayank Istwal are pumped as the restaurant is award One Michelin Star during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Le Jardiniers Alain Verzeroli, culinary director, sits alone and uses cellphone after the restaurant is awarded One Michelin Star at the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The audience cheer for the award winners during the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Houston chefs take a group photo before the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The Michelin Man plays with a fake ham before the Michelin awards ceremony at 713 Music Hall in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The stage for the Michelin awards ceremony Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Tatemo chef Emmanuel Chavez, right, poses for a photo before the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The inaugural Michelin Awards Ceremony Texas is hosted Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Demola the Violinist performs in front of a Houston sign before the Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. It was Michelin Guides first Texas awards. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The Michelin awards ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 713 Music Hall in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Houston chefs take a group photo before the Michelin Texas awards ceremony. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Le Jardinier's elegant dining room is filled with natural light. Dylan Aguilar/Contributor After months of speculation, the Michelin Guide announced its inaugural Texas selection of restaurants at a private awards ceremony in Houston on Monday night. The respected guide from the French tire manufacturer doled out 15 one-star reviews statewide and nearly half of them went to Houston restaurants. BCN Taste & Tradition, CorkScrew BBQ, Le Jardinier, March, Musaafer and Tatemo all featured in the Houston Chronicles recent Top 100 restaurants guide garnered one star each. Advertisement Article continues below this ad No restaurants in Texas received more than a single star, which are recognized for high-quality cooking and are deemed worth a stop. Michelin also recognized 45 Texas establishments for a Bib Gourmand, and 57 were designated as Recommended restaurants. Houstons strong showing continued with 15 Bib Gourmands and seven Recommended spots. Michelins debut in the Lone Star State is a milestone for Houston restaurant scene, which has gained national and international attention in recent years. Texas deserves its place on the U.S. culinary map but also the world culinary map, said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides. We feel the potential. Michelin recognized a total of 117 restaurants across the state in and surrounding Houston, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio. Poullennec added that 26 cuisine types were reflected in the guides selection. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austin led with seven one-starred restaurants, including three barbecue joints. Dallas and San Antonio each had a single one-starred spot. Two Austin restaurants, Dai Due and Emmer & Rye, were the only recipients of a Green Star recognizing sustainably-operated restaurants. Barbecue, however, took center stage in general. Six of the 15 Bib Gourmands in Houston specialize in barbecue, from the globally inspired smoke meats at Blood Bros. BBQ in Bellaire to Truth Barbeque, which originally started in Brenham before opening a second location in the Heights area. TOP 100 RESTAURANTS: The Chronicle's carefully vetted guide to the best dining in Houston Its local, authentic, Poullennec said of Texas barbecue. Its something you cant experience anywhere else. Michelins anonymous inspectors, who dine solo and pay for their own meals, had Texas on their radar years before the company struck a three-year deal with states tourism office Travel Texas and five major cities in the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston First, the tourism office promoting the city, agreed to pay $90,000 each year to help bring Michelin to Texas. The other four participating cities reportedly paid the same amount, in addition to the $1.35 million Travel Texas will pay over the same period to Michelin. The contract is meant to be a win-win situation between Michelin and Texas, said Poullennec, because it helps promote Michelins independent review process and brand while helping highlight the states culinary scene. Michelin handed out awards to restaurants during the invite-only ceremony at the 713 Music Hall Monday. Below is how Houston restaurants fared, including notes from Michelins inspectors. Houstons first Michelin-starred restaurants BCN Taste & Tradition Lobster salad with mixed greens, mango, avocado and spicy mayonnaise at BCN Taste & Tradition. Nick de la Torre/For the Chronicle Chef Luis Rogers Spanish-inspired menu at this Montrose spot cooks with both flair and familiarity. Chronicle critics couldnt agree more and described dishes like the crackling suckling pig and the impressive gin selection that airlift you to Barcelona. 4210 Roseland Advertisement Article continues below this ad CorkScrew BBQ "TRIS-ket" sandwich (sliced brisket sandwich with lettuce and Caesar salad dressing) and a barbecue tray with sides at CorkScrew BBQ. J.C. Reid/Contributor The perpetual lines form at this Spring barbecue favorite for some of the finest brisket and beef ribs in the state, according to Michelin. The Chronicles barbecue columnist J.C. Reid describes the joint from Will and Nichole Buckman as a small-town Texas barbecue experience within an urban sprawl. 26608 Keith Street; Spring Le Jardinier Le Jardinier's scallop crudo. Alex Montoya This French-leaning restaurant inside the Museum of Fine Arts is the third location of the concept from Bastion Collections culinary director Alain Verzeroli. Joining the Manhattan and Miami outlets, Houston also garnered a Michelin star for verdant, stylish cooking. The inspector notes also acknowledged the highly professional and personable team. 5500 Main Advertisement Article continues below this ad March The main dining room at March, the fine dining tasting menu restaurant from Goodnight Hospitality. Julie Soefer Goodnight Hospitalitys north star for fine dining was mentioned in nearly every conversation about which Houston restaurant would receive a star. The ambitious cooking sets the Montrose restaurant apart, but so does the refined service and attention to detail. From the beginning to end, gorgeously plated dishes show refinement and creativity, so sit back and enjoy the show, advised Michelin. 1624 Westheimer Musaafer The Ghevar dessert at Musaafer. Annie Mulligan/Contributor This stylish Galleria restaurants grandiose room delivers on more traditional and modern Indian fare. Despite being overlooked when it opened in the early days of the pandemic, Musaafer has finally caught on. The team, lead by chef Mayank Istwal, is also currently working on opening a location in New York City. 5115 Westheimer Tatemo Quesadilla: Huitlacoche with queso Oaxaca, epazote and caviar at Tatemo. Karen Warren/Staff photographer This jewel box-sized dining room topped the Chronicles 2024 Top 100 guide for its impressive tasting menu centered on heirloom corn. Chef Emmanuel Chavez is no stranger to accolades, from James Beard nominations to national magazine kudos, but Michelin recognition has been in his sights since the beginning: a Michelin man statue is kept in the kitchen. 4740 Dacoma MORE FROM BAO ONG: How one year and four trailblazing restaurants changed Houstons dining scene forever Texas culinary landscape growing at a rapid pace The Michelin Guide first came to the U.S. nearly 20 years ago with a focus on New York City, but more recently, cities such as Miami, Tampa, Atlanta and Denver wooed the French company to review its restaurants. But Texas, which is growing at a rapid pace, according to Poullennec, will only continue to be home to more restaurants. Of the 45 Bib Gourmand restaurants, which offer good quality food for a good value, just over a third of that list is pulled from Houston. Its a combination of newer favorites like Belly of the Beast and Ema and longtime favorites such as Killens BBQ and Nam Giao in Asiatown. Heres the full list: Belly of the Beast Blood Bros. BBQ Ema Kau Ba Killen's Killen's BBQ Mala Sichuan Bistro Nam Giao Nancy's Hustle Nobie's Pinkerton's BBQ The Pit Room Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q Rosie Cannonball Street to Kitchen Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue Theodore Rex Truth Barbeque Recommended restaurants, which simply means a restaurant offers high quality dining, accounted for 57 spots but only seven were in Houston. Baso Bludorn Brisket & Rice Candente Hidden Omakase Late August Pappas Bros. 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22 Feb (25) 8 Feb - 15 Feb (25) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (21) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (23) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (19) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (35) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (23) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (27) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (28) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (23) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (22) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (19) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (22) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (19) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (15) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (17) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) China, Singapore agree to strengthen design of bilateral cooperation Xinhua) 10:23, November 12, 2024 SINGAPORE, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Monday met with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, and they agreed to strengthen the planning and design of bilateral cooperation in an all-round, high-quality and forward-looking manner. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said when meeting with Gan that bilateral cooperation has produced new fruitful results in the past year and the two sides should make good use of the various platforms of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and continue to work together to push forward bilateral cooperation. Gan said that the bilateral cooperation mechanism has continuously injected new impetus into the prosperity and development of the two countries. Singapore attaches great importance to the building of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and is willing to keep close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen mutual learning on governance, enhance people-to-people exchanges, expand cooperation in emerging areas and push for greater development of bilateral relations. The two officials co-chaired four meetings of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the 20th meeting of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 25th meeting of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council (JSC), the 16th meeting of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City JSC, and the eighth meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity JSC. The two sides comprehensively reviewed the progress of China-Singapore practical cooperation and fully recognized the achievements of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity, and the Guangzhou Knowledge City. They had in-depth exchanges on the cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), economy and trade, sustainable development, innovation, finance, public health, people-to-people exchanges, and bilateral national-level projects, and jointly explored new ideas and measures for cooperation. The two sides agreed to continue to deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen and implement major cooperation projects, strengthen the construction of new land-sea corridors, continue to expand cooperation in new areas with a focus on digitalization and greenization, and push for new achievements in people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation, so as to better benefit the two countries and their people. They also witnessed 25 achievements of China-Singapore cooperation, including the signing of a Belt and Road cooperation plan, agreeing on the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA) Further Upgrade Protocol (FUP) to enter into force on Dec. 31 this year, and the renewal of the framework agreement on the exchange and training program for middle and high-ranking officials. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) The guessing game is over. The inaugural Michelin list for Texas has dropped, and all ye who breathlessly awaited its secrets can now begin second-guessing, complaining, rejoicing and so forth. Including me. Ive sharpened my claws and Im ready to pounce. While Ive enjoyed using the Michelin lists while traveling in Europe indeed, they have led me two- and three-star dining experiences Ill never forget Ive made little secret of the fact that the idea of a Texas list didnt exactly thrill me. I mean, Orlando has its own Michelin guide, for Petes sake. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HOUSTON STARS: Six Houston restaurants awarded one star as Michelin Guide announces its first Texas selections Thats because Michelin has entered its pay-to-play era, when coverage goes to cities or regions that cough up enough bucks to earn their own guide, however improbable. So the brands less, um, august than it once was. Still, restaurateurs, chefs, tourism folks and civic boosters love Michelin. They argue with some seemingly sound data that a guide steers travelers, boosts restaurant and hotel coffers, and, less tangibly, confers some heavenly blessing on a city or states dining scene. But lets not kid ourselves. This Texas guide isnt really about a benevolent outside force recognizing the maturity of the states dining scene, or finding respect for it. Its about money. If respect follows, thats a by-product. The fact that Orlando and Colorado got guides before Texas tells you all you need to know. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fellow diners I respect argue that Michelins arrival in a city can spur chefs and restaurants to greater heights, and I get that. Its taken the edge off my general indifference to the proliferation of the tire companys American guides, salved my jaundiced feeling of, who needs that outside validation? And if talented young chefs across the land feel the call of a market with Michelin ratings, well and good. I know the folks at Houstons six newly-christened Michelin one-star restaurants must be overjoyed, and I celebrate their good news. BCN, Musaafer, March and Le Jardinier are exactly the sort of establishments I have long associated with Michelin star status: ambitious, expensive, housed in luxuriously appointed rooms, long on service. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tatemo chef Emmanuel Chavez daring, corn-centric tasting menu spot in a lonely Spring Branch strip mall is a wild card in Houstons one-star bunch. It opened on a shoestring and celebrates a cuisine thats given short shrift (so far, anyway) in Michelins American guides. And hello, confirmation bias! after tapping Tatemo for the number-one spot on the Chronicles recently released Top 100 Houston Restaurants list, Its great to see Chavez and partner Megan Mauls talents recognized on this broader stage. Just as exhilarating is the unexpected good fortune of CorkScrew BBQ in Old Town Spring, the plucky mom-and-pop that I first visited as a trailer in 2013, calling it a new Houston classic." Will and Nichole Buckman have fulfilled that early promise, and Im really happy they snagged a Michelin star. This is the first time any barbecue restaurant anywhere has received a star for its efforts, so congratulate the Texas BBQ one-star class of 2024 which includes CorkScrew, along with Interstellar BBQ, La Barbecue and Leroy and Lewis Barbecue, all of Austin. Im delighted, too, that barbecue was taken so seriously by the Michelin inspectors that they actually dubbed the category barbecue cuisine. That cracked me up. Advertisement Article continues below this ad All this is part of Michelins gradual move to a more democratic range of approved restaurants, a welcome development. Ive long maintained that great meals are where you find them, and that a star system that does not honor that is a sad thing. Im amused at the vigor with which the inspectors have embraced the barbecue genre, but not at all unhappy about it. Its sort ofadorable. TOP 100 RESTAURANTS: The Chronicle's carefully vetted guide to the best dining in Houston So much for one-stars and the barbecue explosion on the list which Michelin pointedly does not call a "list," by the way, but rather a "selection," an unfortunate turn of phrase if ever I heard one. How about the Bib Gourmand category, always my favorite? They signify great food at a great value, or good food at moderate price, take your pick. Sure, I like to put on the dog at a starred restaurant every once in a while, especially on a big-deal trip (High-quality cooking, worth a stop"). They keep me abreast of the state of the culinary arts, and that matters to me. But the restaurants I crave on a daily, weekly, monthly basis inhabit a more reasonable end of the cost spectrum. Houston had a bumper crop of Bib Gourmands, I am happy to say: 18 out of the 45 awarded statewide, no less. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some places I adore (and can afford!) landed on Houstons Bib list: Ema, Nam Giao, Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue, Nancys Hustle, Street to Kitchen, Belly of the Beast, to name a few. I was taken aback to spy Theodore Rex among this company, though. For me, Theodore Rex under Justin Yu has one star chops, even in its current a la carte era, and its a bit of a splurge, too. Id love to know how it landed where it did. Killens in the Heights, with its Southern slant, perplexed me, too. I kinda liked my initial visit there during the pandemic, but it seemed uneven, and I did not feel compelled to return. To me Killens BBQ in Pearland is more the kind of landmark I expect in this category. But Ill go back now, spurred on by curiosity. Seeing the estimable Nikki Trans Kau Ba on the Bib roster brought me up short, too. Ive always found her wildly talented, with a kind of crazy creativity that jars some people, but works for me. Yet we were unable to include her restaurant on the Chronicles recent Top 100 Houston Restaurants list, because it was right on the brink of closing. Hopefully to reopen after renovations, but these days, thats always a crap shoot. Kau Ba is closed now, which points up a problem with these kinds of lists reality can catch up to them, especially when, like Michelin, its a parachute job. Floating down into a city you dont know like the back of your hand can yield some clear-eyed judgments, sure. But it can also give a distorted view, or one thats a little off-kilter. Nature of the beast when a critic is not embedded in the scene. I used to parachute into cities like Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver and Cleveland to help compile Gourmet magazines annual restaurant guides, and while I of course thought I was right about stuff if you dont, there lies madness I always knew in my heart that my take was that of a carpetbagger. Which brings me to the Recommended portion of the list. A Michelin spokesman said the term simply means a restaurant offers high quality dining. Its a whopping list of 57 restaurants across the state. Only 7 of them are in Houston. To which I ask, are you kidding me? Really? OK, I get that Michelin needed to toss poor Dallas some bones, seeing as how they had a total of one single, one-starred restaurant on the list. (I can hear the lamentations and rending of garments all the way down I-45). And the Recommended category was a way to work in more love for San Antonio and Fort Worth, too. But still. Did we really have to pay a price for nabbing so many Bib Gourmand spots? I object. Nevertheless it cheered me to see Baso and Pappas Bros. Steakhouse get a nod. I wondered if the inspectors had clocked the same over-saltiness that can interfere with my enjoyment of Candente; or whether they had tried the subpar margaritas there. I had to wonder if Late August was really the only Black-owned restaurant in town they found worthy of a nod, Southern Soul and Creole being so deeply embedded here, and the source of so many culinary thrills. The omission of Littles Oyster Bar from any recognition struck me as strange. The quality, execution and hospitality are all superb judging from my experience, both here and abroad. I raised an eyebrow over the scant Tex-Mex and Mexican representation on the Houston selection. And our wealth of excellent Indian and Pakistani spots really resulted in a lone listing for Musaafer? Finally, I wondered at the presence of a single high-quality Japanese sushi specialist among the Houston entries. I enjoyed Hidden Omakase when I visited, and relished its showmanship, but the Recommended restaurant struck me as a little uneven compared to the citys high omakase performers like Neo, Katami, MF Sushi and even the madcap Soto. Its hard for me to make sense of Hidden receiving the only Japanese seal of approval here. I wondered, too, if the value Michelin inspectors place on harmony of flavors had hobbled our city in any way. We tend to gravitate to the rambunctious, the contrapuntal, the slightly outrageous. Who knows how that preference played out? Harmony aint us. Finally, I gnashed my teeth over Austins inflated representation in the guide. There, I said it. I just dont buy that Austin is a better food city than Houston. Ive always chafed at Austins sense of self-importance, and this is gonna make it worse, just you wait and see. In the end, though, as a veteran compiler of restaurant guides myself, I reminded myself that its a tricky art filled with landmines. Part of the fun of Michelins Texas guide is that now we get to argue about it. Transformative college jobs programme builds back from pandemic with boost in numbers This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 12th, 2024 A transformative training and development programme providing career opportunities for college learners is building back from the pandemic. The Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme at Coleg Cambria was supporting hundreds of young people aged 16-19 before Covid-19 took hold in the UK. Now, under the leadership of Curriculum Directors David Garratt and Claire Howells, numbers are rising again, and new partnerships are being forged with employers in north east Wales and beyond. We are now back up to 70 learners at Deeside and in Wrexham, said David. The programmes took something of a dip, understandably, during the pandemic, as we are here for the hard-to-reach young people of the region trying to coordinate things remotely was very challenging. But now we can deliver sessions in person we are seeing an increase in engagement and interest and are trying to create as many links back to the community and industry as we can. Claire added: We want to hear from more businesses and organisations which can offer placements and apprenticeships, giving young people an opportunity to pursue their chosen careers. The scheme is looking to accommodate learners in an industry or profession that interests them rather than placing them in a role which is not meaningful or useful to their future, thats vital if we are to be successful. Claire and David are giving the initiative a new lease of life, building contacts and refreshing the bank of companies and contacts to offer more relevant placements, ensuring Jobs Growth Wales+ is a valid option for learners who want to access employment. We can help build their confidence and instil resilience, sharpen literacy and numeracy skills, and give them experience of writing a CV, interview techniques, teamwork and more, attributes which will be crucial when they enter the world of work, said David. To do this we follow the three strands of Engagement, Advancement and Employment, and it is Engagement which we are building with this revamped phase of the programme. Jobs Growth Wales+ is part of the Welsh Governments Young Persons Guarantee to help young people in Wales reach their full potential, notably those who have left school or college and in need of a helping hand getting started or finding a job. A weekly training allowance of up to 42-60 is available, depending on the students individual learning and development plan, and there will be regular one-to-one mentoring and monthly reviews. The dream and aim for us is to turn these work placements into full time roles so they are earning a real wage in a job they enjoy, said Claire. We are looking at all elements of the courses we offer to make sure the learners have the best chance of that, breaking down any barriers and giving them a flexible platform to thrive in a safe, welcoming environment there has never been a better time to join us. David added: As the programme expands and we introduce fresh ideas with feedback from employers and the young people themselves the number of channels available to us will grow, whether thats schools, third sector organisations, charities, small businesses, or community groups. We have stripped everything back to make Jobs Growth Wales+ as simple and accessible as possible, which will be so important as we move forward together. Wrexham hair studio triumphs at 2024 Salon Awards with triple win This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 12th, 2024 A Wrexham-based hair studios is celebrating a triple victory at a coveted industry awards. Head Office Creative Hair Studios, on Regent Street, took centre-stage at the 2024 Salon Awards held earlier this month at the Leonardo Hotel in London. Hosted by celebrity hairdresser and podcaster Dom Lehane, the Salon Awards spotlight the finest talent in the UK hair industry. Competing against top salons from across Wales, the Wrexham-based team took home the top awards for Best Salon for Hair Extensions in Wales, Apprentice of the Year in Wales and the accolade of Best Salon in Wales. It was the second time that Home Office Creative Hair Studios scooped the Best Salon in Wales title and its third win in the Best Salon for Hair Extensions category. Liberty Spender, an apprentice at Head Office Creative Hair Studios, was also crowned Apprentice of the Year in Wales. Apprenticeship opportunities in hairdressing are on the decline in the UK for many reasons including financial pressures on salons, and government funding cuts. However Vicky Williams, owner of Head Office Creative Hair Studios, said it was important to nurture the industrys next generation of talent. Liberty has been an incredible addition to our team. Our clients adore her warm personality and positivityshe is a ray of sunshine, said Vicky. Seeing her dedication rewarded at a national level is a huge moment for all of us. As someone who started as an apprentice myself, Im passionate about nurturing our industrys next generation. Developing talent in-house and guiding them to embody the high standards were known for at Head Office is something Im deeply committed to. Growing our own talent is essential to the quality and creativity that define Head Office. I look forward to supporting Liberty and many more apprentices in the future, helping them flourish in a hands-on, dynamic environment. Theres no better foundation for a stylist than learning on the job and growing through real experience, shadowing our expert stylists which I believe its the best foundation for a strong, creative career in hairdressing. Update (11/11, 9:40 p.m.) A power outage affecting more than 2,200 people in north Reno has been largely resolved according to NV Energy's outage map. According to the map, 12 customers remain without power in the area of North McCarran Boulevard north of the University. NV Energy is estimating their power will be restored by 12L45 a.m. Update (11/11, 5:50 p.m.) NV Energy is reporting a power outage affecting more than 2,200 people in north Reno. On the NV Energy website, the outage is located off North McCarran Boulevard north of the University of Nevada, Reno. The cause of the fire is listed as pole-mounted equipment failure. There is currently no estimated time for power to be restored. Update (11/11, 4:20 p.m.) Liberty Utilities Lake Tahoe has restored power after extreme weather conditions forced a Public Safety Power Shutoff on Monday. Safety inspections have been conducted on affected power lines according to a post from the utility company on X. Those inspections confirmed the power grid could be safely re-energized, with most customers' power restored. Update (11/11, 1:52 p.m.): Liberty Utilities Lake Tahoe is trying to conduct safety inspections on power lines and electric infrastructure in the Markleeville, Woodfords, and Desolation Hotel (Hope Valley) areas. These inspections must be completed before they can lift the Public Safety Power Shutoff. Liberty is expecting to be able to being restoring power at approximately 5:00 p.m. Update (11/11, 1:41 p.m.): NV Energy says the Public Safety Outage Management event has been canceled in the following zones due to updated weather forecasts: Carson/Genoa VC Highlands Please note that higher than normal winds are still expected, which could still cause an unplanned power outage. ORIGINAL STORY: Liberty Utilities is notifying Markleeville, Woodfords, and Desolation Hotel (Hope Valley) customers that it may implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) on Monday, November 11, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. to reduce wildfire risk during anticipated extreme weather conditions. If a PSPS is implemented, it could last more than 24 hours before power is safely restored. The state of California grants authority to Liberty to implement a PSPS in high-risk areas when extreme weather conditions present a clear danger to public safety. Customers are encouraged to visit Community Resource Center from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. at the Woodfords Community Center, 96 Washoe Blvd if they are unable to secure necessary alternative power. Meanwhile, NV Energy has issued Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) WATCH in Carson, Genoa and Virginia City Highlands in northern Nevada and Mt. Charleston in Southern Nevada. Customers in all affected areas have been notified. A PSOM WATCH means a de-energization is possible to prevent the possibility of sparking a wildfire. For additional information, click on this line. For safety, customers are advised to take the following proactive measures: * Create an emergency kit including, but not limited to, flashlights, first aid supplies and local maps. Consult Ready.gov for additional emergency kit necessities. * Plan for medical needs that may be impacted by a power shutoff, including medications that need refrigeration or devices that require power. Please register any energy-related medical needs by calling 1-800-782-2506. * Store nonperishable foods and water to support your family for a minimum of 48 hours. * For additional information and real-time updates, please visit libertyutilities.com or follow us on Facebook (@LibertyUtilitiesLT) and X (@LibertyUtil_CA). If a PSPS is implemented, Liberty will activate the CRC as listed above to provide customers with essential resources and an opportunity to speak directly with customer care representatives throughout the de-energization event. (Alpine County, NV Energy contributed to this report.) The 61-acre Callahan Fire remains under investigation after prompting hours-long evacuations and destroying one home, two barns and a gazebo. TMFR says it plans to map out small spots across Shawna Lane sometime on Tuesday. Officially, the fire is 50% contained, and crews hope to have that to 100% by the end of Tuesday - especially with high wind being forecasted for Wednesday. TMFR initially said the wind-whipped fire was 100 acres, but more accurate mapping placed it at 61 acres. One firefighter was injured, but the extent of that injury is unknown. The Defense Health Agency announced that TRICARE beneficiaries in Washoe County may receive emergency prescription refills now through Nov. 22, 2024, due to the fire. To receive an emergency refill of prescription medications, TRICARE beneficiaries should take their prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy. If the bottle is unavailable or the label is damaged or missing, beneficiaries should contact Express Scripts, Inc., or their retail network pharmacy for assistance. To find a network pharmacy, beneficiaries may call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303, or search the network pharmacy locator. If possible, visit the pharmacy where the prescription was filled. Prescriptions filled by a retail chain may be filled at another store in that chain. If the clinician who prescribed the medication is available, beneficiaries can ask them to call in a new prescription to any network pharmacy. 8:25 p.m. Update All evacuations for the Callahan Fire have been lifted. In a post on X Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue said residents should use caution when reentering evacuated areas as fire crews will remain on scene overnight. Original Article A wind-driven fire in the Callahan Ranch area, south of Reno, prompted immediate evacuations this morning. The Callahan Fire started around 10:15 a.m. on Monday, in the vicinity of Roan Trail and Galena Canyon Trail. The fire was held to roughly 100 acres in size, but the size is expected to change once the fire has been fully mapped. About 3,000 people were impacted by evacuations, per Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue. They also say that rain helped the firefighting efforts. According to Adam Mayberry with Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue, forward progress has been stopped on the fire. However, some evacuations remain in place. Crews will be mopping up the fire overnight and into tomorrow. One home and some outbuildings have been lost as a result of the fire - assessment by crews is underway. No injuries to civilians or fire staff have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time. Close to 20 fire and law enforcement agencies were on the scene; nearly 200 personnel firefighters helped to get the blaze under control. Governor Lombardo issued a statement via X: Evacuations A Washoe County alert was sent out on cellphones that read: Wildfire in the Callahan Ranch area. EVACUATE NOW. Evacuation Point is at South Valleys Library. Check perimetermap.com for more details. Evacuation warnings have been lifted for homes north of Mt. Rose Highway, south of Mt. Rose Highway but north of Goldenrod Drive, and the Montreaux area. There are still some evacuation orders in effect. The most up-to-date evacuation map can be found at Perimeter. American Red Cross of Northern Nevada volunteers are assisting evacuees at the evacuation center located at the South Valleys Library at 15650A Wedge Parkway. If the evacuation order remains in effect, the team will continue to operate the shelter throughout the night. A large animal evacuation location is set up at the Livestock Events Center. Closures Most roads in the area have been reopened after being closed - but people who live in the evacuation area will not yet be able to re-enter. Outages NV Energy de-energized lines right around 10:30 a.m., which affected around 5,500 customers. At around 3:00 p.m., NV Energy started restoring power and was able to reconnect 3,195 customers. As of 5:40 p.m., the remaining 2,259 customers who had lost power due to the de-energization had their power restored. NV Energy recommends reviewing their outage preparation tips to be prepared for any future outages. Accommodations for Evacuated Locals The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is offering evacuees a discounted rate of $59 Monday night with resort fees waived. Guests must provide proof of residence in the evacuation zone. J Resort is offering displaced individuals and families a discounted rate of $39 per night with no resort fee. Peppermill Reno is offering discounted room rates to local residents. This offer is available through Tuesday, November 12. The discounted rates are as follows: $55 for North/West Wing rooms $65 for Peppermill Tower rooms $95 for Tuscany Tower suites All resort fees will be waived for guests taking advantage of this offer. Pets are allowed in North/West Wing rooms. Taxes and tourism surcharge not included. Surestay Plus Hotel Airport at 1981 Terminal Way is offering $84 rates. Guest must present ID showing address in the affected evacuation area. The rate applies to all Standard Kings and Queens, and Standard Pet Rooms. Pet Fees waived for evacuees. The hotels in The Row (Eldorado Resort Casino, Circus Circus Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino) are offering a special rate of $59 with complimentary resort fee for anyone who has been evacuated due to the fire. To book a room, call 1-800-223-7277. Grand Sierra Resort is offering evacuees a special room rate of $59 per night, with resort fees waived. Those affected would call GSR directly at (775) 789-2000 and mention code "Fire 24e" when booking. The Hyatt Place South Reno is offering reduced room rates of $109 per night for anyone affected by the evacuations. Gloria Williams, who has several charges related to the 2020 death of her son, Kendrick Lee, walks into the courtroom on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in Houston. Williams and boyfriend Brian Coulter abandoned her children and Kendricks body was left to decompose in the apartment with his siblings. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Defendant Gloria Williams, who has several charges related to the death of her son, Kendrick Lee, sits in a hearing Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in Houston. Williams and boyfriend Brian Coulter abandoned her children and Kendricks body was left to decompose in the apartment with his siblings. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Judge Susan Brown calls prosecutors Celeste Byrom, from left, and Edward Applebaum, defense attorneys Beth Exley and Neal Davis III to approach her during a hearing for defendant Gloria Williams, the mother of the three abandoned children and girlfriend of Brian Coulter, is expected to be sentenced after pleading guilty to several charges related to the death of her son, Kendrick Lee, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Kendricks body was left to decompose in the apartment with his siblings. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Defendant Gloria Williams, who has several charges related to the death of her son, Kendrick Lee, sits in the courtroom with her lawyers, Beth Exley, left, and Neal Davis III, during a hearing Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in Houston. Williams and boyfriend Brian Coulter abandoned her children and Kendricks body was left to decompose in the apartment with his siblings. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Defendant Gloria Williams, who has several charges related to the death of her son, Kendrick Lee, sits in a hearing Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Williams and boyfriend Brian Coulter abandoned her children and Kendricks body was left to decompose in the apartment with his siblings. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Judge Susan Brown overseas prosecutor Edward Applebaum, from left, defense attorney Neal Davis III looking at photos with witness and Harris County Deputy Dominick Lawrence during a hearing for Gloria Williams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Williams, the mother of the three abandoned children and girlfriend of Brian Coulter, has several charges related to the death of her son, Kendrick Lee, whose body was left to decompose in the apartment with his siblings. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Judge Susan Brown overseas prosecutor Edward Applebaum, from left, defense attorney Neal Davis III looking at photos with witness and Harris County Deputy Dominick Lawrence during a hearing for Gloria Williams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Williams, the mother of the three abandoned children and girlfriend of Brian Coulter, has several charges related to the death of her son, Kendrick Lee, whose body was left to decompose in the apartment with his siblings. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Prosecutor Celeste Byron, left, questions Dr. Kwabena Sarpong, of Texas Childrens Hospital, during the punishment phase of the trial against Gloria Williams, who has several charges related to the death of her son, Kendrick Lee, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in Houston. Williams and boyfriend Brian Coulter abandoned her children and Kendricks body was left to decompose in the apartment with his siblings. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Gloria Williams expressed deep regret, before a judge sentenced her to 50 years in prison, for allowing three of her sons to live with the decomposing body of their sibling for a year as she stood by, moving elsewhere and never reporting the death. In her mind, the boys were better off far away from her boyfriend, Brian Coulter, she wrote in an affidavit shared in court. For her decision to do nothing, a choice that forced the children to endure a year of torture, a Harris County judge sentenced her Tuesday during a punishment hearing, capping the years-long court drama that followed her arrest in 8-year-old Kendrick Lees death and the abuse of another child in a west Harris County apartment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Williams pleaded guilty in October, months after Coulters conviction, to two counts of injury to a child by omission, causing serious bodily injury, to avoid another trial for her three sons to testify at. She opted for a judge to decide her punishment, rather than accepting a specific punishment in a plea agreement with prosecutors. She will be eligible for parole in 25 years. By then, her children who have moved on to live with other families through adoption and fostercare will be adults. Defendant Brian Coulter walks forward to sign the judgment after Judge Kelli Johnson found him guilty of capital murder Monday, April 15, 2024, in the 178th District Court at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Coulter was convicted during an April bench trial of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in Kendrick's 2020 death. Defense attorneys for Williams blamed Coulter for the bulk of the abuse and suggested her lack of action was out of fear of him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE ON THIS CASE: For this veteran Houston lawyer who's handled horrific cases, none compare to Brian Coulter They helped Williams craft an affidavit explaining her life story starting with the birth of her first child at 19, when she was still in high school. She had five more children two of which, Kendrick included, were autistic in the next decade with three men who failed to help her financially or with child care, attorney Beth Exley said in her closing arguments. Two of the men were in-and-out of jail. After a brief marriage to an older man, who died suddenly, Williams met Coulter. A photo shows Kendrick Lee, the 8-year-old boy whose skeletal remains were found in a bedroom a year after his death, and Brian Coulter, who was found guilty of capital murder for the killing, during Coulters trial Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Brian told me things I wanted to hear and he seemed to care for my boys, Williams wrote in the affidavit, as read by Exleys private investigator. Coulter started hitting the children and hounding Williams to discipline them, she wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I told him to stop but he kept doing it, Williams continued. I was scared of losing Brian and being on my own again without any money. MORE ON THIS CASE: No errors in Judge Kelli Johnson's handling of Brian Coulter bench trial, lawyer finds Celeste Byrom, a Harris County prosecutor, countered that Williams had ample time to seek help once Coulter started abusing the children, going on to lock them in a bedroom and then beat Kendrick to death. But she didnt. If she truly cared for her children she could have taken the kids to family members, Byrom said. There were places she could have gone but she didnt because she loved Brian Coulter. A freezer for Kendrick The two-day punishment hearing centered on the extent of Williams role in Kendricks death and what her other children endured the following year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The testimony rehashed how Kendricks surviving siblings were forced to live by themselves in a bug-infested apartment with his decomposing remains for a year until the eldest child, 15 at the time, had enough and called 911 in October 2021 to report his brothers death. A sheriffs deputy who responded to his call, worrying it was as prank, exclaimed profanities as he lifted a light blue blanket to reveal browned bones all that remained of Kendrick, as seen in body-worn camera footage shown in court. A photo that shows a bedroom where the body of 8-year-old Kendrick Lee was found is displayed during the capital murder trial of Brian Coulter on Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Two other children were often locked in the room with the body. Coulter was found guilty of capital murder for the childs death. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Crime scene photos that documented the gruesome state of Kendricks body and the boys living conditions were made public at Coulters trial but concealed during Williams hearing. Prosecutors, instead of displaying the images on TV screens, held up printed-out photos for witnesses to review out of sight from the sparse gallery. Exley pressed Harris County investigator John Craig on whether Coulter had deceived Williams about the escalating abuse toward her children. She used the term gaslighting borrowing a term prosecutors used in Coulters trial to define his actions as the psychological manipulation of a person over time, causing them to doubt their reality. Prosecutor Edward Applebaum, from left, defense attorney Neal Davis III looking at photos with witness and Harris County Deputy Dominick Lawrence during a hearing for Gloria Williams, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Williams, the mother of the three abandoned children and girlfriend of Brian Coulter, has several charges related to the death of her son, Kendrick Lee, whose body was left to decompose in the apartment with his siblings. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The investigator disagreed with Exley. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A prosecutor, Edward Applebaum, first used the term in April when he alleged in closing arguments that Coulter manipulated Williams into giving him more attention than her children, at times downplaying the severity of his physical abuse toward them. Text messages between Coulter and Williams shown at his trial revealed multiple instances where Williams professed her love, all while challenging him for beating and neglecting Kendrick. She wrote Kendrick had injuries the other children lacked. Coulter would deny the abuse and blame her other children or say he didnt hit Kendrick as hard as she believed. Another text message emerged as Byrom urged Judge Susan Brown on Tuesday to hold Williams accountable. Williams and Coulter communicated about taking the three boys away from the filthy apartment but they first needed a freezer to hold Kendricks remains, Byrom said. 'No one was missing them' Neal Davis III, another of Williams attorneys, declared the judges sentence a fair punishment an amount she would have agreed to had prosecutors offered. The plea agreement capped the sentence at 55 years, which prosecutors asked for in court. Applebaum reflected on Williams plea as the most motherly thing she could have done. She relinquished parental rights over her children after her arrest. Harris County Sheriff's deputies surround the west Houston apartment complex where three siblings were found, along with the skeletal remains of a fourth. Mark Mulligan The case from the onset emphasized the isolation caused by the closure of schools during the pandemic. And when they reopened the children never returned. Child abuse advocates in 2022 estimated that the three were among nearly 190,000 Houston-area kids they lost touch with when virtual learning took hold. During that time, reports of child abuse and neglect dropped in Harris County as children were likely interacting with fewer adults who would report abuse, such as teachers, pediatricians or extended family. Bryom tied the COVID-19 closures to the boys plight as Coulter moved in and exerted control over the household. They lost the opportunity to have a normal life," she said. "Schools were shut down so no one was missing them." A mural shows Kendrick Lee, photographed Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, at the intersection of Elgin Street and Ennis Street in the Third Ward neighborhood in Houston. Officials allege that Lee was beaten to death and left in an apartment with his abandoned siblings for months. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Testimony on Tuesday from Williams family noted that they stopped seeing the children after Coulter entered their lives and during the pandemic. As the months stretched on, a video on Coulters Instagram from February 2021 the night of the region crippling freeze held clues about their life. He lauded her home cooking with a glass of wine. There is no sign of children in the home save for the eldest child briefly walking through their kitchen The investigator noted the fly catchers hanging from the ceiling in the footage. By then, Kendrick had been dead on the floor of one of the bedrooms for at least four months. loading......... Malibu, CA, Nov 12, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In this segment of The Ellis Martin Report and Money Talk Radio we speak with Terry Lynch, CEO of Power Nickel ( CVE:PNPN ) ( PNPNF:OTCMKTS ). Hole 72 delivers 19.60 metres with 3.82% CuEq 19.60 m of 1.27 g/t Au, 20.30 g/t Ag, 2.53 % Cu, 1.01 g/t Pd, 2.42 g/t Pt and 0.15% Ni. Power Nickel Inc. ( CVE:PNPN ) ( PNPNF:OTCMKTS ) ( IVV:FRA ) is pleased to announce the third set of assay results obtained for two more holes of the summer 2024 drilling campaign at its polymetallic Lion Zone discovery. "The summer of 2024 will be remembered as an epic one regarding ongoing discovery of the Lion Zone. The westward expansion has continued to produce some fantastic results. Following up 32 metres of almost 7% CuEq with almost 40 metres of 4.19% CuEq, Hole 72 provides a continuation of our track record of success. As we push west, we are learning more about the mineralized zone and how it behaves, and our ability to track and anticipate the zone is improving. We are now routinely using downhole EM in all our new holes, giving our exploration team insight into a radius of about 200 metres. While the summer drilling program was done on a smaller 50 metre fan drilling approach, the fall and winter programs are successfully drilling 150 plus metres step outs with this technique. Look for more roars from our Lion Zone soon," commented Terry Lynch, CEO of Power Nickel. To Listen to the Interview, please visit: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/L3A9JG57 About Power Nickel Inc. Power Nickel Inc. (CVE:PNPN) (OTCMKTS:PNPNF) (FRA:IVV) is a Canadian junior exploration company focusing on developing the High-Grade Nisk project into Canada's first Carbon Neutral Nickel mine. On February 1, 2021, Power Nickel (then called Chilean Metals) completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CVE:CRE). Subsequently, Power Nickel has exercised its option to acquire 50% of the Nisk Project and delivered notice to Critical Elements that it intends to exercise its second option to bring its ownership to 80%. The last remaining commitment to exercise the option was the delivery of a NI-43-101 Technical report which has now occurred. The Nisk property comprises a significant land position (20 kilometers of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts. Power Nickel is focused on expanding the historical high-grade nickel-copper PGE mineralization with a series of drill programs designed to test the initial Nisk discovery zone and to explore the land package for adjacent potential Nickel deposits. In addition to the Nisk project, Power Nickel owns significant land packages in British Colombia and Chile. Power Nickel is expected to reorganize these assets in a related vehicle through a plan of arrangement. Power Nickel announced on June 8, 2021, that an agreement had been made to complete the 100% acquisition of its Golden Ivan project in the heart of the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle has reported mineral resources (past production and current resources) in 130 million ounces of gold, 800 million ounces of silver, and 40 billion pounds of copper (Resource World). This property hosts two known mineral showings (gold ore and Magee) and a portion of the past-producing Silverado mine, reportedly exploited between 1921 and 1939. These mineral showings are Polymetallic veins containing quantities of silver, lead, zinc, plus/minus gold, and plus/minus copper. Power Nickel is also 100 percent owner of five properties comprising over 50,000 acres strategically located in the prolific iron-oxide-copper-gold belt of northern Chile. It also owns a 3-per-cent NSR royalty interest on any future production from the Copaquire copper-molybdenum deposit sold to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Inc. Under the terms of the sale agreement, Teck has the right to acquire one-third of the 3-per-cent NSR for $3 million at any time. The Copaquire property borders Teck's producing Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile's first region. About The Ellis Martin Report The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) is an internet based radio program showcasing potentially undervalued companies to an audience of potential retail investors and fund managers that comprise our listening audience. TEMR is broadcasted on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel and The Opportunity Radio Network. CEO and company interviews are paid for by those represented on the program. loading......... Related Companies Funding to support supply of geothermal heat to Landau Secures EUR100m of Funding Sydney, Nov 12, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Vulcan Energy Resources Limited ( ASX:VUL ) ( VUL:FRA ) ( VULNF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce the awarding of EUR100m (A$162m) from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) and the European Recovery and Resilience Facility via the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (the BEW Funding) for its HEAT4LANDAU Project. The BEW Funding is allocated under the Guideline for Federal Funding for Efficient Heating Networks (Bundesforderprogramm effiziente Warmenetze - BEW) and will enable transformative measures for decarbonising district heating networks in Landau, Rheinland-Palatinate (Landau). Key highlights - The Vulcan HEAT4LANDAU Project comprises of infrastructure necessary for 255MW of renewable geothermal heat generation, transport and delivery to support Landau's transition to sustainable and renewable district heating starting in 2026 - Landau is the location of Vulcan's existing upstream optimisation plant(LEOP) and recently acquired Geox geothermal wells and renewable energy generation assets - The HEAT4LANDAU Project is a part of Vulcan's Phase One Lionheart Project. To deliver renewable heatfor Landau, Vulcan aims to integrate its two geothermal plants in Landau and Insheim, with five new production sites totalling 24 wells linking to the EnergieSudwest AG district heating network - The BEW Funding will be disbursed by way of pro rata over total eligible expenditure with EUR22m (~A$35 m) in 2026 and EUR78m (~A$126 m) in 2027 - The BEW Funding programme is one of several grants under the German national government and European Commission initiatives for which Vulcan has applied. Vulcan's financing of Phase One Lionheart Project has been timed to coincide with the completion of the public grant funding process - The Company's Phase One Lionheart Project financing process continues, led by BNP Paribas, with a debt structuring group including the European Investment Bank, Export Credit Agencies from Australia, France, Italy, and Canada, as well as major European banks ING, Unicredit, ABN-AMRO, and Natixis. Managing Director and CEO, Cris Moreno, stated: "Securing this funding is a major milestone for Vulcan in fulfilling our commitment to decarbonising Germany's energy landscape. By delivering sustainable, renewable geothermal heat to Landau and surrounding communities, we are taking a significant step towards a 100% carbon neutral district heating network. "The HEAT4LANDAU Project not only enhances energy security by providing a stable and local source of renewable heating, but also showcases the innovative potential of geothermal energy in Europe's green transition." About Vulcan Energy Resources Limited Vulcan Energy Resources Limited (ASX:VUL) (FRA:VUL) (OTCMKTS:VULNF) is building the world's first carbon neutral, integrated lithium and renewable energy business to decarbonise battery production. Vulcan's Lionheart Project, located in the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field bordering Germany and France, is the largest lithium and geothermal resource in Europe and a tier-one lithium project globally. Harnessing natural heat to produce lithium from sub-surface brines and to power conversion to battery grade material and using its in-house industry-leading technology VULSORB(R), Vulcan is building a local, lowcost source of sustainable lithium for European electric vehicle batteries. Related Companies Houston Police cars block access to Main Street near Sam Houston Parkway on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Pearland. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer City leaders blamed an increased lag in police response times in 2024, in part, on the fallout from a scandal in which 264,000 cases were suspended citing a lack of personnel. Police leaders, past and present, said staffing has led to the increase in wait times, which this year has seen the average time for top-priority calls increase from an average of 6 to 6.2 minutes. While Houston Police Department had to reallocate resources to examine the dropped cases, Mayor John Whitmire and law enforcement experts said the rise in police response time is part of a trend that has continued for more than a decade. The suspended cases scandal shows that what is an important customer service role for agencies in instilling public confidence by showing up to calls quickly is also a logistics problem in that prioritizing calls risks neglecting investigations, the experts said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Officials with the police department did not respond to a request for comment about the uptick. Agencies like the Houston Police Department categorize calls based on their severity, with top-priority calls, including reports of a shooting or a crime in progress, all the way down to Priority 5 calls that might not require a police response. Through September, officers responded to priority 1 calls, considered life-threatening, in an average of 6.2 minutes, compared to 6 minutes in 2023, according to Houston Police Department data. Priority 2 response times increased from 11.3 to 11.7, priority 3 from 72.4 up to 75.5; priority 4 from 91.9 up to 95.1 and priority 5 from 106.5 up to 107.7. Its a constant balance of where to allocate resources, said Jay Coons, a criminal justice professor at Sam Houston State University and a retired member of the Harris County Sheriffs Office. I would be concerned if a police department were targeting, say Priority 2 calls at the expense of some of those street-level tactical units. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The uptick is the continuation of a years-long trend of officers responding to top-priority calls at the slowest rate since the 1990s, according to a Chronicle investigation. The department tries to answer those calls within an average of 4 to 6 minutes, but officers have exceeded that range multiple times in recent years, including 2024. You try to reduce response times by getting people on the streets so theyre closer to the calls for service when those come in, said Doug Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers Union. He blamed the uptick on too few officers in patrol, the size of the city and a shortage of patrol cars requiring officers to double-up. Simply put, unless we can get more people, we cant reduce response times, he said. Former Chiefs Larry Satterwhite and Troy Finner have said the department might need as many as 2,000 more officers to keep pace with growth around the city. The departments budget already exceeds $1 billion, more than a third of the citys total budget, with around 90% for staffing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the slowdown in police response times in 2024 came even as the number of priority 2, 4 and 5 calls declined from 2023s numbers, department data shows. Overall, officers responded to around 8,200 fewer calls in 2024 compared to 2023. Whitmire said police leaders were in the middle of a staff review and were contemplating taking some officers away from administrative work and putting them in the field as a way to reduce response times. The mayor added response times were further hampered by the ongoing review of more than 264,000 cases that were suspended citing a lack of personnel, but that that review was nearing an end. Mayor John Whitmire speaks during a press conference to announce Noe Diaz as the new Houston Police chief Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at Houston City Hall in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Griffith said hes brought an idea to city leaders of potentially shoring up on the departments civilian employees, allowing them to handle reports and calls that arent as serious, giving officers more time to respond to higher-priority cases. Between 2023 and 2024, the department lost around 20 civilian employees, from 901 down to 881, records show. While the department also has fewer officers than it did years ago, the number of civilian employees has been almost halved. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel & Residences, a beacon of luxury and hospitality in India, is pleased to announce the appointment of two dynamic leaders to further elevate its guest experiences and strengthen its brand presence. Khushboo Sangtani joins as Director of Marketing & Communications, while Hema Narayane steps into the role of Director of Celebrations. Both bring a wealth of experience in hospitality, and their leadership will be instrumental in reinforcing Grand Hyatt Mumbais reputation as a premier luxury destination. With over a decade of experience in strategic marketing and communications, Khushboo joins Grand Hyatt Mumbai from ITC Hotels, where she held the position of Marketing and Communications Head for ITC Grand Goa Resort & Spa, along with Storii by ITC Hotels Goa. Known for her innovative approach to digital and experiential marketing, Khushboo has a track record of designing campaigns that resonate with guests and drive engagement. At Grand Hyatt Mumbai, she will oversee the hotels marketing strategy, focusing on creating impactful campaigns, expanding brand visibility, and amplifying the propertys unique offerings across digital platforms. Her work will be key to reinforcing the hotels position as a leader in Mumbais luxury hospitality landscape, while driving revenue and enhancing guest satisfaction. Commenting on her appointment, Khushboo Sangtani shared, I am incredibly excited to join Grand Hyatt Mumbai and work alongside a talented team that is committed to excellence and innovation. The hotels rich legacy and its focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences align perfectly with my passion for hospitality and brand-building. I look forward to driving impactful marketing strategies that not only enhance brand presence but also resonate with our guests and community. Hema Narayane brings over 12 years of hospitality experience, with a specialized background in event sales, project consultation, and corporate sales management. Previously, Hema served as the Associate Director of Sales at Hyatt Pune and Hyatt Place Hinjewadi, where she drove high-impact sales initiatives and forged valuable client relationships. Her experience spans several renowned brands, including Four Seasons Mumbai and Conrad Pune, where she managed large-scale MICE and social events. As Director of Celebrations, Hema will lead the planning and execution of all major events, weddings, and social gatherings at Grand Hyatt Mumbai, creating unforgettable celebrations for guests. Commenting on her new role, Hema Narayane said, Joining Grand Hyatt Mumbai as Director of Celebrations is an honor. I look forward to curating unique, personalized events that exceed guest expectations and create cherished memories. With my experience and passion for the art of celebrations, I am excited to contribute to the hotels continued success. We are delighted to welcome both Khushboo and Hema, whose expertise and passion will be key in enhancing the experiences we offer our guests, said Stephanie Gururani, Director of Sales and Marketing. Khushboos strategic vision and proven success across digital, social, and experiential marketing, along with Hemas dedication to delivering exceptional events, make each of them a tremendous asset to Grand Hyatt Mumbai. Their contributions will help us set new standards of luxury and service at our property. These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for Grand Hyatt Mumbai as it further strengthens its leadership team. Newly appointed Houston Police chief, Noe Diaz, walks through Houston City Hall moments after City Council confirmed the appointment on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Violent crime continued to drop through September, both in Houston and across the country, with a 13% decline in homicides in Houston and a decrease of around 17% nationwide from 2023, according to a new report. The Major Cities Chiefs Association released the latest of its ongoing reports on crime across the countrys biggest cities, showing a trend of most violent crime categories declining through September. The report included data from 69 agencies, including Houston, and compared data from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 in 2023 and 2024. MORE FROM HOUSTON CHRONICLE: 3 teenagers killed in shooting at Alief-area apartment complex, police say Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston saw a slight uptick in the number of reported rapes between the two years, from 1,110 up to 1,196, records show. But all other violent crime categories declined: from 277 homicides down to 240; 5,000 robberies down to 4,796; and 12,777 aggravated assaults dropped to 12,248. The citys 13% decrease in homicides is slightly lower than it posted in 2023, when it saw a 20% decline from 2022, records show. John Distilleries, the maker of Paul John Single Malt Whisky, is proud to announce a significant expansion of its operations with the inaugural launch of Malt Plant Phase II at John Distilleries in Goa. This pivotal expansion marks a major milestone in Indias craft-distilling story, setting the stage for a new chapter in the companys global journey. The expansion willtriple the production capacity ofthe Goa facility from 1.3 million litres to 3 million litres annually, meeting the growing demand for Paul Johns premium whiskies worldwide. This expansion has enhanced the distillerys production and storage capacities at an investment of INR 500 crores. The inauguration was graced by the Honorable Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, who joined us in celebrating this momentous occasion. A Vision for Excellence: Established in 1996 by Paul P. John, John Distilleries has always been driven by the vision to create an Indian single malt whisky that could rival the best in the world. The company introduced Paul John Single Malt Whisky to the world in 2012, officially marking its entry into the international premium spirits arena. Since then, Paul John Whisky has earned a global reputation, receiving over 330 prestigious international awards. The brand has garnered acclaim for its distinct craftsmanship, quality, and innovation, making it India's most-awarded single malt whisky. Notable accolades include the Worlds 3rd Finest Whisky for Mithuna by Paul with 97 points and Liquid Gold Award for Paul John Single Cask 161 Whisky (94.5 points) from whisky connoisseur Jim Murray as well as innumerable Double Gold and Gold Awards at San Francisco Awards, IWSC awards etc. These honors continue to cement Paul Johns standing as one of the finest whiskies in the world. With the grand opening of Malt Plant Phase II, Paul John Single Malt Whisky is primed to meet growing global demand while also expanding its domestic footprint. This strategic investment aims to increase production capacity significantly, ensuring the company can supply more of its award-winning single malt to whisky connoisseurs across the globe. The expansion of our distillery in Goa is more than just a milestone in increasing the capacity of production but is a forward-thinking investment in the future of global whisky. With the commission of Malt Plant Phase II we hope to set the stage for long term growth and meet the rising global demand for our single malts, said Paul P John, Chairman, John Distilleries. The company is focused on further refining product offerings, exploring new whisky expressions, and building the presence of brands in existing markets. The expansion of Paul Johns Goa facility marks a significant milestone not only for the brand but for the global whisky industry as a whole. As partners, we are excited to witness the continued success of Paul John Single Malt as it scales its operations and reaches new markets. This growth is a testament to the brands unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. We look forward to supporting the brands journey and solidifying its position as a leader in the premium whisky segment, said Jake Wenz, CEO, Sazerac. The expansion of the John Distilleries Goa unit has had a far-reaching impact on the local economy, with the rise in direct employment and the creation of new job opportunities. Many local workers have found new opportunities through the companys expansion, including roles in construction, operations, and the supply chain for both the Malt Plant and broader distillery operations Swiss Beauty, Indias fastest-growing beauty and cosmetics brand, has launched its first-ever digital campaign for Swiss Beauty Craze a makeup collection designed for the multitasking and expressive Gen Z and millennial women. The Dont Be a Star, Be a Trendstar campaign features brand ambassador Taapsee Pannu and encourages young women to follow beauty trends and also set them. The campaign positions Swiss Beauty Craze as the tool to help young women express their individuality with makeup that stands out. With the campaign, Swiss Beauty highlights its best-selling products, such as Eyeliner and Stamp Duo, Baesic Multiface Palettes, Duo Mascara, and Lip and Cheek Macaron, to match the multitasking lifestyle of young women. The makeup products enable women to create flawless looks, whether for work, play, or just a spontaneous night out. Taapsee's vibrant personality and versatility perfectly embody the essence of the Swiss Beauty Craze in the campaign video, where her fun and energetic avatar reflects the brand's youthful, bold spirit. The ad film has been rolled out across various multimedia platforms, with a planned run of 6-8 weeks for maximum reach and impact. Taapsee Pannu, Actor & Brand Ambassador of Swiss Beauty, said, Makeup is much more than just applying products; it's a form of self-expression. Swiss Beauty Craze's products are designed with a spirited boldness characteristic of Gen Z. These products, especially the Craze Baesic Multi-face Palette, let me seamlessly create the look and depict the unapologetic me. The multifunctional palette has it all - eyeshadow pans, highlighter, and lip and cheek cream. What I like the most is the longevity of these products, which keeps me shining bright all day. Vidushi Goyal, CMO, Swiss Beauty, said, Swiss Beauty Craze collection is all about embracing individuality. The Dont Be a Star, Be a Trendstar campaign encapsulates the versatility of our products and our continued efforts to instill self-confidence in Gen Z and millennial women by enabling them to craft unique looks with our products. Since our target audience is most active on social media and OTTs, the campaign has been launched across digital platforms. Spirit Airlines flight NK951 attempting to land in Haitian capital Port-au-Prince has been struck by gunfire, forcing it to be diverted to the Dominican Republic. At least one person, a flight attendant, was grazed by a bullet, a source said. All flights in and out of the pic.twitter.com/NBBOzvRRmI Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) November 11, 2024 Flug NK951, XSL dpa-AFX | 12.11.2024 22:19 WASHINGTON - Haiti leidet unter extremer Bandengewalt - schwer bewaffnete Gruppen haben die Hauptstadt Port-au-Prince grotenteils unter ihrer Kontrolle. Auch der Flugverkehr wird in Mitleidenschaft gezogen.Im Krisenstaat Haiti sind Medienberichten zufolge zwei Passagierflugzeuge von US-Fluglinien angeschossen worden.Eine Spirit-Maschine aus Florida wurde am Montag wahrend des Landeanflugs auf den Flughafen Toussaint Louverture von Schussen getroffen und musste nach Santiago in der Dominikanischen Republik umgeleitet werden, wie CNN und der "Miami Herald" ubereinstimmend berichteten. Dabei soll ein Besatzungsmitglied leicht verletzt worden sein.Die Reifen des Fliegers seien bereits am Boden gewesen, berichtete der "Miami Herald" unter Berufung auf einen Passagier. Der Pilot sei daraufhin mehrmals uber der Hauptstadt Port-au-Prince gekreist, bevor er nach Santiago geflogen sei, hie es weiter.Der Schaden an einem Flugzeug der Airline JetBlue wurde erst nach der Landung in New York festgestellt. Die US-Luftfahrtbehorde kundigte daraufhin aus Sicherheitsgrunden ein bis zum 12. Dezember befristetes Verbot fur alle Fluge aus den USA nach Haiti an. Weshalb und wer geschossen hatte, blieb bislang unklar.Haiti ist das armste Land des amerikanischen Kontinents und leidet seit Jahren unter der Gewalt schwer bewaffneter Banden, die Port-au-Prince grotenteils unter ihrer Kontrolle haben. Medienberichten zufolge ist am Montag ein neuer Ministerprasident nominiert worden. Der Geschaftsmann Alix Didier Fils-Aime werde den bisherigen interimistisch regierenden Garry Conille ersetzen, teilte der Ubergangs-Prasidialrat des Karibikstaates Berichten zufolge in einem Erlass mit.Eine multinationale Sicherheitsmission unter der Fuhrung Kenias bemuht sich derzeit um die Wiederherstellung der offentlichen Ordnung in Haiti. Die Sicherheitsmission mit geplanten 3.000 Einsatzkraften war im Oktober vergangenen Jahres vom UN-Sicherheitsrat genehmigt worden. Erst im Juni kamen die ersten kenianischen Polizisten in Haiti an - bisher sind es nur wenige Hundert Beamte. 103 Senior Citizens and 11 Differently-Abled Voters Cast Votes from Home in Mumbadevi Constituency 2 As part of the Assembly General Election 2024, the Election Commission of India facilitated home voting for senior citizens above 85 years and differently-abled voters in Mumbai city district who could not visit polling stations. This initiative, enabled through the submission of Form 12D, allowed eligible voters to exercise their democratic right via a postal polling team. In Mumbadevi Assembly Constituency, 103 senior citizens and 11 differently-abled voters availed of this facility today. Out of 118 eligible senior citizens and 13 differently-abled voters in the constituency, 114 had submitted Form 12D, making the home voting process a success. Across the ten constituencies of Mumbai city district, a total of 2,137 senior citizens and 219 differently-abled voters qualified for postal voting. The home voting process for all eligible voters is scheduled to conclude by November 16, 2024. The Election Commission has expressed appreciation for the smooth execution of this initiative and commended the efforts of the postal polling teams in ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in the electoral process. Denzel Washington revealed in August that there are very few films left for him to make at this stage in his Oscar-winning career, but now hes revealing that Black Panther 3 is one of them. Speaking to Australias Today while on the press tour for Gladiator II, Washington said that director Ryan Coogler is writing him a role in the third Black Panther film. It will be one of Washingtons final movies along with a new Steve McQueen project and a film adaptation of Shakespeares Othello. For me its about the filmmakers. Especially at this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best, Washington said. I dont know how many more films Im going to make. Its probably not that many. I want to do things I havent done. I played Othello at 22. I am about to play Othello at 70, he continued, referring to the Shakespeare production co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal that opens on Broadway in February 2025. After that, I am playing Hannibal. After that, Ive been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther. After that, Im going to do the film Othello, After that, Im going to do King Lear. After that, Im going to retire. While the Steve McQueen project remains under wraps, Netflix has already announced its backing Antoine Fuquas war movie that will star Washington as the ancient Carthaginian general Hannibal. As for Black Panther 3, Marvel has yet to officially announce the sequel but fans have been expecting a third tentpole from Coogler given the success of the franchise. Washingtons involvement in a third Black Panther movie would be a full circle moment. Before his death in 2020, original Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman revealed that Washington paid for his acting school one summer and thus: There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington. My whole cast stands on your shoulders, Boseman told Washington while honoring him with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2019. The daily battles won, the thousand territories gained, the many sacrifices you made for the culture on film sets through your career, the things you refused to compromise along the way lay the blueprints for us to follow. 2024 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC When a horrific car crash occurred on Nov. 9, 1931, The Abbeville Herald reported: Mrs. H.C. Price, Jr., 24 of Newville was killed and her husband was seriously injured when a lightless automobile in which they were riding went over an embankment into a dirt fill near Hartford on the Hartford and Bellwood Road. At first, the death of 24-year-old Ethel Wright Price seemed a tragic accident. Her husband, Henry Clayton Price Jr., was the object of sympathy. He was left to raise their young daughter, Winnie Ruth, alone. Price, 27, was described in newspaper accounts as the son of a wealthy planter. But before long, the people of Newville would know the truth: H.C. Jr. wasnt the victim he appeared to be. Then, Ethels family ensured the whole world would know their precious daughter was murdered by her beloved husband -- they condemned Price for eternity when they erected Ethels headstone in Newville Baptist Church Cemetery in Henry County with the inscription: Murdered By Her Husband H. C. Price, Jr. So Hard In The Bloom Of Life To Have Her Life Stolen By The One Who Promised To Keep And Protect Through This Life. Sleep On Precious Child And Mother. We Hope To Meet And See You Some Sweet Day. Headline in the Nov. 18, 1931, edition of The Birmingham News.Birmingham News The crash According to newspaper accounts at the time, the couple set out that night to the home of Billy Wells, H.C. Prices uncle, to get another wheel for their Ford car. Reportedly, H.C. Price asked a young man named Wallace Bowen to accompany them for unknown reasons. At one point, Price asked Bowen to take the wheel, saying he was having a bout of indigestion and didnt feel like driving. None of the reports made it clear how well Bowen knew the couple. Then later, the lights failed on the Ford. Bowen rode on the running board, periodically lighting matches to help illuminate the road. While detouring around a washed-out section of the road the machine made the fatal plunge. The boy piloting the couple leaped from the machine before it rolled into the gully and was not injured, the Herald reported. The boy was 25-year-old Bowen. Ethels skull was fractured in three places. Henry Price sustained bruising and was taken to a hospital in Dothan, although he was allowed to view his wifes body. The Dothan Eagle reported H.C. Price was too ill to attend the funeral [of his wife]. He was reported to have wept bitterly and swooned when he viewed his wifes body and a physician was summoned to treat Price. A headline in the Feb. 12, 1932, edition of the Birmingham Post Hrald.Courtesy of Birmingham Post-Herald The day after the funeral, police began to get suspicious about how Ethel died when they learned her life was insured for $3,000, doubled to $6,000 if she died in an accident, which would be about $125,000 in todays money. On Nov. 17, 1931, The Dothan Eagle reported: One of the most sensational murder cases in the history of this section broke early last night when H.C. Price Jr., 27, and Wallace Bowen, 25, of Newville, were lodged in the Geneva County jail and charged with first-degree murder in Ethels death. Henry Clayton Prices story began to unravel when Bowen came forward. The Wiregrass Farmer newspaper in Headland reported on November 19, 1931: The second phase of the sensation of following the death of Mrs. H.C. Price, Jr., of Newville was entered into Monday night when Wallace Bowen made what is reputed to be a confession of the manner in which Mrs. Price was killed. This statement charges Price with full responsibility for the alleged murder. Wallace told authorities Ethel Price was already dead when the car went over the embankment. Her husband had bashed her head while he was in the backseat and Bowen was driving. He used an axle from the Ford, which was later found at the scene. The Wiregrass Farmer published Bowens statement: Sometime after we had passed Hartford, H.C. Price, Jr., who had been driving the car all the way from Dothan, complained of having indigestion and requested me to drive the car for him. Price at that time got into the rear seat of the car and I began driving with Mrs. Ethel Price seated by me. We had gone about three-fourths of a mile after this when H. C. Price, Jr., struck Mrs. Ethel Price with a piece of iron. I knew nothing of his having this piece of iron. Nor did I know anything about his intention to kill his wife. She said Oh, H.C.! and then H.C. hit her again on the head. She said nothing more. I stopped the car and got out. H.C. got over the seat by his wife. He speeded up the engine of the car and then jumped out and the car with Mrs. Ethel Prince in it went into the big gully. H.C. then turned to me and said, If you ever say anything about this Ill kill you. At a trial in 1932, Price was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Bowen was acquitted. In February 1932, Price was taken to Kilby Prison near Montgomery to begin serving his sentence. In 1959, Price was paroled, according to the May 15 edition of The Birmingham News. The couples child was raised by Ethel Prices brother, Reuben Wright, and his wife. Chris Wallace came to CNN to get heavily involved with reaching streaming audiences, and it looks like he will leave the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed news outlet still looking to do the same. Wallace, a veteran commentator who held forth on Fox News Channels Fox News Sunday as well as NBC News Meet The Press, told The Daily Beast Monday that he planned to leave CNN, which he initially joined to participate in the scuttled streaming operation CNN+, to try his hand at reaching people via an independent digital venture. CNN confirmed Wallace would leave three years after he initially signed on after leaving Fox News to do so. The typical anchor contract in the news business is for a similar amount of time. CNN tried to convince Wallace to stay, according to a person familiar with the matter. Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming, said Mark Thompson, CNNs CEO, in a statement. We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom hes brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for future. The move could add a new chapter to the story of the 77-year-old journalist, who is the son of legendary 60 Minutes correspondent Mike Wallace, and developed a reputation for asking even heads of state difficult, thorny questions. And it also illustrates the growing frenzy around streaming news and so-called creator media, with more famous news personalities exiting -- some not by their own choice -- to test subscription-based video programs, podcasts or independent newsletters. With younger news aficionados increasingly relevant information via social media and mobile video, both veteran journalists and the established media companies that employ them are rethinking whether traditional models are still the best vehicle for them. CNN has seen other staffers leave in a bid to test out new digital ventures. Don Lemon, a primetime stalwart at the network during the first Trump administration, now leads his own news venture that is found on social media. Oliver Darcy, the former lead writer of the Reliable Sources newsletter, left to launch an independent venture, Status. Poppy Harlow, who left CNN after being placed into an ill-considered morning-show experiment, recently turned up as a correspondent on an Amazon Prime Video election special hosted by Brian Williams. Wallace recently took part in CNNs Election Night coverage, and showed his perspicacity early in the broadcast by noting that initial exit polls probably showed that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris would need a miracle to defeat Donald Trump in the 2024 election. He was proven correct. His tenure at CNN has been a choppy one, with the network never seeming quite sure of what to do with him. Wallace joined to host a weekly program that would have him interview a wide range of newsmakers, allowing him to joust with celebrities as well as politicians. With plans for a stand-alone CNN streamer foiled by new corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery, however, Wallace launched a new show that appeared on both CNN and the companys Max streaming hub. He also offered commentary and analysis during important news events. Yet Wallace never seemed to have the platform he enjoyed at Fox News, where his tenure on Fox News Sunday made him a stand out and a hard-news counterpart to that networks conservative primetime opinion hosts. He was first employee in Fox News Channels history to get nominated for an Emmy, for his July 2018 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was also the first Fox News anchor to moderate a general-election presidential debate, in 2016. His exit may free up cash that CNN can use to fund what is expected to be a series of digital-content initiatives, building up verticals built around topics like wellness that it hopes will attract a younger generation of info-seekers who no longer depend on cable-news to get them the news and commentary they crave. In July, Thompson unveiled a few details about his vision for CNNs future, which call in part for creating a growing stable of news you can use offerings anchored by lifestyle and features areas where CNN already has brand permission and is competitively positioned to win. He also noted that we are currently assessing existing areas of digital strength, including consumer advice and health as well as other less established categories to decide which areas to develop further. 2024 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Wawa has set an opening date for its newest Alabama store, located on a major thoroughfare in west Mobile. The new gas station and convenience store is at 664 Schillinger Road S., a short distance south of Airport Boulevard. It will be the fourth in southwest Alabama and the second in Mobile. Its grand opening celebration is set for the morning of Thursday, Nov. 21. Doors will open at 8 a.m., with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 8:30 a.m. The first 100 customers will receive free T-shirts; as at other recent store openings, the event will feature a Hoagies for Heroes hoagie-building competition between teams of first responders, benefiting local charities. The Wawa chain has announced plans to expand across the Florida Panhandle and into the Mobile area over the next few years.Courtesy of Wawa Another bonus: As is typical for Wawa, hot coffee (but not the extensive selection of hot and cold coffee-based beverages) will be free for 10 days, through Dec. 1. Prior to 2022, Wawa was primarily an East Coast chain known for good service and food; its made-to-order hoagies in particular had legions of fans. That year, the company announced plans for a major expansion across the Florida Panhandle and coastal Alabama. In August 2024, to tremendous fanfare, it opened its first Alabama store at 18968 Greeno Road in Fairhope. At the end of August, Mobiles first Wawa opened at 7095 Cottage Hill Road and Baldwin Countys second opened at the intersection of Ala. 59 and Baldwin 48 on the south side of Robertsdale. Company officials say Wawa plans to open 7 to 10 stores in the Baldwin and Mobile County markets over the next few years. They say each represents and investment of about $7.5 million and employs around 140 contractors and local partners during construction, and about 35 employees once open. Alabamas livestock farmers are being hit with some tough choices as the states ongoing drought as conditions worsen. Donna Jo Curtis, a farmer in north Alabama, is hoping she will have enough hay to feed her cattle. Normally I dont start feeding hay until between Thanksgiving and Christmas. You usually have enough grass for them to eat and dont have to use the hay until then, she said of her 130 cattle while speaking by phone from a bull sale in Tennessee. Typically, cows can eat grass until later in the fall, and it can become expensive to have to feed them hay early. Thats especially true this year, when the weather conditions also made it harder to cut hay, said Curtis. The drought in Alabama has been getting worse this fall, said Lee Ellenberg, associate state climatologist. Its been kind of a roller coaster of a year. There was record dryness in June and August was the driest August on state record, he said. But in September, there were two tropical systems, Helene and Francine, which brought above average rain. And then as we all know, the spigot cut off, and another extremely dry October. For many areas in the state, itll be the driest on record, said Ellenberg. The dry conditions are exacerbating the risk of forest fires, said Ellenberg. The unusual weather isnt hurting everyone in agriculture. Row crop producers have extra time in the dry weather to prepare for the next harvest. It allows producers plenty of time to get in the field to harvest crops, to maybe lay down any kind of management practices, put those in place to prepare the soil for the upcoming season, said Brianne Minton, program coordinator for Alabama Drought Reach at Auburn University. The latest report from the states drought monitor, which covered the period of October 9 through November 5, showed worsening conditions across Alabama. Several parts of the state in west and north Alabama were upgraded to a level 3 out of 4 drought. Most of the state was in level 1 drought conditions. Curtis, the cattle farmer, said because cattle prices are high, some of the states cattle farmers may decide to sell their businesses because of the drought. If cows dont get good nutrition, their calves will be smaller. She said the creek her cows drink out of is running dry, but she already she put in waterers for her cows in 2016 when there was a bad drought. Thank goodness I did because at least my cattle have good clean drinking water. A public drought reporting tool allows anyone, not just producers, to report drought conditions on their property, said Minton, at Auburn. We highly encourage anybody, not even just producers, we encourage everybody to report drought because it is the best way for their voice to be heard so that they know people are seeing the impacts on their property. Trustee Julie Hinaman speaks critically of the boards handling of several issues during the regular meeting of Cy-Fair ISD school board meeting Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Trustee Todd Lecompte raises questions with trustee Julie Hinamen about nepotism issues with board memberOs spouses getting committee appointments during the regular meeting of Cy-Fair ISD school board meeting Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 in Cypress, TX. Michael Wyke/Contributor Cy-Fair ISD trustees approved a policy mandating that students may only use the bathroom and locker room corresponding with their sex assigned at birth, despite opposition from a lone dissenting trustee at Mondays regular board meeting. The new rule, which is codifying existing practices in the district, according to policy committee chair Todd Lecompte, was intended to clear up confusion surrounding what is and isnt allowed in district restrooms and locker rooms. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Our focus should be on bringing clarity and structure to where it's needed. And I think that ensures that our policies will align with our best practices, and that's going to support our staff and our organization as a whole, Lecompte said at Thursdays board work session. But trustee Julie Hinaman said passing the policy created a false impression about whether there were concerns about what was happening. Hinaman said at Thursdays board work session that when she checked with the districts administration, no complaints about boys using girls bathrooms had been raised. This new facilities policy creates the impression of a policy as needed to address an issue, when in reality, there is not an issue. There have been no concerns or complaints from parents or students expressed to the administration or to the board regarding bathroom usage at our schools, Hinaman said. There are real safety concerns to be addressed, including bullying, vaping, drug use, student behavior and mental health issues for students and staff. If we really care about the safety of our students, these issues should be addressed first. But Lecompte said he had heard concerns in the community and even from teachers on this issue, although he did not provide any specifics. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The policy resembles a Spring Branch ISD bathroom and locker room policy, which was passed in December 2023 and raised controversy among parents and community members, according to multiple reports. And in Katy ISD, which is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for the districts sweeping policy on gender fluidity, a policy also included a clause on using bathrooms and under sex-specific spaces. According to reporting by the Dallas Morning News, Grapevine-Colleyville and Keller ISDs have also passed similar policies. Cy-Fair ISDs new policy stipulates that to the extent permitted by state and federal law, schools will maintain separate restrooms, locker rooms and other similar facilities designated for and used only by persons based on the persons biological sex. Individuals are required to use the facility that corresponds to their biological sex. It also defines biological sex as the sex identified on the persons birth certificate either at or near the time of birth or modified only due to a scrivener or clerical error. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The policy allows accommodations to the rule, which district counsel Marney Sims clarified Thursday is already occurring within Cy-Fair ISD, and most often, on a case-by-case basis, the remedy found between parents, students and their campus administration is allowing the use a single-use restroom. While Lecompte said that codifying the policy wont change anything about the current practices, and Natalie Blasingame and Christine Kalmbach said the policy would enhance student safety, community members brought up concerns about the added confusion this policy could cause. Speaker Jill Center called it a collection of words that scream fear and prejudice, when asking trustees about their plan to enforce the policy at Mondays meeting. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Since it is a facilities policy, would it also apply in non-campus facilities like the Berry Center? How would this be implemented and enforced? Would this be a staff responsibility? How would these individuals be expected to determine assigned sex at birth? Would there be training provided? How would this be implemented with minors? What would enforcement include? Would this be a disciplinary matter, a criminal one? What would the consequences be for violating this policy? Center said. There's so many questions, and there's so few answers. A man suspected of killing a vulnerable Tennessee man by faking a fatal bear attack was arrested in South Carolina, authorities said Monday. Police in Columbia, S.C., arrested Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, Sunday night after a hospital worker recognized him from wanted posters and notified authorities. Authorities started looking for Hamlett after he allegedly called 911 on Oct. 18, identifying himself as Brandon Andrade and claiming he had tumbled off a cliff while fleeing a bear, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office in Tennessee said. The caller said hed been injured and was partly in the water. When cops arrived, they found the body of a man with Andrades ID, but who wasnt Andrade. The dead man was identified as Steven Douglas Lloyd, 34, of Knoxville, according to the sheriffs office. Hamlett had befriended him to lure him into the woods, kill him and steal his identity, authorities charged. He was identified Nov. 4. Lloyd had been a foster child adopted by a great loving family, police said, and suffered from trust issues and a mental health disorder. The family was shocked to learn that their beloved sons life had been taken by someone who Steven trusted, the sheriffs office said. According to authorities, Andrades ID had been stolen and reused numerous times by Hamlett, who was wanted in Alabama for violating parole. The bear story didnt hold up either, since an animal would not have inflicted the blunt force trauma to the head that forensics officials said caused the victims death. Police charged Hamlett with first-degree murder, WATE-TV reported. With News Wire Services 2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. President-elect Donald Trumps choice for defense secretary is still up in the air, but it is a sure bet he will look to reshape the Pentagon and pick a loyalist. During his tumultuous first term, five men held the job as Pentagon chief only to resign, be fired or serve briefly as a stopgap. While he has yet to announce a decision, the names of potential Pentagon chiefs stretch from the well known such as Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee to an array of former administration loyalists, including retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who held national security posts during Trumps first term. See also: Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been floated, but Trump said on social media Saturday that Pompeo would not be joining the new administration. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida had also been mentioned, but hes now been tapped to be Trumps national security adviser. Some decisions may linger for days as candidates jostle for attention and officials wait for the final results from House races, weighing whether Republican lawmakers can be tapped or if others are a safer pick to avoid a new election for an empty congressional seat. The choice is going to tell us a lot about how he will deal with the Pentagon, said Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a retired Marine colonel. He said someone with a deep military background may not be as dramatic of a change as others who may be viewed as stronger Trump loyalists. With a number of top jobs at the State Department, National Security Council and Defense Department up for grabs, Trump is expected to lean toward those who back his desire to end U.S. involvement in any wars, use the military to control the U.S.-Mexico border and take a hard line on Iran. The key test, however, will be loyalty and a willingness to do whatever Trump wants, as he seeks to avoid the pushback he got from the Pentagon the first time around. Trumps relationship with his civilian and military leaders during those years was fraught with tension, confusion and frustration, as they struggled to temper or even simply interpret presidential tweets and pronouncements that blindsided them with abrupt policy decisions they werent prepared to explain or defend. Time after time, senior Pentagon officials both in and out of uniform worked to dissuade, delay or derail Trump, on issues ranging from his early demand to prohibit transgender troops from serving in the military and his announcements that he was pulling troops out of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan to his push to use troops to police the border and stem civil unrest on the streets of Washington. In his first administration, Trump hewed toward what he considered strong military men and defense industry executives. Initially enamored with generals, Trump over time found them to be not loyal enough. He soured on them, Cancian said. They were not as pliable as he had thought. ... Ive heard people speculate that maybe the chairman would be fired. So thats something to watch. Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, took over as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in October 2023 for a four-year term, but military leaders serve at the pleasure of the president. Brown, a combat pilot and just the second Black officer to serve as chairman, spoke out after the police killing of George Floyd, describing the bias he faced in his life and career. Trump also is expected to choose someone as defense secretary with disdain for equity and diversity programs and less likely to counter his plans based on limits laid out in the Constitution and rule of law. But he also may well push for increased defense spending, at least initially, including on U.S. missile defense. A key overriding concern is that Trump will select someone who wont push back against potentially unlawful or dangerous orders or protect the militarys longstanding apolitical status. On Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin raised that red flag. In a message to the force, he said the U.S. military stands ready to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command, adding that troops swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. He echoed retired Army Gen. Mark Milleys pronouncement during a speech as he closed out four years as chairman of the Joint Chiefs. We dont take an oath to a king or a queen or to a tyrant or a dictator. And we dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator, Milley said. We dont take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and were willing to die to protect it. Trumps first defense chief, retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis, learned quickly to stay off his boss radar by largely eliminating press conferences that Trump could see. Mattis and Milley, along with Trumps chief of staff John Kelly, a retired Marine general, and retired Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, who also served as Joint Chiefs chairman, all worked quietly behind the scenes to temper some of Trumps decisions. They stalled his demands that troops be quickly and completely withdrawn from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and managed to prevent the use of active-duty troops to quell civil unrest in Washington. Two years in, Mattis abruptly resigned in December 2018 in frustration over Trumps national security policies, including a perceived disdain for allies and his demands to pull all troops out of Syria. Patrick Shanahan, the deputy defense secretary, took over as acting Pentagon chief but withdrew as the nominee six months later due to personal family problems that were made public. Then-Army Secretary Mark Esper took over in an acting role, but he had to step aside briefly when nominated, so Navy Secretary Richard Spencer served as the acting chief until Esper was confirmed. Esper was fired days after Trump lost the 2020 election, largely because the president did not believe him to be loyal enough. Trump was especially angry over Espers public opposition to invoking the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty troops in the District of Columbia during unrest following the police killing of George Floyd. Trump named Christopher Miller, a retired Army officer who has been director of the National Counterterrorism Center, to serve as acting secretary and surrounded him with staunch loyalists. That is the Pentagon that officials quietly say they expect to see in Trumps new administration. A suspect has been charged in a Birmingham shooting that killed one man and injured another. Andrew Blake Carter, 37, is charged with murder in the Oct. 30 slaying of 38-year-old Melvin Anthony Burkes, according to court records made public Tuesday. He is also charged with attempted murder for the injury to the surviving victim. The shooting happened just after 6 p.m. that Wednesday in the 1700 block of Pearson Avenue S.W. Police received a call of a person shot and arrived to find a man who had sustained a non-life-threatening wound. Officers then found Burkes lying on the sidewalk with critical gunshot injuries. Bystanders provided aid to Burkes until officers took over life-saving measures. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service took both victims to UAB Hospital, where Burkes was pronounced dead at 6:27 p.m. A motive has not been disclosed. Carter was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Friday and remains held without bond. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said he will not attempt to persuade colleague Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. on her pick for Senate majority leader. Shell make a decision on her own, he told radio host Andrew Mclain on a Monday episode of Talk 99.5s The Line. Im not going to try to persuade her. Its not about her; its not about me, its about representing the people. And again, shell have to make that decision. Britt did not immediately respond to requests for comment from AL.com. Tuberville and many other Senate supporters of President-elect Donald Trump have endorsed U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., as their pick over Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex., who are also running. But Britt has decided to hold off on her endorsement until she attends a forum this evening hosted by U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. Senator Britt is looking forward to attending Senator Mike Lees forum on Tuesday evening, where shell question each of the candidates, reads a recent release. Senator Britt wants the next Republican Senate leader to significantly overhaul how the Senate has been operating and make it actually work for the American people. She will be looking for candidates to showcase the ability to successfully advance President Trumps agenda through Congress; a commitment to restore regular order in the appropriations process and end omnibuses; and a plan to empower committees and decentralize power within the chamber. She will ensure Alabama continues to have a strong seat at the table and that our states values, people, and priorities are put first. The vote for majority leader is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13, and the current minority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is not seeking reelection, as AL.com previously reported. This weeks election will use a secret ballot to select the new Senate leader. Its up to her, Tuberville said this week. Im not going to try to persuade her anyway. Because, again, she was elected like I was, and youve got to feel like youre representing your people. Well see what she does. Again, Im not going to speculate, but well just have to wait and see how the vote goes. Because the vote is a secret ballot, but it will get out; it will get out pretty quick. So well see what happens. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said this week that President-elect Donald Trump is expected to move U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville as one of his first moves in office. Trump supported the Air Forces decision to move the headquarters from Colorado Springs, its interim location, to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, near the end of his first term in 2021. But President Joe Biden in 2023 reversed that decision , deciding to retain the headquarters at Colorado. I told everybody then, that Colorado Springs will not be the future location of Space Command, Rogers said Monday on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5. It will be Huntsville, Alabama who won it fair and square. And President Trump said in the campaign that he was going to reverse that decision if elected. And I knew he would because if you remember, not only did Alabama win two nationwide competitions, but President Trumps secretary of the Air Force recommended Huntsville, President Bidens secretary of the Air Force recommended Huntsville, and then Biden took it away for political reasons. Rogers said he is confident that Trump will sign an executive order reversing Bidens decision in his first week in office. And we will start construction next year in Huntsville, he said. Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said there is optimism that Space Command will be relocated to the state. Get ready North Alabama. Just got off the phone with @SenTuberville team, and they are confident @realDonaldTrump will bring Space Command back to its rightful home in Alabama, the lieutenant governor tweeted. Earlier this week, U.S. Rep.-elect Jeff Crank, R-Colo., promised to resist any attempt to move Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville following Trumps election. Obviously, I believe that if its down to military value, (then) Colorado is the place for it to be, Crank said in a report by The Denver Post. Rogers has been mentioned as possibly being on a short list of candidates considered by Trump to serve as secretary of defense. It looks like another tropical depression could form in the western Caribbean Sea in a few days. The National Hurricane Center has raised the chances to high 80 percent that a tropical depression will form by the end of the week. Its in the same general area where Hurricane Rafael got its start last week. Rafael ended up strengthening to a Category 3 hurricane and hitting western Cuba before moving into the Gulf and dissipating over the weekend. The hurricane center said it expects the current system to track slowly to the west in the Caribbean through the end of the week. Then it could meander through the weekend and then start to head slowly to the northwest early next week. Its too soon to say if it could eventually affect the United States. A storm has to have a defined center of circulation and winds of at least 39 mph to be considered a tropical storm and get a name. The next name on the 2024 Atlantic storm list is Sara. There have been 17 named storms and 11 hurricanes in the Atlantic this year. The last day of the Atlantic hurricane season will be Nov. 30. By Albany Herald Readers squawkbox@albanyherald.com squawkbox@albanyherald.com Inept leadership, criminal acts, nepotism, graft and just plain old dysfunctional human behavior is what Albanys majority voting block has gifted us with. Lee County looks awfully tempting. SMRs, dont buy that Trump Bible. The last chapter ends with the disciples storming Jerusalem to overturn the results of the crucifixion. A squawker said and I agree, The recipe for streets full of career criminals is to arrest them and return them with no bail to continue their life of crime. This is why Trump should be in jail now awaiting his four trials versus being allowed to daily victimize this countrys citizens and institutions. Neither the cover story about Food Truck Frenzy nor the article about Empty Bowls in the weekend edition of the Herald indicated when either event occurred. Please tell me this isnt the new journalism. How is this acceptable? IDK why its called the Saturday newspaper; I never get mine until Monday afternoon. I guess the county revised the EMS policy to make sure Heard cant hook up his preacher friend with ambulances at the race track again. Scott Ludwigs column Selling salvation to the true believers, captured perfectly the depth and breadth of Trump derangement. And the sad thing is that his cult is clueless about how far down the rabbit hole they actually are. I was a fan of Taras when she was on the radio and love her pictures and stories in The Herald. But reading of her efforts to quietly help others made me respect her even more. Happy birthday, Tara. Thank you for the good you do. The older I get, the more I come to realize that I dont care what the heck Squawkers think. I dont think the Squawks in Saturdays paper were worth double printing. Somebody dropped the ball. Loved the story about cats. I have 7. I live on a small horse farm and most of my cats were dumped here. All are fixed. I happen to be a cat lover, so all these cats love and trust me. Cats are truly loving creatures, but you have to earn their love and trust. At some point, our city and county commissioners are going to have to do the hard work. You cant just attend meetings, collect a paycheck, and expect to be re-elected. Help recruit businesses. Motivate code enforcement. Encourage APD to be more active and visible. Stop your laziness. Nice column, Fletcher. Anybody who loves good music and writes from his heart cant be all bad. Opinion: If the Bible is not the unique, sovereign holy Gods revelation of Himself and salvation to a lost humanity through Jesus the Christ, then go buy yourself a Trump Bible, cancel your plans for eternity, be happy. If, however, God is and it is, Whoa! Way to go, Tara. We sure need a lot more people like you. Hope you had a happy birthday. Why is Gloria Gaines and the felonious four wasting my tax dollars on a countersuit? Is it to further enrich her Atlanta lawyer friend? I sure miss George Jones, Tom Petty, Warren Zevon and Charlie Daniels. The word 'preposterous' seems like it was created to describe Kamala Harris. Her run in the 2020 Democrat primary was preposterous. Being chosen as Biden's running mate was preposterous. Her tenure as VP with the relentless word salads and the consistent incompetence was preposterous. Her becoming the nominee of the Democrat party despite not having a single primary vote was preposterous. Her campaign for the presidency was preposterous. You may have assumed that the end of her ill-fated campaign would be the end of this absurdity, but you are wrong. Yesterday on one of CNN's Sunday Morning news shows, a Democrat contributor, Jamal Simmons, said that she still has a path to the presidency. For a change, the man wasn't talking about an effort to subvert the historic mandate received by President Trump last week. Joe Biden has been amazing but he should fulfill one last promise -- to be transitional. Biden should resign and make Kamala Harris the first woman president. Itd turn tables on Trump, keep Kamala from presiding over Jan 6 make it easier for next woman to run. https://twitter.com/hashtag/trailblazepodcast?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#trailblazepodcast Jamal Simmons (@JamalSimmons) Instead, Simmons was looking to Joe Biden, whom he called a phenomenal President, to fulfill his promise of being 'a transitional figure.' Simmons was the Communication Director for Vice President Kamala Harris from January 2022 to January 5, 2023. So he does hold some responsibility for the word salads. Simmons suggested that Biden still has a chance to create history and lead the way to the first female president of color. How did he propose this be done? He suggested that Biden resign. He said it would also prevent Kamala from suffering the ignominy of certifying an election where she suffered a humiliating defeat. The idea was so ridiculous that members of the echo chamber i.e. co-panelists and the host of the segment broke into titters. This idea, which was floated in jest on social media, was now being presented on a 'news' program where contributors are supposed to present insight. No wonder the media is losing credibility. WATCH: Harris advisor floats INSANE conspiracy that Joe Biden should resign immediately so that Kamala Harris can spend a few days as our first female president before President Trump takes over. pic.twitter.com/lqyHthXJC3 Kaelan Dorr (@KDORR_USA) November 10, 2024 Simmons claimed the move would relieve the next woman who runs from the historical weight of being the first female president. Simmons also claimed that Kamala being president would disrupt some of Trumps merchandise, which read 45-47 since Trump was the 45th President and will be 47th President. Simmons also claimed that Harris becoming President would make sure that it would dominate the news, at a point where Democrats have to learn drama and transparency and doing things the public will wanna see. So what do we make of this preposterous notion? This once again proves that the Democrats still don't and probably never will understand the needs of citizens. Perhaps they do understand their shortcomings but are never going to concede their failures in public. Instead of accepting that his party supports the wrong policies that led to chaos and instability and that remedial work is essential, Simmons seems to blame the voters, implying that it wasn't the issues but the drama that led to Trump's landslide victory. By being focused on Trump's merchandise, Simmons proved how petty and desperate the Democrats have become. What Simmons doesn't seem to comprehend is that even if Biden were to step aside from the presidency and make Kamala the president for a few weeks, it would be an insult to her. Since the Democrats are obsessed with identity politics, it would also be an insult to her gender and race. It would imply that no woman of color can ever win the Presidency via merit, hence there is no option but to subvert meritocracy. It would also be an insult to the voters who rejected Harris. But then Harris has never earned the important posts she held. Her precipitous rise up the political hierarchy from San Francisco to California and eventually to D.C. in Congress was largely due to her having friends in high places. It must also be remembered that in very liberal California from where Kamala secured electoral victories, Democrats don't have to strive to win, they just need a bit of backing from the establishment. After being Senator for just under four years, Harris rose even higher. Her performance in the 2020 Democrat primary was so poor that she had to quit before the elections began, she couldn't even win her home state. Yet she was chosen as Joe Biden's running mate because her incompetence made Joe look like the brighter one. There wasn't a proper Democrat primary in 2024, top Democrats were 'discouraged' from running. Those such as Robert Kennedy Jr. who declared their candidacies were blocked and sidelined. Biden won 15 million votes. Despite the primary votes Biden was unceremoniously dethroned and Kamala was installed as the nominee. Perhaps Harris may be in agreement with Simmons's preposterous suggestion. If one keeps getting what one doesn't deserve, one assumes it to be the norm. Don't be too surprised if the Democrats rationalize the idea of installing Kamala as President for a few weeks claiming be a slap in the face of the sexists, misogynists, and racists who rejected her at the polls. Once upon a time Simmons's idea could have been ridiculed as an impossibility, but these times are different. We are living in times when a man who is non compos mentis remains President for four years. We are living in times when a woman was installed as a Democrat nominee without earning a single primary vote. A woman who lost the elections by a landslide being installed as President for a few weeks isn't far-fetched anymore. It would be a preposterous culmination of a preposterous presidency and era in America. Image: AT via Magic Studio An assistant principal at Collins Intermediate School in Corsicana, Texas was injured when a student threw desks and a wooden coat hanger at her. She caught the first desk in mid-air and used it to fend off two others thrown by the student. He then threw a coat hanger which hit her in the eye, knocking it out of the socket. She's been left permanently blind in that eye. At last report, the student had not been charged. A teacher in Pines Lakes Elementary School in Florida was beaten and hospitalized by a five-year-old special needs student who pounced on her so that she fell backwards and hit her head, resulting in a concussion. She sustained further injuries when he subsequently jumped on her, kicking, punching, and biting her causing wounds that will require surgery. For what it's worth, while most five-year-olds weigh roughly 40 lbs., this child reportedly weighed 50-60 lbs. (thats a topic for a whole separate article) Another Florida teacher was pummeled by a 17-year-old 6'7", 270 lb. special needs student. She suffered five broken ribs, a concussion, and lasting psychological effects after he knocked her down and then struck her over a dozen more times with punches and kicks. The attack was captured on video and has been viewed more than 10 million times. I believe what he did to her is referred to in the MMA as "ground and pound." The student was upset because the teacher had indicated that his gaming device was a distraction. These attacks are symptomatic of a disturbing pattern of violence against teachers and other students in our K-12 public schools. In two surveys conducted by the American Psychological Association educators were polled both during the pandemic and again when schools reopened. They were asked to describe their encounters with verbal harassment, threats, cyberbullying, and physical violence from students, parents, and guardians and other school personnel. 65% of teachers reported being the victim of threatening behavior or verbal harassment before the pandemic, and then 80% responded being victimized post-COVID 19. 42% responded that they were victims of physical violence before the pandemic and that number increased to 56% when schools reopened. These events have an impact. The COVID lockdowns exacerbated a horrible situation in Americas public schools. Despite ever-increasing amounts of taxpayer dollars being pumped into our public schools, student academic proficiency has been dropping for years. Districts in some states (were looking at you, Chicago and Baltimore!) show no students performing at grade level. Add student misbehavior to the mix and youve got real problems, one being faculty retention. Teachers are leaving the profession in numbers that are raising eyebrows. Washington State had more teachers leave at the end of the last school year than at any time in the last thirty years, and Maryland had more teachers leave than at any time in the last ten. Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina also saw more teachers than usual leaving the profession. High turnover among teachers destabilizes schools and has obvious deleterious effects on students. They lose trusted adults who are often replaced with new teachers or substitutes who may not be as skilled or experienced in the classroom, especially when theyre faced with students who may scream threats at them, flip over the furniture, or assault them. As someone who has spent almost 40 years teaching math and science to students in grades 6-10, I can tell you that one of the best feelings teachers have is when we see a students face light up when he or she suddenly grasps a concept that had been eluding them. Before we teach for the first time, we naively imagine ourselves standing in front of a room full of students who are hanging on our next words. The reality is quite different. Some students may be eager to learn but others are bored while some may be hostile. I dont remember seeing or hearing about this level of hostility of students towards teachers when I began my teaching career in the 1980s. It seemed to rise to the surface in the last ten years or so. Yes, we had Columbine and other horrific events, but not at the rate were seeing now. Wheres it coming from? More than a few places, of course. These include congenital factors such as ADDHD, autism and other special needs, dysfunctional home lives, chemical dependency, and more. Id like to focus on one. Screen time. Kids are spending more time staring into screens than ever before, and when they play video games or engage with their friends on social media they get surge of dopamine, a feel-good chemical. Its a short-term phenomenon and we can become accustomed to it, such that we require greater amounts or more long-term exposure to derive the same degree of satisfaction. In one survey, 30% of teens reported using social media almost constantly while almost half of adolescents between the ages of 11 and 12 reported losing track of how much time they were using their cell phones. While some use of computers, tablets, and cell phones can certainly be educational and otherwise beneficial, there is a point of diminishing marginal returns which then transforms into impairment and even addiction. When the source of stimulation is removed, people can experience depression, anxiety, and hostility. It could be argued that listening to a teacher doesnt provide the same sort of a dopamine high as playing Halo or Fortnite, and we all naturally prefer engaging in activities that are fun rather than those that require effort. Excessive use of electronics for gaming and socializing is certainly not the only reason why students attack their teachers, but it is likely a contributing factor, and its worthwhile for parents to take a few common-sense steps to mitigate the problem. I suggest using the 5W1H Approach, otherwise known as the What Who When Where Why How Template. Parents could work through these five steps in order to get a handle on the situation and begin to implement steps to manage it: What-describe the problem and its conditions Who-identify the individuals involved When-the time/duration including dates, deadlines, etc. Where-the location and processes of the problem Why-reasons for the problem and the needs for addressing it How-the mechanics of how something occurred In conclusion: Kids need to socialize with other kids in their age group. They need to get outside and play. They need to learn how to manage conflicts with others who are older and younger than themselves. They also need to discover the infinite pleasures and benefits that can be found on the printed page. Kids who read for pleasure tend to be better learners. One of the quickest ways to achieve these goals is to limit their daily screen time. Perhaps begin by limiting it to under one hour for children under 12 years of age, and 1 to 2 hours for those between 12 and 18. Parents should also model proper use of technology by not staring into their own electronic devices for hours at a time. When we dialogue with our kids they learn how to carry on conversations and how to handle verbal disagreements. When we show our kids how to cook, clean, perform ordinary household maintenance, and so on we teach them to be more self-sufficient. The successful completion of these small tasks brings a small dopamine rush thats ultimately more beneficial than the one we get from reaching the next level of Fortnite. Image: David Lisbona For years, reforming the Constitution has been a misguided conservative issue. Downplaying the danger of a runaway convention, impatient conservatives have campaigned to ask the states to call a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to consider reforms and amendments that might address their many legitimate concerns. Now, leftists are appearing on the reform horizon, calling for major constitutional changes. One impatient leftist is Prof. Erwin Chemirinsky, dean of the Law School at the University of California, Berkeley. His new book, No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States, goes beyond reform and calls for scrapping the Constitution altogether. He thinks the document has outlived its usefulness. The leftist shift against the American Constitution is surprising. Liberals have long used (and abused) the Constitution to their benefit. They proclaimed it a living document that conveniently changes with the times and liberal demands. By finding pockets of penumbra inside the document, liberal Supreme Court justices have legislated from the bench, striking down traditions and conservative initiatives. Democrats have long accepted the results of the Constitutions Electoral College for decades without problems. Over the years, people have complained about certain parts of the Constitution. Some have tried to amend it. However, few on the Left or Right have ever said it threatens the United States. Chemerinsky does, and goes one woke step further. Changing the narrative drastically, he says the Constitution was flawed from the beginning -- the product of a group of white slaveowners. Its anti-democratic elements cannot be reformed while population and political shifts are making these flaws increasingly worse, contributing greatly to the crisis of American democracy. Thus, the book analyzes these so-called flaws, which have made the Constitution the oft-repeated threat to our democracy. So far, there is nothing original here. The author repeats the standard liberal talking points circulating among those who got the memo. He finds fault with the undemocratic Electoral College, the aristocratic nature of the Senate and its filibuster, the gerrymandering of congressional districts, and the life terms of Supreme Court justices. He also has free speech issues regarding social media, which he claims threaten democracy during elections and generally spread false information. Such abuses need to be reined in despite the First Amendment. Chemerinsky cites court cases, crunches numbers, and consults surveys and polls. However, he insinuates that it is not the mechanisms themselves but what conservatives have done with them that cause so many problems and make them threats to democracy. One senses that the book is not really about the Constitution. Never far from the surface of his narrative are the liberal issues (even climate change!) that make his book a political statement rather than a simple discussion of governing structures. Indeed, the book is an unintended confession of the failure of the Left to win the war on interpreting the Constitution. The author presents a long list of rulings by the current conservative court. He concludes that a shift leftward is unlikely. Thus, the Constitution becomes the scapegoat for the Lefts current inability to work (and win) within its framework. The book suffers from three major defects. The first is the framing of the debate. The author clearly sides with the leftist agenda that must follow its Hegelian dialectic to ever-greater unrestraint. For this reason, the debate is framed in unoriginal class-struggle terms of oppressors versus oppressed. Everything is identity politics. Anyone conservative is unjustly associated with a wealthy, white ruling (formerly slave-owning) class, which does not correspond to reality. This framing gives the book the feel of a whine-fest of lost rights, identity resentment, and power politics. The second defect is the authors failure to admit the lefts diminishing gains in this constitutional war. The radical proposal to scrap the Constitution shows how far the left will go to pursue its goals. It would have been much easier to continue interpreting the document with a leftist squint. Indeed, liberals had no problems using the Constitution to further their agenda in the pre-Reagan era, when everything seemed to go in their favor. However, and perhaps inadvertently, the author relates how conservatives have overwhelmed the left in playing by the rules of the Constitution. The pages tell how conservatives have outwitted and outmaneuvered liberals in all the mentioned fields -- redistricting, filibustering, judge selection, and others. The powerful spotlights of conservative judges have made liberal penumbras disappear. All this is happening despite the Lefts control of major parts of the culture: academia, media, and the liberal corporate establishment. Rather than play by the rules, it is much easier to change the narrative... and the Constitution. So overwhelming are the conservative obstacles that the author demands the discarding of the revered document as a racist relic and starting over with a new constitution. The last defect is the most tragic. Chemerinsky refuses to get to the core of the debate: That Americas grave crisis is not a constitutional but a moral one. For many reasons, the country has become more polarized, he observes, and politics has become much more toxic, which heightens concern over the future of American democracy. The author gets it wrong and does not discuss the causes of this polarization. He avoids delving into the liberal political realignment that took place in the sixties and still divides the nation. Indeed, he insinuates that conservatives are to blame for not going along with this realignment. His solution solidifies this realignment with constitutional mechanisms in a new Constitution. Such technical changes will allow divisive moral issues like identity politics, reproductive rights, and woke policies to triumph, causing yet more polarization. Given the present stalemate between the two sides, Chemerinsky proposes radical solutions that destroy a supposed racist past and impose a liberal future. The old Constitution is too rigid and, therefore, must be scrapped. Nothing is sacred. The time-tested document has become a liability, not a strength. He writes, The world of 1787 is too different from the world of the twenty-first century for us to be governed by a document written so very long ago. The author considers remedial legislation and amending the Constitution as highly unlikely given the power politics involved. Thus, he maps out two alternatives. He joins the impatient conservatives in calling for a Con-Con. He foresees this future assembly breaking the Constitutions rules, as the original assembly did with the Articles of Confederation in 1787. The result should be something postmodern, easily amendable, and more fluid. Conservative Con-Con promoters, beware: The Left has designs for a future convention! So strongly does he feel about the need for change that he reluctantly admits the second option -- the tragic possibility of many types of secession for those who cannot follow the program. He sees the issues that divide America to be so unresolvable, that a divorce may be the only way out. Thus, No Democracy Lasts Forever should be seen for what it is: an abrupt quantitative leap to impose a liberal and woke future. It leaves unsettled the real questions that divide the nation. It excludes perennial God-given legal principles and laws that do last forever and need to be part of a constitutional order. John Horvat II is vice president of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property and the author of Return to Order. Image: W.W. Norton Splendora High School is seen, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Splendora. After a 28-year career in public education, Splendora ISD superintendent Jeff Burke announced he would retire from his role at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer After a 28-year career in public education, Splendora ISD superintendent Jeff Burke announced he would retire from his role at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Provided by Splendora ISD After a 28-year career in public education, Splendora ISD superintendent Jeff Burke announced he would retire from his role at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Serving in the district northeast of Houston for eight years as superintendent, Burke's tenure includes several achievements, including expanding the Career and Technical Education programs, successfully passing a $201 million bond in 2022 and enhancing community involvement in key district decisions, according to a release by the district. MORE ON EDUCATION: At Mykawa Farm, Houston ISD students strengthen their relationship with food Advertisement Article continues below this ad Board President Allen Wells called Burke's retirement "well-deserved, and we are happy for him and his family a as they embark on this new chapter while remaining a cherished part of the Splendora family. "Dr. Burkes integrity, humility, and vision have led Splendora ISD through significant growth and change," Wells said in a written statement. "Under his leadership, our district has achieved a remarkable level of stability that has positively impacted students, families, teachers, and staff. Though saddened by his decision, we are deeply grateful for his dedicated service and commitment to our community." Between November to January, the district will begin to search for candidates with the hope to select a new superintendent by late winter or early spring, the release states. Timeline for hiring new superintendent The district has plans to interview search firms at a special meeting on Nov. 14 to support the superintendent search. By Nov. 18, the board will select a search firm during its regular meeting. Once a search firm is selected, the superintendent job will be posted, inviting internal and external candidates to apply. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Throughout the process, the district will conduct information-gathering sessions for staff, families and community members, inviting input on the qualities and experience that are most important for the next superintendent. In January, the interview process for the superintendent candidates will begin. "We recognize and value the dedication of our staff, teachers, and administrators who bring Splendora ISDs mission to life every day. In selecting our next superintendent, we plan to include all stakeholders staff, families, and community members through surveys, focus groups, and open forums," Wells said. "This transparent process reflects our commitment to stability, progress, and the continued success of Splendora ISD." 'Honor of my career' Burke called serving the district has "been the honor of my career." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Like clockwork, The Atlantic magazine rolled out an article by Phillips Payson OBrien, adding to the chorus of voices in Europe saying that if President Trump does not want to pursue the war in Ukraine, then Europe ought to take up the slack. He concludes his article by stating, [T]he greatest obstacle is a mental one. After decades of expecting the United States to act wisely and forcefully in defense of the broader democratic world, Europe needs to start thinking and acting on its own and in its own interests. Trumps return means that things previously inconceivable must be faced. And in Ukraine, a new Europe can be born. As tempting as that offer may seem to some, I see some obstacles impeding its execution. OBrien does not seem to have paid much attention to the European leaders who will provide the military guidance under sole European backing. Foremost amongst these leaders is Jens Stoltenberg, a Norwegian politician who served as the secretary general of NATO from 2014 to 2024. In remarks made in June 2023, Jens said this: Yes, there is a hot war going on in Europe but NATO has to address climate change because NATO cannot remain a fossil fuel Alliance in the age of renewables. [snip] First, we need to mitigate, we need to reduce emissions because if you look at battle tanks, warships, the big bombers, there are many things but they are not very climate friendly. They consume a lot of fossil fuels, and they need a lot. So, if we are going to reach global net zero, we need also to reduce the quite substantial emissions from military activities. Now that statement alone should be enough to disqualify him from serving as the secretary general of NATO, but apparently it pleased his peers in European member nations, and he continued to serve out his term. If climate friendly tanks are their focus, then Houston, we have a problem. In my estimation, they are not a serious bunch of people and have no business inserting themselves into a military contest with a nuclear power. In addition, there is the issue of EU war aims. Last week, I commented on European leaders at the Political Community summit reaffirming their stance that the EU must stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. That statement begs the question, as long as it takes to do what? Push Russia out of every inch of territory that it now holds in Ukraine, including Crimea? I dont see that as a realistic outcome. In the fighting so far, Russia has proven to be a formidable adversary. Putin has placed the Russian economy on a war footing and is prepared to fight a protracted war of attrition. OBrien suggests that Europe should up the ante by providing Ukraine with weapons to strike deep inside Russia. How long after that move will it be before Russia starts sending missiles into the heart of central Europe? There has been enough recklessness in our relations with Russia over the past decade, starting with the Maidan coup that was engineered by Victoria Nuland. It is time for sane people to bring this war to a negotiated end. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Of all the institutions that have failed us in past years, none has been worse than the media. I am specifically referring to the news organizations and not those who clearly identify themselves as opinion journalism. I have no issue with a Morning Joe, Rachel Maddow, Sean Hannity, or Laura Ingraham who are at least honestly bringing their points of view to their programming. I am, however, faulting the traditional news stations (ABC, CBS, NBC) and folks like Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer who pretend to be objective. These organizations are guilty of acts of omission as well as commission. Go back to Covid and the lack of curiosity about the origins of the disease. They just blindly followed wherever Anthony Fauci led them. There was sparse reporting of the Great Barrington declaration where a significant number of respected scientists proposed a different perspective on how Covid should be handled. The media took their marching orders from Fauci and barely acknowledged a legitimate dissent that turned out to be correct. Fast forward to the obvious cognitive decline of President Biden. This was fairly evident even during the 2020 election but became more obvious during his term. Where was the investigation and reporting? Instead, the media basically covered up for him until it became undeniable to the entire population after the debate this past June. Had the media done its job, it is likely that Democrats would have insisted on a proper primary where multiple candidates would have been vetted. Kamala Harris would not have been the choice of Democrat primary voters. Harris would have had to better delineate her positions and her rationale for changing so many of them. Even Tim Walz didn't get properly vetted by the press. They jumped all over J.D. Vance's old comment about cat ladies but didn't pursue many of Walz's radical positions and clear falsehoods regarding his resume. There are many more examples, but I will just add one more. The total lack of reporting and curiosity about what was really going on at the southern border was beyond the pale. The flow of 10 to 20 million illegal immigrants was barely reported for three years until, again, the ramifications were becoming evident to too many people. Where were the nightly photos of immigrants from some very dangerous places flooding over the Rio Grande? If you looked at a few conservative outlets you were aware of it. If you only looked at the traditional media, you weren't. They just reported the obvious misinformation coming from the administration that the border was secure. We should demand better from the press. They can't understand why the public holds them in such low esteem but they have earned the current lack of trust. I will end on a bright note. It was refreshing to see Jeff Bezos, who is a hardcore Democrat, acknowledge in a Washington Post op-ed that the media bias is real and they have to do a better job. The employees who left to protest that the Post didn't endorse Harris probably did the paper a big favor as maybe they can get sanity where it doesn't exist in their newsroom. Had they done a better job in their news pages of reporting all the news and not coloring so many stories in one direction, they would have earned the credibility to make a political endorsement. Image: Pixabay President Trump has named a stellar array of cabinet and White House picks -- Tom Homan, Lee Zeldin, Mike Waltz, Stephen Miller, Susie Wiles among them, and one of the apparent latest is Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida to lead the State Department. Yes, it's still in the leak stage, so it might not happen, but if it does, that could be a beautiful thing. According to the New York Times: President-elect Donald J. Trump is expected to name Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as his secretary of state, three people familiar with his thinking said on Monday, as Mr. Trump moves rapidly to fill out his foreign policy and national security team. Mr. Trump could still change his mind at the last minute, the people said, but appeared to have settled on Mr. Rubio, whom he also considered when choosing his running mate this year. Mr. Rubio was elected to the Senate in 2010, and has staked out a position as a foreign policy hawk, taking hard lines on China, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba in particular. It would be a fitting assignment, given Rubio's unwavering alliance to Trump over the last several years, and his foreign policy expertise, particularly on Latin America. The Times focuses on Rubio's stances on Russia and China, which have moved from a neocon orientation to Trump-like one -- he talks of China's unfair trade advantages and supports a negotiated solution for Ukraine, given the bloodshed going on otherwise. But it's Rubio's Latin American orientation that's really cool. Since when have we ever had a Secretary of State who genuinely understood, cared about, talked about, and acted on Latin America? The cartels and the border problems are there, Putin has a wonderful pawn in Caracas to set up his mischief against us, Mexico City and Havana have become Russian spy bases, and Nicaragua is actually profiting off Joe Biden's open borders. Now Mexico has elected a far-left shrew as president, undoubtedly to enable Mexico to do even more mischief to us, such as meddling in our elections and ushering in more caravans. Yet Latin America gets no attention, even as radical leftwingers get elected there and migrants surge, while true libertarian reformers, like Javier Milei of Argentina get ignored. Condi Rice came closest, but of necessity and interest put more time into other areas -- she once joked that upon returning from Miami, she felt as though she was returning from a foreign country. But for Cuban-American Rubio, that's home, and Miami Cubans have loved the guy for years -- they are delighted to see his name put forward, knowing full well that it gives the Castro oligarchs and all its nasty communist pawns around the hemisphere the willies. And Rubio does know his stuff about the region. I remember when Rubio was just getting his start in politics, and although he is a native Spanish speaker, he actually didn't know all that much about the region. But unlike Kamala Harris, he got to work as a quick study on the matter, acquiring heavy knowledge of the region in a fairly short time. He put in the hours, he did his homework, he made eloquent statements, he put out investigative papers. Rubio has since been a thorn in the side of every dirty dictatorship south of our border for years. In 2017, one of them even tried to kill him. The Times notes that he's an advocate of sanctions for bad guys, which is O.K., given that they don't like them, but nevertheless, not great for dislodging them from power. What he could do as Secretary of State is seek to separate Russia, China and Hezb'allah from their parasite-like relationship with countries like Venezuela and Cuba, and find ways to diminish China's economic influence in Latin America, which is worrying. He could also muscle Mexico to take care of the cartels or we will -- something Mexicans, and Mexican-American voters, and everyone else will thank him for. Latin America has been neglected for a long time and fixing these problems will solve a lot of problems here. America First, after all. In short, putting Rubio in at State is bound to put Latin America front and center on the agenda at least some of the time. The place won't be ignored the way the Bidenites and most other presidencies have ignored it. This might even signal a latent plan to get rid of these dirty dictatorships once and for all. Anyone want to think all those Latino voters who gave their vote to Trump might just be pretty pleased at this news? Just as markets are anticipatory, it's possible voters are, too. Now, I know there are some concerns about him -- is he too neocon for the Trump movement, is he too close to Jeb Bush (who has applauded the choice, too)? I would argue 'no,' I think those fears are overblown, because Rubio has shown strong public loyalty to Trump and the MAGA movement. He hasn't done anything fake or sneaky or swampy that I am aware of. The thing that leaps out to me about this is that Trump has been able to work with neocons on important things in the past. A few days ago, I wrote about how in late 2018 Trump put out the order to the CIA to throw Venezuela's Maduro dictatorship out of power. That took me aback as it did many others. The change agent was then-National Security Advisor John Bolton, a neocon who left the Trump administration acrimoniously, but who tried to bull the ultimately unsuccessful project through. According to Wired magazine After that UN meeting, 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. It failed, not because Maduro was impossible to dislodge, but because the CIA and Pentagon needed for the job were so resistant and incompetent. With Trump hosing out those agencies now, trying to make them competent for a change, it might mean that Trump still has his plan in mind and Rubio might be the perfect guy, with the Bolton mindset, but not the Bolton treachery, to execute it. You know that that's what the Marxist dictatorships are thinking. If Rubio does accept the position, he is going to need top talent Secret Service protection, for sure. Politically, Rubio is very sharp on a lot of fronts and would understand this -- recall that he was the first to expose FEMA's money spigot to illegal aliens, leaving the agency's capacity to help hurricane survivors diminished. He was on that last June, well before Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina. He's done a lot of stuff like this. He would probably be able to handle the conniving deep-state snakes at State as well. And he's been a stellar defender of Trump at times when it was unpopular, too. I would not be surprised if Trump gave him the post of Secretary of State, given his demonstrated competence and the good he could do. If so, that's bad news for dictatorships plaguing our hemisphere, and good news for us. Image: Gage Skidmore, via Wikipedia // CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed Recently, President Trump announced that Susie Wiles will be his White House Chief of Staff for his second term. In a statement, President Trump said that Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history and is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Wiles began her career working for Ronald Reagans immensely successful 1980 election campaign. Wiles enabled success for Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis in their successful gubernatorial races. DeSantis described Wiles as the best in the business. Wiles played key parts in Trumps presidential and primary campaigns since 2016. But when the mainstream media covered Wiless appointment, they were focused on, you guessed right, her biological sex. The mainstream media is the PR wing of the Democrats. The Democrats have, over the decades, placed increasing importance on identity politics. For almost every appointment, media operatives declared the candidate the first [insert minority group] to fill [insert the position]. They frequently announce the demographic group from which the candidate will belong to even before the individual is selected. What is surprising and disappointing is that even the right-leaning media were focused on Wiless sex. The American Spectator mentioned Wiless sex in the second sentence of their column. Breitbart mentioned Wiless sex in their headline, as did Fox News and the NY Post. When Trump appoints Vivek Ramaswamy and Kash Patel to key posts, the focus will be on their skin color and the fact that they are the first Indian Americans to hold their respective posts. If Richard Grennell is made Secretary of State, the focus will be on his sexual orientation. The right-leaning media in the UK did better reacting to Kemi Badenoch being elected as leader of the Conservative party. The mainstream news media in the UK and the US, remained focused on the fact that Badenoch is the first black woman to lead a major UK party. The right-leaning media in the UK such as The Sun, GB News, The Spectator, The Daily Telegraph, etc. mentioned the news, but didnt focus on Badenochs race or gender. So what does one make of this? The left won this identity politics battle by infiltrating organizations of consequence, attaching virtue to their agenda, and making changes in small increments. Their tentacles penetrate both the public and private section and even armed forces. They almost run the education system, and basically all of showbiz. Consequently their ideas have become mainstream and are accepted as axiomatic guidelines. Governmental organizations and corporate houses boast about DEI and have departments to ensure the DEI guidelines are followed. Most organizations comply with DEI requirements out of fear of being hounded, sued, or branded bigots. The left isnt in the majority and their ideas such as DEI are deeply unpopular, but they do have control over the loudspeakers. Leftwing organizations are adept at building perception. They hold demonstrations with paid thugs, write op-eds in important newspapers, hire PR Firms who have bogus trends on social media, and also engage in shouting matches on TV. This cacophony is conflated as the voice of the majority and soon challengers capitulate. The Democrats have long-been the party of oppressing and abusing minorities, yet they have successfully pushed the perception that they stand with these communities. The Democrats have also successfully pushed this narrative that Republicans, particularly the MAGA movement, are driven by bigotry. Hillary Clintons notorious basket of deplorables attack on Trump supporters, where she branded them racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic, etc. was part of a concerted effort at narrative-building. These allegations of bigotry no longer have the impact that they once used to. But the fact that the bumbling word salad chef with no accomplishments received 71,816,262 votes proves that the lefts brainwashing efforts have had success. For decent people, being branded a bigot causes anger, offense, pain, and disgust. It also places them on the defensive, i.e. they unknowingly find themselves in a position in which they are guilty until proven innocent. This is what is happening to the right. In their effort to disprove allegations of bigotry, the right has accepted the lefts premise and implied its guilt. We often hear the following from Republicans. Trump is not sexist, he appointed the first female as White House chief of staff. Trump is not racist, his close aides are Kash Patel, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ben Carson, Tim Scott, etc. Trump is not a homophobe, he appointed Richard Grennell as Acting Director of National Intelligence. How does the left react? They brand it an act of empty tokenism. They engage in whataboutism about Trumps inappropriate remarks and actions toward minorities, people of color, women, and LGBT+ people. It is simply impossible to win a reasoned argument with irrational haters and indoctrinated ideologues. So how does one resolve this? Firstly, the right must free itself from the shackles of the lefts narratives and declare open war on identity politics. They must state that DEI is a euphemism for a quota system, which is both discriminatory and unconstitutional. They must highlight that DEI ranks perceived victimhood higher than achievement, experience, or talent. They must talk about DEI destroying spirits because it punishes achievers for no fault of their own, and places importance on DNA-driven attributes, also known as immutable characteristics, such as sex, race, skin color, etc., which exist by virtue of biology alone. They must state that DEI is the bigotry of low expectations, assuming that people from minority groups are incapable of rising up on their own and hence need handouts. They must declare they believe in talent, record, accomplishments, and efforts, and that they identify individuals not demographic groups. In the future, there should be little or no focus on any appointees demographic group, but rather on accomplishments and record. The right must lead a movement to end these abhorrent identity politics metrics. This can only be achieved by rejecting every aspect of the idea. The new leader of the British Conservative part, Kemi Badenoch, stated it aptly as she echoed Martin Luther King's famous content of character quote: [I]t doesnt matter who you are, what you look like . . . its about what the offer is . . . the best thing will be when the color of your skin is no more remarkable than the color of your eyes. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Most Republican voters strongly suspected that the last election for Trump was stolen. This time, Republicans who voted appear to have gotten all their friends to vote, to make up for that theft. We also voted to end the utter moral, economic, and ethical destruction of our culture since then. Red is the color of the map where people have had more than enough. This winning Trifecta is conservatives way of telling the Dems to get out of our lives and schools and childrens bodies. This is us telling Dems that it is they who are garbage and deplorable. How dare they? Look, Trump is not someone Id invite to tea, but he is the man Id invite to save my country. Apparently, millions of others agreed. Donald did the hard work, unlike Kamala, who was revealed to be the laziest politician on the planet, not just in campaigning, but in the job she allegedly held: Vice President. The Border Czar did nothing of value. She said nothing of value. And then, knowing and even acknowledging that people were suffering, had the colossal chutzpah to say that nothing comes to mind when asked what she would change about Bidens policies. She is a mental cypher against Trumps sizable ever-perking brain. And now hes got Elon Musk and J.D. Vance, two more powerhouse people on our side. Things will get done, and they will be far better than under Democrats. Trump set out to do the impossible: woo traditionally Democrat voters to vote for him. And he succeeded. Jews, blacks, Hispanics, women, and young people all voted for Trump in huge numbers, far more than in the past. Even some Muslim areas voted for him, as did the Amish. A sweep. He did the impossible he created a red wave of MAGA that was a record-setter. Republicans now hold the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. And while all this good news is happening, Democrats are totally flummoxed because Americans are not feeling their alleged improved economy. Maybe that is because we garbage people are not smart enough or educated enough to know when our food bills decrease. Our food bills have not improved. Nor has insurance, gas, housing, energy, or crime. But its our fault because, Democrats say, we are not educated enough to know how good we have it. Just so. I am relieved that Americans of all colors and religions and persuasions have finally seen what has been hidden from them: that the Democrat party cannot be gotten along with because of their outrageous behavior and their untenable politics. We have awakened and were pissed. This election result is our scream for sanity, comity, and safety. This election is our pushback for being pushed around by the Left for the last four years. This election said NO to the legacy media, to the Department of Education, to the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, trans in the military, drag queen story hours, the persecution of Christians, the persecution and censorship of conservatives. This election is a fat NO to gross immorality and to vaccines that made us sick or killed us. NO to naked public parades of sadomasochism devotees. Its a NO to profligate spending, to printing money, to open borders, to handing illegals money and health care. Its a NO to racist hiring and firing practices aimed at white people and Asians. Its a NO to being told we are Nazis and fascists. Its a NO to anti-Israel violence in OUR streets. Its a NO to being thrown in jail for misgendering, for failing to use the right pronoun, for insisting that we participate in the gender delusions of others. Its a NO to DEI, Kendi, and all the other racists who peddle hate. Its a NO to men in womens sports, no to abortion-to-birth. Its a NO to lawfare, lawlessness, and abuse of the law. Its a NO to wars, energy dependence, and the coddling of Islamic extremists. Its a NO to performing sex surgeries on our children without parental permission. NO, NO, NO to liberalism, socialism, communism, and stupidity in office. Trumps trifecta is going beyond our ballots. Its going to our very souls. It is going to the core of America as founded. The Lord saved Trump for such a time as this. We prayed hard and God heard us and gave us a man who will honor what is right and good. He is not a Messiah, not a King. But he is our man for our time. Thanks be to God and the American people, who finally woke up in numbers too big to cheat away. Image generated by AI. Its not surprising that many crying Kamala voters are threatening to relocate -- weve heard it all before from the whiners. What is surprising is where they want to move to. Per a Storage Units survey of 1837 of the misguided Harris voters, over 50% say they want to move. Ten percent are even seriously considering it, and 90% of them prefer another country. Top choices are Canada, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. Those with the sense to stay stateside, are keen on California, New York, and Colorado. For those wanting to emigrate: please get a move on. Dont let the TSA security turnstile hit your Dem derriere on the way out. Our economy needs skilled workers, but many of the progressives who constitute the disaffected Harris contingent likely burrow into unproductive government jobs, or become social workers aiding and abetting illegal aliens. They wont be missed all that much; heck, our economic productivity may even increase in their absence. After all, we now have a builder president, and many of his supporters are equally constructive on America. As for their preferred destinations, Canada and the United Kingdom make some sense -- from a leftist viewpoint, that is. Both countries rank reasonably highly on various ranking metrics. For what its worth, both score reasonably well in the United Nations Human Development Index, which purports to measure achievements in health, education and standard of living. As for Mexico -- forget about it, they rank a lowly 77th. With proper governance, Mexico could be a lovely place to relax, but it doesnt seem a favorable location for snowflakes to seek refuge. Even though it is a popular destination for North Americans to live abroad, the U.S. State Department recently issued a travel warning, largely due to violent crime. That doesnt seem like a conducive safe haven for sniffling softies. As for the disgruntled Kamala voters who plan to move within the States, one of the more reputable ranking systems suggest their choices are skew-whiff. U.S. News and World Reports Best States Rankings places California at 37th, New York at 23rd, and Colorado at 16th. What a bunch of leftist idiots! Liberal states ranking well above their preferred destinations include Minnesota (4th), Vermont (7th), Washington (8th), and Massachusetts (10th). Moreover, despite Governor Gavin Newsoms defiance, California is starting to come around to common sense as the residents repudiate uber-liberal policies. New York is a sanctuary mess, but even wayward Governor Kathy Hochul is capable of cordiality when self-interest is at stake. That cant please the stubborn Harris supporters -- is it really worth uprooting to relocate to such a dysfunctional place? Colorado makes a bit more sense for the lost souls; after all, its officials are very undemocratic, having tried to remove the eventual 47th president from their ballots. Denver welcomes more illegal aliens, per capita, than any other city in the entire country. And we know about the gangs rampaging around Aurora. The plight of urban parts of Colorado conjures memories of the movie A Clockwork Orange. Perhaps the demented Dems do belong there if they dont consent to be governed by sagacious conservatives. In her concession-cum-resistance speech, Kamala encouraged her supporters to fight on. From Mexico, New York, and California? Bring it on! Image: AT via Magic Studio Apple is reportedly planning to foray into the smart home products market in the coming years. The company is already said to be working on a smart tabletop device with an iPad under the base. Now, Apple is allegedly working on a smart home camera device, which will launch in the coming years. Apples first smart home camera will go into mass production in 2026 According to the industry insider Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to launch a smart home camera product in the coming years. The analyst claims that the companys first smart home camera will go into mass production in 2026. So theres a possibility that the device will launch by the end of 2026 or at some point in 2027. In a post on Medium, the analyst mentioned that the smart home camera is designed to integrate seamlessly with other Apple products via wireless connectivity. The camera might also feature deep integration with Apple Intelligence and Siri. This strategic move demonstrates Apples continued exploration of growth opportunities in the home market, Kuo commented. Apple is targeting to sell tens of millions of these devices initially Furthermore, Kuo claims that Apple has a long-term goal of selling more than 10 million smart home camera devices initially. Notably, the device will increase the global smart home IP camera market significantly with its features. Currently, the global smart home IP camera shipments are around 30-40 million units per year. He also added that the Chinese tech firm GoerTek will be the exclusive assembly supply for the smart home camera device. Notably, in the same post, Kuo also said that Apple is also planning to launch updated AirPods with more health management features. They will have more health-focussed features similar to the Apple Watch. Goertek will also serve as a supplier for a 2026 AirPods model. As of now, we dont have many details about the upcoming AirPods, but we hope the rumor mill will spill more information soon. Apple will not introduce a smart ring, Oura CEO Tom Hale told CNBC on Tuesday, pushing back against rumors suggesting Apples interest in the burgeoning wearables category. Speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Hale expressed doubts that Apple would launch a smart ring product, despite the buzz generated by Samsungs release earlier this year. The wearable market, including devices like the Oura Ring, has seen growth, with Samsungs product intensifying speculation around Apples involvement. Apple eyes wearable market, but watches remain its focus Hale explained that while Apple has maintained a focus on health monitoring with its popular Apple Watch, the company does not seem interested in a smart ring device that might compete with or undercut the Apple Watch. I think they [Apple] are unconvinced about the value of having a ring and a watch together, Hale told CNBC, adding that Apples approach may differ from other companies in the wearable space. Apple has emphasized health-tracking features in recent years, creating an ecosystem around the Apple Watch, which remains a leading product for the company. According to Hale, the iPhone makers commitment to its watch platform makes a shift to a ring less likely. Smart rings have gained popularity for tracking health metrics like sleep, heart rate, and activity, areas where Oura has established itself since 2013. These devices offer an alternative to smartwatches, especially for wearers looking for something lightweight with extended battery life that doesnt require frequent charging or removal. In contrast, smartwatches can be bulkier and less comfortable for all-day wear. The recent release of Samsungs smart ring has led industry analysts to speculate that Apple could enter the ring market as early as 2026. Hale, however, remains skeptical, saying, Theyre probably keeping a close eye on Samsung and a close eye on us, but its hard to do this product category right. Ouras Expansion Amid Speculation Amid the growing interest in health-tracking wearables, Oura recently launched its Oura Ring 4, further establishing itself in the smart ring sector. Hale sees Ouras progress as distinct from Apples focus, noting, Apple is very much a focused company. Theyre like: Weve put our bet on the watch. Were gonna make the watch our platform. Hales insights add context to Apples cautious approach, which may prioritize its existing health-focused devices over expanding into rings. Google has confirmed that the Quick Share feature works on ARM-based Windows PCs. The Android OS developer hasnt updated the Quick Share installer yet. But, Windows PCs running on ARM processors could get the feature before 2024 ends. Google updates Quick Share FAQ confirming the features extended compatibility Google has been steadily extending the compatibility of Quick Share. Formerly known as Nearby Share, Google merged the features development with Samsung Quick Share and adopted the latters name. Last year, Quick Share made its way to Windows PCs. Specifically speaking, the x86 PCs running on Intel and AMD CPUs, currently support the feature. Recent reports have suggested Google may offer Quick Share to iPhones and MacBooks. In other words, Quick Share may start working on iOS and macOS. While the future of Quick Share for iOS and macOS remains uncertain, Google has confirmed that the feature works on Windows PCs that are powered by ARM processors. Incidentally, Mishaal Rahman recently discovered a workaround that allowed ARM PCs to install Quick Share. However, the feature still needed an x86 CPU to work. Moving forward, Quick Share will work on Windows PCs with ARM processors, Google has confirmed in the FAQ for the feature: What Windows computers are compatible with Quick Share? Windows computers (i.e. desktops and laptops) running a 64-bit version of Windows 10 and up (or Windows 11 and up for ARM-based devices). When will ARM-based Windows PCs get the Quick Share feature? Google may have confirmed that Quick Share works on ARM PCs running Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, according to Android Authority, the company hasnt updated the Quick Share installer. ARM-based Windows PCs arent mainstream or commonplace yet. However, the appeal of ARM CPUs is quite big to ignore. Compared to x86 CPUs, the ARM chipsets are quite power efficient. This usually translates to longer battery life for laptops. Processors like the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, designed to run Windows 11, have powerful CPU cores, which are paired with several performance and efficiency cores. Early tests have indicated respectable desktop-grade performance and promising power efficiency. A key executive from Google News, Shailesh Prakash, has stepped down. Prakash, who served as vice president and general manager of Google News, resigned in the wake of escalating concerns over Googles relationship with news publishers. The Wall Street Journal reported the resignation, citing unnamed sources. Prakash joined Google News in 2022 after spending 11 years at The Washington Post, where he played a pivotal role as chief product and technology officer. During his tenure there, he helped spearhead the newspapers transition to digital, working closely with Amazons Jeff Bezos following the acquisition of the publication. Google News leader resigns amid tensions with publishers The resignation comes as Google faces criticism from publishers who argue that the tech giants business model undermines their revenue. Many publishers rely on Google for traffic and ad sales, but recent moves by Google, including its AI-driven AI Overviews feature, have raised concerns. The tool summarizes search results, potentially reducing the visibility of publisher links and diverting traffic from news websites. News Media Alliance, representing over 2,200 publishers, criticized the feature, calling it catastrophic to our traffic. Prakashs departure comes as regulators and lawmakers increase scrutiny of Google. They argue that Googles dominance in digital advertising harms competition and hurts news publishers. In August, a federal judge ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly over online search. This decision could bring major structural changes to the company. The Department of Justice also filed an antitrust case against Google, alleging unfair monopolization of the digital ad market to the detriment of publishers. Industry calls for reforms as Google News leader resigns Critics claim Google uses publishers content to boost its AI capabilities without fair compensation. The company also faces international pressure, especially from Canada. Canadas Online News Act requires Google to pay publishers for displaying their content on its platform. Moreover, the tech giants influence on regulators, both domestic and abroad, has further fueled calls for reform. Houston ISD Harvard Elementary School, which is located in the Greater Heights area in the northwest portion of the Inner Loop, is the oldest elementary school in Houston, having opened its doors in 1898 Elliott Lapin / staff photo A GoFundMe for Harvard Elementary School principal Shelby Calabrese raised more than $6,000 Tuesday morning following Houston ISD's announcement that the district was recommending her for termination. The principal was put on administrative leave Oct. 7 pending investigation. The district switched out Harvard's leadership team per a Thursday announcement, including the reassignment of assistant principal Alejandra Perez and magnet coordinator Daisha Huntley. The GoFundMe organized by Susan Sessions aims to cover Calabrese's living expenses and provide a financial cushion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Recently, our community was blindsided by the unexpected news that Dr. C has been terminated from her position," Sessions wrote. "This sudden and unforeseen change has left her in a difficult situation, and I am reaching out to ask for your help." Calabrese thanked the community for a GoFundMe in an Instagram story statement with a photo of her children. "Full transparency y'all, I just laid there next to my babies with tears streaming down my face, my heart is full of gratitude," Calabrese said of her reaction to seeing the GoFundMe. "To receive this financial support and be able to survive the next couple months while I find a new job is something I am forever grateful for." PRINCIPAL TRACKER: Schools with leadership turnover since Mike Miles became superintendent Calabrese also wrote that "this is a foreign place for me" as she has had a job, sometimes two at a time, since she was 15. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the Thursday letter to families, Central Division Superintendent Luz Martinez wrote HISD leadership "believes this change is in the fundamental best interest of Harvard Elementary students and your school community." "Dr. Calabrese has been recommended for termination, and the details of why will not be disclosed as this information is protected by law," Martinez wrote. Harvard Elementary's parent-teacher association wrote Tuesday in an open letter that the school's executive director, Wendy Craft, has been switched out. "With Ms. Crafts reassignment, our Harvard administrators will now work with their 6th Executive Director since June 2023," the organization's advocacy chairs Cathryn Estes and Claire Wrigley wrote. "We understand that the Executive Director position is critical to help support principals in their schools achievement. Lack of consistency makes meaningful improvements challenging to achieve." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The organization also welcomed the school's new principal, Sharon Pe Benito, and assistant principal, Molly Lashway. Google started using its own custom chips in the Pixel line-up of devices when it launched the Pixel 6 series. The Tensor series of chipsets have seen their ups and downs since Google started using them. However, the Pixel owners arent quite satisfied by the performance of the Tensor chipsets on their Pixels. One of the biggest complaints of Pixel owners with their devices is the battery life. However, Google will address all of these complaints with the upcoming Tensor G6 processor. Google will reportedly fix all the biggest complaints of Pixel owners using the upcoming chipset Google is currently working on the Tensor G5 and Tensor G6 custom chips, which will power the Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 series phones, respectively. A report by Android Authority suggests that the Tensor G6 chipset could be a downgrade. However, it will fix all the biggest complaints of Pixel owners using this chip. A number of issues have plagued the Pixel phones. These allegedly include overheating, poor battery life, etc. However, the next-gen chipsets will take care of things like these. The source has obtained major documents from Googles gChips division. They have viewed these documents, which describe the specs as well as the motivation behind the design of the upcoming Tensor G6 chip. Tensor G6 chip will focus on reducing the price, apart from making it run cooler and more efficiently Furthermore, the report suggests that Googles Tensor G6 will focus on reducing the price of the chip. Googles previous Tensor-based Pixel programs have not met its financial targets. Googles target with the Tensor G6 is to reduce the SoCs price by nearly $65 to make the business viable. While the new chip will be a downgrade, it will be run much cooler and more efficiently. This means that there will be fewer issues on the Pixel phones like overheating and poor battery life. Even the most recent Pixel 9 series of phones are also plagued by these problems. The Tensor G6 will allegedly deliver improvements in power efficiency and thermal departments, thanks to the new TSMC manufacturing process. The GPU of the Tensor G6 will lose its ray-tracing abilities, but the CPU will get a slight upgrade in the aforementioned departments. However, the specs dont tell us much about what you can expect in terms of performance. We will know more about these things in the coming months as the Tensor G6 isnt coming before next year or 2026. Last year, Elon Musks AI company, xAI, launched its first AI chatbot called the Grok. It arrived as a competitor to OpenAIs ChatGPT chatbot. Grok has real-time access to information from X and has humor baked into its responses. So far, the chatbot, now the Grok-2 version, has only been available to Xs paid Premium+ subscribers. However, Grok-2 could be available for the free users of the social media platform. Elon Musk could soon offer Grok-2 AI chatbot to Xs free users According to a report by TechCrunch, the Grok-2 AI chatbot could soon be available to the free users of X. It is coming to free X users in select areas across the globe soon. Notably, multiple reports on X by researchers and users have also corroborated this information. According to these reports, there are stipulations as to who will have free access to Grok-2 and how many of its features they can use. Furthermore, TechCrunch was able to confirm that Grok-2 is available for free to X users in New Zealand. The company is expected to offer the AI chatbot to a wider range of users in the coming weeks. There will be certain limitations on the access to the AI chatbot for free users Notably, a researcher on X who goes by Swak claims that there are limits on the usage of Grok-2 features for the free users. The company is offering users 10 queries per two hours with the Grok-2 model.. Notably, there are limits of 20 queries per two hours for the Grok-2 mini variant. Also, the users can only ask three photo analysis questions every day. To use the AI chatbot for free, your account must be at least seven days old. Also, it should have a mobile number linked to it. So far, Groks features have only been available to Xs Premium and Premium+ users. However, by offering Grok to free users, the company could be looking to increase the user base and faster feedback cycle for its products. In addition, it will be able to better compete with other AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. Huawei has requested dismissal of theft and fraud charges from the US court. The company alleges that these charges are a part of a baseless initiative to target Chinese companies with the goal of preventing their progress. Huawei is asking for dismissal of theft and fraud charges from the US court As many of you know, the US started this story way back in 2019. The situation has been getting worse since then, though. Various bans and roadblocks issued have prevented Huawei to not only use Google services, but also technology made using US tech. Over the years, that forced Huawei to figure out alternatives and has slowed down the companys progress. Huawei was at the very top of the smartphone market globally. It was right in line with Samsung and Apple, before this happened. Many argue that Huawei would claim the number one spot and only continue to progress, if not for the US ban. The US cited national security concerns initially, and things only got worse from that point on. Huawei always claimed to be innocent. It claimed that the US does not have any proof of tech secrets being stolen, as that never happened. The government has approached Huawei as a prosecutorial target in search of a crime, said Huawei. The trial date is set for January 5, 2026 The company also added that most of the theft allegations relate to outside the US activities. The US vs Huawei case has received a trial date of January 5, 2026. Huaweis founder recently said that even though the US ban hurt the company, it forced it to build its own technology. In some ways, that benefited Huawei, as it made the company more self-sustaining. Huawei was forced to innovate. Things would be a lot easier for Huawei if the US ban was lifted, though, needless to say. Jumping through hoops like this has definitely not been fun for Huawei, as there are still no perfect solutions for some problems. Software updates generally upgrade your smartphones by adding new features. However, theres always a possibility that things can go south sometimes. The same seems to have happened with the owners of the Samsung Galaxy S23 series phones. A new report suggests that the Galaxy S23 series users are facing audio quality issues post the One UI 6.1.1 update. Samsung acknowledges reports about degraded Dolby Atmos audio on the Galaxy S23 series Folks over at SamMobile first noticed the ongoing issue with Galaxy S23 phones. The outlet spotted multiple posts on the Samsung community forum from Galaxy S23 users which hinted at a degraded Dolby Atmos audio post the latest One UI update. Its worth noting that Galaxy Tab S9 series users have also complained about a similar issue following the One UI 6.1.1 update. While users hoped that the November 2024 security update would fix the issue, nothing really happened. Not to forget, Samsung had initially dismissed these reports. However, it has finally acknowledged the change in audio quality that continues to trouble the Galaxy S23 users. The company has now issued a statement to the community where it linked the degraded audio quality with the latest update that bumped the version of Dolby Atoms Library. A part of the statement reads, We have heard back from our experts! The Dolby Atmos Library has been updated from version 3.10 to 3.12. This update aimed to enhance 360 Audio capabilities. However, this change has altered the sound quality in some audio modes. Users have to wait for a software update Its worth noting that Samsung has tried to lightly note the issue. It mentioned, Some users who are accustomed to the previous version perceive the sound quality as inferior compared to earlier versions. Besides, Samsung has also stated that it has forwarded the issue to Dolby. The good news is that Dolby plans to push an updated library to address the reported issue. Samsung has also added that future updates will fix the issue. So, if you are also experiencing degraded audio quality on your Samsung Galaxy S23 following the latest One UI update, wait for a software update. Moreover, theres no word from Samsung on when the software update will be available. Do you remember the good old days when Samsung would announce its phones in the springtime? Well, those days are long gone, as the company has been moving the launch dates of its Galaxy S phone earlier and earlier in the year. Well, Samsung could launch its next phone before you take down your Christmas decorations. A new report hints that Samsung will announce the Galaxy S25 in the first week of January. It seems that Samsung wants to release its major smartphones at the beginning and middle of the year. The newest Galaxy S phones launch in the early months while the Z Fold/Z Flip phones come around July. Things used to be different when Samsung would launch its S phone in the spring and its other major phones (back then, they were the Note phones) in the Fall. Well, times have truly changed. Samsung could announce the Galaxy S25 in the first week of January As always, youll want to take this news with a grain of salt. Were dealing with leaked information. Samsung recently held a survey asking people what sort of promotional offers customers would want to have when purchasing the phone. The survey was in Vietnamese, so were not sure how widespread the sample audience was. However, the survey said that people who complete it will receive a 10% discount on January 5th. That doesnt point to a solid launch date, but it hints at the company officially launching it on the 5th. Since Samsung officially launches its devices a few weeks after the announcement, it seems more likely that the next Unpacked event will happen on the 5th. So, rather than the 5th being the launch date of the Galaxy S25, it could be the pre-order date. That 10% could go toward the pre-order price. In any case, the fact that Samsung mentioned the 5th means that something will happen on that date. Thats super early in the year; people will still be cleaning Christmas tree needles off of their living room floors. Earlier this month, the US reportedly instructed TSMC, the largest contract chip maker in the world, to stop supplying 7nm and below chips to companies in China. After the orders, the company reportedly canceled shipments of its AI chips to the Chinese brands. Now, the US has allegedly prohibited Samsung from supplying certain chips to companies in China. This comes on the heels of the ongoing semiconductor war, in which, the US is cutting the supply of high-end chips to Chinese companies. The US has ordered Samsung to stop supplying chips to companies in China According to reports, the US regulatory authorities have barred Samsung from supplying 7nm chips or below to the companies in China. The Economic Daily News reports that Samsung has already emailed its customers in China regarding the latest ban from the US. This comes after TSMC delivered a similar email to its customers in China. TSMC is the worlds biggest supplier of chips, so the US order has brought a lot of losses for it. The United States is working to prevent China from obtaining advanced semiconductor chips. So after TSMC, Samsung is no longer allowed to deliver chips based on 7nm and subsequent nodes to China. The country has used trade controls to prevent companies from utilizing US equipment. The decision will hurt Samsungs foundry division even more, which is already bleeding cash Samsungs chip foundry division is already bleeding cash or facing problems lately. The brand has already shut 50% of its production capacity because of a lack of orders. So, the latest decision from the US will hurt Samsungs semiconductor unit even more. The company will lose vital business, thanks to the latest ban from the US from supplying chips to China. Intel could also receive a similar ban after TSMC and Samsung. That said, the US continues to cut Chinas access to advanced semiconductor chips to be on top of the market. Verizon and AT&T have claimed that the FCC cannot penalize them for selling customer location data. The FCC had levied a fine totaling $196 million on T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, for illegally sharing access to consumers location data without obtaining their consent. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile fight back for the right to sell user location data Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had fined T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, for illegally sharing access to consumers location data without obtaining their consent. The FCC had asked the trio to pay $196 million because the carriers, failed to take reasonable measures to safeguard customers location information. As expected, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile decided to challenge the fine and the FCCs authority to levy the same. Verizon and AT&T have reportedly submitted new court briefs arguing that the FCC cant punish them. Verizons petition questions the legal basis on which the FCC levied the fine. Verizons petition for review stems from the multiple and significant errors that the FCC, in purporting to enforce statutory consumer data privacy provisions, made in overstepping its authority. The leading wired and wireless communication company even claimed FCs orders, violated both the Communications Act and the Constitution. Verizon and AT&T argue over technicalities about FCCs fines Back when the FCC had fined the telecom companies, the agency claimed the businesses failed to obtain customer consent before sharing their location data. The FCC also added that these businesses did not stop selling access to the location information even when they realized their procedures werent working. If thats not serious enough, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile failed to deploy additional safeguards to stop further unauthorized access. Simply put, the FCC claims it imposed the fine because the telecom companies failed to obtain explicit user consent, knowingly continued to sell user location data, and didnt protect sensitive information. It is interesting to note that Verizon and AT&T havent claimed the FCC is wrong or that it went above and beyond its authority to penalize them. Verizon and AT&T have claimed the fines violate their Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial. The carriers have further alleged the FCC did not provide them fair notice. They have claimed that the FCC didnt notify them that a regulation (Section 222) about Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) also applies to the user location data. It is interesting to note that all three carriers have appealed to different courts. This suggests the companies may be employing legal tactics to counter the FCC. Israel Garcia, 17, and his classmates look for a classroom to study for an upcoming exam at Carnegie Vanguard High School on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Under a new district proposal, Houston ISD's gifted-and-talented students may have to meet additional academic requirements if they want to apply to attend Carnegie Vanguard High School as freshmen in the 2025-26 year. Carnegie Vanguard High School is the only high school in the district where students must be designated as gifted-and-talented to attend. In addition to earning that designation, HISD is asking the appointed Board of Managers to approve a new rule Thursday requiring students to earn a score of 80 on an academics matrix to be eligible to attend the campus. The school located in Houstons Fourth Ward is one of HISDs best-performing campuses, with the highest college enrollment rate among all the districts high schools. U.S. News & World Report ranked the campus as the top high school in HISD and the No. 5 high school in Texas in its 2024 rankings of the nations top campuses. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under the new admissions criteria, GT students would need to earn an average grade in their four core classes math, reading, science and history of at least an 80 during the 2023-24 year to be eligible to attend the school during the upcoming academic year. If they dont, theyll have to earn an 80 on a separate part of the matrix, which is calculated based on a combination of their grades and their performance on the reading and math State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness exams. If they don't have STAAR scores, their scores on the GT assessment, known as the Iowa/Logramos, will be used. Students can earn up to 60 points for their grades in core classes, up to 20 points each for their 2024 reading and math STAAR or Iowa/Logramos scores, and 10 points if they have limited English proficiency, a 504 plan, low socioeconomic status or are eligible to receive special education services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The district wrote that it needed to revisit the schools entrance requirements due to declining average GPA data and to ensure that admitted students are prepared for the GT program. Students who are not sufficiently prepared for the Carnegie Vanguard courseload and rigor could be at risk of not achieving academic success, according to the district. The districts proposal did not provide data on all students average GPAs, but the annual Carnegie Vanguard school profiles show that the average GPA among its 2024 graduates increased not decreased from 2023. The campus reported that the Class of 2024 earned an average GPA of 4.09 on a 4.0 weighted scale, up from 4.05 the year before. HISD wrote that the additional entrance criteria would not impact current students, and it is only expected to restrict entry for very few applicants. It would have disqualified about 5% of last years students who applied to Carnegie Vanguard, according to the district. HISD students are eligible to take an assessment to be identified as GT every year, and they maintain the designation throughout their education in the states largest school district. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HISD wrote that Carnegie Vanguard is currently admitting students who have been identified as GT since they were in pre-K, and the GT designation may not be reflective of their current preparedness. If a student tested GT in pre-K but has then failed multiple classes or STAAR exams by eighth grade, the student may not have the prerequisite skills or content knowledge needed to appropriately access the above-grave level rigor curriculum of Carnegie Vanguard, the district wrote. Leaders of Carnegie Vanguard requested the change, which would not come at any financial cost to the school or the district, according to the board agenda. The school board is expected to vote on the proposal during its regular monthly meeting Thursday. The proposed updates to the entrance requirements for Carnegie Vanguard High school aim to create a more equitable system that better identifies and supports gifted students, Principal Ramon Moss wrote. These changes will ensure that students are both academically prepared for the challenges of CVHS and receive the support they need throughout their academic journey. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned following days of pressure after a damning review into the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England. In a statement on Tuesday announcing his resignation, Mr Welby repeated his claim that he was informed of the abuse in 2013, but was told at the time that police had already been notified which later proved not to be the case. The independent Makin Review concluded that barrister John Smyth might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013. Over five decades between the 1970s until his death, Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. Here is a timeline of what Mr Welby knew of the abuse and when, according to the Makin Review. Justin Welby was first informed of the abuse by John Smyth in 2013 (Jordan Pettitt/PA) 1970s: In 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 Justin Welby attends summer Christian Iwerne camps. John Smyth abused children in the 1970s and 1980s while he was a leader at the Iwerne Trust camps, during the same years Mr Welby attended. 1978: Mr Welby lodges with the Rev Mark Ruston and is overheard having a grave conversation with him about Smyth. Mr Welby has since said that he does not recall this exchange and that he was not aware of the abuse by Smyth at this time. 1981: Around Easter that year, Smyth takes four victims on a ski trip to Switzerland, visiting St Michaels Church in Paris on the way there and the way back. Mr Welby is not ordained at this time but worshipped at the church while working for an oil company based in Paris. The church rector, the Rev Peter Sertin, later warns Mr Welby about Smyth, saying: One of the boys had a chat with me, and advises him to stay away from Smyth. Mr Welby told the review that Mr Sertins warning was vague and that he had described Smyth as Not a nice man, really not a nice man. Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury.https://t.co/aNnuLBMapo pic.twitter.com/pIIR1911QU Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 12, 2024 1982: The first report into Smyths abuse, known as the Ruston Report, is written and shown to a small group of people only. Mr Welby is not among them. 1991: Mr Welby is ordained as a deacon in the Church of England. March 21 2013: Mr Welby is installed as Archbishop of Canterbury in a service at Canterbury Cathedral. His appointment was announced in late 2012. July 2013: A victim contacts the Bishop of Elys safeguarding adviser with details of the abuse he has suffered at the hands of Smyth. This information is emailed to the archbishops personal chaplain, the Rev Dr Jo Bailey Wells, who responds saying she will inform the Archbishop of Canterbury, noting that Mr Welby may know Smyth personally from their involvement with the camps. August 2013: Mr Welby is made aware of the allegations of abuse against Smyth, in his capacity as Archbishop of Canterbury. It is likely that other staff members there will have been told at the same time, the review found. The archbishop is told that police have been informed of the allegations. He was also advised that the local authority had been informed. Neither of these proved to be the case, but the review found it was reasonable to conclude that Mr Welby had been assured that these steps had been taken. Mr Welby was also told via his personal chaplain that the South African Church had been alerted. The former archbishop later said that he had personally written to the Primate in Cape Town, but he had not done so, and he, later again, said that he had got confused and had misremembered what had actually happened at the time. August 8 2013: Mr Welby confirms he knew Smyth in the 1970s and requests contact be made with the Iwerne Trust regarding who is running the camps now. Justin Welby was installed as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013 (Andrew Matthews/PA) February 2017: An investigative 30-minute documentary aired on Channel 4 makes Smyths abuse public. Mr Welby issues a statement and appears on LBC radio shortly after, stating his intention is for victims interests to come forward and confirming his knowledge of the abuse since 2013. After the documentary airs, survivors of Smyth seek a meeting with Mr Welby. August 11 2018: Smyth dies aged 75 in Cape Town while under investigation by Hampshire Police. Police had been planning on questioning Smyth over allegations that he beat children in the 1970s and 1980s while he was a leader at the Iwerne Trust camps. Officers in Hampshire had passed a preliminary file to the Crown Prosecution Service and were preparing to ask him to return voluntarily to the UK for questioning. April 2021: Mr Welby meets with survivors, four years after the Channel 4 documentary first aired. Justin Welby was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order by the King this year (Andrew Matthews/PA) November 7 2024: The Makin Review is published, concluding that Smyths abhorrent abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up within the Church of England for years. The report also concludes that Smyth may have been brought to justice had Mr Welby formally alerted authorities in 2013. While some 30 boys and young men are known to have been directly physically and psychologically abused in the UK and around 85 boys and young men physically abused in African countries, including Zimbabwe the total likely runs much higher, the report says. Mr Welby says he is deeply sorry that this abuse happened and repeats an apology for failing to meet with survivors of Smyths abuse quick enough. He recognises the reports conclusion that he failed to ensure the abuse was energetically investigated after being made aware of it in 2013. In an interview with Channel 4 News on the day of the reports release, Mr Welby says he had given resigning a lot of thought but says he will not step down. In the week following the reports publication, a range of people, from the Bishop of Newcastle to abuse victims and members of the General Synod, insist that Mr Welbys position has become untenable. Mr Welby said he was stepping aside in the best interests of the Church of England (Gareth Fuller/PA) November 12 2024: A petition calling for Mr Welby to quit his role as Archbishop of Canterbury over his failure to alert authorities regarding Smyths abuse hits more than 11,500 signatures. The petition was started by three members of the General Synod, the churchs parliament. Later that day, Mr Welby announces he will resign, saying he is stepping aside in the best interests of the Church of England in a statement issued by Lambeth Palace. In the statement, Mr Welby says he believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow when he had first been informed of the abuse in 2013 and that police had been notified. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024, he said. The King approved the resignation. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has announced he will resign, following days of pressure after a damning review into the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England. The independent Makin Review concluded that barrister John Smyth might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013. Mr Welby had apologised but stated that he would not resign, following the reviews publication last week. The past week had seen a range of people, from the Bishop of Newcastle to abuse victims and members of the General Synod the Church of Englands parliament insist that Mr Welbys position had become untenable. In a statement on Tuesday, he said: Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. The King approved the resignation on Tuesday morning. Mr Welby said he believed his resignation was in the churchs best interests, that he was quitting in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse and that the past few days had renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. He said: I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. Screen grab taken from the X account of the Archbishop of Canterbury showing his resignation letter to the King (Archbishop of Canterbury/PA) Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said it was the right and honourable thing to do for Mr Welby to have decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin Review, while Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally said the move provides the urgent impetus we need to change the face of safeguarding in the Church of England. Over five decades between the 1970s until his death, Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. A lay reader who led Christian summer camps, Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the review said. Mr Welby knew Smyth because of his attendance at Iwerne Christian camps in the 1970s, but the review said there was no evidence that he had maintained any significant contact with the barrister in later years. The archbishop said he had no idea or suspicion of this abuse before 2013. The report said Smyth could and should have been formally reported to the police in the UK, and to authorities in South Africa (church authorities and potentially the police) by church officers, including a diocesan bishop and Justin Welby in 2013. One of the Synod members behind a petition which had gathered thousands of signatories calling for Mr Welbys resignation said he was deeply saddened by what had happened. The Rev Dr Ian Paul told the PA news agency: Im saddened that this episode has come up, Im grieved for the victims, the survivors and that theyve had to go through this again. I think its very sad that this whole episode has happened, I think its sad that the Makin Report had to happen, and I think its sad that its taken so long for meaningful action to take place. If Im pleased about anything its that Justin has taken himself at his own words. Ive never been interested in picking on somebody or tokenism or scapegoating. He said he hoped this is the first step towards the kind of cultural change in senior leadership that the Makin Review is pointing us towards. Dame Sarah said: Archbishop Justins decision reflects a recognition of the standards to which we are all held. It also creates the necessary space to enable change. We need a genuinely survivor-focused approach, with independent scrutiny and mandatory reporting at its heart. From this moment, the Church must drive fundamental safeguarding reform. Dr Joanne Grenfell, the Church of Englands lead safeguarding bishop, said the failings identified in the Makin Report into Smyths abuse meant it was now necessary for others to take up the baton on safeguarding. She described her sadness at news of Mr Welbys resignation but said she respected and understood it. She added: I have worked closely with Archbishop Justin since I took on this role and have greatly valued his personal commitment to good safeguarding and his desire to see the whole Church make this a priority. Abuse within the Church of England is a whole church problem, its safeguarding lead has said, after the Archbishop of Canterbury resigned following a damning report that revealed a cover-up spanning decades. It comes as victims of John Smyth, who is thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the church, called for further resignations from senior clergy members involved in the scandal. Justin Welby announced on Tuesday that he was standing down after an independent review concluded Smyth could have been brought to justice had he formally reported him to police more than a decade ago. The former barrister died aged 75 in Cape Town in August 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police. Over five decades, more than 100 boys and young men were abused physically, sexually and psychologically in the UK and Africa by Smyth, a lay reader who ran Christian summer camps. Mr Welby was informed of the abuse at the hands of Smyth in 2013, a few months after he was installed as Archbishop of Canterbury, and has since said that he had been told the police and local authority had been notified. Neither of these proved to be the case, but the review found it was reasonable to conclude that Mr Welby had been assured that these steps had been taken. Following Mr Welbys resignation, Joanne Grenfell, the Church of Englands safeguarding lead, told Sky News Politics Hub that the church needed to admit that there is a problem relating to abuse, the church and its response. She said: This problem of abuse in the church is a whole church problem. And therefore, it has to be a whole church response. Joanne Grenfell, the churchs safeguarding lead, has said abuse is a whole church problem (Yui Mok/PA) Its about culture, its about leadership, its about theology. Its really clear that we failed by allowing that abuse to happen and by allowing it to be covered up. She said she believed there was a way forward for the church and that change could involve bringing in experts in governance, culture change, legal aspects and data privacy. Survivors of Smyth have welcomed Mr Welbys departure and called for further resignations within the church of those complicit in covering up the decades of abuse. Mark Stibbe, a former vicar and author, told Channel 4 News he thought Mr Welby had done the right thing and that he and fellow survivors had been calling for his resignation for years. He said: I applaud Justin Welby for resigning but what I think the survivor group would like is more resignations because that means more accountability, people taking responsibility for having been silent when they should have spoken. When asked whether the police should look at whether people were complicit in a cover-up, Mr Stibbe said: Yes, if there are senior clergy who have broken the law then they need to be called to account for that. But I think at a very sort of fundamental level, were asking for two things were asking for resignations and were asking for reform. Another survivor, Richard Gittins, said bishops who kept the stories to themselves should now be the focus of questioning, adding that the archbishops resignation did not make up for the years of abuse perpetrated by Smyth and the subsequent cover-up. Of Mr Welbys resignation, Mr Gittins told Sky News: So hes moved away, so that other people can answer the questions that need to be put to them, particularly bishops. Although hes the highest person in the church, hes not the most responsible for the cover-up. So I think its time now to focus the attention on other bishops who kept the stories to themselves. Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury.https://t.co/aNnuLBMapo pic.twitter.com/pIIR1911QU Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 12, 2024 Andrew Morse, who said he was subjected to after-prayer beatings by Smyth as a boy between 1978 and 1982, told the Telegraph he thought Mr Welbys resignation was brave and he hoped he would find some peace in the decision. Mr Morse added that it would bring some measure of closure to victims, and said: Obviously hes just the leader and there are countless other Anglican churchmen who equally bear responsibility. But I think by taking this step, hes providing an example for them whether they follow it or not. Hours before the archbishop announced his resignation, Mr Morse told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that Smyths abuse led him to attempt suicide. When Mr Welby steps down, he will be succeeded by the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. The Rev Dame Sarah Mullally is among those who could be the next archbishop (Ash Mills/Salisbury Cathedral/PA) With more than 100 bishops in the Church of England, among those who could succeed him are Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London; Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York; and Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich. In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Welby said he was committed to continuing his duties and that the exact timing of his departure will be decided at a later date. He added that his decision to step down was made in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse and that in recent days, his long-felt and profound sense of shame regarding historical safeguarding failures in the church had been renewed. Mr Welby is to preach at a Ukrainian memorial service at Canterbury Cathedral on November 23 and deliver a speech on housing at the Theos annual lecture in central London later this month, as well as give his traditional Christmas Day sermon at the same cathedral. Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in August 2018 and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the Makin Review said. Daniel Khalife could have endangered the life of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe by sending a fake intelligence document to Iran which said the British Government was not willing to negotiate over her release, his trial has heard. Khalife, 23, is accused of sending a document to Iranian agents titled Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe intelligence options which he created in 2021. The British-Iranian mother was detained in Iran in 2016, and returned to the UK only in March 2022. Prosecutors say he acted recklessly in sending the document, and could have caused consequences for Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was freed only after ministers agreed to settle a 400 million debt dating back to the 1970s. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella (Family handout/PA) The former soldiers bogus document read: There will be no advances in the area of returning Nazanin to the UK without further procurement of the debt owed to the Islamic Republic. The UK will not be seen to pay ransoms to hostile nations terrorists have long used kidnap for ransom. His document referenced an apparent meeting between then foreign office minister James Cleverly and Iranian deputy foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani. Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC said: Do you understand that contemplating sending, or sending this document like you told police, could endanger British citizens? Khalife told Woolwich Crown Court he did not remember the document in question. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 46, was arrested by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard at Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran after a holiday visit, where she had taken her daughter Gabriella to see her parents. She was sentenced to five years in prison over allegations, which she denies, of plotting to overthrow the Tehran government. In a transcript of a police interview previously read to the jury, Khalife said he produced fake documents to help convince the Iranians to trust him. When police arrested him and searched his room at MoD Stafford in January 2022, they found a number of completely fake documents in digital and paper form purporting to be from MPs, senior military officials and the security services, his trial heard. Prosecutors say Khalife made sure there was no record of what document were sent. On Monday, Khalife pleaded guilty partway through his trial to escaping from HMP Wandsworth in south-west London in September 2023. He denies charges contrary to the Official Secrets Act and Terrorism Act, and is accused of perpetrating a bomb hoax. The trial continues. Only Fools And Horses star Sir David Jason said he is trying desperately to convince producers and directors to cast him in upcoming TV projects as he bemoaned the lack of opportunities for older actors. The actor, best known for his role as Derek Del Boy Trotter in the BBC sitcom, also starred as Detective Inspector Jack Frost in A Touch Of Frost, Granville in Open All Hours and Still Open All Hours, and Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds Of May. Sir David, who will turn 85 in February, told the Radio Times about the lack of opportunities available to mature actors. Sir David Jason turns 85 in February (Ian West/PA) Im trying desperately to convince producers and directors that Ive got many characters still left to play, he said. Senior actors have got a tremendous amount to offer. He most recently co-presented a BBC series titled David & Jays Touring Toolshed alongside The Repair Shop star Jay Blades. Blades has since been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour against his wife, which he has denied and is set to face a trial before a Crown Court jury. Sir David confirmed there will be no follow-up series, adding that he is open to offers for new TV projects. BBC presenter Jay Blades has been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour (Jacob King/PA) The actor also revealed he will be hosting Christmas for his long-lost daughter and grandson. The TV star received a letter from actress Abi Harris at the end of 2022, who said she believed Sir David was her father after he had a brief relationship with Jennifer Hill, her mother, in early 1970. Sir David welcomed Ms Harris and her young son Charlie into his family after a paternity test proved their relationship, and will host the pair at his 18th-century farmhouse near Wendover, Buckinghamshire, this Christmas. Well share some Christmas time together and will probably play lots of games, Sir David told the Radio Times. Time is helping with us all getting to know each other, he added. The TV star also has 23-year-old daughter Sophie with his wife Gill Hinchcliffe, who is 20 years his junior. The pair were married in 2005 on the eve of his investiture ceremony where he was knighted for his services to acting and comedy. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has sailed from its home port after its departure was delayed reportedly because of a minor defect. The 3 billion warship had been set to leave from Portsmouth Naval Base on Monday evening but the sailing was delayed at the last minute. HMS Prince of Wales sails from Portsmouth Naval Base for planned training and engagement. The departure was postponed from Monday evening. Picture date: Tuesday November 12, 2024. (Ben Mitchell/PA) Instead the 65,000 tonne ship sailed from the Hampshire port on Tuesday morning with two Chinook helicopters visible on its flight deck. NavyLookout, which provides news on navy events, had posted on X that the postponement had been because the ship had a minor defect. A spokeswoman for the Royal Navy declined to comment on the reason for the postponement because it was only a minor delay and the ship was always flexible with sailing times. Two chinook helicopters are see on the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales (Ben Mitchell/PA) She said: As part of the ongoing preparation for the Carrier Strike Group deployment in 2025, HMS Prince of Wales has left Portsmouth this morning (Tuesday) for a period of trials, ammunitioning and defence engagement. .@HMSPWLS outbound from sunny Portsmouth this morning (with 2 RAF Chinook helicopters on deck). Via @PortsmouthProud pic.twitter.com/M32colEUjK Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) November 12, 2024 Last month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Singapores Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, announced that as part of the UKs Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2025, HMS Prince of Wales will visit Singapore in a bid to strengthen defence ties. HMS Prince of Wales suffered a propeller shaft problem off the Isle of Wight in August 2022 after it set sail to the United States causing it to be taken out of service for several months to undergo repairs. Its sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, also suffered a propeller issue this year meaning it also had to undergo repairs. The Archbishop of Canterbury said his resignation after days of pressure following a damning report into abuse cover-up is in the best interests of the Church of England. Justin Welby said he was quitting in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse, less than a week after an independent review concluded the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the church might have been brought to justice had the Archbishop formally reported him to police a decade ago. Mr Welby had apologised for his failures regarding the John Smyth case which saw more than 100 boys and young men abused over five decades but initially declined to resign. Announcing on Tuesday that he had sought permission from the King to resign, Mr Welby said the past few days had renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. In the days following the publication of the Makin Review, a range of people, from the Bishop of Newcastle to abuse victims and members of the General Synod the Church of Englands parliament insisted that Mr Welbys position had become untenable, with a petition urging him to stand down gathering thousands of signatures. Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury.https://t.co/aNnuLBMapo pic.twitter.com/pIIR1911QU Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 12, 2024 Five days after the reviews publication, Mr Welby said he had decided to step down in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. He said: The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. Screen grab taken from the X account of the Archbishop of Canterbury showing his resignation letter to the King (Archbishop of Canterbury/PA) Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said it was the right and honourable thing to do for Mr Welby to have decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin Review, while Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally said the move provides the urgent impetus we need to change the face of safeguarding in the Church of England. Survivors of Smyths abuse were said to be hugely emotional on hearing of the resignation, with author Andrew Grayston who wrote a book on Smyths abuse saying a number of them told him they felt Mr Welby had to go because of his failures, but it doesnt begin to make things right. Over five decades between the 1970s until his death, Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. A lay reader who led Christian summer camps, Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the review said. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby had been in post since 2013 (Gareth Fuller/PA) Mr Welby knew Smyth because of his attendance at Iwerne Christian camps in the 1970s, but the review said there was no evidence that he had maintained any significant contact with the barrister in later years. The Archbishop said he had no idea or suspicion of this abuse before 2013. The report said Smyth could and should have been formally reported to the police in the UK, and to authorities in South Africa (church authorities and potentially the police) by church officers, including a diocesan bishop and Justin Welby in 2013. One of the Synod members behind the petition calling for Mr Welbys resignation said he was deeply saddened by what had happened. The Rev Dr Ian Paul told the PA news agency: Im saddened that this episode has come up, Im grieved for the victims, the survivors and that theyve had to go through this again. I think its very sad that this whole episode has happened, I think its sad that the Makin Report had to happen, and I think its sad that its taken so long for meaningful action to take place. If Im pleased about anything its that Justin has taken himself at his own words. Ive never been interested in picking on somebody or tokenism or scapegoating. He said he hoped this is the first step towards the kind of cultural change in senior leadership that the Makin Review is pointing us towards. Dr Joanne Grenfell, the Church of Englands lead safeguarding bishop, said the failings identified in the Makin Report into Smyths abuse meant it was now necessary for others to take up the baton on safeguarding. She described her sadness at news of Mr Welbys resignation but said she respected and understood it. Sir Keir Starmer respects the decision of Mr Welby to step down, Downing Street said, adding that it was a matter for the Church of England and the Archbishop. The Prime Minister is not believed to have spoken to Mr Welby before he announced his resignation. The Archbishop said he would honour his existing constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings for his departure will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed. The mural is being painted to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Harvard Elementary School becoming an International Baccalaureate World School Elliott Lapin / staff photo Houston ISD Harvard Elementary School, which is located in the Greater Heights area in the northwest portion of the Inner Loop, is the oldest elementary school in Houston, having opened its doors in 1898 Elliott Lapin / staff photo Harvard Elementary's newest principal will no longer take the position less than a week after her announcement because she suffered "extensive bullying" on social media, Houston ISD leadership said Tuesday afternoon. The school's PTA said its new principal, Sharon Pe Benito, was announced without community input Thursday after the district said it had recommended the termination of former principal Shelby Calabrese. Stefanie Spencer will serve as the school's interim principal in Pe Benito's stead for the rest of the school year as the district looks for a permanent solution alongside the school's community members, according to the Tuesday announcement. "After extensive bullying on social media, she determined this job was no longer in her personal or professional best interest," Central Division Superintendent Luz Martinez wrote. "Over the course of the school year, district leadership will work with the PTA and Harvard Elementary parents to develop a principal profile to guide the hiring of a permanent principal for the next school year." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pe Benito was previously the 2020-2021 Secondary Teacher of the Year for HISD's East Division and a principal apprentice at Briargrove Elementary. Her newest role was announced after Calabrese was placed on administrative leave pending investigation Oct. 7. Houston ISD recommended the termination of its principal and reassigned both Assistant Principal Alejandra Perez and Magnet Coordinator Daisha Huntley on Thursday. "District leadership believes this change is in the fundamental best interest of Harvard Elementary students and your school community," Martinez wrote. "Dr. Calabrese has been recommended for termination, and the details of why will not be disclosed as this information is protected by law." Harvard parents who rallied around Calabrese said the change in leadership reignited anxiety around HISD encroaching on the school's choice of teaching methods and curriculum as the district undergoes "wholescale systemic reform" under state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles. Parents also worried whether the district will allow the school to teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, which some said is rooted in inquiry, being a well-rounded citizen and critical thinking. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A GoFundMe for Calabrese raised more than $6,000 Tuesday morning after Houston ISD's termination announcement. "Recently, our community was blindsided by the unexpected news that Dr. C has been terminated from her position," organizer Susan Sessions wrote. "This sudden and unforeseen change has left her in a difficult situation, and I am reaching out to ask for your help." Spencer, a veteran principal who served at Goose Creek CISD and Spring Branch ISD before joining Houston ISD's Leadership and Strategic Initiatives Office, will lead Harvard for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year. Spencer lives near Harvard and most recently assisted campuses across HISD with "high-quality instruction and systems," per the announcement. "She is eager to work hand in hand with the parents of Harvard to support teachers and students to have a successful school year during this transitional period," Martinez wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Molly Lashaway, who was announced as a new assistant principal at the school Thursday, most recently served as assistant principal at Memorial Elementary School. Jessica Shanks is warning about the dangers of out of date hot water bottles after she was left with second degree burns. (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) Warning: graphic images. A woman is urging others not to use old hot water bottles after hers exploded and left her hospitalised with second degree burns. Jessica Shanks, 25, from Corfe Mullen in Dorset had checked her hot water bottle's expiry date, noticed it was two years out of date but assumed it would still be fine to use. "I just didn't think anything would happen," she explains. Hoping to soothe her stomach cramps, Jessica placed the hot water bottle between her stomach and the waistband of her pyjamas while she was in bed, but was left in "agony" after the bottle exploded. "It started to trickle down my thighs from bottom of the water bottle and as I moved in shock, it burst," Jessica explains. "I immediately jumped up from the bed. My partner, Finley, who I was in bed with saw the hot water bottle had exploded and got me straight into the bath and showered me down for 15 minutes in cold water." Jessica Shanks was rushed to hospital after her hot water bottle burst. (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) Despite Finley's quick thinking, the pain was so severe that Jessica fainted. She was rushed to Poole hospital by her mum and put under a cold shower for 20 minutes. She was given pain medication, including paracetamol and morphine, while doctors focused on preventing any infection. Having been diagnosed with second degree burns, Jessica, who works in a school for children with special educational needs, was transferred to the burns unit at Salisbury hospital where she spent the next two and a half weeks recovering from her injuries. "They had to pop all the blisters which were on my stomach, both my inner thighs and groin," Jessica says of her burns. "This was the Saturday and they said they'd make an appointment at Salisbury Burn Unit on Monday. But soon the nurse who was dealing with me said they were going to admit me to Salisbury given where the injuries were." Close up of the burn on one of Jessica's thighs. (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) Jessica recalls feeling in unbearable pain while her burns were treated. "I remember having a shower with one of the nurses and my mum as I couldn't stand and I had to have gas and air every time they changed the dressings as I was in agony," she explains. "I used gas and air in the shower and one of the gauze was stuck in the wound and we had to try and peel it off." A week after her accident, Jessica had skin graft surgery and was operated on for two hours where surgeons took skin from her outer thigh. "When I woke up in recovery after the surgery I was so much more positive as the surgery had halved the pain," she explains. "It was easier to sleep in bed and it was manageable to get up and take a few steps. But I had to be catheterised for a week and a half as I couldn't sit on the toilet without getting the bandages wet or risk infection." Jessica's pain was so intense she had to use gas and air while showering and had surgery for skin grafts to help her wounds heal (pictured before skin graft). (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) During her recovery Jessica says she was almost completely bed bound. "I had physiotherapy every day to get me up and into the chair next to my bed," she says. "I was going a bit stir crazy from being in bed." Her wounds are now healing well and since being discharged last week, she has been able to walk around her village for up to 15 minutes at a time. She now wants to raise awareness about the risks of not taking note of hot water expiry dates. "It is useful hot water bottles have them," she explains. "This one came from within the family and I never thought something like this would happen." Jessica has now been discharged home and is slowly getting back to normal after her accident. (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) While she fully recovers from. her injuries Jessica is fundraising for Salisbury burn unit who she said gave her 'phenomenal' care. "Everyone has been so amazing and I'm so grateful as it was traumatising," she says. "It was the most painful thing I've ever had. I want to be able to say thank you and show appreciate for the amazing work they do." Jessica Shanks with her partner Finley who showered her in cold water for 15 minutes. (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) (Jessica Shanks/SWNS) Hot water bottle safety Earlier this year consumer expert, Alice Beer warned that hot water bottles generally only have a two-year lifespan and using them past the expiry runs the risk of the rubber bottles splitting because the rubber has degraded. According to the British Burns Association, one person in the UK gets seriously scalded every day from filling or using a hot water bottle. NHS advice on safe hot water bottle use Fill the bottle with hot, but not boiling water Make sure the stopper is securely screwed on Fill the bottle to a maximum of three-quarters full Wrap the bottle in a towel to prevent direct contact Avoid taking the bottle to bed Frequently examine the bottle for signs of wear and tear Make sure it has been tested to BS1970:2006 standards Expel all air above the water level before sealing carefully, to prevent injury from the escaping hot steam Replace the bottle after two years Special care should be taken when used by those with sensory deficits, the elderly and children Read more health real lives: Michael van Gerwen crashed out of the Grand Slam of Darts in the group stage as Luke Littler missed double 12 for a nine-darter on an eventful night in Wolverhampton. Three-time winner Van Gerwen lost in a last-leg decider to Ryan Joyce, exiting the tournament before the knockout phase for the first time since 2010. The Dutchman started poorly but he clawed his way back into the match by taking consecutive legs with 11 and 14 darts respectively to make it 4-4, but Joyce checked out with double 10 to complete the upset. JOYCE STUNS VAN GERWEN! Darting drama in Wolverhampton! Ryan Joyce produces some brilliance in a dramatic decider to send Michael van Gerwen crashing out in the group phase for the first time since 2010! https://t.co/lkfAqflnXa#2024GSOD pic.twitter.com/HemCSEgBwc PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 12, 2024 Joyce told Sky Sports: Im happy to win. It didnt feel like a battle, it felt like we were struggling a little bit. Its a funny old game. Littler had almost raised the roof earlier in the night when he fell just short of a perfect leg, failing to pin double 12. But the 17-year-old beat Lourence Ilagan 5-3 to secure a third consecutive win and set up a last-16 showdown with Mike De Decker. LITTLER SO CLOSE TO PERFECTION! WHAT A FINALE! Luke Littler almost wraps up victory over Lourence Ilagan with a sensational nine-darter, but he completes the job to cap off a dream group stage campaign! https://t.co/lkfAqflVMI #2024GSOD pic.twitter.com/XCvB9ig5Cw PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 12, 2024 The World Grand Prix winner needed to beat Michael Smith to reach the next stage and he did just that, hammering the former world champion 5-0. In the opening fixture of the night, Gary Anderson made it three wins from three with victory over Noa-Lynn van Leuven. Anderson will next play Stephen Bunting, who dispatched Josh Rock 5-2, while Gian van Veen beat Wessel Nijman 5-4 in an all-Dutch affair, Jermaine Wattimena edged Mensur Suljovic 5-4 and Dimitri van den Bergh saw off Keane Barry 5-1. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of treating her partys voters as second-class citizens. Ms McDonald suggested her rivals outright dismissal of Sinn Fein as a potential coalition partner demonstrated a lack of respect for the partys supporters. Her comments came amid increasing focus on coalition permutations post the General Election in Ireland. Launching her partys proposals on housing at an event in west Dublin on Tuesday, Ms McDonald accused the lead parties in the last government of showing a lack of humility. If I was to listen to the coalition parties, I wouldnt get up out of bed in the morning, she said. They cant pass a microphone without stating how appalled they are, and how they will never ever, ever speak to Sinn Fein. They were at that in the last election as well. Let me just on that make this point a lot of people vote for Sinn Fein, rely on us to represent them. I would ask Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to try and muster at least a little bit of respect for the communities and the voters who vote for us. Theyre not second-class citizens, they are equal voters, just like everybody else, and I think they should demonstrate a little bit of humility and a little bit of respect towards those citizens too. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald launches her partys proposals to make housing affordable, in Clondalkin, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) Asked about the Sinn Fein leaders comments, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that Ms McDonald had made similar comments about Fianna Fail. Mary Lou has said to voters that they shouldnt go into government with Fianna Fail, he said speaking in Dublin. Sinn Fein has said that the last party they should go into government (with) is Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. If thats the case I dont understand how Mary Lou can say its an insult if you say that Sinn Fein cant be in government but its not an insult if you say Fianna Fail shouldnt be in government. He said that Sinn Feins opposition to the current economic model that Ireland has and what he called a Eurosceptic party at their core meant the parties were not compatible. He has said the party would not be happy to go into government with Sinn Fein, but added that, as with any government formation talks, it will come down to policies and principles. I always respect the electorate, always, people are entitled to different perspectives. While Ms McDonald has said the best outcome of the election would be a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, she has stopped short of ruling out entering into a partnership with her long-term rivals. Our position of wanting to have a government beyond Fianna Fail and Fine Gael is now a long-standing one, theres nothing new in it, she told reporters on Tuesday. We believe after a century of those two parties dominating and running government that the time is right now for a change, that is the answer, that is the way in which we can make the changes that will benefit our society. At the launch of his partys manifesto in Dublin, Green Party leader Roderic OGorman was asked about the prospect of re-entering government after the Greens served as a junior partner in the last administration. Senator Pauline OReilly, Roderic OGorman and Senator Roisin Garvey at the launch of the Green Partys election manifesto in Dublin (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) First of all, I havent heard anybody rule us out, he said. What Ive heard is an attempt, I think, by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to get the numbers themselves that they wont need any support, but if theres a need for additional parties, I think those negotiations will take place. Weve demonstrated that we can negotiate hard. Weve demonstrated that we can create a really effective programme for government, but were making it very clear today that increased investment, 10 billion into public transport, is a key issue for us in those programme for government negotiations. Meanwhile, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said the government parties were acting as if the election is sewn up. I see them even talking about which ministries they want, who might go first as taoiseach, eyeing up their coalition partners all of these kind of things is astounding to see, she said. If theres anything I learned from the last election, a lot can change in three weeks. Birdwatchers flock to the cul-de-sac to glimpse the rare bird - SWNS Birdwatchers have flocked to a cul-de-sac in Yorkshire to glimpse a rare bird on a washing line. The report of the scarlet tanager in Shelf, near Halifax, is believed to be the first time one of the birds has been spotted in Yorkshire. The songbird usually travels between the eastern United States and lowland South American forests twice a year. However, it is believed to have ended up on UK shores owing to a low pressure system across the Atlantic that can affect migration patterns of birds. Dozens of birdwatchers gathered along the street following reports of the sighting being shared online. The songbird seen in Yorkshire usually travels between the eastern United States and lowland South American forests - SWNS Geoffrey King, who has been birdwatching for 15 years, made a 220-mile (354km) trip from Weybridge in Surrey in the early hours of Monday. He arrived at 9.30am, but had to wait five hours before the bird made an appearance. It was very exhilarating, he told BBC. Mr King, 67, was packing up his equipment and was ready to leave when the songbird finally arrived. He said: I had basically given up. Somebody called and there it was at the top of the tree. It was a great relief to see it. The scarlet tanager was Mr Kings 478th species spotted in the UK, he said. Male breeding scarlet tanagers have a bright red body with black wings and tails, while females and young birds have a yellowish-green body - Gary W Carter/Corbis RF Stills Another avian aficionado, Paul, who did not give his surname, said it was his first sighting of the species in nearly five decades of birdwatching. The American Bird Conservancy says the scarlet tanagers song is often described as like a robin with a cold. The website BirdGuides said on X that the sighting was believed to be the first in Yorkshire. Never before seen in Yorkshire, the first-winter male scarlet tanager is just the eighth British record and the first since 2014, it said. Male breeding birds have a bright red body with black wings and tails, while females and young birds have a yellowish-green body, according to Cornell Universitys All About Birds website. It states that it is usually the duller yellowish birds that are spotted in the UK, having been swept off course by storms as they migrate south in the autumn. The 2024 Booker Prize was awarded to Samantha Harveys Orbital - HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images It shouldnt have been a surprise. This years Booker Prize was awarded to Samantha Harveys Orbital, a chronicle of one day on the International Space Station, as lived by six astronauts. On the eve of the Prize, many critics me among them were tipping Percival Everetts James. Yet Orbital was outselling its rivals, and when the betting closed, Ladbrokes had Harvey and Everett jostling for pole. Last year, the same bookies correctly predicted victory for Paul Lynch, to the horror of anyone who could read. Critics, as Auden didnt quite say, make nothing happen. Orbital is no bad winner. It sketches the personalities of its crew with ease, from Chie, anxious and sensitive, to Shaun, soothing and wry; within a few pages, Harvey draws six characters of equal weight, and keeps them distinct through a novel light on plot. They fix equipment; they exercise; they peer down at Earth. So much rests on Harveys descriptions, and her resources run pretty deep. As the ISS sweeps around the Earth, orbiting 16 times in 24 hours at a 14,500mph that feels like nothing, the crew slide over daylit clouds that are wind-warped and ribbony and travelling; they stare at sleeping Australian cities lit in delicate brocade. But the novels strength is also its curse. To call it a majestic failure would be too strong, but theres something hollow beneath the style. I defer to our critic, Lucy Scholes, who marvelled at Harveys powers, but when I read this depiction of Earth a hunk of tourmaline, no a cantaloupe, an eye, lilac orange almost mauve white magenta bruised textured shellac-ed splendour I think: Well, yes and no. To add metaphors isnt to enrich a depiction, any more than layers of paint make a picture clearer; it just floods your (inner) eye. But the novel goes on like this, orbit after orbit, wondering anew at the same indescribable world. (And while some critics have said Orbital has the ring of poetry, that its language is lyrical, Im unconvinced. British poetry has a long history with outer space, from John Milton and Lucy Hutchinson to the likes of Peter Manson; the best have confronted its rawness, its strangeness, in more than just flowing adjectives. No lush phrase in Harvey compares to the eeriness of Satan soaring through vacuum in Paradise Lost.) Meanwhile, you ask what Percival Everett needs to do. James wasnt even his finest novel that may be Erasure and yet it was still the book of the year. It takes Mark Twains Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and rewrites it, causing merry chaos, finding within Jim, Twains slave, a deadpan hero who hides his eloquence from his masters and, with Huck in tow, embarks on a trip down the Mississippi that veers from excruciating comedy to heartbreaking pain. Its a story about storytelling: an intelligent, agile joy. And just as much exuberance bursts from what had seemed Jamess principal rival: Rachel Kushners Creation Lake, in which a drunken spy penetrates a group of French activists led by a reclusive guru, and, whether theyre bent on sex or sabotage, everyone smells of fraud. Still, draw back a little, and there are virtues to Orbitals win. Its among the shortest champions in Booker history, at 136 pages, and in an age too soft on the literary brick the magisterial, epic 500-pager Harvey has taken up arms with excellent writers from Sarah Bernstein to Anita Desai. She was also the only Briton on the shortlist, and while Everett and Kushner should be judged on their merits, I cant feel too incensed at the defeat of two big Americans by a Briton who isnt yet on household lips. Fundamentally, though, Everett and Kushner succeed where Harvey does not. Theyve grasped the fact that novels stand or fall on tone; that tone is a matter of human perspective, and thus human imagination; and that where the tones of James and Creation Lake have plenty to play with the slapstick cruelties of 19th-century slavery; the delicious suspicions of espionage Orbital is never sure what it wants to say. Its pinched between the weird banality of making chicken cassoulet from a packet, and the majestic task of framing the universe. The issue of creationism arises Shaun is a Christian but doesnt stick; nor does the motif of climate change, incarnated in a supertyphoon that appears below and threatens millions of lives. Early on, Harvey imagines an alien civilisation looking at the ISS and asking why its there. The earth, she writes, is the answer to every question. The earth is the face of an exulted lover The earth is a mother waiting for her children to return. The Earth could, you think, be anything. And, in a sense, it is: its the sum total of all human history, society and life. Space, at the same time, seems incalculable, both zero and infinity. Orbital, in the end, isnt equal to all this. It tries to go somewhere Im unsure it can. Police officers at the scene at Sao Paulo airport last week. Photograph: Miguel Schincariol/AFP/Getty Images Police investigating a brazen murder at the arrivals area of Brazils main airport are pursuing at least three lines of inquiry in their attempt to track down the killers and the possible masterminds of the shocking crime. Antonio Vinicius Lopes Gritzbach, 38, was leaving Sao Paulo international airport on Friday afternoon when two hooded men jumped out of a car and fired a hail of bullets. The brazen attack, captured on security cameras, marked a dramatic escalation of criminal violence in the country. Gritzbach, a former member of the First Capital Command (PCC) crime faction, was struck by 10 bullets and died on the spot. Three bystanders were also hit. Uber driver Celso Araujo Sampaio de Novais, 41, was shot in the back and died hours later. The other two sustained less severe injuries: an employee of a contracted company remains under observation in the hospital, while a female passenger has been discharged. Public executions arent new to the PCC, said Renato Sergio de Lima, the president of the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety. What stood out this time was the audacity of committing such a crime in a heavily monitored area: the second largest airport in Latin America, where several law enforcement agencies are present. According to the public prosecutors office, Gritzbach, a former real estate agent, helped the criminal group launder 30m reais (4m) from international drug trafficking through property and petrol station investments. He also reportedly received 100m reais from a PCC leader, Anselmo Becheli Santa Fausta, known as Cara Preta (Black Face), to invest in cryptocurrency. In 2021, Fausta demanded it back, but Gritzbach reportedly did not comply. That same year, Fausta and his bodyguard were murdered; prosecutors alleged Gritzbach had ordered the crime. The PCC, meanwhile, are reported to have put a bounty of 3m reais on his head. Marked for death by the PCC, Gritzbach approached the public prosecutors office and offered to reveal details about the gangs money-laundering operations in exchange for a plea deal. Last 31 October, he expanded his testimony, claiming police officers had taken bribes to shield gang members from investigation. Eight days later, he was killed. The timing prompted a theory that police officers may have been involved in his death. Adding to the cloud of suspicion, Gritzbach had hired four police officers as bodyguards something illegal under Brazilian law but they were absent during the attack, reportedly due to a car breakdown en route to the airport. On Tuesday, Sao Paulos public security department announced the suspension of the four officers, and four others who worked as Gritzbachs security. A third hypothesis is that Gritzbach was killed over a debt. This guys death suited a lot of people, detective Osvaldo Nico Goncalves, told the Brazilian newspaper Estadao. Well follow the facts, regardless of whether they implicate members of the civil or military police, he said. Lima, the security expert, said the killing offered yet more proof that organised crime in Brazil has begun to reach the scale of Mexican cartels. The extent to which crime has contaminated the state and the formal economy with money laundering in real estate, fuel networks, and cryptocurrencies is reaching the levels of Mexico. And this is deeply concerning, he said. Hayley Dowell died in October last year after surgery in Istanbul A British woman died in Turkey after a surgeon left halfway through an operation, a coroner has heard. Hayley Dowell, 38, suffered medical complications at a private clinic after she had a Brazilian butt lift (also known as a BBL), tummy tuck and liposuction in October last year. She had the three surgeries as part of a package that cost more than 7,000 after she and Neil Dowell, her husband, did research to find a Turkish clinic. The country is popular with Britons for its reduced prices on cosmetic surgery, although it has been the subject of warnings by UK health officials. Mr Dowell, who accompanied his wife on the trip, has claimed that her surgeon left the operation halfway through and did not outline the risks of the procedure to his wife. The couple arrived in Turkey on October 1 last year and Mrs Dowell underwent surgery at the BHT Clinic in Istanbul the following day. She died on October 3 at around midnight. Mr Dowell told Winchester Coroners Court: We found a surgeon that had a clinic named after himself. He was one of the [top five] surgeons in Turkey. However, he said his wife had only consented to two of the three operations she underwent. He did not specify which surgery she did not agree to or if they were carried out at the same time. Mr Dowell also claimed that there was not any risk outlined to his wife before the operation. Her mother Ann said she would not have known the risks of one of the operations because she didnt consent to all three. Mrs Dowell suffered medical complications at the BHT Clinic in Turkey Mr Dowell said that the surgery, which should have been a six-hour operation, only lasted one hour and 45 minutes. The surgeon left halfway through the operation and left the anaesthetist to do the job. You cant do both at the same time, Mr Dowell told the coroner. He also said the clinic asked him to sign the consent form after his wife had died. The Foreign Office site said it was aware of six British nationals having died in Turkey in 2023 following medical procedures. A BBL involves increasing the size and shape of a persons bottom by removing fat from one area of the body and transferring it to the buttocks. A preliminary hearing into Mrs Dowells death was told that she suffered an embolism an issue that can arise after surgery and cause a potentially fatal blood flow blockage. Coroner Nicholas Walker said he would be conducting a full investigation into the information Mrs Dowell received and the circumstances of her death. Mr Walker also suggested he would be writing a Prevention of Future Deaths report to help stop future tragedies from occurring. A full inquest will take place in January. On its website, BHT Clinic states: We have the mission of Becoming a World Brand in Health by applying patient and employee safety in international quality standards based on ethical principles with its medical infrastructure. BHT Clinic did not have an official representative or spokesman at the preliminary hearing and it is not yet known if the clinic will be providing evidence to the inquest in January. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at a meeting in 2019 - Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS Xi Jinping has put the fate of his country and regime in the hands of others, especially the next leader of the country he considers an enemy, the United States. Yes, Chinas ruler, who many consider the worlds most powerful figure, is, in reality, helpless. How did that happen? In short, Xi did it to himself. For largely ideological reasons, he has consistently rejected common sense advice to boost consumer spending to make it the basis of the Chinese economy, and almost all his recently announced stimulus measures will directly or indirectly erode consumption. The chance of structural reform in Xi Jinpings China is, as Anne Stevenson-Yang of J Capital Research USA told me, none. This means Xi has only one option left: export his way out of economic difficulties. Although Chinas exports have been soaring they were up a stunning 12.7 per cent year on year last month the growth is not sustainable. As Nobel laureate Paul Krugman pointed out in June to Bloomberg, global markets are not big enough for Xis plan to succeed. We cant absorb, he said. The world will not accept everything that China wants to export. Moreover, countries are already resisting Chinas predatory trade practices, with many now determined to stop Beijings decimation of their industries. Not least the United States. China, as a result of Xis misguided economic ideas, is entering what some have called a doom loop. Chinas economy is in a slow grind downwards, as Andrew Collier of Orient Capital Research and the Harvard Kennedy School told me in June. The deterioration since then is evident. The economy is unlikely to be growing anywhere near the reported 4.6 per cent rate for the third quarter. Even if it were, the country would not be creating the output needed to pay back its debt. China, as a practical matter, is undergoing its long-delayed 2008. Debt defaults, beginning with the high-profile failure of Evergrande Group in 2021, threaten to derail the economy. More defaults are virtually inevitable because Chinas total-country-debt-to-GDP ratio is dangerously high. After taking into account the infamous hidden debt and adjusting for inflated GDP reports, the ratio could be, according to my estimates, 350 per cent. Given simultaneous challenges, China has an extremely small chance of avoiding a financial crisis. It can and has delayed a reckoning. So far. Enter Donald Trump. If there was one consistent economic promise he made during his successful run for the presidency, it was upping tariffs. In February, speaking to Maria Bartiromo on the Fox News Channel, Trump suggested that he might impose tariffs greater than 60 per cent on Chinese imports. Levies of that size not to mention the 100 per cent rate he has talked about at times would tank Chinas already weak economy. At even the 60 per cent rate, some Chinese goods would be shut out of the US market entirely. For others, Chinas central or local governments or Chinese manufacturers would have to absorb most of the cost. In 2018, when Trump, as president, imposed tariffs of up to 25 per cent on Chinese goods, Beijing and Chinese manufacturers through various stratagems essentially paid 75 to 81 per cent of the tariffs in order to preserve sales. With factory-gate prices sinking the countrys Producer Price Index in October fell for the 25th straight month Chinese manufacturers are already reeling. They cannot afford to cut prices any more. Moreover, the prospect of new Trump tariffs is already having one other effect: convincing companies to move production from China, as American shoe company Steve Madden announced after the American election. As Trumps tariffs reduce Chinese exports and ultimately damage the Chinese economy, members of the Communist Party elite will almost certainly fight among themselves for shrinking sources of graft. They will be forced to engage in even more vicious fights for power. Xi will be presiding over an increasingly unstable ruling group. Unfortunately for Xi, he has few means to retaliate. Trade-surplus countries have very little ammunition in struggles with trade-deficit ones. Last year, Americas goods trade deficit with China came in at $279.1 billion. This year, Americas China deficit through September amounted to $217.5 billion. Trump has many trade bullets he can fire. Ultimately, Xi faces an insoluble paradox. To create growth, China needs to export more. To export more, Xi needs to double down on extremely selfish trade policies. As he doubles down, countries will impose tariffs and otherwise restrict access to their markets. Evading trade sanctions has become a blood sport for China, Collier told me this month, but Trump does not seem to be in the mood to permit Chinese cheating. The likely appointment of China hawk Marco Rubio as secretary of state and Mike Waltz as national security advisor would seem to add to the seriousness of the President-elects intent. For Xi Jinping, there is now no exit strategy. Gordon G Chang is the author of Plan Red: Chinas Project to Destroy America and The Coming Collapse of China. Follow him on X @GordonGChang. Blower cartoon Last Sunday many Christian churches around the world conducted Ecumenical Prayer Services to call for the release of 23 ethnic Armenians unjustly detained in Baku. Today diplomats from all over the world are flying into the city for the UN Climate Conference (COP29). The lack of progress in tackling climate change, together with the 2023 ethnic cleansing of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, exposes a fundamental and recurring concern in world affairs: that national interests will always emerge to block global solutions to existential problems like genocide and climate change. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy recently illustrated this, sparking controversy by describing Azerbaijans actions in Nagorno-Karabakh as a liberation rather than addressing them as international crimes. Mr Lammys remarks have remained uncorrected. Some argue this highlights the UKs willingness to overlook severe human rights abuses to facilitate investments by British Petroleum (BP) in the region investments that, despite their green label, will likely worsen climate change. For thousands of years, Armenians inhabited the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which became an autonomous oblast within Azerbaijan during the Soviet Union era. After Armenias victory in a 1993 war, the enclave declared itself the Republic of Artsakh, and Armenians occupied the surrounding territory. Azerbaijan reclaimed the area following another war in 2020, turning Nagorno-Karabakh into an enclave under Russian peacekeeper protection, with access only via the Lachin Corridor. In February 2023, the International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to keep the Lachin Corridor open to safeguard the Armenian population. Instead, Azerbaijan closed it, halting essential supplies and restricting movement. By September 2023, Azerbaijan had escalated its campaign, shelling Nagorno-Karabakh and forcing approximately 120,000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia, abandoning their homeland and enduring the serious mental harm outlined in the Genocide Convention. 23 of them are in Baku jails as a message to Armenians, if you come back this will be your destiny. If President Aliyev intended to destroy this ethnic group, the actions would constitute genocide. Absent that intent, they still qualify as crimes against humanity, including persecution and forced deportation. The US and European countries issued condemnations but stopped short, as they always do, of labelling Azerbaijans actions as genocide, opting seemingly to preserve geopolitical alliances rather than take actions required under the convention to prevent genocide. The US sees Azerbaijan as a strategic counter to Iran and Russia. Europeans, unable to get oil and gas from President Putin, have strengthened ties with President Aliyev. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls him a trusted partner. But what is the difference between Putin and Aliyev are accused of committing serious international crimes? Signatories to the Genocide Convention, including these nations, are legally bound to prevent genocide. However, they avoid this obligation by declining to legally define the acts as such. Instead, they use the term ethnic cleansing a powerful phrase but not a prosecutable crime to sidestep accusations of Armenian genocide in 2023. A similar dynamic emerges with climate change. The 2015 Paris Accords oblige nations to reduce fossil fuel use. Yet the agreement lacks an independent enforcement body, allowing countries, again, to prioritise their national interests. A few countries meet their targets while others neglect them entirely. In response, green funds were established to finance clean energy initiatives, with climate finance a key objective for COP29. Azerbaijan, as host nation, is positioned to steer the negotiations, but its interests differ from non-oil-producing nations that rely on green funds for clean energy transitions. Fossil fuels account for over 90 per cent of Azerbaijans exports. Azerbaijan plans to use green funds to develop domestic solar power, freeing up fossil fuels for export. Such a policy contradicts the International Energy Agencys warning that new fossil fuel projects are incompatible with climate goals. The impact on climate remains unchanged while Azerbaijani fuel is simply burned in Europe. Azerbaijans government is actively promoting its green vision for Nagorno-Karabakh, designating the de-populated region as a green energy zone. BP was the first to seize this investment opportunity. Its regional director has praised Azerbaijans efforts to make Karabakh the heart of sustainable development. This begs the question: Is David Lammys endorsement of Azerbaijans liberation narrative part of a business deal? Allegations of international crimes are overlooked and green investments in Azerbaijan are going to intensify climate change, not reduce it. Nothing has improved in a century. The first step towards the 1915 genocide was the incarceration and killing of the Armenian elite as Germany and the US deliberately looked the other way. Next week in Baku, while Mr Lammy and other leaders talk about climate change, they will ignore the hypocrisy of using green funds to promote fossil fuel exports. More gravely, they will deny the fact that 23 ethnic Armenians, including democratically elected leaders, are victims of international crimes and incarcerated just a few kilometres from COP29 venues. Luis Moreno Ocampo served as the founder prosecutor of the International Criminal Court from 2003 to 2012 The couple is asking the judge to reverse the house sale of Horbury Villa. Photograph: Champion News The daughter of a Georgian billionaire and her husband are suing for more than 36m after claiming the London mansion they bought was infested with millions of moths, the high court heard. Iya Patarkatsishvili and Dr Yevhen Hunyak bought the early Victorian seven-bedroom Notting Hill home in west London with pool, spa, gym, wine room, library, cinema, and a snoring room designed for peaceful sleep for 32.5m in May 2019. Days after moving in they spotted signs of an infestation that would go on to destroy clothing and ruin their wine, resulting in them suing the house seller, William Woodward-Fisher. At one point, insects were landing on the couple and their two childrens toothbrushes, cutlery and plates of food, Hunyak told the court, while he had to tip away glasses of wine after discovering moths floating there. John McGhee KC, for the couple, said they were swatting about 100 moths a day and even after intensive sprays and expert treatment still maintain a daily kill count of up to 35. They say the source of the infestation is wool insulation behind walls and ceilings. They are suing Woodward-Fisher, 68, a property developer who formerly competed for Great Britain as a rower, claiming he was either guilty of fraudulent misrepresention or negligent in failing to disclose previous moth issues when answering pre-sale inquiries about the possibility of vermin in the house. The payout they are claiming would include Woodward-Fisher buying back the house and compensating them for all expenses and inconvenience caused by the moth menace, a total of more than 36m. The couple claims it would cost almost 10m to replace all the woollen insulation in the building. Woodward-Fisher denies all claims, insisting that he gave honest and full replies on the pre-sale inquiries form, and that as far as he knew any previous moth problems had been eliminated by the time of the move. He also says the couples valuation of how much it would cost to remedy the problem is massively overblown, arguing that the true repair bill would be 162,652. Jonathan Seitler KC, for Woodward-Fisher, said he was honest when dealing with the inquiry about possible previous vermin infestation, having told his solicitor they had experienced problems with moths, only to be assured that moths were not vermin and therefore not relevant to this inquiry. Part of the legal debate is the question of whether moths are vermin and therefore have to be included in the inquiry form answer. The court heard that Woodward-Fisher bought the site in 2011 and lived there with his wife, Kerry, 64, an interior designer. The house was extended and radically remodelled before being sold to Patarkatsishvili, 41, the daughter of Badri Patarkatsishvili, a Georgian businessman who fell out with Vladimir Putin and moved to the UK in 2000, and Hunyak, 50, a paediatric dentist who practises in Chelsea. McGhee told Mr Justice Fancourt the presence and cause of the infestation was well known to Woodward-Fisher. The insects and treatment had forced Woodward-Fisher and his family to check into a hotel and leave their dog elsewhere to clear the way for a major spray on one occasion, he added. The couple is asking the judge to reverse the house sale on the basis of alleged fraudulent misrepresention so that they get their 32.5m back, plus compensation for other losses, including 50,000 for moth-shredded clothes and more than 3.7m they paid in stamp duty. They have also presented alternative cases, seeking more than 16m to mark their losses and the diminished value of the property, or alternatively about 13m to cover losses and the cost of further works. Seitler said his client has enlisted pest controllers in 2018 who appeared to have succeeded in their task by July 2018, and moths were no longer a problem when they moved out in 2019. The trial continues, but the judge is expected to reserve his decision until a later date. Caroline Wilburn is a breaking news reporter for the Houston Chronicle. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Caroline worked as an election stringer for the Associated Press and as a breaking news fellow at the Texas Tribune. At the Tribune, she got a crash course in interpreting data, distilling complicated policy and following statewide trends on a tight deadline. Shes also a skilled video editor and podcast producer. She won a first-place award for audio news production at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. A storm rages off the coast of Byron Bay at night. Severe storms are expected across north-east NSW and south-east Queensland this week as extreme weather is forecast for mainland Australia. Photograph: Enrique Diaz/7cero/Getty Images Days of severe storms have been forecast for every mainland state and territory in Australia this week, with possible wind gusts, heavy rain, large hail and flash flooding on the cards. Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said millions of lightning strikes were also expected across the country. We have a number of low pressure troughs sitting over Australia that are interacting with very warm and humid air coming in from the oceans surrounding Australia, which are warmer than average for this time of year, he said. In Sydney, temperatures were forecast to remain in the mid-20s for the rest of the week and into the weekend. Melbourne could expect to reach 25C on Tuesday and 20C on Wednesday, warming up towards the weekend with temperatures in the 30s forecast for Saturday and Sunday. But thunderstorms were forecast to continue across parts of New South Wales, south-east Queensland and central Australia on Tuesday, while northern and Western Australia were set to bear the brunt of low pressure troughs in the latter half of the week. Related: Wicked problem: five charts that show how the climate crisis is making Australia more dangerous Dean Narramore, senior meteorologist with the Bureau of Meteorology, said Tasmania was the only state that may escape the wild weather. Were just looking at days of severe storms across parts of the country, and particularly north-east New South Wales and south-east Queensland for the coming days, with Wednesday probably being the bigger day, he said. Severe thunderstorms could mean damaging wind gusts and heavy rain with the potential for flash flooding or large hail, he added. There was also the potential for severe thunderstorms in central Australia near the border of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory with large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall likely, he said. Meanwhile, in parts of northern Australia, severe to locally extreme heatwaves with 40C temperatures were forecast for Marble Bar in Western Australia throughout the week, expected to peak at 45C on Wednesday. Well start to see that ease as we head towards the weekend, at least for the Kimberley and the Top End, Narramore said, though heatwave conditions were expected to continue around Cape York into the weekend. The recent State of the Climate report, released by the bureau and CSIRO, said global heating caused by burning fossil fuels was fuelling warmer ocean temperatures and longer, more intense heatwaves. The mistake of the Democrats has been to keep asking the question, How could you? rather than, What did we not understand about American voters? Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images Its like being sucked into a tsunami, said Vivian Glover, a Kamala Harris voter from South Carolina, about the realisation that Donald Trump had been re-elected as president. The contrast between the two campaigns couldnt have been more stark. On the one hand an intelligent, highly qualified public servant with a unifying message, and the opponent someone who epitomizes corruption, immorality, dishonesty, incompetence, racism, misogyny, tyranny and has clearly indicated his willingness to embrace authoritarianism. This election felt like a chance for real change, and I was inspired by the idea of having a female president, said Sydney, 40, a teacher from New York. I believed in her vision for a more inclusive and just America, and its difficult to let go of that hope. Despite Sydneys disappointment, Trumps decisive victory and remarkable political comeback did not surprise her. I think the biggest issue for a lot of Americans is simply the economy, she said. Glover and Sydney were among many hundreds of US voters who shared with the Guardian via an online callout and follow-up interviews how they felt about the outcome of the presidential election, what had decided their vote and what their hopes and fears were for Trumps second presidential term. Among those who had voted Republican, many said they had expected a Trump win, and that the polls had never properly reflected the atmosphere on the streets of their communities. They had voted for Trump, many said, because they felt he would handle the economy and international geopolitics better than Harris would have done, and because they wanted a crackdown on illegal immigration. Related: I hate lying to her: US couples on voting against their partners candidates Various Trump voters, among them young first-time voters, women and citizens with immigration backgrounds, said they had voted for the billionaire this time because they saw a vote for Trump as a vote against woke and against what they saw as leftwing extremism, a vote for common sense, and as a vote against biased media, which they felt had unfairly persecuted Trump for years and could no longer be trusted. Scores of Trump voters expressed outrage about Democrats including Harris and Hillary Clinton likening Trump to Hitler and calling him a fascist. Some male respondents said they had voted for Trump because they were tired of men being vilified, unfairly called misogynist and blamed for everything. Although Trump was far from perfect, many supporters said, his second term would hopefully lead to more peace globally, economic stability and an improvement to their financial situation, more secure borders, and a return to meritocracy and family values. Hearing how robust the economy is does not buy peoples groceries Of those who said they had voted for the Harris-Walz ticket, many were shocked by the election result and had expected a Democratic victory, citing extremely tight polls and Harriss perceived strong pull among younger people and women. Various Democratic voters blamed Trumps electoral college landslide on a lack of education among his supporters, as well as on social media platforms such as X and YouTube, where the manosphere has become highly effective at undermining progressives, their policies and campaigns. Becky Boudreau-Schultz, 50, a receptionist and the mother of a teenage boy from Mason, Michigan, felt the Democrats had underestimated the sway of these platforms. Trump, she said, put on a show that sought to tap peoples fears about immigration and loss of independence. His followers eat that up. Kamala ran on civility but, obviously, that is not Americas mood. Mainstream media seemed to warn people of Trumps horrible potential but his supporters werent and arent watching. Instead, she felt, voters were turning to social media echo chambers that masquerade as actual news sources. Many Democratic voters were highly critical of the Harris campaign, which, scores felt, had been out of touch with the average voter, did not sufficiently connect with concerns of young men and ethnic minorities, and had failed to address Americans most pressing worries. It had been a mistake, many said, that the campaign had centered on vague, abstract slogans such as saving democracy and not going back. What Im reading and watching suggests the Harris team and many others misjudged much of the electorate, said Judith, a retired Harris voter from Vermont. The population needed more attention on food prices, gas prices. Hearing how robust the economy is does not buy their groceries. The Hispanic and Black populations feared their job security would be threatened by allowing more immigrants into this country. These things mattered more than Trumps reputation and criminal record. I get it, sadly. We lost it because were not speaking to the issues that Americans are so concerned about, said 77-year-old Bill Shlala, from New Jersey, a Democrat who has voted Republican in some races over the years, and who worked in special education. Were not talking about, how do I not lose my house to medical bills? How do I afford to send my child to college? Joe Biden has attempted to correct that a little bit, especially with outreach to unions, but we became the party of the elites. The Republicans and the extremists understand the angst of the American people, and theyre calling on that angst without any real plan. But then we presented no alternative. Many Harris voters felt that the vice-president had not been a good candidate, but mostly reckoned that it had been too late to find another one, citing Bidens late decision to pull out of the race. Harris had an impossible job with minimal time to reach voters, said Carla, 71, a retired professional in the legal sector from Ohio. Biden should have never run for re-election. There would have been a different outcome if Democrats had had the time to run primary elections and pick a strong candidate. Various people suggested that Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor, had been a poor running mate. Others defended Harris. I feel Kamala Harris did an excellent job of campaigning, said 81-year-old Pat, from Colorado, who holds a college degree in journalism and is retired. But too many felt that they were better off four years ago than now. Pat is now plagued by concerns about Trump firing experienced federal workers, deporting immigrants, exposing pregnant women to severe health risks, ignoring climate change and rolling back support for Ukraine. Im appalled. Ill never understand why someone as vulgar and unhinged as Trump is so popular with voters, including my sons in Missouri, she said. I can only hope that his bark is worse than his bite regarding democracy, immigration and abortion. Jack, a 19-year-old college student from Minnesota, was among a string of Democrats who said they had only reluctantly turned out for Harris, citing a lack of clear policy and the partys move to the right on some issues, such as immigration. This was my first election, and I voted for Kamala with minimal enthusiasm, he said. I dont think Kamala was the right candidate, but this [loss] is owed to the complete strategic failure of the Dems in focusing on getting votes of independents and moderate Republicans. A [moderate] Democrat will lose to a real Republican every time. He was not at all surprised that Trump won, as the economy had not improved for the average American on the ground, he said. I also believe this nation is too fundamentally misogynistic to elect a female president. We can elect a rapist before we can elect a woman. I completely reject the accusation that men like me voted for Trump because of misogyny, said a male professional with Hispanic roots in his mid-40s from Florida who wanted to stay anonymous. My wife and I did not vote for Trump because we could not live with a female president, but because we wanted Trump to be our president. We think hell do great things for our country and the world, and as a family with grandfathers on both sides who fought the Nazis in [the second world war], we are outraged by claims that Trump voters are fascists. We are decent citizens who are very active in our community. We just want less crime, secure borders, a strong economy driven by entrepreneurial growth not state handouts, affordable prices, and fairness in the labor market. We believe President Trump will deliver on those. Although he felt vindicated by the election result, he and his wife remained afraid to come out publicly as Trump supporters, he said. We fear social and professional repercussions. Thats why the polls keep getting it wrong. I voted for Trump and consider myself a moderate, said Hayden Duke, 45, a teacher from Maryland. Ive voted for all parties in the past. I couldnt be happier that we have rejected the Biden-Harris wokeness, weakness and lack of common sense which have destroyed our economy and allowed wars to take place all over the world. I have been called a Nazi, a fascist, a nationalist and more by supporters of Harris. Normal people are so tired of being lectured by these suffocating moral guardians, looking down on us and speaking down to us and shoving their viewpoints on everyone else. This crowd has likened Trump to Hitler but Hitler killed [millions of] Jews and others, Trump hasnt killed a single person. They say Kamala Harris lost because of misogyny, but Im ready for a female president. I voted for [would-be Republican presidential candidate] Elizabeth Dole all the way back in 2000. It was unclear what her values and policies actually were, other than I am not Trump Had Harris chosen the, in Dukes view, the more broadly appealing Pennsylvania governor, Josh Shapiro, as her running mate, Duke felt she might have won Pennsylvania and possibly the election an opinion that was shared by various people. Others took the opposite view. The Democrats refused to listen to the public on Gaza which I think lost them support, said Tom, 28, a higher education professional from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who had a feeling Trump would win. Having voted unenthusiastically for Biden in 2020, he did not vote at all in 2024. I think the assassination attempt on Trump really solidified and unified his base, while the Democrats have gotten deeply fractured over Gaza and didnt have strong messaging, he said. I dont think that Kamala Harris ran a strong campaign. It was unclear what her values and policies actually were, other than I am not Trump. I do not think that is enough for many people, but thats what Harris was banking on people rejecting Trump again. What was the Harris plan for healthcare? I dont think she did enough to differentiate herself from Biden. Tom was among a number of people who said they were actively looking into moving abroad now. This Trump term is going to be terrible, he said. I want to finish my masters degree and then look into moving to another country. This election proves that centrist, pro-war Democrats werent the answer, said Margarito Morales, 40, from Austin, Texas, who works in tech and said he had voted for Harris. Biden won the popular vote with over 80m votes, and now Trump won it with much fewer votes. Many younger people, Morales felt, chose to abstain or to vote for Jill Stein in the absence of strong leftist policies that would have excited them, such as universal healthcare, student loan forgiveness or lowering the cost of going to college. The Democrats went with the status quo, and it isnt working. People didnt feel inspired. People with immigrant parents did not know what may happen to their families under the Democrats, he said, citing the partys recent moves to tighten border restrictions. Several people who got in touch said they had backed Trump for the first time in 2024, despite having concerns about him and his Maga movement. A 25-year-old mechanic from Iowa who wanted to stay anonymous disliked both candidates in 2020 their policies, personalities, and campaigns. This year, he said, I voted for Donald Trump. A key point in his decision had been his financial stability, which has been crumbling over the past few years, he said. I believe Donald Trumps administration will do a better job helping the American people financially and improving international stability. I do, however, have concerns for young adults who are pro-choice, and those in the trans community whose rights may be under attack under the new presidency. The liberal movement in America has lost me so I voted for Trump Milly, in her 40s, from Washington state, was another first-time Trump voter. I voted for Obama twice, but the liberal movement in America has lost me, because it completely changed, she said. The DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] movement has completely radicalized itself, from initially wanting to push back against actual sexual and racial discrimination to pursuing an absurd, deeply unfair equality-of-outcome agenda. These extremists are alienating so many people with pretty liberal views. Being pro-choice, Milly said she was planning on lobbying the Republican party to soften its stance on harsh abortion bans in some states. I still identify as a liberal, but Im a liberal with limits: societys norms cant be overhauled entirely just to suit tiny minorities and extreme political fringe movements. I hope Donald Trump will bring common sense and realism back into American political discourse. Many people like me voted for Trump not despite this kangaroo court conviction, but because of it Jacqueline, 63, a retired photographer and writer from Arizona who described herself as disabled, fears that the new reality under Trump may become unsurvivable for people like herself who depend on the social security net, which she believes the new administration wants to get rid of. Were talking about social security for the elderly, for disability, for veterans, death benefits for widows, food stamps. I live in a very poor area. People cant feed their families without food stamps. People like me, my neighbors, this whole community, many people that voted for them, will have no way to survive. Another huge worry of hers is Trumps possible environmental policy. Climate change affects everything, and if we dont fix that, nothing else matters. Hes going to reverse everything that the Biden administration has set up to mitigate climate change and to make the transition to renewable energy. Jacqueline also struggles to wrap her head around the new reality that America now has a president with a criminal conviction. If youre a felon, you cant get a good job, you have to put that on every job application, that label follows you around. But you can be president of the United States. Its literally insane. Josh, an engineer in his 50s from Pennsylvania, has an answer for people who cannot understand why more than 74 million Americans were not put off by Trumps criminal record. The people calling Trump a convicted felon need to understand: many people like me voted for Trump not despite this kangaroo court conviction, but because of it. His trial was a shameful persecution of a political opponent by a Democratic prosecution. It fired me up. Related: We shouldnt be going back in time: Americans in swing states on who they voted for and why JT, 28, a full-time employee from Texas, was one of various people who said they considered Trump the lesser evil, and voted Trump in 2020 and 2024, despite disliking the available candidates in both elections. I voted for Trump based on two reasons, he said. I feel I was better off economically when he was in charge. And Im originally from California, and watched as the Democratic partys rule there made it so much harder for people like me to get ahead. Alongside exploding prices, high taxes, and higher crime and homelessness rates, he pointed to California having become way too focused on identity politics. Harris is from California, and I dont want the USA to become like California. Im a mixed-race person of colour and have never liked identity politics. I dont care about race or gender or orientation; I want results. He wants stronger borders and immigration enforcement, considering it insulting that people like his foreign-born family had to wait for years in difficult circumstances before being able to immigrate legally while others cross the border illegally. Harris fixated on democracy being in danger and abortion, ignoring the two huge concerns of economy and immigration, he said. I have a ton of concerns about Trump, mostly about his personality and lack of morals, his weird tirades and personal attacks. He outright lies, a lot. But as long as he is able to improve the economy like in 2016 and improve on the immigration issue, Ill consider it a win. Elizabeth McCutchon, 61, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and mother of five, voted for Harris, but is married to a Republican. The mistake of the Democrats has been to keep asking the question, How could you? rather than, What did we not understand about American voters? she said. There are some Harris voters who are now saying they will have nothing to do with people who voted for Trump. I think this sort of behavior will be used by Trump voters to demonstrate how out of touch Harris voters are. I dont think Trump will provide the change that his voters were promised. But he is different than the status quo. Dr Jonathan Paine. Credit: Mel Smith Photograph: Mel Smith The Scott Trust announces the appointment of Dr Jonathan Paine as a non-executive director Dr Jonathan Paine has been appointed to the Scott Trust board and will also join the Scott Trust Endowment board. He will also become a member of the joint audit committee for the group. Jonathan was a managing director and senior adviser at Rothschild & Co., where he worked for 25 years as a specialist in the telecoms, media and technology industries. Following a long and successful career in banking, Jonathan returned to academic study and holds a D.Phil from Oxford University. Ole Jacob Sunde, chair of the Scott Trust, said: Jonathans financial background and extensive media sector experience will be invaluable as we expand globally, grow the impact of our journalism and position the Guardian for long term success. We are extremely pleased to welcome him. Dr Jonathan Paine said: The Scott Trust offers a rare model of global media ownership and one I have long admired. Im delighted to join the Scott Trust board and that of the Scott Trust Endowment and support their mission to secure the financial and editorial independence of the Guardian in perpetuity. Guardian Media Group is wholly owned by The Scott Trust Limited, which exists to secure the financial and editorial independence of the Guardian in perpetuity. The current Scott Trust board members are: Ole Jacob Sunde (chair), Katharine Viner, Tracy Corrigan, David Olusoga, Dr Jonathan Paine, Stuart Proffitt, Matthew Ryder, Vivian Schiller, Russell Scott, Haroon Siddique, Margaret Simons, Nabiha Syed and Stephen Godsell. The current Scott Trust Endowment board members are: Tracy Corrigan (chair), Jonathan Evans, Chris Hitchen, Dr Jonathan Paine, Gayle Schumacher and Ole Jacob Sunde. - ends - Notes for editors Guardian News & Media press office: media.enquiries@theguardian.com About The Scott Trust Ltd The ultimate owner of the Guardian is The Scott Trust, which was originally created as a trust in 1936 to safeguard the titles journalistic freedom. In 2008 it was replaced by a limited company with the same core purpose as the original trust: to secure the financial and editorial independence of the Guardian in perpetuity, while its subsidiary aims are to champion its principles and to promote freedom of the press in the UK and elsewhere. Other than to cover expenses, The Scott Trust takes no dividend from the Groups businesses, whose profits are instead reinvested to sustain journalism that is free from commercial or political interference. About the Scott Trust Endowment The purpose of the Scott Trust Endowment is to secure the financial and editorial independence of the Guardian in perpetuity by adopting a long-term investment strategy. Its primary objective is to generate strong financial returns to invest in the operating business, while taking a proactive stance to responsible investing. Frank Auerbach in his studio: I just seem to make the most tremendous mess when I forget myself towards the end of paintings - Eamonn McCabe/Popperfoto Frank Auerbach, who has died aged 93, was an artist of remarkable intensity whose use of thick paint gave his work the quality of sculpture. Auerbach was seen by critics as one of the so-called London School of artists, a group said to include Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Michael Andrews and Leon Kossoff. True, some of the artists liked the same Soho drinking dens, but they had little else in common other than their devotion to figurative work. Though he enjoyed a drink in his early days, Auerbach was not a habitual denizen of the Colony Room Club. Jewish by birth, and orphaned by the Holocaust, he evolved into an obsessive and remote figure; this bothered him not at all. Art was everything to him, not a craft, but a philosophical inquiry. Auerbachs subjects were north London streets and buildings, and the human form. All his work was abstracted reality, with the energy of the artist written across the surface in broad, thick swathes of paint, often applied straight from the tubes. His colours were dramatic and the works were often displayed in glass cases, heightening the impression that they were sculpture. JYM in the Studio II, 1964 - Frank Auerbach One had the desire to touch a painting by Auerbach, as much as look at it. Sometimes the effect was counter-productive; it might seem that he had a fetish about his materials and could think of little else. Certainly he fought with paint, like Jacob and the angel. Perhaps his most successful works were portraits, executed with the model sitting, staring straight ahead at the artist. The model he most favoured was Estella (Stella) Olive West; her initials, EOW, appeared on numerous portraits over the 25 years she was his model. West found the first sittings hard, she recalled. Feeling that she was nothing, nothing she let her mind wander back to her unhappy childhood. Suddenly Frank said Stop thinking that! Stop bloody thinking that!, she said. And I realised that some telepathy existed between us. Though she was 15 years older than Auerbach, they became lovers: I wasnt aware of her being an older woman, Auerbach said. I went through life in a kind of dream. He might take several years over a portrait, applying different layers of paint, sometimes scraping the canvas back to a meaningless blur, as he went through a painful process of rebirth. After much intense discomfort, frustration and eventual despair, he would at last erupt into violent anger. Flinging the paint about with rediscovered courage, he would finish the painting. Inside Auerbachs studio - Geoffrey Parton, courtesy Frankie Rossi Art Projects Such techniques created the most dreadful mess. I dont mean to make a mess, he reflected ruefully. But, given the way I do work, I just seem to make the most tremendous mess when I forget myself towards the end of paintings. Looking at the finished results, which often resembled a packet of melted Liquorice Allsorts, made the self-conviction of the man all the more remarkable. As a teenager he had studied acting and he was fascinated by the controlled intensity of certain kinds of performers, particularly comedians. In the years after the Second World War he visited the dying variety theatres and later knew chunks of the routines employed by Tommy Cooper, Ken Dodd and Morecambe and Wise. That it took months of preparation and hours of rehearsal to produce one good comic moment reassured him. He thought of himself as a kind of comedian. He was among the most solitary of artists. Ive certainly never been lonely by myself, he said. Im far more likely to be lonely in the company of people who havent understood. Self Portrait III, 2024 - Courtesy of the artist and Frankie Rossi Art Projects For 70 years Auerbach worked and often slept in a tiny studio in Camden that the critic Robert Hughes evoked as a dark lair of peeling surfaces, blistered paint, spalling plaster, mounds and craters of paint, piles of newspapers and books crammed into rickety shelves, a mirror so frosted with dust that movements inside it are barely perceptible. Each day, shortly after sunrise, he would go out and make sketches of the deserted streets around Camden and Mornington Crescent, an area that resolutely retains a crowded, seedy melancholy, a dark, middle-European shadow that has attracted other exiles. He would then work in his studio until early afternoon. After a little shopping he would paint throughout the evening, doing studies of one of the small band of loyal models who sat for him, day in, day out, for years. Despite the intensely personal conflict evident in his work, he was not an expressionist artist. Rather, his work was a continual struggle to mediate reality. He said he had no choice in his career. If I hadnt become a painter I would die. In the Studio II, 2002 - courtesy Frankie Rossi Art Projects The only child of a patent lawyer, Frank Helmuth Auerbach was born in Berlin on April 29 1931. When the Germans began killing Jews, his parents arranged for him to be sent to England in 1939, one of six children sponsored by the writer Iris Origo. He was brought up at Bunce Court, a Jewish-Quaker school in Kent. His parents were sent to a death camp. For a while he continued to receive notes. Then these stopped. Auerbach had a happy time at Bunce Court, which looked after many other orphans. He recalled that there was no oppressive presence of noxious grown-ups. During the war the school was evacuated to Shropshire, where boys spent their days playing long games of Monopoly or staging battles between Greeks and Trojans with dustbin lids and sticks. He said he soon forgot about his parents. In 1947 he moved to London, where he studied acting and art. His life changed when he met David Bomberg at Borough Polytechnic. Bomberg, then considered an eccentric failure, impressed upon Auerbach the seriousness of the artists vocation, a necessary respect for tradition and an obligation to be true to the world as he saw it. It was a fine, tormenting balance, between the past, the self and the world, that was to inform all of Auerbachs work. Paintings come out of painting, observed Auerbach. But it doesnt turn into painting until the person who does it has had an experience of their lives. In his studio in 1962 - Hulton Archive Auerbach went on to St Martins and the Royal College of Art, and in 1955 left and moved into his Camden studio, which was given him by his friend, Leon Kossoff. Twenty years passed; Auerbach had regular exhibitions, first at the Beaux Arts in the 1960s, then at Marlborough Fine Art, run by two other survivors of the Holocaust, Frank Lloyd and Harry Fischer. He did not care for the fashions of his profession, having learnt from Bomberg that fashion counted for nothing in the long run. When Abstract Expressionism and Pop were at their height he was already ensconced in the secure dark of Camden. It was not until the 1970s that the British public became exhausted with American imports and American-influences and rediscovered Auerbachs generation. After his retrospective at the Hayward in 1978 his position was assured. His prices rose 10-fold and by the 1980s an Auerbach went for 200,000. In 1995 he had the rare distinction of a solo exhibition at the National Gallery, Working After The Masters, for which he recreated some of the masterpieces of Rubens and Titian, with mixed success. Self-Portrait, 1958, from the recent Courtauld exhibition The Charcoal Heads - the artist, courtesy of Frankie Rossi Art Projects, London In latter years, he began to play variations with his technique of accretion, trying attrition instead, applying paint fluidly, then scraping it off to achieve his effects. His critics said his later work lacked the earnest awkwardness of his canvases of the 1960s, but it was to be expected that the piety with he approached painting would be attacked when he was a success. Auerbachs work was bought by most major galleries in Britain, America and Australia including the Tate, the National Gallery, the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum and Museum of Modern Art in New York and the National Galleries of Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales. He had a major retrospective at Tate Britain in 2015. Money made no difference to him and he did not move from Camden. If I moved Id simply lose a lot of work, and life is very short and Im extremely slow. I havent the time to move. For a long time he had no telephone, and visitors were by appointment only. He never took holidays, citing the National Gallery as the only place worth visiting. Auerbach with his self-portrait, 2002 - Independent / Alamy Hollow-cheeked and sad-eyed, Auerbach belied his anguished appearance, being a fluent, self-deprecating talker who could quote reams of Eliot and Yeats. Still painting every day at the age of 93, he was critical of the lack of classical schooling among art students, not because he thought that this made them bad draughtsmen a painting with a perfect linear perspective is a dead object but because he believed that originality sprang from rebellion. An artist was not an artist unless he did battle with tradition. Im terribly lucky, he said, reflecting on his late fame. One doesnt notice poverty when one is young and Im glad that it came early rather than at this stage. Being an unrecognised painter at 65 must be the most heartbreaking thing. Auerbach married, in 1958, Julia Wolstenhome; they had a son. The couple drifted apart, but were reconciled in 1976. Thereafter, they lived partially separate lives, he in his Camden studio, she in Finsbury Park. Frank Auerbach, born April 29 1931, died November 11 2024 The Swanage Railway: passengers can pay in advance or on the train - but cash is banned - Geography Photos/Universal Images The Government has spent 160,000 of taxpayers money to install on-board Wi-Fi for a steam train to allow passengers to buy tickets. The volunteer-led Swanage Railway on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset features full-sized steam engines and is one of the best preserved and most popular heritage railways in Britain. But after decades of handing over cash to a conductor in exchange for a paper ticket, the railway was forced to go cashless following the closure of local bank branches. However, the move has been hindered by poor mobile phone signal and data coverage. Poor coverage in car parks at some of the trains stations also left passengers unable to buy a 4 car park ticket on their phones. A return ticket for the nine-mile journey costs about 19. About 180,000 people make the trip every year, contributing 15 million to the local economy. Swanage stopped accepting cash payments in March because local banks were closing and the costs outweighed the benefits of accepting cash, said Gavin Johns, Swanage Railway chairman. Now the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has awarded 163,000 to Dorset council to launch a satellite-powered Wi-Fi programme to boost signals in car parks and on the train. Signal is incredibly patchy We became a cashless railway but without adequate coverage, we cant complete transactions with our customers, Mr Johns told The Telegraph. The signal along the railway line is incredibly patchy and there are sections where its next to non-existent. The project, which uses Excelerate Technology, is set to go live in 2025 and is one of the Governments Rural Connectivity Accelerator projects. The Cardiff-based satellite firm will aggregate all mobile signals from all service providers and boost them together, and this will be combined with extra capacity provided by OneWeb satellites. Speeds in excess of 200Mpbs will easily be achievable while using all the links, said Simon Hill, Excelerate chief technical officer. The coverage has been designed to cover the car park, in and around the ticket office and platform and throughout the length of the train for passengers and staff to use normal internet. Richard Biggs, Dorset councils deputy leader, said: Not only will it enhance the visitor experience for people using the railway, but it will explore how these technologies can improve services in remote areas. Archbishop Gregory Michael Aymond speaks at St Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2021. Photograph: Jonathan Bachman/Reuters New Orleans Roman Catholic archbishop Gregory Aymond is submitting his resignation Tuesday, on his 75th birthday, fulfilling a church requirement though it is unclear if Vatican officials would immediately accept it with his scandal-plagued organizations expensive, highly contentious bankruptcy case still unresolved. In a letter issued on Friday to priests and deacons under his command, Aymond cited canon or church law that required him to offer to retire because of his age. But he said he also offered to remain in office until the resolution of the bankruptcy. Precisely when he retires is up to Pope Francis, who can accept the resignation or ask me to remain at this time, he wrote in the missive. It has been a privilege to serve in the archdiocese of New Orleans, and I appreciate your fraternal support and prayers during this challenging time of reorganization, Aymonds letter said. Historically, the Vaticans responses to such age-mandated resignation offers can vary, former US Vatican embassy attorney Tom Doyle told New Orleans CBS affiliate, WWL Louisiana. The archbishop of Boston since 2003, Cardinal Sean OMalley, recently retired at 80 years old, well beyond the mandated retirement age. The ones they let hang around tend to be the ones who havent appeared to screw up, Doyle said. But very often, theyre not aware of whats going on at the diocese level. Doyle said if the pope accepts the resignation, he has two options: name a successor immediately or appoint an archdiocesan administrator as a caretaker until a new archbishop arrives. Aymonds leadership of the USs second-oldest diocese is at a critical juncture. The archdiocese presented one plan to reorganize the church and compensate more than 500 survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of clergymen. For their part, attorneys for a committee of survivors presented another that seeks far more money. Church lawyers maintain that the archdiocese and its affiliates but not their insurers should pay about $125,000 to each sexual abuse claimant. Survivors attorneys countered that the church, its affiliates and insurers should pay $2m per claim. Recent bankruptcy cases involving Catholic dioceses elsewhere have cost more than $600,000 for each abuse claim. The two sides have tentatively agreed on non-monetary settlement terms, including a public release of confidential personnel files outlining how the archdiocese managed the careers of clergymen faced with substantial allegations of child sexual abuse. Meanwhile, since at least April, Louisiana state police has been investigating New Orleans archdiocese for suspected child sex trafficking. A state police search warrant alleges widespread sexual abuse of minors dating back decades was covered up and not reported to law enforcement. One of the citys longtime Catholic priests, Lawrence Hecker, is tentatively scheduled to be tried on charges of child rape, kidnapping and other crimes on 3 December, decades after he confessed in writing to his superiors that he sexually molested or harassed several minors whom he met through work. The church took steps under the leadership of Aymond and his three predecessors to keep Heckers abusive past hidden from the public, media investigations by the Guardian and WWL Louisiana have shown. Aymond took a step to move his archdiocese past the worldwide churchs ongoing clergy molestation scandal in 2018 when he published a list disclosing the names of 57 priests and deacons with credible child molestation allegations against them. The roster was meant to be a conciliatory gesture to abuse survivors who demanded full transparency from him. Related: New Orleans archdiocese agrees to release secret files on clergy accused of child sexual abuse But the list has grown to nearly 80 names and spurred so much civil litigation from clergy molestation survivors that Aymond had the archdiocese file for chapter 11 federal bankruptcy protection in 2020. He initially indicated his belief that the archdiocese could settle its bankruptcy for $7.5m or less. Yet the fees alone for attorneys and other professional advisers have soared past $40m. On Tuesday, attorneys for some clergy abuse survivors involved in the archdiocesan bankruptcy requested permission to eventually depose Aymond, certain attorneys who have represented him and an outside expert who published a report with suggestions on how to settle the bankruptcy. Their request wasnt immediately ruled on. Some abuse survivors have long demanded Aymonds resignation over his management of the archdioceses affairs in the lead-up and aftermath of the 2018 lists publication. But James Adams, who served for a time as the chairperson of a committee representing the interests of survivors in the archdioceses bankruptcy, said he believed it would be helpful for Aymond to remain involved in the chapter 11 process no matter what the Vatican decides with respect to his retirement. It was Archbishop Aymond who placed the archdiocese in bankruptcy protection, Adams said. Its Archbishop Aymond who has been monitoring this and instructing his counsel all the way through this process. Alluding to how Aymond has repeatedly expressed a desire to walk with the survivors down this path of healing, Adams added: I would expect [him] to stick around even if another archbishop is appointed here. The Bill would give a terminally ill person with less than six months to live the right to legally take their own life - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe Hundreds of people could take their lives in the first year of an assisted dying law, says the Labour MP behind the proposed legislation. Kim Leadbeater, who has tabled the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, said evidence from countries which had assisted dying legislation suggested it accounted for between 0.5 per cent and three per cent of deaths. This would suggest between 2,500 and 15,000 but she said: I think initially were probably talking in the hundreds. Were not talking thousands. Lord Falconer, the former Labour lord chancellor who also laid an assisted dying bill, said: It will start quite slowly. It is quite difficult to predict. If you look at different countries, different percentages apply. So weve never put a specific figure on it. It is likely to rise as time goes on. Their comments came hours after the publication of the Bill, under which a terminally ill person given less than six months to live will be able to legally take their own life if sanctioned by two independent doctors and a High Court judge. Evidence Ms Leadbeater cites suggests between 2,500 and 15,000 people would opt for assisted dying within a year - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe MPs will have a free vote on the second reading of the Bill on Friday Nov 29 before it is scrutinised line-by-line by a committee and subjected to further votes in the Commons and the Lords. The 32-page Bill aims to set out detailed safeguards to prevent people being coerced or pressured into taking their own lives amid growing concerns among Labour MPs. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, have voiced their opposition. At a Westminster briefing, Sir Max Hill, the former director of public prosecutions and one of the supporters of the Bill, said High Court hearings to decide whether to allow a person to take their lives could be held in public. He said it would be a decision for judges in the family division of the High Court to determine the best approach but he added: It is open for the hearing or declaration at the end to be in public. Sir James Munby, former president of the family courts, has said he is 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. The Bill states that the judge may hear from and question anyone seeking to take their life in person and must hear from and may question in person at least one of the two doctors who sanctioned the assisted death. The Bill says that if the High Court refuses to approve an assisted suicide, there is a right of appeal to the Court of Appeal. However, there is no right to appeal against the High Courts approval of assisted suicide. Any person seeking to take their own life must have been resident in the UK for at least 12 months, a move designed to counter people coming to the UK for assisted suicides. Doctors can discuss the matter Unlike countries like Canada where a medication can be administered by medics, Ms Leadbeaters bill says it must be self-administered, requiring the person to drink or swallow the fatal medication themselves. Patients can give their consent to assisted suicide by proxy by reason of physical improvement, being unable to read or for any other reason. Doctors are not under any duty to raise assisted dying with a patient but the Bill does allow for them to discuss the matter with a person when it is appropriate and in line with their professional judgment. While doctors can opt out of being directly involved in assisted dying, they cannot opt out of referring patients to doctors who will do it. A doctor who has sanctioned assisted suicide is allowed to refer a terminally ill patient to a third doctor if a second refuses to agree to the person taking their life. The person seeking to die must be over 18, have been registered with a GP for at least 12 months and have the mental capacity to make a choice about the end of their life. At every stage, they must express a clear, settled and informed wish without coercion or pressure. They must make two separate declarations of their wishes, which must be witnessed and signed. They can change their mind at any time. Besides ensuring the person is eligible, the two doctors should, if necessary, consult a specialist in their condition and receive an assessment from an expert in mental capacity. Sir Max said the Bill had safeguards all over it and was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Parliament to change what is currently a pitiful situation with the current law. He said the status quo is a two-tier system where the wealthy can travel to Dignitas in Switzerland while others have to consider assisting their loved ones to die and facing possible prosecution as a result. Sir Max said he believes there is an unanswerable argument that the law at the moment provides no safeguards, no rails, no guidance and leaves the vulnerable in a pitiful situation. Louisianas attorney general, Liz Murrill, and governor, Jeff Landry, at a press conference about the Ten Commandments in schools on 5 August in Baton Rouge. Photograph: Hilary Scheinuk/AP A new Louisiana law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public classroom by the beginning of 2025 has been temporarily blocked after a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction on Tuesday. The judge said the law was unconstitutional on its face and plaintiffs were likely to win their case with claims that the law violates the US constitutions first amendment, which bars the government from establishing a religion and guarantees the right to religious freedom. The ruling marks a win for opponents of the law, who argue that it is a violation of the constitutionally mandated separation of church and state. They also argue that the poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments would isolate students, especially those who are not Christian. Related: US Christian right celebrates after prophecy of Trump win comes to pass Proponents say that the measure is not solely religious, but that it has historical significance to the foundation of US law. The US district judge John W deGravelles in Baton Rouge, who was appointed by the Barack Obama White House, issued the order in an ongoing lawsuit filed by a group of parents of Louisiana public school children after hearing arguments over the law in late October. The states attorney general, Liz Murrill, released a statement on Tuesday saying she and her colleagues strongly disagree with the courts decision and will immediately appeal, according to the New Orleans CBS affiliate, WWL Louisiana. Any appeals in the case are going to be heard by the US fifth circuit, which is widely seen as perhaps the most conservative court. For now, 12 of the 17 active judges at the New Orleans-based court were named by Republican presidents. The Louisiana law ruled on by deGravelles was passed by a Republican-dominated legislature and signed into law by the far-right governor, Jeff Landry, in the reliably conservative state that is ensconced in the Bible belt. The law states that the text of the Ten Commandments must be shown in large, easily readable font, in a frame that is at least 11in by 14in, and is to be displayed in all public school classrooms from kindergarten to those in state-funded universities by 1 January. Each poster must be paired with the four-paragraph context statement describing how the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries. The law does not require school systems to spend public funds on the posters but rather, it allows the systems to accept donated posters or money for the display, according to the Associated Press. In June, several Louisiana families backed by human rights groups lodged a lawsuit in federal court seeking to block the law, arguing that it was unconstitutional. Landry in August told parents who did not want the Ten Commandments displayed in classrooms across the state to tell their children to not look at them. On Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana praised the ruling temporarily blocking the law from taking effect, calling it a victory for religious freedom. Religious freedom the right to choose ones faith without pressure is essential to American democracy, said Alanah Odoms, the executive director of the ACLUs Louisiana chapter. Todays ruling ensures that the schools our plaintiffs children attend will stay focused on learning, without promoting a state-preferred version of Christianity. The Rev Darcy Roake, who is a plaintiff in the case along with her husband, Adrian Van Young, celebrated the ruling, saying: Were pleased and relieved that the court ruled in our favor. As an interfaith family, we expect our children to receive their secular education in public school and their religious education at home and within our faith communities, not from government officials, Roake added. The legislation, which has been touted by Republicans as well as Donald Trump as he successfully sought a second presidency, is one of the latest pushes by conservatives to incorporate religion into classrooms. The push includes Florida legislation allowing school districts to have volunteer chaplains to counsel students and Oklahomas top education official ordering public schools to incorporate the Bible into lessons. In recent years, similar bills requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms have been proposed in other states including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah. However, with threats of legal battles over the constitutionality of such measures, none have gone into effect. In 1980, the US supreme court ruled that a similar Kentucky law was unconstitutional and violated the establishment clause of the US constitution, which says Congress can make no law respecting an establishment of religion. The high court found that the law had no secular purpose but rather served a plainly religious purpose. The Associated Press contributed reporting The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, has resigned - GARETH FULLER/PA The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned following criticism of his failure to prevent child sex abuse. The Most Rev Justin Welby stood down after a damning report into his handling of the worst abuse scandal in the history of the Church of England. An independent review found that abhorrent abuse by John Smyth, an evangelical Christian, could have been exposed four years earlier if the Archbishop had contacted the authorities. The Archbishop said on Tuesday that it had become clear that he must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period after he was informed of allegations in 2013, during which Smyth was not brought to justice, and survivors repeatedly failed by the Church. It follows days of pressure on the Churchs most senior figure to quit, with other bishops calling his position untenable and Sir Keir Starmer twice refusing publicly to back him. The Bishop of Lincoln has also apologised amid calls for him to follow in the Archbishops footsteps for failing to act on child abuse allegations made against Smyth. One of Smyths victims has urged the Rt Rev Stephen Conway to resign, telling the BBC: He was the person in a position to stop John Smyth, bring him to justice and he fundamentally failed. The Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, said the Most Rev Welbys decision to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin Review was the right and honourable thing to do. Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks from the 1970s until his death aged 75 in 2018. A lay reader who led Christian summer camps, Smyth died in Cape Town while under investigation by Hampshire Police and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the review said. The Archbishop became aware of the abuse in 2013 three years before it was made public but did not report Smyth to the police. Just weeks before his resignation, the Archbishop of Canterbury told the Lord Speakers Corner podcast that covering up child abuse was a dismissal offence and the Church would take tough action against those seeking to protect wicked people. The King is understood to have exchanged private words with the Archbishop of Canterbury on Tuesday morning, through aides, in which they discussed his resignation. Meanwhile, Downing Street said the Prime Minister respects the decision of the Most Rev Justin Welby to step down, describing it as a matter for the Church of England. 06:02 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for following 05:44 PM GMT Runners and riders: Who will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury? The Crown Nominations Commission is in charge of selecting who will step into the Archbishops shoes. Made up of both senior clergy and lay people, its role is to submit the name of a preferred candidate and a second appointable candidate to the Prime Minister. There are 16 voting members on the commission. Read the full story on the frontrunners here. Welby replacement candidates 05:32 PM GMT Archbishop leading by example says victim A victim of John Smyth has praised the Archbishop for leading by example by handing in his resignation over his handling of the child abuse scandal. Richard Gittins, who first met John Smyth at a Magdalene College Christian Union event and went on to be beaten by him on a three-weekly basis, told The Telegraph: I am pleased that he has resigned. It shows that he genuinely was sorry about not making sure the report went to the police. Mr Gittins added: I genuinely believe that he is sorry and that he is now leading by example. 05:13 PM GMT Welbys inaction enabled Smyth to commit more crimes - Telegraph readers react Prior to the Archbishop of Canterburys resignation, a poll conducted by The Telegraph showed 93 per cent of more than 58,000 readers called on the Archbishop to quit. In response to the Most Rev Justin Welbys resignation, reader Jules Forrest reacted: God has spoken. Can we now repair Gods house after the destruction Welby and his predecessor wrought on it? I hope the victims of Smyth feel some vindication, but I fear its too little too late. Reader Jane Mary de Woolfson added: The stubborn man has trashed his reputation and legacy by not immediately resigning. His morality is seriously in doubt. Read more of what our readers have to say here. 05:09 PM GMT Have your say on Archbishops resignation 05:06 PM GMT Reverend who petitioned Archbishop not interested in scapegoating A reverend behind the petition calling on the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign said he is pleased Justin Welby has been able to take responsibility for his role in the John Smyth abuse scandal. Rev Dr Ian Paul, Associate Minister at St Nics Church, Nottingham said: If Im pleased about anything its that Justin has taken himself at his own words. Ive never been interested in picking on somebody or tokenism or scapegoating. Justin himself said that he took full responsibility and when hes talked about other organisations like the BBC at the time of the Savile scandal, he said if an organisation makes these errors, then the leaders must take responsibility and thats the measure hes applied to other people. Dr Paul started the petition with Reverend Robert Thompson, vicar of St Marys, Kilburn, and St James, West Hampstead, and Reverend Marcus Walker, rector of St Bartholomew The Great in the City of London, who are all members of the General Synod. 04:52 PM GMT Pressure mounts on second bishop A child abuse victim has called on the Bishop of Lincoln to follow in the Most Rev Justin Welbys footsteps and resign. The man, who wished to remain anonymous, reported allegations against John Smyth to the diocese of Rt Rev Stephen Conway in 2013, according to the Makin Review. He was the person in a position to stop John Smyth, bring him to justice and he fundamentally failed, the victim told the BBC, adding: I dont care about his prayers, I want his resignation. Bishop Conway apologised following the review, saying: In light of the review, I understand that there were further actions I could have taken following my reporting of the disclosures made to us in the Diocese of Ely about John Smyth. I am sorry that I did not pursue these actions at that time. The report said the Diocese of Ely had informed the Most Rev Justin Welby of the allegations. Rt Reverend Stephen Conway - CHARLOTTE GRAHAM 04:36 PM GMT Starmer respects Archbishops decision to resign The Prime Minister respects the decision of the Most Rev Justin Welby to step down, Downing Street has said. Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer had attempted to make the Archbishop of Canterbury reconsider his position, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: No. Were clear its a matter for the Church of England and the Archbishop. Id point you to the Archbishops own statement. He refers to taking personal and institutional responsibility. As I say, the Prime Minister respects that decision and his thoughts, first and foremost, remain with all the victims. The Prime Minister previously made clear that victims of John Smyth had been let down but is not believed to have spoken to Mr Welby before he announced his resignation. 04:13 PM GMT Turning a blind eye to child abuse allegations should be criminal offence, says former Interpol director A former Interpol director has called for those who fail to report evidence of sexual abuse against children to face criminal offences. Paul Stanfield, chief executive of the Childlight Global Child Safety Institute, said a change of law is necessary after a spate of cases in which sexual abuse within institutions is alleged to have been covered up. His comments came around an hour after the Archbishop of Canterbury announced his resignation. Mr Stanfield said: People in positions of power cannot be permitted to turn a blind eye to abuse. When victims and survivors have the courage to come forward, that courage must be repaid with action to ensure justice is done. The world is facing a pandemic of child abuse and the only way we will be able to protect our young people is if those in charge of our organisations and institutions take their duty of care seriously and act with integrity. Those who fail to report evidence of abuse should step aside and face the consequences of their failures including criminal charges where appropriate. 04:00 PM GMT Listen: Archbishop calls covering up child abuse a dismissal offence The Archbishop of Canterbury said covering up child abuse was a dismissal offence just weeks before his resignation over a child abuse scandal, it has emerged. The Most Rev Justin Welby told the Lord Speakers Corner, a podcast produced by the House of Lords, that the Church would take tough action against those seeking to protect wicked people - roughly a month before his own position was called into question. Read the full story here. 03:49 PM GMT Bishop of London demands reform after appalling CofE response The Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, said the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the wake of the John Smyth abuse case provided the urgent impetus we need to change the face of safeguarding in the Church of England. In a statement, she said: The crimes that John Smyth perpetrated were absolutely appalling. So too was the Churchs failure to act in response. At the heart of these events are people who were abused, and who are still being abused. The Church of England now needs a reset in how safeguarding is scrutinised. Archbishop Justins decision reflects a recognition of the standards to which we are all held. It also creates the necessary space to enable change. We need a genuinely survivor-focused approach, with independent scrutiny and mandatory reporting at its heart. From this moment, the Church must drive fundamental safeguarding reform. 03:39 PM GMT King exchanged words with Archbishop this morning The King exchanged private words with the Archbishop of Canterbury this morning, through aides, in which they discussed his resignation, it is understood. The conversation by proxy followed the specific approval process required for the Archbishops resignation. The King is not expected to speak publicly on the matter until the point of formal departure or handover. The exchange between aides from Lambeth Palace and Buckingham Palace took place before Sir Keir Starmer spoke to reporters at the Cop29 summit at midday. During that chat, the Prime Minister refused to back Mr Welby, stating that Smiths victims had been failed very, very badly. King Charles and the Most Rev Justin Welby at Lambeth Palace Library to mark Inter Faith Week in November 2023 - WPA/GETTY IMAGES 03:27 PM GMT Justin Welby resigns - how it happened The Archbishop of Canterbury resigned on Tuesday following criticism of his failure to prevent child sex abuse by John Smyth. Smyth, a barrister who ran Christian summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s, is believed to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England. A review found Smyths abuse of as many as 130 children and young men across five decades could have been exposed in 2013 three years before it was made public if the Archbishop had reported him to the police. Despite having previously insisted he was not aware of the abuse, the Archbishop later admitted he was warned about the CofEs most prolific child abuser 40 years ago. Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire police, and so was never brought to justice for the abuse, the review said. The Makin Review, published last week, led to extreme pressure on the Archbishop to quit. 03:21 PM GMT Im very sad to see him go, says William Hague William Hague said it was sad that The Most Rev Justin Welbys distinguished tenure had ended in this manner and said the Church of Englands reaction would be critical. The former foreign secretary and former leader of the Conservative Party told the Daily T podcast: Im sad, actually, because I think hes a good man. I think hes a decent and very intelligent man. Im very sad to see him go. Its completely understandable, of course, because hes under huge pressure and criticism from this shocking chain of events. He added: The critical thing is going to be: Is the church able to deal with things like this in the future? Has the culture in the church changed sufficiently from what hes done over the last few years or what any successor can do? 03:13 PM GMT Resignation does not absolve other leaders, says lead safeguarding bishop Dr Joanne Grenfell, the Bishop of Stepney and lead safeguarding bishop, said the Archbishop of Canterburys resignation does not absolve the wider Church of England from bringing about wholesale changes in culture and leadership in the Church. She said: I have been acutely aware of the impact of the Makin Review and the retraumatizing effects of its publication on victims and survivors of John Smyths awful abuse.With sadness, I fully respect and understand Archbishop Justins decision today to resign. Although Archbishop Justin has helped the Church of England to achieve much in relation to safeguarding during his tenure, because of the failings identified in the Makin Review, it is now necessary for others to take up the baton. When asked on BBC Radio 4 over the weekend whether she thought the Archbishop of Canterbury should resign, Bishop Grenfell avoided answering the question. 03:08 PM GMT From steady hand to neck-deep in scandal: How Justin Welby fell from grace When he was appointed in 2013, he was meant to be a managerial kind of Archbishop, someone whose earlier career as an oil man would help him handle the tricky politics around historic abuse, gay marriage and female bishops facing the church in the 21st century. Instead, the Most Rev Justin Welby, 68, who announced his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury on Tuesday afternoon, was laid low by his association with the worst abuse scandal in the history of the Church of England. Read the full story here. The Most Rev Justin Welby 03:03 PM GMT Thank the Lord, says Nigel Farage Nigel Farage has expressed relief at the Most Rev Justin Welbys decision to resign. The Reform UK leader wrote on X: Archbishop Welby has gone, thank the Lord. Perhaps the Anglican Church will now appoint a leader that believes in Christian values? 02:55 PM GMT Welby has taken a brave step, says victim A victim of John Smyth said the Archbishop of Canterbury had taken a brave step by resigning, adding that hoped the Most Rev Justin Welby would find some peace in his decision. Andrew Morse, who was severely beaten by the late barrister John Smyth, believed Welby placed himself and the Churchs reputation above victims, by failing to act on concerns about the abuser. After being informed of Welbys resignation by The Telegraph, Mr Morse told this newspaper: I welcome [his resignation] wholeheartedly. I think its a brave step that hes taken and that I hope he finds some peace in this decision as I know myself and other victims will. When asked what he hoped the resignation would bring to victims, Mr Morse said: I think it will bring some measure of closure. Obviously hes just the leader and there are countless other Anglican churchman who equally bear responsibility. The 63-year-old added: But I think by taking this step, hes providing an example for them whether they follow it or not. 02:43 PM GMT Starmer: Victims let down very, very badly Prior to the archbishops resignation, Keir Starmer was asked about the situation at the Cop29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan on Tuesday. The Prime Minister said: Let me be clear. Of what I know of the allegations, they are clearly horrific in relation to this particular case and both in their scale and their content and my thoughts, as they are with all of these issues, are with the victims here who have obviously been failed very, very badly. It is a matter in the end for the Church but I am not going to shy away from the fact saying these are horrific allegations and my thoughts are with the victims in relation to it and I think that is very important. 02:33 PM GMT How The Telegraph revealed the scale of John Smyths abuse and Justin Welbys connection The Archbishop of Canterburys resignation over his links to child sex abuser John Smyth has its roots in years of reporting by The Telegraph. A Channel 4 documentary in February 2017 initially alleged that Smyth had routinely subjected teenage boys to sadomasochistic assaults during his time in charge of Christian holiday camps in the seventies and eighties. In a series of subsequent reports, The Telegraph shed light on events surrounding the abuse and revealed the Most Rev Justin Welbys connection to the scandal. Read the full story here. Telegraph reporting on Justin Welby 02:27 PM GMT Archbishop of York statement: Right thing to do The Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, said Justin Welbys resignation was the right and honourable thing to do. In a statement, he said: As I read the Makin Review last week and reflected on the terrible abuse perpetrated by John Smyth and shamefully covered up by others, I am, first of all, moved by the accounts of victims and survivors that we have heard from so powerfully. They were badly let down by many in different parts of the Church of England. I am grateful for their courage to be part of the review. As a church we continue to work towards and must achieve a more victim-centred and trauma-informed approach to safeguarding within the Church of England, and this must address the broader questions of culture and leadership. In this regard, much progress has already been made over the last 10 years. Indeed, it has been Archbishop Justin himself who has championed those developments and reforms. Both Justin and I have made our hopes known about the independence of safeguarding discussed both by Makin and also in Alexis Jays report and look forward to the group already at work on these bringing recommendations which can be both effective and trusted. As Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin has decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin review. I believe this is the right and honourable thing to do. Whilst this is a difficult day for Justin, I pray there will be an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the many positive aspects of his ministry and his huge commitment to the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and above all the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But I continue to take account of the needs and experiences of victims and survivors and look to the various changes, above all the greater independence of safeguarding, that we need to help ensure these failings never happen again. It is to this ongoing work that I commit myself. 02:23 PM GMT Pictured: Archbishops letter of resignation 02:10 PM GMT The Archbishops statement in full Justin Welby: The last few days have renewed my profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. Photograph: Yui Mok/AFP/Getty Images The archbishop of Canterbury is to step down amid intense pressure over his handling of one of the churchs worst abuse scandals. Justin Welbys decision, announced on Tuesday, comes after mounting demands from victims and members of the clergy for him to quit. Pressure on him had intensified since the publication last week of a damning report on the Church of Englands cover-up of abuse by John Smyth in the UK in the late 1970s and early 80s, and later in Zimbabwe and, it is suspected, South Africa. About 130 boys are believed to have been victims of Smyth, a powerful barrister who died in 2018. The independent Makin review into the abuse concluded Smyth could have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally reported it to police a decade ago. Welby said his decision, which came five days after the report was published, was in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. The announcement came hours after Keir Starmer, the prime minister, refused to publicly back him. A petition started by three members of the General Synod the churchs parliament had amassed more than 13,000 signatures calling for the archbishop to quit. In a statement posted by Lambeth Palace, Welby, the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide, said: Having sought the gracious permission of his majesty the king, I have decided to resign as archbishop of Canterbury. The Makin review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury.https://t.co/aNnuLBMapo pic.twitter.com/pIIR1911QU Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 12, 2024 The king approved Welbys resignation on Tuesday morning. The archbishop said the exact timing of his departure was yet to be confirmed, adding: I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse. The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly 12 years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done. In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete. Welby said last week he had considered resigning over his shameful decision not to act on reports of abuse by Smyth when he was informed of them in 2013. But Lambeth Palace had said in a statement on Monday that Welby had apologised profoundly both for his own failures and omissions, and for the wickedness, concealment and abuse by the church more widely, and did not intend to resign. Starmer is not believed to have spoken to Welby before he announced his resignation but Downing Street said the prime minister respects the decision. Welby, who had public roles at the funeral of the late Queen and the coronation of King Charles, will have consulted his team of close and trusted advisers on whether or not to quit. Key among them will have been Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York, whose judgment is widely respected. Welbys personal chaplain, Tosin Oladipo, will have offered spiritual guidance. The views of his wife, Caroline, will also have been critical in his decision-making process, it is believed. Cottrell said on Tuesday that it was the right and honourable thing for Welby to have decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin review. The bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, said the move provided the urgent impetus we need to change the face of safeguarding. But Andrew Graystone, author of Bleeding for Jesus, a book about Smyths abuse, said the church needed a wholesale change of culture at the top of the organisation, with other clergy taking responsibility for failing to act. He said: At least 11 bishops knew about John Smyths abuse, but failed to stop him. In addition there were literally scores of rank and file church leaders and members who stood by, feeling it was someone elses job to act. This is not about the incompetence of one man. It is a deep-seated cultural issue about the privilege in the church. Alan Collins, a partner in the sexual abuse team at the law firm Hugh James, who represents a number of Smyths victims, said Welbys resignation was a side issue. He said: The spotlight must be on how the Church of England failed its victims so dreadfully for over 40 years, and the immediate priority is the Church of England addressing the needs of its victims. Welby had faced calls to resign from Smyths victims, members of the General Synod and Helen-Ann Hartley, the bishop of Newcastle, who said his position was untenable. James, a survivor of abuse committed by Smyth, said it was a mistake to presume that Welbys departure would satisfy all victims. He added: There were plenty of other senior clerics who were aware of Smyths abuse, from early, too. Replacing the archbishop of Canterbury without a real change in culture is not enough as far as Im concerned. Smyth sadistically abused private schoolboys who attended evangelical Christian holiday camps in the late 1970s and early 80s. Across five decades, he is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. When the abuse was discovered, Smyth was allowed to move abroad with the full knowledge of church officials, where he continued to act with impunity. He died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire constabulary, and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the Makin review said. Welby volunteered at the holiday camps in the 1970s but has denied any knowledge of concerns about Smyth. However, the report said this was unlikely. It added: [Welby] may not have known of the extreme seriousness of the abuse, but it is most probable that he would have had at least a level of knowledge that John Smyth was of some concern It is not possible to establish whether Welby knew of the severity of the abuses in the UK prior to 2013. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International Low-altitude flights help to beat traffic woes 10:40, November 12, 2024 By Zheng Caixiong ( China Daily A helicopter flies along the recently launched low altitude flight route linking Shenzhen's downtown area and Guangzhou Haixinsha Park to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, at the end of October. (Photo/CHINA DAILY) A helicopter that took off from a downtown area in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, at about 12:10 pm on Oct 31 landed successfully at a helipad in Guangzhou's Haixinsha Park after about 30 minutes of flying. The helicopter subsequently took off from Haixinsha at 4:35 pm and landed at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport after another 18 minutes. The successful maiden flight marks the opening of the first low-altitude flight route from Baiyun Airport to Haixinsha Park in Guangdong's provincial capital and Shenzhen, a statement released by the Guangdong Airport Authority said recently. The low-altitude route is jointly operated by Yitong Business Aviation Management Co Ltd and Shenzhen-based Heli-Eastern, a low-altitude reform pilot unit recognized by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Shenzhen municipal government. Cai Wuqun, an executive with the Strategic Development Department of Heli-Eastern, said low-altitude traffic mainly solves the problem of traffic congestion between cities and within the urban areas of a city. "It takes only 18 minutes from Baiyun International Airport to Guangzhou's Zhujiang New Town, a central business district in the southern metropolis, which can meet the high efficiency travel demand of business representatives," said Cai. As two core cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou and Shenzhen not only have large economic volumes and strong industrial foundations, but also numerous private enterprises. The two cities also share economic development links, strong demand for passenger and freight transportation, and frequent and close business exchanges, he said. Currently, ground transportation from Shenzhen to Guangzhou Haixinsha takes more than 120 minutes, and from Haixinsha to Baiyun Airport, it is more than 50 minutes. With the newly launched helicopter service, it only takes 30 minutes by air to fly from Shenzhen to Haixinsha, and another two minutes for security checks. And it takes only 18 minutes by air to fly from Haixinsha to Baiyun Airport, plus two minutes for a security check. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Savencia Cheese USA announced last week the voluntary recall of some soft ripened cheeses sold at Aldis and other outlets because of concerns they could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can pose health threats to young children and the elderly. Whitestone REIT A cheese company is taking one of its products off the shelves because of possible contamination from a bacteria that could pose a dangerous health threat to young children, the elderly and pregnant women. Savencia Cheese USA last week announced the voluntary recall of some soft-ripened cheeses sold at Aldi and other outlets due to concern the products could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious and, in some cases, fatal infections in young children and vulnerable people, such as the elderly. In a company announcement posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website, Savencia reported that the contamination was linked to Lena, one of its manufacturing facilities and identified through routine testing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the companys report, concerns were that processing equipment at the facility could have been contaminated with listeria. The company also said that there have been no confirmed cases of people getting sick from eating the cheeses at this time and no evidence of contaminated products were found but initiated the recall in coordination with the FDA. Items recalled: Aldi Emporium Selection Brie, La Bonne Vie Brie, La Bonne Vie Camembert, 12- and 8-ounce Industrial Brie, Market Basket Brie and Supreme Oval. SKUNK SIGHTINGS: What to know about increased skunk sightings in Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad What is Listeria monocytogenes? This is a species of disease-causing bacteria that can be found in moist and wet environments such as water, soil, decaying vegetation and animals, according to the FDA website. The bacteria can thrive and grow in refrigeration and other food preservation measures, and environments can be contaminated by raw materials, water, soil, and incoming air. The bacteria can be transmitted through the consumption of foods processed, prepared, packed, transported or stored in environments contaminated with L. monocytogenes. Listeria can also be spread by pets in a home environment eating contaminated foods. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Potential risks Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and in those with weakened immune systems. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. In very young children, the elderly, and the immune-compromised, listeriosis can be fatal. Healthy individuals may only experience short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, according to the FDA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Symptoms The range of symptoms of consuming foods contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches and can emerge within a few hours or days of eating contaminated food. Symptoms from more severe cases of listeriosis can take days and sometimes months to develop and can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Keir Starmer addressing COP29 The Government used to have a twin-pronged strategy to help save the world from the climate crisis. The first was to persuade us all that we must change the way we live, limit our appetites for carbon-emitting forms of transport, food production and domestic heating and be prepared to make the sacrifices in our standards of living that will be necessary in order to limit the amount by which the earths temperature will rise in future years. The second prong of the strategy was to remind us constantly that none of this is working and that despite our efforts were all going to die horribly in a fiery Armageddon. That part hasnt changed. But the first one has. Most people were able to recognise the fundamental flaw in the strategy and its a circle that governments all over the globe had to square if they were to succeed in avoiding turning us all into extras in a Roland Emmerich movie. To get people on their side, to win their support for their own climate ambitions, voters needed to be told that all their sacrifices had to be worth something. They needed to be assured that it was working, that their reluctant agreement to ditch their old diesel-fuelled banger in favour of an expensive new hybrid or electric car was actually going to help save all those lives that politicians constantly reminded us were at risk. Swapping your old and much beloved gas boiler in favour of a much larger and some might suggest less efficient electric pump might seem less of a worthwhile sacrifice if, as soon as its been installed, you switch on the TV news to be told that temperatures are still rising disastrously. Whats the point, you might be tempted to ask. That is Keir Starmers challenge as he attends COP29 in Azerbaijan this week, and it is the challenge facing every other world leader who is attending. Some will say that it is unhelpful crass, in fact to reduce the fight for the survival of the planet to a mere political problem, especially one of messaging. But thats what were stuck with, especially since most of the measures in most parts of the world will be judged at the ballot box by the very people who are most impacted by the policies aimed at limiting increases in climate temperatures. The Prime Minister himself helpfully set out the problems he and his world leaders face, although he did so inadvertently. In the last couple of decades, politicians here and elsewhere in the democratic world have consciously decided to change completely the language used to describe the green transition. In more realistic times, our leaders might have told us that while it will be tough to meet the targets agreed internationally for limiting carbon emissions, the prize a sustainable planet would be worth it. No longer. Speaking to delegates today, the Prime Minister repeated rhetoric hes used many times before, rejecting talk of sacrifices and instead embracing the opportunities for tomorrow. This Reaganesque optimism was ably represented in his opening comments: This is a huge opportunity, for investment, for UK businesses, for British workers, if we act now to lead the world in the economy of tomorrow. This is how we move towards better jobs, cheaper bills, high growth, the industries and technology of the future and ensure the prosperity and security of our nation for decades to come. And prosperity and security of our nation are the issues the British people care about. Stirring stuff. Whats not to like? This sort of language is so much more comforting than the old language of sacrifice and threats and the doom that awaits our children if we dont start eating more vegan burgers. And in an earlier interview, Starmer even went so far as to claim that Britains climate change targets reducing emissions from a 1990 base by 81 per cent by 2035 was not about telling people how to live their lives. This is wonderful! Just think according to Keir, we can live how we like, even live like we did in the 1980s and 1990s, presumably, without government interference. And there are no sacrifices being demanded. In fact, the only changes well see are cheaper energy bills, better, cleaner, more highly-paid jobs and a cleaner, more secure, more stable planet. Sign me up! But perhaps a little cynicism is justified nonetheless. Will it really be this easy, this unalloyed, uninterrupted transition from where we are now to this new, shining utopia of which the PM speaks? Even some of those present at COP29, including the hosts, are sceptical about the ending of reliance on oil that is demanded by UN scientists. And the fact that many of the leaders of the biggest global polluters, including the USA and China, arent even present to suffer their traditional talking-down-to by smaller, less wealthy nations suggests that COP29 is less cop than it used to be. And while the stick has been rebranded as a big, juicy, irresistible carrot, the regular warnings of climate apocalypse are no less frequently broadcast: projected temperatures are still rising, this or that line on the thermometer will be crossed soon, irreparable damage is about to be inflicted on our natural environment. Its all aimed at motivating our leaders to do something, but so far its chief accomplishment has been to encourage them to use less harsh language or not turn up at all. The fundamental problem is that this Government, and many others like it, have persuaded us that they, not we as individuals, have the responsibility for saving the planet. Which means that they, not we, have to take the blame when their measures dont work. All we have to do is wait for all those bright, shiny promises to come true and wait, even more patiently, for those thermometer readings to come down. Because thats what we were promised, right? And surely our own leaders wouldnt lie to us about something that important? People protest in support of abortion access in Lexington, Kentucky, on 24 June 2022. Photograph: Ryan C Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via Getty Images A pregnant woman in Kentucky seeking an abortion filed a lawsuit on Tuesday asking a court to strike down the states abortion bans. The woman, who is known in court records as Mary Poe and is about seven or eight weeks pregnant, is challenging Kentuckys near-total abortion ban and the six-week ban simultaneously in effect. These bans, Poe argues, violate the Kentucky constitutions rights to privacy and self-determination and should not be enforced. For many individuals, the bans altogether foreclose the ability to access abortion, thus forcing them to carry their pregnancies to term and give birth, which carries a risk of death up to 14 times higher than that associated with abortion, the lawsuit alleges. Others, pushed by the bans to travel out of state for legal care, bear the burdens both of increased health risks from being pushed later into pregnancy and of the cost and logistical difficulties of long-distance travel. The lawsuit also requests class-action status for all people who may be pregnant or can become so but are unable to get a abortion in Kentucky. I feel overwhelmed and frustrated that I cannot access abortion care here in my own state, and I have started the difficult process of arranging to get care in another state where its legal, Poe said in a statement. This involves trying to take time off work and securing child care, all of which place an enormous burden on me. This is my personal decision, a decision I believe should be mine alone, not one made by anyone else. The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Kentucky, and the law firm Kaplan, Johnson, Abate & Bird are representing Poe. Kentucky is one of more than a dozen states that have banned almost all abortions in the two years since the US supreme court overturned Roe v Wade. It is also one of several states that have overlapping abortion bans on the books a result of Roe-era efforts by state legislators to pile up abortion restrictions to both score political points with the anti-abortion movement and generate opportunities for the supreme court to take up a challenge to Roe. Last year, another pregnant Kentucky woman also sued the state over its anti-abortion laws, but she later learned that her embryo was no longer viable. That case was ultimately dismissed. The Chagos Islands could be given to Mauritius - Pictures from History/Universal Images Chagos Islanders have warned Labour could abandon any overseas UK territory with impunity. Several hundred Chagossians gathered at the Round Chapel in Hackney, east London on Tuesday evening to protest the Governments deal to hand over sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius, which was announced in October. Critics claim the deal opens the door to other countries demanding Britain hand over territory. Diana Mondino, Argentinas foreign minister, promised concrete action would be taken to have the Falklands returned to Buenos Aires after Sir Keir Starmer announced the deal. Misley Mandarin, from the British Indian Ocean Territory Citizens platform, told The Telegraph: If the Labour Government did this without going to the Parliament, without self-determination, they could do that to any British territory. There is no trusting them. Mr Mandarin said Chagossians would continue fighting loudly for their rights in response to not being consulted over the decision. Dont suffocate our voice I would say to David Lammy he has proclaimed he is a fighter for minorities and black people please listen to Chagossians, he said, adding: We have a voice, dont suffocate our voice. Avraham Ono, 54, from Tottenham, who was born on the Chagos Islands, branded the move a disaster. He said: The island never belonged to Mauritius. I dont know why they did it in the first place. They never answer the question. Lord Hannan of Kingsclere, who also took to the pulpit, said the Foreign Secretary had viewed the decision purely in decolonise, BLM, woke terms. He said: Its almost a perfect illustration of when a government under the grip of identity politics doesnt stand back and consider the implications. British Chagossians demonstrate in Westminster in October - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Describing the Governments thought process, he said: Here is a poor country with a non-white population making demands of Britain pay them. Daniel Hannan is the former MEP for South East England which covered Crawley, where he said the majority of Chagossians in the UK have settled. He added that the UK was stuck in this awful predicament where it is paying to give away territory, despite Mauritius having been paid twice already for renouncing it. Wendy Morton, Conservative MP for Aldridge-Brownhills, addressed the audience and then told this newspaper of her surprise at the Governments timing. It came very quick. It came during recess. The question is why? she said, adding: The Chagossian people there has been no involvement of them in the decision, at least tonight they are able to come together and make their feelings heard. Zia Yusuf, chairman of Reform UK, hoped the abominable, awful deal would attract the attention of Donald Trump. He said: Our leader Nigel Farage has the ear of the incoming president of the United States. He is going to be campaigning for the right of the Chagossians to return to the islands under the British flag. To be ceding British sovereign territory where there is that base at Diego Garcia that is incredibly important strategically to the US, I think there is a good chance and I hope President Trump will intervene. The man is the first Victorian to be found guilty of exit trafficking, after a county court trial. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP A Victorian man who tricked his wife into travelling to Sudan before taking her children and passport back to Australia has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison. After a county court trial, the 52-year-old man in April became the first Victorian convicted of exit trafficking where someone is coerced, threatened or tricked into leaving Australia against their will. The man had pleaded not guilty to the charge and denied having deceived the woman, who was abandoned in Sudan for 16 months. The woman cannot be named for legal reasons. Judge Frank Gucciardo said the mans offending required a degree of planning. You treated her as a chattel that could be simply discarded, he said. She was grief-stricken and traumatised by the departure of her children with you. The man must serve at least three years and three months in jail before he can be eligible for parole. He appeared in the county court in Melbourne on Tuesday morning, wearing a grey jumper and beige pants. Gucciardo said the man intentionally misled his wife to believe she had a valid visa to return to Australia when they travelled to Sudan in September 2014. What you had not told her was, in June 2014, you had withdrawn the visa and her application for a visa would be under threat, he said. The man had told her it was for a holiday and later departed Sudan with their children, leaving her stranded for 16 months, the court heard. Gucciardo said the woman would not have left Australia if she had known the truth about her visa status. The man travelled back to Australia with the pairs two children, both aged under two, and his wifes passport, Gucciardo said. Gucciardo said depriving the children at this tender age was an aggravating factor in the offending. He said the abrupt separation from her children had caused the woman immense physical pain and agony. Related: Woman trafficked from Australia to Sudan describes agonising struggle to reunite with her children After her husband departed Sudan, the woman contacted the Australian embassy in Egypt and was told her visa had been cancelled, the court heard. After the woman received legal aid and migration support, the Department of Home Affairs issued her a temporary visa, allowing her to travel to Australia at the end of February 2016. Gucciardo said the man was a well-educated and community-minded individual. But he said the moral culpability of the offending was high and the man lacked remorse and insight into the offending. He said his likelihood of reoffending was low and his chances of rehabilitation were good if he developed insight into his conduct. During a pre-sentencing hearing in July, the court heard the mans former wife describe being stranded without her children as the most devastating experience of my life. In a letter read to the court, she said her children had endured unimaginable suffering after they were removed without her consent. She said one of her children experiences severe separation anxiety and fears her mother will never return when she leaves. The mans barrister, Brett Stevens, argued that the two children were not victims of the offence. He said at the time of the offence the children did not have separation anxiety and said other circumstances such as family court proceedings that may have contributed to the impact on them were not derived from the offence. After an arranged marriage in Sudan in 2010, the woman moved to Australia on a partner visa in 2012 and was sponsored by her husband, the court heard. She had their first child in 2012 and the second two years later. The Australian federal police charged the man in 2022. In a statement on Tuesday evening, the AFP asked the public to familiarise themselves with the potential indicators for human trafficking on the AFP website and to make a report if they suspect a vulnerable person may be at risk. You could save a life. The apology was backed by the majority of parliament except for the right-wing Progress party, which voted against it. Photograph: Thomas Hegge/Shutterstock The Norwegian parliament has apologised unreservedly to minority groups and Indigenous people for more than a century of historical injustices committed against them as part of its Norwegianisation policy. The forced assimilation policy which included state-run boarding schools that banned minority languages and the forced relocation of whole villages pursued by Norwegian authorities dated back to the 18th century and became official policy from 1851. Although parts were phased out in the 1960s, much of the policy continued into the 1980s. The apology on Tuesday to the Sami, Kvens and Forest Finns by the Norwegian parliament, known as Storting, came after the publication of a report by the truth and reconciliation commission last year. Last week, the commission submitted its recommendations, which included that Storting express its deepest regret for the abuses and its active role in the policy that led to them. Other recommendations included establishing a dedicated centre for reconciliation work, reviewing Indigenous and national minority languages, and investing in language training for all ages. Starting in 2027, the government must submit a report each parliamentary term outlining the work it is doing for Indigenous people and national minorities. The apology was backed by the majority of parliament except for the right-wing Progress party, which voted against it on Tuesday during a day of debate and conversations around a fire in a traditional Sami lavvu tent in Eidsvolls plass in Oslo. It was attended by members of the groups included in the report and representatives of the truth and reconciliation commission. After the vote, the president of the Sami parliament, Silje Karine Muotka, said it had been a day with many emotions. Related: Funding cuts could mean death of Sami languages, say Indigenous parliaments It is powerful to experience that the Storting is apologising and acknowledging responsibility for the Norwegianisation policy, she said. Today I send thoughts to those who have suffered, who lost both language and culture, and who have deep wounds. Today there is hope for reconciliation. While the apology, she added, ensures long-term follow-up with financial and legal accountability, it was unfortunate no settlement had been made on continuing injustice and disputes over land and water. She also hoped that the Kvens and Forest Finns, who she said have been subjected to great injustice would experience repair in the future. The Norwegian truth and reconciliation commission is one of several investigations across the Nordic countries into historical injustices against Indigenous groups and minorities. Swedens Truth Commission for the Sami People is expected to report its findings in 2025 and Finlands Truth and Reconciliation Commission Concerning the Sami People is scheduled to continue until the end of that year. Sen Const Kristian White at the supreme court on Monday. He has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter after tasering Clare Nowland. Photograph: Steve Markham/AAP A court has seen video footage of a police officer Tasering a 95-year-old to disarm her in a nursing home before she fell to the ground and sustained a head injury that ultimately killed her. The police body-worn camera shows great-grandmother Clare Nowland sitting in a chair in an office at the Snowy Mountains nursing home in checkered pyjamas in the early hours of the morning in May 2023. Nowland is told repeatedly by police, paramedics, and home staff to stay sitting down and drop the serrated knife she was carrying as she tries to stand up. I would love to have that knife, are you able to put that on a table for me? a paramedic says in the video which was played at Sen Const Kristian James Samuel Whites manslaughter trial in the New South Wales supreme court on Tuesday. Another person present says: Can you put the knife just on your walker there, I dont want you to stand up darling. Nowland then stands up and uses her walking frame to slowly move towards the door. After she is asked multiple times to sit down and not come closer, she raises the knife for a moment and then rests her hand again on her walker. The video shows White raise his Taser and say: Were not playing this game Clare, you got to put that down. He then repeatedly asks her to put down the knife and says: This is your first warning. He then discharges a warning shot from the Taser and says: Dont get me to give you another warning. After Nowland raises the knife again, White says na, bugger it, fires his Taser and then says got her grab it, the video played in court shows. The video shows White, Sgt Rachel Pank, and the paramedics rushing to support Nowland while she lies on the ground. White says: Clare cmon, youre alright. Related: The secretive world of Aldi Australia: which aisle makes the most money and other things we learned Pank asks White if hes all good and then she says: I didnt expect it to be like that. After calling the incident in on her police radio, Pank is heard saying in the video: Unfortunately that is how it had it go. I was thinking, I could just grab it, but it was a bit too sharp I thought surely I can hit it out her hand. Nowland died a week later from a head injury caused by being Tasered, the jury has been told. White, 34, is facing a trial that could last three weeks after he pleaded not guilty to one count of manslaughter. Whites barrister, Troy Edwards SC, has told the court that it is not in dispute that the injuries caused by White Tasering Nowland ultimately killed her. But he argued that Whites use of the Taser involved a reasonable use of force. Prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC has argued that White was guilty of manslaughter by way of criminal negligence or by way of an unlawful and dangerous act. Dr Sairita Maistry, a forensic pathologist who performed Nowlands autopsy, appeared as a witness on Tuesday. She told the court she had concluded Nowland died of blunt force trauma to the head and complications. The court heard the autopsy found Nowland had bruising and bleeds in part of her brain and a laceration that penetrated her brain Multiple types of blunt force trauma were present, Maistry told the court. A senior technical officer for the NSW police, who appeared as a witness, told the court that White discharged a visual and sound warning before firing the Taser. Asked by Hatfield what the warning sounded like, he responded: Quite loud, frightening. Under cross-examination by Edwards, the officer was asked if the purpose of using a Taser was to briefly incapacitate a person rather than achieve compliance through pain. Well pain comes with that, with electricity, the officer responded. Edwards then asked again if that was not the actual purpose of it, and the officer said that was correct. The court also heard witness statements from two elderly men who lived at the nursing home where Nowland was Tasered. They both described how at some point during the evening of the incident, Nowland had entered their rooms. One, a 90-year-old man, said in a statement that he saw two knives in Nowlands hand, which was rested on her walking frame. He said he attempted to usher her out of the room until a nurse came to help. The other, who was 84 years old, said in his statement that Nowland had waved a knife around while nurses tried to get her out of his room. The man said he was then taken out of the room, and returned around half an hour later after he was told Nowland was no longer inside. Nowland is survived by eight children, 24 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren many of whom have been attending the trial. The trial, before Justice Ian Harrison, continues. Iya Patarkatsishvili and her husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak claim developer William Woodward-Fisher (left) failed to disclose previous moth issues before selling them the property When Iya Patarkatsishvili and her husband paid 32.5 million for a Victorian mansion in Notting Hill, they likely envisaged a life of unparalleled luxury. However, instead of spending their days reclining in the mansions spa or swimming lengths in its pool, the couple claim they are forced to spend their time swatting around 100 insects a day because of a moth infestation of extreme proportions. Ms Patarkatsishvili, the daughter of Badri Patarkatsishvili, the late Georgian oligarch , claims she and her husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak were never told about the millions of moths nesting behind the walls and ceilings of Horbury Villa when they bought the property in 2019. She is now suing William Woodward-Fisher, a high-end property developer and former champion rower for Great Britain, for 36 million in the High Court over claims of fraudulent misrepresentation or negligence in failing to disclose problems with moths leading up to the sale. John McGhee KC, representing the couple, said Dr Hunyak, 41, has ended up having to swat around 100 moths a day to stay on top of the problem. The property boasts a pool and spa, gym, wine room, cinema and snoring room - Champion News But Mr Woodward-Fisher denied all claims, insisting that he gave honest and full replies on the pre-sale enquiries form, and that as far as he knew any previous moth problems had been eliminated by the time of the move. He also said their 9.6 million valuation to remedy the problem was overblown. Mr Woodward-Fisher and his wife, Kerry, 64, bought the site in 2011. It was extended and remodelled to about 11,000 square feet before it was sold to the couple in 2019. Horbury Villa boasts a pool and spa, gym, wine room, library and cinema, and also a snoring room designed to guarantee its residents a peaceful nights sleep. Infestation far more extreme Jonathan Seitler KC, Mr Woodward-Fishers lawyer, said the retired rower had been honest when dealing with the enquiry about possible previous vermin infestation. Mr Woodward-Fisher told his solicitor he and his wife had experienced problems with moths but said they were assured that moths were not vermin and therefore not relevant to the situation. Dr Hunyak, 50, is a paediatric dentist who practices in Chelsea, while his wife is the daughter of Badri Patarkatsishvili, who died in 2008. The couple, or staff representing them, visited the Notting Hill property at least 11 times before their purchase, the court was told, but they did not once see the insect during these visits. However, their barrister said that the infestation was far more extreme than an ordinary domestic experience of moths. Mr McGhee KC told the court: Clothes had to be packed in hermetic bags, carpets and furniture were damaged, numerous items of clothes were eaten, moths got in wine and food, and on cutlery and toothbrushes. The pair demand the return of their 32.5 million in purchase money towards the house - Iya Patarkatsishvili/Instagram He alleged that the moth infestation was well known to the property developer before he sold it in 2019, claiming that it had caused major upheavals for him and his family. At one point, he said, Mr Woodward-Fishers family was forced to check into a hotel and leave their dog elsewhere to clear the way for a major spray. The fact that he was willing to tolerate this level of disruption further puts the lie to Mr Woodward-Fishers claims that the level of moth activity had not troubled him, added Mr McGhee. Estimate fantastically high In their claim, Dr Hunyak and his wife asked the judge to reverse the house sale on the basis of alleged fraudulent misrepresentation. They want the return of their 32.5 million purchase money, plus compensation for other losses, including 50,000 for moth-shredded clothes and over 3.7 million they paid in stamp duty. The couple claim that it would cost around 9.6 million to rip out the moth infestation source in the embedded wool insulation, but Mr Woodward-Fisher says that estimate is fantastically high and is closer to 162,652. Challenging the compensation claim, Mr Seitler said his client cant afford to re-purchase the property and also alleged that the couple had neglected the house. The trial continues. People hold a banner that reads 'Murderers' as thousands take part in a protest in Valencia, Spain. Photograph: Biel Alino/EPA In Valencia, thousands of people took to the streets on the weekend in protest against the political response to the deadly floods that killed at least 222 people in Spain. People gathered in anger calling for the resignation of the regional president Carlos Mazon. He is under mounting pressure after it emerged he had a three-hour lunch with a journalist on Tuesday 29 October, the day the torrential rains hit the region, and did not arrive at the emergency command centre until 7.30 that evening. If you live in Valencia, we would like to hear your experience of the protests. How do you feel about them? Did you take part? If so, what were your reasons for doing so? Were also interested in hearing your view on the political response to the floods. This Community callout closed on 27 December 2024. You can contribute to open Community callouts here or Share a story here. A picture of a Gloucester Police sign A Gloucestershire police constable has been arrested on suspicion of supporting Hamas. The suspect, in his 30s, was detained in Gloucester by counter-terror officers on suspicion of providing support for a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000. He was taken to a police custody unit outwith the Gloucestershire area. Police said specialist officers were searching a vehicle and an address in Gloucester looking for digital devices. The terror group Hamas is proscribed organisation under UK law - Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Asst Chief Constable Arman Mathieson of Gloucestershire Constabulary said: The arrest of a serving officer on suspicion of such a serious offence will no doubt cause our communities concern, as it does everyone who works for Gloucestershire police. Its important to note the suspected support relates to activity online and the searches taking place are predominately to locate digital devices for analysis. The arrest has been made to allow for a prompt and effective investigation to take place and we must not draw any conclusions at this stage. Katie Simpson, a show jumper, died in hospital six days after an incident but Jonathan Creswell was only arrested for her murder the following year. Photograph: Family handout/PA The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) failed the family of a 21-year-old woman after her death two years ago in Derry, initially treating it as suicide rather than a suspected murder, the police watchdog has said. The report by the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland comes amid renewed concerns that gender-based violence is not being taken seriously enough in the region with the highest rate of femicide per capita of all nations in the UK and in the island of Ireland. Katie Simpson, a show jumper, died in hospital in Derry six days after an incident but it was not until the following year that Jonathan Creswell was arrested on suspicion of murder. Related: Domestic abuse commissioner needed to tackle femicide in Northern Ireland, charity says The police ombudsman investigation concluded that the police investigation was hindered and flawed because of the misleading working assumption adopted by a number of officers that Simpsons injuries were self-inflicted. They criticised a lack of investigative mindset taking into account police had received intelligence that Simpson may have been the victim of controlling behaviours, that the attempted suicide was suspicious, that she had not fallen from a horse, and that medical staff had also expressed concerns about the circumstances of her injuries. The police ombudsman chief executive, Hugh Hume, said although this intelligence was viewed and logged by police, it did not change the direction of the police investigation. There appeared to be a general lack of an investigative mindset which contributed to shortcomings, he said. The investigation found there were no effective searches carried out at Simpsons address and that no supervisory officer attended the house at the initial stages of the investigation. Among the other investigative failings identified by the police ombudsman was the lack of consideration given to gathering potential physical evidence from Simpson herself. These included blood samples and photographs of her injuries, despite police being aware at an early stage that she was unlikely to survive. They missed opportunities to interview key witnesses and did not question Creswells claim that she had been injured after falling from a horse. The trial of Creswell, 36, for the murder of Simpson ended in April after his sudden death. Katies mother, Noleen Mullan, told a press conference: The people who are responsible for whats happened here from the start are nowhere to be seen. And it leaves you feeling empty. Theres been no achievement made, for me. I wanted them to be made accountable but I dont think they ever will be. The police ombudsman investigation identified breaches of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) code of ethics in respect of professional duty, the conduct of police investigations and the duty of supervisors. As a result, disciplinary recommendations were made to the PSNI in respect of six police officers. No action was taken against three officers, two of whom had retired and one for whom no misconduct was proven. One police officer received a written warning, another received action aimed at improving performance and one received management advice. The familys solicitor, Kevin Winters, described the ombudsmans findings as a stepping stone on whats still a long, tortuous road to justice for the Simpson family. Todays findings help provide much-needed answers but equally there are unresolved issues arising from new complaints, one of which involves a serving member of police, he said. An inquest is also due to be held to examine the circumstances of the death of Simpson. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123 and the domestic abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247. In the US, the suicide prevention lifeline is 988 and the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org The exterior of a Costco in New York, is shown on Feb. 2, 2023. The U.S Food and Drug Administration issued a recall for around 80,000 pounds of butter sold at Costco for packaging that was missing the contains milk" statement on the label, according to the FDA. Newsday LLC/Newsday via Getty Images If you're a Costco customer, you may be heading back to the store or tossing out your store-bought butter this week. The U.S Food and Drug Administration issued a recall for around 80,000 pounds of butter for packaging that was missing the contains milk" statement on the label, according to the FDA. The recall is for 1,300 cases or 46,800 pounds of Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter and 900 cases or 32,400 pounds of Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter, according to the FDAs website. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Emails to Costco's corporate offices in Issaquah, Washington seeking comment were not immediately returned. FDA CHEESE RECALL: Cheese sold at Aldi taken off shelves due to possible contamination The recall was initiated by the FDA on Oct. 11 to Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, LLC in Littlefield, Texas. According to FoodSafety.gov, recalled items can cause injuries or illness and should be return to the place of purchase or thrown out. The website states that all information must match, such as brand, product name, use or freeze by date, and EST number for a product to be considered a recall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Recall product descriptions Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter 16 oz. recall 96619-38496. Lot 2424091 Best By Feb 22, 2025 Lot 2424111 Best By Feb 23, 2025 Lot 2426891 Best By Mar 22, 2025 Lot 2426991 Best by Mar 23, 2025 Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter, 16 oz. recall 96619-38488. Chef Neville Dsouza at his home in Marrickville, Sydney. He says cooking the food from his culture and family in India has a special meaning. Photograph: Isabella Moore/The Guardian My mother, in all the decades weve dined out, has never liked a single restaurant Ive taken her even though Ive written about food for nearly 20 years. Then we went to Yan, an Asian smokehouse in Sydney. Instead of dropping typical complaints about price (too expensive) or the cooking quality (inferior), she gave something rare and unexpected: hard-won Asian-parent praise. For this alone, I consider it an award-winning restaurant. In Australia, dining guides and restaurant awards have become more culturally diverse over time, after criticism in recent years that Euro-style, fine-dining establishments with designer fit-outs, postcard views and internationally recognised chefs receive the highest accolades, while non-western cuisines are relegated to the cheap eats sections. Related: Here the people know each other: why do so many regional Australian towns have a Chinese restaurant? But one group of diners is tougher on restaurants than professional reviewers: migrant elders. Owner Narada Kudinar is proud his restaurant has been well-reviewed by major Australian food publications, but winning over sceptical migrant diners is a special achievement. When younger diners bring parents (or older aunties and uncles) to Yan, he notices how elders view the restaurant with suspicion: theres no thick, picture-filled menu typical of Asian eateries, Yan (Mandarin for smoke) chars dishes in non-traditional ways, the kitchen is open and doesnt use woks. Sometimes we dont even have Asian people in the kitchen, Kudinar says. Related: If we cant tell the truth we cant run Attica: Ben Shewry on the failings of fine dining But its the food that wins them over. Because Im Chinese, I dont want to bastardise anything beyond recognition The flavours we stick to are true to our culture, says Kudinar. Yans mushroom noodle soup, for example, might look like a lasagne but it contains familiar flavours like mushroom broth, handmade noodles, mustard leaf, black vinegar and chilli. Requests for hot water (an Asian cure-all and dining must) are also accommodated without judgment. Kudinar recognises why older Asian migrant-background diners are harsh critics. I think its got to do with spending your hard-earned money [and feeling] like you couldve done better yourself. Thats a really difficult thing to overcome. So when non-believers become happy fans before the tables cleared, its a double hit of that great feeling of hospitality that you get, he says. Weve had parents out-visit our restaurant compared to their kids over time. Like Kudinar, chef Neville Dsouza has felt honoured when established food critics sized up his skills. But the ultimate verdict on his cooking came in 2022 at Irenes, his pop-up restaurant inspired by his Mumbai upbringing, where he served a goat curry to an Indian grandmother. Shes going to tell us if the curry is good or not, he remembers saying to his sous chef. She was the real restaurant critic: shed cooked more curries than hed ever had. At the meals end, the chef nervously asked for her verdict. This is probably one of the best curries Ive had in Australia, she said. Dsouza couldnt believe he had her approval. I think we won, he thought. Irenes was named after his late aunt, and the winning goat curry had come from her hand-written, decades-old recipe that Dsouza managed to track down after her death. Dsouza has jostled the pans at European-leaning restaurants such as Pellegrino 2000 and Cirrus, but says cooking the food from his culture and family has a special meaning. Its very different than cooking a piece of fish with carrot puree and putting nasturtiums on there, because thats a job, says Dsouza. That goat curry, with its green mango hint, could power him back to childhood Sundays in his auntys Mumbai apartment. When you cook something like that, its more. That more hasnt always been recognised by dining guides and restaurant awards. Youre never going to be restaurant of the year if youre someones favourite place that they visit on a weekly basis, says Nancy Lee, who wrote her PhD on celebrity chef culture. Those kinds of awards are targeted at those special-occasion places. Food publications have long celebrated white tablecloth type establishments with big-name chefs, but Lee says the culinary knowledge of migrants can get overlooked, or be seen as a given: Surely he can make a pad Thai because hes Thai. But being a Chinese dumpling master, for instance, requires incredible skills. I make pasta at home, she says. I could never do xiao long bao. For Ashley Vola, who runs Melbourne restaurant Vola Foods, its important to stay true to her food culture. Everybody just thought African food was Ethiopian and that was it. Her plan to highlight West African cuisine was met with enthusiasm when she launched in 2021: 300 people turned up, and were willing to wait two hours for food, she says. Vola has gradually shifted to focusing on the food of her birthplace, Cameroon, but its been challenging. Customers will call up and be like, Is this a Nigerian or Ghanaian restaurant? she says. Ill be like, Its Cameroonian. And they hang up. But she credits tough diners in the community, including her sister Kelly (one of the most pickiest eaters I know), for helping fine-tune her food and develop a backbone for criticism. I also worked in childcare, she says. Kids are the hardest people to please. Recently she took a call from an older Nigerian man who wanted to leave a review for a meal hed had a month ago. His tone was aggressive: the kind your boss uses when youre about to be fired. She braced for the worst. Because he was using words in his language to name the dishes, she had trouble understanding him. [I said] Im so sorry uncle. I literally have no idea what that means Then he went, Your food is fantastic! Oh my god! I literally just fell down. Because of this feedback from her community, she says, Im constantly reminded, every day, why I should stay open. This article was amended on 13 November 2024. Chef Neville Dsouza did not work at Saint Peter, as stated in an earlier version. Olaf Scholz has received low approval ratings in recent months - MARKUS SCHREIBER/AP Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, is under pressure to step aside as his partys candidate for the snap general election. Christian Lindner, the former finance minister fired by Mr Scholz last week, said the election, which was called on Monday for Feb 23, would be a foregone conclusion if Mr Scholz was to lead the Social Democrats (SPD) into the contest. I think the race for chancellor is actually over, Mr Lindner told a business conference, adding he was almost certain Friedrich Merz, the Christian Democrat (CDU) leader, would win in February. Politicians from Mr Scholzs own party have called for him to bow out, with two SPD Hamburg parliament members saying they were full of concern about the upcoming federal elections and that Mr Scholz failed to take people with him and communicate leadership. They want Mr Scholz to step aside in a Joe Biden-like manner and make way for Boris Pistorius, Germanys highly popular defence minister. Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, is a favourite replacement for Olaf Scholz - LISI NIESNER/POOL REUTERS Mr Pistorius holds the highest approval ratings of any German politician because of his straight-talking manner and his dogged revitalisation of the countrys military. Ben Tallis, the director of the Democratic Strategy Initiative, a foreign policy think tank, said: Boris Pistorius has shown the kind of leadership Germans are crying out for. He added: Pistorius understands Germanys national interest and responsibility to its allies, but its not certain his party will let him act on that. Mr Scholz faced mockery on Sunday after referring to himself as cooler in matters of state than Mr Merz, his bombastic rival. Micky Beisenherz, the German TV presenter, compared the chancellor to Bruce Williss character in The Sixth Sense, saying he goes to work every day even though hes long dead. Olaf Scholz referred to himself as cool in matters of state - CLEMENS BILAN/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK Some SPD politicians have remained loyal to Mr Scholz despite his low approval ratings. One party insider said: The SPD is allergic to revolution. I am sure there will be no change of candidate. Scholz is stronger in the party now, adding, Pistorius hasnt prepared to run, he doesnt have connections in Berlin. Mr Scholz received a standing ovation during a meeting of the SPD parliamentary group last week, which a rival MP described as surreal. Jens Spahn, a CDU MP, told the Financial Times: Here is Olaf Scholz, a failed chancellor, his coalition has just broken down, hes sacked his finance minister and his SPD thinks its a cause for celebration? SPD MPs were also euphoric when he fired Mr Linder following a row in the German parliament over the 2025 budget. The sacking prompted Mr Lindner to withdraw his Free Democrats (FDP) from Germanys ruling coalition, leaving Mr Scholz in a minority government with the Green party that is unable to pass any new laws or budget. The election date was agreed by Germanys major political parties as part of a deal that will see Mr Scholz table a confidence vote in his government on Dec 16. If Scholz loses the vote as expected, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German president, will dissolve parliament before the election. Carsten Linnemann, the CDU general secretary, told the ZDF broadcaster on Tuesday: People are very nervous and dont know where the country is going. The Bill is not defined by anticipated life expectancy and there is no requirement for intolerable suffering - SDI Productions/E+ Scots with mental illness, diabetes or dementia could end their lives early using proposed assisted dying laws thanks to the unhelpfully vague definitions used, experts have warned MSPs. The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) said the definition of terminal illness used in the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was very wide. Holyroods health committee, which is examining the legislation, was also warned that it could be open to legal challenges that could expand the range of eligible medical conditions. The Bill would give mentally competent people over 16 who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition the right to end their life. Safeguards would include independent assessments by two doctors and a 14-day cooling off period. It states that someone is eligible if they have an advanced and progressive disease, illness or condition from which they are unable to recover and that can reasonably be expected to cause their premature death. Shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane asks if challenges could lead to assisted dying for people with diabetes - Ken Jack/Getty Images Europe But the RCP said some of these terms were unhelpfully vague for such a crucial role in the proposed legislation and had been developed from a definition used to determine access to benefits for people with serious illness. Terminal illness was not defined by anticipated life expectancy, the RCP said, and there was no requirement that patients should experience intolerable suffering. While dementia would satisfy the requirement that the condition be progressive, the submission said that the legislation did not define advanced. Many people with advanced dementia would not have the decision-making capacity to request assisted dying, the submission said, but it is likely that others would. It also warned that diagnosing dementia can be complicated, raising the prospect of someone being misdiagnosed and wrongly assessed as eligible for assisted dying. Liam MacArthur, who tabled the Bill, is confident it will go through - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Europe Although a survey showed a majority of RCP members supported dementia being an eligible condition, some raised concerns that some sufferers may request assisted dying earlier than they would otherwise wish, for fear of losing capacity later. Other members expressed fears that people with dementia would request assisted dying out of fear of becoming a burden to relatives, financially or otherwise. Dr Mary Neal, a reader in law at Strathclyde University, told the committee: I think its tricky because, on the one hand, the definition of terminal illness in the Bill doesnt refer to a specific life expectancy, its just any illness... from which a person cant recover. There are some mental health issues from which people cant recover and which might be expected to shorten life. She added: There is risk baked into the definition of terminal illness in the Bill that someone could foreseeably decide to end their life because theyre unable to recover from a mental condition thats causing them considerable suffering. Dame Esther Rantzen who is considering travelling to Switzerland for an assisted death, supports the Bill - Mark Cuthbert/UK Press Dr Sandesh Gulhane, a GP and the Scottish Tories shadow health secretary, asked the witnesses if court challenges could lead to people with conditions like diabetes accessing assisted dying. Dr Murray Earle, a lecturer in medical law at Edinburgh University, said there was a risk of a slippery slope where people with some conditions could argue they should be included in access to assisted dying. I think at the moment this Bill is quite tight but what weve seen abroad is it has been slippage, he said. There has been the so-called slippery slope, and weve seen it because people have claimed a rights basis for their exclusion, or rather their rights being invaded, because theyve been excluded. Two previous attempts at Holyrood to change the law on the issue were decisively defeated but Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat who tabled the Bill, has expressed confidence it would pass this time. Many with dementia would not have the decision-making capacity to consent to assisted dying - Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn/iStockphoto It has won support from Dame Esther Rantzen, who is considering travelling to Switzerland for an assisted death after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, and Dame Prue Leith. MSPs are to get a free vote on the Bill but John Swinneys SNP government has warned that Holyrood is unable to legalise assisted dying without Westminsters authority. This is because the Bill touches on Westminsters powers over medicines, medical supplies and poisons and could change UK regulation of health professionals. A separate Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has been unveiled by Kim Leadbeater, a Labour backbencher. MPs will take part in an initial debate and vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Nov 29. The state opening of the House of Lords Time flies when you finally get into Government. After all, it has been mere months since Sir Keir Starmer was positioning himself as reformer-in-chief, using the Labour manifesto to call for measures ranging from a mandatory retirement age for peers to the abolition of the House of Lords as we know it. Despite these bold proposals, the Governments current legislation is limited to the removal of hereditary peers perhaps radical Keir and his promises of Change disappeared into the black hole that Labour keeps talking about. I am sure that I am not the only parliamentarian who is disappointed by Starmers lack of ambition, which is why I have tabled an amendment calling for the removal of bishops from the House of Lords. Whether you belong to Left or Right, it is clear as day that the bishops bench is out of kilter with modern Britain. We are the only sovereign country other than the beacon of modernity that is Iran to reserve seats in its legislature for clerics. Moreover, none of the bishops are from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, and less than 2 per cent of the population attends an Anglican service on the average Sunday. Of course, this leads many to ask why we cannot just allow representatives from other faiths into the House of Lords. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Some faiths, such as Roman Catholicism, do not permit priests to sit in secular legislative bodies. Others, such as Hinduism, lack a central hierarchy and would therefore struggle to find an appropriate representative. And these issues emerge before you even begin to prise open the Pandoras box that is deciding how many representatives each faith would get. In addition to not reflecting modern society, the bishops bench is also not necessary. First and foremost, it is not true that we rely on the Lords Spiritual to give voice to religious perspectives: parliamentarians across both Houses draw upon faith in their work and frequently raise issues of spiritual importance. Moreover, the bishops have a drastically lower rate of participation than other peers. During the 2019-2024 Parliament, the Lords Spiritual took part in an average of 14 per cent of the divisions they were eligible for, which compares to an average of 46 per cent across all members of the House of Lords. And yet, according to many who defend the bishops bench, none of this matters. To them, the value of the Lords Spiritual is more abstract: it lies in the fact that they have been part of our legislature since time immemorial and that to get rid of them would risk unravelling our constitutional settlement. Aside from there simply being no evidence that removing the bishops would kickstart the downfall of the British state, I believe that keeping outdated institutions on life support rather than seeking to reform them is the real vandalism. This approach to governance is worthy of Miss Havisham, not of modern parliamentarians. The crux of it is this: there are many groups within society who could theoretically make a good contribution to parliamentary life, but who are not guaranteed a seat in the legislature due to some historical anomaly. Why should the bishops be afforded this privilege? If we are getting rid of the anachronism that is hereditary peers, why not get rid of the bishops bench as well? I know that I am not the only one asking this question. Over half of the British public are asking it, many within the Church of England are asking it, and the politically diverse range of MPs who have signed my amendment are asking it. So, as the Bill returns to the House of Commons, I sincerely hope Keir Starmer and his Labour party can provide a good answer. Sir Keir Starmer has pinned his hopes on a return deal - Carl Court/Getty Images Hungary has poured cold water on Britains hopes of a UK-EU migrant return deal, a central part of Sir Keir Starmers plans to stop the small boats crossing the Channel. Leading politicians in the governing Fidesz party told the Telegraph that Budapest would never be engaged in the unfeasible agreement, which needs the support of all 27 EU member states. Prime Minister Viktor Orbans allies said they would not change their minds, even if the UK offered to pay towards the upkeep of Hungarys southern border fence with Serbia. Its not going to happen because it is unfeasible. We never will be engaged, I think, in this kind of scheme, said Zoltan Kovacs, Mr Orbans international spokesman and a minister. My first reaction would be that you dont even take it as a negotiation into the negotiation booth ... we can talk about everything, but its not going to work. Mr Orban had praised the Prime Minister for his efforts in fighting people-smuggling after Sir Keir chaired a break-out meeting on illegal migration at Thursdays European Political Community summit in Budapest. Hungarys scepticism about a UK-EU deal will be a blow to the Prime Minister, who cannot legally return small boat migrants to France without the agreement because the UK left the blocs Dublin Regulation at Brexit. Dublin allows EU members to return asylum seekers to the first safe member state they arrive in, which could be Hungary if they crossed into the bloc from Serbia on the Western Balkans route. Sir Keir announced intelligence-sharing agreements with Serbia, Kosovo and North Montenegro at the summit of about 50 EU and non-EU leaders. Viktor Orban has repeatedly lambasted Brussels for refusing to pay towards the upkeep of its border fence - Ali Ozcan/Anadolu via Getty Images The Western Balkans countries are on a land route used by migrants to enter the EU through Hungary before travelling onto Western Europe, including the Channel. Almost 100,000 migrants crossed the Western Balkans in 2023 before entering the EU through Hungarys border with Serbia. As of October 18, 955 migrants entered the bloc through the Balkans route in 2024 according to figures published by Frontex, the EUs border agency on Tuesday. A total of 29,437 people entered Britain on small boats in 2023. As of Nov 2, more than 31,000 have crossed in 2024. More than 50 people have died trying to make the crossing this year, according to the UNs International Organisation for Migration. Mr Kovacs said that the EU system had long been proved a failure. Simply replicating Dublin with Britain would not interest Hungary, he said. We stick to what we say. Its all unnecessary if you stick to your original plan, and that is dont let them in, he said. Fidesz MEP Andras Laszlo told the Telegraph, The EUs migration system is currently falling apart. EU countries should first fix the mess in the Schengen area. A UK Government spokesperson said.International cooperation is vital to smash the criminal smuggling gangs. We are rebuilding strong relationships across Europe to address our common challenge of irregular migration. It is the first duty of any government to secure its borders. Hungary is one of the most fiercely anti-migrant governments in the EU and has a track record of vetoing or blocking proposals it disagrees with. Mr Orban has repeatedly lambasted Brussels for refusing to pay towards the upkeep of its border fence and refused to take in EU quotas of relocated refugees from other member states. At the summit, he attacked European court decisions ruling Hungary had broken EU asylum laws as judicial activism. Paris and Berlin want Brussels to begin negotiations with the UK and argue the lack of replacement rules for Dublin is a pull factor for migrants to travel to Western Europe. While France and Germany are the two most influential member states, both have exceptionally weak governments at the moment. Endorsed Donald Trump In contrast, Mr Orbans influence has been boosted thanks to his strong relationship with Donald Trump, who he endorsed to win the US elections. Anand Menon, director of the UK in a Changing Europe think tank, said, The fact is some states are more bothered by immigration than others and so getting unanimity will be hard. Especially as the EU will insist on us taking what they regard as our fair share. Migration remains a hugely divisive issue in the bloc. Countries such as Italy and Greece believe they have been left alone to shoulder Europes burden, while other nations suspect them of simply waving migrants through to Western Europe. The European Commission rejected British pleas for a returns agreement during the original Brexit negotiations. Brussels has been cool on the idea ever since, preferring to force the UK to negotiate costly bilateral deals with member states. Any deal will come with strings attached, including agreeing to take in a share of relocated genuine refugees from the EU and pledging continued membership of the non-EU European Court of Human Rights. The EU wants a youth mobility deal, which Labour has ruled out. It also wants to negotiate access to British waters in fishing talks before beginning talks on revamping the Brexit trade deal. A UK-EU summit is planned for 2025, which will be Sir Keirs chance to pitch his reset of relations to the blocs gathered prime ministers and presidents. Sue Gray had been expected to take up her role as envoy to the nations and regions after a short break - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Sue Gray will not take up Sir Keir Starmers offer to become his envoy for the nations and regions, it emerged on Tuesday. Five weeks after the former civil servant was removed as the Prime Ministers chief of staff, friends said she had declined the role she was offered as a replacement. But a No 10 source insisted Sir Keir was planning to rescind the offer because he was concerned about the media attention she would receive in the position. Ms Gray has been on a break since the announcement of her departure as chief of staff early last month. Downing Street would not say whether she was being paid for that period of time, or whether anyone else would be appointed to the envoy role. There is speculation that she could be given a peerage in a future honours list. One of Ms Grays allies told the Financial Times: Sue has taken a decision not to take the role. Shes going to focus on other things. Shes taken time to think about it properly, talking to stakeholders, but ultimately shes decided she doesnt want to do it. But the Downing Street source said Sir Keir had been due to rescind the job offer, adding: We think she has made the right decision. Ms Gray was taken on by Sir Keir to work as his chief of staff while he was in opposition. The move was controversial, as months earlier she had written an official report into the partygate allegations surrounding Boris Johnsons premiership during Covid, which contributed to his resignation as prime minister. She continued to work as Sir Keirs chief of staff after Labours election victory, but a turf war soon opened up between her and Morgan McSweeney, the prime ministers political secretary. Ms Gray was accused of not planning well enough for the partys return to government, and of miscalculating the level of access to Downing Street given to Lord Alli, a key Labour donor. Three months after the election, she announced she was quitting the role, with Mr McSweeney taking her place. As part of the deal, Ms Gray was offered a position as the Prime Ministers envoy for the regions and nations, liaising with the devolved governments and metro mayors. It was originally said she was taking a short break before taking up the role. Ms Gray has been silent since, and only on Tuesday did it emerge that she will not take up the job. Downing Street said she had decided not to take up the role as envoy to the nations and regions. Asked whether the job offer was withdrawn or she had walked away, a spokesman said: As we said at the time, the appointment had been agreed and you had the focus for the new role and the original statements from both the Prime Minister and Sue Gray. Subsequent to that, we confirmed that she was taking a break between roles and taking up duties and, as I said, I can update that she has since decided not to take up the role. The spokesman said there were no plans for further updates on whether someone else might take up the envoy position, adding: We will keep that role under review in terms of ensuring we have the right processes and support in place for the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and CDL (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster), given the priority that we place on the regions and nations. Asked why there were no plans to fill the role, given it was previously described as vital, Number 10 said Ms Gray had been uniquely placed to hold it and repeated that it would be kept under review. Richard Holden, the shadow paymaster general, said: This is a major embarrassment for Sir Keir Starmer, and a sign of the dysfunction at the heart of his administration. The Prime Minister needs to come clean on what golden goodbye hes offered to Sue Gray. Timaeva had already started distributing booklet Little Muwahideen by the time she was arrested A teacher at an Islamic Sunday school saw it as her duty to spread jihad among children with a cartoon-style book, a court heard. Dzhamilya Timaeva, 19, allegedly obtained a role as a teacher at the Sunday school in order to spread extremist beliefs about holy war to young children, jurors were told. Police who arrested the teenager found notes on her phone, including one entitled Permissibility of Suicidal Operations, and a document called the Little Muwahideen, with a colourful cartoon-style front cover designed for children, the Old Bailey heard. It was alleged the book included sections on waging war for Islam, as well as reference to fitna (which often refers to a heretical uprising in the Quran). Opening the trial on Tuesday, prosecutor Gareth Weetman accused Timaeva of sharing pro-IS [Islamic State] propaganda in 2022-23. Intolerant notions The defendant saw it as her duty to teach these extremist beliefs to young children. In order to do so, she obtained a place as a teacher at an Islamic Sunday school, he told the court. In Sept 2022, Timaeva had been making arrangements to teach a class of children at an Islamic faith school and made reference to the booklet in planned lessons, the court heard. She sent an electronic copy of the book to a contact at the Tawheed Islamic Education Centre in Maidenhead and had 70 copies printed, it was claimed. Mr Weetman said: It follows that this clearly wasnt a distant dream of the defendant to teach young children the extremist and intolerant notions in this book. She had printed it and arranged to attend the classes to do so. Jurors heard the defendant had also wanted to gain access to children at the Windsor Muslim Association which allegedly listed her as a teacher on its website in March 2023. Little Muwahideen booklets Mr Weetman said copies of the Little Muwahideen booklet were found in a search of the defendants home last March 2. But it was clear that more copies had already been distributed by the defendant, he said. In an email sent the day after her arrest, she said: They took my Little Muwahideen booklets. All praise is to Allah that I gave out so many not long ago, they only found a few copies at my house. Meanwhile, a teacher at the defendants school found her alone in an office trying to hide shredded paper in the shelves of a cupboard, jurors were told. These strips were pieced back together and found to be about jihad, Mr Weetman said. Timaeva has denied four counts of dissemination of terrorist publications including Little Muwahideen and possessing a video for terrorist purposes entitled Incite the Believers. The trial was adjourned until Thursday. A woman breastfeeding a baby The worlds oldest breastfeeding support charity is teaching a poor imitation of the process to transgender women who are biologically male, one of its directors has said. Miriam Main, a trustee and PR director of the British arm of La Leche League (LLL), announced that she would leave the organisation over the policy, which allows trans women to join classes. In her resignation note, Ms Main called this a poor imitation of breastfeeding and added: I hope that the wonderful work of hundreds of women is not lost through mixing causes and politics. The departure follows a similar high profile exit by Marian Tompson, one of the international charitys founders. The 94-year-old, who helped to create LLL in 1956, said that it was destroying itself by indulging in fantasies of adults when she quit last week. She denounced the charity as an organisation that has become a travesty of my original intent. Miriam Main, a trustee and PR director of the British arm of La Leche League (LLL), has announced that she would leave the organisation In a letter to senior figures at the charity, she said: From an organisation with the specific mission of supporting biological women who want to give their babies the best start in life by breastfeeding them, LLLs focus has subtly shifted to include men who, for whatever reason, want to have the experience of breastfeeding, despite no careful long-term research on male lactation and how that may affect the baby. This shift from following the norms of nature, which is the core of mothering through breastfeeding, to indulging the fantasies of adults, is destroying our organisation. The league was founded by a group of mothers in the United States and supports more than 1,000 parents each year in the UK. Ms Tompson added that there was nothing I can do, after failing to convince the board to change its approach. Directors at the British arm of the charity have already requested the intervention of the Charity Commission over the policy. La Leche League is the worlds oldest breastfeeding support charity - Galina Zhigalova/Moment RF Helen Joyce, a director at the gender-critical campaign group Sex Matters, told the Daily Mail: The situation at La Leche League is one of the starkest examples of how gender-identity ideology turns organisations upside-down. By including men who want to breastfeed in its services, LLL is destroying its founding mission to support breastfeeding mothers. It also goes against the wishes of many mothers, group leaders and trustees around the world who have been fighting to convince LLL International to hold fast to its woman-focused mission, including here in the UK. LLL has been contacted for comment. Judge Juan Merchan, left, and Donald Trump. Composite: AP, UPI/Rex/Shutterstock The judge in Donald Trumps Manhattan criminal hush-money case has postponed deciding on whether to throw out the president-elects conviction on presidential immunity grounds. Judge Juan Merchans office told Trumps lawyers and prosecutors that he would delay the ruling until 19 November after defense and prosecutors submitted letters asking for a postponement. Merchans decision was not made public until Tuesday the day he was set to issue his ruling on the immunity issue. The postponement followed numerous successful attempts to delay Trumps case. Earlier this year, he was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a scheme to influence the 2016 election. The verdict came on 30 May following fewer than 12 hours of jury deliberations in the unprecedented first criminal trial of a US president, former or sitting. The outcome marked a potentially stunning blow to Trump, then the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. The campaign for Joe Biden, who ultimately withdrew his re-election bid, said no one is above the law in an email blast shortly after the verdict. In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law. Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain, Michael Tyler, Bidens communications director, said. Trumps criminal case portrayed a man who did not seem befitting of the presidency. Prosecutors said that Trump falsely recorded reimbursements he made to his then lawyer Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payoff to the adult film star Stormy Daniels, to silence her about an alleged affair with Trump, as legal expenses. The office of the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, said that these falsifications were made to hide Trumps violation of New York state election law, which criminalizes promoting the election of any person to office through illegal means. Prosecutors said those unlawful means were the $130,000 payout to Daniels. The payout was, in essence, an illicit campaign contribution, as it was carried out for the benefit of Trumps 2016 bid exceeding the $2,700 individual contribution cap. But Trump, whose poll numbers remained steady throughout the trial, did not lose support. He ultimately became the Republican nominee and, on 5 November, bested Kamala Harris. Trump was originally scheduled to be sentenced on 10 July. Then came the 1 July US supreme court ruling that granted sitting presidents broad immunity for official acts taken during their time in office. Trump urged Merchan to delay his sentencing in light of this ruling. His legal team pushed to challenge Trumps conviction, citing the supreme court decision. Related: Judge pauses Trump proceedings as special counsel seeks to wind up case Merchan agreed to mull over the legalities and pushed back the proceeding until 18 September if such is still necessary given the supreme court decision. Trumps attorneys in August asked for still more time, saying that they would need it to possibly appeal Merchans decision. Merchan on 6 September delayed Trumps sentencing yet again until 26 November after the election saying the situation was fraught with complexities. He said this decision was meant to avoid any appearance however unwarranted that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching presidential election in which the defendant is a candidate. Prosecutors on 10 November sent an email to Merchan indicating that Trumps team had asked them to agree to a stay so there would be time to review a number of arguments based on the impact on this proceeding from the results of the presidential election; defendants forthcoming certification as president-elect on January 6, 2025; and his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The people agree that these are unprecedented circumstances and that arguments raised by defense counsel in correspondence to the people on Friday require careful consideration to ensure that any further steps in this proceeding appropriately balance the competing interests of (1) a jury verdict of guilty following trial that has the presumption of regularity; and (2) the office of the president, prosecutors also wrote. They asked Merchan for time to assess recent developments and to give them until 19 November to advise him what they believe are appropriate steps going forward. Prosecutors indicated that they had spoken to Trumps team about this and that they agreed to this request. Trumps lawyers argued over the weekend that there are strong reasons for the requested stay, and eventually dismissal of the case in the interests of justice, according to their aforementioned letter. Trumps election victory has derailed his other criminal cases. The special prosecutor Jack Smith is winding down the federal election interference and classified documents cases against Trump. The state-level election case in Fulton county, Georgia, is on hold pending appeal, following revelations that the district attorney, Fani Willis, had hired as a prosecutor a man with whom she had an affair. Even if the case survived appeal, proceedings are all but guaranteed to languish until 2029. Donald Trump clashed with a number of generals in his first term, including Mark Milley, who would later call him a fascist - Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Donald Trump is considering establishing a warrior board to review senior officers in the US military and weed out woke generals, according to reports. A draft executive order under consideration by the president-elects transition team would set up a board of retired senior officials to audit top brass that do not meet standards of leadership capability, strategic readiness, and commitment to military excellence. The move is thought to be Mr Trumps first step in tackling the issue of woke generals, which he complained about on the campaign trail, arguing that diversity and inclusion politics had become more important than war-fighting ability. A copy of the order, seen by the Wall Street Journal, suggests the process will effectively be outsourced to trusted former officers. The suggestion comes amid Pentagon fears of a purge after Mr Trump takes office on Jan 20 next year. The Republican platform policy document formally signed off at the partys National Convention before the presidential election promised to get woke Left-wing Democrats fired as soon as possible. Mr Trump has said that any generals involved in the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan should resign by lunchtime on the day he takes office. Called general a loser The former president has faced criticism from several of the generals who served in his first administration, including Gen Mark Milley, who called him fascist to the core. In return, Mr Trump called Gen Milley a loser. The pair clashed in 2021 after Mr Trump called for the officers resignation over his comments about critical race theory in a congressional hearing. On the issue of critical race theory, etc, a lot of us have to get much smarter on whatever the theory is, Gen Milley said. Mr Trump said later that he had defended critical race theory being shoved down the throats of our soldiers. Separately, Jack Teixeira, a former Massachusetts Air National Guard member, was on Tuesday sentenced to 15 years in prison for sharing Pentagon secrets online. Prosecutors said he had leaked information about US support for Ukraine and a foreign adversarys plot to target American forces on the social media site Discord. Teixeira said: I wanted to say Im sorry for all the harm Ive wrought and Ive caused. I cant really sum up how contrite I am that my behaviour has caused such a maelstrom. Houston firefighter Marcelo Garcia was remembered by friends as a cool-headed and hard-working colleague who was always smiling before Houstonians gathered Wednesday for Garcia's public funeral service. The 10-year veteran died last week when a wall collapsed on him while he battled a warehouse fire in the Greater East End. "There's a lot of wondering why and how why him?" said Richard Gutierrez III, who worked with Garcia for his entire time at the station. "He made an impact in the community for sure. There really wasn't a place that you could go where they didn't know Marcelo." MORE ON FIRE: Houston firefighter dies responding to warehouse fire near Polk Street, HFD says Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a news conference, Mayor John Whitmire said the city "lost such a fine firefighter in Garcia, and we're not going to forget him, but we have to remember the people that took him out of that scene." Houston firefighter deaths in the line of duty are rare. A website that tracks line-of-duty deaths in the Houston Fire Department lists 79 deaths in the department's history. The site was last updated in 2020. Here are some of their stories, from prior Chronicle coverage: Matthew Renaud, Bill Dowling, Robert Bebee, Robert Garner and Anne Sullivan In 2013, four Houston firefighters died while battling a blaze in a Southwest Inn motel fire. The fire killed Capt. Matthew Renaud, 35; engineer operator Robert Bebee, 41; firefighter Robert Garner, 29; and firefighter Anne Sullivan, 24. Capt. Bill Dowling, died in 2017 from injuries he suffered during the blaze. Firefighters march along Kirby to a memorial service honoring four Houston firefighters at Reliant Stadium Wednesday, June 5, 2013 in Houston. Firefighters Robert Bebee, Anne Sullivan, Robert Garner and Capt. Matthew Renaud were killed and 13 others were injured when the roof of the burning Southwest Inn, 6855 Southwest Freeway, collapsed last Friday. Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle The motel fire started around 9 a.m., and firefighters battled the blaze for nearly three hours. Less than 15 minutes after firefighters from stations 51 and 68 entered the hotel, part of the roof collapsed, killing the four firefighters and injuring multiple others. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Capt. Matthew Renaud was described as someone who had a great love for his family, friends, and his dog, Hoagie, according to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's website. Engineer operator Robert Bebee loved life to the fullest and was dedicated to his family and friends. Firefighter Robert Garner always enjoyed serving and helping others. Firefighter Anne Sullivan was described as someone who was compassionate, courageous, loyal, disciplined, stubborn, honest, determined, dedicated, a self starter, funny, headstrong, optimistic, unshakable, trustworthy, tenacious, and spiritual. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Capt. Bill Dowling loved his job as a firefighter, almost as much as he loved being a devoted husband and father. Daniel Groover In 2014, Houston firefighter Daniel Groover died while battling a blaze in an unoccupied Kingwood home. Glover, 46, collapsed on the second floor of a home, where other firefighters had found him after he lost radio communication inside the burning structure. Groover's death marked a second time within a year that state and federal fire authorities had to investigate the death of a Houston Fire Department firefighter who perished in an unoccupied structure. A group of firefighters gathered outside of Memorial Hermann Hospital after four Houston firefighters that died fighting a 5-alarm blaze at a restaurant and then engulfed a hotel Friday, May 31, 2013, in Houston. The fire broke out at Bhojan Restaurant at 6855 Southwest Freeway at about 12:09 p.m. and engulfed the neighboring Southwest Inn along the Southwest Freeway near Hornwood, according to the Houston Fire Department. The flames also burned a sports bar and disco. Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle He was described as someone who saved the lives of children, dogs and everyone in between during his 21-year career. Firefighters are now required to spend time as paramedics; but Groover did so voluntarily for 17 years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thoman 'Bill' Dillion and Dwight Bazile A year prior to the motel fire, Thomas 'Bill' Dillion died while responding to a small cooking fire at an apartment complex in southwest Houston. After firefighters performed CPR on him, he was rushed to the West Houston Medical Center Hospital but pronounced dead within an hour. The cause of death was not directly related to the fire, officials said, but likely appeared to be cardiac arrest. Members of the Houston Fire Department recalled the father of three as a bright and motivated man, someone who loved serving others - both on and off the job. Investigators said that it is too early to determine a specific cause, but said the multi-agency team so far has focused its attention on the area above the kitchen in the restaurant attached to the Southwest Inn. Witnesses have said the fire started in the restaurant and spread to the motel. Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle In 2015, Dwight Bazile died after after suffering what appeared to be a "cardiac event" while responding to a fire. Moments after responding to the burning home, Bazile, 57, was reported sitting on a stretcher when he collapsed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To friends, he was refereed to as B.B., short for "baby boy." Colleagues described Bazile as cool-headed and always willing to help, a leader who taught by example. Lemuel 'DJ' Bruce In 2020, Lemuel DJ Bruce was shot and killed by arson suspect Joshua De La Cerda in the Timbergrove neighborhood while probing while probing a recent string of fires in northwest Houston. De La Cerda died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Members of the United State Marine Corps fold the U.S. flag Houston arson investigator Lemuel Bruce's memorial service at Lakewood Church on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Houston. Bruce was shot and killed early Friday by arson suspect Joshua De La Cerda in Houston's Timbergrove neighborhood while he was investigating a recent string of fires in northwest Houston. Godofredo A. Vasquez/Staff photographer His death marked the the first Houston arson investigator killed in the line of duty. Campaigners in October backing Kim Leadbeaters bill, which she said was potentially one of the biggest things we will do as members of parliament. Photograph: Lucy North/PA Fewer than 1,000 patients a year in England and Wales are expected to choose assisted dying should the law pass, the Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said, as she outlined her bill setting out the change. But MPs opposed to the measure said they were deeply concerned by several components, including that the proposed legislation did not bar doctors from suggesting assisted dying as an option to patients. MPs who spoke on the panel expressed significant doubts about whether the legislation would pass the first parliamentary stage in the Commons on 29 November. Leadbeater said she would make the case literally every day but that there were strong views on all sides. This is potentially one of the biggest things we will do as members of parliament in our careers, Leadbeater said. The Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, who backs the bill, said he thought a significant number of MPs who had voted against the measure in 2015 had changed their minds. But Dr Peter Prinsley, a Labour MP who is also a consultant, said he believed some of the new, younger MPs were wavering. Im not as confident of this thing passing as I was before I started having these conversations, he said. If youre maybe a bit younger and you havent encountered people who die in horrible circumstances, or take their own lives or whatever, maybe youre a little bit removed from it. Anybody I speak to who has experienced things as they are now cannot understand why weve not made this change. Prinsley said he feared many MPs would abstain and urged them to vote whatever they decided. I dont think that abstaining, which people may be tempted to do, is a neutral act. I think that people need to make a decision about this, and thats what Im encouraging people to do, he said. Related: The assisted dying bill: what it means for patients in England and Wales Setting out the safeguards in the bill, Leadbeater and the Labour peer Charlie Falconer said there was no legal risk of its scope being widened by the courts on human rights grounds, because of the strictly limited definitions in the bill and the failure of previous challenges in British and European courts. Leadbeater said the numbers of those taking up the option would be low because of the strict criteria: assisted dying would be offered only to patients with a terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of less than six months. It would not be available to people with longer to live who may be suffering, such as those in the earlier stages of motor neurone disease. The procedure has to be self-administered, Leadbeater said in jurisdictions where doctors are allowed to help patients take their own lives, the numbers are higher. Leadbeater defended the fact that the bill did not prohibit doctors from discussing assisted dying with patients which has caused controversy in jurisdictions such as Canada. Doctors will not be obliged to speak to patients about it, the bill says, but must use their judgment. The MP said the British Medical Association thought it was necessary that doctors could discuss the range of options that are available to patients. But Dr David Nicholls, a consultant on the panel, said he would be disinclined to do so. Thats not something I would necessarily [do], he said. The risk is, you dont know what that patient thinks. The bill, which would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales, has safeguards including lengthy prison sentences for coercion and powers for judges to cross-examine patients. Two doctors and a high court judge must sign off any decision, which Leadbeater said would mean a full hearing with evidence from the patient and doctors although in practice the judge would check only that the terms of the act had been met, rather than examining motivation. Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor who is supporting the bill, said he disagreed that the act could be challenged in court and expanded. He said it was possible for a case to be brought by disabled adults who could say the bill was discriminatory, but he believed any such challenge would have no prospect of success. The English courts and the European court of human rights in Strasbourg have said time and time and time again, assisted dying is not something prescribed by the convention, he said. It is for legislatures to decide they recognise there are spiritual, there are religious, there are ethical approaches that differ from one country to another. Any such application would be hopeless, he said. An image of a human digestive system Biology students are being warned that they might see upsetting images of the human body in trigger warnings introduced by a university. Life sciences degree students at the University of Reading were issued with a booklet containing a warning about challenging material featured on the syllabus. Under a section labelled trigger warnings, the university highlights topics that some people may find challenging. The course log continues: Every week will include potentially graphic images or videos showing the human body, as well as content on specific health conditions or diseases/death. In the booklet, students are also advised that they should seek consent from their peers when performing mock medical examinations on each other. It then advises them that those who are uncomfortable with touching others can either observe or work on their own body. Dr Renee Hoenderkamp, an NHS GP, told The Sun: When they do this in real life, after graduating, it only means theyll be even more shocked. University of Reading students are also advised that they should seek consent from their peers when performing mock medical examinations A University of Reading spokesman told the newspaper that the warnings followed best practice. The university was contacted by The Telegraph for comment. It is the latest example of universities using trigger warnings on the content of courses. In October, the University of Nottingham placed a warning on Geoffrey Chaucers The Canterbury Tales over expressions of Christian faith. A freedom of information request revealed the university put the warning on the medieval collection of 24 tales that features pilgrims travelling to Canterbury Cathedral to visit the shrine of St Thomas Becket. The stories also contain explicit references to rape and anti-Semitism, but the warning made no reference to these theme. In August, the University of Nottingham also banned the term Anglo-Saxon from its module titles in an attempt to tackle nationalist narratives. It offers leading courses in Anglo-Saxon history and literature, as well as being the only institution in the country with a course in Viking studies. However, in a move to decolonise the curriculum, professors renamed a masters course in Viking and Anglo-Saxon studies to Viking and early medieval English studies. Donald Trump greets Marco Rubio during a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina - RYAN M. KELLY/AFP Marco Rubio told pro-Palestine protesters that he did not want a ceasefire in Gaza and that Israel should destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on in a video that has reemerged since he became Donald Trumps pick for secretary of state. The Florida senator, 53, is reportedly set to be appointed by Mr Trump, eight years after the pair sparred on the campaign trail, earning him the nickname Little Marco. His appointment is likely to mark a significant change of policy from the Biden administration, which has unsuccessfully pursued a ceasefire-for-hostages deal between Israel and Hamas. In a video circulated online after Mr Rubios new role was reported, he told pro-Palestinian demonstrators that he did not want a ceasefire, and that Hamas was 100 per cent to blame for the deaths of civilians in Gaza. Credit: X / @codepink After being ambushed with demands for him to call for a ceasefire in December last year, he replied: No, I will not. On the contrary I want [Israel] to destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on. These people are vicious animals who did horrifying crimes. To the activists, he added: I hope you guys post that, because thats my position. Credit: X / @codepink Mr Rubio has since said he would only accept a ceasefire if Hamas surrendered and released all hostages. News of his expected appointment came as Mr Trumps legal team successfully delayed a decision on his sentencing in the New York hush money case, which he hopes to have thrown out. He has not yet appointed an attorney general, who would oversee federal cases and may look to prosecute some of his enemies. Mr Rubios expected appointment suggests Mr Trump intends to follow through on his plan to give Israel more diplomatic space to wage war in Gaza next year. In October, the president-elect told Mr Netanyahu: Do what you have to do. Mr Rubio is also critical of China and Iran, having run on a hawkish foreign policy platform during the 2016 Republican primaries against Mr Trump. He has since reigned in his view that the US military should participate in foreign wars, and fallen in line with Mr Trumps America First agenda. On Tuesday, Mr Trump confirmed that he would appoint Michael Waltz, a noted China hawk in the House of Representatives, as his foreign policy adviser. Michael Waltz, the new national security adviser, is seen as a hawk on foreign policy - Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images Mr Waltz is a former Green Beret, who is married to a former homeland security adviser to Mr Trump. He has been critical of plans for the UK to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, fearing that China would fill the vacuum left by Britain and endanger the joint US-UK Diego Garcia air base. The deal has since been finalised by Sir Keir Starmers government and is expected to be signed in the coming weeks. Mr Rubio and Mr Waltz will become two of the most important diplomats in the world when Mr Trump takes office on Jan 20, and they are likely to steer his administration towards a tough line on China and a reduction in US military aid for Ukraine. On Nov 6, Mr Rubio described Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine as a stalemate war that needs to be brought to a conclusion. Mr Trump is thought to be preparing for territorial negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, and has warned Putin not to escalate the war further. Mr Trumps first appointments also suggest he will double down on his campaign promises to deport one million illegal migrants soon after taking office in January. He has nominated Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota who has fiercely criticised migration policy under the Biden administration, as his secretary for the Department for Homeland Security. Kristi Noem had been tipped as Donald Trumps running mate until her comments about shooting her dog came to prominence Ms Noem was thought to be in contention to be Mr Trumps running mate, but fell out of his favour after she published a memoir earlier this year revealing that she shot dead her 14-month old dog because it was not suited to hunting pheasants. After the story emerged, the president-elect reportedly told aides he was concerned about Ms Noems grasp of public relations. The Department of Homeland Security employs the most dogs of any US government department, with a headcount of almost 3,000 as of December 2022. Tom Homan, a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration, has been appointed as border czar and will be given responsibility for reducing illegal migration. On Tuesday, Mr Trump announced that Mike Huckabee, a baptist minister and former governor of Arkansas, would be the next ambassador to Israel. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East! Gina, right, and Tanya Sammons hold a photo of their late sister Alva as they arrive at parliament in Wellington ahead of the apology to the survivors of abuse in New Zealand state and faith-based institutions. Photograph: Charlotte Graham-McLay/AP New Zealands prime minister Christopher Luxon has formally apologised to the more than 200,000 children and adults who suffered horrific and heartbreaking abuse and neglect while in state and faith-based institutions. The historic apology follows a harrowing landmark report, released in July, which laid bare the scale of abuse that occurred across care institutions from the 1950s onwards. It was the most complex royal commission inquiry the country has held. The judge who chaired the inquiry, Coral Shaw, described the abuse as a national disgrace and shame. Luxon delivered the national apology at parliament on Tuesday. Survivors attended events around the country and filled the public gallery to witness the address. Many quietly wept as the prime minister spoke. Related: It never goes away: New Zealand survivors of abuse in care hope testimony will herald change Today I stand before you as the representative of not only this government, but all of the governments that have gone before us to offer a formal and unreserved apology for the abuse you suffered while in state care, churches and other faith-based places, Luxon said. It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened. Luxon apologised to survivors for not being believed, for the staff who turned a blind eye and for the states poor oversight of people in care. Your stories left many of us stunned that this could have happened here in New Zealand. But not you you knew the truth because you lived it, and you have waited and waited for people to start listening to you. Now New Zealand has listened. The inquiry estimated that of the 655,000 people who went through New Zealands care institutions from the 1950s, roughly 200,000 were abused, and said the true number of survivors could be much higher. It found sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect was widespread and systematic, resulting in significant trauma to the survivors many of whom went on to experience homelessness, poverty, addiction, devastating effects on health and mental health, and reduced opportunities for education and work. Some survivors were subjected to torture. Maori were disproportionately affected and faced disconnection from their culture and identity, and in some cases were put on a path towards gang membership, imprisonment, and suicide. The perpetrators included caregivers, religious leaders, social workers, and medical professionals. Tupua Urlich, who suffered sustained abuse after being placed with a non-family caregiver aged 5, travelled from Auckland to attend the apology. Urlich told the Guardian he was attending for himself, his father and his uncles who had all been abused in care and who had since died, some from suicide. It was about being here to hear the government acknowledge the role they played in the pain and the trauma theyve inflicted upon my family today is not a day of justice but for acknowledgment. Urlich, who was heavily involved in the inquiry, said the prime minister had clearly read the report, but an apology would be meaningless without a survivor-led overhaul of the care system. The door to consultation is open, he said in plea to the government. We dont trust you to get it right on your own we need accountability and transparency on every move that is made without transparency, abuse of power continues. In his apology, Luxon said words must be accompanied by actions, adding there were two big lessons from the inquiry that the government must act on quickly. First, we must do the right thing by you and provide you with the support that you need. Second, we must do all we can to prevent abuse happening in the future. Luxon said the government had begun or completed work on 28 of the more than 200 recommendations and announced further resourcing towards establishing a new redress system. A national remembrance day was announced for 12 November next year, while the names of prominent offenders who carried out abuse would be removed from street signs. The government also introduced legal changes on Tuesday afternoon that would better protect people in state care, including removing strip-searches of children and strengthening restrictions for people working with young children. Speaking after the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, Chris Hipkins, joined in apologising on behalf of successive governments that did not act. We are sorry. Today all of Aotearoa New Zealand will bear witness to the truth, to what survivors experienced, to our decades of wilful ignorance, denial, minimisation and to our conviction to end such horror and vile acts from continuing, Hipkins said. At an event in parliaments banquet hall just prior to the prime ministers address, the heads of seven agencies, including the acting head of police, the chief executive of the ministry for social development and the solicitor general, apologised to survivors. At times, their words were drowned out by boos. Three survivors, who were selected to speak at the event, expressed their desire to see urgent transformation within the care system and meaningful redress. State care survivor, Keith Wiffin, who spoke at the event and later watched the apology from the public gallery, told the Guardian it was important he attended the address in person. Its such a huge historical day, for survivors in the first instance, but for the country as well. Wiffin, who was placed in state care aged 11 and experienced ongoing sexual assault and psychological abuse, said he believed Luxon and Hipkins apologies were authentic. It gave hope that there would be change, for the future of those who go into care, that there will be genuine focus on prevention but also there was a commitment albeit slightly disappointing it was not immediate for redress to happen, which is essential. Childcare providers could be forced to increase fees for parents or close as national insurance and minimum wage rises are set to push the sector to the brink, a charity has warned. Parents will face higher costs if the Government fails to take action to help protect the sector from the impact of changes set out in the Budget, according to the Early Years Alliance (EYA). The main tax rise in the Budget last month was a change to employers national insurance (NI) contributions, which is expected to raise more than 25 billion for the Treasury. A poll of 1,007 senior staff in nurseries, preschools and childminders in England found that 95% said their setting was likely to raise fees for non-government funded hours if cost pressures from NI and minimum wage rises were not adequately funded or addressed by the Government. Nearly nine in 10 (87%) said they were likely to introduce or increase charges for optional extras such as meals, consumables and trips, and around three in five (61%) said they were likely to introduce or increase restrictions on when early entitlement funding can be claimed. Two in five (40%) said permanent closure of the early years setting was likely, the poll found. Some parents will be forced to leave the workforce or they will have to reconsider plans to have another child if childcare costs rise, according to charity Pregnant Then Screwed (PTS). The findings come as the Governments expansion of funded childcare for working parents is being rolled out in England. Working parents of children older than nine months are now able to access 15 hours of funded childcare, before the full rollout of 30 hours a week to all eligible families in September 2025. But the EYA survey carried out online between November 5-10 found that 52% of staff are likely to reduce the number of early entitlement places on offer at their setting, and 39% are likely to withdraw from some or all early entitlement offers entirely without Government support. In the Budget, the rate of NI for employers was raised from 13.8% to 15%, and the salary threshold at which employers start to pay the tax was lowered from 9,100 to 5,000 per year. Chancellor Rachel Reeves also announced that the national living wage will increase by 6.7% for employees aged 21 or older from 11.44 an hour to 12.21 from April. The charity is calling for the Government to either commit to funding the NI rises in full for early years settings or exempt the sector from the changes entirely as a matter of urgency. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the EYA, said: We are in the middle of the biggest expansion in the history of the early years sector, one that the government says is key to supporting parents to work and in turn, boosting the economy. It makes absolutely no sense, therefore, for the Treasury to turn a blind eye to the potential impact of these changes on our sector when it knows full well that a failure to act will, at best, push up prices even further for parents and, at worst, push the sector to the brink of collapse. Among the third of survey respondents who calculated the impact of the NI hike on their provider, the poll suggested that the changes will result in additional costs of over 18,600 per setting per year on average. One respondent said: Our collective increases are going to be in excess of 300,000 for the year over our 10 settings. We have 185 staff and care for 2,000 children per week. Where does Government think that 300,000 is going to come from? The parents, thats where. We have no choice but to raise our fees. Another survey respondent said: [It is] highly likely we will close within 21 24 months as this is a loss-making business model. Costs were too high and funding rates were too low to stay open, they said. Mr Leitch added: The financial pressure created by the sharp increases in the minimum wage announced at Budget alone would have been cause for significant concern in the sector given that, despite government claims to the contrary, funding increases have never actually reflected the need for settings to maintain wage differentials between different staff when increasing wages. But add to this the huge rises in National Insurance costs which the government doesnt seem to have factored into next years early years funding rates at all and you have a recipe for total disaster. Last week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told MPs in the House of Commons that the Government would announce whether early years funding rates for age groups would change to reflect the national insurance hike. She said: We will be setting out more detail on funding rates in due course. Ms Phillipson added that the Government will provide 8.1 billion for the early years entitlements in 2025/26. A separate poll by PTS, of 3,847 parents who currently have a child in a nursery in the UK, suggested that 92% believe childcare providers should be exempt from NI increases. Nearly a quarter (24%) said they will have to leave the workforce if costs increase by 10%, according to the self-selecting survey by PTS between November 8-11. Of those who say they want another child, nearly a third (30%) said having another child would no longer be feasible if their childcare costs increased by 10%. A government spokesperson said: This government has a clear mission to break the unfair link between background and opportunity, which starts with a reformed and sustainable early years system that gives every child the best start in life. We have taken tough decisions to fix the foundations, so that next year total spending on childcare will reach over 8 billion. We also take the concerns of the sector seriously and will continue to work with them and across government to ensure that funding arrangements give as much certainty and confidence as possible to deliver on the promises made to parents. British author Samantha Harvey has become the first woman since 2019 to win the Booker Prize. Her book Orbital, about astronauts looking down at Earth, was named as the winner of the 50,000 prize and trophy at a ceremony held at Old Billingsgate in the City of London. Harvey, who was longlisted for the prestigious literary prize in 2009 for her debut novel The Wilderness, is the 19th woman to win since the first award in 1969. There have been 36 male winners. Sometimes you encounter a book and cannot work out how this miraculous event has happened We're delighted to announce that the winner of the #BookerPrize2024 is Orbital by Samantha Harvey. Discover the book: https://t.co/Jx491BCyuj pic.twitter.com/R888OZEPE9 The Booker Prizes (@TheBookerPrizes) November 12, 2024 On stage, she dedicated the prize to everybody who does speak for, and not against the earth, for and not against the dignity of other humans, other life and all the people who speak for and call for and work for peace. Harvey also said: I suppose its fair to say that no Booker speech has ever been made in a perfect world. Its hard to not acknowledge the imperfections of the world that we live in today. The novelist, who nearly gave up writing the book, said that she originally thought why on earth would anybody want to hear from a woman at her desk in Wiltshire writing about space, imagining what its like being in space when people have actually been there, and I lost my nerve with it. Queen Camilla with Samantha Harvey during a reception for the Booker Prize Foundation at Clarence House, London (Aaron Chown/PA) Five years ago, the gong went jointly to two women, British author Bernardine Evaristo for Girl, Woman, Other and Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood for The Handmaids Tale sequel The Testaments. It was last won by a British author when Glasgow-born Douglas Stuart was named the 2020 Booker Prize winner for Shuggie Bain. Gaby Wood, chief executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, said: Orbital wins the prize in a year of geopolitical crisis, likely to be the warmest year in recorded history. A book about a planet shaped by the sheer amazing force of human want, about an unbounded place with no wall or barrier visible from space, with all politics an assault on its gentleness, it is hopeful, timely and timeless. This year, a record number of women were shortlisted for the Booker, with five nominated in total. Artist and chairman of the judges Edmund de Waal was asked about the optics if the one man on the list, Percival Everett, won for James, a powerful retelling of The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. Mr de Waal dismissed the suggestion, saying that there was no question, that anyone could have won this, irrespective of their background, their gender, their ethnicity, whatever, absolutely anyone. There was absolutely no question of box ticking or of agendas or anything else in the room at all, he added. (left to right) Yael van der Wouden, Gaby Wood, Rachel Kushner, Anne Michaels, the Queen, Charlotte Wood, Percival Everett, Samantha Harvey, and Edmund de Waal (Aaron Chown/PA) It was simply about a novel. At 136 pages long, Orbital is the second shortest Booker winner, just behind Penelope Fitzgeralds Offshore, which won the 1979 prize. Harveys novel takes place over a 24-hour time frame, with 16 orbits around the Earth, and touches on the death of a loved one, a typhoon coming, and the fragility of human life. Mr de Waal said: As judges, we were determined to find a book that moved us, a book that had capaciousness and resonance, that we are compelled to share. We wanted everything. Orbital is our book. Samantha Harvey has written a novel propelled by the beauty of 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets. Everyone and no one is the subject, as six astronauts in the International Space Station circle the Earth observing the passages of weather across the fragility of borders and time zones. With her language of lyricism and acuity, Harvey makes our world strange and new for us. All year we have celebrated fiction that inhabits ideas rather than declaiming on issues, not finding answers but changing the question of what we wanted to explore. Our unanimity about Orbital recognises its beauty and ambition. It reflects Harveys extraordinary intensity of attention to the precious and precarious world we share. This years judges all agreed on the choice, and included novelist Sara Collins, The Guardian fiction editor Justine Jordan, Chinese-born professor and A Thousand Years Of Good Prayers writer Yiyun Li and musician, composer and producer Nitin Sawhney, who has collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney and won an Ivor Novello lifetime achievement gong. BBC director-general Tim Davie joked at the event about having a football presenting job up for grabs in the wake of the corporation confirming on Tuesday that Gary Lineker will depart Match Of The Day at the end of the season. Lineker, 63, who has presented the highlights programme since 1999, has a contract extension with the broadcaster until the 2026 World Cup, the BBC said. Samantha Harvey poses with the trophy. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) Earlier on Tuesday, the shortlisted authors Yael van der Wouden, Rachel Kushner, Anne Michaels, Charlotte Wood, Everett and Harvey attended a reception with the Queen, her first public engagement since falling ill with a chest infection. On the royal family X account, a statement from Camilla said: Many congratulations to Samantha Harvey on having won the Booker Prize Award 2024 with your brilliant novel, Orbital! Last years winner was Irish author Paul Lynch with his dystopian novel Prophet Song. Singer Simon Le Bon has admitted he had to overcome being terrified of performing live to fans. The Duran Duran frontman, who has been made an MBE, also confirmed he had no intention of slowing down in his music career as he was recognised for his services to music and charity on Tuesday. Le Bon dropped out of university to perform with the group, who became synonymous with the New Romantic scene, after a successful audition in the 1980s. With hit songs including Rio and Hungry Like The Wolf, Duran Duran had a number one album in the UK charts with Seven And The Ragged Tiger in 1983 and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Speaking about his performances after receiving his royal honour from the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle, Le Bon told the PA news agency: Its the most immediate and essential aspect of our job, getting up and singing a song or making some music in front of a crowd. Whether its five people in the living room or around a campfire, or standing there in front of 30,000 people with their arms in the air, its essentially the same thing. It can feel very different. I used to be a very nervous performer. I was terrified, and slowly Ive been able to overcome that fear and I dont get it anymore. I just walk out there and it feels natural to me. Diana, Princess of Wales meets members of Duran Duran (Archive/PA) Asked whether leaving university to pursue Duran Duran felt like a gamble, Le Bon said it was a big decision to make but that he had no doubt in my mind that it was the right thing to do. He said: I met some guys who were ready to go on stage and perform professionally at the top level, without having to finish a whole load more studies, and it was all about writing and creativity. I just thought, this works for me, and I could tell from the band that, they were really serious, and that we had a really good opportunity. Duran Duran have returned to the mainstream music scene in recent years, including being the headline act at Latitude Festival in July. The group also performed at the late Queen Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee Party outside Buckingham Palace in 2022, which Le Bon described as an incredible event. The 66-year-old suggested their renaissance was due to their longevity and the Internet, which saw their music being picked up by a new generation of audience which had access to older songs and started looking back. Speaking about Duran Durans future, Le Bon said the group would keep on keeping on as he shared his love for his profession. He said: I dread to think what had happened to me if I didnt have to get ready for a show or tour or write some new stuff. I think that Id just slowly wither like a leaf and crumble. Its nice to have a reason to live as well as family. I love music, I love my job. I feel incredibly fortunate that I do what I do, I would recommend it to anybody. Its tough, but its worth it. Two men who ran a trafficking ring from a car wash in Wales sent messages about the people smuggling business, a court has heard. Dilshad Shamo, 41, and Ali Khdir, 40, both from Caerphilly, are accused of unlawfully moving hundreds of people through Europe, by arranging the movement of migrants in boats, HGVs and cars from Iraq, Iran and Syria. Khdir, who was born in Iran, and Shamo, originally from Iraq, owned and operated the Fast Track Hand Car Wash in Caerphilly, where people trafficking is alleged to have been organised. Cardiff Crown Court was shown various messages allegedly from the defendants on Wednesday, including some referring to the people smuggling business. Both Khdir and Shamo deny five counts of conspiring to breach migration laws in Italy, Romania, Croatia and Germany to bring people into EU countries. All the offences are alleged to have taken place between September 2022 and April 2023. Voice and written messages appear to show Khdir and Shamo speaking with various people across Europe, Turkey and Iraq, discussing routes, passports and money changing hands. The jury was also shown video clips, including of people on various routes, as well as audio recordings taken by the police using listening devices hidden in the defendants vehicles. One message showed a man named Chomani saying to Khdir, Hi Uncle have you got any people in Istanbul? A voice recording of Khdirs response was played to the jury, where he said he had been busy working at my car wash and there were people who wanted Turkish visas, adding, you are aware how people smuggling business is. Speaking on behalf of the prosecution, Sarah Gaunt, who read out dozens of messages, said she wanted to give the jury a sense of the magnitude and types of communications being sent. She explained the messages had been downloaded from phones either seized from the defendants or that had been in close proximity to them. In one call captured by the police in Shamos car, he asked an Uncle Andam if he had people in Croatia or Italy that he could smuggle. Shamo told him there were Croatian, Slovenian and Italian cars ready, adding, just hand them to me and Ill get them over the border and just say that Dilshad has got cars on both sides. In another translated recording, Shamo said: All agents are under my control, including those in Bosnia, Serbia, Turkey, Italy and Slovenia. We have cars and if they cross the border to Turkey, I will manage the rest. I cannot take them straight away to British migration. Ms Gaunt told the jury the accused were also secretly recorded while they were being taken to the police station following their arrests on April 13 2023. She said: The defendants were conveyed to the police station in NCA (National Crime Agency) vehicles. There was a conversation between Shamo and Khdir in Kurdish, whilst next to each other in the police cars which was covertly recorded by the police, and was later translated. During this conversation, Shamo told Khdir, just tell them that we didnt facilitate anyone to enter the country illegally. Theyll only ask us some questions; its not related to anything else. She said they told each other their phones had been confiscated by the police, with Khdir having given them his passcode, while Shamo said he had given an incorrect number. The prosecutor added: Shamo asked Khdir about the money in his bank account, stating, So the rest of your money is in your bank account. You know what we should do? Just tell them that we are buying and selling cars, just say we do transfer money from our home country. The trial continues on Wednesday. A finance scheme designed to raise up to 75 billion dollars (58 billion) for building clean energy projects in poorer countries is to launch on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The scheme, set up by green finance body the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), is a new financial mechanism designed to boost climate funding globally. CIFs new Capital Market Mechanism will issue investment-grade bonds, listed on the London market, then distribute funding to help pay for new projects such as wind or solar farms in countries struggling to raise enough cash to build them. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and World Bank president Ajay Banga at the beginning of a bilateral meeting on day two of the Cop29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan (Carl Court/PA) The mechanism is expected to direct as much as 58 billion of funding, much of it from the private sector, to developing countries over the next decade with the World Bank acting as the trustee. The Government said on Tuesday that the finance tool would be launched on the LSE following a meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and the president of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, at the Cop29 climate summit in Baku. Sir Keir said it was high time the private sector played their part in this. A Downing Street spokesperson said Sir Keir and Mr Banga agreed on the importance of mobilising private finance to strengthen action to tackle the climate challenge, and the Prime Minister welcomed the World Banks ambition in this area. They added that the deal showed London as a green finance capital, and bolstered Britain as an attractive place to invest in the future. CIF was set up in 2008 to pool resources from contributor countries including the UK, and ultimately help fund green projects elsewhere. Gareth Redmond-King, head of international programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, a think tank, said Sir Keirs acknowledgement of the critical importance of climate finance sends a significant message. He said: Hosting the CIF market mechanism in London probably means the UK is offering rather more than just good coffee and snacks in a nice office; in reality, this is also a powerful signal of the UKs commitment to lead globally in mobilising the climate finance needed from all sources, to support developing nations. It comes after the UK on Tuesday pledged at the summit in Azerbaijan to cut its own carbon emissions by 81% by 2035, a goal which is in line with recommendations by the Climate Change Committee. This target is based on reducing emissions compared with 1990 levels and forms the UKs nationally determined contribution (NDC) a commitment that countries make to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change. Vodafone saw growing service revenue in the first half, as the telecoms giant said it hopes to wrap up its merger with mobile network Three by early 2025. The London-listed company said service revenue rose 1.7% year-on-year to 15.1 billion euros (12.5 billion) despite a slump in Germany, its biggest market, because of a change in the law. Vodafone said it expects to complete its tie up with Three UK early next year, as it waits for a final decision on the deal from the competition regulator on December 7. The merger is expected to be completed in 2025 (PA) The Competition and Markets Authority is investigating the deal, which would create the largest mobile operator in the UK, but has indicated it is likely to get the green light. We will continue to constructively engage with the CMA and remain confident that we can work with them to secure approval, Vodafone said on Tuesday. The merger forms a part of chief executive Margherita Della Valles turnaround plan at the company, which also includes selling businesses in Italy, Spain and other countries. Vodafone said it reported an operating profit of 2.4 billion euros (2 billion) in the half ending September, up 28.3% year-on-year, mainly driven by the profit from setting an 18% stake in the Indian telecoms firm Indus Towers. However, service revenue gains were offset by falling income from its key German business, after the government stopped housing associations from tying TV and rent together earlier this year. Vodafone said service revenue in Germany fall 6.2% last quarter. Ms Della Valle said the company is making good progress on the turnaround plan, with approvals for the Three merger and the disposal of its Italian business nearing conclusion. These will complete our programme to reshape the group for growth. She added: We delivered good performances across our markets, with the exception of Germany, where we have been impacted as expected by the TV law change. I am confident that the actions we are taking will deliver growth for Vodafone this year and a further acceleration into FY26. Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the group continues to face several challenges before it can hope to call this turnaround complete, from major portfolio actions to persistently weak performance in the key German market. The portfolio clean-up is well under way, with the Spanish unit out of the picture and Italian soon to follow, but investors will need to settle for a lower dividend level moving forward. Shhhhh, keep this between us. That's what one woman from Tampa, Florida was hoping would happen when she brought her rescue pet Muscovy duck inside the house without her partner knowing. We guess that's normally a big no-no, but something tells us her secret is safe. Monty might be a little bit spoiled. Just a tad. That's because when mom is home alone she lets him do all sorts of things he's not normally allowed to do. The woman sort of knew that she was getting away with something in the video. Monty was posted up on the back of the couch while his mama went over all the rules they were breaking. Related: California Officers Rescue Ducklings from Storm Drain With the Help of Neighborhood Kids "Your father would kill me if he knew that I even let you in here," she told the Muscovy duck. "Let alone you're up on the couch." "Naughty!" she chided. But who could blame him? The duck "just loves his mommy so much," the woman said. People in the comments section thought this was so sweet. But a lot of people noticed the same thing. "Does the dog know its a duck?" asked one commenter. "The kisses.. the tail wagging.. the panting. I know a dog when a dog goes quack," someone else teased. "An angel that messed up in the soul department finally realizing where he put the misplaced dog soul right now," someone else kidded. "Omg the way he got so excited when you started baby talking at him," one person praised. Are Muscovy Ducks Good Pets? While chickens seem to dominate the conversation when it comes to birds as pets, Muscovy ducks are another good option. For one, Muscovy ducks are extremely calm animals that are easy to raise. They are even more chill when raised and socialized with humans from a young age. Another perk, Muscovy ducks are quiet! Yep, no clucking at all hours of the day. These ducks make pretty much no noise at all not even a quack. Muscovy ducks are hearty animals. Meaning that they don't get sick often and are easy to take care of. They also eat weeds, as well as worms and grubs. Making them just as good at tending an unruly yard as a goose. Unlike geese, Muscovy ducks aren't aggressive however. In fact the opposite is true. These guys are actually quite affectionate. They're happy sitting on their owner's lap or resting by their feet. So in a way, Muscovy ducks are the dogs of the duck world. Or are dogs the Muscovy ducks of the dog world? Either way they make truly incredible pets. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. Five people are dead after multiple shootings in three homes in Wichita, Kansas. Just before 6 p.m. Sunday, a 911 call reported a shooting on the 1700 block of Santa Fe South, NBC affiliate KSN of Wichita reported. Officers found a man dead from an apparent gunshot wound, Wichita police said in a statement. Shortly afterward, officers followed up at another home just over a half-mile away. There, they said, they discovered three additional victims with apparent gunshot wounds, the statement said. Police then canvassed the neighborhood. An officer looked through the window of another home and discovered what appeared to be another victim in the living room, police said. Police entered and found another man dead from an apparent gunshot wound. All five victims were men, ages 39, 42, 55, 67 and 68, police said in a statement. "At this time, we believe all victims are known to each other, and there is no outstanding suspect or ongoing threat to the community," police spokesperson Andrew Ford said in the statement. "While our investigation is still in its preliminary stages, we suspect that one of the victims may be the possible shooter." Police Chief Joe Sullivan told KSN that officers have a "strong direction" on which victim was the shooter but that it is too early to say that officially. Officials in in Wisconsin said DNA evidence has solved a more than 65-year-old cold case involving missing 7-year-old Michigan boy Markku Jutila, born as Chester Breiney. The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office in Port Washington on Lake Michigan's western shore reported a child's skeleton was found in a culvert on Oct. 4, 1959, in the city of Mequon, nearly 20 miles north of Milwaukee. At the time of the discovery, the victim was estimated to be anywhere from 6 to 8 years old, sheriff's office investigators posted in a release on Facebook. During the investigation, detectives learned the Houghton County Sheriffs Department, nearly 300 miles north in Michigan, was conducting an investigation on a missing child named Markku Jutila. At the time, Houghton County deputies were working with the Chicago Police Department after family members of William Jutila and Hilja Jutila became suspicious of the whereabouts of their adopted child, authorities reported. 35 dead, 43 injured in hit-and-run: Driver rams SUV into crowd exercising in Zhuhai, China leaving dozens dead, dozens injured Victim's adoptive parents admitted to disposing of child's body in ditch The couple had relocated from Houghton County to Chicago and were not able to say where their adopted son was. During the interview with police, the couple admitted to disposing of the childs body in a ditch in Mequon before arriving in Chicago. Hilja Jutila, the sheriff's office reported, confessed to physically beating her son to death. Law enforcement rendering of missing Chester Alfred Breiney. In March 1966, investigators arrested the couple in Chicago and extradited them to Wisconsin, but on Nov. 10, 1966 prosecutors dropped the charges because at the time, investigators, could not link the boy's death to the body found in Mequon. No body, no crime, officials determined. Years later, DNA identified the victim as Chester Alfred Breiney, whose mother died in 2001. He was 7 when he was killed, officials said. Cold case solved: 'Lake Lady Jane Doe' identified 38 years after body found in Louisiana lake Significant neglect and a healed broken rib In July 2024, the sheriff's office wrote in the release, investigators sought assistance from Othram, the DNA lab that eventually helped identify the victim. At the same time, investigators continued to review information from the Mequon Police Department and Ozaukee County case and a 1966 newspaper article from the Milwaukee Journal, provided additional information regarding the adoption of Markku Jutila. Reporting from the Milwaukee Journal published on March 28, 1966, offers insight into the death of 7-year-old Markku Jutila, born Chester Breiney, who was killed by his adoptive parents before his remains were found in Mequon. "Adoption records showed Chester was admitted to Good Will Farm, which was an orphanage, and was adopted by Russell and Hilja Jutila on March 24, 1955," the release continues. Additional investigation, the sheriff's office reported, found Markku died as a result of significant neglect, and had a healed broken rib. No charges to be filed in Chester Breiney's killing In September 2024, investigators entered DNA extracted from the skull into a public source DNA database, which unearthed several matches to members of the Breiney family, particularly Josephine Breiney, Chester's mother, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Josephine Breiney died in 2001 and had no living relatives. No charges will be filed in the case, the sheriff's office said. His adoptive parents died in 1988. "Although no one will be prosecuted for Chester Alfred Breineys death, Chester may now rest in peace as the truth of his death is known. No child should leave this Earth like Chester did," Sheriff Christy Knowles wrote in the release. "All investigative parties involved in this case worked diligently to bring justice for Chester, beginning back in 1959 when he was found. Its been 65 years since Chester was murdered, however, he was never forgotten." Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DNA helps solve cold case killing of Chester Alfred Breiney, age 7 Dodger Stadium and Los Angeles. Photo: Public Domain Public Domain (The Center Square) - California has nearly five million uncounted ballots a week after the election ballots that could determine whether Republicans have a trifecta in federal government. Only 243,976 ballots have arrived after Election Day last Tuesday, meaning that the uncounted ballots are almost entirely all ballots that arrived on or before Election Day. By contrast, Florida had counted nearly all ballots by the evening of Election Day. By the time of publication, AP had called 205 House races for Democrats and 214 for Republicans, leaving both parties short of the 218 required for a House majority. With Republicans in control of the Senate and winning both the Electoral College and popular vote for the presidency, maintaining control of the House would provide a broad mandate for Republican governing priorities. At eight remaining uncalled House races in California, three of which currently favor Republicans, the nations most populous state holds the key to keeping or losing the Republican House majority. Among the six highly contested House races covered last week in California, Californias 13th, 22nd, 41st, 45th, and 47th Districts remain in play, with Republican Congressman Mike Garcia conceding to Democratic challenger and former Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides. Garcia won by just 333 votes in 2020 in the defense-heavy districtconsisting of the suburbs and exurbs north of Los Angeles. Two surprisingly close races are in Californias 9th and 21st Districts, where incumbent Democrats hold narrow majorities that are likely to grow with the counting of more mail-in ballots that tend to favor Democrats. Republican Congressman John Duarte retains a nearly 3,000 vote lead in the 13th District that Democratic challenger Adam Gray could quickly erode, while Republican Congressman David Valadao holds a significant lead of just under 10,000 votes against Democrat Rudy Salas in the 22nd District. Congressman Ken Calvert, considered one of the most vulnerable California Republicans going into the election, is still surviving with an almost 8,000 vote lead in his second matchup against Will Rollins in the 41st District. Congresswoman Michelle Steel in the 45th District is down to an under 4,000 vote lead against Democratic challenger Derek Tran, suggesting the race could go either way, while in Californias 47th District Democrat Dave Min has taken the likely permanent lead against Republican Scott Baugh in the race to fill the seat left vacant by Congresswoman Katie Porter. A researcher loads DNA samples into a biorobot at UCSF on Sept. 25. The Summary An advanced diagnostic test uses genetic sequencing to detect a variety of pathogens viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites that might be causing an illness. A new study found that it has been effective at identifying the cause of neurological infections like meningitis. The test is not yet FDA-approved, and it is expensive to run, but its creators hope it is used more broadly in the future. A cutting-edge diagnostic test is helping some doctors find diagnoses for medical mysteries by analyzing DNA and RNA to detect a broad swath of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, according to a pair of studies published Tuesday. Traditional diagnostic tests are generally designed to measure specific substances such as proteins, hormones or trace amounts of genetic material. But the genomic test, developed at the University of California, San Francisco, instead extracts all the DNA and RNA present in a sample of blood, tissue or body fluid, then sequences that genetic material. It compares the sequences to a vast database of pathogens to see what matches up. The technology is not a replacement for existing tests used to diagnose common illnesses like those for Covid or strep throat since its slower to deliver results and more expensive. But it shows promise in a particular scenario: when a patient is in the hospital with severe symptoms, but initial tests come back negative and doctors cant figure out whats wrong. Already, the test has been effective at identifying the cause of neurological infections such as meningitis and encephalitis (swelling of the brain or its surrounding membranes), according to one of the new studies, published Tuesday in the journal Nature Medicine. Using samples of spinal fluid, it was able to diagnose 86% of the neurological infections it encountered out of more than 4,800 samples gathered at UCSF over a roughly seven-year period. In 2021 and 2022, the test was able to link cases of encephalitis among transplant recipients to yellow fever in their organ donor. And last year, it helped pinpoint the cause of a meningitis outbreak among patients who had undergone surgical procedures in Mexico. Our test was used to identify the cause of it as a specific fungus, Fusarium solani, from one of the early patients who had become symptomatic, said Dr. Charles Chiu, a professor of laboratory medicine and infectious diseases at UCSF and the senior author of the new study. Dr. Charles Chiu watches as a robot extracts DNA from a sample in a clinical microbiology lab at UCSF. The second study on the test, published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, suggests it could also be used to detect novel viruses, including those with the potential to start pandemics. The researchers ran a simulation to see whether the test could pick up on human viruses like the coronavirus that causes Covid, even if the researchers removed those viruses genetic sequences from the database on which the test relies. The test still identified the viruses based on related strains in animals, Chiu said. The Food and Drug Administration has granted the test a breakthrough device designation, which allows labs to use it based on its potential to help patients, even though the agency hasnt yet approved it. But the test is expensive: Running it costs $3,000 per sample and fewer than 10 labs use it routinely, Chiu said. Traditionally, its been used as a test of last resort, but thats primarily because of issues involving, for instance, the cost of the test, the fact that its only available in specialized reference laboratories, and it also is quite laborious to run, he said. Chiu added that the new research raises the possibility that we perhaps should be considering running this test earlier in the course of a persons infection. Chiu and his fellow UCSF researchers developed the test 10 years ago. Shortly after, it detected a case of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection, in a 14-year-old boy who was in a medically induced coma. The diagnosis led doctors to prescribe penicillin, after which the boy recovered quickly. A researcher loads DNA samples into a biorobot at a UCSF lab. But the test comes with limitations, according to Susan Butler-Wu, an associate professor of clinical pathology at the University of Southern California. The technology is likely too complicated for the average community hospital to adopt in the foreseeable future, she said. And doctors could have a hard time interpreting the results, so they would need to consult with a laboratory director who has the appropriate expertise. This just is not something that a clinical lab will be doing until somebody commercially puts it in a box with an easy button, Butler-Wu said. The test also misses some cases, she added, so it should be used alongside other diagnostic tests in hospitals. Its not a one-stop shop, Butler-Wu said. It just can be helpful as an additional tool. Nonetheless, Chiu said, he could envision the test being used widely in hospitals someday to diagnose all sorts of illnesses, such as the root causes of pneumonia or sepsis. We need to get the cost down and we need to get the turnaround times down as well, he said. In July of 1899, The Early Work of Aubrey Beardsley, was added to the collection of the Worcester Public Library. The book, a compilation of illustrations by a British artist and poet, remained in the collection until 1973, when it was checked out and never returned. Just recently, the book was returned by a Boston resident who wanted to keep it from being thrown away. It was brought to staffers at the Cambridge Public Library, who soon realized the book was not from their catalog. Then they noticed the original due date: May 22, 1973. Cambridge Public Library, manager of collections, Kathy Penny, sent the book to the Worcester Public Library with a handwritten note that read, Returning to its rightful home, 51 years later. Alex London, local historian and genealogy librarian at Worcester, was the first to receive the book and was amazed at its return. Its a rarity that someone found this, London said to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. But not only that they found it, but that it is in such good condition. London then brought it up to Jason Homer, the executive director for the library, who responded with a laugh, Why did Cambridge have our book from the 70s? In Homers 15 years in the industry, he said he has seen books returned late or not at all, but never returned after 51 years. With something that is this old, over 100 years old, how many people touched it? How many people worked with it, how many people read it?, Homer said. Thats something thats really fun to think about, the preservation of materials that were able to have. Kathy Penny, the Manager of Collections for Cambridge Public Library returned the book, "The Early Works of Aubrey Beardsley," to the Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts with a handwritten note after a Boston resident returned it hoping to stop it from being thrown away. - From Worcester Public Library On November 1, the Worcester library made a Facebook post announcing the books long-awaited return. Thank you to Cambridge Public Library (CPL) and the Boston resident who found this book and made sure The Early Work of Aubrey Beardsley was returned to its rightful place in our collection after 51 years, the post said. If the library still issued late fees, the books borrower would have had to pay almost $2,000. However, in 2020, the Worcester library, along with others in the state, suspended late fines, citing research that it did not encourage people to return the books at a reasonable time. The book was overdue by 18,738 days, according to Homer. At the Worcester library, people must pay to replace books that are 42 days past their return date, he said. After an item is overdue for 6 weeks, we assume it is lost, and we charge people the cost to replace the book. Homer said. Unfortunately, due to this book being loaned pre-internet, we do not have a record of whether someone was charged for this item. The book, "The Early Works of Aubrey Beardsley," was checked out in 1973 from the Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts, with a due date of May 22, 1973. The book was never returned by the original borrower, but found 51 years later in Boston. - From Worcester Public Library The inspiration for the 125-year-old book, Aubrey Beardsley, was a British visual artist who largely influenced modern artists of the late 19th century. His artwork was inspired by Japanese woodblock artists and characterized by a unique style of curved lines, which he was praised for throughout his short career. Beardsleys work is said to have influenced the art nouveau style, a decorative, international art featuring curves of nature. Beardsley died at the young age of 25 from tuberculosis. His work continued to influence the modernist and aesthetic movement far past his death in 1898, one year before the book was composed. For us, this book is a stark reminder of the need for physical preservation of materials and information, Homer said. So much is able to be lost in the digital world, and as consumption increases in pace, it is an important reminder that to honor art and expression is an essential part of our experience as humans. The book is not currently in the librarys online catalog. It is now being kept in a secure location for preservation and is only available for in-library reading. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday he is nominating former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be his U.S. ambassador to Israel, tapping a pro-Israel evangelical Christian to help steer foreign policy in the Middle East with the region in crisis. The appointment of the 69-year-old Huckabee comes as Israel faces international pressure to scale back its war in Gaza more than one year after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Trump will inherit a widening Middle East conflict after Israel and Iran have traded airstrikes in recent weeks. Huckabee has previously signaled he opposes negotiating a cease-fire deal with Hamas, arguing the only way to end the war is for the Islamist militant group to surrender. "Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years," Trump said in a statement. "He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!" Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee moderates a roundtable discussion with Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Drexelbrook Catering & Event Center on October 29, 2024 in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Trump also named Steven Witkoff, a New York real estate tycoon, his special envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff, co-chair of Trump's inaugural committee and a regular Trump golf partner, was with the president-elect when he was the target of a second attempted assassination at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida in September. Witkoff has played a key role helping connect Trump with the Jewish business community. Trump has expressed steadfast support for Israel in its war against Hamas. As president, Trump moved the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and helped broker the 2020 Abraham Accords, which expanded Israel's diplomatic relations in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has spoken to Trump three times since Trump defeated Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in last week's election. The two men also communicated during the 2024 campaign. Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is defeated and all hostages are released. Trump announced the Huckabee pick while Israeli President Issac Herzog was at the White House visiting outgoing President Joe Biden. Steve Witkoff, businessman and developer, speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. Touting his support for Israel, Trump in September called himself "a protector" of Israel and warned the Jewish state would cease to exist if Harris won. Trump in April said Israel needs to "finish what they started" in Gaza but also said Israel is "losing the PR war" with the images of bloodshed coming out of Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll has passed 43,000. Huckabee, a Baptist minister and former Fox News host, served as governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for president in 2008 and in 2016 against Trump. Huckabee currently hosts a show on the religious broadcast network TBN. Huckabee has little diplomatic experience, but he was among a group of evangelicals who visited Israel in December in a show of support. In June, Huckabee told NewsNation there is "no valid reason" to pursue a cease-fire with Hamas, which the Biden administration has worked for months to secure. "Theres no valid reason to have a cease-fire with Hamas. Theyre not capable of having an honorable negotiation," Huckabee said, accusing the terrorist organization of pretending to listen to cease-fire details but always rejecting a deal. This is like trying to negotiate with the Nazis in World War II. You just dont, Huckabee said. You beat them. You defeat them. You eradicate them. Huckabee's daughter, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary during Trump's first presidency. The Republican Jewish Coalition lauded the pick. "As a man of deep faith, we know Governor Huckabees abounding love of Israel and its people is second to none," the lobbying group said in a statement. "As the Jewish state continues to fight an existential war for survival against Iran and its terrorist proxies, Governor Huckabee will represent Americas ironclad commitment to Israels security with distinction." Trump's former U.S. ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, also praised the selection. "I am thrilled by President Trumps nomination of Governor Mike Huckabee as the next Ambassador to Israel. He is a dear friend and he will have my full support. Congrats Mike on getting the best job in the world!" Friedman said in a post on X. Trump has filled at least seven other positions since his White House victory. The incoming Republican president's hires include his senior 2024 campaign adviser Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff; Elise Stefanik was nominated to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; longtime immigration advisor Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy; Tom Homan was picked to oversee deportation policy and aviation security; former New York congressman Lee Zeldin was nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency; and Florida Rep. Mike Waltz was named national security adviser. Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Huckabee nominated by Trump to be US ambassador to Israel A Minnesota father and his five children are in critical condition after a cigarette lighter ignited a leaking propane tank that exploded inside a storage container, fire officials said. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal (SFM) determined that the 100-pound propane cylinder, which was believed to be empty, contained enough leftover gas to fill the storage container to "dangerous levels," according to a news release issued by the state agency. The father and his children entered the storage container in St. Paul on Nov. 4 to grab some toys, the SFM said. The children, who entered first due to the father being unaware of the impending danger, did not recognize the distinct odor of mercaptan, according to the state agency. Mercaptan is the additive that gives propane its "gas" smell. Unbeknownst to the children and father, the spark from a cigarette lighter would set off the explosion, the SFM said. Although the father and children remain in critical condition at a Minneapolis hospital, they are stable, according to the release. This family faces a long road to recovery, but they are bravely sharing their story so that nobody else experiences such a devastating accident, State Fire Marshal Dan Krier said in the release. We hope this familys tragedy serves as a reminder to take precautions when storing and handling propane. Cold case: The boy was found in a ditch in Wisconsin in 1959. He was identified 65 years later. 'Praising God': Online fundraisers started for the family's recovery The family of the five children created a GoFundMe and CaringBridge to fundraise money to pay for their medical bills and surgeries. They identified the children as five brothers. The GoFundMe, organized by Kyra Frank, who identifies herself as the boys' sibling, has a $50,000 donation goal. As of Tuesday, more than $95,000 has been raised, according to the GoFundMe page. "As many may have heard, my five little brothers were involved in an explosion. All five are in critical condition and have been life-flighted to Hennepin MN for further care," Kyra Frank wrote on the GoFundMe page. "All prayers are needed and appreciated. My mom is a single working parent and is now taking time off to be with her boys. She could use any and all the help given." The most recent update on the GoFundMe page says the boys are stable and their vitals are "looking good," but their burns range from 5% to 55%. "The surgeon informed us that all of them will need surgery at some point throughout this process," according to Kyra Frank. "The stays are going to be extensive and the medical bills are high as well as Mom being unable to be at work." JaCee Frank, who identified herself as the boys' mother on the CaringBridge donation page, continues to give updates about the children, including on Monday when she announced that one of them has pneumonia. "Praising God for the miracle all my children are! That I still have them. Despite the obstacles, Ive actually felt hopeful today," JaCee Frank wrote on the page. "Doctors are all optimistic too. Please continue praying for these boys. They have such an uphill battle in front of them. Thank you so much!!" What are some propane safety tips? The SFM recommends the following tips to avoid propane incidents: Store propane tanks outside. Never assume a tank is empty as even a small amount of residual gas can create a potentially explosive atmosphere in a confined space. Equip homes, campers, fish houses and other areas with propane heating units with smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and explosive gas detectors, which are available at various retail stores. Some people may not be able to smell the odorant used in propane, making these detectors a "critical line of defense, especially for children who may not understand the significance of the smell," according to the SFM. If a mercaptan odor is present or a detector sounds, people should evacuate the area immediately and call 911, the state agency said. Do not turn appliances or lights on or off during the evacuation because even a tiny spark could ignite the gas, according to the SFM. Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Propane tank explosion in Minnesota leaves father, 5 children injured London The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, head of the Anglican Church, resigned Tuesday after a review found that he and other senior church leaders had covered up the "prolific and abhorrent" abuse of over 100 boys and young men in the United Kingdom and other countries by a British lawyer who helped lead Christian summer camps in the U.K. and other countries. John Smyth was accused of attacking boys and young men he met at Christian camps in the 1970s and 1980s. He died in South Africa in 2018 at the age of 77 without ever facing any legal proceedings. "The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England," Welby said in a statement announcing his resignation. "For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done." An independent Church of England review into the handling of complaints against Smyth found last week that, "despite the efforts of some individuals to bring the abuse to the attention of authorities, the responses by the Church of England and others were wholly ineffective and amounted to a coverup," the leader of the review said. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby speaks during the General Synod of the Church of England on February 15, 2016 in London. / Credit: Ben Pruchnie/Getty "I am so sorry that in places where these young men, and boys, should have felt safe and where they should have experienced God's love for them, they were subjected to physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse," Welby said in an initial statement responding to the review's findings. "I am sorry that concealment by many people who were fully aware of the abuse over many years meant that John Smyth was able to abuse overseas and died before he ever faced justice." Welby has said he was unaware of Smyth's abuse until 2013, the year he became the archbishop. "Nevertheless the review is clear that I personally failed to ensure that after disclosure in 2013 the awful tragedy was energetically investigated," Welby said. "Since that time the way in which the Church of England engages with victims and survivors has changed beyond recognition. Checks and balances introduced seek to ensure that the same could not happen today." The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior figure in the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church. The U.S.-based Episcopal Church, which has 1.6 million members, is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and there are over 7,000 Episcopal churches across the U.S. Welby has played a central role in many high-profile events, including officiating the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and delivering the sermon at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. "I think, rightly, people are asking the question: 'Can we really trust the Church of England to keep us safe?' And I think the answer at the moment is 'no,'" Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley told CBS News' partner network BBC News, calling on Welby to resign. Andrew Morse, who told the BBC he was abused for years by Smyth as a teenager, had also called for Welby to resign. He said Welby's "admission that in 2013, which is really modern day in comparison to the 1970s and 1980s, that he didn't do enough, that he wasn't rigorous is enough in my mind to confirm that Justin Welby, along with countless other Anglican churchmen, were part of a cover-up about the abuse." Morse said he was beaten several times by Smyth during his youth, and that further abuse could have been stopped if Welby had acted when he found out about Smyth's actions in 2013. "It is those African lives and those African victims that are very much on my conscience and I would hope on the archbishop's conscience too." Trump expected to pick Rubio for secretary of state, Kristi Noem for Homeland Security secretary Tom Homan on what mass deportation immigration plans may look like Robots sculpt marble in Italy, sparking worries about future of art form | 60 Minutes House Republicans declared victory in the 2024 election Tuesday, winning a coveted trifecta with the White House and Senate. Its morning again in America, declared National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) at a press conference on the Capitols east steps. Voters delivered House Republicans a majority and sent Donald Trump to the White House in a landslide. Republicans were projected to win or leading in 222 House seats, according to the Associated Press, with Democrats projected to win or leading in 213 a result that would match the outcome following the 2022 midterm elections, if it holds. GOP Rep. Michael Lawler (left) secured a second term, representing New Yorks 17th District. Getty Images GOP swing-district candidates were projected to pick up half a dozen seats across Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Michigan while mostly defending their districts out west, more than making up for a string of disappointing losses in New York state. Democratic incumbents Susan Wild and Matt Cartwright fell in the Keystone States 7th and 8th districts to Republicans Ryan Mackenzie and Robert Bresnahan, respectively. In North Carolina, voters in the 6th, 13th and 14th districts backed the GOPs Addison McDowell, Brad Knott and Tim Moore. Voters in Michigans 7th District chose Republican Tom Barrett to represent them in the House over Democrat Curtis Hertel an open-seat race due to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkins successful bid for the US Senate. Some New York Republicans held the line, with Reps. Mike Lawler and Nick LaLota securing second terms repping the Hudson Valleys 17th District and Long Islands 1st District, respectively. In California, Republican Reps. David Valadao, Ken Calvert and Michelle Steel were each holding off strong Democratic challengers while GOP Rep. John Duarte maintained a lead against his Democratic opponent as of Tuesday morning, with nearly 60% of all ballots counted. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he believes Republicans are going to have a larger majority than we had last time. Tania Savayan/The Journal News/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images President-elect Trump joined GOP Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra in cruising to wins in Iowa, too despite an ominous survey from famed pollster J. Ann Selzer predicting the weekend before Election Day that Vice President Kamala Harris was beating Trump in the Hawkeye State. Colorados 8th District also flipped in the GOPs favor, with Gabe Evans ousting freshman Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo. In Alaska, Republican Nick Begich was on course to unseat first-term Democrat Mary Peltola, who has held her seat in the Frontier State since a special election in 2022. Republican Rep. Don Young had long represented the state, serving from 1973 until his death two years ago. The GOP wins are a big boost for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who told The Post last month that he was very bullish on his conferences chances to achieve a government unified under the party this election cycle. Voters rejected what they really felt was the misery of the last four years, Johnson said at Tuesdays press conference. We are going to raise an America First banner above this place. Republicans in the House and Senate have a mandate. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is among the top Democrats left to pick up the pieces after his party was badly beaten on Election Day. Jake Crandall/ Advertiser/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images This leadership will hit the ground running to deliver President Trumps agenda in the 119th Congress, and we will work closely with him and his administration to turn this country around and unleash, as he says, a new golden age in America, the House speaker added. While acknowledging that he was still waiting the final outcome of some races, Johnson said, We believe were going to have a larger majority than we had last time. Republicans were dealt a setback in achieving that goal due in part to losses in New York swing districts by incumbent Reps. Anthony DEsposito, Brandon Williams and Marc Molinaro. Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) stumps for Donald Trump in October. AP With his majority expanded to four seats from three, Johnson is likely to retain the gavel once the new Congress convenes Jan. 3. The lower chamber had been narrowly divided in the 118th Congress, with 220 Republicans and 212 Democrats seated as of Election Day, with three seats vacant. Johnson won the gavel in a unanimous vote of Republican confidence more than three weeks after the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October 2023 and was buffeted by intraparty fights and Senate Democratic obstruction for the remaining 13 months of the session. Before being ousted, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) led his conference in successful negotiations to raise the nations debt ceiling in April 2023. Antranik Tavitian/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The most significant legislative packages to receive bipartisan support and pass both chambers were several federal spending bills, defense funding, the renewal of the governments warrantless spy powers and a $95 billion foreign aid bill to assist Israel and Ukraines war efforts. Before Johnson became speaker, McCarthy led his conference in successful negotiations to raise the nations debt ceiling in April 2023. But it was otherwise a largely unproductive Congress, with the House and Senate last year passing the fewest laws since 1989. Temperatures on Tuesday are going to top out in the lower 80s across Southeast Texas, according to the National Blend of Models. WeatherBELL We should consider plastering Old West posters that say Wanted: Real fall cold front around town as Houston searches the horizon for a lasting cold front to kickstart a chillier season. HOW WARM IS IT? : See how far above normal temperatures are where you live by using our interactive map. The unseasonable warmth and rain-free weather that has been omnipresent this fall will continue Tuesday. But an approaching cold front promises slightly cooler, fall-appropriate temperatures for Southeast Texas later this week. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Warm and dry Tuesday November is the final month of meteorological fall, but it hasnt felt like it. Looking through Houston weather records that go back to the late 1800s, this fall has so far featured the warmest daily average temperature on record: 79.4 degrees. A warmer fall average temperature in Houston was recorded in 1905 when the average temperature was above 81 degrees, but were missing some weather data from October and November. You're not dreaming...it's been a really warm fall. You have to go back to mid October to see any average daily temperatures below normal - and only 2-3 days at that. pic.twitter.com/qea2PM7XyH NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) November 10, 2024 If you enjoyed Mondays sunshine and warmth, chances are youll also want to soak up Tuesdays weather. Morning temperatures start in the upper 50s north of Houston to near and slightly above 60 degrees in Greater Houston south toward the coast. Patchy fog is possible, though it likely wont be as widespread as the dense fog we experienced early Monday. SNOW IN THE PANHANDLE: The Texas Panhandle is the first to see snow in any given year. What about the rest of the state? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Afternoon temperatures top out in the lower 80s in Houston under mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. An isolated shower is possible along the coast as moisture from the remnants of Rafael work their way closer to the upper Texas Gulf Coast. Even along the coast, the chance of a stray shower is less than 20%. Cold front arrives Wednesday A few more showers may develop away from the coast as a cold front approaches the Houston metro area on Wednesday. However, the odds of downpours wetting your porch plants is basically less than 20%. Still, its enough of a chance for you to consider keeping an umbrella on hand. A weak cold front will sweep into Texas on Wednesday, bringing a slightly cooler air mass that will ease afternoon temperatures in Houston from the mid-80s to the upper 70s by Thursday. WeatherBELL Aside from the risk of an isolated shower or storm Wednesday, the day is shaping up to have mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with peak temperatures in the mid-80s. The warmest and muggiest day this week will likely be Wednesday in the hours before the cold frontal passes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Days away from the 70s Temperatures do respond after the cold front passes Houston by Wednesday afternoon. Peak temperatures Thursday and Friday will stay under the upper 70s. On top of the cooler afternoon highs, nighttime lows will drop into the 50s for much of the Houston metro area. In Huntsville or Brenham, you may even see lows drop into the upper 40s by Friday morning. The whisper of fall doesnt last long. By the weekend, air temperatures and dew point temperatures, which can reflect water vapor levels, will climb back toward pre-cold front levels. This means unseasonable heat as air temps return to the lower 80s, and more humidity as dew points rebound into the 60s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The illegal migrant accused of murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley waived his right to a jury trial Tuesday with his fate now set to be determined by a judge. Jose Ibarras waiver was approved during a hearing in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court just one day before jury selection was due to start in the case. Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan who illegally came into the US over the southern border, is accused of killing the 22-year-old in February by hitting her in the head, asphyxiating her and intending to sexually assault her. Jose Antonio Ibarra appears in court for a hearing in Athens, Georgia, on November 12, 2024. Court TV/Pool Laken Riley was murdered in Feb. 2024. Allyson Phillips/Facebook Nursing student Laken Riley was found dead on the grounds of University of Georgia after going out for a jog. Allyson Phillips/Facebook The motion came after Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard previously ruled that fingerprints collected from Ibarras phone could be used as evidence. The defense team had requested they be thrown out, claiming they were collected illegally. During Tuesdays hearing, prosecutor Sheila Ross told the judge that Ibarras attorneys had contacted her last week to say he wanted a bench trial. Allyson Phillips, mother of Laken Hope Riley, cries during a video as Jose Ibarra appears in court for a motion hearing, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Athens, Ga. AP After questioning Ibarra via a translator, the judge said hed found Ibarra had made the decision to waive a jury trial willingly. His trial is now slated to get underway Friday. Prosecutors have already indicated they are not seeking the death penalty and will instead push for a life sentence without the possibility of parole. In addition to a 10-count indictment in connection with Rileys murder, Ibarra is also facing another charge for allegedly peeping at a University of Georgia staff member on the same day as the slaying. Rileys body was found on Feb. 22 covered in dirt and mulch after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run near the University of Georgia campus, authorities said. Dustin Kirby, defense attorney for Jose Ibarra, asks court for continuance during pre-trial hearing. Robin Rayne for Fox News Digital/POOL The case quickly ignited an immigration firestorm after it emerged Ibarra had entered entered the US illegally in El Paso, Texas, in September 2022 but was released after about a day in custody. The Venezuelan national had made his way to New York City where he was arrested in August 2023 for riding a gas-powered moped with a 5-year-old on the back without a helmet or belt. After being cut loose from custody, Ibarra allegedly fled to Georgia where his brother Diego who has ties to the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua lives, according to authorities. Ibarra has pleaded not guilty to the charges, including with one malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, hindering an emergency telephone call, tampering with evidence and peeping Tom. A statement shared to social media on Monday, Oct. 21 by Di'Anno's longtime label Conquest Music confirmed news of his death Kevin Nixon/Metal Hammer Magazine/Future via Getty Paul Di'Anno in November 2013 Former Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno's cause of death has been revealed. On Oct. 21, Di'Anno's longtime label Conquest Music confirmed the news of his death at 66 in a statement shared on social media that revealed he had been dealing with "several health issues" in recent years. An official statement shared to Di'Anno's Facebook page on Monday, Nov. 11 with permission from the late rocker's family revealed that his cause of death was caused by a "tear in the sac around the heart." Related: Paul DiAnno, Former Iron Maiden Singer, Dead at 66 After Facing 'Severe Health Issues' "Dear fans and friends," the statement began. "We have received permission from Paul's family to bring you the news of Paul's cause of death, after the results of the autopsy have been received." It continued, "His sisters Cheryl and Michelle confirmed the following: 'Basically he had a tear in the sac around the heart and blood has filled inside it from the main aorta artery and that has caused the heart to stop.' Paul's death was instantaneous and hopefully painless. May he rest in peace." Accompanying the post was a photo of Di'Anno's friends and family who gathered recently to remember him. "This weekend, an In Memoriam show was held at Underworld Camden, where many of Paul's fans, friends, colleagues and family members came. With a magnificent musical set, his musical colleagues said a worthy farewell to their friend," the statement concluded. On Monday, Oct. 21, Di'Anno's death was announced with a statement from his label Conquest Music that read: "On behalf of his family, Conquest Music are sad to confirm the death of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di'Anno. Paul passed away at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66." It continued: "Despite being troubled by severe health issues in recent years that restricted him to performing in a wheelchair, Paul continued to entertain his fans around the world, racking up well over 100 shows since 2023." 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. Paul Natkin/Getty Paul Di'Anno performing with Iron Maiden in June 1981 Related: Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Goes on Rant About Ticket Prices and Thinks the Front Row Should Be Affordable Iron Maiden also paid tribute to Di'Anno on social media alongside a photo of him with bassist Steve Harris. "We are all deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Paul Di'Anno earlier today," the band said in a statement. "Paul's contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been travelling as a band for almost five decades. His pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be very fondly remembered not just by us, but by fans around the world." Di'Anno provided lead vocals for Iron Maiden's first two albums, 1980's Iron Maiden and 1981's Killers. After battling drug addiction, Di'Anno ended his run with the band in 1981 and was replaced by Bruce Dickinson. However, he was the frontman for other groups including Gogmagog, Battlezone and his self-titled band, Di'Anno. A loyal dog that refused to leave his dead owner's side helped solve the case of her murder by allowing detectives to identify her body, prosecutors said. Mandy Rose Reynolds, 26, was shot before her body was burned beyond recognition in a field fire in Robinson, Texas. She was found by police on April 5, 2023, the McLennan County District Attorneys Office said in a release. Her cousin, Derek Daigneault, 29, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced to life in prison on Nov. 7 for her murder following an investigation that spanned two states, according to the DA's office. And one of the keys to identifying Reynolds was her white-haired labradoodle, Titan. Police found Titan near her body, barking "frantically." He refused to leave the area and wouldn't allow police to capture him, prosecutors said. The next morning, the body was removed but a passerby found Titan sitting at the same spot. That Good Samaritan called Robinson Animal Control, which found that Titan was microchipped and belonged to Reynolds. Prosecutors Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin and Investigator Keith Kunz along with Mandy Reynolds' dog, Titan. The keys to this case were a heroic and loyal dog named Titan and extraordinary cooperation between law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions and states. That combination has delivered justice for Mandy and safety from a violent and dangerous criminal, Assistant District Attorneys Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin said in a statement. Robinson Police then learned that Reynolds lived in San Marcos, Texas. San Marcos Police were contacted and went to her home, but found it completely empty with all her possessions removed and her black Honda Accord missing, the news release said. A license plate database revealed that the car was somewhere in Wichita, Kansas. The Wichita Police Department was alerted and on April 8, 2023, spotted her vehicle and attempted to pull it over. However, Daigneault was behind the wheel and the stop attempt ended in a high-speed chase that lasted nearly 30 minutes and reached speeds of over 100 mph. The Honda Accord ultimately crashed into another vehicle and Daigneault fled on foot and into a nearby grocer store, where he hid on a shelf behind canned goods, the DA's office said. A search of Reynolds' car in Wichita led police to find a .380 handgun in the drivers seat floorboard. Meanwhile back in Robinson, local police determined that the body had been burned inside a large plastic storage container and police found a fired .380 shell casing that was burned inside that container, the release said. Surveillance video footage from a Walmart in San Marcos Texas showed Daigneault purchasing a large plastic storage container identical to the one Reynolds boy was burned in, a shovel and a gas can the morning of April 4, 2023. Video also showed him leaving the store in Reynolds car and Titan sticking his head out the car window. The medical examiner eventually formally identified the body as Reynolds through dental records. It was determined she died from a gunshot wound to the head, and a .380 bullet was recovered from her remains. The Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory confirmed the bullet found in her body and the shell casing found by Robinson police were both fired by the handgun found in Daigneault's possession, the DA's office said. Jason P. Darling, an attorney for Daigneault, said Tuesday: Derek is obviously disappointed in the verdict and sentence. While we appreciate the jurys work and effort in this case, Derek intends to appeal the verdict and has already filed his notice of appeal. As for Titan, the pup was adopted by Reynolds' best friend days after her death. Calvert told NBC News on Tuesday, "He is doing great!" Debbie Bury of Minnesota recently won $100,000 on a scratch-off lottery ticket just after being diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 brain cancer. A Minnesota great-grandmother won $100,000 on a lottery ticket that she scratched off in the hospital after being diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Debbie Bury recently won big while waiting in the oncology unit at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park just after doctors told her they had found three tumors on her brain, WCCO reported. [The doctor] said, I just gotta let you know you have three cancerous tumors in your head. All I see is black, and all I see is death, Bury recalled. Debbie Bury of Minnesota recently won $100,000 on a scratch-off lottery ticket just after being diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Family handout One of the friends who rushed to visit her in the hospital in the wake of the news brought the Minnesota Vikings-themed scratch-off to help cheer her up, Bury said. The great-grandmother has since undergone surgery for the aggressive cancer and doctors are hopeful it could buy her another six years. It felt like life is now going to be good, an optimistic Bury said. It was meant to be. Bury, an avid football fan, said a friend bought her the Minnesota Vikings-themed scratch-off while she was in the oncology unit at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Family handout Bury, who is an avid blackjack player, said she only recently realized something was wrong with her health when she suddenly had trouble adding up numbers during a game. They werent coming together right, she said. A lot of times, you have to put cards in order. They just werent they didnt want to play with me. They are like, We are done with you. You dont have it anymore. By Brendan O'Brien and Rich McKay (Reuters) - Strengthening winds and bone-dry conditions were hindering firefighters working to gain control of a stubborn wildfire burning in a forested stretch along the New York-New Jersey state border about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of New York City. The Jennings Creek Fire, which straddles the border between Passaic County, New Jersey, and New York's Orange County, has torched some 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) of brush and thick woodland near Greenwood Lake and killed a park employee. The blaze, which started late last week, was 20% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said on Tuesday on Facebook. The cause of the fire was undetermined. The conditions will "create turmoil, chaos and lot of uncertainty that we don't need right now," New York Governor Kathy Hochul said during a news conference near the site of the fire. She said some 15 blazes were burning in her state in an unusually busy wildfire season. New York State Police and National Guard helicopters were dumping water on the blaze, while more than 375 firefighters established fire lines to protect homes and contain the blaze. No structures were being threatened on Tuesday, but some residents in the rural area had evacuated, Hochul said. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag warning that included parts of New York, New Jersey. Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It said wind gusts were expected to reach 45 miles (72 km) per hour with humidity levels around 20% in the region. "The chances for more rain are not looking good for the next week or so," said William Churchill, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland. Conditions are only expected to get slightly better on Wednesday, he said, with winds expected to taper off. The region is in the middle of one of the driest autumns on record. It received its first measurable precipitation since mid-September on Monday, giving firefighters some, but brief, relief. "The conditions we're facing are still pretty dire," Hochul said, urging residents to avoid outdoor burning. The fire was responsible for one death. New York state forest ranger volunteer Dariel Vasquez, 18, was killed by a falling tree while battling the fire on Saturday, officials said. In New Jersey, 10 separate wildfires in different parts of the state burned over the past week, including one in Englewood Cliffs, across the Hudson River from uptown New York City, where haze was visible and the air smelled of smoke over the weekend. Other New Jersey blazes were much smaller than the Jennings Creek fire and were largely contained, according to fire officials. Northern New Jersey was upgraded to "extreme" fire danger on Tuesday. The southern third of the state was at "high," while Central New Jersey's danger was rated "very high," the state's forest service said on its website. Wildfire outbreaks are a relatively common occurrence in the West, but the East Coast blazes are unusual. In California, firefighters have slowly gained on the 20,630-acre (8,350-hectare) Mountain Fire as it burned about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Los Angeles. As of Tuesday, it was 48% contained. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago, Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Frank McGurty and Jonathan Oatis) An Australian man has been sentenced to four and a half years in jail for leaving his wife stranded in Sudan without a passport. Mohamed Ahmed Omer, 52, a Sudanese-born Australian citizen has been found guilty of exit trafficking in a first such case in Victoria. Exit trafficking is a form of human trafficking where individuals are coerced or deceived to leave a country against their will. The man, who is an Australian citizen, pleaded not guilty to the charge of abandoning his wife in Sudan under the guise of a holiday where she was forced to spend more than a year. In June 2014, Omer secretly withdrew support from the visa of his then wife and made claims that she abused their two children, aged six months and two. Three months later he took a holiday from Melbourne to Sudan with his wife and the children. Unbeknownst to his wife, he boarded a plane back to Australia with the children after stealing her passport and identity documents. Judge Frank Gucciardo said what Omer did required a degree of planning. You treated her as a chattel that could be simply discarded, he said. She was grief-stricken and traumatised by the departure of her children with you. The County Court was told that it took her more than a year to have her visa reinstated and return to Australia. She was then reunited with her children. "Your deception was intentional and resulted in [the womans] compliance in the exit from Australia," Judge Frank Gucciardo said on Tuesday. "At all times you had reassured her that she would be able to return to Australia." She returned to Australia after 16 months of struggle but her husband continued to keep her children. She was later reunited with the children after a legal battle. The court found him guilty in April after a month-long trial. The couple was married through a match arranged by their families in 2010 in Sudan. The woman moved to Australia in April 2012 on a partner visa and the two had their first child in 2014. The husband had a PhD in applied chemistry and is an expert in food security and agriculture. The judge said he received an impressive character references from his former friends and colleagues who said he was a person committed to humanitarian work in home country. However, it was in contrast to the allegations against him which included his aggressive and threatening behaviour towards his wife during their marriage, according to the court. He was also accused of controlling the womans phone usage as well as her bank accounts, the court heard. "I can see little evidence of contrition or remorse for your conduct," Judge Gucciardo said. Minnesotan missionary Beau Shroyer was murdered in a crime of passion orchestrated by his own wife, police in Angola claim. Beau, wife Jackie Shroyer and their five children had been in the remote bush in the West African nation since setting up a mission there in 2021. Angolan police said a guard hired by the family stabbed Beau to death in his vehicle on Oct. 25 in the bush outside the city of Lubango where the family lived in a walled compound. Jackie and two others were later arrested for allegedly organizing the hit, according to the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) of the Angolan police. A third man is at large, the police said. Jackie Shroyer was taken into custody by Angolan law enforcement in connection with her husbands murder. @mamashroyer/Instagram Beau Shroyer said he was following Gods command when he and his family moved to Angola in 2021 to help children. @mamashroyer/Instagram I just dont have any words, Carl Gessell, a friend of the couples in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, told The Post: Im shocked that this even happened. I cant believe she would do something like that. Manuel Halaiwa, a SIC spokesman, said they have strong suspicions Jackie was having an affair with the familys recently hired bodyguard, Bernardino Isaac Elias, 24. Jackie allegedly promised $50,000 for the hit on her husband, and gave the guard $400 to help plan the attack in the remote bush area near the municipality Humpata, where Beau was helping to start a farm, according to press reports and the police. Elias, in turn, allegedly hired two other men to kill Beau Isalino Musselenga Kayoo, a 23-year-old convicted felon nicknamed Vin Diesel, who is in custody, and Gelson Guerreiro Ramos, 22, who was still at large Monday, according to the police. Three days before the murder, police say that Jackie went with Elias to scout out the crime scene. The men rented a car on the day of the killing, and drove to Humpata, a 40 minute drive from Lubango. The Shroyer family left their comfortable home in Minnesota to work as missionaries in Angola in 2021. Beau Shroyer/Facebook Police recovered an American-made knife that they say was used in the murder at the crime scene. They also discovered the equivalent of nearly $5,000 in cash in local Angolan currency. Amelia Oliveira ANGOP The suspects faked car trouble, and called Beau for help, police said. When the couple arrived, Jackie excused herself and went into the bush, claiming she needed to go to the bathroom, according to SIC. Authorities said they found the US-made knife that was used in the stabbing death a gift from Jackie to her alleged lover, SIC claimed. SIM said they are ensuring Jackie has legal representation and according to spokesperson Mark Bosscher no formal charges have been filed against Jackie yet. Angolan police arrested Jackie Shroyer along with her alleged lover Bernardino Isaac Elias (left) and Isalino (Vin Diesel) Musselenga Kayoo last week. Jackie is also in custody in Lubango. Amelia Oliveira ANGOP Friends of the family contacted by The Post said they were shocked but dont want to say anything publicly until Angolan authorities complete the investigation. The State Department confirmed that an American had died in Angola, but refused further comment. Authorities in Angola could not be reached for comment last week. The Shroyers had been working for SIM USA, a North Carolina-based evangelical Christian organization which sponsored their youth ministry and has been overseeing missions around the world since 1893. Jackie Shroyer told a friend that she had visions of helping impoverished children in a developing country. She told congregants in Minnesota that she helps feed 300 children in Lubango every week. @mamashroyer/Instagram Before they moved to Angola in 2021, the Shroyers had never lived abroad. Despite concerns from their family and friends after they announced they were preparing to go to Africa to set up a mission for children under 18, the Shroyers were excited about their adventure and about the challenge of helping impoverished kids in one of the worlds poorest countries. Beau told me that God led him in a different path, said Gessell, 45, who works as a Door Dash driver and is a member of Beau and Jackies Detroit Lakes church, in an interview with The Post. Before heading to Angola, Beau worked as a local realtor and police officer. He said he was able to help a lot of people when he got to Angola, Gessell said. He was a caring person, the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back. Gessell told The Post that Beau had promised to meet him for coffee when he was in the US over the summer, but the meeting never took place. I cant see his wife doing that, said Gessell, who has known the couple for a few years. Its got to be something else. But, you know, I dont know if something happened between there and here. Others remembered Beau and his wife as deeply religious. Family friend Cleone Stewart said the family moved to Africa at Jackies urging. Beau Shroyer in a selfie taken with his family in the Angolan desert @mamashroyer/Instagram Jackie had visions of helping poor children and Beau was right beside her, said Stewart who had worked with Beau during Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds, an annual bird watching event hosted by the city of nearly 10,000. Beau volunteered to lead many of the bird watching tours, said Stewart, who is the citys tourism director. He was really good as a field trip leader, really good at describing things, said Stewart, adding that Beau could easily describe 1,000 different bird species. He really knew his birds. The Shroyers sold their $300,000 bungalow in Callaway, Minnesota, in 2021, according to public records and settled in for language school in Brazil where they learned Portuguese, said Jackie during the presentation before the familys trip. The family was originally supposed to go to Portugal to learn the language but the country would not allow foreigners into the country during the COVID pandemic, she said. Angolan police say Jackie Shroyer promised local assassins $50,000 to kill her husband. @mamashroyer/Instagram I wouldnt say anybody in my family is excited about it, Jackie told her Lakes Area Vineyard Church congregation in a May, 2021 video presentation, adding her mother and sister were very involved in the lives of their children and worried about the couples decision to leave their home in the US. Before I became a mother I saw pictures of children in extreme poverty, Jackie said. It just wrecked me. I need to go and do something and I began praying to God over the years. The only thing worse than lost children in the world is the lost children no one is looking for. By the time they returned to seek more donations from congregants this summer, the Shroyers confessed life in Africa was a culture shock. For one thing, their five children were constantly battling malaria and they were dealing with a lot of difficult security issues. They admitted they didnt trust the guards who were charged with watching their compound in Lubango and had endured two break-ins while they sleeping. During their video presentation this summer, they said they were in the process of hiring new guards. In 2021, Beau Shroyer, his wife and children moved to Angola to help street children. Their own children have battled constant malaria and the family has faced robberies and now murder. @mamashroyer/Instagram No matter how hard it is we want to go back, said Jackie, looking markedly thinner in a July video of the familys presentation at their church. She spoke enthusiastically about setting up a soup kitchen that feeds 300 street children outside their home once a week, and about a breakfast club where she teaches children to memorize bible verses in exchange for prizes. Their ten-year-old son Oakley had even made a good friend with Bebezinho, a 10-year-old Angolan boy. He was the first one to come to the door, Jackie said of Bebezinho, adding that the children they helped called the couple Auntie Jackie and Uncle Beau. For his part, Beau seemed to be enjoying his time in Africa. He posted a photo of himself getting his hair cut at a modest barbershop where he had helped the owner obtain a barbers license. He was also trying to establish a farm outside the city on the Humpata Plateau where he was murdered. SIM had managed to convince the Angolan government to cede seven acres for their project, and Beau was organizing the cultivation of the land. He said he hoped to build a well but needed to construct a security fence beforehand. Every component of the well would be stolen, probably overnight, he said, adding that he hoped to raise $150,000 to build a 10-foot high security fence topped with razor wire to keep thieves out of the property. Bodyguard Bernardino Elias called Beau on Oct. 25 feigning car trouble and then allegedly stabbed him to death in his Toyota LandCruiser on Oct. 25. Amelia Oliveira ANGOP Beau wasnt a perfect man, said his pastor Troy Easton during a church service last week in Detroit Lakes, according to a report. He was just like the rest of us. He didnt get it right all of the time. Just like you dont, just like I dont. But he did believe in and trust Jesus. We can rejoice and find comfort in the truth that he is forever with the King. Still, its difficult to comprehend what Easton called the unimaginable. The news of Beaus death, along with, now, the heartbreaking news of Jackies arrest in connection with his death has overwhelmed us with grief and speculation and confusion, he said. SIM is a nonprofit that employs 4,000 workers in 70 countries, according to its web site. They have been sending back information on the Stroyers situation back to their congregation in Minnesota. SIM remains committed to supporting the ongoing pursuit of justice for Beau and has taken steps to ensure that Jackie has appropriate legal representation, said the church group in a statement on its web site, adding that it is working with its sister organization in Angola. The statement said the Shroyer children were still in Africa, and were being well cared for. Oprah confirmed that employees for her production company were paid by the campaign -- but she was not. Oprah Winfrey again insisted she wasnt paid a dime by Vice President Kamala Harris failed presidential campaign saying her production company collected the paycheck for its work on the star-studded virtual town hall. The billionaire talk show host attempted to swat down reports that she was paid a personal fee for hosting the Unite for America event in September after it emerged that her production company Harpo Productions netted $1 million from the gig. Usually I am reluctant to respond to rumors in general, but these days I realize that if you dont stop a lie, it just gets bigger. I was not paid a dime. My time and energy was my way of supporting the campaign, Winfrey, 70, commented on an Instagram post. Oprah said she did was not paid a dime for hosting Harris Unite for America virtual town hall in September. AP Oprah confirmed that employees for her production company were paid by the campaign. AP For the live-streaming event in September, my production company Harpo was asked to bring in set design, lights, cameras, microphones, crew, producers, and every other item necessary (including the benches and chairs we sat on) to put on a live production, she said. I did not take any personal fee. However the people who worked on that production needed to be paid. And were. End of story, she concluded. The Washington Examiner reported Friday that the Harris campaign paid $1 million to Winfreys production company on Oct. 15. Harpo Productions told Variety that Harris team did cover production costs for the Unite for America event outside Detroit but asserted that Winfrey, whose net worth is $3 billion, was at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee, nor did she receive a fee from Harpo. Harpo did not reveal the cost of its production work for the virtual town hall, which featured a lineup of big-name celebrities, including Meryl Streep, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez and Julia Roberts. Winfrey, who has supported Democratic candidates for decades, told a TMZ reporter on Monday that she was paid nothing and called the Examiners claims not true. She later joined Harris in her final campaign event in Philadelphia the night before election day. Winfrey said she did not take any personal fee Staffers told The Post that the lavish concerts were a disaster for the campaigns finances. According to the Washington Examiner, her campaign dished out more than $15 million on production fees for events, as well as more than $654 million on advertising between July 22 and November 5. The Harris campaign blew through $1 billion in just four months during her doomed election bid and out-raised Trump by a large margin, the report said. Despite her massive fundraising haul, the VP failed to best Trump and still managed to end her campaign $20 million in debt. The election-eve concerts, which featured Jon Bon Jovi, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, cost her campaign $20 million alone and now staff and vendors fear they wont be paid. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into over 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles after complaints that some of them experienced engine failures. The regulator said that the investigation, which began Friday, is looking at over 1.4 million vehicles that may have a a failure of connecting rod bearings, "leading to complete engine failure." Each of the vehicles is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The company recalled nearly 250,000 vehicles for the same issue in 2023. That recall saw 1,450 warranty claims with no reports of injuries or deaths, according to documents from the safety administration. The investigation announcement into the 1.4 million vehicles says that the safety administration received 173 complaints from drivers whose cars were not included in the recall. One driver reported a crash without injuries. Honda said in a statement to USA TODAY Monday that it would cooperate with the investigation. Honda and Acura vehicles under investigation The following vehicles are covered under the investigation: 2016-2020 Acura MDX 2018-2020 Acura TLX 2016-2020 Honda Pilot 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey Check to see if your car has been recalled Are you looking to see if any recalls have been issued on your vehicle? Owners can check USA TODAYs automotive recall database or search NHTSAs database for new recalls. The website allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number or VIN. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Feds investigating 1.4 million Hondas, Acuras over engine failure risk Former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years for stealing classified information from the Defense Department and sharing it online, the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts announced. Attorneys for Teixeira didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Teixeira apologized, according to coverage of the hearing in U.S. District Court by NBC affiliate WJAR of Providence, Rhode Island. Jack Teixeira. All of the responsibility falls on my shoulders, Teixeira said. And I accept what that may bring. The U.S. attorney's office argued for a 200-month sentence, or roughly 17 years, the maximum under an agreement between Teixeira and federal prosecutors. Judge Indira Talwani noted the document leak happened after extensive training that covered the consequences for leaks and after Teixeira was warned about the way he handled classified material, according to WJAR. Despite that, you posted on the internet hundreds of documents over the period of a year, she said. Teixeira's attorneys argued for a sentence on the low end of the range, noting that the maximum of 200 months would be more than the government sought against Julian Assange, who is accused of publishing a trove of classified documents. They argued that Teixeira's autism and isolation during the pandemic contributed to his behavior. In March, Teixeira pleaded guilty to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act. The plea was part of the agreement, which included a recommended sentence of 11 to 17 years. He was arrested by the FBI in North Dighton, Massachusetts, in April 2023 and has been in federal custody since mid-May 2023. After sentencing Tuesday, Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston office, described Teixeira as "one of the most prolific leakers of classified information in American history." Cohen said at a post-sentencing news conference that Teixeira put classified information online almost every day for more than a year. "He transmitted it to our adversaries and our allies across the world," she said. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said Teixeira's crimes put U.S. personnel abroad at mortal risk and damaged relationships with allies and may have revealed some of the ways the country gathers such material. "He leaked information that the government determined was likely to cause grave damage to the United States," he said at the news conference. Among the exposed documents was information about troop movements, he said. According to court documents, Teixeira transcribed classified documents that he then shared on Discord, a social media platform used mostly by online gamers. He began sharing the documents in or around 2022, in part to impress peers on the platform, prosecutors alleged. A document he was accused of leaking included information about providing equipment to Ukraine, while another included discussions about a foreign adversary's plot to target American forces abroad, prosecutors said. Teixeira entered the Air National Guard in 2019 and was an airman first class. He was based at Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where he was assigned to the 102nd Intelligence Wing as a cyber transport systems journeyman. He was able to access the documents because he held a top-secret security clearance since around July 2021 and had received training in the definition of classified information, classification levels and proper handling of the material, according to the indictment. While the documents were discovered online in March 2023, Teixeira had been sharing them online for more than a year, prosecutors said. Levy said the sentence could serve as a warning to anyone pondering such a leak. "The judge recognized the gravity of this conduct and the enduring nature of the harm," he said. While sentencing closed a chapter of the case, Levy argued wreckage caused by the defendant will continue to resonate. We wont know the full extent of Jack Teixeiras damage for several years," he said. Ryan Nickerson is a Quality of Life reporter for the Houston Chronicle's Key Topics team. Ryan covers aspects of local government that affect the everyday lives of Houston residents, such as water bills, trash pickup, and public meetings. Have a story idea? Or is something affecting your quality of life in Houston? Email Ryan at ryan.nickerson@houstonchronicle.com. Ryan is a graduate of Texas Southern University and loves filmmaking and cycling. Sir Keir Starmer would not comment on Donald Trumps views about climate change, saying instead that he is very clear that in his own mind that it is a challenge he must rise to. The UK will on Tuesday set out a new target to reduce fossil fuel emissions but will not make any new financial commitments at the Cop29 environment summit in Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister said. Under the target, the UK will pledge to reduce its emissions by 81% compared with 1990 levels by 2035, a goal in line with the recommendation of the Climate Change Committee, according to The Guardian newspaper. Sir Keir also said he would be pushing for the private sector to start paying their fair share when it comes to climate commitments. The newly re-elected US president is expected to boost fossil fuels, roll back green incentives domestically and pull his country out of the Paris climate agreement again. Sir Keir said he would not comment on Mr Trump when asked if he was prepared to call out the president-elect about his claims that climate change is a hoax. Well Im not going to comment on his views. I am very clear in mine, which is that the climate challenge is something that we have got to rise to and thats why Ive repeatedly said weve got to show leadership, Sir Keir told journalists travelling with him to Baku for the summit. The Prime Minister said he saw action on climate change as not just an obligation, but an opportunity. The UK has a huge opportunity to get ahead here when it comes to renewables. Thats why Im encouraging as much investment as I can when it comes to carbon capture, when it comes to hydrogen, when it comes to offshore wind. Theres a global race on now to be the global leader on this. I want us to be in the race and I want us to win the race. Donald Trump is expected to pull his country out of the Paris climate agreement again (Steven Senne/AP) Wealthier countries are facing pressure over delivering finance to help poor countries cope with climate change, and increasing their ambitions on emissions cuts. One hundred billion dollars (77 billion) a year was pledged in private and public finance to help poorer nations, as part of efforts to secure the Paris treaty negotiated in 2015. But wealthier nations must now iron out a new finance agreement that meets the Paris commitments for sufficient cash flows for cutting emissions and adapting to climate change, with experts saying one trillion US dollars needs to be flowing into developing countries each year by 2030. In 2019, the Tories pledged 11.6 billion to help poorer countries deal with climate change over five years to 2025/26. The Labour Government will honour that commitment and set out a new target to reduce emissions, the Prime Minister said, adding: When it comes to emissions, we will set out our target tomorrow. Obviously Cop will then want to look at a future (climate finance) sum taking us through to 2035, but were not making UK commitments in relation to that. This exercise is not about domestic countries and the contribution theyre making, thats about the Cop arrangement for what the sum will be to 2035. So Im not making any commitment for the UK at this COP at all on that front. Sir Keir Starmer will argue that the climate transition presents an almost seven trillion-dollar (5.43 trillion) investment opportunity. The Government estimates that supplying the goods and services to enable the global net-zero transition could be worth 1 trillion to UK businesses by 2030. https://x.com/COP29_AZ/status/1841137855491662181 Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband travelled with Sir Keir to the summit. During Cop29, the Government will announce the launch a new CIF Capital Market Mechanism on the London Stock Exchange which it says could mobilise up to 75 billion dollars (58 billion) in additional climate capital for developing countries over the next decade. I will be making an argument powerfully that now is the time for the private sector to start paying their fair share in relation to these commitments, Sir Keir told journalists. He said they would be launching the initiative because I think its high time the private sector played their part in this. Sir Keir will hold a one on one meeting with the president of the World Bank on the fringes of the summit on Tuesday. (This story was updated to add new information.) President-elect Donald Trump has begun selecting high-ranking administration officials following last weeks election victory. Some former staffers will assume new positions, while others will not be asked back. Heres a snapshot of the early picks for some of the key posts overseeing diplomacy, immigration, environmental, and overall strategy starting Jan. 20, 2025: Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff Trump announced last week that Susie Wiles, one of his two campaign managers, will serve as his chief of staff. She will be the first woman to serve in the role. Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns, Trump said in the statement. Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. During Trumps first administration, four people served as White House Chief of Staff: Reince Priebus, John Kelly, Mick Mulvaney, and Mark Meadows. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Trump is expected to name Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy. He previously served as a senior advisor to Trump and director of speechwriting during his first term. While Trump has not formally announced him as his pick, Vice President-elect JD Vance and Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser in the 2024 Trump campaign, congratulated Miller on Monday on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. This is another fantastic pick by the president, Vance said. Tom Homan to be considered as the Border Czar Tom Homan will serve as the border czar, Trump announced Sunday, managing the countrys borders. He previously served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement from his first administration. Trump said on Truth Social that Homans position will manage the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security. Homan will prioritize deporting immigrants living in the United States without legal permission. Former President Donald Trump and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY, campaign in Concord, N.H., on Jan. 19, 2024. More: Who has Trump picked for his Cabinet so far? Latest staff selections include Rep. Mike Waltz Elise Stefanik to be considered for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations U.S. House Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, will serve as Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, according to the president-election on Monday. The position was previously held by Nikki Haley, who Trump announced would not be invited to rejoin the administration. The congresswoman represents the Empire State's 21st Congressional District seat and is Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference. She assumed both roles in 2021, following the departure of former Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming. Stefanik will serve in the role as Trump has promised to Israels war in Gaza, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war. Mike Huckabee to be considered for U.S. ambassador to Israel Trump said on Tuesday he is going to nominate former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee attends a ceremony marking the construction of a new housing complex in the Israeli settlement of Efrat in the occupied West Bank on August 1, 2018. Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, is a staunch supporter of Israel and defender of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, considered illegal by most of the international community. "He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!" Trump said in a statement. Lee Zeldin to be considered for the Environmental Protection Agency Trump announced former House Representative Lee Zeldin of New York as his nomination for the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday. Zeldin served as New Yorks 1st Congressional District from 20215 until 2023. He lost his race for governor against Gov. Kathy Hochul. Zeldin is expected to help roll back many of the climate regulations set by the Biden administration as Trump pushes an expansion of fossil-fuel energy. Kristi Noem to be considered for Homeland Security Secretary Trump has chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as the next Homeland Security Secretary, two sources familiar with the decision said on Tuesday. The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for everything from border protection and immigration to disaster response and the U.S. Secret Service. Who will not be asked to join? In addition to Nikki Haley, Trump announced that former director of the CIA, Mike Pompeo, will not be asked to join his second administration. His name was previously rumored to be floated as an option for the next secretary of defense. Who else is rumored to be nominated? Sources told Reuters on Monday that Trump was expected to tap U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Florida, as his secretary of state. Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story. Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump cabinet picks, administration positions: Who's in and out? President-elect Trumps White House victory has created tussles among conservatives and liberals alike over whether the Supreme Courts oldest justices should retire. Trumps election has raised public anticipation that two of the courts leading conservatives, Justice Clarence Thomas, 76, and Justice Samuel Alito, 74, may step down. Although the incoming Republican-controlled Senate could glide their Trump-nominated replacements to confirmation, the speculation has drawn admonishment from a key figure in the conservative legal movement, who called the talk crass. The election has meanwhile renewed fretting among some Democrats that the court could be headed to a 7-2 conservative majority as President Bidens term nears a close with Justice Sonia Sotomayor, 70, the courts most senior liberal, showing no sign of stepping aside. During his first term, Trump remade the court by appointing three justices who have delivered considerable conservative victories, including overturning constitutional abortion protections, contracting the power of federal agencies and expanding gun rights. In his second term, Trump could become the first president since Dwight Eisenhower to appoint a majority of sitting Supreme Court justices, if Thomas and Alito do in fact retire. Were going to see again younger originalist judges who really respect the structural constraints of our Constitution, said Kimberly Hermann, executive director of the conservative Southeastern Legal Foundation. Ed Whelan, a conservative legal commentator who clerked at the Supreme Court, wrote on his Substack newsletter last week that he anticipates Trump can reach the rare feat. I expect Alito to announce in the spring of 2025 that he will retire from the Court. I think it very likely that Thomas will do the same in the spring of 2026, Whelan wrote. Mike Davis, a fierce public defender of Trump who has denied rumors that he may become Trumps attorney general, wrote on social platform X, Prediction: Justice Sam Alito is gleefully packing up his chambers. But not all conservatives see it that way. No one other than Justices Thomas and Alito knows when or if they will retire, and talking about them like meat that has reached its expiration date is unwise, uninformed, and, frankly, just crass, said Leonard Leo, a judicial activist who played a central role in the courts rightward shift and aided Trump in choosing his three nominees, in a rare public statement. Justices Thomas and Alito have given their lives to our country and our Constitution, and should be treated with more dignity and respect than they are getting from some pundits, Leo said. Nominated by former President George H. W. Bush, Thomas is the longest-serving current justice. His 33-year tenure recently cracked the top 10 out of the 116 people who have ever served on the court. Alito arrived on the court more recently in 2006, nominated by former President George W. Bush. Theres no guarantee that the two conservatives or Sotomayor, whom President Obama nominated to the court in 2009 will retire during Trumps time in the White House. They all still will be younger at the end of Trumps term than the three most recent justices who remained on the bench into their 80s. Stephen Breyer retired at 83, Ruth Bader Ginsburg served until her death at 87 and Anthony Kennedy retired at 82. Its hard to tell when any Supreme Court Justice is going to retire, said Hermann. Democrats are still reeling from Ginsburgs decision to not retire during former President Obamas term despite facing health issues. Ginsburg passed away from pancreatic cancer weeks before the 2020 election, which enabled Trump to create a 6-3 conservative majority by replacing the liberal icon with Amy Coney Barrett, who remains the youngest sitting justice at 52. When Breyer announced his retirement a year into Bidens term, when Democrats also controlled the Senate, the liberal justice indicated the political environment was part of his calculus. If I stay there another year, another two years you know, Im not Methuselah even another three years. Will it be possible for a president to nominate and have confirmed my replacement? Thats the kind of thing thats in my mind, Breyer said in an interview with CNN after leaving the bench. There have been delays, you know, when the parties split between control of the Senate and control of the presidency and sometimes long times pass, Breyer continued. And I would prefer that my own retirement, my own membership on the court, not get involved in what I call those purely political issues. Before this election, Sotomayor faced a scattering of public calls to retire from people like columnist Josh Barro and Mehdi Hasan, a former MSNBC host who now runs startup Zeteo. But elected Democrats brushed aside the pressure from left-leaning commentators and stood behind Sotomayors decision to stay on the bench. Sotomayor, the third-oldest sitting justice, has long been public about living with type 1 diabetes, and concerns about her health heightened after a watchdog through a Freedom of Information Act request unearthed documents indicating the justice has traveled with a medic in recent years. Her health also entered the public fray when she denied reports about conflicts with Justice Neil Gorsuch, Trumps first appointee who sits next to Sotomayor on the bench, over wearing masks when they returned to in-person operations. Sotomayor continued to wear a mask at oral arguments well after her fellow justices, though she stopped doing so months ago. There is no indication the liberal jurist plans to retire, or even whether a replacement at this point would be confirmed before the end of Bidens term. The Wall Street Journal and CNN, citing people close to the justice, in recent days reported Sotomayor plans to remain in her post. Thomas, Alito and Sotomayor did not return a request for comment on their plans sent to a court spokesperson. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on NBCs Meet the Press that he had heard a little bit of talk from his colleagues about the prospect of Sotomayor retiring in the waning days of the Biden administration but dismissed the idea. I dont think thats the sensible approach, Sanders said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Gram Slattery and Steve Holland WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (Reuters) -Donald Trump is expected to tap U.S. Senator Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state, sources said on Monday, putting the Florida-born politician on track to be the first Latino to serve as America's top diplomat once the Republican president-elect takes office in January. Rubio was arguably the most hawkish option on Trump's shortlist for secretary of state, and he has in past years advocated for a muscular foreign policy with respect to America's geopolitical foes, including China, Iran and Cuba. Over the last several years he has softened some of his stances to align more closely with Trump's views. The president-elect accuses past U.S. presidents of leading America into costly and futile wars and has pushed for a more restrained foreign policy. While the famously mercurial Trump could always change his mind at the last minute, he appeared to have settled on his pick as of Monday, according to the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations. Representatives for Trump and Rubio did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The new administration will confront a world more volatile and dangerous than it was when Trump took office in 2017, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and China aligning itself more closely with U.S. foes Russia and Iran. The Ukraine crisis will be high on Rubio's agenda. Rubio, 53, has said in recent interviews that Ukraine needs to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia rather than focus on regaining all territory that Russia has taken in the last decade. He was also one of 15 Republican senators to vote against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, passed in April. While Rubio was far from the most isolationist option, his likely selection nonetheless underlines a broad shift in Republican foreign policy views under Trump. Once the party of hawks who advocated military intervention and a muscular foreign policy, most of Trump's allies now preach restraint, particularly in Europe, where many Republicans complain U.S. allies are not paying their fair share on defense. "I'm not on Russia's side but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement," Rubio told NBC in September. Rubio's selection holds domestic as well as international significance. Trump beat Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election in part by winning over large numbers of Latinos, who had voted overwhelmingly for Democrats in previous election cycles but have become an increasingly diverse demographic in a political sense, with more and more Latinos voting Republican. By selecting Rubio for a key policy role, Trump may help consolidate electoral gains among Latinos and make clear that they have a place at the highest levels of his administration. If confirmed, Rubio will likely place a much greater importance on Latin America than any previous secretary of state, said Mauricio Claver-Carone, a Rubio ally, former president of the Inter-American Development Bank and a former National Security Council aide on Latin America in the first Trump administration. "This is the time Latin America will most be on the map in the history of any U.S. presidency. It's historic. There's no other way to say it," said Claver-Carone. CHINA, CUBA HAWK Rubio was one of three final contenders for Trump's vice-presidential pick. The president-elect ultimately chose U.S. Senator JD Vance of Ohio, a hard-right figure who is known for his isolationist foreign policy positions. Some of Trump's supporters will be skeptical of his decision to tap Rubio, who until recently held muscular foreign policy positions that contradict those of Trump. During Trump's 2017-2021 term, for instance, Rubio co-sponsored legislation that would make it harder for Trump to withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, by requiring two thirds of the Senate to ratify withdrawal. Trump has railed for years against NATO member countries that failed to meet agreed military spending targets and warned during the campaign that he would not only refuse to defend nations "delinquent" on funding but would also encourage Russia "to do whatever the hell they want" to them. Rubio is a top China hawk in the Senate, and was sanctioned by Beijing in 2020 over his stance on Hong Kong following democracy protests. Most notably, Rubio called on the Treasury Department in 2019 to launch a national security review of popular Chinese social media app TikTok's acquisition of Musical.ly, prompting an investigation and troubled divestment order. As the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, he has also kept up the heat on the Biden administration, demanding it block all sales to Huawei earlier this year after the sanctioned Chinese tech company released a new laptop powered by an Intel AI processor chip. Rubio, whose grandfather fled Cuba in 1962, is also an outspoken opponent of normalizing relations with the Cuban government, a position Trump shares. The head of the House subcommittee overseeing Latin American affairs, he is also a frequent and fierce critic of Nicolas Maduro's government in Venezuela. (Reporting by Gram Slattery in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Don Durfee, Howard Goller, Sonali Paul, Lincoln Feast) LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. About 100 miles west of Washington DC, at the nexus of quiet country roads, sits a network of bustling small businesses and community connections that helped deliver the swing state of Pennsylvania for President-elect Donald Trump. For nearly a decade, with the smells of fresh manure and homemade shoofly pie in their nostrils, GOP operatives have worked diligently to register an under-courted voting bloc the Amish. Despite their efforts, attendance at the polls was long lagging, for a reason that escaped outsiders but was obvious to locals: Election Day falls on a Tuesday but for many Amish, so does wedding day. The deeply religious and rural group traditionally only holds marriage ceremonies on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the fall just as harvest season kicks off. So this year, a group of local Republicans came together to finish the work national Republicans started, by offering car rides directly to the polls from Amish weddings. Amish women gather leaves near a pro-Trump sign in Intercourse, Pa. Aristide Economopoulos This was a missionary effort to reach an unreached people, organizer Liesa Burwell-Perry, an avid churchgoer and a teachers wife, told The Post. This is about neighbors helping neighbors. By Burwell-Perrys count, 200 community members shuttled about 26,000 people from Amish weddings to the polls to vote for Trump on Election Day one of the highest turnouts the region has seen in recent history. Operation Help Thy Neighbor The effort kicked off days before Election Day, when Burwell-Perry took, in her words, 17 seconds to whip up a flyer with phone numbers to call for free rides to the polls, launching what she called Operation Help Thy Neighbor from her Bainbridge church basement. A longtime area resident, Burwell-Perry knew that Amish weddings typically last from dawn to dusk, with a brief break between church services offering just a short window of opportunity for wedding guests to get to the polls. But the time-consuming nature of transportation by horse-drawn carriage made even that challenging to accomplish. Liesa Burwell-Perry, who organized Operation Help Thy Neighbor Aristide Economopoulos With this knowledge and a lot of prayer Burwell-Perry said she spent her November mortgage payment printing out 10,000 copies of her flyer and paying locals to drop them off at farms and slip them into buggies parked across the southern Pennsylvania counties home to the majority of the states Amish. Elon Musks America PAC later pledged to reimburse Burwell-Perry, and rented her little-operation-that-could about 30 computers and a Starlink device so she and her fellow local activists could run a call center from a church basement. By the morning of Nov. 5, the organizer had gathered and vetted 200 drivers to offer rides and dozens of phone bank workers to take calls. But first, Burwell-Perry had to find the weddings. Like Amish church services, Amish weddings are often held in farmhouses, the locations of which are kept tightly secret with fathers of the brides usually announcing their daughters wedding details only by word-of-mouth in church. With the help of some Amish neighbors, Burwell-Perry learned of just a handful of weddings happening on Election Day. She then tapped Lancaster County residents Brenda Biesecker Clair and Joe Goody to act as scouts Tuesday morning, looking for Amish families heading to local farms in their Sunday best a dead giveaway they were headed to a marriage ceremony. When the pair would find a wedding, theyd offer rides and call in the address to Burwell-Perry, whose team which included some Mennonite and Amish volunteers would dispatch additional drivers to the locations. An Amish wedding in Smoketown, Pa. Aristide Economopoulos Biesecker Clair called what she saw a modern-day miracle. If a load [of Amish] got out of my car at a wedding, they would be like, Can you wait here a minute? and they would say, Im gonna go tell my brother,' she said. And then the brother would come out with his wife and her sister and husband. And it just went on like that all day. Amish-Republican crossover So what would a group so devoted to humility that they dont even put faces on their daughters baby dolls have in common with a former reality TV star and real estate mogul ex-president? According to dozens of Amish, Mennonite, and ex-Amish who spoke with The Post this week, many of the groups deepest-held beliefs including limited government and freedom of religion, went hand-in-hand with Republican campaign platforms. For John Henry Smucker, 28, it was Trumps anti-establishment beliefs that resonated. Growing up on an Amish dairy farm, he saw his family repeatedly raided by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigators searching for raw milk products. My dad was a farmer who sold all his own products from the farm, so we made cottage cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and we sold raw milk, he told The Post. And so I experienced the government overreach myself. We would get raided. We never got stuff taken out, but we would get threats. Id see this stuff going on and I said, you know, a responsible American citizen should know if they want to drink raw milk or not. You know, they put so many pesticides and you know, poison into our food, and they want to tell me that this stuff thats good for us is illegal? So, yeah, so that was a big deal to me growing up, and it did shape my leanings my conservative. That same issue riled Lancaster County Amish this past January, when one of the areas largest local farm shops Amos Miller Organic Farm was targeted by the FDA. Investigators confiscated thousands of dollars worth of raw milk and other products Miller sold for a living, such as granola. A horse and buggy pass a Faith Votes yard sign in Intercourse, Pa. Aristide Economopoulos The Amos Miller incident had a galvanizing effect on many Amish, who said they had enough of the overreach. Youll hear people say a lot that they vote with their knees,' one Amish woman who asked not to be named told The Post. They dont want to be involved with the government and just want to be left alone. But now, the government has come for us. Smucker agreed, saying: If these groups wish to keep the freedom they have to gather in places, not in secret, and continue to live their Christian freedoms, they have to voice their opinion and their beliefs in not only elections, or not only in federal elections, but especially local elections. Musk acknowledged the sentiment in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson last week. The Democrats did make a mistake because there was government overreach that shut down some Amish farmers, which really made them upset, the Tesla, X and SpaceX boss said. And you just need to be able to channel that, the fact that theyre upset, like, Well, theres a thing you can do about it, which is called voting, and were happy to transport. Other issues that resonated with would-be Amish voters included abortion restrictions and the prevalence of gender transition surgery on children. So when Burwell-Perrys volunteers showed up, they found an enthusiastic audience. It was like shooting fish in a barrel, said volunteer Levi King, who was raised Amish but left the church in adulthood. So many wanted to vote. Voting is the one thing you can do to preserve this way of life. Pro-Trump signs at a home in Gordonville, Pa. Aristide Economopoulos By the numbers There are just over 90,000 Amish in Pennsylvania about half of whom are eligible to vote, according to the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College. However, pre-2024 estimates had indicated that only roughly 10% of the religious group went to the polls. National Republican organizers were aware of the potential well of support, but their lack of understanding of the community hampered their efforts. In 2016 and 2020, local party activists who registered Amish voters made claims that turned out to be much greater than the reality turned out to be, Elizabethtown professor of history and Anabaptist studies Steven Nolt told The Post. Trump himself got caught in the same trap when he held a rally in Lancaster County Nov. 3. When the Republican nominee noted that he did not see any Amish in attendance, the crowd chanted back: Its Sunday! Theyre at church! The Amish alone did not give Trump Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes. With 99% of the votes counted as of Monday evening, the Republican nominee led Vice President Kamala Harris by just over 144,000 votes. For one thing, the entire Amish adult population in York, Dauphin and Lebanon counties combined is only about 1,300 people, Nolt said. And even if 100% of Lancasters eligible voters were registered and had a 100% turn-out rate, that would only be about 18,000 [Amish.] Amish women and girls attend a wedding in Smoketown, Pa. Aristide Economopoulos While tallying each Amish vote is a painstaking process that Nolt said will take months to years to complete, the raw data from Amish-heavy, rural Pennsylvania counties shows marked improvement in voter turnout, according to an analysis by The Post. Statewide, there were roughly 40,000 fewer ballots cast in 2024 than in 2020. But in Lancaster, Chester, Lebanon, Dauphin and York counties, the vote count increased by 27,080 ballots about 2.56% of the regions 1,083,531 total votes tallied. Broken down, there were 10,048 more ballots cast in Chester County; 1,185 more in Lebanon County; 313 more in Dauphin; 8,729 more in Lancaster County and 6,805 more in York County, according to official Pennsylvania election data. Local activists say the rural vote increase should not be discounted. On Monday, Burwell-Perry was already knocking doors and visiting area barns to register even more Amish to participate in the next election. The Amish have shown up, Biesecker Clair said, and when they do, you know its serious. By Nichola Groom (Reuters) -The U.S. oil and gas industry on Tuesday called on President-elect Donald Trump to scrap many of President Joe Biden's policies aimed at fighting climate change, saying the measures threaten jobs, consumer choice and energy security. The American Petroleum Institute (API), the nation's top oil and gas trade group, urged Trump's incoming administration to do away with vehicle emissions standards meant to move the auto industry to produce more electric vehicles, lift a pause on export permits for liquefied natural gas facilities and work with Congress to repeal a fee on methane emissions from drilling operations, among a range of other actions. The group unveiled the requests in a policy document shared with the media. During his campaign, Trump vowed to reverse dozens of environmental rules and policies deemed onerous by oil and gas drillers. Despite stiffer regulations under Biden, who has sought to transition the U.S. economy to clean energy sources, the domestic industry is producing more oil and gas than at any time in history. "Looking at the results of last week's election, it is clear that energy was on the ballot," API CEO Mike Sommers said on a call with reporters. "Whether it was EV mandates in Michigan or fracking in Pennsylvania, voters across the country and on both sides of the aisle sent a clear message to policymakers that they want an all-of-the-above approach to energy, not government mandates and restrictions." API sought to rescind California's ability to enact state tailpipe emissions that are stricter than federal rules and to repeal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency clean vehicle rules. It also advocated supporting LNG exports, holding more auctions for oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and reversing rules that the group says limits oil and gas development on federal lands. It wants Trump to make it easier to obtain drilling permits via changes to the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act, and implement tax incentives to infrastructure and overseas investment. The group unveiled its policy priorities hours after ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods said at the United Nations COP29 climate summit that the U.S. should not exit the Paris climate agreement as Trump has pledged to do. "A second U.S. exit from the Paris climate agreement will have profound implications for the United States' efforts to reduce its own emissions and for international efforts to combat climate change," ExxonMobil said in a statement. The company also advocated for staying in the accord in 2017, before Trump withdrew the nation from the landmark global agreement to fight climate change. Exxon also supported Biden's decision to rejoin the agreement in 2021. API's Sommers, when asked about Woods' comments, said his group was focused on both reducing emissions and meeting the world's energy needs. "We're going to continue to do that regardless of whether the United States is part of the agreement or not," Sommers said. (Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by David Gregorio) Firefighters in California gained a foothold in the battle against a wildfire north of Los Angeles while weather officials on Tuesday issued red flag warnings across the Northeast, where two fires disrupted a popular train service between New York and Boston. The Mountain Fire in California's Ventura County, whose explosive growth was fueled by 80-mph winds last week, has burned 32 square miles as of Tuesday. As winds slowed, firefighters raised the containment level to 48%, allowing officials to downgrade several evacuation orders. The fire has torched over 200 homes and businesses and injured six people, according to Cal Fire, the state's firefighting agency. In the Northeast, weather officials issued red flag warnings from New Jersey to Massachusetts after a modest amount of weekend rainfall brought only temporary relief to the drought-stricken region. "A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels will create a significantly elevated fire growth potential," the National Weather Service warned. "Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended." Brush fire forces suspension of Amtrak service from Penn Station to New Haven Amtrak said Tuesday afternoon a brush fire close to its tracks in the Bronx left trains in the area without power, forcing the agency to suspend the heavily used service connecting New York Penn Station to New Haven, Connecticut, for the rest of the day. "Trains approaching New York Penn Station are being moved out of the area at reduced speeds using diesel-powered engines,'' Amtrak said in a 3:30 p.m. advisory. "Currently, there is no estimate for when normal operations will resume." Chief of Operations Kevin Woods of the Fire Department of New York later clarified there were actually "two separate and distinct fires'' a quarter mile from each other, the second one at an Amtrak transformer. The heavy fires were eventually brought under control but required cutting power to the transformer and therefore the trains. The cause of the fires was under investigation. Both of Amtrak's popular routes between Penn Station and Boston, the high-speed Acela and the Northeast Regional line, include a stop in New Haven. The agency urged riders to instead use the Metro-North Railroad, which was honoring Amtrak tickets. A helicopter drops water from the Wanaque River onto a hot spot of the West Milford Jennings Creek wildfires in Hewitt on Nov. 11, 2024. Winds expand Jennings Creek fire, but progress made The rain helped firefighters gain some control over the Jennings Creek Wildfire along the New Jersey-New York border, which had engulfed 3,500 acres of land and was 20% contained as of Tuesday morning. But strong winds on Tuesday raised new concerns the fire could expand. "Today, Forest Fire Service crews will be met with significant challenges due to the forecasted weather," the New Jersey fire service said in a social media post. "A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the fire area with wind gusts forecast up to 35 mph." Commander Christopher Franek of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service confirmed Tuesday afternoon the fire has grown in windy areas with no control lines, but said crews are still gaining ground in the "very steep, rugged'' terrain. We are making significant progress in securing our lines between both states, said Franek, adding that two of the 10 buildings threatened by the blaze on the New Jersey side are residential. On Monday, a memorial was held for Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old state parks employee who was fatally struck by a falling tree while battling the Jennings Creek blaze in Orange County, New York. Friends, family and community members gathered at the Ramapo High School baseball field at noon Monday to remember the recent graduate and star ballplayer. Mountain Fire swallows homes in Southern California Last Wednesday, Elvia and Norm Bauer grabbed their passports, medication and important documents and fled their home in Ventura County after they received an alert about the fast-moving Mountain Fire. An hour or so later, the fire jumped Highway 118 near Camarillo Heights before hopscotching through neighborhoods, including the Bauers', in the hills above Camarillo. By the afternoon, the home Norm Bauer built in 1974 was gone. "They both lost everything," Erika Bauer said of her parents. "I know that the house can be rebuilt. But all of our memories are there. All our pictures. Everything." The Bauers were not alone. Residents said more than half the homes on their street were destroyed in the blaze. Fire officials raised preliminary damage totals on Tuesday, putting the number of homes and businesses lost in the fire at 207. Read the full story here: Neighbors return to find more than half of the homes on their street gone New York resident fears fire will spread as winds gain speed From her home in Greenwood Lake, New York, Sue Ellen Crocco has watched smoke from the Jennings Creek Wildfire billow into the sky since Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, she's heard a constant rumble from helicopters as air and ground crews battled the blaze. Crocco, who has lived in Orange County for about 25 years, said she has never seen such a large wildfire in her quiet village. As a dog walker, she often takes the neighborhood pets through strolls not far from where the blaze began. "Everybody's packing their bags and getting ready, but nobody's really been evacuated yet," said Crocco, who has offered to take in her client's pets until the flames are doused. During her morning walk Tuesday, Crocco said she could feel the winds pick up. The retired computer technician said she will closely monitor her phone in case she receives an evacuation order. "I'm very scared because I'm on the opposite side of the fire, on the lake," she said. "It could jump over it, especially with the wind." When will drought end? As Northeast wildfires keep igniting, is there a drought-buster in sight? Wildfires burning in Connecticut and Massachusetts About 82 brush fires were being monitored across Connecticut, said Will Healey, a spokesperson for the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont declared a Stage 2 drought advisory for the state's eight counties over the weekend, citing "far below normal precipitation levels and ongoing fire danger levels statewide," according to a statement from his office. In Massachusetts, officials said firefighters were battling dozens of wildfires. In October, the state's Department of Fire Service recorded 200 wildland fires, a 1,200% increase from the month's average total of 15 fires. Modest rain in Northeast forecast A front from the Midwest is expected to arrive in the Northeast on Thursday and it could bring some tropical moisture to the region, possibly raising humidity levels. But it won't be the large storm required to bring sustained relief to the region, forecasters say. "While that more active pattern will bring some opportunities for rain this week, it does not guarantee that every spot will get enough rain to keep the fire potential at bay," said John Feerick, a meteorologist with AccuWeather. "Some locations could go at least a full week without a drop of rain," he said. Just over a quarter inch of rain fell throughout the Mid-Atlantic region Sunday, marking the first rainfall in over a month for parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. But the relief was short-lived as the dry soil and leaves quickly absorbed the rain and again became fertile ground for fires, authorities said. What is behind the blazes? Why have wildfires been erupting across the East Coast this fall? Why are wildfire burning in the Northeast? Wildfires burn thousands of acres in the Northeast every fall season, and the majority of blazes are attributed to human causes such as campfires, burning debris and cigarettes. What has meteorologists and state officials especially concerned this year is a record-setting dry spell that has fueled a sharp rise in wildfires and their explosive growth. Trenton, New Jersey, went 42 days in a row without measurable rain until the spell was broken Sunday. The prior record was 36 in the fall of 1924. Philadelphia went at least 40 days without rain, breaking the record of 29 days set in 1874. Both New Jersey and Delaware reported their driest October on record this year, according to the National Weather Service. Contributing: John Bacon, USA TODAY; Manahil Ahmad, Bergen Record; Alexandra Rivera and Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News; Connor Linskey, Norwich Bulletin; Seth Jacobson, USA TODAY NETWORK - New England; Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wildfires rage nationwide; Amtrak service disrupted in Northeast 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. Lt. Johnny Whiteley of the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office chats with residents during a Lakewood Forest community National Night Out gathering at Russ Poppe Park in Houston in October 2023. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday held to a decades-long practice of subsidizing extra police patrols for neighborhoods that agree to pay most of the cost which critics say allows boutique policing for the rich despite two commissioners saying earlier this year that the subsidies should end. Hundreds of neighborhood associations and some other groups across the county partner with the sheriffs office or one of the eight constables offices to deploy about 1,200 contract deputies, typically covering 70% of the cost of their salaries, benefits and vehicles. The county covers the rest, about $38 million a year, from the taxes all residents pay including those in neighborhoods that cannot afford extra patrols. The assumption is that the deputies spend 30% of their time answering calls outside the contract area, but county administrators do not track whether that happens. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The program ensures fast response times and constant police visibility for neighborhoods that can afford it. But county data shows it also ties up 1,200 patrol deputies handling mostly mundane calls in typically low-crime neighborhoods, leaving fewer officers where theyre needed most at a time when violent crime is a top concern for Houstonians. CHRONICLE INVESTIGATES: Unchecked forces Earlier this year, Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia, both Democrats, told the Houston Chronicle they support forcing all recipients of contract patrols to fully reimburse the county for the service. If an officer spends their time in a neighborhood based on the contract and not on public safety needs, then the private entity contracting for services should cover their complete cost, not part of it, Ellis said in February. As Garcia, a former Harris County sheriff, put it at the time: The contracts have been around so long it's going to be a root canal trying to pull this program to a better place. But weve all got to go to the dentist someday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Tuesday, however, the court voted, unanimously and without discussion, to increase the contract deputy rate by $340 per officer to $124,440 for the budget year that starts next October. Most neighborhoods pay 70% of the cost, or $87,100 per officer; some others pay 80%, and some mostly school districts pay 100%. The commissioners also chose not to increase the reimbursement rate by the additional 7% that budget officials said would be needed to cover the cost of county support services like IT and human resources. Ellis said Tuesday that he stands by his comments from earlier this year, but said county budget officials told him this week that he would have no support on Commissioners Court to change the current policy, so he didnt raise the issue. Garcia on Tuesday said neighborhoods ought to cover the full cost of their deputies in an ideal world, but he sees no practical way of implementing such a policy. A lot of neighborhoods were afraid that if we did move to 100%, they wouldnt be able to keep their contracts, Garcia said. Were sympathetic to the communities that are making that argument, and the school districts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Political third rail The contract patrol program has been a political third rail for decades. Just one year ago, county officials proposed that the court begin charging neighborhoods 100% of the cost of each deputy for any new patrol contracts or new deputies added to existing contracts, and pass on the cost of county support services for the first time. Existing contracts would have kept the same 70% to 80% reimbursement rates. Republican lawmakers pushed back, warning the change would take deputies off the street if neighborhoods couldnt afford the increase. The court dropped the proposal, instead increasing the rate by 6.6% to cover salary increases and rising health care costs, said budget director Daniel Ramos. Some of the GOP lawmakers had vowed to file legislation removing the commissioners ability to set the rates entirely. Indeed, on Tuesday, state Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, filed a bill for the Legislature to consider next year that would give sheriffs and constables the ability to sign patrol contracts regardless of whether the commissioners court approves of the contract or the terms. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2020, too, Garcia proposed to review contract deputy programs run by the countys constables and look for savings that could result from eliminating the ability of constables to enter into the contracts. It was a striking proposal from the former sheriff: The constables offices handle about two-thirds of the patrol contracts, and the program has fueled their growth for decades. Garcia walked back the phrasing of the proposal, then ultimately withdrew it amid an hours-long barrage of criticism from his Republican colleagues and constable supporters. This pattern a commissioner proposes a change to contract patrols and is shouted down by citizens who love the program has been repeated for decades. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The facts speak for themselves Meanwhile, the ranks of contract deputies have only grown, particularly in the constables offices, which have added deputies at twice the rate of the sheriffs office over the last decade. The countys largest constable agency, Precinct 4, has so many patrol contracts that its budget is mostly funded by neighborhoods, not taxpayers. Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman, a Republican, praised the commissioners decision to leave the contract patrol rate roughly flat. He said increases in recent years led a few of his neighborhoods to withdraw from the program. The contract deputy program is very beneficial to Harris County, Herman said. Were pleased with the courts decision on that, and we much appreciate them not going up like they did over the past two years. My management team does a very good job ensuring that 70-30 agreement is adhered to and is beneficial for the county and for the contracts, Herman added. Its working. Commissioner Tom Ramsey, a Republican, echoed that, adding, the reduced crime rates in those patrol areas are proof of that. The facts speak for themselves. Studies repeatedly have questioned whether taxpayers are getting their moneys worth for the program, however, while noting that it tends to mostly benefit wealthier communities. While the contracts undoubtedly provide important revenue and support more police officers in general, it is difficult to assess the impact the extra officers have on patrol responsibilities outside of contract areas, a 2018 Kinder Institute for Urban Research study of local law enforcement stated. The researchers, calling the program a boutique law enforcement service, said the only way to sustain the growing number of patrol contracts would be to charge neighborhoods the full cost of the deputies. Such a decision, said Westbury civic leader Becky Edmondson, would price her neighborhood out of the program. The southwest Houston neighborhood has contracted with the Precinct 5 Constables office for 40 years, and today covers 80% of the cost of three officers. The neighborhood has no mandatory dues, so civic club leaders struggle to gather the funds each year from willing neighbors, she said. I know Commissioner Ellis feels its an equity issue, but from my neighborhoods standpoint it is equitable, Edmondson said, because for those who cant afford it, the people who can afford it pick up the slack. And whether you pay the dues for the program or not, the constables still respond. Sydney-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) specialist Wild Tech has brought on board Matthew Rodgers as the companys new head of Microsoft Asia Pacific (APAC) as part of its strategy for growth across the region. In the role, Rodgers will focus on strengthening finance and operations capabilities, enhancing enterprise offerings and driving deeper integration between Southeast Asia and Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ) markets. Rodgers, who will be based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, joins the ERP specialist after serving three years at sa.global as sales director for APAC, where he spearheaded Microsoft solutions across a number of Asian countries and A/NZ. His experience with Microsoft Copilot, Dynamics ERP and CRM will be instrumental in driving Wild Techs business objectives and expanding its Microsoft technology ecosystem, the company claimed. He also brings over two decades of leadership experience, specialising in digital transformation strategies and enterprise-level solutions, having worked in a variety of roles with organisations like Air Asia, Tectura and HSO Innovation. Grant Wild, CEO and director at Wild Tech, said Rodgers experience strengthens its ability to meet enterprise needs and allows it to build on learnings across the region with its biggest trading partners. by Nirmala Carvalho Indias Home Affair Minister Amit Shah announced the policy presenting his partys election manifesto for the 20 November state election. Currently, 10 out of 36 Indian states and territories have such a draconian law on the books, which is used to intimidate Christians. No government can come into my soul, says the archbishop of Bombay. Freedom of religion and conversion is a human right, he adds. Mumbai (AsiaNews) In case of victory in Maharashtra state elections on 20 November, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intends to introduce the infamous anti-conversion law in the populous state that also includes Mumbai. Indias Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, one of the BJPs foremost leaders, made the announcement on Sunday during the presentation of his partys election manifesto. In Maharashtra, the BJP is part of the Mahayuti coalition, which includes the Shiv Sena party led by incumbent Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Nationalist Congress Party of Ajit Pawar. The adoption of a very strict law making conversions virtually impossible is one of 25 points listed by Amit Shah for the agenda of the new legislature. It is not hard to see that the BJP is trying to play the sectarian card in the last days of the election campaign. For their part, local Christian communities greeted the news with dismay. No government can enter my soul and tell my conscience, saying, 'you cannot change religion'." For the archbishop of Bombay, speaking to AsiaNews, the "Governments of those states wishing to introduce anti-conversion laws, forced conversions, which are often blamed on Christians, "are meaningless" for the Church. This is the case not only because the documents of Vatican Council speak clearly against them, but mainly because, for Christians, conversion is primarily a transformation of heart, Card Gracias said. "Not by chance', he added, "the Church imposes a long period of catechumenate to test the sincerity of those seeking baptism". What is more, Freedom of religion and conversion is a human right, a sacred right in our Constitution, the prelate explained. Ultimately, No civil authority has the right to enter the shrine, which is the conscience of every single person, let alone decide what a conscience should say. No government can come into my soul and tell my conscience saying, 'you cannot change your religion. You must worship God in this way. Currently, 10 out of 36 Indian states and territories have adopted anti-conversion laws. The first one was Odisha (Orissa) as early as 1968, followed by Madhya Pradesh (1968) and Arunachal Pradesh (1978). With the rise of the BJP in the 2000s, this kind of legislation was adopted and often toughened in other states: Chhattisgarh (2000), Gujarat (2003), Himachal Pradesh (2006), Jharkhand (2017), Uttarakhand (2018), Uttar Pradesh (2020), and Hariyana (2022). In 2022, an anti-conversion law was also adopted in Karnataka, but was repealed in 2023 when the BJP was defeated in state elections. Conversely, in Rajasthan, where Hindu nationalists took power in late 2023, similar legislation is set for passage in the state assembly. Residents speak about a changes to the Montrose Boulevard redesign plan during a Montrose TIRZ board meeting on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the offices of Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP in Houston. Rebekah F. Ward/Staff Montrose redesign Regarding "Whitmire's vision for Montrose Blvd. moves forward after contentious public meeting," (Nov. 1): I live in Montrose, and my child attends an elementary school in the neighborhood. I attended the Montrose TIRZ meeting Friday, Nov. 1, in which the majority of people urged the TIRZ board to vote "no" on the mayor's plan to rebuild Montrose Boulevard. Montrose is one of the more walkable neighborhoods in the city. However, it isnt safe to walk around. The boulevard is one of 9% of city streets that account for 58% of accidents. It is not somewhere I feel safe walking my child to school, local parks or restaurants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The mayors plan will keep Montrose the same as it is today. In fact, the mayor's plan doesn't meet current guidelines for sidewalks; to build it would require a variance. This will reduce access to Buffalo Bayou Park for residents who live on the west side of Montrose. The mayor is also changing the citys design manual to force neighborhoods to maintain 12-foot traffic lanes. Studies show that narrowing lanes from the current 12 feet to 11 feet reduces accidents and increases safety for all users, which also makes it safer for pedestrians to cross. The previous plan included design elements that are proven to make the corridor safer. The mayors plan, without utilizing proven design methods to make Montrose safer for all, shows that he does not value the safety of this citys residents. Just like today, when this project is completed, Montrose still wont be a safe place to walk with my child. Ryan Monju, Houston I find myself puzzled by Mayor John Whitmire's tactics and am wondering if this is normal for a Houston mayor. He packs the boards of decision-making bodies he dislikes (Metro, the TIRZs) with allies who then ram through his agenda. His newly appointed Metro chair Elizabeth Brock "paused" the many Metro improvements that we voters approved in 2019, citing a lack of budget, and is now using Metro dollars to fund Evolve Houston, the rideshare nonprofit of which she was a founding member and chair. More recently, Whitmire has led City Council in ignoring Proposition B, which voters approved last fall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In short, if the decisions of such bodies and of the voters aren't to Whitmire's liking, then he simply finds a way to override them. This seems like it should be a violation of process somehow. What is the point of voters voting or of these boards existing if the mayor can just override them? Can you explain it to me? Sebastian Lecourt, Houston I am a practicing, licensed architect with extensive knowledge of urban design. Whitmire's direction to reduce sidewalks and widen car lanes is baffling in the extreme. It is inconsistent with national design guidelines and defies a years' long public engagement process that overwhelmingly supported wider sidewalks. Nobody on either side of the redesign argument asked for 12-foot lanes. They are not needed by first responders and are actively discouraged by the National Association of City Transportation Officials due to increased speeding and crashes. His new mobility guidelines referenced by the TIRZ 27 board remain unpublished, are seemingly arbitrary with no basis in science and, as stated in the meeting, were created without involvement of a city engineer. What TIRZ 27 board president and Whitmire appointee Matthew Brollier called "a good compromise" to keep some pedestrian infrastructure is in fact the legal minimum standard under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Generations of Houstonians will live with the results of this mayor's capricious decision and utter lack of civic vision. Shameful, indeed! Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jan Lepicovsky, Houston Framing the Montrose Blvd project as a battle between trees and sidewalks is a misdirection. A true compromise could have shaved a foot off of one sidewalk to make space for some of the trees, as was proposed by the previous TIRZ board. However, there is no room for that when the mayor is demanding wider car lanes. Compared to the original plan, were losing six feet of space that could have been used to accommodate trees and sidewalks. Theres still time for the city to do the right thing and respect the will of the 80 people who spoke in favor of a more walkable plan. Research from Johns Hopkins University shows that narrower lanes nudge drivers to actually follow the posted speed limit and reduce crashes, all without requiring an additional layer of traffic enforcement. With the citys resources stretched so thinly, it would be prudent for the administration to behave accordingly. Make no mistake: 12-foot lanes on Montrose Blvd will keep the Houston Fire Department busy. Gia Longsworth, Houston This article stated: "The Nov. 1 meeting drew over 120 attendees in person and online as polarized residents spoke for and against implementing revisions to the original boulevard overhaul plan." This is misleading. While there were comments for and against the revisions, it was not a even split. The speakers were emphatically against the new redesign and for the original proposal by 6-1. It is obvious and clear that the community is happier with the original, shovel-ready plan, and the city should move forward with it rather than wasting $400,000 on a new design. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Joseph Panzarella, Houston I just have one question regarding the new Montrose redesign. How does it move us towards Vision Zero? That is, move us toward eliminating traffic fatalities? It seems to me that by leaving the lanes too wide, thus encouraging speeding, it will do nothing to try to actually save lives, but will be all about saving drivers a few seconds. Yesterday, a 62-year-old man tried to kill himself after driving his car into a group of people who were exercising. Police report that a family-related issue trigger the incident. Party officials stress the need to help people in hardship. An airshow opened today in Zhuhai (Guangdong) and next month President Xi Jinping is expected to travel to Macau, near Zhuhai, for the installation of the new local government. Zhuhai (AsiaNews/Agencies) At least 35 people have been killed and 43 wounded after a man drove his car into a crowd. The incident, which police only reported today, took place last night outside a stadium in Zhuhai, a city in Guangdong province, southern China, where a biennial air force exhibition was set to open this morning. Chinese authorities censored the news for hours, removing online eyewitness content and releasing only official statements by government officials. According to Chinese media reports, the incident occurred at 7.48 pm yesterday, November 11. A 62-year-old man, identified only by the surname Fan, crashed his SUV through the gates of a stadium (now closed until further notice), ploughing into a group of people who were exercising, the police said. The man, who tried to commit suicide, was taken to hospital and is now in a coma. According to police investigation the attack was triggered by his resentment over a divorce property settlement. President Xi Jinping ordered local authorities to "strictly prevent extreme cases", do everything possible to save the wounded (no one is in serious condition), and "severely punish the criminal. Xi also asked local officials to strengthen the prevention and control of risks and promptly resolve conflicts and disputes, state news agency Xinhua reported. The Nanfang Daily, the official paper of the Chinese Communist Party in Guangdong province, wrote that provincial officials met to discuss how to handle the case, stressing the need to help people in hardship. Western media stressed the delay with which Chinese authorities reported the incident, especially considering that Zhuhai was getting ready to open the airshow, which was attended by several Chinese and foreign dignitaries. The death toll was announced only today, the day after the accident; in the meantime, videos posted on Chinese social media by eyewitnesses have been deleted, including local media interviews with onlookers. Even online searches about the incident produced results only after a certain period of time. In the recent past, attacks by individuals have increased in China. In September, three people were killed in Shanghai, while a Japanese student was stabbed to death in Shenzhen. Two other stabbings near two schools were reported in October. The Zhuhai attack is the most serious in terms of fatalities, and comes at a delicate time. As some have pointed out, Xi Jinping is expected to visit Macau next month, not far Zhuhai, to mark the installation of the new local government and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the city's return to China from Portugal. by Shafique Khokhar Minahil, only six years old, was raped in the Asan School System by Muhammad Hassan, an employee of the institute. The man was arrested after the family's complaint, tests on the girl confirmed the abuse and DNA results are awaited. Christian and Muslim leaders have visited the victim and expressed their closeness to the parents. Lahore (AsiaNews) - A new case of sexual violence, involving a Christian girl only six years old, has shaken consciences in Pakistan. An interreligious meeting on the matter was held on 9th November at the Catholic parish of St. Francis' in Kot Lakhpat, a suburb of Lahore, in an attempt to ease tensions and ensure support and justice for the little victim. Minahil, the daughter of Samsan Masih and Sonia Samsan, a student at the Asan School System in Faisal Town, was abused by Muhammad Hassan, a Muslim and a school worker at the educational facility. According to witnesses, the man raped the girl on 31 October. An incident that is unfortunately not isolated, but brings to light the harsh reality of persecution and injustice suffered by minorities, especially Christian women and girls. An episode that has once again raised awareness of the need for collective action against child abuse and for the protection of vulnerable children, regardless of their faith or ethnicity. A complaint against Muhammad Hassan was filed at the Faisal Town police station; thanks to the prompt response of the police, who cooperated with the victim's family, the perpetrator was arrested and is now in custody in prison. In the meantime, the girl has undergone a medical examination, which has confirmed the sexual violence against her, while the family - which, despite poverty, is fighting for justice - is waiting for the DNA results. To date, Minahil's condition is not good, especially psychologically because of the trauma she suffered. The sexual violence suffered by the girl is part of a broader picture of abuse, persecution and violations suffered by women and girls, even very young girls, in Pakistan, including rape, abduction, forced marriage, confinement and lasting psychological trauma. These atrocities are often used to exploit and oppress them, depriving them of their dignity and basic human rights. Therefore, in response to Minahil's case, a meeting was convened to promote religious harmony, bringing together leaders of different faiths. An event under the banner of unity, dialogue and mutual respect was attended by personalities from the Islamic world and Christianity. A delegation of personalities from the two faiths also visited the home of the girl and assured her of their full support in the matter. P. Lazar Aslam OFM Cap, a priest and well-known human rights defender, chaired the meeting, which brought together prominent speakers from different religious backgrounds, including: lawyers Kashif Nemat and Mishal Shamas, Maulana Asim Makhdoom, Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain and Allama Qari Khalid Mahmood. Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain stated that neither the army nor the police want the girls to be exploited or abused. We stand by the victim's family and assure you of our full support in this case; the perpetrator, the Islamic leader emphasised, must be dealt with according to the law. It is worth noting that he is a prominent figure and his statement underlines the commitment of the police and the government in their efforts to prevent exploitation and ensure justice for the victims. The mufti concluded by stating that Minahil is a child of the nation and minority children must not be mistreated or abused. Fr. Lazar referred to Pope Francis when he stresses the importance of interreligious dialogue as a necessary condition for world peace (Evangelii Gaudium 250). By working together, he said, we can create a safer and more compassionate world for all children. Finally, the priest expressed gratitude to all participants for their solidarity with the Christian community, praised their support and assured the family of spiritual, moral and financial assistance. He concluded by recalling the family's Christian faith and promised to closely monitor the case, ensuring that the perpetrator is prosecuted according to justice. Photo: Flickr / Un Women Asia and Pacific Today's News: China's tourism figures show an upturn in visitors from abroad; Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto flies to the US after being in China and congratulates Trump; More clashes in Manipur between Kuki and security forces; Targeted attacks in Syria by the US against targets aligned with Iran. NORTH KOREA - RUSSIA North Korea ratified a mutual defence pact with Russia today, state media reported, strengthening security cooperation after Pyongyang, on the basis of another agreement, sent thousands of soldiers to support Moscow in the war in Ukraine. The agreement formalises months of military cooperation and could lead to the deployment of additional North Korean troops. Countries supporting Ukraine fear that Russia in return will grant technological support to the North Korean nuclear programme. CHINA Tourism in China has only seen improvements this year thanks to the removal of the visa requirement: according to experts, flight cancellations combined with geopolitical tensions had held back the sector's recovery from the pandemic. Official government figures, on the other hand, now indicate around 95 million inbound arrivals in the first nine months of 2024, or around 93.4 per cent of the numbers recorded in the same period in 2019. Domestic tourism continues to be more economically significant, so opening up to the outside world is expected to improve the country's image. INDONESIA - UNITED STATES Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto congratulated Donald Trump by phone on his election victory, shortly before meeting with the incumbent President Joe Biden in Washington. Prabowo flew to the US after having been in China. In Washington he also met with several representatives of US companies, whom he asked to invest in Indonesia. INDIA Ten suspected Kuki militants were killed in an armed clash with security forces in Jiribam district yesterday. According to the police, the militants had attacked a post of the Central Reserve Police Force. For the Hmar Students' Association, however, the 10 people killed were village volunteers, an expression used to describe armed civilians who have been protecting homes since the ethnic conflict broke out in Manipur. SYRIA The US military conducted a series of strikes in Syria in response to the damage done to US forces by Iran-aligned targets in the country, the US Central Command said. These attacks will reduce the ability of Iranian-backed groups to plan and launch future attacks, continued CENTCOM, which manages about 900 US troops in eastern Syria. TURKMENISTAN 27-year-old Turkmen woman Makhym (fictitious name), who grew up in an orphanage in the city of Mari, told Radio Azattyk about the terrible conditions in these facilities, which the Turkmenistan authorities claim are safe and happy places, while children often go hungry and suffer psychological, physical and even sexual violence. UZBEKISTAN The European Economy Days were held in Tashkent, where the Secretary General of the EU Commission for International Cooperation, Estonian Henrik Kololej, reiterated that the trans-Caspian corridor will give Central Asia the opportunity to integrate with the world economy, stimulating the expansion of infrastructure and the digitalisation of services. Matuil Haq Khalis, head of Afghanistans environmental protection agency, called on the international community for support; for the past three years, the Taliban regime has been excluded from international fora. The intensity of floods, combined with periods of prolonged drought, is displacing more people internally, while agriculture is yielding less and less. Projects by UN agencies cover only one province in three. Baku (AsiaNews/Agencies) For the first time since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, an Afghan delegation will participate (as an observer) at COP29, the United Nations climate talks that opened yesterday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Matuil Haq Khalis, head of the countrys environmental protection agency, said the country needed international support to cope with extreme weather events. Responding to a question about women being more vulnerable to climate change than men (a fact confirmed by UN assessments), Khalis said that climate change impact doesnt have any boundaries, it can have its impact on women, children, men, plants or animals, so it requires collective work to tackle this issue. For some experts, the Taliban must participate in the climate conference as well. By virtue of being a global forum, there are a whole host of politically unsavoury states with all kinds of appalling records of one sort or another that attend. Where would we draw the line? noted Joanna Depledge, a climate historian at the University of Cambridge in the UK. Afghanistan is the sixth most vulnerable country in the world to climate change. Among low-income countries, it ranks second in the number of deaths caused by natural disasters between 1980 and 2015. In the last 40 years, rainfall has been 25 per cent more intense and in March of this year alone, at least 300 people died due to flash floods. In April, at least 70 people died and about 2,000 homes were destroyed. At the same time, 25 provinces out of 34 suffer from severe drought. This seems counter-intuitive, but since intervals between rainfall are getting longer, when it does rain, natural calamities are more intense due to greater soil aridity. According to a recent study by Save the children, in the first six months of 2024 alone, extreme weather events forced at least 38,000 people to flee their homes, about half of them children, far more than for the whole of last year, 37,076. At the end of last year, Afghanistan also reported the highest number of children left homeless in the world from environmental disasters: 747,094. Since 2022, extreme weather events are the first cause of displacement after decades in which war was the main factor in displacing Afghans. This is the third consecutive year of permanent drought conditions in a country where 80 per cent of the population depends on agriculture. Today, more than one in three people experience severe food insecure due to high prices, which are in turn caused by climate shocks. But that's not all. Some studies show that plant yields in Afghanistan have halved due to toxins released by explosive devices. According to experts, the presence of anti-personnel mines and demining activities have had an impact on soil erosion, causing greater damage when earthquakes and floods occur. Decades of war and rampant poverty have made Afghanistan one of the countries least able to cope with climate change. Before the Taliban came back to power, the United Nations estimated that the country needed US$ 20.6 billion to finance climate adaptation initiatives (and emission reductions by 2030, although the country emits very little compared to industrialised countries). The exclusion of the Taliban from the global stage since 2021 has been accompanied by funding cuts for climate resilience. Some UN and EU agencies, together with NGOs that have a historical presence in the country, are still implementing a series of projects, trying to prevent funds from ending up directly in the Taliban's accounts. As some researchers stressed, these programmes cover only a third of the country's provinces, leaving a large part of the Afghan population out in the cold. by Arundathie Abeysinghe The phenomenon, already recorded elsewhere, happened for the first time in the port city where the Mahaweli River flows. The affected species is odonus niger, found decomposing in shallow bays. Dr Sujeewa Athukoorala: Oxygen deficiency and gill obstruction. Scientists: algae proliferation favoured by sunlight, warm water, carbon dioxide and fertilisers. Trincomalee (AsiaNews) - A nauseating smell has invaded Trincomalee, a port city and tourist resort, centre of Tamil-speaking culture, located on the north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka. It was caused by the presence of thousands of rotting fish that washed ashore and floated in shallow bays. It happened between 29 October and 1 November, coinciding with Halloween week, sparking rumours of unlikely supernatural occurrences among tourists and residents. The species affected was mainly the red-tooth triggerfish (odonus niger), so called because of its characteristic red teeth visible when its mouth is closed. According to Dr Sujeewa Athukoorala, a scientist at the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) in Colombo, satellite images from the affected period indicate a high-density algal bloom in the waters of Trincomalee. The phenomenon, which can be recognised by the change in the colour of the water, probably caused a shortage of oxygen in the fish's habitat, as dense algae can clog the gills of triggerfish, impairing their respiration. Thus, the combination of low oxygen and gill obstruction may have led to the mass death of the triggerfish'. Scientists Nishantha Adikari and Anuradha Dissanayake informed AsiaNews that Sri Lanka experienced heavy rains throughout October and the Mahaweli River (the country's longest river, ed.), which flows into the sea at Trincomalee, would have carried large volumes of fresh water and nutrients into the marine environment. During torrential rains, excess nutrients are carried into the sea and could trigger algal blooms. Studies have revealed that there are four major causes of algal blooms: sunlight, warm water, carbon dioxide and fertilisers. When these four factors are at the right levels, the algae have the ability to double their mass every six hours'. Once the amount of nutrients is high, a harmful level of algae growth is reached and, at this point, the fish in the water cannot find their usual food and the bottom plants begin to die due to the lack of sunlight that causes thick floating carpets of decaying algae to form on the surface, further damaging the ecosystem. At this point, the water becomes depleted of oxygen and becomes a dead zone that kills fish and most other organisms. As the algae decompose, phosphorous is released into the water and flows downstream where it can trigger other algae blooms. Eventually, the phosphorus reaches the coastal wetlands. About 90 per cent of ocean life depends on a coastal wetland,' Nishantha and Anuradha explain. According to environmentalists Joseph Aruliah and Stephen Ravichandrarajah, residents of Trincomalee, a similar situation has occurred in the Maldives: several cases of dead fish stranding in large numbers on the shores of the northern atolls in September 2023. But this is the first time such an incident has occurred in Trincomalee and therefore it is necessary for NARA to conduct a long-term research study to ascertain the cause. Occasionally, cases of fish deaths are also observed in India. In most cases, this occurs due to complications from high temperatures. In most of these cases, a combination of natural and non-natural causes triggered a recent increase in fish deaths, and more often than not, the fish were in a state of pure physical exhaustion, which eventually led to their death. Recent research indicates that the increase in fish deaths is the result of several factors, including the reduction in water purity and quality. Studies have also listed India, China, Kenya and the United States as countries that have experienced a surge in fish mortality, they conclude. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. A crowd of 400-plus gathered for the "Out of This World" Top Workplaces 2024 luncheon at the Royal Sonesta Nov. 7. Kathy Haveman photo Burns McDonnell gathered on stage for their recognition. Freddy Hinojosa photo Leadership had the opportunity to speak about their winning teams and company on stage at Top Workplaces 2024. Freddy Hinojosa photo Top Workplaces is a chance for businesses across our area to celebrate each other, and to network. Freddy Hinojosa photo Ally Medical representatives pose in the photo booth at Top Workplaces 2024. Freddy Hinojosa photo "Out of This World," delicious mocktails were on the menu at Top Workplaces. Freddy Hinojosa photo The Houston Chronicle's Publisher Nancy Meyer welcomed the business community at Top Workplaces 2024. Freddy Hinojosa photo A crowd of 450 from incredible businesses across our area community gathered at the Royal Sonesta to celebrate this year's "Out of This World" Top Workplaces. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal, mocktails, an interactive photo booth and other photo opps, and got the chance to mingle and network. Awards included 12 Special Awards, 3 Leadership Awards, Top 5 Small Company, Top 5 Midsize Company, and Top 5 Large Company. Opening remarks were by our own Nancy Meyer, HC President; Top Workplaces introduction by Bob Helbig from Energage; Presenting Sponsor address was by Lisa Wright, CEO of Community Health Choice; and the recognition of Top Workplaces was led by Kat English, VP Retail Advertising, Houston Chronicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 12 November 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more As COP29 unfolds in Baku, global leaders and climate experts are converging to tackle the urgent issues surrounding climate change. Joshua Simeon Steib, an observer from the United Nations Climate Change division, offered his thoughts on the significance of this year's summit, particularly the focus on climate finance, the newly launched Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF), and the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving innovation. Reflecting on his impressions of COP29, Steib described the event as a dynamic space where thousands of stakeholders come together to push the envelope on climate action. He emphasized that climate finance for developing countries remains one of the most pressing issues on the agenda. "This year, one of the biggest topics is climate finance, particularly for the most vulnerable nations," Steib said. While climate finance has been a focus of COP discussions for years, he pointed out that the real-world funding allocations have often not lived up to the rhetoric. "In previous years, we've seen large amounts of funding go toward fossil fuel subsidies, while only a fraction has been directed toward the loss and damage fund," Steib explained. Last year, only $700 million was allocated to the loss and damage fund at COP28, which is a fraction of what is needed to support the most climate-vulnerable communities. At COP29, Steib stressed the importance of advancing the new collective, quantified goal for climate finance, a commitment that is crucial for meeting global climate targets and ensuring financial resources reach those most in need. "The key challenge is figuring out how we can get more resources into the hands of the most impacted countries and communities," he added. One of the most promising developments at COP29 is the launch of the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF), a new initiative designed to provide much-needed funding for climate projects, particularly in developing countries. The CFAF aims to bridge the gap between financial pledges and real-world investments by providing targeted financial support for innovative climate solutions. Steib recognized the CFAF as a crucial step forward in addressing the financing gap that has hindered progress in climate action. "The CFAF represents a bold new approach to unlocking funds for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts," he said. "It is designed to support initiatives that not only mitigate climate change but also drive long-term resilience in the most vulnerable regions." The CFAF focuses on channeling funds into innovative climate technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and capacity-building projects that empower communities to adapt to the changing climate. By attracting both public and private investment, the CFAF aims to scale up solutions that can transform entire regions, particularly in the Global South, where climate impacts are often felt most acutely. Steib stressed the need for strong international collaboration to ensure the funds success. "The CFAF provides an opportunity to leverage both public and private sector contributions to build a more sustainable future," he said. "But the key is ensuring that the money goes where it's needed most, and that it helps drive systemic change, not just quick fixes." The success of initiatives like the CFAF hinges on effective collaboration between the public and private sectors. Steib highlighted the importance of aligning the different priorities of both sectorspublic institutions that focus on long-term sustainability and private enterprises seeking returns on investment. "One of the biggest challenges we've seen is how to bring together public and private interests," Steib said. "On the one hand, you have the public sector focused on infrastructure, resilience, and long-term impact; on the other hand, the private sector is looking for immediate returns and risk reduction. Bridging this gap is critical to unlocking the funding needed to drive innovation and support large-scale climate solutions." In his view, partnerships must be built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to addressing climate change. "It's essential to identify projects where both sectors can benefit and work together to drive forward innovation," he added. "But there's still a long way to gothere have been promises in the past about public sector leadership in climate finance, and we havent seen the level of follow-through thats needed." The CFAF, as a new initiative, represents a step in the right direction, but Steib believes that much more is required from both sectors. "Governments must honor their pledges and be more transparent about where funds are going. The private sector must step up with bold investments in green technologies. Only through stronger collaboration can we accelerate the pace of change." As COP29 progresses, Steib expressed cautious optimism about the potential for meaningful action. He stressed that while the new initiatives, such as the CFAF, hold promise, the real challenge lies in turning these commitments into tangible outcomes. "This is a crucial moment in the fight against climate change," Steib concluded. "COP29 must be a turning pointnot just for setting goals but for delivering the finance and the action that will make those goals a reality. The CFAF is a step in the right direction, but we need all hands on deck to ensure it leads to real, lasting change." With continued focus on climate finance, effective public-private partnerships, and funding mechanisms like the CFAF, COP29 could mark a decisive moment in the global push to address the climate crisis. 12 November 2024 13:53 (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. Azerbaijan has signed a Declaration of Intent with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to enhance collaboration under the "Baku Harmony Climate Initiative for Farmers," part of the broader "Sustainable Transformation for Food and Agriculture" (FAST) initiative. The agreement was signed during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), at a meeting between Azerbaijan's Minister of Agriculture, Majnun Mammadov, and FAO Director General, Qu Dongyu, 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! 12 November 2024 14:49 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, a panel discussion was held on "Decarbonization and adapting the cotton-to-clothing value chain," Azernews reports citing the Ministry of Agriculture. It was reported that Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sarvan Jafarov, speaking at the event, emphasized the continuous development of the cotton-growing sector in Azerbaijan and highlighted the importance of an approach based on science, technology, and innovation to overcome the challenges posed by climate change. The deputy minister noted that Azerbaijan has implemented a development strategy in cotton production and processing, benefiting from the experiences of countries and international organizations specializing in cotton farming. In particular, in recent years, joint projects with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been conducted to explore the use of nuclear technologies in developing new cotton varieties. Sarvan Jafarov added that the application of scientific methods has yielded positive results, with climate-friendly agricultural practices in pilot areas doubling productivity. During the discussions, it was also noted that Azerbaijan is working to strengthen its domestic value chain by modernizing cotton processing infrastructure. Investments in new technologies aim to improve quality, increase processing capacity, and create new jobs in rural areas. Alongside digitalization initiatives and robust financial support mechanisms, these development models support Azerbaijans vision for its cotton industry to produce competitive products for international markets and transform the cotton processing sector into a sustainable and high-value industry. Throughout the panel discussion, participants exchanged views on international practices aimed at minimizing the impacts of climate change, and questions from attendees were addressed. 12 November 2024 15:55 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more In her interview with journalists at COP29, UN Resident Coordinator Vladanka Andreeva emphasized that, with just 10 months left to prepare for the world's biggest annual climate gathering, the momentum is building, with 76 registered participants from across the globe, Azernews reports. The UN Resident Coordinator expressed her excitement about the growing engagement, noting that the event presents a crucial opportunity for world leaders to elevate climate action. In her remarks, Andreeva highlighted the need for COP29 to deliver ambitious results in three key areas: mitigation, adaptation, and financing. Quoting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, she underscored the urgency of the climate crisis. "Climate action is not an option; it's an imperative," Guterres had stated during the opening of the Leaders' Summit. "Climate finance is not a charity; it's an investment." The Resident Coordinator expressed her hope that negotiators at COP29 would heed these calls and take decisive action to address the climate emergency. Azerbaijan, as a key player in this global conversation, has already made its position clear during the COP29 discussions. When asked how the country has sent its message to the world, the UN Resident Coordinator stressed that Azerbaijan's stance reflects the undeniable reality of the climate crisis. "The message is very clear: the climate crisis is here, and we all share the responsibility to act," she said. "The next two weeks will be a critical time for negotiators to have candid discussions about how we can collectively ensure that we save this planet for future generations." 12 November 2024 10:42 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more On November 11, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) began in Baku, Azernews reports. Hosting this prestigious event, the highest platform for global climate change discussions, is a demonstration of the high level of trust and confidence placed in Azerbaijan. It reflects the successful collaboration fostered under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev with international organizations. Within the framework of the session, on November 15 at 13:00, the 2nd High-Level Meeting of Ministers of Culture on Culture-Based Climate Action will take place. The meeting, organized by the Ministries of Culture of the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and Azerbaijan, is expected to bring together around 120 guests, including officials, experts, and representatives from non-governmental organizations. During the event, efforts will be made to achieve international consensus on including high-level dialogue on culture, particularly the role of arts and cultural heritage in the climate action agenda. On November 16, at 11:00, within the framework of COP29, a session dedicated to Azerbaijan's "Culture for Climate" (C4C) initiative will be organized by the UNFCCC Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action Group and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This session, featuring high-level representatives and leading experts, will discuss topics such as how cultural approaches can promote climate-related issues and increase inclusivity. Later that same day, at 15:30, there will be a presentation of Azerbaijans "Culture for Climate" (C4C) initiative. The C4C initiative aims to place culture at the center of climate discussions, inspiring meaningful behavioral changes globally and demonstrating that culture is a powerful tool for a sustainable future. It is worth noting that in preparation for COP29, the Ministry of Culture has organized several events throughout this year. These include a presentation in Paris at the UNESCO headquarters on cultural events related to COP29, a conference titled "COP29 and Culture: The Cultural Dimensions of Climate Change," panel and plenary sessions at the VI World Intercultural Dialogue Forum on environmental protection and the impact of climate change on cultural heritage, a special conference in Aghdam city on the impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance on cultural property, the presentation of a bibliographic book on "Azerbaijan Ecology" dedicated to the "Year of Solidarity for a Green World," and other events. 12 November 2024 11:06 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Today, there are demands from the real world, and fossil fuels are an integral part of the existing world. Of course, they have a negative impact on the climate, that is a fact, Azernews reports. However, we need to work together to address this issue, not engage in cheap and meaningless discussions of this kind. These were the words of Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration, in an interview with journalists. "That is why, up to now, the countries that have hosted COP have, in one way or another, been countries that produce fossil fuels. For example, before us, COP was held in European countries, such as Poland, in Katowice. Poland is one of the largest coal-producing countries in the world. It was held in Glasgow, Great Britain as well, and Glasgow is one of the largest coal production areas. Therefore, rather than mutual accusations, we need to contribute to result-oriented discussions," the President's Assistant added. Hikmet Hajiyev also emphasized that, in general, regarding fossil fuels, while there is supply on one side, there is also demand on the other. Almost all parties to the Convention are consumers of fossil fuels. 12 November 2024 11:33 (UTC+04:00) On November 12, Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov met with Nechirvan Barzani, the head of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, during the opening ceremony of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azernews reports, citing Report. During the conversation, the importance of the meetings between President Ilham Aliyev and Nechirvan Barzani was highlighted, noting that these meetings contributed to the development of bilateral relations. The discussion also focused on issues related to cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 12 November 2024 14:33 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more NASA astronauts Soni Williams and Nick Haig addressed the 29th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku via video link from the International Space Station, Azernews reports. They stated that events occurring on Earth, including wildfires and hurricanes, demonstrate that the planet is changing. "The planet is changing every second. We see this when we look down from space," they noted. NASA representatives thanked all parties attending COP29, including Azerbaijan: "We appreciate the efforts to preserve the beauty of our planet. Our partners and collaborators are ready to share information with you. Our mission is to observe from space and transmit data back to Earth regarding rising sea levels, gas emissions, and other issues," they emphasized. 12 November 2024 15:11 (UTC+04:00) On November 12, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait, Azernews reports. The Crown Prince expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his meaningful speech at the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. He emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev has always supported the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kuwait. During the conversation, they highlighted the revitalization of the joint economic commission and touched on cooperation in the tourism sector, emphasizing that Kuwaiti tourists have been pleased with their visits to Azerbaijan. The meeting included an exchange of views on the prospect for bilateral ties. 12 November 2024 15:20 (UTC+04:00) On November 12, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Pedro Sanchez, President of the Government of the Kingdom of Spain, Azernews reports. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolences regarding the numerous casualties and the destruction caused by severe floods in Spain. Pedro Sanchez expressed his gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan for the solidarity shown and the condolences offered. The President of Azerbaijan thanked the President of the Government of Spain for accepting the invitation to participate in COP29. President Ilham Aliyev expressed hope that his visit to Azerbaijan would provide momentum for the development of bilateral relations. Pedro Sanchez thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the invitation to COP29. He also extended his congratulations on the excellent organization of the event. Pedro Sanchez noted that a major UN event on financing for sustainable development is scheduled to take place in Spain next year, with the outcomes of COP29 expected to contribute to its success. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that COP29 has already begun to yield productive results. The President of the Government of Spain praised Azerbaijan's contribution to the Alliance of Civilizations. During the meeting, they had an extensive exchange of views on expanding economic and trade relations and agreed to establish a joint working group and organize business forums. During the conversation, they also highlighted significant opportunities in areas such as industry, agriculture, investments, and the implementation of infrastructure projects between the two countries. Additionally, the sides discussed expanding cooperation in education and the possibility of opening Spanish universities in Azerbaijan. Ye Ke, the girlfriend of popular Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming, has responded to allegations that she demanded a $37 million breakup fee amid rumors about their relationship. The couple has been in the news this month amid claims that when Huang wanted to end their relationship quietly, the amount Ye Ke sought in return was around 270 million yuan. Those speculations intensified earlier this year when Huang, one of China's highest-paid actors, confirmed their relationship. Huang was previously married to the actress Angelababy, but he started dating Ye Ke just after his divorce was settled. The couple has been together for more than one year. However, reports of a possible breakup have raised eyebrows among fans and media alike. In her response to the allegations, Ye denied that she ever requested any money from Huang in order for them to part ways on amicable terms. She previously said she did not engage in infidelity with her former husband and rejected claims she went to a 'Trophy Wife Training Camp' a fictional program alleged to assist women in securing rich husbands. Ye Ke wrote in a post on Weibo: "I request the media not to falsely report about me. I will be taking a break from social media for the sake of my health and my family." Huang, 34, was pictured together with the social media star, 29, who is pregnant, as they went to a prenatal on November 9. Huang Xiaoming has not publicly commented on the allegations made against them. 12 November 2024 16:54 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more As is known, Azerbaijan has been participating in this complex climate negotiations process from the very beginning, Azernews reports, citing Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov as he made this statement to journalists in the corridors of COP29. "Unlike many other countries, although we have only 11 months instead of two years, we have done everything possible to create a platform for cooperation aimed at bringing the positions of the parties closer and achieving important results at this conference," the minister noted. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed optimism, noting the positive results of the first day of COP29, which began on November 11. "After nearly 20 hours of negotiations yesterday, we were able to reach an outcome on the agenda. The agenda has been approved. Another important result of the first day, as we all know, is the agreement reached on Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, which has been under discussion for many years," he added. According to Bayramov, nearly 60 potential documents are expected to be adopted from the COP29 conference, including the most important onethe agreement on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which they hope to achieve. "There are still differences in the positions of many countries and key players. However, what we see is that everyone is determined and taking this issue very seriously. This means that all key players understand their responsibilities. Therefore, we are in an optimistic mood," the minister emphasized. 12 November 2024 15:28 (UTC+04:00) On November 12, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, 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! 12 November 2024 16:17 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Speaking at COP29, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a climate finance target to support developing countries in their fight against climate change, Azernews reports. "I believe that a climate finance target that will respond to the needs of developing countries, in particular, will be determined at this summit," Erdogan said. "This will make our global fight stronger and more effective." Erdogan also emphasized the economic challenges of climate action, acknowledging the high costs involved in Turkiyes efforts to combat climate change. He pointed out the importance of international cooperation, noting Turkiyes adoption of the Future Pact at the 79th United Nations General Assembly to build a just, sustainable world for future generations. In his speech, Erdogan also addressed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine, Israel, and Greece, describing the attacks as both a human and environmental disaster. "The chemicals leaking into the soil and groundwater due to Israeli attacks have already darkened the future of children," he said, calling for accountability in international courts for those responsible for these environmental and humanitarian crimes. In closing, Erdogan reiterated Turkiye's bid to host the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31). "We thank the countries that supported our candidacy and look forward to the support of those whose evaluations are ongoing," he stated. Erdogan concluded his remarks by congratulating Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev once again for hosting the summit, calling it an important step toward global climate action. 12 November 2024 15:43 (UTC+04:00) On November 12, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye, 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! 12 November 2024 17:45 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more In his speech at the COP29 summit in Baku, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his congratulations to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for successfully hosting the event, Azernews reports. "I especially congratulate my brother President Ilham Aliyev for his sincere efforts in organizing this successful event," Erdogan said. "In such a meaningful formation, we are among the countries where the negative effects of the climate crisis are felt most intensely." Erdogan emphasized Turkiye's commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2053, aligning key sectors with green development strategies. He highlighted Turkiyes significant progress in renewable energy, noting that the share of renewable energy in Turkiyes total installed capacity has reached 59%. This achievement positions Turkiye as the 5th in Europe and 11th globally in renewable energy. Looking ahead, Erdogan outlined Turkiye's ambitious energy goals, including increasing wind and solar energy capacity from 31,000 MW to 120,000 MW by 2035. Additionally, Turkiye aims to have 20,000 MW of nuclear energy capacity by 2050. The country also has a national energy efficiency action plan for 2024-2030, which is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 100 million tons. Erdogan also highlighted the national zero waste initiative, led by First Lady Emine Erdogan, which has already prevented 5.9 million tons of carbon emissions. He emphasized the importance of water efficiency and national afforestation efforts, noting that Turkiye plants millions of saplings every November 11 as part of its dedication to environmental sustainability. 12 November 2024 17:14 (UTC+04:00) On November 12, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Azernews reports. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the invitation to COP29 and shared his pleasure at visiting Azerbaijan for the first time. He commended the excellent organization of COP29 and congratulated President Ilham Aliyev, emphasizing that organizing such a large-scale event in a short time was no easy task. Petr Fiala also praised the beautiful cultural presentation that showcased Azerbaijani culture during the opening ceremony. The head of state noted that Azerbaijans preparations for COP29 were carried out at a high level within a limited timeframe, highlighting that, unlike other COP presidencies, Azerbaijan had very little time for preparation. The President pointed out that significant progress had already been made in the negotiations, with the agenda being agreed upon in a short period. He also emphasized that despite over ten years of discussions, there had been no progress on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement concerning carbon offsets trading. However, he highlighted that in Baku, important advancements had been made on this issue, which he regarded as a positive development. President Ilham Aliyev also fondly recalled his 2022 visit to the Czech Republic as part of the European Political Community. The meeting concluded with a discussion on the future prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation across various fields. 12 November 2024 17:05 (UTC+04:00) On November 12, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, 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! 12 November 2024 20:52 (UTC+04:00) On November 12, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Azernews reports. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted that this visit marked the British Prime Ministers first trip to Azerbaijan, describing it as historically significant and important for UK-Azerbaijan bilateral ties. Prime Minister Starmer congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on successfully hosting COP29 and praised Azerbaijans Presidency of the event. He underscored that climate change remains a top priority for the UK and commended Azerbaijans contributions to global efforts to combat it. The head of state noted that, despite limited preparation time, Azerbaijan efficiently completed all organizational tasks for COP29. He noted that progress is already evident in the substantive negotiations, including advancements on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which he viewed as a positive development. The conversation also focused on bilateral cooperation, highlighting the bp-funded solar plant construction project in Jabrayil. This project was recognized as pivotal for transitioning to renewable energy and decarbonizing operations at the Sangachal terminal, one of the worlds largest oil and gas terminals. The UKs support for demining operations in Azerbaijan was also appreciated. The UK Prime Minister expressed interest in the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev explained that discussions on a peace treaty were progressing, with much of the text already agreed upon. He noted significant progress in border delimitation and demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, mentioning that over 12 kilometers of the border had not only been delimited but also demarcated, with the agreement to advance this process reached at the last meeting of the commission. The Azerbaijani leader stressed the importance of Armenia removing territorial claims against Azerbaijan from its Constitution and emphasized the need to prepare populations for peace to facilitate progress in the peace process and the signing of a treaty. 12 November 2024 21:00 (UTC+04:00) On November 12, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Azernews reports. During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between SOCAR, Albania's Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, and the Albgaz company. This SOCAR-led project aims to make a significant contribution to the decarbonization process by preventing the use of coal and firewood in the Albanian city of Korce. During the conversation, the Prime Minister of Albania expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his comprehensive and meaningful speech at the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The sides expressed satisfaction with the current state of relations between Azerbaijan and Albania and praised the successful development of ties in all areas. They discussed cooperation in tourism, investments, and other fields and welcomed the two countries mutual support within international organizations. 11 November 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva A portable bridge has been installed in the Trevi Fountain, one of Rome's most iconic landmarks, to allow tourists to view the statues up close, Azernews reports. As part of the Holy Jubilee Year celebrations, which will begin in Rome this December, the fountain is currently undergoing repairs and restoration. The Municipality of Rome took this step to accommodate tourists who came with the expectation of seeing the fountain in its usual form but were disappointed to find it under renovation. Due to the ongoing work, the water has been drained from the fountains pool. However, thanks to the newly installed portable bridge, visitors now have the opportunity to view the famous sculptures up close. The restoration work is expected to be completed by the New Year holidays. It is worth noting that the last major restoration of the Trevi Fountain took place in 2014 and lasted for over a year and a half. The historic fountain remains one of Romes top attractions, drawing millions of visitors every year. The Trevi Fountain, completed in 1762, is not only a symbol of Rome but also one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. Over the centuries, the fountain has become synonymous with the tradition of throwing a coin over one's shoulder to ensure a return to Romea ritual popularized by films such as La Dolce Vita (1960). With its ongoing restoration, the Trevi Fountain will remain a lasting symbol of Italys rich cultural heritage. China Pavilion opens at COP29 in Baku Xinhua) 10:49, November 12, 2024 Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for climate change, speaks at a side meeting marking the opening of the China Pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11, 2024. The China Pavilion at COP29 was launched on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. The China Pavilion will host 10 themed days featuring various side activities during COP29, scheduled to run from Nov. 11 to 22. (Xinhua/Meng Jing) BAKU, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The China Pavilion at COP29 was launched on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. The China Pavilion will host 10 themed days featuring various side activities during COP29, or the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled to run from Nov. 11 to 22. Speaking at a side meeting that marks the opening of the pavilion, Zhao Yingmin, head of the Chinese delegation to COP29 and vice minister of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said China has become an essential participant, contributor, and leader in global ecological civilization in recent years. China is willing to work with the international community to strengthen political mutual trust, practice multilateralism, enhance global cooperation, and build a prosperous, clean, and beautiful world, he added. Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for climate change, said China has always prioritized addressing climate change and views it as a crucial national strategy. Low-carbon development is a vital part of building a beautiful China, he said. China's dedication to promoting green and low-carbon development has shown remarkable results and earned widespread international recognition, he added. Liu expressed optimism that COP29 would enhance confidence within the global community, stressing the importance of upholding the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and diligently enforcing legal agreements. He urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments by providing financial support to help developing countries enhance their capacity to respond to climate challenges. China stands ready to work with the international community to uphold multilateralism, ensure fairness and justice in climate governance, respect market rules and trade freedom, and contribute to the success of COP29 to provide greater stability and certainty in global climate governance, Liu noted. People attend a side meeting marking the opening of the China Pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11, 2024. The China Pavilion at COP29 was launched on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. The China Pavilion will host 10 themed days featuring various side activities during COP29, scheduled to run from Nov. 11 to 22. (Xinhua/Meng Jing) People attend a side meeting marking the opening of the China Pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11, 2024. The China Pavilion at COP29 was launched on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. The China Pavilion will host 10 themed days featuring various side activities during COP29, scheduled to run from Nov. 11 to 22. (Xinhua/Meng Jing) Staff members brief a pamphlet to a guest during a side meeting marking the opening of the China Pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11, 2024. The China Pavilion at COP29 was launched on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. The China Pavilion will host 10 themed days featuring various side activities during COP29, scheduled to run from Nov. 11 to 22. (Xinhua/Meng Jing) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Korean Wave star Bae Yong Joon recently opened up about a cringe-worthy dating rumor with fellow stars Song Hye Kyo and Lee Ji Ah. In a recent interview, the 51-year-old star who shot to fame after the success of the hit 2002 drama "Winter Sonata," which triggered the Korean Wave across Asia, discussed his insights. Bae, nicknamed "Yonsama," pointed out how a casual meeting with Song Hye Kyo spurred speculation he had started courting her. Bae had been in the middle of a media firestorm in 2010 after a reporter incorrectly identified Lee Ji Ah as his date after a night of drinking wine with colleagues. He was linked to Song Hye Kyo the day after his headlines. Read more: Song Hye Kyo Shares Candid Photos with the Kpop Idol She Dearly Loves Bae joked that when he first found out about the mix-up, he called Song to tease, "I guess you're really invisible," causing both of them to burst into laughter. Bae Yong Joon has paid less and less attention to acting in recent years and has smoothly transitioned into the business world, although he has made investments in many startups since 2015. He is an entrepreneur with interests that include a stake in OneLifeOneTechnology and SD Biotechnology. Currently, Bae is living in Hawaii with his wife, Park Soo-jin, where they are raising their two children. Source Oregon Coast Visitors Association Brings in Kind Traveler Program to Aid Charities Published 11/05/24 at 5:45 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Oceanside, Oregon) A variety of coastal businesses and charities have come together to champion environmental education and conservation along Oregon's shores. Part of a larger initiative and long-range plan, Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA) recently announced its partnership with Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back program. This collaboration marks a significant moment for the state's overall responsible tourism efforts, enabling travelers to support community well-being and environmental preservation along the region through specific travel choices. (Manzanita / Oregon Coast Beach Connection photo) Through the Every Stay Gives Back partnership, a portion of each guest stay with participating lodging partners along the Oregon coast will support local nonprofits selected by each partner to benefit their community. Whether bookings are made directly or via third-party platforms, the impact of each stay will be tracked, with Kind Traveler providing third-party validation. A live positive impact dashboard will showcase transparent, real-time reporting to illustrate how travel dollars directly aid local causes. Among the participating lodging / charity partners are: Agate Beach Motel (Newport) with Oregon Coast Aquarium; Florence's Driftwood Shores Resort & Conference Center partnering with the Cape Perpetua Collaborative; Ocean Inn at Manzanita supporting the North Coast Land Conservancy; The Wildflower Inn (Gold Beach) assisting the Elakha Alliance. Recipient nonprofits were vetted through OCVA's Mitigation, Adaptation and Resiliency Climate Standards and Criteria, ensuring that funds from hotels are going to high-quality environmental restoration projects. Agate Beach Motel In just a few months following the programs soft launch, positive impact metrics have been achieved, resulting in: 728 volunteer hours dedicated to educating about the culture, history, ecology, and stewardship of Cape Perpetua 286 Common Murres, a native Oregon bird species, receiving three weeks of nutritional care at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast 192 individuals gaining knowledge about the cultural and environmental significance of sea otters through the Elakha Alliance 87 days of food provided for a single marine patient at the Oregon Coast Aquarium 53 acres of protected land cared for over one month with the North Coast Land Conservancy The decision to extend the program along the Oregon coast was inspired by the success of a pilot initiative launched by Kind Traveler in partnership with Adrift Hospitality, a woman-owned B-Corp that operates Bowline Hotel, Ashore Hotel, and four other properties on the Washington Coast. Since launching the pilot program in November 2022, Adrift Hospitality has generated $141,547 in donations for the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center, contributing to the construction of a new school in the region. This initiative is in line with OCVAs long-standing commitment to responsible tourism and environmental stewardship. The collaboration with Kind Traveler underscores the region's dedication to preserving its natural beauty, from the rocky shores and forests to the marine wildlife that inhabit the coast. Gold Beach / ODOT Travelers are increasingly seeking opportunities to make a meaningful impact while exploring new destinations, said Finn Johnson, North Coast Destination Stewardship Manager at the Oregon Coast Visitors Association. Our partnership with Kind Traveler enables visitors to give back to the environment and communities they encounter, supporting the long-term sustainability of our region. Kind Traveler launched the Every Stay Gives Back program in September 2023 and has since raised over $304,352 in donations for local charities across participating destinations and lodging partners within just one year. To start planning your Oregon Coast getaway and #TravelKindly, visit www.kindtraveler.com/content/oregon-coast-visitors-association. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted With 218 seats needed for a majority, 219 seats in the US House of representatives have now been called for Republicans, and 209 for Democrats. Republican candidates lead in three more districts which they are expected to win which would leave the House at 222 Republicans and 213 Democrats. https://decisiondeskhq.com/results/2024/General/US-House/ This follows a significant GOP win in the presidential race and flipping control of the US Senate, which will now be 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats. There is however, a controversy arising over the Senate count in Nevada, where the GOP lead disappeared when election officials suddenly deleted almost 27,000 ballots that had already been counted in two urban counties. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/11/breaking-documents-reveal-nevada-officials-deleted-26902-ballots/ 1. The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow certified registered nurse anesthetists to practice autonomously. CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in the U.S. military and are sometimes the only providers of anesthesia operating on base, but they are the only advanced practice registered nurses in the VA who cannot practice without supervision. 2. Springfield (Mass.) Anesthesia Service will close Dec. 31, laying off 91 employees. Springfield-based Baysate Health has offered jobs to all staff affected by the closure, and 90% have accepted. 3. North American Partners in Anesthesia has launched a managed services line, which is designed to address operating room needs for health systems and academic medical centers. 4. Torrance, Calif.-based Turiya Anesthesia, a physician-owned anesthesia group, has partnered with Emanate Health Intercommunity Hospital in Covina, Calif. 5. The American Society of Anesthesiologists no longer advises that patients pause their GLP-1 medications. This guidance may not apply to patients with increased risk for slowed gastric emptying or other significant GI conditions, among other considerations. 6. ASA also elected Jeffrey Mueller, MD, as its first vice president. Dr. Mueller is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minn., and a staff anesthesiologist at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. He will serve a one-year term. 7. Wilmington, Del.-based ChristianaCare and Wilmington University have partnered to launch the states first CRNA program. 8. Chicago-based Rosalind Franklin University earned full accreditation for its nurse anesthesia program. 9. Lawmakers in Tennessee are again considering a bill that would expand the scope of responsibility for certified anesthesiologist assistants to practice in the state amid the anesthesia provider shortage. A similar bill died in committee in the last legislative session. The center will continue to provide services through Dec. 31, according to the post. According to the providers website, the center offered care from one physician and one physician assistant for services including attention deficit disorder, ear infection, newborn care, skin rashes, asthma, bronchitis and vaccinations, among other offerings. Medical records can be transferred to another medical office, released to the patient or a designated person at the patients request, the post said. Here are 10 things to know: 1. Despite recent meetings between UnitedHealth and federal officials to advocate for the deal, the lawsuit filed in a Maryland federal court on Nov. 12 reflects concerns over competition in the home health market. 2. The lawsuit alleges that the acquisition would drive up home healthcare prices in 23 states plus Washington, D.C. 3. In June 2023, Optum announced its intent to merge with Baton Rouge, La.-based Amedisys, which employs about 18,000 staff across 522 care centers in 37 states and Washington, D.C. The agreement outlined an all-cash acquisition of Amedisys outstanding common stock at $101 per share. 4. The DOJ has been examining the merger since August 2023. Oregon regulators also opened a separate review in March 2024, following a preliminary report that raised concerns about the deals impact on competition within the states home health market. 5. Approved by Amedisys shareholders in September 2023, the deal aims to combine two organizations committed to compassionate, value-based comprehensive care for patients and their families, according to an Amedisys news release. 6. In an SEC filing at the time of shareholder approval, Amedisys cautioned that there can be no assurance that the merger will not face an antitrust challenge or, if such a challenge arises, that it will be unsuccessful. 7. Lawmakers have been criticizing the deal. In October 2023, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapa in a letter called on the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Departments antitrust division to carefully scrutinize the transaction. Now, as the U.S. population ages and more people become eligible for Medicare, [UnitedHealth] and other large insurers are looking to cash in on the booming home health industry, allowing them to keep more premium dollars inhouse from treating patients at insurer-owned facilities, the lawmakers wrote. 8. Optum has expanded its home care acquisitions in recent years. The company closed on a $5.4 billion acquisition of home health provider LHC Group which operates over 900 facilities in February 2023. If UnitedHealths purchase of Amedisys goes through, the company would control approximately 10% of the home health market, according to Bloomberg. 9. In June 2023, Amedisys and UnitedHealth agreed to divest an undisclosed number of care centers to VitalCaring Group in an effort to ease regulatory concerns about the merger. 10. Optum, parent company of SCA Health, has grown rapidly in the last couple of years including recently eyeing the acquisition of Brentwood, Tenn.-based ASC operator Surgery Partners, leaving industry leaders concerned about the potential effects. The DOJ launched a separate antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth Group in February 2024, focusing on the companys relationship between its insurance unit and Optum. Patient engagement technology Dean Lehmkuhler, administrator of Indianapolis-based Northside Gastroenterology Endoscopy Center, emphasized that patient engagement technology will have a significant impact on gastroenterology in the coming years. He noted that this technology is particularly important in gastroenterology because of the detailed communication required for procedure preparation and scheduling. If you can definitely communicate a clear message to your patients, your cancellations and no-shows drop tremendously, he said. Thats really important with our practice because when we have holes in the schedule, it really creates havoc for the day, and its a big loss for us. Artificial intelligence Omar Khokhar, MD, a gastroenterologist at Illinois GastroHealth in Bloomington, highlighted the critical role of artificial intelligence, particularly in colonoscopy for polyp detection. Dr. Khokhar shared that a six-month AI pilot program at his center led to a substantial improvement in polyp detection, with rates increasing from 45% to 56%. While implementing AI technology is a major financial investment, he noted that it could potentially pay for itself over time. Because the technology is bringing patients back for surveillance exams and generating more pathology, these revenue streams could potentially offset the cost of AI, he said. Currently, Iterative Healths Skout and Medtronics GI Genius are two AI-assisted options making waves in the industry. Computer-assisted colonoscopy methods could lead to a 55% decrease in the miss rate of adenomas. Disposable scopes Dr. Khokhar also spoke about the potential of disposable scopes to transform gastroenterology procedures in ASCs. Disposable scopes could reduce risks associated with traditional cleaning and sterilization, but the industry still has some way to go in terms of making this technology fully practical and accessible. I dont think were quite there yet, he said. But eventually, we may be in a position [to adopt disposable scopes], and that would affect a lot of downstream cleaning, sterilization, and related workflows. Noninvasive screenings With rising demand for colonoscopies, more noninvasive screening methods will be necessary, explained Emma Gimmel, BSN, RN, director of nursing for Manhattan Endoscopy Center in New York City. In July, the FDA approved a new screening test for colorectal cancer that only requires a sample of blood. The new Shield test, developed by Guardant Health, detected 83% of colorectal cancers in studies but identified only 13% of high-risk polyps, compared to colonoscopies, which find roughly 95% of these dangerous polyps. At the beginning of October, the FDA approved the Cologuard Plus test, a next-generation, multitarget stool DNA test approved for patients at an average risk for colorectal cancer. In a trial of 19,000 patients, Cologuard Plus test demonstrated 95% overall cancer sensitivity and 43% sensitivity for advanced precancerous lesions at 94% specificity. Ms. Gimmel stressed that while these tools cant replace a colonoscopy, they could help lead to more screenings overall. Cytosponge Ms. Gimmel also expressed enthusiasm for Cytosponge, a screening tool that detects Barretts esophagus by sampling cells from the lining of the esophagus. Barretts cells can indicate a risk for esophageal cancer. I think thats going to be amazing, she said. Even though these tests are done in the office, theyre going to bring more patients to actually sample for dysplasia. Robotics Miguel Afonso, MD, clinical director of Gastroclinic in Portugal, discussed the growing interest in robotics within gastroenterology but noted the high costs associated with this technology. I see that minimally invasive endoscopic procedures will increase in the next few years, he said. So I see technology can help us to do more complex and minimally invasive procedures. Ms. Gimmel echoed these thoughts, specifically mentioning her excitement for magnetic navigation systems. Nolan Lubarski, CEO of the Center for Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, & Spine, a physician-owned multispecialty practice in Dakota Dunes, S.D., joined Beckers to discuss his teams ownership model. At CNOS, Mr. Lubarski explained, physician shareholders elect owners within the group to make up the board of directors. There are currently 10 board positions, all held by owners or employees of the group. In terms of management, I and the executive team report to all of the physician owners not just the board president or a few individuals, Mr. Lubarski said. So, technically, there are 38 physicians who are my bosses, if you will. Since all departments are represented, anything decided at the board level is shared with the departments. Trust and transparency is key to this model. Mr. Lubarski has held this position for seven years, and found that results and execution fosters a symbiotic relationship. I believe that trust is earned through execution, he said. As a healthcare administrator, being able to follow through on ideas or strategies with sound data and fiscal responsibility builds trust. When physician owners see a plan succeed as expected, it reinforces confidence in the administrative team. Additionally, all board meetings are open to any shareholder, so they can participate or access minutes anytime to see whats transpiring at the board level. Some physicians are in private practices today because they want autonomy and control over their business. We are one of those groups, he said. In my mind, it ultimately comes down to the physicians, which we see reflected in recruitment. A ransomware group claims to have stolen 1.15 terabytes of data from Memorial Hospital and Manor, a healthcare provider based in Bainbridge, Ga., BankInfoSecurity reported Nov. 11. The group, Embargo, is threatening to release the data unless a ransom is paid. On Nov. 11, Embargo posted on its dark web site, stating it would publish the stolen information if its demands are not met. Memorial Hospital and Manor, which includes an 80-bed community hospital and a 107-bed long-term care facility, experienced a cybersecurity incident Nov. 1. The incident disabled critical IT systems, including its EHR and email access, the report said. The hospital did not respond to the publication's inquiries for an update on the IT outage or comments regarding Embargo's threats to publish the data. Additionally, it appears that a Nov. 1 Facebook post from the hospital, which had informed the community about the ransomware attack affecting its EHRs and other systems, has since been removed, according to the report. Becker's reached out to Memorial Hospital and Manor and will update this story if more information becomes available. Hippocratic AI, the pioneering company behind the first safety-focused large language model for healthcare, is set to reshape the healthcare landscape with the guidance of its newly established Healthcare Advisory Board. This board, comprising seven industry leaders, brings expertise across health systems, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and insurance to help Hippocratic AI address complex healthcare challenges and fulfill its vision of healthcare abundance through generative AI. The board includes: Scott Becker, founder, publisher and chief content officer of Becker's Healthcare. Toby Cosgrove, MD, executive advisor and former president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic Stephen Klasko, MD, executive in residence at General Catalyst Dr. Richard Klausner, founder and co-chair of Altos Labs, founder and chair of Lyell Immunopharma, and co-founder and chair of LifeMine Therapeutics. Larry Leisure, co-founder and co-managing partner of Chicago Pacific Founders Lee Shapiro, co-founder and partner of 7wire Ventures J. Eric Smith, former president and CEO of Swiss Re Americas CEO and co-founder Munjal Shah emphasized the importance of close collaboration with healthcare professionals. "You cant build something for healthcare without involving healthcare as much as possible. From day one, weve taken advice from leaders in the field," he said. Hippocratic AIs mission goes beyond filling staffing gaps. By harnessing AIs potential, the company envisions applications in patient outreach, pre-operative procedures, post-discharge monitoring, and more. You can view a demo of the product here. "Healthcare has always been about managing scarcity, said Mr. Shah. "But what if we could operate with an 'infinite supply' of healthcare resources? AI could fundamentally change our approach, from preventative care to emergency response." Hippocratic AI has been deployed by several health systems to support patient safety and outcomes. In one example, a health system with a large Spanish speaking population used Hippocratic AI to generate messages in Spanish about colorectal cancer screening. After deploying the message to Spanish speakers, the health system closed the gap in CRC rates between English and Spanish speakers. "This is a perfect example of how AI can improve equity by bridging language gaps," he said. With backing from investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and General Catalyst and a total of $137 million in funding, Hippocratic AI is poised to make significant strides in the healthcare AI sector. The advisory boards esteemed members, including former Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove and healthcare venture capitalist Lee Shapiro, are expected to play a pivotal role in helping the company unlock new possibilities in patient care and workforce management. A pediatric health system in Nebraska won a top award for EHRs and digital health by being "laser-focused on innovation," a leader told Becker's. Omaha-based Children's Nebraska garnered the inaugural Synergy Award from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and KLAS Research. The Nov. 7 honor went to health systems that earned both the KLAS Pinnacle Award for EHR user experience and CHIME's Digital Health Most Wired Level 9 or above. Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare System was the other winner. "We're just really laser-focused on innovation that is one of the core values of Children's Nebraska," said Ryan Cameron, vice president of technology and innovation at Children's Nebraska. "That means in everything we do, regardless of if it's a new project or something we use each and every day, there are 1%, 2% gains we can continually focus on so we're successful." For instance, Children's Nebraska is the first, and so far only, pediatric health system using holographic technology for behavioral health visits, Mr. Cameron said. The platform allows patients and providers to interact with life-size images of one another even as they're physically located miles apart. "It's not necessarily about just being digital for the sake of being digital," Mr. Cameron said. "It's finding those opportunities where we can connect with our patients when they need us the most and in the most meaningful ways." It also helps that Children's Nebraska has a lot of IT employees with clinical backgrounds and certifications, he said. In addition, the health system entrusts its data analysts to alter course based on the needs of providers. "That's reflective of having really good governance and people who are nimble and empowered and feel comfortable making quick decisions, so we're not waiting a long time to optimize systems and make them physician-friendly," Mr. Cameron said. Despite receiving the award, Children's Nebraska still aims to improve its EHR and digital experiences. That includes reducing unnecessary time spent in the EHR through technologies like ambient listening and artificial intelligence-powered automation, Mr. Cameron said. The health system, which uses an EHR from Epic, has also taken advantage of the company's Level Up program that provides free expert advice on maximizing the vendor's software offerings. On the digital side, Children's Nebraska has to contend with the industry's lack of focus on pediatric innovation, Mr. Cameron said. An estimated 2% of new startups and innovation funding is dedicated to pediatrics, even though nearly a quarter of U.S. patients are kids. "We tend to partner with a lot of what I would call 'scrappy' startups that deeply care about the underserved and the needs of pediatrics, in everything from virtual reality to robotic companions all the way to, of course, AI and automation," he said. Healthcare bankruptcies hit a five-year high in 2023, when 12 hospitals and health systems filed for bankruptcy, but the trend has slowed in 2024 as average operating margins improved across the hospital sector. However, while hospital margins are steadily increasing, there is a growing divide between higher- and lower-performing facilities, with smaller and rural providers most at risk. Gardner, Mass.-based Heywood Healthcare emerged from bankruptcy on Sept. 30, about one year after it filed for Chapter 11. The two-hospital system also exited bankruptcy as a standalone entity with its original leadership team intact a rare feat among health systems. "Emerging from bankruptcy lifted a weight off our shoulders, allowing us to maintain local control and advocate for our community, but challenges remain. Every healthcare organization faces financial constraints, particularly rural hospitals," Rozanna Penney, CRNA, President and CEO of Heywood, told Becker's. "We're working with tighter budgets and unique cost pressures. Large suppliers often favor bigger hospitals with discounts, while smaller hospitals like ours must find ways to deliver the same quality care without those advantages." This year, Becker's has reported on two hospitals and two health systems that have filed for bankruptcy: 1. Dallas-based Steward Health Care, which operated 31 hospitals in eight states at the start of the year, filed for bankruptcy in May. The health system closed or sold its hospitals as part of its restructuring efforts. Several health systems stepped in to acquire Steward's hospitals amid bankruptcy proceedings, including Scottsdale, Ariz.-based HonorHealth, Orlando (Fla.) Health, Lawrence (Mass.) General Hospital, Glendale, Calif.-based American Healthcare Systems, Irving, Texas-based Christus Health, Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan, Boston Medical Center, Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health and Flint, Mich.-based Insight Health Systems. Steward Chair and CEO Ralph de la Torre, MD, "amicably separated" from the health system, effective Oct. 1. Dr. de la Torre's exit came shortly after a unanimous Senate vote on Sept. 25 to hold him in contempt for skipping a hearing he was subpoenaed to attend earlier that month. 2. Jersey City, N.J.-based CarePoint Health filed for Chapter 11 protection on Nov. 3. The three-hospital, safety-net system secured $67 million in new funding to avoid interruptions to patient care and ensure its hospitals remain open. Its three hospitals provide care to more than 60% of Hudson County's population, with up to 65% of its patients uninsured or underinsured, CarePoint Chair and CEO Achintya Moulick, MD, told Becker's. CarePoint is also moving forward with plans to affiliate with Secaucus, N.J.-based Hudson Regional Hospital under Hudson Health System, a new management services organization. CarePoint said it has taken steps to ensure employee salary and benefits will continue amid the financial restructuring. The Chapter 11 filing was driven by insufficient state funding, reimbursement challenges and an increase in hospital operating costs after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the health system. 3. Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth, N.C., on Oct. 29 filed for bankruptcy. The 25-bed critical access hospital said it will remain open with no interruptions to daily operations. Financial and restructuring experts have been brought in to help stabilize the hospital's finances, improve operational efficiency and allow it to continue to invest in technology and infrastructure as well as its workforce. 4. Pontiac (Mich.) General Hospital on Nov. 23 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The hospital lost Medicare funding Nov. 24 after CMS found it was not in compliance with several conditions of participation. Pontiac General is laying off 248 employees and believes the Medicare fund exclusion is temporary and should last less than six months. The hospital did not respond to Becker's request for comment. Click here for details on the hospitals and health systems that filed for bankruptcy in 2023. Greenfield, Iowa-based Adair County Memorial Hospital fully reopened to patients Nov. 11, six months after it sustained damage following a tornado. When an EF4 tornado hit May 21, the hospital sustained damage, especially to its lab and operating rooms. The estimated repair costs were between $3 million and $5 million, according to ABC affiliate WOI-DT. Many of the hospital's operations were moved to Nodaway Valley Elementary School and mobile medical units. The hospital partially reopened some services in August. The hospital's lab, emergency room, outpatient clinic and other facilities are now reopened, according to WOI-DT. "It's been a lot for our employees and our staff for the past six months to go through all of this, but we're luckily back up and running," Adair County Health System CEO Catherine Hillestad told the news station. Adair County Memorial Hospital is part of Adair County Health System, a Des Moines, Iowa-based MercyOne affiliate. The American Medical Association has voted to support greater oversight of nonprofit hospitals and standardization of charity care policies to ensure such hospitals adhere to their charitable mission and justify their tax-exempt status. "Failing to standardize the financial assistance process across all nonprofit hospitals makes the benefit inaccessible to many eligible people. A patient may qualify for aid at one hospital, but not at a hospital across town," AMA President Bruce Scott, MD, said in a Nov. 11 news release. "Often the application process is not clear and requires patients to complete onerous paperwork requests, discouraging patients from completing financial aid applications. In some cases, patients are not screened for eligibility to ensure financial assistance reaches those in need." Five things to know: 1. Nonprofit hospitals are exempt from income, property and sales taxes in exchange for providing charity care and community services. Currently, the Affordable Care Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and state laws allow nonprofit hospitals significant flexibility in setting financial aid eligibility criteria, leading to inconsistencies across hospitals, according to the AMA. 2. A Lown Institute report published in March found that 80% of nonprofit hospitals give back less than they receive in tax breaks. More than 1,900 hospitals pay less than their "fair share" meaning the value of their meaningful community contribution falls short of the value of their tax breaks, according to the report. The combined fair share deficits totaled $25.7 billion. 3. The American Hospital Association argued that the report oversimplified complicated policy, payment and demographic realities that hospitals face, making it seem as if they have a choice to provide financial assistance while not suffering from Medicaid shortcomings. "The report cherry-picks categories of community benefit and ignores other areas of great importance by omitting the very real underpayments from Medicaid and Medicare that hospitals must absorb," AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said in a March 25 statement. 4. The AMA's newly adopted policy directs its members to advocate for minimum eligibility standards, required charity care screenings before billing, and clearer definitions of community benefit in community health initiatives. 5. At its Nov. 12 interim meeting, AMA policymakers also discussed increasing oversight of nonprofit hospitals that provide minimal community benefit. Under the new policy, the AMA will push for stronger government enforcement of community benefit requirements, including penalties or loss of tax-exempt status for noncompliance. Three hospital CEOs have returned to their former workplaces in the past month. While "boomerang" employees make up a small portion of the workforce, they are more common in healthcare than in other industries, LinkedIn found in 2023. On average, employees take about four years to return to a former employer, according to LinkedIn. For these healthcare leaders, the gap was between two and five years. Here are the healthcare boomerang CEOs Becker's has reported on since Oct. 16: 1. Dan Barbee, BSN, CEO of University of Toledo Medical Center (Ohio) Mr. Barbee returned to the role Nov. 8 after serving as CEO from 2016 to 2020. He joined the hospital in 2011 as chief nursing officer, later becoming vice president of clinical services and COO. After leaving in 2020, Mr. Barbee became president of rural markets for Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health. 2. Aurelio Fernandez III, Interim CEO of Memorial Regional Hospital (Hollywood, Fla.) Mr. Fernandez retired as president and CEO of Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare System in 2022. He spent nearly two decades with the system before becoming COO in 2012 and CEO in 2016. After retiring, Mr. Fernandez served as interim CEO at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and later as executive-in-residence at the system's corporate offices, a role he will continue alongside his recent interim CEO appointment. 3. Chad Patrick, CEO of HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Mr. Patrick previously served as CEO of the hospital for six years, leaving in 2019. He then became CEO of HCA Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C. Harrison Kiser was named president and COO of Ascension St. Thomas Hospital West in Nashville, Tenn., according to a news release shared with Becker's. Mr. Kiser, who is COO of the 541-bed facility, will begin his new dual role Dec. 8. "For the past six years, Harrison has been a driving force behind operations at Ascension St. Thomas Hospital West," Shubhada Jagasia, MD, president and CEO of Ascension St. Thomas Hospital, which includes both the midtown and West campuses, said in the release. "Under his leadership, our West campus has seen strategic investments and program enhancements that have positioned us as a leader in high-acuity services across middle Tennessee." Mr. Kiser has served as COO of Ascension St. Thomas Hospital West since 2018. He also served as vice president of the cardiovascular service line for Ascension St. Thomas, the 16-hospital parent system for Ascension St. Thomas Hospital West, according to the release. Ascension St. Thomas is part of St. Louis-based Ascension. Cody Murdock has been named CEO of Rehabilitation Hospital of Kingsport (Tenn.). Mr. Murdock most recently served as associate administrator at Johnson City (Tenn.) Medical Center, according to a Nov. 12 Rehabilitation Hospital of Kingsport news release shared with Becker's. In that role, he was instrumental in overseeing renovation projects and developing budgets. Rehabilitation Hospital of Kingsport, a 50-bed inpatient facility, is a joint venture between Johnson City-based Ballad Health and Birmingham, Ala.-based Encompass Health. Researchers at Morgantown-based West Virginia University are working to reduce antibiotic-resistant infections in open bone fractures by using nanotechnology. Researchers are developing a hybrid of silver and carbon nanotubes at the nanometer scale to prevent infections in open fractures. Silver acts as an additive to protect against bacterial growth, while carbon nanotubes enable medication delivery and noninvasive internal monitoring. "Nanotechnology lets us use particles that are very tiny, so they can go places that larger particles cannot. They can easily penetrate cell membranes and kill the bacteria," Bingyun Li, PhD, a professor in the WVU School of Medicine's Department of Orthopaedics, said in a Nov. 11 news release. "There are also challenges because the particles may attack not just the bacteria, but also induce toxicity to human cells. One of our tasks will be to come up with the right type of formulation or size to be safe and more effective." The nanotechnology will be tested on human cells in a lab setting and in rats to assess its effectiveness against various bacteria. More than 150,000 people in the U.S. suffer open bone fractures each year, with about 10% developing infections that can lead to reduced limb function, secondary operations, delayed healing, or death. Worldwide, more than a million people die from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in 2021, and this number is expected to double by 2050. Indianapolis-based Community Health Network is suing Humana for allegedly failing to reimburse it for 340B drugs provided to the payer's members, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported Nov. 11. Four things to know: 1. Community Health Network alleges that Humana intentionally withheld reimbursement for outpatient prescription drugs provided to the payer's Medicare Advantage members between 2018 and 2022, according to the report. 2. The system is seeking $7.4 million from Humana. 3. The system accuses Humana of failing to make good on certain rates set by CMS, which were later adjusted following a Supreme Court ruling. 4. Humana did not respond to a request for comment from the news outlet. A judge has found the board for Memphis, Mo.-based Scotland County Hospital guilty of violating the state's open meetings and records law, commonly referred to as the Sunshine Law, when it held two emergency closed meetings, the hospital confirmed in a news release shared with Becker's. On Nov. 8, Circuit Judge Rick Roberts found that the board purposely failed to provide sufficient notice of the meetings. Mr. Roberts also ruled that the hospital must pay a $5,000 fine and attorneys fees to Dr. Tobler, according to the Missouri Independent. At issue in the case are two emergency closed meetings held Aug. 15 and Aug. 16 of 2022. During that time, board members voted to fire CFO Michael Brandon and accept the immediate resignation of CEO Randall Tobler, MD. Dr. Tobler already had submitted his resignation to the board in March 2022, and it was set to take effect Sept. 3, 2022. In his Nov. 8 order, which was shared with Becker's, Mr. Roberts said the first meeting was conducted in the home of the board chair, Lori Fulk, in violation of the hospital bylaws. Only some board members present, and Dr. Tobler was not given notice of the meeting, the judge said. Scotland County Hospital, in a news release about the judge's decision, said that leading up to 2022, the hospital faced what it deems a financial crisis, lacked efficient and accurate billing and accounting processes, and had weak internal controls and poor worker retention. "It was during this time the board discovered that the prior administration had not accurately reported to it certain financial information," the release said. "The board also learned of the existence of multiple one-signer accounts as well as previously undisclosed bank accounts. These discoveries prompted the board to take action." Mr. Roberts said he found Ms. Fulk's testimony on the basis for closing the meetings in August 2022 as "less than creditable." "While Ms. Fulk may have had questions about the hospital accounts, her actions show a clear intent to remove political opposition for the Aug. 15, 2022, meeting by her strategic choice of board members who were called for the Aug. 15, 2022, meeting, and more importantly those who were not called," he wrote. The Aug. 16 meeting was held at the hospital on short notice to board members and without notifying the public, according to the Independent. According to the hospital release, board members Bob Neese and Joe Doubet voiced concerns about how and where the mid-August 2022 emergency closed meetings had been held, and at a regularly scheduled board meeting Aug. 30, 2022, it voted again to immediately terminate Dr. Tobler's employment as CEO and Mr. Brandon's employment as CFO. The terminations were followed by training on the Missouri Sunshine Law in October 2022, attended by current board members, as well as the hospital's CEO and COO. In March 2023, Dr. Tobler sued the hospital. The lawsuit included multiple claims, including slander and conspiracy counts, which were dismissed by the court, and a remaining claim alleged the board had violated the Sunshine Law when it held the two emergency closed meetings in August 2022, according to the hospital. "While the board is, of course, disappointed with the court's ruling on this matter, we continue to feel strongly that the hospital did not knowingly or purposely violate the Sunshine Law, and we will thoroughly examine our options with regard to any appeal in the days to come," the hospital's statement said. Dr. Tobler's attorney, Lowell Pearson, told the Independent, "This is a total victory for Dr. Tobler and complete vindication for him that the actions of the hospital were unlawful." Dr. Tobler told the publication he appreciates the judge's "thoughtful, careful and thorough decision," and that he is considering whether to refile the defamation count in the case. Scotland County Hospital operates as a 25-bed critical access hospital. Meagan Weber is the current CEO and Achim Hoyal is the current CFO. Editor's note: This story was updated on Nov. 13. Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's office has issued a report finding insufficient evidence to justify a criminal referral of Akram Boutros, MD, former CEO of Cleveland-based MetroHealth, in a case involving allegations that he received unauthorized bonus payments. Mr. Faber's office issued the report Nov. 12 after a criminal investigation and special audit of MetroHealth was conducted at the request of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. The report noted that the investigation began in December 2022, and that the Cuyahoga County Council also requested that Mr. Faber's office conduct a forensic audit of the health system's compensation and bonus system. The MetroHealth board fired Dr. Boutros in November 2022, alleging that the former CEO authorized more than $1.9 million in supplemental bonuses for himself over a five-year period, without notifying the board. Dr. Boutros, who planned to retire at the end of 2022, alleged board retaliation and denied wrongdoing. In a lawsuit that Dr. Boutros later dropped due to health issues, he argued that his termination and the subsequent statement released by MetroHealth harmed his reputation and eliminated future employment prospects. Mr. Faber's office was unable to determine whether Dr. Boutros had proper authorization to receive the supplemental bonuses, "as there was reasonable doubt based on the information gathered." The report concluded that "while Dr. Boutros did not share the development and management of the [supplemental performance-based variable compensation] program directly with the board, he did share information with Findley Davies, which was tasked with reviewing executive compensation matters and reporting directly to the board." However, Mr. Faber's office noted it was unable "to identify any supporting documentation for overt authorization by the board for Dr. Boutros' participation in the SPBVC. Additionally, our work concluded the board did not effectively oversee the CEO's compensation as his total compensation was processed through the payroll system, which appears not to have been reviewed by either the board or the compensation consultants, thus directly contributing to its unawareness about the SPBVC program." Dr. Boutros praised the findings. "I am gratified that the Auditor of State's comprehensive investigation has confirmed the truth about my compensation and proves that I have done nothing wrong," said Dr. Boutros in a news release shared with Becker's. "Despite how my tenure ended, my 10 years at MetroHealth were the most gratifying of my career. I love the staff and patients and am honored to have led a team that significantly improved healthcare in Cuyahoga County, and shepherded MetroHealth to become the most socially responsible health system in Ohio." MetroHealth's board shared the following statement with Becker's: "While the auditor's report does not find sufficient evidence to support a criminal referral, the report is clear on several key facts, including [No. 1] ' Dr. Boutros did not share the development and management of the [SPBVC] program directly with the board ' [No. 2] the auditor was 'unable to identify any supporting documentation for overt authorization by the board for Dr. Boutros' participation in the SPBVC,' and [No. 3] when confronted with the payment of the unauthorized bonuses, 'Dr. Boutros repaid the SPBVC bonuses, including interest, at a total of $2.1 million.' "These facts make it clear that the board acted properly in terminating Dr. Boutros for cause and recouping millions of dollars in unauthorized bonus payments." Jason Bristol at Cohen, Rosenthal & Kramer, an attorney for Dr. Boutros, told Becker's his firm plans to refile Dr. Boutros' civil damages case next week. The full report is available here. From 1973 to 1975, Dr. Cuttica served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant commander and chief of the orthopedic service at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Yokosuka, Japan. He joined Youngstown Orthopedic Associates in 1975, where he practiced until his retirement. After retirement, he worked briefly with James Pantelakis, MD, at the Poland (Ohio) Medical Center. He served as president of the medical staff at the Youngstown Hospital Association, medical director of the adult program at the Easter Seal Center, assistant professor of clinical orthopedic surgery at Northeast Ohio Medical University and was a member of the Oblate Sisters Advisory Board. HFX iQ has already earned FDA approval in 2022, according to a news release. The spinal cord stimulator uses artificial intelligence combined with high-frequency therapy to help patients with chronic pain. It is indicated for back and leg pain, non-surgical refractory back pain, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic upper limb and neck pain. The company plans to launch the system in select European countries in early 2025. Dr. Lacy is with Omaha-based MD West ONE, and he specializes in cranial, spinal and peripheral nerve surgery. He also focuses on minimally invasive spine surgery. He earned his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. A Belfast company which makes pre-mixed cocktails has attracted 1.2m in funding for its mission to shake up the drinks world. Cocktail Keg Company was founded by Paul Burnszy Burns and Anthony Soda Farrell seven years ago. Its now received 1.2m in funding to grow the business from the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland (IFNI), managed by Clarendon Fund Managers, and private investors including Trevor Annon, founder of Mount Charles. The new investment will allow CKC to grow even further in the UK and Ireland and other markets including Europe and the Middle East. It recently announced a three-year distribution deal in Great Britain. Burnzsy said: We always say that perfecting the art of mixology takes years, huge amounts of skill and a fair bit of theatre. Weve done all the hard work and put that in a bottle so all our customers have to do is shake, garnish and serve. Belfast IT giant weighs up return to office and the Trump effect Cautious optimism seem to be the watchwords for Kainos plc after shrugging off a profit warning and announcing a 30m share buyback. Boss Russell Sloan explains why he sees opportunities despite a less than certain landscape Russell Sloan James McNaney Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 08:31 The boss of Kainos plc, the only Northern Ireland company listed on the FTSE 250, has said it is yet to reach a settled position on office attendance. Singer Simon Le Bon has admitted he had to overcome being terrified of performing live to fans. The Duran Duran frontman, who has been made an MBE, also confirmed he had no intention of slowing down in his music career as he was recognised for his services to music and charity on Tuesday. The Queen is returning to public duties after falling ill with a chest infection but will miss a late night out at the star-studded Gladiator II premiere to aid her recovery, a royal source said. Belfast woman fined after trying to open plane door during Ryanair flight The judge lamented that he was limited to a fine over the dangerous activity Stock image: A Belfast woman who tried to open the door of an aircraft while it was thousands of feet in the air was fined a total of 375. Paul Higgins Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 14:28 A Belfast woman who tried to open the door of an aircraft while it was thousands of feet in the air was fined a total of 375 today. Unison members took part in a protest outside the Royal Victoria Hospital in August to demand a pay increase to help protect workers from the cost-of-living crisis A senior union figure in Northern Ireland has warned the row over Stormonts health budget will lead to large scale industrial action in the coming months. Yesterday saw the health minister Mike Nesbitt refusing to support an Executive funding reallocation exercise, insisting the 350 million given to his department is not enough to cover recommended pay rises for healthcare workers. Despite receiving 57% of the total funds shared among departments, Mr Nesbitt insisted he is still 100 million short of the money he needs to make pay awards of at least 5.5% to all health staff. Responding to the row, Anne Speed from the Unison union warned significant industrial action could follow in the early months of 2025 and also urged the health minister to ignore the Executive and go over budget. Speaking on BBC NIs Nolan Show, Ms Speed said: We have been through two strikes two political collapses, promises that pay parity would be protected and I feel I am in groundhog day. "We can't keep going round in this kind of circle our members are absolutely frustrated they are angry. "The minister has been very frank in his remarks so I will be frank with mine, this is going to lead to large scale industrial action across the health service. It isn't a threat, it is an inevitable outcome. How can we honestly say to workers in Northern Ireland you are worth less than workers in England, Wales and Scotland? it is not a tenable position. I would say to the health minister, do go over budget. "There is a road to go here, the minister has made a call. He is calling on his colleagues. The rest of the political parties and the ministers around the table should do the right thing. The people's health comes above everything. First Minister Michelle ONeill said it was unfortunate that Mr Nesbitt did not support the October monitoring round agreed by other ministers at an Executive meeting on Monday morning. Mike Nesbitt The exercise allocated around 630 million of additional day-to-day spending funds that came to Northern Ireland after the UK Governments budget last month. Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald has warned that, despite the funding boost from the Chancellors budget, the devolved administration is still overcommitted by around 180 million this year. Mr Nesbitt told reporters at Stormont yesterday that he was incredibly reluctant to even contemplate overspending his budget. He said that meant he would have to enter pay negotiations with health unions starting on the basis that he would be unable to make the recommended awards and keep pay parity with healthcare workers in the rest of the UK. He said even though health trusts had already made unprecedented savings of 200 million in the current financial year, he had still been faced with a funding gap of 450 million 130 million of inescapable pressures within his department and 320 million for the recommended annual pay awards for staff. Explaining his decision not to support the monitoring round, Mr Nesbitt said: Im not prepared to look at a health worker in the eye whos gone through what theyve gone through over the last number of years, trusts whove delivered over 200 million in unprecedented savings this year, and say, Im not trying to maintain pay parity for you. So I put it to Executive colleagues, this has to be an Executive decision, and it is an Executive decision to balance the books and, as a consequence, not be able to maintain national pay parity. A man has been charged in connection with a security alert which happened earlier this year in Co Antrim. The business in the Ballyutoag Road area of Antrim was targeted in July one month after graffiti was daubed on the same premises. Craig Ballentine (33) was arrested after posting an online review of his former employer The mother of an NI man arrested in Dubai after leaving a negative online review has pleaded with the authorities to let her son come home. Autism support worker Craig Ballentine (33) was detained when he arrived in Abu Dhabi to visit friends three weeks ago. He was then transported to Dubai to face charges of slander under the United Arab Emirates (UAE)s cybercrime laws. The strict legislation prohibits any form of online criticism. The Cookstown man left a negative online review relating to a dog grooming centre where he had been working when the centre recorded him as having absconded following a period of sick leave. Mum Margaret Ballentine said the situation had left her suffering sleepless nights and anxiety. "I am very worried for my son and Im calling on the Foreign Office to help him and for the UAE Ambassador to see that the charges against my son are just very silly, she said. Craig (left) pictured with friend Sean Morgan This has all been so stressful. The thought of Craig going to prison over a Google review is just horrendous, we are all suffering sleepless nights and anxiety. Its just not something I ever imagined possible. "How can someone be so vindictive as to lock another up over a negative social media review? Why couldnt she just ask him to take it down? Why criminalise someone and try to jail them? This is going too far. "He didnt use bad language, he just expressed his views which is what youre supposed to do on review sites. We call on the government, the Foreign Office and Dubai authorities to please let our son come home. Craigs friend Sean Morgan said he had been treated appallingly and that more awareness was needed on Dubais laws for those travelling. "Craig is the kindest man youll ever meet. Hes always volunteering and helping others. He has been treated appallingly and he just doesnt deserve it, he said. "Im doing everything I can to help get him home. Im asking people to share his story and raise awareness. We need to do more than that though, we need tourists to be aware they could be jailed for an internet post. "They need to know this before even booking a flight. Why arent these nightmare stories all over the travel advisory website, the newspapers and travel agencies. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai Radha Stirling, CEO of advocacy group Detained in Dubai, said she was pushing for diplomatic action in Craigs case. "Nobody should be locked up abroad or even pushed through the judicial process over an online review, she said. "JD Vance was very effective in helping his constituents and the government of Ireland recently secured Tori Toweys release. We are very hopeful for a positive outcome for Craig too." It comes after NI First Minister Michelle ONeill who is Craigs local MLA said she was monitoring his case. A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: Ms O'Neills office will closely monitor the case and will stay in contact with the family to provide support and advice. exclusive | Extent of backing for DUP ministers meetings with loyalist paramilitary representatives revealed Eight in 10 say ministers are right to meet with representatives of active loyalist paramilitaries DUP Ministers Paul Givan (left) and Gordon Lyons both met with the Loyalist Communities Council. Suzanne Breen Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 06:59 The overwhelming majority of unionists support Stormont ministers meeting the Loyalist Communities Council which represents the UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commando. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Ann Leader told court Nikita Hands symptoms were classic of someone who was traumatised Nikita Hand outside the High Court last Friday. Photo: Collins Nikita Hand leaves court last week after the first few days of her civil case against Conor McGregor. Photo: Collins A consultant psychiatrist has told the High Court they diagnosed Nikita Hand with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of her alleged rape by mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor. Dr Ann Leader told the High Court that symptoms experienced by Ms Hand were (35) classic of someone who was traumatised. She also described the mother of one as a good communicator, a clear historian and a sincere person. Dr Leader was giving evidence on the fifth day of Ms Hands civil action for damages against McGregor (36) and his associate James Lawrence. Ms Hand, a hair colourist from Drimnagh in Dublin, is suing for damages, alleging both men raped her in the penthouse of the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford, Dublin on December 9, 2018 while she was drunk and after taking cocaine. Nikita Hand leaves court last week after the first few days of her civil case against Conor McGregor. Photo: Collins Both men deny her claims and allege they had consensual sex with her. They also maintain that a claim for damages so she can relocate from Drimnagh amounts to extortion. Dr Leader prepared two reports in relation Ms Hand, one in December 2020 and another in April of this year. She was anxious, she was tearful and in my opinion she came across as someone who was traumatised, said Dr Leader, who told the court she had been a psychiatrist for the past 46 years and had seen over 5,000 cases involving people who have had alleged sexual abuse. Under examination from Ms Hands counsel John Gordon SC, she outlined the criteria that needed to be satisfied to make a diagnosis of PTSD. She said there must have been a traumatic event and a resultant limit on the persons level of function. PTSD, she said, involved avoidance, the re-experiencing of the traumatic event and anxiety. In relation to avoidance, she said Ms Hand tried to block memories and emotions, withdrew from life, felt unable to be fully present for her mother, child and partner. She said re-experiencing trauma involved nightmares, intrusive, persistent and distressing thoughts about what happened. In relation to anxiety, Dr Leader said Ms Hands panic attacks were frequent. She said Ms Hand had experienced a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a feeling she would die. The psychiatrist said Ms Hand had outlined how her circle of friends had diminished, how she cannot trust others and distrusts men. She had a feeling of being permanently altered, Dr Leader said. She was significantly distressed and entertained suicidal thoughts. Nikita Hand outside the High Court last Friday. Photo: Collins The psychiatrist went on to say how Ms Hand felt dirty and ashamed and lost interest in herself and became self destructive. Ms Hand initially only complained about being raped by McGregor and was later told by gardai that Lawrence had claimed to have had sex with her in the hotel, something she had no memory of. Outlining Ms Hands counselling notes, Dr Leader said: She was flabbergasted at this as she had no memory. She described feeling like a lump of meat. Another witness, Dr Frank Clarke of Walkinstown Medical Centre, told the court he had seen Ms Hand as a patient since she was a child. The general practitioner said he certified her unfit to work in May 2019. Dr Clarke said she had been suffering PTSD. Memory loss or partial memory are an important feature of the condition. The court had earlier heard from two Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics who tended to Ms Hand and brought her to the Rotunda Hospital the morning after the alleged rape. One of them,, Neil Dempsey, told the court Ms Hand was crying, quite distressed and afraid when he and a colleague responded to a call to go to her mothers house in Drimnagh. She said she was sexually assaulted, he said. Her chief concern was that she had a tampon up inside her. That it was there for an amount of time. She was concerned about it. The trial has previously heard the tampon had to be removed with a forceps at the hospitals sexual assault treatment unit. Mr Dempsey said Ms Hand became more distressed and had a panic attack as she was brought in an ambulance to the hospital. Footage played to the court from inside the ambulance showed Mr Dempsey sitting her up in the ambulance after she had a panic attack. It also showed extensive bruising on her legs while she was being examined by his colleague Eithne Scully. Ms Scully told the court there was a cut on Ms Hands chin and also bruising around her neck and on her buttocks. She was very bruised. I havent actually seen somebody so bruised in a long time, she said. Ms Scully said Ms Hand told her she had been grabbed around the neck. She said about fighting somebody off. That there was a threat made to her, Ms Scully said. They responded to a call to go to Ms Hands mothers house in Drimnagh, Dublin on December 10, 2018, the day after the alleged rape. Ms Hand was brought to the Beacon Hotel on December 9, the morning after a Christmas party where she consumed beer, spirts and cocaine. Also present in the penthouse were Lawrence and her work colleague Danielle Kealey. Ms Hand filed a criminal complaint but the Director of Public Prosecutions directed there be no criminal prosecution. She initially only made a complaint against McGregor, but this changed after Lawrence came forward and claimed he too had sex with her in the penthouse on the same day. The mother of one maintains she only remembers being raped by McGregor and has no recollection of any sort of sexual relations with Lawrence. The case continues before a jury of four men and eight women. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has announced his bid to become an MSP at the next Holyrood election (Lucy North/PA) The SNPs Westminster leader has submitted an application to stand for the party at the next Scottish Parliament election but, if elected, he also aims to remain an MP. Writing in the Press and Journal newspaper, Stephen Flynn said he hopes to be joined by current and former colleagues at Westminster in aiming to become an MSP at the 2026 election. He said that, if elected, he plans to remain the MP for Aberdeen South until the next general election, but would not take two salaries. Mr Flynn wrote: Im chucking my bonnet in the ring. I will be seeking my partys nomination to be their candidate for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. Why? Well, its simple really. I dont want to sit out the upcoming battles that our city, shire and country face in Holyrood. He added: In my mind, it is clear that we are at a crucial junction in our nations story. As John Swinney rebuilds the SNP and refocuses his Government, I feel that I can contribute towards the next chapter and help build the case for independence. And, in doing so, Ill aim to be as unashamed as always in putting Aberdeen and Scotland first. SNPs Westminster leader Stephen Flynn is seeking a seat at Holyrood (Andrew Milligan/PA) The deadline for applications to be considered for selection as an SNP candidate for the Holyrood 2026 election closed on Monday. Ahead of the 2021 Holyrood elections, the SNP changed internal rules to require MPs to resign their seat at Westminster to fight for selection to Holyrood. This led to then-MP Joanna Cherry pulling out of the selection contest for the Edinburgh Central seat, and at the time she said the rule change hobbled her in her Holyrood selection bid. Mr Flynn told the Press and Journal he believes party rules are election-specific. 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 In a post on X, Ms Cherry who lost her seat in the July election wished Mr Flynn well, but claimed the rules around dual mandates was person-specific, implying the changes had been made to stop her standing for Holyrood. Former senior minister Alex Neil, also posting on X, said the party changing these rules every five minutes to suit a specific faction within the party was totally unacceptable and opens the party up to charges of unfairness and cronyism. Mr Flynn told the Press and Journal it didnt fill him with any great delight to go up against sitting MSP Audrey Nicoll for selection to the constituency. Mr Flynn added: I will not take a second parliamentary income. This is personal for me, its about Scotlands future, and that is much more valuable than any salary on offer. Nevertheless, Im not blind to the fact that I will have to box smarter and work even harder. Others have done it in the past, not least Alex Salmond and John Swinney, and Im positive about the prospect of walking the path they previously trod. 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 Finally, I also hope not to be alone on a potential path to Holyrood. Some of my current and former colleagues in Westminster, as well as many outwith the world of politics, will hopefully be aiming for elected office in Edinburgh. And that can only be a good thing. Former SNP MP Richard Thomson has also announced his plans to stand in 2026, although he does not have a particular seat he is targeting. The SNPs National Executive Committee is yet to decide the rules for the 2026 Holyrood election. Geoff Aberdein, former chief of staff to Alex Salmond, discussed Mr Flynns bid for Holyrood on the BBCs Good Morning Scotland radio programme on Tuesday. He said: Its a good move for Aberdeen South and should he get the nomination its a good move for Scotland as well. Mr Aberdein said he hoped the areas current SNP MSP, Audrey Nicoll, was very respected and he hoped she could perhaps stay as a list MSP. She has not yet declared if she will seek to run again in 2026. He said Mr Flynn believes Mr Swinney is doing a good job but the Westminster leader is ambitious and will seek higher office at a later date. Large explosions shook Beiruts southern suburbs an area known as Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah has a significant presence soon after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 11 houses there (Bilal Hussein/AP) Israeli air strikes hit a cafeteria and a home in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 14 people, medical officials said. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, warplanes struck the southern suburbs of the capital, Beirut, after the military ordered a number of houses there to be evacuated. The new bombardment on both fronts came on the verge of a deadline set by the United States for Israel to dramatically ramp up humanitarian aid allowed in to Gaza or risk possible restrictions on US military funding. A group of eight international aid agencies said in a report on Tuesday that Israel has failed to meet the US demands. In Lebanon, large explosions shook Beiruts southern suburbs an area known as Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah has a significant presence soon after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 11 houses there. There was no immediate word on casualties. The military said the houses contained Hezbollah installations, but the claim could not be independently confirmed. Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike on Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday (Bilal Hussein/AP) On Monday night, a strike hit the village of Ain Yaacoub in northern Lebanon, killing at least 16 people, the Lebanese civil defence said. Four of those killed were Syrian refugees, and another 10 people were injured. There was no immediate Israeli military comment on the strike. Israel has been carrying out intensified bombardment of Lebanon since late September, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and put a stop to more than year of cross-border fire by the Lebanese militant group on northern Israel. At the same time, Israel has continued its campaign in the Gaza Strip, now more than 13 months old, triggered by Hamass October 7 2023 attack on southern Israel. An Israeli strike late on Monday hit a makeshift cafeteria used by displaced people in Muwasi, the centre of a humanitarian zone that Israels military declared earlier in the war. At least 11 people were killed, including two children, according to officials at Nasser Hospital, where the casualties were taken. Video from the scene showed men pulling bloodied people from among tables and chairs set up in the sand in an enclosure made of corrugated metal sheets. Another strike early on Tuesday hit a house in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing three people including a woman, according to the al-Awda Hospital, which received the casualties. The strike injured 11 other people, it said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes. Hours earlier, the Israeli military announced a small expansion of the humanitarian zone, where it has told Palestinians evacuating from other parts of Gaza to take refuge. Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike in the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Hospital where displaced people live in tents, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on November 9 (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering in sprawling tent camps in and around Muwasi, a largely desolate area of dunes and agricultural fields with few facilities or services along the Mediterranean coast of southern Gaza. Israeli forces have also been besieging the northernmost part of Gaza since the beginning of October, battling Hamas fighters it says regrouped there. With virtually no food or aid allowed in for more than a month, the siege has raised fears of famine among the tens of thousands of Palestinians believed to still be sheltering there. An October 13 letter signed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin gave Israel 30 days to, among other things, allow a minimum of 350 truckloads of goods to enter Gaza each day. So far, Israel has fallen short. In October, 57 trucks a day entered Gaza on average, and 70 a day in the 10 days of November, according to Israeli figures. The UN puts the number lower, at 37 trucks daily since the beginning of October. Israel has announced a flurry of measures in recent days to increase aid, including opening a new crossing into central Gaza. But so far the impact is unclear. The military said on Tuesday that it has allowed hundreds of packages of food and water into Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun, two areas under siege in the far north of Gaza. The Palestinian civil defence agency said three trucks carrying flour, canned food and water have reached Beit Hanoun. It was only the second delivery allowed into the area since the beginning of October. A smaller cargo was let in last week, though not all of it reached shelters in the north, according to the UN. Palestinians queue up for food distribution in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, in mid-October (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) The military announced on Tuesday that four soldiers had been killed in Jabaliya, taking the number of soldiers killed since the assault there began to 24. Palestinian health officials say hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, though the true numbers are unknown as rescue workers are unable to reach buildings destroyed in strikes. Israel has ordered residents in the area to evacuate, but the UN has estimated some 70,000 people remain. Many Palestinians there fear Israel aims to permanently depopulate the area to more easily keep control of it. On Tuesday, witnesses told the Associated Press that Israeli troops had encircled at least three schools in Beit Hanoun, forcing hundreds of displaced people sheltering inside to leave. Drones blared announcements demanding people move south to Gaza City, said Mahmoud al-Kafarnah, speaking from one of the schools as sounds of gunfire could be heard. The tanks are outside, he said. We dont know where to go. Hashim Afanah, sheltering with at least 20 other people in his family home, said the forces were evicting people from houses and shelters. Israels campaign in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities that do not distinguish between civilians and militants in their count but say more than half the dead are women and children. Israel says it targets Hamas militants and blames the militant group for civilian deaths, saying it operates in residential areas and infrastructure, and among displaced people. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7 2023, killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250 as hostages. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, about a third of them believed to be dead. Last month Education Minister Paul Givan announced a plan to require young people to stay in education or training until the age of 18. If theres one thing that can usually be agreed upon when education crops up in Northern Ireland conversation its that everyone has an opinion and rarely can agreement be reached. Career crook who denied links to hit on IRA boss jailed alongside brother over 40k heroin haul Woman-beating thug and drug dealer once implicated in 2015 murder of leading Provo Scott McHugh Paul Higgins Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 12:19 A drug dealer who went public to deny involvement in the murder of IRA boss Jock Davison has been jailed for supplying 40,000 of heroin. Adobe Stock There are two primary biblical perspectives on the role of gender in marriage: the complementarian view and the egalitarian view. Complementarianism teaches that men and women are equal in value but have different roles, while egalitarians maintain that men and women are of equal value and should have no gender-based limitations on roles within marriage. Mutual Submission in Christian Marriage The Apostle Paul addresses this matter prominently in his Epistle to the Ephesians. Before diving into specific views on gender roles in marriage, it's crucial to establish an overarching principle of the marriage relationship. Paul tells the Ephesians, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21). Grasping this principle of mutual submission is necessary for any debate about roles or structure to maintain its foundation. Christian marriages are under the authority of Jesus Christ, and He asks both husband and wife to submit to each other out of reverence for Him. Each spouse's attitude toward the other should stem from their relationship with Christ, not based on the behavior of the other spouse. Instead, respect and love for Jesus should be the motivator. The Foundation of Christian Marriage: Submission to Christ A Christian marriage requires both parties to see Jesus as the ultimate authority in their lives and marriage. The question of who "oversees" the marriage becomes less relevant when submission to each other for the glory of Christ is the central focus. Submission is inherently selfless, and if a couple begins and maintains their relationship in a spirit of selflessness, other issues around structure and roles become secondary. However, since conflicts do arise, relationships require order, and God provides guidance on daily interactions within marriage. It's important to note that if this exercise is simply to determine "who is in charge," the outcome will likely be futile. However, if the focus is on finding the healthiest way to function as a couple, joy and unity become attainable goals, with selfless submission and mutual care as guiding principles. With this attitude of selflessness toward each other established, a couple can look at the "authority" structure and role delineation to bring greater unity to their marriage. The Role of the Wife: Submission and Support In Ephesians, God instructs wives to "submit to their own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church" (Ephesians 5:22-23). Wives are to submit to their husbands in the same way the church submits to Jesus. Unfortunately, when people hear the word "submit" in marriage, they may associate it with control or even abuse. However, biblical submission is not forced; it is a voluntary choice that the wife makes repeatedly in marriage. It does not imply that she is of lesser value or worth in God's eyes. Submission in marriage is about honoring an established order, much like rank within a military unit, where rank does not imply lesser value or capability. A wife's role is to see her husband as the head, honoring him in that position. This is why a woman needs to consider, "Can I follow this man for a lifetime?" before marriage. The Role of the Husband: Sacrificial Love and Leadership In Ephesians 5:25, husbands are told to "love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." This requires humility, selflessness, and, ultimately, a willingness to sacrifice. God expects husbands to be willing to lay down their lives for their wives, surrendering personal interests for the sake of their spouses. God expects husbands to be selfless in their time, energy, and sexual purity, showing a commitment to loving their wives unconditionally. This selfless love underscores the importance of purity before marriage. A man who practices self-control before marriage demonstrates his ability to be selfless afterward, strengthening the foundation for a healthy marital relationship. A man who remains pure before marriage is more likely to be selfless during marriage, creating an environment where his wife feels cherished and valued. A husband's role is to sanctify his wife, helping her feel valued and cherished, presenting her as his most prized accomplishment. This nurtures her sense of worth and contributes to the husband's role as a servant leader. True headship is not about control but about service, elevating the wife above himself, as Christ does for His bride, the church. Loving One's Wife as His Own Body God further instructs husbands to love their wives as they love their bodies, to "nourish and cherish" them as they would themselves (Ephesians 5:27-29). This means caring for the wife's needs in all areasphysical, emotional, sexual, and spiritualnurturing a relationship built on trust and respect. In nourishing and cherishing their wives, husbands create an environment where both partners can flourish. A husband's love reflects the sacrificial love of Christ, providing a safe and supportive space for his wife to grow and feel valued. Embracing Order For Unity and Joy When both husband and wife work in tandem on these principles, the question of structure becomes secondary. However, there will be times, even in the best of marriages, when order is necessary to move forward during conflicts. However, if structure becomes the focal point of marriage, satisfaction often diminishes. When both partners prioritize selfless love and respect, satisfaction rises, trust deepens, and harmony becomes the norm. God designed order in marriage for effectiveness, not as a measure of worth. When husbands and wives fulfill their roles with selflessness, they reflect the divine relationship between Christ and the church, becoming an example of a joyful, harmonious partnership. Embracing God's Design For Marriage God knows best how marriage should function. He created it, modeled it through Christ and the church, and blesses it when couples walk in obedience to His design. The principles of love, sacrifice, and submission in marriage honor God's design and foster a relationship that glorifies Him. Couples who embrace these roles and live out God's model of selfless love and mutual respect create a strong, enduring foundation that brings blessings to their relationship and to others who witness their union. TOKYO, Nov 12 (News On Japan) - Using tablets for classwork has become a standard practice in schools today. In public high schools across Japan, tablets were initially provided to each student with funds allocated by the government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative allowed each student to receive a tablet device funded by public resources. However, with the pandemic winding down and the government subsidies ending, more local governments are shifting the cost of tablets from public funds to parents. Upon investigating, we found: Currently, in 23 prefectures, tablets are primarily funded by public resources, while in 24 prefectures, parents are generally responsible for covering these costs. While the number of publicly funded tablets has decreased by around 60,000 compared to last year, the number of parent-funded tablets has surged by 260,000. Source: KTV NEWS 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. PAWLET Daniel Banyai, fresh off recent foreclosure proceedings on his West Pawlet property and a still-pending assault on a police officer case in Rutland, was charged in late October with two counts of violating his conditions of release after a verbal altercation with a 17-year-old inside a Granville, N.Y. Dunkin'. Banyai was given a $15,000 bail and conditions of release by Rutland Judge Cortland Corsones back in April after he was arrested on a felony charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and a misdemeanor resisting arrest count. Both those charges stemmed from an incident with a West Pawlet Town Constable attempting to arrest Banyai on a months-long outstanding arrest warrant in early April, arising from Banyais long-standing property dispute with Pawlet town officials. During a traffic stop, when Constable Covino moved to arrest him, Banyai allegedly assaulted the constable and resisted arrest. According to the affidavit in the violations case, Banyai was at the Dunkin' in Granville on Aug. 27 when he had a verbal altercation with a 17-year-old male inside. According to the minors statement, Banyai began harassing him after asking whether the teen was who he thought he was. When the teen answered yes, Banyai allegedly told the teen he was a big s**t talker and began to yell at the teen, wanting to settle it right here. After telling Banyai he was only 17, Banyai allegedly answered by saying, I dont give a s**t how old you are. Banyai then reportedly told a worker at Dunkin to call for an ambulance, which, according to the affidavit, caused alarm and made the teen nervous. Banyai then told the teen they could settle this at midnight in the woods. It was alluded to but not specified inside the affidavit that Banyai and the teen had some type of ongoing relationship. Evidence of that relationship was evident after Banyai asked the teens name and allegedly began threatening him. A statement by the teen asking Banyai be punished for threats and harassment that he had caused him over the years was also part of the affidavit. The affidavit never specifically mentions the exact type of relationship both individuals had before the incident in August, however. Among Banyais conditions of release for the assault case was a specific order not to leave Vermont without court permission. Banyai was caught on video surveillance at the Dunkin' in New York, engaged in what appeared to be a verbal confrontation. The next day, the same constable that had arrested him in the prior incident, Thomas Covino, spotted Banyai leaving a Chinese restaurant in Granville, a violation of his conditions of release. When he was approached, Banyai allegedly began filming the officer with his cell phone. He later called an official in Pawlet to complain of harassment by the constable. A criminal complaint was also filed in Granville, N.Y., by the teen and sent to the Granville Courthouse for a criminal summons for Banyai to appear at a later date. Banyai is currently the subject of an ongoing eviction proceeding by the Town of Pawlet for monies owed the town. Fines totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars were amassed during a years-long zoning dispute at Banyais Slate Ridge property, a former firearms training facility that came into conflict with town zoning restrictions and neighbors of the sprawling property on Briar Hill Road in West Pawlet. The case made it all the way to the Vermont Supreme Court before the town was able to get the property in compliance with local ordinances. Town of Pawlet Attorney Merrill Bent filed the paperwork in late September asking a Rutland Judge to vacate a dismissal order that halted foreclosure proceedings in May 2022 after Banyai paid owed fines and back taxes to bring the property known as Slate Ridge into compliance. Bent then asked the judge to reopen the foreclosure action with an eventual order of public sale due to the property now in arrears, a total of $226,001.39 as of the September 2024 filing date. That request was granted on October 14 by a Rutland judge handling the foreclosure case. Banyais Slate Ridge property at 541 Briar Hill Road in West Pawlet has been at the center of a long-standing dispute between Banyai and the township after town officials forced the closure of Slate Ridge. The property pitted the town of Pawlet and several neighbors against Banyai in a protracted zoning dispute that reached all the way to the Vermont Supreme Court and, at one point, prompted legislation signed by the Governor banning military-style facilities in Vermont. Several neighbors complained that Banyai and his accomplices were running a paramilitary facility that terrorized, frightened, and tried to intimidate them, some outside their own properties. On at least two occasions, Banyai arrived at Select Board meetings, confronting members with what he said were anti-American, unfair tactics to steal away his property, and yelling into members' faces, all while the video cameras rolled. Banyai claimed he wasn't operating a paramilitary training facility, only a responsible, family firearms facility, and that the property is primarily a farm. The long-standing case started way back in 2018. It dragged on for several years and included numerous alleged threats, grandstanding, legal filings, intimidation, ongoing fines, gun rights issues, court orders, arrest warrants, and social media postings surrounding the issue of what a rural landowner can ultimately do with their legally owned property, and whether a town has or should have the right to regulate and restrict those uses for the peace and safety of the greater community. The zoning case was finally resolved after town representatives entered the property and dismantled the offending buildings and other facilities in April 2024 to ensure the property complied with all court orders. The case made it all the way to the Vermont Supreme Court, which sided on at least two occasions with the Town of Pawlet. Banyai is still out on conditions as he awaits a resolution to both cases. There is no further information on any pending N.Y. cases. The foreclosure and eviction proceedings at his West Pawlet property are still unresolved. Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) South Africas Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has expressed satisfaction with the significant progress her delegation made at the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) in CairoThe conference under the theme, "It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities," served as a dynamic platform to address urban development challenges God designed us to embrace gratitude all year round, not just during Thanksgiving. When we actively give thanks and praise, we deepen our joy and continually remember God's goodness. One of the most profound ways to express our gratitude is through prayer. When our prayers resonate with our hearts and minds, we experience the true peace and joy of a grateful spirit. To help you on this journey, weve gathered some of our favorite Thanksgiving prayers for you. God is always with us, a constant presence in our lives. He has promised never to leave us, and instead of letting anxiety take over, we should turn to prayer with a thankful heart. We should thank Him not just for what He will do but for what He is already doingproviding, strengthening, and guiding us through every challenge. As Thanksgiving approaches, its the perfect moment to reflect on these blessings and appreciate all that we have. Whether youre celebrating with loved ones or finding a quiet moment alone, these Thanksgiving prayers will help you connect with your faith and enrich your holiday. Lets dive into these heartfelt prayers and discover new ways to make this Thanksgiving truly special. To help you in thanking God, we created a 30 Days of Gratitude Prayer Guide HERE. Download and print this guide to keep with you as a reminder of God's love and promises. A Prayer of Gratitude Let us, therefore, proclaim our gratitude to Providence for manifold blessingslet us be humbly thankful for inherited idealsand let us resolve to share those blessings and those ideals with our fellow human beings throughout the world. On that day let us gather in sanctuaries dedicated to worship and in homes blessed by family affection to express our gratitude for the glorious gifts of God, and let us earnestly and humbly pray that He will continue to guide and sustain us in the great unfinished tasks of achieving peace, justice, and understanding among all men and nations and of ending misery and suffering wherever they exist. John F. Kennedy, Thanksgiving Day, 1963 Thanksgiving Prayer, Book of Common Prayer Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side. We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us. We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone. Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom. Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen. Prayers of Thanksgiving from Psalms: Psalm 95 - "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods..." Psalm 100 - "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 118:29 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 103:1-5 - "Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles." Psalm 136:1-5 - "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. " Read more Psalms of Thanksgiving for biblical inspiration of gratitude. A Child's Prayer of Thanks God, I thank you for the family and friends you surround me with. Thank you for another day to wake up and celebrate life. Thank you for the strength to play and food to nourish me. Most importantly, thank you for your love for me. Amen. Thanksgiving Prayer O Lord our God and heavenly Father, in your indescribable mercy you have provided food and drink for the nourishment of our weak bodies. Grant us peace to use these gifts from your hands with thankful, reverent hearts. Let your blessing rest on these your gifts, to our comfort and sustenance. Grant, good Lord, that as we hunger and thirst for this food for our bodies, so may our souls earnestly long after the Bread of eternal Life, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. Source: Freely modified from George Webb, Short direction for the daily exercise of the Christian, London 1625. A Daily Thanksgiving Prayer Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus' Name, Amen. - Debbie McDaniel A Scriptural Prayer to be Thankful Lord, teach me to be thankful in all circumstances. I want to be like the Apostle Paul who was thankful even in a dark prison. I want to choose praise even in the difficulties in my life. [Name those difficulties, thanking God for how He is using them for your good.] Help me to rise up to a new level of praise and thanksgiving. Help me to see that a thankful heart paves the way for blessing, and the enemy is defeated when I praise You. I want to glorify You and advance Your Kingdom through my praises. Help me to use Your Word as I worship You. I choose to walk in Your peace, listen carefully to You, and live expectantly. Thank You for helping me to be thankful in all my circumstances. A Thanksgiving Prayer from the Bible "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18. This verse reminds us to be thankful in all circumstances, emphasizing the importance of gratitude as a central aspect of our faith. You can incorporate this verse into your Thanksgiving prayer, expressing your thanks for God's presence and blessings in your life. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, As we gather on this day of Thanksgiving, we remember the words of Holy Scripture that call us to give thanks in all circumstances. Lord, we thank You for the countless blessings You have bestowed upon us, both in times of joy and in times of challenge. We are grateful for the love of family and friends who surround us, for the food on our table, and for the shelter over our heads. Most of all, we thank You for Your presence in our lives, for Your grace, and for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us, dear Lord, to always maintain hearts filled with gratitude, not just on this special day but every day of our lives. May we continue to count it all joy and to give thanks in all things. In Jesus' name, we offer this prayer of thanksgiving. Amen. Praise and Thanksgiving Father, We praise you today with our hearts and songs, we praise you for your faithfulness, we praise you for your great power and love. We confess our need for you, our lives don't go so well when we just spin around on our own. We struggle and worry, get weary and worn. Yet you never leave us. Thank you for your presence. Thank you for your care over us, thank you that you breathe renewal right into our souls. We ask for your spirit to fill us, to draw us close to yourself, and to work your purposes through us, as we set our eyes on you. Amen. Thank God For His Blessings Lord, forgive me for focusing more on the negatives in my life than the positives. Thank You for Your blessing of love, grace, mercy and eternal life. Fill my heart with Your spirit this Thanksgiving so I can be thank-full. In Jesus Name, Amen. - Tracie Miles Thankful for All Things Dear God, Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day. We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us. Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you. We pray that youd keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations. Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own. May we be lovers of truth, may the fruits of your spirit be evident in our lives - your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Amen - Debbie McDaniel A Prayer to Give Thanks to the Lord Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as Your will for my life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I long to bring pleasure to Your heart daily. Break the power of the enemy in my life. Defeat Him through my sacrifice of praise. Change my outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment with my present circumstances. "The Prayer of Thanksgiving" by Thomas Ken All praise to Thee, my God, this night, for all the blessings of the light; keep me, O keep me, King of kings, beneath Thine own almighty wings. Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son, the ill that I this day have done; that with the world, myself, and Thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. O may my soul on Thee repose, and with sweet sleep mine eyelids close, sleep that shall me more vigorous make to serve my God when I awake. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Praise God's Goodness Dear Lord, teach me to keep my eyes on You. I praise You for every victory, seen and unseen, as day upon day I gather the plunder of Your goodness. In Jesus Name, Amen. - Branda Bradford Ottinger Make Us Grateful Jesus, Make us grateful. Give us eyes to see what it is that really makes us blessed, and forgive us when we allow our gratitude to extend only to those blessings which can be measured in likes. For we know that when all else fades, faith, hope, and love remain (1 Corinthians. 13:13). In Your Name, Amen. Expressing Gratitude and Thanks to God Lord Jesus, forgive me for not saying Thank You. I repent of focusing on the things I dont have, instead of the blessings You have given me. I want to be like the one who returned to express gratitude. Thank You for saving me, forgiving me and providing for my needs each day. In Jesus Name, Amen.- Arlene Pellicane Quick Thanksgiving Prayer Before Eating God, we thank you for the blessing and joy of family. Thank you for those who are gathered with us today and those who are far away. May we all see the many ways you provide for us, comfort us and protect us. Bless this food to make us healthy and strong. Amen. Blessing Before The Thanksgiving Meal God, we thank you for the blessing and joy of family. Thank you for those who are gathered with us and those far away. May we all see the many ways you provide, comfort, and protect us. Bless this food to make us healthy and strong. Amen. Happy Thanksgiving! Let us be thankful for God's Word and for the ability that we have to be grateful in all things. Sources: Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Choreograph Venture Center hosts workshop to explore transformative opportunities in AI & healthcare November 12, 2024 | Tuesday | News The event delved into the opportunities, challenges, and diverse applications of AI in healthcare Venture Center, Pune hosted a successful AI in Healthcare Workshop on 11 November, bringing together industry experts, healthcare innovators, and investors to explore AIs vast potential to revolutionise healthcare. Supported by BFI-BIOME, the event delved into the opportunities, challenges, and diverse applications of AI across drug discovery, diagnostics, patient care, and public health, providing practical insights and valuable networking for startups and innovators focused on AI-driven healthcare technology. The workshop opened with a perspective talk by Dr Anand Deshpande, Founder and Chairman of Persistent Systems, who highlighted the massive $208 billion potential AI holds in healthcare by 2030. He emphasised the need for AI-driven solutions that could shift healthcare from reactive spending to preventive care, urging careful investment in AI infrastructure, hardware, and skilled talent to unlock its full potential. Exploring AIs Role in Healthcare Opportunities and Challenges The panel discussion that followed examined AIs role in improving drug discovery, refining clinical trials for better outcomes, and enhancing both patient and provider experiences. Panelists discussed the importance of integrating AI seamlessly into healthcare workflows to maximise its impact, while noting the strides already made with non-invasive diagnostics and enhanced imaging accuracy. They also addressed ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks needed to balance AIs advancements with patient privacy and accessibility. The panel featured Santosh Dixit, Nandini Sahasrabuddhe, Gaurav Tripathi, Ashutosh Pathak, Pankaj Doshi, and Kedar Medhi. Startup Mixer Spotlights Emerging AI-Driven Solutions One of the workshops highlights was the Startup Mixer, where ten early-stage startups presented lightning pitches demonstrating AIs versatility in healthcare - From public health delivery and digital health solutions to diagnostics and traditional medicine. CareNx and Adiuvo Diagnostics took top honours, with support for the awards generously provided by Indus Biotech. Investor Perspectives on AI in Healthcare In the final session, a panel of investors shared perspectives on evaluating and supporting AI-driven healthcare startups. Emphasising a cautious yet optimistic approach, investors noted the importance of identifying genuine use cases where AI can effectively address real-world problems. The discussion touched on essential criteria like data sustainability, development of evaluation frameworks for assessing AI companies., and clarity in regulations leading to bigger AI-focused investments in healthcare. Panelists include Maneesh Bhandari, Madhukar Bhatia, Kiran Deshpande, Sanjay Kanvinde, Tanvi Ghate, and Amey Mashelkar. This is an evolving space with exciting possibilities, and were thrilled to have facilitated this forum for knowledge-sharing and insights, said Dr Premnath, Director - Venture Center. Healthium Medtech and Healthcare Sector Skill Council sign MoU to enhance skill development in Indian healthcare November 12, 2024 | Tuesday | News Strategic partnership to offer specialised training and certification programmes for skilling healthcare professionals across India image credit- shutterstock Bengaluru-based Healthium Medtech, a global player in medical devices focused on products within the surgical and post-surgical ecosystem - including wound closure, advanced wound care, arthroscopy and infection prevention segments - has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), a non- profit organisation supported by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and leading organisations across healthcare providers, pharmaceuticals, medical device industries, diagnostics, in public and private sectors which is aligned with the Skill India programme - a flagship initiative under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Anish Bafna, CEO & MD of Healthium Medtech, said, By equipping healthcare workers with advanced, hands-on skills, we can help build a more competent and confident workforce, ready to meet the complexities of modern medical practices and deliver exceptional patient outcomes. The MoU was formalised in New Delhi with senior representatives from both organisations. Healthium and HSSC will now collaborate to deliver training programmes aimed at skilling, reskilling and upskilling healthcare workers, enabling them to address evolving challenges in the field. Ashish Jain, CEO, Healthcare Sector Skill Council, noted the strategic importance of the partnership, stating, We aim to set a new benchmark for skill development, contributing to a stronger, more resilient healthcare system aimed at empowering Indias youth with employable skills across various industries and sectors. Under the partnership, Healthium Medtech and HSSC will be jointly working on developing the training programmes, comprehensive training modules tailored to the specialised skills required in the healthcare sector. In line with this commitment, Healthium will conduct training batches throughout the year. JORDAN VALLEY A John Day resident was killed and another was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in Malheur County, the Oregon State Police reported. Nicholas James Alexander, 46, was driving north on Highway 95 near milepost 8 shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, when the Hyundai Sonata he was operating left the road for unknown reasons and rolled, according to an OSP news release issued Monday afternoon. Both Alexander and the Hyundais other occupant, Destiny Dawn Burril, 40, were thrown out of the car, the news release stated. Neither was apparently wearing a seatbelt, according to OSP. Alexander was declared deceased at the scene, and Burrill was flown to an area hospital with serious injuries, OSP reported. OSP was assisted by the Malheur County Sheriffs Office, the Oregon Department of Transportation and Marsing (Idaho) Fire and Rescue. New York, US (PANA) - The people of Sudan face an ever-deepening crisis as the relentless war between rival militaries pushes the country further into chaos, the UNs top political affairs official told the Security Council on Tuesday, underscoring that a ceasefire and a negotiated political solution remain the only viable path to peace Pitbill has announced a concert in Dublins 3Arena this February, with special guest Lil Jon. The global superstar, also known as Mr Worldwide, announced that his Party After Dark Tour will be coming to five cities in Europe, with the tour kicking off at the 3Arena in Dublin on February 19th, 2025. Advertisement Tickets, from 59.85 including booking fees, will go on general sale on Friday, November 15th at 10am. The tour promises stunning visuals, explosive pyrotechnics and Pitbulls signature performance with a fusion of music, lights and special effects. The grammy-award winning performer joined forces with fellow Grammy-award winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Bon Jovi to release a new remix of their classic hit Its My Life, titled Now or Never, set to debut on November 14th. The Party After Dark tour will head to London, Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne after their Dublin concert. Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The US Special Envoy to the Sudan, Tom Perriello, has condemned reports that civilians were not only shot at and killed, but were sometimes subjected to such practices as poisoning and debasing slurs in the raging war in the country Overcrowding and long waiting times have been a feature of the Irish health system for years, but are things getting better? The breakingnews.ie HSE tracker provides a regularly updated overview of the performance of Irelands health service and the impact on patients. Advertisement Below you can find out how many people are waiting for beds in hospitals around the country, check how long people have to wait on average for appointments, and compare the performance of the health service to previous years. Hospital overcrowding is an issue that successive governments have grappled with. It often piles major pressure on the HSE during winter, but now healthcare workers say it has become a year-round problem. The HSE and the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (INMO) publish separate data every day on overcrowding and the number of patients on a trolley waiting for admission to a bed. The figures released by the two organisations often vary as they count patients differently. Advertisement The HSE records the number of patients waiting on a hospital trolley or extra bed placed in an inappropriate space in a hospital ward. It also includes patients in beds not usually used for people admitted through the emergency department, which is known as surge capacity. These are beds taken from elsewhere in a hospital to meet the demand in the emergency department. In addition to this, the INMO counts patients placed on corridors or chairs in all parts of the hospital while waiting for admission to a bed. Last year the INMO recorded that 122,879 patients, including 3,494 children, were admitted to hospital without a bed. Advertisement There has been a particular focus on overcrowding in Ireland since 16-year-old Aoife Johnston died at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in 2022 after waiting for 12 hours to be assessed for suspected sepsis. The continued high number of patients attending the emergency department at UHL led to the cancellation of scheduled care across five hospitals and injury units in the Mid-West for an indefinite period. Consultants said the HSEs decision to cancel elective surgeries, endoscopies and outpatient appointments in the region was unbelievable and one of the starkest developments in Irish healthcare in recent times. The move will certainly add further pressure to national waiting lists for treatment, which the Government has acknowledged are too long. Advertisement Between 2015 and 2021, scheduled care waiting lists increased by nearly 60 per cent. Outpatient and inpatient waiting lists are published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Unlike other datasets common across the health sector, such as trolley counts, these are not disputed by different stakeholders. The outpatient waiting lists show the number of people waiting to be seen. These include people who have a date for their appointment or are waiting for an appointment date. Data for inpatient, day case and endoscopy care shows only the number of people waiting on an appointment. It does not include people who have a date for their appointment. Advertisement In recent years the Government has embarked on annual action plans to reduce waiting lists for outpatient, inpatient and day case appointments. The 437 million plan for 2024 has set out to reduce waiting lists by 6 per cent, or about 39,300, by the end of the year, compared with the number waiting at the start of 2024 (671,000). However, the chief executive of the HSE, Bernard Gloster, has said the best metric to judge hospital waiting lists is the length of time patients are waiting, rather than the number of patients waiting. Some progress has been made in recent years in bringing down the number of patients waiting more than 18 months for an outpatient appointment. The average outpatient waiting time reduced in 2023 from 9.7 months to 7.5 months. But more than two-thirds of patients on hospital waiting lists are still waiting longer than the Slaintecare target times. The 2017 Slaintecare report, which seeks to overhaul the health service, recommended maximum wait times of no more than 12 weeks for inpatient/day case procedures or endoscopy and 10 weeks for a new outpatient appointment. About 68 per cent of outpatients are waiting longer than 10 weeks for an appointment and about 60 per cent of inpatients are waiting longer than 12 weeks for treatment. The situation for children is worse still, with more than 70 per cent of child outpatients waiting more than 10 weeks for an appointment. The health service is beset by many challenges but it remains one of the top priorities for Irish people ahead of the general election on November 29th. The HSE was among voters top five priorities in the latest Ipsos Snapshot poll for The Irish Times. With winter fast approaching, hospital trolleys and waiting lists are set to become of some the key battlegrounds during the election campaign. Donald Trump is expected to crack down on "illegal" immigration and try to restrict legal immigration when he returns to the White House on January 20th, following up on campaign promises and unfinished efforts from his 2017-2021 presidency. Here are some of the policies under consideration, according to Trump, his campaign and news reports. Advertisement Border enforcement Trump is expected to take a slew of executive actions on his first day as president to ramp up immigration enforcement, including deploying National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border and declaring a national emergency to unlock funds to resume construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border. Trump has said he would restore his 2019 "remain in Mexico" program, which forced asylum-seekers of certain nationalities attempting to enter the US at the southern border to wait in Mexico for the resolution of their cases. The programme was terminated by Biden, a Democrat who ended his faltering reelection campaign in July, making vice president Kamala Harris the candidate. Biden defeated Trump in 2020, pledging more humane and orderly immigration policies, but struggled to deal with record levels of migrants caught crossing the US-Mexico border illegally. Advertisement Trump put 'border security' at the centre of his election campaign. Photo: AFP via Getty Immigration was a top voter issue heading into last week's election, in which Trump defeated Harris in a stunning political comeback. Edison Research exit polls showed 39 per cent of voters said most immigrants in the US illegally should be deported, while 56 per cent said they should be offered a chance to apply for legal status. Trump also would reinstate the Covid-19-era Title 42 policy, which allowed US border authorities to quickly expel migrants back to Mexico without the chance to claim asylum, he told Time magazine in an interview. He would use record border crossings and trafficking of fentanyl and children as reasons for the emergency moves, Time reported, citing comments from advisers. Trump has said he will seek to detain all migrants caught crossing the border illegally or violating other immigration laws, ending what he calls "catch and release." Advertisement At an October campaign event, Trump said he would call on Congress to fund an additional 10,000 Border Patrol agents, a substantial increase over the existing force. Harris criticised Trump for helping kill a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year that could have added 1,300 more agents. The US-Mexico border at San Ysidro/Tijuana. Photo: AFP via Getty Trump criticised a Biden asylum ban rolled out last June and pledged to reverse it during a campaign event in Arizona. He said the measure would not adequately secure the border, even though it mirrored Trump-era policies to deter would-be migrants and has contributed to a steep drop in migrants caught crossing illegally. Trump also said at the campaign event that he would consider using tariffs to pressure China and other nations to stop migrants from their countries from coming to the US-Mexico border. Advertisement Mass deportation Trump has pledged to launch the largest deportation effort in American history, focusing on criminals but aiming to send millions back to their home countries, an effort that is expected to tap resources across the US government but also face obstacles. As part of his Day One executive actions, Trump is expected to scrap Biden's immigration enforcement priorities, which focused on arresting serious criminals and limited enforcement against people with no criminal records. During a rally in Wisconsin in September, Trump said deporting migrants would be "a bloody story," rhetoric that sparked criticism from immigrant advocates. Trump told Time he did not rule out building new migrant detention camps but "there wouldn't be that much of a need for them" because migrants would be rapidly removed. Advertisement Trump's administration will likely face protests if mass deportations take place. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Trump would rely on the National Guard, if needed, to arrest and deport immigrants in the US illegally, he said. When questioned, he also said he would be willing to consider using federal troops if necessary, a step likely to be challenged in the courts. Trump has also vowed to take aggressive new steps to deport immigrants with criminal records and suspected gang members by using the Alien Enemies Act, a 226-year-old statute last utilized for interning people of Japanese, German and Italian descent during the second World War. Trump called for the death penalty for migrants who kill US citizens or law enforcement officers at an October rally in Aurora, Colorado. Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump's first-term immigration agenda who reportedly will return in a top White House role, said in an interview last year with a right-wing podcast that National Guard troops from cooperative states could potentially be deployed to what he characterised as "unfriendly" states to assist with deportations, which could trigger legal battles. Vice president-elect JD Vance said in a New York Times interview published in October that deporting 1 million immigrants per year would be "reasonable." Biden in the 2023 federal fiscal year outpaced Trump deportation totals for any single year with a total 468,000 migrants being deported to their home countries or returned to Mexico by U.S. immigration authorities and is on pace for even more this year, a tally that includes migrants returned to Mexico. Travel bans Trump has said he would implement travel bans on people from certain countries or with certain ideologies, expanding on a policy upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Trump previewed some parts of the world that could be subjected to a renewed travel ban in an October 2023 speech, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and "anywhere else that threatens our security." During the speech, Trump focused on the conflict in Gaza, saying he would bar the entry of immigrants who support the Islamist militant group Hamas and send deportation officers to pro-Hamas protests. Trump said last June he would seek to block communists, Marxists and socialists from entering the US. Work permits and visas Trump plans to end Biden's humanitarian "parole" programmes, including one that allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants with US sponsors to enter the US and obtain work permits. He has called Biden's programmes an "outrageous abuse of parole authority." Trump said last year that he would seek to end automatic citizenship for children born in the US to immigrants living in the country illegally, an idea he flirted with as president. Such an action would run against the long-running interpretation of an amendment to the US Constitution and would likely trigger legal challenges. During his first term, Trump greatly reduced the number of refugees allowed into the US and has criticised Biden's decision to increase admissions. He would again suspend the resettlement programme if elected, the New York Times reported in November 2023. Donald Trump is expected to crack down on 'illegal' immigration. Photo: AFP via Getty Trump has said he would push for "a merit-based immigration system that protects American labour and promotes American values." In his first term, he took steps to tighten access to some visa programmes, including a suspension of many work visas during the Covid pandemic. The Trump campaign criticised a Biden programme currently blocked by a federal judge that offered a path to citizenship to immigrants in the US illegally who are married to an American citizen and have lived in the US for at least a decade. Trump said on a podcast in June that he backed giving green cards to foreign students who graduate from US colleges or junior colleges, but Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt later said the proposal "would only apply to the most thoroughly vetted college graduates who would never undercut American wages or workers." He would seek to roll back Temporary Protected Status designations, the New York Times reported, targeting a humanitarian program that offers deportation relief and work permits to hundreds of thousands. Trump tried to phase out most Temporary Protected Status enrollment during his first term, but was slowed by legal challenges. A federal appeals court in September 2020 allowed him to proceed with the wind-down, but Biden reversed that and expanded the program after taking office. Family separation In a town hall with CNN last year, Trump declined to rule out resuming his contentious "zero tolerance" policy that led thousands of migrant children and parents to be separated at the US-Mexico border in 2018. He defended the separations again in November 2023, telling Spanish-language news outlet Univision that "it stopped people from coming by the hundreds of thousands." While Trump has refused to rule out reinstating a family separation policy, Trump's incoming "border czar" Tom Homan told Reuters last year that the separations "caused an uproar" and that it would be better to detain families together. World Trump announces Tom Homan will serve as border ts... Read More The Biden administration last year reached a settlement agreement with separated families that would offer them temporary legal status and other benefits while barring similar separations for at least eight years. 'Dreamer' immigrants Trump tried to end a programme that grants deportation relief and work permits to "Dreamer" immigrants brought to the US illegally as children, but the termination was rebuffed by the Supreme Court in June 2020. Following the Supreme Court ruling, the Trump administration said it would not accept any new applications to the programme, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and would explore whether it could again attempt to end it. Trump plans to try to end DACA if elected, the New York Times reported. Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Michael O'Leary's teachers joke Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has come under criticism for saying he would not hire teachers to get things done at a Fine Gael event at the weekend. Advertisement Mr OLeary was endorsing Minister for Enterprise and Fine Gael candidate Peter Burke in the LongfordWestmeath constituency, adding that he would give his second preference to Fianna Fail candidate Robert Troy. The comment prompted angry statements from teachers unions, while Fine Gael figures have rushed to distance themselves from Mr O'Leary's comments. Taoiseach Simon Harris said: "I think the comments made were crass, they were ill-informed. Im pretty annoyed about it." He said the Dail was not like running a company and was meant to be reflective of society. Advertisement He also pointed out that former Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former finance minister Michael Noonan were both teachers before entering politics. Teachers are the people that we can trust with our most precious possessions: our children, I know that in my own house. And theres not that many people who can stand up in front of a classroom for five seconds and last, let alone for the full day, for the full week, full month, it is a tough job. Its an impactful job, and I have nothing but respect for teachers. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail take shots at each other While the coalition government ended on relatively good terms, the parties are now taking shots at each other at every opportunity as they enter full election mode. Advertisement While there is a very good chance they will end up in government together again, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are now looking to emphasise their differences. Fianna Fail, led by Tanaiste Micheal Martin, a former teacher, have looked to profit from the controversy surrounding Mr O'Leary's comments. Meanwhile, Fine Gael suggested their coalition partners have pledged to legalise the personal use of all drugs in their manifesto. Fianna Fail clarified that their policy pledge referred only to cannabis. Meanwhile, Minister for Justice and Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee has criticised Fianna Fail's manifesto. Advertisement She said it is "full of uncosted promises but contains so little substance". Its quite remarkable that after spending the last five years in Government, Fianna Fail has today produced a manifesto that contains so little substance. The Fianna Fail document is riddled with promises that are so incredibly vague which is disappointing for a party that claims it wants to lead the next Government. The lack of detail in the manifesto is nearly as extraordinary as the fact that the document is full of bizarre costings. For example, Fianna Fail claims it will generate savings of 3 billion from tax compliances and efficiencies. Thats ten times the actual figure in the latest Budget. Advertisement How exactly did the party arrive at that costing? This is the type of back-of-the-matchbox-style politics that really could set Ireland backwards and scupper the economic progress that we have made in recent years. Sinn Fein looks to bounce back Opposition party Sinn Fein has not looked to insert itself in the Fine Gael/Fianna Fail drama. This is perhaps a smart move as Mary Lou McDonald's party looks to bounce back from recent scandals, and poor poll performances, in the election. Ms McDonald has pledged to start tackling USC rates in her partys first 100 days in government if it wins the election. The party is running 71 candidates across all constituencies in Ireland in the poll later this month in a bid to oust both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail from government for the first time in decades. At a candidate launch at the Communication Workers Union in Dublin on Monday morning, Ms McDonald pledged to abolish the universal social charge (USC) for the first 45,000 of peoples incomes. Repetition in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail adverts Analysis of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail's social media advertisements for the general election shows a lot of repetition when it comes to issues and slogans. With the general election now confirmed for November 29th, Fine Gael has published 180 paid ads this month in comparison to 560 Fianna Fail ads. Analysis from Damien Mulley of Mulley communications, shared with BreakingNews.ie, shows Fine Gael has honed in on what the party can do for 'you and your family', while Fianna Fail has promised 'delivery' on a number of issues. Fine Gael's ads were all identical with two versions of a similar message: "[Candidate's Name] has been working hard for you and your family. Vote No.1 [Candidate's Name]", and "[Candidate's Name] knows the issues that matter most to you and your family. Vote No.1 [Candidate's Name]". The majority of Fianna Fail candidates promised 'delivery' on housing and cost of living. The other issues mentioned in Fianna Fail adverts are healthcare, childcare, crime prevention/safer communities, public transport, just transition, and supporting local businesses/farm families. Fine Gael's cheapest ad cost between 100 and 199, while the most expensive was between 1,500 and 2,000. Fianna Fail's cheapest ad was less than 100, and the most expensive was between 800 and 899. Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch confirms Dail bid After much speculation, crime boss Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has confirmed he will run in the general election. Mr Hutch told the Sunday Independent: "I am running as a candidate in Dublin Central. I will be the peoples choice. They will vote for me. They have asked me to run, so I am." Mr Hutch, 61, is currently out on 100,000 bail after being arrested in a money laundering investigation in Lanzarote. He will be running against a number of sitting TDs in the Dublin Central constituency including Sinn Fein party leader Mary Lou McDonald, Fine Gael Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats and the Green Party's Nessa Hourigan. Abroad In the UK, a proposed assisted dying bill is being debated. Campaigners have been pushing for the legislation for a long time, but there is a lot of opposition to it. On a visit to Paris, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer made a pledge of "unwavering support" for Ukraine along with French president Emmanuel Macron. It comes amid huge uncertainty over Ukraine's position in the war with Russia after Donald Trump's US election win. In the US, Mr Trump is in the process of appointments to his cabinet and other important administration roles. The two most high-profile positions so far are Susie Wiles, Mr Trump's White House chief of staff, and Marco Rubio's reportedly imminent appointment as US secretary of state. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 46 people in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, including 11 at a makeshift cafeteria in an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone, medics said. In Lebanon, warplanes struck Beiruts southern suburbs and killed 33 people elsewhere in the country on Tuesday. Advertisement The latest bombardment came as the US said it would not reduce its military support for Israel after a deadline passed for allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza. The state department cited some progress, even as international aid groups said Israel had failed to meet the US demands. Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike on Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday (Bilal Hussein/AP) In Lebanon, large explosions shook Beiruts southern suburbs, an area known as Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah has a significant presence, soon after the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for 11 houses there. There was no immediate word on casualties. The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, including command centres and weapons production sites, without providing evidence. Advertisement Another Israeli strike on an apartment building east of Beirut killed at least six people. Wael Murtada said the destroyed home belonged to his uncle and that those inside had fled from the Dahiyeh last month. He said three children were among the dead and other people were missing. Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike in the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Hospital where displaced people live in tents, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on November 9 (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in central Lebanon killed 12 people and wounded eight, Lebanons health ministry said. The strike came without warning and state media said the building was sheltering displaced families. Israel has been carrying out intensified bombardment of Lebanon since late September, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and put a stop to more than a year of cross-border fire by the Lebanese militant group. Advertisement A rocket smashed into a storage building in the northern Israeli town of Nahariya on Tuesday, killing two people, emergency workers said. Another two people were wounded by shrapnel in a separate impact outside the town. A Hezbollah drone smashed into a nursery school near the northern Israeli city of Haifa on Tuesday, but the children were inside a bomb shelter and there were no injuries. The impact scattered debris across the playground. Palestinians queue up for food distribution in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, in mid-October (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) At the same time, Israel has continued its campaign in Gaza, now more than 13 months old, triggered by Hamas October 7, 2023 attack into southern Israel. An Israeli strike late Monday hit a makeshift cafeteria used by displaced people in Muwasi, the centre of a humanitarian zone that Israels military declared earlier in the war. Advertisement At least 11 people were killed, including two children, according to officials at Nasser Hospital, where the casualties were taken. Video from the scene showed men pulling bloodied wounded from among tables and chairs set up in the sand in an enclosure made of corrugated metal sheets. A strike on a house in the northern town of Beit Hanoun killed 15 people on Tuesday, including relatives of Al Jazeera journalist Hossam Shabat, who has been reporting from the north. Mohamed Shabat and his wife Dima, both volunteer doctors at Kamal Adwan Hospital, were killed along with their daughter Eliaa, according to hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya. Advertisement Strikes in central and southern Gaza killed another 20 people, according to Palestinian medical officials. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes. Israel has failed to meet US demands to allow greater humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, where conditions are worse than at any point in the 13-month-old war, international aid organisations said on Tuesday. The obstacles facing aid distribution were on this display this week. Advertisement Even after the military gave permission for a delivery to the northernmost part of Gaza, virtually cut off from food for more than a month by an Israeli siege, the United Nations said it could not deliver most of it because of turmoil and restrictions from Israeli troops on the ground. Hunger experts have warned the north may already be experiencing famine. Meanwhile, in the south, hundreds of truckloads of aid are sitting on the Gaza side of the border because the UN says it cannot reach them to distribute, again because of the threat of lawlessness, theft and Israeli military restrictions. The Biden administration last month set a deadline expiring on Tuesday for Israel to surge more food and other emergency aid into the Palestinian territory. Advertisement On Tuesday the administration said Israel has made good but limited progress in increasing the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and it will not limit arms transfers to Israel as it had threatened to. State department spokesman Vedant Patel said the progress to date must be supplemented and sustained but that we at this time have not made an assessment that the Israelis are in violation of US law. The law requires recipients to adhere to international humanitarian law and not impede the provision of such aid. The departments decision comes a day after secretary of state Antony Blinken met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus top national security adviser, Ron Dermer, in Washington to go over the steps that Israel has taken since Mr Blinken and defence secretary Lloyd Austin warned in October of possible repercussions. Advertisement Israel has announced a series of steps, though their effect was unclear. On Tuesday it opened a new crossing in central Gaza, outside the city of Deir al-Balah, for aid to enter. It also announced a small expansion of its coastal humanitarian zone, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering in tent camps. It connected electricity for a desalination plant in Deir al Balah. US state department spokesman Matthew Miller said last week that Israel had made some progress but needs to do more. US officials have not said whether they will take any action. Advertisement Israels new foreign minister, Gideon Saar, appeared to downplay the deadline, telling reporters on Monday that he was confident the issue would be solved. The Biden administration may have less leverage after the re-election of Donald Trump, who was a staunch supporter of Israel in his first term. Trucks carrying humanitarian aid cross into the Gaza Strip from Erez crossing in southern Israel (Tsafrir Abayov/AP) Eight international aid organisations said in their report on Tuesday that Israel not only failed to meet the US criteria but also took actions that dramatically worsened the situation on the ground, particularly in northern Gaza. That situation is in an even more dire state today than a month ago. The report listed 19 measures of compliance with the US demands. It said that Israel had failed to comply with 15 and only partially complied with four. Advertisement The report was co-signed by Anera, Care, MedGlobal, Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, Refugees International and Save the Children. In an October 13 letter, the US gave Israel 30 days to, among other things, allow a minimum of 350 truckloads of goods into Gaza each day; open a fifth crossing; allow people in coastal tent camps to move inland before the winter; and ensure access for aid groups to northern Gaza. It also called on Israel to halt legislation that would hinder operations of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. Aid levels remain far below the US benchmarks. Access to northern Gaza remains restricted, and Israel has pressed ahead with its laws against UNRWA. Israel launched a major offensive last month in the north, where it says Hamas militants had regrouped. The operation has killed hundreds of people and displaced tens of thousands. Through October and the first days of November, Israel allowed no food to enter the area, where tens of thousands of civilians have stayed despite evacuation orders. Palestinians line up for food distribution in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Last week, Israel allowed 11 trucks to go to Beit Hanoun, one of the norths hardest-hit towns. But the World Food Organisation said troops at a checkpoint forced its trucks to unload their cargo before reaching shelters in the town. On Tuesday, COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, said it allowed a new delivery of food and water to Beit Hanoun a day earlier. Again, the WFP said that while it tried to send 14 trucks, only three made it to the town due to delays in receiving authorisation for movement and crowds along the route. When it tried to deliver the rest on Tuesday, Israel denied it permission, it said. Aid into all of Gaza plummeted in October, when just 34,000 tons of food entered, only a third of the previous month, according to Israeli data. UN agencies say even less actually gets through because of Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and lawlessness that makes it difficult to collect and distribute aid on the Gaza side. In October, 57 trucks a day entered Gaza on average, and 75 a day so far in November, according to Israels official figures. The UN says it only received 39 trucks daily since the beginning of October. Palestinians storm trucks loaded with humanitarian aid in the central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) COGAT said 900 truckloads of aid are sitting uncollected on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south. Before the organisations give out grades, they should focus on distributing the aid that awaits them, COGAT said in response to the aid groups report. Louise Wateridge, a spokeswoman for UNRWA, said the miliary was not co-ordinating movements for aid trucks to reach the stacked-up cargos. If we are not provided a safe passage to go and collect it, it will not reach the people who need it, she said. COGAT blamed the drop in October on closures of the crossings for the Jewish high holidays and memorials marking the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered the war. An Israeli official also pointed to theft by Hamas and organised crime families in Gaza. The war began last year when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 people. About 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israels bombardment and ground invasion have killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to local health authorities, who do not say how many of those killed were militants. About 90% of the population of 2.3 million has been displaced, and hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid tent camps, with little food, water or hygiene facilities. The United States has rushed billions of dollars in military aid to Israel during the war, while pressing it to allow more aid into Gaza. The Archbishop of Canterbury is under mounting pressure to quit over his handling of an abuse scandal, with a bishop saying his position is untenable. A petition by some members of the General Synod the churchs parliament has gathered more than 5,000 signatures urging Justin Welby to stand down over his failures to alert authorities about John Smyth QCs abhorrent abuse of children and young men. Advertisement Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley echoed the calls, saying the Church of England risked losing its moral voice if the situation persisted. Smyth was thought to have been the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the church. An independent review into the abuse, published last week, concluded that he might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally reported it to police a decade ago. Ms Hartley told the BBC: I think that its very hard for the church as the national, the established church, to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation when we cannot get our own house in order with regard to something as critically important, something that would be asked of any institution, let alone the church, which is meant to have the gospel of Jesus Christ looking out for the most vulnerable in our midst. Advertisement We are in danger of losing complete credibility on that front. Of Mr Welby, she said: I think, sadly, his position is untenable, so I think he should resign. She said while his resignation is not going to solve the problem, it would be a very clear indication that a line has been drawn, and that we must move towards independence of safeguarding. When the report was published Mr Welby admitted he had considered resigning but decided not to after taking advice from senior colleagues. Advertisement After the petition was launched, Mr Welbys spokesman said he reiterates his horror at the scale of John Smyths egregious abuse, as reflected in his public apology, repeated that he does not intend to resign, and said he hopes the Makin Review supports the ongoing work of building a safer church here and around the world. Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was never bought to justice for the abuse, the Makin Review published last week said. Across five decades, Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. Mr Welby knew Smyth because of his attendance at Iwerne Christian camps in the 1970s, but the review said there was no evidence that Mr Welby had maintained any significant contact with the barrister in later years. Advertisement It said that while Mr Welby did have reason to have some concern about Smyth, this was not the same as suspecting he had committed severe abuse, and concluded it was not possible to establish whether Mr Welby knew of the severity of the abuse in the UK before 2013. Justin Welby faces calls to resign (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The report said Smyth could and should have been formally reported to the police in the UK, and to authorities in South Africa (church authorities and potentially the police) by church officers, including a diocesan bishop and Justin Welby in 2013. The archbishop said he had no idea or suspicion of this abuse before 2013 but acknowledged the review had found that after its wider exposure that year he had personally failed to ensure it was energetically investigated. The petition says: Given his role in allowing abuse to continue, we believe that his continuing as the Archbishop of Canterbury is no longer tenable. Advertisement We must see change, for the sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable, and for the good of the church, and we share this determination across our traditions. With sadness we do not think there is any alternative to his immediate resignation if the process of change and healing is to start now. Giles Fraser, vicar of St Annes in Kew, west London, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Im afraid hes really lost the confidence of his clergy, hes lost the confidence of many of his bishops and his position is completely untenable. Marcus Walker, rector at St Bartholomew the Great in central London, said: I cannot see how Justin Welby survives this. Mr Welby will reach the churchs retirement age of 70 in 2026, but Mr Walker said: His last year and half will be dogged by protests; no one will want him to come and celebrate their anniversary services or ordinations; projects he supports will be damaged by association. It would be desperately painful. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declined to say whether he thought the archbishop should quit. He told reporters: Thats a matter really for the church rather than for me. An Irish man has been charged with the murder of his south Dublin girlfriend in Spain and warned he could be caged for more than two decades if convicted. Spanish public prosecutors are seeking a 21-year prison sentence for Keith Byrne for strangling mum-of-one Kirsty Ward at their Costa Dorada holiday hotel. Advertisement The 32-year-old remains on remand in jail following his arrest 16 months ago. On Tuesday, it emerged Dublin man had been formally charged after a long-running criminal probe by a specialist gender violence investigating judge, as the details of the public prosecution case against him were released for the first time. A five-page prosecution indictment submitted to the Spanish courts accuses Byrne of strangling Kirsty to death with a hair straightener power cord hours after she dumped him following a row in their hotel room. They claim he acted with the intention of killing the 36-year-old because he couldnt accept the end of their eight-month relationship. Advertisement They allege the man, who had been living in Duleek, Co Meath, took advantage of his superior strength and the fact his alleged victim had no easy escape from their room at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Salou near the east coast city of Tarragona to prevent her from defending herself. Byrne insisted soon after his arrest over the July 2nd, 2023 killing that he was innocent, claiming he found Kirsty lying prone with a ligature round her neck and tried to revive her in the doorway of their room. Shooting down those claims in their hard-hitting indictment, Tarragona-based public prosecutors said, outlining their version of events the day of the killing, which they said occurred after a deterioration in Kirstys relationship with Byrne. During the holiday period which began on June 30th, 2023 and was due to last a week, the climate of conflict and disengagement between the accused and the victim continued. Advertisement On July 2nd, 2023, after a new row that afternoon in their hotel room, she decided to end their relationship, following which the accused man left. About 9pm the same day, he returned to the hotel and had another row with the victim in their hotel room. During that row, the accused, unwilling to accept the break-up, and with the aim of causing death or knowing that was a possibility, got hold of the power cable of a hair straightener, put it round the victims neck and immediately pulled it tight, strangling her and causing her death by mechanical asphyxiation. They added in the indictment, saying the drink and drugs Kirsty had consumed also affected her ability to defend herself: The accused, when he strangled his victim, did so, taking advantage of the privacy of their hotel room and his superior physical strength. Advertisement Aggravated murder She was also under the effects of a prior consumption of alcohol, cocaine, Benzoylecgonine and Lidocaine, which prevented her from defending herself in equal conditions, leaving her unable to do anything to avoid her death. Public prosecutors are accusing Byrne of aggravated murder and not simple homicide under Spanish law because of his alleged execution of the crime in a way or with means that left the victim defenceless. As well as a 21-year prison sentence if convicted as charged at trial, they are demanding he pay Kirstys teenage child, 14 at the time she died, 150,000 in compensation and her mum 100,000. No date for the trial, now expected to take place next year and before Byrne's two years of custody are up, has yet been set. Advertisement Lawyers acting for Kirstys family are also expected to prosecute him alongside the Spanish state in the same case. The punishment they are seeking on conviction is not known. It emerged following Byrnes Spanish arrest that he was wanted in England by Royal Military Police for going AWOL after he left for Ireland in 2017. Reports in Ireland in March said Spanish prosecutors intended to interview at least two of his former partners about assisting the case by giving background information about him. One of these women previously claimed in an interview with the Irish Independent that Byrne had tried to strangle her in an incident at a property in Co Meath a number of years ago. In the aftermath of Kirstys murder, he was remanded in custody after appearing before a special court in Tarragona that deals with violence against women in a closed hearing. The soldier, who served in the Irish Guards and Parachute Regiment before abandoning his post in Colchester, Essex, claimed after being sent to prison he found his partner dead with a cord around her neck when he returned to their hotel room. Saying he had gone back to pick up his passport and suitcase after a previous argument when they had decided to split up, Byrne insisted: She had been dead for some time and was so cold. I never felt cold like that before. I just cant get it out of my head. I took the cord off and screamed for help and some British tourists next door rushed over. The man then said, 'Let me take over' and started giving her CPR as well. I kept screaming Please come back, baby, please I love you, please dont go. Now I am being accused of killing her, but I have never been arrested in all my life. North Korea ratified a major defence treaty with Russia stipulating mutual military aid, the Norths state media reported on Tuesday. It comes as the US, South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Advertisement Russia had completed the ratification of the treaty last week after it was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June. It is considered both countries biggest defence deal since the end of the Cold War. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty will take effect when both sides exchange documents on the ratification, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. North Korea ratified the treaty through a decree signed on Monday by the countrys president of state affairs, KCNA said, using one of Kims titles. North Koreas rubber-stamp parliament, the Supreme Peoples Assembly, has the right to ratify treaties but Kim can unilaterally ratify major ones, according to South Koreas Unification Ministry. Advertisement The treaty requires both countries to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance if either is attacked. Some observers speculate the treatys ratification in both countries could signal North Korea could formally enter the Russia-Ukraine war soon. According to US, South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments, up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia likely as part of the June treaty. Last week, Ukrainian officials said Ukraine and North Korean troops engaged in small-scale fighting while Ukraines army fired artillery at North Korean soldiers in Russias Kursk border region. North Koreas troop dispatch threatens to escalate the almost three-year war. South Korea, the US and their partners also worry about what Russia could give North Korea in return. Advertisement Possible Russian transfer of sensitive technology to enhance North Koreas already-advancing nuclear and missile programmes would be an alarming development for the US and its allies. North Korea and Russia have been significantly strengthening their military and other co-operation. South Koreas spy agency said last month that North Korea had sent more than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles. A US federal judge on Tuesday sentenced an Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison, after he pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty earlier this year to six counts of wilful retention and transmission of national defence information under the Espionage Act, after his arrest in the most consequential national security case in years. Advertisement He was taken into court in Boston, Massachusetts, in an orange jumpsuit and showed no visible reaction as he was sentenced by US District Judge Indira Talwani. Earlier in the hearing he apologised before the judge. Jack Michael Teixeira, centre, father of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira. arrives at federal court for the sentencing (Steven Senne/AP) I wanted to say Im sorry for all the harm that I brought and caused, Texeira said, referring to the maelstrom he caused to friends, family anyone affected overseas. I understand all the responsibility and consequences fall upon my shoulders alone and accept whatever that will bring, he said, standing as he addressed the judge. Advertisement Prosecutors had originally requested a 17-year sentence for him, saying he perpetrated one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history. Defence lawyers had sought an 11-year sentence. In their sentence memorandum, they acknowledged that their client made a terrible decision which he repeated over 14 months. But they argued that Teixeiras actions, though criminal, were never meant to harm the United States. He also had no prior criminal record. Advertisement The security breach raised alarm over Americas ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain the diplomatic and military fallout. The leaks embarrassed the Pentagon, which tightened controls to safeguard classified information and disciplined members found to have intentionally failed to take required action about Teixeiras suspicious behaviour. The 22-year-old admitted that he illegally collected some of the nations most sensitive secrets and shared them with other users on the social media platform Discord. His lawyers had described him as an autistic, isolated individual who spent most of his time online, especially with his Discord community. Advertisement His intent was to educate his friends about world events to make certain they were not misled by misinformation, the lawyers wrote. To Jack, the Ukraine war was his generations World War II or Iraq, and he needed someone to share the experience with. Prosecutors in court filings countered that Teixeira did not suffer from any intellectual disability that would prevent him from knowing right from wrong, adding his post-arrest diagnosis of mild, high-functioning autism was of questionable relevance to the proceedings. Teixeira, who was part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, worked as a cyber transport systems specialist, which is essentially an information technology specialist responsible for military communications networks. Advertisement He remains in the Air National Guard in an unpaid status, an Air Force official said. Authorities said he first typed out the classified documents he accessed and then began sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings. Prosecutors also said he tried to cover his tracks before his arrest, and authorities found a smashed tablet, laptop and an Xbox gaming console in a rubbish bin at his house. The leak exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russias war in Ukraine, including information about troop movements in Ukraine, and the provision of supplies and equipment to Ukrainian troops. Teixeira also admitted posting information about a US adversarys plans to harm US forces serving overseas. Donald Trump is expected to choose US senator Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state, sources said on Monday, putting the Florida-born politician on track to be the first Latino to serve as America's top diplomat once the Republican president-elect takes office in January. Mr Rubio was arguably the most hawkish option on Mr Trump's shortlist for secretary of state, and he has in past years advocated for a muscular foreign policy with respect to America's geopolitical foes, including China, Iran and Cuba. Advertisement Over the last several years he has softened some of his stances to align more closely with Mr Trump's views. The president-elect accuses past US presidents of leading America into costly and futile wars and has pushed for a more restrained foreign policy. While the famously mercurial Trump could always change his mind at the last minute, he appeared to have settled on his pick as of Monday, according to the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations. Representatives for Mr Trump and Mr Rubio did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The new administration will confront a world more volatile and dangerous than it was when Mr Trump took office in 2017, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and China aligning itself more closely with US foes Russia and Iran. Advertisement The Ukraine crisis will be high on Mr Rubio's agenda. Mr Rubio, 53, has said in recent interviews that Ukraine needs to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia rather than focus on regaining all territory that Russia has taken in the last decade. He was also one of 15 Republican senators to vote against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, passed in April. Republican foreign policy shift While Mr Rubio was far from the most isolationist option, his likely selection nonetheless underlines a broad shift in Republican foreign policy views under Mr Trump. Once the party of hawks who advocated military intervention and a muscular foreign policy, most of Mr Trump's allies now preach restraint, particularly in Europe, where many Republicans complain US allies are not paying their fair share on defense. Advertisement "I'm not on Russia's side but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement," Mr Rubio told NBC in September. Mr Rubio's selection holds domestic as well as international significance. Mr Trump beat Democratic vice president Kamala Harris in the November 5th election in part by winning over large numbers of Latinos, who had voted overwhelmingly for Democrats in previous election cycles but have become an increasingly diverse demographic in a political sense, with more and more Latinos voting Republican. By selecting Mr Rubio for a key policy role, Mr Trump may help consolidate electoral gains among Latinos and make clear that they have a place at the highest levels of his administration. Advertisement If confirmed, Mr Rubio will likely place a much greater importance on Latin America than any previous secretary of state, said Mauricio Claver-Carone, a Rubio ally, former president of the Inter-American Development Bank and a former National Security Council aide on Latin America in the first Trump administration. "This is the time Latin America will most be on the map in the history of any US presidency. It's historic. There's no other way to say it," said Mr Claver-Carone. China, Cuba hawk Mr Rubio was one of three final contenders for Mr Trump's vice-presidential pick. The president-elect ultimately chose US senator JD Vance of Ohio, a hard-right figure who is known for his isolationist foreign policy positions. Some of Mr Trump's supporters will be sceptical of his decision to tap Mr Rubio, who until recently held muscular foreign policy positions that contradict those of Mr Trump. Advertisement During Mr Trump's 2017-2021 term, for instance, Mr Rubio co-sponsored legislation that would make it harder for Mr Trump to withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, by requiring two thirds of the Senate to ratify withdrawal. Mr Trump has railed for years against Nato member countries that failed to meet agreed military spending targets and warned during the campaign that he would not only refuse to defend nations "delinquent" on funding but would also encourage Russia "to do whatever the hell they want" to them. Mr Rubio is a top China hawk in the Senate, and was sanctioned by Beijing in 2020 over his stance on Hong Kong following democracy protests. TikTok investigation Explained Who is RFK Jr? Kennedy family black sheep, vaccine... Read More Most notably, Mr Rubio called on the Treasury Department in 2019 to launch a national security review of popular Chinese social media app TikTok's acquisition of Musical.ly, prompting an investigation and troubled divestment order. As the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, he has also kept up the heat on the Biden administration, demanding it block all sales to Huawei earlier this year after the sanctioned Chinese tech company released a new laptop powered by an Intel AI processor chip. Mr Rubio, whose grandfather fled Cuba in 1962, is also an outspoken opponent of normalising relations with the Cuban government, a position Mr Trump shares. The head of the House subcommittee overseeing Latin American affairs, he is also a frequent and fierce critic of Nicolas Maduro's government in Venezuela. A 14-year-old teen from Florida has pled guilty in a disturbing case involving the assault of a 91-year-old woman back in June. The teen, identified as Jesse Stone of Reddick, initially pleaded not guilty in August. It is unclear why he changed his plea to guilty. Stone is set to be sentenced on Dec. 19. He will be tried as an adult. The maximum sentence he faces remains unclear, according to WKMG. Teen Assaults 91-Year-Old On the evening of June 9, the 91-year-old victim woke up to find Stone inside her home. He snuck in through an unlocked door. The boy then punched and sexually assaulted the victim, who fought back until he stopped. He then fled the scene. The victim was immediately brought to the hospital, where she told police about the attack. In the immediate aftermath of the crime, law enforcement offered $5,000 for any information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrator. Read Also: Father Livestreams Himself Strangling Child Safety Case Worker Who Interviewed His Daughter Authorities Identifies, Charged the Suspect During the investigation, Stone reportedly approached deputies from the Marion County Sheriff's Office and told them that a neighbor had found "something" on their surveillance footage. The video showed a figure matching Stone jogging past the victim's home. Stone initially denied he was the person in the video. However, detectives were able to positively identify him as the suspect through DNA evidence collected from a rape kit. Roughly a week after the incident, authorities tracked Stone at North Marion High School and took him in for questioning. He later admitted to the crime, adding that he went into the victim's home to watch pornography before he attacked the 91-year-old, per Click Orlando. "It came as a shock that any individual would commit such an act on a 91-year-old, but it is truly disturbing when we see the young age of the arrestee," Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said. "Hopefully, his arrest will lead to getting him help that prevents any further such acts." Stone has been charged as an adult with one count of sexual assault by someone under 18 years toward a victim over the age of 12 and burglary of a dwelling with battery. In 1965, a Norwegian woman gave birth to a girl in a private hospital. Seven days later she returned home with a baby. When the baby developed dark curls that made her look different from herself, Karen Rafteseth Dokken assumed she just took after her husbands mother. Advertisement It took nearly six decades to discover the true reason her biological daughter had been mistakenly switched at birth in the maternity ward of the hospital in central Norway. The girl she raised, Mona, was not the baby she gave birth to. The babies, one born on February 14 and the other on February 15, 1965, are now 59-year-old women who with Mrs Rafteseth Dokken are suing the state and the municipality. In their case, which opened in the Oslo District Court on Monday, they say that their human rights were violated when authorities discovered the error when the girls were teenagers and covered it up. Advertisement They say Norwegian authorities had undermined their right to a family life, a principle enshrined in the European human rights convention, and demand an apology and compensation. The case is being heard at Oslo District Court (Terje Pedersen/NTB Scanpix/AP) Mrs Rafteseth Dokken, now 78, was in tears as she described learning so many years later that she got the wrong baby, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. It was never my thought that Mona was not my daughter, she said in court on Tuesday. She was named Mona after my mother. Mona described a sense of never belonging as she grew up. That sense of uncertainty pushed her in 2021 to do a DNA test, which showed that she was not the biological daughter of those who raised her. Advertisement But the woman who raised the other baby knew long before. A routine blood test in 1981 showed that the girl she was raising, Linda Karin Risvik Gotaas, was not biologically related. The woman raising her, however, did not pursue a maternity case. Norwegian health authorities were informed of the mix-up in 1985, but did not tell the others involved. Both women who were swapped at birth have said in interviews that it was a shock to learn about the mix-up, but the knowledge made pieces of their lives fall into place, explaining differences both in terms of appearance and demeanour. Advertisement Kristine Aarre Haanes, representing Mona, said the state violated her right to her own identity for all these years. They kept it secret. Mona could have learned the truth when she was a young adult, but instead she did not find out the truth until she was 57. Her biological father has died. She has no contact with her biological mother, added Aarre Haanes. Circumstances surrounding the 1965 swap at Eggesboenes hospital are unclear, but media reports by NRK suggest there were several cases during the 1950s and 1960s where children were accidentally swapped at the same institution. Advertisement At the time babies were kept together while their mothers rested in separate rooms. In other cases the errors were spotted before the children were permanently placed with the wrong families, according to the reports. An official from the Norwegian ministry of heath and care services said the state was unaware of similar cases and that there were no plans for a public inquiry. Asgeir Nygaard, representing the Norwegian state, is contesting the case on the grounds that the 1965 switch took place in a private institution and that the health directorate in the 1980s did not have the legal authority to inform the other families when they discovered the error. Documentation from that time indicates that government officials found the assessments difficult, inter alia because it was legally unclear what they could do, he said in a statement to The Associated Press ahead of the trials opening. Therefore, in court, we will argue that there is no basis for compensation and that the claims being made are in any case statute-barred. The trial will run until Thursday, but it was not clear when a ruling is expected. Less than a week after some 74 million Americans decided, in their infinite wisdom, to return Donald Trump to the White House, billionaire cardboard box baron Anthony Pratt announced on LinkedIn he had secured a US green card. The formality means Pratt, who has been spending a lot of time tending to his business (and political) interests in the US, can stay on in the country. Loading But what intrigued us most about the announcement was the name on the social media account: Colonel Anthony Pratt. How did Pratt land that stripe? Turns out he was made an honorary Kentucky Colonel by the Bluegrass States Democratic governor Andy Beshear last year, a token of gratitude for Pratts $700 million investment in a paper mill. This makes Pratt the second most influential Kentucky Colonel after one Harland David Sanders. Despite the success of KFC, Colonel Sanders probably never had the rapport with a commander-in-chief that Pratt enjoys. Last year, this masthead revealed secret recordings of Pratt bragging about his access to Trump, which followed reports in the US media alleging the former president had revealed confidential secrets about their submarine fleet to his Antipodean friend. The minister who first introduced Victorias waste-to-energy policy is opposing an incinerator in her own backyard, as the Allan government takes friendly fire from state and senior federal Labor MPs over plans to build waste-burning facilities across the state. The first in a so-called ring of fire of projects circling Melbourne is a large facility proposed at Lara, near Geelong, which would treat an estimated 400,000 tonnes of waste every year and generate 35MW of electricity. Lara developer Richard Bisinella and his father, Lino Bisinella, at the proposed waste heat to energy facility site. Credit: Joe Armao Labor MPs, including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, have written to Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to oppose the project, which state Lara MP Ella George described as lacking any social licence. At the same time, documents show the projects proponents claim the government had pushed the environmental watchdog to approve the facility. Energy Minister Lily DAmbrosio is publicly campaigning against a similar project close to her northern Melbourne electorate, despite shepherding the states waste-to-energy strategy through parliament in 2022. Advertisement Eating outGood Food Guide 2025 Bill Granger honoured with SMH Good Food Guide Legend Award Australias sunniest culinary ambassador has been recognised for his outstanding long-term contribution to the hospitality industry. And for avocado on toast. Jill Dupleix November 12, 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 This story appears in the SMH Good Food Guide Awards collection. See all stories . When Bill Granger opened his first cafe in Japan in 2008, he flew his entire Japanese senior team to Sydney. Driving them around in a little van, he tried to explain what bills was about, and where it had come from. The experience made him realise, he said, that Australian food is not just something formed by our cultural mix and migration patterns, but is more of an attitude. And it isnt stuck, he said. It changes. Thats the magic. 1 / 6 The late Bill Granger pictured at his bills cafe. 2 / 6 Bill Granger at bills in Bondi. Anson Smart 3 / 6 2014: Bill Granger in his Notting Hill kitchen. Gary Moyes 4 / 6 2006: Bill Granger at his favourite place in Sydney, Wylies Baths, Coogee. Jacky Ghossein 5 / 6 2002: Bill Granger at home with his daughter Edie. Steve Baccon 6 / 6 2000: Kylie Kwong and Bill Granger at the opening of their joint venture, Billy Kwong in Surry Hills. Jennifer Soo Previous Slide Next Slide The irony is that as soon as anyone takes their first bite of Bill Grangers avocado on toast, silky scrambled eggs or ricotta hotcakes, theyre not going to let them change at all. Whether your first bills experience was at the original corner cottage in Darlinghurst, or at any one of the other 18 restaurants across Sydney, London, Korea and Japan that he built with his wife Natalie, we wanted what he was cooking. Advertisement Bill Granger was Australias sunniest culinary ambassador, feeding his vision of Australian home cooking to the world. He wrote 14 cookbooks, made five television series and was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in January 2023. He died in December, 2023. Loading Veteran chef and restaurateur Neil Perry remembers walking into bills in Darlinghurst in the early 1990s. It was always just about the beautiful, simple things that Bill did really, really well, he says. There was a simplicity to it, but also sophistication. He always made sure that sunny Australian nature came through. Award-winning chef Kylie Kwong opened Billy Kwong in Surry Hills with Granger in the year 2000, helping inspire her uniquely Chinese-Australian culinary path. We had this instant creative connection that Id never had with anyone before, says Kwong of their time together. He taught me so much. There was a simplicity to it, but also sophistication. He always made sure that sunny Australian nature came through. Neil Perry Advertisement Bills influence goes beyond the fact that his fresh-faced dishes and large communal table have been copied across the world. He had a way of defining who we are as Australians, or who we wanted to be: sunny, fresh, easy-going, generous, design-conscious, food-loving people who like to gather around a big table to eat, drink and commune. He packaged us up, put us on toast, and spread us around the world. Bill Grangers famous avocado on toast. Jonathan Gregson The Vittoria Coffee Legend Award is one of the most enduring awards in Australian hospitality, honouring the great and the good since 2003. Its fitting that in the same year Bill Granger is announced as the 2025 Legend, The Good Food Guide launches a new award, in partnership with his family. Named The Bill Granger Trailblazer, its in honour of Bills hospitality, warmth, integrity and free-spirited entrepreneurial attitude. May the winners now and into the future create and craft new expressions of hospitality that move us forward as Australians, and pay their respects to his legacy. Thanks, Bill. Youre a legend. Advertisement The Western Australian government will dangle a $10,000 incentive payment in front of east coast tradies to get them off their arses and across the Nullarbor to work in the states struggling residential construction industry. If youre a tradie in the construction industry, sitting on your arse on the east coast, wondering where the next job is going to come from, get off your butt, come to WA, build a better life and really be part of our great building and construction industry, Premier Roger Cook said. Western Australia Premier Roger Cook. Credit: Hamish Hastie The Build a Better Life incentive program will be on offer to tradies outside Western Australia from January. The payment will be split to ensure trades dont leave the state too quickly, but Training Minister Simone McGurk said those details as well as the ultimate target number were still being ironed out. Western Australias housing crisis has been a thorn in the side of the state government for at least two years as the states population surged past three million people. It has been exacerbated by a lack of skilled labour able to finish the enormous spike in home builds resulting from pandemic stimulus packages. Asked where the new tradies would live, Cook said there were green shoots appearing in rental and home sale listings, but the government could not do nothing. Lets pretend we thought this was all too hard and did nothing, our economy will continue to trickle on, our housing industry and our construction industry will continue to struggle to meet the demand, he said. We wouldnt get the increase in supply, and the housing situation would just get worse. Were bringing solutions to the table, and we are producing outcomes. Ian Malcolm Stephenson was born in Sydney on December 1, 1955, son of a pharmacist, Austin Stephenson, and Noreen (nee Stevens). Growing up in Epping, he went to Newington College in 1965, entering the junior school. In his long career in conservation, with the National Trust of Australia, the Glebe Society and many other such organisations, he fulfilled his vision of preserving our cultural treasures. From his earliest years, Ian Stephenson had a fascination for the world around him not just for what was there but why it was there and the story behind it. As a boy, he took the train from Epping to the city on school holidays just to explore, and some years later rode his pushbike to St Albans, north of the Hawkesbury River, just to soak up the history. His father, dissatisfied with his academic performance, enrolled him in Scots College Bathurst in 1973 to complete his HSC. Stephenson then went to Tasmania, bought a house in Hobart and enrolled to study history at the University of Tasmania. He got a job in taxation and got to know an architect, Clive Lucas, who was engaged on a government-funded conservation project for Port Arthur, and became acquainted with archaeologists also engaged, entertaining them at his home. In 1988, following a stint in Canberra where he worked at the historic Lanyon Homestead, he bought a terraced house in Glebe and did a diploma of heritage studies at Sydney University. Ian never stayed still, Clive Lucas said. He moved to Armidale, bought a house there and worked in the library at the University of New England. He went to Adelaide, bought a house and ran the National Trust in South Australia. Greta and Peter Moran with Ian Stephenson, a director of the National Trust, at the front of the Jupiter Hall at Paddington. Credit: Fairfax In 1990, after a stint as the inaugural curator of the Liverpool Bicentennial Museum and the adjoining colonial Georgian-era Collingwood House, Stephenson started with the National Trust in Sydney, where he became senior curator. Scott Carlin, managing director of the National Trust (Tasmania), said Stephenson had energetically managed several concurrent Centenary of Federation grants for properties such as Dalwood at Branxton, Cooma Cottage and the site of Henry Parkes Federation oration in Tenterfield. At Old Government House, Stephenson worked initially with Clive Lucas, restoring much of the early 19th century detail. Carlin said that Stephenson reinterpreted the house to reflect the Macquarie period, with paint schemes and interior furnishings made by the National Trust sewing machines Ian secured volunteer commitment worth many thousands of dollars per year over more than two decades. Ian made significant contribution on several fronts. He played an important role in recognising and conserving the heritage of the New England region. Were just dealing with a system that keeps failing her. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party upper house MP Mark Banasiak said Folbiggs release from prison is only part justice. For her to get complete justice in all this, she needs to be compensated for this traumatic experience. To drag it out, for whatever reason, is cruel and unusual. My message for the government is: pull your finger out and get it done. This womans been through enough. Nationals upper house MP Wes Fang said theres no question that the state government should be providing her compensation. Loading That its taken as long as it has is only exacerbating the trauma that shes undergone. If it was my decision, I would be looking to right this wrong the day she was released. It is extraordinary that [Attorney-General] Michael Daley and [Premier] Chris Minns have been sitting on their hands seemingly waiting for the problem to go away. A spokesperson for Daley said Folbiggs application for an ex gratia payment, submitted in July, was being carefully considered and that after all that has happened over the last 20 years, it is impossible not to feel great sympathy for all involved. Every ex gratia application is considered on its own facts and context and assessed on its merits. The attorney-general acknowledges concerns about timeliness and this matter is receiving the attention it deserves, balanced with the need to carefully consider the significant material forwarded in support of the application. The size of any payout to Folbigg, now living near Newcastle, is likely to make history, but how it will be calculated is opaque. Lindy and Michael Chamberlain received a combined $1.3 million ex gratia payment in 1992 from the Northern Territory government after their convictions over the death of their daughter Azaria were quashed in 1988. Lindy had spent three years in prison. A former NSW school student will receive more than $1.2 million in damages for a violent bullying attack in 2017 after a Supreme Court ruling this year. Folbigg said it is not about wanting money for the sake of money, and she was interested in donating some of the money to genetic research, funding additional transitional centres for women leaving prison and animal welfare. She believed it was a travesty that the process for receiving an ex gratia payment had been so complex. As they made the case for a payment, Folbigg and her lawyer Rhanee Rego were welcomed to a lunch in the Strangers Restaurant overlooking the Domain at NSW Parliament on August 27. COUNTING THE COST Kathleen Folbiggs lawyer, Rhanee Rego, says an ex gratia payment for Folbigg should cover: Past and future loss of income; Loss of liberty for 20 years; Punitive or exemplary damages. In attendance were the Shooters and Fishers Banasiak and Robert Borsak, Higginson, Fang and upper house Labor MP Stephen Lawrence. Labors Cameron Murphy also dropped in. If Folbigg ever has the money to buy a home, she would like to get a playmate for Snowie, now about 20 months old. The whippet-cross was rescued from an RSPCA shelter in the Hunter. I liked the idea of being able to go to a rescue place because to me thats pretty much like doggy jails, Folbigg said. They spend too long in there and sometimes some of them dont ever get to come back out. Its a dismal end for some. Folbigg outside the Court of Criminal Appeal after the convictions were quashed in 2023, with solicitor Rhanee Rego and close friend Tracy Chapman (right). Credit: Kate Geraghty Asked about her relationship with grief, Folbigg said that grief, as far as Im concerned, is an eternal thing. But she is conscious that angers not worth anything. She said she had met women in prison who had not had the opportunity to attend their childrens funerals something she was able to do. Ive had to sideline and put to bed the whole business of where are my childrens ashes, she said. She believed they had been scattered somewhere, but hoped one day in her own home to set up my own space that will celebrate them and [to] be able to go to them. Folbiggs former husband, Craig, who remarried and did not support the inquiry process, died from a heart attack in March this year. Former NSW chief justice Tom Bathurst, KC, who presided over the inquiry into Folbiggs convictions, concluded last year that her diaries, a key plank of the prosecutions case in her 2003 trial, did not contain reliable admissions of guilt over the deaths of the couples children, Caleb, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura, between 1989 and 1999. They were aged between 19 days and 18 months. The evidence before the inquiry, at most, demonstrates that Ms Folbigg was a loving and caring mother who occasionally became angry and frustrated with her children. That provides no support for the proposition that she killed her four children, Bathurst said. Folbigg resued Snowie from an RSPCA shelter in the Hunter. Credit: James Brickwood The inquiry heard expert evidence that a genetic variant Folbigg shared with her daughters might cause cardiac arrhythmias irregular heart rhythms and sudden unexpected death. It also heard Patrick might have died as a result of an underlying neurogenetic disorder such as epilepsy. The genetic variant was discovered after Folbiggs trial. Rego said the case for an ex gratia payment falls into three broad categories, the first being payment for economic loss Kathleen suffered as a result of being convicted. She lost the opportunity to have a career and will not be able to have one in the future. The second category was for loss of liberty for 20 years. Loading Rego said this was not just about her being put in jail for 20 years, its about how bad that 20 years was for her the isolation, the torment, the assaults and the psychological trauma, most of which will never leave her. The third category was exemplary or punitive damages. Rego said Folbigg was convicted based on speculation rather than evidence, then the appeal courts failed to realise the system made a mistake. A first public inquiry failed her. All the while Kathleen was in jail the experience of 20 years was harrowing. Many people who serve time can avoid attention and fly under the radar; Kathleen couldnt because she was Australias worst female serial killer. Thanks for joining us today for our live coverage of news in Brisbane and around the country. Well be back tomorrow morning. In case you missed them, here are some of the major stories making headlines today. A third person has been charged as police investigate the death of Rosemary Franzidis, who was killed when an allegedly stolen Audi driven by a teenager smashed into her car. The PM has defended his governments $470 million quantum computing bet following Queenslands decision to review a deal it struck to fund a start-up alongside the federal government. After receiving a payout after a collision, Queensland businessman Doug Wright wanted to invest the money. But his decision to respond to a Facebook ad promising high returns ended up costing him $1 million. Over five months, Doug Wright received returns on his investment. Then communication stopped. Credit: Ben Shipway Jamie Olivers latest childrens book barely hit the shelves before it was pulled after First Nations complaints over cultural insensitivity. Heres where everything went wrong. In cricket, Xavier Bartlett is set to return to the international arena on his home turf, and hes salivating at the thought of dispatching the injury concerns that cruelled his meteoric rise. And in a heritage-listed 19th-century church building, celebrated young-gun chef Brad Cooper and his partner, Matilda Riek, have created an intimate, Euro-focused diner with a punchy wine list. One of Brisbanes most popular exports, Bluey, has come to (real) life, and while theres been a lot of hype, there are a few things you probably dont know about Blueys World. I visited the Northshore Pavilion attraction with my five-year-old this week. Heres what I learnt. Blueys World is a guided experience spanning 4000 square metres. It takes visitors through an original Bluey storyline, with actors playing fairies and a gnome that comes to life. Theres even a surprise Unicorse. Blueys World has opened in Brisbane, with visitors enjoying a 60-minute guided tour through the Heeler familys home. Credit: Felicity Caldwell Children are asked to solve clues to find Bluey and Bingo, who appear at the end. And while its interactive, most of the things children can move and pick up are also towards the end, when they explore the playroom and enjoy a game of Keepy Uppy. The Greens will keep abortion on the federal election agenda with a $100 million funding pledge to give public hospitals more resources to perform terminations, as new polling shows most Australians want abortion laws left intact. Their policy will push Labor to reveal its own plans for improving access to terminations after a messy political debate, fuelled by the United States election, raised fears that Australias abortion laws could be unwound. Greens Senator Larissa Waters said the renewed culture war had illustrated why the federal government needed to play a greater role in guaranteeing abortion access. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The Coalition belatedly sought to dial down debate after Nationals Senator Jacinta Price put it on the national agenda with controversial comments that said late-stage abortions were akin to infanticide. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told his MPs he had no plans to change the laws and urged them to shut down the discussion because it had cost the party votes. But Greens Senator Larissa Waters said the renewed culture war illustrated why the federal government needed to play a greater role in ensuring everyone could access the healthcare they needed, given many women in Australia have no option but to travel hundreds of kilometres and pay more than $600 at private services. Xi sends congratulatory message on centennial of Sun Yat-sen University Xinhua) 13:08, November 12, 2024 GUANGZHOU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory letter to Sun Yat-sen University on its centennial anniversary. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended congratulations to the university's faculty, students and alumni at home and abroad. Xi urged the university to align its development with major national strategies and the needs of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. He said the university should step up efforts to build itself into a world-class university with Chinese characteristics, contributing significantly to the advancement of Chinese modernization. Xi's letter was read out at a gathering commemorating the university's centennial anniversary, held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday. During the event, Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, noted in his speech that Guangdong would fully support Sun Yat-sen University in its efforts to make new contributions. Sun Yat-sen University was founded by and named after Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of China's democratic revolution. Sun led the 1911 Revolution that ended over 2,000 years of feudal rule in China. Founded in 1924, the university has cultivated over 800,000 professionals across various fields during its century-long history. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Church of England covered up the actions of British barrister and prolific child abuser John Smyth, who abused private schoolboys attending evangelical Christian holiday camps in the 1970s and 1980s, according to an independent review. Smyth is believed to have abused as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa across 50 years when he served as a barrister and held leadership roles in the Iwerne Trust---the organization that organized summer camps for young Christians. When his abuse of young children was discovered, the Church of England allowed Smyth to move abroad, where he set up camps and continued abusing boys until 2018. He died that same year, never having faced justice for his crimes, per Yahoo News. The Cover Up Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, volunteered at the holiday camps where Smyth abused the boys in the 1970s. He has denied having any knowledge of the abuse, but an independent review commissioned by the Church of England found that it was "unlikely" he did not know about the crimes. "[Welby] may not have known of the extreme seriousness of the abuse, but it is most probable that he would have had at least a level of knowledge that John Smyth was of some concern," the report read. The review cited a complaint in 2013 wherein a victim approached senior figures in the church with abuse accusations against Smyth. One of the senior officials at the time was Welby. In response, Welby said he had no knowledge of the abuse until the 2013 report but admitted that he "personally failed to ensure" that the allegations were investigated. The independent review also noted that Smyth's actions were identified in the 1980s through a secret review carried out by the Iwerne Trust. That review found that the barrister carried out physical violence, sexual and psychological abuse, and coercive control against young Christian boys. However, his actions and the result of the review were never fully exposed until 2016. Smyth was later allowed to move abroad. He first moved to Zimbabwe, where he faced charges of killing a 16-year-old boy found dead in a pool at a holiday camp. He moved to Cape Town later, where he ran the Justice Alliance of South Africa group until 2018, when he was removed as leader over claims of inappropriate behavior, per The Guardian. Calls for Resignation Following the publishing of the review, a petition launched by members of the General Synod---the church's parliament---gathered over 8,000 signatures calling for Welby's resignation over the failure to alert authorities about Smyth's actions. Welby, however, has said he does not intend to resign. Instead, he hopes the independent review would help support "the ongoing work of building a safer church" in England and in other countries. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping within days to shore up a $327 billion economic relationship, as the United States election result triggers fears of global trade wars. Albanese will hold talks with global leaders at two summits in a bid to cement free trade agreements despite the prospect of mammoth tariffs when Donald Trump takes office as US president in January. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend two international summits in coming weeks. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region will gather in Peru from Thursday for an annual economic summit, followed by a G20 summit in Brazil early next week. While US President Joe Biden will attend both summits, Trump will overshadow the talks as world leaders brace for the impact of his stated trade policies, such as 60 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods. Who is the current chancellor of Germany? Honestly, I have no idea. I know it used to be Angela Merkel, but I would have to Google it to be sure who replaced her. But then, I dont know who the current prime minister of Spain is either. I would also have to Google to find out whos in charge in Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, South Africa, and plenty of other major nations. President-elect Donald Trump celebrates his landslide victory with his wife Melania. Credit: Bloomberg And yet, if you offered me an air ticket, I would visit any of those countries tomorrow. It really doesnt matter to me who is in charge, what their political leanings are, what their specific policies are, who they impress, and who they enrage. I know enough about most countries, particularly those above, to know I will enjoy my time there anyway, regardless of who happens to be holding the political reins at any given point in time. The specific leader of a stable, peaceful nation tends not to matter too much to short-term visitors. Washington: SpaceX chief Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have been tapped by Donald Trump to head a newly formed government efficiency department as the president-elect rounds out his new cabinet with loyal allies. In a surprise appointment on Tuesday night, Trump also said he would nominate Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defence, giving the 44-year-old army veteran the job of leading Americas military amid growing global uncertainty. The statements came amid a flurry of cabinet announcements. Elon Musk embraces Donald Trump during a campaign rally in October. Credit: Getty Images One week after his decisive election victory over Kamala Harris, Trump has asked South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to head the US Department of Homeland Security, placing her at the centre of his tough-on-immigration policy. Background and broader implications This case led to further regulatory actions, including the cancellation of Metal Alphas Australian Financial Services Licence in May 2022 and a financial services ban on Trading Life Services (formerly AlphaThorn) and its former director. IDFC FIRST Bank, today announced the launch of startup lounge an exclusive space designed to support entrepreneurs and empower early-stage startups in India. Located in Koramangala, Bangalore, this unique space aims to provide essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. On the occasion Mr. Bhavesh Jatania, Head Start-up Banking, IDFC FIRST Bank said, We are excited to announce the IDFC FIRST Bank Start-up Lounge, a first of its kind initiative by a bank in India. The Start-up Lounge will serve as meeting and collaboration point, providing entrepreneurs a conducive environment to innovate and grow. IDFC FIRST Bank will also partner with leading incubators, accelerators, venture capitalists and angel investors, creating synergies that will help startups gain competitive edge in a fast-evolving business environment. The FIRST Wings Start-up Lounge is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including meeting rooms and advanced video conferencing solutions, creating an ideal environment for entrepreneurs, and investors to connect, collaborate and grow. To provide additional support to the entrepreneurs the Start-up Lounge will also host events: Knowledge Sessions: Access to a curated knowledge resources and mentorship sessions conducted by industry experts. Networking Events: Events that connect startups with investors and industry experts. Pitch Presentations: Present business ideas to potential investors and receive valuable feedback. Key features of the First Wings Startup Banking Program by IDFC FIRST Bank: FIRST Start-up Current Account: Zero fee current account with free banking services with no minimum balance requirement for initial three years for early-stage startups. FIRST Bravo Feature: A smart sweep facility that allows startups to earn returns up to 7.25% on idle funds by automatically transferring excess amounts over Rs 2 lakhs into fixed deposits. FIRST Business Corporate Credit Card: Designed to help start-ups manage their business expenses with a flexible step-up credit feature. Founder Success Program: LeapToUnicorn one of its kind initiatives that provides access to mentorship, networking and fundraising opportunities through a meticulously planned journey. Conclusion With the support of various ecosystem partners, including investors, government bodies, and accelerators, the FIRST Wings Start-up Lounge aims to act as a catalyst for start-up growth. By bringing together key players in one space, IDFC FIRST Bank is helping startups navigate the complexities of growth and innovation. On November 14th, 2024, the Indigenomics NOW forum is convening Indigenous business leadership, entrepreneurs, and allies from around the world in a virtual gathering that asks: How can we build economy with life at the center? Hosted by the Global Centre of Indigenomics, this inaugural 24-hour online global forum invites participants to join a transformative conversation that upholds Indigenous economic knowledge systems embedded in cultural values and Indigenous worldview. As human and ecological challenges deepen worldwide, global Indigenous economic leadership offers a vital pathway to resilience and sustainable design. Indigenomics NOWis more than a forum; its a necessary shift toward an economic model that places people, community, and the planet at the heart of prosperity. Indigenomics NOW is an invitation to reimagine the economy, says Carol Anne Hilton, founder of the Indigenomics movement. Indigenous knowledge provides a roadmap for an economy that thrives on reciprocity, responsibility, sustainability, and interconnectedness. This event will showcase powerful Indigenous-led innovations for advancing sustainability across global economic challenges. Event Highlights: Global Indigenous Perspectives A vast spectrum of Indigenous voices from Canada, the United States, Ecuador, Cameroon, South Africa, and New Zealand that will advance insights of building economies rooted in respect, sustainability, and cultural connection. A vast spectrum of Indigenous voices from Canada, the United States, Ecuador, Cameroon, South Africa, and New Zealand that will advance insights of building economies rooted in respect, sustainability, and cultural connection. Keynote Speakers Carol Anne Hilton and Eli Enns on Indigenous generational leadership; Garry Oker on Indigenous-led economic design; Dr. Anthony Cole on digital transformation; and Glinis Buffalo and Helen Bobiwash on sustaining traditional values in business. Carol Anne Hilton and Eli Enns on Indigenous generational leadership; Garry Oker on Indigenous-led economic design; Dr. Anthony Cole on digital transformation; and Glinis Buffalo and Helen Bobiwash on sustaining traditional values in business. Cultural Celebrations and Reflections From Tanzanian performers to an Indigenous Moon Ceremony led by Andrea Menard, the event upholds Indigenous worldview as a core component of economic vitality. Organized around the alignment of the natural world with 13 content streams inspired by natural systems such as 13 moons and 4 directions, Indigenomics NOW brings together critical perspectives including Indigenous economic sovereignty, sustainable business models, and Indigenous data sovereignty. Each session is a call to action, grounded in Indigenous values that prioritize long-term generational well-being, accountability and environmental stewardship. About the Global Centre of Indigenomics The Global Centre of Indigenomics champions Indigenous economic futures, advancing sustainability prosperity as essential to global success. For more information about Indigenomics NOW on November 14, 2024, visit https://events.indigenomicsinstitute.com/now View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241111267390/en/ 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) Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from Elsie, Neb., is the new chairman of U.S. Meat Export Federation, succeeding Minnesota pork and grain producer Randy Spronk, according to a press release from USMEF. Hanson has previously held many beef industry leadership roles, including chairman of the Nebraska Beef Council and Federation of State Beef Councils and president of the Nebraska Cattlemen. He was also on USMEFs beef promotion operating committee, where he came to appreciate the importance of international marketing programs for U.S. red meat. The operating committee is where I first got my exposure to USMEF, which invests our checkoff dollars so well and adds value to the beef carcass, Hanson said. Hanson also praised USMEF for bringing together a wide range of agricultural sectors to support a common goal. Hanson said industry unity is also critical when countering efforts to shut down animal agriculture. Idaho ties USMEFs new chairman-elect is Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Co., a diversified business with operations in ranching, cattle feeding, cattle nutrition and beef processing. He is a past director of the Idaho Beef Council and has served on the beef industry long range plan task force. USMEF Vice Chairman Dave Bruntz is president of Bruntz Farming & Feeding in southeastern Nebraska, where he raises corn and soybeans and feeds cattle. Bruntz is a past president of the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Cattlemen. He also served as a regional vice president for the National Cattlemens Beef Association. The newest USMEF officer is Secretary-Treasurer Darin Parker, director of Salt Lake City-based exporter and distributor PMI Foods. Labor organizations are seeking to intervene in federal lawsuits to save a Biden rule that gives some farmworkers union rights, arguing the Trump administration may not adequately defend the rule. Farmworker Justice and UFW Foundation filed a motion Nov. 8 to intervene in a lawsuit filed by North Carolina farmers, one of four lawsuits pending in federal courts challenging the rule. The groups are in synch with the Biden Labor Department, but they may be out of step with the next presidential administration and disagree on legal tactics, according to Farmworker Justice and UFW. If granted intervenor status, the groups will be able to participate in hearings and appeal decisions. UFW and Farmworker Justice say they spent years advocating for the rule and were influential in shaping it. The rule will strengthen protections for farmworkers who advocate for better working conditions and wages, and assert their legal rights, according to UFW Foundation director of government affairs Diego Iniguez-Lopez. The rule allows foreign farmworkers and U.S. workers on the same farm to form unions and take collective action to improve working conditions. In the only ruling so far, U.S. District Judge Lisa Wood in Georgia issued a preliminary injunction blocking the rule in 17 states, including Idaho. The 17 states, led by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, are seeking to permanently vacate the rule in all states. The rule remains in effect in Oregon, Washington, California and 30 other states. The rule seeks to revolutionize the National Labor Relations Act without congressional approval, according to a brief submitted by Kobach. The NLRA gives bargaining rights to unionized workers, but excludes farmworkers. Other lawsuits are pending in U.S. district courts in Kentucky, Mississippi and North Carolina. The states are in different circuit courts. The Supreme Court could be asked to settle the issue if circuit court decisions conflict. The Labor Department says the rule will prevent the recruitment of foreign farmworkers from undermining working conditions for U.S. workers, but denies it goes as far as giving farmworkers collective-bargaining rights. Kobach argues the rule and NLRA mirror each other and called the Labors Department minor wordsmithing tricky. The AFL-CIO filed a friend-of-the-court brief Friday in Mississippi arguing the NLRA doesnt prohibit other federal laws from regulating farmworker employment. The NLRA also excluded federal employees, but President Kennedy signed an executive order allowing federal workers to organize unions and negotiate with employers, the AFL-CIO noted. Presidents Nixon and Ford extended the executive order, and Congress made the bargaining rights permanent in 1978. Courts should give the historical precedent great weight, according to the AFL-CIO. James Cox Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Michael O'Leary's teachers joke Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has come under criticism for saying he would not hire teachers to get things done at a Fine Gael event at the weekend. Mr OLeary was endorsing Minister for Enterprise and Fine Gael candidate Peter Burke in the LongfordWestmeath constituency, adding that he would give his second preference to Fianna Fail candidate Robert Troy. The comment prompted angry statements from teachers unions, while Fine Gael figures have rushed to distance themselves from Mr O'Leary's comments. Taoiseach Simon Harris said: "I think the comments made were crass, they were ill-informed. Im pretty annoyed about it." He said the Dail was not like running a company and was meant to be reflective of society. He also pointed out that former Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former finance minister Michael Noonan were both teachers before entering politics. Teachers are the people that we can trust with our most precious possessions: our children, I know that in my own house. And theres not that many people who can stand up in front of a classroom for five seconds and last, let alone for the full day, for the full week, full month, it is a tough job. Its an impactful job, and I have nothing but respect for teachers. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail take shots at each other While the coalition government ended on relatively good terms, the parties are now taking shots at each other at every opportunity as they enter full election mode. While there is a very good chance they will end up in government together again, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are now looking to emphasise their differences. Fianna Fail, led by Tanaiste Micheal Martin, a former teacher, have looked to profit from the controversy surrounding Mr O'Leary's comments. Meanwhile, Fine Gael suggested their coalition partners have pledged to legalise the personal use of all drugs in their manifesto. Fianna Fail clarified that their policy pledge referred only to cannabis. Meanwhile, Minister for Justice and Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee has criticised Fianna Fail's manifesto. She said it is "full of uncosted promises but contains so little substance". Its quite remarkable that after spending the last five years in Government, Fianna Fail has today produced a manifesto that contains so little substance. The Fianna Fail document is riddled with promises that are so incredibly vague which is disappointing for a party that claims it wants to lead the next Government. The lack of detail in the manifesto is nearly as extraordinary as the fact that the document is full of bizarre costings. For example, Fianna Fail claims it will generate savings of 3 billion from tax compliances and efficiencies. Thats ten times the actual figure in the latest Budget. How exactly did the party arrive at that costing? This is the type of back-of-the-matchbox-style politics that really could set Ireland backwards and scupper the economic progress that we have made in recent years. Sinn Fein looks to bounce back Opposition party Sinn Fein has not looked to insert itself in the Fine Gael/Fianna Fail drama. This is perhaps a smart move as Mary Lou McDonald's party looks to bounce back from recent scandals, and poor poll performances, in the election. Ms McDonald has pledged to start tackling USC rates in her partys first 100 days in government if it wins the election. The party is running 71 candidates across all constituencies in Ireland in the poll later this month in a bid to oust both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail from government for the first time in decades. At a candidate launch at the Communication Workers Union in Dublin on Monday morning, Ms McDonald pledged to abolish the universal social charge (USC) for the first 45,000 of peoples incomes. Repetition in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail adverts Analysis of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail's social media advertisements for the general election shows a lot of repetition when it comes to issues and slogans. With the general election now confirmed for November 29th, Fine Gael has published 180 paid ads this month in comparison to 560 Fianna Fail ads. Analysis from Damien Mulley of Mulley communications, shared with BreakingNews.ie, shows Fine Gael has honed in on what the party can do for 'you and your family', while Fianna Fail has promised 'delivery' on a number of issues. Fine Gael's ads were all identical with two versions of a similar message: "[Candidate's Name] has been working hard for you and your family. Vote No.1 [Candidate's Name]", and "[Candidate's Name] knows the issues that matter most to you and your family. Vote No.1 [Candidate's Name]". The majority of Fianna Fail candidates promised 'delivery' on housing and cost of living. The other issues mentioned in Fianna Fail adverts are healthcare, childcare, crime prevention/safer communities, public transport, just transition, and supporting local businesses/farm families. Fine Gael's cheapest ad cost between 100 and 199, while the most expensive was between 1,500 and 2,000. Fianna Fail's cheapest ad was less than 100, and the most expensive was between 800 and 899. Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch confirms Dail bid After much speculation, crime boss Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has confirmed he will run in the general election. Mr Hutch told the Sunday Independent: "I am running as a candidate in Dublin Central. I will be the peoples choice. They will vote for me. They have asked me to run, so I am." Mr Hutch, 61, is currently out on 100,000 bail after being arrested in a money laundering investigation in Lanzarote. He will be running against a number of sitting TDs in the Dublin Central constituency including Sinn Fein party leader Mary Lou McDonald, Fine Gael Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats and the Green Party's Nessa Hourigan. Abroad In the UK, a proposed assisted dying bill is being debated. Campaigners have been pushing for the legislation for a long time, but there is a lot of opposition to it. On a visit to Paris, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer made a pledge of "unwavering support" for Ukraine along with French president Emmanuel Macron. It comes amid huge uncertainty over Ukraine's position in the war with Russia after Donald Trump's US election win. In the US, Mr Trump is in the process of appointments to his cabinet and other important administration roles. The two most high-profile positions so far are Susie Wiles, Mr Trump's White House chief of staff, and Marco Rubio's reportedly imminent appointment as US secretary of state. High Court reporters The HSE and Tusla have denied they are at loggerheads over who is responsible for the placement of a 17-year-old autistic boy in care whose living arrangements have repeatedly broken down. The boys mother has brought an urgent High Court application seeking orders compelling either agency to provide him with an appropriate placement, as his current service has flagged it will soon stop hosting him due to his risks being far beyond any tolerable limit for the organisation to bear. The provider has said the arrangement cannot continue in light of an incident last month where the boy punched and kicked a staff member and threatened sexual assault. The boys mother is also asking the court to declare that the agencies have failed to protect and vindicate her sons constitutional rights and that Tuslas arrangements for his placement over the last 11 months did not comply with its statutory duties. On Tuesday, her lawyers, Patricia Brazil SC and Maeve Cox BL, told the court they an early hearing of the case. Ms Brazil said the two State agencies are essentially at loggerheads over who must take responsibility for the boy. David Leahy SC, for the HSE said Tusla is the primary target of the mothers case as the body responsible for providing for children in State care. He accepted the case is urgent but did not agree with the claim his client and Tusla are at loggerheads. He will submit the HSEs legal response to the mothers claims within three weeks and, in the meantime, continue working very closely with Tusla regarding the provision of services. He said the HSE is going well beyond what it might strictly be required to do for the boy, who he said does not require a disability placement. Tuslas barrister, Deirdre Lynch, said Mr Leahy was correct in saying the two organisations are not at loggerheads. She said there is a signficant amount of collaborative work going on at the most senior level in the case. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty said she will treat the case urgently but she felt it was reasonable for the agencies to take three weeks to respond to the claims. In her legal papers, the mother says her son entered State care in December 2023 after years of her struggling to manage his escalating behaviours and to keep him safe at home. She said he has autism, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and early stage psychosis. She said his behaviour included violence towards family members, including threatening her and other family members with knives. She said he also experiences suicidal ideation and paranoid thoughts, and she had had to contact gardai several times due to the severe risk he posed to himself and other relatives. He has on multiple occasions been hospitalised over his mental state, she said. Since being taken into State care 11 months ago, she said he has never been provided with an appropriate, approved placement or a suitable disability placement. She said he was maintained in temporary, unapproved special emergency arrangements (SEAs), including in a hotel. These SEAs are completely unsuitable and could not keep him safe, she said, adding that he has repeatedly absconded and placed himself at signficant risk. She said the District Court ordered Tusla to provide him with a long-term placement that matches his needs but the agency has not complied with this and remains in breach of this order. She said that her son absconded from his placement several times in September and was found in different counties. On one occasion after being returned to his SEA he absconded within minutes, she said. He was detained at a mental health support unit for several days before a residential disability placement was found for him in late September, she said, adding that his absconding has significantly reduced. Tomas Doherty The general election on November 29th will send 174 TDs to the Dail from 43 constituencies. The electoral map has changed significantly since the last election, with four extra constituencies and 14 more seats. Use the map below provided by the Electoral Commission to find out which constituency you're in and how many TDs youll be voting to elect. Type in your address or Eircode to find your constituency. Every constituency will have its own individual battle, with candidates having to respond to different local priorities and issues. On a national level, the most contentious issue for the Government will be Irelands housing crisis, which has rumbled on since the recession when investment in public services was slashed. The Governments Housing for All plan, which sets out an aim to build an average of 33,000 homes a year until 2030, has been criticised as not ambitious enough and that the share of public housing is too small. A shortage of supply has propelled house prices and rents to surge beyond average wages, while Irelands traditionally high rate of home ownership has plummeted, particularly among young people. Homeless figures have also regularly hit new record highs during the coalitions time in office. Ahead of the 2020 general election, the Governments official homelessness tally surpassed 10,000 people for the first time now, 14,760 people are homeless. The Government has argued it has overseen record levels of home building and offered two, punter-friendly, State grants to help first-time buyers afford new builds. Opposition parties argue the States housing supply both social and affordable homes needs to be greater and that Government policy has left house prices to inflate. To the Governments critics, the housing crisis appears paradoxical when set against booming public finances, with the States coffers buoyed each year by billions of euro in tax receipts from multinational giants who have set up bases in the Republic. The same argument is made when it comes to parts of the health service, such as the lengthy waits endured by children requiring spinal surgery. Hospital overcrowding is another issue that successive governments have grappled with. It often piles major pressure on the HSE during winter, but now healthcare workers say it has become a year-round problem. The Government parties say real progress has been delivered in housing and healthcare during a mandate that ends with the countrys finances in rude health. The response to the increase in migration in the last two years in Ireland is also an election issue, though some politicians have said it is less prominent on the doors now than it was earlier in the year. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Ireland since Russias invasion and the number of asylum seekers from elsewhere in the world increased dramatically post-pandemic. This has placed unprecedented strain on State accommodation provision, leading to tensions and disputes in some areas over plans to repurpose hotels and other buildings into facilities for international protection applicants. Anti-immigration protests have become more common and gardai have also had to deal with several outbreaks of far-right influenced rioting and disorder. Cartoon Brew is focusing on the animated shorts that have qualified for the 2025 Oscars. The films in this series have qualified through one of multiple routes: by winning an Oscar-qualifying award at a film festival, by exhibiting theatrically, or by winning a Student Academy Award. Todays film is Maybe Elephants from Norwegian director Torill Kove. The short earned its Oscars qualification through theatrical exhibition. Maybe Elephants is a 2d animated short co-produced by Norwegian studio Mikrofilm and the National Film Board of Canada. In the film, Oscar-winning filmmaker Torill Kove (The Danish Poet) recalls the memories of her childhood in Kenya, where she moved with her parents and teen sisters in the 1970s. Her happy recollections clash with her mothers attitude, who seems to fall into a depressive and restless state. Cartoon Brew: In the film, you tackle the subject of adult depression. Why was it important for you to make it part of your film, along with your own experience? Torill Kove: Initially, I was mostly focused on my familys separation and the idea that external and internal forces can hold a family together and pull it apart. While writing, I looked for clues: What happened in Kenya? Did our bubble burst because we were outside our comfort zone? Were my sisters and I too difficult? Was my mother bitter because her career came to a screeching halt while my fathers flourished? Did we crack under the stress of adjusting to a different culture? My mothers cloud was in the story from the beginning. Gradually, the cloud became the storys anchor; it followed the rule of three and made my mother the storys heroine. I hesitate to talk about my mothers depression because I dont know much about it. What I do know is that my mother grew up in a family haunted by grief and fearful of the effects of war, and maybe thats where her cloud formed. I suspect the cloud, to some extent, formed her, and since it went with her everywhere, it impacted some people close to her. In real life, my mother fought against the crowd: She was a lone woman in a male-dominated profession and believed and insisted that she could have several children and pursue a career in a 1960-1970s society that said she couldnt and shouldnt. She was an idealist with a hunger to contribute to the world. My mother, in other words, was my lifes first feminist. What was it about this story or concept that connected with you and compelled you to direct the film? I wanted to make a film about my familys time in Kenya and the family separation in the wake of that. Maybe Elephants is a somewhat autobiographical story about how everything was fine, but something happened. Writing as an adult looking back, I wondered what exactly happened and how dependable my memory of events from almost 50 years ago is. As I tinkered with the story, it became increasingly layered. Its about a family that leaves its comfort zone and moves to a different country. But underneath, theres a story about a woman looking for a place free of clouds, and her husband, who is nuts about her and just wants to be with her. Its about teenagers exploring a big city and testing boundaries, and the strength and fragility of connections between people. Living in Kenya as a teen had a profound positive impact on my life. It instilled in me an idealism that I can connect with people anywhere with whom I have no shared history as long as there is shared humanity. In a way, Maybe Elephants is, among other things, a thank-you note to my family and Kenya for the memories, even if Im not sure I remember them correctly. What did you learn through the experience of making this film, either production-wise, filmmaking-wise, creatively, or about the subject matter? Production-wise, Maybe Elephants had a bigger team than I am used to, especially in the animation and art direction departments. Im not a control freak, but I must admit, with so many people involved, I was afraid I would lose the grip on my vision for the film. What I learned is that my vision got sharper because I had to articulate it to others and discuss it in many different contexts. It is safe to say that I learned something from everybody who worked on the film; I also learned that I love working with a team of people. I like the collegial joined effort and community aspects. I am beyond grateful for all my fantastic producers and all the outstanding artistic talent that contributed to making this film at Mikrofilm in Norway and the NFB in Canada. Can you describe how you developed your visual approach to the film? Why did you settle on this style/technique? Building the visual universe of a story is an exciting part of the process. Its when my thoughts and whatever drawing tool I have in hand start exploring possibilities. I chose 2d drawing animation because thats what I do I wanted a direct connection between the first sketches and the final film. I wanted simplicity in the drawings and complexity in colors and depth. I wanted a drive-by scene from the outskirts of Nairobi, where we lived. I wanted teenagers on motorcycles at night, a big starry sky and crickets and flamingos, violet jacaranda trees and reddish-brown soil. I wanted some magic and some realism, and teen girls with too much eye makeup. After a while, I had a pile of sketches depicting a bunch of characters, my Norwegian town, Kenya and Nairobi, drawn partly from memory and partly from photographs. And then we hired Magnhild Winsnes, a brilliant Norwegian animator and graphic novel author/illustrator, to be the art director. Magnhild and I took these intuitive bits and pieces of visual thoughts and scribbles and translated them into our concept for the film. Shah Rukh Khan A man named Mohammad Faizan Khan, who gave out death threats to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was arrested from Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. The accused, a lawyer, was arrested from his residence in Chhattisgarh's Raipur, TV reports said. Faizan Khan made a threat call to Bollywoods 'Badshah' and also demanded Rs 50 lakh. He was arrested after he failed to appear before the Mumbai Police. Earlier, the accused claimed that his mobile phone was stolen and was subsequently used to make the threatening call last week. He also said that he filed a police case regarding 'stolen phone' on November 2. According to reports, a case was registered against him by the Mmmbai police under sections 308(4) (extortion involving threats of death or serious injury) and 351(3)(4) (criminal intimidation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as the threat call was made from a phone number registered in his name. The superstar received the death threat last month; this was after the success of two movies - 'Pathaan' and 'Jawan'. After which, his security was tightened by Mumbai Police, giving him a Y+ security blanket. This ensures he is accompanied by six armed personnel around the clock; earlier he had two security personnel, also armed, accompanying him. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan too has been receiving threats. Last week, a man, aged 32 was arrested in Karnataka for issuing death threat to the Dabangg star. The threat call was apparently made from the gang members of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who have demanded the actor to apologise at the temple over killing of a blackbuck. The second threat message to Salman was received by Mumbai Traffic Control room. The gang also threatened to kill a songwriter who penned a track on Lawrence Bishnoi in one month's time. The message said that the songwriters condition will be so bad that he won't be able to write songs by his own name. If Salman Khan has the courage, then he should save him. Chattanooga Baby Box Chattanooga Baby Box Chattanooga Baby Box Chattanooga Baby Box Previous Next Chattanooga will soon open a Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 6, 4510 Bonny Oaks Dr. This is a life-saving device for newborns across the region. On Tuesday, Safe Haven Baby Box officials, members of the Chattanooga Fire Department, area first responders and city leaders will gather to bless the new baby box, making it operational and accessible for the public.A Baby Box is a safety device provided for under Tennessee Safe Haven Law and legally permits a parent in crisis to safely, securely and anonymously surrender his or her newborn without fear of prosecution.These boxes aim to prevent unsafe abandonment and ensure that infants are placed in proper care, following legal protocols.There are nearly 300 Safe Haven Baby Boxes across the country and Chattanooga is the latest city in Tennessee to have one. Other Tennessee locations include Jackson, Lawrenceburg, Springfield, Murfreesboro, Tullahoma, Kingston, Oak Ridge, Knoxville (two Baby Box spots), Clinton and Erwin. Hamilton County Schools will be hosting the 2025-26 School Choice Fair this Thursday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the East Brainerd Annex (formerly the Cigna Building) at 7555 Goodwin Road in Chattanooga.Officials said, "We encourage families who are interested in schools or programs outside their zone school to come out and visit. The full list of schools and programs participating can be found on our Hamilton County website (Available Choice Seats - Hamilton County Schools (hcde.org))."Families will be able to visit with schools that have Open Enrollment, Magnet, Future Ready Institutes & Pathways, Workforce Development & College Schools and charter seats.Representatives from each of these schools/programs will be available to answer your questions so that you can make a thoughtful and informed decision for your student."The School Choice Lottery Application will open on Nov. 18 and run through Jan. 31, 2025. Links to the application can be found on the HCDE website once it opens. If you have any questions, please reach out to the School Choice Office at 423-498-6762. Students and faculty at Girls Preparatory School dedicated a day to lung cancer awareness, featuring a series of engaging events designed to educate and inspire. The day was organized by Cathy Headrick Fiacco '83 and in conjunction with CHI Memorial and Dr. Rob Headrick, a Chattanooga thoracic surgeon, to highlight the role of medicine and engineering in combating lung cancer, address the stigma surrounding the disease, and encourage early screening. The day began as students gathered to discuss careers in medicine and engineering with Cathy and Dr. Headrick. Speaking to health and engineering students, they illustrated how the fields come together to diagnose and treat lung cancer. In an interactive discussion, students examined misconceptions about lung cancer and brainstormed solutions to encourage more widespread screening. Following the focus group, students decorated and signed white ribbons to symbolize their commitment to the cause. A second focus group session with the GPS Health Club continued discussions about lung cancers impact and ways students could become advocates for awareness and prevention. The highlight of the day was an afternoon assembly in Frierson Theatre, where all upper school students and faculty gathered for the official launch of the initiative. The event honored GPS alum Cate Tinkler Mueller from the Class of 1983, and a ceremonial white ribbon was presented to lung cancer survivor Joan Frierson '60 by her granddaughter, Bennett Brown '26. The assembly featured remarks from Dr. Headrick, who spoke passionately about the importance of early detection and community support for those affected by lung cancer. GPS alumnae Karen Burns '83, Cathy Headrick Fiacco '83, Elizabeth Forrester '94, and Katherine Ruffner '83 were also recognized for their contributions to the initiative. Still to Come On Tuesday, GPS will host an all-day Breathe Easy Lung Health Awareness event, bringing the Breathe Easy Lung Bus to campus for an immersive educational experience focused on lung health. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring an interactive mobile lab for on-site lung screenings and case study presentations, providing the GPS community with opportunities to learn about lung function, health, and preventive care. Inside, students will dive into an interactive STEM lab with case study presentations tailored to each courses curriculum. The schedule includes a rotation of classes engaging in discussions and activities related to lung anatomy, health, and engineering innovations in respiratory care. The Breathe Easy event is designed to spark students curiosity about lung health and respiratory sciences while underscoring the significance of preventative care. The Lung Bus and STEM labs will be open to all community members, making this event a memorable learning experience aimed at raising awareness and fostering a community commitment to health and wellness. Watch Dr. Headrick and Cathy present the project on "3 Plus You" here. In February of 2024, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), the longest serving Senate Leader in history, announced that he would not serve another term as party leader for Senate Republicans. While many such as Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and President Biden congratulated McConnell for his service, others see an opportunity for fresh leadership in the Republican party, as more conservatives call to move away from the establishment and ineffective moderates. Now, three contenders are currently in the running for Senate Majority Leader, of which the Republican members of the Senate will vote on on Wednesday: Rick Scott of Florida, John Thune of South Dakota, and John Cornyn of Texas. Of these, Rick Scott is the best option, by a long shot.With President-elect Trump set to take office in January, he will need strong support from congress to enact policies such as securing the border and restoring the Trump Tax Cuts. Scott has already pledged to support Trumps agenda, and has gained the endorsement of prominent conservatives and Trump allies, such as Elon Musk, Robert Kennedy Jr, Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), and Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky). I got our budget under control as Floridas Governor, Ill do it as Majority Leader, Scott pledged on X. Meanwhile, both Senators Thune and Cornyn have records of opposition to Trumps policies. Cornyn previously stated that Trump could not win the 2024 Election because he wasnt electable and endorsed Florida governor Ron DeSantis in the primaries. Thune called for Mike Pence to replace Trump on the Republican ticket in 2016, and his daughter ran a Political Action Committee The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers that donated money to top Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries, Jon Tester, and Sherrod Brown (the latter two were targeted by and lost re-election to Republicans this year). Both Cornyn and Thune remained silent when a liberal judge in Colorado attempted to take Trump off the ballot in December of 2023, and both supported giving more funds and aid to Ukraine. Neither attempted to stop the massive spending bills that have plunged our country further into debt. The same donors that backed Nikki Haleys primary challenge against Trump also back Cornyn and Thune. If the Senate is to get anything done this term, they need a leader who will not bow to foreign leaders or to the party across the aisle. They need an effective leader who gets things done, and isnt sidetracked by outside money and private incentives. We need a leader that will work with Trump to fix our broken economy, secure the border, and guarantee us safety again. So contact your GOP senator today, and get them to vote for Scott on Wednesday. His leadership will be crucial if Congress is to be effective in Trumps term. James Cowart Signal Mountain Ariel Bellamy, LNHA, RHA, CHPC, has been named administrator of Siskin Subacute West, Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitations skilled nursing facility.Officials said, "Serving as the organizations director of health and information services and privacy officer since 2021, Ms. Bellamy understands the utmost importance of upholding comprehensive privacy policies and procedures, such as HIPPA, along with compliance of state and federal regulations."I am honored to join such a dedicated team committed to delivering exceptional patient care.Together, we will continue to provide compassionate, quality services that enhance the lives of those we serve, said Ms. Bellamy.Officials said, "As administrator, Ms. Bellamy will oversee the management and operation of the facility, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations while supporting the provision of high-quality patient care. Acting as assistant administrator since July 2024, Ms. Bellamy has proven her aptitude for leadership and dedication to the organization."We have no doubt that she will continue to thrive in this new role and inspire those around her to achieve even greater success, said Aaron Spinks, COO of Siskin Hospital and former administrator of Siskin Subacute West. On the night of Nov. 8, 2016, I could not believe that Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in that years presidential election. However, I found great solace in the fact that Clinton won the popular vote. Despite both sides of the political spectrum having issues with the former secretary of state, the majority of American voters recognized that she was clearly the more qualified candidate for the presidency than Trump. Thus in 2016, the electoral college was to blame for Trumps victory. Therefore, in both the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, the thought of President Trump winning the popular vote was never of serious concern to me. I firmly believed that most voters saw through Trumps lies and charisma, and saw him for what he truly is: a vulgar, offensive con-artist. When Trump first entered the political stage, it seemed a large consensus of Americans were put off by his rhetoric of dehumanizing immigrants, his egotistical personality, and his apparent lack of eloquence to communicate effectively to the nation and the world. Then came his four years as president where his only legislative achievement was a tax break that mainly benefitted the rich, was impeached for soliciting foreign interference in the 2020 election, and failed to safely lead the country during a deadly pandemic. But most of all, I thought Americans were truly done with Donald Trump after he committed an unforgivable sin as an elected leader of a democracy. He did not accept defeat after losing an election he knew he lost fair and square. His lies and actions led to an assault on our capital, which could have led to the deaths of our national representatives and Vice President Mike Pence, while they were simply doing their constitutional duty of certifying the election. January 6th was a prime example of the dangers a democratic leader can cause by manipulating and lying to their supporters. I thought for sure the age of Trump was over. So on Election Day this year, when former President Trump received not only the 270 electoral college votes needed to win, he achieved what I thought was impossible. He won the popular vote. At first, I was in disbelief. But then I realized what Trump has done over the past eight years, hes completely altered the countrys perception of what it means to be the president of the United States. After three campaigns, one term in the White House, interview after interview, rally after rally, lie after lie, Donald Trump has legitimized his behavior and actions. Trumps openly crude or shocking comments that cause outrage in the media has become a part of daily life when consuming the news. Trumps constant lying has created a whole new reality for some Americans, which appears way too vast and ingrained for them to escape. Other politicians have adopted Trumps chaos and bigotry, such as House Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, further normalizing Trumps brand of politics. Trumps unprecedented behavior and actions have probably gained legitimization by never facing any tangible consequences. He was impeached twice by the House and then acquitted both times by the Senate. Out of all the court cases targeting Trumps alleged criminal actions, the only one that has found success is an inconsequential hush money case. And now the consequence of Trump losing re-election in 2020 has been rendered null, by his re-election victory this year. As a result of Trump being the Republican nominee for three elections in a row, so many young Americans have never voted on a presidential ballot that has not included the name Donald Trump. There is nothing more legitimizing for a presidential candidate than that. And there is probably nothing more presidential than experiencing an assassination attempt. One where Trump came out looking like a resilient, action hero no less. In short, the major change Trump has brought about in the past eight years is this: Trump, who appeared not to be presidential when he entered the political scene, has turned Trumpism into being presidential. After dominating presidential politics for so long, it should not come as a surprise that Trump has changed Americans' perception of what it means to be a president. I do not mean to suggest that this argument is the sole reason Trump has won re-election, considering other important factors like the economy, border hysteria, bigotry, and political apathy. But the theory I have laid out has helped me understand how Trump managed to win over the hearts and minds of most American voters. The most concerning takeaway I have from my own conclusion is that even after Trumps second term is over, he will have forever changed the American presidency. Brandon Denley Hixson * * * It is rather concerning how many liberals and democrats are blaming the Electoral College for Trumps election. The Electoral College is not interference, it is literally how we elect our president. It is the only thing preventing our country from becoming a pure mob-rule democracy, where essentially the West Coast and East Coast would overrule everything else on every candidate and issue. Trump has a long list of achievements that people like you seem to want to ignore. His tax cuts did not benefit the rich, according to IRS data. Trumps tax cuts were more effective on middle-class, working Americans (a bloc that voted for him in this election by larger numbers than before). Trump stabilized the Middle East with the Abraham Accords, withdrew from the ridiculous sham that is the Paris Climate Agreement, stood up to dictators in countries like Iran, China, and North Korea, became the first president since Bush to not have a new war occur in his term, had the southern border under control, almost complete energy independence, and got the United States to the #1 producer of oil and gas in the world. In just the singular week since he was elected again, Hamas has called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, Putin now suddenly wants negotiations with Ukraine and a reset of relationships with the U.S., the stock market and Bitcoin have hit all time highs, and Germany now wants to start buying our oil and gas again. Neither Joe Biden, nor Kamala Harris, nor Hillary Clinton couldve achieved this in four years of the presidency. You seem to talk about Trump lying but can also never bring up a lie. This is a very common tactic on the left - they accuse their enemies of lying, but they themselves can not defend their own evidence. So go ahead. Keep on blaming bigotry and political apathy for Kamalas loss. It certainly worked in getting Trump elected. Im sure itll work again for Republicans in four years. James Cowart Signal Mountain * * * The start-up Qkera has developed new electrolyte components for solid state batteries. With high energy density, great stability and low production costs, the goal of the TUM spin-off is to achieve a breakthrough of this battery technology in electromobility and other areas. At the Falling Walls Science Summit, Qkera was selected as one of the 25 best science start-ups worldwide. Battery performance is still regarded as the Achilles heel holding electromobility back from a decisive breakthrough. For many years the solid state battery has been seen as the potential game changer in that regard. Unlike conventional lithium ion batteries, these batteries use solid rather than liquid electrolytes. This promises greater energy density and, as a result, longer ranges and shorter charging times. But so far the technology has failed to make gains in the mass market. The start-up Qkera wants to change that. The research team working at the e-conversion Cluster of Excellence has developed electrolyte components that will make it possible to produce batteries with energy densities that the team estimates to be 30 to 50 percent higher than that of conventional batteries. The components are also remarkably thin and stable. Equally important: The team has developed a manufacturing process that will facilitate low-cost production. The technology could be used not only in cars, but also in smartphones and laptops. Qkeras electrolytes consist of a lithium ion-conducting ceramic-oxide material. In reality, it is practically the same material that a coffee cup is made of, explains Jennifer Rupp, Professor of Solid State Electrolytes at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and a co-founder of Qkera. This has benefits for safety and sustainability. Ceramics are practically non-inflammable and the batteries can be made without the rare earths that are often mined in crisis regions. For example, our technology makes it possible to make high-performance batteries with lithium iron phosphate cathodes that actually show lower output than cobalt-based alternatives and the material can be mined in Europe, explains Dr. Andreas Weis, co-founder and CTO of Qkera. Supported in a TUM Venture Lab Jennifer Rupp has been working on this research topic over her entire career. But at some point I realized that I would have to start my own company. Otherwise I would lose control of the technology. In November 2023 Qkera was founded. I conducted research in the USA for a long time and could have started a company there. But I wanted to do it in Germany, says Jennifer Rupp. We wanted to make our own contribution to help ensure that we in Europe would not be dependent on other countries with regard to energy storage. Qkera is receiving support in the TUM Venture Lab ChemSPACE. Each of the TUM Venture Labs specializes in an important technological field. They offer the start-up teams technical infrastructure geared to their specific needs, tailor-made training programs, expertise for the respective market and global networking with the industry. Qkera also received support with financing under the program Funding for Innovators, offered by UnternehmerTUM, the Center for Innovation and Business Creation at TUM. In the first year since founding the company we have made a huge number of technological advances, says Andreas Weis. Production now takes place at less than half of the usual synthesis temperature and has been optimized at a high speed, which saves greenhouse gases and in turn reduces the impact on the climate. By the end of this year the company plans to send the prototype to battery manufacturers so that they can utilize Qkera components for various battery designs. Winner at Falling Walls The Falling Walls jury sees the teams work as one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the year. To mark the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, the Falling Walls Foundation hosts its annual Science Summit in Berlin around that date to promote public awareness of the walls being demolished in the world of science. It is regarded as one of the most important events for fostering discussions between the world of research and society at large and within the scientific community. Falling Walls selects the most important achievements in five research fields and in the Science Start-ups category. Qkera is one of just 25 companies selected from more than 1100 startups from around the world. --- When you place metal nanoparticles on carbon, they become much more active. What was previously only assumed based on experience could now be explained in detail for the first time at TU Wien (Vienna). A tiny nanoparticle of silver (reflective atoms on top) on a carbon carrier. The boundary area (coloured markings) is where the activity is highest. Technische Universitat Wien The team: Gunther Rupprechter, Andreas SteigerThirsfeld, Michael StogerPollach, Alexander Genest, Thomas Wicht, Thomas Haunold. (left to right) Technische Universitat Wien Precious metals play an important role in the chemical industry as catalysts: With the help of silver, platinum, palladium or other elements, chemical reactions can take place that would otherwise not progress or would only progress at a much lower reaction rate. These metals are often used in the form of tiny nanoparticles. However, how well they work also depends on the surface on which they are placed. Nanoparticles on a carbon base seem to work particularly well - the reason for this was unknown for a long time. At TU Wien, however, it was now possible for the first time to precisely measure and explain the interaction between metal nanoparticles and a carbon substrate. Silver atoms on a carbon support were found to be two hundred times more active than atoms in a piece of pure silver. Computer simulations show that the zone in which the silver is in direct contact with the carbon is crucial. With the help of hydrogen isotope exchange, a method was developed to test catalyst supports for their effectiveness more quickly and easily. From black art to science For a long time, the use of carbon as a carrier material for catalysis had something almost magical, says Prof. Gunther Rupprechter from the Institute of Materials Chemistry at TU Wien. The source of carbon turned out to be important. For some processes, carbon is used that was obtained from coconut shells, fibers or special woods. Such recipes can even be found in patent documents although the origin of chemical substances should actually be relatively irrelevant. It always seemed a bit like black art, says Gunther Rupprechter. The idea was that different manufacturing methods could lead to minimal chemical or physical differences: perhaps the carbon arranges itself in different ways depending on the method of manufacturing? Maybe it contains traces of other chemical elements? Or do functional groups accumulate on the surface small molecular building blocks that intervene in the chemical reaction? In the chemical industry, people are naturally often content with the fact that a process works and can be repeated reliably, says Rupprechter. But we wanted to get to the origin of the effect and understand exactly what is actually going on here at the atomic level. The University of Cadiz (Spain) and the Center for Electrone Microscopy USTEM at TU Wien were also involved. Precision measurements in a microreactor The team first produced samples that could be characterized extremely precisely: silver nanoparticles of a known size on a carbon substrate and a thin silver foil without carbon. Both samples were then examined in a chemical reactor: Silver can be used to split hydrogen molecules into individual hydrogen atoms, explains Thomas Wicht, the first author of the study. This hydrogen can then be used, for example, for the hydrogenation reaction of ethene. In an analogous manner, one can also mix ordinary hydrogen molecules with molecules made of heavy hydrogen (deuterium). Both molecules are then dissociated by the silver and recombined. The more active the catalyst, the more frequently the two hydrogen isotopes are exchanged. This provides very reliable information about the catalyst activity. This meant that for the first time, the difference in activity between silver atoms with and without a carbon support could be precisely quantified - with spectacular results: "For each silver atom, the carbon background induces a two hundred times higher activity," says Thomas Wicht. This is of course very important for industrial applications. You only need a two-hundredth of the amount of expensive precious metals to achieve the same activity and you can do that simply by adding comparatively inexpensive carbon. The exciting effect happens right at the border Alexander Genest from the TU Wien team carried out computer simulations comparing the activation of hydrogen by silver nanoparticles on carbon and pure silver. This made it clear: the boundary region between silver particles and carbon carrier is crucial. The catalyst effect is greatest exactly where the two come into contact. So its not the size of the carbon surface or any foreign atoms or functional groups. An extreme catalytic effect occurs when a reactant molecule comes into contact with both a carbon and a silver atom directly at the interface, says Alexander Genest. The larger this area of direct contact, the greater the activity. PM Modi to address three rallies in poll-bound Maharashtra today With less than a week to go for campaigning to end in poll-bound Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address three public meetings on Tuesday and campaign for MahaYuti candidates in the state. The Prime Minister will address a public meeting in Chimur at 1 p.m. in eastern Vidarbha, followed by Solapur at 4:15 p.m. and later in Pune at 6:30 p.m. in western Maharashtra. In western Maharashtra which has 70 Assembly constituencies, the BJP and its MahaYuti allies will look to minimise any damage in what is essentially considered an NCP-Congress stronghold. The BJP is looking to strategically deploy the Prime Minister to overcome any cracks in its organisation at the ground level. Vidarbha is crucial for the contest as 36 of the 76 direct contests between the Congress and the BJP will play out in the region, which has a total of 62 Assembly constituencies. The BJP has also fielded 47 candidates in the region and if it strikes a blow here, the MahaYuti alliance's chances of returning to power will increase to a large extent. The region's importance to the BJP's poll calculations is apparent when one looks at PM Modi's quick visits to Wardha and Washim on September 20 and October 5, respectively. During those visits, the Prime Minister focused on agriculture, the textile sector, and OBCs. In the Lok Sabha elections, the MahaYuti lost ground here too, winning just three of the 10 parliamentary constituencies in the region. Maharashtrians are victims of Congress exploitation: PM Modi said. Earlier on November 9, PM Modi launched a scathing attack against Congress, saying that for long the people of Maharashtra have been a victim of exploitation by Congress. "Congress had been a foundation for causing deterioration in Marathwada farmers' lives. Congress never cared about concerns of the farmers, of women, and children, said PM Modi in his speech at the poll rally for BJP and MahaYuti nominees in Nanded. Expressing confidence for the MahaYuti coming back to power in Maharashtra, the Prime Minister said: "Only when Maharashtra prospers can India truly develop! For that to happen, we must ensure that every family in Maharashtra flourishes. The Central government and MahaYuti Alliance are working tirelessly to turn your dreams into reality. By electing MahaYuti candidates with a landslide victory, youll secure a brighter future for yourself and your loved ones." He further added: "Today there is only one slogan on everyone's lips - BJP - MahaYuti ahe, tar gati ahe. Maharashtrachi pragati ahe. (If there is MahaYuti there is progress in Maharashtra). Wherever I have been to I saw a strong enthusiasm in people. People in Maharashtra have a desire to create history in the Vidhan Sabha elections. People are saying in unison, that for a developed Maharashtra, MahaYutis government is needed." He claimed that there is a wave in support of BJP and MahaYuti across Maharashtra, adding that in the recent Haryana elections, BJP got the highest number of seats in history. "Now the people of Maharashtra are also going to repeat this history. Wherever I have gone in Maharashtra in the last two days, everyone has this regret in their hearts that whatever was left in the Lok Sabha, this time it has to be fulfilled in the Vidhan Sabha. People are saying that for a developed Maharashtra, a MahaYuti government is needed," said PM Modi. He said that the Centre has provided financial assistance to help soybean farmers overcome the crisis. Hailing the MahaYuti governments slew of decisions for the development and empowerment of women, the Prime Minister said that he was happy that the MahaYuti government is dedicated to empowering women in Maharashtra. "The welcome and acceptance received as regards the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' is unprecedented. We are, and will remain committed to making Nari Shakti shine more than ever before! In the last 10 years, women empowerment has been at the centre of most of the schemes of our government," he added. The whole country accepted Babasaheb Ambedkars constitution. But, the Congress implemented a different constitution in Kashmir through Article 370. In Kashmir, a different flag was used in place of our Tricolour. Congress did not give any rights to the Dalits of J&K. Kashmir continued to burn in the fire of terrorism for so many decades, separatism continued to flourish there. The country was not even allowed to know that two constitutions prevailed in this country for 75 years, he added. You will have to stay vigilant of Congresss divisive tactics. You will have to stay aware of Congress's hidden agenda of breaking and destroying the country. Remember, 'Hum Ek Rahenge To Safe Rahenge, PM Modi said. Youth together at the MARCH FOR LIFE held in Pennsylvania in 2023. | March For Life The 2024 election produced mixed results for the pro-life movement, as voters approved pro-abortion measures in some states while similar initiatives failed in others. Alongside the presidential election and other federal, state, and local races, voters nationwide went to the polls on Tuesday to decide on a series of ballot measures. Nine states presented referendums asking voters whether they supported amending their state constitutions to establish a right to abortion. After the Dobbs decision, several states in 2022 and 2023 asked voters about establishing a right to abortion in their constitutions, with measures passing in California, Vermont, Michigan, and Ohio. This year, nine states, namely Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and South Dakota, weighed in on similar measures. Additionally, voters in New York decided the fate of an Equal Rights Amendment aimed at adding "gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare [abortion] and autonomy" to the state constitution. In Florida, Amendment 4 needed to garner 60% voter support but fell short at 57%, thus allowing the states six-week abortion ban to remain in effect. Meanwhile, Nebraska voters(51%) rejected Initiative 439, which sought to establish a right to abortion, while 55% supported Initiative 434, which would ban abortions after the first trimester. As a result, Nebraska became notable as the first state where a majority rejected a pro-abortion constitutional amendment following the Dobbs ruling and the first state to approve pro-life protections in the past two years. South Dakotas Amendment G, designed to establish a right to abortion in the state constitution, failed by nearly 2-1, ensuring that the states near-total ban on abortion remains intact. Pro-life advocacy groups celebrated victories in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota amid the overall trend. Although more than 10% of the votes remain outstanding in some areas, unofficial election results indicate that the referendums related to support for abortion rights secured widespread backing exceeding 60% in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and New York, while Maryland passed with over 70% support. Missouri and Montana voted to amend their constitutions to establish a right to abortion. As a result of Tuesdays vote, abortion policy is expected to change significantly in Arizona and Missouri, with Arizona likely to reverse its 15-week abortion ban and Missouri's near-total ban facing a similar fate. Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, commented on the results in the three states, stating, We celebrate the lives that will be saved with the defeat of pro-abortion ballot measures in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota. She emphasized that the pro-life states of Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota have disrupted abortion activists track record, showing the path forward is to fight for life following the examples of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Pete Ricketts, and Rep. Dusty Johnson. She urged, When GOP leaders engage, extreme abortion ballot measures fail because they are exposed for what they are and fear-mongering lies are refuted. Republicans must be as devoted as DeSantis to explain how these measures allow abortion until birth and take away parental rights. On November 3, 2024, a car crashed into the building of Tri-County Baptist Church in Maryland, Delaware. | Baptist Convention of Maryland On the evening of November 3, an unidentified car crashed into the building of Tri-County Baptist Church in Maryland, Delaware. At the time of the incident, 17 preschool and elementary-aged children were participating in the church's Sunday Night BLAST program, and fortunately, there were no injuries. At around 6:40 p.m., a man drove a black Corvette into the church's glass front doors, causing them to buckle inward, according to Baptist Press. Pastor Travis (T.J.) Johnson was in the sanctuary when he heard a loud noise coming from the foyer. He recounted, I heard a crash and thought, What fell over? When I walked into the foyer, I realized it wasnt something that had fallen. It was a whole car. Fortunately, Johnson noted that the children were in their classrooms at the time, and a few people in the foyer quickly moved out of harms way. Johnson added, We didnt know what he intended to do or if he was armed. Nathan Clemons, a church deacon, remarked on the drivers mental state, stating, The driver was clearly not doing well mentally. He explained that the man backed his car up and, at full speed, crashed into the sanctuary wall. We were really concerned. This was not an accident. This was an intentional action to drive the car into the church, he emphasized. Clemons continued to talk with the driver until the police arrived to subdue him. Thankfully, he noted, There were no weapons, and he didnt become violent after he exited the car. The driver was later reported to have been detained. In the midst of the chaos, several church members quickly moved to the childrens area, securing the kids in a locked classroom. As the situation progressed, they moved the children outside to a more secure location. Johnson praised the leaders for their teamwork, stating, All the leaders worked together, and the kids listened very well and were respectful. They didnt scream or panic, though there were a few tears. He also highlighted the community spirit during the incident, noting that one of the kids grandparents took all the coats off of the coat rack and ran them to the kids so they could keep warm. Everyone was thinking and caring for one another in beautiful ways. It was a real blessing to see the church that way under a strenuous circumstance. Currently, the church is assessing the damage and working with insurance adjusters to determine the next steps following the accident. Tight security ahead of Bengal Assembly bypolls tomorrow Bypolls for six Assembly constituencies in West Bengal are scheduled for Wednesday with the polling to be conducted under blanket security coverage of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployment and 100 per cent webcasting. The six Assembly constituencies that will be going for bypolls include Sitai in Cooch Behar district, Madarihat in Alipurduar, Taldangra in Bankura, Medinipur in West Midnapore district and Haroa and Naihati in North 24 Parganas district. All the six constituencies are going for bypolls since the erstwhile legislators from there got elected as Lok Sabha members in the general elections this year. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections barring Madarihat, where a BJP candidate got elected, Trinamool Congress candidates had won from the other five constituencies. A total 108 companies of CAPF have been deployed for the bypolls for these six Assembly constituencies, a number substantially increased from the initial deployment of 89 companies. The CAPF distribution includes 40 companies of Border Security Force (BSF), 29 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 12 companies of Indo-Tibetan Police Force (ITBP), 14 companies of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and 13 companies of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The counting will be on November 23. This time there will be a four-cornered contest in all six Assembly constituencies between Trinamool Congress, BJP, Left Front and its allies and Congress, since there had been no seat-sharing arrangement between CPI-M-led Left Front and Congress that started since the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections. While Left Front candidates are contesting from Sitai, Madarihat, Medinipur and Taldangra, they have sacrificed Haroa for All India Secular Front (AISF) and Naihati for Dipankara Bhattacharya-led CPI-M-L. Political observers feel that the three-way division of Opposition votes is giving Trinamool Congress an extra edge in the by-elections. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the closing hours of the campaign process said that if her party candidates get elected from all the six Assembly constituencies, it will increase the pace of developmental activities in the state. The Washington National Cathedral located in Washington, D.C. | Washington National Cathedral The Episcopal Church has experienced a notable decline in membership, losing about 40,000 members last year, according to recently released statistics. However, the denomination also witnessed an increase in average Sunday worship attendance. As of 2023, the mainline Protestant denomination reported a membership of approximately 1.547 million people and accounted for 6,754 congregations. This marked a decrease from 2022, which had 1.584 million members, and a slight reduction in congregations, which were 6,789. Compared to 2010, the decline is more pronounced as the church had reported a membership of 1.96 million members at the time. Despite this downward trend in membership, the church has seen a rise in its average Sunday attendance for the second consecutive year. In 2023, the average attendance was nearly 411,000, compared to 373,000 in 2022 and 312,000 in 2021, suggesting a gradual recovery from the Aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 Parochial Report emphasized that the reported average Sunday attendance numbers solely reflect in-person participation, noting, It is important to note that [the average Sunday attendance] reported here only reflects in-person attendance. About three-quarters of Episcopal congregations offered online or hybrid worship at some point during 2023, but those figures are not included in the report. Nevertheless, current average Sunday attendance remains below past figures, such as 600,000 attendees in 2014 and 547,000 in 2019. Additionally, the 2023 statistics reveal that nearly a third (32.9%) of Episcopal congregations reported 25 or fewer attendees on average Sundays. Meanwhile, 26.8% have between 26 and 50 attendees, approximately one-third (32.1%) have between 51 and 150, and a smaller portion of 8.3% report 151 or more attendees on average. Over the past two decades, The Episcopal Church has faced a steady decline in membership and attendance. This change is attributed to several factors, including the churchs progressive theological direction, which has led to controversies and departures. The ordination of the first openly gay bishop in 2003 led many theologically conservative congregations and dioceses to leave the denomination in protest, resulting in years of litigation over church properties and assets. Earlier this month, the Rev. Sean Rowe became the new presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, succeeding the Rev. Michael Curry, the denomination's first African American leader. During the installation service, Rowe emphasized the importance of unity among churches and dioceses, asserting that they cannot go it alone, but must acknowledge our mutual interdependence, our need to do ministry together, to share what we have and to sustain one another. Rowe declared, In this badly hurting world, we need to become one church. Were not a collection of dioceses and institutions, a collection of the ways of doing things. We are one church, one church in Jesus Christ. He further stated that spreading the message of Jesus resurrection and life is the ongoing mission to which God has called The Episcopal Church, urging the denomination to embrace this mission as one united church. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is campaigning against Amendment 4, which aims to enshrine the right to abortion in the state's constitution. | Ron DeSantis Facebook Page Florida emerged as the first state to defeat a pro-abortion ballot initiative by rejecting Amendment 4, which sought to establish abortion as a constitutional right. According to Baptist Press, Florida was one of ten states with abortion initiatives on the ballot that day, and following its lead, South Dakota and Nebraska also succeeded in defeating measures designed to relax abortion restrictions. In Florida, abortion is currently banned after six weeks of pregnancy, a restriction that took effect earlier this year. Amendment 4, known as the Right to Abortion Initiative, would have allowed for abortions up to viability, approximately 24 weeks. However, pro-life advocates contended that the ambiguous language of the initiative could have permitted abortions at any stage of pregnancy. The amendment needed 60 percent of the vote to pass but received only 57 percent. Meanwhile, pro-abortion amendments were successful in several other states, including Arizona (62 percent), Colorado (61 percent), Maryland (74 percent), Missouri (52 percent), Montana (57 percent), Nevada (55 percent), and New York (62 percent). South Dakota managed to defeat a pro-abortion constitutional amendment with 60 percent of the vote. In Nebraska, a pro-life initiative passed while a pro-abortion measure was rejected. Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, stated in a statement, As we process the abortion ballot initiatives from across the country, it is obvious that there is a critical need, not only in policy but at a more basic level, in individual hearts and consciences, for a better understanding of the humanity of preborn children. He noted that voters in Florida, South Dakota, and Nebraska rejecting pro-abortion measures indicates there is a viable path forward for the pro-life cause. Leatherwood further remarked, That said, the reality is, the majority of states with such initiatives chose a deadlier path. Preborn children are in danger, and we will work with our churches and partners to oppose and combat this urgent cultural crisis. Naperville Korean United Methodist Church in Illinois. | Naperville Korean United Methodist Church An Illinois-based Korean congregation has agreed to pay more than $1.4 million to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church (UMC) following a legal dispute over property ownership. Last month, the former Naperville Korean United Methodist Church reached a settlement with the UMC Northern Illinois Conference to resolve the litigation that arose during their attempt to leave the denomination. Following the UMC's trust clause provision, which stipulates that all church properties and assets are held in trust for the entire denomination, the church agreed to pay $1,429,457.98 and adhere to the official disaffiliation process, as reported by UM News last week. Northern Illinois Bishop Dan Schwerin expressed gratitude for the good people who remain faithful to the UMC and now worship at the site under the new name Woori United Methodist Church. In a statement, Schwerin said, With the lawsuit behind us we can return to the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in the greater Naperville area. From 2019 to 2023, the UMC implemented a temporary provision that allowed congregations to disaffiliate due to ongoing debates over sexual ethics, resulting in more than 7,500 churches leaving. The Naperville Korean UMC began the disaffiliation process but later chose to declare themselves an independent congregation in May 2023, leading to legal proceedings. In March, a judge ruled in favor of the Northern Illinois Conference, determining that the regional body held control over the assets and property of Naperville UMC. The Northern Illinois Conference is grateful for this decision and is using this opportunity to actively work towards reconciliation with the members and leadership of the Naperville Korean Church, explained the Rev. Victoria Rebeck, conference spokesperson, in an earlier interview with The Christian Post. Rebeck further noted that members of the Naperville Korean United Methodist Church who wished to remain affiliated with The United Methodist Church have been holding worship services in the building since Palm Sunday. Pakistani Christians gather outdoors to pray for Sunday worship after their church was burned down. | Open Doors An investigation by Pakistans National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) found that Muslim vigilante groups are working with federal authorities to entrap young people into sharing blasphemous content on social media for prosecution. The report highlights a significant surge in blasphemy cases this year, particularly targeting Christians and other religious minorities, with findings indicating that Pakistan has seen three times as many blasphemy cases in the first seven months of this year compared to the entirety of last year. As of July 25, there were 767 individuals accused of blasphemy incarcerated across Pakistan, whereas only 213 were jailed in 2023. This marks a sharp increase from previous years, with just 64 in 2022, nine in 2021, and 11 in 2020. The NCHR's report noted, Most of the blasphemy cases were registered with the Federal Investigation Agencys Cybercrime Unit in collaboration with a private entity. The report further explained that young men are specifically targeted through entrapment tactics that involve females using pseudonyms to lure them into committing blasphemous acts online. Punjab Province alone accounts for at least 594 imprisoned blasphemy suspects, followed by 120 in Sindh Province, 64 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, and two in Balochistan Province. This report follows earlier findings from the Special Branch of the Punjab Police, which indicated the existence of a blasphemy business exploiting blasphemy laws to entrap victims for extortion purposes. According to the Special Branch report, many blasphemy cases are being prosecuted by private vigilante groups led by lawyers and supported by volunteers who actively search the internet for offenders. One group has been implicated in the conviction of 27 individuals who have received life sentences or death penalties over the past three years. The report recommended that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conduct a thorough inquiry into the funding sources of these vigilante groups, although the agency's response remains unknown. The most active of these vigilante groups is the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan, currently prosecuting over 300 cases. This group is led by Shiraz Ahmad Farooqi, who was the complainant in the blasphemy conviction of a 40-year-old Christian woman, Shagufta Kiran, who was sentenced to death by a special judge in Islamabad on September 18. The NCHRs report has called for a comprehensive review of the roles and accountability of both government and private entities involved in these cases. It also highlighted that detainees face coercion, extortion, and pressure from the vigilantes who ensnared them, with reports of these individuals being encouraged to engage in further criminal activities within prison. To address these issues, the NCHR recommended engaging high-level government and judicial officials regarding the FIA's collaboration with Muslim vigilantes. It also urged the formation of a Joint Investigation Team that would include officials from the Special Branch of the Intelligence Bureau, the ministries of Law and the Interior, the FIA, and other relevant departments to investigate blasphemy cases thoroughly. Pakistan has been ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List, as one of the most challenging places to be a Christian, the same position it held in the previous year. Former U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable discussion with Latino community leaders at the Trump National Doral Miami resort in Miami, Florida, on October 22, 2024. | Screenshot from NBC6 Youtube Channel In the 2024 presidential election, the Latino Christian vote shifted significantly in support of President-elect Donald Trump. Exit polling data involving 22,914 voters showed that while nearly all demographic groups leaned more favorably towards Trump compared to the 2020 election, the most notable gains were among Catholics. In 2020, President Joe Biden captured 52% of the Catholic vote, while Trump received 47%. By 2024, Trump's support among Catholics increased to 58%, while Vice President Kamala Harris garnered 40%. Specifically among white Catholics, Trump's support rose from 56% in 2020 to 61% in 2024, whereas Harris received only 35% from this group, a decline from Biden's 44% in 2020. Trump also secured a majority of the Latino Catholic vote in 2024, achieving 53%a significant increase from the 28% he captured in 2020. Four years prior, 71% of Latino Catholics had supported Biden, while in 2024, Harris received 46% of the vote from this demographic. The former president saw a similar surge among Latino Protestants, with support rising from 48% in 2020 to 64% in 2024. Conversely, Harriss support from Latino Protestants fell sharply from 51% in 2020 to 34% in 2024. Among black Protestants, there was a smaller shift, with 85% backing Harris in 2024 compared to 87% for Biden in 2020. Trump's share of the vote among this group remained steady at 13% for both elections. Overall, Trump experienced a significant increase in support from the nonwhite population, with his share of the Latino vote climbing from 32% in 2020 to 46% in 2024. The percentage of Latino voters supporting Harris dropped to 52% in 2024, compared to 65% for Biden in 2020. While 59% of Latino men had supported Biden in 2020, Trump secured a majority of their votes (55%) in 2024. In contrast, Latina women's support for Harris remained strong at 60%, though Trump's support increased from 30% in 2020 to 38% in 2024. Among Asian voters, Trump's support rose from 34% in 2020 to 39% in 2024, while Harris's backing from this group decreased from 61% in 2020 to 54% in the latest election. Black women were the only nonwhite voter demographic to give Harris a higher percentage of votes (91%) than Biden (90%). Additionally, Harris received slightly more support from white women (45%) compared to Biden's 44%. Finally, Trump showed significant improvement among white Evangelical born-again Christians, raising his support from 76% in 2020 to 82% in 2024, while only 17% voted for Harris, a drop from the 24% who supported Biden in the previous election. Former President Donald Trump addresses his supporters from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida on November 5, 2024. | Screenshot from Fox News Youtube Channel Donald Trump, having defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, pledged on Wednesday to help our country heal. Unofficial results indicate that he garnered 277 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win the presidency. In a victory speech, Trump characterized his campaign as the greatest political movement of all time. He emphasized that theres never been anything like this in this country, and he was optimistic that the movement would reach a new level of importance because were going to help our country heal. He acknowledged the urgent needs of the nation, stating, We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly. Were going to fix our borders. Were going to fix everything about our country. Trump expressed gratitude for being elected as both the 45th and 47th president, and he promised to fight for all citizens, their families, and their futures. He also declared, Every single day I will be fighting for you, and with every breath in my body I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America. Trump labeled the results of the 2024 election as a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to Make America Great Again. He expressed appreciation for states that contributed to his win, particularly North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Criticizing the mainstream media, Trump asserted, This will forever be remembered as the day the American people regained control of their country. He defines his political party as being based on a common core of common sense, emphasizing his desire for secure borders, safety, and quality education. Addressing the assassination attempt on his life earlier this year, he shared that many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason, and he identified that reason as being to save our country and to restore America to greatness. We are going to fulfill that mission together. The task before us will not be easy, but I will bring every ounce of energy, spirit, and fight that I have in my soul to the job that youve entrusted to me, he stated. Trump emphasized his wish to move past the divisions of the last four years and promote unity, expressing confidence that success will bring people together and lead to a future for America that is more prosperous and stronger than ever before, concluding his victory speech. Source: Global Christian Relief Global Christian Relief (GCR) hosted a livestream event for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, an observance dedicated to Christians worldwide who face violence and discrimination for their beliefs last Sunday. This advocacy organization focuses on supporting persecuted Christians and spreading the Gospel, operating in five regions globally, including Central and East Asia, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The event included a kit with stories of individuals overcoming adversity, such as a Boko Haram massacre survivor in Nigeria and an advocate for the underground church in North Korea, along with testimonies from lesser-known persecuted Christians, including a woman from Nepal who faced discrimination for leaving Hinduism. There has been a rise in the persecution and oppression of Christians over the last 15 years or so, GCR President and CEO David Curry told The Christian Post. He emphasized the need for awareness and action on this issue. Curry pointed out that while many in the West understand the challenges faced by Christians in Nigeria, often regarded as one of the deadliest places for people of faith, Nepal is frequently overlooked. He noted that while reports of persecution in Nigeria typically involve more visible physical violence, Christians in Nepal continue to face their own challenges and endure persecution. Despite no longer being a Hindu state, Nepali Christians face threats from their families and could be forced out of their homes for their faith. The government also imposes restrictions on Christians through anti-conversion laws and the closure of churches. Moreover, many Nepalese people are illiterate and rely on oral traditions, creating barriers for Christians trying to read the Bible. To support these communities, GCR has collaborated with local partners to distribute audio Bibles in local languages, reporting the delivery of around 40,000 audio Bibles to Nepal last month. Curry emphasized that one of the most significant ways Christians in the West can support their persecuted counterparts is through prayer. Because we have to recognize this is a spiritual battle, he stated. First, we've got to start with prayer. It's life or death. So we've got to understand it's more than just politics; thats why we start with prayer, and then theres advocacy. He added, I think once people get into this and they see that their voice makes a difference, then we can start talking about this with our representatives, having our churches pray about it, and we can move the needle on Western governments, the U.S., the U.K., France, speaking out for Christians who are being persecuted for their faith. Home News Ex-Southern Baptist professor Matthew Queen resigns from Friendly Avenue Baptist Church Weeks after failing to reach an agreement with Pastor Matthew Queen to vacate his position after he pleaded guilty to making a false statement to federal authorities about a sexual abuse investigation, Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, announced that he has resigned. In a brief statement released Friday, Friendly Avenue Baptist Church said the resignation of the 49-year-old former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary evangelism professor is "effective immediately." "Dr. Matthew Queen is stepping down from his role as Lead Pastor at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, effective immediately. While this has been a challenging season, we continue to trust in God's sovereignty and remain focused on our mission," the church said. "As we move forward, we encourage our congregation and the wider community to stay focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." 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 Last month, church elders weighed how to move forward without Queen, who was still on administrative leave from the church after his guilty plea took them by surprise. Darin Humbard, chairman of the church's deacon board, said that the deacon special committee met with Queen before his guilty plea and discussed resolutions regarding his ongoing relationship with the church. But they could not come to an agreement. In response to questions from The Christian Post, Friendly Avenue Baptist Church reiterated that Queen was on paid leave and would remain their pastor until they could address his relationship with the church, according to their bylaws. The church did not say what prompted Queen's resignation. Queen pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement weeks before he was expected to go on trial in the U.S. Southern District of New York on Nov. 13 for making a false statement in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice investigation of the Southern Baptist Convention. The crime carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, but the pastor's attorney, Sam Schmidt, believes the judge will recommend a sentence of several months. The case against Queen was opened after the DOJ and the Federal Bureau of Investigation launched a probe into the SBC and its affiliate entities following the release of a Guidepost Solutions report showing leaders failed to protect victims of abuse. It stems from a November 2022 report of alleged sexual abuse committed by a Texas Baptist College student, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, noted in a May 21 statement. Seminary officials later said they helped facilitate the arrest of the student who withdrew from the college. Before the sexual abuse allegation in November 2022, the Justice Department issued a grand jury subpoena to the seminary in October 2022, which required the seminary to produce all documents in its possession related to allegations of sexual abuse against anyone employed by or associated with the seminary, among other things. In November 2022, a seminary employee identified as Employee-1, now revealed by the seminary to be Terri Stovall, dean of women, interim associate dean in the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries and professor of educational ministries, received a report alleging that a current seminary student had committed sexual abuse. Stovall notified campus police, and no further action was taken. The allegation wasn't reported to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Stovall reportedly documented the allegation in January 2023 and the seminary's failed response. On Jan. 26, 2023, she then met with Queen and another executive staff member of the seminary, identified as Employee-2 by the DOJ and confirmed by the seminary as their former chief of staff, Heath Woolman, who is now lead pastor of Fruit Cove Baptist Church in St. Johns, Florida. "During that meeting, and in QUEEN's presence, Employee-2 directed Employee-1, in sum and substance, to destroy the document," the Justice Department's statement contends. In May 2023, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI interviewed Queen, who "falsely stated that he had not heard Employee-2 direct Employee-1 to destroy the document." Home News Kamala Harris campaign ends with over $20M in debt: report Vice President Kamala Harris unsuccessful presidential campaign ended with over $20 million in debt, a report has revealed, as the introspection following the 2024 presidential election continues. After Harris lost the election to former President Donald Trump last week, Politicos California bureau chief Christopher Cadelago reported in an X post that the vice presidents campaign ended with at least $20 million in debt, per two sources familiar. According to Cadelago, Harris raised over $1 billion and had $118 million in the bank as of Oct. 16. Matthew Boyle, the Washington bureau chief for Breitbart News Network, elaborated on the campaigns financial disarray in an X post Wednesday. Boyle detailed how a Harris campaign staffer told him that campaign manager Jennifer OMalley Dillon blew through a billion dollars in a few months. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe It was Jens idea to do all the concerts, the unnamed campaign staffer told the news outlet. The concerts refer to high-profile musical events featuring Harris-supporting celebrities such as Katy Perry, Lizzo, Eminem and Bruce Springsteen. The campaign staffer maintained that money used to pay for these concerts came at the expense of prioritizing and spending money on social media and other campaign priorities. In addition to highlighting the staffers concerns about the immense costs associated with the concerts, Boyle maintained that several people who were working for the Kamala Harris for President campaign are still awaiting several overdue payments they were promised for their work. He noted that Rob Flaherty, the deputy campaign manager who reports to OMalley Dillon, is sending emails to people on the fundraising list in an effort to secure the funds necessary to pay off the debt. People didnt like working with her, the campaign staffer said of OMalley Dillon. Many people on the campaign felt like we lost because Kamala wasnt allowed to run her campaign. They were running Joe Bidens campaign instead of a Kamala campaign. The staffer described OMalley Dillon as obnoxious and very much a gate keeper and interfering with the vice presidents people who were trying to do their job. The comments about how it felt like top campaign staff were running Joe Bidens campaign instead of a Kamala campaign reflect the unprecedented nature of the 2024 presidential race, where President Joe Biden was running for reelection and had secured renomination by Democratic primary voters only to drop out in July following a widely panned debate performance. Biden endorsed and installed Harris, who served as his vice president for the entirety of his term, as his successor. She ended up becoming the Democratic presidential nominee without receiving any votes from the Democratic primary electorate. Trump, who received the most electoral votes of any Republican presidential candidate since George H.W. Bush in 1988, has decided to make light of the Democrats reported financial difficulties on social media. On his Truth Social account Saturday, Trump remarked, I am very surprised that the Democrats, who fought a hard and valiant fight in the 2020 Presidential Election, raising a record amount of money, didnt have lots of $s left over. Now they are being squeezed by vendors and others, he added. Whatever we can do to help them during this difficult period, I would strongly recommend we, as a Party and for the sake of desperately needed UNITY, do. We have a lot of money left over in that our biggest asset in the campaign was Earned Media, and that doesnt cost very much. Home News Mattel faces backlash over 'Wicked' dolls directing consumers to pornography website The toy company Mattel is facing blowback after consumers noticed the packaging for dolls designed to look like characters from the movie "Wicked" directs people to an adult pornography website, which the corporation says is the result of a misprint. Mattel, which owns various kid-friendly toy brands, including Barbie, Fisher-Price and American Girl, pulled its line of character dolls due to the mistake. The dolls, designed to look like Galinda, Elphaba and other characters, were supposed to help promote the Universal film "Wicked" before its Nov. 22 theatrical release. As the popular X account Libs of TikTok pointed out this month, the boxes for the "Wicked" line of dolls directed consumers to a pornography website for a group called Wicked Pictures. The web address for the official site related to the film is Wickedmovie.com. 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 Sunday, Mattel issued an apology after an Instagram user commented on the company's social media page, asking if it was aware the doll's packaging linked to a porn site. The company posted a picture of the movie versions of Elphaba and Galinda. "Mattel was made aware of a misprint on the packaging of the Mattel "Wicked" collection dolls, primarily sold in the U.S., which intended to direct consumers to the official WickedMovie.com landing page," the company replied. "We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children," Mattel added. "Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel Customer Service for further information." Other Instagram users expressed frustration with Mattel over the incorrect website label on the box, noting that people who look it up thinking it's related to the movie will instead stumble across an "inappropriate website." Mattel did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment. NBC News reported Monday that the dolls are no longer available for sale online through Target, Walmart and Amazon. Other brands, including Best Buy, Barnes & Noble and Macy's, have also removed the "Wicked" toys from their online storefronts. The dolls inside the misprinted packaging are for sale on websites like eBay, but the prices range between $40 and $2,100. According to CNBC, the dolls retailed between $20 and $40 depending on the character and outfit. At the time of reporting, it is unclear if Mattel plans to rerelease the dolls after correcting the website domain name printed on the packaging. "Like any business, mistakes can and do happen in the toy business," James Zahn, editor-in-chief of The Toy Book, said about the controversy. "This was likely an innocent oversight that made it through the normal processes. Most consumers kids and adults alike will never read the fine print on a package, and at the end of the day, the packaging is designed to end up in the trash," Zahn said. "The odds of a kid reading the back of a doll box and being inclined to go online and visit the website are pretty slim." The movie that the dolls were intended to promote, "Wicked," is an adaptation of the musical, which premiered on Broadway in New York City in October 2003. The story is loosely adapted from the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, as well as the 1939 film adaptation of the classic book. "Wicked" explores the friendship between Elphaba and Galinda before Dorothy's arrival in Oz and how the former became known as "The Wicked Witch of the West" while her friend went on to become "Glinda the Good." In the film, Ariana Grande plays Glinda and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba. SC extends interim anticipatory bail of Malayalam actor Siddique in rape case The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended for a week the interim anticipatory bail to Malayalam actor Siddique, who faces alleged charges of raping an actress. A Bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma decided to extend the interim relief after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared on Siddiques behalf, requested to post the matter for hearing next week citing his own ill-health. In the course of hearing, Kerala Police apprised the apex court that though Siddique was appearing before the Investigating Officials, he did not cooperate with the ongoing probe and tendered evasive responses. On the other hand, Mukul Rohatgi said that Kerala Police asked the Malayalam actor to provide his mobile and laptop from 2016. At this, Justice Sharma remarked, As per my personal experience, I bought an iPhone and gave the old one to the shop. Without entering into the contentions raised, the apex court decided to adjourn the matter on Mukul Rohatgis request and in the meantime, extended the interim relief for a week. Earlier, the Supreme Court had extended the interim anticipatory bail for two weeks after Siddiques counsel sought time to file rejoinder arguments to the status report filed by the Kerala Police. The Kerala Police has repeatedly said that Siddique was misusing his liberty to destroy evidence and failed to cooperate with the ongoing probe. In an order passed on September 30, the Supreme Court issued notice on Siddique's plea for anticipatory bail and granted him interim pre-arrest bail. "It is directed that in the event of arrest of the petitioner, he shall be released on bail, subject to the conditions that may be imposed by the trial court and subject to his joining the investigation and remaining present before the Investigating Officer as and when called upon to do so," the SC had ordered. A police case against Siddique was registered based on a complaint by an actress who accused him of raping her in a state-owned hotel in Thiruvananthapuram in 2016. The actress, who initially hesitated to file a police complaint, later emailed the state police chief alleging that Siddique raped her after she refused to give in to his demands for sexual favours in exchange for a role in a Tamil movie. When this revelation came, Siddique, who was recently elected as the General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), quit the post. After that, the entire Executive Committee, chaired by President Mohanlal, also resigned. Siddique had contended that this particular actress had been harassing him since 2019 by making repeated claims on social media that he tried to molest her at a theatre in 2016, and after the Justice Hema Committee report was published, she made a more serious allegation of rape at a different place in the same year. Trouble began for Siddique when on September 24, the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail. Within a few hours, Siddique went missing and police were unable to trace and arrest him. He re-surfaced after September 30 when the apex court granted him bail and asked him to present himself before the probe team. In the wake of the explosive Justice Hema Committee report on the condition of women in the Malayalam film industry, released in August, a storm of allegations was unleashed against its leading figures. As a few former actresses publicly revealed their bad experiences, police were quick to act, registering 11 FIRs against various film personalities. Home News Microsoft Word flags 'maternity leave,' suggests other 'inclusive' phrases 'This term may not be inclusive to all genders,' warning says Inclusive or Orwellian? Thats the question surrounding Microsoft's latest update to an inclusivity tool on its Word program, which now recommends replacing the term "maternity leave" with more inclusive language. When a user types the phrase maternity leave in Editor mode, a blue dotted line appears underneath, indicating a suggested revision. Upon clicking the blue line, a text box reads, Inclusiveness suggestions: This term may not be inclusive of all genders" and suggests other terms like "parental leave," "birth-related leave" and "childbirth leave. 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 Launched in 2019, Microsofts inclusivity function has stirred controversy for its extensive recommendations. The software flags terms such as Postman in favor of "Postal Worker" and advises changing Mrs. to "Ms." even suggesting that Mrs. Thatcher should become Ms. Thatcher. Other suggestions include replacing mankind with humankind or humanity, a move that extended to the famous words of astronaut Neil Armstrong, "one giant leap for mankind," which are now recommended to be altered to one giant leap for humankind. Microsofts latest update, however, has sparked an outcry, particularly over its recommendation to replace "maternity leave" with more neutral terms. Critics argue that this move undermines the specific biological and cultural significance of maternity leave for women. In December 2023, the functionality even caught the eye of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who also weighed in on the controversy. The owner of social media platform X shared a post mocking the tool, revealing that even the word insane was flagged for its lack of inclusivity. "Microsoft Word now scolds you if you use words that arent 'inclusive,'" Musk wrote. Its not just Microsoft: in 2022, Google introduced a similar inclusivity feature in its Google Docs software. For instance, the word "landlord" is flagged as potentially non-inclusive, with suggestions to use property owner or "proprietor." Google also recommends replacing gendered terms like "policemen" with police officers and "housewife" with stay-at-home spouse. Ironically, Microsoft president Brad Smith warned in 2021 about the potential for artificial intelligence leading to greater censorship. Smith told the BBC that he fears a failure to regulate AI could set up an Orwellian future as early as this year. Im constantly reminded of George Orwells lessons in his book 1984. You know the fundamental story was about a government who could see everything that everyone did and hear everything that everyone said all the time, Smith told the British network. Well, that didnt come to pass in 1984, but if were not careful that could come to pass in 2024, he added. If we dont enact the laws that will protect the public in the future, we are going to find the technology racing ahead, and its going to be very difficult to catch up. Home News Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigning amid outrage over child abuse cover up scandal in CofE Correction Appended Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, leader of the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion, has announced that he will be resigning amid outrage over an abuse cover-up scandal. In a statement posted to the Church of Englands website on Tuesday, Welby announced his decision to step down, having received the gracious permission of King Charles III. 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 Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth, stated Welby. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024. Welby went on to say that he hoped this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done, he stated. In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete. Welby believed that his resignation is in the best interests of the Church of England, and prayed that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us. Earlier this month, an independent investigation released a report, known as the Makin Report, which found that a figure named John Smyth likely abused over 100 boys and young adult men, while they attended Christian camps from the late 1970s into the early 1980s. Smyth had died in 2018 at age 77 while living near Cape Town, South Africa, with British authorities reportedly being in the process of having him extradited to the United Kingdom to face charges. Despite considerable efforts by individuals to bring to the attention of relevant authorities the scope and horror of Smyths conduct, including by victims and by some clergy, the steps taken by the Church of England and other organizations and individuals were ineffective and neither fully exposed nor prevented further abuse by him, stated the investigative report, as quoted by Episcopal News Service. Many accused Welby of failing to properly act when these credible abuse allegations were first reported to him and other church leaders back in 2013, with the archbishop facing mounting calls for his resignation. An online petition was started last week calling for Welby to step down, with it garnering more than 13,000 signatories by the time that the Church of England leader had agreed to resign. Given his role in allowing abuse to continue, we believe that his continuing as the Archbishop of Canterbury is no longer tenable. We must see change, for the sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable, and for the good of the Church, stated the petition. With sadness we do not think there is any alternative to his immediate resignation if the process of change and healing is to start now. Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that John Smyth had died in Zimbabwe. Home News Biden admin. has de-prioritized religious liberty, disowned that work': Mike Pompeo Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed disappointment at the Biden administrations failure to emphasize religious freedom and what he described as disowning the "glorious work" of the Commission on Unalienable Rights established under former President Donald Trump. For four years, the Trump administration and the State Department, when I was leading it, placed a real premium on working around the world to promote religious freedom, said Pompeo in an interview with The Christian Post. Promoting religious freedom leads to more prosperous countries and stronger American freedom, he stressed. 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 We think its important as an independent right, but we also know that where religious freedom is expanded, countries are often more prosperous and the people there are often more secure from their government. So we always thought it was important to get that right, as an American matter, to secure American freedom, but also to secure freedom for peoples all around the world, he added. Though the promotion of religious freedom was a priority during the Trump administration, Pompeo said he's noticed the issue has become less critical under the Biden. For example, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted China's persecution of Uyghur Muslims, he made no mention of religious persecution in other countries, such as Nigeria, during a press conference on the annual human rights report earlier this month. Travis Weber, vice president for policy and government affairs and director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the conservative Christian advocacy organization the Family Research Council, told The Christian Post in an earlier interview that while he was pleased to hear Blinken mention the Uyghurs, " ... theres also persecution of Christians in China ... and North Korea. The situation of many Muslim-majority countries around the world, including Iran, is very dire," he added. "Christians are being slaughtered in Nigeria almost weekly, it seems, and there is no mention of that. So when we look at the horrific atrocities and human rights violations going on around the world, religious persecution is among them, and its totally disappointing that hes not highlighting that [in his remarks]. International Christian Concern, a watchdog group that documents instances of religious persecution worldwide, also criticized the administration for failing to emphasize religious liberty abuses and faith-based persecution. We at ICC welcome the progress that the State Department has made on promoting religious freedom and human rights around the world, Matias Perttula, director of advocacy for International Christian Concern, said in a statement. However, we remain concerned whether the Biden administration is still committed to putting religious freedom as a central principle in the United States foreign policy priorities. ... According to Pompeo, one of the ways the Trump administration promoted religious freedom was through the revitalization of the annual human rights report to emphasize religious freedom abuses. Our annual human rights report is something that had lost its way, and sadly, I think its returning to where it was, Pompeo said. It had a requirement when I was leading the State Department, and Governor and Ambassador Sam Brownback was our ambassador for religious freedom, [to] highlight religious freedom abuses around the world. To call out those nations that were performing in a way that it was inconsistent with what we know to be every human beings right. Pompeo also lamented that Blinken has virtually dismissed the religious freedom-promoting Commission on Unalienable Rights, which was established during his tenure. I have watched this administration de-prioritize this issue [of religious freedom], Pompeo said. We created something called the Commission on Unalienable Rights to look at the human rights conditions for people around the world and how American diplomats ought to execute that mission around the world. They have essentially disowned that work, which was glorious work. Ive watched this administration walk away from [this work], Pompeo reiterated. I regret that. In an op-ed published in Newsweek on April 9, Calista Gingrich, former ambassador to the Holy See under the Trump administration, said the Commission was created as an advisory group for then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and had a "charter stating that its task was 'not to discover new principles, but to furnish advice to the secretary for the promotion of individual liberty, human equality, and democracy through U.S. foreign policy.' The charter also specified the Commission's advice must be 'grounded in our nation's founding principles and the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.' "However, Blinken disbanded the commission amidst liberal criticism that it was a mechanism to 'promote...evangelical Christian beliefs and conservative politics,' and to establish a "hierarchy" of rights," Gingrich added. During his time as secretary of state, Pompeo said religious freedom was prioritized and advanced around the globe. We did so many good things in so many places and yet there is so much more work to do, he said. We built out an incredible human rights infrastructure supporting religious freedom, he said. By hosting an annual Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom for three years, the largest human rights event ever held at the State Department, Pompeo brought together faith leaders worldwide to discuss challenges in religious freedom. We brought religious leaders from all across the world of nearly every faith to come to the State Department to worship, to share, to live in fellowship for a few days and to work on this problem set together to come to a common set of understanding, whether they were Christian or Jewish or Muslims or Bahai or whatever faith they were from to come together to understand these freedoms are provided to us by God and governments cannot take them away, he said. It was a glorious time of gathering. The first Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, hosted in July 2018, brought together delegates from over 80 countries to Washington, D.C. Pompeo said at the time that the event would result in concrete steps and be more than just talk. The first ministerial resulted in the creation of a religious freedom task force, the "International Religious Freedom Fund" and the Potomac Declaration, a set of principles calling for global religious freedom. Pompeo said he hopes the ministerial event continues during the Biden administration because of its importance in American leadership around the world and at home in preserving the right to practice faith freely. Despite religious freedom seemingly being a lesser priority for the State Department under Biden, Pompeo said Christians at home and abroad must fight to promote this human right. Its going to take every Christian believer and all of us to continue to work hard in our churches and our towns and indeed, in our missions across the world, to promote religious freedom everywhere and always, Pompeo said. Home News Bipartisan watchdog criticizes Biden State Dept.'s omissions in religious freedom designations A congressionally mandated religious freedom watchdog panel is "disappointed" in the U.S. State Department's decision Friday to leave Nigeria and India off its annual list of countries where religious freedom violations are most concerning, despite pleas from advocacy groups. Nury Turkel, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, said in a statement, "there is no justification" for the State Department not to designate Nigeria and India as "countries of particular concern" (CPC). The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 first required the CPC designations to prioritize "policy options designed to bring about a cessation of the particularly severe violations of religious freedom." Countries subject to the State Department's "CPC" designation may face negative consequences, including the possibility of crippling sanctions. 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 Friday, the State Department designated China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as CPCs while naming Algeria, the Central African Republic, Comoros and Vietnam to the lower-tier special watchlist designation. The State Department also designated nine groups, including the Nigerian terror group Boko Haram and Islamic State factions of ISIS-Greater Sahara and ISIS-West Africa, as "Entities of Particular Concern." The other EPCs are the Russian paramilitary organization Wagner Group, Somalia's al-Shabab, Afghanistan's Taliban, Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Yemen's Houthis and Mali's Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin. The International Religious Freedom Act also created USCIRF as a bipartisan, independent panel of experts advising the State Department and Congress about religious freedom conditions worldwide. Turkel, who became the panel chairman this year, said that Nigeria and India "clearly meet the legal standards for designation as CPCs." "USCIRF is tremendously disappointed that the Secretary of State did not implement our recommendations and recognize the severity of the religious freedom violations that both USCIRF and the State Department have documented in those countries," Turkel said. "The State Department's own reporting includes numerous examples of particularly severe religious freedom violations in Nigeria and India." The Biden administration received criticism from USCIRF and human rights activists last November when it removed Nigeria's CPC designation amid concerns about the violence inflicted on Christian communities amid the presence of Boko Haram and other Islamic terrorist groups in the country's northeast as well as communal violence in agricultural rich Middle Belt states. Thousands have been killed and millions have been displaced across Nigeria in recent years. Nigeria was designated as a CPC in 2020 under the Trump administration. A petition signed by over 30,000 supporters was sent to the White House last month urging the State Department to redesignate Nigeria as a country of concern. The nonprofit legal group Alliance Defending Freedom helped circulate the petition. Kelsey Zorzi, the director of advocacy for global religious freedom for ADF International, a legal nonprofit dedicated to defending religious freedom, said in a statement that removing Nigeria from the CPC list "signaled an alarming disregard for the state of religious freedom in the country." Zorzi said the U.S. must "maintain pressure on Nigeria." Last month, the Anambra-based watchdog organization International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law reported that at least 4,000 Christians were killed in the first 10 months of 2022, while over 2,000 were abducted. Critics have raised concerns about what they perceive as the Nigerian government's inaction in holding perpetrators to account for the rising number of murders and kidnappings, which some groups warn have reached the level of "genocide." In September, USCIRF warned that religious freedom was deteriorating in Nigeria because of rising violence by non-state actors, and "poor governance" was driving and aggravating that violence. The Nigerian government has pushed back against claims that religion is a driving factor in the violence committed, as terrorist groups in the northeast have killed many Muslims. The Nigerian government contributes the violence targeting predominantly Christian farming communities in the Middle Belt states to decades-old "farmer-herder" clashes. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Nigeria in November 2021. According to the State Department's latest annual report, Blinken "raised religious freedom issues with government officials in a visit in November, as did embassy and consulate general officials throughout the year." "U.S. officials also addressed religious tensions and efforts to bring religious groups together with several state governors," the report states. Some experts have accused the Biden State Department of accepting a "political narrative" on Nigeria. "There's an incomprehensible gap between the State Department's reporting and what desperate Christians on the ground are reporting to religious freedom advocates here," Nina Shea, a human rights lawyer who serves as director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom, told CP. "This gap reflects State's overreliance on sources that it and [United States Agency for International Development] funds, which in turn push a political narrative favored by State. That narrative says that northern violence is driven by a conflict over a scarcity of resources as a result of climate change." For the past three years, USCIRF has recommended that India be added to the CPC list as "religious freedom conditions ... continued their negative trajectory." "The government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, promoted Hindu nationalist policies resulting in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom," USCIRF wrote in its 2021 annual report. Last month, a report released by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need examining human rights violations against Christians in 24 countries reported 710 incidents of anti-Christian violence in India between January 2021 and the start of June 2022 "driven in part by political extremism." The report listed India as one of the 18 countries where persecution of Christians was on the rise and cited an example of a mass rally in Chhattisgarh state where members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party applauded as right-wing Hindu religious leader Swami Parmatmanand called for Christians to be killed. Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, ranks India as the 10th worst country for Christian persecution. The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations informed CP last year that attacks on churches and prayer meetings in India rose drastically from 2020 to 2021, and the "justice system has often failed to defend the rights of persecuted Christians and other minority religions." Religious freedom advocate and Evangelical public relations executive Johnnie Moore, a former USCIRF commissioner, opposed USCIRF's recommendation to label India a CPC in 2021. "Of all the countries in the world, India should not be a 'country of particular concern,'" Moore wrote in dissent. "It is the world's largest democracy and it is governed by a pristine constitution. It is diversity personified and its religious life has been its greatest historic blessing. Yet, India does seem to be at a crossroads." Home News Christian counselor asks Supreme Court to block Colorados 'gay conversion therapy' ban A Christian counselor is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block enforcement of a Colorado law that regulates what licensed professionals can say while discussing unwanted same-sex attractions with clients, arguing that the state government censors speech it disfavors. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group, filed a petition for a writ of certiorari last Friday to the Supreme Court on behalf of Kaley Chiles in the hopes of overturning a circuit court decision against her. "Chiles believes that people flourish when they live consistently with God's design, including their biological sex," reads the petition. 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 "Many of her clients seek her counsel precisely because they believe that their faith and their relationship with God establishes the foundation upon which to understand their identity and desires. But Colorado bans these consensual conversations based on the viewpoints they express." The petition urges the Supreme Court to "take this opportunity to clarify that the First Amendment applies in the counseling room." Defendants named in the case include Patty Salazar, executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies; Reina Sbarbaro-Gordon, program director of the State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners and the State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners; members of the State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners, and members of the State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners. In 2019, Colorado passed the Minor Conversion Therapy Law, which prohibits the practice of sexual orientation change efforts therapy, commonly referred to by critics as "gay conversion therapy," for minors after multiple similar bills had failed in past years. Daniel Ramos, executive director of the LGBT advocacy group One Colorado, released a statement at the time celebrating the passage of the legislation, calling it a "significant step in protecting our LGBTQ youth." "No young person should ever be shamed by a mental health professional into thinking that who they are is wrong. Mental health care should be ethical and affirming for all people including LGBTQ young people," stated Ramos. "I applaud the Colorado General Assembly for their bipartisan support of this measure. Protecting our LGBTQ youth is not a partisan issue." In September 2022, Chiles filed a complaint against the law, arguing that it violated the Free Speech Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Chiles contends that the law prevents her from freely discussing issues of sexual orientation and gender identity with her patients in violation of her sincerely held religious views. The government has no business censoring private conversations between clients and counselors, nor should a counselor be used as a tool to impose the governments biased views on her clients, ADF Legal Counsel Cody Barnett said in a statement. A three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 against Chiles in September, upholding an earlier district ruling in favor of the state therapy ban. Circuit Judge Veronica Rossman, a Biden appointee, authored the majority opinion, writing that "Chiles had not met her burden of showing a likelihood of success on the merits of her First Amendment free speech and free exercise claims." "By regulating which treatments Ms. Chiles may perform in her role as a licensed professional counselor, Colorado is not restricting Ms. Chiles's freedom of expression," wrote Rossman. "In other words, Ms. Chiles's First Amendment right to freedom of speech is implicated under the MCTL, but it is not abridged." Circuit Judge Harris Hartz, a George W. Bush appointee, authored the dissenting opinion, arguing that the majority failed to explain why "talk therapy is to be afforded lesser First Amendment protection than speech in general." "Is the majority stating that professional speech should be treated differently under the First Amendment from identical speech by a nonprofessional? That would fly in the face of what the Supreme Court has recently told us," Hartz wrote. Last December, the Supreme Court declined to review a similar case filed by a Christian therapist against Washington state's ban on "gay conversion therapy," which allowed the law to remain in effect. Home News Fundraiser launched to help 5 children of murdered missionary Beau Shroyer A GoFundMe campaign seeking to help the family of murdered missionary Beau Shroyer is hoping to raise at least $15,000 to repatriate his body to the U.S. and help his five children navigate unimaginable loss and uncertainty as his wife, Jackie Shroyer, faces charges in Angola for allegedly masterminding a murder plot. This GoFundMe is a call for help for the five Shroyer children. Our hope is to gather support for their immediate needs, including counseling, educational stability, and the care that will help them begin to heal as well as make sure their beloved father is laid to rest in a place where they will be able to be comforted by his presence, campaign organizer, Marina Roering wrote on Sunday. The campaign, which was launched on Sunday and has raised more than $3,400 as of Tuesday morning, praised the former pastor, realtor and police officer for dedicating his life to sharing his faith and serving the marginalized people of Angola. 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 Beau, originally from Minnesota, felt a powerful calling to serve as a missionary, dedicating his life to sharing hope and faith in communities far from home. Leaving behind a career as a police officer and real estate agent, Beau; alongside his wife, Jackie, took a brave leap of faith and journeyed to Africa to build a future of service and compassion for others, Roering noted. She remembered the late missionary as someone whose journey was filled with love, humility and kindness. He was a source of inspiration to anyone he met, and to his family, a rock of strength and love. His tragic passing has left a profound void in the lives of all who knew him, and the grief felt by his loved ones and the community is immeasurable, Roering added. Beau Shroyer and his wife were beloved members of the Lakes Area Vineyard Church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, before moving to Lubango, Angola, in 2021 to do missionary work under the auspices of SIM USA, a longtime global missionary organization that focuses on doing missionary work in places where its difficult to share the Gospel. The missionary agency has expressed shock at the charges leveled against 44-year-old Jackie Shroyer but said they have taken steps to ensure she has appropriate legal representation. The global SIM community is heartbroken over the death of our friend and colleague Beau Shroyer, who was killed in a violent criminal attack in Angola on Friday, October 25. We are shocked and devastated to learn that his wife, Jackie Shroyer, has been arrested in connection with his death, the ministry said in a statement. SIM is grateful to Angolan law enforcement for their diligence in investigating this matter and encourages patience and respect for all involved as the legal process unfolds. SIM remains committed to supporting the ongoing pursuit of justice for Beau and has taken steps to ensure that Jackie has appropriate legal representation. Manuel Halaiwa, a spokesperson for Angolas Criminal Investigation Service said Jackie Shroyer was the mastermind behind a murder for hire plot involving three other men in which her husband was killed. Investigators also allege that Jackie Shroyer was involved in a romantic relationship with one of the men, Bernardino Elias, 24, who worked as a security guard for her family. The two other men have been identified as Isalino Kayoo, 23, and Gelson Ramos, 22. There are strong suspicions here of a possibly romantic relationship in relation to the person who ordered the case and her accomplice, the citizen who was initially a guard through a private security company, but who, after ending his contract with this company, was welcomed because he seemed to be a good person very close to the couple and was hired with another salary to serve the couple, Halaiwa said. As the legal process continues, Roering urged support for Beau Shroyers children and extended family as they grapple with the loss and prepare for his burial expected on Nov. 30. His children, who are now enduring unimaginable loss and uncertainty, are being cared for by family who will work tirelessly to support them in this incredibly trying time, ensuring they are safe, loved, and surrounded by those who care for them deeply, she said. His family has started the process of repatriation of his body to the United States, planning his funeral, seeking reliable sources of information during the investigation and legal proceedings surrounding his death, as well as providing ongoing support for his children. Home News Iranian agents plotted to murder Trump, unsealed DOJ charges reveal The details of an unsealed Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill President-elect Donald Trump raise questions about how the current administration will act, as President Joe Biden previously warned Iran that the United States would consider its targeting of the Republican nominee as an "act of war." According to a Friday statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, 51-year-old Farhad Shakeri has been charged with planning an Iranian murder plot against Trump ahead of the U.S. presidential election. Shakeri, who is still at large and reportedly resides in Iran, was ordered by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to carry out the task. Two other men, Carlisle Rivera, 49, of Brooklyn, New York, and Jonathon Loadholt, 36, of Staten Island, were also charged. The men had been recruited to murder an Iranian American journalist who has been critical of Iran's regime, prosecutors allege. 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 As the department noted, the Iranian government is targeting nationals and allies of the U.S. to suppress criticism of the Iranian regime and seek vengeance for the 2020 killing of the former Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quad Force, Qasem Soleimani. The former head of the IRGC-QF was killed in a U.S. military strike in Baghdad. "The charges announced today expose Iran's continued brazen attempts to target U.S. citizens, including President-elect Donald Trump, other government leaders and dissidents who criticize the regime in Tehran," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a designated foreign terrorist organization has been conspiring with criminals and hitmen to target and gun down Americans on U.S. soil and that simply won't be tolerated." "Thanks to the hard work of the FBI, their deadly schemes were disrupted," he continued. "We're committed to using the full resources of the FBI to protect our citizens from Iran or any other adversary who targets Americans." As the criminal complaint outlines, the IRGC ordered Shakeri in September to "put aside his other efforts on behalf of the IRGC and focus on surveilling, and, ultimately, assassinating, former President of the United States, Donald J. Trump." A member of the IRGC instructed the asset to formulate a plan to murder "Victim-4," which refers to Trump. The IRGC member said if Shakeri could not come up with a plan by the deadline, then the IRGC would wait to kill him after the election, thinking that Trump would lose and he'd be easier to kill. In October, the Biden administration warned the Iranian government to stop making plans to target Trump, stating that Washington would consider assassination attempts against the Republican nominee an "act of war." A U.S. official told Reuters at the time that Biden had been briefed about Iran's plots against Americans and directed his team to address the issue. Regarding the recent report about Iran's plot to kill Trump, it is unclear how the Biden administration intends to respond. The White House did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment. Shakeri is an Afghan national who came to the U.S. as a child, and he was deported around 2008 after serving time in a New York State prison for a 1994 armed robbery conviction, according to the criminal complaint. The IRGC asset supplies the Iranian military agency with contacts from a network of criminal associates Shakeri met during his time in prison, providing them with operatives to conduct surveillance or assassinate targets. Rivera and Loadholt were part of Shakeri's network of criminal associates, the complaint states. The journalist that the pair intended to murder, Masih Alinejad, has written extensively about human rights abuses committed by the Iranian government. "I came to America to practice my First Amendment right to freedom of speech I don't want to die," Alinejad wrote in a Friday X post. "I want to fight against tyranny, and I deserve to be safe. Thank you to law enforcement for protecting me, but I urge the U.S. government to protect the national security of America." Esmail Baghaei, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, claimed the DOJ's statement is part of a pro-Israel plot to complicate relations between the U.S. and Iran, The Associated Press reported. "Repeat of the accusation in the current time span is a disgusting plot by the Zionist and anti-Iran circles that has aimed at making US-Iran problems more complicated," Baghaei said. Last Monday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, a Republican, wrote a letter urging Biden to end "bureaucratic delays" and support Israel amid increasing threats from Iran. "It is apparent that Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, are attempting to exploit perceived divisions between the United States and Israel, exacerbated by recent actions of senior Biden-Harris administration officials," McCaul stated. "It is imperative that you act now to deter our adversaries by showing that there is no daylight between the United States and Israel." Home News Generosity Path director shares remarkable stories of how Jesus-like giving is transforming people's lives Editors note: In this exclusive interview, Bonar Tanudjaja, Southeast Asia and East Asia regional director of Generosity Path, shares the core principles of biblical generosity and how the Journey of Generosity has transformed individuals, churches and communities across Asia through sharing stories of people who are radically generous. In August, he traveled to Hong Kong to promote this message, calling believers to look beyond themselves as an antidote to the prosperity gospel and other false teachings within the Church. China Christian Daily: Could you introduce yourself and your ministry? Bonar Tanudjaja: Born in Indonesia, I grew up in Australia and moved back to Indonesia in 2017 when I decided to start a family. Ive been with Generosity Path since December 2020, and now I serve as the Southeast Asia and East Asia regional director. 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 Generosity Path is a Christian ministry that began in the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when giving among Christians was low. Our founder, coming from a wealthy background, wanted to inspire other business people, entrepreneurs and Christian leaders to be more generous. After interviewing people who were radically generous, he noticed they experienced great joy in their giving. Many of these individuals, despite being businesspeople, live in modest or even poor communities, challenging people to reconsider what true generosity entails. He began organizing Journey of Generosity retreats, gathering friends to hear these stories to explore the role of generosity in their lives. Its not a teaching program to indoctrinate people but rather an opportunity to showcase examples of radical generosity. China Christian Daily: In your opinion, what is true generosity? Bonar Tanudjaja: Generosity isnt about having or not having; it starts with God. John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." We serve a generous God, and as His children, generosity should be part of our DNA. Our lives are meant to serve both God and those around us. Generosity is about living a generous life what we call L.I.F.E., which stands for labor, influence, finance and expertise. We want Christians to realize that life isnt just about themselves but about the good life God calls them to live. During our Journey of Generosity events, we dont ask for money or anything else. Instead, we create a safe space for people to explore what generosity means to them. One of the core questions we encourage people to ask is: Why should I be generous? We want them to figure it out for themselves. China Christian Daily: Can you share with us a story of radically generosity? Bonar Tanudjaja: Theres a region in India called Mizoram where a movement known as "A Handful of Rice" began in 1910. This initiative was launched to support women missionaries who were sent to preach in an unreached area. The local church started this practice where each family, when cooking a meal, would set aside a handful of rice for the church. On Sundays, they would bring the saved rice to the church, which would then sell it to support these women. For over 100 years, this "A Handful of Rice" movement has been practiced across the region. Churches are built, and missionaries are funded without relying on external support. China Christian Daily: How do people change when they attend the Journey of Generosity program? Bonar Tanudjaja: Ill share a story about a businessman who attended one of our retreats. He initially came to figure out how to run his business in a godly way. His goal was to treat his employees well and use his company as a vehicle for doing good. However, during the Journey of Generosity, he felt the Lord challenging him to do more. He struggled with this, asking, God, Im building this business for You. How can I give more when Ive already invested everything in helping others? But the Lord put it in his heart that he still had something to give his house, which was like a mansion, comparable to Beverly Hills in Manila. For him, his house represented security and status. He shared this conviction with his wife, and soon after, they sold the house. Amazingly, the first person who contacted them bought it. Another thing happened: the wifes long-time servant was about to lose her home because she had missed the payment, and her daughter had lost job. They realized this was part of Gods reason for selling the house. The wife said, "We sold our house so that our maid could keep her house." There was such excitement and passion when they could help this servant. Another story involves passing on the right values to the next generation. After Covid, when we held our first in-person retreats in Manila in 2022, a church invited couples in their 40s and 50s. To my surprise, three young adults in their 20s also attended. Their parents had died from COVID-19, and the church invited them in honor of their parents. By the end, one son shared how the retreat impacted him. He explained that when his parents were alive, he often disagreed with how they used their money for the church and philanthropy. But when he became the CEO of his family company, he wanted to buy more things for himself, such as Rolex watches and a Ferrari jet ski. But after listening to their parents friends and peers stories at the retreat, he felt his parents didn't waste their money or live in vain. He said that he needed to be more generous and not just think of himself. China Christian Daily: How can churches apply generosity within their communities? Bonar Tanudjaja: Generosity calls us to look beyond ourselves personally, as families, and as churches. When we hold Journey of Generosity retreats in churches, they often open peoples eyes to needs beyond their own congregation. Sometimes, churches become focused on their own Sunday services and programs, but when they hear stories about the poor and needy, theyre reminded of the greater need outside their walls. This is how we become a blessing, not just within our church but also to our neighbors. In general, Asians tend to be generous compared to the West, where people can be more individualistic. In Asian cultures, we take care of our extended families parents, cousins, uncles because its seen as the right thing to do. However, this can sometimes come from a sense of duty, tied to honor-shame culture. Biblical generosity brings back that joy of being able to be more like the Lord. China Christian Daily: Some rich countries have many resources, such as Australia, but there are so many people who suffer from depression just because they have so many. Whats your take on this? Bonar Tanudjaja: The Prosperity gospel is all about what can the Lord do for me. If I join the church, I want to be blessed. Some people are generous, but we want to make sure that they have the right motives. Some people can give because it's like insurance. Hey Lord, I'm going to give to you, so please protect my family, protect my business. Or it could be an investment. Hey Lord, I'm going to give money to the church, so please give me a blessing and return my investment 10 times, 30 times, 100 times. God loves a cheerful giver, the Bible says so. Giving is not to manipulate God, but should be an outflowing of your heart because you've received the love of God, and you want to share that love as well. China Christian Daily: Could you share more about churches in Indonesia? Bonar Tanudjaja: Churches in Indonesia are growing because the Lord is moving across the country. Many non-believers are coming to Christ, often through visions and dreams of Jesus. The church needs to catch up as Christians are a minority, we can have a victim mentality and can play safe in our own area. The church is waking up to become more missional and proclaim the name of Jesus for Indonesia. We see the harvest is great in Asia, and were praying and training people to become a sending nation. The Lord has been good to Indonesian churches, so we want to be missionaries to other churches that to hear about the Gospel. China Christian Daily: Could you share with us the takeaways from your August trip to Hong Kong? Bonar Tanudjaja: This trip was to connect with churches, ministries and business leaders who are interested in biblical generosity. There have been so many false teachings within the Church that are harmful to the Body of Christ. Our goal is to encourage people to give not out of obligation but as good stewards of what God has entrusted to them whether its finances, time, expertise or other resources. We want people to live out their calling with freedom and responsibility. China Christian Daily: Do you have any words for China? Bonar Tanudjaja: When we first started this Journey of Generosity, our founder went to Hong Kong and China's mainland. During these retreats, his Chinese friends would invite non-believers, and many were deeply touched by the stories of radical generosity. Some even expressed a desire to be baptized after hearing these stories. It's been amazing to see that this message of generosity touches peoples lives everywhere. We hope that we can be a blessing to the Chinese churches, and we'd love to be in China again. Originally published by China Christian Daily Home News John Rhys-Davies narrates 'Scrooge' podcast; talks connection with Tolkien's Gimli: 'We all carry our chains' Indiana Jones and The Lord of the Rings star John Rhys-Davies believes a great, enduring story like Tolkiens classic trilogy has two elements: right vs. wrong. A good story, the 80-year-old actor told The Christian Post, is one that challenges us with the fundamental conflict between right and wrong, and shows us the redemptive power of change. This is precisely what drew the veteran actor to narrate SCROOGE: A Christmas Carol, the audio drama from screenwriter P.G. Cuschieri and creator-producer Mark Ramsey that reimagines Charles Dickens classic tale for the holiday season. 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 Presented by Hope Media Group and Compassion International, the four-part adaptation brings Dickens timeless message of transformation and compassion to life with an all-star cast that includes Sean Astin, Rhys-Davies Rings co-star, as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. For Rhys-Davies, whose career spans several decades, Scrooge reveals the potential for goodness within every individual, even when burdened by past mistakes. I suppose the whole thing is about that time of year when we reassess ourselves and reassess our lives, when we see how we failed, and yet, there is hope. It affirms hope, and it affirms the possibility that we can change, he said. After a stellar debut in 2023 garnering accolades like Christian Music Broadcasters' "Podcast of the Year" and an Ambie nomination for "Best Performance in Audio Fiction" the reimagined Christmas Carol is set to hit podcast platforms on Nov. 22. The podcasts immersive format is enhanced by soundscapes, capturing the iconic clank of Marleys chains, the eerie footsteps of Christmas spirits and the poignant moments that mark Scrooges internal struggle. It's got all the great trappings of a gothic story: the clatter, the heavy foot beats on the floor, the clunk of chains, the chains that we have built in our own lives, the chains that we will have to carry, Rhys-Davies said. And these are the chains that you will carry unless you change. And that change, of course, involves other people, our relations with other people, our willingness to be compassionate, to see where there is a need and meet that need. And the story really works, because it is about redemption. It is about hope, the belief that no matter how bad we were this year or last year, there's still the chance that we can be saved. The actor, who played the dwarf Gimli in The Lord of the Rings, told CP that both Scrooge and Gimlis journeys underscore the timeless themes of transformation, redemption and the human hearts capacity to overcome prejudice and embrace compassion. In some ways, the most human character of all is Gimli, the dwarf, he contended. He is the most human of us. He has some of our vices. He is hostile, aggressive, xenophobic and distrustful. He is a bigot. He is, in his mind justified: Never trust an elf. But he also has virtues that we aspire to, the capacity for friendship, for being protective, for knowing the difference between right and wrong, for being willing to be courageous. In A Christmas Carol, Scrooges path is one of gradually opening his heart to the needs of others, evolving from a miser into a man of warmth and generosity. This change, catalyzed by encounters with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, is, in Rhys-Davies view, not so different from Gimlis transformation in The Lord of the Rings. Gimli, too, carries his own chains, he said, referencing Scrooges haunting visions of the chains forged from selfishness and cruelty. He begins as someone who mistrusts others particularly the Elves but through friendship, courage, and his own sense of honor, he ultimately breaks free of his own shackles the parallel is there in the end. Rhys-Davies who told CP that through his work, he aims to defend the values of Western European Christian civilization, because they are the great and glorious life of mankind said that the story of Ebenezer Scrooge is one that reminds listeners of the essence of what it means to be human while providing the Gospel message. None of us are good enough; we all are not kind enough or generous enough," he said. "We all make snap judgments. We all say hurtful things. But there is a chance that next year or now, actually, this day, this night, after that night's experience, there is still the chance that I will get out of bed and be a human being, be a decent man, that we can, through love, be changed. This year, The Worlds Biggest Small Group "In A Christmas Carol," is also releasing the free companion piece, SCROOGE: A five-Day Devotional based on the story. The study invites people to reflect on choosing joy, embracing contentment and extending mercy. Created for families, the devotional also includes activities for children. Watch the trailer for Scrooge below. Home News Judge blocks Louisiana from displaying Ten Commandments in classrooms A federal judge has temporarily blocked a recently passed Louisiana law that would require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in their classrooms. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles issued a lengthy ruling and order on Tuesday in the case of Darcy Roake et al. v. Cade Brumley et al. At issue is Louisiana's House Bill 71, signed into law in June, which would require Decalogue displays in public school classrooms. The law was slated to take effect on New Year's Day. 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 "Plaintiffs have established a viable Free Exercise claim," wrote deGravelles. "H.B. 71 is not neutral toward religion, and this is evident from the text of the statute, its effects, and the statements of lawmakers before and after the Act's passage." The judge took issue with the defendants' claim that the Ten Commandments were a historically integral part of public education in United States history. "In sum, the historical evidence showed that the instances of using the Ten Commandments in public schools were too 'scattered' to amount to 'convincing evidence that it was common' at the time of the Founding or incorporation of the First Amendment to utilize the Decalogue in public-school education," deGravelles continued. "That is, the evidence demonstrates that the practice at issue does not fit within and is otherwise not consistent with a broader historical tradition during those time periods." The American Civil Liberties Union, which helped to represent nine Louisiana families with children in the state public school system, released a statement celebrating the ruling. "This ruling should serve as a reality check for Louisiana lawmakers who want to use public schools to convert children to their preferred brand of Christianity," said Heather L. Weaver, senior staff attorney for the ACLU's Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, as quoted in the statement. "Public schools are not Sunday schools, and today's decision ensures that our clients' classrooms will remain spaces where all students, regardless of their faith, feel welcomed." Signed into law by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, HB 71 requires public school classrooms to display "certain historical documents," among them the Ten Commandments, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence and the Northwest Ordinance. "Recognizing the historical role of the Ten Commandments accords with our nation's history and faithfully reflects the understanding of the founders of our nation with respect to the necessity of civic morality to a functional self-government," stated the legislation. "Including the Ten Commandments in the education of our children is part of our state and national history, culture, and tradition." Soon after, the ACLU, the Freedom From Religion Foundation and Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed suit against the law on behalf of an interfaith group of parents. "[F]or nearly half a century, it has been well settled that the First Amendment forbids public schools from posting the Ten Commandments in this manner," read the complaint. "Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that the Act is unconstitutional and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent Defendants from (i) implementing rules and regulations in accordance with the Act, (ii) otherwise seeking to enforce the Act, and (iii) displaying the Ten Commandments in any public-school classroom." Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill championed the new law on social media in June, explaining that she would be honored to defend the legislation in court. "The 10 Commandments are pretty simple (don't kill, steal, cheat on your wife), but they also are important to our country's foundations," she tweeted. "Moses, who you may recall brought the 10 Commandments down from Mount Sinai, appears eight times in carvings that ring the United States Supreme Court Great Hall ceiling. I look forward to defending the law." In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 opinion in the Stone v. Graham ruling that Kentucky could not mandate that public schools display the Ten Commandments because it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. SC State alumna Dr. June Graham-Bethea is the 2024 Professor of the Year for the College of Graduate & Professional Studies and the university overall. ORANGEBURG, S.C. Dr. June Graham-Bethea was not always focused on a career in speech pathology and audiology. Growing up in Marion, South Carolina, she only knew she wanted to help others. So, when she started her undergraduate studies at South Carolina State University, she researched which disciplines might fulfill that quest and interviewed some professionals in those areas. Speech Pathology was top on the list, she said, and after taking classes in the department here at SCSU, I knew that I found what I really wanted to do and a home away from home. Having earned both her bachelors and masters degrees at SC State, Graham-Betha completed her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in North Carolina. She spent more than 30 years in Greensboro before returning to SC State as an assistant professor in 2022. It did not take long for her to establish herself as a leader. She has served as the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiologys acting chair since Fall 2023. Less than a year later, she was named SC States Professor of the Year for the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and the overall university. "She has been married for 37 years to a very supportive husband, Malcolm Bethea and has two adult daughters, Kiersten Bethea and Carmen Bethea." University Relations recently asked Graham-Bethea a series of questions about experiences and her role at SC State. Q: What has inspired you during your journey as an academic? Graham-Bethea: My students are my inspiration! My students inspire me to be the best that I can be and my hope is that they see me as an inspiration to them. Throughout my journey in academia, I have been profoundly inspired by the intellectual dance with my colleaguesthose who innovate and create technologies that transform the way we teach and learn. However, what drives me most is witnessing the success of students who face challenges yet persevere. The collective support and mentorship provided to these resilient students often lead them to not only overcome obstacles but to thrive in their academic pursuits. Their determination and triumphs are what ignite my passion for teaching and inspire me every day. Q: How would you describe your teaching philosophy? Graham-Bethea: My teaching philosophy centers around fostering critical thinking and independent learning. All students have the potential to learn and grow but as a Professor I feel that I must model and encourage resilience and persistence. I think that we must tailor our instruction to individual needs and create an inclusive environment where students feel safe. Additionally, as professors must facilitate learning where students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning through exploration, inquiry, and collaborative problem-solving. I incorporate activities that promote analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information challenging my students to question assumptions and multiple perspectives. I am genuinely passionate about the work that I do and hope that my students see this in everything that I do. Q: What drives you as a teacher and/or researcher? Graham-Bethea: Student success is at the heart of my teaching philosophy. Every lesson I craft and every interaction I have with my students is fueled by the desire to see them excel. As a researcher, I am motivated and driven by the need for innovation and mentorship in education. I strive to contribute to the existing body of evidence that showcases new pathways to academic success. It is this commitment to enhancing student outcomes that drives my work and fuels my passion for both teaching and research. Q: What in your career are you most proud of? Graham-Bethea: I am most proud of returning to my Alma Mater and serving as an assistant professor and the acting chair for the Speech Pathology & Audiology Department where I am impacting the future of profession. I am also most proud of the work that I have been able to do with those who are communicatively impaired. Q: What has been your most exciting or valuable experience in your career at SC State? Graham-Bethea: The most exciting and valuable experiences that I have had here at SCSU involve working with the most wonderful people in the world and serving our students because they are the greatest and deserve the highest level of educational rigor that we can provide. It has been my honor and my obligation to provide those experiences to and for them. Q: Tell us about a personal challenge you have encountered and how it affected your life. Graham-Bethea: One of the most significant personal challenges I have faced was relocating to Orangeburg to take on the role of assistant professor while also being close to my mother. The passing of my mother less than a year after my move was an incredibly difficult experience. This loss profoundly impacted my life, teaching me the importance of resilience and the necessity of cherishing every moment. It has reinforced my commitment to mentoring students, as I understand firsthand the value of support during challenging times. Q: Tell us about an anecdote from your life that would allow people to know you better. Graham-Bethea: Growing up as a country girl in the rural town of Marion, South Carolina, shaped my identity and aspirations. My early experiences of growing up in a one parent home instilled in me a strong motivation to pursue higher education and build a prosperous life. I had high school teachers and principals who served as my mentors and encouraged me to envision a future where I would thrive as an educated woman. This humble beginning is a reminder of where I came from and resonates with many who know me, as it reflects my journey toward personal and academic fulfillment. Q: Is there anything else we should know about you and your experiences at SC State? Graham-Bethea: In conclusion, my journey as an educator is defined by the success of my students, a commitment to innovation in teaching, and the personal experiences that shape who I am. I am honored to be recognized as Professor of the Year, and I remain dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders and learners. SC State offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in speech pathology and audiology. For more information about those programs and SC States other academic fields of study, visit www.scsu.edu/academics. Home News UK man found guilty of causing womans miscarriage by spiking drink with abortion pills A British man has been found guilty of sexual assault and other crimes for tricking a pregnant woman into drinking a liquid that contained abortion drugs to induce a miscarriage, unbeknownst to the victim. Stuart Worby, a 40-year-old resident of Malthouse Court in Dereham, Norfolk, was found guilty on Oct. 30 of one count of sexual assault and administering a poison to cause a miscarriage. According to a press release from the Norfolk Constabulary, Worby had purchased tablets of Mifepristone and Misoprostol for 470 ($598) in July 2022, acquiring them with the help of his girlfriend, Neuza Cepeda, 39, of Dereham. 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 August 2022, Worby urged a pregnant woman who wasn't named in the legal proceedings and had been around 15 weeks pregnant at the time to consume the drink, causing her to suffer a miscarriage. The victim, who had wanted to keep her baby, was unknowingly administered the pills and immediately had to go to the bathroom to be sick and had [diarrhea] and began bleeding, explained Norfolk authorities. She then attended the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and after enduring a number of hours of pain and blood loss, she suffered a miscarriage and had to have surgery. Soon after the miscarriage, the victim discovered messages on Worbys phone in which he told a 41-year-old friend named Wayne Finney that "It's working" and "There is lots of blood." Worby was arrested on Aug. 5, 2022. Worby is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 6. Cepeda, who obtained the abortion drugs, will be sentenced at a later date for her role in the crime. Finney was found not guilty. Detective Inspector Duncan Woodhams was quoted in the Norfolk Police press release praising the bravery of the victim who has endured the most terrible loss, her courage to come forward and give evidence has been invaluable in ensuring a guilty verdict. We also pay tribute to all the medical and health professionals and family, neighbors and friends who have supported the victim in her testimony. The impact of this event could have life-long repercussions for the victim, stated Woodhams. This has been a complex investigation into the deceitful and determined actions of Worby which had such horrific consequences and marks the first of its kind in finding someone guilty of this specific crime. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, a U.K.-based pro-life group, also weighed in on the guilty verdict, calling on the government to review their regulations on the abortion pill regimen. Even before Worby was found guilty, the woman who was complicit in his plan had already admitted to obtaining the abortion drugs for use on somebody else, said SPUC Public Policy Manager Alithea Williams in a statement last week. Its not clear whether Ms. Cepeda in this case acquired the drugs over the phone or in person, but there is clearly something very wrong when abortion pills can be obtained to use on somebody else without their consent. Home News Netflix releases trailer for biblical epic Mary: An origin story of Christianity This Christmas season, Netflix is set to bring a retelling of the Nativity story to audiences around the world, offering a fresh perspective on an ancient narrative in the forthcoming film Mary. Directed by D.J. Caruso and releasing Dec. 6, Mary follows the story of the Virgin Mary, reimagining the trials and courage of a young woman chosen to bring Jesus into the world. Viewers will see the journey from Marys viewpoint as she navigates the challenges of an unprecedented destiny, according to Netflix. The film stars Israeli actress Noa Cohen as Mary and Ido Tako as Joseph, with Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins taking on the role of King Herod. 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 Producer Mary Aloe, a devout Christian, described Mary as a labor of love, one that aims to bring the worlds most iconic story of faith and sacrifice to new generations. This story is needed now more than ever in our world. As a woman, a Christian, and a producer, Marys story is important to me. This is a story of faith, hope, and pure love, she said. Watch the trailer for 'Mary' below: According to showrunners, the film offers a look at Mary as both a holy figure and a relatable young woman, enduring rejection and hardship in the wake of a miraculous conception. As her community turns against her, she finds herself and her newborn son hunted by King Herod, whose obsessive grip on power leads him to ruthless acts. Forced into hiding, Mary and Joseph begin a life on the run, driven by faith and bound by love as they protect their child. Caruso, a practicing Catholic and father of five, said his vision for "Mary" was rooted in reverence and relatability. "I believe Mary is the most extraordinary woman ever to walk this earth," he said. "Her story, especially for younger generations, has often been underappreciated. I wanted to create a film that presents Mary as someone we can all relate to. ... My hope is that audiences feel my reverence for Mary and come to see her not only as a holy figure but as a friend, a mother, and one of the greatest heroines ever to grace the screen. In the end, it's her love that will save the world." To capture the story's spiritual depth and ensure biblical accuracy, Caruso and Aloe consulted with religious scholars, theologians and clergy. The film's script, written by Timothy Michael Hayes, went through over 70 drafts with rigorous input to ensure historical accuracy and sensitivity to biblical themes. The late Catholic Bishop David G. O'Connell, Caruso's spiritual advisor on the project, provided essential guidance. "It was essential to stay true to the biblical narrative as the story's foundation, which Timothy Michael Hayes' script captured beautifully. I was fortunate to have the guidance of a brilliant biblical scholar, the late Bishop David G. O'Connell, who served as my spiritual advisor and an expert on 'Mary,'" he said. "He helped me interpret the scriptures in a way that was both relatable and deeply emotional. From there, we carefully fictionalized the moments between Mary's journey, adding tension, emotion, and pacing all vital elements for compelling cinema while preserving the truths of the miraculous events in her life. The plot remains faithful to the scriptures, with thoughtful interpretations that enhance the film's central themes. In short, we aimed to honor the scriptures." "Mary," filmed on location in Morocco, also stars Stephanie Nur; Susan Brown; Ori Pfeffer; Eamon Farren; Hilla Vidor; Mili Avital; Gudmundur Thorvaldsson; Dudley O'Shaughnessyl; Keren Tzur; Mehmet Kurtulus and Mila Harris. As "Mary" enters the canon of recent biblical cinema like "The Chosen," "His Only Son" and "Journey to Bethlehem," Aloe said she hopes the film will resonate with audiences of all backgrounds. "Our hope is that people will want to learn more about faith from Mary's journey, what her family gave up, and what she endured to follow her calling to bring us Jesus," Aloe said. "I hope that this makes Mary and Joseph relatable to people who want to know, learn, and discover more about them and so many great stories in the Bible," she said. "Mary" will land on Netflix on Dec. 6. Home News Republicans maintain control of the US House of Representatives The Republican Party has secured a majority of the seats in the United States House of Representatives, having already secured the White House and the U.S. Senate. The Hill Decision Desk HQ projected on Monday evening that the Republican Party will get at least 218 seats in the House, which is the minimum number needed to have a majority. Describing the Republican election victories as a trifecta, The Hill acknowledged that the final tally of the House remains uncertain as ballots in California continue to be counted. 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 what many considered a historic political comeback, President-elect Donald Trump defeated Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris to become the next president. Trumps victory marks the first time a candidate was elected to non-consecutive presidential terms since Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century. It also marks the first time in U.S. history that a convicted felon won a presidential election, as Trump was found guilty in May on 34 charges by a New York jury in a hush money case. Trump denies any wrongdoing and is appealing the case. Although the winner of the presidential election was determined within 24 hours of Election Day, which party controls the House had remained uncertain. Last Thursday, The Hill reported that Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., had won reelection against his Democrat challenger, Rudy Salas, with about 53.6% of the vote. Valadao was one of two Republicans who won reelection this year who had previously voted to impeach Trump over his alleged connections to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The other was Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington state. Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride, a Democrat who is a man but identifies as a woman, became the first openly trans-identified candidate to be elected to Congress when he defeated Republican opponent John Whalen III. Tonight is a testament to Delawareans that here in our state of neighbors, we judge candidates based on their ideas and not their identities, McBride stated on Election Day, according to NBC News. On Sunday, Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Colo., who had served for one term, conceded to Republican challenger Gabe Evans even before the race had been officially called. I am incredibly humbled to be chosen as the next congressman for Colorados 8th, Evans stated shortly after Caraveos concession. It is an honor to be entrusted with the job of representing you and your families, and I am ready to fight back for a better direction for all Coloradans. Most importantly, I give thanks to God. My faith in Him has sustained me throughout this 15-month campaign. I have spent my entire life running toward challenge, and now I am ready to take on my next challenge. News of the Republicans securing control of the lower chamber of Congress comes after the GOP had already retaken the Senate, securing at least 53 seats as of Monday. Their control of the upper chamber was secured last week when outgoing Republican West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice won the seat held by retiring Independent Joe Manchin and Republican Bernie Moreno defeating three-term Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio. The identity of the Senate majority leader remains unclear as Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky had announced earlier this year that he was stepping down as Senate GOP leader at the end of the 118th Congress. Sabatos Crystal Ball, a notable election forecaster developed by Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia, had predicted a 218-217 split with the razor-thin majority likely going to the Democrats. Just like the presidential race, the battle for the House has been a Toss-up for essentially the whole cycle, wrote Sabato, managing editor Kyle Kondik and associate editor J. Miles Coleman in a report published the day before Election Day. Our general belief throughout was that the presidential and House winner was likelier than not to be the same. Our final ratings reflect this, but only by the barest possible margin and with little confidence. We have 218 seats Safe, Likely, or Leaning Democratic, and 217 Safe, Likely, or Leaning Republican. Home News Trump to appoint Rep. Elise Stefanik as UN ambassador: 'Truly honored' President-elect Donald Trump has asked Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. "I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter," Trump said in a statement to the New York Post. Stefanik, 40, who made history when she was elected in 2014 at age 30 to represent New York's 21st Congressional District, serves as chair of the House Republican conference and is the fourth most powerful Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives. 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 Stefanik has been a staunch Trump ally, including when he was facing his first impeachment in 2019 and early 2020. "I am truly honored to earn President Trumps nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations," Stefanik said in a statement to the Post. "During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate." "President Trumps historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead both at home and abroad," she added. "America continues to be the beacon of the world, but we expect and must demand that our friends and allies be strong partners in the peace we seek." Stefanik's appointment comes as the U.N. faces criticism for its response to the Israel-Hamas war that has been raging since Hamas' terrorist attacks against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The international body has taken flak from conservatives for routinely condemning Israel while allowing dictatorships such as Cuba and China to have seats on its Human Rights Council. Stefanik went viral last year when she grilled the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology over their handling of antisemitism on their campuses in the wake of Hamas' attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Both the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania resigned following the hearing with Stefanik's questioning. Stefanik's appointment comes on the heels of Trump announcing that former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan will serve as "border czar" and Susie Wiles will be his White House chief of staff, making her the first woman to fill the role. Trump is also bringing back Stephen Miller to serve as White House deputy chief of staff for policy during his second term. Home Books Voddie Baucham talks LGBT takeover of civil rights, 'manufactured' Christian nationalism Pastor Voddie T. Baucham recently spoke to The Christian Post about his new book, It's Not Like Being Black: How Sexual Activists Hijacked the Civil Rights Movement, which was published last week and delves into what he described as the attempt by sexual activists to subvert the civil rights movement to promote immorality. Baucham also warned that many American churches are going to have to "pay a price" for standing up for biblical sexual ethics during a time when the state is increasingly mandating against them. Runaway train of social justice 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 Baucham, whose book traces some of the key ideas and figures responsible for the LGBT movement, told CP that the idea for writing it had been percolating in his mind for more than 15 years. He especially remembers the media campaign that attempted in vain to convince California voters to legalize same-sex marriage by voting against Proposition 8 in 2008. Though he now serves as dean of the School of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia, Baucham is a Los Angeles native who was pastoring a church in Houston, Texas, at the time Proposition 8 was on the state ballot in California. He recalled seeing a cover story from The Advocate at the time asserting that "Gay Is the New Black," and it used big bold letters to describe the push for gay marriage as "the last great civil rights struggle." Baucham pushes back against such an assertion in his new book, which he noted was repeatedly rejected by publishers when he first proposed it more than 10 years ago. He notes it is the logical sequel to his bestselling 2021 book Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe. While Fault Lines largely explored the neo-Marxist roots of the critical social justice movement as it relates to race, Baucham likened the entire movement to "a train with boxcars" that includes many other flashpoint cultural issues. "The engine may be critical race theory and intersectionality, and the first boxcar that everybody wanted to jump on was that racial justice boxcar," he said. "But right behind it were all these other boxcars: climate justice, border justice, and then LGBTQ, all this other stuff. These boxcars are coming right along with it. So it just made sense to write this book following along after that one." Remembering how even voters in California rejected same-sex marriage in 2008, Baucham went on to note that the cultural push for sexual immorality escalated exponentially during the Obama administration, culminating in the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that claimed a right to same-sex marriage exists in the 14th Amendment. "After Obergefell, it's like we started going downhill at a rapid pace and picking up steam as things just got further and further out of control, in terms of sexual ethics," he said. "So all of those things really went into writing this book." Rise of 'sexual minorities' Baucham explained that the application of the neo-Marxist paradigm to sexuality and gender has led to the emergence of "sexual minorities," the symbol of which he noted can easily be seen in the ubiquitous Progress Pride flag. The Progress Pride flag features the traditional rainbow design of the pride flag but also includes additional chevrons representing black, Latino and trans-identifying individuals, which Baucham said is a "smoking gun" that indicates the fundamentally political nature of the LGBTQ+ social justice movement. "This is about that neo-Marxist, oppressor-oppressed paradigm," he said. "This is about the idea that there is no God, there are no absolute moral rights and wrongs. There's just a culture with hegemonic power. And in this culture, that's Christian morality." "Hence the term 'sexual minorities' is just hitching the wagon to civil rights and critical social justice writ large," he explained. The ultimate consequence of having "sexual minorities," Baucham warns, is the potential loss of religious freedom in the name of civil rights. He worries that the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns revealed that many churches don't have the backbone to stand up for themselves in the face of government overreach. "COVID exposed a lot about our understanding of public theology; about our understanding of sphere sovereignty, or lack of understanding of sphere sovereignty," he said. "God gave us the sphere of the family, the sphere of the church, the sphere of the civil government, and COVID basically collapsed those spheres." "And when COVID came, we saw that, theologically, for most Christians, those are all collapsed under the state," he continued. "And we believe that the state has preeminent unchecked unparalleled authority. And that's frightening. We seem to have lost not only the ability to appeal to Caesar, but we don't even believe that it's appropriate to do so." Baucham expressed concern that as the government increasingly enforces conformity regarding sexual and gender ideology, many Christians "have shown a real lack of ability to discern sphere sovereignty, and a real lack of courage in terms of exercising and calling for proper sphere sovereignty, [and] I don't think it bodes well for what we're about to face." 'Manufactured crisis' of Christian nationalism Baucham also touched on Christian nationalism, telling CP that he believes the crisis over the topic is "purely manufactured," evidence for which he says can be found in the fact that nobody can agree on its definition. "People will ask me, 'What do you think about Christian nationalism, or where do you stand on Christian nationalism?' My first question is always, 'How are you defining the term?' And almost inevitably, I get a response that is unclear." Noting how "white Christian nationalism" earns what he described as "a triple-word score" on the intersectionality scoring scale, Baucham believes the nebulous nature of the definition is intentional because it allows the label to be used as a "boogeyman." He also blasted as "absolutely ridiculous" the definition Politico journalist Heidi Przybyla offered in February, when she said during an MSNBC panel that the ideology is marked by believing rights come from God. "Anybody who passed civics, when faced with that definition, would say, 'Well, yeah, I guess I am a Christian nationalist.'" Others, by contrast, tend to define it too narrowly, he said. Both schools, he thinks, are distracting from the real issues. Baucham went on to note the irony that Zambia, where he now lives, is overwhelmingly black and still defines itself as "a Christian nation" under "the supremacy of God Almighty" in the preamble to its constitution. "Here I am in an almost exclusively black country in sub-Saharan Africa that identifies itself with a preamble to its constitution as a Christian nation," he said, noting that when he brings up such a fact to those objecting to so-called white Christian nationalism, many of them try to "shrug it off" by suggesting that Zambia's case is different. "I'm not buying it, I'm not falling for it," he said. "It's a distraction." He added that when he is questioned about his position on Christian nationalism, he parries by replying that he is not "a pagan globalist." "And if you're not a pagan globalist, then what are you?" he said. "And then they don't have an answer, right? They don't have an answer, which again exposes the fact that, in my opinion, this is manufactured. It's a manufactured crisis." 'Such were some of you' Key to Baucham's book is a repudiation of the idea that so-called sexual orientation is immutable like race. In the book's final chapter, titled "Such Were Some of You," Baucham offers examples of Christians who have repented of the LGBT lifestyle, such as Rosaria Butterfield and Christopher Yuan. Baucham notes, however, the unique difficulty of resisting sexual sins that receive special approbation in a culture that has made them an identity. "Scriptures give us comfort in that regard," Baucham told CP regarding those who have felt compelled to repent of LGBT behavior. "Sanctification is an ongoing process. Romans Chapter 7 is in the Bible for a reason 'O wretched man that I am!' Being a Christian is not the idea that we come to Christ, we repent of our sin, and then go and struggle no more. That's not Christianity." Acknowledging that some sins such as drug and alcohol abuse can "get their hooks in deep" and require daily vigilance, Baucham pushed back against the idea that someone who is drawn to homosexuality has no chance of changing. "What we don't do in the case of those other sins, is we don't say that the difficulty of living the life beyond or after them is evidence that they should just be embraced," he said. "And we make that argument with these sexual sins, because we've bought into the idea of sexual orientation as innate and immutable." "Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me," Baucham continued, referencing the words of Christ in Matthew 16:24. "That's what we're dealing with here." 'We've seen this movie before' During a recent sermon at Lamar Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, Baucham soberly laid out his belief based on Romans 1 that the pervasive sexual depravity of the prevailing culture is evidence of divine judgment, and that he cannot personally see a way out of its catastrophic consequences. "We are living in a time, in an era when there are people who are desperately wicked, and in desperate need of repentance and faith, in desperate need of the Gospel. And we're being told that the wickedness is, in fact, the Gospel," Baucham said at the time. Speaking to CP, Baucham echoed his sermon and said that while he will never lose faith in God's Kingdom, he takes a less optimistic view toward the apparent course of Western culture. "I always have hope, because I belong to Christ," Baucham told CP. "The Kingdom of God is undefeated. And not only is the Kingdom of God undefeated, it's undefeatable. So, I'm not worried about that." "However, when I start thinking about our culture, when I start thinking about our society, I'm a lot less hopeful in that regard, because we've seen this movie before," he continued. "We've seen it with all of the great civilizations in world history how they were born, how they ascended to greatness, and then how they decayed internally, morally, and eventually met their demise." "And it's terrible to come to the realization that we're on that trajectory. So from that standpoint, it's not very hopeful," he added. "And I believe that the only hope that we have is awakening and revival, some kind of supernatural spiritual intervention. Beyond that, we're toast." 'We're going to pay a price' Despite the bleakness of the current cultural moment, Baucham told CP he hopes his new book will leave his Christian readers "equipped, encouraged and informed." "Know what's happening, know how it happened, know where this came from, know the roots of it don't just know what we're against, but know what we're for," he said, adding that he spends a large part of the book explaining the biblical picture of manhood, womanhood and the proper role of marriage. Baucham also said that Christians need to be prepared to suffer for taking a stand on such contentious issues. "We need to be informed about what our adversaries are doing; equipped with biblical truth and encouraged, because we're going to pay a price," he said. "Maybe we're already paying a price. There are people who've lost custody of their children over this, and the worst is yet to come. So we need to be encouraged and we need to be prepared to stand firm." "We need to be prepared to again deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him. We need to be prepared to proclaim the Gospel, because it is our only hope. And it is the only hope of people who have gone so far astray. So I'm hoping that's what people take away from this." Home News Voddie Baucham to return to native US after decade in Zambia, asks for prayer Pastor and bestselling author Voddie T. Baucham announced Monday that he and his family will be returning to his native United States after a decade living abroad in Lusaka, Zambia. "After nearly a decade in Zambia, the time has come for the Bauchams to repatriate to the USA," Baucham posted to Instagram, encouraging his followers to subscribe to his newsletter for the "longer story" as he readies to leave on Dec. 1. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Voddie Baucham (@voddieb) 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 Baucham, who married his wife Bridget in 1989, has nine children and three grandchildren, according to his website. He has lived in Zambia since 2015, but has often made speaking tours throughout the U.S. Baucham went on to ask for prayer regarding the sale of his home in Lusaka and for African Christian University, where he served as founding dean. He reiterated his call for prayer for his family, for whom he noted the "transition will not be easy." "Pray for wisdom as we seek to follow the Lord in regard to our next move," Baucham wrote. "Pray for our furlough. We still need to take care of a number of things in the U.S. before we settle." Baucham was born in Los Angeles to a single mother and would go on to pastor a church in Houston, Texas, before becoming the dean of theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia. He would later serve as a senior lecturer in the university's School of Divinity. Baucham rose to national prominence in 2021 for his bestseller Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe, which explored the neo-Marxist roots of the critical social justice movement as it relates to race. Baucham's most recent book, It's Not Like Being Black: How Sexual Activists Hijacked the Civil Rights Movement, was published in June and delves into what he described as the attempt by sexual activists to subvert the civil rights movement to promote sexual immorality. In an interview with The Christian Post in June that touched on topics ranging from Christian nationalism to the rise of politicized "sexual minorities," Baucham expressed concern that because of widespread sexual immorality, the U.S. was on the same moral "trajectory" that ended in the demise of great civilizations in the past. "I always have hope, because I belong to Christ," Baucham told CP. "The Kingdom of God is undefeated. And not only is the Kingdom of God undefeated, it's undefeatable. So, I'm not worried about that." "However, when I start thinking about our culture, when I start thinking about our society, I'm a lot less hopeful in that regard, because we've seen this movie before," he continued. "We've seen it with all of the great civilizations in world history how they were born, how they ascended to greatness, and then how they decayed internally, morally, and eventually met their demise." "And it's terrible to come to the realization that we're on that trajectory. So from that standpoint, it's not very hopeful," he added. "And I believe that the only hope that we have is awakening and revival, some kind of supernatural spiritual intervention. Beyond that, we're toast." Home News Voddie Baucham warns culture under divine judgment, urges Christians to 'be ready' for persecution 'Plead with Him that all would not be lost' ARLINGTON, Texas Pastor Voddie T. Baucham warned that the pervasive sexual sins of the prevailing culture are signs of divine judgment, but that the Gospel still offers hope and that American Christians should plead with God for revival while preparing for persecution. Baucham, who is on leave in the U.S. from his position as Dean of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia, preached from Romans 1 during an event last Saturday at Lamar Baptist Church outside Dallas. Reiterating some of the points in his new book, It's Not Like Being Black: How Sexual Activists Hijacked the Civil Rights Movement, which was released Tuesday, Baucham noted the irony that he was making his remarks on the first day of pride month, which he referred to as "pride goes before destruction month." 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 Noting that the Apostle Paul ultimately spends much of the first chapter of Romans explaining how the wrath of God manifests in the world by giving mankind over to sexual depravity and "a debased mind," Baucham also observed that Paul lays the foundation of his difficult arguments on the hope and reality of the Gospel. Starting at Romans 1:16, Baucham read: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'" "That's the foundation for all of this," Baucham said. "That's our foundation for thinking about all of these issues. We start there. We start with the reality of the Gospel and our need for the Gospel. We start with the reality that the righteous shall live by faith." "We are living in a time, in an era when there are people who are desperately wicked, and in desperate need of repentance and faith, in desperate need of the Gospel. And we're being told that the wickedness is, in fact, the Gospel," Baucham said. Baucham went on to note that such a worldview is destructive because it not only calls good evil and evil good, but also "alienates people from the only hope that they have." "And that's what this is about," he continued. "At the end of the day, this is not just about laws that we don't like, or that we disagree with, or that we want changed. [...] Laws are important, but ultimately our golden rule is not just that people would be forbidden from certain things, but they will be free from them." Baucham went on to expound upon what he described as the "four-stage devolution" of an evil culture as described in Romans 1. He said that the destruction starts with a denial of God and His authority, as well as a desire to suppress the truth, which he noted has long been readily apparent in modern culture. The consequence of such a worldview, Baucham said, first leads to general sexual immorality, which he explained first manifested in the Sexual Revolution and in the separation of sex from marital commitment and family. "Here's what's interesting: we haven't gotten to 'the alphabet' yet," he said of such a step. "This is not about the alphabet. This is about the Sexual Revolution as a whole. Long before we got to the alphabet, we had a Sexual Revolution." He also said contraceptives, abortion and the crisis of fatherlessness are correlative to such an attitude. "This thing is broken without the alphabet mafia," he added. Baucham then explained that "dishonorable passions" are the next stage of divine judgment against a wicked culture, and suggested that the scale at which modern society is subject to them is historically unprecedented. "So, we've gone beyond natural passions gone astray, to disordered and dishonorable passions," he said. "It's like the law of diminishing returns, right? We always want more. We're never satisfied. Whenever we're pursuing one of God's good gifts outside of the boundaries wherein God gives that gift, it never brings us the satisfaction that we crave. And on top of that, it always brings us guilt and shame." Despite the culture's clarion call for people to embrace the supposed freedom of sexual liberation, he said the evidence suggests that such behavior is enslaving even children at this point. "We go deeper and deeper and deeper into our sinfulness, and it just doesn't satisfy," he said. "Here's what's amazing: we have a generation today that has more sex and sexualized content available to them than anyone in history has ever had. Imagine!" "When I was a kid, you had to have an uncle or somebody who had some stuff hidden in their room, you know? You'd find stuff that was hidden somewhere in an uncle's room, or somebody would tell you, 'Guess what I saw.'" Lifting up his phone, Baucham added, "We're giving them to 9- and 10-year-olds. Number one use of the internet is still pornography, and we're giving unlimited, unfettered access to it to 9- and 10-year-olds in the palm of their hands." "So we've got a generation of people who've been raised with sexual material, who have been raised with libertine views towards sex, who are engaging in sex younger and younger, and we've got young people entering into marriage who can't even enjoy sex anymore, because their ability to enjoy it has nearly been destroyed." Baucham further explained that a deeper layer of the destruction includes "willing Christians" who attempt to accommodate the idea of sexual sin as an identity by claiming the Bible failed to understand the complexity of sexual orientation, and that dishonorable passions are not actually dishonorable. Baucham said rampant transgenderism is another consequence of such depravity and went on to warn that the push for pedophilia "is just a matter of time." He also urged Christians to steel themselves for the last stage of a culture under judgment, which involves the wicked attempting to suppress the truth of God by approving of those who are evil while condemning and trying to silence those who resist. "'The righteous shall live by faith.' There is good news," he said. "That good news is being suppressed, but it is still good news, and it is still our only hope. And what that means is that we have to gird up our loins, deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. We have to be ready and willing to endure the suffering that will inevitably come, and it will." Baucham concluded his remarks by urging his listeners to pray for revival, but conceded that he cannot personally see any way out of the spiritual darkness into which the culture has plunged itself. "We're going to have to pray that God would send revival, because He's already sent judgment," Baucham concluded. "What we've just read is the wrath of God, and we're seeing it everywhere. The wrath of God is here; the judgment of God is here. Plead with Him for His mercy. Plead with Him that all would not be lost." "If you're anything like me, it's hard to see a way out of this, it really is," he added. "It's hard to imagine how that would happen. What would that look like? I have no idea but God. So we pray and we hope and we stand firm and we cling to the only thing that we know can stem the tide." (Photo: Lambeth Palace) Pressure remains on the Archbishop of Canterbury to step down over personal failings in how he handled knowledge of horrific abuse perpetrated by the late QC John Smyth. Accusing the Church of England of a "cover-up", the Makin Review published last week also pointed the finger at Archbishop Justin Welby over his failure to report Smyth's abuse to the police after he became aware of it in 2013. Welby has apologised for his response and for failing to meet victims soon enough, but has resisted calls to resign. The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, is the most high profile figure in the Church of England to call for his resignation, telling the BBC that his position has become "untenable". "I think that it's very hard for the church, as the national, established church, to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation, when we cannot get our own house in order with regard to something as critically important [as abuse]," she told the BBC. Smyth victim Andrew Morse told the Guardian that Welby's resignation "would be a positive step in a very bleak situation that has existed ever since Smyth started beating me and my friends more than 40 years ago". Over 11,000 people have signed a petition launched by members of the Church of England General Synod demanding Welby's resignation. "Alongside other concerns, the report highlights the particular responsibility of Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, for these failures. He 'held a personal and moral responsibility to pursue this further, whatever the policies at play at the time required' which he failed to fulfil," the petition reads. "Given his role in allowing abuse to continue, we believe that his continuing as the Archbishop of Canterbury is no longer tenable. "We must see change, for the sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable, and for the good of the Churchand we share this determination across our traditions. "With sadness we do not think there is any alternative to his immediate resignation if the process of change and healing is to start now." The petition is co-sponsored by theologian and Archbishops' Council member, Dr Ian Paul, Save the Parish founder Rev Marcus Walker, and London vicar Rev Robert Thompson. The Dean of Chapel at King's College Cambridge and former canon of Durham Cathedral, Dr Stephen Cherry, has added his voice to calls for Welby's resignation, saying the Archbishop had lost the "trust and confidence" of the Church of England. "I think he really needs to now tender his resignation and allow there to be significant change," he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "There are circumstances in which something happens whereby a person in a position of prominent leadership essentially loses the trust and the confidence and the capacity to do that really wonderful thing that someone like an Archbishop does, which is represent everyone at a certain moment, publicly. "And the pain in the victim community and the pain of not listening to people and not responding to people who are profoundly hurt by those in positions of power means that this is no longer a person who can carry the representative role of that office. "That's my strongest thought today." Bernard Randall (Photo: Christian Legal Centre) A chaplain who was labelled a safeguarding risk by the Church of England due to his traditional Christian views on gender identity is seeking a judicial review at the Royal Courts of Justice today. Rev Randall has not been employed in ministry since his dismissal by Trent College in 2020 over a sermon to students in the school chapel in which he said they did not have to agree with LGBT ideology. Lawyers acting for Rev Bernard Randall will argue that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Bishop of Derby, Libby Lane, have "repeatedly misused safeguarding processes to uphold an illegitimate ban on Dr Randall's ministry". Without a licence to minister in the Church of England, he remains unable to work as a chaplain and has been forced to find alternative employment. This is despite being cleared by the government's counter-terrorism scheme Prevent, the local authority designated officer on safeguarding (LADO), the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Dr Randall attempted to bring a disciplinary case against Bishop Lane but it was blocked by Archbishop Welby. When lawyer Gregory Jones KC was asked to review the case on behalf of the Church of England's clergy disciplinary body, he concluded that Welby had "misunderstood the scope of his powers", and was "plainly wrong" to dismiss the complaint. Of the Diocese of Derby's findings, Jones KC said that they "do not in my view support any finding of a 'safeguarding' issue as defined by the [Church of England's safeguarding] Guidance". The review was later taken over by the President of Tribunals, Dame Sarah Asplin, who was asked to consider whether it was appropriate to convene a tribunal to rule on the complaint. Despite finding "serious errors in the process adopted" and that "the whole safeguarding procedure was flawed", she determined that the Bishop of Derby did not have a case to answer. The hearing on Tuesday is seeking a judicial review to challenge Dame Asplin's decision not to convene a tribunal. Ahead of the hearing, Dr Randall said that "safeguarding has been weaponised as a political tool against a theological position which is wholly consistent with the Church's doctrine". "Yet again, in the corridors of power, the Church has closed ranks to protect senior people. Where is the accountability? What of transparency?" he said. "These are not the failings of years ago. This is now. Too many ordinary people have stopped trusting the Church, and my case is just one of many reasons why. "I long to see a Church which healthy and strong, unashamedly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings life in all its fulness to all people without exception. "As it stands, the Church of England is not that Church. That is a cause of deep sorrow to Christians up and down this land, me included." Before the hearing, Dr Randall will hand in a petition signed by over 40,000 people to Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The petition asks Archbishop Welby to apologise to Dr Randall and reinstate his licence to minister. "It's time for the Church of England to give Bernard his life back. He's been punished for nothing more than upholding his Christian beliefs, which are fully in accordance with Church of England doctrine," the petition says. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Dr Randall, said, "Even Jesus, let alone Bernard Randall, would have fallen foul of the diocese of Derby's approach to safeguarding and would have been marked a risk to children." (Photo: Getty/iStock) (CP) In schools across Northern Ireland, students are finding it more challenging to reveal their Christian faith than their sexual orientation, according to testimony provided during an ongoing inquiry into Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) at Stormont. David Smyth, a representative of the Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, told the Education Committee that some young people find it "much more difficult now to come out as an Evangelical Christian in school than it is to come out as LGBT," according to the BBC. Smyth's comments came as part of a discussion on the content and delivery of RSE in Northern Irish schools, Premier Christian News noted. Smyth said the Evangelical Alliance had concerns over the content being provided but clarified that this was not a confrontation between religion and RSE. "We're not looking to fight a culture war where children are the casualties," Smyth told the BBC. He added that there's a need to find common ground between Christians and non-Christians regarding the teaching of healthy relationships, consent and preventing violence against women and girls. The Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, which represents a range of churches and individuals, addressed specific issues within RSE that have raised concern among parents and members of the faith community. Smyth referred to a report by Conservative MP Miriam Cates on RSE in England and Wales, citing examples of "age-inappropriate material being taught in RSE on issues like sexual practices which may be dangerous or even illegal, like chocking or chem [drugs] sex." He pointed out that some RSE materials also contained "scientifically inaccurate content which confuses and conflates biological sex with gender identity." Smyth expressed additional concerns that the Christian perspective is becoming increasingly marginalized in school environments. He said "there are some specific areas where the views of Evangelical Christians, and many Catholics and Muslims, are very distinctive, for example abortion." The teaching of access to abortion and prevention of early pregnancy is set to become compulsory for all post-primary schools in Northern Ireland, following regulations laid in Parliament by former Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris in 2023. During questioning, Nick Mathison, the committee chair, asked Smyth if he believed that teachers might be attempting to "effectively change children's minds to push an agenda of some sort." Smyth responded that his concern lay in ensuring that the teaching of sensitive issues, such as abortion and differing sexual identities, allows for space where students are not subjected to ideological pressures. "Is it secular blasphemy to believe that a man cannot biologically become a woman?" Smyth asked the committee members. The Christian Post Senior Chinese legislator visits Trinidad and Tobago Xinhua) 13:22, November 12, 2024 MEXICO CITY, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Wu Weihua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), visited Trinidad and Tobago from Sunday to Monday at the invitation of the Caribbean country's parliament. During his two-day visit, Wu met with Nigel de Freitas, president of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives Brigid Annisette-George, and Foreign Minister Amery Browne. China attaches importance to developing comprehensive cooperative partnership with Trinidad and Tobago, Wu said, voicing China's readiness to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries to work with Trinidad and Tobago to consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and lift bilateral relations to a new level. The NPC also puts heavy emphasis on exchanges and cooperation with the parliament of Trinidad and Tobago and is willing to strengthen experience-sharing in governance, Wu added. For their part, the leaders of the Caribbean country said the government and the parliament of Trinidad and Tobago cherish the traditional friendship with China and expressed satisfaction with the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, especially the fruitful results of Belt and Road cooperation. Trinidad and Tobago will continue to uphold the one-China policy and make joint efforts with China to deepen bilateral friendly cooperation, they said. The Chinese delegation headed by Wu also made a field trip to the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, a BRI project jointly built by the two countries. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) From left: Dr. William Whitaker, Honors College dean; Kyrie White. Newly inducted Clyburn Honors Scholar; Alexander Conyers, SC State president; and Dr. Frederick Evans, provost and vice president for academic affairs, at the Honors College Induction on Oct. 25. ORANGEBURG, S.C. South Carolina State University proudly announces the induction of Kyrie White into the prestigious Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College as a Clyburn Scholar. Hailing from North Augusta, South Carolina, White exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and service, making him an outstanding addition to the Honors College community. Kyries dedication to academic excellence, coupled with his outstanding leadership and service, embodies the heart of the Clyburn Honors College, said Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., Honors College dean. His achievements in nuclear engineering and his commitment to mentorship and collaboration position him as a role model and an inspiration to his peers. We are eager to support his journey and see him reach even greater heights at South Carolina State University. White is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nuclear engineering with an impressive 3.7 GPA and is on track to graduate in May 2027. He holds associate degrees in science and arts from Aiken Technical College, where he graduated with a 3.6 GPA. His coursework at SC State includes Introduction to nuclear engineering, circuit analysis, modern physics, and AutoCAD, showcasing his dedication to rigorous, industry-relevant studies Beyond academics, White has developed an array of valuable skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, MATLAB, JavaScript, AutoCAD, and GIS. His conflict resolution abilities and commitment to collaboration set him apart as a well-rounded scholar prepared to excel in the engineering field. Whites leadership journey includes serving as a teacher cadet in Aiken County Public Schools, where he mentored students, assisted teachers, and supported third grade reading initiatives. He also promoted the value of Advanced Placement courses as an AP Ambassador, encouraging his peers to challenge themselves academically. His achievements and contributions have earned him multiple honors, including Deans List recognition, the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, and active membership in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the American Nuclear Society, Phi Theta Kappa, and the National Honors Society. As a Clyburn Scholar, White joins a distinguished group of students dedicated to academic success, leadership, and community impact, embodying the values championed by the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College. (Photo: Getty/iStock) Campaigners are pleading with MPs to reject proposals to legalise assisted suicide, warning that any change to the law will put vulnerable people at risk. They have expressed concern about how little time MPs have to scrutinise details of Kim Leadbeater's bill just two weeks before a vote is held. This is considerably shorter than the nearly two months MPs had when the issue was last voted on in Parliament in 2015. "More than half of the current sitting MPs were newly elected at the General Election this year, and have spent much of that time since the election on recess," said Right to Life UK. "This means they have had very little time to hear from both sides of the debate on this significant change to the law - and now they will be only given barely two weeks to scrutinise the Bill." While Leadbeater has sought to promise "the strictest safeguards anywhere in the world", over 3,400 doctors and nurses have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying that it is "impossible for any Government to draft assisted suicide laws which include protection from coercion and future expansion". "The NHS is broken, with health and social care in disarray. Palliative care is woefully underfunded and many lack access to specialist provision," they say in the letter organised by campaign group Our Duty of Care. "The thought of assisted suicide being introduced and managed safely at such a time is remarkably out of touch with the gravity of the current mental health crisis and pressures on staff. "Any change would threaten society's ability to safeguard vulnerable patients from abuse; it would undermine the trust the public places in physicians; and it would send a clear message to our frail, elderly and disabled patients about the value that society places on them as people." Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing, said: "This bill is being rushed with indecent haste and ignores the deep-seated problems in the UK's broken and patchy palliative care system and the crisis in social care as highlighted by thousands of medics who signed the open letter to the Prime Minister, published this morning. "It also ignores data from around the world that shows changing the law would put pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives. Leadbeater's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill says that applications for medically-assisted suicide will need to be reviewed by two doctors before being approved by a judge. An initial debate and vote on the proposals will take place on 29 November. Starmer, who backed legislation to legalise assisted suicide in 2015, is yet to make up his mind about how he will vote. "I'm not going to be putting any pressure whatsoever on Labour MPs. They will make their own mind up, as I will be," he said. "Obviously a lot will depend on the detail, and we need to get the balance right. But I've always argued there will need to be proper safeguards in place." Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said it was "outrageous" that the bill had only been published two weeks before a vote. "What is being proposed is a monumental change to our laws, and it's totally unjustifiable and fundamentally undemocratic to try and rush it through without proper public scrutiny," she said. "With an NHS described by the sitting Health Secretary as 'broken', and the 100,000 people who need palliative care each year dying without receiving it, this rushed assisted suicide legislation is a disaster in waiting." The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is under pressure to resign. (Photo: Church of England) The writing is now on the wall for Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby after the Church of England's lead bishop on safeguarding refused to back him staying in post. On BBC Radio 4's Sunday Programme on November 10, veteran presenter Edward Stourton asked Bishop Joanne Grenfell whether Archbishop Welby should resign in the wake of the Makin Review which exposed the C of E's cover-up of the John Smyth abuse scandal. She said: "I really appreciate that the Archbishop has wholeheartedly apologised for what he could have and should have done differently in 2013. "I also recognise his commitment over his tenure to really having tried to change safeguarding. I think there's still an awful lot to do, but I do think that builds on some of the changes we've seen over the last ten years." Stourton noted that she had not given a straight 'Yes' or 'No' answer to the question whether Archbishop Welby should resign. She said: "I support the Archbishop's apology. I'm glad he's made it." Archbishop Welby told Channel 4's Cathy Newman on November 7 when the Church of England published the Makin Review that he had considered resigning that very morning. He told her: "I've given it a lot of thought. I've taken advice as recently as this morning from senior colleagues. And no, I'm not going to resign for this. If I'd known before 2013 or had grounds for suspicion, that would be a resigning matter then and now. But I didn't." Was the lead bishop on safeguarding one of the 'senior colleagues' Welby consulted? Probably not. Though she has a very significant role in the C of E, she is not a diocesan bishop but rather the suffragan (area) Bishop of Stepney in London Diocese. She is therefore not in Archbishop Welby's inner circle of advisers at his London residence Lambeth Palace. But that gives her an independence that makes her refusal to back him all the more potent. Lambeth Palace has said the Archbishop does not "intend to resign" amid the growing calls for him to do so. But the politician-speak there would appear to be deliberate because what he intends not to do today can easily change. The media calls for Archbishop Welby to resign are easier to withstand particularly from the right-wing press. Conservative MP Nick Timothy, who was Joint Chief of Staff to former Prime Minister Theresa May, made an articulate and informed case for Archbishop Welby's resignation in The Telegraph on November 11: "Within the Church, Welby has presided over declining congregations, the closure of thousands of churches, and 'pastoral reorganisations', which critics worry will kill off the local parish. He launched a divisive Archbishops' Commission on Racial Justice, which last week accused some rural parishioners of racism. The Commission is chaired by Lord Boateng, a Labour peer, who has accused the Church of being rife with structural and systemic racism. "If Welby believes the Church he has led for more than a decade is systemically racist, perhaps he should take responsibility for that. More likely, he, like other liberals, has gone along with ideological fashion, knowing he will not be among those who suffer the purges and punishments that follow his decisions. "It was, perhaps, a similar carelessness that led to the personal and institutional failure to respond in 2013 to clear evidence of child abuse. Smyth, now dead, has escaped justice. But for the sake of his victims, and the Church itself, Welby should show the integrity he once said was missing in others and resign." But, articulate though this resignation call is, it can be dismissed among the higher echelons of the C of E as par-for-the-course Conservative criticism of Archbishop Welby. There is no love lost between him and the Conservative Party after he so vehemently opposed the previous government's Rwanda plan to deal with illegal immigration. Bishop Grenfell, however, is among the up-and-coming 'progressive' bishops. It is significant that on November 11, the day after Bishop Grenfell's BBC interview, the Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, another leading revisionist, told the BBC that Archbishop Welby's position was "untenable". Given the significance of Bishop Grenfell's role as the lead bishop on safeguarding, heading up the C of E's response after multiple abuse scandals, her studied refusal to support him means the high-level pressure is piling up on Archbishop Welby to go. Julian Mann is a former Church of England vicar, now an evangelical journalist based in Lancashire. (Photo: Lambeth Conference) A vicar who helped organise a widely supported petition calling for Justin Welby to step down as Archbishop of Canterbury has welcomed his resignation. Rev Marcus Walker, founder of the Save the Parish movement, was a co-sponsor of the petition on Change.org signed by over 14,000 people. "Justin Welby has done the right thing and my prayers are with him and his family today," Walker said on X. "Prayers also for those who were brutalised by John Smyth, for whom the last few days will have brought back much misery. "Now the Church needs to work out how to move forward with wisdom and care." Welby announced his resignation on Tuesday afternoon after days of mounting scrutiny over his failure to report sadistic abuse by Christian camp organiser, the late John Smyth QC, to the police after becoming aware of it in 2013. The Archbishop's failings were detailed in a scathing report by Keith Makin which said that the Church of England's actions amounted to a "cover-up". Speaking to Channel 4 News' Cathy Newman, Welby denied a cover-up but admitted "incompetence". Gavin Ashenden, former chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was among the critics who had called for Welby's resignation. He also welcomed today's announcement. "Many of the victims of John Smyth will be greatly relieved by the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury on the grounds, as he described them to Cathy Newman, of 'incompetence'," he said. "His personal incompetence, and the collusion of his office in failing to provide sufficient energy and resources to respond to the complaints of victims and that of his office led to it taking 10 years for a report on the sexual abuse of children by the leading Anglican barrister to come into the light of day. "Only his resignation could satisfy the demands both for justice and the reassurance that the Church of England recognised it had failed both of the victims and its members." The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said Welby's resignation was "the right and honourable thing to do". "As Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin has decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin review. I believe this is the right and honourable thing to do," said Archbishop Cottrell, who is the second most senior figure in the Church of England. "Whilst this is a difficult day for Justin, I pray there will be an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the many positive aspects of his ministry and his huge commitment to the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and above all the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "But I continue to take account of the needs and experiences of victims and survivors and look to the various changes, above all the greater independence of safeguarding, that we need to help ensure these failings never happen again. It is to this ongoing work that I commit myself." Welby became Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013 and had been due to retire in 2026. He came under intense pressure to resign following the publication of the Makin report last Thursday, with critics saying that he had lost the trust of the Church of England and that his position had become "untenable". The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, was the most high profile figure in the Church of England to call for Welby's resignation, telling the BBC that his position had become "untenable". "I think that it's very hard for the church, as the national, established church, to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation, when we cannot get our own house in order with regard to something as critically important [as abuse]," she said. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form By Bryan Kirschner, Vice President, Strategy at DataStax From the Wall Street Journal to the World Economic Forum, it seems like everyone is talking about the urgency of demonstrating ROI from generative AI (genAI). On the one hand, enthusiasm for getting out of pilot purgatory is a good sign. We know with the benefit of hindsight that under-investing in digital transformation meant leaving money on the table. And early evidence suggests that genAI has a lot to offer: Across five studies, its median impact on employee productivity was a 25% uplift. On the other hand, there are signals that some genAI critics are hellbent on persuading themselves that those results are too good to be true, And thats likely to become a self-fulfilling prophecy, to their disadvantage. The risk is exemplified by the case of an executive canceling Microsoft Copilot subscriptions supposedly because he compared the slide-generation capability of Microsofts AI tools to middle school presentations. At least as it was reported, it comes across sounding like a flip dismissal of what genAI might have to offer. Contrast that with what I heard recently from a knowledge worker about how he uses genAI in his workflow. He leverages ChatGPT 4o to help generate prompts for Perplexity. He uses those prompts to elicit data from Perplexity that he then feeds back into prompts for ChatGPT. He did not get to the point of 100% specificity and confidence about exactly how this makes him happier and more productive through a quick one-and-done test of a use case or two. He got there as a result of willingness to test and learn, adopting a growth mindset, and managements conviction that where theres a will, theres a way to put genAI to good use. If your organization is ambivalent about any of these things, youre at risk of a genAI ROI doom loop, in which people may try very little and quickly run out of ideas. Committing to three principles sets the stage for people to take similarly mindful, holistic, and, in the end, high-ROI approaches to their own genAI journeys. These three best practices can help them on their way. Attack workflows, not just use cases Lets assume for the sake of discussion that genAI currently does indeed stink at making PowerPoint presentations. That presentation in question sits inside two workflows. The first is substantive: Its presumably being used in a meeting to inform some decision aimed at some outcomes. So one line of inquiry is could we use genAI to achieve the same outcomes in a different way (up to and including without the presentation, the meeting. or the dreaded meeting before the meeting)? The second is procedural: there are likely multiple people and steps involved in producing the presentation. So the line of inquiry here would be: How might we use genAI to reduce time and toil or increase quality? At least in the short term, genAI is unlikely to be a magic bullet. But to get down to brass tacks: successfully turning any meeting in the workflow into an email is a high-yield move. (In one study, employee productivity was 71% higher when meetings were reduced by 40%.) 2. Make soft metrics matter Imagine an experienced manager with an open door policy. If you asked any more junior employee, theyd all say: I always feel better about my next executive presentation if I run it by them first. Or: asking them to play devils advocate always sharpens my thinking. Now imagine telling them to end the open-door policy because it burns staff time and you dont have hard numbers quantifying the ROI. Any established workflow probably has some cognitive load, stress, or procrastination embedded in it. It also probably has some unrealized potential for causing a feeling of accomplishment, a sense of teamwork, or new learning too. To be sure, the value of genAI must be articulable. But it would be an extreme case of old-school Taylorism to (for example) consider a teams perspective flipping from we dread preparing for business reviews to now we look forward to them as a time to shine because the amount of prep time is still the same. 3. Think about ROI in terms of value proposition, not nickels and dimes Finally and most importantly: encourage every process, product, and experience owner to approach genAI as a way to rewrite the value proposition of their workflow. Each workflow is aimed at a problem or opportunity to be solved. The competition is the pre-genAI way of getting that done. Meaningful improvement is likely to include some quantifiable metrics like time savings or employee satisfaction. But the most powerful North Star is likely to be contextual and qualitative. Imagine a team that shifts from feeling beleaguered to feeling like rock stars. Or whose stakeholders move from saying theyre hit or miss at delivering on time to theyre totally reliable. And as an added bonus: if teams literally write down how theyre using genAI and its impact (both qualitative and quantitative), thats a great retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) use case. GenAI itself can report week-on-week progress, putting it to work across your organizationincluding the ROI. Its all the more reason that a great starting point for demonstrating immediate and meaningful value is getting the people who are already involved in each of those activities engaged in putting it to good use and sharing what theyve learned. Learn how DataStax enables enterprises and developers to get GenAI apps to production fast. About Bryan Kirschner: Bryan is Vice President, Strategy at DataStax. For more than 20 years he has helped large organizations build and execute strategy when they are seeking new ways forward and a future materially different from their past. He specializes in removing fear, uncertainty, and doubt from strategic decision-making through empirical data and market sensing. In todays fast-paced digital environment, enterprises increasingly leverage AI and analytics to strengthen their risk management strategies. By adopting AI-driven approaches, businesses can better anticipate potential threats, make data-informed decisions, and bolster the security of their assets and operations. A recent panel on the role of AI and analytics in risk management explored this transformational technology, focusing on how organizations can harness these tools for a more resilient future. While AI offers a powerful means to anticipate and address risks, it also introduces new challenges. Jayakumar Mohanachandran, Group Chief Information Officer at Buzeki Enterprises, emphasized the importance of a unified strategy to handle the dual nature of AI. We need to have a unified strategy which is required to scale, he remarked. There are risk elements we know, but evolving threats are also emerging due to AI. Its helpful, but at the same time, it increases the risk. We need to be proactive. Mohanachandrans perspective underscores the urgency of building AI-powered defenses while staying ahead of AI-enhanced threats. The delicate balance between utilizing AIs predictive power and guarding against its potential risks is crucial for maintaining operational security. Saudi Arabia has announced a 100 billion USD initiative aimed at establishing itself as a major player in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and advanced technology. The program, known as Project Transcendence, marks a significant push by the Kingdom to develop a robust AI ecosystem that can rival leading tech hubs, including neighbouring United Arab Emirates and other global technology centers. This unprecedented investment will focus on building state-of-the-art data centers, supporting startups, and expanding AI infrastructure to drive both domestic growth and international competitiveness. As part of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 plan, this AI project underscores the countrys commitment to economic diversification away from oil, aiming to become a global tech leader within the next decade. Project Transcendence is expected to channel investments into critical areas needed to create a thriving AI industry. These include data center expansion, tech startups, workforce development, and partnerships with leading technology firms. Sources familiar with the project have indicated that Saudi Arabia intends to recruit top AI talent from around the world, invest in R&D, and incentivize foreign companies to establish a footprint in the Kingdom. Costco has recalled nearly 80,000 pounds of its Kirkland Signature butter after the company discovered that the products packaging failed to include a crucial allergen warning: the presence of milk. David Zalubowski/Associated Press Costco has recalled nearly 80,000 pounds of its Kirkland Signature butter after the company discovered that the products packaging failed to include a crucial allergen warning: the presence of milk. The recall affects both salted (32,400 pounds) and unsalted (46,800 pounds) butter varieties. Although the ingredient list on the packaging mentioned cream, it did not specifically identify milk as an allergen, a critical omission for consumers with dairy sensitivities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last week, the Food and Drug Administration classified the recall as a Class II, meaning a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. Milk is one of the eight most common allergens, according to the FDA, and its presence must be clearly labeled on food products. Costco has not commented on the recall. It was unclear whether any allergic reactions had been reported. The recall affects butter with best by dates between Feb. 22, 2025, and March 29, 2025, primarily sold at Costco locations in Texas. Consumers who have purchased the affected products were urged to return them to Costco for a full refund. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The news of the recall sparked surprise and some confusion on social media, with many users questioning why a dairy product like butter would require a milk allergy warning in the first place. Peste o mie de copii din raionul Criuleni vor avea acces gratuit la un spatiu modern pentru joaca si lectura A foundation that administers a royal gift made in 1786 has unveiled a new name and visual branding including a refreshed website and logo. The Richmond Parish Lands Charity announced today that it had renamed itself Richmond Foundation. Richmond Foundation was endowed by a gift of land from King George III and Queen Charlotte to support the community in Richmond, now part of Greater London, and reconstituted in its present form in 1968. Accounts for the year ending 30 June 2024 show that the charity received 1.3m in 2024 from its investment portfolio (2023: 1.2m) and 1.2m from its residential and commercial property rentals (2023: 1.2m). In 2024, it achieved a combined direct and indirect impact investment of 3.7m, including 2.5m in grants to individuals and 72 funded partners, and increased its permanent endowment by 3.2m. Name better reflects dynamic and inclusive vision Richmond Foundation said it has a strong legacy supporting individuals and local initiatives across the borough and its new name better reflects its dynamic and inclusive vision for the future. What remains unchanged is Richmond Foundations dedication to providing funding and support that empowers individuals with opportunities, responds to needs, and provides resources to unlock their full potential, it said. The foundations grant priorities include strengthening the local voluntary and community sector, accessing support and advice services, improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities in education and enhancing community cohesion. Chief executive Phil Barron said: The transition to Richmond Foundation reaffirms our commitment to fostering a fairer and more supportive community for all. We want to build a foundation for a thriving community where everyone in Richmond has opportunities to build healthy and fulfilling lives. Our new strategy has a greater focus on being an outward-looking collaborative organisation, embracing partnership working and making a collective impact with our partners. This year, Richmond Foundation launched Future Leaders, an initiative co-developed with ACEVO, Clear Thinking Consultancy and Richmond Community and Voluntary Service to retain local talent in Richmond, strengthen peer support and invest in budding voluntary sector leaders. More proactive, long-term funding Richmond Foundation said in its accounts that it has updated its grants policy to shift to more proactive, long-term funding. Where applicants have a track record of successfully delivering our grants for two years or more and are applying to deliver similar activities, we aim to move them onto one of our three-year grant streams, the accounts read. Our new partnerships grants are more flexible in terms of value and can be for a longer duration. These fund collaborative programmes which we co-develop with our partners to meet a specific need, or they can be used to fund voluntary and community sector development. The accounts say the charity has moved 12 organisations from annual funding to three-year grants and our cohort of core funded organisations has increased to 40 Richmond-based charities. As well as increasing the number of longer-term grants we award, we also provided 84,046 in partnership grants to help strengthen the local voluntary and community sector, the accounts add. We have adapted our grants process to better support our funded partners. Those in the final year of a multiyear grant can now apply for future funding decisions up to six months before their current funding ends. This was in response to feedback from partners that they would like greater certainty of future funding. The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into a Leicester-based homelessness charity after reporting that it failed to act on a legal order. GiftingHumanity was already under investigation as part of the regulators double defaulters class inquiry, after the charity failed to supply financial accounts for five consecutive years. In December last year, the commission ordered the charity to file all outstanding financial information but its trustees failed to do so. The regulator said this failure to comply with the order amounts to misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of the charity. GiftingHumanity is also, the regulator said, currently operating with an insufficient number of trustees, which is in breach of its governing document. Therefore, on 13 September, the commission opened a statutory inquiry . Its investigation will examine the extent to which the trustees are complying with their legal obligations regarding the content, preparation and filing of the charitys accounts and annual returns. The regulator will assess whether trustees have complied with previously issued regulatory guidance and if the charity has a sufficient number of trustees who are capable of managing it in accordance with its governing document. It will also consider the extent to which any failings or weaknesses identified in the administration of the charity during the inquiry are a result of misconduct and/or mismanagement by the trustees and extend the scope of the inquiry if further issues emerge. GiftingHumanity, which also supports people affected by disasters, recorded an income of 247,000 in the year to April 2018. Its accounts for 2018-19 are overdue by more than 1,700 days, according to the regulators website. 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, Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. This article was produced in collaboration with the Ethics & Journalism Initiative at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University. In all the lacerating postmortems on what the media got wrong in covering the 2024 election, one of what should be the most salient questions is largely being ignored: If the major national news organizations are all based in Manhattan and DCwhere Kamala Harris racked up 81 and 90 percent of the vote, respectivelyhow can they possibly reflect the concerns of the rest of the country? No matter how hard we try, confirmation bias has to influence where our imaginations and curiosity can go; its the way the human mind works. If all the campaign buttons, T-shirts, lawn signs, and friends and family around you favor Harris, and if you and your peers have college degrees and are getting by economically, and if your inbox is filled with newsletters written by people whose views mirror your own, can you really think differently about what the country looks like to a majority of Americans? If almost everyone in the newsroom, including its leaders, thinks alike, how can different understandings emerge in their work? Attempted workarounds dont seem to have helped much. This time around, some news organizations sent a few more correspondents to those mysterious rural and suburban locations, almost all red on the electoral map. Some set up focus groups to hear from people outside the big coastal cities. Some pledged, as they did in 2020, to emphasize, or at least allow, more diversity of background and thought on their staff. Anecdotally, the latter appears, for the most part, not to have happened. The problem, I think, isnt that coastal big-city news organizations arent aware of their challenges and arent trying to address them. The problem is that they are big-city coastal news organizations and, though they can improve to some degree, they are always going to be driven by their nature. Their myopia has only been exacerbated over the past couple of decades, as declining resources led to the wholesale closing of domestic bureaus. Short of packing up and moving, what can these elite newsrooms do to engage more directly with the rest of the nation? They need first to understand that the fragmentation of media, despite its adverseand arguably disastrouseffects, ironically opens the door to possible solutions. Local, independent, and niche media, spread throughout the country, can offer a revealing window on their communities and, sometimes, even on national issues and the national mood. They have done amazing work this past year. We wouldnt know about astonishing corruption and abuse by Mississippi sheriffs over two decades if not for the intrepid reporting of Mississippi Today, in collaboration with the New York Times. We wouldnt know about poor healthcare and neglect in Maines residential care facilities, and the states ineffectiveness in reining in these abuses, without the independent, nonprofit Maine Monitor, in partnership with ProPublica. It was the hyper-local North Shore Leader that broke the story of George Santoss lies and corruption well before he was elected to Congress. And on and on. That kind of record makes supporting and funding such local nonprofits absolutely essential. Sign up for CJRs daily email In addition, national news organizations should rely more on local media for local coverage, establishing true partnerships in which the work of the local outlets is respected and embraced. Such partnerships of equalswith the locals treated not as stringers and fixers but as true colleaguesare the best antidote to the deficiencies of parachuting into unfamiliar environments. Its time for more news organizations to conceptualize and build local partnership models, as TV networks often maintain with their affiliate stations. And, when they can, the big players should help support these local newsrooms, as the Associated Press is doing as it works to raise money to fund and support local journalists who dont work directly for AP. It helps to have a national perspective, and it helps to have local knowledgeyou need both. As a local reporter in my very first job, I was sometimes on the receiving end of condescensionand story theftfrom national correspondents who were sure they knew better because they came down to Tampa and Tallahassee from New York and Washington. They got a lot of things wrong. Unfortunately, when I started working in New York, I didnt take that lesson with me initially. I did some parachuting of my ownwhether to Bhopal, India, or South Bend, Indianaand I still wince at all the misinformation and bias I brought into town. It will remain challenging for major news organizations to gain clarity about this complex nation as long as their leaders, and so many of their journalists, go to work each day in the places where people like myself hang out. Its time that they reach out for help and guidance from journalists who live and work someplace else. A federal judge said Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg is not personally liable in 25 lawsuits accusing his company of addicting children to social media. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California rejected accusations on Thursday that Zuckerberg directed Metas efforts to conceal from children the serious mental health risks of using Facebook and Instagram. The plaintiffs called Metas billionaire co-founder the guiding spirit behind alleged concealment efforts, saying he ignored repeated internal warnings about the risks and publicly downplayed them. But the judge found a lack of specifics about what Zuckerberg did wrong, and said control of corporate activity alone is insufficient to establish liability. Her decision does not affect related claims against Meta itself. The plaintiffs brought claims under the laws of 13 U.S. states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. Previn Warren, a partner at Motley Rice representing the plaintiffs, said on Friday his clients will continue gathering evidence to uncover the truth about how Big Tech has knowingly prioritized profits over the safety of our children. The 25 lawsuits are among several hundred by children, their families and school districts seeking damages from Meta, Alphabets GOOGL.O Google, ByteDances TikTok and Snaps Snapchat over social media addiction. Dozens of U.S. state attorneys general are pursuing similar cases against Meta, linking its social media platforms to anxiety, depression, insomnia, and interference with education and daily life. The case is In re Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 22-md-03047. (Reporting by Stempel in New York; Editing by Jan Harvey) FTX filed a lawsuit against Binance Holdings Ltd. and its former Chief Executive Officer Changpeng Zhao, seeking to claw back almost $1.8 billion it alleges was fraudulently transferred by Sam Bankman-Fried. Binance, Zhao and other Binance executives received the funds as part of a July 2021 share repurchase deal with Bankman-Fried, the FTX co-founder who is now in prison. In that transaction, they sold stakes of about 20% in FTXs international unit and 18.4% in its US-based entity, according to a legal filing from the FTX estate on Sunday. Bankman-Fried paid for the stock repurchase using a mix of FTXs exchange token FTT and Binance-branded coins BNB and BUSD valued at $1.76 billion at the time, according to the filing. FTX and its sister trading house Alameda Research may have been insolvent from inception and certainly were balance-sheet insolvent by early 2021, the estate said in the filing. As a result, the share repurchase deal was made fraudulently, it alleged. FTX also accused Zhao of posting a series of false, misleading, and fraudulent tweets shortly before FTXs collapse, the content of which was maliciously calculated to destroy his rival. A Nov. 6, 2022 tweet by Zhao stated that Binance intended to sell its FTT tokens, worth some $529 million at the time, causing withdrawals from the exchange to skyrocket. The claims are meritless, and we will vigorously defend ourselves, a Binance spokesperson said in a statement on Monday. A representative for Zhao didnt immediately reply to an e-mailed request for comment The lawsuit is one of many filed by FTX against its former investors, affiliates and clients in the bankruptcy court of Delaware. Other defendants include former White House communications officer Anthony Scaramucci, digital-asset exchange Crypto.com and political groups such as the Mark Zuckerberg-founded FWD.US, according to court documents. Top photo: Changpeng Zhao in Seattle in April. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- During his Nov. 7 State of the City address, Mayor Kahlil Seren provided an update on the investigation into the fatal police-involved shooting of 18-year-old Christian Thomas in August. Seren took questions sent directly to his phone from family members, some of whom were in the audience. At least for now, the case remains active with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). There is little the city can do or say until the state completes its independent review. Thomas was shot Aug. 29 by Cleveland Heights police outside his Yellowstone Road house on what had been a call to a reported family dispute. Family members turned out for the Oct. 21 City Council meeting seeking answers, with Seren responding in further detail last week. Concerning issues with software for downloading police body camera footage from that night, Seren clarified that the original footage was immediately turned over to BCI in whole, no redaction. That allowed BCI to proceed with its own examination of the case, which had not concluded as of last week. The difficulty arose when we had to go through that footage and redact (names and addresses spoken out loud) in order to release it publicly to non-law enforcement requesters, Seren said. The process proved to be too time-consuming, prompting the city law department to look for software vendors. One of them offered a free trial period, so we could start immediately, Seren said. He added that any remaining footage has now been made public. As for a city administrative review of involved officers and supervisors, Seren said that last year he created within the police department a Bureau of Professional Standards to investigate complaints in a classic internal affairs capacity -- along with potential disciplinary action. This prompted criticism from an audience member who yelled, Police investigating police. Seren asked for a moment to finish, saying, This particular situation is more complicated and explaining why. The complication comes from the fact that there is a criminal investigation (by BCI) currently occurring, Seren said. It will be up to the state investigators to determine whether the officers committed criminal acts. So BCI, with no connection to our local department, comes in and collects (information) to try to piece together every bit of evidence they possibly can. State investigators then turn it all over to a prosecutorial agency to make the determination on criminal wrongdoing. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office, by its own standing rule, will ask the Ohio Attorney Generals Office to do so. So the state will take the evidence to a grand jury in order to be a step further removed from the investigation, Seren said. Our administrative review cannot supersede that criminal investigation or that prosecutorial and grand jury determination, he said. BCI needs to be able to collect all of the evidence, at which point it makes sense to have our administrative process move toward completion, Seren said. Seren said he will not be involved in the first steps of that administrative investigation. And I wouldnt presume that I should be, he added. I think politicians should probably step back from those sorts of law enforcement determinations. Seren will have access and involvement in those discussions. But right now, that falls on our Bureau of Professional Standards and Police Chief (Chris Britton) to work through that process in a way that does not interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation by the state government. Asked why he has not released the involved officers names and their personnel files, Seren explained that right now, we are legally prohibited from doing so. That could change, pending the outcome of a case currently before the Ohio Supreme Court. But for now, this is not a choice for the City of Cleveland Heights. The final question posed by the family asked if Seren supported the formation of a civilian police review board in Cleveland Heights. The honest answer is Im not sure, Seren said, adding that specifics mean a lot as to what that would mean in terms of a policy change. Seren said he is unequivocally and undeniably in favor of having a discussion, with council, police, the community and the law department, on what that would mean. I learned from the mayor of Newark, N.J., that the relationship between the police and the community is one of the most important things in keeping a community safe, Seren said. Trust is crucial. Seren said he does not know if a civilian review board would help achieve or be detrimental to that goal. But I am very interested in having that conversation to get to that point where our community at large and our police are more trusting of each other. I know that the death of Christian Tyson Thomas remains a tragedy in our community, no matter what the circumstances, Seren continued. This was a Cleveland Heights kid. And we care. Seren believes that finding a way to turn that tragedy into progress in the relationship among all of us is one of the most important things we can do to honor his importance. Seren plans to work until we get it right, He said that perhaps a civilian review board is part of that solution, depending on how we implement it. Read more from the Sun Press. The Walgreens store at 1189 Potrero Ave. in San Franciscos Mission District was damaged Monday morning after a car rammed into it. Police said no items have been reported stolen. Google Street View A Mission District Walgreens store was significantly damaged after a car rammed into it during the early hours of Monday morning, police said. At about 4:14 a.m., San Francisco police officers responded to the store on the 1100 block of Potrero Avenue regarding a burglary. Officers arrived to find the damage and the unoccupied car left at the scene, police said. No suspects were seen entering the store, and there have been no reports of stolen items so far, according to police. Police added that two other cars accompanying the suspect vehicle fled southbound on Potrero Avenue. No arrests have been made in the incident. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Retail theft incidents have occurred frequently at Walgreens stores in San Francisco in recent years. Just last week, San Francisco police announced the arrest of a suspect accused of stealing more than $2,500 in merchandise from a Walgreens store on the 400 block of Mission Street. In September, several thieves were caught on video ransacking a Walgreens in the Outer Sunset neighborhood. In 2021, Walgreens closed five of its San Francisco stores, citing rampant retail theft. In 2022, the chain closed two more stores in the city. During a confrontation at a downtown San Francisco Walgreens store in April 2023, a private security guard at the store fatally shot 24-year-old Banko Brown, who police said was committing theft prior to the shooting. San Francisco police are asking anyone with information regarding Mondays incident to contact the department at 415-575-4444. Stanford graduate student workers reached a labor agreement late Tuesday with the university, averting a Wednesday strike that threatened to hobble teaching and grading ahead of finals. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Stanfords graduate student workers reached their first tentative pay pact with the university late Tuesday, averting a strike that could have paused much of the research, teaching and grading on campus ahead of final exams. Wednesdays threatened walkout was intended to echo a successful strike in 2022 by 36,000 University of California student workers across the state that crippled the UC system for 40 days and resulted in steep pay hikes for those students. Though a far smaller group, Stanfords unionized student workers said they were aiming for the same result. Finals week for undergraduates begins on Dec. 9. Instead, the Stanford Graduate Workers Union called off the strike and on Wednesday announced it had reached a tentative agreement with the university that included better pay and groundbreaking improvements on harassment and discrimination protections for its members, thousands of mostly doctoral students who perform much of the teaching, grading and research at the elite private school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The union also said the university, which provides housing for most of the graduate student workers, had agreed to raise pay by at least as much as it raised on-campus rents. This is a first for any higher education contract in the United States, the union said in a statement urging members to vote to ratify the agreement. The graduate students unionized a year ago but hadnt yet signed a contract with the university. Stanford employs about 5,000 graduate student workers, including around 2,000 on fellowships who cant belong to the union but could have joined the strike in solidarity, said Thom Chaffee, a doctoral student in geophysics who is also a research assistant looking into magnetic anomalies on the moons surface and is his labs safety coordinator. More than 2,300 of the union members had authorized a strike last week. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im proud to have fought for the best contract we could win, said Chaffee, who was on the unions bargaining committee. We have so many new protections for our membership, and its going to be empowering to all graduate workers at Stanford. The fight is just beginning. Chaffee said students wages were the main sticking point. He pointed to a living wage calculator created by MIT that says it takes $68,624 a year for a single person to make ends meet in Santa Clara County and $121,677 for a single adult with a child. Yet Stanford pays all graduates students an average of $51,500 a year, he said, whether they have a family or not. The union had asked for $58,842, a raise of about 14%. If approved by the unions members, the new contract would immediately make the minimum wage $54,052. That would rise to $56,348 next fall, and to $58,460 a year later. The union also won the right to have a union representative join them in disputes with the university over gender discrimination, which previously were subject to Stanfords sexual harassment resolution procedures, Chaffee said. This tentative agreement came through the dedicated efforts of both bargaining teams and many long hours of discussion at the negotiating table, Stanford officials said in a brief statement posted on their site. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Before the agreement was reached, university spokesperson Dee Mostofi had said campus officials were disappointed in the decision to strike but that they respected the unions right to do so. She had also noted that Stanford already pays tuition and health insurance for doctoral students, who are the vast majority of union members. While thats true, said geophysics doctoral student Chaffee, the graduate students still pay 60% of our take-home salary to rent cramped apartments on campus in a food desert. Other benefits in the tentative agreement include preventing Stanford officials from cutting off doctoral students funding including those who cant join the union for failing to secure grants or fellowships; awarding transportation subsidies to off-campus graduate students; and awarding additional financial aid to a range of graduate students. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A police officer walks the platform at BARTs 24th Street Mission Station in San Francisco. The suspect in a slashing on a BART train has been charged with attempted murder. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle The man accused of slashing the throat of a stranger on a BART train this month has been charged with attempted murder, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said Tuesday. This incident sent chills across the Bay Area as we live in a deeply interconnected region where what happens in one jurisdiction echoes across city and county lines, Jenkins said in a statement. My office will do everything in our power to fight for justice in the courtroom for the victim in this case while we continue to make our neighborhoods, public transit and region safer. Officials say that on the morning of Nov. 2, 34-year-old Jovany Portades and the victim, a 54-year-old woman, were on an Antioch-bound BART train approaching the 24th Street Mission Station when Portades attacked his fellow passenger without provocation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After approaching the woman from behind with a knife, prosecutors said Portades slashed the womans neck, face and mouth as she attempted to fight him off. Portades fled when the train arrived at the station, and the woman was able to exit the train and receive help from BART and San Francisco police officers at the scene, officials said. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., wears Orion augmented reality glasses during the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California, on Sept. 25, 2024. Activist investor ValueAct has a $1 billion stake in Facebook parent Meta , according to people familiar with the matter. The activist fund's specific plans could not immediately be learned, but one of the people said that ValueAct CEO Mason Morfit was supportive of Meta's broader efforts to invest in artificial intelligence. Meta shares have grown at a rapid clip this year, outperforming the S&P 500 and peer companies. ValueAct has a long history of investing in technology companies, and is generally considered to be more constructivist and collaborative than other activist funds. It signed an information-sharing agreement with Disney, for example, as that company girded up for an activist battle with Nelson Peltz's Trian Partners. Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. It is one of the largest companies to be targeted by an activist investor, with a market cap of nearly $1.5 trillion. Meta was previously targeted by Brad Gerstner's Altimeter Capital in 2022. Gerstner pushed the company to trim down its head count in a letter titled "Time to Get Fit." ValueAct has taken stakes in a number of other mega-cap companies, including Salesforce, Disney and Microsoft. Morfit has also pushed for change at other, smaller technology companies, including Spotify. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. CNBC's David Faber contributed to this report. LISBON Apple will not introduce a smart ring, the CEO of health-tech firm Oura told CNBC, despite speculation the iPhone giant may be considering a move into this product category. Samsung's smart ring debut earlier this year has put the product firmly in the spotlight, with one analyst predicting earlier this year that Apple could launch its own smart ring in 2026. But Tom Hale, CEO of Oura which has been developing smart rings since the company was established in 2013 said he doesn't think Apple will enter the space. "I think they [Apple] are unconvinced about the value of having a ring and a watch together and they're not interested in undercutting the Apple Watch as a business," Hale told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. "I think they're probably keeping a close eye on Samsung and a close eye on us, but it's hard to do this product category right." Under CEO Tim Cook, Apple has put a large focus on health applications through the Apple Watch and related services. Mayor London Breed speaks with the media after election results showed her trailing Daniel Lurie at an election night watch party at Little Skillet in San Francisco on Nov. 5. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Daniel Lurie, left, who was elected mayor last week, and Mayor London Breed listen during the San Francisco mayoral debate at UC Law School in San Francisco on June 17. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Janet Mocks, center, watches at the bar during Mayor London Breeds election night watch party at Little Skillet in San Francisco on Nov. 5. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Bilal Mahmood, who won his race for San Francisco District 5 supervisor, chats with staff and volunteers at campaign headquarters on Oct. 1. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Jackie Fielder ran successfully as a democratic socialist to replace Hillary Ronen for District 9 supervisor. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan greets constituents during the Legion of Honors 100th anniversary celebration in San Francisco on Saturday. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle San Francisco voters sent a clear message in last weeks election: They want new leaders controlling the city. But it was a mixed bag for the citys dueling political factions, with moderates winning some of the most important races but progressives notching several key wins as well. The electorate ousted Mayor London Breed after six years in office and chose to replace her with a political novice, Daniel Lurie, who generally shares her moderate politics but argued she had mismanaged the city. At the same time, however, voters rejected a measure that would have given the mayor more power and drastically cut the number of commissions in City Hall. Voters also unseated the most progressive member of the Board of Supervisors, the democratic socialist Dean Preston, and replaced him with a moderate challenger as the legislative body moved toward the center. They further voted to replace progressive board President Aaron Peskin, who was termed out, with a moderate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the same time, voters approved a ballot measure to permanently close a stretch of the Great Highway to private cars. They decisively backed measures to overhaul the business tax, provide rental subsidies for low-income tenants, hire an inspector general to root out corruption and set up a task force to identify ways to make City Hall function more efficiently. On balance, the results delivered a lot of good news for moderates. Lurie, the mayor-elect, is a nonprofit founder and Levi Strauss heir who ran on a centrist platform of growing the police force, shutting down drug markets and building more housing for all income levels. Moderates also now have more power on the Board of Supervisors, due to Prestons loss to challenger Bilal Mahmood in District 5 and the victory of moderate supervisor candidate Danny Sauter in District 3. Loading... But the election was not a rout against progressives. In the District 9 supervisor race, voters elected another democratic socialist, Jackie Fielder, and in District 1 the progressive incumbent Supervisor Connie Chan prevailed. Another progressive, Chyanne Chen, was leading in District 11, but the race was too close to call with ballots left to count. Peskin lost his progressive bid for mayor, but all three ballot measures he sponsored passed. In terms of ideology, the city didnt really change all that much, said political consultant Jim Ross. I do think a lot of it was an ongoing reaction to a very unpopular mayor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ross said Breeds defeat had implications for down-ballot races, too, as voters disgruntled by the citys struggles with drug dealing, homelessness, retail theft and other problems cast their ballots for change. He said that reflected a real move away from pandemic leadership. It seems like, if you were a leader during the pandemic, the voters want nothing to do with you, Ross said. One major exception was Chan, who beat moderate challenger Marjan Philhour. Chen also could eke out a win against Michael Lai for the District 11 seat to replace outgoing Supervisor Ahsha Safai. Still, uncertainty hangs over the board. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Moderate District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani will soon depart after winning election to the state Assembly. Breed is responsible for appointing her replacement; its not yet clear whom the mayor might select. Also, moderate Supervisor Joel Engardio is in hot water with his District 4 constituents over his staunch support for Prop K, even though most of his district the Sunset voted against the measure. When the dust settles, the Board of Supervisors could have a five-member moderate faction composed of Sauter, Engardio, Mahmood, Supervisor Matt Dorsey and whoever Breed appoints to replace Stefani. The progressive faction could include Supervisor Shamann Walton, Fielder, Chan and Chen if the latter wins her race. Supervisors Myrna Melgar and Rafael Mandelman often vote with progressives and moderates depending on the issue. With that split, the board could become a more centrist and ultimately boring legislative body with four freshmen supervisors and a new mayor, University of San Francisco professor Patrick Murphy told the Chronicle, especially as the city faces tough fiscal decisions in the near future. I actually think boring would be desirable, and if Im a new mayor thats what I would want, Murphy said. There isnt going to be a riding high (on) I want to do this and make this big gesture. Instead, its going to be that very nitty gritty, the technical. The board will be a workhorse, not a show horse. One of the new boards immediate tasks will be to choose a president. The most experienced members left on the board include Mandelman, Melgar, Walton and Chan. The makeup of the board leaning centrist could make room for either Mandelman or Melgar to become the next president, but Murphy said it likely wont be someone adversarial to the mayor as Peskin was at times to Breed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats not possible now, Murphy said. I dont see it as the person who champions the mayors agenda either. But I dont think theyll be someone seen as standing up to the mayor. Mandelman told the Chronicle hes considering the board presidency. Melgar said she plans to campaign for the role as well. I think that I have the experience on the board, but more importantly I have really tried to conduct myself over these last six years in a way that keeps as many doors open as possible, Mandelman said. But experience isnt always it, Mandelman added, noting that former supervisor David Chiu the current city attorney became president at the start of his first term on the board. The role of president is important beyond just setting the committees, Melgar said. Im thinking back at board presidents who have done it well and set a tone for colleagues of collegiality and working across differences, so we dont get into the petty infighting. I think Im good at that. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She pointed to Peskin, Chiu and Norman Yee as examples of good presidents shed want to emulate. Fielder, the District 9 supervisor-elect, told the Chronicle in an interview that while she wouldve loved for Peskin to be mayor, Lurie has been able to put in the time and work to meet with people all across the city. She said Lurie was the only other candidate to shake my hand, and in this city that goes a long way. She doesnt expect the board to strike a combative tone with the mayor and is confident we can and will work together. Were turning the page now, Fielder said. I think the board will actually be a lot less fraught. People might be pleasantly surprised that we might find a lot of common ground. Still, Fielder, Chan and other progressives were reeling from Prestons loss in District 5 on Monday. Many took to social media to mourn the loss and blame big money and corporate elites for his ouster. Fielder said that she will work with any of her colleagues, but also will recommit to many of the democratic socialist values that Preston upheld on the board during his tenure. Were not going anywhere, she said. Im optimistic. Moderate activists have heralded the election results as a validation of their efforts to shift the political makeup of the board in their favor. Grow SF, a moderate advocacy group that raised about $300,000 to defeat Preston, sent a news release Sunday touting its Dump Dean campaign as a testament to the power of people-driven change and a clear call for responsive, solutions-focused leadership. The group also ran an unsuccessful campaign to oust Chan. Unions supporting Chan spent far more money in that race. Still, Grow SF co-founder Steven Buss Bacio said the election was pushing the Board of Supervisors more toward the center and he thought that would benefit Lurie when he becomes mayor. Mayor Breed unfortunately had a very oppositional Board of Supervisors, and so the things that she could get done were more limited, Buss Bacio said. Daniel is going to have a very cooperative board who will ensure that the mayor can be an effective executive. He is going to be set up for success, and I think the city both really needs that and deserves it. Moderates were not uniformly successful especially on local ballot measures. Their biggest loss was Proposition D. Sponsored by the moderate advocacy group TogetherSF Action, which was co-founded by venture capitalist Michael Moritz, Prop D would have cut the number of city oversight commissions roughly in half, capping the total number at 65. The measure also would have given the mayor more power to hire and fire department heads. TogetherSF Action raised about $7 million to support Prop D and oppose a rival measure, Proposition E, that Peskin placed on the ballot. Prop E, which passed, also aimed to cut down on commissions but didnt set a strict cap or expand mayoral power over department heads. Kanishka Cheng, the CEO of TogetherSF Action, thinks Prop D failed largely because the ballot language for Prop E was simpler, and both measures addressed the same issue. Also, moderate politicians were not unified in support of Prop D after Breed withdrew her support of the measure. In addition to TogetherSFs fundraising, mayoral candidate Mark Farrell set up his own committee to support Prop D that raised more than $2.5 million, but it became a source of controversy when Farrell revealed that he was pooling expenses between his mayoral campaign and his Prop D committee. Farrells opponents accused him of deliberately circumventing contribution limits, since individuals can only give $500 to candidates directly but can contribute unlimited amounts to ballot measure committees. On the eve of the election, the Ethics Commission revealed that Farrell agreed to pay a $108,000 fine after an investigation into his Prop D committee. Concerns about Farrells adherence to ethics rules became a major issue in the mayors race. Cheng thinks that Farrells troubles were a factor in Prop Ds demise, though they were not the only reason it lost. Ross, the political consultant, thinks Farrell may have been a decisive factor. Japan's Nikkei 225 slipped 0.4% to close at 39,376.09. The Topix ended the trading day around the flatline at 2,741.52. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 2.76%, while mainland China's CSI 300 shed 1.1% to end at 4,085.74. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.13% lower at 8,255.6. South Korea's Kospi fell by 1.94% to close at 2,482.57, while the Kosdaq Index dropped 2.51% to 710.52. Asia-Pacific markets fell Tuesday, with investors exercising caution even as U.S. stocks continued their postelection rally, with key benchmarks closing at record highs. Traders in Asia-Pacific also assessed economic data from the region, including a survey from the National Australia Bank on business conditions and Indonesia's September retail sales. India will be reporting its consumer price index reading for October, and oil cartel OPEC will release its monthly oil market report later in the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged more than 300 points on Monday and closed at a record high as the benchmark's postelection rally pressed forward. The 30-stock Dow gained 304 points, or 0.69%, to 44,293.69. It's rise brought the index above 44,000 for the first time. The S&P 500 added 0.1% to end the day at 6,001.35, also a record close. However, the Nasdaq Composite hovered near the flatline, up 0.06% to 19,298.76. Bitcoin surged above $87,000, boosted by hopes of deregulation as well. Crypto related stocks Coinbase and Mara Holdings rallied 20% and 30%, respectively. CNBC's Brian Evans and Alex Harring contributed to this report. An employee works in the cockpit of a Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft on the production line at Boeing's 737 factory in Renton, Washington, November 18, 2021. Boeing 's more than 32,000 machinists who were on strike are required to return to their factories no later than Tuesday, but getting factories humming again will take weeks, the manufacturer said. Boeing machinists approved a new contract last week that included 38% pay raises over four years and other improvements, ending a more than seven-week strike that halted output of most of Boeing's aircraft production. They first walked off the job on Sept. 13, turning down a proposal with 25% raises. The company said Tuesday that it handed over 14 jetliners in October, the fewest since November 2020, during the depths of the pandemic and the tail end of the worldwide grounding of Boeing's 737 Max in the wake of two fatal crashes. Nine of the deliveries last month were 737 Maxes. A spokesman said workers unaffected by the strike performed the delivery procedures. Boeing's troubles have put it further behind Airbus this year. The U.S. manufacturer handed over 305 airplanes so far this year compared with its European rival's 559 aircraft. As the workers return, Boeing has to assess potential hazards, restate machinist duties and safety requirements, and ensure that all training qualifications are current, a spokesman said. "It's much harder to turn this on than it is to turn it off," CEO Kelly Ortberg said during the company's quarterly call last month. "So it's absolutely critical that we do this right." The company is resuming production in Washington state and Oregon for the 737 Max, 767 and 777 programs, as well as military versions of its aircraft. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner production continued during the strike because those planes are made in a nonunion factory in South Carolina. Despite the strike pause, Boeing continued to sell dozens of aircraft in October, with 63 gross orders, two shy of September's total. Forty of them are 737 Max 8s for the Avia Solutions Group. It also handed over 10 787 Dreamliners to LATAM Airlines. Canadian Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon has invoked federal powers to end work stoppages at the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Montreal, ordering binding and final arbitration between labor unions and ports ownership. Strike actions by unions and ports ownership lockouts had hit both coasts of the key U.S. northern trade partner. Vancouver and Prince Rupert have been shut down since November 4, while Montreal dockworkers were locked out by ports management on Monday. But the damage to the supply chain has been done, and will it take weeks to clear out the container congestion bound for both Canadian and U.S. companies. "The disruption these disputes caused to retail supply chains were severe, and all at our busiest time of the year," the Retail Council of Canada said in a statement to CNBC. "The ripple effects will continue to be felt. It will take weeks for our sector to recover but Canadians can rest assured that they will continue to get all their essential retail goods in the days ahead." Trade to the United States will take weeks to recover as well. Approximately 20% of U.S. trade arrives in the Canadian ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, where strikes broke out after union leadership and industry representatives failed to reach a deal before a cooling-off period expired. The ILWU Local 514 contract expired on March 31, 2023, with 96% of union members voting in favor of a strike in September. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, rail cross-border trade between Canada and the U.S. accounted for 14% of total bilateral trade of $382.4 billion in the first half of the year. Approximately $572 million in container trade arrives daily in the U.S. from Canada, according to U.S. Census data. Stephen Lamar, CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, told CNBC it is relieved operations will resume at Canada's three busiest ports and hopes a long-term, mutually beneficial agreement comes out of the negotiations. "The lockouts of the Canadian ports were causing ships to divert and contributing to congestion and delays throughout North America. As Canada faces reduced rail capacity from mandatory winter train length safety restrictions, and the U.S. West Coast faces two-year high rail dwell times, further disruptions would greatly strain the transportation networks," Lamar said. At a press conference, MacKinnon said that negotiations had hit a "total impasse" and the measure was needed to avoid any economic and reputational damage to Canada. "If these work stoppages go on, the impacts will only worsen, and our well-earned reputation for reliability will be put at risk because of these impasses, more than $1.3 billion in value of goods is affected every day," said MacKinnon. This is the second time Mackinnon has stepped in to stop a strike in recent months. Under section 107 of the Canada Labor Code, the Labor Minister can order binding arbitration to end labor disputes. In August, he ended the lockouts at Canadian Pacific Kansas City and the Canadian National Railway Co. by referring negotiations to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. Existing collective agreements will remain in place pending a new deal being reached between dockworker unions and the ports. Photo of cigarettes sold in Shanghai on March 7, 2022. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images China is bucking global smoking trends as cigarette sales surge in the country, powered by "the biggest tobacco company most people have never heard of." The China National Tobacco Corporation, commonly known as China Tobacco, has a near monopoly on China's tobacco product sales, which has seen the state-owned company grow into the largest cigarette producer in the world despite its relative obscurity abroad. Retail cigarette sales in China have been growing for the past 4 years, reaching 2.44 trillion sticks in 2023, data from Euromonitor showed. The research group forecasts that sales will continue to increase annually, hitting 2.48 trillion by 2028. Euromonitor added that growth has coincided with the increasing popularity of "slim" cigarettes, often advertised as "low-tar," and various types of flavored cigarettes. These trends fueled by China Tobacco come against the backdrop of a long-term decline in cigarette sales globally. Between 2019 and 2023, annual worldwide sales of cigarette sticks fell by about 2.7% to 5.18 trillion, according to Euromonitor data. At more than 300 million, China has the most cigarette smokers in the world, making up nearly a third of the world's total smokers, according to the World Health Organization. While Beijing has made commitments to curb smoking prevalence, it hasn't appeared to have materially impacted tobacco sales. The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, which oversees China Tobacco's operations, reported that China's tobacco industry realized revenue of about 1.5 trillion yuan ($210 billion) in fiscal year 2023, up 4.3% from the previous year. China Tobacco is estimated to make up 97% of the country's tobacco production and sales. Philip Morris International, the world's second-largest tobacco company, reported a net revenue of $35.2 billion in 2023. 'Conflict of interest' One of the main factors that has cut global tobacco use, especially in wealthy countries, has been the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, aimed at reducing global tobacco use, experts told CNBC. Gan Quan, senior vice president of the tobacco control department at Vital Strategies, said, "We tend to see less progress in countries where the industry is able to influence government policy." In the case of China Tobacco, industry and government policy directly overlap. The company was founded in 1982 with the express purpose of bringing the industry under one centrally planned umbrella. According to Quan, China's STMA is directly involved in setting tobacco control policy in the country. Thus, China Tobacco functions as both a company and a regulatory agency for the Chinese tobacco market, creating "an obvious conflict of interest." "China Tobacco has been exploiting this insider status and wielding its influence within the government to effectively block the adoption of tobacco control policies," he added. By 2014, the behemoth had over half a million employees and controlled 33 provincial tobacco watchdog bureaus, 57 cigarette enterprises, and more than 1,000 other small commercial businesses. The company is estimated to be contributing as much as 12% to China's tax revenue, according to Bath University. The belief in China that tobacco growing is essential to farmers and that tobacco tax is an important contributor to the national economy are among the barriers to tougher government regulation, Judith Mackay, director of the Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control told CNBC. China Tobacco and its Hong Kong-based subsidiary China Tobacco International (HK) did not respond to an inquiry from CNBC. Global expansion Denmark consistently ranks among the world's happiest countries, and most recently was named the No. 1 country for quality of life. If you've ever considered a move to Copenhagen in pursuit of nice weather, work-life balance, and competitive pay, now's your time. This month, The Greater Copenhagen Region launched a marketing campaign for its new "life quality insurance." The initiative is meant to attract people to the area and guarantee their happiness after arrival. The Greater Copenhagen Region consists of the Zealand, the capital region in Denmark, and Skane and Halland in Sweden. Interested participants must sign up online, acquire a full-time and permanent employment contract in the GCR, and relocate to the area between October 2024 and April 2025. If new residents find they are unhappy after some time living in the region, their travel home could be covered under the "insurance" plan. "We're so confident that people will fall in love with life in GCR that we are willing to walk the walk," Asbjrn Overgaard, a spokesperson, tells Time Out. "If you move here and ifagainst all oddsit isn't for you, we'll help you get back home." In this article GOOGL Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT A Google logo displays on a smartphone screen and the European flag on a computer screen. Nikolas Kokovlis | Nurphoto | Getty Images LISBON, Portugal Ecosia and Qwant, two search engines competing with Google , announced a partnership Tuesday to build a European search index and reduce their dependence on U.S. Big Tech firms. The two internet search firms agreed a joint venture, called the European Search Perspective or EUSP, with ownership split 50-50 between both firms. With a view to launch in France in early 2025, the venture aims to serve "improved" French and German language search results. Ecosia is based in Berlin, while Qwant is headquartered in Paris. Qwant is a privacy-focused search engine that promises not to track users or resell their personal data. Ecosia's search engine focuses on sustainability, pledging to plant one tree for every 50 searches on its platform. Search infrastructure is what powers our access to the web, but it's currently primarily controlled by Google, the dominant search engine with a more than 90% share of the global market. Even alternative search engines, such as Ecosia and Qwant, have to rely on existing tech from companies like Microsoft to deliver search results. Christian Kroll, CEO of Ecosia, told CNBC the project had been made possible, in part, by new tech-focused competition rules in the European Union. The Digital Markets Act, which came into force earlier this year, requires Big Tech firms it calls "gatekeepers" to offer fair and reasonable access to their platforms. In Google's case, the company is required under the DMA to share data that would be useful for training a search model. Why build a European search index? Currently, alternative search engines like Ecosia, Qwant and DuckDuckGo don't develop their own back-end infrastructure. The new venture will see them build their own search index from scratch, however, amassing results from a mix of different search engines. Ecosia last year switched to a mix of Google and Bing search results. watch now Ecosia and Qwant say their new search index will be "privacy-first," using technologies from Qwant that were redesigned in 2023. Both companies will use the search index themselves but the tech will also be made available to other independent search engines and tech firms. The launch comes as alternative search providers like Ecosia and Qwant are being forced to grapple with higher prices from Microsoft to access its Bing Search API (application programming interface), a piece of software that lets developers access the tech giant's backend search infrastructure. "We are European companies and we need to build technology that makes sure no third-party decision for instance, Microsoft's decision to increase costs to access their search API could jeopardize our business," Olivier Abecassis, CEO of Qwant, told CNBC. "It is nothing against the U.S. or U.S. companies. It is all about the sovereignty of our business and companies," he added. Abecassis will also serve as CEO of the new venture, which hasn't yet raised funding from external investors. Europeans are "very dependent on the United States for our technology," Kroll said in an interview last week ahead of the launch. The election of Donald Trump as U.S. president could escalate geopolitical tensions, he added and this could be a problem for Europe's reliance on U.S. technology. He pointed to the disruption to European energy supplies after Russia cut off gas to Europe following its invasion of Ukraine, saying this should serve as a warning for what can happen when an entire continent becomes too dependent on a single country for a key resource. AI 'paradigm shift' in search Part of Ecosia and Qwant's push to build a search engine from scratch will be to offer a "transparent and secure data pool" for new AI technologies, according to the companies. Search providers may get "more restrictive" in future, given the shift toward generative AI, Ecosia's Kroll told CNBC. "They know they're sitting on a very important resource for this paradigm shift," he said. "Yes, you need large language models to have good chatbots. But you also need access to a good index." The rise of OpenAI's ChatGPT has put pressure on incumbent search giant Google, as people increasingly turn to the viral chatbot to search for information. Meanwhile, a slew of new search engines, such as Perplexity, have also entered the market, offering their own generative-AI-based alternatives to Google. Google has fought back with its own generative AI search product, integrating its Gemini large language model into search results. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a session of the Bundestag in which new Finance Minister Joerg Kukies was sworn in the day after Scholz fired previous Finance Minister Christian Lindner on November 7, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Germany is set to hold a federal election in February, earlier than Chancellor Olaf Scholz had originally proposed after his ruling coalition collapsed last Wednesday. Scholz last week had hinted at an election in March, saying he would hold a confidence vote in January. The election is set to be held on Feb. 23, according to sources within the parliamentary group of Scholz' social democratic party (SPD). The confidence vote is now reportedly due to take place on Dec. 16. It is a necessary step ahead of early elections in Germany as the chancellor must first call for the vote in parliament. If the majority of Bundestag members vote that they no longer have confidence in the chancellor, he can then suggest a dissolution of parliament to the German president. The president then has 21 days to make the move that triggers an election, which must take place within 60 days of parliament being dissolved. The president also has the final say in setting the election date. Scholz had faced increasing pressure to hold an election sooner than he had suggested. Authorities over the weekend, however, warned of logistical difficulties and organizational risks if there was not enough time leading to the election date. The three-year ruling coalition between Scholz' social democratic party (SPD), the Green party and the free democratic party (FDP) fell apart last week after the chancellor axed former Finance Minister Christian Lindner. Lindner was replaced by Jorg Kukies who was appointed as the new finance minister on Nov. 7. The coalition breakdown came after months of wrangling between the three former political partners over economic and budget policies, which Scholz and Lindner referenced as key factors behind the collapse. It remains unclear when and how a 2025 budget will be finalized. Scholz' SPD and the Green party will form a minority government in Germany until the election in February. The chancellor has said that he hopes to pass some laws in the final few months of his tenure. Attention will soon turn to campaigning. Some parties have already selected their lead candidates for chancellor, while others, including the SPD, still need to do so. Some have also already indicated prospective policy plans to local media. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. NYSE There's been a rush of enthusiasm on Wall Street regarding Donald Trump's election win, but hedge funds actually generate more alpha when the White House is occupied by a Democrat president than a Republican one, according to HFR, collating data going back to 1991. When compared with the S&P 500, the industry underperformed regardless of who was president. But during Democratic administrations, the gap was about 183 basis points, with hedge funds delivering average, annualized returns of 10.16%, compared to 11.99% from the S&P 500. The underperformance gap during Republican administrations was 331 basis points. (1 basis point equals 0.01%.) Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards HFR When compared with the a bond index, HFR found that hedge funds under both parties outperformed with stronger alpha when a Democrat was in the White House. The total net asset flows were higher under Republican administrations (about $450 billion) than Democratic ones (about $400 billion), even though since 1991, Democrats served six more years in the highest office than Republicans. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards HFR Surprisingly, the way that hedge fund participants donate in elections was a bit more tilted toward one party. According to a recent report by Open Secrets, in the 2024 election cycle, individuals in the industry donated $31 million to Democratic candidates, while almost half that amount $16 million went to Republican candidates. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Open Secrets People watch as a wildfire burns and spreads on a mountain in West Milford, New Jersey, United States on November 9, 2024. Large flames have overtaken the mountain and more than 2000 acres have burned. Firefighters on both coasts were battling wildland blazes Monday after thousands of acres burned in New Jersey amid a historic drought and after strong winds last week sent a blaze howling through Ventura County, California. The late-season fires, which come just a few weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday, are a reminder that wildfires are quickly becoming a year-round hazard in the U.S. In California, the so-called Mountain Fire in Ventura County had grown to 20,630 acres, or 32 square miles, and was only 36% contained Monday evening, according to CAL Fire, the state agency responsible for fire protection. About 2,800 people were working to contain the blaze, which has damaged or destroyed nearly 250 structures since it started Wednesday. Ventura County Fire Capt. Tony McHale said the blaze was initially pushed by the famous Santa Ana winds, which roared through at 60 mph and gusted up to 80 mph. In such challenging conditions, "it's like trying to put a blowtorch out with a squirt gun," McHale said. Six people have been injured. Overnight and into Monday morning, fire crews took advantage of favorable conditions, building up the containment line around the blaze. Forecasters were expecting a cold front to push into the region, raising humidity levels but also causing some gusts Monday night. Nearly 2,500 miles away, in New York and New Jersey, several blazes were burning in rugged terrain parched by drought. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses a press conference in Tel Aviv on January 9, 2024, during his week-long trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The United States announced Tuesday that there will be no significant policy shift towards Israel, at the conclusion of a 30-day U.S. deadline for improvement in humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. "We, at this time, have not made an assessment that the Israelis are in violation of the US law," State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing in Washington. "We have seen some progress being made, we'd like to see some more changes happen. We believe that, had it not been for U.S. intervention, these changes may not have ever taken place," said Patel. The demands and the deadline were laid out in a joint letter from Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, delivered Oct. 13. If Israel wants to continue to qualify for foreign military financing under U.S. law, Blinken and Austin wrote, at least 350 trucks per day of aid must be allowed to enter the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. The letter also called on Israel to provide heightened security for humanitarian sites, and an increase in the number of humanitarian pauses to its military operations. One month later, a daily average of just over 30 trucks a day are being let into Gaza, according to Philippe Lazarini, commissioner general of the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. My Chemical Romance is set to celebrate The Black Parade with a summer tour, performing the entire album across 10 North American cities, including San Francisco. Chapman Baehler/Live Nation My Chemical Romance is set to celebrate The Black Parade with a summer tour, performing the entire album in 10 North American cities, including San Francisco. The tour, named Long Live the Black Parade and produced by Live Nation, will feature the band playing the complete album at each venue. Each concert will also showcase supporting acts chosen specifically for the event. Scheduled to kick off on July 11 in Seattle with Violent Femmes, the tour is set to arrive at Oracle Park on July 19 with the indie duo 100 Gecs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pop Quiz: Gerard Way discusses the making of The Black Parade Tickets for the tour will be available through Ticketmaster starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15. The Black Parade, the screamo bands third studio album, was certified four-times-platinum in the U.S. and became a cultural phenomenon in the early 2000s with hits like Welcome to the Black Parade, Teenagers and Famous Last Words. Advertisement Article continues below this ad My Chemical Romance, with original members Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Frank Iero and Mikey Way, performed the entire album earlier this year at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas. The band formed in 2001 and released four studio albums across their career, first breaking through with 2004s Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. They announced their breakup in 2013; a year later, they released a greatest hits collection titled May Death Never Stop You. In 2019, they announced a reunion, later revealing theyd privately reunited two years earlier. A reunion tour was scheduled for 2020, rescheduled for the pandemic, and postponed until 2022. That year, they released their first new song since 2014, The Foundations of Decay. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A logo for Pfizer is displayed on a monitor on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange, July 29, 2019. Pfizer is exploring the sale of its hospital drugs unit, as the drugmaker, which has been under pressure from activist investor Starboard Value, looks to divest non-core assets, according to three people familiar with the matter. The unit, now called Pfizer Hospital, was formed after Pfizer bought Hospira for about $17 billion in 2015. The pharma giant has hired Goldman Sachs to gauge initial interest from potential buyers, which include private equity firms and other pharmaceutical companies, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the discussions are confidential. After its takeover of Hospira, Pfizer combined the biosimilars business with its own unit that manufactured lower-cost near copies of expensive biotech drugs. In 2017, Pfizer sold the hospital infusion system business that it had acquired through the takeover. The Pfizer Hospital unit is now a subsidiary focused primarily on antibiotics and other drugs delivered as sterile infusions or injectibles in hospitals and clinics. The business, which could be worth a few billion dollars, currently generates nearly $500 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, the sources said, cautioning that a deal is not guaranteed and Pfizer could choose to keep the division. Pfizer and Goldman declined to comment. New York-based Pfizer, which held long-term debt of $61.5 billion at the end of 2023, has been shedding non-core businesses and ownership stakes in companies to reduce its debt pile. In October, Pfizer sold a stake worth about $3.26 billion in British consumer healthcare group Haleon. The moves come at a time when Pfizer, led by Chief Executive Albert Bourla, is facing pressure from Starboard, which has criticized management for overspending on big acquisitions and failing to produce profitable new drugs from those deals or from its internal research and development. Last year, it acquired cancer drugmaker Seagen for $43 billion in what was one of the company's biggest ever deals. Pfizer's shares are down about 7% this year, underperforming the S&P 500, which has risen nearly 26% during the same period. On its most recent post-earnings conference call, Pfizer CFO Dave Denton said the company has paid down about $4.4 billion of debt this year and would continue to evaluate non-core assets that could be offloaded. CEO Peter Beck stands in half a fairing (the rocket's nosecone) of the company's coming Neutron vehcile. Rocket Lab shares surged in trading Wednesday after the company reported third-quarter results and announced its first customer for its coming Neutron vehicle. Shares of Rocket Lab jumped as much as 53% in Wednesday trading before paring gains to close up 28%, at $18.83 a share. The stock briefly surpassed its all-time high, a previous highest close of $20.72 a share in September 2021 that came shortly after the company completed its SPAC merger. The space infrastructure company on Tuesday reported third-quarter revenue increased to $104.8 million, up 55% from $67.6 million for the same period a year ago, and above Wall Street's expectation of $102 million, according to analysts surveyed by LSEG. Its net loss also increased year over year, to $51.9 million from $40.6 million, but its loss of 10 cents per share came in slightly below analyst expectations of a loss of 11 cents a share. Rocket Lab forecast fourth-quarter revenue between $125 million and $135 million, which at the midpoint would see the company bring in about $430 million this year. Ashley Sankar works 10 to 12 hours per day at her day job, comes home and spends another six to eight hours trying to build her side business. On Friday's episode of ABC's "Shark Tank," some of her extra work seemingly paid off. The founder of Phoenix-based clothing startup NineteenTwenty pitched her company's attire on the show, alongside her husband and part-time COO Zach Sankar. NineteenTwenty sells garments like puffer jackets, windbreakers and skirts that can convert into functional items like tote bags, pillows or blankets. The pair started selling clothes in December 2022, and brought in $269,000 in annual revenue last year, Zach Sankar said. They've sold out each quarterly batch of apparel they've ordered from their manufacturer, and would've earned more if they could afford larger inventory purchases, added Ashley Sankar, an ex-U.S. Army logistics officer who now works as a senior program manager at Amazon, according to her LinkedIn profile. "That's all we can afford," Ashley Sankar said. "One drop per quarter." DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to earning passive income online Ashley Sankar started the company to help her and her husband, who've been together since high school, supplement their income while he pursued his dream of becoming a pilot, he said. But when the business grew larger than they'd expected, they put those aspirations on hold and decided to reinvest NineteenTwenty's profits back into the business instead of keeping the extra cash for themselves. The duo asked the show's investor judges for $250,000 in exchange for 10% equity stake in NineteenTwenty. They quickly ran into three obstacles: a messy financial presentation, the competitive apparel industry and Ashley Sankar's status as a part-time CEO. Climate change campaigners Milieudefensie's director Donald Pols speaks to the media as he leaves the courthouse in The Hague after Dutch judges ruled against an appeal by climate groups who said oil giant Shell was not doing enough to curb its greenhouse gas emissions, striking down a landmark judgement three years ago, on November 12, 2024. A Dutch court on Tuesday dismissed a landmark climate ruling against Shell , after the oil giant was ordered to drastically reduce its global carbon emissions back in 2021. The outcome, which comes during the opening days of the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, marks the latest twist in a precedent-setting case that could have far-reaching implications for the future of climate litigation. The appeals court in The Hague said that while Shell is required to reduce its carbon emissions, it could not determine the extent of these cuts. The case against Shell, therefore, was dismissed entirely. In May 2021, The Hague district court ruled that Shell must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% from 2019 levels by 2030. The verdict, which came when Shell had its headquarters in The Hague, also said the company was responsible for all emissions across its value chain, including those from the products they sell known as Scope 3 emissions. It was the first time in history that a company was found to have been legally obliged to align its policies with the Paris Agreement, a framework which seeks to avoid the worst of what the climate crisis has in store by limiting the average global temperature increase to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius. The ruling was regarded as a watershed moment in the climate battle and sparked a wave of lawsuits against other fossil fuel companies. Mark Meadows, former White House chief of staff during the Trump administration, speaks during a forum titled House Rules and Process Changes for the 118th Congress at FreedomWorks headquarters in Washington, D.C., Nov. 14, 2022. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Tuesday dealt a setback to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in his defense against 2020 election interference charges in Georgia, turning away his attempt to transfer his case from state to federal court. His lawyers argued that the case should be moved because he was acting as a "federal officer" at the time and could therefore argue for immunity from prosecution. The argument failed in lower courts, with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concluding that as Meadows is no longer a federal official, the provision that would allow the case to be moved to federal court does not apply to him. The appeals court also found that even if he was deemed to be a federal officer, "the events giving rise to this criminal action were not related to Meadows' official duties." Meadows faces two counts in the sprawling Georgia election interference case over his role in efforts to keep Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. He has pleaded not guilty. There are 18 other defendants, including Trump himself, who also has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Here are Tuesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Loop initiates NXP Semiconductor as buy The firm said it's bullish on the semiconductor company. "We are initiating coverage of NXP Semiconductor (NXPI) with a Buy rating and $300 PT. Like other automotive-levered semiconductor companies/stocks, NXPI has been a consensus short since the end of 2023, or once automotive tier-ones began bringing down days of inventory held." Loop initiates On Semiconductor as buy Loop said the chipmaker has a "low valuation." "Like most automotive levered semiconductor names, ON has been a consensus short since late 2023, or once automotive tier-ones began bringing down days of inventory held. This occurred against a backdrop of flattening light vehicle production." Mizuho reiterates Nvidia as buy Mizuho said it's bullish heading into earnings on Nov. 20. "Reiterating Outperform, raise ests/PT to $165 (prior $140) as NVDA remains our Mizuho Top Pick, dominating the AI accelerator market." Morgan Stanley reiterates Walmart as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $89 per share from $82 ahead of earnings next week. "Stock should remain supported provided that WMT continues to penetrate high-income cohorts, leverage critical mass in eCommerce and further propel the high-margin Advertising/Marketplaces flywheel." Morgan Stanley reiterates Tesla as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's sticking with the stock heading into a Trump administration. "As we look ahead to FY25 (and over the next 4 years), we expect to see TSLA's TAM [total addressable market] aperture expand to far wider domains, many of which are not included in buy-side or sell-side financial models for the company." Morgan Stanley upgrades International Flavors to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said in its upgrade of International Flavors that the fragrance and spice company is undervalued. "We believe the recent share-price pullback is a very good opportunity to re-enter the shares, as we are more positive than the market on 4Q/FY25 growth. Upgrade to Overweight." Morgan Stanley upgrades Viking to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said it sees an attractive entry point for the cruise company. "We upgrade VIK to OW with ~10% upside to our revised $49 12-m PT. VIK has rallied recently but lagged peers, resulting in more attractive relative valuation." Redburn Atlantic Equities initiates Nvidia as buy Redburn said in its initiation of the stock that it has a "competitive moat." " Nvidia is particularly well positioned. It has the largest installed base of highparallelism processors (graphics processing units GPUs), a dominant software interface (Compute Unified Device Architecture CUDA) and the largest installed base of application libraries." Citi downgrades Ross to neutral from buy Citi said it sees too much uncertainty for the off-price retail store. "We are downgrading ROST from Buy to Neutral. After having more time to digest the upcoming mgmt transition at ROST (with a CEO coming from outside the off-price industry), the combination of a mgmt change (that brings increased uncertainty to the story) and a relatively high multiple we no longer view the risk/reward as favorable." Citi upgrades C.H. Robinson to buy from neutral The firm said the shipping company's valuation is more reasonable now. "Upgrade CHRW, CNI; focus on value and quality with more muted expectations Against the backdrop of elevated valuations and lofty investor expectations, we prefer to focus on areas that have diversified macro exposure and where valuations appear more reasonable." Deutsche Bank upgrades Sentinel One to buy from hold Deutsche said the cyber security company is well positioned. "We are upgrading shares of SentinelOne to Buy from Hold as we believe the company is not only benefitting from positive organic momentum, but also some disruption within the endpoint market post July 19." Bank of America adds Wells Fargo to the US1 list The firm added the stock to its top picks list. "We are adding Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) to the US 1 list." Wells Fargo upgrades Twilio to overweight from equal weight Wells said the cloud communications company is firing on all cylinders with exposure to AI. "View TWLO as a derivative call on AI agents, front office, and dig. transf. given positioning as a pick-and-shovel in the build cycle, further supported by TWLO's dev mindshare & re-focused efforts on capturing the ISV [independent software vendors] channel, incl. AI natives." Leerink upgrades Bristol Myers to outperform from market perform Leerink says it likes the biotech company's pipeline. "We are upgrading BMY shares from Market Perform to Outperform and raising our PT from $55 (7.5x '25E EPS of $7.29) to $73." MoffettNathanson reiterates Meta and Alphabet as buy The firm said both stocks are underappreciated. "Over the recent long run, both Alphabet and Meta have been incredible strong stocks to own due to an enviable combination of double-digit compounding earnings growth and reasonable relative valuations. We have been pleased to recommend both." Bank of America reiterates Apple as buy The firm said it's sticking with its buy rating on the stock. "We maintain Buy on Apple given margin expansion from silicon roadmap and growth in Services, with rev for Mac expected to increase +8% y/y in C24." Deutsche Bank downgrades Okta to hold from buy The firm said value creation is still "several quarters away" for the IT identity access services management company. "Aligning with our most recent thinking and inputs from the field, we are downgrading shares of Okta to Hold from Buy. While not an explicit call on F3Q results, feedback on Okta has been more mixed of late and we think the path to realizing value here may still be several quarters away, perhaps making it more interesting deeper into next year." D.A. Davidson reiterates Snowflake as buy The firm added the stock to its "Gold Trophy" best ideas list. " Snowflake is the leading cloud data warehousing platform, allowing its customers to run analytics on data that is stored within their database. As more enterprises shift their data to the cloud from on-premise servers, Snowflake offers their customers the ability to gain valuable insights into their data in an easy, and intuitive manner." Chinese markets are back in the spotlight after a slew of government stimulus measures over recent weeks. Friday's news of a five-year 10 trillion Chinese yuan ($1.4 trillion) debt swap program disappointed investors, however, falling short of calls for more direct support for the economy. For many market participants including Pella Funds' Jordan Cvetanovski this means taking a longer view when it comes to investing in the Asian powerhouse. "I think the right way of looking at what China's up to, really, is to see it as a process," he told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Monday. "The markets are always impatient. They want to see a big sugar high immediately, and they want to see a big bazooka ... However, as we've discovered over many years, the Chinese government ... does things in a more measured fashion." Cvetanovski, Pella Funds' founder, chief investment officer and portfolio manager, added that "more patient, longer-term investors would be rewarded by looking at the bigger picture." His comments come as China's Ministry of Finance signaled Friday that more fiscal support could come next year . It also flagged its near-term focus on addressing local government debt. Looking ahead, Paul Cavey, founder and economist at research house East Asia Econ, said there will be more stimulus measures to come, especially given the potential for a hike in tariffs by President-elect Donald Trump. Carey is expecting two types of policies: fiscal support to "resolve some of the excess inventories in the property market," as well as measures that help promote new segments of growth to cope with any extra tariffs on exports to the U.S, he told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Monday. Stocks to watch As investors ponder how to navigate the Chinese market, Bernstein said there are attractive opportunities in "growth and high volume stocks [aligned] with policy led rebound." "Cheap valuations, declining equity risk premium, improving earnings support (Financials, Real Estate, Utilities, Healthcare, Tech, Materials showing signs of bottom in downgrades) and low positioning (GEM funds were -2.4% underweight China, 0.7% overweight India by Sept. end) still make Chinese equities attractive," the investment bank's analysts wrote in a Nov. 6 note. Among the bank's outperform-rated stocks are tech giants Tencent and Meituan . The bank's analysts describe Tencent as its "top 'set and forget' stock idea in the sector, especially as the company's capital returns grow with earnings over time." Meanwhile, they view shopping platform Meituan as "the fastest growing name in the China Internet sector in the next few years." Bernstein has a target price of 540 Hong Kong dollars ($69.47) on Tencent and 220 Hong Kong dollars on Meituan giving them potential upside of around 30% and 18% respectively. Both Tencent and Meituan trade on the Hong Kong Exchange and in the U.S. as American Depository Receipts (ADR) under the ticker TCEHY and MPNGY . CNBC's Evelyn Cheng and Michael Bloom contributed to this report. "There are many things in this world that we cannot control," Masuno wrote. "Instead of allowing them to consume our mind and our energy, it's better to devote our efforts to what we can achieve in the moment." Masuno is a Zen Buddhist monk and recently published a new book titled, " How to Let Things Go ," in which he explains how to release the things you can't control and shift your attention to the things you can. Accepting that most things are out of our control can be tough, but there's freedom and peace in letting go, Shunmyo Masuno says. 1. Aim to be more detached in relationships Keep in mind that there is a very fine line between being attentive and being meddlesome, Masuno wrote. Sometimes the best thing you can do when someone you care about is worried is to just listen and not offer any advice unless they ask you for it. Remember that it is impossible to change others, and it's much more worthwhile to work on what you'd like to change within yourself, he noted. "...when you change, there's always a chance that others' behavior may ease up and move things along as well." It's a much better practice to "commit to observing, not intervening" in your personal relationships. While it may be difficult, Masuno also encourages you to apply this practice to your children, too, as long as they're not in danger. "Your intentions may be good, but better to have patience." 2. Try not to worry about every little thing Sometimes it's in your best interest to be more skilled at forgetting, Masuno wrote. "According to one theory, the ability to forget is an instinct for self-preservation." As you allow yourself to forget about trivial things, it's also important to expect, and prepare yourself for, disappointments. "Don't be surprised by broken promises. Learn to manage your expectations. You'll be less likely to lose your composure," he wrote. In these situations, it can help to reflect on yourself first and "before you criticize someone for selfishness, consider your own" level of selfishness. 3. Be mindful of your reactions Discerning when and how often you should seek out new information is a vital skill for peace. "Don't leave your eyes and ears open all the time," Masuno wrote. Not setting boundaries on the frequency in which you receive information doesn't factor in that "all too often, its accuracy is dubious, it's of little importance to you, and it heightens your anxiety." And when you are responding to something that does require your attention, pause before sending a reply. This is especially important when receiving tough news or having conversations that can lead to negative feelings. 4. Avoid wasting your energy How are you spending your time and using your energy? If your life seems mundane, try to make a small change every day, whether it's the foods you eat or the way you approach your duties at work. Try to immerse yourself in the present moment as often as you can because "all we have is right now." Failures and successes become a thing of the past the very moment after they occur. John F. Kennedy once said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." 5. Remember that not everything is black or white Nothing is inherently good or bad; it all boils down to your perspective. For this reason, you should look at every choice you make as the decision you were meant to make. "If you'll eventually get to where you need to be no matter which option you choose, then all that matters is that you do your best with the choice you've made," Masuno wrote. Regretting the choices you, or others make, won't change them. "All we can do is concentrate on what demands our attention right now in order to turn our failures into opportunities for growth and to prevent our fears from becoming reality." Want to earn more money at work? Take CNBC's new online course How to Negotiate a Higher Salary. Expert instructors will teach you the skills you need to get a bigger paycheck, including how to prepare and build your confidence, what to do and say, and how to craft a counteroffer. Start today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 50% off through November 26, 2024. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. Varun Beverages, on November 12, outlined expansion plans with three major acquisition proposals aimed at bolstering its presence in Africa and enhancing its production capabilities in India. These acquisitions include a 100% stake in SBC Beverages Tanzania Limited (SBCT), a 100% stake in SBC Beverages Ghana Limited (SBCG), and the remaining 39.93% stake in Lunarmech Technologies Pvt Ltd, a producer of plastic closures for PET bottles currently used by Varun Beverages.The acquisition of SBCT is valued at approximately 1,304 crore, based on an equity valuation of $154.5 million. SBCT, which operates five manufacturing facilities across Tanzania in Dar-es-Salaam, Mbeya, Arusha, and Mwanza, achieved net revenues of 1,505 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2024, producing 74 million 8oz cases. It currently holds a 44% market share in Tanzanias carbonated soft drinks market.SBCT's facilities include 12 beverage manufacturing lines (nine for returnable glass bottles and three for PET bottles) and produce a range of PepsiCo products, including Pepsi, Pepsi Max, 7UP, 7UP FREE, Mirinda, and Mountain Dew, as well as SBCTs own energy drink brand, Supa Komando.Similarly, the proposed acquisition of SBC Beverages Ghana Limited is valued at 127 crore, with an equity valuation of $15.06 million. Located in Accra, Ghana, SBCG achieved net revenues of approximately 32 crore with a sales volume of 2.25 million 8oz cases during the fiscal year ending March 2024.SBCGs product portfolio includes popular PepsiCo brands such as Pepsi, Pepsi Max, 7UP, and Mirinda, as well as an energy drink branded as Cheetah. With just one manufacturing facility and two returnable glass bottle manufacturing lines, SBCG holds 87% market share by volume in Ghana's carbonated soft drinks segment.The third acquisition involves Lunarmech Technologies Pvt. Ltd, where Varun Beverages intends to purchase the remaining 39.93% stake for 200 crore. Lunarmech, currently a Varun Beverages subsidiary with a 60.07% stake held by Varun Beverages, reported a net revenue of 183 crore for the year ending March 2024.The company operates a production facility in Jaipur, with another under construction in Jammu, dedicated to producing plastic closures for PET bottles used by Varun Beverages. Upon completion, this acquisition will make Lunarmech a wholly-owned subsidiary, enhancing Varun Beverages' production synergies and supply chain efficiencies in its domestic operations.The shares of the company ended over 1% in the red on Tuesday, November 12. A scene from Dan Lees Playing in Fog, a musical and visual love letter to San Francisco. Courtesy Dan Lee As a longtime San Francisco resident and punk/indie musician, Dan Lee has witnessed the citys transformation, particularly the exodus of the DIY creative community. But despite the challenges, Lee chose to stay behind, raising a family, securing a job as a preschool teacher and continuing to make music with his group, Scrabbel. His latest project, Playing in Fog, comprises six songs and accompanying short films that serve as a love letter to the city, his family and the communities around him. Lee described the project as a San Francisco time capsule for myself. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Playing in Fog is Lees third grant project for the San Francisco Arts Commission. His first two grants from the commission helped fund his exploration of Western music with traditional Korean instruments The Magpies of Seoul (2019) and The Good, the Bad, the Dokkaebi (2021). Playing in Fog is set in its directive: The idea was to write songs based on, or influenced by, San Francisco, Lee said. Dan Lee is the San Francisco musician behind Playing in Fog, which comprises six songs and accompanying short films. Courtesy Dan Lee The six songs tread across a spectrum of sound, anchored by Lees indie pop pedigree formed by his time in Scrabbel and Aislers Set. The title track buzzes with gauzy dream pop and incorporates the found-sound hum of wind passing through the Golden Gate Bridge railings. The outro references the hum and adds chants from a Golden State Warriors playoff game at Chase Center. All the videos were shot on iPhone and stitched together with archival footage and added effects using Final Cut. Beating at its center is the heart and pulse of a community. The Man With the Checkered Vans is a twangy, humorous homage to the late Shigemi Komiyama, a surf-rock drummer and the owner and chef of Richmond District yakitori spot Halu. Chicka Boom Boom is an upbeat swing number featuring local jazz trumpeter Mike Olmos, Korean percussionist Sebastian Wang, and Phoebe Hearst preschoolers adding joyous yells. The jaunty piece is accompanied by video of Lindy dancers shaking their tail feathers in Golden Gate Park. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Along with these visual and musical snapshots of San Francisco life, Playing in Fog leans into Lees family story. His mother came to San Francisco from South Korea in 1968, a moment he honors on December 68. The piece is something of a family affair, with Lee transposing vintage and current pictures of his parents in the exact locations across the city. Lees daughter Ami contributes a piano part written when she was 9 years old. When its all said and done, these projects just end up becoming like home movies for us, Lee said. Dan Lee's Playing in Fog is composed of six songs with accompanying short films. Courtesy Dan Lee When Playing in Fog debuted in June at the 4 Star Theater, Ami joined the band and played her piano part in front of a full house. She was so elated afterwards, Lee said. I would love for her to get the performing bug and do this herself. More Information Playing In Fog (not rated) screens at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. The screening will also include a short live performance with special guests, and an introduction and Q&A moderated by Center for Asian American Media Executive Director Stephen Gong. $12.50-$15. The 4 Star Theater, 2200 Clement St., S.F. 415-418-6712. www.4-star-movies.com Yea-Ming Chen is an actress, band leader and music teacher who resides in El Cerrito. She and Lee co-wrote the swoony breakup song The Ones That Fall for Playing in Fog. Chen was moved by the supportive artistic relationship Dan and Ami share. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To see the collaboration with his daughter is very touching, Chen said about their father-daughter creative process. It was very inspiring for me to see them making something just so unique and sweet and fun. While Playing in Fog has its moments of joy and whimsy, it also shows the often unpleasant reality. 60 Day Notice is based on an actual incident when Lees family was ordered to vacate its Richmond District home after more than 20 years. The video shows the family packing memories into boxes, the camera lingering on Amis height notches scribbled on the door jamb. The family relocated to the Outer Richmond. 60 Day Notice was my version of turning lemons into lemonade, and getting a nice song out of it, Lee said. Playing in Fog also shows that the citys resilient spirit lives under the fog bank. Out in the sunlight but its cold, I feel so young but look so old, Lee dreamily sings on December 68. Lost at sea, wandering city streets, up and down 47 city hills. Chen feels Playing in Fog reveals the humanity and soul of the San Francisco Bay Area creative community, too. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There is a sense that people here have a deep history and deep love, said Chen. Its a reminder: Weve been here, were still here and we love it here. What happens when lawmakers have $50 million to spend on bills that could establish new laws for the rest of the session, and those funding requests tap the same pot of money set aside to cover the amendments to the long bill? You get quadratic voting, at least for Democrats in the General Assembly. Searches for move to Canada spike in election years and were up again last week, according to Google Trends. Angie Wang/Associated Press Regarding How much it actually costs to move to Canada from the U.S. (Personal Finance, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 6): Im as dejected as anybody else about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. But when Republicans lose an election, they dont talk about moving to Canada. What they do is regroup, reorganize, raise money and keep fighting for what they believe in. People who are upset about Donald Trumps reelection need to quit whining and talking about moving to Canada and do what the Republicans do and get back into the fight. America is as much our country as it is MAGA followers and to talk about moving to another country is gutless and will give Trump exactly what he wants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Remember, it took the suffrage and civil rights movements years of struggle to achieve their goals. We need to remember that. Frank Sullivan, San Francisco Vets are not suckers I am a Democratic Californian who served in the military. Im shocked by the results of Election Day and surprised by how many of my fellow veterans hold the opposite view. Many veterans see Donald Trump as a true leader who will lead this country to righteousness. But many veterans and those now serving forget that Trump has disrespected our troops. I remember reading a story in the Atlantic headlined Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are Losers and Suckers and thinking, How can any military-affiliated person love that monster? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Democrats need to get their act together for the next election. Americans also need to utilize their right to vote, regardless of who is running. Military veterans fought hard for that right. Why not exercise it? Genaro Quezada Jr., San Jose Why Harris lost votes I voted for and supported Kamala Harris. I do have deep concerns about Trumpism and Project 2025. But Harris soft-pedaling of what I and many view as genocide in Gaza by Israel was inexcusable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris failed to tell the American people that as president, she would not allow Israel to continue mass killing and terrorism with U.S.-supplied weapons, logistics and intelligence. The courage Harris once showed when opposing the death penalty disappeared. Enough Americans were so appalled and war-worried that a convicted felon and misogynist spouting violent racist rhetoric was returned to power. Marc Sapir, Berkeley GOP helps state Regarding Donald Trump has vowed revenge on California. These are his specific threats (Politics, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 7): Donald Trumps threats against California are limited because of our Republican populace. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Every congressional district will be important, and California has many Republican districts. This limits Trumps bluster and crazy talk. As the Chronicle pointed out, 50% to 75% of the states farm workers are undocumented immigrants, many living in Republican districts. Representatives there will not allow crops to wither and die. The same holds for Republicans in fire-prone areas. Disaster relief will come. As for abortion rights, this is so popular across the political spectrum that the handling of this issue will be left to the states. So, we should thank our Republican neighbors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Frank Agnost, Walnut Creek Find the steal A Pulitzer Prize is awaiting the intrepid journalists who uncover why the successful China/Iran/George Soros/Liberal Democrat vote-stealing operation of 2020 was a failure in 2024. 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 Were the vote-stealing algorithms incorrect this year? Did the busloads of illegal immigrants moving across state lines to vote get stuck in traffic? Were the Venezuelans too busy with their own problems to hack the voting machines in the U.S.? The Italian hackers couldnt book time on the satellite? Even the vote stealers didnt want a Black and Indian woman to be president? America is breathlessly awaiting the answer to how the election steal of 2024 promised by the president-elect didnt materialize. As it seemingly remains focused on increasing the cost of doing business in the region, the European Commissions (trade) war with Big Tech/America by proxy continues with a demand for Apple to stop geo-blocking practices on Apple Media Services, including the App Store, Apple Music, TV+, and others. Its a new European front in a battle dominated so far by Apples struggles to bring its business in line with the Digital Markets Act in the region. However, to some degree it reflects efforts to give consumers free access to markets across all EU states. But when combined with the myriad challenges Apple already faces in the region, the demand will impose yet another set of legal headaches and require the company to invest in yet more expensive developer time. Whats this all about? Europe argues that the geo-blocking restrictions Apple employs on its media platforms unlawfully discriminate against European customers based on their place of residence. In Europe, people should be able to purchase goods and services from any EU state. Bay Area biotechnology company 23andMe has announced layoffs of approximately 40% of its workforce, or about 200 people, just before the holidays. Laura Morton/Special to The Chronicle Bay Area genetic testing company 23andMe announced Monday that it plans to lay off 40% of its workforce as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at cutting costs and refocusing the company on its core business. The layoffs, which are expected to affect around 200 employees, come ahead of the holiday season, according to a statement from the company. They also follow a costly data breach that has weakened public perception of 23andMe, which was one of the preeminent DNA testing services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The cuts are a significant part of 23andMes strategy to streamline operations, which also includes halting the development of its therapeutics programs and winding down ongoing clinical trials. We are taking these difficult but necessary actions as we restructure 23andMe and focus on the long-term success of our core consumer business and research partnerships, said Anne Wojcicki, 23andMes CEO, co-founder and chair of the board. In addition to reducing its workforce at the companys South San Francisco campus, 23andMe announced the discontinuation of its therapeutics division. Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and CEO of 23andMe, said the layoffs contribute to the long-term success of the Bay Area genetic testing company. Kelly Sullivan/TNS Wojcicki emphasized that while the company remains optimistic about the potential of its clinical and preclinical pipeline, it will explore alternative pathways for their development. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We continue to believe in the promise shown by our clinical and preclinical stage pipeline and will continue to pursue strategic opportunities to continue their development, she said. The restructuring is expected to save the company more than $35 million annually, though it will incur up to $12 million in one-time severance and transition costs. In September, the companys entire board of independent directors resigned suddenly, a move that put a significant dent in Wojcickis efforts to take the company private. In their resignation letter, the directors cited concerns over the lack of a fully financed, fully diligenced, actionable proposal to take 23andMe private, despite months of discussions. This left Wojcicki as the only remaining board member. For the quarter ending June 30, 23andMe posted a loss of $69.4 million on revenue of $40.4 million. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A week before the mass board resignation, the company reached a $30 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit stemming from a data breach that affected 6.9 million customers. The breach, which targeted customers of Chinese and Ashkenazi Jewish descent, led to the sale of their data on the dark web. Despite these setbacks, Wojcicki expressed gratitude for the companys employees. Antarctic Odyssey | The Life of Seafarers (People's Daily App) 13:34, November 12, 2024 China's 41st Antarctic expedition team has already sailed across the Equator and will stop for supplies in a few days at Fremantle Port in Australia. How is life at sea for the expedition team? How do they spend their leisure time after work? (Produced by Xie Runjia and Liu Shiyao) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Tuesday night into Wednesday morning will be chilly, with temperatures dropping to the 40s throughout the entire Bay Area. Baron/Lynx Dry weather returns to the Bay Area on Tuesday, but only temporarily. Another cold front is expected to cross Northern California on Wednesday, dropping a quarter- to half-inch of rain across the North Bay, around a tenth of an inch in San Francisco and Oakland and even lighter totals in San Jose. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Live storm map: See where rain is hitting California and Bay Area In the meantime, Tuesday will be dry and chilly. Whats known as a dirty ridge of high pressure is expected to move across Northern California. Under most high-pressure systems, skies are generally clear, but moisture trapped under Tuesdays pattern will promote continued high cloud cover and areas of fog. Wet ground from the recent rain will aid in fog formation Tuesday morning, most likely around Napa Valley, Sacramento Valley and near the delta. Fog will gradually clear, but high clouds will increase throughout the afternoon. Morning temperatures will be in the 30s throughout the North Bay, the low to mid-40s in the East Bay and South Bay and mid- to upper 40s along the Peninsula. By the afternoon, highs around the Bay Area will only be in the upper 50s to mid-60s, about 5 to 7 degrees below normal for mid-November. Highs will only be in the upper 50s to low 60s in the Bay Area on Tuesday. Baron/Lynx Despite the calmer atmospheric conditions, a distant storm over the northeast Pacific Ocean will push a big swell toward the coast. A high surf advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday for breaking waves up to 15 feet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Precipitation will return to the Bay Area on Wednesday, reaching northern Sonoma County by late morning and San Francisco by midafternoon. Rainfall totals are expected to be lighter than Mondays system. Tuesday Breakdown San Francisco: More sun than clouds are expected, with highs reaching the upper 50s west of Twin Peaks and near 60 degrees in downtown, SoMa and the Mission. Winds will be light and variable, only gusting to 10 mph. Beachgoers should beware of rip currents and large waves. Overnight lows will drop to the upper 40s with patchy fog. North Bay: Areas of morning fog will give way to afternoon sunshine. Fog is most likely in the Napa and Sonoma valleys and near the delta. Beachgoers should beware of large breaking waves and rip currents. Highs will only be in the low 60s, a few degrees below normal. Overnight lows will drop to the low 40s with more patchy fog. East Bay: Patchy morning fog will give way to mostly sunny skies in the afternoon. Highs will be in the upper 50s to low 60s, even for inland cities. Despite the cool conditions, it should be a pleasant fall day with calm winds and a mix of sun and clouds. Overnight lows will drop to the 40s, with patchy fog. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Cool fall weather is expected along the Peninsula, with highs in the upper 50s at the coast and low 60s in South San Francisco, San Mateo and Redwood City. A large coastal swell will result in breaking waves up to 16 feet at the beaches. Overnight lows will drop to the mid-40s with increasing clouds. The ongoing feud between Eric Idle and John Cleese has gotten a lot of attention this year. Its basically the Drake-Kendrick beef, but for comedy lovers who cant sleep through the night without getting up to pee at least once. Monty Python fans who have been disappointed by their comedy heroes incessant online squabbling arent alone. Idle appeared on the most recent episode of Conan OBrien Needs a Friend, and the former Late Night host revealed that, he too, has been bummed at the troupes recent acrimony. Conan is obviously a huge Python fan, so its perhaps no surprise that, during his chat with Idle, he brought up the spat. Prefacing his line of inquiry by noting we don't have to talk about this, he admitted that as someone whos been influenced and awed by Python, I think of it as sort of (like) Santa Claus. Like a child, I just want to believe that everyones getting along, adding that you and Cleese famously, lately, have had your disagreements and that have come out in public. Don't Miss And OBrien seems to have taken those disagreements personally. Ill think, Oh, I dont want mommy and daddy to fight. But thats childlike of me because youre human beings that disagree. And youve known each other a long time. Idle stressed to Conan that he and the other Pythons dont disagree about comedy, and the current dispute is only about money. This is only about business. He also downplayed the situation, telling the host that theres no reason (for it) I mean, a fool and his money are easily parted, you know, six of us much more quickly. I think theres no right or wrong way to deal with business. And if somebody has one view of it and somebody doesnt and somebody has another, those can lead to very bad arguments. Advertisement Idles current tone sure feels like a far cry from how he has expressed his feelings on social media. Hes routinely blasted the other Pythons decision to elect Terry Gilliams daughter, Holly, as their manager, which happened in spite of his objections. And, as weve mentioned, even before the most recent digital dustup, Cleese and Idle exchanged shots over Cleeses Spamalot royalties. Sure, its all to do with business, but it seems to have overtaken every aspect of their personal relationship at this point. Advertisement Advertisement Idle revealed that he hasnt seen Cleese in nine years, and its been a full decade since hes met up with Michael Palin. Were just old, Idle explained. We never disagreed on the very important things: on what was funny. As for his decision to keep touring, Idle also presented that aspect of his life somewhat differently in his talk with Conan. While he admitted that finances are difficult because residuals are becoming a thing of the past he proclaimed, I quite like going out there and making people laugh see if I can still make em laugh. Because I think thats the sort of little joy that we get. Were all comedy junkies. Laugh junkies. Again, this is a stark contrast from the Idle we know from social media, who previously complained that hes forced to keep working (not easy at my age) because Monty Pythons finances are a disaster. Advertisement Maybe its just that Twitter tends to amplify negative feelings, while the warm, pale Irish aura of Conan OBrien has the exact opposite effect. Wikipedias page for the Longest Word in English should be pretty straightforward. It might take a while to type out, but you dump in one word, a brief etymology, and then you can move on to the largest recorded whale dong or whatever. Right? Not so fast. Wikipedia is like the Super Bowl for pedants, if the Super Bowl happened every minute of every day until Elon Musk catch-and-kills the whole project in a couple of years. The page is actually a list of eight contenders for Longest Word, and the inane technicalities that might disqualify or galvanize each at the top of the pile. Don't Miss Here are a few of the more pedantic fights going on in there 5 Honorificabilitudinitatibus Shakespeare made his comic figure Costard deliver this mouthful in Act V of Loves Labours Lost. It means the state of being able to achieve honors, and is exactly one syllable longer than just saying that. Its whats known as a hapax legomenon, or a phrase thats only ever used once in a given work. Its made up, by some guy, for one very specific purpose. And sure, technically all words are made up by some guy. If we bar honorificabilitudinitatibus from the dictionary, do we also have to erase his other bangers, like bedazzled and swagger? Of course not! The argument is that we can keep this one out of the dictionary because it looks dumb, is hard to say and no one has or will ever use it naturally in a sentence. If those qualities are fair game, there are other behemoths that have this one beat by a mile. But fear not, Shakespeare dorks: Even if all the longer words on this list are all considered valid, this one is still the longest word in the English language to alternate consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel for the whole excruciating spelling. 4 Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis Silicosis is an occupational hazard for folks who spend a lot of time around tiny particles. Its also known as Grinders Asthma, Potters Rot or, if youre Americas biggest nerd in 1935, pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. Everett E. Smith, then the president of the National Puzzlers League, made the controversial call that the 45-letter word was fair game in the organizations various word-based contests. It made national headlines, and was subsequently included in the Oxford Dictionary and Merriam-Webster. There are two distinct arguments against this one taking the mantle. First, it was made up solely to count as the longest word. Second, word nerds have recruited medical dweebs to declare that its scientifically inaccurate. Did you notice that little volcanoconi part toward the end of the word? That boils down to volcano dust, and theres no evidence that silicosis has been induced by volcanic ash. So there! screamed a 1930s linguist who lost a game of Scrabble one time, from the grave. Advertisement 3 Antidisestablishmentarianism You may have heard this one from a fourth-grade classmate who owned a book of fun facts, or was particularly well-read in 19th century British politics. In the mid-1800s, it referred to the political opinion that the Anglican Church should remain the official state church of England, Ireland and Wales (although Scotland was allowed to do its own thing). No American should ever have to know that much about the Brits, especially from the High Stink period of that moist country. But it gained steam stateside after a contestant correctly spelled it on an episode of The $64,000 Question in the mid-1950s. Its often considered the longest word that wasnt made up for the sake of making a long word, and isnt long-winded technical jargon. But seeing as its come in handy exactly one time in the last 150 years, lots of people think it shouldnt really count. Advertisement Advertisement 2 Lopadotemachoselachogaleokranioleipsanodrimhypotrimmatosilphiokarabomelitokatakechymenokichlepikossyphophattoperisteralektryonoptekephalliokigklopeleiolagoiosiraiobaphetraganopterygon This word refers to an extremely fancy ancient Greek dish, or really, a whole dinner: limpets and saltfish and sharksteak and dogfish and mullets and oddfish with savory pickle sauce and thrushes with blackbirds and various pigeons and roosters and pan-roasted wagtails and larks and nice chunks of hare marinated in mulled wine and all of it drizzled with honey and silphium and vinegar, oil and spices galore. Thats a big boy! The Greek word is 171 letters, and the 183-word Latin-ification technically counts as English, as this is the proper way to refer to the meal in our language. So whats the linguistic gripe? It was technically made up by some guy for a silly little play. It comes from Greek playwright Aristophanes 391 BC play Assemblywoman, a poignant comedy about women taking control of Athens and banning the wealthy. While Guinness recognizes it as the longest word to appear in literature, its technically a nonce word, or occasionalism: a word made up for one very specific occasion, and never actually used in conversation. Advertisement 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. When the ultimately fruitless preparations for Priti Patel's Rwanda deportation scheme were at their height in the summer of 2022, mutinous Home Office civil servants posted 'refugees welcome' stickers around their offices. A particularly rebellious poster that appeared on one official noticeboard read: 'We have the spine to say, 'No minister'. No to hostile environments, no to shutting down democracy, no to racist deportations.' This week, the Labour Government discovered that it too will find it hard to win over a department that despite political impartiality being a legal requirement for civil servants appears to be largely populated by people with a fanatical opposition to immigration control. Officials are 'underwhelmed' by the government's plans to curb the wave of small boats reaching our shores, it is claimed, and 'nobody' understands what the new Border Security Commmand (BSC), launched with great fanfare just days after Labour swept to power in July, will do to address the problem. An inflatable dinghy carrying around 65 migrants crosses the English Channel in March Well, this time, I am entirely on the side of officials at the Home Office. To the surprise of no one, the Government's policy of throwing money 150million no less at a new Home Office body with an impressive but meaningless name is having absolutely no impact on the number of migrants crossing the Channel. Only on Saturday, another 572 migrants crammed themselves into overcrowded dinghies to cross one of the busiest stretches of water in the world. Their arrival took the the number of small-boat migrants to reach Britain so far this year to 32,691, a rise of 22 per cent on the equivalent number last year. So much for Keir Starmer's promise to 'smash the gangs', the well-organised groups of people smugglers who make millions each year from trafficking this human cargo. The truth is that the Prime Minister's words are just empty bluster. We're seeing no evidence that his plan is working, or even that he intends it to work. According to a press release on the gov.uk website, the BSC will 'unlock sophisticated new technology and extra capabilities for the National Crime Agency to disrupt the criminal people-smuggling gangs' Indeed, some argue that the BSC led by former police chief Martin Hewitt is a job-retention scheme to offer employment to civil servants left with nothing to do following the scrapping of the Rwanda scheme. Its budget does not even consist of new money, merely cash redirected from the Conservative government's Illegal Migration Act coffers, despite Labour giving us the false impression that it is the product of additional funding. According to a press release on the gov.uk website, the BSC will 'unlock sophisticated new technology and extra capabilities for the National Crime Agency to disrupt the criminal people-smuggling gangs'. The technology employed includes covert cameras and monitoring equipment and we are promised that Commander Hewitt's team will 'improve intelligence collection across UK police forces', 'speed up investigations and increase the likelihood of successful prosecutions', 'intensify efforts in transit countries to prevent small boat equipment reaching the French coast' and 'swiftly bring those responsible to justice'. Most of this is wishful thinking at best. Some of it is downright nonsense. How on earth are we meant to believe that French authorities will oblige Britain by preventing people from taking small boats to the Channel beaches, when hundreds of thousands of people there are able to sail, row or motor about on the water perfectly legally? Equally, the idea that gangs will give up and skulk away if we increase surveillance is completely implausible. These criminals have been operating brazenly in plain sight for years. They know we can see them, and they don't care. But the greatest failing of Labour's proposals is that the BSC has the wrong gangs in its sights. The unit's focus is primarily on the Western Balkans route, by which migrants from the Middle East arrive in the former Yugoslavia countries and are transported west, towards Britain. That route is only responsible for a fraction of the problem. A much bigger issue is the influx of migrants from north Africa, who cross the Mediterranean into southern Europe. And in order to tackle that, Europe has to fundamentally rethink its borders. Starmer should be saying, loudly and clearly, that the migration crisis will continue until the EU ends its impractical and naively idealistic border rules. Under the Schengen Agreement of 1985 which enables free movement of citizens, people can traverse the continent with virtually no border checks. That means migrants who reach mainland Europe are able to cross the EU to the French coast in a single bound without having to produce any papers. The result is chaos. And Britain isn't the only country to bear the brunt of it. This phenomenon is a pan-European disaster and some countries are finally waking up to it most significantly, Germany. What Labour should do though given its knee-jerk pro-Europeanism and hatred of borders this is a long shot is encourage the rest of the EU to join the Germans in reintroducing border controls. That is the surest way to halt the flow of migrants. It's no use waving them along the autoroutes and waiting till they arrive on England's south coast before trying to act. They must be identified and stopped while in transit. The money spent on surveillance cameras and belated prosecutions at home would be far better spent helping our neighbours police their own internal borders. But that doesn't mean we must march in lock-step with Europe. One essential pre-requisite to the introduction of an effective immigration system would be a revision of the terms of our commitment to the European Court of Human Rights [ECHR]. As things stand, the ECHR makes it virtually impossible to deport failed asylum seekers who challenge their removal from the UK. Its powers were vividly in evidence during the endless legal battles over the introduction of the Rwanda scheme, as cynical lawyers used every tactic in the book to block the implementation of the plan. In a similar way, it is nigh-on impossible to deport illegal immigrants in significant numbers, as long as the ECHR holds sway. Fix that, and we will be able to send illegal Channel migrants straight back to France, where they can live in safety. At the same time, we need a more nuanced understanding of what is driving global migration. It isn't enough to blame the criminal gangs they are a symptom of the problem, not its cause. Across Africa and Asia, countless people have got the idea that Britain is a soft touch. We feed that impression with the feckless distribution of financial aid to countries such as China and India that clearly don't need our money. It's condescending, arrogant and counter-productive of Britain to waste money on ill-conceived 'overseas development projects' in significant global economies, particularly when our own national borrowing is so high. The money would be better spent on addressing economic development in countries that are the source of migration, to cut the supply of those willing to head to our borders. If Labour is serious about stopping the small boats, it needs to adopt an intelligent, multi-pronged approach: strengthening Europe's defences, changing the ECHR rules that hamper deportations and, above all, ending the border free-for-all. Alan Mendoza is a co-founder and executive director of The Henry Jackson Society. Witch hunts are ugly things, and whenever you spot one the best thing to do is usually to walk in the opposite direction. This is especially true when the object of the witch hunt is a decent and good person, for all that one may have disagreed with him in the past. So my first instinct was to jump to the defence of Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. He is being pursued by a growing number of people, including some Anglican clergy, who are incredulous that he should have failed to pass on information about a prolific sexual abuser. I'm afraid their case seems compelling, though the Archbishop is refusing to resign, while claiming that he has considered doing so. The charge against Mr Welby is serious. Why didn't he inform the authorities? Yesterday, in a development that bodes ill for Mr Welby, a senior bishop called on him to go. Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle, said the Church risked 'losing complete credibility' if it doesn't take action following the publication of a 'horrific, horrendous and shocking' report last week. This revealed that the Archbishop had known in 2013 about the 'abhorrent' sexual abuse of more than 100 boys and young men by John Smyth, QC, at Christian summer camps in England and later in Africa. The report says that Mr Welby 'could and should' have reported the case to the authorities when the details were presented to him. He personally knew Smyth (who died in 2018) having attended several of his camps in the 1970s. The report says that while Mr Welby 'did have reason to have some concern about Smyth', this was not the same as suspecting he had committed crimes. It concluded it was 'not possible to establish' whether the Archbishop was aware of the severity of the abuses before 2013. Let us therefore give Mr Welby the benefit of any doubt, and settle on the fact that he was told allegations about Smyth in 2013, and failed to notify the police. It wasn't until 2017 that they began an investigation. In 2013 Smyth was living in South Africa. As the report puts it: 'In effect, three and a half years were lost, a time within which John Smyth could have been brought to justice and any abuse he was committing in South Africa discovered and stopped.' The charge against Mr Welby is serious. Why didn't he inform the authorities? Perhaps he felt Smyth's days of abusing children were over as he was in his seventies. Or maybe he felt some sort of misguided pity for him. Whatever the reason, I can think of no respectable explanation for Mr Welby's silence. As a Christian he had a moral responsibility to pass on what he knew. As leader of the Anglican Communion, which has hundreds of churches in South Africa, he had a very specific duty. The Archbishop would help his cause if he told us why he did nothing. We might conceivably sympathise with his reasoning. As it is, he has effectively declared himself judge and jury over his own actions. He doesn't think they are serious enough to necessitate his resignation, though he has offered a profuse apology. In 2013 Smyth was living in South Africa. As the report puts it: 'In effect, three and a half years were lost, a time within which John Smyth could have been brought to justice' There is of course no suggestion that Mr Welby is sympathetic to child abuse. He will know as well as anyone the injunction of Jesus: 'Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.' So I repeat my question. Why did the Archbishop say and do nothing in 2013? What could be the possible explanation? I believe he is about to discover that he cannot be the moral arbiter of his own fate. How telling that Mr Welby should have spent so much time and energy apologising for the sins of slavery, which was abolished in the British Empire nearly two hundred years ago. He recently confessed that his great, great, great grandfather, Sir James Fergusson, was an owner of slaves in Jamaica. The Archbishop has also proclaimed that the Church of England is 'deeply institutionally racist' and called for 'radical and decisive' action. Knowing the Church as I do pretty well, I must say that it seems to me one of the least racist institutions on earth. Slavery was a great sin, but its perpetrators and victims are long dead, and there is actually nothing we can do to mitigate its cruelties. Not so with the sexual abuse of children, which has disfigured and disgraced the Roman Catholic Church and also, if to a somewhat lesser extent, the Church of England. John Smyth was a very wicked man who was not merely tolerated but also nurtured by our Established Church. What kind of person rails against slavery, and repeatedly makes unsubstantiated accusations of racism in the Church of England, yet apparently turns a blind eye to a monstrous sexual abuser who has used the cover of the Church to gratify his perverted tastes? The answer, I'm afraid to say, is Justin Welby. Without doubt there were some in the Church hierarchy who knew far more than the Archbishop about Smyth's sordid activities during the 1970s and 1980s. They may have even connived in what this awful man did. Welby was merely handed some terrible information late in the day. And instead of doing what good people should do in such circumstances, he chose to do nothing. Although I have disagreed with many of his utterances as Archbishop and I will never forgive him for closing churches to their own vicars during the first lockdown I believe that Justin Welby is a good man. Not disclosing what he knew about Smyth was hardly a sin but it was a huge mistake unless there is some defensible justification about which he hasn't told us. There is no denying that because he is Archbishop of Canterbury his actions have harmed the Church of which he is both leader and custodian. Setting worldly considerations aside, and forgetting about his own legacy, Justin Welby must recognise that he has failed his Church and, I believe, his God and resign. The election of Donald Trump has given Britain the chance to 'lead the world' at the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, according to Ed Miliband. And for once the Climate Secretary may be right. But only because Joe Biden never mind Trump has decided to give this one a miss, along with European heavyweights Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Ursula von der Leyen. Meanwhile, China's Xi Jinping and India's Narendra Modi, leaders of the world's biggest emitters of greenhouse gas emissions, have decided they have more important things to do. Whatever planet Ed Miliband's on, it's not the planet he wants to save! As for the summit's host, it is pretty clear what it wants out of the conference and it is not less CO2 in the atmosphere. The chief executive of Azerbaijan's delegation, Elnur Soltanov, was caught last week telling an undercover reporter that his country was hoping to use the glorified talking shop to do some deals to develop its so-far untapped gas fields. Developing countries know what they want, too: a commitment from wealthy countries to contribute 1trillion a year to help them cope with climate change, a figure incidentally that is ten times previous demands of 100billion. Miliband, of course, has previously indicated his support for this ludicrous demand. Whatever planet Miliband's on, it's not the planet he wants to save! If any leader of a G7 nation is minded to listen to the British delegation in Baku, it won't be to treat us as a great inspiration; it will be to learn how not to go about decarbonising the economy. When Britain became the first major country to commit to a legally binding obligation to achieve Net Zero, as it did in 2019, politicians of all colours deluded themselves that we would inspire other countries to follow suit. While some other European countries have indeed set similar targets, it is pretty clear that most of the world's biggest emitters have not the slightest intention of strangling their economies to reach Net Zero by 2050 or any other date. Take Joe Biden. He is treated as a hero by some environmentalists, yet US oil and gas production has continued to surge during his presidency thankfully for us, because we have become reliant on American shale gas, which is imported to Britain by ship in liquid form, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted global energy supplies. The entrance gateway of the COP29 site in Baku, Azerbaijan China has declared an ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2060 but that is all it is: an ambition. China's five-year plan and President Xi himself makes it clear that it is not going to be achieved at the expense of economic growth. Miliband, by contrast, has committed Britain to Net Zero whatever the cost. And what a cost it is. We already generate a higher proportion of our electricity from wind turbines than any other large developed country, with the result that Britain last year had the highest power prices, both for domestic and industrial users, of any member state of the International Energy Agency. The combination of intermittent renewables, backed up by switching gas in and out of the system, is proving ruinously expensive. But it is nothing to what electricity will cost in 2030 if Miliband achieves his aim of eliminating virtually all gas from the grid and we have to fill the gaps with imported power, batteries, or green hydrogen, a technology yet to prove itself on a commercial scale anywhere in the world. It has long been obvious that Britain's self-sacrifice at the altar of Net Zero is pure lunacy when others are not following suit particularly as Britain accounts for less than 1 per cent of global emissions. Far from allowing us to 'lead the world', the election of Donald Trump will leave us even more stuck out on a frozen limb. Ross Clark is author of Not Zero: How An Irrational Target Will Impoverish You, Help China (And Won't Even Save The Planet) Since we flew the nest, my older brother Alex and I have been eyeing a full set of cast iron Le Creuset pans in my parents kitchen. Recently, our mum said if we wanted them, we could take them; we have been fighting like toddlers ever since. So now shes threatening to have the full set including a coffee pot shes hidden away written into her will. She wont say whether shes joking or not. Why the fierce rivalry? For us 20-somethings, the brightly coloured French cookware is the ultimate status symbol. Ive always been obsessed when I was a tot, Mum would unleash me in TK Maxx like a truffle pig so adept was I at spotting it and now its taken over TikTok, with influencers posting their #LeCreuSlay hauls and screaming manically over any new collections. At the weekend, social media was filled with videos of four-hour queues outside the companys warehouse sale in Andover, Hampshire. Exhausted influencers jostled for half-price pots and gleefully claimed it was worth it, as police herded the middle-class hordes outside. At the weekend, social media was filled with videos of four-hour queues outside Le Creuset's warehouse sale in Andover, Hampshire The brightly coloured French cookware is the ultimate status symbol, according to Olivia Dean Exhausted influencers jostled for half-price pots and gleefully claimed it was worth it, as police herded the middle-class hordes outside It wasnt just the middle-aged elbowing their way to the front. For my image-obsessed generation, theres nothing like haemorrhaging 305 on a casserole dish. Its the definition of quiet luxury. Those in the know can spot its unfussy but distinct aesthetic. Le Creusets homogenous designs mean you only need to choose the colour. Its an easy way to say I have taste without actually needing to have any. I once agreed to a date just because he handed me a drink in a blue Le Creuset mug at a house party. I barely noticed his face. If youre properly middle-class, you inherit your Le Creuset, but you can easily rectify this by loading up on your own. This kind of social mobility can be bought at John Lewis. But real fans look for second-hand pieces; with a slightly battered set you can feign generational wealth. The quality of Le Creuset is seductive, too. Its classic, Trump-orange pots stand the test of time and the company will replace any broken knobs or handles free of charge. With the zeitgeist turning away from fast fashion in all its forms, investing in something practical but beautiful feels more justifiable than buying another cheap flammable dress. Social media users have told of the hours-long queues for a Le Creuset sale Lines of buyers gathered at a warehouse in Andover in Hampshire over the weekend YouTuber Emily Canham from Northamptonshire posted a TikTok video of herself cooking dinner - with her cast iron shell pink casserole dish (costing 255) at the forefront Home decor account @at.home.with.missb showed off their 134 cream Smeg kettle In a clever move after sales slumped by 20 per cent last year, Le Creuset savvily tapped into the 20-something market, releasing highly Instagrammable Valentines and Halloween ranges and limited-edition petal pots, with lids shaped like delicate flowers. None of us can afford houses, after all, so why not cheer up our flat shares by spending any deposit money on a pink stovetop kettle? So, I cant say Im surprised at all those hopefuls queuing up for the warehouse sale. I just cant believe I missed it. Sir Keir Starmers presence at Armistice Day commemorations in Paris was his third visit to France since he became PM. Unsurprising, one might say, for him to want to maintain close relations with our near neighbour and key Nato ally. But beyond the ceremonials, subjects for discussion between Sir Keir and President Macron included how to respond to Donald Trumps threat to impose trade tariffs. Given Labours obvious contempt for Mr Trump, it could seem to some across the Atlantic that Britain and the EU are plotting to form a united front against Americas new President-elect. These are dangerous optics. We dont yet know exactly what Mr Trump intends. He has talked tough, but Sir Keir should know better than most that promises made in election campaigns are often hot air. Sir Keir Starmer s presence at Armistice Day commemorations in Paris was his third visit to France since he became PM French President Emmanuel Macron, second left, and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer look on upon their arrival on the Arc de Triomphe to attend commemorations marking the 106th anniversary of the November 11, 1918, Armistice, ending World War I, in Paris Beyond the ceremonials, subjects for discussion between Sir Keir and President Macron included how to respond to Donald Trump s threat to impose trade tariffs And if tariffs are imposed, there may be a difference between those placed on British and EU goods. Should that happen, we must respond in our own national interest, not hang on the coat-tails of Brussels. Challenged as it has sometimes been in recent years, the US/UK special relationship still exists. We are the biggest foreign provider of services to America and US corporates are huge investors here. If the EU wants to engage in a tit-for-tat trade war with our most important partner, thats their business. We should not be sucked in just so the PM can curry favour with Brussels. One of the main advantages of Brexit is that we can make major trade decisions on our own behalf. In the coming turbulent months, that may prove a godsend. Questions for Welby The Church of England has not flourished under Justin Welby. Congregations are in precipitous decline and some 3,500 churches have closed since he became Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013. His liberal approach on such issues as same-sex blessings has alienated many conservative Anglicans and setting aside 100million to address the legacy of slavery while parish priests live in penury is seen by many as putting Leftist virtue-signalling before the welfare of the clergy. Now, members of the General Synod have launched a petition calling on him to resign over his failure to stop a notorious paedophile preying on young boys despite, according to an official report, having had some knowledge of concerns around his activities. But whether the Archbishop goes or stays, the Church remains in an existential struggle for relevance. If it is to survive, its leaders must focus on the spiritual and pastoral needs of parishioners, instead of constantly wading into the shark pool of secular politics. Members of the General Synod have launched a petition calling on Justin Welby to resign over his failure to stop a notorious paedophile preying on young boys Is Cop just hot air? Has the Cop climate conference outlived its usefulness? The leaders of the three biggest polluters, China, the US, and India, will not attend Cop 29 in Baku, suggesting its importance may be waning. A ludicrous demand from developing countries that wealthy nations contribute 1trillion a year to help them cope with climate change just adds to the sense of unreality. Sir Keir will no doubt make some grandiose statement about the UKs ambitious Net Zero target. But as we contribute just 0.9 per cent of the worlds emissions, its just a sideshow. Labour could abandon fossil fuels and carpet Britain with wind turbines, solar farms and hideous pylons without having any discernible effect on climate change. The only real consequence would be power cuts and a horribly blighted landscape. What an opportunity for Britain if we have the courage to seize it. The United States is our biggest export market. Last year, according to the Department for Business and Trade, it bought 192 billion of British goods and services, nearly a quarter of everything we sold overseas. Donald Trump is signalling that he is open to the kind of trade deal that successive British governments have been pushing for for 40 years. Will Labour grab his offer with both hands? Or will it give into its student union tendency and retreat into slogans about Saving Our NHS From Donald Trump? To put it another way, will it put loyalty to the EU, an organisation of which we are no longer members and which shows us no affection, over British wealth and British jobs? Donald Trump is signalling that he is open to the kind of trade deal that successive British governments have been pushing for for 40 years. Britain is the single biggest investor in the US; and the US is the single biggest investor here. Every day, a million Americans clock in to work for British-owned companies; every day, a million Brits turn up to work for American firms. None of which should surprise us. Our two countries dont just share a language. We have the same legal system, the same accountancy methods, the same unwritten business etiquette. Investment has surged on the back of our natural affinities. But trade, which was controlled on our side by Brussels until 2020, has lagged. Ever since the 1980s, successive British governments pushed for a trade agreement between the US and the EU, but they always ran up against the barrier of Euro-protectionism, especially in manufacturing and agriculture. When Donald Trump was elected in 2016, he proposed an ambitious bilateral deal, of the kind that the Thatcher or Blair governments would have given their eye teeth for. But Theresa May showed no interest. Her officials were looking for ways to remain tied to the EU customs union, although they did not call it that. They fretted that a deal with the US might jeopardise their plans for Northern Ireland. So Mrs May stuck mulishly to the line that we could not begin talks until Brexit had formally taken effect. Boris Johnson dropped that nonsense and opened talks, but the clock was against him. During the 18 months that his premiership coincided with Trumps presidency, a lot of work was done. My understanding is that around two thirds of the topics to be negotiated had been largely or wholly concluded. When Donald Trump was elected in 2016, he proposed an ambitious bilateral deal, but Theresa May showed no interest But then Joe Biden was elected. He disliked Brexit, and was under pressure from the EU to halt the talks. He was under pressure, too, from the Irish-American lobby, which clings to an antiquated, anti-Britishness that one almost never finds in Ireland these days. And he was under pressure, not least, from his own trade unions, whom he had promised during the campaign to block all trade deals. Sure enough, he halted the negotiations, and the moment passed. Now, Trump is back. A Brexiteer who likes to boast of his Scottish ancestry (his mother was brought up in a Gaelic-speaking part of the Isle of Lewis), Trump takes huge pride in having met the Royal Family, and often shows visitors pictures of his visit to them. Trump on a State visit in 2019 - he takes huge pride in having met the Royal Family, and often shows visitors pictures of him meeting them The Prince of Wales with Donald Trump inspecting the Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace in 2019 He describes the EU as a foe on trade; but he feels very differently about the UK. Sources close to him talk of his desire to reward Brexit. He wants to encourage Britain to take advantages of the opportunities it now has, to move away from some of the more needless and uncompetitive Brussels regulations. Trump has come to office promising a universal tariff of between 10 and 20 per cent other than for China, where it will be 60 per cent. For the avoidance of doubt, this is a terrible policy, which will make the world poorer, and will hurt Americans most of all. British ministers are, for now, saying that they want to try to talk him out of the whole idea. And that would, in an ideal world, be the best solution. While our priority should be to escape these tariffs for our own exporters, our secondary aim should be to get the same deal for our neighbours. While some people might enjoy the idea of Britain getting a special deal while the EU suffers, that is not how trade works. Anything that impoverishes our European trading partners hits us, too. We want wealthy customers on our doorstep. So, yes, we should urge Trump to drop the whole concept. But what if he doesnt? What if, as he currently seems minded, he pushes ahead with tariffs on EU exports while offering to exempt Britains as part of a wider trade deal? It should be a no-brainer. Britain gains nothing at all by suffering alongside the EU. It is not as if we have to choose between America and Europe. We already have tariff-free trade with the EU, as part of the most comprehensive trade deal it has with any country not in the process of joining. The question is whether we want a similar deal with our chief trading partner. It is worth emphasising those last three words. According to the Department for Business and Trade, our top five export destinations are (in order), the US, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and France. Our sales to the US alone are almost the same as our sales to the next four destinations combined. So why is there even a debate? Surely ministers must see that all the arguments are one way, that we are being offered a win-win deal at no cost (other than some bruised European egos). I hope Sir Keir Starmer will indeed see it in those terms. He says he wants economic expansion, but has so far done nothing to promote it. Here is a way to promote growth without costing the Treasury a penny. Britain is being offered a win-win deal at no cost. It is hoped Sir Keir Starmer will see it in those terms, and it won't cost the Treasury a penny The trouble is that, when Trump proposed a trade deal during his first term, Labour still wanted to rejoin the EU, and so opposed the concept on principle. In order to justify its hostility, it came up with a series of nonsensical arguments. We would, Labour claimed, be forced to eat chlorinated chicken. Setting aside that no one can be forced to eat (or buy) anything, there is more chlorine in a bag of British salad than on a rinsed American poultry carcass. We would, they ludicrously insisted, have to sell the NHS to Trumps evil corporate cronies. Seriously? Even if the NHS could somehow be privatised and sold off in shares, who would be mad enough to buy them? God knows that Trump has his faults, but he can spot a loss-making endeavour when he sees one. If you handed it to us on a silver platter, we wouldnt want it, he told British journalists of the health service. We want nothing to do with it. Not that that stopped Labours demented conspiracy-mongers. Not every Labour MP is anti-American. But they are all violently anti-Trump. And their dislike might overwhelm their assessment of our national interest. What a tragedy if we were to turn down this opportunity. And for what? A nostalgic Rejoinery that cannot bear to see any good in Brexit? A desire to feel the EUs pain? An unwillingness to deal with Americas vulgarian leader? If there were one good reason to reject a US trade deal, we would have heard it by now. There isnt. Celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Gwyneth Paltrow are attempting to turn back the clock with an IV therapy called NAD+, a treatment that is currently taking Tinseltown by storm. The drips, which cost upwards of $750 at some New York City and Los Angeles medical spas, promise tons of alleged benefits to its customers - like improving signs of aging and cognitive function, as well as possibly assisting in repairing the look of aging skin, per Health.com. It could also have 'anti-inflammatory effects,' 'increase insulin sensitivity,' and may even help to 'improve exercise performance' in older people, according to VeryWell Health. Not only is it popular with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, but it's also a hit with podcasters Joe Rogan and Brendan Schaub, who both raved about the treatment in 2019. During season one of The Kardashians on Hulu in 2022, Kendall Jenner was filmed getting the drip with her friend, A-lister Hailey Bieber. Celebrities like Kendall Jenner are attempting to turn back the clock with an IV therapy called NAD+, a treatment that is currently taking Tinseltown by storm Among other celebrities who have tried out NAD+ therapy are Gwyneth Paltrow (left) and Kristin Cavallari (right) During season one of The Kardashians on Hulu in 2022, Kendall Jenner was filmed getting the drip with her friend, A-lister Hailey Bieber 'I'm gonna NAD for the rest of my life, and I'm never gonna age,' Bieber said as she sat on a couch getting the treatment done alongside Jenner. Recently, Kristin Cavallari and her friend and hairstylist Justin Anderson spoke about getting the therapy on Cavallari's podcast, explaining that it makes you feel like you have the flu - and they've been putting themselves through it for years. 'You really feel like your body is being poisoned,' Anderson said, as Cavallari detailed that you feel chest tightness, flushed skin and a stuffy nose - among other symptoms. However, Anderson admitted that when he was getting the NAD+ IV drips - the active form of NAD - consistently, he 'felt the best ever.' 'My skin looked so clear,' he raved. So, what is this magic stuff called NAD+, anyway, and does it really work? According to Michigan-based plastic surgeon, Dr. Anthony Youn, NAD is something that is already naturally occurring in our cells. 'NAD stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and it's a naturally occurring compound in our cells that plays a big role in generating energy from the food you eat,' the doctor told DailyMail.com. Botched star Dr. Terry Dubrow (left) and Michigan-based plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn (right) weighed in on the trendy treatment to DailyMail.com 'I'm gonna NAD for the rest of my life, and I'm never gonna age,' Bieber said as she sat on a couch getting the treatment done alongside Jenner Dr. Youn explained that although studies done with mice have found that supplementing them with NAD can 'have significant impacts on the aging process, causing them to age more slowly,' there is still limited research that's been performed on humans. According to Michigan-based plastic surgeon, Dr. Anthony Youn, NAD is something that is already naturally occurring in our cells 'There is early data that shows NAD supplementation may increase muscle strength and performance, cognition, and overall energy levels,' the doctor shared. 'Unfortunately the data on humans is still limited, but there are a lot of anecdotal studies that show increasing your NAD levels can be beneficial for the aging process.' So, it's entirely possibly that NAD+ can help slow down the aging process in general, but it's still unclear if it can actually make you look younger. Dr. Youn explained that there are no studies that show if NAD can make you appear younger purely on the outside. Botched star Dr. Terry Dubrow also told DailyMail.com that the 'jury is still out' when it comes to whether or not NAD can make you have a more youthful appearance. 'This unregulated relatively untested area is the Wild West of anti-aging medicine similar to what's occurs with the use of injectable peptides,' Dr. Dubrow said. The same goes for whether or not the supposed benefits are the real deal. 'If you listen to the hype, it does absolutely everything from reduce inflammation to slow aging,' Dr. Dubrow explained. 'The jury is definitely still out and it's unlikely to ever be proven to be as effective for so many health benefits as claimed.' 'There is early data that shows NAD supplementation may increase muscle strength and performance, cognition, and overall energy levels,' the doctor shared So, it's entirely possibly that NAD+ can help slow down the aging process in general, but it's still unclear if it can actually make you look younger - sorry Kendall Jenner However, there's one thing for certain, and that's the fact that it's extremely popular in Hollywood, according to Dr. Dubrow, who is married to Real Housewives of Orange County star Heather Dubrow. He noted that NAD+, along with peptides, are 'extremely popular.' 'It's definitely a secret but I recommend you don't be first in line to experiment with this untested and unregulated area of health and wellness,' the doctor warned. Dr. Youn noted that the oral supplements could be a good gateway if you're looking to try it out But if you're still curious about getting in on this supposedly anti-aging secret, you can get NAD+ done either via IV, or by a quick injection, something that's offered at New York City-based medical spa, Elix Wellness. Some brands even sell supplements of the coenzyme, but Dr. Youn shared that it's not exactly pure NAD - they're made of NR and NMN, which are 'precursors' to NAD, which are materials that become NAD after a 'chemical transformation,' per Elysium Health. However, he noted that the oral supplements could be a good gateway if you're looking to try it out. 'The oral versions are NR and NMN, which are precursors to NAD,' the Younger For Life author explained. 'I recommend an oral version if you want to try it, as these are much less expensive and don't require you potentially scarring up your veins,' he continued. But at the end of the day, it doesn't seem like getting NAD+ IVs can come close to a substitute for Botox or other cosmetic treatments - and it's questionable whether or not it can really make you look younger, anyway. 'Because it doesn't have the dramatic impact on the appearance of aging that treatments like Botox have, I doubt it will ever serve as a replacement,' Dr. Youn admitted. For many years, getting a facelift was considered the ultimate plastic surgery to completely transform someone's face and shave years off appearances, making the individual look like their younger self. After a facelift, which averages $11,395 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons but can go up to $200,000, people experience swelling and bruising and it can take up to nine months to see the full effects. With a 'baby facelift,' which starts at a more reasonable $3,500, people - and specifically male celebrities - can get back to life, and the red carpet quickly. To find out why 'baby facelifts' are the future of plastic surgery, FEMAIL reached out to top plastic surgeons. Dr. Corey Maas of The Maas Clinic in San Francisco explained to DailyMail.com, 'Baby or mini facelifts are a less invasive alternative to traditional facelifts, using smaller incisions.' Dr. Corey Maas of The Maas Clinic in San Francisco explained to DailyMail.com, 'Baby or mini facelifts are a less invasive alternative to traditional facelifts, using smaller incisions' Dr. Maas, who's the former president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, explained these procedures are popular because 'they can be performed in-office with local anesthesia' and 'address specific facial areas, such as the neck or cheeks.' 'Because mini facelifts can be done in-office under local sedation, they are typically a fraction of the cost of traditional facelifts, making them more affordable and accessible for many patients,' Dr. Maas advised. 'The longevity of results depends on factors like the patients initial skin condition, genetic aging tendencies, and overall skincare routine,' Dr. Maas said. Facial plastic surgeon Donald B. Yoo in Beverly Hills, California, explained that 'in the past, a mini facelift meant minimal results,' but now, 'the amount of lift and elevation remains the same as a full facelift, but through shorter, harder to detect incisions.' A traditional facelift leaves incisions in front of the ears and behind the ears, whereas a 'mini' facelift will often eliminate the scar in front of the ear, for an even more discrete appearance after surgery. Chicago-based facial plastic surgeon Dr. Anil Shah told DailyMail.com that 'a mini facelift is a short scar facelift that involves a smaller incision,' which typically has 'less recovery and the ability to wear your hair up without being conscious of scars.' However, Dr. Shah explained that some surgeons use different techniques that aren't as effective. 'The problem here is that patients may have excess tension on scars and resulting in patients looking weirder not younger,' Dr. Shah revealed. Dr. Yoo believes that Brad Pitt (left) and Tom Cruise (right) 'appear to have had nicely performed baby facelifts at different points in their careers' Dr. Shah praised Halle Berry (left) and Jennifer Lopez (right) for defying 'the normal aging trajectory' while looking natural When it comes to celebrities opting for the procedure, it's especially popular with men. Dr. Yoo claimed that Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise 'appear to have had nicely performed baby facelifts at different points in their careers.' Board-certified facial plastic surgeon Donald B. Yoo in Beverly Hills explained that 'in the past, a mini facelift meant minimal results' 'Baby facelifts remain popular with males since the lack of visible scars in front of the ear make it difficult to detect without the need for facial hair or long hairstyles to conceal them,' Dr. Yoo revealed. It's also theorized that many women who have looked younger for years have gotten the same procedure. 'Speculation runs rampant amongst those but when someone looks younger than the chronological age they immediately become a suspect,' Dr. Shah said. 'Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, and Martha Stewart have all defied the normal aging trajectory but still look natural,' Dr. Shah praised. However, Martha has denied getting a facelift in the past, and said she instead gets Botox and fillers. Martha Stewart has denied getting a facelift in the past, and said she instead gets Botox, fillers, and laser treatments Dr. Shah said that the price varies, and can range from $7,000 to $100,000 depending on the surgeon's experience, where they're located, and potential add-ons. The recovery depends on the surgeon and the techniques, but Dr. Shah tells his patients they can expect to be grocery shopping in about two weeks and ready to attend events in a month. Dr. Shah also explained that these baby facelifts can be helpful for celebrities who want to avoid 'pillow face,' which has become a problem in recent years with stars who opt for too many fillers. 'In the past, celebrities were using fillers but making their faces look overly full and with unnatural shapes,' Dr. Shah said. 'By using hidden scar techniques, the face can be rebalanced.' Dr. Shah said that while getting a baby facelift in your twenties or thirties is probably too young, forties and up is 'the sweet spot.' But that doesn't mean the star will be done with surgery for good, as it's possible they'll have to go under the knife again in the future. 'Expect to revisit a lift of some sort in about a decade or decade and half especially if you are pre-menopausal,' Dr. Shah advised. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Stafford Broumand of 740 Park Plastic Surgery agreed that 'patients who have a mini facelift will potentially need another lift later in life,' because it 'does not stop the clock.' Dr. Broumand warned that to 'maintain a certain look, another facelift can be in their future.' As news of Donald Trump returning to the office of president for a second term looms over the USA, women around the world have reacted with fear and anger. Saying they've been 'inspired' by the 4B Movement originating in South Korea, American women are shaving their heads and swearing off sex with their partners in protest of last week's election result. The 4B movement, also known as 'Four Nos' feminism, advocates against heterosexual marriage, childbirth, dating men, and heterosexual sexual relationships entirely. It has now gained traction in the US following Trump's re-election to the White House, aiming to 'punish' men in the belief they've voted against women's rights. Supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris are spearheading the promotion of the movement as her campaign was focused on women's rights - specifically in terms of reproductive rights and healthcare. Those following the movement have taken to social media to encourage others to stop 'putting out' for men and to delete dating apps, even shaving their heads in order to 'repel' men. It comes amid a growing trend for women to 'decentre men' from their lives, with young liberal women across the world deciding to swear off men due to them being 'liabilities'. Others say they're 'boysober' - where they abstain from all forms of male attention for a temporary amount of time. Saying they've been 'inspired' by the 4B Movement originating in South Korea , American women are shaving their heads and swearing off sex with their partners in protest of last week's election result The massive surge in interest in the 4B movement - particularly regarding women shaving their heads in protest - has already proven controversial, with some saying it's 'beyond disrespectful' to those with alopecia or going through chemotherapy. Others have said these women, who are filming protests on their phones, are unaware of their own privilege. Posting on social media, one woman, from the US, left viewers stunned as she took an electric razor to her head and chopped off her locks. 'F*** being skinny, f*** being hot, f*** being all the things that the patriarchy wants us to be, 'cause clearly they don't give a s*** about us,' she said. 'Stop dating men, stop having sex with men, stop talking to men, divorce your husbands, leave your f***ing boyfriends, leave them,' she added. 'I have many thoughts right now, but what Im going to say right now is women you need to stop putting out for men,' wrote @addisonraedefenseaccount on TikTok. 'Like Im not even kidding. You need to stop f****** these men they dont give a f*** about you. Stop dating stop f****** these men. You dont need them, go buy a f****** Rose Toy. Stop f****** man. Stop! They dont care about you b****. Like enough.' Another, posting under the username @rocky_horror, added: 'Ain't nothing worse being alive than being stuck with a man. None! We are taking coochie off the table indefinitely. 'As a woman, my bodily autonomy matters, and this is my way to exercise sovereignty over that,' said one TikToker, encouraging other women to 'delete their dating apps' in solidarity. It comes amid a growing trend for women to 'decentre men' from their lives. Pictured: One user who said it was the 'best decision' she'd ever made 'If you need someone to cuddle or give you a kiss, I bet you one of your girlfriends would do it, and you don't even need to be gay. It's OK to have a lot of platonic love for the next four years,' she said. Cathy Press, psychotherapist and author of When Love Bites, a book about navigating abusive relationships, told FEMAIL that many women are realising that 'they can be put in massive danger by agreeing to have (or not to have) sex with someone'. 'Theyre trying to take back that bit of power where they can at a time where they feel their reproductive rights and sexual liberation taken away from them,' she said. However, the expert and author stressed that it would take quite some doing to "decentre" men'. 'Most societies across the globe are steeped in patriarchal systems and beliefs,' she explained. 'Rejecting heteronormativity and heteronormative sexual and romantic relationships has been done by LGBTQ+ people for decades, including placing more emphasis and finding safety in platonic love. 'In terms of how women are coming to these conversations, it is all about personal autonomy over ones body, how they choose to use it, and with whom- whether in response to a movement of threat which disempowers women from having personal agency or not. 'At the end of the day, these women are stating that, as equal partners in a sexual experience, too many men are not taking responsibility for, nor do they care substantially about, the safety of their partner in that experience. 'It's an understandable reaction when women are positioned so heavily in society as sexual and reproductive objects for male pleasure.' Cathy said that after Trump's victory, the movement has more room to grow, or even gain just enough traction based off women's feelings of fear following the election. 'Just as people such as Andrew Tate have influenced the belief and behaviours of males across the globe using social media platforms, so does this womens movement,' she revealed. 'Clearly the spread of the movement has been facilitated by women reaching out to one another within the global community and learning from how others are dealing with the same fears. 'After Trumps victory it may become more common for women to think very carefully, or even shy away from, the dating scene or places where they could be under threat from a man. 'Certainly, by allowing perpetrators into power who believe that men have the right to treat women however they want, nothing in that dynamic will change, and may become even more widespread and entrenched as a belief system for both men and women. 'Trump has already proven his disregard of womens facility for choice and personal autonomy, and is therefore something that a considerable number of women fear. Charlie Taylor, who runs the Charlie's Toolbox podcast, is spearheading the movement to decentre from men 'However, remember: by rejecting heterosexual sex or relationships with men, this doesnt necessarily mean that a woman is safe, because a man may decide to harm her anyway. Thats the horrific reality, and how the 4B Movement came into being in the first place.' She concluded that - whether seen as positive or negative depending on each individual - it is a clear sign of the fear women around the world feel. 'While it is often minimised as a topic of conversation, it is extreme and frightening for women to have their reproductive rights and legal safety taken from them,' Cathy said. 'And this is happening simultaneously with sexual predators, abusers, and offenders of sexual violence in relationships being held to account less and less. 'Sadly, we consistently hear of cases where women refuse advances from men and are punished for doing so, sometimes fatally. 'The response to these systematic and grassroots threats to womens safety is fear. Particularly as one of the most powerful people in the world now has the power to continue threatening them legally, and furthermore because his campaign was backed by popular male figures of misogyny like Andrew Tate and Elon Musk. 'They were always part of Trumps campaigns in the past, but have been made overtly clear in this election. 'At the end of the day, its not overtly a positive or negative reaction, but it is a reaction we should have empathy for.' Women across the US say they've been inspired by the 4B movement in South Korea since Trump's reelection What are the 4B's? These are the four words, which are essentially pledges of the movement: Bihon: the refusal of heterosexual marriage Bichulsan: the refusal of childbirth Biyeonae: abstaining from dating men Bisekseu: the rejection of heterosexual sexual relationships as a whole The movement's exact origins aren't known, though it's believed to have started in 2019 at around the time conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol was elected. Although it started as a small movement, it has spread across Asia and around the world, becoming a popular talking point on social media. Advertisement Women are now hoping to 'punish' men for choosing Donald Trump instead of current Vice President Kamala Harris in the US election last week, in the fears the vote will lead to more hardline policies on issues such as abortion and women's rights. However, according to the Associated Press, 53 percent of white women supported Trump with Harris taking in 46 percent of votes. The former president, who has now been re-elected for a second term, has long been known to make derogatory comments about women. The twice-impeached president was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records and left the office in 2021 on the heels of claims that he ignited an attack on the US Capitol. President elect Trump has celebrated the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision to overturn Roe v Wade throughout his 2024 reelection campaign - a ruling that ended a nationwide right to abortion. The idea of separating from men entirely is not a new concept. Second wave feminist groups in the 1960s and 1970s advocated celibacy and denouncing men, such as Cell 16. While this was seen as extreme, now it's become a much more commonplace belief and may even seem trendy to members of Gen Z. Since the election last week, google searches for the 4B movement have spiked by a whopping 450 per cent. 'I have many thoughts right now, but what Im going to say right now is women you need to stop putting out for men,' wrote addisonraedefenseaccount on TikTok. One woman ordered others women to stock up on sex toys for their 'moments of weakness' Thousands of people have taken to X to post about participating in the 4B movement following Donald Trump's historic election win. Trump is pictured on November 6 The 4B Movement in South Korea first began after a woman was murdered in near Seoul subway station when she rejected a man's advances. He confessed to killing her but police refused to brand it a hate crime, leading to fury on social media. 4B itself is believed to have begun in 2019, around the time President Yoon Suk Yeol was elected. The conservative president has said publicly that feminists are to blame for the country's financial difficulties and low birth rate, and ran for office with the aim of abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. It is called the 4B movement because 'B' is a form of shorthand for the word 'no' in Korean. The 4Bs themselves are the pledges behind the movement: Bihon, the refusal of heterosexual marriage; Bichulsan, the refusal of childbirth, Biyeonae, abstaining from dating men; Bisekseu, the rejection of heterosexual sexual relationships. It first emerged against a backdrop of anger over South Korea's spycam porn epidemic, whose victims are mostly women, and cases of sexual misconduct uncovered in the global #MeToo movement. Lara Napier took to TikTok to say the 4B movement is 'wrong and disrespectful' to women Another @hannahdraftspams said shaving your head as part of the 4B movement is 'so performative' This has helped supporters of the 4B movement feel confident that gender inequality is an ever-growing problem in the US. 'American women, looks like it's time to get influenced by Korea's 4B movement,' one woman wrote on X/Twitter. However, it has already sparked much backlash online, with people saying those shaving their heads in protest are being 'disrespectful' to those with alopecia or going through chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Lara Napier, who is from the UK, said on TikTok: 'This so-called 4B movement going on in the States at the moment is actually beyond disrespectful to women. 'I'll say this - you are allowed to not be happy with the results of the American election. If you want to go online and say f*** Trump and all of that, fine. 'But going online, shaving your head so that way men will have "nothing to do with you"... is so beyond respectful and rude to women who have alopecia and are going through chemo treatment at the moment. 'I can't even begin put into words. Do any of the women who are doing this realise how privileged they are in life? 'Claiming you have no rights or you're losing your rights while you set up your iPhone, costing at least a grand, in a tripod, making yourself get the perfect lighting and filming yourself shaving or cutting off all your hair and posting it on your social media to "prove a point". Tiktok user @your_fun_aunty on TikTok shared her top tips from decentering men from your life Many have taken to social media to say decentering men has been 'life changing' for them One of the most popular influencers helping to spearhead the 'decentering men' movement is Charlie Taylor (pictured) Charlie began her quest to 'decentre men' from her life after realising the 'detrimental impact of male dominance' on the women around her at the age of 14 'The actual movement going on in South Korea, frankly, this makes a mockery of it.' Another, @hannahdraftspams, said: 'Shaving your head as part of the 4B movement is so performative in a sense. The 4B movement was never about looking 'unattractive or showing resistance. Bald doesn't equal lacking in femininity.' The 4B movement is building on an already popular trend that encourages women to 'decentre' their lives away from men entirely - a subject that has racked up more than 30 million posts on TikTok. One of the most popular influencers helping to spearhead the movement is Charlie Taylor, based in Brooklyn in New York, who runs a podcast called Charlie's Toolbox. Charlie, who is in her 30s, is a social media influencer, content creator and podcaster, running a popular Instagram account with more than 20,000 followers. She began her quest to 'decentre men' from her life after realising the 'detrimental impact of male dominance' on the women around her at the age of 14. Her podcast includes episodes such as 'stop abandoning yourself to be in a relationship' and 'how to stop yearning for men and find happiness'. Meanwhile her 'decentering men starter pack' advises wearing 'platform shoes to show dominance', sunglasses to 'ignore men', a bag with hardware in case you need to swing and headphones 'to drown out men talking'. Comedian Hope Woodward (pictured) has vowed to take a year off from sex and relationships and called it gong boysober After Hope shared her plan of going boysober, other people have followed suit, including Carly (pictured) from New York Episode 28 of her podcast 'How to Decenter Men' teaches you to be the 'main character in your life' and centre yourself instead. Charlie, a researcher, admits she has dated men in the past and had 'extremely fun moments with men' but realised she wasn't prioritising herself. In an article about decentering men, she added: 'You do not feel like a full human being unless an adult male wants to f**k you or hang out with you. This is how much patriarchy has the world f**ked up.' Many on social media have joined in with the trend, with @zigs_mom saying: 'I literally cannot stress this enough, and I don't know if this is like a canon event for women when they like turn 25, and our frontal lobe develops properly, but the best thing I did in my entire life, in my entire 29 years of being on this godforsaken planet, is decentre men from my life. 'Okay, I'm going to say it again. The best thing far and away I've ever done in my life right is decentre men from it.' And others took to her comment section to write: 'Commenting to stay on decentre men tiktok'; 'I am so excited to hear women younger than me reach this conclusion earlier than I did. Its the best thing ever for your head and your heart and basically your whole life. Wish I got there sooner'; 'Its like you start living life in technicolor!'; Content creator Mariana (pictured right) has also gone boysober and claimed she is now living her 'best life' TikTok users have shared their thoughts on the new movement, and many are keen to hop on the trend 'Yasssss on my level! Life-changing!!! Go on gal I love this energy.' Meanwhile @your_fun_aunty on TikTok shared her top tips from decentring men from your life, saying the first way to go about it is to 'stop seeing women as threats or competition'. 'Competition for what, a man? No thank you,' she told her followers. Earlier this year, many women decided to join in the 'boy sober' movement, abstaining from the world of sex and dating. Comedian Hope Woodward, 27, who grew up in Tennessee, coined the phrase after she realised her toxic traits meant she was the 'villain of her own love story,' according to the New York Times. She decided to ditch sex and relationships of any kind for 365 days in a bid to find emotional clarity, and called her plan going boysober. With nearly half of a million followers across her social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram, her plan caught on. Now, thousands of people across the globe are following suit - and have reported feeling better than ever. Hope later took to TikTok to explain the rules for going boysober. She explained: 'These are the 2024 boysober rules. 'No dating apps, no dates, no exes, no situationships, and let me just say, my whole life I've been saying "oh I'm single", no I've never been single, I've always had a situationship. 'You're not single if someone is taking up your brain space', Hope said. She added: 'No xo xo xo... and you know exactly what that means... no hugs and kisses etcetera.' Now, 'boysober' has gone a step further, with 4B and decentering men movements seeing young women refusing to date, get married, have sex with men or have children at all. But the movement is perhaps no surprise - as vile misogynistic comments to women have already been made in the wake of the US election. Gen Z women are becoming victims of vicious cyber attacks with disgusting trolls telling them 'your body, my choice'. US women have reported men are writing 'your body, my choice', as well as threats of rape and assault on their social media posts. It follows a tweet made by far-right podcaster Nick Fuentes who wrote: 'Your body, my choice. Forever.' Camila Guadarrama, from Atlanta, Georgia, revealed she had to delete one of her videos because men were messaging her saying they can't wait until she 'gets raped' and 'your body, my choice.' Advocate for women's healing and liberation, Hannah Cor, took to TikTok to say: 'Your body. Our choice' and 'We own your body now' comments are starting to pour in. Men no longer have or be quiet in their hatred for women. They can hate us out loud and lose nothing.' The slogan 'my body, my choice' was originally popularised by feminists defending reproductive choices as rights in the Sixties. Following Trump's election win, women in the US have also begun sporting blue bracelets to demonstrate their support for one another. Democratic white women are attempting to showcase their support for one another by sporting blue bracelets after Donald Trump regained his seat in the White House Now, ladies for Kamala have once again banded together by donning blue bracelets as a sign of their support for the Democratic party Supporters react to election results during an election night event for US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on November 5 The trend went viral on TikTok after one woman asked others how they were going to 'signal which side' they are on. The woman said: 'Fellow white women. How are we signaling to each other which side we are on now?' One Democratic woman revealed that she didn't want others thinking she voted for Trump. '52 percent of women that look like me voted for him. I'm ashamed and hate that others might assume I am a part of them,' she said. Other women flooded social media and praised the latest movement for helping them subtly showcase their political party. One person said: 'Commenting to stay on blue friendship bracelet TikTok.' Someone else wrote: 'Totally doing this!' The original 4B movement has seen a growing number of women are turning their backs on the traditional expectations of South Korea's male-dominated society, where working wives spend four times longer on domestic chores than their husbands. Marriage rates are also plummeting in South Korea where wives are often expected to work, raise children, and care for ageing in-laws with little state or community help. The country has the lowest birth rate in the world and the population is predicted to fall from 55 to 39 million by 2067. Gender inequality remains a prominent issue, with women on average paid 84 percent of what a man is while working full-time, year-round, according to the US Department of Labor. In 2018, a report revealed that in the past nine years at least 824 women had been killed due to intimate partner violence (IPV). A 2016 survey by the Ministry if Gender Equality and Family found the incidence of IPV was 41.5 per cent - while the global average is 30 per cent. A decade ago almost 47 percent of single and never-married Korean women said they thought marriage was necessary. In 2018, that fell to 22.4 percent, while the number of couples getting hitched slumped to 257,600 - down from 434,900 in 1996. By 2019, the 4B movement was thought to have around 4,000 members. In 2020, an article in Feminist Current estimated it had 50,000 members - and tens of thousands more are believed to have joined since. It is currently unclear how widespread the movement is - although sex strikes as a form of protest have taken place around the world in countries including Colombia, Kenya, Liberia, Italy, the Philippines, South Sudan, and Togo. Scholars have, however, credited the rise in the 4B movement with the growing education gap between men and women in South Korea - similar to the gender education gap in the US where women make up 59.5 per cent of all college students. Today, nearly three-fourths of Korean women pursue higher education, compared with less than two-thirds of men. These strong cultural attitudes bear similarity to trends in the US, where men are coming to terms with the shifting gender roles. And while feeling the pressure of the diminishing educational advantages, many men across America are drawn to vote for conservative candidates such as Donald Trump who are determined to return to traditional values, which some believe prioritize men's interests over female anatomy. Members of the 4B movement view marriage as an existential threat to women, with supporters effectively boycotting a system they believe perpetuates gender inequity. This picture taken on October 10, 2019 shows South Korean woman Yoon Ji-hye displaying an old photo of herself during an interview The movement has grown into an online community where thousands of women engage anonymously in discussions about life without men, offering an opportunity to vent frustrations about living in a conservative and patriarchal society. However, some social media users have expressed their concerns that support for the movement in the US could result in a rapid decline in birth rates, reports Elle magazine. The 4B movement in Korea was also inspired by hit film 'Kim Ji-young, Born 1982', which was released in October 2019 and based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Cho Nam-Joo. Based on a controversial feminist novel, it centres on a married South Korean woman who has quit her job and struggles to raise her child with limited support. Women viewers rated the film an average 9.5 out of 10 stars on the South's top search engine. Men gave it 2.8. Another feminist movement in South Korea - Escape The Corset - has risen up against the nation's strict beauty standards, seeing some women smashing up their make-up collections in viral videos. Women have cropped their hair short and go bare-faced to shun the country's booming beauty industry. Yoon Ji-hye, a 24-year-old YouTuber, feels South Korean women are often expected to be 'passive, childlike and bubbly', as well as attractive, to be desirable. 'I used to spend hours mastering make-up techniques watching YouTube videos, and spent about $200 on beauty products every month,' Yoon recalled previously. Her ex 'preferred' her with long hair and did not support her feminist inclinations, she says. She then became a 4B member, saying she does not miss dating or sex, explaining: 'There are other options and ways to please yourself'. A growing number of South Korean women are banding together to reject rigid patriarchal norms Yoon is convinced most Korean men in their 20s and 30s have watched spycam videos or revenge porn - footage released by male ex-partners - one reason she no longer wants to engage with any of them. During his 2016 campaign, Trump pledged to appoint Supreme Court justices who could help overturn Roe v. Wade. In 2022, America's top court overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling which had granted women the right to an abortion up until the point of foetal viability, which is about 24 weeks. More than a dozen states have enacted abortion limits since Roe was overturned, and while abortion remains legal in many states, some Democrats worry that the Trump and JD Vance administration could see a federal ban on the table. Last year, Trump took credit for the elimination of Roe v. Wade, embracing his role in selecting the Supreme Court justices who were instrumental in ending the half-century precedent that protected abortion rights nationwide. 'After 50 years of failure, with nobody coming even close, I was able to kill Roe v. Wade, much to the 'shock' of everyone,' Trump said on social media. During the final stages of his campaign, Trump said he thought states should determine their own abortion policies. However he signalled support for a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks gestation and as president, he supported a House bill that would have banned abortion nationwide after 20 weeks. A sweet interaction between Taylor Swift's parents at a recent Kansas City Chiefs game has completely captured the internet. The couple were caught on camera sharing in a sweet moment while they attended a sporting event with their daughter on Sunday. In a now-viral image, Andrea, 66, and Scott, 72, were seen leaning their heads against one another as he placed his arm lovingly around her back. The photo was taken at the Chiefs' recent match against the Denver Broncos; they joined their daughter, 34, as she cheered on her boyfriend, Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce. A sweet interaction between Taylor Swift's parents at a recent Kansas City Chiefs game has completely captured the internet. Taylor is seen with her parents in 2013 A snap of Andrea and Scott's heartwarming exchange was shared to X, formerly Twitter, afterwards, which proves how strong their relationship still is. The couple were caught on camera sharing in a sweet moment while they attended a sporting event with their daughter on Sunday 'Oh my God,' a Swiftie named Sarah captioned the shot, which has since been viewed more than 1.8 million times. 'Love how they show up for each other.' 'Too cute,' another added, while someone else gushed, 'I love mama and papa Swift.' 'This is the kind of happiness that parents feel when they see their daughter so happy and know she found a good man who loves and takes care of her,' a fourth tweet read. A fourth said, 'It's so cool to see them being close.' In 2012 RadarOnline falsely reported in that Andrea and Scott had separated. However DailyMail.com understands that those reports are incorrect. Taylor's never split and are still happily married. Andrea and Scott Swift were seen together at the Kansas City Chiefs game on Sunday A snap of Andrea and Scott's heartwarming exchange was shared to X afterwards, and it left many of Taylor's fans amazed at how strong their relationship still is RadarOnline incorrectly reported in 2012 that Andrea and Scott had separated. DailyMail.com understands that those reports were incorrect - and the couple are still happily married 'This is kind of better content than [Taylor and Travis],' someone else wrote. Andrea - who has since battled cancer twice - and Scott have been seen together supporting Taylor at various concerts and events numerous times over the years. It's been said that their split inspired some of the lyrics in her 2010 track Mine. In it, she sings, 'You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter,' and later, 'You say we'll never make my parents' mistakes.' The Shaman is known for his controversial views as a 'spiritual healer' Shaman Durek has admitted he 'crossed the line' with some of his clients during his work as a 'spiritual healer' in a recording that has resurfaced weeks after he strenuously denied sexual assault claims. Princess Martha Louise of Norway's new husband, 49, made headlines last month after he was accused of assaulting Swedish father-of-two Joakim Bostrom in one of his 'spiritual sessions'. The bisexual American Shaman, real name Durek Verrett, who married Martha-Louise, 53, in August, has denied the claims and said he has a 'legal document' in place to protect him. Now Verrett has admitted he 'made a mistake' in sessions with five of his clients, in bombshell audio recordings obtained by Norwegian paper Se og Hor. In the three voice messages, Verrett reveals he performed oral sex on one of his male clients after their session and helped a woman 'clean' her vagina after she had 'violent' sex with her partner. Shaman Durek has admitted he 'crossed the line' with several of his clients during his work as a 'spiritual healer' - weeks after denying claims of sexual assault The shocking conversations took place with MTV star Eric Nies in 2020, who shared them with the paper in light of the recent allegations against Verrett. Mr Nies's side of the conversation is not heard in the recordings. In one recording, the Shaman can be heard saying: 'I have crossed - I did cross - the line one time with [name redacted]. I did. 'And it was a mistake and I'm aware of that mistake. And I did cross the line when [name redacted] pulled out his c***. 'I should have never sucked his c***. I should have just left it and put the sheet back over it, but we finished with the session and I asked him. I said, "do you want to go here?' 'And he says yes. And I'm like, ok, are you sure? And he goes yes. And I'm like, okay. And when the situation happened with [redacted], I did cross the line and I told [redacted] I crossed the line, and I apologised to him and he understood and he spoke with me and we worked it out and that's what it was.' Verrett, from California, refers to himself as a 'shaman' - a type of leader who attempts to heal by connecting to the spiritual world and even counts Gwyneth Paltrow among his celebrity clients. In a second audio clip, he said he helped a woman 'clean her vagina' after she'd been subjected to 'violent' sex by her partner - though did not provide exact details of the process. There is no indication that the process involved the Shaman physically touching the client. He admitted that the woman had 'freaked out' after they'd completed their 'session'. The bisexual American Shaman, real name Durek Verrett, married Martha-Louise , 53, in August. Pictured on November 10 Verrett, from California , refers to himself as a 'shaman' - a type of leader who attempts to heal by connecting to the spiritual world. Pictured - file image of Verrett performing one of his 'sessions' Verrett continued: 'Oh and one more just so you know, there was a woman who came in who asked me to help her with a situation she had with her boyfriend, who was violently having sex with her. 'I stood across the room and helped her clean her vagina and then she freaked out and felt like a man shouldn't have been in the room with her talking about vagina. And that happened, so, that's what happened.' Verrett claimed a third client asked him to 'put his finger beneath his scrotum' due to having 'sexual issues', despite his girlfriend telling him it was inappropriate. When contacted by Femail, a spokesperson for Verrett said: 'That being said its very easy to make this a story anyone wants it to be. 'Without sharing or hearing the full context of the conversation between two people in its entirety, a one sided account doesnt paint the full picture of the situations being talked about, its biased and sloppy journalism.' Nies, 53, appeared on MTV's The Real World: New York, The Grind and Confessions of a Teen Idol in the 2000s. The shocking conversations took place with MTV star Eric Nies in 2020, who shared them with the paper in light of the recent allegations against Verrett. Nies is pictured in 2008 On his Instagram account, Nies calls himself a 'soul liberator' and 'dragon king'. Like Verrett, he also claims to promote 'modern Shamanism' on his website. The pair are thought to have previously been good friends after meeting in Malibu in 2012, but appear to no longer be in contact. The shocking voice notes come just weeks after Durek was forced to deny sexually assaulting a Swedish father-of-two. Joakim Bostrom, 49, has accused the royal of 'grabbing his penis' and 'trying to have sex with him' in one of his 'spiritual' sessions. Speaking to Se og Hr, Mr Bostrom claimed the pair met in New York in 2015. He says he decided to book one of his sessions because he is 'spiritually curious'. Mr Bostrom alleges that the Shaman, also 49, quickly 'crossed a line' and flirted with him. 'It wasn't just in the session that he crossed the line. When I think back on it, he always had a sexualised behaviour and he would always touch me. It was tiring.' He added: 'The fact that he is inside the Norwegian royal house is absolutely sick! In my opinion, Durek is looking for power and position. That so few see through him is absolutely incredible.' Verrett strongly denied Mr Bostrom's accusations. Shaman Durek has now been accused of sexual assault - weeks after marrying Princess Martha Louise of Norway Durek and Princess Martha, 53, gathered 300 guests, including many royals, at their wedding in August. The nuptials were controversial, partly due to Verrett having previously voiced conspiratorial views, which include believing that childhood cancer is caused by unhappiness. The allegations come amid a very difficult time for the Norwegian royal family, which has in recent weeks been blighted by illness and further assault scandals. Mr Bostrom said he first met Durek in New York in 2015 - and the pair became close friends, often hanging out in bars in the evening. But despite knowing his friend was married to a woman, Durek began 'flirting' with him, which became 'increasingly intense', according to Mr Bostrom. Mr Bostrom claims he was touched in an 'inappropriate way' by Verrett after attending a spiritual session with him, after he claimed he had a cyst in the area. 'He started touching my penis. I reacted violently and shouted what do you think is going to happen? You want me to get an erection?. I told him to stop, but he wouldn't budge. He seemed determined to persuade me to have sex,' he told Se og hor. In a later session, he said he was then sexually assaulted by the Shaman, who didn't stop when he asked. Mr Bostrom didn't report Durek's behaviour at the time - something he now regrets. In a statement given to Se og Hr, Durek's representative Jenni Weinman said Bostrom had been his Swedish agent before being fired for having an inappropriate relationship with a member of staff. Durek, 49, and Princess Martha, 53, made headlines for their wedding in August (pictured) - partly due to Verrett's controversial views She claimed the perceived assault was part of the Shaman's 'healing methods', which often require him to 'remove energy' in areas around the armpits and groin. Weinman added that Durek has a 'legal document' in place to protect himself from people with 'evil intentions' as his work involves touch. In 2020, Emily Jane Fox recounted her own trip to one of the Shaman's healing sessions for Vanity Fair, revealing she'd signed a waiver to take part. She wrote: 'You expressly consent to any and all treatments, methods, and techniques necessary that Shaman Durek may perform in your session as determined by him. 'This includes but is not limited to physical touching, energy healing, releasing of toxins, energetic entry or physical touching of my genitals or electric shock treatment in the spine. 'The waiver also gives Durek the right to terminate a session if you try to kiss or touch him; fondle yourself; get undressed or try undressing him; attempt to have intercourse or oral sex with him or sex with yourself; or threaten him in any way.' Fox said Durek justified the waiver by claiming in shamanism 'you have to speak to the sexual glands'. Durek married the Princess Martha Louise in August - several weeks after Marius Borg Hiby, the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, was himself arrested on assault charges. Princess Martha Louise of Norway recently shared snaps from her surprise honeymoon to Turkey with her new husband Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her US groom Shaman Durek delighted crowds lining the streets by sharing a kiss after their wedding Princess Martha and husband Durek greeted people from a balcony Speaking on Instagram, Shaman Durek discussed 'lifting negative energy' and religion. Durek found himself in hot water in 2022 when claims from his book, Spirit Hacking, published in 2019, resurfaced when he and Martha Louise got engaged. He claimed that children 'can get cancer from being unhappy' and was dropped by his publisher shortly after the couple announced their engagement in June 2022. He previously told Se og Hr, that there is a 'place and time for everything'. The self-proclaimed Shaman added: 'In my practice, I have experienced that people seek my spiritual help when they are ready for it. Everyone has their own, unique path to follow, and I respect the path each individual ends up taking.' Borg Hiby also claims he himself has been a victim and faced abuse in a past relationship. Earlier this month, Princess Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, was taken into custody after breaching a restraining order. Crown Princess Mette-Marit's eldest son Marius Borg Hiby is facing assault charges brought against him by two of his ex-girlfriends, which he denies Princess Martha Louise confirmed her decision to resign as a senior royal in November 2022, months after her engagement to American businessman Durek Verrett - who describes himself as a 'Shaman' Speaking last year, Martha Louise addressed her decision to step back for the first time, claiming the moment was filled with 'turmoil' The couple married in August in a three-day ceremony in the fjords in Norway. Pictured in 2022 He has now been questioned in eight police interviews, his defence lawyer yvind Bratlien told TV2. Martha, who describes herself as 'spiritual' and claims to be a clairvoyant, got into a relationship with Durek after overcoming the loss of her first husband, Ari Behn, who died by suicide in 2019. But things have not been easy for Martha, as she was forced to leave her role as a working member of the royal family because of her fiance's controversial views. Durek stated that he believed that childhood cancer is caused by unhappiness in a book he wrote. Following their nuptials, senior members of Norways royal family partied into the early hours as they celebrated Princess Martha Louise's controversial marriage to Durek. King Harald, who is 87 years old and in frail health, did not return to his royal yacht, which was anchored by the shoreline of the Geirangerfjord until after 1am. Princess Beatrice has opened up about her family life and admitted that there 'is not a lot of time to make it all perfect all the time'. The King's niece, 36, who is expecting her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, told Hello! magazine how she now understands the 'importance of choosing small, effective tools for balance'. Her comments came as she praised her BFF and London-based celebrity nutritionist Gabriela Peacock, who equally heaped approval on her royal pal, saying: 'Bea is incredibly health conscious already and she's very good with what she eats.' Speaking to the publication, Beatrice said: 'My favourite thing I have learnt from Gabriela is the importance of choosing small, effective tools for balance. 'When you are growing families, sometimes there is not a lot of time to make it all perfect all the time, so with Gabriela's help I have been able to add a few things to try that help me and my family feel good and prioritise our health.' Princess Beatrice has opened up about her family life and admitted that there 'is not a lot of time to make it all perfect all the time' Gabriela, 45, who is also pregnant, added: 'The most wonderful thing about our friendship is how honest we can be with each other, especially about health and wellness but also about motherhood and now pregnancy.' When Beatrice announced her second pregnancy on October 1, Buckingham Palace issued a statement which read: 'Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three. 'His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.' Two new pictures from the family were shared to mark the announcement, with one showing blonde-haired Sienna from behind as she walks along a country lane, holding hands in the middle of her father and big brother Wolfie. The youngster, with a red bow in her hair, is kitted out in bright yellow wellies and an all-in-one blue waterproof puddlesuit decorated with cloud and bird motifs. Beatrice's husband Edoardo shares Wolfie, whose real name is Christopher Woolf, with his ex-fiancee, architect Dara Huang. In another picture, an overjoyed Beatrice - wearing a black puffer jacket - smiles at the camera, while being embraced by her husband, who is gazing at his wife. The grandchild will be a great niece or nephew to the King, and a second cousin of Prince George, Louis and Princess Charlotte. The King's niece, 36, who is expecting her second child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, told Hello! magazine how she now understands the 'importance of choosing small, effective tools for balance'. Pictured, Beatrice, her daughter Sienna, and Sarah Ferguson, the royal's mother A picture of Edo, Sienna and Wolfie walking in the woods, which was shared alongside Princess Beatrice's pregnancy announcement He or she will also be Prince Andrew's fourth grandchild, as Princess Eugenie has two children, August and Ernest Brooksbank. The baby, who will not be an HRH, will be born 11th in line to the throne, with Beatrice's younger sister Princess Eugenie moving down to 12th place. He or she will also be the 14th great-grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the second to be born since her death in 2022, following the arrival of Eugenie's second child Ernest last year. Beatrice is known to be a hands-on mother to both children, and has become close to her stepson Wolfie. Beatrice and Edo, who are not working royals, have been married for four years after tying the knot in 2020 at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. The pair have been living in St James's Palace while their 3.5million house in the Cotswolds is being renovated. Edo was previously engaged to Chinese-American architect Dara Huang in 2017 and the couple were together for three and a half years. Beatrice and Edo's daughter Sienna was worn on September 18, 2021, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. Princess Beatrice is pregnant with her second child. The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson is already mother to Sienna Elizabeth, three, and stepson Wolfie, eight An announcement from the Royal Family said at the time: 'Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their daughter on Saturday 18th September 2021, at 23.42, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. 'The baby weighs 6 pounds and 2 ounces. The new baby's grandparents and great-grandparents have all been informed and are delighted with the news. The family would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care. 'Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well, and the couple are looking forward to introducing their daughter to her big brother Christopher Woolf.' In the past, Gabriela has spoken on how motherhood has added a 'new dimension' to her friendship with Beatrice. The author, who helped Beatrice 'feel her best' ahead of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, opened up about being close with the royal in an interview with Hello!. Speaking to the magazine, Gabriela explained she 'always knew' Beatrice would be an 'amazing mother' because of the close relationship she has with her stepson Wolfie. Princess Beatrice is already mother to Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, three (pictured) Gabriela said: 'I always knew Bea would be an amazing mother because I could see how wonderful she is with Wolfie. She's an incredible mum. 'And, now that she has Wolfie and Sienna, it's almost like it has given us a nice, newer dimension to our friendship. 'We still have fun but we also have all these amazing things we are planning to do together with our children.' Speaking on helping friends with their health and nutrition, she added: 'It's nice to be able to help my friends, whether it's pre-wedding or post-birth of a baby, and I'm delighted to be able to help my clients and great friends ahead of big events.' Gabriela has children Maia, 11, and twins Iris and Caspar, six. Beatrice is Iris' godmother. Gabriela, founder of GP Nutrition, and her fund manager husband share a home in Notting Hill, west London. Gabriela spends a lot of her time in France were she has a house near Dame Joan Collins. Beatrice and Edoardo have been among their guests. She also counts Ellie Goulding, Millie Mackintosh and close friend James Blunt among her clients. Mattel's highly anticipated 'Wicked' doll collection has been pulled from the shelves after fans spotted an X-rated mistake on the packaging. A link at the bottom of the box directed customers to a porn site - wicked.com - instead of the movie's landing page, wickedmovie.com. The dolls, which were being sold in major markets including the US and Australia, were pulled from the shelves immediately. This includes at Kmart Australia where the dolls retailed for $49 - though it's not confirmed if the Australian product had the same awkward misprint. They are also unavailable online including on Mattel's website. 'Wicked Fashion Dolls, collection unavailable - we will be back soon. This product collection is temporarily unavailable. We appreciate your patience,' a message said. A Mattel spokesperson released a statement immediately. 'We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children,' it read. Mattel's highly anticipated 'Wicked' doll collection has been pulled from the shelves after fans spotted an X-rated mistake on the packaging The link directs customers to a porn site - not the movie page 'Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel customer service for further information.' A fan from the US was the first to notice the adults-only link on the packaging. They made a post on X which quickly went viral, attracting over 25million views in just 48 hours. People were quick to call for a recall and slam Mattel for corrupting children with the mistake. 'Whoever did this needs to be fired immediately. Why would they do that knowing it is mostly kids buying the dolls,' one said. 'This might be the biggest fail in movie merchandise history, especially given they are meant for kids.' The post was shared over Facebook too, though people appeared to find the humour in the error there. 'These toys just got a whole lot more popular with a certain market,' one woman laughed. The dolls have been pulled from the shelves in physical stores and online 'Oh, I need to buy ten - they are going to be collectors items,' said another. 'I am impressed people actually read the box,' said another. Some people couldn't help but point out other toy makers' efforts. 'Lego didn't make the same mistake,' one woman said. 'Betty Crocker confirmed safe too,' said another. The dolls 'sing' and have 'removable accessories' and are in the likeness of on Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Elphaba and Glinda. Mattel are a major toy manufacturer and the parent company of popular brands including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and Thomas and Friends. Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors aired tonight at 9pm on ITV1 Queen Camilla appeared emotional as she spoke to a domestic violence survivor in her new ITV documentary. The royal, 77, features in the new programme - Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors - which explores the tireless campaign work being done to tackle abuse in relationships. She heard from 'Natalie', whose real name and identity have not been made public for her safety, who found her way to a refuge after enduring horrific violence. Natalie and the queen shared a cup of tea during the candid moment in the film, which aired tonight. 'When we first met, we clicked straight away... he was funny, charming, witty romantic,' Natalie said. 'Like they usually are,' Camilla replied. 'Then the abuse started gradually,' the survivor recounted, through an actor's voiceover. 'The odd slap turned into a punch... then beating.' 'Did the violence get worse?' the royal questioned. Queen Camilla appeared emotional as she spoke to a domestic violence survivor in her new ITV documentary 'Yes... and longer as well,' Natalie continued. 'I was embarrassed and ashamed, so I just kept it to myself, just tried to to do it on my own. 'I couldn't get out. I was a prosier. And then one time, he was getting agitated about something and I tried to ask him what was wrong. 'He turned around and he punched me straight in the face. And then he ran to the door and locked it. 'My friend, she phoned me. He took the phone he threw it on the floor but it stayed connected so she heard everything... she phoned the police.' Once the authorities got there, they could see that Natalie was 'covered in blood' and that the flat was 'smashed up' so they arrested her abuser. However, he was released because he convinced them she 'did it to herself and was too scared to make a statement'. Thankfully, one of the policemen was able to get Natalie help through a support worker and she found safety in refuge. 'That's probably saved your life,' a moved Camilla said. She heard from 'Natalie', whose real name and identity have not been made public for her safety, who found her way to a refuge after enduring horrific violence Natalie and the queen shared a cup of tea during the candid moment in the film, which aired tonight 'Yeah, it did,' she replied. The Queen added: 'It's so important that you're telling the world what happened to you because if you've got through it, others can get through it too.' Audiences have praised Queen Camilla's 'powerful' ITV documentary - which highlights the progress being made to eliminate domestic and sexual violence in the UK. Many touched viewers have taken to social media to compliment the 'very moving' film, which they hope will help reach victims. 'Good documentary on ITV tonight,' one wrote. 'Rightly raising the profile of violence against women. 'God knows it seems to be getting worse than better? I don't like the way society is headed. Keep speaking up, keep looking out for one another.' '#QueenCamilla every time we talk about this it helps people to identify when it's happening to them,' a second said. 'And for us to see when it's happening to others. Thank you for your action and commitment.' 'The Queen Camilla documentary on ITV is very moving already,' a third penned. 'I suspect the scale of domestic violence and abuse would shock most of us, and Her Majesty's compassion is clear to see. 'We must do more to support victims, from first contact with police to help re-starting lives.' Many touched viewers have taken to social media to compliment the 'very moving' film, which they hope will help reach victims In the programme, Camilla also praised a domestic abuse campaigner whose daughter was bludgeoned to death with a hammer by her estranged and abusive husband as 'wonderful' and 'dignified' and admitted she 'tried to put myself in your shoes'. In a clip from the programme, Camilla, who was forced to pull out of her public engagements recently after becoming unwell with a chest infection, met with Diana Parkes, who now runs a foundation to support children affected by domestic violence. Diana's daughter, Joanna Simpson, was brutally killed by her estranged husband Robert Brown, while their children were hiding in the playroom, in 2010. Recalling the first time she met Diana and heard her story in 2016, the Queen says: 'I tried to put myself in your shoes, thought to myself, "what if it had been my daughter?" I don't think I would've been able to sit and be as dignified and as wonderful as you were that day.' Camilla, whose children are Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, adds: 'I'm never going to forget that meeting. It's engraved on my heart... I remember seeing you sitting there, and I thought, well goodness, there's somebody of my generation.' Diana co-founded the Joanna Simpson Foundation after the 46-year-old was killed by former British Airways captain Robert Brown just a week before their divorce was due to be finalised in 2010. The former pilot killed the millionaire at her home in Ascot, Berkshire, within earshot of their two children, then nine and ten. Brown buried Joanna's body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park before confessing to police the following day. He was cleared of murder and convicted of manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility. The royal, 77, features in the new programme - Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors - that explores the tireless campaign work being done to tackle abusive relationships In the programme, Camilla praised a domestic abuse campaigner whose daughter was bludgeoned to death with a hammer by her estranged and abusive husband as 'wonderful' and 'dignified' and admitted she 'tried to put myself in your shoes' It meant the killer was due for release in 2023 after serving just half of his 26-year jail sentence. But following a campaign backed by the Mail, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk stepped in to block the automatic release and referred the case to the Parole Board. Elsewhere in the documentary, the Queen explains how 'by scratching the surface, you get a terrible shock. It's such a heinous crime'. She continues: 'If we could just get more people discussing it, talking about it, people are so shocked by what they hear, that, rather like me, that they want to say "hang on a minute, perhaps there's something we can help with" to hopefully, in the end, put an end to it.' The 90-minute programme included details of the Queen's work to tackle the issue. In a trailer for the documentary, Camilla is heard giving an answer to an interviewer who asked: 'How do we eradicate domestic abuse'. Responding candidly, the Queen said: 'Don't let's kid ourselves, it's going to take a long long time because it's been going forever. 'You know, it's been going, well, since time began,' she said. Laura Lopes, Queen Camilla and Tom Parker Bowles at Tom's book launch in London in September In a clip from the programme, Camilla, who was forced to pull out of her public engagements recently after becoming unwell with a chest infection, meets with Diana Parkes (pictured left), who now runs a foundation to support children affected by domestic violence Dressed in a glamorous royal blue frock, the wife of King Charles added that there has been immense progress made to combat the issue. 'If you look at the steps we've taken, since the bad old days, we have made a huge amount of progress. And I shall keep on trying until I am able to no more,' she said. One in five adults are victims of domestic abuse in the UK, including a quarter of women. An estimated 2.1 million people over the age of 16 are thought to be currently experiencing domestic abuse in England and Wales, with one woman killed by a partner or former partner every five days. Camilla 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. While monarchs, or the spouses of monarchs, have traditionally shied away from appearing on camera, the royal has instead chosen for the first time to front the powerful new programme. In the new film, viewers are expected to see various examples of the Queen's work to tackle the issue, including scenes of her hosting a round-table with teenagers, and celebrating International Womens Day at Buckingham Palace. Camilla has also said she is determined to break the 'taboo' over the issue. 'It's so important to do something now,' she said in another trailer released by ITV. It is understood Camilla started off by agreeing only to a cameo appearance - preferring to focus on the victims and survivors - but became more confident at helping tell the women's' stories as time went on. Camilla said: 'One of the most difficult things about domestic abuse, to understand, it's not the bruises and the black eyes, which, unfortunately you see, through violence, this is something that creeps up very slowly and, far too often, it ends up with women being killed. 'You meet somebody, you think they're wonderful and attractive and love youand then bit by bit, they start to undermine you. They take away your friends, they take away your familyand then when you start questioning itthese people become very violent.' 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 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. It comes after Camilla was forced to pull out of taking part in the Remembrance Sunday memorial service in London this weekend. A chest infection meant she had to miss an Olympic and Paralympic reception at Buckingham Palace earlier this week, as well as the opening of the Field of Remembrance at nearby Westminster Abbey. It was confirmed on Saturday that she would not be well enough to make Sunday's ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London. Her husband King Charles led the nation in remembering Britain's war dead, placing a wreath at the Cenotaph as crowds including military veterans looked on. His daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales watched from a balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, alongside Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors aired 11th November at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. Fox sportscaster Erin Andrews has revealed the secret behind her luminous complexion. While covering the San Francisco 49ers win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, one viewer took a screenshot of Andrews on the field and posted it to X, writing: 'Erin Andrews out here with a glow!' Andrews, 46, responded to the post: 'It's full blown sweat. In need of a shower.' Fans in the comments loved her responde, with one gushing: 'You look gorgeous'. 'Tampa is brutal with that heat and humidity,' wrote another. Fox sportscaster Erin Andrews admitted that her 'glow' is the result of sweat in a hilarious post to X on Sunday In February, Andrews remembered a time early in her career that she was driven to tears by a rude player on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On an episode of her podcast 'Calm Down', Andrews was answering audience questions when she revealed to the listeners and co-host Charissa Thompson about a time where she was belittled on the job to the point of tears. She was asked if she ever cried at work, to which Andrews recalled the incident which happened to her when she was 19 or 20 years old. 'I was working freelance for an Orlando station and they wanted sound from the Bucs locker room,' Andrews revealed. 'A particular player was so nasty to me. Fans in the comments loved her responde, with one gushing: 'You look gorgeous' 'He physically turned his back away from me in the middle of his scrum. He also told me to go back, rehearse my question and come back when I was ready. I was mortified. 'I was 19, 20 years old. I had practiced. I did slip up a little bit, I stumbled. He knew it. He knew I was young. 'I instantly started having tears come down my face, and two players in particular, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch, saw it, pulled me over, and said, "What do you need?"' Thompson was stunned, telling her co-host, 'That's incredible. I never heard you tell that story. Wow.' Andrews, the 45-year-old sideline reporter veteran, did not name the player who was 'nasty' to her. I'll start with a confession: occasionally, on a particularly boring evening, I like to take a deep dive into my Instagram DMs. Yes, the place where creepy blokes go to leave icky messages and photos for me. I should know better. I mean, I can guarantee there is going to be at least one d*** pic in there (why is it always the thin ones?!), an unwelcome offer to 'hook up', or just a man writing to tell me he's pleasured himself over my photos. Charming. It's a very common occurrence, has been for years now, and no, I do not find it flattering at all. But, as a woman who dares to write positively about sex and dating, I have become an easy target for these kind of men. So I found myself last night, jet-lagged after an overseas trip, bored enough to take a deep dive into the cesspit that is my DMs. Namely the 'other' folder where messages from people outside my contacts end up. And wouldn't you know - a particularly gross message was staring right at me. He won no prizes for innovation. It was just another weirdo with a fake profile photo wanting me to know how desperate he was for me to have sex with him. 'My big **** needs you baby.' Wow - stop the search, I've found my dream man. Vomit. As I went through the messages, I found similar examples of sexual aggression and rage - more intense than usual - so I decided to take a break and scroll through my feed. A scroll through Instagram yesterday was a wake-up call for Mail+ columnist Jana Hocking, who believes vitriol against women online has intensified since the U.S. presidential election It was then a more worrying theme emerged. Four words that sent a chill down my spine. 'Your body, my choice.' It wasn't the first time I'd seen them, either. The make up a frightening sentence that has been spammed under women's Instagram photos in recent days. This disturbing slogan - a twisted reversal of the phrase 'my body, my choice' used by women fighting for reproductive rights - has become a rallying cry of sorts for the misogynists rejoicing in the outcome of the recent U.S. presidential election. Since Donald Trump bested Kamala Harris last week, outspoken women are having their pretty Instagram pics bombarded with 'your body, my choice' in the comments section by men who worship the likes of Andrew Tate and see Trump's re-election as validation of their toxic beliefs. It's rapey and scary. Regardless of what your politics are, there's no denying that since the election some awful men who once hid in the dark corners of the internet now feel more emboldened than ever to say these things to women online. Only a few months ago, one Australian high school came under fire because boys had ranked female students online into offensive categories including 'abduction material', 'one night stand', 'average', 'preorder' and 'unrapeable'. They were boys - not that that's an excuse - but there are men out there now who are speaking openly like this, and there's no denying where this bravado has come from. Trump's infamous 'grab em' by the p****' line and the multiple allegations against him didn't stop him from being propelled to the White House for a second term - by a landslide. Young men, already exposed to Tate's vile diatribes, are seeing this and thinking, 'This is OK now'. And they are growing in numbers. A cursory glance on Reddit (I wouldn't recommend it) shows there are countless forums for men to air their toxic views about women. This network, which also includes social media accounts, podcasts and YouTube channels, has been dubbed 'the manosphere'. Men go there to rant about how feminism is eroding their rights and also discuss tactics to 'pick up' women, safe in the knowledge no one will challenge them. And, by the way, these pick-up techniques aren't tidbits like 'buy her flowers and pay her a compliment'. Oh, no. They veer more on the obnoxious side, like 'neg her'. For those unaware, this means giving backhanded (negative) compliments to subtly lower her self-esteem, increasing the likelihood she will sleep with you. Cringe. I had a well-known American lawyer tell me last week that multiple men's rights groups had approached him after one of his videos on divorce went viral. His response was 'thanks, but no thanks'. Donald Trump (centre) is seen celebrating his election victory last week alongside his son Barron (far left), wife Melania (right) as well as his VP JD Vance and his wife Usha (back right) I fear things are only set to get worse with Trump the leader of the free world. How do I know? Well, I've experienced it first hand. One of YouTube's most fervent Trump supporters attacks me constantly via his YouTube channel, which has more than half a million subscribers, with his deeply misogynistic and disturbing commentary. A man who goes by the name 'Better Bachelor' has made it a weekly habit to read out my articles to his audience and remark how I'm 'almost 40 and a skank', that I've 'hit a wall' or that I'm going to 'die alone with cats'. And what did I do to offend this total stranger? I'm a woman who dares to write about sex. The horror. Judging by his creepy demeanour and the fact his vlogs look like they are filmed in a dingy basement in his parents' house, I'm going to hazard a guess that I'm getting more action then him. So I simply laugh these videos off. He seems a little obsessed with women who have a voice in media. Chill out, dude. Once upon a time, I would respond to the creeps with a simple 'f**k off' - but then would come the messages like 'you asked for it' and I soon realised there was no reasoning with these looney tunes. So strap yourselves in, ladies, because I only see things getting worse. Far worse. An ex-prison worker who married an inmate now claims she's enjoying four-day conjugal visits to the prison where he's serving his sentence as they try for a baby. Archaeologist Larissa King, from Vancouver, Canada, met her husband Ryan King, 42, when she took a job working in a prison kitchen during COVID - however at the time of her employment, she claims she didn't speak much to her now-husband. The 35-year-old was let go from the job in April 2021 and started her certification to become a probation officer. Once she had completed this, the mother-of-one decided to reach out to an inmate to discuss measures that would help prisoners readjust into society upon release. Larissa said she thought of her now-husband because she knew he didn't have any crimes against women or children; and the two exchanged a couple of letters. Ex-prison worker Larissa King, from Vancouver, Canada, married inmate Ryan King, 42, and is now enjoying four-day conjugal visits while trying for a baby with the murderer - even though she's lost friends and family over her decision Although Larissa stopped pursuing a career as a probation officer, the pair soon began to speak on the phone weekly and Ryan popped the question during their second in-person visit. The couple got married in the prison in March 2023, just over two years after they met. Ryan is currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life for second degree murder and while Larissa says most of her friends and family are accepting of their relationship, she has lost friends and family because of it. Larissa stands by her decision and says the pair are now using their conjugal visits - some lasting four days - trying for a baby together. Larissa said: 'It's a very weird concept that I don't think a lot of people understand and I know even some of my family members questioned it of course and I was always very forthcoming with them. 'My mom is coming around, she's spoken to him a couple of times. My dad and my stepmom were supportive from the get-go. '[Some loved ones] have stepped away from my life because [they] are uncomfortable with my husband's charges and I've always said I would never force my relationship on any of them. 'So I was always very honest and open if anyone ever wanted to talk and it took them a long time to be transparent about their feelings and so I haven't seen them for a while but you know it's not for everybody and I understand that. The archaeologist met her husband Ryan when she took a job working in a prison kitchen during COVID but says they did not speak much at the time (pictured on their wedding day) The pair soon began to speak on the phone weekly and Ryan popped the question during their second in-person visit (pictured during conjugal visit) Larissa stands by her decision and says the pair are now using their conjugal visits - some lasting four days - trying for a baby together Larissa said that the majority of her friends are indifferent by her new romance and some are very supportive but one she had to take a 'break from' 'You know, hopefully we can reconnect eventually. It was a little premature that they axed us because my husband is still incarcerated. 'The majority of my friends are indifferent or some are very supportive. I have two who are extremely supportive and one who I had to take a friendship break from. 'I get it, it's difficult but at the same time it's also the biggest part of my life. 'She would always have physical responses that were telling her truths. She would be saying 'oh I'm okay with it' but then she would flinch at his name. 'I hope that we can talk more in the future but I think for my health and wellness it was best for me to take a step back from that friendship for right now. 'There is a lot that obviously went into his judgement. The biggest thing was that he did not come forward with his crime. They deemed it a vigilante killing. 'So that played a big part in his sentencing. Personally I think he should have gotten manslaughter and even the most recent lawyers I've been on the phone with for parole and telling them a little bit about his crime and his charge they all agree he should have gotten manslaughter.' After dating over the phone for around a year, Larissa went to see Ryan in prison for the first time since they had worked together in the kitchen Larissa gave up her pursuit of working as a probation officer and is now a qualified Archaeologist Ryan is currently serving a sentence of 15 years to life for second degree murder and while Larissa says most of her friends and family are accepting of their relationship, she has lost friends and family because of it The couple had a prison wedding in March 2023 and now, the two lovebirds are trying to have a baby together The couple wed in the prison and because of a lengthy paperwork process were not able to spend their wedding night together Ryan's mother wired Larissa money from his account to purchase a ring and she bought her wedding dress and shoes from Amazon Larissa has an 11-year-old daughter from another relationship who is supportive of their romance Larissa explained that they started having conjugal visits in July, which take place in private cabins on the prison grounds away from the general population units Larissa said it is frustrating trying to schedule their conjugal visits to coincide with her fertile window After dating over the phone for around a year, Larissa went to see Ryan in prison for the first time since they had worked together in the kitchen. Larissa said: 'I was apprehensive for a long time to go and actually see him in person. 'We wrote a couple of times and then I gave him my phone number because I thought it would be easier that way and then we started talking on the phone maybe once a week. 'It was very limited and then that turned to twice a week, three times a week, every day, multiple times a day. 'When we really started talking on the phone it was the end of 2021, I'd say around November and then by February I knew I loved this man. 'I actually spoke to a therapist, a professional to see and understand my feelings. Like why is this happening? Is this real? 'I was very confused and my therapist was like it seems like it was just an unconventional meeting but it seems like your feelings are valid. 'I was like I really need to see him in person, I'm going crazy. I remember being so nervous. It had been a long time. 'I saw him walking up through the windows, you could see them coming up from their lower compound area and I was just sweating bullets. They had their first conjugal visit on 4 July and now have them every six weeks. They can be as long as four days Larissa said the visits take place in private cabins complete with a living room and a kitchen on the prison grounds away from the general population units The pair began trying for a baby on only their second conjugal visit and Larissa says it is difficult to align the visits they have every six weeks with her ovulation phase The pair managed to celebrate Christmas together during a conjugal visit 'He proposed on my second in-person visit. I thought I was going to puke. 'We're talking and we were sitting on this table with the two chairs right by a window. A nice scenic background of barbed chain link fence and there was a playground there. 'He asked me to get up so he could see my outfit. He made me do a twirl. When I came back around he was on his knee with a fake, obviously there was nothing in his hand because he can't bring anything into the visiting centre. 'I was just like oh my god what is happening and then he had this whole spiel. I could tell he was so nervous too, he was getting all fluttery and said his speech and you could see everyone was looking over. 'I could also see, because I was facing the guard's bubble, and they're all looking over because it looks like well, he might have something in his hand. 'I said yes and you're allowed to have brief embraces in the visiting centre so [we had] a hug and a kiss.' Ryan's mother wired Larissa money from his account to purchase a ring and she bought her wedding dress and shoes from Amazon. Ryan paid another inmate who used to be a tailor in fizzy pop and a packet of crisps to take his measurements for his shirt and trousers. The couple wed on 3 March 2023 in the prison and because of a lengthy paperwork process were not able to spend their wedding night together. They had their first conjugal visit on 4 July and now have them every six weeks. They can be as long as four days. Larissa said the visits take place in private cabins complete with a living room and a kitchen on the prison grounds away from the general population units. Larissa said: 'I was so nervous for that too I think it was even worse with the wait because you know it's coming and we had never been intimate at all. The most we'd had was light kisses in the visitors centre. 'We had never been alone together ever. It was worth the wait. It was also difficult to wait that long. It was nice to have that important time together.' The pair began trying for a baby on only their second conjugal visit and Larissa says it is difficult to align the visits they have every six weeks with her ovulation phase. She then discovered she had low levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) meaning her ovaries produce fewer eggs than usual. Larissa said: 'It's frustrating. So we did try to schedule our conjugals to coincide with my fertile window and this was before I got my diagnosis and I would always ovulate early. Although Ryan has now served his minimum sentence and is eligible to apply for parole, there is a possibility this could be denied and he may not be present to parent the baby However, not everybody is supportive of her decision and Larissa often has negative comments on her TikTok page 'I was thinking about my age at that time, being 34. Infertility wasn't even on my brain at that point but I knew I always wanted more children so at the end of the day I was like you know timing is going to be difficult so let's start trying, that was my mentality. 'I did get my fertility clinic on board with trying intrauterine inseminations with me but we need to get my husband to the fertility clinic for his specimen drop off which is proving very difficult. 'It's deemed a non-emergency medical procedure and they are allowed to do that but it will just be out of pocket for the inmates so they would have to pay for basically the van transportation, the guard's salary for the time per kilometre. It's a very slow, exhausting process.' Although Ryan has now served his minimum sentence and is eligible to apply for parole, there is a possibility this could be denied and he may not be present to parent the baby. Larissa said: 'It would suck if he wasn't around to raise our child together, of course, and it's very likely because he does have a life sentence, most lifers don't get parole the first, maybe not even the second time. 'I had to really sit down and could I do this alone, if we are successful with conception? 'My finances are established. I could afford to be on maternity leave with a single income house. 'I've raised my daughter on my own so I've done it once before and I always said I don't want to do that again. I even said that to my husband while we were talking and then you know all that goes out the window and I'm just like this is my person, I'd like to expand my family now. 'It is a real possibility that it would take a couple attempts for him to get parole.' However, not everybody is supportive of her decision and Larissa often has negative comments on her TikTok page. Larissa said: 'People don't understand and I don't fault them for that. 'A lot of the stuff they are saying has to do with my infertility so you know just personally, even if I didn't agree with someone's life choices I would never say the things that they have said towards me and my struggles with fertility which I view as a disease. 'I would never do that but I guess I'm a different calibre than some of my online fans.' Princess Charlene of Monaco has opened up about the limitations of her body now that she is nearly 47 years old. The former Olympian swimmer, who is married to the principality's ruler Prince Albert, discussed with Paris-based Gala magazine how she can no longer workout like she used to when she was training to be a medal-winning athlete. 'I walk, I cycle, I swim too, but not as much as before. When I was young, I trained very hard, I challenged myself physically. These days, its all about moderation,' admitted the royal in the candid interview, according to Hello!. 'It can be quite difficult because my nature is to want to beat records, win medals and surpass my limits. But, at nearly 47 years old, I can no longer do that my body wont let me. My spirit and my heart might, but my body says no,' added Charlene. It's rare for the Princess to offer an update on her physical fitness after she spent much of 2021 and 2022 overcoming a lengthy health crisis, which saw her spend 10 months in South Africa away from her children and check into a private Swiss clinic for treatment for 'extreme fatigue', sources told AFP at the time. Princess Charlene of Monaco has opened up about the limitations of her body now that she is nearly 47 years old. Pictured, Charlene with her husband Prince Albert in South Africa in 2021 In another candid admission, Charlene, who turns 47 in January, discussed her nine-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques and how their personalities are quite different. She labelled her daughter as 'very curious', explaining how she asks 'lots of questions and demands a lot of attention'. Meanwhile, her son is 'more reserved' and 'naturally very calm'. 'The conversations I have with Jacques and those with Gabriella are so different, as well as the time spent with them,' she revealed. Charlene admitted that it's 'difficult to find time to spend one-on-one time with them' but insisted it is important when parenting twins. Prince Albert's wife and their children often support the ruler on special royal engagements including Monaco's National Day. But there was a time in recent years when Charlene couldn't perform her royal duties after suffering a lengthy health battle. The royal first fell ill in South Africa in May 2021, during what was meant to be a 10-day visit. Complications from a sinus operation led to her staying in her native country for 10 months, and there have been rumours about the state of her marriage ever since. In another candid admission, Charlene, who turns 47 in January, discussed her nine-year-old twins (pictured together in November 2023) Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques and how their personalities are quite different There had been claims by leading French media that Albert had signed an 'ultra-confidential contract' to pay his wife more than 10million a year to fulfil her royal duties. She returned to Monaco but was there for a matter of days before reportedly leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was 'exhausted'. Photographs of their reunion were greeted with a hefty dose of scepticism by the French media. Prince Albert said he was 'hurt by the vicious rumours' peddled about his marriage following his wife's absence and said that it's the 'most beautiful thing' to have her back with him. The Royal Palace announced in March last year that Charlene had returned and would make a gradual reintroduction to public life. She has since regularly made public appearances with her husband and children. Major French outlets that specialise in celebrity news said Charlene's sudden re-appearance was welcomed by all Royal watchers. In December 2022, she told local newspaper Monaco Matin she felt 'so much better' than she has in recent years. Revealing she has 'less pain and much more energy', she said she 'is continuing to recover, to rebalance herself.' It's rare for the Princess (pictured in September 2024) to offer an update on her physical fitness after she spent much of 2021 and 2022 overcoming a lengthy health crisis, which saw her spend 10 months in South Africa away from her children and reportedly check into a Swiss luxury clinic for treatment She added: 'My family and those I love are my rock. I approach the future, step by step, one day at a time.' Meanwhile Prince Albert has also spoken out in praise of his wife publicly. The royal has said she has 'turned it around in an incredible way' after a long-running health battle. Speaking in December 2022, the royal told People he was 'really proud of my wife,' adding: 'Charlene's doing really well.' He continued: 'As you know, last year was a very tough year for her - and the beginning of this year.' He also seemingly put rumours of any marital turmoil to one side when he confirmed the two would be attending King Charles' coronation together in May 2023. Police have arrested an unnamed man on suspicion of one of the murders A baffling case dubbed 'Ireland's Vanishing Triangle' which saw eight women vanish without a trace has gained a shocking new development nearly three decades later. Josephine Dullard, known as Jo Jo, went missing on November 9, 1995, after spending an evening on Harry Street in Dublin. The then 21-year-old had been socialising in Bruxelles bar and was travelling back to her home in Callan when she vanished. She was just one of a string of disappearances that haunted a corner in the eastern part of Ireland in the 1990s commonly referred to as the Vanishing Triangle - and, like the others, was never seen again. In a major update on the case, police have now arrested an unnamed man on suspicion of Jo Jo's murder - with searches for her body taking place in Wicklow, near the Kildare border. Josephine Dullard (pictured), known as Jo Jo, went missing on November 9, 1995, after spending an evening on Harry Street in Dublin Police have now arrested an unnamed man on suspicion of Jo Jo's murder - with searches for her body taking place in Wicklow, near the Kildare border (pictured) The news will come as shocking to many followers of the case - as it is 28 years since Jo Jo disappeared. Between 1993 and 1998, six women disappeared: Annie McCarrick, Jo Jo Dullard, Fiona Pender, Fiona Sinnott, Ciara Breen and Deidre Jacob. Eva Brennan and Imelda Keenan are also often referred to in the case. They became known as the 'Vanishing Triangle' eight due to the shape made by the disappearances when plotted on the map, forming a triangle in a roughly 80-mile area outside of Dublin. None of the Vanishing Triangle women have ever been found so investigators have very little evidence to link the disappearances, save geographical area and the suddenness of their disappearance, but many have speculated that a serial killer could have been at work. No one has ever been convicted of their disappearances or deaths and they remain missing in the area to this day. On the night of her disappearance, Josephine Dullard had missed her bus home to Kilkenny and instead bordered a 10pm bus to Naas, from where she then intended to hitchhike home. She hitched a lift from Naas to the slip road on the M9 motorway at Kilcullen and at 11.15pm got another lift to Moone in the county. Detectives discovered that she had made a phone call from a payphone in Moone. What is Ireland's 'Vanishing Triangle' and who were the eight women who disappeared? In 1993, America-born Annie McCarrick disappeared while living in Dublin. Her case was the first of several that would become known as the Vanishing Triangle disappearances. In each case, a young or middle-aged woman vanished suddenly from the eastern part of Ireland and no trace of them was ever found. Police officially linked six of the disappearances and launched a joint investigation called Operation Trace in 1998, before the crimes stopped. Annie McCarrick. Born in New York in 1966, she lived there until relocating to Ireland in 1987. At the time she vanished she was living in the Dublin area. The last confirmed sighting of her was in Enniskerry in 1993. McCarrick was later reported drinking at a pub in Glencullen with a man who has never been identified. She has not been heard from since. Jo Jo Dullard. Born in 1974 in Callan, Jo Jo was also living in Dublin around the time of her disappearance. She was travelling from Dublin to Callan in July 1995 when she vanished. Jo Jo made a phone call from a payphone in Moone and witnesses said she was later seen leaning on the back of a dark coloured Toyota, talking to someone inside. The car and driver were never traced. She remains missing. Fiona Pender. A life-long resident of Tullamore, where she was born in 1971, Fiona went missing in August 1996 while seven months pregnant. She was last seen leaving home by her boyfriend. In 2008 a small cross bearing her name was found along the The Slieve Bloom Way, but her body has never been recovered. Fiona Sinnott. Born in Rosslare, Fiona was living in nearby Broadway when she vanished in 1998 at the age of 19. She was the mother of an 11-month-old. The last confirmed sighting of her was at a pub with friends, which she left around midnight accompanied by ex-partner Sean Carroll, the father of her daughter. He says he slept on her sofa, and when he left the next morning she was in bed planning a trip to the doctor. Ciara Breen. She was living with her mother in Dundalk when she vanished in 1998, aged 17. Her mother recalls the pair going to bed around midnight before she got up to use the bathroom around 2am and found Ciara gone. Ciara's window was open and left on the latch, suggesting she planned to return, but she never did. Deidre Jacob. The Newbridge native was studying in Twickenham, London, but had returned home for the summer before vanishing in 1998. She was spotted within just yards of her parents' house by multiple witnesses, but never made it home. A seventh case, not included in Operation Trace but often referenced alongside the disappearances, is that of Eva Brennan. Eva vanished in July 1993 shortly after a family lunch in Terenure, Dublin. She was depressed prior to her disappearance. She was known to visit her parents every day but failed to show on the next two occasions, so her father went to her home and found her gone. She has not been seen since. Similarly, Imelda Keenan vanished from Waterford city, where she had been studying. She was reported missing on the morning of January 3, 1994 last seen in a pair of leopard-skin trousers and a denim jacket. She told her fiancee that she was going out to the post office and was last seen walking past a bridge walked past the William Street Bridge in Waterford city. SUSPECTS None of the Vanishing Triangle women have ever been found so investigators have very little evidence to link the crimes, save geographical area and the suddenness of their disappearance. One potential suspect touted in the past was Larry Murphy, who was jailed for the rape and attempted murder of a young woman in Carlow in 2001. Murphy had kidnapped the woman, put her in the boot of his car and taken her to the Wicklow Mountains where she was repeatedly raped. He then tried to strangle the victim to death but two hunters happened upon the scene, saved the woman, and helped identify Murphy as the attacker, leading to his arrest. Murphy has been questioned over the Vanishing Triangle cases but has always denied being connected with any of them. In November 2024, police arrested a man on suspicion of JoJo's murder. Advertisement During that call, Ms Dullard told her friend Mary Cullinan that a car had stopped for her and she was going to take the lift. Witnesses said she was later seen leaning on the back of a dark coloured Toyota, talking to someone inside. But the car and driver were never traced. Her disappearance was confirmed to be classified as murder in November 2020, with investigators believing that serious harm came to her around the time of her disappearance. Speaking about the latest development, superintendent Paul Burke said: 'This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days. 'The arrest and search operation is being led by the investigation team from Kildare Division Serious Crime Unit and the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. 'The search is being carried out by the Kildare Divisional Search Team supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and local Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit. 'The search operation has the support of other state expertise, if required, including the attendance of a Forensic Archaeologist on site.' The first of the 'Triangle' disappearances was Annie McCarrick, 26, from New York, who was last seen taking a bus to Enniskerry on March 26, 1993 after telling a friend she planned to go to the Wicklow Mountains for the day. Annie McCarrick, 26, (left) from New York disappeared in 1993, followed by Jo Jo Dullard (centre), from Callan, in 1995 and Fiona Pender (right), from Tullamore, in 1996 The same year Eva Brennan vanished shortly after a family lunch in Terenure, Dublin followed by student Imelda Keenan, who was last seen in Waterford city in 1994. In November 1995, Jo Jo disappeared while hitching home at night in Co Kildare while Fiona Pender was last seen leaving home by her boyfriend in 1996 while seven months pregnant. Two years later Fiona Sinnott vanished in Rosslare after leaving a pub with accompanied by ex-partner Sean Carroll, the father of her daughter while Ciara Breen disappeared later that year in Dundalk. Deidre Jacob vanished in 1998 and was spotted by multiple witnesses within just yards of her parents house before disappearing in Kildare. Eva Brennan is also referenced alongside the disappearances, vanishing in July 1993 shortly after a family lunch in Terenure, Dublin. Similarly, Imelda Keenan vanished from Waterford city, where she had been studying. She was reported missing on the morning of January 3, 1994. One potential suspect touted in the past was Larry Murphy, who was jailed for the rape and attempted murder of a young woman in Carlow in 2001. Murphy had kidnapped the woman, put her in the boot of his car and taken her to the Wicklow Mountains where she was repeatedly raped. Two years later Fiona Sinnott (left) vanished in Rosslare while Ciara Breen (centre) disappeared later that year in Dundalk and Deidre Jacob (right) vanished in 1998 in Kildare Eva Brennan vanished in July 1993 shortly after a family lunch in Terenure, Dublin while Imelda Keenan vanished from Waterford city, where she had been studying in 1994 He then tried to strangle the victim to death but two hunters happened upon the scene, saved the woman, and helped identify Murphy as the attacker, leading to his arrest. Murphy has been questioned over the Vanishing Triangle cases but has always denied being connected with any of them. In 2005, Larry Murphy emerged as a 'person of interest' in the investigation into the murder of Deirdre Jacob. The 20-year-old, who had been studying in Twickenham, London, vanished outside of a post office - just yards from her parents house in Newbridge in 1998. In 2010, the Irish Mail on Sunday revealed that Larry had been doing work for Deirdres grandmother in her sweetshop at the time the 18-year-old vanished from Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Garda sources revealed Murphy was carrying out carpentry work at the shop, which Deirdre visited just hours before she went missing. In August 2010, Larry Murphy was released from prison after serving 10 of his 15 year jail sentence. Gardai have carried out extensive investigations into the disappearances over the years but so far have had no breakthrough in solving them. Josephine Dullard's sister, Kathleen Bergin, speaking at Newbridge Town Hall, where Gardai announced her disappearance 25 years ago, has been upgraded to murder Detective Superintendent Des McTeirnan, Superintendent Martin Walker and Josephine Dullard's sister, Kathleen Bergin The news will come as shocking to many followers of the case - as it is 28 years since Jo Jo disappeared. Pictured: Jo Jo's sister Kathleen Bergin In 2008, the Garda brought a team of FBI agents to Ireland to review the evidence they had accumulated. These experienced profilers, who specialise in investigating serial killers in the United States, concluded that the unknown killers matched the Murphy profile. Meanwhile in 2014, retired detective sergeant Alan Bailey claimed that a member of the Provisional IRA may have killed her. At the time, he told RTE's Today with Sean O'Rourke programme that the American student met the IRA man, to whom he gave a fictional name Manus Dunne, at Johnnie Fox's pub in Glencullen in the Dublin mountains. Mr Bailey said that he 'started bragging about different exploits', naming colleagues before 'realising the enormity of what he had done.' The retired detective sergeant wrote that Manus offered a lift into town but 'drove her up the mountains where he killed her and concealed her body behind some bushes'. He said the information from a 'very reliable source', was a story that 'needs to be checked out'. Could these cases be linked to the Vanishing Triangle? 1979 - Phyllis Murphy, 23, from Newbridge, went missing while out shopping in December. Her possessions were found scattered around nearby area and her clothes had been set on fire by the side of the road. Her body was found almost month later in a forest in Wicklow, she had been raped and strangled. Former Army sergeant John Crerar was convicted of her murder in 2002. 1982 - Patricia Furlong, 20, was strangled at music festival near Dublin. Her body was found near Johnny Fox's pub, in Glencullen. Chief suspect was Vincent Connell - he was convicted of Patricia's murder in 1991 but the verdict was quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 1995. 1987 - Mother-of-two Antoinette Smith, 27, went missing after a night out to David Bowie concert. Her body was found almost a year later in the Wicklow mountains. There are no suspects in her murder but a Dublin taxi driver told police he picked up woman with two men and took them out of town. 1988 - Inga Maria Hauser, 18, was a German backpacker in Northern Ireland, Her Body found in Ballypatrick Forest, Ballycastle two weeks later. She had been raped, hit over the head, and her neck broken. In 2018 an unnamed man arrested but no one has ever been convicted of her killing. 1991 - Patricia Doherty, 30, was last seen waiting at a bus stop having gone for Christmas presents. Her body was found six months later in the bog less from a mile from where Antoinette Smith's body was found. Nobody has ever Been convicted of the murder. Pathologists thought she had been strangled, but didn't know for sure. Advertisement In 2018, police in Ireland began investigating whether a married father-of-two shot dead after murdering a student had been involved in Annie's killing. Mark Hennessy, 40, was killed by officers hunting for missing Jastine Valdez, 24, near Dublin on Sunday before her body was discovered. Garda sources told the Irish Times that Hennessy's DNA profile would be checked against historic and recent disappearances to see if he is a serial killer. As part of that review, officers reexamined the infamous Vanishing Triangle cases to see if Hennnessy could be responsible. He would have been just 16 when Annie disappeared in 1993, but her case was still included in the review. Last year, the case gained prominence once again with the release of a new documentary Six Silent Killings on Sky, delving into the mystery of the Vanishing Triangle. The cases were explored by the journalist Geraldine Niland and the forensic scientist David Kenny, featuring moving reflections from the family and friends of those missing. The two-part documentary sought to bring the women's stories to light once more, and reignite the search for justice on their behalf. In March last year, the Gardai also upgraded the Annie's case into a murder inquiry from a missing person's investigation in an incredible turn of events. It emerged that a man who lives in Annie's neighbourhood of Sandymount had been identified as a suspect, according to the Irish Mirror. On March 26, 1993, the 27-year-old, who was originally from New York, was last seen taking a bus to Enniskerry after telling a friend she planned to go to the Wicklow Mountains for the day. Speaking to the Irish Mirror, former detective Alan Bailey said Annie's brown leather satchel would be a 'gold mine' if found - as it may have traces of DNA. The last known CCTV footage of Annie shows the missing woman queuing in the Allied Irish Bank on Sandymount Road shortly before 11am on the morning of her disappearance. In the clip, Annie - who was the first of the eight to vanish - is wearing a longline coat and her leather bag is seen hanging off one shoulder. As the bag has never been found, retired officer Bailey - who led the Garda Cold Case Unit that was investigating Annie's disappearance in the 90s - thinks it is likely that the unknown assailant will have chosen to keep the item. He explained: 'The fact that the bag still remains missing would suggest that if she was taken and the bag wasnt disposed of, it was kept as a souvenir by her assailant.' At the time he was investigating, Bailey says Annie's bag would 'probably not yield anything of any evidential value'. But if it was discovered as part of the new murder enquiry, he said the advances in technology means it would be a key piece of the puzzle that could potentially shed light on the seven other disappearances which happened in the five years that followed. Reflecting on his career, Alan Bailey said that his 'one regret' is that he was never able to find out what happened to Annie and the other 'Vanishing Triangle' victims. In her audio book released in 2021, author Claire McGowan explores why these cases remain unsolved and highlights a series of other murders she believes could be linked to the eight missing people. She believes a culture of secrecy and victim blaming all had a role to play during the initial investigations - with retired officers admitting to her there was a 'certain amount of judgment' about the sexual behaviour of the women who disappeared. Speaking to FEMAIL previously, Claire speculated that while it's likely a serial killer was responsible in these cases, prime suspects within the women's own lives could also have been involved in some cases. She said: 'In some cases there is an obvious suspect. Three of the cases there was a man in their life who became a suspect, nothing was ever proved. 'What I've tried to do in the book is say - when you look into it, probably not all of those women were killed by the same person. 'But that's also an interesting story. Why if there is an obvious suspect and a history of domestic violence, why was that person never charged? 'Why would the police then be like, "Oh she's just disappeared" rather than 'Her violent ex partner possibly killed her?' Despite all disappearing in such a short space of time, Claire only discovered the cases while researching for a new crime fiction book ten years ago. 'I think partly the news was really dominated by the Troubles', she said. 'Growing up in the 90s, I think a lot of what you might call ordinary murders, non-political murders, we didn't hear about them. 'I think that kind of fed into a perception that they didn't really happen in Ireland, it was a safe place to be as a woman, if you were lucky enough not to get caught in the Troubles. 'I don't think that was true based on what I've learned from my research.' She said that one of the women, 17-year-old Ciara Breen, would cross the Irish border and go to the same discos as she did as a teen, but that she never heard of the case despite it taking place 20 miles from her own home. 'Because it was across the border I don't think I ever heard about it,' said Claire. 'But she went to the same discos as I went to, because it's really easy to cross the border, there was no border at that point. I found that quite shocking that nobody ever said, "This is happening".' Claire explained she felt safe growing up in Northern Ireland, but admitted that there was still 'a lot of oppression and shame' about sex, with harassment such as groping not taken seriously 'at all'. She said: 'It was a dangerous place to live because you could get shot at any moment and we definitely felt that as kids, there were always soldiers around with guns. We just didn't feel anything sexual could happen to us, as such.' She said: 'Eight women went missing in the area around Dublin within about five years, none of them have ever been found. Claire McGowan penned audiobook The Vanishing Triangle looking into the disappearances 'Even before that, there were quite a few murders of women in the same area where they did find the bodies, but they haven't always been able to solve the cases, it's possible some of those are connected. 'Because the areas sometimes, are so, so close to each other, we're talking about the same little towns and villages and because they were buried in the mountains, it's probably that's the same thing that happened to some of these women. 'Because they were unsolved it seems implausible there were so many different murderers operating in this area.' She says there were 'a lot of parallels' between the cases, admitting it's difficult to know why police never connected the disappearances. 'You'd think it would be obvious to think, maybe some of these are connected when there are so many disappearances. We're talking about Dublin which is a biggish city, but in the 90s the whole population of Ireland was only three and a half million. It's a small country so those are a lot of disappearances. 'I think one big reason was the Irish police just weren't used to working with this kind of crime, sexually motivated, so just really didn't think to consider that might have happened. 'So it took a very long time to get to that point to think they were connected, even when some of the families were saying they could be.' She said family members had questioned police about links between Annie McCarrick and Eva Brennan, who disappeared nearby each other in the same year, they were told 'don't be ridiculous'. 'They weren't willing to consider it', said Claire, 'They were looking for other reasons like, maybe a woman had gone off with a boyfriend, maybe she killed herself. 'I think once people got to the point of thinking "Oh she probably was abducted", They were looking for reasons like, did she talk to someone in a pub? Did she go off with someone willingly? Did she she get into a car? Why was she walking home?' The author believes that there's still a chance of finding out what happened to the women, but that there are several ways to improve the way in which missing cases are investigated. 'Listening to the families and not making an assumption about what might have happened,' she said. 'Not victim blaming, listening to what people's family and friends have to say about them.' Speaking of the unsolved cases she added: 'I think the only thing that could happen would be either some bodies could be found, and they have to be somewhere so that can always happen, or somebody would come forward and talk.' King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Frederik of Denmark made a joint visit to a high-tech company today. The duo appeared to be in high spirits as they arrived at the Topsoe headquarters in Lyngby, Denmark. It is a high-tech company specialising in decarbonisation technologies - the removal of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere - and solutions for transition into green energy. King Willem-Alexander and King Frederik appeared to share a joke as the pair smiled while they looked around the building. The Kings arrived sporting highly polished shoes and similar suits which were both navy blue, with Willem-Alexander donning a crisp white shirt and sky blue patterned tie. King Willem-Alexander (L) and King Frederik (R) appeared to be in high spirits as they arrived at the Topsoe headquarters in Lyngby, Denmark Whereas King Frederik arrived dressed in a powder blue shirt and sapphire-coloured patterned tie. While looking around Topsoe, the monarchs wore white lab coats over their suits, complete with protective goggles. They listened to scientists from the company, which was founded in 1940 and has more than 2,800 employees worldwide. King Willem-Alexander is currently in Denmark to discuss green initiatives and sustainability, along with expanding the cooperation between countries in the realm of hydrogen infrastructure. The Dutch monarch is due to jet off to Norway after his visit to Denmark, accompanied by Sophie Hermans, Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth. Willem-Alexander and Frederik were given a tour of Topsoe, where they learnt about a new effective form of electrolysis, which refers to the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen Following the visit, the pair attended a conference at Danish Industry in Copenhagen, where King Willem-Alexander gave a speech. They will then move on to a cruise departing from the famous Nyhavn spot, famed for its colourful and characterful houses. King Willem-Alexander and King Frederik appeared to share a joke as the pair smiled while they looked around the building King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Frederik of Denmark pose for a photo at Danish Industry (DI) in Copenhagen Topsoe is a high-tech company specialising in decarbonisation technologies and solutions for transition into green energy King Willem-Alexander will depart Denmark and fly to greater Bergen and Oslo in Norway on Thursday King Frederik donned goggles and a lab coat during the visit King Frederik is handed an item by a scientist at Topsoe today King Willem-Alexander is currently in Denmark to discuss green initiatives and sustainability During the boat trip, King Willem-Alexander will speak with stakeholders about the decarbonisation of ports and the maritime sector. He will then depart Denmark and fly to greater Bergen and Oslo in Norway on Thursday, where he will meet Crown Prince Haakon. This comes as Frederik and his wife Queen Mary put on a united front as they announced a major rebrand of their Crown Prince Couple's Awards last week - one year after the monarch's 'affair' scandal. The couple - who have been plagued by rumours of marital strife over the past year - attended the annual awards, which celebrate 'outstanding performance and innovative thinking' in the arts, culture and social work sectors, in Copenhagen. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands speaks during his visit to the Danish Industry in Copenhagen The Kings arrived sporting highly polished shoes and similar suits which were both navy blue They listened to scientists from the company, which was founded in 1940 and has more than 2,800 employees worldwide The two Kings seemed to listen intently to the scientists speaking at the tour today Following a series of solo engagements this week, Queen Mary posed for photos with her husband on the red carpet at the VEGA concert hall - before later taking to the stage with him to announce a new chapter in the awards' history. During the evening, the royal couple took to the stage to present awards live on television and also spent time speaking to winners and runners up afterwards. The awards were first established in 2004 as a wedding gift to Frederik and Mary from the Bikuben Foundation - an independent organisation that specialises in creative schemes for young people. During the event, Frederik and Mary announced the Crown Prince Couple's Awards will now be known as the Royal Couple's Awards - to signify their new royal status following their ascension in January. Plus, Lewis' simple trick to extend the validity of your Clubcards Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to shoppers who have unused points on their Tesco Clubcards. According to a post on Lewis' popular Money Saving Expert website, a staggering 18 million worth of Clubcard vouchers are due to expire at the end of November. This means those who shop at the supermarket have just three weeks left to use their Clubcard points - or risk losing them entirely. Tesco Clubcard vouchers only remain valid for two years from the date of their issue - and cannot be used or reissued after this date. But thankfully the British money saving expert, 52, has revealed how Tesco customers can double the value of points as well as a 'trick to extend their validity'. Martin Lewis (pictured) has issued a stark warning to shoppers that have unused points on their Tesco Clubcards Every 1 spent at the British supermarket equals one point on your Clubcard when you scan it or use the app at checkout. Meanwhile, drivers can earn one point for every two litres of fuel they pump at a Tesco petrol station. To check how many Clubcard points you have earned - and when they are due to expire - log in to the Tesco Clubcard website and click on 'Clubcard account' and then 'Vouchers'. The same information is also available on the Tesco app. One Clubcard point is the equivalent of 1p and you need at least 150 points - equal to 1.50 worth of savings - before you can request a Clubcard voucher. The Money Saving Expert website advises: 'Once you've found your vouchers, you can spend them online at Tesco using the code provided or if you plan to spend them in store, you can print your vouchers or scan the barcode available in the app at the checkout.' It also states that you can 'double the value of your vouchers' by spending them at Tesco's Rewards Partners instead such as Disney+, Legoland and Pizza Express. Around 18million worth of Clubcard vouchers will expire at the end of November For example, 500 points are worth 5 in-store but if you exchange these vouchers for codes to use with a Rewards Partner, 500 points are suddenly worth 10. You also have the option of swapping vouchers to claim money off your Tesco mobile bill. To those stressing over their Clubcard points expiring by the end of this month - do not fret! Thankfully, the Money Saving Expert has a handy 'trick to extend their validity'. The website reads: 'If your Clubcard vouchers are due to expire and you don't want to use them yet, you may be able to extend the expiry date by another two years. 'Make a small purchase on the Tesco Clubcard Rewards page (not in store or on other Tesco pages) or donate to one of its partner charities.' Try to shell out as little as possible, perhaps by redeeming a 50p restaurant voucher which would be worth 1 at your chosen restaurant. To check how many Clubcard points you have racked up - and when they are due to expire - log in to the Tesco Clubcard website and click on 'Clubcard account' and then 'Vouchers'. You can access the same information via the Tesco app The Money Saving Website continues: 'The remaining balance is credited back to your Clubcard account as points. 'So if you spend 50p using a 5 Clubcard voucher, you'll get 450 points back (worth 4.50). 'You can then swap your points for vouchers manually or wait for them to be converted with your next statement.' The new expiry date for these vouchers will be two years later - so you will have until 2026 to use them. But you need to work fast if you want to try this hack; the Clubcard vouchers will expire for good by 11.59pm on November 30. 1. Timothee Chalamet Model Nicolas Hal Nercolini, 28, from Curitiba in Brazil, bears a striking resemblance to the Call Me By Your Name actor, who is the same age. Even Nicolas' own grandmother, Edyr, who passed away in 2019, often liked pictures of the actor on Instagram thinking it was her grandson. Call me his HIS name! Model Nicolas Hal Nercolini, 28, from Curitiba in Brazil, left, bears a striking resemblance to TImothee 2. Ed Sheeran Ty Jones, 20, from Manchester, is known for his uncanny resemblance to Ed Sheeran, and has amassed over 100,000 followers on TikTok due to his hilarious impersonations of the singer. However he has now told The Sun he was briefly banned from the platform for impersonating the Perfect popstar. Unimpressed, Ty added: 'Maybe TikTok should ban Ed for impersonating me as well given that we look the same. Its my full-time job. I was keen to promote what I do and market my business.' He said after his account was banned, he put an official appeal to the video sharing platform - who initially said Ty's account violated Community Guidelines, before restoring the page. Ty Jones (left), 29, from Manchester, claimed he had been banned from TikTok for looking too much like popstar Ed Sheeran (right) A perfect lookalike! Ty Jones, 29, from Manchester, is known for his uncanny resemblance to Ed Sheeran 3. Ariana Grande Paige Niemann, 20, from California has become a star in her own right thanks to her uncanny resemblance of Ariana Grande. The star has found viral fame for her impersonations of the hitmaker since she was a young teen. A Wickedly good look: Paige Niemann, 20, (pictured above) has found Internet fame and millions of followers by impersonating a pop princess. They are both pictured in 2014 Paige has even changed her look to keep up with Ariana, pictured now, both blonde. Paige is right 4. Chappell Roan Chappell Roan has become an overnight success 10-years in the making this year - and recently got a Grammy-nod for her critically acclaimed album Rise and Fall of the Midwest Princess. And since, her lookalikes have begged the singer's fans to leave them, alone after on said she was being 'followed' and 'touched' without her consent by people who think she's the real singer. And there are more than one Chappell Roan Doppelgangers who claim to look just like the singer as another unnamed redhead - who goes by the username wet.hair.brush on TikTok - has taken to the app to share her uncanny resemblance 5. Taylor Swift Ashley Leechin, 30, from Nashville, Tennessee, has an uncanny resemblence to Taylor Swift. She first became aware of the star, who is also from Nashville, in 2006 following the release of her single 'Tim McGraw'. Speaking to Rolling Stone, the married mother-of-two, who works as a nurse, explained how she's been mistaken for Taylor Swift since the age of 13. But after joining TikTok in 2020, Ashley says her videos were quickly inundated with comments from viewers comparing her to Taylor. Since then, the social media star has amassed more than 1.1m followers and has posted videos recreating some of Taylor's most famous outfits - including the bodysuit from her recent Bejeweled music video. Ashley Leechin, 29, from Nashville, has amassed over 1.1m TikTok followers thanks to her videos where she dresses up as Taylor Swift Ashley pictured in 2021 in an outfit inspired by Taylor Swift's Red (Taylor's Version) album cover 6. Sabrina Carpenter Sabrina Valum, who went viral for looking like Sabrina Carpenter gets mobbed in the streets for looking like the star. Just like the Espresso hitmaker, Sabrina Valum, from California is often working late - because she too, is a singer. The pair share the same name, career and uncanny looks - with Ms Valum saying she cannot leave the house without getting stopped in the street and is mistaken for the pop star 'multiple' times a day online and in person. The lookalike, 20, went viral on TikTok after posting a video of herself singing the pop star's hit song Espresso which attracted 5.2million views and 590,00 likes. Her TikTok account attracted hate comments and was temporarily banned after users reported it with trolls accusing her of 'pretending' to be Sabrina Carpenter. The pair share the same name, career and uncanny looks - with Ms Valum saying she cannot leave the house without getting stopped in the street and is mistaken for the pop star 'multiple' times a day online and in person. Sabrina Valum is pictured Sabrina Valum, who goes by Sabrina Rose professionally, performs her music at local gigs and on her TikTok page. The lookalike is pictured left, the eal Sabrina right 7. Emma Raducanu This model works a professional lookalike as Emma Raducanu, the Gen Z tennis sensation. An ace match! This lookalike is often compared to a British sports star, can you tell who? 8. Harry Styles Several Styles impersonators turned up to Soho Square for the playful contest which was judged by a mix of notable names and One Direction super fans, with cash prizes up for grabs last week. It was won by Oscar, 22, from London. Competitors were encouraged to dress up in bold outfits inspired by the star's famously flamboyant wardrobe while adding their own individual flare. The panel of judges included Ryan Lanji, a party planner known for his work on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, and the author of The Book of Harry, Bonnie McLaren. A Harry Styles lookalike contest sent fans into a frenzy on Saturday, with an army of dopplegangers descending on London for the hilarious head-to-head 9. Paul Mescal A Paul Mescal lookalike contest was held in Dublin on Thursday ahead of the actor's appearance at the Irish premiere of Gladiator II. Several Mescal impersonators turned up to Smithfield Square in north Dublin for the playful contest. The contenders all dressed in what has become known as Paul's signature look: white sports shorts and a pair of headphones. In a video from the contest, a group of finalists were seen lined up as one of the organisers asked the crowd to clap for their favourite. Most of the finalists got a fairly lukewarm response from the crowd except for one who received a large round of appluse. A Paul Mescal lookalike contest was held in Dublin on Thursday ahead of the actor's appearance at the Irish premiere of Gladiator II 10. Dua Lipa This model makes a living as Dua Lipa impersonator. An Illusion! This model makes money of her uncanny appearance to a massive British star- can you guess who? 11. Kylie Jenner This model works as doppelganger for the Jenner sister. It's Kylie Jenner! This model is posing with a lip kit like the star 12. Billie Eilish Russian influencer Irina Minkina has found game thanks to her similarity with Billie. What was she made for? This Russian influencer has racked up more than 600,000 followers thanks to her resemblance to a nine-time Grammy and two-time Oscar winner 13. Olivia Rodrigo It takes some Guts! This singer plays tribute to a huge Gen Z star She's a Gen Z megastar - and this singer works as a tribute act. The Olivia Rodrigo Tribute Act describes itself as a dedicated homage to the global pop sensation The Duchess of Edinburgh has proven her loyalty to the Wales family, time and time again, and Remembrance Sunday was no exception. In emotional scenes at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday, Kate Middleton appeared to have been reflecting on the British citizens who lost their lives during combat, but also the tough year she's had. The Princess of Wales, 42, has only just started to ease back into high-profile public events after she announced that she is cancer-free, following her treatment which she started earlier this year. Her diagnosis was challenging for her husband, Prince William to process, with the future King admitting that he's experienced 'the hardest year in my life'. Highlighting her constant presence throughout, Sophie, 59, simply placed her hand on Kate's shoulder as the pair walked off the balcony after the service. The warmth of her palm displayed not just the comfort of a family member, but also a friend and a mother. Sophie simply placed her hand on Kate's shoulder as the pair walked off the balcony after the service on Sunday Body language expert Judi James said of Prince Edward's wife at the time: 'That simple hand gesture showed Sophies dual role today. She is always the royal who brings a sense of calm and support to some of the most emotionally-charged royal occasions. 'She and Kate always appear to be close and to share a sense of humour but Sophies gesture here seems to show her in a more maternal mode, as she places on hand on or near Kates back as she stepped inside the building.' It was an act of kindness many royalists had seen many times before, recently during the Buckingham Palace Balcony appearance for Trooping the Colour in June. Kate announced that she was going to be attending the event and it marked her first public outing since broadcasting that she was battling cancer. As the royals started filtering back into Buckingham Palace after watching the flypast from the balcony, Sophie was seen gently placing her hand on William's shoulder, suggesting how fond she is of the future King. William, who is 17 years younger than Sophie, had spent the past few months covering some of his father's duties, while King Charles received treatment for cancer. James added: 'The gesture looked similar to the back touches William had been performing the night before. It registered fondness and maybe a small congratulatory "well done" for another milestone achieved in terms of Kates return to royal duties. Sophie was seen gently placing her hand on William's shoulder during Trooping the Colour in June, suggesting how fond she is of the future King At the same event, Sophie - who stepped up her royal appearances when during Kate's absence - was pictured with Kate and William's children, Prince Louis, six, and Princess Charlotte, nine On one of the hardest days for the Firm, Sophie stepped up and assisted Kate in soothing George, now 11, during his great-grandmother's send off 'But it also looked like a small but powerful signal to William and even George and Charlotte that, even when William is not at Kates side, she is still surrounded by royal family that are taking very good care of her, albeit subtly.' At the same event, Sophie - who stepped up her royal appearances when during Kate's absence - was pictured with Kate and William's children, Prince Louis, six, and Princess Charlotte, nine, further exhibiting her maternal instincts. Bending down so she was closer to them, the Duchess chatted to the Wales children during their public appearance on the Buckingham Palace Balcony. Sophie - who is a mother to Lady Louise, 21, and James Wessex, 16 - made the young royals feel consoled through her powerful body language. Sophie entertained the youngest Wales children and let them know that they have her support. Her comforting hand made another appearance at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022. On one of the hardest days for the Firm, Sophie stepped up and assisted Kate in soothing George, now 11, during his great-grandmother's send off. Not only did she have her own children to attend to, but she became a warming presence to many grieving younger royals. A pillar of strength for others, Sophie only broke down as she was driven away from the late Queen's state funeral. Deep in thought: The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh look straight ahead as the clock struck 11am on Sunday - with James saying Kate looked 'so much like a future queen' Side-by-side: With Prince William joining the King to lay wreaths, Kate took her place on the balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office with the Duchess of Edinburgh - who, says body language expert Judi James, took on a maternal role A pillar of strength for others, Sophie only broke down as she was driven away from the late Queen's state funeral It isn't the first time the Duchess has been captured supporting a member of the Royal Family at the emotional occasion; in 1999, Sophie helped an 11-year-old Princess Beatrice as she collapsed on the home office balcony' on Remembrance Sunday. Sarah, the Duchess of York, was in America while her young daughter attended the event - but Beatrice was supported by Sophie, Prince Edward and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. The Princess managed to remain at the service until the end of the national anthem, according to The Guardian. The Duchess of Edinburgh has been working her way up the ranks in The Firm - as a family member often dubbed the late Queen's 'favourite' royal. But she was afforded the opportunity to move to the inner circle when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they were leaving the Royal Family in exchange for a more star-studded lifestyle in Montecito, California. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, who described Sophie as 'cheerful, dedicated and attentive', said that she has always been 'the achiever.' '[The Duchess of Edinburgh] is down to earth which is pivotal, but without attracting adverse publicity,' he said. Sarah, the Duchess of York, was in America while her young daughter attended the event - but Beatrice was supported by Sophie, Prince Edward and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence in 1999 Over time, Sophie was viewed by the Queen as The Firm's safest pair of hands (the pair are pictured together in 2018) 'It is Sophie who has been the achiever. In recent years she has visited Kosovo, South Sudan, Iraq and Ukraine as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries meeting victims of gender-based sexual violence. 'Sophie is active on the ground in this area, as shown in her visit to Sierra Leone in 2020, which is an excellent example of what working members of the royal family can achieve. 'Sophie was famously a confidante of the late Queen and King Charles knows he can trust her implicitly.' Meghan and Sophie appear to have had a rocky relationship since 2018, when the Duchess of Sussex officially joined the royal family after marrying Prince Harry. To help her settle in, it was claimed that the late Queen suggested Sophie as a 'sort of mentor' to Meghan. But the Duchess of Sussex 'felt she had Harry' and didn't need further help from an advisor. Sophie, who was formerly the Countess of Wessex, had previously been duty-bound to defer to Prince Harry's wife who, as a Duchess, was of a higher rank. But as of last year, her husband, Prince Edward, was given the title of Duke of Edinburgh, which also made Sophie a Duchess. The Duchess of Edinburgh was spotted sharing a heartwarming moment with a group of children at Remembrance service on Sunday. Sophie, 59, attended the Armistice service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Sunday, where proved her maternal nature once again during a sweet conversation with a group of youngsters. The wife of Prince Edward, 60, has been praised by royal fans for the sweet display in which Sophie knelt down to chat with a group of children. The clip, which was posted on TikTok by Greatest Hits Radio News, saw the mother-of-two exercising her maternal instinct as she told a group of little ones to wave at her when she departed in a helicopter. During the video, a woman - thought to be the children's teacher - can be heard telling the children: 'This is the lady that came in the helicopter!' The Duchess of Edinburgh was spotted sharing a heartwarming moment with a group of children at Remembrance service on Sunday Enamoured by the motherly royal, the group of children, who appeared to be between the ages of three and five, replied with an animated 'yes!' Kneeling down so she is at eye level with the youngster, Sophie then said: 'I'm about to go back in my helicopter. Will you wave at the helicopter? 'It's going to take off in about five minutes so you might see it go up in the sky! So you're going to do a big wave,' she said to the youngster, gesturing at them waving up towards her. Enamoured by the motherly royal, the group of children, who appeared to be between the ages of three and five, replied with an animated 'yes!' The group of youngsters appeared in royal blue anoraks and high-vis vest for the Sunday service, where they chatted to the royal. After seeing the tender moment, royal fans flocked to comments to praise the duchess. One wrote: 'Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh is a credit to the Royal family,' while another described her as 'Such a natural down to earth person'. 'Darling lady who connects warmly with children and adults,' a third penned. Another wrote: 'I think thats the first time Ive heard her voice! She sounds a bit like Catherine, Princess of Wales when she speaks. I love this! Thank you for sharing!' Sophie, who is mother to Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16, Sophie, was praised for her emotional poetry reading on Sunday. During the service, the duchess gave a solemn but heartfelt reading of the Fallen by late 19th century poet Laurence Binyon. Her sombre look was completed with pearl drop earrings and a Regimental Brooch from The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - of which she is Colonel-in-Chief - as well as three poppies Wearing a long black coat from designer brand Armani and a matching pillbox hat with a bow embellishment, Sophie, 59, read For the Fallen by late 19th century poet Laurence Binyon The royal sported a sophisticated ensemble wearing a long black coat from designer brand Armani and a matching pillbox hat with a bow embellishment. Sophie wore suede boots from Prada - worth around 1,600 - and kept her makeup subtle for the occasion with dark smoky eyes and a slight rouge on her cheeks. Her sombre look was completed with pearl drop earrings and a Regimental Brooch from The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - of which she is Colonel-in-Chief - as well as three poppies. Although never officially confirmed by the palace, one theory suggests that the royals wear three poppies to honour family members who have fought and died in wars. Alongside Sophie, thousands of veterans, serving personnel and members of the public gathered at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial this morning to pay their respects to 'those who have served and sacrificed for the country'. The National Memorial Arboretum was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 and is designed in such a way that at precisely 11:00 on November 11, a shaft of light falls on the bronze wreath in its centre. Ever graceful, Sophie laid a wreath to mark Armistice Day - with a message written in her loopy handwriting: 'In memory of our fallen.' After the service, the Duchess took in the memorial itself, reading through the 16,000 names of those in the Armed Forces who were killed on duty. It come after Sophie was praised for her 'maternal' support with the Princess of Wales the day prior, proving yet again that she is one of the most trusted members of the royal family. Sophie offered a supportive gesture to the Princess of Wales, 42, as they attended the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph this weekend, marking one of Kate's most high-profile appearances since her cancer treatment. After seeing the tender moment, royal fans flocked to comments to praise the duchess for the tender moment Sophie laid a wreath this morning to mark Armistice Day in Staffordshire on Sunday Sophie stood during the Armistice Day service at the National Memorial Arboretum which was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 After the service, the Duchess of Edinburgh took in the memorial itself on Sunday The mother-of-two looked as though she was tearing up as she read through the 16,000 names of those in the Armed Forces who were killed on duty The Princess of Wales, in the absence of Queen Camilla, who is recovering from a chest infection and watched the service on TV at home, was joined by Sophie on the balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office just before 11am - as the two minutes' silence was broadcast live to the nation, with around 10,000 military veterans attending the service. Sophie placed a supportive hand on Kate's back as the pair left the balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office following the event in London. As they stepped into public view, the Princess hinted to her husband's aunt that she was feeling overwhelmed - reportedly telling her: 'You're never quite ready for this...' After reassuring the Princess, the Duchess of Edinburgh placed a supportive, 'maternal' hand on the future Queen's back as they walked back inside following the two-minute silence, which was broadcast live to the nation. Body language expert Judi James said: 'That simple hand gesture showed Sophies dual role today. 'She is always the royal who brings a sense of calm and support to some of the most emotionally-charged royal occasions. Sophie offered a reassuring touch of the hand on Kate's back as the two women left the balcony following the two minutes' silence. Body language expert James says the Duchess of Edinburgh echoed the supportive touches also shown by Prince William on Saturday evening at the Royal Albert Hall Side-by-side: With Prince William joining the King to lay wreaths, Kate Middleton took her place on the balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office with the Duchess of Edinburgh - who, says body language expert Judi James, took on a maternal role today 'She and Kate always appear to be close and to share a sense of humour but Sophies gesture here seems to show her in a more maternal mode, as she places on hand on or near Kates back as she stepped inside the building.' James added the heartfelt moment between Kate and Sophie mimicked the supportive touches by Prince William towards his wife during the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening. 'The gesture looked similar to the back touches William had been performing the night before. It registered fondness and maybe a small congratulatory "well done" for another milestone achieved in terms of Kates return to royal duties. 'But it also looked like a small but powerful signal to William and even George and Charlotte that, even when William is not at Kates side, she is still surrounded by royal family that are taking very good care of her, albeit subtly.' The Princess of Wales appeared to appreciate the support of the Duchess of Edinburgh at the Cenotaph this morning, when the two women stood side-by-side as King Charles led the wreath-laying alongside the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Queen Letizia of Spain was elegant in a green suit as she made a sombre return to work at Zarzuela Palace after two weeks of devastating floods in Valencia. The European Queen, 52, met with representatives from Code.org at the royal residence in Madrid to discuss the importance of teaching computer science in schools, especially to young girls. The non-profit organises the annual Hour of Code - a movement that sees 10 per cent of pupils across the globe coding for one hour during Computer Science Education Week in December. Afterwards, the royal mother-of-two sat down with members of the Spanish Porphyria Association. The royal discussed the rare disease with the association's president Fide Miron, who has Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria. Letizia, 52, wore a sombre coloured suit at Zarzuela Palace today. The oversized blazer and high-rise pleated trousers are from Spanish clothing brand Bimba y Lola For her day of jam-packed meetings at Zarzuela Palace, Letizia wore an elegant suit by Spanish brand Bimba y Lola. The muted green blazer and high-rise pleated trousers, which she has owned since 2021, are staples in Letizia's wardrobe. The stylish royal wore a black blouse underneath the jacket and accessorised with gold star-shaped earrings. Letizia completed her ensemble with a a pair of black kitten heels by her go-to shoe designer Magrit. Spanish outlet El Mundo previously reported that the Queen has chronic metatarsalgia - or, in layman's terms, pain in the ball of the foot. After suffering a broken toe earlier this year, lower heels are likely more comfortable for Letizia than her high-heeled alternatives. With her brown hair falling just below her shoulders, the Queen kept today's look simple with subtle makeup consisting of light brown eyeshadow and a sheer pink gloss on her lips. Letizia's meetings come just a few hours before her husband King Felipe, 56, returns to Valencia to visit armed forces involved in rescue work in the flooded region. The Queen of Spain let her brown hair fall to her shoulders and kept her look simple with subtle makeup consisting of light eye shadow and a sheer pink gloss on her lips Letizia poses in front of Zarzuela Palace with representatives from Code.org - a non-profit with the aim of teaching computer science in schools The 52-year-old monarch walks with Fide Miron - president of the Spanish Porphyria Association The brutal weather conditions have already claimed over 200 lives. On November 3, the King and Queen of Spain travelled to Paiporta - one of the towns most affected by the torrential rainfall - to pay their respects to victims and give their condolences to those affected by the floods. Torrents of muddy water had wrecked the town's infrastructure in Spain's worst such disaster in decades. Letizia appeared to be crying as she spoke to a woman in Paiporta, with the Queen wrapping her hands around her shoulder. She also consoled groups of sobbing local women affected by the flash floods and gave them hugs as they explained their situations to the Queen. Meanwhile, her husband King Felipe was heckled and had dirt thrown at him by furious locals during the visit. The monarch was pelted with mud and objects like drink cans by angry survivors of the deadly floods as he walked through the ruined town. Queen Letizia appeared to be crying as she spoke to a woman in Paiporta on November 3 The Queen of Spain consoles a woman during her visit to Paiporta earlier this month Spain's King Felipe is heckled and has mud thrown at him by furious local during a visit to Paiporta in Valencia - where more than 200 people died in devastating floods Hecklers also targeted Letizia, as a video showed the Queen bursting into tears with mud on her face, as she was helped through the busy streets by her entourage. King Felipe is set to return to Valencia today to visit the Jaime I Base in Betera to talk to members of the army and the air force as well as the Military Emergency Unit. The monarch will then travel to the port of Valencia to visit the Galicia - an amphibious ship which has arrived with members of the army to assist with damage caused by the flood. His trip will conclude with a tour of the Valencia Trade Fair site where the main army logistics base has been set up. But the King is expected to return to the flood-hit region next week with his wife Letizia by his side once again. It has been reported that they will visit Chiva - a visit which was on their original schedule before it was scrapped due to the hostile reception in Paiporta. Aldi has announced the return of their popular cast iron cookware range- after Le Creuset shoppers queued for four hours to get their hands on discounted items. The budget supermarket, which has over 1,000 stores in the UK, revealed their affordable new kitchenware will be available to shop from 24 November. The items - which cost between 1.99 and 24.99 - will be available in blue and orange and are designed for all hob types, grills and ovens. Shoppers can cook up hearty stews and casseroles in the new Cast Iron Shallow Casserole Dish or the Cast Iron Dutch Oven - both retailing at just 24.99. In contrast, a Le Creuset Cast Iron Shallow Casserole dish will set shoppers back 149. Aldi announced the return of their popular cast iron cookware dupe- which will be on sale from 24 November What's more, foodies can grill, saute and stir fry meats and vegetables with Aldi's Cast Iron Skillet, which costs 12.99. Le Creuset's version - which is part of the French-Belgian firm's 'signature' collection - retails for 159 and comes in 17 shades. The Aldi range also consists of a Cast Iron Frying Pan, Grill Pan and Grill Tray, which all cost 12.99 respectively. The versatile dishes can be used on all hobs, including induction and is oven safe up to 250 degrees. The tough enamel coating also helps protect the cast iron, which makes cleaning up less of a chore. The news of the range comes after Hampshire police were put on alert over the weekend when hundreds of shoppers descended on Le Creuset's Andover warehouse to shop the brand's half-price sale. Officers had to patrol the hordes gathering at a Hampshire retail estate after cut-price Le Creuset products were put up for offer, with lines of buyers snaking back for several miles. Shoppers from across the UK flocked to the firm's Andover warehouse sale over the weekend for deals of up to half price on casserole dishes, baking trays and crockery. The budget supermarket revealed shoppers can get their kitchen homeware just in time for hearty winter meals The brand is selling Cast Iron Shallow Casserole Dish (31cm) is just 24.99 ALDIS CAST IRON COOKWARE Cast Iron Accessories 1.99 Cast Iron Trivet 4.99 Cast Iron Shallow Casserole Dish (31cm) is just 24.99 Cast Iron Dutch Oven (26cm) retails at 24.99 Cast Iron Skillet for 12.99 Ceramic Roaster for 9.99 Cast Iron Frying Pan for 12.99 Cast Iron Grill Pan for 12.99 Cast Iron Grill Tray for 12.99 Advertisement The deals were put in place from 9am on Saturday and 8am the following day - and one TikTok user shared a video revealing how they had spent 1,127 on an array of items which would otherwise have cost 2,741.50, a saving of 1,614.50. Their purchases included a cast iron round casserole pot for 159 instead of 269, a stainless steel saucepan for 99 instead of 215 and an oven glove for 16 instead of 43. They also scooped a wine aerator and pourer costing 6 rather than 20 and a stoneware butter dish priced at 10 rather than 42. And such was the popularity of the offers - and traffic congestion as customers rushed in - that Hampshire Police had to attend to help control and manage the flow. People there told of how queues to get in dragged on for as long as four hours, with customers getting out of their vehicles and standing on the pavement outside the HQ. Many people who did finally make it in later posted on social media including TikTok about their purchases, including wine glasses, mugs, dishes and bowls. Hampshire Police told the Telegraph: 'We attended London Road and the A3093 in Andover Saturday morning following reports of heavy congestion in the area. 'We began receiving reports at 9.45am and we attended to assist with traffic control. Traffic had eased by around 11.15am and we left the area shortly afterwards.' Le Creuset had advertised the Andover weekend in advance as its 'largest in-person event', unticketed and 'first-come-first-served'. Kitchenware company Le Creuset offered up to half-price deals on its pots and pans at its Hampshire warehouse this weekend Pictured: Le Creuset shoppers queuing outside the brand's warehouse in Hampshire. Social media users claimed they queued for four hours to gain access to the half-price sale The company told potential consumers: 'Attendees can shop a selection of premium cookware, including limited-edition colours, rare shapes and other unique styles at special prices.' Classic kitchenware brands such as not only Le Creuset but also Smeg and KitchenAid have appeared newly popular with Gen Z in recent months. Users on TikTok have rushed to show off their sparkling branded appliances in their kitchens at home in the unlikely fashion trend, while the hashtag #dutchovens has more than 320million views on the social media platform. Others have shared clips of searching for Le Creuset 'bargains' in discount outlets such as TK Maxx and the Bicester Village outlet in Oxfordshire. Analysts have highlighted the apparent appeal when it comes to sustainability, durability, a sense of nostalgia and vintage vibes. Premium French cookware brand Le Creuset has been selling pricey pots and pans since 1925 in various colours - but is best known for its classic orange. A celebrity yoga instructor who taught stars like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow has died suddenly at age 53. R. Sharath Jois, a fitness educator who had gained a legion of famous clients, passed away on Monday in Virginia, The Hindu has reported. His cause of death has not been announced; he is survived by his wife and two children. Jois' grandfather K. Pattabhi Jois was known for popularizing ashtanga yoga, and he started helping his grandfather teach it when he was only 19 years old. He went on to become the director at the Sharath Yoga Center in Mysore, India, in 2007 when his grandfather became too old to run the school. A celebrity yoga instructor who taught stars like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow has died suddenly at age 53 In recent years, he began teaching his practices in the US to a slew of stars, including Madonna, Gwyneth, and Sting. He had embarked on a yoga teaching tour around America in October, and was in Virginia for one of the tour stops when he tragically died. On the day of his passing, he shared footage from a class he had run at the Contemplative Sciences Center in the University of Virginia. He was set to head to San Antonio, Texas, this weekend; he also had workshops scheduled in Mysuru, Sydney, and Dubai in the upcoming months. The Yoga instructor spoke about working with A-listers to Times of India back in 2006. He said at the time, 'Whether it's Madonna, Sting, or Gwyneth, once they enrolled in the classes they've been very disciplined. 'In class, they're like any students, minus stardom and celebrity status.' He recalled the Goop founder 'walking into his class in New York, just to check it out,' and instantly 'getting hooked.' R. Sharath Jois, a fitness educator who had gained a legion of famous clients, passed away on Monday in Virginia , The Hindu has reported His cause of death has not been announced; he is survived by his wife and two children He had embarked on a yoga teaching tour around America in October, and was in Virginia for one of the tour stops when he tragically died As for Madonna, Jois said she had been learning ashtanga yoga for over a decade and was in the 'advanced series, the toughest of all' at the time of the interview. 'No matter how high we rise in life, it's important to stay grounded and respect your roots,' he added. 'Only you can help yourself. Yoga does just that, it helps you find peace within. It goes beyond cutting fat.' Ashtanga yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga and 'centers on a vigorous physical practice that includes a series of poses linked together with breath to form a continuous sequence,' per YogaBasics.com. Jois told LA Yoga that the practice is just as much 'spiritual' as it is 'physical,' and that his classes are dedicated to integrating both. 'In [some forms of] modern yoga, its mostly acrobatics. No one knows where they are inhaling, where they are exhaling, how the posture helps our body and mind,' he said. 'They dont know how our breathing helps our body, nervous system, and mind. But this is very important. 'Yoga is getting popular all over the world, but there are only few people who have understood yoga well, who have gone to the roots of yoga.' Queen Maxima of the Netherlands rolled up her sleeves and helped children prepare sandwiches during a national conference in Amersfoort today. The 53-year-old Dutch royal picked a plaid-on-plaid ensemble for her first official engagement in the country since Maxima's appearance at the Singapore FinTech Festival last week. Maxima looked radiant as she arrived at the Leerhotel Het Klooster in Amersfoort, Utrecht, on Tuesday, November 12, wearing a plaid blouse with contrasting wide leg trousers. She was attending the national working conference 'More access to art and culture' that was organised by Maxima's More Music in the Classroom foundation. During her visit, the mother-of-three worked with a group of children to help them prepare an assortment of sandwiches and other snacks. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked radiant as she arrived at the Leerhotel Het Klooster in Amersfoort, Utrecht, on Tuesday, November 12, wearing a plaid blouse with contrasting wide leg trousers Photos showed Maxima overseeing the budding chefs, wearing chef hats and red aprons, as they whipped up a storm in the kitchen. The queen accessorised her neutral outfit with a pair of brown boots, a shoulder bag, and a thin brown belt to cinch her blouse at the waist. She finished her look with a pair of statement gold earrings and a black leather strap wristwatch, as well as her wedding ring. Maxima, the wife of King Willem-Alexander, matched her makeup to her outfit, wearing a sweep of brown eyeshadow and eyeliner. She kept her base looking flawless, with a touch of lipstick to tie everything together. Her latest appearance comes days after she attended the Singapore FinTech Festival on November 7. During her visit to the country, Maxima also met with Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the Istana presidential palace in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA). She looked as youthful as ever in the yellow number from Belgian fashion house Natan, one of her favourite places to shop. She was attending the national working conference 'More access to art and culture' that was organised by Maxima's More Music in the Classroom foundation During her visit, the mother-of-three worked with a group of children to help them prepare an assortment of sandwiches and other snacks The queen, 53, accessorised her neutral outfit with a pair of brown boots, a shoulder bag, and a thin brown belt to cinch her blouse at the waist Pictured: Maxima overseeing the budding chefs, wearing chef hats and red aprons, as they whipped up a storm in the kitchen The bright piece reflected Maxima's beaming expression, as she appeared in great spirits for the second day of her three-day trip. The mother-of-three has been seen in the dress several times since 2015, which was elegantly decorated with a woven floral motif, and complemented with a flattering belt. She kept her blonde tresses loose and opted for her classic natural make-up style. Maxima also attended a fireside chat event during the Singapore FinTech festival, which is taking place from November 6 to 8 - and is the reason behind her visit. The Singapore FinTech Festival is the largest in the world of its kind. The annual events seeks to recognise innovative FinTech solutions, financial institutions, technology companies. The Dutch royal has previously given speeches at the annual tech festival in Singapore, having been a guest speaker in both 2017 and 2019. Maxima was recently appointed the UN Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Financial Health (UNSGSA). In her new role, she continues to campaign for equitable access to financial tools and literacy to help people secure their future. The queen, 53, accessorised her neutral outfit with a pair of brown boots, a shoulder bag, and a thin brown belt to cinch her blouse at the waist Pictured: Maxima overseeing the budding chefs, wearing chef hats and red aprons, as they whipped up a storm in the kitchen As part her former role in the UN as Secretary-Generals Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Maxima previously discussed the importance of tech innovations in improving access to financial services at the annual tech festival. She advocated for better access to current or savings accounts, insurance, loans, pensions and digital payments - for the 1.7 billion adults worldwide who lack access to these basic financial services. Ahead of her visit to Singapore, Maxima was spotted during a number of official engagements in her native Holland in late October. The Dutch royal greeted onlookers warmly during a visit to a not-for-profit organisation in Hoofddorp in the province of North Holland. The royal accessorised her all-red ensemble, comprising a sleeveless, knee-length dress and an elegant coat, with a pair of suede beige heels and a clutch bag. Maxima, who campaigns for financial literacy and inclusion, attended a workshop hosted by the Stronger Together programme against poverty on Wednesday. During one heartfelt moment, a group of young children at the workshop gathered around the royal in a giant embrace, with others offering her bouquets of flowers. On the same day as her visit to Hoofddorp, Maxima also travelled to the Northwest Hospital Group in Alkmaar, where she attended a program focussed on the 'Future of Healthcare'. At one point, she posed for selfies with hospital staff, before meeting patients and addressing the gathering at the Northwest Hospital Group. A young girl diagnosed with a rare genetic condition which means she will lose her eyesight has begun a 'visual wish list' of things to experience before she goes blind. Audrey Tyrrell, from Harwich, Essex, was diagnosed with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disease that affects both hearing and vision last year. Usher syndrome causes deafness and an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and affects three to six out of every 100,000 people. The 12-year-old, who has also suffered with hearing loss since birth, has already ticked off seeing Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour, visiting the Eiffel Tower and going to Legoland. Her wish list - which she estimates will take ten to twenty years to complete - also includes seeing Stonehenge, the Statue of Liberty and the Northern Lights. Audrey Tyrrell, from Harwich, Essex, was diagnosed with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disease that affects both hearing and vision last year. Above Audrey at the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert Her mother, Tracey, 45, said they do not know how long Audrey has left with her sight but they were determined to make memories. Tracey, a children and families worker, said: 'We don't know at what age Audrey will become visually impaired. 'From my research, some people with Usher syndrome lose it when they're teenagers and some are in their early 30s. 'You don't know how much time you have so we thought we'd act now. 'Audrey created the list in March and we've spent our time trying to tick things off. 'We've been to Paris and up the Eiffel tower and we were very fortunate to get tickets for the Eras Tour. It was such a magical day.' Audrey failed her newborn hearing test at two weeks old and doctors told Tracey and her father, Andrew, that she had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. She was fitted with her first pair of tiny pink hearing aids at six weeks old which help Audrey to hear speech clearly. One of Audrey's wishes was to shower under a waterfall Audrey with her siblings Jack, Emily and Harry at the Effiel Tower as part of Audrey's wish list Audrey Tyrrell having a heartfelt hug with her mother Tracey and father Andrew Tyrrell Audrey Tyrrell became a award-winning ballroom dancer at the age of six after teaching herself while watching Strictly Come Dancing Tracey, a mother-of-four said: 'They couldn't find a cause for her deafness at that time. List of things Audrey has already done Standing on the Eiffel Tower Going to Legoland See Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour Shower under a waterfall Seeing Frozen the musical Eating at a French bakery Going to a Sephora shop Going to a Coldplay tribute Vising the Tate Modern Advertisement 'It was really hard because when you have a baby, you want the best for them and we didn't really know everyone else who was deaf. 'You grieve for the life you know they won't have. We live right by the sea and I would think would she ever hear the sea?' At age six, she became an award-winning ballroom dancer after learning her skills from Strictly Come Dancing. When Audrey was ten, she had an appointment at Great Ormond Street who wanted to explore the reason for her deafness following Andrew's own recent diagnosis with vision loss. The family were given the devastating news that Audrey was a carrier of the Usher gene on March 14, 2023. Tracey said: 'It was really difficult. She was in Year Six doing her SATs. 'Since Usher syndrome is progressive vision loss, we didn't want her not to know so we've worked on having a really positive outlook. 'In March of this year we talked with her about making a visual memories wish list as we want her to see all the things she wants to before she can't. 'We had a fundraising ball to raise money to tick more off on our wish list - the kindness of our community was just immense. 'She's said that so far the ball and seeing Taylor Swift were neck and neck. Audrey Tyrrell at six weeks old with her first set of pink hearing aids Father Andrew, brother Harry, brother Jack, Audrey, sister Emily and mother Tracey Tyrrell pose for a family portrait Audrey failed her newborn hearing test at two weeks old and doctors told Tracey and her father, Andrew, that she had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss Audrey's 'visual bucket list' of things she wants to do before going blind The 12-year-old has suffered with hearing loss since birth and has already ticked off seeing Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour (pictured), visiting the Eiffel Tower and going to Legoland Her wish list - which she estimates will take ten to twenty years to complete - also includes seeing Stonehenge, the Statue of Liberty and the Northern Lights The family were given the devastating news that Audrey was a carrier of the Usher gene on March 14, 2023 Tracey has launched a GoFundMe page to help the family cover the costs of Audrey's wish list and give her the best experiences possible 'Audrey really wants to go to Cephalonia in Greece. Her dad makes Cephalonia meat pie so she really wants to try a traditional Greek one. 'We're hoping to do the Statue of Liberty next.' Tracey has launched a GoFundMe page to help the family cover the costs of Audrey's wish list and give her the best experiences possible. She said her struggle to deal with Audrey's diagnosis was helped by Emmerdale actors Laura Norton and Mark Jordon whose children also have Usher syndrome. She added: 'At the same time Audrey was diagnosed, the couple were on the telly talking about their children with Usher syndrome. 'It was a comfort to me that at the same time as I was going through through grief of Audrey being diagnosed, it was in the mainstream media. 'There was somebody out there going through what we're going through.' READ MORE: How to turn 29 days of annual leave into 64 days off in 2025 Emma and Martin Coulthurst spent three weeks in Cyprus with their children A family-of-four experienced a real life version of The Holiday when they swapped their home for a villa in Cyprus with strangers from Facebook. Emma Coulthurst, 37, was trying desperately to take her Mario-Kart obsessed son, six, to Super Nintendo World in Los Angeles when she started searching through house swap sites. When her Facebook post failed to attract a potential swap, Emma felt as though she should give up. But six weeks later, a couple based in Zeytinlik, Cyprus, offered to swap with them instead. Although it was not quite Super Nintendo World, Emma decided to go for it and booked her family in for a three-week holiday in July 2024. Emma Coulthurst poses in Cyprus with her husband Martin and their children - aged six and eight The Coulthursts spent the three weeks in July 2024 basking in the boiling sunshine and eating traditional mezze by the pool. Due to the house swap, they did not pay to stay in the idyllic accommodation The Coulthursts spent just 1,600 on flights and jetted off to the idyllic three-bedroom Cypriot villa - complete with a pool and BBQ area. Emma says they spent 3,000 in total - and insisted that they would have spent the same amount had they been in the UK for the summer holidays. The 37-year-old mother, who runs an art supply company as well as a holiday let out of Woodcock Farm in the Peak District, Derbyshire, said: 'We said we wanted to live rather than holiday. 'We just spent a lot of time just at the house - we had everything we needed there.' Emma and her husband, Martin, 37, a project director in construction, first started doing holiday let swaps in 2022 after being strapped for cash while renovating their home. Through the thrifty scheme, the young family visited the Pembrokeshire coast, a caravan park and Blackpool for free - just by letting other rental owners stay in their holiday home. This year Emma started looking for a house swap to take her son to Super Nintendo World after he had seen it on YouTube. 'My son is obsessed with Super Mario,' she said. 'He talked about it all the time.' 'I thought I would love to take him there but it was so out of our budget so I thought why not see if anyone wants to do a swap. The Coulthurst family first started doing holiday let swaps in 2022 after being strapped for cash while renovating their home Emma runs an art supply company as well as a holiday let (pictured) out of Woodcock Farm in the Peak District, Derbyshire People flocked to the comments of Emma's post to gush about how this swap would be like a 'real-life The Holiday' - a 2006 Christmas film starring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black. Despite the busy comment section, Emma said there were 'no takers wanting to swap'. But six weeks later, in September 2023, Emma got a comment from an English woman who lived in Cyprus with her husband. The couple were looking to spend three weeks in the UK to view houses there. Coincidentally Emma's mother was on holiday in Northern Cyprus around the time the swap was being arranged and went to vet the couple. Emma said: 'I was just hoping my mum would say "hi" and check they were real.' But after meeting the generous couple and seeing the villa in real-life, Emma's mum simply told her: 'You'd love it!' That was all the validation the Coulthursts needed and they booked their flights when prices went down in January 2024. However the day after they purchased their tickets, the other couple messaged to say they had found a house to buy in the UK - but agreed to honour the swap anyways. So Emma and her husband Martin flew out six months later with their children - aged six and eight - who were 'besides themselves' when they saw the villa. The three-bedroom villa in Cyprus has a pool and a BBQ area The Coulthurst children were 'beside themselves' when they first saw the villa in July 2024 Describing their first evening in Cyprus as 'pure magic', Emma said: 'We had seen the lovely surroundings. The sun was going down. 'We went round the side of the house and there was the money shot - the pool with lush greenery around it. 'It was just so exciting.' The young family spent the next three weeks basking in the boiling sunshine and eating traditional mezze. On one particularly warm day, the family went to a water park - spending just 80 on entry. 'That's probably less than the cost for one person in the UK,' Emma said. While on their dream vacation, Emma decided to visit Alagadi beach and book a private hatching to see baby turtles. Recalling the once-in-a-lifetime moment, she said: 'There were buckets with wriggling little turtles - all climbing over each other. 'They gave everyone a turtle to hold.' While on their dream vacation, Emma decided to visit Alagadi beach and book a private hatching to see baby turtles They returned to the villa again in August 2024 because it 'cost the same' as a holiday in the UK The Coulthursts returned to Cyprus in August 2024 with Emma justifying the second visit by saying: 'It cost the same as if we'd stayed at home and done all the stuff we normally do in the summer holidays. 'We like to go for dinner once a week and the kids have summer clubs and day trips. 'Our holiday let was still running so it meant we had an income.' Emma said she would be open to doing another house swap in the future and would encourage other families to do the same - as long as they do their research first. She said: 'The house swap was incredible. It was different and so special. 'It was food for the soul. We felt so at peace and calm.' Princess Anne once again proved her resolute work ethic as she attended an engagement in Glasgow - despite her flight to Scotland being delayed by over an hour. The Princess Royal, 74, who this weekend supported her brother, King Charles, 77, at the Festival of Remembrance in London's Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, was in the Scottish capital for the HIV Drug Therapy Glasgow Congress. Arriving at the Scottish Event Campus, Exhibition Way, Anne looked her typically polished self - despite her flight being diverted to Glasgow Prestwick Airport due to heavy fog at Glasgow Airport. The Princess Royal is said to have circled Lanark six times for more than 40 minutes as her flight from Cotswold Airport, near Kemble, in Gloucestershire, struggled to land at Glasgow Airport because of the weather. Her flight was thought to be eventually diverted to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, where she landed at five minutes past midday. She was reportedly due to land at 10.48am in Glasgow. Princess Anne once again proved her resolute work ethic as she attended an engagement in Glasgow - despite her flight to Scotland being delayed by over an hour Photographed arriving at the event on Tuesday, Anne looked a picture of perfection in a red coat blazer, teamed with a burgundy pleated skirt and patterned scarf. Adding a touch of glitz to her ensemble, the royal sported a pair of pearl earrings and a gold brooch. Anne completed her sophisticated look with a pair of leather gloves, matching black handbag and navy heeled shoes. The conference in Glasgow looks to discuss current issues in the treatment of people living with HIV as well as looking to the future regarding new drugs on the horizon and new technologies to support those people in their day-to-day activities. It comes after Princess Anne's appearance at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance on Saturday night, where she supported the King. Queen Camilla had announced earlier that she would not be attending the event due to a chest infection. Sporting several medals and an elegant black suit, Charles appeared in good spirits as he was welcomed into the Royal Albert Hall. A Palace spokesperson said earlier on Saturday: 'Following doctors' guidance to ensure a full recovery from a seasonal chest infection, and to protect others from any potential risk, Her Majesty will not attend this weekend's Remembrance events. The Princess Royal (pictured right), 74, who this weekend supported her brother, King Charles, 77, at the Festival of Remembrance in London's Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, was in the Scottish capital for the HIV Drug Therapy Glasgow Congress Arriving at the Scottish Event Campus, Exhibition Way, Anne looked her typically polished self - despite her flight being diverted to Glasgow Prestwick Airport due to heavy fog at Glasgow Airport (pictured) King Charles was seen clapping next to his sister, Princess Anne, at the start of Saturday's Festival of Remembrance 'While this is a source of great disappointment to The Queen, she will mark the occasion privately at home and hopes to return to public duties early next week.' The Princess of Wales, meanwhile, looked radiant as she arrived at the Festival of Remembrance, her highest-profile appearance since undergoing cancer treatment. Ever on trend, Kate wore a mid-length black dress with a V-neck collar, accompanied by a stylish black clutch purse. The beaming royal wore her shoulder-length hair down, with a pair of large drop pearl and diamond earrings and a pearl necklace. In past years, Kate has worn a trio of Remembrance Day poppies, but on Saturday she displayed just a single poppy, with a silver military badge underneath. A server has taken tipping matters into her own hands, after a regular costumer continued to tip less than 10 per cent on her bill. Shea, a New York City-based actor and service industry worker, posted the TikTok, explaining she called out the alleged low tipper when she went to the bathroom. 'Last night I got a nine per cent tip,' Shea claims in the TikTok video. 'Not in this economy honey,' she raged. 'Not in New York City - one of the most expensive cities to live in.' 'Absolutely not. So what did I do?' she continued. 'I confronted her.' Shea, a New York City-based actor and service industry worker posted the TikTok, explaining she called out the alleged low tipper when she went to the bathroom (stock image) Shea continued, explaining she had spoken to other servers and they had also received similar tips from the woman. 'I guess this is a pattern with her,' she said. 'Her tipping range is between seven to nine per cent.' The server said she saw the woman waiting for the bathroom, which is when she went over to ask her about her low tips. 'I went up to her and I said, "hey, how was everything tonight?"' she recalled, saying the customer had told her it was 'so great.' '[I said] awesome,' she recalled brightly. '"You left me a nine per cent tip so I wanted to see if there's any way I can improve."' The customer then reportedly paused and responded 'no.' Shea said the woman sat at another part of the restaurant the next time she dined at the establishment, where she wasn't serving, but she waited on her anyway. 'I said to the server "I got this,"' she said. 'I put the cocktails down and said: "Long time no see!"' Gomez continued, explaining she had spoken to other servers and they had received similar tips from the woman (stock image) There were mixed responses to her video, which was posted on TikTok She then slyly added that the staff had Googled her in the aftermath and found that she owns her own company. 'So, hopefully she learns something from our little exchange,' she said. 'And, if not, I did what I could.' Her confrontation response to the low tip sparked a debate over what the appropriate reaction is. 'Girl I serve too and I think we just need to be grateful that people tip us at all. It's completely optional but I feel you with the disappointment especially when you gave your all to the table,' one user wrote. 'I wish someone would confront me about optional money that I'm leaving!' another responded sarcastically. Other users say they'd be inclined not to tip if their sever had confronted them. 'I would have spoken with the manager and changed my tip to ZERO after that "confrontation,"' shared another. 'I am so happy you confronted her and I need an update!' praised someone else. Tipping has long been a custom in the US, but the noticeable price rise in recent years has led some consumers to reconsider their gratuity. Last year, debates over tipping etiquette erupted this month after new 'guidelines' were published by New York magazine The Cut. Intended to be a new code-of-honor, the suggestions sparked fury after they advised people to routinely tip 20 per cent no matter what to avoid being considered 'rude.' One of social media's biggest stars has exposed the secret tricks that influencers are using to hide their BBLs from their followers. Beauty guru Jaclyn Hill, 34, recently took to TikTok to share a story about a time she almost got a Brazilian Butt Lift from a top Beverly Hills surgeon who was famed for working with celebrities and influencers. While she didn't go through with the surgery, Hill said that the staff at the clinic advised her on how she could trick her followers into thinking that her BBL was all natural and the result of working out in the gym. 'She literally gave me a social plan of how I could fake my BBL for social media,' she said, before adding that they offered her a 'huge discount' on the surgery because of her large following. 'The discount was in exchange for me saying I was going there for facials and things like that,' Hill explained. One of social media's biggest stars has exposed the secret tricks that influencers are using to hide their BBLs from their followers 'I did not have to mention any cosmetic surgeries whatsoever, just more so promote the clinic in general because they have a ton of different things that they offer.' Hill was advised to start posting that she was going to the gym 'at least six weeks prior' to going under the knife. 'Obviously you don't have to work out, just show that you're at the gym, prove that you're there and then leave,' a staff member at the clinic told her. 'Do that several times a week, make a video or two about how you've changed your eating habits.' She was also told not to show the back of her body after the surgery, and to wait until it's fully healed before unveiling the results. 'Your followers will think it's completely natural and they won't question the result,' the clinic staffer said. Hill said that there's 'nothing wrong' with getting procedures like fat transfers and liposuction, but stressed that it's important for influencers to be honest about it. A number of notoriously voluptuous stars have denied going under the knife to achieve their sizeable derrieres, including Larsa Pippen, Iggy Azalea, and Kylie Jenner. Beauty guru Jaclyn Hill said that influencers are given secret instructions on how to fool their followers into thinking that their post-surgery curves were built in the gym Hill said that there's 'nothing wrong' with getting procedures like fat transfers and liposuction, but stressed that it's important for influencers to be honest about it Australian influencer and OnlyFans star Mikaela Testa previously admitted to lying to her followers about her BBL for an entire year. Addressing the lie on TikTok, the 24-year-old said: 'I'd tell all my followers that I'd had no plastic surgery, when in reality I was just lying.' She added: 'It's one of the most disgusting things that I've ever done in my entire life and I spend every single day regretting it and trying to reverse the damage that I've done to myself and all the young girls that follow me as well.' The brunette said that she was driven to enhance her physique after becoming insecure during a past relationship. She explained that her ex-boyfriend often 'liked' photos of surgically-enhanced models on social media, which drove her to seek out a surgeon for herself. Testa also shared more about her BBLs on the White Fox After Hours podcast, where she admitted to having two separate procedures. 'Yes, I've had a BBL!' she exclaimed. 'I've had two rounds of Brazilian Butt Lift.' She continued: 'So I've had a BBL and then another fat transfer to the hip. So that's how I have my snatched little waist and body.' A record 28,600 women in the US had a cosmetic procedure to enhance their butts in 2022, figures show, up 54 per cent in five years. Iggy Azalea has denied getting 'butt implants' before but has never addressed speculation that she's had a BBL Larsa Pippen insists that her incredible curves are all from working out in the gym The Brazilian Butt Lift also known as butt augmentation with fat grafting rose to popularity in the mid-2010s. Costing $8,000 to $10,000 per procedure, it is done by extracting fat from one area of the body, such as the waist or inner thigh, and implanting it into the buttocks. The most common technique involves making four incisions into the buttocks and using a cannula to 'plant' fat cells into the area of the buttocks patients want to become more plump. Women who receive BBLs will also have liposuction to reduce the amount of fat in their waist and accentuate their curves. Some surgeons also use other techniques including silicone butt implants to accentuate the buttocks - though this technique is notoriously dangerous. Rania met with members of the Business and Professional Women Association Queen Rania of Jordan was a picture of glamour in a monochrome ensemble today - as she met with members of the Business and Professional Women Association (BPWA). Dressed in an all-black suit with silver detailing, the royal, 54, looked stunning at the event held in Amman, Jordan's capital. Rania, who is married to King Abdullah II of Jordan, opted for formal black cigarette trousers with stirrups. She also donned a cropped blazer with padded shoulders. The jacket cinched at the waist making for an hourglass silhouette while Rania's patent, pointed toe stilettos added height to her frame. The piece de resistance, however, was the Kuwait-born royal's 4,390 Bottega Veneta Kalimero Mini Intrecciato Leather Bucket Bag, which perfectly completed her striking look. Queen Rania of Jordan (pictured) was a picture of glamour as she met with members of the Business and Professional Women Association in Amman today The royal, 54, paired a black cropped blazer with silver detailing with black cigarette pants, which had stirrups attached She teamed her outfit with patent, pointed-toe stilettos and completed her look with Bottega Veneta's 4,390 Kalimero Mini Intrecciato Leather Bucket Bag The mother-of-four wore her highlighted brown hair in a classic blow dry and kept her make-up fairly simple for Tuesday's engagement. Having outlined her eyes in black kohl, the royal added a slick of lipstick which further brightened her complexion. Rania, who has used her position as queen to support the rights of women and children, met with members of the BPWA at Jasmine House in the Jabal Al-Weibdeh neighbourhood of Amman. Also in attendance were members of the BPWA's Board of Directors, including CEO and Founding Member, Thanaa Khasawneh. Thanaa explained that the association provides services and training to Jordanian women with a view to harnessing their potential and driving wider economic growth. Rania also visited Bunni Coffee Roastery and Academy, which aims to empower people and businesses by teaching them about making coffee. Queen Rania turned 54 on August 31, but her birthday wasn't the only reason she was celebrating. At the end of the summer, Rania became a grandmother for the first time. The natural beauty wore her highlighted hair in a classic blow dry and kept her make-up simple, sporting only black eyeliner and a slick of lipstick Her son, Crown Prince Hussein, welcomed daughter Princess Iman with his wife, Crown Princess Rajwa. Princess Iman, who shares her name with Rania's daughter, 27, is the first grandchild of the king and queen. Prince Hussein, 30, announced the birth of his first child on Instagram earlier in August and thanked the 'dedicated' medical staff who assisted. Though now known as a stylish queen living a luxurious lifestyle with more than 10 million followers on Instagram, Rania had humble beginnings in Kuwait. She was born on August 31, 1970, to Palestinian parents - her doctor father Faisal Sedki Al-Yassin and mother Ilham Yassin. Queen Rania of Jordan, pictured here with her new granddaughter Princess Imam at the start of August, turned 54on August 31 The Queen with her family - eldest son Crown Prince Hussein, Princess Salma, Prince Hashem, Princess Iman and King Abdullah II The same year, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where her parents had gone after fleeing Kuwait along with thousands of other Palestinians following the Gulf War. Her family eventually settled in a comfortable home in Tulkarm in the West Bank, close to the border with Israel. Queen Rania was educated first at the New English School in Kuwait City and then at the American University in Cairo, where she graduated with a business degree in 1991. In her early professional career, Rania worked with Citibank, before later taking on a marketing position with Apple. She met her husband at a dinner party in 1993 and the couple were engaged just two months later. They married five months after that first meeting. Their lavish ceremony took place at the Zahran Palace in Amman, and the day was declared a national holiday. While tradition dictates that a royal bride should wear jewels from her own family at her wedding, Rania's family did not have an impressive range of jewels at their disposal. As such, she wore an embellished headband attached to her wedding veil, which was styled around her intricate up-do, instead of a royal tiara. Pictured - Rania on her wedding day with her husband Abdullah in 1993. Abdallah ascended the throne on the death of his father King Hussein in 1999 Queen Rania holding three-month-old Princess Salma, with Princess Iman and Prince Hussein by her side In tying the knot with Abdullah, Rania did not know she would become the Queen of Jordan. In fact, her husband's uncle, Prince Hassan, had been next in line to the throne for decades. But when on his deathbed in 1999, King Hussein removed Hassan from the line of succession and replaced him with his own son. Rania and Abdullah have four children. Along with Crown Prince Hussein, they have Princess Iman, 27, Princess Salma, 23, and Hashem, 19. Queen Rania calls herself 'a mum and a wife with a really cool day job' on her Instagram account. She recently posted a photo of her eldest son and his pregnant wife on Instagram wishing him happy birthday. The expecting couple appeared in high spirits as they posed in nature, glancing away from the camera. Rajwa was glowing in an off-white dress with the fitted silhouette revealing her blossoming baby bump - and Rania commented how she 'couldn't wait' to see them as parents, sharing her excitement for the new baby. Aside from preparing for the baby, Rania enjoyed another grand celebration this year too - King Abdullah's silver jubilee in June. She attended the ceremony in a chic white dress and grey corset with her husband, son Hussein and daughter-in-law Rajwa. With six weeks to go until Christmas, Tesco has released its eagerly awaited Christmas advert - and it may just move you to tears. The supermarket's three-minute 2024 short film, titled 'Helping Feed Your Christmas Spirit', tells the story of construction worker Gary as he faces up to the reality of Christmas without his beloved grandmother. He chooses to remember and celebrate his late relative by continuing a tradition they once shared - building a gingerbread house. Partly animated, the ad is set to On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz and traces the fluctuations in Gary's Christmas spirit, something which viewers who've faced losing a loved one will relate to. When Gary's grandad offers him a pack of Tesco Gingerbread Men, his Christmas spirit sky-rockets. Depicted in the ad by a joyous explosion of gingerbread men, sweets and candy canes, the world then transforms into a tasty winter wonderland. Everyday activities become whimsical and filled with gingerbread men as Gary is caught up in the nostalgic memories, the shots of which are decorated with tasty Christmas food from the supermarket. However, viewers also see the magical world 'crumble' along with Gary's Christmas spirit when he is faced with grieving his grandmother's absence during the festive period. In a tear-jerking last shot, Gary goes to visit his grandfather as both decide to bond over making a gingerbread house in her memory, stating: 'She would've loved this.' With six weeks to go until Christmas , Tesco has released its eagerly awaited Christmas advert - and it may just move you to tears The supermarket's three-minute 2024 short film, titled 'Helping Feed Your Christmas Spirit', tells the story of construction worker Gary as he faces up to the reality of Christmas without his beloved grandmother Their finished product is the pride of the final festive spread, which also features a golden turkey, roast potatoes and pigs in blankets from Tesco. The retailer offers a range of gingerbread products, including the Tesco Create Your Own Gingerbread House; Tesco Create Your Own Gingerbread Village, and Tesco Mini Gingerbread Men. Elsewhere, 10p from every sale of gingerbread this Christmas will be donated to Trussell and FareShare, to help provide access to food for people in the community. Tesco's ad aimed to look at the idea of 'Christmas spirit' as 'something that needs looking after it ebbs and flows in response to lifes ups and downs'. 'But moments related to home, food and reconnecting with loved ones are the key to topping it up,' the supermarket explained. 'Crucially for the narrative of the campaign, the insight highlighted that festive traditions enjoyed with family and loved ones can literally and figuratively feed our Christmas spirit through the familiarity of home and the comfort of Christmas food whether thats the main event, snacking on leftovers or sharing a celebratory drink with loved ones.' Becky Brock, Tesco's Group Customer Director, said: 'We want our Christmas campaign to connect people with the joy of moments that help feed our Christmas spirit and showcase how Tesco can help you do just that. 'We appreciate that even if you love Christmas, there can be little things that eat away at your Christmas spirit as well as things that help to feed it. Partly animated, the ad is set to On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz and traces the fluctuations in Gary's Christmas spirit, something which viewers who've faced losing a loved one will relate to 'We're here to top up your Christmas spirit wherever we can, whether it's the first bite of a Christmas Sandwich, mince pie or gingerbread man, in the run up to the big day, a delicious, great value spread of food to enjoy with loved ones or service with a smile from our fantastic colleagues. We hope that the ad, and Tesco help feed your Christmas spirit this year!' Meanwhile, Felipe Serradourada Guimaraes, Deputy Executive Creative Director at BBH London, added: 'After the success of the 2023 campaign, we wanted to create something that built on last year but still felt fresh. As the BBH mantra goes, we wanted to move it on without moving it off. Another proud moment in the BBH and Tesco partnership.' Tesco's emotional ad joins festive campaigns from Lidl, Boots and M&S, to name just a few - and most recently, Disney. The global filmmaker today launches its heartwarming Christmas advert for 2024, directed by Rita Ora's husband Taika Waititi and featuring a surprisingly cute, animated octopus. A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus follows the journey of a child who discovers the curious creature has attached itself to his head during a seaside vacation. After returning home, the boy forms a true friendship with the octopus by introducing his new companion to his life on land, before taking the lovable octopus out into the world to experience the joy of the holidays. The boy comes to understand the extent of the octopus' desire to explore everything the world has to offer, and he sets in motion a plan to make it happen - with the help of Santa. A boss has been slammed for an 'unreasonable' note plastered on an office notice board. The message admonished employees for taking time off work to care for their sick children. British career expert Ben Askins was sent the note and read out its content in a video. 'Calling out because your child is sick is no longer a valid excuse to miss work and will now result in a write up,' the note read. 'We do not employ your children, and as such their sickness is not an excuse for you to miss work. Go team!' In Australia, full-time and part-time employees can take carer's leave (paid or unpaid) if they need to look after an immediate family member or household member who is sick, injured, or affected by an unexpected emergency. Casual employees are entitled to two days of unpaid carer's leave per occasion. Mr Askins was appalled by the manager's callousness. A boss has been slammed for an 'unreasonable' note plastered on an office notice board that targets vulnerable workers 'I cannot fathom the logic of how some people think something like this is going to help their business,' he said. 'I find 'go team' a fairly obnoxious line at the best of times, and I think it's unacceptable to use it in this context.' Mr Askins went on: 'I get their argument - but if it's your child, what are you meant to do? You have a kid, they're sick. Do you think it's going to help being forced to go into work? 'You're going to be distracted, you're not going to be doing anywhere near your best, you have all this going on at home. It's going to cause issues for you, which will cause issues for the business itself. 'You've got to give a little bit of leeway, there's got to be scenarios where you support [your employees] - because that's how you get people to work for you and show you loyalty.' A few managers agreed with the note. 'Parents these days are taking the mick so I agree with this message! As an employee, your child is not my issue. I'm fed up of picking up the slack,' a man wrote. 'This is one of those situations that can easily be taken advantage of. If it's a two-parent home, it's strange that it's the same parent needing off every time,' another added. British career expert Ben Askins was sent the note and read out its content in a video But most slammed the boss for being 'unreasonable'. 'Some kids might be old enough to be left at home sick on their own, but imagine it's a little kid, especially if you're a single parent without a support network,' a woman said. A working mum shared: 'I worked retail and didn't go in one day because my son was ill. I was told 'company before your children'. I said goodbye and got my coat. I was asked if I would work my notice! Err, nope!' 'This job is not as important to me as being arrested for neglecting my child. Going to prison is much more serious,' another added. 'Fine, I'm bringing my sick child to work and they're infecting the entire office,' a woman wrote spitefully. A few managers shared kind views. 'I'm a manager. If someone needed to leave or take a day off my answer is always the same - 'family first',' one said. 'I called out because my daughter was sick and the manager I spoke to said, 'We're not saving lives here, your family is your priority. Go take care of your child',' another added. One of Australia's top-selling home and lifestyle brands just opened its first store in Southeast Asia. Kmart quietly renamed itself 'Anko' - after one of its home brands - and opened its doors to shoppers in Makati, Philippines, in mid-November. The store is located at Glorietta 2, Makati City, and shoppers are already in love with the discount offering. Kmart is best known for providing Australians and New Zealanders with trendy products for affordable prices. The Makati location is stocked with homewares, storage solutions, bedding, beauty products, fitness gear, pet essentials, cooking equipment, and more. Several Aussies were shocked at the brilliant state of the store. 'Why is this nicer than my local Kmart?' a shopper asked. 'It's so clean compared to the stores in Australia,' one said. A third echoed, 'Can't believe how well-stocked, clean, and tidy it is.' One of Australia's top-selling home and lifestyle brands just opened its first store in Southeast Asia Kmart quietly renamed itself 'Anko' - after one of its home brands - and opened its doors to shoppers in Makati, Philippines, in mid-November Australian and international shoppers have already shared their five-star reviews. 'Affordable but good quality!' a man raved. 'This is cute, go Kmart. Our Anko rice cooker is still working great from 2018,' another said. 'My $14 coffee grinder is still going strong three years later,' a woman said. Anko, Kmart, and Target are owned by Westfarmers, which also owns Bunnings and Officeworks. The expansion overseas is part of the company's plan to take Kmart to the next level after the merger. In 2020, 167 Target stores were either permanently closed or converted to Kmarts after the chain suffered a $67million slump in sales. The merger came about because running the two businesses separately made it difficult to improve the use of technology in Target. Kmart is best known for providing Australians and New Zealanders with trendy products for affordable prices The Makati location is stocked with homewares, storage solutions, bedding, beauty products, fitness gear, pet essentials, cooking equipment, and more The closures and conversions reportedly cost the company between $120million and $170million. What does Anko mean? Anko is an evolution of Kmart's existing '&Co' brands: Home&Co, Kids&Co, Clothing&Co and Active&Co. The retailer replaced the letter 'c' with 'k' to pay homage to where it all started Kmart Australia. 'We've made the decision that all Kmart own-brand items will transition to one product brand: Anko,' it said. Advertisement A further $140million was used for one-off store conversion and stock clearance costs. Mr Bailey, who has been credited in leading the turnaround in Kmart's fortunes in recent years, said merging the two outlets into one $10billion entity will lead to significant cost savings and productivity improvement. Anko Global CEO Arjun Puri said Anko aims to pay homage to Filipino values and culture. 'We are delighted to introduce Anko to the Philippines, a country that shares Australia's deep appreciation for family and home. Anko's expansion reflects this shared value, bringing affordable, quality products to enhance everyday living,' Mr Puri said. A few Filipino shoppers shared their awe. 'I love the shirts from Anko!' A man wrote. 'I'm so glad they're here now.' 'I moved to New Zealand a year ago and became obsessed with Kmart - I could've just stayed home,' a traveller joked. Exhausted after a night shift on a busy hospital ward, Dr Vishwaraj Vemala fell asleep almost as soon as he boarded his flight to India, only to be nudged awake by his mother a few hours later telling him there was 'a problem'. As he woke up, Dr Vemala, a liver specialist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, spotted a fellow passenger, sweating profusely, rush to the back of the plane where he then fell forward into the arms of a member of the cabin crew. Dr Vemala jumped up to help but the initial signs did not look good. 'I checked his pulse but there was none, and I realised he'd had a cardiac arrest,' says Dr Vemala. This would be a medical emergency wherever it occurred, but at 35,000ft and hours away from an airport it was especially difficult. We've all seen it in films, and some will have witnessed it first-hand that moment during a flight when the call goes up: 'If there is a medical professional on board can they make themselves known to the cabin crew' Dr Vemala shouted for the crew to bring the plane's medical kit and defibrillator. He needed to shock the man's heart to get it pumping again. Even for Dr Vemala it was a challenging situation. 'I'm a liver physician but have worked in intensive care for five years, too, and regularly dealt with cardiac arrest. But in hospital I'd have a team, monitoring equipment and trained nurses. Here I was on my own.' He got the patient's heart beating again but lacked the vital equipment needed to check that the man didn't deteriorate, so had to borrow equipment from passengers, including a blood-pressure monitor and a glucose monitor. He also attached an Apple Watch to a laptop, using it as a makeshift electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the electrical activity of the man's heart. Dr Vemala would have to work to keep the 43-year-old patient alive for five hours during which time he used the defibrillator once more to kickstart the man's heart again after he had another cardiac arrest. But by the time they were able to make an emergency landing at Mumbai that afternoon in November 2022, the patient was awake and talking. 'He was telling me he had a three-year-old daughter in the UK and was travelling to Goa to visit family,' says Dr Vemala. 'It made me all the more glad I could help.' An ambulance was waiting on the runway. 'As he was taken away he had tears in his eyes,' says Dr Vemala. 'It was extremely emotional for us all.' We've all seen it in films, and some will have witnessed it first-hand that moment during a flight when the call goes up: 'If there is a medical professional on board can they make themselves known to the cabin crew.' Whether or not anyone comes forward and what emergency equipment the plane carries can make the difference between life and death. When Natasha Ednan-Laperouse had a serious allergic reaction on a flight to Nice in 2016 there was no way for her to receive the urgent medical care she needed, and she later died in hospital. And midair medical emergencies are not uncommon due to the sheer number of people taking flights currently more than four billion passengers a year globally. What's more, factors caused by flying mean that many people become unwell in the air. And they won't all have the happy ending of Dr Vemala's patient. According to Resuscitation Council UK, an estimated 1,000 people worldwide die during commercial flights each year. While the classic story involves an emergency tracheotomy being performed using a ballpoint pen, the most common problems are feeling faint or lightheaded; sickness and diarrhoea; breathing issues and neurological conditions such as strokes and headaches, according to a review in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine in 2021. But there can be a multitude of other reasons that people fall ill on a flight, says Dr Paulo Alves, global medical director of aviation health for MedAire, which provides access to doctors during health emergencies for onboard crew. Simply being at an airport and getting through security can be stress-inducing, and 'stress can push up pulse and blood pressure, making the heart work harder than normal', he explains. Eight-year-old Raven Norfolk, pictured with her parents Phoebe and Mark, had a seizure while travelling back from a week in Alicante earlier this year Dr Vishwaraj Vemala, a liver specialist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, spotted a fellow passenger, sweating profusely, rush to the back of the plane where he then fell forward into the arms of a member of the cabin crew 'Then altitude makes the air less dense, meaning there is less oxygen available to be breathed in and used by the body.' This may just make some feel faint or lightheaded and, for most people, won't cause harm. 'But for those with a lung or heart condition that already makes the body work harder to get enough oxygen around the body, this dip in oxygen could worsen their symptoms and even lead to a heart attack,' he continues. And then there are the random accidents. Dr Alves witnessed a man smash his head on a TV screen suspended over the aeroplane aisle, which saw him require first aid. Someone may also burn themselves as a result of spilling hot drinks, for example. Caring for those who fall ill at 35,000ft brings a whole host of challenges including the fact that a plane is a cramped and busy space with little privacy and limited equipment, says Dr Ian Mollan, a consultant occupational medicine physician. He knows more about it than most, having been on a plane when the call for help went up five times during a 25-year medical career. The worst occasion, he says, was ten years ago when he went to help a man who was barely conscious, sweating and 'as pale as a ghost'. Initially, Dr Mollan feared that the passenger, who was in his 40s and travelling alone in business class from Sydney to Munich, was having a heart attack. However, he quickly realised there was another cause. The passenger was able to tell him that while on a stopover in the Middle East, he had lost a significant amount of blood while on the loo. 'This suggested he had an internal bleed in his bowel, which could still have been haemorrhaging, causing a potentially dangerous loss of blood,' says Dr Mollan. The passenger was starting to enter a state of shock a life-threatening condition caused by there being insufficient blood to carry oxygen around the body. His heart rate was starting to climb as the body worked harder to push what blood was left to his organs. Dr Mollan raced to get a needle from the plane's onboard medical kit into the veins in the back of the patient's hand, before the veins started to collapse (as they can with shock). 'I was relieved once these were in,' says Dr Mollan, 'as intravenous access gets harder the more unwell a patient becomes, as the blood vessels in the limbs contract as the body shuts down and focuses on blood supply to the organs.' Dr Mollan's quick-thinking meant that the minute the plane touched down in Munich 20 minutes later, the medical crew who rushed on board could start emergency treatment en route to hospital. The patient's life was saved. Dr Mollan, who is also an aeromedical expert (dealing with conditions affecting air-crew that arise from flying) based at RAF Brize Norton, was on hand when a pregnant woman went into labour on a flight to South Africa a week after her due date, too. 'She was breaking the international guidelines on flying in pregnancy at that point, and she started to have contractions over north Africa,' he says. 'What's more, she was having a breech baby, so it was going to come out feet-first which means a higher chance of problems during the birth. 'Thankfully, we were able to get her a crew bunk, and we made her comfortable, gave her some paracetamol and monitored her until we landed as planned.' But what about the kit needed for more major emergencies? According to regulations, UK airlines have to carry medical kits that include a stethoscope, syringes and needles, urinary catheters and tubes that can be inserted into the throat if someone stops breathing. Some airlines also carry a defibrillator like the one Dr Vemala used. They should also have a range of drugs including adrenaline, pain relief, drugs to stop seizures, sickness and heart problems, and antihistamines for allergic reactions. But the cabin crew won't necessarily know how to use any of these things, or be allowed to administer drugs. The crew do receive first-aid training and learn life-support skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They will also have access to a basic first-aid kit which is why having a doctor on board can make a world of difference. Even then, the equipment available will be limited. Not only did Dr Vemala have to borrow a blood-pressure monitor from a passenger as he was battling to save his patient on the way to India, the drip on the plane also lacked a digital monitor. This normally measures how much medication is flowing into the patient so Dr Vemala had to instruct the cabin crew on how to count the drops dripping through per minute to ensure this was enough to keep the patient's blood pressure stable. Dr Vemala believes that cabin crew need a better understanding of what's in the medical kit and how to use it. 'The cabin staff were incredible and followed every instruction I gave to the letter,' he says. 'But airline staff are only trained in basic life support and aren't often taught how to use the tools in the medical kit. As well as this they need to know vital signs to assess if someone is getting better.' Working mid-flight can be anxiety-inducing even for doctors, says Dr Mollan. 'You're generally working alone, in very small spaces, with a whole load of people in close proximity,' he says. 'Due to the background noise on a plane it's almost impossible to hear anything with a stethoscope, which is one of the tools that we normally use to listen to people's heart or their breathing. 'There could also be a language barrier with the passenger. And you only have what happens to be in the plane's kit.' And some doctors may not want to get involved in a medical emergency when they are travelling as passengers 'particularly if we have enjoyed an alcoholic drink', says Dr Mollan. 'It would be reckless as a doctor to be treating people if you weren't completely sober. 'As a doctor you've got a duty of care to provide Good Samaritan activities, but you may not be covered for it from an insurance perspective, so you could face litigation if the patient was to come to harm. It's a very tricky area legally.' In the case of a severely ill passenger, the emphasis is usually on keeping them going until the plane can land at a nearby airport. This isn't always straightforward, however. At that point the minutes can feel like hours, say Phoebe and Mark Norfolk, who had the 'terrifying' experience of watching their eight-year-old daughter Raven have a seizure while travelling back from a week in Alicante earlier this year. As she was walking back from the loo, Raven suddenly dropped to the floor, her legs and arms twitching violently. Her eyes rolled upwards and she was unresponsive for five minutes 'it was absolutely terrifying', says Phoebe, 28, a full-time mother from Leeds. 'The cabin crew put out a call for any healthcare professionals on board and two women a GP and nurse came up to help. 'The whole thing was utterly overwhelming, the plane was full and there was little room to move. You don't know what to do in these situations.' Raven was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy aged two, which causes myoclonic-atonic seizures where bursts of unusual brain activity lasting seconds make her neck muscles twitch, meaning Raven nods her head briefly. 'But what happened on the plane that day was another level,' says Phoebe. This was a tonic-clonic seizure caused by a sudden, intense burst of electrical activity in the brain. Using the aircraft's medical kit, the medics on board monitored Raven's breathing, pulse and blood pressure. Raven was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy aged two, which causes myoclonic-atonic seizures 'They were worried because Raven remained unconscious after the seizure ended,' Phoebe says. 'It was terrifying and felt more scary knowing that we couldn't just call an ambulance.' Twenty minutes into the three-hour flight to the East Midlands, the plane was diverted to Barcelona. Raven was just coming round as they landed and was helped into a waiting ambulance which took her to hospital. She was discharged an hour later. Her doctors think that disruption to her daily medication while on holiday may have contributed to the seizure. Her parents remain thankful that when the call went up for medical assistance, there were people on board the plane who were prepared to come forward to help Raven. 'We are just so grateful,' they say. Has it put them off travelling? Says Phoebe: 'Absolutely not.' Additional reporting: Julie Cook I'd passed out in the loo with sepsis, but a nurse on the plane saved my life 'I didn't even get a chance to thank the nurse or the cabin crew,' says Sam Cabin crew had to break down the loo door when Sam Wallace passed out on a flight home from a five-day holiday in Malaga. Sam, now 30, initially thought food poisoning was to blame for the fact that he had spent 24 hours with an upset stomach. But on his umpteenth trip to the loo on the plane, 'I closed the door behind me and everything suddenly went black', he says. When Sam, from Solihull, a manager at Aston University, didn't return to his seat, his now ex-girlfriend banged on the door. After getting no answer, she went to find Sam's wallet. Sam suffers from paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria a rare disorder in which red blood cells break apart prematurely. 'It leaves me more at risk of infections,' he says, 'so I always carried a patient information card in my wallet'. His girlfriend ran to show it to the cabin crew, who forced the loo door open and found Sam collapsed in a heap. He recalls: 'I was in and out of consciousness, but I heard a member of cabin crew go on the Tannoy and say, 'Is there a doctor or nurse on board?' ' Sam was laid out flat on spare seats at the front of the plane. 'By now I was drenched with sweat yet cold to the touch,' he says. A nurse who was on the flight returning from a hen party came forward to help. She saw the dark red, blotchy rashes all over his body and Sam heard her say: 'Sepsis.' Sepsis is where the immune system overreacts to an infection, and it can be fatal. The nurse told the cabin staff she was certain that's what Sam had and he needed urgent medical care. 'The trouble was,' says Sam, 'we were only just crossing the Channel' and the plane was en route to Birmingham. The crew alerted emergency services and an ambulance met the plane as it landed. Paramedics immediately came on board, gave Sam an injection of strong antibiotics and blue-lighted him to hospital. 'I didn't even get a chance to thank the nurse or the cabin crew,' says Sam. 'Once I got to hospital, the rest is just blank.' A major complication of sepsis can be the loss of limbs, as the body shuts down, reducing blood flow to the extremities. Sam was later told he'd been minutes away from losing his limbs, or even dying. 'The quick-thinking cabin crew, the pilot, the nurse passenger and the ambulance saved my life,' he says of the event in 2016. 'I never got the nurse's name, but if she's reading this, I'd love to thank her in person.' Julie Cook How to avoid getting sick on a flight There are steps that passengers can take to help protect themselves from health difficulties and an important one is to not rush your meals, advises Dr Paulo Alves, global medical director of aviation health for MedAire, which provides access to doctors for advice during midair health emergencies. 'Altitude makes gas expand by about 25 per cent, so simple things like eating quickly, which will make someone swallow more air, or having fizzy drinks, can lead to this gas expanding uncomfortably in the stomach,' he says. 'This can lead to abdominal pain, which can sometimes be confused with a more severe condition such as appendicitis.' If you have a long-term condition, it's crucial to plan ahead. 'Always carry any medication you take in your hand luggage. Don't put it in the hold we see this so often,' says Dr Alves. If you take regular medication he suggests noting down when your dose is due as time zones can cause confusion. This can be problematic for those with diabetes, for example. And check if medical approval is recommended before you travel, as might be the case for those who have recently had surgery or have uncontrolled chest pain, he says. He adds: 'If you feel unwell don't get on the flight. Don't do it just because you're desperate to get home this could have consequences.' He says we should all move our legs as much as possible on a flight to try to keep blood moving. Just raising and lowering your feet, keeping toes on the ground and circling your ankles for a few seconds every hour, can also help. To cut the risk of accidents, he adds: 'Avoid putting children in the aisle seat, as they could easily be hit by falling objects and service trolleys.' Air pollution breathed in by women during pregnancy may be linked to a greater risk of their child developing autism, according to new research. A review of the latest literature found babies with a genetic predisposition to autism exposed to four common air pollutants were more likely to develop the condition. It's thought that when breathed in during early childhood or in the womb these pollutants can get into the bloodstream. There, they can bypass the protective layers of the brain, causing inflammation, changing the way nerves function and develop. Autism rates have been rising across the world over the past few decades. A recent analysis showed that in the US, rates have nearly tripled in children and young adults - and about three in every 100 kids has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr Haitham Amal, the head of the department of Laboratory of Neuromics, Cell Signaling, and Translational Medicine at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said they were trying to understand what might be contributing to this rise in disease. His lab has mainly focused on nitric oxide (NO), a gas released when fuel gets burned in cars. He suggests that autism is caused by a complex interplay of your genetics and your environment. Dr Amal said: 'My lab has shown that nitric oxide plays a major role in ASD.' This comes as the American Lung Association reports that 39 percent of the US lives in an area with high amount of air pollution, including some of those chemicals studied in the new paper. Use the map below to see how the air in your town matches up. Your browser does not support iframes. Dr Amal (center) and his team of researchers at their lab in Jerusalem. The team focuses on nitric oxide and its role on the brain Your browser does not support iframes. According to the ALA report, some of the cities with the worst air pollution included Phoenix, Arizona, San Jose, California and Eugene, Oregon. Organizations like the EPA are tracking these pollutive chemicals, and reporting them so you can have an idea of your risk. In the new paper, published in the journal Brain Medicine, Dr Amal's team reviewed studies that looked at children with autism, studies that used human cells and studies that used mice. They studied four different components to air pollution: particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and ozone. Particulate matter is formed of microscopic pieces of dust, liquid or smoke produced from construction sites, power plants and cars. It's between seven and 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas or liquid, and it's produced when fossil fuels are burned or when metal like aluminum gets smelted, according to Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Ozone is a colorless, odorless gas produced from chemical plants, oil based paint and print shops, according to the EPA. They found that people with a genetic predisposition to autism who were exposed to air pollution in early life were more likely to develop the condition than people exposed to less air pollution. So the combination of genes and environment could be contributing to a greater risk of developing autism. The authors didn't provide a figure, but separate, older research from Harvard found that exposure to air pollution like particulate matter in early childhood may raise the risk of ASD by as much as 64 percent. While in the womb, exposure to particulate matter may raise risk of ASD by 31 percent. Doctors aren't sure what causes autism, but between 40 to 80 percent of autism cases are thought to be linked to genes. So people may be more likely to develop autism if someone in their immediate family has the condition. Dr Amal's team isn't certain why pollution and autism might be linked, but they have a few theories. First, when someone breathes in one of these pollutants, it can cause inflammation in nerve tissue, changing how they develop over time. Their research suggests that NO can even cross the placenta, and get into a developing fetuses body. People are most vulnerable to these affects when they're developing in the womb and in early childhood, because their brains are still forming, Dr Amal said. The American Lung Association ranked the top cities that suffer from the worst air quality in the US - affecting roughly 131 million Americans Long term changes to the way the brain functions can cause some of the behavioral symptoms associated with autism, he said. According to the NIH, ASD is a developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn and behave. Another theory from the researchers for the higher incidence of autism is that intaking air pollution can interrupt the production of some chemicals that rule the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals are crucial in the decision-making process and in brain development in general. Finally, the researchers note that the increase in autism cases worldwide is likely in part due to an increased awareness about the disease, which leads to more diagnoses. Whatever the cause, Dr Amal said he's proud of his research team, which is one of the first to link these air pollutants to the autism spectrum. When asked what his greatest achievement was, Dr Amal said: 'discovering that nitric oxide plays a key role in autism.' A new medical school has nixed plans to hold 75 percent of spots in its upcoming class for diverse and 'equity-deserving' students. Toronto Metropolitan University's new medical school had previously said it would 'purposefully admit' Indigenous, Black and other 'equity-deserving students' in an effort to address 'persistent underrepresentation of these groups in medical schools and the medical profession.' Previous language on the school's admissions site featured equity-based percentage breakdowns of enrollees for the 2025 class. This would have prohibited people from non 'equity-deserving' groups from accessing a majority of the admission offers, Canada's True North reported. Additionally, TMU announced it would not solely rely on academic performance when considering applicants for admissions, but would also heavily take into account life experience. Some criticized the school for its policy, claiming it was loosening relevant qualifications and screening out applicants by race, and the head of the Canadian province Ontario, Doug Ford, demanded TMU educate qualified students 'regardless of their race or background.' Now, leadership at TMU, which will open its doors to 94 students in September 2025, announced it would walk back its plans to allocate three-quarters of its spots next year to these students. And university President Mohamed Lachemi said in a press release last week that the school never had quotas for what demographics it would accept, and removed 'aspirational language' from TMU's website that was 'causing confusion.' Toronto Metropolitan University's new medical school will enroll 94 students in September 2025 The university announced it would not solely rely on academic performance when considering applicants for admissions (stock photo) A press release stated: 'While we have established equity pathways, similar to other schools in the province, we have no quotas and there have never been quotas around who we will accept. 'We understand that aspirational language on the website was causing confusion on this point, and that language has been removed.' The school states it was founded 'on equity, diversity and inclusion, decolonization and reconciliation.' It says the admissions process 'will identify applicants who have lived experience and/or are committed to advancing these principles.' In a September press release, the university said it had 'developed intentional application and admissions processes that have the schools mission at their core, and that reflect community and societal needs.' It continued: 'The school will use a multifaceted, holistic approach to identify students possessing the necessary academic capabilities, interpersonal skills and personal attributes required to excel in medicine. 'The admissions process will also purposefully admit equity-deserving students and identify applicants interested in primary care practice, particularly in medically underserved areas.' This photo shows a rendering of a public gathering space at the main entrance of Toronto Metropolitan University's new medical school Additionally, the September press released stated it had created 'dedicated admissions pathways' for Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving applicants. The school states on its website these pathways are meant 'to address the under-representation of identified equity-deserving groups in medical education.' Dr. Dominick Shelton, interim assistant dean of recruitment and admissions, said in the release: 'Our admissions pathways are designed to account for systemic bias in applicant review processes and eliminate barriers to success for these groups in the medical school admissions process. 'We are also committed to ensuring that the pathways provide an inclusive and supportive process for applicants from these groups.' Before the changes, 75 percent of the new class' spots were to be allocated to students applying through these pathways. Now, these pathways remain open, but TMU will no longer apply quotas to each. Current admissions requirements to the new medical school include a 3.3 GPA, but the school does not require students to have a background in science or certain undergraduate prerequisites. Additionally, the school will not require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) -a standardized exam for prospective medical students required in the United States, Australia, other Canadian universities and schools in the Caribbean Islands. Despite the alternative admissions practices, Mr Lachemi said in the release last week that the school's admissions process will be 'highly competitive without exception,' with a goal of removing barriers for qualified students who have 'traditionally faced challenges in accessing medical education.' Leadership at TMU announced it would walk back its plans to allocate three-quarters of its spots next year to these students. TMU leadership has said the goal of its admissions process is to graduate doctors from the same locations, cultures, languages and experiences as their future patients. A 2021 census of Brampton, where TMU is located, found more than 33 percent of respondents spoke a language other than English, with 171 languages reported in total. Data also shows Ontario is facing a critical primary care physician shortage and there are currently 2.5million people in the province without a family doctor, The Star reported. The school also conducted its own research and found there was an urgent need for more family doctors, 'and in particular, doctors who understand the languages, cultures and faiths of local residents.' Mr Lachemi continued: 'This is why our commitment to recruit people from the diverse backgrounds that make up the region of Peel and its surrounding communities is so important.' An American is suing a travel insurance provider for $175,000 after it refused his claim to fly his wife home for emergency medical treatment. Stephen McNally, 66, from Florida has filed a notice of civil claim against the Canadian branch of MSH International Ltd. on behalf of his wife, Fiona, who died in 2023. During a three-week trip to Europe in the summer of 2022 Mrs McNally, then aged 65, developed Covid and severe pneumonia. By day ten, she was admitted to an intensive care unit in Frankfurt and from there Mr McNally contacted MSH to initiate a claim to get her transported to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. As a commercial flight could not provide the necessary care, a medical jet was required. In a bid to expedite his wife's return home court documents, obtained by the Vancouver Sun, state that Mr McNally worked 'diligently' between August 1 and August 15 to supply MSH with all of the required documentation to support his case. He claims that staff he spoke to from MSH assured him he could proceed with the air ambulance arrangements and submit the claim after returning to the US. However, later that day, MSH reportedly 'informally' denied the claim, advising Mr McNally to file a formal claim instead. An American is suing a travel insurance provider for $175,000 after it refused his claim to fly his wife home for emergency medical treatment Your browser does not support iframes. According to the lawsuit, filed in Vancouver, Mr McNally states that MSH wrongfully denied their claim for emergency transportation to an American hospital, despite it being outlined in their policy. When he selected a travel insurance plan ahead of his trip, he selected the Canadian provider, as he spent summers in B.C. with his late wife, who also had a Canadian and American citizenship. He picked the package with MSH as he said it specifically stated that it would cover major issues and an emergency evacuation home via air ambulance if necessary. His late wife had ALS at the time, but she did not require assistance with the activities of daily living, a policy requirement. Following a week-long delay due to a back and forth with the insurance company, Ms McNally was eventually flown home from Germany on August 22. But in December of the same year, MSH refused to cover the cost of her transportation, stating that her condition could have been treated in Germany. The insurance company also claimed that the transportation had not been agreed upon or managed by its team, which is a condition of coverage. However, Mr McNally says that the 'insurance policy's language' did not stipulate that his wife had to be treated where the incident occurred and the policy allowed for emergency air transportation to 'the nearest appropriate facility.' The terms also stated it would transport the policy holder to a hospital in Canada or the policyholder's home country, Mr McNally claimed. Referring to a specific section of the policy, McNally said in the lawsuit that it 'does not require that treatment be unavailable where the injury occurred.' He also said MSH told him, that 'proceeding with the emergency air transportation without MSH's final approval would not affect' the plan he had purchased. In light of the incident, he is now seeking the $175,000 and $100,000 in for bad faith and punitive damages. According to the Vancouver Sun, the 'legal grounds cited in the lawsuit is misrepresentation of the contract and the duty of good faith and honest performance.' MSH did not return a request for comment, while Mr McNally told DailyMail.com that there is now an out-of-court resolution being negotiated. A daily pill that triples the odds of quitting smoking will be offered on the NHS in a bid to save thousands of lives. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, hailed the drug as a game-changer and a major step towards creating a smoke-free generation. Studies show varenicline is three times more effective than a placebo at helping people kick the habit. It also works as well as vapes and better than nicotine-replacement gum or patches. The drug reduces cravings for nicotine and blocks its effect on the brain, while also helping with withdrawal symptoms such as feeling irritable or having difficulty sleeping. When used alongside behavioural support, such as counselling, the treatment has been shown to help around one in four people to stop smoking for at least six months. The NHS expects 85,000 smokers a year to try the drug and believes it will prevent 9,500 smoking-related deaths in the next five years. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, hailed the drug as a game-changer and a major step towards creating a smoke-free generation The drug reduces cravings for nicotine and blocks its effect on the brain, while also helping with withdrawal symptoms such as feeling irritable or having difficulty sleeping (file image) Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Ms Pritchard will unveil details on the rollout of the drug in a speech to the NHS Providers conference in Liverpool today. She will say: This simple daily pill could be a game-changer for people who want to quit smoking and is another vital step in shifting our NHS further towards prevention. Smoking remains one of the biggest public health issues facing the NHS. Around six million adults in UK one in eight smoke and there were more than 400,000 hospital admissions in England attributed to smoking in 2022/23. Each year the NHS spends 2.5 billion on treating health issues caused by smoking. Varenicline will be made available to patients in England through NHS Stop Smoking Services in collaboration with pharmaceutical company Teva UK, which is producing a new generic version of the treatment. A branded version, Champix, was withdrawn in 2021 after it was found to contain elevated levels of the potentially cancer-causing compound N-nitroso-varenicline. The Medicines Health and Regulatory Authority has approved the relaunched generic product as safe. Dr Ian Walker, of Cancer Research UK, said: Around 160 cases of cancer are caused by tobacco every day in the UK, so its essential that action is taken to prevent people from smoking in the first place. A major crackdown will stop rip off agencies charging the NHS 3billion a year for temporary workers. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said desperate hospitals have been forced to pay eye-watering sums of up to 2,000 for a single nursing shift. He accused the firms of fuelling staff shortages by luring employees away from permanent NHS roles with the promise of more pay. They are then loaned back to the health service at inflated rates, leaving taxpayers out of pocket. Under new proposals, trusts would be banned from using agencies to hire temporary entry level workers in pay bands two and three, such as healthcare assistants and domestic support workers. Health Secretary Wes Streeting accused firms of luring NHS employees away from permanent roles with the promise of more pay and fuelling staff shortages Under new proposals, trusts would be banned from using agencies to hire temporary entry level workers in bands two and three (file photo) And NHS staff would be prevented from resigning and immediately offering their services back through a recruitment agency. The Department of Health and Social Care believes the move could save significant sums, improve quality of care and enhance patient safety. It said reducing reliance on agency staff has been shown to decrease clinical incidents. Mr Streeting will outline his plans at the NHS Providers annual conference in Liverpool tomorrow [WED], where he is expected to say: For too long desperate hospitals have been forced to pay eye-watering sums of money on temporary staff, costing the taxpayer billions, and pulling experienced staff out of the NHS. Were not going to let the NHS get ripped off anymore. Last month the Chancellor made a historic investment in our health service which must reform or die. I am determined to make sure the money is well spent and delivers for patients. These changes could help keep staff in the NHS and make significant savings to reinvest in the frontline. There are around 113,000 vacancies across the health service, which uses temporary staff to cover unfilled posts, sickness or additional clinics. Demand and costs have increased further in recent years because of industrial action by the likes of the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing. Julian Kelly, chief financial officer at NHS England, said: The NHS is committed to ensuring every penny of taxpayer money is used wisely to the benefit of patients and to ensure fairness for our permanent staff. While agency spend is at a record low, with trusts on track to save 1 billion over two years, we want to go further still. Thats why the NHS, working alongside the government and providers, will launch a consultation with a view to stop using agencies to fill entry level posts, building on the approach we have successfully imposed for administrative and estates staff. There are around 113,000 vacancies across the health service, which uses temporary staff to cover unfilled posts and sickness (file photo) The Department of Health and Social Care said the proposals will provide greater fairness in the workplace by ensuring staff carrying out the same roles are not paid significantly different sums. It committed to taking further action in the future to cut reliance on short-term agency staffing and other measures to reform and improve efficiency in the NHS. NHS England will launch a consultation on the proposals in the coming weeks, seeking views on the new proposals from staff, unions, and NHS provider organisations. Mr Streeting is also expected to use his speech in Liverpool to say how he will ensure additional funding announced in the Budget results in shorter waiting times for patients. One in ten hospital trusts have male menopause guidelines while a quarter do not have policies in place for women, research suggests. The woke protocols have been installed at around 20 trusts, despite the NHS describing the term as unhelpful and misleading. Elsewhere, almost a quarter of police forces have policies to address the manopause yet more than 40 per cent had nothing for female staff experiencing menopause, according to a Freedom of Information request. The findings are further evidence of the widespread practice amongst public bodies, as exposed in an audit by the Mail last year which found examples within the Fire Service, Police, Councils and NHS. Critics said it was wrong to compare the two, with one effecting all women and the other said to affect around two per cent of men. Almost a quarter of police forces have policies to address the manopause yet more than 40 per cent had nothing for female staff experiencing menopause (file photo) A quarter of NHS trusts do not have menopause policies in place for women, research suggests (file photo) The male menopause, sometimes referred to as the andropause, is said to be marked by a gradual change in testosterone levels. As with women, the term is used to describe the period in an adult mans life when his hormone levels fall, potentially causing symptoms including erectile dysfunction, depression, anxiety and rapid fat gain. But there is considerable debate within the medical community about whether it should be recognised as a condition at all. Dr Channa Jayasena, a hormone specialist at Imperial College London, and author of the Society for Endocrinologys guidelines on testosterone replacement therapy, said it should not be referred to as manopause. I think its an unhelpful term, he told BBC Radio 4s Menopause Matters series. If we compare it to the menopause, all women undergo menopause, whereas 2 per cen of men undergo the manopause. Menopause is a relatively sudden event in a womans life course. It takes place over two to five years, whereas declining testosterone levels can develop over decades. He said that while all women would potentially benefit from HRT if they had symptoms, this was not the case with testosterone deficiency and many men needing no medical intervention. Dean Burnett, a neuroscientist and honorary research fellow at Cardiff University, said symptoms linked to the manopause, such as brain fog and low mood, were more likely the result of common mental disorders such as anxiety or depression. He said: We are very keen on medicalising things in the modern world, because we are recognising more and more conditions, disorders or just atypical ways of being, which could be addressed better. Women have the menopause so to say that men have a similar sort of hormone deficiency issue at a similar stage of life, its a very logical leap to say well, thats the male version of this well-established phenomenon. But I do think you can go too far with that and attempt to put a label on a problem which may not necessarily be there. A heartbroken mum has warned school pupils of the dangers of abusing common painkillers after losing her son over a split-second 'fatal error of judgement'. William Horley was just 17 when he suffered an accidental overdose of tramadol in 2018. The teen, who had been accepted into the army, bought the prescription drug for 60 from another boy who found them on the dark web part of the internet not visible to normal search engines. On a night out with friends, after finishing their shifts at a seafood restaurant, he took the tablets while drinking and had a fatal reaction. Now, Kim Webster from Herne Bay in Kent, is on a mission to save young lives and discourage drug use by telling her tragic tale schoolchildren across the country. She said: 'Will was not a druggie, but one night he went out with a friend and after a few drinks they were offered tramadol as a recreational high. 'His friend survived but tragically Will had a reaction and died. 'It goes to show that drug experimentation can be literally like the flip of a coin, heads you're OK, tails you're not. William Horley was just 17 when he suffered an accidental overdose of the painkiller Tramadol in 2018. Pictured, with mum Kim Webster The teen, who had just been accepted into the army, bought the prescription drug for 60 from another boy who found them on the 'dark web' part of the internet not visible to normal search engines 'Will had a bright future in front of him in the Army but it was gone in an instant.' She also previously told MailOnline: 'He was a sensible boy and we had talked about drugs. He always told me: Mum, Im not stupid. Im going into the army which has a zero tolerance drugs policy. 'There was one occasion when I caught him smoking a joint. 'I gave him a real rollicking, even though I knew, what teenager these days hasnt done that? 'But overall, I had no fears about my son getting involved with drugs, because I believed hed never put his future in jeopardy. 'Will wasnt a drug addict. This was an awful accident, a teenager out having fun with his friends, making a momentary bad decision and paying the ultimate price. 'Such a terrible waste of a promising young life.' An inquest into his death in January 2019 recorded a verdict of tramadol overdose with pneumonia. An inquest into his death in January 2019 recorded a verdict of Tramadol overdose with pneumonia Kim now gives talks in schools, sharing Will's story in order to deter teenagers from dabbling in drugs Mrs Webster now dedicates herself to driving home her message through the addiction charity Kenward Trust, where she works as a youth education executive His friend told the inquest that although he knew Will occasionally smoked weed in the past, this was the first time the teenager had taken tramadol. In 2023, Jake Minter, also 17 at the time on the tragedy, was sentenced to nine months in prison after admitting supplying Will the Class C drug. Tramadol is a prescription opioid offered for moderate to severe pain, usually after surgery or serious injury, and sometimes for anxiety and depression. But combining the strong painkiller with alcohol can raise the risk of respiratory failure or even prove fatal, given they both depress the central nervous system. This is because it can slow down the nervous system's vital functions, forcing bigger gaps between breaths and heartbeats. It is thought that alcohol can interact with certain types of slow-release tramadol tablets, causing them to be absorbed more rapidly quickly leading to an overdose. Mrs Webster now dedicates herself to driving home her message through the addiction charity Kenward Trust, where she works as a youth education executive. She has visited dozens of secondary schools and colleges across Kent, speaking to more than 55,000 young people, some of whom have been left in tears. From childhood, Will had been an active and lively child who dreamed of joining the army (pictured at home in a pirate costume) William (pictured as a pre-teen) had been accepted into the army and was due to join three months after his death Her first visit before she joined the trust was to Will's old school, Herne Bay High, which proved both emotional and challenging, she said. But afterwards, when two pupils told her how it had impacted them, it inspired her to continue. She added: 'I'm just a mum telling my story and hoping to get a message across. 'I don't lecture them because they have to make their own choices. But I let them know what the tragic consequences can be for them and their families. 'It inspires me to keep doing it.' Now, the Kenward Trust is staging a youth charity ball, the Kenward Will Change Lives Ball, in memory of Will next March. There will be a banquet, music and dancing, and guests are encouraged to 'dress to impress'. The money raised, including from an auction on the night, will go towards the charity's vital residential and outreach work in the community. It comes as a BBC investigation in June revealed more than 50 million doses of illegally traded medicines were seized in the UK in the last five years. The seizures between 2019 and 2023 include unlicensed painkillers, anti-anxiety medication, slimming pills and drugs for erectile dysfunction. Criminal gangs sell medicines illegally through websites designed to look like legitimate pharmacies. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the 50 million doses seized had a street value of up to 70 million. Last month, new analysis also showed NHS spending on addictive opioid painkillers has doubled since the pandemic. Doctors have dished out almost 1billion-worth of the drugs over five years, with experts blaming agonising waits for surgery. The health service doled out 90.1million of the drugs in 2019, rising to 186.2million last year and a projected 189million this year. Air pollution breathed in by thousands across Britain every day may be linked to a greater risk of developing autism, experts suggest. A review of the latest scientific literature outlined how babies with a higher genetic risk of the developmental disorder exposed to four common air pollutants were more likely to develop the condition. It's thought that when breathed in during early childhood, or in development in the womb, these microscopic pollutants can get into the bloodstream. There, they can bypass the protective layers of the brain, causing inflammation, changing the way nerves function, increasing the risk of disorder. It comes as autism rates have exploded worldwide. Analysis shows diagnoses of the disorder have risen nearly 800 per cent in Britain over the last few decades, with rates nearly tripling in the US. Dr Haitham Amal, head of the department of Laboratory of Neuromics, Cell Signaling, and Translational Medicine at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who led the new review, said his team embarked on the research to try and understand what might be contributing to this rise. His lab has mainly focused on the role of one particular pollutant called nitric oxide (NO), a gas released when fossil fuel gets burned in cars. Dr Amal said: 'My lab has shown that NO plays a major role in ASD (autism spectrum disorder).' This map shows the 10 areas with highest levels of air pollution recorded in 2023. These areas had almost double or triple the levels of of particulate matter, which are microscopic pieces of pollution which can enter deep into the human body, recommended by the World Health Organization In the review, published in the journal Brain Medicine, the team looked at studies of four different components to air pollution which have been linked to autism nitrogen oxides (which includes nitric oxide), particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and ozone. High exposure to all four pollutants was associated with autism diagnoses, particularly nitric oxide, for which the relationship was found to be stronger. Particulate matter is between seven and 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas or liquid that is produced when fossil fuels are burned or when metal like aluminium gets smelted. Lastly, ozone is a colourless, odourless gas produced from chemical plants, oil-based paint and print shops. The authors concluded: 'Numerous studies clearly show that air pollution plays a significant role in ASD and should be considered among the emerging risk factors for this disorder.' A review of the latest scientific literature found babies with a genetic predisposition to autism exposed to four common air pollutants were more likely to develop the condition Experts are unsure exactly how exactly air pollution contributes to the risk of developing autism, but they have theories. They suspect that when someone breathes in one of these pollutants, it can cause inflammation in the nerves over time and lead to dysfunction. People are most vulnerable to these affects when they're developing in the womb and in early childhood, because their brains are still forming, Dr Amal said. Studies have shown that these tiny pollutive particles can even directly enter the foetal brain, he said. Long term changes to the way the brain functions can cause some of the behavioural symptoms associated with autism, he added. Another theory from the researchers is that intaking air pollution can interrupt the production of some chemicals that help the brain function. While they said evidence suggested an association between exposure to pollutants and increased rates of autism among the vulnerable, the authors didn't provide an exact figure of what this increased risk might be. However, older research from Harvard suggests exposure to air pollution like particulate matter may raise the risk of autism by as much as 64 per cent. The review authors added that research should now focus on unpicking exactly how pollutants affect people with a genetic risk of autism. This will allow health officials to find ways to identify people at risk and introduce ways to protect them, the authors said. Such further research is crucial given a rise in global pollution levels and to protect future generations, they noted. Dr Amal (center) and his team of researchers at their lab in Jerusalem. The team focuses on nitric oxide and its role on the brain Doctors aren't sure what causes autism to develop, but between 40 to 80 percent of autism cases are thought to be linked to genes. Air pollution in general is measured by recording levels of particulate matter (PM2.5), the tiniest microscopic particles in the air that can penetrate deep into tissue and cause a range of health issues. According to data gathered by the website IQAir, Surbiton in South West London, recorded the worst average PM2.5 levels in the UK at 13 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. This is nearly triple the World Health Organization guideline of 5 PM2.5 that people should be exposed to per year. Other areas with high PM2.5 levels in Britain included Willesborough, Faversham and Lower Stoke in Kent,, Worcester Park in London and Worsley in Greater Mancester. In contrast, Church Hill in West Sussex had the lowest PM2.5 level in 2023 at just 3.8. This was followed by West Hoathly also in West Sussex at 4 PM2.5 for the year, as well as Motherwell and Currie in Scotland which recorded 4.1 PM2.5. Data from 2023 shows nine areas in Britian didn't meet the nitrogen dioxide annual average limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. There were the Greater London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Liverpool, Nottingham, Bristol, Coventry/Bedworth and the South East. Having autism means a person's brain works differently to normal. It's not a disease and people have it from the moment they are born, although it may not be spotted until childhood and sometimes much later. Autism exists on a spectrum. Some people will be able to lead fully functioning lives with no additional help. Others may need full-time assistance. Classic signs of autism include trouble communicating, finding certain stimulations or situations overwhelming and repetitive behaviours. According to a 2021 Newcastle University study, around one in 57 children in the UK is autistic. Yet rates have spiralled in recent years, sparking suggestions that the disorder is now being over diagnosed. Experts argue, however, that autism has been massively underdiagnosed in the past, particularly among women and girls. This has then led to a backlog of patients getting diagnosed in later life. An additional factor that could have contributed to the rise is the retirement of Asperger syndrome, once considered a separate condition, but which is now considered another form of autism also boosting the figures. A proposed law to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales could mean terminally ill adults will be able to end their own life from next month. Under plans unveiled last night people diagnosed with a life-limiting disease who have less than six months to live would be permitted to obtain and administer lethal medicines that would trigger instant death. However, the new law would not be applicable to people with physical disabilities and mental ill health. MPs will be debating and voting on the bill called the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on 29 November. But not everyone who is terminally ill will be able to make this decision patients will have to meet a list of requirements. According to the bill, the patient must be a resident of England and Wales and have been registered with a GP for at least one year. They must also be terminal and expected to die within the next six months. Patients must have the mental capacity to make the choice free from coercion or pressure. They must also make two separate declarations about their wish to die, both witnessed and signed. Two independent doctors must also then be satisfied the person is eligible, with at least seven days between each doctor's assessments. MPs will be debating and voting on the bill called the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on 29 November The case would then be referred to a High Court judge who would hear from at least one of the doctors, and can also question the dying person. After this, patients must wait a further 14 days following the judge's ruling before going ahead with their decision, making the expected wait between their medical assessment to ending their life about three weeks. However, doctors would not be under any obligation to take part in the assisted dying process. While a doctor is allowed to prepare the substance used to end the patient's life, only the patient can administer it. The bill would make it illegal to use 'dishonesty, coercion or pressure' to make a terminal patient say they want help dying. It will also become an offence to force someone to take the lethal dose of medication that is supplied for approved applications, with prison sentences of up to 14 years for those convicted. Currently, assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, also holding a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. While in Scotland it is not a criminal offence, helping someone die can leave a person open to being charged with murder or other offences. Supporters of the proposed new law have been setting out the safeguards that would be put in place ahead of a debate and vote in the House of Commons at the end of the month. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour backbencher who is introducing it, warned last night that MPs might have to wait another decade for a law change if they fail to pass it now. The vote is seen as close, with some senior cabinet ministers including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, saying they plan to vote against it. Critics say the bill is being rushed through without enough scrutiny and does not contain enough safeguards against abuse. A woman who was fired for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine has been awarded more than $12 million in damages after suing her former employer. Lisa Domski, 66, who worked at health insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) for more than 30 years, said she was a victim of religious discrimination. The company in October 2021 did not grant an exemption from its vaccine policy, despite her insistence that it clashed with her Catholic beliefs. The insurance company implemented a vaccine policy requiring staff to be fully vaccinated or to apply for a religious or medical accommodation. According to the Catholic Herald, Mrs Domski applied for religious exemption following the guidelines, which included submitting a written statement explaining her beliefs and providing the contact details of her priest. The report notes that Mrs Domski had 'sought religious exemption based on her belief that the Covid vaccines in circulation at the time were all either tested or developed using fetal cells that originated in abortion.' Despite following protocol, BCBSM refused Mrs Domski's request and allegedly threatened to terminate her if she didn't comply. Her attorney, Jon Marko, said the decision to deny her request was even stranger as she worked 100 percent remotely as an IT specialist during the pandemic and 75 percent before COVID-19 hit in 2020. Lisa Domski, 66, worked at health insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) for more than 30 years. Pictured with husband Larry Your browser does not support iframes. Even without the vaccine, 'she wasn't a danger to anybody,' Marko said in an interview after the trial. Mrs Domski refused BCBSM's request to be vaccinated and was subsequently fired. Much of the award - $10 million - is for punitive damages against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, according to the verdict form. Besides punitive damages, the jury in Detroit federal court awarded Domski about $1.7 million in lost pay and $1 million in noneconomic damages. Blue Cross denied any discrimination. In a court filing earlier in the case, the insurer said Mrs Domski lacked a sincerely held religious belief. However, in the end, the verdict was delivered by the jury foreman in favor of Mrs Domski. After the verdict, Mr Marko spoke on behalf of Mrs Domski, telling reporters: 'Lisa refused to renounce her faith and beliefs and was wrongfully terminated from the only job she had ever known. 'The jury's verdict today tells BCBSM that religious discrimination has no place in America and affirms each person's right to religious freedom.' Blue Cross released a statement but didn't make a spokesperson available for comment. 'While Blue Cross respects the jury process and thanks the individual jurors for their service, we are disappointed in the verdict,' the health insurance giant said. 'Blue Cross is reviewing its legal options and will determine its path forward in the coming days.' Touching on religious beliefs tied to the Covid vaccine, the Catholic Herald notes: 'Some Catholics have voiced strong opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine, citing that aborted fetal cell lines were used in the development of some vaccines. Besides punitive damages, the jury in Detroit federal court awarded Domski about $1.7 million in lost pay and $1 million in noneconomic damages. Blue Cross denied any discrimination 'However, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith clarified in December 2020 that it is "morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process" if no other options exist. 'However, the same note made it clear that vaccination should not be mandatory, stating, "vaccination is not, as a rule, a moral obligation and that, therefore, it must be voluntary."' Johnson & Johnson did use fetal cell lines that were grown in a lab when developing and producing their vaccine, while Pfizer and Moderna used fetal cell lines to test their vaccines and make sure that they work. None of the fetal cell lines used were the result of abortion. The payout comes months after Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee paid a woman nearly $700,000 in a settlement after she was similarly fired for refusing to comply with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement on religious grounds. Tanja Benton, 52, who worked as a bio statistical research scientist at BSBST from 2005 until she was fired in November 2022, was awarded a total of $687,000 in her settlement this July. This broke down to over $177,000 in back pay following her firing, $10,000 in compensatory damages, and $500,000 in punitive damages. In her lawsuit, the scientist noted that she did not come into regular contact with other staffers during her day-to-day role, and never interacted with hospital patients. Ms Benton said she submitted a request for a religious exemption which was denied by the company as it told her that she would be let go unless she complied. The company also allegedly told her that there were no vaccine exemptions for anyone with her job title, and suggested that she looked for another job. Mr Marko, Mrs Domski's attorney, said he is representing 170 others in separate wrongful termination cases who are taking similar action against Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan over the 2021 vaccine mandate. A 'healthy' teenager is in critical condition after catching bird flu in Canada. And in a potentially alarming development, health officials say it's not clear how they became infected. Health officials are still identifying the strain, but the patient is assumed to have H5N1, the virus that has infected dozens of Americans this year. Almost all of the US cases were farm workers with direct contact with infected cattle or birds - but the case in Canada is different. The teen had not visited farms but had been exposed to dogs, cats and reptiles, according to provincial health officer Bonnie Henry. 'That is absolutely an ongoing investigation,' said Henry. The patient, who has not been identified, is currently being treated in a children's hospital in British Columbia. Henry said: 'This was a healthy teenager prior to this, so no underlying conditions. PINK EYE: The H5N1 virus causes eye inflammation, as seen in a dairy farmer in Texas who caught bird flu earlier this year Your browser does not support iframes. 'It just reminds us that in young people this is a virus that can progress and cause quite severe illness and the deterioration that I mentioned was quite rapid.' The teen who is Canada's first bird flu victim in the latest outbreak - began suffering a fever, cough and 'pink eye' on November 2. They were admitted to hospital on November 8, where their condition deteriorated further. The patient is now suffering from severe lung damage making it hard to get oxygen around the body. The World Health Organization says H5N1's risk to humans is low because there is no evidence it can spread from one person to another. But disease experts have warned that as the virus jumps between species, the chance of evolving increases, which could lead to a pandemic. In Canada, British Columbia has identified at least 26 dairy farms across the province and numerous wild birds have tested positive. Canada has had no cases reported in dairy cattle and no evidence of bird flu in samples of milk. Bird flu has infected nearly 450 dairy farms in 15 states since March, according to USDA data. And earlier this month a pig on an Oregon farm tested positive for H5N1 for the first time in the US which caused alarm because pigs have been a source of prior human pandemics. Three in 10 young drivers have bought invalid car insurance from a ghost broker, according to the UK's largest car insurer. Aviva surveyed 2,000 drivers under 25 and found 30 per cent admitted to buying invalid or fake car insurance from someone on social media, a scam known as ghost broking. Ghost brokers pose as legitimate insurance intermediaries, and often target those that struggle to find affordable cover, particularly younger motorists. What they actually sell may look like a legitimate insurance policy but is typically worthless. Aviva found that 89 per cent of young drivers who bought insurance on social media experienced serious consequences. Web threat: Many fraudsters use social media to take advantage of unsuspecting drivers One in 10 (nine per cent) said their details (e.g. age, address) were misrepresented on the policy, meaning it was not valid. Almost a fifth (22 per cent) had a claim rejected due to not having proper insurance. Just over one in six (17 per cent) said they were stopped by police for driving without insurance. Aviva has stopped or removed nearly 17,000 policies in 2024 alone due to application fraud such as ghost broking. The insurer has identified nearly 7,000 cases linked to open ghost broking and application fraud investigations during 2024. Aviva said that anyone buying insurance through social media is almost certainly dealing with a ghost broker, making any 'insurance' purchased worthless. Driving without valid insurance puts drivers at risk of an unlimited fine, driving ban or having their car seized. Katriona Cunningham, of Aviva, said: 'Young drivers aged 1725 are the first generation to grow up with social media being an integral part of their daily lives. 'It is understandable, then, that when looking for car insurance, 30 per cent of young drivers said they turn to social media. 'However, ghost brokers are actively targeting young drivers on social media platforms, offering cheap-but-worthless car insurance that puts the young driver at risk of being uninsured.' How to stay safe from ghost brokers Metro Bank has been fined almost 16.7million after a City watchdog probe found historic failures in the lender's money laundering checks. Between June 2016 and December 2020, Metro 'failed to have the right systems and controls' to adequately monitor over 60 million transactions worth more than 51billion, the Financial Conduct Authority said. The regulator said Metro's automated monitoring system for customer transactions 'did not work as intended'. 'Junior' Metro staff raised concerns about some transaction data not being monitored in 2017 and 2018, but these 'did not result in the issue being identified and fixed', the FCA said. It meant transactions taking place on the same day an account was opened - and any further transactions until the account record was updated - went unchecked. Metro would have received a fine worth more than 23.8million but qualified for a 30 per cent discount as it agreed to resolve the matter. It follows a 29million fine levied at Starling Bank last month for what the FCA described as 'shockingly lax' financial crime controls, which 'left the financial system wide open to criminals' over a four-year period. The FCA's most recent investigation also found 'junior' Metro staff had raised concerns about some transaction data not being monitored in 2017 and 2018, but these 'did not result in the issue being identified and fixed'. A fix was put in place in July 2019, but Metro still did not have a mechanism to 'consistently' check that all relevant transactions were being fed into the monitoring system until December 2020 - four and a half years after the system was implemented, the FCA said. Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight, added: 'Metro's failings risked a gap being left in our defence against the criminal misuse of our financial system. Those failings went on for too long.' Metro said in a statement it has since resolved transaction monitoring system failings and made transaction monitoring 'enhancements'. Metro chief executive Daniel Frumkin said: 'The conclusion of these enquiries draws a line under this legacy issue, allowing the bank to move forward and fully focus on the future, building on the solid foundations it has already laid. 'We are continuing, at pace, our shift towards higher yielding specialist mortgages and commercial, corporate and SME lending with a strong pipeline of business.' Frumkin also took the opportunity to announce a return to underlying profitability in October after upgrading annual guidance in its half-year results. The bank has recently slashed hundreds of jobs as part of an 80million cost-cutting plan after the lender secured a 925million rescue deal last year that saw Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski Bacal take control of the business. Frumkin said October profitability reflected 'the significant progress made in delivering on the bank's strategic priorities'. He added: 'Our relationship-led banking model will allow Metro Bank to go from strength to strength as we forge ahead with our growth agenda and progress towards long term sustainable profitability.' AstraZeneca has upgraded its annual guidance for the second time this year after sales of its cancer drugs soared in the third quarter. The pharmaceutical giant expects overall sales and core earnings per share to rise by a high-teens percentage at constant currency rates in 2024, having previously guided for low-teens percentage growth across both categories. Turnover increased by 21 per cent to $13.6billion in the three months to 30 September. Outlook: AstraZeneca has upgraded its annual guidance after a solid third-quarter result Sales of oncology drugs jumped by 22 per cent to $5.6billion, supported by double-digit percentage growth in lung cancer treatments Tagrisso and Imfinzi and the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma drug Calquence. Trading further benefited from sales of type 2 diabetes medicine Farxiga, its most popular-selling drug, soaring by 27 per cent to $1.9billion, and rare disease drug Ultomiris rising by 35 per cent to more than $1billion. As a result, the FTSE 100 group's core earnings and operating profits each grew by 27 per cent to $2.08 per share and $4.3billion, respectively. Pascal Soriot, chief executive of AstraZeneca, said: 'We are highly encouraged by the broad-based underlying momentum we are seeing across our company in 2024, and growth looks set to continue through 2025, providing a solid foundation to deliver on our 2030 ambition.' AstraZeneca also announced plans to spend $3.5billion by 2026 bolstering its research and manufacturing capabilities in the US. Among other things, the firm intends to build a new research and development centre in Massachusetts and a manufacturing facility for biologics in Maryland. Soriot said the investment reflects the 'attractiveness of the business environment together with the quality of talent and innovation capabilities here in the United States.' AstraZeneca already employs 17,800 people across the US but expects to add over a thousand more high-skilled jobs from the expansion. AstraZeneca shares were up just 0.45 per cent at 10,030p on Tuesday morning and have fallen by around 16 per cent over the past six months. Sheena Berry, healthcare analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said the Chinese authorities' probe into AstraZeneca had rocked the company's share price. 'Clearly, the outcome is unknown, and that will concern investors,' she remarked, adding that 'any swift resolution will be greatly welcomed.' AstraZeneca confirmed last week that its Chinese head, Leon Wang, had been detained, while two other executives and two ex-bosses were under investigation. Around 13 per cent of AstraZeneca's sales last year came from China, where the group signed a licence agreement worth up to $2billion in October to develop a drug to combat high cholesterol levels. 'To the best of the company's knowledge, the investigations include allegations of medical insurance fraud, illegal drug importation and personal information breaches,' said AstraZeneca. Vodafone enjoyed better sales and earnings in the first half, but progress was limited by a performance slump in Germany. The telecoms giant reported its service revenues rose by 1.7 per cent to 15.1billion (12.5billion) in the six months ending September, while overall turnover increased by nearly 300million to 18.3billion. Growth was partly driven by strong results in Turkey, where service revenues jumped by a third to 1.1billion thanks to higher prices and customer levels, as well as beneficial foreign exchange movements in the UK. Result: Vodafone enjoyed better first-half sales and earnings despite a weaker performance in Germany (Pictured top left: Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle) However, sales declined by 3.9 per cent to 6.1billion in Germany due to new laws banning landlords from selling television in bulk to apartment blocks and price hikes dampening the size of its broadband customer base. Vodafone said the combination of higher services revenue and lower energy costs across Europe helped its adjusted earnings before nasties expand by 3.8 per cent to 5.4billion. Meanwhile, its operating profits climbed by 28.3 per cent to 2.4billion after selling an 18 per cent holding in Indus Towers to Bharti Airtel, one of India's largest mobile network operators. The disposal forms part of a push by Vodafone's chief executive, Margherita Della Valle, to reduce the company's debts and streamline its operations. Vodafone also sold its Spanish arm in a 4.3billion deal to Zegona Communications and intends to complete the 8billion disposal of its Italian business early next year. Alongside this, the firm intends to merge its domestic operations with Three UK, depending on receiving the green light from the Competition and Markets Authority. Della Valle, who succeeded Nick Read as Vodafone CEO last year, said: 'The approval processes for our transactions in the UK and Italy are nearing conclusion. 'These will complete our programme to reshape the group for growth.' Following the performance, Vodafone has upheld its annual guidance, with free cash flow of at least 2.4billion and earnings before nasties on an adjusted basis of around 11billion expected. The Newbury-based firm further revealed it had completed the second tranche of a 1billion share buyback scheme. Mark Crouch, market analyst at eToro, said Vodafone's results proved it was 'gradually making strides toward revitalisation. 'Investors may take some comfort in the company's extended share buyback program, which signals management's confidence in the long-term outlook. 'However, given the scale of the challenge, Vodafone's proposed merger with Three UK may prove to be the most viable path forward.' Vodafone shares were 6.8 per cent down at 68p on late Tuesday afternoon, making them the FTSE 100 Index's biggest faller. Albie Amankona, analyst at Third Bridge, highlighted 'tough challenges' facing the UK mobile telecom industry, with a 'saturated market and high 5G infrastructure costs that haven't paid off' squeezing operators are feeling the squeeze. 'To stay competitive, Vodafone will need to invest in exclusive content and seamless bundles post-merger. 'Without these moves, Vodafone risks losing customers and, in the long run, revenue needed for reinvestment, putting its future growth in jeopardy.' Rachel Reeves has been warned that companies will replace more staff with robots as a result of her jobs tax. In her first Budget last month, the Chancellor raised national insurance contributions paid by employers in a 25billion tax raid on business. The move branded a tax on jobs that breached Labours manifesto pledge not to raise national insurance has sparked outrage among critics who warn it will hit hiring and wages. Businesses facing tough choices over their staffing costs will increasingly turn to technology, according to a report by analysts at investment bank RBC Capital Markets. Businesses facing tough choices over their staffing costs will increasingly turn to technology, according to a report by analysts at investment bank RBC Capital Markets Highlighting the impact of Labours Budget bombshell on the High Street, the report said: We think this will result in further automation (e.g. self-scan checkouts) and cost efficiencies, and will lead to small price rises in the sector. The report came as official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that unemployment jumped from 4 per cent to 4.3 per cent during Labours first three months in power. Critics said Reevess tax raid risks turning the High Street into ghost towns as pubs, restaurants and shops shut earlier and open on fewer days to save money on staff. Increased automation also means fewer staff on the High Street and more self-scan checkouts and QR code menus in their place. Labour promised to breathe life back into the High Street in its manifesto and reform the hated business rates system. But business rates remain unchanged, and with the national insurance hike and increases to the minimum wage as well as new workers rights, this will cost business 5bn. Primark, which employs 29,000 staff across 191 stores in the UK, has said it will use more self-checkouts in shops and robots in warehouses to cut costs and keep prices down. Boss George Weston said last week he expects to have fewer staff in a years time thanks to automated technologies after warning the Budget has heaped tens of millions of pounds of costs onto his firm. Mark Selby, chief executive and co-founder of Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca, said that since the Budget he has been inundated with offers from technology companies to replace human workers. He told the Mail: Hospitality is about creating a nice experience for people. But more and more, people are going why wouldnt you look at robots and different ways of having your workforce? Labours treatment of his industry feels utterly unacceptable and further calls into question the Chancellors claim that her Budget would protect working people, the restaurateur said. Selby added: It feels very ill thought out. You dont create economic growth by hitting the biggest workforce groups and making it harder for them to grow. Jobs tax: In her first Budget last month, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) raised national insurance contributions paid by employers in a 25bn tax raid on business Luke Johnson, chairman of bakery chain Gails, said the decision to raise the cost of doing business only adds to the decline of town and city centres. The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), which represents bars and clubs, has warned four in ten of its members are at risk of closing down within six months. Michael Kill, the industry groups chief executive, said: The Budget has effectively signed a death sentence for many night-time economy businesses across the UK. This sector is being pushed to the brink. Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, which collectively represents 8,500 shops across the country, said: Our members have already told us they will be forced to reduce staff hours, reduce the number of employees and reduce the trading hours. In short, the Budget has made the revitalisation of high streets, a key mission for this government, very much harder. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said: Labours tax-rise Budget means the only way hospitality businesses can balance their books is with fewer hours, fewer staff or both. Thats going to leave our high streets like ghost towns many nights of the week. Its only been a few months, yet under Labour the lights are literally going out. A host of companies have warned that Budget measures will push up costs. Tesco reported a 250million increase a year, Sainsburys will take a 140million hit and Marks & Spencer 120million. Retail expert Jonathan De Mello, founder of JDM Retail, said: Automation and self checkouts will very likely see increased prevalence given the changes to national insurance planned by the Government. AstraZeneca said it is in China for the long haul and outlined billions of pounds of investment in the US but a new vaccine factory in the UK hangs in the balance. The pharma giants chief executive Pascal Soriot threw his weight behind its Chinese business yesterday. But he admitted that the firm is in the dark and has very little information about the arrest of its boss in the region. Investment: Astra boss Pascal Soriot (pictured) threw his weight behind its Chinese business despite admitting the firm has very little information about the arrest of its boss in the region AstraZeneca also said it would pour 2.7billion into the US to expand its research and manufacturing sites. The commitment to China and the US came as AstraZeneca said it was locked in talks with ministers about whether it will go ahead to build a 450million vaccine factory in Liverpool. Were still in discussions with the Government to figure out what type of incentives there may be, said finance boss Aradhana Sarin. The hold-up over a major project in the UK at the same time as AstraZeneca presses ahead with investment in the US and China is likely to raise fresh concerns over Labours stewardship of the economy. The drugs group was previously in talks with the Conservative government about state funding for the factory and expected more than 90m of support for the project. But Labour officials reportedly have been trying to reduce this to 40million, sparking a debate between the two sides. The company stressed plans for the factory are not on hold but were being reviewed in light of the incentives on offer. AstraZeneca also announced the multi-billion pound investment in the US. The firm said it plans to open a research and development centre in Massachusetts as well as a manufacturing plant in Maryland. Further afield, there are plans to expand its manufacturing capacity on the west and east coasts as well as more specialised factories in Texas. Our multi-billion-dollar investment reflects the attractiveness of the business environment together with the quality of talent and innovation capabilities here in the United States, Soriot said. The investment forms part of the groups plans to boost its annual sales to 63billion by the end of the decade, a large share of which is expected to come from the US market. AstraZeneca also remained committed to China, where it is the countrys largest pharmaceutical firm employing around 18,000 staff. This was despite a widening probe into its Chinese employees by local officials which since last week has wiped over 16billion off its value. Soriot said the firm was taking the situation very seriously and would fully cooperate with Chinese authorities if approached. The company itself is not under investigation. Last week AstraZeneca revealed that the head of its China business, Leon Wang, had been detained by authorities in the city of Shenzhen. Around 100 former employees have been sentenced in a separate case based on allegations that patient test results were falsified to receive funds from Chinas state-run health insurance system. The pharma giant, meanwhile, yesterday upgraded its forecasts for 2024 after reporting that pre-tax profits for the third quarter of the year had risen 11 per cent to 1.4billion while sales grew 18 per cent to 10.6billion. MAGA darling Kari Lake failed to secure a victory in her second bid for public office in Arizona, despite Donald Trump winning the swing state. The race was called for Democrat Ruben Gallego, an Arizona congressman, on Monday after Trump officially flipped the state two days earlier to sweep all seven swing states in the 2024 presidential election. In addition to a remarkable win to take back the White House, Republicans also flipped the Senate red and the party is well on the way to retaining its majority in the House. But Lake wasn't able to add to the new GOP Senate majority as she tried to capture the open U.S. Senate seat of outgoing Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who caucused with Democrats. She faced a tough opponent in Rep. Gallego (D-Ariz.) whose victory was crucial for Democrats who lost their majority in the Senate and were hoping not to let Republicans widen the gap even further. The former television news anchor lost a good bit of her pro-MAGA political momentum after she was defeated in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election against Katie Hobbs. Kari Lake lost her bid to represent Arizona in the U.S. Senate Your browser does not support iframes. And even before Election Day, Lake was consistently falling behind Gallego in nearly every reputable poll. Lake, a fierce MAGA darling and pro-Trump voice in Arizona, often appeared alongside him in the 2022 election cycle and helped push his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. She slammed Democratic leadership in Arizona, spuriously claiming it allowed the election to be 'stolen' for Joe Biden. This cycle, Trump campaigned with Lake and had fully endorsed her in the Senate race even when she was running in a primary against Mark Lamb, whom she defeated by 15.7 percent. Lake is also a staunch border hawk and joined the growing chorus of voices claiming the southern migrant crisis is the largest issue facing the country. Arizona, one of the three southern land-border states, is one of the areas hit hardest by the flow of illegal immigrants surging over the division between the U.S. and Mexico. In the 2022 gubernatorial race, Lake lost to Hobbs by only 0.7 percent, making it one of the closest races in the midterm cycle. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) clinched victory on Tuesday night to replace outgoing independent Sen. Krysten Sinema in the upper chamber Your browser does not support iframes. Trump and Lake embrace and share a cheek kiss as they campaign together at a rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona on October 13, 2024 Lake began her media career in the early 1990s and was an anchor for Phoenix television station KSAZ-TV from 1999 to 2021 stepping down shortly before announcing her gubernatorial bid. She easily won the GOP nomination with the backing of former President Trump. But her campaign was mired by controversy, including her promoting false claims that Trump won the 2020 presidential election and calling for the imprisonment of those who accepted his defeat. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Lake's candidacy for office first gained controversy in the 2022 election for governor after she emerged as an early and vociferous opponent of the 2020 presidential election results Sinema's Arizona Senate seat was up for grabs after she decided not to run for reelection following her single term there and three terms in the House. She was first elected as a Democrat, but in December 2022 refiled as an independent, which contributed to a slimming Democratic majority in the upper chamber. Gallego will now join fellow Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly in the Arizona delegation to the U.S. Senate. The View host Ana Navarro wants Joe Biden to pardon his son Hunter's gun and tax evasion crimes before Donald Trump takes office. The president's second son was convicted of three felony gun charges in June and pleaded guilty to nine charges in a federal tax case in September. Biden has repeatedly said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentences, which will be handed down on December 12 for the gun and December 16 for taxes. Navarro argued he should change his mind and in his last days in office because Trump would pardon the January 6 rioters. The View host Ana Navarro wants Joe Biden to pardon his son Hunter's gun and tax evasion crimes before Donald Trump takes office Hunter was convicted of three felony gun charges in June (pictured with his wife after the verdict) and pleaded guilty to nine charges in a federal tax case in September 'Joe, since they're talking smack about you anyway, maybe pardon Hunter,' she said on Tuesday morning. 'Pardon Hunter because basically America just pardoned a criminal who was convicted of felonies.' Navarro then gave a convoluted explanation of how Trump pardoned Charles Kushner - the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. 'America just elected a man who pardoned Jared Kushner's father, who set up his brother-in-law with a hooker and then sent the pictures to the sister because they were in the midst of a fight over the parents' money,' she said. One of the other View hosts said 'I need a flowchart, I can't follow this', to which Navarro replied, 'Well, whatever the flowchart is, it's nasty'. Charles Kushner, 70, was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion and witness tampering. President Biden talks with his son Hunter Biden upon arrival at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, on June 11, 2024, after he was convicted in Wilmington After the verdict, President Joe Biden flew to Wilmington so he could hug his son Hunter Navarro was discussing the witness tampering charge, which stemmed from Kushner retaliating against William Schulder, his sister Esther's husband. Schulder, his ex-employee, was cooperating with investigators on the other charges, so Kushner hired a prostitute to seduce him, secretly recorded the encounter, and months later sent it to Esther after deciding not to blackmail him. Trump also pardoned the rapper Lil Wayne, and former advisors Stephen Bannon and Roger Stone among 144 sentences pardoned or commuted in his last 12 hours in the White House. 'He (Trump) is probably gonna pardon some of the folks from January 6, those insurrectionists, so you know what? It's your son, he probably wouldn't have been prosecuted if his last name wasn't Biden,' Navarro continued. 'You've got two-and-a-half months, I'm good with you pardoning Hunter.' Friends of the family have questioned if the president will keep his promise not to pardon, given his worries about Hunter's mental state and the fact that, since he's not running for a second term, there is essentially no political danger to him. The court was shown evidence taken from Hunter's laptop - including pictures of text messages where Hunter refers to himself as an addict and his conversations with suspected drug dealers The Colt Cobra gun Hunter Biden bought illegally while addicted to drugs was part of the evidence presented by federal prosecutors Jared Kushner with his father Charles, who founded Kushner Cos, in March 2012 Additionally, Trump promised to prosecute his political enemies and Hunter would be a top target. A blanket pardon from President Biden would protect his son from any action by Trump. In the June gun purchase case, jurors found Hunter Biden guilty of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user, and illegally having the gun for 11 days. Hunter faces up to 25 years in prison although as a first-time offender he would not get anywhere near the maximum, and there's no guarantee the judge would send him to jail. Hunter could face up to 17 years in prison for his tax crimes, which include tax evasion, filing fraudulent tax returns, and failing to pay taxes. The judge also could impose a hefty fine, perhaps as much as $1.3 million. The judges in both cases were appointed by Trump. Hunter is a first-time offender. He has been sober for years and paid his taxes and fines, although that money was provided by a wealthy friend. Some of the migrants in sanctuary city New York are already 'terrified' of being deported by Donald Trump - but others are convinced they'll be free from persecution because they aren't criminals. At the The Roosevelt Hotel shelter, where many have been living for over a year, some say they feel 'traumatized' by Trump's repeated threats. One mother was seen sobbing in the lobby after the Republican's win was announced early Wednesday. Another said he is already planning to flee the US and go to Costa Rica, telling Daily Mail: 'I am a scared man.' Many asylum seeker families have been staying at the shelter at The Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan for over a year Asylum seeker Fernando Peralta, 34, sells drinks from a cooler outside The Roosevelt Hotel 'I dont want them to grab me and hold me in some immigration jail for who knows how long.' Others, however, are confident they will be allowed to stay because they haven't committed crimes. They support Trump's plan to get rid of violent criminals, and are not worried about being swept up in his plans to carry out sweeping deportations. '[Trump] says hes going to deport the illegal migrants which is not a bad thing. We came here to work and were not all the same.... Were not undocumented,' Venezuelan Fernando Peralta said as he sold drinks from a cooler outside the shelter. He is registered as an asylum seeker, which gives him hope he will be allowed to remain in the US. 'Were gonna be fine cause the government should go after the bad guys,' he added. Peralta claimed that he himself has fallen victim to criminal migrants who have been operating near the shelter and the Times Square area. 'I am scared man. Im already planning on traveling to Costa Rica,' Venezuelan asylum seeker Luis told DailyMail.com on Thursday following Trump's win 'Why would you come here and steal? One of them tried to rob me the other day and I punched him in the face,' an exasperated Peralta said. 'Look how were working here and theyre out there stealing.' Another, who gave her name as Nellie, said she did not consider Trump when making her migration plans. She arrived in the country last week - and agreed with Peralta that not all migrants are 'the same'. 'It's not about hate or racism. It's that if someone comes here to do harm and commit crimes, then it is the president's duty to clean things up,' she said, in a show of support for Trump's plans. Trump's election appears to already have had an effect on a migrant caravan that is currently headed to the US. A caravan traveling through Mexico towards the US is seen on November 7 Reuters reported that the caravan of thousands of migrants traveling through Mexico had shrunk to about half its original size as many migrants grapple with their prospects following former Trump's win last week. Trump clinched the presidential election after a campaign that promised large-scale deportations of undocumented migrants and a return to fast-tracked deportations to Mexico, in addition to halting entries across the US border with Mexico. An official from Mexico's National Migration Institute said a caravan traveling to the US had dwindled to less than 1,600 people from 3,000 when it set out from the southern city of Tapachula on Tuesday. Just over 100 people asked for help from authorities to return to the Mexican city, the official said. It was unclear where the rest of the migrants who left the caravan were headed. After hearing that Trump had won, many of those in the caravan felt less hopeful about their chance at a new life in the U.S. 'I had hoped (Kamala Harris) would win, but that didn't happen,' said Valerie Andrade, a Venezuelan migrant travelling from Chiapas to Oaxaca in southern Mexico. Andrade, along with her husband, and like over seven million other Venezuelans, left her crisis-ridden country seeking better prospects. Migrants told DailyMail.com that many of the children living at the shelter have been traumatized by Trump's promises of mass deportations Migrants walk in a caravan along a highway on their way to the U.S. border, in Saltillito, Mexico, on November 7 Trump's proposed immigration policies also include ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. During his previous administration, between 2017 and 2021 Trump put in place policies that left hundreds of thousands of migrants stranded in camps along the Mexican border, reshaping U.S. immigration politics. A spokesperson for Chiapas state security said that while the migrant caravan continues north, some families are choosing to turn back to Tapachula, near the Guatemalan border. But for many the journey northward persists. Venezuelan migrant Jeilimar, who requested that her last name be withheld for her safety, remains hopeful her appointment to seek asylum via the U.S. Customs and Border Protection app, CBP One, will come through before Trump assumes office in January. 'With God's favor, I'll get that appointment,' she said, as she travelled with her six-year-old daughter, intent on reaching the U.S. The mastermind behind a chilling plot to assassinate Donald Trump and an Iranian-American journalist has been unmasked by DailyMail.com as a father-of-five whose brother is a 'die-hard' MAGA supporter. Farhad Shakeri, 51, was revealed to have admitted to orchestrating the terrifying scheme which was thwarted by the FBI and involved three alleged hitmen who were hired by the feared Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to carry out a hit on the president-elect. The would-be-assassin previously lived in the US, being brought up in Manassas, Virginia, from the age of nine along with his six siblings after their parents moved the family from Afghanistan for a better life. Pictured exclusively by DailyMail.com today, Shakeri can be seen posing with his American wife - whose identity is being withheld - in a photo taken shortly after he was deported from the US in 2008. The couple had five children and had been living in New York when Shakeri was convicted of robbery and kidnapping in 1994 for which he was handed a 21-year sentence before his deportation to Afghanistan. Sources told DailyMail.com Shakeri then moved his family to Dubai, before moving on to Turkey and spending time in Afghanistan and Iran over the years. Farhad Shakeri, 51, was revealed to have admitted to orchestrating the terrifying scheme which to the FBI over a number of phones calls in recent months, but remains at large. He is pictured with his American wife after his deportation Shakeri is alleged to have helped orchestrate a plot to assassinate Trump weeks before the presidential election and was also offered a large sum of money to investigate - and ultimately kill - Iranian-American activist and journalist Masih Alinejad (right) His wife and children would return to the US following the couple's split in 2015. Shakeri, meanwhile, would be arrested again in 2019 by the Sri Lanka Police Narcotics Bureau (SLPRB) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in connection with the seizure of approximately 92 kilograms of heroin. Authorities say Shakeri confessed to the FBI in five separate phone calls over a two-month period that he helped orchestrate a plot to assassinate Trump weeks before the presidential election. He claimed the original plan was to carry out killings against Iranian opponents in the US, before receiving new orders on October 7 - the anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel - to solely target Trump. Despite his admissions, Shakeri is still on the loose in Tehran, as Iran does not have an extradition agreement with the US and tensions remain at an all-time high between the two nations. American authorities therefore have no legal means to order Shakeri to return to the United States or give himself up to face punishment. But sources say his shocking high-stakes admissions have left his family - who are currently in the US - shell-shocked and 'terrified' for their lives here. They have gone completely to ground since news of his plot broke, with one relative threatening to call police on reporters when they were approached for a comment. Shakeri's younger brother is a huge supporter of Donald Trump and would never have condoned the plot, sources told DailyMail.com, insisting that the rest of the clan were 'very peaceful.' 'Farhad is just a wild card', one source said. 'His entire family are a very peaceful and very loving and kind family. They meet up every week and go to mosque, they are Muslims. 'I don't think they had any idea about any of this. No one can get hold of them at all right now. 'Farhad is the only one who never really stopped with the bad behavior, but I'm in shock that he could be capable of something like this. His mother will be heartbroken.' Pictures released by the Justice Department after the thwarted attempt on Trump's life Carlisle 'Pop' Rivera, 49, one of the alleged would-be assassins hired by Iran is a self-employed pipe fitter from Staten Island and convicted murderer. He was arrested last Thursday and charged with conspiracy to murder the president-elect and an Iranian activist Shakeri allegedly paid Rivera and a third alleged hired hitman Jonathan Loadholt $1,000 to surveil Alinejad at a speaking engagement at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. This screenshot showed the details for the event, a photo of her, and a money order for $500 to be paid to Rivera The FBI have had five high-stakes discussions with Shakeri over the phone in the span of two months. Bureau officials have not revealed why Shakeri volunteered so much explosive information to them. He reportedly had 'issues' in his life early on, well before his 1994 conviction for robbing a gun store in New York aged just 20. Shakeri and three other men were charged in connection with stealing 80 firearms and kidnapping a store clerk from T.D. Gun Range in Medford in March 1994. A probe at the time discovered some of the stolen weapons at Shakeri's home, with investigators accusing the gang of holding the clerk of the store up at gun point before stealing the cache of weapons. They reportedly 'argued' over weather or not to kill their victim, but ultimately dumped him 60 miles away from the store threatening to harm his family if he identified them. Shakeri was handed a 21-year-prison sentence, but deported after serving just 14. Authorities gave him the option to serve the rest of his sentence in a US prison which he declined. After being deported in 2008, Shakeri moved his life to the UAE, before moving on to Turkey with sources saying he lost contact with some of his family after again being jailed in 2019. The last time many of the family heard from would-be-assassin, he was being held in Afghanistan on death row, and some were unaware that he had fled to Iran. 'He spent a lot of time on death row', the source added. 'His mother had no clue about him being on death row, she just thinks that he has been deported. 'His brother was very disappointed in his behavior, he could no longer look up to him, and that is a big deal in the Muslim community. 'Farhad is really nasty. It just shocks me, because how did he keep getting out of death row he must have been making deals with the worst of the worst to be getting out.' Pictures released by the DOJ show the cache of weapons the suspected hitmen had at their disposal Trump assassination attempt pictures released by the government One of the weapons the hitmen allegedly bought for the assassination His family reportedly wanted a relationship with the father-of-four, but struggled after hearing about the 'heinous acts' he was committing overseas. 'The world fell on his younger brothers' shoulders', a source claimed. 'Farhad was meant to be the eldest, but he just didn't act like it and didn't stop his behavior.' Shakeri told authorities he met a senior member of the Revolutionary Guard through his work in Tehran in the 'oil and fuel businesses.' The man was referred to by others around him as Majid Soleimani, but Shakeri said he has no way of knowing whether the man is connected to late Iranian military officer Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated under Trump's watch in 2020. When Majid learned that Shakeri used to live in New York, he offered him a large sum of money to investigate - and ultimately kill - Iranian-American activist and journalist Masih Alinejad. In his initial calls with the FBI, Shakeri denied that he agreed to have Alinejad killed, and said he merely offered his services to have her investigated. By his last correspondence with authorities on November 7, he accepted that he had enlisted a former prison buddy, Carlisle Rivera, to kill her. According to the criminal complaint seen by DailyMail.com, Rivera was waiting on a $100,000 payment from the IRGC to carry out the assassination. But Shakeri said by mid-late September, this IRGC official had told him to 'put aside his other efforts on behalf of the IRGC and focus on surveilling, and ultimately assassinating, Donald Trump. Shakeri warned Majid that such a feat would cost 'a huge amount of money', and said he was reassured that 'money is not an issue.' On or about October 7, Shakeri was given a seven-day deadline to devise a thorough plan to carry out the assassination attempt. He was told if he could not come up with a plan in this timeframe, the attempt would be put on the back burner until after the election, because officials in Iran assumed Trump would lose the election and then have less protection. Trump has been a target of Iran assassination threats since he ordered the strike that killed Soleimani, the leader of the brutal Iranian Quds Forces Authorities described Shakeri as an Iranian government 'asset' and say he confessed his plan to the FBI on five separate phone calls - but he's still walking free In September, the Trump campaign revealed it had been briefed on the threat from Tehran. 'Big threats on my life by Iran,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. 'The entire US military is watching and waiting. 'Moves were already made by Iran that didn't work out, but they will try again.' Questions have been raised about whether an effort is underway to also secure the arrest of Shakeri, given his involvement in the plot. Shakeri met Rivera in prison while he was serving time for first-degree robbery and Rivera doing time for second-degree murder. He also enlisted the help of another former inmate, but that person was not named in the criminal complaint and instead was identified as 'co-conspirator one.' Co-conspirator One helped to locate and investigate Alinejad, according to the documents. He and Shakeri are long-time associates. After they were both released from prison, they were arrested in January 2019 together in Sri Lanka following the seizure of 92 kilograms of heroin. The disturbing documents unsealed by the Department of Justice last week revealed the arsenal of weapons the would-be assassins had at their disposal and the texts messages they sent each other to concoct their plan. Shakeri explained in his FBI interviews that he had been tasked with surveilling and killing Trump to avenge the devastating drone strike that killed Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, in January 2020. Trump rises from the stage with his fist in the air after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July Shakeri - along with New Yorkers Carlisle Rivera, 49, and Jonathan Loadholt, 36, - are also accused of targeting an Iranian-American activist and were offered $500,000 to kill two Jewish businessmen living in the US. He allegedly confessed to the FBI that the Iranians had been devoting as much money as possible to ensure efforts to kill Trump were carried out. The other two men are both in US custody and made a court appearance in New York on Thursday. Trump has already survived two attempts on his life, including avoiding death by a fraction of an inch when he was shot in the ear at an election rally in Pennsylvania in July. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that there are 'few actors' in the world that 'pose as grave a threat to the national security of the United States as does Iran.' 'The Justice Department has charged an asset of the Iranian regime who was tasked by the regime to direct a network of criminal associates to further Iran's assassination plots against its targets, including President-elect Donald Trump.' 'We have also charged and arrested two individuals who we allege were recruited as part of that network to silence and kill, on U.S. soil, an American journalist who has been a prominent critic of the regime. 'We will not stand for the Iranian regime's attempts to endanger the American people and America's national security.' A California high school teacher has been suspended after launching into an expletive-filled rant against President Donald Trump in front of his students. Maximiliano Perez, an Advanced Placement history teacher at Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, was recorded ranting to his history students just one day after the presidential election. In a recording obtained by user Corey DeAngelis on X, Perez is heard telling his students that the election result 'is not a f***ing game' and that they could even end up 'in a concentration camp' and 'with no human rights' under Trump's presidency. 'This s*** is not a f******* game. Does that make sense everybody? I can't emphasize this enough. Can you end up in a concentration camp in your lifetime? Yes.' Perez accused the former president of quoting Adolf Hitler and 'embodying some of Hitler's ideas', calling him 'treasonous scum' and a 'rapist, draft-dodging coward'. Maximiliano Perez, an Advanced Placement history teacher at Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, was recorded ranting to his history students just one day after the presidential election 'Can you end up with no human rights? Yes,' he added. 'Will it happen to you? Most likely not, which is a good thing. But has Donald Trump quoted Hitler? Yes. Does he embody some of Hitler's ideas? Yes.' The teacher even took aim at students' own families, telling them he knows 'a lot of Latino men who wish they were white' - including their 'fathers, uncles, and grandfathers'. 'He won because white women didn't show up and vote for Kamala Harris. He won because Black men and Brown men didn't show up and vote for Kamala Harris. 'Let me tell you, I know a lot of Latino men on this campus, adults and students, that love Donald Trump, and he's called their mothers rapists. He's called their fathers rapists. He's called them criminals. He called them the poison in the blood of our country.' 'God, they wanna be White so bad but they never will be,' Perez allegedly said in recordings. 'I hate that s***. I hate Latino men that oppress the women in their family, their own daughters. And then they turn around and vote for men who want to oppress them.' Perez's then went on to attack the topic of gender as well, as he ranted: 'God I f***ing hate the patriarchy. If you're a young man right now in front of me, I hope you hate it too [...] you get the privilege of not being born with a uterus.' 'You get the privilege of not being born with a uterus, so it doesn't affect you. It's affecting everyone. I'm so f******* sorry, guys. You deserve better. Look at me. You deserve better. Do you have privilege because you live here? Yes.' In a recording obtained by user Corey DeAngelis on X, Perez is heard telling his students that the election result 'is not a f***ing game' and that they could even end up 'in a concentration camp' and 'with no human rights' under Trump's presidency He went on to tell his history students that they are privileged that they live in the state of California because 'there is some poor Palestinian boy in Michigan that's gonna get beat up today.' 'You're not a five-year-old Black girl in Arkansas who's the only African-American in her class and whose great-grandfather was lynched during the civil rights movement. You have a f**** ton of privilege living in this great state,' he said. 'This election is going to affect billions of people. You're very lucky to be where you're at because there is some poor Palestinian boy in Michigan who's going to get beat up today, assaulted, and have his nose broken.' He told his students that he cried for a week after Biden dropped out of the race and Harris took over. 'We all deserve better,' he added. 'You know what this country is. Is our country racist? Is our country patriarchal? Can we change it? Maybe.' The Moreno Valley Unified School District has confirmed that Perez, who reportedly makes a total yearly salary of $106,442 and is listed as the school's advisor for the 'AP Mental Club,' has been placed on administrative leave while they investigate the incident. 'We were recently made aware of an incident at one of our high schools, in which a staff member's discussion about the election results turned unprofessional,' the school said in a statement. 'We do not condone the behavior that occurred, and an immediate investigation has been launched.' 'We recognize the heightened emotions surrounding the current political climate, and we deeply value the diversity of our community, which encompasses a wide range of perspectives and beliefs,' the district said. Some students came out in defense of their teacher. A change.org petition, started by student Andrew S, named 'BRING BACK MR. PEREZ' demands the return of Mr. Perez and argues that the tweet by DeAngelis 'directly' puts the school in 'danger.' Perez accused the former president of quoting Adolf Hitler and 'embodying some of Hitler's ideas', calling him 'treasonous scum' and a 'rapist, draft-dodging coward' The petition calls Mr. Perez one of 'the best teachers on the campus and one of the kindest too' and admits that he engaged in an 'unprofessional moment' when discussing 'his mass-disappointment that Donald J. Trump had won.' One student, Sarah Ghawi, said: 'It's just devastating to know that they're trying to get him out all because of his opinion,' as reported by ABC7. 'I think they're trying to make him seem like a bad guy because of what he said,' another student who was present during the rant, Mykael James, chimed in. 'I know it was very strong toned, but that's how he gives his lecture as a professor.' 'I feel like it was appropriate,' she added. 'I didn't take it the wrong way, and he was offering up a one-on-one apology after class.' According to the students, a walk out is planned Tuesday in support of their teacher as thousanss signed a petition urging the school to allow his return. The FEMA boss who was fired after ordering volunteers not to approach homes displaying Trump signs in Florida after Hurricane Milton has insisted her edict 'was not isolated' and also happened in North Carolina. Speaking out for the first time since she was fired, Marn'i Washington accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency of 'lying' about the scandal, and making her the scapegoat of a wider practice. Washington was blasted publicly and lost her job after a text chain was leaked that showed her instructing colleagues to 'avoid' houses that had Trump signs in their yards. Washington told DailyMail.com she is seeking an attorney and is 'at risk' as a result of the backlash she's received. 'I have information that proves FEMA is lying,' she said. In a podcast appearance last night, she went further - claiming more FEMA employees are guilty of the same bias, but that she is the only one being hung out to dry. Marn'i Washington, 38, has been fired from her role as a supervisor at FEMA She told workers in a group chat to 'avoid homes advertising Trump' as they worked around the town of Lake Placid in late October and early November 'FEMA preaches avoidance first, and then de-escalation. This is not isolated. This is a colossal event of avoidance,' Washington said in an interview with YouTube podcaster Roland Martin. 'Not just in the state of Florida. You will find avoidance in the Carolinas,' she revealed. She says she was directly following FEMA protocol when she issued the controversial directive. FEMA has tried to distance itself from Washington after receiving widespread backlash, revealing she lost her job after her superiors learned of the message. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said 'this is a clear violation of FEMA's core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation. 'This employee has been terminated and we have referred the matter to the Office of Special Counsel.' Washington and a team of volunteers were in Florida in the aftermath of successive hurricanes Helene and Milton - which together left at least 254 people dead - to offer government assistance to victims Marn'i Washington accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency of 'lying' about the scandal after officials fired her and said they were appalled by her actions She also worked a full time regular job in property management in California, but was fired as a result of the backlash she's received Washington claimed FEMA teams - that were excoriated for their slow and underwhelming response to the hurricanes - experienced hostility on specific streets. 'If you look at the record there is what you call a community trend... the political hostility that was encountered by my team, they just so happened to have the Trump campaign signage.' 'If we are noticing on, for example, Mary Street, and we're greeted with unwelcomed arms or people are coming out with guns blazing screaming at us, then that's a street we need to avoid altogether.' Washington said she did not even vote in this election because she was so busy helping clean up efforts and would never have let politics interfere with her work. Instead, she said the directive was a matter of keeping her team safe. 'Not all Floridians have been unpleasant but for the most part the ones that are very passionate about their disdain for FEMA... they have no problem expressing it,' she said. Images of the system used to document what homes they visited show notes being left that said: 'Trump sign, no contact per leadership' During the tragedy, Trump was highly critical of FEMA and the government response, claiming: 'We give foreign countries hundreds of billions of dollars and we're handing North Carolina $750.' Ahead of making a stop in hurricane ravaged North Carolina, Trump said: 'Don't like the reports that I'm getting about the Federal Government, and the Democrat Governor of the State, going out of their way to not help people in Republican areas.' Washington had also instructed her crews to 'practice de-escalation and preventative measures' and to 'not go anywhere alone.' Her edict prompted workers to avoid at least 20 homes with signage, indicating their support for the President-elect, leaving residents to fend for themselves without any federal aid, whistleblowers alleged. She warned volunteers to 'follow the rules' and to take 'frequent breaks and drink water.' Washington was employed as a reservist with FEMA since 2019 and responded to deployment call outs 'on United Nations lands' after natural disasters. Over her years in the job, Washington and her team have also received hostile treatment from Biden/Harris supporters and the same approach of 'disengaging and withdrawing' has taken place. She also worked a full time regular job in property management in California, but was fired as a result of the backlash she's received. Employees said they wound up skipping at least 20 homes with signage indicating their support for the President-elect A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) worker was fired after a Daily Wire report revealed she instructed her team to discriminate against MAGA Americans facing disaster According to the Daily Wire, the employees who followed Washington's orders were part of a Department of Homeland Security team that was made up of volunteers from other agencies. One of the workers said: 'I thought we could go help and make a difference. When we got there we were told to discriminate against people. 'It's almost unbelievable to think that somebody in the federal government would think that's okay.' The person added that it was wrong to discriminate against Trump supporters when they were their 'most vulnerable.' The lack of a response led residents to fend for themselves without any federal aid They added: 'I volunteered to help disaster victims, not discriminate against them. It didn't matter if people were black, white, Hispanic, for Trump, for Harris. Everyone deserves the same amount of help.' Images also obtained by the outlet of the system used to document what homes were visited show notes being left that said: 'Trump sign, no contact per leadership.' But the Trump-related remarks were reportedly deleted from the group chat a few days after they were posted. Criswell said in the wake of the controversy: 'I will continue to do everything I can to make sure this never happens again.' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered a state investigation into Washington's edict. 'The blatant weaponization of government by partisan activists in the federal bureaucracy is yet another reason why the Biden-Harris administration is in its final days,' the governor said. 'At my direction, the Division of Emergency Management is launching an investigation into the federal governments targeted discrimination of Floridians who support Donald Trump. 'New leadership is on the way in DC, and Im optimistic that these partisan bureaucrats will be fired.' Trump resoundingly won Florida's 30 electoral votes, with the Associated Press calling the race just one hour after polls closed. A furious German pensioner reportedly left his daughter seriously injured after shooting her with a WW2-era pistol after she asked him to move into a care home. Wilhelm S., 96, allegedly shot the woman five times in the kitchen of their family home on September 5, in Bork, Selm, Germany. The daughter, 63, miraculously survived the attack launched by her angered, and visually impaired, father while he was charged with attempted murder. According to a Bild report, Wilhelm's daughter had visited him daily until the day of the crime after he suffered a broken neck in the summer before discharging himself from hospital. But this caused the senior citizen to encounter difficulties with moving around the home, and so his daughter suggested he move into a care facility. Wilhelm S., 96, allegedly shot the woman five times in the kitchen of their family home on September 5, in Bork, Selm, Germany (file photo) Following the shooting, a SWAT team cordoned off a large section of the residential area and arrested the elderly man (file photo) The elderly man used his Walther P38 pistol to shoot at his daughter five times (file photo) Nesrin Oecal, a spokeswoman for the Dortmund Regional Court said: 'According to the prosecution, there were repeated arguments between the two because of this issue. On the day of the vicious crime, the daughter reportedly moved chairs around in the kitchen area so her father could walk around the room with ease. But in a horror response, he reached over and grabbed his Walther P38 pistol that he is believed to have owned legally for over 80 years, according to the German newspaper. Wilhelm fired four times in the direction of his daughter, before pulling the trigger once more as she ran bleeding towards the door in a bid to escape. One bullet pierced her thigh, while another grazed her arm. Following the shooting, a SWAT team cordoned off a large section of the residential area and arrested the elderly man. Wilhelm was taken to the prison hospital in an ambulance, but despite the charges of attempted murder, a judge has shockingly allowed him to return home on conditional release. The District Court in Dortmund is now deciding if the trial will even go ahead, determining if Wilhelms determination to avoid a care home will see him instead behind bars. A village school headteacher sparked fury after requesting all reference to Christmas be removed from a traditional festive pantomime being staged for young pupils. Parents have slammed the decision not to include anything about the Christian celebration so the event can be 'inclusive' for children of all faiths. A letter was sent to parents of 126 children at the Wherwell Primary School in Andover, Hampshire, from the head teacher informing them that there would be no reference to Christmas in a production of 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. After a backlash from angry parents a new letter was sent out by the headteacher Mandy Ovenden this week explaining the school's decision. Mrs Ovenden said as the pantomime was not a Christmas event all children at the school should be able to attend even those who parents usually stop them from attending anything that celebrates the festive season on religious grounds. A letter was sent to parents of 126 children at the Wherwell Primary School (pictured) in Andover, Hampshire, requesting the play makes no reference to Christmas The letter (pictured) was from the head teacher, informing parents there would be no reference to Christmas in a production of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' After backlash from angry parents a new letter was sent out by the headteacher Mandy Ovenden (pictured) this week explaining the school's decision It said: 'Discussion with the panto company revealed that Christmas songs were included in the performance. 'We have a number of families who either do not celebrate Christmas or do so in a different way. The children of these families are removed from events such as this, at the request of their parents. 'As this is not a Christmas event, but a pantomime, it can be enjoyed by everyone wit the changes we have requested. 'We are keen that ALL of our children should enjoy the pantomime and for it to be a fully inclusive event, have removed Christmas songs from the production. 'Children will continue to enjoy our usual Christmas events as we progress through the remainder of this term.' But the decision to axe Christmas has angered parents. One told MailOnline: 'This shouldn't be allowed. Christmas is celebrated all over the UK and the world, and you just can't eradicate it so a few people will not be offended. 'A pantomime is only ever held at Christmas, but it's crazy that there can be no mention of the word. Another said: 'The head is wrong pandering to the whim of a small minority of parents. The traditional tale of Jack and the Beanstalk is being staged by Essex based Chaplins Pantos The company performs to over half a million school children every year with five actors taking part in the show 'She or the panto company should have said 'no'. You cannot eradicate our history and culture.' The traditional tale of Jack and the Beanstalk is being staged by Essex based Chaplins Pantos. The company performs to over half a million school children every year with five actors taking part in the show. A spokesman for Chaplins said they usually include references to Christmas in their shows but were asked by Wherwell Primary School to remove them. A spokesman said: 'We don't always mention Santa Claus, but there would usually include a Christmas song and there would be reference to Christmas. On this occasion the school asked us not to include any reference. Wherwell Primary School makes a point of emphasising they follow British values on its website. Those values are listed as the rule of law, democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance for those if different faith and beliefs. It says by following these children aged from five to 11 attending the primary school will develop 'an understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law'. It also maintains this will lead to 'an acceptance that people having different faiths and beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated and should not be the cause of discriminatory behaviour.' Whewell school was opened in 1929 to serve local villages, including Wherwell Chilbolton, Fullerton and Newton Stacey. Many of its students now come from outside the catchment area and include Andover. In her introduction letter on the school website the headteacher says children are always put first. All staff here are committed to creating an environment that is positive and encourages every child to thrive emotionally, physically and academically. We are very proud of the fact that the experiences and opportunities that are on offer to all children at Wherwell School are incredible and without doubt, what makes this school a unique and very special place to learn. A Wherwell Primary School spokesperson said: 'We are very excited to be able to treat our pupils to a fully inclusive pantomime this year. As we do every year, we are also running a range of Christmas celebrations across the remainder of the term, ensuring that overall our planned schedule of events is well-balanced and reflects our whole school community.' Resurfaced footage showing Kevin Rudd calling Donald Trump a 'village idiot' and 'incoherent' has reignited calls for his removal as Australia's ambassador to the United States. The footage, aired by Sky News' Sharri Markson on Monday night, captured Rudd speaking in a 2021 webinar with Indian politician and former diplomat Dr Shashi Tharoor. 'The United States, in the past four years, has been run by a village idiot,' Mr Rudd said. 'People have seen China continuing to be competent in its national statecraft and the United States increasingly incompetent in its national statecraft under Trump.' These comments came to light just days after Rudd quietly deleted tweets from 2020, where he called Trump 'the most destructive president in history', as he faced calls to step down from the diplomatic posting. Before he was appointed ambassador, Rudd had also labelled Trump a 'political liability,' a 'problem for the world,' and a 'traitor to the West.' On Tuesday, economist Leith van Onselen urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to fire Rudd. 'The first thing the federal government should do is expel Kevin Rudd from Washington because he is an embarrassment. 'He has basically attacked Donald Trump ruthlessly before the election, and now that he is elected, he [Kevin Rudd] is untenable. 'Australia has to work with whoever the President is. Donald Trump has been elected, he got elected with a stomping majority, we've got to work with it. 'It's pretty untenable to have an ambassador there who is so anti-Trump - they should remove him straight away and replace him with someone else.' Australia's US Ambassador and former prime minister Kevin Rudd labelled Donald Trump (pictured) a 'village idiot' Mr Rudd (pictured) was appointed US Ambassador in 2022, in spite of him calling Mr Trump a 'political liability', 'problem for the world' and 'traitor to the west' In response to the news of Rudd's tweets being deleted, his office was forced to release a statement saying he removed it 'out of respect for the office of President of the United States'. 'In his previous role as the head of an independent US-based think tank, Mr Rudd was a regular commentator on American politics. 'Following the election of President Trump, Ambassador Rudd has now removed these past commentaries from his personal website and social media channels,' the statement read. 'Ambassador Rudd looks forward to working with President Trump and his team to continue strengthening the US-Australia alliance.' Trump was confronted about Rudd's hostility towards him in a March interview with British politician Nigel Farage. 'If he is at all hostile, he will not be there for long,' Trump said. Meanwhile, before the US election, Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, said it would be 'kind of hard' for the government to keep Rudd in Washington if he hadn't shown signs of a 'change of heart' towards Trump. 'It's not my decision, but I do think it would be nice to have a person who appreciates all Donald Trump has gone through to want to serve our country at this moment, this really critical moment in the history of America,' she told Sky News. 'Obviously, that is a little bit tough to take, and maybe we would want to choose someone else (for the US embassy top job).' While Rudd is being haunted by past comments he made about Trump, he isn't alone among Labor figures in making unflattering remarks about the brash real estate mogul turned politician. A recently resurfaced 2017 video showed Mr Albanese at a Q&A at Splendour in the Grass when he was serving as Labor's transport and infrastructure spokesman while in opposition. Asked how he would 'deal with Trump', Mr Albanese replied: 'With trepidation.' 'We have an alliance with the US, we've got to deal with him, but that doesn't mean that you're uncritical about it,' Mr Albanese said. 'He (Trump) scares the sh*t out of me and I think it's of some concern the leader of the free world thinks that you can conduct politics through 140 characters on Twitter overnight.' Sunrise host Nat Barr suggested Mr Albanese may need to apologise after Trump was last week voted in as President of the United States for the second time. 'No, I look forward to working with President Trump,' he insisted. 'I've demonstrated, I think, my ability to work with world leaders and to develop relationships with them, which are positive. 'And I think that I've demonstrated in the two-and-a-half years that I've had the honour of being Prime Minister.' A leading Australian entrepreneur claims the Albanese government's 'world-leading' legislation to ban social media for all children under 16 is going to 'introduce a national ID card by stealth'. Matt Barrie, chief executive of outsourcing marketplace Freelancer, said Labor's 'completely mental' plans are 'literally Orwellian, it's pretty much the definition of fascism'. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X will have only a year from when the law is passed to work out how to enforce the strict age limit. There will be no exemptions if children already have accounts, nor if their parents or guardians give them permission to use the sites. Children and parents will not be reprimanded for rule breaking, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, with social media companies facing penalties instead. The Government hasn't yet explained how it expects social media platforms to enforce the age limit. Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook among other apps, said it will comply with the age limit, but has expressed concern that current technology is inadequate to effectively enforce it. 'The idea that somehow you can sort of force the industry to be in a technological place that it isn't, is probably a bit misunderstood in terms of where the industry is,' Meta's global head of safety, Antigone Davis, told The Guardian. 'The current state of age assurance technology... requires a level of personally identified information to be shared.' This would likely involve a type of facial recognition software, with a form of ID required to confirm someone's identity. In an interview with veteran Liberal MP Russell Broadbent, Mr Barrie pointed out the wide-reaching implications of a ban on under-16s using social media. Matt Barrie, chief executive of outsourcing marketplace Freelancer, said Labor's 'completely mental' plans are 'literally Orwellian, it's pretty much the definition of fascism' 'Nobody wants to be forced to upload their licence to use the internet, which is basically what this is,' he said. 'The only way you can stop 16-year-old kids or less (from using) the internet is you're going to have to upload your ID to every platform on the internet where you're chatting away or you're watching videos or whatever it may be. 'And so really this is by stealth a way of introducing a National ID card.' Mr Barrie said his message for Mr Albanese is that 'I don't know what you're doing. I literally have absolutely no clue what you're doing'. 'It just seems to be the actions of someone who's just very weak willed, that they want to control the narrative on the internet,' he said. The Prime Minister, though, sees things very differently, saying 'social media is doing harm to our kids and I'm calling time on it'. He said he had spoken to 'thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles' on the issue. 'They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our kids online,' Mr Albanese said. 'I want Australian families to know that the government has your back. I want parents to be able to say, "Sorry, mate, that's against the law".' In August 2023, speaking on the Neil Mitchell Asks Why podcast, Mr Albanese went much further. When Mitchell asked him what he would be his first act if he was a dictator, he replied that he would 'ban social media'. Asked why, Mr Albanese said there were 'a couple of things'. 'One is keyboard warriors who can anonymously say anything at all, without any fear,' he said. 'The sort of things that they would never say to you face to face, they can just assert as fact.' The issue is also dividing academics, even between those from the same university. La Trobe University's Professor Therese Keane backs the proposed ban on under-16s using social media. 'Social media is affecting our children in so many ways, from self-esteem issues to an inability to interact in person, through to misinformation, harmful content and dangerous TikTok challenges,' she said. 'Social media companies cannot and will not self-regulate their platforms. It is a very encouraging and brave step the government has made to take control. 'Social media companies have been given ample opportunities to address these issues but it is not in their best interests to do so. 'These companies need to face the reality that their products have a negative impact on children.' But Prof Keane's La Trobe University colleague Dr Alexia Maddox disagreed with a 'blanket ban'. 'While protecting young people online is crucial, recent evidence suggests the relationship between social media use and youth mental health is more complex than public discourse suggests,' Dr Maddox said. 'The timing of this proposal, ahead of the election, appears to capitalise on parental anxieties rather than engage with the nuanced evidence base. 'The research community is divided on this issue. Some experts advocate for access restrictions, while others emphasise digital rights and the importance of developing online resilience.' Dr Maddox called for the government to take a broader look at the situation. 'What's clear is that blanket bans may create unintended consequences, potentially driving young people to less regulated spaces or cutting them off from valuable support networks,' she said. 'Rather than rushed legislation, we need evidence-based policy that addresses platform design, improves digital literacy and creates safer online environments for all users.' The disastrous Kamala Harris campaign suffered from incompetent staff members, consequences of Joe Biden refusing to drop out and lack of intellectual diversity. In the week since Donald Trump's dominant victory, Democrats have turned into a circular-firing squad against one another, blaming anyone and everyone for Harris' defeat. 'The campaign has been broken since the beginning,' admitted a Democrat insider. 'I'm amazed that we even got close.' Not only did their campaign end in disaster, but to add insult to injury the operation is reportedly in debt, Politico reports, to the tune of $20 million dollars. Biden staff say the vice president ran a terrible, three-month campaign and squandered millions of dollars from their top donors. The disastrous Kamala Harris campaign suffered from incompetent staff members, consequences of Joe Biden refusing to drop out and lack of intellectual diversity Biden staff say the vice president ran a terrible, three-month campaign and squandered millions of dollars from their top donors According to sources within the Harris campaign, many of the major problems were set in motion by Joe Biden's failed attempt to run for a second term from the jump. Many sources said that Biden not only stayed in the race so long, but did so as an unpopular incumbent, to the point that almost no Democrat could stop Trump from winning. Sources told NOTUS that Biden's re-election camp was filled with people who had little experience because few wanted to either work with the lame duck president or move to his campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. Worse still, they didn't think Harris could fully comprehend that she was inheriting this same sinking ship with just 100 days before voters went to the polls. 'Kamala did not want to shake things up. She thought that what she could do is install certain people into leadership roles to make sure that she got the campaign that she wanted,' one source claimed. When Harris' people did try to change things, they found stiff resistance from campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, who wanted to run an 'insular and micromanaged' campaigned dominated by analytics. 'If you believe that campaigns matter and if you look at Tammy Baldwin, Jacky Rosen, Ruben Gallego and even Bob Casey in many ways if you believe that campaigns matter and that's why the results are a little different, then you have to say that she lost because of her campaign,' one anonymous operative said. Dillon also refused any intellectual diversity, only hiring staffers who would back her up. 'There was no one who had a different viewpoint. And anybody who had a different viewpoint was always sidelined.' That campaign includes a culture that was troublesome for minority staffers, despite constant worries of appearing too 'woke' in an attempt to appease the far left. Multiple sources said that black aides had been 'mistreated and demoralized' to the point that some wanted to make formal complaints but did not, over worries it would hurt their careers. Much of the staff appeared to have a 'nine-to-five work mentality' in a world where campaigns have to be active at all hours. Others worried whether Harris was going too far against the Biden administration, demanding to allow a Palestinian speaker at the DNC amid the war in Gaza following the October 7 terrorist attacks. Sources say the national security team shot it down, which led to huge criticism from left-wing activists and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. However, many of the Harris campaign's problems appear to stem from preparation. While much hay was made about how Elon Musk was running Donald Trump's get-out-the-vote operation, Harris had a difficult time getting the team of 90,000 volunteers together. When they did, many were without proper literature or talking points. Worse, over a million yard signs weren't ready to be given out until late October. Others wonder if they underestimated rage at the way Trump was able to frame Harris as being an extremist on transgender issues. Their data team saw no reason to respond to the infamous 'Kamala is for they/them' commercial. While Harris shares in the blame, many wonder what exactly she could've done with the amount of time she had. 'She wasn't handed much of a campaign infrastructure,' said one aide. 'And it was very difficult for that infrastructure to actually reflect her.' As Democrats still try and gather themselves following their loss to Trump earlier this week, Biden and Harris' teams are blaming each other for wasting their cash. Workers in the White House and on the campaigns are ruthlessly continuing their blame game as to whether the president or vice president really dropped the ball. Former Fox News host Geraldo Riviera has delivered a blistering takedown as to why Kamala Harris lost last week's presidential election against Donald Trump. Geraldo admits that he voted for Kamala, acknowledging that she 'ran a pretty good campaign under tough circumstances' after President Joe Biden stepped aside in July. Geraldo says he believed Trump's campaign was able to capitalize on fears about immigration and 'wokeness', framing the election as a battle for America's identity. Kamala, meanwhile, struggled to connect with voters, failing to distinguish her platform or reassure a nation wary of change, Geraldo says. Former Fox News host Geraldo Riviera has delivered a blistering takedown as to why Kamala Harris lost last week's presidential election against Donald Trump . Geraldo admits that he voted for Kamala, acknowledging that she 'ran a pretty good campaign under tough circumstances' after President Joe Biden stepped aside in July. Trump and Geraldo are seen together on October 2017 following Hurricane Maria striking Puerto Rico 'Don't blame me, I voted for Kamala Harris', he pleads to his 400,000 followers. 'Once that bloodless coup was over, and President Biden reluctantly stepped aside, she went to work, a candidate for the history books,' Geraldo proclaims. 'Black, South Asian and a woman, every one of those categories was a grand first. Yet the Vice President got crushed in an election landslide.' Geraldo notes that Trump's gain across demographics that have little in common with his base essentially prove Kamala faced such a breadth of opposition she was unlikely to ever win over. 'Learning the breadth and depth of her defeat, among white working class, Black and Hispanic young men, working women, farmers, cops, factory workers and others, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that she never had a chance. 'Women decided big, bad Trump was preferable to battle the demons of the economy, immigration and crime, despite Oprah and Taylor Swift, and despite the historic nature of the Harris candidacy,' Geraldo writes. Geraldo believes Kamala Harris struggled to connect with voters, failing to distinguish her platform or reassure a nation wary of change In a victory his supporters are calling the 'Greatest Comeback in History,' Trump has secured a decisive win, with Geraldo drawing comparisons to Napoleon's legendary return in 1815 'Donald Trump proved he is in a league of his own, the real Teflon Don.' Geraldo goes on to state how despite everything that would make a candidate unfit: twice impeached, serially indicted, liable for sexual assault inflating the value of his properties, the definition of inappropriate - Trump was still able to win big. 'He is the sore loser who put his grievances ahead of his country, ahead of the Constitution he was sworn to protect and defend, yet he won overwhelmingly,' Geraldo tweeted noting how 'it is easier to recount what happened than it is to figure why.' In a victory his supporters are calling the 'Greatest Comeback in History,' Trump has secured a decisive win, with Geraldo drawing comparisons to Napoleon's legendary return in 1815. Despite numerous controversies and legal challenges, Geraldo says Trump's commanding performance reveals a deep divide between coastal elites and the heart of America, where his appeal as a defiant, larger-than-life figure remains unmatched. Geraldo says Kamala lost 'mainly, she wasn't Trump, larger than life, powerful, heroic, defiant survivor of assassination attempts.' Pictured, Trump reacts following an assassination attempt at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 'A significant majority of Americans obviously see something in President Trump that most in the media or living on the coasts do not. A force of nature, he is supremely confident and strategic.' Geraldo describes Trump's path to victory shaped by two key strategies. First, he worked relentlessly to fend off legal battles, accusing his opponents of waging 'lawfare' to undermine his campaign - he was able to jam up each legal proceeding against hime with endless motions and appeals, Second, and perhaps more effective, approach was to demonize illegal immigrant. By framing undocumented immigrants as existential threats to the nation, Trump tapped into widespread anxieties, creating a narrative of a country under siege. 'He made the undocumented synonymous with rapists and murderers. They were poisoning the blood of the country, vermin, animals, dog and cat eaters from floating islands of garbage,' Geraldo wrote. 'It was wicked effective. He made Americans believe the country we all love was being stolen out from under us.' In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party emphasized themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Trump supporters created AI-generated puppy and kitten social media posts to warn people how illegal migrants will 'barbecue pets' if Kamala Harris wins election: 'Don't eat us!' Critics argue her message fell flat with many voters, who perceived it as out of touch. Issues like gender fluidity and cultural shifts became flashpoints, with Trump portraying such changes as threats to traditional American values. Geraldo is brutal in his assessment of Kamala's performance: 'It was a hapless and tone-deaf response totally out of touch with tens of millions of Americans fearful of some dude in a dress demanding to play on the girls' volleyball team or use the Ladies Room.' 'Trump obliterated wokeness. He made the election an Us versus They/Them, shamelessly exaggerating the modest moves toward gender fluidity until it seemed every inmate in federal prison was lining up to get a taxpayer paid sex change,' he wrote. Harriss strongest support by far came from black women voters, where she received 83% of the vote compared to 16% for Trump Geraldo says he believes Kamala struggled to connect with voters on a personal level and to distinguish her policies from those of President Biden. ''She didn't seem able to ad lib answers even in the friendliest venue. She never could articulate how her presidency would differ from Joe Biden's. Nor did she reassure a tradition-minded nation that she wasn't going to upend our centuries old norms. 'Mainly, she wasn't Trump, larger than life, powerful, heroic, defiant survivor of assassination attempts.' Meanwhile, Trump's unyielding confidence and theatrical personadubbed by Geraldo as 'Godzilla in a suit'bolstered his image as a champion of free enterprise and the American Dream. The beloved longtime music director at a northern Michigan church was fired just a few months before his retirement after officials learned he was in a same-sex marriage. Fred Szczepanski said he was fired on October 18 from St. Francis Church in Traverse City for marrying his longtime partner Bill Thompson in a same-sex ceremony in Nevada in 2020. Szczepanski - who had been the church's music director for 34 years - was confronted by Rev. Michael Lingaur after church leaders received a letter from an unnamed person, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle. In a letter to parishioners of St. Francis Church in Traverse City, the diocese said his gay marriage violates the ministerial agreement condition of his employment. 'A public act of same-sex marriage is a formal recognition that a relationship is more than friendship, and thereby jeopardizes a ministerial agreement for employment,' the diocese said. Fred Szczepanski (pictured) said he was fired on October 18 from St. Francis Church in Traverse City after church leaders learned he married a man four years ago Szczepanski - who had been the church's music director for 34 years - was confronted by Rev. Michael Lingaur after church leaders received a letter informing them of his marriage 'Marriage is a permanent, faithful and exclusive covenant between one man and one woman.' Outraged congregants protested Szczepanski's firing on October 27, carrying signs outside the church that said: 'Love Not Hate,' 'God Includes, Not Excludes' and 'Fired Not Retired.' Choir members on October 20 wore black, left their seats empty and refused to sing, the Record-Eagle reported. 'He got fired because he's gay,' said choir member Bob Holden. 'He's extremely talented, he's perfect on the piano, he has perfect pitch and because of him, I look forward to going to church every week. I'm divorced. Do I get thrown out next?' Liz Yarch, a former member of the choir, said she had resigned over the firing. Outraged congregants protested Szczepanski's firing on October 27, carrying signs outside the church Protesters signs included messages that said: 'Love Not Hate,' 'God Includes, Not Excludes' and 'Fired Not Retired' 'Some people were told Fred retired, but last I checked, people who have served for over 30 years get a retirement party,' Yarch said. 'Fred was fired for his personal life and I find that cruel.' Szczepanski said when he confirmed his marriage, Lingaur told him his services were no longer required and said he was not allowed to take communion during St. Francis worship services. Dave Martin, a member of the church's pastoral council, told the Record-Eagle he received a copy of the letter, that it had an out-of-state postmark and was written by a person he did not name, but who had a seasonal connection to St. Francis. Szczepanski was reportedly intending to retire in January, but now his husband has set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of insurance, legal fees and bills. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse has embraced Szczepanski and said they had over 245 people join their service on November 3 to 'affirm and stand with Mr. Fred Szczepanski.' Szczepanski was reportedly intending to retired in January, but now his husband Bill Thompson (left) has set up a GoFundMe to help cover insurance, legal fees and bills In January, St. Francis's former leader Rev. Don Geyman was named in a report on clergy sex abuse and misconduct by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office. The report included sexually charged text messages Geyman reportedly sent to a woman he had previously counseled. Diocese of Gaylord Bishop Jeffrey J. Walsh replaced Geyman with Lingaur in July, and Geyman was transferred to St. Ignatius of Loyola in Rogers City, according to the Diocese's website. Chinese import expo boosts benefits of BRI cooperation Xinhua) 14:44, November 12, 2024 SHANGHAI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- As the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) neared its close on Sunday, a booth featuring coffee from Timor-Leste remained bustling with visitors despite the crowds at the expo venue thinning out. Kept busy by a steady supply of coffee enthusiasts, Su Lei, one of the founders of Maodian Coffee and general manager for China market, Timor-Leste's coffee company CHISHATIL, skillfully prepared pour-over coffee while introducing both the brand and the country. "Timor-Leste is an island nation in Southeast Asia and a country participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Coffee beans are one of its popular specialties," Su touted loudly, while brimming with visible excitement. Renowned for purely organic and tasty Kopi Luwak, Timor-Leste's coffee -- featured in the CIIE for seven consecutive years -- has evolved from a humble exhibit to a sought-after specialty in the Chinese market. "Starting from a small display stand, by the seventh expo, we've built a full coffee industry chain," said Bei Lei, Su's partner. For an increased number of businesspeople and farmers in Timor-Leste, the aroma of coffee has further evolved into a "bridge" connecting the agricultural technology and promising market in China with their premium agricultural products. From Egyptian spices to Syrian rose essential oil and Tanzanian honey, the just-concluded seventh CIIE was packed with a dazzling array of specialty products from BRI countries. Since its inception in 2018, this expo has been held annually in China's commercial hub of Shanghai, and has witnessed numerous "small but beautiful" trade and development projects of BRI countries evolve from concept to reality. As a public good for the whole world, the expo is continually boosting the benefits of the BRI. Through years of participation in the CIIE, Su and Bei, have managed to transition from regular exhibitors to key traders, tirelessly promoting Timor-Leste's coffee and pushing for the establishment of a Timor-Leste pavilion in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. "Over time, we realized that beyond expanding production, we needed to strengthen the industry and supply chains," said Su. "By this seventh CIIE, we've successfully established a dedicated roasting facility for Timor-Leste's coffee in Kunshan, east China's Jiangsu Province, and launched a new brand." Kunshan, a county-level city near Shanghai and China's largest coffee hub, was named the "Capital of the International Coffee Industry" by the International Institute of Coffee Tasters in May. The city has drawn investments from global coffee giants, including Starbucks, Luckin Coffee, and Louis Dreyfus. "To further establish a presence in the Chinese market and to prepare for this year's CIIE, we recently launched an online store on Alibaba's Taobao platform, where we introduced our products in sync with the expo," said Bei. "During this year's CIIE, many customers discovered and began following our online store." Seizing the opportunity created by the import expo, coffee beans from Timor-Leste are boarding the fast trains of China's high-quality development. The coffee industry is an economic pillar of Timor-Leste. As a major export destination for Timorese coffee, China has supplied funds, personnel and technologies in recent years to help the country restore coffee trees and improve the quality of its raw beans. Similar stories also unfolded at the CIIE booths of businesses from other BRI countries. Jeweler, Aranya Lohakitthawurn, and her husband exhibited at the CIIE for the first time this year. Based in Bangkok, they own and operate Sphere, a jewelry manufacturing and retail business. Previously, they had only participated in jewelry trade shows in China, making this their debut at a major and comprehensive expo. Every day brings new clients and fresh surprises. Shanghai is the perfect place to expand our business, the CIIE newcomer told Xinhua. This jewelry business now has ambitious plans to enter China's vast market. Sphere brought over a hundred jewelry pieces including necklaces, bracelets, rings and pendants adorned with the likes of rubies, emeralds and tourmalines to the 2024 CIIE -- grabbing the attention of many potential buyers. "Many BRI countries are renowned as sources of gems and jades, while others are leaders in cutting-edge processing techniques," said Chen Yu, CEO of China Gems and Jade Exchange. According to Chen, over the seven years of the CIIE, an exhibition mechanism has been established, benefiting from the support of industry associations in many BRI countries. "The gem and jade sector has seen robust trading, with some unique small and medium-sized businesses among returning exhibitors experiencing growth in their operations in China," Chen added. According to Bei Lei, China-Timor-Leste cooperation has created more opportunities for local farmers to change their own destinies, allowing them to sell coffee and other agricultural products globally at better prices. "On the other hand, we are also contributing to BRI," she added. "Timor-Leste's coffee itself is a successful example over the seven years of the CIIE, with China and the world sharing a higher-quality, better future." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) EXCLUSIVE A kickboxer dubbed 'Hacksaw' who was found in a hotel room covered in blood with cuts to his arm near his dead partner has a history of AVOs being taken out against him, Daily Mail Australia can reveal. Shirley So, 50, was found stabbed to death at the Pullman Hotel, in Penrith, in western Sydney about 1.10pm on Sunday. Her on-and-off again partner Darren John Berry, 53, was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition, where he remains under police guard. No charges have been laid and it is not suggested that Berry was responsible for the death of Ms So. It is understood he is expected to pull through but is yet to be interviewed by investigators. Daily Mail Australia can reveal that NSW Police went to court on Monday to ask a judge for an order to carry out a forensic procedure on Berry. The magistrate made an interim order allowing detectives to perform the procedure, pending the determination of a final hearing of the application - which is scheduled to take place at Penrith Local Court next Monday. Darren John Berry, 53, is currently in hospital under police guard Emergency services were called to the hotel on Mulgoa Road (pictured) at about 1.10pm, after Ms So's body was discovered Berry, a father and security guard originally from Sydney's western suburbs, is a former fighter who competed in the 1990s and early 2000s under the nickname 'Hacksaw'. On Facebook, he follows many MMA, Muay Thai and UFC pages and frequently shares anti-vaxxer posts. Posts online suggest Berry frequented the city's eastern suburbs, where Ms So is understood to have resided. Berry was the subject of several apprehended violence orders taken out against him in recent years, including two relating to an ex-partner in 2017 and 2019. A third AVO was issued in 2019 relating to a man. It is understood Berry and So had only started dating in recent months. Homicide detectives have launched an investigation into the moments leading up to the woman's death. Berry is known as 'Hacksaw' from his days as a kickboxer Berry is a security guard originally from western Sydney Staff at the Pullman Hotel in Penrith, western Sydney made a grim discovery on Sunday afternoon when they found the dead body of a woman, covered in blood. The scene is pictured The incident unfolded on a busy weekend at the nearby Penrith Panthers League club complex, with many locals witnessing the massive emergency response as up to 10 police cars descended on the scene. 'We came out of the wedding expo [and saw] seven cars, three ambulances and two detective cars,' one witness said. '[A] man was wheeled out of Pullmans and was in a very bad way [intubated] & was put in one of the ambulances and rushed over to the awaiting Careflight helicopter.' Meanwhile, devastated loved ones have flocked online to remember Ms So as a 'beautiful' person. '[She was] a dear friend of mine as well as a mother, sister, aunty, daughter and a beautiful human being,' one friend wrote online. A man has been allegedly assaulted and his mother almost run over after he attempted to sell his Ford Falcon on Facebook Marketplace. The 20-year-old man was allegedly punched and kicked in a carpark on Siganto Drive, near Westfield Helensvale on Queensland's Gold Coast, at about 6pm on Sunday. The man had organised for his mum to drive him home after he made arrangements to meet up with the online buyer of his grey Ford Falcon. The sale quickly turned ugly when five teenage boys arrived in a white Holden ute and threatened to assault the man if he didn't hand over the keys. When he tried to flee the carpark he was caught by the group, who allegedly punched and kicked the man before driving away in his Ford Falcon. In CCTV from the carpark, the man's mother was seen desperately trying to stop the group by blocking the Holden ute with her body. 'I need police now! You motherf******' she is heard screaming as they drove away. Queensland Police Superintendent Scott Knowles said the man's mother had managed to take a photo of the ute's number plates amid the chaos. A man has been allegedly assaulted and his mother (pictured) almost run over after a Facebook Marketplace sale went horribly wrong in a Westfield carpark in Queensland The man had attempted to sell his grey Ford Falcon station wagon (pictured) to an online buyer A police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia one of the members of the group allegedly confronted the 20-year-old man before he was allegedly assaulted. The man also had his car keys allegedly stolen off him. However, it was revealed the plates were fake when police investigated. The Holden ute was found at a home in Longstaff Crescent, in Pimpama, around 30km north-west of the Gold Coast, at 7.30pm on Sunday. A 17-year-old boy was arrested by officers and charged with robbery. Police also found a phone that the boy had allegedly used to film the entire exchange. He remained in custody overnight on Sunday and appeared before the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday. Police are still trying to track down the Ford Falcon as investigations continue. Anyone who has seen a grey Ford Falcon station wagon with no number plates has been urged to contact police. A British beautician accused of smuggling 15million worth of cocaine in her suitcases has claimed she believed she was carrying two bags of 'cash' to the UK from Mexico. Kim Hall, 28, from Middlesbrough, was stopped at Chicago's O'Hare airport as she prepared to board a connecting flight to Manchester on August 18. Homeland Security investigators found 43kg of cocaine packed in two suitcases before detaining the young woman. Now facing 60 years in a US jail, Ms Hall claims she agreed to bring two suitcases home for a pair of British men under the belief the bags contained only cash. She insists she was forced to carry the bags at gunpoint, after being offered the free holiday to Mexico by the two men she befriended on an earlier break to Portugal - who said they had real estate interests in Central America. Additionally, Ms Hall claimed her psychiatrist believes she was in the middle of a manic episode when she agreed to carry the suitcases. Kim Hall, 28, (pictured) is accused of smuggling 15million worth of cocaine in her suitcases Ms Hall claims she agreed to bring two suitcases home for a pair of British men under the belief the bags contained only cash Speaking to The Sun, Ms Hall said: 'I'm not a bad person. I've never been in trouble in my life and I'm not guilty of what they are accusing me of. 'They held a gun to my head and threatened to shoot me.' When her week-long trip to Cancun was coming to an end, Ms Hall claimed the men asked her to take two suitcases back with her, which they said contained $250,000 in cash. 'I agreed to it because there was no reason not to. It was just money and I didn't see anything wrong in it,' she said. The beautician claimed she missed her flight due to a mix up with timings, after which point one of the men held a gun to her head and threatened her. 'I was screaming at them to let me go. I thought, I'm going to end up dead if I don't carry this money,' she said. When Ms Hall finally caught a flight home, she landed at Chicago's O'Hare airport for a connection to London, which is when officials carried out a random bag check as they were suspicious of her having two suitcases. Ms Hall also claimed her psychiatrist believes she was in the middle of a manic episode when she agreed to carry the suitcases An aerial of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, where Ms Hall was searched and detained Cook County Jail in South Lawndale, a Chicago community on the West Side Kim is pictured with her mother Tracy. Kim's parents have both insisted she is innocent The young woman collapsed in tears as she was handcuffed and taken to prison. Ms Hall is now on house arrest and is only allowed out two days a week, with two electronic tags attached to her. Her father John Hall, 59, previously defended his daughter, saying all she is guilty of is 'stupidity and naivety'. He told the Sun: 'She's not a drug smuggler. She was told that it would be money she was carrying. 'They got her phone and threatened her family and that's why she did it. 'She'd been to Portugal with a friend and met people over there who contacted her when she was back saying they were into real estate in Mexico and she could go for a free holiday.' He added that she is 'petrified' after telling him that 'you don't understand what they were threatening me with'. After her arrest in August, Ms Hall was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver after her arrest in August. Due to the amount of drugs seized, the offence is in the top bracket for sentencing, with Class X Felony which carries 15-60 years in prison. It remains an abiding mystery why the late Queen missed out on a Nobel Peace Prize for transforming and expanding the Commonwealth. A senior courtier sheds some light on the subject, whispering that she didnt want the honour. While candidates dont have to be consulted, Buckingham Palace was approached on more than one occasion by Commonwealth leaders for guidance on nominating Her Majesty. They were politely told, Thank you, but no thank you. It remains a mystery why the late Queen Elizabeth II never received a Nobel Peace Prize for transforming the Commonwealth A senior courtier has suggested that Buckingham Palace politely declined offers of the prize for Her Majesty Watne Frydnes, the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The Palace repeatedly told Commonwealth leaders 'Thank you, but no thank you' in response to requests to honour Her Majesty The latest revelation from the new edition of Charles III, by my colleague Robert Hardman, is that the late Queens very last entry in her journal concerned Liz Truss. It prompts the question of who is going to plough through all the diaries Elizabeth II kept over 70 years? The King has still not appointed his mothers official biographer. Runners and riders include Andrew Roberts, Jane Ridley, Hugo Vickers and Sir Wiliam Shawcross, who wrote the offical account of the Queen Mothers life. But surely cantering up from behind is Robert himself. The BBC broke its own guidelines last week by using an all-female panel to host its US election night coverage. A Broadcasting House mole tells that when the BBC signed off on Catriona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Katty Kay as anchors it assumed Kamala Harris would sail into the White House and justify its celebration of the sisterhood. Like many others, Auntie was left with egg on her face. Under pressure to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury over the Church of England child abuse scandal, Justin Welby was memorably left embarrassed by the Duchess of Sussex after she told Oprah Winfrey that hed secretly married her and Harry three days before the royal wedding. Refuting Meghans claim that the secret ceremony had taken place in their backyard, Welby insisted: The legal wedding was on the Saturday. I signed the wedding certificate, which is a legal document, and I would have committed a serious criminal offence if I signed it knowing it was false. The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey that she was secretly married three days ahead of the royal ceremony Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, refuted Meghan's claims, insisting the legal wedding was on the Saturday Comedian John Bishop, attempting to crack the lucrative US market, went the wrong way about it when he told a joke days after an assassination attempt on Donald Trump left him with an injured ear. I said, Its great to be in Pennsylvania, particularly as youve just invented a new way of getting your ears pierced. Ive got to be honest, it split the room. Count yourself lucky that you lived to tell the tale, Jonno. Despite signing up for national insurance 75 years ago, Dame Joan Collins has never received a pension. She wails: When the time came to receive my pension, the department had no record of me! Ive never received a penny from the Government, much less the winter fuel allowance. But she does have a jumbo eiderdown (and husband) called Percy! A routine police stop has shown the dangers of driving while high on drugs, particularly if your car is unregistered and especially if you have a very strange excuse. A Victoria Police officer recently pulled over a Toyota Camry without number plates in Shepparton, filming the encounter for the popular Channel Nine Show RBT. The officer said: 'I just saw the Toyota Camry driving down a street with no number plates fixed to the vehicle, so I just decided to pull it over to see what was going on.' The officer approached the driver, Mohammad, and asked if he had been drinking alcohol. Mohammad replied that he had not. But when the officer requested a drug test, Mohammad admitted to smoking methamphetamine. The officer replied, 'Mate, you're not allowed to have methamphetamine and drive a car.' It seemed like an unarguable fact, but the 33-year-old had other ideas, saying, 'But I have permission for Covid research,' and that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison had gave him permission. Ignoring the weird justification, the officer asked him how much methamphetamine he had taken A police stop video (pictured) has shown the dangers of driving while high on drugs, particularly if your car is unregistered and especially if you have a very strange excuse 'Half, something like that. Half a gram. Yeah, maybe I smoked something like that,' he replied. 'This is medicine for me.' Not only was his car unregistered, he also had no licence. Add methamphetamine to the mix, and he was in serious trouble. To check his sobriety or otherwise, the officer got Mohammad to run a medical swab around his mouth and then tested it. 'The second test shows that you've got methamphetamine in your system,' the officer said. At this point, the gravity of the situation seemed to finally be getting through to Mohammad. 'Methamphetamine. I need to go to court?' he asked. 'You may have to go to court. Yeah. Do you understand that,' the policeman said. He nodded his head and said he understood, as the seriousness of his position started to show on his face. The officer said: 'You've been spoken to a number of times by the police for not having the car registered and for not having a licence', which Mohammad agreed with. The policeman did, however, see the funny side of the encounter, saying to the camera that 'he's going to have to go to court, and explain to the magistrate that Scott Morrison gave him permission to take methamphetamines'. Mohammad then told the office that he was 'so sorry' for what he had done. 'Well, I'm sorry too, because we're gonna take your car off you,' the policeman replied. 'Two warnings already, you've had. Two warnings.' Clutching at straws, a smiling and quite spoken Mohammad asked if he could 'please' just get another warning, but was told 'No, I can't. I'm sorry'. 'I also can't. I'm so sorry,' he replied. When driver Mohammad (pictured) was stopped in Shepparton, Victoria, the police officer told him 'Mate, you're not allowed to have methamphetamine and drive a car' Again addressing the camera, the officer said, 'The most important thing is he not going to have a car to drive for the next 30 days. 'So he'll have a little bit of time to have a think about what he's done today.' With what was happening finally getting through to Mohammad, he opened up about the difficulty he was having with his drug addiction. 'Methamphetamine is what I used before. But if you ask me to stop this, I'm trying to fix this most important, because it gave me a lot of problems ... 'I'm sorry I f***** up crazy. I tell you (methamphetamine is) not good for people. It can damage brain, you know? No good,' he said. The police put Mohammad in touch with treatment and support services. Veteran CNN news anchor Chris Wallace has announced he is leaving the network to venture into the streaming world. Wallace, 77, told the Daily Beast Monday that he decided to forfeit his seven-figure contract, just about a week after he hosted the station's election night coverage. The career broadcast journalist described his decision as 'quite liberating.' His time at the network will be over at the end of the year. 'This is the first time in 55 years I've been between jobs. I am actually excited and liberated by that,' Wallace told the outlet. Although Wallace described the streaming and podcasting space as 'where the action seems to be,' he is not exactly sure where that will take him. 'Not knowing is part of the challenge. Im waiting to see what comes over the transom. It might be something that I havent thought of at all,' he said. Veteran news anchor Chris Wallace announced Monday that he will be leaving CNN to pursue a career in the streaming world The career broadcast journalist described his decision as 'quite liberating', as his time at the network will be over at the end of the year Despite being unsure of what's ahead of him, Wallace said: 'I am clearly not going to become a hard-right or hard-left advocate. Its just absent from my DNA.' Wallace revealed he plans to take on his new adventure by adding touches of his own brand and style. 'Ive interviewed presidents, princes, kings and one saint, Mother Teresa,' he said. Another component to his decision was his family, according to Wallace, who said he and his wife Lorraine discussed his future in Spring 2024. The couple of 26 years agreed that Wallace would 'stick around' for the 2024 election before leaving the station. 'My family just want me to be happy and they want me to keep working. They do not want to have to worry about entertaining me,' Wallace said. He has six children and nine grandchildren. Wallace shares four children with his first wife Elizabeth Farrel, while his current wife has two children with her former husband Dick Smothers. Prior to his time at CNN, Wallace was with Fox News Sunday for 18 years up until 2021. He originally joined the station to be one of the faces on CNN+, a failed streaming network that was nixed by former CEO Chris Licht just a month after launching in March 2022. The journalist currently anchors The Chris Wallace Show on Saturday mornings on the station, and Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?, which streams on Max. Wallace made it clear that his decision has nothing to do with his experience at CNN, saying: 'I have nothing but positive things to say. 'CNN has been very good to me,' he added. Mark Thompson, the current CEO and Chairman of CNN said Wallace is 'one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming. 'We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom he's brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for the future.' Wallace started at a local TV station in Chicago in 1973, before moving on to other major networks including Meet the Press, The Today Show, and ABC's PrimeTime Live. He followed in his late father's footsteps, Mike Wallace, a renowned 60 Minutes reporter who worked into his 80s. (Pictured: Mike and Chris in an undated image) Over the years, he has gone on to win major awards for his hard work in the industry, including three Emmys. He is currently working on a new edition of his 'Countdown' book series, where he previously detailed the 1960 presidential election, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Throughout his career, Wallace has interviewed an array of high-profile political figures, including president- elect Donald Trump, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Vladimir Putin, and Barack Obama, among others. He followed in his late father's footsteps, Mike Wallace, a renowned 60 Minutes reporter who worked into his 80s. His parents divorced when he was just one-years-old, and went on to grow up with his mother Norma Kaphan and his step-father Bill Leonard, the former president of CBS News. Wallace knows for sure that although his time at CNN is coming to a close, he is not done with his career just yet. 'I know I want to do something because Wallace's keep working,' he said. CNN's ratings have been lagging far behind rival FOX and MSNBC, part of what's rumored to be a winter of layoffs that many at the network fear will be a 'bloodbath,' with one source saying 'the place needs to be turned upside down.' Wallace has interviewed an array of high-profile political figures, including president elect Donald Trump, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Vladimir Putin, and Barack Obama, among others Over the years, he has gone on to win major awards for his hard work in the industry, including three Emmys. (Pictured: Wallace with Megyn Kelly and Bret Baier in 2015) Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer - making $7 million and $3 million, respectively - signed new deals at the same price, with an agent joking that 'flat is the new up.' News of his departure comes as many networks face a hardship amidst anchors salaries being cut, or leaving to branch off on their own media journey. In late September, Today Show legend Hoda Kotb announced she will be leaving the show early next year after nearly seven years at the helm. Hoda, who has been part of NBC News for 26 years, was immediately moved to tears as she explained to her fellow co-hosts turning 60 had been a 'monumental moment' that made her decide it was time to 'try something new'. The TV icon - who reportedly earns around $8 million a year - also wrote a letter explaining her 'painful' decision to her colleagues, explaining further that marking her 60th birthday sparked a seismic 'shift' in her life. Vladimir Putin was so close to launching a nuke in Ukraine in October 2022 that Britain was preparing for the fallout, it is understood. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss reportedly spent her final days in office examining weather maps and preparing for UK radiation cases after American spies raised concerns that Putin was seriously close to pressing the button. The shocking details of how close the war came to a devastating escalation have been uncovered in an updated biography of Ms Truss, titled Out of the Blue. The biography reports that the short-lived PM spent 'numerous hours studying satellite weather data and wind directions' over fears the 'wrong weather patterns' could have a 'direct fall-out effect on Britain'. It comes as Putin has deployed 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops in a bid to seize Kursk from Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office as US president. The leading military commander in Ukraine said 'tens of thousands of enemy soldiers' have arrived to expel Kyiv's forces from the enclave, sparking concerns in the West of a serious escalation of the conflict by next month. Liz Truss (pictured) reportedly spent her final days in office studying weather maps and preparing for UK radiation cases after American spies raised concerns that Putin was seriously close to launching a nuke Vladimir Putin (pictured) has deployed 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops in a bid to seize Kursk from Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office as US president Putin was so close to launching a nuke in Ukraine in October 2022 that Britain was preparing for the fallout, it is understood A British defence intelligent assessment seen by The Telegraph reveals that Russia is anticipated to increase its kamikaze drone attacks on Ukrainian positions very soon, using new launch sites near the border. Putin is hoping to recapture territory before Trump's return to office on January 20 next year, Nato allies believe, when he is expected to support talks that could finally bring the war to an end. Trump reportedly used a phone call with Putin following his election success last week to warn the Russian president against escalating the war. Russia has already recaptured roughly half the territory lost to Ukraine in an incursion in August. Yesterday, Putin denied reports he had spoken with Trump in recent days and added he has no concrete plans yet to speak to him. The call between the President-elect and Russian leader was first reported by the Washington Post, citing unidentified sources, and said that Trump told Putin he should not escalate the Ukraine war. News agency Reuters also reported on the call, citing an unidentified source. Putin is hoping to recapture territory before Donald Trump's return to office on January 20 next year Trump is said to have warned Putin on Thursday not to escalate the war in Ukraine and reminded him of 'Washington's sizeable military presence in Europe', according to the Washington Post. But yesterday Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov vehemently denied this call ever took place. 'This is completely untrue. This is pure fiction, it's just false information,' Peskov said as he brutally hit back. 'There was no conversation.' 'This is the most obvious example of the quality of the information that is being published now, sometimes even in fairly reputable publications,' Peskov said. Asked if Putin had plans for any contacts with Trump, Peskov said: 'There are no concrete plans yet.' Putin denying that the phone call took place is awkward for Trump, who has long maintained that he has Putin's ear, promising to find a resolution to the war in Ukraine. The wife of convicted Delphi murderer Richard Allen gave a chilling response after an Indiana jury unanimously declared he was guilty in the brutal killings of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13. Allen, 52, who was arrested in connection with the 2017 murders in October 2022, sat emotionless as the verdict was handed down Monday afternoon, after spending the past two years in solitary confinement in Indiana's Westville Correctional Facility and Cass County Jail. The verdict marks the culmination of a high-profile three-week trial and one community's seven-year-long wait for justice. Allen now faces a maximum sentence of 130 more years behind bars on charges of two counts of murder and two counts of felony murder - which is murder committed in the at of another crime, in this case kidnapping. But his wife, Kathy Allen, told WTHR 'this isn't over at all' as she left the courtroom. Kathy Allen, the wife of convicted Delphi murderer Richard Allen, argued 'this isn't over at all' as she left the courtroom Allen was convicted of killing best friends Libby, 14, and Abby, 13, after they went on a hike outside their hometown of Delphi, Indiana, in February 2017 Prosecutors had argued that Allen killed Libby and Abby after they went on a hike in their hometown of Delphi on February 13, 2017, which Nick McLeland described as 'a day this community will never forget.' 'Abigail Williams and Liberty German went to the trails for a walk and never returned. The day that both of them were murdered by Richard Allen,' he said during his closing arguments on Thursday. McLeland went on to say law enforcement and locals who joined in the first frantic search for the girls weren't under the assumption they'd stumble into a horrific crime scene. 'They weren't looking for two bodies, they were looking for two girls,' he said, 'Nobody thought anything bad had happened to Abby and Libby. That doesn't happen round here.' He had argued at the onset of the trial that the case centered around the so-called Bridge Guy, and said in his closing arguments that Allen had repeatedly damned himself through his own words by placing himself on the bridge at the time of the girls' abductions and through his multiple prison confessions. It was Allen who put himself on the trail between 1.30 and 3.30pm, Allen who told investigators he had gone out onto Monon High Bridge, Allen who described the outfit he wore and Allen who made a string of prison confessions that included details that only the killer could have known. Allen now faces a maximum sentence of 130 more years behind bars on charges of two counts of murder and two counts of felony murder McLeland also showed jurors a video Libby recorded at 2.13pm that day, which he claimed showed 'the moment the girls were kidnapped.' The shaky footage showed Abby making her way across the bridge as the bundled-up figure of a man walked with purpose behind her. 'Guys, down the hill,' echoed through the silent room along with a startled chirp from one of the girls and the horrified words, 'That be a gun.' McLeland described the feeling of this scene to the jury: 'You can hear the fear in their voice. You can see the fear in Abby's face.' He reminded the jurors of the eyewitnesses who were adamant that the person they saw that day was Bridge Guy. He reminded them of the digital evidence gleaned from Libby's phone which, he said, showed it stopped moving at 2.32pm and never moved again. McLeland recalled volunteer Kathy Shank's chance find of the lead sheet in 2022 something that hadn't been followed up at the time - recording a man who self-reported being on the trails between 1.30 and 3.30pm. He told them investigators knew 'all indications pointed to that man being Bridge Guy,' and that man was Allen. Indeed, when officers searched his home on October 26, 2022, McLeland said they found 'a Bridge Guy starter kit,' - a Carhartt jacket, a Sig Sauer P226 and an unspent 40 caliber Smith and Weston cartridge held in a hope box in Allen's bedroom. They also seized numerous electronic devices but the only one that was missing was the phone Allen used in 2017 at the time of the murders - a device he had never let law enforcement inspect. Prosecutors had said the case revolves around the so-called Bridge Guy who was seen walking behind the girls before they disappeared The prosecutor went on to tell jurors that Allen was 'familiar with the area.' He had frequently visited the Monon High Bridge alone and with his family. 'See how the pieces are starting to fall into place?' he urged. McLeland reminded them that the state presented evidence that the cartridge found between the girls' bodies had 'been cycled through Richard Allen's gun.' 'That could have ended the case,' he asserted. 'But then he starts to confess.' He had made multiple confessions both in phone calls to his mother, Janice, and wife, Kathy, as well as in person to the corrections officers tasked with watching over him on suicide watch, his prison therapist Dr Monica Wala and his prison psychiatrist Dr John Martin. McLeland played one of Allen's calls from April 3 he made to his wife where he said, 'I just wanted to apologize. I did it. You know I did it. I killed Abby and Libby.' The call was, McLeland said, 'unprovoked, unpressured' and 'made of his own volition.' Later that month, Allen confessed on April 26 that he had stolen a box cutter that he used to kill the girls and then threw in the trash at the CVS where he worked. He made his most detailed confession yet to Dr Wala when he told her he had intended to rape the girls but had seen a van, got scared and killed them instead. Quoting Allen's own words, the prosecutor said: 'He continued living his life after time had passed because he hadn't been caught.' Prosecutors also said he had confessed to the murders while in solitary confinement Taking the jurors back to February 13, 2017, McLeland said: 'That day started out like any other day. The day that Bridge Guy stole the youth and the life away from Liberty and Abigail. The state has shown you Richard Allen is Bridge Guy. 'For five years he has lived amongst us. He didn't realize he left behind a cartridge from his gun, and he also left behind Liberty's cell phone.' But Bradley Rozzi, who delivered the defense's passionate closing statements, argued the state had proved nothing. He described their timeline as 'broken,' their ballistics evidence as 'bungled' and the confessions as 'false' and 'cherry-picked' to present only a fraction of a far more complicated, troubling truth. The one thing that 'speaks the truth' he insisted was something the state hadn't told jurors about at all raw data gleaned from Libby's cellphone which showed that at 5.45pm on February 13, 2017, somebody had plugged headphones into the phone and, at 10.32pm, someone had removed them. The state sought to dismiss this as a technical glitch caused by dirt or water damage. Rozzi also reminded jurors that there was no DNA evidence, no trace evidence, no clothing and no digital data or communications that connected Allen to the crime scene or either of the girls. 'The magic bullet is nothing more than a tragic bullet. It is the catalyst that landed Rick in that prison,' the defense attorney said of Westville Correctional Facility in Westville some 76 miles outside Delphi. Allen's defense said the conditions he was held in caused an already 'fragile egg' to become mentally ill - to the point of developing Major Depressive Disorder with Psychosis The defense had claimed that the conditions in which Allen was held caused an already 'fragile egg' to become seriously mentally ill and develop Major Depressive Disorder with Psychosis. The confessions were nothing but the product of his psychotic mind and should be dismissed entirely and given no weight, they insisted. The conditions in which he was held were tantamount to torture. A picture of a medieval rack popped up on the large screen behind Rozzi, followed by a picture of a thumbscrew, which the attorney claimed were 'medieval devices to interrogate people. 'As a society, we've evolvedto a more subtle form called solitary confinement,' he said. 'Whether intentional, reckless or negligent somebody should have spoken out. Where was the moral compass? You are the moral compass.' Hammering his point home, Rozzi displayed pictures of Allen in open court, taken from prison video that has, to this point, been shielded from public view and seen only by the jury. In one photo he lies naked, curled up in the fetal position on the floor. In one he is naked against a wall, and in another, he wears a suicide smock with a white spit hood over his head. 'That's the power of your state,' he said, pointing to the screen behind him. A picture of a python crushing its prey followed next. 'Now is the time to step up and recognize this is not how we function. 'Rendering a verdict of guilt would be endorsing this process and you should not do that. We're asking you to set Richard Allen free.' Anthony Albanese was forced to smile awkwardly after being relentlessly heckled by environmental protesters. The Prime Minister was drowned out during a press conference in Sorrell, north east of Hobart in Tasmania, on Tuesday morning by demonstrators chanting 'shame Albanese' and 'keep your promise'. Mr Albanese, who had been unveiling current state MP and former state Opposition leader Rebecca White as the candidate for marginal federal seat of Lyons, at first did not react to or address the handful protesters and instead stared forward in stony silence. The protesters, who were reportedly from the environmentalist Bob Brown Foundation, chanted 'Save the Maguean Skate' over and over as Mr Albanese did his best to ignore them. But when they got close to the lectern the Prime Minister was forced to address the demonstrators. 'Good on you,' he said, as they unfurled an enormous blue banner which said 'Save the Maugean Skate'. They then chanted: 'Keep your promise! No new extinctions!' as Mr Albanese, Ms White and Agriculture Minister Julie Collins smiled awkwardly. It was perhaps an odd time to protest given the Prime Minister had just pledged $28million on efforts to improve water quality and environmental conditions at Macquarie Harbour. The Prime Minister was drowned out during a press conference in Sorrell, north east of Hobart in Tasmania , by demonstrators chanting 'shame Albanese' and 'keep your promise' It is a major salmon fishing ground and the only known home of the Maugean Skate, the endangered species so close to the protesters' hearts. Mr Albanese said Tasmania's salmon industry was 'the backbone of many regional communities and it's essential we support the thousands of jobs it creates right across the state'. 'To do that it's essential we have a sustainable industry which supports workers and the environment,' he said. 'That's exactly what this will help to do, making sure we have a sustainable salmon industry and deliver stability for workers and their families into the future.' He added: 'I support the jobs that come from economic activity here in Tasmania ... but we need to make sure that the industry operates in a sustainable way.' To help offset harm to Macquarie Harbour's health from human activities, $21million has been earmarked for scaling up oxygenation in the harbour. The protesters, who were reportedly from the environmentalist Bob Brown Foundation, chanted 'Save the Maguean Skate' over and over as Mr Albanese did his best to ignore them A further $5million has been committed specifically to expanding the Maugean skate's breeding program. The ray fish has long been plagued by predators and pollution. Tasmanian senator Anne Urquhart, who is giving up her safe senate seat for a run at the lower house, said the new efforts 'will protect the industry and the Maugean Skate'. But Alistair Allan, Antarctic and Marine campaigner at Bob Brown Foundation, called for government to go a step further by 'following its own conservation advice by banning fish farming in the Harbour altogether'. 'We know fish farms have a catastrophic impact on the Maugean Skate,' he said. Mr Allan was also critical of Coles supermarket for its alleged 'complicity in causing the extinction of the Maugean Skate'. The activist group claims that the supermarket giant's decision to sell farmed salmon from Macquarie Harbour has a 'catastrophic impact on the Maugean Skates survival'. 'Coles is completely aware that industrial salmon farms in Macquarie Harbour are causing an extinction, yet they refuse to stop selling the product,' Mr Allan added. He added: 'Selling farmed salmon from Macquarie Harbour is like Coles selling rhino horn or ivory. 'Coles needs to stop profiting from extinction now. 'It is outrageous that Prime Minister Albanese will give $28million of taxpayers money to cover up the devastating impact of huge multinational companies in Macquarie Harbour who pay zero dollars in taxes.' A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a woman in Dublin three decades ago - as police continue to search for her body. Josephine Dullard, known as Jo Jo, went missing on November 9, 1995, after spending an evening socialising on Harry Street in the Irish capital. The then 21-year-old had been socialising in Bruxelles bar and was travelling back to her home in Callan when she vanished. In a major update in the case, Gardai confirmed an arrest had been made and that searches for her body are taking place in Wicklow, near the Kildare border. Superintendent Paul Burke said: 'This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days. Josephine Dullard, known as Jo Jo, went missing on November 9, 1995, after spending an evening socialising on Harry Street in the Irish capital In a major update in the case, Gardai confirmed an arrest had been made and that searches for her body are taking place in Wicklow, near the Kildare border. 'The arrest and search operation is being led by the investigation team from Kildare Division Serious Crime Unit and the Serious Crime Review Team, Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. 'The search is being carried out by the Kildare Divisional Search Team supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau and local Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit. 'The search operation has the support of other state expertise, if required, including the attendance of a Forensic Archaeologist on site.' On the night of her disappearance, Ms Dullard had missed her bus home to Kilkenny and instead bordered a 10pm bus to Naas, where she then intended to hitchhike home. She hitched a lift from Naas to the slip road on the M9 motorway at Kilcullen and at 11.15pm got another lift to Moone in the county. Detectives discovered that she had made a phone call from a payphone in Moone. During that call, Ms Dullard told her friend Mary Cullinan that a car had stopped for her and she was going to take the lift. On the night of her disappearance, Ms Dullard had missed her bus home to Kilkenny and instead bordered a 10pm bus to Naas, where she then intended to hitchhike home Witnesses said she was later seen leaning on the back of a dark coloured Toyota, talking to someone inside. But the car and driver were never traced. Her disappearance was confirmed to be classified as murder in November 2020, with investigators believing that serious harm came to her around the time of her disappearance. Two women who refused to enter mandatory hotel quarantine during Covid, following a trip to Dubai, have lost their Supreme Court appeal against the regulation. Mother-of-one Niamh Mulreany, 27, and mother-of-two Kirstie McGrath still face criminal charges for the alleged offence. They initially claimed to have travelled for breast-enhancement surgery but it later emerged they did not have that procedure. Supreme Court judge Aileen Donnelly ruled yesterday that their arguments to her court were wafer thin. She said the pair had gone on holiday to Dubai in March 2021, two days after the Health Minister designated the UAE and 32 other states as areas which presented a high risk for importing Covid. Niamh Mulreany and Kirstie McGrath were detained in prison when they refused to quarantine after returning to Ireland from Dubai on April 2, 2021 Kirstie McGrath pictured leaving the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin The new section in the Health Act provided for a ten-to-14-day mandatory quarantine in a designated facility for those arriving from such countries. On their return on Good Friday, April 2, the judge said, they refused to go to the designated hotel to quarantine. Ms Mulreany, of Scarlett Row, Essex Street West, Dublin, and Ms McGrath, of St Anthonys Road, Rialto, claimed they could not afford the cost of the stay, estimated at over 1,800 each, and that they needed to get back to their children. The women were arrested and charged with resisting the quarantine and were remanded in custody. After a night in prison, they were released on bail and subsequently completed the mandatory quarantine, the judge said. Judge Donnelly said the charges were still existing and the two women had applied for a prohibition of their trials, which was refused by the High Court. Their legal challenge travelled directly to the Supreme Court. They had also applied for a review of their quarantine confinement to the Designated Appeals Officer but it was refused, the judge noted. Kirsty McGrath appearing at Tallaght district court on Saturday, April 3, 2021 Niamh Mulreany appearing at Tallaght district court on Saturday, April 3, 2021 Mulreany (left) and McGrath (right) still face criminal charges for the alleged offence Their appeal to the Supreme Court was based upon the procedures through which the UAE was designated as a high-risk state. They claimed that the restriction of their liberty should have been carried out through legislation, rather than by a direction of the minister, and should have been overseen by the Oireachtas. They also mounted a separate claim regarding the legality of the review mechanism. The State responded that there was nothing unlawful or unconstitutional about the delegation of the power to the minister to make a designation, as opposed to making regulations. In her judgment yesterday, supported unanimously by four other Supreme Court judges, Judge Donnelly held that the selection of the UAE as a designated state was lawful. If convicted following their trial, the women face fines of up to 2,000 and a period of several months imprisonment. An Arizona family has been left devastated after a father-of-two and grandfather-of-one was killed in a freak accident when a small jet crashed into his car. Ray Longhi, 67, was heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to pick up his wife of 35 years from work on Tuesday when a small Honda jet collided with his red Lexus on Greenfield Road - just a few miles from his home, AZ Family reports. The irony, his daughter said, is that her father was an avid traveler who loved aviation. He had even taken a job at Boeing and moved his family to a house adjacent to Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, according to ABC 15. 'I've driven up the street hundreds of times, and so many of those were with my dad,' his daughter, Lorraine, told the station. 'The airplanes or helicopters would be flying over as we were driving down the road and my dad would just know everything about what model of airplane it was.' Ray Longhi, 67, was killed in a freak accident on Tuesday when a small jet crashed into his car He was was heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to pick up his wife of 35 years from work on Tuesday when a small Honda jet collided with his red Lexus on Greenfield Road - just a few miles from his home She said she is now struggling to understand what happened. 'When I heard it was an accident, I think I just assumed it was a car accident, but when I found out that there was a plane involved, I think it was just so difficult to wrap my head around,' Lorraine said. 'I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that my dad could get into a plane accident next to the same airport he'd been living next to for decades. 'It was impossible for me to imagine that something like this could happen a mile away from home,' she added. Witnesses to the crash told police a multimillion-dollar business jet never left the ground at Falcon Field after attempting a takeoff at around 4.45pm Tuesday, Arizona Republic reports. After the plane hit Longhi's vehicle, it crashed into an orchard where it burst into flames. Four people onboard the plane were also pronounced dead at the crash - Drew Kimball, 44, Grahm Kimball, 12, Spencer Lindahl, 43, and Rustin Randall, 48. A teenager onboard suffered burn injuries, but survived. 'Me and my family want answers about what happened,' Lorraine said. 'My family is devastated. We're angry. We're confused. This should not have happened.' Lorraine Longhi, his daughter, is now demanding answers about the fatal crash Witnesses to the crash told police a multimillion-dollar business jet never left the ground at Falcon Field after attempting a takeoff at around 4.45pm She said her father had plans for the future when he was killed. 'My dad did have more life to live,' Lorraine said, adding that he wanted to spend more time with her and her brother, along with his wife and one-year-old grandson. 'He had things that he still wanted to do, that we still wanted to do with him. 'It is so unfair and it's so senseless,' she said of the crash, 'but at the same time, I know my dad wouldn't want us to dwell on it and to just sit in despair.' She described her father in interviews as 'larger than life,' telling how he was adopted as an infant into an Italian-American family from Yonkers, New York and studied English for two years at the University of Arizona before transferring to University of California, Berkeley. Ray eventually traveled to Taiwan, where he first met Ada Tsai, now 64. The two got married in 1989 and started a family, but kept their adventurous spirit alive. 'There were weekends when, growing up, my parents would shake me awake and just say, "Hey do you want to go to this new city today?" You know, just cause we could,' Lorraine recounted to the Republic. Ray met Ada Tsai while traveling to Taiwan, and the two were married in 1989 Lorraine said her parents kept their adventurous spirit alive, whisking her and her brother on weekend trips to different cities She said her father 'was so caring and so full of life,' noting that he had texted her just before the crash, asking, 'Everything OK?' Lorraine said it was something her father would often ask. 'I'm just realizing that, you know, my dad wasn't just asking if people were OK,' she said. 'It was his way of saying that he loved them, and I'm really glad that we had a conversation just moments before it happened. 'And I believe that he was, you know, heading down that road knowing that he was doing what he always did, which was taking care of his family,' she said, calling her father her hero. 'My dad was just more than the way he died,' Lorraine insisted to ABC 15. 'The way he lived was just the most special thing I've ever been able to witness.' The Longhis are now asking anyone who wants to support their family to donate to the Sunshine Acres Children's Home in Mesa, and is urging everyone 'to take a minute to hug their dad or hug their kids.' A young carpenter and 'pillar of the church' has made a desperate bid for release after allegedly bungling an attempted hit on Sydney night-life figure John Ibrahim. Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulah, 24, appeared before Sydney's Supreme Court on Tuesday in a bid for release on bail as he faces multiple charges over the alleged failed hit. Police allege Tupoulahi aimed a Glock pistol at a woman driving her young child on July 25, having mistaken her black Range Rover SUV as belonging to Mr Ibrahim. Driver and co-accused Youssef Zrayka, who failed in a bail bid last week, is alleged to have sped off before a brief pursuit which ended after the pair got stuck in traffic. Both men were subsequently charged with conspiring to murder Mr Ibrahim, as well as firearm offences after police allegedly found the Glock and a revolver in the car. In applying for release, Tupoulah's lawyer, Ben Barrack, argued he stood to spend two years in custody awaiting trial after indicating he intended to fight the charges. He described the carpenter as being 'entirely expendable' and if released would be of no use to whomever planned the alleged hit - with the planning 'not attributable' to him. Critically, Mr Barrack said the Crown would have to prove Tupoulah had been on the busy Dover Heights street to kill Mr Ibrahim, and not to extort or rob him. Nightclub boss John Ibrahim (pictured) was allegedly the target of a botched hit in Sydney Justice Desmond Fagan said it would be open to the jury to make that decision, and in refusing Tupoulah's release described him as 'a man who is extremely dangerous'. 'If he was there to shoot someone then as has been in the past, he could have shot the wrong person - or he could have shot the person he was trying to shoot,' he said. Told no bullets were alleged to have been fired, he added: '(That is) very fortunate for people unwise enough to drive a motor vehicle in similar appearance to Mr Ibrahim's'. Justice Fagan pushed back against Mr Barrack who said the alleged incident was 'amateur hour' and that Mr Tupoulah, in custody for the first time, was not a risk. 'He could be a pillar of the church. He could be a saint in every respect, but if he's caught on a residential street with two lethal weapons, apparently positioning himself to kill somebody, that just suddenly goes out the window,' Judge Fagan said, adding that the pair being allegedly stopped in traffic was 'a trap for young players' in crime. Justice Fagan ultimately rejected the bail application despite a proposed house arrest, citing risk to the community and that the 'Crown case was of very significant force'. The two men were allegedly dressed in balaclavas and gloves The Crown earlier played video in court of the alleged incident, showing the car allegedly carrying the pair stopping at a T-intersection with the Range Rover behind them. The video allegedly captures, on the Crown case, Tupoulah getting out of the vehicle, though Mr Barrack disputed whether it was clear he raised a firearm at the car. In a second video, police are seen searching the car which allegedly carried the pair, in which they located a Glock loaded with three rounds and a fourth chambered. A second pistol, a high-calibre revolver, was also located in the video and contained five rounds; two jerry cans allegedly containing accelerant were also inside the car. Police allege co-accused, Youssef Zrayka, drove past Mr Ibrahim's Dover Heights home before parking down the street shortly after 7am and laying in wait with his co-accused. While watching the home, police allege the pair spotted a Range Rover matching the description of Mr Ibrahim's, with Zrayka pulling the car into the middle of the street. Tupoulahi allegedly swung open the back door before realising the vehicle did not belong to their alleged target. A few minutes later, the pair again spotted a Range Rover. Zrayka pulled out into the road to block the black-coloured SUV, but again the pair targeted the wrong vehicle, police allege, and the driver contacted police minutes later. Tupoulahi was arrested after allegedly resisting arrest The 21-year-old last week made his own bid for release, with his lawyer Ertunc Ozen SC stating police would have to prove his client had only planned to kill Mr Ibrahim. 'The facts show these two were not in the area for innocent purposes ... but the body of evidence establishes no more than an offence, which could be one of many,' he said. 'The Crown will have to establish these two people were part of an established plan to commit a murder of Mr Ibrahim, not a carjacking or extortion, ... or issuing a threat'. Justice Mark Ierace dismissed the bail bid citing unacceptable risks, including that Zrayka could endanger the community given his allegedly having a weapon in public. Zrayka and Tuploulah were both charged with conspiracy to commit murder, as well as possession of a loaded firearm in public, and taking a car without consent. The pair will be back in court next month when the brief of evidence is expected to be served. Oprah Winfrey denied being paid $1million to help Kamala Harris by hosting a star-studded town hall event for the Vice President in September. While walking to her car after a workout in quaint Santa Barbara, Oprah was approached by a reporter for TMZ who quizzed her on some hot topics. 'Not true' she said when asked about the alleged payment. 'I was paid nothing. Ever.' The talk show legend initially made it clear she didn't want to discuss President-elect Trump's landslide victory: 'I'm not talking about the election,' she demurred. As she climbed into her SUV, the reporter asked if she 'thinks Prince Harry is going to lose his visa' when Trump is president. She simply closed the door. On Sunday, the Washington Examiner reported how Winfrey's Harpo Productions had received $1million from the Harris campaign on October 15 after Winfrey hosted the event. Oprah Winfrey has denied being paid $1million to help Kamala Harris with her campaign and host a star-studded town hall event for the Vice President in September Speaking to TMZ on Monday as she walked up to her car, when asked about the alleged payment, Oprah simply said it was 'not true' and that 'I was paid nothing. Ever.' Oprah Winfrey holds hands with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris after introducing her to speak during a campaign rally outside the Philadelphia Museum last Monday night In total, the Harris campaign spent $1.2billion on the race while Trump's campaign spent $750 million, a Financial Times analysis found, although some believe Harris's spending could be even higher. Harris also reportedly spent six figures to build out the set for her October appearance on the hit podcast 'Call Her Daddy', where she sat down with the show's host Alex Cooper. According to a report by The Washington Examiner, her campaign spent six figures alone on building out the very beige set of the podcast for her small appearance. The outlet also reported that it was filmed inside a hotel room in Washington DC, with crews building the set to imitate Cooper's actual set in Los Angeles. The Harris campaign, affiliated PACs and the Democratic National Committee amassed over $2.3 billion in political contributions. Kamala Harris joined Oprah at a Unite for America livestreamed rally in Michigan in September According to a report by The Washington Examiner , her campaign had spent six figures on building out the set of the podcast for her small appearance Event production, like the podcast appearance, was a big spend for the campaign who hosted the likes of Lady Gaga (pictured at Harris's Philadelphia rally) and Katy Perry on the eve of the election After raising nearly $4.2 billion, they spent a combined $3.5 billion on the presidential race, making it the most expensive contest ever held according to the analysis. Donald Trump's team, affiliated PACs and the Republican National Committee raised $1.8 billion. Despite spending less, Trump ended up trouncing Harris in the electoral and popular vote - which hasn't been done by the GOP in decades. The Examiner explored ways in which the Harris campaign had managed to burn through the eye-watering figure, which included the podcast appearance. According to the outlet, her campaign and its affiliates spent over $654 million from July to Election Day. Trump spent $378 million, 57 percent less than her. While Harris avoided the show's typically sexual content, she spoke of her take on abortion rights and student debt during the seven minute sit down The Vice President had sat down with host of the raunchy show Alexandra Cooper, seen here, in October while on the campaign trail Katy Perry performs during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at Carrie Blast Furnaces in Pittsburgh, November 4, 2024 Your browser does not support iframes. One vendor, Village Marketing Agency, was paid over $3.9 million to recruit social media influencers to boost Harris' online appeal. Event production, like the podcast appearance, was a big spend for the campaign who hosted the likes of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry on the eve of the election. According to federal filings, the campaign paid over $15 million to companies for such services. A better idea of their actual spending will be made clear as the Federal Election Commission mandates full reports from candidates within 30 days. As Democrats still try and gather themselves following their loss to Trump earlier this week, Biden and Harris' teams are blaming each other for wasting their cash. Workers in the White House and on the campaigns are ruthlessly continuing their blame game as to whether the president or vice president really dropped the ball. Not only did their campaign end in disaster, but to add insult to injury the operation is reportedly in debt, Politico reports, to the tune of $20 million dollars. Biden staff say the vice president ran a terrible, three-month campaign and squandered millions of dollars from their top donors. 'How did you spend $1 billion and not win? What the f***?' said a former Biden staffer infuriated by the Harris team excuses. MailOnline has contacted the Harris campaign for comment. France and Britain yesterday urged allies to put Ukraine in the 'strongest possible position' before Donald Trump returns to the White House. Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron agreed the new strategy during talks in Paris aimed at ensuring Kyiv's fight for freedom can survive the return of President Trump, who has vowed to end the war 'in a day'. It came as the head of the Royal Air Force stepped up pressure on political leaders to sign off Ukraine's use of Britain's powerful Storm Shadow missiles against military targets deep inside Russia. Ministers are also gearing up for Mr Trump to trigger a trade war by slapping tariffs on all foreign imports. Treasury sources said Rachel Reeves would use the Chancellor's annual Mansion House speech this week to make the case for free trade. Defence Secretary John Healey yesterday downplayed concerns that the incoming Trump administration could withdraw military backing for Ukraine, insisting he expects the US to support Kyiv 'for as long as it takes to prevail'. Treasury sources said Rachel Reeves would use the Chancellor's annual Mansion House speech this week to make the case for free trade Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron pledged to put Ukraine in the 'strongest possible position' as they held talks after Donald Trump's bombshell election win Ministers are also gearing up for Mr Trump to trigger a trade war by slapping tariffs on all foreign imports Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron stand before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Place de l'Etoile in Paris on Monday Keir Starmer was warmly welcomed by Emmanuel Macron as he arrived in Paris on Monday - with the looming handover in the US high on the agenda The leaders laid wreaths together in front of the statue of Georges Clemenceau on the Champs Elysees Sir Keir is the first PM to attend Armistice Day events in France since Churchill in 1944 Mr Healey said the President-elect 'recognises that countries get security through strength'. But he later told MPs that European countries 'must be prepared to spend more on defence'. Mr Trump's campaign rhetoric has alarmed Ukraine's supporters, with some fearing he will slash support and force Kyiv to sue for peace. The Prime Minister and France's president Mr Macron yesterday agreed to step up support immediately to bolster Ukraine's position before Mr Trump takes office in January. A No 10 spokesman said the two leaders discussed 'how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter'. Speaking to journalists while travelling to the Cop29 climate change summit in Azerbaijan, Sir Keir said: 'Full support for Ukraine and making sure Ukraine is in the best possible position have been the sort of driving principles of the arguments that I've been putting forward.' President Joe Biden is also expected to urge his successor to maintain support for Kyiv when the two men meet for transition talks tomorrow. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the President would tell Mr Trump that 'the United States should not walk away from Ukraine'. The US president prevented Ukraine from using the British Storm Shadows at targets inside Russia over fears Putin would carry out retaliatory attacks on Western military bases The use of Storm Shadow missiles in Ukraine has been widely debated by leaders for months FILE - President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg, July 7, 2017 Britain, France and Germany have already vowed to support Ukraine 'for as long as it takes' and Zelensky is adamantly against relinquishing territory to Vladimir Putin But Mr Trump's son Donald Jr intensified fears his father will do a quick deal with Vladimir Putin, saying there was no place for 'war hawks' in his father's cabinet and suggesting Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky would be 'losing (his) allowance'. Sir Keir and Mr Macron are thought to have discussed efforts to persuade Mr Biden to approve the use of Storm Shadows. Although Britain has supplied missiles, US navigation systems are needed to target sites deep inside Russia, requiring Mr Biden's approval. He has so far resisted because of concerns it could trigger Russia to escalate the crisis. The case for their use appeared to be backed by Britain's Chief of the Air Staff Sir Richard Knighton yesterday. Speaking at defence think-tank Rusi, Sir Richard did not name the missile but called for Kyiv to be given its capabilities. 'Ukraine cannot put up a shield to protect themselves against the 30,000 glide bombs lobbed into the Kursk Oblast,' he said. 'They need... the ability to strike the aircraft launching these bombs on the ground.' Mr Zelensky at the weekend told US TV: 'We are not ready to give our freedom to this f***ing terrorist Putin.' Meanwhile, ministers are already trying to persuade Mr Trump to drop a plan to put 20 per cent tariffs on all foreign imports. But Kim Darroch, a former British ambassador to Washington, said: 'It will be quite a challenge for the UK. I don't see any special deal for the UK or Europe.' Two people have been charged in the murder of a Connecticut teenager found wrapped in a blanket on the side of a highway. Edgar Martinez was just days away from his 19th birthday when his body was found Saturday morning wrapped in a comforter on Pope Park Highway in Hartford, NBC Connecticut reports. Police believed his body had been placed there about a day prior after being shot inside an apartment on Magnolia Street, where Martinez's family says he lived with his two cousins - who are now facing charges for his murder. An unidentified 17-year-old male has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence, while 21-year-old Sender Soto-Veliz is charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. Soto-Veliz's bond has now been set at $500,000, and he is due to be arraigned Wednesday morning, according to WTNH. The juvenile will also be transferred to adult court. Edgar Martinez was just days away from his 19th birthday when his body was found Saturday morning wrapped in a comforter on Pope Park Highway in Hartford Police believed his body had been placed there about a day prior after being shot inside an apartment on Magnolia Street, Authorities said they determined Martinez was murdered after finding gunshot wounds on the victim. Officers with the Hartford Police Department's Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions later found evidence of a crime being committed in the apartment, along with descriptions of the suspects and their vehicles. The suspects were located later on Saturday, driving along Park Terrace. Police are now continuing to investigate the murder. 'We are working on a couple of theories,' Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert told Fox 61 of a possible motive. 'The most prominent is there was some sort of disagreement in the apartment that went bad, which turned into a physical altercation, which turned into a homicide.' Martinez's cousin, 21-year-old Sender Soto-Veliz, is facing charges of hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence Police say they found evidence of a crime being committed in the apartment Martinez shared with his cousins Martinez's family have said they believe the murder was motivated by money, but said Martinez never got into trouble. 'He stayed away from parties, [he was] very friendly,' his aunt, Veronica Imelda Martinez Mayen told NBC Connecticut. She said the family knew something was wrong when the teenager didn't show up for work on Thursday and Friday, as other family members described him as a caring person, a hard worker and a great big brother. 'He was the person who always took care of me, despite him not being OK,' Nisma Martinez, the victims sister, said. 'I'm going to remember him as the most beautiful person I could've ever known.' The trial of a police officer accused of fatally tasering a 95-year-old woman in a nursing home has been brought to an abrupt halt after a juror fainted during the proceedings. Clare Nowland, 95, was fatally injured in the early hours of May 17 when Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White discharged his Taser at her chest in Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma. The police officer has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and is fighting the claim during a weeks-long trial in the NSW Supreme Court. The trial came to a sudden halt around lunchtime on Tuesday when a juror fainted in the jury box, pitching forward onto the floor. He was attended by court sheriffs before Justice Ian Harrison adjourned the court. After an hour, an ambulance was seen parked outside the NSW Supreme Courthouse where the juror collapsed. It came more than an hour after the jury was shown footage from the body cameras worn by Constable White and his colleague when they responded to a call from the nursing home just before 5am. The videos show Mrs Nowland sitting in her pyjamas in a room at a desk with her four-wheel walking frame and holding a knife. Clare Nowland, 95, was fatally injured in the early hours of May 17 when Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White (pictured) discharged his Taser at her chest Clare Nowland, 95, died in May 2023 after she was tasered in a nursing home The two police officers are gathered at the doorway with two paramedics, all of whom are urging Mrs Nowland to stay seated and put down the knife. In the footage, Mrs Nowland struggles to get to her feet with the help of her walking frame and lifts the knife when someone steps towards her. 'We're not playing that game Clare, put that down,' Constable White tells her. 'Clare, stop now. You see this? It's a Taser.' Constable White can be heard activating the Taser's warning device and the light beam blares at Mrs Nowland in the video. 'You keep coming, you're going to get tased,' he told her. Constable White asks Mrs Nowland repeatedly to stop as the nonagenarian continues to amble slowly towards them with both hands on her walker. 'Stop. Nah, just .. bugger it,' the police officer said before deploying his Taser at her chest. The frail woman's body wobbled and pitched forward before lurching backwards and slamming against the floor. Mrs Nowland's daughter Lesley Lloyd (right) is pictured leaving the court after giving evidence Mrs Lloyd is pictured arriving to court along with her siblings and supporters on Tuesday Constable White was supported by his wife in court on Tuesday (both are pictured) The court was told during the opening statements that she sustained serious injuries that caused her death days later. Gasps could be heard throughout the courtroom when the great-grandmother fell to the floor in the graphic footage, and a number of her family members wiped away tears. Constable White's body-worn footage shows the 95-year-old clutching her head as she lays on the ground, barely moving. Both officers rushed forward as Mrs Nowland lay on the ground, with Constable White keeping an arm on the woman's shoulder. 'I didn't expect it to be like that,' his colleague said as they stood over the elderly woman. 'I was thinking I could just grab it, but it was a bit too sharp and it was pointed at me.' 'I'd prefer not to have to...' Constable White replied. The confrontation lasted three minutes and will form the basis of the trial, Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC told the court on Monday. In his opening statement on Monday, he argued Constable White's conduct amounted to manslaughter because he breached his duty of care and exposed Mrs Nowland to serious risk. The Crown prosecutor said he expected evidence would be given about a conversation Constable White allegedly had with a colleague after the incident. A photo of two steak knives and a pen light at the Yallambee Lodge aged-care home in the southern NSW town of Cooma has been tendered as evidence 'I've had a look and supposedly we aren't meant to tase elderly people, but in this circumstance I needed to,' he is alleged to have said. Constable White's lawyer Troy Edwards SC claimed his client acted in accordance with his duties as a police officer to 'stop the threat and counteract the risk' Mrs Nowland posed to herself and others while holding a knife. In a written incident report on the day, he said the police officer recorded that he deployed his police-issued Taser because he felt a 'violent confrontation was imminent'. The court was told the 34-year-old had been made aware of a previous violent incident involving Mrs Nowland when he responded to the call. Mrs Nowland suffered from symptoms of dementia but had not been formally diagnosed, the jury was told on Monday. In the two hours prior to the deadly incident, the court was told the great-grandmother had been wandering around the nursing home holding two knives. She threw one of the knives at a staff member, but it landed on the floor. The incident prompted a nurse to call triple-0, which dispatched an ambulance and notified police because of the involvement of a knife. Mrs Nowland is survived by eight children, 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. A troubled former Australian actor has exhibited worrying behavioural signs, including grandiosity while on bail for assault charges, a court has been told. Orpheus Pledger, 31, appeared in the Victorian County Court on Tuesday to appeal a seven-month jail sentence imposed in August for twice attacking a woman in March. The ex-Home and Away star swapped the black hoodie of his last court appearance for a purple check shirt and appeared to have cut his hair and shaved. His lawyers have asked Judge Michael Tinney to resentence him to a community corrections order and the 97 days he spent on remand be considered as time served. But Judge Tinney raised concerning reports from Pledger's bail monitors, saying it appeared the 'wheels seem to be falling off'. Pledger, the report noted, had missed several appointments in the past two months and was exhibiting concerning behavioural changes, including being overly talkative, speaking off topic, grandiosity and euphoria, and had self-adjusted his medication. He denied he had relapsed into drug use, the court was told, but had not been tested. Judge Tinney said he was 'deeply troubled' by the development, noting a psychiatrist had found Pledger was at an increased risk of reoffending if he relapsed into drug use. A troubled former Australian actor has exhibited worrying behavioural signs, including grandiosity while on bail for assault charges, a court has been told Orpheus Pledger, 31 (right), appeared in the Victorian County Court on Tuesday to appeal a seven-month jail sentence imposed in August for twice attacking a woman in March 'His relevant functioning had deteriorated to the extent it's described as concerning,' he said. Pledger was arrested in March after twice attacking a woman that month. One of the incidents was captured in part by a motion-activated camera, with Pledger dragging the woman by the hair to the ground and stomping on her head. He was released on bail in late April to undergo a medical assessment over concerns for his mental health but fled and prompted a manhunt. The 30-year-old actor was granted bail on Monday and taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Monday for a court-ordered medical assessment for his mental health. Previously, the Melbourne Magistrates' Court was told nurses at the hospital observed him muttering that he was going to 'kill'. Pledger pleaded guilty to charges of recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault, with his lawyer explaining Pledger's drug use had escalated in recent years. 'He certainly feels terrible for what has happened and the impact it's had,' lawyer Justin MacCuspie said. One of the incidents was captured in part by a motion-activated camera, with Pledger dragging the woman by the hair to the ground and stomping on her head Pledger began acting at age 9 in commercials and on children's series Silversun before landing a stint on Neighbours in 2011. He later took the role of Mason Morgan in Home and Away from 2016 to 2019 and most recently appeared as a contestant on SAS Australia in 2022. Judge Tinney will hand down a decision on the appeal on Tuesday afternoon. Everybody Loves Raymond star Patricia Heaton hit out at anti-Trump 'extremists' for 'fear-mongering' and denigrating voters who support the president-elect. In a video posted to X Saturday, Heaton - who played the role of Debra Barone on 210 episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond - accused pundits and other media personalities of manipulating women into believing that a Trump presidency threatens their rights. 'To all these extremists that are allowed television time, who told women that this is what is going to happen to them, shame on you! Shame on you!' she said in the video that had been viewed more than 842,000 times by Tuesday. 'Apparently there's some really vulnerable people here who you targeted and you fear-mongered... and you need to go back on the air and tell them things are going to be OK, tell them that they're fine. 'And also stop saying people who voted differently from you are quote-unquote uneducated.' Everybody Loves Raymond star Patricia Heaton hit out on anti-Trump 'extremists' for 'fear-mongering' and denigrating voters who supported the president-elect in a video posted to X She begged the media to 'learn your f-ing lesson about smearing people who feel differently from you, who have different needs from you, who have legitimate complaints. 'Quit dismissing them as uneducated. When are you going to learn?' Heaton then went on to condemn women who have posted videos sharing their fears about a potential loss of reproductive rights, as some vow to cut off sexual relations with men in protest of Trump's victory. 'I've also seen a lot of the response videos - especially from women who are crying, screaming, shaving their heads, saying their going to be jailed or rounded up or killed or hunted or whatever,' she said. 'We need to pray for them and I just want to say to all of you folks who feel that way, don't make politics or identity groups your religion! Only Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Put your faith in Him, not in men, not in man's institutions, not in human institutions.' Heaton also noted that she had recently visited the Israeli kibbutzim where women and babies were taken during Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023. 'You're fine here, you're going to be fine, don't worry about it,' she told any women who follow her on the social media app. Heaton played the role of Debra Barone on 210 episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond She assured any female followers that 'you're going to be fine' as women post videos sharing their fears about a potential loss of reproductive rights under president-elect Trump Heaton has been vocal about her beliefs in recent years, coming under fire in 2016 for sharing her anti-abortion views on social media. The Emmy-award winning actress wrote, 'Choose, celebrate, support life! Thanks Northwest Center!' in support of a Washington-based pregnancy resource center and maternity home. Some social media users were quick to hit out at the actress for her beliefs. Earlier this year, she also came to the defense of Kanas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker in the wake of a controversial graduation speech he gave earlier this month. 'I don't understand why everyone's knickers are in a twist,' Heaton said in the online clip. 'He gave a commencement speech, the audience applauded twice during the speech and gave him a standing ovation at the end.' The Cleveland native, who appeared in the clip donning a ballcap and zip-up sweater in front of a workout machine, noted that the audience at the commencement 'enjoyed what he was saying.' Heaton said that Butker was perfectly appropriate in 'espousing his own opinions and Catholic doctrine' in the public address. 'So what? It's his opinion - he can have one,' Heaton said. 'He's not a monster for stating what he believes. 'He went after bishops much more than he went after women, or what women's choices are, or what he thinks they should be - so, I don't understand.' Four suspected asylum seekers have been spotted on a remote Australian island. The group of four men were spotted walking on the beach on Croker Island, near the Coburg Peninsula in the Northern Territory, on Monday. Officials from the Northern Land Council said the Indigenous owners of the land first spotted the men, who were suffering from the effects of a severe heatwave. The council said the group had been assisted by local Aboriginal rangers and officers from Northern Territory Police. It is understood the foreign nationals are no longer in Australia. A spokesperson for Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the Albanese government took a hardline approach against smuggling operations. 'No people smuggling ventures have been successful under our government. People who come to Australia by boat have zero chance of success,' they told SkyNews. The council has previously urged the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Albanese government to provide more support for rangers following an uptick in reported sightings of illegal fishing vessels on Croker Island. The four men were seen walking on the beach (pictured) at Croker Island, near the Coburg Peninsula of the Northern Territory, on Monday. Rangers have reported seeing several illegal boats in Croker Island that had washed up in the area (pictured Croker Island in the Top End region of the Northern Territory) Traditional owners say the vessels pose a threat to protected species and the natural environment. Northern Territory Labor minister an the local member for Arafura Manuel Brown said the arrival of foreign nationals was 'concerning'. 'These situations potentially pose a safety risk for local communities and I urge authorities to ensure they have the necessary resources in place to respond,' Mr Brown said. 'A big thank you is in order to the locals, traditional owners and rangers who found these people and took care of them while waiting for police.' Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said better communication channels between rangers and police in the area was needed. Croker Island is a remote island in Arnhem Land 250km north-east of Darwin. The island, which consists of beaches, wetlands and swamps, has a population of about 265 people according to the latest 2021 Census. Hakeem Jeffries could be the next presidential candidate to run for the Democrats when it comes to the 2028 presidential election. Although still four years away, anger and soul-searching has taken hold of the Democratic Party after Kamala Harris' election loss that left some party officials blindsided. Some party members believe plans should already start to be made as to how the Democrats will come back from such a devastating defeat and who might be the leader to take them there, given many now-familiar names may be leaving the political stage. Brett Bruen, a former Obama White House official, believes the Democrats must use this moment to reassess their strategy or risk being further marginalized politically in the future. Could Hakeem Jeffries be the next presidential candidate to run for the Democrats when it comes to the 2028 presidential election? Brett Bruen, a former Obama White House official, believes the Democrats must use this moment to reassess their strategy or risk being further marginalized politically in the future Bruen believes New York representative Hakeem Jeffries, 54, the current House Minority Leader, could be the top contender to fill the leadership vacuum. 'Hakeem Jeffries, if he is able to ascend to the speakership, is the clear next leader,' Bruen said. Ahead of the 2028 primaries other potential Democratic leaders including governors including Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Gretchen Whitmer, may enter the fray - but Jerffies could have the time to bed into a leadership role should he secure the Speakership. While Newsom might have been seen as 'heir' to Biden at one point, he would likely not be a popular choice among party members having failed to manage California's homelessness and drug crisis, while also being far too liberal for the party. The former Obama aide says he is wary about veering too far left and emphasized the need for a candidate who can reconnect with Middle America. 'The next Democratic leader must resonate with voters in regions where the party struggled this time,' he told The Sun, highlighting the importance of regaining trust among working-class voters. As for Harris, the self-styled underdog taking on her Republican rival, Donald Trump, having joined the race a little over three months ago, the nature of her loss means she is unlikely to be front and center of the party ever again. Some have suggested she might make a run for a California senate seat but Bruen believes the scale of last week's defeat means Harris' political career is effectively over. 'I don't think, after the debacle of last week, you can make another run for the presidency,' Bruen said. For Barack Obama, stepping back from the Democratic Party may be both inevitable and necessary if the party is to recover The Clintons and Obamas are licking their wounds after their influence behind scenes in having Biden step aside and securing Harris' nomination spectacularly backfired, After Biden stepped aside, Harris' defeat is the Democrats' second bitter loss to Trump over the past three elections Similarly, with the Clintons and Obamas now licking their wounds after their influence behind scenes in having Biden step aside and securing Harris' nomination spectacularly backfired, now could be the best time for the Democrats to do a hard reset as they usher in a new era. While both Clintons and Obama had long been seen as power brokers within the party, the crushing defeat has raised questions about their continued influence and relevance in shaping the party's future. Insiders suggest that the influence of the Clinton and Obama political machines, once considered indispensable, may now be seen as a liability. In recent years, the Democratic Party has become increasingly divided between its progressive and moderate wings, and some may now believe the Clintons and Obamas no longer reflect the party's future direction. Indeed, calls for a reckoning within the Democratic Party have been coming from both donors and voters after Harris' loss. With Biden history, there is a growing consensus within the Democratic Party that it needs to embrace new leadership While Newsom might have been seen as 'heir' to Biden at one point, he would likely not be a popular choice among party members having failed to manage California's homelessness and drug crisis, while also being far too liberal for the party The party 'needs a complete reboot,' hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, a longtime Democratic donor who endorsed Trump in 2024, posted on X last week. 'The party lied to the American people about the cognitive health and fitness of the president,' he said, and then didn't hold a primary to replace him. Harris' defeat is the Democrats' second bitter loss to Trump over the past three elections. Hillary Clinton's 2016 defeat had paved the way for Biden to run. 'We dug out of a deep hole but not enough. A devastating loss,' David Plouffe, senior adviser to the campaign, wrote on X, a remark that seemed to reference Biden's weak polls before he dropped out of the race. Bruen said last week's election results highlight deep flaws within the Democratic Party's approach, and wants to see the Democrats quickly regroup in order to prevent any long-term damage Whomever the party chooses next, it must seek to avoid a lengthy internal battle that could further split the party and weaken its position. 'We need to focus on building a clear and cohesive message, not on infighting,' he said. Bruen said last week's election results highlight deep flaws within the Democratic Party's approach, and wants to see the Democrats quickly regroup in order to prevent any long-term damage. Bruen said he believes the scale of the loss reflects a broader disconnect between the party and large swaths of the electorate, in the middle of the country. He believes the Democrats have lost their footing with working-class voters and those in rural areas allowing the Republicans to define the narrative, and as a result, alienating a critical base. He notes the party's strategy of focusing heavily on progressive social issues without adequately addressing economic and cultural concerns is what cost them dearly. Swinging to the populist left in response to a populist right will only deepen the divide Bruen believes with a balanced approach that appeals to a broad spectrum of Americans. Looking ahead, Bruen stressed the Democratic Party must learn from its mistakes if it hopes to reclaim the presidency in 2028. Trump has played it shrewd by having rising star Ohio Senator and Vice President-elect JD Vance, who is still just 40, poised to take over the MAGA mantle from Trump once he reaches the end of his second term in 2028 He believes that Trump has played it shrewd by having rising star Ohio Senator and Vice President-elect JD Vance, who is still just 40, poised to take over the MAGA mantle from Trump once he reaches the end of his second term in 2028. Vance is essentially Trump's 'heir apparent' and could well ascend to the presidency at that time unless the Democrats regroup quickly. 'This is clearly Trump's victory, and it will be interesting to see what happens after Trump leaves office, and you have another Republican run for the presidency,' Bruen said. As the Democrats face an uncertain future, Bruen's comments underscore the urgency of the moment the Democrats now find themselves in. A mother-of-four was handcuffed in front of her children and hauled off to jail after she allowed her 11-year-old son to walk less than a mile into a small town. Brittany Patterson went to drive her eldest son to a medical appointment on October 30, and her youngest, 11-year-old Soren, was supposed to tag along - but was not around when it was time to leave, Reason Magazine reports. She had figured he was simply playing in the woods or visiting his grandmother, Patterson told the outlet, noting that her father lives with them and her mother and sisters live just two minutes away. But it turned out Soren decided to walk to downtown Mineral Bluff, a town of just 370 people that is less than a mile from their home. He was spotted alongside the road by a woman who asked if he was OK, and even though he replied that he was, the woman called police, the magazine reports. Brittany Patterson was handcuffed in front of her children and hauled off to jail after her son walked less than a mile into a small town A female sheriff's deputy then picked up the boy, and called Patterson. 'She asked me if I knew he was downtown and I said, "no,"' the mother said. She said she was upset that Soren had gone into town without letting anyone know, but did not think there was a reason to worry. 'I was not panicking as I know the roads and know he is mature enough to walk there without incident,' Patterson said of the street that has a speed limit of up to 35mph. The deputy, however, 'kept mentioning how he could have been run over, or kidnapped or "anything" could have happened,' Patterson said. The deputy ultimately drove Soren home and left him with his grandfather. When Patterson ultimately returned home, she scolded her son for his actions - which she thought was the end of her woes. But at around 6.30pm that night, the deputy showed up with another officer, handcuffed Patterson and brought her to jail, where she was fingerprinted, had her mugshot taken and was put in prison garb, according to an online fundraiser set up for her legal bills. She said she did not understand what was happening, as she had grown up in the area with unsupervised time to wander and play, and was raising her children that way as well. Patterson has been raising her children with unsupervised time to wander and play The town of Mineral Bluff, Georgia has just 370 people - and the road leading to it has a maximum speed limit of 35mph Patterson was ultimately released on a $500 bail - but her troubles did not end there. The following day, a case manager from the Division of Family and Children's Services arrived at her house for a home visit and even interviewed Patterson's oldest son at his school. The case manager told Patterson everything seemed fine, she told Reason Magazine, but a few days later, the Division of Family and Children's Services presented her with a 'safety plan' for her to sign. It would require her to delegate a 'safety person' to be a 'knowing participant and guardian' and watch over the children whenever she leaves home. The plan would also require Patterson to download an app on Soren's cellphone to monitor his location - something she has refused to do. She instead reached out to attorney David DeLugas, the head of ParentsUSA - a nonprofit that provides pro bono legal help to parents wrongly arrested and prosecuted for child neglect. Patterson is now facing a reckless conduct charge, a $1,000 fine and one year in jail after refusing to download a tracking app on her son's phone An assistant district attorney has since told DeLugas that if Patterson were to sign the safety plan, the criminal charges against her would be dropped. But DeLugas responded by saying that if Patterson was being compelled to sign a safety plan just because her son walked somewhere without her knowing his exact location, he would be prevented from visiting friends or having any independence whatsoever. Still, the assistant district attorney maintained that Soren had been in danger, and therefore a safety plan was necessary. She now faces a reckless conduct charge, a $1,000 fine and one year in jail. A judge is due to decide today whether to undo President-elect Donald Trumps conviction in his hush money case. New York Judge Juan M. Merchan, who presided over Trump's historic trial, will decide whether to toss out the jury verdict and order a new trial - or even dismiss the charges altogether. The judge's ruling could also decide whether President-elect Trump will be sentenced as scheduled Nov. 26. A jury convicted Trump in May of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. The payout was to buy her silence about claims that she had sex with Trump. Trump denies any wrongdoing and maintains the prosecution was a political tactic meant to harm his latest campaign. A judge is due to decide today whether to undo President-elect Donald Trumps conviction in his hush money case New York Judge Juan M. Merchan, who presided over Trump's historic trial, will decide whether to toss out the jury verdict and order a new trial - or even dismiss the charges altogether Just over a month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can't be prosecuted for actions they took in the course of running the country, and prosecutors cant cite those actions even to bolster a case centered on purely personal conduct. Trump's lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some evidence it shouldn't have, such as Trump's presidential financial disclosure form and testimony from some White House aides. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only 'a sliver' of their case. Trump's criminal conviction was a first for any ex-president. It left the 78-year-old facing the possibility of punishment ranging from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison. The case centered on how Trump accounted for reimbursing his personal attorney for the Daniels payment. The lawyer, Michael Cohen, fronted the money. He later recouped it through a series of payments that Trumps company logged as legal expenses. Trump, by then in the White House, signed most of the checks himself. Prosecutors said the designation was meant to cloak the true purpose of the payments and help cover up a broader effort to keep voters from hearing unflattering claims about the Republican during his first campaign. Trump's criminal conviction was a first for any ex-president. It left the 78-year-old facing the possibility of punishment ranging from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison The case centered on how Trump accounted for reimbursing his personal attorney for the Daniels payment. The lawyer, Michael Cohen (pictured), fronted the money. He later recouped it through a series of payments that Trumps company logged as legal expenses The President-elect said that Cohen was legitimately paid for legal services, and that Daniels story was suppressed to avoid embarrassing Trumps family, not to influence the electorate. Trump was a private citizen - campaigning for president, but neither elected nor sworn in - when Cohen paid Daniels in October 2016. He was president when Cohen was reimbursed, and Cohen testified that they discussed the repayment arrangement in the Oval Office. Trump has been fighting for months to overturn the verdict and could now seek to leverage his status as president-elect. Although he was tried as a private citizen, his forthcoming return to the White House could propel a court to step in and avoid the unprecedented spectacle of sentencing a former and future president. While urging Merchan to nix the conviction, Trump also has been trying to move the case to federal court. Before the election, a federal judge repeatedly said no to the move, but Trump has appealed. An elderly pensioner is at her wits end' after she was tricked out of her life savings while she was at the bank trying to stop the funds from being stolen. Gay de Beer, 73, was fooled by a remote access scam that saw her Bendigo Bank account completely drained of her $44,000 savings in May. The Melbourne resident had been working on her laptop when the screen turned black and a message popped up alerting her to a major virus. Ms de Beer thought she was doing the right thing by calling the number that claimed to be from Microsoft. The operator told her someone was trying to hack into her PayPal account and that the 73-year-old's debit card details had also been leaked. 'Maybe I was bulldozed but I kept on listening and I asked if it was a scam,' she told news.com.au. Ms de Beer gave them access to her computer so they could stop the fraudulent activity and she watched them take control of the computer. Shockingly, the remote access scam only took 25 minutes to completely fleece Ms de Beer out of her hard earned savings. Gay de Beer, 73, (pictured) was scammed out of her $44,000 in savings when she fell victim to a remote access scam The pensioner claims that Bendigo Bank has shown little empathy in relation to her ordeal As the transactions were being made, the pensioner realised what was happening and rushed to the nearest Bendigo Bank branch five minutes away. Ms de Beer, who has no family in Australia, is angry at least one of the transactions was not stopped because she was in the bank alerting staff as it was happening. Some of the transfers were deposited to accounts that had letters and numbers that didn't make any sense as the account name. Ms de Beer is now questioning why the bank did not pick this up as fraudulent activity. The ordeal has made her feeling suicidal and claims Bendigo Bank has shown little empathy. The pensioner had the money as a safety net so she can pay her rent and car expenses - and has been doing some bookkeeping and ride share jobs to help her survive on her limited income. Ms de Beer is angry after police told her that one of the fraudulent transactions was transferred to another Bendigo Bank account, yet the bank has only recovered $7,500. It only took 34 minutes for scammers to drain the pensioner's account (stock image) The fraudulent transactions were split into four and the amounts were $19,900, $9,900, $4,900 and $9,400. Ms de Beer is confused as to why the scammers got away with draining her account without getting caught - especially when she has the names of the two accounts that her money was transferred into. 'Bendigo Bank said I was totally and wholly responsible for the transactions as I gave them access through my biometrics,' she said. 'Im absolutely sh**ting myself thinking I have lost all my money.' The Melbourne resident, who receives $540 a week on the pension and pays $270 a week in rent, has taken her case to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). At a recent conciliation meeting, she was only offered $2,000 in goodwill from her bank, which she rejected. As banks are required to pay AFCA money as part of the process when a complaint is made, Ms de Beer cannot understand why they cannot just put money in her account instead. She is at her 'wits end' and noted the bank refunded the money of another scam victim in full - and should do that for all its customers. Bendigo Bank told news.com.au that they take 'cyber security very seriously' while urging customers to ensure protect themselves by not sharing passwords or letting someone they don't know to log into their computer remotely. Daily Mail Australia contacted Bendigo Bank for further comment. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36. The wife of an AFL star has lost her appeal to be freed over what she claimed was an illegal arrest in relation to charges of running a brothel in Bali undercover at her spa business. Sarnanitha 'Nitha' Olarenshaw, who is the estranged wife of former Essendon player and premiership winner Ricky Olarenshaw, lost a pre-trial bid for freedom in Denpasar District Court on Tuesday and was ordered to pay court costs. Presiding judge Tenny Erma Suryathi ruled that police arrested Olarenshaw in a legal manner and had gathered enough evidence to accuse her business of offering clients sex at her Flame Seminyak spa. Olarenshaw's lawyer Manaon Damianus Sirait told reporters outside court that although they were 'disappointed' by Tuesday's outcome, they respect the decision. Imam Ismail, from the police legal team, said prosecutors will now concentrate of completing a dossier for evidence 'so the trial can be started soon'. Olarenshaw, an Instagram influencer with 20,000 followers, faces up to 12 years in prison if charged and found guilty of alleged 'pornography and prostitution' activities at the business. Her lawyer, Donny Tri Istiqomah, claimed to Daily Mail Australia last week that Olarenshaw had been a victim of 'exploitation' and 'criminalisation' by foreigners. Mr Istigomah claimed that while Olarenshaw, being Balinese, owned 99 per cent of the business to get around local laws, all profits went to four Australians who all had shares in Flame. Sarnanitha 'Nitha' Olarenshaw, who is the estranged wife of former Essendon player and premiership winner Ricky Olarenshaw, has lost a legal appeal over charges she ran and owned a brothel undercover of a spa business Olarenshaw claimed the four Aussies are her estranged husband Ricky, his brother Darren and two other Bali-based Australians, Adam Dalby and Gregory Hinchliffe. Mr Istigomah insisted Flame Seminyak, part of a chain of spas with sister centres in Kuta and Canggu, only provided 'sensual massage, no intercourse'. Olarenshaw is being held at Bali Police's Detention and Evidence Directorate, along with Melbourne couple, Michael and Lynley Le Grand, who were arrested separately over alleged prostitution at Pink Palace Spa. Mr Panjaitan said police believed they already had all those responsible for allegedly allowing prostitution at their businesses in custody. Sarnanitha 'Nitha' Olarenshaw (pictured with her family) with remain behind bars 'Everyone can claim a business as theirs, but if there is no legal document to show it, how could we prove it?' he said. 'How can you prove it as yours, if you don't have the document that shows that it yours?' Olarenshaw and an estranged husband have a nine-year-old daughter from their relationship, who has so far remained in Bali. Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com An armed man has been arrested after he allegedly fired at police twice with a shotgun and held a man and a toddler hostage in Melbourne's west. At least eight police vehicles were seen racing to the Weir Views housing estate near Melton shortly before 4pm on Tuesday. A man, 26, allegedly fired shots at police before barricading himself inside a home on Leon Drive, where he allegedly held a man and a toddler not known to him hostage for more than an hour. Television helicopter footage captured the dramatic moment the young child was rescued from the home and placed into an armed police officer's waiting arms. The toddler's father was seen escaping from the home a short time later. Neither he or child were injured during the incident. Police snipers from the Special Operations Group were spotted standing on a nearby roof as specialist officers negotiated with the armed offender. He allegedly fired at police once again before a highly trained police dog was deployed to assist with the man's arrest shortly just after 6pm. The man sustained a dog bite injury during the arrest and was taken to hospital under police guard. A young child was seen in the arms of specialist police officers moments after being rescued from a home The armed offender (pictured) was arrested by police shortly after 6.30pm Police snipers were spotted standing on a neighbour's roof in Weir Views in Melbourne's west Dozens of police swarmed Leon Drive in Weir Views shortly after 4pm on Tuesday A man allegedly fired shots at police before entering a home in Leon Drive. Pictured are police at the scene Police blocked a street in Weir Views as officers negotiated with an armed man A shirtless man was seen handcuffed outside the front of a home surrounded by heavily armed officers while being treated by paramedics. Police alleged the man committed a carjacking in Snake Gully earlier in the day before driving 45km to Weir Views while being monitored by the Police Air Wing. 'Police have cordoned off the area and a crime scene has been established,' a police statement read. 'The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing. 'There is no ongoing threat to the public.' No charges have yet been laid. Police say no one was injured during the initial incident where a man fired at police Images from a news helicopter show two armed personnel, wearing green fatigues, on a roof facing a neighbouring home. The home they were focusing had a pink children's bike leaning on the outside wall. Residents in the vicinity of Leon Drive were ordered by police to remain inside until further notice. One local told NCA Newswire that police were 'everywhere' in the surrounding streets, including armed officers. Besides being told he could not leave his house, the resident said police had shared no information about what was happening. Local traffic was allowed back in the street shortly before 7pm as police escorted residents to their homes. Residents in the vicinity have been urged to remain indoors Amanda McGregor was picking up her toddler from daycare when she returned to unfolding hostage incident next door. 'I think they have jumped my fence to get to the next door, my neighbour also said she saw a lot of commotion at the front of the property at first,' she told the Herald Sun. She described her next door neighbour as 'lovely'. 'I don't know how they have physically got into his house to keep him and his baby hostage,' she said. 'Thank God his wife wasn't there. 'He would probably have been resting because he works at 3am in the mornings.' Inquiries into the incident continue. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers. Officers from the critical incident response team are also on scene A senior lecturer has accused one of Scotland's most prestigious universities of racial discrimination. Akali Omeni has taken the University of St Andrews to an employment tribunal after accusing it of both constructive dismissal and racial discrimination. Yesterday Mr Omeni, representing himself against the university once attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales, made a series of claims against the institution he was employed by until June this year. He said white colleagues were offered support he was not, his teaching was dismissed as 'average' despite having won a series of awards, and the university failed to address a conflict of interest in that two of his bosses were married. Mr Omeni, who was the only black associate professor and is an expert in counter-terrorism and terror studies, told employment judge Jennifer McCluskey: 'St Andrews made a catalogue of mistakes with regard to my case.' Akali Omeni (pictured) made a series of claims against the institution he was employed by Mr Omeni has taken the University of St Andrews (pictured) to an employment tribunal after accusing it of both constructive dismissal and racial discrimination Prince William walking in his graduation gown with Charles and Camilla in June 2005 Kate Middleton pictured at her and the Prince of Wales's graduation in 2005 He said there was a 'pattern of discrimination' which led to a breakdown of trust, which included a racial 'microaggression' which left him deeply offended. The issues at the highly ranked School of International Relations came to a head in March this year when he said he felt he had to submit his resignation. Mr Omeni told the Dundee Tribunal Hearing Centre yesterday: 'My mental health was completely frayed at that time. 'I can't articulate the thoughts I was having in my office that day. I had to resign.' The academic began working at St Andrews in September 2020, and he told the tribunal that in the first year at the institution he was handed more work than average. Tribunal judge Jennifer McCluskey was told that several of his white colleagues had reported having a lower workload during their first year, which he said was in line with its new starter policy, but he did not. The tribunal heard he was tasked with putting together a teaching module, but Mr Omeni said bosses had not awarded him appropriate credit. He told the tribunal he kept pressing the issue with managers, and in one exchange was told by one department boss she did not 'appreciate' his 'tone' when he was trying to resolve the matter. The Princess of Wales met her future husband Prince William in 2001 during their first week as Psychology students at the Scottish university. Pictured on their graduation day in 2005 The University of St Andrews said it would not comment on an ongoing case The counter-terror expert, who described it as 'tone policing', said context was important in understanding the offence the comment caused, and it was a phrase which goes back to the 'age of slavery'. He said: 'It was beyond problematic. This is a clear racial microaggression.' The tribunal heard the exchanges 'damaged' his mental health and that his wife, who was watching him give evidence yesterday, noticed he had changed as a result. Mr Omeni said: 'It got to a point where I had to go see a doctor and I was medicated for the first time in my life.' As well as the module creation, the tribunal was told he was also not credited with being a Director of Impact and Innovation. Mr Omani said he was not supported when a student complained their paper had not been marked anonymously. He said he had never received anonymous papers at the university, and the school admitted its 'failure' in that. He quit and only then was he offered occupation health, he said, despite having mentioned mental health difficulties. The University of St Andrews said it would not comment on an ongoing case. The case continues. A county lines drug dealer has avoided being deported after claiming his human rights to a family life would be breached - and now faces a fresh court hearing to determine whether he will be kicked out of Britain. The convicted offender also told an immigration tribunal his mental health treatment would be badly affected were he to be sent back to his homeland of Nigeria. The gang member, who was jailed for eight years for supplying drugs, argued that he should not be returned to the West African country because it lacked adequate psychiatric care. The 29-year-old, granted anonymity by the courts, claimed his proposed deportation would be a breach of his Article 3 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. His claim had been initially rejected by an immigration tribunal, with accusations that his testimony about his family was 'a work of fiction'. The Immigration Tribunal, based in central London, has backed an appeal by a Nigerian man who challenged his proposed deportation after being jailed for drug dealing The gang member was jailed for eight years for supplying drugs (stock image) But a removal order has now been reversed following his appeal. The man came to the UK from Nigeria aged 10, then remained in the country illegally after overstaying a visa. After he started dealing drugs by the age of 15, the man was convicted six years later of 10 possession with intent to supply both cocaine and heroin in 2016 and was given a suspended jail term. The man continued to run what was described as an 'efficient' drugs line in Farnborough in Surrey, using 'people he knew and could trust, including a young man who was only 17', court documents revealed. After he and his girlfriend were making an estimated 5,000 each week from the drugs network he 'masterminded', a police prove led to his conviction and eight-year prison sentence imposed in July 2018. The Home Office said he should be deported when released due to being a danger to the public, with a 'significant number' of criminal convictions. The department rejected his suggestions that deportation to Nigeria would breach his right to a family life and damage his mental health. But his lawyers said he would struggle to reintegrate into Nigerian life if sent back to the country and that his half-brother, previously deported, would be unable to assist him. Meanwhile, his mother told the tribunal the man's grandmother and aunt in Nigeria had died and so were also unavailable for potential support. The lower tribunal, based in central London, had rejected claims that the drug dealer's proposed deportation would be 'unduly harsh' on his partner and their child. Judges ruled his partner did have a 'wide and supportive family structure' around her, and also dismissed claims that mental health treatment would be inaccessible in Nigeria. But the upper tribunal hearing his appeal has now deemed that there were errors in law in the earlier judgment, saying it had failed to undertake the necessary 'delicate and holistic assessment' of his links to Britain after living here from the age of 10. It has upheld the man's appeal and sent it to be reconsidered by a fresh judge. It comes as a new report this week, backed by former Home Secretary Lord Howard, urged reform of human rights laws to stop them from subverting the will of Parliament. Eminent lawyers have compiled a dossier of 25 cases where the Human Rights Act was applied and have shown how its use removed power from Parliament. Branding the judgements 'unstable', the review concludes power once held in Westminster is increasingly being transferred to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Included in the report is the decision to refuse the right of the British government to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda in 2023 and banning the press from naming individuals under suspicion of serious criminal offences in 2022. Britain became subject to the Act in 1998 a year after Tony Blair took power as Labour Prime Minister. Former Home Secretary Lord Howard has backed a report published this week which called for reforms to human rights laws to prevent them subverting the will of Parliament Power once held in Westminster is increasingly being transferred to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (pictured) Professor Richard Ekins KC, who helped write the report, wrote: 'Any intelligent evaluation of the Human Rights Act requires one to be aware that its meaning and effect has changed, sometimes radically, over time and that it remains unstable.' Responding to the publication of the paper last night Lord Faulks KC, a former Justice Minister, said: 'In their analysis of twenty-five cases, they demonstrate just how widespread has been the effect of the Act on the ability of an elected government to govern and how much power has been transferred to our courts here and in Strasbourg.' In a foreword to the paper published by the think-tank the Policy Exchange, Lord Howard said the removal of power from Parliament was at the 'expense of the electorate.' He added: 'In my 41 years in Parliament, I have seen the continual expansion of judicial power in our constitution - at the expense of the rightful power of Parliament and the electorate. 'This expansion has had many forms and many causes, not least the willingness of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg to remake European human rights law in each new case. 'For the reasons given in this powerful paper, it is past time for Parliament to take seriously its responsibilities and to restore the constitution.' There's a chance of snow, frost and ice sweeping the UK this week after temperatures plunged to 0.3C yesterday. It follows a brief sunny respite from an 'anticyclonic gloom' which deprived Brits of sun and sapped energy from solar farms. But after a mild start to November, temperatures are 'likely' to drop this week to what is average for this time of year. It will be mostly dry for many places but some rain in western Scotland is forecast. The Met Office said it will be even colder in the north through the weekend and at the start of next week. It said there is a 'chance of frost and ice' for some areas and even the possibility of some snow. There's a chance of snow, frost and ice hitting London and the north this week. File photo After a mild start to the winter, temperatures are 'likely' to drop this week to what is average for this time of year. Pictured is a file photo of riverbanks covered in snow on Dartmoor A view of the O2 arena on the Greenwich peninsula in south east London during an anticyclonic gloom which buried Brits in darkness last week The Met Office said it will be even colder in the north through the weekend and at the start of next week. Pictured is the cold front which will sweep the UK The chance of snow will be higher in the north, where temperatures will be close to freezing People look out from the viewing platform of Horizon 22 during the anticyclonic gloom The 'colder spell' will be accompanied by some 'gusty winds', the forecaster added. Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway explained: 'While temperatures will gradually decline through this week, there's potential for a colder period of weather to develop from the weekend. 'At this range there's still much detail to be worked out, but a more unsettled start to next week is likely, with a chance of frost and ice for some. 'This drop in temperatures heightens the chance of some snow to high ground in the north of the country, though there is still a minority of scenarios which could bring some snow to lower levels at times. 'Needless to say, we'll be assessing the forecast for this period more in the coming days, but a colder spell of weather is likely, with some gusty winds also possible for some.' Temperatures plunged to as low as 0.3C in Katesbridge, Co Down, on Monday and it was just above freezing in Sennybridge, Powys. But the chances of any 'widespread or disruptive' snowfall are low, The Met Office clarified. People look out from the viewing platform of Horizon 22 in Bishopsgate, London, as the sky was rendered grey by the gloom last week Gloomy weather in London on November 1, as a view of the Canary Wharf skyline can be seen Temperatures plunged to as low as 0.3C in Katesbridge, Co Down, on Monday An 'anticyclonic gloom' which left much of the UK with hardly any sunshine for over a week finally left the capital on Monday morning. The dull spell meant that Brits only saw three hours of sunshine in seven days up until Thursday. On average, those living in the south of England only saw one hour of sunshine since the month started. Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said: 'After a gloomy and grey start to November, there is some sunshine on the way as we see high pressure redeveloping across the UK into the new working week.' She added: 'It will be quite a chilly start, particularly for the northern half of the UK, under those clear skies, temperatures dropping into low single figures, perhaps even some frost in places.' Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon revealed earlier this week that the 'atmospheric gloom' is when 'high pressure traps a layer of moisture near to the earth's surface and that brings a prolonged period of dull and cloudy weather, but with pockets of mist and fog as well'. He said: 'We've been locked into this weather pattern for a few days now and we've got a bit more of it to come. However, there is a change on the way, with brighter skies early next week.' Mr Dixon said the 'atmospheric gloom' is 'unusual but not unheard of', but has meant that the UK has so-far had only 5 per cent of the average sunshine expected for the month of November, compared with the 23 per cent expected at this stage in the month. A house in the Oxfordshire village of Dunsden next to fields under the gloom on November 6 Britain has been gripped by an 'anticyclonic gloom' for several days. Pictured: The City of London engulfed in a fog ITV weather presenter Becky Mantin said early November's stagnant weather was 'creating a staggering lack of sunshine'. She said: 'For some, there has been no respite at all - Odiham in Hampshire has recorded zero minutes of sunshine so far this November. 'Wales takes the unenviable second place spot with an average of just 12 minutes! Forty eight minutes recorded in Northern Ireland and only a touch more in southern England with 54 minutes.' The amount of wind and solar energy generated has fallen significantly over the past two weeks due to the gloomy weather. Data from Elexon, which runs Britain's wholesale electricity market, shows how dire renewable energy production has become. Three weeks ago, on October 20, wind was producing 60.8 per cent of Britain's power 19.2 gigawatts (GW) during the 8am to 9am rush. That tumbled to just three per cent (1.1GW) during the same time slot on Tuesday last week. In fact, wind generated just 2.8 per cent of Britain's power (1GW) that day between 10am and 11am its poorest performance of the year. Solar power production was also down over the past week, barely managing to supply three per cent of the nation's energy. On average, wind has supplied nearly a third of the UK's power over the past year, while solar produces around five per cent. The dip comes as Sir Keir Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband are expected to pledge to cut CO2 emissions by 240m tonnes - 60 per cent of their 2022 levels - by 2035. The government is targeting to 'decarbonise' the power system by 2030 by ending the use of gas-fired power stations. In September, the last remaining coal-fired power station in Britain was shut down. An 11-year-old schoolgirl died after four doctors 'missed her appendicitis', an inquest has heard. Lacey Brookman died following surgery to remove her inflamed appendix which burst around two weeks before she was taken to hospital. The Year 6 pupil had symptoms which were not typical of 'classic' appendicitis, making up only 'one-third of acute' cases, the inquest heard. Four doctors at her GP surgery and in the hospital, failed to connect the dots between Lacey's symptoms and appendicitis and her condition was only diagnosed after an ultrasound. Now, Doctor Julian Morris, senior coroner for London Inner South, has issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report highlighting the missed opportunities to diagnose Lacey's appendicitis. Dr Morris said there is a lack of 'knowledge and awareness' around the topic and called for greater availability of ultrasound scanning, particularly out of hours. A GoFundMe page has been set up in tribute to Lacey Brookman, describing her as having a 'lovely smile, calm nature and kind heart' Lacey from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, fell ill in April 2021, with abdominal pains including nausea, vomiting and constipation. After 10 days, her mother had a telephone consultation with her GP, who determined that Lacey was suffering from a virus and she was given safety netting advice. Three days later, Lacey's mother got an opinion from a second GP who sent her to hospital with suspected appendicitis, after her symptoms did not improve. But three doctors at the hospital could not diagnose her condition, the inquest heard, and it was only when a consultant ordered an ultrasound that it was found Lacey's appendix had burst. The inquest heard that Lacey's appendix likely burst before the initial GP appointment. Lacey was then transferred to a specialist paediatric unit for operation and her appendix was successfully removed. However, Lacey endured a 'stormy post-operative period' which led to further operations and culminated in multi-organ failure. Lacey passed away at King's College Hospital on June 4, 2021. Lacey Brookman, 11, passed away at King's College Hospital on June 4, 2021 following surgery for a burst appendix At the conclusion of the inquest, Dr Morris said Lacey's condition, acute retrocaecal appendicitis, is not well known enough. She said in a statement: 'I do not consider there is sufficient knowledge and awareness and therefore consideration from junior staff in relation to this particular type of presentation of acute appendicitis. 'In addition, the importance of carrying out an abdominal ultrasound (+/- CT) was highlighted. 'The evidence was that this could only be provided by the on-call radiologist, which therefore restricted its availability and assistance in making the diagnosis.' The doctor added: 'During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. 'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. 'Neither the original GP, the reviewing surgical SHO or surgical registrar considered that Lacey had appendicitis. The Consultant surgeon reviewing Lacey on the 24, considered she was ill but could not reach a diagnosis.' Dr Morris sent the report to the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Paediatricians, the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Radiologists. The professional bodies have until today to respond. A GoFundMe page has been set up in tribute to Lacey, describing her as having a 'lovely smile, calm nature and kind heart'. It has so far raised more than 3,700. Vladimir Putin's most modern frigate taunted Britain and France as it staged war games while passing through the English Channel on its maiden long-distance voyage. The Russian Northern Fleet ultra-modern frigate Admiral Golovko is armed with hypersonic Tsirkon missiles. These projectiles can travel some 900km at several times the speed of sound, making it almost impossible for conventional air defence systems to shoot them down. The warship, one of 10 planned for production as part of Russia's Project 22350, left its Arctic home base in Severomorsk 11 days ago and sailed through the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas before heading for the Channel. 'The crew of the Admiral Golovko frigate of the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet held exercises in the English Channel,' said Russian defence ministry TV channel Zvezda. 'The sailors practised anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defence, and conducted a training rescue operation using Ka-27 helicopters.' Footage showed the drills as the vessel passed through the narrowest point of the busy seaway between England and France amid high tension between Moscow and the West over Putin's war against Ukraine. It comes as Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron vowed yesterday their respective nations will support Ukraine for as long as necessary 'to thwart Russia's war of aggression'. The Russian Northern Fleet ultra-modern frigate Admiral Golovko is armed with hypersonic Tsirkon missiles The Golovko targets another vessel amid naval drills 'The crew of the Admiral Golovko frigate of the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet held exercises in the English Channel,' said Russian defence ministry TV channel Zvezda 'The sailors practised anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defence, and conducted a training rescue operation using Ka-27 helicopters' Earlier the warship had conducted exercises in the Barents, Norwegian and North seas, and sailed 1,500 nautical miles on its first major mission France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) waves flanked by Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer upon his arrival at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, on November 11, 2024 Russia's defence ministry said of the Golovko's drills: 'The combat crews of the frigate's main command centre trained to disperse dangerous targets in the difficult conditions of intensive shipping in the strait.' The war games included 'anti-terrorist drills' repelling aerial and marine drones of a 'mock enemy', said naval sources. The 443ft-long Admiral Golovko has now passed through the English Channel and 'is currently performing missions in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean'. Earlier the warship had conducted exercises in the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas, and sailed 1,500 nautical miles on its first major mission. State news agency TASS said: 'The main goals of the long-distance deployment are to demonstrate the Russian flag and ensure Russia's naval presence in operationally important areas of the World Ocean.' The 5,400-ton Admiral Golovko joined the Navy in December and is the third frigate in the Project 22350 series. As well as Tsirkon, the frigate is armed with a 130mm A-192 artillery system, a Redut air-defence missile system, launchers for 16 Oniks or Kalibr-NK anti-ship missiles and a Paket-NK anti-submarine system. Its deployment in the Channel comes less than two weeks after Vladimir Putin personally oversaw nuclear war drills by Russia's strategic missile forces. The major 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. A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired from the Plesetsk launchpad in northwestern Russia Defence Minister Andrei Belousov warned the West that the exercise was to show how Russia could deliver 'a massive nuclear strike' The exercises spanned Russia, with Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launches from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the northwest (pictured) to the Kura test range in Kamchatka in the far east Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a plenary session of the 3rd National Healthcare Congress in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 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'. Nuclear-powered submarines, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system and two Tu-95MS bombers were involved in Russia's strategic nuclear deterrence force drills, according to Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who reported to Putin on the surprise drill. Putin earlier declared it was necessary to keep his strategic forces 'constantly ready for combat' and lauded the capability of the latest Russian missiles to overcome air defence systems. As the Admiral Golovko trundled through the Channel, Britain's Prime Minister was meeting Emmanuel Macron in France for Armistice Day commemorations. Sir Keir was the first UK premier to attend Armistice Day commemorations in France since Winston Churchill was hosted by General de Gaulle in 1944. The pair met in Paris under the iconic Arc de Triomphe, where dozens of wreaths were touched by a milky light and the eternal flame flickered to honor sacrifices of unknown French soldiers who perished in the first global conflict. 'I am honoured to be in Paris to stand united with President Macron in tribute to the fallen of the First World War who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today,' Starmer said. His Defence Secretary John Healey told Sky News the ceremonies amounted to a reminder that 'we can never take the freedoms we enjoy in Europe for granted'. Following the Armistice Day commemorations, the two leaders shared talks that covered a range of topics, including Ukraine. Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron pledged to put Ukraine in the 'strongest possible position' today as they held talks after Donald Trump's bombshell election win Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron stand before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Place de l'Etoile in Paris today The leaders jointly laid a wreath to mark the anniversary of Armistice Day Starmer and Macron pledged to put Ukraine in the 'strongest possible position' after Donald Trump's bombshell election win. The PM and the President met in Paris amid rising fears about US withdrawing support for Kyiv and the potential for a trade war. A readout of the discussions released by Downing Street carefully made no mention of Mr Trump or America - but the two leaders will inevitably have covered the developments. 'The leaders started by discussing the situation in Ukraine, including how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter,' No10 said. 'Turning to the Middle East, both underscored their deep concern at the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. 'They also reiterated the need for stability in the West Bank.' The leaders also chatted about the situation in the Channel, with Sir Keir desperately trying to enlist France's help to stop small boats crossing. A former kickboxer has been charged with murder over the death of his partner whose body was found in a hotel room in Sydney's west. Darren John Berry, 53, was formally charged on Tuesday during a hospital bedside hearing, where he was refused bail to appear in Penrith Local Court on Wednesday. Berry, who fought MMA under the fighter name nickname Hacksaw, was found with serious cuts to his arms in a room at the Pullman Hotel in Penrith at about 1.10pm on Sunday after police were called out to the five star venue amid reports of a disturbance. The body of mother-of-two Shirley So, 50, was found in the same room with multiple stab wounds. Berry was treated at the scene by paramedics before he was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition, where he has remained under police guard. On Monday, NSW Police applied to the Local Court to carry out a forensic procedure on Berry, which was granted. Berry, a father and security guard originally from Sydney's west, is a former fighter who competed in the 1990s and early 2000s under the nickname 'Hacksaw'. On Facebook, he follows many MMA, Muay Thai and UFC pages and frequently shares anti-vaxxer posts. Darren John Berry, 53, has been charged with the alleged murder of his partner found dead in a hotel room Posts online suggest Berry frequented the city's eastern suburbs, where Ms So is understood to have resided. It's understood Mr Berry and Ms So had only started dating in recent months. Homicide detectives have launched an investigation into the moments leading up to Ms So's death. Meanwhile, devastated loved ones have flocked online to remember Ms So as a 'beautiful' person. '[She was] a dear friend of mine as well as a mother, sister, aunty, daughter and a beautiful human being,' one friend wrote online. Berry is known as 'Hacksaw' from his days as a kickboxer Emergency services were called to the Pullman Hotel on Mulgoa Road at about 1.10pm, after Ms So's body was discovered Ms So's shattered family and friends told Nine News they are still struggling to process what has happened and are heartbroken that Shirley will never come home. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Verizon service has been restored after an early morning network issue caused outages affecting 'millions' of users along the East Coast. Reports of outages flared between midnight and 2am EST, prompting rife complaints across social media and insistence that engineers were working to fix the issue. A Verizon spokesperson told DailyMail.com this morning: 'A network issue early this morning disrupted service for some Verizon Fios customers in the Northeast a short period of time. 'As soon as the issue was identified, our engineering teams quickly restored the service.' More than 40,000 instances were reported early this morning, up from fewer than 100 before the spike. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Alexandria and Washington were among the most reported locations. Down Detector showed a spike in reports of outages along the east coast this morning Reports began to spike around 12am EST (5am GMT, pictured) Verizon acknowledged the issue on social media today Fifty-three per cent of users reported issues with 5G Home internet, while 33 per cent had issues with landline. Fourteen per cent reported a total service blackout. Issues were also commonly reported in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Baltimore, Arlington and Los Angeles. Newsweek reported that 'millions' of people had experienced outages early Tuesday morning. To fix issues with your service, Verizon advises rebooting your router and resetting your ONT battery in the first instance. Responding to a complaint about outages across the 'entire east coast', a spokesperson said at 03:40am EST: 'We do currently have several reports coming out of your area for service issues. 'We do not yet have an estimated restoral time but we're working to restore services as quickly as possible.' Outage.report acknowledged reports of issues in dozens of cities, including Miami, Lewes, LaGrange, Baltimore, Germantown, Parkville and Silver Spring. Raleigh, Cherry Hill, Maple Shade, Sewell, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Fairfax and Falls Church also reported outages. An incident in September 2023 affected some of the same regions and lasted little more than two hours before it was resolved. 'Fios' refers to Verizon's Fiber Optic Service offer. Verizon covers about 70 per cent of the United States with LTE Service. Keir Starmer insisted Britain can show the way on climate change as he attended the the COP29 summit today - despite most world leaders staying away. The PM is one of the only premiers from the wealthiest nations in Azerbaijan for the annual gathering, although the Taliban has sent a representative. Sir Keir is laying out a target for the UK to slash 81 per cent off carbon emissions by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. But he insisted this morning that he will not tell Brits how to 'live their lives' in order to reach the goal. Keir Starmer, pictured holding a financial roundtable, insisted Britain can show the way on climate change as he attended the the COP29 summit today Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of Afghanistan's Environmental Protection Agency, spoke to the media about the impact of climate change on the country The PM is one of the only premiers from the wealthiest nations in Azerbaijan for the annual gathering. Pictured, a woman attendee poses with the COP29 sign Sir Keir met World Bank President Ajay Banga in Baku this morning Countries will also be grappling with Donald Trump's (pictured) return to the White House , in what analysts say is a trend of climate scepticism in elections this year Outgoing US president Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and India's Narendra Modi are not going to Baku. Senior figures from the EU and China are also expected to be absent from what is feared will be yet another talking shop that achieves little or nothing in the way of concrete action. French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Olaf Scholz, and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are all staying at home. The only other G7 leader taking part in the summit is Italy's Giorgia Meloni. One surprise attendee is the Taliban, which has found time to join the event. Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of Afghanistan's Environmental Protection Agency, spoke to the media about the impact of climate change on the country. Downing Street said Sir Keir had no plans to meet the delegation. Countries will also be grappling with Donald Trump's return to the White House, in what analysts say is a trend of climate scepticism in elections this year. The next President of the US, the world's second biggest polluter, is expected to boost fossil fuels, roll back green incentives domestically and take America out again of the global Paris Agreement on tackling climate change, which commits countries to pursue efforts to curb warming to 1.5C. Sir Keir was asked this morning if he was prepared to push people to switch heating systems, take fewer flights and eat less meat to reach the 2035 target - which was recommended by the government's Climate Change Committee. 'I'll set out our goal later on today, but look, it will be ambitious, and that's measured not by telling people what to do,' the PM told broadcasters in Baku. 'It's measured by making sure that we get to clean power by 2030 that's the single most important target on the way to the emissions. 'And that will bring with it lower bills for people, for their energy it'll give them independence, so that tyrants like (Vladimir) Putin can't put his boot on our throat, causing all sorts of difficulties for our energy bills.' Sir Keir is laying out a target for the UK to slash 81 per cent off carbon emissions by 2035, compared to 1990 levels He added: 'I accept it's a difficult target. It's an achievable target. But it's not about telling people how to live their lives. I'm not interested in that. 'I am interested in making sure that their energy bills are stable, that we've got energy independence, and that we also, along the way, pick up the next generation of jobs.' The choice of Azerbaijan to host the talks has come under criticism over its human rights record, with failings including the persecution of political opponents and detainment of activists. Several European holiday hotspots have rejected plans to introduce a tourist tax for non-EU visitors that has been imposed in France. British tourists in France are facing having to pay 5 (4.10) to visit popular sights like the Louvre or Notre Dame cathedral in Paris because of Brexit. The new tax could be imposed as soon as 2026. 'I want visitors from outside the EU to pay more for their entrance ticket and for this supplement to finance the renovation of the national heritage,' culture minister Rachida Dati told Le Figaro. But other holiday hotspots like Bruges in Belgium, Madrid in Spain, Amsterdam in The Netherlands and Berlin in Germany have promised that they would introduce no such tax and tourists should travel to their cities instead of France and Paris. Tourists in France are facing having to pay 4.10 (5) to visit popular sights like the Louvre museum (pictured)or Notre Dame cathedral in Paris because of Brexit . The new tax could be imposed as soon as 2026 Bruges' mayor Dirk De fauw told the Telegraph: 'We will never make a difference between European inhabitants and non-European inhabitants' (pictured: Bruges) Meanwhile in Madrid (pictured), the city's right-wing regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso said she would not be introducing tourist taxes Bruges' mayor Dirk De fauw told the Telegraph: 'We will never make a difference between European inhabitants and non-European inhabitants.' He added that while the city might introduce an extra charge for cruise day trippers, it would be the same whether the guest is from the EU or not. Meanwhile in Madrid, the city's right-wing regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso said she would not be introducing new tourist taxes. 'Madrid is not going to impose new taxes. The president rules out any tax that taxes tourism,' a spokesman told the Telegraph. 'Our policy is one of low taxes that generate greater economic activity, job creation and prosperity.' Her comments come after Diaz Ayuso enraged residents in Spain's capital by telling restaurants to open earlier for lunch and dinner for tourists. Another city ruling out a Brexit tourist tax is Berlin, while a spokesman for Amsterdam said there are 'no plans to impose a local taxation for non-EU-residents, especially not when it comes to museums'. The Dutch capital has instead focused its efforts on improving tourist behaviour in its centre and red-light district to keep the areas liveable for residents. This comes after a summer of anti-tourism campaigns in Europe, with residents protesting against Airbnb and its short-term holiday rentals in Barcelona over pricing them out of affordable homes, while locals in Malaga launched a protest against unruly behaviour from British visitors. Barcelona has hiked its so-called 'tourism tax' for the second time in four years, in a bid to curb overtourism. Another city ruling out a Brexit tourist tax is Berlin, which is pictured above A spokesman for Amsterdam (pictured) said there are 'no plans to impose a local taxation for non-EU-residents, especially not when it comes to museums' The Spanish city, which is home to 1.6 million people, every year hosts around 7 million visitors, which puts a strain on the city's resources. On April 1, the local authorities increased the city tax, which travellers see at the bottom of their accommodation bill, to 3.25 (2.70) for every night spent in the city. While France hopes to use the extra charge for non-EU tourists to renovate its major sights, Venice - which also introduced a 5 charge - aims to reduce overcrowding. The tax in Venice only applies on certain peak days when the city is charging day-trippers to enter in order to preserve its heritage. Furious punters have branded a pub's plan to hike the price of beer ordered after 10pm by 2 as a 'diabolical liberty' and 'daylight robbery'. O'Neills in Wardour Street, Soho, London, is facing renewed backlash over its move, which will leave people paying up to 9.40 for a pint. The Irish boozer has been accused by consumer experts of ripping customers off by not advertising prices on the menu - while punters have also lashed out at. During the day, the branch charges 7.40 for a pint of Brewdog IPA - rising to 9.40 after 10pm. Meanwhile, bottles of Budweiser cost 8.05 after 10pm, an increase from 6.05. Non-alcoholic drinks are also included in the price surge, seeing a 46 per cent increase in the cost of tonic water, rising from 2.15 to 3.15. The increase at a branch of O'Neills in Wardour Street (pictured) in Soho leaves punters paying up to 9.40 for a pint after 10pm An A4 piece of paper at the end of the bar reads: 'We operate a variable price list in this venue.' The emergence of surge pricing happened alongside the licensing requirement for an increase in security staff, as well as the use of plastic glasses in the evening, which came into force in 2022. Surge pricing at certain times of day is a commonly used strategy within the hospitality industry, with British pub chain Stonegate enforcing a 20p surcharge during 'peak trading' hours at weekends. Consumer rights expert Scott Dixon told The Telegraph: 'The hospitality industry needs to rethink their business model instead of inventing new ways to rip people off, there needs to be more transparency. 'Their pricing policies are underhand and consumers are being misled into buying decisions they would not otherwise have made.' Customers have made their feelings known too, on social media. 'It's a diabolical liberty,' said one person, with another adding on X: 'And they wonder why the pub industry is in decline, it's far too expensive as it is and that is just daylight robbery to add a surcharge.' Customers were quick to give their views on the pub's move over social media Surge pricing at certain times of day is a commonly used strategy within the hospitality industry (Stock photo) Another said: 'It's a ridiculous money grabbing policy aimed at fleecing customers.' But not everyone was against the move, with one person tweeting: 'I'm normally in or ready for bed at 10pm, so it wouldn't bother me.' The Wardour Street branch of O'Neills is among the largest sites run by parent company Mitchells & Butlers. A spokesman for Mitchells & Butlers said: 'Dynamic pricing varies on a site by site basis as it reflects the local market conditions, but temporary price increases tend to reflect the need to offset additional costs such as at times when door security is required.' Donald Trump's victory in last week's US presidential election sent shockwaves across the globe - but they will likely be felt most acutely in Ukraine. Trump has famously said that the Russia-Ukraine war would never have started had he been president and claimed he could bring the conflict to an abrupt halt - without ever revealing his plans for doing so. Now, as leaders across Europe and Russia wait anxiously to see what direction the Trump administration might take, there are mounting concerns that Trump could push for a hasty ceasefire requiring Ukraine to cede significant portions of its territory - even as Kyiv's European partners vow to back its armed forces for 'as long as it takes'. His vice president-elect, JD Vance, has already sketched out a possible peace framework, while Trump's son Don Jr mocked Volodymyr Zelensky with distasteful social media posts about the Ukrainian President 'losing his allowance' from Uncle Sam. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is scrambling to bolster Ukraine's defences in its dying days before Joe hands over the keys to the White House, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken heading to Brussels this week for an emergency meeting with European allies. With Trump's inauguration just two months away, MailOnline examines what the once-and-future president's ceasefire plan could entail and explores the myriad problems it is likely to face. Trump has famously said that the Russia-Ukraine war would never have started had he been president and claimed he could bring the conflict to an abrupt halt A view of destruction of the city of besieged Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine Ukrainian servicemen operate a Soviet-made T-72 tank in the Sumy region near the border with Russia Trump and his supporters have roundly criticised the scale of US military and financial support for Kyiv, and he previously labelled Zelensky 'the greatest salesman on Earth' What could a Trump-negotiated deal look like? 'I can't give you those plans because if I give you those plans, I'm not going to be able to use them.' That was Trump's response during his campaign when pressed to reveal how exactly he intended to stop the war in Ukraine, which by the time he enters office will be seven weeks shy of its third year. Since winning last week's election, Trump has spoken with Zelensky via phone - a conversation characterised by the Ukrainian leader as 'excellent' - and claims to have spoken with Putin despite denials by the Kremlin. But in September, the Republican's running mate and now vice president-elect JD Vance offered former US Navy Seal Shawn Ryan an outline of how peace may be brought about in Ukraine under Trump. 'What it probably looks like is something like the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine becomes like a demilitarised zone, heavily fortified for the Russians don't invade again,' Vance told the former Seal on his podcast. 'Ukraine remains an independent sovereign. Russia gets the guarantee of neutrality from Ukraine. 'It does not join NATO and some other allied institutions. Germans and other nations have to fund Ukraine's reconstruction,' Vance added. That telling, albeit vague, description of what a Trump-negotiated end to war in Ukraine could look like was subsequently echoed by a Wall Street Journal report that emerged days after the election last week. Citing three sources 'close to the president-elect', the WSJ claimed Trump's transition office is considering one proposal that would prevent Kyiv from joining NATO for at least 20 years in exchange for lucrative arms deals. In the meantime, the conflict would be halted by the implementation of a large demilitarised zone (DMZ) that would effectively freeze the fighting in place and force Kyiv to relinquish up to 20% of its territory as part of an '800-mile DMZ'. But the sources offered no insight into how such a buffer zone between Russia's border and unoccupied Ukraine would be monitored or managed, other than to say it would not be staffed by American peacekeepers. This suggests troops from other NATO nations, including the UK, would be tasked with manning the DMZ. 'We can do training and other support but the barrel of the gun is going to be European... and we are not paying for it,' one source was quoted as saying. 'We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine... Get the Poles, Germans, British and French to do it.' The proposal draws comparisons with the DMZ that has divided North and South Korea since the armistice agreement that brought the Korean War to an end in 1953. But the Russia-Ukraine conflict is vastly different, leading observers and analysts to warn that implementing a DMZ in Eastern Ukraine would face huge resistance. FILE - President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg, July 7, 2017 Rescuers search for survivors in the rubble next to damaged residential buildings in Uman, south of Kyiv, following Russian missile strikes A Trump-negotiated peace deal could see a demilitarised zone implemented across Ukraine (picture shows Polish border forces constructing reinforced border walls) What problems would the deal face? Several obstacles must be circumvented before the conflict can be frozen and a ceasefire introduced - starting with the evident lack of enthusiasm from those expected to agree to and uphold the proposal. Days before Trump secured his election victory, Volodymyr Zelensky openly declared that making any concessions to Putin would be 'unacceptable for Ukraine' and 'suicidal for Europe'. The Ukrainian President has made countless similar declarations since Russia's February 2022 invasion. In addition, Zelensky's foremost European partners Britain, France and Germany have already vowed to support Ukraine's armed forces in their fight against Moscow's troops 'for as long as it takes'. Those sentiments were echoed this week by the European Union's designated foreign policy chief, former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who is expected to succeed Josep Borrell as the EU's top diplomat. An ardent critic of Russia, Kallas told a confirmation hearing today: 'The situation on the battlefield is difficult. 'That's why we must keep working every day. Today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes and with as much military, financial and humanitarian help as needed.' This messaging suggests that most European leaders - with the notable exception of a few individuals such as Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban - are united behind the Ukrainian war effort. They would not be enthused by the prospect of shouldering the responsibility of funding, staffing and managing a demilitarised zone that is proposed but not backed by the White House. Implementing this so-called buffer zone would also be extremely difficult from a logistical standpoint. Britain, France and Germany have already vowed to support Ukraine 'for as long as it takes' and Zelensky is adamantly against relinquishing territory to Vladimir Putin Keir Starmer was warmly welcomed by Emmanuel Macron as he arrived in Paris today - with the looming handover in the US high on the agenda Firstly, the DMZ would need to span the 800-mile length of Ukraine's eastern border with Russia and the frontline in disputed territory, from the northernmost Ukraine-Russia border town of Senkivka in Chernihiv to the city of Kherson in the south, from which Putin's forces withdrew across the Dnieper River in late 2022. Secondly, the conflict in Ukraine is very much in a state of flux, with frontlines being redrawn almost daily. Moscow's men are pushing back Zelensky's defensive lines in Donetsk, while Ukraine's armed forces continue to hold a considerable pocket of Russian soil in the western Kursk region. Various reports suggest North Korean troops have been drafted in to fight alongside Putin's soldiers there. Both sides are likely to make a push to maximise the territory held in an effort to improve their bargaining position ahead of negotiations. Russia and Ukraine this weekend also conducted the most intense exchange of drone strikes the war has seen so far. By contrast, the DMZ that split the Korean peninsula in half measures just 155 miles - a much smaller buffer zone that was only made possible by the US deploying boots on the ground and maintaining a military presence there long after the conflict had subsided. Prior to the armistice deal, South Korea enjoyed full Western military support in the conflict and a ceasefire was reached only after millions of troops and civilians had been massacred. A member of Ukraine's 72nd Brigade Anti-air unit fires at a Russian Zala reconnaissance drone over head on February 23, 2024 near Marinka, Ukraine A mortar platoon soldier with an 82mm mortar performs a combat mission as Ukrainian soldiers hold their positions in the snow-covered Serebryan Forest in temperatures of -15C, on January 10, 2024 in Kreminna, Ukraine View of a bridge, destroyed by the war, in Bohorodychne, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine What would the fallout be? Given Ukraine's disdain for the prospect of ceding any territory to Russia and Europe's apparent commitment to backing Kyiv for the long haul, it is difficult to see how a ceasefire deal as outlined by Vance and the WSJ could be pushed through. Failing an exceptional feat of diplomacy by the Trump administration, the only remaining option looks to be strong-arming Kyiv into making a deal with threats of withholding sorely needed US military aid. This would force Kyiv to capitulate - unless European partners, along with the likes of Australia, Japan and Canada - agree to maintain an adequate supply of arms to Ukraine's armed forces. This seems nigh on impossible, with many analysts arguing that the current flow of military aid even with US support is not enough to hold back the Russian onslaught. 'Trump does have a legitimate point about European allies having underperformed in defence and over-relied on Uncle Sam to protect them for too long, and this is a huge wake-up call to the West,' Dr Russell Foster, Senior Lecturer in British and International Politics at King's College London, told MailOnline. 'But Europe, Canada, and Australasia have let their defence spending stagnate for so long, they have nowhere near the industrial base and military infrastructure to help defend Ukraine and themselves from further aggression without American help. 'We are likely to see major calls for defence spending and investment across NATO - but this will take years to build up and be hugely expensive at a time of economic stagnation. The future of Western defence is now looking very bleak.' Ed Arnold, Senior Research Fellow for European Security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank, added: 'The immediate crisis within Europe will be how to continue diplomatic, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine without the US. 'Whichever mechanism it comes through NATO, the EU, or bilaterally it will be incredibly expensive.' Beyond the sheer economic toll, an effort by the Trump administration to force Ukraine into accepting a peace deal would dramatically undermine Washington's relations with all of Europe and call into question the legitimacy of NATO. Some analysts and politicians have cautioned such a move could even embolden the likes of China to capitalise on the West's perceived disunity and seek to expand its influence in the Pacific. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks as he attends a Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting on September 6, 2024 at the US air base in Ramstein Military experts operate at the site of a Russian aerial bombing of a high-rise residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district on March 27, 2024 in Kharkiv Roughly 3.2 million Ukrainians are living in occupied territory Finally, in terms of the human cost, forcing Ukraine to squander territory to Russia will seal the fate of millions of Ukrainians currently living under Russian occupation. A study published in September by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) estimated that in January 2022, nearly 6.4 million people were living in territory now occupied by Russia following the full-scale invasion. Around 2.9 million people are believed to have fled the region, either to seek refuge in Western Ukraine or to gain asylum in Europe. But that still leaves roughly 3.2 million people living in occupied territory, the SWP concluded. Russia's Interior Ministry reported that by September 2023, around 2.8 million passports had been issued to residents of occupied territories as Moscow continues its efforts to assimilate residents into the Federation. While some citizens living in the occupied territory may have accepted their predicament, freezing the conflict and implementing a DMZ would leave untold numbers of Ukrainians trapped under Putin's rule. A superb gold watch three wealthy widows gifted to the captain of the ship that saved them in the Titanic disaster is tipped to sell for 120,000. Madeline Astor, Marian Thayer and Eleanor Widener bought the 18ct gold timepiece from Tiffany & Co after they returned safely to New York on rescue ship the RMS Carpathia. Their husbands - three of the richest men in the world - all perished in the 1912 tragedy. John Astor was the richest passenger on the doomed liner and worth the equivalent of 2.2bn today. A year before the disaster, Astor caused controversy after divorcing his first wife and marrying Madeleine, who was aged just 18. The couple had enjoyed a six-month honeymoon to Europe and were returning to America on Titanic when it struck an iceberg and sank in April 1912. A superb gold watch three wealthy widows gifted to the captain of the ship that saved them in the Titanic disaster is tipped to sell for 120,000 Madeline Astor was married to John Astor, the new wife of the richest passenger on the Titanic. He was worth the equivalent of 2.2bn today Mrs Astor and the two other wealthy grieving women presented the expensive timepiece to Arthur Rostron, the captain of RMS Carpathia, as an expression of gratitude. The British mariner was seen as a hero for safely navigating his ship at great speed through the same ice field which claimed the Titanic just three hours earlier in April 1912. Several rescued passengers died from exposure in the lifeboats so every second counted. Captain Rostron received the gift at Mrs Astor's lavish home on New York's Fifth Avenue. The case was engraved with the words: 'Presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic April 15th 1912. Mrs John B. Thayer, Mrs John Jacob Astor and Mrs George D. Widener.' The Daily Mail reported on the gift of the watch. A report on June 3, 1912 read: 'Captain Rostron, of the Carpathia, is the object of daily ovations from the American admirers of his feat in rescuing the Titanic survivors. 'He was presented with a valuable gold watch at the luncheon given to him and the ship's surgeon, Mr McGee, by Mrs Astor on Friday, while yesterday they were entertained by Mrs Thayer, another Titanic widow, in Philadelphia. 'The captain and surgeon were conveyed to Philadelphia in a private car, where they are the guests to-day of Mrs George D. Widener, a third Titanic widow.' Despite his wealth, Astor did not make it into a lifeboat and drowned. Fellow businessman John Thayer was last seen 'looking pale' and heading for the stern of the ship with other terrified passengers moments before it plunged beneath the waves. The case is engraved with the words: 'Presented to Captain Rostron with the heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of three survivors of the Titanic April 15th 1912. Mrs John B. Thayer, Mrs John Jacob Astor and Mrs George D. Widener' The gold watch is being sold via auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son of Devizes, Wiltshire, for a pre-sale estimate of between 80,000 to 120,000 The grieving women presented the expensive timepiece to Arthur Rostron, the captain of RMS Carpathia, as an expression of gratitude Marian Thayer was the widow of businessman John Thayer. He was last seen 'looking pale' and heading for the stern of the ship with other terrified passengers moments before it plunged beneath the waves Eleanor Widow was the widow of George Widener, who gave a dinner party in honour of the Titanic captain, Edward Smith, on the evening of the disaster John Jacob Astor and his wife Madeline. A year before the disaster, Astor caused controversy after divorcing his first wife and marrying Madeleine, who was aged just 18 The Carpathia in her pier after bringing back the Titanic survivors Women passengers are seen sewing and distributing clothes for survivors of the Titanic disaster Alongside him was George Widener, who gave a dinner party in honour of the Titanic captain, Edward Smith, on the evening of the disaster. Their wives were loaded into the same lifeboat. Yours for 600: Coal from the Titanic Coal from the Titanic is going on sale - with hundreds of items from shipwrecks including cannons and crockery. The 700 marine artefacts dating back to the 1500s are housed at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown, Cornwall. Sir Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project, bought the museum 10 years ago and is now selling the items and the building. The sale includes 46g of coal from onboard the Titanic, valued at 400 to 600. Rope recovered from Henry VIII's Tudor flagship the Mary Rose is estimated to fetch 5,000 to 10,000. Advertisement The watch was just one of dozens of gifts that first class passengers showered Captain Rostron with after his ship rescued them. He was also awarded the American Congressional Gold Medal for his courageous actions. His watch is being sold via auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son of Devizes, Wiltshire, for a pre-sale estimate of between 80,000 to 120,000. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: 'It is an exquisite watch and you would expect the widow of one of the richest men on the planet would buy. 'It is beautifully enamelled with Rostron's initials and is in great condition despite it being over 100 years old. 'It is fabulous thing. Without the connection to the Titanic it would be worth a few thousand pounds. But with it, it is a six figure sum. 'After the deaths of their husbands, the widows would have been three of the richest women in the world. They knew each other very well. 'Rostron was the hero of the hour and was lauded for his bravery. 'He had to get to the wreck site as soon as possible and put his neck on the line by navigating an ice field where the biggest ship in the world had perished just three hours before. 'A significant number of people died from exposure in the lifeboats so it was a case of every minute counting. 'He went on to be the highly decorated commodore of the entire Cunard fleet..' The Titanic sank with the loss of 1,523 lives after it struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. Mr Astor paid almost $9,000 for his and Madeleine's one-way first class cabins - about 45,000 today. The Titanic before it set sail for New York. It was the most luxurious liner ever built The Daily Mail reported on the gift of the watch in June 1912 Madeleine was five months pregnant at the time. She gave birth to a son on August 14, 1912, and called him John Jacob Astor V in memory of her husband and the boy's father. George Widener and his wife were also returning to New York from a trip to Paris where he had gone to find a chef for his new hotel - the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia. The watch will be sold in Devizes on November 16. An asylum seeker who pushed a 91-year-old widow down a flight of stairs was on parole for rape at the time and had avoided deportation by Swedish authorities due to 'lenient' rules, local media reports. Karam Kanjo, 26, was caught on train station CCTV assaulting his elderly victim before ripping her gold necklaces from her neck as she made her way to her husband's grave on August 29. The Syrian national has now been found guilty of aggravated robbery and will be deported after Sweden toughened up its rules on removing immigrants convicted of crimes. Court documents seen by MailOnline show Kanjo has been booked 19 times by police and had a string of convictions since he arrived in Sweden in 2015, including for theft and rape, which he was found guilty of in May 2022. He was given a prison sentence of two years and six months for the sex attack, but prosecutors did not request deportation at the time, according to Swedish media, likely because he had been living in Sweden for six years. Karam Kanjo, 26, was caught on train station CCTV assaulting his elderly victim on August 29. He had previously been convicted of rape and theft The attack took place in Sollentuna station, around eight miles northwest of Stockholm, with CCTV footage (pictured) capturing the shocking incident The pair were seen halfway up a set of stairs in the train station, before the man (top right) grabbed the elderly women (top left) They tumbled down the stairs together as he tried to pull her necklaces from her neck. A commuter was seen running past as the man dragged the elderly women to the floor The man and the elderly woman in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. He took her necklaces from her after pulling her to the ground After serving just half of his sentence, Kanjo was let out on parole in October last year. His attack on the elderly widow was carried out while he was still on parole. Horrifying video of Kanjo's attack has shocked Sweden and reignited the country's debate on migration and the efficacy of the criminal justice system. It has raised questions as to why he was not deported following his rape conviction, with Expressen reporting that the prosecutor 'does not remember why she did not demand deportation but "guess[es]" that she had "a good reason"'. The decision came after a 2019 Supreme Court ruling in a similar case that 'extraordinary reasons' would be required to deport a person who had lived longer than four years in Sweden. Kanjo seemingly benefitted from this precedent in May 2019 - just months before the then-Justice Minister tightened the rules, according to Expressen. Last Monday, Kanjo was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison, and was ordered to be deported back to Syria after he was convicted of aggravated robbery, as well as a violation of Sweden's knife laws and a drug offence. The court assessed that Kanjo - who has lived in Sweden for nearly a decade after entering during Europe's migrant crisis in 2015 - has a 'very weak' connection to the country. His violent crime was caught on camera at Sollentuna station, eight miles northwest of Stockholm, in August, a clip which has served as a key piece of evidence in his conviction. Karam Kanjo (pictured) has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for the attack In it, he is seen grabbing his elderly victim as she walked up the stairs at the station. The 91-year-old is seen struggling before the pair tumble down the stairs as he grips her necklaces, causing the woman a number of injuries. A witness to the attack is seen running for safety, leaving the elderly woman behind. After the pair roll to the bottom of the stairs, Kanjo stands up and yanks her chains from her, before calmly walking away and leaving the elderly woman lying on the ground as two female commuters run down the stairs to assist her. According to court documents obtained by MailOnline, the necklaces were gifts she received more than 40 years ago. When the victim was questioned by police she said she was petrified by the episode and had never experienced violence like it in her life. As well as being deported, Kanjo has been ordered to pay his victim 93,100 Swedish Krona (6,700) in damages. A judge said Kanjo's crime was 'life-threatening', given the age of his victim. The judge said the elderly woman 'suffered swelling over her left hip and left arm, bruises on the legs, bruises on the left arm and heavy skin scraped around the neck from the necklaces.' 'The swelling set in, and [caused] pain for several weeks.' The victim was brought to the floor and had her necklaces yanked from her neck 'Even a fall to the ground could have caused fractures that were serious. Now the fall happened carelessly down a flight of stairs. 'It appears to be a lucky coincidence that [the victim] did not suffer very serious injuries in the fall. Although no legal certificate or the like has been presented in the matter, the court considers that, with regard to [the victim's] age, it is clear that the violence Karam Kanjo used against her was life-threatening.' He will also be prohibited from returning to Sweden after he is deported, according to the court documents. Despite him fighting to overturn the deportation order, Swedish authorities told Attunda district court that his 'connection to Sweden is... very weak.' 'According to the Norwegian Correctional Service's investigation, he lives in destructive social conditions without his own accommodation and is unemployed,' the court was told. He reportedly told the court that if he were to be sent home, he would be 'subjected to torture or inhumane treatment.' Sweden has this year had a 'net outflow of immigrants for the first time in decades', according to Annika Sandlund, the UNHCR representative to the Nordic and Baltic countries. The country's government, lead by the Moderate party and supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, has increasingly restricted laws regarding asylum seekers. Kanjo was caught on CCTV attacking the elderly widow, who was on her way to visit her husband's grave For after years of horrific gangland violence blamed largely on Sweden's soaring migrant population, the centre-Right government has slammed the border shut, announcing a raft of harsh measures aimed at reducing the numbers of foreign-born residents, which currently stands at more than 20 per cent of the 10.6 million total. Among the policy proposals is an offer of just under 26,000 for legal immigrants willing to return voluntarily to their country of origin; the tightening of family reunification and asylum regulations; and more than doubling the income threshold for those seeking work visas up from 970 a month to 2,200. Another such law being pursued by the government is a so-called 'snitch law' that would require public sector workers to report illegal immigrants. As well as toughening up entry restrictions, the government is also hoping to encourage thousands of migrants who have settled here legally to leave voluntarily. New migration minister Johan Forssell recently boasted: 'We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy.' Right-wing politician, Nima Gholam Ali Pour - an Iranian refugee himself - told the Mail 'Sweden has had very difficult problems with immigration in recent years'. 'We have areas that are 90 per cent immigrants who don't accept Swedish values and where ethnic Swedes have had to move out. 'Most people don't want Sweden to become like the Middle East. And why should we receive more migrants when we can't integrate those who are already here?' Over the past decade in particular, Sweden's plans of creating a harmonious, pluralist society has not come to fruition. The country that once boasted one of the lowest crime rates in Europe is now the gun-crime capital of the continent, fuelled by violent gangs disproportionately made up of first-generation migrants who control the nation's illicit drug and prostitution trades. According to a 2023 police report, there are believed to be 14,000 active gang members in Sweden along with a further 48,000 people with 'gang affiliation', many as young as just nine or ten. Over the first six months of this year alone, Sweden suffered a shocking 148 shootings, resulting in 20 deaths. Last year, 55 people were shot dead across 363 incidents. In 2022, there were a record 62 fatal shootings while 73 people aged between just 15-20 were arrested for suspected or attempted murder with a firearm. A pregnant woman whose husband was dying in the back of an ambulance had to direct the driver to the hospital as he didn't know the way, an inquest has head. Motorcyclist Aaron Morris, 31, died at hospital after a crash with a car at a junction in Esh Winning, County Durham, on the afternoon of July 1, 2022. His wife Samantha Morris was 13 weeks pregnant with twins and celebrating her birthday when the crash happened. She was on her way to meet him following an overnight stay in hospital when she found her husband lying in the road. Ms Morris told County Durham and Darlington Coroner's Court that her husband was conscious and breathing when she arrived at the scene, just moments after the collision. However, in the 54 minutes it took ambulance crews to arrive his condition deteriorated. Motorcyclist Aaron Morris, 31, (right) died at hospital after a crash with a car at a junction in Esh Winning, County Durham, on the afternoon of July 1, 2022 Samantha Morris was 13 weeks pregnant with twins and celebrating her birthday when the crash happened Ms Morris pictured with her twin boys Aaron-Junior John Robson Morris (left) and Ambrose-Ayren Morris (right) He died shortly after arriving at the University Hospital of North Durham. Ms Morris told the inquest: 'I was there to hold Aaron's hand as his heart took its last beat.' The inquest heard that several attempts to call for an ambulance were made by a number of people at the scene that day, including Ms Morris' friend, a nurse practitioner. However, one third party ambulance company, Ambulanz, arrived almost an hour after the first call was made. Ms Morris said the driver had asked where the nearest trauma centre was and was on his way to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) when her husband went into cardiac arrest. She then had to direct the driver to the nearest hospital., the inquest heard. 'I was 13 weeks pregnant and my husband was having CPR in the back of the ambulance,' Ms Morris said. 'Why should I make the decision on what hospital my husband should be taken to? I have to live with the fact that if I said the RVI he might still be alive to this day.' She added that the driver 'made the right decision to ask' amd that she doesn't 'fault him for that. Ms Morris (left) told County Durham and Darlington Coroner's Court that Mr Morris (right) was conscious and breathing when she arrived at the scene, just moments after the collision He died shortly after arriving at the University Hospital of North Durham. Ms Morris told the inquest: 'I was there to hold Aaron's hand as his heart took its last beat' It took 54 minutes for ambulance crews to arrive but his condition deteriorated in that time, the inquest heard 'My fault in that is the people who manage and train him should have given him the tools to know where the nearest hospital is,' she said. 'He made the right decision that day by using what he had, which was me who lives in the local area.' Mr Morris' inquest first opened in May and was later adjourned after the coroner identified the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) as a party of interest. Two officers from Durham Constabulary who attended the collision site were the first to give evidence today, including DC Rebecca Shaw, who told the hearing that she was the first officer on scene. She was off-duty at the time driving and in the area when she was diverted around the collision by members of the public. DC Shaw told the inquest that she stopped her car after seeing a body lying in the road, which was surrounded by a number of people. Several 999 calls were then made from her mobile, which was then passed to off-duty nurse Helen. November 11, 2024: One of the more useful weapons NATO sent to Ukraine were about 200 M777 155mm towed howitzers supplied by the United States, Canada and Australia. NATO nations sent Ukraine over 600 155mm howitzers but only a third of these were M777s. Russians found the M777s particularly effective and went to extraordinary lengths to destroy them. So far Ukraine has had 44 M777s destroyed, one captured and 48 damaged and repairable. It can take months to get a M777 repaired and back in service. Most of the damaged or destroyed M777s were hunted down and attacked by Russian drones. The Ukrainians have done the same to Russian towed and self-propelled 152mm artillery. Despite these losses both sides find their howitzers extremely useful and effective doing jobs drones cant handle. The howitzers are getting harder for the drones to find and attack. Ukrainian M777 crews have become more creative and diligent in concealing and camouflaging their M777s. Its a matter of hide or lose your M777 and several of the crew. The M777 is, at four tons, the lightest 155mm towed howitzer ever fielded. A crew of five fires regular rounds to 24 kilometers and RAP rocket assisted projectiles to 40 kilometers. M777 fire control is handled by a computerized system that allows faster response time and more accurate shooting. Early on users reported that the M777 was accurate and reliable. The British designed four-ton M777 howitzer was never used by Britain. Currently 1,200 M777s are in use with the Americans owning 83 percent of them. Production of the M777 recently resumed because of heavy use and losses in Ukraine. More nations are considering adding M777s to their forces based on the success of this howitzer in Ukraine and earlier in Syria. One of the more notable combat achievements of the M777 occurred in Syria during late 2017. A marine artillery battalion fired 35,000 shells in a few months, This was more than any American artillery battalion had fired since the 1960s Vietnam War. In 2017 individual marine 155mm howitzers fired more rounds per gun and fired the largest number of GPS guided rounds per gun ever. During the Syrian campaign there were never more than six marine 155mm howitzers in action at any one time. The marines rotated artillery batteries in and out of Syria to allow for maintenance on the guns and rest for the crews. During the five months of the fighting, the Marines were mainly supporting Kurdish led rebels fighting to take the ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) capital of Raqqa. Thus each of the marine 155mm guns averaged 39 155mm rounds a day. But the marine 155mm howitzers fired over a hundred rounds on some days and only a few on others, usually on days they were changing position to keep up with the Syrian rebels. A Marine Corps battery has six M777s, and these 155mm howitzers were sent to Syria in early 2017 to support the SDF Kurdish militia as it advanced towards the ISIL capital of Raqqa. The marines fired a lot of GPS guided shells and often did so at extreme ranges. In the course of the five months, the marines wore out the barrels on two of their howitzers. Normally the barrel can fire up to 2,500 shells before wearing out but barrel life depends on what type of shell your fire. If you fire the longer range shells, which the Marines did, M777 barrel life is reduced to about a thousand rounds. While the GPS guided shells reduced the need for firing a lot of shells, the Americans also noted that fewer howitzers were required to provide accurate artillery support when using GPS guided shells and, even in Afghanistan some isolated artillery units, often as few as two guns, fired a lot of GPS guided shells and provided timely and accurate fire often at extreme range. At some points during the Raqqa campaign, the marines fired non-GPS shells at area targets, where GPS precision was not a factor, to pin down the enemy forces and prevent them from moving. In Syria, the marine 155mm howitzers were often moved via a sling under a helicopter. These operations usually consisted of just two guns, so more of the rebel detachments could be supported. Most of the fighting inside Raqqa did not require the tons of ammunition needed for each M777 because the guns were dispersed in units of two guns. The marine 155mm shells provided most of the firepower for the battle of Raqqa because airstrikes delivered less than half as many smart bombs and missiles compared to the marine artillery shells fired. The data on the number of 155mm shells fired by this one marine artillery battalion revealed that the battalion fired more rounds than were fired during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when many more 155mm howitzers fired 34,000 rounds or 261 rounds per gun. In the 1990-1991 campaign to drive Iraqi troops out of Kuwait, 730 army and marine 155mm howitzers fired 50,000 rounds, or 69 rounds per gun. In both those campaigns, no single 18 gun battalion fired more than a few thousand rounds. The marine artillery effort in Syria also demonstrated the sturdiness and reliability of the M777. The extraordinarily large number of shells fired by some of these M777s created so many instances of barrels wearing out that the manufacturer ordered more of the new chrome-lined barrel liners. This more expensive barrel lasted about 50 percent longer. In 2017 the marines were only supposed to get about a hundred of the new chrome lined barrels but the Department of Defense reconsidered because the marine M777s most frequently end up in situations like the Raqqa campaign where a few guns fired over a thousand shells each. In 2007 the U.S. Army and Marine Corps received their first 400 M777A1 howitzers. These guns cost $1.9 million each and the U.S. bought about a thousand of them for the army and marines. BAE, the manufacturer, also received a contract to refurbish dozens of M777s that returned from service in Afghanistan. This cost $91,000 per howitzer. Many of the M777s used in Syria also needed refurbishment because of heavy use during a short period. The M777 was developed in the 1980s and 90s and the first M777 entered service in 1998. The army uses M777s in airborne and Stryker brigades while for the marines all their field artillery is towed. A five ton truck is used to tow the guns. Most of the fire missions in Syria were called in by American fire control teams attached to the rebel units. These forward observers used GPS and laser range finders. These were binocular-like devices with built-in GPS to provide the marine artillerymen with a precise location of the target. Inside Raqqa the targets were often small and close to friendly troops. While an unguided artillery shell will land within 75 meters of the aiming point, the GPS guided one lands within a ten meter circle around the aiming point. In Raqqa the troops were usually facing small targets, like one or more snipers in a building. Dealing with this required two GPS guided 155mm shells fired nearly simultaneously from up to 40 kilometers away to eliminate the problem. This not only sped up the conquest of Raqqa but kept casualties down among the attacking troops. This does wonders for morale and keeps your most experienced troops in action until the battle is won. This is the surreal moment police arrest a cigarette smuggler disguised as a water plant as he tries to cross a river from Paraguay to Argentina. Gendarmes in military fatigues shone their torches at the 'floating plant' as it came towards their boat under the cover of darkness. Their suspicions about the real nature of the unexpected object in front of them proved spot on as a close inspection revealed what was under the clever camouflage. An officer ended up hoisting the human being hidden under the hyacinth aboard before handcuffing him. They then discovered he had been pushing 200 packs of 'Rodeo King Size' cigarettes in four black boxes under a flexible wire mesh covered with a mix of leaves and artificial plants and tied to his body. The as-yet-unnamed smuggler was seen floating through the river between Paraguay to Argentina An officer ended up hoisting the human being hidden under it aboard before handcuffing him Gendarmes in military fatigues shone their torches at the 'floating plant' as it came towards their boat under the cover of darkness The unnamed tobacco smuggler, dubbed Aquaman after the half-human American comic book superhero by social media users, is expected to appear before a judge in the northern Argentinian city of Resistencia later today Cops discovered he had been pushing 200 packs of 'Rodeo King Size' cigarettes in four black boxes The bizarre incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning local time near Cerrito Island in the Argentinian Litoral region The 42-year-old smuggler was checked over to make sure he wasn't suffering from hypothermia or any other health problems before being taken to a police station for questioning ahead of a court appearance. The wetsuit he was wearing is thought to have kept his body temperature higher than it would normally have been. The bizarre incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning local time near Cerrito Island in the Argentinian Litoral region where the Paraguay and Parana Rivers meet. The man arrested had reportedly been trying to get the picture-postcard island from Paraguay when he was intercepted by officers from the Argentine Naval Prefecture. A source told local press: 'No-one had ever seen a plant like that floating so fast on top of the water-line and it made them take a closer look.' The unnamed tobacco smuggler, dubbed Aquaman after the half-human American comic book superhero by social media users, is expected to appear before a judge in the northern Argentinian city of Resistencia later today. Sir Keir Starmer is pressing outgoing US president Joe Biden to sign-off a 20billion war loan to Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office, amid fears he will scrap American support for the fight against Putin. The Prime Minister is seeking talks with Mr Biden at the G20 in Brazil next week and is also expected to press for Volodymyr Zelensky's forces to be cleared to fire Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia itself. Western leaders have been bumped into action by Trump's election win last week, prompting Sir Keir to try to speed up the money, the Telegraph reported. During his campaign, the president-elect had insisted he would find a solution to end the war 'within a day' without explaining how he would do so, which some had interpreted to mean a peace on terms favourable to Moscow. The isolationist has also accused European countries of free-riding on America in an expression of scepticism towards Nato. Last night reports in America suggested he will make Marco Rubio his secretary of state, the US's chief diplomat. The Florida senator, once derided by Trump as 'Little Marco' last week said the war in Ukraine was 'a stalemate and it needs to be brought to an end.' The Prime Minister is seeking talks with Mr Biden at the G20 in Brazil next week and is also expected to press for Vladimir Zelensky's forces to be cleared to fire Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia itself. Ukrainian firefighters respond to a house fire after being hit by Russian forces' aerial attacksyesterday Last night reports in America suggested Trump will make Marco Rubio his secretary of state, the US's chief diplomat. The Florida senator, once derided by Trump as 'Little Marco', last week said the war in Ukraine was 'a stalemate and it needs to be brought to an end.' Yesterday, Trump's nepo-baby son Don Jr shared a mocking video warning president Zelensky that he will 'lose his allowance' when his father returns to office. Trump spoke with Putin following his election victory last week and advised him not to escalate the war, a source familiar with the conversation has claimed. Putin has since denied reports that he has spoken with Trump in recent days and added he has no concrete plans yet to speak to him. The call was first reported by the Washington Post, citing unidentified sources. Trump and his hard-right supporters have roundly criticised the scale of US military and financial support for Kyiv, and he previously labelled Zelensky 'the greatest salesman on Earth.' The US has provided roughly $106 billion in aid directly to the government in Kyiv, a figure which includes military and financial aid as well as humanitarian support, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Trump and his hard-right supporters have roundly criticised the scale of US military and financial support for Kyiv, and he previously labelled Zelensky 'the greatest salesman on Earth.' Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron vowed yesterday their respective nations will support Ukraine for as long as necessary 'to thwart Russia's war of aggression'. Sir Keir was the first UK premier to attend Armistice Day commemorations in France since Winston Churchill was hosted by General de Gaulle in 1944. The pair met in Paris under the iconic Arc de Triomphe, where dozens of wreaths were touched by a milky light and the eternal flame flickered to honor sacrifices of unknown French soldiers who perished in the first global conflict. As he travelled on to Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sir Keir was asked by reporters if he had discussed with the French president whether Mr Biden should allow Kyiv to use the long-range Storm Shadow missiles inside Russian territory before he leaves office. The Prime Minister replied: 'We did, of course, discuss Ukraine this morning, as you would expect, and for reasons that you'll already understand, I'm not going to go into the operational matters. 'But full support for Ukraine and making sure Ukraine is in the best possible position have been the sort of driving principles of the arguments that I've been putting forward.' The Prime Minister also said his Government 'will set out a path' to spend 2.5% of national output on defence in the new year once a strategic review reports back, as it prepares for the possibility a Trump presidency may call for greater spending commitments from Nato allies. Brussels is also likely to redirect tens of billions of euros towards defence investment ahead of Mr Trump's return to the White House, telling EU capitals they have more flexibility to provide financial support to their defence industries, according to the Financial Times newspaper. Sir Keir also met French prime minister Michel Barnier, who said afterwards that the Franco-British relationship had endured 'trials' before and would be 'invaluable in facing the challenges that lie ahead'. A Georgian billionaire's daughter is suing for more than 36million over complaints her mansion was infested by moths devouring her expensive clothes and wine. Iya Patarkatsishvili bought the property in Notting Hill, west London, with her husband in May 2019 - spending 32.5million on the early Victorian pile. The home boasts a pool and spa, gym, wine room, library and cinema, as well as a 'snoring room' specially kitted out to guarantee a peaceful night's sleep. But a few days after she and her dentist husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak moved in, Ms Patarkatsishvili spotted the first signs of what she described as an 'infestation'. That has now sparked a multi-million-pound claim against the home's seller and former owner, ex-Team GB rower William Woodward-Fisher, which has reached London's High Court. Dr Hunyak and his wife say the insects destroyed their clothes, causing 50,000 worth of damage, and lawyers for the couple insist the only sure way to cleanse the property is to rip out all the embedded wool insulation, which could cost about 9.6million. However, Mr Woodward-Fisher says that estimate is 'fantastically high', arguing that the true repair bill would be 162,652. In the witness box, Dr Hunyak was quizzed about the scale of the moth scourge. The millionaire dentist said he had no photos of the moths, telling the court: 'They're quite agile. When I see them, I just try and catch them, so I can't take photos.' Iya Patarkatsishvili bought a home in Notting Hill, west London, with her husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak in May 2019 - they are now suing over a 'moth infestation' The couple bought the property from William Woodward-Fisher, pictured here outside the High Court in London The property in London's Notting Hill district boasts a pool and spa, gym, wine room, library and cinema, as well as a 'snoring room' kitted out to guarantee a peaceful night's sleep Dr Hunyak told the court that the moth plague hit a point where insects were landing on the couple and their two children's toothbrushes, cutlery and plates of food. He also says he had to tip away glasses of wine after finding moths floating in them. The couple's barrister John McGhee KC said Dr Hunyak ended up having to swat away about 100 moths a day to stay on top of the problem. Even now, after intensive sprays and expert treatment, he still maintains a daily kill count of up to 35, Mr McGhee told the court. The couple say the source of the moth scourge is the destructive insects nesting in the wool insulation behind walls and ceilings. They are suing Mr Woodward-Fisher, 68, a high-end property developer and former champion rower who competed for Britain finishing fifth at the 1977 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam. They say he was either guilty of 'fraudulent misrepresention' or negligent in failing to disclose previous moth issues when answering pre-sale enquiries about the possiblity of 'vermin' in the house. The payout claimed would include Mr Woodward-Fisher buying back the property and compensating them for all expenses and inconvenience caused by the moth menace, a total of more than 36million. But Mr Woodward-Fisher denies all claims, insisting that he gave honest and full replies on the pre-sale enquiries form, and that as far as he knew any previous moth problems had been eliminated by the time of the move. He also says the wealthy couple's valuation of how much it would cost to remedy the problem is hugely overblown. His KC, Jonathan Seitler, said he had been honest when dealing with the enquiry about possible previous 'vermin infestation', having told his solicitor they had experienced problems with moths but were assured that 'moths were not vermin and therefore not relevant to this enquiry'. The couple, pictured here in their Notting Hill home, say the source of the moth scourge is the destructive insects nesting in the wool insulation behind walls and ceilings Iya Patarkatsishvili is the daughter of Badri Patarkatsishvili, a Georgian businessman who fell out with Vladimir Putin and set up home in the UK in 2000 before dying of heart failure in 2008 Part of the legal debate in the case turns on a question of wide importance around whether moths really are 'vermin' and therefore have to be included in the enquiry form answer. The court heard that Mr Woodward-Fisher, who formerly competed for Great Britain as a rower, bought the site in 2011 and lived there with his interior designer wife Kerry, 64. The house was extended and radically remodelled by Mr Woodward-Fisher to about 11,000 sq ft, before it was sold on to Dr Hunyak, 50, and 41-year-old Ms Patarkatsishvili in 2019. Dr Hunyak is a paediatric dentist who practices in Chelsea, while his wife is the daughter of Badri Patarkatsishvili, a Georgian businessman who fell out with Vladimir Putin and set up home in the UK in 2000 before dying of heart failure in 2008. Prior to buying, they or their staff visited the mansion - which has seven bathrooms, a swimming pool, spa, cinema and gym in a newly formed double basement - on at least 11 separate occasions, the court was told. But despite their careful inspection, the couple say they were dismayed when they were hit with what one insect specialist called 'an infestation of extreme proportions amounting to millions of moths' in their deluxe house. Mr McGhee said: 'This was far more extreme than an ordinary domestic experience of moths. 'Moths were flying around at night whenever someone was using a screen, clothes had to be packed in hermetic bags, carpets and furniture were damaged, numerous items of clothes were eaten, moths got in wine and food, and on cutlery and toothbrushes.' Dr Hunyak and his wife say the insects destroyed their clothes, causing 50,000 worth of damage, and claim it would cost almost 10million to get rid of the moths by replacing all the woollen insulation in the building. Outling his case, Mr McGhee told Mr Justice Fancourt: 'The presence and cause of the infestation was well known to Mr Woodward-Fisher. Iya Patarkatsishvili has shared photos appearing to be inside the couple's Notting Hill property on Instagram, including this one showing her dentist husband Dr Yevhen Hunyak Dr Yevhen Hunyak, pictured here outside London's High Court, is a paediatric dentist who practices in Chelsea, west London 'He is an experienced property developer and had extensively redeveloped the property in 2012-13 before living in it as his family home. 'During those works he and his wife had installed woollen insulation in the walls, that insulation was a food source for moth larvae and became infested with them, and by 2018 they were suffering serious problems with moths, which required frequent treatments.' The swarming insects caused major upheavals for Mr Woodward-Fisher and his family, the KC said - at one point forcing the family to check into a hotel and leave their dog elsewhere to clear the way for a major 'spray'. The lawyer added: 'The fact that he was willing to tolerate this level of disruption further puts the lie to Mr Woodward-Fisher's claims that the level of moth activity had not troubled him.' By May 2018, the Woodward-Fishers had decided to sell up, the court heard, and Mr McGhee suggested their move - coming after 'four highly disruptive sprays of the property' - was prompted by 'the apparent intractability of the moth infestation and the impact dealing with it was having on their use of the property as a home'. 'Despite this knowledge, when asked by the claimants' solicitors in pre-contract enquiries whether the property had ever been affected by a vermin infestation, Mr Woodward-Fisher answered negatively,' he said. In their claim, Dr Hunyak and his wife are asking the judge to reverse the house sale on the basis of alleged 'fraudulent misrepresention' so that they get their 32.5million purchase money back. They are also claiming compensation for other losses, including 50,000 for moth-shredded clothes and more than 3.7million they paid in stamp duty. The couple have also presented alternative cases, seeking more than 16million to mark their losses and the diminished value of Horbury Villa, or alternatively about 13million to cover losses and the cost of further works. Lawyers for the couple accept that a moth-busting project carried out in 2020 has 'improved the position,' but say Dr Hunyak still has to keep busy killing off the pests. They insist the only sure way to cleanse the property is to rip out all the embedded wool insulation, which could cost about 9.6million. In their claim, Dr Yevhan Hunyak and Iya Patarkatsishvili are asking a judge to reverse the sale of the property in Notting Hill, west London However, Mr Woodward-Fisher says that estimate is 'fantastically high', arguing that the true repair bill would be 162,652. Challenging the compensation claim, Mr Seitler noted that his client now simply 'can't afford to re-purchase the property'. He also said that the claimants, while 'fastidious about moths', have 'neglected' the house which Mr Woodward-Fisher had spent so long restoring. He said that for long periods the moths were a small-scale 'Amazon-level problem' for Dr Hunyak and his family, with them simply resorting to traps and sprays from the online retailer to zap the marauding insects. He also claimed the only hard evidence of the claimed 50,000 damage to clothing related to five items, including a pair of tracksuit trousers, a shirt and a suit with a moth-eaten arm. In the witness box, Dr Hunyak was quizzed by the defence barrister about the scale of the moth scourge. Mr Seitler said to him: 'You said that by September 2019 you routinely had moths and found them on toothbrushes, plates, forks and on food - but do you have any photos of these moths?' The millionaire dentist replied: 'They're quite agile. When I see them, I just try and catch them, so I can't take photos.' Mr Seitler said his client's wife Kerry had been 'bothered by clothes moths' in 2018, enlisted pest controllers to snuff out the problem and 'appeared to have succeeded in their task by July 2018'. The barrister said: 'At the time of the replies seven months later, there was no visible moth problem.' William Woodward-Fisher, pictured outside London's High Court with his wife Kerry, has disputed the repair claim put before a judge - calling it 'fantastically high' Dr Hunyak, seen here outside London's High Court, has said the moth plague hit a point where insects were landing on the couple, their children's toothbrushes, cutlery and plates of food He told the court how Mr Woodward-Fisher insisted that, 'had he lived alone, he would never have been sufficiently bothered about moths to have sought external help to begin with'. From July 2018 until the Woodward-Fishers moved out in May 2019, the moths ceased to be a problem, said Mr Seitler. He added: 'The claimants had around 11 viewings of the property between April 2018 and May 2019 and, despite being fastidious about other matters, such as foul drainage pumps and noise, did not once see a moth. 'Nor did the numerous experts they sent in to survey the property for many hours on 21 February 2019.' Dr Hunyak and family associates had taken great pains to test out the property before going through with the purchase, the court heard, although much of their concern focused on possible noise disturbance from a nearby pub and a London Underground line. In March 2019, staff employed by the family visited Horbury Villa for three hours to assess whether noise from the Central Line was too intrusive, said Mr Seitler. And they returned four days later for several hours when 'they insisted on total silence, even requiring that the dishwasher be turned off', before popping back another day with a sound engineer. He said: 'The claimants - or individuals on their behalf - viewed the property on eleven or twelve occasions and spent well in excess of fifteen hours in the property before the sale completed, both during the day and at night. At no point did they see any moths.' In March 2019, staff employed by Dr Hunyak's family visited Horbury Villa for three hours to assess whether noise from the Central Line was too intrusive, the High Court heard Dr Hunyak (pictured outside the High Court) and family associates had taken great pains to test out the property before going through with the purchase, a judge has been told Criticising the valuation of the compensation bid, Mr Seitler told the judge: 'Something must have gone wrong with the claimants' calculation of its alleged losses. 'They say that the remediation works to remove woollen insulation will cost 9,696,290 - approximately the same price as it cost to build the property in the first place, a build which involved demolishing much of the previous site, digging two basements, and extending the former property by 200 per cent'. He described it as 'a cost which is 64 times what Mr Hunyak understood it would cost to remove all of the insulation in 2020, a figure of 150,000'. The trial continues, with the judge expected to reserve his decision until a later date. President Joe Biden will urge Donald Trump to keep supporting Ukraine amid concerns the president-elect could cut military-aid to the war-stricken nation. Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, said Biden will make a final plea to keep the US 'in' the Russia-Ukraine war during a meeting at the Oval Office on Wednesday. Trump has famously pledged to end the war within a day of becoming president and has boasted of his 'very good relationship' with President Putin, apparently warning him not to escalate the conflict when they spoke over the phone on Thursday. He has also said the invasion would never have happened if he had been in the White House and has criticised Biden's level of support for Ukraine. Now in a meeting to discuss a smooth transition of power, Biden will argue that 'the United States should not walk away from Ukraine; that walking away from Ukraine means more instability in Europe', CBS has reported. Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meet at Trump Tower in New York in September President Joe Biden speaks at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery President Donald Trump meets with Russia's Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Hamburg in July 2017 Since the war started in 2022, the US has been the biggest provider of financial and military assistance to Ukraine. Biden is also expected to spend the remaining $6 billion in Ukraine security assistance funds before he steps down as President in January. Britain, France and Germany have already vowed to support Ukraine 'for as long as it takes' and Zelensky is adamantly against relinquishing territory to Putin. Last week it emerged that Trump could propose a 800-mile demilitarised zone between Russia and Ukraine as part of a plan to end the war early. The plans, which were outlined by three Trump staffers, would involve the zone being policed by British and European troops. It would mean that Russia would keep its territorial gains made in Ukraine with the current border frozen in place. Kyiv would also have to assure that it would not join NATO for 20 years. Under the plans the US would arm Ukraine in return for preventing Russia from restarting the war. However, responsibility for manning and financing the buffer zone would fall solely on Ukraine's European allies. Zelensky (pictured) is adamantly against relinquishing territory to Vladimir Putin There are fears US military aid for Ukraine will dwindle when Trump becomes president (US army file photo) Ukrainian servicemen of the 26th artillery brigade fire an AHS Krab self-propelled howitzer toward Russian positions near the front line in the Chasiv Yar area 'We can do training and other support but the barrel of the gun is going to be European,' a member of Trump's team told the Wall Street Journal. 'We are not sending American men and women to uphold peace in Ukraine. And we are not paying for it. Get the Poles, Germans, British and French to do it.' Top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday that the situation in the combat zone in Ukraine is not in Kyiv's favour and that the West should accept this and negotiate an end to the conflict, the Interfax news agency reported. 'Now, when the situation in the theatre of military operations is not in the favour of the Kyiv regime, the West is faced with a choice - to continue financing it and destroying the Ukrainian population or to recognise the current realities and start negotiating,' Shoigu was cited as telling a meeting of secretaries of Commonwealth of Independent States nations' security councils in Moscow. Many analysts have warned that Trump is indeed likely to reduce US military aid to Ukraine and force Kyiv's European partners to shoulder a huge burden to maintain an adequate supply of arms - a move that would certainly pile pressure on Zelensky to consider a negotiated settlement. An aerial view shows the destroyed city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv Region, near the border with Russia, on October 2 Donald Trump pulled off an astounding political comeback and regained the White House in a dominant victory in the 2024 US presidential election Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky accuses the West of ignoring the threat of 11,000 North Korean troops starting to engage his forces in the war zone 'Trump does have a legitimate point about European allies having underperformed in defence and over-relied on Uncle Sam to protect them for too long, and this is a huge wake-up call to the West,' Dr Russell Foster, Senior Lecturer in British and International Politics at King's College London, told MailOnline. 'But Europe, Canada, and Australasia have let their defence spending stagnate for so long, they have nowhere near the industrial base and military infrastructure to help defend Ukraine and themselves from further aggression without American help. 'We are likely to see major calls for defence spending and investment across NATO - but this will take years to build up and be hugely expensive at a time of economic stagnation. The future of Western defence is now looking very bleak.' Ed Arnold, Senior Research Fellow for European Security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think-tank, added: 'The immediate crisis within Europe will be how to continue diplomatic, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine without the US. 'Whichever mechanism it comes through NATO, the EU, or bilaterally it will be incredibly expensive.' One of Britain's biggest banks has blocked its staff from using Whatsapp, Skype and Facebook at work leading to questions over whether other firms will soon follow suit. NatWest has taken action in an effort to stick to rules over workers' use of unauthorised electric messaging as well as avoid hefty fines. It comes after the issue reached boiling point three years ago when two American financial regulators began fining firms over record-keeping rules being breached as company staff were sending messages that could not be recovered. But now, the British Regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, is also paying increased attention to the issue of unmonitored communications putting firms in the UK under increased scrutiny. The rules exist to help prevent market abuse and other misconduct but the emergence of many more popular messaging apps in recent years has made it even harder for firms to enforce them, compounded by an increased number of people working from home. NatWest has taken action in an effort to stick to rules over workers' use of unauthorised electric messaging as well as to avoid hefty fines (file image) Fines issued for banks in the United States have totalled more than $2.5 billion with much of it relating to unauthorised use of WhatsApp (file image) NatWest has decided - as of November 6 - that the solution is to block employees from using these apps entirely for work business. The FTSE 100 lender says guidance on only using approved channels has been in place for some time, amid increased regulatory scrutiny in Britain. Fines issued for banks in the United States have totalled more than $2.5 billion with JPMorgan Chase the first to be hit with a fine in late 2021 when it agreed to pay $200 million over unauthorised use of WhatsApp and personal email accounts among other channels. Since then multimillion-dollar penalties have been issued to other companies by American regulators including Wall Street giants Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Bank of America. NatWest has its focus on the UK and is 11.4 per cent owned by the government. An exercise was undertaken by the British regulating authority in 2022 to examine the policies financial companies have in place to mitigate against the risk and it is currently asking firms to provide details of any recent breaches in relation to unmonitored communications. A spokesman for NatWest said: 'Like many organisations, we only permit the use of approved channels for communicating about business matters, whether internally or externally.' Channels approved by the bank all have retrievable communication records if required. The Tories have enjoyed a 'Badenoch bounce' after installing their new leader, according to a poll today. The party leapfrogged Labour to take a two-point advantage since Kemi Badenoch was handed the top job. Research by More in Common found the Conservatives were up three points since November 1 - the day before the leadership result was announced - on 29 per cent support. Meanwhile Labour was down one on 27 per cent when the survey was conducted yesterday. The Lib Dems had dipped three points to 11 per cent, and Reform UK was up one on 19 per cent backing. The boost for the Tories comes after Ms Badenoch was seen as putting in a strong performance at her first PMQs against Keir Starmer last week. Research by More in Common found the Conservatives were up three points since November 1 In a brighter spot for Sir Keir his personal ratings have ticked up slightly from their previously apocalyptic levels. He has a net approval of minus 25, an improvement from the minus 30 he scored a week before. After defeating Robert Jenrick in the ballot of Tory member, Ms Badenoch has appointed her rival as shadow justice secretary. Other former leadership contenders Mel Stride and Priti Patel have also been given top roles, as shadow chancellor and shadow foreign secretary respectively. However, there are already hints of tensions with Mr Jenrick, who has been repeating his calls for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. Ms Badenoch went on the attack at PMQs by slamming Sir Keir, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and other senior Labour figures for previous jibes at Donald Trump. She insisted the PM must apologise and invite Mr Trump to visit the UK and address both Houses of Parliament in the wake of his bombshell US election win. In a brighter spot for Sir Keir his personal ratings have ticked up slightly from their previously apocalyptic levels Former Tory Cabinet minister Lord Frost said the findings showed the new leader had to focus on winning back Reform voters rather than shifting the party to the centre-ground. He said: If we had not allowed the Reform Party to emerge by being thoroughly un-Conservative we could easily be on 40 per cent or even more. Yet there are still Tories saying we succeed by going after two to three per cent of those Lib Dem votes. A university has been branded 'woke' after biology undergraduates were warned they could see 'graphic' images of the human body. In a module booklet, seen by MailOnline, Reading University students were handed a trigger warning about 'challenging' areas of study which might leave them 'upset'. Youngsters were also told they will have to obtain consent before carrying out mock clinical examinations of peers, which 'involves physical contact through clothing'. Notes for the anatomy and physiology module add: 'Students uncomfortable with physical contact can either observe or work on their own body.' Anatomy students at the University of Reading have been that they could be left 'upset' by graphic images and videos of the human body (file pic) Bosses at the University of Reading have been branded 'woke' over the 'trigger warnings' for life sciences students (file pic) The move has enraged healthcare professionals who say such 'trigger warnings' are the result of 'woke' university bosses and could result in students not being prepared for 'real life' after they graduate. NHS GP Dr Renee Hoenderkamp told The Sun: 'This trigger warning scenario is actually creating the problem they're trying to avoid. 'Not only does this stop students from getting involved, it will affect their preparedness for whatever career they choose. 'We think it is fair to students to tell them accurately what they will be studying, and it may be helpful to them as they choose a career.' In response, a spokesperson from Reading University said: 'We follow best practice on the content and description of our courses. 'People who aspire to work in healthcare will expect to encounter bodies and diseases. 'We think it is fair to students to tell them accurately what they will be studying, and it may be helpful to them as they choose a career.' It is not the first time a university has been accused of 'woke' policies on education. In October, The Mail On Sunday reported that Nottingham University had been accused of 'demeaning education' after it slapped a trigger warning on Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales because they contain 'expressions of Christian faith'. Works by fellow medieval writers William Langland, John Gower, and Thomas Hoccleve received the same warning. Frank Furedi, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, said: 'Warning students of Chaucer about Christian expressions of faith is weird. 'Since all characters in the stories are immersed in a Christian experience there is bound to be a lot of expressions of faith. 'The problem is not would-be student readers of Chaucer but virtue-signalling, ignorant academics.' Anti-Airbnb protests have spread to Milan with furious locals vandalising key boxes used by rental properties. Campaigners in Milan have accused Airbnb of driving up the rent and pricing locals out of tourist hotspots in the city. Their slogan 'This city is not a hotel' has already gained hundreds of likes on social media. The latest protest by group Chiediamo Casa saw locals affix stickers reading 'Less short lets, more houses for all' to key safes - which allow tourists access to their rented accommodation - outside Airbnbs on the weekend. 'Let's limit tourist rentals, let's protest those who want to expel us from the city with unsustainable rents for inaccessible houses,' the campaigners wrote in a call for action early November. 'We want a city for all and the right to live in dignified housing,' their statement said. Locals in Milan and Florence have launched a protest against Airbnb by placing stickers over key boxes that allow tourists access to their rented accommodation The latest protest by group Chiediamo Casa saw locals affix stickers reading 'Less short lets, more houses for all' to key safes - which allow tourists access to their rented accommodation - outside Airbnbs on the weekend Their slogan 'This city is not a hotel' has already gained attention on social media 'We really wish tourists well but want them to stay in hotels,' campaigner Giacomo Negri told the Times. He added that the key boxes were a symbol for short lets having changed from residents renting out their spare room to companies running multiple apartments. In Florence, where nearly a third of the city's flats are listed on Airbnb, protesters used stickers with the slogan 'Let's save Florence so we can live in it' last weekend. This comes just weeks after Italian anti-tourism protestors targeted key safes off holiday properties in a bid to deter visitors they say are pricing them out of local housing. Activists calling themselves 'Robin Hood' have pulled off several safes from properties in Rome, denying travellers access to their holiday lets. Letters were attached to lampposts around the city under Robin Hood felt hats, describing the vandalism as 'the first' attack on 'the rich'. 'If you are looking for the key safes and cant find them, read this. We are rebelling,' a note read, shared by local media. 'We have removed these key storage boxes to denounce the sell-out of the city to short-stay holidays which alienate locals and leave residents out on the streets.' This summer has seen fierce backlash against tourists in Mediterranean hotspots, with locals decrying what they see as lax regulation on tourist accommodation that has made it more difficult to find affordable housing. The rise of rental companies like Airbnb has seen some landlords move away from renting to residents in favour of letting out rooms or apartments to short-stay visitors. This reduces the overall supply of housing, pushing up the cost of rent. Robin Hood hats were attached to lampposts around Rome with a letter lamenting tourism Locked boxes, like the one pictured, were ripped from walls outside holiday properties The activists said rents had risen 'exponentially' in recent years. 'This is only our first action against the Holy Year of the rich,' their letters read. More than 35 million tourists visited Rome last year, making it a record year and all-time high in attendance. The year prior, as Rome built back from the pandemic, some 15 million arrived - with 30 million overnight stays climbing 176 per cent from 2021. Next year, Rome and Vatican City will also host its jubilee 'Holy Year', expected to attract some 30 million visitors from around the world and piling extra pressure onto locals. But some residents worry that keeping tourists away will affect their livelihoods or tarnish the reputation of their city. Demonstrators clashed with police in Venice in April over a new 'tourist tax' imposition, requiring short stay visitors to pay an 'entrance fee' of 5. Protestors armed with signs and banners lined the historic canals of the Italian city to show their contempt, met by riot police wielding batons. Critics maintain that the 5 (4.30) fee, initially in effect through the summer, is unlikely to put a significant dent in the circa 30 million trips made to Venice each year. In a surprising statement, former mayor Massimo Cacciari went so far as to suggest tourists should flat-out refuse to pay the 'absurd' entrance fee, arguing they already 'pay for everything'. Members of social centers confront police officers during a demonstration in Piazzale Roma against the introduction of an entrance fee to the city for day-trippers, in Venice, 25 April Protesters in Barcelona squirted water guns at tourists eating in popular spots in the city Cacciari noted in a statement to Adnkronos news agency that day visitors already pay 'three times as much as residents' for public transport in the city, and that travellers all contribute to the longevity of Venice's restaurants and museums. Reps also argue the fee will not fix the fundamental issues but only cloud the city's public image. Simone Venturini, the councillor in charge of tourism, defended the policy as part of a wider strategy trying to tackle the problems of overtourism, while admitting it was 'no magic wand'. 'Fewer day trippers does not mean less revenue because overnight tourists are more important to the economy of the city. 'We will see the results in the medium to long-term and in the meantime we will assess how it goes.' Spain saw the brunt of conflict on the issue this summer, with anti-tourism protesters going so far as to spray visitors with water as they dined out on popular streets. Under the slogan 'Enough! Let's put limits on tourism', some 2,800 people - according to police - marched along a waterfront district of Barcelona to demand a new economic model that would reduce the millions of tourists that visit every year. Protesters carried signs reading 'Barcelona is not for sale,' and, 'Tourists go home,' before some used water guns on tourists eating outdoors. Commuters have been left stranded after the beleaguered Elizabeth Line broke down again causing major delays and trouble at Paddington. A broken rail at Acton Main Line has caused chaos for commuters between London and both Heathrow Airport and Reading. On top of that, there is a shortage of staff and disruption is expected to last all day. National Rail warned that Elizabeth Line, Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express services are affected. Trains were initially unable to run between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington. The route was later reopened for Heathrow Express but with a reduced service. Elizabeth line services to Heathrow remain suspended and trains between Paddington and Reading are at risk of being cancelled or delayed. Commuters have been left stranded after the beleaguered Elizabeth Line broke down again causing major delays and trouble at Paddington (pictured last year) Passengers at Paddington train station in London Mayor of London Sadiq Khan poses for a selfie with passengers as they onboard the first Elizabeth Line train at Paddington station in 2022 Network Rail engineers discovered the broken rail on the high-speed line towards London Paddington from Slough/Heathrow. The defect means the speed limit for trains has been reduced, causing delays. Meanwhile, a member of signalling staff has been taken ill which added to the rush hour chaos. A replacement was due to arrive 'on site' at around 8.30am, National Rail Enquiries said. But fuming commuters took to social media to express their frustration. One posted: 'One Elizabeth line in the 45 minutes I've been waiting at the station. 'They've had to close it due to overcrowding.' Another proclaimed: 'Thank you for ruining my morning Elizabeth Line' while a third said: 'Men scurrying to get a seat of the Elizabeth Line, you can't make this up.' One fed-up user said 'the hate I have for the Elizabeth Line grows everyday'. One tagged Sadiq Khan and asked: 'When will you fix the everlasting delays on the Elizabeth Line? Unacceptable.' Passengers run to catch a westbound Elizabeth Line trains at Paddington Station. File photo 'Elizabeth line is useless at least one day a week,' another blasted. It comes after The Royal Institute of British Architects named the Elizabeth Line as the winner of the 2024 Royal Institute of British Architects' Stirling Prize. Presented since 1996, the prestigious annual award recognises the UK's best new architecture. Named in honour of the the monarch, Elizabeth Line runs from Reading and Heathrow to Essex and South East London - when it works. Accommodating 700,000 passengers every weekday and spanning 62 miles of track and 26 miles of tunnels, it is an extraordinarily complex architectural feat masked by an elegant simplicity. The excavation project became part of Britain's largest-ever archaeological dig, uncovering a wealth of historical artefacts from a Tudor bowling ball to 55-million-year-old woolly mammoth remains. Six million tonnes of earth were excavated to create room for the network's tunnels, which was repurposed to create a nature reserve in Essex. Speaking on behalf of the RIBA Stirling Prize jury, Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President and Jury Chair, said: 'The Elizabeth Line is a triumph in architect-led collaboration, offering a flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport. 'It's an uncluttered canvas that incorporates a slick suite of architectural components to create a consistent, line-wide identity through which thousands of daily passengers navigate with ease. 'Descending into the colossal network of tunnels feels like entering a portal to the future, where the typical commuter chaos is transformed into an effortless experience.' Wetherspoons has announced last orders on a major beer brand at all its premises, leaving fans 'gutted' at the withdrawal of the popular beverage. There are just a few weeks left to request a San Miguel lager at the bar, before stocks of one of Britain's most beloved beers disappear altogether from the pumps. Wetherspoons announced the change will take effect from the end of November. Regulars will however be able to order Poretti instead, priced at 3.99 a pint at the majority of its venues. The brew will also be available on a Monday at the reduced price of 3.20 as part of Wetherspoon's 'Monday club' deal. There are just a few weeks left to request a San Miguel lager at the bar, before stocks of one of Britain's most beloved beers disappear altogether from the pumps at all Wetherspoons Disappointed San Miguel fans were quick to express their disappointment over the withdrawal of the brand. Social media user Sam Rochester wrote on X: 'San Miguel will be no more in Wetherspoons at the end of November, shed a tear.' Meanwhile a fan of the beer, which originates from Manila, Philippines, wrote on Facebook: 'Am gutted to hear that! San Miguel is my absolute favourite.' One bar staff worker told a regular customer they were anticipating complaints when the change happens. Gloucestershire Live reported: 'He said it was one of their best selling drinks and 'doesn't fancy' having to deal with all the complaints that they are going to get.' One social media user suggested the switch came about because San Miguel is shifting its license from Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company to Budweiser Brewing Group from the new year. Not everyone was unhappy with the drink being substituted with Poretti however. Fans of the Italian beverage welcomed the news it will now be available in Wetherspoons. One wrote on X: 'San Miguel is horrific though, the one Spanish beer I never drink. Poretti on the other hand is a fine drop.' Wetherspoons has announced San Miguel will stop being sold from the end of November Fans of the drink, originally from Manila, Philippines, expressed their disappointment A second said on Facebook: 'Poretti is a cracking pint.' Others called it 'decent', nicer, and 'not a bad pint'. Dating back to 1877, Poretti is described as a 'lager-style beer characterised by a fine and sticky head, with a clear appearance and straw-like colour.' Made from four hop varieties, the drink is 4.8% ABV and has 'a balanced bitterness and flavour.' Some social media users however welcomed the arrival of Poretti to Wetherspoons The change comes just weeks after JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin, 69, pushed back against 'daft' proposals made to Labour to shrink the size of pints in an effort to reduce Brits' alcohol consumption. He disputed claims by scientists that shrinking the drinks by a third would curb Britons' alcohol intake - a suggestion which is reportedly causing chatter among politicians at Westminster. Mr Martin's claims came on the back of expectation-busting profits for his boozers, which brought in 73.9million in profits before tax - beating the 72m predicted - in the year ending July 28. November 11, 2024: The Chinese Communist Party is energetically seeking food and respect. First priority is food. China has not got enough of it and is taking extreme measures to fix the problem. At the time China had to import about 40 percent of its food for a hungry population of a billion people. Since the 1990s China has been assisting Russia to develop thinly populated areas in central and eastern Russia to feed the hungry Chinese. The original Russian farmers and their families left during the 1990s after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The Soviets prohibited privately owned farms. Instead there were state owned collective farms where farmers did the work as employees of the state. This arrangement was unpopular with Russian farmers and when the Soviet government disappeared, so did the collective farm workers. This left thousands of square kilometers of prime farmland in central Russia unused. Chinese farmers sought to gain access to that land so they produce more food for hungry Chinese. China needed the food, but Russia already had markets in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The situation changed in 2014 and 2022 when Russian aggression resulted in economic sanctions that included food exports. Russia went looking for more reliable markets and found it in China. Russia accepted the Chinese proposals for allowing Chinese farmers to enter the underused central Russian and far eastern farmlands. The large number of Chinese farmers would produce a lot more food, which the Chinese were willing to pay for. Russia needed the money and this seemed like an excellent way to monetize the food produced on some of the most productive Russian farmlands. This doesnt leave the Middle East, Africa and Europe hungry because North American and Australian farmers are major, and flexible producers of food. The Americans and Australians were able to keep everyone supplied with affordable food. The new Central Asian food arrangement for the Chinese had significant political implications. Now the food supplies were coming overland, not by ship. The use of ships was always threatened by blockade by a hostile American navy if there was war with China. Now the larger Chinese navy could confidently threaten to attack the Americans Pacific fleet without worrying about U.S. Navy nuclear submarines blockading Chinese ports. The food arrangement provides Russia with sanction-proof food income from China. Food is a major Russian export and now it is safe from disruptions by sanctions or unreliable shipping. For China, conquering Taiwan is now more likely because the Americans can no longer threaten the Chinese food supply. Yet the Taiwanese do not feel threatened. Taiwan has increased its defensives and is still a vital source for scarce electronic components and production equipment. China cannot ignore that risk and that means Taiwan is still safe. While Taiwan is not threatened, international use of the South China Sea, China wants to control this body of water and thus control seas through which over 40 percent of the world's waterborne traffic moves. Without the threat of a food blockade, China can now be more aggressive in gaining complete control of the South China Sea. China has asserted such control for over a decade, but now they can afford to use violence to enforce their control. The Chinese dont believe the Americans would risk a war against a larger Chinese fleet in waters close to Chinese territory and land-based bombers and fighters. For the U.S. Navy, this is not a good place to fight a war. Gaining control over the South China Sea would be a major accomplishment and indicates the growing power of China to get what it wants and feels it deserves. With these changes China finally becomes a true superpower, with a secure food supply and a population willing to risk war without the threat of privation when come to food supplies and the quality of the food available. Flights between Australia and Bali have been grounded due to multiple volcanic eruptions near the popular holiday island, throwing the travel plans of hundreds of passengers into disarray. Jetstar and Virgin Australia have cancelled flights due to ash clouds from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia, which has had several eruptions in recent days. Qantas has also delayed two flights between Sydney and Denpasar due to the movement of the volcanic ash cloud towards Denpasar Airport. The delayed flights have been rescheduled for today (Wednesday). One AirAsia plane bound for Bali departed Perth on Tuesday night but a later one has been delayed until the morning. Two flights scheduled for this morning have also been cancelled. Jetstar hopes to offer two additional return services between Australia and Bali on Wednesday to reduce the backlog of cancellations. Christine Sutherland is among hundreds of impacted travellers whose holiday plans have been thrown into chaos. School children were seen running from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia when it first erupted (pictured) Residents watch the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki from the village of Eputobi 'We are a party of 20 people and all of our flights have been cancelled,' she told Perth Now. 'We are trying to find accommodation for the night with room costs now going up by 40 per cent. 'We have rebooked our flight for Wednesday night so we hope we can leave.' Travellers have been urged to contact their airline to check for any flight changes or cancellations. It's up to airlines to make the decision to fly in the conditions. The active volcano on the remote island of Flores, in East Nusa Tenggara province, has seen increased activity, forcing authorities to expand the danger zone, 9 News reported. The volcanic ash plume has risen up to 5,500m in altitude. Holidaymakers were stranded at Perth airport after Jetstar and Virgin Australia cancelled their flights to Bali (pictured) Travellers are urged to check if their flight has been cancelled or delayed. Pictured are tourists on Bali's Kuta Beach The volcano erupted on Sunday, killing nine as it spewed ash 9km into the air. Indonesian authorities have been trying to evacuate 16,000 locals from nearby villages as the eruptions continue. It is dangerous to fly with volcanic ash in the air because it is abrasive and hard, which can damage parts of the plane, mainly the propellers. Volcanic ash can also reduce visibility, making it even more hazardous to fly. People with physical disabilities and mental ill health would be barred from seeking help to die under plans for a law allowing assisted suicide for the first time. Under plans unveiled last night only people diagnosed with a terminal illness who have been told they have less than six months to live would be allowed to go through the process of ending their own life. Supporters of the long-awaited Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill have also revealed that if passed by Parliament, it will be illegal to use 'dishonesty, coercion or pressure' to make someone say they want help dying. It will also become an offence to force someone to take the lethal dose of medication that is supplied for approved applications, with prison sentences of up to 14 years for those convicted. Supporters of the proposed new law, which is backed by the TV presenter Esther Rantzen, have been setting out the safeguards that would be put in place ahead of a debate and vote in the Commons at the end of the month. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour backbencher who is introducing it, warned last night that MPs might have to wait another decade for a law change if they fail to pass it now. The vote is seen as close, with some senior Cabinet ministers - including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, saying they plan to vote against it. Critics say the bill is being rushed through without enough scrutiny and does not contain enough safeguards against abuse. But a former director of public prosecutions today said it was 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' for Parliament to act in the public interest. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour backbencher who is introducing it, warned last night that MPs might have to wait another decade for a law change if they fail to pass it now. Supporters of the proposed new law, which is backed by the TV presenter Esther Rantzen, have been setting out the safeguards that would be put in place ahead of a debate and vote in the Commons at the end of the month. Under plans unveiled last night only people diagnosed with a terminal illness who have been told they have less than six months to live would be allowed to go through the process of ending their own life. Sir Max Hill told a press conference in Westminster the current settlement either leads people to travel to Dignitas in Switzerland if they have money, or for relatives to consider assisting their loved ones to die against the law if they cannot make the journey. Sir Max said: 'Those two reasons combine surely to make an unanswerable argument that the law at the moment provides no safeguards, no rails, no guidance and leaves the vulnerable in a pitiful situation. 'When I look at the draft Bill that has just been released, it has got safeguards all over it on every page and at every stage. 'All I say is that once we get past November 29 and the second reading of this Bill, that provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Parliament, who act in all of our interests, to debate every word, every line and every clause in this Bill.' Sir Keir Starmer said he will not be putting pressure on MPs over how to vote in the free vote. Asked how he would be voting on the Bill, the Prime Minister told reporters at Cop29 in Baku: 'On the question of assisted dying, obviously it is a very important question on which views differ, strongly-held views on either side. 'When I was chief prosecutor I was involved in drawing up guidelines, we had a massive consultation exercise and I saw first-hand the depth and the strength of the arguments on both sides. 'That is why this will be a free vote and it will be a free vote where every MP can decide for themselves what position they want to take on the Bill. 'I will not be putting pressure on any MP to vote one way or the other. I personally will study the details of the Bill which has now been published today because safeguards have always been extremely important to me and were an essential part of the guidelines that I drew up when I was chief prosecutor.' Only terminally ill people with less than six months to live will be allowed to file for help ending their lives under the Bill published by Ms Leadbeater last night with disability and mental illness ruled out as eligible criteria. They will have to make separate 'clear, settled and informed wishes' to die and have their mental capacity assessed by two independent doctors. They will also be told about alternative treatments such as hospice care. Their application will then be ruled on by a High Court judge who must take evidence from one of the doctors and may also question the dying patient. The wait between their medical assessment to being allowed to end their life is expected to be three weeks. Ms Leadbeater's Private Members' Bill is set to be voted on by MPs on November 29. She said: 'I remain ready and willing to answer any questions they may have, because I don't underestimate the seriousness of the issue. 'I believe this Bill not only offers protections to people nearing the end of their lives that they don't have at present, but also provides for the strictest safeguards anywhere in the world.' But campaigners have argued it is being rushed through, while growing numbers of MPs have expressed concern about the lack of scrutiny with even Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood due to vote against it. Ross Hendry, chief executive of Christian charity CARE, said: 'MPs need time to digest legislation of any kind, but on a proposal like this which would have profound implications for our society two weeks seems too narrow a timeframe.' A campaigner from 'Dignity in Dying' demonstrating outside the Palace of Westminster Dignity for Dying activists protesting in support of the assisted dying bill at Parliament Square Campaigners in favour of assisted dying demonstrating outside Parliament in April Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing, added: 'This bill is being rushed with indecent haste and ignores the deep-seated issues in the UK's broken and patchy palliative care system and the crisis in social care. 'It ignores data from around the world that shows changing the law would put pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives.' And prominent barrister Alex Ruck Keene, who has worked on a right-to-die case, said he was 'immensely troubled' by the way the legislation is being introduced as a Private Members' Bill rather than by the Government. He said MPs and peers are being 'radically unsupported' because of the lack of detail to explain how assisted dying would work in practice, such as complex decisions on who has the mental capacity to make the decision to end their own lives. He also fears courts may eventually decide it discriminatory to not expand the six-month life expectancy clause to cover others in pain. Sir Keir Starmer was today forced to distance himself from an ex-Labour adviser's claim that Britain 'doesn't need small farmers' and could 'do without' the industry. The PM dismissed a suggestion by John McTernan, a former top aide to Tony Blair, that Labour could do to farmers 'what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners'. The senior Labour figure, a prominent supporter of Sir Keir, had sparked outrage among farming groups and senior Tories with his remarks. It came amid growing anger at what has been dubbed Labour's 'family farms tax'. Sir Keir has been caught up in a row after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced controversial changes to inheritance tax at last month's Budget. Labour's plans have caused uproar among farmers, with the PM and Chancellor warned they will devastate many family-run farms. Farmers are set to stage protests in London on 19 November against the Budget measures. Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to distance himself from an ex-Labour adviser's claim that Britain 'doesn't need small farmers' and could 'do without' the industry The PM dismissed a suggestion by John McTernan, a former top aide to Tony Blair, that Labour could do to farmers 'what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners' Sir Keir has been caught up in a row after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced controversial changes to inheritance tax at last month's Budget Appearing on GB News last night, Mr McTernan denied Labour were harming themselves after winning a series of rural seats at July's general election. 'Most people in rural seats aren't farmers. But those who are farmers and small farmers won't actually be affected by this change,' he said. The ex-Downing Street aide added: 'Farmers still get a privileged status for their farms, that may or may not be right. 'I'm personally in favour of doing, if farmers want to go on the streets, we can do to them what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners.' Asked to clarify his remarks, Mr McTernan replied: 'It's an industry we could do without... close down the industry.' 'If people are so upset they want to go on the streets and spray slurry on them, then we don't need the small farmers,' he added. Quizzed this morning at the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan about whether he shared Mr McTernan's views, Sir Keir said: 'I totally disagree.' Speaking at a press conference in Baku, the PM added: 'I'm absolutely committed to supporting our farmers - I said that before the election and I say it after the election. 'That is why in our Budget last week I was very pleased that we're investing 5billion of our Budget over the next two years into farming. 'That is really important for our farmers and I will do everything I can to support them. 'Because I think it's essential that they not only prosper but prosper well into the future. So I totally disagree with those comments.' Countryside groups, farming campaigners and senior Tories had hit back at Mr McTernan's comments. Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs for the Countryside Alliance, said: 'It's incredibly concerning to think that there are people out there that get some sort of ideological kick out of wanting to do down farmers. 'And even more shocking that they can get so close to the reins of power. This intervention only adds to a growing PR crisis for the Treasury. 'Mr McTernan is, however, in a minority and farmers and their families know the public object to views like this and support them and all their hard work fully.' Tory MP Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said Labour's changes to inheritance tax were 'born of bitterness and envy'. Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: 'These comments are disgraceful but are sadly indicative of how many people in the Labour Party seem to feel. 'It's clear that for many on the Left, the anti-farmer agenda is a new frontier in the class war, whereby farmers are being punished for not sharing the metropolitan worldviews of those in London and other cities. 'I will always stand with our farmers, because like most people in Britain, I know that no farmers means no food.' Nigel Owens, the former rugby union referee who owns a cattle farm, branded Mr McTernan a 'clown'. Under Labour's plans, agricultural assets worth more than 1million will no longer be exempt from inheritance tax. Sir Keir and Ms Reeves have been warned the measures, slated to come into force in April 2026, will ruin many family-run farms. It has been claimed that a number of farmers are now looking to sell off land because they believe the new tax rules threaten the viability of their farms. Previously, agricultural property tax relief allowed family farms - including land, buildings, and housing - to pass between generations tax-free. From April 2026, a tax of 20 per cent will be raised on the value of inherited farming assets above 1 million - although the Chancellor has said that in some cases the threshold could in practice be about 3million. While this still represents a tax relief of 50 per cent compared with the standard rate, the move has been attacked by farming unions and MPs who have argued it would make Britain more reliant on imports. Mr McTernan served as Mr Blair's director of political operations while he was PM. A mother who took her daughter on holiday during term time, fears she may lose her job over a criminal record after she claims the 60 fine 'went missing in the post'. Natalie Saunders, 44, jetted off with her daughter Ava Martin-Saunders, eight, to Bodrum in Turkey on May 13 for a week in the sun. She knew ahead of going abroad that her child, missing six days of school, would be marked down as having an unauthorised absence and that she faced receiving a 60 fine. But after returning from their 900 trip, Natalie claims she never received a penalty fine notice in the post and presumed she had dodged it this time around. The mother-of-one, who works in risk and compliance, says she never chased up her daughter's charge with the school or local authority as she claims she had heard it was 'not guaranteed' to receive one. However Natalie says she was 'devastated' to receive a letter from West Sussex County Council on August 24 saying she had failed to pay her child's fine and could now be taken to court. Natalie slammed the 'madness' of the law as she has reportedly been told the onus is on her to 'prove she hasn't received the letter', rather than on the council to prove they sent it. Natalie Saunders (pictured with her daughter Ava) is now facing a potential criminal conviction and a 1,000 fine despite claiming she never received a letter about the fine Pictured: A letter from West Sussex County Council informing Natalie of the prosecution being brought against her Natalie has received a single justice procedure notice outlining she is being charged under Section 444 (1) of the Education Act 1996. As a result, Natalie says she is now facing a potential criminal conviction and a 1,000 fine despite claiming she never received a letter about the fine. Section 444 (1) of the Education Act 1996 states that if a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at school, his parent is guilty of an offence. A person charged with the offence has to prove they had a 'reasonable justification' for their child's failure to attend regularly at the school. Since receiving the initial investigation letter, Natalie says she has been in ongoing contact with West Sussex County Council but claims they are continuing with legal proceedings. Even when she claims to have paid the fine late, the sums were refunded into her account and has been now been given 21 days from November 5th to plead guilty or not to the charge. Natalie, from Crawley in West Sussex, said: 'We went on holiday from May 13th to May 20th which meant she missed six days of school. Natalie jetted off with her daughter Ava, eight, to Bodrum in Turkey on May 13 for a week in the sun The letter from West Sussex County Council states Natalie now has 21 days to plead guilty or not guilty to the charge for failing to ensure the regular school attendance of her daughter, despite Natalie claiming she never received a letter from the council in the first place 'When I took her out of school, the guidance was anything over five days you were likely to receive a fine so I knew I was likely to receive a fine. 'I weighed it all up and was happy to pay the 60 fine. It was a lot cheaper [to take her in term time]. She was eight years old and didn't have any important exams or tests. 'Her attendance record was good and she is also exactly where she needs to be in terms of capabilities. I just thought it was only six days. 'I never chased up the fine because friends and family said you don't always receive a fine. The fine wasn't guaranteed, it was just that you could receive one. 'Because I hadn't received one I just didn't think I was going to get fined so I didn't chase it up. 'The first letter that I received, which would have been the second letter they sent [West Sussex County Council], was dated July 18th but I didn't receive it until August 24th. 'This letter was telling me that because I didn't accept the offer of the fixed penalty notice it said that it was now down to the local authorities to prepare court papers for the offence. Natalie said she has reportedly been told the onus is on her to prove that she never received the fine letter 'It's not nice to receive letters like this. It's now the intention of the local authorities to prepare court papers and it said I could get a fine up to 1,000 and receive a criminal record. 'The idea of getting a criminal record is devastating. I'm a good person. If I wasn't, I would have just taken my daughter off 'ill' for those six days. Even if the truth is bad, it is better than lying. 'It's a criminal record. I don't want this against my name. I've got a good job and work in risk and compliance and I am studying for a diploma to further my career and this could stop me in my tracks. It could ruin this.' Natalie said this was the first time she has ever taken her daughter on holiday during term time and says she did it because trips were dramatically cheaper. She claims she has never been given a 'fair' chance to pay the fine and claims the council has had her email address the whole time so could have reached out electronically regarding the fine as well but never did. And despite raising 'mitigating factors' to West Sussex County Council including the alleged 'poor' postal service in her area, she says they are still set on taking her to court. Natalie said: 'West Sussex County Council has said that the onus is on me to prove that I never received the fine letter and in a legal round anything sent first class post is up to the recipient to prove that I haven't received it and not to prove they hadn't sent it, which is madness. Natalie said this was the first time she has ever taken her daughter (pictured) on holiday during term time and says she did it because trips were dramatically cheaper 'I haven't seen any proof from them [the council] that they have posted the letter. 'There are lots of mitigating circumstances that they are considering in this. West Sussex County Council are using the Royal Mail which is just not delivering. 'In Crawley my MP told me there is a shortage of staff at Royal Mail and Crawley is one of the top five worst performing towns in the UK. 'There are also issues with posties getting into the development where I live and parcels and postal thefts occur daily on my development.' After receiving her initial court letter, Natalie claims she requested a copy of the fixed penalty notice letter that was 'lost in the post' and says she was still able to pay the fine late online. But after successfully making a 60 payment and then the increased 120 fixed penalty payment to West Sussex County Council, she claims these amounts were refunded straight back to her account. Natalie said: 'After all of this, I would never take my daughter out of school in term time. We were going to rebook for next year but we're not going to anymore. 'I've been told now I'm better off pleading guilty because the offence is that I've taken my daughter out of school. It's a mess. 'They said if I plead not guilty I would have to have a court hearing and would be found guilty anyway despite all the mitigating factors I have raised. 'I am guilty of taking my daughter out of school but I would have paid the fine if I received it but I never did.' West Sussex County Council said headteachers are directed by the Department for Education to take a strong stance against parents taking their children on holiday during term time. A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: 'The DfE is clear in its position that every moment in school counts and it has directed headteachers to take a strong stance on unauthorised holidays in term time. 'We follow the DfE National Guidelines on the use and issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices in such cases, ensuring a consistency of approach and practice. 'Unpaid fines are referred to the court process where parents are able to give their mitigation should they choose. 'In all cases the Fixed Penalty Notice and legal services teams follow the established legal process and the published code of conduct to ensure consistency and fairness to all cases.' Peter Lamb, Natalie's Crawley Labour MP, who she has been corresponding with over the matter, said not letting her pay the fine late is putting her child's wellbeing at risk. Mr Lamb said: 'We can all appreciate the importance of avoiding unauthorised absences, but the county council's decision to prosecute Ms Saunders when she has indicated that she would pay a fine, putting at risk her employment, amounts to risking the future wellbeing of a child while wasting taxpayer money in the process.' After Natalie claimed the fixed penalty notice was never delivered, she says she also contacted the Royal Mail to chase this up but claims they couldn't help any further. A Royal Mail spokesperson said: 'We take the delivery of mail very seriously and work to ensure all items are delivered on time. We have taken strides to improve our service in Crawley and nationally. 'If a customer is concerned about deliveries on their route, we encourage them to contact us directly so we can investigate.' A British woman died after undergoing Brazilian butt-lift surgery in Turkey, an inquest has heard. Hayley Dowell suffered medical complications at a private clinic after her surgeon left half way through the operation, a coroner was told. The 38-year-old Briton went under the knife and had a Brazilian butt-lift (BBL), a tummy tuck, and liposuction - a package that costs more than 7,000 - in October last year. Her husband, Neil Dowell - who accompanied her on the trip - claims that doctors at the Turkish clinic did not outline the risks of the procedure to his wife, the inquest heard. Mrs Dowell, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, is thought to be one of six Britons who died in Turkey in 2023 following medical procedures in Turkey. Hayley Dowell, 38, suffered medical complications at a private clinic in Turkey after her surgeon left half way through the operation, an inquest heard Mrs Dowell died after undergoing the surgery at BHT Clinic in Istanbul in October 2023 (pictured is a stock image of the clinic) The country is popular with Britons for its reduced prices on cosmetic surgery, although it has been the subject of warnings by UK health officials. A BBL involves increasing the size and shape of a person's bottom by removing fat from one area of the body and transferring it to their buttocks. Winchester Coroner's Court, Hampshire, was told Mr and Mrs Dowell arrived in Turkey on October 1 last year. It was heard she went under the knife at the BHT Clinic in Istanbul on October 2 and died 'at around midnight' on October 3. A preliminary hearing into her death was told that she suffered an embolism - an issue that can arise after surgery and causes a potentially fatal blood flow blockage. Mr Dowell said he and his wife carried out research to find the clinic, adding: 'We found a surgeon that had a clinic named after himself. He was one of the [top five] surgeons in Turkey.' However, he told the coroner she had 'only consented to two' of the three operations she had, although he did not identify which one she had not agreed to. Details about the procedures were not heard at the preliminary hearing, however Mr Dowell raised concerns about his wife not having information provided to her. 'There was not any risk outlined to her', Mr Dowell claimed. Liposuction that offers to remove up to 15 litres of fat, Brazilian butt lifts, eye colour-changing laser treatments and hymenoplasties are all offered in clinics across Turkey Turkish clinics offer packages including VIP airport transfers in 'luxury vehicles' and 5-star hotel stays with breakfast. Some even promise free tours of cities like Istanbul and the choice to take another guest at no additional cost, as well as 24/7 emergency lines, overnight nurse visits and even massages Mrs Dowell's mother, Ann, said her daughter 'would not have known the risks' of one of the operations because she didn't consent to all three, the inquest heard. One of Mr Dowell's biggest concerns is the change to the length of the operation. 'It should have been a six hour operation but it wound down to one hour 45 [minutes],' he said at the inquest. 'The surgeon left halfway through the operation and left the anaesthetist to do the job. You can't do both at the same time.' Mr Dowell also said: 'They asked me to sign the consent form after she passed away, after the BBL.' Coroner Nicholas Walker said he will be conducting a full investigation into the information Mrs Dowell received and the circumstances of her death. Mr Walker also suggested he will be writing a Prevention of Future Deaths report to help stop future tragedies occurring. A full inquest will take place in January. Previously it has been reported that British woman Michelle Heath, from Belfast, flew to Istanbul to visit BHT Clinic to have her saggy skin fixed, however suffered from health issues as a result of a surgery. Michelle Heath (pictured) appeared on This Morning in April to talk about her horror plastic surgery which has left her scarred for life On its website, BHT Clinic states it welcomes international patients and boasts of having 'the technological infrastructure and equipment available only in Turkey and in a limited number of centres in the world'. The website also states: 'We have the mission of 'Becoming a World Brand in Health' by applying patient and employee safety in international quality standards based on ethical principles with its medical infrastructure.' BHT Clinic did not have an official representative or spokesperson at the preliminary hearing and it is not yet known if the clinic will be providing evidence to the inquest in January. According to medical tourism website Bookimed, BHT Clinic offers a 'Premium Liposuction with Tummy Tuck and BBL All Included' for Euro 8,838 [7,314]. The Foreign Office website states that at least six Britons died in Turkey in 2023 following medical procedures. In 2022, it was reported that 17 Britons had died in the country since 2019 after medical tourism visits. MailOnline has approached BHT Clinic for comment. Advertisement Melania Trump has sensationally chosen to skip meeting with Jill Biden for tea at the White House today in what will be seen by many as a snub of the current first lady. As tradition goes, when the outgoing US president hosts the incoming president-elect in the Oval Office, the first lady invites her successor for tea. But Melania's decision will not come as a surprise to many who have observed her icy relationship with Jill since Donald Trump's first term as president, first revealed in the Trumps' decision not to host the Bidens at the White House after the contentious 2020 race. Most recently, Melania voiced her distrust of Jill after revealing the first lady had contacted her directly in the wake of the assassination attempt on her husband in July. Melania questioned whether Jill's concern was 'genuine' as the phone call came just days after she reportedly branded her husband 'evil' and a 'liar' while campaigning for her husband's reelection. And a new report claims the snub is due to Melania's lingering anger of the FBI raid on the Trumps' Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. Melania Trump (left) has sensationally chosen to skip meeting with Dr. Jill Biden (right) for tea at the White House tomorrow 'She aint going,' a source told The New York Post. 'Jill Bidens husband authorized the FBI snooping through her underwear drawer,' the source said, opining: 'The Bidens are disgusting.' The FBI raided Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 in its probe of Trumps removal of classified documents from the White House and Melania has spoken out about her displeasure at the way it was handled. The former first lady, 54, shared a clip to X in September focused on the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, claiming her rights were violated by the raid. The amendment states: 'The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated.' And on 'Fox & Friends' while promoting her book Melania in September she said, 'Yeah, it made me angry' and called the raid an 'invasion of privacy.' FBI agents rifled through Melanias wardrobe and reportedly searched one of her son Barrons rooms. Jill Biden (behind Jimmy Carter at right) and Melania Trump (second left) pictured together at the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush in 2018 The two First Ladies also hit the headlines over the so-called 'Battle of the Jackets' Melania also blamed Democrats' inflammatory rhetoric as Biden was seeking reelection for fueling the gunman who shot at her husband at a rally in Pennsylvania, grazing his ear with a sniper bullet. 'Is it really shocking that all this outrageous violence goes against my husband?,' she said on Fox News. 'Especially that we hear the leaders from the opposition party and mainstream media branding him as threat to democracy, calling him vile names,' she said. 'They only fueling a toxic atmosphere and all of these people that they wanted to harm - this needs to stop this needs to stop. The country needs to unite and I encourage everybody to read my letter that I wrote on July 14th, again. Because that cannot continue.' The first ladies' rivalry, meanwhile, dates back to 2020 when Melania did not invite Jill for the customary tea and tour of the White House. Their husbands did not meet either with the Trumps flying off to Florida early on January 20, 2021. Melania and her husband were therefore not present at Biden's inauguration that took place in Washington later that day. Trump had not formally conceded the presidency to Biden at the time after falsey arguing he had won. Melania instead posted a seven-minute farewell video on her Twitter account, breaking with the 100-year-long first lady tradition. 'The past four years have been unforgettable. As Donald and I conclude our time in the White House, I think of all the people I have taken home in my heart and their incredible stories of love, patriotism and determination,' she said in the video message. The incoming president and first lady had been expecting an invitation with Biden's daughter Ashley saying at the time on the Today show: 'No, I don't think they're doing the traditional protocol, which is unfortunate.' The two first ladies also hit the headlines over the so-called 'Battle of the Jackets'. One of Melania's most memorable fashion statements was when she wore a Zara jacket with the slogan 'I don't really care, do u?' emblazoned across the back during a visit to see children detained at the US border in June 2018. Melania was heavily criticised for the outfit but hit back saying it was merely a 'style choice'. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in January 2021 Melania Trump and Michelle Obama had tea in the Yellow Oval Room in November 2016 shortly after Donald Trump won the presidential election Jill then decided to make a bold contrasting statement on a visit to Cornwall for a G7 summit in June 2021. She wore a blazer with the word 'Love' on the back in glittering sequins - which many interpreted as a direct response to Melania's Zara number. More recently, Melania gave a bombshell interview with Paris Match in October in which she revealed Jill had contacted her directly to voice concern following the assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. Melania questioned, however, whether Jill was being 'genuine' as the phone call came just days after she reportedly branded her husband 'evil' and a 'liar'. Trump's wife said (translated to English): 'I do not know, however, if her concern was genuine, since, just days before, she had called my husband 'evil' and a 'liar'.' President Biden also posted on X following the shooting: 'I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania. 'I'm grateful to hear that he's safe and doing well. I'm praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. 'Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There's no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.' Jill and Melania's approaches to the role of first lady have also often been compared. While Melania was heavily criticised for her apparent lack of work during Trump's presidency, Jill has not shied away from showing how seriously she takes her role. In 2021, Jill tweeted a picture of herself in the White House preparing for a meeting. Melania Trump (right) will not meet with Jill Biden (left) on Wednesday when Donald Trump visits the White House to meet with President Joe Biden Joe and Jill Biden enter the White House on Inauguration Day 2021 - the Trumps had already left and did not greet their successors Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump dances accompanied by Melania Trump Melania Trump leaves after casting her vote at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center polling place on November 3, 2020 in Palm Beach, Florida Republican US president-elect Donald Trump stands with his son Barron (C) and wife Melania at his election night rally in Manhattan, New York, US, November 9, 2016 Meanwhile, she happily posed for a front cover of Vogue magazine, after Melania was recorded as saying: 'I don't give a f*** about Vogue or any magazine. They would never put me on the cover.' Melania and Jill are yet to speak in the aftermath of Kamala Harris' humiliating defeat, even though their husbands had a cordial phone call, sources confirm. The last time Jill Biden and Melania Trump would have seen each other would have been at Rosalynn Carter's funeral in November of last year. All living former first ladies attended. There have been numerous reports Melania Trump intends to be a part time first lady for her second term and may not even live full time at the White House. She has yet to announce an agenda or any staff hires. Melania so hated the intense scrutiny she attracted as first lady, she resisted moving into the White House for five months (blaming her son's education) and frequently didn't accompany her husband on official duties. Now sources close to the third Mrs. Trump say that she will remain only semi-attached to the second Trump presidency. The public expect the first Lady to reside in the White House with the President, but insiders have revealed she is likely to divide her time between her private apartment there, the Trump resort of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, and their gold-encrusted penthouse apartment in Manhattan. 'She definitely won't be going back to Washington to live,' said a source. 'She'll stay between Florida and NYC. This is not what she signed up for.' And the Big Apple will always be her preferred base. New York has been Melania's favourite city since she moved to the US from Eastern Europe in 1996, and it now has the added attraction of being the place where Barron goes to university. The family of an autistic man locked up at Scotlands maximum security State Hospital for 15 years say they are outraged after medical staff told them he finds his restraint belts soothing. Kyle Gibbon was sent to the hospital, in Carstairs, Lanarkshire, when he was 22 in 2009, despite having no criminal record, after he missed psychiatric appointments and was placed under a restriction order. His family say that being locked up at the hugely expensive hospital has led to his condition deteriorating. They have battled for years for him to be either released to stay with his family or at least moved to a unit nearer his Aberdeenshire home. However, as the 15th anniversary of him being sent to Carstairs looms, they have disclosed that he has now been trussed up like an animal for months in a so-called safe holding system which binds his arms and legs to his torso. Kyle Gibbon, who has been in Carstairs for 15 years, with mother Tracey Mr Gibbons mother Tracey said: A senior member of the nursing staff told us that patients find it soothing and I couldnt believe what I was hearing. It is absolutely barbaric. In the phone calls I am allowed with Kyle, he tells me he is in agony and he just wants to scream. The response is for him to be further restrained and isolated. I have not been allowed to see Kyle for months, and we understand he has been spending most of his time for the past six months lying on a beanbag. It is unbelievably distressing. He is just ebbing away. Mr Gibbon, 37, was diagnosed with a learning disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but is held at Carstairs with some of the countrys most serious criminal offenders. Ms Gibbon said her sons time at the hospital, where it costs 370,000 a year to hold each patient, has been absolutely horrifying and included one appalling episode where Kyles arm was broken after an incident with staff, which led to 45 staples and two metal plates having to be inserted. His family were told that he sustained the arm injury in 2016 when he returned to a TV room at the hospital and declined to comply with staff instructions. Ms Gibbon, 59, of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, said: His arm was bent up his back and twisted, causing the bone to snap and leaving him with two metal plates in it. Conservative MSP Alexander Burnett, co-founder of Holyroods cross-party group on autism, said: Kyle has now been in a custodial environment for almost all of his adult life. Despite the SNP governments insistence that Scots with learning disabilities and autism should be living in their communities, they have done nothing to make that happen. Mr Gibbons family say the various means of help open to them, such as the Mental Welfare Commission (MWC), have all failed to help secure his release. Mr Gibbons family say the various means of help open to them, such as the Mental Welfare Commission (MWC), have all failed to help secure his release. The MWC said: We cannot comment on individual cases. Our primary goal is to support patient rehabilitation. 'Our primary goal is to support patient rehabilitation. A spokeswoman for the State Hospital said: Were committed to person-centred care and take patients physical and mental health very seriously. Our primary goal is to support patient rehabilitation and safe transfer to appropriate care settings when ready. Legal avenues are available for appealing detention and obtaining independent care reviews. We value active engagement with patients and their families. A Scottish Government spokesman said: Everyone should be able to feel safe whilst receiving treatment or working in our mental health services, and the use of physical restraint should only ever be a last resort. The COP29 summit was at risk of descending into shambles today as the host hailed oil and gas as a 'gift from God'. In his opening address, Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev insisted countries should not be embarrassed about selling fossil fuels. The extraordinary comments came as Keir Starmer used the gathering to commit the UK to a massive cut in carbon emissions. The PM confirmed the eye-watering target of slashing 81 per cent off emissions by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. He used a press conference at the Baku summit - snubbed by many world leaders but attended by the Taliban - to deny he will need to tell Brits 'how to live' in order to meet the ambitious goal. In his opening address, Mr Aliyev hit out at 'unfortunately double standards, a habit to lecture other countries and political hypocrisy' from the West. Arguing that natural resources were a 'gift from God' just like other natural resources, he said: 'Countries should not be blamed for having them and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market because the market needs them.' Sir Keir is one of the only premiers from the wealthiest nations in Azerbaijan for the annual gathering, although the Taliban has sent a representative. The Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev insisted countries should not be embarrassed about selling fossil fuels Keir Starmer committed the UK to a massive cut in carbon emissions at the COP29 summit today Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of Afghanistan's Environmental Protection Agency, spoke to the media about the impact of climate change on the country The PM is one of the only premiers from the wealthiest nations in Azerbaijan for the annual gathering. Pictured, a woman attendee poses with the COP29 sign A file image of oil rigs on the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan A file image of a drilling site in Baku. Azerbaijan has deep stocks of fossil fuels Countries will also be grappling with Donald Trump's (pictured) return to the White House , in what analysts say is a trend of climate scepticism in elections this year Outgoing US president Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and India's Narendra Modi are not in Baku. Senior figures from the EU and China are also absent from what is feared will be yet another talking shop that achieves little or nothing in the way of concrete action. French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Olaf Scholz, and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are all staying at home. The only other G7 leader taking part in the summit is Italy's Giorgia Meloni. One surprise attendee is the Taliban, which has found time to join the event. Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of Afghanistan's Environmental Protection Agency, spoke to the media about the impact of climate change on the country. Downing Street said Sir Keir had no plans to meet the delegation. Countries will also be grappling with Donald Trump's return to the White House, in what analysts say is a trend of climate scepticism in elections this year. The next President of the US, the world's second biggest polluter, is expected to boost fossil fuels, roll back green incentives domestically and take America out again of the global Paris Agreement on tackling climate change, which commits countries to pursue efforts to curb warming to 1.5C. At his press conference, Sir Keir stressed he wanted to 'tread lightly on people's lives' while pursuing the emissions target. The government's Climate Change Committee has suggested that about 10 per cent of the saving in its plan to cut emissions by 2035 comes from changes that reduce demand for carbon-intensive activity, particularly 'an accelerated shift in diets away from meat and dairy products, reductions in waste, slower growth in flights and reductions in travel demand'. The PM said: 'The target is my target and the plan is my plan, I'm not borrowing from somebody's else's plan. 'The target is as I've set out today. I don't think that as we tackle this really important issue the way to do it is to tell people how to run their lives and instruct them how to behave.' Sir Keir said: 'We set out the target, which is an important, ambitious target, what we are not going to do is start telling people how to live their lives. 'We are not going to start dictating to people what they do. But we are going to be clear that that involves hitting the clean power 2030 mission that we have set out, one of the five big projects of the Government. 'That is vital, so we will hit that, it is an ambitious target, it is a realisable target, but it is not going to be one in which we tell people how to live their lives.' Asked if he was disappointed other world leaders had not attended Cop29, Sir Keir said the UK was at the summit to 'show leadership'. Tory shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said cutting emissions by 81 per cent will lead to 'hardship' for the British people. During energy questions in the Commons, Ms Coutinho claimed that for the Government to reach that goal it would require a 'shift away from meat and dairy' and 'less travel'. In a round of interviews this morning, Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said no-one - including Mr Trump - could stop the transition to clean energy. 'It would be wrong to say that the US election is not discussed but I think what is so striking about what is happening here is that whether you talk to business or other countries, people are getting on with this transition,' he told Sky News. This is an unstoppable transition and the reason is and the reason I'm here is that this is in our national self-interest as a country.' Sir Keir met World Bank President Ajay Banga in Baku this morning Keir Starmer, pictured holding a financial roundtable, insisted Britain can show the way on climate change as he attended the the COP29 summit today Sir Keir is laying out a target for the UK to slash 81 per cent off carbon emissions by 2035, compared to 1990 levels Sir Keir said earlier that achieving Net Zero power by 2030 would 'lower bills for people, for their energy it'll give them independence, so that tyrants like (Vladimir) Putin can't put his boot on our throat, causing all sorts of difficulties for our energy bills'. He added: 'I accept it's a difficult target. It's an achievable target. But it's not about telling people how to live their lives. I'm not interested in that. 'I am interested in making sure that their energy bills are stable, that we've got energy independence, and that we also, along the way, pick up the next generation of jobs.' The choice of Azerbaijan to host the talks has come under criticism over its human rights record, with failings including the persecution of political opponents and detainment of activists. The ringleader of an extreme body modification cult threw a huge sulk with his legal team when he was jailed for life, a court heard. Notorious Eunuch Maker Marius Gustavson, 47, carried out extreme body modifications, including the removal of penises, testicles and legs and uploaded the footage to his Eunuch Maker website. He had 22,841 subscribers around the world and made nearly 300,000 in four years. Gustavson, from Norway, kept a freezer full of mens body parts and once cooked himself a testicle salad for lunch. He froze his own leg off and had his penis removed, then claimed disability payments. Gustavson, 47, carried out extreme body modifications, including the removal of penises, testicles and legs and uploaded the footage to his Eunuch Maker website He had 22,841 subscribers around the world and is said to have made nearly 300,000 in four years The operations were filmed and uploaded to Gustavson's 'Eunuch Maker' website which subscribers would pay to watch Some of the vile messages Gustavson exchanged with site users Gustavson was given a life sentence in May and must serve at least 22 years before he can be released. Despite his guilt, Gustavson blamed his lawyers for having to spend the next two decades behind bars. His barrister Rashvinder Panesar told the Old Bailey: Understandably there was some turbulence with those defending him following his life sentence. Gustavson ceased contact with his legal team and was threatening to hire new lawyers to represent him at a confiscation hearing. Prosecutors are attempting to claw back some of the money he made from the website, but Gustavson has so far not engaged with the process at all. Mr Panesar said Gustavson, who is appealing his sentence, is now back in communication with his lawyers to dispute the amount of money he has to pay back. The issue, in the main with Mr Gustavsons case is one of double counting, Mr Panesar said. Gustavson claims only 60,000 came from the website and the prosecution have inflated the figure they are trying to claim from him by counting some money twice. Gustavson in a social media photo taken before he was arrested A knife that was used during one of the castrations He also says they have included money given to him by his husband and his mother. The Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft gave Gustavson until January 8 to respond to the prosecution and there will be another court hearing on January 24. Gustavson is currently serving his sentence in HMP Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight and did not attend todays hearing. Six other members of the body modifications cult were also jailed. Retired chemist Peter Wates, 67, who was involved in nine procedures, was jailed for 12 years. Former surgical assistant David Carruthers, 61, who kept his own testicles in his chest freezer, was jailed for 11 years while his husband Ashley Williams, 32, was jailed for four years and six months for helping him removing a testicle from Janus Atkin, 39. Atkin, who studied veterinary science and was involved in eight procedures, was jailed for 12 years. German Stefan Scharf, 61, was jailed for four years and six months for removing one testicle from a man in Gustavsons Camden flat while Romanian Ion Ciucur, 30, was jailed for five years and eight months. Peter Wates, 67, a retired former member of the Royal Society of Chemists, and David Carruthers, a 61-year-old retired hospital porter Atkin and Williams pictured in mugshots released today by the Metropolitan Police Romanian man Ion Ciucur Ciucur (left) admitted conspiracy to cause GBH with intent in relation to two modifications. Stefan Scharf (right), a German, was sentenced to four and a half years in jail Gustavson, who worked as a postman in Norway, is now wheelchair bound after his leg was frozen and then amputated. He received 18,500 in disability benefit after forcing the NHS to amputate his left leg by putting it in dry ice for two hours but did not pay tax on the profits from his website. He sold four penises online for 700. The practice is linked to a subculture where men become nullos - short for genital nullification, by having their penis and testicles removed. Dr. Ben Carson is the favorite to be nominated as Donald Trump's Secretary for Health and Human Services (HHS) in the battle for a spot in his cabinet, multiple people familiar with the selection process tell DailyMail.com. The 73-year-old retired neurosurgeon wants to return to the White House for a second stint after serving as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Trump's first administration. Carson was one of the few people who stayed in Trump's orbit and said deserved the chance to be re-elected after the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot sparked a slew of resignations and defections. He was a wild card in the race for vice president, with sources confirming that some closest to Trump's inner circle pushed his selection. And he has been a consistent presence on the campaign trail as the president-elect's National Faith Chairman. Dr. Ben Carson, 73, is the top contender for the role of Donald Trump's next Health and Human Services Secretary Carson was a running mate contender because of the deeply-personal rapport he has built with Trump, who said in May, two months before announcing his pick, that he would have done a 'fantastic job' if he joined the ticket. Trump's preference for Carson shows he is rewarding allies who have stood beside him when deciding who will fill the most senior positions. The president-elect is holed up in Mar-a-Lago in constant talks with top advisers - including billionaire Elon Musk - filling out his cabinet as the clock ticks down to his inauguration on January 20. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also being touted for a role focused on healthcare under the banner of Trump's slogan 'Make America Healthy Again'. But it is still unclear in which role he may land. The HHS Secretary requires Senate confirmation, which could pose complications for RFK Jr. due to his skepticism on vaccinations and other traditional medicines. But some Democrats might also oppose Carson because he expressed preference for a nationwide ban on abortion after Roe v. Wade was overturned. 'I would love to see a nationwide ban on murdering little babies. I would love that,' Carson told PBS in July. But he acknowledged he would 'abide by the law of the land,' which gives the policy control back to states. 'The law of the land says that should be looked at the level of the state,' Carson said this summer. 'And I think that's actually not a bad idea, because, at the state level, you get to talk with your representatives. You get to make your opinion known. You get to hear from them and you get to help fashion what they propose.' With Republicans controlling the Senate, it's unlikely that Trump will face roadblocks with his nominees. Some sources confirmed to DailyMail.com that those in Trump's inner circle were vying for him to select Ben Carson as a running mate in the 2024 election Carson has shown his loyalty by defending Trump throughout his third run for the White House. He predicted the Republican nominee would see the surge in African-American support that helped propel him to an historic win over Vice President Kamala Harris. During a storied medical career, he completed the first successful separation of conjoined twins who were attached by the back of the head. In 2013, he rose to political prominence with a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast where he slammed then-President Barack Obama's healthcare policies. After retiring as a surgeon in the same year he went on to become a Fox News commentator and then in 2016 launched a presidential run. With his Christian conservative views he became a surprise frontrunner in the race. But he dropped out of the primaries after Super Tuesday and has supported Trump ever since. Sources told DailyMail.com Carson has been 'vying' for a role and that HHS is the 'best fit.' Alongside fellow contender Eric Hargan - who was briefly Acting HHS Secretary in the first Trump administration - Carson is considered to be Trump's preferred choice. November 12, 2024: Ukraine has been promised nearly a hundred F-16 jet fighters and currently has about twenty of them in service. These jets stay at least 40 kilometers from the Russian border because of the massive number of anti-aircraft missile systems stationed there. There are plenty of Russian targets inside Ukraine for the F-16s to attack. NATO nations that donated the F-16s did not provide enough SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense) weapons to deal with the Russian air defenses inside Russia and along the border. Ukraine still attacks targets deep inside Russia using drones. These aircraft are cheaper and carry no pilots. For the cost of one F-16, Ukraine can buy over 300 of these drones. While the drones dont have hardpoints for carrying bombs, they do have video cameras that enable a distant operator or the guidance systems in the drone to find a specific target and attack it. The remotely controlled drones have to deal with Russian jamming and, when the Russians are able to disrupt the control signal, the drones are programmed to either return to base or attack one the nearby targets programmed into its flight computer. F-16s and other manned aircraft are still needed to find and attack other targets even if the pilots radio communications are jammed as pilots can adapt to unexpected situations. There are now systems that enable a F-16 pilot to control several jet powered drones accompanying him. In a jamming situation the pilot can use a laser based communication link that cannot easily be jammed. It would appear that the future has jet fighters and drones operating together. Some larger drones can carry guided bombs and missiles to launch at target and then return to base for reuse. For decades commercial and military aircraft have had automatic landing systems. Even carrier based air use this software for day and night landings. Drones began using this auto landing software over two decades ago. Many of the upgrades applied to F-16s are being installed in the cheaper and expendable drones. The F-16s, despite this competition, are still widely used. Out of 4,500 22-ton F-16 jet fighters built during the last fifty years, about 2,100 are still in service in 25 countries. About a third of these F-16s are in the U.S. Air Force. All these F-16s are not being replaced by the new F-35, which is a 31-ton single engine, single-seat aircraft that entered service in different versions between 2015 and 2019. The two aircraft are similar in size but the F-35 is much heavier and can carry eight tons of weapons compared to seven tons on the F-16. The F-35 also carries three times as much fuel but the lighter F-16 can travel 4,200 kilometers on internal fuel while the heavier F-35 can only go 2,700 kilometers. Both are single engine, single seat aircraft but the F-35 engine generates 48 percent more power than the one on the F-16. Despite this, the F-16 can carry seven tons of weapons compared to eight tons on the F-35. The F-16 can obtain most of the fire control system advantages of the F-35 by carrying a 241 kg targeting pod and a 207 kg navigation pod. That means nearly half a ton less for weapons on the F-16. Many F-16 users find that the targeting and navigation pods do what is needed as well as the built-in targeting capabilities of the F-16. This is why many current users of F-16s are keeping their aircraft. Price is a major factor. The average cost of an F-16 is about $33 million while an F-35 costs $83 million. Another major difference is operational costs per flight hour. It is $19,000-$25,000 for the F-16 but $44,000 or more for the F-35. Drone flight costs are 20 percent or less than manned aircraft of similar size. The first F-35s were built in 2006 for development purposes. The aircraft has stealth characteristics and is equipped with all the most modern avionics (aircraft electronics), sensors and capabilities. The F-35 has a max range of 2,800 kilometers for repositioning missions to a different country. For destinations more than 2,500 kilometers distant, the F-35 must land for refueling along the way. Combat range for ground attack missions is 1,200 kilometers while carrying eight tons of missiles and bombs. Combat range for combat with other aircraft is 1,400 kilometers. The F-35 can carry 2,600 kg of weapons internally and 6,800 kg externally. Max speed is Mach 1.6 and max altitude is 15,000 meters. The F-35B is a STOVAL (short takeoff and landing) version that carries a third less fuel because of the STOVAL modifications. There is an F-35C aircraft carrier version that is like the F-35A but equipped with a tail hook and more rugged landing gear. The wings have larger control surfaces, and the outer portions of the wing can be folded so the aircraft takes up less space on the hanger deck. Missiles and bombs that the F-35 is equipped to carry include all current American air-to-air missiles as well as all air-to-surface missiles. Pilots benefit from several features that make their job easier and much more effective. The cockpit where the pilot sits features a bubble canopy providing excellent views of what is outside the aircraft. Cockpit controls have been reduced and made easier to see and use. This is done by using a 50 by 20 cm touch display that shows flight instruments, stores management, CNI (Communications, Navigation, and Identification) information, and integrated caution and warnings. Pilots can customize the arrangement of the information. Below the main display is a smaller stand-by display. Pilots also have a helmet-mounted visor, a display that enables the pilot to look at an enemy aircraft and fire a missile at it. This point and shoot capability is an enormous advantage in air-to-air combat. The F-35 electronics also provide a better view of ground targets and the ability to quickly select the most suitable ground attack weapon carried and use it. The cockpit has a speech-recognition system but does not have a heads-up display. Instead, flight and combat information is displayed on the visor of the pilots helmet using a helmet-mounted display system. The one-piece tinted canopy is hinged at the front and has an internal frame for structural strength. The Martin-Baker ejection seat is launched by a twin-catapult system housed on side rails. There is a right-hand side hands-on throttle-and-stick system. For life support, an OBOGS, or onboard oxygen-generation system is fitted and powered by the Integrated Power Package, with an auxiliary oxygen bottle and backup oxygen system for emergencies. The radars and electronic countermeasures provide the pilot with an integrated view of the surrounding air space. This degree of situational awareness gives the pilot an enormous advantage in combat because the F-35 pilot can see, either with his eyes or via his sensors, more about what is in the area more easily and in much greater detail than any enemy pilot. About 1,200 F-35s have been built so far and eventually, by 2044, at least 2,456 will be built. Production numbers will increase as more export customers order aircraft. So far F-35s have been exported to Britain, Australia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, and the Netherlands. In 2023 Israel ordered another 25 F-35s. Israel already has fifty, organized into two squadrons. With the new aircraft there will be three squadrons. Israel was the first export customer to receive F-35s because it was the only export customer that was regularly involved in combat, including airstrikes. Israel was also the only export customer allowed to modify and upgrade their F-35s. For this reason, the Israeli aircraft is known as the F-35I. The United States initially opposed Israeli requests to carry out modifications and upgrades, but the Israelis had a record of doing this with F-16s and F-15s obtained from the United States, so F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin agreed to cooperate by making some modifications to the F-35Is before Israel received them. These included changes in command, control, and communications systems, including computers, and the thorough integration of intelligence collection, electronic warfare, and weapons systems. Israel agreed to not change anything inside the aircraft but was free to add capabilities on top of the existing infrastructure. Israel Aerospace Industries, for example, was already working on such systems for the F-35I. The F-35I was designed to allow software updates to electronic warfare and weapons systems. F-35I power and cooling systems were modified to allow incorporation of Israeli developed weapons. Israel has developed its own air-to-air missiles and GPS guided bombs. Since 2021 there have been a lot more joint exercises involving Israeli and foreign F-35s. Details of these exercises have not been publicized but it apparently involves testing current and new F-35 capabilities and sharing that knowledge with other F-35 users. After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 a lot of European nations sought to obtain F-35s while canceling plans to buy older models of American and European combat aircraft. F-35s are meant to eventually replace all F-16, all 450 F-15s, and 600 F-18 aircraft. Russia and China have not yet produced a stealth aircraft as capable as the F-35, and now NATO nations with F-35s realize they have a substantial edge and have shared that knowledge with other NATO countries. Israel demonstrated what the F-35 was capable of when their F-35I fighters had been operational for over a year. These F-35Is flew training missions near the Syrian border and then operational missions over Lebanon and Syria. This came after years of overcoming opposition from the United States to allowing Israel to modify the F-35A to use Israeli electronic warfare equipment and software, and also to handle Israeli-made missiles and smart bombs as well as a smart helmet, which was something Israel pioneered. This led to the Israeli aircraft being designated the F-35I, which have been in the air since 2018, often armed and within range of hostile radars and anti-aircraft missiles as well as the latest Russian electronic warfare equipment. Israeli F-35s were first used in combat during 2018 and have done so several times since, including recent Israeli air raids on Iranian targets. The Russian made air defense systems were unable to detect the F-35s that were there to destroy Iranian air defenses. Israeli engineers also confirmed fears that the F-35 is eminently hackable. Other foreign users who have received their first F-35s agree that the heart of the F-35s superior capabilities are its software and digital communications with other aircraft and troops on the ground. Users are pointing out all manner of potential network vulnerabilities, and all are actively seeking which of these vulnerabilities are actual and fixable rather than potential and unlikely. F-35 software was designed over a decade ago when much less was known about how combat aircraft software could be hacked, and already some basic changes in F-35 software architecture are underway to deal with that. The F-35 software is more complex and omnipresent throughout the aircraft than in any previous warplane. Its a major effort to carry out and test any changes. Some major upgrades are needed in how F-35 software changes are made and how quickly. In wartime this would be essential, as otherwise vulnerable aircraft would be grounded when needed most. Foreign users have also provided useful advice on penetration or red team testing and this has become another major effort that was not anticipated. The U.S. and other foreign users of the F-35 noted Israels F-35I experience, and the Israelis have increasingly been sharing it with allies. Israel got priority on deliveries because they are literally a combat zone. Initial reactions of Israeli F-35I pilots and air force commanders were positive. What the Israeli pilots and all others who have flown the F-35 agree on is that its software and degree of automation is spectacular, easy to use and very effective. The F-35 has a large number of sensors, as in receivers for electronic signals, as well as six cameras and a very capable radar. The fusion of all that data and presentation to the pilot based on the current situation is impressive and makes the F-35 much easier to fly than any other fighter, despite all the additional capabilities it has. Israel has become something of an unofficial member of NATO and is sharing a lot of its F-35I knowledge with NATO nations. Israel not only has to deal with Russian aircraft and electronic systems in Syria, but an even more dangerous threat from Iran. Israel has established diplomatic and defense relationships with Arab countries who are also threatened by Iran. That made it possible for Israel to establish diplomatic relations with some Arab Gulf States and that led to American willingness to sell F-35s to the UAE (United Arab Emirates). The U.S. Air Force had to refurbish several hundred of its 22-ton F-16 fighters, because their replacement, the 31-ton F-35, did not arrive on time. Most existing F-16s are old, and by 2016, many were too old to operate. Back then the average age of F-16s was over 20 years, and the average aircraft has over 5,000 flight hours on it. In 2009 the first Block 40 F-16 passed 7,000 hours. In 2008 the first of the earliest models, Block 25 F-16s, passed 7,000 hours. While older F-16s are being retired for their age, they tend to have at least twice as many flight hours as their Russian counterparts. Because of greater durability and ease of maintenance, the seemingly more expensive Western fighters are actually cheaper in the lifetime of an aircraft because they last longer and are easier to maintain than equivalent Russian designs. The F-16V was introduced in 2012 as the last model of the F-16 but production of the F-16 did not end as planned in 2016 because further sales of the F-16V were certain and it was possible to upgrade some or all of the older F-16s to the Block 7o standard. These Block 7o upgrades are not always possible, or practical, for the oldest models of the F-16. These upgrades include replacing many structural elements as well as installing more powerful engines and the most modern electronics and fire control systems available. F-16s continue to be upgraded and refurbished. Production of the new F-16V continues because of buyer demand. The changes in the V model are considerable. The airframe is upgraded and strengthened to enable 12,000 flight hours per aircraft. The electronics undergo an even more extensive upgrade which involves replacing the mechanical radar with an AESA phased array radar, an upgraded cockpit, a Sniper targeting pod, a Link 16 digital data link and upgraded navigation gear. The newly redesigned cockpit is all digital and flat screen touch displays that replace dozens of gauges and switches and make it much easier to fly. AESA and the new fire control system make it possible to track multiple aircraft at once as well as track vehicles on land or vessels at sea. The targeting pod enables the pilot to confirm visually what is on the surface and promptly attack it with smart bombs or missiles. Manufacturer LockMart (Lockheed Martin) initially expected to get orders for at least 700 newly built F-16V or less expensive upgrades. An upgrade brings in as little as $10 million per aircraft while five or ten of these upgrades equals the price of one new F-16V. But when you have orders for hundreds of F-16V upgrades, you have a lot of F-16 work. The F-16 thus follows the path of previous best selling fighters. During the 1947-1991 Cold War Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s. After 1991 warplane manufacturing plummeted about 90 percent. However, the F-16 has been popular enough to keep the production lines going strong into the 2020s. The U.S. still has about 1,200 F-16s in service, with about half with reserve units. F-16s built so far went to 27 countries before Ukraine requested them. America has hundreds in storage, available for sale on the used airplane market. The end of the Cold War led to a sharp cut in U.S. Air Force fighter squadrons. Moreover, the new F-35 is on its way to replacing all U.S. F-16s by the late 2020s. The U.S. has plenty of little-used F-16s sitting around, while many allies need low cost jet fighters. Many current F-16 users planned to replace the F-16 with the F-35, but that aircraft costs more than twice as much as a new F-16V so air forces are seeking to operate a mixed force of F-35s and late model F-16s. A current example of this is Poland, which is sending its older MiG-29s to Ukraine. These have a few good years left, which is all Ukraine needs. Since the 1990s most F-16s produced were for export and some cost as much as $70 million each, like the F-16I for Israel. Some nations, like South Korea, built over a hundred F-16s under license. The 16 ton F-16 also has an admirable combat record and is very popular with pilots. It has been successful at ground support as well. When equipped with 4-6 smart bombs, it is an effective bomber. Since first entering service some 4,600 F-16s have flown over 12 million hours. Despite fears that a single engine fighter would be less safe, F-16s have, in the 21st century, suffered an accident rate, which is loss or major damage, of 2.4 per 100,000 flight hours. The F-16 is one of the most modified jet fighters in service. While most are still called the F-16C, there are actually seven major mods, identified by block number like 32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60, 70 and 72, plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. The F-16D is a two seat trainer version of F-16Cs. The various block mods included a large variety of new components and can choose from five different engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit, and electrical mods. Until Block 70 came along, the most advanced F-16 was the F-16 Block 60. The best example of this is a special version of the Block 60 developed for the UAE (United Arab Emirates). The UAE bought 80 Desert Falcons, the F-16Es which are optimized for air combat. It is a 22 ton aircraft based on the Block 52 model, which the KF-16 was originally, but with an AESA radar and lots of other additional useful accessories. Block 70 goes beyond Block 60, especially in terms of electronics and airframe enhancement to extend flight life. The most successful F-16 user is Israel which set a number of combat records with its F-16s. Israel plans to keep some of its late model F-16s flying until 2030 as it retires the oldest ones. At the end of 2016, Israel retired the last of its 125 F-16A fighters. The first 70 were acquired in 1980 and 1981 and included 8 two-seater F-16B trainers. One of the F-16As achieved a record by being the single F-16 with the most air-to-air kills, 6.5, all achieved in 1982 using three different pilots. Israel received 50 used F-16As in 1994 including 14 B models and used these mainly as trainers. Advertisement Melania Trump is launching a new digital photo venture ahead of her husband Donald's historic return to the White House. It comes days after she snubbed outgoing First Lady Jill Biden by declining to attend a tea party in the residence while their husbands meet in the Oval Office to arrange a peaceful transition of power. Trump's second administration is already growing. Last night, he nominated Senator Marco Rubio as his secretary of state and lined up South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as his homeland security secretary. Speculation is mounting that Ben Carson could come in as Health and Human Services chief and Kash Patel could get a position in the CIA. Meanwhile, the judge in Donald Trump's hush money case has delayed a decision on whether to throw out the charges with less than a month until his sentencing. It moves Trump a step closer to being free from criminal cases before he enters the White House for the second time. Follow all the developments in our U.S. politics live blog. A bizarre left wing conspiracy theory has falsely claimed that Elon Musk's Starlink satellites were used to 'steal' the US presidency for Trump. Claims are circulating across social media that 20million votes in the election have 'disappeared' and that Musk's satellites were used to interfere with vote-counting machines. The allegations are unsubstantiated with no evidence being produced to support the claims with many voting machines in the US typically not being able to connect to the internet to prevent election interference. Meanwhile, allegations that millions of votes are missing is likely due to slow voting in large states such as California which - as of today- had only processed around 76 per cent of ballots despite being called for Kamala Harris last week. The Daily Telegraph reported that the director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Jen Easterly . said there was 'no evidence of any malicious activity that had a material impact on the security or integrity of our election infrastructure.' Claims are circulating across social media that 20million votes in the election have 'disappeared' and that Elon Musk's starlink satellites were used to interfere with vote-counting machines Trump's victory last week which saw him win the popular vote and saw Democrats face their worst result since 1988 has led disgruntled left wing voters to share false claims online Posts on Musk-owned X promoting the conspiracy theories around Starlink have gained thousands of likes Nevertheless, conspiracy theories from disgruntled left wing voters, unhappy with Tuesday's result which was the worst showing for Democrats in a presidential election since 1988, continue to circulate the false claims. The posts are receiving thousands of likes and millions of views. One video shared on TikTok claiming that states had used 'Starlink in order to tally up or count ballots' had more than 100,000 likes and almost one million views. Other conspiracy theorists on the platform have made outlandish claims that Vice president Harris was making references to Starlink during her concession speech. During her speech, Harris quoted an old adage which said: 'Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.' Many people online have latched onto quote - which has been used in the past by prominent figures including Martin Luther King Jr - to justify their unfounded concerns the election was stolen. Likewise, on Musk-owned X posts promoting the conspiracy theories around Starlink have also gained thousands of likes. Despite Trump's landslide victory in the election, right wing conspiracy theorists are also perpetuating false claims that the decrease in voter turnout this year vindicates their false concerns in 2020. The allegations of Starlink involvement in the election are unsubstantiated with no evidence being produced to support the claims with many voting machines in the US typically not being able to connect to the internet to prevent election interference Right wing conspiracy theorists are also perpetuating claims that last week's result vindicates their false concerns during the 2020 election Kamala Harris during her concession speech. Online conspiracy theorists have made outlandish claims that Vice president Harris was making references to Starlink during her concession speech Fact-checkers have rushed to debunk the claims. Disinformation analysts at NewsGuard reported that in the hours after it became apparent that Mr Trump had won, 'Left-leaning social media users claimed that the apparent momentum behind Kamala Harris before the election made it impossible for her to lose, so the only explanation was widespread fraud.' Meanwhile, analysts at Cyabra, an Israeli start-up that tracks disinformation campaigns, said the surge in these posts was initially driven by a network of fake accounts, before real online influencers picked up the claims. Cyabra found that 270 apparently fake X profiles sent more than 2,100 posts including the hashtag, which were viewed around 40m times. After this, real Harris supporters then started to share the same claims. MailOnline have approached X and TikTok for a comment. An Arizona mother was allegedly stabbed to death by her 18-year-old son while they went on a walk to try and resolve their differences. Mary Collier, 38, was found dead in a field near her home in San Tan Valley, Arizona, on October 30, shortly after her son Alan Ashcroft, 18, reported his mother had been kidnapped. When police arrived at the home they shared together, they found Ashcroft covered in blood. He tried to flee, and when he was detained by cops, he told them to 'shoot him in the head.' Alan later confessed to the brutal murder, it is claimed, as tributes poured in for the mother-of-four. Collier was described by loved ones as a 'wonderful mother' and 'one of the most amazing people you could meet.' Mary Collier, 38, was allegedly stabbed to death by her 18-year-old son while they went on a walk to try and resolve their differences Alan Ashcroft, 18, is charged with the murder of his mother, and allegedly admitted to police that he was 'not innocent' after his arrest When a walker stumbled onto Collier's body last month, they reportedly first thought her remains were Halloween decorations as it was the day before the holiday. A knife was found beside her body, and according to police, Alan had fled the scene before also telling his siblings that their mother had been kidnapped. When deputies searched the home, they discovered journals in Alan's room containing disturbing and unhinged rantings, forecasting the alleged murder of his mother. In one entry from the day of the murder, seen in court documents, he wrote: 'My mother needs to be destroyed, for her own good. Do it if you want to save her soul. Someone wants to take your place, fight! The time is now!' Another entry read: 'If your eye offended you, cut it off! My mother needs to be destroyed, for her own good.' During police interviews, Ashcroft's brothers said he and his mother had been bitterly arguing for days before the slashing, although it is not clear what their differences were. A walker found Collier's body on the morning of October 30 in San Tan Valley, Arizona, and first thought her remains were Halloween decorations as it was the day before the holiday Collier, a mother-of-four pictured with her husband, was described by loved ones as a 'wonderful mother' as tributes poured in They went to go for a walk the morning of the killings to discuss their argument and put it behind them, but Alan later admitted under questioning that he had already planned to kill her that morning, police said. According to court documents, he said he took a knife and hid in in a bag before they left for the walk, and said he had decided to go through with it after writing in his journal. He told police that the slashing unfolded when the two sat on some hay bales, and he saw this 'as an opportunity to kill his mother', cops said. Alan then hesitated, he said, and his mother saw the knife and asked her son to give it to her, leading to a struggle. Alan said he head-butted his mother, pinned her down and stabbed her in the neck, court documents read. After allegedly stabbing his mother to death, he then called police and reported that she had been kidnapped, telling dispatchers that 'something really bad occurred.' When he returned home, his family members reportedly asked why Collier wasn't with him, but Alan refused to meet their gaze. He went on to claim she had been kidnapped, as he had told police. Collier's niece Zel Harwell (left) described her as 'one of the most amazing people you could meet' in a touching tribute While on the phone to 911, a dispatcher asked to speak to one of his brothers, and the brother told them that Alan left with their mother and returned alone. Alan 'appeared shaken and had blood on him' when cops arrived, and police said he told them he was 'not innocent' when he was arrested. Investigators said footprints found at the scene matched Ashcroft's. Alan was initially hospitalized after his arrest with a self-inflicted wound to his neck, and was taken into custody the day after when he was released. He has been charged with first-degree murder, and his bail was set at $1 million. In a GoFundMe set up to help pay funeral costs, Collier's niece Zel Harwell described her as 'one of the most amazing people you could meet.' 'To me, she was my aunt by blood, but was very much like a mother,' she wrote. 'Mary loved her family, more than anything else. She would give when she had nothing, and would try her best to uplift others with kind words, and truth.' Russia has suffered its deadliest day of the war in Ukraine so far, with 1,950 soldiers killed in just 24 hours, according to the Ukrainian army. Vladimir Putin's losses in the war against Ukraine are piling up after thousands of Russian soldiers died in the last two days alone, with 1,770 soldiers being killed on Sunday and another 1,950 on Monday. The record number of 1,950 troops dying within a day serves as fresh humiliation for Putin after his two-day Kursk counter offensive on the weekend ended with 28 tanks blown up and 100 troops killed, according to reports. Footage shows Russian armoured vehicles, each of them carrying about 30 troops, driving over landmines in Kursk before exploding, with some injured soldiers crawling out of the wreckages as the smoke dissipated. Russia lost more than 710,000 troops since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion almost three years ago, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said this week. Footage shows Russian armoured vehicles, each of them carrying about 30 troops, driving over landmines in Kursk before exploding, with some injured soldiers crawling out of the wreckages as the smoke dissipated Vladimir Putin's (pictured) losses in the war against Ukraine are piling up after after Ukraine thousands of soldiers died in the last two days alone, with 1,770 soldiers being killed on Sunday and another 1,950 on Monday A view from a drone showing a destroyed Russian armoured vehicle in part of a forest where the hottest phase of the war is taking place on November 9, 2024. The forest is located about 8 kilometers southwest of Kreminna in the Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine Ukrainian soldiers from the mortar group of the "Karpatska Sich" battalion carry out combat operations and target Russian military with a 120 mm mortar on November 11, 2024 in Toretsk, Ukraine Despite the heavy losses, Moscow is pushing forward with its 'meat assaults' and continues to advance at its fastest rate since 2022, with Ukraine's armed forces chief admitting this month that it is currently facing 'one of the most powerful' Russian offensives since the war broke out. Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region has stalled, and Moscow has reportedly massed a force of 50,000 soldiers as it aims to reclaim the territory taken from it three months ago. Kyiv said last week its forces had clashed with some of the estimated 11,000 North Korean soldiers sent to the region to support Moscow, with some experts saying their deployment could be partly due to the heavy Russian losses. Volodymyr Zelensky said at the time of the August incursion into Kursk that the taking of Russian territory could serve as a bargaining chip with Moscow. But, stretched by manpower shortages, Ukrainian forces have lost some of the ground they captured in August incursion, and have continued to lose large swathes of its own territory. The record number of daily Russian losses on Sunday (1,770 troops) and Monday (1,950 troops), which surpasses the previous peak of 1,730 in a day back in May, is broadly in line with estimates from Western countries. The number of Russian soldiers killed and injured averaged 1,500 'every single day', UK Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Tony Radakin told the BBC on Sunday. Russia is making huge sacrifices in order to secure 'tiny increments of land,' Radakin said, but added that it continues to make 'tactical, territorial gains,' and is 'putting pressure on Ukraine'. Sir Tony said that the Russian people were paying an 'extraordinary price' for Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion, saying that October was the worst month for losses since the conflict began in February 2022. A handout picture made available by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine shows the site of a rocket attack on a five-story residential building in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, November 11, 2024 A handout picture made available by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on 12 November 2024 shows Ukrainian rescuers carrying the body of a woman at the site of a glide bomb attack on a residential building in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, November 11, 2024 Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) said at the time of the August incursion into Kursk that the taking of Russian territory could serve as a bargaining chip with Moscow A handout photo shows Ukrainian servicemen installing anti-tank landmines and non-explosive obstacles along the frontline at an undisclosed location near Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on October 30, 2024 'Russia is about to suffer 700,000 people killed or wounded - the enormous pain and suffering that the Russian nation is having to bear because of Putin's ambition,' he told the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme. The cost of the war, which he put at more than 40 per cent of public expenditure on defence and security, is also 'an enormous drain' on Russia. The past weekend saw the largest drone attacks by Russia and Ukraine since the war began, with the barrages impacting large swathes of each country and hundreds of drones downed, including in the Moscow region. Strikes have intensified amid expectations that US president-elect Donald Trump will put pressure on both sides to end the conflict. Trump repeatedly said throughout his campaign that he could end the war 'in a day', without saying how. Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon warned Europe to be scared because 'tariffs are coming' as America prepares for drastic foreign policy reform under the new administration. The Former White House Chief Strategist insisted 'we don't need help from anyone in Europe' as he slammed Europe for 'abusing us' in a new interview with Italian media. 'We will not pay for your defense while you hit us with unbalanced trade deals. Yes, tariffs are coming, you will have to pay to have access to the US market. It is no longer free, the free market is over,' he said in a lengthy tirade bashing 'allies'. While maintaining that he will not return to a senior role in the White House, Bannon stressed that the 'Maga movement' seeks to 'cut 100 per cent of the funds for Ukraine', urging European nations to 'put in the money' themselves. It came as European leaders met in Paris yesterday to brace for change under President Trump amid threat of tariffs on imports to the US and renewed fears that he could seek to pull the United States out of NATO. Donald Trump alongside then-White House strategist Steve Bannon at the White House in 2017. While maintaining that he will not return to a senior role in the White House, Bannon stressed that the 'Maga movement' seeks to 'cut 100 per cent of the funds for Ukraine ' Trump during his victory speech. Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon warned Europe to be scared because 'tariffs are coming' as America prepares for drastic foreign policy reform under the new administration The Former White House Chief Strategist insisted 'we don't need help from anyone in Europe' as he slammed Europe for 'abusing us' in a new interview with Italian media In his interview with the Italian outlet Corriere Della Sera, Bannon said the America First ideology - which has come to define Trump's MAGA movement - will focus on bringing the economy and job security back stateside. The podcast host who has just spent four months in jail for two counts of contempt in relation to the January 6 riots stressed that the USA 'don't need any help from anyone in Europe'. On the issue of Ukraine - which Trump pledge to resolve quickly throughout the campaign - he said he wanted to an end of what he claimed was NATO's 'semi-obsession with pushing NATO almost into Russian territory.' Trump's policy towards the conflict would represent a decisive break with other Western leaders. Sources 'close to the president-elect' claimed that Trump's transition office is considering one proposal that would prevent Kyiv from joining NATO for at least 20 years in exchange for lucrative arms deals. In the meantime, the conflict would be halted by the implementation of a large demilitarised zone (DMZ) that would effectively freeze the fighting in place and force Kyiv to relinquish up to 20% of its territory as part of an '800-mile DMZ'. Bannon's comments represent a growing chasm between Europe and the USA once Trump returns to the White House in January. Trump and Bannon in the Oval Office in 2017. Bannon also said the America First ideology - which has come to define Trump's MAGA movement - will focus on bringing the economy and job security back stateside Relations between America and Europe were testy during Trump's previous administration when the President-elect pursued decisively more isolationist policies than his predecessors. During a meeting of European leaders in Budapest last Thursday - in the shadow of Trump's election victory - there were discussions about how Europe could assert more strategic independence from the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron urged other European leaders write their own history. He said: 'Do we want to read the history written by others the wars launched by Vladimir Putin, the US election, China's technological or trade choices?' 'Or do we want to write our own history? I think we have the strength to write it.' He said: 'Do we want to read the history written by others the wars launched by Vladimir Putin, the US election, China's technological or trade choices?' 'Or do we want to write our own history? I think we have the strength to write it.' Macron's comment would likely be welcomed by Bannon who claimed Europe had done nothing for the USA despite the continent being 'saved' by America during the previous World Wars, the Cold War and Ukraine. With regards to the United Kingdom, one Democrat Governor who had a good working relationship with Trump believes he might spare the UK from the incoming tariffs. Following Brexit, a free trade deal had been under discussion between the UK and USA before it was paused in 2020 by the Biden administration. In words reported by Sky News, Phil Murphy said his 'gut feeling' was that Trump will not impose tariffs on goods from the UK - which could exempt British exports from billions of pounds of tariffs. Trump meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. On the issue of Ukraine Bannon said he wanted to an end of what he claimed was NATO's 'semi-obsession with pushing NATO almost into Russian territory' European leaders in Budapest last week. Bannon's comments represent a growing chasm between Europe and the USA once Trump returns to the White House in January He claimed this was because Trump recognised the importance of the UK and the USA's special relationship and his favourable view of the country after Brexit. Governor Murphy said: 'Donald Trump (has) some sympathy with the renegade who has courage. 'I think there's some of that. I think that's a card that can be played. We'll see.' Bannon also revealed details about key figures within Trump's transition team at Mar-a-Lago which included an array of figures such as Robert F. Kennedy, former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, billionaire Elon Musk and TV presenter Tucker Carlson. Justin Trudeau has sparked outrage after refusing to release the names of 900 alleged Nazi war criminals who fled to Canada after the Second World War. Jewish groups have called the decision, 'disgraceful' and say it dishonors Holocaust victims and survivors. The Canadian government is concealing the list of names amid fears it could be too embarrassing for the country, TNC reports. Large numbers of Ukrainian SS Waffen soldiers relocated to Canada following the war. Officials said there are also concerns the list could be used as Russian propaganda against Ukraine amid Vladimir Putin's ongoing invasion of the eastern European nation. Justin Trudeau has sparked outrage after refusing to release the names of 900 alleged Nazi war criminals who fled to Canada after World War Two The list of members of the Nazi-led SS Galicia unit was compiled by the Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals in Canada. The panel then met with members of the Ukrainian community and 'discrete group of individuals or organizations' to consult on whether the names should be released. But they did not meet with ant Holocaust survivors or advocates pushing for the list's released, the Ottawa Citizen reports. The decision was met with disgust from Jewish non profit B'nai Brith. 'For decades, B'nai Brith & David Matas, B'nai Brith Canada's senior legal counsel, have fought for full accessonly to face endless delays and stonewalling,' the organization said. 'Canada is withholding hundreds of Nazi war-crimes files from the public. This disgraceful secrecy dishonours [sic] survivors and denies justice.' Bernie Farber, who is the son of a Holocaust survivor and a past member of the Canadian Jewish Congress, branded the decision 'a shameful blot'. Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, senior director of advocacy and policy at the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre, also expressed anger. Large numbers of Ukrainian SS Waffen Galicia soldiers relocated to Canada following the war 'Absolutely disgusted by the government's decision to continue to conceal the truth about the Nazi war criminals who moved to Canada and enjoyed total impunity,' she said in a post on X. 'What a grave insult to those who suffered at their barbaric hands. What a slap in the face to our great veterans.' The list makes up the second part of the Deschenes Commission report, which began with a two year inquiry in the 1980s. The first part was released in 1986 and admitted that Nazis had been permitted to enter Canada and were residing there. Campaigners including Jewish and Polish groups as well as the United Ukrainian Canadians have long been pushing for the latter half of the report to be released. However, they were overruled by other Ukrainian heritage groups including the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. It comes after Canadian officials were heavily criticized for inviting former SS soldier Yaroslav Hunka to parliament where he was hailed as a war veteran and given a standing ovation. House of Commons speaker Anthony Rota was forced to apologize after he recognized Hunka, 99, as 'a Ukrainian Canadian war veteran from the Second World War who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians' and 'a Ukrainian hero and a Canadian hero.' They included former Nazi solider Yaroslav Hunka, who was mistakenly hailed as war hero during an appearance at the Canadian parliament last year The Canadian government fear the list could cause an international embarrassment or be used as Russian propaganda In 1944, Hunka's unit - the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division - was visited by SS leader Heinrich Himmler, who branded Jewish people a 'dirty blemish' and said his men would be 'eager' to 'liquidate the Poles'. The division's involvement in war crimes and atrocities - particularly during the German occupation of Ukraine - remains a point of controversy. Rota was eventually forced to resign over the blunder amid the fierce backlash. The 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS - also known as the 1st Galician - was mostly made up of Ukrainian volunteers. It was formed in 1943 and saw action on the Eastern Front. Its primary role was to support German forces in their fight against the Soviet Union. A celebrated musician has died following a fatal car accident in New Hampshire. Brooks Young, 42, died on Friday morning after a car crash in Alton. Details on the circumstances of the crash have not yet been released. The father-of-three was known to have worked with many megastars such as B.B King, REO Speedwagon and Bryan Adams. He was a devoted musician from an early age after his grandfather had taught him to play guitar. His family said in a Facebook post that Brooks 'was a special person to so many in his music career'. Brooks Young, 42, was a longtime musician in New Hampshire who died last Friday following a car crash Young worked with many great musicians such as B.B King, REO Speedwagon, and Bryan Adams Young shared the stage and recording studio with many other great artists, including recording a special with Bryan Adams over the Covid-19 Pandemic. Young's bandmate and friend, Jeff LeRoy, wrote on Facebook that Brooks was a 'gifted musician and a kind soul who understood the magic of music and the bond of true friendship.' 'Behind his vibrant stage presence was a thoughtful, gentle spirit who touched so many. His music and warmth will echo on,' he said. His ex-wife, Andrea Jalbert Young, shared a post on Facebook which said: 'On Friday morning, we received the devastating news that Brooks was tragically killed in a car accident. Our family is still trying to process this unimaginable loss, which has left us heartbroken.' 'We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from everyone who has reached out to Carter and me during this time. Thank you for holding us in your thoughts as we navigate this difficult journey,' she added. Young leaves behind his three young children. 'We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from everyone who has reached out to Carter and me during this time. Thank you for holding us in your thoughts as we navigate this difficult journey,' Andrea Young said His family said that Brooks 'was a special person to so many in his music career' Bandmate and friend, Jeff LeRoy, wrote on Facebook that Brooks was a 'gifted musician and a kind soul who understood the magic of music and the bond of true friendship' 'It's shocking. I think a lot of us are just trying to wrap our heads around this news right now,' LeRoy told WMUR. 'He absolutely achieved his dreams. At the same time, he was never somebody to settle. He was always growing, always aspiring to become a better performer and musician.' 'I just wish we could have had him longer to see what he was going to do next,' he added. Andrea Jalbert Young shared that a wake will be held to honor his memory on November 18 in Tilton, New Hampshire. A group of five scuba divers were found 'going gray' by a couple sailing off the coast of Hawaii after they accidentally drifted away from their tour group. Camila Storchi and her husband Ryan Sullivan, of Kaneohe, were sailing to Honolulu on Wednesday when Sullivan heard faint screaming near the China Walls cliff, they revealed in an Instagram post. 'He heard screaming for help, and he started scanning the ocean, and we saw five little dots,' Storchi told Hawaii News Now. They found five divers clinging to one another to stay afloat after they had accidentally been separated from their tour boat a few hours beforehand. One of them was already showing clear signs of hypothermia. Camila Storchi and her husband Ryan Sullivan, of Kaneohe, were sailing to Honolulu on Wednesday listening to Wise Man by Mihali when the latter heard faint screaming as they were going around the China Walls 'He heard screaming for help and he started scanning the ocean and we saw five little dots,' she said. They found five divers all clinging to one another to stay afloat and one who was in the midst of hypothermia after they had accidentally been separated from their tour boat 'One of them was like gray, and he was throwing up,' Storchi told the outlet. 'My husband tried to pull him, and he couldnt even hold the ladder. We tried to pull them up, but the boat was rocking back and forth.' Unable to get the desperate divers onboard, they called the US Coast Guard and circled the divers for 45 minutes until help arrived via helicopter. In the meantime, they offered the divers, who were not identified, water and talked to them to keep them in 'good spirits,' Storchi said on Instagram. As the Coast Guard helicopter reached them, another boat came out of nowhere and scooped the divers up and took off, which the couple thought was weird. 'When the helicopter was getting low, this boat came fast and scooped them up and left,' she told Hawaii News Now. Unable to get the desperate divers onboard, they called a the US Coast Guard. As the Coast Guard helicopter reached them, another boat came out of nowhere and scooped the divers up. The Coast Guard said the boat belonged to the diving company - which was later self-identified as Aaron's Dive Shop 'When the helicopter was getting low, this boat came fast and scooped them up and left,' Storchi told Hawaii News Now The Coast Guard said the boat belonged to the diving company - which was later self-identified as Aaron's Dive Shop - who overheard the sailboat report the stranded divers and headed their way. 'The helicopter arrived on scene and relayed the position to the Honey Ann (dive boat) who transited to the location and picked up the divers,' the Coast Guard told Hawaii News Now. The divers later told Storchi after that there had been a sixth diver who stayed on the boat who told them the 'captain was not monitoring anything.' It wasn't until the lone diver noticed the Coast Guard helicopter that he told the captain: 'Look, theres is a Coast Guard helicopter, maybe they are there.' Aaron's Dive Shop told Hawaii News Now that they are 'grateful that all divers returned safely and without injury following last weeks incident. The divers told Storchi (pictured) that there had been a sixth diver who stayed on the boat who told them the 'captain was not monitoring anything.' 'We are currently reviewing what occurred and our current protocols with our dive and boat staff to prevent similar incidents in the future.' Shop owners said the dive location had been changed last minute and protocol was 'not followed.' 'The dive leader took responsible steps to maintain safety, including having proper surface marker buoys and keeping the group together while separated from the boat,' they said in a statement to the outlet. 'Aarons Dive Shop is proud of our excellent safety record, and we remain fully committed to upholding our high standards through consistent training and rigorous oversight.' A hiker who was found dead Friday in Oregon's Mount Hood National Forest was identified by authorities as 33-year-old James MacDonald. MacDonald leaves behind his wife Amanda Seeley MacDonald and four young children, including one-year-old twins and two boys aged four and six. A GoFundMe set up for his family has already pulled in more than $114,000 on the way to a $130,000 goal. MacDonald, who was reportedly an experienced hiker, left last Wednesday to hike alone on Mount Hood, a mountain with a 11,249-foot peak. MacDonald never returned and by 7:30pm on Wednesday, worried family members reported his absence to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, OregonLive reported. James MacDonald, 33, is pictured with his wife Amanda and their young children Foot tracks were found on the snowy Paradise Park Trail by sheriff's deputies and volunteer searchers on Thursday night. The next morning, they were able to follow the tracks to MacDonald's body Sheriff's deputies found MacDonald's body on the Hidden Lake Trail Friday morning and discovered he hadn't packed supplies that would last him longer than a day's long hike. Searchers had found his tracks in the snow the night before on the Paradise Park Trail. MacDonald was a physician approaching the final years as a diagnostic radiology resident at Portland's Oregon Health & Science University. He had also reportedly celebrated his ninth wedding anniversary with his wife shortly before he suffered what police have ruled a tragic accident. Ben Seeley, MacDonalds brother-in-law, said Amanda and his kids were expecting him home for dinner the day of his hike. 'My sister was worried because she didn't have contact with him. There was no cell reception. And so she when he was late and didn't come home after the hours passed, she called search and rescue,' Ben told KATU, a local ABC affiliate. At first, the family was given small bits of hope, as police kept finding evidence of his presence on the trail, including footprints and a dropped water bottle he dropped. MacDonald was a physician approaching the final years as a diagnostic radiology resident at Portland's Oregon Health & Science University Pictured: The peak of Mount Hood viewed from Trillium Lake MacDonald, pictured with his two young boys, often took them out on hikes, according to his father-in-law 'We thought, "Okay, maybe he's making his way down the mountains,"' Ben said. 'As the second night came we started to just get really worried knowing that he wasn't planning to be up there overnight. His jacket was in the car.' James Seeley, MacDonald's father-in-law, described his daughter's husband as a family man, an avid hiker and someone with a great sense of humor. James told KGW8 that MacDonald would often go on solo hikes and take beautiful pictures. He would sometimes take his kids along. 'They called it their adventures. Take the boys out, go on hikes, spend time with them, and they loved it,' James said. Ben said MacDonald was like a brother to him and issued a dire warning to other hikers. 'Be careful and avoid hiking alone. I mean, there's so many unpredictabilities and things that you don't expect to come up,' he said. 'Prepare for the unexpected because you just never know.' 'Just cherish relationships, life can be startlingly short sometimes, and things like this are just a reminder of whats important,' he added. A South Korean K-drama actor has tragically died aged 39. Song Jae-lim, who was known for starring in the TV series Moon Embracing the Sun, was found dead at his home in Seoul on November 7, according to Seoul Seongdong Police. His body was found by a friend, who arrived at the apartment around 12.30pm to have lunch with Song, police added. A 'two-page letter' was reportedly found at the scene, Korean outlet Soompi reports. Police said that there were 'no signs of foul play'. Song's cause of death is not yet known. Song Jae-lim (pictured), who was known for starring in the TV series Moon Embracing the Sun, was found dead at his home in Seoul on November 7, according to Seoul Seongdong Police Song's family said in a statement to Yonhap News Agency that they will hold a small funeral in Seoul for family members (Song is pictured above in 2019) Song's family said in a statement to Yonhap News Agency that they will hold a small funeral in Seoul for family members. It is understood that Song will be laid to rest on November 14. The K-drama actor had his debut in the film Actresses in 2009 before become a star with his role as a loyal bodyguard to the king in the 2012 show Moon Embracing the Sun. Song also appeared in the reality show We Got Married in 2014 as well as K-dramas like Cool Guys, Hot Ramen, Inspiring Generations, Two Weeks, Secret Mother and Queen Woo. The 39-year-old recently starred in the musical La Rose De Versailles and had his last performance on October 13. Fans have shared their heartbreak over Song's death on social media, with one writing they couldn't believe he had died and another adding the news 'saddened and shocked' them. 'Another horrible incident has happened, and another young artist has died too early,' a third wrote, alluding to the string of young South Korean celebrities dying in recent years. Song Jae-lim is pictured above with Kim Hwan-hee, Yoo Sun, Lee Soon-jae and film director Cha Bong-joo at the premiere of the movie Good Morning in Seoul, South Korea, on May 19, 2022 Song also appeared in the reality show We Got Married in 2014 as well as K-dramas like Cool Guys, Hot Ramen, Inspiring Generations, Two Weeks, Secret Mother and Queen Woo (pictured: Song Jae-lim and actress Song Yoon-ah at an event promoting Secret Mother in 2018) K-drama actress Park Soo Ryun tragically died at the age of 29 in June 2023. The actress who starred in the popular Disney+ K-drama Snowdrop died after falling down a set of stairs. She was taken to hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced brain-dead despite attempts to revive her. Sadly, Park Soo Ryun is just one of the latest South Korean celebrities to die at a tragically young age as the country grapples with a string of deadly misfortunes and a soaring mental health crisis. While scores of actors, K-Pop stars and other South Korean celebrities have been victims of suicide due to mental illness, many have also died in devastating accidents and even horrifying murders. Just two months prior to Park Soo Ryun's death, South Korean actress and model Jung Chae-yul, who gained notoriety for her role in Zombie Detective, was found dead in her home at the age of 26. Shortly after, K-Pop star Moonbin was also found dead in his apartment in a suspected suicide. The singer, actor, dancer and model was just 25. And in early June 2023, glamorous South Korean influencer BJ Ahyeong, a K-pop DJ, was found dead and dumped in a pit in Cambodia weeks after she quit her social media career. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details. November 12, 2024: Since Russia invaded in 2022, an unexpected supplier for Ukraine was South Korea. These weapons did not go directly from South Korea to Ukraine. South Korean laws prohibit supplying weapons to nations at war. South Korea honors and evades this prohibition by selling weapons to Ukrainian allies. These allies then provide Ukraine with the weapons the South Korea items replaced. This matters because by 2019 South Korea is the 10th largest defense manufacturer in the world. Thats up from 13th a few years earlier. In 2024 South Korea was number 8 with a 2.8 percent share of defense exports. The top three are the United States with 39 percent, Russia with 19 percent and France with 11 percent. Currently South Korea is exporting weapons to nations in its neighborhood, with a growing number of orders coming from NATO nations. Poland, which borders Ukraine, is now a major customer for South Korean arms. NATO nations like the quality and competitive prices of South Korean weapons. After 2022 South Korea replaced sanctioned Russia as a supplier of weapons in many regions. The importance of NATO support for Ukraine after the Russians invaded in 2022 has led pro-NATO nations in the Pacific to establish closer relationships with NATO. Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand, as well as the United States are seeking to apply lessons from how NATO supported Ukraine after Russia invaded to a similar threat in the Pacific where Chinas growing navy is acting more aggressively towards its Pacific neighbors. South Korea and Japan have substantial naval and air forces while Australia is upgrading and expanding its own fleet. Although Australian naval bases are far from China, South Korea and Japan, the Australians know from their World War II experience that they are dependent on keeping sea lanes to the Americas, the Middle East, South Korea, Japan, and India open. While European NATO is largely supporting land operations in Ukraine, in the Pacific any conflict would be over who controls key shipping lanes. Another threat from the Pacific is Chinese support for Russian forces in Ukraine. The Chinese support is unofficial and concealed as much as possible, but it is substantial and growing. China believed the invasion of Ukraine was a mistake, but Russia is a long-time military and economic partner that must not be allowed to fail. Russia was soon losing in Ukraine and may have to admit defeat and leave Ukraine, and probably all the Ukrainian territory Russia has occupied since 2014. Russian leader Vladimir Putin vows that will never happen. Putin had earlier predicted his 2022 invasion would quickly subjugate and conquer Ukraine. Because of the war the Russian economy is a mess, in part because the Western economic sanctions caused major problems for Russia. The sanctions wont end until the Ukraine War is over and perhaps not even then. Russia is seen as a long-term threat by NATO countries, and the Pacific nations NATO is now talking to see China as a greater threat to pro-NATO Pacific nations. China insists it has no intention of using military force against its Pacific neighbors. China has the largest fleet in the region, including aircraft carriers. The Chinese fleet is growing and China expects it to be larger than the entire U.S. fleet by the 2030s, though this is doubtful due to corruption and the problems it has manning its existing fleet. Chinese military practices put more emphasis on intimidation than action. China is heavily dependent on seaborne trade and if that is disrupted it would mean China would not get essential food and petroleum supplies. China has to import food to feed its population with popular items not available in China. Imported petroleum is essential to keep the economy going. Based on past performance, China may threaten and sometimes act aggressively but wont deliberately try to kill anyone. The initial Chinese public reaction to a Pacific NATO was to accuse the Americans of seeking such an alliance to sustain U.S. economic and military domination in the Western Pacific. This situation was an aftereffect of World War II. China and Russia agressed in Korea, Vietnam and a few smaller wars. Their only success was in Vietnam, but that came at the expense of economic growth, individual prosperity and personal freedoms. Vietnam is still ruled by a communist dictatorship, although one that is trying to, like China, allow a free market economy to operate. Vietnam is still a communist dictatorship that, unlike China, was unable to make the most of free market opportunities. As a result Vietnam currently has a GDP per capita of $4,300 compared to over $12,000 for China. South Korea, which remained an ally of the United States since the end of World War II, is now one of the top ten largest economies in the world with a per capita GDP of $35,000. In socialist North Korea it is $1,200. South Korea is a democracy with elected government officials. North Korea is a socialist dictatorship where the government started by Kim Il Sung in 1948 has been continued by his son and grandson as a hereditary dictatorship. Unlike the constitutional monarchies in Europe that are overseen by an elected government, the North Korean hereditary government is a dictatorship with no input from the population. Because of this situation South Korea welcomes NATO while North Korea condemns it and sells Russia weapons to be used in Ukraine by the Russian invaders. The Archbishop of Canterbury dramatically resigned today admitting he feels 'shame' over the way victims of the Church's most prolific child abuser were let down. Justin Welby said he was quitting after a damning report found his failure to act meant that 'abhorrent' serial abuser John Smyth was never brought to justice. Dr Welby had initially tried to cling on, but was effectively forced to fall on his sword after senior colleagues joined criticism and more than 12,000 people signed a petition. Keir Starmer had also pointedly refused to back him. The Archbishop of York said the resignation was the 'right and honourable thing to do', while MPs insisted there was a duty on leaders of institutions to 'report and rigorously follow up' safeguarding concerns. Survivor groups stressed that there should be more departures rather than Dr Welby being the sole 'scapegoat'. Those facing calls to go include the current Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, who has apologised for not taking 'further action'. In a statement this afternoon, Dr Welby said: 'Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. 'The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. 'When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. 'It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024.' Dr Welby added: 'The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England.' Sir Keir declined to give Dr Welby full support on Monday after a senior Bishop called for him to resign, instead saying that it is a 'matter really for the church'. However he went a step further today when he was asked about growing calls for the Archbishop to step down while attending Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Sir Keir said that findings in the review by Keith Makin that Smyth abused more than 100 boys and young men are 'clearly horrific' and that his victims 'have obviously been failed very, very badly'. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned. Pictured: March 2024 In a statement, Dr Welby said: ' Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.' John Smyth (pictured) is believed to be the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England Justin Welby's statement in full Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. It is my duty to honour my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion. I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse. The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done. In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete. I ask everyone to keep my wife Caroline and my children in their prayers. They have been my most important support throughout my ministry, and I am eternally grateful for their sacrifice. Caroline led the spouses' programme during the Lambeth Conference and has travelled tirelessly in areas of conflict supporting the most vulnerable, the women, and those who care for them locally. I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. I pray that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us. For above all else, my deepest commitment is to the person of Jesus Christ, my saviour and my God; the bearer of the sins and burdens of the world, and the hope of every person. Advertisement The PM said: 'Let me be clear. Of what I know of the allegations, they are clearly horrific in relation to this particular case and both in their scale and their content and my thoughts, as they are with all of these issues, are with the victims here who have obviously been failed very, very badly. 'It is a matter in the end for the Church but I am not going to shy away from the fact saying these are horrific allegations and my thoughts are with the victims in relation to it and I think that is very important.' Pressure had been heaped on Dr Welby after a senior Bishop broke ranks yesterday calling for him to resign immediately. The Right Reverend Helen-Ann Hartley, the Bishop of Newcastle, said that his position was 'untenable'. 'I think that it's very hard for the church, as the national, established church, to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation, when we cannot get our own house in order,' she told the BBC. She added that while Dr Welby's resignation is 'not going to solve the problem', it would be 'a very clear indication that a line has been drawn, and that we must move towards independence of safeguarding'. Meanwhile a petition - started by three members of the Church's ruling body, the General Synod, and backed by a number of high-profile priests - calling for the Archbishop to resign passed 12,000 signatures this morning. The petition read: 'Given his role in allowing abuse to continue, we believe that his continuing as the Archbishop of Canterbury is no longer tenable. We must see change, for the sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable, and for the good of the Church.' Dr Welby is believed to have notified the King of his intentions this morning, before the PM's remarks. Dr Welby's resignation is unprecedented and marks first time that an Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned in such controversial circumstances. The law requires that the Archbishop of Canterbury to retire by the age of 70, meaning that at 68 Dr Welby would have had almost two more years until a successor was appointed. The retirement is usually announced well in advance as it is often a drawn out process to appoint a successor. It is more common for archbishops to die in office than to resign, with Thomas Becket being assassinated and Thomas Cranmer executed. And while Rowan Williams, Lord Williams of Oystermouth, did resign in 2012 at the age of 62, this was done to take up a prestigious position as master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. An Archbishop also needs the monarch's blessing to step down, which is not guaranteed. When former Archbishop Lord George Carey stepped tried to step down, the late Queen reminded him that she 'can't resign either'. Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, said Dr Welby's resignation was 'the right and honourable thing to do'. In a statement, he said: 'As I read the Makin Review last week and reflected on the terrible abuse perpetrated by John Smyth and shamefully covered up by others, I am, first of all, moved by the accounts of victims and survivors that we have heard from so powerfully. They were badly let down by many in different parts of the Church of England. I am grateful for their courage to be part of the review. 'As a church we continue to work towards and must achieve a more victim-centred and trauma-informed approach to safeguarding within the Church of England, and this must address the broader questions of culture and leadership. In this regard, much progress has already been made over the last 10 years. Tory MP Julian Smith insisted there was a duty on leaders of institutions to 'report and rigorously follow up' safeguarding concerns Nigel Farage said the Church must now 'appoint a leader that believes in Christian values' At the COP29 summit today, Keir Starmer said that findings in the review by Keith Makin that Smyth abused more than 100 boys and young men are 'clearly horrific' and that his victims 'have obviously been failed very, very badly' 'Indeed, it has been Archbishop Justin himself who has championed those developments and reforms. Both Justin and I have made our hopes known about the independence of safeguarding discussed both by Makin and also in Alexis Jay's report and look forward to the group already at work on these bringing recommendations which can be both effective and trusted. 'As Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin has decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin review. I believe this is the right and honourable thing to do. 'Whilst this is a difficult day for Justin, I pray there will be an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the many positive aspects of his ministry and his huge commitment to the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and above all the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 'But I continue to take account of the needs and experiences of victims and survivors and look to the various changes, above all the greater independence of safeguarding, that we need to help ensure these failings never happen again. It is to this ongoing work that I commit myself.' The House of Survivors, which was set up by two survivors of Church of England abuse to help others, welcomed the Archbishop's resignation and called for other implicated clergy to follow. It said: 'House of Survivors sees this decision as the right one and inevitable following the revelations of this week. 'We expect more resignations to follow. The Archbishop must not be the scapegoat. The list of clergy in the 'circles of awareness' is staggering.' The report said a victim informed Bishop Conway's then-diocese in Ely of the allegations against Smyth in 2013. The man, who was not named, told the BBC of Bishop Conway: 'He was the person in a position to stop John Smyth, bring him to justice and he fundamentally failed.' Responding to the Makin review, Bishop Conway said: 'In light of the review, I understand that there were further actions I could have taken following my reporting of the disclosures made to us in the Diocese of Ely about John Smyth. 'I am sorry that I did not pursue these actions at that time.' The Bishop of Stepney Joanne Grenfell said: 'As lead Bishop for safeguarding for the Church of England, I have been acutely aware of the impact of the Makin report and the retraumatizing effects of its publication on victims and survivors of John Smyth's awful abuse. Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, said Dr Welby's resignation was 'the right and honourable thing to do' 'With sadness, I fully respect and understand Archbishop Justin's decision today to resign. Although Archbishop Justin has helped the Church of England to achieve much in relation to safeguarding during his tenure, because of the failings identified in the Makin Report, it is now necessary for others to take up the baton. 'Of course, the responsibility for good safeguarding in the Church of England lies with every one of us. Archbishop Justin's resignation does not change that, and his decision today does not absolve any of us from bringing about the wholesale changes in culture and leadership that are essential in every part of the Church. 'I am acutely aware of the need in our current work on safeguarding independence, following the report of Professor Alexis Jay, to bring to General Synod recommendations for moving forward which can be both effective and trusted in this regard. 'I have worked closely with Archbishop Justin since I took on this role and have greatly valued his personal commitment to good safeguarding and his desire to see the whole Church make this a priority.' Alan Collins, a partner at law firm Hugh James, which represents a number of Smyth's victims, said: 'It is unsurprising that Welby has resigned because of the immense pressure on him to do so given his involvement in the Smyth case. 'However, the real story is not about whether Welby has resigned this is a side matter. 'The spotlight must be on how the Church of England failed its victims so dreadfully for over 40 years, and the immediate priority is the CoE addressing the needs of its victims. 'All the intention is on Welby's resignation, but this should not detract from the Church of England sorting out its unfathomable safeguarding issues. 'Hugh James has already brought a claim against the Church of England on behalf of its victims that they represents and now the Church of England must address the needs of its victims.' Support can be found through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. A major bridge connecting the US to Canada was shut down for several hours on Saturday after a border agent died by suicide at work. The border officer has not been identified, but authorities said they were Canadian. Ambassador Bridge, which connects Ontario, Canada, to Detroit Michigan, closed to traffic at around 10.25 on Saturday. Windsor Police said it reopened at 3.12pm. The Customs and Immigration Union released a statement on Sunday saying a 'border officer took their life at work'. Ambassador Bridge, which connects Ontario, Canada, to Detroit Michigan, closed to traffic at around 10.25 on Saturday. Windsor Police said it reopened at 3.12pm 'We wish to express our most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased our thoughts are with all who are affected by these difficult circumstances,' the union said. 'Incidents such as this one bring to light the challenges public safety personnel may be confronted with throughout their career, and they remind us of the need for a comprehensive mental health support structure and of the importance of taking down barriers to access these services, both in professional and private settings. 'These tragedies also serve as a reminder of the value of supporting each other in the face of hardship. 'The death of a member is difficult for all, and we recognize the impact this sad event has on our community.' Pictured: Ambassador Bridge when it was shut down by protesters on February 11, 2022 Traversing the Detroit River, the four-lane Ambassador Bridge is the busiest international border crossing in the US in terms of trade volume. Traffic was re-routed to the Detroit-Windsor tunnel while the toll bridge was closed on Saturday. The Customs and Immigration Union urged any officers who required support in the aftermath of the tragedy to call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1.877.367.0809 (TTY: 1.877.338.0275) for confidential assistance. Support can also be found through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. Betsy DeVos, former Secretary of the Department of Education during President Donald Trump's first term, is making recommendations for how he can tear apart the agency. Trump promised to end the Department of Education during his campaign, a concept that drew wild applause from his supporters but will face staunch opposition from the bureaucrats and teachers unions. Were going to end education coming out of Washington D.C., were going to close it up all those buildings all over the place, and you have people in many cases who hate our children, were going to send it all back to the states, Trump said in a video issued to his supporters. DeVos, who resigned in protest over Trump's leadership on January 6 but is back in Trump's fold, detailed to DailyMail.com ways he could realize his goal of fully dismantling the organization. He has doubled down on his attention to the issues with education and I am very optimistic that he is going to make education and the reforms necessary a high priority in his second administration, she said to DailyMail.com. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room in Washington. The bloated agency has spent over a trillion dollars since its conception in 1979 during President Jimmy Carter's administration and now fills three different buildings in Washington, D.C., with over 4,000 employees. DeVos said the Department of Education was created by Carter as a payoff to the teachers unions, and the entire department was filled with bureaucrats whose goals prioritized the the unions, not Americas children. There are many ways to de-power the Department of Education and I am very optimistic that president trump in his second term is going to put the muscle behind seeing that happen, DeVos said. She proposed that Trump should first pass federal tax credits to help parents pay for school choice, fueling education freedom across the country. She also proposed the federal government begin offering block funding grants to the states. US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos during a meeting with teachers, school administrators and parents in the Roosevelt Room Title IX, she explained, would have to be clarified and fixed after the Biden administration tried to use it to enact a very controversial agenda around transgender students. DeVos proposed sending the enforcement of Title IX to the Justice Department. She also criticized the Biden administration for trying to buy votes by forgiving federal college student loans. She proposed sending the he Free Application for Federal Student Aid program to the Department of Treasury or moving to a private program. DeVos was appointed the Secretary of Education during Trumps first term, which drew sharp opposition from teachers unions for her views on freeing education policy from federal control and offering more opportunities for school choice. She warned that the same political forces would fight Trump and whoever he chose to take the position as Secretary of Education in his second term. The status quo is not going to back down at all and theyre not going to get quieter. Whomever is there is going to if they are standing up to the status quo theyre going to get all the protests and all the stuff the same way because they are fighting for power and control, she said. DeVos resigned from her position after the January 6th riots on Capitol Hill in protest of President Joe Bidens election certification, citing the importance of the peaceful transfer of power. But she said that she had spoken to Trump since that day very recently about his proposed education reforms and was enthusiastic about the possibilities. Exterior view of the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Department of Education Building, Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, holds a press conference at the Department of Education She explained that the window of opportunity for dramatic reform was possible, citing the growing number of American parents realizing that the teachers unions were not prioritizing their children. The status quo and the unions have overplayed their hands through the whole covid experience, it has opened families eyes, grandparents, communities, it has opened everyones eyes to how much control and influence and power these teacher unions have had and I think there is backlash against that today, she said. DeVos did not rule out returning to the position, if Trump asked, and said there were a number of good people who could serve in the role. She said the only way she would return was if Trump was serious about closing down the department and if Republicans were serious about passing a tax credit for educational freedom. I want to help accomplish those goals in any way, I want nothing more than for him to be successful in seeing these policies through, she said. Elon Musk has defended harshly critiquing an SNL writer who said he 'made her cry', taking to X on Tuesday night to explain why he came down on her so hard. Chloe Fineman took to TikTok to make her complaints about Musk, who she said berated her in 2021 after she stayed up 'all night' to come up with a funny sketch for their show. The pair appeared together on SNL on May 8, 2021. The sketch in question is believed to be The Ooli Show, in which Fineman played an eccentric TV host, and Musk her lovesick producer. Fineman claimed she worked hard to come up with the script - and was heartbroken when Musk shot it down. In his rebuttal on X, he defended being so honest with her. 'Frankly, it was only on the Thursday before the Saturday that ANY of the sketches generated laughs. I was worried. I was like damn my SNL appearance is going to be so f**king unfunny that it will make a crackhead sober!!' Musk lining up alongside Fineman and the rest of the SNL cast at the conclusion of the May 2021 show, which has become mired in controversy after Fineman accused Musk of berating her and making her cry In a TikTok video this week, Fineman said Musk made her 'burst into tears' with his callous reaction to a sketch she had 'stayed up late' writing Rumors about a nightmare SNL guest emcee first spread earlier this year when cast member Bowen Yang told Andy Cohen about his 'worst' experience on the show- without spilling all the details. The rumor mill sparked up again on Monday when Musk tweeted his outrage over SNL's post-2024 presidential election show, and slammed Dana Carvey's impression of him. This led Fineman to share her TikTok, saying: 'OK, I just saw some news article about Elon Musk being like butthurt over SNL and his impression. 'And I'm like, you know what? I'm gonna come out and say at long last that I'm the cast member that he made cry. And he's the host that made someone cry.' She said Musk berated her over a sketch she had just 'stayed up late writing', where Musk played an Icelandic talk show producer who interrupted the show, titled 'The Ooli Show.' The sketch in question appears to be The Ooli Show , where Musk played a producer interrupting an Icelandic talk show Fineman continued: 'I was so excited, I came in, I asked if you had any questions and you stared at me like you were firing me from Tesla and were like 'It's not funny.''' She said that Musk 'started pawing through my scriptlike flipping each page, [and] being, like, "I didn't laugh once, not one time."' In his response tweet, Musk admitted that 'it worked out in the end', and Fineman said that despite the Space X chief's attitude, she thought he 'was really funny in it.' It came after Musk slammed Carvey's portrayal of him on the post-election show, and fired off a series of tweets Sunday in response to the segment in which Carvey mimicked the gestures Musk made while on the campaign trail with Trump. 'SNL has been dying slowly for years, as they become increasingly out of touch with reality,' said the Pretoria, South Africa-born magnate, who hosted the show's May 8, 2021 episode. He added: 'Their last-ditch effort to cheat the equal airtime requirements and prop up Kamala before the election only helped sink her campaign further.' Musk, 53, was critical of Saturday Night Live's portrayal of him via Dana Carvey, 69, in the NBC staple's first episode since Donald Trump's election victory In the opening segment, Carvey, a cast member on the series from 1986-1993, was clad in an all-black ensemble similar to one Musk has been seen in as of late In the opening segment, Carvey, a cast member on the series from 1986-1993, was clad in an all-black ensemble similar to one Musk has been seen in as of late. Carvey said while imitating Musk, 'Check it out - dark MAGA - but seriously, I run the country now. 'America's gonna be like one of my rockets: You know, they're super cool and super fun, but there's a slight chance it could blow up and everybody dies.' The SpaceX CEO said of the comic's performance: 'Dana Carvey just sounds like Dana Carvey.' A former Metropolitan Police doctor has been accused of stalking Labour MP Emily Thornberry. Dr Suzanne Lucey, 55, an occupational health physician, is charged with stalking involving serious harm or distress the most serious version of the offence. She was arrested after travelling to the Labour Party's Liverpool conference in September. Lucey allegedly sent emails and made aggressive outbursts, causing mother-of-three Thornberry, 64, serious alarm or distress, which knowingly had an adverse effect on her day-to-day activities. The stalking allegedly took place between June 1 last year and October 24 this year in the City of Westminster. Today, at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Dr Lucey, of Angel, Islington, appeared on bail and denied the charge. Dr Suzanne Lucey, 55, an occupational health physician (pictured) outside Westminster Magistrates Court Dr Lucey was arrested after travelling to the Labour Party 's Liverpool conference in September - she is pictured here outside Westminster Magistrates Court Emily Thornberry pictured at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool Thornberry has been the MP for Islington South and Finsbury since 2005 and Dr Lucey's home is within the constituency. Dr Lucey is currently complaining of harassment from the Met. Prosecutor Ben Holt told the court: 'In this case Dr Lucey has stalked the Labour MP Emily Thornberry since the summer of 2023. 'This involved sending emails, turning up at the MP's place of work and making violent outbursts, culminating in attending Liverpool's Labour conference, which Ms Thornberry was attending. 'This defendant attended a number of constituency meetings run by Emily Thornberry as part of her duties and attended appointments to discuss matters of concern to her. 'She asked for face-to-face meetings and sometimes they were not able to go ahead due to Ms Thornberry's other commitments, resulting in a number of outbursts from this defendant. Lucey, pictured, allegedly sent emails and made aggressive outbursts, causing mother-of-three Thornberry, 64, serious alarm or distress - she is pictured outside Westminster Magistrates Court Thornberry (pictured) has been the MP for Islington South and Finsbury since 2005 and Dr Lucey's home is within the constituency 'She attended further constituency meetings and travelled to Liverpool, where Emily Thornberry was attending the Labour conference in September and that resulted in her arrest.' The case was specifically listed before the Chief Magistrate, Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring, who agreed it should be heard at Southwark Crown Court. He bailed Lucey to appear there on December 10, on condition of residence and that she does not contact the MP or the constituency office. Now a backbencher, having been Shadow Attorney General, former human rights lawyer Thornberry is currently Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. She has also been Shadow Foreign Secretary and Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade while in the Labour opposition. This is the terrifying moment a cargo plane smashed into an airport antenna as it took off, forcing it into an emergency landing. Video footage showed a Boeing 727-200 plane, operated by the cargo airline Aerosucre, smashing into the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at El Dorado International Airport in the Colombian capital Bogota. The ILS, which is used to aid pilots during landings and takeoffs at night and bad weather, was seen pulverised after the plane crashed into it. The Boeing was heading from Colombia to Valencia, in Spain. Despite the impact, the pilot managed to gain altitude and remain in flight for over an hour. The pilot circled the areas of Tocancipa, Zipaquira and Sesquile to burn fuel and reduce weight so the cargo plane could return to El Dorado. The Boeing 727-200 plane was operated by the cargo airline Aerosucre It crashed into the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at El Dorado International Airport in the Colombian capital Bogota The ILS, which is used to aid pilots during landings and takeoffs at night and bad weather, was seen pulverised after the plane crashed into it Despite the impact, the pilot managed to gain altitude and remain in flight for over an hour It took off an circled the air above the travel hub for an hour No additional damage or injuries were reported among the crew The aircraft landed safely at around 5.42pm. No additional damage or injuries were reported among the crew. The Colombian Civil Aviation Authority referred to the incident as 'serious' and immediately launched an investigation. A spokesperson said: 'The plane completed its takeoff, consumed fuel in the air, and landed without further incident on the south runway of the same airport at 5.42 pm. 'The Technical Directorate of Accident Investigation is looking into all the factors associated with this serious incident, including the airline's planning, with the aim of identifying the causes and formulating recommendations that will help prevent future incidents.' A technical team also assessed the damage to the ILS and its impact on airport operations, as reported by To make matters worse, the Civil Aeronautics Department announced that harsh weather conditions had caused delays to multiple flights across the country at 5.37pm. Airlines such as Avianca, Turkish Airlines, and Iberia were forced to cancel multiple flights due to weather conditions and the damaged ILS. Dramatic video captured the moment a volcano erupted in Columbia on Monday, spewing mud and towering flames into the air as onlookers rushed to safety. The shocking eruption of the volcano known as Los Aburridos occurred in San Juan de Mulatos in Uraba, a subregion in the province of Antioquia. No serious injuries were reported. Multiple recordings show flames and smoke shooting high into the sky as locals fled the area surrounding the volcano. In one video, a resident urged his family to leave as they ran inside a home. The shocking eruption of the volcano known as Los Aburridos occurred in San Juan de Mulatos in Uraba, a subregion in the province of Antioquia Residents run as the flames from the volcano shoot into the sky At least three children were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation, the office of Turbo Mayor Alejandro Abuchar said in a statement. Paramedics also treated five people after they fainted due to the explosions. The mayor's office added that 35 children were transported to a school that was set up as a refuge center in the town of Los Mangos. Sixteen families, including 30 minors, were placed in schools that were turned into temporary shelter sites in Manta Gorda and Santiago de Uraba. Authorities evacuated 109 families from of their homes, which are located on a road near Los Aburridos. At least 109 families were evacuated due to the eruption Mud covers the path of a road near the volcano after it erupted Monday The Colombian Geological Service said that the volcano caused an 'emission of sludge and methane gas that ignited' The Los Aburridos volcano last erupted 10 years ago, according to the Colombian Geological Service The Colombian Geological Service flew over the affected area Tuesday morning Los Aburridos last erupted 10 years ago, according to the Colombian Geological Service. In a statement posted on X, the Geological Service said that Monday's eruption caused an 'emission of sludge and methane gas that ignited.' The service dispatched a team of experts to assess the situation on the ground. John Londono, who oversees the Colombian Geological Service, explained that mud volcano eruptions are common in the provinces of Antioquia, Atlantico, Bolivar, Cordoba and Sucre. 'These types of mud volcanoes are very different from volcanoes that produce lava and magma eruptions, which are explosive and violent and can reach a very large area, affecting many populations and the ecosystem in general,' Londono said. 'These mud volcanoes have very small and very restricted eruptions.' A second US airline was strafed by bullets in the skies over Haiti on Monday. JetBlue flight 935 from Port-au-Prince to New York City was struck by a bullet shortly after takeoff, around the same time a Spirit Airlines plane was also attacked over the Haitian capital. A post-flight inspection of the plane at John F Kennedy airport revealed the aircraft exterior had been hit by a bullet, JetBlue said in a statement. It came after Spirit flight 951 was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic after it was struck by gunfire from gangs over the troubled Caribbean nation. JetBlue flight 935 was hit by gunfire from gangs as it took off from Haiti on Monday. The above images show an apparent bullet hole on the plane's fuselage A post-flight inspection revealed the JetBlue plane had been hit by gunfire. Stock image Images showed multiple bullet holes both inside the cabin and on the aircraft fuselage. The Spirit flight headed from Fort Lauderdale to Port-Au-Prince was just hundreds of feet from landing when gangs shot at the plane striking a flight attendant, who suffered minor injuries, according to the airline. No passengers were injured. It's the second and third time in just a few weeks that aircrafts traveling over Haiti's capital are hit by gunfire from gangs. Last month a United Nations helicopter was struck by bullets and forced to return to the Toussaint Louverture International Airport as it moved over Port-au-Prince. Images show bullet holes inside a Spirit Airlines flight that was diverted after it was struck by gunfire as it prepared to land in Haiti on Monday A passenger shared images of the bullet holes aboard the Spirit Airlines flight Monday's incidents prompted US airlines to temporarily suspend operations in Haiti as the country swore in a new interim prime minister who promised to restore peace. The Federal Aviation Administration is considering banning all US flights to Haiti. The shooting appeared to be part of what the US Embassy called 'gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports.' In other parts of Haitis capital, firefights between gangs and police broke out. Rounds of gunfire echoed through the streets as heavily armed officers ducked behind walls and civilians ran in terror. In other upper class areas, gangs set fire to homes. Schools closed as panic spread in a number of areas. The turmoil comes a day after a council meant to reestablish democratic order in the Caribbean nation fired the interim prime minister Garry Conille, replacing him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime. The council has been marked by infighting and three members were recently accused of corruption. The country has seen weeks of political chaos, which observers warned could result in even more violence in a place where bloodshed has become the new normal. The countrys slate of gangs have long capitalized on political turmoil to make power grabs, shutting down airports, shipping ports and stirring chaos. The United Nations estimates that gangs control 85 percent of the capital of Port-au-Prince, while a UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police to quell gang violence struggles with a lack of funding and personnel, prompting calls for a UN peacekeeping mission. In September the Department of State urged Americans to avoid visiting Haiti. A 'Level Four: Do Not Travel' advisory for Haiti has been in place since March due to the country's ongoing civil unrest, gang violence and riots. The state department said in September that a 'focal point' of gang attacks are concentrated at the Aeroport International Toussaint Louverture in the commune of Port-Au-Prince But on September 18, the US State Department updated the advisory with details about the risk of traveling - including kidnapping, mob violence and armed robberies. They wrote: 'Kidnapping is widespread, and US citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed. Kidnappers may plan carefully or target victims at random, unplanned times. Kidnappers will even target and attack convoys. 'Kidnapping cases often involve ransom requests. Victims' families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members.' They also state that mob violence has escalated leading to an increase in deaths and assaults. A 'focal point' of these attacks are concentrated at the Aeroport International Toussaint Louverture in the commune of Port-Au-Prince. At the international airport, the department said armed robberies and carjackers are probable - often targeting lone drivers and women. Megyn Kelly went nuclear at liberal women on her podcast yesterday, telling them it was their fault Kamala Harris was crushed by Donald Trump. The political commentator accused female Democratic voters of alienating her and other women by 'sh****g all over men' and pushing an extreme brand of feminism. 'We knew what you leftists thought of feminism, it meant abortion and crapping on men and most of us women over on the side of the normies don't want that. 'We love our husband, we love our boys, our sons, our dads, our brothers, our male friends and colleagues. 'We are not ready to consider this a zero sum game where we must advance at their expense. 'Until you get that through your thick f**king head you'll keep losing,' she fumed. Megyn Kelly unleashed on liberal women in an expletive-filled rant in which she blamed them for Kamala Harris ' crushing defeat Harris had been banking on the support of female voters and made abortion rights a key tenet of her campaign. While she beat Trump by more than 10 percentage points among women aged 18 to 44, the split among older women was much tighter. Around 51 percent of women aged 45 and above voted for Harris, compared to 47 percent for Trump. Meanwhile young Gen Z women, widely considered Harris' safest demographic, turned their backs on the Democrats to support Trump. Exit polling from AP revealed 40 percent of women under 30 voted for Trump - a seven-point jump on 2020. The youngest of them, aged 18 to 24, fled Harris in greater numbers with Trump gaining 11 points on his contest with Joe Biden. She accused female Democrat voters of 'crapping all over men' in the name of empowering women Liberal women are seen crying while another smiles and takes a selfie at Kamala Harris' rally where she conceded the election to Donald Trump Kelly became an unlikely ally for Donald Trump during his election campaign. The two have a checkered history which goes back to his first presidential run in 2016. The president-elect made misogynistic remarks about her after she pressed him on his previous derogatory comments about women. They clashed during the first debate of the Republican primary about whether he had the temperament to be president. Trump largely dismissed Kelly's question at the debate, but later he went after her, first overnight on Twitter and later in interviews. Kelly became an unlikely ally for Donald Trump during his campaign after they healed a rift which developed following a spat in 2016 during the president-elect's first White House run 'She's not very tough and not very sharp,' Trump told CNN in a phone interview. 'I don't respect her as a journalist.' Referring to Kelly's questions during the debate, Trump said: 'There was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.' The comment was widely viewed as a sexist reference to menstruation. Trump later boycotted another debate on Fox because Kelly was one of the moderators. However, the former foes have since put their feud behind them and Kelly appeared on stage along with the president-elect to deliver some of the closing remarks of his campaign last week. The distraught former boyfriend of an American nurse who was found dead in a suitcase near a lake in Hungary has claimed she was 'beaten, raped and brutually' murdered. Mackenzie Michalski, a 31-year-old from Portland, Oregon, had been on holiday in Budapest when she disappeared after a night out. Two days after she was reported missing on November 5, police arrested a 37-year-old Irishman who admitted to the killing and showed them where he had hidden the nurse's body in Lake Balaton. While the man, who is only being referred to by his initials LTM - as per Hungarian law - confessed, he insisted the woman's death was an accident. Now her boyfriend of six years, Kenton Reichen, has spoken of his heartbreak, wishing he 'could have saved her from this'. Kenton Reichen said following a vigil for Mackenzie Michalski in the Hungarian capital that he wished he could have 'protected' his partner of six years The 37-year-old Irishman suspected of killing Ms Michalski (pictured) led police to the area where her body was dumped following his arrest over her disappearance on November 7 Friends remember Ms Michalski during a candlelight vigil in Budapest on Saturday A case recovered after the suspect allegedly put the victim's body into a new suitcase The couple had planned to travel to the European country together at the end of October but 'were in the middle of a break up' so Mr Reichen decided not to take the trip. Instead, Ms Michalski travelled to the country with a friend instead, leaving Mr Reichen behind in Portland. Mr Reichen, who had travelled to the country with the nurse's parents to look for her, said following a vigil for Ms Michalski in the Hungarian capital that he wished he could have 'protected her'. He said: 'Before the trip, Kenzie and I were in the middle of a breakup. She originally wanted me to go to Budapest with her, but I decided not to go with her, so a friend of hers accompanied her instead. 'She was perfect, but I neglected her in many ways,' he added. 'It hurts me a lot, and I wish I could have protected her.' While the suspect has claimed Ms Michalski's death was a horrific accident, her ex-boyfriend strongly rejects this. He added: 'Kenzie did not deserve to be beaten, raped and killed so brutally. I wish I could have saved her from this. This will forever be the biggest mistake of my life.' CCTV footage had shown Ms Michalski and the suspect dancing in a nightclub before leaving together. They then went back to the suspect's rented apartment where she was allegedly killed during an intimate moment. Police have not yet confirmed how Ms Michalski died but revealed the suspect had searched online how to dispose of a body, what a corpse smells like and whether pigs eat dead bodies. He also researched whether there were wild boars in the area he later dumped her body. Suspect at the police station before he led officers to the lake where he had taken the body Items recovered after the suspect took police to where he had taken Ms Michalski's body Friend and fellow traveler, Gretchen Tower, said the group had been traveling together and when she lost contact with Ms Michalski. She reported her missing Ms Michalski (left) was 'in the middle of a breakup' with her partner (not pictured) when she travelled to Hungary.'I'm sorry for letting you down,' he said in a post on social media Photos of Ms Michalski at a candlelight vigil in Budapest on Saturday The suspect then cleaned his apartment before allegedly stuffing the victim's body into a freshly bought suitcase and rolling it away along with a handbag, clothes and a credit card with Ms Michalski's name on it. He then rented a car and drove to the lake in Western Hungary. The Irish foreign ministry said it 'is aware of this case and is providing consular assistance'. 'As with all cases, the department does not comment on the specific details of individual cases,' it added. Ms Michalski was last seen at a club in the Jewish Quarter of Budapest after her friends had received pictures from her in the bar. After that, family and friends were not able to get in contact with her and her belongings were found in the Airbnb she was staying in. She then missed her flight from Hungary to Amsterdam which was on her route back home. After learning Ms Michalski had gone missing, her family flew over from the United States to help with the search for her. While travelling across the Atlantic they were informed their daughter's body had been found. On Saturday night at a candlelit vigil in Budapest, Bill Micahalski, her father, told The Associated Press he was 'still overcome with emotion'. 'There was no reason for this to happen. I'm still trying to wrap my arms around what happened', he added. 'I dont know that I ever will.' While struggling to come to terms with his daughter's death, he revealed that Hungary was her 'happy place.' 'The history, she just loved it and she was just so relaxed here,' he said. 'This was her city.' Her former partner, Mr Reichen added in another tribute on social media: 'I fell in love with you while watching the sunset in Ibiza. You broke your ankle and I carried you. You were all I needed in life. I'm sorry for letting you down.' Ms Michalski was a tourist in Hungary and was last seen at a nightclub before her body was eventually found Mackenzie's body was found near Lake Balaton in western Hungary after she went missing on November 5 A statement on behalf of the family was released on a Facebook group set up to find the nurse read: 'Dear members of our community, we are deeply saddened to confirm a report published by Hungarian police announcing the death of our beloved Kenzie.' It further thanked the efforts of everyone including strangers abroad and officials across the world for getting involved in helping find Ms Michalski. It continued: 'Kenzie will forever be remembered as a beautiful and compassionate young woman who dedicated herself to caring for others and making the world a better place. 'As a nurse practitioner, Kenzie used her humor, positivity, and limitless empathy to help heal her patients and encourage family and friends alike.' Recently, an Australian radio host named Ray Hadley rang through an electric vehicle owner on one of the most bizarre and potentially dangerous charging set-ups he has ever seen. On his 2GB program, Hadley described a "remarkable photo" of an electric vehicle being charged in a very unusual manner: an owner had threaded the charging cable through a stormwater pipe and onto the street. This incident revealed how many are starting to question the reality of EV infrastructure and the issues certain owners are experiencing. Odd-looking Electric Vehicle Charging Facility Under Fire As news.com.au reports, the local media personality Hadley shared the image on his radio program and seemed shocked by it, describing how this was the way one EV owner recharges his car. He draws the electrical cord through the stormwater pipe and into the street, he said, pointing out the risks and impracticality of this setup. "This is priceless. He's actually got his electric vehicle charging with the lead going through the stormwater pipe," Hadley said. Again, the license plate of the owner is not visible in the picture, but this may have been avoided to save the owner from his or her friends, but the picture reflected the availability and accessibility of EV charging stations around the place. Australia's Rapid Transition to Electric Vehicles Presents Challenges Australia has seen a boost in electric vehicles both by environmental considerations and government incentives. Not without its share of growing pains, though, for this rapid shift. Hadley's reaction sparks attention to the most obvious challenge that Australia's EV owners face: the question of charging infrastructure availability and convenience. For some, the unavailability of accessible charging points near residences or workplaces breeds creative-though sometimes dubious-remedies. Rising EV Fast-Charging Costs Rival Fuel Prices What's more troubling, though, is that the charging issue isn't just an issue of infrastructure. In fact, a really concerning trend has recently been found in Australia's electric vehicle market: it now costs more to fast-charge an electric vehicle than it takes to fill up a conventional gasoline-powered car in some cases. For those owners who do not have home chargers but instead rely on fast-charging stations, this higher cost may eat into the savings that attracted many to begin with. This rising cost of fast charging coupled with access and practicality problems indicates the larger problem of enabling the large-scale transition to EVs. Some experts argue that these require immediate attention if Australia is going to attain its sustainability objectives through EV adoption. Growing Pains in Australia's EV Infrastructure Development But while EVs are certainly popular in Australia, the country's infrastructure lags behind. The scarcity of convenient and affordable charging options created just the right environment where some of the owners resorted to creative and sometimesimpractical charging solutions like the one Hadley is highlighting here. Hadley's reaction to the innovative charging station is a key issue: without proper charging infrastructure, electric vehicle adoption will be hard to come by. If electric vehicles are ever going to be a realistic choice for many, one scenario in which even apartment residents who have no dedicated parking or house owners who, due to lack of yard space, cannot position their houses in a dedicated garage locationwill have to be directed to locate more accessible and cheaper charging stations. Is Australia Ready for a Full EV Transition? This incident may be highlighted in a more recognizable issue that plagues the world market of EVs: while demand for electric vehicles has proven to go up, governments and private businesses cannot afford not to invest in practical, accessible solutions. For Australia, ensuring its charging options catch up with the rate of adoption is going to be key in keeping the public at ease with the technology. Without such measures, the sustainability benefits of EVs may be beaten off by the frustrations of logistics and growing operational costs. Last month, Australia opened its first lithium battery and EV charger factory. A heartbroken husband has transformed his Iowa street into a Christmas wonderland to make memories with his wife who has Alzheimer's, and remind her how much he loves her. John Reichart, 67, has turned his quiet street into a winter wonderland after more than two months of painstaking work and thousands spent on decorations. The Vietnam veteran has adorned more than 20 of his neighbors' lawns with an extravagant array of twinkling lights, inflatable Christmas characters, and spiraling trees - in an effort to create lasting memories with his beloved wife, who is battling Alzheimer's disease, as reported by the local Iowa outlet KCCI. 'If one person drives by and feels happiness in their heart, then I've done my job,' Reichart told KCCI. John Reichart, 67, (pictured) has turned his quiet street into a winter wonderland after more than two months of painstaking work and thousands spent on decorations The Vietnam veteran has adorned more than 20 of his neighbors' lawns with an extravagant array of twinkling lights, inflatable Christmas characters, and spiraling trees - in an effort to create lasting memories with his beloved wife, who is battling Alzheimer's disease Reichart's wife is a breast cancer survivor who is now facing debilitating effects of Alzheimer's. The couple has always shared a deep love for the Christmas season, and Reichart is determined to ensure his wife can continue to enjoy the holiday festivities, despite her declining health. Neighbors on the street have been left in awe of Reichart's dedication, with resident Frank Ewurs describing the scene as a truly special sight. 'Hearing the kids walk down the street and yell at their mom or dad, 'Look at this. Look at this. Let's go look at this.' Their walks turn into speed walking or slow jogs, so they can get to one house from the next,' Ewurs told the outlet. 'Hearing his story and knowing what it means to him, just makes it all the more special and why he's doing it,' he added. Reichart's wife is a breast cancer survivor who is now facing debilitating effects of Alzheimer's Neighbors on the street have been left in awe of Reichart's dedication, with resident Frank Ewurs describing the scene as a truly special sight But for Reichart, the display holds a deeper, more personal meaning. He hopes his wife is reminded of his love for her every time she looks out the window and sees the beautiful decor. 'She will remember this. She wanted Christmas, so I give her Christmas,' Reichart said. A paramedic told a High Court in Dublin that she had not seen 'someone so bruised' in a long time when she examined a woman who claimed she was raped by Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor. Advanced paramedic Eithne Scully said that Nikita Hand, who is claiming civil damages against Mr McGregor, was 'very upset and distressed' and was 'curled up' when she spoke to her the day after the alleged incident. Mr McGregor is facing accusations in the civil action that he 'brutally raped and battered' Ms Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin. She is also suing another man, James Lawrence, for sexual assault in December 2018. Ms Hand, who has no automatic right to anonymity, has accused Mr McGregor of pinning her to a bed and raping her in a hotel bedroom in south Dublin. Nikita Ni Laimhin, who is also known as Nikita Hand, arrives at the High Court on November 6 Ms Hand claims she was 'brutally raped and battered' by MMA fighter Conor McGregor The court also heard on Tuesday that Ms Hand has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of the alleged rape. The court heard that Ms Scully and another paramedic took Ms Hand to the Rotunda hospital sexual assault unit. She said that Ms Hand's main concern was that a tampon had been 'pushed up way too far', and she had pains. In evidence to the court, Ms Scully said she could see a small cut on her chin and there appeared to be some bruising on her lower neck. During an examination, she saw bruising around her chest, breast, down her legs, as well as around her buttocks and thighs. When asked about the severity of the bruising, Ms Scully told the court that she had not seen someone so bruised in a long time. The court also heard from Ms Hand's GP, Dr Frank Clarke, who said that she had been diagnosed with PTSD. He said he has been treating Ms Hand since she was a child, and that she had a history of anxiety and struggled with her confidence - and had previously been prescribed a low dose of medication to help her. He said that following her diagnosis of PTSD, she had been prescribed stronger medication, which he said helped her deal with the peaks of her emotional pain. Dr Clarke said the medication has a sedative effect, and helps people who suffer from night terrors, panic attacks and severe distress. He said they are only used in the short term as they can be abused. Ms Hand was prescribed a number of the tablets, which helped with her sleep, anxiety and emotional distress - but he said it was 'not a good route to go'. 'In general we are strongly against using those on an ongoing basis,' he added. Dr Clarke said that Ms Hand has struggled over the years because of her PTSD, and has struggled with her self-esteem. He said that symptoms of PTSD includes a person losing hope, hating themselves, drinking too much, and behaving in a way that is uncharacteristic. He said that Ms Hand has received ongoing counselling and medication to help her with her condition. He said that Ms Hand was anxious not to become dependent on medication and had remained determined to continue using counselling as a form of treatment. The court was told that PTSD is caused by an 'extremely stressful or terrifying event'. The person can either be part of the event or witness it. Ms Hand is also claiming civil damages against James Lawrence (pictured), who she alleges sexually assaulted her in December 2018 The court was told that Ms Hand has suffered from flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. Dr Clark said Ms Hand had to leave her work as a hairdresser because the alleged event happened following a Christmas work party, that people in her work knew about it and people coming into the salon had been talking about it. The GP said Ms Hand had great difficulty coping, and that the relationship with her former partner broke down and she had difficulty in supporting her mother. He also said Ms Hand has found it difficult to undergo routine health procedures, including a smear test. He said that it has been 'incredibly difficult' for his patient, and he hopes she can continue with check-ups soon. An Idaho teacher who wished an 'unwanted pregnancy' on a Trump voter on social media is under investigation from her school district. Lori Lombard lashed out online after Donald Trump secured victory in Idaho, slamming her community for not 'caring about felony convictions' and his actions during his first term. Trump's resounding victory took Democrats by surprise given polling showed he and Kamala Harris were neck and neck for most of the campaign. In response to her voicing concerns, Idaho resident Michael McClanahan responded with a meme of Trump saying 'nobody cares.' Lombard, a Career Technical Education teacher at Century High School, furiously hit back, telling McClanahan he was 'pathetic looking' and that his comment 'opened [him] up to ridicule. Lori Lombard lashed out online after Donald Trump secured victory in Idaho , slamming her community for not 'caring about felony convictions' and his actions during his first term Trump's resounding victory took Democrats by surprise given polling showed he and Kamala Harris were neck and neck for most of the campaign 'I hope your mistress or daughter have an unwanted pregnancy... wait, I looked at your picture, you don't have a mistress.' Lombard leveled shocking allegations against McClanahan, who by all accounts was a stranger, baselessly accusing him of sexual impropriety. 'Everyone will know you can't get a woman and don't have children unless you forced yourself on some poor woman.' Her comments sparked outrage and immediate backlash across pro-Republican forums, who contacted the school and shared screenshots even after the initial posts were deleted. The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 issued a statement after the incident revealing officials are 'aware of concerns regarding a recent social media interaction involving one of our teachers.' Her comments sparked outrage and immediate backlash across pro-Republican forums, who contacted the school and shared screenshots even after the initial posts were deleted Lombard leveled shocking allegations against McClanahan (pictured with his wife), who by all accounts was a stranger 'These concerns have been forwarded to the district and school administration for review. We take them very seriously. 'While personal opinions shared outside school hours on personal social media and unrelated to the school district are protected, we realize those expressions may impact the community. 'Whether in agreement or not, the district is not responsible for employees' conduct or speech outside the school setting.' The district maintained that teachers do not bring personal or political views into the classroom and that lessons are planned around the curriculum, not current affairs. In the statement, the district noted the difficulties and importance of balancing 'individual free speech with the responsibilities of educators as role models.' One critic said that as a mother 'who struggled to bring her child into this world,' she was 'appalled at the fact that that same child could potentially have her as a teacher. 'The same teacher who wished harm against him simply because we disagreed. 'She is also targeting other people's weight and appearance and making derogatory statements against them. This is during a time when our kids are dealing with so much online bullying already. And their teacher is doing it too?' A group of neo-Nazis descended on two Michigan towns this weekend, waving flags with swastikas on them in front of a theater putting on a play about Anne Frank. American Legion Post 141 in Howell, a town west of Detroit, was hosting the production based on 'The Diary of Anne Frank' on Saturday night when a number of masked men showed up, allegedly shouting antisemitic and racist slurs. Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who lived under Nazi occupation in the Netherlands. The diary entries she wrote while she was hiding before she tragically died at a concentration camp in 1945 continue to be one of the foremost first-hand perspectives of the Holocaust. American Legion, a veteran's organization, agreed to host the play in response to rising antisemitism in the United States, making it all the more shocking that the very thing they were fighting against came right to their doorstep. Bobby Brite, a past commander of the post and a 26-year US Army veteran, was there and confronted the neo-Nazis. He posted a live video of them to the legion's Facebook page. Pictured: Neo-Nazis were seen outside of American Legion Post 141 in Howell, a town west of Detroit, while the veteran's organization hosted a play about Anne Frank Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who lived under Nazi occupation in the Netherlands The Fowlerville Community Theatre, which put on the play, said in a statement then men were in the parking lot of the American Legion building before they were 'moved' to the other side of the street. It's not clear if the American Legion staff or police were responsible for getting them off the property. In Brite's video, police were monitoring the men as they yelled about their 'rights' and continued waving the Nazi flags. 'People were shocked. They were appalled,' Brite told WXYZ, a Detroit-area ABC affiliate. 'We had 75 people downstairs that watched that play and out of that 75, there were 50 or 60 of them that were afraid to leave this building,' Brite added. 'We had to escort them to their cars. No one in America should feel like that.' The theatre said that despite the fear that both members of the audience and the cast were feeling, the play was able to conclude without interruption. 'Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to notify the audience at intermission,' the theatre wrote. Becky Frank, who played Anne Frank's mother Edith, said the neo-Nazis showing up was 'upsetting' 'For this production, our cast was also on stage in character during intermission, which was they found out as well. Although some were understandably shaken, they pulled together and finished the performance with strength and professionalism.' Those involved in putting on the play spoke directly to WLNS about the experience they had. Becky Frank, who played Anne Frank's mother Edith, said it was 'upsetting.' Brandon Johnson, the director, said it surprised him that people protested the play that had been running for two weeks at that point. Police who were on the scene said nothing turned violent. Veteran Mark Epley, who was also at the play, was shocked at the neo-Nazis' display of hatred. 'I have trouble wrapping my head around it. It's so wrong on so many fronts,' he said. 'To have that much hatred in them, it makes no sense to me.' WLNS reported that after the group left Howell, they ventured west into downtown Fowlerville. Witnesses said that after the neo-Nazis were confronted by the veterans and the police at the play, they traveled west to march through the town of Fowlerville One witness who recorded the men, still waving their flags, said their masks had the number 1488 on them. The number is an antisemitic symbol. The '14' of '1488' refers to the '14 Words' slogan: 'We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.' The '88' is simply a shorthand for 'Heil Hitler,' according to the Anti-Defamation League. 'There was a group of people at the four-way intersection in downtown that had swastika flags and American flags,' said Alex Sutfill, who recorded the incident while he was driving with his wife. 'They were sticking their arms up and yelling hail Hitler and Hail Trump and everything like that.' Peter Damerow confronted the group when they were in Fowlerville, WLNS reported. He was allegedly told to go back to his country. 'They looked at me and one of them said, "No this is Pureville now, and were here to make sure it stays pure,' Damerow said. 'I really felt like they felt comfortable enough to do this because of Trumps reelection and what they said to me at the stop light made that quite clear,' he added. A survivor of 'sadistic' John Smyth has revealed how he was beaten with a cane and emotionally tortured by the Church of England's most prolific child abuser. Andrew Morse, 63, was horrifically tormented by Smyth as a teenager and twice tried to take his own life as a result. He was left traumatised by the campaign of 'beatings', having been 'groomed over a number of years' after first meeting the predator at Winchester College as a boy in 1975. Smyth, who died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire police, is said to have subjected as many as 130 victims to 'appalling' sexual violence. The scandal today prompted the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby - who had faced a mounting backlash over the church's response to Smyth. Speaking to Sky News of his harrowing ordeal at the hands of the pervert, Mr Morse said: 'Over a number of years he groomed me to the result that he introduced sadistic beatings when I was an older teenager and through my university days, up until the point that I made an attempt on my life to stop the abuse. Andrew Morse, 63, (pictured) was abused by John Smyth as a teenager and twice tried to take his own life as a result Mr Morse spoke out about his ordeal during an interview with Sky News on Tuesday John Smyth (pictured) died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police 'The abuse itself was physical. It was caning - many, many hits with a cane. But what was far more damaging to me was the mental anguish that came along with it - the counting down of one beating to another. 'For my 21st birthday John Smyth suggested or told me that I needed a "special beating" and at that point I decided that my life wasn't worth living and that I would rather face death than another of his beatings.' Mr Morse's comments came today following the resignation of Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury over the scandal. Last night Mr Morse demanded that the religious leader quit amid mounting criticism over the way victims of the Church's most prolific child abuser were let down, amid accusations of a 'cover-up'. Dr Welby quit hours later, admitting he feels 'shame' over the way victims of the Church's most prolific abuser had been let down. The news followed a damning report found that Smyth's crimes could have been exposed in 2013 if the Archbishop had ensured the police investigated concerns. Speaking out shortly before Welby stood down, Mr Morse said: 'I think it feels like he prioritised his position and the reputation of his church above the plight of the victims and, because Smyth was still alive at that time, above other potential victims as well.' The Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured) admitted to having 'personally failed' after an independent review found John Smyth's 'abhorrent' abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up in the Church for years Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Morse added: 'Yes, I do think he should resign. 'He knew in 2013, he knew the set-up, the victim group and the place where we were groomed, all the way back to the 1980s.' Mr Morse claimed the Archbishop's failure to take action in 2013 was a 'dereliction of duty' and a betrayal of victims. He was 17 during the 1970s and 1980s and described being violently beaten by Smyth. 'I believe he was a predator,' Mr Morse said. 'He picked on a few boys within that group, befriended us, invited us back out to lunch at his family home and slowly over the years became a sort of father figure to me.' Describing his ordeal, My Morse said how Smyth built a relationship which then became more physical and violent. Predatory Smyth told him he was 'sinning' and needed to 'mark those sins in a form of repentance that really would mean something to the Lord'. 'On my 21st birthday John Smyth told me that I was still sinning and that I required what he called a 'special beating',' he told the BBC. 'That was beatings of hundreds of lashes of a cane and I realised that I couldn't take things any longer. 'I firstly wrote a couple of anonymous letters to Christian leaders and to John Smyth but when those had no affect and I decided to take my own life.' In a statement, Dr Welby said: ' Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.' The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned. Pictured: March 2024 The CofE knew 'at the highest level' from July 2013 about the abuse the barrister and lay reader had carried out in the late 1970s and early 1980s and Mr Welby was singled out for failing to report Smyth's abuse to police. A petition arranged by members of the General Synod - the church's parliament - has gathered thousands of signatures urging the cleric to stand down over his 'failures' to alert the authorities. Prior to quitting, Mr Welby had also been accused by one high-profile vicar of having 'lost the confidence of the clergy', while a bishop called on him to quit to avoid the Church 'losing complete credibility' on safeguarding. The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, told the BBC: 'I think that it's very hard for the church as the national, the established church, to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation when we cannot get our own house in order with regard to something as critically important, something that would be asked of any institution - let alone the church, which is meant to have the gospel of Jesus Christ looking out for the most vulnerable in our midst. 'We are in danger of losing complete credibility on that front.' Of Mr Welby, she said: 'I think, sadly, his position is untenable, so I think he should resign.' She said while his resignation is 'not going to solve the problem', it would be 'a very clear indication that a line has been drawn, and that we must move towards independence of safeguarding'. Mr Welby, speaking to Channel Four when the report was published, said he had been giving resignation 'a lot of thought for actually quite a long time'. But he added: 'I have given it (resigning) a lot of thought and have taken advice as recently as this morning from senior colleagues, and, no, I am not going to resign.' Dr Welby had initially tried to cling on, but was effectively forced to quit after senior colleagues joined criticism and more than 10,000 people signed a petition. Keir Starmer had also pointedly refused to back the Archbishop. Justin Welby's statement in full Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. It is my duty to honour my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion. I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse. The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done. In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete. I ask everyone to keep my wife Caroline and my children in their prayers. They have been my most important support throughout my ministry, and I am eternally grateful for their sacrifice. Caroline led the spouses' programme during the Lambeth Conference and has travelled tirelessly in areas of conflict supporting the most vulnerable, the women, and those who care for them locally. I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. I pray that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us. For above all else, my deepest commitment is to the person of Jesus Christ, my saviour and my God; the bearer of the sins and burdens of the world, and the hope of every person. Advertisement But announcing his resignation this afternoon, Dr Welby said: 'Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. 'The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. 'When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. 'It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024.' Dr Welby added: 'The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England.' Prime Minister Sir Keir declined to give Dr Welby full support on Monday after a senior Bishop called for him to resign, instead saying that it is a 'matter really for the church'. However he went a step further today when he was asked about growing calls for the Archbishop to step down while attending Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Sir Keir said that findings in the review by Keith Makin that Smyth abused more than 100 boys and young men are 'clearly horrific' and that his victims 'have obviously been failed very, very badly'. The PM said: 'Let me be clear. Of what I know of the allegations, they are clearly horrific in relation to this particular case and both in their scale and their content and my thoughts, as they are with all of these issues, are with the victims here who have obviously been failed very, very badly. 'It is a matter in the end for the Church but I am not going to shy away from the fact saying these are horrific allegations and my thoughts are with the victims in relation to it and I think that is very important.' Following the petition's launch, Mr Welby said he 'reiterates his horror at the scale of John Smyth's egregious abuse, as reflected in his public apology', repeated that he does not intend to resign and said he 'hopes the Makin Review supports the ongoing work of building a safer church here and around the world'. A driver of a tow truck has been accused of lying about properly securing the bulldozer that crushed a Utah CEO and his teenage daughter to death. Michael John Love, 51, of Ogden, was arrested on October 28 and charged with two felony counts of manslaughter for the deaths of Lifetime Products CEO Richard David Hendrickson, 57, and his daughter Sally, 16, according to the Standard-Examiner. Love allegedly lied about how secure the bulldozer was to his tow truck, which slid off the vehicle while going around a bend and fell onto Hendrickson's vehicle in the oncoming lane. Utah Highway Patrol wrote in an arrest warrant that the bulldozer was only 'secured with one small chain on the back and with the toe-hook winch on the front,' according to ABC 4. Love, however, told police the machinery had been held down with six restraints. However, nearby surveillance footage revealed the driver was seen 'walking around without having to step over any non-existence chains' on the backend of the truck, according to an arrest affidavit. Michael John Love, 51, of Ogden, was arrested on October 28 and charged with two felony counts of manslaughter for the deaths of Lifetime Products CEO Richard David Hendrickson center), 57, and his daughter Sally, 16 (center) Love (pictured) has been accused of lying about how secure the bulldozer was to his tow truck, which slid off the vehicle while going around a bend and falling onto Hendrickson's vehicle in the oncoming lane The 51-year-old also claimed Hendrickson's vehicle had struck his and that caused the bulldozer to come loose, but witnesses disputed this narrative, saying neither vehicle left its lane prior to the crash, according to ABC 4. 'The fact that some of Michael Loves first actions after the crash were to attempt to place more chains into the scene to indicate the bulldozer was secured properly, demonstrates that he knew the bulldozer was not properly secured,' documents, viewed by ABC 4, said. Love also faces felony charges of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, second-degree obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor for third-degree obstruction of justice, according to ABC 4. Hendrickson and Sally both died while they were traveling up Ogden Canyon, in eastern Weber County, Utah in July. His company announced his death in a statement, writing: 'It is with profound sadness that we announce the tragic and sudden passing of our CEO and President, Richard David Hendrickson. Utah Highway Patrol wrote in an arrest warrant that the bulldozer was only 'secured with one small chain on the back and with the toe-hook winch on the front.' Love (pictured), however, told police the machinery had been held down with six restraints Surveillance footage revealed Love was seen 'walking around without having to step over any non-existence chains.' The 51-year-old also claimed Hendrickson's vehicle had struck his and that caused the bulldozer (pictured) to come loose, but witnesses disputed this Love also faces felony charges of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, second-degree obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor for third-degree obstruction of justice 'This heartbreaking incident also claimed the life of one of his daughters, Sally,' the company explained.' His wife and two of the couple's other children sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the accident. Another daughter was traveling overseas at the time and not in the family car. The Utah-based company specializes in outdoor furniture and equipment reports ABC4. 'Richard started as a welder and progressed through multiple levels of the company to become President and CEO due to his extraordinary talents and abilities,' said Barry Mower, founder of Lifetime Products. 'He was one of my most trusted and cherished friends and will be sorely missed. Lifetime will not be the same without him. My love and heartfelt sympathy go out to his dear family.' Hendrickson's company announced his death in a statement. His wife and two of the couple's other children sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the accident. Another daughter was traveling overseas and was not in the family car The Hendrickson's $1.32million home in Ogden, Utah Following the tragic deaths, a petition has been launched to limit the type of vehicles that are allowed along the narrow road. 'Ogden Canyon, the narrow, two-lane passageway connecting Ogden Valley with the city of Ogden, serves as a lifeline for many citizens in Weber County, UT,' the petition reads. 'Flanked by the Ogden River on one side and steep mountain cliffs on the other, this precarious piece of infrastructure is a nerve-wracking daily commute for families and young drivers traveling to school and other essential destinations.' The petition reveals how the road gives 'little to no shoulder width' in some sections of the canyon with larger vehicles posing a 'substantial risk' to the safety of commuters. An entire village in Switzerland has been ordered to evacuate over fears it could be swallowed up in a gigantic landslide. Authorities in Brienz, in the eastern canton of Graubuenden, ordered residents to evacuate on Sunday as the Alpine rockslide looming overhead threatened to break loose and spill down on their homes. It was the second time that residents of Brienz received evacuation orders for its 84 residents after a similar threat last summer, when the village was spared. Local officials said in a statement to villagers that 'high above Brienz, the top part of the the uppermost part of the rubble pile has accelerated considerably.' 'It cannot be ruled out that up to 1.2 million cubic meters of rock debris will be moving moving down the valley in a stream of debris,' they added. Authorities in Brienz (pictured top), in the eastern canton of Graubuenden, ordered residents to evacuate on Sunday as the Alpine rockslide looming overhead threatened to break loose and spill down on their homes It was the second time that residents of Brienz received evacuation orders for its 84 residents after a similar threat last summer, but the village was spared A general view shows a discharge of rocks and debris near the village of Brienz, Brienz-Brinzauls, Switzerland, November 12, 2024 Measurements taken by the municipality's early warning service showed that the top of the rubble pile has been moving at a rate of more than 11.8 inches per day at times since the second half of September. Authorities said that if the rockslide starts accelerating it could soon reach the village, as it could exceed speeds of 50 miles an hour. Geologists and other experts told local officials that it is most likely for the rockslide to calm down again, but couldn't rule out the possibility of it reaching the village. The centuries-old village straddles German- and Romansch-speaking parts of the eastern Graubuenden region, sitting southwest of Davos at an altitude of about 3,800 feet. The mountain and the rocks on it have been moving since the last Ice Age, local officials say. Over the last century, the village itself has moved a few inches each year, but the movement sped up over the last 20 years. The landslide has been moving about three feet per year. Civil protection forces cordon off the danger zone around the village of Brienz, Brienz-Brinzauls, Switzerland, November 12, 2024 Authorities said that if the rockslide starts accelerating it could soon reach the village, as it could exceed speeds of 50 miles an hour The authorities previously ordered the village's 84 residents to abandon the village on May 12, 2023 over fears that it could be buried under falling rocks. When a rockslide narrowly missed it a month later, only some farmers had been allowed to return temporarily to tend to nearby fields. In their evacuation order, the municipality of Albula, which includes Brienz, said: 'All residents have to leave the village until Sunday afternoon, November 17, until 1pm. 'The evacuation is likely to go on for several months.' Roads leading into Brienz have been cordoned off and only residents who are evacuating their homes in the village will be let through. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A furious Swedish MEP has blamed 'soft socialists' and 'outdated international conventions' for the country's migration crisis, after a Syrian refugee was filmed violently mugging a 91-year-old widow. Karam Kanjo, 26, was caught on train station CCTV assaulting his elderly victim before ripping her gold necklaces from her neck as she made her way to her husband's grave on August 29. The Syrian national has now been found guilty of aggravated robbery and will be deported after Sweden toughened up its rules on removing immigrants convicted of crimes. Court documents seen by MailOnline show Kanjo has been booked 19 times by police and had a string of convictions since he arrived in Sweden in 2015, including for theft and rape, which he was found guilty of in May 2022. Swedish MEP Charlie Weimers, a member of the right-wing Sweden Democrats, told MailOnline: 'Kanjo is the embodiment of absurd legal judgements, outdated international conventions, and soft socialists on crime that have perpetuated Swedens nightmare migration saga. Karam Kanjo, 26, was caught on train station CCTV assaulting his elderly victim on August 29. He had previously been convicted of rape and theft Swedish MEP Charlie Weimers, a member of the right-wing Sweden Democrats , told MailOnline: 'Kanjo is the embodiment of absurd legal judgements, outdated international conventions, and soft socialists on crime that have perpetuated Swedens nightmare migration saga' The attack took place in Sollentuna station, around eight miles northwest of Stockholm, with CCTV footage (pictured) capturing the shocking incident The pair were seen halfway up a set of stairs in the train station, before the man (top right) grabbed the elderly women (top left) They tumbled down the stairs together as he tried to pull her necklaces from her neck. A commuter was seen running past as the man dragged the elderly women to the floor The man and the elderly woman in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. He took her necklaces from her after pulling her to the ground 'One such absurd legal ruling was that permanent residents could only be deported for extraordinary reasons. Yet, Kanjos mile long criminal record of assault, robbery and rape didnt meet that bar. 'No more. After decades of campaigning by the Sweden Democrats, we are finally deporting criminals even if they have been living in Sweden for decades.' Kanjo was given a prison sentence of two years and six months for the sex attack, but prosecutors did not request deportation at the time, according to Swedish media, likely because he had been living in Sweden for six years. After serving just half of his sentence, he was let out on parole in October last year. His attack on the elderly widow was carried out while he was still on parole. Horrifying video of Kanjo's attack has shocked Sweden and reignited the country's debate on migration and the efficacy of the criminal justice system. It has raised questions as to why he was not deported following his rape conviction, with Expressen reporting that the prosecutor 'does not remember why she did not demand deportation but "guess[es]" that she had "a good reason"'. The decision came after a 2019 Supreme Court ruling in a similar case that 'extraordinary reasons' would be required to deport a person who had lived longer than four years in Sweden. Kanjo seemingly benefitted from this precedent in May 2019 - just months before the then-Justice Minister tightened the rules, according to Expressen. Last Monday, Kanjo was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison, and was ordered to be deported back to Syria after he was convicted of aggravated robbery, as well as a violation of Sweden's knife laws and a drug offence. The court assessed that Kanjo - who has lived in Sweden for nearly a decade after entering during Europe's migrant crisis in 2015 - has a 'very weak' connection to the country. His violent crime was caught on camera at Sollentuna station, eight miles northwest of Stockholm, in August, a clip which has served as a key piece of evidence in his conviction. Karam Kanjo (pictured) has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for the attack In it, he is seen grabbing his elderly victim as she walked up the stairs at the station. The 91-year-old is seen struggling before the pair tumble down the stairs as he grips her necklaces, causing the woman a number of injuries. A witness to the attack is seen running for safety, leaving the elderly woman behind. After the pair roll to the bottom of the stairs, Kanjo stands up and yanks her chains from her, before calmly walking away and leaving the elderly woman lying on the ground as two female commuters run down the stairs to assist her. According to court documents obtained by MailOnline, the necklaces were gifts she received more than 40 years ago. When the victim was questioned by police she said she was petrified by the episode and had never experienced violence like it in her life. As well as being deported, Kanjo has been ordered to pay his victim 93,100 Swedish Krona (6,700) in damages. A judge said Kanjo's crime was 'life-threatening', given the age of his victim. The judge said the elderly woman 'suffered swelling over her left hip and left arm, bruises on the legs, bruises on the left arm and heavy skin scraped around the neck from the necklaces.' 'The swelling set in, and [caused] pain for several weeks.' The victim was brought to the floor and had her necklaces yanked from her neck 'Even a fall to the ground could have caused fractures that were serious. Now the fall happened carelessly down a flight of stairs. 'It appears to be a lucky coincidence that [the victim] did not suffer very serious injuries in the fall. Although no legal certificate or the like has been presented in the matter, the court considers that, with regard to [the victim's] age, it is clear that the violence Karam Kanjo used against her was life-threatening.' He will also be prohibited from returning to Sweden after he is deported, according to the court documents. Despite him fighting to overturn the deportation order, Swedish authorities told Attunda district court that his 'connection to Sweden is... very weak.' 'According to the Norwegian Correctional Service's investigation, he lives in destructive social conditions without his own accommodation and is unemployed,' the court was told. He reportedly told the court that if he were to be sent home, he would be 'subjected to torture or inhumane treatment.' Sweden has this year had a 'net outflow of immigrants for the first time in decades', according to Annika Sandlund, the UNHCR representative to the Nordic and Baltic countries. The country's government, lead by the Moderate party and supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, has increasingly restricted laws regarding asylum seekers. Kanjo was caught on CCTV attacking the elderly widow, who was on her way to visit her husband's grave For after years of horrific gangland violence blamed largely on Sweden's soaring migrant population, the centre-Right government has slammed the border shut, announcing a raft of harsh measures aimed at reducing the numbers of foreign-born residents, which currently stands at more than 20 per cent of the 10.6 million total. Among the policy proposals is an offer of just under 26,000 for legal immigrants willing to return voluntarily to their country of origin; the tightening of family reunification and asylum regulations; and more than doubling the income threshold for those seeking work visas up from 970 a month to 2,200. Another such law being pursued by the government is a so-called 'snitch law' that would require public sector workers to report illegal immigrants. As well as toughening up entry restrictions, the government is also hoping to encourage thousands of migrants who have settled here legally to leave voluntarily. New migration minister Johan Forssell recently boasted: 'We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy.' Right-wing politician, Nima Gholam Ali Pour - an Iranian refugee himself - told the Mail 'Sweden has had very difficult problems with immigration in recent years'. 'We have areas that are 90 per cent immigrants who don't accept Swedish values and where ethnic Swedes have had to move out. 'Most people don't want Sweden to become like the Middle East. And why should we receive more migrants when we can't integrate those who are already here?' Over the past decade in particular, Sweden's plans of creating a harmonious, pluralist society has not come to fruition. The country that once boasted one of the lowest crime rates in Europe is now the gun-crime capital of the continent, fuelled by violent gangs disproportionately made up of first-generation migrants who control the nation's illicit drug and prostitution trades. According to a 2023 police report, there are believed to be 14,000 active gang members in Sweden along with a further 48,000 people with 'gang affiliation', many as young as just nine or ten. Over the first six months of this year alone, Sweden suffered a shocking 148 shootings, resulting in 20 deaths. Last year, 55 people were shot dead across 363 incidents. In 2022, there were a record 62 fatal shootings while 73 people aged between just 15-20 were arrested for suspected or attempted murder with a firearm. An 'anti-fascist' OnlyFans model raged at her parents online after they voted for Donald Trump. Merrick DeVille went viral on X after she shared that she no longer wants a relationship with her MAGA parents in the wake of Trump's election win last week. 'My parents are downstairs right now - in the house I moved us into and whose bills I pay, watching TV,' the avowed socialist wrote on X on Monday. 'They happily voted for Trump. I dont know how to be anything other than angry. 6 more months on the lease and every day already I am more angry.' DeVille, who lives in Austin, Texas, claimed her parents' vote was an attack on her, saying it was 'like they spat in her face.' Merrick DeVille, right, shocked social media with a post about her parents voting for Trump Antifa OnlyFans model Merrick DeVille is raging with her parents for voting Donald Trump 'They know I have extensive reproductive health issues. They know access to BC (birth control) is the only thing between me and regular hospital visits. They know Trump is a fascist, they dont even like him,' she added. 'They voted for him anyway.' After realizing her post had gone viral, DeVille thanked supporters and then spoke to the 'people suggesting [she is] a controlling monster for being upset that [her] parents just voted to make [her] job illegal and hurt my healthcare.' DeVille then appeared to backtrack, claiming her parents have other living options and would not be left on the street when she kicks them out. 'I dont know what Im going to do yet,' she wrote. 'My father runs a business and has money coming in, his fiancee owns millions and millions of worth property and a ranch, shes a landlord. Shes never had a job or paid a bill. They could have tons of money, she just doesnt sell anything. 'They have other places they could live. Im the only one on the lease, all bills are in my name. I work from home, my dad totaled my car (that he asked me to buy from her) a few months back & I just sold it. Theyre my only family here. I paid for everything to move them in.' DeVille then claimed that her dad owes her wages for her work for him and that she has been exploited by him, going after those who accused her of wanting to leave her parents on the street. Many social media users took issue with DeVille's thread, accusing her of putting politics above her loved ones. One reply read: 'This is why Democrats lose. They think they know what's best for everyone. If you won't go along with them? They will use your livelihood as a bargaining chip. You are all about FORCED compliance and FORCED behavior. Even when it comes to your own parents.' Another added: 'If a loved ones political opinion affects you more than the familial bond and love, then it is you whos the issue. Touch some grass.' Others, however, agreed with DeVille's plan to disown her parents. One person said: 'Protect yourself since they wont help protect you Sometimes the family we make is better than the one were born into.' 'Kick them out by yesterday,' wrote another. She replied to a critic's comment, writing: 'Hey, I just wanna know why youre pretending I said anything remotely indicating Im gonna throw my parents on the street when this thread indicates that they have a lot of property, money + options and I have not actually said Im gonna do anything to them, but rather they hurt my feelings? Why are you such a s**thead weasel little liar?' DeVille, who has also described herself as a sex worker, addressed those who slammed her over her post. 'I am learning today that a lot of Republicans believe that as long as someone is your parent you have to pay for their life & let them exploit you to any degree,' she wrote. 'Bootstraps for thee, free handouts for me.' Many ultra-progressives have said they need time away from their Trump-voting relatives following the Republican's win last week. President-elect Donald Trump is seen at a town hall campaign event in Oaks, Pennsylvania, on October 14 Among them are a Yale child psychiatrist who told MSNBC host Joy Reid that it's fine to disown family members who voted for Trump. Dr. Amanda Calhoun, a child psychiatry fellow at the Ivy league school, made the comments during an interview on Reid's show The Reid Out Friday, while discussing coping strategies for people upset by Trump's election win. 'There is a societal norm that if somebody is your family that they are entitled to your time and I think the answer is absolutely not,' Calhoun said. 'So if you are going into a situation where you have family members, where you have close friends, who you know have voted in ways that are against you, against your livelihood, its completely fine to not be around those people and to tell them why. 'To say, "I have a problem with the way that you voted because it went against my very livelihood and I'm not going to be around for this holiday. I have to take space for me.' A New York barber bravely risked his life to save an innocent customer after two hooded gunmen opened fire inside a bustling barbershop. Rafael Abreu, 47, of Corona, quickly intervened as two hooded men wielding guns entered the Langumas El Cache Barbershop in Queens looking to execute a gang-related hit, officials say. The heart-stopping incident unfolded around 5:45 pm on Friday at the 103-17 Roosevelt Ave location. Surveillance from inside the store shows two people in hoodies storming into the business before Abreu and other bystanders intervened as the remaining customers and barbers fled the store or sought cover. Rafael Abreu (left), 47, of Corona, quickly intervened as two hooded men wielding guns entered the Langumas El Cache Barbershop in Queens looking to execute a gang-related hit, officials say Surveillance from inside the store shows two people in hoodies storming into the business before Abreu and other bystanders intervened as the remaining customers and barbers fled the store or sought cover Seemingly realizing the immediate danger the 47-year-old barber risked his life in his attempt to restrain one of the two gunmen dressed in white and wearing a mask His accomplice however continued his pursuit of the unnamed red and black jacketed man, following him to the back of the store and firing off a few rounds before fleeing the store Before the two gun-wielding men entered the shop, a man dressed in a red and black jacket is seen standing by the door just before noticing the suspects. The jacketed man immediately ran to the back of the store as the hooded men entered, surveillance footage shows. Seemingly realizing the immediate danger the 47-year-old barber risked his life in his attempt to restrain one of the two gunmen dressed in white and wearing a mask. His accomplice however continued his pursuit of the unnamed red and black jacketed man, following him to the back of the store and firing off a few rounds before fleeing the store. The bullet hole left by the gunman could still be seen at the back of the barbershop wall, leaving about an inch hole in the black tile. 'It was very emotional to me that I protected two peoples lives and that I defended my coworkers, who are my brothers,' Abreu said in an interview immediately after the incident. The father-of-seven described feeling 'unsafe' at the barbershop for the past 6 years. Officials believe the Friday evening incident to be gang-related and that the barbers may have been protecting a man who sought cover inside the shop. Both suspects remain at large as of Monday morning. 'Its a miracle no one was mortally wounded in the packed shop,' former council member and District Leader Hiram Monserrate said in a statement. The heart-stopping incident unfolded around 5:45 pm on Friday at the 103-17 Roosevelt Ave location 'It was very emotional to me that I protected two peoples lives and that I defended my coworkers, who are my brothers,' Abreu said in an interview immediately after the incident. Pictured: Rafael Abreu and his wife 'What we saw here was a display of gang activity, and all of them were armed with guns. This barber right here, Mr. Rafael Abreu, is a hero,' Monserrate added. The area has been riddled with crime as residents have seen an uptick of 19 percent since this time last year, according to NYPD data. The 115th Precinct noted a total of 1,866 crimes in 2023, increasing to a 2,223 total so far in 2024, noting a spike in almost every major crime category, including murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny, and shootings this year. Ahead of the life-threatening barbershop incident the NYPD started 'Operation Restore Roosevelt,' a task force to tackle the urban crime zone from 74th to 111th street. 'We are clear that these police officers need to stay in place on Roosevelt Avenue beyond the 90 days,' Ramon Ramirez-Baez of the Lets Improve Roosevelt Avenue Coalition said. Following the near tragic crime local advocates are calling for increased police presence in the crime-riddled Roosevelt Avenue neighborhood. A WALTER Mitty medic who pretended he was a paramedic to impress women he met on Tinder before raping and sexually assaulting them has been convicted of a string of offences. Predatory Jamie Kadolski, 24, was an ambulance call handler and first responder who wore his NHS uniform on his dating app profile photo. But he concealed his junior role when he met women by placing stickers over personal information on his ID card and instead claimed he saved lives on ambulances. His offending came to light in November 2023 when a woman contacted police to make an allegation against him. But he continued to commit offences against other women while on bail and was arrested again in March and April this year. Jamie Kadolski, 24, was an ambulance call handler and first responder who wore his NHS uniform on his dating app profile photo He concealed his junior role when he met women by placing stickers over personal information on his ID card and instead claimed he saved lives on ambulances His offending came to light in November 2023 when a woman contacted police to make an allegation against him but he continued to commit offences against other women while on bail Ambulances queued outside of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital - where Kadolski also worked Attacks were carried out at a victims flat, in his own home in Norwich, Norfolk, and in his car after driving a victim to an isolated spot at Hempton, near Fakenham. In a police interview, the fantasist who said he was looking for short-term fun on Tinder - told officers he wouldnt have been capable of pinning someone down as he had suffered sexual abuse as a child. He also denied arguing with one of his accusers. He told police he remembered her crying on one occasion and coldly added: Im not the best with empathy or sympathy. The woman who was attacked at Hempton told the court how she met the defendant on Tinder in 2022 and admitted she wanted to get to know each other and see if the chemistry was there. Some messages were a bit flirty and sex was a possibility but she described how he undressed her and grabbed her breasts aggressively, as well as pulling her hair when they had sex in the back of his car. She said she was unable to tell him to stop because she had frozen with fear and felt very vulnerable. I just wanted it to stop and to end, she said. Another victim complained Kadolski had pulled her hair aggressively to keep her head in his lap while unzipping her shorts and sexually assaulting her at his flat. Attacks were carried out at a victims flat, in his own home in Norwich, Norfolk, and in his car after driving a victim to an isolated spot at Hempton, near Fakenham In a police interview, the fantasist who said he was looking for short-term fun on Tinder - told officers he wouldnt have been capable of pinning someone down as he had suffered sexual abuse as a child Kadolski also worked as a healthcare assistant at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (pictured) The 24-year-old pretended he was a paramedic to impress women he met on Tinder I had to push his hand away, get up and do up my shorts, she said. There was no consent in the first place. At no point did I say that what was happening to me was okay with me. Kadolski, who also worked as a healthcare assistant at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, was convicted of three rapes, two counts of assault by penetration and a sexual assault against the first victim. He was cleared of attempting to suffocate her by putting a dog collar on her so tight that she lost consciousness and another count of rape. The jury at Norwich Crown Court also convicted him of sexual assault and assault by penetration against two other victims. Kadolski, whose offences covered an 18-month period, was cleared of raping a fourth woman as the trial ended on Friday. Judge Anthony Bate adjourned sentencing until February for a pre-sentence report to be produced specifically on the danger he poses to young women in particular. A psychological risk assessment will also be carried out. Kadolski was convicted of three rapes, two counts of assault by penetration and a sexual assault against the first victim The jury at Norwich Crown Court (pictured) also convicted him of sexual assault and assault by penetration against two other victims The judge said: He seemed to be displaying traits of a personality disorder which I think needs to be carefully considered by an appropriate clinician. Kadolski, who resigned from the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS), had faced further charges of raping a woman while she slept and false imprisonment of a woman who said she was locked in a bathroom. But during the trial the court was told he had no case to answer on the charges and the jury was ordered to return not guilty verdicts. Detective Constable Claire Floyd, of Norfolk Police, branded Kadolski predatory and remorseless as she paid tribute to the courage of his victims afterwards. She said: I hope that todays verdict will bring a small measure of comfort that justice has been delivered. I also hope that it encourages anyone else who is a victim of this type of offence to have the confidence to come forward. I dont underestimate the strength it takes to report sexual offences but todays verdict shows we do take these reports seriously and that we are dedicated to bringing predatory and remorseless offenders like Kadolski before the courts. EEAS paramedic Andrew Wheeler, 46, was jailed for 21 years in 2021 after being convicted of sex attacks against two women and a girl. EEAS paramedic Andrew Wheeler, 46, (pictured) was jailed for 21 years in 2021 after being convicted of sex attacks against two women and a girl One victim, a nurse, was raped at an ambulance station and assaulted a year later when he treated her as a patient in an ambulance. Another victim was an alcoholic who was told by Wheeler that nobody would believe her because of her drink problem. The girl was aged nine or ten when she was touched on the inner thigh by the defendant, who was also involved with St John Ambulance. Last year the troubled organisation was accused of institutional racism and staff branded xenophobic, with colleagues complaining that offensive behaviour was often dismissed as banter. A teacher in Connecticut has been suspended after sharing a video online threatening to kill Trump supporters. Annie Dunleavy, 30, posted a video to Snapchat saying she would leave Donald Trump supporters 'on a stretcher' if they 'tested their gangster' on her. Cheshire Public Schools Superintendent Dr Jeffrey Solan announced that he was made aware of the video over the weekend, and that the teacher had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation into the matter. 'The Chesire Public Schools is reviewing this situation as a personnel matter and as such we are following all applicable laws,' Solan wrote. Dunleavy, the special education teacher at Chapman Elementary School, made threats to anyone who voted for president-elect Trump and told them to either fight her or leave. Dunleavy, in her video, claims that the people she cares about 'aren't gonna be safe in America' so 'neither the f*** are you guys'. Annie Dunleavy, 30, was temporarily suspended for a rant she posted on Snapchat where she threatened to kill Trump supporters and put them 'on a stretcher' 'That being said, it is immediately clear that it will be impossible to conduct business as usual for our students and staff without temporarily removing the teacher from the building, so we have done so until the outcome of the investigation,' Solan added. 'Just because you won doesn't mean we don't remember who the f*** you voted for you're not in the clear... please, please don't test your gangster on me because you will end on a stretcher - gone, forever,' Dunleavy said. '[I'm] so serious nobody f***ing talk to me unless you wanna swing - if you wanna fight text me call me, whatever, anybody else stay the f*** outta my face.' 'If you voted for Trump literally, please delete me, block me, get rid of everything of me - or step to me, so that I know what's up and I can handle you how I see fit,' she added. She then finished her rant by asking Trump supporters to 'come forward... or leave, please, [there's] the door.' 'If you voted for Trump literally, please delete me, block me, get rid of everything of me - or step to me, so that I know what's up and I can handle you how I see fit,' Dunleavy said Dunleavy works at Chapman Elementary School in the Chesire School District who said that the teacher's 'personal opinion' does not reflect that of the schools Solan further stated that the school had been contacted through calls and emails from people outside of the Chesire community. Although there have been no direct threats to the school, according to Solan, they will have a cautionary police presence outside of the school. 'Again, I would encourage civil conversation and ask that everyone, particularly adults, work to try and bring down the temperature for the benefit of all Americans, but especially our students.' Comments scrutinized Solan for stating that the teacher was 'expressing her personal opinion' which was 'intended to be a private message', and that her views did not reflect that of the schools'. 'So, whether you agree politically or not, it doesn't matter. You're a teacher and educator educating our kids. You need to be cognitive of who's going to hear what you say whether it's intended for the public or not,' said parent, Ian Anctil One wrote on X: 'So let me get this right, this teacher can express a desire to commit a felony and that would be "ok" by the schools logic?' 'Why have they not fired this teacher already is ridiculous and shows that they support this kind of behavior from their teachers,' another said. One parent, Ian Anctil, told WFSB that her reaction was 'inappropriate' and that she should 'definitely' be suspended while they investigate. 'So, whether you agree politically or not, it doesn't matter. You're a teacher and educator educating our kids. You need to be cognitive of who's going to hear what you say whether it's intended for the public or not.' Chilling footage shows the moment Portland nurse Mackenzie Michalski's killer led police to her body. The 37-year-old Irishman - who can only be legally identified by his initials LTM - admitted to killing 31-year-old Mackenzie while she was on vacation in Hungary. While handcuffed and attached to a leash, he led Hungarian cops through dense and isolated bushland on the outskirts of Szigliget, two hours from the capital Budapest. He insists her death on November 5 was an accident. In the video, LTM is escorted out of a cop car and leads officers through bushes towards a lake. Police dogs watch on as specialists in hazmat suits place markers in the ground at the direction of the killer. Evidence bags labeled 'one' and 'two' are collected, along with samples of grass and leaves, before the handcuffed Irishman is returned to the police car. Mackenzie Michalski (pictured) had gone to Hungary as a tourist and was last seen at a nightclub before her body was eventually found Police shared photos of the evidence collected, including this suitcase. Police allege Michalski's body was shoved inside a suitcase and dumped In the video, LTMis escorted out of a police car and leads officers through bushes and knee-length grass While handcuffed and attached to a leash, LTM led Hungarian police officers through dense and isolated bushland on the outskirts of Szigliget Michalski was seen on CCTV with her killer in the hours before her disappearance. It is understood the duo met in a nightclub, proceeded to travel to a second club together and then they both returned to the Irishman's rented apartment nearby. The 31-year-old nurse from Portland, Oregon, was killed inside the apartment during 'an intimate moment', police said. Detectives claimed Michalski's body was hidden in a wardrobe while the killer 'cleaned his apartment and went to get a suitcase.' Her body was stuffed inside the case and he transported her in the trunk of a rented car to Lake Balaton, where he dumped her body. He was arrested inside his apartment on November 7. Police have released photographs of the evidence collected so far Police dogs watch on as specialists in hazmat suits place markers in the ground at the direction of the killer Friend and fellow traveler, Gretchen Tower, said the group had been traveling together and when she lost contact with Michalski. Tower was the one who reported her missing Friends hold candles while remembering Michalski during a candlelight vigil in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, November 9 Police have not yet confirmed how Michalski died, but revealed her killer made a series of disturbing online searches after her death, including: 'Do pigs really eat dead bodies?' He'd also searched 'Texas woman killed by wild boar' and 'appearance of wild boar in the settlements along the Lake Balaton' - the area he would later dump her body. Other searches included asking 'what does a dead body smell like after it decomposes' and how to 'remove rotting meat smell.' LTM had also searched 'how reliable is the police in Budapest' and 'how do the police handle missing person cases?'. Kenton Reichen said following a vigil for Ms Michalski in the Hungarian capital that he wished he could have 'protected' his partner of six years The handcuffed killer was attached to a leash held by officers at all times as he led them to Michalski's body The 37-year-old Irishman suspected of killing Michalski (pictured) led police to the area where her body was dumped following his arrest over her disappearance on November 7 Michalski traveled to Budapest with a friend for a holiday, but she was initially meant to be in Europe with her boyfriend of six years, Kenton Reichen. The couple were in the midst of a breakup, so Reichen decided not to go on the trip, he has since revealed. 'She was perfect, but I neglected her in many ways,' he said. 'It hurts me a lot, and I wish I could have protected her. 'Kenzie did not deserve to be beaten, raped and killed so brutally. I wish I could have saved her from this. This will forever be the biggest mistake of my life.' Reichen traveled to Hungary with Michalski's parents in the wake of her disappearance to look for her. Human remains were discovered inside a freezer at a Michigan townhouse, leading police to investigate the ghastly find as a homicide. Deputies from the East Lansing Department responded on November 7 to 911 calls from an unidentified person who 'indicated there was blood on the floor' of one of the homes on the 1500 block of Wintercrest Steet. Working with the property manager, officers were able get inside the residence and spotted dried blood on the floor. While searching the house, police found a body inside a freezer alongside the possible human remains of a second person. Deputies from the East Lansing Department responded to a 911 call made by an unidentified person who 'indicated there was blood on the floor' of one of the houses on the 1500 block of Wintercrest Steet on November 8 Police said that there were no signs of break-in at the residence and believe there is no threat to the public. Investigators have yet to identify the victims. The Michigan State Police collected evidence from the residence and sent it for examination at a crime lab. East Lansing Interim Police Chief Chad Pride told WLNS that determining how and why the remains wound up in the freezer could be challenging. 'We don't believe this happened last night or within the last couple days. I believe this is something that happened further back. 'My hope is we find something quickly, that way the public can be at ease, family can be at ease, neighbors can be at ease,' he noted. DailyMail.com has reached out to the East Lansing Police Department for a comment. Andrew Whitney, a local resident who lives near the property, said he had not seen anyone go in or out of the townhouse in months The house was surrounded by yellow tape and biohazard stickers were stuck on window panes Andrew Whitney, a local resident who lives near the property, said that he had not seen anyone go in or out of the townhouse in months. 'We were thinking last night, how many days have we spent sleeping in bed potentially mere feet away, potentially, from a corpse. Something violent and serious appears to have happened. 'I haven't smelled death but if I had to guess, it was the smell of death,' he told WLNS. Officials have asked anyone with information to contact the department. The Michigan State Police collected evidence from the residence and sent it for examination at a crime lab East Lansing Interim Police Chief Chad Pride said that determining how and why the remains wound up in the freezer could be challenging The discovery comes less than a month after an Arizona man told police he stored his dead father in a stand-up freezer in his backyard because he didn't want to lose the house. Police arrived at Joseph Hill Jr's Tempe home after they received a tip on October 22 about a corpse in the freezer, according to Maricopa County court records obtained by AZFamily. The tipster said that the cold storage unit was covered with a tarp and blankets, according to CNN. Hill admitted to police that his father died four years earlier in Oregon but otherwise stonewalled them by not allowing them to investigate the freezer. Detectives assigned to the case were unable to verify the death of his father, Joseph Hill Sr. They then discovered Hill Sr. was the owner of the Tempe home his son was living in. They also found out Hill Sr. was collecting Social Security benefits until March 2023, which would have been years after his supposed death. Hill Jr. was arrested and charged with concealing a body and failing to report the death of someone not under the care of a healthcare provider, police said. GMB panelist Narinder Kaur today tried to defend her remark about the Princess of Wales having 'aged so much' by insisting she was not alluding to her treatment for cancer. The former Big Brother contestant made the offensive comment on X as she reposted an article about the Princess of Wales attending Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph. The 51-year-old, who appears as a commentator on shows including GMB, GB News and Loose Women, wrote: 'Genuine question why has Kate aged so much? Isn't she only 42? Is she a smoker? It's the only explanation.' Ms Kaur's tweet provoked a storm of outrage, with other X users calling the comment 'dreadful' and accusing her of 'exploiting' Kate 'for social media clicks'. Appearing on the Jeremy Vine Show on Channel 5 today, Ms Kaur repeated that she regretted the comments before revealing she had contacted police over the abuse she had received. Narinder Kaur appearing on the Jeremy Vine Show today to defend her comments about the Princess of Wales Narinder Kaur made the offensive comment on X on Sunday as she reposted an article about the Princess of Wales attending commemorations at the Cenotaph Vehemently denying that she had been referencing Kate's treatment for cancer, she said: 'No matter how much I try and convince people that wasn't my intention they're not going to believe it. 'My intention was to ask whether she was smoking... it had nothing to do with her cancer. I don't understand how asking a simple question about smoking has made me into the devil of Britain and why people have equated it to cancer, because I didn't.' Asked why she blamed the response on racism, Ms Kaur said: 'I blamed it on racism and misogyny and sexual humiliation.' Revealing she had contacted police after being abused on social media, Ms Kaur continued: 'I've gone to the Metropolitan Police [about the abuse] it's that bad.' And turning to her critics, she added: 'I can't understand... it seems so hypocritical... you spent a year demonising Kate ''where's Kate, oh she edited pictures'' and yet you come at me with such ferociousness that I've had to be in touch with the Metropolitan Police because I've had all kinds of threats. 'People say I blame racism - but if I'm getting racist and sexual abuse, who am I meant to blame. And then people say ''she's making herself into a victim'' - but actually if I'm getting the threats I am then I am a victim to this.' The TV personality shared a video yesterday in which she admitted the tweet was 'stupid' before hitting out at trolls who had sent her 'sexual, racist [and] violent abuse'. She said: 'I thought I'd do a quick video instead of tweet after tweet, because it becomes pretty ridiculous as if it wasn't ridiculous enough already. 'I put out a stupid tweet. That wasn't my intention, my intention was not to be malicious or nasty or anything. 'I'm not like that, anybody who knows me. It was stupid to ask about the ageing. I've admitted that, I've put my hands up and apologised if it caused offence. 'The only people who were offended though, because many people on Twitter and social media have asked exactly what I've asked but did not receive the sexual, racial, violent abuse that I did from accounts with EDL flags, Union Jacks, disgusting abuse.' Ms Kaur shared a video yesterday in which she admitted the tweet was 'stupid' Ms Kaur said her brother 'went through brutal treatment of chemo' when he was suffering from cancer before his death and claimed she wouldn't have made remarks about Kate's appearance with regard to her cancer diagnosis. In the same video, Ms Kaur went on to outrageously accused Kate of having 'a lot of privilege' for not having to work while she received treatment for cancer. And, claiming that a lot of the comments she had received in response to her original tweet were about Meghan Markle, she added: 'What's Meghan got to do with it?' The commentator accused her critics of 'pitting Kate against Meghan', adding: 'You exposed your narrative. You exposed that what this was all about was I as a brown woman, an Indian, had the gall to criticise Kate's appearance. 'I'm not going anywhere. I'm not leaving the country. I'm gonna continue. You can keep cancelling me as much as you like, but you will not silence my voice just because I'm a brown woman, and it is that, and you will never convince me otherwise.' X user Paul Tavares was among appalled at Ms Kaur's comments, writing: 'What an utterly appalling tweet by Narinder Kaur; on so many human levels of decency. Just disgusting!!' Broadcaster Josh Rom added: 'SHE HAS BATTLED CANCER. I cannot tell you how offensive you are being.' The Princess of Wales joined the King and the Prince of Wales in London on Sunday as they led the nation in remembering Britain's war dead The Princess of Wales appearing alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh during the Remembrance Sunday service The Princess of Wales joined the King and the Prince of Wales in London on Sunday as they led the nation in remembering Britain's war dead. Kate carried out her second consecutive day of royal duties for the first time since it was revealed earlier this year she was being treated for cancer. Wearing a black, military-style jacket with epaulettes, she could be seen wearing her traditional three poppies as she joined the nation in two minutes of silence. The touching tribute remembers her great-grandmother's three brothers, who all lost their lives in the First World War. She also wore a silver Queen's Dragoon Guards brooch, a reference to her role as the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief. Kate watched the Whitehall event from above, on the nearby Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office balcony in central London, alongside Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. The Princess appeared emotional as she quietly closed her eyes in remembrance, bowing her head in respect. In a touching moment following the ceremony, the Duchess of Edinburgh could be seen laying a tender hand on her shoulder as they left the balcony together. Last night she attended the Festival of Remembrance ceremony at London's Royal Albert Hall, alongside her husband William. Kate, 42, wore Bahrain Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings, from the late Queen Elizabeth's private collection, which were also worn by the late Princess Diana in 1982. Speaking about the significance of her choice, Laura Taylor, jeweller at Lorel Diamonds, said: 'By wearing these earrings, Kate aims to honour the Queen's legacy and the tradition of wearing pearls for moments of reflection and remembrance, echoing the late monarch's preference for understated elegance on such occasions.' She added: 'Pearls are deeply associated with respect, dignity, and calm, offering a subtle yet elegant appearance that makes them particularly fitting for events of remembrance. 'The late Queen Elizabeth frequently chose pearls for national mourning and reflective occasions, valuing their subdued beauty. By wearing these meaningful pieces, Kate not only honours her personal connections to Diana and the late Queen but also embraces the solemnity of the events in a way that feels both respectful and deeply personal.' Ms Kaur regularly appears as a commentator on shows including Good Morning Britain Ms Kaur revealed during the race riots earlier this year that she felt 'too scared' to let her children out of the house. The broadcaster, whose parents emigrated from India, told of being left 'distressed and disheartened' by the far-Right violence. 'I'm scared to lets the kids out of the house at all,' she wrote in The Mirror. 'My husband and I are wary of travelling around London, a city we've usually felt safe in, because we're worried about our safety amidst these race riots. The threat is real and personal'. Last month, the broadcaster claimed she was 'kicked, punched and verbally abused' by a passenger during a flight to India. She said she was 'flung forward' by a woman as she slept after rowing over a reclined seat on the Air India flight. Sharing the details to X, she wrote: 'Air rage is real and I had a terrible experience with a woman literally punching and kicking my seat forward as it was reclined (I was sleeping) whilst she was trying to eat behind me. 'She literally flung me forward and I didn't have my belt on. She proceeded to verbally abuse me. FYI she wasn't even drunk.' In March, Ms Kaur backed Nike's infamous decision to redesign the St George's Cross on England kits, saying it made her feel 'included' because the flag 'is associated with bigotry, fascism and racism' after being 'hijacked' by the far-Right. England fans vowed to boycott Nike and its hated new 125 shirt for the 2024 Euros after the firm offended millions by redrawing the flag with a 'rainbow coloured abomination'. Mr Kaur, who appeared on Big Brother in 2001, in a publicity photo for the series But Ms Kaur shared her controversial belief that the England flag in its original red and white is 'scary' and represents 'racism'. She told the Jeremy Vine Show: 'I saw that flag and I felt included. I felt Nike's reason was to unite. Sadly the St George's flag has been hijacked, it is tarnished. And as far back as I can remember 60s, 70s, 80s, it's been hijacked by far-Right groups. 'All I see when I see the St George's flag is people draped in it doing the Nazi salute, being racist and hating Muslims. So there's nothing to be proud about when those kind of people are brandishing that flag and it's actually quite scary. 'I don't feel proud of this flag, I feel scared of the flag. That flag doesn't represent tolerance, it represents racism.' Ms Kaur suggested 'tolerance' was a key national characteristic and claimed there was a need to 'reclaim' the St George's Cross. 'What we need is for the majority who are apparently proud of this flag to reclaim what Britain [sic] is about,' she said. 'Because at the moment, it's [associated] with bigotry, fascism and racism. And the majority aren't displaying it proudly because even they feel slightly ashamed by it.' As Donald Trump shifts his focus to a second term in the White House, the extraordinary statistics from his 2024 election victory are still emerging. On the way to being president-elect, he won all of seven of the swing states that were supposed to be coin-flips. Black and Hispanic voters turned out in their droves to back Trump and the Republican nominee saw an increase in support in 49 out of the 50 states. The Democrat civil war over who was to blame for the defeat will continue long into when the party starts considering their 2028 presidential nominees. But as the dust settles, DailyMail.com has broken down two sets of statistics that show just how dominant Trump's victory was - even in places where he seemed certain to lose support. Did 'migrants eating pets' claims hurt Trump in county at the center of allegations? It was a comment during his debate with Kamala Harris that some feared could damage his election chances. But it turns out Trump's allegation that Haitian migrants were eating cats and dogs didn't hurt him at the ballot box - especially in the county where he claimed it was happening. DailyMail.com has crunched the numbers to reveal the president-elect actually gained support in Clark County, where the town of Springfield resides. The normally quiet community has seen an influx of migrants in the last year and was rocked by the animal-eating claims from Republicans - that made it all the way to the top of the ticket. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. In the run-up to the Presidential election, Trump sparked fury by claiming Haitian immigrants living in Springfield were stealing dogs and cats for food. His incendiary comments left the city on edge, with locals warning bullets would fly because of tensions stoked by the anti-immigrant rhetoric sweeping social media. In his landslide victory, Trump stormed home to a 30-point lead over Kamala Harris in Clark County, home to around 130,000 people and the town of Springfield. He clinched 64.2 percent of the votes, up from 60.8 percent in his 2020 showdown with Joe Biden. The 3.5 point swing only manifested itself as an additional 600 votes. But Democrats lost 2,500 voters in Clark County in a trend mirrored nationwide that catapulted Trump to victory. In a DailyMail.com poll conducted with J.L. Partners before the election, most voters considered Trump's comments on migrants to be the biggest blunder of his campaign. Donald Trump said during the debate with Kamala Harris in September: 'In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats' The comments in the run-up to the presidential election sparked fury in Springfield, Ohio His incendiary comments left the city (pictured heading to the polls) on edge, with locals warning bullets would fly because of tensions stoked by the anti-immigrant rhetoric sweeping social media Out of 1,000 voters were asked about the Republican nominee's biggest mistake, they pointed to the moment in the September debate where he said: 'In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. 'Theyre eating they are eating the pets of the people that live there.' Harris started laughing in response and it sparked a furious response from the White House and Democrats calling it 'dangerous rhetoric'. While the pet-eating claims turned out to be unfounded, Springfield officials did admit they were struggling with the influx of Haitian migrants. Health officials on the ground said baseless and sensational rumors about immigrants have obscured the very real strain hospitals and clinics have felt after 12,000 to 15,000 Haitian immigrants arrived in the town over the past five years - boosting its population by 25 percent over the past three years. It became a flash point for the debate on immigration which became a focal point of Trump's campaign. How Trump dominated the 'blue collar battle' with Kamala Trump dominated the 'blue collar battle', according to analysis laying bare his extraordinary victory. In what has been widely branded the biggest political comeback in history, Trump convinced millions of reliably-Democrat groups to switch allegiance. Trump flipped 11 counties across the seven swing states during his remarkable run, which saw America swept by a 'red tsunami'. Over half were among the poorest in their state. Georgia's Jefferson County, where the median household income is $30,000 below the state average, saw the biggest lurch to the right, converting a seven percent GOP deficit in 2020 to a 1.4 percent majority this time around. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. All three of the counties that Trump gained in North Carolina also fell way under the average income mark. They were Pasquotank, Anson and Nash Counties. Anson had the fourth lowest income growth among the 90 counties nationwide that flipped Republican, ticking up just $2,200 between 2020 and 2022, according to the Census. Arizona's Maricopa and Pennsylvania's Erie proved pre-election pollsters correct in helping Trump to send shockwaves around the world. Erie is in the bottom half of average income across the state, with an estimated one in seven people living in poverty. Maricopa, meanwhile, enjoys the second-highest median household income of the swing state flipped counties with $80,675, marginally behind Washoe County, Nevada ($81,531). Of all the counties nationwide that flipped, New York's Nassau County registered the biggest gain in average income between 2020 and 2022 roughly $17,673. There, Trump converted a 9.5 percent win for Joe Biden to a 4.9 percent victory in 2024 despite the area being the richest district in the state. Just one county regressed between 2020 and 2022 in terms of median income per household Issaquena, Mississippi which is known as the least-populated county east of the Mississippi river in the whole country. Here, median income per household fell $10,433 to $17,900. Richer Democrats, in households who earn over $100,000 a year, came out stronger for Harris than Biden in 2020. But among households making below that, which account for around 60 percent of voters, the GOP won a double digit gain of 12 points. The exit poll as ballots closed on November 5 showed just how important dollars and cents in pockets are to American voters. Over a third of voters nationally (35 per cent) rated the 'state of democracy' as the most important factor to their voting decision and 81 percent of these voters sided with Harris. However the second most-important issue to voters was the economy and among this group, Trump garnered 79 percent of the vote. This is the moment three brazen shoplifters cram Tesco groceries into their rucksacks in front of shoppers. Shocking CCTV footage shows the trio's orchestrated theft, as they shield each other's criminal acts and steal dozens of items from the supermarket's shelves. The crooks targeted high-value items including champagne, razors, alcohol, fragrances, and beauty and electric goods in a crime spree that included over 100 crimes and is proven to have cost nearly 200,000 - although the true value is believed to be much higher. Nicolae Boia, 30, Laura Miron, 27, and Oviliv Firan, 38, would work as a team to grab and conceal items from Tesco's shelves - before either leaving the store without payment or heading to self-checkout to make a small token purchase Video of one theft shows them wheeling a trolley in front of another to block the view from down the aisle, while the second, Boia, scooped items from the shelves into a rucksack. Shocking CCTV footage shows the trio's orchestrated theft, as they shield each other's criminal acts and steal dozens of items from the supermarket's shelves The crooks targeted high-value items including champagne, razors, alcohol, fragrances, and beauty and electric goods in a crime spree that included over 100 crimes and is proven to have cost nearly 200,000 - although the true value is believed to be much higher Nicolae Boia, 30, (left) Laura Miron, 27, (centre) and Oviliv Firan, 38, (right) would work as a team to grab and conceal items from Tesco's shelves - before either leaving the store without payment or heading to self-checkout to make a small token purchase His accomplices Miron and Firan then acted as lookouts, with Miron finally swapping baskets with Boia - with all three continuing to 'shop' whilst acting as if they do not know each other. The trio - understood to be part of a much larger organised crime gang - are believed to be responsible for over 100 crimes targeting large supermarkets - mostly stealing razors, alcohol, fragrances, beauty products, and electric goods. In their highest value theft, they stole champagne bottles - bringing the value of just one spree to more than 4,500. They were so bold in their offending that on some instances they simply changed clothes before returning to the same store to commit further offences. Crimes connected to the group were linked to multiple locations cross the country - from Poole and Portsmouth in the south and Chorley and Wigan in the north to Bristol in the west and Gillingham in the east. Surrey Police's investigation began when intelligence was passed on by Opal - the National Police Chief's Council's intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime. Officers worked in partnership with Tesco to wade through hours of CCTV footage and traced 11 shoplifting offences committed in Surrey. Video of one theft shows them wheeling a trolley in front of another to block the view from down the aisle Boia could be seen scooping items from the shelves into a rucksack before he hoisted it onto his back and walked away Miron finally swapped baskets with Boia - with all three continuing to 'shop' whilst acting as if they do not know each other They then successfully linked the criminals to 120 offences across the country - proving the more significant crime of 'organised conspiracy'. It is understood that Miron, Firan, and Boia were part of a larger organised criminal gang responsible for around 800 offences across the UK - but police believe they have ceased to operate since these arrests. In their sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (November 8), Miron, from Feltham, was jailed for three years and three months. Firan, from Hounslow, was jailed for three and six months, and Boia, also from Hounslow, was jailed for two years and 11 months. All three had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal at Guildford Crown Court on October 28. The three defendants were key figures in a much larger organised crime gang responsible for around 800 offences across the country, police said. Police believe the entire gang has ceased to operate since these arrests. Surrey Police Inspector Chris Thoday said: 'This result is down to the hard work and determination of the team to ensure Miron, Firan and Boia paid the full penalty for their extensive and organised offending not just in Surrey but across the country. 'Theft from shops is a crime that may be seen to be 'victimless' but, for shop workers and law-abiding people who work hard to pay their way, it is a painful, unfair, and sometimes frightening crime they can often feel powerless to prevent. 'I hope this result demonstrates Surrey Police takes retail theft very seriously. 'We are grateful for the meticulous work of Tesco's crime and intelligence team and for the support from Opal. 'This case demonstrates how powerful we can be when we work together and we will continue doing so to tackle retail theft in Surrey.' A naked woman was spotted walking along a busy road in Mexico before being struck by a car while trying to cross the thoroughfare. The 18-year-old, who was identified by local outlets as Luz Janeth, was seen walking against traffic on the multi-lane road in Monterrey on Saturday night. Surveillance video showed the young woman walking casually along Garza Sada Avenue as passing vehicles slowed down. At one point, she was seen crossing toward the median divider in between speeding cars and was nearly struck. The 18-year-old was seen walking against traffic on a three-lane road in Monterrey on Saturday night The woman was reportedly let go from her job at a bar following an incident at the establishment that day. She subsequently stepped into the left lane, where she was struck by an SUV. She was rushed to Municipal Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries. According to a report in El Horizonte, Janeth was let go from her job at a bar following an incident at the establishment that day. The young woman avoided being hit by several vehicles before she was struck by an SUV Several outlets reported that her boyfriend had contacted her around 11 pm to pick her up at the end of her shift but that the phone calls went unanswered. The Nuevo Leon State Attorney General's Office said in a statement that an investigation was opened. The incident comes six weeks after a naked man was spotted walking on a street in the municipality of San Pedro Garza Garcia. In December 2022, a naked man was intercepted by residents in the same town after he was seen walking on a street and was held until police arrived. A woman was taken into custody early Tuesday morning in Los Angeles after she allegedly stabbed her boyfriend. Police were called out to the Arlington Heights neighborhood at around 2:50am on reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, KTLA originally reported. Stunning video showed the moment cops arrived at Washington Boulevard and 5th Avenue and detained a dark-haired woman whose eyeliner was smudged. The video also showed a man, who was later confirmed to be her boyfriend, bleeding from stab wounds to his upper torso. The Los Angeles Police Department declined to identify the woman or her boyfriend, nor did it say whether the woman has been charged with any crime. The woman, who remains unnamed, was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after an alleged stabbing Pictured: The man, confirmed by the LAPD to be her boyfriend, was seen bleeding in a Mercedes sedan As his girlfriend was being handcuffed, he was seen being helped out of the car by officers He was then wheeled on a stretcher to an ambulance as he bled all over his bare chest and back The LAPD did confirm that this isn't a homicide investigation It isn't known if the man was attacked inside the vehicle or somewhere else, however, pictures from the scene appeared to show blood on the windshield. As his girlfriend was being handcuffed, he was seen being helped out of the car by officers. He was then wheeled on a stretcher to an ambulance as he bled all over his bare chest and back. He was taken to a hospital for treatment in stable condition, according to the LAPD. DailyMail.com approached the LA District Attorney's Office for comment. As of now, the woman remains in police custody as investigators continue to piece together a possible motive for the incident. British soldier Daniel Khalife has denied endangering the life of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe by creating a bogus intelligence dossier on the former hostage. The 23-year-old this week pleaded guilty to escaping from HMP Wandsworth and going on the run for three days last year, but denies other charges including spying for Iran. Khalife has insisted he was not betraying his country, but actually operating as an amateur 'double agent' trying to impress MI5 and MI6 with his spycraft. He wrote up fake documents which purported to be highly confidential intelligence files, including on Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, many of which were passed to Iranian agents. The British-Iranian mother spent several years being detained in Iran on trumped up spying charges as the regime tried to pressure the UK into paying off a 400 million debt. Daniel Khalife wrote up fake documents which purported to be highly confidential intelligence files, including on Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, many of which were passed to Iranian agents British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe spent several years being detained in Iran on trumped up spying charges as the regime tried to pressure the UK into paying off a 400 million debt Khalife was found to have drawn up a document called 'Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe intelligence options' in November 2021, which appeared to set out the UK's position on the issue. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was still being held by the Iranians at the time. 'The cabinets (sic) stance is clear, the UK will not be seen to pay ransoms to hostile nations even though the debt is owed,' the document said. During cross-examination at Woolwich Crown Court, prosecutor Mark Heywood KC put it to Khalife that the UK eventually did pay money to Iran to help secure Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release. Mr Heywood said: 'We know it was a live issue between governments and this appears to absolutely emphatically decline to engagedo you understand that contemplating sending documents like this could endanger British citizens?' Khalife insisted he had never sent the document relating to Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and this was only a draft on his laptop. He told the prosecutor: 'I don't think writing information on my computer could endanger our citizens.' The typo-strewn dossier about Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe detailed a meeting between James Cleverley, who was then a Foreign Office minister, and the deputy foreign minister in Tehran, Ali Bagheri Kani. Daniel Khalife is seen here after his arrest on a canal towpath on September 9 last year CCTV captured footage of the lorry on which he escaped from HMP Wandsworth A court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Daniel Khalife appearing at Woolwich Crown Court It said: 'The UK's position on payments to states or terrorist organisations is clear: we do not pay, on the basis that providing money or property to a terrorist group fuels terrorist activity; and encourages further kidnapping. Payments of ransoms is illegal under the Terrorism Act 2000 - and this has extra-territorial effects. 'The UK has taken the lead internationally in promotion this position, we should leave no stone unturned in our approach to minimising the incidences of terrorist ransom payments.' Khalife told the jury that the fact the document was never sent demonstrated he was taking precautionary steps to stop endangering anyone. But the prosecutor pointed out the document was created on his laptop just days after Khalife had told two Iranian spies during a telephone call that he would send them some intelligence within a week. Khalife responded that the document did not have any secret classification written on it unlike other documents he sent nor the logos of an official Government agency to make it look official. 'It's unfinished,' he told the court. Earlier this week, Khalife dramatically changed his plea midway through his trial to admit escaping from prison. He triggered a huge nationwide manhunt last year after slipping out of HMP Wandsworth while clinging to the bottom of a food truck. But on Monday, the court clerk put the prison escape charge to Khalife again and he replied 'I'm guilty'. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb explained to jurors that Khalife was being asked if he wanted the count of escaping lawful custody to be put to him again. 'He has admitted he was in lawful custody and has admitted he has deliberately escaped and therefore there is not any lawful defence to that charge,' she told the jury. The change of plea came after the former soldier spent several hours in the witness box describing how he had escaped the prison estate, despite formally denying the charge. Khalife continues to deny committing an act prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state, eliciting information about members of the armed forces and perpetrating a bomb hoax. The trial continues. Museum collecting 4,000-year-old relics opens in Chinese county Xinhua) 15:29, November 12, 2024 TAIYUAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A museum collection of cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in a northern Chinese county, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum on the loess plateau in Xiangfen County, northern Shanxi Province, has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. Visitors can interact with a sand table to view the map of the city covering over 2.8 million square meters. The differences between the ruler's palace and common people's dwellings clearly show a hierarchical system in the city. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including items of pottery, jade, stone and copper. The museum also exhibits relics that some scholars speculate may be related to astronomical observation and timekeeping. "These findings illustrate a new important phase in Chinese civilization's formation and development," said Yan Yalin, director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration archaeology department. Experts said that Taosi reflects the early characteristics of a state society, foreshadowing later dynastic structures. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) LOBAMBA Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela pleaded with MPs not to deliberate on the issue of the proposed electricity hike, because it is still subject for debate in Parliament. Prior to presenting the ministrys preamble to the Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday, the minister highlighted that he had a request to make to the MPs concerning the matter. He then requested that the MPs avoid deliberating on the issue, because it is yet to be discussed through consultations with the populace and also be deliberated upon in Parliament, before a final stand on the issue is taken. The minister revealed that the regulator, which is Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA), is mandated by Section 5 (1) (f) of the Energy Regulatory Act of 2007, which stipulates that the functions of the authority under this Act, the Electricity Act or other energy laws, are to regulate and approve tariffs, prices and charges and terms and conditions of services provided by licensed entities, according to the requirements and terms established in their licences. Consultations The minister said ESERA had requested to do consultations with businesses and the populace on the issue and it is premature to talk about it. This is a very big and sensitive matter that is still at its infancy stage and deliberating about it now is very premature. Let us wait until it comes back to the House for debate, having gone through the other stages, then we can deliberate on it, he said. The minister also hinted that they wish to take the ministrys portfolio committee on a workshop, so that they fully appreciate all the processes involved in electricity tariffs and what really informs the decisions. Opposed It should be mentioned that Prime Minister (PM) Russell Dlamini publicly opposed the proposed 25.51 per cent electricity tariff hike. EEC requested an average tariff increase of 25.51 and 27.06 per cent for 2025/26 and 2026/27, respectively. The PM expressed his concerns during his offices portfolio committee debate on the second quarter performance report last week, highlighting that the proposed increase is unjustified, especially considering the current economic climates high inflation rates. The MPs did not oppose the request of the minister, but highlighted suggestions and concerns on the issue. One in particular, was that ESERA was only reaching a small percentage of the entire population when conducting its consultations. Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba said the regulator should extend its consultations schedule to reach the remote communities, not just the vicinity near the main towns. He said the consultations should be done extensive, so that every liSwati has input into the issue of the electricity tariffs. Five police officers and a civilian member of staff are under investigation for misconduct after a woman was killed by her violent partner hours after he was arrested for attacking her. Tara Kershaw, 33, was well-known to police after making repeated 999 calls about Adam Barnard, 41, strangling her every week and threatening to kill her. He was arrested for hitting her in the face in January this year in a bizarre scene caught on an officers bodycam where he demonstrated how to strangle someone like in the Simpsons. But he was released hours later after claiming mother-of-two Miss Kershaws injury was self-inflicted. Barnard bought cider and vodka on the way back to the guest house in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, where the couple lived and throttled her in a violent rage over his arrest before handing himself in to police the next day. When Tara Kershaw, 33, called the police on her boyfriend for hitting her on the lip, they filmed Adam Barnard as he said 'my idea of strangulation is like you see it on The Simpsons' The mother-of-two's body was found under a blanket on the floor of a room in a guest house where she was living in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Adam Barnard pictured with Tara Kershaw. He has been jailed for life for murdering her in a guest house in Great Yarmouth The Independent Office of Police Conduct has now revealed it is investigating the case after the brute was jailed for life with a minimum term of 19 years after a jury convicted him of murder. A former officer and member of police staff are being investigated for gross misconduct and four other officers are being looked into for alleged misconduct after Norfolk Police referred themselves to the watchdog. Miss Kershaws three sisters spoke of their heartbreak at the avoidable death and claimed the authorities failed to take her fears seriously due to a drink problem as they read victim impact statements at Norwich Crown Court. Tanita Salih said she was shattered by the unbearable loss of her sister after she had been let down by many people. Unfortunately, no matter how many times she cried out for help saying how scared she was, she was never believed by those who should have protected her. She knew Adam would one day kill her. We all know it could have been avoided if the professionals had listened to her outcry instead of ignoring her because of her drinking. Another sister, Zoe Savva, said Miss Kershaws life was taken by a monster but she continues to feel angry that nothing was done about Barnard despite Miss Kershaws pleas for help. The family could not help feeling that the death of her sister was avoidable, she added. Adam Barnard being arrested at Great Yarmouth Police Station. He turned up at the police station and told officers: 'I think I've killed her' Tara Kershaws three sisters have claimed the authorities failed to take her fears seriously Miss Kershaw last called officers in a multi-agency safeguarding team on January 18 to report that Barnard had hit her on the lip. When an officer went to the guest house at around 6.30pm that evening to arrest Barnard on suspicion of common assault, he impersonated cartoon character Homer Simpson strangling his son Bart in the cult cartoon in an apparent attempt to downplay the incident. He told the officer: I dont know, my idea of strangulation isAaaarghhhh (with outstretched hands shaking) like you see on The Simpsons.with a little voiceWawwawawa. Barnard was released from a police custody centre at 10.50pm after saying he wasnt responsible for Miss Kershaws injury and bought alcohol on the way home. He killed her a few hours later in the early hours of January 19 and hid her body under an animal print blanket on the floor at the end of her bed before he passed out. Police safeguarding staff and an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser called Miss Kershaws mobile phone three times that day to check on her welfare but their calls went unanswered as she was already dead. Barnard gave himself up Great Yarmouth police station on the morning of January 20, telling an officer at the front desk: I know Im in a whole lot of trouble. The defendant denied murdering his partner, saying he had tried to restrain her after she hit him with a lamp while was asleep. During his trial, he also claimed that he blacked out after suffering a possible seizure and found his arm around her throat when he came to. Barnard has been jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years behind bars for her murder. Custody photo of Adam Barnard, who murdered his girlfriend just hours after being arrested But the jury rejected his version of events and took 12 hours to unanimously find him guilty of murder on Friday(Nov 8) after a 17-day trial. Barnard showed little emotion as Judge Alice Robinson told him he had murdered Miss Kershaw in a violent rage after becoming angry at his latest arrest. She described Miss Kershaw as vulnerable due to her alcohol addiction and craved warmth, human affection and love, when all she got was violence from Barnard who controlled her life. The court heard Barnard had a previous conviction for sexual assault by penetration of a girl under 13 for which he was jailed for seven years in 2016. Will Carter, defending, said there was no evidence his client - who had issues with alcohol and drugs - had acted with premeditation but accepted that he may have worked himself up into a rage while drinking. An IOPC spokesman said: Our investigation into the contact that Norfolk Constabulary officers had with Tara Kershaw prior to her death on January 20, 2024, is ongoing. The investigation is looking at multiple reports made to police between November 2023 and January 2024. We can confirm that, as part of our ongoing investigation, a total of six officers or staff members have been served with conduct notices. This does not mean that disciplinary proceedings will necessarily follow. At the end of our investigation, we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings. Detective Inspector Alix Wright, of Norfolk Police, said after the sentencing: We welcome todays sentencing of Adam Barnard. He is a manipulative man who prayed on Taras vulnerabilities and blamed her for his violent actions. He has shown no remorse or empathy and deserves to be behind bars to prevent him causing further pain to other vulnerable people. A British businesswoman was found dead in a hotel room after being 'brainwashed' by New Age gurus on a spiritual retreat in Bali, an inquest has heard. Josephine Tabor, 30, spent two and a half years travelling the world in the lead up to her death, including visiting the Indonesian province for a spiritual getaway. Ms Tabor's family told the court they believe she was influenced by cult-like groups after they found diary entries in which she described being administered 'truth serum'. The 30-year-old had taken up an interest in spiritualism after meeting her then boyfriend from America, who was 'heavily interested' in star signs, tarot readings, retreats and other new age practices. And in a final tragic diary entry, Ms Tabor wrote: 'I have tried everything except suicide. It is my final roll of the dice.' Josephine Tabor, 30, (pictured) was found dead by a hotel cleaner on the morning of December 30, 2021 Ms Tabor had a degree in psychology from Cardiff University and was also a qualified yoga teacher with a social media page dedicated to her teaching In statements submitted to Taunton Coroner's Court, her family said: 'These retreats claimed to offer answers, they have thousands of followers, this does not make them qualified or altruistic. 'We know an inquest cannot apportion blame however there is a cult-like side to many of these retreats. 'When a vulnerable person is told a higher force can help them and that the universe is looking out for them, not friends and family, they have no one to turn to as they have been brainwashed that the answers do not lie here but in another universe.' Ms Tabor's parents, farmers James and Elizabeth, said 'the family were united' in the belief that vulnerable Josephine had been victimised in these retreats and that she recounted the experiences in her diaries. They said she had attended a retreat in Bali for three weeks in the month prior to her death in December 2021 and added they felt their daughter attended a further retreat in Turkey, but could not be sure. She was found dead in a Turkish hotel room having died by suicide on December 30, 2021. Although Ms Tabor's family said they had been concerned for years that 'she was caught up in a spiritual world' they did not want to criticise her lifestyle. The court heard how Ms Tabor was an 'independent and able woman' who ran a successful online marketing and branding business with a large following, including more than 15,000 followers on social media. She was found dead in a Turkish hotel room having died by suicide on December 30, 2021 Although Ms Tabor's family said they had been concerned for years that 'she was caught up in a spiritual world' they did not want to criticise her lifestyle She had a degree in psychology from Cardiff University and was also a qualified yoga teacher with a social media page dedicated to her teaching. Her family told the court Ms Tabor had no apparent life stresses they were aware of, was not short of money and had no dependents. Evidence from Ms Tabor's GP, in her home of Yeovil, Somerset, was that she had no known mental health issues and there were no physical health issues which could have contributed to her suicide. An investigation by the Turkish authorities found no evidence of alcohol or drug use. Excerpts from Ms Tabor's journals were read out in court, where she wrote about the Hindu goddess of death and destruction, and said 'I have done all the inner work possible and I am being called toward a true calling'. Assistant Coroner Steve Cavell said the books contained a 'pseudo mystic religious theme throughout', that it made mention of past lives and 'talked of suicide as a freedom'. In a tragic final journal entry Ms Tabor wrote: 'I have tried everything except suicide. It is my final roll of the dice.' Ms Tabor was found dead by a hotel cleaner on the morning of December 30, 2021, in the Atik Hotel in Istanbul just days before she was set to return to the UK to visit her sister who had just given birth. Family members said when they spoke to Ms Tabor on December 18 there was no cause for concern and she had even promised to bring back Turkish Delight. In a tragic final journal entry Ms Tabor wrote: 'I have tried everything except suicide. It is my final roll of the dice' Mr Cavell said Ms Tabor had 'developed an interest in the spiritual world'. He said: 'Her journals contained references to what appeared to be Hindu and Buddhist themes, concepts of birth and rebirth, finding oneself, fulfilment and leaving the past behind. 'Her family feels she went on one or more retreats which may have affected her but I make no findings on this as I don't have the evidence to do that and is outside the scope of the inquest. 'Toward end of her life the journals darken in tone there is a suggestion she became disillusioned with her relationships and how she felt she had been mistreated and that she had been naive to look for the goodness in people. 'I find she intended to do what she did [and that she] not only intend[ed] on taking the action she did but that the action was aimed at bringing her life to an end. 'That is supported from the entries in her final notebook where she clearly indicates that she is contemplating taking her own life. 'This contradicts what she told her family in previous days which is that she was intending to return to see them, in particular her sister who had just given birth, and I cannot explain this. 'It is quite possible that subsequent to talking to her family her mood darkened. 'We don't know the movements of Jo over the Christmas period. We do know she was in her room with no one else between December 29 and December 30, 2021. 'Whilst there are wider questions which are unanswered in relation to her movements generally and in months leading up to her death, I do consider I can answer statutory questions. 'It would be wrong for me to speculate on other matters and I do not have the evidence to do that.' Victims of the Church of England's worst ever child abuser demanded more heads roll tonight after the shock resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Justin Welby quit as the head of the Anglican church today, admitting 'shame' over his failure to act to stop the sickening excesses of John Smyth. Smyth, a top barrister and lay church reader, sexually, physically and psychologically abused as many as 130 boys in a campaign of brutality in the UK and South Africa spanning five decades before his death in 2018. The Archbishop had tried to hang on to his throne after a damning report found his failure to act more than a decade ago meant that 'abhorrent' serial abuser was never brought to justice. But he quit this afternoon after senior colleagues joined criticism and more than 12,000 people signed a petition calling for him to resign, and PM Keir Starmer pointedly refused to back him. After he announced his decision to quit, there were calls for others critiscised in the Makin Report, which branded Smyth 'arguably the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England', to quit or be forced out. The House of Survivors, which was set up by two survivors of Church of England abuse to help others, said: 'We expect more resignations to follow. The Archbishop must not be the scapegoat. The list of clergy in the ''circles of awareness'' is staggering.' Those facing calls to go include the current Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, who has apologised for not taking 'further action' in 2013, when he was the Bishop of Ely. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned. Pictured: March 2024 In a statement, Dr Welby said: ' Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.' John Smyth (pictured) is believed to be the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England Over five decades between the 1970s until his death, Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. A lay reader who led Christian summer camps, Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was 'never brought to justice for the abuse', the review said. Mr Welby knew Smyth because of his attendance at Iwerne Christian camps in the 1970s, but the review said there was no evidence that he had 'maintained any significant contact' with the barrister in later years. The archbishop said he had 'no idea or suspicion of this abuse' before 2013. The report said Smyth 'could and should have been formally reported to the police in the UK, and to authorities in South Africa (church authorities and potentially the police) by church officers, including a diocesan bishop and Justin Welby in 2013. The Archbishop of York said the resignation was the 'right and honourable thing to do', while MPs insisted there was a duty on leaders of institutions to 'report and rigorously follow up' safeguarding concerns. In a statement this afternoon, Dr Welby said: 'Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. 'The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. 'When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. 'It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024.' Dr Welby added: 'The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England.' Sir Keir declined to give Dr Welby full support on Monday after a senior Bishop called for him to resign, instead saying that it is a 'matter really for the church'. However he went a step further today when he was asked about growing calls for the Archbishop to step down while attending Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Sir Keir said that findings in the review by Keith Makin that Smyth abused more than 100 boys and young men are 'clearly horrific' and that his victims 'have obviously been failed very, very badly'. Justin Welby's statement in full Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. It is my duty to honour my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion. I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse. The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done. In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete. I ask everyone to keep my wife Caroline and my children in their prayers. They have been my most important support throughout my ministry, and I am eternally grateful for their sacrifice. Caroline led the spouses' programme during the Lambeth Conference and has travelled tirelessly in areas of conflict supporting the most vulnerable, the women, and those who care for them locally. I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. I pray that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us. For above all else, my deepest commitment is to the person of Jesus Christ, my saviour and my God; the bearer of the sins and burdens of the world, and the hope of every person. Advertisement The PM said: 'Let me be clear. Of what I know of the allegations, they are clearly horrific in relation to this particular case and both in their scale and their content and my thoughts, as they are with all of these issues, are with the victims here who have obviously been failed very, very badly. 'It is a matter in the end for the Church but I am not going to shy away from the fact saying these are horrific allegations and my thoughts are with the victims in relation to it and I think that is very important.' Pressure had been heaped on Dr Welby after a senior Bishop broke ranks yesterday calling for him to resign immediately. The Right Reverend Helen-Ann Hartley, the Bishop of Newcastle, said that his position was 'untenable'. 'I think that it's very hard for the church, as the national, established church, to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation, when we cannot get our own house in order,' she told the BBC. She added that while Dr Welby's resignation is 'not going to solve the problem', it would be 'a very clear indication that a line has been drawn, and that we must move towards independence of safeguarding'. Meanwhile a petition - started by three members of the Church's ruling body, the General Synod, and backed by a number of high-profile priests - calling for the Archbishop to resign passed 12,000 signatures this morning. The petition read: 'Given his role in allowing abuse to continue, we believe that his continuing as the Archbishop of Canterbury is no longer tenable. We must see change, for the sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable, and for the good of the Church.' Dr Welby is believed to have notified the King of his intentions this morning, before the PM's remarks. Dr Welby's resignation is unprecedented and marks first time that an Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned in such controversial circumstances. The law requires that the Archbishop of Canterbury to retire by the age of 70, meaning that at 68 Dr Welby would have had almost two more years until a successor was appointed. The retirement is usually announced well in advance as it is often a drawn out process to appoint a successor. It is more common for archbishops to die in office than to resign, with Thomas Becket being assassinated and Thomas Cranmer executed. And while Rowan Williams, Lord Williams of Oystermouth, did resign in 2012 at the age of 62, this was done to take up a prestigious position as master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. An Archbishop also needs the monarch's blessing to step down, which is not guaranteed. When former Archbishop Lord George Carey stepped tried to step down, the late Queen reminded him that she 'can't resign either'. Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, said Dr Welby's resignation was 'the right and honourable thing to do'. In a statement, he said: 'As I read the Makin Review last week and reflected on the terrible abuse perpetrated by John Smyth and shamefully covered up by others, I am, first of all, moved by the accounts of victims and survivors that we have heard from so powerfully. They were badly let down by many in different parts of the Church of England. I am grateful for their courage to be part of the review. 'As a church we continue to work towards and must achieve a more victim-centred and trauma-informed approach to safeguarding within the Church of England, and this must address the broader questions of culture and leadership. In this regard, much progress has already been made over the last 10 years. Tory MP Julian Smith insisted there was a duty on leaders of institutions to 'report and rigorously follow up' safeguarding concerns Nigel Farage said the Church must now 'appoint a leader that believes in Christian values' At the COP29 summit today, Keir Starmer said that findings in the review by Keith Makin that Smyth abused more than 100 boys and young men are 'clearly horrific' and that his victims 'have obviously been failed very, very badly' 'Indeed, it has been Archbishop Justin himself who has championed those developments and reforms. Both Justin and I have made our hopes known about the independence of safeguarding discussed both by Makin and also in Alexis Jay's report and look forward to the group already at work on these bringing recommendations which can be both effective and trusted. 'As Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin has decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin review. I believe this is the right and honourable thing to do. 'Whilst this is a difficult day for Justin, I pray there will be an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the many positive aspects of his ministry and his huge commitment to the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and above all the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 'But I continue to take account of the needs and experiences of victims and survivors and look to the various changes, above all the greater independence of safeguarding, that we need to help ensure these failings never happen again. It is to this ongoing work that I commit myself.' The report said a victim informed Bishop Conway's then-diocese in Ely of the allegations against Smyth in 2013. The man, who was not named, told the BBC of Bishop Conway: 'He was the person in a position to stop John Smyth, bring him to justice and he fundamentally failed.' Responding to the Makin review, Bishop Conway said: 'In light of the review, I understand that there were further actions I could have taken following my reporting of the disclosures made to us in the Diocese of Ely about John Smyth. 'I am sorry that I did not pursue these actions at that time.' The Bishop of Stepney Joanne Grenfell said: 'As lead Bishop for safeguarding for the Church of England, I have been acutely aware of the impact of the Makin report and the retraumatizing effects of its publication on victims and survivors of John Smyth's awful abuse. Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, said Dr Welby's resignation was 'the right and honourable thing to do' 'With sadness, I fully respect and understand Archbishop Justin's decision today to resign. Although Archbishop Justin has helped the Church of England to achieve much in relation to safeguarding during his tenure, because of the failings identified in the Makin Report, it is now necessary for others to take up the baton. 'Of course, the responsibility for good safeguarding in the Church of England lies with every one of us. Archbishop Justin's resignation does not change that, and his decision today does not absolve any of us from bringing about the wholesale changes in culture and leadership that are essential in every part of the Church. 'I am acutely aware of the need in our current work on safeguarding independence, following the report of Professor Alexis Jay, to bring to General Synod recommendations for moving forward which can be both effective and trusted in this regard. 'I have worked closely with Archbishop Justin since I took on this role and have greatly valued his personal commitment to good safeguarding and his desire to see the whole Church make this a priority.' Alan Collins, a partner at law firm Hugh James, which represents a number of Smyth's victims, said: 'It is unsurprising that Welby has resigned because of the immense pressure on him to do so given his involvement in the Smyth case. 'However, the real story is not about whether Welby has resigned this is a side matter. 'The spotlight must be on how the Church of England failed its victims so dreadfully for over 40 years, and the immediate priority is the CoE addressing the needs of its victims. 'All the intention is on Welby's resignation, but this should not detract from the Church of England sorting out its unfathomable safeguarding issues. 'Hugh James has already brought a claim against the Church of England on behalf of its victims that they represents and now the Church of England must address the needs of its victims.' Peter Mandelson has not ruled out 'double-jobbing' as Britain's next ambassador to the US and Oxford University's new chancellor. The ex-Cabinet minister, a key architect of New Labour, is seen as the frontrunner to become the UK's top diplomat in Washington DC after the election of Donald Trump. He is also among the final five candidates to be the new head of Oxford University, as he competes against other prominent ex-MPs for the prestigious role. But Lord Mandelson, who sits in the House of Lords as a Labour peer, insisted - if he were to be appointed to the two roles - they were 'not incompatible' with each other. He also suggested Oxford had already given him permission to take on the ambassador position, should he be picked by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Peter Mandelson has not ruled out 'double-jobbing' as Britain's next ambassador to the US and Oxford University's new chancellor Lord Mandelson is seen as the frontrunner to become the UK's top diplomat in Washington DC after the election of Donald Trump The Labour peer is also among the final five candidates to be the new head of Oxford University, as he competes against other prominent ex-MPs for the prestigious role Speaking to The Times podcast 'How To Win An Election', Lord Mandelson said: 'If by some chance these two things were to happen, they are not incompatible with each other.' 'And the university has made that clear to me. They're not incompatible. 'If I was in the US, I would be promoting Oxford as a great, iconic premier university that is revered in the US. 'And if I was in Oxford as its ceremonial figurehead, I would be helping to bring in the best of American philanthropy. 'So they're not incompatible. And I think anyone who thinks for one moment will realise that.' Among Lord Mandelson's competitors for the Oxford University role are former Tory leader William Hague and ex-Conservative minister Dominic Grieve. Karen Pierce, UK's current ambassador to the US, is due to complete her posting in January, which has led to fevered speculation about who might replace her. Lord Mandelson has been among those touted for the job as he is seen as having the strength of character to deal with Mr Trump's return to the White House. At the weekend, the Labour grandee said 'nobody has spoken to me' about the ambassadorship. Speaking to the BBC, Lord Mandelson said he was 'more in favour of a new relationship rather than a special one' with the US. He added: 'Can I just make the point if you don't mind: nobody has spoken to me about this job. 'I read about it in the papers but nobody has actually spoken to me about it, so let's put it to one side.' Pressed on whether he would be interested in the Washington role, he said: 'I would be very interested indeed in giving advice about trade to whoever is appointed.' A teenager rang his younger sister in school to 'say goodbye' just hours before he was stabbed and killed by Britain's youngest knife killers. Shawn Seesahai, 19, was hacked to death with a 16-inch machete in a park in Wolverhampton last November. Just hours earlier he phoned his 15-year-old sister Shana unexpectedly as she sat in class at school and told her: 'Always remember I love you.' Shawn's heartbroken family believe he subconsciously knew he was going to die and was saying a final farewell to Shana, the Mirror reported. Shawn was from the Caribbean island of Anguilla and had come to the UK for eye surgery. Shawn Seesahai, 19, was stabbed in the heart and suffered a skull fracture last November Shawn was hacked to death with a 16-inch machete in a park in Wolverhampton Forensics and police officers stand at the murder scene in Wolverhampton last November He was killed in November 2023 after one of his killers shoulder-barged him in a park. The teenager's attackers, who are both 13 now and cannot be named for legal reasons, are the youngest knife killers in history in Britain. The pair are also the youngest murderers since Jon Venables and Robert Thompson killed James Bulger in Liverpool in 1993. Shawn's killers were both detained for a minimum of eight years and six months in September. Their sentences are being reviewed by the Court of Appeal, but both could be free when they are just 20. After fleeing the scene the attackers went to one of the boy's homes where they played the video game Fortnite while Shawn lay dying. One later said on Snapchat: 'Everyone's talking abt (sic) it, literally everyone knows.' His accomplice responded with the note: 'It is what it is.' They then shared more messages, saying: 'I'm scared man' - before the other says 'I'm not', followed by the acronym 'IDRC' which means 'I don't really care'. A specialist doctor asked to review baby deaths at a hospital where Lucy Letby murdered patients today said she had been 'misled' by hospital bosses. Dr Jane Hawdon, a neonatologist at London's Royal Free Hospital, said she was kept in the dark about paediatricians' fears that a member of staff was killing infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital. And she 'speculated' that this was because senior managers didn't believe it was 'likely' Letby, 34, was deliberately causing harm. The neonatal nurse was redeployed into an administrative role after doctors demanded she be moved off the unit following the deaths of two triplet brothers on consecutive shifts in July 2016. But instead of calling in police, hospital medical director Ian Harvey commissioned a review by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, who in turn recommended two independent specialists examine each baby death or 'near miss' when an infant unexpectedly collapsed but survived. Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and trying to kill seven more at the hospital between June 2015 and June 2016 Dr Jane Hawdon, a neonatologist at London 's Royal Free Hospital, said she was kept in the dark about paediatricians' fears that a member of staff was killing infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital Children's nurse Lucy Letby (pictured in a custody photo, left; and while working in hospital, right) went on a year-long killing spree while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital The public inquiry investigating Letby's crimes has heard that Dr Hawdon was one of these specialists. Today she told Lady Justice Thirlwall that Mr Harvey did not mention the doctors' concerns about Letby when he commissioned her to carry out her review or that they were worried the infants could have been killed with an injection of air. Asked by Peter Skelton, representing the parents of babies who died or were harmed, if she felt misled by Mr Harvey, Dr Hawdon said: 'I now feel misled. I can't say who misled me, but, if those details had been made available to me the process I would have followed would have been very different.' She explained that she would have asked for a more detailed conversation with Mr Harvey and would also have quizzed him on whether safeguarding processes, which would likely have triggered a referral to police, were being followed. She said she could only 'speculate' as to why she was kept in the dark, adding that the hospital may not have wanted to 'bias or influence' her findings. But she also said it could have been because they 'did not believe it was likely.' The inquiry has already heard evidence from the head of the Royal College review team, who said Mr Harvey and nursing director Alison Kelly wanted them to 'disprove' Letby was behind the spike in deaths. Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and trying to kill seven more at the hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. The inquiry, sitting in Liverpool, was told that Dr Hawdon was sent the medical notes of 17 babies, including 13 who had died, in October 2016. The neonatal nurse was redeployed into an administrative role after doctors demanded she be moved off the unit following the deaths of two triplet brothers on consecutive shifts in July 2016. Pictured: The Countess of Chester Hospital Supporters of ex-nurse Lucy Letby demonstrate outside the High Court during her appeal hearing on April 25 She said they were disorganised and incomplete when they arrived, which was 'very unusual.' Dr Hawdon explained to Mr Harvey that she did not have the capacity to evaluate them in detail but he agreed for her to complete a shorter, case note review and she spent three days around 30 hours looking at them over two weekends. Her report concluded that the deaths of Babies A, I, O and P who Letby was eventually convicted of murdering - were 'unexpected and unexplained.' Dr Hawdon recommended they undergo a further 'broader forensic review,' involving other factors, such as staff rotas and equipment, to try and understand why they died. The deaths of the other three babies Letby was subsequently convicted of killing Babies C, D and E could be medically explained, her report stated. But, under questioning today, Dr Hawdon conceded she didn't have the full picture when she came to her conclusions and had since changed her mind. She accepted she didn't speak to any of the consultants personally and had no idea about their worries that the babies had failed to properly respond to standard resusciation or that some had displayed an unusual rash when they collapsed. She also agreed testimony from the parents of some of the children, for example, the mother of Baby E, whose evidence at the criminal trial revealed Letby had been doctoring medical notes, would have raised 'alarm bells.' For these reasons, Dr Hawdon conceded her review was an 'academic exercise.' She said she didn't have enough information to say one way or another what was going on and insisted it was for hospital managers to make decisions on what to do next. Mr Skelton said: 'You thought he (Mr Harvey) understands children at this hospital may have been murdered and any reasonable executive in those circumstances would be taking appropriate steps to deal with that urgently with the appropriate authorities.' Dr Hawdon replied: 'That was my understanding.' In reality, Mr Harvey and other senior executives were preparing for Letby to return to the unit and it was only following opposition and pressure from the consultants that police called in three months later, in May 2017. An undocumented migrant accused of murdering nursing student Laken Riley waived his right to a jury trial during a chilling courtroom exchange. Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, stared coldly ahead in Georgia's Superior Court on Tuesday as Judge H. Patrick Haggard approved his request for a judge-only trial. He is accused of killing Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University College, on February 22 as she was out for a run. Ibarra required a translator during court proceedings on Tuesday. He was warned that he cannot backtrack on his decision to forego a jury trial. The 26-year-old is an undocumented migrant from Venezuela. His arrest sparked renewed debate about the border crisis and illegal migration. Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, stared coldly ahead in Georgia's Superior Court on Tuesday as Judge H. Patrick Haggard approved his request for a judge-only trial He is accused of killing Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the Augusta University College, on February 22 as she was out for a run He was indicted on 10 counts, including charges of murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault with intent to rape. Ibarra's legal team had sought to have certain evidence suppressed, but the request was denied. Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She'd been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta. Police were able to track Ibarra using campus security footage and allege there was physical evidence at the scene. Riley had been struck in the head with a rock multiple times. An undocumented migrant accused of murdering nursing student Laken Riley waived his right to a jury trial during a chilling courtroom exchange Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. She'd been a student there until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta There is no evidence the duo knew one another, police allege. They described the crime as one of 'opportunity.' Ibarra had previous run-ins with law enforcement since arriving in the United States via El Paso, Texas, illegally. He was paroled in 2022 for 'further processing' after entering America, and was then arrested in New York City in September 2013. Police allegedly released him 'before a detainer could be issued.' New York officials claimed there was no record of Ibarra's arrest. His older brother, who also entered the United States illegally, has ties to Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, blamed Riley's death on President Joe Biden and his border policies. Ibarra pleaded not guilty to the charges. His judge-only trial will begin 9am on Friday. Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, blamed Riley's death on President Joe Biden and his border policies Donald Trump will to return to Capitol Hill this week just as Senate Republicans are scheduled to hold their highly-anticipated leadership elections. It's Trump's first trip back to the hill one week after he achieved a historic victory over Kamala Harris and was instrumental to getting the Senate to flip red 53-47. The House of Representatives is also just four seats away from keeping their slim majority over Democrats, which will hand Trump virtually unchecked power in Washington. All eyes will be on the president-elect since he has yet to announce who he wants to lead the Senate with his political nemesis Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., stepping down. Frontrunners Rick Scott of Florida, John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas are all in the mix to replace McConnell, who has led the conference since 2007. Scott has joined Trump at rallies for years and endorsed the president in 2016. Many see him as the most pro-Trump candidate for Senate majority leader House Speaker Mike Johnson said Trump will visit the Capitol on Wednesday morning before a planned meeting with President Joe Biden later in the afternoon. The Senate leadership election is a closed process and and ballots results are private. But Trump may take his time with the Senate on Wednesday to tip the scales at the last second. He could also take to his Truth Social platform between now and them to make his choice known, blowing up any competition. The president-elect will also be meeting with House Republicans on Wednesday, although they are expected to reelect their current top three - Speaker Mike Johnson, La., Majority Leader Steve Scalise, La., and Whip Tom Emmer, Minn. Trump's inner circle has loudly been coalescing around one member to lead the Senate Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (C), with Senators John Barrasso (L) of Wyoming; John Thune (2nd L) of South Dakota and Majority Whip John Cornyn (2nd R). Cornyn and Thune are in the running for Senate Majority Leader Billionaire and X owner Elon Musk and Robert Kennedy Jr., have both come out in favor of Scott, who is seen as a Trump loyalist. 'Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader!' Musk posted on his app X on Sunday. 'Without Rick Scott, the entire Trump reform agenda wobbly,' RFK similarly wrote on the same platform. Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson notably threw his weight behind the Florida senator while throwing two other candidates under the bus. 'Two of the three candidates hate Trump and what he ran on. One of them, John Cornyn, is an angry liberal whose politics are indistinguishable from Liz Cheney's,' Carlson said this week. 'The election is Wednesday, it's by secret ballot, and it will determine whether or not the new administration succeeds,' he continued. 'Rick Scott of Florida is the only candidate who agrees with Donald Trump.' Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said this week he supports Rick Scott's bid for leader Elon Musk, who has been with Trump huddled with president-elect Trump in recent days, wrote on X over the weekend he too is for Scott Musk can be seen here dining with the ex-president, his granddaughter Kai, and advisors Robert Kennedy Jr. said that trump's agenda would be 'wobbly' under the leadership of anyone other than the Florida lawmaker Previously, Trump weighed in on the GOP Senate leadership race saying that whoever is leader needs to support policies to lessen restrictions for presidential Cabinet confirmations. 'Any Republican Senator seeking a leadership position must agree to Recess Appointments in the Senate,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'We cant wait years for confirmationspositions need to be filled immediately.' Your browser does not support iframes. 'This is what they stalled four years ago, and it wont happen again. Additionally, no judges should be approved during this period, as Democrats try to push through their judges while Republicans fight over leadership.' And Scott has already said in multiple interviews he supports Trump's Cabinet confirmation reforms. 'I'm committed to getting President Trump's nominees confirmed by the Senate immediately,' he wrote on X following an interview with Fox News on the topic. 'Democrats will do everything they can to stonewall the Trump agenda, and we need a Senate Majority Leader who will fight to get it done.' To Make America Great Again its going to take Senate Republicans working together with President Trump starting on Day 1. Im 100% committed to getting President Trumps nominees confirmed and agenda accomplished. pic.twitter.com/R2GITMxA9f Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) November 12, 2024 Scott met with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in March Thune and Cornyn, meanwhile, have been in the Senate for decades and are seen by their colleagues as the likely institutionalist picks. Though Scott has served in the body since 2019, he does not have the seniority that the the Texan and South Dakotan offer - and seniority carries a lot of weight in the Senate. Thune is reportedly outlined his plans to his colleagues before the Wednesday vote, including weekly meetings with Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and prioritizing debate among members before putting votes on the floor. And already internal endorsements have started to fly. North Dakota Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven have announced they are backing Thune in addition to Steve Daines, Markwayne Mullin and Mark Rounds. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley has pledged his support to Cornyn. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., talks during a news conference on immigration at the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Washington Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) questions witnesses during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 8, 2023 Scott has the support of Sens. Ron Johnson, Rand Paul, Bill Hagerty, Tommy Tuberville. On Tuesday evening Sen. Mike Lee will host a candidate forum where members can ask the three candidates questions about their priorities and how they will lead. When the elections results will come out after Wednesday's vote is currently unclear. A Missouri fourth-grader has been left severely injured with hearing loss after a schoolyard freak accident sent him to a hospital trauma unit. Maddux Lowry, 9, was struck by a falling tree during school recess on October 29. Although several other students were hurt, Maddux was the only one who had to go to the hospital. The accident left the child needing a cochlear implant for his right ear. As of Monday, his face and eye socket were still fractured and severely swollen, his grandmother, Sherri, told KSNT. Sherri said: 'He lost almost all the hearing in his right ear. He'll never be able to regain that. The devastated grandmother recalled one of Maddux's sisters, Sadie, 14, went over to her brother while he was in the hospital and whispered 'I love you' in his right ear. Maddux Lowry, 9, was struck by a falling tree during school recess, leaving him seriously injured The 'deteriorated' tree fell from private property on school grounds and hit several students 'I can't hear you,' he responded. Maddux might need a special eye surgery and has a long road to recovery ahead, as he has to go through physical and speech therapy. A GoFundMe was made on behalf of Maddux's mother, Kelsie. Page organizer Cassidy Salva wrote: 'The medical costs for his care and treatment are heavy as he has suffered a severe concussion, facial fractures, eye injuries and is facing hearing loss. 'There is a revolving door of doctors and specialists with an endless amount of questions that are unable to be answered at this time.' He was discharged from Childrens Mercy in Kansas City on November 5, but had to return after a day and a half due to his hearing complications, according to Sherri. Maddux suffered from a concussion, hearing loss, facial fractures and swelling The hearing implant surgery was last week. Pleasant Hill police revealed the 'deteriorated' tree was on private property and fell onto school grounds as a result of nearly 50mph winds, FOX 4 reported. Police Chief Tommy Wright told the outlet: 'These are not things that students and teachers are accustomed to seeing so its a very traumatic time for them.' He will likely not be back to school until December or after the holidays. Pleasant Hill Schools Superintendent Wayne Burke told KSNT the tree was cut down and children have been allowed back in the area to play. 'We are keeping our student in our thoughts and prayers and are hoping for a very speedy and pain free recovery,' Burke said. 'The student and the students family have been in contact with our principal. She has shared well wishes and notes from the staff and students to the family.' Sherri, the boy's grandmother, said she hopes he will adjust well to life with a hearing implant after he recovers Sherri tearfully said she hopes her grandson 'will be able to adjust to his new life' post-recovery. Maddux's mother and father, Kyle, issued a statement to KSNT through injury attorney Garrett Tuck: 'Thank you for your concern about Maddux. 'We are very grateful for the help from our family and friends. This incident caused Maddux to suffer injuries that will require lifetime care and attention.' They asked for their privacy to remain protected during these troubling times. Until the day he died in 1995, if you asked my father who he voted for in any presidential election he said 'Roosevelt.' It was gospel in our house that Democrats were the party of the people and Republicans were the economic royalists. That was then, and this is now. The majority of Americans don't necessarily see it that way anymore. The emotional connection between the American people and the Democratic Party has been deeply frayed; a sense that the Democrats are the unequivocal advocates for working people is no longer a given. Today, there are millions of politically homeless in America. They're not diehard Trump supporters, but they wouldn't call themselves Democrats either. The issues they care about were strewn like diamonds on the beach in 2024, and Donald Trump came along and said, 'Great! I'll take them!' This was a spectacular failure and it was the Democrats's own fault. Until the day he died in 1995, if you asked my father who he voted for in any presidential election he said 'Roosevelt.' (Above) Williamson in an author, activist and ex-2024 Democratic presidential candidate They discouraged a primary challenge against President Joe Biden, de-amplifying and deriding anyone with the audacity to challenge their supposedly superior wisdom in selecting a candidate to take on Trump. It was the Democratic Party that claimed the 'threat to democracy' posed by the former president was so great that it entitled them to suppress democracy themselves and anoint their own candidate. This questionable strategy was enabled by Democratic voters who were willing to go along because surely, they must have assumed, the DNC knew what it was doing. It also didn't help that Kamala Harris's campaign played more to disaffected Republicans than to the Party's traditional working-class base. It's clear now that the Democrats did not know what they were doing and the elites running the show now have only two choices: Adapt and change or preside over the continuing decline of the Party. If there is to be any hope of taking back Congress in 2026, important changes need to be made. So far, we're not hearing much from leaders other than justification and blame, the latter seems to ricochet between blaming Biden and blaming the voters! The Democrats need to look in the mirror. It was the Democratic Party that claimed the 'threat to democracy' posed by the former president was so great that it entitled them to suppress democracy themselves and anoint their own candidate. Here is the deal: The political revolution in America today is between populism and the Establishment. The Republican Party allowed right-wing populists to enter their ranks, while the Democratic Party has kept left wing populists at bay. One of the reasons the Republican party has been as resilient as it is, is because many of its leaders have a background in business. They believe: If it doesn't work on Tuesday and it still doesn't work by Thursday, then you sure as hell better change things by Saturday or your business might be gone. The Democratic Party's sensibility is pretty much the opposite: If it doesn't work on Tuesday and it doesn't work on Thursday, and even if the whole thing crumbles on Saturday, that's just the way things we do things and maybe you won't notice. But we sure did notice. My suggestion to Democratic leaders is go on a listening tour of America. Come off your high horses. Don't just take their questions; ask some of your own. Admit that you've lost the voters's trust and say you'd be grateful if people would explain what they're going through and how the government might help them. Your message to the voters now needs to be, 'Please come home.' And performative measures will not be enough. Show some real humility. The party's main message in 2024 was: 'Send money! We need your help!'. But given how panicked Americans are now about the price of cereal, your message should be, 'How can we help you?' The Democrats's power never lay in money; it lay in their values, and they left those on the floor. Today, there are millions of politically homeless in America. They're not diehard Trump supporters, but they wouldn't call themselves Democrats either. There were too many DC, LA, NYC, Sun Valley, and Martha's Vineyard cocktail parties and fundraisers, I'm afraid. At the very least you guys might have stopped by the kitchen on the way out and asked how things were going for the cooks, the servers, and the caterers. Only serious contrition will be enough to restore the bonds that have been broken and reclaim the soulfulness of the Democratic party. This moment can lead to a rebirth for the party, but only if the Democratic elite are willing to come down a notch. If the Establishment allows this to be their bottoming out, they'll fly high into the 2026 midterms and beyond. But anything less than that and we can all settle in for a long, long stretch of Trumpism. The American people deserve so much better. SITEKI - A man of Macetjeni, under Gilgal Inkhundla, is alleged to have pelted two members of the Water Party (Bemanti) with stones on Sunday afternoon. According to a source closed to the matter, five members of the Water Party were on their mission when two of them entered the mans homestead, while the three remained at the gate. The source narrated that the man asked them what they were doing at his home. This is despite that it is a norm that at this time of the year, members of the Water Party are deployed in all communities across the country. The source said the man who could not be named, as he has not been arrested, picked two stones and pelted the men, who both ran to join their colleagues at the gate. It was said they then went to the Macetjeni Umphakatsi to report the matter. The attack was also reported to the police.It was established that after committing the crime, the man fled his home, where he lives with a helper and a child.Authorities of the community requested to confirm the matter anonymously, expressing fear that this was a sensitive issue. Macetjeni Traditional Headman (Indvuna Yemcuba) Sipho Mamba also asked not to comment on the matter. However, he said the members of the Water Party arrived on Saturday at the chiefdom and left yesterday morning. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said the matter was not reported and shared that such matters were reported to other structures. Report At the time of compiling this report, it was not established if the man had been arrested, but a source mentioned that a police van, with foreign registration plates, had been constantly spotted near the mans home.Recently, Acting Ludzidzini Governor Themba Ginindza issued a stern warning to the nation. Ginindza emphasised the importance of preserving cultural identity, urging emaSwati to participate actively in the ceremony and avoid spreading misinformation. He underscored the significance of the Water Party Regiment, a key component of the Incwala, which will enforce cultural norms and values during their 30-day seclusion. The acting governor appealed to the public to demonstrate respect for the regiment and to avoid actions that could undermine the sanctity of the event. He also urged journalists to verify information before publication, ensuring accurate and responsible reporting.The Water Party Regiment has been assigned to the sea, where they will spend about 30 days. It is after their return that the King opens the little Incwala at Ludzidzini Royal Residence, before it moves to the other royal residences in the country.Ginindza warned the nation to respect the Water Party Regiment as it performs its cultural duties during the course of the event. Members of the regiment are identified by traditional attire and a baboon skin on the head. They go around the country reminding emaSwati about their cultural values. Incwala Ceremony is an annual event where emaSwati gather inside Ludzidzini Cattle Byre to celebrate the fruit of the first harvest. EmaSwati also thank the Creator for guiding and protecting them since the country gained its independence from Britain on September 6, 1968. They also seek Gods guidance and protection for the New Year. A California man mysteriously vanished after taking an Uber ride home. Spencer Pease, 23, of Auburn, reportedly took an Uber from Santa Rosa before he was dropped off in Placer County on Sunday - at least a two-hour ride one way. He has not been seen since. The Placer County Sheriff's Office is urging the public to help locate Pease, who is considered 'at-risk'. It is still unclear what makes the 23-year-old man 'at-risk', but in the state of California, an at-risk person can include: the person missing being the victim of a crime or foul play, in need of immediate medical attention or mentally impaired - cognitive and developmental disabilities included, CA.gov reported. Police are searching for Spencer Pease, 23, of Auburn, California, who mysteriously vanished after taking an Uber ride home on Sunday The Placer County Sheriff's Office Communications Manager told the DailyMail.com that Pease was on the way to see family but when he didn't arrive and couldn't be reached, police were notified and immediately began investigating. It was also confirmed to the DailyMail.com that the Uber did drop Pease off at his intended location. So far, investigators have attempted to figure out which direction Pease went after he was dropped off but there are still no leads. Pease reportedly took an Uber from Santa Rosa before he was dropped off near Lincoln Way and Russel Road in Placer County - roughly a two hour car ride - but hasn't been seen since drop-off Twenty-three year old Pease is considered an 'at-risk' individual and is described as five foot 10 inches tall weighing 190 pounds with blonde hair and green eyes The Placer County Sheriff's Office told the DailyMail.com that they do not believe this was an abduction, but Pease still remains unreachable. Pease is described as being five foot and 10 inches tall weighing 190 pounds with blonde hair and green eyes. Any other details remain unknown at this time. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call the Placer County Sheriff's Office at (530) 866-5375. Sir Chris Hoys wife has told how she kept her multiple sclerosis diagnosis a secret from her husband as it wasnt the right time to share the news with him so soon after they had been told he had terminal cancer. Lady Sarra Hoy had never in a million years expected a diagnosis of the incurable neurological condition when she began suffering a tingling sensation in her face last summer. But she overcame the initial shock of her diagnosis without the support of Sir Chris who she described as her crutch - as they were still trying to find stable ground after finding out he had stage four prostate cancer. Instead she drew on an incredible sense of courage and the support of her sister before sharing the news with her husband, who has praised her selfless efforts to protect him. Yesterday the 40-year-old former lawyer said: It came completely out of the blue and I just knew it wasnt the right time. Sarra Hoy spoke while appearing alongside husband Sir Chris, 48, on ITVs This Morning Chris revealed that the first thought that passed through his mind when waiting for the doctor was his children and what will happen Chris explained how difficult it was for him and his family during the first six months and how his children were the driving factor for him to get up and carry on 'I always tell Chris everything and we are always each others crutch in everything in life so it was very against the grain to not share it with him but I just knew it wasnt the right time. We were trying to find stable ground having just been given this diagnosis from him. I think you get a bit of mum strength. In amongst the fear I just felt this incredible sense of courage come over me. Its been tough, but actually, weve been able to do it together. Once youre in it, you can cope with so much more than you think. Sir Chris, Scotlands most decorated Olympian, has spoken about how he immediately broke down and was distraught when his wife shared her diagnosis after keeping it from him for a month. She had thought her symptoms were caused by a dental infection and in an interview alongside Sir Chris, 48, for ITVs This Morning, she said she had not been concerned when she went to get the results of an MRI scan. She said: I had in the summer just some tingling in my face, a change of sensation. I thought it was a root canal and I was sending messages [to Chris] panicking about some kind of dental treatment. Popping along to the doctor I thought they were going to just satisfy me and say they would keep an eye on it. Never in a million years thought they would be saying those words. That has taken some getting used to. The couple have been married for around 14 years and share children Callum and Chloe The couple, who married in Edinburgh in 2010, have supported each other in navigating the healthcare system as they underwent tests and treatment for their respective conditions. Sir Chriss cancer had spread to his bones before he was diagnosed but he is currently pain free after undergoing chemotherapy. But he was told when he was diagnosed that his life expectancy was likely to be between two and four years, leaving the couple with an agonising dilemma over how to tell their children Callum and Chloe, who are now aged 10 and seven. Lady Sarra added: It was such a huge thing that we knew we had to tell them. Again it was just trying to stop and take stock and go where are we right now? and obviously we were in panic and realising we dont need to give that to the children just now. I think we had some time and tried to do it in a really considered manner. By the time we took that breath and said stop, hold. We wanted to protect them, that was our main priority. I think we did manage to do that and be really honest with them but at the same time not give them information that they needed to carry yet. The family have also since found a sense of hope, and Sir Chris has launched a charity project called Tour de 4 to help others come to terms with stage four cancer. He said: In the early stages you cant imagine yourself ever being positive again, you cant imagine yourself laughing again, you cant imagine yourself having joy in your life again. All these things they dont come back overnight, they take a long time but I think it comes with hope. The Tour de 4 is to shine a light on stage four cancer of all sorts. Not everybody is as lucky as myself, some people dont have as much time, but for now Im fit and healthy and Im going to crack on and raise hopefully a huge amount of money and change perception of stage four cancer as actually theres a lot of life still to live. One of his first charity challenges will be a 160-mile five-day cycle ride across Cambodia later this month to raise money for impoverished children. President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is his choice to be the next U.S. ambassador amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Huckabee is a former presidential candidate himself who is the father of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as Trump's White House press secretary and interviewed him on stage at a campaign rally. 'I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, has been nominated to be The United States Ambassador to Israel,' Trump wrote, although he does not yet have the formal power to make nominations until he takes the oath of office. It came as Trump announced a flurry of cabinet picks. 'Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!' Huckabee is a former Baptist pastor, and his appointment reflects a longstanding interest by evangelical Christians in the fate of Israel. He is considered a staunch defender of Israel, at a time when it is facing multiple threats. Donald Trump announced former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as his choice to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel He favors home-spun language, and frequently turns up on Fox News selling products including sleep aids. The maker of the Relaxium product he pitched settled a class action lawsuit in 2022 over claims it was 'clinically proven' to work. Trump has touted the Abraham accords increasing ties between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors as one of the chief accomplishments of his first term. He also touts his decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He claims Hamas would have never carried out the October 7 attacks inside Israel if he were president. Huckabee is the father of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Trump made the announcement on a day Israeli President Isaac Herzog (L) met President Joe Biden Huckabee is considered a staunch defender of Israel Palestinians displaced from shelters in Beit Hanoun cross the main Salaheddine road into Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip following Israeli army evacuation orders on November 12, 2024 Now, his administration will have to deal with how to try to settle Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Trump announced his decision as President Joe Biden was hosting Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House. The position requires Senate confirmation, but Republicans are set to take over the chamber with a 53-47 majority. The ambassadorial position comes at a time of regional tensions and strains in the U.S. relationship. Israel and Iran have been trading attacks, with Israel launching airstrikes late last month in response to Tehran firing missiles at Tel Aviv. The current Arkansas governor issued a proud post. 'Unbelievably proud that @realDonaldTrump nominated my dad @GovMikeHuckabee to be US Ambassador to Israel!' she wrote. 'I went to Israel for the first time with my dad when I was eleven and it changed my life. There is no one President Trump could have picked with a greater love for the Israeli people and commitment to the unbreakable bond between America and Israel than him. Love you dad!' Theres an old joke about a wily American lawmaker who was refreshingly candid about his flexibility: Thems my principles; but if you dont like them, I kin change them. If you dont like the SNPs principles, specifically those about politicians serving dual mandates, well, they can change them. Or at least they can when it suits. Stephen Flynn, the partys leader in the Commons, has put himself forward to contest Aberdeen South and North Kincardine in the 2026 Scottish parliament elections. Flynn is already the MP for Aberdeen South and intends to remain so if elected to Holyrood. Wait a minute, didnt the SNP change the rules to put an end to this sort of thing? Indeed they did. In 2021, the partys national executive committee suddenly announced that sitting Nationalist MPs would no longer be permitted to stand for Holyrood without first resigning their seat at Westminster. By total coincidence, this came ahead of the selection process for Edinburgh Central, the Holyrood seat held by Ruth Davidson between 2016 and 2021, and which was expected to be an SNP gain with Davidsons decision to stand down. Stephen Flynn's plans to secure a seat in Holyrood while retaining his position as an MP will, if successful, be a 'steaming pile of fetid hypocrisy,' writes Stephen Daisley Angus Robertson, a key ally of Nicola Sturgeon, was widely reported to be interested in the seat, but so too was Joanna Cherry KC, a critic of Sturgeons independence strategy and support for reforming the law on gender identity. The rule change meant that Cherry would have to quit as an MP, and therefore give up her salary, if she wanted to throw her hat in the ring. Robertson, who was no longer an MP, would not have to take that political (and financial) risk. In the event, Cherry decided to remain in the Commons and Robertson took the seat. Cherry, who lost her Edinburgh South West seat in July and has since returned to her legal career, remarked coolly: The rule against dual mandates introduced by the NEC in 2021 was not election specific it was person specific. It served its purpose & I predict it will be removed. If that is what happens, it will be a steaming pile of fetid hypocrisy on the part of the SNP. When Douglas Ross was Scottish Tory leader, and serving a dual mandate as MP and MSP, the Nationalists lambasted him mercilessly. John Swinneys business minister Richard Lochhead previously said Ross cant possibly be in both Holyrood and Westminster at the same time. He added: The days of dual mandates should be consigned to history. Nationalist MSP Karen Adam said Ross had to choose between being either an MP or MSP and that by trying to be both he is short-changing the people he is supposed to represent. In March 2021, Flynns colleague Alyn Smith even introduced a Bill in the Commons that would have made it unlawful to serve as an MP and MSP at the same time. We all know hypocrisy is part and parcel of politics. But it sticks in the craw to see the SNP parade itself as the conscience of Scottish democracy, a different sort of party that puts the interests of Scotlands people ahead of self-serving political games, only for its Commons leader to pull a stunt like this. A fair few of Flynns comrades seem to agree. Former SNP cabinet minister Alex Neil accused the party of changing these rules every five minutes to suit a specific faction within the party and said it leaves the Nationalists open to charges of unfairness and cronyism. In the SNP? Say it isnt so. Emma Roddick, SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands, joined in the chorus of dissent. She urged Flynn to rethink, reminding him that Ross was rightly... criticised for holding two roles simultaneously and adding that she cant imagine spending half my time in London and being a good MSP. Theres not a sack big enough to contain all the ferrets fighting inside the SNP right now. Flynn is no stranger to controversy. Last October he emailed Gillian Martin, the Scottish Governments energy minister, to relay the concerns of eco power firm Flotation Energy, which felt there was a consent logjam over its Green Volt proposal for an Aberdeenshire wind farm. Flynn said he would be grateful if officials would review the information below and, if appropriate, arrange contact with those involved to discuss these matters further. Six months later, the Scottish Government gave Green Volt the go-ahead. The following month, Flynns Commons register of interests recorded a 30,000 donation to an SNP branch in his area from Allan MacAskill, the co-chief technical officer of Flotation Energy. The donation was within the rules and Flynn reported it to Commons authorities inside the appropriate timeframe. There is no suggestion that either he or MacAskill acted improperly. But critics said the optics of such a sizeable contribution to party coffers after the MPs intervention would only fuel public cynicism about politics. Especially since it was revealed in the wake of the row over Lord Allis clothing donations to Sir Keir Starmer and his wife. When the latter was reported, Flynn penned a newspaper column in which he commented, sarcastically: Of course, its important to say that such clothing gifts come with no attachments. No, none at all. They are all just from the kindness of a filthy-rich donors heart. I mean, who doesnt have friends like that? Then theres the small matter of incumbency: the SNP already holds Aberdeen South and North Kincardine. In putting his name forward, Flynn is putting sitting Nationalist MSP Audrey Nicoll on notice hes coming for her job. This lot have plunged more daggers into one another than the Royal Shakespeare Company. Of course, political intrigue is nothing new with Flynn. In November 2022, with speculation swirling about Ian Blackfords leadership, Flynn stated he had no intention of standing. Less than three weeks later, Blackford was gone and Flynn stepped into his shoes. Such ruthlessness is to be expected in this game, but Audrey Nicoll isnt the only SNP politician who might have had a restless sleep last night. When he succeeded Humza Yousaf, John Swinney insisted he would be no caretaker, but Stephen Flynn might have other plans. He already took one SNP leaders job. Is he coming to Holyrood to do it again? A Vogue model has been arrested for the alleged murder of a New York father who was left with a knife lodged in his chest. Dynus Saxon, a 20-year-old male model, has been charged with murder, manslaughter and weapon possession in connection to the death of 35-year-old Kadeem Grant. The father to a three-year-old was found dead on Sunday afternoon in an apartment complex in the Bronx. According to the Daily News, he was found with a knife 'lodged in his chest' and cuts on his hands and feet. Dynus Saxon, a 20-year-old male model for Vogue, has been charged with murder, manslaughter and weapon possession in connection to the death of 35-year-old Kadeem Grant The victim's father, Christopher Grant, said Kadeem Grant lived in Brooklyn and was visiting a friend. 'He was just a loving kid who was there for his family and his daughter. It's just so sad that she has to grow up without a father,' Christopher Grant told Daily News. A neighbor told the outlet that they had overheard a struggle in the hallway, she said: 'I heard them fighting. No words, just [banging] in the hallway. It was fast. It wasn't like they was fighting for a long time.' She then said she called 911 but 'it wasn't enough to save him'. Grant died in hospital at around 3pm. Grant was found with a knife 'lodged in his chest' with cuts on his hands and feet 'He was just a loving kid who was there for his family and his daughter. It's just so sad that she has to grow up without a father,' said Grant's father, Christopher Grant Saxon's mother says that he was protecting himself and doesn't remember what happened. 'He'll dance, he'll have fun under some circumstances. But, you know, he's really not an aggressor... whatever happened it was not murder,' she said Saxon was hospitalized after his arrest on Monday. His mother told Daily News that she didn't recognize the victim's name or know anything about him. She added: 'I don't know what happened, but I can tell y'all based on what I do know that it's not going to be as simple as you want to make it. Dynus didn't just decide to murder somebody.' His mother was Saxon's call from hospital and, according to her, he doesn't remember what happened. 'Dynus will protect himself, he's a human being, you know what I'm saying. He's young. I don't know what kind of situation he had got himself into,' she told Daily News. 'I don't know what happened, but I can tell y'all based on what I do know that it's not going to be as simple as you want to make it. Dynus didn't just decide to murder somebody,' said Saxon's mother 'He'll dance, he'll have fun under some circumstances. But, you know, he's really not an aggressor,' she added. 'Whatever happened it was not murder. He hasn't even done work in like three, six months... He walks around the street. He walks everywhere. He puts his headphones on and skateboards.' Saxon has appeared in Vogue Italia as well as ad campaigns for Levi's, Calvin Klein and JD Sports. He also appeared on the red carpet for the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine and The Batman. Grant's father told Daily News that he hadn't fully grasped his son was gone, he said: 'He cared for people, looking after his grandma because most of us are not there [in New York]. Kadeem was a kid, you need him and he was there for you.' He added: 'I'm still trying to process it. Until I see him I won't believe it.' A serving police officer has been arrested by Counter Terrorism Police on suspicion of 'supporting Hamas'. The constable, aged in his 30s, was arrested at a property in Gloucester on suspicion of the terror offence - contrary to Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. He was subsequently taken to a police custody unit outside of the Gloucestershire area. Gloucestershire Police revealed that the officer's suspected support for the Palestinian militant group relates to activity online'. Specialist officers are currently carrying out searches of a vehicle and an address in Gloucester in relation to the investigation. The constable, aged in his 30s, was arrested at a property in Gloucester on suspicion of the terror offence - contrary to Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (file image) In 2021, the Government announced that it had proscribed the military and political wings of Hamas as a terrorist organisation (pictured: Yahya Sinwar (centre), the leader of Hamas in Gaza) Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson said: 'The arrest of a serving officer on suspicion of such a serious offence will no doubt cause our communities concern, as it does everyone who works for Gloucestershire Police. 'It's important to note the suspected support relates to activity online and the searches taking place are predominately to locate digital devices for analysis. 'The arrest has been made to allow for a prompt and effective investigation to take place and we must not draw any conclusions at this stage.' In 2021, the Government announced that it had proscribed the military and political wings of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. This means it is a criminal offence to belong to or invite support for it or wear clothing which could be seen to support the group. The penalty is a maximum of 14 years in prison and/or a fine. President Joe Biden chided a reporter who asked him if he could get a hostage deal completed befoe he leaves office, asking her if she could 'get hit in the head' by a camera. Neria Kraus, a reporter for News Israel 13, tweeted a video of her interaction with the president, which came in the Oval Office Tuesday during his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. 'Do you think you can get a hostage deal by the end of your term?,' she asked him, citing the 101 hostages still being held in Gaza. Biden, referring to the dozen TV cameramen and photographers in the room with her, responded: 'Do you think that you can get hit in the head by the camera behind you?' President Joe Biden shakes hands with Israel's President Isaac Herzog Biden then looked down at his notes and began his introductory remarks to Herzog. It's unclear how to interpret his response. Biden, in the past, has said the release of the hostages is a top priority. But he only has a few months left in the White House before Trump takes the oath of office on January 20, 2025. The two presidents were expected to discuss the war in Gaza during their meeting. The Biden administration also wants Israel to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where 43,665 have died in the war; 103,076 have been injured; and thousands of civilians are now refugees. The UN relief and works agency warned that already low levels of aid trickling into Gaza had dwindled further, with the situation in the north of the territory described as 'catastrophic.' Biden has been trying to garner a cease-fire deal in Gaza before President-elect Trump takes office. While in Washington D.C., Herzog will also meet with Rep. Elise Stefanik -- whom Trump has chosen to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations -- and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Trump ally and adviser. Israel has already reached out to the president-elect. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with Trump three times since the Nov. 5th election. Neria Kraus, a reporter for News Israel 13, asked the president about a hostage deal Other than his snappy response, Biden didn't answer any other questions from reporters in the room and he let Herzog do the majority of the talking. The Israeli president didn't mince words. He called Iran an 'evil empire' and said they are a 'major engine of antisemitism.' He brought President Biden a gift, an artifact from the foot of Temple Mount in Jerusalem that has the word 'Joseph' on it. President Isaac Herzog is the brother of Michael Herzog, who has been serving as Israel's Ambassador to the United States since November 2021. A health warning will be printed on every cigarette sold in Australia under strict new laws aimed at stamping out smoking. Under the tobacco regulations, warning messages including 'poison in every puff', 'damages your lungs', 'causes 16 cancers', 'shortens your life' and 'toxic addiction' must be printed on every cigarette by April 2025. 'We will be one of the first countries in the world to include this new public health measure, again seeking to educate but also dissuade smokers from using this deadly product,' said health minister Mark Butler when he announced the legislation last year. The regulation guidelines were released in October 2024, giving manufacturers five months to comply with the April 2025 deadline. Mr Butler said that retailers will have a three-month transition period, from April 1 to the end of June next year, to gradually phase out their old stock. But industry sources told the Daily Telegraph that manufacturers will need more time to be able to revamp their supply chains in time to produce the new government-required cigarettes. If manufacturers miss the deadline, Australia could face a situation where legal cigarettes are unavailable in stores. Nationals senator Matt Canavan warned the government there was a 'clear and understandable risk' that people would turn to illegal cigarettes as a result of the legislation. Manufacturers will have until April 2025 to print warning labels on every cigarette stick sold in order to comply with new government regulations 'If there is an interruption to the supply of legal tobacco, it would push people to illicit tobacco,' he said at Senate Estimates last week, while quizzing Health Department Secretary Dr Liz Develin. 'Rushing the implementation of this, maybe not allowing manufacturers to respond in time could lead to greater use of illicit tobacco. 'A big reason why organised crime is well-funded in this country is because illicit tobacco is very, very lucrative.' Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, said they supported the government's initiative, but warned the deadline was unrealistic. 'If you were to print one message on a cigarette stick its somewhat achievable but we have to reconfigure,' Mr Foukkare told The Daily Telegraph. 'Retailers won't be able to buy compliant products until their suppliers can provide that. 'This isn't about saying we don't want to do this, it's that we can't do it in the time frame.' Australia has followed the Canadian government which introduced warning labels on cigarette sticks in August 2023. Manufacturers in Canada had until July 2024 to print the messages on all king-size cigarettes and have until April 2025 to print on regular cigarettes and little cigars. Cigarette prices in Australia are among the highest globally due to high taxes, with a 20-pack costing between $39 and $60, depending on the brand. Of this, $26 is tax. Cigarette excise taxes are indexed twice a year in line with average salaries, with the tax per stick rising by 2.8 per cent to $1.27816 on March 1, up from $1.24335. This has fueled a booming black market. One Sydney smoker, Tom, regularly buys a packet of black-market cigarettes for $12 - or splashes out and pays $20 for an illegal packet of Marlboros. He says they are sold in every suburb, and blames the federal government's continued tax rises. 'I know hardly anyone who buys legitimate cigarettes; and I don't blame the little stores from selling them. 'Go to any pub and have a look around at the cigarette packets on the table - few are the legal, plain-package variety.' The SNP is in the grip of a new bout of vicious infighting after the partys Westminster leader lodged a bid to be elected to Holyrood. Stephen Flynn hopes to win a seat at the Scottish Parliament but also wants to keep his job in London, despite recently insisting being an MP is a full-time job. He is now facing strong criticism from others in the party who have claimed he is parking his tanks on the Holyrood groups lawn. A party source said: The SNP should have its best people at Holyrood. The fact the rule was introduced to stop Joanna Cherry, the best legal thinker in the SNP, just shows the close-minded vindictiveness of Nicola Sturgeons tenure as leader. Another said: He is parking his tanks on their lawn and if he can come up with a credible independence strategy - and if he develops a proper policy platform - he may do well. MP Stephen Flynn's announcement has led to a row among his party colleagues There are some people in the SNP Holyrood group who are sort of blown away. He is the epitome of arrogance; he doesnt just think he is better than everyone else, he knows he is. We kind of need that audacity. He reminds me of a young Alex Salmond. Another senior SNP politician said: Flynn is plainly wanting to be leader. His announcement sparked a major backlash within the SNP, after the party previously changed rules to prevent MPs standing to be Holyrood candidates unless they stand down from Westminster first. The move was widely seen as a bid to thwart then Edinburgh South-West MP Joanna Cherry from challenging party high-flyer Angus Robertson to be candidate for the key target seat of Edinburgh Central. Following Mr Flynns announcement yesterday, former SNP Health Secretary Alex Neil said: Changing these rules every five minutes to suit a specific faction within the party is totally unacceptable and opens the party up to charges of unfairness and cronyism. Little wonder so many people have lost trust in the SNP. Ms Cherry, who has now stood aside from frontline politics after losing in this years general election, said: I wish Stephen well. The SNP badly needs new blood at Holyrood. SNP sources say the move shows Flynn's 'arrogance' as he plans to be an MP and an MSP Flynn has said he has full confidence in first minister John Swinney but is widely expected to make a bid for the leadership if he is elected to Holyrood. The rule against dual mandates introduced by the NEC (national executive committee) in 2021 was not election specific it was person specific. It served its purpose and I predict it will be removed. SNP MSP Emma Roddick, a former equalities minister, said: Party members set this rule for good reasons. Rightly, Douglas Ross was criticised for holding two roles simultaneously. I hope Stephen Flynn rethinks. Cant imagine spending half my time in London and being a good MSP. Key that rules apply to everyone equally; men and women. Ms Roddick also told the Holyrood Sources podcast: You would have to stand down from one. You cannot, I think, serve with a straight face if you have made clear to your constituents - one way or the other - that this role is your second choice. She also said it would be indefensible for the rules to change for the upcoming election and that of course it would be hypocritical for him to be an MP and MSP. Mr Flynn is regarded as ruthlessly ambitious and is widely expected to seek to become John Swinneys successor if he is elected to the Scottish Parliament. He announced yesterday in an article for the Press and Journal that he is seeking to become candidate for the Holyrood constituency of Aberdeen South and North Kincardine in 2026 - even though sitting MSP Audrey Nicoll, who was first elected in 2021, has not yet announced if she intends to seek another term. Mr Flynn said he intended to remain MP for Aberdeen South if he is elected, but would not take a second parliamentary income. But in an article written for the SNPs website last year, Mr Flynn said: Being elected as an MP is a privilege and must never be treated as anything less than a full-time job. When former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross announced plans to continue as MP for Moray when standing for the Scottish Parliament in 2021, SNP MSP Richard Lochhead called for him to resign so Moray can have a full-time voice in Westminster, and added that the days of dual mandates should be consigned to history. Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr said: The SNPs rank hypocrisy knows no bounds. They previously said that dual mandates should be consigned to history, yet it now looks as though Stephen Flynn is aiming to do just that. The public will think this is typical of the nationalists, who believe there should be one rule for them and one rule for everyone else. The SNP would be calling for Stephen Flynn to resign if he was in any other party. It is little wonder trust is broken in SNP politicians when their Westminster leader suddenly thinks that there is nothing wrong in sitting in both Parliaments, despite criticising others for doing so. The SNP has not yet set rules for the 2026 Holyrood election and this will be a matter for its national executive committee to decide. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told LBC: This is again a perfect example of a political party that thinks its one standard for everybody else and another standard for themselves. They think its one rule when politicians from other parties want to stand as MSPs and MPs and they, for example, try to pass legislation at Westminster against what they call double-jobbing, they try to pass legislation at Holyrood against what they call double-jobbing. But it seems to be ok when one of their own wants to be both an MP and MSP. I think its the hypocrisy of it that people will find frankly laughable. Mr Flynn told the P&J newspaper that it didnt fill him with great delight to go up against Ms Nicoll for selection, but insisted that different people are chosen to represent the team at different moments. He was previously part of an alleged coup to remove Ian Blackford as the SNPs Westminster leader. The editor-in-chief of America's oldest magazine unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade against Donald Trump's allies in a series of comments in the lead-up to the election. Laura Helmuth was forced to apologize earlier this week to Trump supporters for describing them as fascists, racists and sexists in a wild late-night rant. Now, newly unearthed posts dating back to February reveal a pattern of vile remarks targeted towards Trump's allies - including JD Vance and Robert F Kennedy Jr. Helmuth, the editor of Scientific American, which has been published continually since 1845, described anti-vaxxers as 'f***ing ghouls' in February, and days later lamented somehow being subscribed to Kennedy Jr's mailing list. 'He could not possibly be barking up a wronger tree,' she wrote. Laura Helmuth, the editor of America's oldest magazine is now facing calls for her resignation after issuing a groveling apology for her anti-Trump rant earlier in the week Newly unearthed social media posts dating back to February 2024 reveal a pattern of nasty remarks targeted toward Trump's allies - including Vice Presidential pick JD Vance and Robert F Kennedy Jr 'The messages are all sickening and shameless, but today's is about how rules for getting on the ballot in Kansas are persecuting him. The subject line is ''bloody Kansas''. 'This f***ing guy,' she added. At the time, Kennedy Jr was still running for president. He went on to drop out of the race and endorse Trump, and Trump later revealed Kennedy Jr would have a 'special role' in his government focusing on healthcare and women's health. in July, Helmuth threw her weight behind Kamala Harris' bid for the White House after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Setting her sights on JD Vance after he was announced as Trump's running mate, she wrote: 'As a stepparent, stepchild, half-sib and half-aunt I just cannot WAIT for whoever Kamala Harris's VP pick is. 'Kick JD Vance's bigoted, misogynistic, white supremacist carcass to the f***ing moon.' Helmuth has now made her account private. He went on to drop out of the race and endorse Trump, and Trump later revealed Kennedy Jr would have a 'special role' in his government focusing on healthcare and women's health On election night, once it became apparent that Trump would return to the White House and there was no path to victory for Harris, Helmuth vented her frustrations online yet again Scientific American endorsed Kamala Harris for president in September, asking readers to vote Democrat 'to support science, health and the environment.' The once-prestigious magazine made its first ever presidential endorsement for Joe Biden in 2020, sparking accusations against Helmuth and her staff that they were pushing a social justice agenda. On election night, once it became apparent that Trump would return to the White House and there was no path to victory for Harris, Helmuth vented her frustrations online yet again. 'I apologize to younger voters that my Gen X is so full of f*****g fascists,' Helmuth wrote on the social media site Bluesky. She went on: 'Solidarity to everybody whose meanest, dumbest, most bigoted high-school classmates are celebrating early results because f**k them to the moon and back.' Setting her sights on JD Vance after he was announced as Trump's running mate, she wrote: 'As a stepparent, stepchild, half-sib and half-aunt I just cannot WAIT for whoever Kamala Harris's VP pick is. Helmuth then went after her own home state: 'Every four years I remember why I left Indiana (where I grew up) and remember why I respect the people who stayed and are trying to make it less racist and sexist. 'The moral arc of the universe isn't going to bend itself.' The following day, Helmuth suggested her staff were as distraught as her, writing: 'Any advice on what workplaces can do to help people who are devastated by the election? Thanks so much.' Trump was elected the 47th president on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts. Laura Helmuth, the editor-in-chief of Scientific American, went on a rampage against Trump supporters in now-deleted posts on social media, calling them fascists, racists and sexists Helmuth issues a groveling apology for her 'offensive and inappropriate posts' Helmuth's comments sparked immediate backlash, and she later walked back her statements claiming she was 'shocked and confused' when she made them. 'I made a series of offensive and inappropriate posts on my personal Bluesky account on election night, and I am sorry. I respect and value people across the political spectrum,' Helmuth began. 'These posts, which I have deleted, do not reflect my beliefs; they were a mistaken expression of shock and confusion about the election results. These posts of course do not reflect the position of Scientific American or my colleagues. I am committed to civil communication and editorial objectivity.' DailyMail.com has now approached Helmuth regarding her earlier comments. In recent years, loyal readers have complained that the publication has become obsessed with race and transgender issues. In May 2023, Scientific American was blasted for publishing a piece which asserted that arguing there are only two sexes is 'bad science.' Scientific American also published a recent story accusing Donald Trump of pushing 'eugenics.' MBABANE There are allegations that an employee of the Central Medical Stores (CMS) was suspended for whistleblowing. The allegations came to light yesterday during the debate on the Ministry of Health Second Quarter report by the ministrys House of Assembly Portfolio Committee. Somntongo Member of Parliament (MP), Sandile Nxumalo, in Parliament, demanded accountability from the Ministry of Health, as he purported a CMS official was suspended for revealing expired drugs to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Nxumalo disclosed that the official was supposedly victimised before being suspended for the revelation. The PAC recently made a surprise visit to the CMS. The PAC discovered that apart from the hundreds of millions worth of expired medical drugs, there were about E10 million of medical waste buckets, which were mistakenly ordered. The CMS staff failed to provide an explanation for the unnecessary procurement of the medical waste buckets much to the amazement of the PAC. It was unclear how government ended up paying for the buckets, as some of the staff said the buckets were ordered by mistake, while others said it was a case of an oversupply by the supplier. The PACs visit was meant to verify the findings of the Office of the Auditor General (AG), Timothy Matsebula. According to Nxumalo, during their visit, the official in question allegedly disclosed information about expired drugs. He said as the PAC and portfolio committee, they had received information that the official was allegedly victimised after their visit. Targeted Adding, Nxumalo stated that the official was allegedly suspended thereafter. Nxumalo claimed the official was being unfairly targeted for revealing uncomfortable truths. The MP called for the immediate reinstatement of the suspended official. He went on to state that cancer patients in the country had signed a death sentence. He questioned what the Ministry of Health was doing to assist the cancer patients visiting health facilities. According to Nxumalo, the ministry cannot declare that it cannot assist some patients, as doing so would be tantamount to a death sentence. On the same note, Ngudzeni MP Charles Ndlovu asked the ministry on their interventions to address the drug shortages in the country. Also, Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba asked the ministry what they are doing to pay debts, including that of Phalala Fund. Mamba asked about the impact of the debts on the companies being owed and further urged the ministry to prioritise paying the debts to avoid disruption of the health system. Meanwhile, Kumethula Jabulani Simelane suggested that the ministry should approach Parliament for a loan bill to address the challenges faced by the health sector. Simelane also suggested arrests on the culprits involved in the disappearance of the drugs in health facilities and at CMS. He said without holding individuals accountable for their actions, the issue of drugs shortage will not end. Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, is expected to submit written responses today at 2 pm. At least 15 inmates died and 14 were injured Tuesday following a fight at Ecuador's largest prison. The Litoral Penitentiary in the coastal city of Guayaquil has been the site of frequent riots and mass killings, including one in 2021 that left 119 inmates dead. The National Service of Comprehensive Attention to Adults Deprived of Liberty and Adolescent Offenders, which oversees the prison system, said in a statement that detainees were involved in a brawl in one of the jail's cell blocks. Security forces were able to enter the prison and took control of the facility to 'guarantee security and prevent new incidents.' The Attorney General's Office said that murder charges were set to be filed against nine inmates. Security forces guard prisoners who were forced to lie on a courtyard at the Litoral Penitentiary in Ecuador following Tuesday's fight that left at least 15 inmates dead Police officers walk outside the Litoral Penitentiary, were at least 15 inmates were killed Tuesday following a fight in one of the prison buildings Images taken inside the prison showed law enforcement officials standing next to the body of a slain prisoner lying on the roof. Shirtless inmates were seen in handcuffs and lying on the ground of a courtyard as law enforcement agents carried out searches. Aerial video footage showed authorities bringing out dead bodies before they were taken to the medical examiner's office. The sister of one of the victims told Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo that the death toll could be much higher. 'They threw grenades at them, they decapitated them, they cut them up. The police themselves, while they were there (outside the prison), showed me the videos that show (the bodies) in the upper part; they are all lying there,' she said. 'That is why we came here, because they already said that there are not 17 or anything, there are like 35, 40 dead. That is what they gave information inside (the prison) itself.' Ecuador's Attorney General's office said murder charges will be filed against nine prisoners The mass killing is bound to agitate Ecuador's presidential race, where the law-and-order incumbent, Daniel Noboa, has made improving security, including inside detention facilities, a top priority in his bid to seek re-election next year. Ecuador's prisons have become among the deadliest in Latin America as overcrowding, corruption and weak state control have allowed gangs connected to drug traffickers in Colombia and Mexico to proliferate. Many are heavily armed with weapons smuggled in from the outside and continue to organize criminal activity from behind bars. The Litoral Penitentiary currently houses about 10,000 inmates - or double its capacity. Aerial video footage showed dead bodies outside the prison A woman talks on her phone as she waits for news of her loved one after at least 15 inmates were killed at the Litoral Penitentiary A dozen outbreaks of violence in Ecuadorian prisons have left more than 400 people dead since 2001. The prison violence reflects a deteriorating security situation throughout the Andean nation. Ecuador registered a record 47 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, up from a rate of six murders per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018. President Noboa in January declared a state of emergency and ordered the military to take control of the prisons after gunmen stormed and opened fire in a TV studio and bandits threatened random executions of civilians and security forces. Multiple people are missing after a building collapsed amid an explosion in Louisville, Kentucky, leaving at least 11 people injured. CBS affiliate WLKY has shared dramatic drone footage showing a blackened husk of debris in the middle of a partially-destroyed multi-story building. Fire authorities said the blast happened on the 1900 block of Payne Street in the Clifton neighborhood of Louisville on Tuesday afternoon. Sources told WLKY that people are 'missing and trapped inside', while residents reported hearing a loud boom from miles away. However, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg later said everyone was accounted for and there had not been any fatalities despite the destruction. Multiple people are missing after a building collapsed amid an explosion on Payne Street in the Clifton neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday afternoon HAPPENING NOW! LFD and Multiple LMG agencies on scene of a large scale incident in the 1900 Block of Payne St. Media staging is being set up at St. Frances of Rome, 2119 Payne St. @wave3news @WDRBNews @WLKY @SpectrumNews1KY @WHAS11 @840WHAS @LMPD @LouisvilleMayor @LouMetroES Louisville Fire Dept (@loukyfire) November 12, 2024 Fire authorities said the blast happened on the 1900 block of Payne Street in the Clifton neighborhood of Louisville on Tuesday afternoon Local news outlet WLKY has shared dramatic drone footage showing a blackened husk of debris in the middle of a partially-destroyed multi-story building 'The cause at this point of the explosion is unknown,' said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. No one died in the explosion, he added. The structure appears to be a commercial building, hosting businesses including natural food coloring company DD Williamson, or Givaudan Sense Colour. It is not known at this time how many people were inside the building at the time of the blast. Officials said at least 11 people had been taken to local hospitals, all employees. Greenburg said officials spoke to workers inside the plant. 'They have initially conveyed that everything was normal activity when the explosion occurred,' he said. Louisville Fire Department described the blast as a 'large scale incident', while Louisville Metro Emergency Services urged people within a mile of the business to shelter in place. This is a breaking news story with updates to follow. Louisville Fire Department described the blast as a 'large scale incident' At least 15 major airlines will implement a new 'Share Item Location' feature for travelers who use Apple AirTags to find their lost luggage. Apple AirTags are becoming a must-have item for anyone with habits of misplacing items like keys or wallets on a regular basis, as well as those worrying about losing their luggage during their travels. To set up the AirTag, owners must hold the product near their iPhone or iPad, connect it to the electronic, name the AirTag and register it to an Apple account. While you can use AirTags privately to track luggage, airline baggage services had yet to set up internal ways to link up to the tag's tracking information... until now. Some of the airlines that have already started using this process include Delta Airlines, United Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qantas and Virgin Atlantic. At least 15 major airlines will implement the 'Share My Location' feature for travelers who own Apple AirTags United Airlines has implemented the 'Share Item Location' feature in select airports 'We know many of our customers are already traveling with AirTag in their checked bags, and this feature will soon make it easier for them to share location information with us safely and securely,' David Kinzelman, United's chief customer officer, told CBS News this month. He added that the feature is only available with United in select airports, but there are plans to introduce 'the service systemwide in early 2025.' Delta's hope with the new 'Share Item Location' feature is that it will give its employees 'extra visibility to reunite those items with their owners.' Erik Snell, Delta Air Lines senior vice president of Airport Customer Service, Cargo Operations, Ground Support Equipment, and Global Clean, explained the feature would provide their team with 'extra visibility to reunite those items with their owners.' 'This cutting-edge solution, developed by Apple and in partnership with Delta Air Lines, will enable us to locate items more efficiently and effectively,' Snell said. Other airlines that will be implementing this feature include Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, and Vueling. AirTag owners can use the feature share the location of their Apple product through secure links with someone else. Apple AirTags are becoming a must-have item for anyone with habits of losing items like keys or wallets on a regular basis Delta's hope with the new feature is that it will give its employees 'extra visibility to reunite those items with their owners' The secure links AirTag owners create are meant to ensure user privacy, and the shared item will immediately be disabled once the luggage owner is reunited with their belongings.. 'Access to each link will be limited to a small number of people, and recipients will be required to authenticate in order to view the link through either their Apple Account or partner email address,' Apple said in a news release. Links that do not get disabled will automatically expire after seven days. The 'Share Item Location' feature is available now in most regions worldwide as part of the public beta of iOS 18.2, which will soon be available to all users for iPhone Xs and later through a software update. Apple users who own AirTags can use them through the Find My app. 'Find My is an essential tool for users around the world to keep track of and find their belongings,' said Eddy Cue, Apples senior vice president of Services, in a news release. 'The Find My network and AirTag have proven to be a powerful combination for users while traveling, providing invaluable location information when bags have been misplaced or mishandled.' Florida officials have launched an investigation after a human head washed ashore on Key Biscayne south of Miami Beach on Tuesday. The Miami-Dade Police Department said it received a call around 8.30am by a worker who reported the discovery near the 251 block of Crandon Boulevard. Responding officers said the worker was raking the beach when he found the head. Authorities confirmed that it belonged to a person and a section of the beach was cordoned off with yellow police tape for the investigation. Aerial footage showed officials at the scene examining the remains, which were covered by blue tarp and surrounded by traffic cones. The Miami-Dade Police Department launched an investigation after a human head washed ashore on Key Biscayne on Tuesday A police spokesperson told the outlet that 'detectives are on scene and are working with the Medical Examiner to determine the identity of the individual.' 'You see all kinds of things here but nothing like this, like we saw this morning. The head of a person,' Key Biscayne resident Bahman Amini told CBS News. Another woman who lived in the area told Local10: 'This is my typical route. Our neighborhood is very safe. We have our children here; our children play on these beaches and it's just beyond belief.' A police spokesperson told the outlet that 'detectives are on scene and are working with the Medical Examiner to determine the identity of the individual.' Officials also added that the Medical Examiner will be working alongside homicide detectives to identify the person while the investigation continues, according to NBC Miami. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Miami-Dade Police Department for more information. Key Biscayne, located on a barrier island across the Rickenbacker Causeway from Miami, is described as an 'an oasis of sandy beaches, nature preserves and restaurants with stunning views.' Officials also added that the Medical Examiner will be working alongside homicide detectives to identify the person while the investigation continues Key Biscayne, located on a barrier island across the Rickenbacker Causeway from Miami, is described as an 'an oasis of sandy beaches, nature preserves and restaurants with stunning views' Aerial footage shows detectives at the scene examining the remains The discovery comes a month after a 31-year-old model's body was found floating near Key Biscayne after she drowned while partying on a yacht. In that incident, a police report indicated that the model, Adriana Vieria, had joined a group for a swim around 8.30pm on September 21 before they warned her to return to the boat due to the presence of a jellyfish. The young woman remained in the water and was located floating 10 minutes later near Biscayne Bay. She was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead an hour later. Vieria and her ex-husband had allegedly fled Brazil after being involved in a multi-million-dollar scam. A heroic teenager saved his little sister from drowning before losing his own life to the rough waters of Florida in a final act of love. Victor Castaneda Jr., 19, was with his little sister at South Pointe Park on Saturday - a beautiful space at the southern tip of Miami Beach that offers panoramic views of the South Beach shoreline, cruise ships, Downtown Miami skyline and Fisher Island. But when the teen and his younger sister got into the water just as the sun was setting, they quickly got caught in an aggressive rip current - and 19-year-old Victor saved his sister's life before vanishing into the water himself, NBC Miami reported. 'Before he was submerged, he threw my sister, because he told her they were going to die, and he threw her, and that was the last she saw of him,' 34-year-old Jessica Castaneda, the teen's older sister, told NBC Miami. 'So my brother died a hero.' Miami Beach Police responded to South Pointe Park at around 6pm on Saturday after receiving reports of two swimmers in distress. Victor Castaneda Jr., 19, drowned in a rip current after saving his younger sister's life early Saturday evening The pair quickly got caught in an aggressive rip current - and 19-year-old Victor saved his sister's life before vanishing into the water himself and disappearing from sight 'They had just gotten in the water,' Jessica added. 'They became distressed and yelling for help. They were struggling for a long time.' 'He said his concerns to my sister while they were struggling, just trying to get out.' In a final act of love, Victor threw his sister - who remains unnamed - before two bystanders entered the water and successfully pulled the minor out and to safety. But Victor had already submerged into the water and completely disappeared from sight when they looked back. Miami Beach Police temporarily suspended their efforts after searching for the missing teen on Saturday and Sunday - but noted how there were still active drones searching for him, NBC Miami reported. The younger sister was checked in to a hospital for treatment but is said to be uninjured and doing physically okay following her rescue. Victor's family have accepted that their loved one drowned, but are seeking closure and the recovery of his body. Miami Beach Police responded to South Pointe Park at around 6pm on Saturday after receiving reports of two swimmers in distress In a final act of love, Victor threw his sister - who remains unnamed - before two bystanders entered the water and successfully pulled the minor out and to safety 'They say his body could've traveled south and we're just hoping somebody sees him out in the water,' Jessica said. 'We just really want to bring him home.' Jessica took to Facebook on Monday to ask those who are planning to be out on a boat to keep an eye out for her brother as well as asking the community to continue praying for his recovery. 'My brother was the kindest person I know and hardworking,' Jessica told NBC Miami. 'He was an amazing student. He had so many dreams. He was going to enlist in the Navy.' She also posted a heartbreaking message to her Facebook followers on Tuesday where she wrote: 'The pain I'm left with is insurmountable. My heart is completely and irreparably shattered. Your absence will never be accepted. No words could ever describe how much I love you Victor. 'I will miss you every second of every minute of every single day for the rest of my life. 'I will dream of your smile and your infectious laugh until I find you in the next life, in every life I will find you.' His family accepted that their loved one drowned, but died a hero - and they want to recover his body for closure Efforts to locate the missing teen were suspended after searching for him throughout Saturday and Sunday - but active drones are still searching This past June, the Florida waters claimed the lives of three young friends from Alabama while they swam in Panama Beach. Harold Denzel Hunter, 25, Jemonda Ray, 24, and Marius Richardson, 24, were swept away by a rip current and killed just minutes after entering the water. A teenager had died at the spot the previous evening but the young friends were desperate to get in the water after their long drive despite a single red flag warning of the danger. Ten minutes later the first 911 call was made, but it was two hours before the men were found and taken to hospital where they were declared dead. Six people were killed in Florida rip currents over a 48-hour period in June of this year as well, including another 19-year-old swimmer who was in the waters of Panama City Beach. Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s rumored mistress Olivia Nuzzi has thrown out her request for a protective order against her ex-fiance. The decision brings an end to a months-long legal battle against Ryan Lizza that began once news of her 'digital affair' with the former presidential hopeful came to light. Nuzzi, 31, accused her former partner of trying to blackmail her and threatening her career over the infidelity. In a new filing at the Superior Court in Washington DC, Nuzzi claimed launching her legal bid was her 'last resort in her efforts to extract herself from a controlling and abusive relationship'. The document added: 'She narrowly sought to protect her physical safety and privacy.' Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s alleged mistress Olivia Nuzzi has thrown out her request for a protective order against her ex-fiance Ryan Lizza But the claims were dismissed as lies by Lizza, who said his ex, 'shamelessly used litigation with false and defamatory allegations as a public relations strategy'. 'Now, on the eve of a hearing at which she knew her lies would be exposed, she has taken the only course available to her and withdrawn her fabricated claims,' Lizza, 50, told the Daily Beast. 'Olivia lied to me for almost a year. She lied to her editors. She lied to her readers. She lied to her colleagues. She lied to reporters. And she lied to the judge in this case. 'I said I would defend myself against her lies vigorously and successfully and I am fully prepared to do so. But for now, I'm pleased this matter is closed.' Nuzzi recently parted ways with New York Magazine after she admitted to having an 'emotional and digital' affair while covering Kennedy, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines. Politico correspondent Lizza has also taken a 'leave of absence' after the bombshell court filing alleged that he blackmailed Nuzzi over the rumored affair. Nuzzi claimed in DC Superior Court that Lizza 'explicitly threatened to make public personal information about me to destroy my life, career, and reputationa threat he has since carried out.' Her latest filing to dismiss the case still takes aim at Lizza, accusing him of 'improperly and irresponsibly using proceedings as part of his public relations and public defamation strategy'. New York Magazine parted ways with Nuzzi after she'd admitted to her bosses to having an 'emotional and digital' affair with Kennedy, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines Lizza was fighting to keep the legal battle public after Nuzzi filed a Civil Protective Order, of which Lizza was not aware until the press covered it She believes that he wanted to cause her 'further harm' by 'inciting more media interest with salacious claims that are relevant to the central issues.' The documents filed Friday say she kept her filing 'narrowly focused on only the two matters which led her to seek intervention from the court', and to stop Lizza's harassment and 'electronic surveillance' of her. 'Since the filing of this matter, respondent's harassment campaign has intensified,' the papers state. 'Respondent [Lizza] has engaged with this court in bad faith, using the process as a platform to enter into the public record destructive and defamatory statements.' Nuzzi also accuses her ex-fiance of 'successfully exploiting' the media interest to 'create an even greater spectacle intended to harass and harm her.' Her filing concludes that she 'will garner the greatest protection by disengaging from this process'. Lizza wanted to keep their legal battle public, after Nuzzi filed a Civil Protective Order, of which he was not aware until the press covered it. She wanted to seal the case so it could be 'tried in court not in the media'. His attorneys say that Nuzzi was unfairly trying to 'silence Mr. Lizza from telling his side of the story.' Kennedy, 70, and Nuzzi met while she was profiling him for New York magazine last year. The former political candidate insisted they only met once and has denied their relationship was ever physical. 'Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece,' his spokesman told CNN. Nuzzi had been suspended after she'd admitted to her bosses to having an 'emotional and digital' affair with Kennedy, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines. Kennedy and Hines are see in in January, 2024 Olivia Nuzzi was a star reporter at New York magazine and met Kennedy while profiling him for an article A source added that the nature of the relationship was 'emotional and digital in nature, not physical'. But insiders told the New York Post the pair had engaged in 'sexting' despite RFK Jr. being married and Nuzzi being engaged to Lizza at the time. Nuzzi said that in early 2024, the nature of some communication between herself and a former reporting subject turned personal. 'Earlier this year, the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal,' Nuzzi said. 'During that time, I did not directly report on the subject nor use them as a source,' she said. 'The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict. I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those I've disappointed, especially my colleagues at New York.' Kennedy's wife has stuck by him throughout the controversy and during his decision to pull out of the presidential race. At the time of the profile, Kennedy was running as an independent candidate before dropping out to endorse Trump. Nuzzi met with him for the interview at the $7 million California home he shares with his wife. She painted a picture of Kennedy as an anti-establishment candidate, 'turning the presidential election upside down'. 'Fear and denial is what Kennedy seems to inspire among the staid Washington Establishment supporting the incumbent president and the gangland anti-Establishment Establishment supporting the former president,' she wrote. She touched on conflict in the aspiring politician's marriage over his appearance on Steve Bannon's show and those of other right-wing personalities. 'Bannon was only the beginning. Poor Cheryl,' Nuzzi wrote. However, Hines appears unconcerned about the allegations despite rumors she was planning to divorce her husband. Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for leaking classified military documents about the Ukraine war. The 22-year-old appeared in federal court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to leaking the information to his internet friends on Discord, considered one of the most consequential national security breaches in years. Prosecutors had urged the judge to hand down a 17 year sentence because Teixeira had 'taken an oath to defend the United States and to protect its secrets.' 'Secrets that are vital to U.S. national security and the physical safety of Americans serving overseas,' prosecutors said. 'Teixeira violated his oath, almost every day, for over a year.' The defense accepted he 'made a terrible decision' repeatedly over 14 months. They hoped he would receive no more than 11 years behind bars. Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was sentenced to 15 years in prison for leaking highly classified military documents about Russia 's war in Ukraine 'It's a crime that deserves serious consequences,' his attorneys accepted. 'Jack has thoroughly accepted responsibility for the wrongfulness of his actions and stands ready to accept whatever punishment must now be imposed.' Teixeira pleaded guilty in March to six counts of wilfully retaining and transmitting national defense information, which fall under the umbrella of the Espionage Act. He'd been arrested in April 2023. The 22-year-old was collecting sensitive data and secrets using his security clearance and then sharing them on social media platform Discord. Teixeira, 22, was indicted on six counts of willful retention of national defense information and the subsequent leaking of it Jack Teixeira previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but later changed his plea to guilty The US Department of Justice released photo evidence collected during the investigation into US Air National Guardsman FBI agents arrest Teixeira, an employee of the U.S. Air Force National Guard in North Dighton, Massachusetts, on April 13, 2023 Teixeira was described as autistic and isolated, and a young man who spent most of his time online. His attorneys said his actions were never intended to 'harm the United States.' 'His intent was to educate his friends about world events to make certain they were not misled by misinformation,' the attorneys wrote. 'To Jack, the Ukraine war was his generation's World War II or Iraq, and he needed someone to share the experience with.' Teixeira was diagnosed with autism after his arrest, and prosecutors argued it was 'mild' and that he remained 'high functioning.' Some of the information he shared was considered either 'secret' or 'top secret.' Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign delivered $500,000 in donations to Al Sharpton's non-profit organization, just prior to a glowing interview with the candidate on MSNBC. Harriss campaign gave two payments of $250,000 to National Action Network on September 5 and October 1, according to campaign finance records first reported by the Washington Free Beacon and confirmed by DailyMail.com. Sharpton publicly backed Harris after Biden endorsed her to succeed him in his reelection campaign. After Sharpton's organization received donations from Harris, he got a coveted sit-down interview with her just two weeks before the election Harris appeared on Sharpton's MSNBC Politics Nation show on October 20, exclusively aired on the cable network. 'Donald Trump should never again stand behind the seal of the president of the United States, he has not earned the right. And that's why he's going to lose,' Harris said. Reverend Al Sharpton's nonprofit organization received payments from the Kamala Harris campaign before an exclusive interview with the vice president. Neither MSNBC nor Al Sharpton disclosed the donations to Sharpton's organization during the interview where Harris spoke about issues pertaining to black communities. The National Action Network did not respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment. During the interview, Sharpton asked Harris to react to the narrative that black men were not supporting her due to the misogyny in the community. 'It's just not panning out in reality in terms of when I go to last night Atlanta and have 10,000 people at a rally. Al Sharpton speaks during the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. The Harris campaign increased spending with black activist organizations in the final weeks of the campaign to boost black voter turnout. Sharpton pushed back against critics of Harris for branding her as 'Kamala the Cop,' defending her record as a progressive prosecutor, despite her record of prosecuting crimes related to marijuana in San Francisco and threatening to imprison parents of truant children. 'You used to be attacked for being too progressive as an attorney,' he said to Harris during the interview. Sharpton has sided with the Democratic party throughout his activist career but at one time he frequently spent time with Trump as a prominent New York celebrity. That all changed when Trump began running as a Republican for president. Donald Trump and Al Sharpton attend "The Art of the Deal" Book Party on December 12, 1987 In July 2019, Trump famously reacted to attacks from Sharpton by describing him as a 'con man.' 'I have known Al for 25 years. Went to fights with him & Don King, always got along well. He loved Trump!' Trump wrote on social media. 'He would ask me for favors often. Al is a con man, a troublemaker, always looking for a score. Just doing his thing.' A sunday school teacher wangled the job so she could encourage young children to wage Jihad, the Old Bailey heard today. Dzhamilya Timaeva, 19, even produced a colourful cartoon book called the Little Muwahideen, which glorified waging war against non-believers of Islam. Prosecutors said Timaeva was the head teacher at the Windsor Muslim Association and was due to begin teaching classes at the Tawheed Islamic Education Centre, a Sunday school in Maidenhead. She devised lesson plans and a curriculum for the children attending the Tawheed school. Seventy of her books, which the court heard were clearly designed for children, were sent to her home address in Windsor, one mile away from Windsor Castle. The court heard the books title Little Muwahideen is a term used by believers of Islam, who think Allah above all else should be worshipped. Within the pages reference was made to the duty of waging of war for Islam, the Old Bailey was told. Sunday school teacher Dzhamilya Timaeva, 19, is standing trial at The Old Bailey on a terror charge Prosecutor Gareth Weetman said: This is a case about extremism. In simple terms, it is the prosecution case that Dzhamilya Timaeva, had extremist beliefs, and wanted to encourage others to share those beliefs. The defendant saw it as her duty to teach these extremist beliefs to young children. In order to do so, she obtained a place as a teacher at an Islamic Sunday school. It was not just a distant dream that the defendant would one day teach children, it was something she was putting into action. Unquestionably by September 2022, the defendant was putting into place plans and was in fact teaching children. This was all part of her plan to spread to others not just the furtherance of Islamic belief but that part of Islam is waging war against those who do not believe in Islam. Timaeva was arrested by police at Heathrow Airport at Terminal Two as she was about to board a flight to Turkey. The Tawheed Islamic Education Centre, a Sunday school in Maidenhead where Timaeva was due to begin teaching Officers seized her Apple iPhone 12 Pro and on it, jurors were told, there was a video on her Telegram account entitled: Incite the believers. The footage encourages viewers to carry out attacks by fire against buildings, forests and agricultural land in the West. The court also heard documents on the permissibility of suicidal operations were found on her gadgets, as well as a note on her phone entitled: The woman I want to be under which was written: What motivates her? Promise of Allah that He will reward. Being the mother of the soldiers of Allah, the one who raised them and incited them to jihad. Mr Weetman added when police were reviewing her phone they found a number of video in support of ISIS, the Islamic deathcult which took over much of Syria and nothern Iraq. Timaeva, who is on bail, denies disseminating terrorist documents and possessing a document for terrorist purposes between October 2022 and February 2023. The trial will continue on Thursday. Two senior soldiers from one of the Armys most prestigious regiments face investigation after wearing Nazi uniforms to a party days before Remembrance Sunday. The sergeants from the Queens Royal Hussars were frogmarched from the fancy dress event at their barracks after shocked guests complained about their attire. Remarkably, their Regimental Sergeant Major had approved the SS outfits and he has been suspended pending an inquiry. The pair respected members of the Armys most senior armoured regiment, which can trace its lineage back to the 18th century posed for pictures at the Halloween event, even raising their arms to give Nazi salutes. These images appeared later on social media, prompting a backlash from senior officers. The two soldiers from the Queens Royal Hussars attending the party in SS uniforms It is understood a Regimental Sergeant Major had approved the SS outfits and he has been suspended pending an inquiry (pictured: The two soldiers at the party) Military police, who removed the two from the party in the sergeants mess at Tidworth, Wiltshire, continue to investigate. They may escape severe punishment for breaching Army values and standards as, according to defence sources, they sought the approval of their RSM and he granted their request. He is fighting to save his career as, according to military sources, there are allegations he may have misled the regiments commanding officer. A source said the RSM had pleaded ignorance about the Nazi costumes in an apparent bid to escape censure. But the first excuse given by the sergeants when quizzed was that he had suggested the costumes were acceptable. There is no allegation either sergeant was making a political gesture but their lack of sensitivity, in particular so close to Remembrance Sunday, has left top brass aghast. One senior source said: They may not have had any intention to offend anyone but, for heavens sake, what were they thinking? The party took place in the sergeants mess at Tidworth Army Barracks, Wiltshire The CO went ballistic when he saw the pictures of them making Nazi salutes. It is 2024. Everyone in the Army knows this is completely unacceptable. The RSM is also responsible. 'He should have considered the fall-out and forbidden their outfit choices. Misleading the CO about what he knew, if that is proven, was also a grave error. Hundreds of the regiments officers and troopers lost their lives to the Nazis. It isnt funny to dress up as an SS officer and wear a swastika. An Army spokesman said: We apologise unreservedly for the unacceptable behaviour of these two individuals and the offence that it will cause. Their actions demonstrated serious and significant shortfalls in judgment and conduct and were totally incompatible with the values and standards the Army demands. A young Prince Harry, then a cavalry officer, wore a desert uniform of the Afrika Korps complete with a swastika armband and Wehrmacht badge to a private party in 2005. Pictures of his outfit led to widespread condemnation. MBABANE Acting Magistrate Innocent Motsa faces potential disbarment after the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Law Society of Eswatini (LSE) found him guilty of misappropriating clients funds. Motsa, formerly with Mkhwanazi Attorneys, came under scrutiny for his handling of the estate of the late Arthur Mpapane. As executor, Gugu Mpapane, one of the deceaseds daughters, enlisted the law firms services to wind up the estate. A key asset in the estate was a residential property at Sidwashini north. Despite an initial valuation of E29 000, Motsa reportedly obtained a second valuation of E175 000, citing the propertys deteriorating condition. When Mpapane expressed interest in purchasing the property herself, Motsa allegedly disregarded her offer and proceeded to sell the property to a third party for E170 000. The tribunal found that Motsa had exceeded his authority, as the power of attorney granted to him did not authorise him to sign a deed of sale. Executor Furthermore, Motsas failure to disclose the sale to the executor and other beneficiaries raised concerns about his ethical conduct. The tribunal deemed his actions as a serious breach of professional ethics and recommended disbarment. The verdict has significant implications for the legal profession in Eswatini and underscores the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability. On account of his deceit in relation to the concealment to the family about the sale of the property; his non-disclosure of the details of the sale when confronted by the family members; his blatant dishonesty when requesting the advances from Ntshangase Attorneys; his failure to account for the proceeds of the sale to the beneficiaries; and his unremitting dishonesty when making submissions to the tribunal, have left us with no alternative but to conclude that the respondent is not a fit and proper person to practise as an attorney, reads the disciplinary tribunals judgment. The tribunals attention, according to the judgment, was also drawn to two other matters that pertain to Motsa. These matters are currently serving before the tribunal. In these matters, Motsa, states the judgment, has also admitted to having misappropriated monies belonging to clients. Opportunity In those matters, the tribunal accorded him the opportunity of settling his liability before dealing with the issue of misconduct. He has failed to settle on both matters, and given the fact that he already admitted the wrongdoing, the tribunal considers it appropriate to take those matters into consideration when recommending a sanction for the present matter. The first matter involves Penelope Magagula and Cashbuild. Motsa represented Magagula in the celebrated matter that ultimately was determined by the Supreme Court. Magagula was successful and her employer was ordered by the court to pay her compensation, which came to a total of E345 980. The employer was also ordered to pay costs, which amounted to E110 000. The costs were paid by Cashbuilds attorneys and these amounts were paid to the respondent. The tribunal stated that Motsa requested that he be permitted to settle his indebtedness through monthly instalments. With the agreement of the companys directors, a settlement agreement was concluded. The respondent has failed to honour the terms of the settlement agreement with a result that the complaint is back with the tribunal. A conspectus of the respondents conduct demonstrates a grave disregard of his duty as an attorney. The above matters are not issues of failure to account for monies but evince a pattern of theft of trust monies and a subsequent refusal to repay the monies, further reads the judgment. The tribunal mentioned that Motsa had to be coerced to make some payments, which does not augur well for him. The Pietermaritzburg High Court made the statement, that where a person takes trust monies, knowing them to be trust monies and converts them for his own use, commits a theft. Theft of trust funds by legal practitioners, according to the tribunal, is a very serious offence and far reaching consequences not only for the practitioner concerned but for the profession as a whole. An attorney who dishonestly misappropriates trust funds is not a fit and proper person to continue practising as an attorney and deserves the ultimate sanction of being struck off the roll of attorneys in the Kingdom of Eswatini. There is a need for the tribunal to protect members of the public such as the respondent. The repeated acts of misconduct are testament of the fact that he is a person who cannot be entrusted with the office of practising law. The tribunal pointed out that the only equitable remedy in its considered view, is to have Motsa struck off the roll of attorneys as punishment for his transgressions. Militant farmers will hold back meat and crops from supermarkets next week as part of a national strike against Labours inheritance tax raids. The direct action will be taken by several thousand UK farmers over a week starting from Sunday. It coincides with over 10,000 farmers heading to London for a march against the punishing tax next Tuesday, November 19. Almost 2,000 farmers are also expected to meet up with MPs in a mass lobbying event by the National Farmers Union on the same day. It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced IHT on all previously exempt farms worth over 1m, at a rate of 20 per cent, in her autumn Budget. Farmers fear the change will prevent them passing their assets down through the generations as they will be forced to sell off parts of their businesses to pay the punishing death duties. The direct action will be taken by several thousand UK farmers over a week starting from Sunday. (Pictured: Farmers protest outside the Northern Farming Conference in Hexham on November 6) Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing pressure from farmers after she introduced inheritance tax on farms worth over 1m A tractor in Henley on Thames. New inheritance tax rules for farms will see a tax of 20% raised on agricultural assets above 1 million Protest group Enough Is Enough last night vowed to put a shot across the Governments bows as industry anger mounts. In a statement, the Enough is Enough group said: British farmers have simply had enough and those who are able will be going on strike for the first time in history. We are being suffocated by a government that seems determined to destroy our livelihoods, our future and our ability to feed the nation. We simply cannot allow the destruction of our industry to continue and responsibility to feed our nation be taken away. This is a last resort but we as farmers are in despair as we simply cannot afford to provide food to the public. Organisers said the strike will not involve dairy farmers because milk and eggs cannot be held back. But the action could hit meat supplies, as UK farms have an 80 per cent share of the British beef market, while 90 per cent of fresh poultry in supermarkets is British-reared. Meanwhile, the UKs 100,000 farms produce 66 per cent of the countrys lamb, and around 50 per cent pork. Some 81 per cent of wheat consumed in Britain is produced here, nearly all barley and oats and 56 per cent of vegetables. Farmers drive slowly through central London in protests on food security in March Farmers demonstrated in London in March over food security fears Over 100,000 farms could be hit by Labour's changes to inheritance tax, the Conservatives have claimed One farmer taking part in the strike said: Our food security is at significant risk as a consequence of what they (Labour) have done. Well have to go on strike because they only seem to listen to people who do. Welsh hill farmer Gareth Wyn Jones, 57, said he has reluctantly decided to take part in the strike because he fears the future of the industry is at risk. He said: We dont want people in the shops panic buying and we dont want total food shortages but its a shot across the bows against the government. Further action could follow. My family has been farming for 375 years and I fear my generation will be the last. Tim Taylor, one of the organisers of the campaign in England, who runs an animal feed business and is a Tory member of Fenland District Council in Cambridgeshire, said: The aim is to disrupt but not to decimate the supermarket shelves.. We would like to think this would achieve public support. Charlotte Ashley, 36, who keeps cows and sheep with husband Roy, 40, near Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, said they are not in a position to strike but added: I think that withholding non-perishable items for a week could be some starting point. Farmers 100 per cent need to send a clear message to Rachel Reeves. Mental health support lines for farmers have been inundated since the announcement by Ms Reeves, leaders of the planned strike say. There are fears fresh protests or blockades could bring vital parts of the UK's food industry to a standstill Farmers protest outside the Northern Farming Conference in Hexham, Northumberland on November 6 Last week, the family of South Yorkshire farmer John Charlesworth, 78, revealed he took his own life the day before the Budget to prevent his children being hit by IHT. Clive Bailye (CORR), who runs The Farming Forum discussion website, said he expected 10,000 farmers to turn up at next weeks rally. Staffordshire farmer Mr Bailye said of the strike: I can see it happening, leading to some shortages. Slightly more militant groups are talking of French-style protests, too. He said the event aimed to be a show of strength - for farmers and their families to come to Westminster but without their tractors. Mr Bailye also said farmers are planning to stop taking sewage slurry from water companies - giving the government a further s***storm to deal with. Separately, farmers plan to target Welsh Labours autumn conference in Llandudno, this Friday, but have not revealed details. Although official data states the average farm is 88 hectares - some 217 acres - and land prices average nearly 12,000 per acre, the government maintains IHT changes will not affect the vast majority of farmers. It adds: This is a fair and balanced approach that protects the family farm while fixing the public services. Fresh hopes have been raised that Donald Trump will oppose Britain's surrender of the Chagos Islands as he lines up two critics of the deal to crucial positions. The President-Elect handed the key post of National Security Adviser to Mike Waltz, hailing the former Green Beret as an 'expert on the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism'. The Florida Congressman has previously warned against the Chagos Islands being handed to an ally of China given that they are home to a crucial Anglo-American military base on Diego Garcia. 'Should the UK cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius, I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum,' the Florida congressman told the Biden administration two years ago when negotiations first began. 'I urge you to work with your UK counterparts to ensure that our countries retain control of Diego Garcia, as well as make certain that China is prohibited from militarising any of the other islands in the Chagos Archipelago.' President-elect Donald Trump has handed the key post of National Security Adviser to Mike Waltz. He has previously warned against the Chagos Islands being handed to an ally of China Trump is predicted to appoint Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago and site of a major United States military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean leased from Britain Meanwhile, Mr Trump is predicted to appoint Senator Marco Rubio, another China hawk from Florida, as his Secretary of State. He has previously described the Chagos deal as 'concerning as it would provide an opportunity for communist China to gain valuable intelligence on our naval support facility in Mauritius'. The likely appointments have raised fresh hopes that the Trump administration will force Labour to reconsider the controversial handover, which was announced last month just weeks after former Tony Blair adviser Jonathan Powell was brought in to restart talks. Under the deal, which must be ratified in a treaty and voted through by Parliament, Britain will cede sovereignty of British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to Mauritius but the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia will remain operational for at least 99 years. Last night Shadow Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois told the Mail: 'When Labour announced the Chagos deal - outside of the Commons - they repeatedly stressed it had the support of President Biden but it now appears President-Elect Trump may take a very different view on the matter. 'Parliament must now urgently debate this issue, especially as it appears the so-call deal has not actually been signed.' The Chagos Islands form part of the British Indian Ocean Territory The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) or Chagos Islands (formerly the Oil Islands) is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom situated in the Indian Ocean, halfway between Africa and Indonesia Trump has previously described the Chagos deal as 'concerning' as it would allow communist China to gain intelligence the US naval support facility in Mauritius A Chagos citizens' group is also hoping Mr Trump will intervene, while hundreds of Chagossians are due to protest against the deal in London on Tuesday evening. Vanessa Calou, the co-head of the BIOT Citizens platform, told the Telegraph: 'With the great victory of Donald Trump in the US election, the United States president-elect is a beacon of hope for the Chagossians population hoping that Donald Trump will stop the treaty UK Mauritius on BIOT and grant the indigenous of the Chagos the right to self-determination.' In another embarrassment to ministers, the government in Mauritius with which it agreed the handover has lost its election. Former No 10 adviser Henry Newman asked: 'What does this say about Jonathan Powell and David Lammy's strategy of getting a Chagos 'deal' done before the Mauritius elections? While seemingly ignoring events in the US.' A people smuggler who moaned that competition in the evil trade was driving his prices down is facing jail after investigators from the National Crime Agency smashed his enterprise. Pistiwan Jameel, 54, acted as a broker for smuggling gangs in France and boasted of making at least two million US dollars (1.57m) for his criminal networks through his contacts. The Birmingham-based fixer, who came to the UK from Iraq in 2002, was suspected of being behind dozens of cross-Channel small boat crossings and is now in facing sentencing for people smuggling offences alongside two others. A court heard the British national had contacts with people smuggling gangs based in France, and would broker spaces on boats for his clients while also collecting payments in the UK. NCA surveillance officers watched as Jameel met one such client, Albanian national Artan Halilaj, 39, in Birmingham on September 1 last year. Pistiwan Jameel, 54, acted as a broker for smuggling gangs NCA surveillance officers watched as Jameel met one such client, Albanian national Artan Halilaj, 39, in Birmingham on September 1 last year Fiorentino Halilaj, 25, crossed the Channel in a small boat A handover of cash took place, and shortly afterwards Jameel made a phone call in which he was heard to say that he had my three passengers, all good to go, all okay. Artan Halilaj, who was at the time living in Southall, West London, had arrived on a small boat from Belgium earlier last year. He claimed asylum, but disappeared from the hotel where he was supposed to be staying as his claim was processed by the Home Office. Artan was organising passage for his relative Fiorentino Halilaj, 25, who crossed the Channel in a small boat the next day on 2 September. His phone was taken into the possession of the immigration authorities, but it was later handed to the NCA. It was found to contain a contact for Jameel. Over the following days NCA officers were able to record his side of a number of conversations Jameel had with criminal associates, in which he arranged crossings for his customers, often referring to migrants as pigeons or sticks. On one occasion he complained that competition in the people smuggling market was driving prices down. In another conversation he claimed to have made at least two million US dollars for his associates on the back of his contacts. Another conversation suggested that was expecting to earn around 7,800 by helping to move a migrant from the Middle East to Turkey. Artan and Jameel were arrested by NCA officers last October, and Fiorentino was arrested at an immigration centre the following day. Jameels phone was found to contain information and messages relating to up to 50 people who had entered the UK illegally on small boats during 2022 and 2023, including images taken on boats in the Channel. The boat pictured arriving in Britain, the trip costed 8,000 Artan was organising passage for his relative Fiorentino Halilaj, 25, who crossed the Channel in a small boat the next day on 2 September Artan and Fiorentino Halilaj were both charged with one count of facilitating illegal immigration, while Jameel was charged with two counts. Jameel and Fiorentino both pleaded guilty, while Artan denied involvement. But he was convicted today following a week-long trial at Birmingham Crown Court. All three are now in custody ahead of sentencing next month. NCA Branch Operations Manager Paul Jones said: It is clear from the evidence we were able to gather over the course of our investigation that Pistiwan Jameel was a prolific UK-based broker for people smuggling gangs in France. The true number of crossings that Jameel facilitated will never be known but the evidence indicates that he has been assisting in the movement of migrants illegally into the UK for a considerable amount of time. People smugglers like him dont care about the safety and security of those they transport, and he was quite happy to put people in life-threatening situations on the sea in flimsy dinghies just so he could make money. This is why tackling the gangs involved in organised immigration crime remains a priority for the NCA, and we will do all we can to disrupt and dismantle them. The NCAs investigation was supported by Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations and Border Force. British author Samantha Harvey has become the first woman since 2019 to win the Booker Prize. Her book Orbital, about astronauts looking down at Earth, was named as the winner of the 50,000 prize and trophy at a ceremony held at Old Billingsgate in the City of London. Harvey, who was longlisted for the prestigious literary prize in 2009 for her debut novel The Wilderness, is the 19th woman to win since the first award in 1969. There have been 36 male winners. The Queen was one of the first to send the author her congratulations, after meeting her earlier today - saying the novel was 'brilliant'. Harvey, from Bath, said she had 'no idea how to deal with' her win at the 2024 Booker Prize as she took to the stage following her victory. She said she was 'overwhelmed, vicariously' when Irish author Paul Lynch, a friend of hers, won last year, and 'can't believe' she is in the same position. She said: 'Gosh, I have no idea how to deal with this. I have not expected it. I'm completely overwhelmed.' Samantha Harvey poses with the trophy after winning the Booker Prize award Samantha Harvey reacts after winning the Booker Prize award at Old Billingsgate in the City of London Harvey, from Bath, said she had 'no idea how to deal with' her win at the 2024 Booker Prize as she took to the stage following her victory Samantha Harvey's book Orbital, about astronauts looking down at Earth, was named as the winner of the 50,000 prize and trophy at a ceremony held at Old Billingsgate in the City of London Harvey, who was longlisted for the prestigious literary prize in 2009 for her debut novel The Wilderness, is the 19th woman to win since the first award in 1969. Pictured: Talking with Queen Camilla earlier today A joyful Samantha Harvey poses with the trophy after winning the Booker Prize award 2024 Harvey dedicated the prize to 'everybody who does speak for, and not against the earth, for and not against the dignity of other humans, other life and all the people who speak for and call for and work for peace'. 'I suppose it's fair to say that no Booker speech has ever been made in a perfect world. It's hard to not acknowledge the imperfections of the world that we live in today.' Five years ago, the gong went jointly to two women, British author Bernardine Evaristo for Girl, Woman, Other and Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood for The Handmaid's Tale sequel The Testaments. It was last won by a British author when Glasgow-born Douglas Stuart was named the 2020 Booker Prize winner for Shuggie Bain. Harvey joined the likes of Gillian Anderson, Charles Dance, Sara Pascoe, Sir Lenny Henry, Ruth Jones and TV historian David Olusoga at the star-studded ceremony. Gaby Wood, chief executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, said: 'Orbital wins the prize in a year of geopolitical crisis, likely to be the warmest year in recorded history. 'A book about a planet 'shaped by the sheer amazing force of human want', about an 'unbounded place' with no wall or barrier visible from space, with all politics 'an assault on its gentleness', it is hopeful, timely and timeless.' Speaking with The Guardian, she continued: 'Zooming right out let me escape our web of concerns about our impact on each other and on the planet.' Born in Kent, Harvey said that she had been watching the ISS live camera 'for years', and had become immersed in the beauty it showed. Describing it as 'space pastoral', she said the characters are 'just part of the image, not the lens' - and her key hope was to 'do justice in words to the beauty of the Earth and how I feel about the unnerving fact of its aloneness'. Samantha Harvey gives a speech after winning the Booker Prize award 2024 Samatha Harvey reacts as she wins the Booker Prize 2024 at Old Billingsgate, London The Queen was one of the first to send the author her congratulations, after meeting her earlier today - saying the novel was 'brilliant' Harvey's novel takes place over a 24-hour time frame, with 16 orbits around the Earth, and touches on the death of a loved one, a typhoon coming, and the fragility of human life Yael van der Wouden, Rachel Kushner, Anne Michaels, Queen Camilla, Charlotte Wood, Percival Everett, and Samantha Harvey during a reception for the Booker Prize Foundation at Clarence House Harvey's novel takes place over a 24-hour time frame, following six astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station over 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets. It touches on the death of a loved one, a typhoon coming, and the fragility of human life. Harvey, a Reader in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, where she herself went to university, previously told the BBC that she wrote the book between successive lockdowns. She told Radio 4's Front Row: 'I was writing about six people trapped in a tin can. It felt like there was something resonant about that and our experience of lockdown, of not being able to escape each other and also not being able to get to other people.' This year, a record number of women were shortlisted for the Booker, with five nominated in total. The best-selling book of the shortlist, with 29,000 copies sold in the UK this year, Orbital is also the second-shortest Booker winner, just behind Penelope Fitzgerald's Offshore, which won the 1979 prize. It has also won The InWords Literary Award 2024 and the 2024 Hawthornden Prize for Literature. Artist and chairman of the judges Edmund de Waal was asked about the optics if the one man on the list, Percival Everett, won for James, a powerful retelling of The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. British novelist Samantha Harvey, author of the book 'Orbital,' holds her trophy and a copy of her novel after winnig the 2024 Booker Prize Harvey holds her trophy aloft after her amazing win in central London today Shortlisted books on display during a reception for The Booker Prize Foundation at Clarence House Mr de Waal dismissed the suggestion, saying that 'there was no question, that anyone could have won this, irrespective of their background, their gender, their ethnicity, whatever, absolutely anyone'. 'There was absolutely no question of box ticking or of agendas or anything else in the room at all,' he added. 'It was simply about a novel.' Mr de Waal said: 'As judges, we were determined to find a book that moved us, a book that had capaciousness and resonance, that we are compelled to share. 'We wanted everything. Orbital is our book. 'Samantha Harvey has written a novel propelled by the beauty of 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets. 'Everyone and no one is the subject, as six astronauts in the International Space Station circle the Earth observing the passages of weather across the fragility of borders and time zones. 'With her language of lyricism and acuity, Harvey makes our world strange and new for us. 'All year we have celebrated fiction that inhabits ideas rather than declaiming on issues, not finding answers but changing the question of what we wanted to explore. 'Our unanimity about Orbital recognises its beauty and ambition. 'It reflects Harvey's extraordinary intensity of attention to the precious and precarious world we share.' On the royal family X account, a statement from Camilla said: "Many congratulations to Samantha Harvey on having won the Booker Prize Award 2024 with your brilliant novel, Orbital!" This year's judges all agreed on the choice, and included novelist Sara Collins, The Guardian fiction editor Justine Jordan, Chinese-born professor and A Thousand Years Of Good Prayers writer Yiyun Li and musician, composer and producer Nitin Sawhney, who has collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney and won an Ivor Novello lifetime achievement gong. Earlier on Tuesday, the shortlisted authors - Yael van der Wouden, Rachel Kushner, Anne Michaels, Charlotte Wood, Everett and Harvey - attended a reception with the Queen, her first public engagement since falling ill with a chest infection. Last year's winner was Irish author Paul Lynch with his dystopian novel Prophet Song. BBC director-general Tim Davie joked at the event about having a "football presenting job" up for grabs in the wake of the corporation confirming on Tuesday that Gary Lineker will depart Match Of The Day at the end of the season. Lineker, 63, who has presented the highlights programme since 1999, has a contract extension with the broadcaster until the 2026 World Cup, the BBC said. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has spoke of his hope to establish common ground with Donald Trump on the climate issue. The US president-elect has repeatedly referred to climate change as a hoax and has also vowed to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement, which commits it to cutting greenhouse emissions as part of the effort to curb global warming. Speaking about the move towards clean energy, Mr Miliband said: What I think is so striking about whats happening - whether you talk to businesses or talk to other countries - people are getting on with the transition. This is an unstoppable transition. In further comments at the Cop29 summit in Azerbaijan, he added that the economics now point in the direction of clean energy, adding: So we will seek to find common ground with Donald Trump. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has spoke of his hope to establish common ground with Donald Trump on the climate issue Trump has repeatedly referred to climate change as a hoax and has also vowed to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement Asked about critical remarks Mr Miliband had made in the past that Mr Trump was a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper, he said: Look, Ive said things in the past. My job now as a government minister is to work with the new US administration. I genuinely dont think that Donald Trump is reading my tweets, I dont have such a high opinion of myself. Meanwhile, Mr Trump revealed that Lee Zeldin, a former New York congressman, will head the US Environment Protection Agency, the most powerful environmental role in America. Mr Zeldin said in 2018 he did not support the Paris Agreement. Mr Trump said Mr Zeldin, a fellow New Yorker, will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions ... while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet. Environmentalists have criticised Trumps plans to deregulate, warning that it could undermine safeguards designed to make it harder for companies to get away with pollution. Zeldin in 2015 he voted to overturn a ban on fracking - a method for extracting oil and gas from shale rock - and has regularly opposed measures to counter air pollution, the Clean Air Act. Zeldin tweeted yesterday: It is an honor to join President Trumps Cabinet as EPA Administrator. We will restore US energy dominance, revitalise our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water. The Church was in turmoil last night after the Archbishop of Canterbury resigned in 'shame'. Justin Welby had to step down over his handling of the Church of England's worst child abuse scandal. He is the first Archbishop of Canterbury to be forced out of the role after failures meant an abuser was never brought to justice. Last night survivors warned Mr Welby should not be 'a sacrificial lamb' and that other senior clergy implicated in the scandal should also quit. In an unprecedented step, Mr Welby said yesterday he had sought permission from the King to step down 'in the best interests of the Church'. His resignation was tended after days of pressure from senior clergy and came after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer twice failed to back him, saying the victims had been failed 'very, very badly'. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned. Pictured: September 2022 John Smyth (pictured) is believed to be the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England In a statement, Dr Welby said: 'Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury' Last night Downing Street declined to say whether Mr Welby would receive the life peerage customarily given to former Archbishops of Canterbury, with a source adding that it is 'not automatic'. His resignation comes after a long-awaited review last week concluded that barrister John Smyth's 'abhorrent' serial abuse of more than 100 boys and young men was covered up within the Church. The Makin review also criticised the Archbishop for showing a 'distinct lack of curiosity' after learning of Smyth's abuse in 2013, which meant the abuser was never brought to justice before his death in 2018. In a statement from Lambeth Palace, Mr Welby admitted it was clear he must 'take personal and institutional responsibility'. 'Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty the King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury,' he said. 'The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. 'When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024.' It is likely to be some time before a successor is announced. The statement added that Archbishop Welby will continue to carry out 'constitutional and Church responsibilities' until exact dates for a hand-over are confirmed. Mr Welby added: 'The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly 12 years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done.' He added: 'I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. I pray that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us.' A general view of the chamber as Britain's Queen Elizabeth II addresses the House of Lords, during the State Opening of Parliament in the Palace of Westminster The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby waits to address the General Synod in Assembly Hall on February 13, 2017 In an unprecedented step, Mr Welby said yesterday he had sought permission from the King to step down 'in the best interests of the Church' At the COP29 summit today, Keir Starmer said that findings in the review by Keith Makin that Smyth abused more than 100 boys and young men are 'clearly horrific' and that his victims 'have obviously been failed very, very badly' It is understood that the King exchanged 'private words' with the Archbishop yesterday morning. The exchange between aides from Lambeth Palace and Buckingham Palace took place before Sir Keir Starmer spoke to reporters at the Cop29 summit at midday. In a pointed statement, the Prime Minister said Smyth's abuse was 'clearly horrific' and his victims 'have obviously been failed very, very badly'. Survivors of Smyth's abuse welcomed Mr Welby's resignation and said he has 'done the right thing'. But they said they want to see other resignations as the 'list of clergy in the 'circles of awareness' is staggering'. There were calls for the resignation of Rt Rev Stephen Conway, the Bishop of Lincoln, who was implicated in the scandal when he was the Bishop of Ely. Mark Stibbe, an ex-vicar and author, said: 'We asked for the Archbishop of Canterbury, who we knew knew about the abuses in 2013, and the Bishop of Ely and other senior figures in the CofE to do the right thing, and Justin Welby has done the right thing.' He told Channel 4 News: 'So I applaud Welby for resigning but what I think the survivor group would like is more resignations because that means more accountability, people taking responsibility for having been silent when they should have spoken.' Another survivor, who reported Smyth's abuse to the Bishop of Lincoln in 2013, also called for him to step aside last night. 'He was the person in a position to stop John Smyth, bring him to justice and he fundamentally failed,' the man told the BBC, adding: 'I don't care about his prayers, I want his resignation.' Bishop Conway apologised following the review, saying: 'I understand that there were further actions I could have taken following my reporting of the disclosures made to us in the Diocese of Ely about John Smyth.' The House of Survivors, set up by two victims of abuse, said the Archbishop must not be the only 'scapegoat'. A spokesman said Mr Welby's resignation needed to be a 'sea change moment' for the CofE in its approach to safeguarding and called for mandatory reporting of concerns. Justin Welby's statement in full Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. It is my duty to honour my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion. I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse. The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done. In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete. I ask everyone to keep my wife Caroline and my children in their prayers. They have been my most important support throughout my ministry, and I am eternally grateful for their sacrifice. Caroline led the spouses' programme during the Lambeth Conference and has travelled tirelessly in areas of conflict supporting the most vulnerable, the women, and those who care for them locally. I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. I pray that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us. For above all else, my deepest commitment is to the person of Jesus Christ, my saviour and my God; the bearer of the sins and burdens of the world, and the hope of every person. Advertisement He is the first Archbishop of Canterbury to be forced out of the role after failures meant an abuser was never brought to justice Last night survivors warned Mr Welby should not be 'a sacrificial lamb' and that other senior clergy implicated in the scandal should also quit Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, said Dr Welby's resignation was 'the right and honourable thing to do' He added: 'A lot of us can see that if Welby ends up becoming the sacrificial lamb then it's not healthy for the Church, it's not healthy for him and it's not healthy for survivors. We need to see the Church taking this a lot more seriously. 'To some extent Welby going is hugely symbolic, and institutionally it's very powerful, but in terms of the Makin review there are plenty more people who need to be accountable.' Mr Welby's resignation in such controversial circumstances is unprecedented. The law requires that an Archbishop of Canterbury retires by the age of 70, meaning 68-year-old Mr Welby would have had almost two more years until a successor was appointed. It is more common for Archbishops to die in office than to resign, with Thomas Becket being assassinated and Thomas Cranmer executed. Randall Davidson was the first to retire in 1928. And while Rowan Williams, Lord Williams of Oystermouth, resigned in 2012 at the age of 62, he did so to take up a position as master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. An Archbishop also needs the monarch's blessing to quit, which is not guaranteed. When former Archbishop Lord George Carey tried to step down, the late Queen reminded him that she 'can't resign either'. A secretive committee, the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), will be convened to create a shortlist and interview candidates. It is likely to be fraught, with a two-thirds majority of voting members required to make a recommendation. The CNC will then make its recommendation to the PM, who conveys this to the King ,who ultimately makes the appointment. The Vile abuser who received Welbys donations... and Christmas cards Who was John Smyth? John Smyth was a barrister who groomed boys from prestigious public schools at evangelical Christian summer camps before subjecting them to horrific abuse. The abuse began in England in the early 1970s before Smyth moved to Zimbabwe in 1984 where he ran similar summer camps. He moved again, to South Africa, in 2001 after claims of abuse emerged. Smyth died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by police. What is the Makin review? The review, by former social services director Keith Makin, was launched in 2019 to examine the allegations against Smyth and the response of the Church of England. It was published last week and concluded that Smyth was an appalling abuser of more than 100 boys over five decades and three countries. It found he subjected victims to physical, sexual and psychological attacks that permanently marked their lives. It also concluded that the Anglican Church knew at the highest level from July 2013 about Smyths abuse and that its response was wholly ineffective and amounted to a cover-up. How is Justin Welby linked to Smyth? The Archbishop of Canterbury attended Christian summer camps alongside Smyth between 1975 and 1979. He worked there as a dormitory officer and even bunked with Smyth twice. In the review, Mr Welby acknowledged that he had been warned by a priest to stay away from Smyth in 1981, decades before Smyths abuse became public. Mr Welby and Smyth also exchanged Christmas cards for several years, including while Smyth was living in Zimbabwe. The review found he also made donations to Smyth to support his ministry in Zimbabwe. Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby conducts a church service with Anglicans in Harare, Zimbabwe Why has he resigned? The Archbishop knew of the allegations surrounding Smyth by August 2013 after he and other senior Anglican figures were notified. However, sufficient details were not provided to the police and the case was not followed up by the Church. It was not until 2017, when the allegations against Smyth emerged in the Press, that the claims were properly reported to police and the Makin review concludes this delay meant Smyth was not brought to justice while he was alive. The review found that Mr Welby held a personal and moral responsibility to pursue this further and the Archbishop acknowledged last week that he did not ensure that this was pursued as energetically, as remorselessly as it should have been. What was the tipping point? Pressure was building on the Archbishop for days after the release of the review with senior clergy calling for him to step down. This escalated on Monday when the Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, took the unprecedented step of demanding that the Archbishop resign as his position had become untenable. Survivors of Smyths abuse also called for Mr Welby to go and three members of the Churchs ruling body, the General Synod, started a petition calling for him to step down. Yesterday morning the Prime Minister said Smyths victims had been failed very, very badly and within hours Mr Welbys resignation was announced. What happens now? The Archbishops resignation has been accepted by the King but an exact date has not been announced for his departure and he will continue to carry out his duties for now. A Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) will soon convene to choose Mr Welbys successor. The CNC then makes its recommendation to the Prime Minister, who conveys it to the King, who then makes the appointment. A rare square 37-carat emerald owned by the Aga Khan has fetched nearly $9million (7million) at auction in Geneva, making it the world's most expensive green stone. The Cartier diamond and emerald brooch, which can also be worn as a pendant, dethrones a piece of jewellery made by fashion house Bulgari - given by Richard Burton as a wedding gift to Elizabeth Taylor. In 1960, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan commissioned Cartier to set the emerald in a brooch with 20 marquise-cut diamonds for British socialite Nina Dyer, who he was briefly married to. Dyer then auctioned off the emerald to raise money for animals in 1969. By chance that was at Christie's very first sale of the kind in Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva, with the emerald finding its way back to the 110th edition this year. A Christie's employee displays the Aga Khan Emerald, a Cartier emerald and diamond brooch The brooch, which can also be worn as a pendant, has fetched nearly $9million (7million) at auction A Christie's employee displays the Sassoon necklace (right), Aga Khan Emerald, the Cartier emerald and diamond brooch (centre), and the Maharaja Necklace Van Cleef and Arpels Diamond transformable necklace and earrings (left) It was bought by jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels before passing a few years later into the hands of the United States' Harry Winston, nicknamed the 'King of Diamonds'. 'Emeralds are hot right now, and this one ticks all the boxes,' said Christie's EMEA Head of Jewellery Max Fawcett. 'We might see an emerald of this quality come up for sale once every five or six years.' Also set with diamonds, the previous record-holder fetched $6.5million at an auction of part of Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor's renowned jewellery collection in New York. A Christie's employee shows off The Aga Khan Emerald, a cartier emerald and diamond brooch The Cartier diamond and emerald brooch dethrones a piece of jewellery made by fashion house Bulgari Last month, reports said a diamond necklace linked to a scandal that ruined Marie Antoinette's reputation was set to fetch 2.1million at auction. The antique necklace was also worn at the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. Dating to around 1776, the rare piece is made from 300-carat diamonds, believed to have come from India's famous Golconda mines, in a scarf-style design with a pair of tassels. Some experts believe that the necklace may have been made from some of the diamonds at the centre of the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, the 1780's theft from Crown jewellers Boehmer and Bassenge orchestrated by Comtesse Jeanne de la Motte. She forged Antoinette's signature to get the necklace. Though innocent, the queen's reputation never recovered. Since the year 597, when St Augustine of Canterbury was sent from Rome to convert the Anglo-Saxons, 105 men have held the post. But for the first time in history the next Archbishop of Canterbury could be a woman. At least one woman is among those being discussed as possible replacements for Justin Welby. So archaic is the system for deciding a new incumbent, however, that it could be next autumn before the incoming Archbishop takes up residence at Lambeth Palace. Among the frontrunners is the Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani, 57. Born in Iran, she was the first minority-ethnic woman to be ordained a bishop in the UK. Her father was the Anglican bishop of Iran, and her mother was injured in an assassination attempt on him in 1979, the year of the Islamic Revolution. Her brother was murdered there by Iranian agents the following year. The Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani is one of the frontrunners to replace Justin Welby Justin Welby has resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury over over his handling of John Smyth abuse scandal Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley said the Church was in danger of 'losing complete credibility' when it came to safeguarding earlier this week Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner (right) ahead of the wedding of The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral in June When she became a bishop in 2017, she said being given sanctuary in Britain gave her a sense of what it is to be on the margins, and the work it takes to find a sense of belonging. She is admired by many for her emphasis on Christian spirituality and service, rather than programmes, targets and management-speak. But she also leans in favour of inclusion for LGBT couples which combined with her being a woman still arouses some controversy in the Church and could see her vetoed. Another leading contender is Martyn Snow. The Bishop of Leicester, 56, is a married father of three who studied chemistry at Sheffield University and became the youngest diocesan bishop in the Church of England at 48. He has been outspoken on issues of racial justice: in 2020 he was pictured taking the knee outside Leicester Cathedral, and he has talked about waking up to my whiteness. When he abstained in a General Synod vote on blessings for gay couples, some interpreted his non-committal stance as a sign of ambition for higher office. Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich, has been consistently pro-LGBT and has apologised for the harm the Church has caused to gay couples. The 53-year-old grew up in Ghana, keeps bees and has degrees in ecology and theology from Edinburgh and Cambridge. Martyn Snow. The Bishop of Leicester, 56, is a married father of three who studied chemistry at Sheffield University and became the youngest diocesan bishop in the Church of England at 48 Rachel Treweek, the Bishop of Gloucester, became the first female bishop to sit in the House of Lords and enters Parliament as one of the Lords Spiritual Said to be friendly with King Charles, he is also the CofEs lead bishop for the environment, which modernisers see as a plus for attracting younger flocks. Among the outsiders are the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner, and Paul Williams, the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, a conservative standing up to change in the Church. Two other women considered hugely effective are Rachel Treweek, the Bishop of Gloucester, and Helen-Ann Hartley, the Bishop of Newcastle. Candidates must navigate an opaque selection process. A secretive committee called the Crown Nominations Commission will create a shortlist and undertake consultations and interviews. Eventually the 17 voting members, including the Archbishop of York and a chairman chosen by the PM, will submit one name to No 10, to pass to the King, who officially nominates or rejects their choice. The process can take between six to eight months, with a further period of up to three months before the sitting Archbishop formally hands over the reins. President-elect Donald Trump announced that his former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe is his choice to lead the CIA citing his credentials battling the 'fake Russian collusion' narrative. Trump announced the latest loyalist pick to his rapidly growing cabinet, which had been floated, with a statement on a day when he announced he would tap former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Once again, Trump used language suggesting it was a done deal, although the newly Republican Senate will have to confirm the selection. 'I am pleased to announce that former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe will serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA),' Trump said. 'From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to catching the FBIs abuse of Civil Liberties at the FISA Court, John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public. When 51 intelligence officials were lying about Hunter Bidens laptop, there was one, John Ratcliffe, telling the truth to the American People.' Donald Trump says he will nominate former DNI John Ratcliffe to head the CIA Trump's statement makes clear that the reason the MAGA-aligned Ratcliffe was selected in part due to his loyalty. Trump has railed ever since he entered the White House about the Russia probe, which began during the 2016 campaign as a probe of contacts between Trump advisors who had Russia ties. He has long said the probe hobbled his administration from the outset. He said in 2020 he was 'probably entitled to another four' year term because of 'the way we were treated.' Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller found that Russia did interfere in the campaign, but he 'did not find that the Trump campaign, or anyone associated with it, conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in these efforts, despite multiple efforts from Russian-affiliated individuals to assist the Trump campaign.' Trump has vowed to 'demolish the deep state.' He cited as Ratcliffe's first qualification his role in 'exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation' a sign of what he expects in the new role Trump brought up the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election After listing the Russia probe, foreign intelligence courts, and the Hunter Biden laptop, Trump said that 'for these and many other reasons' he awarded Ratcliffe with the National Security Medal in 2020. 'He will be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, while ensuring the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,' Trump concluded. Ratcliffe while serving as DNI told Fox News in late October 2020 days before the election that there was 'no intelligence to support' claims that Russian disinformation was behind stunning emails that emerged from Hunter Biden's infamous laptop. A Wilmington repair shop owner would later come forward to say Hunter dropped off the machine for repairs and that he uncovered the information while working on it. As with other recent picks, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Trump's likely pick at the State Department, Trump has been settling on officials with electoral experience and known reputations in Washington, choosing loyalists that are known quantities in Washington. Other names that have floated for top security posts have included Ric Grinell, who runs a combative X account and was Trump's U.S. ambassador to Germany, fired former national security advisor Mike Flynn, and former security official Kash Patel. Trump vowed on the campaign trail to 'demolish the deep state.' He famously began his tenure with a speech in front of the CIA's Memorial Wall in Langley, Virginia where he gave a meandering speech where he boasted about his inauguration crowd size. Ratcliffe previously served in the House representing the 4th District of Texas. The family of tragic hero Eleanor Bryant have shared their heartbreak over the death of the beloved mother of two. Ms Bryant, 43, pulled children out of harm's way as the out-of-control tanker ploughed through the playground of Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool in Riddells Creek, north-west of Melbourne, on Monday afternoon. It can be revealed the speech pathologist had been with a special needs child at the time, spiriting the child away in the seconds before she lost her life. On Tuesday, Ms Bryant's family issued a statement through Victoria Police expressing their sorrow over the untimely death of the cherished mother and wife. 'We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful Eleanor,' the statement read. 'She was the light of our lives: a cherished mother, wife, daughter and sister, and beloved by all her family and enormous network of friends. 'Her infectious smile, sense of humour and passion for life made her a joy to be around. There is an enormous hole in our hearts today. 'We thank the emergency services for their tireless work and the public for their beautiful tributes. 'We will miss her like crazy.' Eleanor Bryant was killed in a tragic incident in Riddells Creek. She has been described as a hero On Tuesday, an outpouring of grief has been on display outside the preschool where Ms Bryant - known to some of the children as 'Nor Nor' - lost her life. Dozens of mourners have filed down the footpath to the front of the preschool to drop floral tributes. Some flowers sit directly at the mangled fence where the water tanker crashed through and into the playground. Debris remains littered throughout the area, with children forced to walk past the tragic wreckage to pay their respects. There is hardly a soul in the small, tight-knit community that did not know or know of Ms Bryant. She had been attending the preschool on Monday to help a young pupil with speech difficulties. School teacher Caitriona Goldsworthy said Ms Bryant had been doing her job when tragedy struck. 'She was a wealth of knowledge, but she also worked with children at our school as well and that's what she was doing here,' she said. 'She was working with a child as one of her jobs.' Total carnage: The tragic scene where Ms Bryant was killed by an out-of-control truck The water tanker that crashed into the preschool on Monday afternoon Heart broken locals continue to leave flowers at the scene of the tragedy Local man Walter Lucas described Ms Bryant as a 'superhero' for her brave actions. Mr Lucas had been just across the road when he witnessed the bloody aftermath of the crash. 'She's a hero. She's a local hero,' he said. 'She saved that kid's life to put her own life in it. She's a real hero. 'That kid is now going to go on and live his whole life and for her to take her life for that kid really means a lot. It means a lot. She's more than a hero. She's a superhero.' Mr Lucas, whose mother was best friend's with Ms Bryant, said her loss would be long felt by the local community. 'She loved the little kids in here,' he added. 'She loved spending time with everyone and obviously when we found out it was here it really hit home a lot. 'She was a lovely person, two lovely kids. Obviously everyone is still shocked and piecing together how it sort of happened.' The little boy saved by Ms Bryant was taken to the Royal Childrens Hospital with serious injuries to his arm. Locals comfort one and other outside the tragic scene on Tuesday A woman leaves another floral tribute outside the preschool on Tuesday Walter Lucas described Ms Bryant as a 'superhero' The preschool remained closed on Tuesday as clean-up crews worked to remove the wreckage. Police were seen talking to business owners directly across the road from the incident, with CCTV footage from a garage there believed to have caught the incident. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton paid tribute to Ms Bryant in her efforts to save the young children. 'Its an absolute tragedy,' he told ABC Radio. 'A tragedy for the family and friends of Eleanor and also the three-year-old child who was injured and taken to hospital. 'Im led to believe she acted heroically and moved a number of young children out of the way of the vehicle... so brave, just so brave.' Mr Patton said the driver of the truck was still in hospital and was on Tuesday morning yet to be interviewed. He was unable to confirm previous reports that the driver, 68, had suffered a medical episode. 'He is still under observation in hospital as I understand,' he added. 'He has not yet been interviewed. We will endeavour to interview him as soon as we can, once medically cleared to do so. 'Were not going to rule anything in, and were not going to rule anything out at this stage. 'Were not in a position to confirm any of that, its very early days.' Forgery case: Delhi court acquits Congress leader Jagdish Tytler and Abhishek Verma New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) A Delhi court on Tuesday acquitted Congress leader Jagdish Tytler and controversial arms dealer Abhishek Verma in a cheating and forgery case arising from a forged letter which was used for assuring visa extension to Chinese Telecom Officials. Special Judge for MPs/MLA cases Kaveri Baweja after hearing arguments on behalf of Prosecution and Defence Counsel pronounced an acquittal order and said, " Vide separate judgment of even date, Accused No. 1 Abhishek Verma and A-2 Jagdish Tytler are acquitted as the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. Bail bonds furnished by both the accused stand cancelled. Sureties of both the accused also stand discharged". Convicted woman basher and former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger has walked free from jail on appeal after a County Court of Victoria judge ruled he had served enough time behind bars. Pledger, 31, had been sentenced in August to seven months in prison for a savage attack on a woman in which he was seen stomping on her head. He was jailed after pleading guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to assaulting the woman on two separate occasions in March. The first time, he kicked and punched his innocent victim in the face after she raised concerns about his drug use and declining mental health. He then attacked her a second time, dragging her by the hair and stomping on her face while she was on the ground. Pledger was arrested but bailed on April 22 on the condition he underwent a court-ordered mental health assessment. He absconded from a hospital the next morning, sparking a manhunt that ended three days later when he was remanded in custody again. On Tuesday, County Court of Victoria Judge Michael Tinney cut Pledger loose despite hearing evidence of 'worrying behavioural signs' displayed by the former actor while he was free on bail. Orpheus Pledger is pictured leaving the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Tuesday after being released by Judge Michael Tinney The court heard bail monitors noted Pledger had missed several appointments in the past two months and had exhibited concerning behavioural changes, including being overly talkative, speaking off topic, grandiosity and euphoria, and had self-adjusted his medication. Judge Tinney himself stated he believed the 'wheels seemed to be falling off' of Pledger's rehabilitation. Pledger denied he had relapsed into drug use, the court was told, but had not been tested. Judge Tinney said he was 'deeply troubled' by the development, noting a psychiatrist had found Pledger was at an increased risk of reoffending if he relapsed into drug use. 'His relevant functioning had deteriorated to the extent it's described as concerning,' he said. In August, Magistrate Justin Foster jailed Pledger saying he accepted the actor had issues with drugs, but it was not an excuse for the violence. The magistrate also raised concerns about Pledger's lack of insight into the offending. On Tuesday, Pledger's barrister Jonathan Barrera conceded his client still could not explain why he attacked the woman but said he had since shown remorse. Pledger, 31, was sentenced in August to seven months in prison for a savage attack on a woman in which he was seen stomping on her head Pledger (right) pictured arriving for sentencing during a court appearance in August Pledger as he appeared in Home and Away with co-star Sam Frost in 2019 He argued Pledger's early guilty plea, limited criminal history and good prospects of rehabilitation ought go towards a lighter sentence. The barrister argued Pledger had already served 97 days of pre-sentence detention and should be released on a community corrections order. Judge Tinney agreed, finding Pledger had spent enough time behind bars. The judge set aside the magistrate's decision and re-sentenced Pledger to 97 days in jail, reckoned as already served, and a two-year community corrections order. Under the corrections order, Pledger will have to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work and receive treatment for drug abuse and mental health issues. In his re-sentencing, Judge Tinney said Pledger had carried out unprovoked assaults against a vulnerable woman. 'It is disturbing, it is serious and it's pretty incredible that you would conduct yourself in this way,' Judge Tinney told Pledger. He noted the actor had missed psychiatric appointments while on appeal bail and had altered his anti-psychotic medication dosages without advising a doctor. The judge said while he held reservations about Pledger's recent 'hiccups', he was still ultimately a 31-year-old man with good rehabilitation prospects. A judge ultimately ruled Pledger (pictured) had spent enough time behind bars on Tuesday Pledger's mugshot was distributed nationwide after he went on the run Pledger was spirited away from waiting reporters outside court on Tuesday Pledger appeared shocked as he learnt he would not be sent back to prison. He donned a cap and face mask as he left the court and chose not to answer reporters' questions. The former actor - who played Mason Morgan on the soap for 339 episodes from 2016 to 2019 - had been arrested the day after he allegedly assaulted the same woman, who can't be identified for legal reasons, for a ninth time since 2021. Security footage of the incident showed Pledger grabbing her hair and throwing her to the ground before stomping on her head. The court heard a triple-0 call by Pledger's assault victim warned police that he was in the midst of a mental health incident. The woman was heard saying 'he's coming' before the line cut out, the court was told. She suffered a number of severe injuries from the March 25 incident, including haematomas to her forehead, cuts to her cheek and bruising to her neck, back of the hand and cheek. The woman told police that she 'believes he will eventually kill her', the court was told, and supported police acting on the assaults. While the Duchess of Sussex often chooses to wear beige, when she wants to switch things up a bit with a pop of colour, she shows a preference for one in particular: scarlet red. Meghan has regularly been seen out and about in glamorous dresses, eye-catching accessories and bold monochromatic outfits in this striking hue, clearly underlining it as a favourite. This colour also carries significant meaning, which the former actress is perhaps also aiming to convey. Kate Jones, stylist at House of Colour, told MailOnline: 'The colour red traditionally represents power, opulence, passion and love. It's bold and exciting, especially if worn top to toe. It tells your audience that you are a confident person who isn't afraid to be noticed. 'Meghan would also be drawn to the colour because it represents strength and courage, characteristics I believe she is keen to project.' While Meghan often chooses to wear beige, when she wants to switch things up a bit with a pop of colour, she shows a preference for one in particular: scarlet red The detachable train 'Primary red is a colour that suits absolutely every skin tone and yet many people are too shy to wear it,' Kate says. 'Whether Meghan has had her colours analysed or not, she's probably been advised that it suits her - and she does look fabulous in red; it illuminates her skin, helping it to sparkle and shine.' This may explain why the Duchess recently decided to wear her 5,233 Carolina Herrera silk gown again at a charity gala in Los Angeles. She debuted the show-stopping gown at the Salute to Freedom Gala in New York in 2021, which she attended with Prince Harry. For her recent appearance, however, Meghan removed the detachable overskirt, revealing a figure-hugging silhouette. Meghan Markle debuted her Carolina Herrera silk gown in 2021 but recently removed the detachable overskirt, revealing a figure-hugging silhouette Caped perfection Surpassing this look was Meghan's appearance at the Mountbatten Festival of Music in 2020, when she wowed onlookers with a scarlet dress by Safiyaa, costing 1,295. The 'Kalika' style incorporated a raised collar, shoulder cape and back drape detail, crafted from the brand's trademark heavyweight crepe. Completed with co-ordinating Manolo Blahnik accessories, it was one of Meghan's finest outfits to date. Kate said: 'It's worth noting that the effect of red on Meghan is particularly striking, as she is often seen in chic neutral colours, such as black, navy, beige and cream. 'So, when she wears red, we can assume she's making a concerted effort to be noticed.' At the Mountbatten Festival of Music in 2020, Meghan wowed in a scarlet dress by Safiyaa, costing 1,295 Colour block For the One Young World summit in Manchester in 2022, the Duchess oozed confidence in a distinctive 471 blouse and co-ordinating 514 trousers from the sustainable brand Another Tomorrow. The highlight of her ensemble was the semi-sheer blouse with a removable scarf, which she elegantly draped over one shoulder. She completed the look with Aquazzura heels in a matching shade, adding a touch of contrast with chunky gold jewellery from Tabayer. For the One Young World summit in Manchester in 2022, the Duchess chose a vibrant blouse and matching trousers from sustainable brand Another Tomorrow Trophy coat When she visited Birkenhead in Merseyside in January 2019, Meghan made an eye-catching statement in a 1,143 scarlet wool coat by Canadian brand Sentaler. She elevated the ensemble with vertiginous red stilettos by Stuart Weitzman, while her hair was styled in a chignon. The Duchess clearly aimed to make a statement on this occasion, possibly inspired by Queen Elizabeth II, who famously wore colour to ensure that she could be seen by onlookers when attending events. 'Red is a colour that makes you stand out from the crowd - something that would appeal to Meghan,' Kate said. On a visit to Birkenhead in Merseyside in 2019, Meghan made an eye-catching statement in a scarlet wool coat by Canadian brand Sentaler Ladylike ruffles Meghan took centre stage at the Women in Leadership panel event in Nigeria in May this year, likely influencing her choice of a vibrant dress by Nigerian designer Orire. Made from heavyweight crepe, the 265 design featured a strappy neckline and ruffled hem, creating a welcome ladylike aesthetic. By wearing red, Meghan conveyed a sense of power and authority while addressing the audience. This time, she allowed her dress to be the focal point, teaming it with Aquazzura nude sandals and diamond jewellery. Meghan took centre stage at the Women in Leadership panel event in Nigeria in May this year, which likely influenced her choice of a vibrant red dress by Nigerian designer Orire Fit and flare Meghan turned heads when she arrived in Tonga in October 2018, wearing a demure 380 dress by Self-Portrait. The flattering fit-and-flare style boasted intricate embroidery, a cinched waist and pleated midi skirt. Meghan finished her ensemble with Manolo Blahnik heels, a bespoke Dior clutch and delicate jewellery by Ecksand, creating a timeless look. Meghan turned heads when she arrived with Prince Harry in Tonga in October 2018, wearing a demure 380 dress by Self-Portrait Elegant maternity wear During her royal tour of Morocco in February 2019, Meghan showcased a custom-made dress by Valentino. The trapeze-cut design beautifully accommodated her baby bump and featured swirling embroidery across the cape detail. The colour of the dress may have symbolised the passion and love associated with her journey into motherhood for the first time. She added complementary nude accessories, including a Valentino clutch and court shoes. During her royal tour of Morocco in 2019, Meghan showcased a custom-made dress by Valentino in a trapeze-cut design Returning to her roots Meghan has long been enamoured with the vibrant hue of scarlet red. As early as 2006, during her appearance on the US version of TV game show Deal Or No Deal, she wore a skimpy mini dress in this exact shade. Although her style has evolved significantly since her days as a suitcase girl, Meghan's enduring affection for red demonstrates her fearless fashion sense. Prince Andrew is not just an embarrassment to his family. He is a national liability. That is because our precarious, fractured Britain has one bit of political glue remaining, which really seems to work, and to be popular that is, the monarchy. And anything that endangers the monarchy can be seen as the loose brick which, when it is wiggled and removed, spells the beginning of the whole wall tumbling down. Hence our concern at the superficially trivial questions surrounding the origin of the money that has allowed Andrew to stay at Royal Lodge. King Charles has long made clear his wish to see Andrew leave Royal Lodge Up to now, thanks to the generosity of his mother, who always favoured him and made him her pet, the prince has been living in the stupendous Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, which was the marital home of George VI before he became king, and which was where his widow, the Queen Mother, spent her retirement, as a much-adored National Treasure. But King Charles has long made clear his wish to see Andrew leave Royal Lodge. Perhaps in an effort to encourage him finally to move on, he has instructed the Keeper of the Privy Purse to cut off his younger brothers allowance of around 1million a year, and no longer pays for his security detail [as the Mail has revealed from the new edition of Robert Hardmans book, Charles III]. You would have thought Andrew might have got the hint. But no. At the weekend, it was revealed that the prince had secured sufficient funding to stay in Royal Lodge thanks to a mystery benefactor who will allow the disgraced duke to continue lording it over the property. It may well turn out that the generous person is a saint who honestly believes that this is a sensible use of a great deal of money, which could have been spent rehousing the poor, or helping medical research, or shoring up the plight of war-victims in the Middle East. The overwhelming likelihood, however, given Andrews story so far, is that he has found a rich friend who is going to land the Royal Family in yet more embarrassment. The prince was the Patron of the Middle East Association, and he was also Special Representative for Trade and Investment. While some welcomed his efforts as he flew round the world, and helped people by making introductions in the world of international trade, others, especially in the Foreign Office, raised an eyebrow at some of the company Andrew kept in the world of international finance. Now that he is no longer a working royal, there has been far less scrutiny of Andrews business activities. At the weekend, it was revealed that the prince had secured funding to stay in the property In 2011, his wife Sarah Ferguson accepted 15,000 from convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to pay off a debt The King has been trying to persuade Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage But its an area that deserves interrogation - particularly since his previous decisions to accept financial help have been far from prudent. In 2011, for example, his wife Sarah Ferguson accepted 15,000 from convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to pay off a debt, a decision she later described as a gigantic error of judgment. And the princes former marital home, Sunninghill Park in Berkshire, was controversially bought by oil and gas tycoon Timur Kulibayev, the son-in-law of the former president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev in 2007 for 15million 3million more than the asking price, even though the property had been on the market for five years. It was later revealed in 2016 that the Duke of Yorks office had, at the same time as Sunninghill was bought, been acting as a broker for Mr Kulibayev who wanted to buy another London home from the Queens estate. Andrew denied any impropriety. Then, in 2019 the Mail on Sunday revealed how he had used his taxpayer-funded role as trade envoy to quietly promote a private Luxembourg-based bank for the super-rich, owned by controversial multi-millionaire David Rowland and his family. This time, the public must be assured that the money allowing him to maintain his unpopular and extravagant lifestyle in Royal Lodge is not coming from a source that, when revealed, will cover the monarchy with yet more shame and embarrassment. That means the duke must come clean about where the money is coming from. After all, Royal Lodge is an enormous house, and quite unnecessarily lavish for his needs, even if we recognise that these needs include providing accommodation to his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. The Queen Mothers weekends there were a by-word for extravagance and old-fashioned luxury of a kind not seen since the early 20th Century, but no one begrudged the old lady her fun, and she gave great amusement for her exotic, elderly guests such as Noel Coward or Sir Roy Strong. The King has been trying to persuade Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, which has now been vacated by Harry and Meghan. In their short occupancy of the place, the Sussexes did it up to the nines, installed yoga studios, saunas and a grand Granny Flat for Doria Ragland, Meghans mother. Queen Elizabeth II always favoured her son Andrew and made him her pet By any normal standards, this place, though named a cottage, would seem a more than adequate residence for pampered Prince Andrew. One of the glories of our Royal Family used to be that it liked living simply. Our late Queen, keeping her breakfast cereals in Tupperware and heating her room with a one-bar electric fire was in a noble tradition. George V lived simply at York Cottage, Sandringham, with shop-furniture bought at now-closed Maples in Londons Tottenham Court Road. His great predecessor George III, unlike the Kings of France or the Hapsburg Emperors in Vienna, lived simply, like a gentleman farmer. Prince Andrew, on the other hand, with his swanky cars and his nickname of Airmiles Andy, has always been drawn to the life of the rich jet-setters. Hence his fateful friendship with the late Epstein which destroyed his public reputation and made it necessary for him to retreat from all his official duties, in the armed services, and in charities. No one wants to be vindictive towards him, although hes a rather nasty piece of work, by all accounts. All we want is for him to be kept well under wraps, somewhere in Windsor Great Park and not to endanger the much-respected institution of monarchy with any more of his sleazy behaviour. To be sure of that, we need to know whos giving Prince Andrew his money. Smuggling organizations in Mexico are rushing migrants to the US-Mexico border before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. With the promise of shutting down the border on day 1 of his administration, Trump is largely seen as disrupting the record-breaking flow of human traffic that has taken place under President Joe Biden, where a minimum of 11 million migrants have crossed into the country. In the most recent example of this, nearly 300 people, including more than 50 children, were caught crammed into the back of a semi-truck in Mexico headed for El Paso, Texas. Mexican military members stopped the tractor trailer at an immigration checkpoint in Chihuahua City - about four hours from the international boundary. Mexican officials believe there is a 'rush' to get migrants across the border before Jan. 20, when Trump officially becomes President of the United States-- slowing down the $13 billion a year human trafficking business on the border. A mass human trafficking operation was thwarted less than five house before nearly 300 migrants reached the US-Mexico border 'This indicates the possible acceleration on the part of organized crime groups to be transporting and trafficking people,' Chihuahua's Public Safety Secretary Gilberto Loya told reporters Monday. Authorities were tipped off the human cargo inside the trailer by a tipster who made a call to authorities, Loya added. While it's common for migrants to be smuggled in 18-wheelers on both the US and Mexican side of the border, the sheer number of people found this time is much larger than what is normally seen. Migrants are sometimes hidden among real cargo, like produce, or stowed in small hidden compartments of the vehicle. It's not normal to see an entire trailer hauling people. The 257 migrants were from Central and South America, and from countries in Africa, Loya explained. Of the 257 migrants being smuggled in tractor-trailer, most were from South and Central America, however, Mexican authorities added that some were African. There were also dozens of children in the trailer The tractor-trailer was stopped less than five hours from the nearest US city, El Paso, Texas The migrants rescued from the tractor trailer, which can often end in death, will likely be returned Mexico's border with Guatemala Law enforcement on both sides of the US-Mexico border have been anticipating a surge in migrants after Trump won the presidential election on Nov. 5. The Republican campaigned on closing the border to migrants and carrying out the largest mass deportation operation the US has ever seen. Among his first actions as president-elect. Trump has named a 'border czar' to carry out his agenda on the border. Tom Homan, who previously served as Trump's director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will be in charge of deportation plans. Authorities in Mexico have been bracing for a possible surge at the border by breaking up large groups of migrant seen traveling together. In recent days, a 3,000-migrant caravan traveling through Central Mexico was cut by about half. Some were forcibly returned to Mexico's southern border with Guatemala, but other volunteered to go back on their own. 'I had hoped (Kamala Harris ) would win, but that didn't happen,' Venezuelan Valerie Andrade told Reuters. A NASA astronaut gave a cryptic explanation about why their four-person crew was mysteriously hospitalized after returning to Earth from space last month. Astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps were taken to a medical facility in Florida after splashing down on October 25, with one of the crew staying overnight for 'observation.' Russian cosmonaut, Alexander Grebenkin, returned with the NASA crew and was also taken to the hospital in nearby Pensacola, but did not speak at a live briefing Friday. NASA has been tight-lipped about the reason for the hospital visit and the crew continued to dodge questions at the briefing Friday. 'Spaceflight is still something we don't fully understand,' Barratt said. 'We're finding things that we don't expect sometimes. This was one of those times and we're still piecing things together on this.' The trained medical doctor only referred to the emergency room visit as a 'medical event,' saying that NASA will reveal all details 'in the fullness of time.' While NASA has refused to provide any other information, an insider told DailyMail.com that 'blood pressure issues' could have landed them in the Florida hospital. Astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin were hospitalized upon returning to Earth from the ISS The NASA astronauts continued to touch on the 'medical event,' but shying away from details about which one of them stayed overnight. 'Everyone's different,' Epps said, 'and that's the part you can't predict.' Dominick, however, noted: 'The big things you expect, being disoriented, being dizzy. 'But the little things, like just sitting in a hard chair, my backside has not really sat in a hard thing for 235 days... It's rather uncomfortable, right? I did not expect that.' Astronauts returning to Earth experience a dramatic drop in blood pressure, which can lead to orthostatic hypotension, a form of low blood pressure that happens when a person stands up or lies down. Orthostatic hypotension happens in astronauts because gravity pulls blood downward when their bodies have been in low gravity, thus causing a shock-like impact on their system. Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension include lightheadedness or dizziness and occurs in nearly all astronauts after long-term missions. While the source told DailyMail.com that this could have been the cause of the hospitalizations, they said: 'NASA can play the 'medical privacy issue' all day long.' The Crew-8 astronauts splashed down on the SpaceX Dragon Endeavor on October 25, following a 235-day mission. NASA The crew was stranded on the ISS for eight months when their stay was scheduled until early August, but Boeing's faulty crew capsule and Hurricane Milton made the summer return impossible - clocking in a total of 235 days. Crew-8 successfully splashed down at 3.30am ET, following the launch to the orbiting laboratory on March 3. During a meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel on October 31, former astronaut and committee member Kent Rominger listed a series of 'recent issues' with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. He said the mishaps serve as a reminder to remain vigilant as the company increases the pace of its missions. 'Both NASA and SpaceX need to maintain focus on safe Crew Dragon operations and not take any 'normal' operations for granted,' Rominger said. The American space agency had only noted that one crew member was taken to the hospital, but it was later found that all four had made the trip. NASA's decision not to disclose who that astronaut was or reveal details about his or her condition was made 'to protect the crew member's medical privacy.' But insiders have speculated low blood pressure was the cause. 'On return to Earth, gravity once again 'pulls' the blood and fluids into the abdomen and legs,' according to NASA. 'The loss of blood volume, combined with atrophy of the heart and blood vessels that can occur in space, reduces the ability to regulate a drop in blood pressure that happens when we stand on Earth.' A retired rear admiral, who served as the Navy's head oceanographer, will testify to Congress about the risks of UFOs that appear to traverse Earth's seas with impunity. Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet (ret.) has attested publicly in the past to 'an interesting correlation [...] where we see so many potential interactions of UAP [i.e. UFOs] and nuclear ships' but has never before discussed the issue under oath. And increasingly, Rear Adm. Gallaudet has also given voice to growing concern among military officials that these strange apparent craft possess 'capabilities [...] beyond our current understanding of science, technology as well as engineering.' 'We need to research these more, get a better understanding of them,' as he put it this week, 'both for the national security implications, as well as just the science.' But despite Rear Adm. Gallaudet's openness on the once-fringe topic of UFOs, the substance of what he plans to reveal on Wednesday before the House Oversight committee's latest public UAP hearing remains a mystery. The naval oceanographer did, however, reveal two startling UFO encounters on Monday, as reported to him by Navy personnel ahead of his testimony. One submariner told Rear Adm. Gallaudet of an encounter a US sub had with a bizarre underwater object in the 1980s, which stopped on a dime while speeding deep under the Atlantic Ocean. 'It had all the signatures of a Russian torpedo,' Rear Adm. Gallaudet said, 'because it approached a rapid rate. But then it slowed down, which torpedoes don't do.' Retired Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet (above) has attested publicly in the past to 'an interesting correlation [...] where we see so many potential interactions of UAP ['Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena' or UFOs] and nuclear ships' - but has never before discussed the issue under oath Rear Adm. Gallaudet explained that this US Navy submarine which was traveling 'at a deeper depth during a very significant North Atlantic storm' had conducted evasive maneuvers to escape what its crew thought, at first, was a Russian torpedo. 'Because of its rapid rate of approach, they went to "crush depth." That was their SOP, standard operating procedure,' the retired rear admiral told NewsNation. Sometimes known as 'collapse depth,' the term 'crush depth' is used to indicate a level of deep ocean where the density and pressure of water is a threat to the structural integrity of a particular submarine's design. But, the dense water at 'crush depth' can also help a sub evade torpedoes following it, by helping to confuse the weapon's on-board sonar, used for 'acoustic homing.' The sound waves emitted as sonar 'pings,' in other words, can be slowed, dissipated or otherwise disrupted when passing through dense water at these depths. 'It was an old sub, too,' Rear Adm. Gallaudet said of the risky defensive gambit, which could have imploded the undersea vessel, killing its crew. 'So, they were not happy doing that and not comfortable.' 'They really believed it was a Soviet sub,' he told NewsNation correspondent and veteran investigative reporter Ross Coulthart, 'launching an attack on them.' 'And then, of course, this object, it stopped, and it went around to their stern and followed them,' he continued. 'Then it rapidly accelerated out of the scene.' 'Back in the '80s, we know of no technology that could have done that. What was that?' as the rear admiral put it rhetorically to Coulthart. 'I can't explain it either.' In his appearance on NewsNation, Rear Adm. Gallaudet also discussed 'an extraordinary story from a chief petty officer on the USS Eisenhower' in which an entire carrier strike group of multiple ships witnessed a giant UFO. Above, a fighter jet onboard the Eisenhower Still images from a leaked video showing a spherical UFO diving into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. Investigative journalist Jeremy Corbell says the video shows 'FLIR [forward looking infrared] data' that is complimented by the unreleased US Navy radar footage Above, Rear Adm. Gallaudet when he was a a deputy administrator to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), touring a National Weather Service office In his appearance on Coulthart's NewsNation program, Rear Adm. Gallaudet also discussed 'an extraordinary story from a chief petty officer on the USS Eisenhower' in which an entire carrier strike group of multiple ships witnessed a gigantic UFO. 'On an earlier deployment about 20 years ago, the senior leadership, this chief petty officer, all witnessed a UAP in the middle of the strike group,' he said. The retired rear admiral, who also spent three years as a deputy administrator to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), also noted that he has begun 'a correspondence with Robert Hastings.' Hastings, author of a doorstop book on the subject, titled 'UFOs and Nukes,' has helped bring public many US military witnesses to the similar UFO events in the past. But, Rear Adm. Gallaudet noted that several of the most persuasive witness accounts, that he has heard about, are tied up with the classified sensitivities of America's nuclear submarine fleet. 'I've heard there's others,' he said, 'but submarine information and operations are so highly classified, with nondisclosure agreements signed by everybody on the force that they're hard to come out and find.' Rear Adm. Gallaudet will speak Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the UAP hearing hosted by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee is planning to host the hearing on Nov. 13, According to a committee spokesperson: 'The Cyber Subcommittee and National Security Subcommittee will hold a joint hearing on UAPs on November 13. Cyber Subcommittee Chairwoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) will co-chair the hearing,' Britain's unprecedented spell of 'anticyclonic gloom' this month has meant the sun has been completely blotted out in some areas. Experts from the Met Office reveal that some towns in England didn't get a single minute of sunshine in the first 10 days of November. Odiham in Hampshire, Saint Helier in Jersey and Ronaldsway on the Isle of Man didn't see the sun, while Rostherne in Cheshire got just 24 minutes of sunshine. Surprisingly, Scotland, usually known for its murky conditions, experienced clearer conditions than anywhere else in the UK. For example, Kinloss in Moray got an impressive 35 hours of sunshine in the first 10 days of November and even reached a 'balmy' 64F (17.8C) on Wednesday. Overall, England had just 2.2 hours of sunshine in the first 10 days of November, while the UK as a whole fared slightly better with 5.3 hours. Meanwhile, Wales got 2.1 hours, Northern Ireland got 4.3 hours and Scotland had 11.7 hours, the Met Office reveals. 'Depressing' conditions have been caused by anticyclonic gloom, a weather phenomenon typified by grey skies, mist and low cloud. It means that the sky has a uniformly drab colour with the sun nowhere to be seen and only limited daytime brightness. Odiham in Hampshire, Saint Helier in Jersey and Ronaldsway on the Isle of Man didn't see the sun, while Rostherne in Cheshire got just 24 minutes of sunshine The sky is rendered grey, caused by high pressure over the UK trapping moisture near the surface of the Earth, creating stubborn cloud or, in weather parlance, 'anticyclonic gloom'. Pictured, the effect viewed from Horizon 22 in Bishopsgate, London, November 8, 2024 This satellite view from space shows Britain blanketed by cloud and fog. Scotland, usually known for its murky conditions, experienced clearer conditions than the rest of the UK Low clouds or fog can become trapped when a cool area of high pressure moves over moist land. The moisture then evaporates, leading to daytime mist and low clouds - an effect described by travel writer Bill Bryson as like 'living inside Tupperware'. While such a setup in the summer months often leads to warm and sunny days with light winds, it can result in 'anticyclonic gloom' in autumn and winter. In a post on X (Twitter) last week, Met Office described the miserable weather event, which has been called 'so depressing' and 'awful' by Brits. Met Office said in its X post: 'This week's weather phrase [is] anticyclonic gloom. 'This can occur when high pressure traps a layer of moisture near to the Earth's surface. '[It's] bringing a prolonged period of dull and cloudy weather, with mist and fog also possible. How would you describe today's weather?' One user replied: 'I mean the lack of wind and rain is great but the heavy gloomy sky, my God is so depressing. Pictured, anticyclonic gloom over Odiham in Hampshire on Remembrance Sunday (November 10) Britain has been in the grips of a 'depressing' weather phenomenon known as 'anticyclonic gloom', experts said last week. Pictured, London, November 6, 2024 Typified by grey skies, mist and low cloud, it means that the sky has a uniformly drab colour - with the sun nowhere to be seen. Pictured, a house in Dunsden, Oxfordshire under the gloom on November 6 In a post on X (Twitter), Met Office described the miserable weather event, which has been called 'so depressing' and 'awful' The British towns with the most and least sunshine in November Odiham in Hampshire, Saint Helier in Jersey and Ronaldsway on the Isle of Man didn't see the sun, while Rostherne in Cheshire got just 24 minutes of sunshine. Surprisingly, Scotland, usually known for its murky conditions, experienced clearer conditions than anywhere else in the UK. For example, Kinloss in Moray got an impressive 35 hours of sunshine in the first 10 days of November and even reached a 'balmy' 64F (17.8C) on Wednesday. Overall, England had just 2.2 hours of sunshine in the first 10 days of November, while the UK as a whole fared slightly better with 5.3 hours. Advertisement 'It's been the same for a full week and your forecast is the same all this week too. Just awful, claustrophobic almost.' Someone else said: 'Felt that claustrophobia for a few days. Never realised not being able to see the sky for so long would have that effect.' Yet another said: 'We have a summer with little or no anti-cyclonic weather and when we do it's in November and depressingly dull.' Another person asked: 'Whatever happened to crisp and clear autumn days.' Anticyclonic gloom, also known by meteorologists as a 'dirty high', typically moves away after a week, making this latest extended period unusual 'but not unheard of'. It has meant that the UK has so far had only five per cent of the average sunshine for the month of November, compared with the 23 per cent usually expected at this stage in the month. ITV weather presenter Becky Mantin said early November's stagnant weather was 'creating a staggering lack of sunshine'. She said: 'For some, there has been no respite at all Odiham in Hampshire has recorded zero minutes of sunshine so far this November. 'Wales takes the unenviable second place spot with an average of just 12 minutes, 48 minutes recorded in Northern Ireland and only a touch more in southern England with 54 minutes.' A pedestrian walks through misty weather in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, last Thursday - an effect described by Bill Bryson as like 'living inside Tupperware' According to a Met Office spokesperson, the gloom is lifting this week and the weather is 'currently looking much brighter'. 'There will still be cloudy days and it's still possible we could see more general periods of gloomy weather,' the spokesperson told MailOnline. 'But it isn't likely to be as gloomy as the last week has been.' In the Met Office forecast for November 11 to 20, Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said there will be 'a good deal of dry, settled weather' early this week. 'However, after a bright start, increasingly cloudy conditions are likely to develop by midweek, with patchy drizzle possible at times. Some fog is also possible, this slow to clear,' Deakin said. Later in the week, it will become 'more unsettled' with some rain or showers, particularly towards the east. 'After a possible brief drier spell [this weekend], it may become largely unsettled during the following week,' the forecaster added. 'Temperatures will be near or a little above average at first, but will tend to drop a little below average later.' Brits may also have noticed especially chilly temperatures at the start of this week, somewhat less mild than Novembers of past years. According to the Met Office, temperatures reached as low as 0.3C on Monday and will be even colder in the north through to the weekend and the start of next week. It said there is a 'chance of frost and ice' for some areas and even the possibility of some snow in the UK's north. Despite being our planet's closest neighbour, scientists have been grappling with the mystery of our moon's origin for hundreds of years. Since the 1980s, experts have assumed that our lunar satellite was formed in the aftermath of an explosive impact with the protoplanet Theia early in Earth's history. But now, a study suggests that this so-called 'collision' theory may not be correct after all. Instead, researchers from Penn State University say that the Earth might have neatly nabbed the moon as it drifted by in a process called binary-exchange capture. This radical theory suggests that the moon might have started life as one part of a 'terrestrial binary', a pair of rocky objects orbiting one another. As this pair passed within Earth's pull, the moon was yanked into orbit while the second body was catapulted out into space. Lead researcher Professor Darren Williams says: 'No one knows how the moon was formed. 'For the last four decades, we have had one possibility for how it got there. Now, we have two.' A new theory suggests that the moon might not have been formed by a collision with an ancient protoplanet but through a process called 'binary-exchange capture' Researchers suggest that the moon might have started out as one part of a planetary binary, two large rocky bodies which orbit each other as they drift through space (file photo) In 1984, scientists gathered for the Kona Conference in Hawaii to come to a consensus on how the moon had formed. Using the 800lbs (363kg) of lunar material taken back by NASA's Apollo missions, the scientists found that the moon had a similar but not entirely identical chemical composition to Earth. From this evidence, they came to the conclusion that the moon must have been formed out of debris knocked loose when a celestial body slammed into the young Earth. This theory was popular because it fits well with much of what we now know about the chemical composition of the moon - but it doesn't explain all the details. For example, Professor Williams and his co-author point out that, if the moon were formed from a ring of debris slowly condensing into a sphere, we should expect to find it orbiting above the equator. However, the moon's orbit is actually tilted onto a totally different plane about seven degrees away from the equatorial plane. To find an alternative explanation for why this might be the case, the researchers looked at a phenomenon called binary-exchange capture. This suggests that Earth might have snagged one of a pair of passing rocky bodies and made it into its satellite. Earlier theories suggest that the moon was formed when a protoplanet called Theia collided with the young Earth. Scientists believe the moon was formed as the resultant ring of debris collected into a sphere The binary-exchange capture theory The moon may have started out as one part of a 'planetary binary', two rocky bodies orbiting each other as they drift through space. As this binary entered Earth's gravitational pull, the moon might have been yanked out of the binary pair. The moon would then become the Earth's satellite while the other part of the pair was catapulted into space. This would explain why the moon doesn't orbit over the equator as we would expect from a collision. It also provides a reason why the moon is chemically similar to, but not identical to Earth. Advertisement In support of this idea, Professor Williams points to the example of Triton, Neptune's largest moon. Current theories suggest that Triton was pulled into Neptune from the Kuiper Belt where one in 10 objects are thought to be a binary. Just like our moon, Triton orbits at a significantly tilted angle, leaning 67 degrees away from the planet's equator. And, according to mathematical models, it is quite plausible that the same thing could have happened to our moon. In their paper, published in The Planetary Science Journal, the researchers calculate that Earth could have captured an object between one and 10 per cent of its total mass. At just 1.2 per cent of the Earth's mass, the moon falls comfortably within this range. The only caveat is that the planetary binary would have had to have passed within just 80,000 miles (128,750km) of Earth at a speed below 6,700 miles per hour (10,800km). While that might seem incredibly fast, in the scale of the solar system that is the equivalent of a leisurely stroll. Researchers point out that if the moon were formed from a collision we should expect it to orbit Earth around the equator. But the moon's orbital plane is angled at about 7 degrees from the equator Using a mathematical model (pictured), the scientists calculated that the Earth could capture an object between one and 10 times its mass if it was travelling at the right speed and the other part of the binary had a large enough mass. As this graph shows, the Earth is easily capable of capturing something as large as the moon at speeds of up to 3km per second The problem is that, even at these sedate speeds, when it first arrived, the moon's orbit would have been massively elliptical much like that of a comet around the sun. However, the researchers also show how this orbit would have evolved under the influence of tidal forces. As the moon races around the Earth, the tides would have slightly lagged behind its orbit, exerting a gravitational pull which would have slowly tamed its wild orbit. Over thousands of years, that constant tug would have made the orbit more regular and circular until it settled into the close orbit it currently has. Professor Williams says: 'Today, the Earth tide is ahead of the Moon, high tide accelerates the orbit. 'It gives it a pulse, a little bit of boost. Over time, the Moon drifts a bit farther away.' Now the moon is so far out that both the Sun and Earth pull on it, leading it to drift about 3cm further away every year. This theory has some key advantages in that it explains why the moon's orbit is so tilted and accounts for the presence of certain chemical isotopes found on the moon and not on Earth. Scientists believe that Triton (pictured), the largest moon of Neptune, was originally a planetary binary in the Keuper belt before being captured As this graph shows, when the moon first arrived, its orbit would be shaped like an oval rather than the circle we are more familiar with The researchers admit that their theory would be hard to prove and relies on several 'implausible events' happening at once. However, Professor Williams maintains that binary-exchange capture is a viable alternative to the standard collision theory and one that merits further consideration. The researchers argue that planetary binaries may have been more common in the early solar system and could have plausibly gone on to create the moon. Professor Williams adds: 'This opens a treasure trove of new questions and opportunities for further study.' Declassified 1970s-era US spy satellite images have led archaeologists to the site of a historic battlefield that ended in a bloodbath 1,400 years ago in Iraq. They compared the imagery taken during the Cold War era with historical text of the Battle of al-Qadisiyah, finding the location in about 20 miles south of Kufa in the Najaf Governorate. A six-foot-long structure was observed in the black-and-white photos, matching ancient accounts that led researchers to uncovering a deep trench, two fortresses and an ancient river that was once crossed by a elephant-mounted Persian troop. The investigation also found pottery shards consistent with the time period when the battle took place. The site, in what was previously known as Mesopotamia, was where the Sassanid Persian and Arab army fought in the Battle of al-Qadisiyah that ended the Muslims prevailing. The Sassanids lost more than 20,000, while the Muslims lost more than 10,000. The battle took place around 637AD and was a crucial victory for the Arab Muslims in expanding Islam beyond Arabia. Dr William Deadman, archaeologist for the UK's Durham University, said: 'This discovery provides a geographical location and context for a battle that is one of the founding stories of the expansion of Islam into modern-day Iraq, Iran and beyond.' Slide me The image, taken in 1973, was declassified in 2022 for for archaeological and historical research. Researchers used the photo and historic text to uncover the location of the ancient battlefield The image was captured in 1973 by the HEXAGON 'Search & Spotter' satellite, which deployed over the Middle East during the Arab-Israeli war. The US became heavily dependent on oil from the region, which saw an increase during the conflicts. After the Iraqis signed a treaty with the Soviets in April 1972, however, US officials 'particularly in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)' agreed that the threat from Baghdad warranted attention with the use of spy satellites. The image used by Durham University, along with archaeologists at the University of Al-Qadisiyah, was declassified in 2022 specifically for research. The team stumbled across the site while undertaking a remote sensing survey to map the Darb Zubaydah (DZ), a pilgrimage route from Iraqs Kufa to Mecca in Saudi Arabia built more than 1,000 years ago. They found that a site some 20 miles south of Kufa in Iraq's southern Najaf province - a desert area with scattered plots of agricultural land - had features that closely matched the description of the al-Qadisiyah battle site described in historic texts. Those included the double wall feature, possibly a canal, which linked a square fortress on the desert fringe and a large settlement associated with a linear fortification system on the edge of the floodplain. Two previously unlocated DZ waystations, al-Qadisiyyah and al-'Udhayb, were also identified during this survey. The team identified two waystations, al-Qadisiyyah and al-'Udhayb, which were previously only known through ancient text Pictured is a close up of what appeared as a mound in the photo, but was once a fortress used in battle 'These historic sites are best known from texts describing one of the most famous battles of the early Islamic conquests,' the team shared in the study published in in the journal Antiquity. The Sasanian dynasty ruled the region after it was founded in 224A, but became the last Persian imperial dynasty after the Muslim victory in the Battle of al-Qadisiyah. They had a caste system with four classes: priests, warriors, secretaries, and commoners. The Arab Army was part of the Rashidun Caliphate, which was led by the first four successors of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. The group were excellent fighters, using shock troops, flanking maneuvers, mounted archery, sieges, reconnaissance, raids, and horse breeding. The rise of Islam and Arab conquests, which aimed to expand the new Islamic Caliphate, sparked conflict among the two nations. 'The Middle East has developed so much in the last 50 years, both agricultural expansion and urban expansion,' Dr Deadman said. 'Some of the distinguishing features at the al-Qadisiyah site, such as a distinctive trench, were 'much more pristine and clear' in the 1970s images.' Expert witnesses plan to testify before Congress about a 'constitutional crisis' posed by government secrecy on UFOs and even 'threats' to scientists investigating these mysterious phenomena. One, Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, will also speak about secret 'satellite imagery' from a 2017 UFO case that has been illegally hidden from congressional oversight. 'Elements of the government are engaging in a disinformation campaign,' the rear admiral stated in his prepared written testimony submitted ahead of this Wedneday's hearing, '[including] personal attacks designed to discredit UAP whistleblowers.' Scientists, policymakers and others have adopted 'Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena' (UAP) to more precisely describe UFOs and better incorporate all cases, including startling undersea encounters with apparent 'transmedium' craft. Another witness, former NASA legal advisor Mike Gold, plans to speak on behalf of scientists, pilots and others who have faced 'negative consequences to their career' for openly pursuing answers to these enigmatic and unusual incidents. 'It's disconcerting when members of the academic community are vilified for even having the temerity to attempt to study UAP,' Gold wrote in his own testimony. Also slated to testify: Decorated ex-counterintelligence officer Luis Elizondo, who investigated UFO cases while at the Pentagon, and Michael Shellenberger, a reporter who went viral last month with claims from a new UFO whistleblower. Above, eerie UFO footage captured by hurricane remediation worker William Guy in September 2019 - documenting strange lights off North Carolina's Outer Banks, not too far from the Atlantic Ocean training areas where US Navy pilots reported UFOs in 2014 and 2015 Rear Adm. Gallaudet, who also served as deputy administrator to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), offered to help Congress obtain the wrongfully withheld UFO satellite data in a classified briefing. 'I would be happy in a closed setting to provide the dates involved if that would help the committee to formulate a specific request for access,' he stated in his testimony. The rear admiral has become a prominent voice calling for wider transparency on the topic of UFOs over the past three years, as well as a defender of once senior US intelligence officers, like David Grusch, who have come forward on the issue. Late last year, Rear Adm. Gallaudet said he found Grusch's account of a decades-old, highly classified UFO crash retrieval and reverse engineering program to be credible. 'We're being visited by non-human intelligence with technology we really don't understand,' Gallaudet confirmed, 'and with intentions we don't understand either.' In his prepared testimony to Congress, expected to be followed by detailed questions from House Oversight, the retired Navy and NOAA official explained that he has witnessed the dangers of government UFO secrecy firsthand. In January 2015, according to Gallaudet, he received an 'URGENT SAFETY OF FLIGHT ISSUE' inquiry on the Navy's secure internet network from the operations officer of the Navy's Fleet Forces Command only to have that message just disappear. 'The text of the email was brief but alarming,' he testified, 'with words to the effect [of] "We are having multiple near-midair collisions, and if we do not resolve it soon, we will have to shut down the exercise."' 'This incident disturbed me,' he added, 'for the remainder of my government service, including my time as an Under Secretary of Commerce and NOAA Administrator.' Retired Rear Admiral Gallaudet (left), a PhD oceanographer who also served as deputy administrator to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will testify on UFOs this Wednesday in Congress. Joining him will be ex-NASA legal advisor Mike Gold (right) According to a committee spokesperson, Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace (above), chair of House Oversight's Cybersecurity Subcommittee will co-chair the new UFO hearing 'Attached to the email was what is now known as the "Go Fast" video, captured on the forward-looking infrared sensor onboard one of the Navy F/A-18 aircraft participating in the exercise,' he added. What the rear admiral found most disturbing about this disappearing Navy email was that clear implication that the need for secrecy surrounding these UFOs whatever they were had trumped the very lives of America's fighter pilots. 'It highlighted a dangerous culture of over-classification, where even pressing safety-of-flight issues could be swept aside under the pretense of secrecy,' he noted. Based on his own naval experience, the rear admiral inferred that the absence of answers on these life-threatening UFOs meant that the explanation was unlikely to be a 'classified technology demonstrations' by the US Department of Defense (DoD). 'Because DoD policy is to rigorously deconflict such demonstrations with live exercises,' Rear Adm. Gallaudet wrote, 'I was confident this was not the case.' 'I concluded that the UAP information must have been classified within a special access program managed by an intelligence agency,' he continued, 'that even senior officials, including myself, were not read into.' Gallaudet plans to describe these and other episodes of UFO secrecy as 'an absolute outrage' during his upcoming, in-person testimony. The retired senior-level official also plans to call out former leadership of the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) for what he characterizes as 'illegal and unethical DoD disinformation efforts.' Above, a still from the 'Go Fast' UFO video - captured by Navy Pilots off the coast of Florida in 2015. Rear Adm. Gallaudet plans to testify about receiving a 'brief but alarming' official email regarding the 'Go Fast' incident that mysteriously disappeared from secured Navy servers Republican congressman Glenn Grothman (above), chair of House Oversight's National Security Subcommittee, is expected to co-lead the UFO hearing Wednesday with Rep. Mace. Above, Rep. Grothman seen entering a secured room for a classified UFO briefing last year His assessment will join public comments by ex-NASA scientists, US Air Force personnel, and other UFO whistleblowers who have criticized AARO's performance of its duty to create a historical records report on past UFO cases. 'AARO needs to explain the inaccuracies and incompleteness of AARO's first historical records report,' according to Rear Adm. Gallaudet. Submitted testimony from former NASA legal advisor Mike Gold praised House Oversight's 'devotion to truth and scientific openness regardless of the ridicule and even spite that the discussion of UAP can engender.' Gold also served on the US space agency's UFO advisory council last year in a volunteer capacity alongside his official duties as Chief Growth Officer for RedwireSpace a private aerospace company. 'Stigmatization of UAP prevents the gathering of invaluable data that represents our best and only chance to understand the phenomena,' Gold wrote in his testimony. NASA legal advisor Mike Gold (top right) - who also served on the US space agency's UFO advisory council last year - praised House Oversight's 'devotion to truth and scientific openness regardless of the ridicule and even spite that the discussion of UAP can engender' This stigma issue, he noted, has resulted in malformed and maladapted official policies that are slowing down the quest for answers on these increasingly controversial debates of these seemingly otherworldly phenomena. The ex-NASA official cited decades of poor reporting standards for private pilots who see UFOs. For years civilian and commercial aviators were told not to report UFOs to federal flight safety regulators but to private citizen UFO hunters, including the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) in Washington state. 'Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instructions on the matter are difficult to find, provide obsolete advice (e.g., referencing organizations that no longer exist), and are not generally known or understood by the civilian pilot community,' he said. Based on his submitted testimony, Gold plans to also credit the efforts of NASA's UFO advisory panel, 'particularly those who encountered ridicule and even threats due to their participation.' 'The stigma prevents scientific inquiry,' Gold warned in his statement, 'the best tool that we have to understand anomalies, from being fully applied.' 'Moreover, science is driven by anomalies,' he noted. 'The Theory of General Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, virtually all of our scientific progress has been based on discovering and studying anomalies.' New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that while the growth in the India-Russia bilateral trade at $66 billion has been impressive, India would like it to be more balanced which will require addressing current constraints and undertaking greater facilitative efforts. In his opening remarks at the 25th Session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural, co-chaired by Russian First Deputy PM Denis Manturov, EAM said that making it easier to do trade should be accompanied by progress in the negotiations on the India-Eurasia Economic Union FTA. EAM said that an India that has many decades of eight percent growth at least ahead of it obviously values a reliable partner when it comes to resources, technology and best practices. We note Russias growing interest in our Make in India programme and would encourage joint ventures and other forms of collaboration. He said that There have been challenges to trade, especially in regard to payment and logistics and added that Perceptible progress has been made in that regard but there is still some work to be done. Our joint endeavours in regard to connectivity such as the International North South Transport Corridor, the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor and the Northern Sea Route must go forward. He said the two sides will also be discussing cooperation critical for our food, energy and health security. Russia has emerged as a major source of fertilisers for us. Its supply of crude oil, coal and uranium are indeed important. Similarly, Indias pharmaceutical industry has emerged as an affordable and reliable source for Russia. Looking ahead, we are also exploring the mobility of talent and skills; customising them for the Russian market has to be a shared enterprise. I am confident that we will achieve the trade target of $100 billion by 2030 well before that. In parallel we will also take our partnership forward through the Programme of Economic Cooperation Till 2030 that we hope to finalise soon. EAM said PM Modi during his meeting with Manturov on Monday gave guidance on various issues that are part of the bilateral agenda. His directions reflected the discussions at the annual summit in July between our leaders and their subsequent meeting in Kazan in October. Our discussions today have both a bilateral context and a global scenario. As two major nations in an increasingly multipolar world a more substantive relationship between us has a larger resonance. We welcome and fully reciprocate Russias growing interest in exploring economic opportunities in India. Our economies are not only complementary in many respects but benefit from the trust and confidence built over many years, he added. In a post on X, the EAM said: Co-chaired a productive and wide ranging 25th meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission in Delhi. Thank my co-chair First DPM Denis Manturov and our delegations for their contribution. Our deliberations covered the complimentary and beneficial India-Russia economic and trade cooperation, reinforcing critical food, energy & health security and facilitating mobility of talent and skills. Confident that our deliberations today will make a strong contribution to the direction and progress of our strategic partnership. UNI RN SHOPPING - Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this article are selected by our writers. Click here for more information. If you've ever wished you could simplify your daily routine then a single product that works as potent skincare, makeup and SPF all at the same time should pique your interest. Typically multi-use products fail to excel in all areas, but one Australian skincare brand has released an innovative new product that bucks that trend. freezeframe has unveiled its new PRO COLLAGEN SUNCEUTICAL , a multitasking must-have which works as an anti-aging treatment as well as a tinted mineral primer with SPF 30. The potent formula is clinically proven to leave skin looking firmer, brighter and leaves you with a radiant glow.* What's more, the innovative buy is currently discounted as part of the brand's Black Friday deals and is now on sale for just $48.30, with 30 per cent off its usual price of $69. The powerhouse multi-functional product reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as little as 30 minutes* and is the culmination of years of research and development from freezeframe. The PRO COLLAGEN SUNCEUTICAL fuses 30 trillion fragments of human-identical collagen with a 100 per cent mineral sunscreen to provide unmatched absorbability. The formula also includes Vitamin C, an antioxidant which can help protect skin cells from unwanted environmental aggressors. The premium skincare product combines the power of collagen fragment technology with effective sun protection and the advanced formula is also vegan-friendly, fragrance and preservative free. freezeframe has unveiled its new PRO COLLAGEN SUNCEUTICAL a multitasking must-have which works as an anti-aging treatment as well as a tinted mineral primer with SPF 30 During the trials, 75 per cent of participants agreed with the statement that 'It looks like I've had a facelift,' after using the product for 28 days.* The impressive product isn't just cutting edge from a technology perspective, but the formula is incredibly light on the skin making it feel weightless. The sheer semi-matte tint should be used 20 minutes before sun exposure and can be used in place of foundation, or as a priming treatment under other makeup. The formula reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as little as 30 minutes with improvements over time. One user saw great results after using the product for 28 days The impressive product isn't just cutting edge from a technology perspective, but the formula is incredibly light on the skin making it feel weightless freezeframe's award winning 48 Hour Wrinkle Freeze Ice Roller Mask On happy shopper who has trialled the new buy gave the product a five star review and said: 'I dont like to wear make up, I dont like the feel of a lot of product on my face. This product however was beautiful to wear, glides on like silk.' 'You dont need too many pumps, I found 3 covered my face and neck. Happy to wear this daily. An extra bonus, my skin has been super soft after I wash it off.' freezeframe has been developing cutting-edge skin and body care products since its founder Sonia Amoroso launched the brand in 2009. The brand's bestselling products including its REVITALEYES GEL CREAM , the non surgical EYELID LIFT and the award-winning 48 HOUR WRINKLE FREEZE ICE ROLLER MASK which was named among the best products in Australia. You can shop freezeframe's PRO COLLAGEN SUNCEUTICAL 30ml and all other products included in the Black Friday sale from freeze-frame.com and products are available exclusively at Chemist Warehouse. *Clinical Testing 20 women - 47 - 62 year old application twice per day, 28 days half face application. Use SPF as directed, reapply often, stay out of direct sunlight where possible. SPF is only one form of sun protection. Wear protective clothing when outdoors. Virgin Australia has dropped a new summer menu offering passengers margaritas, gin cocktails and chocolate waffles 35,000 feet up in the air. Economy class passengers will be able to enjoy Virgin's food fiesta in the skies with Batched salted grapefruit margaritas, Papa Salt gin palomas, chocolate waffles and corn chips now available for sale. On selected flights, new meals including spinach and ricotta cannelloni, honey fried chicken, as well as Belgian chocolate waffles and triple choc cookies will be available. The airline has revamped its in-flight menu in time for summer to offer its passengers more variety and great value. Virgin Australia's general manager product and customer strategy Ali Dunn said they had curated a diverse selection of meals and snacks that highlighted premium Australian produce to cater for a variety of tastes. 'Delivering the highest quality in-flight experience is at the core of what we do, and this extends to our menus,' she said. Virgin Australia has revamped its inflight menu (pictured) with passengers now able to enjoy a margarita in the sky, as well as gin palomas, corn chips and waffles Hot chocolate Belgian waffles are now available on Virgin's new in-flight menu (pictured). 'From refreshing beverages to delicious new meal options in both economy and business class, our inflight dining has something for everyone. 'Plus, our award-winning cabin crew, known for their exceptional service, are integral to the process, providing valuable input during taste tests.' Business class passengers will be treated to a new menu from November 20, with waffles, mascarpone, strawberries, maple syrup and passionfruit mango pancake stacks on offer. Passengers will also be able to indulge in a chicken noodle salad, beef quesadilla or pork with sticky lemon sauce and rice. The new summer menu aims to offer passengers 'value and variety' (pictured) Virgin Australia's cabin crew helped with the taste testing of the new menu (pictured Virgin planes) Ms Dunn said the airline also introduced digital receipts for onboard purchases so that passengers could easily track their transactions. 'This is part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and enhancing the convenience of travel with Virgin Australia,' she added. The first-ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales is set to launch in July 2025, it has been announced. It will have 18 'extraordinary' cabins ranging in price from 5,800 to 14,100 per person, all-inclusive, and dining experiences designed by three-Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan. There will also be an onboard bar, a marble-covered spa and an observation car. The swanky service will be operated by the Belmond hospitality group and called the 'Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train'. It will depart from London Victoria and offer three-night journeys along 'three evocative routes' through Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales, 'offering privileged access to iconic destinations' along the way. Passengers on the Cornish holiday will glide along the Riviera Line, past Teignmouth, Plymouth, St Austell and Truro and ultimately on to Penzance. Excursions on offer include exploring the 'artistic haven' of St Ives and a private wine tasting overlooking St Michael's Mount. The Lake District trip includes an excursion to the Beatrix Potter estate and a journey along the historic Settle & Carlisle line. The Welsh outing, meanwhile, takes in Snowdonia National Park, 'where lush valleys rise to meet soaring peaks and cascading waterfalls'. The first-ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales is set to launch in July 2025, it has been announced. The swanky service will be operated by the Belmond hospitality group and called the 'Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train'. Above - one of the train's 14,100pp Grand Suites Britannic Explorer will depart from London Victoria and offer three-night journeys along 'three evocative routes' through Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales. Above - a Grand Suite bedroom Grand Suites come with a personal butler service and a marble ensuite (above) The most luxurious cabins are the three 'Grand Suites', which cost from 14,100 per person. They include a personal butler service, a 'plush' double bed and an ensuite bathroom with marble basin and shower cubicle. Double and twin suites cost from 5,800 per person and include luxury beds, ceramic shelving and ensuite bathrooms. Commenting on the cabins, Belmond said: 'Each of the Britannic Explorer's 18 cabins couple sophistication with comfort. The three Grand Suites and 15 suites have been carefully crafted in Britain and delicately designed to make the experience of the journey as extraordinary as the destination. 'Inspired by sweeping views of Britain's rugged coastlines and rolling hills, each moment is transformed into a visual feast, whether passengers feel at home in the privacy of their cabin, relaxing in the onboard spa, or indulging in the bar and restaurant cars.' Pictured above is the train's luxurious spa, featuring marble countertops The bar, 'inspired by Victorian apothecaries' and located in the observation car The rendering above shows the rear of the observation car Above is the dining car, where guests will enjoy menus designed by chef Simon Rogan, who runs three-Michelin-star Cumbrian restaurant L'Enclume Double cabins on the train start from 5,800pp. Above is a double in sofa mode The rendering above shows a double cabin with the bed made up The dining experiences onboard, meanwhile, will 'celebrate seasonal, sustainable ingredients, sourced locally to showcase the richness of Britain's diverse regions', with guests enjoying 'bespoke afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus'. Rogan, whose Cumbrian restaurant L'Enclume has held three Michelin stars since 2022, said: 'For me, true luxury lies in humble ingredients, grown with care, respect for their surroundings, and harvested at their peak. 'Across all my restaurants, my dishes are defined by local, often home-grown produce, and by partnering with British growers and suppliers who share our deep connection to the land and its natural elements. 'I am very excited to bring this approach to the launch of the Britannic Explorer, where each plate will reflect Britain's diverse landscapes. 'I hope every passenger not only enjoys the flavours, but also feels a connection between the dishes and the journey, making their time on board truly memorable.' Quality ingredients will also be used in the bar, 'inspired by Victorian apothecaries' and located in the observation car. Ticket to ride in luxury: Above is the vanity mirror in a double cabin Twin cabins cost from 5,800 per person. Above is a twin in sofa mode The rendering above shows a twin room with the beds set up Pictured above is the embarkation lobby Belmond said: 'The bar provides an elegant and convivial atmosphere where guests can savour a menu of innovative, botanically inspired cocktails, alongside a carefully curated selection of artisan gins and craft beers, highlighting the finest offerings from the UK's independent distilleries and breweries.' Gary Franklin, Vice President of Trains and Cruises, Belmond, commented: 'I am incredibly proud to launch this revolutionary new train, which further enhances Belmond's global portfolio of market-leading luxury rail experiences. The Britannic Explorer offers something truly unique - an opportunity to discover the rugged Cornish coastline, Snowdonia's untamed National Park and the vast expanses of the Lake District like never before. 'We are especially delighted to welcome the esteemed chef Simon Rogan to helm the culinary direction. His vision brings a gastronomic journey that complements the train's spirit of adventure, celebrating British produce and highlighting the finest local specialities along the route.' Prices include a three-night itinerary, excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic beverages on board. For more information visit www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/britannic-explorer. Disneyland fans who rode Tiana's Bayou Adventure have issues with the new attraction's wetness. 'This ride has always come with a warning that "you may get wet," but even people who were familiar with Splash Mountain said they were not expecting that much water on the ride,' according to a review by MousePlanet. Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Disneyland will be open to the thrill seekers - and water lovers - starting November 15. In anticipation of the ride's official opening, park employees and guests who are Disneyland Magic Key holders have been allowed early ride access. The attraction left many social media users happy with the refurbishment of what used to be Splash Mountain, but one rider said they didn't enjoy the 'unimpressive' and 'underwhelming' ride. Multiple Disneyland guests complained about how wet riders get on Tiana's Bayou Adventure Ahead of Tiana's Bayou Adventure's opening, Disney previously ordered the leveling of its Splash Mountain flume rides in 2020, deeming their references to the 1946 film Song of the South 'not appropriate in today's world'. After waiting to finally try out the ride, the X user said Disneyland's Tiana's Bayou Adventure was a miss for their family despite Tiana being one of their 'top three princesses.' 'You used to get a little damp going down the big drop,' the X user tweeted. 'But they have re-weighted the cars and tweaked the water so that there are inches of water in the bottom of the car when you get in and you are drenched by the end.' The social media user added that they all purchased ponchos before going on the ride, but it still left their shoes and bodies drenched. 'We would only do this again if we had a complete change of clothes or could run back to a hotel room on property. Its not fun to us,' the unhappy attraction ride wrote. A writer from MousePlanet claimed their friend forgot an extra pair of shoes, and was forced to walk in soaked socks and shoes until the end of the day. At least three X users were angry over the ride in general rather than just its wetness. 'Tiana's Bayou Adventure is such an insult to Tianas character,' an X user tweeted. 'The Disney princess with the most grit and personality is reduced to someone who forgot to book a band for her party. Total joke.' Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Disneyland will open to the public on November 15 Social media users either praised the ride or complained about its wetness and design Other X users were excited over the thrill ride, and multiple fans claimed they'd already rode on Tiana's Bayou Adventure more than once. One Disneyland guest claimed Tiana's Bayou Adventure was 'even faster' than Splash Mountain. However, that X user has a disability and admitted to forgetting how a ride could beat up one's body. 'Will I ride it again? Probably not - though it's not because of the retheming but because my body can no longer handle it,' she wrote. Another X user wrote: 'Honestly Disneyland's Tiana's Bayou Adventure facade looks much better than Walt Disney World's version.' A park guest claimed Tiana's Bayou Adventure attraction in California is indeed wetter than the one in Florida, according to Screamscape. 'Based on a couple of video clips, the experience in California is wetter than it ever was when it ran as Splash Mountain with some logs appearing to just absolutely flood with water after the big splash down to the point that your shoes might be totally submerged for a time,' they wrote. 'The word is that the speed of the water flow was adjusted as well around this time, to speed up the logs journey through the attraction in an attempt to make up for the lost physical capacity of each log, which had also had the side effect of increasing the amount of 'splash' as the more speedy logs crashed through the course.' Tiana's Bayou Adventure opened in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida on June 28 Tiana's Bayou Adventure opened in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida on June 28. The ride, which is based on Tiana's storyline from The Princess and the Frog, replaced Disney World's Splash Mountain. Because of its wetness, Disneyland recommends guests riding Tiana's Bayou Adventure rent a locker to keep their things dry. Riders can also purchase a poncho, waterproof phone case or towel at the Louis Critter Club gift shop in Bayou Country. Other items that can help with item dryness are Ziploc or resealable plastic bags. Back before World War I, our current Queens saucy ancestor Alice Keppel was mistress to King Edward VII. Its a good job Camilla wasnt alive then, or shed probably be chaining herself to the palace railings. At a reception for campaigners against domestic abuse, on Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors (ITV1), Camilla forcefully declared her admiration for the Edwardian votes-for-women law-breakers. Holding up a couple of small rocks not the usual royal sparklers, but ordinary stones she announced these, were thrown at the palace during a suffragette protest and broke two panes of glass. In 1914, I believe they represented the hope that it was possible to make the world a better place. Then she urged the women present to throw metaphorical rocks and shatter glass ceilings. From the first moments of this 80-minute documentary about her work to raise awareness of domestic violence, her irreverent personality shone through. Walking down a gilded corridor on her way to film an interview, Camilla shot the camera crew a conspiratorial wink. And as she settled herself in the chair to answer questions, she glanced around approvingly and noted, Its an all-women crew. How wonderful. Queen Camilla's ITV documentary highlights the progress being made to eliminate domestic and sexual violence in the UK In a clip from the programme, Camilla, who was forced to pull out of her public engagements recently after becoming unwell with a chest infection, meets with Diana Parkes (pictured left), who now runs a foundation to support children affected by domestic violence Diana's daughter, Joanna Simpson, was brutally killed by her estranged husband Robert Brown, while their children were hiding in the playroom, in 2010. Pictured, Diana in the documentary At a reception for campaigners against domestic abuse, on Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors (ITV1), Camilla forcefully declared her admiration for the Edwardian votes-for-women law-breakers Recalling the first time she met Diana and heard her story in 2016, the Queen says: 'I tried to put myself in your shoes, thought to myself, "what if it had been my daughter?" I don't think I would've been able to sit and be as dignified and as wonderful as you were that day.' Her commitment to this cause is patently genuine. So is the empathy she shows. Its this that makes her such an effective advocate. Where she leads, other big names naturally follow. Theresa May and ex-PMs wife Cherie Booth both contributed interviews, and we glimpsed stars including Helen Mirren at one of the royal audiences. Many of the accounts from survivors of violence, including a woman who was blasted at point-blank range with a shotgun by her partner, were harrowing. Actor Patrick Stewart contributed the most moving segment, as he spoke about the atmosphere of fear and shame in his own childhood home, where his fathers violent temper held sway. We knew that the neighbours heard the shouting and they knew what was happening, he said, holding back tears. They saw my brothers bruised face and it was nothing but an embarrassment. Sir Patrick is 84, and of course he fully understands there has never been any cause for shame, then or now. But the trauma of the beatings he suffered, the horror of seeing his brother and mother abused, and the distress of trying to keep it secret, has evidently haunted his life. He also highlighted how much better the police and courts now deal with domestic violence. When he was a child, the victims were held largely to blame. One policeman, he recalled, said to my brother, Look Trevor, look Patrick, it takes two to make an argument. Its not your father thats all responsible for this. Its all of you. That attitude still persists but, thanks to the courageous work of campaigners, with the Queen as their active figurehead, it is being overcome. This engrossing and often upsetting documentary pushes the work forward. Former Bachelor star Matt Agnew has shared news of a surprising career move. The 36-year-old reality star and astrophysicist will make his debut on Channel 10's Shark Tank Australia on Wednesday. Matt, who appeared on The Bachelor in 2019, will attempt to impress the panel with his non-alcoholic beverage brand, Pash. He launched it last year after revealing he had embraced sobriety. The influencer took to Instagram to share a 20-second preview of his pitch with followers on Monday. 'Do you feel pressure to drink when you go out? You dont have to,' he begins. 'Pash is all about empowering you not to drink. Whatever the reason may be. Pash is bold, it's fun. It's unapologetically nonalcoholic. And it's the best-tasting non-alcoholic beer youll have.' He signed off by urging fans to tune in to see whether he was successful. 'Ive done pitches before, but Ive never done a pitch, obviously, in front of five celebrity investors certainly not in such an intense environment where its filmed,' Matt told TV Week on Monday. Bachelor star Matt Agnew has shared news of a surprising career move. The 36-year-old reality star and astrophysicist will make his debut on Channel 10's Shark Tank Australia on Wednesday. Matt, who appeared on The Bachelor in 2019, will attempt to impress the panel with his non-alcoholic beverage brand, Pash. (Pictured) '[Shark Tank Australia] certainly was intimidating, but it was a really great experience,' he shared. Elsewhere in the chat, he told how he wanted to 'make a beer that was for everyone not just your typical Aussie bloke.' 'Ive met a lot of people through sobriety that are looking for more choice and a new taste,' he said. Matt launched Pash last year after revealing he had embraced sobriety Matt launched the brand on his Instagram in June 2023 after opening up about his own decision to go sober. He said it took him about 18 months to create the product. 'I set out to create a beer that was bold and different. Something that everyone could embrace and enjoy,' he wrote. 'It a labour of love, it's my passion, it's my pash,' he said. He also hosted a VIP launch party in Melbourne for Pash, with a star-studded guest list including influencer Tee Smyth, Khanh Ong, and comedian Dilruk Jayasinha. Matt said he enjoyed the 'mental clarity' of not drinking with the product going through many different 'iterations'. The influencer took to Instagram to share a 20-second preview of his pitch He announced he started a sober journey two years ago and reflected on his new lifestyle in March last year. Posting a picture of himself smiling to Instagram, he wrote: 'I haven't spoken much publicly about the choice I made 2 years ago, but I was proud of myself for hitting this milestone and wanted to share. 'Everyone has their reasons for choosing not to drink alcohol. For me, drinking was putting an ever-increasing strain on my mental health. I've felt much better making the choice to avoid it altogether.' On Monday Matt told TV Week appearing on Shark Tank Australia was intense He said he wanted to break the stigma around quitting booze. 'Alcohol is the only substance that people will ask why you *don't* do it,' he wrote. 'I think it's important to remind everyone that, of course, there are no problems with having a drink, but equally, there are no problems with not having a drink either. Whatever the reason. Cheers to that.' Matt rose to fame on The Bachelor back in 2019. He picked Chelsie McLeod, but the couple soon split after the finale. If you or someone you know needs help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. A record-breaking Channel 4 drama has confirmed its return after it bagged rave reviews and killer ratings. The Couple Next Door, will make a comeback in 2025 with a brand new cast and storyline which bosses promised will be littered with 'sexy shenanigans'. Following the success of the first series, filming is now underway which will see Sam Palladio, Annabel Scholey, Aggy K Adams and Sendhil Ramamurthy taking up new roles in the dark psychological drama. Hugh Dennis, who starred as Alan in the first series, is the only leading cast member to return. The first series of the raunchy show was Channel 4's biggest scripted streaming launch ever, with episode one achieving more than one million streams in the first seven days. The Couple Next Door, will make a comeback in 2025 with a brand new cast and storyline which bosses promised will be littered with 'sexy shenanigans' (series one pictured) A record-breaking Channel 4 drama has confirmed its return after it bagged rave reviews and killer ratings During the debut release, a young couple developed a fast friendship with their new neighbours when they move to an idyllic suburb. But the relationship soon took some unexpected and sinister turns. The return of the show is currently being filmed in Belgium and the released read: 'Heart surgeon Charlotte Roberts (Annabel) and her husband, consultant anesthetist Jacob (Sam) are a high-flying busy married couple. 'But things soon turn upside down when their mysterious new hospital colleague Mia (Aggy) rents out the house next door. 'Working her way into Charlotte and Jacob's confidence and eventually their bed, Mia also quickly befriends cul-de-sac outcast Alan (Hugh), whilst Charlotte has to handle the reappearance of past flame Leo (Sendhil). 'It's not long before Mia's past comes back to haunt her, leading Charlotte and Jacob to question who she really is, especially when patients at the hospital mysteriously start dying.' Written by David Allison (Bedlam, Marcella) and directed by Dries Vos (Suspect, Professor T), this second series will see viewers venture back into the claustrophobic world of the cul-de-sac and explore the fallout of taking your fantasies and making them reality. Of the new series, Annabel said: 'I am delighted to be joining the brilliant team behind Channel 4's The Couple Next Door. I was a big fan of series one and I am excited to be delving into David Allison's gripping new script with a hugely talented cast and crew, whilst going back to my West Yorkshire roots, as heart surgeon Charlotte Roberts.' Following the success of the first series, filming is now underway which will see Sam Palladio, Annabel Scholey, Aggy K Adams and Sendhil Ramamurthy taking up new roles in the dark psychological drama Hugh Dennis, who starred as Alan in the first series, is the only leading cast member to return The first series of the raunchy show was Channel 4's biggest scripted streaming launch ever, with episode one achieving more than one million streams in the first seven days During the debut release, a young couple developed a fast friendship with their new neighbours when they move to an idyllic suburb. But the relationship soon took some unexpected and sinister turns Executive producer for Eagle Eye Drama, Jo McGrath, added: 'More sexy shenanigans in suburbia this time with a provocative psychological twist, the addictive global hit thriller The Couple Next Door is back, with a new set of neighbours each hiding dark secrets of their own.' The series is loosely adapted from Scandi drama Fatal Injections made by Kamikaze Film CPH distributed by Reinvent International Sales, and the Dutch format The Neighbours made by Millstreet Films on which series one was based. Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino serve as executive producers for Eagle Eye Drama and the producer is Jennifer Burnet. The Couple Next Door is being produced in association with Happy Duck Films and is supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter. A star of Love Is Blind: Habibi has received huge praise from viewers for her 'empowering' belly dance, after sensationally dumping her fiance when she insisted she give up her dream career. The latest edition of the Netflix megahit focuses on a string of singletons from various Arab countries, who head into the famous pods on their quest to find love. One such star, Karma Ben Massoud from Tunisia, originally formed a close bond with Syrian dentist Ammar Zam, with the pair declaring their love for one another. However, as they returned to the real world, cracks began to show in their relationship, with Ammar immediately taking issue with Karma's dream of being a belly dancer. 'Every person in the world has their own identity. It's what makes them who they are. They sometimes have to sacrifice a relationship for something important... [Dancing] It's not trivial to me. It's a huge part of my life,' Karma told him. A star of Love Is Blind: Habibi has received huge praise from viewers for her 'empowering' belly dance, after sensationally dumping her fiance The latest edition of the Netflix megahit focuses on a string of singletons from various Arab countries, who head into the famous pods on their quest to find love One such star, Karma Ben Massoud from Tunisia , originally formed a close bond with Syrian dentist Ammar Zam (pictured), with the pair declaring their love for one another But Ammar continued to insist that she would have to give up her dream if they were to be together, and in the sixth episode of the series, they decided to call it quits. While Karma remained cordial during their split, even asking for a hug and a kiss on the cheek, Ammar bitterly responded: 'I'm sorry, only a handshake. We're not close anymore for you to give me a kiss.' The episode then cut to Karma defiantly performing a belly dance, while she narrated: 'I wish he had dealt with this particular issue more respectfully. 'I really think the best choice a person can make, is to be true to themselves, because if you can live your truth, and love your soul, love will be everywhere. 'What happened is proof that love is truly blind, but what's done is done.' The display earned huge praise from fans, who were quick to laud Karma for sticking to her dreams, and refusing to give them up for a man. Posts to X included: 'Not the Arab woman displaying more self-worth than all the other Love Is Blind series combined; 'Karma on Love Is Blind Habibi deciding to end her relationship because her fiance said it's either him or her love of dancing. Not only did she choose dancing, she gave us a mfin word too;' However, as they returned to the real world, cracks began to show in their relationship, with Ammar immediately taking issue with Karma's dream of being a belly dancer While Karma remained cordial during their split, even asking for a hug and a kiss on the cheek, Ammar bitterly responded: 'I'm sorry, only a handshake' The episode then cut to Karma defiantly performing a belly dance, while she narrated: 'I wish he had dealt with this particular issue more respectfully' She added: 'I really think the best choice a person can make, is to be true to themselves, because if you can live your truth, and love your soul, love will be everywhere' 'So much respect for Karma. She expressed herself so beautifully while standing for what is right and without disrespecting anyone. 'Maybe one day, Ammar can see his hypocrisy and maybe that day he'll realise the person he lost; 'Wow watching Karma choose her own freedom over marrying this man, it's really empowering. Go girl!' 'Omfg I'm so proud of Karma that's a woman right there (f**k you ammar) 'I honestly love Karma,, she has been so dignified throughout this whole thing, never lost her temper and chose herself in the end.' Since filming on the show wrapped, Karma's passion for dance doesn't seem to have diminished, with her Instagram bio stating she is now a 'full-time performer' and an 'artist.' Love Is Blind: Habibi is available to stream on Netflix. Linda Evans was the star of nighttime television soap opera Dynasty which aired from 1981 until 1989. The now 81-year-old Hollywood actress played the innocent blonde beauty Krystle Carrington who was wed to dashing millionaire Blake Carrington, played by John Forsythe. But the sweet lamb had to battle her husband's evil ex-wife Alexis Carrington, played by Joan Collins. That led to catfights and very high ratings. These days Linda - who was wed to Bo Derek's ex John Derek - is retired and thriving in Washington. But she often posts glamorous photos to her Instagram page of an herself proving she is still a knockout. Linda Evans was the star of nighttime television soap opera Dynasty which aired from 1981 until 1989. The now 81-year-old Hollywood actress played the innocent blonde beauty Krystle Carrington who was wed to dashing millionaire Blake Carrington, played by John Forsythe But the new sweet lamb had to battle her husband's evil ex-wife Alexis Carrington, played by Joan Collins Evans' first guest-starring role was on a 1960 episode of Bachelor Father. The series starred John Forsythe, with whom she would costar 20 years later on Dynasty. After several guest roles in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet between 1960 and 1962, and guest appearances on television series such as The Lieutenant and Wagon Train, Evans gained her first regular role in 1965 in The Big Valley. She played stunning Audra Barkley, the daughter of Victoria Barkley (played by Barbara Stanwyck). She then appeared on The Rockford Files with James Garner, Mannix, Harry O with David Janssen, Banacek with George Peppard, McCloud with Dennis Weaver, and McMillan & Wife with Rock Hudson. In 1977, she starred with James Franciscus and Ralph Bellamy in the series Hunter. Next it was the 1979 thriller, Avalanche Express, and in 1980, she co-starred with Steve McQueen in Tom Horn. Below is her picture on her 80th birthday. These days Linda - who was wed to Bo Derek's ex John Derek - is retired and thriving in Washington. Seen in 1984 Linda in her bathing suit with John on Dynasty Then came Dynasty, which in January 1981. When Collins was added to the cast as the villain ex-wife of Blake, ratings went up. Evans left Dynasty in 1989, four months before the series came to an end. In 1991, Evans returned to the role of Krystle for the television miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion. Then she was in three made-for-TV movies in the 1990s, but then retired. The star has been married twice in her life and told BUNTE that she doesn't regret never giving up on searching for love In 2009, Evans appeared in and won the British TV program Hell's Kitchen. In 2021 Evans popped up in the movie Swan Song. When she turned 80, she talked about aging. 'The number is high, but I see my age as an adventure. I'm excited to see what else is to come,' she said. Looking back on her life, the The Big Valley star said if she could go back to her 20s, she would 'do everything differently'. During the conversation at her home in Tacoma, Washington, she revealed the only two things she would not change. Throwback time circa 1980s: 'When you get to be my age, you relish each decade of your life with a sense of wonder and awe for every summer that comes again,' the soap star wrote in her caption. 'The escapades and adventures may take on new meaning. But with sunshine on my shoulders and my heart wide open for change, this season is as promising as ever' She was on The Big Valley in 1965; see in promo shoot for the show 'I would buy my house here in Tacoma again and never give up the search for love,' she said. 'But despite this, I have loved every time and every challenge in my life. I've suffered a lot, but I'm proud of it.' The soap star spoke about her quiet life in Washington. 'I only work on special projects that fill my heart with joy. That's why, in 2019, after falling in love with a script written by the filmmaker Todd Stephens, I accepted a role in his [2021] film,' she said. She added: '[Swan Song] tells the story of an older man dying with sadness about his life but who is reborn after revisiting his past.' Evans spoke about revisiting her own past and finding self-love. 'It's one of the lovely things about getting older. Truly loving myself has been very valuable to me it doesn't matter how late in life it happened.' The actress has been married twice in her life. Her first marriage was with the late multitalented actor and director John Derek from 1968 to 1974. A year later, she married Sexual Intent actor Stan Herman until their subsequent divorce in 1979. The Connecticut star has no children and lives a peaceful life by herself. The star dated Greek composer Yanni for almost a decade from 1989 to 1998; seen in 1991 Evans at the Late Night Shopping event at the Designer Outlets in Soltau, Germany in 2019 Her last publicly known relationship started in 1989. She dated Greek composer Yanni in for almost a decade, but the couple ultimately called it quits in 1998. In 2014, he told Oprah: 'Linda is one of the most amazing human beings I've ever met in my life.' The blonde beauty shared a throwback photo and wrote an insightful caption on getting older: 'When you get to be my age, you relish each decade of your life with a sense of wonder and awe for every summer that comes again. The escapades and adventures may take on new meaning.' His mom is a Hollywood veteran with some very loyal fans. She got her start over 20 years ago on TV and has starred in romantic comedies that have been massive hits. Recently, she popped up in Deadpool & Wolverine as she has ties to the production company. Dad is considered a smart filmmaker and a bankable movie star (he worked with Jennifer Aniston) - and he already has an Oscar under his belt (and he has also made movies with this kid's mom). There is also a strong link to Jennifer Lopez. This kid - who has hit red carpets already - was seen with his dad heading to a bookstore in Santa Monica, California on Monday. The day before they were at a Los Angeles Lakers game. Who is he? Mom and dad have been in big Hollywood movies; and there is a JLO link; seen on Monday in Santa Monica, California. Who is he? He is Samuel Affleck, 12. Mom is Jennifer Garner, dad is Ben Affleck, and his former stepmother is Jennifer Lopez. His sisters are Violet and Seraphina. This comes after Affleck said he fears he is 'one errant remark away from being cancelled'. The 52-year-old actor - who split from his wife Jennifer Lopez earlier this year - made the confession in a joint interview with his pal Matt Damon as they discussed setting up their Artists Equity production company which aims to create fairer pay schemes and Affleck admitted his life as in Hollywood is never certain because he's always at risk of losing everything. He told Deadline.com: 'We're all subject to this sort of insecurity in this business. Whether we're actors or directors or writers, the phone could stop ringing for us ... This is the only thing I can count on, this upfront money. I don't know when this might go away. 'I'm one errant remark away from being cancelled, or I'm one movie bomb away from never working again, and I've got a family and so forth.' He is Samuel Affleck. Mom is Jennifer Garner, dad is Ben Affleck, and his former stepmother is Jennifer Lopez. His sisters are Violet and Seraphina Samuel was also seen at a LA Lakers game with dad Ben on Sunday Jennifer Garner at the 2024 Baby2Baby Gala at Pacific Design Center on November 9 The production company allows artists to invest in the projects they are making so the profits can be split in a more fair way and Affleck admits he wants to end the days of A-list stars making huge money even if the studio makes a loss on their movie and he offered his flop 2003 movie Gigli'as an example. Affleck explained: 'I've been in movies like Gigli, that's a famous example. 'I got a big cash payday for that. 'Well, it doesn't feel right in retrospect because they [the studio] lost money. Jennifer Lopez, Ben and Samuel at a LA Lakers game in March Lopez at the Los Angeles premiere of Universal Pictures Wicked at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on November 9 in LA 'It wasn't the biggest money-losing movie in history even though it was the most famous bomb in history, perhaps. ' Nonetheless, that doesn't sit right with me. 'But it also doesn't sit right with people when they go, wait a minute, we all sacrificed to be committed to this. ' And then the old story about the $10 million movie that's made $200 million and nobody's seen a nickel.' Inclusivity in education has now made its way to several colleges across the US. This means providing important focus to neurodivergent individuals, those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other unique challenges that make college more difficult. To facilitate this, US colleges have started to implement programs to create an inclusive and supportive environment that warmly celebrates their differences in particular. Inclusive Education for Neurodivergent Students Made Possible by US Colleges According to the Hechinger Report, colleges adopting programs for neurodivergent students also face higher awareness of brain differences that both administrators and educators can now see them without the lens of incapacity, but rather, through being unique in strengths and potential. Some universities do not just accommodate their environment, they also provide full-ride scholarships to qualified students, recognizing the value they bring to the academic community. To embrace inclusive education, here's how colleges help students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other differences. University of San Diego: Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity Hechinger Report shared that there is now a new Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity at the University of San Diego. It provides training for teachers, policy development, and direct support for said students. This way, they are prepared for both their college and career years. Emphasizing 'embodied equity,' it includes all students who come from different gender, race, and socioeconomic backgrounds. University of California, Berkeley: Neurodivergent Task Force In Berkeley, there's now a task force that addresses the needs of these students. This time, it focuses on improving access to medical care, together with accommodations for their condition and adjustments to their curriculum. This effort provides an adaptable environment that makes college life easier for them. San Diego State University: Specialized Coursework With different brain functions come different interests in careers, hence, where San Diego State University will come in. Using specialized coursework, the university will cover topics that will equip neurodivergent students with essential skills so they can easily navigate not just college, but also their preferred careers in the future. Beacon College, Florida: Built-in Environment for Neurodivergent Students To make them feel included with non-neurodivergent students, Beacon College provides a fully neurodivergent-focused education environment with accommodations built into the academic structure. They can either break larger projects into manageable parts or offer extended deadlines. At the same time, they offer regular guidance to help them stay on top of their studies. Sir David Jason has played some of the most iconic roles in television history, but the 84-year-old admitted he now struggles to get new parts. The actor, who played the hapless Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses for two decades, told the Radio Times that he was 'desperately' trying to get television bosses to cast him in his twilight years. The Touch of Frost actor said: 'I'm trying desperately to convince producers and directors that I've got many characters still left to play. Senior actors have got a tremendous amount to offer.' His most recent television job was co-presenting the 15-part BBC series Jay and David's Touring Tool Shed with Jay Blades at the beginning of the year, Mr Blades has since been charged with controlling and coercive behaviour against his estranged wife, and Sir David confirmed there will be no follow-up series. Sir David Jason has played some of the most iconic roles in television history, but the 84-year-old admitted he now struggles to get new parts The actor, who played Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses (centre) for two decades, told the Radio Times that he was 'desperately' trying to get television bosses to cast him Sir David said he was 'open to offers', despite not appearing in a scripted project since 2019 when he played Granville in an Open All Hours reboot. He's not the first actor to complain about casting struggles in later life. In the 2018 documentary Nothing Like A Dame, Dame Joan Plowright, 95, confessed: 'My agent said, 'Well if you do want to act again, we'll look around for a nice little cameo that Judi Dench hasn't got her paws on.' Sir David said that despite not appearing as Del Boy since 2003, the character is still a big part of his life. He said: 'You walk around with the ghost of Del Boy on your shoulder or behind you, peering over your shoulder saying, 'Go on. Tell her Bonjour'. [And I'm thinking] 'Will you shut up!?' But that is what the character would do. He'd say, 'Well, bonjour, bonjour! Bonnet de douche?'. Sir David also revealed that he will spend Christmas with his long-lost daughter and only grandchild Charlie at his 18th-century farmhouse near Wendover, Buckinghamshire. Abi Harris, 53, is the daughter of actress Jennifer Hill - who starred in James Bond film Octopussy - after her mother and Sir David had a brief relationship in 1970. In 2022, Ms Harris wrote an 'astonishing letter' to Sir David and a paternity test later confirmed he was her father. The Touch of Frost actor said: 'I'm trying desperately to convince producers and directors that I've got many characters still left to play. Senior actors have got a tremendous amount to offer' Sir David said: 'We'll share some Christmas time together and will probably play lots of games. Charlie loves bingo and I'm usually the caller, which generally provides a lot of amusement!' In 2001 aged 61, Sir David and his now wife Gill Hinchcliffe welcomed their first child Sophie. David previously revealed his 'real regret' over his Only Fools and Horses character and admits he feels haunted by the role. The actor revealed his true feelings in a candid interview on BBC Breakfast with Jon Kay where he explained that the character has overshadowed his other work. David's full interview can be read in the new issue of Radio Times David told the show that he feels the 'ghost' of Derek Trotter is following him and explained that he feels the character hangs over him. He said: 'That Derek Trotter thing, he's a bit of a ghost that comes along behind me like A Christmas Carol.' The star expressed frustration that despite a decades-long career in film and television he is most know for playing Del Boy. He said the character 'only hangs me back, only upsets me slightly is because that seems to be the only thing that people remember me for.' 'I'm delighted in one way that it's reached so many people and they've enjoyed what I've done with the character, but I've done so many other things that everybody seems to have forgotten about. It's like I've only ever played Derek Trotter.' David revealed that while he isn't disappointed with his career, there are still so many goals he hasn't achieved and put that down to being followed by the ghost of his most iconic character. The star explained: 'My real disappointment or regret, if you like, is I always wanted to be a National Theatre player. 'I always wanted to be on the stage of the National Theatre. It was just that romantic image of playing those big productions with all those big, wonderful actors. That never happened.' A Loose Women icon is reportedly set to 'reprise her role in Waterloo Road' in an unexpected return to her soap roots. TV favourite Denise Welch, 66, is rumoured to make a glorious return to the beloved BBC soap 13 years after her last appearance. Denise is well-known for her role as French teacher Steph Haydock, which she played continuously from 2006 to 2011. She waved goodbye to her iconic character after Steph issued false misconduct allegations to rake in funds - but might come back on the BBC screens soon. 'Waterloo Road fans love a comeback, particularly when it is someone of Denise's calibre,' A BBC insider told The Sun. TV favourite Denise Welch is reportedly set to reprise her role in Waterloo Road in an unexpected return to her soap roots Denise is well-known for her role as French teacher Steph Haydock, which she played continuously from 2006 to 2011 'The character is certainly one which will live long in the memory of devotees, and it's an absolute no brainer to have her return.' The mum of The 1975's signing leader Matty Healy earned the hearts' of the nations way before the BBC soap - when she played Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street from 1997 to 2000. Eventually, Denise won the 2012's series of Celebrity Big Brother, and make various soap appearances throughout the years - so it wouldn't be odd of her to reprise her acting roots. The panelist previously played Alison Slater, the secret stepmother of Stacey Slater, on EastEnders and played Trish Minniver from 2021 to 2022 on Channel 4's Hollyoaks. MailOnline has contacted BBC and Denise Welch's representatives for a comment. Earlier last month, Denise opened up about her 'infidelities' in past relationships an episode of Loose Women. The TV personality joined the other panellists Kaye Adams, Olivia Attwood and Nadia Sawalha, as they discussed whether society judges women who cheat less harshly than men. Denise, who is married to her third husband Lincoln Townley, 51, explained: 'People feel generally that women cheat for emotional reasons and there's an absolute valid reason why they cheat. She waved goodbye to her iconic character after Steph issued false misconduct allegations to rake in funds - but might come back on the BBC screens soon 'The character is certainly one which will live long in the memory of devotees, and it's an absolute no brainer to have her return,' an insider told The Sun 'I do agree I think there are double standards, however when I admitted to my own infidelities I was treated like literally the wicked witch of the west, certainly by the media in this country and by a lot of the public.' Denise added: 'Probably quite rightly so, but I think that there are double standards.' Meanwhile, Olivia revealed: 'I will wholeheartedly admit that me and my friendship group, we have double standards. 'If we're talking about a scenario that's happened on a night out and someone's flirting with a boy or whatever. 'The next day they go "I shouldn't have really been speaking to him," we all go "listen, you've had a really big week at work, you've been up to your eyes in it and he's not been paying you any attention". 'On the reverse, if we heard one of the guys had done that we would be like "disgusting, he's an animal" but then we laugh at ourselves because we know we do it.' The Loose Women star has been married to her artist husband Lincoln since 2013. Before this, she was married to Tim Healy between 1988 and 2012 and they share two sons together - The 1975 star Matty, 35, and Louis, 23. In 2020, Tim shared his fury over his ex-wife Denise discussing their private life on Loose Women in a now-deleted Tweet. In the episode in question, the former Coronation Street actress claimed that there were 'infidelities on both sides' during their 24-year marriage. She admitted that they 'hung on too long' to their relationship and made each other 'miserable'. The chat came about after the TV personality was shown a past clip of herself debating with Sherrie Hewson about cheating. In the footage, Denise claimed that 'emotional infidelity' is worse than 'sexual infidelity', she said: 'A sexual infidelity could just be behind a bike shed or something when you are a little bit drunk. 'I'm not condoning it, I am just saying I'd rather that than if my partner had met someone privately and got feelings for that person.' Tim was left furious over the discussion and took to Twitter after the episode aired to share his anger in a now-deleted tweet. Earlier last month, Denise opened up about her 'infidelities' in past relationships an episode of Loose Women 'I do agree I think there are double standards, however when I admitted to my own infidelities I was treated like literally the wicked witch of the west,' she said The Loose Women star has been married to her artist husband Lincoln Townley , 51, since 2013 (pictured together in 2023) Lashing out at his ex-wife Denise, he wrote: 'Just watched yesterday's loose Women. Denise in her day was talking about how it was ok to have casual sex behind the bike shed even though married. 'Day after day year on year she discussed our private life. Long suffering Tim Healy I am no more xx.' However, they seem to have patched things up since as they enjoyed a cosy Christmas dinner together last year, with their sons and Denise's current husband Lincoln. The actress at the centre of an extraordinary legal spat between Rebel Wilson and the producers of her new movie The Deb has slammed the Aussie star's claims she was sexually harassed on the set of the film. Wilson, 44, was sued in July by producers Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron and Vince Holden who allege she falsely claimed they had embezzled funds from the movie and had behaved with 'absolute viciousness and retaliatory behavior'. In a countersuit, Wilson, 44, has accused the producers of sabotaging the film project, embezzling funds and sexually harassing the lead star - Charlotte MacInnes. Now, in documents filed to the Los Angeles superior court and obtained by The Guardian, MacInnes, 25, claims she informed Wilson, who was the director of the movie, that she was never sexually harassed by one of the film's producers, Amanda Ghost. Despite informing Wilson this behaviour had never occurred, she allegedly still accused Ghost of sexually harassing and abusing MacInnes. 'I was deeply disturbed by this behaviour by Wilson, who was the director of the film and in a position of authority over me,' MacInnes alleged. 'Nothing that I told Wilson could reasonably have conveyed that I was reporting any misconduct, because there was no misconduct. 'I also understand [there were] claims that I was subjected to 'depraved sexual demands' and that 'MacInnes remains captive by Ghost and (fellow producer) Cameron as she is shuttled from city to city with them including Boston, New York, and London'. 'These statements are completely false and absurd. I have no idea what could cause Wilson and her attorney to make up such lies about me.' Charlotte MacInnes (right), the actress at the centre of an extraordinary legal spat between Rebel Wilson (left) and the producers of her new movie The Deb has refuted the Aussie star's claims she was sexually harassed on the set of the film The three producers of The Deb have filed a defamation lawsuit against the Australian comedian, slamming her claims as 'fictitious' and having 'no basis in reality.' They accuse her of bullying and falsely accusing Ghost of 'inappropriate behaviour' towards MacInnes, with Ghost noting in the defamation suit that the actress strongly denied being subjected to such when asked about Wilson's claims. A legal complaint obtained by DailyMail.com reveals the feud broke out following a series of disputes over writing credits and Wilson's behaviour on set of The Deb, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last month. The producers say when Wilson 'did not get her way in these disputes' she 'revived a fictitious story about Ghost sexually harassing a lead actor in 'The Deb' that has absolutely no basis in reality, as the actress that is the subject of this defamatory tale has repeatedly confirmed. Rebel Wilson, pictured with MacInnes (second from right) and other cast members in May 2023, has been sued for defamation after accusing producers of sabotaging her project In a statement released to DailyMail.com, MacInnes previously confirmed she is the actress referred to in the lawsuit and angrily accused Wilson of 'undermining real victims' with her 'false' claims. She said: 'There is no truth to the allegations made involving me. I made a statement to the film team when this was first said in September 2023 and am saying this now to draw a line under it. 'Making false accusations undermines real victims and I won't be the subject of a fabricated narrative.' Court papers exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com last month show Wilson filed a countersuit that accuses producers Ghost, Gregory Cameron and Vince Holden of embezzling $900,000 AUD ($620,000 USD, 467,351 GBP) by inflating the movie's budget. Wilson also says Ghost also made false promises to get her on board, including a writing credit and recording contract that never materialised, and forced her into signing contracts while threatening to sabotage her career if she didn't. She also claims Cameron, who is Ghost's husband, of 'physical intimidation' and says that he and his wife banded together to 'undermine' the film. According to the suit, Ghost dished out treatment to Colombian megastar Shakira and while occupying the role of president at Epic Records. However, in a statement to DailyMail.com Shakira denied the accusation. 'I have been friends with Amanda for more than 15 years, have written songs together and share respect and love for each other,' Shakira said. 'We have never argued and I am confused and disappointed that someone randomly has suggested otherwise'. Wilson doubled down on previous allegations about MacInnes suffering sexual harassment at the hands of Ghost despite the 25-year-old denying anything happened in a statement released to DailyMail.com. The film's premiere has been overshadowed by the feud, with Wilson doubling down on her claims in an Instagram video in July Musical comedy The Deb follows the story of farm girl Taylah Simpkins and her city slicker cousin Maeve as they look for dates for an upcoming ball. It marks the first big screen appearance for MacInnes, who plays lead role Maeve and has received glowing reviews for her performance in the film. Previously, she starred in Australian murder mystery series North Shore and, in May, made her US stage debut in the role of Daisy in a musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby. But the film's premiere has been overshadowed by the feud, with Wilson hitting back at the producers in an Instagram video in July after news of the lawsuit emerged, telling followers: 'It's not defamation if it's the TRUTH (those 'producers' who I mentioned in my last post have just filed a defamation suit against me...' She had previously dubbed them 'vile and disgusting', accused them of 'bad behaviour' and doubled down on her embezzlement claims. The current case centres on a dispute about writing credits on The Deb and accuses her of bullying behaviour on set. In the complaint, seen by DailyMail.com, Wilson is accused of bullying behaviour, as well as fabricating the story about MacInnes. It reads: '[Wilson] has a history of fabricating false and malicious lies to hide her own lack of professionalism and advance her own self-interest. Wilson posed with some of the cast and crew at the red carpet premiere of the film at the Toronto Film Festival on September 14 'This lawsuit is about holding Rebel accountable for her attempts to bully Plaintiffs into conceding to her unreasonable demands by spreading vicious lies without regard for the irreparable damage her reckless words would cause on the hard-earned personal and professional reputations of Plaintiffs.' 'For years, Rebel has played the affable funny girl on the big screen and, off screen, portrayed herself as a champion of other female artists and whistleblower against abusive conduct within the film industry. 'This public persona, however, is a farce. Rebel is a bully who will disregard the interests of others to promote her own.' The plaintiffs allege they 'took a chance on Rebel' who is a 'novice' to directing and producing but claim 'she flatly refused to collaborate with Plaintiffs' and exhibited 'reckless conduct.' The court battle over The Deb follows a controversy earlier this year over a chapter in Wilson's memoir, Rebel Rising, in which she claimed Sasha Baron Cohen harassed her on the set of The Brothers Grimsby. Wilson, who played Baron Cohen's girlfriend Dawn in the film, accused him of making her uncomfortable with repeated requests for nudity and asking 'Rebel, can you just stick your finger up my butt?' during a skit. After Baron Cohen, 52, described the claims as 'demonstrably false' and threatened to call the lawyers in, the book was published with redactions in the UK to avoid falling foul of the country's notoriously tough libel and defamation laws. David Duchovny said that the bonds between he and Gillian Anderson, his co-star on The X-Files, were weakened during their time on the hit Fox series. The X-Files actor, 64, welcomed his longtime co-star, 56, on his Lemonada Media podcast Fail Better in a segment set to debut Tuesday, and they discussed their past peaks and valleys. Duchovny, who played the role of Fox Mulder on the sci-fi series opposite Anderson's Dana Scully, said there was a 'failure of friendship' between them during the show's first run from 1993 to 2002, which spanned nine seasons. The Emmy-nominated actor said that despite the success of the series, communication between he and Anderson was nil amid 'a lot of tension' between them. 'There was a long time, working on the show, where we were just not even dealing with one another off-camera,' Duchovny said. David Duchovny, 64, said that the bonds between he and Gillian Anderson, his co-star on The X-Files, were weakened during their time on the hit Fox series. Pictured in June in NYC Anderson and Duchovny pictured on a 2018 episode of the show during its second run The Californication star noted that he did not feel the friction between he and Anderson manifested in their performances on the series. It 'didn't matter, apparently, for the work cause we're both f***ing crazy, I guess - we could just go out there and do what we needed to do,' Duchovny said. Anderson acknowledged the situation was 'kinda crazy,' adding that it was a testament to their professional abilities as performers. 'I mean, it's crazy that we were able to present on camera, you know, the various feelings and emotions and attraction and all that kind of stuff,' Anderson said, 'but then not speak to each other for weeks at a time.' Duchovny said that he and Anderson never spoke too much about their backgrounds during their run on the series. 'I don't know that we ever sat down and said, "Hey, what was your childhood like?"' Duchovny said. Anderson added, 'We didn't. And why would we? We were busy. We have a closeness that we don't have with probably many other people, and went through something that we didn't go through with any other people. 'I mean, yes, there were crew and etc., but in terms of our experience as actors - and so, I thought it would be a curious investigation.' Anderson, a two-time Emmy winner, pictured at the Emmys in LA in September Duchovny played the role of Fox Mulder on the sci-fi series opposite Anderson's Dana Scully Duchovny said that while he feels he 'could've handled [himself] better,' he thinks that the underlying hostilities between the two actors helped their onscreen performances. 'Cause we're, like, savin' it up - I don't know,' Duchovny said. 'And as you know, we went through a crazy-making kind of a process with this thing. We went from - I mean, I was pretty inexperienced. You were really inexperienced. 'And all of a sudden it was like a global phenomenon before the Internet. And we're just scurrying, trying to figure out who we are.' Anderson praised her one-time co-star for his work on the podcast, which has featured guests including Bette Midler, Andy Cohen, Rosie ODonnell, Sean Penn and Ben Stiller. 'Listening to the depth of your conversations that you were getting into with people and appreciating that,' Anderson said, 'I felt like I was learning more about you than I knew, or than I ever knew.' Duchovny added, 'We know each other very deeply and yet we don't know each other either in some weird way.' Roxy Jacenko has praised the Australian government's social media ban for children under the age of 16, despite her young daughter Pixie making thousands on Instagram. Pixie, 13, has had an Instagram account, which is controlled by her mother Roxy, since she was just three years old. The teen is rumoured to have earned about $85,000 a year as an influencer before retiring earlier this year. Despite her daughter raking in the cash from the platform, Roxy has welcomed the social media change. 'As a parent who started with social media before seeing the effects of it, I now look at what I did very differently,' she told The Australian Financial Review. However, Roxy admitted she doesn't believe the changes will prevent bullying or the exposure to toxic behaviour. The Australian government is set to introduce 'world-leading' legislation to ban social media for all children under the age of 16. The tech giants behind platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X will have only a year from when the law is passed to work out how to enforce the strict age limit. Roxy Jacenko has praised the federal government's social media ban for children under the age of 16, despite her young daughter Pixie making money on Instagram The legislation will be introduced in parliament during its final two weeks in session this year, from November 18, and could have repercussions around the world as MPs in the UK consider stricter limits on phone usage in schools. There will be no exemptions if children already have accounts, nor if their parents or guardians give them permission to use the sites. However there may be some 'exclusions and exemptions' in order to 'make sure that there aren't unintended consequences', Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, for example in cases where sites are needed to continue access to educational services. Pixie, 13, has had an Instagram account - controlled by her mother Roxy - since she was just three years old and she is rumoured to have earned around $85,000 a year as an influencer. Pictured Roxy with children Pixie and Hunter Meanwhile, Pixie has already started and closed multiple businesses at just 13 years of age. She is also no stranger to the world of E-commerce, enjoying partnerships with Naked Sundays sunscreen and Mermade Hair. Pixie was dubbed a mini-mogul when she was the face of Pixie's Bows, a hair accessory range for children and Pixie's Pix, an online toy company. She recently spoke of receiving a $3,000 Goyard handbag for Christmas from her parents. Pixie has previously said she's saving for a Range Rover for when she's old enough to drive. 'As a parent who started with social media before seeing the effects of it, I now look at what I did very differently,' Roxy told The Australian Financial Review Earlier this year, Roxy, who also shares 10-year-old Hunter with Oliver Curtis, sat down for an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia and was asked if she spoiled her children too much. While many have criticised the media personality for spoiling her children, Roxy says she instils hard-working ethics onto them. 'My kids are no different to any other kid in terms of writing wish lists,' she explains. 'Let them do the research! Let them scour the internet, let them have wants and desires, and then realise that in order to get those things in life, you have to work hard. 'At that age, it's whether you're doing your homework well, you're attending, tutoring, you're excelling at school. I've got no problem with it.' But like any parent, the mother-of-two does worry about their behaviour as they grow older. Pixie has already started and closed multiple businesses at just 13 years of age 'Kids these days are a lot more exposed to things that I wasn't in my generation. What we did as adolescents and what they do today is very different,' she says. 'I think as a parent one of the most important things is that we just culture them to know that if anything is to happen, that you have our full support, that we'll help you fix things. 'But also to teach them at the same time what can happen - if you go to a party, and there's alcohol there, I prefer you don't do it. But if you do, these are the ramifications. That if there's boys at the party, this is what can happen. 'It's about having those difficult conversations, because you can't hide them from what's out there. You just have to make them aware of it.' Sting has revealed how the allegations against Diddy have impacted his impression of Every Breath You Take, his 1983 song with The Police that was later sampled by the disgraced rapper on his 1997 song I'll Be Missing You. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the musician, 73, was asked if the recent controversy surrounding Diddy, 55 - who is currently awaiting trial behind bars on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution - had 'tainted' the song. Sting admitted he wasn't aware 'what went on' with the rapper but either way, it didn't ruin the song. 'No. I mean, I don't know what went on [with Diddy]. But it doesn't taint the song at all for me. It's still my song,' he said. The interviewer noted that people still loved the song, prompting Sting to reply, 'Absolutely.' Sting has revealed the allegations against Diddy have not ruined Every Breath You Take, his song with The Police that was later sampled by the disgraced rapper on his 1997 song I'll Be Missing You; Sting and Diddy pictured in 2018 at the Grammy Awards In 1997, Combs released the chart-topping hit 'I'll Be Missing You' as a tribute to New York rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who had been murdered earlier that year. Featuring vocals from Biggie's wife Faith Evans, I'll Be Missing You became an international sensation, spending 11 weeks at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. However, the track sampled Every Breath You Take without permission, leading to a costly legal settlement. In a 2018 interview on The Breakfast Club, the former Police frontman revealed that he receives $2,000 (1,494) a day from Diddy for the use of the song, a fee that will reportedly be paid for the rest of Combs' life. Radio host Charlamagne Tha God asked Sting if it was true that Combs had to pay him daily royalties for the sample, to which Sting confirmed: 'Yeah, for the rest of his life.' Charlemagne probed, 'But did he ask for permission... after the fact?' to which Sting answered: 'Yes, he did.' In a twist of humour, Combs jokingly tweeted last year that the actual amount was even higher, claiming in a post on X: 'Nope. 5K a day. Love to my brother @OfficialSting!' Every Breath You Take was released by The Police in 1983 and the song was later sampled by Diddy, 55, for I'll Be Missing You as a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.; Sting pictured performing in Las Vegas However, he later clarified his comment, admitting he was joking. He explained in a follow-up post: 'I want y'all to understand I was joking! It's called being facetious!' Combs reassured fans that he and Sting are longtime friends and that Sting likely earns far more than $5,000 daily from the track. He explained: 'He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for Missing You. He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history. LOVE.' Diddy is currently awaiting trial behind bars on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution; pictured 2022 Sting and Diddy performed the emotional tune together at MTV Video Music Awards held in Radio City Music Hall, New York City, on September 4, 1997. The tribute was a hit and spent 11 weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100. Diddy also won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. I'll Be Missing You was the second single from Diddy's 1998 debut album, No Way Out. Megan Fox's fans noticed an interesting astrological detail about her pregnancy post on Monday. The star, 38, announced she is expecting her first child with rapper Machine Gun Kelly, 34, by sharing an edgy nude snap of herself covered up in black oil. The Transformers actress who has been open about her use of astrology was pictured cradling her blossoming bump with one hand. While a second photo showed off her positive pregnancy test. And now, fans also noted that she made the post on November 11, at 11:11 AM Pacific Time. In numerology, the number 11 is considered a 'Master Number,' symbolizing intuition, spiritual awakening, and enlightenment. Megan Fox's fans noticed an interesting astrological detail about her pregnancy post on Monday The star, 38, announced she is expecting her first child with rapper Machine Gun Kelly , 34, by sharing an edgy nude snap of herself covered up in black oil 'Posting the news on 11/11 is a sign of god and good luck,' one fan excitedly wrote. Another fan added: 'Megan Fox is pregnant, On 11/11, the iconic queen Megan Fox announced she's expecting her rainbow baby with Colson Baker. In true witchy baddie style, she revealed the news with a stunning nude cover dipped in black ink. Dark, fierce, powerfulour queen never misses. #LisLove.' 'Megan Fox announcing her pregnancy on 11/11 with the most witchy baddie vibes is everything! MOTHER LITERALLY,' yet another post read. 'Being a Megan Fox fan never failed me. She's so real for announcing her pregnancy an hour ago, on 11/11, and likely at 11:11 a.m. PT.' 'Wait, Megan Fox announcing her pregnancy on 11:11 is so her. That's so cute.' Megan's pregnancy post was captioned: 'nothing is ever really lost. welcome back.' She added an angel and heart emoji to the caption. Her announcement was soundtracked to the MGK song Last November, a track about the miscarriage she previously suffered with the musician. Megan who previously said she and MGK 'drank each other's blood spoke about her passion for astrology and 'metaphysical practices' in a 2022 interview with Glamour UK. The Transformers actress who has been open about her use of astrology was pictured cradling her blossoming bump. And a second photo showed off her positive pregnancy test Megan's pregnancy post was captioned: 'nothing is ever really lost. welcome back.' She added an angel and heart emoji to the caption Fans noted that she made the post on November 11, at 11:11 AM. In numerology, the number 11 is considered a 'Master Number,' symbolizing intuition, spiritual awakening, and enlightenment 'In true witchy baddie style, she revealed the news with a stunning nude cover dipped in black ink. Dark, fierce, powerfulour queen never misses' 'Wait, Megan Fox announcing her pregnancy on 11:11 is so her. That's so cute' 'Megan Fox announcing her pregnancy on 11/11 with the most witchy baddie vibes is everything! MOTHER LITERALLY,' yet another post read 'Posting the news on 11/11 is a sign of god and good luck,' one fan excitedly wrote 'I read tarot cards and I'm into astrology and I'm doing all these metaphysical practices and meditations,' she shared. 'And I do rituals on new moons and full moons, and all these things. And so, when I do it, it's a passage or it is used for a reason. And it is controlled where it's like, "Lets shed a few drops of blood and each drink it." Hes much more haphazard and hectic and chaotic, where hes willing to just cut his chest open with broken glass and be like, "Take my soul."' When asked if the pair really drank each other's blood, she replied: 'Yeah. So, I guess to drink each other's blood might mislead people or people are imagining us with goblets and we're like Game of Thrones, drinking each others blood.' 'It's just a few drops, but yes, we do consume each other's blood on occasion for ritual purposes only.' She also said she 'manifested' the musician, telling the publication: 'He's literally my exact physical type that I've been manifesting since I was four. I'm also four years older than him. So, I think I made him. My thoughts and intentions grew him into the person that he is, who knows what he would've looked like or been like if it wasn't for me.' Megan is already a mother of three - she shares sons Noah, 10, Bodhi, nine, and Journey, six, with her ex-husband Brian Austin Green. This will also be Machine Gun Kelly's second child - he has daughter Casie Colson Baker, 15, with ex Emma Cannon. Her pregnancy announcement comes a year after she revealed she suffered a miscarriage with MGK. She opened up about the experience in her 2023 book of poetry, Pretty Boys Are Poisonous. Megan wrote about an ultrasound of a baby girl at 10 weeks and a day, per excerpts from People, and said: 'maybe if you hadn't... maybe if i had...' She continued, 'I want to hold your hand / hear your laugh, but now / I have to say / goodbye,' and later adds, 'I close my eyes and imagine holding you tight against my chest as they rip you from my insides'. Elsewhere in the book, she wrote, 'I will pay any price. Tell me please / what is the ransom / for her soul?' Megan who previously said she and MGK 'drank each other's blood spoke about her passion for astrology and 'metaphysical practices' in a 2022 interview with Glamour UK 'I do rituals on new moons and full moons, and all these things. And so, when I do it, it's a passage or it is used for a reason. And it is controlled where it's like, "Lets shed a few drops of blood and each drink it," she shared During an interview on Good Morning America at the time, Megan said she had 'never been through anything like that before in my life'. 'It was very difficult for both of us,' she explained. 'And it sent us on a very wild journey together and separately, and together and apart, and together and apart, and together and apart, trying to navigate, "What does this mean? Why did this happen?'" Megan and MGK had never discussed the pregnancy loss prior to the poetry book, however the 'Bloody Valentine' hitmaker did appear to allude to it at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2022, dedicating his performance to Megan and adding, 'This is for our unborn child.' Megan also suffered an ectopic pregnancy years earlier. She revealed the loss in an interview with Women's Wear Daily last year as she discussed the two poems she wrote about her miscarriage. 'That experience was so much harder than I wouldve anticipated it being, and Ive really analyzed why was that? Why was that so difficult for me? Because when I was younger, I had an ectopic pregnancy, Ive had other things that Im not going to say because God forbid the world will be in an uproar. 'But Ive been through other similar issues, but not with someone who I was so in love with.' 'And so that love element really made this miscarriage really tragic for me and left me with a lot of grief and a lot of suffering. 'So I put it into a lot of writing. Hes written about them in his albums as well, he wrote a couple of songs about the miscarriage. So it just felt like something that I could address publicly because its been addressed in one way through him, so I have a space to express as well.' The pregnancy announcement comes several months after Megan and MGK confused fans with his music video, Lonely Roll, which was released in July. Her pregnancy announcement comes a year after she revealed she suffered a miscarriage with MGK; they are pictured in 2023 They first began dating in 2020 after meeting on the set of Midnight in The Switchgrass before getting engaged in 2022; pictured in 2021 Megan appears in the video sporting a fake baby bump before the video ends with her playing with a baby girl. The credits of the video further confused fans as the final line read: 'Introducing: Baby Violet Leika.' At the time, a source shared with Us Weekly that Megan was not pregnant but that she and MGK had discussed starting a family together. 'Although they have discussed having a baby, this was just for MGKs music video,' the insider said. Megan and MGK have had a passionate and rocky relationship. They first began dating in 2020 after meeting on the set of Midnight in The Switchgrass before getting engaged in 2022. When announcing their betrothal on Instagram, Megan said she and MGK 'drank each other's blood' to celebrate the occasion. But just over a year later, Megan sensationally hinted she had split from MGK as she shared a cryptic Instagram post before completely deleting her account. The actress posted a video in which she appeared to burn a letter in a bonfire, along with a bag. She also uploaded a very raunchy string of mirror selfies while joined by a male pal, in which she put on a busty display in a plunging black top and cut-out trousers. Fox was previously married to 90210 alum Brian Austin Green, 51, from 2010 to 2021; the pair pictured in a throwback photo The star is already a mother of three - she shares sons Noah, 10, Bodhi, nine, and Journey, six, with her ex-husband Megan wrote in her caption, 'You can taste the dishonesty/ its all over your breath,' which are lyrics from Beyonce's 2016 track, Pray You Catch Me, about her husband Jay Z's own affair. She then removed all traces of Machine Gun Kelly from her Instagram grid, having unfollowed him before deleting her account altogether. Ultimately they seemed to patch things up and things appear to be all well between them now, with the couple being seen together ever since. The rapper also recently tattooed his entire upper body in black ink, reportedly to prove to Megan that he is 100% committed to their relationship. In March, during an appearance on Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast, Megan revealed she and MGK had ended their engagement at some point. 'I feel like everyone has such an opinion on your guys relationship. You got engaged, then I think it was called off, then we don't know what's going on with you. How would you describe your relationship with MGK?' host Alex Cooper asked. Megan responded: 'I think that what I've learned from being in this relationship is that it's not for public consumption, so I think as of now, I don't have a comment on like the status of the relationship per say. 'What I can say is that is what I refer to as being my twin soul and there will always be a tether to him no matter what. I can't say for sure what the capacity will be, but I will always be connected to him somehow. MGK has daughter Casie Colson Baker, 15, with ex Emma Cannon; Pictured in 2021 'Beyond that I'm not willing to explain. But all those things you said were accurate things that have occurred and I can see them being confusing or interesting to people and them being like, "What's up?"' Her final comment confirmed speculation she had ended her engagement from Kelly. Megan was previously married to Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Brian Austin Green from 2010 to 2021. They welcomed three children together during their marriage before their union officially ended. Brian has been with DWTS professional Sharna Burgess since 2020 and they have son Zane Walker Green, two, together. Keke Palmer is alleging a shocking racist incident occurred on the set of her Fox slasher comedy Scream Queens. In her upcoming memoir Master Of Me: The Secret To Controlling Your Narrative, the 31-year-old actress described a confrontation with a white costar who is only referred to by a pseudonym, according to the Los Angeles Times. The unnamed actress allegedly compared Keke to Martin Luther King Jr. during a tense exchange. Elsewhere in the memoir, Palmer who was recently seen in a fat suit for her latest project recounts an incident in which Ryan Murphy, who co-created and produced Scream Queens, called her out for allegedly being 'unprofessional.' DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Murphy and Fox Broadcasting to request comment. Keke Palmer is alleging a shocking racist incident occurred on the set of her Fox slasher comedy Scream Queens in her self-help memoir Master Of Me: The Secret To Controlling Your Narrative; pictured in May in NYC While speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Palmer also recounted an incident in which Scream Queens co-creator Ryan Murphy allegedly 'ripped' into her after she missed a day of shooting; Murphy is pictured in January 2023 at the 80th Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills Palmer's time on the series, which aired for two seasons on Fox from 2015 through 2016, seems particularly difficult, according to her book and new profile. She starred on the horror-comedy with a bevy of women stars, including Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Billie Lourd and Jamie Lee Curtis, while Nasim Pedrad, Kirstie Alley, Ariana Grande and Cecily Strong were also featured on the series for a single season. She writes that the actress referred to as Brenda was upset on set one day due to a conflict she was having with another colleague. However, when Palmer tried to console her costar and said she hoped that everyone on the show could 'have fun and respect each other,' Brenda lashed out. 'Keke, literally, just don't. Who do you think you are? Martin F Luther King?' the unnamed actress allegedly shot back. In her book, Palmer explained her decision to not name the woman, as she thought it would rob her words of power and not make Brenda the center of discussion. 'I'm not no victim. Thats not my storyline, sweetie. I dont care what her a** said. If I allow what she said to cripple me, then she would,' she added defiantly. The jab comparing her to Martin Luther King Jr. was ironic, as Palmer's parents had instructed her to follow the Civil Rights Movement icon's example when she was the victim of microagressions in kindergarten at a private Catholic school. Palmer writes that after she tried to console a white costar who was in conflict with a colleague, the woman referred to by the pseudonym 'Brenda' lashed out; (LR) Palmer, Abigail Breslin, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd and Lea Michele seen on Scream Queens 'Keke, literally, just don't. Who do you think you are? Martin F Luther King?' the unnamed actress allegedly said. Palmer opted not to name her to prevent her from being the center of the story; publicity still from Scream Queens Another incident described in Palmer's book involved Murphy, who co-created the series with his regular collaborators Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, as well as produced, wrote and directed select episodes. She wrote about how she had scheduled an unspecified 'business obligation' for what was to be a day off on her Scream Queens shooting schedule. However, Palmer was later told by staff members on the series seemingly at the last minute that she had been rescheduled to shoot on what had previously been her day off. Instead of canceling her plans, she skipped the day of shooting and instead took care of her prior obligation, though it's unclear if she communicated that decision with the production. Murphy allegedly wasn't happy about her absence, and she said that he called her up and 'ripped' into her over the behavior. 'It was kind of like I was in the deans office,' she said while speaking to the LA Times. 'He was like, "Ive never seen you behave like this. I can't believe that you, out of all people, would do something like this."' Palmer said she apologized to the television producer and thought that everything was settled between them, but days later she spoke with one of her costars who didn't have as rosy an interpretation of the conflict. After she told the other woman that she thought she and Murphy were 'cool,' her costar said the situation was still 'bad,' which Palmer thought was an attempt to scare her straight. Hollywood productions are infamous for their long hours most actors and crew members can expect to work 1012 hours per day, minimum, and its not unheard of for a single shooting day to go as long as 14 or 16 hours but they also can be erratic, and changing shooting days is not unheard of. The Nope star added that early on her time on Scream Queens she had hoped to become one of Murphy's regular stars, such as Emma Roberts, Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange and Billie Lourd. Another incident described in Palmer's book involved Murphy, who co-created the series with his regular collaborators Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, as well as produced, wrote and directed select episodes Palmer said she scheduled a 'business obligation' for her off day, but when the shooting schedule changed she opted to go to her prior obligation instead of filming; Murphy seen in September in NYC Murphy allegedly called her up in a fury and 'ripped' into her over supposedly unprofessional behavior. Palmer thought they reconciled, but she now worries that Murphy didn't add her to his cast of returning stars because of the interaction; seen in April in West Hollywood However, after she skipped the rescheduled shooting date to focus on other obligations, she feared that Murphy had blacklisted her and would know longer cast her in other projects though it's unclear if the conflict between the two occurred on the first or second season of Scream Queens. 'Im still not sure Ryan cared, or got it, and thats okay because he was just centering his business, which isn't a problem to me,' Palmer wrote in her book. 'But what I do know is even if he didnt care, and even if I never work with him again, he knows that I, too, see myself as a business.' Murphy, via his publicist, declined a request for comment from the LA Times. Palmer's self-help memoir Master Of Me: The Secret To Controlling Your Narrative hits shelves on November 19. Nicolas Cage was spotted looking mysterious while filming his upcoming series Spider-Noir in Los Angeles. The 60-year-old actor who has previously been married five times was in costume as his character Spider-Man Noir donning a forest green overcoat, fedora and gray suit while walking in a crowded street. On Monday, he was spotted eating a hot dog on set while filming beside various vintage cars as he channeled his role of a private investigator in 1930s. The highly anticipated film is slated to follow Cage's character's life as he relearns to navigate life as former superhero trying to come to terms with his past. He previously took on the role of Spider-Man Noir the 'dark' version of the beloved Spider-Man most are familiar with back in 2018 while voicing the character for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Nicolas Cage was spotted looking mysterious while filming his upcoming series Spider-Noir in Los Angeles The forthcoming project will be distributed by MGM+ and Amazon Prime Video and also stars Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson and Li Jun Li. His eerie themed ensemble bore a striking resemblance to Humphrey Bogart, whom he previously claimed to be one of his primary influences while playing the character via voiceover in 2018. 'I tried to channel those noir films with Bogart, and have those kinds of sounds that he might make with [James] Cagney, or Edward G. Robinson, that kind of way of talking,' he told ET at the time. It was announced this May that Cage had been tapped to star in Noir, a live-action serious about the character he previously only played as a cartoon. The logline describes the show as being about 'an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the citys one and only superhero,' via Variety. Cage, a longtime movie star who won an Oscar for his 1995 turn in Leaving Las Vegas, has never been a regular on a TV series before. Two months before the new show was officially announced, he dished that he was toying with the idea of playing Spider-Man Noir on the small screen. 'Well, I can say that we have been talking. It's no secret that I love the character. I think the character provides another mashup of sorts,' he spilled. 'I can combine my favorite golden age performances; Robinson, Cagney, Bogart, with a character that is, I guess, widely considered Stan Lee's masterpiece,' he said. 'I see it as a kind of foray into a pop art mashup of, sort of a Jungian, Lichtenstein, mashup by way of Bogart and Cagney, but nothing's definitive yet. It's just conversation,' he told Collider at the time. He was in costume as his character Spider-Man Noir, donning a forest green overcoat, fedora and gray suit while walking in a crowded street On Monday, he was spotted filming beside various vintage cars as he channeled his role of a private investigator in 1930s Cage first played the role in voiceover for the acclaimed 2018 animated movie Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse 'I tried to channel those noir films with Bogart, and have those kinds of sounds that he might make with [James] Cagney, or Edward G. Robinson, that kind of way of talking,' he said He drew widespread praise earlier this year for his villainous role in the horror movie Longlegs, which became a social media sensation. The movie was written and directed by Osgood Perkins, the son of Anthony Perkins, who played the murderer Norman Bates in the Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho. Longlegs stars Maika Monroe as an FBI agent on the hunt for a serial killer (Cage) who leaves a note that reads: 'LONGLEGS,' with the corpse of each of his victims. Kristin Chenoweth had a surprising response when asked about the ongoing sex trafficking case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs. The 56-year-old told TMZ in New York City Monday that she was 'still praying' for the hip-hop mogul, 55, as he remains imprisoned in New York in connection with the trafficking and racketeering crimes he's charged with. 'It's bad - it's really bad,' the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native told the outlet of the allegations against Diddy, as she was whisked away from signing autographs by an associate. The Broadway star on May 17 took to X/Twitter invoking her faith after seeing the March 5, 2016 clip on CNN in which Combs had physically attacked his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura. The Pushing Daisies star said that she found the situation 'heartbreaking' as she 'used to love' Combs. (She later revealed it triggered flashbacks to abuse she past suffered.) Kristin Chenoweth, 56, had a surprising response when asked about the ongoing sex trafficking case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 55. Pictured October 21 in NYC The hip-hop mogul remains imprisoned in connection with the trafficking and racketeering crimes he's charged with. Pictured in NYC at the 2018 Met Gala Chenoweth said in a subsequent tweet: 'Honestly i have my reasons for the Sean Combs video bothering me so much. The main thing i need to do is pray for him. For real.' Chenoweth responded to a number of her followers who disagreed with her assessment, praising some for their 'grown up tweets;' saying she was praying for Combs' family as well; and saying that 'only God can forgive him.' Chenoweth later said that she stood by the initial tweet despite the controversy it caused. 'I cant delete it,' Chenoweth said. 'Believe me i was sick when i saw it and so thankful she was ok. He is NOT. He is ill. Sick. Only God can forgive him. So forgive me but thats how i think. And pray. Xo.' Combs filed a new request for bail on Friday, saying changed circumstances, along with new evidence, mean he should be allowed to prepare for a May trial from outside jail. Lawyers for Combs filed the request in Manhattan federal court, where his previous requests for bail have been rejected by two judges since his September arrest on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees, while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. He has been awaiting a May 5 trial at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn. The Broadway star reacted May 17 after seeing the March 5, 2016 clip on CNN in which Combs had physically attacked his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura Chenoweth later said that she stood by the initial tweet despite the controversy it caused In their new court filing, lawyers for Combs say they are proposing a 'far more robust' bail package that would subject the entertainer to strict around-the-clock security monitoring and near-total restrictions on his ability to contact anyone but his lawyers. But the amount of money they attach to the package remains $50 million, as they proposed before. They also cite new evidence that they say 'makes clear that the government's case is thin.' That evidence, the lawyers said, refutes the government's claim that a March 2016 video showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend occurred during a coerced 'freak-off,' a sexually-driven event described in the indictment against Combs. They wrote that the encounter was instead 'a minutes-long glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship' between Combs and his then-girlfriend. The lawyers argued that the jail conditions Combs is experiencing at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn violate his constitutional rights to participate in his defense. by Derek Neal On November 5, 2024, at around 10:30 pm, I walked into a bar, approached the counter, and sat down on the stool second from the right. I ordered a stout because there was a slight chill in the air. As this was the night of the American presidential election, I pulled out my phone and checked The New York Times website, which said Donald Trump had an 80% chance of winning. This was my first update on the election, and it seemed bad. I put my phone back in my pocket and took a sip of the stout. A man entered the bar and sat down next to me, on my right. There was a half-drunk glass there, and I realized hed gone out to smoke but had probably been at the bar for a while. Besides ustwo solitary men at the barthe rest of the place was busy, full of couples and groups who seemed to be unconcerned with the election. This may have been because I was in Canada, but my experience of living in Canada for the past four years has shown me that Canadians are just as interested in American politics as Americans are, if not more so. My work colleagues had been informing me of the key swing states, for example, while I had simply mailed in my meaningless Vermont vote and returned to my life. I had no idea who would win this election. Over the course of my two and half hours at the bar, I ended up in conversation with three different men. M. was the man to my right. Im normally not much of a talker, but the election provided an easy conversation starter. Are you following the election? I asked him. It was loud and I had to repeat my question. M. mumbled that he wasnt but asked how it was going. Looks like Trump might win, I said. M. raised his eyebrows, which were flecked with grey, and said something along the lines of, Well, he has some ideas. I had trouble making out what M. was saying, partly because of the noise in the bar, but also because M. spoke so softly. It was as if he didnt believe in the importance of his own words. Talking or not talking, it didnt seem to matter to him. I pulled out my phone again. Trump was at 82%. I showed M. Then he took out his phone, a flip phone. Ive still got this old thing, he mumbled. This seemed like an opening for a new conversationa discussion on the merits of dumb phones versus smartphones, on phone addiction, on attention. Whyd you get one of those? I asked M., gesturing at his phone. He looked away and started talking about privacy with smartphones, and how he didnt want people tracking him, or something along those lines. How do you like the flip phone? How long have you had it? I asked. M. said hed had it since 2016, and that it didnt cause him any problems because he didnt have a job, but it sure made meeting women difficult. M. was tough to categorize. He didnt have a job and he had a terrible phone, but he was also well dressed and handsome. His jeans were cuffed at the bottom and he wore a beige knit cardigan. Perhaps, Im thinking now, he was involved in some sort of illegal activity, but he didnt carry himself with the confidence or brashness that one might expect in that case. M. was a shy, timid man, drinking pint after pint alone at the bar. His voice faltered when he spoke and he averted his eyes. The truth is I didnt know anything about M, except that he seemed to be a regular at this bar, talking occasionally with the bartender and being greeted by others. A new man came in named D. He was the opposite of M., loud and talkative, immediately attracting attention to himself. He slapped M. on the back, said he hadnt seen him in foreverhow ya doin man? Then he came over, sat to my left, and ordered a Miller High Life. M. mentioned that I was following the election as Im American. I pulled out my phone and told D. that Trump was going to win and currently had an 85% chance of winning according to the fateful New York Times speedometer. Fuck that guy, D. said. Man, fuck him, he repeated. D., being a talker, seemed to like to repeat things. He cursed Trump again and then began to say that this wasnt our election. This is gonna be terrible for immigrants, D. said, but its not our election. This is gonna be awful for LGBT people, D. said, but its not our election. The guy is crazy, he built a wall on the borderwho builds a wall on the border!? But, hey, its not our election. The refrain of but its not our election seemed to act as a sort of soothing balm, reminding him that he shouldnt despair too much, because he lives in Canada. D. asked me who I voted for, and I told him I voted for Kamala Harris. D. asked M. who he would have voted for, and M. said Trump. D., who had been passionately criticizing Trump, did not seem concerned that M. would have voted for Trump, perhaps because it was hypothetical, or perhaps because he knew something about M. that I didnt. D. leaned over to me and whispered: Ms a quiet man, dude, such a quiet man. Make sure you talk to him. I nodded and sipped my stout. The conversation continued. I told D. that Id lived in Montreal at one point and D. told me about his trip to Montreal. Hed visited a porn theater called Cinema Lamour. Id never heard of it. Have you ever seen Taxi Driver? I asked him. D. said he had and that he remembered the scene where Robert De Niro takes Cybill Shepherd to a porn theater on a date. Then he turned to a woman on his left and began talking to her about something, leaving me alone with my thoughts as M. had gone out for a smoke. I sipped my stoutit was almost done by this pointand I thought about the scene when Charles Palantine gets into Travis Bickles (Robert De Niro) cab. Palantine is a presidential candidate. When Bickle recognizes him, Palantine asks him what single thing hed like the next President to do. Bickle responds: Well, he should clean up this city here. Its full of filth and scum. Scum and filth. Its like an open sewer. I can hardly take it. Some days I go out and smell it then I get headaches that just stay and never go away. We need a President that would clean up this whole mess. Flush it out. Who would Travis Bickle have voted for, I wondered. Id read an article a few days prior, published the day before the 2016 election, which cited a study showing the single most predictive factor of support for Trump was not gender, class, or race, but a penchant for authoritarianism. Bickle would have supported Trump, Im sure. But why would someone who wants to clean up the city take their date to a porn theatera dirty place? Most interpretations of Bickles character explain this choice as social awkwardness, saying that hes so inept he doesnt understand a porn theater is not the type of place to take a respectable date. In Paul Schraders script, he suggests another interpretation: But then theres also something that Travis could not even acknowledge, much less admit: That he really wants to get this pure white girl into that dark porno theatre. What is it that voters with a penchant for authoritarianism cannot acknowledge, much less admit? I ordered another beera Modeloand realized a new man had taken the place of D. to my left. This man was also a talker, but perhaps it was just the late houraround midnightand the fact that the bar had cleared out considerably. The new man, J., asked me what I was doing, and I told him that I was following the election and figured I might as well follow it at a bar as opposed to my apartment. My mind was still on Travis Bickle, and I admit I felt a bit like he must have in his taxi, cruising the streets late at night, listening to anything his passengers wanted to tell him. For whatever reason, people at the bar seemed to want to talk to me, and I had nothing to do but listen. The New York Times speedometer was up to 90%. J., perhaps seeking to establish common ground, mentioned that he didnt really follow politics but was concerned about how people no longer spoke to each other across the political divide. I agreed with him. Then I asked J. what brought him into the bar. He took a deep breath, then told me the recent events of his life: he was newly separated, he had an eight-year-old son, this was his weekend, hed just been to a concert, now he was at the bar, his wife was all sorts of crazy, you had to watch out for women, a lot of men in his situation wouldve let themselves go but he wasnt doing that, hed learned to set boundaries, hed learned to reconstruct his life putting himself first, he was living his best lifewomen, man, watch out dude, youre young, but trust mehe made good money but was almost broke with all the expenses, he was thriving, he was doing good because he had no other choice but to do good. I liked J. In my mind I thought about how there were two sides to every storyin this case, his wifes sidebut I also recognized that he had suffered and seemed to have constructed a narrative for himself that allowed him to continue living a meaningful life. We all need stories to tell ourselves, I reasoned. I have my story. I wasnt sure if M., who was still sitting on my right, had a story he could tell himself. Perhaps that was the appeal of Trumpone could buy into his story instead of constructing ones ownand Harris, what was her story? After the election, I began to hear about how young male voters had helped elect Trump. In 2020, 41% of men aged 18-29 had voted for Trump. In 2024, that number rose to 56%. In Schraders script for Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle is 26 years old. In one scene, we see Bickle working out as he narrates in voiceover: I gotta get in shape now. Too much sitting has ruined my body. Too much abuse has gone on for too long. From now on Im gonna do fifty push-ups each morning, fifty pull-ups. There will be no more pills, there will be no more bad food, no more destroyers of my body. From now on itll be total organization. Every muscle must be tight. Bickles various attempts to organize his life fail, yet he fetishizes rule and orderif only he could get it all together, he thinks, everything would be solved, and his pain and suffering would subside. Is that what the young men who voted for Trump think? That Trump can be the authority figure theyve been looking for, that instead of figuring out their own lives, Trump can do it for them? Im not sure. In four years, the data may swing back the other way, and we may be telling a different story. At the beginning of Taxi Driver, Bickle says, All my life needed was a sense of direction, a sense of someplace to go, while at the end he has convinced himself that, My whole life has pointed in one direction. I see that now. There never has been any choice for me. I am not a fool, Bickle says. I will no longer fool myself. I will no longer let myself fall apart, become a joke and object of ridicule. At the end of Taxi Driver, it seems that Bickle has finally found the direction, the guidance, the authority hes looking for, misguided as it may be. When I eventually got up from my stool at 1 am, The New York Times speedometer was somewhere above 90%. I said goodbye to J. and shook his hand, then shook it again. My way out was blocked by a few people, and it had been some time since Id said a word to M., who had continued to drink pint after pint. I wanted to shake his hand, too, but I was in an awkward position, standing behind him, so I said goodbye and that it was nice to meet him, then squeezed past the people blocking my way. M. turned halfway around and mumbled something to me that I couldnt make out. I should have shaken his hand, but I was already thinking about the following morning, when I would have to stand in front of my class as their authority figure. I couldnt be lateI had to set a good examplebut now, I thought, I also had to somehow show them that they didnt need me. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. The cast of Channel Seven's ill-fated series Stranded On Honeymoon Island have called for the show to be axed after being left in the dark about its future. Originally scheduled to air before the end of 2024, the heavily hyped dating series has been pushed back indefinitely, leaving the contestants fuming at Seven's lack of communication. One disgruntled bride set to appear on the show vented her frustration. 'We've had enough. We've all put our lives on hold for this, and now we're just sitting here waiting for a decision,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'Some of us have moved on and started new relationships one of the guys even proposed to his girlfriend in real life!' The bride, who wishes to remain anonymous, added that it's 'insulting' to still be under contract after such a long delay. 'We were told to keep quiet, no relationships, no social media posts. We're basically living like prisoners, while Seven plays games with us,' she added. 'Some of the cast were even hoping to make it as influencers by now, but instead, they're back on job hunts. It's beyond frustrating.' The cast of Channel Seven 's ill-fated series Stranded On Honeymoon Island have called for the show to be axed after being left in the dark about its future Originally scheduled to air before the end of 2024, the heavily hyped dating series has been pushed back indefinitely, leaving the contestants fuming at Seven's lack of communication (Pictured: Host Jackie 'O' Henderson) Sources close to production revealed that despite the fact the series was filmed over a year ago, the network has failed to make a final decision about its air date. The show, based on a Danish format, was originally slated to air between October 1 and December 31, 2024. But Seven is reportedly keeping the cast and crew in the dark until the upcoming upfronts presentation this week. One disgruntled bride set to appear on the show vented her frustration. 'We've had enough. We've all put our lives on hold for this, and now we're just sitting here waiting for a decision' 'It's just been a rollercoaster of uncertainty,' another insider revealed. 'They told us one thing, then pushed the show back again and again. Nobody even knows when the series will air, and the cast hasn't been told a thing. All we've been given is silence and broken promises.' The premise of Stranded on Honeymoon Island certainly had potential. Six singles, all looking for love, are matched up and sent to a desert island to test their compatibility. The bride, who wishes to remain anonymous, added that it's 'insulting' to still be under contract after such a long delay Amidst grueling hardship and isolation, sparks are meant to fly and survival instincts kick in. It was supposed to be the next big thing in Aussie reality TV, with industry experts predicting it could rival Married at First Sight and The Block. However, what was supposed to be a high-stakes love adventure is now more of a high-drama waiting game. Despite the uncertainty, the wannabe influencer-bride has openly expressed her lack of concern about the future of the show According to one insider, 'Seven thought that throwing more money at the show would make it a winner.' 'They even splurged on securing Jackie 'O' Henderson as the narrator, thinking she'd bring in the crowds,' they explained. 'But now, they're stuck with a show that may never see the light of day,' they added. A source who worked on the production also hinted that the delay could be due to the network's intense focus on trying to compete with other hit reality shows. Despite the uncertainty, the wannabe influencer-bride has openly expressed her lack of concern about the future of the show. 'Honestly, at this point, I couldn't care less if it gets cancelled. The waiting game has been a joke. Either they air it or they don't. I'm over it,' she said. Seven are expected to make an official announcement during their upfronts presentation this week. Daily Mail has reached out to Seven for comment. Martin Scorsese provided narration on his daughter Francesca Scorsese's TikTok in a makeup application clip she posted Saturday. Francesca has past featured her famed father - the director of classics such as Goodfellas, Casino and The King of Comedy - in numerous posts for her 304,000 TikTok followers. Francesca was seen using a series of skincare products in the clip, while her father delivered off-the-cuff remarks about the beauty routine. In one sequence as Francesca put Kosas concealer on areas of her face, Scorsese said, 'She's painting her face.' Later, as Francesca used a sponge to blend in the beauty aid, Scorsese said, 'It looks like clown face ... patting, a great deal of patting going on.' Martin Scorsese, 81, provided narration on his daughter Francesca Scorsese's TikTok in a makeup application clip the 24-year-old posted Saturday Francesca was seen using a series of skincare products in the clip, while her father delivered off-the-cuff remarks about the beauty routine Francesca then used a Chanel eyebrow pencil to focus on that area, to which her father said, 'Oh? That's for eyebrows? See what you can do with your eyebrow. Oh look, she's darkening them.' He added: 'I don't know if she needs to do that ... how much makeup do you really need?' Scorsese - the brain behind a number of jaw-dropping sequences in his cinematic career - appeared dismayed in one instance in which Francesca used an eyelash curler. He said: 'Ah, my God, she's taking her eye out! Oh my God, stop that, oh my God.' One TikTok follower joked in the comment section: 'Not him being terrified of the eyelash curler,' while another said, 'I'm dying at Martin Scorsese being disturbed by a eyelash curler.' Francesca was seated alongside her dad as he gave his two cents on the clip, saying that the regimen depicted in the clip was a routine one: 'This is what I do everyday.' She said, 'You told me I did too much,' to which he said, 'Yeah, that is too much, I'm afraid.' The clip ended with Scorsese declaring, 'You kids are crazy. I swear.' Francesca has past featured her famed father - director of classics such as Goodfellas, Casino and The King of Comedy - in numerous posts for her 304,000 TikTok followers The father and daughter both celebrate birthdays in the coming days, as Francesca turns 25 on Saturday, while he celebrates his 82nd birthday Sunday. Pictured in Italy last month Francesca's followers appeared to be entertained by the social media clip Scorsese told the Los Angeles Times last year that he has been 'tricked into' appearing in some of Francesca's TikTok clips. 'That was a trick,' Scorsese said. 'I didnt know those things go viral. They say "viral." I didnt know ... that I didnt know was going to go up. I was just doing it in the other room with her. I dont know what theyre going to do. Scorsese said that Francesca has gotten him to unwittingly participate in the format's movie bracket challenge, settling on Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey as a favorite selection. 'They always have those iPhone cameras in their hands. Youre not aware. I honestly did not know she was going to post it they use the words "post it," right?' The father and daughter both celebrate birthdays in the coming days, as Francesca turns 25 on Saturday, while her feted filmmaker father celebrates his 82nd birthday Sunday. It's the hit Stan neo-western series with a storyline as expansive as its setting. And with the highly anticipated Season 5B of Yellowstone hitting the streamer this week, viewers have been once again cast back into the pastoral splendour of the show's Dutton Ranch. While the series centers around John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and his children Beth (Kelly Reilly), Kayce (Luke Grimes), and adopted son Jamie (Wes Bentley), the ranch, located in Montana, could also be considered a central character. Much of the show's drama is driven by John Dutton's battles to ward off threats from a range of parties looking to steal the ground from under the family. So just how does the Dutton Ranch stack up against some of Australia's biggest cattle farms? In the show's premiere episode, John Dutton is having a conversation with chief of the Broken Rock Reservation, Thomas Rainwater. Thomas reveals in the conversation that the Dutton Ranch is the size of US state Rhode Island, meaning that the ranch is approximately 776,900 acres. While this may seem impressive to many, Australian's could be forgiven for being less than impressed. With Season 5B of Yellowstone hitting Stan this week, viewers have been once again cast back into the pastoral splendour of the show's Dutton Ranch That's because Australia is home to the largest working cattle station on earth - Anna Creek Station. Sitting on a massive 5,851,000 acres, the South Australian property puts John Dutton's Montana pad to shame. The property was established in 1863 and was originally used for sheep grazing, eventually switching to cattle due to losses from dingo attacks. It is revealed in the series that the Dutton Ranch is the size of Rhode Island, which is approximately 776,900 acres This pales in comparison to South Australia's Anna Creek Station, the largest cattle farm in the world The gargantuan cattle station was gazetted as a locality by the South Australian government in 2013. Anna Creek boasts a main homestead as well as an outstation at the smaller Peake Station. The Peake Ruins, including those of a former telegraph office, cemetery, mine site and lime kilns at the outstation, are listed on the South Australian Heritage Register. While much of the work at Anna Creek was once done by stockman who mustered the cattle on horse, much like the crew at Dutton ranch, these days the workforce at Anna Creek is much smaller. Sitting on an massive 5,851,000 acres, the South Australian property puts John Dutton's Montana pad to shame The gargantuan cattle station was gazetted as a locality by the South Australian government in 2013 That's because light aircraft are used to spot animals which are then rounded up by stockmen on motorbikes. The property even stands head and shoulders above the next largest in Australia, Clifton Hills, which is also in South Australia and sits on 4,200,000 acres. In fact size wise, John Dutton's ranch does not even make the top ten when compared to Aussie cattle stations. South Australia's Quinyambie sits at number 10 on the largest stations in Australia list at a formidable 3,000,000 acres. They say everything is bigger in Texas, but that's not the case when it comes to cattle properties. The largest cattle ranch in the US, King Ranch, is located in the Lone Star State and clocks in at a measly 825,000 acres. In real life, the Dutton Ranch is the Chief Joseph Ranch, located in Darby, Montana. The actual ranch is smaller than its fictional counterpart, clocking in at 2,500 acres. Nicole Kidman brought back her iconic curls for the premiere of Spellbound, which was held at The Paris Theater in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. Hairstylist Serge Normant expertly managed to resurrect the 57-year-old Oscar winner's natural-looking waves from her youth. And while some fans might still long for Nicole as a redhead, her voluminous mane did have a strawberry-blonde tone to it. Kidman showcased her slim, statuesque 5ft11in figure in a white long-sleeve maxi-dress featuring openwork embroidery, which was from the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda presentation. The Perfect Couple producer-star completed her sheer attire with Wempe jewelry and black pumps selected by stylist Jason Bolden. Nicole Kidman brought back her iconic curls for the premiere of Spellbound, which was held at The Paris Theater in Midtown Manhattan on Monday Make-up artist Gucci Westman fully contoured Nicole's alabaster, suspiciously unlined complexion. Kidman was joined on the blue carpet by her onscreen daughter Rachel Zegler. The half-Colombian 23-year-old coordinated with the Hawaiian-born Australian in a white blazer mini-dress with black floral detail, which was Look No. 5 from designer Harris Reed's September 2024 collection. Rachel told Access Hollywood of the back-corseted creation: 'It's my dream to be Demi Moore since she rocked the Harris Reed [at the Met Gala last May].' Zegler completed her leggy look with patent leather Jimmmy Choo heels and jewelry from Eva Fehren and Shahla Karimi selected by stylist Sarah Slutsky Tooley. Hairstylist David von Cannon coiffed the Romeo & Juliet thespian's fringey top bun and make-up artist Kale Teter gave her a smoky eye and bronzed cheek bones. Rachel - who boasts 2.3M Instagram followers - joked of posing with Nicole and their Oscar-winning castmate Javier Bardem: 'Me and my mom and my dad!' Indeed, Kidman and Bardem portray Lumbria Kingdom royals transformed into monsters in Skydance Animation's Spellbound - premiering November 22 on Netflix - and Zegler's Princess Ellian embarks on a quest to break the spell. Slide me Hairstylist Serge Normant expertly managed to resurrect the 57-year-old Oscar winner's natural-looking waves from her youth And while some fans might still long for Nicole as a redhead, her voluminous mane did have a strawberry-blonde tone to it Kidman showcased her slim, statuesque 5ft11in figure in a white long-sleeve maxi-dress featuring openwork embroidery, which was from the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda presentation The Perfect Couple producer-star completed her sheer attire with Wempe jewelry and black pumps selected by stylist Jason Bolden Make-up artist Gucci Westman fully contoured Nicole's alabaster, suspiciously unlined complexion Kidman was joined on the blue carpet by her onscreen daughter Rachel Zegler The half-Colombian 23-year-old coordinated with the Hawaiian-born Australian in a white blazer mini-dress with black floral detail, which was Look No. 5 from designer Harris Reed's September 2024 collection Rachel told Access Hollywood of the back-corseted creation: 'It's my dream to be Demi Moore since she rocked the Harris Reed [at the Met Gala last May]' Zegler completed her leggy look with patent leather Jimmmy Choo heels and jewelry from Eva Fehren and Shahla Karimi selected by stylist Sarah Slutsky Tooley Hairstylist David von Cannon coiffed the Romeo & Juliet thespian's fringey top bun and make-up artist Kale Teter gave her a smoky eye and bronzed cheek bones Rachel - who boasts 2.3M Instagram followers - joked of posing with Nicole and their Oscar-winning castmate Javier Bardem (R): 'Me and my mom and my dad!' Indeed, Kidman and Bardem portray Lumbria Kingdom royals transformed into monsters in Skydance Animation's Spellbound - premiering November 22 on Netflix - and Zegler's Princess Ellian embarks on a quest to break the spell Outside the venue, the Moulin Rouge alum and the Spanish 55-year-old proudly posed beside the car versions of their characters Queen Ellsmere and King Solon Nicole told Access Hollywood she was thrilled to 'reteam' with Javier after portraying Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in Aaron Sorkin's 2021 dismally-reviewed drama Being the Ricardos Kidman joked: 'I was so honored when they asked me. Obviously, Rachel has the most divine voice, so I was just like, "Oh no!"' The A Family Affair actress added: 'But I loved what [director Vicky Jenson, R] had done with it, and she was so nurturing and kind and sort of encouraging as we went along, and obviously with the composer being Alan [Menken], I was just like, "I'm in! Just get me there, please!"' At one point, Nicole pulled an excited face as she spotted autograph seekers patiently waiting on the sidelines outside the venue Kidman made sure to pose with her Spellbound castmates Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, Jenifer Lewis, and Olga Merediz who also voice characters in the PG-rated The Lioness producer-star and Jenifer eagerly got their hands on stuffed animals of the purple hamster character called Flink Dee, who was voiced by Dee Bradley Baker Outside the venue, the Moulin Rouge alum and the Spanish 55-year-old proudly posed beside the car versions of their characters Queen Ellsmere and King Solon. Nicole told Access Hollywood she was thrilled to 'reteam' with Javier after portraying Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in Aaron Sorkin's 2021 dismally-reviewed drama Being the Ricardos. 'I was so honored when they asked me. Obviously, Rachel has the most divine voice, so I was just like, "Oh no!"' Kidman joked. 'But I loved what [director Vicky Jenson] had done with it, and she was so nurturing and kind and sort of encouraging as we went along, and obviously with the composer being Alan [Menken], I was just like, "I'm in! Just get me there, please!"' At one point, the A Family Affair actress pulled an excited face as she spotted autograph seekers patiently waiting on the sidelines outside the venue. Nicole made sure to pose with her Spellbound castmates Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, Jenifer Lewis, and Olga Merediz who also voice characters in the PG-rated flick formerly known as Split. Kidman and Jenifer eagerly got their hands on stuffed animals of the purple hamster character called Flink Dee, who was voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. The 67-year-old Broadway veteran - who voices Minister Nazara Prone - showcased her maxi-sleeves in the blue turtleneck dress she donned for the occasion. The 67-year-old Broadway veteran - who voices Minister Nazara Prone - showcased her maxi-sleeves in the blue turtleneck dress she donned for the occasion Tituss - who voices Ludo the Oracle of the Moon - looked sharp in his white floral pantsuit and braided top knot Nathan - who voices Sunny the Oracle of the Sun - bundled up in a black winter coat accented with a velvet scarf and blue jeans Olga - who voices The General - opted for sheer sleeves on her LBD and slides Disney's favorite composer Alan Menken (L) - sporting a brown velvet blazer - crafted the music for Spellbound alongside his longtime lyricist Glenn Slater (R) Spellbound producer David Ellison (R) posed with Skydance Animation head of animation - John Lasseter (L) - who famously used to serve as the CCO of Pixar Animation Studios Also enjoying the screening was Alec Baldwin, his second wife Hilaria, and six of their seven children The 66-year-old Oscar nominee and the 40-year-old culture vulture (born Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas) didn't waste time finding Canary Islands-born Bardem following her 2020 Spanish scandal The Spellbound premiere served as date night for Catfish: The TV Show producer-host Nev Schulman and his wife of eight years, Laura Perlongo Comedian Michelle Buteau and American Idol #18 alum Lauren Spencer-Smith both wore black dresses for the film festivities The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Danielle Cabral went full-on Disney princess with her husband Nate Cabral, son Dominic, and daughter Valentina Tituss - who voices Ludo the Oracle of the Moon - looked sharp in his white floral pantsuit and braided top knot. Nathan - who voices Sunny the Oracle of the Sun - bundled up in a black winter coat accented with a velvet scarf and blue jeans. Olga - who voices The General - opted for sheer sleeves on her LBD and slides. Disney's favorite composer Alan Menken - sporting a brown velvet blazer - crafted the music for Spellbound alongside his longtime lyricist Glenn Slater. Spellbound producer David Ellison posed with Skydance Animation head of animation - John Lasseter - who famously used to serve as the CCO of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Also enjoying the screening was Alec Baldwin, his second wife Hilaria, and six of their seven children. The 66-year-old Oscar nominee and the 40-year-old culture vulture (born Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas) didn't waste time finding Canary Islands-born Bardem following her 2020 Spanish scandal. The Spellbound premiere served as date night for Catfish: The TV Show producer-host Nev Schulman and his wife of eight years, Laura Perlongo. Comedian Michelle Buteau and American Idol #18 alum Lauren Spencer-Smith both wore black dresses for the film festivities. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Danielle Cabral went full-on Disney princess with her husband Nate Cabral, son Dominic, and daughter Valentina. Angelina Jolie looked like she stepped off the runway as she was spotted exiting the Directors Guild of America in New York City. The 49-year-old Oscar winner, whose father Jon Voight celebrated Trump's win at Mar-a-Lago, stunned in a sleek black dress paired with a chic tan trench coat as she hit the streets solo. Jolie showed off a subtle transformation, swapping her dark brunette locks for a softer, sandy blonde shade. She completed the look with black high heels, minimal makeup, and a bold red lip. The outing comes as the actress continues to promote her latest film Maria, a biopic about opera legend Maria Callas, which is already generating Oscar buzz. Angelina Jolie looked like she stepped off the runway as she was spotted exiting the Directors Guild of America in New York City The 49-year-old Oscar winner, whose father Jon Voight celebrated Trump's win at Mar-a-Lago , stunned in a sleek black dress paired with a chic tan trench coat as she hit the streets solo Maria, which depicts Callas during her final decline in Paris in the 1970s, was helmed by Jackie director Pablo Larrain. Fans have called for the actress to get an Oscar with one writing: 'Holy s**t I f**king can't wait to see this movie!!! Seriously I know I'm going to be blown away by Angelina Jolie's performance as Maria. The Oscar is coming for her.' Another pleaded with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science to just 'give Angelina the Oscar already for her interpretation as Maria Callas.' A third, who admitted they hadn't even watched the trailer, joked they were already planning on 'running the Angelina Jolie Oscar campaign.' 'The Maria trailer is so beautiful. I've seen enough, give Angelina Jolie the Oscar already,' a fourth tweeted. Maria, according to a synopsis, 'follows the American-Greek soprano as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye.' The film aims to 'reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life.' She died in Paris in 1977 of a heart attack at age 53. Jolie showed off a subtle transformation, swapping her dark brunette locks for a softer, sandy blonde shade She completed the look with black high heels, minimal makeup, and a bold red lip The outing comes as the actress continues to promote her latest film Maria, a biopic about opera legend Maria Callas, which is already generating Oscar buzz The highly anticipated movie will come out in theaters in November then stream on Netflix in December. Netflix is set to release the film in U.S. theaters on November 27 before it debuts on the streaming platform on December 11. Previously, the mom-of-six won an Oscar the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Lisa Rowe, a diagnosed sociopath, in the 1999 psychological thriller Girl, Interrupted. In 2008, she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Christine Collins in the mystery crime drama Changeling. She lost, however, to French actress, Marion Cotillard, who won for her leading role in La Vie en Rose. Throughout her career, Jolie has taken home a number of awards, including three Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Tony Award. In response to the emotional new preview of the film, which follow Callas' final days in Paris in the 1970s, the 49-year-old actress' fans took to social media to reveal they are in awe of her latest performance The highly anticipated movie will come out in theaters in November then stream on Netflix in December Jolie is halfway to EGOT status after winning her first Tony over the summer. The EGOT is one of the most prestigious clubs in all of US showbiz and there are dozens of stars who are just one award from achieving the prestigious title. The acronym stands for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards and is the designation given to people who have won all four of the major American performing awards. Jolie just needs to earn an Emmy and Grammy in order to achieve the feat, which has only been earned by 21 people. Dr Ronnie Gladden stunned Australian radio hosts on Tuesday morning when they revealed they 'identify as a white woman' despite being a black man. The US-based speaker appeared on The Kyle and Jackie O Show where they explained they specifically wish to identify as Hollywood star, Anne Hathaway. The tenured professor of English, who teaches in Cincinnati, said they discovered they were a white woman at just four years old, shocking hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson. 'When did you first realise, as a young black man, "Oh sh*t. I'm actually a white woman?"' the shock jock asked Ronnie, who uses they/them pronouns. 'You wouldn't believe it if I told you, but I'll tell you anyway, since you asked me, I was four years old. I'm serious,' the actor responded. 'And your family wouldn't have been on board with that. Surely, they would have been thinking, "Little Ronnie's fantasising here,"' Kyle said. Ronnie went on to say they kept their identity to themselves for most of their lives, and didn't even telling their parents how they felt. 'I just realised the way that my brain was wired, the mapping of it, didn't match with the mathematics on the outside. And I'm like, "What do I do with that?"' they said. Dr Ronnie Gladden stunned Australian radio hosts on Tuesday morning when they revealed they ' identify as a white woman' despite being a black man As for their Anne Hathaway 'identity', Ronnie began to point out a bizarre connection between themselves and the award-winning actress. 'So, Anne Hathaway, of course. She's beautiful, and she can do anything,' they said. 'The thing with Anne Hathaway, we know that her partner, as she has said herself, looks a lot like William Shakespeare, 'And of course, we know "Anne Hathaway" was the name, I believe, of one of Shakespeare's relatives. 'And so, I've been in some Shakespearean productions, so I just find it cool that there's that literary connection. And plus, she's just gorgeous and just brilliant.' The US-based speaker appeared on The Kyle and Jackie O Show where they explained they specifically wish to identify as Hollywood star Anne Hathaway Host Jackie said: 'So, is that more a case of you just admire her and would love to look like her, but don't identify as her?' Ronnie said: 'Yeah, I don't because she's already taken, right? Isn't that what Oscar Wilde said? You might as well be yourself because everyone else is taken. 'She's already taken. But she is kind of this archetype. There's something about her energy, her resilience... She represents, I think, a great avatar. Her look. Pale skin.' Ronnie is part of a little-known community of people who are 'transgracial'meaning they are both transgender and identify as transracial. People who are transracial believe that race is a social construct and therefore a 'choice', but the idea of 'changing' race is highly controversial. The tenured professor of English, who teaches in Cincinnati, said they discovered they were a white woman at just four years old, shocking hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson A famous example of a transracial person is Rachel Dolezal, the former NAACP leader, who, in 2015, was unmasked as a white woman whose family is primarily of European descent. The revelation provoked outrage around the world and on social media after she said the 'idea of race is a lie'. Speaking during an interview with BBC's Newsnight that year, she claimed that ethnicity is not biological and compared being 'transracial' to being transgenderprompting X (formerly Twitter) users to accuse her of using 'white privilege' to make her arguments. Despite the criticism, Rachel doubled down on her transracial identity, describing herself as 'unapologetically Black' in a 2019 documentary. Rachel has praised Ronnies work, saying it 'encourages us to expand our concept of acceptance and inclusion'. Robert Irwin has taken to social media to reveal he is set to expand his career in an exciting new role. The celebrity conservationist, 20, shared a photo of himself on the set of the Channel Ten panel show The Project on Tuesday. 'See you tonight, Australia,' Robert wrote next to the picture. Robert added he would be the 'special co-host' on that night's episode of the long-running program. He has previously made several appearance on the show and in July had the hosts in stitches after he shared the hilarious story of what happened the first time he drank coffee. The energetic reality TV star currently hosts I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Julia Morris and has previously hinted on taking on more presenting roles. The conservationist has made waves on screen since his TV hosting debut on I'm A Celebrity Australia and in June made history as the youngest star to nab a Gold Logie nomination. On Monday, Robert whipped his fans into a frenzy after he shared a jaw-dropping gallery of photos of him looking confident and stylish in a designer tuxedo. Robert Irwin (pictured) has taken to social media to reveal he is set to expand his career in an exciting new role. The celebrity conservationist, 20, shared a photo of himself on the set of the Channel Ten panel show The Project and captioned it with some exciting words The Queensland-born star posted the eye-popping pictures to Instagram, in which he looked dapper in the black and white suit as he posed on a roof top. He completed his slick look with stylish sunglasses and exuded such strong charisma his followers were quick to point out he would make a great James Bond. His fans quickly took to the comment section to gush how the photos demonstrated Robert would be the perfect fit for the next Bond actor, following Daniel Craig's retirement from the role in 2021. Robert said he would be the 'special co-host' on Tuesday night's episode of the long-running show It was previously reported that Robert had hopes of launching a career in movies, and was working hard to get his body into shape to be an action star. 'Robert is single-minded. He spends hours in the gym, networks like a champion, and is seen as very much a real-life superhero,' an insider told New Idea. In addition to presenting I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, Robert also voiced a character for the hit ABC Kids series Bluey. He also appeared alongside his sister Bindi Irwin in the 2010 movie Free Willy: Escape From Pirates Cove. Drake sent his Australian fans wild on Tuesday when he dropped a massive hint that he will be announcing a Down Under tour soon. The Canadian rapper, 38, took to Instagram with a picture of himself posing in front of the Sydney Opera House when he was last toured the country in 2017. He captioned the image with, 'It's been like 7 years,' alongside several eye emojis, teasing a potential upcoming music tour. Live music website Whatslivelya platform known to accurately predict tour announcementssaid it is positive Drake will announce an Aussie tour 'imminently'. 'We're predicting these shows will take place early to mid 2025,' the website states. It comes after 104.7 Triple M Breakfast Show Roo, Ditts & Loz predicted earlier this year that Drake may be arriving in Adelaide this month. The Hotline Bling hitmaker was rumoured to be coming to SA around the same time as the Vailo Adelaide 500 supercar event, which takes place from 14 to 17 November 'The hotel rooms are booked he has more rooms than a normal artist,' said Mark 'Roo' Ricciuto. Drake, 38, (pictured) sent his Australian fans wild on Tuesday when he dropped a massive hint that he will be announcing a Down Under tour soon 'I don't know if he is doing the Vailo but he is coming to Adelaide at the same time... it's coinciding at the same time,' he added. 'There's a lot of hotel rooms that have been booked so we're pretty sure it's happening,' said Roo's co-anchor, Chris 'Ditts' Dittmar. While the radio stars didn't dish on the numbers of Drake's entourage, co-host Laura 'Loz' O'Callaghan teased that it was sizeable. 'He's got a lot of people coming. If those numbers are accurate, I'm very concerned,' she said. The Canadian rapper took to Instagram with a picture of himself posing in front of the Sydney Opera House when he was last toured the country in 2017 Drake celebrated his 38th birthday late last month by heading to the strip club after enjoying dinner with his friends and family at a restaurant in Houston. He arrived at the Area 29 strip club alongside his OVO crew with towering stacks of dollar bills in hand. The DJ at the club also told the outlet that Drake played a preview of a new, unreleased song, which is rumored to be titled Plot Twist. When the track played in the club, Drake reportedly rapped along with his lyrics, which seemingly mentioned his viral feud against Kendrick Lamar. Francesca Farago and her fiance Jesse Sullivan welcomed fraternal twins on Monday. The OnlyFans model, 31, and the transgender actor, 34, announced on social media that they are now parents to a girl and a boy. After the babies were born, Farago detailed her day on Snapchat, and shared some adorable glimpses of her and Jesse holding the newborns. Farago who previously puzzled fans with her bizarre baby name ideas said she was admitted to the hospital after having 'itchy hands and feet' and 'lack of fetal movement' and was rushed to have a C-section. The Too Hot to Handle star first shared her pregnancy news in April, after seeking out a sperm donor and undergoing IVF. Francesca Farago and her fiance Jesse Sullivan welcomed fraternal twins on Monday; the couple seen in October The OnlyFans model, 31, and the transgender actor, 34, announced on social media that they are now parents to a girl and a boy After giving birth Farago also posted her 'plan of care,' which included 'clear liquids, bedrest, breast feeding, pumping' and a 'lactation consult.' She also confessed she was in pain, after having suffered a blood clot in her uterus. Farago went on to say that their baby boy looks nearly identical to Jessie's older son Arlo, 16, and added that the twins are 'so f*****g cute.' Sullivan first shared a clip via Snapchat of the pair arriving at the hospital. He explained that they had been in Starbucks 'thinking we had so much time' right before a nurse told them the twins would be born that day, with Faragos C-section taking place 'in 20 minutes.' Sullivan said 'everything happened so fast,' adding, 'I cant believe theyre gonna be born today, its 11/11.' The couple have not yet revealed the names of their little ones. In May, Farago and Jesse shared a number of bizarre baby name ideas in a video that left their fans perplexed. They posted a clip on Instagram where they discussed baby names they love but will not be using. Farago left fans puzzled with her list, prompting one fan to ask, 'Is this a joke?' After the babies were born, Farago detailed her day on Snapchat, and shared some adorable glimpses of her and Jesse holding the newborns Farago said she was admitted to the hospital after having 'itchy hands and feet' and 'lack of fetal movement' and was rushed to have a C-section She shared the date the babies were born Another snap showed a glimpse of one the newborn's little feet She confessed she was in pain, after having suffered a blood clot in her uterus Among the names she picked were: 'Baby, Afternoon, Odyssey, Alchemy, Heart/Hart, Lovely, Golden/Goldie, Lyrics, Sunday, Monday, November/Novi, October, Rocket/ Rocky, and Stone.' Francesca also listed, 'Prosper, Darling, Ethereal, and Caspian' as names she liked, and mentioned doing another video with even more names. 'I forgot SO many of my fave names so lmk if you want a part two!! A lot of these names we wouldnt use but I still love the idea of them,' she wrote in the caption. However, fans did not seem impressed by the very unusual name choices. 'Poor unborn child. Theyre going to come out called "Elevator, Elly for short,"' one wrote. 'I think you like words not names,' another fan wrote. 'How about the name Princess Consuela banana hammock,' someone else suggested. 'I thought they were kidding,' another commentator chimed in. 'Imagine a 50 year old named Baby.' 'Afternoon with the nickname after?? That one was a joke right lol,' one commentator asked. Sullivan first shared a clip via Snapchat of the pair arriving at the hospital He explained that they had been in Starbucks 'thinking we had so much time' right before a nurse told them the twins would be born that day, with Faragos C-section taking place 'in 20 minutes' The comments continued with another fan pleading, 'Don't name your kid any of those names.' 'Your poor kids,' someone else wrote. Skincare product brand Cetaphil got in on the fun as well, leaving a comment that read, 'Would you consider Cetaphil?' Many comments also brought up popular TikTok star and model Nara Smith who has previously caught backlash for her children's unusual names and who also shared a video list of baby names that went viral. Nara shares daughters Rumble Honey Smith and Whimsy Lou Smith, and son Slim Easy Smith, with her model husband Lucky Blue Smith. 'Not the Nara Smith names,' an Instagram fan wrote, to which Francesca replied, 'I actually feel like our naming styles are pretty different!!' 'Ok so Nara Smith isn't so bad after this lol,' another added. 'Just ask someone else to name your babies,' another follower chimed in. The couple have not yet revealed the names of their little ones. In May, Farago and Jesse shared a number of bizarre baby name ideas in a video that left their fans perplexed The Too Hot to Handle star first shared her pregnancy news in April, after seeking out a sperm donor and undergoing IVF They selected a sperm donor before Sullivan had nine eggs extracted last August (making five embryos) and Farago had 18 eggs extracted last September (making eight embryos) Many comments said Francesca seemed to be just picking random words. 'Seems like good ol Richard is out of the question?' someone inquired. Francesca announced her first pregnancy in April, after a 'bumpy' IVF journey with Jesse. She broke the news across social media on International Transgender Day of Visibility in honor of Jesse, whose reassigned gender was affirmed in 2019. 'We wanted to take this special day to celebrate this amazing milestone with all of you,' Francesca - who boasts six million Instagram followers - wrote in a joint post. 'We've brought you with us through the loss, so we couldn't wait to bring you along for the win,' she gushed. 'I am still pretty newly pregnant, and there's so much more to come, but we are so excited to be growing our family with Arlo as the coolest older sibling! AHH I'M PREGNANT!' In the accompanying TikTok video, Jesse hinted at the gender by using My Best Friend Jacob's 2018 song To Our Daughter (Lullaby), two baby emojis signifying twins, and what appeared to be two embryos. Sullivan was 18 when he mothered 15-year-old child Arlo Bear Sullivan (who uses they/them pronouns) in 2006 The parents-to-be selected a sperm donor together before Sullivan had nine eggs extracted last August (making five embryos) and Farago had 18 eggs extracted last September (making eight embryos). It remains unclear which parent's embryo was transferred into the Canadian reality star's uterus on March 19 at the Tree of Life Center in Los Angeles under the direction of fertility specialist Dr. Vuk Jovanovic. But Jesse proudly announced he'd 'finally got her pregnant' in the comments of their post, which received congratulations from pop star Demi Lovato and Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause. Sullivan was 18 when he mothered child Arlo Bear Sullivan (who uses they/them pronouns) back in 2006, and he 'cannot wait to see Arlo be a sibling.' 'When I felt guilty as a trans man because [Francesca] had to even go through this [pregnancy] process, she always assured me that she wouldn't have it any other way,' the heavily-tattooed TikToker said on March 19. 'This is just the beginning for our family.' Jesse previously stated in their February 1st YouTube vlog that they plan to raise their children as the gender assigned by their sex at birth 'and then give them the space and love and freedom to discover if it's different later on.' 'How I raised Arlo was like blank slate parenting where I never forced gender norms onto them,' Sullivan explained. 'As little I used she/her and obviously considered them female and then as they grew up and they discovered that within themselves they told me one day, "I want to go by they/them and that was it and never looked back.' Jesse and Farago - who got engaged April 28 - originally met via Zoom in June 2021 during her TikTok live event for Pride Month; the pair seen in 2023 Jesse and Farago - who got engaged April 28 - originally met via Zoom in June 2021 during her TikTok live event for Pride Month. On Valentine's Day, the Farago the Label founder wrote that they 'were holding off the wedding until our first baby or babies.' Sullivan was previously married to model Teela Sullivan while Francesca is said to have dated Jef Holm, Harry Jowsey, Casey Boonstra, Kelechi Dyke, Haley Cureton, Kori Sampson, Branden Condy, and Tana Mongeau. Farago first found fame competing on Netflix dating shows Too Hot to Handle (2020) followed by Love Is Blind (2021) followed by Perfect Match (2023). Alessandra Ambrosio flashed her black bra beneath a sheer top while attending footwear trade show BFSHOW, which was held at Distrito Anhembi in her native Brazil on Monday. The 43-year-old CAA Model was at the fashion convention in her capacity as brand ambassador of Vizzano, a Brazilian footwear and handbag company she began repping last June. Alessandra showcased her slim 5ft10in figure in the bell-sleeve shirt tucked into matching shorts, clutch, and thigh-high leather kinky boots selected by Vogue Brasil fashion director Rita Lazzarotti. Make-up artist Rodrigo Costa fully contoured Ambrosio's complexion for the industry event. In September, the glamorous globe-trotter strutted her stuff in the Vizzano runway presentation during the Fashion Experience in Mexico City. Alessandra Ambrosio flashed her black bra beneath a sheer top while attending footwear trade show BFSHOW, which was held at Distrito Anhembi in her native Brazil on Monday Alessandra's sighting came five days after she went Instagram official with her new rumored boyfriend, Buck Palmer, an LA-based men's hat and jewelry designer. The Australian 42-year-old Instastoried two PDA-filled snaps of himself with Ambrosio set to The Cure's 1987 song Just Like Heaven. 'It's only been a few weeks so it's super new,' a source told Us Weekly last Wednesday. 'But they really like each other and are already IG official.' On Monday, the Bebe beauty - who boasts 20M social media followers - was missing her 16-year-old daughter Anja Louise Ambrosio Mazur as she Instastoried a vintage store snap captioned: 'My angel...' Alessandra also welcomed 12-year-old son Noah Phoenix Mazur during her decade-long relationship with ex-fiance - Re/Done denim co-founder Jamie Mazur - which ended in 2018. Ambrosio previously dated Alanui co-designer Nicolo Oddi from 2018 to 2020 and she romanced Wilhelmina Model Richard Lee from 2021 to 2023. The GNP Seguras paid partner keeps busy running her second swimwear brand GAL Floripa, which she co-founded with her younger sister Aline and best friend Gisele Coria in 2019. The 43-year-old CAA Model was at the fashion convention in her capacity as brand ambassador of Vizzano, a Brazilian footwear and handbag company she began repping last June Alessandra showcased her slim 5ft10in figure in the bell-sleeve shirt tucked into matching shorts, clutch, and thigh-high leather kinky boots Make-up artist Rodrigo Costa fully contoured Ambrosio's complexion for the industry event In September, the glamorous globe-trotter strutted her stuff in the Vizzano runway presentation during the Fashion Experience in Mexico City Alessandra's sighting came five days after she went Instagram official with her new rumored boyfriend, Buck Palmer, an LA-based men's hat and jewelry designer The Australian 42-year-old Instastoried two PDA-filled snaps of himself with Ambrosio set to The Cure's 1987 song Just Like Heaven On Monday, the Bebe beauty was missing her 16-year-old daughter Anja Louise Ambrosio Mazur as she Instastoried a vintage store snap captioned: 'My angel...' Alessandra also welcomed 12-year-old son Noah Phoenix Mazur (R, pictured April 8) during her decade-long relationship with ex-fiance Jamie Mazur (M), which ended in 2018 Alessandra - who became a US citizen in 2020 after 24 years of living in the States - previously ran her eponymous swimwear line ale by Alessandra from 2014-2018. Ambrosio broke out on her own after officially retiring her Victoria's Secret Angel 'wings' with the San Francisco bra brand in 2017 after 12 years. The brunette beauty made her triumphant return to the 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Brooklyn on October 15. 'It's a dream come true,' Alessandra gushed to Extra TV. 'My last show was seven years ago in China, and truly, I never thought I was going to walk this runway ever again, so it's really nice to be here. I'm like, "Whoa, I can't believe I'm doing this again!" But the energy is electrifying and it's just so fun to see the girls.' by Rachel Robison-Greene In 524, the Roman philosopher Boethius was imprisoned in exile awaiting his execution. He was used a as a political tool and was convicted on false charges, including the charge of sorcery. In these dire conditions, he wrote The Consolations of Philosophy in which his muse, Lady Philosophy, appears to him to provide her doctors help for his anguish. She speaks to him in verse, Why then are miserable men in awe When tyrants rage impotently? If you first rid yourself of hope or fear You have disarmed the tyrants wrath But whosoever quakes in fear or hope Drifting and losing mastery Has cast away his shield, has left his place And binds the chains with which he Will be bound. The advice that Lady Philosophy imparts to Boethius resembles that offered by the Stoicswe cannot control external circumstances. We cant prevent people from being ignorant and cruel. We cant stop tyrants from manipulating and harming people in pursuit of power. Chaos, suffering, and death are inevitabilities. In challenging times, we must focus only on what we can controlwhat is in our own minds. For Boethius and for the Stoics, desperate times (and all other times) call for a turn toward philosophical reflection on the nature of virtue and of the good life. In The Enchiridion, the former slave turned Stoic philosopher Epictetus takes the idea that we ought not to be concerned with what is outside of our control to an extreme. He says, With regard to whatever objects give you delight, are useful, or are deeply loved, remember to tell yourself of what general nature they are, beginning from the most insignificant things. If, for example, you are fond of a specific ceramic cup, remind yourself that it is only ceramic cups in general of which you are fond. Then, if it breaks, you will not be disturbed. If you kiss your child, or your wife, say that you only kiss things which are human, and thus you will not be disturbed if either of them dies. Most people in search of a philosophy for hard times would be unlikely to go this far. What is needed is a path forward that allows us to cope with tragedy and injustice without abandoning the value of people we care about or the issues we find important. We long for solutions that ease our anxiety but also provide us with reasons to live. Centuries later, Viktor Frankl reflected on the question of how to endure the most evil and senseless injustices perpetrated by humanity. In Mans Search for Meaning, Frankl offers his philosophy in the context of describing his experiences living in a Nazi death camp. He says, It is very difficult for an outsider to grasp how very little value was placed on human life in a camp. The camp inmate was hardened, but possibly became more conscious of this complete disregard of human existence when a convoy of sick men was arranged. The emaciated bodies of the sick were thrown on two-wheeled carts which were drawn by prisoners for many miles, often through snowstorms, to the next camp. If one of the sick men had died before the cart left, he was thrown on anywaythe list had to be correct! The list was the only thing that mattered. A man counted only because he had a prison number. One literally became a number: dead or alivethat was unimportant; the life of a number was irrelevant. What stood behind that number and that life mattered even less: the fate, the history, the name of the man. In the case Frankl describes, power-seeking tyrants have stoked the xenophobia of the populace, convincing many of them that their own social and economic woes were caused by Jews, immigrants, and other minorities. These groups were demonized and treated as other to such an extent that they were no longer treated as human beings with dignitythey were subject to mass deportations and sent to concentration camps. Nevertheless, Frankl argued that ones sense of human dignity could be restored, at least in ones own mind, by finding meaning in suffering. He says, We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn ones predicament into a human achievement. When we are no longer able to change a situationjust think of an incurable disease such as inoperable cancerwe are challenged to change ourselves. The wisdom of the ancients advises us to reduce our anxiety by reflecting only on what is in our control. Frankl points out the value of finding subjective meaning in even the most unimaginable suffering. These are both compelling pieces of practical philosophy, but they miss an important aspect of navigating challenging timesthe social element. After all, unless were Boethius abandoned alone in a prison cell, we experience the worlds cruelty together. In Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, Martin Luther King Jr. describes the success of the Civil Rights Movement leading to the passing of The Voting Rights Bill of 1965. He then describes the precipitous decline in public support for actually implementing any subsequent substantive changes. He says, A year later, the white backlash had become an emotional electoral issue in California, Maryland, and elsewhere. In several Southern states men long regarded as political clowns had become governors or only narrowly missed election, their magic achieved with a witches brew of bigotry, prejudice, half-truths, and whole lies. During the year, white and Negro civil rights workers had been murdered in several Southern communities. The swift and easy acquittals that followed for the accused had shocked much of the nation but sent a wave of unabashed triumph through Southern segregationist circles. Many of us wept at the funeral services for the dead and for democracy. The ubiquity of racism and other forms of bigotry seems like an unescapable nightmare. If we were Stoics, we could reflect on the fact that the racism that exists in the minds of others and remember that the action of others is not under our control. That might go some way toward relieving anxiety, but that is a way of dealing with suffering in the world that results in no real change and allows us to ignore not just our own hardship, but the hardships of others we could help. Some level of chaos may have to be accepted as unavoidable, but King argues that when one becomes resigned to chaos, one risks ones own self of dignity and self-worth. Instead, he proposes that we harness the power of community. When we are shocked by the inhumane behaviors of the masses, we can take comfort in the humanity of our friends to deal with our grief. We can find meaning in the suffering, but it is a meaning that arises not as a purely internal matter, but a meaning born from love and care. When weve steadied ourselves, we rely on the unity weve built within our communities to organize. King says, We will be deeply misled if we feel that the problem will work itself out. Structures do not crumble by passive waiting. If history teaches us anything, it is that evil is recalcitrant and determined, and never voluntarily relinquishes its hold short of an almost fanatical resistance. Evil must be attacking by a counteracting persistence, by the day-to-day assault of the battering rams of justice. This is something we can only do together. As communities, we must, unite around powerful action programs to push back against injustice. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. A MasterChef Australia judge looks set to be joining the next season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Former judge and food critic Melissa Leong is tipped to be joining a host of celebrities in the jungle. Leong, 42, who currently hosts Dessert Masters alongside Amaury Guichon, previously starred as a judge on MasterChef until her departure in 2023. And the amount she is reportedly getting paid to appear on I'm A Celebrity looks to be eye-watering, according to an insider who spoke to Yahoo Lifestyle. 'If Melissa could bag a quarter of a million dollars for the proposed 21 days, that isn't something anyone should easily turn down,' the source said. They also mentioned that Channel 10 is unlikely to renew Dessert Masters but 'don't want to lose their relationship' with Leong. Executives may need to 'play into Melissas fearless nature and unpredictable career choices' to get her on I'm A Celebrity. The insider also claimed the network will need to frame the offer with a 'very clever pitch' to entice Leong into the jungle. A MasterChef Australia judge looks set to be joining the next season of I'm A Celebrity,.. Get Me Out of Here! Pictured: current MasterChef judges Sofia Levin, Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, and Jean-Christophe Novelli Former judge and food critic Melissa Leong is tipped to be joining a host of celebrities in the jungle. Pictured It comes after Melissa was hit by rumours she could also be lining up a return to MasterChef Australia. Melissa left MasterChef Australia last year under a cloud of suspicion about an alleged feud with her former co-host Andy Allen, who still serves as a judge. 'Melissa told Ten that she'll go back to MasterChef Australia when Andy Allen goes,' a TV insider recently told Daily Mail Australia. The amount Leong is reportedly getting paid to appear on I'm A Celebrity looks to be eye-watering, according to an insider who spoke to Yahoo Lifestyle. 'If Melissa could bag a quarter of a million dollars for the proposed 21 days, that isn't something anyone should easily turn down,' the source said 'I think the idea of returning to what the show once was for her seems a bit daunting and the only way Melissa would ever return is if the whole format was revamped.' Melissa shocked fans when she shared news of her departure to Instagram one day before Network Ten's 2024 Upfronts. 'The changing of the guard is one I always planned to embrace, and I'm so glad to do that on my terms, today,' she penned in a statement last October. Melissa's departure came after claims she had been axed following a string of publicised off-camera dramas. She infamously had a blow up with the program's hair and make-up team along with a substitute freelance hairstylist in 2022. 'Andy has no beef with Leong,' the source told Daily Mail Australia. 'But he previously expressed his former colleague wasted a lot of time in hair and make-up. 'He felt her control over what was filmed was compromised by her perfectionism.' Andy returned to the show this year alongside three new judges - media darling Poh Ling Yeow, Michelin-star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and Melbourne food critic Sofia Levin. Keke Palmer recounted an incident in which Ryan Murphy, who co-created and produced Scream Queens, 'ripped' into her on set. The actress, 31, detailed the experience in her upcoming memoir, Master Of Me: The Secret To Controlling Your Narrative, where she also shared a shocking racist incident that took place with an unnamed white co-star. Palmer, who starred as Zayday Williams on the series for two seasons in 2015 and 2016, alleged Murphy, 59, called her out after she missed a day of shooting. 'It was kind of like I was in the dean's office,' she said while speaking to the Los Angeles Times. 'He was like, "Ive never seen you behave like this. I can't believe that you, out of all people, would do something like this."' Palmer said she apologized to the television producer and thought that everything was settled between them, but days later she spoke with one of her co-stars who didn't have as rosy an interpretation of the conflict. Keke Palmer, 31, recounted an incident in which Ryan Murphy, 59, who co-created and produced Scream Queens, 'ripped' into her for missing a day of shooting; (L) Keke seen in 2021, (R) Murphy pictured in 2019 It all started when Keke had scheduled an unspecified 'business obligation' for what was to be a day off on her Scream Queens shooting schedule. However, Palmer was later told by staff members on the series seemingly at the last minute that she had been rescheduled to shoot on what had previously been her day off. Instead of canceling her plans, she skipped the day of shooting and instead took care of her prior obligation, though it's unclear if she communicated that decision with the production. That's when she was called up by Murphy and reprimanded. After she apologized, Keke told a female co-star that she thought she and Murphy were 'cool,' but her co-star said the situation was still 'bad,' which Palmer thought was an attempt to scare her straight. Hollywood productions are infamous for their long hours most actors and crew members can expect to work 1012 hours per day, minimum, and its not unheard of for a single shooting day to go as long as 14 or 16 hours but they also can be erratic, and changing shooting days is not unheard of. The Nope star added that early on her time on Scream Queens she had hoped to become one of Murphy's regular stars, such as Emma Roberts, Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange and Billie Lourd. However, after she skipped the rescheduled shooting date to focus on other obligations, she feared that Murphy had blacklisted her and would know longer cast her in other projects though it's unclear if the conflict between the two occurred on the first or second season of Scream Queens. Palmer said she scheduled a 'business obligation' for her off day, but when the shooting schedule changed she opted to go to her prior obligation instead of filming; (LR) Palmer, Abigail Breslin, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd and Lea Michele seen on Scream Queens 'It was kind of like I was in the dean's office,' she told the LA Times. 'He was like, "Ive never seen you behave like this. I can't believe that you, out of all people, would do something like this"'; Murphy seen in September in NYC After she skipped the rescheduled shooting date to focus on other obligations, she feared that Murphy had blacklisted her and would know longer cast her in other projects; Murphy seen with Michele in 2022 The actress detailed the experience in her upcoming memoir, Master Of Me: The Secret To Controlling Your Narrative; seen in May Palmer has not starred in a Murphy project since. 'Im still not sure Ryan cared, or got it, and thats okay because he was just centering his business, which isn't a problem to me,' Palmer wrote in her book. 'But what I do know is even if he didnt care, and even if I never work with him again, he knows that I, too, see myself as a business.' Murphy co-created the series with his regular collaborators Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, as well as produced, wrote and directed select episodes. DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Murphy and Fox Broadcasting to request comment. Murphy, via his publicist, declined a request for comment from the LA Times. Elsewhere in the book Keke alleged that a shocking racist incident occurred on set of the slasher comedy, and described a confrontation with a white costar who is only referred to by a pseudonym. The unnamed actress allegedly compared Keke to Martin Luther King Jr. during a tense exchange. Palmer's time on the series, which aired for two seasons on Fox from 2015 through 2016, seems particularly difficult, according to her book and new profile. She starred on the horror-comedy with a bevy of women stars, including Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Billie Lourd and Jamie Lee Curtis, while Nasim Pedrad, Kirstie Alley, Ariana Grande and Cecily Strong were also featured on the series for a single season. Elsewhere in the book, Keke alleged that a racist incident occurred on set of the slasher comedy, when an unnamed white co-star compared her to Martin Luther King Jr. Scream Queens aired for two seasons on Fox from 2015 through 2016; publicity still from Scream Queens Palmer's self-help memoir Master Of Me: The Secret To Controlling Your Narrative hits shelves on November 19; seen in April in West Hollywood She writes that the actress referred to as Brenda was upset on set one day due to a conflict she was having with another colleague. However, when Palmer tried to console her costar and said she hoped that everyone on the show could 'have fun and respect each other,' Brenda lashed out. 'Keke, literally, just don't. Who do you think you are? Martin F Luther King?' the unnamed actress allegedly shot back. In her book, Palmer explained her decision to not name the woman, as she thought it would rob her words of power and not make Brenda the center of discussion. 'I'm not no victim. Thats not my storyline, sweetie. I dont care what her a** said. If I allow what she said to cripple me, then she would,' she added defiantly. The jab comparing her to Martin Luther King Jr. was ironic, as Palmer's parents had instructed her to follow the Civil Rights Movement icon's example when she was the victim of microagressions in kindergarten at a private Catholic school. Palmer's self-help memoir Master Of Me: The Secret To Controlling Your Narrative hits shelves on November 19. Australian influencer Suzan Mutesi has stepped out for the first time after being busted for loading a fake five-star review of her own book on Amazon. The 38-year-old was spotted on a Sydney street on Wednesday clutching a copy of her new tome, Love Beyond 30. Mutesi went for a quirky look for her day out, rocking a black frock patterned with brand names. It featured a snug, low-cut bust line and retro-style puffy sleeves. Letting her dyed-blonde locks fall over her shoulders, the notorious viral star paired her dress with a set of red high-heeled summer shoes. Hiding her eyes behind oversized black boutique sunglasses, the debut novelist wore pale lipstick and carried a designer handbag. She completed her look with green nail polish and gold earrings. It comes after the influencer made waves earlier this week after trying to boost sales of her new book by posting a five star review on Amazon. Australian influencer Suzan Mutesi has stepped out for the first time after being busted for loading a fake five-star review of her own book on Amazon. (Pictured) Mutesi, who's been accused of everything from buying Instagram followers and photoshopping herself into private jets, was exposed by her nemesis Jamie Azzopardi in a series of savage posts shared to their Instagram on Monday night. The review, left under her own name, described the book as an 'empowering pursuit of self-worth' and claimed that her novel 'resonated deeply'. It claimed the fiction was a 'must-read for anyone navigating their 30s with humour and heart.' 'The book brilliantly captures the highs and lows of dating beyond your 30s in this clever narrative. The relatable anecdotes and poignant moments had me laughing, cringing, and nodding along,' it read. The 38-year-old was spotted on a Sydney street on Wednesday clutching a copy of her new tome, Love Beyond 30. Letting her dyed-blonde locks fall over her shoulders and hid her eyes behind oversized black boutique sunglasses and completed her look with green nail polish and gold earrings.(Pictured) Azzopardi also accused Mutesi of staging paparazzi photos while she was on a date with British actor David Walliams when he was in Australia back in 2022. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, the actress admitted to leaving the review. 'I wanted to share my genuine excitement and let readers know how much I believe in the journey this book offers,' she explained. 'Leaving my own review felt like speaking directly to each person who picks it up, as if to say, ''This was written with you in mind, and I hope it resonates deeply with you too.'' I just wanted to put my love for the book out there in my own words.' Mutesi went for a quirky look for her day out, rocking a black frock patterned with brand names. It featured a snug, low-cut bustline and retro-style puffy sleeves. She last made headlines in July when she was caught in another editing scandal after sharing some very glamorous pictures online. The Sydney-based socialite took to her Instagram Stories to share two photos of herself strutting her stuff in the city. However, the pictures appeared to boast some glaring signs they had been edited as the sidewalk tiles and drainage could be seen curving around her figure. She also appeared to have changed the shape of her behind as the tassels on her glitzy mini dress appeared warped in an apparent Photoshop fail. One of the shots had been edited into a black and white picture, while the other was in its natural hues, but seemingly still showed editing traces with the warped background. Earlier this year, Suzan shared a photograph of herself showing off her figure as she posed at the gym, but her complexion looked suspiciously smooth and glossy. However, the difference could be down to a number of reasons, such as lighting and angles. Suzan previously told Daily Mail Australia she has her iPhone to thank for all her Instagram images, as well as apps such as FaceTune and Photoshop. The influencer made waves earlier this week after trying to boost sales of her new book by posting a five star review on Amazon. Mutesi, who's been accused of everything from buying Instagram followers and photoshopping herself into private jets, was exposed by her nemesis Jamie Azzopardi in a series of savage posts shared to their Instagram on Monday night 'Sometimes the main photographer [on red carpets]... will not bring their lights. So not all the camera settings are set to accommodate for a dark skin girl or other skin tones,' she shared. 'It depends also on the room. Sometimes the lighting in the room... like the room is beautifully decorated but it's got shadows and its dark.' Suzan said she often makes sure to use the ProRAW settings on her iPhone before having someone else take snaps of her from low angles. She then puts them through apps like FaceTune and Photoshop on her phone to create a more enhanced version of her red carpet pictures. 'It helps when you have a good foundation obviously. If you don't look amazing you're not going to get the best shot,' she joked. The review, left under her own name, described the book as an 'empowering pursuit of self-worth' and claimed that her novel 'resonated deeply'. Pictured: Mutesi's book cover As for the dark smokey eye make-up which suddenly appears in many of her Instagram photos, Suzan said poor lighting is to blame. 'That's what happens when you have down lights. It dims your face, it doesn't lighten it up,' she said of her official red carpet snaps. 'So when I brighten up that photo, it highlights the features and the eyes, but you can also go on PhotoTune and highlight your eyes in a way that heightens the liner just a bit so you see exactly how the eye is.' Suzan revealed her favourite go-to editing app is FaceTune, which she will often use for event photos when there is poor lighting. She said the Photoshop app also makes it into her arsenal sometimes, but 'you have to make sure your photo is in a good setting' before you edit it in the app. 'Having those settings before taking the photo helps you amp up your photo because you can't just drastically go from one thing to the other unless you're just having fun,' she said. Armie Hammer joked about being branded a 'cannibal rapist' in an odd podcast episode with his mother Dru. The former Hollywood star, 38, was at the peak of fame when multiple woman accused him of violent abuse and harbouring cannibalism fantasies. Armie denied the claims and did not face any charges - but it was career ending. Stepping back into the limelight, the actor made light of the horrific allegations in a bizarre episode of his new Armie HammerTime podcast - which featured his mother Dru. Delving into the gruesome claims, Armie laughed as he recalled how 'all of a sudden someone is like "He's a cannibal rapist"'. Dru then revealed that she had called her son when the allegations came to light and asked him: 'Are there any women out there with ribs or limbs missing?' She said she later paid for him to get a vasectomy for his birthday to protect him from having unwanted children as a result of his infidelity. Armie Hammer joked about being branded a 'cannibal rapist' in an odd podcast episode with his mother Dru on Monday Stepping back into the limelight, the actor made light of the horrific allegations in a bizarre episode of his new Armie HammerTime podcast - which featured his mother Dru In February 2021, Armie's ex-girlfriend, Effie Angelova, 26, accused him of 'violently' raping and abusing her in 2017. He denied the accusations of rape through his attorney and said all of his sexual encounters were 'completely consensual, discussed and agreed upon in advance and mutually participatory'. His then-wife Elizabeth Chambers split from him in July 2020. The former couple share two young children, Harper, nine, and Ford, seven. Defending her son on Monday's podcast, Dru said: 'If there was anything at all that you did as far as a rape accusation, they would have nailed you - pardon the pun. 'But you were completely exonerated and we know why. It certainly helps when you're an influencer and you've dated Armie Hammer. I'm not stupid, I'm your mother.' 'I want to say it was like March, or something like that, where my name was the third most searched thing on the entire planet,' the Call Me By Your Name actor said. 'That had never happened to me before in my career, it had never happened.' Laughing, Armie continued: 'Then all of a sudden someone is like Hes a cannibal rapist and it just was like [explosion sound].' His mother replied: 'I even called you one time and I was like okay let me just get this straight, are there any women out there with ribs or limbs missing? Dru then revealed that she had called her son when the allegations came to light and asked him: 'Are there any women out there with ribs or limbs missing?' Defending her son on Monday's podcast, Dru said: 'If there was anything at all that you did as far as a rape accusation, they would have nailed you - pardon the pun' The former Hollywood star, 38, was at the peak of fame when multiple woman accused him of violent abuse and harbouring cannibalism fantasies (Pictured with his mother Dru) Laughing, Armie continued: 'Then all of a sudden someone is like Hes a cannibal rapist and it just was like [explosion sound]' 'That's what I want to know as a mother. Because end of conversation if there are ribs or limbs missing. 'But let's be honest, I think you learned not to put stupid things in DMs because no one was eaten, no one was raped. You were stupid.' 'Oh I was definitely stupid,' Armie added. Dru then revealed that after the fallout, she offered to pay for her son to get a vasectomy for his birthday. 'So let's talk about what I gave you for your birthday this year, the church lady,' she said. 'So I call Armie and I say "Armie what would you like for your birthday this year?" 'And he goes "Oh I don't know maybe money, whatever" and I was like "I believe I'm gonna give you a vasectomy".' Armie continues: 'Yep. So I go to a doctors office and I go "Yes Im here to schedule a vasectomy" and they go "Great here's what you need", all this paperwork, do a consult with the doctor and he's like "Are you sure you want to do this?", so I say "I've got two beautiful kids I don't want anymore kids I'm good to go." They try to talk you out of it.' He added: 'I walk out to the receptionist and she asks "Are you going to be putting this on insurance" and I say "Oh I actually don't have insurance" and she goes "What?" and I say "Yeah I haven't had insurance in years" and she goes "Oh okay, are you going to be putting it on a credit card?" and I go "Oh no no my credit cards won't cover this, my mother is going to be calling you and she's going to be paying for it". 'And she was looking down and she goes "What?" and I say "Yes my mother gave me this as a birthday present". In February 2021, Armie's ex-girlfriend, Effie Angelova, 26, accused him of 'violently' raping and abusing her in 2017 (Armie pictured in 2020) 'I want to say it was like March, or something like that, where my name was the third most searched thing on the entire planet,' the Call Me By Your Name actor (Pictured with Timothee Chalamet in the film) said 'It just was one of those things like you could tell she was hearing something and is like, "I've never heard what are you talking about?" So yeah my mom got me a vasectomy for my birthday.' Earlier this year, Armie revealed he is grateful for the shock cannibalism and abuse allegations which imploded his once-stellar Hollywood acting career. Speaking on the Painful Lessons podcast, the actor said of the scandal: 'Whatever it was that people said, whatever it was that happened, I'm now at a place in my life where I'm grateful for every single bit of it. 'I'm actually now at a place where I'm really grateful for it because where I was in my life before all of that stuff happened to me I didn't feel good I never felt satisfied I never had enough I never was in a place where I was happy with myself where I had self-esteem. 'I never knew how to give myself love. I never knew how to give myself self-validation but I had this job where I was able to get it from so many people that I never had to learn how to give it to myself.' On being accused of cannibalism - he added: 'People called me a cannibal. Like I ate people! What???? You know what you have to do to be a cannibal? You have to eat people!' He added of his downfall: 'It was an ego death, a career death. A neutron bomb went off in my life. It killed off [everything].' Megan Fox announced the exciting news that she is expecting her first child with fiance Machine Gun Kelly on Monday. The Transformers star, 38, debuted her bump in an edgy shoot showing her covered in black paint as she cradled her stomach. Megan and the rapper, 34, first started dating in 2020 after meeting on the set of the crime thriller Midnight in the Switchgrass - following the breakdown of her marriage. The actor is already a mother of three - she shares sons Noah, 10, Bodhi, nine, and Journey, six, with ex-husband Brian Austin Green. Meanwhile, this will be MGK's second child - he has daughter Casie Colson Baker, 15, with ex Emma Cannon. The pair got engaged two years into their romance but sparked breakup rumours in February 2023, before later reconciling. They again split in March of this year, but again rekindled ahead of their pregnancy reveal. The news also comes a year after Megan opened up about suffering a miscarriage with MGK - which she paid tribute to in Monday's announcement. So has Megan finally found happiness? MailOnline looks back on her turbulent past few years as she begins a new chapter. Megan Fox announced the exciting news that she is expecting her first child with fiance Machine Gun Kelly on Monday Megan and MGK first started dating in 2020 after meeting on the set of the crime thriller Midnight in the Switchgrass - following the breakdown of her marriage (Pictured in 2022) MISCARRIAGE Megan's pregnancy announcement comes a year after she opened up about suffering a miscarriage with MGK. 'Nothing is ever really lost. welcome back,' she wrote in the caption, adding an angel and heart emoji to the caption in reference to her miscarriage. The post was also soundtracked to the MGK song Last November, a track about the miscarriage she previously suffered with the musician. During an interview on Good Morning America last year, Megan said she had 'never been through anything like that before in my life' as she opened up about the miscarriage. 'I have three kids [with ex Brian Austin Green],' she shared, 'so it was very difficult for both of us and it sent us on a very wild journey together and separately, and together and apart, and together and apart, and together and apart, trying to navigate, "What does this mean?" and "Why did this happen?"' She also opened up about the experience in her 2023 book of poetry, Pretty Boys Are Poisonous. Megan's pregnancy announcement comes a year after she opened up about suffering a miscarriage with M GK Megan wrote about an ultrasound of a baby girl at 10 weeks and a day, per excerpts from People, and said: 'maybe if you hadn't... maybe if i had...' She continued, 'I want to hold your hand / hear your laugh, but now / I have to say / goodbye,' and later adds, 'I close my eyes and imagine holding you tight against my chest as they rip you from my insides'. Elsewhere in the book, she wrote, 'I will pay any price. Tell me please / what is the ransom / for her soul?' Megan and MGK had never discussed the pregnancy loss prior to the poetry book, however the 'Bloody Valentine' hitmaker did appear to allude to it at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2022, dedicating his performance to Megan and adding, 'This is for our unborn child.' MGK SUICIDE ATTEMPT Months after the pair's engagement, MGK opened up about a 'really dark' time in his life when he attempted suicide while on the phone to Megan. The rapper recalled battling depression following the death of his father and admitted he was in a 'really, really, really dark' one day in July of 2020. 'I wouldn't leave my room and I started getting really, really, really dark. Megan went to Bulgaria to shoot a movie and I started getting this really wild paranoia. Like, I kept getting paranoid that someone was gonna come and kill me,' he said in a clip. He described the harrowing night saying he 'just f**king snapped'. At the time, he phoned his Megan, who was on location filming a movie. 'I called Megan. I was like, "You aren't here for me". I'm in my room and I'm, like, freaking out on her,' he said. Months after the pair's engagement, MGK opened up about a 'really dark' time in his life when he attempted suicide while on the phone to Megan 'I wouldn't leave my room and I started getting really, really, really dark. Megan went to Bulgaria to shoot a movie and I started getting this really wild paranoia. Like, I kept getting paranoid that someone was gonna come and kill me,' he said in a clip 'Dude, I put the shotgun in my mouth. And I'm yelling on the phone and like the barrel's in my mouth. 'And I go to cock the shotgun and the bullet, as it comes back up, the shell just gets jammed. Megan's like dead silent.' MGK went on to explain that his darkest moment - along with support from Megan and his 12-year-old daughter, Cassie - helped him realize he needed to get himself together. SPLIT FROM MGK Despite announcing they are expecting a child just eight months later, Megan and MGK were reported back in March to be living apart as they worked through their relationship issues. Megan at her Malibu pad, while the musician laid low in their shared Encino home, following news their engagement had been called off, according to a report by Us Weekly. 'They did this arrangement to give each other some space while still being together,' the outlet's source explained at the time. 'They are at a low moment right now.' According to the insider, Megan had gone as far as requesting friends to 'set her up' with potential partners. Despite this, the couple's inner circle remained unconvinced that the romance had reached its conclusion. Despite announcing they are expecting a child just eight months later, Megan and MGK were reported back in March to be living apart as they worked through their relationship issues (Pictured in 2023) Megan at her Malibu pad, while the musician laid low in their shared Encino home, following news their engagement had been called off, according to a report by Us Weekly (Pictured in 2023) 'Friends around them don't see them completely ending the relationship as they truly change their minds every day,' the source noted, adding that Megan 'hasn't been wearing her ring' lately. 'Megan has a hard time trusting MGK and knows its her own insecurities.' The split came a year after Megan and MGK looked visibly upset as they left a marriage counselling office in California amid mounting split speculation and cheating rumours in early 2023. However they later rekindled, with a source close to the couple telling DailyMail.com at the time: 'They're officially back on after going through a rocky patch in their relationship. 'The last few months has been tough for them both but they went away together to do some healing and it's been working. They feel more connected than ever.' THORNY RING In January 2022, MGK revealed a bizarre quirk of the engagement ring he helped design for Megan - it will actually cut her hand if she takes it off. 'The bands are actually thorns. So if she tries to take it off, it hurts,' he told Vogue, explaining: 'Love is pain!' His remarks went public a week after Kelly, 31, and Megan, 35, sealed their engagement by drinking each other's blood after his dramatic proposal. Megan announced their big news with a three-camera Instagram video that showed him down on one knee at the Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach resort. In January 2022, MGK revealed a bizarre quirk of the engagement ring he helped design for Megan - it will actually cut her hand if she takes it off Megan announced their big news with a three-camera Instagram video that showed him down on one knee at the Ritz Carlton Dorado Beach resort She revealed that 'we drank each others blood' after he proposed under a banyan tree - the same spot where they previously had 'asked for magic' in June 2020. MGK then shared on his own Instagram page that he designed the ring in collaboration with British jeweller Stephen Webster. Alongside a video of the ring on Megan's finger, he wrote: 'I know tradition is one ring, but I designed it with Stephen Webster to be two: the emerald (her birth stone) and the diamond (my birth stone) set on two magnetic bands of thorns that draw together as two halves of the same soul forming the obscure heart that is our love.' PREVIOUS KIDS Before she met the rapper, the performer was in a long-term relationship with Beverely Hills 90210 star Brian Austin Green. They first announced that they had become engaged two years after their first meeting in 2004, and eventually tied the knot in 2010. The former couple went on to welcome their sons in 2012 and 2014, respectively, and Megan served as a stepmother to MGK's older son Kassius. The couple separated in 2015 when the actress filed for divorce for a second time, although they ended up reconciling the following year and went on to add their youngest son to their family. Megan called off the proceedings in 2019 only to file to end her marriage in 2020. She went on to appear in the music video for his 2020 single My Bloody Valentine, sparking rumours that they had been getting closer following her separation from Green. Before she met the rapper, the performer was in a long-term relationship with Beverely Hills 90210 star Brian Austin Green (Pictured in 2019) The former couple went on to welcome their sons in 2012 and 2014, respectively, and Megan served as a stepmother to MGK's older son Kassius - before they had third son Journee Kelly later confirmed that he was in a relationship with the actress last June, and they went Instagram official the following month. 'We co-parent really well together,' Brian previously told E! News. 'And we don't fight over time with the kids. We try and alternate holidays between Christmas Day, Christmas Eve.' However, due to their busy careers in showbusiness, the exes have to remain flexible when it comes to splitting time with their kids. 'But we're open to things changing. I'm very aware ofand so is shethat our schedules are insane. So when we do get time, cherish it. It's an amazing thing and we support the other parent having time,' he said. Pamela Anderson has revealed that her 'loving' parents had 'tried to keep her safe,' despite enduring horrific hardships, including being raped at the age of 12. The actress, 57, opened up about her turbulent relationship with her father Barry and mother Carol in an interview with The Sunday Times Style Magazine. Pamela had previously revealed in 2014 that she was molested as a child, raped at the age of 12 and gang-raped just years later, shocking guests with the revelation during a speech at the Cannes Film Festival. The Baywatch star told the publication that her ordeal happened 'despite loving parents, who tried to keep her safe.' While attending the launch of The Pamela Anderson Foundation a decade ago, Pamela detailed the horrific ordeals she endured during her childhood. Pamela Anderson has revealed that her 'loving' parents had 'tried to keep her safe,' despite being raped at the age of 12 (pictured at a BAFTA screening for The Last Showgirl on Monday) 'I did not have an easy childhood. Despite loving parents, I was molested from age six by a female babysitter,' she said. 'I went to a friend's boyfriend's house and his older brother decided to teach me backgammon which led into a back massage, which led into rape. My first heterosexual experience. 'He was 25 years old and I was 12.' The Playboy cover girl then added that a school boyfriend 'decided it would be funny to gang-rape me with six friends. I wanted off this earth.' Last month, Pamela also reflected on her parents' own tumultuous relationship, admitting to Glamour that there were times when she hoped her mother would leave her father. 'Well, I know my parents, my dad was a terrible drinker, and my mom kind of figured out a way And I blamed her, too, because why was she staying in this kind of relationship?' Anderson recalled. 'There were many times where I didn't want her to stay in it. But, they worked it out. They're madly in love.' 'And I just accepted their relationship is theirs; it's not my business. And I love my dad. My dad is such an interesting person. He's in Mensa, the family's Finnish. He's very poetic' The actress opened up about her turbulent relationship with her father Barry and mother Carol, having previously shared there were times when she wished they'd split Pamela had previously revealed in 2014 that she was molested as a child, raped at the age of 12 and gang-raped just years later In her 2023 Netflix documentary, Pamela opened up about being raped when she was just 12 years old. She explained that at the time, she went to a condo owned by a guy who her friend had a crush on. The friend went upstairs with the owner and she was left downstairs with his friend, who was 25. They played Backgammon, and then he told her that she looked as if she needed a massage, and raped her. She told nobody. She told the documentary: 'I had so much shame about what happened. I felt like it was my fault. My mom was always crying about my dad, and I couldn't bear to hurt her more. I didn't tell her or anyone.' Just days later, Pamela's mother Carol told of her devastation over the star's claims. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Carol said: 'This whole thing is a complete shock. This is a terrible, dramatic thing to have happened to Pamela and if she went through that all by her self it is horrible. 'I am kind of numb over it all, I sat there with my mouth open when I found out. My husband Barry and I always felt we were there all the time for the kids so it's just terrible to hear this now.' Carol said she knew nothing of the speech in France until she received an email from her afterwards telling her what she'd said. She hasn't spoken to her on the phone or in person since the explosive claims. 'It was as much a shock to me as it was to everyone, especially when you think you're close to the kids,' said Carol. 'My son Gerry, God he cried for four hours, I have never seen him cry like that, because it makes you feel you haven't done your job of protecting Pamela. 'Pamela wrote in the email, 'Mom don't take this personally, I love you so much and we get our strength and our work habits from you,' she just felt that she wanted to get it off her chest. 'It must have been a lot to go through especially at the age she was.' Carol had worked as a waitress at the Hideaway Restaurant in Chemainus, British Columbia when her children were growing up, while dad Barry, 68, worked at Crofton Pulp Mill, a local papermill on Vancouver Island. Carol said they tried their best to raise their kids in a loving and safe environment. 'Pam and I were really close back then, I worked days so I was home every night with her and her brother Gerry,' she said. 'If she has been sexually abused by a baby-sitter between the ages of six and ten that's really hard to take. 'I spoke to my son about it and he said 'mom everyone had to get sitters, right?' I can't remember who the sitter was Pam is talking about because there was so many. 'My husband used to tease me because I fired them all the time, they weren't feeding the kids right, weren't dressing them right, I was always so fussy. You're leaving them with your prize possessions, but when you are a working family you have to have a sitter.' She said: 'I can't believe she didn't tell me at the time, she wasn't a shy child, it's heartbreaking. 'We were working all the time and those two (Pam and Gerry) were like 'Mutt and Jeff' (the cartoon characters), they looked after each other. 'Gerry was four years younger than her, but he is just so shocked, he's trying to remember anything he can about the baby-sitter and the period when Pamela was raped at around 12-years-old.' Carol said that not only was she busy with work, she was also battling Ovarian cancer when her children were young. 'It was a tough time, the doctor didn't think I was going to be long for this world,' she said. 'I had that on my mind and me and Barry were working, we were a normal family leading a normal life, you have to do what you can do.' Pamela, who famously went make-up free at Paris Fashion Week towards the end of last year, has been promoting her role in the drama film The Last Showgirl, where she stars as the titular performner who must make new plans after her show abruptly closes. Pamela was met with a standing ovation and thunderous applause as she took the stage earlier this week. 'I've been getting ready my whole life for this film,' she joked, per Variety. 'I never felt something so strongly about something [as this film]. It was do it, just be it, and I did it.' Last month, Pamela reflected on her parents' tumultuous relationship, admitting that there were times when she hoped her mother would leave her father According to the film's synopsis, Pamela's character struggles with what to do after the closure of her show and tries to repair a strained relationship with her daughter, after years of focusing mostly on her showgirl family. Meanwhile, Coppola opened up about her new film, telling Deadline, 'I've always wanted to make a movie in Vegas.' 'I'm so proud of our cast and crew, especially Pamela. I can't wait to share her daring and heartfelt performance!' The film was produced by Robert Schwartzman and Natalie Farrey. 'Dream project, dream cast,' Schwartzman told the outlet. Married At First Sight's Jules Robinson turned heads as she showcased her stunning post-baby physique at the launch of her latest venture on Tuesday. She celebrated the occasion with her husband, Cameron Merchant, and even introduced their son, baby Carter, to their celebrity friends. The 42-year-old announced that she would be launching her new zero-alcohol range, Positivo By Jules with Seadrift Distillery. Jules, dressed in a chic one-shoulder cream dress adorned with a vibrant orange and red sunburst design, was radiant and all smiles as she posed at the event. The family-themed event was brimming with excitement, with little Carter captivating attendees as he made his debut, snuggled in Cameron's arms. The launch, held at love.fish in Sydney's Barangaroo, was a who's-who of Australian talent, with familiar faces like MAFS expert Alessandra Rampolla, Suzan Mutesi, Sally Obermeder, Laura Csortan, Justin Hill, and Erin Holland joining the celebration. 'Launching Positivo By Jules is a dream come true,' she said. 'This vibrant aperitif captures the essence of an Aussie summer, positive vibes, and meaningful conversations. It's perfect for anyone wanting all the flavour without the side effects.' Married At First Sight's Jules Robinson turned heads at the launch of her latest venture on Tuesday. Pictured She celebrated the occasion with her husband, Cameron Merchant, and even introduced their son, baby Carter, to their celebrity friends The range includes a Wild Hibiscus Aperitif and a Vibrant Orange Aperitif, with each bottle's profits supporting the Northern Beaches Women's Shelter in Sydney. In an emotional reveal, Jules also announced she would be auctioning off her beloved MAFS wedding dress. 'I knew I always would raffle my MAFS wedding dress for charity, and this is the perfect timing,' she revealed. 'I know my wedding that day gave hope and faith to many women who felt how I felt then, and now, being able to raise money and support women facing hardship feels like the perfect synergy.' Jules and Cameron welcomed their second child on Tuesday, July 23. The hairstylist shared their happy news on Instagram as she surprised her followers with the gender of their newborn in the same post. In an emotional reveal, Jules also announced she would be auctioning off her beloved MAFS wedding dress. Pictured Alessandra Rampolla looked chic in a chocolate-brown dress Shark Tank star and Showpo boss Jane Lu looked vibrant in a tropical-themed mini dress Jonathan Bailey has revealed the wholesome link between Netflix's Bridgerton and the upcoming Wicked movie. The actor, 36, stars as Elphaba's love interest Fiyero Tigelaar in Wicked and plays Lord Anthony in Bridgerton. And in both the musical and the popular series, Jonathan revealed he was accompanied by the exact same horse, named Jack. Unveiling the unique connection between the two, Jonathan said he insisted the director of Wicked, Jon M. Chu, choose the same horse he had ridden in Bridgerton. He said: 'I went round to see Jon Chu [the director] before we starting filming and I said to him "I think I know who the horse is" and he was like "What do you mean?". Jonathan Bailey, 36, has revealed the wholesome link between Netflix's Bridgerton and the upcoming Wicked movie The actor stars as Elphaba's love interest Fiyero Tigelaar in Wicked and plays Lord Anthony in Bridgerton (pictured) And in both the musical and the popular series, Jonathan revealed he was accompanied by the exact same horse, named Jack 'And I was like "It's Jack, the horse that I had ridden in Bridgerton, who I had an amazing relationship with". 'People say don't work with kids and animals but if it's Jack, I'd say take the job. He's a legend.' And fans have been obsessing over the comparison, with some admitting they were 'sobbing' over the news. Some wrote: 'thats actually sick', 'whaaat thats so sweet', 'I love this so much'. Jonathan arrives on the horse in his grand entrance in Wicked, which hits cinemas November 22. The epic fantasy film is based on the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire that was later turned into a three-time Tony Award winning Broadway musical in 2003. Directed by Jon M. Chu with an eye-popping budget of $145million, Wicked is split into two feature-length films, with the final chapter slated for November 2025. Critics are already calling Wicked: Part One a 'masterpiece' that 'pops and enchants on the big screen' as audiences are welcomed to the fantastical world of Oz. And in both the musical and the popular series, Jonathan revealed he was accompanied by the exact same horse, named Jack Unveiling the unique connection between the two, Jonathan said he insisted the director of Wicked, Jon M. Chu, choose the same horse he had ridden in Bridgerton. And fans have been obsessing over the comparison, with some admitting they were 'sobbing' over the news Early reviews for the highly-anticipated film adaptation of Broadway's Wicked starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are trickling in The film's leads Grande and Erivo, who play witches Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, are receiving high praise for their jaw-dropping vocals and onscreen chemistry Wicked based on the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire that was later turned into a three-time Tony Award winning Broadway musical in 2003 starring Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel; pictured in 2004 The film's leads Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who play witches Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, are receiving high praise for their jaw-dropping vocals and onscreen chemistry. The movie is about an unlikely friendship that emerges between Elphaba (Cynthia) and Glinda (Ariana), two clashing witches in the magical land of Oz. Elphaba is wrongfully cast as a wicked witch as she seeks to expose the fraudulent, corrupt Wizard who rules the land. Wicked is the origin story of 'a green-skinned woman who becomes the Wicked Witch Of The West', serving as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. The story delves into the former friendship between the characters Elphaba and Glinda many years before Dorothy's arrival. The cast also includes Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James and Peter Dinklage, among many others. Wicked: Part One hits cinemas in November 22, and the sequel, Wicked: Part Two, will follow the next year and is slated to premiere on November 21, 2025 Two of the 1990s' biggest boyband stars had lifted the lid on the gruelling work conditions and paltry salaries they endured during their wild heyday, as a new documentary prepares to offer insight into the golden age of all-male groups. Boybands Forever, which takes a deep dive into the careers of Nineties and Noughties acts such as Take That, Westlife and Blue, is set to air this weekend. Ahead of the miniseries' release, Five star Ritchie Neville and 911's Lee Brennan have revealed that while it appeared from the outside they were living the dream as the star of two of the UK's biggest bands' the reality was very different. Speaking to The Guardian, Ritchie shared that he and his bandmates endured tiring working hours, meaning he had just 'two days off in two years,' and in the early days he was paid just 100 a week. He went onto reveal that his lowest moment came when he contracted chickenpox while touring with Five in Australia and New Zealand. Five star Ritchie Neville (centre) has lifted the lid on the gruelling work conditions and paltry salaries he endured during the band's wild heyday Speaking ahead of BBC's documentary Boybands Forever, Ritchie shared that he and his bandmates endured tiring working hours, meaning he had just 'two days off in two years' Despite advised by doctors to go home for two weeks and rest, he was told by a representative for his record label: 'Doctors over-exaggerate, don't they?' 'In the end, they wouldn't give me my passport to fly home. [Bandmate] Scott had to go in and nick my passport and just hand it to me and bundle me in a taxi at four in the morning. 'At the time, I didn't think that much of it. Now, that's an encroachment of power, isn't it really? It's almost imprisonment.' Ritchie was a member of Five from their inception in 1997 until they first split in 2001, with the band since reuniting on several occasion. Lee echoed the sentiment, admitting that his time with 911 was 'a whirlwind of planes, hotels, gigs, press conferences.' 'We were so tired and we didn't have a minute to think,' he added, before sharing that found the attention from fans difficult to handle. Both Ritchie and Lee added that they are backing a petition calling for a change in the law following the death of One Direction star Liam Payne. The proposed law would ensure stars get regular mental health check-ups, sufficient rest periods, mental health professionals on set and ongoing support throughout an artist's career. 911 star Lee Brennan echoed the sentiment, admitting that his time with 911 was 'a whirlwind of planes, hotels, gigs and press conferences' 'We were so tired and we didn't have a minute to think,' he added, before sharing that found the attention from fans difficult to handle Liam fell 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires last month. Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Argentina's capital, resulting in 'extremely serious injuries.' Discussing the proposed law change, Neville added: 'I could not support that more. You have an affinity with people in bands. When One Direction took off, you couldn't help looking at them in the press and thinking, ;'How are they doing?'; Louis Theroux's documentary Boybands Forever, which takes a deep dive into the careers of Nineties and Noughties acts such as Take That, Westlife and Blue, is set to hit screens later this month. The three hour-long episodes will follow the life changing reality of stars finding fame at a young age and will dive into topics such as drink, drugs, bust-ups and exploitation. Louis interviewed the likes of Robbie Williams and Brian McFadden as well as music label bosses Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh. Speaking ahead of his boyband series, Louis said: 'I couldn't be more thrilled about this series. An epic story featuring a cast of stars and star-makers, spanning three decades, it involves some of the icons of modern British pop. Both Ritchie and Lee added that they are backing a petition calling for a change in the law to protect young artists' mental health, following the death of One Direction star Liam Payne 'We see them through them through their highs and lows, hearing from the key players, as we chart the golden years of boybands. 'How they came together, the experience of sudden fame, the opportunity and temptations that came their way, conflicts within the groups, between the groups, and between the boys and their managers. 'It's a gripping fable about getting everything you dreamed of, and it not being what you imagined, centred on a generation of young men, and their managers, who were wildly successful and also immensely vulnerable, having the times of their lives and also in some cases cracking up. 'Those boys we all watched singing and dancing in tight formation - Take That, East 17, Westlife, Blue, Five, Damage, 911 and so many others - are now middle aged men who have the time and the maturity to look back reflect on what they went through. It's taken us more than a year to make the series. Now I'm just excited for people to see it.' Disney+ has added a smoking trigger warning to its adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Rivals, with some fans of the hit show labelling the move 'totally pathetic. The bestselling author famously embraced smoking as part of her persona, making the warning seem ironic to longtime readers. At the start of the new seriesa steamy, eight-part adaptation of Cooper's 1988 bonkbustera warning reads: '18+. Violence, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Sex. Some flashing light sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers. Contains tobacco depictions.' The irony has not gone unnoticed. One fan told the Mail: 'It's totally pathetic. In those days we smoked a lot. It was fun and true to those times. We are much too woke now.' Disney+ has added a smoking trigger warning to its adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Rivals, with some fans of the hit show labelling the move 'totally pathetic The bestselling author famously embraced smoking as part of her persona, making the warning seem ironic to longtime readers At the start of the new seriesa steamy, eight-part adaptation of Cooper's 1988 bonkbustera warning reads: '18+. Violence, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Sex. Some flashing light sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers. Contains tobacco depictions' The irony has not gone unnoticed. One fan told the Mail: 'It's totally pathetic. In those days we smoked a lot. It was fun and true to those times. We are much too woke now!' Ms Cooper, who sold over 11 million books in the UK and made her name with witty, decadent stories of British upper-crust antics, was known for her open enjoyment of smoking. A 2006 Daily Mail article described Cooper urging guests to join her in a cigarette, with the writer noting: 'Jilly keeps insisting I smoke. I love this. There are hostesses who allow you, grudgingly, to smoke, and there are the few who say: 'Smoke. I beg you.' Jilly produces an ashtray and paints her younger self as chaos in lipstick.' The racy eight-part series is based on Jilly Cooper's raunchy 1988 novel, and follows the cutthroat world of independent television in 1986 And in 2020, the Irish Daily Mail looked back on Cooper's heyday, remarking that her early journalism was penned in an era when people 'seemed to do little except eat, drink, and smoke.' The adaptation of Rivals, which premiered on October 18, stars Aidan Turner, David Tennant and Emily Atack. The racy taleinfamous for its depictions of sex, power, and privilegefocuses on the heated rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (Tennant). The book, part of the Rutshire Chronicles, soared to the top of the charts and sold more than a million copies. The story focuses on the tense rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant). The racy eight-part series aired in October - with many viewers left wondering how its themes would be translated for a modern audience. Writer and executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, who has previously worked on EastEnders, has shed light on the much anticipated new TV series. He told The Times: 'We've been equal opportunities in our nudity. There's a willy for every pair of t***.' The adaptation of Rivals, which premiered on October 18, stars Aidan Turner, David Tennant (pictured) and Emily Atack The story focuses on the tense rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) A 2006 Daily Mail article described Cooper urging guests to join her in a cigarette, with the writer noting, 'Jilly keeps insisting I smoke. I love this. There are hostesses who allow you, grudgingly, to smoke, and there are the few who say: 'Smoke. I beg you.' Jilly produces an ashtray and paints her younger self as chaos in lipstick' Disney assured viewers that the 1980s classic has been reinterpreted through a '2020s lens,' promising a modern take on Cooper's politically incorrect portrayal of English social elites. But Disney's choice to flag the show's 'tobacco depictions' alongside its famously provocative themes leads to questions on whether the warning is overkill. Disney has applied similar 'sensitivity' labels in recent years. In 2020, the platform added content advisories on several animated classics, including Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp and Dumbo, warning that racial stereotypes 'were wrong then and are wrong now.' But Mike Cameron, CEO of anti-smoking group Smoko, defended Disney's decision, arguing that these warnings offer valuable caution, particularly to younger audiences who might be influenced by what they see on screen. 'The impact media has on our actions is immense,' he said. Disneys move to spotlight smoking scenes may seem minor, yet it is a significant step in preventing the normalisation of such habits among the young. Meanwhile, UK shows like Big Brother and Love Island have allowed smoking to take, albeit with restrictions. Love Island, for example, bans smoking on-screen but provides a designated smoking area for contestants off-camera, permitting only one islander at a time to smoke. Craig Lawson, a former contestant, revealed that in earlier seasons, each cast member received an allowance of 20 cigarettes per day, and some only smoked out of sheer boredom. 'You get so bored when you're in there,' he said, 'that's why you see so many people smoking. There's only so much you can talk about your life.' Whereas, on Big Brother, CCTV cameras are in operation in the smoking area MailOnline has contacted Disney and Cooper's representatives for comment. Brittany Cartwright doesn't regret having a fling with one of Jax Taylor's friends. Last month, PageSix claimed the man who caught her eye was Julian Sensley, 42. The 35-year-old star insists she didn't plan to 'hook up with his friend' - but Brittany doesn't have any regrets about it, either. Brittany - who split from Jax earlier this year - said on the Hot Mic podcast: 'Jax and I did not have a no dating in the friend group policy. 'We never spoke about that because why would we? First off, I didn't think I was going to hook up with his friend. It wasn't planned. I wasn't trying to go after one of his friends. That's not how it happened.' Brittany Cartwright doesn't regret having a fling with one of Jax Taylor 's friends Last month, PageSix claimed the man who caught her eye was named Julian Sensley. The 35-year-old star insists she didn't plan to 'hook up with his friend' - but Brittany doesn't have any regrets about it, either Brittany also admitted to having a flirty exchange with the man on social media. She said: 'I could tell this guy was flirting with me. I was always flirting with him. He's very much my type.' Jax previously admitted that he doesn't blame Brittany for seeking a divorce. He said on the When Reality Hits podcast: 'Unfortunately, she's had enough. And I don't blame her at all. 'I mean, I can't believe she's been with me this long as it is. That we stayed, to be honest.' Despite this, Jax was still caught off-guard when Brittany decided to leave him. The reality star - who has Cruz, three, with Brittany - said: 'When she decided to leave, I was kind of in shock. I shouldn't have been in shock, but I was in shock.' Jax also conceded that he's been through a 'really, really rough' time since his high-profile split from Brittany. Jax - who spent some time in rehab earlier this year - added: 'Anyone that has gone through a divorce will understand how difficult this is.' Brittany - who split from Jax earlier this year - said on the Hot Mic podcast: 'Jax and I did not have a no dating in the friend group policy. Pictured April 27 in Washington, D.C. Seen with their son Cruz She also said she doesn't think Taylor changed 'at all' during his spell in rehab. The star spent time at a mental health facility earlier this year, but Brittany doesn't feel it's had any impact on him and she doubts whether he even has the capacity to change. Brittany said on the 'Hot Mic' podcast: 'I don't feel like he changed at all in those 30 days. 'And the reason, I mean, I'm sure it'll be on the show as well, but, you know, a lot of rage texting and stuff was still going on the entire time that he was in rehab. 'So, for me, I was just noticing like, this is just going to be constant. Like, if you're in therapy seven hours a day, and you're still finding time to call me names and cuss me out? And send me rage texts? 'Then you're obviously not ever gonna change.' Although Brittany subsequently admitted that a reconciliation remained possible, she confessed to being tired of 'cleaning up Jax's messes'. The former Vanderpump Rules star - who filed for a divorce from Jax in August - told Us Weekly: 'There's definitely a chance. But I won't waste my time and get back into a toxic situation. 'Now the veil has been lifted and I see how much I was always cleaning up Jax's messes. I'm thrown in the middle of all these fights and constantly forced to apologize for him in the media and to friends. It's hard.' Cartwright in October at the 2024 Reality TV Stars of the Year Awards in Los Angeles Seen last week on vacation, left. Right, seen in an ad for Cupshe Cartwright has been battling her weight ever since she welcomed her son Cruz. She has tried Jenny Craig, which caused her to lose 40lbs; soon after she modeling swimsuits for Cupshe. But she felt like she wanted some extra weight removed from around her waist. In September Cartwright told DailyMail.com exclusively she had a two hour AirSculpt session - which removes fat and tightens skin - in May so she could feel good about her body for the summer. The work was done three months before filing for divorce from Taylor. And the reality TV sensation is 'thrilled' with the move that has boosted her confidence after a very tough year. 'I am feeling great these days after getting AirSculpt,' she told DailyMail.com as she could be seen showing off her slender frame in new images. 'Yeah, you can say I wanted a revenge body. I wanted to look good after everything Ive been through this year. I want to look my very best. I wanted to get my sparkle back.' Paris Hilton celebrated her daughter London's first birthday with a sweet post on social media Monday. The reality star, 43, who dazzled at the recent Baby2Baby gala, shared a series of adorable snaps and video snippets of the wee one's first year of life. 'One year ago today, an icon was born ,' wrote the influencer on November 11. 'My beautiful Baby London, youve brought more love, light, and happiness into our lives than I could ever have dreamed,' she gushed. 'All of my 11:11 wishes came true the moment I held you in my arms. Watching you grow this past year has been the greatest blessing, and I cant wait for all the magical memories well continue to make together,' she penned, ending the message with, '#BabyLondon.' Paris Hilton, 43, marked her daughter London's first birthday with a sweet social media post and a video/photo carousel showcasing the little one's first year of life Friends and fans cooed over the post. 'Adorable ! Congratulations !!!' wrote Elle Editor-in-Chief Nina Garcia. One fan pointed out November 11 was a special day for another reason as well. 'How did I miss that she was born on 11/11!?!? Isnt that your wedding anniversary as well!?!?? Talk about proof of magical manifestation,' they said. Some of the photos included Hilton's husband, Carter Reum, 43, and big brother Phoenix, who will turn two in January. Hilton appears to be a very hands on mom, given her busy scheduled. One clip shows her kissing London's hand while the baby smiles. 'Hi Smiley girl' the doting mom said to the tyke lying on a blanket on the floor. A snap in Hilton's Instagram story show London's birthday was celebrated with an Alice in Wonderland themed party. Rebel Wilson, her wife Ramona Agruma and their daughter Royce, two, posed with the Rainbow High voice actress, who was dressed in costume. 'One year ago today, an icon was born ,' wrote the influencer on November 11 'My beautiful Baby London, youve brought more love, light, and happiness into our lives than I could ever have dreamed,' she gushed. 'All of my 11:11 wishes came true the moment I held you in my arms' 'Thanks to Princess @parishilton for having Royce over for London's 1st birthday yesterday,' the JoJo Rabbit actress wrote. 'Love celebrating with you,' Hilton replied. Both of the DJ's children were born via surrogate. In an interview with Glamour UK in February 2023, the Paris in Love star explained her reasons for going that route. Hilton shares London and son Phoenix, almost two, with husband Carter Reum, 43 A video clip shows her kissing London's hand while the baby smiles. 'Hi Smiley girl' the doting mom said to the tyke lying on a blanket on the floor London's birthday was celebrated with an Alice in Wonderland themed party. Guests included Rebel Wilson, her wife Ramona Agruma and their daughter Royce, two 'When I was in The Simple Life, I had to be in a room when a woman was giving birth and that traumatized me,' she explained to the outlet. 'I want a family so bad,' she said, 'Its just the physical part of doing it. Im just so scared childbirth and death are the two things that scare me more than anything in the world.' Hilton also explained that the abuse she experienced at a facility for troubled teens at the Provo Canyon school in Utah had left her afraid of doctors. 'Im just so scared. Leading back to Provo of even being in a doctors office, just all of that, the shots, the IVs that they put in,' she said. Emily Ratajkowski is the new Intimissimi Brand Ambassador, it was announced on Tuesday. The cover girl was seen in black lace lingerie that showed off her abs while posing by a window. Lopez has been the global brand ambassador for Intimissimi since 2023. Heidi Klum and her daughter Leni have also worked for the Italian brand. 'I am thrilled to join Intimissimi as their Brand Ambassador,' said Ratajkowski in a statement shared with DailyMail.com. 'Intimissimi celebrates women and femininity in such an inspiring way, and I am excited to help introduce this iconic brand to more women across the U.S.' Emily Ratajkowski is the new Intimissimi Brand Ambassador, it was announced on Tuesday Emily added: 'I truly believe in the power of beautiful lingerie to make you feel confident and empowered, and Intimissimi does this beautifully.' Emily has her own swimsuit line called Inamorata Woman. 'We are absolutely delighted to welcome Emily Ratajkowski to the Intimissimi family,' said Matteo Veronesi, Brand Leader Intimissimi. 'Emily's charisma and undeniable presence perfectly reflect the qualities we want to celebrate through our brand. 'She brings a modern, powerful energy that aligns with our dedication to empowering women and embracing individuality through our lingerie.' Since its founding in 1996, Intimissimi has been 'at the forefront of lingerie design, combining Italian craftsmanship with contemporary fashion,' a press release shared. 'With a commitment to high-quality fabrics, sophisticated design, and an inclusive approach, Intimissimi brings women's lingerie, loungewear, and accessories that inspire confidence and elegance.' . The cover girl was seen in black lace lingerie while posing by a window 'I am thrilled to join Intimissimi as their Brand Ambassador,' said Ratajkowski in a statement shared with DailyMail.com. 'Intimissimi celebrates women and femininity in such an inspiring way, and I am excited to help introduce this iconic brand to more women across the U.S. Now available in 53 countries with 1,719 stores worldwide, Intimissimi has the 'experience and expertise to produce the finest lingerie for every woman's daily needs,' a press release shared. Intimissimi is 'designed with the modern woman in mind, for the woman who is comfortable in her own skin.' Lopez modeled beige toned lace and satin lingerie for the brand last year. Lopez modeled beige toned lace and satin lingerie for the brand last year. Lashana Lynch has channeled Grace Jones for her latest edgy cover photoshoot with Defined Magazine as she sported a dark short square haircut. The Woman King actress, 36, revealed her surprising new career as she hopes to move away from serious roles in drama and action movies. Lashana, who has previously starred in James Bond, The Marvels and The Day of the Jackal, revealed she is 'proud' of her previous work but is hoping to do something more 'lighthearted'. Lashana told Defined that she hopes to be in a comedy next, she said: 'I would like to be funny. To be light on screen and giggle throughout the day. 'I've done a lot of serious roles recently. Everything's got me on that deep drama journey, and I'm proud of it, but I'd be interested to see what lightness does to me.' Lashana Lynch has channeled Grace Jones for her latest edgy cover photoshoot with Defined Magazine as she sported a dark short square haircut Lashana channeled Grace Jones (pictured in 1984) in her latest photo shoot Lashana cut an incredible cool figure as she posed in a strapless black dress with eye catching long gloves. In a second shot she added a trendy structured blazer which she teamed with a pair of dark sunglasses. The actress stunned as she slipped into a studded one sleeved studded dress as she posed for an eye catching black and white snap. It comes after Lashana revealed last month that she is pregnant with her first child with husband Zackary Momoh as she debuted her baby bump at The Day Of The Jackal premiere in New York City. The actress who took on a leading role in the upcoming British drama series shared her big moment as she joined some of her costars on the red carpet, including Eddie Redmayne and Ursula Corbero. Lynch is expecting baby number one with partner, Zackary Momoh, although an exact due date has yet to be revealed. She turned heads wearing a sleeveless, Ottolinger dress that had a shirt and tie image depicted on the upper portion. The ensemble also contained cheetah-print details and clung to her frame as she stopped by the screening at the Walter Reade Theater. The Woman King actress, 36, revealed her surprising new career as she hopes to move away from serious roles in drama and action movies Lashana, who has previously starred in James Bond , The Marvels and The Day of the Jackal, revealed she is 'proud' of her previous work but is hoping to do something more 'lighthearted' Lashana told Defined that she hopes to be in a comedy next, she said: ' I would like to be funny. To be light on screen and giggle throughout the day' She continued: 'I've done a lot of serious roles recently. Everything's got me on that deep drama journey, and I'm proud of it, but I'd be interested to see what lightness does to me' The actress rocked a trendy suit as she posed for the magazine It comes after Lashana revealed last month that she is pregnant with her first child with husband Zackary Momoh as she debuted her baby bump at The Day Of The Jackal premiere in New York City At another screening last week, Lashana was supported by husband Zackary as they graced the red carpet in Rome At another screening last week, Lashana was supported by husband Zackary as they graced the red carpet in Rome. The soon-to-be-mother looked radiant as she showcased her blossoming bump in her second outfit of the evening at Villa Wolkonsky. She put on an elegant display as stepped out in a figure-hugging, long-sleeved black dress which featured an elegant one-meter train. Adding inches to her frame, she stepped out in a pair of black leather heeled boots and accessorised with a pair of large silver earrings. Alongside her was her supporting husband who looked dapper in a blue two-piece suit and a crisp white shirt. John Mulaney has revealed that Olivia Munn still randomly drugs tests him after first staging a mini-intervention when she was six months pregnant. The funny man, 42, who poked fun at his stint in rehab during his recent hosting on Saturday Night Live, said he and his wife, 44, came up with the plan to keep him accountable. 'It's like a relief,' Mulaney told GQ in his Comedian of the Year interview. 'I like to be able to not even have that be a question in her or anyone elses mind.' he explained. 'Something about peeing in that cup is like, "I'm walking this walk." It gives me confidence,' he told the publication. John Mulaney, 42, has revealed the unique way he maintains his sobriety after kicking his drug habit four years ago (Pictured in New York City in May 2022) The comedian, who revealed the intervention that ended up in his going to rehab in his Emmy winning Baby J special on Netflix explained, 'There was a time when I would have told you that I could not fly, sleep, or perform unless I had a Klonopin.' 'I would have said, "It sucks because I dont always want to take Klonopin and Xanax, but I have to."' Munn and Mulaney had only been seeing each other a little while when she got pregnant with their first child. 'It was like watching a man in a tsunami,' she said. 'I was watching someone newly sober, at the edge of a cliff, and I didnt know him well enough to help him.' The couple, who tied the knot over the July 4 weekend, also told the magazine they agreed to raise Malcolm as a couple only two months before he was born. Mulaney and Munn welcomed their second child, a daughter named Mei on September 14 via surrogate. The funny man revealed his wife, Olivia Munn gives him random drug tests. 'Its like a relief. I like to be able to not even have that be a question in her or anyone elses mind' (Pictured in Paris in June) Mulaney explained his unusual strategy in an article with GQ who named him Comedian of the Year Munn was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023, and underwent a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy. The surgery and treatment made it difficult of the Violet actress to take care of her family the way she was used to, but Mulaney stepped in for her she said on the Today show. 'John is just the most amazing husband and father, and so we figure out a way to make it all work despite how tired I can be at all times.' The couple told the magazine Munn staged a mini-intervention when she was about six months pregnant with their first child, Malcolm, almost three, and the two decided drug testing was a way to keep him accountable The pair, who tied the knot over the July 4 weekend, recently welcomed their second child Mei on September 14 via surrogate Mulaney has successfully completed one season of John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA, and has been prepping for season two. 'Doing the show really made me enjoy LA,' he told GQ. 'Something clicked where I was like, "Oh, this feels like the future." 'Theres so much going on: aerospace, shipping, agriculture, industry. This Hollywood thing is pretty tiny,' he said. Dick Van Dyke had a blistering response to Donald Trump's shock US presidential win as he stepped out recently - after endorsing Democrat candidate Kamala Harris. The screen icon, who will turn 99 next month, said he was grateful he 'won't be around' to experience the next four years when asked about President-Elect Trump's upcoming second term. The Mary Poppins star - who was seen with wife Arlene Silver, 52 - was asked: 'Does the future look bright for America?' to which he responded: 'I hope you're right!' He was then asked: 'Do you think Donald Trump is capable of making America great again?' Van Dyke quipped that he would rather die than endure another Trump term, saying: 'Fortunately I won't be around to experience the four years.' Dick Van Dyke had a blistering response to Donald Trump's shock US presidential win as he stepped out this week - after endorsing Democrat candidate Kamala Harris Trump beat Harris in an astonishing political comeback last week (pictured November 6) Last week Van Dyke surprised fans with a rare social media appearance on Monday just one day before the election. The acting icon who recently sparked concerns after he was forced to cancel his first appearance outside of Los Angeles in months addressed the camera in a stark black-and-white clip shared on his Instagram page. The compared the current race and political climate to that of 1964 by reading a speech he originally delivered at an event with Martin Luther King Jr. Van Dyke who will celebrate his 99th birthday on December 13 was notably still full of vigor and passion as he recite the speech in a strong voice. Although his speech did not mention either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump by name, the stage and screen star made it clear that he was supporting Harris by tagging her personal account, the Harris campaign's account, and the official account of the vice president. 'You may remember I used to sing and dance and fall down a lot, actually,' Van Dyke introduced himself on a playful note while wearing a casual polo shirt and wearing his now-standard snow-white beard. 'Fifty years ago May 31st, 1964 I was on the podium with Dr. Martin Luther King, who was addressing some 60,000 people in the Colosseum in LA, and I was there to read a message written by Rod Serling,' he said, referencing the Twilight Zone creator and scribe. The screen icon, who will turn 99 next month, said he was grateful he 'won't be around' to experience the next four years when asked about President-Elect Trump's upcoming second term Stepping out with wife Arlene Silver, 52, recently, the Mary Poppins star was asked: 'Does the future look bright for America?' to which he responded: 'I hope you're right!' He was then asked: 'Do you think Donald Trump is capable of making America great again?' Van Dyke quipped that he would rather die than endure another Trump term, saying: 'Fortunately I won't be around to experience the four years' The actor was surprisingly candid about the election win Last week Van Dyke made a rare appearance on social media on Monday to deliver his endorsement in the 2024 presidential election Although his speech didn't mention either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, Van Dyke made it clear he was supporting Harris by tagging her Instagram accounts in his caption 'I got it out the other day and I think it means as much today if not more than it did then, so if you dont mind, Id like to read it,' he continued. Van Dyke donned a pair of reading glasses as he began to read the speech. 'Hatred is not the norm. Prejudice is not the norm. Suspicion, dislike, jealousy [and] scapegoating. none of those are the transcendent facets of the human personality,' he began. 'They are diseases. They are the cancers of the soul. They are the infectious and contagious viruses that have been breeding humanity for years,' he said as he read the words of Serling, who was known for his liberal politics, which included his support for anti-war politicians and his devotion to combating racism, both in his personal life and in his allegorical scripts for The Twilight Zone and other television series. 'And because they have been and because they are, is it necessary that they shall be?' Van Dyke asked. 'I think not.' He added that, as long as there remains 'one voice left to say "welcome" to a stranger,' 'one hand outstretched to say "enter and share,"' and 'one mind remaining to think a thought of warmth and friendship,' then there was still hope for the collective soul of humankind. Van Dyke added through Serling's words that the nation was still animated by an 'essential decency,' 'basic goodness' and 'preeminent dignity' coursing through its citizens. However, the speech also noted that Americans have repeatedly failed to live up to the nation's highest ideals. 'There will be moments of violence and expressions of hatred and an ugly echo of intolerance, but these are the clinging vestiges of a decayed past, not the harbingers of the better, cleaner future,' Van Dyke warned, echoing the language of many anti-Trump figures. 'To those who tell us that the inequality of the human animal is a necessary evil, we must respond by simply saying that first, it is evil but it is not necessary,' the Dick Van Dyke Show star said. 'We prove it, sitting here tonight in 1964. We prove it by reaffirming our faith. We prove it by having faith in our affirmations.' Van Dyke concluded by rewriting a quotation from the abolitionist and US Representative Horace Mann, who died two years before the start of the American Civil War. 'Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity,' he quoted. 'Id like to paraphrase that tonight. "Let us be ashamed to live without that victory."' After wrapping up the decades-old speech, Van Dyke noted that 'a lot has happened' to improve the United States since he first opened King's rally with that speech, but he added that much was still left to be done to create a stronger nation. 'Its not what Martin Luther King dreamed of but its a start,' he said, ending on a note of optimism. 'Thank you and God bless.' Most of Van Dyke's message was contained in his impassioned video, but he added 'VOTE!!!' in his caption, along with his tags for Harris and her campaign. Van Dyke's endorsement was in vain as Trump beat current Vice President Kamala Harris in the election - in what has been called the 'greatest political comeback of all time.' He becomes the first president in over 130 years and only the second in history to win a non-consecutive second term. Trump and Kamala Harris went head-to-head for the US presidency - with Trump winninfg in a landslide victory (pictured September) Van Dyke is set to turn 99 in December. He is best known for starring opposite Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins (pictured) and for leading the eponymous Dick Van Dyke Show His defeat of Harris marks a remarkable return for a twice-impeached president, who left office in 2021 on the back of claims that he had incited an assault on the U.S. Capitol building, and who was convicted earlier this year on multiple counts of business fraud. The 78-year-old Trump will also become the oldest president ever inaugurated, beating President Joe Biden's record by five months. He pulled off his remarkable victory on a night reminiscent of 2016, sweeping the key swing states of North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Associated Press called Wisconsin at 5.34am (ET) on Wednesday and the race just three minutes later. Olivia Munn has revealed her courtship with husband John Mulaney was anything but conventional. The actress, 44, who recently revealed her mastectomy scars in a Skims campaign, told GQ for the 2024 Men of the Year issue their relationship 'wasnt anything close to dating,' when she got pregnant with their first child. 'I barely knew him,' she admitted to the publication. Munn originally met the comedian, 42, when they were both at Seth Myers' wedding in 2013. The two reconnected when Mulaney got out of rehab in early 2021. The Emmy winner had split from his wife, Anna Marie Tendler, and was looking for a new place to live. Munn referred him to a friend who might help. He then sent her a thanks for the recommendation and they ended up getting together briefly. Olivia Munn, 44, has revealed her courtship with husband John Mulaney was anything but conventional; pictured in Inglewood, CA in May 2021 When the Newsroom actress told Mulaney she was pregnant, she said he was excited about the baby. 'It wasnt necessarily "were going to be married and live together" or any of that, but it was "I will be involved in some way." The pair were bi-coastal with Munn living in Los Angeles and Mulaney was in New York City, but they would talk occasionally and the comic would travel to LA to visit. The Hit-Monkey voice actress' hesitance to embark on a relationship was understandable. 'It was like watching a man in a tsunami,' she told the magazine. 'I was watching someone newly sober, at the edge of a cliff, and I didnt know him well enough to help him.' Mulaney admitted he was afraid of a relapse, but Munn said the idea of becoming a father was 'the one thing that made him seem light and happy. I remember he was really excited to tell his parents. 'In my head, I'm thinking, "I dont know really whats happening with this guy. It feels pretty shaky,"' she explained. 'But then I would see him at the Troubadour and be like, "Man, he's on fire. He's just that phenomenal."' The Newsroom actress, who wed the comedian over the July 4 weekend, told GQ when she discovered she was pregnant with their first child in 2021. 'It wasnt anything close to dating, I barely knew him'; pictured in Beverly Hills in March Munn and Mulaney connected in 2021, shortly after he got out of rehab. She lived in LA and he in New York City, but they would talk on the phone and the funnyman would come to visit her (Pictured in Los Angeles in April 2021) Before having Malcolm, almost three, the couple decided Munn would randomly drug test Maloney to keep him from relapsing. 'Its like a relief,' Mulaney told GQ. 'I like to be able to not even have that be a question in her or anyone else's mind' To perhaps ease both of their fears, the Love Wedding Repeat star staged a mini-intervention when she was six months pregnant with their son Malcolm, almost three. The pair agreed she would administer random drug tests to make sure he stayed clean, a practice that has become part of their routine. 'Its like a relief,' Mulaney told GQ. 'I like to be able to not even have that be a question in her or anyone else's mind. Something about peeing in that cup is like, "I'm walking this walk." It gives me confidence.' Munn and Mulaney decided to become a couple two months before their son's birth November 24, 2021. Munn has recently dealt with her own health issues, after being diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy earlier this year. Munn has recently dealt with her own health issues, after being diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy earlier this year (Pictured in Los Angeles in September 2023) The couple welcomed their second child, Mei, in September via surrogate The couple walked down the aisle over the July 4 weekend and welcomed their second child, Mei, in September via surrogate. The family now call Los Angeles their home with Mulaney hosting John Mulaney Presents: Everybodys in L.A. After a successful first season, 12 new episodes of the show were set to air live on Netflix beginning sometime in late February. Munn, meanwhile, has joined the cast of the upcoming series Your Friends and Neighbors with Jon Hamm and Amanda Peet for Apple TV+. The show is expected to air sometime in 2025. She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan. Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain. Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years. After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans. Katie, now 46, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017. Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price. The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts 1995 - Barefaced beauty At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling. At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan. Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age. 1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling 1998 - First boob job Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C. The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure. Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters. 1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C 1999 - Second and third boob job Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21. Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup. Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones. 1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21 2001 - Lip fillers At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers. While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene. Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions. 2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers 2004 - Botox Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles. She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.' At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.' 2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines 2006 - Fourth boob job Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup. The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle. She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox. 2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup 2007 - First nose job and veneers At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers. 'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.' Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!' 2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers 2008 - Fifth boob job Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup. The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior. Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range. 2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup 2011 - Sixth boob job Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup. Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers. The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'. 2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup 2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh. Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.' Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup. 2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast 2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust. The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis. Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration. 2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup 2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift. The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features. However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml. 2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word 2018 - Second face lift Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it. She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.' 2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation. The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck. Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup. 2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck 2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel. The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure. Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.' 2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job 2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum. The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal. The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash. 2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts 2022 - Another brow and eye lift Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage. Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.' It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work. Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years! 'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow. 'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched. 'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face. 'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.' 2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery 2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th. The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium. She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size. Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more. 'I would go bigger as well and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look. 'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.' 2023: It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th 2024 - MORE facial surgery In July 2024 Katie confirmed she is travelling to Turkey for facial surgery, to be filmed for a new documentary, after failing to attend a bankruptcy hearing. The former glamour model was absent at a scheduled 760,000 bankruptcy court hearing having flown overseas for her latest cosmetic procedure. A warrant was subsequently issued, with Katie admitting she's 'doing the best she can' to rectify her financial issues after receiving 'very clear warnings' that she needed to attend court. Ronnie Wood was joined by glamorous wife Sally as they attended a gallery launch in London on Tuesday evening. The Rolling Stones legend was hand-in-hand with Sally while launching an exhibition of his own work at the Andrew Martin shop on Walton Street in Chelsea. Ronnie, 77, looked appropriately smart in a black two-piece suit and crisp white dress shirt as he greeted onlookers before making his way inside. Meanwhile Sally, 46, on hand to support her husband, caught the eye in a floral minidress, sheer black tights and conventional black heels. Away from his work with The Rolling Stones, Wood has won accolades - and earned a tidy sum - through his passion for art. Ronnie Wood was joined by glamorous wife Sally as they attended a gallery launch in London on Tuesday evening The Rolling Stones legend was accompanied by Sally while launching an exhibition of his own work at the Andrew Martin shop on Walton Street in Chelsea The musician has made more than 1million through his paintings, with accounts filed in 2023 revealing made a massive 1,437,277 in profit the previous year. He discovered his talent for painting at Ealing Art College in the 60s alongside fellow stars Freddie Mercury and Pete Townshend. After finding fame, Ronnie picked up a paint brush again in the 80s. He previously said: 'When I am painting, I lose track of time. I get engrossed. It's great'. One of his paintings, unveiled in March 2023, depicted The Rolling Stones - among them late drummer Charlie Watts - performing on a street in Havana. Taking to Instagram to share the new piece, he wrote: 'Ronnie's latest portrait of the Rolling Stones shows the band on a Havana Street, with Charlie playing a Cuban drum, Mick dancing with a flourish and Darryl throwing his Fedora into the air! 'The painting illustrates how the band were inspired and invigorated by the Havana musical scene and the people of Cuba, at the time of their spectacular free concert for over 500,000 people.' Another painting is dated March 25, 2016 and showed the setlist of the free concert that the band played in Cuba, which was filmed for Havana Moon. Ronnie looked appropriately smart in a black two-piece suit and crisp white dress shirt as he greeted onlookers before making his way inside Sally, on hand to support her husband, caught the eye in a floral minidress, sheer black tights and conventional black heels The Rolling Stones released the 24th studio album in October, to huge success. Hackney Diamonds went straight in at number one - the 11th time the band have achieved this feat. It was quickly classified as the fifth fastest-selling album of the year and the third most streamed album on Apple Music. Six tracks from the new record Angry, Sweet Sounds of Heaven, Get Close, Bite My Head Off, Depending on You and Mess it Up made this weeks top 100 singles midweek chart. Away from his work with The Rolling Stones, Wood has won accolades - and earned a tidy sum - through his passion for art They then posed inside the event He looked smart in a black suit Sally Wood, Ronnie Wood and Harland Miller The pair were enjoying some drinks He posed with the works Twiggy and her husband Leigh Lawson were also in attendance Along with Rob Brydon Jimmy White attends Ronnie Wood's new art exhibition The couple looked like they were having a great time The musician has made more than 1million through his paintings, with accounts filed in 2023 revealing made a massive 1,437,277 in profit the previous year He discovered his talent for painting at Ealing Art College in the 60s alongside fellow stars Freddie Mercury and Pete Townshend One of his paintings, unveiled in March 2023, depicted The Rolling Stones - among them late drummer Charlie Watts - performing on a street in Havana Tim Matheson isn't holding back with his new tell-all memoir. The 76-year-old Animal House star shared in one particularly raunchy passage of his book, Damn Glad To Meet You, that he had once had pre-birthday festivities that included sleeping with three different women in a single day including a pre-fame Kirstie Alley. Matheson admitted that the triple trysts happened while he was in Los Angeles and his then-girlfriend was across the country in New York for work. The day got off to a surprising start, when Matheson writes that a friend of his arrived at his front door in a 'sherry lace top and crotchless velvet panties,' via Page Six. Although his 33rd birthday was still a day away, he writes that his friend wanted to give him 'an early present.' Animal House star Tim Matheson, 76, revealed in his memoir Damn Good To Meet You that he had sex with three women the day before his 33rd birthday; pictured in October in Burbank The former child star revealed that one of the women was Kirstie Alley, who was not yet a big star; pictured in 1983 Matheson spares a thought for his long-distance girlfriend, writing in his memoir that he 'really did love this other girl three-thousand-plus miles away...' However, he adds that the sentiment 'doesnt mean I wasnt a pig and an idiot.' His birthday eve took another surprising turn when another woman showed up on his doorstep. This time, it was a 'beautiful waitress' he was acquainted with who worked near where he was staying. After her experiential birthday gift, the Very Brady Sequel star was cooling down when he got a phone call from his friend Kirstie Alley. 'Kirstie hadnt hit yet and was still two years from Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan and five years from Cheers and a superstar career,' he writes of the film and television star. 'She was also a few years from Scientology and, so, still in her fun Wichita-gal-now-in-LA partying phase.' According to Matheson, the future star asked if she could drop by his place. One thing led to another, and then 'Kirstie Alley is naked and were enjoying some postcoital conversation in my bed.' Mattheson (seen second to left on the Animal House set) was greeted by one female friend in crotchless velvet panties who wanted to give him 'an early present' After a second tryst with a waitress who visited him, Kirstie Alley allegedly called him up asking to spend time; pictured in 1979 with her second husband Parker Stevenson But her visit to his bed nearly coincided with disaster for the former child star, as he heard someone arriving while they were still in bed. It turned out to be his girlfriend, who had sweetly flown out to Los Angeles to celebrate his birthday. He writes that he managed to get his girlfriend away from the bedroom and kept her occupied just long enough for Alley to 'magically' disappear. The Cheers star would go on to become a massively popular actress for years. She died in 2022 at age 71. Matheson adds that Kirstie 'magically' snuck out when he long-distance girlfriend arrived to surprise him Although his birthday celebrations appear to be among the most salacious revelations from his well-reviewed memoir, Matheson also reportedly details dating the iconic English model-turned-actress Twiggy. He also writes of a period in which he dated a 'gorgeous woman named Georganne' who was living with her sister at the time. During one visit to see her, Tim and Georganne saw her 'bib sis' reading on her bed, at which point he reveals she was far from an anonymous sister. 'Her sister was Cher. The Cher,' he writes, explaining that 'Georganne had not bothered to reveal the identity of her sister to me It [was] startling to say the least. Matheson, who was a loose inspiration for Skyler Gisondo's suave aging child actor in Licorice Pizza, has been married three times. He was first married to the Canadian actress Jennifer Leak from 1968 to 1971, then he married again to Megan Murphy Matheson from 1985 until their 2010 divorce. Most recently, he tied the knot with Elizabeth Marighetto in 2018. Matheson has been married three time. He most recently wed Elizabeth Marighetto in 2018; pictured in 2019 in Hollywood His career began in his early teens with roles on television, and he also voiced the title character in the animated adventure series Jonny Quest. Later, he appeared with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda in Yours, Mine and Ours (1968), opposite Clint Eastwood in Magnum Force, and in the iconic comedy Animal House. Steven Spielberg later hired him for his misbegotten comedy 1941, and he had major roles in comedies including Fleetch, Black Sheep and A Very Brady Sequel. More recently, he appeared in Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and the remake of Child's Play. China's special envoy calls for joint efforts to tackle climate change Xinhua) 08:10, November 12, 2024 Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for Climate Change, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Brussels, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xuxuan) While the EU has been relatively active in supporting climate finance for developing countries in the past decade, it now faces "some challenges and internal divisions," Liu said. BRUSSELS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Both developed and developing countries must work together to tackle climate change, China's special envoy for climate change Liu Zhenmin has said, noting that China will work with the European Union (EU) and other parties to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Liu made the remarks here in a recent interview with Xinhua before departing for Baku, Azerbaijan, to attend the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). Developed countries should take the lead to provide financial support to developing nations in addressing challenges brought about by climate change, Liu said, adding that it is their obligation outlined in the Paris Agreement. At the 2009 UN climate conference in Copenhagen, developed countries pledged to provide 100 billion U.S. dollars annually in climate finance to support developing countries in their energy transition; however, this promise has yet to be fully fulfilled. A huge poster promoting the UN Climate Conference is seen at the street in Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, December 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Xie Xiudong) "This funding is modest compared to the vast resources needed for the global energy transition, but it has served as a demonstration of effective global cooperation," Liu said. It can also play an active role in leveraging international market funds and encouraging private investment, he added. As COP29 will make arrangements for global climate finance targets beyond 2025, Liu believed that it will not be easy for relevant finance negotiations to move forward smoothly. In a statement issued in October, the Council of the EU announced that the bloc had reached a consensus on its negotiating position for COP29, supporting a new collective quantified goal in global climate finance. However, the statement did not specify the EU's own responsibilities. Instead, it more than ever urged all countries, even including emerging economies, to shoulder more financial responsibilities. While the EU has been relatively active in supporting climate finance for developing countries in the past decade, it now faces "some challenges and internal divisions," Liu said, noting that the recent European Parliament elections as well as national elections have revealed that some political parties are less enthusiastic about climate action than before. People walk past the building of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, July 19, 2022. A heat wave hit Belgium recently, with the highest daily temperature on Tuesday reaching 39 or 40 degrees Celsius. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) "As a significant player in global climate governance, these challenges should not become reasons to shift responsibility," Liu said, urging the EU to continue actively fulfilling its international responsibilities in supporting climate action. China, as a developing country, has been actively fulfilling its commitment to green transition, Liu said. China is vigorously advancing electrification in the transportation sector, and high-speed railways have become a major mode of transportation for the public, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles are also rapidly gaining popularity, helping to cut emissions and reduce pollution. Regarding the COP29, Liu said China will work with the EU and other parties to constructively engage in all agenda items, striving to achieve significant outcomes and advance the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and meanwhile, China will continue to support other developing countries through South-South cooperation, providing assistance within its capacity. An aerial drone photo shows a bullet train running on a bridge in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, May 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Li An) "Addressing climate change requires the joint efforts of both developed and developing countries, and China will remain a steadfast promoter of global climate cooperation," Liu said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Cultures meet at international youth event Chinadaily.com.cn) 16:35, November 12, 2024 The 2024 International Youth Pop Culture Carnival, one of the major events of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Youth Camp, was held in Qingdao, China, on Wednesday. Jointly hosted by the China International Youth Exchange Center and the Shandong Youth Federation, the event was attended by around 80 youth representatives from SCO member countries, observer countries and international students in China. Students dress in traditional Chinese attire. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn) The joyful melody of "Impression China", featuring an ensemble of Chinese and Western instruments, kicked off the carnival. Performances of hip-hop dance, electronic music, traditional Chinese-style clothing fashion shows, and Chinese and Western instrumental ensembles made the event a melting pot of different cultures. The young participants enjoyed themselves and exchanged ideas, expressing a longing for the future through their vitality and enthusiasm. In the cultural exhibition area, traditional Chinese handicrafts such as paper cutting, dough sculpting and lacquer fans attracted the attention of youth representatives from various countries. They also experienced a traditional Chinese medicine massage and tasted Shandong-specific sugar-paintings and Chinese tea, getting a feeling for the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture. Participants immerse themselves in vibrant activities at the 2024 International Youth Pop Culture Carnival in Qingdao on November 6. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn) The atmosphere at the event was friendly, full of laughter and applause. Many young participants said the event heightened their cultural awareness and helped them gain a deeper understanding of China. This event was an important part of the "International Youth Pop Culture Season" series initiated and hosted by the China International Youth Exchange Center. The "International Youth Pop Culture Season" was launched in May this year, aiming to build a platform for youth from various countries to conduct exchanges and enhance cooperation through various popular cultural forms such as anime, hip-hop dance, pop toys and art fair. It enables interaction among diverse cultures, stimulating creativity, promoting innovation and cooperation as well as deepening friendship. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Chloe Fineman has confirmed that Elon Musk was the mystery Saturday Night Live host who made her 'burst into tears' when he appeared on the show in May 2021. Rumors about a nightmare SNL guest emcee first spread when Bowen Yang told Andy Cohen about his 'worst' experience- without spilling all the details. On Monday, Fineman outed Musk as the mystery host after the Tesla CEO went ballistic over Dana Carvey's impression of him on the post-election show. 'OK, I just saw some news article about Elon Musk being like butthurt over SNL and his impression,' she said in a TikTok. 'And I'm like, you know what? I'm gonna come out and say at long last that I'm the cast member that he made cry. And he's the host that made someone cry.' Chloe Fineman has confirmed that Elon Musk is the Saturday Night Live host who made her cry when he hosted the show in May 2021 Fineman, who has been in the cast since 2019, outed Musk as the host who had her in tears after seeing the Tesla CEO and one of Donald Trump 's key advisors complain about Dana Carvey's impression of him on this past week's show Fineman said that Musk had been brutally critical of her work during a late night writing session. 'You made I, Chloe Fineman bust into tears because I stayed up late writing a sketch, I was so excited, I came in, I asked if you had any questions and you stared at me like you were firing me from Tesla and were like 'It's not funny.''' The sketch in question appears to be The Ooli Show, where Musk plays a producer interrupting an Icelandic talk show. She said that Musk 'started pawing through my scriptlike flipping each page, [and] being, like, "I didn't laugh once, not one time."' The Megalopolis star noted that the sketch turned out for the best and she thought Musk was good in it but had to chime in after the 'chief twit' complaining about Carvey's impression. She said: 'The sketch made it on, and it was fine, and I actually had a really good time and I thought you were really funny in it. But, you know. Have a little manners here, sir!' Musk was critical of Saturday Night Live's portrayal of him in the NBC staple's first episode since Donald Trump's election victory. The Tesla & X CEO, 53, fired off a series of tweets on his platform X/Twitter Sunday in response to the segment in which Carvey mimicked the physical gestures Musk made while on the campaign trail with Trump. The sketch in question appears to be The Ooli Show , where Musk plays a producer interrupting an Icelandic talk show 'SNL has been dying slowly for years, as they become increasingly out of touch with reality,' said the Pretoria, South Africa-born magnate, who hosted the show's May 8, 2021 episode. He added: 'Their last-ditch effort to cheat the equal airtime requirements and prop up Kamala before the election only helped sink her campaign further.' In the opening segment, Carvey, a cast member on the series from 1986-1993, was clad in an all-black ensemble similar to one Musk has been seen in as of late. Carvey said while imitating Musk, 'Check it out - dark MAGA - but seriously, I run the country now. 'America's gonna be like one of my rockets: You know, they're super cool and super fun, but there's a slight chance it could blow up and everybody dies. The SpaceX CEO said of the comic's performance: 'Dana Carvey just sounds like Dana Carvey.' Musk added of SNL: 'They are so mad that @realDonaldTrump won,' and also agreed with a user's suggestion that the show's opening clip had a larger platform via his social media site as opposed to NBC's broadcast and streaming services. The eccentric billionaire appeared on Saturday Night Live a few years back, poking fun at his own eccentricities and appearing to reveal that he has 'Asperger's' in his opening monologue, and sending the price of his favored cryptocurrency Dogecoin plunging after joking that he would buy some for his mom for Mother's Day. Elon Musk, 53, was critical of Saturday Night Live's portrayal of him via Dana Carvey, 69, in the NBC staple's first episode since Donald Trump's election victory. Pictured October 16 in Pennsylvania on the campaign trail for Trump In the opening segment, Carvey, a cast member on the series from 1986-1993, was clad in an all-black ensemble similar to one Musk has been seen in as of late As the hotly anticipated episode aired, many users complained that streaming options on the NBC app were crashing, presumably due to high user volume. Notably, SNL cast member Aidy Bryant did not appear in any sketches alongside Musk, after appearing to take a dig over his fortune in an Instagram story. After appearing in the Mother's Day cold open, which did not feature Musk, Bryant did not appear in the rest of the show. In his monologue, Musk himself did not mention the joke cryptocurrency Dogecoin by name, sending the price of the volatile asset plunging dramatically as he spoke. His mother Maye, who made a guest appearance for Mother's Day, did say she hoped that his gift would not be Dogecoin, to which he replied: 'It is!' 'I'm actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger's to host SNL. Or at least the first to admit it. So I won't make a lot of eye contact with the cast tonight,' Musk said in his monologue. Amid a mounting internal criticism, Nepal's Prime Minister KP Oli faces daunting challenges, from managing a coalition to dealing with China My Diwali and Tihar vacation in Nepal is continuing. Here is a flash report from Pokhara. After a turbulent 18-month rule, in which former Prime Minister Prachanda had to seek a vote of confidence five times, the two leading parties Nepali Congress and Unified Marxist Leninist unholy alliance ended CPN(Maoist) kingmaker Prachandas rule of just 32 seats in a 205-member house. PM KP Oli-led coalition is short of a two thirds majority. They share 4 to 3 in NCs favour in ruling the seven provinces. The promise of Ram-Rajya is unlikely to materialise. Two things stand out: an uneasy stability in government; and Olis apparent unpopularity . Olis only claim in his first 100 days is a positive stock market. And breaking the tradition of a Nepalese PMs first overseas visit to India by going first to China from 2 to 6 December, which high profile foreign minister Arzu Rana is organising. India not inviting Oli to become PM is a deliberate omission which was served to late PM Sushil Koirala also a decade ago. Olis standing as a leader has diminished because he is a junior partner to NC which is seen favoured by India, and due to his apparent loss of control and power over UML. A front-page report in Kathmandu Post (5 November) illustrates this. But alleged corruption cases against him and his supporters including the super department store chain Bhat Bhateni owner Min Bahadur Gurung have dimmed his reputation. On occasions, he was greeted with the chant Oli chor, desh chhod. Still, Oli retorted: wait and watch my party perform during 2027 elections. He is hoping to resuscitate his image from his visit to China. His stock with India is low. While Rana was given a red carpet welcome in India meeting PM Modi, NSA Ajit Doval and Secretary to Prime Minister PK Misra Olis meeting with Modi on the sidelines of UNGA was low-key. The China visit will have the Oli hallmark. He will meet President Xi Jinping, his counterpart Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He will try to convert the USD 250mn loan from the Exim Bank of China for the China-constructed Pokhara International Airport a white elephant like Hambantota in Sri Lanka to grant though China has insisted it is part of the BRI loan. Oli is expected to sign the BRI implementation plan which China has been pressing but so far, Nepal has resisted as Kathmandu wants BRI to come under a grant scheme and not a high-interest loan. The BRI deal has been pending since 2020. Oli during his 2018 China visit had outlined 35 projects which were trimmed to nine projects under BRI. If Oli can persuade China of his grant scheme for BRI or place some of the nine projects under it, he will have made a big breakthrough. Strangely few protest about Chinese intrusions in the north. The Jeevan Bahadur Shahi report which had recently mapped Chinese encroachments, missing border pillars and illegal construction, has been quashed. Nepali leaders willingly oblige Beijing over the One China policy that has ensured the Great Wall of China on the border to prevent Tibetan infiltration and migration to Dharamsala. Only one or two Tibetans slipped through this year. China wants Nepal to sign and ratify the Border Management System which Kathmandu has not done so far. But Beijing hopes Oli will. China-Nepal relations were upgraded to Strategic Partnership during Xis historic 2019 visit. The Xi visit was unique because none of the agreements signed had been implemented. A power trade agreement may be facilitated now after the completion of the 220 KVA transmission line from Rasuwagarhi to Kirung to sell power from Chinese hydro projects.It is in the energy sector that Nepal will eventually prosper. Bangladesh, Nepal and India signed a tripartite agreement for the 40MW sale of Nepal electricity to Bangladesh in the rainy season. India holds the key to the development of Nepals power sector. Nepal is complaining about the Bureau of Indian Standards withholding certification of exports, especially with Chinese components which will hit Kathmandu, not Beijing. The opposition is in disarray with former Home Minister, once a rising star, Rabi Lamichhane, back in jail for the Pokhara Cooperative fraud. His party and his image have taken a beating though independents like Kathmandu Mayor, Balen Shah and Dharan Mayor, Harka Sampang, are progressing relentlessly to clean politics. While King Gyanendras popularity may appear to be rising, a return to constitutional monarchy is unlikely despite his recent visit to Bhutan which triggered unusual speculation. It is India that is making quiet gains, the embassy keeping a low profile, letting PMO Delhi run the show. Lingering negativity about Indian interference has all but vanished. On Agniveer, the feeling among Indian Gorkha ex-servicemen is that Nepal should lift the embargo on it. Something (even four years service) is better than nothing. Foreign Minister S Jaishankars remarks in July on Agniveer (relating to Nepal) were clear. Indias foreign policy is determined by its national interest. Not by any other country. The message reportedly conveyed to Arzu Rana in Delhi was: no change in terms of engagement on Agniveer even as a review is ongoing. COAS Gen Dwivedi is arriving here on November 21 for a ceremonial appointment as Honorary Chief of Nepal Army which has lost its lustre because not a single Nepali has been recruited in the Indian Army for five years. (The writer, a retired Major General, was Commander, IPKF South, Sri Lanka, and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the Integrated Defence Staff; the views expressed are personal) This years edition reaffirms IFFIs role as a powerful force in global cinema, connecting storytellers, industry leaders and audiences in a shared appreciation of the cinema The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is set to bring a fresh wave of cinematic celebration to the scenic coast of Goa from November 20th to 28th, 2024. This years festival promises to be more than just a film showcase; its a convergence of global cultures, a launchpad for emerging voices, and a profound tribute to Indias cinematic legacy. IFFI 2024 is a bold step forward, not only in its evolution but as a distinctive international film festival that celebrates both Indias vibrant culture and the art of cinema on a global stage. This year, IFFI spotlights Australia as its Country of Focus, emphasising the festivals commitment to bridging cultures and fostering international understanding. This section invites Indian audiences to dive into the heart of Australian cinema, exploring a curated selection of films that range from gritty dramas to adventurous comedies and reflective documentaries. Through this focused lens, audiences will experience the unique and evolving cinematic language of Australia, making IFFI a powerful platform for cross-cultural appreciation and dialogue. In doing so, IFFI 2024 goes beyond traditional film screening to create an immersive experience that positions the festival as a bridge between the stories, people, and cultures of the world. IFFI 2024s newest addition, the Best Debut Director of Indian Feature Film award, shines a spotlight on the next generation of Indian filmmakers. This award isnt just a recognition; its a pivotal moment in a young directors career, marking a path for fresh perspectives in Indian cinema. By dedicating this category to first-time directors, IFFI signals its commitment to nurturing innovative voices and helping them gain visibility in an increasingly competitive industry. While many international film festivals focus on established talents, IFFIs recognition of debut filmmakers reflects its dedication to fostering growth and embracing the future of Indian cinema. This years festival also pays homage to four towering icons of Indian cinema: Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and Mohammed Rafi. These legends shaped Indias cinematic legacy and captured the hearts of audiences across generations. By featuring restored classics and specially curated presentations, IFFI brings their artistry to life for a new generation and provides international attendees with a meaningful glimpse into Indias rich cinematic history. This tribute serves as a reminder of the depth of Indian cinema, its transformative impact on culture, and the enduring relevance of these trailblazers. IFFIs Film Bazaar, now in its 18th year, stands out as a dynamic marketplace that brings together filmmakers, financiers, distributors, and international industry leaders. With over 200 films featured in its Viewing Room, Film Bazaar is where stories find investors, films connect with distributors and collaborations are born. This dedicated platform sets IFFI apart from other festivals focused solely on screenings by creating opportunities for projects to grow and flourish beyond the festival circuit. For both Indian and international filmmakers, Film Bazaar represents a gateway to global audiences and a rare chance to network and secure support for future projects. The Indian Panorama section of IFFI has become a hallmark of the festival, offering audiences a diverse selection of contemporary Indian cinema. With 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films selected for their cinematic excellence, thematic resonance and aesthetic creativity, Indian Panorama showcases the vibrancy and diversity of Indian storytelling. For international attendees, it provides an authentic insight into Indias socio-cultural landscape, spotlighting everything from regional narratives to avant-garde experiments. This section reinforces IFFIs mission to present Indian cinema in all its depth and diversity, making it an invaluable part of the global film conversation. One of IFFI 2024s standout initiatives is Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT), a program me by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) dedicated to nurturing young filmmakers. CMOT provides a platform for emerging voices to showcase short films, documentaries and animations, facilitating connections with seasoned industry professionals. Through CMOT, IFFI is not only showcasing young talent but also empowering the next generation of Indian filmmakers with the resources and connections to succeed. This initiative solidifies IFFIs role as a festival that goes beyond celebration to become a nurturing ground for creativity and growth. In line with the essence of Bharat Parv, which captured the worlds attention at Cannes 2024, IFFI brings forth a celebration of Indias diverse cultural heritage. Bharat Parv, a campaign highlighting Indias rich traditions and unity in diversity, finds its cinematic expression at IFFI, where films, events, and programming reflect Indias multifaceted identity. This celebration of Indian culture provides international visitors with an immersive experience and a deeper understanding of Indias story, offering a window into its heritage through the powerful lens of cinema. IFFI 2024 arrives at a transformative moment for Indian cinema, serving as a platform to elevate Indian filmmakers onto the world stage. The festivals emphasis on emerging talent, global collaboration, and cultural exchange aligns with Indias aspirations to be a global leader in the arts. IFFIs unique combination of industry initiatives, recognition of fresh voices and celebration of cinematic heritage enables it to play a pivotal role in the growth of Indian cinema and its reception on the global stage. This years edition promises to leave an indelible impact on the industry, redefining IFFI as a festival that doesnt just reflect Indias cinematic culture but actively shapes its future. For international filmmakers, IFFI 2024 offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with Indias vibrant cinematic landscape. By providing exposure to a diverse Indian audience, access to Film Bazaars resources and engagement with sections like the Australian showcase, IFFI offers international filmmakers insights into Indias tastes, trends, and opportunities. IFFIs homage to iconic Indian artists also provides a rich cultural context that enables international guests to appreciate the legacy and contributions of Indian cinema. Through these interactions, IFFI creates a unique, collaborative environment that enriches both Indian and global cinema. The 55th IFFI is a festival that seamlessly merges tradition with forward-thinking innovation, paying tribute to the giants of Indian cinema while embracing the voices of tomorrow. From the spirit of Bharat Parv to the debut of a new award for emerging talent, IFFI 2024 embodies the evolving nature of cinema and celebrates the power of storytelling as a tool for connection. As the festival draws international filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences together, it positions India as a key player in global cinema and reaffirms IFFI as a festival of lasting impact and vision. (The writer is former additional DG, DFF and festival director, IFFI; Inputs provided by Zoya Ahmad and Vaishnavi Srinivasan; Views expressed are personal) The Mumbai Police on Tuesday arrested a lawyer from Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur in connection with a death threat issued to Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan last week, an official said. On November 7, the Mumbai police visited Raipur for its investigation in the case and summoned Faizan Khan, who is a lawyer by profession, for questioning. The Mumbai police on Tuesday morning informed their Raipur counterparts that they have arrested Faizan Khan from Pandri police station area here as a part of their probe into a threat call to Shah Rukh Khan, Raipur's Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Singh told PTI. As per preliminary information, the threat call to the actor was made by a phone number registered in the name of Faizan, he said. During questioning, the lawyer told the police that he had lost his phone and lodged a complaint in this connection at Khamardih police station here November 2, he said. The Mumbai police will produce Faizan in a Raipur court seeking his transit remand, Singh said. The threat to Shah Rukh Khan follows a series of threats issued to fellow actor Salman Khan, allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. India and Bangladesh on Tuesday decided to enhance cooperation in building infrastructure and operational efficiency at the various land ports and check-posts located along the 4,096-km long shared international border. The commitment was made during the 6th Subgroup meeting of the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) with the Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) here. The LPAI functions under the Union home ministry. The bilateral meeting aims to strengthen ties and discuss issues related to cross-border infrastructure, connectivity and facilitation of trade between the two nations. The Indian delegation was led by LPAI Member (Planning and Development) Sanjeev Gupta with officials drawn from the border management division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Border Security Force (BSF), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Customs, among others. The Bangladeshi side was led by BLPA Joint Secretary and Member (Development) Tahmina Yeasmin along with officials from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and ministries of industries and shipping, among others. "Building on the discussions held at the last subgroup meeting in Dhaka in November 2023, the meeting reviewed the progress made on the previous initiatives and identified new areas for cooperation to enhance infrastructure and operational efficiency at the land ports," an official statement said. The major agenda items discussed included developing port facilities at Gede (Darshna in West Bengal) and Bholaganj (Meghalaya), expediting clearance of Bangladesh's export cargo at Petrapole (West Bengal) and Agartala, prioritising the development of land ports and integrated check-posts (ICPs), and considering a common cargo gate at Bhomra (Ghojadanga in West Bengal), the statement said. The meeting also discussed facilitating the movement of Bangladeshi trucks carrying exports to Nepal and Bhutan through Burimari and Banglabandha ports in that country, operationalising the land port at Sabroom (Tripura), developing the Tegamukh (Bangladesh)-Kawrpuichhuah (Mizoram) port, and establishing certain ports operational 24x7, it added. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to "deepen" India-Bangladesh relations, enhance bilateral trade, and advance shared goals for regional connectivity and economic growth through "collaborative" border management, the statement said. In a groundbreaking initiative for Maha Kumbh 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government is introducing an advanced AI generative chatbot named Kumbh Sahayak to assist devotees. This digital companion, set to be launched for the first time at the grand event, will offer comprehensive information in over ten languages, supported by the Bhashini app. Equipped with Google navigation, interactive conversation features, and personalised GIF responses, the Kumbh Sahayak chatbot promises a seamless and enriching experience for millions of visitors. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed strong support for this innovative project, highlighting his commitment to integrating tradition with modernity. Maha Kumbh 2025 now stands as a testament to his vision, blending ancient Sanatan traditions with advanced digital tools. The event is shaping up to be a Digital Maha Kumbh, showcasing how AI and advanced digital tools can enhance the experience of cultural and spiritual gatherings. Additional Mela Officer Vivek Chaturvedi stated that, for the first time, the Kumbh Sahayak chatbot is being developed for the event. Built using advanced generative AI technology, this chatbot will serve as a personal guide for attendees and can be accessed through the Maha Kumbh 2025 app or on WhatsApp. The chatbot will offer essential information about Maha Kumbh in over ten languages, including Hindi and English, with help from the Bhashini app. Through interactive conversations in both text and voice, it will provide details on the events history and traditions, information about sadhus and akhadas, key bathing ghats, dates, routes, parking, and accommodation options. The additional mela officer further shared that the chatbot will come equipped with Google navigation, allowing visitors to easily locate sectors, arenas, Kalpvas tents, and bathing ghats within the Mahakumbh area. The chatbot will also guide users to popular sightseeing spots, temples, railway stations, and bus stands across Prayagraj, ensuring smooth navigation both inside and outside the Maha Kumbh grounds. Additionally, the chatbot will keep users updated on Maha Kumbh events, offer details on government-approved tour packages, and provide information on local hotels and homestays. Acting as a personal guide, Kumbh Sahayak will even engage users with personalised GIFs for a unique interactive experience. With multilingual support, the chatbot aims to serve both international tourists and visitors from across India, helping realise CM Yogis vision for a safe and seamless Maha Kumbh 2025. The Punjab Vision: 2047 conclave, organized by the World Punjabi Organization in collaboration with Panjab University, began on Tuesday with a strong call for reforms to shape Punjab's future in the lead-up to Indias 100th independence anniversary. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the importance of cooperative federalism and structural reforms as essential pillars for national growth, emphasizing that Indias development goals cannot be met without equal progress in each state. Cheema, the events chief guest on the inaugural day of the two-day conclave, set a powerful tone, urging a unified approach to progress. Held at Panjab University, Chandigarh, the two-day event brought together government officials, industry experts, academics, and civil society leaders to address critical issues affecting Punjab's growth. It focused on defining a clear roadmap to 2047 that emphasizes sustainable development, industrial growth, and economic resilience. Cheema emphasized that achieving Indias vision for 2047 required substantial reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system and more balanced federal collaboration. He pointed out that Punjab, a key agricultural state, suffered significant revenue loss under the current GST regime, which is destination-based. This structure disproportionately benefited consumer-heavy states at the expense of producer states like Punjab. According to Cheema, the states revenue loss due to GST could range between Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 crore annually, hindering its ability to invest in critical areas. The GST framework, as it stands, is a consumer-driven tax system, which does not account for states like Punjab that produce rather than consume, Cheema noted. He stressed that such disparities in revenue impact the states ability to grow and contribute to the national economy effectively. Highlighting that cooperative federalism should work for all, he called for a re-evaluation of GST, agricultural policies, and environmental regulations to empower every state to flourish. Cheema also outlined a series of policy initiatives that the AAP-led Punjab Government has introduced to address various sectors, including Industrial Development Policy, Adventure Tourism Policy, and Biofuels Policy each aimed at boosting economic activity and generating employment. These initiatives, he asserted, aligned with the states vision of inclusive growth and capitalize on Punjabs natural resources, cultural heritage, and human capital. He expressed optimism that these reforms would yield positive outcomes in the coming years, rejuvenating Punjabs economy. 10-Point Roadmap for a Forward-Looking Punjab AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha delivered a compelling presentation outlining 10 essential focus areas for Punjabs growth trajectory towards 2047. Chadha emphasized that a holistic vision for Punjabs future must address sustainable agriculture, infrastructure, education, governance, and more. His 10-point agenda focused on establishing a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous Punjab by 2047. It included promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental resilience through eco-friendly farming methods and environmental stewardship. Economic diversification and industrial growth were emphasized to reduce dependency on agriculture by boosting other sectors. For education and workforce development, the agenda aimed at investing in quality education and skill-building to create a future-ready workforce. Energy and environmental sustainability were highlighted, with an emphasis on adopting renewable energy and sustainable practices. Infrastructure and connectivity upgrades were prioritized to enhance economic growth and accessibility across the state. Social equity and governance policies were also proposed to create an inclusive society benefiting all communities. Expanding access to healthcare and sanitation formed part of the health and sanitation initiative, ensuring better public health outcomes. Fiscal strategy and economic stability were also key, focusing on balanced economic policies for financial resilience. Innovation and global connectivity were included to encourage entrepreneurship and establish global partnerships. Finally, disaster resilience and climate adaptation were targeted to prepare Punjab for future climate-related challenges, ensuring a robust response to environmental risks. Chadha stressed that this roadmap is essential for making Punjab future-ready and sustainable in the long term. This plan is a blueprint for a prosperous and resilient Punjab that will face future challenges head-on, he said. SWOT Analysis for Key Sectors Dr Vikramjit Singh Sahney, AAP MP in Rajya Sabha and World Punjabi Organizations president, opened the conclave by reflecting on Punjab's legacy, from its role in the Green Revolution to becoming Indias agricultural heartland. Dr Sahney recalled how Punjabs agricultural achievements helped the country attain food self-sufficiency, marking the state as a symbol of resilience and productivity. He also acknowledged setbacks in the 1980s and emphasized the need for Punjab to leverage its historical strengths while adapting to modern demands. Dr Sahney proposed conducting a detailed SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis for Punjabs key sectors, advocating for targeted strategies in agriculture, industry, and cultural heritage. By understanding where we stand, we can set more achievable goals and outline a clear path toward sustainable growth, he said, urging the conclave to create a white paper that addresses each sector's unique needs. Gov, CM to Attend Today The two-day conclave would witness Punjabs policymakers, social activists, industry leaders, and senior government officials indulging in a series of in-depth panel discussions. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are scheduled to address the conclaves final session on Wednesday. Other key participants include Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, and other high-ranking officials. There seems to be no let up in controversies at Barkatullah University as unruly scenes continued to rock the campus over what the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Monday described as anti-religion stance of the hostel warden. The current controversy erupted after the warden stopped students from attending a recitation of Sunderkand Katha. The hostel orders come close on the heels of a notice ordering the stoppage of Durga Puja due to non payment of hostel fees by the students. The girls living in the hostel allege that Warden Anita Tilwani stopped them from reciting Sunderkand and going to the temple. Not only this, the warden also made the girls write an apology. According to the girls, the warden said that if they want to go to the temple, they will have to first take permission from the university administration. The warden's behaviour has triggered protests by the ABVP who chanted the Ramdhun in front of Satya Bhavan at the university.Students said that a few days ago, Sunderkand Paath was organized at a temple in the university campus, in which students participated. The girls living in the hostel had earlier taken permission from the Registrar to participate in the program till 8:00 PM as the program ended early, the girls returned to the hostel by 7:40 PM.At night, Chief Warden Anita Tilwani gathered all the girls and threatened them and said, "I will not do as per the instructions of the Registrar and Vice Chancellor, if they are so insistent then they should manage the hostel themselves." The warden also threatened to spoil the results of the girls. The Chief Warden also said that from now on, girls will have to take permission in writing to go to the temple, alleged the girls. According to the girls, the warden had said, "I will not even listen to the Registrar. Now you guys show your power. My power is much more than all of you, and the Vice Chancellor and Registrar cannot do anything to me. With one phone call, I can get all the things of the university changed." The warden has issued an order that before going to the temple or the bhandara, the boarders will have to seek permission from the university administration, the girls claimed.Reacting to the developments, ABVP protested against the university administration. Parishad activists gathered at the main gate of the university and chanted Ramdhun in front of Satya Bhavan and appealed to the administration to act wisely. ABVP President Diwakar Shukla said that the move preventing girl students from going to the temple and participating in religious programs is condemnable. He said that protests will continue. Many Hindu organizations have exoressed solidarity with the students.ABVP Bhopal Metropolitan Minister Shivam Jat said, "Action should be taken as soon as possible against such people with a corrupt mindset, who try to ban religious sentiments of the students." The Delhi BJP on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, calling for an investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the power distribution companies, or discoms. Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva, who led the delegation visiting the LG, accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of helping the discoms score undue financial gains. No immediate reaction was available from the AAP on the accusation. "We have met the LG and demanded an inquiry into the role of Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP government in providing windfall gains to the discoms in Delhi and seeking recovery of the Delhi government utilities with the power distribution companies," Sachdeva said. "It is a strange irony that all three power discoms sell electricity at the same rates, purchase it at the same rates, and supply it through the same Transco network, yet one consistently makes a profit while the other two continue to operate at a loss," the BJP leader added. He alleged that AAP leaders received kickbacks from the power companies and questioned why the Kejriwal-led government did not revoke the licence of the private companies that have consistently reported losses. "The silence of the AAP government over the retention of Regulatory assets and non-payment of Delhi Government Power Companies dues clearly indicates towards the possibility of connivance of the government and kickbacks going to the ruling party, he said. Delhi BJP president in a statement said that discoms have been posting Regulatory Assets for the last 11 years alleging losses, which is a violation of the National Power Tariff Policy and yet the Delhi government has not cancelled their licence. Tariff guidelines say Regulatory Assets can be posted in the 'rarest of rare' circumstances as these are to be borne by the exchequer, he said. New Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj last week pointed out that the losses of the two discoms were categorised as regulatory assets, now exceeding Rs 21,000 crore. She criticised the private firm managing the discoms, suggesting that consistent financial losses signal mismanagement and potential collusion with the AAP government. Swaraj said that the Delhi government owes power generation companies Rs 26,638 crore due to delay in payments. Officers in Hry asked to ensure proper storage arrangements for CMR rice Chandigarh: Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Sumita Misra on Monday directed the officers to ensure proper storage arrangements for CMR rice. Presiding over the meeting with the officers of the food storage agencies regarding ensuring storage facilities for CMR rice, She emphasized that proper arrangements for storing the CMR rice produced from the current paddy season should be ensured promptly. She directed the officers to ensure that all necessary facilities in the warehouses are set up by the end of December so that when millers supply rice to FCI, there are no storage issues. This includes timely completion of tender-related tasks, repairs, and obtaining necessary approvals. 7th annual conference of ICTRIMS 2024 to be held in Chandigarh from Nov 14 to 16 Chandigarh: The 7th Annual Conference of the Autoimmune Subsection of Indian Academy of Neurology: Indian Committee of Research and Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis (ICTRIMS 2024) will be organised in Chandigarh, under the aegis of PGIMER Neurological Society from November 14 to November 16. This conference will open the doors to an array of academic discussions on demyelinating disorders in neurology. ICTRIMS 2024 will bring together a diverse range of topics, catering to the interests of both emerging and seasoned physicians, said the PGIMER Chandigarh official in a statement. About 7000 delegates would attend the ICTRIMS 2024 conference. A record number of scientific papers have been received which will be presented during the conference. PGIMER director Prof Vivek Lal as the Organizing Chairman and other key individuals such as Dr Dheeraj Khurana (Organizing Secretary), Dr Sucharita Ray (Joint Organising Secretary), Dr Kamalesh Chakravarthy (Treasurer & Associate Professor of Neurology),Prof Parampreet Kharbanda, and Prof. Manish Modi (Scientific Committee), said official. Hry Minister asks officers to resolve issues of traffic jams Chandigarh: Haryana Industry and Commerce, Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Monday said that for the infrastructure development of the Gurugram, work needs to be done at ground level to provide quick benefits to the public. He directed the officers to prioritise the rapid completion of road, sewage, and drainage works. Singh said this while inspecting the arrangements of road, traffic management and drainage near village Dhankot on Gurugram-Jhajjar road. Singh said that Jhajjar road is a major link connecting Gurugram with other districts of the state, leading to heavy traffic pressure on this road. To avoid traffic jams in Dhankot village he directed officers to make a special action plan. He further directed PWD, GMDA, and Municipal Corporation officers to hold a joint meeting and resolve the issue within a stipulated time frame. Administrator Kataria unveils Cyber Awareness Kiosks at UT Secretariat Chandigarh: Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh on Monday launched the QR code-based Citizen Review Service and unveiled the Cyber Awareness Kiosks at UT Secretariat, Sector-9, Chandigarh. These two citizen friendly initiatives of Chandigarh Police are aimed at improving service delivery based on public feedback and cyber safety & raising cyber awareness. In his address, Kataria congratulated Chandigarh Police for introducing these citizen friendly initiatives. He said that it is the right of citizens to evaluate police functioning and now they have been enabled to do so through a QR based public review system. This system to rank various police stations/units will develop a healthy competitive spirit amongst police officials which in turn will make governance more efficient and therefore benefit the public in general. This will assure the public that the administration is with them, for their welfare. This is a good step before the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kataria said that a similar police ranking system is in place in Rajasthan also. Chandigarh Housing Board employee dismissed for alleged involvement in corrupt practices Chandigarh: In line with the Chandigarh Administration's policy of zero tolerance against corruption, a Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) employee Bhuwan Chand, Junior Engineer (JE) posted in the Enforcement Wing, has been dismissed from service due to his alleged involvement in corrupt practices. In a statement, UT officials said that an FIR was filed against Bhuwan Chand JE on November 5, 2024, on corruption charges by CBI. Subsequently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) laid a trap, leading to the accused's arrest. He was produced before the Special CBI Court and remanded to judicial custody. SLUG: PUNJAB BYPOLLS The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken swift action in response to serious allegations surrounding the ongoing by-election in the Dera Baba Nanak assembly constituency in Gurdaspur district, transferring the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jasbir Singh of Dera Baba Nanak to the Punjab Police headquarters in Chandigarh. The move came after the complaints made by Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who accused gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, currently incarcerated in Haryanas Kurukshetra Jail, of influencing voters to back the AAP candidate in the November 20 election. The ECI has approved the name of Joga Singh, Kapurthala DSP, to take over as DSP of Dera Baba Nanak. Randhawa, a former Deputy Chief Minister and the husband of Congress candidate for Dera Baba Nanak Jatinder Kaur, filed a complaint with the Election Commission on Friday, claiming that the jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria was using video calls from prison to intimidate voters and Congress workers, urging them to vote for the AAP candidate Gurdeep Singh Randhawa. Randhawa further alleged that Bhagwanpurias mother, Harjit Kaur, was visiting the homes of Congress-supporting Sarpanches in the constituency, threatening them to support AAP or face the consequences from her son. Despite reporting the matter to local police authorities, Randhawa claimed that no action was taken, suggesting that the gangster was operating with government backing. Punjab CEO writes to Haryana for Increased Vigilance on Gangster In response to these allegations, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C has written to the Haryana Prisons Department, requesting heightened surveillance of Bhagwanpuria in Kurukshetra Jail. The request came after serious concerns were raised by Batala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Suhail Mir Qasim regarding potential illegal communication by the gangster from prison. The CEO's letter emphasized the importance of immediate action, including a thorough inspection of Bhagwanpurias jail cell and the surrounding area to confiscate any unauthorized communication devices. The CEO has also urged the Haryana Prisons Department to send a report on the findings to the Election Commission for further scrutiny. Deployment of Paramilitary Forces In a bid to ensure free and fair elections, the Election Commission has deployed two companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) to maintain peace and security in Dera Baba Nanak constituency. Randhawa had earlier requested the deployment of paramilitary forces to safeguard against the alleged influence of gangsters in the election process. The by-election in Dera Baba Nanak, set for November 20, is crucial for Randhawa, whose wife, Jatinder Kaur, is vying for the seat. The seat became vacant after Sukhjinder Randhawa was elected as the MP for Gurdaspur earlier this year. Despite the gravity of the accusations, a district police official mentioned that no direct evidence had been found to substantiate the claims, as no voters or Congress workers came forward to confirm they had received threatening calls from Bhagwanpuria. Nonetheless, the case has raised significant concerns about the influence of organized crime on the electoral process in Punjab. Manpreet Accused of Promising Govt Jobs to Youth The complaint against BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Badal, who is contesting the Gidderbaha seat for the sixth time, came after a video surfaced on social media. In the video, Manpreet was seen addressing a crowd, claiming that he could influence job recruitments for local youngsters, particularly in the Punjab Roadways and Indian Railways. The video quickly went viral, prompting the Muktsar District Public Relations Officer to submit a formal complaint to the Election Commission. The allegation was that Manpreet was attempting to sway the rural electorate by promising them government jobs in return for their support. However, the BJP leader clarified the issue on social media, explaining that he was only offering guidance to rural youth regarding job opportunities and suggesting institutions that could help prepare them for the competitive exams required for government positions. Despite the clarification, both Congress and AAP have raised concerns about the potential breach of the model code of conduct. Warring Accused of Electioneering at Mosque In another development, Punjab Congress president Warring has been served a notice for allegedly violating the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act. The complaint, lodged by Punjab BJP leaders, stemmed from Warrings visit to a mosque in Gidderbaha on Sunday, where he reportedly addressed a gathering during the campaign in support of his wife Amrita. The issue arose when Warring posted photos of the event on his social media account, showcasing him addressing voters at the mosque. BJP leaders accused him of using religious spaces for political purposes, which they claimed goes against the principles outlined in the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act. Warring later modified the description accompanying the photos, further fueling speculation about the propriety of his actions. BOX: EC ISSUES NOTICES TO MANPREET, WARRING FOR POLL CODE VIOLATION Setting 24-hour deadline, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued notices to former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal BJP candidate for Gidderbaha assembly bypoll, and Congress MP from Ludhiana Amarinder Singh Raja Warring husband of Congress candidate Amrita Warring, for allegedly violating the model code of conduct during their respective campaigns. The notices were served late on Monday night, following complaints regarding their campaign activities. Gidderbaha Returning Officer (RO) Jaspal Singh Brar confirmed that both politicians have been given 24 hours to submit their replies. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that the state government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership is committed to the welfare of workers. Action will soon be taken to pay the dues of the workers of JC Mill of Gwalior and other closed mills of the state on the lines of the Hukumchand Mill of Indore and Vinod Mill of Ujjain. The Chief Minister said that more than 8 thousand workers of JC Mill of Gwalior, whose cases were lying closed for 30-40 years will be resolved. Chief Minister Yadav came to inspect the JC Mill of Gwalior on Monday. During this, he visited the JC Mill premises and also obtained information about the land and other assets of JC Mill through a map. The Chief Ministers presence in the midst overwhelmed the JC Mill workers and their families. Everyone warmly welcomed Chief Minister Yadav with flowers. They said that for the first time, a Chief Minister has come to JC Mill to listen to our pain and suffering. Now we are confident that our several years-old pending liabilities on JC Mill will be cleared. On this occasion, Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Yadav on behalf of JC Mill workers. Reiterating his commitment to protect the interests of JC Mill workers, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the government wants a solution, not a lawsuit. The government will present its case in court in the interest of the workers so that it paves the way for clearance of their dues. He said that instructions have been given to the officials regarding the payment of rights of JC Mill workers. Survey work of the land and assets of the mill has been done. Yadav said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has highlighted the poor, women, youth and farmers as the four pillars of the country. The state government is working determinedly for their upliftment. IT units will be promoted in Gwalior Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that there is immense potential in the field of IT (Information Technology) in Gwalior. To ensure that the IT expert youth here do not have to go out, units based on information technology will be specially promoted in Gwalior. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that a series of regional Industry conclaves are being run to increase industrial investment in the state. Regional Industry Conclaves have been organized in Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar, and Rewa. In this series, the Regional Conclave is going to be organized in the Narmadapuram division on 7th December and Shahdol in the month of January. He said that after the series of regional conclaves are held at the division level, the Global Investors Summit will be organized in the month of February. Entrepreneurs from all over the world are being invited for industrial investment in the state. Yadav said that in this regard, he will soon visit Germany and UK to invite investors. He said that events like Industry Conclave have created an industry-friendly environment in the state, due to which industrial investment is taking place on a large scale. The youth of the state are getting employment opportunities on a large scale. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday called upon agricultural scientists and experts from around the world to take the lead in guiding farmers toward crop diversification a crucial step to safeguarding the future of agriculture in the state. Mann, speaking at the International Conference on Transforming AgriFood Systems in the Face of Climate Change and Energy Transitions at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), underscored the urgency of adopting sustainable practices to tackle the growing challenges posed by climate change, particularly in Punjab, which remains highly dependent on rice and wheat production. With Punjabs agriculture facing increasing vulnerability due to adverse impacts of climate change, Mann highlighted the need for farmers to move beyond traditional crops and diversify into more resilient and sustainable farming practices. Mann stressed that crop diversification could be a game-changer for the states agricultural future, promoting higher yields, healthier soil, and better adaptability to climatic fluctuations. Punjab's farmers have long been the backbone of India's food security, but now it is time for us to evolve, Mann remarked, noting that crop diversification was not just a matter of economic necessity but also an environmental imperative to protect the states water resources and agricultural land. The Chief Minister emphasized that it was the responsibility of agri-scientists to develop innovative, resource-efficient solutions that could guide farmers toward adopting these new practices. In his address, Mann sounded the alarm over the unsustainable water usage for rice cultivation, revealing that growing just one kilogram of rice requires 3,000 liters of water. He pointed out that the states extensive reliance on groundwater, pumped using energy-intensive motors, had contributed to the depletion of water resources. This situation is unsustainable and threatens the very foundation of Punjab, a state that is named after five rivers, he said. To combat this, the Chief Minister advocated for the introduction of alternative water-saving crops, urging scientists to work with farmers to make the transition easier and more viable. We must adopt proactive measures to address the growing water crisis and ensure that Punjabs agriculture remains sustainable for future generations, he said, adding that failing to act would have dire consequences for both the environment and the agricultural economy. He emphasized that agriculture is not just an economic activity for the state, but a way of life for millions of its people, and therefore, protecting it must be a top priority. Ahead of winter session, Hry Speaker inspects Vidhan Sabha campus, reviews security arrangements Chandigarh: A day before the winter session of Vidhan Sabha beginning from Wednesday, Haryana Speaker Harvinder Kalyan on Tuesday inspected the Assembly campus along with CID chief ADGP Alok Mittal and ADG Saurabh Singh and reviewed the security arrangements with them for the Assembly session. On the occasion, he gave necessary instructions to strengthen the security during the session. Later, the Speaker held a meeting with the Legislative Assembly staff, in which instructions were issued to make all the arrangements to make the session successful. Kalyan said that all preparations for the session have been completed. It should be mentioned here that in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting it was decided that the winter session will be held on November 13, 14 and 18. The International Shri Renuka Ji Fair commenced on Monday at Renuka Ji in Sirmour district with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu receiving the palanquin of Lord Parshuram and led the procession by shouldering it at Dadahu. He said that fairs and festivals were an integral part of our rich cultural legacy and these occasions allow locals to express distinct art, music, dance and customs, passing them on to future generations. He said that fairs and festivals in the State were major tourist attractions, drawing visitors from around the country and abroad. Later, interacting with media persons, the Chief Minister said that he was unable to attend the fair last year due to health reasons, but he was pleased to visit for the first time this year. He said that it was a moment of happiness for him and he prayed for the peace and prosperity of Himachal Pradesh. Such fairs inspire us to follow the path of righteousness, he added. In response to a question, he said that the construction work on the Renuka Ji Dam would commence soon. The project was currently pending due to FCA clearance but efforts were being made to remove these obstacles. Later, the Chief Minister offered prayers at the Lord Parshuram and Mata Renuka Ji temples and prayed for peace and prosperity in the State. He also inaugurated developmental exhibitions at the fair, showcasing displays from various government departments. The performance of Mahanati involving approximately 300 women was also held on the occasion. Amid the ongoing electioneering in Punjabs four by-poll-bound constituencies, a section of resentful government employees has launched a parallel door-to-door campaign against the state government demanding the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), as promised by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). A section of employees, under the banner of Purani Pension Bahali Sangarsh Committee (PPBSC), representing more than 50 government departments are intensifying their efforts to hold the AAP-led Punjab Government accountable for its promise to restore OPS. The committee members, on Monday, began their poster campaign in the Chabbewal constituency. The campaign is designed to pressure the Bhagwant Mann-led Government, which had promised the implementation of OPS during its election campaign but has yet to act on the commitment even two years after coming to power. During their campaigning, they highlighted that the employees across the nation had already rejected the New Pension Scheme (NPS), and are now preparing for a countrywide strategy to demand the restoration of the OPS. We are going door to door in these constituencies, asking voters to question AAP candidates and their representatives about why OPS hasnt been reinstated yet, said one of the Committee members. As a part of their campaign, the employees have been instructed to hold the candidates accountable on the issue. Notably, there are over 3,000 employees in each of these constituencies affected by the NPS. In fact, the AAP Government, in November 2022, had given written promise. That was not all! The government employees have also lashed out at the Central Government for not restoring the OPS, especially in light of the financial relief given to corporate entities. The bypolls, scheduled for November 20 in Gidderbaha, Barnala, Chabbewal, and Dera Baba Nanak, have turned into a battleground not only for political parties but also for state government employees, who are hoping to use their collective power to push for a long-awaited pension reform. The election results will be announced on November 23. Cornered By Farmers Queries, Nonplussed Manpreet Flees Gidderbaha: The election campaign in Gidderbaha assembly constituency took a dramatic turn on Monday when Punjabs former Finance Minister and BJP candidate for the byelection, Manpreet Singh Badal, found himself at the center of a heated protest by farmers. The incident unfolded when Manpreet, while canvassing for votes in a local village, was confronted by a farmer leader Bittu Mallan of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) forcing the five-time MLA to flee from the spot without addressing his queries. Canvassing for November 20 bypoll, Manpreet initially engaged in the conversation and began to highlight the pro-farmer measures he had taken during his tenure as Gidderbaha MLA, but the situation quickly turned tense when farmer leader Bittu Mallan raised more pressing issues, including the death of a young farmer Shubhkaran Singh during the recent farm protests at Shambhu-Khanauri border, and the ongoing problem of unlisted paddy in grain markets. Caught off guard, Manpreet, rather than addressing these concerns, abruptly ended the conversation mid-response and swiftly retreated to his SUV, driving away from the scene without offering answers to the pressing concerns raised by the farmers. This sudden departure left many wondering why the BJP candidate chose to avoid addressing the issues that have been at the heart of farmer protests in the region. Farmers have been increasingly vocal in their opposition to BJP leaders in recent weeks, staging protests against the governments handling of agricultural policies. Just days ago, they attempted to block Manpreets wife, Vinu Badal, during a public event and staged a protest outside his office in Gidderbaha. The tensions have escalated with farmers intensifying their protests, including a recent demonstration near the venue of BJPs state in-charge and Gujarats former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was also in Gidderbaha for a party meeting. The farmers, who have been at the forefront of the agitation against the BJPs policies, continue to demand answers from their elected representatives, especially concerning issues such as the implementation of promises made during the 2020-2021 farm laws protest and the ongoing struggles at grain markets. BJP Demands Immediate Action Against Warring for Code Violation Chandigarh: Punjab BJP on Monday called for immediate action against the state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring for violating the Model Code of Conduct during the ongoing election campaign. BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Punjab Chief Electoral Office to take swift measures against Warring for exploiting religious institutions for political purposes a clear breach of the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988. Baliawal pointed, Warring, in a recent Facebook post, revealed that he addressed a congregation at a mosque in Gidderbaha, urging attendees to pledge support for his party's candidate in the upcoming elections. The act of using religious spaces for political campaigning directly contradicts the law, which prohibits such misuse of religious institutions for political gain. The violation is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years and fines. Punjab BJP has expressed concern over Warrings efforts to polarize the Muslim community for electoral gain, emphasizing that such actions undermine Punjabs secular fabric and the integrity of the electoral process. The party has demanded that Warring be barred from further campaigning to ensure a fair and impartial election. The BJP also urged the Election Commission to direct District and Returning Officers to enforce the law strictly and ensure that political parties adhere to the provisions outlined in the Model Code of Conduct. Anurag Thakur Blasts AAP Govt for Farmers' Struggles in Punjab Barnala: Former Union Minister and Lok Sabha Chief Whip Anurag Thakur on Monday lashed out at the AAP-led Punjab Government accusing it of failing the states farmers and its people. Thakur, addressing a press conference alongside BJP candidate for Barnala assembly bypoll, Kewal Singh Dhillon, raised serious concerns about the deteriorating situation in Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's leadership. Thakur highlighted the tragic case of Jaswinder Singh, a farmer from Nadampur village in Bhawanigarh, CM Manns own constituency, who took his life after being unable to sell his paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This is the reality of Punjab under the AAP Government. Farmers are being forced into such despair that they feel there is no way out, Thakur said, while attributing the situation to the governments delay in issuing procurement notifications and failing to address rice millers' concerns, leading to chaos in the paddy procurement process. The BJP leader further criticized the Punjab Government for discontinuing the free ration scheme and refusing to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme both of which provide crucial support to the poor. While the Modi-led BJP Government is giving free grains and medical treatment under Ayushman Bharat, the Punjab Government is taking these benefits away from its own people, Thakur remarked. He pointed out that even CM Mann, who seeks private healthcare for himself, has denied his own citizens access to life-saving schemes. Thakur reaffirmed BJPs commitment to Punjabs development, promising a multi-specialty hospital in Barnala if elected to power. People shouldnt have to travel far for quality healthcare. Well ensure this hospital is built, he asserted, adding that it was due to Kewal Singhs efforts that Barnala received a special train rake to ease procurement challenges. Strongly denouncing the BJP-led Union Government's prohibition on Amritdhari (baptised) Sikh employees wearing the kirpan at airports, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhawan on Monday called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's immediate intervention in the matter. Sandhwan, in an official communique, said that the Union Government's restriction on religious articles of baptised Sikhs is unacceptable and demanded its immediate revocation. He urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to take swift action to rescind this anti-Sikh directive. The Speaker said that Sikh community is renowned for both their diligence and proven religious devotion. India's identity as a diverse nation encompassing various religions, ethnicities and communities. In a country where the Constitution guarantees religious freedom to all citizens, restricting religious symbols is unjustifiable, he argued. Sandhawan mentioned that the Sikh community has shown extraordinary valour during India's independence movement and made numerous sacrifices for the nation. He expressed dismay that the present dispensation is now imposing limitations on Sikh religious symbols, characterizing such actions as direct interference in Sikh religious affairs that the union government must avoid. The Speaker demanded the immediate withdrawal of this directive and the restoration of baptised Sikh airport employees right to wear the kirpan, their traditional religious symbol. Days after a female subordinate accused Assistant Director Manoj Choudhary of touching her inappropriately, staff members at the Divisional Agriculture Department came out in his support, seeking an impartial probe into the matter. Work at the Divisional Agriculture Department came to a standstill as employees locked the office doors and submitted memorandums to both the district collector and the divisional commissioner. The agitation took place under the banner of the Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Officers' Association. Officials, including female employees, submitted memorandums to the Commissioner and Collector. Officials claimed that the 'victim' is known to have made such allegations in the past. Her actions have led to a sentiment of vulnerability among male colleagues. State president of the association, Ajay Kaushal, said that though the organisation respects women, the action taken in this case was one-sided and unjust. He said that the Koh-e-Fiza police had unilaterally proceeded in the matter despite contrary facts placed before them. The complainant has reportedly made unfounded allegations in the past. Her husbands public statements, accusing department officials, were seen as attempts to tarnish the departments reputation, which the association strongly condemns, he said. The Koh-e-Fiza police registered an FIR in the matter on Saturday after a female employee accused Choudhary of touching her inappropriately at the Bhopal Collectorate office of the department. For the first in 'Digital Arrest' fraud police reached the spot in the state capital where a Dubai-based businessman was put under digital house arrest for 7 hours by cyber criminals posing as police. Before the two accused could extort money from him, cyber police reached directly to the businessman's room forcing the offenders to flee. The two fraudsters who digitally arrested the businessman through video call were initially stunned to see the real police, then they said, 'This is a CBI action, you don't know us, don't interfere.' The police told the businessman that there is no such thing as digital arrest. This incident took place with Vivek Oberoi (50), who lives in Arera Colony, Bhopal, on November 9. The cyber police reached his house at 7 pm. Vivek is a businessman in the corporate sector in Dubai. Additional Director General of Police said this is probably the first time that someone has been put under digital house arrest and the police reached the spot and rescued him. There is no such thing as digital arrest. If this happens, don't panic, inform the police. Vivek Oberoi (50), who lives in Arera Colony, Bhopal, is in the corporate sector in Dubai. According to the police, when the team reached Vivek's house, the cyber criminals had put him under digital house arrest. One of them told Vivek that he was Vikram Singh and a sub-inspector in the Mumbai Cyber Crime Cell. The other told him that he was Manish Kalwania, DCP of CBI. They told Vivek on the phone that wrong things are being done with the SIM cards issued from his Aadhaar card. Fake bank accounts have also been opened in many states. They made Vivek install the Skype app. They put him under digital house arrest from 1 pm onwards by making video calls on mobile and laptop. By threatening him with arrest, the fraudsters kept asking him for personal information. When the cyber police team reached the businessman's house at 7 pm and asked for IDs from both of them, they disconnected the Skype video call. After this, the police team told the businessman that all the notices sent to him in the name of TRAI Legal Cell Officer, CBI, Mumbai Cyber Crime Cell in the money laundering case are fake. The fraudsters had digitally arrested the businessman through video calls on mobile and laptop. According to the cyber police, Vivek was in the room since 1 pm and did not come out till 6 pm. When the family talked to their relatives about this, they suspected digital house arrest. After this, the information was given to the police. Deputy Inspector General of Police Mohammad Yusuf Qureshi said when he had received information from Vivek Oberoi's relatives. Both the fraudsters had scared him so much that he was not even moving from his place. When our team reached inside his room, the fraudsters introduced themselves as from the CBI. When asked to show the ID, they disconnected everything. Businessman Vivek Oberoi said I got a call at 1.30 pm. They said that we are talking to the Telecom Regulatory Authority. Someone has taken a fraudulent SIM using your Aadhaar card. You should complain to Mumbai Cyber Police. Two officers from the cyber department came and got me released from digital arrest. Digital arrest is the new method of scam, cyber criminals trap people through audio or video calls, artificial intelligence (AI) generated voice or video calls and claim themselves to be police officers, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers or customs officers. They use many tricks to trap people in their trap. After this, people are asked to talk on video call for interrogation in the name of digital arrest. In most of the cases, cyber thugs create a police station-like setup and sit wearing police uniform, which makes people feel that everything is real. The Yogi Adityanath government will celebrate the International Tribal Participation Festival from November 15 to 20 in honour of Birsa Mundas birth anniversary (Tribal Pride Day). Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurating the event. To be held at the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy, the festival will feature a vibrant showcase of folk culture from India and abroad, with artists from over 20 states and special performances by folk artists from Slovakia and Vietnam. Following the inaugural ceremony, a grand cultural procession will commence at 11 am, featuring artists from across the nation. Daily cultural programmes will run from 5 pm to 9 pm, highlighting traditional dance forms such as those of the Saharia and Buksa tribes, as well as presentations of tribal folk instruments. The festival will also feature a bookhouse with an array of tribal literature. Participating states include Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Goa, Assam, Tripura, Punjab, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and the host state, Uttar Pradesh. Artists from various states will perform traditional dances, such as Jammu and Kashmirs Mongo and Bakarwal dances, Rajasthans Terah Tali dance, Karnatakas Fugdi and Siddhi dances, and Madhya Pradeshs Ramdhol dance. Additional performances will include Maharashtras Sangi mask dance, Odishas Ghudka dance, Chhattisgarhs Maati Mandri, and Sikkims Singhi Chham dance. Local artists from Uttar Pradesh will perform traditional acts like Changeli, Nagmatiya, and puppetry on stage. A dedicated bookhouse will offer visitors a glimpse into tribal life through literature covering their lifestyles, cuisine, and culture. From November 16 to 20, daily folk dance and song performances from various states will continue, accompanied by themed discussions beginning at noon. Topics include The contribution of revolutionary Birsa Munda in the freedom struggle (November 16), Tribal education and healthcare solutions (November 17), Entrepreneurial opportunities for tribes: Local to global (November 18), Heritage conservation and promotion (November 19), and The role of NGOs in tribal development (November 20). On November 19 and 20, a theatre group from Madhya Pradesh will present a play based on the life of Birsa Munda. There will also be live performances of tribal folk instruments and traditional dances from tribes such as Buksa, Sahariya, Tripuras Hojagiri, and Chhattisgarhs Bhunjia. The programme will conclude with a tribal poetry session, magic shows, and a local food fest showcasing Indigenous flavours. Union Bank of India, on Monday celebrated its 106th Foundation Day. On this occasion, a renovated branch Seoni Malwa under Narmadapuram area was inaugurated today by Zonal Head Birja Prasad Das. On this occasion, Shri Birja Prasad Das the staff members and respected customers of the bank and greeted and thanked them for always being with Union Bank and giving them the opportunity to serve in the future as well. He briefly informed the customers present on the occasion about the golden achievements of Union Bank from its inception till date. Regional Head, Bhopal Central, while thanking, assured everyone that Union Bank will always fulfill its commitment of customer service with full devotion. The 106th Foundation Day was celebrated in all the units of Zonal Office Bhopal, Regional Office Bhopal Central, ZLC and Union Bank. On this occasion, Mr. Birja Prasad Das, Zonal Head, Arvind Kumar Susarla, Deputy Zonal Head, Ved Prakash Arora, Deputy Zonal Head, Javed Ahmed Jafri, Area Head, Dhananjay Kumar, Deputy Area Head, Ramjas Vijayvargiya, Deputy Area Head were present. Stepping up the attack against the Congress and the Left government in Kerala over the Waqf Board's claim on land in Munambam and other parts of Kerala, the BJP on Tuesday alleged that both were giving "false promises" to the affected people, claiming they would resolve the issue. Senior BJP leader and the party's Kerala in-charge, Prakash Javadekar, said that if the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF really want a permanent solution, they must support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, moved by the NDA government in Parliament. In a social media post, Javadekar stated that the current Waqf Act of 1995 has given the Waqf Board unrestricted powers to declare any property as Waqf land. A day after the CPI(M)-led state government assured the protesters in Munambam in Ernakulam district that no one would be evicted from their land, Javadekar said, "If UDF and LDF really want a permanent solution, they must support the Waqf amendment bill, moved by NDA government. It will remove arbitrary powers of Waqf board, bring transparency & accountability." Slamming both the LDF and the UDF, Javadekar further said, "If you are not supporting the bill you are simply fooling hapless people of Munambam and Kerala. You can't fool all the people all the time." The UDF and the LDF recently passed a unanimous resolution in the state assembly opposing the BJP-led Centre's Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which challenges provisions in the existing Waqf law. Residents in Cherai and Munambam in Ernakulam district allege that the "Waqf Board is unlawfully claiming" their land and property, despite residents holding registered deeds and land tax receipts. The Union government has said that the objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024 is to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to overcome the shortcomings of the existing act. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that it has always been the mentality of the 'shahi parivar' of Congress that it was born to rule the country. This is the reason that after Independence, the Congress never allowed Dalits, backward classes and Adivasis to progress, Modi said, addressing a rally at Chimur in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district ahead of the November 20 state assembly elections. The Congress gets irritated with (the topic of) reservations. In the 1980s, when Rajiv Gandhi led the party, it published an advertisement raising questions over the special rights enjoyed by Dalits, backward classes and Adivasis, Modi said. This old advertisement has been shared on social media, he said. It reflected that party's anti-reservation attitude, he added. It is a dangerous game of the Congress to break your unity. If a tribal society gets divided into castes, its identity and strength will be lost, Modi said. The prince of Congress has himself announced while he was abroad. That is why I say that we should not fall prey to this conspiracy of the Congress. We have to remain united, he said. If we stay united, we will be safe, Modi said. If you do not remain united, then the Congress will snatch away your reservation, he added. Attacking the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, Modi accused it of being the "biggest player of corruption" and stalling development in the state. Modi said the MVA is detrimental to Maharashtra's growth. "Maharashtra's rapid development is beyond the reach of the Aghadi," Modi said. They have done a PhD in putting a brake on developmental works. The Congress has a double PhD in it, he said. Aghadi yani bhrastrachar ke sab se bade khiladi' (Aghadi means the biggest players of corruption), he added. On the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, Modi said that it took seven decades to ensure that the country had one Constitution. Will you allow the Congress and its allies to bring back Article 370 in Kashmir, he asked. Congress and its allies have been politically benefiting from violence and separatism. Just a few weeks ago, we saw what happened in Jammu and Kashmir. This region has been burning for decades due to separatism and terrorism. The provision under which all this happened was Article 370. And this Article 370 was a legacy of Congress. As soon as we abolished it, we fully integrated Kashmir with India and its Constitution," Modi said. The huge crowd here shows that the BJP-led Mahayuti will retain power in Maharashtra with a massive majority, the PM said. The BJP's Sankalp Patra poll manifesto will be a guarantee for Maharashtra's development, Modi said. The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday raided multiple locations in poll-bound Jharkhand apart from West Bengal in a money laundering investigation linked to alleged illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals, official sources said. A total of 17 places are being covered in the two neighbouring states by the Ranchi office of the federal probe agency, a day before the first phase of polling in Jharkhand. Visuals of CRPF personnel positioned outside a hotel located on Bariatu Road in Ranchi and a resort in the city were captured by press teams as ED teams scoured for documents, ledger entries and financial records inside. The agency had in September filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe an instance of alleged infiltration and trafficking of some Bangladeshi women into Jharkhand leading to the generation of alleged slush funds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have accused the state government of aiding such infiltration leading to the altering of the demographic landscape of the tribal-dominated areas of Santhal Pargana and Kolhan regions during the recent poll campaign. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday accused the ruling JMM-led coalition of converting Jharkhand into a 'dharmashala' for Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Seraikela on Monday that a committee would be formed, if BJP is voted to power in Jharkhand, to identify and drive out infiltrators from the state besides reclaiming land grabbed by them. The first phase of the Assembly polls is slated for 43 constituencies on Wednesday, while the second for 38 seats will be held on November 20. The ECIR (enforcement case information report) filed by the federal agency under various sections of the PMLA stems from a Jharkhand Police FIR filed at the Bariyatu police station in the state capital Ranchi in June. The police FIR, filed on the complaint of a Bangladeshi woman who allegedly infiltrated into the country from along the India-Bangladesh border with the help of touts to find work, has named around six women as accused who were arrested following a raid at a local resort. The woman who filed the complaint escaped from a similar guest house and reached the police station. Police also recovered a "fake" Aadhaar card from one of these women. Police pressed multiple IPC sections like 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 34 (common intention) in the FIR. It also slapped section 12 of the Passport Act (knowingly furnishing any false information or suppressing any material information with a view to obtaining a passport or travel document) and 14A of the Foreigners Act (penalty for entry in restricted area) in the complaint. The FIR quoted the woman complainant saying they were trafficked into India from Bangladesh allegedly for prostitution by luring them in the name of getting a job in beauty salons. ED sources had earlier said the agency will investigate the "entire gamut" of infiltration from across the eastern borders, including Bangladesh, into Jharkhand including in the tribal districts of Santhal Pargana and Kolhan. Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a poll rally a few months ago, accused the Jharkhand government of encouraging Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltration for vote bank politics and criticised it for "rampant corruption". The prime minister asserted that these infiltrators pose a significant threat to the state by altering the demographic landscape of the Santhal Pargana and Kolhan regions. Modi accused the JMM of "supporting infiltrators" and claimed that "illegal immigrants from the neighbouring country have managed to gain influence over the ruling party in the state." He criticised the Jharkhand government for refusing to acknowledge the infiltration issue despite a high court order to establish an independent panel to investigate the influx of Bangladeshi immigrants. The Union government had informed the Jharkhand High Court that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are living in the state. Reacting to the affidavit, JMM central spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said if there was infiltration in Jharkhand, the Union home and defence ministries should take responsibility for it. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday amplified his Hindu unity pitch at the Maharashtra hustings by improvising the 'Batenge to Katenge' phrase with 'Ek Hai To Safe Hai' caution. Adityanath, who addressed a public meeting at Achalpur in Amravati for the November 20 assembly polls, accused the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of turning Maharashtra into a "base for love jihad and land jihad," warning that the western state should not become a "laboratory" (for such practices). The UP CM drew sharp contrasts between the NDA alliance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the MVA bloc comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP). Referring to the historical division of India, Adityanath said, Because you were divided, this country was divided, and Hindus were killed because they were divided. That is why I have come to tell you: don't get divided. 'Ek hain toh safe hain'. He also revisited the Ayodhya issue, asserting that Hindus faced 500 years of humiliation because they were divided. "We were divided, and that is why we suffered. 'Hum bate the isliye kate the (Since we were divided, we fell)," the seer-turned-politician said. Adityanath praised the resolution of the Ayodhya dispute, crediting Prime Minister Modi's leadership since 2014 and his own tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, which began in 2017, for the issue's eventual resolution. "The Congress never wanted to resolve the Ayodhya issue, which was finally resolved in 2019 under Modiji's leadership," he added. Adityanath said the new Bharat under PM Modi works for "sabka saath and sabka vikas" and guarantees everyone's safety and progress. "Don't make the mistake of Lok Sabha elections in Amravati. If you are divided again, the puja for Lord Ganesh will be attacked and lands here will be captured in the name of love and land jihad. The safety of women will be in jeopardy," he said. In the 2024 general elections, the Congress won the Amravati constituency by defeating BJP nominee Navneet Rana by around 20,000 votes. Adityanath said in Uttar Pradesh, there was no such issue as "love jihad" or "land jihad." Right-wingers and BJP leaders describe love jihad as a conspiracy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into marriage and force them to convert. They claim that land jihad implies the capturing of land by members of the Muslim community. Adityanath also emphasised the strong stance of the UP government on protecting women and the poor. "There is no love jihad or land jihad in Uttar Pradesh. Anyone who poses a danger to the safety of daughters or dares to capture land belonging to the poor and the government, 'Yamraj' will be ready to cut their tickets," Adityanath added. He listed various initiatives undertaken by the Narendra Modi government, emphasising the development of infrastructure, including highways, railways, metros, and institutions like IIMs and AIIMS. "This is a new India," he declared, pointing to India's military strength and the successful surgical strikes and airstrikes carried out after 2014. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday met Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and exchanged views on measures to strengthen ties between the two nations. The finance ministry in a post on X said Sitharaman and Manturov discussed issues of bilateral and multilateral interest. "They exchanged views on measures to strengthen financial and economic ties between the two nations," the ministry said. The suspension orders issued by the Kerala government against two IAS officers, K Gopalakrishnan and N Prashant, cite violations of service rules and serious indiscipline, alleging that the former's action sowed disunity within the All India Service Cadre, while the latter's conduct undermined the public image of the state's administrative machinery. Gopalakrishnan was suspended for creating a religion-based WhatsApp group for government officials, and Prashant faced action for publicly criticising a senior IAS officer on social media. In the suspension orders issued late Monday night, the government made it clear that the act of both civil service officers amounted to grave indiscipline and violation of various sections of the All India Service Conduct Rules, 1968. The order said that it has come to the notice of the government that a WhatsApp group was created recently, of which Gopalakrishnan, Director of Industries, was stated to be the administrator of the said group. The order, issued by Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan, further stated that a police inquiry revealed that there was no evidence indicating that the mobile phone of Gopalakrishnan was hacked, as claimed by the officer. It is also revealed that a repeated factory reset of the mobile phone was done by the officer himself before submitting his phones for forensic examination, according to the order. "The Government, prima facie, is of the view that the said WhatsApp Group created by Gopalakrishnan K was intended to foment division, sow disunity and break the solidarity within the cadres of the All India Services in the State," it said. It was also prima facie found to be creating communal formations and alignments within the cadres of the All India Services, the order added. Meanwhile, in a separate order placing Agriculture Special Secretary N Prashant under suspension, the government accused the officer of making "derogatory statements" on social media against A Jayathilak IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department. As per the order issued by the Chief Secretary, these remarks amount to grave indiscipline and that such remarks undermine the public image of the administrative machinery in the state. The remarks, prima facie, also have the potential of creating divisiveness and disaffection in the Indian Administrative Service in the state that can also affect service to the public, it said. The government, in the order, also stated that these remarks were unbecoming of an officer borne in the cadre of the Indian Administrative Service. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday ordered the suspension of the officials based on the report he received from the Chief Secretary. While Gopalakrishnan was the Director of Industries and Commerce, Prasanth held the responsibility of Special Secretary in the Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers' Welfare. Prasanth recently took to Facebook to accuse A Jayathilak, the Additional Chief Secretary, of "orchestrating baseless" news reports against him. In his post, Prasanth alleged that Jayathilak had become a "special reporter' and was working to undermine him by spreading unfounded allegations through the media. Prasanth, who previously served as Kozhikode District Collector and in other top posts, is popularly known as 'Collector Bro' and had earlier posted on Facebook to refute the allegations against him. Regarding the allegations against Gopalakrishnan, the Kerala police conducted an investigation following his complaint that his WhatsApp account was used to create religion-based WhatsApp groups. The Thiruvananthapuram city police carried out an investigation and submitted a report to the state police chief. Amid reports quoting the police suggesting that the IAS officer's phone was not hacked, Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner Sparjan Kumar stated that it remains unclear whether the device was compromised, as it had been 'reset.' In the controversial WhatsApp group, officers from various communities were added, and the group was labelled as a Hindu community group. 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. The Workers Party Mid Ulster representative Hugh Scullion said the party is concerned at the lack of detail provided on the plans for the Health Service. He released the following statement saying, "While as sum of money for waiting lists has been mentioned no detail has been provided on if this money will be used to build capacity within the Health Service to deal with waiting lists or if it is yet another gift to the private sector. There is absolutely no mention of any funding to meet the pay rise for NHS staff within Northern Ireland, who once again find themselves the lowest paid staff across the UK. This not only flags up a lack of concern for those workers but shows the absence of any joined up thinking in relation to poverty and the causes of poverty. There is no mention within the proposals on how to do deal with the crisis in Home Care and the problems caused by the privatisation of domiciliary care services and the impact this has on releasing patients from hospital. Nor is there any mention of a serious intent to fund health prevention in any substantial and sustainable plans to improve the health of our citizens. "The Health Service in Northern Ireland has over the past five decades been through several reorganizations. Billions of pounds have been squandered on new structures each one having a detrimental effect on the delivery of much needed Services. Much of what is wrong with the Health Service can be put right by taking a new direction. The Workers Party believes that what is needed is an open, transparent, and courageous debate on what type of Health Service is required to deliver quality outcomes and deal with decades of health inequalities. That debate must challenge vested interests both inside and outside the Health and Social Care Service. "Our politicians in the past have agreed on many costly Health Service reorganizations that wasted billions of pounds and delivered nothing but privatization and fragmentation, resulting in outcomes that were a detriment to patients and Service users, and millions of pounds being paid to private consultancy firms who were not interested in the best clinical outcomes, but a cost cutting exercise to balance the books. The department claims in this latest report that reducing health inequalities is one of its key objectives. Reducing health inequalities was one of their key performance indicators when the Assembly was set up. Yet, despite their fine words and noble sentiments, health inequalities have not improved and the March 2024 report from the Northern Ireland Audit Office highlights the fact that not only have they not improved but have worsened over the past two decades. "All reports from experts in the field make the crucial point that social and economic issues must be addressed to improve health standards and deal with health inequalities. Health inequalities have several root causes, poverty, unemployment, low pay, and educational underachievement plus the lack of decent public housing all feature as key factors. The absence of a budget or financial allocation this latest report would indicate the lack of serious intent to improve health standards for our citizens or to tackle health inequalities for those living in areas of multiple deprivation. "There is no doubt that we have a major crisis within our health service, but it did not happen by accident, it happened by design. It happened because of decisions taken by previous Ministers and endorsed by the executive and the political parties. Privatization, fragmentation, bed closures, staff cuts, and reduced services, to balance the books on the backs of workers and the most vulnerable in our society, went unchallenged by those charged with scrutinizing all health proposals and decisions. "To be able to deal with all the problems facing the health services and to tackle health inequalities there must be a joined-up approach with the entire executive playing a full role in tackling these problems. It is the Executives responsibility to ensure that the appropriate infrastructure needed to facilitate positive changes and delivery of an improved standard of health care is in place. None of these proposed changes should take place without a full public consultation and a detailed Equality Impact Assessment on how these proposed changes would impact on those living within rural communities, not a high-level assessment by the department. "To tackle health inequalities and deal with the root causes the Executive needs to urgently put in place the long promised Anti-poverty Strategy. They need to legislate for a real living wage and proper terms and conditions of employment for all workers and commit to ensuring that affordable and free childcare places are made available now, and not at some future date. An immediate house building program needs to be scheduled to deal with poor living conditions and homelessness and allocated on objective need. Welfare benefits need to be changed to eliminate the two-child cap and winter fuel payments reinstated without means testing. These are the bare minimum and the first steps required to start the process of tackling health inequalities. "The workers party believes that only a socialist system of government can deliver for the working class. But in the mean time we will fight for the delivery of high standards of health and social care, and tackle the health inequalities that working class people have suffered for decades. Our Bill of Rights that was part of the Good Friday agreement might have helped solve some of these problems, but has never been implemented like many of the other measures that may have made life better for all our citizens the majority of them being the working class." Hugh Scullion Mobile 07719384557 A Limavady family have paid tribute to local mother, Emma McLaughlin, who died from cancer, by raising an amazing 11,774 in her memory, with all proceeds going to Foyle Hospice. On September 7, the friends and family of Emma gathered at Bethany Community Centre, Limavady to host their own Coffee Morning around the time of what would have been her 40th birthday. The young mother-of-one passed away last May, leaving behind her husband John and 9-year-old Son, Joedin. Her mother Rosaleen explained: We had been receiving counselling at Foyle Hospice after her death and I knew her big birthday was coming up so we wanted to do something special. I called into the Fundraising Unit at Foyle Hospice and got speaking to the staff who were more than happy to help us out. Thats when we were given the idea of hosting our own Coffee Morning. According to Rosaleen, her grandson Joedin was eager to get involved and made sure everything was perfect for his mammy, ensuring the coffee morning invites were decorated in pink and purple, his mammys favourite colours. Emma worked as a shop assistant at Craig's Spar in Limavady and was well-known throughout the community. Rosaleen continued: She was a fun-loving, amazing person who was so well-thought of, especially at her work. She was promoted to supervisor there and she just loved it. She would have chatted to anybody and was always looking out for others. ABOVE: Emma was well-known throughout the community. Emma and her husband John were childhood sweethearts, meeting at the ages of 15 and 16 at Jensons Nightclub within the former Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady, where John worked as a bartender and waiter. On March 23 2012, the happy couple tied the knot and went on to have their first baby, two years later. Their harrowing journey began back in August 2016, when concerned Emma told her mother that she had discovered a lump on her breast. Three weeks later, following check-ups and a scan, Emma was given the devastating news that she had Breast Cancer. Emmas husband John, explained: Following her diagnosis, she began having chemo every three weeks, which started up in the Cancer Ward at Altnagelvin Hospital and finished at Belfast City Hospital. She was such a strong person, she never complained and she was always worried about everyone else, never herself. After a successful operation and a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Emma was thankfully given the all clear in 2017. According to Rosaleen, everything was going great and Emma was in good spirits until the day of her son Joedins First Holy Communion in 2022. Rosaleen said: She complained to me about a pain in her side and I told her to get it checked just to make sure. According to husband John, his wife did not tell him she was in pain and kept it to herself so as not to worry him. John explained: She told me she was going to get a scan but didnt make anything of it. Then I received a phone call from Emma and she was apologising. I didnt understand what she was talking about then she said, Im sorry John, my cancers back and its in my liver. According to John, following the shock of Emmas unexpected liver cancer diagnosis, their world had turned upside down. John explained: I was in complete denial but we all knew we had to stay strong for Emma. She had mentioned booking a family holiday to Disney World but I was concerned if she was fit enough for it and how it was going to interfere with her treatment. After being given the go-ahead by her consultants, the family enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Disney World, Florida little did they know it would be Emmas final holiday. According to John, Emma had been responding well to her treatment and had been taking medication that had successfully reduced her blood clots. Unfortunately, by February 2023, Emmas health had begun to spiral. Following a scan at Altnagelvin Hospital, Emma was eventually told that her treatment was not working. Rosaleen explained: Her symptoms began worsening and she was so bloated from her tablets. She was then admitted to Ward 50 at Altnagelvin Hospital and I remember her saying to me, mummy they only send you to ward 50 to die. Thats when reality kicked in for us all. In the weeks leading up to her death, Emma made sure to have things in place and was determined to enjoy final special moments with her family. Rosaleen fondly remembered Emmas requests saying: She asked could she go swimming in Roe Park so we took her along and she loved being in the water. She also requested a wash and blow-dry and rang her aunties, whose baking she loved, to make sure they made brownies and ginger cake! The most special requests of all, according to John, are a blanket made with pictures of her and Joedin to comfort him when Emma wasnt there, along with a bracelet for his 18th birthday. Emma also went to the trouble of getting hand-knitted baby hats and clothes for her sons future children. John continued: On the day of Emmas funeral, it was the Derry Ulster Final and there was a minute silence for those who had passed away. I couldnt believe it when Emmas name flashed up on the screen, I just burst into tears, it really was an emotional moment. Following Emmas death, the family began to receive bereavement counselling which is offered to both adults and children at Foyle Hospice. John said: It did help me and it was nice to chat to someone else about how I was feeling rather than my family. My sister set that up for us and it was very straightforward. Its a great service. According to the family, they were completely overwhelmed with the turnout at Emmas Coffee Morning and felt that Foyle Hospice had been a terrific support, helping them with whatever they needed. ABOVE: John, Rosaleen and Joedin at their Coffee Morning at Bethany Community Centre, Limavady, in memory of Emma. John said: The fundraising team at Foyle Hospice were great Ailbhe created posters for us which we were able to put up around the town and promote it for us. She also ensured we had everything, from balloons and tablecloths to signs and donation boxes. She also came to the coffee morning and we really appreciated her support. The hall never emptied and we were actually running out of supplies. It was so amazing to see and we are so grateful for everyone who came along. Rosaleen added: We just want to give a special thanks to everyone who came and donated, many from outside of the town and further communities. We would also like to thank the home-bakers and local bakeries who gave so generously. We really are so amazed with the support and of course its very rewarding to give back to Foyle Hospice. iGen Autos Ltd celebrated a big win at the 2024 Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards, which took place at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast. The event celebrated the regions top motoring talent and achievements. The awards, which were sponsored by Used Cars NI, attracted over 600 industry professionals as 40 of Northern Ireland's top motoring businesses, and professionals, competed across 21 prestigious award categories. Magherafelt-based iGen Autos Ltd proudly took home the award for Medium Independent Dealer, a true testament to their dedication to exceptional service and quality within the motor industry. With a combined 30 years of experience within the sector, good friends Aaron and Paul progressed from successful careers within the motor finance industry to realise their dream of offering a better way of selling cars. With a wealth of industry knowledge and contacts, they took their shared vision and founded iGen Autos. READ MORE: Suspended sentence for Derry man convicted of harassment iGen pride themselves on incorporating all the latest technologies within the buying journey, allowing the customer to complete their purchase seamlessly from the comfort of their own home, whilst still catering to the traditional purchase styles. This award highlights iGen Autos commitment to delivering a top-tier experience to customers and solidifies their reputation as a leading independent dealer in Northern Ireland. Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive Officer at Used Cars NI said, We are truly honoured to be part of an event that highlights the individuals and businesses setting the standard for excellence in Northern Irelands vibrant motor industry. Being in the room with so many exceptional professionals is a testament to the strength, innovation, and dedication that keep our sector moving forward, "These awards are more than just recognitionthey showcase the passion, resilience, and relentless hard work that drive our industry forward year after year. They are a celebration of the ingenuity and dedication that not only fuel our progress but also inspire us all to reach new heights, set higher standards, and continue pushing the boundaries of whats possible in Northern Irelands automotive sector," he added. The independent judging panel of the 2024 Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards was chaired by Sandy Burgess, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Motor Trade Association. The panel of esteemed industry leaders included Vic Covey, former Director of The Scottish Motor Racing Club and Fellow of The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, and Martin Hutchinson, former Chief Executive of Transport Training Services and Sector Skills representative for the NI Retail Motor Industry. A new body tasked with investigating outstanding cases from the Northern Ireland Troubles is to look at the death of a teenage IRA member who was killed by the British Army in 1972. The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) will also examine the murder of a retired RUC reservist and his wife in Belfast in 1990. The ICRIR has published the details of a number of cases which have been accepted for investigation and are in the information recovery stage. It said it had accepted 14 individual requests for investigation and is working with more than 100 individuals on taking their cases forward. The commission was created by the Conservative governments controversial Legacy Act which halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. Bereaved families, victims and certain public authorities can instead request the ICRIR carry out an investigation. While Labour has committed to repealing the Act and has said legacy inquests will resume, it is continuing with the ICRIR. The cases in information recovery include the killing of James and Ellen Sefton in Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, on June 6 1990. Mr Sefton was a retired RUC reservist. He and his wife died after an IRA bomb exploded under their car. The commission is also to investigate the death of 19-year-old Seamus Bradley in Derry in 1972. A coroner previously ruled that the Armys shooting of the IRA member during Operation Motorman was unjustified. The ICRIR will also investigate the shooting of bus inspector Alexander Millar at Ardoyne Bus Station on May 2 1975. It has also commenced an investigation into the shooting of Thomas Sheppard in Ballymena on March 21 1996 after he was accused by the UVF of being a police informer. The only case the commission had previously confirmed was in the information recovery stage was its investigation into the Guildford pub bombings in 1974. The commission is headed by former Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan. He said: With over 100 individuals coming to the commission, a figure that is continuing to rise, we have a crucial role to play in supporting the vast number of victims, survivors and families who are still looking for answers. We will do so with integrity, independence and a focus on providing them with the unvarnished truth about what happened to their loved ones. Sir Declan also welcomed a pledge from Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn that inquests which had been halted by the Legacy Act would be allowed to proceed. The commission hosted a meeting with officials from the Council of Europe on Monday. The delegation from the Department of the Execution of Judgments (DEJ) is on a visit to Northern Ireland. Sir Declan said: This meeting gave us the chance to repeat just how important that commitment is for us, how it informs everything we do in the same way as our respect for the Good Friday Agreement and our focus on providing information to victims, survivors and families. The ICRIR has faced sustained criticism from groups representing Troubles victims since it was established by the Legacy Act. In September, the Court of Appeal part-allowed an appeal by several Troubles victims against the ICRIR. The appeal was mounted after High Court judge Mr Justice Colton ruled in February that the legislation underpinning the commission did not contravene human rights laws and the body could undertake effective investigations of Troubles murders. Three Court of Appeal judges ruled that a Government veto power over what sensitive material can be disclosed to bereaved families by the commission is incompatible with human rights laws. They also found that the work of the commission also does not provide victims and their next of kin adequate means to participate in its processes. However, other grounds of the appeal were dismissed, including a challenge over its operational independence. A programme that aims to improve the mental and physical health of older male farmers is hoping to attract new members in County Derry. The Glack Plough On group, which comes under the umbrella of Rural Support, was founded in 2023 with the aim of increasing social opportunities, reducing rural isolation, providing opportunities for independence, improving mood, and providing respite for other family members on the farm. The group currently has 14 registered members, most of them hailing from the Ballykelly area, however it is open to those living between the areas of Coleraine and Strabane. There are 18 similar groups set up or in the process of being set up across the North. Group leader Eleanor Lamberton says the Plough On programme is free to join as it receives funding and the only requirements are that members are retired farmers, aged 65 and older. Activities include a range of educational, learning and reminiscence opportunities events, projects and outings encouraging older men to connect on areas of shared interest such as farming, rural heritage and history. Participants are involved from the outset in the design and delivery of activities, ensuring that the programme develops in a way that meets their needs and interests. To date, members have held five in-house meetings, which are normally held in the Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly. Members of the Glack Plough On group pictured with leader Eleanor. Guest speakers from the likes of Rural Crime, Men's Shed and Connection Talks have attended these meetings. READ NEXT: Galgorm Collection acquires Roe Park Resort as part of milestone 50m investment The group have also enjoyed nine trips away to Flemings Agri, Emerald Lawns, Montgomery Farm, Dart Mountain Cheese Factory, the Roe Park Hotel for Christmas lunch, Greenlane Museum, Eglinton Men's Shed, Foyle Adventures, Foyle Search and Rescue and Brook Hall Estate. For more information on the group, or to join, email selamberton@outlook.com The family of Sean Brown has thanked the people of Derry for supporting the ongoing campaign for a public inquiry into his killing. Chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA Club, Mr Brown (61) was abducted and murdered by the LVF in May 1997 as he locked the club gates following a meeting. His daughter Siobhan Brown, said the family was determined to take her fathers case as far as we can. Siobhan and her nephew Daman Brown spoke at a capacity screening of the RTE documentary Murder of a GAA Chairman in the citys St Columbs Hall on Tuesday evening. In March this year, the coroner conducting Mr Browns inquest, Mr Justice Kinney, wrote to then British Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris requesting the public inquiry. He said Mr Browns inquest could not continue due to material being withheld on the grounds of national security. It emerged earlier in the inquest more than 25 people, including state agents, were linked by intelligence to the murder. In June, Mr Browns widow, Bridie, took a judicial review against the British Secretary of State for not taking a decision on the request made by the coroner. The outcome of our judicial review is due on December 5 and 6, said Siobhan. It will recommend a public inquiry but again the British Government will probably step in and appeal it, so then it will go to the Supreme Court. It has just been one thing after another, she added. Siobhan also recalled her father working in Derry. He was an engineering instructor in the training centre in Springtown for quite a number of years, so he would have known a lot of people in the city and they would have known him. READ NEXT: First Minister promises to work hard to get new school for Magherafelt pupils Daman said the family had received amazing support across the world, across the whole of Ireland. It is probably because there is so much of the GAA influence in there and how good a clubman granda was. He was all about the club. He was a true Gael, he added. Niall Murphy, solicitor for the Brown family, pictured with some of those who attended the event. Murder of a GAA Chairman was directed by journalist Trevor Birney, author of Shooting Crows: Mass Murder, State Collusion and Press Freedom. The latter centres on the PSNIs draconian response to the documentary No Stone Unturned about the 1994 Loughinisland Massacre which was made by Mr Birney and fellow journalist Barry McCaffery. Tonight is about the family of Sean Brown and their determination to get the truth about what happened to him in 1997, said Trevor Birney. This is about us returning the trust the Brown family gave myself and the filmmakers and the production team. They opened up to us and gave of their time. They were so patient, from Bridie right through the whole family, he added. Coming to Derry tonight is part of honouring the commitment we gave to the family to bring the film anywhere we were invited, so more people get a chance to understand what happened to them. Not only what happened to Sean and his brutal murder by loyalists back in 1997 but what the British state has done to that family in the many years since, the attempts to withhold, delay, deny all of those things. The fact is, this family has had to fight and scrap for every piece of information they have got and that wasnt because the British State willfully handed it over but it was because the family, their legal team, and the Pat Finucane Centre through Paul OConnor, have fought hard. And really, once again, it was a case of having to drag, kicking and screaming, the PSNI and the British State into court in order to try to get to the truth, said Mr Birney. The Emmy-nominated film producer said no matter where it is screened, audiences have a very emotional response to Murder of a GAA Chairman. He added: We think the film captures the integrity of the Brown family. How their campaign stands in stark contrast to the actions of the British State in trying to frustrate them. The Derry event was well attended. Photos: Peter McKane Paul OConnor, director of the Pat Finucane Centre, described the cessation of Sean Browns inquest and the coroners admission that more than 25 people, including state agents, were involved in his murder as truly shocking after 27 years. He added: Here we have a senior judge recommending there should be a public inquiry. You have the Chief Constable saying he would not stand in the way of a public inquiry and would co-operate with it. And we have the Secretary of State and the spooks whispering in his ear, saying he will not facilitate a public inquiry. A Derry cancer support group has launched a new billboard campaign to highlight Movember. Hive Cancer Support unveiled the striking new poster at Free Derry Corner earlier this week. Members and supporters of the charity came along to show solidarity for the campaign, which features Hives Male Support Worker Martin Mullan sporting an old fashioned moustache. The image was taken by local photographer Neil McLaughlin, whose studio is based at the Rosemount Factory. Neil also took the beautiful pictures for the Hive Cancer Support Childrens Cancer Awareness Month billboard featuring 12-year-old Derry girl Kari Barrett who had a rare form of cancer as a young child but is now cancer free. After first photographing Kari as a seven-year-old Neil enjoyed catching up with Kari and her family to take her portrait again five years later. So when it came to taking the photograph for the Movember campaign, Hive Cancer Support approached Neil again to see if hed like to take part. It was a privilege to donate my time to Hive Cancer Support for two such important campaigns, said Mr McLaughlin. Highlighting male cancers and suicide awareness is so important, these are issues that will affect everyone, directly or indirectly, throughout their life time. Hive Cancer Support Male Support Worker, Martin Mullan explained the importance of the charitys Movember campaign. Every November we encourage men to grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds for mens health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mens mental health and suicide. The idea is to spark conversation and encourage donations to charities that support these causes. We hope the billboard will get those important conversations here in Derry city and beyond. Hive Cancer Support is hosting a male health event on Monday, November 25 at Destined on the Foyle Road from 1pm to 3pm. We encourage all men to come along and find out more about whats on offer to support men in our local community, added Martin. If anyone is going through a cancer journey themselves, has a family member going through cancer or is caring for someone with any life limiting illness we are here to help. Our Community Hub on Creggans Central Drive is open from Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 3pm for anyone who wants to drop in. For more information on Hive Cancer Support services and male cancer awareness go to www.hivecancersupport.co.uk A new law has been proposed to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the details of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. What is assisted dying? This, and the language used, varies depending on who you ask. Pro-change campaigners Dignity in Dying say that assisted dying allows a person with a terminal condition the choice to control their death if they decide their suffering is unbearable. They argue that, along with good care, dying people who are terminally ill and mentally competent adults deserve the choice to control the timing and manner of their death. But the campaign group Care Not Killing uses the terms assisted suicide and euthanasia, and argues that the focus should be on promoting more and better palliative care rather than any law change. They say legalising assisted dying could place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden upon others and argue the disabled, elderly, sick or depressed could be especially at risk. What is the current law? 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 being charged with murder or other offences. What is happening at Westminster? Labour MP Kim Leadbeater formally introduced her Bill to give choice at the end of life for the terminally ill in October. A debate and first vote are expected to take place on November 29. If the Bill passes the first stage in the Commons, it will go to committee stage where MPs can table amendments, before facing further scrutiny and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, meaning any change in the law would not be agreed until next year at the earliest. Ms Leadbeaters Bill would apply only to England and Wales. What is in the Bill? There are several requirements for someone to be eligible under the proposed law. The person must be an adult aged 18 or older and be resident in England and Wales and registered with a GP for at least 12 months. They must have the mental capacity to make a choice about the end of their life and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish free from coercion or pressure to end their life. They must be terminally ill and be expected to die within six months. They must make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die. The process must involve two independent doctors being satisfied the person is eligible and the medics can consult a specialist in the persons condition and get an assessment from an expert in mental capacity if deemed necessary. A High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors regarding the application and can also question the dying person as well as anyone else they consider appropriate. There must be at least seven days between the two doctors making their assessments and a further 14 days after the judge has made a ruling, for the person to have a period of reflection on their decision. For someone whose death is expected imminently, the 14-day period could be reduced to 48 hours. What safeguards are there? It would be illegal for someone to pressure, coerce or use dishonesty to get someone to make a declaration that they wish to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer an approved substance. If someone is found guilty of either of these actions, they could face a jail sentence of up to 14 years. When would any new law come into effect? Ms Leadbeater has suggested a new law would not take effect for another two to three years, with even more consultation to make sure we get it right once legislation was passed. Would doctors have to take part in the service of assisted dying? No. Doctors would not be under any obligation to take part. Doctors who do would have to be satisfied the person making their declaration to die has made it voluntarily and not been coerced or pressured by anyone else. They would also be required to ensure the person is making an informed choice, including being made aware of their other treatment options such as palliative and hospice care. Who would administer the medication? The dying person must take the medication themselves. No doctor or anyone else can give the medication to the terminally ill person. Will there be any scrutiny of how the new law operates? The chief medical officers in England and Wales and the Health Secretary would be required to monitor and report on the operation of the law. The Health Secretary would also be required to report on the availability, quality and distribution of appropriate health services to people with palliative care needs, including pain and symptom management, psychological support for those people and their families, and information about palliative care and how to access it. Has the issue been voted on at Westminster before? Not for almost a decade. An Assisted Dying Bill, which would have allowed some terminally ill adults to ask for medical help to end their life, went before the Commons in 2015 and was rejected by MPs. There was also a Bill proposed in the House of Lords during the 2021/2022 session which reached a second reading in the chamber, while a Westminster Hall debate on assisted dying took place in July 2022. Are MPs guaranteed a vote on the Bill next month? No. Bills such as this are known as private members bills (PMBs) and are considered during Friday sittings. The time available to consider them is from 9.30am until 2.30pm. If the debate is still ongoing at 2.30pm then it is adjourned and the Bill falls to the bottom of the list, which means it is highly unlikely to make any further progress. A closure motion can be moved to curtail the debate and force a vote. It may be moved at any time during proceedings. On Friday sittings, an MP seeking to move such a motion tends to do so at around 1pm. If approved, the House then votes on whether or not to give the Bill a second reading. If rejected, the House resumes the debate and the Bill is unlikely to progress. A bilingual walking tour and ceili will take place in Derry this weekend. As the culmination of six-months worth of research with Culturlann Ui Chanains Ceim ar Cheim project, the findings and the event will shine a light upon the frequently overlooked linguistic heritage of the city. The tour will take place on Sunday, November 17 at 2.00pm from Culturlann Ui Chanain and finish with a ceili in St Columbs Hall where Conradh na Gaeilge held their first classes in the city back in 1894. Mary Delargy, primary researcher of the project who will also be leading the tour, said: As an Irish speaker who was born and raised in the city, I grew up hearing about the grassroots efforts of Gaeilgeoiri in building and preserving the linguistic heritage that we all share here in Derry. Even still, the articles, the schoolbooks, and the stories from all the kind people who have contributed to the project (and the self-guided audio tour which is soon-to-be-released) has offered a deeper look into how the Irish language has been revived here. With that, its my pleasure and privilege to invite you, whether you have Irish or are simply interested in local contemporary history, to join us for the event, and celebrate our heritage that has often been bubbling right under the surface. Some of the stops along the tour include The Guildhall (the place of the first Derry Feis), the house of the scholar Richard Irvine Best, and An Craobh (the starting place of Craobh Sheain Ui Dubhlain of the Gaelic League). The tour will focus on more recent history, from the early 1900s on to the present day. READ NEXT: Derry charity launches new Movember campaign The project comes at a time where many people are discovering their links to the Irish language, including in Belfast with a project aiming to present the story of the Irish language revival as an exhibition at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. For more information, you can follow Culturlann Ui Chanains social media at @culturlanndoire on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For any further queries, you can contact eolas@culturlann.org, call (+44) 028 7126 4132, or visit the building at 37 Great James Street. 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. A paramedic told a High Court in Dublin that she had not seen someone so bruised in a long time when she examined a woman who claimed she was raped by Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor. Advanced paramedic Eithne Scully said that Nikita Hand, who is claiming civil damages against Mr McGregor, was very upset and distressed and was curled up when she spoke to her the day after the alleged incident. Mr McGregor is facing accusations in the civil action that he brutally raped and battered Ms Hand, who is also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin. She is also suing another man, James Lawrence, for sexual assault in December 2018. Ms Hand, who has no automatic right to anonymity, has accused Mr McGregor of pinning her to a bed and raping her in a hotel bedroom in south Dublin. The court also heard on Tuesday that Ms Hand has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of the alleged rape. The court heard that Ms Scully and another paramedic took Ms Hand to the Rotunda hospital sexual assault unit. She said that Ms Hands main concern was that a tampon had been pushed up way too far, and she had pains. In evidence to the court, Ms Scully said she could see a small cut on her chin and there appeared to be some bruising on her lower neck. During an examination, she saw bruising around her chest, breast, down her legs, as well as around her buttocks and thighs. When asked about the severity of the bruising, Ms Scully told the court that she had not seen someone so bruised in a long time. The court also heard from Ms Hands GP, Dr Frank Clarke, who said that she had been diagnosed with PTSD. He said he has been treating Ms Hand since she was a child, and that she had a history of anxiety and struggled with her confidence and had previously been prescribed a low dose of medication to help her. He said that following her diagnosis of PTSD, she had been prescribed stronger medication, which he said helped her deal with the peaks of her emotional pain. Dr Clarke said the medication has a sedative effect, and helps people who suffer from night terrors, panic attacks and severe distress. He said said they are only used in the short term as they can be abused. Ms Hand was prescribed a number of the tablets, which helped with her sleep, anxiety and emotional distress but he said it was not a good route to go. In general we are strongly against using those on an ongoing basis, he added. Dr Clarke said that Ms Hand has struggled over the years because of her PTSD, and has struggled with her self-esteem. He said that symptoms of PTSD includes a person losing hope, hating themselves, drinking too much, and behaving in a way that is uncharacteristic. He said that Ms Hand has received ongoing counselling and medication to help her with her condition. He said that Ms Hand was anxious not to become dependent on medication and had remained determined to continue using counselling as a form of treatment. The court was told that PTSD is caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event. The person can either be part of the event or witness it. The court was told that Ms Hand has suffered from flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. Dr Clark said Ms Hand had to leave her work as a hairdresser because the alleged event happened following a Christmas work party, that people in her work knew about it and people coming into the salon had been talking about it. The GP said Ms Hand had great difficulty coping, and that the relationship with her former partner broke down and she had difficulty in supporting her mother. He also said Ms Hand has found it difficult to undergo routine health procedures, including a smear test. He said that it has been incredibly difficult for his patient, and he hopes she can continue with check-ups soon. Louth Independent Ireland general election candidate, Ryan McKeown, has slammed Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly in relation to healthcare in the county. Ryan McKeown said that: the Minister of Health needs to get his head out of the gutter. The way the people of Louth are being treated when it comes to healthcare is shameful and sickening. He continued: Last week, I spent hours in Drogheda Hospitals emergency department with my unwell girlfriend, and what I witnessed was deeply disturbing. First and foremost, my heart goes out to the nurses and doctors who are dramatically overworked and understaffed. I spoke to an elderly man who had been rushed in by ambulance with a suspected heart attack. After a quick assessment, he was sent back to the waiting room, still in pain. He had been there since 9:30 a.m., and by 8 p.m., he was still waiting. His daughter repeatedly approached the front desk to ask about the delay, only to be told to sit downor risk being removed from the premises. Another young woman with a head injury sat waiting, blood-soaked bandages wrapped around her head. One man who had fallen off a ladder and injured his back was left in excruciating pain on a metal chair. A pregnant woman, clearly suffering, sat on a chair comforted by her husband, who had no choice but to sit on the floor beside her. The waiting room was packed with trolleys and patients; even the vending machines weren't working to provide water. People who arrived early in the morning were still there, suffering and waiting for urgent care, while staff rushed around doing their best in impossible conditions. I challenge the Minister of Health to step out of his office and spend a day in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to see firsthand what patients endure to receive medical assistance and the strain that staff experience every single day. This government has failed our healthcare system, throwing money at problems without creating real solutions. When election time comes, ask them why they closed Louth County Hospital. Health is our greatest wealth, yet it's clear that FF, FG, and the Greens care little for the welfare of our people or our healthcare professionals. We need action, not empty promises. An independent Ireland has the solutions to confront this healthcare crisis head-on. This government needs to wake up; they have resources for unnecessary scandals, but think it's acceptable for people to be treated with such neglect. The people of Louth have a choice. When the time comes, vote them out. Dont settle for the same empty promises weve heard every election. With 10 days to go, preparations are in full swing for Irelands cosiest fundraiser. Already, 1,516 children in Early Years and School Age Care settings in Louth are getting ready for Early Childhood Irelands National Pyjama Day 2024 - and they will be joined by more and more children right up until the big day! This years National Pyjama Day takes place on Friday, November 22, and Early Childhood Irelands Louth members will host a fun-filled day of laughter, games, teddy-bear picnics and much more for children in their settings, all while dressed in the comfiest clothes you can imagine pyjamas! Since the inaugural National Pyjama Day in 2003, over 4.3 million has been raised by children helping children for a host of charitable causes that support babies and children all over Ireland. Funds raised this year will go to support Sensational Kids an award-winning social enterprise that provides frontline therapeutic support to children who have sensory processing challenges and Early Childhood Irelands Eco-Emotions project, which empowers educators and parents with the tools they need to support children in caring for themselves, their communities, and the planet. Registrations opened for this years event on October 7 and any Early Childhood Ireland members in Louth who have yet to register are encouraged to do so by visiting the organisations website. Participating members will receive a special National Pyjama Day pack which includes posters, stickers, and some Eco-Emotions Self-Regulation Cards for children to take home with them. Families can use our Eco-Emotions Self-Regulation Cards to create meaningful moments together, Early Childhood Irelands CEO, Teresa Heeney, explained. By setting aside time to practice nature-inspired activities, whether during outdoor walks or quiet moments at home, children can be encouraged to express how each activity makes them feel and help to foster open conversations about emotions while at the same time cultivating a deeper connection to nature, she added. Read Next: Louth County Council support Science Festival 2024 With one month to go to this years National Pyjama Day, Id like to thank our brilliant Louth members who have registered so far. While the children are undoubtedly the stars of the day, this impactful fundraiser would not be possible without our members and all of the wonderfully generous parents, guardians, grandparents, and family members in communities across Louth who help make this day a success, Ms Heeney said. Joy Booth, Fundraising Manager at Sensational Kids, said, We are thrilled to partner with Early Childhood Ireland and Community Foundation Ireland to equip Early Years and School Age Care professionals with tools and knowledge to support children with sensory processing challenges. This initiative will empower thousands of children across Ireland to thrive and reach their full potential in learning environments designed to meet their needs. Registration for National Pyjama Day 2024 is open now. Early Childhood Ireland members can register at www.earlychildhoodireland.ie. Click NEXT or on the arrows above to see next picture Family Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting Irelands family carers has announced that this years Netwatch Louth Family Carer of the Year is Monica Grogan from Dunleer. Pictured is Monica Grogan, Netwatch Louth Family Carer of the Year with her son Rhys and daughter Elsie Monica is the embodiment of a carer and supporter for her mother Christina who sadly passed away very recently. She has been ever-present by her mums side for the past six years as she battled cancer, from staying with her in hospital for extended periods to providing incredible care and support at home where she converted a room with specialist equipment including a hospital bed, hoist and wheelchair. During this time, Monicas father also experienced health problems of his own and she has been there to support for him every step of the way. Monica has not only cared for her parents but also runs a busy household, looking after her two young children aged seven and nine. She also helps with her 10-year-old nephew who is autistic and non-verbal. She always puts others before her and selflessly gives her all to ensure that those around her can live the best life possible. Now in their 17th year, the awards seek to honour all 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 including appropriate financial compensation, respite and vital therapies for their loved ones. READ NEXT: Louth Home Care company announces 50 new jobs 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 our society and each week 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. Jacinta Kennedy Mulligan, local Community Support Manager with Family Carers Ireland, highlighted the significance of the recognition: 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 emphasised the importance of recognising this work: Ive seen the dedication family carers show day after day, often without any acknowledgement. Whether it's 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. A search is continuing at the Wicklow border as part of a significant development in the investigation into the disappearance of Jo Jo Dullard almost 30 years ago. On Monday, a man aged in his 50s was arrested in Co Kildare on suspicion of her murder and two private homes were searched by gardai. A search operation is being carried out on open ground in Co Wicklow near the border with Kildare over the coming days. The land is being searched and excavated before a technical and forensic examination is carried out, gardai said. On Tuesday morning, excavation work was under way with two vehicles on site and a large number of people operating in the surrounding fields who appeared to be using metal detectors in a systematic search around the field. Josephine Jo Jo Dullard went missing on November 9 1995 while on her way home to Callan in Co Kilkenny after socialising in Bruxelles bar on Dublins Harry Street. The 21-year-old missed her last bus to Kilkenny and instead boarded a 10pm bus to Naas, Co Kildare, intending to hitchhike the rest of the way home. She hitched a lift from Naas to the slip road on the M9 motorway at Kilcullen, Co Kildare, and at 11.15pm got another lift to Moone. There, Ms Dullard called her friend Mary Cullinan at 11.37pm from a phone box. During that call, Ms Dullard told Ms Cullinan that a car had stopped for her and she was going to take the lift. Today marks the 29th anniversary of the disappearance of Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard. We are once again asking anyone who may have information on Jo Jo's disappearance in 1995 to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884 300 or any Garda station.https://t.co/I1aaPNyAPG Garda Info (@gardainfo) November 9, 2024 This was the last known interaction with Ms Dullard. Gardai launched a fresh appeal from her sister Kathleen Bergin on Saturday to mark the 29th anniversary of the young womans disappearance. Ms Bergin appealed to anyone with knowledge to help bring her home. The arrest and search operation is being led by the investigation team from Kildare Division Serious Crime Unit and the Serious Crime Review Team at the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. An Garda Siochana has also appealed to anyone with any information to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884 300 or any Garda station. Those who wish to provide information confidentially can contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Based in the Ardfoyle Convent in Ballintemple, the Social and Health Education Project (SHEP) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. A not-for-profit community education and development project, its key areas of work include a unique training programme, Coisceim low cost-counselling service, advocacy, international partnership, Earth Aware and Green Spaces for Health and the SHEP choir. Most of SHEPs work is in Cork as well as in Kerry and the midwest. It also supports the work of its international partner, Sahakarmi Samaj, which works in Southwest Nepal. Last year, SHEP ran approximately 50 training courses with an average of 15 participants in each group. A large portion of the courses are highly subsidised, low cost or free. The approach of this registered charity is deepening the connection with and knowing of ourselves and the world we live in. Its about inspiring and bringing about capacities for positive change and growth (in communities and individuals) and contributing to the renewal of the broader social, cultural and economic systems that shape our world. SHEPs main areas of work are adult education and training (especially experiential group work), community development work, therapeutic and counselling services, and advocacy for systems and policy change. Jim Sheehan, a former secondary school teacher, is the director of SHEP. 'Ahead of their time' Established in 1974, it was mainly led at that time by teachers and Ogra Chorcai, the Cork city youth federation. There was, says Jim, a feeling that something different needed to be introduced to young people in schools and youth clubs because there was a very traditional system at the time. Back in the 70s, there was very little space for teenagers to talk about health and wellbeing. It was a very different world. Under the auspices of Ogra Chorcai, a number of teachers and school principals started a project, based in Sheares Street. There were two key people behind it; Fr Donal Linehan, a progressive priest involved in community projects who was also the chaplain at UCC, and Nuala Riordan, who had a social work background. They gathered like-minded people together and started the project. Their idea was to pilot something for young people. There were maybe civics classes in schools at the time but there wasnt any place where you could talk about alcohol, drugs and sexuality. The people behind the project were really ahead of their time. Jim Sheehan, director of SHEP, says being self-aware is important. Jim says the principals and teachers didnt just go straight into schools with the project. They actually had to work on themselves first, putting themselves through the same rigour that was expected of the young people in schools and youth clubs. Its not rocket science. At the time, there was a very strong emphasis on the teacher in the class. But in order to be really good educators, the teachers needed to connect with the students. So they had to let their guard down a bit. In other words, the teachers were invited to be more real and more honest. Its all about communication. You wouldnt think that much of it now, but in the 70s, it was quite progressive. At that time, teachers were on a pedestal and it was more about discipline. The students were supposed to sit and listen and be told by the teacher what they needed to learn. However, with SHEP, the emphasis is on students talking about issues that affect them as well as health and wellbeing. In the 70s, drink, drugs and everything was going on but these things werent talked about in schools. This was an opportunity to create a space during school hours to discuss issues. So what is now known as SHEP was piloted as a programme for young people. It became what is called the SPHE (Social Personal and Health) programme in schools. When the department of education saw that there was something in SHEP, it essentially mainstreamed the idea into the curriculum. SHEP is separate from the SPHE programme but the social and personal class in schools has its genesis in SHEP. Community-work Jim started his career as a teacher in the late 1980s. He wanted to work overseas and, in 1992, he got a position with Concern which needed someone with an educational background to go to Africa. I went to Somalia for a year, and Uganda for two-and-a-half years. After that, I went to Cambodia. I was with Concern for nearly five years. It changed my life. I came back very much aware that in Ireland, we have a very privileged existence. We take water and housing for granted. We have access to healthcare and education. The horticultural facility at SHEP (Social and Health Education Project) which is fifty years old this year. My experience with Concern made me very interested in community work and community development. Since I came back, I havent worked as a teacher. I got into community work and Ive been working with SHEP for 15 years. I feel very much at home here. Being self-aware is important to Jim and his colleagues. Ive grown as a human being since Ive been here. SHEP has a staff of 23, more than half of whom are part-time. They typically would have worked in counselling, teaching, community work, social work, the arts and environmental work. The programme also has about 1,500 people available every year to run courses. They are not staff. Theyre called facilitators. There is another group of about 130 who are counsellors offering a counselling service to around 500 people annually. On the counselling side, we support mostly adults but also teenagers and young people. It helps individuals who might have certain vulnerabilities. We have a small advocacy project that supports people who might not have many supports. There are a lot of people that are quite marginalised, particularly if theyre in hospitals or congregated settings. SHEP, which works across the community, gets its core-funding from the HSE. SHEP projects Were not a clinical programme. We see ourselves as being involved in health and wellbeing. The HSE would see us an important contributor to preventative (initiatives) in health and wellbeing. We have a lot of ordinary people coming to us to do programmes in things like parenting. A lot of women who have done the parenting and want to get back into the workforce would do our foundation programme. We call it personal development. Its about checking in with yourself, how you communicate and relate to others. Jim describes SHEPs courses as very low-tech. There are no power-point presentations, no need to take notes. There is no problem if you have literacy issues. So its very inviting and easy. People get to build trust and can be themselves and be real with each other. You could call our courses life skills. SHEP has, in recent years, done a lot of work to raise awareness about climate change and biodiversity. We are collaborating with others in a few projects in the city. We have taken over the management of a horticultural project which used to be managed by Childhood Matters. Its an important project to support learners who want to know about horticulture, he said. While SHEP had no intention of starting a choir, it is something that popped up. People suggested a choir. Not everyone wants to do a course. But almost everybody can sing or can be supported to sing. Its great for wellbeing and it has blossomed. The choir organises events from time to time and does some fundraising for our project in Nepal, for example. The connection with Nepal goes back 17 years, giving support to village communities. As well as receiving much of its funding from the HSE on an annual basis, SHEP also accesses funding from organisations such as Irish Aid, the ETB, Healthy Ireland and the Family Support Agency. It has benefactors as well. For more see www.socialandhealth.com. Work on part of a phased housing regeneration project on Cork citys northside, which had been stalled for over four years, has yet again been delayed. The delivery of 24 homes at Kilmore Road in Knocknaheeny, under Phase 2C of the Cork City Northwest Quarter Regeneration (CNWQR) Masterplan, had been stalled since 2019 due to what Cork City Council called a complex contractual dispute. That dispute, with a previous contractor, was resolved in May of this year and the council announced at the time that its housing delivery and regeneration team would immediately re-set the project, with the intention of delivering quality homes on the site in what it said would be a timely manner. The re-tender for the project, issued by Cork City Council on July 9, 2024, estimates the cost of the project at 5m, and gives a deadline for submissions of August 9. The tender document gives a start date of October 1 of this year for the work, with an estimated time of 21 months to complete it. However, the councils director of services in its Housing Delivery and Regeneration Directorate last week informed Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, that the project is currently in a live procurement process. When asked whether construction been delayed beyond its projected October 1 start date, and whether procurement was still ongoing, the director replied: there is a live procurement process currently in train. I will therefore not be discussing the procurement process publicly, while it is live. The CNWQR masterplan was adopted by the council in November 2011 and involves the demolition of 450 houses and the design and construction of over 600 new homes. Mr Gould told The Echo it had been over two decades since he had attended the first regeneration meeting in Knocknaheeny. In that time, less than 100 homes have been delivered and the regeneration has stalled on Kilmore Road, he said. The tender clearly says that building was supposed to recommence on October 1. Over a month later and theres nobody on site and council cant even indicate that contracts have been signed. We now need clarity on how much this has delay has cost and when construction will begin. A spokesperson for Cork City Council, which took over the Kilmore Road development in May, said it had recently taken over the site, secured the site and has been undertaking necessary immediate safety, security and enabling works. The spokesperson added that a tender process for the procurement of a contractor had begun and was ongoing. Cork City Council does not propose to comment on a live procurement process. It has always been the aim of the city council on this site to provide a sustainable and high-quality place for the community to live and prosper in, and a further update will issue in due course by Cork City Council as matters progress, they said. A young Cork couple have encouraged people to learn basic life-saving skills which proved critical in saving their baby girl Alayas life over the weekend. Shane Keane and Courtney Coffey lived through every parents worst nightmare on Saturday morning when their baby girl Alaya began to choke on a piece of toast. Speaking to Neil Prendeville on RedFM yesterday, Mr Keane said he was upstairs in their home when his partner Courtney called out for him when she realised Alaya was choking. Mr Keane said Alaya was completely blue when he got downstairs. There was no sound out of her, he told the Neil Prendeville Show. She just started changing colour. Having been trained in first aid through his job, and specifically in child first aid last year, Mr Keane began back slaps and CPR while his dad rang for an ambulance which they were informed was 10 minutes out. I heard the ambulance would be 10 minutes so I said to my partner, we have to go in the car, he said. En route to the hospital, they passed by the fire station in Ballyvolane where they saw firefighters getting into a fire engine so they pulled up and called for help. Mr Keane said he told them that his child wasnt breathing and that they took her right away to work on her before the ambulance arrived and she was transported to Cork University Hospital where tests were carried out and it was confirmed that she was going to be okay. Mr Keane thanked all of the firefighters involved in saving Alayas life and encouraged parents to learn child first aid. Second officer with Cork City Fire Brigade, Victor Shine, said Alayas parents did an amazing job and that she was saved because of their quick thinking and also urged parents of young kids to take part in a first aid course. Mr Shine said the crew who worked on Alaya were responding to the call when Alayas parents pulled up at the fire station. A vast proportion of our calls are medical calls of all different types and this is probably the most rewarding the very young and the most vulnerable, he said. Mr Shine said time is critical in these scenarios and encouraged everyone to do a course on basic life saving to be prepared for such an incident. Its a life skill that everybody should have, he said. Update: The collision which occurred in Douglas earlier this morning has since been cleared. Incident cleared: Collision on N40 J07 - DOUGLAS (westbound) https://t.co/7YdB52UGLt TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) November 12, 2024 Earlier: Commuters in Cork this morning are facing delays due to a number of road traffic incidents. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has advised that a multi-vehicle collision earlier occurred between junction seven South Douglas and junction six (N27) Kinsale Rd. "Some delays to your journey may occur," TII said. "When approaching the collision location, drive with caution, reduce your speed and please obey instructions from emergency services." Collision on N40 J07 - DOUGLAS (westbound) (12-Nov 07:36) https://t.co/7YdB52UGLt TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) November 12, 2024 Earlier, there was an incident at junction 19 on the N8/N25 Dunkettle. TII has advised that this incident has now been cleared. Incident cleared: Collision on N25 M8 J19 N8/N25 DUNKETTLE (westbound) Lanes affected: Slip 1 https://t.co/7YdB52UGLt TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) November 12, 2024 A status yellow fog warning, issued shortly after midnight, remains in place for Cork until 10am. Met Eireann has advised that widespread mist and fog could cause hazardous travelling conditions. International students explore Maritime Silk Road's rich heritage Chinadaily.com.cn) 16:37, November 12, 2024 International students from Peking University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing Film Academy and Beijing International Studies University attended the fifth International Youth Saloon, hosted by the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC) in the Chinese capital last Wednesday. The students watched the dance drama Pingtan Impression and participated in insightful discussions with the main actors and producers. Participants after watching the dance drama Pingtan Impression at the fifth International Youth Saloon, hosted by the China International Youth Exchange Center in Beijing on November 6. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn) Pingtan Impression's story originated in the Maritime Silk Road city of Pingtan, Fujian province, with marine culture as its core element. The dance drama displays intangible cultural heritage and folk customs from Fujian and Taiwan provinces such as puppetry, cane shield exercise, lion and dragon dance and god pageant ceremony, helping international students to gain a better understanding of traditional Chinese culture. The legend behind the story is based on the common folk customs of Fujian and Taiwan, not only displaying that cultures from both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same root, but also embodying the Maritime Silk Road spirit of openness and inclusiveness. International students talk with actors and producers of the dance drama Pingtan Impression during the fifth International Youth Saloon, hosted by the China International Youth Exchange Center in Beijing on November 6. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn) During the conversation, actors and producers talked about how their roles were created based on various cultural elements and explained the cultural elements through dancing and making cultural analogies, enabling international students to understand the profound cultural meanings in each design. Ada Christine Stephanie, a student from Cameroon, said she was deeply moved by the actors' enthusiasm for their art, and was amazed by the profoundness and diversity of Chinese culture. She found that though Chinese cultural elements may be similar, they can be different in terms of form and connotation. After the conversation, the international students were invited backstage to take a closer look at the costumes and stage properties. They were impressed by the delicate art crafts. Guided by the actors, the students also experienced some of the movements in the drama, trying to express different emotions, feel the charm of traditional Chinese culture and know more about the Chinese spirits each movement stands for. International students look at costumes and stage props backstage, gaining a closer look at the intricate details of the performance. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn) Fascinated by the folk customs of Fujian and Taiwan, Dina Lorena Wu Zhong from Panama hopes that she could experience customs from more places and share these experiences with her friend, further enhancing mutual learning and exchanges among cultures. Philippine student Ezra Danielle Macabeo said the drama made her feel Chinese people's confidence in their own culture. "The respect for traditional culture and pursuit of cultural innovation ensure the vitality of Chinese culture," she said. Lee Chongyuan is a student from Malaysia whose ancestors came from Fujian province. The dance drama and the conversation reminded him of similar folk cultures and customs in Malaysia. He had a better understanding of the folk customs in Fujian and Taiwan and knew why cultures across the Taiwan Strait share the same root. "Cultures from both sides of the Taiwan Strait are intertwined with each other and are inseparable," he said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) The funeral details of UCC history lecturer and author Gabriel Doherty, who passed away on Friday, have been announced. The removal takes place at Jerh O'Connor's funeral home at Temple Hill, Boreenmanna Road on Thursday from 5-6pm. Requiem Mass will be at 11am on Friday in St Columba's Church, Douglas, with the burial afterwards in St John's Cemetery, Ballinrea. The mass can also be viewed online. A graduate of Oxford University where he earned a BA and University of Galway where he was awarded a Masters degree, Mr Doherty was a widely published historian having edited two books, De Valeras Irelands and 1916 The Long Revolution, and having contributed numerous articles for historical journals. Speaking at the weekend, Tanaiste, Micheal Martin, himself a UCC history graduate, described Mr Doherty as an outstanding historian and said he was shocked and saddened to hear of his death. Its very, very sad news and my sympathies go to his family, said Mr Martin UCC President, Professor John OHalloran also described Mr Doherty as an "outstanding historian" who had "deepened our understanding of key moments in Irish history". He played a significant role in the recent Decade of Centenaries commemorations and a leading role in research, teaching and examining in his field, said Professor OHalloran. Much admired and loved, his loss will be deeply felt in our community. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Gill, daughters Meabh and Una, and son Oscar as well as his friends and colleagues. Cork teachers have criticised callous, sarcastic, and wholly inappropriate comments by Ryanair CEO Michael OLeary at the weekend. Endorsing Fine Gael candidate Peter Burke in Longford-Westmeath, Mr OLeary said: The Dail is full of teachers nothing wrong with teachers, I love teachers but I wouldnt generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done. Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland committee member John Byrne, who represents Cork teachers, told The Echo: I thought the comments were wholly inappropriate. They displayed a callous, sarcastic disregard for the enormous contribution made by teachers often in very difficult circumstances. The education system is chronically underfunded, we have a recruitment and retention crisis due to pay and conditions. Despite one of the lowest investments in education per the OECD, we still manage to deliver a fantastic education I would urge Mr OLeary to shadow one teacher for one day. Cork English teacher Conor Murphy said: The reaction of the guests was more disheartening, there are loads of teachers in government, and to hear people who probably would have worked with these teachers laughing at the fact that they cant be trusted to do anything was difficult. One-to-one, parents are always very happy and thankful but in the public sphere, you get abuse, you get laughed at I had somebody tell me my job was pathetic and I was a loser. It doesnt help when the Minister for Education is telling everyone during the phone pouches debate that teachers couldnt teach their classes because students were glued to phones, thats reinforcing the idea that were useless. Irish National Teachers Organisation general secretary John Boyle said: Teachers are the backbone of our country, shaping futures, inspiring minds, and driving the success of our society. He added: Education is the passport to the future. The no-frills approach might attract some hard-pressed airline passengers, but it certainly sells our schools short. Cork South-Central Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire said: I find it appalling that teachers were mocked and jeered from a Fine Gael stage and somehow branded as not being able to get things done. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry said Mr OLeary obviously never lived in emergency accommodation or a boxroom or spent time on a trolley or hospital waiting list otherwise he would know that theres a lot of things that Fine Gael in Government have failed to get done in 14 years. Taoiseach Simon Harris called Mr OLearys remarks crass and ill-informed and that he would have have no more involvement in Fine Gaels campaign. Drinking, drug taking, and drug dealing on MacCurtain St are undermining the multimillion-euro public realm improvements recently undertaken in the area, a Fine Gael councillor has said. Councillor for Cork City North East Joe Kavanagh told The Echo he had received complaints from business owners on MacCurtain St regarding the growing problem of antisocial behaviour. He submitted a motion to yesterdays city council meeting that the council would write to the Chief Superintendent of An Garda Siochana in Anglesea St and request an increased level of visible police presence in the MacCurtain St area and surrounding areas on an ongoing basis. His motion stated: Significant investment in infrastructural development in this area has resulted in increased footfall in the VQ area and local businesses are benefitting from this. However, this area has also become a focal and meeting point for various people engaging in on street drinking, drug dealing, drug taking, and associated activities on an ongoing basis at all times of the day and night. This is a barrier to economic growth and development in this area, and a high-visibility garda presence there on foot on an ongoing basis will certainly help to resolve this problem, said Mr Kavanagh. He told the council that criminality is taking place, by people who have been attracted to the area due to the high-quality public realm and seating there. Mr Kavanagh told The Echo: City council has spent huge amounts of money, millions, on upgrading the VQ area, but unfortunately its become a bit of a party zone. Drug dealing on the street in broad daylight, people only consuming alcohol and drugs, it can be very intimidating to people walking past, going to bars and restaurants, which is what the area was made for. He explained: You have this overhanging intimidatory element there at the moment for tourists, residents, and business owners if theres people just sitting down on the street, particularly at the bottom of Patricks Hill, drinking cans of beer, so my motion asks for gardai to have a visible presence, on foot, on an ongoing basis. Theres no point in a squad car driving through MacCurtain St anybody can drive through we need gardai on foot protecting our investment, weve done magnificent work developing the area, its a flagship of our city, so lets take it back. Mr Kavanagh said he has raised this issue on a number of forums and had a call from the gardai, saying theyve tried to up the ante a bit but we need more of a physical presence so that people can feel safe, and the street can be what its meant to be which is a hospitality quarter. The motion was supported across party lines, with Labours Peter Horgan saying there is a policing problem in the city. A garda that I know handed in his notice last month hes only been in the force for less than 10 years. Hes in Perth now. We have a massive recruitment and retention crisis and its not being dealt with. Padraig Rice of the Social Democrats suggested there had to be more social supports for issues such as addiction and poverty to address the root causes of the issue rather than the problems it causes. The members of Cork City Council have vehemently opposed a motion suggesting Donald Trump be congratulated on his election win and invited to Cork. Independent councillor for the city's South West ward Albert Deasy proposed, That Cork City Council write to President-Elect of the United States of America, Donald J Trump, to congratulate him on his historic election victory. Additionally, that Cork City Council extend an invitation to him and to Robert F Kennedy Jr to visit the city of Cork at their earliest convenience. The invitation would be crucial due to the significant number of American multinational corporations based in Cork, he said. Fine Gaels Damian Boylan said, I oppose any motion that congratulates Donald J Trump or extends an invitation to either Trump or Kennedy, saying they have both expressed views he finds morally repugnant and entirely inconsistent with the values we strive to hold in our community. People Before Profit-Solidarity councillor Brian McCarthy said the motion was an absolute disgrace calling Donald Trump a racist, corrupt misogynist. Green party councillor Oliver Moran said, Its not the usual practice to send congratulations to people or parties who win elections". However, Fianna Fails Terry Shannon said he agreed that it would be unusual to write to him, but added, I dont have an issue with inviting Donald Trump to Cork, suggesting that the council cannot only invite people we like to the city. Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill asked Mr Deasy to withdraw the motion, calling it bizarre and saying, It has nothing to do with us were a local authority, its simply not appropriate. Mr Deasy said he was not a popular guy here tonight [at Monday's council meeting], refusing to withdraw his motion. No councillor was willing to second the motion so it failed without needing to go to a vote. Earlier, Labour Party councillor Laura Harmon proposed the council seek a meeting with the current US Ambassador to Ireland to discuss the interests of Cork city and Cork-American relations following the election result. Her motion also proposed that the council would seek a similar meeting with the next ambassador appointed by President Elect Trump. She stated the importance of keeping American business in Cork and the uncertainty that accompanied Trumps election, and the motion was unanimously agreed on. TUI has said it is excited to expand its Summer 2025 programme from Cork Airport with the announcement of its new Cork to Turkey route. The new route to Dalaman on the south-west coast of Turkey has been described as an excellent opportunity to assess demand for Turkey from Cork. The first of four-weekly flights will commence on June 23 next year and the last outbound flight will depart from Cork Airport on July 14. The expected flight duration is four hours and 35 minutes. Known as the Turquoise Coast, the Dalaman areas shoreline is a chain of coves, bays and long stretches of sand and is also home to a range of popular resorts including Marmaris, Olu Deniz, Fethiye, Icmeler and Sarigerme. NEW ROUTE! Today, @TUIIreland announced that it will operate a new summer service to Dalaman, Turkey Starting in June 2025, the new service will operate on Mondays as part of a four-week rotation.#LoveTakingOff #NewRoute pic.twitter.com/sg50hajosB Cork Airport (@CorkAirport) November 12, 2024 Icmeler and Olu Deniz are much-loved beach resorts with shorelines dotted by bars, restaurants, shops and more, and Sarigerme, an upcoming favourite for many in the Turkish tourism market, is the proud home of a 12-kilometre beach. Head of Ireland for TUI, Craig Morgan, said: We are excited to expand our Summer 2025 program from Cork Airport to include direct flights to Dalaman, Turkey. This new route will open an exciting range of Turkish resorts and unique holiday experiences for holidaymakers from the South of Ireland next summer. This announcement showcases TUIs ongoing commitment to providing Irish holidaymakers with access to a fantastic range of holiday destinations direct from Cork. Dalaman is the latest addition to our exciting choice of destinations for Summer 2025, also including Corfu, the Canary Islands and Spain and Portugal. Head of aviation business development and communications at Cork Airport Tara Finn described the new addition of the Dalaman route as tremendous news. This route is an excellent introduction to assess the demand for Turkey from Cork, she said. Should it prove successful and Im sure it will, I expect a longer programme in 2026. I encourage consumers across Munster to book early to secure their holiday and to book car parking at the same time. Cork Airport has fostered a great working relationship with TUI, who provide direct services to some fantastic holiday destinations like Reus, Palma de Mallorca, Lanzarote, and their most recent addition, Corfu. Cork Airport is proud to be the only airport Munster offering direct services to Turkey for Summer 2025. Former finance minister and Cork TD Michael McGrath has made his first appearance in Cork since the announcement of his appointment as European commissioner for democracy, justice and rule of law. Mr McGrath attended the official opening of IT services provider Nostas first Cork office on Monahan Road yesterday afternoon to speak about the importance of investment in technology and infrastructure in the region and the impact that Nostras 5m investment will have on the wider Munster region. Speaking to The Echo following the event, Mr McGrath said: My core priority will be to protect democracy within the European Union, to ensure that the rule of law is upheld in all 27 member states, and also to ensure the values of the European Union, such as democracy, equality, freedom, rule of law, and that respect for human rights and human dignity are upheld in everything that we do. Mr McGrath explained that he will also be in charge of consumer policy for 450 million citizens in the European Union which he said is an enormous responsibility and spoke about initiatives he will bring forward to further strengthen consumer rights in the EU. Mr McGraths role will also involve ensuring data protection and the fundamental right we have to privacy is upheld throughout the EU. Ill also be making an important contribution to improving European competitiveness. Trying to reduce red tape in bureaucracy, trying to ensure that the single market works in a smooth and efficient manner, so, trying to bring down barriers across the European Union to the conduct of trade and commerce thats going to be a very important part of the work that I do as well. A 39-year-old sub-contractor has been jailed for two years for the harassment of a man he blamed for his failure to be appointed permanently by a multi-national company in the Ringaskiddy area. The victim of the harassment repeated as recently as this sentencing hearing for DJ Sheehan at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, that I had no control or influence regarding his grievance and communicated this to him the first time he contacted me via telephone. He also said, Although he has finally pleaded guilty, he has not shown any remorse or regret for his actions towards me or my family and this is concerning us. The victims explanation that he was not the one who decided the employment matter with which the defendant had a grievance did not stop the accused man, David Sheehan (also known as DJ Sheehan) of Station Road, Millstreet, County Cork, from sending harassing voicemails and in a previous case for which he was jailed for three months turning up outside the victims house. VOICEMAILS Detective Garda Mossie Leahy testified in the present case that five voicemails were left by DJ Sheehan in one night saying: You know whats coming. You are f***ed. See you soon. You were a big man across the phone the last time (victims Christian name). I turned up and you f***ing shat the pants. Do you know I am just reminding myself how big a man you are that side of the f***ing phone, boy. Judge Dermot Sheehan said that an aggravating feature of the case was that the accused got a three-month sentence for harassing the same man, threatening to smash his head in, and he still continued with this latest harassment. As well as imposing the two-year prison sentence the judge made an order under new legislation on harassment directing DJ Sheehan to have no contact direct or otherwise with the victim, not to show up at his place of work or within 500 metres of either location for the next seven years. Emmet Boyle barrister asked Judge Sheehan if he would consider suspending any portion of the sentence before the ink runs dry on the order". Judge Sheehan said, "No, it is his second time around. The judge made a further order prohibiting publication of the injured partys name. Det. Garda Leahy told prosecution barrister, Mary ODwyer, that the voicemails were left by the accused between 5 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. on November 5 2023. When questioned by gardai and asked what he would do if he went to the victims home, DJ Sheehan replied, I was going to smash his head in. Det. Garda Leahy said the injured party was obviously very fearful because the defendant had previously parked outside the front of his home first thing in the morning as his wife was getting their children ready for school. Mr Boyle said the defendant got it into his head that he had been excluded from employment in the particular organisation. Mr Boyle took up the point that the accused had shown no remorse saying, I am instructed to apologise He accepts by his plea of guilty that he is the wrongdoer. The barrister said the defendant had no partner or children, adding, If he had a family he may not have ruminated on this so long that it became poisonous. When he made a threat to kill him or cause him serious harm on March 8 2022 in the case for which he got a three-month sentence the defendant left his name, full address and even his PPS number, as best he could recall it on the voicemail. In the Republic of Ireland, we use a voting system called proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PRSTV). We use this system in local elections, general elections to Dail Eireann, elections to the European Parliament, and presidential elections. At its most basic, PRSTV is a system designed to ensure that the percentage of seats a party gets in a parliament or assembly is roughly equal to the percentage of votes it gets in an election. Each voter has a transferable vote, whereby their vote can go to another candidate in the same constituency if that voters first-preference candidate does not require that vote either because they have already been elected or because they have been eliminated from the count. The system uses multi-seat constituencies, where each constituency elects multiple candidates except in presidential elections and elections are carried out across electoral districts, which vary in size depending on the election. In local elections, the constituencies are local electoral areas (LEAs) into which counties or cities are divided, which elect various numbers of councillors. For European elections, we have three constituencies: Dublin, which has four seats; Ireland South, which has five; and Ireland Midlands-North-West, which also has five seats. In Dail constituencies, the Constitution specifies that the minimum number of TDs returned per constituency is three, but does not define the maximum number. Electoral law does specify a maximum number of five TDs. According to Article 16.2 of the Constitution, there must be a TD for every 20,000-30,000 people, a ratio that is calculated across the country as a whole but which must be balanced so far as it is practicable. Census 2022 recorded a population of almost 5.15m people, and with 160 TDs, that meant one TD for every 32,182 people. Last year, the Electoral Commission recommended that the number of TDs be increased to 174, meaning that there would be a TD for every 29,593 people, which would be just within the boundaries of the constitutional limits. These recommendations come into effect in this general election, which in Cork will result in the two city constituencies becoming five-seaters. (Its a matter for another day, but with the population increasing as it is, we will inevitably have to revisit this. In fact, the commission chairperson, Supreme Court judge Marie Baker, quipped at the time that: The population is increasing at a rate of two TDs a year. We will either have to increase the number of TDs again, and probably soon, or we may have to consider a constitutional amendment to Article 16.2.) Where an individual will vote in an election is determined by where they are registered to vote. For example, if you live on Shandon St and are registered to vote as living there, your vote in the local elections was in the Cork City North West ward, while your vote in the general election will be in Cork North Central. In the presidential election, there is one group of candidates which will be voted for by people in constituencies all across the country. The next presidential election is due by October 2025. The place where you vote is called a polling place, and that is usually in a local school or community centre, and it is assigned to you, meaning you can only vote in that one place. A polling paper sometimes called a polling card will be posted to you ahead of the election, and that will tell you where your polling place is. In the North, the PSTV system is also used, in the Assembly and local council elections, but, notably, not in general elections to the UKs Westminster parliament (See story above right). How does PRSTV work? Our voting system, PRSTV, means you can vote for multiple candidates, ranked by preference. This means you rank the candidates you want to vote for, going from your first preference, whom you select by writing 1 next to them, to your second preference, by writing 2, and so on (See the voting guide on opposite page). Your vote can be transferred from one candidate to another depending on your preferences on the ballot paper. Effectively, you are saying that your vote goes to your No.1 candidate, but if that candidate does not need your vote because they have been elected or excluded, then your vote transfers to your No.2 candidate, and so on. Only one of your preferences is active at a time, and your vote stays with your first-preference candidate unless and until they no longer need it (either because they have been elected and your vote has become one of their surplus votes, or the candidate has been excluded from the count). Candidates are elected by reaching the quota. The quota is the total number of valid votes divided by the total available seats, plus one seat; one is then added to this number, and if there is any remaining fraction in the calculation, it is disregarded. For example, if a four-seat constituency has 26,017 valid votes, then 26,017 votes would be divided by five (four seats plus one seat), giving 5,203.4. One is then added to this number, giving 5,204.4, and the fraction 0.4 is disregarded, resulting in a quota of 5,024. If a candidate reaches the vote quota on a count, they are deemed elected. How do transfers work? Under PRSTV, your vote may be counted multiple times across several counts. At the end of each count, the count rules are reviewed and the course of action to be taken at the next count is determined. This might mean the distribution of a surplus of votes belonging to a candidate, or it might be the exclusion of one or more candidates together. Candidates who get enough first-preference votes on the first count to meet the quota are automatically elected. The candidate who is first to be elected, because they had the most votes, is deemed to have topped the poll. The extra or surplus votes of elected candidates may then be re-distributed to each voters next available choice. There are detailed rules around the decision that a surplus should be transferred. Votes that are transferred from one candidate either because that candidate been elected or eliminated to another are called, naturally enough, transfers. If those transfers result in another candidate being elected, the process is repeated until all seats are filled or there are no extra votes. Candidates with the lowest numbers of votes are excluded, and all of their votes are transferred to the next preference that is available on each ballot paper in the same way a surplus is. This process continues until all the available seats are filled. Sometimes, candidates who dont make the quota can still be elected. For example, if there are three seats in a constituency, and only two have made quota after numerous rounds of counting votes and excluding candidates, the remaining candidate with the highest number of votes gets the final seat. Two brand new houses in Carrigaline that were within weeks of being ready to hand over to the owners were set on fire by a teenager who filmed himself carrying out the arsons before sharing the videos on Snapchat. 19-year-old Conor Farrell went home for his dinner as the fires took hold causing structural damage to one house and extensive smoke damage to another resulting in more than 47,000 structural damage and 45,000 smoke damage at the neighbouring houses at Garran Ferney in Carrigaline. Garda Declan ODwyer testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the arsons occurred a very short time before keys were about to be handed over to the new owners and that the fire damage set this back considerably. Jessica Kelleher defence barrister said on behalf of the young man with an address at Whiteoaks, Kilnagleary, Carrigaline, County Cork: He had serious addiction issues. He lacks maturity and there could be cognitive issues. Garda ODwyer agreed and said: My worry in relation to Conor is that he lacked understanding of how it affected the owners of the house and the man who was assaulted. Sentence A total sentence for the arson and an assault offence was measured at three years and six months with the last six months suspended. Judge Dermot Sheehan said Conor Farrell had difficulty with anger management and was on a dangerous combination of alcohol and cocaine on another night when he assaulted his friend with a knife. The young Carrigaline man produced a multi-tool knife during a frenzied stabbing attack of his friend with whom he had been taking cocaine and alcohol all that night. Garda Dwyer said that when the defendant was interviewed by gardai about that attack he initially said he did not know what happened but later said there was a knife on the ground which he picked up during an argument about some cocaine that appeared to have gone missing in the course of the night. He admitted assault causing harm at Church Hill, Carrigaline, on January 16 and producing the weapon during the incident. The injured party, who chose not to make a victim impact statement, received 14 separate stab wounds during the incident and was later taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment. One wound was slightly above his left eye while a second was slightly below it. The arsons were carried out on March 12, 2023 when he broke into two new houses that were almost completed and he set fires in various rooms including the attic of one of the new homes. Homework can be the bane of not only schoolchildrens lives, but their parents too. Because not only do many parents have to nag their kids to get their homework done, some feel they have to help them complete it as well. But is that something they really should be doing or is mum and/or dad helping with homework tantamount to cheating? Supporting your child with homework can be a real source of worry for parents, acknowledges Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU (National Education Union in the UK). Parents should try and encourage age-appropriate levels of self-study, but shouldnt help their child do the actual homework. However, John Nichols, a trained teacher and tutor, points out that while homework is normally appropriate for most students because its a chance for them to practice what theyve learned in class, its not useful for them to spend a long time completely stuck, with no idea what to do. So if they dont understand how to approach homework, he says, then its generally going to be more useful that they get some form of assistance than just to be left to deal with it on their own obviously that wont be very productive at all. However, he warns that helping a child with their homework should never be just giving them the answers, explaining: Where help is offered, generally parents should try and help the students recognise what they might have been taught in the past and how it might apply, rather than just giving them answers. Giving them answers on its own is not going to be very useful, because it doesnt mean the student realises how that answer should be derived or where they should get it from. Nichols stresses that the degree of help a parent gives will obviously vary by subject, and says: Theres going to be some cases in which telling them an answer is actually a way of helping them to understand how to do it, whereas sometimes, in the worst case, just writing out sentences for them is of no use whatsoever, because it doesnt reflect at all on how the students going to develop. So where any help is provided for homework, it should be with a view to teaching the student how to do the task rather than just completing it for them. If a parent does help a child with homework, its crucial for them to let the teacher who set the work know where they had the help, stresses Nichols, who says a short note in the margin by the work, or in the childs school planner, will do the job. You need to communicate through a quick, short message to the teacher to say they couldnt do this on their own, they did get some help, and thats what enabled them to complete it, he says. They need to be completely transparent with the school, to say that this is what the student could or couldnt do independently, so they understand where there are gaps, and where the students going to need additional support. Nichols stresses there are times when assistance with homework is not at all appropriate, and explains: One key example would be coursework. You have to be extremely careful with coursework because it makes up part of the students final grade. In some cases, its possible that students have received too much help with coursework and this completely invalidates their qualification because it needs to be their own work. But what about if parents need to get involved with their childs homework in order for them to do it at all? One really important role for parents is to make sure the student actually bothers trying and puts in a reasonable effort, observes Nichols. It might be that you need to offer to assist with homework in some way to incentivise them to sit down and do it. Homework is only going to be of any value if the student actually does it. Just be conscious when you do sit down with them, dont necessarily feel as though you have to give them all the answers in order to fulfil your promise, you just need to get them to sit down and give it a go for themselves. Fine if you need to give them a couple of pointers to get them on the right track. But he warns: Parents should be wary of becoming a crutch for their students every single time. They shouldnt be needed to help with homework on a routine basis to a significant degree, because then theres something going wrong. Science Week, the national celebration of science, takes place this week, with hundreds of events for people of all ages happening across the country and online. The theme for this year is Regeneration', and boy, could the world do with some of that. Regular readers will know that I believe science can help us solve some of the worlds biggest challenges but it is also responsible for some of our worlds biggest problems. The evidence is mounting that, despite some very clever inventions and deep understanding about how our planet and universe works, humans, as a whole, might be too short-sighted and stupid to use our knowledge for good. The scientific discoveries and breakthroughs of the Industrial Revolution have shaped the world we live in today, but they are now, to put it politely, biting us in the ass. The catastrophic floods in Valencia should be yet another alarm bell, urging us to treat the climate emergency as the existential crisis it is. Yet, Ive heard very few people talk about it beyond a sigh and a comment about those poor people. What is the point of scientific progress when the planet is melting, genocide is unfolding before our eyes, and we seem virtually powerless to stop it? Strongly-worded emails pile up in politicians inboxes, and any news of scientific breakthroughs or discoveries feels hollow compared to the relentless reports of senseless slaughter in Palestine, Sudan, or Ukraine. When I wake at night, I churn over the possible ways that the genocide in Gaza could end and find myself grasping at science fiction scenarios rather than credible geopolitical solutions. I imagine the scientific community creating a miraculous intervention - a pill or a neuroscience treatment - that makes everyone see our common humanity, halting the destruction of Gaza and saving the world from future wars. No more wasted lives, no more money and Earths resources squandered on destroying people who are essentially the same as each other, separated only by different religious beliefs and cultural habits. These middle-of-the-night fantasies remain just that: the stuff of science fiction. When I wake and read the terrible news again, I must console myself with the thought that boycotts and Saturday protest marches might help. That somewhere, somehow, some grown-up will intervene and call a halt to the madness. Ive always been inspired by scientific discovery and its potential to solve global issues, but in the face of crises like climate change and human suffering, I sometimes question the value of progress when we seem unable to use it to create a truly just and peaceful world. Yet, I find myself drawn to Science Week, and the stories of scientists working to regenerate ecosystems and build sustainable communities, because these efforts remind me that science offers a glimmer of hope - a vision for a world where knowledge is used for good. These are the stories that give me hope, even in such a troubled world, and remind me that science can still be a force for real change. Theres something uplifting about listening to an expert passionately talk about their favourite subject, and this week offers a chance to dive into a range of topics that promise to spark wonder and optimism. Here are a few of my picks, but get your skates on because most of them are happening today! Just cancel your plans for this evening! Solaris If you have ever stared at a starry sky, contemplating the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of your existence in the greater scheme of things, then you might enjoy relaxing on a couch at the Marina Market and taking in the mesmerising display of Solaris. It is a beautiful art installation grounded in astrophysics and astronomy. A giant motorised expandable sphere embedded with thousands of LED lights collapses and expands through the life cycle of a star - from its birth in a nebula to its explosive transformation into a pulsar. Its a trip that takes billions of years, but has been condensed into ten minutes, with narration by Dara O Briain and Antrim-born Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the discoverer of pulsars. My kids spontaneously clapped at the conclusion, and it is a relaxing, beautiful creation steeped in fascinating facts. The world premiere was on Sunday at the Marina Market and it is in situ until 8pm on Tuesday, November 12, before it heads to St Nicholas Church in Galway from November 14-17. Go see it before it goes, and tell you Galway cousins to check it out! Plant Power Strongly reflecting the regeneration theme of Science Week is Plants For The Future at the UCC School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at the North Mall campus. Exploring the power of nature, the event features interactive displays demonstrating how nature-based solutions, breeding technologies, and the circular economy can help us solve issues such as biodiversity loss, food insecurity, climate change, pesticide use and pollution. This event is free and open to everyone. From 4-6pm, Tuesday, November 12. Circular Tales For those with an interest in culture, community and sustainability, the Cork Folklore Project, Cork Traveller Womens Network, and the Environmental Research Institute are hosting the Circular Tales Grand Finale. The project aimed to bring the past and the future together through sharing and collecting stories and memories of reuse, recycling and thrift. Before the term circular economy, darning, dyeing, re-heeling and re-soling, waste-collecting and creative reuse of all kinds of things was just a way of life! This event is free and open to everyone. From 5.15-6.30pm at The Hub, UCC Tuesday, November 12. Family Science Day The Marina Market is also the place to be this coming weekend. Its going to be packed with interactive activities, hands-on demos, and fascinating talks suitable for all ages for Science At The Marina. From exploring the human microbiome, AI, and virtual reality, to diving into food science and agriculture, theres something for everyone. This event is free and open to everyone. Science At The Marina will be held on Saturday, November 16, between 11am and 4pm. Sarah Slater A Hungarian court has ordered that an Irish man being questioned by police in connection with the murder of American woman Mackenzie Michalski to remain for a further 30 days. Ms Michalski (31), who was on holiday in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, was last seen at a nightclub in the city on Tuesday last and listed as missing by Budapest Police Headquarters later that day. It is understood that Ms Michalski, who is originally from western New York, had travelled from Portland, Oregon in the US, and was last seen near Szimpla Kert, known as the party district in the city, at around 10pm. The nurse practitioner had been travelling throughout Europe with a female friend and Hungary was their last stop. The two separated for the last night of their trip. Ms Michalski's friend said she received texts from her and that she was at a bar in the Jewish run district having a drink and dinner. She detailed how she responded to a message from Ms Michalski at around 12:45 am on Tuesday. That was the last time they communicated. The dead womans friend received messages from Airbnb that her friend had not checked out and that is when she reported her missing to the US Embassy. The 6th District Police Department along with the Fugitive Search Division obtained footage from all available CCTV cameras in the neighbourhood, and noticed a man with whom the missing girl was seen together in several nightclubs. The arrested man, who had been in Budapest for a week on holiday prior to meeting the American woman, has allegedly told police that he and the dead woman went back to his rented apartment, were intimate, and that her death was an alleged accident. He allegedly informed police after his arrest that he attempted to conceal her body in a suitcase, which he transported in the boot of his rental car to a marshy area in Szigliget. Detectives have also said they found numerous alleged incriminating online searches on a computer. Ms Michalskis belongings were discovered at her Airbnb after the designated check-out time, and she missed her flight scheduled on Tuesday for Amsterdam. She worked as a neurosurgery nurse practitioner at Providence St Vincent Medical Center in Oregon. The Irish mans lawyer, Jozsef Pasztor, according to local media, informed the Hungarian court that the womans death was an accident and has denied any guilt. According to Mr Pasztor, his client has no prior criminal record in Ireland or the UK, and maintains that the incident was a tragic mishap. A post-mortem and forensic examination are still pending, and authorities have yet to confirm the cause of Ms Michalskis death. The court has ordered the Irish man's 30-day arrest, citing the risk of escaping and hiding, but the order is subject to appeal. At a memorial service outside the US Embassy in Budapest, Ms Michalskis parents expressed deep gratitude to the Hungarian community and police for their unwavering efforts in the search for their daughter, who was tragically murdered. Friends, family, and former colleagues gathered to honour the 31-year-old, lighting candles in her memory. Mackenzie was remembered for her compassion and dedication to her work. High Court Reporter Boom-time developer Sean Dunne has said it would be beyond bizarre for the High Court to strike out his application challenging the appointment of two officials overseeing his bankruptcy. Lawyers for the bankruptcy officials and head of the Insolvency Services of Ireland, Michael McNaughton, have raised a preliminary objection to various motions brought by Mr Dunne (70). Lyndon MacCann SC, with Una Nesdale, said Mr Dunnes application was brought in a procedurally improper way and should have come by way of plenary summons. If he is successful on this legal point, Mr Dunnes entire challenge could be disposed of, Mr MacCann submitted to the court. Mr Justice Liam Kennedy said he will rule on the preliminary objection as soon as possible. He scheduled for the case to return to court in two weeks. Earlier, he refused Mr Dunnes request for him to recuse himself from the case, saying there was no basis for such a move. The judge said he will explain this decision in a written ruling to follow. Mr Dunne claimed the judge is a former equity partner in law firm A&L Goodbody, who acted against me in a previous case. Two judges Mr Justice Garrett Simons and Ms Justice Nuala Jackson have already recused themselves from hearing the case. Mr Dunne was declared bankrupt in 2013, owing hundreds of millions of euro to the banks. He is not due to exit bankruptcy until 2028, as the High Court extended his term due to his non-co-operation with bankruptcy officials and his non-disclosure of information about assets. Mr Justice Kennedy proceeded on Monday to hear the preliminary objection to Mr Dunnes challenge to the appointment of former official assignee Chris Lehane and his successor, Ian Larkin. Contesting this, Mr Dunne said he does not believe Mr Larkin can launch a strike-out on procedural grounds without proving he was validly appointed. Representing himself in court, Mr Dunne said the officials have failed to produce sufficient documentation proving their appointments. He said Mr Larkin relies on a useless three-line letter on Insolvency Service of Ireland-headed paper to approve his appointment. This letter does not say who appointed him, said Mr Dunne. He said it is strikingly obvious to him that the officials do not have the documentation to prove their appointments. He said he has a simple motion asking for the production of appointment papers. The taxi driver who brought me here; he has his licence up on his window, he said. He asked the court not to delay his case, as he continues to have his economic liberty imprisoned while in bankruptcy. He said it is in everyones interests for it to proceed. The developers claims are denied, and Mr MacCann said that if Mr Dunne had proceeded by way of plenary action, like every other citizen is required to do, it would be up and running by now. Mr MacCann and Ms Nesdale also represent solicitors Clark Hill, who acted for the bankruptcy officials. The case returns on November 25th. Among various motions Mr Dunne hopes to bring is one to join the Minister for Justice to the case and others seeking various documents from the Insolvency Services of Ireland. Fiona Magennis A driver who struck and seriously injured an 88-year-old pedestrian after suffering a momentary lapse in concentration has seen her driving ban reduced, after the Court of Appeal found the law on mandatory disqualifications was erroneously interpreted. Tanya Kirwan (40), Killisk, The Ballagh, Co Wexford pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm at Wexford Circuit Court on July 7th, 2022. Judge James McCourt imposed a one-year suspended sentence and disqualified Kirwan from driving for a period of four years. The court heard Kirwan had been returning to work after lunch at 2pm on February 22nd, 2021, when she struck Laurence Larry Leacy causing him serious bodily harm. Kirwan made admissions at the scene that she had clipped the victim and this was supported by photographic evidence showing damage to the vehicle was restricted to the wing mirror only. She initially left the area but immediately returned after driving the short distance home where she collected her husband. Kirwans car was in good condition, her documents were in order, and she was not under the influence of any intoxicant at the time. The victim was airlifted to Tallaght Hospital and was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he subsequently passed away. The sentencing hearing was told Mr Leacy had incurred spinal fractures, a fractured tibia and a lacerated scalp. While in hospital he suffered kidney failure and the immediate cause of death was a respiratory tract infection. Delivering judgement at the Court of Appeal on Monday, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the matter came to court after some lapse of time and due to what some might consider an articulation or a development in the law some time ago. The Consequential Disqualification Order (CDO) which had been imposed was conceived to be a mandatory order whereas in fact it was a discretionary order, said the judge, adding this amounted to an error in principle. Mr Justice McCarthy said the three-judge court would quash the original sentence and four-year driving ban and impose a disqualification of two years and four months in its place, backdated to July 7th, 2022. The judge noted the disqualification would therefore be served as of the end of today. Mr Justice McCarthy said the court was of the view that the sentence of one year imprisonment suspended in full by the sentencing judge was the appropriate sentence in this case. Well impose the sentence of one year and suspend it unconditionally because we are required to impose it de novo [anew] in every sense, he said. At the appeal hearing on Monday , Jordan Fletcher BL, representing Ms Kirwan, submitted that the sentencing judge erroneously applied a Consequential Disqualification Order (CDO) of four years in addition to the one year suspended sentence in circumstances where both the defence and prosecution counsel were of the belief that the Circuit Criminal Court was bound to do so. He said this was grounded in a 2017 Court of Appeal decision which was later overturned in a subsequent judgement in 2022 when the three-judge court held that a CDO only arises if there have been at least two previous offences contrary to Section 52 committed within three years prior to the offence. Mr Fletcher said his client has no previous convictions. He said Kirwan has three children and transport to school for one member of the family had become an issue as the bus is a lottery system and her child had not been given a place on the bus this year. He said the family live in a rural area of Wexford and the school is some distance away. The barrister said Kirwan had previously worked as a legal secretary but now works full-time in a customer service role and is someone who is well thought after in her work. He said she was genuinely remorseful for what happened and had been to bereavement counselling as a result of this incident. He said what happened had been a momentary lapse in concentration on her part. 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. People seeking to migrate to the U.S. from Mexico are detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border in Jacumba Hot Springs, California on Dec. 14, 2023. Nick Ut / Getty Images Extreme weather is causing an increase in undocumented migration between the United States and Mexico, suggesting more migrants could put their lives at risk crossing the border as the climate crisis causes droughts, severe storms and other adversities, a new study has found. The researchers discovered that people from Mexicos agricultural regions were more likely to travel across the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in the wake of droughts. And when extreme weather conditions continued, they were not as likely to return to their original communities. As the worlds climate continues to change, human populations are exposed to increasingly severe and extreme weather conditions that can promote migration, the studys authors wrote. The findings suggest that extreme weather conditions, which are likely to increase with climate change, promote clandestine mobility across borders and, thus, expose migrants to risks associated with crossing dangerous terrain. All over the world, human-caused climate change from the burning of fossil fuels like natural gas and coal is exacerbating extreme weather. Droughts are becoming drier and longer, high temperatures are becoming more deadly and storms are intensifying rapidly while unleashing record amounts of rain. In Mexico, drought has dried up reservoirs, creating severe water shortages and greatly reduced corn production, which threatens livelihoods, reported Phys.org. The researchers said Mexico a country of more than 128 million people has an average annual temperature that is predicted to rise as much as three degrees Celsius by 2060. Rural communities that depend on rain-fed agriculture are likely to be economically devastated by global heating. Mexico and the U.S. have the largest flow of international migration on Earth, and scientists predict it will expand as the planet warms. In the coming three decades, 143 million people around the world are likely to be forced to relocate due to soaring temperatures, drought, sea-level rise and other climate disasters, a report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said. Migration is not a decision that people take up lightly and yet theyre being forced to make it more, and theyre being forced to stay longer in the United States due to climate extremes, said co-author of the study Filiz Garip, a sociology and international affairs professor at Princeton University, as Phys.org reported. Garip said advanced countries have contributed much more to the climate crisis than the developing nations that bear the brunt. The research team looked at daily weather data and responses from 48,313 individuals surveyed from 1992 to 2018, focusing on approximately 3,700 people who crossed the border undocumented for the first time. The team analyzed 84 Mexican agricultural communities where corn farming was weather-dependent. They linked an individuals decision to migrate and return with abnormal temperature and rainfall changes in their communities of origin during the corn growing season, which runs from May to August. The researchers discovered that drought-affected communities had higher rates of migration in comparison with communities with normal rainfall. People were also less likely to go back to Mexico after having migrated to the U.S. when their communities of origin were abnormally wet or dry. The same was true whether the migrants had recently arrived in the U.S. or had been there longer. The finding that decisions to return to communities of origin had been delayed by extreme weather conditions is important and novel, according to Helene Benveniste, a Stanford University professor in the department of environmental social sciences, as reported by Phys.org. Few datasets enable an analysis of this question, Benveniste said. Increased enforcement and surveillance along the border between Mexico and the U.S. makes returning, as well as traveling back and forth, harder, said Michael Mendez, an environmental policy and planning professor at University of California, Irvine, who was not involved with the study. Once undocumented migrants cross the border into the U.S., they frequently lack healthcare, live in dilapidated housing or work in industries like agriculture and construction that expose them to additional climate impacts, Mendez said. As the climate crisis threatens the worlds social, economic and political stability, experts said the study underscores a global need for collaboration concerning migration and climate resilience. So much of our focus has been, in a way, on the border and securing the border, said Kerilyn Schewel, co-director of the Program on Climate, Resilience and Mobility at Duke University, as Phys.org reported. But we need much more attention to not only the reasons why people are leaving, but also the demand for immigrant workers within the U.S. (Photo: Sean Hawkey/WCC)Families are given a safe place to stay in a shelter run by the Episcopal Church in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, as hurricane Iota arrived in the country in November 2020. The world faces a global crisis on food exacerbated and brought to the fore by the war in Ukraine, but humanity can and must take remedial steps in economic and climate justice, a World Council of Churches-led meeting has heard. Dr. David Nabarro, special envoy of the World Health Organization on COVID-19, urged the church and civil society leaders to act now in the briefing with participants from different parts of the world, particularly Africa. Nabarro cautioned, "that we don't look back on 2022 as the year where there was a crisis of civilization, because building on the pandemic, humanity we just could not find a way to promote equity, the realization of rights, and the wellbeing of not just people, but our beautiful planet." "So, we can offer it to future generations as a place of hope and growth," he said. The WHO envoy said he became aware in the middle of last year, "listening to many ministers of agriculture, coming together at a meeting in Rome in July, just one after the other saying it's not working, climate change, COVID-19 and conflict are making the food security of our peoples really disturbing." TRADE SYSTEMS NOT WORKING Nabarro cited global trade systems not working, countries dependent on imports because of the COVID-19 crisis, and unable to get what they need. He said, "Farmers, because of climate change and COVID-19, particularly smallholder farmers and fishers, cannot produce what they need." Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of Communication, outlined the current trigger of a crisis. "The world faces a food crisis triggered by war in a major breadbasket area of the world, making many other places face acute hunger, but the planet faced a food crunch before the war in Ukraine started," said Ejdersten. "A new global crisis is emerging from the war in Ukraine, with the potential to cause millions of people to go hungry, push food prices higher and spark unrest far from the conflict zone," Ejdersten said. She highlighted that 811 million people go to bed hungry every night. "Together. Russia and Ukraine account for more than a quarter of the global wheat supplies exporting to countries including Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, Yemen, and Somalia, among many other countries," said Ejdersten. "These are the most vulnerable populations in the world." Sofia Monsalve Suarez, secretary-general of FIAN International, the international human rights organization for the right to food and nutrition, said it is essential to look at when the crisis started. "We have been in crisis since 2007, if you want if you remember the first big food crisis that we had, at that time," said Monsalve Suarez. "And it's the structural drivers of this food crisis, for instance, the inequality in terms of controlling land and natural resources, the inequalities in terms of tax justice, the issue of debt, has been mentioned." DISMANTLING CAPACITY The FIAN leader accused the World Bank and many international financial institutions of convincing countries and forcing them to dismantle their national capacity to produce food, store food and have public food programmes for distribution for schools and the like. "Therefore, they were told it is better to rely on the global market. "But now, since COVID-19, we have seen that these global food supply chains are extremely vulnerable to these eruptions, because of climate conditions, or because of geopolitical and war issues, as we see now," said Monsalve Suarez. Dr. Thorsten Gobel, director of Programmes for the ACT Alliance, spoke on the global impact of the crisis on humanitarian responses and where hunger is strongly felt. "We've heard or seen from ACT members that this has been particularly the case in conflict-ridden countries, like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Afghanistan or Syria," said Gobel. Mervyn Abrahams of the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group spoke on the national situation in South Africa. "We have seen food prices spike since the beginning of COVID-19. And that has continued. "So yes, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has sharpened the spike. But the issue around increasing food prices has been with us for quite a while," said Abrahams. He noted that food availability is not a problem in South Africa, an exporter and that prices outstripping earnings are hitting the most vulnerable communities. IMPACT ON CHILDREN However, he said, "We have seen, in South Africa, it was reported that 199 children under the age of five in our public hospital system have died as a direct result of malnutrition in only the first two months of this year." Prof. Esther Mombo of the theology department at St Paul's University in Limuru, Kenya. And yet the Kenyan theologian reminded that "the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people has some lessons for us as we face the hunger crisis in different parts of the world." She said, "There is enough food to feed everybody in the world. When Jesus saw a crowd of people, he told his disciples to give them food. When we provide food to the hungry, we are not doing them a favour, but acting as expected of us by God, as God's people through Jesus Christ." (Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC)On the streets of New York, some 60,000 young people call upon their government officials, churches, and all adultsto not just say the right words, but begin a transformation in their daily lives. The march in 2024 was an affirmation of ongoing work toward climate justice. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC Prayers for Armenia rang worldwide when the World Council of Churches called for the unconditional release of 23 Armenian war hostages, as well as defenders of human rights and journalists detained in Azeri jails. The special day of prayer occurred the day before the start of COP29, the world climate conference, taking place from Nov. 11-22 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, a country that has been at odds with Armenia. WCC general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay spoke in the St. Pierre Cathedral during a service in the presence of the Armenian ambassador Andranik Hovhannaissyan. "Today, our prayers turn especially to the Armenian people, whose strength and resilience are deeply rooted in a heritage built over centuries," said Pillay. "We stand with them in calling for the protection of their right to live in peace and security on their own land, to preserve their culture, and to worship freely." 'PRAYER FOR HOSTAGES' The global day of prayer was called for by Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, who urged prayers for hostages, and the pursuit of truth and justice. "Your support for the people of Artsakh, especially those distressed and those unlawfully held in the prisons of Azerbaijan, is a profound testament to Christian solidarity and fellowship," said Catholicos Karekin II. "Your commitment to join us in prayer renews our hope in our call for justice, peace, and dignity for all and especially for the recognition of the right of our people of Artsakh, and the freedom of our captive sons." Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, the director of the External Relations and Protocol Department from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, was present from Armenia at the prayer in St Pierre Cathedral. "We urge all faith communities, international bodies, and people of goodwill to join us in prayer while strengthening efforts to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners of war still detained in Baku, Azerbaijan," wrote Catholicos Aram I, Armenian Orthodox Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and WCC president in his letter calling for a prayer. "We remind the international community, preparing to meet in Baku COP29, that justice and peace are closely interconnected and cannot be separated. We cannot call for climate justice without condemning violations of human rights." NEEDS PRAYERS Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee, said in a video message at the service that "Armenia needs our prayers." He said, "Christian faith has accompanied the Armenian people since the beginnings of the Armenian Apostolic Church in (the year) 301 CE. It has given comfort to Armenians in difficult times, "and in the annals of "Armenian history as the genocide in 1915-1916. There's so much strength in the hearts and souls of the Armenian people." He said Armenia is going through a difficult time again "after the military aggression by Azerbaijan in Artsakh," as 150,000 people have been expelled from their homes there and found refuge in Armenian houses. "The future is unclear. But I am convinced God will accompany the people of Armenia, and we can join God in accompanying them through our prayers." The WCC said that the military aggression against the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh in September-October 2020, followed by the ten-month-long total blockade of the Lachin corridor and the forced displacement of around 120,000 Armenians from their ancestral lands in September 2023, remains a critical concern. Pillay said he was in Armenia when the attack on Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh took place in September-October 2020. He noted the WCC stands in support and solidarity with Armenia and with the plight of prisoners of war and hostages. "The right to freedom is non-negotiable. We join together as one voice to call for an end to the unjust captivity. May their return be swift, and may they find healing restoration among their loved ones," said Pillay at the start of the service. "We pray for the families who wait in anguish and hope for their union and for every heart bound by the fear and servitude that separation brings. "We are reminded of hope and faith, and that faith inspires the Armenian people's endurance in the face of adversity.". "It is a testament to the strength that faith brings a strength root in God's eternal life, that churches and traditions are treasures that bear witness to this resilience, and we stand in solidarity to ensure that they remain secure." Pillay said that is why the WCC will be hosting next year a special conference looking at how to preserve the identity of Armenians and also other parts of the world "where Christian identity is affected and even destroyed." The WCC general secretary said, "Today, as we pray, we also appeal to the leaders and diplomats gathered at COP29 to add to compassion, justice, and conviction." He called for a moment showing moral character and a testament to shared human identity, "honoring the rights of all people to live free from fear, to remain rooted in their lands and to build lives of dignity." The prayer service in Geneva was organized by the WCC in collaboration with the Armenian community under the leadership of Rev. Goosan Aljanian and Rev. Sandrine Landeau, who serves St Pierre Cathedral. The WCC has said it will bring a strong moral voice to COP29 and will champion justice-centered climate action, calling for meaningful climate finance, protection for communities most affected by climate change, and a swift transition away from fossil fuels. Climate activists won against Shell in 2021 when a Dutch court commanded the oil giant to reduce its carbon emissions by 45 percent by the end of 2030. Three years later, Shell managed to win its appeal against this ruling. In the court's view, Shell doesnt have a social standard of care to curtail emissions, the BBC reports. The 2021 ruling was noteworthy, as it was the first time a court made a private company obey the 2015 Paris Agreement in addition to Dutch law. However, the appeals court judge said that while Shell had an obligation to reduce emissions, a 45 percent cut could not be established as there is no universally accepted amount. Shells statement says its planning to reduce its products carbon intensity by a comparatively paltry 15 to 20 percent by 2030 compared to a 2016 baseline. The 2021 ruling would only be effective in the Netherlands as well. Shell wouldnt have been legally obligated to follow the lower court's ruling for its operations outside Dutch territory. Now even that small gain is off the table for now. Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris' devastating loss in the 2024 Presidential Election, more and more media outlets are attempting to make sense of what went wrong with her campaign. As details become more scrutinized, celebrity endorsements and involvement are getting a second pass. Were they helpful, hurting, or simply the product of hefty checks? This included a report from the Washington Examiner that claimed that Oprah Winfrey's company, Harpo Productions, was paid $1.5 million to host a celebrity town hall on behalf of the Democratic nominee in September. The event was a success, bringing out celebrity names like Meryl Streep, Bryan Cranston, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Julia Roberts, and Tracee Ellis Ross. However, Winfrey is denying the allegations entirely. "Not true," she told TMZ. "I was paid nothing, ever." While Oprah wasn't too keen to comment on the election results, which favored Donald Trump as the President-elect, she made sure to clarify that she didn't accept a dime to hit the campaign trail on behalf of the Vice President. Winfrey has been incredibly involved in supporting the Democratic Party, having campaigned for Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama while also endorsing Hillary Clinton in 2016. Some believe the legendary television host, while others still speculate that there may have been a transaction involved. Thank you, Oprah. Kamala Harris never had to pay for endorsements ladidai (@ladidaix) see linkinbyeo (@ladidaix) November 11, 2024 They paid $1M to her production company because they produced that town hall. Harpo wouldn't have been able to do it for free because it would probably be considered an in kind donation and would run afoul of FEC rules. That's regardless of whether or not that was a smart outlay (@RealQuickMis) November 11, 2024 Remarks report that Harris' campaign ended $20 million in debt, after raising over $1 billion. Some alleged bills include $1,000,000 to Oprah, $20,000,000 in concerts, $4,000,000 from influencers, and $100,000 to build an identical Call Her Daddy set. Whoopi Goldberg, known for her Oscar-winning roles and as a cohost on 'The View,' revealed her struggles with financial pressures during a candid moment on the show. Speaking the day before her 69th birthday, Goldberg shared that if money weren't an issue, she wouldn't continue moderating the long-running talk show. "I appreciate that people are having a hard time. Me, too. I work for a living," Goldberg said during Tuesday's live broadcast. The conversation arose during a segment about voting practices, following Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's recent discussions with her social media followers. Goldberg's remarks cut through the tension, which had been building over debates about Donald Trump's presidency. Turning to the studio audience, Goldberg stressed her position, saying, "If I had all the money in the world, I would not be here, okay? So, I'm a working person, you know?" She explained that her financial responsibilities extend to her family. "My kid has to feed her family. My great-granddaughter has to be fed by her family. I know it's hard out there," she continued, empathizing with viewers while praising Ocasio-Cortez's approach to addressing public concerns. Goldberg's comments echoed previous critiques of The View's cohost dynamics, notably by former panelist Meghan McCain. In April, McCain reflected on moments during her time on the show, saying, "I remember yelling at the meeting that, 'Some of you' or 'All of you are going to have to start interacting with people who don't make $100,000 a year or more.'" As the longest-serving cohost of The View after Joy Behar, Goldberg has been a staple of the program since joining in 2007. Despite her role on the show, she continues to maintain a strong presence in film and television. Recently, she appeared in 'The Stand,' 'Harlem,' and two episodes of 'Star Trek: Picard,' reprising her role as Guinan. Goldberg is also currently developing 'Sister Act 3' for Disney+. She shared last week on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' that the script is being revised following the death of Maggie Smith, who was expected to reprise her role. The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on ABC. 'NFL on Fox' analyst Michael Strahan lashed out at a reporter Tuesday after being slammed for his appearance at the network's Veterans Day broadcast from Naval Base, San Diego. The controversy ignited across social media after cameras panned over to the analyst during the National Anthem. While others stood at attention and had their hands on their hearts, Strahan was captured with his hands folded in front of him. Strahan who stood next to fellow analyst and former tight end, Rob Gronkowski was only on camera for a few moments, however still managed to cause a stir online with fans calling him out for being "disrespectful." The 52-year-old got worked up when a reporter approached him asking for commentary regarding the National Anthem controversy, per the 'Daily Mail,' Footage obtained by the media outlet show the host angrily grabbing the camera and yelling at the reporter. "Don't come to my house," the Fox analyst said, sharply warning the reporter before reaching for the phone. "Don't come to my house!" he reiterated. "Stop coming to my house." There appeared to be a short scuffle for the device seconds before the clip ended. According to the media outlet, Strahan then grabbed the phone and tossed it into a nearby bush before heading into his townhouse alongside his reported girlfriend, Kayla Quick. The outlet reported that the host was absent from ABC's "Good Morning America" the Monday after the National Anthem controversdy. That said, since then fans across X have called for him to be punished or fired for the viral moment, some even joking that he should be deported. However, it seems the news outlet isn't too pressed about the matter, as a source close to the 'Daily Mail' stated that his "peers have his back and understand that he wasn't making the moment about himself." Can we deport Michael Strahan, too? Disrespectful POS! pic.twitter.com/FkbZOs6UXI American Made (@J_J_Valdez) November 10, 2024 "There isn't going to be any type of punishment or fine going Michael's way," the insider said, per the outlet. "He may address it, but he is weighing his options because he never thought this would have ever been a thing." "He knows the man he is, and he almost doesn't want to address the controversy to give it more life," the source added. Strahan did take to social media to make a statement on Veterans' Day: "Thank you to all veterans and active service members who courageously risk their lives to protect us every day. Your selfless service is beyond measure." "This is my hero, it is also my father, Maj. Gene W. Strahan, Sr. He served for 23 years in the army and was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division," he also penned in the caption, pointing out his family ties to the military. "Just as I honor my father, I keep all of you in my thoughts each and every day as we would not have the safety and freedoms we cherish without you. Thank You," he concluded. The M. Darlene Myer '66 Writers Award Award will provide a rising junior with the opportunity to be matched with a mentor from an industry or profession associated with their intended career pathway, offering a real-world experience to learn the importance of writing for career and professional advancement. The student-mentor writing experience will span one semester during the awardees senior year, after which they will write about the impact of this experience. A financial award will be designated to support student costs incurred while participating in the program as well as an honorarium for the professional mentor. The student awardee may receive $250 to begin work on this project and an additional award of $500 upon successful completion of the project. Must have a GPA of at least 3.2 or higher. English majors are not eligible for this award. To apply, email a 200-300 word proposal detailing the industry or a profession associated with their intended career pathway to Jesse Waters, Director of Community Impact and Bowers Writers House. Please include your name, year, major and GPA. The deadline to apply for 2025 is Tuesday, April 15. British Sugar has submitted an application to construct a new 'green' sugar beet drier at its factory in Wissington, Norfolk. The sugar beet processor said the drier would be an extension to its current plant, which is located near Downham Market. This factory is the largest of its kind in the UK, employing some 160 workers. British Sugar told Eastern Daily Press that the drier would allow steam produced elsewhere in the plant to be used to dry leftover beet pulp to make animal feed. The same process is currently carried out using gas burners to heat the beet, according to processor. It explained that using steam would save 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year. British Sugar is the sole processor of the UKs beet sugar crop, working with around 2,300 growers in the East of England, East Midlands and Yorkshire. The processor's four factories can produce up to 1.2 million tonnes of sugar annually. John McTernan, a former adviser to the Tony Blair government, has said that the UK 'doesn't need small farmers' during an interview. Mr McTernan made the comments while on air defending the inheritance tax relief cuts announced in the recent autumn budget. Speaking to presenter Patrick Christys on Monday evening (11 November), he said that "if farmers want to go on the street, we could do to them what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners." Mr McTernan added "its an industry we can do without", saying "if people are so upset that they want to go on the streets and spread slurry, then we dont need the small farmers. The comments follow controversial changes to agricultural property relief (APR), which means farms worth more than 1m will incur a 20% inheritance tax charge. Farming groups have warned the inheritance tax changes would have a 'catastrophic' impact on family farms across the country. New modelling released today (12 November) shows that the changes could leave small family farms paying tax bills that wipe out their annual profits. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today distanced himself from the Mr McTernan's comments, saying he 'totally disagrees' with them. "I am absolutely committed to supporting our farmers. I said that before the election and I say it after the election," he during a Q&A at the COP29 conference. "That is why in our budget I was very pleased to be investing 5billion of our budget over the next two years in farming. "That is really important for our farmers, and I will do everything I can to support them. "I think it is essential that they not only prosper, but prosper well into the future." The comments come as thousands of farmers prepare to descend on London next week to rally against the government's budget measures. Oilseed rape growers are being urged to watch out for signs of rape winter stem weevil following reports of the pest appearing in crops in eastern counties. Despite having potential to be more damaging to oilseed rape than cabbage stem flea beetle, the weevil - 'RWSW' - often goes undetected. The pest is not monitored by the Rothamsted aphid survey, with farmers and growers having to rely on observations from the field. Neil Watson, technical manager for agronomy firm Hutchinsons, says this season, RWSW has primarily appeared in crops in the East of England. "It has established itself as the main problem over the past few years, more so than CSFB," Mr Watson explains. "We cant rule out the pest being present in other areas too. RWSW has become resurgent primarily due to the decline in spraying for CSFB adults in the autumn." One of the reasons why RWSW can go undetected and be so damaging is due to adults often flying into the crop and laying eggs without making any outward signs of damage. This is unlike CSFB adults, where grazing damage is all too evident, Mr Watson explains. And unlike CSFB, adults can fly into crops over a very prolonged period, therefore multiple treatments may be required to coincide with migration phases, especially when they are still in flight at this time of the year. Fewer larvae can cause considerably more damage to the stem than CSFB, he warns. Controlling adults in the autumn is the main way to tackle RWSW, as pyrethroids have little or no activity on eggs or larvae, Mr Watson advises. Adults typically emerge in the summer and after a resting phase move into oilseed rape crops to feed and lay eggs in leaf stalks during late September and October. However, adult activity and egg laying can continue throughout the winter as long as conditions remain mild, as is the case this year. After hatching, larvae develop in petioles then tunnel into stems and feed throughout the winter until exiting in March/April to pupate in the soil, before a new generation emerges after flowering. Risk should be monitored closely before deciding on the need to treat, and the only practical way of detecting the presence of adults in the crop is by using yellow water traps, Mr Watson says. French research shows water traps are not a good indicator of the level of damage that is likely to occur, just the presence within the crop. Mr Watson recommends placing a few traps in each crop, just in from the headlands, taking account of the direction of the prevailing wind or nearest neighbouring oilseed rape crop. There is no established treatment threshold for RWSW, but if it is easily found in traps, then you know you have a potential problem," he says. If treatment is required, it should ideally be applied just before egg laying, which is usually 10-14 days after adult RWSW have been first found in the crop. It might mean multiple applications being required linked to multiple migration phases into the crop. The effectiveness of any treatment is dependent on several factors though, not least the presence of adults in the crop at the time of spraying, says Mr Watson. Another issue is the level of KDR resistance to pyrethroids within the population. Resistance has been confirmed in France, so we can only assume its the same in the UK, although no data has been collated here," he concludes. Sean 'Diddy' Combs has made a new request for bail. Diddy is scheduled to stand trial in May The 55-year-old rapper is currently behind bars in New York City after he was indicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution in September - but earlier this month, his attorneys filed a new motion requesting bail, arguing that new evidence justifies him being released ahead of his trial. In the latest motion for bail - which has been seen by PEOPLE - Combs' legal team have described the prosecution's case as "thin". What's more, the legal team have questioned the relevance of a 2016 video in which the music mogul appears to violently assault a woman in a Los Angeles hotel. In the filing, Combs' legal team explain: "The video is not evidence of a coerced 'freak off,' but rather a minutes-long glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship between Mr. Combs and Victim 1." Combs - who has pleaded not guilty to the charges - has already been denied bail by two different federal judges. But his attorneys insist that their latest proposal is "far more robust than the previous" one. Combs' lawyers previously requested that the rapper be freed on bond, pending trial, after paying a sum of $50 million. However, following a lengthy debate between legal teams on whether Combs represented a flight risk, Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky announced that the rap star will remain in detention until his trial begins. Marc Agnifilo, his attorney, later explained that the music star is determined to "establish his innocence". Agnifilo told reporters: "He's going to fight this. He's innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence. "We believe in him wholeheartedly. He didn't do these things. There's no coercion and no crime." Queen Camilla will return to public duties on Tuesday (12.11.24) - but will not attend the 'Gladiator II' premiere on Wednesday (13.11.24) to aid her recovery from a seasonal chest infection. Queen Camilla will skip the 'Gladiator II' premiere and attend other engagements briefer than planned as she continues to fight off a seasonal chest infection The 77-year-old royal pulled out of her engagements on November 5 after falling ill but will return in some capacity to duties this week. Buckingham Palace has now confirmed that the 77-year-old royal will make an appearance at the Booker Prize reception at Clarence House later today (12.11.24), but it will be a shorter than planned visit with minimal interactions with guests to protect them. The following day, she has a reception with King Charles at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the TV and film industry in the UK, with guests from various parts of the sector, including directors, actors, stunt performers, presenters, and costume designers, set to attend, but she won't be staying on for the whole event. Despite previously confirming she would attend the 'Gladiator II' premiere in London's Leicester Square on Wednesday (13.11.24), she will no longer be in attendance. Camilla will also not be alongside the king for an official engagement to mark his 76th birthday on Thursday (14.11.24), according to The Telegraph. On doctors' orders, the queen missed the Remembrance Sunday (10.11.24) service at the Cenotaph. A Palace spokesperson had said: "Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest. "With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week, but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekends Remembrance events as normal. "She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result." The US harmonised tariff schedule (HTS) has been modified to quantitatively restrict import of fine denier polyester staple fibre (PSF). President Joe Biden recently submitted documents to the Congress that describe the safeguard action. The US harmonised tariff schedule has been modified to quantitatively restrict import of fine denier polyester staple fibre. Import of fine denier PSF that are the product of Australia, Canada, the CAFTA-DR countries, CBERA beneficiary countries and territories, Colombia, Israel, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Singapore shall be excluded from the safeguard measure in this proclamation. Import of fine denier PSF that are the product of Australia, Canada, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) countries, Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) beneficiary countries and territories, Colombia, Israel, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Singapore shall be excluded from the safeguard measure established in this proclamation, and such imports shall not be counted toward the quantitative restriction. Barring exceptions, imports of fine denier PSF produced in developing countries shall be excluded from the safeguard measure in this proclamation, a White House release said. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2024) - Advanced Gold Exploration Inc (CSE: AUEX) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of visible gold during surface prospecting at our Doyle Property in the Batchawana Greenstone Belt (BGB). Highlights Our recent prospecting program has identified Visible Gold on surface at the Doyle Property. Assays from samples in the area returned, 13.2 g/t, and 9.82 g/t gold. The appears to be the surface expression of a drill hole completed in 1994 which also had visible gold and returned assays of 49.8 g/t at a depth of 80 meters. Visible gold has not been previously reported on the surface at the Doyle Property. The discovery is the result of diligent examination of the area by our contractor Superior Exploration. The Company is pleased to report that exploration work by Superior Exploration of Sault Ste Marie on the Doyle Gold Project in October has resulted in the discovery of visible gold on surface. The area which was examined was chosen due to its proximity to an earlier drill hole with an intersection of 49.8 g/t. The gold appears to be related to intense quartz veining and silicification. A Petrographic study has been undertaken to attempt to determine the distribution of gold and better define the alteration in the area. Examination of a LiDAR survey undertaken by the Company in 2022 appears to indicate that the gold is associated with a northeasterly trending linear feature. It is thought by the Company's geological staff that this feature may represent an extensional structure off of the main NNW trending shear - a favorable local to host gold mineralization. Mr. Jim Atkinson, CEO of the Company commented: "This new discovery of visible gold on surface at Doyle has excited our staff. The interpretated relationship of this visible gold to features indicated by the LiDAR has indicated that this might be a NE trending extensional structure. If further work in the area proves this to be the case this opens a whole new area to exploration because all past work has focused on structures trending NNW and may not have adequately explored shears and faults in other directions." He comments further "We are very pleased with the prospecting, geological mapping and sampling work carried out by Superior Exploration and reiterate the importance of "Boots on the Ground" in mineral exploration. We are preparing plans for more detailed prospecting and sampling in the spring not only in this newly identified area. This discovery has prompted us to reexamine LiDAR and airborne geophysical coverage across the Property to identify other potential extensional structures." It should be noted on Figure 2 below that there are trenches which have been completed in the area but they don't seem to have intersected the area with visible gold. Figure 2 shows the location of the actual high grade gold samples and the visible Gold. Figure 1: Location of Recent Sampling in Relation to Past Drilling and Trenching, Note, drillholes 94-20 and 94-25 intersected quartz veins which were not sampled. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8072/229485_60c6b08bd44a1b1b_001full.jpg Figure 2: Location of Rock Samples from Recent Prospecting with Gold Assays Showing Interpreted shear Zones. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8072/229485_60c6b08bd44a1b1b_002full.jpg About Doyle The Doyle Property is located approximately 92 kilometers southeast of Wawa, Ontario and approximately 65 km northeast of Sault Ste Marie within the Batchewana Volcanic Belt of the Abitibi Province. The property consists of a total of 79 unpatented mining claim cells and covers an area of approximately 1,730 hectares. The structural and geological architecture of the Batchawana Greenstone belt is conducive to a variety of gold depositional environments similar in nature and significance to other gold bearing deposits in Archean-aged greenstone belts hosted within the Superior Province. Noteworthy, these typically fall into the category of "orogenic gold deposit" types in brittle-ductile structurally related regimes like the Timmins Gold Camp, the Hemlo Gold Deposits, and the gold deposits of the Doyon-Bousquet Camp in Quebec. Orogenic gold deposit types would be the focus of future exploration activities on the Doyle Property. Figure 3: location of Doyle Property in the Batchewana Greenstone Belt. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8072/229485_60c6b08bd44a1b1b_003full.jpg The Doyle Property lies within the Batchawana Greenstone Belt of the Wawa-Abitibi Terrane. The eastern extension of the Wawa Subprovince has had a long gold mining history dating back to 1897. Gold mining in the area has prospered and receded in the 20th century however this part of the Wawa Subprovince has total historic production of over 3,000,0000 ounces. Current and near future producers of the Wawa Subprovince include: 1) Wesdome Gold Mines Eagle River Complex; 2) Alamos Gold Island Mine; and 3) Argonaut Gold Magino Deposit. All of the above historical gold mines and current to near future producers are considered orogenic gold deposits of Archean-aged greenstone belts and environments. Three styles of orogenic gold mineralization occur on the Doyle Property. These are, but not limited to: 1) Gold-enriched semi-massive to massive sulphide horizons in a felsic tuff volcanic pile 2) Lode gold auriferous quartz veins, and 3) Disseminated gold in silicified and pyritized shear zones. Figure 4: Plan Showing Doyle Property Claim Information. Note: Overlain on geology by Grunsky (1996). Gold and base metal occurences shown as numbers. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8072/229485_60c6b08bd44a1b1b_004full.jpg The most significant and recent exploration on the Doyle Property was carried out by Tri-Origin Exploration which included drilling programs from 1990 - 1995. These programs are deemed significant, and their geological observations support deposit model types being sought. The Focus of the Tri-Origin work was on a model of similarity of the Doyle property geology and mineralization to the 20,000,0000-ounce Hemlo deposit. Tri-Origin completed geological, geophysical, and geochemical programs and drilled a total of 37 drill holes for 8,053 m. Anomalous gold values were intersected in numerous drill holes and visible gold was observed in two holes. Drill hole T94-22 intersected 49.58 g/t gold over one meter and drill hole T95-34 intersected 17.49 g/t gold over one meter. Recent exploration by the Company has included airborne magnetic and VLF EM surveys, a LiDAR survey and trench sampling. The airborne geophysics was very helpful, in association with geological mapping by TriOrigin, in defining the main trends and structures on the property. Throughgoing g structures have been identified as being present trending in a northwest to northerly direction. Parallel VLH Em trends underlie some of the gold occurrences especially where gold is associated with sulphides. Further details of the Doyle Property will be available in the Technical Report on Sedar and the Company's website www.advancedgoldexploration.com. QUALIFIED PERSON James Atkinson M.Sc., P. Geo., a Qualified Person ("QP") as such term is defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release. The Qualified Person supervised the work completed by the Company but has not completed sufficient work to verify all historic information on the Property, particularly with regards to historical sampling, drill results, and technical work provided by others. The Qualified Person assumes that past sampling and analytical results were completed to industry standard practices. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the Property but may not be representative of expected results. ABOUT ADVANCED GOLD EXPLORATION INC. Advanced Gold Exploration (Formerly Advance United Holdings Inc.) is a Canadian mineral exploration company. We've acquired a portfolio of undervalued gold and copper properties and are increasing their value through the application of modern technology, new ideas and systematic exploration. We have a growing pipeline of similar properties that we are looking to acquire. We are involved exclusively in the acquisition and advancement of past projects - with no intent to bring them back into production or to mine them ourselves. Our expertise is in identifying and acquiring undervalued properties with significant historical work, which were uneconomic at the time. We believe we can enhance their economic value at today's prices. We fund the re-working historic data and applying modern technology to underwrite new qualified reports, document quantifiable resources and reserves to current standards, thereby recognizing the current value. Our purpose is to bring immediate and long-term value to our partners and shareholders while seeking to reduce exploration risk, so that we can all advance in the shortest possible time frame. For additional information about us, our projects, or to find out how we can assist in the advancement of your project contact our CEO. Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229485 SOURCE: Advanced Gold Exploration Inc. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Japan will on Tuesday see October numbers for its M2 money stock, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. M2 is expected to rise 1.5 percent on year, up from 1.3 percent in September.Australia will see October results for the surveys of business confidence and conditions from National Australia Bank, as well as Westpac's November index for consumer sentiment. In September, business conditions were as +7 and confidence was at -2; in October, the Westpac index jumped 6.2 percent.Indonesia will release September data for retail sales; in August, sales were up 5.8 percent on year.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. The growing prevalence of cardiovascular and thrombotic disorders is driving strong demand for D-dimer testing. As blood clot-related risk factors continue to increase, the need for precise diagnostic tools becomes essential. Moreover, intensified research and development efforts, coupled with collaborations among major industry players, are propelling innovations in D-dimer testing methods. LAS VEGAS, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's D-Dimer Testing Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading D-dimer testing companies' market shares, challenges, D-dimer testing market drivers, barriers, trends, and key market D-dimer testing companies in the market. Key Takeaways from the D-Dimer Testing Market Report As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global D-dimer testing market during the forecast period. In the D-dimer testing market, the instruments category is projected to capture a substantial revenue share in 2023. Notable D-dimer testing companies such as F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Siemens Healthineers AG, Abbott, Danaher Corporation, biomerieux, QuidelOrtho Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., CTK Biotech, Getein Biotech, Inc., LumiraDx, Accurex, Werfen, Randox Laboratories Ltd., Sekisui Diagnostics, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Helena Laboratories (UK) Limited, BioMedica Diagnostics, Diazyme Laboratories, Inc., HORIBA, Ltd., Sysmex Corporation, and several others, are currently operating in the D-dimer testing market. and several others, are currently operating in the D-dimer testing market. In June 2022, LumiraDx Limited , a next-generation point-of-care diagnostics company, announced that it has expanded its cardiovascular offering with a CE Mark for its new NT-proBNP test to aid in the diagnosis of CHF and an updated CE Mark for its D-dimer test to now rule out venous thromboembolism (VTE) in symptomatic patients. , a next-generation point-of-care diagnostics company, announced that it has expanded its cardiovascular offering with a CE Mark for its new NT-proBNP test to aid in the diagnosis of CHF and an updated CE Mark for its D-dimer test to now rule out venous thromboembolism (VTE) in symptomatic patients. In March 2022 SphingoTec GmbH and Rivaara Labs Pvt Ltd. announced that they have entered into a multi-year distribution agreement for the commercialization of SphingoTec's point-of-care diagnostic solutions in the Indian subcontinent. The Nexus IB10 analyzer and its portfolio of rapid tests allow convenient assessment of biomarkers relevant to critical care conditions such as sepsis, acute kidney injury, cardiogenic shock, acute heart failure, and myocardial infarction. To read more about the latest highlights related to the D-dimer testing market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global D-Dimer Testing Market Report D-Dimer Testing Overview D-dimer testing is a blood test used to detect the presence of abnormal blood clotting, often aiding in the diagnosis of conditions related to thrombosis, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The D-dimer is a protein fragment produced when a blood clot dissolves in the body, and elevated levels of D-dimer indicate an increased presence of clot degradation, suggesting active clotting and fibrinolysis. This test is particularly useful in ruling out conditions rather than confirming them, as a negative D-dimer test strongly suggests the absence of thrombotic events, especially in low-risk patients. While the D-dimer test is highly sensitive, it lacks specificity because elevated D-dimer levels can be found in various conditions, including recent surgery, infection, cancer, and pregnancy. Due to this, a positive D-dimer test alone is insufficient for a definitive diagnosis of a clotting disorder and usually requires further imaging or diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of a clot. Despite these limitations, the D-dimer test remains a valuable and accessible tool in emergency and outpatient settings, especially in rapidly assessing patients suspected of having thrombotic conditions. Its utility in conjunction with clinical assessment helps healthcare providers make timely and more accurate decisions about further testing or treatment. D-Dimer Testing Market Insights In 2023, North America led the D-dimer testing market, propelled by several key factors. The region faces a high prevalence of cardiovascular and thrombotic disorders, which drives significant demand for diagnostic tools like D-Dimer tests. An aging population in North America, particularly susceptible to these conditions, further underscores the need for reliable testing solutions. Moreover, North America's robust healthcare infrastructure ensures broad access to advanced diagnostic technologies, supporting a higher testing rate. This infrastructure also enhances awareness among healthcare providers about the critical role of D-dimer testing in diagnosing conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. Technological advancements are central to this market, with innovations in D-dimer assays and testing instruments improving both accuracy and efficiency. The presence of prominent pharmaceutical and diagnostic firms in the region also boosts research and development, resulting in frequent product releases and regulatory approvals. Additionally, favorable reimbursement policies and high healthcare spending in North America encourage wider adoption of D-dimer testing. The focus on rapid diagnosis and effective management of thromboembolic conditions, especially in emergency and critical care, further supports market growth. In essence, a combination of high thrombotic disorder prevalence, an aging demographic, advanced healthcare infrastructure, ongoing technological progress, and supportive reimbursement policies makes North America the dominant region in the D-dimer testing market. The pressing need for effective diagnostics amid rising cardiovascular risks reinforces this trend. To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the D-dimer testing market, get a snapshot of the D-Dimer Testing Market Outlook D-Dimer Testing Market Dynamics The D-dimer testing market has seen significant growth in recent years, driven largely by the increasing prevalence of thrombotic disorders such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, which are major contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aging global population, which is more prone to conditions requiring D-dimer testing, has also spurred demand in the market. A substantial boost to the D-dimer testing market occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the test became a valuable tool in managing COVID-19 patients. Elevated D-dimer levels were found to be associated with severe COVID-19 cases, prompting widespread usage of the test to monitor patients' risk of blood clots and severe outcomes. This expanded its application and highlighted the utility of D-dimer testing beyond traditional thrombotic disorders, thereby broadening its market scope. As healthcare systems continue to deal with the long-term impact of COVID-19, the demand for D-dimer testing remains strong. Technological advancements in diagnostic testing have also influenced the D-dimer testing market dynamics. Innovations such as point-of-care (POC) testing devices have made D-dimer tests more accessible, enabling rapid results outside traditional laboratory settings. This shift toward decentralizing testing is especially beneficial in remote and underserved areas, where access to comprehensive healthcare facilities might be limited. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics in diagnostic processes is improving test accuracy and enabling more precise predictive insights, adding value to D-dimer testing solutions. However, challenges remain in the market, particularly in terms of test specificity. While D-dimer tests are sensitive indicators of clot formation, they are not highly specific and can yield false positives, as D-dimer levels can be elevated in other conditions, such as infections, inflammation, and even after surgery. This limitation means that D-dimer testing is often used as a preliminary diagnostic tool rather than a definitive test. Consequently, reliance on confirmatory imaging tests, such as CT scans or ultrasounds, continues to persist, which can slow down diagnosis and add costs, especially in resource-constrained settings. Looking forward, the D-dimer testing market is likely to expand as new applications for the test emerge and technological advancements improve its accuracy and accessibility. With the rising prevalence of cardiovascular and thrombotic conditions, coupled with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers and diagnostic companies are likely to invest in improving D-dimer testing. Strategic partnerships and collaborations between diagnostic firms and healthcare institutions may further drive market growth by making testing more accessible and affordable. As a result, the D-dimer testing market is expected to maintain a robust growth trajectory in the coming years, especially in regions with high healthcare expenditures and advanced medical infrastructure. Get a sneak peek at the D-dimer testing market dynamics @ D-Dimer Testing Market Dynamics Analysis Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 2021-2030 D-Dimer Testing Market CAGR ~5% D-Dimer Testing Market Size by 2030 ~USD 2 Billion Key D-Dimer Testing Companies F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Siemens Healthineers AG, Abbott, Danaher Corporation, biomerieux, QuidelOrtho Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., CTK Biotech, Getein Biotech, Inc., LumiraDx, Accurex, Werfen, Randox Laboratories Ltd., Sekisui Diagnostics, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Helena Laboratories (UK) Limited, BioMedica Diagnostics, Diazyme Laboratories, Inc., HORIBA, Ltd., Sysmex Corporation, among others D-Dimer Testing Market Assessment D-Dimer Testing Market Segmentation D-Dimer Testing Market Segmentation By Product Type: Instruments and Reagents and Kits Instruments and Reagents and Kits D-Dimer Testing Market Segmentation By Assay Type: Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Latex Immunoturbidimetric Assay, Fluorescence Immunoassay, and Others Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Latex Immunoturbidimetric Assay, Fluorescence Immunoassay, and Others D-Dimer Testing Market Segmentation By Application: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary Embolism, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), and Stroke Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary Embolism, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), and Stroke D-Dimer Testing Market Segmentation By End User: Hospitals and Clinics, Diagnostic Centers, and Others Hospitals and Clinics, Diagnostic Centers, and Others D-Dimer Testing Market Segmentation By Geography : North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World : North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOL's Views, Analyst's View Which MedTech key players in the D-dimer testing market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ D-Dimer Testing Companies Table of Contents 1 D-Dimer Testing Market Report Introduction 2 D-Dimer Testing Market Executive Summary 3 Competitive Landscape 4 Regulatory Analysis 5 D-Dimer Testing Market Key Factors Analysis 6 D-Dimer Testing Market Porter's Five Forces Analysis 7 D-Dimer Testing Market Layout 8 D-Dimer Testing Market Company and Product Profiles 9 KOL Views 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight 12 Disclaimer & Contact Us Interested in knowing the D-dimer testing market by 2030? Click to get a snapshot of the D-Dimer Testing Market Trends Related Reports ELISA Market ELISA Market Insight, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast - 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key ELISA companies, including Abbott, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Erba Mannheim, Synbiotik, Maccura Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific, DiaSorin, PerkinElmer Inc., Diatron, Werfen, ALPCO, Agilent, InBios International Inc., Awareness Technology Inc., Elabscience Biotechnology Inc., J. Mitra & Co. Pvt. Ltd., Rayto Life and Analytical Sciences Co., Ltd., BD, Trivitron Healthcare, among others. 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Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Market Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key DIC companies, including Pfizer Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Siemens Healthineers, Abbott Laboratories, Sysmex Corporation, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Danaher Corporation, Grifols, S.A., Beckman Coulter Inc., among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant, and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Contact Us Shruti Thakur info@delveinsight.com +14699457679 https://www.delveinsight.com/medical-devices Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-d-dimer-testing-market-to-observe-growth-at-a-cagr-of-5-by-2030--delveinsight-302300931.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2024) - AJN Resources Inc. (CSE: AJN) (FSE: 5AT) (AJN or the Company) is pleased to announce its intention to close a non-brokered private placement of units (each, a Unit) in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.12 per Unit, for which it received confidential price protection on October 8, 2024. The Company intends to issue a total of 5,430,833 Units at a price of $0.12 per Unit for gross proceeds of $651,700. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant (Warrant), where each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share (Warrant Share) at an exercise price of $0.15 per Warrant Share for a two year period. The Company has agreed to pay a cash finder's fee of $5,400 and issue 45,000 Warrants with respect to the private placement subscription by one of the private placement placees. The securities to be issued pursuant to the private placement, and any Warrant Shares to be issued on the exercise of Warrants will be subject to a four-month statutory hold period. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the private placement for property exploration, the acquisition of mineral properties and working capital. The Company intends to rely on an exemption from the related party requirements of MI 61-101 for the participation by one insider of the Company in the private placement. About AJN Resources Inc. AJN is a junior exploration company. AJN's management and directors possess over 75 years of collective industry experience and have been very successful in the areas of exploration, financing and developing major mines throughout the world, with a focus on Africa, especially the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although AJN Resources Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, AJN Resources Inc. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. 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. 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/229574 SOURCE: AJN Resources Inc. Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2024) - Goldmoney Inc. (TSX: XAU) (US: XAUMF) ("Goldmoney" or the "Company"), today announced financial results for the fiscal 2025 second quarter for the period ended September 30, 2024. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. Financial statements are available online at Sedar+: www.sedarplus.ca. Financial Highlights Group Tangible Capital of $135.3 million, an increase of 1.1% QoQ Group Tangible Capital per Share of $10.26, consistent QoQ Group Tangible Capital per Share excluding MENE of $9.30 per share an increase of 7.3% QoQ Adjusted Net Income of $4.4 million, a decrease of 34.2% QoQ Quarterly Performance Metrics Table ($000s, except earnings per share) 2025 2024 2023 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Key Performance Metrics (Balance Sheet) Shares outstanding 13,182 13,060 13,137 13,449 13,777 13,926 13,996 14,861 Shareholder equity 149,026 147,984 141,178 173,761 172,602 173,224 172,123 182,707 Tangible equity inclusive of MENE 135,299 133,780 126,100 147,078 143,019 143,475 142,203 143,118 Tangible equity exclusive of MENE 122,631 113,217 105,457 113,059 108,396 108,756 107,599 108,367 Tangible equity per share ($CAD) 10.26 10.24 9.60 10.94 10.38 10.30 10.16 9.63 Tangible equity per share exclusive of MENE 9.30 8.67 8.03 8.41 7.87 7.81 7.69 7.29 Key Performance Metrics (Operational) Net income (loss) (3,896 ) 5,132 (32,095 ) 6,005 2,009 1,995 (4,050 ) 10,341 Total comprehensive income (loss) 792 6,077 (30,640 ) 7,391 627 1,651 (4,053 ) 10,321 Adjustments for revaluations, FX, stock compensation, and non-cash items 3,569 550 34,857 (1,350 ) 2,310 1,903 7,020 (6,838 ) Non-IFRS adjusted net income 4,361 6,627 4,217 6,040 2,937 3,554 2,966 3,483 Key Performance Metrics (Earnings per Share) Basic earnings (loss) per share (0.29 ) 0.39 (2.42 ) 0.44 0.15 0.14 (0.27 ) 0.69 Diluted earnings (loss) per share (0.29 ) 0.38 (2.42 ) 0.44 0.14 0.14 (0.27 ) 0.69 Non-IFRS adjusted net income per share 0.33 0.51 0.32 0.45 0.21 0.26 0.21 0.23 About Goldmoney Inc. Goldmoney Inc. (TSX: XAU) specializes in the investment and custody of enduring real assets. Through its subsidiaries, the Company offers precious metals trading services to clients, including secure custody and storage solutions. Goldmoney also maintains diversified interests in property investment and jewelry manufacturing. For more information about Goldmoney, visit goldmoney.com. Financial Information and IFRS Standards The selected financial information included in this release is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read together with, the Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards ("IFRS") and the corresponding management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A"), which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Non-IFRS Measures This news release contains non-IFRS financial measures; the Company believes that these measures provide investors with useful supplemental information about the financial performance of its business, enable comparison of financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating its business. Although management believes these financial measures are important in evaluating the Company's performance, they are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures do not have any standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures used by other companies. For certain non-IFRS financial measures, there are no directly comparable amounts under IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be viewed as alternatives to measures of financial performance determined in accordance with IFRS. Moreover, presentation of certain of these measures is provided for year-over-year comparison purposes, and investors should be cautioned that the effect of the adjustments thereto provided herein have an actual effect on the Company's operating results. Tangible Capital is a non-IFRS measure. This figure excludes from total shareholder equity (i) intangibles, and (ii) goodwill, and is useful to demonstrate the tangible capital employed by the business. Non-IFRS Adjusted Net Income is a non-IFRS measure, defined as total comprehensive income (loss) adjusted for non-cash and non-core items which include, but is not limited to, revaluation of precious metal inventories, fair value movements, stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange fluctuations and gains and losses on investments. For a full reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures used herein to their nearest IFRS equivalents, please see the section entitled "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in the Company's MD&A for the year ended March 31, 2024. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains or refers to certain forward-looking information. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "may", "potential" and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. All information other than information regarding historical fact, which addresses activities, events or developments that the Goldmoney Inc. believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information does not constitute historical fact but reflects the current expectations the Company regarding future results or events based on information that is currently available. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking information will not occur. Such forward-looking information in this release speak only as of the date hereof. Forward-looking information in this release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: financial performance and growth of the Company's business; expected results of operations, the market for the Company's products and services and competitive conditions; and the establishment of a real estate investment strategy. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time it was made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: the Company's operating history; history of operating losses; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; fluctuations in the market price of the Company's common shares; the effect of government regulation and compliance on the Company and the industry; legal and regulatory change and uncertainty; jurisdictional factors associated with international operations; foreign restrictions on the Company's operations; product development and rapid technological change; dependence on technical infrastructure; protection of intellectual property; use and storage of personal information and compliance with privacy laws; network security risks; risk of system failure or inadequacy; the Company's ability to manage rapid growth; competition; the ability to identify opportunities for growth internally and through acquisitions and strategic relationships on terms which are economic or at all; the ability to identify and complete the acquisition of suitable real estate investment opportunities on terms which are economic or at all; effectiveness of the Company's risk management and internal controls; use of the Company's services for improper or illegal purposes; uninsured and underinsured losses; theft & risk of physical harm to personnel; precious metal trading risks; and volatility of precious metals prices & public interest in precious metals investment; and those risks set out in the Company's most recently filed annual information form, available on SEDAR. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229566 SOURCE: GoldMoney Inc. The Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) announces partnerships with the UAE and Bahrain as it ramps up activity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where it will work directly with industry, investors and local governments to accelerate investment by 2026 First country partners of the ITA MENA Project Support Programme are the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain. The ITA is working with the UAE's Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain to ensure efforts align with national climate objectives. ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates , Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) has announced partnerships with governments of the UAE and Bahrain to expand its efforts in industrial decarbonisation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This is the ITA's second region of focus, following the early success of its Brazil programme, announced in a partnership with Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services in July this year. The industrial sector contributes 40% to MENA's GDP, surpassing the global average of 26%, and with advantages in both conventional energy and renewable energy generation, the MENA region is well-positioned to lead the global decarbonisation of heavy industry1. The UAE's Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Bahrain's Ministry for Industry and Commerce are the ITA's first partners in the MENA region, with further country partners expected to be announced in the coming months. The ITA will collaborate with regional governments, industry leaders, and financial institutions to bolster the investment case for MENA's emerging green industries and mobilise the critical capital needed to advance regional and global decarbonisation efforts. The ITA's analysis, using the Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) Global Project Tracker shows a pipeline of announced green industrial projects in the MENA region. These projects are awaiting billions of dollars of investment to start production of green commodities but require a stronger demand signal from the market to give businesses and investors the confidence to act2. H.E. Abdulla Bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain, said: "We are delighted to be the first partner to join the ITA along with the UAE in the MENA Project Support Programme in this critical initiative to expand green industry in the region. Being part of this reaffirms our commitment towards promoting sustainable manufacturing inline with our Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026). The opportunities are vast and exciting and the need to advance this industry is urgent to accelerate our efforts to achieve carbon neutrality." Faustine Delasalle, Executive Director of the ITA, said: "Unlocking the existing pipeline of green industrial projects in the region would make a significant contribution to the region's green growth agendas and help the scale-up of green markets globally. This new partnership with the governments of the UAE and Bahrain will showcase how the MENA region can speed up its energy and industry transition." The road to Final Investment Decision (FID) in the UAE The ITA is working to identify and support large-scale industrial projects that can be accelerated toward FID by 2026 and operational by 2030. To get on track with Paris-aligned climate targets, a critical mass of large-scale projects that have the potential to drive a deep reduction in emissions, must reach FID in the next two years and be brought online by 2030. The MPP Global Project Tracker has identified more than six announced net-zero aligned industrial plants in the UAE which, if brought to FID and combined with those already operating or at FID, would represent a total of approximately 30% of UAE's 2030 climate target. Targeted Regional Support To help mature the project pipeline in the MENA region, the ITA will provide on-the-ground, practical, tailored implementation support. Specifically, the ITA is partnering with project developers to identify and help overcome their barriers to investment by, for example, helping to stimulate demand for green goods by addressing policy and regulatory needs at a regional level, while building low-emissions value chains and identifying mechanisms to de-risk regional project investment. Corporate partnerships The following companies from the UAE are the first to sign formal agreements to work with the ITA as part of the MENA program: EMSteel, Emirates Global Aluminium, and Arabian Gulf Steel Industries. Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of EMSTEEL, said: "As one of the largest publicly traded steel and building materials manufacturers in the region, we are honoured to be working with the ITA to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy industries in the UAE and beyond. EMSTEEL has been actively driving low-carbon products and setting sustainable benchmarks for the region, and our pilot project with Masdar demonstrating the use of green hydrogen to produce green steel is a clear testament to our efforts. It is essential for us to work with the wider ecosystem to effectively address viability concerns of commercial scale decarbonisation projects, and we are confident that our partnership with the ITA will help in overcoming those obstacles and in driving the wider adoption of sustainable solutions." Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: "Many decarbonisation challenges are shared between industries, and we must work together to solve them. The Industrial Transition Accelerator is a forum to advance this cooperation." Asam Hussain, CEO of AGSI, stated: "As a signatory to the ITA, and the world's first carbon neutral steel plant, we are excited to see the opportunities for advancing net-zero goals in the MENA region. We are committed to being an innovation leader in industry on the ground, actively implementing sustainable solutions and driving decarbonisation across the sector. In order to drive progress effectively, we need a clear path to scale demand, clarity in industry definitions and confidence in policy frameworks that support project scalability." Notes to Editors About the ITA: The ITA is a global multistakeholder initiative to catalyse decarbonisation across heavy-emitting industry and transport sectors, that represent a third of global emissions. With expansive networks across industry, financial institutions, and governments, the ITA brings together global leaders to unlock investment at scale, for the rapid deployment of decarbonisation solutions. Within three years, it aims to significantly grow the pipeline of commercial-scale, clean industrial projects to reduce emissions by 2030 and enable delivery of Paris Agreement-aligned ambition for these sectors. https://ita.missionpossiblepartnership.org/ 1https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.TOTL.ZS?most_recent_value_desc=true 2https://www.missionpossiblepartnership.org/tracker/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2554510/ITA_MENA_launch_official.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ita-announces-partnerships-in-the-mena-region-to-advance-green-industry-302301757.html ACHIEVED A RECORD $98.1 MILLION IN CASH AND INVESTMENTS DRIVEN BY RECORD $17 MILLION IN FREE CASH FLOW1 AND $23.4 MILLION IN OPERATING CASH FLOW (All amounts in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2024) - Andean Precious Metals Corp. (TSXV: APM) (OTCQX: ANPMF) ("Andean" or the "Company") is pleased to report its operating highlights and financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. This news release should be read together with Andean's management discussion and analysis ("MD&A") and condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 (the "Financial Statements") which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Third Quarter 2024 Highlights Consolidated Results: Consolidated revenue of $68.4 million from sales at an average realized gold price of $2,413/oz and an average realized silver price of $31.40/oz. The Company strengthened its financial position in Q3 2024 ending the period with a record position of $98.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and short-term investments. The Company generated record free cash flow 1 of $17.0 million despite additional capital expenditures ("CAPEX") incurred during the third quarter, supported by $23.4 million in operating cash flow. Gross profit of $21.4 million, mainly due to strong average realized gold and silver prices and lower operating costs at San Bartolome driven by lower underlying cost of production. Net income of $8.2 million, EBITDA 1 and Adjusted EBITDA 1 were $20.1 million and $19.2 million, respectively. Consolidated Q3 2024 production of 29,284 gold equivalent ("AuEq") ounces or its equivalent of 2.3 million silver equivalent ("AgEq") ounces. Golden Queen Results: Golden Queen produced 14,025 AuEq ounces compared to 16,986 AuEq ounces in Q2 2024 . Golden Queen operating cash costs ("OCC")1 of $1,557/oz and all-in sustaining costs ("AISC")1 of $2,300/oz for the quarter. During Q3 2024, OCC was primarily impacted by lower production due to a temporary suspension of the crusher circuit at Goden Queen which impacted AuEq production. Furthermore, to improve reliability, the Company is investing in new equipment, with additional CAPEX aimed at enhancing performance through late 2024 and 2025. San Bartolome Results: San Bartolome produced 1.2 million AgEq ounces, compared to 1.07 million AgEq ounces in Q2 2024. Achieved a strong cash gross operating margin ("CGOM")2 of $12.30 per ounce of silver equivalent sold and a gross margin ratio ("GMR")2 of 46.56%, based on reported costs of sales of $18.87 million. Recovery increased in Q3 2024 to 83% when compared to 79% in Q2 2024. 2024 Guidance Update: The Company reaffirms its 2024 guidance of 60 koz AuEq at Golden Queen and 5.0 Moz AgEq at San Bartolome (+/- 5%) . The Company expects consolidated production to be close to the lower end of the 2024 guidance. In line with the Company's 2024 production guidance, the Company anticipates a decline in OCC and AISC per gold ounce sold at Golden Queen for Q4 2024, when compared to Q3 2024, primarily driven by anticipated higher AuEq production during Q4 2024. The Company is increasing its 2024 GMR and CGOM guidance for San Bartolome to 30% and $7.00 respectively. For Golden Queen, its 2024 AISC guidance is increasing to $1,950 per ounce of gold sold arising from additional sustaining CAPEX incurred. Corporate Update: Strengthened management team with the addition of Dominik Kizek joining the Company as Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller at the Toronto, Corporate office. Mr. Kizek is a CPA, CA and has 20 years of public company experience including previous roles at New Gold Inc., Battle North Gold Inc., and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. Health and Safety Performance: San Bartolome recorded one lost time injury (LTI) in Q3 2024. Golden Queen reported zero LTIs for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, achieving 503 consecutive days without an LTI. Alberto Morales, Executive Chairman and CEO stated "Our third quarter has been marked by record financial performance, driven by strong gross margin growth and significant free cash flow generation. We ended the quarter with strong cash, cash equivalents, and investments of $98.1 million, which strengthens our balance sheet and provides a solid foundation for future growth opportunities. Operationally, it hasn't been without its challenges. At Golden Queen, we faced some setbacks due to necessary maintenance on aging equipment. We have responded with a proactive CAPEX program to address historical underinvestment in property, equipment, and processes. Since acquiring Golden Queen, we have appointed a new management team and launched a comprehensive maintenance, CAPEX, and operational overhaul program. This investment in upgrading key equipment and processes is a deliberate step to drive greater reliability and efficiency, with anticipated results beginning in Q4 and throughout 2025." Mr. Morales continued, "Our robust financial position provides the flexibility to pursue strategic initiatives and explore accretive expansion opportunities. While we expect to meet the lower end of our 2024 production guidance, optimizing operations remains a top priority. In addition, we are continuing with our goal to diversify our portfolio and expand in North America with high value assets. I'm also pleased to report continued safety milestones, with Golden Queen achieving over 500 days without a lost-time injury and no reportable environmental incidents, a testament to our team's commitment to maintaining high safety and environmental standards. Looking ahead, we remain committed to prudent cost management, operational resilience, and sustainable practices, which will drive both, our business growth, and the well-being of the communities in which we operate." Summary of Financial and Operating Results (In thousands except for net income per share and oz) Q3 2024 Q3 2023(a) Change YTD 2024 YTD 2023(a) Change Financial Performance Revenue $ 68,348 $ 38,174 $ 79% 181,197 $ 76,503 137% Cost of sales 41,635 30,892 35% 121,141 63,880 90% Depreciation and depletion 5,272 1,009 422% 15,301 3,528 334% Gross profit 21,441 6,273 242% 44,755 9,095 392% Net income (after tax) 8,210 76 10703% 17,518 464 3675% Net income per share -Basic 0.05 0.00 100% 0.12 0.00 100% -Diluted 0.05 0.00 100% 0.11 0.00 100% Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities 23,444 8,661 171% 31,751 (955 ) 3425% Free cash flow 16,949 6,904 145% 16,646 (3,570 ) 566% EBITDA 20,058 4,280 369% 48,156 9,453 409% Adjusted EBITDA 19,202 6,799 182% 43,872 12,200 260% Capital expenditures (15,937 ) (1,757 ) (807%) (24,547 ) (2,615 (839%) Ending cash and cash equivalents 58,074 76,823 (24%) 58,074 76,823 (24%) Marketable securities and investments 40,065 4,269 839% 40,065 4,269 839% Total cash and short-term investments 98,139 81,082 21% 98,139 81,092 21% (In thousands except for metal price per oz) Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change YTD 2024 YTD 2023(g) Change Operating highlights Production Golden Queen Silver (koz) 130 - 100% 395 - 100% Gold (oz) 12,366 - 100% 37,661 - 100% Total AuEq ounces produced (oz) 14,025 - 100% 42,501 - 100% San Bartolome Silver (koz) 1,118 1,190 (6%) 2,981 3,357 (11%) Gold (oz) 680 640 6% 1,128 1,270 (11%) Total AgEq ounces produced (koz) 1,176 1,242 (5%) 3,077 3,459 (11%) Consolidated Golden Queen AgEq ounces (koz) 1,081 - 100% 3,464 - 100% San Bartolome AgEq ounces (koz) 1,176 1,242 (5%) 3,077 3,460 (11%) Total Consolidated AgEq ounces produced (koz) 2,251 1,242 81% 6,536 3,460 89% Golden Queen AuEq ounces (oz) 14,025 - 100% 42,501 - 100% San Bartolome AuEq ounces (oz) 15,259 15,426 (1%) 37,784 42,690 (12%) Total Consolidated AuEq ounces produced (oz) 29,284 15,426 90% 80,285 42,690 88% Sales Golden Queen Silver (koz) 134 - 100% 394 - 100% Gold (oz) 12,018 - 100% 37,581 - 100% Total AuEq ounces sold (oz) 13,174 - 100% 42,405 - 100% San Bartolome Silver (koz) 1,080 1,552 (30%) 2,948 3,154 (7%) Gold (oz) 512 200 156% 920 415 122% Total AgEq ounces sold (koz) 1,119 1,568 (28%) 3,026 3,188 (5%) Consolidated ounces sold Golden Queen AgEq ounces (koz) 1,057 - 100% 3,455 - 100% San Bartolome AgEq ounces (koz) 1,119 1,568 (29%) 3,026 3,188 (5%) Total Consolidated AgEq ounces sold (koz) 2,176 1,568 39% 6,479 3,188 103% Golden Queen AuEq ounces (oz) 13,174 - 100% 42,405 - 100% San Bartolome AuEq ounces (oz) 14,600 19,476 (25%) 37,021 39,333 (6%) Total Consolidated AuEq ounces sold (oz) 28,314 19,476 45% 79,426 39,333 102% Average realized silver price ($/oz) $ 31.40 $ 24.34 29% 27.97 $ 24.00 17% Average market silver price ($/oz) $ 29.43 $ 23.57 25% 27.23 $ 23.40 16% Average realized gold price ($/oz) $ 2,413 $ 1,960 23% 2,278 $ 1,945 17% Average market gold price ($/oz) $ 2,474 $ 1,952 27% 2,296 $ 1,931 19% 2024 Outlook and Guidance Production guidance The Company reaffirms its 2024 annual gold and silver equivalent production guidance for Golden Queen and San Bartolome with production expected to be close to the low end of the guidance ranges: 2024 AuEq ounces Guidance3 +/- 5% 2024 AgEq ounces Guidance3 +/- 5% Golden Queen (koz) 60 5,429 San Bartolome (koz) 55 5,000 Consolidated (koz) 115 10,429 Cost guidance The Company revises its full-year 2024 cost guidance for both San Bartolome and Golden Queen. San Bartolome 2024 full-year CGOM and GMR is now expected to be $7.00 and 30.00%, respectively, as the Company expects continued low operating expenses and cost savings that have been realized in the three- and nine-months ending September 30, 2024. In line with our higher CAPEX expenditures at Golden Queen, the Company now expects 2024 full-year AISC to be $1,950 per gold ounce sold. As noted above, the Company has implemented a significant CAPEX and equipment overhaul program in 2024 and anticipates greater reliability and improved operational best practices on a go forward basis. The increase in AISC for 2024 is primarily a result of the increased sustaining CAPEX investment. Initial 2024 Guidance +/- 5% Revised 2024 Guidance +/- 5% San Bartolome CGOM (per AgEq oz) $ 3.88 $ 7.00 GMR (per AgEq oz) 19.50% 30.00% Golden Queen OCC (per gold ounce sold, on a by-product credit basis) $ 1,500 $ 1,500 AISC (per gold ounce sold, on a by-product credit basis) $ 1,750 $ 1,950 Capital expenditures guidance The Company revises its full-year 2024 CAPEX guidance to $35.5 million. As noted above, the Company has implemented a significant CAPEX and equipment overhaul program in 2024 and anticipates significantly greater reliability and vastly improved operational best practices on a go forward basis as a result of these capital expenditures. In $'000 Initial 2024 Guidance +/- 5% Revised 2024 Guidance +/- 5% Sustaining capital Golden Queen $ 10,300 $ 13,000 San Bartolome 3,400 4,500 Total sustaining capital $ 13,700 $ 17,500 Growth capital Golden Queen $ 9,500 $ 16,000 San Bartolome 840 2,000 Total growth capital $ 10,340 $ 18,000 Total capital Golden Queen $ 19,800 $ 29,000 San Bartolome 4,240 6,500 Total capital expenditures $ 24,040 $ 35,500 Q3 2024 Conference Call and Webcast Tuesday, November 12 th , at 9:00 AM ET Participants may listen to the webcast by registering on our website at www.andeanpm.com or via the following link https://www.gowebcasting.com/13704 Participants may also listen to the conference call by calling North American toll free 1-844-763-8274, or 1-647-484-8814 outside the U.S. or Canada An archived reply of the webcast will be available for 90 days at: https://www.gowebcasting.com/13704 or the Company website at www.andeanpm.com. About Andean Precious Metals Andean is a growing precious metals producer focused on expanding into top-tier jurisdictions in the Americas. The Company owns and operates the San Bartolome processing facility in Potosi, Bolivia and the Soledad Mountain mine in Kern County, California, and is well-funded to act on future growth opportunities. Andean's leadership team is committed to creating value; fostering safe, sustainable and responsible operations; and achieving our ambition to be a multi-asset, mid-tier precious metals producer. Qualified Person Statement The scientific and technical content disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved 8 by Donald J. Birak, Independent Consulting Geologist to the Company, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Registered Member, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME), Fellow, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). Mr. Birak has visited Manquiri's various sites frequently, most recently in January 2024. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, Inc. 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. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and information in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which we refer to collectively as "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements and information regarding the Company's production, cost outlook and capital expenditure expectations for 2024 and the Company's expectations regarding its CAPEX and equipment overhaul program. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including, but not limited to: the Company's ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the Company's ability to secure and to meet obligations under property and option agreements and other material agreements; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits; that there is no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that contracted parties provide goods or services in a timely manner; that no unusual geological or technical problems occur; that plant and equipment function as anticipated and that there is no material adverse change in the price of silver, costs associated with production or recovery. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained herein. Some of the risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this release include, but are not limited to: risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and conclusions of economic evaluations; results of initial feasibility, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks relating to possible variations in reserves, resources, grade, planned mining dilution and ore loss, or recovery rates and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; mining and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes (including work stoppages and strikes) or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; risks related to commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; the uncertainty of profitability based upon the cyclical nature of the industry in which the Company operates; risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms or delays in obtaining governmental or local community approvals or in the completion of development or construction activities; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the uncertain global economic environment; and other factors contained in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, you are cautioned that this list is not exhaustive and there may be other factors that the Company has not identified. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. Non-GAAP Financial Measures, Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures This news release includes "specified financial measures" within the meaning of National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure ("NI 52-112"), specifically the non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios and supplementary financial measures described below. Management believes that the use of these measures assists analysts, investors and other stakeholders of the Company in understanding the costs associated with producing silver and gold, understanding the economics of silver and gold mining, assessing operating performance, the Company's ability to generate free cash flow from current operations, and for planning and forecasting of future periods. The specified financial measures used in this news release do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers, even as compared to other issuers who may be applying the World Gold Council ("WGC") guidelines. Accordingly, these measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The following is a description of the non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios and supplementary financial measures used in this news release: (i) OCC includes total production cash costs incurred at the Company's mining operations, which form the basis of the Company's cash costs, less by-product revenue. (ii) AISC on a by-product basis per ounce is a non-GAAP ratio calculated as AISC on a by-product basis divided by ounces of gold sold. AISC on a by-product basis is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as the aggregate of production costs as recorded in the consolidated statements of income (loss), refining and transport costs, cash component of sustaining capital expenditures, lease payments related to sustaining assets, corporate general and administrative expenses and accretion expenses. When calculating AISC on a by-product basis, all revenue received from the sale silver at Golden Queen are treated as a reduction of costs incurred. The Company believes that AISC represents the total costs of producing gold from current operations and provides the Company and other stakeholders of the Company with additional information relating to the Company's operational performance and ability to generate cash flow. (iii) AIC represents AISC plus growth capital and non-sustaining exploration and evaluation costs. Non-sustaining exploration and evaluation costs represent costs associated with the Company's exploration portfolio. Certain other cash expenditures including tax payments, debt payments, dividends and financing costs are also not included in the calculation of AIC. The Company reports these measures on a per gold ounce sold basis. (iv) CGOM per silver equivalent ounce sold is calculated by subtracting the average cash cost of sale (cost of sales, allocated corporate administrative costs and business unit general and administration cost) per equivalent ounce sold from the average selling price per equivalent ounce. It is a measure of financial performance with no prescribed definition under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. (v) GMR is calculated by subtracting the cost of sale as reported in the income statement from the revenue of equivalent ounces divided by revenue from sales of equivalent ounces. GMR is a measure of financial performance with no prescribed definition under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. (vi) EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated by adjusting net income (loss) as recorded in the condensed interim consolidated statements of income (loss) for items not associated with ongoing operations. The Company believes that this generally accepted industry measure allows the evaluation of the results of income-generating capabilities and is useful in making comparisons between periods. This measure adjusts for the impact of items not associated with ongoing operations. A reconciliation of adjusted net income (loss) to the nearest IFRS measures is set out below. Management uses this measure to monitor and plan for the operating performance of the Company in conjunction with other data prepared in accordance with IFRS. (vii) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations less property, plant and equipment additions. A reconciliation of free cash flow to the nearest IFRS measures is set out below. Management uses this measure to monitor the amount of cash available to reinvest in the Company and allocate for shareholder returns. (viii) Average realized price is a supplementary financial measure calculated by dividing the different components of precious metal sales by the number of ounces sold. Management uses this measure to monitor its sales of precious metal ounces against the average market gold price. OCC The following table provides a reconciliation of the OCC per ounce sold on a by-product basis to the Financial Statements: Golden Queen Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Costs of sales, as reported $ 22,765 $ - $ 67,001 $ - Total OCC before by-product credits 22,765 - 67,001 - Less: by-product silver credits (4,056 ) - (10,980 ) - Total OCC 18,709 $ - $ 56,021 $ - Divided by Au ounces sold 12,018 - 37,581 - OCC per Au sold, on a by-product basis $ 1,557 $ - $ 1,491 $ - AISC The following table provides a reconciliation of the AISC per ounce on a by-product basis to the Financial Statements: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, Golden Queen 2024 2023 2024 2023 OCC, net of by-product credits $ 18,709 $ - $ 56,021 $ - General and administrative expenses4 1,886 - 5,115 - Allocated corporate general and administrative expenses 1,852 - 3,431 Sustaining capital expenditures 5,114 $ - 9,447 - Accretion for decommissioning liability 83 - 278 - AISC 27,644 $ - $ 74,292 $ - Divided by Au ounces sold 12,018 37,581 - AISC per Au ounces sold, on a by-product basis $ 2,300 $ - $ 1,977 $ - AIC The following table provides a reconciliation of the AIC per ounce on a by-product basis to the Financials Statements: Golden Queen Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 AISC $ 27,644 $ - $ 74,292 $ - Non-sustaining capital 7,541 - 11,188 - AIC $ 35,185 - $ 85,480 $ - Divided by Au ounces sold 12,018 $ - 37,581 - AIC per Au ounce sold, on a by-product basis $ 2,928 - $ 2,275 $ - CGOM The following table provides a reconciliation of the CGOM per ounce to the Financial Statements and the most directly comparable IFRS measure: San Bartolome Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Costs of sales, as reported $ 18,870 $ 30,893 $ 54,139 $ 63,881 Total cost of sales before by-product credits 18,870 30,893 54,139 63,881 General and administration-site 1,047 1,995 3,523 4,921 Allocated corporate general and administrative expenses 1,553 1,355 2,766 3,355 Total gross operating costs $ 21,470 $ 34,243 $ 60,428 $ 70,532 Divided by AgEq ounces sold (koz) 1,124 1,568 3,026 3,188 Gross operating cost per AgEq ounce sold $ 19.10 $ 21.84 $ 19.97 $ 22.13 Average realized silver price per oz 5 $ 31.40 $ 24.34 $ 27.97 $ 24.00 CGOM per AgEq oz $ 12.30 $ 2.50 $ 8.00 $ 1.37 GMR The following table provides a reconciliation of the GMR per ounce to the most directly comparable IFRS measure: San Bartolome Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Costs of sales, as reported $ 18,870 $ 30,893 $ 54,139 $ 63,881 Divided by AgEq ounces sold (koz) $ 1,124 1,568 3,026 3,188 Costs of sales per AgEq oz sold $ 16.79 $ 19.70 $ 17.89 $ 20.04 Average realized silver price per oz $ 31.40 $ 24.34 $ 27.97 $ 24.00 GM per AgEq oz sold $ 14.62 $ 4.64 $ 10.08 $ 3.96 GMR per AgEq oz sold 46.56% 19.06% 36.03% 16.50% Free Cash Flow The Company has included free cash flow as a non-GAAP financial measure in this news release. The Company considers net cash provided from (used in) operating cash flow less capital expenditures to be a measure that allows the Company and investors to evaluate the ability of the Company to generate cash flow. Accordingly, free cash flow is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The following table provides a reconciliation of free cash flow to the Financial Statements: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net cash flow from operating activities $ 23,444 $ 8,661 $ 31,751 $ (955 ) Less: Expenditures on property, plant and equipment (net of vendor financing) (6,495 ) (1,757 ) (15,105 ) (2,615 ) Free cash flow $ 16,949 $ 6,904 $ 16,646 $ (3,570 ) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA The Company has included EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial measure in this news release. The Company excludes certain items from net income (loss) to provide a measure which allows the Company and investors to evaluate the results of the underlying core operations of the Company and its ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the Financial Statements: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net (loss) income $ 8,210 $ 76 $ 17,518 $ 464 Add: Income taxes 4,700 2,848 10,187 4,307 Finance costs 1,876 347 5,150 1,154 Depreciation and depletion 5,272 1,009 15,301 3,528 EBITDA $ 20,058 $ 4,280 $ 48,156 $ 9,453 Add: Non-sustaining exploration and Corporate development cost 643 903 1,671 1,416 Add: Change in fair value of derivative contracts (1,371 ) 175 (4,203 ) (797 ) Add: Change in fair value of marketable securities (128 ) 1,441 (1,752 ) 2,128 Adjusted EBITDA $ 19,202 $ 6,799 $ 43,872 $ 12,200 Average Realized Gold and Silver Prices Per Ounce The Company has included average realized prices as a supplementary non-GAAP financial measure in this news release. The Company quantifies average realized price per ounce as revenue per the Statement of Income (loss) divided by ounce of gold or silver sold. Management uses this measure to monitor sales of silver and gold ounces against the average market silver and gold prices. The following table provides a reconciliation of average realized prices to the most directly comparable IFRS measure: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Silver revenue $ 38,110 $ 37,781 $ 93,478 $ 75,696 Silver sold (k oz) 1,213 1,552 3,342 3,154 Average realized silver price per oz $ 31.40 $ 24.34 $ 27.97 $ 24.00 Gold revenue $ 30,238 $ 392 $ 87,719 $ 807 Gold sold (oz) 12,530 200 38,501 415 Average realized gold price per oz $ 2,413 $ 1,960 $ 2,278 $ 1,945 Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (in thousands of US dollars, Unaudited) Notes September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 ASSETS Current Cash and cash equivalents $ 58,074 $ 64,907 Marketable securities and short-term investments 4 40,065 5,162 Accounts receivables 1,815 888 Inventories 5 72,408 68,391 Other current assets 6 13,707 15,251 Total current assets 186,069 154,599 Non-Current Property, plant and equipment 7 108,095 92,353 Non-current inventories 5 3,159 3,047 Deferred income tax asset 4,517 6,156 Other assets 6 15,775 13,735 Total non-current assets 131,546 115,291 Total assets $ 317,615 $ 269,890 LIABILITIES Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 8 $ 29,322 $ 29,719 Current portion of long-term debt 9 9,953 8,870 Current income taxes payable 9,101 7,353 Other liabilities 10 9,893 8,294 Total current liabilities 58,269 54,236 Non-Current Long-term debt 9 60,989 38,588 Provisions for reclamation 30,223 26,726 Deferred income tax liability 17,542 13,430 Other liabilities 10 4,982 4,941 Total non-current liabilities 113,736 83,685 Total liabilities 172,005 137,921 EQUITY Issued capital 14 18,539 22,826 Accumulated other comprehensive loss 390 390 Contributed surplus 2,732 2,322 Retained earnings 123,949 106,431 Total equity 145,610 131,969 Total liabilities and equity $ 317,615 $ 269,890 Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts, unaudited) Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 Notes 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues 11 $ 68,348 $ 38,174 $ 181,197 $ 76,503 Cost of sales 12(a) 41,635 30,892 121,141 63,880 Depreciation and depletion 7 5,272 1,009 15,301 3,528 Gross profit 21,441 6,273 44,755 9,095 General and administrative 12(b) 6,254 2,017 14,480 6,651 Share based compensation 245 159 527 524 Exploration and corporate development 643 903 1,671 1,416 Income from operations 14,299 3,194 28,077 504 Other income (loss) 12(c) 550 (872 ) 4,773 3,038 Finance costs 12(d) (1,876 ) (347 ) (5,150 ) (1,154 ) Foreign exchange gain (loss) (63 ) 949 5 2,383 Net income before income taxes 12,910 2,924 27,705 4,771 Income tax expense 13 4,700 2,848 10,187 4,307 Net income and comprehensive income $ 8,210 $ 76 $ 17,518 $ 464 Earnings per share Basic net income per share 15 $ 0.05 0.00 0.12 0.00 Diluted net income per share 15 $ 0.05 0.00 0.11 0.00 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Basic 149,317,556 157,023,512 151,096,013 158,072,974 Diluted 151,732,704 157,596,978 153,868,460 158,279,855 Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands of US dollars, unaudited) Nine months ended September 30 Notes 2024 2023 Net income $ 17,518 $ 464 Adjustments: Depreciation and depletion 7 15,301 3,528 Accretion on provision for reclamation 1,225 998 Share-based compensation 14(b) 705 490 Accretion on deferred payment liability 12(d) 412 - Loss on disposal of equipment 376 - Unrealized derivative gain (4,203 ) (797 ) Change in fair value of marketable securities 4 (1,752 ) 2,128 Reclamation payments (207 ) (130 ) Current income taxes expense 7,643 4,410 Deferred income taxes expense (recovery) 2,544 (103 ) Foreign exchange gain (5 ) (2,383 ) Operating cashflow before changes in non-cash working capital 39,557 8,605 Changes in non-cash working capital 19(a) (7,806 ) (9,560 ) Net cash provided (used in) from operating activities 31,751 (955 ) Investing activities Expenditures on property, plant and equipment 7 (15,105 ) (2,615 ) Net investment in marketable securities and other investments 4 (32,944 ) (1,198 ) Net cash used in investing activities (48,049 ) (3,813 ) Financing activities Shares repurchased for cancellations 14(a) (4,582 ) (1,660 ) Drawn down of line of credit 9(c) 15,511 - Payment of debt 9 (1,469 ) - Proceeds from disposal of marketable securities - 139 Net cash provided (used in) from financing activities 9,460 (1,521 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 5 2,383 Net decrease in cash during the period (6,833 ) (3,906 ) Cash, beginning of year 64,907 80,729 Cash, end of the period $ 58,074 $ 76,823 ________________________ 1 Free cash flow, OCC, AISC, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are measures of financial performance with no prescribed definition under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures, Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures" section below for further detail, including a reconciliation of these metrics to the Financial Statements. 2 Cash gross operating margin (CGOM) per silver equivalent ounce sold and gross margin ratio (GMR) are measures of financial performance with no prescribed definition under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures, Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures" section below for further detail, including a reconciliation of these metrics to the Financial Statements. 3 Assuming gold equivalent ounces were calculated on a consolidated basis for the Company, the expected guidance of 10.4 million AgEq ounces would equate to approximately 115,00 AuEq ounces. AuEq production and AuEq sales both include silver production and sales. Equivalent ounces are calculated using the Company's average realized gold and silver prices during the referenced period. For 2024 guidance commodity price assumptions supporting this estimate are $21 per ounce of silver and $1,900 per ounce of gold. 4 For Q1 2024 general and administrative expenses reflect the operating segment information only. 5 Average realized silver price is specific to San Bartolome revenue from sale of silver equivalent ounces. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229529 SOURCE: Andean Precious Metals Corp. Tesla's stock reached a new yearly high following Donald Trump's election victory, with shares surging over 32% in the past week. This remarkable ascent is largely attributed to the close relationship between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the incoming president, sparking investor speculation about potential benefits for the electric automaker. Despite Trump's skepticism towards renewable energy, experts believe Tesla may receive special consideration. The stock's climb continued, rising an additional 8% to $321.22 on Friday, pushing Musk's estimated wealth beyond the $300 billion mark. Hedge Funds Face Significant Losses The rapid stock price increase has led to substantial losses for hedge funds betting against Tesla, with estimates suggesting at least $5.2 billion in losses. Many funds had already reduced their short positions before the election to mitigate potential damages. Tesla's unique position in the industry is further highlighted by the broader electric vehicle sector's 12% decline this year. Potential policy changes, including import tariffs on Chinese vehicles and tax reductions, could provide Tesla with a competitive edge, though the long-term impact of Trump's stance on electric vehicles remains uncertain. Ad Fresh Tesla information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Tesla analysis... Hannover Rueck, one of the world's leading reinsurers, is undergoing significant changes at the top while simultaneously reporting strong financial growth. The company has announced the appointment of Clemens Jungsthofel as the new CEO, succeeding the current leader who opted not to renew his contract. This leadership transition coincides with impressive financial results, as the group reported a profit of 1.8 billion euros in the first nine months of the year, marking a 400 million euro increase compared to the previous year. Despite recent natural disasters like Hurricane Milton, Hannover Rueck remains optimistic, raising its profit forecast for the coming year. The company's resilience is further evidenced by a notable 8.7% increase in reinsurance revenue, reaching 6.79 billion euros in the third quarter of 2024. Ambitious Future Projections Looking ahead, Hannover Rueck has set an ambitious target of 2.4 billion euros in net profit for 2025, reflecting confidence in its growth trajectory and market position. This optimistic outlook is supported by a remarkable 48.7% surge in reinsurance service results, totaling 718 million euros. The company's strong performance has not gone unnoticed in the stock market, with shares rising 2.8% to 245.20 euros in XETRA trading. Analysts project further potential, estimating an average target price of 266.71 euros. Additionally, Hannover Rueck plans to continue its dividend strategy, aiming for annual increases to enhance the stock's appeal to investors. Ad Fresh Hannover Rueck information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Hannover Rueck analysis... WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Cardinal Health (CAH) announced that it has reached definitive agreements to acquire two companies, bolstering its strategic growth initiatives and further improving patient care.Cardinal Health noted that it will acquire a majority stake in GI Alliance (GIA), the country's leading gastroenterology (GI) management services organization (MSO), from a combination of GIA physician owners and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo (APO). Cardinal Health will purchase its majority stake for approximately $2.8 billion in cash, which will represent 71% ownership. GIA will operate as a platform within Cardinal Health's Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment.Cardinal Health will also acquire the Advanced Diabetes Supply Group (ADSG), diabetic medical supplies provider, for approximately $1.1 billion in cash. ADSG will merge with Cardinal Health's at-Home Solutions business.Cardinal Health expects both the GIA and ADSG acquisitions to close in early calendar year 2025. The two transactions are expected to be accretive to Cardinal Health's revenue and segment profit growth, and to non-GAAP earnings per share, in the first 12 months following close.The company intends to finance the announced transactions with a combination of cash on hand and new debt financing. Cardinal Health plans to take a focused approach to pay down debt over the next 18 to 24 months. The company does not expect its deleveraging plans to change its previously outlined share repurchases for fiscal year 2025.The company entered into a commitment letter with Bank of America, pursuant to which Bank of America has committed to provide a 364-day senior unsecured bridge term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $2.9 billion to fund these acquisitions.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. MUMBAI, INDIA, Nov 12, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - SRKay Consulting Group releases a new whitepaper, "Buyout Strategies: Acquiring Indian Companies for Market Entry,"offering a comprehensive guide for investors looking to enter the Indian market through acquisitions. The report highlights India's unique advantages, including booming sectors, regulatory support, and region-specific incentives. In 2024, India emerges as a prime market for global acquisitions, offering investors unprecedented opportunities in high-growth sectors and a favorable regulatory environment. SRKay Consulting Group's latest whitepaper provides a strategic guide to acquiring Indian companies, helping investors tap into one of the world's fastest-growing economies.India's booming technology, healthcare, and renewable energy sectors, propelled by initiatives like "Make in India" and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. These programs enable investors to enter cutting-edge markets directly. Furthermore, India's investor-friendly regulatory framework exemplified by the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policies facilitates streamlined acquisitions in high-opportunity sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and mining through expedited approvals under the Automatic Route."India's unique blend of high-growth sectors and supportive regulatory framework makes it an ideal destination for foreign investment," said Karunjit Kumar Dhir, CEO SRKay Consulting Group. "Our report serves as a strategic guide for investors, providing actionable insights to leverage India's regional strengths and regulatory advantages for successful market entry."It examines state-level incentives and regional strengths, identifying states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu as leaders in technology, finance, and manufacturing, respectively. This section emphasizes how regional incentives make India's states more than just cost-effective options but strategic acquisition targets. The report also covers acquisition models, from joint ventures to full buyouts, illustrated through case studies like Walmart's acquisition of Flipkart and Facebook's investment in Reliance Jio, showcasing how international giants use India's expertise and consumer base for growth.It also explores how India's talent retention strategies, rapid digital transformation, and integration opportunities enhance its appeal for international companies. With strategic government policies fueling innovation and development, now is the ideal time for acquisitions in India, as the country is projected to become the world's third-largest economy by 2027.Download the Whitepaper and discover how strategic acquisitions in India can transform your growth trajectory.About SRKay Consulting GroupSRKay Consulting Group empowers global organizations by establishing efficient offshore entities and Technology GCCs in India. Operating across 8 countries, SRKay has rapidly grown into a leading consulting firm, recognized for strategic precision and innovation. With over 500 skilled professionals, SRKay is dedicated to unlocking market opportunities and driving operational efficiency for its clients worldwide.For Media contact:Komaldeep Kaur DhirEmail: Komal@mianext.comSource: SRKay Consulting GroupCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. 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. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday.The Australian dollar fell to a 6-day low of 0.6550 against the U.S. dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 0.6574.Against the yen and the euro, the aussie slipped to 100.56 and 1.6248 from Monday's closing quotes of 101.05 and 1.6201, respectively.Against the Canada and the New Zealand dollars, the aussie edged down to 0.9135 and 1.0997 from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.9154 and 1.1021, respectively.If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.63 against the greenback, 99.00 against the yen, 1.66 against the euro, 0.90 against the loonie and 1.08 against the kiwi.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. SEMICON Europa Agileo Automation, a leading provider of control and connectivity solutions for global semiconductor equipment manufacturers, today launches the E84 PIO Box at Booth C2848. This handheld device offers a new lightweight interface for fab staff to test semiconductor equipment software for compliance with SEMI's E84 and GEM300 standards suite for automatic carrier delivery. It improves the readability, identification, and validation of E84 signal exchanges and functional aspects in cleanrooms or workshops. Integrated with Agileo Automation's Speech Scenario software that emulates the fab host and validates the SECS/GEM interface with predefined test scenarios, the E84 PIO Box can easily emulate automated carrier delivery systems such as overhead hoist transport or automated guided vehicles. It is able to detect non-compliance and other functional issues thanks to its close alignment with SEMI's E84 standard. The device features a DB25 connector for easy integration with E84 passive systems such as a load port and connects directly to a PC via a single USB cable for both data and power supply. 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. Siegfried AG / Key word(s): Expansion DINAMIQS opens new lab in Zurich 12.11.2024 / 06:30 CET/CEST Media Release Zofingen, November 12, 2024 Siegfried (SIX: SFZN), a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for the pharmaceutical industry headquartered in Zofingen (Switzerland), reached another milestone on its path to strengthen its offering in the biologics space, particularly in the fast-growing cell and gene therapy market. DINAMIQS, which became part of the Siegfried group in May 2023, inaugurated its cutting-edge laboratories in Zurich's Bio-Technopark, Switzerland. The fully equipped lab features high-end pilot-scale equipment, enabling DINAMIQS to provide clinical viral vector development, analytical and manufacturing services to meet the growing needs of the cell and gene therapy market. It is an integral part of DINAMIQS' 2,500m2 cGMP manufacturing facility for viral vectors, which is currently under construction and set to be operational by the end of 2025. This facility will host up to 1,000L production capacity for the production of viral vectors for R&D, clinical trials and commercial use under one roof. Marcel Imwinkelried, Chief Executive Officer Siegfried: "Aligned with Siegfried's strategy EVOLVE+, the new lab facility marks a key milestone in DINAMIQS' journey to becoming the leading CDMO in the cell and gene therapy space. The team is making significant strides toward bringing DINAMIQS' capabilities to commercial scale." Martin Kessler, Chief Executive Officer DINAMIQS: "We know about the importance of leading process development and analytics for the success of viral vector projects. This is why we have expanded our Swiss labs significantly. From the optimization of genomes to GMP scale-up, our clients now get everything out of one hand." DINAMIQS, a Siegfried company specialized in viral vector design and manufacturing, inaugurated its new state-of-the-art R&D laboratories in Zurich's Bio-Technopark The new laboratory capacities house leading technologies in the field of viral vector process development and manufacturing With this expansion, Siegfried is on track to strengthen its position in the fast-growing cell and gene therapy market Contact Financial Analysts: Media: Dr. Reto Suter Peter Stierli Chief Financial Officer Head Corporate Communications reto.suter@siegfried.ch peter.stierli@siegfried.ch Tel. +41 62 746 11 35 Tel. +41 62 746 15 51 Siegfried Holding AG Untere Bruehlstrasse 4 CH-4800 Zofingen About Siegfried The Siegfried Group is a global life sciences company with sites in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Malta, the USA and China. In 2023, the company achieved sales of CHF 1.272 billion and employed on 31.12.2023 more than 3700 people at twelve sites on three continents. Siegfried Holding AG is publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SFZN). Siegfried is active in manufacturing pharmaceutical APIs (and their intermediates) as well as drug products (tablets, capsules, sterile vials, ampoules, cartridges and ointments) for the pharmaceutical industry and provides development services. About DINAMIQS DINAMIQS, a Siegfried company, is a science-driven Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end viral vector manufacturing solutions. DINAMIQS offers a comprehensive and customized range of manufacturing services, process development, quality control and analytics solutions for genetic medicine companies. It is located in Schlieren-Zurich Bio-Technopark in Switzerland. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This media release includes statements concerning the future. They are based on assumptions and expectations that may prove to be wrong. They should be considered with due caution as, by definition, they contain known and unknown risks, insecurities and other factors which could result in a difference in the actual results, financial situation, developments or the success of Siegfried Holding AG or Siegfried Group from the explicit or implicit assumptions made in these statements. expect more Siegfried AG Untere Bruhlstrasse 4 4800 Zofingen, Switzerland +41 62 746 11 11 info@siegfried.ch www.siegfried.ch End of Media Release Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Atua AI (TUA), a leading on-chain enterprise AI platform, announces a community-led initiative that has successfully burned 5 million TUA tokens. This token burn, verified on the Binance Smart Chain, is part of Atua AI's ongoing efforts to enhance the value and sustainability of its ecosystem. The transaction details can be viewed on BscScan here. The community-driven token burn reflects Atua AI's commitment to fostering a stable and robust token economy. By permanently removing 5 million tokens from circulation, the platform aims to increase scarcity, incentivize token holders, and strengthen long-term growth potential within the decentralized ecosystem. This burn reinforces Atua AI's mission to create a thriving Web3 platform that balances innovation with value preservation. The decision to burn tokens aligns with Atua AI's focus on building trust and loyalty within its community by maintaining a transparent and healthy token structure. With AI-driven solutions for enterprise efficiency and blockchain technology at its core, Atua AI is well-positioned to provide businesses with a reliable, efficient environment that adapts to their evolving needs. As Atua AI continues to expand its suite of on-chain enterprise solutions, the community-led token burn highlights the collaborative spirit that drives the platform forward, supporting sustainable growth and resilience across the Web3 landscape. About Atua AI Atua AI is an all-in-one on-chain enterprise AI platform that integrates artificial intelligence with blockchain technology. It provides scalable, secure solutions for businesses, developers, and creators, enabling automation and operational efficiency within the Web3 landscape. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229572 SOURCE: Kaj Labs Lonza Group AG / Key word(s): Expansion Lonza to Expand Bioconjugation in Visp (CH) with Two Additional Manufacturing Suites 12.11.2024 / 07:00 CET/CEST The expansion of bioconjugation capabilities will provide additional manufacturing capacity for launch and commercial supply, addressing growing market demand 2,000m 2 of manufacturing space will include two additional production suites and supporting infrastructure of manufacturing space will include two additional production suites and supporting infrastructure A significant increase in bioconjugation capacity will enable Lonza to offer expertise to a broad customer base and address the expected increase in approvals Basel, Switzerland, 12 November 2024 - Lonza, a global development and manufacturing partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutraceutical markets, today announced it will invest in additional bioconjugation capabilities in Visp (CH). The expansion will add two multipurpose 1,200L manufacturing suites and manufacturing-related infrastructure to the existing bioconjugation facility in Visp (CH) for launch and commercial supply. The new capacity will generate approximately 200 new jobs and is expected to be operational from 2028. The new suites will occupy approximately 2,000m2 and double Lonza's multipurpose capacity for the launch and commercial supply of bioconjugates. The flexible multi-customer suites are designed to run the increasingly complex and variable processes needed to manufacture antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and other bioconjugates maturing through the drug pipeline. The additional bioconjugation suites will support the growth of Lonza's leading bioconjugation offering, spanning manufacturing for early phase clinical development, large-scale manufacture for launch and commercial supply, and will include drug product filling capability. This investment follows the recently announced customer-dedicated bioconjugation expansion in Visp (CH). Christian Morello, Vice President, Head of Bioconjugates, Lonza, commented: "We continue to see strong growth in the bioconjugates space as ADCs and other bioconjugated drugs increasingly progress towards commercialization. This investment in our multipurpose commercial bioconjugation capacity addresses the growing market demand, enables us to support the growth of our customers and offers a flexible and integrated service for manufacturing bioconjugates." As part of Lonza's emission reduction strategy, the manufacturing suites follow sustainability design standards for new builds that include energy-efficient water heating systems, air supply and lighting solutions, leading to a significant decrease in carbon footprint compared to traditional design solutions. In addition, technology for improved cytotoxic liquid waste management will reduce waste by up to 90%. As a leading CDMO for bioconjugates, Lonza has produced over 1,000 cGMP batches for more than 70 programs since 2006. Lonza offers customers a fully integrated solution, spanning design and lead molecule generation including Synaffix conjugation technology, development, and manufacturing at scales adapted to phase and customer strategy. About Lonza Lonza is one of the world's largest healthcare manufacturing organizations. Working across five continents, our global community of around 18,000 colleagues helps pharmaceutical, biotech and nutrition companies to bring their treatments to market. United by our vision to bring any therapy to life, we support our customers with a combination of technological insight, world-class manufacturing, scientific expertise, process excellence and innovation. Our work enables our customers to develop and commercialize their therapeutic discoveries, allowing their patients to benefit from life-saving and life-enhancing treatments. Our business is structured to meet our customers' complex needs across four divisions: Biologics, Small Molecules, Cell & Gene, and Capsules & Health Ingredients. Our company generated sales of CHF 3.1 billion with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 893 million in Half-Year 2024. Find out more at www.lonza.com Follow @Lonza on LinkedIn Follow @LonzaGroup on X Lonza Contact Details Victoria Morgan Head of External Communications Lonza Group Ltd Tel +41 61 316 2283 victoria.morgan@lonza.com Dr. Martina Ribar Hestericova Associate Director, Science Communications Lonza Group Ltd Tel +41 61 316 8982 martina.ribarhestericova@lonza.com Daniel Buchta Head of Investor Relations Lonza Group Ltd Tel +41 61 316 2985 daniel.buchta@lonza.com Additional Information and Disclaimer Lonza Group Ltd has its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. It has a secondary listing on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX-ST"). Lonza Group Ltd is not subject to the SGX-ST's continuing listing requirements but remains subject to Rules 217 and 751 of the SGX-ST Listing Manual. Certain matters discussed in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and estimates of Lonza Group Ltd, although Lonza Group Ltd can give no assurance that these expectations and estimates will be achieved. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty and are qualified in their entirety. The actual results may differ materially in the future from the forward-looking statements included in this news release due to various factors. Furthermore, except as otherwise required by law, Lonza Group Ltd disclaims any intention or obligation to update the statements contained in this news release. All trademarks belong to Lonza and are registered in CH, US and/or EU, or belong to their respective third-party owners and are used only for informational purposes. Privacy Policy link To immediately delete all the data End of Media Release Access to negotiation and conflict management education can transform lives and foster greater understanding between individuals, communities and organisations across divides. ABU DHABI, UAE, FONTAINEBLEAU, France and SINGAPORE, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- If knowledge is power, empowering the world with the art and science of negotiation offers even more far-reaching benefits - a more peaceful and prosperous world, according to the INSEAD Negotiation and Conflict Management Collaborative (NCMC). The Negotiation Course for the World (NCW) is a pioneering effort by the NCMC to make quality negotiation teaching materials and expertise accessible to all, and in so doing, democratise negotiation education. "It is an integral part of the NCMC's mandate to bring scholars and practitioners together to collaborate on research and education on negotiation and conflict management," said Roderick Swaab, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and a co-founder of the NCMC. "We believe offering educators around the world free access to world-class resources and knowledge that can make a real difference in reducing social and economic inequality through empowerment," said Eric Uhlmann, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and co-founder of the NCMC. The set of free teaching resources, from detailed class plans to lecture slides, exercises, case studies and train-the-trainer videos (upcoming) ensure that everyone, regardless of their resources or location, can teach up-to-date, evidence-based negotiation courses in a confident and interactive way. The comprehensive materials result from years of work, with significant contributions from Martin Schweinsberg from ESMT (formerly from INSEAD), aimed at developing a more collaborative and harmonious global future. In other words, the course is about much more than just negotiation. In the true spirit of a collaborative, the NCMC serves as a vehicle for experimentation and dissemination. In addition, NCMC invites researchers from diverse disciplines and institutions worldwide to join the movement in reshaping negotiation skills by sharing, improving and innovating pedagogically. To increase accessibility, the teaching materials in English will be translated into 130 languages, made possible with the AI capabilities extended by INSEAD professor Philip M. Parker. The first set of translated NCW materials in Arabic will be launched on 25 November 2024 at the Inaugural INSEAD-SUAD Negotiating in the Middle East conference. The full-day conference, held in collaboration with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, will feature distinguished panels covering key topics such as UAE Unification, a Sustainable Future, the Interface Between Business and Government, and the AI Frontier. "The NCW's goal is to create positive change by supporting a vibrant community of negotiation and conflict management educators to empower individuals and institutions to tackle their individual, professional and societal challenges through win-win negotiations that build collaborative and peaceful relationships and create sustained value," added Horacio Falcao, Professor of Management Practice of Decision Sciences and the third co-founder of the NCMC. Visit Negotiation Course for the World for more details. Contact: news@insead.edu Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2506154/5002430/INSEAD_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/insead-launches-free-negotiation-course-for-the-world-302299917.html Pratteln, Switzerland, November 12, 2024 - Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) announces the signing of an exclusive supply agreement with Ali Al Suwaidi Trading Est. (ASTE) for the treatment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with AGAMREE under a Named Patient Program. The agreement enables ASTE, a pioneering healthcare distributor with over four decades of experience in Qatar, to address the high unmet need of DMD patients in the region. As the sole distributor of AGAMREE to Qatari health institutions, ASTE will collaborate with Santhera to facilitate the management of patients under the Named Patient Program. "This distribution agreement with ASTE marks another significant milestone for Santhera as we expand the global availability of AGAMREE. By partnering with expert organizations that have a strong understanding of specialist markets, we ensure optimal patient access," said Geert Jan van Daal, MD, PhD, Chief Commercial Officer of Santhera. "This collaboration represents our first step into another important geographical region, advancing our mission to make AGAMREE available to Duchenne patients across the globe." "As a longstanding distributor in Qatar's healthcare sector, we are proud to partner with Santhera to facilitate the access of this innovative treatment to patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy," said Ali Mohamed Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of Ali Al Suwaidi Trading Est. "With our extensive experience in specialty pharmaceutical distribution and established relationships with healthcare institutions across Qatar, we are well-positioned to ensure AGAMREE reaches the patients who need it most. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver innovative healthcare solutions to the Qatari market." About AGAMREE (vamorolone) AGAMREE is a novel drug with a mode of action based on binding to the same receptor as glucocorticoids but modifying its downstream activity. Moreover, it is not a substrate for the 11--hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) enzymes that may be responsible for local drug amplification and corticosteroid-associated toxicity in local tissues [1-4]. This mechanism has shown the potential to 'dissociate' efficacy from steroid safety concerns and therefore AGAMREE is positioned as a dissociative anti-inflammatory drug and an alternative to existing corticosteroids, the current standard of care in children and adolescent patients with DMD [1-4]. In the pivotal VISION-DMD study, AGAMREE met the primary endpoint Time to Stand (TTSTAND) velocity versus placebo (p=0.002) at 24 weeks of treatment and showed a good safety and tolerability profile [1, 4]. The most commonly reported side effects were cushingoid features, vomiting, weight increase and irritability. Side effects were generally of mild to moderate severity. Currently available data show that AGAMREE, unlike corticosteroids, has no restriction of growth [5] and no negative effects on bone metabolism as demonstrated by normal bone formation and bone resorption serum markers [6]. AGAMREE), the European Union) and the United Kingdom. References: [1] Dang UJ et al.. [2] Guglieri M et al. [3] Liu X et al. [6] Hasham et al., MDA 2022 Poster presentation. Link. About Duchenne muscular dystrophy Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare inherited X-chromosome-linked disease, which almost exclusively affects males. DMD is characterized by inflammation which is present at birth or shortly thereafter. Inflammation leads to fibrosis of muscle and is clinically manifested by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Major milestones in the disease are the loss of ambulation, the loss of self-feeding, the start of assisted ventilation, and the development of cardiomyopathy. DMD reduces life expectancy to before the fourth decade due to respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Corticosteroids are the current standard of care for the treatment of DMD. About Santhera Santhera Pharmaceuticals. AGAMREE is a trademark of Santhera Pharmaceuticals. About Ali Al Suwaidi Trading Est (ASTE) ASTE is one of the leading distributors in Qatar with a history of 42 years in the industry. It is a Qatari-owned company, serving the healthcare sector through pharmaceuticals, medical and laboratory equipment distribution. Through selective partnerships, ASTE strives to identify latent needs and offer the most innovative and efficient products and services to efficiently cater to the healthcare system. Its vision is to be the trusted partner in healthcare and life sciences solutions, driving positive outcomes and consistently improving people's well-being. ASTE invariably seeks to contribute to the development of the healthcare sector in the region and to continue to empower lives through innovative healthcare solutions. For further information please contact: public-relations@santhera.comor Andrew Smith, Chief Financial Officer andrew.smith@santhera.com Disclaimer / Forward-looking This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. # # # Attachment PULLACH (dpa-AFX) - Sixt SE (SIX2.F), a German car rental company, on Tuesday reported a nearly stable consolidated earnings before taxes, as revenues grew 10 percent from last year, with three geographical segments substantially contributing to the growth.For the quarter, the Group's consolidated earnings before taxes or EBT stood at 246 million euros. However, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA rose to 542.4 million euros from 473.3 million euros.Corporate EBITDA, which includes fleet-related depreciation and fleet-related interest, reached 300.1 million euros in the quarter, slightly higher than last year's 294.0 million euros.For the third quarter, Group revenue rose to 1.24 billion euros from last year's 1.13 billion euro. The Group said its growth was driven by continued investments in the fleet, the network, the brand and digitalization.Looking ahead, the Group said it now expects consolidated earnings before taxes, or EBT, of around 340 million euros for the full year. It had earlier expected EBT to be around 340 million - 390 million euros, with current market expectations being 352 million euros.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. Highlights: Soil Grid Across the Southern Portion of Gran Pilar Returns High-Grade Results: Including 21.2 g/t Au and >2,000 g/t Ag, 1,000 meters northeast of the Main Zone; 2.4 g/t Au and 21.9 g/t Ag, 1,700 meters east, northeast of the Main Zone; 1.3 g/t Au and 299 g/t Ag, 390 meters north, northeast of the Main Zone; 1.2 g/t Au and 8.2 g/t Ag, 1,700 meters east of the Main Zone; 0.8 g/t Au and 23.4 g/t Ag, 1,500 meters southeast of the Main Zone; 0.6 g/t Au and 7.7 g/t Ag, 2,000 meters southeast of the Main Zone. 62 of 541 Sample over 0.1 g/t Au or 100 ppb 350 of 541 Samples over 0.02 g/t Au or 20 ppb, Considered Anomalous for Exploration Surface Exploration Work Ongoing at Gran Pilar, 184 Rock Samples Pending Analysis Video: Soil Sample Overview Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:TOC)(OTCQB:TCVNF)(FSE:TV3), is pleased to provide exploration results from its Gran Pilar gold-silver project in mine-friendly Sonora, Mexico. Surface soil and rock sampling has been ongoing across the Gran Pilar project area with a focus on the northern and eastern extensions of the Main Zone, North Hill and 4-T trends. To date, over 541 soil samples and 184 rock chip samples and counting have been collected by technical staff. Results for 541 soil samples are provided in this release across an area that totals over two-square kilometers within the southern block of Gran Pilar where Tocvan holds 100% interest (see Figure 1). This data builds off of a previous soil grid completed across the original Pilar concessions. The soil grid was completed along north-south orientated lines 100 meters apart with 50-meter sample spacing. Soil material from each site was sieved below 200 mesh or 74 microns, collecting an average sample size of 1.3 kg at each sample location. The southern block remains unsampled 1.4 kilometers east and 400 meters south of the soil grid released today. Another four-square kilometer remains unsampled and open for additional discovery within the southern block alone. In exploration, soil sampling is a useful tool for locating areas of interest through the geochemical expression of weathered rock. The subtle increase in gold or other pathfinder elements are tracked to outline target areas. Samples returning values greater than 0.02 g/t Au or 20 ppb Au are thought to be anomalous and worthy of closer evaluation. Sample results with values greater than 0.1 g/t Au or 100 ppb Au are thought to be significant and warrant immediate follow-up as near surface mineralization is likely. It is important to note that the soil samples are widely spaced on a 50-meter by 100-meter grid. The results have yielded high-grade gold and silver mineralization across the sample grid with the highest value returning 21.2 g/t Au (21,200 ppb), greater than 2,000 g/t Ag, 0.62% Cu, 12.7% Pb and 2.3% Zn. Follow-up has shown this highly anomalous sample coincides with a nearby historic working concealed in overgrown vegetation. This sample is within a broader zone of anomalous values that extends for over 800-meters long and 500-meters wide. Several other zones of significant and consistently high values of gold have been identified showing several kilometers of prospective trend that remains open to the east for further expansion. For reference, historically the highest soil sample across the Main Zone returned 8.1 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag with most values ranging as low as 0.04 g/t Au or 40 ppb Au. Results from the recent soil survey are summarized in Figure 1 and Table 1. "The results from the soil survey are simply incredible with samples exceeding the analysis overlimits two to three times; outlining the much larger potential for significant mineralization at Gran Pilar" commented Brodie Sutherland, CEO. "The consistently high values across the area is telling of the overall potential, this area also coincides with early reconnaissance sampling that has returned significant gold and silver values released earlier this year. It is fantastic to see several values in excess of 1 gram per tonne in the soil results and immediate follow-up has proven the values are directly related to mineralized structures tied to historic workings. This proves the soil sampling method is extremely effective in discovering new areas of interest. As surface work and drill preparation continues, we look forward to refining these targets for future drill programs. It is important to note that the entire area has never seen systematic and modern exploration, these areas are completely new and we are beginning to outline the larger mineralized system that remains untested. This is just one portion of the southern block of Gran Pilar with even larger untested sections of the property extending to the north. More results are to come as we unlock the full potential of Gran Pilar." Figure 1. Summary of Latest Soil Sample Results from Gran Pilar, highlighting the expansion potential to the north and east of the Main Zone. Gold values above 20 ppb are thought to be anomalous. The highest values recorded in recent soil sampling were up to 21,200 ppb or 21.2 g/t Au. Figure 2. Gran Pilar project overview showing location of soil sample grid in the southern block of the property. Further to the north a separate mineralized system remains largely unsampled with only early reconnaissance completed to date. Table 1. Summary of Soil sample results and the related pathfinder elements for gold values greater than 200 ppb or 0.2 g/t Au. Figure 3. Target Map of the Gran Pilar Project Area. Recent surface discoveries have highlighted several target zones across the project area. About the Pilar Property The Pilar Gold-Silver property has returned some of the regions best drill results. Coupled with encouraging gold and silver recovery results from metallurgical test work, Pilar is primed to be a potential near-term producer. Pilar is interpreted as a structurally controlled low-sulphidation epithermal system hosted in andesite rocks. Initially three primary zones of mineralization were identified on the original property from historic surface work and drilling and are referred to as the Main Zone, North Hill and 4-T. Each trend remains open to the southeast and north and new parallel zones have been discovered. Structural features and zones of mineralization within the structures follow an overall NW-SE trend of mineralization. Mineralization extends along a 1.2-km trend, only half of that trend has been drill tested so far. The Company has now expanded its interest in the area by consolidating 22 square-kilometers of highly prospective ground where it has already made significant surface discoveries. Pilar Drill Highlights: 2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag 2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au 2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag 15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag Pilar Bulk Sample Summary: 62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8") Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time Additional Metallurgical Studies: Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth. Based on management's strong belief in the project's potential, the Company is outlining a permitting and operations strategy for a pilot facility at Pilar. The facility would underpin a robust test mine scenario with aims to process up to 50,000 tonnes of material. Timelines and budget are being prepared with the aim of moving forward with the development early in 2025. With gold prices hitting all-time highs, the Company believes the onsite test mine will provide key economic parameters and showcase the mineral potential of the area. In 2023, the Company completed an offsite bulk sample that produced important data showcasing the potential to recover both gold and silver through a variety of methods including heap leach, gravity and agitated leach (see August 22, 2023, news release for more details). About Tocvan Ventures Corp. Tocvan's advancing gold-silver projects are located in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. Through ongoing exploration programs, Company is unveiling the high-potential at its Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value. Tocvan has approximately 51 million shares outstanding. Quality Assurance / Quality Control Samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold and multi-element analysis of soils was completed by aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS finish using a 50-gram nominal weight. Over limit gold values greater than 1 g/t were re-assayed with a more robust aqua regia digestion ad ICP-MS finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising blank samples and certified reference materials were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol. Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO for Tocvan Ventures Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 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. This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These 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. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. 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. For more information, please contact: TOCVAN VENTURES CORP. Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO 1150, 707 - 7 Ave SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 3H6 +1-403-829-9877 bsutherland@tocvan.ca The Howard Group Jeff Walker VP Howard Group Inc. +1-403-221-0915 jeff@howardgroupinc.com SOURCE: Tocvan Ventures Corp View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - SILICON METALS CORP. (CSE:SI) (FSE: X6U0) ("Silicon Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. Leighton Bocking has been appointed President of the Company and will remain on the Board of Directors. Mr. Bocking has been working in the capital markets for over 18 years where he has held various executive officer and director positions. Leighton has been particularly focused on the financing and structuring of private and public companies with numerous years of success, namely in the junior mining resource sector. Mr. Bocking has been involved in advanced, well financed, and opportunistic resource companies, many of which created shareholder value in several jurisdictions including but not limited to Nevada, Mexico, and Canada. Corporate Update Silicon Metals has had an exciting 8 weeks since September when it changed its name, trading symbol and branding. It is our pleasure to provide an all-around update of our progress on the exploration and development of our highly prospective silica focused assets, as well update our shareholders and audience with various corporate affairs. We are pleased to offer an update on our operational advancements, particularly with the now 100% right, title, and interest in the ~4,000 hectare Ptarmigan Silica Project located 130 kms from Prince George, British Columbia and our recently entered into option agreements (the "Options") to earn a 100% right, title, and interest in the Silica Ridge Silica Project and the Longworth Silica Project, both of which are located in British Columbia. The Silica Ridge Project, the Longworth Silica Project and the Ptarmigan Silica Project together represent approximately 10,000 hectares of prospective silica assets spread strategically over 3 different properties. Also, the Company made a strategic move with the appointment of Mr. Kyler Hardy of Cronin Exploration Inc. to the Company's Advisory Board. Mr. Hardy has over 20 years of experience in global resource sectors. He has worked in venture capital, private equity funding, and has introduced strategic partners to advance projects. Mr. Hardy has founded, managed, and successfully sold several resource sector businesses on both the project development side and the service provider side of the business. Mr. Hardy is currently the CEO of The Cronin Group, a natural resource focused merchant bank, Chairman of NuE Corp., Executive Chairman of Temas Resources Corp, and Director of Hexa Resources Limited. Silicon intends to utilize Mr. Hardy's expertise on silica as it intends to seek future opportunities in the sector. Silica Macro Points Silica is an integral component in advancing Artificial Intelligence technologies as well as the foundational element in the manufacturing of solar panels. Silicon is necessary in the production of semiconductors and a vital component to new energy storage technologies. As such, governments and agencies across the globe have formally identified its significance including the EU declaring it a critical raw material,i the US Department of Energy putting it on the List of Critical Materials for Energy,ii and the Canadian Government putting it on its critical minerals list.iii This has led to a vibrant global silica market which was valued at USD 49.12 billion in 2022 and estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.9% from 2023 to 2030.iv The Silica Ridge Silica Project Silica Ridge covers 2,538.22 hectares and hosts a large quartzite occurrence. After a 1975 drill program carried out by Silver Standard Mines Limited, the historic explorer summarized in its memo to the B.C. government that, "five holes drilled in a relatively small area indicate a substantial tonnage of silica with the following analysis: SiO2 - 99.43 percent; Fe2O3 - 0.09 percent; Al2O3 - 0.08 percent; CaO - 0.011 percent; and LOI - 0.18 percent". Silver Standard's work was confined to the northwest corner of the property and Silicon believes there is strong exploration potential for the remaining property to expand on the known historic high-purity mineralization. The Longworth Silica Project Longworth Silica property spans 3,863.06 hectares and hosts a folded sequence of sedimentary and volcanic rocks underlying Bearpaw Ridge. At least four northwest trending bands of quartzite have been mapped along the western flank of Bearpaw Ridge where thicknesses of the quartzite bands can reach up to approximately 400 metres. Eight chip samples collected in 1982 by the Geological Survey Branch of British Columbia averaged 99.5 per cent silica (BCGS Open File 1987-15). At Longworth the Company sees an opportunity to follow up on historical work and expand the known mineralization along strike to the southeast. The Ptarmigan Silica Project - Currently 100% Right, Title, and Interest Owned by The Company Silicon Metals advanced our ~4,000 Hectare Ptarmigan Silica property near Prince George in British Columbia, Canada, which hosts ~14 kilometers of a discontinuous structure with silica grades ranging from 97% to 98% SiO2. Through the now completed Phase 1 Exploration Program, 225 (two hundred twenty-five) samples were collected from the property during the program conducted by Hardline Exploration Corp. This included 205 (two hundred and five) outcrop grab samples, seven (seven) chip samples over 30m, and 11 (eleven) channel samples over 24 metres of channel sampling. With nearly no contaminant minerals and room to expand along strike, the project is already off to a strong start for what could be an interesting silica project in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with access to all important and necessary infrastructure. In Summary Some Final Thoughts The Company is also in the process of evaluating further high-quality silica projects to continue building out its silica portfolio. Silicon Metals has also strengthened its brain trust with the addition of an expert advisory board member in Mr. Kyler Hardy and we are proud that he and Cronin are participants in the exciting future of silica, as our growing team will continue building value, while not losing sight of powering the transition to a better world to benefit all stakeholders. We look forward to providing more updates on our progress in due course. Morgan Good, Chief Executive Officer, and director of Silicon Metals Corp., commented: "Our Corporate Update nicely outlines the hard work and efficiency everyone on our team has accomplished in a rather short time frame. The Company is also thrilled to have Mr. Bocking join as its new President. His bountiful experience around junior mining and taking a more serious role with Silicon Metals gives confidence to our team as we work diligently to expand our human capital expertise, and our silica asset portfolio. Also, the recent listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: X6U0), will allow a globally growing audience to have more access to the Company's recent advancements." Qualified Person and Technical Report Adrian Smith, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release. Mr. Smith, P.Geo is a Director and the Qualified Person at Silicon Metals Corp. For further information on the Ptarmigan Silica project, please see the Company's technical report titled "Ptarmigan Silica Project Cariboo Mining Division NTS 093/H10 and 11 British Columbia, Canada NI 43-101 Technical Report" prepared on September 26, 2024 by Chris M. Healey, P. Geo Principal Geologist, Healex Consulting Ltd Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia Member, which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About Silicon Metals Corp. Silicon Metals Corp. is currently focused on exploration in western Canada, namely British Columbia. The Company holds an undivided 100% right, title and interest in the Ptarmigan Silica Project located approximately 130km from Prince George, British Columbia. The Company has also acquired an option to purchase an undivided 100% right, title, and interest in both the Silica Ridge Silica Project located approximately 70kms southeast from the town of MacKenzie, British Columbia, as well as the Longworth Silica Project located approximately 85km East from Prince George, British Columbia. Also, the Company currently has an Option to explore the Hedge Hog Project located 15km north of the town of Wells in the Caribou Mining Division of central British Columbia. The securities of Silicon Melals Corp. both trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "SI" and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "X6U0". ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release). Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This 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 the ability of the Company to expand the known mineralization at the Silica Ridge property, the Longworth Silica property, and the benefits of adding Mr. Hardy to the Company's advisory board, as well as the appointment of current director Mr. Leighton Bocking as the new President. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will be able to expand the known mineralization to the southeast along strike at the Silica Ridge property, as well as whether the Company will be able to advance its Longworth Silica property where the Company sees an opportunity to follow up on historical work to potentially expand the known mineralization along strike to the southeast, and that the appointment of Mr. Hardy to the advisory board will enhance the Company's strategy of acquiring and exploring high purity silica projects globally, as well as the appointment of Mr. Bocking as President will enhance the Company's ability to increase shareholder value. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. i The EU declared Silicon a critical raw material as a wide range of modern technologies depend on it to make various industrial and consumer products. Source: European Commission (2023). Critical Raw Materials Act. The European Union has listed silicon metal as a critical raw material due to its importance in various technologies. Link: European Commission - Critical Raw Materials ii Silicon was added to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) List of Critical Materials for Energy in 2023. Source: U.S. Geological Survey (2023). U.S. Geological Survey Releases 2023 List of Critical Minerals. Link: Energy.gov iii Silicon metal was added to the Canadian critical minerals list in 2024. Source: Government of Canada (2024). Critical Minerals List. Silicon is included in Canada's list of critical minerals released in 2024. Link: Government of Canada - Critical Minerals iv The global silica market size was valued at USD 49.12 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2023 to 2030. Source: Grand View Research (2023). Silica Market Size Worth $104.34 Billion By 2030 | CAGR: 9.9%. Link: Grand View Research - Silica Market Report To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229595 SOURCE: Silicon Metals Corp. First of its Kind: The Bitwise Aptos Staking ETP is the world's first Aptos ETP, demonstrating Bitwise's continued leadership in providing access to new opportunities in the emerging crypto asset class. The Bitwise Aptos Staking ETP is the world's first Aptos ETP, demonstrating Bitwise's continued leadership in providing access to new opportunities in the emerging crypto asset class. Aptos - high performance Layer 1 Blockchain: Aptos is often described as a "production ready" blockchain due to its incredible speed and cost efficiency. Recently, large financial institutions and consumer brands have chosen to build on that blockchain. Aptos is often described as a "production ready" blockchain due to its incredible speed and cost efficiency. Recently, large financial institutions and consumer brands have chosen to build on that blockchain. Staking: The ETP will seek to stake the Aptos held by the product, which is expected to generate additional returns of approximately 4.7% net of fees, while providing investors with daily liquidity on the stock exchange. November 12, 2024. Zurich, Switzerland: Bitwise Asset Management is announcing today that a new Bitwise Aptos Staking ETP (Ticker APTB; ISIN DE000A4AJWU3) is scheduled to list on the SIX Swiss Exchange on November 19, 2024. The product will be the first Aptos Staking ETP in the world. Bitwise designed APTB to be accessible to both institutional and retail investors via regulated markets utilizing a best-in-class custodian, auditor, administrator, and staking infrastructure. APTB is physically backed, and will stake the underlying Aptos to generate returns of approximately 4.7% net of fees, which will be accumulated directly within the ETP. A high performance layer 1 blockchain, Aptos launched in 2022, two and a half years after Solana, and seven years after Ethereum. Aptos has been lauded for breakthrough performance that enables enterprise-scale applications, and has rapidly grown to over 8 million monthly active users . Aptos Labs, which is a core contributor to the blockchain, is led by a senior team that previously worked on Meta's blockchain initiative, and is backed by leading institutional investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Apollo Global Management, PayPal Ventures, and Franklin Templeton Investments. The Aptos Staking ETP is the second to be launched as part of Bitwise's European Total Return product suite, following ET32, which recently surpassed $ 50 million in assets under management. Hunter Horsley, CEO and Co-Founder at Bitwise: "Forseven years, Bitwise has been a dedicated partner to investors working to understand and access the opportunities in the new crypto asset class. With the launch of Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETPs in the US, a huge cross section of investors have begun researching and adding digital assets to their portfolios this year. We're thrilled to now be able to launch the Bitwise Aptos Staking ETP to expand access to one of the most exciting next generation blockchains in the space." "Accessibility is core to the Aptos ecosystem. Every day, users from all corners of the world and all levels of experience build, transact, and create on Aptos," said Bashar Lazaar, Head of Grants and Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation. "This ETP makes joining the Aptos ecosystem more accessible and opens the door for new voices, developers, and audiences to get involved in a secure and transparent way." "As a leading industry asset manager, Bitwise is in a position to expand financial inclusivity on a global scale," Mo Shaikh, CEO and co-founder of Aptos Labs and a key contributor to the Aptos ecosystem. "The Aptos staking ETP marks a significant leap forward for the future of institutional adoption and validates the reliability, scalability, speed of the Aptos blockchain. I can't wait to see what new potential it will unlock in the near future." Bradley Duke, Head of Europe at Bitwise, added: "We have seen investors in Europe increasingly engaging with the digital asset class this year. The Aptos Staking ETP is designed for forward-thinking institutional investors and crypto-savvy individuals looking for a high quality way to get exposure to this promising blockchain through a regulated wrapper. We're thrilled to be introducing APTB via a primary listing on SIX Swiss Exchange." APTB is the 10th ETP for Bitwise in Europe, joining a suite including the largest and most liquid physically-backed bitcoin ETP) and the fast growing Ethereum Staking ETP) launched earlier this year. APTB is the first product launched since Bitwise's acquisition of ETC Group in August, and following the launch at the SIX Swiss Exchange, Bitwise is planning to list the ETP for trading on other leading European stock exchanges. Staking is a way to generate income for crypto asset owners. When token-holders stake their tokens to validate transactions on a Proof of Stakerecently released on the website of the company. Key Product Details ETP Name Bitwise Aptos Staking ETP Primary Ticker APTB ISIN DE000A4AJWU3 Valoren 139573609 Expected Staking Reward (net of fee)* 4.7% TER 0.85% p.a. *Represents the rewards expected to be received and accumulated in the ETP, expressed in annualised % terms. This number is subject to change based on market rates for rewards in APT staking and will be periodically adjusted. About Bitwise Bitwise is one of the world's leading crypto specialist asset managers. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors across the globe have partnered with us to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. Since 2017, Bitwise has established a track record of excellence managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETPs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies - spanning both the U.S. and Europe. In Europe, for the past four years Bitwise (formerly ETC Group) has developed an extensive and innovative suite of crypto ETPs, including Europe's largest and most liquid bitcoin ETP, or the first diversified Crypto Basket ETP replicating an MSCI digital assets index. This family of crypto ETPs is domiciled in Germany and approved by BaFin. We exclusively partner with reputable entities from the traditional financial industry, ensuring that 100% of the assets are securely stored offline (cold storage) through regulated custodians. Our European products comprise a collection of carefully designed financial instruments that seamlessly integrate into any professional portfolio, providing comprehensive exposure to crypto as an asset class. Access is straightforward via major European stock exchanges, with primary listings on Xetra, the most liquid exchange for ETF trading in Europe. Retail investors benefit from easy access through numerous DIY/online brokers, coupled with our robust and secure physical ETP structure, which includes a redemption feature. For more information, visit www.bitwiseinvestments.com/eu Media contacts: JEA Associates John McLeod 00 44 7886 920436 john@jeaassociates.com Important information This article does not constitute investment advice, nor does it constitute an offer or solicitation to buy financial products. This article is issued by Bitwise Europe GmbH ("BEU"), a limited company domiciled in Germany, for information only and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. BEU gives no explicit or implicit assurance or guarantee regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. It is advised not to rely on the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. Please note that this article is neither investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to acquire financial products or cryptocurrencies. 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 Prix Galien Award is among the global health innovation industry's most renowned honors, recognizing outstanding biomedical, medical, and technology achievements that improve the human condition and is considered the industry's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Pentavere's DARWEN AI platform was awarded for its proven contribution in making healthcare more accessible and personalized for patients and for using various forms of AI including generative AI to help identify patients and detect disease on a preventative basis. The Prix Galien selection committee that selected Pentavere to be the recipient of this award was comprised of current and former Chief Executive Officers of some of the world's largest life science companies. This was the first win for Pentavere after three nominations in previous years. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL" or the "Company"), a healthcare technology company focused on AI and data science for preventative care, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Pentavere Research Group ("Pentavere"), a globally recognized AI digital health company, has been awarded by the Galien Foundation, The Prix Galien USA 2024 prize in the Best Startup category for Digital Health & Medical Technology. Pentavere's DARWEN AI platform was awarded for its proven contribution in making healthcare more accessible and personalized for patients. Pentavere was selected as one of two recipients from a total of 43 nominees in the Best Startup category. Aaron Leibtag, CEO and Co-Founder of Pentavere, commented, "We are honored to receive this prestigious award from The Galien Foundation in recognition of our best-in-class DARWEN AI platform for the impact it is having for providers and patients. At Pentavere, we envision that using AI to fully understand the entire patient journey at scale could be as transformative as decoding the human genome. Receiving a Prix Galien award by a panel of some of the most respected global thought leaders from across the life science industry validated the enormity of our AI work to improve the human condition." The Prix Galien Award is among the global health innovation industry's most renowned honors, recognizing outstanding biomedical and medical technology product achievements that improve the human condition. The award was presented during a ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on Thursday, November 7, 2024. This was the first win for Pentavere after three nominations in previous years. The Galien Foundation oversees and directs activities in the US for the Prix Galien, an international awards program dedicated to recognizing and honoring progress through innovative medicines development, with chapters in 15 countries. During a speech in 2008, former President Bill Clinton referred to the Prix Galien award as "equivalent to the Nobel Prize" in life sciences. The Prix Galien USA is considered America's preeminent prize acknowledging the leading-edge of scientific advances in the life sciences industry since 2007. For more information: https://www.galienfoundation.org/prix-galien-usa. Prix Galien Startup Awards Committee 2024 Kenneth C. Frazier Committee Chair, Former Chairman & CEO Merck Dr. Mikael Dolsten Chief Scientific Officer & President, Pfizer Research and Development Penny Heaton Global Therapeutic Area Head, Vaccines, Janssen Roch Doliveux Honorary CEO, UCB Alex GORSKY Former CEO & Executive Chairman, Johnson & Johnson Joel S. Marcus Executive Chairman & Founder, Alexandria Sheri McCoy Board of Directors, AstraZeneca, Former CEO, Avon Francois Maisonrouge Senior Managing Director, Evercore Partners Elias Zerhouni Former Head of Global R&D, Sanofi Dr. Alexander Dobranowski Chief Executive Officer HEALWELL AI Inc. About HEALWELL AI HEALWELL is a healthcare technology company focused on AI and data science for preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") under the symbol "AIDX" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "HWAIF". To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/. About Pentavere Pentavere Research Group is a globally recognized and award-winning AI digital health company that has built a best-in-class AI engine to identify patients that are eligible for approved medications or interventions, to improve outcomes for patients and help drive therapy growth and penetration. Pentavere's AI system, DARWEN, identifies patients that are eligible for but not receiving approved medications or interventions, improving outcomes for patients and helping drive appropriate therapy growth and penetration. For more information, visit: http://pentavere.ai/. About the Galien Foundation The Galien Foundation fosters, recognizes and rewards excellence in scientific innovation to improve the state of human health. Our vision is to be the catalyst for the development of the next generation of innovative treatments and technologies that will impact the state of medical practice and save lives. The Foundation oversees and directs activities in the US for the Prix Galien, an international awards program dedicated to progress through innovative medicines development, with chapters in 14 countries and Africa. The Prix Galien was created in 1970 by Roland Mehl in honor of Galien, the father of medical science and modern pharmacology. Worldwide, the Prix Galien is regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in biopharmaceutical research. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release, constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward looking statements" (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements about the potential impact of using AI to understand the patient journey and the potential benefits of using AI to improve patient outcomes and advance precision medicine initiatives; and are based on assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "envision", "improve", "growth" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain future conditions, actions, events or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "can" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms . Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by HEALWELL as of the date of such statements, are outside of HEALWELL's control and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies which could result in the forward-looking statements ultimately being entirely or partially incorrect or untrue. Forward looking statements contained in this press release are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following: HEALWELL's ability to foster and maintain its business and customer relationships; HEALWELL's ability to develop new technologies, products and services and the timelines on which they can be developed; new technologies functioning as expected; customers adopting and using new technologies, products and services as expected; the need to develop increasingly innovative technologies, products and services; competition in the industry; the stability of general economic and market conditions; HEALWELL's ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations; HEALWELL's continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights; the effects of competition in the industry; and that the risk factors noted below, collectively, do not have a material impact on HEALWELL's business, operations, revenues and/or results. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. Known and unknown risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of HEALWELL, could cause the actual results of HEALWELL to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in HEALWELL's most recent annual information form dated April 1, 2024, which is available under HEALWELL's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect HEALWELL and the reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. HEALWELL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229594 SOURCE: HEALWELL AI EQS Newswire / 12/11/2024 / 09:30 CET/CEST HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 November 2024 - The European - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which was officially signed in 2019, has marked a significant milestone in strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions. To facilitate international businesses, particularly European enterprises in accessing products information, finding business partners and expanding into the Vietnamese market, the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is proud to introduce the Vietnam Pavilion on Alibaba.com e-commerce platform. For more information and to explore the Vietnam Pavilion, please visit: https://sale.alibaba.com/p/vietnampavilion-vnfeaturedbusiness/index.html The Vietnam Pavilion is not only a showcase for high-quality, reputable products bearing the "Made in Vietnam" label but also a gateway for international businesses to explore cooperation opportunities with Vietnamese enterprises. With a diverse product range encompassing agricultural products, food, handicrafts, furniture, pharmaceuticals and more, the Vietnam Pavilion is an attractive destination for European businesses seeking opportunities to expand their operations in Vietnam and Southeast Asia region. Through the Vietnam Pavilion, European businesses will benefit from: Access to products at competitive prices: Thanks to the EVFTA, tariffs on 90 per cent of goods exported from Vietnam to Europe have been reduced or eliminated. This significant reduction in trade barriers makes Vietnamese products much more affordable, giving European businesses a price advantage compared to sourcing from other regions. Products from Vietnam, ranging from textiles to agricultural goods, now come at highly competitive prices. Quality-assured products: Businesses exhibiting at the Vietnam Pavilion are carefully selected by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and Alibaba.com e-commerce platform. This ensures that only companies meeting strict standards are included. Products offered have transparent origins and come with internationally accredited certifications. Therefore, buyers can be confident in the origin of the goods. Trade opportunities with Southeast Asia enterprises: By connecting with Vietnamese companies through the Vietnam Pavilion, European businesses open doors to broader opportunities in Southeast Asia - a dynamic economic development region. Vietnam is strategically located within the ASEAN region, and many suppliers have strong regional networks. This enables European businesses tapping into a growing, interconnected market with competitive pricing and diverse product offerings. Enterprises from Europe therefore can enhance their supply chain flexibility and market reach. It can be said that the Vietnam Pavilion on Alibaba.com e-commerce platform serves as a gateway for European businesses to access high-quality Vietnamese products at competitive prices and opens up a new trade channel in Southeast Asia. With support from the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and Alibaba.com e-commerce platform, the Vietnam Pavilion will serve as an ideal platform for European businesses to grow their operations, strengthen their gobal supply chains and expand into international markets. For more detailed information and support, please visit: https://sale.alibaba.com/p/vietnampavilion-vnfeaturedbusiness/index.html We look forward to collaborating with European businesses through the Vietnam Pavilion project on the Alibaba.com e-commerce platform. Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency - Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Address: 20 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam Website: https://vietrade.gov.vn/ The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. News Source: Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency 12/11/2024 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 LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L, VOD) reported that its profit attributable to owners of the parent for six-month ended 30 September 2024 was 1.06 billion euros or 3.97 cents per share compared to a loss of 346 million euros or 1.28 cents per share in the prior year. The return to profit in the latest period was primarily due to higher operating profit, combined with lower net financing costs.Adjusted basic earnings per share was 4.84 eurocents, compared to 3.72 eurocents in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to lower adjusted net financing costs.Operating profit increased by 28.3% to 2.38 billion euros from the prior year, primarily driven by a 0.7 billion euros gain on the disposal of an 18% stake in Indus Towers in the first-quarter.Adjusted EBITDAaL increased by 3.8% on an organic basis in the first-half, supported by service revenue growth and lower energy costs in Europe.Total revenue for the period increased by 1.6% to 18.28 billion euros from last year, as service revenue growth was partially offset by adverse foreign exchange movements.The company still expects adjusted EBITDAaL to be about 11 billion euros and Adjusted free cash flow of at least 2.4 billion euros for fiscal year 2025.Vodafone said it also progressing with the 3,100 role reductions announced in Germany.Vodafone Board targets a full year dividend of 4.5 eurocents per share for fiscal year 2025, with an ambition to grow it over time, and has declared an interim dividend of 2.25 eurocents per share compared to 4.50 eurocents last year.The Board also approved a capital return through share buybacks of up to 2.0 billion euros of the proceeds from the sale of Vodafone Spain. The Board anticipates the opportunity for further share buybacks of up to 2.0 billion euros following the completion of the sale of Vodafone Italy, which is expected to occur in early 2025.The Board has announced an interim dividend per share of 2.25 eurocents compared to 4.50 eurocents paid last year. The ex-dividend date for the interim dividend is 21 November 2024 for ordinary shareholders and 22 November 2024 for ADR holders, the record date is 22 November 2024 and the dividend is payable on 7 February 2025.For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.comCopyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX MONTREAL, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- X2O Media, a global provider of hybrid learning and training solutions, today announced the installation of X2O OneRoom classroom at Repton School in Derbyshire, England. Repton School invested in a 48-seat hybrid classroom called The Digital Priory to create an immersive learning environment that eliminates geographic boundaries, extending their reach globally. This innovative teaching space offers an exceptional educational experience and serves as a valuable resource for both students and teachers to enhance engagement, connect with its global community and enable cross-campus collaboration. Repton School aims to reach a broader audience of domestic and international students, encouraging the exchange of ideas, experiences, and cultures. The school selected OneRoom technology for the unique blended learning platform that delivers an immersive, one-on-one educational experience for both in-class and remote students. It supports students' synchronous and asynchronous learning, ensuring flexibility for all participants, as well as Repton teachers. The Digital Priory is equipped with dedicated cameras, high-definition audio, and an interactive whiteboard, creating a seamless learning environment. With dynamic breakout groups and an intuitive user interface, OneRoom fosters active engagement for all students, regardless of their location. Ashley Currie, Principal Deputy Head at Repton School, emphasized how this project enhances learning opportunities. "We wanted to create a space that honors our history while preparing our pupils for the future. The Digital Priory connects our global Repton community in ways we've never experienced before, allowing for cultural exchange, virtual language lessons, and cross-campus collaboration," Currie said. "Today's students are technology savvy, thriving in environments that foster this knowledge, and Reston School's investment in X2O OneRoom elevates digital learning capabilities, providing an immersive global educational experience for both its students and teachers. By using OneRoom, Repton School is enhancing collaboration within their Family of Schools and connecting its community to a global network," said Robert Brinklow, Sales Director for X2O Media. To learn about X2O OneRoom classroom visit www.x2omedia.com/en/solutions/oneroom/ . For more information about The Priory at Repton School please visit https://www.repton.org.uk/repton-school-launches-groundbreaking-digital-priory-classroom About X2O Media X2O Media provides technology to build remote and hybrid collaboration spaces and unified visual communication solutions for forward-thinking global corporations and higher education institutions. X2O Media solutions enhance human outcomes by improving the digital visual experiences of high-performing individuals and teams globally. Its X2O OneRoom solution creates engaging hybrid and remote collaboration spaces to connect in-room and remote attendees in one equal learning experience. X2O Media offers a range of unified visual communication solutions that enable organizations to create and visualize vast amounts of data into unique content. X2O Media, part of the STRATACACHE family of marketing technology companies, is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. For information, contact X2O Media at sales@x2omedia.com and follow X2O Media updates on LinkedIn and X. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2553097/X2O_Media_Inc__X2O_Media_Installs_Cutting_Edge_Hybrid_Classroom.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2553096/X2O_Media_Inc__X2O_Media_Installs_Cutting_Edge_Hybrid_Classroom.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/x2o-media-installs-cutting-edge-hybrid-classroom-at-leading-uk-independent-school-302301317.html 29.5 million investment in cloud-hosted solution to mobilise firefighters and help improve safety and security in Scotland Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI) today announced a 7-year contract* with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) for a cloud-hosted Control Room Solution (CRS). The technology will be deployed across all operational control centres in Scotland to help evolve the service's operational capabilities, improve country-wide collaboration and speed emergency response times. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112910613/en/ Left to right: Deputy Chief Officer Andy Watt; Motorola Solutions Country Manager for U.K. and Ireland Fergus Mayne; Area Commander for Operations Control Jacqui MacDonald; Motorola Solutions Account Director for Scotland Northern Ireland Gregor MacKenzie; and Area Commander for Service Development Derek Wilson Photo credit: Motorola Solutions "Installing a cloud-hosted, single command and control system has been a strategic priority for our Fire and Rescue Service, in line with our digital strategy and the Scottish Government's Cloud First policy," said Andy Watt, Assistant Chief Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. "Motorola Solutions' mobilising solution will improve our ability to coordinate during spate conditions, reduce our risk of cybersecurity breaches and reinforce our commitment to providing a modern experience for our control room operators." SFRS operates 356 fire stations across Scotland, coordinating tens of thousands of incident responses from its three operation centers, located in Edinburgh, Dundee and Johnstone, every year. The fire service is responsible for a range of emergency response situations, including primary and secondary fires, road traffic incidents and, increasingly, flooding and water rescues. "Scottish Fire and Rescue Service respond to a wide range of complex incidents on a daily basis," said Fergus Mayne, U.K. and Ireland country manager at Motorola Solutions. "Our control room solution is helping SFRS to improve its operational efficiency and safeguard communities across Scotland." Motorola Solutions has been trusted by public safety organisations in Scotland for many years. Emergency services rely on Motorola Solutions' national Airwave emergency services network and TETRA radios, as well as Pronto Digital Policing Application and body cameras to help protect communities across the country. 7-year contract plus the option for a 3-year extension About Motorola Solutions Motorola Solutions is solving for safer. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions enable the collaboration between public safety agencies and enterprises that's critical for a proactive approach to safety and security. Learn more about how we're solving for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses safer everywhere at www.motorolasolutions.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112910613/en/ Contacts: Elvan Lindberg Motorola Solutions Mobile: +46 (0)707448893 Elvan.Lindberg@motorolasolutions.com Siemens Energy's stock experienced a significant upturn following news of a major contract secured by its subsidiary, Siemens Gamesa. The Spanish energy provider Iberdrola, through its Scottishpower unit, placed an order for wind turbines valued at over one billion pounds. This development catapulted Siemens Energy's shares by 3.2% to 40.80 euros during XETRA trading, approaching its 52-week high of 40.92 euros. The current stock price represents an impressive 339.56% increase from its 52-week low of 9.28 euros, recorded in November 2023. Analysts' Outlook and Upcoming Results As Siemens Energy prepares to release its fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2023/24 results on November 13, analysts are closely monitoring the company's performance. Experts project an earnings per share of 0.356 euros for the fiscal year 2024, with an average price target of 29.82 euros. The energy technology giant is benefiting from robust growth in its grid technology sector and sustained demand for gas turbines, bolstered by an expanding electricity market. However, challenges persist in the wind energy segment, leaving investors eager to scrutinize the forthcoming quarterly figures for insights into the company's trajectory. Ad Fresh Siemens Energy information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Siemens Energy analysis... WUXI, China, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On November 11, 2024, the opening ceremony of the World Internet of Things Expo was held in Wuxi, an eastern city in China. The event features an opening ceremony, exhibitions, and five specialized forums, running until the 13th. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. The Product and Application Exhibition is divided into two sections, focusing on the key development areas of "Sensor + Vehicle Internet of Things (V2X) + Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)." It provides the public with a comprehensive showcase of the latest technologies and innovations in the IoT and related fields. The Fraunhofer IIS in Germany attended the expo for the first time. Their MIOTY technology, suitable for large-scale industrial and commercial IoT deployments, won the Gold Award for New IoT Technologies, Applications, and Models this year. Ferdinand Kemeth, head of the Fraunhofer IIS, said he hopes to connect with more manufacturing partners for IoT hardware at the WIoT Expo. The selection of new technologies, applications, and models in IoT is a hallmark event of the World Internet of Things Expo, with a wide global call for entries each year. This year, a total of 30 winning projects were selected. In 2009, Wuxi was approved to establish a National Sensor Network Innovation Demonstration Zone. Over 15 years, a massive IoT industrial chain with a scale exceeding 450 billion yuan has formed in Wuxi. Since 2016, the China International IoT (Sensor Network) Expo was elevated to the World Internet of Things Expo and has gradually become the largest and highest-profile national-level expo in China's IoT sector. "China's IoT industry started in Wuxi, and as a professional in the IoT field, coming to Wuxi feels like a kind of Homing," said Xiao Shanpeng, Director of the IoT Technology and Applications Research Institute at China Mobile Research Institute, at the event. Source: The Organizing Committee of the 2024 World Internet of Things Expo Scientists in the Middle East have developed a series active filter to improve power quality in grid-tied PV systems, consisting of an inductor, two capacitors, and four transistor-diode pairs. The filter reduces total harmonic distortion in voltage and current waves at the inverter output. An Iraqi-Lebanese research team has proposed using a series active filter on the DC side of grid-connected PV systems to improve power quality. Active power filters are increasingly used in PV systems to simultaneously compensate for current harmonics and voltage imbalance. "The use of filters in systems has ... 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. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Shell Plc. (SHEL) Tuesday announced that it is pleased with the Hague Court of Appeal decision overturning the District Court's ruling in 2021 against the company. The case was originally filed by Milieudefensie and other NGOs and a group of private individuals.Earlier, Shell has stated that a court ruling would not reduce overall customer demand for products.'Our target to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 remains at the heart of Shell's strategy and is transforming our business. This includes continuing our work to halve emissions from our operations by 20301, ' the company noted.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. Overseas Korean Unification Event held successfully in Leipzig, Germany on November 9 North Korean defector's live painting and barbed wire bracelets highlighting reality attracts attention The Ministry of Unification held the 2024 Unification Cultural Event for Overseas Koreans under the theme "Reise zur Freiheit! (Journey for Liberty)" on Saturday, November 9, at Nikolaikirche Square in Leipzig, a historic site of German reunification. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112764664/en/ Participants engaging in the barbed-wire bracelet activity (photo: Ministry of Unification) This event was held in conjunction with the "12th Concert for the Unification of Korea," hosted by the Leipzig Korean Association at Nikolaikirche. Despite the cold weather, it drew the interest of overseas Korean and local citizens who gathered in the church square. The event opened with a busking performance by "2345," winners of the Ministry's annual music festival, and included a live painting by North Korean defector artist An Soo-min, alongside a variety of events promoting North Korean human rights and unification. The "2345" team captivated visitors at Nikolaikirche Square with performances spanning K-pop, classical guitar, jazz, and operatic pop. Artist An Soo-min held a live painting show themed "Painting the Light of Liberty." In an audience interaction, she shared, "In South Korea, we have freedom of expression, art, and the freedom to travel anywhere, but this is not the case in North Korea." An emphasized, "The journey for liberty will only be complete with the unification of South and North Korea," adding that she felt "a sense of unity by creating artwork together with participants." The event also featured side activities that drew interest and engagement from visitors, including HE.ART's art exhibit wishing for Korean unification, a North Korean human rights simulation game experienced via VR and QR codes, and a barbed-wire bracelet activity where participants cut through barbed wire to receive a "liberty bracelet." HE.ART is a nonprofit promoting unification and global development through arts education with North Korean defector youth and children in developing countries. Visitors highlighted An Soo-min's live painting and the barbed-wire bracelet activity as memorable, commenting that these experiences provided deep insights into North Korea. Asem Espanta, a resident of Leipzig, shared that after watching the live painting, the blending of various colors into a single artwork gave him hope that South and North Korea would one day be unified. Sara Choi, an overseas Korean from Chemnitz, remarked that the barbed wire display powerfully conveyed the longing for unification, and she found the "Bracelet of Liberty," symbolizing North Korean liberty, especially meaningful. This year, the Ministry of Unification held the Unification Cultural Event for Overseas Koreans in the United States and Germany under the theme "Journey for Liberty," symbolizing solidarity with North Koreans on their journey toward freedom. The Ministry plans to continue hosting accessible and engaging cultural events to help overseas Koreans easily understand and engage with the issues of Korean unification and the realities in North Korea. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112764664/en/ Contacts: Ministry of Unification Unification Cooperation Bureau International Cooperation Division Yoo Hyejeong +82-2-2100-5823 2024auac@gmail.com LONDON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Castleton Commodities International LLC (CCI) announced today that a subsidiary, S4 Energy BV, has signed an agreement with Terra One Climate Solutions GmbH, a prominent German battery developer, to acquire a 310 MW portfolio of battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Germany. S4 Energy will build, own and operate the BESS assets. This acquisition marks S4 Energy's entry into the German market and reinforces CCI's commitment to advancing its BESS platform's proven capabilities across key markets in Europe. The portfolio consists of a combination of shovel-ready and advanced projects, with expected operational dates between 2026 and 2028. The BESS assets are strategically positioned to support Germany's renewable targets, enhancing network stability and providing the flexibility required for a sustainable power grid. "This transaction demonstrates our conviction in the sector and belief in the vital role that battery energy storage plays in delivering Germany's decarbonization goals," said Mohit Singh, principal in CCI's European Principal Investments team. About Castleton Commodities International LLC CCI is a global energy commodity merchant with integrated businesses focused on marketing, merchandising and trading commodities, and the ownership, operation and development of commodities-related infrastructure assets. Please visit our website for more information: www.cci.com. About S4 Energy S4 Energy develops, builds, owns and operates grid-scale battery energy storage systems. We help energy producers, grid operators and end users to stabilize supply and demand and make the most of the existing infrastructure. Our mission is to make the energy grid more resilient and flexible. Please visit our website for more information: www.s4-energy.com. Media contact Hannah Curnutt Burson 713-752-1913 Hannah.Curnutt@bursonglobal.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/627281/CCI_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/s4-energy-enters-germany-with-agreement-to-acquire-a-310-mw-battery-energy-storage-portfolio-from-terra-one-302299485.html Al Etihad Payments Will Help Define and Influence PCI Data Security Standards from UAE Region WAKEFIELD, Mass., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), a global standards body for the payment card industry, and Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing payment data security in the UAE. Al Etihad Payments has joined the PCI Security Standards Council as an Affiliate Member from the UAE region to help define standards and influence adoption by their constituents who process, store, or transmit cardholder data. The PCI Security Standards Council introduced Affiliate membership in 2012 as part of a continued drive to leverage industry expertise and broaden global input into the standards development process. This category offers Affiliate members the opportunity to become active participants in PCI working groups, in addition to playing an integral role in the standards development process. As the UAE's national payments entity, Al Etihad Payments is responsible for creating and managing key financial market infrastructure across the country, including Aani, the instant payment platform and Jaywan, UAE's domestic card scheme. By joining the PCI Security Standards Council, Al Etihad Payments aims to improve payment security standards in the region, ensuring that the UAE's growing payment ecosystem remains secure and resilient. This partnership highlights AEP's commitment to developing digital payments while maintaining the highest levels of security for all participants in the financial ecosystem. "We are happy to extend a warm welcome to Al Etihad Payments as a new member of the PCI Security Standards Council's exclusive Affiliate Membership. The Middle East has been one of PCI SSC's top priority markets. Al Etihad Payments joining PCI SSC as an Affiliate Member will enhance the value of protecting payment data with data security standards in a changing payment ecosystem, which is essential to creating a strong payments infrastructure with security at its core," said Nitin Bhatnagar, Regional Director India, South Asia and Middle East at PCI SSC. "The regional expertise that Al Etihad Payments will bring to the Council will only enhance the quality, applicability, and relevance of PCI standards and guidance documents across all payment options and methods used. PCI SSC welcomes more organizations from United Arab Emirates to join the Council's growing community to help the education and implementation of strong payment security standards in the region". Hani Bani Amer, Head of Information Security at Al Etihad Payments, added, "We are proud to join forces with the PCI Security Standards Council as an Affiliate Member. This partnership reinforces our commitment to safeguarding payment data and ensuring the UAE's financial ecosystem adheres to the highest international security standards, not only by implementing them, but also in taking an active role in standards development. At Al Etihad Payments, we are focused on enhancing trust in the digital payment infrastructure, and this collaboration with PCI SSC will enable us to contribute meaningfully to global security efforts while ensuring our national systems remain resilient and secure." About Al Etihad Payments Al Etihad Payments (AEP), as the national payments entity in the UAE, plays a crucial role in developing and operating the best in-class national payments infrastructure. Driven by a mission to support the government's vision of a society less reliant on cash and national digitization, AEP strategically positions itself to provide innovative and interoperable payment solutions, enable financial institutions to enhance customer experience, and fortify a robust, efficient, and secure financial market infrastructure for the UAE. For more information, please visit Al Etihad Payments website: https://aep.ae. About the PCI Security Standards Council The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) leads a global, cross-industry effort to increase payment security by providing industry-driven, flexible and effective data security standards and programs that help businesses detect, mitigate and prevent cyberattacks and breaches. Connect with PCI SSC on LinkedIn. Join the conversation on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) @PCISSC. Subscribe to the PCI Perspectives Blog. Listen to the Coffee with the Council podcast. Media Contact: Alicia Malone PCI Security Standards Council press@pcisecuritystandards.org @PCISSC Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2555138/PCI_Al_Etihad_Payments.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/al-etihad-payments-central-bank-of-uae-subsidiary-joins-pci-security-standards-council-as-an-affiliate-member-302302370.html EQS Newswire / 12/11/2024 / 17:53 UTC+8 From October 14th to October 16th, Chery's two PHEV models embarked on a 1,700+ KM journey, starting from a tour of Guangzhou's Hua'e Lou, followed by the driving challenge at Mount Longhu, and concluding with the ecological protection experience at Poyang Lake, before arriving at Chery's headquarters in Wuhu, China. With their impressive power, extended range, and efficient charging technologies, the vehicles garnered unanimous praise from invited KOCs. During the driving challenge at Mount Longhu, the Tiggo 9 PHEV and Arrizo 8 PHEV became the center of attention thanks to their remarkable power performance and intelligent control systems. Faced with the winding roads of Mount Longhu, the Tiggo 9 PHEV's 1.5T engine paired with the third-generation DHT hybrid transmission proved its prowess. The 4WD version boasted an output power of up to 450 kW and a peak torque of 915 Nm, effortlessly handling steep slopes and complex terrain, allowing drivers to experience the thrill of driving fully. The Arrizo 8 PHEV has an advanced 1.5TGDI fifth-generation hybrid engine, a market highlight due to its ultra-low fuel consumption and high performance. The engine demonstrates outstanding energy utilization with a thermal efficiency of up to 44.5%. It also delivers a maximum power of 115 kW and a peak torque of 220 Nm, ensuring a powerful and smooth driving experience. The intelligent control systems of both models played a crucial role in the driving challenge. The Tiggo 9 PHEV features an all-dimensional intelligent driving safety system equipped with 30 active safety configurations, including L2.9-level ADAS, highway navigation, and memory parking, offering comprehensive safety for drivers. Meanwhile, the Arrizo 8 PHEV, with its advanced intelligent control system, provides real-time vehicle monitoring and precise adjustments, allowing drivers to enjoy driving fun while feeling secure. During the Poyang Lake ecological protection experience, the Tiggo 9 PHEV and Arrizo 8 PHEV showcased their long-range capabilities, low energy consumption, and external power supply functions. The vehicles' range capabilities were fully displayed against Poyang Lake's expansive waters and surrounding natural scenery. The Tiggo 9 PHEV, depending on configuration, offers an all-electric range of 100/170 km, with a total range exceeding 1,400 km. The Arrizo 8 PHEV also provides a total range of over 1,400 km when fully charged, with an all-electric range exceeding 127 km. This range capability allows drivers to enjoy the natural beauty while handling long-distance travel needs easily. In the Poyang Lake ecological protection experience, both models' external power supply functions were also put to good use. Whether for outdoor camping or other power-requiring scenarios, the vehicles' external power supply functions provide stable electricity for various devices, allowing drivers to enjoy the natural surroundings with practical and convenient power solutions. Through these immersive activities, the Tiggo 9 PHEV and Arrizo 8 PHEV once again demonstrated Chery's leading position in PHEV technology with their excellent power performance, intelligent control systems, long-range capabilities, low energy consumption, and external power functions. Looking ahead, Chery will continue to uphold its brand values of green mobility, technological innovation, and family companionship, delivering more premium and eco-friendly automotive products to consumers. Company:Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. Contact Person: Chery Automobile Email: cherybrand@mychery.com Website:https://www.cheryinternational.com/ Country: China City:AnHui 12/11/2024 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 Renewal of top certificate authority's G-Cloud contract enables public sector organizations in the UK to access industry's best PKI-based solutions GMO GlobalSign, a global Certificate Authority (CA) and leading provider of identity security, digital signing and IoT solutions, today announced that its supplier status with Crown Commercial Service's G-Cloud has been renewed. The designation allows GMO GlobalSign to continue selling its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) software solutions to public sector companies in the United Kingdom participating in the G-Cloud framework. GMO GlobalSign first became an approved G-Cloud framework supplier in November 2022. Operated by the Crown Commercial Service, G-Cloud is a framework created specifically for UK public sector organizations to easily procure cloud computing services. First introduced in 2012, G-Cloud allows public sector organizations to make purchases without running a full tender or a competitive procurement process. Solutions from GMO GlobalSign available on G-Cloud include our digital and electronic signatures, eSeals and TLS and SSL certificates. In addition, GMO GlobalSign's fully automated managed PKI Provisioning Service, Managed PKI, and our premium support service are also available. "We are proud to continue our participation in the G-Cloud ecosystem. By doing so, public sector organizations in the United Kingdom can continue procuring our award-winning products and solutions," said Mike Boyle, Alliance Manager, GMO GlobalSign. "Further, at a time when organizations must be ever-vigilant about managing their Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), by making our solutions more easily available, GMO GlobalSign is doing its part to provide security and digital trust to the public sector." To learn more about GMO GlobalSign's participation in the G-Cloud framework, visit our latest blog post. About Crown Commercial Service Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is an Executive Agency of the Cabinet Office, supporting the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. To find out more about CCS, visit: www.crowncommercial.gov.uk. Follow us on Twitter: @gov_procurement LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/2827044 About GMO GlobalSign As one of the world's most deeply-rooted certificate authorities, GMO GlobalSign is the leading provide of trusted identity and security solutions enabling businesses, large enterprises, cloud-based service providers, and IoT innovators worldwide to conduct secure online communications, manage millions of verified digital identities and automate authentication and encryption. Its high-scale Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and identity solutions support the billions of services, devices, people, and things comprising the IoT. GMO GlobalSign is a subsidiary of GMO GlobalSign Holdings, K.K., a member of the Japan-based GMO Internet Group, has offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit https://www.globalsign.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112088686/en/ Contacts: Amy Krigman Director of Public Relations West Region amy.krigman@globalsign.com OAG, the world's leading data platform for the global travel industry, is delighted to announce Filip Filipov as the company's new Chief Operating Officer. Filipov, formerly VP of Product and Strategy at Skyscanner, played a key role in accelerating growth at the digital travel company and led a range of teams during his tenure. He brings a wealth of insight from the travel and technology sector alongside valuable scale up experience. As COO of OAG, Filipov will focus on optimizing business operations, enhancing performance whilst developing the company's long term strategic vision. This appointment aligns with OAG's accelerated growth strategy, bolstered by its acquisition of Infare in July 2023. The acquisition added airfare data to OAG's intelligence platform, enabling the company to offer comprehensive data solutions across the supply, demand, and pricing value chain. Filip has held senior management positions across venture capital and strategy consulting including Opera Solutions in New York and London. CEO of OAG, Phil Callow, said: "Filip brings a deep understanding of the travel and technology sector. As OAG continues to expand, his expertise will be invaluable in guiding us through an ambitious phase of growth. His passion for data and the aviation industry makes him an excellent fit for our customer-centric and quality-driven culture." Commenting on his new appointment, Filip said: "I am delighted to join OAG. I've been struck by the depth of talent and ambition throughout the organisation. Now with its unique ability to combine supply, demand, and pricing data I am excited to build on what's already been achieved and to apply my scale-up experience across all operations to the benefit of our customers." This appointment follows the addition of Shane Corstorphine, former Skyscanner CFO, as NED in July. About OAG OAG is the leading data platform for the global travel industry, powering the growth and innovation of the air travel ecosystem. It has the world's largest network of flight information. For more information on how OAG visit www.oag.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112917643/en/ Contacts: pressoffice@oag.com GENEVA and LILONGWE, Malawi, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the launch of a transformative initiative as Access Accelerated and the World Bank come together in a new technical partnership, working in close cooperation with Results for Development (R4D) to build a coalition of global and local organizations aimed at addressing the critical shortfall in healthcare financing for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The regional Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs (FAN) is designed to bridge this gap through regionally hosted NCD Financing Accelerators, starting in Sub-Saharan Africa. These regional accelerators will collaborate with countries and local stakeholders to promote and scale sustainable health financing solutions, tackling one of the most pressing barriers to addressing the growing NCD burden. NCDs, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, and mental and neurological disorders, are responsible for approximately 41 million global deaths annually-a figure projected to rise to 52 million by 2030. This escalating challenge represents a significant threat to global health and economic growth, with projected costs of USD47 trillion in healthcare and lost productivity between 2010 and 2030. Despite the clear and urgent threat, current government spending and development assistance fall short of the investment needed to mitigate the rising death toll and its economic impact. The Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs aims to address this challenge by supporting governments and local stakeholders in strengthening their NCD response and building more resilient health financing systems, with a focus on advancing universal health coverage and building strong primary healthcare systems - key goals within the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. "We've heard from governments and local stakeholders that they need expertise, support, and locally relevant solutions to transform their health financing systems," says Herb Riband, Director at Access Accelerated. "We have to respond to the call to help countries build financial and technical capacity to address NCDs and improve health outcomes." The network of regional NCD Financing Accelerators in the Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific regions, supported by R4D as Network Manager, will provide regional expertise, on-demand technical support, cross-country learning opportunities, and catalytic seed funding to programs aimed at improving NCD financing and health outcomes. "We are excited to support the new Access Accelerated-World Bank technical partnership, leveraging our expertise in health financing and cross-country learning to strengthen health systems worldwide," says Gina Lagomarsino, President and CEO of Results for Development. "Through the FAN initiative, we are dedicated to collaborating with local change agents in various global settings, ensuring that our efforts have local relevance and global impact, empowering health systems to effectively address the epidemiological transition to NCDs." The first regional NCD Financing Accelerator will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP). Sub-Saharan Africa faces the fastest-growing rates of NCD incidence and mortality, yet only 7.2% of government spending is allocated to health, far below the average of 12.4% in other regions. This stark discrepancy underscores the urgent need for new approaches to health financing. "The growing evidence of the impact of NCDs in Africa, not just on health, but across all aspects of society, calls for forward thinking and innovation on the continent, to save lives and ensure wellbeing and prosperity," explains Dr. Rose Oronje, Director of Public Policy & Knowledge Translation and Head of Kenya Office at AFIDEP. "As the host of the first regional NCD Financing Accelerator, we will use evidence to unite and mobilize country change agents and empower local stakeholders to co-create solutions, foster cohesive communities of learners, and overcome common health financing challenges." In the coming months, FAN will prioritize a comprehensive analysis of the NCD financing landscape across the African region. This effort, already underway, engages government officials, policymakers, and other stakeholders to identify key challenges, opportunities, and priorities. The findings, expected by early 2025, will guide the learning agenda and shape strategies and solutions to drive on-the-ground impact across the continent. About the Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs The Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs (FAN) is a transformative initiative established via a new technical partnership between Access Accelerated and the World Bank, in close cooperation with Results for Development, to build a growing coalition of global and local organizations in support of improving sustainable financing for NCDs in low- and middle-income countries. FAN operates through regionally based NCD Financing Accelerators that support governments and local stakeholders with technical support, cross-country learning, and catalytic seed funding to advance local NCD financing programs. The African Institute for Development Policy will host the inaugural accelerator in Sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative aligns with and will support the World Bank's goal to provide quality health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030 as well as Access Accelerated's mission to drive scalable, sustainable progress on NCDs as part of universal health coverage. Learn more at: www.ncdfinancing.org Media contacts: Access Accelerated AFIDEP Thuy Khuc-Bilon Adaudo Anyiam Osigwe thuy@humankindstories.org adaudo.anyiam-osigwe@afidep.org +41 79 473 0341 +265 899 134 242 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2552836/Access_Accelerated.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/access-accelerated-and-the-world-bank-collaborate-via-new-technical-partnership-in-cooperation-with-results-for-development-to-build-a-coalition-aimed-at-closing-the-health-financing-gap-for-noncommunicable-diseases-in-low-and-mid-302300235.html Philippine domestic maritime 'acts' egregious 16:45, November 12, 2024 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily The Philippines recently signed into law the so-called "Maritime Zones Act" and "Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act." These acts severely violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, as well as international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These egregious acts will inevitably complicate the situation in the South China Sea. China's adoption of necessary measures to defend its legitimate and lawful sovereignty, rights and interests is a justifiable move to keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable. The two acts are egregious because they seriously infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. The so-called "Maritime Zones Act" illegally includes China's Huangyan Dao, most of the islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao, and their relevant waters into the Philippines' maritime zones. It attempts to further solidify the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea in the form of domestic legislation. China has sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and the adjacent waters, and Zhongsha Qundao, including Huangyan Dao, and the adjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdictions over relevant waters. The aforementioned territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests of China have solid historical and legal basis, and are compliant with international law including the UNCLOS. The territory of the Philippines is defined by a series of international treaties. China's Huangyan Dao and other islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao are completely beyond the limits of the Philippines' territory. The Philippines has invaded and illegally occupied multiple islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao. It arbitrarily went beyond its own territorial scope to set up the so-called "Kalayaan Island Group," which has infringed upon China's territorial sovereignty, and is illegal and invalid. The Philippines arbitrarily advancing the legislation of the so-called "Maritime Zones Act" has once again exposed its true intention to seize illegal gains in the South China Sea by the manipulation of domestic laws, which reveals its expansionist goals in the South China Sea. The two acts are egregious because they violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations in the name of implementing the UNCLOS. The so-called "Maritime Zones Act" cites the illegal award of the South China Sea arbitration as a basis for defining the Philippines' maritime boundaries, which serves only to compound lies and fallacies to legitimatize its own illicit maritime claims. The illegal award of the South China Sea arbitration has been widely questioned by the international community. This international arbitration was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines without the Chinese government's prior consent, which violated international law, including the UNCLOS. China has repeatedly lodged stern representations that it neither accepts nor participates in the arbitration, nor does it accept or recognize the illegal award, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea shall under no circumstances be affected by the award. The Philippines' endorsement of the arbitral award is nothing but justification for its infringing and provocative moves and illegal claims and actions, which reveals its true intention to "expand its powers" in the South China Sea. The two acts are egregious because they impact the freedom and security of navigation, threaten regional peace and stability, and further complicate the situation in the South China Sea. They contravene the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which emphasizes the importance of exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. This not only hampers dispute resolution efforts but also exacerbates tensions in the South China Sea. Many provisions contained in the Philippines' "Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act" are incompatible with international law and resolutions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). For instance, the waterways designated by the act fail to include all commonly utilized international waterways within the waters of the Philippine archipelago. Such provisions are evidently inconsistent with Article 53 of the UNCLOS, which stipulates that the sea lanes and air routes designated by an archipelagic state shall include all normal passage routes used as routes for international navigation or overflight through or over archipelagic waters. Furthermore, the specified sea lanes are all in close proximity to U.S. military bases in the Philippines, raising concerns about potential collusion between the Philippines and foreign powers to monitor passing vessels, thereby jeopardizing the navigational safety of all countries. As such acts exceed the authority granted by international law, consequently, they unlawfully restrict the legitimate rights of other countries, including China, and have no binding force on them. China asks the Philippines to earnestly abide by international law and not to undermine other countries' lawful rights under the UNCLOS and other international law. Chinese ships and aircraft will continue to pass through all normal channels as needed and in accordance with international law. Huangyan Dao has always been China's territory. In accordance with international law, such as the UNCLOS, and the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, the Chinese government delimited and announced the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Dao. This is a natural step by the Chinese government to lawfully strengthen marine management and is consistent with international law and common practices, demonstrating China's firm determination and will to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. On maritime disputes, China has been exercising a high degree of restraint. China maintains that parties should find solutions that are acceptable to each and all by working in the spirit of good-neighborliness and friendship, and on the basis of respecting historical and legal facts. But abusing such good faith should not be allowed. China does not accept any unilateral action attempting to enforce maritime claims against China. Nor does China recognize any action that may jeopardize its maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. The Philippines shall earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and immediately end any unilateral move that may escalate the dispute and complicate the situation. China urges the Philippines to return to the right track of properly settling differences through negotiation and consultation as soon as possible and work with China to uphold the larger interest of the bilateral relations and keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) New poll shows the welfare of greyhounds is a public concern ahead of General Election DUBLIN, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- An overwhelming majority of Irish voters are opposed to greyhound racing subsidies, according to a new survey by Norstat. The figures have been released following the approval of 19.8 million in greyhound subsidies for Budget 2025, and weeks before the General Election. The Norstat survey of 1,000 likely Irish voters was conducted from October 3rd to October 21st. "This is the first in depth voter survey ever conducted on dog racing in Ireland, and confirms that greyhound racing no longer has the support of the public," said Patrick Baga, Advocacy and Research Director of GREY2K USA Worldwide. Specific findings include: 70% of voters are opposed to greyhound racing subsidies 59% of voters are less likely to vote for a candidate for the Dail who supports dog racing subsidies Only 27% of voters believe greyhounds bred for racing have a good quality of life 52% of voters think the Dail should vote to phase out greyhound racing Only 35% of voters think dog racing is important to the Irish economy Only 1% of voters believe the government should subsidise greyhound racing instead of funding public services such as healthcare, childcare and affordable housing Rural voters oppose greyhound racing subsidies by a margin of 67% to 12% and support phasing out greyhound racing by a margin of 49% to 27% "This is an opportunity for candidates and political parties to be on the right side of an issue voters care about," said Baga. "The Irish electorate does not want an economy built on cruelty to dogs." Ireland has fifteen operational dog tracks. Figures provided by Greyhound Racing Ireland reveal that deaths at greyhound tracks increased by 60% in the first half of 2024, and that nearly 3,000 greyhounds born in 2021 are now dead or missing. About GREY2K USA Worldwide GREY2K USA Worldwide is the largest greyhound protection organisation in the world with more than 300,000 supporters. It works to pass stronger greyhound protection laws, end the cruelty of dog, and promote the rescue of greyhounds across the globe. For more information, go to GREY2KUSA.org or visit GREY2K USA on Facebook , X or Instagram . Contact: Patrick Baga, patrick@grey2kusa.org, +1-781-488-3526 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981695/5016657/GREY2K_USA_LOGO.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/seven-in-ten-voters-want-dog-racing-subsidies-to-end-in-ireland-302302195.html THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Draup, a leading talent strategy platform that delivers multi-dimensional talent data to support enterprises' talent decisions, and The Josh Bersin Company, a trusted industry advisor for global HR leaders, have partnered to release an in-depth report titled, "How Integrating AI with Human Skills is the On-Ramp to Flourishing in a Rapidly Evolving Job Landscape." The report offers insights on adapting job roles to an AI-driven landscape, emphasizing strategies to integrate AI into existing workflows, boosting productivity and fostering innovation This comprehensive report explores how AI's integration across business functions (e.g., software engineering, HR, sales, finance) is set to reshape the workforce. Key insights include how to measure AI's influence on specific roles, understand emerging and critical skills by work effort and recommend skill development & organizational changes to prepare for the future of work "This study explains the enormous opportunity AI presents by re-engineering functional work practices," said Josh Bersin, Global Industry Analyst and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company. "By focusing on the blend of AI capabilities with human expertise, organizations can create value-driven strategies that support sustainable growth and a transformative approach to workforce planning." The report also underscores the importance of understanding AI's evolving role in areas like soft skills management, creative work, and customer experience. Each chapter delves into these shifts, providing readers with actionable insights into emerging skills requirements, changing job roles in finance and supply chain, and how HR can spearhead safe AI adoption within organizations. Vijay Swaminathan, CEO of Draup, commented, "At Draup, we are dedicated to equipping organizations with the talent strategy & intelligence needed to navigate AI-driven changes effectively. This report highlights not only the transformative potential of AI but also the importance of a strategic approach to upskilling and workforce planning. We believe that by partnering AI with human skills, companies can proactively future-proof their talent and strengthen their competitive edge." This report provides practical guidance on navigating workforce transformation, detailing the benefits and limitations of AI in diverse organizational contexts and helping leaders reimagine the value of their workforce. The report is currently available exclusively to Josh Bersin Company Corporate Members and Draup Customers. To access the report and learn more about how AI and human skills can empower your organization, visit https://joshbersin.com/about-2 and request more information about Corporate Membership. About Draup Draup is a leading Talent Strategy Platform that delivers multi-dimensional global labor market data to drive enterprises' Workforce Planning, Recruitment & Transformative Skills Architecture initiatives. Draup supports HR Leaders in optimizing their workforce strategies by helping them address evolving workforce needs, assess global talent & peer group landscape, and design career paths for long-term success. With real-time access to granular data and personalized insights, Draup empowers customers with actionable intelligence & recommendations to strengthen their talent strategies. https://www.draup.com/talent About The Josh Bersin Company The Josh Bersin Company is the most trusted human capital advisors in the world. More than a million HR and business leaders rely on us to help them overcome their greatest people challenges. Thanks to our understanding of workplace issues, informed by the largest, and most up-to-date data sets on workers and employees, we give leaders the confidence to make decisions in line with the latest thinking and evidence about work and the workplace. https://joshbersin.com/ This release underscores Draup and The Josh Bersin Company's shared mission to equip leaders with the insights needed for driving workforce transformation. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/draup-and-the-josh-bersin-company-launch-report-on-the-impact-of-ai-and-workers-skills-and-organizations-302302333.html Kingfisher Metals Corp. (TSXV:KFR)(FSE:970)(OTCQB:KGFMF) ("Kingfisher" or the "Company") is pleased to report new drill targets generated from the 2024 field program at the HWY 37 Project in the Golden Triangle, British Columbia. SIX NEW DRILL TARGETS: 1. Williams Porphyry Cu-Au Target IP survey outlines and refines a chargeability anomaly (> 25 mV/V) measuring 2200 m by 1500 m to depths of over 1000 m and up to 212 mV/V below and lateral to the Williams deposit. The anomaly is host to open-ended intercepts such as up to 0.33% Cu and 0.39 g/t Au over 347 m including 0.56 % Cu and 0.69 g/t Au over 127 m. Proposed drill tests will explore the chargeability anomaly to identify more upper-level stocks where grade is closely tied to porphyry host and to test deeper levels with potential for elevated Cu in bornite. 2. Lower Hank Porphyry Cu-Au Target Lower Hank porphyry target anomaly measures 1600 m by 800 m greater than 35 mV/V to a depth of 850 m with peak values of 86 mV/V with the closest historical drill hole returning 342 m of 0.33 g/t Au and 3.9 g/t Ag. Proposed drill tests will focus on source porphyry intrusions within the chargeable body, known to be associated with rapid grade change at the nearby Williams deposit. 3. Upper Hank Porphyry Cu-Au Target Upper Hank porphyry target anomaly measures 1500 m by 800 m greater than 35 mV/V to a depth of 850 m with peak values of 129 mV/V with high-grade epithermal mineralization at Pit deposit up to 20 m of 11.63 g/t Au and 13.8 g/t Ag located above anomaly. Evidence for telescoped system where epithermal gold superimposed on porphyry Cu-Au in close vertical proximity. Proposed drilling at the Upper Hank anomaly will test the projection of epithermal gold systems (intermediate and high sulfidation) at surface into the porphyry target at depth. 4. ME Porphyry Cu-Au Target First-ever IP survey of the broad Cu-Au-Ag-Mo anomaly at ME outlines anomalous chargeability (>24 mV/V) across full length of line focused on mapped porphyry target. Proposed drill tests will focus on the largest at-surface subvertical anomaly to target porphyry Cu-Au, and a second at-surface low angle anomaly associated with Au-Pb-Zn anomalism as a vein target. 5. Mary Porphyry Cu-Au Target A new 3D inversion product of coupled historical and new IP provide high resolution of a largely untested chargeability anomaly below Mary deposit that swells from 350 m to 750 m across at depth where relogging indicates a very high porphyry level of historical drilling, with only a single deeper test that failed to cross peak chargeability. Proposed drilling at Mary is designed to test the open-ended northern deposit, cross over a historical intercept within anomaly (0.31 g/t Au, 0.13% Cu over 208 m, BC07-10), and drill deeper levels of peak chargeability never before tested. On trend with Mary, the DM porphyry target intercepts are at apex of chargeability anomaly where higher relative copper:gold intercepts are associated with bornite. Proposed drill test at DM aims to step 250 m to south of open-ended, from-surface intercepts (0.21% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au over 223 m, BC06-03) and test large chargeability anomaly below for a porphyry root zone. 6. Cliff Porphyry Cu-Au Target New large 700 m wide and 1 km deep (> 25 mV/V) Mary-like chargeability anomaly projects to surface mineralization at Cliff porphyry now interpreted as the core target for Cliff porphyry, where flanking-type intercepts (Cu-Mo, low Au) drilled into flanks of chargeable body. The new Cliff target area can be easily tested 350 m to NE of previous drill tests in flat alpine terrain. Dustin Perry, CEO states "We are incredibly pleased with our first IP survey results on the HWY 37 Project. The survey highlighted the best porphyry drill target I have seen in my career at the open Williams deposit. Williams was discovered in 2017 and has only seen 6,095 m of drilling despite returning grades comparable to significant deposits in the Golden Triangle. Previous IP surveys there outlined a broad chargeability anomaly, but survey lines were run subparallel to the trend of mineralization which limited targeting capabilities due to a lack of contrast. The new survey line is orthogonal to historical lines and when integrated into a new 3D inversion highlights the potential for significant expansion. Historical drill holes bottomed in mineralization and demonstrated potential for excellent porphyry grades with sub intervals including 127 m of 0.56% Cu and 0.69 g/t Au. Intercepts contain chalcopyrite greater than bornite and we interpret that grades have potential for improvement as bornite becomes the dominant sulfide mineral. The new IP chargeability anomaly represents the potential for discovering multiple Williams-like shallow stocks as well as a larger intrusive body at depth. The porphyry targets we have outlined at Lower and Upper Hank are stand-alone drill targets. They overlap with both disseminated bulk tonnage and high-grade structurally hosted Au-Ag mineralization. Mapping and spectral studies in the area have outlined a strong case for telescoped porphyry-epithermal systems which leads to the possibility of abrupt and often rapid changes from the epithermal domain to porphyry Cu-Au mineralization. Given the size and cluster of anomalies at the Hank-Williams area coupled with mineralization styles, we believe there is potential to host a cluster of porphyry Cu-Au systems comparable to the Cadia area in NSW, Australia. The single reconnaissance line we completed at the ME target reaffirmed our belief that it represents a poorly tested porphyry Cu-Au target. Historical drilling there was done from the base of slope with limited and incomplete assays in an area we interpret the drill site as too deep and laterally far from the historical stockwork showing. Mapping this year outlined trends of porphyry stockwork with Cu-Au-Ag-Mo mineralization. Observations at the base of slope at ME and the base of slope at the large Goat gossan to the NE indicate the presence of a flanking alteration character to a large NE trending porphyry system. The single IP line returned high chargeability values across the full length of the line which represents drill ready targets for 2025. Further, a single IP line was completed at the Mary Deposit to better understand the orientation of the system, and to cover the Cliff and DM targets. Along trend to the north of Mary, rock sampling returned 0.42% Cu and 0.97 g/t Au from an untested stockwork body. Drill core review at Mary showed previously unrecognized syn-mineral intrusions comparable to those identified at Williams, and at DM showed the presence of bornite stringers. These observations along with the new IP survey led us to believe that there is significant potential for discovery to the north along this trend. The IP survey at Cliff outlined a large chargeability anomaly that trends into the slope and is essentially untested by the three shallow drill holes completed there to date. The targets generated from this program represent a pipeline of top-notch porphyry Cu-Au drill targets in one of the most geologically prospective and active mining jurisdictions in the First World." Summary of IP and Geological Mapping Programs The 2024 field program at the HWY 37 and LGM projects was primarily focused on defining drill targets for the 2025 field season. Four IP geophysical lines (Figure 1) were completed on the HWY 37 project and totalled 14.14-line km. This data was then integrated with historical data to provide new 3D inversions at the Mary and Hank-Williams trends. Mapping at HWY 37 was focused on better understanding the alteration and controls on grade at the Mary and Hank-Williams trends and at the ME Target. Between 2023 and 2024, 501 samples have been selected for spectral analysis that will be completed and interpreted over the coming months prior to the 2025 field season. This data will complement the preexisting spectral data that exists in the Hank-Williams Trend. Limited work was completed on the LGM Project as targets are relatively early stage compared to HWY 37. A single day of mapping at the Grizzly target was completed and led the Company to believe that additional mapping will need to be completed in 2025 prior to drill targeting. Grizzly represents the top of a structurally-controlled alkalic porphyry Cu-Au system. Figure 1: HWY 37 2024 IP Survey Lines and Porphyry Cu-Au Target Areas Williams Porphyry Cu-Au New Target The Williams porphyry Cu-Au system, which was discovered in 2017 with the initial drill hole returning 377 m of 0.31 g/t Au and 0.28% Cu (Figure 2, 3), was the focus of a new IP survey line. The deposit drill footprint of 500 m long by 400 m wide and 500-600 m deep is within a 2.2 km long and 1.5 km wide and 1 km deep chargeable body (>25 mV/V) with values up to 212 mV/V identified by the new survey. Intercepts at Williams coincide with potassic-altered monzonite porphyry intrusion that extend to surface with abrupt grade change between intrusive host and the volcanic rocks (Figure 4). The Williams deposit is largely hosted in one structurally focused intrusion within a chargeability anomaly that is prospective to host numerous such bodies. The historical IP survey lines at Williams were oriented NE, subparallel to the overall trend of chargeability, alteration and grade, and did not cross and capture the NE-trending character of deposit. The 2018 survey successfully identified a chargeability anomaly on two sections to the south (50 m and 350 m south of nearest drill hole), yet subsequent drilling in 2019 focused on conservative step-outs from Williams and failed to assess new chargeability results. The new Williams IP line, oriented NW, was deemed necessary in order to: fingerprint the Williams deposit, determine the width of the chargeability anomaly, add resolution to the Williams deposit area, increase depth visualization, and determine the extent of two alteration trends to the SE (the Upper Hank Trend, and a new alteration trend at southern extent of survey). The 2018 and the 2024 IP results were combined into a new 3D inversion product for targeting (e.g., Figure 4 and 5). The 2024 results from the Williams line were successful in fingerprinting the deposit and outlining a chargeability anomaly that extends from surface to 1 km depth with a width of 1.5 km (Figure 4). The overall anomaly is ENE elongate, and is on strike with the Lower Hank Trend (Figure 3). Lateral growth potential of the copper-gold target is also indicated by new mapping that identified outcrop exposures of disseminated and vein hosted chalcopyrite and copper oxides in Hank Creek ~400 m south of this survey line including 0.23% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, and 9.5 g/t Ag. The new survey also allowed for deeper visualization of the Wiliams deposit roots, where untested peak chargeability values were identified. The survey results indicate a large target domain that includes two target types: 1) shallow or at-surface focused porphyry intrusions and breccia bodies, and 2) deeper-level intrusive-hosted stockwork. The upper-level porphyry target area includes domains to the north and south of the Williams deposit and are interpreted as structurally-controlled, Williams-like stocks, such as 127 m of 0.56% Cu, 0.69 g/t Au, and 3.4 g/t Ag (HNK-18-13). This relatively shallow target domain extends from surface to depths of ~400 m and conceptualizes grade focused within multiple Williams-like porphyry stocks and breccia bodies. Grade at these upper levels is characterized by a very close association with intrusions (Figure 4) - copper and gold grades increase from background levels rapidly into the intrusions. The upper chargeable anomaly is interpreted to result from a complex of several such porphyry stocks within volcanic rocks, not the drilled extent of the Williams stock alone. The deeper target domain spans 1 km wide and includes the peak chargeability values (212 mV/V) where there is potential for more broad, intrusive-hosted stockwork (Figure 4). From regional examples, highest relative copper grades are associated with bornite typically intercepted at deeper levels where higher temperature conditions exist. The geometry of chargeability supports this exploration concept with a marked chargeable high close to surface in volcanic rocks (pyrite>chalcopyrite), a muted mid-level response in mixed intrusions and volcanic rocks (chalcopyrite>pyrite), and a broadening root zone where bornite>chalcopyrite is conceptualized in an intrusive host (Figure 7). Given the grade at Williams and the significant scale of the anomaly, this target area has been elevated to a top priority for drilling in 2025. Figure 2: Hank-Williams Area Porphyry Targets Figure 3: Hank-Williams Area Alteration and IP Chargeability Figure 4: Williams Porphyry Cu-Au IP Chargeability Section Figure 5: Lower and Upper Hank Porphyry Cu-Au IP Chargeability Section Lower Hank Porphyry Cu-Au Target A new 3D IP inversion product from coupled historical and new lines revealed a 1.6 km long by 0.8 km wide and 850 m deep anomaly (>35 mV/V) - the Lower Hank Porphyry target. The geometry of the chargeability body aligns with mapped quartz-sericite-pyrite-chlorite (phyllic and propylitic alteration) on surface (Figure 3). The anomaly is focused at shallow levels and broadens at depth, similar to the Williams chargeability anomaly. At the apex of the anomaly, historical holes intercepted high-grade gold, such as hole HNK-17-001 with 95 g/t Au, 1100 g/t Ag over 0.58 m. Deeper drilled extents that correlate with the uppermost levels of the anomaly intersect porphyry-style broad gold, such as hole HNK-17-006 with 0.44 Au Eq. over 341.7 m (Figure 5). Initial drill holes above this anomaly have only intersected volcanic rocks, and have not yet discovered the key porphyry intrusion that host mineralization at Williams. An outcrop to the southeast of the drilled area contains stockwork and disseminated style mineralization more typical in porphyry type systems (rock here returned 0.37% Cu, 0.44 g/t Au). The top of the Williams porphyry deposit is less than 300 m vertically below epithermal gold systems at Pit and the "Boiling Zone" and at the same elevation as Au-Ag-Pb-Zn veins along the Lower Hank Trend. The presence of close vertical emplacement levels for epithermal and porphyry systems indicates a process of telescoping. This has two important exploration implications for the area: 1) new potential for porphyry targets at relative shallow levels below surface, and 2) the presence and overlap of high-grade structural gold within porphyry target domains. Although historically a high-grade gold target, the new chargeability anomaly at the Lower Hank Porphyry target represents high potential for porphyry discovery due to: 1) the presence of overlap of epithermal gold veins (telescoping) onto porphyry systems at same elevations, 2) the target is on trend and at the same elevation as the Williams deposit, 3) a transition from structurally-controlled gold at shallow levels into broad, disseminated gold at depth typical of porphyry systems, and 4) potential for rapid grade change into mineralizing porphyry intrusions not yet discovered at this anomaly. The furthest south IP line (Figure 6) was oriented NW as a 1 km step-out from the previously completed Hank IP survey. This line crosses the southern alteration extension of the Lower Hank Porphyry Cu-Au target and stretches SE to the Rojo Grande lithocap. The results obtained from this line indicate that highly anomalous chargeability exists south of the porphyry Cu-Au targets identified by the Company. Chargeability values up to 37 mV/V coalesce at depth to form a broad (>2 km) zone beneath Jurassic basin cover. The basin cover is of exploration interest as it defines the Triassic-Jurassic unconformity ("red line") where relatively unaltered rocks drape and conceal prospective units. The basin contains clasts of petrified wood indicating it formed in a subaerial setting at the paleosurface. The basin also contains oxidized gossan clasts of the Rojo Grande lithocap, indicating that it formed shortly after the mineralizing event. Historical drilling south-southwest of the surveyed line has returned anomalous gold grades that bottom in mineralization including 123 m of 0.34 g/t Au, 110 m of 0.36 g/t Au, and 74 m of 0.43 g/t Au. Chargeability values directly under the Rojo Grande lithocap show a strong sub-vertical pattern, that may reflect a fluid flow pathway and provide a targeting vector. Given that this line was completed as a 1 km step out, more IP surveys will be required to determine if this area represents a distal response of the upper and lower Hank porphyry Cu-Au targets or a unique standalone porphyry target. Figure 6: Hank South IP Chargeability Section Upper Hank Porphyry Cu-Au Target Similar to the Lower Hank Porphyry Cu-Au Target (Figure 2, 3, 5), a new 3D IP inversion product from coupled historical and new lines revealed a 1.5 km long by 0.8 km wide and 850 m deep (>35 mV/V) anomaly - the Upper Hank Porphyry target. The chargeability body lies below a mapped lithocap, indicative of porphyry tops, and below the Pit deposit where historical drilling outlined bed parallel epithermal gold horizon returning 20 m of 11.63 g/t Au and 13.8 g/t Ag and 63 m of 1.86 g/t Au. The Upper Hank chargeability anomaly expanded from a >550 m strike length to a 1.5 km strike length, comparable to the Williams deposit chargeability anomaly. The original chargeability anomaly was identified in 2016, prior to the discovery of the nearby Williams porphyry. The initial survey visualized the anomaly accurately with NW survey lines (Figure 3), yet the anomaly remained open-ended to the north. The presence of broad gold mineralization such as 0.17 g/t Au over 128 m (hole H93-4) within lithocap-type alteration upslope of the Pit deposit is strong evidence for the presence of a large-scale porphyry target. The Company interprets the Pit deposit and the lithocap as two high-level gold targets from surface with a projection toward a Williams-like target. The new survey line was deemed critical to capture the full strike extent of this important anomaly for drill targeting. Three target domains exist at the Upper Hank: 1) the projection of at-surface, bed parallel epithermal gold mineralization at the Pit deposit (intermediate sulfidation); 2) disseminated gold-rich or gold-only target from surface in the area of the lithocap above the anomaly (high sulfidation); and 3) intrusive-hosted porphyry Cu-Au in upper-level stocks from ~350 m drill depths below at-surface gold targets. The Upper Hank Porphyry target provides a unique opportunity to drill both high-grade gold targets and porphyry Cu-Au targets with a single hole. The Williams IP line spans 5.8 km from uphill and west of the Williams deposit across the Upper Hank Trend and southeast across the adjacent valley where new alteration was mapped in 2024 and anomalous chargeability was identified (Figure 4). This area is interpreted to represent a new potential porphyry-epithermal trend subparallel to the Hank-Williams Trend. At the eastern end of the Williams line, no historical IP surveys or drilling had been completed. New mapping of this grassroots area in 2023-2024 outlined areas of strong argillic and quartz-sericite-pyrite-carbonate alteration that coincide with the new anomaly (Figure 4). This area also coincides with highly anomalous stream sediment values along trend up to 313 ppm Cu and 1015 ppb Au. Given the close proximity to epithermal gold and porphyry Cu-Au deposits, this region will be a high priority area in 2025 for additional IP surveys, geological mapping, and sampling. Hank-Williams Summary The broader Hank-Williams area represents a decades old gold exploration camp that broke the mold with the discovery of the Williams Cu-Au porphyry deposit in 2017. This discovery places the gold systems in a new context - high-grade gold emplaced at comparable levels as the earlier porphyry stocks. This new perspective, coupled with the refinement of three porphyry-scale chargeability bodies allows for a new targeting opportunity in a region of highly productive world-class porphyry systems. The new interpretation opens the potential to drill porphyry targets from surface at Williams and at relatively shallow depths at the Lower Hank Porphyry target, and to drill epithermal gold from surface into the porphyry targets at depths of ~300 m at the Upper Hank Porphyry target. Given the high-level nature of porphyry Cu-Au mineralization intersected to date, Williams and the two Hank porphyry targets appear to represent the tops of porphyry systems that have potential for significant increases in both grade and size at depth. Compared with regional deposits of note (Figure 7), the evidence is compelling to explore the full vertical potential of these targets. Detailed drill core photo review shows that the Williams deposit has many similarities with regional and global examples of gold-rich porphyry Cu-Au deposits such as Red Chris, Cadia, and North Parkes (Figure 8). The Company notes that mineralization at the other projects noted in the following figures is not indicative of mineralization hosted on the HWY 37 Project. Figure 7: Williams Cu-Au Porphyry Comparison to Regionally Significant Deposits Figure 8: Williams Cu-Au Porphyry Drill Core Photos Compared to Well Known Au-Rich Porphyry Cu-Au Deposits ME Porphyry Cu-Au Target The ME porphyry Cu-Au target (Figure 9) is situated at the south end of the Mary trend and was the focus of a first-ever IP line. The area is host to NE-striking porphyry stocks that trend towards the prominent Goat gossan. Mineralization in the area is related to porphyry quartz stockwork with chalcopyrite-pyrite-molybdenite and increasing concentrations of galena, associated with a flanking porphyry position, to the north and northeast away from the IP chargeability anomalies defined in 2024. The ME Target is host to an open-ended soil geochemical anomaly (Cu-Au-Ag-Mo-Pb) that stretches over 3.5 km with grades up to 2900 ppm Cu, 3210 ppb Au, 36,500 ppb Ag, and 750 ppm Mo. The 2024 IP reconnaissance line (Figure 10) was run on a prominent bench on the upper edge of the broad soil anomaly. The decision was made to run the single line across this location due to ease of completing the survey in a short time frame within the context of a limited IP budget. Future IP surveys should be competed to extend the current line to the NE as well as running orthogonal lines that will require line cutting. Rocks at the surface on the surveyed bench are predominantly pyritic hornfels but 10s of meters downslope of this topographic bench mineralized porphyry intrusions are identified that project to the section line. The IP survey returned anomalous chargeability values (>24 mV/V) along the full length of the 2 km line with two distinct chargeability bodies with values up to 49 mV/V. The Company believes that these anomalies represent the projection of intrusive-hosted mineralization beneath hornfels cover. Two historical drill holes were completed downslope of the 2024 IP anomalies in 1980. Incomplete assays are available for these holes with reports of grades up to 0.16% Cu. These drill holes were completed prior to the 2019 geochemical soil survey that outlined the broad anomaly. Mapping in 2024 indicates that these drill holes were misoriented, were located laterally far away from the interpreted core, and are too far downslope of the mapped stockwork on surface. Consistent with this, historical drill logs identified widespread sodic alteration, common in deeper flanking positions to Cu-Au porphyry systems. These holes were located over 500 m from the chargeability targets identified in 2024. Figure 9: ME Cu-Au Porphyry Target Figure 10: ME Cu-Au Porphyry Target IP Chargeability Section Mary Porphyry Cu-Au New Targets The drill footprint of the Mary area spans 3 km focused along a north-northeast trend defined by the Cliff target, Mary deposit and the DM porphyry (Figure 11). Drilling at Mary began in the 1970s from surface mineralization and the first modern 2D induced-polarization survey was completed in 2012 with NWW-trending orientation (Figure 11, 12). Most holes at Mary test relatively shallow depths (300-400 m), but the first deep hole was planned following the first IP survey to drill toward the highest chargeability value that had been defined to date. This hole, BC12-47, intercepted 455 m of 0.11% Cu and 0.28 g/t Au until it cut a late, relatively unaltered monzonite dyke and terminated in volcanic rocks with 39 m of 0.4 g/t Au Eq* (Figure 12). The 2024 survey aimed to improve resolution along the NNE axis of mineralization and extend IP coverage to the Cliff porphyry. The previous 2D sections resulted in poor coverage and low confidence in geometry of a significant chargeability anomaly identified at Mary. The results of the new survey indicate a largely untested subvertical chargeability anomaly below Mary that swells from ~350 m width near surface to 750 m width at depth (>25 mV/V). The vertical orientation of hole BC12-47 into a structurally controlled system failed to test the porphyry at depth and failed to cross peak chargeability values. The late intrusion intercepted in the hole is interpreted to have a steep geometry (narrow width) and is not considered to be the cause of the chargeability anomaly. This hole failed to reach the core of the chargeability anomaly, located to the south, did not intercept source intrusions below Mary and failed to explain the source of the deep chargeability anomaly. The chargeability anomaly below Mary is interpreted as a significant untested porphyry target. At the Williams deposit, grade is closely tied to both chargeability and to the distribution of structurally focused porphyry intrusions. The presence of significant grade in volcanic rocks at depth is interpreted to indicate proximity to the porphyry intrusion body below Mary. Hole BC07-10 provides evidence for such a target, where 102 m of 0.53 g/t Au and 0.22% Cu in a porphyry host are intersected in peak chargeability values at depth (Figure 12). Along trend ~850 m from Mary, significant lateral and vertical expansion potential at the DM porphyry is also indicated. The DM porphyry is characterized by higher Cu:Au ratios compared to Mary, such as 0.21% Cu and 0.28 g/t Au over 223 m from surface. The chargeability anomaly appears to plunge from the DM porphyry at surface toward Mary, to the SW. Based on the chargeability anomaly, the DM porphyry is interpreted to have significant vertical extent beyond the ~230 m drilled extent. Off the IP section line, the presence of stockwork with 0.42% Cu and 0.97 g/t Au also indicates lateral, or width, potential (Figure 12). Figure 11: Mary Cu-Au Porphyry Targets Figure 12: Mary Cu-Au Porphyry IP Chargeability Section Cliff Porphyry Cu-Au Target The Cliff porphyry lies on the flanks of a new chargeability anomaly 700 m wide and 1 km deep ( > 25 mV/V) identified in the 2024 survey, similar in geometry and calibre to the anomaly centered on the Mary deposit (Figure 12). Alteration patterns, intrusive geometry and quartz stockwork abundance trends indicate a projection of the porphyry system into the slope, to the NE. Only three holes have tested the Cliff porphyry, returning up to 0.11% Cu, 66 ppm Mo over 116. The geometry of the chargeability anomaly indicates a large untested body to the NE, and the presence of high relative Mo, and low relative Au in these initial holes is consistent with the interpretation that the drilled domain is lateral to and flanking a porphyry target into the slope. Future Drill Program Planning Planning has begun for a 2025 drill program that will test the porphyry Cu-Au drill targets generated over the last year. Drill permits are in place across all areas where drill-ready targets exist as well as on the LGM Project to the south. The Company recognizes that the HWY 37 and LGM projects lie within the traditional territory of the Tahltan First Nation and an Exploration Agreement is in place. The Company will strive to work with Tahltan affiliated contractors. A proposed drill program will be dependent on accessing additional financing and the scale of such a program is yet to be determined. ZTEM Update The proposed ZTEM survey was scheduled to begin in late June to early July of this year. Equipment issues, weather delays, and scheduling issues from the contractor pushed the survey start date to mid September. The program was initiated but no flying was completed within the first 10 days of the survey so the Company made the decision to cancel the survey to avoid further potential standby days. The Golden Triangle region saw an early start to winter and the region saw near constant precipitation since that time and therefore the Company believes the decision to cancel the program at that time was the correct move. Going forward, the Company will endeavour to complete a similar airborne electromagnetic survey at the beginning of the 2025 field season. Qualified Person Dustin Perry, P.Geo., Kingfisher's CEO, is the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has prepared the technical information presented in this release. About Kingfisher Metals Corp. Kingfisher Metals Corp. (https://kingfishermetals.com/) is a Canadian based exploration company focused on underexplored district-scale projects in British Columbia, including the Golden Triangle region. Kingfisher has two 100% owned district-scale projects and an option to earn 100% of the HWY 37 Project, that offer potential exposure to gold, copper, silver, and zinc. The Company currently has 43,201,553 shares outstanding. For further information, please contact: Dustin Perry, P.Geo. CEO and Director Phone: +1 236 358 0054 E-Mail: info@kingfishermetals.com Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property. This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. SOURCE: Kingfisher Metals Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com CHN Energy has connected the 3 GW Mengxi Lanhai solar facility to the grid after 14 months of construction. The project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, required a total investment of approximately CNY 12 billion ($1. 6 billion). China's CHN Energy has energized the 3 GW Mengxi Lanhai Solar Plant, the largest single-site solar power project in China and the second largest in the world. The project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, is a key part of China's "West-to-East Power Transmission" initiative and is expected to generate 5. 7 TWh per year, powering about 2 million households. CHN Energy connected the ... 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. LGMD 2C/R5 is a rare muscle dystrophy affecting children, with no approved treatment Orphan Drug Designation awarded from US FDA to ATA-200 Atamyo Therapeutics a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of new generation gene therapies targeting muscular dystrophies and cardiomyopathies, today announced that the U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for ATA-200 to proceed in a Phase 1b/2b clinical trial. ATA-200 is a one-time gene therapy for the treatment of ?-sarcoglycan related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy Type 2C/R5 (LGMD2C/R5), a serious and debilitating condition that affects children and leads to loss of ambulation before adulthood. The multicenter Phase1b open-label dose escalation study (NCT05973630 will evaluate safety, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and immunogenicity in children receiving intravenous ATA-200, a single-dose Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vector carrying the human ?-sarcoglycan transgene. The deployment in the US of Atamyo's clinical trial of ATA-200 is funded by The Dion Foundation for Children with Rare Diseases. This study has already received regulatory clearance in France and Italy. "This IND clearance in an important step to bring ATA-200 to US children suffering from this highly debilitating LGMD-2C/R5 disease," said Sophie Olivier, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Atamyo. "We are proud to be the first treatment for LGMD-2C/R5 to enter into clinical development in the US and we are committed to opening the first US center before year-end," added Stephane Degove, Atamyo's Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Atamyo announced the US FDA has awarded Orphan Drug Designation for ATA-200. Orphan Drug Designations by the FDA grants seven years of market exclusivity in the US. This Orphan Drug Designation for ATA-200 was granted a few weeks after ATA-200 received Rare Pediatric Disease Designation by the FDA. LGMD-2C/R5 is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the gene that produces ?-sarcoglycan, a transmembrane protein that is involved in the connection between muscle fibers and their environment. It affects an estimated 2,000 people in Europe and in the US. In the classical form, symptoms appear in early childhood and patients suffer from progressive muscular weakness leading to loss of ambulation before adulthood. Cardiac involvement, typically presenting as dilated cardiomyopathy, is reported in approximately half of patients and will eventually impact life expectancy. There is no curative treatment. The management of LGMD-2C/R5 is solely supportive. ATA-200, the gene therapy for LGMD-2C/R5, delivers a normal copy of the gene for production of ?-sarcoglycan. In preclinical mice models, ATA-200 demonstrated its tolerability and capability to correct symptoms and biomarkers of the pathology. Atamyo plans to initiate enrolling patients for this clinical trial in the 4th quarter of 2024. The therapy is based on the research of Atamyo Chief Scientific Officer Isabelle Richard, Ph.D., Research Director at CNRS who heads the Progressive Muscular Dystrophies Laboratory at Genethon. About Atamyo Therapeutics Atamyo Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharma focused on the development of a new generation of effective and safe gene therapies for neuromuscular diseases. A spin-off of gene therapy pioneer Genethon, Atamyo leverages unique expertise in AAV-based gene therapy and muscular dystrophies from the Progressive Muscular Dystrophies Laboratory at Genethon. Atamyo's most advanced programs address different forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD), with two clinical-stage programs targeting respectively LGMD-R9 and LGMD-R5. The name of the company is derived from two words: Celtic Atao which means "Always" or "Forever" and Myo which is the Greek root for muscle. Atamyo conveys the spirit of its commitment to improve the life of patients affected by neuromuscular diseases with life-long efficient treatments. For more information visit www.atamyo.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112690214/en/ Contacts: U.S. Contact: Charles Craig, Opus Biotech Communications charles.s.craig@gmail.com, 404-245-0591 European contact: contact@atamyo.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Scorpio Gold Corporation (TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9) ("Scorpio Gold", "Scorpio", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the upcoming 121 Mining Investment Dubai conference taking place on November 19-20, 2024 and will also be embarking on a European roadshow starting in Zurich, Switzerland on November 12, 2024 and Paris, France on November 14, 2024. Scorpio looks forward to working with Amvest Capital in Zurich and Atlantic One Financial in Paris for their expertise in providing valuable connections with European investors. CEO, Zayn Kalyan, and Vice President of Exploration, Harrison Pokrandt, will be discussing the current Manhattan drill campaign located in the Walker Lane Trend in Nevada, including a summary of Scorpio's Phase 1 drill results (with Phase 2 results out soon), and a review of the near-term catalysts, namely the upcoming NI-43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate at Manhattan targeted for Q1 2025. We welcome the opportunity for investors to email ir@scorpiogold.com to request a meeting with management and review our updated corporate presentation here. About 121 Mining Investment Dubai 121 Mining Investment Dubai connects portfolio managers and analysts from institutional funds, private equity groups and family offices with mining and energy company management teams for 1-2-1, private in-person meetings. The event is built around two-days of 1-2-1 meetings matching projects to investment capital, alongside a conference programme packed with market intelligence and investment ideas. Dubai's vast capital wealth is being redirected to the metals of the future, looking across the battery and critical metals as well as the precious metals that maintain economic stability and help to preserve cultural traditions. Dubai, and the rest of the Super Region, hosts mature investors who are ready to deploy investment into the industries of the future. About Amvest Capital Amvest Capital is a New York-based specialist investment management and corporate finance firm dedicated to the Natural Resources Sector. Established in 2017, the firm is a 100% employee-owned, minority-controlled, diverse holding company. Amvest Capital founders Gabriel Alonso-Mendoza and Stuart Macliver have dedicated their careers to a concentration on the Metals & Mining Industry. About Atlantic One Financial We believe there is a better way to access European capital markets. Our bilingual team includes former in-house financial communications and IR firm professionals with extensive networks, an innate understanding of what makes a compelling investment pitch and have over a decade of experience advising large wealth management players in Toronto, New York and Paris (Franklin Templeton, WisdomTree Investments, IA Financial, Canaccord Genuity, Richardson Wealth, Timbercreek Capital, and Dundee).In Europe, we have built relationships with major investment funds and many of the large European banks and Family Office CEOs. About Scorpio Gold Corp. Scorpio Gold holds a 100% interest in two past producing mines, the Manhattan Mine and the Mineral Ridge Mine, both located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA. Scorpio Gold's Manhattan District comprises the advanced exploration-stage Goldwedge Project, with a 400 ton per day gravity mill. Adjacent to Goldwedge is the ~4,780-hectare Manhattan Project, centered on two past-producing pits, acquired from Kinross in 2021. The consolidated Manhattan District presents an exciting late-stage exploration opportunity, with over 100,000+ meters of historical drilling, with significant resource potential, alongside valuable permitting. Scorpio Gold also holds a 100% interest in the Mineral Ridge gold project located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Scorpio Gold produced over 222,440 oz of gold at Mineral Ridge between 2010 and 2020. With a proven and probable resource, valuable permits, water rights, infrastructure, and the recently acquired adjacent North Star exploration target, Mineral Ridge has significant near-term development potential. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SCORPIO GOLD CORPORATION Zayn Kalyan, Chief Executive Officer and Director Tel: (604)-252-2672 Email: zayn@scorpiogold.com Connect with Scorpio Gold: Email | Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | YouTube To register for investor updates please visit: scorpiogold.com (TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9) Forward-Looking Statements The Company relies on litigation protection for forward-looking statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding: the Company's ability to continue creating shareholder value and build on the success of historical work at the Manhattan Mine; the Company's commitment to organic growth across its portfolio of assets, with a core focus on exploration at Manhattan and development and rerate opportunities at Mineral Ridge; the Company's ability to deliver accretive and meaningful shareholder value in coming months; the Company's plan to strength its management team; the Company's plans for exploration at the North Star target; the Company's focus for 2024 and the 2024 Program, including the scope and timing thereof; the Company's plan to update the resource estimate on the Manhattan Mine; potential updates to the 2018 feasibility study on the Mineral Ridge project; the effect of the amalgamation with Altus Gold; the potential to increase the resource at Mineral Ridge and leverage its established infrastructure and permitting; the Company's upcoming participation at marketing conferences; and the engagement of Matrix and the expected services to be derived from such engagement. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management's assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements, including those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR+. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229359 SOURCE: Scorpio Gold Corp At Web Summit, Visa Celebrates Creators; Expands Collaboration with Pharrell Williams At the opening session of Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, Visa unveiled significant commitments to digital creators. Acknowledging the impact of creators on the digital economy, Visa officially recognized creators as small businesses. Today, creators can easily and securely pay and be paid with Visa's financial tools, resources and products made available to small businesses worldwide. Visa is also helping creators get paid fast. More than two-thirds of creators struggle with slow payouts that hinder their growth1, according to a Visa survey of creators. Visa Direct is addressing this through partnerships with social media networks and marketplaces to help creators get payouts in real-time2 to their eligible debit card. "It's incredibly rewarding to see the world finally recognizing creators as the driving force behind the digital economy," said Jonathan Kolozsvary, Global Head of Small Business at Visa. "We are proud to help creators grow their businesses whether it's helping creators access funding with a small working capital solution, or helping creators get paid in real-time to their debit card." Visa Teams Up with Pharrell Visa also announced an expanded partnership with Pharrell Williams GRAMMY Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated musician and filmmaker, as well as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. A brand advocate and star of Visa's 2024 brand film, "Prodigies," Visa is proud to partner with Pharrell on two of his philanthropic ventures, Black Ambition and YELLOW. Pharrell founded YELLOW, a non-profit that evens the odds for youth through education in 2019. As part of the expanded partnership, Visa will provide financial and digital inclusion tools and resources to YELLOW's students, with an aim to improve financial literacy. Pharrell announced the partnership alongside Visa CMO Frank Cooper, III at Web Summit, where they also discussed how businesses and individuals can harness the power of the creator economy. "Visa has long recognized that creators play a critical role in shaping culture, which has a significant impact on commerce," said Cooper. "Pharrell embodies the creator spirit, and we're excited to expand our partnership." "As a creator, artist and philanthropist, I'm passionate about helping others pursue their dreams," said Pharrell Williams. "This collaboration enables us to propel students and Black and Hispanic-owned small businesses forward, instilling a spirit of relentless improvement and inspiring them to strive for excellence daily." These commitments stand alongside ongoing support of the creator community. It joins programs including 'GetP@id', Visa's social series where influencers support and teach mentees how to turn their passions into money, and Visa's inaugural Creator Summit. The two-day event will be hosted in Tokyo later this month, in conjunction with industry leaders like Amplify and emerging influencers. Partnering with Visa experts, aspiring and growing influencers will learn how to take the next step in their small business digital journey, including the best way to pay and be paid. Visa helps make it easy to access the digital economy. With its full suite of payment services designed to help creators and all small businesses pay and get paid from Visa Business credit and debit cards, business reporting, payment controls and digital payment management platforms to financial education and business skills training, including Practical Business Skills globally Visa is innovating to support the growing small business community. Creators can learn more about how Visa can help grow their business here. About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. 1Marketplaces Survey (March 2020). Commissioned by Visa and conducted by Raconteur among 750 marketplace sellers, 224 of which were digital creators. 2 Actual fund availability depends on receiving financial institution and region View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112254574/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Conor Febos, Visa Press@Visa.com Vertical Aerospace Ltd. ("Vertical" or the "Company") (NYSE: EVTL; EVTLW), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering zero emission aviation, today announces "Flightpath 2030," its strategy for market leadership before the end of the decade. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112552493/en/ Vertical Aerospace launches 'Flightpath 2030', its strategy for market leadership before the end of the decade. (Photo: Business Wire) As Vertical advances its piloted flight test programme, which has entered into Phase 2, "Flightpath 2030" sets a clear route for the company's journey from prototype to production. This strategic plan builds on the progress made by the business to date and is underpinned by learnings from its piloted flight test programme, using a full-sized prototype, positive engagement with its home regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and robust planning by Vertical's Leadership Team. Stuart Simpson, CEO at Vertical Aerospace, said: "This is a transformational moment for Vertical as we advance from prototype to production. Since I became CEO, I've been clear that I want Vertical to lead not just compete in the eVTOL sector. The strategy and goals we are unveiling today provide a new level of detail on how exactly we intend to get there the best team, delivering the safest and most versatile aircraft, with the most compelling business model in the industry." Market leadership through embedding a pioneering culture, redefining aerospace best practice, intelligent partnering and being safety obsessed. From the company's inception, Vertical set out to focus on engineering and product excellence, building an aircraft which meets the highest safety standards and needs of its customers operating the VX4. Vertical's customers include some of the world's largest airlines, helicopter operators and aircraft lessors. Vertical's mission is to pioneer electric aviation, by integrating four strategic intents pioneering culture, redefining aerospace best practice, intelligent partnering and safety obsessed into every stage of development and operations. This is reflected in the strategic goals it has set out to deliver. Flightpath 2030: by the end of the decade, Vertical is targeting: Delivering at least 150 aircraft to our customers, achieving significant milestones in high-quality, large-scale production. Vertical is currently collaborating with leading aerospace firms including GKN Aerospace, Hanwha, Honeywell, Leonardo, Molicel and Syensqo, combining this with innovation as needed, such as with its own proprietary powertrain and propeller technology. Achieving an annual production rate exceeding 200 VX4 units in Q4 2030, with plans to scale up to greater than 700 units per year in the medium-term, to deliver against a leading pre-order book. To achieve this goal, Ross Crawford, who has extensive experience in early-stage manufacturing ramp ups, including at Jaguar Land Rover, has been appointed to lead Vertical's manufacturing capabilities. Positioning Vertical to become sustainably cash generative, achieving cash break-even in 2030, given the capital efficiency of its focused OEM business model.Gross profit margin is currently expected to build to >40% in the following years. Certifying the VX4 in 2028, followed by certifying its first major upgrade in 2030. This update versus previous expectations follows Vertical's positive engagement with the CAA as well as its progress, insights, and growing confidence from the second piloted flight test plan, which began in 2024 and recently advanced to Phase 2: untethered, piloted thrustborne flight-a critical milestone on the path to certification. The aircraft is performing beyond expectations. The VX4's high performance powertrain allows for future capacity increases, giving customers flexibility. While the current prototype seats four passengers, its cabin width and robust powertrain enable the potential to accommodate six passengers and extend its range with minimal adjustments to the design or certification requirements. Maintaining a zero accident rate, certifying to the highest level of safety 10-9, the same as for commercial airliners whilst upholding our commitment to rigorous safety standards across the business. David King, Chief Engineer at Vertical Aerospace, said: "The eVTOL sector isn't just another iteration of existing tech; we're defining an entirely new category of aircraft. Innovating in this space demands a radical shift in how we develop aerospace solutions. In the UK, with its unmatched aviation heritage, world-class talent, and a thriving ecosystem, we're driving that change. Today's plan sets out exactly how we will make this new dawn of travel a reality." Outlook Vertical has an industry-leading capital efficient business model as a focused OEM and has achieved significant key milestones towards certification including: The CAA expanding the scope of Vertical's Design Organisation Approval in July, a requirement for the Type Certification of the VX4 and its entry into service. Successfully progressing its full-scale piloted flight test programme most recently initiating Phase 2 untethered thrustborne. Developing proprietary certifiable battery technology in-house with the sixth-generation packs in use in its current prototype. As of September 30, 2024, the Group had 42.8 million/$57.4 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand, based on unaudited management accounts. Vertical currently expects the capital required for the business to deliver its operational goals over the next 12 months to be broadly consistent with spend over the last 12 months of 78.4 million/$98.0 million. This spend will increase over time as Vertical approaches certification and then production. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential third party investment. Vertical is optimistic that these discussions will result in a transaction that will provide funding further into 2025 and facilitate future fundraising opportunities. In parallel Vertical continues to explore all alternative options available with respect to its funding needs. In 2025, Vertical plans to: Fly full-scale piloted transition. Build and fly its third full-scale VX4 prototype. Fly full-scale piloted flights demonstrating real-world use cases. Earn additional DOA privileges including Flight Conditions privilege granted by the CAA. Initiate production with long-range parts purchasing. Strengthen its operating model and shift its approach to focus on execution. Details of webcast The strategy presentation can be viewed on Vertical's Investor Relations website. A webcast will take place today at 0830 ET (13:30 GMT), hosted by the company's leadership. To access the webcast, visit Vertical's Investor Relations website: https://investor.vertical-aerospace.com/events-and-presentations/events/. If unable to attend the webcast, to listen by phone, please dial +1 646 307-1963 or +1 0800 715 9871; Conference ID 8922591. About Vertical Aerospace Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner and quieter way to travel. Vertical's VX4 is a piloted, four passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical combines partnering with leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell and Leonardo, with developing its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world's most advanced and safest eVTOL. Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of the VX4, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL and Bristow. Headquartered in Bristol, the epicentre of the UK's aerospace industry, Vertical was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder of the OVO Group, Europe's largest independent energy retailer. Vertical's experienced leadership team comes from top tier automotive and aerospace companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM and Leonardo. Together they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbour provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the design and manufacture of the VX4, the features and capabilities of the VX4, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including the building and testing of our prototype aircrafts on timelines projected, including completion of the piloted test programme phases, selection of suppliers, certification and the commercialization of the VX4 and our ability to achieve regulatory certification of our aircraft product with any of our intended regulators on any particular timeline or at all, our ability and plans to raise additional capital to fund our operations, the differential strategy compared to our peer group, expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments, our future results of operations and financial position and expected financial performance and operational performance, liquidity, growth and profitability strategies, our plans to mitigate the risk that we are unable to continue as a going concern, our plans for capital expenditures, as well as statements that include the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," "are likely to" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation: our limited operating history without manufactured non-prototype aircraft or completed eVTOL aircraft customer order; our history of losses and the expectation to incur significant expenses and continuing losses for the foreseeable future; the market for eVTOL aircraft being in a relatively early stage; our potential inability to produce, certify or launch aircraft in the volumes or timelines projected; the potential inability to obtain the necessary certifications for production and operation within any projected timeline, or at all; any accidents or incidents involving eVTOL aircraft could harm our business; our dependence on partners and suppliers for the components in our aircraft and for operational needs; the potential that certain strategic partnerships may not materialize into long-term partnership arrangements; all of the preorders received are conditional and may be terminated at any time and any pre-delivery payments may be fully refundable upon certain specified dates; any circumstances; the inability for our aircraft to perform at the level we expect and may have potential defects; any potential failure to effectively manage our growth; our inability to recruit and retain senior management and other highly skilled personnel, our ability to raise additional funds when we need or want them, or at all, to fund our operations; our limited cash and cash equivalents and recurring losses from our operations raise significant doubt (or raise substantial doubt as contemplated by PCAOB standards) regarding our ability to continue as a going concern; and the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 14, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112552493/en/ Contacts: Justin Bates, Head of Communications justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463 First in the U.S., Visa Flexible Credential will roll out with the Affirm Card, a debit card that allows eligible consumers to easily buy now and pay later right from the Affirm app UAE-based Liv, the first digital bank in MENA to debut Visa Flexible Credential, allows frequent travelers access to multiple currency accounts from one card, making cross-border payments simpler than ever New flexible payments experiences debuted at Web Summit in Lisbon For years, the card didn't change. Built for an analog world, one card for one type, debit or credit. The Visa Flexible Credential has fundamentally changed that, allowing people to pay from different account funding sources with a single card. Today, Visa (V: NYSE) announced that the Flexible Credential is expanding to the U.S. and will be rolling out with Affirm, and in the United Arab Emirateswith Liv, giving millions more people greater choice and control over how they pay. "The Visa Flexible Credential all started with a simple idea that consumers should easily be able to choose how they want to pay," said Jack Forestell, Chief Product and Strategy Officer, Visa. "Working with innovative partners like Affirm, Liv and SMCC helps us turn that idea into a reality. Together we're enabling more ways to pay and adapting to the unique needs of consumers wherever they are in the world, or in their financial journey." Giving people control over their financial future Affirm is the first company to leverage Visa's next-generation credential for its U.S. consumers with the Affirm Card. "We're excited about the partnership we've formed with Visa," said Max Levchin, CEO of Affirm. "Since our founding, our mission has remained the same build honest financial products that improve lives. Part of building better financial products also means giving consumers more control and flexibility, which has always been a key feature of the new Affirm Card. We look forward to bringing millions more people a product that seamlessly brings debit and credit together, without late or hidden fees." The Affirm Card offers consumers a product with the flexibility to pay now or pay over time. Affirm Card users can pay in full anywhere Visa is accepted or request to pay over time for their purchase in the Affirm app. The Affirm Card is currently used by over 1.4 million consumers in the U.S. and the company looks forward to getting it into the hands of more people. Making cross-border payments simple Liv, the UAE's first and largest digital bank launched by Emirates NBD, is introducing a new way to flex, letting people access multiple currency accounts from a single card. Recent Visa data shows that cross-border outbound volumes from the UAE are one of the fastest growing among Visa's largest cross-border countries. 1 The Flexible Credential will make regular spending in different currencies more transparent for consumers and will enable banks to accelerate the launch of a multi-currency proposition to their customers. The Visa Flexible Credential works by automatically routing the transaction to the account with the appropriate transaction currency, whether someone is paying online or in-store. Using a mobile app, cardholders can easily move money between local and foreign currency accounts, making sure they have the funds to make a purchase. The offering will be available to new and existing Liv customers and support five of the most popular currencies used, including: U.S. Dollar, British Pound, Euro, Canadian Dollar and Australian Dollar. "At Liv we stay true to our promise of providing the most innovative products to our customers," said Pedro Sousa Cardoso, Chief Digital Officer, Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Emirates NBD."As the UAE's first digital bank, we are pleased to collaborate with Visa to offer our customers a simple, flexible card solution that better serves their evolving financial needs." Helping small businesses uncomplicate their finances Since debuting the Olive card in Japan with Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company, Limited (SMCC) just over a year ago, there are over 3 million Olive account cardholders taking advantage of the Visa Flexible Credential. Since launch, 70% of Olive account holders are flexing between different account funding sources like debit, credit and prepaid, and credit is predominantly used for their purchases.2 Visa and SMCC have also introduced a new flexible feature designed specifically to help small businesses access credit and unlock cash flow. Now, small businesses can switch between business and personal accounts easily from the same Olive card. Visa will continue to test the small business feature in Japan with SMCC and roll it out to other markets around the world. The Flexible Credential gives consumers more choice and control over their finances. It also allows financial institutions whether a bank or fintech to establish deeper relationships and provide better solutions based on the individual needs of their customers. Visa continues to work with its partners to bring the next generation of payments to more consumers around the world. About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. The Affirm Card is a Visa debit card issued by Evolve Bank Trust, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. You must request and be approved to get the Card. Getting the Card does not guarantee the ability to pay over time. You must apply for pay-over-time plans for each purchase in the mobile app. Pay-over-time plans are subject to eligibility checks and are provided by affirm.com/lenders. For licenses and disclosures, see affirm.com/licenses. 1 Visa data for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024 2 VisaNet transaction data Mar 2023 Sep 2024 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112887047/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Conor Febos, Visa Press@Visa.com HONG KONG, Nov 12, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Influenced by the easing cycle of overseas central banks and the continuous release of positive policy signals from the Mainland, investor sentiment in the Hong Kong stock market had markedly improved. The IPO market has also recovered significantly. Recently, large-scale IPOs and "A + H" shares in Hong Kong have emerged one after another and won the favor of investors. On November 8, Hong Kong stocks welcomed another high-quality new stock, AuGroup (2519.HK), which officially landed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming the "first share of furniture going overseas" in Hong Kong stocks.According to public information, AuGroup is the world's leading cross-border e-commerce segment leader, specializing in quality furniture and home furnishings. In terms of GMV in 2023, the Company ranked first in the B2C overseas e-commerce market for furniture and home furnishings by China-based sellers; and ranked fifth in the global B2C e-commerce market for furniture and home furnishings. In this IPO, the Hong Kong public offering of AuGroup was oversubscribed by 17.7 times, with a final offering price of HK$ 15.600.Deeply Rooted in Furniture and Home Furnishing Cross-border E-commerce Track, with Multi-category and Multi-brand Development Promoting Sustained GrowthAuGroup's strategy is to focus on the furniture and home furnishings market, one of the fastest growing B2C e-commerce market segments with low return rate. Relying on its strong supply chain capability and comprehensive logistics layout, AuGroup is able to rapidly develop diversified, high-quality products with competitive prices to continuously meet the ever-changing market demand. As a result, it has rapidly established a strong market influence in the furniture and home furnishings market.At present, AuGroup has owned many exclusive brands such as ALLEWIE, IRONCK, LIKIMIO, SHA CERLIN, HOSTACK and FOTOSOK, which are popular in the global market. In 2023, 11 of the Company's brands each had over RMB100 million in GMV. According to Frost & Sullivan, the Company ranked first in six categories in terms of GMV on the Amazon U.S. site in 2023. The Company had a market share of over 10% in ten categories on the Amazon U.S. site in terms of GMV in 2023.It is worth mentioning that, benefiting from diverse offerings, brand equity and strategic market positioning, AuGroup has been able to maintain long-term competitiveness in the unpredictable market, and its risk-resistant capability has been continuously strengthened. In the case of the Amazon Incident, for example, after the loss of results in 2021, AuGroup recovered rapidly from the market impact, with revenue increasing by 22.3% and net profit increasing by 133.1% year-on-year in 2023. In the first four months of 2024, the Company continued its strong rebound trend, with revenue increasing by 16.9% and net profit increasing by 96.2% year-on-year.Building Global Warehousing and Logistics Capabilities and Opening up the Second Growth CurveIn the field of cross-border e-commerce, logistics is one of the core competitiveness, which is related to cost, efficiency and commodity safety. With years of accumulated industry expertise, AuGroup has established a global multi-tiered warehousing and logistics network that is tailored to medium-to-large goods through Shenzhen Westernpost, and developed proprietary logistics solution management systems to manage and optimize all key stages of the logistics chain, effectively tackling the pain points of high costs and long delivery times associated with logistics solutions for medium-to-large goods.Through self-built logistics, combined with third-party logistics solutions and e-commerce platform logistics services, AuGroup is able to effectively reduce the cost of logistics by using flexible delivery options according to diverse shipping needs. In 2021, the ratio of cost of sales to revenue of the Company was 79.1%, and in 2023, the ratio dropped to 65.5%.In addition to providing logistics services to its own e-commerce business, AuGroup also provides logistics solutions globally under the pre-sale stocking model to customers, including domestic consolidation in China, first-mile international freight services, overseas transit, overseas warehousing and order dispatch, to further broaden revenue sources and enhance profitability. From 2021 to 2023, the Company's revenue from logistics solutions increased from RMB490 million to RMB1,653 million, representing a CAGR of 83.7%, and its revenue share increased from 5.4% to 19.0%. In the first four months of 2024, the revenue from logistics solutions reached RMB583 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 66.8%, and the revenue share further increased to 20.6%, which has formed the second growth curve of the Company.Thanks to the gradual optimization of cost structure and diversified revenue sources, the profitability of AuGroup continues to rise. From 2021 to 2023, the Company's gross profit margin increased from 20.9% to 34.5%, representing an increase of 13.6 percentage points.In terms of industry development, the rapid development of digital economy, the change of consumers' consumption habits and the rise in the demand for cost-effective furniture and home furnishings will drive the global furniture and home furnishings market to continue to grow rapidly in sales through online channels. As a leading enterprise in the industry, with its own supply chain advantages and global warehousing and logistics capabilities, AuGroup is expected to seize the development opportunities of the industry and promote the continuous growth of its furniture and home furnishing business and logistics solutions. Its performance after listing is worth looking forward to.Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Rep. Mike Waltz as the next White House National Security Adviser, media reports quoting sources say.A colonel in the U.S. Army, who fought the War in Afghanistan, 50- year-old Waltz is a long-time supporter of Trump.A decorated Green Beret who wrote the book 'Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret's Battles from Washington to Afghanistan', Waltz also served in the Middle East and Africa.First elected in 2018 as representative for Florida's 6th congressional district, the Republican candidate was re-elected to the House from Florida in the election last week.He is currently a member of Congressional committees on the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence.Waltz' proposed nomination to a key advisory role in the upcoming Trump administration's national security and foreign policy matters comes in the wake of Trump suggesting that Washington's policy towards the Middle East conflict, China, Ukraine, Russia and Iran will be reassessed.Waltz recently said the United States' military assistance to Ukraine needs to be reviewed.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. TOKYO, Nov 12, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) is participating in the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22, 2024 with a keynote speech in the UGIH Pavilion, the host organization of the conference, and a seminar organized by Japan's Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in the Japan Pavilion.In the keynote session, Motoo Nishihara, Corporate EVP, CTO and Head of the GIBU, NEC Corporation, will introduce progress in the adaptive finance business as well as use cases in collaboration with domestic and international companies, under the theme of "Promotion of adaptive finance through digital technology and co-creation activities." Nishihara will also participate in a seminar hosted by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) at the COP29 Japan Pavilion, where he will give a presentation for government officials from participating countries, international organizations, and companies. He will also participate in a panel discussion among public and private sector officials on how to improve ICT network environments (power saving) and ICT utilization (visualization of global warming countermeasures, etc.).In addition, at a seminar hosted by the Ministry of the Environment in the Japan Pavilion, Miki Sato, General Manager of NEC's GX Business Development Management Division, will present a model case of an adaptation business promoting the introduction of early warning systems for natural disasters.UGIH Pavilion (keynote/panel discussion)Session Title: Advancing Climate Adaptation with Digital Technology:Fostering "Pilots of Excellence" in Climate Resilience through PartnershipsDate: Friday, November 15, 2024, 21:30-22:30 (Japan time - local time 16:30-17:30)Speaker: Motoo Nishihara, Corporate EVP, CTO and Head of the GIBU, NEC CorporationSeminar Overview:There is an urgent need to address adaptation projects in preparation for natural disasters and to realize a sustainable society. In order to promote investment in adaptation projects by financial institutions, there is a need for evaluation of the economic value to be gained from the implementation of adaptation measures, and for public-private partnerships. In this seminar, we will discuss the progress of adaptation finance projects in collaboration with financial institutions since COP28, use cases in Japan and internationally based on knowledge gained from co-creation and demonstration with private companies in Japan, and the advancement of adaptation measures using advanced digital technologies, including NEC's satellite-based solutions (earth observation data), AI data and AI (image recognition and LLM).View the following URL for detail: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HCyMcGj4XYJapan Pavilion, Seminar hosted by Ministry of the EnvironmentSeminar Title: Further Promotion of EWS and New Collaborations in the Asia-Pacific RegionDate: Saturday, November 16, 2024, 15:00-16:15 (Japan time - local time: 10:00-11:15)Speakers: Soichi Noguchi (video appearance),Director and CTO, Adaptive Finance Consortium,International Institute for Social and Economic Research, Inc.Miki SatoNEC Cross Industry Business UnitGeneral Manager, GX Business Development DivisionNEC CorporationSeminar Summary:The Ministry of the Environment of Japan is working on the introduction of Early Warning Systems (EWS) for natural disasters to Asia-Pacific countries.The EWS Council, which is comprised of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and other Japanese private sector companies, has been working to address climate change issues in the Asia-Pacific region. In this seminar, we will introduce the progress and achievements of the EWS Council and propose new adaptation measures developed through collaboration among Japanese private companies in the fields of weather information services, insurance, and finance, which are different from each other in terms of business type, in order to create new synergies. Discussions will also be held with practicing (potential) countries to promote the introduction of EWS.View the following URL for detail: Enhancing Early Warning Systems (EWS) Deployment & Further Collaboration in Asia-Pacific | COP29 JAPAN PAVILION - Ministry of the EnvironmentJapan Pavilion: Seminar hosted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and CommunicationsSeminar Title: ICT x Green SeminarDate: Saturday, November 16, 2024, 16:45-18:00 (Japan time - local time: 11:45-13:00)Speaker: Motoo Nishihara, Corporate EVP, CTO and Head of the GIBU, NEC CorporationSeminar Summary:While digitization is rapidly advancing in the world today, and there is a shift toward socioeconomic activities that rely on the use of the Internet, many people, especially in developing countries, are unable to enjoy the benefits of digitization due to a lack of telecommunications infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Under the theme of "ICT x Green," the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) is promoting the development of future ICT network environments that contribute to countering global warming and reducing the burden on the global environment (power saving).Presentations by government officials from participating countries, international organizations, and business representatives, as well as panel discussions among public and private sector participants, will be held to discuss how to promote the use of ICT (e.g., visualization of global warming countermeasures) and the use of ICT (e.g., the visualization of global warming countermeasures).For more details, please visit the COP29 Japan Pavilion website. See also ICT X Green Seminar | COP29 JAPAN PAVILION - Ministry of the EnvironmentNEC will also exhibit in the Japan Pavilion as part of the Adaptive Finance Consortium launched with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of "Orchestrating a brighter world." NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.Source: NEC CorporationCopyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Financing led by OrbiMed with co-leads Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital Strengthened by substantial contributions from Frazier Life Sciences, Longitude Capital, RA Capital, and Catalio Capital, among others Proceeds will support development of first-in-class CLDN1 targeted medicines including Phase 1/2 studies of ALE.P02 and ALE.P03 Alentis Therapeutics ("Alentis"), the clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for Claudin-1 positive (CLDN1+) tumors and organ fibrosis, announced today that it has raised $181.4 million in Series D financing, supported by a syndicate of top-tier biotech investors. The financing will support Alentis to develop a deep pipeline of CLDN1 targeted medicines for solid tumors. The funding round was led by OrbiMed with co-leads Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital. New investors Frazier Life Sciences, Longitude Capital, Catalio Capital, Piper Heartland Healthcare Capital and Avego Bioscience Capital participated in the round. Significant backing was also received from existing investor RA Capital Management, along with support from Morningside Venture Investments, BB Pureos, Bpifrance through its InnoBio 2 fund, as well as other early institutional investors, all of whom have been instrumental to Alentis' development path. "This financing is a testament to the transformational potential of CLDN1 antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of solid tumors," said Roberto Iacone, Chief Executive Officer of Alentis. "Let me take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to our new investors." Dr. Iacone added, "We're excited to execute our development strategy and deliver clinical data for our programs over the next 12-18 months." The proceeds of the financing will be used to conduct Phase 1/2 clinical trials of two first-in-class ADCs targeting CLDN1, ALE.P02 and ALE.P03, further development of the pipeline, and general corporate purposes. The FDA recently cleared an IND application for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of ALE.P02 (with a tubulin inhibitor) in advanced or metastatic CLDN1+ squamous solid tumors. The clinical trial is expected to commence Q1 2025. For ALE.P03 (with a topoisomerase I inhibitor, a first-in-human trial in patients with CLDN1+ tumors is planned to start in 2025. Luca Santarelli, Chairman of Alentis said, "I am excited about the future of Alentis, especially after this very significant financing, and would like to welcome the new Board Members that will join after the closing of the transaction. OrbiMed Partner, Dina Chaya said, "With this financing, Alentis is now well positioned to advance its CLDN1 antibody-drug conjugates, which have the potential to be first and best-in-class therapies for the treatment of cancer. "ADCs have shown their potential to be highly effective cancer treatments," saidNaveed Siddiqi, Senior Partner at Novo Holdings, Venture Investments. "Alentis has an exciting pipeline of first-in-class ADCs and we are proud to have co-led this round. We are looking forward to seeing the data generated from the first clinical trials of ALE.P02 and ALE.P03." Dr. Rafaele Tordjman, Founder and CEO of Jeito Capital said, "We are excited to co-lead this major new financing round for Alentis that further validates the strength of its pipeline. We look forward to continuing to bring our expertise to support their development. New Board of Directors Appointments As part of the financing, three new Board Members will join the Alentis Board of Directors, further strengthening the business, science and drug development expertise at the Board level. Dina Chaya , Partner at OrbiMed, has over 20 years of experience in healthcare investments, specializing in biopharma and medical technology. , Partner at OrbiMed, has over 20 years of experience in healthcare investments, specializing in biopharma and medical technology. Anna Chen , Principal at Frazier Life Sciences, where she has been involved with investing in and building many of Frazier Life Sciences' biopharmaceutical portfolio companies over the past 7 years. , Principal at Frazier Life Sciences, where she has been involved with investing in and building many of Frazier Life Sciences' biopharmaceutical portfolio companies over the past 7 years. Brian Liu, Managing Director at Longitude Capital, brings more than 10 years of biopharma consulting and investing experience, focusing on transformative healthcare innovation. About ALE.P02 and ALE.P03 ALE.P02 and ALE.P03 are first-in-class ADCs designed by linking a potent cancer drug (a tubulin and topoisomerase I inhibitor, respectively) to our antibody that specifically targets a unique CLDN1 epitope exposed on cancer cells. This combination creates a powerful new tool to fight cancer with less toxicity than traditional cancer drugs. The IND application for ALE.P02 to commence a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in advanced or metastatic CLDN1+ squamous solid tumors was recently cleared by the FDA. About Alentis Therapeutics Alentis Therapeutics, the CLDN1 company, is a clinical-stage biotech developing breakthrough treatments for CLDN1+ tumors. CLDN1 is a previously unexploited target that plays a key role in the pathology of cancer and fibrotic disease. Alentis is the leading company pioneering anti-CLDN1 ADCs and antibodies to modify and reverse the course of select diseases. Alentis was founded based on ground-breaking research in the laboratory of Prof. Thomas Baumert, MD at the University of Strasbourg and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). Alentis is headquartered at the pharma-biotech hub in Basel, Switzerland with an R&D subsidiary in Strasbourg, France and clinical operations in the US. Visit www.alentis.ch About OrbiMed OrbiMed is a healthcare investment firm, with approximately $17 billion in assets under management. OrbiMed invests globally across the healthcare industry, from start-ups to large multinational corporations, through a range of private equity funds, public equity funds, and royalty/credit funds. OrbiMed seeks to be a capital provider of choice, providing tailored financing solutions and extensive global team resources to help build world-class healthcare companies. OrbiMed's team of over 130 professionals is based in New York City, San Francisco, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Herzliya, and other key global markets. More info: www.orbimed.com About Novo Holdings A/S Novo Holdings is a holding and investment company that is responsible for managing the assets and the wealth of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The purpose of Novo Holdings is to improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet by generating attractive long-term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk A/S and Novonesis A/S (Novozymes A/S) and manages an investment portfolio with a long-term return perspective. In addition to managing a broad portfolio of equities, bonds, real estate, infrastructure and private equity assets, Novo Holdings is a world-leading life sciences investor. Through its Seed, Venture, Growth, Asia, Planetary Health and Principal Investments teams, Novo Holdings invests in life science companies at all stages of development. As of year-end 2023, Novo Holdings had total assets of EUR 149 billion. www.novoholdings.dk About Jeito Capital Jeito Capital is a global leading Private Equity fund with a patient benefit driven approach that finances and accelerates the development and growth of ground-breaking medical innovation. Jeito empowers and supports managers through its expert, integrated, multi-talented team and through the investment of significant capital to ensure the growth of companies, building market leaders in their respective therapeutic areas with accelerated patients' access globally, especially in Europe and the United States. Jeito Capital has 534 million under management and a rapidly growing portfolio of investments. Jeito Capital is based in Paris with a presence in Europe and the United States. For more information, please visit www.jeito.life or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112618033/en/ Contacts: Investor Contact: Alentis Therapeutics Rizwan Velji info@alentis.ch Alentis Therapeutics Sariette Witte sariette.witte@alentis.ch +41 78 245 7310 Media Contact: O Public Relations GmbH O'Patrick Wilson o@os-pr.com +41 78 888 4332 Year-to-date cash generated from operating activities increased by $97 million to $212 million, enabling continued net debt1 reduction and a return of $61.7 million in capital to shareholders1 Announces Completion of Group CEO Transition and Appoints Greg Berard, CEO to the Company's Board of Directors TORONTO and GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or "the Company") (TSX: CTS) (FSE: 0ZB) (OTCQX: CTSDF) is pleased to provide its financial results for the three and nine months period ended September 30, 2024. All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. Third Quarter 2024 Highlights (year-over-year, unless otherwise noted): Gross sales 1 of $945.0 million, a decrease of $91.8 million or 8.9%; of $945.0 million, a decrease of $91.8 million or 8.9%; Gross sales organic growth 1 of (8.4%) and gross profit organic growth 1 of (7.3%); of (8.4%) and gross profit organic growth of (7.3%); Revenue of $630.7 million, a decrease of $79.4 million or 11.2%; Gross profit decreased 9.1% to $158.3 million, representing a gross margin of 25.1%; Adjusted EBITDA 1 decreased 22.2% to $32.1 million; decreased 22.2% to $32.1 million; Cash from operating activities was $48.9 million, a decrease of $47.1 million, compared to $95.9 million for the comparative period in the prior year; Returned $10.0 million of capital to shareholders 1 as compared to $3.1 million return of capital to shareholders in Q3 FY23; and as compared to $3.1 million return of capital to shareholders in Q3 FY23; and Reduced net debt1 by $30 million from $157.9 million at Q2 2024; maintaining a leverage ratio1 below 1.0x. Year-To-Date 2024 Highlights (year-over-year, unless otherwise noted): Gross sales 1 of $3.0 billion, an increase of $55.4 million or 1.9%; of $3.0 billion, an increase of $55.4 million or 1.9%; Gross sales organic growth 1 of 2.0% and gross profit organic growth 1 of (1.0%); of 2.0% and gross profit organic growth of (1.0%); Revenue of $1.9 billion, a decrease of $142.8 million; Gross profit decreased 1.6% to $512.8 million, representing a gross margin of 26.8%; Adjusted EBITDA 1 decreased 3.5% to $119.4 million; decreased 3.5% to $119.4 million; Net loss of $171.8 million, an increase in loss of $160.6 million, driven by the non-cash impairment charge on the Germany segment of $176.1 million; Returned $61.7 million of capital to shareholders 1 as compared to $19.4 million return of capital to shareholders for the comparative period in prior year; as compared to $19.4 million return of capital to shareholders for the comparative period in prior year; Cash from operating activities was $212.4 million, an increase of $97.3 million, compared to $115.1 million for the comparative period in the prior year; and Reduced net debt1 by $81.9 million to $127.8 million, from $209.8 million at Q4 2023. "While adverse macroeconomic conditions led to delays in hardware spending that impacted our third quarter results, we have already closed about 25% of the deals contributing to our gross profit shortfall and expect to close the remainder in Q4 and 2025. Meanwhile, we continued to see double-digit growth in our strategic investment areas-AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, driving growth in software and managed services revenue in the third quarter of 2024," said Greg Berard, CEO. "Our robust cash flow generation is a testament to our financial strength, and we are committed to executing a strategic and disciplined capital allocation approach to drive long-term value creation. This will be achieved through targeted, high-impact growth investments, while simultaneously returning a significant amount of capital to shareholders." Financial Summary In $000s except per share amounts 3-month Q3 2024 3-month Q3 2023 9-month Q3 2024 9-month Q3 2023 Gross Sales1 945,006 1,036,760 3,014,662 2,959,258 Revenue 630,690 710,106 1,911,303 2,054,117 Gross profit (GP) 158,257 174,090 512,813 521,351 Gross profit (GP) % 25.1 % 24.5 % 26.8 % 25.4 % Adjusted EBITDA1 32,114 41,258 119,430 123,789 Adjusted EBITDA as a % of GP1 20.3 % 23.7 % 23.3 % 23.7 % Net loss (3,309) (3,316) (171,812) (11,174) Adjusted net income1 23,237 20,622 84,703 70,187 Adjusted EPS1 0.12 0.10 0.42 0.34 Subsequent to Quarter-End On November 11, 2024, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.015 per common share to be paid on December 28, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 10, 2024. Financial Outlook Converge is providing financial guidance for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 as follows: (expressed in millions of Canadian dollars) Q4 2023 Actual Q4 2024 Expected FY 2023 Actual FY 2024 Expected Revenue $651.1 $600 - $646 $2,705.2 $2,511 - $2,558 Gross profit $181.5 $165 - $178 $702.9 $678 - $691 Adjusted EBITDA $46.5 $36 - $47 $170.3 $155 - $166 Note: Q4 2023 Actual and FY 2023 Actual include results of Portage CyberTech Inc. ("Portage") which has been deconsolidated on June 27, 2024. Completion of Group CEO Transition Converge is announcing today that the previously disclosed Group CEO transition plan has progressed ahead of schedule. As a result, the Board of Directors (the "Board") has accepted Shaun Maine's decision to step down as Group CEO and member of the Board, effective immediately. Greg Berard, currently CEO of Converge, has been appointed as a member to the Company's Board of Directors. "On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Shaun for his visionary leadership and the profound impact he's had since co-founding the Company in 2017," said Thomas Volk, Chair of the Board. "We are pleased to welcome Greg Berard as the newest member of the Board. Greg's leadership as operational CEO has been a tremendous asset to the Company, and we look forward to the fresh perspectives and wealth of experience that he will bring to the Board." Conference Call Details: Date: Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 Time: 8:00 AM Eastern Standard Time Participant Webcast Link: Webcast Link - https://app.webinar.net/kPR1pwqzK50 Participant Dial-in Details with Operator Assistance: Conference ID: 71060 Toronto: 1-416-945-7677 North American Toll Free: 1-888-699-1199 International Toll-Free Numbers: Germany: 498005889782 Ireland: 35315251826 Spain: 34917918582 Switzerland: 41432107274 United Kingdom: 448002797040 You may register and enter your phone number to receive an instant automated call back via https://emportal.ink/3BJcbwy. Recording Playback: Webcast Link - https://app.webinar.net/kPR1pwqzK50 Toronto: 1-289-819-1450 North American Toll Free: 1-888-660-6345 Replay Code: 71060 # Expiry Date: November 19th, 2024 Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be required to access the webcast. A live audio webcast accompanied by presentation slides and archive of the conference call and webcast will be available by visiting the Company's website at https://convergetp.com/investor-relations/ . About Converge Converge Technology Solutions Corp. is a services-led, software-enabled, IT & Cloud Solutions provider focused on delivering industry-leading solutions. Converge's global approach delivers advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), application modernization, cloud platforms, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and digital workplace offerings to clients across various industries. The Company supports these solutions with advisory, implementation, and managed services expertise across all major IT vendors in the marketplace. This multi-faceted approach enables Converge to address the unique business and technology requirements for all clients in the public and private sectors. For more information, visit convergetp.com. Summary of Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) September 30, 2024 $ December 31, 2023 $ Assets Current Cash 180,464 170,419 Trade and other receivables 775,026 803,652 Inventories 71,753 73,166 Prepaid expenses and other assets 34,111 26,528 1,061,354 1,073,765 Non-current Investment in associates 27,909 - Unbilled receivables and other assets 202,290 64,158 Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net 66,621 75,488 Intangible assets, net 272,646 375,181 Goodwill 385,022 564,770 Total assets 2,015,842 2,153,362 Liabilities Current Trade and other payables 976,301 853,655 Other financial liabilities 43,799 54,095 Deferred revenue 61,872 59,325 Borrowings 25,754 1,664 Income taxes payable - 9,286 1,107,726 978,025 Non-current Accrued liabilities and other payables 180,704 60,339 Other financial liabilities 41,955 57,668 Borrowings 282,589 378,007 Deferred tax liabilities 43,396 67,168 Total liabilities 1,656,370 1,541,207 Shareholders' equity Common shares 557,292 599,434 Contributed surplus 15,347 10,970 Accumulated other comprehensive income 13,009 3,963 Deficit (226,176) (28,167) Total equity attributable to shareholders of Converge 359,472 586,200 Non-controlling interest ("NCI") - 25,955 359,472 612,155 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 2,015,842 2,153,362 Summary of Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenue Product 500,881 559,646 1,503,439 1,607,932 Service 129,809 150,460 407,864 446,185 Total revenue 630,690 710,106 1,911,303 2,054,117 Cost of sales 472,433 536,016 1,398,490 1,532,766 Gross profit 158,257 174,090 512,813 521,351 Selling, general and administrative expenses 129,042 134,935 400,878 403,667 Income before the following 29,215 39,155 111,935 117,684 Depreciation and amortization 19,961 29,456 69,382 82,239 Finance expense, net 7,126 10,867 22,881 30,870 Acquisition, integration, restructuring and other 2,236 2,601 10,692 10,969 Change in fair value of contingent consideration 1,016 - 4,289 9,209 Share-based compensation 2,761 774 4,673 2,738 Other expense (income), net 865 (170) 1,120 (4,230) Loss on loss of control of Portage - - 117 - Loss from investment in associates 1,968 - 1,968 - Impairment loss - Germany segment - - 176,124 - Loss before income taxes (6,718) (4,373) (179,311) (14,111) Income tax recovery (3,409) (1,057) (7,499) (2,937) Net loss (3,309) (3,316) (171,812) (11,174) Net loss attributable to: Shareholders of Converge (3,309) (1,802) (168,539) (7,309) Non-controlling interest - (1,514) (3,273) (3,865) (3,309) (3,316) (171,812) (11,174) Other comprehensive income (loss) Item that may be reclassified subsequently to income (loss): Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (2,988) 2,891 9,046 (10,661) Comprehensive loss (6,297) (425) (162,766) (21,835) Comprehensive loss attributable to: Shareholders of Converge (6,297) 1,089 (159,493) (17,970) Non-controlling interest - (1,514) (3,273) (3,865) (6,297) (425) (162,766) (21,835) Adjusted EBITDA 32,114 41,258 119,430 123,789 Adjusted EBITDA as a % of Gross profit 20.3 % 23.7 % 23.3 % 23.7 % Summary of Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) For the three months ended September 30, For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities Net loss (3,309) (3,316) (171,812) (11,174) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities Depreciation and amortization 22,860 31,559 76,877 88,344 Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) 650 - 880 (2,818) Share-based compensation 2,761 774 4,673 2,738 Finance expense, net 7,126 10,867 22,881 30,870 (Loss) gain on sale of property and equipment 4 - 73 (598) Change in fair value of contingent consideration 1,016 - 4,289 9,209 Impairment loss - Germany segment - - 176,124 - Loss on loss of control of Portage - - 117 - Loss from investment in associates 1,968 - 1,968 - Income tax recovery (3,409) (1,057) (7,499) (2,937) 29,667 38,827 108,571 113,634 Changes in non-cash working capital items 22,289 63,102 131,642 18,858 51,956 101,929 240,213 132,492 Income taxes paid (3,097) (5,987) (27,805) (17,433) Cash from operating activities 48,859 95,942 212,408 115,059 Cash flows from (used in) investing activities Purchase of (proceeds from) property, equipment and intangible assets 2,213 (1,593) (1,648) (5,041) Payment of contingent consideration - (10,899) (19,328) (20,834) Payment of deferred consideration (508) (14,095) (12,375) (43,815) Payment of NCI liability - (973) - (30,967) Cash from (used in) investing activities 1,705 (27,560) (33,351) (100,657) Cash flows (used in) from financing activities Transfers from restricted cash - (519) - 2,068 Interest paid (5,801) (10,544) (18,130) (25,786) Dividends paid (2,922) (2,047) (7,925) (4,114) Payment of lease liabilities (4,677) (4,975) (14,793) (15,199) Repurchase of common shares (7,072) (1,064) (53,793) (15,294) Stock options exercised - - 875 - Repayment of notes payable - (39) (39) (119) Net repayment of borrowings (23,874) (21,977) (78,346) (10,593) Cash used in financing activities (44,346) (41,165) (172,151) (69,037) Net change in cash during the period 6,218 27,217 6,906 (54,635) Effect of foreign exchange on cash 159 (439) 4,213 (34) Cash derecongnized on loss of control of Portage - - (1,074) - Cash, beginning of the period 174,087 78,443 170,419 159,890 Cash, end of the period 180,464 105,221 180,464 105,221 Non-IFRS Financial Measures This press release refers to certain performance indicators including Adjusted EBITDA, gross sales, gross sales organic growth, net debt, return of capital, leverage ratio, adjusted net income ("Adjusted Net Income") and adjusted earnings per share ("Adjusted EPS") that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Management believes that these measures are useful to most shareholders, creditors, and other stakeholders in analyzing the Company's operating results and can highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. The Company also believes that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers. Management also uses non-IFRS measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, prepare annual operating budgets and assess the ability to meet capital expenditure and working capital requirements. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to the consolidated income (loss) or any other measure of performance under IFRS. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's financial statements and disclosures in their entirety, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on non-IFRS measures and view them in conjunction with the most comparable IFRS financial measures. Please see "Non-IFRS Financial & Supplementary Financial Measures" and "Summary of Consolidated Financial Results" in the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, for further details on certain non-IFRS measures, which information is incorporated by reference herein. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA represents net income or loss adjusted to exclude amortization, depreciation, net finance expense, foreign exchange gains and losses, other expenses and income, share-based compensation expense, income tax expense or recovery, change in fair value of contingent consideration, impairment loss, gain or loss on loss of control of subsidiary, income or loss from investment in associates and acquisition, integration, restructuring and other expenses. Acquisition and transaction related costs primarily consists of acquisition-related compensation tied to continued employment of pre-existing shareholders of the acquiree not included in the total purchase consideration and professional fees. Integration costs primarily consist of professional fees incurred related to integration of acquisitions completed. Restructuring costs mainly represent employee exit costs as a result of synergies created from acquisitions and organizational changes. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized, defined, or standardized measure under IFRS. The Company's definition of Adjusted EBITDA will likely differ from that used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for or in isolation from measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. The IFRS measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA presented in the Company's financial statements is net (loss) income before taxes. The Company has reconciled Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable IFRS financial measure as follows: For the three months ended September 30, For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net loss before taxes (6,718) (4,373) (179,311) (14,111) Depreciation and amortization 19,961 29,456 69,382 82,239 Depreciation included in cost of sales 2,899 2,103 7,495 6,105 Finance expense, net 7,126 10,867 22,881 30,870 Acquisition, integration, restructuring and other 2,236 2,601 10,692 10,969 Change in fair value of contingent consideration 1,016 - 4,289 9,209 Share-based compensation 2,761 774 4,673 2,738 Other expense (income), net 865 (170) 1,120 (4,230) Loss on loss of control on Portage - - 117 - Loss from investment in associates 1,968 - 1,968 - Impairment loss - Germany segment - - 176,124 - Adjusted EBITDA 32,114 41,258 119,430 123,789 Adjusted EBITDA as a % of Gross Profit The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA as a % of gross profit is a useful measure of the Company's operating efficiency and profitability. This is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by gross profit. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS Adjusted Net Income represents net income or loss adjusted to exclude acquisition, integration, restructuring and other expenses, change in fair value of contingent consideration, impairment loss, gain or loss on loss of control of subsidiary, income or loss from investment in associates, amortization of acquired intangible assets, unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss, and share-based compensation. The Company believes that Adjusted Net Income is a more useful measure than net income as it excludes the impact of one-time, non-cash and/or non-recurring items that are not reflective of Converge's underlying business performance. Adjusted EPS is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by the total weighted average shares outstanding on a basic and diluted basis. The IFRS measure most directly comparable to Adjusted Net Income presented in the Company's financial statements is net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share. The Company has provided a reconciliation to the most comparable IFRS financial measure as follows: For the three months For the nine months ended September 30, ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net loss (3,309) (3,316) (171,812) (11,174) Acquisition, integration, restructuring and other 2,236 2,601 10,692 10,969 Change in fair value of contingent consideration 1,016 - 4,289 9,209 Amortization on intangibles 17,915 21,056 57,772 62,793 Foreign exchange loss (gain) 650 (493) 880 (4,348) Share-based compensation 2,761 774 4,673 2,738 Loss on loss of control or Portage - - 117 - Loss from investment in associates 1,968 - 1,968 - Impairment loss- Germany segment - - 176,124 - Adjusted Net Income 23,237 20,622 84,703 70,187 Adjusted EPS - Basic 0.12 0.10 0.42 0.34 Return of capital The Company calculates return of capital to shareholders as the total of cash used in dividend payments and share repurchases. Net Debt The Company calculates net debt1 as current and non-current borrowings) less cash. Leverage Ratio The Company defines leverage ratio as net debt (current and non-current borrowings less cash) divided by trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA. Gross sales and gross sales organic growth Gross sales, which is a non-IFRS measure, reflects the gross amount billed to customers, adjusted for amounts deferred or accrued. The Company believes gross sales is a useful alternative financial metric to net revenue, the IFRS measure, as it better reflects volume fluctuations as compared to net revenue. Under the applicable IFRS 15 'principal vs agent' guidance, the principal records revenue on a gross basis and the agent records commission on a net basis. In transactions where Converge is acting as an agent between the customer and the vendor, net revenue is calculated by reducing gross sales by the cost of sale amount. The Company has provided a reconciliation of gross sales to revenue, which is the most comparable IFRS financial measure, as follows: For the three months For the nine months ended September 30, ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Product 668,057 721,871 2,086,201 2,027,198 Managed services and professional services 119,128 129,382 353,407 384,826 Maintenance, support and cloud solutions 157,821 185,507 575,054 547,234 Gross sales 945,006 1,036,760 3,014,662 2,959,258 Less: adjustment for sales transacted as agent 314,316 326,654 1,103,359 905,141 Revenue 630,690 710,106 1,911,303 2,054,117 Organic Growth The Company measures organic growth at the gross sales and gross profit levels, and includes the contributions under Converge ownership in the current and comparative period(s). In calculating organic growth, the Company therefore deducts gross sales and gross profit generated from all corresponding prior comparable pre-acquisition period(s) from the current reporting period(s) included in the consolidated results. Organic growth calculations for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2024, deduct gross sales and gross profits from Portage for the three months ended September 30, 2023 due to deconsolidation of Portage on June 27, 2024. Gross sales organic growth is calculated by deducting prior period gross sales, from current period gross sales for the same portfolio of companies. Gross sales organic growth percentage is calculated by dividing organic growth by prior period reported gross sales. For the three months For the nine months ended September 30, ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Gross sales 945,006 1,036,760 3,014,662 2,959,258 Less: gross sales from companies not owned in comparative period - 133,891 - 593,758 Gross sales of companies owned in comparative period 945,006 902,869 3,014,662 2,365,500 Less: prior period gross sales(i) 1,031,779 730,571 2,954,277 2,134,178 Organic Growth - $ (86,773) 172,298 60,385 231,322 Organic Growth - % (8.4 %) 23.6 % 2.0 % 10.8 % (i) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, Portage prior period gross sales of $4,981 is excluded Gross profit organic growth is calculated by deducting prior period gross profit, from current period gross profit for the same portfolio of companies. Gross profit organic growth percentage is calculated by dividing organic growth by prior period reported gross profit. For the three months For the nine months ended September 30, ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Gross profit 158,257 174,090 512,813 521,351 Less: gross profit from companies not owned in comparative period - 20,375 - 104,212 Gross profit of companies owned in comparative period 158,257 153,715 512,813 417,139 Less: Prior period gross profit(ii) 170,639 139,654 517,900 381,851 Organic Growth - $ (12,382) 14,061 (5,087) 35,288 Organic Growth - % (7.3 %) 10.1 % (1.0 %) 9.2 % (ii) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, Portage prior period gross profits of $3,451 is excluded ________________________________ 1 This is a Non-IFRS measure (including non-IFRS ratio) and not a recognized, defined or a standardized measure under IFRS. See the "Non- IFRS Financial Measures" section of this press release for definition, uses and a reconciliation of historical non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation regarding Converge and its business. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected" "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts". "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Specifically, statements regarding Converge's forecast on revenue, gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA, expectations of future results, performance, prospects, the markets in which it operates or about any future intention with regard to its business and acquisition strategies are considered forward-looking information. The foregoing demonstrates Converge's objectives, which are not forecasts or estimates of its financial position, but are based on the implementation of its strategic goals, growth prospects, and growth initiatives. The forward-looking information, including management's assessments of, and outlook for, gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA, are based on management's opinions, estimates and assumptions, including, but not limited to: (i) Converge's results of operations will continue as expected, (ii) the Company will continue to effectively execute against its key strategic growth priorities, (iii) the Company will continue to retain and grow its existing customer base and market share, (iv) the Company will be able to take advantage of future prospects and opportunities, and realize on synergies, including with respect of acquisitions, (v) there will be no changes in legislative or regulatory matters that negatively impact the Company's business, (vi) current tax laws will remain in effect and will not be materially changed, (vii) economic conditions will remain relatively stable throughout the period, (vii) the industries Converge operates in will continue to grow consistent with past experience, and (ix) those assumptions described under the heading "About Forward-Looking Information" in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. While these opinions, estimates and assumptions are considered by the Company to be appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances as of the date of this press release, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The forward looking information, including the achievement of target revenue, gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA set out above, are subject to significant risks including, without limitation: that the Company will be unable to effectively execute against its key strategic growth priorities, including in respect of acquisitions; the Company will be unable to continue to retain and grow its existing customer base and market share; risks related to the Company's business and financial position; that the Company may not be able to accurately predict its rate of growth and profitability; risks related to economic and political uncertainty; income tax related risks; and those risk factors discussed in greater detail under the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent annual information form and under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis, which are each available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Many of these risks are beyond the Company's control. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the opinions, estimates or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results or future events might vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information. Although the Company bases these forward-looking statements on assumptions that it believes are reasonable when made, the Company cautions investors that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that its actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and the development of the industry in which it operates may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and the development of the industry in which it operates are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results of developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the company's expectations as of the date specified herein, and are subject to change after such date. However, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of those statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless specifically expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data. All of the forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. For further information contact: Converge Technology Solutions Corp., Email: investors@convergetp.com, Phone: 416-360-1495 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/converge-reports-third-quarter-2024-results-302302399.html EQS-News: North Peak Resources Ltd. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous North Peak Intersects 85.7 g/t Au over 3.0m (10ft) within 12.0 g/t Au over 22.9m (75ft) on a New Western Trend to Wabash 12.11.2024 / 13:31 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - North Peak Resources Ltd. (TSXV: NPR) (the "Company" or "North Peak") announces assay results from holes PM24-036 to PM24-039 of the recently completed Phase 2, 15-hole surface drilling program from the Prospect Mountain North area within its Prospect Mountain Property (the "Property") in Eureka, Nevada. Highlights PM24-039 intersected 22.9m (75ft) @ 12.0 g/t Au (with 6.1m voids @ 0 g/t Au), including 3.0m (10ft) @ 85.7 g/t Au; this hole targeted historical mining approximately 35m (115ft) northwest of previous drilling. PM24-039 ended in mineralization on a new western trend. "Grade was king when the various Wabash area gold mines operated and the intersections at PM24-039 along with PM24-022 demonstrate these bonanza grades that the area is known for, are still there," said Brian Hinchcliffe, Company CEO. "Importantly, this intersection was on a new western trend, demonstrating the potential of this area for continued expansion." This second phase of the drilling program at Prospect Mountain North was designed to follow up on earlier successful drilling, that had returned such intersections as hole PM24-022 at 27.4m (90ft) @ 7.0 g/t Au (with a 1.5m void @ 0 g/t Au) from surface, including 6.1m (20ft) @ 23.1 g/t Au which includes 1.5m (5ft) @ 56.4 g/t Au & 161.0 g/t Ag, and PM24-004 which intersected from surface 126.5m (415ft) @ 1.06 g/t Au which included 12.19m (40ft) @ 4.20 g/t Au (see the Company's August 14, 2024 press release). Previous drilling includes 27 RC drill holes by North Peak and 94 RC drill holes carried out in 1998/1999 by European American Resources (EPAR). Four of these phase 2 holes targeted the workings in the historic Wabash mine area northwest of any previous drilling (see Figures 1 and 2 below), with spectacular results in PM24-039 near mineralized veins in the Wabash tunnel. Another hole PM24-036 intersected 7.6m (25ft) @ 0.8 g/t Au, which sits 26m (85ft) west of the PM24-039 intersection indicating the trend continues to the southwest. This is reinforced by a set of rock chips at surface to the southwest averaging over 3 g/t Au (see Figure 1). PM24-038 was not drilled deep enough to test the down dip extensions of PM24-039 and did not intersect significant mineralization. Likewise, PM24-037, drilled above PM24-036, did not intersect significant mineralization indicating potential is to depth and along strike. The mining that took place in the area that these 4 holes targeted appears to have a similar northeast-southwest trend as the Wabash and Williams trends. There are several other mines and historical workings along this new trend including the lower Metamoras mine and the Kit Carson shaft, along the Silver Connor fault to the southwest (see Figure 3). This latter mine reportedly produced at a grade of 15.7 oz/t Au equivalent (Source: Lambert Molinelli (1879) Eureka and its Resources). Anomalous surface rock chip samples also occur along this trend. Another parallel trend could exist further to the northwest (see Colorado trend in Figure 1). Figure 1: Plan showing drill holes, surface samples, EPAR locations, and interpreted trends To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9875/229586_da29d00514ddf838_002full.jpg Figure 2: Section View To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9875/229586_da29d00514ddf838_003full.jpg Figure 3: Wider plan showing historic mines and faults outside of Prospect Mountain North Drill area To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9875/229586_da29d00514ddf838_004full.jpg Table 1: Assay Results Hole ID From To Intercept From To Intercept Au (g/t) Grams x Metres (Au) (m) (m) (m) (ft) (ft) (ft) PM24-039 *102.1 125 22.9 335 410 75.0 12.0 274.8 **102.1 125 16.8 335 410 55.0 16.3 105.2 108.2 3.0 345 355 10.0 85.7 257.1 PM24-36 99.1 106.7 7.6 325 350 25.0 0.81 Notes: Holes PM24-037 and PM24-038 did not return significant assays (might not have drilled deep enough to intersect zone); * includes "0" grade for voids; ** leaves out voids; Composite intersections are calculated using a 0.2 g/t cutoff for gold with 10m internal dilution for the lower grade intervals. Higher grade intervals included within the lower grade intervals use a 1 g/t Au cutoff with 5m internal dilution; included are intervals >double 0.2 cut-off intersection. True widths are unknown due to uncertainty around orientations of mineralized zones. Only visually altered samples were sent for assay; assaying was only for gold Table 2: Drill Hole Coordinates Hole ID Azimuth Dip Northing Easting Total Depth (m) Total Depth (ft) NAD83 m, Nevada East grid. EPSG: 32107 PM24-036 355 -60 164656 8524496 118.9 390 PM24-037 334 -52 164656 8524496 106.7 350 PM24-038 345 -60 164660 8524502 118.9 390 PM24-039 348 -52 164660 8524502 125.0 410 Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports Mr. Mike Sutton, P.Geo., a director of the Company, is the Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, who reviewed and approved scientific and technical disclosure in this press release. The Qualified Person has not reviewed the mineral tenure, nor independently verified the legal status and ownership of the Property or any underlying property agreements. Drilling and Sampling: Drilling was carried out using a Canadian built tracked MPD1500 RC drilling unit, the rig has jacks and a blade and is capable of working on small pads on steep ground to minimise ground prep. It is capable of drilling to 455m (1500ft) using 4-inch pipe and a 5 1/4 inch bit. Holes were cased down to 25-80ft with 8-inch steel casing drifted in using a tricone bit. RC drilling uses a hammer, that is not face sampling but samples 4ft away from the hammer. A face sampling hammer was also trialed to compare efficiency. Under Nevada law dry sampling is not allowed due to dust restrictions so RC drilling is done wet, with water actively pumped down the hole mixing with pulverised sample and coming through the cyclone to an 8-compartment rotary fan wet splitter. Each compartment can be shut off giving control of the amount of split material. Rotary splitter was setup with 1:4 split, with the quarter split going into two calico bags housed in buckets, for an assay sample and a field duplicate for permanent reference. The remainder of the sample falls to the ground and runs into the sump. Each assay sample is for a 1.52m (5ft) interval. The splitter and cyclone are flushed every 4 samples or on noticing a change in colour. Chips were collected from the splitter reject and put into chip trays for reference. Calico bags are pre-labelled with hole number and footage, with an FD for field duplicate added to the sample number for the field duplicate. The drilling team are responsible for changing the bags and the clearly labelled footage intervals on the bags avoids sample mix-ups. Filled sample bags are laid on the ground in order so a visual check can be easily performed when collecting samples. Samples are loaded into a plastic crate and dispatched daily to the ALS Global prep-lab in Elko Nevada. A standard, a blank and a field duplicate were inserted after every 20 samples, for a QA/QC rate of 15%. Six standards from CDN Resource Laboratories were rotated through the samples. The standards had gold values ranging from 0.433 to 7.34 ppm. Samples are dried crushed and pulverised and assayed for gold with a 30g fire assay and a 44 element ICP MS suite. Overlimit samples for gold, silver, lead, zinc and copper are automatically re-assayed by suitable methods. About Prospect Mountain The Property lies in the Battle Mountain Eureka trend, in an area known as the Southern Eureka Gold Belt, where three styles of mineralization have been identified, gold, silver Carlin style mineralization, Carbonate Replacement gold, silver, lead, zinc mineralization (CRD) and carbonate hosted Porphyry Related Skarn lead, zinc and gold mineralization associated with cretaceous intrusions. At the Property, the CRD mineralization is heavily oxidized to depths of at least 610m (2,000ft) below the top of the ridge line. A Plan of Operations is in place which covers part of the Property (totalling 81 acres) and entitles an operator to pursue surface exploration, underground mining of up to 365,000 tons per annum and certain infrastructural works. It includes a permit to extract water from a well and to build water containment facilities. A more complete description of Prospect Mountain's geology and mineralization, including at the Wabash area, can be found in the NI 43-101 Technical Report (the "Technical Report") on the Prospect Mountain Property, Eureka County, Nevada, USA dated and with an effective date April 10, 2023, prepared by David Pym (Msc), CGeol. of LTI Advisory Ltd. and Dr Toby Strauss, CGeol, EurGeol., of Merlyn Consulting Ltd., which has been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the profile of the Company and on the Company's website. About North Peak The Company is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NPR". The Company is focused on acquiring historical sites, with low cost producing gold and other metals properties, with near term production potential and 8+ year mine life in the northern hemisphere. The Company has acquired an initial 80% interest in the Prospect Mountain Mine complex in Eureka, Nevada (see the Company's May 4 and 23, 2023 and August 25, 2023 press releases). The Company can give no assurances at this time that its properties and interests will fulfil the Company's business development goals described herein. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. For further information, please contact: Brian Hinchcliffe, CEO Phone: +1-647-424-2305 Email: info@northpeakresources.com Website: www.northpeakresources.com Chelsea Hayes, Director Phone: +1-647-424-2305 Email: info@northpeakresources.com CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, timing and completion of any drilling and work programs on the Property, estimates of mineralization from drilling, sampling and geophysical surveys, geological information projected from drilling and sampling results and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones, the potential for minerals and/or mineral resources and reserves, and statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Property and the Company that may be described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, accuracy of assay results, geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services, future operating costs, and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the quarter ended June 30, 2024, available at www.sedarplus.ca , many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229586 Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser,to view the associated documents http://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229586 News Source: North Peak Resources Ltd. 12.11.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Silver47 Exploration Corp. (TSXV: AGA) ("Silver47" or the "Company), is pleased to announce the commencement of trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") under the new symbol "AGA", effective at the open of trading on November 14, 2024. Silver47's listing on the TSXV marks a major milestone for the Company as it advances its strategy to continue to develop its exploration projects, including its flagship Red Mountain VMS project located in central Alaska, USA. The Red Mountain VMS project is detailed in the technical report titled "Technical Report on the Red Mountain VMS Property, Bonnifield Mining District, Alaska, USA" commissioned by the Company and completed by Apex Geoscience Ltd. and has been filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and is available on the Company's website www.silver47.ca . Additional information about the Company can be found in Silver47's long form prospectus dated October 25, 2024 available at www.sedarplus.ca . Gary R. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are excited to bring Silver47 to the market at a time when silver and gold prices have made tremendous moves higher this year. Silver47 is well positioned to capitalize on this rising demand trend in metals. The objective of the Company is to rapidly grow its resource base toward a milestone development decision while generating new discoveries." This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Silver47 Exploration Corp. Silver47 is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing its mining projects. Silver47 wholly-owns three exploration projects: the flagship Red Mountain VMS silver-zinc-lead-copper-gold project located in south central Alaska, USA; the Adams Plateau silver-zinc-lead-copper Project located in southern British Columbia; and the Michelle silver-lead-zinc-gallium-antimony Project located in the Yukon Territory. For more information about Silver47, please visit our website at www.silver47.ca. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this release. 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 Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, including statements relating to the Company, its future plans and strategy relating to its properties or other similar expressions, the market for gold and silver and the Company's ability to capitalize on same, the Company's objectives, and all statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the securities herein. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; regulatory risks; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the Company's disclosure filed under its issuer profile on SEDAR+ or other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION IN OR INTO THE U.S. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229385 SOURCE: Silver47 Exploration Corp. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX: CJ) ("Cardinal" or the "Company") confirms that our November dividend of $0.06 per common share will be paid on December 16, 2024 to shareholders of record on November 29, 2024. The Board of Directors of Cardinal has declared the dividend payable in cash. This dividend has been designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. About Cardinal Energy Ltd. Cardinal is a Canadian oil and natural gas company with operations focused on low decline oil in Western Canada. Cardinal differentiates itself from its peers by having the lowest decline conventional asset base in Western Canada. Cardinal has recently announced the commencement of its first thermal SAGD oil development project which will further increase the long-term sustainability of the Company. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229511 SOURCE: Cardinal Energy Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (CSE: API) (OTCQB: APAAF) (FWB: A0I0) (MUN: A0I0) (BER: A0I0) (the "Company" or "Appia") is excited to announce the conclusion of its diamond drilling program in the SouthWest Extension Zone of Target IV at its Ionic Adsorption Clay (IAC) project in the State of Goias, Brazil. The three drillholes (see Map 1) were completed for a total of 450.7 metres, and successfully intercepted the anticipated carbonatitic breccia and highly altered hardrock zones in all three drillholes, indicating the continuation of the highgrade mineralization first identified in previously completed reverse circulation drill holes (See press releases dated October 31st, 2023 and January 16, 2024). Highlights: Hole PCH-DDH-002, total depth of 150.0metres - Regolith fom 0 to 37.4m, Breccia from 37.4 to EOH Hole PCH-DDH-003, total depth of 147.7metres - Regolith fom 0 to 49.9 m, Breccia from 49.9 to EOH Hole PCH-DDH-004, total depth of 153.0metres - Regolith fom 0 to 45.0 m, Breccia from 45.0 to EOH The three drillholes presented substantial hydrothermal alteration and local sulfidation within the breccia. Stephen Burega, President, stated, "The program successfully identified carbonatitic breccia below the previously reported highgrade clay material with up to 92,758 ppm or 9.3% and averaging over 27,000 ppm or 2.7% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) over 0-24 metres. (See press release January 16, 2024 ) And we anticipate a continuation of similar grades below this zone in the hardrock mineralization at depth. This presents an exceptional opportunity to further showcase Target IV and the entire PCH project, for both IAC and primary mineralization potential." Map 1 - Location of concluded drillholes PCH-DDH-002, PCH-DDH-003 and PCH-DDH-004. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/229583_58aeba88e487dadf_001full.jpg The preliminary geological interpretation is presented in Figure 1 showing the extent of the Hydrothermalized Carbonatitic Breccia, which remains open at depth. Sampling is under way and assay results are expected in +/- 30 days. Figure 1 - Preliminary Geological Core Interpretation for the Carbonatitic Breccia. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5416/229583_58aeba88e487dadf_002full.jpg On March 1st, 2024, the Company announced its maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) on Target IV and the Buriti Zone (Click here for the Press Release), and the companion NI 43-101 technical report on the PCH Project was filed on April 16th, 2024. (Click here for the Press Release). The technical information in this news release, including the information related to geology, drilling, and mineralization, has been reviewed and approved by Andre L. L. Costa, Appia's VP Exploration for Brazil, with more than 30 years of relevant experience. Mr. Costa is a APEGS Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) and a Fellow of Australian Institute of Geoscientists (FAIG), a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. (Appia) Appia is a publicly traded Canadian company in the rare earth element and uranium sectors. The Company holds the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in the PCH Ionic Adsorption Clay Project (See June 9th, 2023 Press Release - Click HERE) which is 40,963.18 ha. in size and located within the Goias State of Brazil. (See January 11th, 2024 Press Release - Click HERE) The Company is also focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements and gallium on the Alces Lake property, and exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Otherside, Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 94,982.39 hectares (234,706.59 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 13,008 hectares (32,143 acres), with rare earth elements and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario. Appia has 149.4 million common shares outstanding, 170.8 million shares fully diluted. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, visit www.appiareu.com As part of our ongoing effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have several communication portals. If you have any questions online (X, Facebook, LinkedIn) please feel free to send direct messages. To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call, please click here. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229583 SOURCE: Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. (TSXV: ELE) (OTCQX: ELEMF) ("Elemental Altus" or "the Company") will release its Q3 2024 results on Monday, November 18, 2024. An investor webcast will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 starting at 11am Eastern Time (8am Pacific Time) to discuss these results, followed by a question-and-answer session. To register for the investor webcast, please click the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K00JP6CJRu6b8DbyixatLQ A replay of the event will be available on the Elemental Altus website following the presentation. Frederick Bell CEO and Director Elemental Altus is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: www.discoverygroup.ca or contact +1 604 646 4527. About Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. Elemental Altus is an income generating precious metals royalty company with 11 producing royalties and a diversified portfolio of pre-production and discovery stage assets. The Company is focused on acquiring uncapped royalties and streams over producing, or near-producing, mines operated by established counterparties. The vision of Elemental Altus is to build a global gold royalty company, offering investors superior exposure to gold with reduced risk and a strong growth profile. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press 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 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. Forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the date that the name change is expected to become effective, whether shareholders will be required by their broker to exchange their issued certificate for a new certificate or take any other action in connection to the name change, the Company's ability to deliver a materially increased revenue profile with a lower cost of capital, the future growth, development and focus of the Company, and the acquisition of new royalties and streams. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Elemental Altus to control or predict, that may cause Elemental Altus' actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions, the absence of control over the mining operations from which Elemental Altus will receive royalties, risks related to international operations, government relations and environmental regulation, the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties; the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration data; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with Elemental Altus' expectations; accidents, equipment breakdowns, title matters, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions in operations; fluctuating metal prices; unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations; currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions; liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of important factors which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, refer to the annual information form of Elemental Altus for the year ended December 31, 2023. Elemental Altus undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements and information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking statements and information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement or information 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/229600 SOURCE: Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) (OTCQX: LSANF) ("Los Andes" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a corporate update. Highlights UAV magnetic survey, carried out by MWH Geo-Surveys Ltd ("MWH") and processed by Geophysics Minerals LLC ("GeoM"), over identified prospective areas of the Company's property as well as over the Vizcachitas Project ("Vizcachitas" or the "Project"). Successful launch of second Female Entrepreneurs program (the "Program") and renewal of the partnership to develop mining-related skills at local high schools and universities. Two community agreements signed to look at potential for environmental offset for the Vizcachitas Project. MWH acquired magnetic data spanning the northern area of the Company's property and the Vizcachitas Project during the summer. The results have corroborated previous early-stage geological work carried out over the northern area of the property (5 kms north of the Vizcachitas Project) and provided more insight to the targets identified there. They also reiterated previous work which highlighted the potential extensions of the Vizcachitas Project towards the west and north-east, as reported in the pre-feasibility study and drilling announcements. Securing and maintaining the social license to operate and enhancing community engagement continue to be a key focus for Los Andes. Notable achievements so far this year include a door-to-door outreach program that enabled us to connect personally with 1,930 residents in Putaendo County and the successful launch of the second iteration of our Female Entrepreneurs program. We had 318 applications for the Program, of which 41 women were invited to participate. We also renewed and expanded our partnership aimed at developing mining-related skills at local high schools and universities, in collaboration with key national organizations Fundacion Chile and CCM-Eleva. Furthermore, this year marked the signing of our first collaboration agreement with a local water association in the Putaendo Valley. During October, Los Andes entered into agreements with two communities in Putaendo that own large parcels of land. The plan is to work together during the next 12 months, study the biodiversity properties of their land, and determine whether an environmental offset for the Vizcachitas Project is conceptually possible to be developed in these areas. This project is technically supported by the international consulting firm ERM, who will work with the communities to collaboratively understand preliminary biodiversity offset measures in line with their interests and expectations on the use of land. Santiago Montt, CEO of Los Andes, commented: "The magnetic work carried out over the summer has provided us with valuable information on exploration targets in the north of the property, as well as on the extensions of the Project to the west and north-east. Work will now focus on the next steps for the non-explored areas of the property as we continue to highlight the potential upside over the wider licence area. "We have made some notable achievements this year with our community outreach programs which remain a vital part of our work to advance the Project. We are very pleased with the response and look forward to continuing to work closely with the community to highlight the benefits Vizcachitas will bring. This includes the conceptual development of the environmental offset project that could benefit community properties which have remained underused as a consequence of drought and climate change." About Los Andes Copper Ltd. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is an exploration and development company with an 100% interest in the Vizcachitas Project in Chile. The Company is focused on progressing the Project, which is located along Chile's most prolific copper belt, into production. Vizcachitas is one of the largest copper deposits in the Americas not controlled by the majors and the Company believes it will be Chile's next major copper mine. The Project is a copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit, located 150 kilometers north of Santiago, in an area of very good infrastructure. An independent technical report for the PFS, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, is available on the Company's SEDAR profile. Los Andes Copper Ltd. is listed on the TSX-V under the ticker: LA. Qualified Persons Antony Amberg CGeol FGS, the Company's Chief Geologist, is the qualified person who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Certain of the information and statements contained herein that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British Columbia), Securities Act (Ontario) and the Securities Act (Alberta) ("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due" on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically, Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information. Such Forward Looking Information includes, without limitation, the timing of and ability to obtain TSX-V and other regulatory approvals and the prospects, details related to and timing of the Vizcachitas Project. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic, political and market conditions and the price of metals and energy and the Company's production. Among the factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of operations and financial conditions are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, a change in government policies, competition, currency fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229601 SOURCE: Los Andes Copper Ltd. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The United States Central Command has said its forces have carried out strikes against Iranian-backed targets in Syria in retaliation for recent attacks on US forces in the country.'U.S. Centcom forces conducted strikes against nine targets in two locations associated with Iranian groups in Syria in response to several attacks on U.S. personnel in Syria over the last 24 hours,' Centcom said in a press release Monday.These strikes will degrade the Iranian backed groups' ability to plan and launch future attacks on U.S. and Coalition forces who are in the region to conduct anti-terrorist operations targeting the Islamic State, it added.'Our message is clear. Attacks against U.S. and coalition partners in the region will not be tolerated,' said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Centcom commander. 'We will continue to take every step necessary to protect our personnel and coalition partners and respond to reckless attacks.'The Pentagon has deployed hundreds of troops in eastern Syria and Iraq in supportive role to local forces several years after withdrawing significant number of its forces from active combat to prevent the resurgence the IS cadres.Militant outfits, mostly pro-Iranian groups, have stepped up attacks targeting American troops in the region since Hamas carried out a cross-border attack in Israel in October last year that triggered the year-old Middle East war.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. Program will dramatically improve cyber situational awareness across Federal Civilian agencies Armis, the cyber exposure management security company, today announced its Armis Centrix cyber exposure management platform will be used by ECS, an IT systems integrator, to support ECS's contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for its new Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Data Services. Armis is a strategic partner to ECS for its next generation CDM integrated solution and will be available for all participating CDM agencies to fulfill requirements for the collection and normalization of core CDM Data Sets. Armis will work with the team at ECS to help Federal Civilian agencies standardize how data from cybersecurity tools and other relevant authoritative sources are integrated into the CDM Dashboard. The CDM Dashboard Ecosystem, deployed by ECS, provides cyber situational awareness data to Federal Civilian agencies and summarizes risk exposure across the Federal government for DHS and will provide agencies with more performant, extensible solution by leveraging and harnessing the power of Armis' unmatched AI and ML advanced functionality. "The CDM Program is a mission-critical initiative for Federal Civilian agencies to strengthen their cybersecurity posture," said Joanna Dempsey, VP Cyber Solutions, ECS. "Armis' AI-powered asset intelligence will be instrumental in helping agencies to better understand, prioritize and mitigate cyber risks through the CDM Dashboard, enabling them to improve decision-making and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their security operations." Armis secures U.S. government agencies with Armis Centrix, the FedRAMP and DISA IL authorized cyber exposure management platform. Armis Centrix is powered by the Armis AI-driven Asset Intelligence Engine, which sees, protects and manages billions of assets around the world in real time. "Technological innovation is essential to maintaining key government functions in the face of rapidly growing cyber threats," said Christian Terlecki, Vice President of Federal at Armis. "A growing number of Federal agencies trust Armis to address their most critical cybersecurity needs. We look forward to helping CISA and other Federal Civilian agencies like DHS to deliver citizen services more securely and efficiently with the Armis Centrix platform." Learn more about how Armis works with the U.S. Federal government here. About Armis Armis, the cyber exposure management security company, protects the entire attack surface and manages the organization's cyber risk exposure in real time. In a rapidly evolving, perimeter-less world Armis ensures that organizations continuously see, protect and manage all critical assets from the ground to the cloud. Armis secures Fortune 100, 200 and 500 companies as well as national governments, state and local entities to help keep critical infrastructure, economies and society stay safe and secure 24/7. Armis is a privately held company headquartered in California. About ECS ECS, part of ASGN's Federal Government Segment, delivers advanced solutions in cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, application and IT modernization, science, and engineering. The company solves critical, complex challenges for customers across the U.S. public sector, including defense and intelligence organizations. ECS maintains partnerships with leading cloud, cybersecurity, and AI/ML providers and holds specialized certifications in their technologies. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, ECS has nearly 4,000 employees throughout the United States. For more information, visit ECStech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112106601/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: Rebecca Cradick Senior Director, Global Communications Armis pr@armis.com Artlist's annual report presents insights from leading companies in the industry, as well as data revealing why 31% of creators prioritize AI quality, what 40% of them want from brands, why 64% of consumers switch brands, and more. TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Artlist, a creative technology company that provides a vast catalog of royalty-free digital assets and creative tools to empower brands and content creators worldwide, has released the Artlist Trend Report 2025 . It features industry insights and predictions from business leaders from Google, McCann, Meta, Canva, Ogilvy, and more, backed by data from over 5,000 creators worldwide. The Artlist Trend Report 2025 presents upcoming predictions in the creative industry designed to inspire and empower brands to look toward the future and create without limits. The full report offers unique insights and data, perfect for any brand aiming to stay ahead. The top trends and key takeaways of the Artlist Trend Report 2025 include: The human renaissance: Human touch defines tomorrow's creativity. Human-centered content will see a revival, celebrating the creativity humans bring. Creators will infuse more heart, humor, and emotional depth into their work, with AI as co-pilot to enhance ideation. As the report's survey indicates, 30% of creators said AI helps them to quickly explore concepts and spark new ideas. This shift emphasizes genuine human expression and storytelling. Human touch defines tomorrow's creativity. Human-centered content will see a revival, celebrating the creativity humans bring. Creators will infuse more heart, humor, and emotional depth into their work, with AI as co-pilot to enhance ideation. As the report's survey indicates, 30% of creators said AI helps them to quickly explore concepts and spark new ideas. This shift emphasizes genuine human expression and storytelling. Balancing quality with compliance: The AI content ecosystem will spark new concerns around quality, safety, and integration. Success depends on brands and creators adopting quality-driven, compliant AI solutions that ensure innovation and legal security. Balancing innovation with due diligence and focusing on safety and integration will foster trust and unlock creative opportunities. This trend also shows that 31% of creators consider the quality of AI tools their top priority, while 26% focus on ownership concerns. The AI content ecosystem will spark new concerns around quality, safety, and integration. Success depends on brands and creators adopting quality-driven, compliant AI solutions that ensure innovation and legal security. Balancing innovation with due diligence and focusing on safety and integration will foster trust and unlock creative opportunities. This trend also shows that 31% of creators consider the quality of AI tools their top priority, while 26% focus on ownership concerns. Fleeting trends, nimble teams: Big-picture goals and real-time trends are converging. With shorter trend cycles, brands must focus on what resonates with their audience. Trust is crucial, with a single misstep potentially harming reputations quickly. This report offers real examples of brands doing this successfully, along with actionable ways to implement these strategies for your brand. Big-picture goals and real-time trends are converging. With shorter trend cycles, brands must focus on what resonates with their audience. Trust is crucial, with a single misstep potentially harming reputations quickly. This report offers real examples of brands doing this successfully, along with actionable ways to implement these strategies for your brand. Collective creator marketing power: Forward-thinking brands are forming deep partnerships with select creators who drive brand storytelling. As creators seek more meaningful relationships, successful marketers will balance reach with depth, building lasting partnerships that create genuine connection and trust. This trend reveals why 64% of consumers switch brands and what 40% of creators want from brands. Forward-thinking brands are forming deep partnerships with select creators who drive brand storytelling. As creators seek more meaningful relationships, successful marketers will balance reach with depth, building lasting partnerships that create genuine connection and trust. This trend reveals why 64% of consumers switch brands and what 40% of creators want from brands. Cross-generational content: Creators and marketers can tap into universal trends and shared cultural touchpoints for cross-generational appeal. As diverse demographics converge in digital spaces, age boundaries blur, creating unique opportunities. This will allow brands to enhance their marketing scale, maximizing reach across platforms and age groups. Today, brands continue to operate in a fast-paced tech space where AI meets a growing demand for human creativity and connection. Social platforms are expanding reach, and offering new engagement opportunities. Those that stay authentic and agile are set to thrive. Itzik Elbaz, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Artlist, says, "In a world where the pace of change is accelerating, understanding and anticipating trends is critical to giving you the foresight needed to stay competitive." Success relies on a brand's ability to craft a meaningful story, embracing emerging technologies and social shifts. As Ira Belsky, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Artlist explains,"The future belongs to those who dare to innovate. At Artlist, we believe that by embracing creative disruption, we can all drive forward and shape the future of the creative industry together." Download the Artlist Trend Report 2025: https://artlist.io/blog/trend-report-2025 About Artlist Artlist is a leading creative technology company that empowers global brands and individual creators. It offers an extensive catalog of over 2.5 million high-quality, royalty-free digital assets, including music, sound effects, footage, and templates, all created by award-winning artists. Users also benefit from powerful creative tools, such as an AI voiceover generator with an exclusive voice catalog and advanced video effects plugins. With over 27 million users, including top-tier global brands like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Calvin Klein, Artlist is trusted as a complete solution for video creation. Its mission is to enable creativity without limits through the Artlist all-in-one video creation platform, and the Motion Array catalog, which both have a simple global license with unlimited usage. Artlist has been recognized as a top startup by Wired and LinkedIn. Founded in 2016, it's continued to revolutionize the creative industry by offering exclusive assets under a subscription-based model. For more information, please visit www.artlist.io . Contact: Ravit Shimnony PR and Communications Manager at Artlist | pr@artlist.io Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2553514/Artlist_Trend_Report.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/artlist-releases-its-2025-trend-report---how-brands-can-leverage-the-top-marketing-trends-in-2025-302302306.html Beauty of cosmic proportions found in microscopic imaging WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evident unveiled the winners of its 5th annual Image of the Year contest, an awards competition that recognizes the world's best in scientific microscopic imaging. The winners were selected from submissions from 29 countries around the world. For the first time, the competition included a video category to showcase the art of capturing small changes in motion under the microscope. Global Winner Igor Siwanowicz of the United States was selected as the global winner for his striking cross-section image of a Cosmic Orange Mexican aster flower that vividly depicts pollen grains maturing inside anthers. To create this image, Siwanowicz embedded isolated florets in agarose, sectioned on a vibratome and stained with Calcofluor White and Congo Red dyes. The sample was dehydrated, cleared and mounted in methyl salicylate. Siwanowicz chose to image this flower to observe how aster florets are organized before the flower opens. "I was lucky to pick my flower buds at the right stage of development, with the pollen grains almost fully mature but still bound together in a mass," Siwanowicz explained. "I think this image shows the true beauty of a common flower that most of us take for granted by extending it well beyond what we can see with the naked eye. The beauty of natural form and design is present on very different scales, sometimes almost in a fractal manner-as we continue to zoom in, the form may lose familiarity but also become a new emotional experience." In recognition of his grand prize submission, Siwanowicz will receive an Olympus SZX7 stereo microscope with a DP23 digital camera or a set of X Line objectives. Materials Science Winner Gerd Gunther of Germany was selected as the winner of the Image of the Year Award for materials science and engineering images. Gunther's winning image depicts a human hair knotted with a horsehair, created with incident brightfield illumination to generate a shimmering metallic effect. Gunther will receive an Olympus SZ61 stereo microscope for his winning image. Video Winner The winner of the inaugural Image of the Year Award for video is Zhigang Zheng of China, whose timelapse video of amino acid crystallization captured the beauty of shifting crystal shapes through the use of polarizing mirrors and refractive light. Zheng used a digital camera, tube lens and objective lens to capture his video. He will receive an Olympus CX23 upright microscope or SZ61 stereo microscope for his work. Regional Winners Three regional prizes were awarded to Till Stephan (Germany) for EMEA (heart cells), Marko Pende (USA) for the Americas (tissue-cleared ladybug) and Daniel Han (Australia) for Asia-Pacific (diatom arrangement). Each regional winner will receive their choice of an Olympus CX23 upright microscope or SZ61 stereo microscope. Honorable Mentions Honorable mentions include Hannah Somers (USA), Raghuram Annadana (India), Laurent Formery (USA), Jianguo Mao (China), Frantisek Bednar (Slovakia), Antonio Segura (Argentina), Momo Xue (China), Sandra Story (USA), Ji Yuan (China), Luigi Olivo Bozzano (Italy), Hana Sehadova (Czech Republic) and Yue Rong Tan (Taiwan). The contest launched on Feb. 15, 2024, with a call for users to submit their best scientific images through April 30. All entries were evaluated by a third-party jury on the basis of artistic and visual appeal, scientific impact, and microscope proficiency. "As we celebrated our fifth global installment of Image of the Year, we were once again deeply impressed by entries from around the world that succeeded in turning the science of microscopy into stunning works of art," said Wes Pringle, Evident CEO. "The addition of our new video category further added to the depth of our submissions and to the possibilities explored by our entrants-it was very exciting to experience the wonder of microscopic imagery in motion. We were honored to receive such a large number of exceptional entries from life science and materials science professionals as well as educators, hobbyists and enthusiasts." About the EVIDENT Image of the Year Award Evident's Image of the Year Award began as the Image of the Year European Life Science Light Microscopy Award with the aim to celebrate both the artistic and scientific value of microscopy images. Today, the competition stays true to this mission by encouraging people around the world to look at scientific images in a new way, appreciate their beauty and share images with others. To learn more about this year's award-winning images and the microscope techniques used to capture them, visit Olympus-LifeScience.com/IOTY. About EVIDENT In 2022, Olympus Corporation spun off its Scientific Solutions Division, including its life science and industrial solutions businesses, to establish a new company called Evident. Although our name is different, our expertise, manufacturing capabilities and commitment to our customers, which defined us over the past 100 years, remain unchanged. At Evident, we are guided by the scientific spirit-innovation and exploration are at the heart of what we do. Committed to making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, we support our customers with solutions that solve their challenges and advance their work; whether it's researching medical breakthroughs, inspecting infrastructure, or exposing hidden toxins in consumer products. Evident's industrial solutions range from microscopes and videoscopes to nondestructive testing equipment and X-ray analyzers for maintenance, manufacturing and environmental applications. Backed by state-of-the-art technologies, Evident products are widely used for quality control, inspection and measurement. In life science, Evident empowers scientists and researchers through collaboration and cutting-edge solutions. We're dedicated to meeting the challenges and supporting the evolving needs of our customers, continuing to advance a comprehensive range of microscopes for pathology, hematology, IVF and other clinical applications as well as for research and education. For more information, visit EvidentScientific.com. X Line is a trademark of Evident Corporation or its subsidiaries. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f074372-baf4-4069-92ae-2134677e7d95 Report also reveals five Americas mid-cap stocks tie as most shorted Chevron ranked as the most crowded large-cap security in the Americas in October, followed closely by Super Micro Computer, according to the latest Shortside Crowdedness Report from Hazeltree, a leader in active treasury and intelligent operations technology for the alternative asset industry. The report also found that LVMH and SMC Corp were the most crowded shorted large-cap stocks in their respective regions of EMEA and APAC. The report is a monthly listing of the top 10 shorted securities in the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions in the large-, mid-, and small-cap ranges. The data comes from Hazeltree's proprietary securities finance platform data, which tracks approximately 15,000 global equities across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. The data is aggregated and anonymized from the contributing Hazeltree community, which includes approximately 700 asset manager funds. "There were significant developments in October, including Tesla being absent from the Americas large-cap top 10 for the first time since Hazeltree launched the report 18 months ago," said Tim Smith, managing director of data insights at Hazeltree. "Additionally, several firms in the Americas mid-cap category, including Charles River Laboratories, CNX Resources, Columbia Sportswear, Henry Schein, and Murphy USA, ranked as the most shorted, each with a Hazeltree Crowdedness Score of 99." Highlights from the October 2024 report include: Americas In the large-cap category, Chevron topped the list as the most crowded security with a score of 99. Super Micro Computer was the second most crowded security with a score of 94 and had the highest institutional supply utilization (42.78%). In the mid-cap category, five securities topped the list as the most crowded, including Murphy USA, CNX Resources Group, Columbia Sportswear Company, Henry Schein and Charles River Laboratories, each with a Hazeltree Crowdedness Score of 99. MP Materials Group held the highest institutional supply utilization figure (77.27%). In the small-cap category, Wolfspeed continued its hold as the most crowded security, with a score of 99. NextNav had the highest institutional supply utilization (69.46%). EMEA In the large-cap category, LVMH was the most crowded security, with a score of 99, up from September's score of 84. H M Hennes Mauritz AB had the highest institutional supply utilization (69.07%). In the mid-cap category, Swatch Group was the most crowded security (99). Nibe Industrier AB had the highest institutional supply utilization (60.91%). In the small-cap category, Basic-Fit NV and Aixtron SE were the most crowded securities, each achieving a score of 99. Basic-Fit NV also led in institutional supply utilization (69.80%). APAC In the large-cap category, SMC Corp was the most crowded security with a score of 99. Aeon Co Ltd had the highest institutional supply utilization (13.78%). In the mid-cap category, Taisei Corp, Seibu Holdings and Mercari all ranked as the most crowded securities with a score of 99. Pilbara Minerals Ltd had the highest institutional supply utilization (73.36%). In the small-cap category, Money Forward was the most crowded security (99). JMDC Inc had the highest institutional supply utilization (39.80%). The Shortside Crowdedness Report tracks shorting activity in three different metrics: Hazeltree Crowdedness Score: This score represents securities that are being shorted by the highest percentage of funds in Hazeltree's community in a pre-defined category. The securities are graded on a scale of 1-99, with 99 representing the security that the highest percentage of funds are shorting. This score represents securities that are being shorted by the highest percentage of funds in Hazeltree's community in a pre-defined category. The securities are graded on a scale of 1-99, with 99 representing the security that the highest percentage of funds are shorting. Institutional Supply Utilization: This figure represents the percentage of the institutional investors' supply of a particular security that is being lent out. The institutional supply utilization rate is an indicator of how "hot" a security is in terms of the supply-demand dynamic. It is possible to see 100% utilization of a security's availability, making it difficult to establish new short positions. This figure represents the percentage of the institutional investors' supply of a particular security that is being lent out. The institutional supply utilization rate is an indicator of how "hot" a security is in terms of the supply-demand dynamic. It is possible to see 100% utilization of a security's availability, making it difficult to establish new short positions. Hazeltree Community Borrow Fee: This figure is the average weighted fee for what funds in the Hazeltree community are paying to borrow a security. The fee is represented as the annualized cost calculated as a percentage of the price of the security. To view Hazeltree's October Shortside Crowdedness Report and past reports, click here. Note to editors: If you are a member of the media/press and would like to be included on the distribution list for this report, please contact hazeltree@backbaycommunications.com About Hazeltree Hazeltree is a leader in active treasury and intelligent operations technology. Purpose-built for the alternative asset management ecosystem, Hazeltree's modular platform aggregates internal and external data, providing a comprehensive view of operations and counterparty relationships while proactively highlighting opportunities to extract more value from every transaction. Hazeltree is headquartered in New York with offices in London and Hong Kong. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112161494/en/ Contacts: Media: BackBay Communications hazeltree@backbaycommunications.com Novotech, the global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) that partners with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase, has announced a long-term strategic partnership with Beijing Biostar Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (2563.HK) ("Biostar"). This collaboration strengthens the commitment of both companies to advance clinical research, leveraging Novotech's expertise and technical platforms to support Biostar's clinical development plans. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112642806/en/ Novotech and Biostar Pharma Partnership (Photo: Business Wire) Biostar, a leader in synthetic biology and oncology development in China, recently marked a significant milestone with its successful listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, symbolizing a new phase of growth. Novotech was honored to attend Biostar's listing ceremony and appreciation banquet to celebrate this achievement. Dr. Li Tang, Chairman, Executive Director, Chief Scientific Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer of Biostar, stated: "As a biopharmaceutical company driven by synthetic biology technology, Biostar is committed to developing innovative oncology drugs. Our successful listing is a major milestone in our development and a new beginning. Going forward, we will continue to focus on research and innovation, bring more innovative drug products to market, and extend our current products to more patients, contributing significantly to the health and wellness sector." Mr. Andy Liu, General Manager of Novotech China, added: "Congratulations to Biostar on their successful listing. The successful listing of Biostar is an exhilarating milestone that showcases the relentless efforts and remarkable achievements of Biostar in the biotech field. As a strategic partner in Biostar's research phase, we are confident in our future collaboration and look forward to supporting Biostar as it expands into international markets, bringing more innovative and advanced health solutions to a global audience." This strategic partnership highlights Novotech's commitment to partnering with biotech innovators in their journey from development to market, reinforcing the company's role as a trusted CRO in the global clinical research landscape. About Novotech Novotech-CRO.com Founded in 1997, Novotech is a global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on partnering with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase. Recognized for its industry-leading contributions, Novotech has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Frost Sullivan 2024 Global Biotech CRO of the year award, Clinical Trials Arena Excellence Awards 2024, 2024 Employer of Choice, 2024 Great Place to Work in the US, 2024 Brandon Hall Gold Award, CRO Leadership Award 2023, the Asia Pacific Cell Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence 2023, the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award since 2006. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of services including laboratories, Phase I facilities, drug development consulting, regulatory expertise, and has experience with over 5,000 clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. With a presence in 34 office locations and a dedicated team of 3,000+ professionals worldwide, Novotech is a trusted end-to-end strategic partner of choice. For more information or to speak to an expert team member visit www.Novotech-CRO.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112642806/en/ Contacts: Media Toyna Chin mediacontact@novotech-cro.com USA: +1 415 364 8135 LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Tego Cyber Inc. (OTCQB:TGCB), today announced the planned unveiling of its innovative path for revenue growth. On December 18, 2024, at 4:30 PM EST, CEO Robert Mikkelsen will host an online presentation of Tego's path for growth and recent developments for the shareholders and investors. "I am pleased with our team's diligent efforts this year and excited to share Tego's business objectives for 2025, which will enhance our current offerings while delivering shareholder value," said Robert Mikkelsen, CEO. The rapid growth in the threat intelligence market reflects the increasing need for advanced cybersecurity solutions as cyber threats become more sophisticated. Expanding from $10.86 billion in 2023 to an expected $12.33 billion in 2024, the market's 13.6% CAGR signals strong demand from businesses seeking to proactively address security risks. This growth is likely fueled by factors such as the rise in cyber-attacks, increasing regulatory requirements, and the need for real-time threat intelligence to protect critical infrastructure and data. You may register for the call by emailing investor@tegocyber.com. About Tego - Empowering security teams with smarter, faster threat intelligence. Tego Cyber Inc. addresses key gaps in cyber threat detection and intelligence by offering a highly curated threat intelligence feed with added context, enabling security teams to act swiftly and effectively. Tego's platform goes beyond simply listing indicators of compromise; it provides actionable insights and detailed threat context, helping teams efficiently counter threats. Integrating seamlessly with major security and data platforms, Tego's threat detection and correlation engine proactively identifies threats with minimal latency and comprehensive search capabilities. The Tego correlation engine allows for faster threat identification across extensive data sets, using user-friendly visualizations that enhance detection, response, and remediation speed. This makes Tego an asset for organizations looking to streamline their threat hunting and response processes. More details can be found at www.tegocyber.com. Forward-Looking Statements The statements contained in this press release, those which are not purely historical or which depend upon future events, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future constitute forward-looking statements. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements because of various factors. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. Prospective investors should also consult the risks factors described from time to time in the Company's Reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and Annual Reports to Shareholders. Contact: Tego Cyber Inc. 8565 S Eastern Avenue, Suite 150 Las Vegas, Nevada 89123 USA Tel: 855-939-0100 (North America) Tel: +1 725-726-7840 (International) Email: info@tegocyber.com Web: tegocyber.com Facebook: facebook.com/tegocyber LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tegocyber X/Twitter: twitter.com/tegocyber Investor Relations Brett Maas Managing Partner Hayden IR Tel: 480-861-2425 Email: brett@haydenir.com Contact Information Robert Mikkelsen CEO robert.mikkelsen@tegocyber.com 520-450-1627 SOURCE: Tego Cyber Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Cybeats Technologies Corp. (CSE: CYBT) (OTCQB: CYBCF) ("Cybeats" or the "Company"), a global leader in software supply chain security, applauds the U.S. Army's recent mandate requiring Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) from all vendors that sell products that include software to the U.S. Army, by February 2025. This new directive strengthens the transparency and security of the Army's software environment and positions Cybeats to potentially support efforts across U.S. military branches and defense contractors. This announcement builds upon Cybeats' ongoing pilot deployment[1] with various components of the U.S. Department of Defense. In light of the U.S. Army's new SBOM mandates, Cybeats is well-positioned to offer a tailored solution to meet this critical need. SBOM Studio is designed for companies that create and develop software-based products, helping them manage and secure their own software supply chains, whereas our recently launched product, SBOM Consumer[2], is specifically engineered for organizations like the U.S. Army that procure and deploy software from multiple vendors. SBOM Consumer empowers the U.S. Army and other government agencies to effectively ingest, validate, and manage SBOMs from all their software vendors. This enables them to gain deep visibility into the software they acquire, ensuring compliance with new mandates and enhancing overall security. The product offers seamless SBOM validation, quality assessment, and analysis, along with continuous vulnerability monitoring, contextualized threat intelligence, and real-time alerting capabilities. By simplifying the collection and integration of SBOMs from multiple vendors and integrating with existing asset management and risk solutions, SBOM Consumer provides a comprehensive tool for the U.S. Army to evaluate vendor software and strengthen their software supply chain security. SBOM Consumer positions Cybeats as a key partner in supporting the U.S. Army's new mandates. "Working with the U.S. Army to enhance their software supply chain security is a privilege we greatly value," said Justin Leger, CEO of Cybeats. "Our pilot engagement with multiple branches of the U.S. military reflects our commitment to national defense. Drawing from my military background, I understand the critical importance of mission security and Cybeats is here to support the Army in their rollout of new SBOM mandates, thereby strengthening U.S. defense." SBOM Consumer simplifies the ingestion, validation, and management of SBOMs from any format (SPDX, CycloneDX), offering seamless validation of SBOM data, quality assessment, enrichment, and continuous monitoring. It provides rapid risk insights, contextualized threat intelligence, and compliance support, enabling the Army and other agencies to strengthen software supply chain security and ensure the security and compliance of the software they acquire and deploy. In addition to SBOM Consumer, Cybeats has developed and operationalized AITIC (AI Threat Intelligence Collection), a cutting-edge feature that enhances software supply chain security. AITIC collects and analyzes publicly available data to harvest signals about vulnerability exploration, providing enriched context beyond traditional vulnerability sources. It empowers organizations with deeper insights into potential threats, without ever using any customer data. This capability strengthens customers' overall security posture of software environments by continuously monitoring for emerging vulnerabilities and offering real-time contextualized threat intelligence. Effective February 2025, the U.S. Army will require software vendors to deliver SBOMs with all products, reinforcing the security of its software supply chain as part of broader federal cybersecurity efforts. This mandate applies to all software, including commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), open-source, and proprietary code, ensuring greater visibility and security across mission-critical systems. SBOM Consumer simplifies SBOM management processes and integrates with existing asset management and risk solutions, providing organizations like the U.S. Army with comprehensive technology to evaluate vendor software and secure the software supply chain. For more information on how Cybeats can support your organization in meeting these new compliance standards, visit Cybeats. About Cybeats Cybeats is a cybersecurity company providing Software Bill of Material (SBOM) management and software supply chain intelligence technology, helping organizations to manage risk, meet compliance requirements, and secure their software from procurement to development and operation. Our platform gives customers comprehensive visibility and transparency into their software supply chain, enabling them to improve operational efficiency and increase revenue. Cybeats. Software Made Certain. Website: https://cybeats.com SUBSCRIBE: For more information, or to subscribe to the Company's mail list, visit: https://www.cybeats.com/investors Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. 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. 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 including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the products 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. Company filings are available at sedarplus.ca. [1]https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/224371/U.S.-Department-of-Defense-Deploys-Cybeats-Product-for-Critical-Cybersecurity [2]https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223098/Cybeats-Launches-SBOM-Consumer-A-New-Product-for-Organizations-of-All-Sizes-Broadening-Market-Reach-and-Revenue-Opportunities To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229609 SOURCE: Cybeats Technologies Corp. Devices will be demonstrated atCES 2025, showing how aging in place can be safer and more accessible The desire to age in place is stronger than ever, with 95% of adults 55 and older considering it an important goal, according to U.S. News World Report, even though health challenges often make it difficult. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112374939/en/ Asahi Kasei Microdevices CES 2025 Booth Mockup (Photo: Business Wire) At CES 2025, Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM), part of Asahi Kasei Corporation, will unveil a suite of sensor technologies, including millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar and contactless monitoring. These technologies can make AgeTech more reliable and accessible while minimizing intrusion into users' lives. By providing AI systems with high-quality data, AKM aims to transform how we support and care for seniors, making the expectation of aging in place a safer reality for millions. "These technologies are designed to be less intrusive and are significantly more accurate than current industry standards," said Gregg Rouse, President of AKM's United States business unit. "What sets these components apart is a focus on privacy thanks to our mmWave radar, which presents a new way of monitoring through electromagnetic waves instead of cameras. Our sensors don't know what you look like, just how you're doing. AKM's technology captures essential health indicators as anonymous data points. This allows AI systems to enhance care and safety without infringing on personal privacy and allows users to feel independent." Interactive AgeTech Demonstrations AKM will showcase several live demonstrations at booth 54418 in the Venetian Expo Convention Center. One such demo is the fall detection system, which recognizes people's falls, presence, and movement. The system does all this without the use of cameras to offer life-saving monitoring without compromising privacy or independence. This solution uses AKM's antenna-in-module (AiM) technology, which combines antennas and AKM's AK5816 60 GHz mmWave radar transceiver into one unit. Its design provides an easy-to-use, ready-made solution with extremely low noise performance compared to the conventional approach, where antennas are integrated into the device package. A battery-free smart diaper will also be on display. This diaper features a reusable component that enhances elderly and infant care by detecting the presence of liquid, even with a few drops on the electrode. This moisture generates a tiny amount of voltage (~300 mV), which is then amplified by AKM's AP4470L ultra-low-power boost converter to power the product without batteries or complex electronics. The technology can then wirelessly send data to caregivers using AKM's AK1595A Bluetooth Low Energy transmitter, thereby reducing the discomfort associated with prolonged wetness. AKM will also demonstrate a wristband-based thermometer featuring the AK9757P. This minuscule infrared temperature sensor, measuring just 1.6 x 1.76 mm, integrates seamlessly into wearables such as hearing aids, earbuds, and smartwatches, enabling continuous, non-invasive health monitoring with negligible impact on battery life. It can measure temperature accurately within 0.2C even in the presence of a small air gap, allowing for early health issue detection and more personalized care. Other cutting-edge technologies on display during the convention will include mmWave radar-based vital sign monitoring (breathing rate, heat rate, heat rate variation, and heartbeat sound), muscle activity monitoring (electromyography) enabled by an analog-front-end IC, and smart home solutions to enhance security and detect air quality. The Growing Need for Innovative Healthcare Technology AKM's innovations represent a significant leap forward in AgeTech and provide invaluable support to caregivers, family members, and patients. By offering real-time, accurate, and AI-ready data, AKM's technologies can alleviate the stress and uncertainty associated with remote caregiving. Family members can have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are safely monitored. At the same time, professional caregivers can optimize their time and resources, focusing on providing personalized care where it's needed most. As the population of Americans 65 and older nearly doubled to approximately 55 million from 2000 to 2020, the need for such innovative solutions is increasingly urgent. Learn more about how AKM's technology produces quality data to power the next generation of AgeTech. The AKM media kit includes photos of the technologies. 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 businesses, 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 a 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/. About Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) AKM, a Japan-based company, operates an electronic components business as a member of the Asahi Kasei Group's Material sector. AKM provides customers with unique products by combining the compound semiconductor technology used in magnetic sensors with the ASIC/analog circuit technology used in silicon semiconductors. AKM's unique products and solutions are featured across a wide range of markets, including mobile communication devices and consumer products, as well as automotive electronics devices, household equipment, and industrial equipment. Additional information is available on https://www.akm.com/global/en/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112374939/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 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Bluesky Digital Assets Corp., (CSE: BTC) (OTCQB: BTCWF), ("Bluesky" or the "Corporation") anannounced today that its BlueskyINTEL Web Engagement Platform will be ready to officially launch in January 2025 and begin taking in subscription and partnership revenue. Bluesky's continued focus on Artificial Intelligence ("AI") and Blockchain ("BC") led to the creation of the BlueskyINTEL ("BSI") proprietary Web Engagement Platform ("WEP") which has now reached another strategic release milestone. BSI's WEP remains well positioned strategically in-between Businesses looking to adopt AI & BC technology and with the solutions providers who provide the ability for these businesses to accomplish the adoption and usage of these next generation technologies. During the soft launch period announced on July 2, 2024, businesses registered for free on BSI's AI & BC Landscape page by clicking the 'Create Requirements' button, the response to this soft launch was impressive and BSI had numerous and different types of businesses testing and experiencing BSI's AI-powered matchmaking service. The service analyzed their specific needs and matched them through intelligent AI augmentation with appropriate solution providers in real-time. The real-world interactions that occurred during BSI's initial soft launch, and interest from AWS's (Amazon) after meeting with AWS's account teams to explore strategic alignments, have greatly contributed greatly to accelerating the hard launch to cashflow. Ben Gelfand, CEO stated: "We are excited to move into the revenue, cashflow building and client acquisition phase of our business. The interest we have received from major players has been amazing." Anthony R. Pearlman, COO stated: " As we begin down the path of monetization, moving from R&D to prime-time has been a major accomplishment and milestone for us. We expect to learn a lot as we move forward with production engagements and we will continue to improve on an ongoing basis." About Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. Bluesky Digital Assets Corp, has created a high value digital enterprise at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Web3 business solutions. Leveraging its success as an early adopter providing proprietary technology solutions, Bluesky has invested in its Roadmap. Bluesky's platform, BlueskyINTEL, is well positioned to leverage the current exponential growth of Artificial Intelligence ("AI") and Blockchain based technologies through a tightly focus built collaborative platform. This innovative web platform offering supports and better enables businesses to adopt and utilize these emerging and developing technologies. For more information please visit Bluesky at: www.blueskydigitalassets.com or www.blueskyintel.com. Please also follow us on Linkedin at: www.linkedin.com/company/bluesky-digital-assets/. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbor. - 30 - To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229613 SOURCE: Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to report that the development of a new high-grade near-surface roscoelite zone has commenced at the company's 100% owned Tuvatu high-grade alkaline gold mine on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Lion One CEO Walter Berukoff stated, "Quartz-roscoelite veining is the most economically significant mineral assemblage at several world class alkaline gold deposits that are similar to Tuvatu. Roscoelite is a defining characteristic of these alkaline systems and it is directly associated with high-grade gold. An initial bulk sample of the near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu has returned 11.6 g/t gold from 861 tonnes of material mined at full mining widths. We are now enhancing our mine plan with this gold-rich roscoelite material, which is already being processed through the pilot plant". Roscoelite veining is directly related to high-grade mineralization at the nearby Vatukoula gold mine in Fiji where over 7 million ounces of gold have been produced over the last 85 years. Roscoelite is also observed in association with gold mineralization at the Porgera gold mine in PNG, which has been a top ten ranked gold mine globally and which has produced over 25 million ounces of gold. At Porgera, the most economically significant veins are the Stage II quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins with native gold, found in the Roamane fault zone.1 At Tuvatu the high-grade Stage II veins also ubiquitously occur with roscoelite - a rare dark green to black vanadium rich mica mineral.2 This same mineral assemblage is observed in the near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu, which consists of a series of intersecting flat and sub-vertical banded veins composed primarily of low-temperature chalcedonic quartz intergrown with roscoelite, pyrite, lesser sphalerite and galena, and native gold. This same mineral assemblage is also observed at the high-grade Zone 500 at 500m depth in Tuvatu, at the West Zone near-mine expansion target 300 m to the West of Tuvatu, as well as in drill core throughout the Tuvatu deposit (Figure 1). See news releases: Lion One drills 20.86 g/t Au over 75.9 m from Zone 500, June 6, 2022, and Lion One drills 105.2 g/t Au over 2.1 m from near-mine exploration at the West Zone, October 1, 2024. Tuvatu is optimally located on Fiji's Viti Levu lineament, with a tectonic history and structural setting that created ideal conditions for the vertical ascent of deep alkalic magmas and the formation of the Navilawa volcanic caldera. Within the caldera, the precipitation of metals from hydrothemal fluids occurred through episodic phases of boiling, mixing and cooling. The presence of roscoelite in direct association with high-grade gold mineralization reflects a rare combination of criteria, shared by other notable world-class alkaline gold deposits, thus underscoring the enormous potential for Tuvatu as part of a potentially much larger high-grade alkaline gold system within Fiji's Navilawa Caldera. Figure 1. Example high-grade mineralization from Porgera3 (left), the new near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu (center), and Zone 500 at Tuvatu (right; TUG-141 drill core, 492.5 m depth, 25.23 g/t Au). High grade mineralization at Porgera, Zone 500, and the new near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu all consist of veins composed of quartz-roscoelite-pyrite with native gold. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/229581_c687060444df788b_001full.jpg Figure 2. Location of the new roscoelite zone in relation to underground developments. The new roscoelite zone is in Zone 2 of Tuvatu, in the northwest part of the deposit, approximately 65 m below surface. Preliminary evidence indicates that the zone extends to additional levels below the current underground workings. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/229581_c687060444df788b_002full.jpg Figure 3. Location of the new roscoelite zone in relation to Zone 500. Mineralization observed in the new near-surface roscoelite zone is like that observed in the high-grade Zone 500, which is approximately 350 m below the current underground workings. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/229581_c687060444df788b_003full.jpg The near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu is located 65 m below surface and consists of a series of flat-lying and vertical veins. The strongest gold mineralization occurs in blow-out zones at the intersection of these structures (Figure 4). The primary vertical structures in this zone consist of quartz vein arrays with roscoelite and minor base metal sulfides, while the primary flat-lying structures consist of low-temperature quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins. Both sets of veins contain high-grade gold. This is a very similar scenario to that observed at the Porgera gold mine, wherein there are high-grade ore shoots formed at the intersection of early Stage I base metal veins with later Stage II quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins, with both sets of veins containing gold.1,4 In the near surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu there is evidence of multiple stacked flat-lying quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins, which would produce multiple stacked shoots of high-grade mineralization at the intersection of vertical structures below the current underground workings. Figure 4. Simplified conceptual illustration of intersecting structures in the near-surface roscoelite zone. Multiple flat-lying quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins have been observed underground. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/229581_c687060444df788b_004full.jpg Notes and References: Vatukoula: Sandstorm Gold Royalties | Vatukoula | WHI-VGM-040112 Porgera: Strong Output Growth in 2023 - Zijin Mining | (Zijin Mining 2024) Lihir: (Table 8.1): Technical Report on Lihir Operations as of 30 June 2020 Alkaline Gold Systems: Alkalic-Type Epithermal Gold Deposit Model | USGS 1. Ronacher, E. (2002). The Porgera gold deposit: Fluid characteristics, ore deposition processes, and duration of the ore forming event. [Doctoral Thesis, University of Alberta]. p 55. Link to report 2. Schmidt, D. (2023). Petrographic Characterization and Evolution of the Alkalic-Type Epithermal Tuvatu Au-Te Deposit, Fiji. [Masters Thesis, Colorado School of Mines]. P50. Link to report 3. Supplied image of Porgera rock sample. 4. Cameron, G. (1998). The Hydrothermal Evolution and Genesis of the Porgera Gold Deposit, Papua New Guinea. [Doctoral Thesis, Australian National University]. p 53. Link to report Competent Persons Statement The information in this report that relates to mineral exploration at the Tuvatu Gold Project is based on information compiled by the Lion One team and reviewed by Melvyn Levrel, who is the company's Senior Geologist. Mr Levrel is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC code). Mr Levrel consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. Lion One Laboratories / QAQC Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods. Diamond drill core samples are logged and split by Lion One personnel on site and delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples. Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using the same methods (Au-AA26 and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 23 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish. About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited 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/229581 SOURCE: Lion One Metals Limited Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Today, GrowWise Partners launches with a strong mission: fuel the growth of Canadian businesses by maximizing, simplifying and expediting access to SR&ED, Cleantech, Digital Media and other tax credits and incentives. Their supervised AI technology sets GrowWise apart, combining the best of human and artificial intelligence to produce maximized, high-quality claims. GrowWise Partners stands out as the only consultant with an intelligent conversational AI SR&ED technical consultant that seamlessly integrates with their team's expertise and aims to outperform human tax credit consultants in quality, speed and accuracy. Their solution allows clients to complete technical interviews whenever they want, in a fraction of the time, allowing clients to focus on their growth and innovation. "GrowWise is a culmination of years of focusing on the tax credit consulting needs of clients. This solution combines the best of technology and people to bring an incredible user experience to any type of company. It understands every technology, is always available, has no bias, and produces the most accurate, highest-quality SR&ED claims." said Garron Helman, Co-Founder and Partner. Garron is a serial entrepreneur with decades of experience in tax credit consulting and financing. Lauren Valliere, Co-Founder and Managing Partner stated, "We know that very few business owners are passionate about government tax credits, but we are. We've channelled that passion to develop a revolutionary supervised AI solution to ensure companies get every dollar they deserve, so they can avoid the headache and focus on driving growth." For more information about how GrowWise can help businesses access these essential non-dilutive funding sources, please visit growwise.ai, or connect with Lauren or Garron. About GrowWise Partners GrowWise Partners is transforming access to government tax credits, including SR&ED, Cleantech, Digital Media, and other incentives. Their proprietary supervised AI solution combines their industry-leading AI technology with their team's expertise to create maximized, high-quality claims-simply and efficiently. Media Contact Lauren Valliere Managing Partner, GrowWise Partners Email: lauren@growwise.ai Website: growwise.ai To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229429 SOURCE: GrowWise Partners Ltd. Revealing an urgency for long-term myopia management LONDON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Ipsos survey[1] commissioned by Essilor Stellest lenses amongst 1,000 UK parents has revealed a serious lack of understanding around myopia in children. Indeed, 94% of parents of myopic children wrongly believe that wearing glasses will solve the problem. Myopia, or short-sightedness, is predicted to impact half of the World's population and a staggering one billion people are predicted to have high myopia by 2050[2]. Higher degrees of myopia pose a greater risk of ocular complications that may lead to visual impairment or even blindness later in life. However, the earlier myopia is detected and managed in a child, the greater the chance progression can be slowed down with simple lifestyle changes and by wearing special myopia control glasses or contact lenses available from your local optician. The poll highlighted huge gaps in knowledge amongst parents around myopia: The vast majority of parents of myopic children (94%) wrongly believe that having their myopic child wear glasses or contact lenses solves the problem. Half (54%) of the parents questioned, including those without myopic children, were unaware that "the earlier myopia starts, the faster it progresses and the more serious it can become." And almost half (48%) of all parents were aware that very short-sighted people have an increased risk of sight threatening eye complications, with the same amount (48%) unaware that myopia is progressing faster today than in previous generations. Of the factors that may be associated with myopia, 56% of all parents did not know that lack of exposure to natural light was one of them. In fact, almost two thirds of all parents (61%) admitted to finding it increasingly difficult to know exactly what to do to ensure that their child is and remains in good health. Charlotte Timbury, Dispensing Optician and Director of Medical & Professional Affairs for EssilorLuxottica North Europe said: "Myopia, or short-sightedness, is when a child can see close up objects but struggles to see objects far away clearly, such as the whiteboard at school. This typically develops in children of school age and the younger a child becomes myopic, the more likely they will develop higher levels of myopia[3]. "It's evident that many parents and even those whose children are myopic, lack accurate information about myopia. Worryingly, many think that simply making their child wear glasses with corrective lenses solves the problem, unaware that myopia can progress even with corrective lenses. "However, there are ways to slow it down with lifestyle changes and wearing a myopia control spectacle lens, such as Essilor Stellest lenses, which will correct myopia and slow down its progression." More than correction: There is an urgency for long-term myopia management The survey reveals that the majority of parents take a short-term view of myopia management, focusing on immediate compensation for the problem, overlooking the importance of follow-ups once the correction is in place and the existence of solutions to slow down the progression. After correction, 69% of parents of myopic children are no longer really worried about their child's eyesight. 78% of parents of myopic children even consider that they have done all they can and that there is not much left to do. 79% of parents of myopic children wrongly believe that their child's myopia is likely to improve. More than two thirds (69%) of parents of myopic children consider that their child's myopia will probably disappear in the next few years. Overall, a third (32%) of parents are not aware that adopting appropriate habits such as taking a break when focusing on close objects for long periods and spending time outdoors could be beneficial in slowing down the onset of myopia. And three quarters (76%) have not heard about spectacle lenses to slow down the progression of myopia. Charlotte continues: "Myopia must be addressed and managed as soon as possible in childhood, and thankfully, recent developments in myopia control spectacle lenses can help this. Essilor Stellest lenses are safe and easy to wear and enable the child to continue to wear their spectacles without any compromise. In fact, over a 5-year period, myopia progression was two times slower on average with Essilor Stellest lenses*[4]. "This, combined with some simple lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of high myopia and its potentially associated complications once the child reaches adulthood. "Getting outside as much as possible and keeping leisure screen time outside of schoolwork to a minimum has been shown to help delay the onset of myopia. Myopia can progress rapidly so it's important to know the signs to watch out for such as sitting too close to the TV and difficulty seeing the board at school, and for children to keep up with their regular eye examination once a year." About Essilor Stellest Essilor Stellest lenses are Essilor's best solution for fighting myopia in children because they have two functions. First, they correct myopia, giving the wearer sharp vision. And second, they slow down its progression by positioning a volume of non-focused light in front of the retina, following the retina's shape which sends a signal to slow down eye elongation. Essilor Stellest lenses slow down the progression of myopia by 67% on average, compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours per day**[5]. Visit https://www.essilor.com/uk-en/products/stellest/. About Essilor: Essilor, part of EssilorLuxottica's portfolio, is a leader in eyeglass lenses worldwide[6] and the number one lens brand recommended by eye care professionals (ECP)[7]. It offers a complete range of solutions dedicated to each individual's vision and lifestyle needs throughout their life. Every Essilor lens is a combination of multiple complementary technologies thanks to its suite of leading premium vision care solutions, including innovative brands such as Stellest, Eyezen and Varilux and Crizal. These groundbreaking technologies correct vision, protect eyes from UV rays and enhance visual clarity. REFERENCES: 1. International survey conducted by Ipsos in 6 countries on 6007 parents with at least one child aged from 5 to 17, from a representative sample of individuals aged from 25 to 60 in terms of age, gender, occupation, region. UK: 1000 interviews / Italy: 1001 interviews / France: 1000 interviews / Brazil: 1001 interviews / India: 1005 interviews / China: 1000 interviews. Online interviews from June 24th to July 15th 2024. 2. Source: Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036-1042. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.01.006. 3. Bullimore MA, Richdale K. Myopia Control 2020: Where are we and where are we heading? Ophthal Physiol Opt 2020;40:254-270. 4. Li X, Huang Y, Liu C, Yin Z, Cui Z, Lim EW, Drobe B, Chen H, Bao J. Myopia control efficacy of spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets: results of a 5-year follow-up study. Presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)Annual Meeting, Seattle, 2024. 5. Bao, J., Huang, Y., Li, X., Yang, A., Zhou, F., Wu, J., Wang, C., Li, Y., Lim, E.W., Spiegel, D.P., Drobe, B. and Chen, H., 2022. "Spectacle Lenses with Aspherical Lenslets for Myopia Control vs Single Vision Spectacle Lenses: A Randomized Clinical Trial." JAMA Ophthalmol. 1 40(5), 472 - 478. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.0401. 6. Source: Euromonitor, Eyewear 2023 edition; Essilor International company; worldwide retail value sales at RSP. 7. Quantitative research conducted among a representative sample of 958 independent ECPs by CSA in February 2019 - France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, the US, Canada, Brazil, China, India. DISCLAIMERS: *Compared to the 60-month progression of the extrapolated control group (predicted average annual decrease in SER by 9.7% based on the initial 2-year control group, Smotherman C, et al. IOVS 2023;64:ARVO E-Abstract 811). **Two-year prospective, controlled, randomized, double-masked clinical trial results on 54 myopic children wearing Essilor Stellest lenses compared to 50 myopic children wearing single vision lenses in Wenzhou China. Results based on 32 children from the Test Group wearing Essilor Stellest lenses at least 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2554387/Stellest_Ipsos_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-ipsos-global-survey-shines-a-light-on-the-myopia-epidemic-302302559.html WTCA members gathered in New York to explore innovative strategies and strengthen partnerships that will enhance international business NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), an international trade organization connecting more than 300 World Trade Center (WTC) locations in nearly 100 countries, held its 2024 WTCA Member Forum from October 27-29 in New York City. The three-day event attracted nearly 145 attendees, including 45 first-time attendees, who gathered to participate from nearly 80 unique WTC businesses representing 26 countries and territories around the world. Under the theme "PIONEER the Global Network: Pathways for Innovation, Opportunity, Networking, Empowerment, Excellence, and Resilience," this year's event brought together WTCA members for panel discussions and presentations, providing essential tools to navigate the ever-changing global business landscape. Sessions delved into emerging trends in global business, along with best practices and collaborative opportunities across markets, offering actionable insights to help members strengthen their roles locally and elevate WTCA's global influence. Highlights from this year's Member Forum included presentations on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as "AI in Global Trade: A Fireside Chat on Navigating the Future of International Business" and "Transform Your WTC Business with AI," both of which explored AI's transformative potential in global trade and business growth at all scales. The event also featured discussions on bridging generational divides, empowering female leaders, building resilient communities and leveraging data. It concluded with the WTCA North America Regional Meeting, uniting members to advance WTCA's regional goals. "The annual Member Forum is really a key event that keeps us all together as a network and as a family. It is always interesting to learn from each of the WTC businesses - about what they are doing in their local regions and how it impacts the association," said John E. Drew, WTCA Chair, Board of Directors. "WTCA is highly adaptable, as shown by the diversity of new member businesses in our network, and this year's event focused on the fantastic new and diverse business models, ideas and services being offered across the association. As we celebrate WTCA's 55th anniversary this year, I couldn't be more thrilled to see how this association continues to grow and adapt to the evolving needs of various industries and shifting economies in the years to come." The "Road to 500" initiative, WTCA's strategic vision focused on expanding its global Membership to 500 WTC locations over the next decade, was a central focus of discussions at this year's event. A key session, "The Road to 500: WTC Free Trade Zones," highlighted the far-reaching expansion of Free Trade Zones and Special Economic Zones globally, and how WTCA is actively developing partnerships with these trade zone entities in support of its membership goal. The Association also welcomed eight new WTCA Members including WTC AMTZ, WTC Future City, WTC Hinjawadi, WTC Jeju, WTC Osaka, WTC Pittsburgh, WTC Sarajevo and WTC Tokyo, in which several presented their new projects that aim to boost economic development within their regions through the power of the global WTCA network. Attendees also took time to celebrate the achievements of members that became WTCA accredited over the past year, including WTC Chennai, WTC Cyprus, WTC Kuala Lumpur, WTC Monterrey, WTC Montevideo, WTC Suzhou, WTC Taipei, WTC Trieste and WTC Twente. These members underwent the rigorous WTCA Accreditation program that provides formal validation of a WTC business' commitment to excellence within the network and beyond. The 2024 WTCA Member Forum also marked the official countdown to the highly anticipated 55th Annual WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF), which will be hosted April 6-9, 2025 by WTC Marseille Provence in Marseille, France. The 2025 WTCA GBF theme, "Gateway to the Mediterranean," highlights the region's pivotal role in connecting global trade and innovation, with a focus on strategic access to Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Attendees will explore new markets, participate in exclusive sessions, and forge partnerships while leveraging WTCA's global network to drive business growth. "The 2024 Member Forum was a remarkable success in reconnecting with fellow colleagues, fostering new partnerships and discovering business opportunities amongst our members," said Crystal Edn, WTCA Executive Director of Member Services. "We were proud to highlight the achievements of our members over the past year, showcasing the incredible impact they have both within their communities and on the international stage. As we look forward to gathering in Marseille, France for the upcoming GBF, we are excited to see how these collaborations will continue to evolve and drive new business opportunities for organizations our global network serves." About World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the "World Trade Center" and "WTC" trademarks, WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for Members to use in conjunction with their independently owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its Members, the goal of WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe, creating an ecosystem built around commerce, community and connection. To learn more, visit www.wtca.org. MEDIA CONTACTS: World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Chanelle Dimalanta Phone: +1 212 432 2644 Email: cdimalanta@wtca.org Violet PR Kate Traina Phone: +1 908 967 2117 Email: kate@violetpr.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2552755/WTCA_GROUP_PORTRAIT_2024_APRIL.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2517010/World_Trade_Centers_Association_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2024-world-trade-centers-association-wtca-member-forum-advances-global-trade-and-collaboration-to-navigate-the-ever-changing-business-landscape-302300347.html NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- QuantalX Neuroscience Ltd. is proud to announce that its Delphi-MD (Direct Electrophysiological Imaging Device), an innovative point-of-care neurodiagnostic platform, has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its groundbreaking Delphi stimulator, designed specifically for the nerve stimulation for diagnostic purposes. This important milestone acknowledges Delphi-MD as a new standard in brain health by enabling objective, personalized treatment options. The Delphi-MD platform enables accurate, early detection of brain abnormalities across a wide range of conditions, including stroke, dementia (Alzheimer's, Lewy Body Disease, Vascular Dementia), Parkinson's Disease, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and general brain health assessment. By addressing critical gaps in neurological care, Delphi-MD provides clinicians with non-invasive, radiation-free insights into brain function-a first in healthcare. This transformative approach supports precision-tailored treatments, enhancing both patient outcomes and quality of life. Delphi-MD was granted FDA Breakthrough Designation Device status twice, the first for the detection of patients at risk for stroke and dementia and the second for detection of NPH and prediction of treatment response to ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery. Delphi-MD was also selected for the prestigious FDA Total Product Life Cycle Advisory program (TAP), supporting the company's efforts to advance the successful adoption of the technology in the US healthcare market. Delphi-MD brain health evaluation test has already obtained a dedicated CPT reimbursement code (0858T). "We are thrilled to announce this FDA clearance for our Delphi stimulator" said Iftach Dolev PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of QuantalX. "This is a significant step forward in our path to revolutionizing the world of neurodiagnostics, allowing us to make a lasting impact on brain health and elevate standards in patient care as we accelerate our US market penetration. Our team remains committed to pioneering innovations that advance medical science and deliver game-changing solutions for clinicians and patients alike." Delphi-MD represents a leap in neurodiagnostic technology, offering an objective, user-friendly tool for healthcare providers seeking reliable insights to support improved care decisions. As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing neurological health, QuantalX will continue working closely with healthcare providers to expand Delphi-MD's applicational use, ensuring a transformative impact on neurodiagnostic practices. About QuantalX Neuroscience QuantalX is committed to fundamentally improving patient care and alleviating the burden on healthcare systems through objective and accurate, early detection and differential diagnosis of brain abnormalities, leveraging its novel Direct Neuro-Physiological technology, the Delphi-MD device. Media Contact: Adi Jacobson VP Marketing, QuantalX Neuroscience Adi@quantalx.com Tel: +972502043934 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2554486/QuantalX_PR_FDA_Cleared.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/quantalx-secures-fda-clearance-for-its-breakthrough-delphi-stimulator-advancing-direct-brain-health-diagnosis-at-the-point-of-care-302302512.html The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Exeter chose NewOrg to help manage growth, with a comprehensive solution replacing FileMaker and spreadsheets. EXETER, NH / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Exeter (SVdP) has been a cornerstone of community support in Exeter, New Hampshire, since its establishment in 1989. Dedicated to providing emergency food and assistance to those in need, SVdP steps in when other resources are exhausted, offering essential aid to the community's most vulnerable. Founded in 1833 in Paris, France, by Frederic Ozanam, the Society quickly expanded, establishing its first U.S. conference in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1845. Today, the Society operates in 150 countries and runs over 4,400 conferences across the United States. In Exeter, SVdP's journey began in a building provided by St. Michael Parish. In 2011, after more than two decades of dedicated service, SVdP acquired its own facility at 53 Lincoln Street, creating the Community Assistance Center. Collaborating with agencies such as Rockingham Community Action and Families First, the Center quickly outgrew its space. In 2015, with strong community support, SVdP expanded its facilities, adding offices, a conference room, and an expanded pantry, ensuring it meets the needs of those it serves with dignity and respect. NewOrg Logo Society of St. Vincent de Paul Exeter outgrew its reliance on FileMaker, facing challenges with reporting and manual processes. To streamline operations and improve efficiency, they transitioned to the NewOrg Management System, which provided a more robust and modern platform, allowing them to better focus on their mission and deliver enhanced services to clients. To address their growing challenges, NewOrg implemented the following solutions: 1. Food Pantry Tracking System: Configured a system to efficiently record visits and manage food distribution, ensuring better tracking of pantry activity. 2. Auto-refreshing Visitor Lists: Developed an automated, real-time list of food pantry visitors, streamlining operations and service delivery. 3. Centralized Volunteer Management: Combined volunteer applications, onboarding, and time tracking into one system, simplifying coordination. 4. Volunteer Communication: Set up automated email notifications to keep volunteers informed about opportunities and maintain engagement. 5. Comprehensive Assistance Tracking: Deployed tools to track and report multiple types of client assistance, improving transparency and accuracy. 6. Growth and Future-readiness: Introduced a scalable system to support St. Vincent de Paul Exeter's service delivery and operational growth. Contact Information Sotiris Koutsoyannis Marketing/Communication Specialist info@neworg.com 866-843-2835 Molly Zirillo Executive Director mollyz@svdpexeter.com 603-772-9922 SOURCE: NewOrg Management System View the original press release on newswire.com. StrategicDB offers strategic and actionable dashboard implementation services for Marketing Cloud Intelligence (Datorama) platform. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / StrategicDB Corp. offers clients a unique take on traditional marketing dashboards by making sure dashboards are insightful and actionable with their Marketing Cloud Intelligence Services. Marketing Cloud Intelligence Services Marketing Cloud Intelligence (MCI) Services includes: Implementation of brand new Salesforce, MCI and Datorama instances. Streamlining current dashboards to save on the cost of rows. Auditing and fixing any issues that the current analytical teams are experiencing. Strategically auditing dashboards to ensure they provide the insights and actions that are useful. Automating data streams in a way that does not require manual maintenance. As a marketing analytics company, StrategicDB is different by focusing on the goal of the dashboard. By starting the dashboard of what is the purpose and what questions you are trying to answer on a regular basis, you can build a dashboard which is not only visually appealing but also provides the answers that you need. StrategicDB tailors each dashboard based on the needs of the stake-owners, streamlines the data streams (sources) and makes sure no manual work is needed for ongoing maintenance. About StrategicDB Corporation: StrategicDB Corp. is a marketing analytics agency, which helps companies both small and large get the most value of available marketing data. By automating dashboards, doing custom analytical models and implementing the latest technology, StrategicDB makes the most of your marketing data. The company has been implementing Datorama and MCI since 2016, and has built over 300 dashboards. Contact Information Anna Kayfitz CEO anna@strategicdb.com SOURCE: StrategicDB Corporation View the original press release on newswire.com. Dual Stevie Awards Honor Myra Roldan's Impact as a Latina Leader Shaping the Future of AI NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Myra Roldan, renowned AI Technologist and CEO and Founder of UnDesto AI, has been named the winner of a Silver Stevie Award for Woman of the Year in Technology and a Silver Stevie Award for Most Innovative Woman of the Year in Technology at the 21st annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. The awards were presented to winners on Friday during a gala event attended by nominees and their guests at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, with the event broadcast via Vimeo. Myra Roldan, Award-Winning Leader in AI Recipient of Two Stevie Awards for Woman of the Year in Technology The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor the accomplishments of women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they lead worldwide, recognizing excellence across various industries. This year's competition drew over 1,500 entries from organizations in 36 nations and across more than 100 categories. Roldan's dual selection from this year's highly competitive roster of entrants highlights her exceptional contributions to the AI industry and her unwavering commitment to ethical, accessible AI. This recognition emphasizes her pioneering efforts to empower organizations in adopting responsible AI practices while championing diversity and inclusivity in technology. As a proud Latina, Roldan's achievements represent a significant milestone for Latinas in AI, inspiring a new generation of diverse talent in the field. "I'm both stoked and humbled by being a winner of two 2024 Stevie Awards," Roldan shared. "This is a win for my mom, my daughters, my sisters, and all the little girls who have a dream." This year, Roldan's impact has expanded with the launch of AI literacy programs developed in collaboration with over 50 U.S. colleges, reaching more than 1,000 adult learners nationwide. Her decade-long involvement with the Technovation Challenge continues to inspire young girls globally, equipping them to tackle real-world challenges using AI and fostering a more inclusive future in tech. Through her work at UnDesto AI, Roldan advances crucial initiatives in AI ethics and accessibility, providing organizations with frameworks and guidance essential for implementing AI responsibly and sustainably. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the world, working on seven juries. Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Women. About UnDesto AI Founded by Myra Roldan, UnDesto AI is a leader in AI implementation, offering innovative solutions that help businesses thrive in today's competitive landscape. UnDesto AI's mission is to make AI technology accessible, ethical, and beneficial to all. The company has been instrumental in shaping educational frameworks adopted by organizations and institutions worldwide. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are granted in nine programs and receive 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories. The Stevies recognize outstanding performances worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com. HCLTech sponsored the Women in Technology categories in the 2024 competition. Contact Information Leah Manoni Marketing Manager leah@undesto.ai SOURCE: UnDesto AI View the original press release on newswire.com. 64,000 Consumers Rank Nearly 200 Taylor Swift Tracks, Revealing the Commercial Truth Behind Her Last 10 Albums and the True Value of the Taylor Swift Brand LONDON, ENGLAND / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Taylor Swift, the pop phenomenon who has taken the world by storm, is more than just a musical icon. But what happens when you strip away the glittering brand and focus solely on the music? A groundbreaking 12-year study by SoundOut reveals the surprising truth about her commercial appeal - and it's a tale of highs, lows, and the enduring power of brand over music. The SoundOut Index 2024: Taylor Swift-The Music delivers a comprehensive and eye-opening analysis of nearly 200 Taylor Swift tracks. Over 64,000 consumer reviews, sourced on the day of each release, dissect the commercial performance of her last 10 albums, answering the question: How good is Taylor Swift's music, really? The results may surprise both fans and industry insiders. The Numbers Don't Lie While Taylor Swift's brand has skyrocketed to global domination, her music's commercial appeal tells a different story. Swift's earlier works consistently outperform her recent releases, even as her fan base has grown. According to the report, Speak Now (2010) remains her highest-rated album, with an impressive 69% rating. In stark contrast, her latest albums have landed as low as the mid-30s, a significant drop that even the twin COVID-era albums, Folklore and Evermore, couldn't fully offset. Brand vs. Music - The Unseen Force Driving Swift's Success This unique study goes beyond the tracks, isolating the Taylor Swift brand from the music itself. The result? Swift's brand is so powerful that it can elevate the appeal of average tracks into global chart-toppers. This finding sparks a provocative question for up-and-coming artists: Is it more important to cultivate a brand than to create musical brilliance? Taylor Swift's brand strategy offers an undeniable lesson in navigating the modern music industry - her music, while not as commercially strong as it once was, continues to thrive on the strength of her brand. An Emotional Journey Through Music The report also taps into advanced AI-driven analysis to explore 240 unique emotional attributes tied to Swift's back catalogue. It reveals how her music has evolved, broadening her emotional appeal and solidifying her brand in new dimensions. The emotional profile of her tracks shows why certain songs resonate more deeply with audiences and how her recent work has lost some of the emotional edge that made her earlier hits timeless. Commercial Appeal vs. Artistic Authenticity The big question this report answers is whether Taylor Swift has traded her early commercial power for greater artistic authenticity. Can her brand continue to sustain her dominance, even as her music diverges from its earlier appeal? The findings show a delicate balancing act, suggesting that while her musical appeal may fluctuate, her brand remains a fortress. Discover Taylor's Top Tracks The report ranks Taylor's top songs, benchmarked against over 5,000 other tracks released over the same period, revealing her most commercially successful tracks. Here's a taste: Mine (Speak Now, 2010 & 2023) - 99% Overall Back to December (Speak Now, 2010 & 2023) - 98% Overall Never Grow Up (Speak Now, 2010 & 2023) - 98% Overall Champagne Problems (Evermore, 2020) - 94% Overall Highway Don't Care (Two Lanes of Freedom, 2013) - 94% Overall These top-performing tracks are a testament to Swift's magic, showcasing the clear correlation between intrinsic track appeal and commercial success. Which Taylor Swift Track Are You? SoundOut offers a unique opportunity for fans and brands alike - discover which Taylor Swift track most closely matches your personality! By analyzing every Taylor Swift song within its 240-attribute emotional framework, you can now explore how your identity aligns with her music. Head over to SoundOut OnBrand to find out which Taylor Swift track defines you or your brand. Download the Full Report here. To delve deeper into the data and uncover the full story behind Taylor Swift's musical journey, download the full report. David Courtier-Dutton, CEO of SoundOut, commented: "Taylor Swift's brand mastery has allowed her to transcend the ups and downs of her musical output. The data tells us that while her earlier tracks resonate more with listeners, her brand remains the powerhouse behind her continued global success. She has achieved something that most artists can only aspire to - artistic authenticity and global domination." About SoundOut SoundOut is the world leader in strategic sonic branding and audio marketing testing. SoundOut works with many of the most iconic brands in the world (such as TikTok, Amazon, Toyota, DHL, Ford, Unilever and GSK) as well as all the major record labels and many leading radio groups. SoundOut specializes in helping organizations trigger the right emotional response from their customers by matching brand personality and attributes to music. As a result, SoundOut provides the data and insight needed by clients to increase the certainty of achieving a strong ROI from their audio branding and marketing investments. Website: www.soundout.com Contact Information Matt Cartmell Carta Communications matt.cartmell@cartacomms.com SOURCE: SoundOut View the original press release on newswire.com. BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in global drinking water is a growing concern due to their harmful health and environmental impacts. PFAS are both persistent and bioaccumulative, requiring active intervention through treatment technologies to remove them from water. IDTechEx's market report, "PFAS Treatment 2025-2035: Technologies, Regulations, Players, Applications", provides an in-depth look at these solutions. PFAS Treatment Technologies for Contaminated Water Landscape of PFAS treatment technologies for contaminated water. Source: IDTechEx Author of the report, IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Sona Dadhania, explains that: "Established water treatment technologies can be utilized to effectively remove the most commonly regulated PFAS, like PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid), from groundwater and surface water. While these technologies are effective at removing PFAS from the environment, they cannot guarantee that captured PFAS is permanently removed from the environment, because they do not destroy the captured PFAS. Many advocates are concerned that removed PFAS may find its way back into the environment, creating a never-ending cycle of PFAS removal. For example, spent adsorption media (i.e. spent GAC, IER) that is landfilled could leach captured PFAS into the ground, allowing for previously removed PFAS to re-enter the environment. This creates a need for another category of PFAS treatment technologies to ensure that captured PFAS can never return to the environment: PFAS destruction technologies." Dadhania advises that concerns over incumbent strategies for PFAS waste management have created opportunities for novel PFAS destruction technologies to potentially disrupt the status quo. Numerous different destruction technologies are being developed by universities and independent start-ups. Concerns surrounding the incineration and landfilling of PFAS have supported the emergence of new PFAS destruction technologies, but there are other factors impacting its potential growth. The most important of these factors is regulations. While the reluctance from US regulatory authorities to fully support incineration has afforded emerging PFAS destruction technologies an opportunity to displace incineration, the lack of a permanent ban on incineration presents obstacles to its growth. Changes in regulations surrounding incineration of PFAS will be key to watch for the future trajectory of this field. IDTechEx's report, "PFAS Treatment 2025-2035: Technologies, Regulations, Players, Applications", provides a detailed evaluation of both established and emerging PFAS treatment technologies across various applications. The report includes player landscapes, a 10-year market forecast for municipal drinking water treatment, and in-depth analysis of the evolving PFAS treatment market. The comprehensive discussion and analysis in the report offers a clear picture of the dynamic PFAS treatment market for those looking to understand this rapidly emerging field in sustainability. For more information on this report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/PFASTreat. About IDTechEx IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging technologies and their markets. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com. Contact Information Charlotte Martin Subscriptions Marketing Manager c.martin@idtechex.com +44(0)1223 812300 SOURCE: IDTechEx View the original press release on newswire.com. Duke Energy's science-backed conservation plan aims to help endangered bat species through land management, conservation and more NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Duke Energy By Emry McKinney | illumination Contributor If bats make you think of Halloween and spooky movies, Brett Hartis, lead scientist in Duke Energy's Environmental Sciences group, would like to change your mind. "Bats aren't traditionally the most beautiful or popular animals. But they're amazing creatures that are a big part of our ecosystem, especially regarding pest control." Scientists estimate that insect-eating bats save U.S. farmers billions of dollars each year by reducing crop damage and limiting the need for pesticides. And over 300 species of fruit depend on bats for pollination. What's more: Bats are now facing new, unprecedented threats. That's why Hartis is leading a project at Duke Energy to develop a new approach to protect them. Known as a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), the project will create one of the largest utility-based HCPs in the country to focus on bats and vegetation management. Why a new approach is needed Vegetation management, including tree trimming and removal, is necessary as the company makes strategic grid investments to enhance reliability for 8.4 million electric utility customers across six states. But trees are also a crucial part of the ecosystem and natural beauty of our service areas, as well as habitats for many species including bats. When not hibernating, many live in trees and raise their young in the crevasses of the bark or within branches and leaf clusters. "It's not either/or. As a company, we have to do both," said Scott Fletcher, manager of Duke Energy's Natural Resources group. "Advancing our clean energy transition requires the management of vegetation and a continued commitment to environmental stewardship and biodiversity." In the past, only a few species in the company's service area were designated as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), so Duke Energy could address potential impacts by seasonally restricting work and obtaining permits on a project-by-project basis. That has changed as scientists monitor substantial declines in bat populations. Eight species are now categorized as federally endangered or threatened. White-nose syndrome, an invasive fungal disease, is a leading cause of this decline. "Today, the bats we need to protect are potentially everywhere and nowhere at once," Hartis said. "Some bat species' range includes nearly the whole Eastern United States, and pretty much any tree could be their home." "Given the increased scope of the problem, our old approach of tree-by-tree avoidance simply isn't feasible," Fletcher added. "It wouldn't be good for our customers, good for our crews, or for the bats. We realized that we need to develop a new way forward." What makes an HCP different? The company realized a broader, more inclusive approach was needed, one that would protect covered bats while also facilitating necessary utility work along Duke Energy's more than 380,000 miles of right of way. "We are developing an HCP because it is a comprehensive, big-picture approach," Fletcher said. "It's a cooperative effort between Duke Energy and USFWS, and a great example of bringing the private and public sectors together to work on challenging problems." Cooperation and coordination are essential as the company sets an ambitious goal to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to covered bats, as well as support for long-term bat conservation through land management, conservation and protection. A plan of this scope doesn't happen overnight. The company began initial outreach to stakeholders and data assembly in late 2023. Now they are in the process of collaborating with USFWS and will be working through the service's formal public involvement process until mid-2025, with a goal of permit issuance by 2026. "That may seem like a long timeline, but it's very reasonable considering the scale of the project," Hartis said. "You have to remember that this HCP is very large and geographically diverse - it's designed to cover all parts of our service area, from the Midwest to the Carolinas and Florida." Fletcher added, "Plus, the permit will last up to 30 years. That will mean greater certainty and efficiency for all parties. Having a plan like this in place will help to streamline our work, which in turn helps to control costs and speed advancements for our customers while also creating benefits for bats." Endangered Species Conservation Fund Showing their support for the project, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded Duke Energy a $1 million grant for 2024-2025, with the option to reapply annually, to facilitate the development of the HCP. Leading the way Innovation is a key component of Duke Energy's planning for the future - but innovation isn't just for power plants or grid technology. Innovative re-thinking is helping the company develop new comprehensive planning to protect bats while also making improvements to better serve customers. The project could be a step forward for the utility industry. As one of the first utilities to pursue an HCP specifically for bats and vegetation management, Hartis said the company could establish an industry standard. "It's incredibly exciting to see Duke Energy take on something of this scale," he said. "And I love making a difference for endangered bat species - especially because they are so frequently misunderstood. Hopefully, everyone will get more of an opportunity to get to know and appreciate bats." View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Duke Energy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Duke Energy View the original press release on accesswire.com BAKU, AZERBAIJAN / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / A breakthrough partnership between GHGSat and the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SITP), leading teams in global satellite monitoring of methane emission sources, has demonstrated a significant advancement in international climate cooperation. This partnership marks the first coordinated effort between Chinese national satellite monitoring and Canada's commercial satellite monitoring system to support global climate objectives. Satellite technologies offer unprecedented capabilities in methane detection, with different systems capable of providing emissions data at various detection thresholds. Through this partnership, both GHGSat's satellite constellation and China's four satellites with Advanced Hyperspectral Imagers (AHSIs), each independently developed with advanced methods for methane emitter identification and quantification, observed methane emissions across a key energy-producing region throughout 2023. This operation is one of the largest coordinated satellite-based methane monitoring efforts to date, bringing together insights from two satellite constellations to collectively enable informed climate dialogue. To add to the study, GHGSat contributed a selection of observations from its satellite constellation, which generates high-resolution imagery to pinpoint methane emissions to a 25-meter resolution at a near-daily cadence. SITP contributed data from its AHSI sensors, designed to achieve comprehensive spatial and temporal coverage, with a swath width of up to 60 km. For the period of the study, a combined total of 2,441 methane plumes was detected, with GHGSat's constellation collecting 229 scenes covering over 47,000 km2 and AHSI satellites collecting 323 scenes covering 1,198,000 km2. The average emission rate was 1,659 kg/hr for GHGSat and 5,384 kg/hr for AHSI. GHGSat's commercial satellites leverage rapid revisit capabilities to continuously monitor known emission sources. The national AHSI satellites use their wide swath coverage to effectively detect both known and unknown emission sources. Both satellite types offer exceptional detection capabilities, providing extensive coverage and precise emission quantification. "Achieving climate goals requires global collaboration," said Stephane Germain, CEO of GHGSat. "This white paper, which drew on the strengths of each satellite constellation to create a better understanding of methane emissions, is an important step forward for international climate cooperation." "China has emerged as a pivotal scientific force in methane emissions monitoring," said Professor Pengfei Li, leader of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Extreme Detection Group at SITP. "This collaboration highlights the synergy between China and global scientific teams. By joining forces with GHGSat, we combine strengths to provide more precise data for climate monitoring. This white paper marks China's expanding role in climate governance and sets a benchmark for future cooperation," said Professor Yinnian Liu, the deputy director of State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics, SITP. Contact Information Alison Boyer Director of Communications aboyer@ghgsat.com Rong Hu hurong@mail.sitp.ac.cn SOURCE: GHGSat View the original press release on newswire.com. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Equity Metals Corporation (TSXV: EQTY) ("Equity" or the "Company") reports it has signed a letter agreement with Origen Resources Inc. ("Origen") on November 5, 2024 (the "Arlington Agreement") to earn a 100% interest in nine claims, totaling 3,583.89 ha, located within the Boundary District of south-central British Columbia (the "Arlington Property"). The Arlington Agreement, which is subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange") acceptance ("Regulatory Approval"), provides that Equity may earn a 100% interest in the Arlington Property by meeting the following obligations to Origen, all by the first anniversary of Regulatory Approval: making cash payments totaling $130,000 ($30,000 of which is reimbursement of costs associated with the Bond posted in regards to the current drill permit to be assigned to Equity); incurring exploration expenditures of $250,000 on the Arlington Property; and issuing shares valued at $200,000 within 7 days of Regulatory Approval; and issuing additional shares valued at $200,000, or 2 million shares, whichever is greater, by the first anniversary of Regulatory Approval. Origen will retain a royalty of 2% of net smelter returns, provided that the Company may purchase 1% of such royalty at any time for the price of $1,000,000. About the Arlington Property The Arlington Au-Cu-Ag Property is located in the West Kettle River Valley in southern British Columbia; it is 17 km north of the community of Beaverdell and 65 km south of Kelowna B.C., within the Greenwood Mining Division (see Figure 1). Historic work in the area was driven by the early success and discoveries made in the Beaverdell and Carmi Mining Camps during the late 1890s. Most of the production in the district was from the Beaverdell Camp, which was mined from 1913 to 1991 and produced approximately 35Mozs silver and 16.5Kozs gold. The Buckhorn Mine, located 60km to the south of the property in northern Washington state, is also considered a possible exploration analogue. The Buckhorn mine was operated by Kinross from 2007 to 2017, producing 1.3Moz gold from 5Mt ore. The Arlington Au-Cu-Ag property was explored as early as 1888, with modern exploration on the property occurring in several stages from the early 1970's to 1996, and most recently from 2015 to 2022. Thirteen historic mineral occurrences are identified on the claims, although more recent prospecting and reconnaissance work has identified several additional undocumented historical shafts, adits and trenches in the northern part of the claims that reflect significant historical exploration and some mining activity on the property over time. The claim position has been steadily expanded since initial staking by the vendors in 2015 and now totals nine claims. Figure 1: Location of the Arlington Property To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5566/229395_5404d4a144506936_002full.jpg Work on the Arlington property by the vendors includes surface reconnaissance rock chip and grab sampling, several phases of soil sampling and targeted VLF and surface magnetic geophysical surveys over the resulting geochemical anomalies. Sampling successfully confirmed the high-grade nature of the known mineral occurrences in the northern claims, returning strongly anomalous gold, silver and copper results including: 11.7g/t Au, 211g/t Ag and 3.22% Cu (grab) 6.8g/t Au and 2.0g/t Ag (grab) 1.3g/t Au, 31g/t Ag and 1.2% Cu (grab) Work in the more recently staked southern claims has identified a broad Au-Ag-Cu anomaly, extending approximately 2,000m in a N-S direction and 1,000m in an E-W direction. Gold values range from 15 - 2,300 ppb, with associated anomalous values of As, Bi, Te and As. Targets in this area include gold-enriched epithermal-styled veins and Au/Cu-enriched disseminated to massive magnetite replacement bodies. Historic Au-placer deposits were mined in the main drainage transecting the soil anomaly. An additional Cu-Mo-Ag soil anomaly was identified just 750m to the northeast of the Au-Ag-Cu anomaly and extends over 500m of strike-length and is open laterally to the northeast. The anomaly is spatially associated with strong argillic alteration in the host lithologies, possibly representing an additional porphyry-related target at depth for further follow-up and exploration. The Arlington property represents an exploration opportunity within an historic mining district with a geological setting and observed styles of mineralization which are geologically analogous to known productive mineral deposits within the region. Recent exploration on the property has greatly expanded its prospectivity with the identification of two new polymetallic surface soil anomalies extending over a 3.0km in cumulative strike length. Three separate targets have been identified on the property for immediate follow-up: High-grade Au-enriched poly-metallic quartz veins (potentially analogous to veins at the Beaverdell Mine); Au-Cu magnetite skarn deposits (potentially analogous to the Buckhorn Mine); and a Cu-Ag-Mo porphyry system Initial work on the project by Equity will include detailed soil sampling, geological mapping, prospecting and potentially trenching toward further refinement of the known targets to be followed by initial drilling in 2025. Silver Queen Project - Drilling Update The Company also reports that drilling continues on the No. 3 Vein North target as part of the its Fall '24 exploration program on the property. Twelve core holes totalling 4152 metres have been completed to date of the 14 holes planned for this target. This is a new target area for the Company, which could potentially extend the No. 3 Vein deposit a further 300 metres to the northwest. The No. 3 Vein North area has been previously tested by limited historical drilling, limited underground development, and minor historical mining. Initial drilling on the target is intended to confirm the encouraging historical drill results and then test lateral and downdip extensions of the higher-grade zones. Logging and sampling of the holes is in progress and new assay results are anticipated over the coming weeks. Four additional follow up holes are planned for the Camp Deposit and Camp North targets and will be added to the current drill program. The Silver Queen Project is a premier gold-silver property with over 100 years of historic exploration and development and is located adjacent to power, roads and rail with significant mining infrastructure that was developed under previous operators Bradina JV (Bralorne Mines) and Houston Metals Corp. (a Hunt Brothers company). The Silver Queen Property consists of 46 mineral claims, 17 crown grants, and two surface crown grants totalling 18,871ha with no underlying royalties. Mineralization is hosted by a series of epithermal veins distributed over a 6 sq km area. An updated NI43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate with effective date December 1st, 2022 was detailed in a News Release issued on Jan 16, 2023, which can be found by clicking here and the full Technical Report can be found on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca/) and the Company's website. About Equity Metals Corporation Equity Metals Corporation is a member of the Malaspina-Manex Group. The Company owns 100% interest, with no underlying royalty, in the Silver Queen project, located along the Skeena Arch in the Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia. The property hosts high-grade, precious- and base-metal veins related to a buried porphyry system, which has been only partially delineated. The Company also has a controlling JV interest (57.49%) in the Monument Diamond project, NWT, strategically located in the Lac De Gras district within 40 km of both the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines. As well, the Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Arlington Property, located within the Boundary District of south-central British Columbia. Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is VP Exploration of Equity Metals Corporation and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He is responsible for the supervision of the exploration on the Arlington and Silver Queen projects and for the preparation of the technical information in this disclosure. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr." Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr., P.Geo President, Director, Equity Metals Corporation Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements including statements regarding the exercise of the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Arlington Property, Exchange acceptance of the Arlington Agreement, and future exploration plans and expenditures on the Arlington Project. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Equity Metals Corporation does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229395 SOURCE: Equity Metals Corporation Setting industry standards with gold and silver awards for the third consecutive year GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- November 12th, 2024 - inGroup International is pleased to announce that inCruises has achieved top honors in the travel industry for the third year in a row, securing two prestigious Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for communication and promotional excellence within the Travel Advisor Segment. The company earned a Gold Award in the Marketing category for its INsider's Advantage Webinar series. This twice-monthly program provides valuable insights into the company and highlights the latest updates. The series includes guest appearances from various cruise line and industry representatives, ensuring fresh perspectives and expert guidance on exciting travel options. Additionally, inCruises' Membership Free promotion, which monthly awards Partners on average over $2.6 million in potential travel value, earned a Silver Award in the Marketing category, further demonstrating the Company's pledge to incentivize Partners for their commitment and dedication. "These awards showcase the passion and dedication our team pours into making exceptional programs that deliver outstanding value," says Anthony Varvaro, inGroup's Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer. "Being acknowledged among other industry leaders reaffirms how we are truly enhancing our Members' experience and enriching lives." The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards are a distinguished symbol of achievement in the travel industry. They recognize and celebrate the organizations and professionals who represent a high standard of excellence. "We are honored to have Travel Weekly acknowledge these very successful programs," adds Doug Corrigan, inGroup's Chief Marketing Officer. "INsiders Advantage keeps our Members informed and engaged with fresh, valuable content, and the Membership Free INcentive delivers value unlike anything else in the industry." These awards highlight inGroup's commitment to excellence and innovation, reinforcing its mission to elevate the journey for Partners and Members. inGroup continues to set new standards for enhancing their Members' and Partners' travel experience. About inGroup International and inCruises Pegasus will expand its business in the personal injury market while upholding its industry-leading service standards DEERFIELD BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Pegasus Legal Capital, LLC ("Pegasus") (mylawfunds.com), a prominent pre-settlement legal funding company in the United States, announced today that it has successfully completed a $74 million litigation finance securitization. This achievement marks Pegasus' second securitization transaction in the asset class and another significant milestone in its capital market journey. The proceeds from this transaction will further propel Pegasus' growth across key markets in the United States. Pegasus Managing Director, Alexander Khanas, expressed, "With the successful completion of this transaction, Pegasus will expand its business in the personal injury market while upholding its industry-leading service standards." GreensLedge Capital Markets LLC played the role of Placement Agent for Pegasus. GreensLedge Senior Managing Director, Douglas Lipton, added, "We are delighted to continue expanding Pegasus' investor base through their second securitization issuance and assisting them in creatively developing their platform." Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Pegasus was founded in 2008 as a pre-settlement litigation finance company. Since its inception, the company's management team has successfully sourced, underwritten, and serviced over half a billion dollars through more than 30,000 advances. While Pegasus has traditionally focused on the New York market, it has established a strong presence in the Southeast and Texas markets as well. Pegasus is a proud member of the American Legal Finance Association (ALFA), a national organization comprising companies that provide non-recourse funds to personal injury victims. ALFA's primary objective is to establish industry standards for transparency in legal funding transactions, ensuring upfront and clear disclosure to consumers. Contact Bradley Braun press@pegasusfunding.com (212) 227-1925 SOURCE: Pegasus Legal Capital, LLC View the original press release on accesswire.com All meals packed during the event will be distributed by EMCC through its food pantry NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 /KeyBank and the Edna Martin Christian Center (EMCC) joined forces to pack 10,000 meals for those in need. This initiative aimed not only to address the pressing issue of hunger in the greater Indianapolis area but also to highlight the importance of volunteerism within the community. The meal-packing event was part of the larger Million Meals Movement, a notable non-profit organization committed to fighting hunger throughout Indiana. All meals packed during this event will be distributed by EMCC through its food pantry, ensuring that food reaches families who need it most. Edna Martin's Food Pantry, located in the heart of the Martindale-Brightwood area, consistently faces high demand. While the pantry prioritizes families from the local community, it remains open to anyone seeking assistance. Beyond providing essential food items, EMCC's Pantry, supported by its partners, supplies program needs for various initiatives, including EMCC's childcare services, senior outreach programs, workforce development offerings, and afterschool activities. This holistic approach ensures that families not only receive nutritious food but may also access other vital household products such as toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, laundry detergent, and other everyday necessities. "KeyBank is wholeheartedly committed to supporting our community, and we were so proud to participate in this impactful event," stated Juan Gonzalez, KeyBank Central Indiana Market President. "Through our partnership with EMCC and the Million Meals Movement, we are working diligently to ensure that more families can access nutritious meals. At Key, our mission is to build stronger, healthier communities, and our efforts today reflect our dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve." "We remain grateful to our friends with the Million Meals Movement and KeyBank for their commitment to ensuring families have increased food access this holiday season," said Barato Britt, President and CEO of EMCC. "We are likewise committed to distributing this amazing gift to families and neighbors in the greatest need." The Million Meals Movement has been a driving force in the battle against food insecurity since its inception in 2007. The organization empowers volunteers from all walks of life to come together and tackle hunger in their communities. By facilitating meal-packing events, it provides nutritious meals directly to families in need and inspires others to act against food insecurity. To date, the Million Meals Movement and its dedicated volunteers have successfully packed over 36 million meals for those in need across Indiana. For those in need of assistance, the EMCC Food Pantry operates Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. Additionally, community members can contribute by donating non-perishable food items and essential supplies during weekday hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every donation plays a vital role in sustaining the pantry and supporting families in the community. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank View the original press release on accesswire.com With detections backed by the elite Sysdig Threat Research Team, Falco Feeds equips organizations to easily scale Falco and stay ahead of cloud threats KubeCon CloudNativeCon North America - Sysdig today announced the launch of Falco Feeds by Sysdig, a continuously evolving and curated set of Falco detections. With over 130 million downloads, open source Falco has set the standard for runtime threat detection in the cloud, and Falco Feeds extends its power and utility. Backed by the Sysdig Threat Research Team (TRT), a dedicated group of threat researchers on the leading edge of emerging cloud risks and vulnerabilities, Falco Feeds gives open source-focused companies access to expert-written rules that continue to be updated as new threats are discovered. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112183731/en/ "Falco, similar to a network of security cameras, provides unmatched real-time threat detection, monitoring, and observability across cloud infrastructures," said Loris Degioanni, Founder and CTO of Sysdig, Co-Creator of Falco. "However, open source software involves an inherently self-managed process. The average company doesn't have the resources to constantly add new rules, nor do they have a threat research team on the cutting edge of the ever-evolving threat landscape." Scaling Open Source Security and Compliance with Falco Feeds by Sysdig Fully managed rules informed by cutting-edge threat research: The Sysdig TRT, the world-renowned group behind cloud-native threat operation discoveries such as LLMjacking and SCARLETEEL, provides timely and effective detection updates for critical common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) like the infamous Log4j vulnerability, as well as evolving attacker behaviors and sophisticated techniques that can exploit even minor vulnerabilities in new ways. By receiving these updates directly into the Falco rules feed, organizations can maintain a strong security posture without having to stay current on every emerging threat. The Sysdig TRT, the world-renowned group behind cloud-native threat operation discoveries such as LLMjacking and SCARLETEEL, provides timely and effective detection updates for critical common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) like the infamous Log4j vulnerability, as well as evolving attacker behaviors and sophisticated techniques that can exploit even minor vulnerabilities in new ways. By receiving these updates directly into the Falco rules feed, organizations can maintain a strong security posture without having to stay current on every emerging threat. Extensive coverage and reinforced security posture: Each Falco rule is classified with tags for regulatory and security compliance frameworks, such as NIST, NIS2, DORA, SOC2, HIPAA, and FedRAMP. Additionally, Falco Feeds leverages Sysdig Secure's rule set, currently providing 95% coverage of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework for containers and 89% coverage for Linux. With Falco Feeds, it's easier than ever for organizations to meet evolving regulatory requirements, streamline audits, and maintain a high standard of security across their cloud environments. Each Falco rule is classified with tags for regulatory and security compliance frameworks, such as NIST, NIS2, DORA, SOC2, HIPAA, and FedRAMP. Additionally, Falco Feeds leverages Sysdig Secure's rule set, currently providing 95% coverage of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework for containers and 89% coverage for Linux. With Falco Feeds, it's easier than ever for organizations to meet evolving regulatory requirements, streamline audits, and maintain a high standard of security across their cloud environments. Reduced maintenance, greater return on investment: Falco Feeds reduces the maintenance burden for organizations that rely on open source security. Automated rule distribution is managed through Falcoctl, eliminating the need for manual updates or custom rule deployment across individual Falco endpoints. Since Falco Feeds is tested and tuned to mitigate challenges like false positives, organizations can swiftly adopt it without disrupting production and equip users to enhance security without extensive maintenance or downtime. "Companies that want the power of Falco without the manual work choose Sysdig," Degioanni continued. "But there will always be a portion of enterprises that build their infrastructure themselves. With Falco Feeds, we are giving those companies a leg up, with access to emerging threat intelligence so that they can retain their DIY nature without being blindsided by the latest attack evolution." Learn more about Falco Feeds by Sysdig. Resources Watch "Falco Feeds by Sysdig." Read "Why Falco works the best in distributed architectures." Explore the Sysdig TRT's latest threat report. About Sysdig In the cloud, every second counts. Attacks move at warp speed, and security teams must protect the business without slowing it down. Sysdig stops cloud attacks in real time, instantly detecting changes in risk with runtime insights and open source Falco. Sysdig, rated No. 1 for cloud security posture management (CSPM) in the Gartner Peer Insights "Voice of a Customer" report, correlates signals across cloud workloads, identities, and services to uncover hidden attack paths and prioritize real risk. From prevention to defense, Sysdig helps enterprises focus on what matters: innovation. Sysdig. Secure Every Second. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112183731/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Damon Weinhold damon.weinhold@sysdig.com +1 (415) 873-4772 MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flexible Circuit Technologies (FCT), a global design and value add manufacturer of flexible circuits, heaters, and membrane switches based in Minneapolis, MN, announces the opening of FCT-Huizhou. FCT-Huizhou, operating as inTFlex, opened in 2024 in Huizhou, Guangdong, China. With over 900,000 sq/ft of cutting-edge manufacturing technology, this facility merges FCT's electronic manufacturing and contract manufacturing services into a new state-of-the-art facility. inTFlex, the EMS group of Flexible Circuit Technologies, features high-speed, fully automated SMT smart lines, plastics molding, membrane switches, CNC capabilities, fixtures, and all existing value-added services. inTFlex allows FCT to continue providing outstanding EMS and CM services to bring world-class interconnect solutions to life, optimize production efficiency, and support program scalability for global clients across the medical, automotive/EV, consumer, and industrial markets. To learn more about inTFlex, visit flexiblecircuit.com/intflex. This latest facility follows the expansion of the Leadership, Business Development, Application Engineering, CAD, and Program Management teams across the world. FCT continues to grow our internal staff to support our mission of providing world-class customer service. "FCT is committed to expanding our resources to meet the needs of our customers," said Ray Cottrell, Executive Vice President of Flexible Circuit Technologies. "Our new manufacturing space coupled with bringing on a wealth of knowledge to our team, speaks to our commitment. Our continuous growth is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and the loyalty of our customers. This growth enables us to serve our customers better and opens new opportunities for expanded innovation and research. We are excited about the future of FCT and look forward to continuing our growth!" Flexible Circuit Technologies, Inc. (FCT) is a premier global provider of specialty interconnects, including flexible circuits, rigid flex, flexible heaters, membrane switches, plastic moldings, and value-added EMS, from product module to complete box builds. We partner with our customers to design and manufacture solutions that bring your project to life. With over 250 years of combined engineering experience, our team of renowned Applications Engineers save you time and money by streamlining your design to maximize capabilities and minimize manufacturing risks. Media Contact: Abby Meyer | Director of Marketing 763.545.3333 | marketing@flexiblecircuit.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548676/Flexible_Circuit_Technologies_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/flexible-circuit-technologies-announces-major-expansion-of-capabilities--resources-302299165.html SHANGHAI, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow (NYSE: DOW), a leading global materials science company, and Guangdong Delian Group Co., Ltd. (Delian Group) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the 7th China International Import Expo. The two companies will collaborate to expand the application of post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins in the automotive market, supporting the industry's shift toward circularity. Delian Group has successfully incorporated Dow's REVOLOOP Recycled Plastics Resins into the packaging of auto care products. This innovative solution not only reduces packaging's carbon footprint by greatly decreasing reliance on virgin resins, but also marks the first commercial application of Dow's REVOLOOP Recycled Plastics Resins in the auto care market. Bambang Candra, Asia Pacific commercial vice president of Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics said, "As global climate change intensifies and resources become scarcer, the sustainability of the automotive market is increasingly critical. Embracing sustainable materials can mitigate these issues, offering consumers more environmentally responsible options while promoting a circular economy in automotive services. Dow is dedicated to developing innovative solutions for a circular economy and enhancing our REVOLOOP Recycled Plastics Resins portfolio to meet customers' sustainability needs. We are honored to collaborate with Delian Group to advance the commercial application of REVOLOOP in the automotive sector." "We have been adhering to the business philosophy of energy conservation, emission reduction and a low-carbon environment'," said Xu Tuanhua, Chairman of Delian Group. "The strategic partnership with Dow marks significant progress toward a circular economy, further distinguishing Delian Group from competitors in the automotive market and helping us meet the growing global demand for sustainable products." The signing of this memorandum of understanding marks a pivotal step in Dow's commitment to "Transform the Waste" initiative. This collaboration aims not only to enhance the packaging application of post-consumer recycled resins in the automotive market but also to drive innovation that will redefine waste as a valuable resource. By working together, Dow and Delian Group will focus on developing sustainable solutions that contribute to a circular economy, where materials are reused and repurposed, minimizing environmental impact and supporting long-term resource sustainability. About Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics Packaging and Specialty Plastics (P&SP), a business unit of Dow (NYSE: DOW), combines core strengths of R&D, worldwide reach, broad product lines and industry expertise to deliver high performing technologies for end use markets in food packaging, personal hygiene, infrastructure, consumer goods and transportation. P&SP is one of the world's largest producers of polyethylene resins, functional polymers, and adhesives, and enabled by Pack Studios, is a leading innovator and collaborator across the value chain on sustainable application development and circular economy life-cycle design for plastics. www.dowpackaging.com About MobilityScience Drawing on over a century of transportation experience and expertise in application development, Dow MobilityScience pioneers innovative solutions that drive global progress. With a diverse portfolio of materials science solutions and world-class technical capabilities, Dow is dedicated to shaping the future of mobility. From addressing challenges like decarbonization to enhancing EV performance, Dow remains at the forefront of advancing mobility solutions. For further details, please visit the MobilityScience website. About Dow Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world's leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com. About Delian Group Delian Group was founded in 1984 with the headquarters in Foshan, Guangdong province. The major businesses include automobile fine chemicals, automobile sales service and automobile repair and maintenance. Delian Group was listed in Shenzhen stock exchange on March 27, 2012 with the stock name of Delian Group and stock code of 002666. Delian Group possesses 19 subsidiaries, including 4 large scale production bases that respectively located in Changchun, Shanghai, Foshan and Chengdu, making Delian become a large-scale group company that integrates production, research and development, sales, trading and logistics as a whole. In April, 2015 Shanghai Delian AutoCare Network Development Co., Ltd. was established, which marked Delian Group officially entered the Chinese auto aftermarket! Delian Group implements the policy of "quality first, service foremost", takes "energy conservation and emission reduction as well as low carbon environment" as management idea, and realizes efficient integration of technological development, distribution channel and management system, aiming to be a national leading brand in automobile fine chemicals and to offer high-quality service to the whole auto industry chain. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1529348/5007447/DOW_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dow-partners-with-delian-group-to-develop-sustainable-solutions-for-circularity-in-automotive-market-products-302296527.html Sanas' Real-Time Accent Translation solution is applauded for transforming the contact center industry by reducing linguistic barriers and improving communication capabilities SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently assessed the accent translation solutions industry and, based on its analysis, recognizes Sanas with the 2024 North American Technology Innovation Leadership Award. Sanas provides a real-time Accent Translation solution built on patented, AI-powered technology that enables users to control how they sound, with the biggest use case for contact centers globally. Unlike competing offerings, the company maintains the authenticity of the agent's voice, ensuring a more natural and genuine communication experience. The Sanas team and advisors include some of the world's top speech machine-learning scientists. As a company, Sanas' mission is to power a more compassionate and understanding world by making global communication more inclusive. Sanas' innovative Accent Translation technology converts strong regional accents into local ones, improving communication and understanding between contact center agents and customers. This removes a key barrier to offshore operations, allowing companies to relocate customer service operations to lower-cost regions without sacrificing quality. It's particularly transformative for companies in countries like India and the Philippines, where a significant percentage of Fortune 500 companies outsource their support. Additionally, this technology enables expansion into cities outside of main hubs, where lower costs, reduced turnover, and a more local workforce create valuable long-term career opportunities, enhancing employee satisfaction and reducing churn. "Sanas offers secure, local deployment and supports a variety of accents," said Sebastian Menutti, Industry Director at Frost & Sullivan. "The AI solution is compatible with more than 800 communication apps and goes beyond improving conversations--it has led to a 17% increase in revenue per agent on average." Sanas's technology improves communication by reducing misunderstandings and alleviating the stress of cross-border interactions. By allowing users to control how they sound-removing background noise, adjusting accents, and increasing energy-Sanas ensures that agents are better understood while maintaining their voice's authenticity and natural intonation. Sanas' real-time speech-to-speech conversion ensures smoother interactions with minimal latency, empowering agents to focus on customer service tasks with increased confidence. As a result, customers are reporting a 95% agent adoption rate. This reduction in customer frustration leads to more positive interactions, improved employee morale, and a better overall work environment. Additionally, Sanas Accent Translation technology addresses linguistic biases, fostering inclusivity in large-scale operations. This boosts customer success by allowing agents to focus on resolving issues rather than perfect pronunciation, enhancing agent efficiency. "Sanas combines patented innovation, flawless performance, and strong customer support, demonstrating leadership and a disruptive impact in the industry," added Manuel Albornoz, Best Practices Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "Its ability to meet the demands of large clients, including Fortune 500 companies, and its alignment with ESG standards underscore its significant contributions to the customer experience landscape." Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid acceptance in the market. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, megatrends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion . About Sanas Sanas is the world's first Real-Time Speech Understanding Platform powered by its patented generative AI technologies. As part of this platform, Sanas offers Real-time Accent Translation and free-forever Noise Cancellation. Born from a mission to power a kinder, more understanding world by revolutionizing global, real-time human communication Founded in 2020, Sanas is led by a team of exceptional co-founders, including CEO Maxim Serebryakov, CTO Shawn Zhang, and COO Sharath Keshava Narayana. To learn more, visit Sanas.ai. Contact: Ashley Shreve E: ashley.shreve@frost.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2553210/Sanas_Award.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/frost--sullivan-recognizes-sanas-as-the-2024-north-american-technology-innovation-leader-302300552.html 69% of legal professionals report their generative AI use will continue to increase in the next two years CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Relativity, a global legal technology company, today announced findings from the IDC InfoBrief, Generative AI in Legal 2024, commissioned by Relativity. The study uncovers the rapid increase of generative AI adoption in the legal field, examining how legal professionals are navigating emerging challenges and seizing opportunities to drive legal innovation. The international study surveyed attorneys, paralegals, legal operations professionals and legal IT professionals from law firms, corporations and government agencies. Respondents were located in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The data uncovered important trends on how generative AI has impacted the legal industry and how legal professionals will use generative AI in the coming years. Legal teams' adoption of generative AI is substantial and it will continue to increase The study found that half of legal professionals report overall AI use has increased in the past two years and only 3% report their use of AI has declined. Almost half (48%) of respondents' day-to-day AI usage involves generative AI, and 69% indicate their generative AI use for legal tasks will increase in the next two years. Why legal teams use generative AI: automation of basic tasks and cost savings lead the way Across all regions, automation of basic tasks was reported to be the top reason legal teams use generative AI with 58% of respondents citing this benefit. Cost savings followed as the second reason, mentioned by 48% of respondents. These international motivations capture the potential for AI to transform the legal industry by improving efficiency, reducing operating costs and enabling organizations to focus on more complex and strategic work. However, respondents were not wholly aligned in their expectations of generative AI's potential impact. APAC respondents had substantially higher interest than their European and North American counterparts in the impact of generative AI on data privacy and information governance. In contrast, European and North American respondents had more interest in AI's impact on legal analysis/contract analysis augmentation and assistance. Legal professionals prioritize AI governance and AI principles When it comes to adopting generative AI, 78% of respondents seek robust AI governance capabilities from generative AI providers, making the ethical, responsible, and effective use of AI the number one priority among those surveyed. Clear AI principles ranked as the second-place priority. As these demands emerged clearly, the data show no clear leader controls the actual purchase nor governance of AI technology, although legal departments are near the top for both areas. Driving innovation in this space could be the key to establishing legal departments as the sole decision maker. "The findings demonstrate that the impact of generative AI on the legal field from November2022 to today is not a mere temporary fascination, but something that will have a transformative effect on legal teams over the next two to five years," said David Horrigan, Discovery Counsel and Legal Education Director at Relativity. "The study data on AI policies and governance indicate generative AI is not replacing human legal teams any time soon as legal professionals must ensure ethical and responsible use of AI. The study findings on legal use cases over the next five years do, however, suggest generative AI will be a valuable tool for a wide variety of legal tasks." Loss of sensitive or confidential data and data bias are legal teams' leading generative AI concerns Almost half of respondents' day-to-day AI usage involves generative AI, and 69% indicate their generative AI use for legal tasks will increase in the next two years. While this growth signals a shift in the legal industry, which has been historically slow to adopt technology, legal professionals still express concerns around using generative AI. Loss of sensitive and/or confidential data was the largest concern for legal teams and data bias/poor-quality data was the second largest concern. Legal research, contract analysis and document review are important uses Although contract analysis and legal research currently lead the way in legal professionals' use of generative AI, document review is projected to become the leading legal task within the year with 65% of respondents planning to use generative AI within one year and 93% planning to use it within five years. Document review is also the task legal professionals trust AI to help with the most, with 89% being "very comfortable" or "somewhat comfortable" with its use. Conversely, organizations are most worried about using generative AI within investigations, witness preparation and data privacy compliance. "Although U.S.-based technology companies have been leaders in the development of generative AI, the legal industry spans the globe, and, in compiling this research study, we sought to capture how legal professionals around the world are working with and responding to the rise of generative AI," said Ryan O'Leary, Research Director for Privacy and Legal Technology at IDC and the lead analyst for the study. "As the study indicates a range of comfort in using generative AI, it does uncover that document review will soon be the leading legal task performed with generative AI- confirming the transformative power of generative AI to the modern legal industry." Generative AI presents opportunities for organizations of all sizes Large organizations are seeing the biggest increase in generative AI usage (organizations with over 1,000 employees saw almost a 50% increase). At the same time, the smaller the organization, the higher their interest is in automating basic tasks. This priority area points to an opportunity for small to mid-size law firms to remain competitive with larger, more resourced firms through technology. Further, law firms using billable hours are more likely to already use generative AI than their task-based billing counterparts, at 59% and 42% respectively. However, both law firms using billable hours and firms using task-based billing are most interested in using generative AI to automate basic tasks and achieve cost savings. Upcoming Webinar to Examine Findings On November 20 at 11:00 a.m. EST, Relativity will host a webinar covering the study results and highlighting perspectives from Fiona Campbell, Director of Dispute Resolution and Head of Electronic Disclosure at Fieldfisher, David Horrigan, Discovery Counsel and Legal Education Director at Relativity, Celia Perez, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at FreightCar America, and guest speaker Ryan O'Leary, Research Director for Privacy and Legal Technology at IDC. Register for the webinar. About Relativity Relativity makes software to help users organize data, discover the truth and act on it. Its SaaS product, RelativityOne, manages large volumes of data and quickly identifies key issues during litigation and internal investigations. Relativity has more than 300,000 users in approximately 40 countries serving thousands of organizations globally primarily in legal, financial services and government sectors, including the U.S. Department of Justice and 198 of the Am Law 200. Please contact Relativity at sales@relativity.com or visit www.relativity.com for more information. CONTACT: PR@relativity.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/445801/new_Relativity_logo_Logo_v2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-generative-ai-study-highlights-adoption-use-and-opportunities-in-the-legal-industry-302302489.html Sustainable energy and development trailblazer receives yet another prestigious award BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TIME has named the CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, Damilola Ogunbiyi, in its 2024 TIME100 Climate, recognizing the 100 most innovative leaders driving business climate action. Damilola was recognized for being a steadfast voice and champion of the Global South, and for her passion to accelerate a just and equitable energy transition. Leading with global advocacy, thought leadership, and advisory support, she has championed greater climate action through the lens of decarbonizing energy systems. Reflecting on her recognition, Francesco Starace, Chair, Governance Board, SEforALL, said: "Sustainable energy is a key solution if we are to tackle the climate crisis and usher in a greener, brighter future. Damilola has been an impactful leader demonstrating that change can happen in record time, if there is dedication and focus. As a Governance Board, we congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition." Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, commented: "This is not just a recognition of my work and my amazing colleagues at SEforALL, but of the entire team of people that have supported the vision of accelerating action on climate change and energy poverty - focused on not leaving anyone behind!" This TIME100 recognition is one among many other awards that Damilola has received in the last two years -a reflection of the transformative work she has done during her first term at SEforALL, and as the UN Special Representative to the Secretary-General. In September 2024, she received the First Class Order of Zayed II from the UAE President in recognition of her contribution to the success of the climate conference, COP28; in the same month, she also received the Global Female Leadership Impact (GFLI) Award. In March 2024, she was recognized as a trailblazer in her field by the Reuters' Trailblazing Women in Climate and the Reuters' Trailblazing Women in Energy. In 2023, she received the Energy Institute President's Award, in recognition of her continued role in solving critical global issues. - Ends - Notes to Editors Link to 2024 Time100 Climate List You can access the full list here: https://time.com/collection/time100-climate-2024/ About Damilola Ogunbiyi Damilola Ogunbiyi has been at the helm of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) since January 2020. Under her leadership, the organization has made great strides to enable just, equitable and sustainable energy transitions that ensure better quality of life and opportunities for people living in developing regions. During this period, SEforALL has supported over 90 countries globally, and secured commitments of more than $1.3 trillion in energy finance. Learn more about Damilola at https://www.seforall.org/who-we-are/damilola-ogunbiyi About Sustainable Energy for All Sustainable Energy for All is an independent organization, hosted by UNOPS, with a global mandate to accelerate progress on the energy transition in emerging and developing countries. We work at the intersection of energy, climate, and development. We collaborate with governments and partners worldwide to end energy poverty, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions, and combat climate change. Learn more about our work at www.SEforALL.org Media Contact: Sherry Kennedy, Director of Communications: Sherry.Kennedy@SEforALL.org / Media@SEforALL.org | +43 676 486 2425 Robert Magori, Senior Communications Specialist: Robert.Magori@seforall.org | +254721525344 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2555346/Damilola_SEforALLs.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2007953/5020821/Sustainable_Energy_for_All_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/seforalls-ceo-damilola-ogunbiyi-named-to-the-2024-time100-climate-list-of-the-100-most-influential-leaders-driving-business-climate-action-302302707.html New Location Enhances Service Delivery and Client Support in Houston Area HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Bridgehead IT, a leading provider of comprehensive technology solutions, is excited to announce the opening of its new office in Houston, Texas. This expansion is a testament to our commitment to meeting the growing needs of our clients in the Houston area and beyond. Bridgehead IT Co-Owners Chris Brandvik, COO, (left) and Wes Bunch, CEO, (right). Located at 1919 Decatur, Houston, Texas 77007, our new office will enable us to provide even more personalized and efficient service to the businesses we have proudly served for many years. The Houston office can be reached at (832) 850-1131, with toll-free support available at (833) 470-7900. Our headquarters in San Antonio remains at (210) 477-7900. Wes Bunch, CEO of Bridgehead IT, expressed his enthusiasm for the new office: "Opening an office in Houston is a significant milestone for Bridgehead IT. It allows us to be closer to our clients in the area, providing them with the high-quality, custom-tailored technology services they have come to expect from us. We are excited to continue our journey of growth and innovation in this vibrant city." Chris Brandvik, COO of Bridgehead IT, added: "Our new Houston office is a strategic move to enhance our service delivery and support for our clients. We look forward to building stronger relationships and helping businesses in Houston and beyond achieve their technology goals." Bridgehead IT has been a trusted partner in technology solutions since its founding in 1999. With a focus on end-to-end, custom-tailored services, we cater to a diverse range of clients, from publicly traded global entities to mid-sized businesses. Our team of experts is dedicated to delivering thoughtful solutions that drive business success. What sets Bridgehead IT apart is our deep expertise and commitment to exceptional technology support. Our team of certified professionals brings a wealth of knowledge and experience across various industries, ensuring that we can address the unique challenges faced by each client. We pride ourselves on our proactive approach, providing 24/7 support and leveraging the latest technologies to deliver innovative solutions. This dedication to excellence and client satisfaction is what differentiates Bridgehead IT in the competitive technology landscape. Client Success Story: One of our longstanding clients, a global manufacturing firm, faced significant challenges with their outdated IT infrastructure, which was hindering their operational efficiency and growth. Bridgehead IT stepped in to provide a comprehensive assessment and implemented a robust, scalable IT solution tailored to their specific needs. This included upgrading their network infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and migrating their data to a secure cloud platform. As a result, the client experienced a 40% increase in operational efficiency and a substantial reduction in downtime. Their enhanced IT capabilities have enabled them to expand their operations and better serve their customers worldwide. The client praised Bridgehead IT for our expertise, responsiveness, and commitment to delivering exceptional results. For more information about Bridgehead IT and our technology consulting services, please visit our website at www.bridgeheadit.com. About Bridgehead IT Bridgehead IT is a premier provider of comprehensive technology solutions, offering end-to-end, custom-tailored services to meet the unique needs of businesses of all sizes. Since our founding in 1999, we have been committed to delivering innovative, thoughtful solutions that drive business success. Our team of certified professionals brings extensive expertise across various industries, ensuring that we can address the specific challenges faced by each client. With a proactive approach and 24/7 support, Bridgehead IT is dedicated to providing exceptional technology services that empower businesses to thrive. Contact Information Lauren Serrato Director of Marketing lserrato@bridgeheadit.com +12104006113 SOURCE: Bridgehead IT View the original press release on newswire.com. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / T-Mobile Earlier this week, T-Mobile activated its emergency response operations to support first responders and affected communities in Ventura County, Calif. as the Mountain Fire grows to over 20,000 acres, with 7% containment. We're also closely monitoring winds in Northern California due to previous red flag warnings for more than 27 million people across the state. In Ventura County, our network is holding strong with only a small number of sites impacted, and some customers will have service due to overlapping coverage. Our emergency technicians and engineers will assess those sites as soon as conditions safely allow. We've deployed additional network resources to the Padre Sierra Parish church in Camarillo, Calif. to support customers, communities, first responders and relief organizations stationed at the church. Here's more on our support: Network T-Mobile continually invests in preparing the network for extreme weather, including California's unpredictable wildfires. Our efforts include leveraging AI, data, network hardening and emergency assets to minimize service interruptions and swiftly recover connectivity following a fire. Across California including Ventura County, T-Mobile's network has been hardened and reinforced with generators in the event of commercial power loss and additional portable generators are ready to deploy as needed. AI capabilities within T-Mobile's network - including our Cognitive Self-Organizing Network (SON) and automatic antenna tilting - optimize signal, expand coverage areas and avoid congestion helping to reduce service interruptions through a wildfire's unpredictability. Overlapping coverage in many areas may further reduce service interruptions. Heavy duty network equipment, including mobile cell sites called SatCOLTs (Satellite Cell on Light Trucks), are on standby with assets already deployed in Camarillo, Calif. First Responders T-Mobile is actively working with federal, state and local public safety agencies as well as California's State Operations Center (SOC) in Sacramento to prioritize coverage restoration and meet first responder needs. First responders, emergency officials and other eligible critical infrastructure customers can register for Wireless Priority Service (WPS) to get priority access and preemption at no cost. Agencies needing communications assistance can contact our 24-hour emergency hotline at 888-639-0020 or email ERTRequests@T-Mobile.com. Community Support T-Mobile's teams have been coordinating with the American Red Cross and other agencies to provide Wi-Fi connectivity and charging supplies for customers, communities and anyone who needs it in Ventura County. For more information on T-Mobile's emergency response efforts and for tips to stay connected visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/emergency-response. For more information on T-Priority, coming soon for first responders, visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/business/t-priority-network-slice-for-first-responders. Follow @TMobileNews on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news. T-Mobile SatColt with mobile tower deployed to the Padre Sierra Parish in Camarillo, Calif the week of Nov. 4th, 2024. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from T-Mobile on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: T-Mobile Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/t-mobile Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: T-Mobile View the original press release on accesswire.com EQS-News: EnergyNet Ltd. / Key word(s): Conference Unlocking Opportunities and Driving Progress: Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit 12.11.2024 / 16:45 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The Zimbabwe-Zambia (Zim-Zam) Energy Projects Summit will take place from November 18-20, 2024, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and could not be more timely. With the governments of both countries making innovative structural changes to make energy projects more bankable, appetite for investment is high. This is the opportunity to secure a more sustainable energy future for both Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Zim-Zam Energy Projects Summit will alternate with Zambia bi-annually under the theme, Powering Zimbabwe and Zambia's Sustainable Energy Future: Unlocking Opportunities in Renewables, Grid Modernization and Energy Access. Under the official patronage of Zimbabwe's Ministry of Energy and Power Development for 2024, the summit will unveil energy project plans from both countries. Private sector investment into solar, geothermal and wind is complementing traditional hydro projects against the backdrop of ongoing drought, and the broader vision is to create a much wider door for the global investment community to walk through. With the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) as summit sponsor, Edington Mazambani, ZERA's Chief Executive Officer said: "As we stand on the brink of a transformative era in energy, the Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit embodies our commitment to a sustainable future. Together, we will explore the vast opportunities in renewables, modernise our grids, and ensure energy access for all. Let us unite in our vision to power Zimbabwe and Zambia's sustainable energy future, unlocking potential for growth, innovation and collaboration." The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA)'s recent investment of $1.76 billion into the energy sector underlines the urgent need for energy expansion in the region. Devastating droughts across Eastern and Southern Africa have set a context for why scenario planning is so vital, with the potential of dams regularly running dry. Bilateral and regional infrastructure will be critical to countering the impact, and to reduce dependence on dominant energy sources, The need for urgent grid infrastructure investment is just one of the topics to be discussed. Working collaboratively with the mining sector to support economic growth and its vision for a cleaner energy future is another. "Having supported the mining sector in DRC for 14 years, we welcome this opportunity for the important conversations that will unlock opportunities in energy and infrastructure across Zimbabwe and Zambia, and power a sustainable future," said Manoj Patil, Director of Mining Engineering Services, a Vinmart Group Company, and a sponsor of the summit. Other topics set to drive change this November include creating an attractive energy investment destination and using innovative and profitable renewable solutions to meet universal access targets, benefitting industries and consumers. By bringing key energy players together, in one place, with one goal, the summit is set to drive projects in both countries more quickly to financial close and establish a clear pathway for risk mitigation. It will connect Zimbabwe and Zambia's Ministries, utilities, regulators and energy organisations, with international private sector stakeholders, institutional investors, private financiers, service and technology providers. DFIs and multinationals attending include the African Development Bank (AfDB), British International Investment (BII), FMO, Trade and Development Bank (TDB), Climate Fund Managers and Standard Bank. They join the host of public sector leaders and stakeholders set to speak at the summit, most notably the Ministers from Zimbabwe and Zambia, the EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, and esteemed speakers from ZERA, Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), ZARENA, ZESA Holdings and RAEZ. Speaking on behalf of Marsh, also a summit sponsor, Mortimer McKechnie, Senior Vice President, Energy & Power Leader, Africa, added: "This is an opportunity to come together, share experiences and think innovatively. Linking capital and mitigating risk can boost development for both countries, and Marsh is very excited to be part of this summit." Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EnergyNet Ltd.. Download image (1): https://apo-opa.co/4exb5Sh Download image (2): https://apo-opa.co/48O5KEV Download image (3): https://apo-opa.co/4hNOvbd For media inquiries please contact: Poliana Sperandio Poliana@energynet.co.uk Sarah James sarah@energynet.co.uk About EnergyNet: FACILITATING ENERGY INVESTMENT IN FAST-GROWING ECONOMIES - EnergyNet has produced investment forums and executive dialogues for Africa and Latin America's power sectors for the last 25 years - in Europe, the USA, Asia and across Africa and Latin America. We work with governments and national utilities to facilitate investment summits where credible international investors can build relationships with public sector stakeholders to advance access to power. Best known for the Africa Energy Forum, the longest-serving business development meeting place for senior-level decision makers in Africa's power sector, other leading investment summits we provide strategic perspectives on the investment landscape and project preparation include the Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit, H2 Africa, Offshore Technology Africa, Powering Africa Summit, Latin American Energy Forum and Latin American & Caribbean Gas Conference and Exhibition. YES! Youth Energy Summit and YES! Youth Energy Day are part of the portfolio, with a focus on creating a platform and network to boost the skills, connections and business readiness of a new generation of African energy leaders Having this focus on public and private sector partnerships provides us with a valuable lens through which we can offer independent perspectives and support the business development activities of companies from around the world operating in these fast-growing markets. Our team talks daily with stakeholders across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to support these insights, so relationships and investor insights are our business and our passion. Headquarters: London, UK For further information, please visit our website https://EnergyNet.co.uk/ 12.11.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com As enterprises prioritize digital transformation and sustainability, the demand for IWMS solutions is surging. These systems enable centralized management of real estate, assets, facilities, and environmental data, delivering critical insights that drive cost efficiency, enhance employee experience, and support regulatory compliance. Verified Market Reports report dives into the market's latest trends, challenges, and opportunities, offering a roadmap for strategic growth. LEWES, Del., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2024 to 2030, according to a new report published by Verified Market Reports. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 4.69 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 12.80 Billion by the end of the forecast period. The Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) market is driven by the growing need for organizations to optimize facility management, reduce operational costs, and enhance productivity. Increased adoption of cloud-based solutions and IoT integration is further propelling market growth, enabling real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the rising demand for sustainability and energy efficiency in workplaces is encouraging the deployment of IWMS solutions. However, the market faces restraints such as the high initial investment and integration complexities of IWMS platforms. The lack of skilled professionals to manage these systems and concerns regarding data security also hinder adoption. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may struggle with the affordability and scalability of such solutions. Despite these challenges, the market continues to expand as more businesses prioritize efficient space utilization and facility management. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/download-sample/?rid=472550 Browse in-depth TOC on Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market 202 - Pages 126 - Tables 37 - Figures Scope of The Report REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS STUDY PERIOD 2021-2030 BASE YEAR 2023 FORECAST PERIOD 2024-2030 HISTORICAL PERIOD 2021-2022 UNIT Value (USD Billion) KEY COMPANIES PROFILED SpaceIQ, IBM, OfficeSpace Software, Link Systems, Nuvolo, iOffice, Gensler, Affinety Solutions, RIW Software Technology, BudgeTrac Systems, Bellrock Group SEGMENTS COVERED By Type, By Application, By Geography CUSTOMIZATION SCOPE Free report customization (equivalent to up to 4 analyst working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope Global Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market Overview Increasing Demand for Operational Efficiency The growing need for businesses to streamline operations and reduce costs is driving the adoption of Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS). Companies are focusing on enhancing productivity through automation and real-time data analysis, which IWMS solutions provide. By integrating various business processes like facility management, asset tracking, and space planning, IWMS helps organizations optimize resource utilization, reduce downtime, and ensure a more efficient workspace. This drive for operational excellence is a major catalyst for the market's expansion. Rise in Remote and Hybrid Work Models The shift towards remote and hybrid work environments has increased the demand for smarter and more flexible workplace management tools. IWMS enables organizations to manage office space usage, monitor employee attendance, and optimize space allocation in real time. This is crucial for companies that need to balance physical and virtual workspaces effectively, ensuring that office resources are being used efficiently. The ability to adapt to changing work patterns has made IWMS an essential tool in managing modern workplace dynamics. Growing Focus on Sustainability and Environmental Impact As organizations face increasing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint, IWMS plays a key role in driving sustainability initiatives. With features such as energy management, waste reduction, and carbon footprint tracking, IWMS solutions help businesses monitor and reduce their environmental impact. By optimizing energy consumption, improving waste management, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, IWMS supports the transition towards greener and more sustainable business practices, further fueling its market growth. To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/download-sample/?rid=472550 High Initial Implementation Costs One of the key restraints limiting the growth of the Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) market is the high upfront investment required for system implementation. The costs associated with purchasing software, integrating it with existing infrastructure, and training staff can be a significant barrier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Many businesses are hesitant to invest in IWMS due to concerns over return on investment (ROI), especially when the system's benefits are not immediately apparent. This financial hurdle limits wider adoption and slows market expansion. Complex Integration with Legacy Systems Another challenge for IWMS market growth is the complexity involved in integrating these advanced systems with legacy technologies. Many organizations rely on older, siloed software systems that may not be compatible with modern IWMS solutions. This integration can require significant time, effort, and technical expertise, which can deter companies from adopting IWMS. The difficulty in ensuring smooth data migration and system interoperability often leads to delays and increased costs, further hindering market growth. Resistance to Change and Adoption Challenges The transition to an IWMS often requires a cultural shift within an organization, which can face resistance from employees and management. Employees may be reluctant to adopt new technologies, especially if they are unfamiliar with the systems or fear the loss of control over their tasks. Additionally, management may be skeptical about the benefits of IWMS, particularly if they are already managing operations with existing methods. This resistance to change can result in slow adoption rates, limiting the market's overall growth potential. Geographic Dominance The Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) market demonstrates significant geographic dominance across several key regions. North America, led by the U.S., holds a prominent share, driven by the increasing adoption of IWMS solutions in corporate offices and the growing need for efficient space and asset management. Europe also plays a crucial role, with countries like the UK and Germany witnessing robust demand due to advancements in workplace technology and regulatory compliance. In Asia-Pacific, emerging markets, especially China and India, are experiencing rapid growth due to the expanding corporate sector and a focus on digital transformation. Meanwhile, Africa and the Rest of the World are gradually catching up, as businesses in these regions are increasingly seeking IWMS solutions to enhance operational efficiency. The global market dynamics reflect diverse regional trends, influenced by varying levels of technological adoption and market maturity. Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market Key Players Shaping the Future Major players, including SpaceIQ, IBM, OfficeSpace Software, Link Systems, Nuvolo, iOffice, Gensler, Affinety Solutions, RIW Software Technology, BudgeTrac Systems, Bellrock Group and more, play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market. Financial statements, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis provide valuable insights into the industry's key players. Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market Segment Analysis Based on the research, Verified Market Reports has segmented the global Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market into Type, Application and Geography. Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market, By Type On Premises Cloud-based Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market, By Application Large Companies Small and Medium Sized Companies Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) Market, By Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America Browse Related Reports: Global Workspace Management Software Market By Type (Cloud-Based, On-Premise), By Application (Healthcare, Telecommunication), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Workplace Services Market By Type (Cloud Based, On Premises), By Application (Managed Communication, Collaboration Services), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Workforce Management Software Market By Type (On-premises, Saas Cloud-Based), By Application (<100 Employees, 100-99 Employees), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Connecting Workers and Workplaces Market By Type (Cloud, On-premise), By Application (Oil & Gas, Manufacturing), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Managed Workplace Services (MWS) Tool Market By Type (Cloud-based, On-premises), By Application (SMEs, Large Enterprises), By Geographic Scope And Forecast About Us Verified Market Reports stands at the forefront as a global leader in Research and Consulting, offering unparalleled analytical research solutions that empower organizations with the insights needed for critical business decisions. Celebrating 10+ years of service, Verified Market Reports has been instrumental in providing founders and companies with precise, up-to-date research data. With a team of 500+ Analysts and subject matter experts, Verified Market Reports leverages internationally recognized research methodologies for data collection and analyses, covering over 15,000 high impact and niche markets. This robust team ensures data integrity and offers insights that are both informative and actionable, tailored to the strategic needs of businesses across various industries. Verified Market Reports' domain expertise is recognized across 14 key industries, including Semiconductor & Electronics, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Energy, Technology, Automobiles, Defense, Mining, Manufacturing, Retail, and Agriculture & Food. In-depth market analysis cover over 52 countries, with advanced data collection methods and sophisticated research techniques being utilized. This approach allows for actionable insights to be furnished by seasoned analysts, equipping clients with the essential knowledge necessary for critical revenue decisions across these varied and vital industries. Verified Market Reports is also a member of ESOMAR, an organization renowned for setting the benchmark in ethical and professional standards in market research. This affiliation highlights Verified Market Reports' dedication to conducting research with integrity and reliability, ensuring that the insights offered are not only valuable but also ethically sourced and respected worldwide. Contact Us Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Verified Market Reports US: +1 (650)-781-4080 US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 Email: sales@verifiedmarketreports.com Web: https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2486715/VM_Reports.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/integrated-workplace-management-systems-iwms-market-surges-to-usd-12-80-billion-by-2030--propelled-by-12-8-cagr---verified-market-reports-302302661.html A Transparent, Student-Driven Approach to College Rankings Based on Student Choice BLACKSBURG, VA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Olive Book, a pioneer in visual, engaging SAT preparation, has announced its inaugural "Olive Book 100" college ranking, a list that redefines the way students, parents, and educators view college rankings. Unlike conventional methodologies, the Olive Book 100 is based on a "revealed preference" approach, relying on students' actual enrollment choices. This methodology reflects what matters most to students in real-world scenarios and avoids the pitfalls of traditional ranking systems that are increasingly seen as skewed or manipulated. Olive Book 100 Olive Book 100 Two universities can be compared to discover: of those students who were accepted to both schools, and chose to enroll in one of the two, what percentage of those students went to School A and what percentage instead enrolled in School B. By pitting hundreds of schools against one another in a round robin tournament to see which colleges students chose when they got into both schools and chose to enroll in one, a revealed preference emerges. This ranking likely accounts for the students' perception of the college's academic reputation, affordability & perceived value, financial aid offerings, campus amenities (sports teams, dorm life, campus grounds), university location, perceived nightlife expectations, weather, balance of in-person vs. online classes offered, class size, majors available, and a general sense that "students like me belong in a place like this. "This process reveals a preference that is often hidden in other ranking systems. Points are awarded to the school chosen more frequently and deducted from the less popular choice, creating a dynamic score that reflects true student inclinations. Michael Ermann, Olive Book founder and Virginia Tech professor, expressed frustration with the limitations of traditional legacy rankings, which he believes distort real indicators of quality in undergraduate education. "When a major legacy ranking publication eliminated class size as a factor in 2023, it did a disservice to students," Ermann said. "Class size impacts quality, and faculty have lost a tool to push back on university administrators that, looking at budgets, understandably push consistently for fewer faculty and more students. Olive Book 100 provides a fresh, student-centered alternative that weighs the colleges the way students weigh the colleges." Additional Methodology Insights To enhance fairness and transparency: Point-Based Ranking: Schools accumulate or lose points depending on how frequently students choose one over another. Data Analysis & Statistical Rigor: Advanced statistical methods ensure that differences among the 350 schools ranked are significant. Limitations Noted: Military academies and schools with acceptance rates above 75% are omitted from the top 100. The Olive Book 100 comes at a time when public confidence in traditional rankings has waned. Many universities have reportedly gamed the ranking system to appear more selective. "Rankings that emphasize selectivity encourage schools to manipulate acceptance rates rather than focus on student experience and educational quality," said Ermann. "This ranking tells a different story: one based on where students really want to go when they have a choice." Olive Book invites the public to review and critique this innovative approach. Ermann notes, "If you believe an error has been made or your school has been overlooked, reach out-we're committed to transparency and continual improvement." For more information, or to view the Olive Book 100, please visit: www.olive-book.com. About The Olive Book At Olive Book, our mission is to transform SAT preparation by providing you with the most engaging, effective, and accessible test prep materials on the planet. We believe in the power of visual learning and have designed our content to cater to the needs of visual learners and busy students. Our goal is to simplify the SAT prep process, making it both effective and enjoyable so that you have the opportunity to achieve your highest potential score. Contact Information Janie Mackenzie Vice President of Public Relations janie@ascendantgroupbranding.com 2679699442 SOURCE: Olive Book View the original press release on newswire.com. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) ("NOP" or the "Company), a B.C. based company engaged in the exploration, in Nevada, for organic, sedimentary raw rock phosphate, is pleased to announce significant progress in the exploration of its flagship Murdock Property in Northeast Nevada. The property, renowned for its nearly flat-lying sedimentary bed of known phosphate mineralization, continues to show promising results. "We are thrilled with the progress we've made at the Murdock Property," Robin Dow, CEO of Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. reported. "These results not only underscore the significant drilling potential of our project, and its potential massive size, but also reinforce our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. We are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for organic fertilizers in North America." Key Highlights: Financial Milestones : Since January 2022, NOP has successfully raised $1,592,100 and incurred $994,961 in exploration expenditures. NOP is currently focused on a $500,000 private placement to fund ongoing exploration activities into 2025 and to strengthen its financial position. Positive Exploration Results : Geological surveys have confirmed the presence of high-quality phosphate mineralization across several new target areas within the Murdock Property permit areas. The strike length of the target phosphate zone at the Murdock Property has increased from approximately 6.6 to 33.4 kilometers . Targets : The initial 1,813-acre application is believed to host a potential Exploration Target Mineralization Inventory ( ETMI) of 10 to 46 million tonnes of rock phosphate, with a grade ranging from 3-15% P2O5 . This estimate is based on an average thickness of 3.5 meters and a specific gravity of 2.61. New Targets: Three new applications covering an additional 6,011 acres have been added, bringing the total ETMI potential to 200-220 million tonnes of rock phosphate. These estimates are conceptual in nature and have not been verified by NOP according to current 43-101 standards of disclosure. Further exploration is required to define a mineral resource. It's important to note that these figures are based on previous workers' estimates and geological models, and further exploration will be necessary to confirm these potential resources. Drill Program : 2024 drilling was delayed by the BLM process being completed a week before the sage grouse habitat timing restrictions expired on November 1. Drilling is now planned on the main phosphate target mid-2025. Market Potential : With the North American organic food market valued at approximately $35 billion, NOP is poised to become a key supplier of certified organic rock phosphate, providing an essential nutrient for sustainable agriculture. NOP has the potential to be the largest, if not the only major supplier of Organic, direct application raw rock phosphate in North America. Sustainable Practices: In line with our commitment to environmentally responsible mining, our exploration timeline has been carefully revised to comply with environmental regulations and protect local wildlife habitats, including those of the sage grouse. The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Garry K Smith, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects." Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. is a junior exploration company based in British Columbia, Canada, focused on the development of organic sedimentary raw rock phosphate in north-eastern Nevada, USA. Our mission is to provide high-quality, environmentally responsible phosphate products to the organic agriculture industry. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services providers have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information ("FLSI") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. FLSI may include expectations, anticipations, beliefs, opinions, plans, intentions, estimates, forecasts, projections, guidance or other similar statements and information that are not historical facts. All statements which are not historical statements are considered FLSI. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential size and grade of a the potential resource. Further exploration is required to define a mineral resource and it remains uncertain whether an economically recoverable resource will be discovered. All FLSI is based on assumptions, which may prove inaccurate, and subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's public securities filings, which may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in FLSI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance or value on FLSI. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any FLSI in this news release are reasonable at the present time, it can give no assurance that such FLSI will prove to be correct. Any FLSI in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to publicly update or revise any FLSI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. Any FLSI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229631 SOURCE: Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. Combined cybersecurity solution helps automotive manufacturers comply with new regulations and provides users with strong protection of sensitive data VicOne, a leading automotive cybersecurity solutions provider, announced today a strategic collaboration with Samsung Semiconductor, a global leader in advanced semiconductor technology. This partnership aims to revolutionize cyber security in Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) by harnessing the power of VicOne's next-generation intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS), powered by Samsung Semiconductor's Exynos Auto V920 System on a Chip (SOC). The main goal is to provide OEMs and end users effectively with the best possible cybersecurity for their vehicles and to set the course towards secure mobility in good time. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112744631/en/ VicOne and Samsung Semiconductor's partnership aims to revolutionize cyber security in Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) by harnessing the power of VicOne's next-generation intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS), powered by Samsung Semiconductor's Exynos Auto V920 System on a Chip (SOC). (Graphic: Business Wire) As the automotive industry hurtles toward a future of autonomous mobility and SDV, ensuring the safety and security of SDVs becomes paramount. Cyber threats pose significant risks, and VicOne's and Samsung Semiconductor's joint efforts will fortify the defenses of these cutting-edge vehicles. VicOne provides the software part of the automotive cyber security system with its xCarbon solution ported to the Exynos Auto V920 Development Board. Key Highlights of the Partnership are: Advanced Pre-Integration: As part of the collaboration Samsung Semiconductor's state-of-the-art V920 SOC family will be seamlessly supported by VicOne's xCarbon IDPS. Thereby, the neural processing unit (NPU) of the Exynos Auto V920 will serve as the cornerstone of VicOne's next-gen IDPS, enabling real-time threat detection and rapid response. Enhanced Automotive Threat Intelligence: By combining VicOne's expertise in automotive cyber security with Samsung Semiconductor's prowess, the partners will develop threat intelligence models specifically tailored for SDVs. These models will continuously analyze data streams from various sensors, ECUs, and communication channels, proactively identifying anomalies and potential unknown threats. Thus, they provide the Vehicle Security Operation Center (VSOC) teams with valuable insights into the course and content of cyberattacks in real time and thus grant them the urgently needed time for countermeasures. Dynamic Adaptability: The joint solution will adapt to evolving threats, leveraging machine learning algorithms running on the Exynos Auto V920's NPU. Real-time updates and threat signatures will be seamlessly distributed across the SDV fleet, ensuring robust protection. "This collaboration represents a pivotal moment in automotive cybersecurity. Together with Samsung Semiconductor, we're poised to redefine SDV security standards. The combined solution not only helps OEMs and suppliers to meet regulatory requirements and do successful and smooth business, but it also grants drivers the cyber security they need for an unclouded and safe driving experience. We would like to continue and expand the cooperation we have started with Samsung Semiconductors for the benefit of our customers and partners. For example, we plan to collaborate with partners to demonstrate how to protect SDV containers and hypervisors," said Max Cheng, CEO at VicOne. VicOne presents the combination of its xCarbon IDPS solution and Samsung Semiconductor's Exynos Auto V920 Development Board for the first time at the "electronica" trade fair in Munich (12. 15. November 2024). At Samsung Semiconductor's partner booth B6.602 interested parties will not only be given a demonstration of the overall solution, but they will also have the opportunity for technical discussions with the VicOne experts. In addition, VicOne will be showcasing its award-winning comprehensive portfolio of cutting edge cybersecurity software and services for the whole automotive industry at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES, one of the most powerful tech events in the world (7-10 January 2025). Together with partners like P3 digital services, a leading provider of In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems, VicOne offers a safe and secure IVI environment for Android Automotive OS, with content protection for driver and all the vehicle's passengers. For more information about VicOne's automotive cyber security portfolio please visit https://vicone.com/. About VicOne With a vision to secure the vehicles of tomorrow, VicOne delivers a broad portfolio of cybersecurity software and services for the automotive industry. Purpose-built to address the rigorous needs of automotive manufacturers, VicOne solutions are designed to secure and scale with the specialized demands of the modern vehicle. As a Trend Micro subsidiary, VicOne is powered by a solid foundation in cybersecurity drawn from Trend Micro's 30+ years in the industry, delivering unparalleled automotive protection and deep security insights that enable our customers to build secure as well as smart vehicles. For more information visit www.vicone.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112744631/en/ Contacts: U.S. Media Contacts: Vivian Kelly Interprose for VicOne +1 703.509.5412 viviankelly@interprosepr.com Jill Miley Interprose for VicOne +1 303.862.0518 jill.miley@interprosepr.com Citco launches new entity in the region in response to the growing demand for alternative investments in Japan. The Citco group of companies (Citco), the leading asset-servicer to the alternative investment sector, has announced the launch of Citco Japan Co KK. This new entity in Japan underscores Citco's commitment to the Asia- Pacific region and bolsters its global offering to both current and prospective clients. Citco has over $2 trillion in assets under administration (AuA) and offers a full suite of middle-office and back-office services to alternative investment companies across the globe. These services include fund accounting, treasury and loan handling, investor services, corporate services, regulatory and risk reporting, banking solutions, and tax and financial reporting services, among others. Citco Japan Co KK is situated in Grantokyo South Tower 11F, 1-9-2 Marunouchi Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 100-6611, Japan, and will operate as Citco's local operational headquarters in the region. The team will offer fund accounting, fund operations and Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) administration services, with an overarching focus centred on automation to further enhance scalability and growth via its industry leading expertise and proprietary technology. The Head of Client Servicing for Citco's Japan office will be announced in January 2025. Roald Smeets, President and Chief Operations Officer of Citco, said: "We are delighted to announce the opening of Citco Japan Co KK and, in turn, our continued expansion in the APAC region. With the government of Japan recently announcing its ambitions to be a Leading Asset Management Centre, we see a wealth of opportunities in the region. Our aim is to support alternative asset managers with both inbound and outbound investments, while offering Citco's comprehensive range of services, world class technology and global office network. Citco is the world's largest, organically grown asset-servicer in alternative investments through serving the global investment industry for over 70 years, and with increased automation at the core of our strategy, we strive to deliver best-in-class services to clients helping to streamline operations and increase cost efficiencies. At Citco, we pride ourselves on taking the complexity out of our clients' day-to-day activities enabling them to focus on growth and with Japan transforming itself as a leading, innovative hub for alternatives, we are excited to extend our offering to the region and look forward to supporting this transition." Notes to Editors About the Citco group of companies (Citco) The Citco group of companies (Citco) is a network of independent companies worldwide. These companies are leading providers of asset-servicing solutions to the global alternative investment industry. With $2 trillion in assets under administration and operations spanning across 36 countries, Citco's unique culture of innovation and client-driven solutions have provided Citco's clients with a trusted partner for more than four decades. Having grown organically into one of the largest asset servicers in the industry, Citco's Fund Services companies offer a full suite of middle office and back office services including treasury and loan handling, daily NAV calculations and investor services, corporate and legal services, regulatory and risk reporting as well as tax and financial reporting services. Investing heavily in innovation and technology whilst further developing its current suite of client-friendly solutions, Citco will continue into the future as a flagbearer for the asset-servicing industry. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112529349/en/ Contacts: citco@instinctif.com Instinctif Partners +44 020 7457 2020 MEXICO CITY, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Mexico and EDP Renewables North America LLC ( EDPR NA ) have joined forces in a groundbreaking collaboration to support the Yo Decido! Social Impact Fund. This innovative fund aims to ensure the financial sustainability of Mexico's National Strategy for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (ENAPEA), a crucial initiative designed to empower adolescent girls, expand their opportunities, and unlock their full potential. The ceremony was attended by EDPR NA CEO Sandhya Ganapathy together with UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Catarina Furtado, His Excellency the Ambassador of Portugal to Mexico Manuel Carvalho, UNFPA Representative for Mexico Dr. Alanna Armitage, General Secretary of the National Population Council Gabriela Rodriguez, Mayor of Xochimilco Circe Camacho, and representatives of the federal and Mexico City ministries of health and women's affairs. "Every hour a teenage girl under the age of 15 gives birth in Mexico, jeopardizing her health and future potential. Multi-stakeholder alliances are essential to empowering girls, reducing adolescent pregnancy, strengthening communities, and building human capital. EDPR North America's financial support of UNFPA's Yo Decido! Social Impact Fund exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships to create a stronger, more prosperous future for Mexico's youth, both in the Xochimilco municipality of Mexico City and across the country," said Dr. Alanna Armitage. Private sector engagement is essential to the achievement of these ambitious goals. UNFPA's collaboration with EDPR NA will not only empower adolescent girls, but will provide them with the knowledge and tools to access youth-friendly health services, continue their education, and pursue their dreams in unlimited areas including science, technology, engineering, and math - strengthening their economic opportunities and positively impacting their local communities. "Every girl has the right to health, safety, and education," added Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America. "By empowering young girls throughout Mexico via the Yo Decido! Social Impact Fund, we are building stronger communities, investing in the skilled workforce of tomorrow, and laying the foundation for a vibrant, healthy, and sustainable future for Mexico's youth." Despite recent improvements, adolescent pregnancy in Mexico remains a pressing concern with significant socioeconomic consequences. The Specific Rate of Adolescent Fertility among 15 to 19-year-olds stands at 53 per 1000 births, more than double the international average. In Xochimilco, this figure alarmingly rises to 81 per 1000 births. The impact of adolescent pregnancy extends far beyond immediate health concerns. It often results in lower educational attainment, diminished employment prospects, and reduced lifetime earnings. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and social exclusion, tragically making it the leading cause of death among adolescent girls in Mexico. "We must work together across sectors to guarantee young people's sexual and reproductive rights so that they may truly fulfill their potential," said UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Catarina Furtado. "During my visit, I've had the privilege to witness first hand the important work that UNFPA and its partners are doing to provide young people with the knowledge and resources they need to prevent unwanted pregnancies and decide over their bodies and their lives. The young women I've met during my visit to Mexico have touched my heart and impressed me with stories of their hopes and dreams for the future; I believe we owe it to them to do all in our power to help them realize those dreams by ensuring lives free from violence, unwanted pregnancies and early unions." The Xochimilco Mayor's Office expressed its strong commitment to the well-being of girls and adolescents and its support for the rights and freedoms that empower them: "This administration is committed to leaving no one behind, which is why we support sexual education in all families and neighborhoods of our municipality. Information is key so that women know they can access friendly and free medical services, and above all, that they are not alone." In addition, these coordinated actions will help reduce the violence that these age groups may suffer in the southern areas of Mexico City, not only in Xochimilco, but also in the Tlahuac and Milpa Alta municipalities. A 2022 study by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates the annual cost of teenage pregnancy in Mexico to exceed 67 billion pesos, a staggering 0.29% of the nation's GDP. These are resources that could be invested in critical infrastructure and services such as hospitals, universities, schools, and roads. The signing ceremony, held in the Xochimilco municipality of Mexico City, celebrated two years of progress in strengthening essential services for adolescents. These include bolstering sexual and reproductive health services, expanding access to comprehensive sexuality education, and implementing community-based teen pregnancy prevention strategies. These impactful initiatives have already positively impacted the lives of almost 35,000 children and adolescents (half of the adolescent population of Xochimilco aged 10 to 19), along with their parents, caregivers, and teachers. Xochimilco coalition members include the municipality of Xochimilco, Xochimilco Health Jurisdiction, Human Rights Commission of Mexico City, Juvenile Integration Centers, A.C., Mexico City Office of Child and Adolescent Rights and Protective Services, National Population Council, Organon, Petit Fils Foundation, A.C. and UNFPA. For more information about UNFPA, please visit mexico.unfpa.org For UNFPA press requests, please contact: Claudia Martinez, Communications Unit Coordinator Tel: +5255 1101 5508, cell:+5255 4522 4231 Facebook: UNFPA Mexico Instagram: @unfpamexico Youtube: UNFPAMexico Twitter: @UNFPAMexico About UNFPA UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, quality maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education. About UNFPA's Yo Decido! Social Impact Fund Yo Decido! Mi proyecto de vida con amor y responsabilidad is a multistakeholder alliance and innovative financing mechanism that supports the nationwide implementation of the Mexican government's National Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Strategy (ENAPEA). By partnering with federal, state, and local governments; the private sector; NGOs; media and international organizations; the new fund will allow UNFPA to invest in innovative strategies and scale up proven solutions that allow every girl to reach her full potential, free from adolescent pregnancy. To donate, contact us at unfpa.mexico@unfpa.org. About EDP Renewables North America EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA), its affiliates, and its subsidiaries develop, construct, own, and operate wind farms, solar parks, and energy storage systems throughout North America. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with 61 wind farms, 18 solar parks, and eight regional offices across North America, EDPR NA has developed more than 11,200 megawatts (MW) and operates more than 10,200 MW of onshore utility-scale renewable energy projects of which 566 MW operate in Mexico with two wind farms and one solar park in the states of Coahuila and Aguascalientes in Mexico. With more than 1,000 employees, EDPR NA's highly qualified team has a proven capacity to execute projects across the continent. For more information, visit www.edpr.com/north-america and follow us on LinkedIn . Media Contact: EDP Renewables North America Tom Weirich 281-825-2771 thomas.weirich@edp.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/edp-renewables-north-america-joins-unfpas-alliance-to-reduce-adolescent-pregnancy-in-mexico-302302924.html Almere, The Netherlands November 12, 2024, 6:00 p.m. CET ASM international N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) informs the market that ASMPT, in which ASM has a shareholding of approximately 25%, announced that it ceased discussions in relation to a possible privatization of ASMPT. ASMPT Ltd. ("ASMPT), in which ASM is a shareholder, announced on October 14, 2024, that its board had received a preliminary non-binding approach from an independent third party (the "Potential Offeror") in relation to a possible privatization of ASMPT. Meanwhile ASMPT made an announcement that ASMPT and the Potential Offeror ceased these discussions in respect of a possible privatization of ASMPT. About ASM International ASM International N.V., headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing, and have facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: ASM). For more information, visit ASM's website at www.asm.com. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, changes in import/export regulations, epidemics, pandemics and other risks indicated in the company's reports and financial statements. The company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances. This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. Blytheville, Arkansas--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - The National Cold War Center in Blytheville, Arkansas, and the Woodrow Wilson Center, whose parent company is the Smithsonian Institution, have announced a partnership to help preserve the story and advance learning about the world's most protracted and expensive war. The Wilson Center, based in Washington, D.C., and housing The Cold War International History Project, was chartered by Congress in 1968 as a nonpartisan and independent idea marketplace that provides research-based solutions to policymakers on various global issues. As part of the three-year agreement, Dr. Christian Ostermann, Director of History and Public Policy at the Wilson Center, will direct the National Cold War Center full-time, helping establish the museum's presence nationally and internationally, securing new funding sources, and inspiring interpretive exhibit design. Dr. Ostermann, who also directs the Cold War International History Project at the Wilson Center, said the partnership with the National Cold War Center will be important to Arkansas and the nation. "There are so many lessons that can be learned from the Cold War, especially as it pertains to our world's current geopolitical landscape," Dr. Ostermann said. "The ideological rivalry between capitalism and communism defined global politics for nearly half a century, leading to a nuclear arms race, regional wars, and cultural and technological transformations that can teach us lessons still vital here in the 21st century." "The commitment of the people in Mississippi County is admirable and aligns with the mission and vision of Wilson Center as it pertains to education about the Cold War, and I look forward to spending more time in the state and helping people understand what a unique opportunity this is for history, for education, and for tourism," said Dr. Ostermann. Mary Gay Shipley, chairman of the National Cold War Center board of directors, says development of the National Cold War Center has been a goal for Blytheville and Mississippi County since Blytheville Air Force Base closed in 1992. "This partnership with the world-renowned Wilson Center gives our efforts even more credibility and will help us establish the National Cold War Center as America's museum of the Cold War," Shipley said. "We look forward to welcoming thousands of people to our community annually to learn more about this important time in our world's history." The first National Cold War Center exhibit opened in 2020, featuring history, memorabilia, and personal stories from those who served while Blytheville Air Force Base was active from 1942 to 1992. The base originally housed B-57 bombers, but as the Cold War advanced, it transitioned to a Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility that controlled most of the U.S. nuclear weapons as well as the aircraft and missiles that delivered those weapons. The Ready Alert Facility, which served as a "mission control," is being restored and will become the only such Ready Alert center open for public viewing. Construction and the restoration of the entire museum project are currently scheduled for completion in late 2027. The National Cold War Center projects that more than 50,000 people will visit during the first year following completion, adding significantly to the $156 million spent by visitors to Mississippi County in 2023. Service members pose in front of a military aircraft at the former Blytheville Air Force. The future home of the National Cold War Center. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11002/229530_cf8fa230142a4ad3_002full.jpg A rendering of the National Cold War Center campus. The Center will be located on the former Blytheville Air Force Base, which served as a Strategic Air Command that controlled most U.S. nuclear weapons To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11002/229530_renderingcampus.jpg A rendering of the National Cold War Center. The Center will be located on the former Blytheville Air Force Base in Blytheville, Arkansas To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11002/229530_rendercenter.jpg National Cold War Center Media Kit: (Contains collateral, logos, photos, renderings and more for digital, print and broadcast use) # To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229530 SOURCE: The National Cold War Center Data from LoopMe to mark the 30th anniversary of the banner ad finds older shoppers more accepting of ads. LoopMe, a leading technology company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve brand advertising performance, has today released US data revealing that consumers from the Gen X and Baby Boomer generations are most receptive to digital ads. Over a third (37%) of 45-54 year olds and 40% of 55-64 year olds stated they make purchases from ads they see online at least every few months greater than the average of 31%*. The findings indicate that marketers will need to be highly targeted with their spend if they want to capitalize on older shoppers' online ad engagement. The research was conducted in October 2024 to mark the 30th anniversary of the first online ad, which debuted on Wired magazine's website HotWired on 27th October 1994. That first banner ad an ad that sits at the top of a webpage was the start of a revolution in online advertising, leading to a range of formats being utilized by brands aiming to engage with potential customers. A quarter (26%) of the 45-64 age demographic are happy to see advertising in exchange for free online content, on the condition that ads aren't intrusive. On average, 13% of this demographic prefer viewing ads than paying to read content. In exploration of the role of banner ads 30 years on, the research also determined US consumer perceptions of ad placement on the page. The study identified that shoppers were more likely to notice ads embedded within the content itself, with 17% of all consumers stating it was where they most frequently noticed ads. This was followed by top of the page (10%) and bottom of the page (8%). While 33% of consumers feel that ads have become too intrusive and overwhelming, younger shoppers welcome the increased relevancy and personalization of ads with 14% of 18-24 year old shoppers and 17% of 25-34 year old shoppers feeling positive in this regard. Methodology LoopMe surveyed 1,318 US consumers from 15-28 October, 2024 to understand sentiment regarding online advertising. *Data combining responses 'Frequently (weekly)', 'Occasionally (monthly)' and 'Rarely (every few months)' when answering question 'How often do you make purchases from ads you see online?' About LoopMe LoopMe is a technology company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve brand advertising performance and outcomes. LoopMe was the first to apply AI to brand advertising and its Intelligent Marketplace, finding solutions to industry challenges that haven't previously been solved. With consumer insights and AI at its core, LoopMe makes brand advertising better, outperforming industry benchmarks for leading global brands. Our vision is to change advertising for the better, by building technology that will redefine brand advertising. LoopMe was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in the UK, with global offices across New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Dnipro, Krakow and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.loopme.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112504126/en/ Contacts: loopme@teamgingermay.com 020 3642 1124 WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / The Republican Main Street Partnership is proud to congratulate several distinguished members and alumni on their appointments to serve in the incoming Trump Administration. These talented and dedicated public servants have been chosen to lead in roles that reflect their strengths, experience, and commitment to advancing policies that benefit all Americans. Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21) has been appointed as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Known for her strong advocacy for American leadership and support for our allies, Rep. Stefanik's strategic insight and diplomatic skills make her an excellent choice for this critical role on the world stage. We are confident she will represent our nation's values and interests with honor and integrity. Rep. Mike Waltz (FL-06) will serve as the National Security Advisor. A former Green Beret and a staunch supporter of a robust U.S. national defense, Rep. Waltz brings extensive military and security expertise to the position. His dedication to national security and his unwavering commitment to protecting the United States make him an outstanding leader to guide our nation's security strategy. Former Rep. Lee Zeldin (NY-1) has been named the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. As a former member of Congress with a track record of balancing environmental stewardship with economic growth, Mr. Zeldin is uniquely positioned to guide the EPA in implementing policies that will unleash American energy dominance. "We are incredibly proud to see members of the Republican Main Street Partnership chosen for such important roles," said RMSP President & CEO, Sarah Chamberlain. "Their appointments underscore the impact that pragmatic, solutions-focused leadership can have on our country and the world. We look forward to watching Rep. Stefanik, Rep. Waltz, and former Rep. Zeldin bring their expertise and values to the Trump Administration." The Republican Main Street Partnership remains committed to supporting our members as they continue to champion policies that advance the economic, security, and environmental priorities of American families. Contact Information Elizabeth Aucamp Director of Business Development elizabeth@javelindc.com (704) 249-1430 SOURCE: Republican Main Street Partnership View the original press release on newswire.com. Paris, November 12, 2024. With the acquisition of CRH Catering, premier convenience solutions provider and one of the largest independent operators in the Mid-Atlantic region, Sodexo is building on its food model transformation by expanding its InReach offerings and footprint in the fast-growing, $30-billion U.S. convenience market. With CRH Catering, Sodexo is reinforcing its territorial presence in the East Coast and broadening its multi-channel offerings with additional micro-markets, vending, office coffee, pantry, fresh food and on-site food services. CRH Catering's commissary will also accelerate strategic synergies between offsite production and convenience in key Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets, supporting Sodexo's target to reach $500 million in revenue from InReach by end 2025. This new acquisition reflects Sodexo's ambition to upgrade and scale its new food distribution models to address fast-changing consumer needs and behaviors, such as grab-and-go fresh food, healthier snacks and beverages, in the hybrid work environment. This is Sodexo's seventh acquisition in the convenience services sector since 2022. Established in 1967, CRH Catering is a family-owned business long recognized for delivering service excellence and a client-focused approach. CRH Catering operates in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, and North Carolina. The closing of the acquisition is expected in the first half of Fiscal 2025. "The acquisition of CRH Catering represents a significant step in our growth plans by expanding InReach's retail offerings in the U.S. It reflects our ambition to become a leader in on-site convenience solutions. With this deal, we'll be able to rapidly expand our presence in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets to further meet the growing demand that clients and consumers are showing in innovative retail options. We look forward to welcoming and working closely with CRH Catering, a company with an outstanding reputation, and a world class team. We expect this to be a great fit culturally and to be able to seamlessly transition the business in the coming months" said Sarosh Mistry, CEO Sodexo North America. Joe and Peter Cordaro, President and VP of CRH Catering, said: "We are thrilled to join Sodexo and contribute to InReach expansion. As a family-owned company, we share the same values, culture and passion for service excellence. We are proud to bring our technologies and expertise to deliver high-value consumer experiences across North America." About Sodexo Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in sustainable food and valued experiences at every moment in life: learn, work, heal and play. The Group stands out for its independence, its founding family shareholding and its responsible business model. Thanks to its two activities of Food and Facilities Management Services, Sodexo meets all the challenges of everyday life with a dual goal: to improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve, and contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. For Sodexo, growth and social commitment go hand in hand. Our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. Sodexo is included in the CAC Next 20, Bloomberg France 40, CAC 40 ESG, CAC SBT 1.5, FTSE 4 Good and DJSI indices. Key Figures 23.8 billion euros in Fiscal 2024 consolidated revenues consolidated revenues 423,000 employees as at August 31, 2024 #1 France-based private employer worldwide 45 countries 80 million consumers served daily 11.2 billion euros in market capitalization (as at October 23, 2024) About CRH Catering Co., Inc. CRH Catering is a full-line industrial catering and food service company that has been in business since 1967. CRH Catering has grown from a local company started in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, to one of the largest automatic food and beverage distribution companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. CRH covers most of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia and parts of West Virginia, New Jersey, and North Carolina. CRH is leading the industry in technology by offering cashless vending, dynamic scheduling, and a cloud-based inventory management system which allows to track sales, current inventories, cash accountability, and machine malfunction in one click of a mouse. CRH also operates its own bottled water plant in Uniontown, PA, specializing in 20 oz. and 5-gallon bottled water along with private labeling. Each of the divisions also specializes in office coffee sales. Contacts Media Group U.S. Mathieu Scaravetti +33 6 28 62 21 91 mathieu.scaravetti@sodexo.com Stephanie Peterson +1 859-913-6501 stephanie.peterson@sodexo.com Contacts Investor Relations Virginia Jeanson +33 1 57 75 80 56 Virginia.jeanson@sodexo.com Attachment ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Habitat for Humanity International announced today that Whirlpool Foundation has renewed its support for the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program. Over the next two years, the Foundation will allocate $2.5M to help the global housing nonprofit construct stronger, more energy-efficient homes that are responsive to changing climate conditions and increasing climate hazards. In the next evolution of the program, 50 net-zero-energy-ready homes will be built bringing energy efficiency and cost savings to homeowners. The BuildBetter with Whirlpool program, launched by Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool Corporation in June 2021, started as a three-phase initiative expanding upon Habitat's current efforts to help homeowners mitigate the impact of climate change with more energy-efficient and climate resilient homes. The initiative also aims to produce a long-term reduction in operating costs for homeowners through an expected improvement in energy efficiency of up to 45% compared to homes built to current local government code. Dollars saved on water and energy bills can be used to help with the cost of food, medical expenses and other household expenses or as savings for the future. "We are thrilled to continue our work with Habitat on the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program," said Pam Klyn, executive vice president for corporate relations and sustainability for Whirlpool Corporation. "We're learning from the data collected to date and evolving the program to build homes that are even more efficient in the next two years. This project truly demonstrates that creating energy efficient homes isn't just for the luxury market." The first commitment of the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program, which launched in 2021 and will be completed later this year, encouraged local Habitat affiliates to build above local code to meet higher energy and resilience standards. It also focused on research and collaboration to establish a more accurate baseline to measure sustainable building standards across the construction industry. By the end of 2024, more than 260 energy efficient and climate resilient homes will be constructed across the U.S., resulting in an average 45 percent predicted energy cost savings per family, as well as a 15 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per home. The second commitment of the initiative will begin in early 2025. "Whirlpool Corporation has been an instrumental partner in helping us improve and broaden the ways we can help more families achieve housing stability," said Charlita Stephens-Walker, vice president of corporate partnerships and cause marketing at Habitat for Humanity International. "Through the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program, we have been able to build more resilient and energy-efficient homes, helping families reduce their carbon footprint as well as lessen their housing costs. We are proud to continue this work with Whirlpool and we are grateful for their dedication to ensure everyone has a safe and decent place to live." For more than 25 years, Habitat for Humanity International and Whirlpool Corporation have worked together to improve and broaden the ways the global housing organization can help more families achieve housing stability. Over the lifetime of the relationship, Whirlpool has given more than $140 million in funding and donated products supporting nearly 200,000 Habitat households in the U.S. and close to 1 million people in more than 50 countries worldwide. The company has also supported other initiatives including Habitat's global housing forums, the Cost of Home national advocacy campaign, and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. About Habitat for Humanity Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana,Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whirlpool Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Whirlpool Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whirlpool-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - According to the scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, exposure to four common air pollutants during pregnancy or early childhood could increase the risk of autism in the child, especially in those with genetic predisposition.Published in Brain Medicine, the study focused on four key air pollutants - particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and ozone.The research comes as a recent analysis in the U.S. had shown that three in every hundred children suffered from autism spectrum disorder.Particulate matter is microscopic pieces of dust, liquid or smoke, whereas sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas or liquid, and is produced when fossil fuels are burned and metals are smelted.Nitric oxide is a gas released from car exhaust fumes, and ozone is produced from chemical plants, oil based paint and print shops.The researchers have not exactly determined how air pollutants cause autism. However, they speculate that when pregnant women breathe these pollutants, it causes inflammation in nerves, eventually leading to brain dysfunction.Previously, researchers from Harvard University suggested that exposure to air pollutants could increase the risk of autism by upto 64 percent.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. Sheridan, Wyoming--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - The E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Association (ECDMA) invites the global business community to celebrate innovation and excellence through the prestigious ECDMA Global Awards. Apply Now-Early Bird Deadline: November 15th, 2024. Seize this opportunity to gain global recognition and join an exclusive group of industry leaders being celebrated worldwide. ECDMA Global Awards Logo Global Industry Leaders as Judges The ECDMA Global Awards are judged by top executives from internationally recognized organizations across diverse industries. Representing regions such as the United States, UAE, France, Spain, Brazil, Canada, and India, a distinguished jury ensures that entries are evaluated by the industry's top experts. This diversity guarantees that the awards reflect the truly global nature of digital marketing and e- commerce today. Eugene Mischenko, President of ECDMA, highlighted the importance of this diverse jury: "The Global Awards were established to recognize the remarkable talent and innovations shaping digital marketing and e-commerce on a global scale. Our diverse jury ensures that every submission is assessed with a deep understanding of both industry standards and cultural nuances." With a unique 'Express Judging' option, early applicants can receive their results within just 15 days, allowing for timely recognition of excellence. Winners from the express judging round are already being celebrated, bringing momentum and excitement to the global digital marketing community. Recognizing Excellence Across All Industries Since its inception, ECDMA has championed excellence in digital marketing and e-commerce, helping companies and professionals grow and gain industry-wide visibility. The ECDMA Global Awards provide a platform that acknowledges the best in e-commerce strategies, innovative marketing practices, and industry pioneers. Whether a startup making an impact or an established business delivering world-class customer service, the ECDMA Global Awards provide a platform for achievements to shine. Leonid Gladilin, Partner at ECDMA, explained: "The Global Awards set a new benchmark for innovation and leadership in digital marketing and e-commerce. With categories ranging from AI innovation awards to recognitions for women in business, the ECDMA Global Awards provide an inclusive and aspirational platform that honors both the best practices and the leaders who are shaping the industry." Why Apply for the ECDMA Global Awards Establish a Brand Presence Among Top Innovators Winning or participating in the ECDMA Global Awards elevates brand recognition, enhances visibility, and positions brands alongside innovators shaping the future of digital marketing and e-commerce. These awards recognize achievements across various categories, making them suitable for all types of businesses in the digital economy. Award Categories Include: Best Digital Campaign Awards E-Commerce Technology Awards Digital Marketing Awards Personalization Excellence Awards Startup Recognitions Best E-Commerce User Experience Awards Omnichannel Marketing Strategy Awards AI Innovation Awards Recognitions for Women in Business These awards are more than accolades for individual projects or campaigns; they celebrate the people, teams, and companies making a difference. By acknowledging best omnichannel strategies and personalization excellence, the ECDMA Global Awards highlight the work driving progress and innovation in the digital world. Leonid Gladilin added: "These awards not only celebrate current achievements but also inspire future leaders. We want to motivate those who are pushing boundaries, experimenting with new concepts, and driving the digital industry towards a more innovative and inclusive future." The ECDMA Global Awards offer a unique opportunity for professionals to benchmark their work against the best in the industry, gaining recognition that enhances their international standing. Winners enjoy the prestige of being aligned with the best user experiences, winning marketing strategies, and the most innovative e-commerce technologies in the world. Why Trust ECDMA A Trusted Symbol of Excellence The ECDMA Global Awards are built on transparency, fairness, and inclusivity. The respected global jury evaluates each entry with unmatched expertise and cultural insight, ensuring recognition of true excellence across the digital marketing and e-commerce landscape. Judges are selected for their expertise and their ability to appreciate regional distinctions, ensuring well-rounded and balanced evaluations. This approach allows ECDMA to honor digital marketing and e-commerce excellence without boundaries. Eugene Mischenko shared his perspective: "As someone who has received recognition from various awards programs, I know firsthand the power of recognition. It motivates entire teams to strive for greatness and encourages individuals to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible." The Benefits of Winning Career-Defining Benefits of Winning Winning an ECDMA Global Award elevates credibility, strengthens brand presence, and opens new business opportunities. It attracts top talent, boosts media coverage, and enhances industry trust. For professionals, receiving an ECDMA Award is a career-defining achievement. It enhances a CV, demonstrates expertise, and often leads to salary increases and improved career opportunities. This recognition positions recipients as leaders in digital marketing and e-commerce. No matter the industry-whether in media, PR, technology, or e-commerce-participating in the ECDMA Global Awards is a chance to benchmark work, receive international acclaim, and inspire new levels of creativity and excellence. Winning also opens doors to new business opportunities, partnerships, and greater industry trust. Award-winning practices and top e-commerce platform awards differentiate businesses in a competitive market, allowing them to stand out from the crowd. Participating in the ECDMA Global Awards offers a chance to benchmark work, gain international recognition, and inspire new levels of creativity and excellence. Winning opens doors to business opportunities, partnerships, and heightened industry trust, helping award-winning practices stand out in a competitive market. Leonid Gladilin emphasized: "The winners of the ECDMA Global Awards set the standard for excellence. They are the visionaries who inspire others, and their stories become guiding examples for our entire industry." How to Apply and Join the Movement Apply by November 15th, 2024, and join the global leaders shaping digital excellence. Submit an entry by visiting https://awards.ecdma.org/awards-categories/. Early applications benefit from reduced fees, and express judging allows for the opportunity to be among the first recognized globally. Join the Elite in Digital Marketing and E-Commerce The ECDMA Global Awards 2024 is more than an event-it's a movement to celebrate, uplift, and recognize the digital marketing and e-commerce communities. From global marketing excellence awards, industry pioneer recognitions, or leadership awards, the ECDMA Global Awards offer a prestigious platform for gaining acknowledgment and inspiring future success. Applications are open to those shaping the future of digital excellence. The Future of Digital Excellence Begins Now ECDMA is excited to celebrate the groundbreaking projects that will shape the future of digital commerce. Eugene Mischenko concludes: "Our mission is to honor those redefining the industry and foster a community passionate about the future of digital commerce. Join the Movement Shaping the Future of Digital Excellence. The ECDMA Global Awards recognize the leaders and visionaries shaping digital commerce's future. Apply today and become part of a community of innovators driving global change." About E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Association E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Association (EDMA) is a professional organization founded in 2023, dedicated to connecting, educating, and empowering professionals within the global e- commerce and digital marketing community. With a mission to accelerate the growth and success of the industry, EDMA offers a platform for networking, professional development, and thought leadership. It emphasizes collaboration, education, innovation, and integrity to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. EDMA stands out for its commitment to establishing professional standards and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment within the e-commerce and digital marketing sectors. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229624 SOURCE: E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Association HIGHLIGHTS Widespread copper oxide mineralisation confirmed in initial reconnaissance sampling at Canyon Project, with copper occurrences in road-cuts over 400m. Rock grab samples returned assays of 0.74% Cu/ 0.07% Mo, and 0.53% Cu/ 0.02% Mo. Associated high molybdenum values indicate primary porphyry style mineralisation. Follow-up remote sensing, mapping, and rock geochemistry planned at the Canyon Project to quickly focus in on prospective targets over 25km strike length and parallel corridors. Solis is advancing its portfolio of targets in the Coastal Belt of Peru with targeted drilling programs across multiple copper projects planned from Q1 2025. West Leederville, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Latin American focused copper-gold explorer, Solis Minerals Limited (ASX: SLM) ("Solis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an update on exploration activities at the Canyon Project in Peru. Initial reconnaissance activities have commenced at the Canyon Project with sampling confirming the presence of copper oxide mineralisation. The mineralisation was found in joints and faults in road-cuts over a distance of approximately 400m in discontinuous patches. Two samples returned high values of copper and molybdenum, indicating a porphyry-style mineralisation. Some quartz-veining and alteration were also observed in porphyritic quartz granodiorites indicating the primary controls on mineralisation. As well as providing an obvious follow-up target, this mineralised zone presents as an excellent pathfinder to rollout exploration over the entire 25,600 Ha tenement package. Executive Director, Mike Parker, commented: "First pass reconnaissance work at our Canyon Project has commenced and we are pleased to have found widespread evidence of copper oxides so early on. The geology is intriguing, and we are quickly developing our understanding of some controls on the copper oxide distribution. "Our follow-up work at Canyon will include remote sensing, mapping, and rock geochemistry aimed at defining the most prospective zones within our large 25,600 Ha application area. It's an exciting time for Solis as we move forward with our vectoring and targeting strategy". Figure 1: Cu oxides in joint and fault planes in porphyritic quartz granodiorites at Canyon. This area was sampled and returned assays of 0.74% Cu and 0.070% Mo from sample number 22123, coordinates 383653E and 8546636N - WGS84 18S. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/229634_figure1.jpg An initial reconnaissance visit to the Canyon Project (Figure 2) has confirmed the presence of copper oxides in intrusive rocks in a zone adjacent to a major cross-fault (Figure 3). The copper oxides were observed sporadically in road-cuts over a zone of approximately 400m in length, trending in a NNW direction, and are predominantly present as fracture and joint fills in largely unaltered porphyritic quartz granodiorites (Figure 1). Figure 2: Canyon Project with third party Cu prospects bracketing Solis' applications with cross faults shown. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/229634_figure2.jpg This area is 4.5km SE of previous exploration drilling that was permitted in 2013 (Figure 3). No results of this drilling have been located for confirmation. Continuing along this NNW trend beyond the tenement boundaries are the known copper oxide occurrences of Los Pinos (14.5km) and Nispero (21.0km) (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Figure 3: Position of rock grab samples in relation to previous drilling application, mineralised trend, and faulting. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/229634_figure3.jpg The extent of the mineralised zone encountered is undefined and the oxides occur in distinct discontinuous patches from 0.5 to 3m in size. No quantitative estimate of mineralisation is feasible due to the nature of the outcrops, the evident discontinuities, ubiquitous dust, and the early reconnaissance nature of the geological inspection. Follow-up in this area will include detailed mapping, undertaken to add to geological understanding of the copper oxide occurrences and aiding the rollout of additional exploration strategies across the entire tenement package. The assays obtained from two rock samples are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Rock grab assay results Canyon Project SAMPLE ID Prospect Easting Northing Elevation Au ppm Ag ppm Cu ppm Mo ppm 22122 CANYON 383514 8546240 1329 0.054 1.5 5340 231 22123 CANYON 383653 8546636 1369 0.013 2.1 7360 699 Note: The mineralisation identified, and its associated alteration, is considered a "pathfinder" exploration indicator for the potential presence of associated porphyry copper mineralisation in the tenements. Such mineralisation and alteration do not guarantee the presence of associated porphyry mineralisation and thus the significance of the assays and images are strictly in the context of exploration potential. The nature of grab samples implies that they are not necessarily representative of broader mineralisation, nor is the presence of such broader mineralisation implied. The host rocks are characterised by large (up to 5mm) euhedral hexagonal primary biotite crystals and partially weathered pyrites. Whilst the copper mineralisation is predominantly a secondary weathering product, inspection of the area shows some potassic alteration related to veining, and the presence of <5mm wide sugary-textured quartz veins with weathered Cu oxides (Figure 4) which may indicate a primary source of the mineralisation. On a larger scale, distinct zones of late cross-cutting porphyritic diorite dykes up to 30m wide appear to have a spatial, roughly parallel, relationship with the presence of Cu oxides observed in the joints and fracture zones (Figure 5). Figure 4: Cu oxides adjacent to quartz veining and fractures in porphyritic quartz granodiorite with coarse biotite crystals. This area was sampled and returned assays of 0.53% Cu and 0.023% Mo. Sample number 22122, coordinates 383514E and 8546240N - WGS84 18S. <5mm wide sugary-textured quartz veins (parallel to open joint in photo) appear to have a primary control on mineralisation in this area. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/229634_figure4.jpg Figure 5: View from central Canyon looking east with location of samples indicated behind ridge. Late porphyry dioritic dykes identified (partially indicated in yellow) with evidence of cutting the granodiorites and dipping steeply east. These barren dykes, some up to 30m wide, appear to exert a geological control on some of the mineralisation. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/229634_figure5.jpg Next steps Following the positive reconnaissance at Canyon, Solis will initiate work programs including remote sensing, mapping, and rock geochemistry to vector in on the most prospective areas. The corridor that appears to be most favourable due to previous exploration and the presence of known occurrences has a strike length of 25km in the application area. In addition, potential for the existence of parallel corridors adds considerable exploration prospectivity and will be subject to further evaluation. Canyon Project Solis has made applications for 27 exploration concessions, totalling 25,600Ha, in a contiguous block known as the Canyon Project. The target is copper porphyry mineralisation, principally oxides, situated on a NW-SE prospective trend with known porphyry occurrences just outside the application area, as well as reported exploration activities within the area itself. The application area contains a belt of intrusive rocks identified as the Coastal Intrusive Belt containing various Coastal Batholiths that stretch from the Ecuadorian border in the north to the Chilean border in the south along the coast of Peru (Figure 6). These rocks, of Late Jurassic to Cretaceous age, host (from south to north) Solis' Ilo projects (Ilo Este, Chocolate, Chancho Al Palo) as well as important copper deposits of Tia Maria and Zafranal in Arequipa, the Almacen prospect 8km south-east of the applications, and the Los Pinos project 4km north-west, plus several other Cu projects and prospects (Figure 6). Additionally, the Canyon applications are bound to the east by the operating Cerro Lindo VMS mine. Figure 6: Coastal Intrusive Belt as indicated in green. Canyon is located in the NW of the Figure, with Solis' other projects (Ilo Este, Chancho Al Palo, & Chocolate) located in the SE. Other intrusive belts shown in different colours. Geology and data points derived from USGS* (*refer JORC tables). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/229634_figure6.jpg The application area is approximately 22km by 12km and the geology predominantly consists of granodiorite and tonalite. These intrusive rocks dip steeply to the west with structures aligned along NW-SE strike. Prominent high-angle faults cut across strike and seem to localise the occurrences of porphyry style mineralisation within the intrusive rocks. Exploration and Drilling Pipeline Solis is advancing its portfolio of targets in the Coastal Intrusive Belt of Peru to targeted drilling programs as shown in Table 2 below, subject to securing permits from authorities. Table 2: Solis Project Portfolio Pipeline To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/229634_table.jpg ENDS This announcement is authorised by Michael Parker, Executive Director of Solis Minerals Ltd. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. About Solis Minerals Limited Solis Minerals is an emerging exploration company, focused on unlocking the potential of its South American critical minerals portfolio. The Company is building a significant copper portfolio around its core tenements of Ilo Este and Ilo Norte and elsewhere in the Coastal Intrusive Belt of Peru and currently holds 76 exploration concessions for a total of 65,100Ha (42 concessions granted with 34 applications in process). The Company is led by a highly- credentialled and proven team with excellent experience across the mining lifecycle in South America. Solis is actively considering a range of new opportunities across varied commodities and jurisdictions. South America is a key player in the global export market for critical minerals and Solis, under its leadership team, is strategically positioned to capitalise on growth the opportunities within this mineral-rich region. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that relate to future events or performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward- looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward- looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected, including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. Qualified Person Statement The technical information in this news release was reviewed by Michael Parker, a Fellow of the Australian institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). Competent Person Statement The information in this ASX release concerning Geological Information and Exploration Results is based on and fairly represents information compiled by Mr Michael Parker, a Competent Person who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Parker is an employee of Solis Minerals Ltd. and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the exploration activities undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr Parker consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. Mr Parker has provided his prior written consent regarding the form and context in which the Geological Information and Exploration Results and supporting information are presented in this Announcement. APPENDIX 1 Mining Concessions table Westminster Peru SAC1 - Concessions and Applications in Peru as of 12 November 2024 Solis Permit Status - September 2024 Date Concession Project Status Ha Interest Held CANYON 1. 10/09/2024 Solis C01 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 2. 10/09/2024 Solis C02 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 3. 10/09/2024 Solis C03 Canyon Application 900 0% 4. 10/09/2024 Solis C04 Canyon Application 900 0% 5. 10/09/2024 Solis C05 Canyon Application 800 0% 6. 10/09/2024 Solis C06 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 7. 10/09/2024 Solis C07 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 8. 10/09/2024 Solis C08 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 9. 10/09/2024 Solis C09 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 10. 10/09/2024 Solis C10 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 11. 10/09/2024 Solis C11 Canyon Application 600 0% 12. 10/09/2024 Solis C12 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 13. 10/09/2024 Solis C13 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 14. 10/09/2024 Solis C14 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 15. 10/09/2024 Solis C15 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 16. 10/09/2024 Solis C16 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 17. 10/09/2024 Solis C17 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 18. 10/09/2024 Solis C18 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 19. 10/09/2024 Solis C19 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 20. 10/09/2024 Solis C20 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 21. 10/09/2024 Solis C21 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 22. 10/09/2024 Solis C22 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 23. 10/09/2024 Solis C23 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 24. 10/09/2024 Solis C24 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 25. 10/09/2024 Solis C25 Canyon Application 1,000 0% 26. 10/09/2024 Solis C26 Canyon Application 500 0% 27. 10/09/2024 Solis C27 Canyon Application 900 0% Canyon Total Application 25,600 CHANCHO AL PALO 1. 13/10/2009 LATIN ILO NORTE 8 Chancho Al Palo Granted 1,000 100% 2. 1/03/2011 MADDISON 1 Chancho Al Palo Granted 1,000 100% 3. 1/03/2011 BRIDGETTE 1 Chancho Al Palo Granted 1,000 100% 4. 1/03/2011 ESSENDON 26 Chancho Al Palo Granted 1,000 100% 5. 16/11/2022 SOLIS NORTE 1 Chancho Al Palo Granted 1,000 100% 1 Westminster is a subsidiary of Solis Minerals 6. 16/11/2022 SOLIS NORTE 2 Chancho Al Palo Granted 500 100% Chancho Al Palo Total Granted 5,500 CINTO 1. 4/01/2022 SOLIS06 Cinto Granted 1,000 100% 2. 4/01/2022 SOLIS04 Cinto Granted 400 100% 3. 4/01/2022 SOLIS03 Cinto Granted 500 100% 4. 4/01/2022 SOLIS05 Cinto Granted 500 100% 5. 4/01/2022 SOLIS02A Cinto Granted 100 100% 6. 4/01/2022 SOLIS02 Cinto Granted 200 100% 7. 4/01/2022 SOLIS07 Cinto Application 300 0% 8. 4/01/2022 SOLIS07A Cinto Application 200 0% Cinto Total Granted 2,700 Cinto Total Application 500 CHOCOLATE 1. 2/05/2024 SOLIS NORTE 18 Chocolate Granted 1,000 100% 2. 2/05/2024 SOLIS NORTE 19 Chocolate Application 1,000 0% 3. 2/05/2024 SOLIS NORTE 20 Chocolate Application 1,000 0% 4. 2/05/2024 SOLIS NORTE 21 Chocolate Application 700 0% 5. 2/05/2024 SOLIS NORTE 22 Chocolate Application 400 0% 6. 2/05/2024 SOLIS NORTE 17 Chocolate Granted 1,000 100% 7. 2/05/2024 SOLIS NORTE 23 Chocolate Application 1,000 0% Chocolate Total Granted 2,000 Chocolate Total Application 4,100 Ilo Este 1. 22/08/2008 LATIN ILO ESTE III Ilo Este Granted 600 100% 2. 22/08/2008 LATIN ILO ESTE I Ilo Este Granted 800 100% 3. 22/08/2008 LATIN ILO ESTE II Ilo Este Granted 900 100% 4. 5/03/2014 LATIN ILO ESTE IX Ilo Este Granted 900 100% 5. 2/10/2023 SOLIS ILO ESTE I Ilo Este Granted 400 100% Ilo Este Total Granted 3,600 Ilo Norte 1. 11/03/2009 LATIN ILO NORTE 4 Ilo Norte Granted 1,000 100% 2. 11/03/2009 LATIN ILO NORTE 3 Ilo Norte Granted 1,000 100% 3. 13/10/2009 LATIN ILO NORTE 7 Ilo Norte Granted 1,000 100% 4. 13/10/2009 LATIN ILO NORTE 6 Ilo Norte Granted 700 100% Ilo Norte Total Granted 3,700 REGIONAL NORTH TOTAL 1. 16/11/2022 SOLIS NORTE 4 Regional North Granted 900 100% 2. 16/11/2022 SOLIS NORTE 6 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% 3. 16/11/2022 SOLIS NORTE 3 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% 4. 16/11/2022 SOLIS NORTE 5 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% 5. 16/11/2022 SOLIS NORTE 7 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% 6. 21/02/2023 SOLIS NORTE 10 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% 7. 21/02/2023 SOLIS NORTE 11 Regional North Granted 400 100% 8. 21/02/2023 SOLIS NORTE 8 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% 9. 21/02/2023 SOLIS NORTE 9 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% 10. 21/02/2023 SOLIS NORTE 12 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% 11. 22/06/2023 SOLIS NORTE 14 Regional North Granted 900 100% 12. 22/06/2023 SOLIS NORTE 15 Regional North Granted 800 100% 13. 22/06/2023 SOLIS NORTE 16 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% 14. 22/06/2023 SOLIS NORTE 13 Regional North Granted 1,000 100% Regional North Total Granted 13,000 1. 28/01/2021 CARUCA Regional South Granted 600 100% 2. 16/11/2022 SOLIS SUR 2 Regional South Granted 900 100% 3. 16/11/2022 SOLIS SUR 3 Regional South Granted 900 100% 4. 21/02/2023 SOLIS KELLY 01 Regional South Granted 1,000 100% 5. 21/02/2023 SOLIS KELLY 02 Regional South Granted 1,000 100% Regional South Total Granted 4,400 100% Concession Overview Granted 42 Granted Ha 34,900 In Application 34 In Application Ha 30,200 APPENDIX 2 JORC Code, 2012 Edition - Table 1 Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representativity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Representative rock samples of approximately 5kg mass taken from outcrops and reduced to 2kg by hammer whilst retaining representativity. Samples sent to assay lab in sealed bags. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face- sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). No drilling reported herein. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. No drilling reported herein. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropr iate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. No drilling reported herein. Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representativity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. No drill core or systematic rock channel sampling is reported in this announcement. Reduction of sample mass from 5kgs to 2kgs by hand cobbing with geological hammer. Visual representative split bagged for assay. Original 5kg sample considered appropriate for type of outcrop due to even distribution of visual rock components. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. Rocks assayed at certified ALS laboratory in Lima, Peru Au 30g Fire assay AA finish 34 element 4-acid ICP-AES Industry QAQC applied including certified standards, blanks, and duplicates Verification of Sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. No verification of intersections as no drilling. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Specification of the grid system used. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Points located by GPS overlying GIS satellite images with identifiable confirmatory features such as roads, gullies, and streams. Grid system used WGS84 - 18S Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Whether sample compositing has been applied. Rock grab samples not suitable as consideration for establishing geological continuity and no estimations inferred. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. No drilling data is reported in this announcement. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Samples bagged and sealed with unique number in field and delivered by company to assay lab. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. There have been no detailed external audits or reviews undertaken. Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section) Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. Mineral tenure in Peru held by Solis is currently in good standing. A table of tenements currently under application or which have been granted is included in this release as APPENDIX 1 "Mining concessions table". All Canyon tenements are currently in the application phase. No impediments are anticipated to the granting of an exploration title. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. The area has been explored by previous operators and drilling was permitted some 4.5km north of the sample points although the actual existence of any drill program is yet to be confirmed. The existence of prior geochemistry campaigns can be surmised but no available data exists. Various copper oxide resources are identified north and south of the tenement applications on strike with geology that crosses the tenement applications. Identification of porphyry belts is derived from a USGS report of 2008: Quantitative Mineral Resource Assessment of Copper, Molybdenum, Gold, and Silver in Undiscovered Porphyry Copper Deposits in the Andes Mountains of South America - Open File Report 2008-1253 Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. The Coastal Belt of intrusives in this area consists of Cretaceous age granodiorites of the Tiabaya Superunidad which hosts porphyry Cu style occurrences along strike to the north at Los Pinos and Nispero. Copper oxides are principally related to <5mm quartz veining with potassic alteration and exotic blooms locally derived (10m-50m?) from such veining. Swarms of barren porphyritic diorite dykes appear to exert some form of control on the veins and Cu oxide formation. Style of mineralisation is Cu-Mo porphyry. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole hole length If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. No drillhole data is reported in this release. Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. No data aggregation was used in reported exploration results. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g. 'down hole length, true width not known'). No drillhole or intercept data is reported in this announcement. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. No drilling reported. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced avoiding misleading reporting of Exploration Results. No drill assay results were reported in this announcement. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Structural control of porphyry occurrences by faults at high angle to the Andean trend ("cross-faults") appears to be applicable at Canyon in common with other Solis areas on the Coastal Intrusive Belt. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. The priority is to identify zones of interest in the large application area that can be focused on. Vectoring tools are remote sensing, mapping, and geochemistry. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229634 SOURCE: Solis Minerals Ltd. Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Mike Agruss Law is proud to announce a fresh new identity for providing legal representation to personal injury victims in the Chicago area. Now, the prestigious law firm has pivoted to 844 See Mike: Personal Injury Lawyers with the same commitment to advocating for victims' rights after being injured in accidents involving the negligence of others. While the personal injury side of the law firm has migrated to its new domain of https://844seemike.com/, the former website of https://www.agrusslawfirm.com/ remains to provide assistance with matters involving consumer law. Although the law firm features a new name, it still has the same offices and attorneys to provide unwavering legal support in legal matters involving personal injuries. Types of Cases Represented by 844 See Mike: Personal Injury Lawyers The name has changed, but the legal services offered by 844 See Mike: Personal Injury Lawyers, formerly known as Mike Agruss Law, remain the same. Mike Agruss and the attorneys in this personal injury law office have turned to providing an even deeper focus for the victims of personal injury accidents. The types of cases represented include car accidents, brain injuries, burn injuries, catastrophic injuries, bicycle accidents, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, Uber accidents, spinal cord injuries, pedestrian accidents, nursing home abuse, and workers' compensation. New Name, Same Client-Focused Commitment According to Attorney Mike Agruss, 844 See Mike: Personal Injury Lawyers always maintains a client-centric focus to prioritize the needs of the victims they represent. "We see you as a person, not just a client, and that makes us better at what we do," he explained. The law firm has successfully represented over 10,000 clients in the 11 years that it has been established. The change of name does not erase the combined experience of Attorney Agruss and his team, with over 50 years practicing personal injury law. The firm has recovered more than $16 million for its clients during this time, though the primary focus is on providing compassionate representation to clients. With 15 attorneys and supporting staff, 844 See Mike features an A+ rating from BBB, plus founding attorney Mike Agruss has received prestigious accolades including being named on Super Lawyers for 2019-2024, Elite Lawyer for 2022-2023, America's Top 100 Attorneys, and a Superb (9.6) Avvo Rating. Same Affordable Way for Clients to Get Legal Representation 844 See Mike has only changed to this new name, letting the old website domain stay reserved for legal matters that involve consumer law. For injured victims in the Chicago area, Attorney Agruss and his legal team still provide legal representation with transparent contingency fees. Since many people who are injured in motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other types of scenarios are often struggling with expenses, 844 See Mike recognizes that these accidents can put even greater strain. Using the compassion that has established the firm's reputation from the start, it still provides no retainers or hourly payments for services. Instead, 844 See Mike recovers 1/3 of the compensation award at the resolution of a case through settlement or verdict. The goal for the personal injury attorneys at 844 See Mike is to leave their clients in a better place than they were before the case started. Providing transparent contingency fees is part of the firm's commitment to personal injury victims in Chicago, ensuring that the clients it represents get the fair amount they deserve to make their lives as whole as possible again. Same Location to Serve Personal Injury Clients Those who have legal matters involving personal injuries can contact 844 See Mike to schedule a free case review and learn more about potential legal options available. The firm has eight office locations to serve the local area listed below and provides a local phone number of 312-786-4442 as well as a toll-free option: 844-SEE-MIKE. 844 See Mike also provides ease of communication for Spanish-speakers. It is best to schedule an appointment with 844 See Mike to ensure availability. The offices are listed to provide those with personal injury legal concerns the option closest to where they reside: Aurora 31 W Downer Pl, Suite 405, Aurora, IL 60506 Chicago 4809 N Ravenswood Ave, Suite 419, Chicago, IL 60640 Elmhurst 579 W North Ave Suite 201, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Joliet 310 N Hammes Ave Suite 301C, Joliet, IL 60435 Naperville 535 S Washington St, Suite 29, Naperville, IL 60540 Peoria 3526 N California Ave Suite 202, Peoria, IL 61603 Oak Brook 1301 W 22nd St Suite 711 Oak Brook, IL 60523 Springfield 1209 S 4th St Suite C Springfield, IL 62703 About 844 See Mike Originally founded in 2012 by Attorney Mike Agruss as Mike Agruss Law, the law firm has changed its handle for personal injury cases to 844 See Mike. The team of attorneys and offices are the same, allowing for committed representation and advocacy for victims' legal rights. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229562 SOURCE: GetFeatured STOCKHOLM, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tobii Dynavox, a part of Dynavox Group and the world leader in assistive communication, today announced changes to its Product & Development organization. Going forward, the company's hardware and software development will be concentrated to its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, with the aim to further enhance the company's ability to achieve its goals of increasing market penetration, strategic innovation, and customer value. The Product & Development organization will be restructured to focus on increasing innovation while at the same time delivering individual hardware and software products that are even better aligned with the entire customer journey. To support this, the company will concentrate all R&D resources in one place and establish a central development hub in Stockholm, Sweden. "After a thorough evaluation I am confident this new structure will allow us to sustain and grow our business more efficiently," said Fredrik Ruben, CEO of Dynavox Group. "By creating a central development hub in Stockholm, we can better support market penetration and strategic innovation, and ultimately increase customer value". The reorganization will impact close to 50 roles currently based in the US and about 70 corresponding new recruitments in Stockholm.The addition of the new hires will bring the central development hub to about 120 people. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, however, the company anticipates that it will take an additional year to fully realize the benefits of this transformation. Despite these changes, the company estimates no significant cost impact over time "Our Product & Development teams are today distributed across Sweden and the US, which gives us confidence in our ability to maintain our current business operations during this transition," added Fredrik Ruben, CEO of Dynavox Group "As with all transitions, there may be periods where we need to allow more time for roles to adjust before we see the full value." Contact: Elisabeth Manzi, Corporate Communications Director, Dynavox Group. E-mail: elisabeth.manzi@dynavoxgroup.com, Tel: +46 (0)72 574 6313 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/dynavox-group/r/tobii-dynavox-announces-strategic-changes-to-product---development-organization,c4064849 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Public/11919/4064849/9e28bdca1acad035.pdf Press release Tobii Dynavox announces strategic changes to Product Development organization View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tobii-dynavox-announces-strategic-changes-to-product--development-organization-302303277.html Delhi, India--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Lifetimo, a digital marketplace for business software, today announced the launch of its annual Black Friday technology marketplace event, running from November 18 through December 5, 2024. The marketplace will feature technology solutions across artificial intelligence, WordPress development, search engine optimization, and social media management categories. The announcement comes as businesses seek to optimize their technology investments for the upcoming year. The marketplace will showcase products from established software vendors and emerging technology providers, offering business owners the opportunity to evaluate and acquire new tools for their operations. "We're going all out this Black Friday," says Nitesh Manav, founder of Lifetimo. "Whether you need marketing tools, design software, or AI solutions, we've got everything you need to grow your online business." The platform will feature an enhanced user interface designed to help business owners compare solutions across categories. Additionally, Lifetimo has implemented new vendor verification processes to ensure quality standards for all listed products. The company's bi-weekly newsletter will provide updates on new additions to the marketplace throughout the event period. Lifetimo's online community forum will continue to facilitate discussions among business owners about technology implementation and best practices. About Lifetimo Lifetimo is one of the largest curators of lifetime tech deals, featuring over 1000 active offers from more than 35 sources. Lifetimo offers a curated list of exclusive deals across various categories, including AI, WordPress, sales, SEO, design, marketing platforms, and many more. Subscribers receive bi- weekly emails with offers, aiming to help them save on business expenses. The platform is user-friendly, allowing easy access to deal details for informed purchasing. Lifetimo also has a community where entrepreneurs can connect and share tips, making it easier to find the right tools to grow a business. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229629 SOURCE: Lifetimo West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Millennial Potash Corp (TSXV: MLP) (OTCQB: MLPNF) is pleased to announce the company is participating in the upcoming 121 Mining Investment Conference in London. Farhad Abasov, Chairman and Jason Wilkinson, CEO of Millennial Potash Corp will be presenting about the Company's recent and future planned activities. 121 Mining Investment London will be hosting over 150 mining companies and more than 500 investors for two days of pre-arranged, targeted 1-2-1 meetings. Alongside the curated schedule of pre-booked meetings matching investors with appropriate projects, the conference programme will provide expert commentary and the latest market intelligence on key industry developments. This year's event is being held on November 14-15. Any investors who would like to attend 121 Mining Investment London can register for a free pass here. About 121 Mining Investment The 121 Mining Investment global event series connects portfolio managers and analysts from institutional funds, private equity groups and family offices with mining company management teams for 1-2-1, private in-person meetings. 121 Mining Investment has an ever-expanding global portfolio, currently covering London, New York, Cape Town, Dubai and Singapore, as well as online editions throughout the year. About Millennial Potash Corp Millennial Potash Corp. is emerging as a formidable player in the potash market, backed by a seasoned management team renowned for creating substantial shareholder value. Our Banio Potash Project, strategically located in Gabon, holds immense potential to address the growing global demand for potash fertilizers, critical for ensuring food security. Millennial Potash Corp. remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the Banio Potash Project towards production, leveraging its strategic advantages, robust resource base, and favorable market dynamics. The company intends to expand its resource base and start a Definitive Feasibility Study later in 2024. With a clear roadmap for value creation and a proven history of success, we invite investors to join us on this transformative journey as we strive to become a leading supplier of potash fertilizers, contributing to global agricultural sustainability. SOURCE: 121 Mining Investment Conference Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTCQB: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), an innovative analytics service provider, owner and operator of the Cubeler Business Hub, today announced that it intends to conduct a private placement financing by selling up to 20,000,000 units with each unit priced at $0.10 for gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering is a follow up to the private placement closed by the Company on September 4, 2024, and forms part of a series of capital raises by Tenet to fund the commercialization of its upcoming ie-Pulse product, to help meet certain anticipated strategic partnership obligations and for general working capital purposes. Each unit (a "Unit") of the Offering will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.20 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance thereof (the "Expiry Date"). After a period of 12 months from the date of their issuance, if at any time the price of the Common Shares closes at or above $0.30 for 10 consecutive trading days, the Expiry Date of the Warrants will be reduced to thirty 30 days (the "Accelerated Expiry Date"). Any Warrants remaining unexercised after the Accelerated Expiry Date will be cancelled. Certain qualified individuals and registered investment dealers ("Finders") may assist the Company with respect to the Offering by introducing potential subscribers to the Company, and in connection therewith, may receive from the Company, if agreed upon between the Company and the applicable Finders and subject to compliance with securities laws, a cash finder's fee equal to 8% of the gross proceeds raised and a number of finder's warrants ("Finder's Warrants") equal to 8% of the number of Units placed. Each Finder's Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for one Common Share at a price of $0.20 during the 36 months following their issuance, subject to the Accelerated Expiry Date conditions. The Units will be eligible for RRSP, RESP, RRIF, TFSA and DPSP accounts within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), subject to certain qualifications, and will be offered and sold by private placement in Canada to "accredited investors" within the meaning of NI 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions and under the applicable securities laws. The securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the closing date of the Offering. A first tranche of the Offering is expected to close on or before November 15, 2024. Completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions, including compliance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.: Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, include Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries offer various analytics and AI-based products and services to businesses, capital markets professionals, government agencies and financial institutions either through or leveraging data gathered by the Cubeler Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: https://www.tenetfintech.com/. Follow Tenet Fintech Group Inc. on social media: X: @Tenet_Fintech Facebook: @Tenet LinkedIn: Tenet YouTube: Tenet Fintech 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 JURISDICTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN 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. Forward-looking information Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tenet to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, holding company with significant operations in China; general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting the Company's business in China such as pandemics and COVID-19; legislative and/or regulatory developments; Global Financial conditions, repatriation of profits or transfer of funds from China to Canada, operations in foreign jurisdictions and possible exposure to corruption, bribery or civil unrest; actions by regulators; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; timing and completion of capital programs; liquidity and capital resources, negative operating cash flow and additional funding, dilution from further financing; financial performance and timing of capital; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tenet with securities regulators in Canada. Reference should also be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in Tenet's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) under Tenet's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, for a description of major risk factors relating to Tenet. Although Tenet has attempted to identify certain factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. ***** 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/229700 SOURCE: Tenet Fintech Group Inc. All financial figures are in Canadian dollars. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Suncor Energy's (TSX: SU) (NYSE: SU) Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.57 per common share, representing an approximate increase of 5% over the prior quarterly dividend. "Sustained operational improvements across our asset base, the continued realization of free funds flow improvements as well as meaningful share buybacks have driven stronger free funds flow per share," said Rich Kruger, Suncor President and Chief Executive Officer. "The Board of Directors' confidence in improving operating performance and the strengthening of our financial position supports increasing the quarterly dividend as part of our commitment to increasing shareholder returns." The dividend will be payable December 24, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 3, 2024. Suncor Energy is Canada's leading integrated energy company. Suncor's operations include oil sands development, production and upgrading; offshore oil production; petroleum refining in Canada and the U.S.; and the company's Petro-CanadaTM retail and wholesale distribution networks (including Canada's Electric HighwayTM, a coast-to-coast network of fast-charging EV stations). Suncor is developing petroleum resources while advancing the transition to a lower-emissions future through investments in lower emissions intensity power, renewable feedstock fuels and projects targeting emissions intensity. Suncor also conducts energy trading activities focused primarily on the marketing and trading of crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products and power. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. For more information about Suncor, visit our website at suncor.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229673 SOURCE: Suncor Energy Inc. After over a decade without notable progress in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patients with this ongoing condition now have two new treatment options, with more expected in the future. Regeneron and Sanofi recently revealed that the FDA has expanded the approved uses of their widely successful drug DUPIXENT to include COPD treatment. This marks the drug's sixth approved indication in the US, following its first approval seven years ago for atopic dermatitis. LAS VEGAS, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition characterized by obstructed airflow, making breathing difficult. It primarily encompasses two main conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema, often coexisting. COPD typically develops due to long-term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, or occupational dust. As per DelveInsight analysis, the diagnosed prevalent population of COPD in the 7MM was around 44 million in 2023. These cases of COPD in the 7MM are expected to increase at a significant CAGR of 1.4% throughout the study period (2020-2034). As per the estimates, the majority of cases of COPD are in females as compared to males, in the US. But in EU4 and the UK, and Japan the diagnosed cases of males represent the majority of the cases. Overall, in the 7MM, females are predominantly high in number. In 2023, the US had around 3 million, 9 million, 5 million, and 1 million cases of GOLD 1, GOLD 2, GOLD 3, and GOLD 4, respectively based on the severity of airflow limitation. Estimates suggest that airflow limitation was higher in GOLD 2 severity. Various types of medications are used to manage COPD symptoms and complications, including bronchodilators, which help relax the muscles around the airways. This relaxation opens the airways and makes breathing easier. Most bronchodilators are administered via an inhaler. In more severe cases, the inhaler may also contain steroids to reduce inflammation. Some commonly used short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators for COPD management include Albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, and others), Ipratropium (Atrovent HFA), Levalbuterol (Xopenex), Aclidinium (Tudorza Pressair), Arformoterol (Brovana), and Formoterol (Perforomist). In the LABA category, medications such as Striverdi Respimat, Arcapta/Onbrez, Serevent, and Brovana are included, while the LAMA class features drugs like Spiriva (available as Spiriva HandiHaler and Spiriva Respimat), Tudorza Pressair, Incruse Ellipta, Yupelri, Seebri Neohaler, and Lonhala Magnair. Since the generic version of Brovana was approved in April 2020, its market share has declined. Additionally, Arcapta Neohaler, Seebri Neohaler, and Utibron Neohaler were discontinued in the US in March 2020, which means they no longer contribute to market size. Patients who do not respond to single therapies are often prescribed double or triple therapy. Among the double therapies, the LABA+ICS combination is widely recommended, with drugs such as Symbicort, Breo Ellipta, and Advair. There are also LABA+LAMA combinations, including Anoro Ellipta, Stiolto Respimat, and Bevespi Aerosphere. In July 2020, the US FDA approved AstraZeneca's BREZTRI AEROSPHERE for the maintenance treatment of patients with COPD. Additionally, in October 2020, TRIXEO AEROSPHERE (a combination of formoterol fumarate, glycopyrronium bromide, and budesonide) received marketing authorization in the EU for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe COPD who are not adequately controlled by either a combination of an ICS and LABA or a LABA and LAMA. Currently, two triple combination therapies are available in the US: BREZTRI and TRELEGY ELLIPTA. Learn more about the FDA-approved COPD drugs @ Drugs for COPD Treatment Recently, Sanofi/Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' DUPIXENT added one more jewel to its crown by getting a label expansion nod for COPD from the FDA, EU, and NMPA. DUPIXENT's approval as the first targeted therapy for COPD represents a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for the disease. Unlike conventional treatments, which largely aim to manage symptoms, DUPIXENT specifically targets the IL-4 and IL-13 pathways linked to type 2 inflammation, a key driver in a subset of COPD patients. This precision in targeting allows for a more tailored treatment, especially for patients with elevated eosinophils, who often experience more frequent exacerbations and worse outcomes. The Phase III BOREAS trial demonstrated that patients treated with DUPIXENT experienced a 30% reduction in moderate-to-severe exacerbations over 52 weeks, significant improvements in lung function, and enhanced quality of life. By Week 52, those on DUPIXENT had improved prebronchodilator FEV1 by 160 mL compared to 77 mL in the placebo group. DUPIXENT was also well-tolerated, with a low frequency of adverse events. These results suggest that DUPIXENT could drastically shift COPD management by reducing exacerbations, improving lung function, and offering a safer, targeted therapy for patients with type 2 inflammation. To know more about COPD treatment options, visit @ New Treatment for COPD The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease pipeline possesses potential drugs in mid-stage developments to be launched in the near future. Itepekimab (Sanofi/Regeneron Pharmaceuticals), Benralizumab (AstraZeneca), Tezepelumab (Amgen/AstraZeneca), Mepolizumab (GSK), and others shall further create a positive impact on the market. Discover which therapies are expected to grab major COPD market share @ COPD Market Report Itepekimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-33 (IL-33), a protein involved in both type 1 and type 2 inflammation. The drug is administered via subcutaneous injection. Preclinical studies demonstrated that REGN3500 effectively inhibited several markers of both inflammatory types. Regeneron and Sanofi are investigating REGN3500 in diseases related to respiratory and dermatological inflammation. Currently, REGN3500 is in a Phase III clinical trial for COPD and was developed using Regeneron's VelocImmune technology, which produces optimized fully human antibodies. The development is part of a global collaboration between Regeneron and Sanofi. FASENRA (benralizumab) is a humanized recombinant monoclonal antibody of the IgG1k immunoglobulin type that selectively targets the alpha chain of the interleukin 5 receptor (IL-5R) found on eosinophils and basophils. It prevents IL-5 from binding and stops the hetero-oligomerization of the IL-5R's alpha and beta subunits, thereby inhibiting signal transduction. Additionally, it is an afucosylated IgG, which enhances its affinity for the Fc?RIIIa receptor on natural killer cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. Approved by the FDA in November 2017 for severe eosinophilic asthma, benralizumab was developed by MedImmune, AstraZeneca's global biologics R&D division. The company is currently conducting Phase III clinical trials for FASENRA as a treatment for COPD. TEZSPIRE (tezepelumab), a pioneering human monoclonal antibody created by Amgen and AstraZeneca, has shown considerable therapeutic potential for various respiratory conditions. Originally intended for treating COPD, TEZSPIRE has yielded encouraging results in decreasing moderate-to-severe exacerbations in patients with high blood eosinophil counts. Recent findings from the Phase IIa COURSE Trial, unveiled at the ATS 2024 conference, underscored TEZSPIRE's effectiveness in minimizing COPD exacerbations among patients with different eosinophil levels. Mepolizumab is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials for COPD, particularly in patients with frequent exacerbations and elevated eosinophil levels. It is available as an injectable solution and a powder for reconstitution for subcutaneous administration. The IL-5 receptor complex activates several signaling pathways that lead to the release of cytokines, neuromediators, chemokines, and various kinases, which facilitate eosinophil differentiation, proliferation, recruitment, and degranulation. Mepolizumab works by inhibiting the formation of the IL-5 receptor complex, thereby preventing eosinophil activation. This disruption affects normal eosinophil maturation and function, leading to decreased eosinophilic airway inflammation and reduced eosinophil survival. Discover more about drugs for COPD in development @ COPD Clinical Trials The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies for COPD are poised to transform the market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the COPD market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. DelveInsight estimates that the market size for COPD in the 7MM is expected to grow fromUSD 16 billion in 2023 with a significant CAGR of 5% by 2034. This growth is mainly driven by the rise in the number of prevalent cases of COPD, ongoing clinical research, and better diagnostic tools that might improve the prognosis of the disease. DelveInsight's latest published market report titled as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 will help you to discover which market leader is going to capture the largest market share. The report provides comprehensive insights into the COPD country-specific treatment guidelines, patient pool analysis, and epidemiology forecast to help understand the key opportunities and assess the market's underlying potential. The COPD market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020-2034 in the 7MM segmented into: Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Subtype-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Based on Severity of Airflow Limitation Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Based on Symptoms and Exacerbation History The report provides an edge while developing business strategies by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7MM COPD market. Highlights include: 11-year Forecast 7MM Analysis Epidemiology-based Market Forecasting Historical and Forecasted Market Analysis upto 2034 Emerging Drug Market Uptake Peak Sales Analysis Key Cross Competition Analysis Industry Expert's Opinion Access and Reimbursement Download this COPD market report to assess the epidemiology forecasts, understand the patient journeys, know KOLs' opinions about the upcoming treatment paradigms, and determine the factors contributing to the shift in the COPD market. Also, stay abreast of the mitigating factors to improve your market position in the COPD therapeutic space. Related Reports Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pipeline Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pipeline Insight - 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key COPD companies, including Sanofi, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., United Therapeutics Corporation, Verona Pharma plc, Immunotek, Yungjin Pharm. Co., Ltd., Pulmotect, Inc., Tetherex Pharmaceutical, CSL Behring, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Genentech, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, EmeraMed, Afimmune, Mereo BioPharma, Synairgen, Adamis Pharmaceuticals, Quercegen Pharmaceuticals LLC, Regend Therapeutics, Meridigen Biotech Co., Ltd., Pulmatrix, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals, 3SBio, OmniSpirant, Foresee Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, ProterixBio, RS BioTherapeutics, MitoRx, C4X Discovery, Respiratorius, ARK biosciences, Incannex, GNI Pharma, Celon pharma, Alveolus Bio, Kinaset therapeutics, Landos Biopharma, Parion Sciences, KeyMed Biosciences, Bioneer corporation, AlgiPharma, Palobiofarma, Dimerix Bioscience, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals,among others. Asthma Market Asthma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key asthma companies including GlaxoSmithKline, 4D Pharma plc, AstraZeneca, Suzhou Connect Biopharmaceuticals, Avillion, Pearl Therapeutics, ARS Pharmaceuticals, Sinomab, Avalo Therapeutics, Kymab, Sanofi, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Inc., among others. Asthma Pipeline Asthma Pipeline Insight - 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key asthma companies, including Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, GlaxoSmithKline, Immunotek SL, AB Science, EMS, Avalo Therapeutics, Sunshine Guojian Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., ARS Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Zura Bio Ltd., AstraZeneca, EURRUS Biotech GmbH, T-Balance Therapeutics GmbH, Gossamer Bio, Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc., Trio Medicines, Janssen Research & Development, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Hoffman-La-Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Biohaven Pharmaceutical, TAK-Circulator Co., Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical, among others. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Market Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key ARDS companies, including MediciNova, Edesa Biotech, Light Chain Biosciences, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Windtree Therapeutics, Biomarck Pharmaceuticals, Athersys, Healios, Direct Biologics, Biohaven Pharmaceutical, Arch Biopartners, APEPTICO Forschung und Entwicklung GmbH, Staidson (Beijing) Biopharmaceuticals, Veru, Mesoblast Limited, Avalo Therapeutics, Pluristem Therapeutics, ILTOO Pharma, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur info@delveinsight.com +14699457679 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sanofiregeneron-pharmaceuticals-dupixent-approval-marks-a-significant-shift-in-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-treatment-landscape--delveinsight-302302235.html CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Australia will on Wednesday release Q3 numbers for wage prices, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.Wage prices are expected to rise 0.9 percent on quarter and 3.6 percent on year after gaining 0.8 percent on quarter and 4.1 percent on year in the three months prior.Japan will see October figures for producer prices, with forecasts suggesting a flat monthly reading and an increase of 2.9 percent on year. That follows the flat monthly reading and the 2.8 percent yearly gain in September.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. Third Quarter 2024 Highlights: Completes reverse acquisition merger transaction with Scott's Liquid Gold-Inc. Revenues of $15.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 20.6% Revenues of $42.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of 7.6% Unearned performance revenue of $23.3 million as of September 30, 2024 Assets under management (AUM) grew to $8.3 billion as of September 30, 2024 Board of Directors declares a $0.053 per share dividend NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation (the "Company" or "HKHC") (OTCM PINK:HKHC) reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2024. The Company also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.053 per share to be paid on December 16, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 25, 2024. The Company continued to grow revenues during the third quarter resulting from continued increases in AUM in its proprietary funds, separately managed accounts, and mutual funds. The increases in AUM across many of these platforms were largely driven by the increases in the market value of Texas Pacific Land Corporation ("TPL"), which increased 21% during the quarter and 69% during the year-to-date period. The Company's revenue increases were partially offset by a variety of higher operating expenses, including higher general and administrative costs relate to acquisition costs, various professional and legal fees, as well as the addition of Scott's Liquid Gold. The Company also benefited during the third quarter from unrealized gains of $20.3 million from its holdings of proprietary funds, net and from unrealized gains on its investment securities of $11.3 million. In contemplation of the merger transaction, the Company converted from an LLC to a C-Corp for federal and state income tax purposes. As a result, the Company recognized a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $59.7 million related to the tax basis differences for certain assets, principally unrealized gains in various investments, digital assets and indefinite lived intangible assets. The Company's Board of Director's determined an expected quarterly dividend policy that is based on the Company's quarterly performance. While the Board will also consider other relevant factors that are relevant to any future quarter's final determination of a dividend, if any, the dividend is expected to be a portion of quarterly operating income after considering applicable income taxes. Conference Call Murray Stahl, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mark Herndon, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time. You may register for the conference call by clicking on the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6526056052289145946 HORIZON KINETICS HOLDING CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenue: Management and advisory fees $ 14,933 $ 12,709 $ 41,735 $ 39,037 Other income and fees 435 37 700 385 Total revenue 15,368 12,746 42,435 39,422 Operating expenses: Compensation, related employee benefits, and cost of goods sold 7,616 6,555 20,299 20,823 Sales, distribution and marketing 3,097 2,479 8,006 7,822 Depreciation and amortization 496 453 1,415 1,368 General and administrative expenses 2,809 1,618 7,500 5,730 Total operating expenses 14,018 11,105 37,220 35,743 Operating income 1,350 1,641 5,215 3,679 Other income (expense): Equity in earnings of proprietary funds, net 20,276 13,780 55,752 (2,473 ) Interest and dividends 891 181 1,261 468 Other income (expense) (2,676 ) 2 (2,857 ) 27 Unrealized (loss) gain on digital assets, net (95 ) - 2,792 - Realized gain on investments, net 23 1,340 342 1,409 Unrealized gain (loss) on investments net 11,321 8,660 24,942 (10,738 ) Total other income (expense), net 29,740 23,963 82,232 (11,307 ) Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 31,090 25,604 87,447 (7,628 ) Income tax (expense) benefit (69,257 ) (133 ) (70,735 ) 707 Net income (loss) $ (38,167 ) $ 25,471 $ 16,712 $ (6,921 ) Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common shares: Net income (loss) $ (2.07 ) $ 1.42 $ 0.92 $ (0.38 ) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic and diluted 18,415 17,984 18,129 17,984 HORIZON KINETICS HOLDING CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (in thousands) September 30, December 31, 2024 2023 (Unaudited) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 18,071 $ 10,477 Fees receivable 6,948 4,453 Investments, at fair value 74,852 37,620 Investments in proprietary funds 177,912 103,962 Operating lease right-of-use assets 5,593 5,651 Property and equipment, net 114 200 Prepaid expenses and other assets 3,037 1,882 Due from affiliates 116 2,660 Digital assets 9,029 1,829 Intangible assets, net 45,019 43,876 Goodwill 24,425 19,273 Total Assets $ 365,116 $ 231,883 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Liabilities: Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other $ 8,056 $ 3,839 Accrued third party distribution expenses 427 1,022 Deferred revenue 191 70 Deferred tax liability, net 73,640 617 Due to affiliates 9,429 9,966 Operating lease liability 8,001 7,281 Total Liabilities 99,744 22,795 Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) Shareholders' Equity Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 20,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding - - Common stock; $0.10 par value, authorized 50,000 shares; issued and outstanding 18,635 shares (2024) and 17,984 shares (2023), net of treasury stock; 1 and 0 shares at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 1,863 1,798 Additional paid-in capital 39,217 - Retained earnings 224,292 207,290 Total Shareholders' Equity 265,372 209,088 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 365,116 $ 231,883 Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws that are intended to qualify for the Safe Harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "assumptions," "target," "guidance," "strategy," "outlook," "plans," "projection," "may," "will," "would," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe", "potential," or "continue" (or the negative or other derivatives of each of these terms) or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements convey our expectations, intentions, or forecasts about future events, circumstances, or results. All forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which may change over time and many of which are beyond our control. You should not rely on any forward-looking statement as a prediction or guarantee about the future. Actual future objectives, strategies, plans, prospects, performance, conditions, or results may differ materially from those set forth in any forward-looking statement. Some of the factors that may cause actual results or other future events or circumstances to differ from those in forward-looking statements are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Company's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf speaks only as of the date that it was made. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of events, circumstances, or results that arise after the date that the statement was made, except as required by applicable securities laws. You, however, should consult further disclosures (including disclosures of a forward-looking nature) that we may make in any subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation (OTCM PINK:HKHC) primarily offers investment advisory services through its subsidiary Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC ("HKAM"), a registered investment adviser. HKAM provides independent proprietary research and investment advisory services for mainly long-only and alternative value-based investing strategies. The firm also obtained a portfolio of consumer products, which are marketed and distributed in the retail marketplace, as a result of its August 2024 merger with Scott's Liquid Gold-Inc. The firm's offices are located in New York City, White Plains, New York, and Summit, New Jersey. For more information, please visit http://www.hkholdingco.com. Investor Relations Contact: ir@hkholdingco.com SOURCE: Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA) (the "Company" or "Origen") is pleased to announce that it signed a letter agreement ("Agreement") with Equity Metals Corporation (TSXV: EQTY) ("Equity") to earn a 100% interest in the Arlington Property ("Arlington"), located within the Boundary District of south-central British Columbia. The Arlington Agreement provides that Equity may earn a 100% interest in the Arlington Property by meeting the following obligations to Origen, all by the first anniversary of Regulatory Approval: Making cash payments totaling $130,000 ($30,000 of which is reimbursement for the Bond posted in regards to the current drill permit to be assigned to Equity); Incurring exploration expenditures of $250,000; and Issuing shares valued at $200,000 within 7 days of Regulatory Approval; and issuing additional shares valued at $200,000, or 2 million shares, whichever is greater, by the first anniversary of Regulatory Approval. As a part of the agreement, Origen will also retain a 2% net smelter royalty of which Equity may purchase 1% of such royalty at any time for $1,000,000. Termination of Option Agreement Origen and Nickelex Resource Corporation (TSXV: NICK) mutually agreed to terminate the Arlington Property option agreement that was originally entered into on April 19th 2024. Thomas Hawkins, P.Geo. (#39892), a Qualified Person as that term is defined in NI 43-101 has prepared, supervised the preparation or approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release. On behalf of Origen, Thomas Hawkins Managing Director 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. Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the exercise of the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Arlington Property, Exchange acceptance of the Arlington Agreement, and future exploration plans and expenditures on the Arlington Project. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229719 SOURCE: Origen Resources Inc. This news release constitutes a "designated news release" for the purposes of the Company's prospectus supplement dated July 17, 2024 to its short form base shelf prospectus and amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus dated June 7, 2024 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - World Copper Ltd. (TSXV: WCU) (OTCQB: WCUFF) (FSE:7LY0) ("World Copper" or the "Company") announces an amended mineral resource estimate (the "Amended Resource Estimate") for the Zonia copper-oxide deposit in Arizona, USA ("Zonia" or the "Project"), and has filed an amended copy of its National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") technical report on SEDAR+. A calculation error in the block model used in the resource estimate necessitated a restating of the estimate. The amended NI 43-101 technical report is entitled "Resource Estimate for The Zonia Project 2024 Update" (the "Technical Report") and is dated November 8, 2024 and dated effective August 27, 2024. The Technical Report was prepared pursuant to NI 43-101 by Sue Bird, P.Eng., of Moose Mountain Technical Services ("MMTS"), an independent qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 (the "QP"). The Technical Report is available on World Copper's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and is available on World Copper's website at www.worldcopperltd.com. Amended Resource Estimate for Zonia The amended resource estimate contains Indicated Resources of 112.2 million short tons grading 0.297% total-copper (TCu) containing 668 million pounds of copper, and Inferred Resources of 62.9 million short tons grading 0.255 % total-copper containing 320 million pounds of copper. These numbers differ slightly from those in the October 25, 2024 news release https://worldcopperltd.com/2024/10/25/world-copper-files-technical-report-for-updated-resource-estimate-for-the-zonia-project/ , with nominal increases (3%) to tonnage and total contained copper, and a small decrease (0.5%) in grade for only the Indicated class. The classified resources are outlined in detail in Table 1 at the base case cut-off grade of 0.18% and at a range of cut-off grades in Table 2. The Resource Estimate was completed for World Copper as part of the Company's overall exploration plan for Zonia (see news release dated May 22, 2022). Table 1. Zonia Mineral Resource Estimate at the Base Case Cutoff Grade Classification (Oxidation State) Copper Cut-off grade (%) Short Tons (Million) Grade (TCu%) Cu Lbs. (Million) Indicated (Oxide) 0.18 101.2 0.300 608 Indicated (Mixed) 0.18 11.0 0.271 60 Total Indicated 0.18 112.2 0.297 668 Inferred (Oxide) 0.18 46.4 0.257 239 Inferred (Mixed) 0.18 16.5 0.248 82 Total Inferred 0.18 62.9 0.255 320 Notes to the Resource Estimate Tables : The effective date of the Resource Estimate is August 27, 2024. Resources are reported using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards and were estimated using the 2019 CIM Best Practices Guidelines, as required by NI43-101 The base case Mineral Resource has been confined by "reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction" shape using the following assumptions: Metal price of US$4.00/lb of Cu Metallurgical recovery of 75% in oxides and 70% in the transitional zone Offsite costs of US$0.05/lb of Cu Processing Costs of US$4/ton milled and General & Administrative (G&A) costs of US$ 2.00/ton milled Mining cost of US$2.00/ton mined 48-degree pit slopes The 150% price case pit shell is used for the resource confining shape The resulting NSR = Cu*US$3.95/lb *0.75 for oxides and NSR = Cu*US$3.95/lb *0.70 in the transitional zone. It is reasonably expected, though not guaranteed, that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration (see "Cautionary Note to United States Investors"). Numbers may not add due to rounding. Table 2. Zonia Mineral Resources Over a Range of Cut-off Grades Cut-off Grade TCu (%) Indicated Inferred Tonnage (ktons) Grade (TCu%) Cu Metal Content (Mlbs) Tonnage (ktons) Grade (TCu%) Cu Metal Content (Mlbs) 0.15 133,301 0.276 737 81,328 0.234 381 0.16 126,405 0.283 716 75,277 0.241 363 0.17 119,505 0.290 693 69,253 0.248 343 0.18 112,231 0.297 668 62,864 0.255 320 0.20 97,655 0.314 613 50,006 0.272 272 0.21 90,660 0.322 584 43,860 0.281 247 0.22 83,608 0.331 554 38,799 0.290 225 Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability; however, a reasonable prospect of eventual economic extraction pit has been used to confine the Resource Estimate using parameters detailed in the table notes. The QP for the Resource Estimate is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Resource Estimate. Factors that may affect the estimate include: metal price assumptions, changes in interpretations of mineralization geometry and continuity of mineralization zones, changes to kriging assumptions, metallurgical recovery assumptions, operating cost assumptions, confidence in the modifying factors, including assumptions that surface rights to allow mining infrastructure to be constructed will be forthcoming, delays or other issues in reaching agreements with local or regulatory authorities and stakeholders, and changes in land tenure requirements or in permitting requirement. Zonia Resource Modeling Data verification efforts for the Resource Estimate carried out by MMTS included discussions with World Copper personnel, personal inspection of the Project area with the collection and submission of check samples to an external laboratory, an audit of the exploration drillhole database, and a detailed review of additional information obtained from historical reports and information provided by the Company. MMTS also completed checks on the geologic information as compared to the paper logs, and checks of the assay values contained in the exploration database as compared to assay certificates provided by World Copper. At-The-Market Quarterly Report The Company also reports that, in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, and further to the at-the-market ("ATM") offering of shares made pursuant to the Prospectus Supplement dated July 17, 2024, World Copper issued 8,816,500 common shares and raised gross proceeds of $690,882 pursuant to ATM distributions during the period July 17, 2024 to September 30, 2024. Bank of Montreal ("BMO") received fees of $20,727 during the period. QUALIFIED PERSONS Sue Bird, P.Eng., of MMTS, an independent qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. ABOUT WORLD COPPER LTD. World Copper Ltd., headquartered in Vancouver, BC, is a Canadian resource company focused on the exploration and development of its copper porphyry projects: Zonia in Arizona and Escalones in Chile. Both projects have estimated resources with significant soluble copper mineralization, and they boast exciting potential to expand the resource base. The Company is dedicated to sustainable practices and leveraging technology to develop safe and productive mining operations in stable, mining-friendly jurisdictions. Detailed information is available at World Copper's website at https://worldcopperltd.com, and for general Company updates you may follow us on our social media pages via Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of WORLD COPPER LTD. "Gordon Neal" Gordon Neal President & Chief Executive Officer Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorldCopperLtd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldCopperLtd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldcopperltd Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, and the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, are forward-looking statements. Although World Copper believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, World Copper has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, market fundamentals will result in sustained copper demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licences and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of Zonia in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of World Copper's projects and its ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of World Copper to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, including on Zonia, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of copper, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics, including the impact on World Copper's business, financial condition and results of operations, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the inability of World Copper to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in World Copper's continuous disclosure documents. All of World Copper's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedarplus.ca and readers are urged to review these materials. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. World Copper does not undertake any obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. Cautionary Note to United States Investors World Copper prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to mineral resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Standards. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources", which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "proven mineral reserves" and "probable mineral reserves" to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards. U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are "substantially similar" to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that World Copper may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had World Copper prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of "inferred mineral resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances where permitted under NI 43-101. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229725 SOURCE: World Copper Ltd. Ennoventure, a Cambridge, MA-based company providing AI-powered brand protection and authentication solutions, raised $8.9M in Series A funding. The round was led by Tanglin Venture Partners, with participation from existing investors including Fenice Investment Group and additional SAFE investors. The company intends to use the funds to enhance its product offerings and drive its mission to provide brand protection globally. Led by CEO and Founder Padmakumar Nair, Ennoventure is a global SaaS company specializing in brand protection distinguished by its patented invisible signature powered by AI and cryptography. It empower brands and consumers by authenticating product packages and transforming them into intelligent, connected packaging. Its solutions integrate into product packaging without process changes or capital investment. Used by brands worldwide, billions of product packages carry its invisible signatures across industries, including automotive and industrial spare parts, FMCG, agrochemicals, and more. Ennoventure has offices in Dubai and India. FinSMEs 12/11/2024 Shiru, a Berkeley, CA-based AI-powered ingredient discovery company, $16M in funding. The round was led by S2G Ventures, with participation from CPT Capital, Lux Capital, Nourish Ventures, and Meach Cove Capital. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth plans, expand its ingredient portfolio and enhance its platform through new commercial partnerships and expanded offerings. Led by CEO and Founder Jasmin Hume, Shiru provides a platform, ProteinDiscovery.ai, that hosts a database of natural proteins from plants and microbes. It enables corporate partners in food, personal care, agriculture and advanced materials to swiftly identify and test highly functional, natural ingredients. FinSMEs 12/11/2024 The Global Leadership Summit offers an exclusive opportunity for the attendees to stay ahead of market trends and engage in high-level networking read more As Indias leading business news channel, CNBC-TV18 marks its 25th anniversary with a landmark economic event the Global Leadership Summit (GLS), presented by HSBC India and co-presented by Embassy REIT. The flagship summit is scheduled to take place at the Jio Convention Centre, BKC in Mumbai on November 14, 2024. This global event brings together an extraordinary lineup of policymakers, international leaders, and influential personalities to discuss the future of business strategies, economic growth, and innovation. Advertisement The CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit (GLS) 2024 will feature renowned speakers including Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Government of India;Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; Shaktikanta Das, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India; Debasish Panda, Chairperson of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India; Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Finance Secretary & Secretary (DIPAM); Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the International Monetary Fund; Leo Varadkar, Former Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland; N. R. Narayana Murthy, Co-founder & Former Chairperson, Infosys; Deepak Parekh, Former Chairman, HDFC; Uday Kotak, Founder & Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank; Rishad Premji, Executive Chairman, Wipro Limited; John Chambers, Chairman**,** USISPF and Founder & CEO, JC2 Ventures; Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India; Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India; Karan Johar, celebrated film director; Ajay Bijli, Managing Director, PVR INOX Limited; Falguni Nayar, Founder & CEO, Nykaa; Jitu Virwani Chairman & MD, Embassy Group; William Dalrymple, Historian & Author; Prem Watsa, Chairman & CEO, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited; Sajjan Jindal, Chairman & MD, JSW Group of Companies; Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE; Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra Group; Sriharsha Majety Co-Founder and CEO, Swiggy and other dignitaries. This years summit will cover important themes including macroeconomics forecasts and trends that will shape industries nationally and globally. It aims to serve as a platform where influential leaders and emerging entrepreneurs can exchange transformative ideas and provide deep insights into the evolving global economic landscape while exploring how leadership and innovation reshape industries and sectors. The summit offers an exclusive opportunity for the attendees to stay ahead of market trends and engage in high-level networking. With its extraordinary lineup of keynote sessions and discussions, GLS 2024 promises to deliver actionable insights that will inspire and guide the next wave of leaders in their pursuit of growth and excellence. As CNBC-TV18 celebrates its 25-year legacy of shaping Indias business and economic discourse, the summit underscores its commitment to delivering unmatched insights and industry-leading content. We extend gratitude to our partners: Destination Partner Saudi Tourism Authority, Associate Partner ITC, AI Partner AWS, Exchange Partner NSE, and Associate Partner Reliance Industries Limited. Visit https://www.cnbctv18.com/global-leadership-summit/ to book your spot and be part of the transformative experience at the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit on the 14th of November. As the face of the states tourism, the Mirzapur star will promote various campaigns to encourage travellers from India and abroad to explore the multifaceted experiences that Madhya Pradesh has to offer read more Be it Stree films or Oh My God 2, Pankaj Tripathi has shot extensively in Madhya Pradesh and the actor on Tuesday said he is deeply honoured to be named the face of the states tourism. As someone who believes in the power of travel to open minds and enrich lives, the actor said he is excited to help showcase the beauty of the state to the world. I am deeply honoured to be chosen as the face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism. Madhya Pradesh is not just a destination for meits a place that holds countless memories and connections, both personally and professionally. Advertisement Having spent so much time here filming projects like Stree, Stree 2, Lukka Chhupi, Oh My God 2 and Ludo, Ive experienced firsthand the captivating landscapes, the warmth of the people, and the unmatched cultural richness that define Madhya Pradesh, Tripathi said in a statement. From the untouched natural wonders to majestic architectural sites and vibrant wildlife, Madhya Pradesh has something for every traveller, he added. Ive always preferred exploring Indias own treasures over travelling abroad, and Madhya Pradesh truly stands out as one of the most remarkable places to visit in the country. This role allows me to share that love with others and hopefully inspire people to discover the wonders of Madhya Pradesh. According to a press release, Madhya Pradesh Tourism aims to highlight the states array of offerings from wildlife reserves and UNESCO heritage sites to spiritual and architectural landmarks through campaigns featuring Tripathi. As the face of the states tourism, the Mirzapur star will promote various campaigns to encourage travellers from India and abroad to explore the multifaceted experiences that Madhya Pradesh has to offer. Advertisement From the ancient temples of Khajuraho and the majestic forts of Gwalior to the lush jungles of Kanha and Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Pankaj Tripathi are set to invite travellers on a journey through one of Indias most storied states, the release further stated. Tripathi was last seen in Stree 2, which is one of the highest grossing Hindi films of the year. The threat to Shah Rukh Khan follows a series of threats issued to fellow actor Salman Khan, allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang read more Faizan Khan, an advocate from Chhatisgarh, who issued a threat threat to Shah Rukh Khan, was arrested on Tuesday by Mumbai Police. The Residence of Raipur demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh. The police registered the case under sections 308(4) (extortion involving threats of death or serious injury) and 351(3)(4) (criminal intimidation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Faizan. The threat caller identified himself as Hindustani and asked for Rs 50 lakh. The caller said: Ask Shah Rukh Khan to pay up Rs 50 lakh. If he doesnt, he will die My name is not important, but if you want to write, not down the name Hindustani. Advertisement As per PTI, the lawyer earlier told the police that he lost his phone last week and had filed a police complaint, the official said. The threat to Shah Rukh Khan follows a series of threats issued to fellow actor Salman Khan, allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The Bandra police station received a call threatening Shah Rukh Khan and asking for Rs 50 lakh. An offence has been registered. No arrest has been made yet, a senior Mumbai police official said. A case has been registered by the Bandra police under sections 308(4) (extortion involving threats of death or serious injury) and 351(3)(4) (criminal intimidation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the caller who threatened Shah Rukh Khan, the official said. Police teams have been dispatched to various places for further investigation, he said. While there was no confirmation from Mumbai police on reports that the call was made from Chhattisgarh, a Raipur police official said their counterparts from the Maharashtra capital on Thursday served a notice to a man from the city in connection with it. As part of their investigation into the threat to Shah Rukh Khan, Mumbai police visited Raipur and summoned a lawyer, identified as Faizan Khan, who lives within the limits of Pandri police station here, Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Singh told PTI. Police had earlier identified the man as Faiyaz Khan. Advertisement As per preliminary information, the threat call to the actor was made from a phone number registered in the name of Faizan, he said. Faizan has been asked to appear for questioning at Bandra police station, Singh said. Yash Chopra & Shah Rukh Khan went a long way. Their first collaboration happened in 1993 with Darr and it continued with Dil To Pagal Hai, Veer Zaara, and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. SRK interviewed Chopra back in 2012 ahead of the release of the film and the veteran filmmaker praised the actor for many reasons. Chopra told Shah Rukh Khan You never asked me how much money you want, and one user said Dilip Kumar and his wife were also big supporters of SRK. Advertisement As a superstar who lives his life in the glare of cameras and headlines, much has been written about Shah Rukh Khanhis passion, his craft, his humility and the love he spreads around. But beyond the films, the news, and the star persona is a man who has come to mean many different things to his ever-growing legion of fans. Whether as Rahul Raichand or Raj Malhotra, Mohan Bhargava or Rizwan Khan, Aman Mathur or Kabir Khan, the many personas that King Khan has embraced for his films have become forever etched in the minds of countless moviegoers. This book presents portraits of the stars inspirational life and unearths what he means to people in every corner of the worldbe it a taxi driver in Paris, an Irishwoman in London, three generations of women in a family in Pakistan or screaming fans across Europe, Asia, the US, the Middle East and, of course, India. With intimate stories, fan accounts and never-before-seen photographs of the man who rules the hearts of more than half the worlds people, this book is as much a paean to Shah Rukhs career as a tribute to the man himself the star, the icon, the legend, SHAH RUKH KHAN. Climate talks focus on Article 6, which was set up as part of the 2015 Paris Agreement to help nations work together to reduce climate-causing pollution. Part of that was a system of carbon credits, allowing nations to put planet-warming gases in the air if they offset emissions elsewhere read more After nearly a decade of negotiations, leaders during the United Nations climate conferences first day decided on some of the finer points of a much debated sticking point aimed at cutting planet-warming emissions from coal, oil and gas. Known as Article 6, it was set up as part of the 2015 Paris Agreement to help nations work together to reduce climate-causing pollution. Part of that was a system of carbon credits, allowing nations to put planet-warming gases in the air if they offset emissions elsewhere. Advertisement But the gaveling through of Article 6 late Monday was criticised by climate justice groups, who said carbon markets allow major polluters to keep emitting at the expense of people and the environment. COP29, as this years summit is known, has brought together world leaders to discuss ways to limit and adapt to the climate crisis. Scientists agree that the warming of the atmosphere caused primarily by human-burnt fossil fuels is fuelling deadlier and increasingly catastrophic droughts, flooding, hurricanes and heat. Heres a look at Article 6 and the carbon credits system it aims to implement. What is Article 6? Article 6 first made an appearance at the Paris climate talks in 2015, where world leaders agreed to try to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) from pre-industrial levels. Its aim is to outline how countries and companies can trade emissions reductions to remove and stop more carbon pollution from reaching the atmosphere. The idea is to set up carbon trading markets, allowing higher polluters to offset some of the pollution they produce by buying carbon credits from less polluting countries. Article 6 offers two ways for countries to do this. The first is for the two nations to set their own rules and standards for carbon credit trades. Some countries are already signing deals to do this, including Singapore with the Philippines, Costa Rica and Sri Lanka, Switzerland with Ghana, Peru and Ukraine, among others. Advertisement A pumpjack operates at a drilling site in Baku, Azerbaijan, Monday, September 16, 2024. AP The second option creates an international, UN-governed market that anyone can purchase credits through. Isa Mulder, an expert on global carbon markets with the research group Carbon Market Watch, said the idea behind Article 6 is for countries to find the cheapest way to cut emissions. By trading carbon credits, it makes cutting global pollution cheaper and more efficient. But Article 6 is contentious, leading to years of delays. At COP28, negotiations crumbled after disagreements on transparency, rules on credits that could be traded, and what makes a good carbon removal credit. There are other problems, like when local communities dont have a say in the project and are forced to resettle, said Mulder, referring to how some tree-planting carbon credit schemes can happen on inhabited Indigenous lands. So theres a lot of human rights concerns. Advertisement United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres urged negotiators to agree to rules for fair, effective carbon markets and leave no space for greenwashing or land-grabbing. Also read: Climate change: 7 things that COP29 summit at Azerbaijans Baku needs to focus on How might it help reduce carbon pollution? The hope of Article 6 is that it incentivises countries to collaborate to reach their climate goals. Countries could generate carbon credits based on projects aimed to meet their own climate goals, such as protecting existing forests from development or shutting coal-fired plants. Private-sector players or other high-carbon polluter countries could then buy the credits, which would allow them to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. Heavy-polluting companies would be important customers. Each credit would equal a tonne of CO2 or the equivalent of other greenhouse gases that can be reduced in the air, sequestered, or avoided by using green energies instead. Advertisement Money from the credits generated would go to local projects. The per-tonne price of carbon would fluctuate in the market, meaning that the higher it rises, the more green projects could fetch through new credits generated. Under carbon markets, countries that lower their emissions by installing clean energy projects like solar or wind power or electrifying public transportation systems can sell carbon credits. Traffic rolls through a colorful forest in the Taunus region in Usingen near Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, November 1, 2024. AP But critics question whether it will be effective and worry it could lead to similar problems seen with the Kyoto Protocol, a 1997 pact for developed nations to reduce their heat-trapping gas emissions to 1990 levels and below. The deal was dealt a hammer blow when the then-US administration withdrew from it. Advertisement Theres a lot of concerns about whether that credit actually represents what it stands for, said Mulder from Carbon Market Watch. Also read: COP29: With no sense of urgency, world leaders huddle in Azerbaijans Baku for UN climate talks What could happen at the Baku climate talks? Mondays decision signalled early momentum on establishing Article 6, which the COP29 presidency said it would prioritise this year. But leaders still need to agree on other sections of the issue, including rules on two-nation carbon credit trading and the final details of the international, U.N.-governed market. Once finalised, Article 6 could reduce the cost of implementing national climate plans by $250 billion annually according to UN estimates. The COP29 presidency will then encourage countries to participate in carbon trading. On Monday, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev said Article 6 will be a game-changing tool to direct resources to the developing world. But concerns remain about how it will work, given how it was developed. Communities consent and ownership over these initiatives are not just essential but also a matter of respect and inclusion, said David Nicholson, chief climate officer at Mercy Corps, a nonprofit that works on poverty, climate and other issues. We are concerned that the agreement lacks adequate protections for human rights and undermines the goals of the Paris Agreement rather than supporting them. If these concerns arent addressed, the decision could allow carbon trading to take the place of genuine, much-needed climate finance commitments, Nicholson added. The ruling on US President-elect Donald Trumps conviction in a hush-money case is set to take place today while President Joe Biden will meet his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog at the White House. The Booker Prize 2024 winner will be declared today in London. In India, Prime Minister Modi will hold a roadshow in Pune ahead of the Maharashtra elections read more Former President Donald Trump waits for the start of proceedings in Manhattan criminal court. AP A New York judge is set to decide whether President-elect Donald Trumps conviction in hush money paid to a porn star should be overturned in light of the presidential immunity. Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the crises in Gaza and Lebanon. The prestigious Booker Prize 2024 ceremony will take place today in London while the International Court of Justice is set to deliver a decision on the Azerbaijan-Armenia case. In India, PM Modi will hold a roadshow in Pune ahead of the Maharashtra elections. Advertisement Here is all that will take place today. Judgment on Donald Trumps conviction in hush money case A New York judge is set to decide whether President-elect Donald Trumps criminal conviction on charges involving hush money paid to a porn star should be overturned in light of the US Supreme Courts July ruling on presidential immunity, reported news agency Reuters. It is the first of two pivotal choices that the judge must make after Trumps November 5 election victory. Justice Juan Merchan must also decide whether to go ahead with sentencing Trump on November 26 as currently scheduled while many predict that sentencing is now unlikely, reported Reuters. Israeli President Herzog to meet US counterpart Joe Biden US President Joe Biden will meet his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog at the White House today. According to Reuters, the two are expected to discuss the ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon. It is expected that Ron Dermer, a former Israeli ambassador to the US and advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will join Herzog in the meeting with Biden, reported CBS News. File image of President Joe Biden meeting with Israels President Isaac Herzog in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. AP Any ceasefire talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt have been stalled while efforts to halt the wars by third-party nations between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have also been ignored. Booker Prize 2024 ceremony to take place in London The winner of this years Booker Prize will be announced today in London, United Kingdom. Six authors are the finalists for the prestigious award for fiction this year. This year five of the six finalists are women, the largest number in the prizes 55-year history, reported news agency AP. These include Percival Everett, Rachel Kushner, Samantha Harvey, Anne Michaels, Charlotte Wood and Yael van der Wouden. Also Read: German author Jenny Erpenbeck wins International Booker Prize 2024 for Kairos Founded in 1969, the Booker Prize celebrates the best fiction and is open to novels from any country published in the UK and Ireland. ICJ set to deliver decision on Azerbaijan-Armenia case The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will deliver its judgement on the preliminary objections raised by Azerbaijan in the case concerning the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v. Azerbaijan), reported Armenpress.am. File image of the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, (ICJ) illuminated in blue light in The Hague, Netherlands. AP Armenia filed the case at the International Court of Justice in 2021, accusing Azerbaijan of a state-sponsored policy of Armenian hatred that has led to systemic discrimination, mass killings, torture and other abuse, Reported AP. This came from long-standing tensions that erupted into a 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh leaving more than 6,600 people dead. Advertisement PM Modi to hold roadshow in Pune Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to a roadshow in Pune ahead of the Maharashtra elections. The rally is scheduled to take place at SP College Ground. Police have notified a ban on heavy vehicles on 13 key roads today in view of the prime ministers roadshow, reported The Indian Express. Earlier, he was addressing two rallies, in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, when he attacked Congress and reiterated his ek hai to safe hai (together, we are safe) call for Dalit, OBC, Adivasi unity. On this day Birth anniversary of revolutionary Pandurang Mahadev Bapat Birth anniversary of ornithologist Salim Ali Birth anniversary of actor Ryan Gosling Birth anniversary of actress Anne Hathaway Birth anniversary of swimmer Jason Lezak Death anniversary of freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malviya Bhola Cyclone, the deadliest tropical cyclone ever, hit Bangladesh and West Bengal in 1970 In 1980, the NASA space probe Voyager I came closest to Saturn and photographed its rings for the first time ever In 1996, a Saudi Arabian flight and a Kazakh cargo plane collided in mid-air near Delhi, killing 349 people Shanghai Transrapid set a new world speed record of 501 km per hour in 2003, the fastest for a railway With inputs from agencies After Armenia, France has now expressed an interest in Indias Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launch (MBRL). Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this long-range weapon can deploy multiple rockets in seconds, targeting an enemy position even 75 km away read more Indias credential as a defence exporter is improving day by day. This comes as reports emerge that France is showing a keen interest in the Indian-made Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems. Indians have long touted the Pinaka as being on par with the US-made HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems). Speaking on the same, Brigadier General Stephane Richou, French Army staff general international affairs, was quoted as telling The Hindu, Indians presented to my Chief of Army Staff last February the Pinaka. It is very interesting for us. We are organising evaluation of three-four best providers of this system, India being among them. We have a special mission that is going to come to India in the coming weeks, to evaluate both the launcher and the ammunition We are considering the possibility among several other systems that we are considering. Advertisement The remark by Frances Brigadier General Stephane Richou came as he visited India last week for the 20th Army staff talks. Currently, the Made in India Pinaka is exported to Armenia under an export contract valued at $250 million. As interest grows for this weapon, heres a better understanding of the Pinaka Rocket launcher. Lethality of Pinaka, explained The Pinaka weapon system, named after the bow of Hindu god Shiva, was developed by the Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), an important arm of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The development of this weapon began in the late 80s, as an alternative to the multi-barrel rocket launching systems of Russian make. But what exactly is the Pinaka weapons system? In simple words, it is a multi-barrel rocket system, which can fire 12 rockets in just 44 seconds. An Indian Express report explains that a single battery of the Pinaka system consists of six launch vehicles, accompanied by the loader systems, radar and links with network based systems and a command post. One battery can neutralise an area one kilometre by one kilometre. Currently, there are two variants of the Pinaka Mark I, which has a range of around 40 kilometres and the Mark-II version that can fire up to 75 kilometres. There are plans to enhance the range of the system first to 120 km and then even up to 300 km. Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system can fire 12 rockets in 44 seconds and can reach targets exceeding 75 km. File image/Reuters According to experts, the Pinaka rockets can reach a speed of Mach 4.7 (5,800 km/hr), making it very fast and difficult to intercept. The rockets warhead can have different designs for various combat uses. The launchers shoot-and-scoot capability enables it to escape the counter-battery fire, reports Eurasian Times. The Pinaka weapons system is traditionally mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility, with experts adding that the weapons system allows ground forces a deep strike option and also possess the capability of hitting critical military installations. Advertisement Use of Pinaka by Indias Armed Forces As of now, the Indian Army operates four Pinaka regiments, with six more on order. However, it first came into use during the Kargil War of 1999, quite successfully against the Pakistan army. It was also deployed more recently at Indias border with China amid tensions over Ladakh. Armenias use of the Pinaka The Pinaka system has already gained export success with orders from Armenia and interest from other countries. In fact, Yerevan became the first export customer for the indigenously developed Pinaka. In October 2022, it was reported that Armenia has placed an export order to be completed within two years. Indias export of the Pinaka to Armenia had even prompted Azerbaijan to register its protest with New Delhi. Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to the president of Azerbaijan, had called on the Indian Ambassador to the country, Sridharan Madhusudhanan, expressing concerns about the expanding military cooperation between Armenia and India. It also requested a reconsideration of Indias decision to supply lethal weapons to Armenia. Armenia and Azerbaijan are engaged in a conflict over control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The conflict resulted in a 45-day war in September 2020, which was brought to an end by a peace deal brokered by Russia. Advertisement Besides Armenia and France, Indonesia and two other South American nations have also shown interest in the Pinaka. Besides France and Armenia, the Pinaka has earned the interest of Indonesia, and two other South American countries. File image/PTI Comparison to the HIMARS Indian defence officials call the Pinaka one of the best long-range weapons in their arsenal, comparing it to Americas HIMARS. The HIMARS consists of a medium-sized tactical truck loaded with six 227-millimetre GPS-guided rockets. It boasts a range of more than 69 km. The rocket is thirteen-feet-long and known as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). Each rocket has a 200-pound, high-explosive warhead, and GPS guidance ensures each rocket can land within 16 feet of the designated aiming point. HIMARS has been developed by Lockheed Martin and first appeared publicly in 1993. HIMARS has expanded its global presence and is exported to several countries including Jordan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Advertisement In August, the US State Department approved Norways acquisition of HIMARS. However, HIMARSs lethality has become world renowned owing to its use in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Washington sent the first four HIMARS to Ukraine in early June 2022, and by late July, Ukrainian forces had claimed to have struck more than 100 high-value military targets. With inputs from agencies Tension has been high in Manipur after a fresh round of violence in Jiribam. On Monday, at least 10 suspected Kuki insurgents were shot dead in an encounter with security forces in the district. A CRPF soldier was injured in the attack. The situation escalated as multiple places in Imphal Valley reported violent clash read more Security personnel during a search operation and area domination in the vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts of Manipur. PTI Tension has been high in Manipur since last week due to a fresh round of violence in Jiribam. In the latest incident reported on Monday (November 11), at least 10 suspected Kuki insurgents were shot dead in an encounter with the security forces in the district. A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldier was injured in the attack. After this, fresh violence was reported from multiple places in Imphal Valley where armed groups from the two warring sides engaged in exchanges of fire, police said, as per PTI. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. The incident The incident occurred on Monday at about 3 pm at Jakuradhor Karong, which is under the jurisdiction of the Borobekra police station. The region is close to the hills in the neighbouring Pherzawal district, home to most of the Hmar community, which is a part of the Kuki-Zo. The suspected Kuki insurgents began attacking at around 4 am, according to The Indian Express, targeting stores in Meitei settlements, including Lamtai Khunou and Jakuradhor Karong. At around 3 pm, a CRPF post and a police station came under fire, police said. Today, November 11, 2024, at about 3 pm, the CRPF post located at Jakuradhor and Borobekra police station (located nearby) were attacked by armed militants. The security forces retaliated strongly. Due to the attack, one CRPF constable namely Sanjeev Kumar sustained bullet injury and has been evacuated to Silchar Medical College, Assam and is under treatment, Manipur Police said in a statement on X. The exchange of fire lasted 40-45 minutes, following which the situation was brought under control, it said. Today, 11th November, 2024 at about 3 pm, the CRPF Post located at Jakuradhor and Borobekra Police Station (located nearby), Jiribam District were attacked by armed militants. The security forces retaliated strongly. Due to the attack, one CRPF constable namely Sanjeev Kumar pic.twitter.com/8ORw3EB4Pg Manipur Police (@manipur_police) November 11, 2024 The police added, After the firing ceased, the area was searched, and 10 bodies of armed militants were recovered, along with arms and ammunition A criminal case has been registered and is being investigated. Advertisement The recovered weapons included three AK-47 rifles, four self-loading rifles (SLRs), two Indian Small Arms Systems (INSAS) rifles, one rocket-propelled grenade (RPGs) and one Pump Action Gun, along with bulletproof jackets, helmets, and magazines, the police said. Operations were continuing to flush out militants, and reinforcement teams consisting of Assam Rifles, CRPF, and police were rushed to the spot, the post said. In the evening, violent clashes were reported from various villages in Imphal West and Imphal East districts, officials told PTI. Insurgents allegedly fired at the low-lying areas of Koutruk in Imphal West from the hilltops of Kangpokpi district. It was retaliated by armed village volunteers, they said. Advertisement Security personnel during a search operation and area domination in the vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts of Manipur. PTI A few abandoned houses and some other structures were set on fire in the Kangchup area of the district by militants. Two people, identified as Phuritsabam Devananda and Ningombam Romesh, were injured after getting hit by the shrapnel of a bomb. Panic also gripped Lamshang after an improvised mortar shell fell in a residential area in Phumlou Kameng, around 3.7 kilometres from Kangchup, police said, adding that incidents of firing were also reported from Chanung and Thamnapokpi areas of Imphal East district. Also read: Fences and fault lines: Why border security alone wont heal Manipur Not militants, but village volunteers A statement released by a group called Hmar Village Volunteers (HVVs), which represents armed Hmars involved in the conflict, claimed that those killed on Monday were village volunteers who were retaliating to protect their land. We understand that the proscribed Meitei terrorists and AT (armed Meitei group Arambai Tenggol) are hiding in various parts of the Jiribam area, and are being sheltered by the local Meitei populace The HVVs have no option but to retaliate in self defence to protect our indigenous land and innocent people We further reiterate that the HVVs are not in conflict with the central forces, the statement said. Advertisement Thangtinlen Haokip, information secretary of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), told ThePrint, These are not militants, but our village defence volunteers, who have been on the ground since the violence began, to protect their community. It is wrong to call them militants. We are trying to get in touch with their families and chart out the next course of action. What has happened is extremely unfortunate." Accusing the CRPF of involvement, the Hmar Students Association condemned the incident as a premeditated massacre of Hmar Village Volunteers." Videos circulating on social media, showing the merciless dragging of the dead bodies, confirm the involvement of the CRPF. All village volunteers in Kuki-Zo areas are now on high alert, prepared to defend their people against further aggression, read their statement. Probe demands The Kuki-Zo Council called for a total shutdown in the hilly areas of the state from 5 am to 6 pm on Tuesday to express our collective grief and solidarity who were brutally shot dead. The council demanded an immediate and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Following the violence, the Jiribam district administration issued indefinite prohibitory orders under BNS Section 163. The section prohibits the assembly of five or more people and the carrying of weapons, citing apprehension of widespread disturbance to peace and tranquillity and grave danger to human life and property because of the unlawful activities of some anti-social elements for the furtherance of their evil designs. Advertisement Heightened tensions in Manipur Located in the westernmost region of Manipur, Jiribam is a small district with a mixed population. The situation in the district has escalated since last week when a fresh round of violence broke out. Last Thursday, in a brutal attack on Zairawn, another Hmar-dominated village in Jiribam, a 31-year-old woman from the community was allegedly raped and burnt alive. Violence in the area escalated when 80 to 100 armed assailants allegedly from the Meitei community and radical armed Meitei group, Arambai Tenggol, opened fire on the villagers and set up to 17 homes on fire, according to ThePrint. A day later, a woman from the valley-dominant Meitei community was shot dead by suspected Kuki insurgents while she was working in a paddy field in Bishnupur district. At least two people were shot in separate incidents in the districts of Imphal East and Bishnupur. Police have said that a group of farmers in Yaingangpokpi were attacked by suspected Kuki insurgents, injuring a 35-year-old Tangkhul man, identified as Rashok Horam. He is undergoing treatment at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences. Ningombam Chaoba, 38, sustained a bullet injury while he was working in a paddy field at Litanpokpi in Bishnupur district. He and other farmers were fired upon from the Dampi hill range, which falls under the jurisdiction of Churachandpur district, according to police. For those uninitiated, more than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year. With inputs from agencies Iraq is likely to amend its marriage laws, which would lower the legal age of consent from 18 to nine. Currently, Afghanistan has the lowest marriageable age, where girls and boys can marry at 15 read more Iraqi newlyweds, who fled Mosul, Hussain Zeeno Zannun (2nd R), 26, and Chahad, 16, listen to the cleric advises after he conducted the religious marriage procedure outside a restaurant near Khazer camp, Iraq February 16, 2017. Reuters In Iraq, womens and girls rights are in a downward spiral. Legalising child marriages, the country is on the verge of reducing the marriageable age for women from 18 to nine. The proposed amendment, which had its first reading on Sunday, has sparked significant backlash both domestically and internationally. Iraq to change marriage laws Shia Islamist parties in Iraq are considering making amendments to Law 1888 of the Personal Status. The law passed in 1959 was considered one of the most progressive in West Asia. The law set 18 as the legal age for marriage for both men and women and set curbed on men being allowed to take a second wife. It also allowed a Muslim man marry a non-Muslim woman without any pre-conditions. Advertisement However, the Coordination Framework, which is an alliance of conservative Shia Islamist parties, has been pushing for amendments to the law. The proposed amendment, introduced by Independent MP Raed al-Maliki, reduces the marriageable age for women from 18 to nine and boys as young as 15, legalising child marriage. The draft bill also states that a couple are required to choose between the Sunni or Shia sect all matters of personal status. When a dispute occurs between the spouses regarding the doctrine according to whose provisions the marriage contract was concluded, the contract is deemed to have been concluded in accordance with the husbands doctrine unless evidence exists to the contrary, the draft bill states. The amendment would let the offices of the Shiite and Sunni endowments sanctify marriages instead of the courts. Once the amendment gets the nod, women would be deprived of rights to divorce, child custody, and inheritance, according to The Telegraph. To protect young girls from immoral relationships, the ruling coalition described the action as a stringent interpretation of Islamic law. Also read: Lure of Jihad: How role of women in Islamic State is changing and gaining significance The backlash Experts believe that this amendment will sweep away womens most significant rights. The amendment would not just undermine these rights, Sarah Sanbar, Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch, was quoted as saying by The Telegraph. It would erase them. Raya Faiq, who is opposing the bill alongside Iraqi lawmakers, claimed that it would give religious leaders more control over practically all family issues and let young girls to be married off at a young age. This a catastrophe for women, Faiq told The Guardian, adding that this law would legalise child rape. Advertisement The increasing number of child marriages in Iraqi society is already a problem. The United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef) reports that over 28 per cent of women in the nation are married by the age of 18. The main cause of this is a legal gap in the personal status law that permits religious leaders to perform marriages instead of courts, even for females as young as 15 with the consent of the father. According to The Telegraph, these unregistered marriages are primarily common in Iraqs ultra-conservative, economically disadvantaged Shia community. Also read: Who was Om Fahad, the Iraqi TikTok star shot dead in Baghdad? Advertisement Countries with the lowest marriage age Many nations allow children to get married between the ages of 15 and 16 as long as their legal guardians approve of the arrangement. Nonetheless, the majority of countries in the world have set a minimum age of 18 for marriage without parental approval. According to The Times of India, Afghanistan and Yemen have the lowest marriage age of 15 for both men and women, with parental consent. Malaysia also has set the minimum legal age for marriage as 16. The minimum age for marriage without parental consent is 18. Brazil, Chile, and Italy (with Juvenile Court authorisation) with a minimum age of 16 for marriage for both men and women. In Pakistan, the minimum age for girls to get married is 16 and for men is 18. In North Korea, the marriage age for girls is 17 and for boys is 18. Advertisement In Iran, the minimum age for marriage with parental consent is 13 for girls and 15 for boys. However, for marriage without parental consent, reports say that individuals have to be 15 if they are female and 18 if they are male. Similarly, in Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe, children can marry at the age of 14 with their parents consent but have to wait until they are 18 otherwise. There is no minimum age for marriage in Saudi Arabia. Around 117 nations, including the United States, allow children to marry, according to a 2016 US Pew Research Centre analysis. 18 and above Although certain countries, such as the UK, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands, have set the legal age for men and women at 18, child marriage is still legal with parental consent. Countries such as Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Russia, Botswana, Chad, Eswatini, Guinea, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Namibia, and Zambia have set the minimum age for marriage as 18. Advertisement India has set the legal marriage age at 21 for men and 18 for women. Sudan once had a special law governing the legal marriage age. Muslim children might lawfully marry as soon as they reach puberty. For non-Muslim children, however, marriage was only permitted after the age of 13 for girls and 15 for boys. The Sudanese government banned child marriage in late 2020 and raised the legal marriage age to 18, according to The Standard. The countries that require individuals to be 21 years old before they can legally be married are Burundi, China, and Rwanda. The legal minimum age for women to marry without parental agreement or approval was set at 18 in 158 countries in 2010. In 180 nations, men can legally get married at the age of 18, and in 105 countries, they can get married with their parents consent. In recent years, a number of EU countries have tightened their laws governing marriage, banning marriages between those under the age of 18 or requiring legal approval. Other emerging countries have also approved quite similar laws. With inputs from agencies The Maha Vikas Aghadi has promised a two-day period leave for women employees in its election manifesto. It is a hot topic in India, with multiple Private Members Bills introduced in the Lok Sabha over the years. However, last year, the then Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani opposed any such provision, saying menstruation is not a handicap read more Menstrual leave is in the spotlight in India, again. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the opposition alliance in Maharashtra, has proposed a two-day period leave a month for women employees in its poll manifesto titled Maharashtranama. The state will hold Assembly elections next week. There is no centralised provision for paid menstrual leave in India at the moment. However, some states and companies have their own rules on the topic. The issue has also come up before Parliament, triggering a debate on the need for a menstrual leave policy. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. Menstrual leave issue in Parliament Last December, the then Union Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Smriti Irani reignited the debate on paid menstrual leave after she opposed it, saying menstruation is not a handicap. Responding to a supplementary query by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha on whether the government was seeking to roll out a law for menstrual leave, Irani said on December 13, 2023, that menstrual leave could lead to women facing discrimination in the workplace. We should not propose issues where women are in some way denied an equal opportunity just because somebody who does not menstruate has a particular viewpoint towards menstruation, she said. The former WCD minister said that being a menstruating woman herself, menstruating and menstrual cycle is not a handicap and that it is a natural part of a womans life journey. Earlier she had given a written reply to an unstarred question by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in the Lok Sabha on the issue. Menstruation is a physiological phenomenon among women and only a small proportion of women/girls suffer from severe dysmenorrhea or similar complaints, further saying that most of these cases are manageable by medication". At present, there is no proposal under consideration of the government to make provision for paid menstrual leave mandatory for all workplaces, she added. Last March, three MPs from Kerala TN Prathapan, Benny Behanan and Rajmohan Unnithan posed an unstarred query in the Lok Sabha to Irani about whether the government was mulling making paid menstrual leave mandatory for all workplaces. The then Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar gave a similar reply as Irani had offered to Tharoor. Advertisement Pawar added, The government implements the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years. The Scheme is supported by the National Health Mission through the State Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) route based on the proposals received from the States/UTs. At least three Private Members Bills have been introduced in the Lok Sabha in recent years, advocating for menstrual leave. A wooden board used to explain menstruation and the female anatomy is seen inside the counselling office of a community health centre in Bahadurganj subdivision of Kishanganj district, Bihar, March 21, 2023. File Photo/Reuters As per Indian Express, the first attempt was made in 2017 when the then Congress MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Ninong Ering, brought the Menstruation Benefits Bill, endorsing a four-day menstrual leave. Tharoor introduced The Womens Sexual, Reproductive and Menstrual Rights Bill, 2018, proposing to amend certain enactments to emphasise on the agency of a woman in her sexual and reproductive rights and to guarantee menstrual equity for all women by the State. Advertisement In December 2021, Congress MP from Tamil Nadu, S Jothimani, introduced the Right to Menstrual Hygiene and Paid Leave Bill, 2019, seeking a right to paid leave for three days of menstruation. It called for bringing the refusal of such leave to the ambit of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. In 2022, Hibi Eben, Congress MP from Kerala, brought The Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products Bill, proposing a three-day paid menstrual leave for women in any establishment registered with the government. The proposed legislation also sought absence for three days for female students in educational institutions during periods. Advertisement All these were Private Members Bills, which are legislative proposals by an MP who is not a minister. They hardly ever make it to discussions in the House. The menstrual leave was not discussed in Parliament but has been raised as questions asked by MPs in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over the years, reported Indian Express. In March 2023, a Parliamentary Standing Committee urged the government to consider granting menstrual leaves or sick leave or half pay leaves for women without the need for medical certificates or justification. Keeping the physical and mental well being of women in mind and taking cognizance of their unique needs, the Committee recommends to the Department (of Personnel and Training) to hold consultations with stakeholders and frame a menstrual leave policy allowing women who suffer from menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea and similar conditions to take time off from their work, the panel had said. Advertisement Which states have menstrual leave? Bihar has had a menstrual leave policy for government employees since 1992. In 2023, Kerala brought a provision, allowing menstrual leave for female students in all state universities under the Department of Higher Education. The Odisha government has implemented a menstrual leave policy for government employees under 55 years, granting 12 days of leave annually. Other states like Karnataka and Maharashtra are considering similar provisions. The menstrual leave debate in India Periods remain a taboo in India, with the topic discussed in schools in hushed tones. Menstruation is a normal physiological process that brings discomfort, anxiety and pain to menstruators. For some, the pain is unbearable, affecting their productivity during their period. India does not have a menstrual leave policy, with the topic sparking mixed reactions. In July, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking to make menstrual leave compulsory at the workplace, saying that mandating such leave will lead to women being shunned from the workforce. The court, instead, asked the Centre to consider if a model menstrual leave policy should be framed. Last year, the apex court had refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) calling for menstruation leave for female students and working women across the country. Many countries, including Spain, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and Taiwan, have legislation on menstrual leave with varying provisions. Those who oppose menstrual leave say it would lead to discrimination against women in the workforce. It could create hurdles for women, discouraging employers from hiring them. They say only a small percentage of women face severe menstruation-related health issues, which they can claim as sick leave. However, menstruation is not a sickness. Manjima Bhattacharjya, sociologist and author of Intimate City, wrote for Indian Express, There is a radical appeal to the idea that menstruation is not sickness (and so should not be tethered to the misnomer of sick leave) and to name it is to normalise it. The proponents of period leaves argue that this would recognise gender differences in the workforce, making women more productive. In India, menstrual leave would be in sync with Article 21 (right to life) and Article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution. Moreover, Article 15(3) empowers the state to make special provisions for women and children. As Professor Shireen Moti, Assistant Professor of Constitutional Law at the OP Jindal Global University and Dhananjay Kumar, a British FCDO Chevening scholar, argue in their opinion piece for ThePrint, Constitutionally, paid menstrual leave is imperative for equality and dignity and any opposition to such a policy measure is a step back from making the workplace more comfortable and equitable for women. There is a dire need to shun patriarchy by normalising menstruation rather than invisibilising it. With inputs from agencies An anti-Kremlin blogger convinced Russian teachers to wear tinfoil hats, claiming they would protect them from a malicious Nato plan. The instructions sent to teachers included detailed steps on making the hats and adding the Russian flag as decoration read more The messages included instructions on how to craft the hats and decorate them with the Russian flag. Image courtesy: Reddit/CAPATOB_64 Posing as a representative of Russias United Russia party, a prankster managed to trick teachers into wearing tinfoil hats, claiming they would protect them from a malicious NATO plot. Teachers in the Voronezh region of Russia received messages that seemed to come from President Putins ruling party, urging them to create Helmets of the Fatherland. The messages included step-by-step instructions on how to craft the hats and decorate them with the Russian flag. Advertisement The trick was carried out by activist prankster Vladislav Vladik Bokhan, who argued that Russians were so conditioned to obey Vladimir Putin that they would follow any official order, no matter how ridiculous. ALSO READ | What does Vladimir Putin want from Trumps America? Who is the prankster? Vladislav Vladik Bokhan is a former history teacher now living in exile. He claimed that the willingness of several schools in the Voronezh region to comply with the ridiculous orders showed the strength of Kremlin propaganda and was another sign of fascism. ALSO READ | Russia considering a Ministry of Sex. Heres why How did he carry out the prank? He carried out the prank by sending letters to teachers in the Voronezh region, pretending to be from President Putins ruling United Russia party. The letters urged the teachers to make Helmets of the Fatherland - tinfoil hats meant to protect them from NATO satellites. Bokhan, an exiled Belarusian blogger opposed to the Kremlin, claimed that these hats would shield the Russian people from irradiation by NATO satellites, which he described as a physical and biological threat. To make the prank seem legitimate, Bokhan included references to United Russia in the letter. In Russia, teachers started making caps from foil to "protect themselves from NATO satellites." A prankster called them, introduced himself as a United Russia deputy and asked to hold a "patriotic event." The teachers obediently fulfilled everything. pic.twitter.com/ojwnW0bd3f MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) November 9, 2024 He explained the prank in a YouTube video, stating, Evil NATO members are planning to irradiate the Russian people physically and biologically. Therefore, our teachers will have to learn to resist this with the help of primitive means of protection, like a tinfoil hat, RTVI said in a report. Advertisement The goal of the master class is to strengthen patriotism, increase awareness and skills of teachers in the field of practical classes in civil defence, the ability to work with improvised materials to make primitive means of protection against the threat of the use of satellite and electronic equipment by NATO, and to develop skills in working with foil, the letter further said. According to Bokhan, as many as seven schools fell for the prank and made the hats. One teacher even recorded a video of the process, explaining the supposed importance of the activity. Making tinfoil hats is not only an interesting and creative activity but also an important patriotic act, symbolising a readiness to defend ones homeland from foreign threats, the teacher said. Advertisement The teachers were instructed to provide photos and videos as evidence. Image courtesy: Reddit/CAPATOB_64 Let our hats become a symbol of unity and resilience in the face of [foreign] challenges. The teachers were instructed to provide photos and videos as proof that they had followed the bizarre instructions. Reflecting on the prank, Bokhan said, During my career, I conducted a series of powerful actions in Russian schools. I thought I had reached the peak of absurdity until the day I made a reality a meme about tinfoil hats. I still cant believe it happened. I am both delighted and shocked. Schools have turned into institutions of brainwashing and suppression, [and] I made the system work against itself, Dailymail quoted him as saying. Advertisement To me, however, Russia is an empire suppressing its neighbouring peoplesWhen it disputes the right of nations to self-determination and countries to exist, it resembles Nazi ideology more than anything else, he said. Although aluminium head coverings are typically linked to conspiracy theories, aliens, and paranoia, none of these doubts seemed to cross the minds of the teachers, who eagerly constructed their tinfoil hats to supposedly protect their minds from the transmission of Western ideas. This is not the first time Bokhan has caused controversy. In the fall of 2023, the publication 29.ru reported that Bokhan managed to persuade the management of two schools in the Arkhangelsk region (Ust-Pinega and Bereznik) to place leaflets with his name styled as election campaign materials, where he described himself as a teacher and hero of the SVO. Advertisement As many as seven schools fell for the prank and made the hats. Image courtesy: X/@BelarusInSweden How education ministry responded to the incident The regional education ministry responded to the incident by praising the teachers patriotic spirit, high efficiency and creative approach to any task. An official said, The helmets made of foil look very convincing. On the other hand, of course, it was disappointing that they could not distinguish a genuine [political] party initiative from an inappropriate joke. The teachers were reminded about the importance of internet security and being careful about falling for such hoaxes. Some social media users praised the prank for its smooth execution, while others felt pity for the teachers, believing they were unfairly involved in the situation. Since the beginning of its all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin has ramped up its propaganda efforts in schools, The Times reported. The portrait of Bangladeshs Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been removed from the presidents residence. The development comes after the government cancelled several holidays associated with the countrys founding father and protesters toppled statues and defaced murals of Mujibur read more Bangladesh is turning the page. The countrys interim government headed by Mohammad Yunus is making a break with the past. The portrait of Bangladeshs founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been removed from the presidents residence. The development comes months after the toppling of the Dhaka statue of Rahman the countrys first president by protesters on August 5. Rahman was born in 1920 in undivided India. Bangladesh evolved from Bengal presidency to East Bengal to East Pakistan and eventually as a separate nation born in 1971. Advertisement According to a profile of Rahman on the Dhaka University website, he is regarded as Jatir Janak or Jatir Pita (both meaning Father of the Nation) of Bangladesh. But what happened? And how the interim government wiping out Rahmans legacy? Lets take a closer look: Mujiburs portait removed A student leader told The Print that Mujiburs portrait was removed on Monday morning. Abu Bakar Majumder, national coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination Movement, said the picture was taken out of the Darbar Hall of the Bangabhavan. Majumder said other portraits of Mujibur may well have been removed or will be removed soon. Mujiburs portrait by law is to be on display at all government institutions including the offices of the president, prime minister, speaker, chief justice, government offices, non-government education institutions, missions and embassies. Mahfuz Alam, an adviser to the government, took to Facebook to confirm the development. Photo of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman- Post 71 Fascist, is removed from Darbar Hall. It is a shame for us that we couldnt remove his picture from Bangabhaban after the 5th August. Apologies. But, he wont be seen anywhere till peoples July spirit lives on, Alam wrote as per Daily Bangladesh. Advertisement Awami League BAL must acknowledge and apologise for what Sheikh Mujib and his daughter have done to the people of Bangladesh, starting from Non-democratic 72 constitution to famine, laundering of billions and extrajudicial killings of thousands of dissidents and opponents (72-75, 2009-2024). Then, we can talk about Pre 71 Sheikh Mujib. Without apologies and trials of fascists, there wont be any kind of reconciliation, he added. Alam has been described as the brain behind the student movement that ousted the Sheikh Hasina government in August. The development comes months after the Bangladeshs interim government cancelled a number of holidays linked to Mujibur including the day mourning his assassination, Advertisement According to the press release issued by the Chief Advisors Office, the cancellation of the August 15 holiday was approved in the meeting of the Advisory Council. The sources said the decision came a day after Yunus met with different political parties, excluding the Awami League. Some of them were in favour of keeping the day as a national holiday and some others were opposed to it. The move spurred much criticism from newspapers and political observers in Bangladesh, as per The Print. Bangladesh Adviser for Information and Broadcasting Nahid Islam at the time backed the move. We are not erasing history, but we are rewriting it from a new perspective. What the Awami League established as national days should not be a tool for political dominance. Bangabandhu has been made controversial by the Awami League. He has become a part of their fascist ideology, Islam was quoted as saying by Daily Star. Advertisement The Awami League held power in a fascist manner, suppressing voting rights through enforced disappearances, killings, and even genocide. As a result, their declarationswhether designating someone the Father of the Nation or establishing national dayswill not continue in the new Bangladesh, Islam added. Yunus, who is heading the government, in an interview with Voice of America responded to a question about the museum being burned and the day of mourning being cancelled thus: The past is gone for sure. Now we will build up in new way. People also want that. And this new way means we must bring reforms. Statue toppled, murals defaced, museum set ablaze Advertisement The legacy of Rahman or Mujib, as he was popularly called, lives on in the names of streets, institutions, public landmarks, his fiery speeches made during the struggle for independence, the face of Bangladeshi currency, and till recently in statues and murals. The unprecedented protests precipitated the fall of the previous government as Hasina fled to India on August 5 leaving behind a country in political turmoil. In the wake of her departure, she courted even more public opprobrium, and her fathers legacy too became a prime target as anti-government protesters vented their ire on Rahmans towering statue at Bijoy Sarani in the heart of Dhaka and pulled it down, with images being broadcast on local and international media channels. Public murals depicting Bangabandhu (Friend of Bengal) a sobriquet that characterised the legacy of Bangladeshs first president were also defaced. People climb the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bijoy Sarani area, as they celebrate the resignation of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reuters An angry mob then set a museum on Road 32 in Dhanmondi dedicated to Bangabandhu on fire. The museum was originally Mujiburs private residence, where he was killed along with his family members in a military coup staged by a group of junior officers on August 15, 1975, while Hasina, her two minor children, and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana were in Germany on a short visit_._ When the news of Hasinas resignation circulated, police and officials guarding the residence quickly fled. Thousands of people broke into the house, took everything, and celebrated on the adjacent street, an eyewitness told Daily Star. The fire service did not arrive to control the blaze, so the fire quickly spread to nearby buildings, causing severe damage, the eyewitness added. When the popular uprising in Bangladesh ousted the Hasina-led government, college student Alif Hossain felt the deposed prime minister got what she deserved, but the toppling of the Dhaka statue of Mujibur by protesters on August 5 left him deeply disturbed. It was just wrong. He fought for the liberation of our country, he is the Father of the Nation, our Bangabandhu, how could he be so disgraced in the fit of anger, the Dhaka-based student said. Hasina, 76, resigned as the prime minister on August 5 amid mass protests against her government. The protests, which started last month initially with a demand to end the quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs War of Independence against Pakistan in 1971, later turned into anti-government demonstrations. Abdul Moyeen Khan, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a former Cabinet minister of Bangladesh criticised Hasina and accused her of destroying the several institutions of the country which resulted in this revolt by students that was later supported by the general masses. If she was a real leader, she wouldnt have led the country to drive to that stage, Khan told PTI in an interview in Dhaka on Thursday. Asked if the denigration of Rahmans legacy is undermining the 1971 liberation war, he said, No. It is a continuous process, you have to formulate and reformulate, the human society doesnt remain static at any place. It (recent movement) is not undermining anything, Khan said. But, a section of Bangladeshis feels a palpable fear that Mujibs legacy may be slowly erased or whittled down, an argument countered by pro-protesters who claim that he was given undue space in history by the Awami League government and many controversial facets of his life have not been told to people. Alif Hossain, who studies at a college in Dhaka, however, pleads for a more mature approach to looking at history. In retrospect, we cannot go back and start attacking Mujibur Rahmans legacy. History should not be erased even if it is contested. His daughter (Sheikh Hasina) did wrong things and faced consequences. But, toppling statues and defacing Bangabandhus murals is just plain wrong, he told PTI. Opposite the TSC is the famous Raju Memorial an iconic sculpture mounted on a raised platform located in a traffic roundabout that faces the Suhrawardy Udyan, a national memorial which marks the spot where Rahman had delivered the historic March 7, 1971 speech during the independence struggle. On two Dhaka Metro piers, one on each side of the Raju Memorial, huge murals of Rahman and Hasina were earlier painted. During the agitation, both artworks were defaced by anti-government protesters, and still stand sullied, making a visible dent in Mujibs legacy in Dhaka. The Bangabandhu National Stadium, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre, and the Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka, all carry the name of the founding father of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre, inaugurated in September 2004, was established as a non-formal science educational institution to eradicate superstitions and blind faith from the society and to inculcate positive scientific temper in the mind of people, especially among the students, reads a description on its website. The headquarters of the Awami League is located on Bangabandhu Avenue. The party, formed in 1949, under Rahman had led the struggle for independence of Bangladesh. Its offices were also targeted by anti-government protesters With inputs from agencies Over 40 years before Sanjiv Khanna took the oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India, his uncle, Justice Hans Raj Khanna, was in line for the countrys top legal post in 1977. However, a single judgment by him during Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhis government cost him the position. What was this judgment? read more (Left) Indira Gandhi during her official visit to Paris, November 1971. AFP/File Photo. (Right) Justice Hans Raj Khanna was in line for the CJI post in 1977. Image courtesy: sci.gov.in More than 40 years before his nephew was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India, Justice Hans Raj Khanna was once in line for the countrys highest judicial position in 1977. On Monday, Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st CJI by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice Khanna, who has previously served as a judge in both the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court, will hold this position for a six-month term. Advertisement Back in 1977, his uncle, Justice Hans Raj Khanna, was also a contender for the same role. However, one ruling during the Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhis government eventually denied him the top legal position. ALSO READ | Electoral bonds, Article 370 & more: The key rulings of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the new CJI So, what was this judgment and how did it impact his shot at becoming the CJI of India? Who was Justice Hans Raj Khanna? Born in 1912, Justice Hans Raj Khanna pursued his education in Amritsar before beginning his career as a lawyer. He was appointed as a district and sessions judge in 1952, eventually serving as a judge in the Delhi and Punjab High Courts. In 1971, he became a Supreme Court judge and was considered for the role of Chief Justice of India in 1977. What was the ADM Jabalpur vs Shivkant Shukla case? In his autobiography, Justice Hans Raj Khanna recalled, On the night preceding Baisakhi, i.e., on the night of 12th April, we were sitting in the moonlight in the compound of the bungalow while in front of us flowed the Ganges, serene and beautiful. Sitting there and watching the scene, I told my younger sister, Santosh, I have prepared a judgment which is going to cost me the Chief Justiceship of India. Advertisement Notably, he was referring to the landmark ADM Jabalpur vs Shivkant Shukla case, commonly known as the Habeas Corpus case. The case took place during the Emergency period (1975-1977) when, on Prime Minister Indira Gandhis direction, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed suspended fundamental rights under Article 359. As the people of the country, opposition leaders, and government critics were detained without trial and denied basic rights, they turned to the judiciary. It became the judiciarys role to defend citizens rights, including the Right to Life and Liberty under Article 21. Notably, the High Courts had ruled that, despite the Emergency, citizens could still approach the judiciary. However, the government of PM Indira Gandhi challenged this stance in the Supreme Court, leading to the infamous judgment in the ADM Jabalpur case. Advertisement The bench included Chief Justice AN Ray, and Justices MH Beg, YV Chandrachud, PN Bhagwati, and HR Khanna. Justice Khanna famously dissented from the majority. Representing the Union, Attorney General of India Niren De appeared reluctantly, reportedly pressured into the role as his British wife risked facing residency issues, Live Law said in a report. Eventually, the five-judge Constitution Bench (set up for cases involving important constitutional interpretation) ruled by a 4:1 majority that citizens had no right to seek judicial remedy during an Emergency. A dissenting judgment Justice Khanna argued for the safeguarding of personal liberty, stating that even under Emergency conditions, the rights to life and liberty must remain sacred. Advertisement During the hearing, Justice Khanna asked, In view of his submissions, would there be any remedy if a police officer, because of his personal enmity, killed another man? Attorney General Niren De responded, It may shock your conscience, it may shock my conscience, but consistently with my submissions, no proceedings can be taken in a court of law on that score. Justice Khanna said, Detention without trial is an anathema to all those who love personal liberty. In an article in 1976, The New York Times wrote, If India ever finds a way back to the freedom and democracy that were proud hallmarks of its first eighteen years as an independent nation, someone will surely erect a monument to Justice HR Khanna of the Supreme Court. Advertisement Why Indira Gandhi denied CJI post to Justice Khanna Simply put, Indira Gandhi denied Justice Khanna the role of CJI due to his dissenting judgment in the ADM Jabalpur vs Shiv Kant Shukla case, which challenged her governments stance. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi addresses the crowd of students in New Delhi in December 1971. AFP In 1977, when Chief Justice AN Rays term ended, Justice Khanna, the senior-most judge on the Supreme Court, was passed over for the position. Instead, Justice MH Beg, who had supported the government in the ADM case, was appointed Chief Justice. As a sign of protest, Justice Khanna resigned the same day after he was informed about the decision over the radio. His commitment to defending constitutional rights ultimately cost him the role of Chief Justice. After the 21-month Emergency ended and Indira Gandhis government fell, Justice Khanna was appointed chairman of the Law Commission, a position he held until 1979. He also briefly served as Union Minister of Law and Justice under Prime Minister Charan Singh, though he resigned within three days. In 1982, Justice Khanna stood as the oppositions candidate in the presidential election but lost to Zail Singh. His nephew is now CJI Now, 47 years later, Justice Hans Raj Khannas legacy continues as his nephew, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, takes office as the 51st Chief Justice of India. Justice Sanjiv Khanna is the 51st Chief Justice of India. Image courtesy: sci.gov.in Appointed as a Supreme Court judge in January 2019, CJI Khanna has been part of key decisions, including judgments on the integrity of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the scrapping of the electoral bonds scheme, the abrogation of Article 370, and granting interim bail to former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. A third-generation legal professional, Justice Khanna began his career as a lawyer before he was appointed a judge in the Delhi High Court. He is known for his commitment to reducing case backlogs and speeding up justice delivery He graduated in law from Delhi Universitys Campus Law Centre and joined the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983. Practising initially in Tis Hazari courts and the Delhi High Court, he delivered arguments in several criminal cases as an additional public prosecutor and amicus curiae. He also had an extensive tenure as senior standing counsel for the Income Tax Department and later as standing counsel (civil) for the National Capital Territory of Delhi in 2004. Throughout his judicial career, CJI Khanna also served as executive chairman of the National Legal Service Authority. Peasants and Workers Party of Indias leader late Ganpatrao Deshmukh tops this list as he has won from the seat of Sangola 11 times straight, making him the longest-serving MLA in Maharashtras history read more Anti-incumbency is a natural process that leads to frequent changes in leadership in a particular assembly or constituency. In fact, anti-incumbent leaders work hard to reverse the trend to hold on to their seats. But the dynamics of Indian politics are such that their efforts often go in vain. Maharashtra will go to polls next week and while existing MLAs pull up their sock to secure enough votes to help them stay in power, 12 leaders do not have to worry about leaving office. Advertisement The assembly elections in the third-largest state of India will be a power tussle between the two alliances the ruling Mahayuti and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The upcoming election will be a litmus test for the BJP-led Mahayuti after a poor show in the Lok Sabha elections. Who are the unbeatable MLAs of MH? According to a report by Times of India, there are 12 Members of Legislative Assembly who have defied anti-incumbency with nine of them winning their respective seats for five consecutive years while three have been unbeatable seven times in a row. At least 11 of these MLAs are ready to contest again this year. Peasants and Workers Party of Indias leader late Ganpatrao Deshmukh tops this list as he has won from the seat of Sangola 11 times straight, making him the longest-serving MLA in Maharashtras history. Other leaders who have longer terms include: Congress Balasaheb Thorat for eight terms NCP-SPs Jayant Patil for seven terms NCPs Dilip Walse Patil for seven terms NCPs Ajit Pawar for seven terms BJPs Vijaykumar Gavit for six terms BJPs Girish Mahajan for six terms BJPs Mangal Pratap Lodha for six terms BJPs Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil six terms NCPs Babanrao Shinde for six terms Congress Ranjit Kamble for five terms NCP-SPs Shamrao Pandurang Patil for five terms NCPs Hasan Mushrif for five terms Is anti-incumbency going to play a role in polls? Yes, ant-incumbency is one of the key challenges that the candidates face in a state that is already marred with rampant defections. However, the BJP, which is part of the Mahayuti alliance, is confident that its candidates wont face anti-incumbency. Theres no anti-incumbency as far as the BJP is concerned. The party and the central government have done a fantastic job in Maharashtra under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said BJP candidate Ameet Satam. C China's Henan to build a leading base for NEV industry People's Daily Online) 13:34, November 12, 2024 A development and cooperation matchmaking event for the automobile industry was held in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, on Nov. 9, 2024. During the event, it was revealed that Henan plans to leverage its strategic location, sizable market, human resources advantage, and strong industrial foundation to become a leading hub for the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. Photo shows new energy vehicles on display at the Zhengzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center in Zhenghzou, central China's Henan Province. (Photo/Henan Daily) The automobile industry is an important indicator of a country's industrial strength and capabilities. In recent years, China has been actively working to advance the NEV industry, achieving a transformative shift towards the holistic development of the entire industry supply chain. Currently, Henan has attracted 17 complete vehicle manufacturing companies and over 600 automobile parts manufacturing enterprises above designated size, driving forward the integrated growth of vehicle assembly, parts production, and the aftermarket. In the first three quarters of this year, Henan's total vehicle sales reached nearly 840,000 units, marking an 87.7 percent increase, which was 25 percentage points higher than the national average. During the same period, the province's automobile export trade volume reached 23 billion yuan (about $3.2 billion), increasing 22.3 percent, with electric vehicle exports accounting for 5.2 billion yuan, a 67 percent increase. Henan will focus on five key areas to become a top hub for the NEV industry in China. Expanding vehicle manufacturing scale Focusing on Zhengzhou and the aviation and port district, Henan will support vehicle manufacturers to ramp up production, attract more renowned car companies to invest in the province, promote cooperation among local enterprises, introduce new technologies, and launch new models to further expand market share and enhance competitive advantages. Strengthening industrial support Targeting key components such as electric motors, electronic controls, and batteries, Henan will attract a number of parts manufacturers to steadily increase local component supply and enhance the automotive industry chain and supply chain levels. Increasing open innovation Henan will support leading vehicle manufacturers in setting up R&D institutions in the province to tackle key core technologies in vehicle integration, power batteries, automotive chips, and intelligent connectivity, promoting the transformation of more scientific and technological achievements in Henan. Releasing market potential Henan will optimize policies for vehicle scrapping and replacement, innovate in automotive financial products, improve charging infrastructure networks, accelerate the replacement of public sector vehicles with new energy vehicles, promote the upgrade of automotive consumption, tap into the transport capacity of the China-Europe Railway Express, and accelerate the development of inland river shipping, creating new international channels for exports, and further supporting the export of automobiles. Cultivating a development environment Henan will refine and improve support plans for major automotive projects, model development, technological transformation, and demonstration applications. This will provide integrated support across the entire value chainfrom technological research and development to manufacturing, operations, and the automotive after-marketdriving high-quality development of the automotive industry. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Voting for the first of the two-phase Jharkhand Assembly elections is set to take place on Wednesday, with 1.37 crore out of the total 2,60 eligible voters heading to the polls in 43 constituencies across 15 districts read more Preparations to dispatch EVMs and VVPATs to polling booths for Jharkhand Assembly Elections underway at EVM distribution centres on Tuesday. ANI Voting for the first of the two-phase Jharkhand Assembly elections is set to take place on Wednesday, with 1.37 crore out of the total 2,60 eligible voters heading to the polls in 43 constituencies across 15 districts. A total of 683 candidates - 609 men, 73 women and a third gender person - are vying for 43 seats, including 17 general seats, 20 reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and six for Scheduled Castes, Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar told PTI. Advertisement Prominent names whose fate hangs balance include former Chief Minister Champai Soren, Health Minister Banna Gupta, Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, Geeta Koda (wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda), and Purnima Das, the daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das. 15,344 polling stations set up A total of 15,344 polling stations have been set up for the first phase of elections. Out of them, 12,716 booths are located in rural areas and 2,628 booths in urban areas. Kumar said all preparations for voting have been completed and on Monday polling personnel were sent to 194 polling stations. Polling personnel were sent to the 31 remaining booths on Tuesday. In the first phase, voting will be held from 7 am to 5 pm. However, in 950 booths, the voting time will end at 4 pm, though people standing in the queue at that time will be able to vote. The responsibility of the entire voting process at 1,152 polling stations will be in the hands of women, Kumar said, adding that 24 booths will be manned by handicapped people. He said since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, a total of Rs 179.14 crore worth of illegal material and cash has been seized. Till Monday, 54 cases were registered for violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Key campaigners Star campaigners of both the NDA and INDIA bloc including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi and others canvassed for their respective party nominees during the campaigning. Both the NDA and INDI bloc pulled out all the stops to ensure their victories in the upcoming elections with the former concentrating on infiltration, corruption and scams while the latter focused on tribal rights and welfare issues and how they were being harassed. Advertisement Prime Minister Modi did a mega road show in Ranchi on Sunday which attracted huge crowds. Apart from PM and other senior leaders, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who is BJPs election co-in-charge and several CMs of the saffron party-ruled states did intensive campaigning. JMM executive president and state Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife and JMM legislator Kalpana Soren addressed multiple rallies. Key factors that are likely to influence the election include the BJPs central welfare schemes and the arrest and subsequent bail of Soren by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ruling alliance claims the arrest was politically motivated, as Soren was detained in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land fraud. Advertisement Key players The primary contest in Jharkhand is between the JMM-led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and the BJP-led NDA. Of the 43 seats in the first phase, the JMM is contesting 23, the Congress 17, while Lalu Prasad Yadavs RJD has fielded candidates in five seats, with two of these candidates running against alliance members. Within the NDA, the BJP is contesting 36 seats, while Sudesh Mahtos AJSU has fielded candidates in 4 seats, Nitish Kumars JD(U) in 2 and Chirag Paswans LJP (R) in 1 constituency. What happened in 2019? In the 2019 Assembly elections, the contest was close, with the JMM winning 30 seats and the BJP securing 25, down from 37 in 2014. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance won a comfortable majority with 47 seats. Currently, the strength of the Assembly stands at 74, with the JMM-led ruling alliance comprising 44 members 26 from the JMM, 17 from Congress, and one from RJD. With inputs from agencies A shutdown has been observed since 5 am on Tuesday in Kuki-Zo majority areas in the hills to protest against the killing of suspected insurgents in a gunfight with security personnel read more Security personnel during a search operation and area domination in the vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts of Manipur. PTI Two elderly men from the Meitei community were found dead on Tuesday in Manipurs Jiribam district day after a gunfight between security forces and suspected militants in the area. During a search operation for missing persons, the bodies of Laishram Balen and Maibam Kesho were detected in debris in Jakuradhor Karong area where a few shops were set on fire by suspected militants on Monday, a senior officer said. The two elderly men died after the insurgents torched a few shops in Jakuradhor Karong area, he said. Advertisement Locals said that the two victims were accommodated in a relief camp set up in the police station that was set to provide shelter to residents of nearby villages amid violence in the state. Meanwhile, officials have launched a search operation to find six people who have been reported missing. The district administration has also imposed prohibitory orders to avoid any untoward incident in the area. A shutdown has been observed since 5 am on Tuesday in Kuki-Zo majority areas in the hills to protest against the killing of suspected insurgents in a gunfight with security personnel, another police officer said. The Kuki-Zo Council called for a total shutdown in the hill areas of the state from 5 am to 6 pm on Tuesday to express their collective grief and solidarity who were brutally shot dead. Eleven suspected militants were killed in the fierce gunfight with security forces on Monday after insurgents in camouflage uniforms, armed with sophisticated weapons, fired indiscriminately at a police station and an adjacent CRPF camp in Jiribam district. Two CRPF personnel also sustained injuries during the heavy exchange of fire at Borobekra, and the condition of one of them was stated to be critical, another officer said. Advertisement With inputs from PTI Veteran investor Mark Mobius praised PM Modi on Tuesday for his ability to engage with all sides of the global political spectrum, calling him a leader capable of almost anything and deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, according to a report read more Veteran investor Mark Mobius praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday for his ability to engage with all sides of the global political spectrum, calling him a leader capable of almost anything and deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize. In an interview to IANS news agency, 88-year-old Mobius said that PM Modi has the potential to play a key role as a peacemaker in a world facing significant turmoil, particularly amid the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine. Advertisement PM Modi is a great leader as well as a great human being. Hes a very, very good person. By the way, his role internationally, I think, will grow in importance going forward because he is able to have a dialogue with all sides of the political spectrum globally, and he could become a very important peacemaker going forward, IANS quoted Mobius as saying. Mobius, who is renowned for pioneering the first emerging markets fund, said that when it comes to the Nobel Peace Prize, PM Modi is really capable of almost anything and deserves the global award. Mobius said India has demonstrated its ability to remain neutral and fair, placing it in a strong position to act as a global mediator for peace. PM Modi is very well qualified to be a key mediator in the world today, the veteran investor was quoted as saying. While maintaining neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Modi has consistently pushed for a peaceful resolution, reinforcing Indias commitment to global stability. His visit to Ukraine in August the first by an Indian prime minister since 1992 highlighted Indias proactive role in promoting peace. When asked about similarities between himself and PM Modi, Mobius said, We both focus on looking forward, not looking backwards, and are more optimistic about whats happening globally. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Donald Trumps return to the US presidency has put questions on climate action; however, if India has to safeguard the security of 1.4 billion people, it must look at climate change seriously read more The 29th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP 29) began in Baku, Azerbaijan, and will carry on from November 11 to 22, 2024. After the inaugural, the next two days the world leaders will have the Climate Action summit. Other major issues on the agenda are climate finance, investment, and trade; energy, peace, relief, and recovery; science, technology, and innovation; digitalisation; human capital, children and youth; health and education; food, agriculture, and water; urbanisation, transport, and tourism; and nature and biodiversity, indigenous people, gender equality, and oceans and coastal zones. The last day will be for negotiations and final declaration. Advertisement COP President Sets the Tone Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Republic of Azerbaijan, wrote to all members, emphasising the two pillars of the COP29 Presidencys vision: enhance ambition and enable action. More nations are realising that they have a common interest and duty to play their part and offer their solutions to confront the climate crisis. There have to be non-negotiated action agendas, bringing together state and non-state actors, civil society, indigenous people, youth, and private and philanthropic organisations to achieve ambitious outcomes. Climate change affects everyone differently; extreme heat, water scarcity, and declining water levels have a direct impact on lives and livelihoods. But abundant wind and solar potential can play an important role in the renewable energy landscape, supporting transition to low-emissions and climate-resilient development not only at the national but also at the regional and global level. It is time to lead by example. There is a proposal to look at thematic issues to address digitalisation and tourism and integrate cross-sectorial programming on climate finance, investment, and trade, as well as on human development. Gender equality and youth empowerment will be considered across all themes and initiatives. All climate pillars involve global, regional, national, and subnational groups, take a holistic view of sustainable development, and include all demographics within an inclusive process that delivers inclusive outcomes. These activities are guided by the principles, objectives, and goals of the Convention and the Paris Agreement. COP29 envisages interoperability with existing international frameworks, partnering with UN and international agencies in the development and delivery, and helping to ensure continuity of COP-to-COP legacies. Advertisement It has to be a collective global effort that includes the private sector, academia, NGOs, the UN Task Force for COP29, international organisations, and all parties, constituencies, and non-party stakeholders who provide feedback and ongoing support. It is time to build momentum to enhance ambition, enable action, and move forward in solidarity for a Green world. Climate Change Action is Trump Proof Trumps return to the US presidency has put questions on climate action. Trump is a known climate change denier who has promised to increase fossil fuel production and withdraw the US from the Paris climate deal, among other worrying pledges. Trumps position on climate change has been in the spotlight since he criticised prophets of doom at the World Economic Forum in Davos a few years ago. Trump had dismissed alarmists who wanted to control every aspect of our lives. Yet he expressed the US support for an initiative to plant one trillion trees. So from his words alone, his views on climate change appear contradictoryand confusing. Advertisement He has called climate change mythical, non-existent, or an expensive hoax", but also subsequently described it as a serious subject that is very important to me. There are others who believe that notwithstanding Trumps America First agenda, the US will have to keep supporting climate-related policies, which are gradually garnering global support. The global shift to clean energy is accelerating, and Trumps stopping it will be detrimental to the US. Investment in clean energy has overtaken fossil fuels and will be nearly double investment in coal, oil, and gas in 2024. A lot of clean energy industrial investments have been made in pro-Republican states and Congressional districts. New factories for batteries and electric vehicles cannot be stopped. Trump supporter Elon Musk makes electric vehicles. Many Republican Congress members are on record opposing cuts to clean energy tax credits. Advertisement The US cannot let its competitor, China, dominate global production of electric vehicles, batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels. There will thus be geopolitical pressure. The US, under other presidents, has walked away from global climate agreements before, such as refusing to join the Kyoto Protocol in 2001. In his last presidency, Trump did withdraw the US from some climate commitments; many US state and local governments pushed ahead with climate policies. This could happen this time around too. California, the worlds fifth-largest economy (if it were a nation), has committed to eliminating its greenhouse gas footprint by 2045. Even the highly Republican Texas is leading a shift toward wind and solar power. Trump is bound to carry forward his first presidencys Green New Deal. In October, twin hurricanes in the US, made stronger by the warming ocean, left a damage bill of more than $100 billion. It is presumed that Trump is conscious of this. Advertisement Climate Change and Security Climate change is already a defining challenge for security. A threat multiplier that can aggravate conflict and geopolitical competition. Climate change threatens half of US bases worldwide. Adverse climate also makes it harder for the military to do its job. If India must safeguard the security of 1.4 billion people, it has to look at climate change seriously, mitigate its effects by adapting to it, and engage with the scientific community. The world must reconcile that extreme adverse weather and natural disaster events will increase, and more conflicts will erupt over access to resources and migrations that they may cause. Climate Change Facts Human activity has warmed the atmosphere, land, and oceans. The June-to-August 2023 was the warmest on record globally by a large margin, at 0.66C above average. As per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the last four decades have been warmer than any decade since accurate global temperatures began being recorded in the 1850s. Global surface temperatures were on average 1.09C higher in 2011-2020 than they were in 1850-1900. The 10 warmest years recorded have been after 2010. Average global precipitation over land has increased since 1950. The global sea level increased by 0.20 meters between 1901 and 2018. The average annual Green House Gas (GHG) emissions during 20102019 were higher than any previous decade. Reducing GHG involves reducing fossil fuel usage. As per NASA reports, September Arctic sea ice is now shrinking at a rate of 12.3 percent per decade, compared to its average extent during the period from 1981 to 2010. Relative to 1970, the climate reference glaciers tracked by the World Glacier Monitoring Service have lost a volume of ice equivalent to nearly 25 meters of liquid water, the equivalent of slicing 27.5 meters of ice off the top of each glacier. Himalayan glaciers may lose 75 per cent of ice by 2100, causing dangerous flooding and water shortages for nearly 2 billion people who live downstream of rivers that originate in the Himalayas. Recent research found that Mount Everests glaciers, for example, have lost 2,000 years of ice in just the past 30 years. Absolute salinity is defined as the concentration of dissolved salts in seawater. About 85 per cent of the evaporation and 77 per cent of the precipitation occur over the ocean. Saltier oceans result in increased freezing points, lesser sea ice, and warmer climates, and directly change the width of the habitable zone. Sea surface salinity impacts coastal military stations and equipment. Salinity has issues for mangroves, as in the Sundarbans. There are other climate trends like droughts, heat waves, heavy rainfall, and floods occurring at higher frequencies. Rising sea levels mean land erosion, deforestation, desertification, and the breaking down of agriculture systems. Climate Change and Security Implications Security concerns linked to climate change include impacts on food,water,r and energy supplies, increased competition over natural resources, loss of livelihoods, climate-related disasters, and forced migration and displacement. Security establishments around the world are understanding and adapting to climate change. Assessments are being carried out to understand the impact of climate change on military installations and assets and on missions and operations. Since military forces would have to operate in extreme climatic conditionsvery high or low temperatures, humidity, dust, coastal salinityit could affect both operators and equipment. It would also mean greater demand on the military for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR), and for restoring critical services such as communications, energy, transport, food, and water supply. The Rich Must Take More Responsibility It must be remembered that 1 per cent of the richest generates the same carbon emissions as the 50 per cent of the poorest globally. Rich developing countries have polluted the atmosphere in the last 300 years since the Industrial Revolution. They must take responsibility and support the developing world with technology and funding to go Green. It has to be a global approach. Any funding support by rich nations should be made more democratic and not be tied to political strings. The carbon credit rating system needs to be made more real and implementable. Countries must reaffirm the Paris Agreement goal of limiting the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5C. Human activities have already caused around 1.1C of warming to date. The carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced by 45 per cent this decade to reach net zero around 2050. Developed countries have failed their commitment to deliver $100 billion a year for developing countries. Private financial institutions and central banks announced moves to realign trillions of dollars towards achieving global net zero emissions. The cost of renewable energy has fallen, thus increasing opportunity. Indian Regional Dynamics There are approximately 15,000 glaciers in the Himalayas. Each summer, these glaciers release melting water into the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers. Approximately 500 million people depend upon water from these three rivers. These glaciers, like others in the world, are at risk of melting due to increasing temperatures and erratic weather patterns. Himalayan glaciers may lose 75 per cent of ice by 2100. Glaciers depend on heavy precipitation to replenish ice on an annual basis. Melting glaciers can cause untimely flooding and drought. Melting glaciers also cause landslides. There are river water issues between India and Pakistan and India and Bangladesh. Most rivers start in China. China is unwilling to share hydrological data with India. Extreme weather events like cyclones with higher frequency and severity hit India and Bangladesh, causing loss of life and prosperity. Water salinity affects mangroves in Bangladesh, some of which had to be vacated, causing internal migration. Livelihood affected by climate change results in economic migration, as can be seen from Bangladesh to India. The long-term changes in seawater temperature, acidity, deoxygenation, cyclones, and sea level in the Bay of Bengal impact ocean productivity, habitats, and biological processes. Traditional fisheries are most vulnerable to climate change. Climate warming also affects the inland and coastal aquaculture sectors of the Bay of Bengal. There are fishing disputes between India and Sri Lanka. Indias Renewable Energy As per the Indian Government, Indias total electricity generation capacity has reached 452.69 GW. As of October 2024, renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity stands at 201.45 GW, accounting for 46.3 per cent of the countrys total installed capacity. The percentage is increasing every year, albeit slowly. The remaining 53.7 per cent was through fossil fuels, (46.7 per cent coal, 6 per cent gas, 1 per cent others). The non-fossil includes 11 per cent hydro and 33 per cent solar, wind, etc. Nuclear share was 1.3 per cent. Way Ahead for India Though India began a National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June 2008, not much moved initially due to inter-ministerial frictions. The new government in 2014 announced a slew of new measures to tackle climate change. A Climate Vulnerability Assessment of the country was carried out. Government initiatives to mitigate climate change included the National Water Mission, the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, the National Solar Mission, the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, and the Green India Mission. These now got significant funding. India has 17 per cent of the worlds population but only 4 per cent of the worlds water. Climate change directly affects the availability of water. India is trying to assist states in the Himalayan region with the implementation of actions selected for sustainable development. Solar power installed capacity has reached around 70.10 GW as of June 30, 2023. The National Mission on Sustainable Habitat has a potential for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions amounting to 270 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2031. The Green India Mission launched in 2014 aims to protect, restore, and enhance Indias diminishing forest cover. As of 2021, the total forest cover in India was 80.9 million hectares, which is 21.71 per cent of the total geographical area. The target is to increase by 5 million hectares (mha) and improve the quality of forest/tree cover on another 5 mha of forest/non-forest lands. Indias ranking in the Climate Change Performance Index 2024 was seventh position, forward from eighth spot in CCPI 2023. Interestingly, due to the absence of countries in the first three spots, India effectively stands fourth in global climate performance. Also, in the per capita GHG category, the country is on track to meet a benchmark of well below 2C. India secured the tenth spot in climate policy. The very responsible India will meet 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable sources and increase non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by the end of 2030. India will decrease the total projected carbon emissions by one billion metric tonnes by 2030. India will achieve a target of net zero emissions by the year 2070. The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Accusing India and the declaration of Indian diplomats as persons of interest without any hard evidence while denouncing the claims of Chinas interference in Canadian elections show double standards of the Canadian prime minister read more Tensions right now are at an all-time high between India and Canada, and New Delhi has made it clear that its patience with Canada is on very thin ice.. File Photo- FP As tensions continue to escalate between Canada and India, a most inflammatory climax of sorts was reached on November 3, as a group of pro-Khalistan supporters attacked a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, during the sacred Diwali weekend. It was not the first pro-Khalistan exhibitions of power and intimidation in Brampton either, with previous shows and parades and even a celebration of Indira Gandhis assassination in the recent past. This was, after all, to be expected after so many months of Canadas diplomatic showdown with India, a democratic ally. This has quite predictably led to a Canadian government enabling free passes to pro-Khalistan groups to carry out their violent, tyrannical, and oppressive actions against Hindus in Canada. Advertisement All this over the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist, officially categorised as a terrorist by the Indian Government, in Canada. Canada, in a shocking international diplomatic incident, has had the insolence and audacity to suggest that the Indian High Commissioner in Canada and other high-level diplomats are persons of interest regarding a crime committed in the country. That too, without a single shred of evidence, apart from vague insinuations of intel. India has clapped back, rightfully alleging that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus actions seem motivated by vote bank politics. Since his term of office began in 2015, electoral vote banks have encouraged Canadian political parties to follow a policy of appeasement towards the Sikh community due to their significant financial political donations. Under Trudeau, pro-Khalistan emotions and actions have been leveraged for political gain. Post the 2015 general elections in Canada, when the Liberal Party achieved a majority of 184 seats in the Parliament, there were 18 Sikhs amongst them, 4 of whom were appointed to the Cabinet. The growing representation of Sikhs in Parliament and their considerable financial muscle has now led to a particularly biased engagement of this community by Trudeau and his government. India has since a long time been asking Western governments to crack down on the Khalistan separatist movement, but their pleas have mostly been ignored since the movement does not directly target them. However, the West does not realise that the Khalistan movement in the 1980s in India was one of the deadliest in independent India and claimed over 25,000 lives. Advertisement Canada, of course, has a long history of harbouring extremists, terrorists, and propagators of organised crime. In 1982, they refused to extradite Talwinder Singh Parmar, the founder of the Babbar Khalsa International Terrorist group responsible for the bombing of Air India Flight 182. The extradition request incidentally was denied by Justin Trudeaus father, Pierre Trudeau. In 1987, Canada and India concluded a bilateral extradition agreement that allowed the requested state to refuse extradition if it was a political offence or not made in good faith. This included offences such as hostage-taking and terrorism. There were repeated pleas made to the Canadian government regarding the extradition of Sikh extremist Nijjar, which were never fulfilled. Advertisement The absolute refusal to extradite a terrorist raises several questions regarding double standards and realpolitik. However, leaving politics and personal ambition aside, does Trudeau understand the full repercussions of his actions? Does he realise that he is putting Canadian citizens at risk? Indo-Canadians in Canada, as well as Canadians across the world, in such a highly charged political environment? In Canada, local Hindus are now terrified of going out in pro-Khalistan hotbeds such as Brampton and Surrey. Not an unfounded fear at all, going by all the recent violence. The fear amongst Indo-Canadians is palpable, which is an obvious outcome if the prime minister of the country is publicly saying things to the effect of, India is bad, India is dangerous, they are sending criminal gangs. Advertisement Also, it has now become necessary to acknowledge the double standards of Trudeau here. The Globe & Mail recently revealed that two of Trudeaus top aides, Nathalie Drouin and David Morrison, both Federal officials, leaked classified intelligence on India to the Washington Post. What exactly this intelligence said or proved is anyones guess, apart from shadowy aspersions and allegations. The same Trudeau denounced leaks on China, terming them illegal. It is now widely recognised that Beijing has clandestinely and deceptively been interfering with the Canadian elections in 2019 as well as 2021. The interference was allegedly favouring candidates that aligned with Beijings strategic interests, discouraging support for the Conservative Party, which is widely regarded as anti-China. Advertisement The CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) revealed these findings in their 2023 report. A Trudeau minority government, which was Chinas desired outcome in Canada, was, of course, achieved. This is also the same Trudeau who dialled up Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein to condemn Hamas attacks against Israel while also reaffirming Canadas support for Israel and their right to defend themselves against acts of terror. Words about India were also sneaked in, regarding the diplomatic ties between the two countries and the importance of the rule of law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. He also called up UAE President Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahain yet again to condemn Hamas actions and provide an update about Canadas ongoing diplomatic tussle with India. It is almost laughablethe hypocrisy here. Calling up leaders in the Middle East and showing concern about a war at their doorstep, but also inserting a childlike complaint along the lines of, Hey, do you know what Indias doing to us? So what is Trudeau playing at? It is a question that demands to be asked, even in the name of patriotism and good governance. His extreme and, at times, irrational hostility towards India has long been in evidence. His cabinet has long included individuals who have openly extremist and harmful intent towards India. His stark and unqualified interference in Indian internal politics, especially in December 2020, was ludicrously outrageous and displayed his real intentions quite clearly. His expulsion of top Indian diplomats and allegations against the Indian High Commission will also no doubt lead to a breakdown of visa processes for citizens, travellers, and Overseas Citizen of India card holders, as communications have halted between the two High Commissions. Tensions right now are at an all-time high between India and Canada, and New Delhi has made it clear that its patience with Canada is on very thin ice. One thing has to be made crystal clear to Trudeau and whomever it may concern: It is not the Sikh community in Canada that India has a problem with; it is the Khalistani terrorists, who are a threat to Indias national security. The author is a freelance journalist and features writer based out of Delhi. Her main areas of focus are politics, social issues, climate change and lifestyle-related topics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. When Chinese have been working feverishly in establishing bases off Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Madagascar and have a full-fledged naval establishment in Eritrea, the strategic importance of Diego Garcia for India and the US is fully established read more India and Mauritius have been cooperating in the infrastructure development of Agalega Island, which can be a strategic asset for India. New Delhi has been negotiating unsuccessfully with the Seychelles for a military facility. Both were part of the British Indian Ocean Territory in possession of Mauritius, which also owned the key Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia. These sea and air bases did not play any significant role in the two continental World Wars but came into prominence later during the Cold War. The British had detached the strategically vital islands like Diego Garcia in the Chagos archipelago before granting independence to Mauritius. In turn, the British leased Diego Garcia to the Americans as a symbol of their special relations for indefinite use. The agreement on October 3, 2024, between the UK and Mauritius, while handing over full sovereignty of the nearly 60 islands, has retained sovereignty over Diego Garcia for another 99 years and till it is no longer required. The carte blanche ensures the UK-US alliance keeps the vital strategic base of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Advertisement India is on the correct side in geo-politics, its strategy of hedging and strategic autonomy ensures it enjoys the best of both worlds. The recent mending of relations with China is but a baby step in easing tensions along the Himalayas that will not remove adversarial relations, which will grow. Sea control of the Indian Ocean from the two choke pointsthe Suez Canal and Malacca Straitsis paramount for India to balance its insufficiency of deterrence along the Line of Actual Control. Acquisition of a base in the Seychelles along with Agalega will ensure command of the western entry point to the Indian Ocean. India already dominates the Malacca Straits, which is the Chinese dilemma. A friendly regime in Seychells like the Jugnauth family in Mauritius would have helped. India-Mauritius relations excel all others in Indias extended neighbourhood. After Nepal and India, Mauritius is the third Hindu majority country, but its internal fault lines are complicated. Bilateral relations took an upswing in 1984 when Indira Gandhi chose Maj Gen J (Juggy) N Taimni as Mauritiuss first Indian National Security Advisor. Since then, in the selection of the majority of NSAs, there has been Indian cooperation at the highest tier. South Africa and China are also heavily invested in Mauritius. Prime Minister Anerood and Pravinal Jugnauth sought Indias help in securing the new deal with the UK. Agalega Islands is where a jetty and air strip have been constructed by India, which is part of its strategic dominance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). In the 1980s, India had sought international consensus on making the Indian Ocean a zone of peace, while Sri Lanka canvassed to get the Indian Ocean declared a zone of peace. Advertisement Before granting independence to Mauritius in 1966, the UK had bought off the Chagos archipelago for GBP 600,000, a princely sum at the time. In 1973, it paid GBP 650,000 to settle those removed from the Chagos Islands, and in 1982, another GBP 4000,000 was awarded for Chagosians. But Britains legal problems with Chagosians are not over as the UN General Assembly and UN Human Rights Commission are involved. Before retaining control of Diego Garcia, the UK displayed uncanny strategic foresight east of Suez over the strategic network of islands around Diego Garcia. Although Diego Garcia played no significant part during World War I and II, its importance came into the spotlight after the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan. The US had built Diego Garcia into a formidable military base to prosecute its operations in the Middle East, the Gulf area, and monitoring sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean. Operation Enduring Freedom (against Taliban and world terrorism) from 2001 onwards and Operation Iraqi Freedom against Saddam Hussein from 2003 onwards were fought from Diego Garcia. Advertisement The discovery of Diego Garcia was more by accident than design. It was, no one is sure, either Dutch or Portuguese who stumbled upon it, though the British did the first survey and mapping. James Lancaster, while on a voyage to India in 1602, got stuck in the reefs around Chagos in Diego Garcia and was happy to get to open ocean again. During World War I, Anglo-German rivalry played out in the Indian Ocean when the German warship Emden entered the lagoon, which was unfortified at the time, and the small British garrison was unaware that the war had started. Both the Germans and the Brits exchanged warmth and generosity instead of hostility, and Emden, after rest and resupply, sailed out with ceremonial send-off. The wireless set in Diego Garcia was non-functional as Emden played havoc in Singapore and elsewhere till it was destroyed by coastal guns off India. Advertisement Former President Mohamad Nasheed wrote in October 2024 in an Indian newspaper that Diego Garcia and the Chagos group were owned by the Sultans of the Maldives, and till as late as the 1930s, they would send expeditions south to Diego Garcia and other Chagos islands to mark and count coconuts with the Sultans seals. They were the first to plant coconuts, and in a book on Diego Garcia, The Peak of Limuria by Richard Edes, it is noted that 7,000 coconuts were needed to produce one tonne of copra, which produced 11 hundred weights of crude oil. That was one hell of an effort in producing energy. Advertisement The strategic importance of Diego Garcia is fully established, as it will continue to play a key role in domination of the Indian Ocean Region as a key pivot. The Chinese have been working feverishly in establishing bases off Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Madagascar and have a full-fledged naval establishment in Eritrea. But nothing will match the outreach and location of Diego Garcia. It is for that reason that India is working hard but quietly with the US for use of this facility. Now that Trump will be the new president, will he oblige? The author is former GOC IPKF South Sri Lanka and founder member Defence Planning Staff, now Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. America in the future will be a very different country from the nation Biden and Trump leave behind read more US President Donald Trumps pick of JD Vance as his vice presidential running mate surprised the Republican faithful. Who exactly was JD Vance? They found out soon enough. Vance had written a bestselling book in 2016 Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis that caught Trumps eye. It was about the White American underclass left out of the American dream. The book touched a raw nerve in a demographic disdained by the New York and Silicon Valley elite as rustic hillbillies. Its this demographic that helped lift Trump to a 312-226 landslide victory over Kamala Harris on November 5. Vance is the demographics poster boy. Advertisement What happens now? Trump is busy building his transition team. He meets outgoing President Joe Biden on Wednesday, November 13, to smoothen the handover of power on January 20, 2025, when Trump officially takes office as the 47th president of the US. Trump isnt wasting any time though. He has ruled out giving Nikki Haley a position in his new administration. Haley endorsed Trump during his campaign but had criticised him sharply during the Republican primary debates which Trump boycotted. Trump never forgets a slight. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had sent 100 Labour party strategists to the US to help Kamalas campaign, angering Republicans. Starmer was quick to try and repair the damage by phoning Trump after his landslide win, emphasising the US-UK special relationship. None of this impressed Vance. During the election campaign he mocked Britain as the worlds first truly Islamist state with nuclear weapons. Trump will be 82 when the next US presidential election rolls along in November 2028. He cant run for president again. The US Constitution limits presidential terms to two. While a vengeful Trump will spend part of his second term sacking the anti-Trump bureaucracy in the administration and placing ideologues in key positions in his cabinet, Vance will be the man to watch. By 2026 the Republican party will start looking for Trumps potential successor in the 2028 presidential election. Campaigning for that will begin as early as November 2026 when the next round of Congressional midterm elections is over. Advertisement While Republicans have several presidential aspirants, Vance is clearly among the favourites. At 40, he is young. He has a charismatic Indian wife, Usha Chilukuri. At 38, she is a respected attorney. Racist gene Trumps victory has, however, unleashed the racist gene in America. The Washington Post reported the outpouring of racist invective: The FBI and authorities in several states are investigating racist text messages sent to Black people nationwide this week saying they would be brought to plantations to work as enslaved people and pick cotton. People in at least a dozen states and Washington have received the messages, according to authorities and local news media. Advertisement Alyse McCall, a Black freshman attending the University of Alabama, received a racist text as she was returning from class. She said, I received a message saying that Im going to be picked up in a brown van and Im going to be sent to the nearest plantation. The message told McCall that she was selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation and to gather her belongings and to prepare to be picked up in the afternoon by Executive Slaves. Black people throughout the country reported receiving similar messages, which varied in wording but all ordered their recipients to report to a plantation and work in slavery. Some messages appeared to imitate the character of an enslaved person, according to Fox 5 in Atlanta. Other texts claimed they were addressed from Trump supporters. Advertisement Is this the America Trump and Vance want to create? The new Trump cabinet will seek to be cosmetically inclusive with several Indian-American faces in senior positions. Tulsi Gabbard, a former lawmaker who is a practising Hindu, may get an important portfolio. But it is Vance who bears watching. A passage from his book Hillbilly Elegy written eight years ago when he was 32 years old reflects his troubled background: And this was it. We had nothing now. My mom had disappeared again, and it was just Mamaw and me, near starving. But I was determined to make a choice about my future not just sit here and die. So I took the one rifle we had off the rack and searched the drawers for ammo. One bullet was all I could find. Advertisement What is it, J.D.? Mamaw asked as she sat in her rocking chair. Were going to eat tonight, I told her, keeping back my tears. So I went out onto our barren land, hoping to find something anything to keep us going. And there it was. A lone rabbit sitting in a field. So I took that rifle and aimed, lining up what was literally the last shot for me and my family. Americas underclass Many in the American underclass believe they have been sidelined by mainstream America. They fear that the US is changing colour more quickly than most people realise. They are original White US immigrants themselves but rage against new immigrants, especially Hispanics and Asians. They dont differentiate between legal immigrants who bring skill and value to America and illegal immigrants who they say are a burden on American taxpayers. Whites today make up around 65 per cent of the US population. The ratio is falling by roughly one per cent a year due to a lower fertility rate among White families and a surge in coloured immigration. At this pace, Whites will be a minority in the US by as early as 2040. That will turn American politics on its head. Opponents of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity) like Tesla founder Elon Musk and hedge fund activist-billionaire Bill Ackman say DEI discounts merit. They promote an alternative framework dubbed MEI (Merit, Excellence, Intelligence). This is seen by coloured Americans as code for exclusion and racism. Trump himself is a transactional politician. As one Trump team member quipped, you can negotiate anything with him. Vance isnt transactional. He has strong views born out of his background. In 2026, when Republican contenders for the 2028 presidential election start lining up, Vance could see a few Indian faces like Vivek Ramaswamy (another Trump favourite) ranged against him. Vance vs Vivek for the 2028 Republican nomination? One is a self-made Indian-American millionaire. The other has risen from the harsh realities of underclass America to the US vice presidency. America in the future will be a very different country from the nation Biden and Trump leave behind. The writer is an editor, author and publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. In Trumps new strategic geopolitical balance sheet, India is a valuable asset, while Pakistan is a manageable liability read more The return of Donald Trump as the US president is a bad news for Pakistan, as American strategy shifts uncomfortably and unpredictably fast. Once indispensable for its geographic position near Afghanistan and the Islamic nuclear nation, Pakistan, is becoming less relevant for Trump and far more crucial for the CIA. This shift underscores two principal motivations: the US will seek to undercut China on all fronts, and India will seek a bargain to undercut Pakistan. Advertisement Pakistan risks becoming a footnote. For Pakistans Chinese client, its a deer in the headlights moment. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is in Trumps sights. Greater political instability in Balochistan is a given. The belt could well become a noose. For the US to take on China meaningfully, it must provide India strategic depth and free-up capability. This involves a choice; India cannot seriously counterbalance China without a freed-up Western front. In Trumps new strategic geopolitical balance sheet, India is a valuable asset, while Pakistan is a manageable liability. As financial pressure mounts, Pakistans economy appears vulnerable to an outsized reliance on external help. Pakistan has often been bailed out by the IMF, but Trumps Washington will not be as accommodating. The IMF will no longer be the familiar lifeline to which Islamabad could turn without incurring painful structural reforms. The US basically has a strong influence over the IMF, and for Pakistan, this may be troublesome. For the CIA, however, Pakistans importance is as acute as ever. Although Trump may deprioritise the nation on a broader diplomatic level, the agency understands that Pakistan, along with neighbouring Afghanistan, remains the breeding ground for extremist networks. Another major attack on American soil originating from this region would be catastrophic. Under Trumps watch, the CIA is likely to turn to festering federal unrest in Pakistan. So Balochistan teeters on the rangers edge. Trumps campaign against Chinese influence could pour fuel on the Balochistan freedom fires. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects are criss-crossing Balochistan. Destabilising Balochistan disrupts Chinese supply lines and CPEC investments, indirectly serving Americas strategy. The nuclear leverage Pakistans nuclear arsenal complicates this geopolitical chess game. It is the lone asset that assures its relevance. As Trump seeks to dismantle Chinese influence and embolden India, Pakistans military nuclear capability offers it some bargaining room. Advertisement In the end, Pakistans trajectory under Trumps scrutiny resembles that of a misbehaving student finally summoned to the headmasters office. The familiar indulgence will be absent; Americas patience, for now, is thin. In Trumps restructured Asia, Pakistan will have little choice but to behaveor risk being shown the door. The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Leaks surrounding the iPhone SE 4 suggest several major improvements. The iPhone SE 4 is likely to stick with a single-lens setup for it camera. However, the performance upgrades are expected to be substantial. read more While theres still some debate about whether the device will feature a traditional notch or Apples newer Dynamic Island design, it is clear that the phone will have a more modern aesthetic. Image Credit: X/Appltrack Apple appears to be gearing up for the launch of the iPhone SE 4, with expectations rising for an announcement in March. The latest developments come from South Korean site AjuNews, which reports that LG Innotek will begin mass production of the phones camera modules this December. The report quotes sources familiar with the matter, who note that LG Innotek typically starts manufacturing iPhone camera parts about three months before the phones launch. If this timeline holds true, the iPhone SE 4 could be set to make its debut in early spring. Advertisement This aligns with previous forecasts, including one from industry leaker Mark Gurman, who in October suggested that the phone would arrive sometime between March and June. Leaks surrounding the iPhone SE 4 suggest several major improvements. The iPhone SE 4 is likely to stick with a single-lens setup for its camera. However, the performance upgrades are expected to be substantial. Rumours point to the inclusion of Apples powerful A17 Pro chipset and 8GB of RAM, which would deliver a considerable boost in speed and efficiency compared to the current iPhone SE model. This would position the iPhone SE 4 as a powerful option within Apples budget range, appealing to consumers looking for high performance without the premium price tag. Another notable change would be the supposed larger 6.1-inch display, a significant jump from the 4.7-inch screen found on the 2022 model. While theres still some debate about whether the device will feature a traditional notch or Apples newer Dynamic Island design, it is clear that the phone will have a more modern aesthetic. Advertisement With production details getting more concrete by the day, and previous leaks aligning with this schedule, all eyes are on March as a potential launch window for Apples latest affordable iPhone. As anticipation builds, the upcoming months are likely to provide more insights into what this new release will offer. A Montana man has been sentenced to six months in prison for trafficking a clone of a near-threatened Marco Polo argali sheep. The case has triggered debates about wildlife law and the ethics of animal cloning read more In a bizarre livestock crime involving cloned animals, a Montana man has been sentenced to six months in prison for trafficking a clone of a near-threatened Marco Polo argali sheep. The case, which is only the second of its kind in the United States, has highlighted concerns about the implications of cloning technology in wildlife trafficking. Court documents reveal that a man named Arthur Schubarth illegally brought parts of a Marco Polo argali sheep into the US from Kyrgyzstan. In 2015, he reportedly hired a lab to create a cloned version of the sheep, naming it Montana Mountain King (MMK). Advertisement Using MMKs genetic material, Schubarth allegedly bred numerous sheep with partial argali genetics, selling the offspring to big game hunting enthusiasts. The legal fallout from these activities has revealed the extent of the operation, with potentially dozens of hybrid sheep now scattered across the US The scale of Schubarths cloning efforts is astonishing. According to one court document, at least 26 ewes were brought to his ranch for insemination in 2018, with another 48 arriving a year later. Additional records indicate that in 2020, 43 more sheep were transported for breeding. Some of the offspring were sold for thousands of dollars, including a sheep named Montana Black Magic, fetching $10,000. Legal filings further allege the sale of a hybrid sheep to a buyer in South Dakota, but the whereabouts of many of these hybrids remain unknown. While MMK himself has been secured at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York, where he will be displayed starting mid-November, the fate of his progeny is uncertain. Four men implicated in the case have signed plea agreements requiring them to quarantine any hybrid sheep and relinquish property rights, allowing the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to neuter the animals and mandate autopsies upon their deaths. The case has triggered debates about wildlife law and the ethics of animal cloning. Chris Tenoglia, attorney for one defendant, explained that his client euthanised nine crossbred sheep to prevent accidental breeding. Another defendant, Riley Niewenhuis, was sentenced to probation and fined but is reportedly adhering to government demands to manage the hybrid sheep responsibly. Advertisement Wildlife crime expert Monique Sosnowski noted that such cases raise unique questions about cloning, including whether hybrids should be classified as endangered or invasive species. With cloning technology advancing and becoming more accessible, concerns are growing over potential ecological impacts. Industry representatives, like Blake Russell from ViaGen Pets, stress the importance of regulatory compliance and vigilance in the cloning sector. As cloning gains popularity, experts predict that wildlife laws will need to evolve rapidly to address emerging challenges. Under the current Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), companies can import electric vehicles at reduced customs duties if they commit to certain investment and localisation targets read more Currently, eligible companies are allowed to import EVs costing $35,000 or more at a reduced customs duty rate of 15 per cent, compared to much higher regular rates. They can import up to 8,000 cars annually under these terms, with any unused import allowances being rolled over to the following year. Image Credit: Reuters The Indian government is revisiting its electric vehicle (EV) import scheme in an effort to reinvigorate interest among global automakers, including Tesla and other major international players. According to a report from the Economic Times, a workshop is being organised for companies interested in importing premium EVs at reduced tariffs. The aim of this initiative is to collect feedback and understand the limited uptake of the scheme, which was originally introduced with high hopes. Advertisement Last year, India rolled out the scheme to boost the import and local production of high-end electric cars by offering lowered import duties. The government had aimed to attract top-tier EV manufacturers, especially Tesla, which had shown interest in entering the Indian market if import tariffs were eased. Despite this, the response has been lukewarm, prompting the government to take further steps to engage stakeholders and reassess the policy. Under the current Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), companies can import electric vehicles at reduced customs duties if they commit to certain investment and localisation targets. Specifically, companies must invest at least $500 million (about 4,150 crore) over five years, either by setting up EV factories or establishing charging infrastructure. Furthermore, the scheme mandates that firms achieve 25 per cent domestic value addition within three years, increasing to 50 per cent within five years. Eligible companies are allowed to import EVs costing $35,000 or more at a reduced customs duty rate of 15 per cent, compared to much higher regular rates. They can import up to 8,000 cars annually under these terms, with any unused import allowances being rolled over to the following year. Despite these incentives, the high investment and localisation demands have deterred many companies from committing to the scheme. Advertisement The upcoming workshop, scheduled for later this month, will give interested companies a chance to better understand the scheme and voice their feedback. This round of discussions follows a previous round of consultations in April 2024, where major automakers such as Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, BMW, and Mercedes participated. Teslas representative in India, The Asia Group, was also in attendance. However, despite several discussions, only a few companies had shown any enthusiasm for the scheme, which raised questions about its effectiveness. The government is hoping that the renewed consultations will shed light on whether further incentives are needed or if policy adjustments could make participation more attractive. As key players like Tesla and VinFAST keep a close watch on how the scheme evolves, the governments actions in the coming months could play a crucial role in shaping Indias EV market and encouraging broader international investment. Advertisement The treaty, finalised by a UN committee in August, outlines measures for countries to collect and share data on suspects, ease the extradition of cybercriminals, and confiscate crime-related proceeds. It also mandates digital service providers to retain and share sensitive user data read more UNs Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, have expressed grave concerns. They argue that the treatys overly broad definition of cybercrime could be exploited to target journalists, activists, and dissidents. Image Credit: Freepik The United States is expected to support a contentious international cybercrimes treaty that critics warn could undermine global cybersecurity and enable mass surveillance. Reports suggest that the Biden administration is likely to back the treaty, despite warnings from human rights groups and businesses about its potential misuse by authoritarian regimes. The treaty, finalised by a United Nations committee in August, seeks to improve international collaboration in combating cybercrime. It outlines measures for countries to collect and share data on suspects, ease the extradition of cybercriminals, and confiscate crime-related proceeds. Advertisement The treaty also mandates digital service providers to retain and share sensitive user data, such as real-time web traffic, subscriber details, and message contents, with law enforcement upon legal request. These data requests are required to remain confidential. However, human rights advocates, including the UNs Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, have expressed grave concerns. They argue that the treatys overly broad definition of cybercrime could be exploited to target journalists, activists, and dissidents. The provisions could extend to tech-related offences like cyber-libel or incitement, which have previously been weaponised against protestors in some countries. Critics point out that, although the treaty includes a clause stating it should not be used to suppress human rights, the language is vague and may fail to prevent abuse. Human Rights Watchs Executive Director, Tirana Hassan, has cautioned that the treaty could become a powerful tool for governments to conduct widespread surveillance across borders without sufficient checks. The worry is that it might open the door to cross-border investigations of a wide range of offences, lacking adequate safeguards to protect individuals from state overreach. Advertisement The tech industry has also raised alarms. Microsofts Director of Digital Diplomacy, Nemanja Malisevic, stressed that the treaty prioritises data access and surveillance under the guise of fighting cybercrime. He argued that the agreement threatens data privacy, digital sovereignty, and online freedoms, with insufficient measures to curb potential government abuses. Despite these objections, the US appears set to vote in favour of the treaty at the United Nations. However, ratifying the treaty domestically would require approval by two-thirds of the Senate, a significant challenge that may prevent full US implementation. The outcome of this international vote could have far-reaching implications, especially concerning how data privacy and digital rights are balanced against the need for enhanced global cybersecurity. Advertisement With drones often being a low-cost yet lethal danger to troops stationed abroad, an AI-driven weapons system, like ACS AI-powered machine gun is being considered as a game-changer for military defences across the world read more Military leaders, especially in the Middle East, have been raising alarms about the ease with which commercial drones can be weaponised, making them a top security concern. Representative Image. The US Army is looking into a new, cutting-edge solution to tackle the escalating threat of drone attacks, and its not what youd expect. Enter the Bullfrog, an AI-powered, precision-focused machine gun that could revolutionise how American forces defend against these increasingly common unmanned aerial threats, as per a report by the Wired. With drones often being a low-cost yet lethal danger to troops stationed abroad, this AI-driven system is being considered as a game-changer for military defences. Advertisement This sleek new tech was showcased at the Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) event, where the Department of Defense gave it a serious test run. Developed by Allen Control Systems (ACS), the Bullfrog is a robotic gun system that combines a 7.62-mm M240 machine gun with advanced sensors and proprietary AI. Its job? To track and take down drones with accuracy that puts even the best sharpshooters to shame. Imagine a robotic turret locking onto small, zippy drones and downing them with just a couple of well-aimed shots thats the power the Bullfrog promises. Pentagon officials seemed pretty impressed with the Bullfrogs performance, highlighting how well it performed during trials. This isnt just about bragging rights; its a potentially vital shift in how the US military could counter drone threats on the battlefield. If adopted, this would mark the first known lethal autonomous weapon in the Pentagons arsenal, though it would still come with a human operator to pull the trigger. The gun may be able to track and target autonomously, but firing still requires human approval at least for now. ACS has made it clear that full autonomy is on the table if the US military ever wants to go in that direction, the Wired reported. Shooting down drones isnt as easy as it sounds, especially since theyre small, quick, and hard to hit. The US military has been exploring all kinds of options to make traditional firearms more effective, from developing new types of ammunition to attaching jammers that scramble drones signals. Even training has evolved to make counter-drone tactics a routine skill for soldiers. But ACS has taken a different approach. Rather than relying on humans or modifying current weapons, the company is betting on AI and robotics to do the heavy lifting. ACS cofounder and CEO Steve Simoni, who has a background as a Navy engineer, saw an opportunity for a smarter, more robotic approach to drone defence. The widespread use of drones during the Russia-Ukraine conflict demonstrated just how crucial this kind of tech could be, with Ukrainian soldiers sometimes resorting to firing AK-47s skyward in desperation. Simoni and his team figured there had to be a more efficient way, and so the Bullfrog was born. The system is capable of downing small drones at distances of up to 200 yards with pinpoint accuracy, something that would be nearly impossible for a human to achieve. Advertisement Gun turrets are nothing new, of course. The Navy has used the Phalanx CIWS for years to defend ships from missile threats, and remotely operated turrets are common on many combat vehicles. Israel has also used AI-powered guns in a bid to maintain its control over the West Bank. However these existing systems are usually huge and cumbersome. The Bullfrog, on the other hand, is compact, weighing under 400 pounds, making it ideal for more agile platforms like tactical vehicles. Instead of spraying bullets in a frantic burst, this system focuses on precision, saving ammo and creating an efficient, layered defence network for troops. Advertisement The autonomy of the Bullfrog does stir up some ethical questions, though. US Military planners are always wary about letting machines make life-or-death decisions. While a human currently oversees the Bullfrogs operations to ensure there are no rogue attacks, the potential for full autonomy exists. The debate about whether the US military should hand over lethal capabilities to machines is far from settled, but for now, the human-in-the-loop policy remains a priority. The Bullfrogs debut at T-REX couldnt have come at a better time. The Pentagon has been heavily investing in counter-drone technologies under its Replicator initiative. This programme is focused on rapidly developing affordable and effective defences as drone threats become more sophisticated and widespread. Advertisement Military leaders, especially in the Middle East, have been raising alarms about the ease with which commercial drones can be weaponised, making them a top security concern. A tragic reminder of this came earlier in the year when a drone attack on a US outpost in Jordan killed three American service members, underscoring the urgent need for better defences. The challenge lies in finding cost-effective solutions. Many existing methods, such as missile defence systems or directed energy weapons, are either too expensive or still experimental. Thats where the Bullfrog stands out. By using standard bullets rather than high-cost munitions, it could offer a more budget-friendly way to defend against drones. ACS is confident that their AI-driven precision will make the system highly efficient without the logistical headaches of laser or microwave technology. Advertisement ACS isnt stopping here. The company has ambitious plans to keep improving the Bullfrog, aiming for even greater range and smarter targeting capabilities. The ultimate vision is to create a network of autonomous turrets that can coordinate fire and protect moving convoys, even in challenging conditions like bumpy roads. Its a glimpse into what future warfare might look like, where robots equipped with advanced AI handle the dirty work while human operators focus on strategic decisions. Despite the excitement surrounding the Bullfrog and the potential for a new era of autonomous weapons, sceptics continue to voice concerns about the unpredictability of AI systems. The idea of robots making split-second decisions in a chaotic battlefield doesnt sit well with everyone, and the implications of fully autonomous weapons are still a grey area. But as drone threats become more sophisticated and frequent, the US militarys interest in these robotic defences is only set to grow. If the Bullfrog lives up to its promises, it could be a significant player in shaping the future of battlefield tech. The announcement to appoint Kamil comes days after the external affairs ministrys point-person for Afghanistan held talks with the Talibans acting defence minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, in Kabul. read more The Taliban regime has appointed Ikramuddin Kamil as the acting consul in the Afghan mission in Mumbai, in the first such appointment in India after it captured power in Afghanistan more than three years ago. In Kabul, the Taliban foreign ministry announced the appointment of Kamil, who studied in India for seven years. The announcement comes days after the external affairs ministrys point-person for Afghanistan held talks with the Talibans acting defence minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, in Kabul. Advertisement There was no official comment on the development from the Indian side. However, government sources indicated that New Delhi will accept Kamils appointment. A young Afghan student, who the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is familiar with and who has studied in India for seven years while completing his doctorate from the South Asia University on an MEA scholarship, has agreed to function as a diplomat in the Afghan consulate, a source said. As far as his affiliation or status is concerned, for New Delhi, he is an Afghan national working for Afghans in India, it said. The Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported on Monday that Kamil is currently in Mumbai, where he is fulfilling his duties as a diplomat representing the Islamic Emirate. The appointment is part of Kabuls efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with India and enhance its presence abroad, the media outlet said. Kamil holds a PhD in international law and previously served as the deputy director in the department of security cooperation and border affairs in the foreign ministry, it said. He is expected to facilitate consular services and represent the interests of Afghanistan in India, the report added. Over the last three years, Afghan diplomats manning the Afghan embassy and consulates in India have sought refuge and asylum in different western countries and left India, the Indian government sources said. A lone former diplomat, who has continued to stay in India, has somehow kept the Afghan mission and consulates running, they said. Advertisement However, the fact remains that there is a large Afghan community based in India, which is in need of consular services, the sources said, adding that more staff is required to effectively service the Afghan nationals currently residing in India. As regards the issue of recognition, there is a set process for recognition of any government and India will continue to work with the international community on this issue, one of the sources said. India is yet to recognise the Taliban set-up. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Talibans deputy foreign minister for political affairs, also posted on X about Kamils appointment. The appointment of Kamil is seen as part of efforts to facilitate consular services to the Afghan population in Mumbai. Advertisement There has been almost negligible presence of diplomatic staff at the Afghan missions in India. Most of the diplomats appointed by the Ashraf Ghani government have already left India. In May, Zakia Wardak, the seniormost Afghan diplomat in India, resigned from her position after reports emerged that she was caught at the Mumbai airport for allegedly trying to smuggle 25 kg of gold worth Rs 18.6 crore from Dubai. Wardak had taken charge as the acting ambassador of Afghanistan to New Delhi late last year, after working as the Afghan consul general in Mumbai for more than two years. She took charge of the Afghan embassy in New Delhi last November, after the mission helmed by then ambassador Farid Mamundzay announced its closure. Advertisement Mamundzay, who was an appointee of the Ghani government, had moved to the United Kingdom. Artificial intelligence advocacy group - Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) - has called Elon Musk uniquely qualified to help the US lead in the responsible development of the technology and urged Donald Trump to appoint him as a special adviser on AI for the White House. read more Billionaire Elon Musk jumps around on stage in support of Donald Trump at one of his election campaign rallies. Source: AP. An artificial intelligence (AI) advocacy group is urging US President-elect Donald Trump to appoint billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk as a special adviser on AI for the White House. The petition, launched by Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) on Monday, called Musk uniquely qualified to help the US lead in the responsible development of the technology. As artificial intelligence races ahead, the US should lead the world in advancing AI safely and securely, ARI stated in its petition. Advertisement No one is better equipped to help the Trump Administration make America lead on AI than Elon Musk," the petition added. The petition further stressed on Musks dual role as both an entrepreneur and thought leader in AI, citing his efforts to balance technological advancement with safety. Musk has made major contributions to the field of AI both as an entrepreneur and as a thought leader. While advancing AI, he has also advocated for AI safety and the need to mitigate existential and catastrophic risks, the group added. As per Fox Business, Musk, who has been at the forefront of AI innovation through his work with Tesla and his AI startup xAI, is known for promoting responsible development of the technology. Musk has also been vocal about the need for regulation, recently calling for increased transparency from Big Tech companies working on AI. The petition mentions Musks stance on AI regulation, noting that there should be proper mechanisms in place to handle conflicts of interest, but Musk would be an invaluable asset for helping the Trump administration navigate the development of this transformational technology. In addition to his work with Tesla and xAI, Musk has been involved in legal action against OpenAI, alleging the company violated its original mission by transitioning to a for-profit model. Musk has also supported legislative efforts aimed at ensuring AI developers implement safety measures. He even endorsed a California bill requiring AI developers who invest more than $100 million in building AI models to conduct safety testing and safeguard against cyberattacks. Although the bill passed the state legislature, it was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom, who expressed concerns over its potential to disproportionately target larger AI firms while ignoring the risks posed by smaller developers. Advertisement Musk has also been vocal about government efficiency, advocating for the creation of a new Department of Government Efficiency aimed at eliminating wasteful federal spending. He offered to take a leadership role in advancing this initiative and has touted the idea since he first announced his support for Trumps campaign. Before the election, Trump mentioned that, should he win, he would ask Musk to head the proposed government efficiency commission. However, contrary to Musks involvement in so many of such initiatives, his involvement with Tesla, Space X and other businesses has led to scrutiny from investors. Many argue that Musk is too distracted to fully pay heed to any additional advisory roles. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. The State Department will hold talks in Brussels on Wednesday on how to boost support for Ukraine as President-elect Trump has suggested U.S. military assistance to the country fighting off Russias invasion could be severely curtailed after he takes office. read more Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Europe for urgent meetings with NATO and European Union officials on Ukraine, following last weeks U.S. presidential election and the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the White House in January. The State Department will hold discussions in Brussels on Wednesday focused on strengthening support for Ukraine, amid concerns that President-elect Trump may significantly reduce US military assistance to the country, which has been fighting off Russias invasion. Advertisement After less than a day in Brussels, Blinken will fly to Peru and Brazil to join outgoing President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and a summit of leaders from the Group of 20 top economies. In the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash in 2019 in which 157 people were killed, aeroplane manufacturer Boeing reached a last-minute settlement with the family of a deceased woman to escape a lawsuit read more Beleaguered aviation giant Boeing reached a last-minute settlement Monday with the family of a woman killed in the crash of a 737 MAX jetliner in 2019, averting a federal civil trial. Three sources close to the case told AFP that a settlement had been agreed upon out of court, with no further details provided. The crash of the Ethiopian Airlines plane killed 157 people. The trial was set to begin Tuesday in Chicago. Advertisement It originally involved six plaintiffs but until now all but one had settled, according to a source familiar with the case. The hearing on Tuesday will take place to inform Judge Jorge Alonso of the settlement, who must approve the deal for it to be officially settled, the source said. It is a damage-only trial, meaning no evidence regarding the liability of Boeing will be presented, the source told AFP. The remaining case involved Manisha Nukavarapu, an Indian-born woman who was on board Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 on March 10, 2019, when the plane a Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed minutes after taking off from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board. The UK Booker Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, is set to announce its 2024 winner tonight. This year, the competition has been fierce, with a diverse slate of six outstanding books shortlisted read more The Booker Prize is the worlds one of the most prestigious literary awards for a single work of fiction in English and published in the UK or Ireland. It is set to announce its 2024 winner tonight among the six shortlisted books at Old Billingsgate, London. From a list of 156 entries made between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024, six books have been shortlisted. They are: Held by Anne Michaels, Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner, Orbital by Samantha Harvey, James by Percival Everett, The Safekeep by Yale van der Wouden and Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood. Advertisement Among the contenders for the Booker Prize, there are five women authors and only one man from five countries. Heres a brief introduction to each of the six shortlisted titles to a glimpse into their worlds: Held by Anne Michaels: Held is a profound exploration of war, damage, trauma, memories and history which is passed from one generation to another. Expanding through more than four generations, Anne, a Canadian novelist and poet, makes the reader dive into the world of connection and consequences through her writing. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner: Creation Lake is one of the best works by the author Rachel Kushner, who has been nominated twice for the Booker Prize. It is about a 34-year-old American woman, Sadie Smith, a woman with bold opinions, ruthless tactics and clean beauty. She is an undercover agent and is sent to infiltrate a commune of eco-activists in rural France. Orbital by Samantha Harvey: Orbital is an exploration of consciousness, humanity, and the human condition. Six women and men are watching their planet from space and enjoying the breathtaking scenes. They are far from their homes but still feel connected. The news of the death of someones mother reaches them and now the fragility of human life can be seen in their words and expressions. Harvey, the author, is longlisted twice for the award. James by Percival Everett: Everett, a nominee for the Booker Prize, who was also nominated earlier, explores two individuals Jim and Huck who are desperate to be free from societal norms. Jim, who was enslaved by his owner, is being sold to a new owner. He escapes and hides himself because he doesnt want to get separated from his family. He finds Huck who faked his death because of his violent father. Both of them embark on a journey and raft along the Mississippi river. Advertisement The Safekeep by Yale van der Wouden: The Safekeep is a poignant, multilayered story about family secrets, historical trauma, and the search for belonging by Wouden. Wouden currently lectures on creative writing and comparative literature in the Netherlands. Isabel, the protagonist, lives in her late mothers home and is joined by her brothers girlfriend Eva. Though the second world war would have ended, the remains and secrets are still there. On a sunny day, Isabel finds something that she never thought would have existed there. Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood: Stone Yard Devotional is a stunning exploration of human resilience in the face of loss. A middle-aged woman moves to Sydney taking refuge in a small religious community. Three evocative incidents are mentioned: mouse plague, the skeletal remains of a woman who was probably murdered and a visitor plunges the narrator back into her fast. Besides this Stone Yard Devotional, Wood is the author of seven novels and three works of non-fiction. Advertisement As the announcement draws near, readers and critics alike wonder who will take home the prestigious Booker Prize. The decision will be made a panel comprising Edmund de Waal, an artist and author; Sara Collins, an award-winning novelist; Justice Jordan, a Fiction editor of the Guardian; Yiun Li, a popular writer and professor; and Nitin Sawhney, a producer, composer and musician. The winner will be awarded 50,000 and a trophy named Iris (after the winner Iris Murdoch). The other shortlisted contenders will receive 2,500 and a bespoke bound edition of their book. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube and TikTok. Canadas Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre, which was scheduled to hold Life Certificate event on November 17, has called off the event after official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an extremely high and imminent threat level of violent protests read more Activists and supporters of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum hold placards as they take part in a protest near the Canadian embassy in New Delhi on November 10, 2024, against the recent attack on a Hindu temple in the city of Brampton, near Toronto in Canada. Source: AFP. Tensions and fear have escalated in Canadas Brampton, after a pro-Khalistani mob held a demonstration and attacked devotees, including women and children, outside a temple on November 3. Amid this, the Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre cancelled its planned life certificate event, citing concerns over a likely extremely high and imminent threat level of violent protests". The Brampton Triveni Mandir, in an open letter, gave a detailed reason for the cancellation of the event which was scheduled for November 17 and many Hindu community members were depending on it. Advertisement In a statement, the Brampton Triveni Mandir said that the event has been cancelled due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests. Organised by the Indian Consulate, the Brampton Triveni Mandir was scheduled to hold life certificate event on November 17 which has now been cancelled after Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun announced new dates of temple attacks in Canada. Pannun said that SFJ would target Indian diplomats at Hindu temples on November 16-17. We will shake the foundations of Ayodhya the Canadian PM, RCMP have acknowledged that Indian diplomats spy on Canadian Sikhs and are responsible for the assassination of Shaheed Nijjar NEXT Challenge to Indian Terrorist diplomats will be: 16 November At Kalibari Mandir, Mississauga and 17 November, Triveni Mandir, Brampton [sic], he said. Extremely high & imminent threat level of violent protests Detailing the reason for the cancellation of the event, the Brampton Triveni Mandir, in a statement, released on Monday, said: Please be advised that the Life Certificate Event scheduled at Brampton Triveni Mandir by the Indian Consulate on November 17, 2024, has been cancelled. This is due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests. On the advice of Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, we must make the appropriate decision to cancel to ensure the safety of Brampton Triveni Mandir devotees, community visitors, and the general public. We apologise to all community members who were depending on the event, the statement said. Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu temples in Canada The Brampton Triveni Mandir also apologised to all community members who were depending on the event which has now been cancelled. We are deeply saddened that Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu Temples in Canada, the statement highlighted. It also called for immediate measures to ensure their safety and security, saying: We call on Peel Police to address the threats being circulated against Brampton Triveni Mandir and provide security guarantees to the Canadian Hindu Community and the general public. Advertisement The consular camp would have offered Indian-origin Hindus and Sikhs a chance to renew essential life certificates, which is a requirement for various official purposes. Indian Consular life certificate camps are death certificate camps Pannun recently called the cancellation of events at temples a victory for Pro Khalistan Sikhs because Indian Consular Camps are not life certificate camps but death certificate camps." Pannun even suggested Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to permanently close Indian consulates in Toronto and Vancouver. The Brampton Triveni Mandir serves as a community hub for Hindus and like-minded individuals, hosting gatherings for worship, religious discourses, and community service activities. However, in recent weeks, the temple has faced increased tensions after incidents at nearby locations. On November 3, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton was violently disrupted by pro-Khalistani supporters, sparking widespread condemnation both in Canada and internationally. Advertisement Viral videos of the incident showed fist fights and people striking each other with flag poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the temple. Also Read: Video | In Canada temple, Hindus, including women, kids, beaten by Khalistanis; lawmakers say completely unacceptable Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly denounced the deliberate attack on the Hindu temple, calling the cowardly attempts to intimidate Indian diplomats unacceptable. PM Modi also urged Canadian authorities to take swift action to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law. I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law, the Prime Minister said in a post on X. Advertisement Also Read: Strongly condemn deliberate act: PM Modi calls for justice after Canada Hindu temple attack The incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely. After the incident, the Consulate General of India in Toronto announced the cancellation of several scheduled consular camps across Canada after local security agencies indicated that they were unable to guarantee the required safety measures for these community events. Also Read: India cancels consular camps in Toronto after Canada refuses to provide security With inputs from agencies. Azerbaijan has had a poor human rights record for many years and the government has regularly targeted journalists, activists and independent politicians read more As representatives from nearly 200 countries, along with hundreds of journalists, arrived in Azerbaijan in November for the U.N. climate conference known this year as COP29, they bring with them a level of scrutiny the hosts arent accustomed to and dont often tolerate. Azerbaijan has had a poor human rights record for many years and the government has regularly targeted journalists, activists and independent politicians. President Ilham Aliyev and his administration are accused by human rights organizations of spearheading an intensifying crackdown on freedom of speech ahead of the climate summit, including against climate activists and journalists. Advertisement Aliyevs father, Haidar, ruled Azerbaijan from 1993 until he died in 2003 and Ilham took over. Both suppressed dissent as the country of almost 10 million people on the Caspian Sea basked in growing wealth from huge oil and natural gas reserves. Elections since independence from the Soviet Union in the 1990s havent been regarded as fully free or fair. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Azerbaijans most recent parliamentary elections in September took place in a restrictive environment. They were marked by turnout of 37% and no opposition party won any seats. Human Rights Watch said the vicious crackdown against journalists and human rights activists has intensified over the last two years with phony criminal charges against critics and highly restrictive laws that make it hard for media and activists to work. Ahead of COP29, Azerbaijans authorities have extended the pretrial detention of at least 11 journalists from Azerbaijans remaining independent news outlets on currency smuggling charges related to alleged funding from Western donors. Azerbaijani government officials did not respond to numerous requests from The Associated Press for an interview or comment on their actions. Advertisement A look at just five of Bakus critics currently detained in Azerbaijan: Ulvi Hasanli and Sevinj Vagifgizi Hasalni and Vagifgizi are journalists and leaders of Abzas Media, an independent online outlet. Abzas Media has investigated reports of protests and pollution at a gold mine in western Azerbaijan, reconstruction in the Karabakh region and corruption allegations against high-ranking officials. Hasanli and Vagifgizi, along with four colleagues, were arrested in November 2023. Azerbaijani officials allege they conspired to smuggle money into Azerbaijan and claim they found more than $40,000 in Hasanlis home. The journalists deny the allegations and Hasanli said the money was planted. That is why they decided to eliminate Ulvi and his team to make sure they would no longer be able to expose their wrongdoings, Rubaba Guliyeva, Hasanlis wife told The Associated Press. Advertisement Hasanli and Vagifgizi are imprisoned in Baku with no trial date. Guliyeva called conditions there extremely bad and said she had seen bruises on her husband and had been told that their meetings and phone calls are monitored. Hasanli is allowed brief visits with his 2-year-old daughter but struggles when she leaves, his wife said. Vagifgizis mother Ophelya Maharramova said the prison has water shortages and that the water isnt drinkable. Prisoners suffer from hair loss and their teeth are rotting, she said. Despite being imprisoned, Vagifgizi still asks what investigations Abzas Media is publishing, her mother said: Its what makes her feel motivated. Advertisement Guliyeva said states should boycott COP29 because of Azerbaijans poor human rights record. Gubad Ibadoghlu Ibadoghlu is an academic and economist at the London School of Economics who was detained in Azerbaijan in July 2023. He was moved to house arrest in April after spending months in prison. He was accused by Azerbaijan of selling counterfeit money, but his children dispute the charges. They believe he was targeted because he investigated corruption in Azerbaijans oil and gas industry and because he is an opposition figure. Ibadoghlus sons say he also set up a charitable organization in the United Kingdom to work with the UK Home Office to try to transfer money confiscated by the National Crime Agency from rich Azerbaijanis to the charity to serve the people of Azerbaijan. Advertisement Ibadoghlu is also the chairman of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Prosperity Movement, which has been denied registration as a political party in Azerbaijan. His son Emin Bayramov told AP his father was arrested by unidentified police officers who beat his mother when she questioned who they were. Ibadoghlu has heath issues including diabetes and his family say he is being denied medical care. Another son, Ibad Bayramov, told AP the International Committee of the Red Cross had tried to visit him four times but were not allowed to see him. Ibadoghlu also has no trial date. His sons have accused Azerbaijans government of delaying it until after the climate summit to avoid negative publicity. Azerbaijan hosting COP29 while carrying out a crackdown on freedom of speech brings shame on the international community, Emin Bayramov said. Anar Mammadli Mammadli is a human rights and climate activist who was detained by masked men and driven away while he was on his way to pick up his child from nursery in April in Baku. He has also been accused of smuggling and of trying to unlawfully bring money into Azerbaijan. He denies the charges. He heads an election monitoring and democracy group that joined others to co-found the Climate of Justice Initiative in Azerbaijan. In an open letter, the groups criticized Azerbaijan as one of the most problematic countries in Europe in terms of political and civil liberties. Azerbaijan, the groups said, has not implemented a systematic policy to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate emissions have continued to rise and oil production has polluted land, it said. Human Rights Watch said Mammadli has been a key defender of human rights in Azerbaijan, highlighting violations of fundamental freedoms. He has called for freedom for political prisoners and an improved legal and political environment for human rights activists. In a previous case, Mammadli was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison in 2014 on charges of tax evasion, illegal business and abuse of office. Amnesty International said the charges were trumped up, and he was awarded the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize shortly after he was sentenced. He was pardoned in 2016. Like the others, Mammadli is imprisoned awaiting a trial date. Akif Gurbanov Gurbanov is chairman of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, an independent organization that seeks to develop a more open society through democratic initiatives such as training young journalists, human rights defenders and economists. He was detained in March after police searched his home and raided the IDIs office. Later police accused him and others of currency smuggling. At the same time, authorities raided the offices of the online news platform Toplum TV and the civil society organization Platform III Republic both co-founded by Gurbanov. Toplum TV worked with the other organizations to train young journalists, Human Rights Watch said. Platform III Republic is an organization that promotes discussion about Azerbaijani politics, good governance and proposes development strategies for the countrys future. Gurbanovs wife, Ayan Musayeva, told AP that he was arrested for his work defending human rights, providing alternative information, speaking the truth. States attending COP29 in Baku, she said, should be calling for his immediate release along with all other political prisoners in Azerbaijan. In the trading days since the 2024 US Presidential election, Tesla stocks, all together, surged past 40 per cent, adding more than $300 billion in market capitalisation read more An unstoppable rally is seen in Tesla stocks as investors continue to bet big after Donald Trump wins the 2024 US Presidential election as they feel it would bring windfalls to the Elon Musk-owned EV maker as the two share a close relationship. The Trump-Musk bond became the best after the Tesla CEO contributed at least $119 million to a pro-Trump spending group, according to federal records. Now, it appears that Musks funding is getting him richer. Advertisement Tesla shares, on Monday, jumped over 9 per cent, extending a winning streak to five sessions. In the trading days since the 2024 US Presidential election, Tesla stocks all together surged past 40 per cent, adding more than $300 billion in market capitalisation since the result of the November 5 US election. After Trumps triumph, Tesla stocks surpassed $1 trillion in market value for the first time in two years. However, if gains continue, Tesla stocks will rise to $348.30, pushing the value of the automaker up to nearly $87 billion. Options traders are betting on further gains. The premium of three-month calls over puts is at the highest since early 2021, with sizable volume in contracts looking for a rally to $450 and above. Musks net worth rises According to Forbes, Musks net worth has swelled to $320 billion, putting him close to $90 billion ahead of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, the worlds second-richest person. For the past few months, Musk has kept himself massively engaged in getting Trump back into the White House. He even funded a swing-state operation to register right-leaning voters. Musk started $1 million giveaways to registered voters who signed one of his America PAC petitions, and faced a lawsuit over running an illegal lottery in Pennsylvania. He also used his social media platform X, which he acquired in 2022, to constantly express his support for Trump. A report by Bloomberg quoted Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives as saying that a Trump White House will be a game-changer for Teslas self-driving and artificial intelligence efforts. Advertisement Ives has raised his price target on Tesla to $400 from $300 earlier. He estimates that the AI and autonomous opportunity is worth $1 trillion alone for Tesla. The analyst maintained his buy-equivalent rating on Tesla stock. On Monday, Teslas 14-day relative strength index, a gauge of bullish and bearish price momentum, closed at 81. A level above 70 is often considered a technical signal that a drop may soon be in store. Teslas EVs, SpaceX rockets and Neuralink brain chips all the business ventures of Musk depend heavily on government regulation, subsidies or policy. Musks potential influence in the government could be significant for his other ventures too. Advertisement In September, Trump said he would establish a government efficiency commission headed by Musk to cut federal spending. With inputs from agencies. The election of Trump, who is expected to pull the United States back from global efforts to fight climate change, has raised questions about the ability of the IMF and the World Bank where the US is the largest shareholder to ramp up funding for countries around climate-related issues. read more A view shows a sign of the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference with a backdrop of the cityscape in Baku, Azerbaijan October 31, 2024. Image- Reuters The heads of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday that they would collaborate with the incoming US administration under Republican Donald Trump to continue providing financial support to developing countries affected by climate change. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, speaking at a panel during the U.N. COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, said that the global lender had worked with Trump during his previous term and looked forward to continued cooperation. They have a mandate from the American people, she added. Advertisement Georgieva said she was confident that the U.S. private sector would continue to invest in green technologies. It is the business proposition to stay ahead of the curve, and I have no doubt that this will continue, she said. The election of Donald Trump, who is expected to retreat from global efforts to combat climate change, has raised concerns about the capacity of the IMF and World Bank where the U.S. is the largest shareholder to increase funding for countries facing climate-related challenges. The potential shift in U.S. policy could impact the scale of financial support these institutions provide to developing nations grappling with the effects of climate change. This years summit is meant to focus on raising hundreds of billions of dollars to fund a global transition to cleaner energy sources and limit the climate damage caused by carbon emissions by the worlds largest countries, including the U.S. Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, said Trump won by a historic margin, which demanded respect, and highlighted the banks work to become more efficient and effective, while encouraging increasing private investment in climate finance.Were going to talk to him. Thats our job, he said, noting that during his 17 months at the helm of the bank, there had also been changes in government in the banks four other biggest donors Germany, France, Japan and Britain. Advertisement Trump, who shuns multilateralism, has promised massive tariff increases on Chinese goods and other imports as part of his America First agenda. The conservative Republican Project 2025 agenda, from which Trump has distanced himself, calls for U.S. withdrawal from the IMF and World Bank to pursue only bilateral development and financial aid in line with U.S. interests. Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of UAE green energy group Masdar, said the United States remained a key market, despite changes in political leadership, and the company would continue expanding its footprint there. A lot of red states in the U.S. deploy a lot of renewables. They are very supportive of energy, so we dont really see any impact, honestly, he said, referring to Republican-controlled states. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. In a show of strength to China as well as allies, a French carrier strike group is set to be deployed to Indo-Pacific region soon to hold drills with partners and make historic port calls to Japan and Philippines, according to a report read more Aerial view of French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle off the coast of Toulon, southern France, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo via AP) In a show of strength to China as well as allies, France is set to deploy a carrier strike group in the Indo-Pacific region, according to a report. The fresh deployment comes right after a frigate, Bretagne, returned from a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Following the return of Bretagne, the French Navy is preparing for the deployment of a carrier strike group led by nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Indo-Pacific where it is expected to hold drills with allies and partners and make historic port calls, according to Naval News. Advertisement The Charles de Gaulle would be joined by a host of vessels in the carrier strike group, including warships, logistic ships, and submarines. In the Indian Ocean Region, the carrier strike group would hold up to three military exercises, including two with the Indian Navy, according to USNI News. The idea driving the expedition is to send a message to China that France fields a blue water navy that has interoperability with allies and partners. As China has emerged as the biggest aggression in the Indo-Pacific with hegemonic designs on the region, the United States, India, and other like-minded democratic countries are working to counter its aggression in the region. With the expedition, France is adding to the efforts. The Charles de Gaulle-led carrier strike group is also expected to make historic first port of calls to Japan and Philippines, according to Naval News. The two nations are regularly at the receiving end of Chinese military aggression in the region. French show of strength across Indo-Pacific The French carrier strike group would include nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and a slew of warships and vessels with full-spectrum war-waging capabilities. In addition to the Charles de Gaulle, the carrier strike group is expected to include a Horizon-type air defense destroyer, an Aquitaine-class frigate, an air defense warship, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, logistics support ship Jacques Chevallier, and a metropolitan support and a Loire-class metropolitan offshore support and assistance vessel, according to Naval News, the official newspaper of the British Navy. Advertisement The newspaper further reported that the carrier strike group is set to include 24 Rafale Marine warplanes, two E-2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft, and four helicopters. Overall, the carrier strike group would include around 3,000 personnel, including sailors, submariners, naval aviators, according to the newspaper. While the main focus of the expedition is the Indo-Pacific region, the armada would sail through the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, which have seen disruption for more than a year because of the ongoing conflict in Middle East. Notably, for more than a year, French military has often joined the US and British militaries in countering aggression by Iran and Iran-backed armed groups in the region. Advertisement France to hold drills with India & other partners In the deployment mission dubbed Clemenceau 25, the French carrier strike group would be part of at least three military exercises, including two with India. Firstly, the carrier strike group would hold annual bilateral exercise with India named Varuna in the Western Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Secondly, it would take part in multinational biennial exercise La Perouse in the IOR near Australia and Indonesia, along with navies from India, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore Navy, Canada, Malaysia, UK, and the United States. Then, finally, it would join the UK, US, Japanese, and Canadian navies for Exercise Pacific Steller in the waters near Guam. Advertisement The fact of investing in the area with first-rate assets over time shows that we are becoming credible in the area and that we are becoming, as a Pacific nation, a contributing nation, said a French naval officer to Naval News. In his televised opening remarks at the 25th session of the IRIGC-TEC, Jaishankar said the trade between the two countries needs to be more balanced and that would require addressing current constraints and undertaking greater facilitative efforts. read more India is confident of achieving USD 100 billion in annual bilateral trade with Russia well ahead of the timeline of 2030 and a more substantive relationship between the two nations has a larger global resonance, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday. There have been challenges to trade, especially with regard to payments and logistics and perceptible progress has been made in that regard, but there is still some work to be done, he said. Advertisement The external affairs minister was speaking at the 25th India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). The Russian delegation at the meeting was led by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. In the meeting, both sides agreed to work towards developing a broad-based enabling framework for increasing economic engagement, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The agenda of the IRIGC-TEC included cooperation in trade, investments, hydrocarbons, nuclear energy, connectivity, agriculture, science and technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, fertilizers and education. In his televised opening remarks at the 25th session of the IRIGC-TEC, Jaishankar said the trade between the two countries needs to be more balanced and that would require addressing current constraints and undertaking greater facilitative efforts. As two major nations in an increasingly multipolar world, a more substantive relationship between us has a larger resonance, he said. The external affairs minister said New Delhi welcomes and fully reciprocates Moscows growing interest in exploring economic opportunities in India. Our economies are not only complementary in many respects but benefit from the trust and confidence built over many years. The growth in bilateral trade is now estimated at USD 66 billion and it is impressive, he said. Our goal is that it needs to be more balanced and that would require addressing current constraints and undertaking greater facilitative efforts. Making it easier to do trade should be accompanied by progress in the negotiations on the India-Eurasian Economic Union FTA, he said. Jaishankar said India has noted Russias growing interest in the Make in India programme and it would encourage joint ventures and other forms of collaboration between the two sides. Advertisement I am confident that we will achieve the trade target of US dollars 100 billion by 2030, well before that, he said. The external affairs minister also highlighted Indias impressive growth rate in the last few decades. India that has many decades of 8 per cent growth at least ahead of it obviously values a reliable partner when it comes to resources, technology and best practices, he said. Jaishankar also touched upon Russias supply of fertilizers, crude oil and coal to India. Russia has emerged as a major source of fertilizers for us. Its supply of crude oil, coal and uranium is indeed important. Similarly, Indias pharmaceutical industry has emerged as an affordable and reliable source for Russia. Advertisement Looking ahead we are also exploring the mobility of talent, skills, customising them for the Russian market has to be a shared enterprise, he said. The external affairs minister also talked about the importance of various connectivity projects. Our joint endeavours in regard to connectivity, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor and the Northern Sea Route must go forward, he said. We will also be discussing cooperation critical for our food, energy and health security, he added. In his remarks, Manturov also delved into fast evolving trade ties between India and Russia. Over the last five years, the trade turnover of our country has grown more than fivefold. And India is now the second country among all the foreign economic partners of Russia, he said. Advertisement Among other things, we confirm our strong commitment on signing the free trade agreement between the EEU (Eurasian Economic Union) and India, as well as the bilateral agreement on services and investments. This fully meets the needs of our business community, he said. Hours later, in a post on X, Jaishankar described the meeting as productive. Co-chaired a productive and wide ranging 25th meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission in Delhi. Thank my co-chair First DPM Denis Manturov and our delegations for their contribution, he said. Our deliberations covered the complimentary and beneficial India-Russia economic and trade cooperation, reinforcing critical food, energy & health security and facilitating mobility of talent and skills, he said. Advertisement Confident that our deliberations today will make a strong contribution to the direction and progress of our strategic partnership, Jaishankar added. In a statement, the MEA said Manturov and Jaishankar directed the working groups and sub-groups to work expeditiously for early finalisation of the programme of economic cooperation 2030. They also issued directions for taking steps to enhance market access that could enable business communities of the two countries to achieve the bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030. Both sides also agreed to work towards developing a broad-based enabling framework for increasing economic engagement between the two countries, the MEA said. The Russian first deputy prime minister called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. He also held separate meetings with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The rich exchange of views on matters of mutual interest during the visit of First Deputy Prime Minister Manturov to India will contribute towards developing better understanding between the countries and help expedite implementation of bilateral priorities, as well as further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia, the MEA said. The duty was imposed as the chemical Epichlorohydrin was exported to India from these countries at below-normal prices. read more India has imposed anti-dumping duties of up to $557 per tonne on imports of Epichlorohydrin from China, South Korea, and Thailand for five years, as part of a measure to safeguard its domestic adhesive industry. The decision follows an investigation by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which found that Epichlorohydrin was being exported to India from these countries at prices significantly below market value, causing harm to local manufacturers. Advertisement The anti-dumping duty imposed under this notification shall be levied for a period of five years (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier), the department of revenue said in a notification. As a countermeasure, countries impose these duties under the multilateral regime of Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO). The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trading practices and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers vis-a-vis foreign producers and exporters. India has already imposed anti-dumping duty on several products to tackle cheap imports from various countries, including China. With inputs from agencies. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities at the moment read more In his first meeting with the Israeli militarys brass, new Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities at the moment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Katz as the defence minister last week after firing Yoav Gallant. While Gallant was a check on Netanyahu, Katz is seen as a yes-man. We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel, Katz further said on X regarding the meeting. Advertisement Israel has long considered Iranian nuclear weapons as an existential threat. Iran and Israel are archenemies and Iran is formally committed to the destruction of Israel, which it considers its biggest enemy along with the United States. In my first meeting today with the @IDF General Staff Forum, I emphasized: Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities. We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel. pic.twitter.com/HX4Z6IO8iQ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) November 11, 2024 Following the Israeli attacks on Iran last month, the nuclear facilities are more vulnerable than ever as Israel took down most of Irans air defence, including all of the S-300 air defence batteries supplied by Russia. A top Biden administration official said that Iran was essentially naked after Israeli attacks. The statement indicating at the possibility of Israel attacking Irans nuclear sites has come as Donald Trump has won the US presidential election. In his first term, Trump was a hawk on Iran, scrapping the nuclear deal and assassinating top general Qassem Soleimani. However, it is not known what stance Trump would take in his second term as he has declared he would not pursue wars and would not staff the administration with hawks or interventionist foreign policy hands. Advertisement Outgoing US President Joe Biden had urged Israel to not strike Irans nuclear or oil facilities in the two rounds of attacks this year in retaliation for Iranian barrages. It is now clear if Trump would impose similar conditions. Following Trumps scrapping of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Iran is now closer than ever to building a nuclear weapon. Top US officials have said that Iran is in a position to develop a nuclear weapon within weeks or months after getting the go-ahead from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Italian Premier Giorgia Melonis plan to process asylum seekers in Albania has faced a setback as a Rome court has declined to detained transferred migrants, leading to their return to Italy and raising legal questions about the safety of their home countries read more Migrants disembark from the Italian navy ship Libra at the port of Shengjin, northwestern Albania, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, as a second group of eight migrants intercepted in international waters is processed in a reception facility despite the failure with the first group in October.(AP Photo) Italian Premier Giorgia Melonis program to screen asylum seekers outside of European Union borders in Albania hit another snag when a court in Rome refused to rule on a formal request to detain seven migrants transferred to the Balkan nation last week. The decision Monday meant the seven migrants, hailing from Bangladesh and Egypt, were brought to Italy overnight by naval ship, just days after their arrival in Albania. Albanian media showed images of a minibus accompanied by Italian police vehicles entering the Albanian port of Shengjin, where the migrants were seen boarding a small ship. Italian media reported the ship docked in Brindisi, the Italian port across the Adriatic, a few hours later. Advertisement It is a repeat of what happened with the first 12 migrants in the program, who also were returned to Italy by another court decision last month shortly after the opening of two migrant screening centres in Albania operated by Italy. In both cases, courts referred the cases to the EU court of justice in Luxembourg to rule if the countries of origin for the migrants are considered safe countries for repatriation. The first 12 were also from Egypt and Bangladesh. The courts move has raised the ire of Melonis far-right-led government, which has been seeking strategies for easing the strain on Italy of the arrival of migrants seeking a better life in Europe. In the latest decision, the court specified that it was seeking clarification on which countries are designated as safe only to identify which procedure to apply. The exclusion of a state from the list of safe countries of origin does not prevent the repatriation and/or expulsion of those migrants whose asylum applications has been rejected, the court said in its ruling. Under a five-year deal, Albania would allow Italy to run two migrant centres on its territory with the capacity to screen up to 3,000 migrants a month to be vetted for asylum or returned to their home countries. Advertisement Human rights groups and nongovernmental organisations active in the Mediterranean have slammed the agreement as a dangerous precedent that conflicts with international laws. So far, Italy has failed to identify anywhere close to that number for possible screening in Albania, despite thousands of arrivals on Italian shores since the centres opened. Migrants sent to Albania must be adult males, travelling without family members, and come from countries deemed safe. (Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Trump victory in the US presidential election has caused concern in Kyiv and other European capitals about the degree of future U.S. commitment to helping Ukraine. read more NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday warned that Russias growing economic and military ties with China, North Korea and Iran are posing threats to Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and North America. In his statement, which seemed aimed at the incoming US administration under President-elect Donald Trump, Rutte emphasised the critical need for transatlantic unity and ongoing support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. He also highlighted the growing risks posed by North Korean and Iranian military support for Russia. Advertisement At the same time, China backs Russias economy, enables its defence industry and amplifies its narrative all over the world stage, Rutte said. Russia working together with North Korea, Iran and China is not only threatening Europe, its threatening peace and security, yes, here in Europe, but also in the Indo-Pacific and in North America. Trump has criticised the scale of Western aid to Kyiv and has said he will end the conflict in Ukraine swiftly, without saying how. His victory in the US presidential election has caused concern in Kyiv and other European capitals about the degree of future U.S. commitment to helping Ukraine. Russia is advancing at its fastest rate since 2022 despite taking heavy losses, and Ukraine said last week it had clashed with some of an estimated 11,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russias Kursk region. Support for Ukraine Kyiv is now battling to put itself in the strongest position for any negotiations, including by securing more arms and holding out on the battlefield. A senior Ukrainian official has told Reuters the next four to five months will be pivotal. We must recommit to stay the course of the war and we must do more than just keep Ukraine in the fight, Rutte said. We need to raise the cost for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his enabling authoritarian threats by providing Ukraine with the support it needs to change the trajectory of the conflict. Advertisement Macron said he would continue to push for aid to be sent to Ukraine for as long as necessary. It is the only way towards negotiations and I want to be clear, when the time comes, nothing should be decided on Ukraine without the Ukrainians and on Europe without the Europeans, he said. An estimated 200,000 people in state, foster and faith-based care suffered unimaginable; abuse over a period of seven decades, a blistering report released in July said at the end of the largest inquiry ever undertaken in New Zealand read more New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon makes a "formal and unreserved" apology in Parliament for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care, in Wellington, New Zealand. AP New Zealands Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made a formal and unreserved apology in Parliament on Tuesday for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care. It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened, Luxon said, as he spoke to lawmakers and a public gallery packed with survivors of the abuse. An estimated 200,000 people in state, foster and faith-based care suffered unimaginable abuse over a period of seven decades, a blistering report released in July said at the end of the largest inquiry ever undertaken in New Zealand. They were disproportionately Maori, New Zealands Indigenous people. Advertisement For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility, Luxon said. He said he was apologizing for previous governments too. In foster and church care as well as in state-run institutions, including hospitals and residential schools vulnerable people should have been safe and treated with respect, dignity and compassion, he added. But instead, you were subjected to horrific abuse and neglect and in some cases torture. The findings of the six-year investigation believed to be the widest-ranging of comparable probes worldwide were a national disgrace, the inquirys report said. New Zealands investigation followed two decades of such inquiries around the globe as nations struggle to reckon with authorities transgressions against children removed from their families and placed in care. Of 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in New Zealands state, foster, and church care between 1950 and 2019 in a country that today has a population of 5 million nearly a third endured physical, sexual, verbal or psychological abuse. Many more were exploited or neglected. We will never know that true number, Chris Hipkins, the leader of the opposition, told Parliament. Many people entering into state and faith-based institutions were undocumented. Records were incomplete, theyve gone missing, and in some cases, yes, they were deliberately destroyed. In response to the findings, New Zealands government agreed for the first time that historical treatment of some children in a notorious state-run hospital amounted to torture a claim successive administrations had rejected. Advertisement I am deeply sorry that New Zealand did not do better by you. I am sorry you were not believed when you came forward to report your abuse, Luxon said. I am sorry that many abusers were not made to face justice which meant that other people experienced abuse that could have been prevented. His government was working on 28 of the inquirys 138 recommendations, Luxon said, although he did not yet have concrete details on financial redress, which the inquiry had exhorted since 2021 and said could run to billions of dollars. Luxon was decried by some survivors and advocates earlier Tuesday for not divulging compensation plans alongside the apology. He told Parliament a single redress system would be established in 2025. Advertisement He did not, however, suggest a figure for the amount the government expected to pay. There will be a big bill, but its nothing compared to the debt we owe those survivors and it must not be the reason for any further delay, said Hipkins, the opposition leader. Survivors began to arrive at Parliament hours before the apology, having won spots in the public gallery which only seats about 200 people by ballot. Some were reluctant to accept the states words, because they said the scale of the horror was not yet fully understood by lawmakers and public servants. Jeering was so loud during an apology from the countrys solicitor-general that her speech was inaudible. Others called out or left the room in tears while senior public servants from relevant health and welfare agencies spoke before Luxons remarks. Advertisement Survivors invited to give speeches were required to do so before Luxons apology rather than in response to it, said Tu Chapman, one of those asked to speak. Right now I feel alone and in utter despair at the way in which this government has undertaken the task of acknowledging all survivors, she told a crowd at Parliament. The abuse ripped families and communities apart, trapping many into a life of prison, incarceration, leaving many uneducated, said Keith Wiffin a survivor of abuse in a notorious state-run boys home. It has tarred our international reputation as an upholder of human rights, something this nation likes to dine out on. Advertisement The inquirys recommendations included seeking apologies from state and church leaders, among them Pope Francis. It also endorsed creating offices to prosecute abusers and enact redress, renaming streets and monuments dedicated to abusers, reforming civil and criminal law, rewriting the child welfare system and searching for unmarked graves at psychiatric facilities. Its writers were scathing about how widely the abuse and the identities of many abusers were known about for years, with nothing done to stop it. This has meant you have had to re-live your trauma over and over again, said Luxon. Agencies should have done better and must commit to doing so in the future. He did not concede that public servants or ministers in his government who had denied state abuse was widespread when they served in previous administrations should lose their jobs. Luxon has also rejected suggestions by survivors that policies he has enacted which disproportionately target Maori such as crackdowns on gangs and the establishment of military-style boot camps for young offenders undermine his governments regret about the abuse. Maori are over-represented in prisons and gangs. In 2023, 68% of children in state care were Maori, although they are less than 20% of New Zealands population. Its not enough to say sorry, said Faafete Taito, a survivor of violent abuse at another state-run home, and a former gang member. Its what you do to heal the wounds of your actions and make sure it never happens again that really counts. Modi will first travel to Nigeria, making it the first time a prime minister will visit the country in 17 years. Next he will go to Brazil to attend the G20 Summit and conclude by going to Guyana read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on three separate state visits starting November 16, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Tuesday. PM Modi will first travel to Nigeria on November 16 at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The trip to Nigeria will be the first visit by a prime minister in 17 years. During the visit, the Indian prime minister will engage in discussions aimed at reviewing the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and exploring new opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties. He is also set to address members of the Indian community in Nigeria. Since 2007, India and Nigeria have been strategic partners, with expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, and defense. Advertisement Following this, he will fly off to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to attend the G20 Summit. Here he will put forward Indias positions on various issues of global importance and build on the outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration and Voice of the Global South Summits which were hosted by India in the past two years. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister is expected to meet several leaders. Finally, on the last leg of his bilateral visits, PM Modi will go to Guyana at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali from November 19 to 21. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold discussions with President Ali, meet other senior leaders of Guyana, address the Parliament of Guyana and address a gathering of the Indian diaspora. In Georgetown, Guyana, the Prime Minister will also participate in the Second CARICOM-India Summit and hold meetings with leaders of CARICOM member countries to further enhance Indias long-standing friendship with the region. Russias parliament approved a bill to ban adoption by citizens from countries where gender transitioning is legal, reinforcing measures against non-traditional sexuality and promoting traditional values' read more On Tuesday, the final reading of a bill prohibiting the adoption of Russian children by citizens o countries where gender transitioning is permitted was approved by Russias lower house of parliament. Following a series of actions in recent years to stifle non-traditional sexuality, the legislation now heads to the upper house of the Parliament before being signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. The bills author and speaker of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin stated It is very important to eliminate potential dangers in the form of gender reassignment that adopted children may face in these countries, on the Telegram messaging app. Advertisement He listed at least 15 countries where the law would apply, most of them in Europe, but also including Australia, Argentina, and Canada. The U.S. had already banned the adoption of Russian children by its citizens in 2012. The new measure, which targets what it refers to as propaganda promoting a child-free lifestyle, imposes fines of up to 5 million rubles (approximately $50,000). In recent years, Putin and other top Russian officials have increasingly advocated for traditional values as a counterpoint to Western liberalism, which they have characterized as degenerate. Last year, Russia banned gender-transition medical procedures, and the Supreme Court declared the LGBTQ+ movement to be extremist. In 2022, Putin signed a law further restricting the distribution of LGBTQ+ information, extending a 2013 ban on sharing such content with minors to include all age groups. With inputs from agencies Violations would be punishable by fines of up to 400,000 rubles ($4,000) for individuals to five million rubles for businesses. The bill also includes a provision to deport foreigners read more Russian MPs on Tuesday passed in the final third reading controversial legislation banning propaganda of remaining childless, the latest measure targeting what Moscow depicts as Western liberal ideas. Facing an ageing population and low birth rates, Moscow is seeking to reverse a demographic slump accentuated by its military offensive on Ukraine that threatens its economic future. MPs in the Duma lower house of parliament voted unanimously in favour of the draft bill, which would apply to materials online, in media, advertising and in films that promote rejection of childbearing. The bill targets destructive content that promotes a conscious rejection of having children. Advertisement Violations would be punishable by fines of up to 400,000 rubles ($4,000) for individuals to five million rubles for businesses. The bill also includes a provision to deport foreigners. This is a fateful law Without children, there will be no country. This ideology will lead to people stopping giving birth to children, the Dumas speaker Vyacheslav Volodin told MPs ahead of the vote. He also said the legislation was about protecting citizens, primarily the generation growing up, from information spread in the media space that negatively affects the development of personality. This is so new generations of our citizens grow up orientated towards traditional family values, he said. The legislation will now be considered by the upper house of parliament on November 20, before being signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. It would amend existing legislation that already bans any information seen as encouraging LGBTQ relationships or changing gender. The Duma also passed legislation in the third reading banning foreigners in countries that allow gender reassignment from adopting Russian children. It is the latest attack and stigmatisation of LGBTQ people by Moscow. Moscow has long portrayed itself as a bulwark against liberal values, but that trend has hugely accelerated since the Kremlin launched its Ukraine offensive, further rupturing ties with the West. Advertisement The bill would ban adoption by citizens of countries that authorise the change of sex by medical intervention, including with the use of medicine, or allow individuals to change their gender on official identity documents. Since 1993, foreigners have adopted 102,403 children from Russia, Volodin said, warning that Western policy towards children is destructive. Russia has created an inhospitable environment for LBGTQ people for years. In July 2023, it banned the international LGBT movement as an extremist and made gender reassignment illegal. Putin himself has repeatedly mocked people who have undergone gender reassignment as well as LGBTQ people. Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman denounced what he termed Israels genocide against Palestinians and also called on the international community to prevent Israel from targeting Iran and to uphold Irans sovereignty read more Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh on November 11, 2024. Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler called for immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon at the summit that will renew calls for a Palestinian state. Source: AFP | HO | SAUDI PRESS AGENCY SPA. Saudi Arabias de facto ruler and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has for the first time termed Israels actions in Gaza as genocide against Palestinians. The remarks were made by the Saudi Crown Prince at a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders organised on Monday (November 11) to press for the establishment of a Palestinian state. The public criticism of Israel is seen as the harshest of the country by a Saudi official since the start of war on October 7, 2023. Advertisement Saudi Arabia categorically rejects genocide committed by Israel against Palestinians The Kingdom renews its condemnation and categorical rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people, which has claimed the lives of 150,000 martyrs, wounded and missing, most of whom are women and children," Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said. We affirm that Israels continued crimes against innocent people, its persistence in violating the sanctity of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and its detraction from the pivotal role of the Palestinian National Authority in all Palestinian territories will undermine the efforts aimed at obtaining the Palestinian peoples legitimate rights and establishing peace in the region, he further said. The Crown Prince also called for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and said the international community must immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon. Israel denies the charges of genocide and says it implements measures to minimise harm to noncombatants. Saudi Crown Prince warns Israel against attacks on Iran Accompanied by other leaders in the summit, who also called for a total Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran. He called on Israel to respect Irans sovereignty and warned against launching attacks on Iranian soil. The comments by the Saudi Crown Prince indicated towards the improving ties between Riyad and Tehran. The Crown Prince also called on the international community to prevent Israel from targeting Iran and to uphold Irans sovereignty. He once again said that Saudi Arabia would not recognise Israel unless a Palestinian state is established. Saudi Arabia accuses Israel of causing starvation in Gaza Saudi Arabias foreign minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud, meanwhile, accused Israel of causing starvation in Gaza and said that it was a failing of the international community that the war in the region had not been stopped. Leaders at the summit also condemned what they described as Israels continuous attacks against UN staff and facilities in Gaza. The conflict in Gaza was triggered by Hamass October 7, 2023 attack, which saw hundreds of armed men of the Palestinian terrorist group enter southern Israel. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage. Advertisement Israel retaliated by launching a military campaign to destroy Hamas, during which more than 43,400 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. With inputs from agencies. Last week, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned of the risks stemming from Trumps threat of steep tariffs on Chinese imports that could prompt Chinese rivals to slash export prices and undercut Korean chip firms overseas read more South Koreas ruling party introduced legislation on Monday to give chipmakers subsidies and an exemption from a national cap on working hours, to tackle potential risks from measures threatened by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump. The semiconductor industry is critical for the trade-dependent economy, Asias fourth biggest, with chips making up 16% of total exports last year. Last week, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned of the risks stemming from Trumps threat of steep tariffs on Chinese imports that could prompt Chinese rivals to slash export prices and undercut Korean chip firms overseas. Advertisement The ruling partys bill comes as chipmakers like Samsung Electronics also brace for growing competition from rivals in countries such as Taiwan and China. Shares of Samsung and SK Hynix extended losses on Tuesday on concerns about Trumps potential tariffs and U.S. restrictions on AI chip sales to China. The bill will help Korean companies fend off challenges as China, Japan, Taiwan and the United States give subsidies to manufacturers amid a semiconductor trade war between China and the U.S., one of the bills sponsors, lawmaker Lee Chul-gyu, said in a statement. However, the legislation is likely to face an uphill battle to gain approval from the liberal opposition party, which controls a majority in parliament, said Greg Noh, an analyst at Hyundai Motor Securities. Under the bill, some employees involved in research and development will be allowed to work longer hours, waiving a labour law that limits weekly hours worked to a maximum of 52. This month, Samsungs labour union opposed such a move, saying the company was trying to blame the law for its management failure. Last month, Samsung apologised for its disappointing profit, having lagged rivals TSMC and SK Hynix in tapping booming demand for artificial intelligence chips. In October, Trump threatened to scrap federal chip subsidies for Taiwans TSMC, South Koreas Samsung and SK Hynix and others, in favour of import tariffs. Advertisement With no checks and balances, President-elect Donald Trump appears to have nearly limitless powers. Here are five reasons why many people are worried from his unrestrained incoming administration read more Donald Trump takes the stage following early results from the 2024 U.S. presidential election in Palm Beach County Convention Center, in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, November 6, 2024. Reutrers President-elect Donald Trump has a radically different vision for the United States and he has stated it clearly. Mincing no words, Trump has said he would rule like a dictator on day one of his second term. Trump has made no secrets that Russia or China are not his biggest priorities. His biggest priority is going after his critics, whom he called the enemy within and said that the military should be deployed against them. Advertisement Throughout the campaign, Trump and his running mate JD Vance used vulgar and violent language against opponent Kamala Harris and critics. While Trump called Harris shit, Vance called her trash and said the Republicans would take out the trash. Trump called critic Liz Cheney a traitor. Trump has also spoken of a purge at the US military and Department of Defense. While he could not use the defence apparatus to the fullest in his first term because of pushback from some in the administration and some institutional safeguards, no such barriers now exist. By institutional purges, Trump would make sure that he would have only yes-sir in his administration. As for the institutional safeguards, every institution is now in his pocket. While he has won the presidency, the Republican Party has won the Senate and the House of Representatives, making Congress a rubber stamp body. With three appointees in the Supreme Court, Trump has long had the Supreme Court in his pocket. Harris addressed these concerns in the final days of her campaign but the message fell on deaf ears. In a post on X, Harris shared an excerpt from an election speech and wrote, Imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. If reelected, he will claim unchecked and extreme power. In the attached clip, Harris said, He who has said he wished he had generals like Hitlers, who calls Americans who disagree with him the enemy from within, you know what that harkens back to? And he says he would use the American military to go after them. Donald Trump has even called for the termination of the Constitution of the United States of America and let us be very clear, someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States! Never again! Never again! Advertisement Imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. If reelected, he will claim unchecked and extreme power. pic.twitter.com/QUhb9M2CQ9 Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 26, 2024 Five actions Trump plans with his unchecked authority. 1. Largest deportation programme Trump has said he would run the largest deportation programme in US history. He has said that he would get all illegal immigrants deported. Estimates suggest that there are more than 15 million illegal immigrants in the United States. Throughout the campaign, Trump and his far-right platform took to racist rhetoric and disinformation around illegal immigrants, such as Haitians eating cats and dogs in American streets unchecked. The rhetoric apparently clicked. Advertisement 2. Free run to authoritarian regimes Russia is set to be the biggest foreign gainer from Trumps victory if he follows through on the election promises. Trump has promised to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours without committed to Ukraines victory or ruling out Ukraines surrender. Trump has also declared that he would tell Russia to do whatever the hell they want with allies if they would not ramp up military spending as per his liking. As Trump has promised to scale down US involvement in Nato and cut support to Ukraine, Russia and China are set to make gains internationally. As China has long been working on a bloc of fellow authoritarians Russia, Iran, and North Korea to undermine the Western democracies, Trump may deliver them a victory if he pursues that the isolationist foreign policy that he has promised. Advertisement 3. Undoing climate change Like his first term, Trump is expected to withdraw the Untied States from the Paris climate agreement. As drill baby, drill was a slogan of the campaign, Trump is expected to open the floodgates for fossil fuel production and bulldoze the yearslong push for renewable energy while phasing out fossil fuels. 4. Trumps anti-LGBTQ+ agenda Anti-queer agenda was central to Trumps election platform. Throughout the campaign, Trump spoke against trans persons. His supporters also posted abusive content and memes on social media throughout the campaign. Trump has claimed that schools encourage sex-change surgeries for children and has said to purge trans persons and transgender healthcare for children. Trump has also indicated at promoting bans for trans persons from sports. Trump has also mocked gays throughout. Through the campaign, Trump mocked CNNs Anderson Cooper, who is the most prominent gay journalist in the United States, and called him Allison Cooper. Advertisement 5. Reproductive rights under Trump era Like every other issue, Trumps election campaign also rose on falsehoods around abortion. Throughout the election campaign, Trump falsely claimed that Democrats were permitting abortions even after a child was born a blatantly false claim. However, in a break from more hardliner Republicans, Trump has said that he supports abortions in case of rape, incest, and in situations the mothers life was in danger. He has also said that he would leave the matter of abortions on states and impose a federal ban. However, Trump can indirectly hammer abortion rights by cutting healthcare funds. Access to abortion bills, which are used in most of the abortions in the United States, is already under assault by conservatives. The atmosphere created by Trumps victory is set to embolden the movement against abortion rights. Donald Trumps new administration is slowly taking shape as he begins to fill in key positions. He has named Mike Waltz, the Florida Congressman, to serve as his national security adviser. Reports also state that Marco Rubio, the Florida senator, will likely be the new secretary of state. The US president-elects biggest supporter, Elon Musk, is also rumoured to find a place in the Cabinet read more Trump has named Representative Michael Waltz as his national security adviser. The US President-elect is slowly giving shape to his administration, selecting people for his Cabinet. File image/Reuters We are days away from US President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration he will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20 after trouncing Kamala Harris at the polls. But in the run-up to his swearing-in, Trumps a busy man, giving shape to his Cabinet for his second term in the White House. Dozens of top jobs are up for grabs in Trump 2.0 almost 4,000 political appointments and everyone who helped the former US president to emerge victorious in the race is undoubtedly hoping to cash in and serve in his administration. Advertisement With that in mind, Trump has already begun making selections for his administration, including important roles such as chief of staff, the US ambassador to the UN, his border czar, and national security adviser among many. As Trump Cabinet 2.0 takes shape, here is a closer look at those posts already filled, and the names in the mix for the top jobs. Mike Waltz National Security Adviser US President-elect has chosen Florida Congressman Mike Waltz of Florida to serve as his national security adviser, say reports. As national security adviser, Waltz will have to navigate a number of geopolitical conflicts that Trumps administration will assume as part of his second term, including the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas wars. Known to be a Trump loyalist, Waltz is a decorated Green Beret, who served in Afghanistan during a 27-year career in the army. Interestingly, he would be the first former Green Beret to hold the role. Waltzs loyalty to Trump shone through the Republican National Convention in July in which he called for peace through Americas strength. The 50-year-old is of the firm opinion that the Russia-Ukraine war can be brought to an end economically. Waltz has backed Trumps view of foreign relations, demanding greater military spending from Nato allies and an end to the blank cheque for the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Moreover, hes also a leading advocate for a tougher stance on China within the House of Representatives. On China, he wrote in his book that America faced an existential struggle with the Chinese Communist Party. He also expressed concern about what he termed a 1930s-era, Nazi Germany-style military build-up in China during a talk at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation last month. Lee Zeldin Head of Environmental Protection Agency On Monday (November 11), the Trump campaign named former Congressman from New York Lee Zeldin as Trumps pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way, the campaign said. A former four-term Congressman, Zeldin has long been a Trump ally. Hes one of the 126 Republicans who signed a brief to the Supreme Court contesting the 2020 US presidential elections. The Trump campaign has named former Congressman from New York Lee Zeldin as Trumps pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency. File image/Reuters In the past, Zeldin has voted against expanding a number of environmental policies, earning him criticism from environmentalists. Advertisement In fact, some at the EPA believe that Zeldin may undercut their fight against the climate crisis. This comes as he has already said he plans to roll back regulations from day one. Tom Homan Border czar Along with Zeldin, Trump also announced that he would nominate immigration official Tom Homan as the countrys border czar. Announcing the news on Truth Social, the 78-year-old said, There is nobody better at policing and controlling our borders than his new border czar. This is a new position that Trump is creating and most assume it will oversee the US border and the deportation of undocumented immigrants. This position does not require Senate confirmation. Tom Homan has enthusiastically called for mass deportations, including during a speech in the summer at the Republican National Convention. He has been appointed as Trumps new border czar. File image/Reuters Homan, a former police officer and Border Patrol agent, served in the first Trump administration as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement from January 2017 to June 2018. Mirroring Trumps stance, Homan has enthusiastically called for mass deportations, including during a speech in the summer at the Republican National Convention. During a panel in July, Homan said if Trump was re-elected he would run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen. Advertisement Homan has also been a contributor to Project 2025s Mandate for Leadership book. Elise Stefanik United Nations ambassador Trump has selected New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to be the ambassador to the United Nations. I am honoured to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as US Ambassador to the United Nations, Trump told New York Post in a statement. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter. In appointing Elise Stefanik as his ambassador to the UN, Donald Trump said that she is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter. File image/Reuters Stefanik, 40, a US representative from New York state, has been one of Trumps staunchest allies on Capitol Hill and was among those rumoured to be a potential running mate for Trumps 2024 election. She has garnered headlines and made a name for herself with her sharp questioning in congressional committees, first at Trumps 2019 impeachment hearings and again this year quizzing college leaders about anti-semitism on campus. Susie Wiles Chief of Staff Shortly after Trump was declared the winner of the US presidential polls by media outlets, he appointed Susie Wiles, one of his two campaign managers, to be his White House chief of staff. In his victory speech, Trump referred to her as the ice maiden and said she liked to stay in the background. She will be the first female White House chief of staff. Susie Wiles, senior advisor of Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump, will become the first woman Chief of Staff in the White House. File image/Reuters Wiles, 67, has worked in Republican politics for decades, from Ronald Reagans 1980 presidential campaign to electing Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis as governors of Florida. Advertisement Many believe that Wiles will bring organisation and discipline to Trumps administration. However, it is still unknown what her political views are. Stephen Miller Deputy Chief of Staff Long-standing Trump adviser, Stephen Miller has been tapped for deputy chief of staff for policy in Trumps next administration. Miller was a policy adviser and speechwriter for Trump in his first term and resumed the function during his campaign, often travelling with Trump to his rallies. The 39-year-old was also the chief architect of the Muslim travel ban during Trump 1.0 and is the founder of America First Legal, a group described by him as the rights long-awaited answer to the American Civil Liberties Union. Marco Rubio Potential Secretary of State According to the New York Times, Trump is expected to name Florida Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state. Rubios policies are very similar to Trump and he was also among the many considered for vice president. If confirmed, Rubio would become the first Latino to ever serve as the nations top diplomat. Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio. File image/Reuters Rubio and Trump have had strained ties in the past; the Florida senator ran against him in 2016. Trump liked to call Rubio Little Marco, and things further heated when Rubio made insinuations about Trump, saying, Have you seen his hands? And you know what they say about men with small hands? Rubio also said that voters should not back Trump in 2016, saying, Friends do not let friends vote for a con artist. But he ultimately supported Trump that year and has backed him since then. On Trumps win, Rubio said last Wednesday that the US will see pragmatic foreign policy with Trump in the White House. Robert F Kennedy Jr Potential head of Health and Human Services Department Also known as RFK Jr, he abandoned his independent presidential campaign to back Trump in August. And it seems that this decision will pay off. The 70-year-old is expected to be given a role focusing on health policy in the Trump administration. He is also a known vaccine sceptic. Trump, in the past, has said he would let RFK do what he wants with womens healthcare if he makes it to the White House. Elon Musk The Tesla CEO emerged as one of Trumps biggest supporters in the months leading up to the election and spent at least $119 million canvassing for him in the seven battleground states. There are reports that Musk will lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, where he would cut costs and streamline what he calls a massive, suffocating federal bureaucracy. The agencys potential acronym would be DOGE a playful reference to the meme coin cryptocurrency by the same name. However, some believe that Musk could find himself in a role in global diplomacy. This comes after he was part of Trumps first call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy last Wednesday. Elon Musk may lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, where he would cut costs and streamline what he calls a massive, suffocating federal bureaucracy. File image/Reuters Those who will be skipped Trumps former administration members UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will not find a place in Trump 2.0. The BBC also reported that Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton has ruled himself out of a job as he expects to hold the third-highest rank in the new Senate Republican majority. With inputs from agencies Elon Musk, the owner of X and the richest man on Earth, seems to have taken up permanent residence in Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida ever since election night. Musk is said to be in the room when Trump has taken calls from world leaders and is also giving his inputs on whom he would prefer for jobs within the next administration read more Elon Musk went all in on Trump before the election giving $75 million to Trumps Political Action Committee and another $120m million to his own America PAC. AP Elon Musk seemingly has a new home Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The owner of X and the richest man on Earth seems to have taken up permanent residence in Donald Trumps club ever since election night. Some are now calling Musk the guest who wouldnt leave. Lets take a closer look: A star is born It all began with Musk spending election night with Trump, as per The New York Times. Trump in his victory speech thanked Musk who has emerged as one of his biggest backers and major funders. Musk went all in on Trump before the election giving $75 million to Trumps Political Action Committee and another $120m million to his own America PAC. Advertisement Musks super PAC spent around $200 million to help elect Donald Trump, according to a person familiar with the groups spending, funding an effort that set a new standard for how billionaires can influence elections. The billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO provided the vast majority of the money to America PAC, which focused on low-propensity and first-time voters, according to the person, who was not authorized to disclose the figure publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The billionaire businessman became one of Trumps highest-profile surrogates in the final months of the campaign, often joining the former president onstage. His support gave Trump a clear opening into the universe of younger men who look up to Musk. Trump also benefited from Musks ownership of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and the companys work to end many of the rules that hampered Trump before he was kicked off in 2021. Like many conservatives, Musk is a fierce critic of social media efforts to counter disinformation, arguing that those efforts amount to pro-government censorship. Musk also held a $1 million giveaway in Pennsylvania for swing voters. Trump, in turn, has recognised Musks contributions. We have a new star. A star is born: Elon, Trump said in his victory speech. Hes an amazing guy. We were sitting together tonight. You know, he spent two weeks in Philadelphia, in different parts of Pennsylvania, campaigning. Advertisement We have to protect our geniuses, we dont have that many of them, Trump added. Musk and Mar-a-Lago As per CNN, Musk has been hanging out at Trumps Palm Beach resort nearly every day since the election. Not only has Musk been dining with Trump at his table on the patio of Mar-a-Lago, he has also been present when Trump has taken phone calls from world leaders. It has been widely reported that Musk joined Trumps call with Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Sources told the outlet Musk has also given Trump his inputs on whom he would prefer for certain jobs within the next administration. Musk is also close to Trumps transition co-chair, Howard Lutnick, the billionaire CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald. Though Musk and Trump had mused about the billionaire possibly taking on a role at the head of a task efficiency commission, that development is looking unlikely at the moment. Advertisement A general view of President-elect Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago property, in Palm Beach, Florida. It is believed to be worth $325 million. File image/Reuters While Musk himself is still not expected to take any kind of formal position, given how complicated it would be with his companies, whats becoming clearer tonight is that he doesnt really need to with one source telling me Musk is having just as much influence from the outside, CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins was quoted as saying by The Independent. Tech journalist Kara Swisher told CNN that Musk definitely inserts himself all the time; thats his style. Thats why hes just suddenly shown up there like the guest that wouldnt leave, she remarked. Ive heard from Trump people calling me saying oh wow, this is odd. And Im like yeah it is, youll see much more of it, Swisher added. Advertisement She said Musk probably wont go until Trump throws him out. Which could happen, because theyre both really strong personalities who like to be at the centre of attention. There can be only one narcissist as head of the country, and thats Donald Trump, Swisher added. Trump goes through people like tissues, essentially. And even if its Musk, theyre going to clash at some point. With inputs from agencies Donald Trump is expected to select Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, a decision that could boost Latino representation at the highest level of government. Known for his hawkish stance on China and staunch opposition to Cuban and Venezuelan regimes, Rubio would be the first Latino to hold this position read more Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump and and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) react during a campaign event at Dorton Arena, in Raleigh, North Carolina, US, November 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters Donald Trump is expected to appoint Marco Rubio as the next US Secretary of State, positioning the Florida senator to become the first Latino to serve as the nations top diplomat. Rubios potential appointment, first reported by The New York Times, would not only signal a key strategic direction in foreign policy but also reflect Trumps intention to maintain a firm stance on global issues. This likely selection of Rubio, who is both hawkish on specific foreign adversaries and seasoned in US intelligence, represents a shift within the Republican Party from traditional interventionist policies to a more calculated, restrained approach. Advertisement Despite the possibility of last-minute changes, sources close to the Trump team suggest this decision has largely solidified. All about Marco Rubio & his politics Marco Antonio Rubio, born May 28, 1971, has long been a prominent figure in American politics. A Cuban American from Miami, he served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2008 and has held the role of senior US senator for Florida since 2011. Known for his steadfast views on foreign policy and deep connections within the Republican Party, Rubio also made a notable bid for the presidency in 2016. Though unsuccessful, the campaign elevated his profile, especially his influence on US policy in Latin America, where he was described as a virtual secretary of state for Latin America. How Rubio will shift Republican foreign policy views Historically, Rubio has promoted a robust foreign policy, particularly concerning U.S. rivals like China, Iran, and Cuba. Yet over recent years, he has moderated some of these positions to align with Trumps focus on avoiding extensive US military involvement. America is the greatest country the world has ever known, but we have serious problems at home and dangerous challenges abroad, Rubio has said, underscoring his belief in a balanced domestic and foreign policy approach. He has highlighted his commitment to a multi-ethnic, working-class coalition that would strive to resolve these complex issues. A significant voice on the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio has consistently advocated for an assertive stance on China, earning himself sanctions from Beijing in 2020 for his criticisms of Chinese actions in Hong Kong. He also called for a national security investigation into the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, prompting US efforts to regulate foreign tech influence. Rubios tough stance on China aligns with Trumps foreign policy and sends a clear message of anticipated US-China tensions under a second Trump administration. Latin America in focus under Rubio If confirmed, Rubio would bring a new focus to Latin American policy, an area in which he has long been an influential voice. Quoted by Reuters, Mauricio Claver-Carone, a former National Security Council adviser and ally of Rubio, asserted, This is the time Latin America will most be on the map in the history of any US presidency. Its historic. Rubio has often taken a hard line on Latin American regimes, notably in his outspoken criticism of the Venezuelan government led by Nicolas Maduro and his opposition to normalising relations with Cuba. Advertisement His heritage and political experience may strengthen Trumps appeal among Latino voters, especially after the demographic shift seen in the recent election, in which more Latino voters turned to the Republican Party. Rubios evolving relationship with Trump Rubios relationship with Trump has evolved significantly since the heated 2016 presidential primary, where Rubio, once a top contender, withdrew after losing his home state of Florida to Trump. In a debate, Rubio famously criticised Trump, saying he was not going to make America great. Hes gonna make America orange. Despite this history, Rubio ultimately endorsed Trump for the 2016 presidential election and has since become a crucial supporter, even advising Trump on foreign policy matters and helping with debate preparations against Joe Biden in 2020. During Trumps 2024 campaign, Rubio was considered for vice president, though the role eventually went to JD Vance of Ohio. However, Rubio has remained close to the administrations inner circle, and his experience with both the Senate Intelligence Committee and Foreign Relations Committee made him an appealing candidate for Secretary of State. Advertisement Speaking to CNN, sources familiar with Trumps cabinet selection process said that while Ric Grenell was a leading candidate initially, Trump ultimately chose Rubio after discussions with his allies and the senators supporters. Rubio on Ukraine & foreign military aid Rubios possible appointment also highlights an ongoing shift within the Republican Party toward a more cautious approach to US involvement in foreign conflicts. Rubio was one of 15 Republican senators who voted against a $95 billion military aid package to Ukraine in April, advocating instead for a negotiated settlement to end the conflict with Russia. Im not on Russias side but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement, Rubio told NBC in September. Though he is not the most isolationist figure among Trumps allies, Rubios stance reflects a growing Republican consensus that the US should limit its role in foreign wars, particularly in regions like Europe, where some Republicans believe US allies should bear more responsibility for their own defence. Advertisement Rubios committee roles Now in his third Senate term, Rubio holds several key committee positions that bolster his foreign policy credentials, including Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a senior role in the Foreign Relations Committee. His influence extends into areas of domestic policy as well; hes a member of the Committee on Appropriations and has served as chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. His combined experience has given him insight into both domestic and international priorities, including his focus on strengthening the US economy and addressing workforce challenges through educational reform and training programs. Rubios extensive record has made him a formidable candidate for United States Secretary of State, likely impacting US policy in Latin America, countering Chinese influence, and redefining Americas engagement in conflicts worldwide. If confirmed, Rubio will face an international landscape that is arguably more complex than when Trump first took office, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, an assertive China, and a restructured balance of power globally. Advertisement With inputs from agencies President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Mike Waltz to be his National Security Adviser. Waltz, a Republican, is part of the India Caucus.in the House. But what do we know about Waltz? And what is the India Caucus? Lets take a closer look: As per India Today, Waltz is the first Green Beret to be elected to the US House. Waltz is a three-term Republican representative from east-central Florida. Graduating from the Virginia Military Institute, Waltz served in the army for four years. Waltz, while in the army, served in Afghanistan, West Asia and Africa. The Trump loyalist and Congressman from Florida earlier served in the National Guard as a colonel where he received four Bronze Stars. The 50-year-old is a vocal critic of China. He has been critical of Chinas activities in the Asia-Pacific and has voiced the need for the United States to be ready for a potential conflict in the region. The national security adviser is a powerful role, which does not require Senate confirmation. Waltz will be responsible for briefing Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies. While slamming the Biden administration for a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Waltz has publicly praised Trumps foreign policy views. Disruptors are often not nice frankly our national security establishment and certainly a lot of people that are dug into bad old habits in the Pentagon need that disruption, Waltz said during an event earlier this year. Donald Trump is that disruptor, he said. Waltz has a long history in Washingtons political circles. He was a defence policy director for defence secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates and was elected to Congress in 2018. Waltz is the chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee overseeing military logistics and also on the select committee on intelligence. Waltz is also on the Republicans China Task Force and has argued the US military is not as prepared as it needs to be if there is conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. Waltz, who was in the running to be defence secretary, could rankle some in the uniformed ranks. As a congressman from Florida, he has been at the forefront of a conservative movement opposed to teaching certain theories about racism and has criticised military officials for it. He has also lamented the Pentagons failure to fire generals and civilian bureaucrats who fail to perform. We need to get a culture of accountability into that place. No one ever seems to get fired, with these massive cost over-runs, massive waste, Waltz told Fox News last week. We dont need managers there. We need reformers. He has criticised the military for being political under President Joe Bidens administration. In 2023, Waltz introduced an act in Congress that would have required an audit of unnecessary and political DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs in the military and restore a merit-based culture to our ranks. In a book published earlier this year titled Hard Truths: Think and Lead Like a Green Beret, Waltz laid out a five-part strategy to preventing war with China, including arming Taiwan faster, re-assuring allies in the Pacific, and modernizing planes and ships. On Ukraine, Waltz has said his views have evolved. After Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he called for the Biden administration to provide more weapons to Kyiv to help them push back Russian forces. But during an event last month, Waltz said there had to be a reassessment of the United States aims in Ukraine. Is it in Americas interest, are we going to put in the time, the treasure, the resources that we need in the Pacific right now badly? Waltz asked. Waltz has praised Trump for pushing NATO allies to spend more on defence, but unlike the president-elect has not suggested the United States pull out of the alliance. Look we can be allies and friends and have tough conversations, Waltz said last month. Waltz demonstrated his loyalty to Trump earlier this year when he appeared at Trumps May 16 hush-money court hearing in Manhattan, one of only a handful of lawmakers to do so. During a tense congressional hearing with the top US general in 2021, Waltz was critical of the US Military Academy at West Point for teaching critical race theory, which maintains that legacies of slavery and segregation have created an uneven playing field for Black Americans. The India Caucus in the House is officially known as the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans. Founded in 1993, it describes itself as a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers committed to strengthening the relationship between the United States and India. In the new Congress, the members will continue working to strengthen partnerships between policy makers and the Indian American diaspora communities and reduce Indias reliance on Russian defence systems, its website states. Waltz and Indian-American representative Ro Khanna, who is in the Samosa Caucus, chair the India Caucus in the House. Interestingly, there is also an Indian Caucus in the Senate. That group was founded in 2004 by Hillary Clinton and John Cornyn. US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday he has nominated Mike Huckabee as the next ambassador to Israel, saying the former Arkansas state governor will work tirelessly for peace in the Middle East read more US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday he has nominated Mike Huckabee as the next ambassador to Israel, saying the former Arkansas state governor will work tirelessly for peace in the Middle East. Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him, AFP quoted Trump as saying in a statement. Advertisement Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East! Trump added. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align US foreign policy more closely with Israels interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007, is a two-time Republican presidential candidate and the father of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the current governor of Arkansas and former White House press secretary under Donald Trump. A vocal supporter of Israeli settlements, Huckabee expressed in 2018 that he dreamed of building a holiday home in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The president-elects Cabinet is taking shape as he taps loyalists for key positions that offer a glimpse into how certain policies will be implemented. Earlier, Trump announced Rep. Mike Waltz as his pick for national security adviser and selected Gov. Kristi Noem as his Homeland Security secretary. He picked Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state. With inputs from agencies Melania Trump is not expected to attend a meeting with the US First Lady Jill Biden at the White House on Wednesday. Her absence would come even as her husband, Donald Trump, meets President Joe Biden in the Oval Office. But why is the former first lady likely to turn down the customary invite? read more Melania Trump is unlikely to meet US First Lady Jill Biden at the White House. File Photo/Reuters Melania Trump is likely to snub United States First Lady Jill Bidens invite for a meeting at the White House on Wednesday (November 13). Reports say the former first lady has declined the offer and will not join her husband, Donald Trump, to meet the Bidens. It is customary for the outgoing President and First Lady to host the incoming president-elect and their spouse. US President Joe Biden will meet Trump at the Oval Office, a gesture symbolising that there will be a peaceful transition of power. Advertisement Lets take a look at why Melania Trump is expected to skip the meeting with Jill Biden. Melania Trump bucks the tradition Melania Trump has reportedly turned down Jill Bidens invitation for a meeting at the White House. The two have not spoken yet after Trump defeated Democrat leader and Vice President Kamala Harris last week in the US presidential elections. A source told DailyMail.com, Mrs Trump is not going, and they have not spoken. Jill had extended the customary invitation to Melania. The Bidens extended congratulations and a joint invite to the Trumps to meet at the White House, the first ladys office said earlier. However, the former model is not in the mood to accept the offer. While some reports say it is due to her conflicting schedule, others cite her frustration with the Bidens. As per a CNN report, Melania is busy with her newly released memoir and is not expected to attend the meeting with Jill. Another source told the American broadcaster that no final decision has been taken yet. There was a discussion about persuading Melania to go to Washington for the meeting, as some members of Trumps team believed it was important, reported CNN. According to New York Post, Melania has declined the offer as she is upset with the Bidens over the FBI raid on Donald Trumps Palm Beach residence, Mar-a-Lago, as part of the federal governments probe into mishandling of classified documents. Advertisement She aint going, a source familiar with Melanias decision told NY Post. Jill Bidens husband authorised the FBI snooping through her underwear drawer. The Bidens are disgusting, the source said. Jill Biden isnt someone Melania needs to meet, the source added. The former first lady has previously condemned the raid at the Florida mansion in August 2022. The FBI had searched Melanias wardrobe, her husbands office and one of the rooms of their son, Barron Trump, as per NY Post. Yeah, it made me angry, she recalled in an interview on Fox and Friends in September interview, labelling it an invasion of privacy. I saw unpleasant stuff that nobody wants to see, Melania said of her ransacked residence. And you get angry because, you know, nobody should be putting up with that kind of stuff. Advertisement Melanias absence comes even as her husband will sit with President Biden. The meeting is scheduled for 11 am EST (9.30 pm IST) on Wednesday, according to the White House. What happened in 2020? It is a tradition for the first lady to host her successor for tea and a tour of the White House. In modern history, there has always been an invitation, this goes back to at least Bess Truman and Mamie Eisenhower (in 1952), Kate Andersen Brower, author of First Women: The Grace and Power of Americas Modern First Ladies, told USA Today in 2021. However, Melania Trump had ditched the tradition. Her husband had contested the 2020 US presidential elections, repeatedly and falsely claiming he was the true winner. The Trumps did not host the Bidens at the White House at the time, breaking the tradition. Advertisement The Trumps had also skipped Joe Bidens swearing-in ceremony in January 2021. However, the Bidens will be present at the Republican leaders inauguration in January next year, as per the White House. The last time the outgoing first lady followed the tradition of meeting the incoming first lady at the White House was in 2016. The then-first lady Michelle Obama had hosted Melania for tea in the White Houses Yellow Oval Room. She had also given her a tour of the private residence. US President Barack Obama (R) and first lady Michelle Obama (L) greet US President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania for tea before the inauguration at the White House in Washington, US January 20, 2017. File Photo/Reuters A part-time first lady? There are reports that Melania Trump could be a part-time first lady. Last time, she had carried out some first-lady traditions but reportedly did not enjoy her time at the White House when her husband was the president from 2017 to 2021. Her decision to skip the meeting with Jill Biden signals she will have more say around the second time. With inputs from agencies Advertisement Indonesias new President Prabowo Subianto shared a video post of his phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump where he congratulated him on his reelection. During the conversation, Prabowo called Trump sir multiple times, leaving netizens counting how many times he did that read more Indonesias new President Prabowo Subianto talking to US President-elect Donald Trump after arriving in Washington and before meeting President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday. Source: Screengrab | X | @prabowo. Sir, sir and more sir, in less than a three-minute phone call with the US President-elect, sir seemed to be the catch-word of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto who used it generously while congratulating Donald Trump on his election victory. Prabowo spoke with Trump over a phone call shortly after landing in Washington on an official visit during which he will also meet with President Joe Biden and celebrate the 75th anniversary of US-Indonesian relations as well as explore ways to strengthen US-Indonesian cooperation. Advertisement Prabowo, who has said he will pursue a non-aligned foreign policy, shared the video of his phone call with the US President-elect on X, in which he even said that he would like to call personally on Trump. Wherever you are, Im willing to fly to congratulate you personally, sir, Prabowo said. Well do that, anytime you want, Trump replied. However, it is not clear whether Prabowo will meet Trump while hes in Washington, but netizens are left baffled by his calling the US President-elect sir multiple times. Stop calling him sir. Are you not the president of Indonesia??? commented a user on Prabowos post. Stop calling him sir. Are you not president of Indonesia??? the hear guru (@thehearguru) November 11, 2024 Another user said, Why are you talking to him like hes your boss? I counted you said sir at least 40 times. Why are you talking to him like hes your boss? I counted you said sir at least 40 times. S (@shaitannirajeem) November 11, 2024 Advertisement Here are a few more comments by netizens on Prabowos video post in which he is talking to Trump after his win in the 2024 US Presidential elections. BTW, how many "Sir" you guys could hear in this short conversation? DMS Voice (@DMSvoice) November 11, 2024 Advertisement You are interacting the way we interact with our boss Sagar Khandelwal (@Khandelw13Sagar) November 12, 2024 That's how a security guard talks to his master. Lord Immy Kant (Eastern Exile) (@KantInEast) November 11, 2024 Advertisement So head lowering phone call Dallas13 | Libyan Hacker (@fei404) November 11, 2024 Prabowo addressed Trump as sir at least 20 times in a less-than-a-three-minute call. Once during the call, Prabowo said, I will try to call on you at your convenience, sir, if its possible. Advertisement To this Trump replied, Yes, you call anytime you want. You have my number, this is my number. It will be my great honour to help you. Trump acknowledges Prabowos linguistic abilities During the call, Trump also said he was proud of Prabowo for doing a great job in Indonesia. Trump also told the Indonesian President was very respected. Trump also praised Prabowos English, to which the Indonesian President replied: All my training is American, sir" as he apparently referenced the officer training he received in the US in the 1980s. In the conversation, Trump was heard describing his victory in the US elections against Democrat candidate Kamala Harris as amazing, with the people of country giving him a big mandate. We had tremendous success. The most successful in over 100 years, they say, Trump said. Prabowo expresses shock over assassination attempt on Trump In the telephone call, Prabowo also expressed shock over the assassination attempt during Trumps campaign. Trump replied, Yes, I got very lucky. I just happened to be in the right place with the right direction, otherwise I wouldnt be talking to you right now. LG Display has revealed a groundbreaking stretchable display that can expand up to 50%, a new industry record. This 12-inch screen, shown at LG Science Park in Seoul, stretches to 18 inches while maintaining high resolution and full color. This prototype surpasses LGs 2022 version by more than doubling the elongation rate. It achieves this through advancements like a special silicon substrate and a unique wiring design. Using micro-LEDs ensures durability, allowing the display to be stretched over 10,000 times while withstanding extreme temperatures and shocks. Stretchable displays are thin, lightweight, and can adhere to curved surfaces. This opens doors to applications in fashion, wearables, and mobility. LG showcased concepts like a stretchable automotive panel and a wearable display for firefighters. This achievement stems from a national project led by LG Display in collaboration with industry and research institutes. The project, supported by South Koreas Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, aims to develop core technologies for next-generation displays. Regarding the new display, Soo-young Yoon, CTO and Executive Vice President of LG Display, said: We will continue to build a sustainable future display ecosystem through close cooperation between South Korean industry, academia, and research stakeholders. BenQ today expanded its ZOWIE gaming monitor lineup in India by launching the XL2566X+ Gaming Monitor, featuring Fast-TN and DyAc 2 technology. The XL2566X+ succeeds the XL2566K model and is the first in BenQs X+ series to incorporate these advancements, aimed at providing FPS gamers with improved visual clarity and ergonomic flexibility. ZOWIE XL2566X+ Gaming Monitor The monitor includes a 24.1-inch Full HD Fast TN display with a 400Hz refresh rate and DyAc 2 technology, delivering sharper images, superior motion clarity, and reduced blur. It offers clearer visuals than QHD panels at popular FPS resolutions like 1280960 for CS2 and 19201080 for VALORANT. According to BenQ, the Fast TN panel enhances liquid crystal response, reducing ghosting and crosstalk while improving color performance for better enemy detection. The XL2566X+ utilizes DyAc 2 technology with dual backlights, providing effective motion blur reduction and ghosting minimization, along with a softened light output for eye comfort during extended sessions. The monitors Auto Game Mode, powered by XL Setting to Share software, automatically adjusts color modes based on different games, removing the need for manual adjustments. Ergonomically, it offers height adjustability with industrial-grade bearings for smooth positioning, ideal for esports setups. Connectivity options include three HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and a headphone jack. Quick Specifications: BenQ ZOWIE XL2566X+ Gaming Monitor Shielding Hood and Industrial-Grade Ball Bearing Height Adjustment 24.1 FHD Fast TN 400Hz Display; (1280960 for CS2 90% and 19201080 for VALORANT 74%), 320 nits brightness, 0.28mm pixel pitch, 1000:1 contrast ratio, fast liquid crystal response time Motion Clarity DyAc 2 XL Setting to Share (FPS Mode, Movie Mode, and Standard Mode) Additional Features: Dynamic Accuracy, Shield, S Switch, Black eQualizer, Flicker-Free, Low Blue Light, K Locker Input/Output Connections: HDMI 2.0 x3, DP 1.4, headphone jack VESA Wall Mounting (Swivel, Tilt, Height Adjustment) Pricing and Availability The BenQ ZOWIE XL2566X+ is priced at Rs. 54,990 and is available through Amazon.in, the ZOWIE India E-store, and select gaming retailers. Speaking about the launch, Rajeev Singh, Managing Director, BenQ India and South Asia, said, 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. Russo-Ukraine War - 11 November 2024 - Day 992 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that according to the Russian Investigative Committee, on 18 October 2024, 3 individuals were remanded in custody for charges relating to the misappropriation of real estate belonging to the Russian Ministry of Defence. The suspects include the former head of the Assets Department of Main Directorate for the Outfitting of Troops, who with the other suspects is accused of misappropriating 15 properties worth over 244 million roubles ($2.5m USD) in the Moscow Region, while administrating the bankruptcy of a Defence Ministry associated construction entity. Separately former Russian National Guard Deputy Director Sergei Mileiko is facing corruption charges for inflating the prices of uniforms during a procurement by over 400m roubles ($4.2m USD). Arrests and criminal proceedings against Defence and Defence Industry officials have continued apace since Spring 2024, as Russian investigative authorities almost certainly attempt to achieve a level of control over the massive scale of corruption in the Russian defence sector, for both practical and demonstrative political reasons. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential. Since the beginning of the day, there have been 185 combat clashes, Russian forces launched 64 air and three missile strikes, engaged 106 ABs and three missiles, deployed 793 kamikaze drones, launched more than 4,000 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian terrorists eight times without success stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the area of Vovchansk. The aviation strike was suffered by the settlement of Cossack Lopany, on which the enemy dropped two controlled bombs. Three times Russian forces attacked Ukrainian fortifications in the Kupians komu direction in the areas of Kindrashivka, Novoplatonivka and Kolisnikivka. Ten attacks of the Russian occupiers were repelled by Ukrainian soldiers near Grekivka, Nevsky, Terniv, Novomikhailivka and Serebryanka in the Lyman direction. The settlements of Zarichne, Lyman and Yampolivka were hit by controlled aviation bombs. In the Sivers komu direction, Russian forces made one attempt to appease Ukrainian defenders from occupied positions in the area of the settlement of Viymka, to the same, made an aviation strike in the areas of Zakitnogo, Dronivka and Siversk. In the Kramatorsky direction, three Russian attempts to advance near the Time Yar ended in failure, also the Russian enemy struck with unguided missiles in the area of the settlement Novomarkove, bombarded Kramatorsky and Time Yar. In the Toretsky direction, Russian forces today four times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Toretsk and Scherbinivka. Defense forces are steadily holding back pressure, repelling all enemy attacks. Intensely attacks the Russian opponent of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. During the day, Russian forces committed 36 offensive actions. The largest activity of Russian occupiers is kept in the areas of Mirolubivka, Beam, Grigorivka, Cool Yaru, Petrivka, Desert, Ukrainka and Fox. Ukrainian defenders bravely hold the border, repelled 32 Russian attacks, four confrontations continue so far. The bombardment suffered a settlement of Mirnograd, on which terrorists dropped one controlled aviation bomb. According to preliminary calculations, today Ukrainian warriors eliminated 119 and wounded 153 Russian invaders. Destroyed one tank, six combat armored cars, one unit of automobile equipment, four motorcycles and one mortar of Russians. One combat armored vehicle and two artillery systems were also damaged. In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day, there are 49 combat clashes. Russian forces, supported by the aviation, tried to advance in the areas of Illinka, Novoselidivka, Vozdvizhenka, Voznesenka, Novodmitrivka, Maximilianivka, Dalnyo, Antonivka, Katerinivka, Kreminnoi Balka, Sonsivka, Zory and Kurakhovy. 16 clashes are still going on. Ukrainian defenders in this direction eliminated 79 and wounded 139 invaders, in addition damaged four tanks, one armored vehicle and one Russian anti-tank missile complex. In the Vremivs komu direction, the Russian opponent was activated, during the day, eight attacks of Russian units in the areas of Trudovogo, Makarivka, Novodarivka and Rivnopol. Four fights are being sharpened so far. During the offensive actions, the Russian opponent actively used aviation in the areas of settlements Novodonetske, Maksimivka, Velika Novosilka and Green Field. In the direction of Gulyaipils komu, Russian forces did not carry out offensive actions. Near Novoandriivka, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled one attack of Russians in the orihiv direction. Five Russian assaults have been unsuccessful in the Pridniprovsk direction. In addition, Russian forces struck unkekorovated aviation missiles on the settlements of Odradokamianka and Vesele. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, the Sever Group of Forces hit formations of 105th, 115th, 116th, and 120th territorial defence brigades close to Volchansk, Olkhovatka, and Aleksandrovka (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 95 troops, two motor vehicles, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer. The Zapad Group of Forces liberated Kolesnikovka of the Kharkov region. Russian units hit manpower and formations of 14th, 43rd, 60th, 63rd, 92nd mechanised brigades, 3rd Assault Brigade, and 77th Airmobile Brigade near Kupyansk, Kucherovka, Zagryzovo, Kopanki, Ostrovskoye (Kharkov region), Yampolovka, and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 530 troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, six motor vehicles, three Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery systems, a UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, a 152-mm D-20 gun, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Moreover, a Kvertus EW station and two field ammunition depots were destroyed. The Yug Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line and inflicted losses on 24th, 28th, 30th mechanised brigades, 10th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 35th Marine Brigade, 124th Territorial Defence Brigade and 1st National Guard Brigade near Seversk, Slavyansk, Zvanovka, Minkovka, Nikolayevka, Chasov Yar, Predtechino, Konstantinovka and Kurakhovovoka (Donetsk People's Republic). Four counter-attacks of the AFU 54th Mechanised Brigade, 46th, 81st airmobile brigades, and 119th Territorial Defence Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 540 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, a U.S.-made 105-mm M119 howitzer, and a UK-made L-119 artillery system. Four electronic warfare stations, a U.S.-made AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar station and two field ammunition depot were eliminated. The Tsentr Group of Forces continued advancing into the depths of the enemy's defence, inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of 53rd, 132nd, 151st mechanised brigades, 142nd Infantry Brigade, 68th Jaeger Brigade, 38th Marine Brigade, 12th National Guard Brigade close to Dzerzhinsk, Shcherbinovka, Dimitrov, Udachnoye, Voznesenka, Novoalekseyevka, Novodmitrovka, and Novoselidovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Eight counter-attacks of 93rd, 100th, 117th mechanised brigades, 152nd Jaeger Brigade, 5th Assault Brigade, 49th Assault Battalion, 35th Marine Brigade, and Lyut Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian National Police were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 505 troops, a tank, two U.S.-made MaxxPro armoured fighting vehicles, two Kazak armoured vehicles, five pickups, a 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, a 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and a U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station. The Vostok Group of Forces occupied more advantageous lines and positions, defeated formations of 33rd Mechanised Brigade, 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 37th Marine Brigade, 117th, 127th, 128th territorial defence brigades, 21st and 23rd national guard brigades close to Sukhiye Yaly, Velikaya Novoselka, Zelenoye Pole, Rovnopol (Donetsk People's Republic), and Temirovka of the Zaporozhye region. The AFU losses amounted to up to 145 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, and three motor vehicles. The Dnepr Group of Forces engaged manpower and hardware of 65th, 110th mechanised brigades, 141st Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 103rd and 126th territorial defence brigades close to Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region), Olgovka, Lvovo, Nikolskoye and Kamyshany (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 65 troops and four motor vehicles. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack UAVs, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the infrastructure of military airfields, a component production workshop, and the place where Sapsan operational-tactical missiles are tested, production facilities, storage and training sites for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, arsenals, fuel depots and logistics centre of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware in 133 areas. Russian air defence systems have shot down four French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs and 39 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 648 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 35,551 unmanned aerial vehicles, 585 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,167 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,487 MLRS combat vehicles, 17,673 field artillery guns and mortars, and 28,157 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region. The Sever Group of Forces continued offensive actions and inflicted losses on formations of 21st, 22nd, 41st, 47th, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Daryino, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novoivanovka, and Plyokhovo. The Group's units repelled six enemy counter-attacks in the direction of Daryino, Nikolayevo-Daryino, and Novoivanovka. The AFU losses amounted to up to 70 people killed and wounded, a tank, two armoured personnel carriers, four armoured fighting vehicles, and a motor vehicle were neutralised. Five AFU servicemen surrendered. Army aviation and artillery inflicted losses on clusters of manpower and hardware of 21st, 22nd, 41st 47th, 61st mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 82nd, and 95th airborne assault brigades, 36th Marine Brigade as well as 103rd, 112th, 118th, 129th territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and 17th National Guard Brigade of Ukraine near Agronom, Aleksandriya, Bondarevka, Guyevo, Daryino, Kazachya Loknya, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Loknya, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Mirny, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Plyokhovo, Sverdlikovo, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye. Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops have attacked concentration areas in the Sumy region and reserves of the 22nd, 41st, 44th, and 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade as well as 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU, and 1st National Guard Brigade near Basovka, Belovody, Vesyolovka, Zhuravka, and Sumy. Over 300 troops, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured personnel carriers, eight armoured fighting vehicles, three artillery guns, a mortar, and seven motor vehicles of the AFU have been neutralised during the day. Five AFU servicemen surrendered. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 31,390 troops, 195 tanks, 127 infantry fighting vehicles, 109 armoured personnel carriers, 1,110 armoured fighting vehicles, 850 motor vehicles, 265 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 11 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 62 EW stations, 12 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 26 units of engineering and other materiel, including 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Metakosmos introduces Kernel360, an innovative spacesuit telemetry software enhancing astronaut training and mission management. With real-time data analytics, Kernel360 offers versatile solutions across land, sea, air, and space, revolutionizing human spaceflight operations globally. Photo courtesy of Metakosmos SYDNEY, Australia, Nov. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metakosmos , an emerging leader in space technology, introduces the Kernel360, a groundbreaking spacesuit telemetry software integrated into its flagship Kosmosuit platform. This innovative solution enhances astronaut training, provides unparalleled real-time data analytics, and supports critical missions in extreme environments. Kernel360, the backbone for efficient mission management, bolsters the Kosmosuit platform, already known for its adaptability. Metakosmos designed Kernel360 to provide real-time performance diagnostics, enabling astronauts and operators to collect, analyze, and act on crucial data during training sessions and live missions. This software goes beyond traditional telemetry systems by incorporating predictive analytics. It helps anticipate and suit maintenance needs and optimize mission logistics. It adapts to various mission environments as a modular system, making it essential for space travel and operations in terrestrial, underwater, and atmospheric conditions. "We are proud to announce Kernel360, a tool that redefines spaceflight telemetry and astronaut training," said Kiriti Rambhatla, CEO of Metakosmos. "Our mission is to push the boundaries of what is possible in space technology. With Kernel360, we are making space more accessible and cost-effective while delivering advanced solutions to enhance safety and mission success." Kosmosuit Kernel360 Wins 2024 Australian Good Design Award At the 2024 Australian Good Design Awards, the Kosmosuit Kernel360 won a prestigious Good Design Award in the Engineering Design category. Competing against various industry leaders, it highlights the company's inventive perspective on astronaut performance intelligence and mission planning. The award recognizes the company's exceptional contribution to space engineering, which focuses mainly on user-centric design and adaptability to extreme conditions. The jury praised the software for its potential to lower the barriers to human spaceflight, noting that "The Kosmosuit Kernel360 represents a significant advancement in astronaut training and performance intelligence. This state-of-the-art software can be adapted for operators across land, sea, and air, making it an essential tool for extreme condition training," the jury added. Meeting the Growing Demand in Space Technology With Kernel360, the company meets the rising demand for advanced telemetry systems. These systems are becoming increasingly critical as space agencies and private companies push for more extended, complex missions. Metakosmos's telemetry software beta tests with multiple institutions, including private companies, medical institutions, and research organizations. The software's ability to provide high-fidelity data in real time helps organizations improve operational efficiency and make data-driven decisions. This guarantees mission success across various sectors beyond space, including deep-sea exploration and aviation. "At Metakosmos, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of space technology while reducing costs for our clients," Kiriti Rambhatla added. "We believe Kernel360 will play a pivotal role in space exploration and any industry that operates in extreme environments. Our goal is to make this technology as widely accessible as possible." Expansion Plans Metakosmos is poised for rapid growth, having secured government grants (Australian Space Agency) and a $2 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate the development of its products and capabilities. The company aims to expand globally and is pursuing partnerships with leading space agencies and private companies. This funding and expansion strategy positions Metakosmos as a significant player in the space technology industry. Visit the Metakosmos website to learn more about Kernel360 and the Kosmosuit platform. About Metakosmos Metakosmos is an Australian-based space technology company dedicated to advancing human spaceflight by designing and engineering next-generation spacesuits. The company's flagship product, the Kosmosuit, is a modular platform designed to operate in space and extreme environments on Earth. Metakosmoss telemetry software, Kernel360, provides high-fidelity data and real-time performance monitoring, helping operators improve efficiency and safety across missions. Contact Information Name: Kiriti Rambhatla, CEO Company: Metakosmos Email: info@metakosmos.com.au Website: https://metakosmos.com.au/ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83007c6c-752c-4529-b4c4-84cddd4b15ec The Digital Medical and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Forum in Beijing, part of the 2024 Capital International Medical Congress, explored AI's transformative impact on healthcare. Experts discussed AI applications in diagnostics, personalized medicine, robotic surgery, and data-driven medical advancements. Photo credit: CHTV BEIJING, Nov. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On September 13, the Digital Medical and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Forum took place in Beijing as part of the 2024 Capital International Medical Congress. Organized by CHTV and supported by the Chinese Hospital Association, the forum was a key feature of the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), a platform aimed at promoting openness, fostering cooperation, and driving innovation in China. As one of the main events under CIFTIS, the Capital International Medical Congress is spearheaded by the Chinese Hospital Association and supported by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission. This years Congress includes five parallel forums, with a focus on "Smart Healthcare and Medical Artificial Intelligence Innovation." Rapid advancements in technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing are revolutionizing the medical field and profoundly changing healthcare models and services. Vice President of the Chinese Hospital Association, Mao Qunan Mao Qun an, Vice President of the Chinese Hospital Association, emphasized that China's healthcare system is witnessing unprecedented growth due to the integration of AI and information technologies. He noted that these developments are accelerating infrastructure construction and expanding smart healthcare applications, resulting in a shift toward data-driven decision-making in the medical sector. Mao also highlighted four key areas where AI will have a significant impact: clinical diagnosis and treatment, personalized medicine, resource distribution, and public health management. Researcher at the Research Institute of Chinese Science and Technology Development Strategies under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Zhao Gang Zhao Gang, Director-General of the Global Innovation Center and a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, delivered a speech on global and Chinese technological innovation. He pointed out that AI is driving rapid advancements across various fields, including medical research and drug development. Zhao stressed the importance of strengthening national scientific and technological initiatives and accelerating the digital economy to boost AI development, particularly in the healthcare sector. Professor at the Future Technology Institute at Peking University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cheng Heping. Several renowned academicians also shared their expertise on the application of smart technologies in healthcare. Cheng Heping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor at Peking University, discussed how AI and big data are transforming biomedical research. Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of the Urology Department at the Third Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, Zhang Xu. Zhang Xu, an academician and director of the Urology Department at the PLA General Hospital, highlighted advancements in remote and robotic surgeries, predicting that such technologies will soon play a critical role in providing medical care to remote areas, disaster zones, and even space stations. Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Deng ZiXin. Deng Zixin, an academician at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, explored the potential of synthetic biology to revolutionize the health, environment, and energy sectors through its integration with AI. Director of the Tencent Youtu Tianyan Research Center, Wu Xian. Senior Director and Researcher at Alibaba DAMO Academy, Lu Le. The forum also featured discussions on the practical applications of AI in healthcare. Wu Xian, Director of the Tencent Youtu Tianyan Research Center, and Lu Le, Senior Director at Alibaba DAMO Academy, presented AI-driven innovations in medical diagnostics, highlighting breakthroughs in cancer screening, chronic disease detection, and large medical models. These advancements are paving the way for more accurate, low-cost medical assessments. Director of the Health Management Center at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hu Anyi. Hu Anyi, Director of the Health Management Center at Fuwai Hospital, showcased the hospitals intelligent human motor ability assessment system, which uses AI to deliver rapid and accurate health reports. Director of the AI Center at the National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases and Professor at Beihang University, Liu Tao. Liu Tao, Director of the AI Center at the National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, shared insights into AIs role in brain health assessments, covering emergency care, rehabilitation, and personalized treatments. Deputy Party Secretary, CEO, and General Manager of LinkDoc Technology, Gao Jing. Gao Jing, CEO of LinkDoc Technology, emphasized the importance of transforming medical data into valuable assets through effective data aggregation, governance, and operations. By optimizing data management, hospitals can create efficient, high-quality healthcare services. The forum concluded with a roundtable discussion, during which experts from various fields, including Liu Xiaoying of Wanfang Medical Network and Zhou Xuefeng of Zhejiang University, addressed the current status and future challenges of medical AI and digital medicine, underscoring the transformative potential of these technologies in reshaping the healthcare industry. About the Digital Medical and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Forum The Digital Medical and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Forum is an integral part of the 2024 Capital International Medical Congress, which is hosted under the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). The forum serves as a platform for global leaders, healthcare professionals, and technological innovators to discuss the latest advancements in smart healthcare and medical AI. The event aims to promote the integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing into healthcare services, fostering collaboration and driving innovation in the medical industry. It is supported by the Chinese Hospital Association and key organizations dedicated to advancing medical technology in China. Contact Information: Name: Haoming Zhao Company: CHTV Website: http://chtv.com.cn/ Email: info@chtv.com.cn Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fc28fddd-bcd2-4ba2-b2fe-63ab316d9f53 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/607cc669-5f91-48a0-89e0-025ee8e36697 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d7adc630-e72d-45c6-8b21-f1354a656be4 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7a69a53-d220-42fb-a6bb-4722d7f98365 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c03114cb-8594-4d9e-a030-5205bad9ec15 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2fc750c2-d425-44fe-bf4f-3e8dd7e311b7 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c0c68139-0cbd-47c4-9c27-64d09c801f53 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a864888-c47a-4ef0-a260-b517c0cf7477 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fd923321-6d96-4046-a0ad-2dd15609281a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f193830-a6bd-45a2-913f-875037054d4c https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9860423f-2e8c-4fb4-a068-f9dabd3a46c3 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d9118a8f-464d-4ce1-b76a-2abd12611c6a Parrot Social launches Quick Analytics for F&B, a new AI-driven service providing real-time consumer insights to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and beverage industry. The tool helps F&B businesses scale by offering affordable, actionable data for growth and decision-making. Photo credit: Parrot Social SINGAPORE, Nov. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parrot Social has introduced Quick Analytics for Food & Beverage (F&B), a new tool aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the F&B industry. This service is designed to offer affordable, real-time, AI-driven consumer insights, which have often been inaccessible to smaller businesses due to high costs and limited resources. Many F&B business owners in Singapore, Malaysia, and the surrounding ASEAN region need help accessing relevant and timely data to inform their business decisions. The data they typically rely on is either outdated or too broad to address the specific needs of local markets. Hamidah Aidillah, founder and CEO of Parrot Social, highlights this challenge: Our goal is to change the misconception that good, intelligent data is only available to large corporations. With Quick Analytics for F&B, were giving smaller businesses the tools to grow and thrive, all powered by real-time AI-driven insights. Quick Analytics for F&B aims to provide actionable data to help business owners better understand their market, identify customer preferences, and make informed decisions about their business strategies. One of the key features of this service is Geo-Mapping AI technology, which allows business owners to: Identify optimal locations: The technology helps owners find the most promising locations to open new outlets based on data such as share of conversations, local preferences, and competitor density. Track consumer preferences: The tool monitors social media and other online platforms to identify what customers are saying about food trends, allowing businesses to adjust their offerings accordingly. Monitor industry trends: The service also tracks popular food-related hashtags and keywords in specific areas, helping businesses stay informed about the latest trends in their market. Parrot Social hopes to make data more accessible to F&B SMEs, helping them survive and scale their operations. The company believes that real-time data can help these businesses identify the right markets, improve their targeting, and grow more efficiently. "We believe that by giving F&B business owners access to these kinds of insights - which is specific and data-driven, they can significantly improve their chances of success in a highly competitive market," says Hamidah. About Parrot Social Parrot Social is a data analytics agency based in Singapore. The company uses AI-driven tools to provide real-time consumer insights and market data across industries, including F&B, healthcare, and automotive. Parrot Socials technology analyzes data from a wide range of online sources to help businesses make informed, data-driven decisions. For more information, visit www.parrot.social . Contact Information: Name: Hamidah Aidillah Company: Parrot Social Email: contact@parrot.social Website: www.parrot.social A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d5b9533-37ed-4d25-91d8-033c904b581d MOORESVILLE, N.C, Nov. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hemp Doctor has introduced a newly formulated Nighttime Extended Release Full Spectrum Gummies, available exclusively at thehempdoctor.com, thdwholesale.com, and their physical store locations. The new blend consists of 50% nano-emulsified cannabinoids combined with 50% of their original long-lasting nighttime gummies formula. Robert Shade, the founder of The Hemp Doctor, explains how the gummies work through a two-phase action. Once the nano-emulsified cannabinoids are active and communicating with the bodies CB1 and CB2 receptors, the distillate-infused portion of the gummy is just starting to kick in, approximately 60-90 minutes later. The full activation happens in two to three hours. So, while youre feeling the rapid onset within 15-45 minutes, the distillate portion still hasnt kicked in. Its a perfect blend, giving you the best of both worlds. Quicker Onset of Effects and a Longer Duration of Action Say goodbye to restless nights with the Nighttime Extended Release Full Spectrum Gummies. Formulated to provide the ultimate nighttime experience, these gummies are designed to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Faster Onset: Effects are felt within 15-45 minutes. Effects are felt within 15-45 minutes. Extended Duration: Benefits last two to three hours, ensuring uninterrupted sleep cycles. Packed with 7.5mg Delta 9 THC, 10mg CBN, and 10mg CBD, this powerful blend promotes relaxation and supports sleep cycles. Its available in Tangerine, Berry Blast, and Cherry Lime flavors, with each jar containing 30 counts of gummies. A 2-count packet is also available for those interested in a sample-sized option. Summary of Key Features and Benefits of the All-New Nighttime Gummies: Dual-action formulation combining rapid onset and extended-release technology. The onset of effects is approximately 15 to 45 minutes, lasting two to three hours. Balanced inclusion of Delta 9 THC, CBD, and CBN. Available in three mouthwatering options. 900mg of cannabinoids per jar in total, with each gummy containing 30mg. Certificate of Analysis link available. Building on the success of their widely popular Delta 9 gummies collection, the Nighttime Extended Release Gummies is just one of the many The Hemp Doctor offerings. About The Hemp Doctor The Hemp Doctor has been providing high-quality hemp-derived products in its online shop and brick-and-mortar stores since 2018. The North Carolina-based company is known for offering cannabinoid products ranging from THCA flower to pre-rolls, concentrates, gummies, edibles, vapes, tinctures, and more. What distinguishes The Hemp Doctor is its dedication to quality products and customer satisfaction. With over 100,000 satisfied returning customers, thousands of subscribers, and a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 3,730 genuine reviews, The Hemp Doctor has positioned itself as a leader in the industry. As a company strictly adhering to lawful and safe human consumption, The Hemp Doctors array of products undergoes third-party DEA-certified lab testing. For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact: Tara Phoenix tara@thehempdoctor.com +1 917-797-8347 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1de93b75-d466-41a5-b2d5-a09bcf5c2f36 Malta, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- By popular demand: SiGMA Europe launches fourth shed In response to overwhelming demand from the international gaming community, SiGMA Europe is expanding its floor plan with an additional 15,000 square metres of exhibition space indoors as well as outdoors, giving this summit its unique festival vibe. Held for the second time at the Malta Maritime Hub (MMH), the entire venue spans an incredible 45,000 square metres, breathing new life into a brand new networking space for exhibitors and attendees, with ample quiet spaces and seating areas for uninterrupted meetings. The new expo size still allows attendees to walk the floor comfortably several times per day. The event closes SiGMAs 2024 calendar of events this November, 11 to 14th, with a celebration of SiGMAs milestone 10 year anniversary. Breaking records with 27,000 delegates SiGMA Europes expansion reflects its impressive growth in recent years and is a significant increase on last years numbers. The 2024 edition is projected to welcome 27,000 delegates, another record-breaking number that highlights the increasing interest and participation from the global gaming community. From high-level executives to entrepreneurs and regulators, the event continues to attract top-tier decision-makers, solidifying Malta as a natural home for iGaming companies. Increased footprint: showcasing 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors The newly expanded floor plan will feature increased space for exhibitors, accommodating 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors under its cathedral height ceilingsa new record for the SiGMA Europe event. Bringing an additional 4,000 square metres of space, this marks a significant milestone in the growth of the conference, underscoring its position as a leading and global hub for gaming and bringing more value to delegates. Expect to meet well respected brands, including BetConstruct, 1xBet, 22Bet, PIN-UP Partners and PIN-UP Global, MelBet, SmartSoft Gaming, GROWE Partners, GR8 Tech, Payment Center, Vavada, 7 stars partners, Softswiss, BGaming, evoke, Soft2Bet, and more. SiGMA Europe 2023 at the Mediterranean Maritime Hub (MMH). An expanded arena for networking With the addition of the fourth Shed, SiGMA Europe is creating more opportunities for networking and interaction than ever before. The larger venue will provide ample room for attendees to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas across multiple industries, including a vast outdoor area. New lounges and meeting spaces will allow for meaningful conversations and partnerships, catering to the needs of a diverse array of iGaming professionals, from CEOs and affiliates to investors and startups. A double decker space above the registration tunnel will feature a relaxing chill out zone, while a VIP lounge caters for investors and VCs. Additional highlight features include a brand new floor, new doors for a streamlined entrance, and a huge custom-built food court, which features a brand new eco design. Weve reached out to some of the top names in the catering business to ensure there are choices for everyone. From healthy choices to sinful temptations, expect to find everything from innovative vegan and vegetarian eateries, culturally inclusive options such as kosher and halal, as well as internationally inspired cuisines amongst the 14 food booths and food trucks. Brands on board include the likes of Oakberry, Tuk Tuk, Yoshi Sushi, Bacchus, and Kebab Factory. Why Malta? Malta has long been recognized as a natural home for iGaming companies, thanks to its robust regulatory framework, business-friendly environment, and thriving tech ecosystem earning the island nation a place on the map. Theres a unique Friends before business approach embedded in the way we facilitate connections, which fosters genuine relationships before deals are made. Exhibitors consistently rate SiGMA as the event generating the most business. As the global iGaming industry continues to expand, SiGMA Europe is leading the charge, bringing together innovators, regulators, and thought leaders from around the globe. Join the action and be part of the future of iGaming at SiGMA Europe 2024. SiGMAs world-renowned summits will return in 2025 with 7 key events studding the industrys events calendar. The SiGMA Roadshow explores emerging markets across Asia, Europe, Africa, the UAE, and the Americas, including our newest launch for South Asia Sri Lanka. Burlingame, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Coherent Market Insights, the global embedded computing market size is estimated to be valued at USD 112.45 billion in 2024 and is expected to surpass USD 174.38 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2031. The growing adoption of IoT across various industrial verticals is a major factor driving the growth of the embedded computing market. IoT enables numerous devices to connect and share data with each other over the internet. Embedded systems play a crucial role in powering IoT devices and enabling connectivity and data sharing capabilities. Moreover, the miniaturization of electronic components is allowing embedded systems to be integrated into smaller devices. The declining prices of embedded chips is another factor fueling the adoption of embedded systems. However, the lack of common connectivity standards for IoT may hamper the market growth. Request a Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/7237 Market Trends The growing need to process IoT data in real-time is propelling the adoption of edge computing in IoT applications. Edge computing utilizes embedded systems installed at the edge nodes to process IoT data locally before transmitting it to the cloud. This reduces latency issues and ensures business continuity. The integration of vision systems into embedded devices is growing across industries. Embedded vision systems leverage image sensors, processors, and software to provide visual capabilities. Their usage is increasing for surveillance, inspection, and automation in various sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare. Embedded Computing Market Report Coverage Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $112.45 billion Estimated Value by 2031 $174.38 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% Historical Data 20192023 Forecast Period 20242031 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Component, By Processor Type, By Application Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Growth Drivers Connected devices driving growth Developments in AI and edge computing Restraints & Challenges High initial investment and complex design requirements Security concerns and data privacy issues Market Opportunities The hardware segment within embedded computing market is expected to remain dominant over the forecast period. Rapid industrialization and automation has increased the demand for processors, microcontrollers, sensors and other hardware components for embedded applications. Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/7237 The software segment is anticipated to witness significant growth going ahead. Growing emphasis on developing advanced software for functions such as data processing, remote monitoring and security will drive revenues in this segment. Development of customized software solutions as per the specific needs of end users offers opportunities to players. Key Market Takeaways The global embedded computing market is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period 2024-2031, owing to rapid industrialization and growing automation trends across industries. On the basis of component, hardware segment is expected to hold a dominant position, owing to large scale usage of microcontrollers, sensors and other embedded devices in various industrial applications. On the basis of processor type, 8-bit segment is expected to hold a dominant position over the forecast period, due to low cost and power efficiency. On the basis of application, industrial automation is expected to hold a dominant position over the forecast period due to growing emphasis on industrial IoT solutions. Regionally, North America is expected to hold a dominant position over the forecast period, due to early adoption of digitalization trends and presence of leading embedded computing players. Key players operating in the embedded computing market include Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Advantech Co., Ltd., Avalue Technology Inc., Curtiss-Wright Corporation, dell technologies Inc. Emerson Electric Co, Fujitsu Limited, General Electric Company, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Honeywell International Inc., Intel Corporation, Kontron S&T AG. Recent Developments: In March 2023, Qualcomm Technologies, introduced the worlds first integrated 5G IoT processors that can support four different operating systems. In November 2022, Cybellum, announced a collaboration with Jingwei HiRain Technologies, a major China-based automotive electronics and software supplier, to address the growing cyber security challenges faced by the automotive supply chain. Ask For Customization @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/7237 Detailed Segmentation: By Component Hardware Software Services By Processor Type 8-Bit 16-Bit 32-Bit 64-Bit By Application Industrial Automation Automotive Healthcare Aerospace & Defense Consumer Electronics Others By Region North America U.S. Canada Latin America Brazil Argentina Mexico Rest of Latin America Europe Germany U.K. Spain France Italy Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East GCC Countries Israel Rest of Middle East Africa South Africa North Africa Central Africa Find Most Trending Related Reports: The global Embedded Temperature Sensor Market Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2022 - 2030 The global embedded FPGA market is estimated to be valued at USD 109.82 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 302.96 million by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6% from 2024 to 2031. The global embedded systems market is estimated to be valued at USD 174.24 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 283.12 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% from 2024 to 2031. About Us: Coherent Market Insights is a global market intelligence and consulting organization that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. We are known for our actionable insights and authentic reports in various domains including aerospace and defense, agriculture, food and beverages, automotive, chemicals and materials, and virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. We create value for clients through our highly reliable and accurate reports. We are also committed in playing a leading role in offering insights in various sectors post-COVID-19 and continue to deliver measurable, sustainable results for our clients. SINGAPORE, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XT Exchange is pleased to announce the upcoming listing of TGRASS (Top Grass Club), with the TGRASS/USDT trading pair available in the Innovation Zone (RWA). Please take note of the following go-live schedule: Deposit: 15:00 on November 10, 2024 (UTC) 15:00 on November 10, 2024 (UTC) Trading: 15:00 on November 11, 2024 (UTC) 15:00 on November 11, 2024 (UTC) Withdrawal: 15:00 on November 12, 2024 (UTC) About TGRASS (Top Grass Club) TGRASS is an innovative project combining blockchain with real-world cannabis assets, allowing users to own and interact with actual cannabis plants through digital NFTs. This platform leverages blockchain to bridge physical assets and digital ownership, offering a unique investment opportunity in the cannabis industry. Top Grass Club enables users to purchase NFTs linked to real cannabis plants grown in Thailand. These NFTs grant ownership rights to specific plants, and as the plants mature, the NFTs may appreciate in value, offering potential returns tied to the plants growth and harvest. This model provides a tangible connection between users and the physical assets they own. Additionally, TGRASS offers VIP NFT holders exclusive access to global events, creating a vibrant community around cannabis and blockchain. These themed events help users connect with other enthusiasts and investors, deepening the communitys ties and fostering engagement. This listing on XT Exchange presents an exciting opportunity for TGRASS and its community to reach a wider audience and enhance its visibility in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. By joining XT, TGRASS is poised to showcase its innovative approach to real-world asset integration and its community-centered vision on a global platform, engaging users and investors from diverse backgrounds. Albin Warin, CEO of XT Exchange, shared his enthusiasm for the listing: Were thrilled to welcome TGRASS to XT Exchange. TGRASSs innovative approach to real-world asset integration aligns with XTs dedication to supporting groundbreaking projects. We believe this listing will resonate with our users and bring a new dimension of opportunity to our platform. Website: https://www.topgrassclub.com/ Blockchain Browser: https://etherscan.io/token/0x71eD2Ce4A4eD4E487718E4B53C01bEEcfe5b14A7 Whitepaper Link: https://www.topgrassclub.com/whitepaper About XT Founded in 2018, XT serves more than 7.8M registered users, over 1M monthly active users, 40+ million users in the ecosystem, and more than 800 tokens with 1000+ trading pairs. XT crypto exchange offers a rich variety of trading categories to provide a secure, trusted, and intuitive trading experience for its large user base. This includes crypto futures trading (USDT-M Futures and coin-M futures perpetual contracts) and copy trading that allows users to replicate top traders in real time with just one click. Additionally, the futures grid allows users to automate the buying and selling of futures contracts for profits. Website: xt.com X: twitter.com/XTexchange Telegram: t.me/XTsupport_EN Contact: XT Exchange Bella Wei Listing@xt.com TGRASS (Top Grass Club) hello@topgrassclub.com Disclaimer: This content is provided by XT exchange. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69f15291-a98c-481d-ab90-b3423a8c010c Dublin, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "India Electric Fans Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2020-2030F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The India Electric Fans Market was valued at USD 1.94 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 3.72 billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 11.50%. Key drivers of this market include the country's tropical climate, where fans are essential for maintaining comfort throughout the year. The demand for electric fans is further bolstered by factors such as infrastructure development, expanding commercial spaces, and a burgeoning middle-class population that seeks affordable cooling solutions. According to Energy Efficiency Services Limited, India, approximately 41 million units of ceiling fans are sold annually, making them one of the highest-selling cooling appliances in the country. Despite their widespread use, only three out of every 100 households utilize energy-efficient ceiling fans. As the nation contends with scorching summers, the adoption of energy-efficient and affordable fans becomes critical in reducing energy consumption, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting down on energy expenditures, and promoting sustainability. Technological advancements have also played a significant role in shaping the market landscape. Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating features such as energy efficiency, remote control operation, and aesthetic designs to cater to evolving consumer preferences. Additionally, the penetration of e-commerce platforms has made electric fans more accessible to a wider audience across urban and rural areas. Competitive dynamics within the industry are marked by the presence of both domestic manufacturers and multinational corporations. Companies compete on factors such as price, product innovation, distribution network, and after-sales service to gain market share. Looking ahead, the India electric fans market is poised for continued growth driven by factors such as population expansion, urbanization trends, and ongoing infrastructure development projects. Moreover, initiatives promoting energy-efficient appliances and government policies supporting domestic manufacturing are expected to further stimulate market demand and innovation in the coming years. The Quality Control Order (QCO), issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), establishes guidelines aimed at guaranteeing the quality and safety standards of electric fans in India. According to this directive, all electric fans manufactured, imported, or marketed in the country must display the ISI Mark. This requirement will become mandatory six months following its publication in the Official Gazette. Key Market Drivers: Tropical Climate and Seasonal Demand Growing Population and Urbanization Technological Advancements and Product Innovation Key Market Challenges: Intense Competition and Price Sensitivity Infrastructure and Distribution Challenges Technological Advancements and Adaptation Regulatory Compliance and Energy Efficiency Standards Key Market Trends: Shift towards Energy Efficiency Rise of Smart and Connected Fans Expansion of Product Diversity and Customization Regional Insights In the India electric fans market, the northern region of the country emerges as a dominant segment due to several key factors. Firstly, North India experiences extreme weather conditions, with hot summers and often humid weather, necessitating a high demand for electric fans throughout the year. This climatic influence drives consistent and substantial sales of fans across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Moreover, the northern region encompasses several populous states and metropolitan areas such as Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, which collectively constitute a significant consumer base for electric fans. Rapid urbanization and infrastructure development in cities like Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, and Chandigarh further stimulate demand for cooling appliances, including ceiling fans, pedestal fans, and air circulators. The presence of a robust retail network, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, and specialized electronics stores, ensures wide availability of electric fans to meet the diverse preferences and budget considerations of consumers in North India. Manufacturers and distributors strategically focus on this region to capitalize on its demographic and climatic advantages, making it a prominent and influential segment in the India electric fans market. Key Players Profiles in this India Electric Fans Market Report: Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. Orient Electric Limited Usha International Ltd. Havells India Limited Bajaj Electricals Ltd. V-Guard Industries Ltd. Surya Roshni Limited Finolex Cables Ltd. Metro Ortem Ltd. Khaitan (India) Limited Report Scope In this report, the India Electric Fans Market has been segmented into the following categories: By Product Type: Ceiling Fans Table Fans Pedestal Fans Wall Fans Exhaust Fans By End User: Residential Commercial Industrial By Distribution Channel: Multi-Branded Stores Supermarkets & Hypermarkets Online Exclusive Stores Others By Region: North South East West Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 85 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.94 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $3.72 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 11.5% Regions Covered India For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1tk4fq 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 GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The SOI Foundation is thrilled to announce applications are now open for its 2025 expeditions, marking a special milestone as the foundation celebrates 25 years of connecting people and planetinspiring and educating youth from around the world through its life-changing expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctic, and beyond. In 2025, SOI will continue its mission to use the greatest classrooms on Earth to cultivate leadership, foster new perspectives, ignite ideas, forge connections, and facilitate collaborative solutions. Celebrating 25 years of Students on Ice is truly remarkable. Over the past two decades, weve had the privilege of empowering youth to become advocates for the planet, while also having a lasting impact on the communities we visit. Our 2025 expeditions will continue that legacy, offering young people the knowledge, networks, and skills to take action on the pressing environmental and social challenges of our time, says SOI Founder and President, Geoff Green. The SOI Foundations expeditions have long been a catalyst for individual and collective action. Its alumni have gone on to pursue careers in environmental science, policy, Indigenous-led conservation, and other fields related to sustainability. Many of these young leaders credit their experience on SOI expeditions with sparking their passion for protecting the planet and shaping a more sustainable future for their communities. As SOI celebrates this 25-year milestone, the foundation is proud to continue making a lasting difference. Whether through hands-on environmental science, knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, or exploration of academic and career paths in the Sustainable Blue Economy, SOIs programs have an undeniable ripple effectone that extends far beyond the participants, reaching families, schools, and communities across Canada and globally. Our 25th-anniversary expeditions build on a legacy of empowering young people and communities to contribute to local and global sustainability efforts. The experiences and connections youth gain from our programs help them lead in sustainability, environmental justice, and Indigenous-led initiatives, says Tara Mascarenhas, SOI Foundations Director of Programming, emphasizing the value of these expeditions for personal and professional development. Whether they are passionate about ocean conservation, climate action, Indigenous-led initiatives, or Arctic issues, we inspire youth to explore and engage in the Sustainable Blue Economy in ways very few get the opportunity to experience. Applications are now open to youth aged 14 to 35 from across Canada and internationally. SOIs streamlined application process means youth need only submit one application to be considered for all 2025 expeditions, ensuring greater accessibility and inclusivity. Each participant will be placed in a program that aligns with their interests, and the expeditions will offer an unparalleled opportunity to gain hands-on experience while learning from diverse perspectives. Youths interested in applying can visit soifoundation.org today to access the application form. The deadline to apply is January 30, 2025. About the SOI Foundation SOI is at the forefront of expeditionary education, offering transformative experiences to diverse youth worldwide. Our expeditions to the Polar Regions and places in between unite youth and educators, foster lasting connections, and encourage global citizenship. Our mission is to provide transformative experiences that educate, inspire, connect and empower youth. Our award-winning programming has been recognized by the United Nations as an official action of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, highlighting the global importance of our work. For more information, visit soifoundation.org. Attachments VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coppernico Metals Inc. (TSX: COPR) (Coppernico or the Company), is pleased to provide an update on its inaugural drilling program being conducted through its wholly-owned Peruvian private subsidiary, Sombrero Minerales SAC, at its Sombrero Project in Peru. To date, the Company has identified six significant targets within the Ccascabamba target area (Figure 1) on the Project and initial drilling has tested only small sections of the first two. Notable findings from the first five holes drilled within the Ccascabamba target area include 19 metres (m) of 0.50% Copper (Cu) and 27 m of 0.21% Cu drilled in hole 4, which is on the margin of a large and prospective chargeability zone subsequently drill tested by holes 6 through 8, for which assay results are pending. Recent highlights and a summary of assay results from the first five holes of the drilling program are presented below. Press Release Highlights Drilling Assay Results within the Ccascabamba target area: Hojota Target (holes 4 and 5) Hole 4 includes 19.15 m of 0.50% Cu from 91.95 m depth and 27.45 m of 0.21% Cu from 5.75 m depth. Shows a strong link between elevated chargeability and increased sulfide content, and broad intervals with anomalous Copper and Zinc (Zn) values, representing important validation of the scale and potential of the target. Hole 5 demonstrates the widespread development of skarn alteration across the Ccascabamba target area. Corrales Target (holes 1-3) Holes show garnet skarn alteration at surface, accompanied by elevated Cu, Zn and Manganese (Mn) indicating a vector to Cu mineralization to the north, west and east. Holes show marble and recrystallized limestone zones below 50-100m depth, and brittle fault zones with hematite and magnetite mineralization with elevated Cu values. Expanded drill permit applications are underway, aiming to increase from 49 holes currently permitted, to approximately 200 holes and capacity to operate additional drill rigs, providing flexibility to drill more extensively and more quickly within a larger polygon. are underway, aiming to increase from 49 holes currently permitted, to approximately 200 holes and capacity to operate additional drill rigs, providing flexibility to drill more extensively and more quickly within a larger polygon. Trading on the United States OTCQX is anticipated to commence as early as November 14, 2024. is anticipated to commence as early as November 14, 2024. Upcoming participation at the New Orleans Investment Conference on November 20-23, 2024. CEO Presentation on November 23 at 10:45 am CT. on November 20-23, 2024. The objective in this early stage of Phase 1 target testing is to refine the three-dimensional understanding of the local geology and correlate it with geophysical and geochemical data. While additional drilling is required, the first five holes have already proven invaluable. Ivan Bebek, Chair and CEO, commented, We are well-financed and in the early stages of our budgeted 30-hole core drill program (49 holes permitted), with eight holes completed and assays back from our first five holes. We are highly encouraged with the early indications of the mineralized porphyry/skarn system in hole 4 on the edge of our Hojota target vectoring toward stronger mineralization, and the technical team advancing at a great pace. The efforts to expand our permits to allow for additional holes and drill rigs reflect our increased confidence in the system and multiple targets, as we look forward to receiving the results of the next holes and continuing to drill the target-rich skarn and porphyry system. This is just the beginning of an opportunity that could provide multiple significant copper and gold targets and discoveries. Expanding Permits Coppernico is applying for permits to increase the drilling capacity at the Sombrero Project by enlarging the permitted area and increasing the number of drill holes to approximately 200. This expansion would also enable additional drill rigs, which would increase the location flexibility and pace of drilling. In support of these permits, the Company is advancing the Estudio de Impacto Ambiental semidetallado permit (EIA-SD). Biological and hydrobiological base line studies are underway, with the EIA-SD studies anticipated to be completed by Q2 2025. Hojota Target Highlights Drill holes 24SOM-004 and 24SOM-005 (holes 4 and 5, respectively) targeted different portions of the Hojota area, with hole 4 intersecting mineralization from 6 m to 110 m depth, systematically increasing in grade from 0.2% to 0.5% Cu (Figure 2). These results correlate well with results from surface channel sample 18SRT-09 which intersected 105 m @ 0.23% Cu and 0.13 g/t Au1, within a skarn breccia unit. The deeper interval (see Table 1) is within a 74 m-wide massive hematite replacement body. This large hematite body is highly oxidized and leached and represents an exciting new target for follow-up drilling where hypogene copper mineralization may still be intact at depth. Hole 5 intersected lithology and alteration very similar to the Corrales drill holes and demonstrates the widespread development of skarn across the Ccascabamba target area. Finding the focus for fluid flow and contact zones is the ongoing objective of drilling. Corrales Target Highlights The first three drill holes (24SOM-001, -002, -003) were completed at the Corrales target, revealing a range of encouraging geological features. In the top portions of each drill hole, garnet skarn alteration is present and accompanied by elevated copper (100-500 ppm), zinc and manganese values. Below approximately 50 m to 100 m, extensive marble and recrystallized limestone zones with disseminated pyrite are reported, suggesting a cooler, distal segment of the system. Notably, cutting this marble alteration are brittle fault zones with hematite and magnetite mineralization that also report elevated copper values. While more drilling is required to advance this target area, initial interpretations indicate paths to copper mineralization to the north, west and east, while south of the target area appears to be a more distal part of the hydrothermal system. Advancing Geologic and Geophysical Understanding As discussed above, geological understanding in three dimensions is building as drilling continues and is facilitating refinement of future targets for drill testing. Drill hole 4, for example, shows a strong link between elevated chargeability and increased sulfide content. Associated with the elevated chargeability are broad intervals (20 m 50 m) with anomalous copper and zinc values (0.1% Cu and 0.1% Zn). While these are not considered of economic interest, they represent important validation of the scale and potential of target. The drill holes have also improved definition of location and geometry of the intrusive/limestone contact and demonstrate an increase in sulfides and copper mineralization associated with the contact. Drilling to date continues to demonstrate the large scale of this mineralizing system; hole 4 is approximately 1,200 m east of the Corrales target area and approximately 1,500 m southwest of the Fierrazo target area and intersected broad intervals of alteration and low-grade mineralization to a vertical depth of 450 m, yet remains open. Outcomes from drilling are also enhancing understanding of the wider Project area, where mapping is further highlighting areas of interest for future drill programs. Tim Kingsley, Vice President of Exploration, commented, The drill program continues to advance quickly; we are under budget and on target for planned meters. Drilling has continued north and east of hole 4, testing stronger portions of this chargeability feature. We are pleased to observe a consistent correlation between increased sulfides and elevated chargeability values, with assay results for these new recent holes pending. Looking ahead, the program aims to further refine geologic and geophysical correlations, enhancing our ability to target mineralization with greater confidence. Upcoming drill holes will explore high-potential targets north of Corrales and at the Chumpi and Escondida targets, expanding our understanding of this extensive system(s). Table 1. Composite Assay Results Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Cu % Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zn % 24SOM-001 *Elevated Copper and Zinc in skarn zones 24SOM-002 *Elevated Copper and Zinc in skarn zones 24SOM-003 *Elevated Copper and Zinc in skarn zones 24SOM-004 5.75 33.20 27.45 0.21 0.10 1.60 0.16 65.00 74.40 9.40 0.20 0.01 0.89 0.01 91.95 111.10 19.15 0.50 0.01 1.82 0.02 527.10 545.55 18.45 0.19 0.03 0.35 0.12 24SOM-005 *Elevated Copper and Zinc in skarn zones Length weighted assay results. No more than 6 m internal dilution (reported values below 0.2% Cu and/or 0.2 g/t Au). True thickness unknown at this time. Minimum reporting length of 8 m. *Assay values in these holes were anomalous in copper but did not meet the Companys minimum assay reporting thresholds. Figure 1: Plan map of Phase 1 drilling completed to date at the Ccascabamba target area. Assay results pending from holes 6, 7 and 8. Figure 2: Cross-section looking north of hole 4 with lithology, Cu assay results and chargeability model. OTCQX Best Market Application Coppernico is pleased to announce that it received a conditional approval for trading of its common shares on OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX), a United States trading platform that is operated by the OTC Markets Group in New York. The Company anticipates that trading on OTCQX could commence on or about November 14, 2024, subject to customary approvals and will provide further information at the time the actual date is known. OTCQX Best Market is the premium tier of the OTC Markets Group, a premiere marketplace for industry leaders among international companies who are committed to providing their U.S. investors with a premium trading and information experience. Investors will be able to find financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on the OTC Markets website www.otcmarkets.com. This key milestone is expected to enhance trading liquidity and broaden the Companys exposure to a larger pool of U.S. investors. The Company will also continue to trade on the TSX under symbol COPR. Conference Participation Coppernico is pleased to announce its participation in the New Orleans Investment Conference on November 20-23, 2024, where Ivan Bebek, Chair and CEO, will present the Companys latest developments and will be available for one-on-one meetings with investors, analysts, and industry stakeholders. Mr. Bebeks 40-minute presentation is scheduled for Saturday, November 23 at 10:45 am CT in Room Churchill B2, 2nd Floor. Conference presentations are posted on the Company's website at www.coppernicometals.com. Technical Disclosure and Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Tim Kingsley, M.Sc., CPG, Coppernicos VP of Exploration, who is a Qualified Person (as defined in NI 43-101). Quality Control Analytical samples were taken by sawing HQ or NQ diameter core into equal halves on site and one of the halves was sent to the ALS Lab in Lima, Peru for preparation and analysis. Preparation included crashing core sample to 90% < 2mm and pulverizing 1,000 g of crushed material to better than 95% < 106 microns. All samples are assayed using 30 g nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption finish (Au-AA23) and multi-element using four acid digest ICP-AES/ICP-MS method (ME-MS61). Where MS61 results were greater or near 10,000 ppm Cu, or 10,000 ppm Zn the assays were repeated with ore grade four acid digest method (Cu-OG62). QA/QC programs for 2024 core samples using internal standard samples, blanks, and duplicates, lab duplicates, lab standards, and lab blanks indicate good overall accuracy and precision. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ivan Bebek Chair & CEO For further information, please contact: Coppernico Metals Inc. Phone: +1 778 729 0600 Email: info@coppernicometals.com Website: www.coppernicometals.com Twitter: @CoppernicoMetal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coppernico-metals/ About Coppernico Coppernico is a mineral exploration company focused on creating value for shareholders and stakeholders through diligent and project evaluation and exploration excellence in pursuit of the discovery of world-class copper-gold deposits in the Americas. The Companys management and technical teams have a successful track record of raising capital, discovery and the monetization of exploration successes. The Company, through its wholly-owned private Peruvian subsidiary Sombrero Minerales S.A.C., is currently focused on the Ccascabamba (previously referred to as Sombrero Main) and Nioc target areas within the Sombrero Project in Peru, its flagship project, and is regularly reviewing additional premium projects to consider for acquisition. The Sombrero Project is a land package of approximately 102,000 hectares (1,020 square kilometres) located in the north-western margins of the world-class Andahuaylas-Yauri trend in Peru. It consists of a number of prospective exploration targets characterized by copper-gold skarn and porphyry systems, and precious metal epithermal systems. The Companys NI 43-101 technical report, with an effective date of April 17, 2024, and as filed on SEDAR+ on May 23, 2024, focuses on the Ccascabamba and Nioc target areas of the Sombrero Project. Coppernico Metals Inc. is currently listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under symbol "COPR". More information about the Company can be found on the Companys profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca and website: www.coppernicometals.com ). Cautionary Note No regulatory organization has approved the contents hereof. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as may, should, anticipate, expect, intend and similar expressions and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Companys drill plans, identifying targets for future exploration, the potential of the mineralization, its financial position in the future and the approval and commencement of the Companys common shares trading on OTCQX. No certainty can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Companys AIF and other continuous disclosure filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators, available at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being, exhaustive. Accordingly, readers should not place heavy reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this new release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in the Companys expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation. 1 See NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Sombrero Main/Nioc Project, Ayacucho Department, Peru effective date April 17, 2024, prepared by APEX Geoscience Ltd. and Mining Plus. Photos accompanying this release can be found at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c0d5b7fe-6df5-4e88-a176-2be995782955 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6b04bdda-d8e2-491a-8776-77bb11d3d660 Parkersburg, WV, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- November 12, 2024 Parkersburg, WV Kronos Advanced Technologies (OTC: KNOS) is pleased to announce the formation of its new subsidiary, Atomiq, Inc., which is dedicated to advancing nuclear battery technology and sustainable energy solutions. Recently, Kronos filed a provisional patent covering key innovations in atomic battery technology, which it intends to license to Atomiq, Inc., positioning Kronos and Atomiq at the forefront of nuclear battery innovation. Atomiq, Inc. is strategically focused on building a portfolio of cutting-edge nuclear battery technologies, providing long-lasting, reliable power solutions with minimal maintenance needs. These innovations will target applications across high-demand sectors such as aerospace, defence, and medical technology, where dependable, maintenance-free energy sources are essential. Atomiqs vision to nuclear battery technology is set to enable continuous, safe power generation that aligns with future energy demands. A Rapidly Growing Market for Sustainable Power Solutions The small nuclear battery industry, encompassing devices like radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and betavoltaic cells, is experiencing notable growth due to their ability to provide long-lasting, reliable power in remote or demanding environments. RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators): These batteries, used in space missions and remote applications, can last 10 to 50 years or more. For example, the RTGs powering the Voyager spacecraft have been operational since the 1970s, lasting over 45 years and counting. Betavoltaic Batteries: These use beta-emitting isotopes, which can generate electricity for around 20 years. They're often used in medical implants, sensors, and other long-term devices where replacing batteries is challenging. Market Growth and Projections: The global nuclear battery market is projected to expand significantly in the coming years. According to a report by DataIntelo, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% from 2022 to 2030, driven by increasing demand for reliable and long-lasting power sources across various sectors. Similarly, Allied Market Research anticipates the market to grow at a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period of 2019 to 2026, estimating the market size to reach $87.2 billion by 2026. Several factors are propelling the growth of the small nuclear battery industry: Demand for Long-Lasting Power: Applications in space exploration, medical implants, and remote sensing require power sources that can operate without maintenance for extended periods. Technological Advancements: Innovations in materials and energy conversion technologies are enhancing the efficiency and safety of nuclear batteries. Environmental Considerations: Nuclear batteries offer a low-carbon alternative to traditional power sources, aligning with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Applications Small nuclear batteries are utilized in various fields: Space Missions: Providing power to spacecraft and instruments in environments where solar power is insufficient. Medical Devices: Powering pacemakers and other implantable medical devices, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Remote Monitoring: Supplying energy to sensors and equipment in isolated or harsh locations. A recent report by the World Nuclear Association highlights nuclear batteries as a transformative solution for applications where traditional energy storage solutions fall short. Nuclear batteries, like those Atomiq aims to develop, are uniquely suited for high-stress environments, from deep-space exploration to remote, off-grid locations on Earth. These batteries offer the advantage of an extended lifespan and are projected to become a key component in achieving carbon neutrality across various sectors. Greg Rubin, CEO of Atomiq, Inc., commented on the companys vision: We are excited to launch Atomiq, Inc. and establish a foundation for developing ground-breaking energy solutions, said Rubin. By licensing Kronoss initial technology and filing patents that build on this core technology, we are positioning Atomiq as a leader in the sustainable energy space and a catalyst for innovation in atomic batteries. This strategic move aligns with our commitment to provide reliable, sustainable energy for critical, high-demand applications. About Kronos Advanced Technologies, Inc. Kronos Advanced Technologies is a Nevada-based, innovative company dedicated to creating disruptive technology solutions in advanced energy, environmental quality, and other high-tech sectors. The formation of Atomiq, Inc. marks a pivotal step in Kronoss growth strategy, establishing a presence in the promising nuclear battery sector and positioning the company to capture emerging opportunities in sustainable power innovation. With a focus on innovative products, Kronos seeks to address the evolving needs of various industries, ensuring sustainability and efficiency. The Company was initially founded in 2002 and funded by the U.S. military to develop electrostatic air movers. Kronos Advanced Technologies Inc. filed about 50 patent applications in the past and had total of 25 issued patents. These patents encompass a range of technologies primarily focused on air movement, filtration, and purification systems. The company, known for its innovations in air movement and filtration technologies, has an extensive patent portfolio that reflects its focus on advanced consumer electronics and medical-grade air purification products. Eventually, the Company moved into the consumer air purification business. It began operations as a product development company that invented and significantly changed how air is moved, filtered, and sterilized. Historically, Kronos has focused on developing, marketing, and selling the Company's proprietary air movement and purification technology. Serving the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) market, Kronos technology uses state-of-the-art high-voltage patented processes without the use of traditional porous HEPA filters. Kronos-based products move air silently, filter, sterilize, and purify the air while dramatically reducing energy consumption to half of a 60-watt light bulb. Kronos devices can be variable in shape or size and, therefore, have the potential to be scaled down for air purification in cars or scaled up in size for industrial and hazardous gas destruction. The technology is currently being implemented in multiple standalone products for businesses, homes, and vehicles of all types -to move, sterilize and filter air, including removing allergens down to 14.6 nanometers, passing through our patented technology -replacing expensive outdated passive HEPA and other filtration type systems. There are broad ranges of additional markets for standalone and embedded Kronos CORE technology-based devices. Examples of immediately addressable markets include schools, universities, healthcare facilities, operating rooms, manufacturing clean rooms, and the cabins of automobiles and commercial aircraft. Kronos published research about the effectiveness of Kronos Patented technology on air disinfection n (e.g., microorganism destruction) by demonstrating the high efficacy of Kronos Technology-based air purifiers in capturing and destruction of various types of microorganisms (including Corona Viruses) in different environmental settings back in 2008. Results of this research showed that Electrostatic Air Filtration and Purification systems based on Kronos technology demonstrated high capturing and destruction efficiency for different types of microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses, and can be successfully used for disinfection of air in real word environmental settings, including hospital facilities both with and without the presence of people. BusinessWeek called Kronos air purifiers "VIRUS KILLER" in 2005. Kronos is the first publicly traded company that accepts Dogecoin as a form of payment for its products, as well as other cryptocurrencies. The Company is planning to file additional patents to improve its existing technology as well as enter into new market segments but will continue to market air purifiers and other consumer products. The Company is an exclusive distributor and licensee of the latest generation of air purifiers based on the Company's CORE technologies. The Company markets its products as Airdog and KRONOS brands. All Kronos products come with Kronos Promise -Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed! Since our inception in 2002, Kronos Advanced Technologies has been at the forefront of innovation, revolutionizing the way air is moved, filtered, and sterilized. Our patented technology has been instrumental in various sectors, including indoor air quality, automotive, and healthcare. Kronos Advanced Technologies, Inc. (OTC MARKETS: KNOS) announced in 2023 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted 510(k) clearance to the companys manufacturer, classifying its Model 5 Air Purifier as a Class II Medical Device. This clearance is a significant achievement, validating Kronos' patented High Voltage Field air disinfection technology, proven to eliminate 99.9% of harmful airborne particles, including allergens, bacteria, fungi, and viruses like COVID-19. With FDA clearance, Kronos can now deploy its medical-grade air purification and air disinfection technology in hospitals, home health-care settings, schools, healthcare facilities, businesses, hotels, and government agencies. This milestone underscores Kronos' commitment to improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and providing healthier and safer air environments. As we embark on this new chapter with Kronos Advanced Technologies Inc., we remain committed to our mission of enhancing the health and well-being of individuals worldwide. We are proud to be pioneers in accepting cryptocurrencies, including Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu coins as a form of payment for our products, reflecting our dedication to embracing emerging technologies. Our dedication to customer satisfaction remains unwavering, and we invite you to explore our products and offerings through our online shopping portal and social media channels. The Company is an exclusive distributor and licensee of the latest generation of air purifiers based on the Company's CORE technologies. The Company markets its products as Airdog and KRONOS brands. All Kronos products come with Kronos Promise -Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed! Company offices are located in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Shopping portal: www.KronosAIR.com TikTok shop https://www.tiktok.com/@kronosair Follow KNOS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kronosair Follow KNOS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kronosAIR Follow KNOS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kronos_ati/ Follow KNOS on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KronosAdvancedTechnologies Follow KNOS on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Kronos_ATI Follow KNOS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kronos-advanced-techngologies-inc Contact us via info@kronosati.co or visit https://www.kronosAIR.com Disclaimer This filing does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service by Kronos Advanced Technologies Inc or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product, or service is referenced in this press release. Furthermore, nothing in this press release is intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice, and nothing in it should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Kronos Advanced Technologies does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this press release are suitable for any particular investor. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. You should consult your business advisor, attorney, and/or tax and accounting advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation. Social Media Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements. Kronos Advanced Technologies investors and others should note that we announce material information to the public about the Company through various means, including our website (https://www.kronosati.co/investors), press releases, OTCmarkets filings, public conference calls, via our corporate Social Media accounts, listed above. We encourage our investors and others to monitor and review the information we make public in these locations, as such information could be deemed to be material information. Please note that this list may be updated from time to time. Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the OTC Markets at OTCMarkets.com. In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public policy changes, the Company's ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all, the Company's successful development of its products and the integration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the Company's products. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release, and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release. SOURCE: KRONOS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Inc Tel: (716)OTC-KNOS (716) 682-5667 accepts text messages only Greeley, Colorado, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vantage Hemp Co. (Vantage or the Company), a globally accredited cannabinoid extractor and manufacturer, announces the commercial launch of its pharmaceutical-grade CBG (cannabigerol) isolate. This new product offering, launching globally in November 2024, is poised to set a new standard in the cannabinoid industry by being compliant with pharmaceutical cGMP standards in a certified GMP facility, a level of compliance not yet met industry-wide. As demand grows for diverse options beyond standard CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) products, Vantages commercial launch alongside significant regulatory advancements marks a major step forward in its global expansion strategy. CBGs growing reputation in clinical research including studies at Washington State University and the Veterans ECS21 study for sleep, paves the way for therapeutic potential. With Vantages facilities built and operated to global certifications WHO GMP, FDA 21 CFR 210/211, PIC/S, and ICH Q7, the Company is strategically positioned to meet the growing need for pharmaceutical-grade CBG isolate. These certifications allow Vantage to meet the highest pharmaceutical production criteria, providing a consistent, high-quality product portfolio for domestic and international markets. In parallel with the commercial launch of CBG isolate, Vantage has reached critical developments with the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency, ANVISA. Through a partnership with a Brazilian client, Vantage is validating the clients first formula under ANVISAs RDC 327 framework, which governs cannabinoid-based products in Brazil. At the same time as the client validation, Vantage is applying for its ANVISA Good Manufacturing Practices Certificate (CBPF), with both processes expected to be finalized by the end of November 2024. "This regulatory clearance unlocks significant opportunities for partnerships in Brazils private sector, especially for companies looking for production solutions and technical support that meet the stringent requirements of national cannabinoid regulations, says Deepank Utkhede, Chief Operating Officer at Vantage. Its an exciting time for the industry, and were eager to build trust with government entities and new partners. With a commitment to quality and compliance, Vantage is not only addressing current market demands but paving the way for innovative partnerships in international markets. As the landscape for cannabinoids continues to evolve, Vantage is positioned to lead with integrity, setting the standard in cannabinoid production. About Vantage Hemp Co. Colorado-based Vantage Hemp Co. extracts and processes cannabinoids from industrial hemp, as well as formulates and manufactures finished products with the extracted ingredients. Vantage's contract manufacturing services offer a broad range of benefits as they operate with integrity and abide by stringent pharmaceutical production standards to provide quality products to their partners. For more information, visit www.vantagehemp.com. Attachment TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red Pine Exploration Inc. (TSXV: RPX, OTCQB: RDEXF) (Red Pine or the Company) announces the beginning of its fully funded 25,000 metre (m) drilling program for 2024 and 2025 at the Wawa Gold Project. The primary objective of the drilling program is to extend the zones of gold mineralization in the already sizeable gold system of the Wawa Gold Project beyond the 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by focusing on: the down-plunge, underground potential of the Jubilee Shear where limited drilling has returned results of up to 14.87 grams per tonne ( g/t ) gold over 5.20 m (core length), 8.89 g/t gold over 3.75 m (core length) and 120.88 g/t gold over 0.30 m (core length; Jubilee South) ) gold over 5.20 m (core length), 8.89 g/t gold over 3.75 m (core length) and 120.88 g/t gold over 0.30 m (core length; Jubilee South) the down dip potential beneath the reported pit shell for the Jubilee Shear that remains untested (Jubilee Central) the northern extension of the Jubilee Shear in the Jubilee/Cooper area where recent prospecting has returned encouraging results (Jubilee North and Jubilee/Cooper) the recently discovered faulted extension of the Jubilee Shear on the southern side of the Parkhill Fault (Jubilee Ext.) (See (Figures 1 and 2)). The 2024 MRE is described in the National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report dated September 30, 2024 (with a resource effective date of August 28, 2024) entitled National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for the Wawa Gold Project. In each of the target areas, numerous mineralized zones are planned to be concurrently tested with the Jubilee Shear. This will include some of the more regional targets identified based on the results of the 2024 prospecting program and the reevaluation of exploration targets on the property. The Company anticipates being able to report the preliminary results of the program in Q1 2025. Michael Michaud, President and CEO of Red Pine commented: We are very excited to recommence exploration drilling at the Wawa Gold Project after delivering on several of our goals for 2024 including completing a successful field program with the discovery of a number of new targets, updating our geological model, increasing our mineral resource estimate by 150% within a conceptual pit shell, and raising the necessary funds for this drilling program. The drilling contractor was selected as part of a competitive tender process. We believe that this well-rounded and bold exploration program, designed to show a line of sight to future increases to the mineral resource, will mark an important step in our plan to add value to Red Pine. As the program includes a significant portion of both extension drilling of known zones and exploration in untested areas to discover new mineralized zones, it is intended to demonstrate the potential of the property to host a significantly larger open pit and underground mineral resource. Additionally, more limited drilling will be designed to test several new conceptual targets and more regional targets discovered during the recent surface prospecting. The results of this drilling program will dictate the next steps for the project and allow for a more formal assessment of various mining and processing scenarios." Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures Drill core samples are transported in security sealed bags for preparation and analyses to Activation Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs) in Ancaster, Ontario. Individual samples are labelled, placed in plastic sample bags and sealed. Sample batches are then placed into durable rice bags and shipped. NQ or HQ size core (drilled previously) and NQ size core (current drill program) assays were obtained by 50-gram fire-assaying with a AA finish or by 1-kilogram screen fire assay. The 1-kilogram screen assay method is selected for samples anticipated to contain coarse gold and when the fire-assay-AA finish return results greater or equal to 2.25 g/t gold. As part of its updated and independently reviewed QA/QC program, Red Pine inserts external gold standards (low to high grade) and blanks every 20 samples, and routinely inserts blanks immediately after samples with visible gold. Quarter core duplicates are routinely inserted to evaluate the natural variability of gold mineralization. Assay certificates are sent to at least two members of the senior management team and are directly accessible from the WebLIMS portal of Actlabs. Red Pine has also initiated third party umpire testing of approximately 5% of the primary samples assayed at Actlabs at Bureau Veritas Canada Inc. in Vancouver, British Columbia. Qualified Person Jean-Francois Montreuil, P.Geo. and Vice President, Exploration of Red Pine and the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Red Pine Exploration Inc. Red Pine Exploration Inc. is a gold exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Company's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RPX" and on the OTCQB Markets under the symbol RDEXF. The Wawa Gold Project is in the Michipicoten Greenstone Belt of Ontario, a region that has seen major investment by several producers in the last five years. The Companys land package hosts numerous historic gold mines and is over 7000 hectares in size. Red Pine is building a strong position as a major mineral exploration and development player in the Michipicoten region. For more information about the Company, visit www.redpineexp.com Or contact: Michael Michaud, President and Chief Executive Officer, at (416) 364-7024 or mmichaud@redpineexp.com Or Carrie Howes, Director Corporate Communications, at (416) 644-7375 or chowes@redpineexp.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained in this news release includes, but may not be limited to, statements regarding the Companys goal of extending the zones of gold mineralization beyond the 2024 MRE, the mineralized zones the Company plans to test, the Company reporting the preliminary results of the program in Q1 2025, and the program demonstrating the potential of the property to host a significantly larger open pit and underground mineral resource. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects managements expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Such opinions, assumptions and estimates are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are: the Company's expectations in connection with the projects and exploration programs being met, the impact of general business and economic conditions, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future conditions, fluctuating gold prices, currency exchange rates (such as the Canadian dollar versus the United States Dollar), variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in the Company's mineral reserves and resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in project development, construction, production and commissioning time frames, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, higher prices for fuel, power, labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and general risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, unexpected changes in mine life, seasonality and weather, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, and limitations on insurance. This information contained in this news release is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by the Company, including the Companys financial statements and related MD&A for the years ended July 31, 2023 and July 31, 2024, and the interim financial reports and related MD&A for the periods ended January 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. Figure 1 - Location of Planned Diamond Drilling https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/87fb1a95-6022-44be-97c5-698b86dc356a Figure 2- Photograph of Surface drill at site https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6fa33a5a-3e0f-412a-a3ef-9c0a13633964 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VR Resources Ltd. (TSX.V: VRR, FSE: 5VR; OTCBB: VRRCF), the Company, or VR, is pleased announce the planned DCIP geophysical surveys are now underway at both the Empire and Silverback projects in northwestern Ontario. Conductivity and chargeability data from Dias Geophysics state-of-the-art DCIP geophysics system will be used to target interconnected and disseminated sulfide copper-gold-(nickel) mineralization at both projects. Figure 1 . At Empire, the survey covers the layered mafic intrusion, with disseminated sulfides at surface grading 0.14 g/t gold , 0.54 g/t PGEs, and 0.2% Cu across 3 samples from the very western periphery of the intrusion exposed near the Trans Canada highway (see rock sample in Photo 1 ). . At Empire, the survey covers the layered mafic intrusion, with disseminated sulfides at surface grading , across 3 samples from the very western periphery of the intrusion exposed near the Trans Canada highway (see rock sample in ). Figure 2. At Silverback, the grid covers the gold enriched porphyry intrusion and all known gold and nickel showings along a 2 km trend, and is centred on a high-grade shear zone with 9.5g/t gold, 5.6% copper, and 52 g/t silver. From VR's CEO Justin Daley: We are excited to be advancing these targets with new technologies that will help us refine targets for drilling planned for later this month. The presence of mineralization linked to the DIGEM conductors, themselves associated with magnetic features tied to large intrusive systems at both projects is already encouraging. But these new IP surveys will image the shallow DIGEM conductors to a depth of roughly 500m, with new chargeability data expected to highlight disseminated mineralization observed at the surface. Photo 1. Sample from the southwestern end of the 2km long conductor shown in Figure 1. The coarse grained mafic rock texture contains disseminated or interstitial pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite, which typically respond well to IP surveys. The high magnesium content of these rocks is characteristic of a sanukitoid, which is an important class of intrusive rock for Archean gold deposits in Ontario. Figure 1. Three DCIP geophysics survey lines currently underway on the Westwood target at the Empire Project. The lines transect a layered mafic intrusion outlined by magnetic data. The DCIP survey will refine the conductors (green) outlined in the December 2023 DIGEM survey. Lake sediment geochemistry and highway outcrop sampling support the magmatic sulfide mineral system model for a large copper, gold and PGE system below cover at Westwood. About the Empire and Silverback Projects The Silverback project consists of 71 mineral claims in 1 contiguous block covering 4,442 hectares and Empire consists of 313 mineral claims in 1 contiguous blocks covering 10,254 hectares. The projects are located on Federal crown land, with mineral rights administered by the Ontario Ministry of Mines. There is a 2% net smelter royalty on the claims. There are no annual payments, but the Ministry requires certain annual exploration expenditures and reporting (ie. mineral assessment reports) in order to maintain a mineral claim in good standing. The projects fall within the Lac de Mille Lac First Nation traditional territories. Technical Information Surface grab samples and drill core samples were submitted for geochemical analysis to the AGAT laboratory in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Drill core was logged, cut and sampled at the Holbik Exploration warehouse in Upsala, Ontario, with sample preparation completed by AGAT in Thunder Bay alongside gold and PGE determination by atomic absorption assay. ICP-MS analyses for base metals, whole rock, and trace elements is performed at AGATs laboratory in Calgary, AB. Analytical results are subject to industry-standard and NI 43-101 compliant QAQC sample procedures, including the systematic insertion of sample duplicates, blanks and certified reference material (CRM) done both externally and internally at the laboratory by AGAT, as described by AGAT. Technical information for this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101. Justin Daley, P.Geo., President & CEO at VR and a non-independent Qualified Person oversees and/or participates in all aspects of the Companys mineral exploration projects, and the content of this news release has been reviewed on behalf of the Company by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Michael Gunning, P.Geo., a non-independent Qualified Person. Figure 2. Simplified geophysical targeting map with DCIP grid design for the Silverback project. Spring 2023 drilling tested two smaller conductors from the DIGEM survey, shown in purple (deeper) and red (shallower). An untested 6-channel EM anomaly from 1980 OGS survey Map 80534 coincides with a 2-line DIGEM conductor, adjacent to the mafic intrusion, and near a 99th percentile gold in lake sediment anomaly. The new DCIP data is expected to refine all of the conductors along the 2 km trend of known mineralization. About VR Resources Ltd. VR is an established junior exploration company based in Vancouver (TSX.V: VRR; Frankfurt: 5VR; OTCQB: VRRCF). VR evaluates, explores and advances opportunities in copper, gold and critical metals in Nevada, USA, and Ontario, Canada. VR applies modern exploration technologies, in-house experience, and expertise in greenfields exploration to large-footprint systems in underexplored areas/districts. The foundation of VR is the proven track record of its Board in early-stage exploration, discovery and M&A. The Company is financed for its mineral exploration and corporate obligations. VR owns its properties outright and evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis, whether by staking or acquisition. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Justin Daley Justin Daley, MSc, P.Geo President & CEO For general information please use the following: Forward Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur. Forward-looking statements in this document include statements concerning VRs plans for near-term drilling on the newly acquired properties this fall, and all other statements that are not statements of historical fact. Although the Company believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Companys ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; competition; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. This news release may also contain statements and/or information with respect to mineral properties and/or deposits which are adjacent to and/or potentially similar to the Companys mineral properties, but which the Company has no interest in nor rights to explore. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on similar properties are not necessarily indicative of mineral deposits on the Companys properties. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. All of the Companys public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedarplus.ca and readers are urged to review them. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bc9b9a44-d69e-4ca6-9f50-233d16c63a04 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1155c1ef-661c-49a0-90a8-885baf325919 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a326f12d-9a68-4119-88f7-850926ae03e0 CEDARVILLE, OHIO, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over a decade ago, as a rising entrepreneur, Dr. Kary Oberbrunner had one of his business ideas stolen. The theft left an indelible mark on Oberbrunner, who has dedicated his past four years and his newest business, Instant IP, to helping others protect their intellectual property. Oberbrunner, Berry Chair of Entrepreneurship at Cedarville University and a Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of 14 books, believes everyone has valuable intellectual property that begins in the form of ideas. This is why he has co-authored You Are an IP Company, which releases on November 14 worldwide. Oberbrunner and Katherine Rubino, a partner at Caldwell, the fastest growing IP law firm in America four years in a row, team up in this book to inform entrepreneurs on how to swiftly and effectively secure their ideas. The devastating consequence of not protecting your intellectual property is a random person stealing your idea, said Oberbrunner. You Are an IP Company brings awareness to the importance of identifying intellectual property and offers useful strategies for entrepreneurs to protect those ideas. In the book, Oberbrunner offers 47 practical ways to monetize intellectual property. He and Rubino share real-life examples of brands and celebrities leveraging their IP and provide a 12-step plan to increase IP influence, impact, and income. Oberbrunners new book functions as a companion to his business, Instant IP, which offers a blockchain-based solution that helps entrepreneurs protect their ideas faster, cheaper, and easier using smart contracts. The new version of the Instant IP App launched this month and already has hundreds of entrepreneur users from around the world. The number is growing daily, and every visitor gets a free smart contract to try. Intellectual property is based on timing. When an entrepreneur creates a smart contract on blockchain, no other person in the world can claim earlier use thanks to the immutable timestamp, said Oberbrunner. Because of the new technology we are the only company in the world that publishes, protects and promotes intellectual property. Oberbrunner wrote You Are an IP Company to empower entrepreneurs so they recognize the value of their ideas and then have the ability to start protecting those ideas today. Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduate programs. With an enrollment of 6,384 students in more than 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu. Written by Jordan Foley Attachments MINNEAPOLIS and CARMARTHENSHIRE, United Kingdom, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magstim, the global leader in neuroscience research and treatment for mental health, has been awarded FDA clearance for the Horizon Inspire System, continuing to provide physicians, nurse practitioners, clinicians, and researchers with next-generation transcranial magnetic stimulation technology to treat patients with MDD, OCD and Anxious Depression*. Physicians, nurse practitioners and mental health care professionals tell us that patients are searching for alternatives to pharmaceutical treatments, said Ronnie Stolec-Campo, CEO, Magstim. FDA cleared transcranial magnetic stimulation is a proven and effective treatment with minimal side effects. We designed the Inspire to enable both experienced TMS providers as well as those who are new to TMS. According to Stolec-Campo, professionals requested a system to quickly launch their TMS practice. The Inspire addresses their needs with high-power air-cooling, ability to deliver back-to-back customizable treatments, all while being easy to use, cost-effective and offering portability between clinic rooms. The Inspire is built on Magstim TMS technology, cited in more than 20,000 peer reviewed research papers and used in hospitals, clinics and research centers worldwide. The Inspire offers a powerful and versatile system to comfortably treat patients with mental health disorders. The use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for treating MDD and OCD is increasing worldwide, driven by new studies demonstrating its effectiveness over other treatments (**). TMS is now covered by most insurance companies, including Medicare. Many states now permit both physicians and psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNP) to prescribe and treat patients with TMS. The Inspire system leverages intuitive preset clinical workflows to simplify the treatment process, delivering precise results with no pulse decay, ensuring the correct dosage. Magstims air-cooled coil reduces downtime and eliminates additional cooling expenses. Advanced data analytics tools improve treatment efficacy. Magstim engineered the very first commercially available TMS research technology, and we remain committed to our foundation of research said Stolec-Campo. We are unique in the industry because we do not charge pay per use fees, we maintain a dedicated service and support team, and we manufacture our own technology. Sign up for the November 20 Inspire education webinar at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PMoLw8jqRZajUt3fbjZLsQ Visit Magstim.com or call 844-624-7846. About Welcony Globally, Welcony technologies support thousands of research labs, clinics, hospitals and universities that focus on mental health, brain disorders, cognitive neuroscience and neuromonitoring. Key brands include Magstim Magnetic Stimulation, MagstimEGI high-density EEG, Technomed Clinical Neurophysiology and Neurosign Neuromonitoring. Welcony is backed by Telegraph Hill Partners, a San Francisco based private equity company. * Horizon 3.0 Inspire is indicated for the treatment of MDD in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication in the current episode, as well as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). ** https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/rtms-for-antidepressant-nonresponders A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24ecc4b8-6d08-4d8c-a757-5cf290421aaa Dublin, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Circulating Tumor Cells Patent Landscape Report and Forecast 2024-2032" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The circulating tumor cells market was valued at USD 11.5 billion in 2023. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period of 2024-2032 and attain a market value of USD 33.2 billion in 2032. Advancements in microfluidic technologies and increasing demand for non-invasive cancer diagnostics are driving robust patent activity in circulating tumor cells isolation and detection. The patent analysis report for the microfluidics landscape provides a comprehensive overview of the latest technological advancements and strategic patent holdings within the industry. It covers innovations across key areas such as lab-on-a-chip technologies, diagnostic applications, and drug delivery systems. The report includes detailed insights into market trends, regulatory environments, and potential growth opportunities. It also highlights key players and their patent portfolios, examining the impact of collaborative research efforts and increasing R&D investments on patent activities. Global Circulating Tumor Cells Patent Outlook The global circulating tumor cells (CTCs) patent landscape is experiencing dynamic growth, driven by increasing innovation in cancer diagnostics and personalised medicine. CTCs, which serve as a critical biomarker for metastatic cancer, have garnered significant attention due to their potential in early cancer detection, prognosis, and monitoring treatment efficacy. The surge in patent filings is indicative of intensified research and development efforts aimed at improving CTC detection and isolation technologies, which are crucial for advancing liquid biopsy techniques. Key players in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors are actively seeking patent protection for novel methods of CTC enrichment, detection, and characterization. This competitive landscape is fostering advancements in microfluidics, nanotechnology, and molecular assays, leading to more sensitive and specific CTC-based diagnostic tools. Regulatory and legal considerations play a pivotal role in shaping the patent environment, particularly as companies navigate the complexities of patentability in a rapidly evolving technological domain. Regional variations in patent activity, with North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific leading the charge, reflect differing levels of innovation and investment in CTC research. Circulating Tumor Cells Industry Growth Drivers Technological Advancements in Microfluidics Innovations in microfluidic technologies have significantly improved the isolation and detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). These advancements enable high-throughput, precise separation of CTCs from blood samples, driving a surge in patent activity as companies seek to protect their novel methods and devices. Growing Demand for Non-Invasive Diagnostics The increasing need for non-invasive cancer diagnostics fuels the development of CTC technologies. Liquid biopsies, which utilise CTC analysis, offer a less invasive alternative to traditional tissue biopsies, leading to higher demand and subsequent patent filings for advanced detection and isolation techniques. Integration with Personalised Medicine The rise of personalised medicine, which tailors treatment to individual patients based on their genetic profile, has spurred interest in CTC technologies. Patents in this domain often focus on the use of CTCs for monitoring therapeutic responses and disease progression, aligning with the trend towards customised cancer treatment. Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships Collaborations between academic institutions, research organisations, and biotech companies are accelerating innovation in CTC technologies. These partnerships often result in joint patents, reflecting shared intellectual property and combined expertise aimed at advancing CTC isolation and detection methods. Increasing R&D Investments Substantial investments from both government and private sectors are driving research and development in CTC technologies. This financial support facilitates extensive clinical trials and the development of cutting-edge methods for CTC analysis, leading to a robust patent landscape as companies secure their innovations in this competitive field. Circulating Tumor Cells Patent Jurisdiction Analysis The patent landscape for circulating tumor cells (CTC) demonstrates significant regional variation. The United States leads with over 4,000 patent filings, driven by robust R&D infrastructure and substantial investments in cancer diagnostics. Europe, particularly Germany and the UK, follows with approximately 2,500 patents, reflecting strong collaborative research efforts. Asia-Pacific is rapidly emerging, with China and Japan accounting for around 2,000 patent filings, supported by increasing healthcare investments and technological advancements. These regions collectively shape a dynamic and competitive patent environment, fostering continuous innovation and growth in the CTC field. Patent Profile of Key Companies This section highlights the patent portfolios of leading companies in the circulating tumor cells domain. It provides an in-depth analysis of their strategic patents, innovation trends, and technological advancements, including: Genentech F. Hoffmann-La Roche Epic Sciences Ventana Medical Systems (Roche Group) Curis This patent analysis report provides invaluable insights into circulating tumor cells patent landscape, including technological advancements, key players, and strategic trends. It equips stakeholders with detailed industry intelligence, essential for informed decision-making, competitive analysis, and identifying growth opportunities in a rapidly evolving sector. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2024 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $12.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $33.2 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.5% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 2 Executive Summary 3 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Overview 3.1 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Historical Value (2017-2023) 3.2 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Forecast Value (2024-2032) 4 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Segmentation 4.1 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Share by Product 4.1.1 Market Overview 4.1.2 Kits and Reagents 4.1.3 Blood Collection Tubes 4.1.4 Devices/Systems 4.2 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Share by Technology 4.2.1 Market Overview 4.2.2 CTC Detection and Enrichment Methods 4.2.3 CTC Direct Detection Methods 4.3 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Share by End User 4.3.1 Market Overview 4.3.2 Hospitals 4.3.3 Research Institute 4.3.4 Diagnostic Centre 4.4 Others Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Share by Application 4.4.1 Market Overview 4.4.2 Clinical 4.4.3 Research 5 Global Market Dynamics 5.1 Market Drivers and Constraints 5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.3 PESTEL Analysis 5.4 Industry Events, Initiatives, and Trends 5.5 Value Chain Analysis 6 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Patent Landscape Analysis 6.1 Patent Distribution by Publication Year 6.2 Patent Distribution by Application Year 6.3 Patent Distribution by Priority Year 6.4 Analysis by Type of Patent 6.5 Analysis by Legal Status 6.6 Analysis by Patent Jurisdiction 6.7 Analysis by Patent Age 6.8 Analysis by Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) Codes 6.9 Average Time to Publish a Patent 6.10 Analysis by Type of Entity (Academic and Non-Academic) 6.11 Analysis by Top Applicants 6.12 Analysis by Top Inventors 7 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Patent Analysis by Technology 7.1 Total Patents by Top Technologies 7.2 Time Evolution of Patents by Technology 7.3 Emerging Technologies 7.4 Patent Segmentation, By Method 7.5 Patent Segmentation, By Product 8 Patent Valuation Analysis 8.1 Assessment Methodology 8.2 High Value Patents 8.3 Medium Value Patents 8.4 Low Value Patents 9 Global Circulating Tumor Cells - Top 10 Players Patent Analysis 9.1 Top 10 Entities by Number of Patents 9.2 Analysis by Publication Year 9.3 Analysis by Application Year 9.4 Analysis by Priority Year 9.5 Analysis by Type of Patent 9.6 Analysis by Jurisdiction 9.7 Analysis by Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) Codes 9.8 Analysis by Source of Innovation 9.9 Analysis by Forward and Backward Citations 9.10 Analysis by Legal Status 9.11 Analysis by Patent Age 9.12 Analysis by Key Inventors 9.13 Entity Dynamics 10 Patent Profile of Key Players Genentech Inc F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG Epic Sciences Inc. Ventana Med Syst Inc. (Roche Group ) Curis Inc. 11 Future Trends 12 Global Circulating Tumor Cells Market Landscape 12.1 Global Circulating Tumor Cells: Developers Landscape 12.2 Global Circulating Tumor Cells: Product Landscape For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x7gb0d 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 RESTON, Va., Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revature, a technology talent as a service provider, today announced the appointment of Vivek Ravichandran as senior vice president (SVP) and head of training, technology and platform. In this role, Ravichandran will lead the companys training, solutions, platform development and corporate information technology (IT) teams. He will report directly to Tan Moorthy, the companys recently appointed chief operating officer (COO). As a dynamic human resources (HR), talent development and technology leader, Ravichandran has nearly two decades of experience across multiple industries, including consulting, manufacturing and professional services. Vivek is a welcome addition to our leadership team as he brings a wide range of expertise in HR, technology, and learning and development (L&D), along with the energy and passion to foster a continuous learning environment, said Moorthy. As we shift our focus to the enterprise market, Vivek is the perfect person to help us grow globally and continue to successfully execute our Emerging Talent Program and Digital Academies services. Prior to joining Revature, Ravichandran spent more than 13 years at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). He was most recently the head of talent development, where he delivered holistic talent transformation, including talent development for the companys North American market, estimated to be worth $10 billion. In this role, he created an innovative L&D ecosystem that blended internal content, expert knowledge, partner resources and AI tools to deliver unique learning experiences. As part of this initiative, he trained more than 55,000 employees on next-generation technologies, industry domains and sales as well as on soft skills, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and global culture. He also held various other roles at TCS, including head of digital talent development and workplace collaboration for North America; manager of HR operations, analytics and digitization; and HR business partner. What drew me to Revature is the companys deep-rooted mission to build a skills-based technology workforce through personalized learning and training, said Ravichandran. Im passionate about driving digital transformation using technology to solve peoples learning challenges, and thats exactly what this role will give me the opportunity to do. In addition to Ravichandrans career experience, he holds a patent for a method that assesses and improves the real-time impact of HR activities. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering in computer science from Anna University, Chennai and a masters degree in HR management from the Madras School of Social Work. Ravichandrans hire is the latest milestone in a string of initiatives designed to achieve enterprise growth objectives. In October, Revature announced Tan Moorthy as COO as well as its new Total Talent Solution, which delivers skilled tech talent 70% faster and at 30% lower cost helping clients quickly build high-performing, skills-first technology teams to maintain a competitive edge. About Revature Revature is bridging the IT skills gap and accelerating technology workforces for mid-to-large organizations worldwide from Fortune 500 companies to the federal government and leading system integrators. Our Total Talent Solution empowers customers to cultivate the right technology talent through a combination of its Emerging Talent Programs and Digital Academies. The company takes a human-centric approach to building a skills-first technology workforce for enterprises with an emphasis on continuous learning. By offering both interpersonal skills and technical skills, including in areas like AI and ML, data and analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, enterprise platforms and application development, Revature delivers day-one productive talent 70% faster while reducing customer costs by up to 30% compared to traditional methods. Revature is headquartered in Reston, Virginia and Chennai, India. Learn more at revature.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Media Contact: Meghan Locke Three Rings Inc. 413-627-5335 revature@threeringsinc.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/baf9eb9c-5eb5-4f4e-947a-accfa59d62e2 Nashville, Tennessee, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Buyabarcode.com is proud to celebrate 25 exciting years of leading the change of a customer-centric barcode industry. As one of only two reliable suppliers for North America's largest retail companies, Buyabarcode.com enables businesses to buy and immediately register their barcodes so they can efficiently bring their products to market. Through one instant purchase of any quantity of barcodes, businesses can be sure that their value is platformed to the widest bases possible. Now, as retailers issue tightened regulations in the face of new fraudulent barcode suppliers, industry expert and Buyabarcode.coms founder Erik Quisling informs his customers on the industry's best practices. Every product except for books and magazines that aspires to get onto store shelves requires one crucial element: a standard Universal Product Code (UPC), a.k.a. a barcode. Each UPC is a unique 12-digit number that no other product in the world can be attributed to. This is because retail stores need to meticulously track their inventories to stay in business, and the best way to do that is for every unique product to be easily identifiable through one mass database. This database is stored and maintained by the international industry regulator, GS1. However, especially in the case of small businesses, the process to procure and implement UPCs is opaque and tedious. Thats what Erik Quisling realized in 1999 when he founded Buyabarcode.com. In his former career as owner of a CD replication company, musicians would often ask him how to get barcodes in order to sell their CDs. Erik had to guide them through a difficult process that only allowed customers to buy a 6-digit barcode prefix. They were then left alone to figure out how to install software to create their 12 digit UPCs. Additionally, every 6-digit prefix had to be purchased with an expensive annual subscription that was inaccessible to many smaller businesses. So, Erik went through all the regulations and created a simple solution for artists seeking his help. He noticed that for every 6-digit prefix, he could generate 100,000 unique 12-digit UPCs and resell those unique barcodes to his customers for effortless implementation. As the Internet took its first steps, Erik bought Adspace to platform his ingenious solution as the first alternative to his international competitor. Soon, he was featured in The Wall Street Journal, and Buyabarcode.com was off to the races. Twenty-five years later, Erik and his company enjoy their success as a barcode industry giant, having supplied barcodes to over 100,000 satisfied businesses. Now, regulating organizations no longer only provide barcodes in multiples of 100,000; they also supply them in other fixed quantities. The industry has changed its system in response to us, Erik states. As the pioneering alternative, Buyabarcode.com came face to face with a new cottage industry of competitor barcode suppliers. In fact, unbeknownst to Erik, his first-ever competitor was one of his previous customers. However, these new companies did not arrive without causing trouble. Every barcode originates from GS1 for good reason. Barcodes exist to bring order to a chaotic inventory tracking system, so they all need to be collected into one database for the system to work. What some companies did instead of directly purchasing barcodes was to sniff out dormant GS1 prefixes and resell them. They did not have access to the original GS1 account, nor access to the necessary certificates proving they were permitted to use the prefixes they sold from, explains Erik. Basically, they are pirating numbers and hoping for the best. This has created a lot of problems. Even worse, some of these suppliers simply make up barcode numbers out of thin air. As a result of other barcode suppliers practices, Amazon has now changed its regulation for approving barcodes. The retailer now requires official chain of custody documentation to prove that the owner of a barcode is connected to the original GS1 prefix purchaser. Since most barcode resellers, other than Buyabarcode.com, cannot provide this necessary documentation, many of their customers businesses have been unfairly damaged. The reality is that you can get barcodes from a third party as long as they provide the documentation that Amazon now requires, Erik states. And, other retailers will likely institute similar requirements as well. Buyabarcode.com automatically provides customers with the required verification documents that Amazon requests during the listing process. Buyabarcode.com made its name in 1999 by enabling businesses to legitimately bypass the usual bureaucracy, demystifying the barcode process. Today, they stick to this commitment to continue supplying barcodes faster, cheaper, and easier. We supply customers with the exact amount of barcodes they require, automatically add them to the GS1 US Data Hub, provide them the necessary documentation, and give them answers to any additional query they have, Erik says. Buyabarcode.coms comprehensive knowledge of the UPC system and excellent customer service have kept them miles ahead of their competitors. As Erik reaffirms, There are, once again, only two real choices to procure legitimate UPC barcodes: us, and GS1. As the man who wrote the literal book on the matter, The Best Little Book on Barcodes (available on their website for download), Erik Quisling is confident in their mission to be the gateway small businesses need to enter the world of retail and e-commerce. Twenty-five years and we are nowhere near done, Erik reflects, Buyabarcode.com is also proud to be on the cutting edge of a new barcode technology revolution that is certain to transform the industry soon. Media contact: Name: Adriana Bonagrazia Email: abonagrazia@yahoo.com OTTAWA, Ontario, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Honest Talk, Canadas fastest-growing online community for women, is thrilled to announce Bell as a new key partner in its Business Pillar. This collaboration marks a significant step in furthering The Honest Talks mission to provide insightful, real, and impactful dialogue to its growing female audience. Bell, Canadas largest communications company, shares The Honest Talks commitment to fostering meaningful connections and advancing conversations that matter. Through this partnership, Bell will support The Honest Talk in delivering high-quality content that resonates with listeners across Canada and beyond. We are excited to welcome Bell as a key partner, said Catherine Clark, Co-Founder of The Honest Talk. Bells support underscores the importance of our mission and enables us to continue sharing stories that inspire, educate, and motivate our audience, added Jennifer Stewart, Co-Founder of The Honest Talk. We are proud to partner with The Honest Talk, said Michele Austin, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Bell. At Bell, we believe in the power of communication to drive positive change, such as through our Bell Lets Talk mental health program. Supporting platforms like The Honest Talk aligns with our values and commitment to fostering open and honest dialogue. The Honest Talk continues to expand its reach and impact, bringing forward conversations that inspire women and challenge perspectives through its media site, which includes daily global curated content, proprietary articles and essays, and its award-winning podcast. For more information about The Honest Talk and its partnership with Bell, please visit www.thehonesttalk.ca. About The Honest Talk The Honest Talk is Canadas fastest-growing online community for women, dedicated to real, impactful conversations and stories with inspiring individuals from various fields. Co-founded by Jennifer Stewart and Catherine Clark, The Honest Talk aims to empower its community through its online media platform, award-winning podcast, and The Womens Summit. About Bell Bell is Canadas largest communications company, providing advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet, media, and business communication services across the country. With a commitment to innovation and community support, Bell strives to connect Canadians to the people and things that matter most. Media Contact: Jennifer Madigan Syntax Strategic 613.470.8555 Ramsey, NJ, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Dealer Advisory Council (DAC). Effective as of the DAC meeting held this week in Belleair, Florida during The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican event, Janene Aul, Vice President and General Council, Systel Business Equipment Co., Inc. (Systel) and Stephanie Keating Phillips, Director of Production Print and Solutions, Advanced Imaging Solutions (AIS) will join the 12-member group that represents a mix of small, medium and large independent Konica Minolta dealers. Konica Minoltas DAC members act as a liaison between Konica Minolta and the independent dealer community. The group provides an advisory body to the company as it continually looks for ways to enhance its support, product offerings, programs and promotions to its broader dealer community. As members, Aul and Phillips will work with top Konica Minolta executives to provide input into improving dealer relationships. This includes every aspect of dealer partnerships, including continual education, sales support, pricing and more. Systel and AIS are both family businesses, and both are part of Konica Minoltas Top 25 dealers and Revd Up Performance Program. Aul and Phillips are also members of Konica Minoltas Step Together program, a collective of thought leaders working to empower and inspire women in the office technology sector through support, collaboration and mentorship. As part of Systels ownership and executive team, Aul directs corporate and service operations including legal, finance, human resources, billing, leasing, purchasing and inventory distribution, customer support, information technology and service management. She oversees 13 locations throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia accounting for approximately 250 employees. I am honored to be chosen to represent Systel and the dealer community, said Janene Aul. Im committed to using this role to strengthen the partnerships in the dealer channel and support programs that will benefit channel partners of all sizes. Phillips is a dedicated leader committed to her company, industry and the values of community and mentorship. Her 26-year career is marked by continuous growth and innovation, and she is a frequent speaker at industry events, discussing key issues such as diversity in the document technology industry, the dynamics of family businesses and pioneering production print solutions. I simply cannot wait to get started in this new position, said Stephanie Keating Phillips. I have long admired Konica Minoltas innovation and excellence in technology and service, and am so appreciative for this opportunity to help drive the vision for their dealer community. Konica Minoltas Dealer Advisory Council is constantly evolving to bring new talent and diversity that will offer unique perspectives, said Dean Swenson, President, The Swenson Group. As President of the DAC, I am excited to add Janene and Stephanie, who I know will bring a wealth of understanding and knowledge to this team. I truly believe with the addition of both Janene and Stephanie, we are putting together one of the best councils Ive ever worked with. Their experience in this industry adds a new element of diversified thought, and I cant wait to hear their perspectives on so many topics, said Laura Blackmer, President, Dealer Sales, Konica Minolta. As long-time dealers, the relationships we have built with these women made it an easy decision to add them to such an important group. Their expertise in the industry will provide our team with great insights and perspective that will benefit all our dealers. About Konica Minolta Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.'s (Konica Minolta) journey started 150 years ago, with a vision to see and do things differently. The company innovates for the good of society and the world. The same purpose that kept it moving then, keeps it moving now. Konica Minolta aims to partner with clients to Give Shape to Ideas by supporting their digital transformation through its expansive Intelligent Connected Workplace portfolio. Its business technology offerings include IT Services, intelligent information management, video security solutions and managed print services, as well as office technology and industrial and commercial print solutions. Through its ongoing work, the company is fortunate to be continuously recognized for its products and services. This includes, but is not limited to being included on CRNs MSP 500 list numerous times; named a finalist in the IT Software Category by The World Technology Awards; recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys and presented with Keypoint Intelligences BLI 2021 A3 Line of The Year and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Awards for its bizhub i-Series. For more information, please visit Konica Minolta online and follow its account on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter. About Systel Business Equipment Co., Inc. Systel Business Equipment is the largest independent dealer of office automation equipment in the Southeast. Now, more than 40 years since being established, Systel has become an award-winning, multi-million-dollar company that proudly serves all 100 counties of North Carolina as well as parts of South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. About Advanced Imaging Solutions AIS is the leading value provider of IT services and business technology solutions in Minnesota. Family-owned and locally operated, AIS is able to provide all necessary parts, supplies and products rapidly as we carry a vast selection of inventory. Decisions are made quickly because ownership is local and easily accessible. # # # # # Attachments Photo Courtesy of Springer Publishing NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Dr. Joshua Weiser has written a book that examines the future of embryonic stem cell research in the United States. His work aims to impact federal laws, address the ongoing debate over federal funding, advance research, and support medical progress. Proposing a Path for Federal Funding in Medical Innovation "We're working to create guidelines that balance the ethical issues with the potential of embryonic stem cell research," Joshua Weiser says. "The goal is to make federal funding possible while keeping research practices responsible and humane." In his book , Embryonic Stem Cells and the Law: Crafting A Humane System of Regulation, Dr. Weiser outlines a detailed outlook on regulating research on stem cells. Key recommendations include forming a national oversight committee, setting clear guidelines for informed consent from embryo donors, establishing strict protocols for using embryonic stem cell lines, and establishing ongoing ethical reviews and transparency in research practices. The goal is to move research forward responsibly while addressing the ethical concerns surrounding this research. Bridging Science and Ethics: Joshua Weisers Perspective on Stem Cell Laws Joshua Weiser has developed a deep understanding of embryonic stem cell laws as part of a small group of attorneys specializing in this area at federal, state, and international levels. His research has gathered a comprehensive set of laws from around the world, which forms the basis of his recommendations. "We've studied legal systems globally to create a solution that follows international practices while addressing the specific needs and concerns of the U.S.," Dr. Weiser says. The proposed guidelines balance scientific advancement and ethical concerns. They consider the moral questions surrounding embryos while acknowledging the potential of stem cell research to improve lives. These guidelines aim to gain support from the scientific community and those who have expressed ethical concerns about this research. A Call to Action for Stakeholders As discussions around funding for embryonic stem cell research continue, Joshua Weiser's work offers a way forward. It seeks to address ethical concerns while supporting scientific progress, potentially influencing future legislation. "Stem cells hold promise for the future of medicine," Dr. Weiser said. "This research takes steps in that direction while considering ethical considerations. It's an opportunity for the U.S. to advance responsibly and help those affected by untreatable diseases." About Joshua Weiser Dr. Joshua Weiser is a renowned attorney who specializes in embryonic stem cell laws. He holds a JSD, the highest degree attainable by an attorney. He recently published the book Embryonic Stem Cells and the Law: Crafting A Humane System of Regulation with Springer. Dr. Weiser's proficiency spans state, federal, and international stem cell legislation, making him a leading voice in this complex and evolving field. Contact Information: Contact Person's Name: Joshua Weiser Company: Weiser Health Law Website: Weiserhealthlaw.com Email: joshua@weiserhealthlaw.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4a166b0-cf0a-4437-92e2-fc1342e1c22a MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TopLine Financial Credit Union , a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative , held their annual Personal Care Drive during the month of September benefitting three local non-profits, Avenues for Youth, Union Gospel Mission and YMCA of the North Youth and Family Services. TopLine members and employees generously donated a variety of personal care items including body wash and soap, tooth paste and brushes, diapers, hair care products, socks and so much more to help neighbors in need. Employees were able to participate by donating personal care items and money in exchange for a Foundation Friday/Saturday sticker, allowing them to wear jeans to work. TopLine and community members could also purchase items from TopLines Amazon Wishlist or Target Registry and have them delivered directly to TopLine, and in return delivered to the charitable partners. When the program ended TopLine employees and members had donated 2,758 personal care items and $1,155 in cash to assist local individuals and families in need. "Thank you to our incredible members and dedicated employees for their generous donations of personal care items. Your kindness and commitment to supporting those in need reflect the heart of our community and make a meaningful difference, says Mick Olson, TopLine President and CEO. Together, we are helping to uplift and care for those served by our local charitable partners. Avenues for Youth provides emergency shelter, short-term housing and supportive services for homeless youth ages 16-24 in Hennepin County. There are over 4,900 homeless youth in Minnesota each night. Avenues shelters in Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis help over 250 youth annually. Visit www.avenuesforyouth.org to learn more. Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is a Christian ministry dedicated to serving people facing homelessness, poverty, or addiction in the community. Union Gospel Mission helps people rebuild their lives through a variety of time-tested and proven life-changing programs. To learn more, visit https://www.ugmtc.org/. The YMCA of the North Youth and Family Services is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. To learn more about the Ys mission and work, visit https://www.ymcanorth.org/impact/youth_family. TopLine Financial Credit Union , a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesotas 9th largest credit union, with assets of over $1.1 billion and serves over 70,000 members. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit financial cooperative offers a complete line of financial services from its ten branch locations in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Forest Lake, Maple Grove, Plymouth, St. Francis and in St. Pauls Como Park as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com or www.ahcu.coop. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties in Minnesota and their immediate family members, as well as employees and retirees of Anoka Hennepin School District #11, Anoka Technical College, Federal Premium Ammunition, Hoffman Enclosures, Inc., GRACO, Inc., and their subsidiaries. Visit us on our Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about the credit unions foundation, visit www.TopLinecu.com/Foundation. CONTACT: Vicki Roscoe Erickson Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer TopLine Financial Credit Union verickson@toplinecu.com | 763.391.0872 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a97c4bca-f9d4-402f-b4d5-070c61d1a7e1 Dublin, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "5G Core Service-Based Architecture (SBA) Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The 5G Core Service-Based Architecture (SBA) market is projected to witness a CAGR of 35.52% during the forecast period to reach a total market size of US$20.80 billion by 2029, up from US$4.55 billion in 2024. The modular 5G Core Service-Based Architecture (SBA) isutilized in deploying and scaling different network functions as needed. It also provides network slicing to build independent virtual networks tailored to individual requirements. SBA helps enhance network efficiency and reduce cost by allowing resource optimization, automation, and orchestration tools. It also benefits from virtualization and cloud technologies developments, including the flexibility of virtualized network functions (VNFs), which can be worked on standard servers or cloud platforms for immediate deployment and service scalability. Furthermore, a number of the SBA pieces are purposely designed as cloud-native and can take advantage of more advanced native services in the cloud. They are utilized with cloud technologies for elastic, high-performance scalability with built-in redundancy, maintainability, and cost-effectiveness, contributing to market expansion. 5G CORE SERVICE-BASED ARCHITECTURE (SBA) MARKET DRIVERS: Growing Cloud-Native key to 5G SBA is expected to increase the global demand for 5G Core Service-Based Architecture (SBA). The implementation of the core network, based on an open and modular service platform outlined in 3GPP as part of the fifth-generation (5G) mobile network standards, is termed Service-Based Architecture. SBA is a cloud-native service framework that supports executing essential mobile core network functions related to session and mobility management by standalone, including identity-proxy or idle-mode specific software applications called Network Functions. Meanwhile, they have to work with NFs deployed on off-the-shelf hardware residing within cloud infrastructure that are not managed as part of the Management and Orchestration (MANO) stack and need additional gateways/RGs to communicate with other authorized NFs. These are very similar to using APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) based service interfaces in applications. Service providers can use a cloud-native framework to develop SBA with microservices. This cloud-native model introduces granular capacity provisioning, key for 5G, as it allows resources to be allocated following mean rather than peak demand, making it more efficient. 5G Core Service-Based Architecture (SBA) Market Geographical Outlook: The European region is expected to hold a substantial 5G Core Service-Based Architecture (SBA) market share. The 5G SBA Market in the European region has a major presence due to high demand for advanced technology, strong government support through regulations, and network modernization efforts. European countries, in particular, are leading in 5G network deployment and thus provide a solid base for SBA expansion. European regulators have issued regulations to encourage innovation, and SBA was widely viewed as an empowerment of this modernization. For instance, in February 2024, Elisa, a major European service provider, launched Finland's first 5G standalone phone subscriptions for next-generation and a smoother experience. Over the next few months, those subscriptions were supplemented with user benefits and power savings. The 5G standalone network enhances energy efficiency, using less energy per unit of the data that is being transferred than older network technologies. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 147 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $4.55 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $20.8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 35.5% Regions Covered Global Report Coverage: Historical data & forecasts from 2022 to 2029 Growth Opportunities, Challenges, Supply Chain Outlook, Regulatory Framework, Customer Behaviour, and Trend Analysis Competitive Positioning, Strategies, and Market Share Analysis Revenue Growth and Forecast Assessment of segments and regions including countries Company Profiling: Strategies, Products, Financial Information, and Key Developments Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. ZTE Corporation Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Nokia Corporation Alepo Technologies Inc. NEC Corporation 5G Core Service-Based Architecture (SBA) Market Segmentation: By Architecture 5G Core Data Management (UDM+UDR+FE+AUSF) Policy Control & Charging (PCF+BSF+CHF) By Use Care Mobile Broadband Others By Geography Americas United States Others Europe, Middle East, and Africa United Kingdom Germany Others Asia Pacific China Japan South Korea Others For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1frh3p 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 BOCA RATON, FL, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prominent Boca Raton Florida Negligent Security Lawyer Joe Osborne recently appeared on the acclaimed podcast, Coffee with Q, to discuss pressing issues surrounding negligent security law, which is critical for victims of preventable crimes on commercial properties. Hosted by expert legal marketing consultant Rene Perras, the episode sheds light on the complexities of negligent security cases and Joe Osbornes dedicated work in advocating for victims of these often-overlooked injustices. Watch the full video on Coffee With Q Website Rene Perras and Joe Osborne Episode 1 on Negligent Security in Florida This exclusive podcast episode, Boca Raton Florida Negligent Security Lawyer Joe Osborne Talks with Rene Perras on Understanding Negligent Security, available now at Coffee with Q Show. A Deep Dive into Negligent Security Law In this episode, Joe Osborne, who has represented numerous clients throughout Florida, with offices in Boca Raton, Orlando, Lakeland and West Palm Beach, provides in-depth insights into what negligent security entails and how it impacts victims. Joe explains, Negligent security is about holding property owners accountable for preventable harm, especially when crime occurs due to inadequate security measures. Listeners will gain an understanding of: What Constitutes Negligent Security : Osborne defines negligent security in a way that demystifies the term for listeners and highlights its importance for public safety. : Osborne defines negligent security in a way that demystifies the term for listeners and highlights its importance for public safety. The Role of Security in Preventing Crime : Osborne addresses critical components, such as lighting, surveillance, and personnel, that play essential roles in preventing harm to individuals on commercial properties. : Osborne addresses critical components, such as lighting, surveillance, and personnel, that play essential roles in preventing harm to individuals on commercial properties. Legal Recourse for Victims: The episode details how victims can seek justice through legal channels, with Osborne sharing real-life examples of successful negligent security cases. Who Should Listen This podcast is an invaluable resource for individuals and families affected by violent crimes on commercial properties. With the expert insights of Boca Ratons trusted negligent security lawyer Joe Osborne, victims can understand their rights and explore potential legal pathways. About Joe Osborne Joe Osborne is a highly respected trial attorney based in Boca Raton, Florida, who has dedicated his career to advocating for victims in complex personal injury cases, with a focus on negligent security. His approach combines compassionate client service with aggressive representation against negligent property owners. Osbornes legal team has successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for clients, reinforcing his reputation as a dedicated advocate for justice. About Coffee with Q Coffee with Q is a podcast hosted by news legal reporter Rene Perras that brings together seasoned legal professionals to discuss current and critical issues in the legal field. Each episode is crafted to inform and educate listeners on the latest in legal developments, with practical advice from trusted voices in the industry. Listen to the Episode Discover Joe Osbornes expert perspective on negligent security by tuning in to the full interview at https://www.coffeewithq.org/boca-raton-florida-negligent-security-lawyer-joe-osborne-talks-with-rene-perras-on-understanding-negligent-security/. For Podcast Inquiries: Rene Perras, Host of Coffee with Q Email: rp@coffeewithq.org Website:https://www.coffeewithq.org Schaumburg, IL, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is pleased to announce that M. Laurin Council, MD, MBA, has assumed her role as President for 2024-25. Her one-year presidential term began during the Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, Oct. 18. Dr. Council is the Director of Dermatologic Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and Director of the Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship. She is board certified in Dermatology and Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology. Her clinical and research interests include rare cutaneous tumors, Mohs micrographic surgery, cosmetic dermatology and cutaneous oncology. She is the author of over 80 publications in scientific literature. ASDS is the premier organization for the dermatologic surgeon, and our voices are stronger when we come together, said Dr. Council. Issues most affecting our practices in todays environment include fair reimbursement and patient safety issues resulting from scope of practice creep. Our organization offers strong advocacy through ASDSA, which will continue to place these issues at the forefront of advocacy initiatives. I look forward to working with our membership, whether by meeting with our state and federal legislators to encourage legislation that protects our practices or drafting model bills to protect our patients. Other key initiatives for Dr. Councils presidency also include driving innovative educational opportunities and enhancing member benefits. Since becoming an ASDS/A member in 2007 during residency, she has been heavily involved with these areas, serving on several committees including Co-chair of the Federal Affairs Work Group, member of the Policy Priorities Work Group and Chair of the Annual Meeting Work Group. Dr. Council has also participated in the State Affairs Work Group, mentored for the Future Leaders Network program, volunteered as an Advocacy Ambassador and served as one of ASDSAs representatives on the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates (HOD). Dr. Council has received several ASDS/A awards for her commitment to furthering the organizations goals, including a 2019 Presidents Award, 2020 Award for Outstanding Service and top Advocate recognition in 2022 and 2024. The complete 2024-25 ASDS/ASDSA Boards of Directors can be viewed at asds.net/Board-of-Directors . # # # About the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is the largest specialty organization exclusively representing dermatologic surgeons who have the unique training and experience required to treat the health, function and beauty of patients skin, hair and nails. ASDS members are pioneers in the field, often involved in clinical studies that substantiate popular procedures to revitalize and repair skin, enhance skin care devices and improve standard techniques. Dermatologic surgeons are also experts in skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment. As the incidence of skin cancer rises, dermatologic surgeons are committed to spreading sun safety awareness to minimize the life-threatening effects of this disease. For more information, visit asds.net . For physician news, follow ASDS Members on Facebook , X (Twitter) , Instagram , Threads , YouTube and LinkedIn . For patient education, follow ASDS Skin MD on Facebook , X (Twitter) , Instagram , Threads , YouTube and TikTok . Locate a dermatologic surgeon in your area: asds.net/find Attachment WASHINGTON D.C., Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Keep Food Safety in Mind this Thanksgiving WASHINGTON, November 12, 2024 Turkey is the most popular dish during Thanksgiving celebrations, yet there are many inexperienced cooks who will be in the kitchen. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging consumers to practice food safety throughout the entire Thanksgiving process, from the grocery store to the dining table. On the most popular food holiday of the year, were reminding consumers to follow safe food handling practices starting at the grocery store and going all the way through enjoying your leftovers, said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban. Following these basic steps can help keep your family and friends safe this holiday season. To keep your Thanksgiving food safe, follow this guide: Shopping Bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels if perishables, like turkey, are left in the Danger Zone (temperatures between 40 F and 140 F) for too long. Pick up your turkey and other perishable products at the end of your grocery shopping so they stay cold as long as possible. Pack perishables in insulated bags with cold sources if the commute home is longer than an hour and place them in the refrigerator as soon as you get home. Make sure the packaging of your turkey is not torn or leaking. Juices from raw poultry can cause cross-contamination of harmful bacteria that can get you sick. Place turkey, and other raw meat products, in plastic bags and in a separate part of your shopping cart to prevent harmful bacteria from spreading. Thawing A frozen turkey can be safely thawed in the refrigerator or in cold water: When thawing in a refrigerator at 40 F or below, allow roughly 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. Consider putting the turkey in a container or dish to contain juices that may leak. When thawing in cold water, allow roughly 30 minutes per pound. Submerge the wrapped turkey into the cold water and change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is fully thawed. Once thawed, cook the turkey immediately. Preparing When it is time to prepare the turkey, keep in mind that turkeys may contain bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Keep the turkey and its juices separate from foods that wont be cooked and fully clean and sanitize surfaces that come into contact with the turkey and its juices. A USDA study found that about 30% of consumers did not successfully clean and sanitize kitchen surfaces around meal preparation. Washing a turkey is risky because it can spread bacteria to your sink and other nearby surfaces. If you choose to wash it, make sure to fully clean surfaces with soap and water afterwards and then sanitize using a sanitizing solution. Cooking There are many ways to cook a turkey, but one thing remains consistent: the turkey needs to reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 F, as measured by a food thermometer, in three places the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing. Always use a thermometer to make sure the turkey is fully cooked even if the turkey has a pop-up temperature indicator. If stuffing your turkey, the stuffing must also reach 165 F in the center of the stuffing. Serving When serving food to groups, remember the two-hour rule. Perishable foods that have sat out at room temperature for more than two hours are unsafe, due to bacterial growth, and must be discarded. When you are serving food, keep your hot food hot and cold food cold. This will keep it from developing harmful bacteria. Hot foods such as turkey, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy must be kept at or above 140 F and you can do so by serving them in warming trays, chafing dishes, slow cookers, etc. Cold foods such as salad, cranberry relish, deviled eggs and cold dips must be kept below 40 F and you can do so by serving them in trays or bowls nestled over ice. Remember to replace the ice as it melts. You can also serve cold foods by dividing them in small portions and serving them a portion at a time, keeping the remainder in the refrigerator. Leftovers Leftovers are arguably one of the best parts of Thanksgiving. For leftovers to be safe to keep, they must be refrigerated within two hours of serving or have been kept hot at or above 140 F or cold below 40 F. Discard any foods that sat out for more than two hours at room temperature because bacteria that cause foodborne illness could have reached dangerous levels. If you have turkey leftovers, carve the bird into smaller pieces and place them into small, shallow containers so the meat can cool evenly and quickly. If you have food safety questions while planning and preparing your Thanksgiving feast, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov or chat live at www.ask.usda.gov 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday to reach a food safety specialist in English or Spanish. The Meat and Poultry Hotline is also open on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Access news releases and other information at USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) website at www.fsis.usda.gov/newsroom. Follow FSIS on X at @usdafoodsafety or in Spanish at X @usdafoodsafety_es and USDA on Instagram at @usdagov and Facebook. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming Americas food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. # USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. Attachments SOCIETE GENERALE: Number of shares composing current share capital and Total number of voting rights as of 31 October 2024 Regulated Information Paris, 12 November 2024 Information about the total number of voting rights and shares pursuant to Article L.233-8 II of the French Commercial Code and Article 223-16 of the AMF General Regulations. Date Number of shares composing current share capital Total number of voting rights 31 October 2024 800,316,777 Gross: 886, 196, 788 Press contact: Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ fanny.rouby@socgen.com Societe Generale Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with more than 126,000 employees serving about 25 million clients in 65 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for nearly 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective - to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders. The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients: French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance , with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank. , with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank. Global Banking and Investor Solutions , a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG. , a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG. International Retail, Mobility & Leasing Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities. Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe). For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com . Attachment TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Employment law firm Mathers McHenry & Co today announced that its client, Justin Cochrane, who is the former President and Co-Founder and a current holder of approximately 6.0% of the common shares of Nickel 28 Capital Corp. (Nickel 28 or the Company) (TSXV: NKL), is suing the Company for over US$30 million in damages arising from his wrongful dismissal and the bad faith conduct of Nickel 28 and its directors. In a Statement of Claim filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Mr. Cochrane alleges that he was wrongfully terminated by Nickel 28 following a lengthy and acrimonious battle for control of the Company launched by Pelham Investment Partners LP (Pelham). Mr. Cochrane claims that these events culminated in a frivolous investigation against him, which was based on baseless allegations and tainted by conflicts of interest from the outset. Mr. Cochrane has named Edward (Ned) Collery, a current director of Nickel 28 and the founder of Pelham, and Brett Richards, a current director of Nickel 28, as defendants in the lawsuit. He alleges that Mr. Richards and Mr. Collery directed Nickel 28 to launch a meritless investigation and withhold his compensation in a bad faith effort to drive him out of the organization. Mr. Cochrane has claimed damages for wrongful dismissal, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment. He is also seeking compensatory damages for loss of competitive advantage arising out of the bad faith conduct of Nickel 28 at the direction of Messrs. Richards and Collery, which has destroyed his reputation and will result in income loss for the rest of his life. For further information, please contact: Nickel28founders@gmail.com Or Jennifer Mathers McHenry 647-420-1230 Jennifer@mathersmchenryandco.com SAN DIEGO, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fuse Integration, a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm, today announced that VIQTORY, Inc. has named the company both a 2025 Military Friendly Employer, with Bronze distinction, and a 2025 Military Spouse Friendly Employer in the under $500 million category. Fuse was recognized for its commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. This is the third year the company has been celebrated as a Military Friendly Employer and its second year as a Military Spouse Friendly Employer. Since the beginning, the Fuse team of military veterans, military spouses and other professionals have committed to understanding and solving the tactical edge networking challenges of our nations warfighters, said Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse. I am proud that these Military Friendly Employer awards recognize our success in supporting employees who serve or have served and the spouses who serve alongside them. Military Friendly Employers award ratings consider what employers do to attract, hire and develop military employees. Recognizing exceptional military/veteran programs, the Bronze distinction is bestowed on employers scoring within 30% of the 10th best employer in their revenue category. Military Spouse Friendly Employers demonstrate excellence in supporting military spouses by fostering a supportive culture, providing opportunities for advancement and retaining talent, among other traits. Employers demonstrate a commitment to creating inclusive environments where military spouses can thrive personally and professionally. Fuse will be showcased in the 2025 Military Friendly Employers in the Winter issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and on MilitaryFriendly.com. The full list of 2025 Military Friendly Employers is available online. About Fuse Integration Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The companys virtualized network systems, tactical edge network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com Media Contact Joyce Bosc On behalf of Fuse Integration jbosc@boscobel.com 301-717-9529 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. (Pender) is pleased to announce that Dion Steyn has joined Pender as our Vice President of National Retail Sales. Dion is well known and highly respected within the industry and brings over 35 years of sales and leadership experience to Pender. Most recently, Dion led teams in BC and Western Canada for two leading national financial institutions where he built and motivated high performing retail sales teams. Dion commented, I am thrilled to be joining the dynamic team at Pender and continuing to grow the channel dedicated to helping investment advisors optimize market inefficiencies and grow their clients wealth. Dion will be responsible for leading Penders retail sales team across Canada. His enthusiasm and expertise will guide individuals and the team in meeting company growth objectives. He will be responsible for expanding the firms client service and business development strategies to deepen our market presence and strengthen our position in the industry. We are excited to welcome Dion to Pender to lead our national retail sales team, said Geoff Scott, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. With his extensive experience and proven track record in driving sales growth, we are confident that he will play a pivotal role in our mission to deliver exceptional value to our clients and elevate our market presence. Dions leadership will not only inspire our sales team but also strengthen our commitment to excellence and building great client relationships at Pender. About PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. Pender was founded in 2003 and is an independent, employee-owned investment firm located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Our goal is to protect and grow wealth for our investors over time. We have a talented investment team of expert analysts, security selectors and independent thinkers who actively manage a suite of differentiated investment funds, exploiting inefficient parts of the investing universe to achieve our goal. Please visit www.penderfund.com. Please read important disclosures at www.penderfund.com/disclaimer. For further information, please contact: Melanie Moore Vice President of Marketing, PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. mmoore@penderfund.com (604) 688-1511 Toll Free: (866) 377-4743 Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as expect or proposed and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions may or will occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of the manager at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Copyright PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. All rights reserved. November 2024. NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ATTUNE, the all-in-one digital origination platform for banks and credit unions, today announced an API integration with CoreLogic, a leading provider of global property information, analytics and data-enabled workflow solutions, to accelerate the digital mortgage process. CoreLogics comprehensive housing data, such as flood zone information and valuation insights, helps financial institutions assess property risk more efficiently. This data is integrated directly into ATTUNEs seamless, end-to-end digital mortgage solution. The collaboration allows credit unions and banks to process mortgage applications faster and with fewer manual steps. ATTUNEs ability to offer flexible, agile lending solutions is a great match for CoreLogics mission of delivering data-driven efficiency to the mortgage industry. Our integration helps reduce friction at crucial points, such as property risk assessment, enabling faster mortgage processing and better lending experiences, said Scott Giberson, Director, Product Management at CoreLogic. Several ATTUNE banking customers are already benefiting from the CoreLogic integration, realizing significant reductions in mortgage processing times. Property data is critical to making informed decisions, and by automating the integration of CoreLogics housing insights, the ATTUNE platform reduces digital friction and accelerates the mortgage cycle. CoreLogic has unmatched property data insights and solutions that help lenders make quicker, more informed decisions. The integration with our digital mortgage solution enhances the overall lending process, creating a more efficient experience that shortens the closing cycle, said AK Patel, CEO and Founder of ATTUNE. To learn more about ATTUNE and end-to-end digital lending, go to www.getattune.com About ATTUNE ATTUNE is transforming digital origination with its all-in-one platform that empowers banks and credit unions to streamline onboarding, lending and real-time cross-selling. With ATTUNE, financial institutions typically achieve lending cycles up to 75% faster and onboarding times up to 90% quicker. Learn more at www.getattune.com . Follow us on LinkedIn About CoreLogic CoreLogic is a leading provider of property insights and innovative solutions, working to transform the property industry by putting people first. Using its network, scale, connectivity and technology, CoreLogic delivers faster, smarter, more human-centered experiences that build better relationships, strengthen businesses, and ultimately create a more resilient society. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com . For More Information: Chris McManus, Director of Marketing chris@getattune.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ceef3416-590b-4c02-b7ec-be500a7ff3eb FAIR OAKS, IN, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seven Farm Credit System institutions have partnered with Indiana-based Lake States Dairy Center to enhance public knowledge and education of sustainable agricultural practices, livestock and food production at Fair Oaks Farms. AgCountry Farm Credit Services, American AgCredit, CoBank, Compeer Financial, Farm Credit Mid-America, Farm Credit Services of America and Greenstone Farm Credit Services will contribute a combined $2.7 million over the next five years to help the center showcase food safety, animal care, nutrition, environmental stewardship, employee care and community. Visitors to the Lake States Dairy Center have the opportunity to explore full-scale operating farms, engage with industry-partnered educational curriculum, and interact with trained facilitators, says Mike McCloskey, chairman of the board for Fair Oaks Farms. This funding from Farm Credit will support the development of new exhibits that showcase how we are meeting the needs of agriculture today and tomorrow. The Lake States Dairy Centers mission is to present the innovations within the dairy industry in an engaging and relatable manner, helping consumers connect with the agricultural practices that impact their daily lives. The education center opened in 2004 and welcomes 100,000 visitors annually. Lake States Dairy Center operates as a not-for-profit alongside Fair Oaks Farms, which is a beacon for agritourism focused on transparent communications of modern, innovative and sustainable agriculture. On behalf of all seven Farm Credit institutions partnering on this contribution, we could not be more excited to support the ongoing efforts of Lake States Dairy Center to raise awareness of agricultural practices, livestock and food production at Fair Oaks Farms, said Steve Wittbecker, CoBanks chief sustainability officer. The enrichment programs at Fair Oaks Farms allow visitors to learn and appreciate the efforts taken by management to ensure responsible dairy production as they nourish the communities they serve. The Farm Credit System is a network of lending cooperatives that have provided reliable credit and financial services to farmers and rural residents for more than 100 years. These cooperatives receive funding from one of four Farm Credit System banks. Through community investments, Farm Credit associations and their funding banks support programs and initiatives that help to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture. For more information about Lake State Dairy Center, visit FOFarms.com/Activities. About CoBank CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 77,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore. Media Contact: Julie Davis Director, Corporate Communications CoBank 202.215.1354 judavis@cobank.com Attachment AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sticker Mule is announcing the official launch of Stores, a full-service solution for influencers, creators and brands to sell custom merchandise directly from the company website. This new solution enables creators to build their brand and grow their revenue while Sticker Mule manages order fulfillment and customer service. With Sticker Mule Stores creators can sell custom merchandise printed on-demand stickers, t-shirts, buttons, magnets and dozens of other items while earning significant income from profits. The Stores solution also gives creators a 10% commission on the back-end when customers purchase their custom-created Sticker Mule products for up to one year, delivering value to creators for their designs in the form of a lucrative source of income while reducing upfront costs typically associated with custom merchandise. Anthony Constantino, Co-Founder and CEO of Sticker Mule had this to say, We are building Stores to be the most lucrative way to sell merch online. I directed our team to be as generous as possible so people can earn substantial income. Some creators are using Sticker Mule Stores to replace their existing stores, while others are considering it a supplement to what they are already doing. Dozens of high-profile figures, including Mike Tyson , Henry Cejudo , Donald Trump Jr. and social media star Ricky Berwick , as well as major brands like AWS and Rumble have already launched their own Sticker Mule Stores, with many popular creators and brands soon to be announced in the coming weeks. More than 12,000 creators have come onboard during the beta. Ricky Berwick shared why his team is excited to partner with Sticker Mule for their custom store: We had been thinking about reworking our merch business for awhile and when we saw what Sticker Mule had to offer, it was hard to pass on. Ease of use, excellent quality products and customer service that's second to none are just a few of the things we love about Sticker Mule. Creators and brands looking for more information on creating their own Store or exploring a variety of products, should visit StickerMule.com . About Sticker Mule Sticker Mule is the best way to buy and sell custom merchandise, including stickers, t-shirts, magnets, buttons, labels, packaging, keychains, temporary tattoos, and an award-winning hot sauce. Founded in 2010, today were powered by 1,200+ people in 30+ countries, with factories in New York, South Carolina and Italy. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/32c182b8-9b33-4f4b-a217-f2d668abe76d Schaumburg, Ill., Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is pleased to announce the results of its 2024 election. This year, ASDS members voted for the Office of Vice President, Office of Treasurer, three Board of Directors and one ASDS Nominating Committee member. Their terms and responsibilities officially began at the Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, Oct. 18 in Orlando, Florida, where Seth L. Matarasso, MD, discussed the successes of the past year and introduced the Societys new strategic plan. These individuals elected to serve as officers and directors of the Society shall serve in the same office of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA) for the same tenure. 2024-25 Officers: President M. Laurin Council, MD, MBA President-Elect Kavita Mariwalla, MD Vice President Deirdre Hooper, MD Secretary Anthony Rossi, MD Treasurer Anna Bar, MD Immediate Past President Seth L. Matarasso, MD Office of Vice President The Vice President will ascend to President-Elect in 2025-26 and to President in 2026-27. Deirdre Hooper, MD, New Orleans, Louisiana I am honored to be elected the next ASDS Vice President. I will bring an effective style of leadership in which I collect information, ask pertinent questions and listen to all voices. I am passionate about the success and future of ASDS for our future members. Specifically, I know we need to continue to support advocacy for our members and our patients, and we need to preserve our identity as experts. We will need to strategize the best advocacy areas to target our efforts and, importantly, increase member engagement both financially and in conversations with our legislators. A pressing challenge facing us is how we want to drive the conversation surrounding non-physician injectors. How do we proceed with our industry relationships in an environment where non-physician injectors are increasingly supported by industry? This is a complex issue and will require a fair, balanced and long-ranging plan led by our Board. A critical part of our success is the respect we have earned for maintaining the highest level of educational prestige. In the current landscape of increasing numbers of meetings and options for remote and in-person learning, we must constantly evaluate and adapt to retain our status as THE educational leaders. The great news is that our members have the expertise to make this happen. I am honored and humbled to lead the organization and will make every effort to continue the vision of this organization I am so proud to call home. Office of Treasurer The Treasurer will serve a three-year term from 2024-27. Anna Bar, MD, Portland, Oregon My vision for ASDS is to continue as an organization that feels small yet impacts all of its members, as well as the specialty of dermatology. I pledge to uphold the highest standards of financial integrity and accountability. I am committed to working with fellow Board members to ensure that our financial decisions align with the overarching goals and values of our Society. Together, let us continue to steer ASDS toward a prosperous and sustainable future, built upon a foundation of fiscal responsibility and prudent stewardship. Board of Directors The new members of the Board of Directors will serve a three-year term from 2024-27. Diana Bolotin, MD, PhD, Chicago, Illinois I feel that our membership and their engagement with the Society has been vital to the success and promotion of our specialty and has continued to move us closer to achieving our goals. Clarity of strategic vision plans should continue to include member engagement and collaboration to creatively meet the challenges in the present and future. I feel that our membership and their engagement with the Society has been vital to the success and promotion of our specialty and has continued to move us closer to achieving our goals. Clarity of strategic vision plans should continue to include member engagement and collaboration to creatively meet the challenges in the present and future. H. William Higgins, II, MD, MBE, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The future of our Society, and, more importantly, our specialty, depends on advocacy for key issues such as scope of practice of non-physician healthcare providers, insurance reimbursement and branding of dermatologists to increase public awareness of our specialty. Improving legislative efforts among our members, state societies and partnering with other national societies with similar interests is one of my priorities. Valencia Thomas, MD, Houston, Texas Our most pressing issue, as always, is remaining relevant to the needs of dermatologic surgeons and patients. Within the house of medicine, we must listen, evolve and persist. Our journal, Dermatologic Surgery, remains central to our mission, as is our commitment to residents and continuing education. My goal will be to build on the organizations past successes to remain inclusive, welcoming and a source of truth for procedural dermatology. Resident Representative to the Boards of Directors The appointed Resident Representative will serve a two-year term from 2024-26. Ajay Nair Sharma, MD, MBA, Irvine, California Drawing on extensive leadership experience, I offer a creative and unifying skillset focused on driving excellence within our specialty. Dr. Sharma is Chief Resident at the University of California at Irvine (UCI), where he also completed his Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Science degrees. He has held several leadership positions at UCI and AAD, had a Top 10 Skin Cancer & Reconstruction Abstract at the 2023 ASDS Annual Meeting, has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications, wrote the book Diary of a Medical Student and created two 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. ASDS Nominating Committee Members of this committee oversee the ASDS/A annual election and candidate selection. The elected member of the ASDS Nominating Committee will serve a three-year term from 2024-27. Girish S. Munavalli, MD, MHS, Charlotte, North Carolina The future of ASDS lies in the hands of capable leaders who can navigate the evolving landscape of dermatologic surgery. It is crucial that we have leaders who are not only adept at addressing these issues but are also visionaries who can guide us toward sustainable growth and innovation. # # # About the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is the largest specialty organization exclusively representing dermatologic surgeons who have the unique training and experience required to treat the health, function and beauty of patients skin, hair and nails. ASDS members are pioneers in the field, often involved in clinical studies that substantiate popular procedures to revitalize and repair skin, enhance skin care devices and improve standard techniques. Dermatologic surgeons are also experts in skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment. As the incidence of skin cancer rises, dermatologic surgeons are committed to spreading sun safety awareness to minimize the life-threatening effects of this disease. For more information, visit asds.net. For physician news, follow ASDS Members on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, YouTube and LinkedIn. For patient education, follow ASDS Skin MD on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, YouTube and TikTok. Locate a dermatologic surgeon in your area: asds.net/find Attachments Charleston, SC, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- They say a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Its a statement most people have heard before. As a child raised in the 70s, Charles Boyce recalls a public service announcement for the United Negro College Fund featuring the slogan, and its message left a lasting impression on him. And after becoming a Christian as a young adult and entering the field of ministry, the moral became twofold, as he began to consider how Christians often neglect their spiritual mind. Too many Christians waste the mind that has been given them in Christ, Boyces says. Inspired to help combat the mental health crisis in America, Boyce presents a new book to teach fellow Christians how to cultivate their own healthy biblical mindset. In Having a Healthy Mind through the Mind of Christ, Boyce believes that the key to mental health is in the application of biblical truths. Boyces proposed biblical mental well-being is rooted in service, helping others along on their personal walk with Christ. Targeting pre-teens and up, Boyce uses scripture to illustrate how to maintain a healthy mental and spiritual outlook in a dark and perverse world. True mental well-being can only be achieved through the application of Gods word, Boyce says. Having a Healthy Mind through the Mind of Christ is available for purchase on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. About the Author: Charles Boyce is the senior pastor at Faith Bible Church and has been sharing the gospel for over three decades. In addition to his ministry work, he works as an enforcement agent for Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission and has been involved in law enforcement both in Canada and in Kansas, serving as a volunteer, chaplain, and patrol officer. Formerly the owner and operator of six dojos, he practices karate and holds the rank of sixth degree black belt. He lives in Franklin, Kansas with his wife. Having a Healthy Mind through the Mind of Christ is his first book. For more information on the author and his ministry, please visit Faith Bible Church or any of his social media profiles. Facebook: Charles Boyce Instagram: @charlesboyce6066 Media Contact: Charles E. Boyce cboyce765@gmail.com Available for interviews: Author, Charles E. Boyce Attachment TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United Steelworkers union (USW) has filed a complaint under the Canada United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on behalf of workers at a Canadian-owned mine in Mexico who have faced assaults and death threats after they joined an independent union. This complaint calls for an independent panel to investigate and address violations of workers rights at the Camino Rojo gold and silver mine in Zacatecas, Mexico, which is owned by Vancouver-based Orla Mining Ltd. The complaint, filed under CUSMAs Rapid Response Labour Mechanism (RRM), cites the continuous and systematic denial of the workers rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. The USW has filed the complaint in partnership with the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalurgicos, Siderurgicos y Similares de la Republica Mexicana, known as the Los Mineros union. The complaint is only the second of its kind made from Canada using CUSMAs RRM process since the trade deal came into force in 2020. The USW has a long-standing relationship of solidarity with Los Mineros, an independent union that contrasts sharply with employer-friendly protection unions in Mexico. The Mexican government has formally recognized Los Mineros as the legal bargaining agent for workers at the Camino Rojo mine. However, the mines Canadian owner, Orla Mining, has pressured workers to instead join a pro-employer protection union. Over the summer, workers at Camino Rojo reported being intimidated with violence, threats of dismissal and eventually death threats due to their membership in Los Mineros. In the most-recent escalation, armed gunmen broke into the home of Jaime Pulido Leon, a local union leader at the mine. Mexico has seen a history of corrupt corporations using violence, intimidation and even murder to quell workers resistance, said Marty Warren, United Steelworkers Canadian Director. It would be unacceptable for a Canadian mining company to be associated with these tactics. Workers must be able to organize and join unions without fear, Warren said. This is why we are very hopeful that an independent panel under the CUSMA RRM can adequately investigate the situation, take the required steps to address it, and meet its stated objectives to raise labour standards and protect workers rights across North Americas supply chains. Pittsburgh, PA, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the holiday season approaches, the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) invites the public and news media to attend Pittsburgh's first-ever side-by-side fire sprinkler demonstration. This impactful event will showcase the effectiveness of fire sprinklers in preventing home fires and emphasize key safety tips to help families reduce fire risks. Event Details: When: Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at 11:00 AM Where: Allegheny County Emergency Services Fire Academy, 700 West Ridge Road, Allison Park, PA 15101 The NFSA burn demonstration will feature a specially designed Side-by-Side Burn Trailer equipped with two identical rooms. Each room is decorated with holiday elements, including a Christmas tree and ornaments, and fitted with smoke alarms. However, only one of the rooms includes a fire sprinkler system. A controlled fire will be ignited in each room, allowing viewers to witness firsthand how quickly a Christmas tree, especially a dry one, can ignite surrounding materials. The unsprinklered room is typically engulfed within seconds, while the sprinklered room demonstrates the sprinklers power to quickly control flames and limit destruction. According to NFSA, Christmas tree and holiday decoration fires account for an average of two deaths, 12 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually. This demonstration aims to stress the life-saving benefits of fire sprinklers and provide holiday fire safety tips for families. Holiday Fire Prevention Tips: 1. Choose a fresh tree: Select one with green needles that dont fall off easily. 2. Keep the tree hydrated: Add water daily; using ice cubes can help avoid spills and ease refilling. 3. Distance from heat sources: Keep trees and decorations at least three feet away from fireplaces, candles, and heating vents. 4. Use lights safely: Ensure indoor and outdoor lights are used appropriately, are laboratory-tested (e.g., UL), and replace worn-out strings. 5. Avoid overloading outlets and use flame-retardant decorations. 6. Avoid open flames: Use battery-operated candles instead of lit candles, especially near flammable items or around children. 7. Ensure exits are clear and decorations dont obstruct pathways. With the excitement of the holiday season, fire safety can sometimes be overlooked. This demonstration highlights the significant difference fire sprinklers make in controlling fires, protecting lives, and preventing extensive property damage. The National Fire Sprinkler Association is committed to advancing fire prevention through education, public awareness, and advocacy for fire sprinkler systems. We invite the public and news media to join us for this enlightening and potentially life-saving demonstration. For media inquiries, please contact: Michael Wilson wilson@nfsa.org 609-439-4648 National Fire Sprinkler Association DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MADD Canada returns to Nova Scotia with another screening of its 2024-2025 School Program, which educates youth on the devastating consequences of impaired driving. MADD Canadas School Program One Last Dance will be delivered to Nova Scotia students in Grades 7-12, with Provincial Sponsor Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) funding 40 presentations this year. These educational one-hour presentations aim to reduce impaired driving among young people by delivering a powerful message about its impact. Additionally, the presentations provide youth with the knowledge and motivation to avoid driving impaired or riding with an impaired driver. Media are welcome to attend the special screening. Interviews with special guests, students and staff will be available upon request. Date & Time: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 9 a.m. (AST) Location: Caledonia Junior High School, 28 Caledonia Rd, Dartmouth, NS B2X 1K8 Special Guest: Marley MacDonald, Director Responsibility and Sustainability, NSLC Road crashes are a leading cause of death among Canadian youth, with alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs involved in more than half of those crashes. Every year, thanks to the support of partners such as NSLC, MADD Canadas educational presentations empower young people to make responsible decisions, helping to prevent tragedies and making our roads safer for everyone. The School Program will be available in the traditional assembly format, as well as classroom or virtual formats, depending on each schools preference. Following the presentation, schools receive an Educators Guide and a School Kit with additional scenarios to help teachers continue the sober driving conversation throughout the school year. To view a clip of MADD Canadas School Program, please visit: https://maddyouth.ca/school-program/. TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Baseload Power Corporation (Baseload) is pleased to announce it has received $9.445 million in funding from Natural Resources Canadas (NRCan) to support the expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) charging network across Canada. Baseload and NRCan announced the funding agreement today in Toronto. This funding will directly support the addition of 126 fast EV chargers to Baseloads AURA EV Charging (AURA) network, which will be installed and operational throughout Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia by the end of 2025. Once operational, this will put Baseloads total fast EV charging network at over 200 stations across the country. With this contribution from the Government of Canada, we are making essential investments in EV charging infrastructure to support the countrys planned EV supply chain growth and to accelerate EV adoption nationwide, said Jonathan Sandler, President of Baseload. The electrification of transportation represents a transformative shift, and Canada has a unique opportunity to lead this movement, foster job creation and economic growth, and contribute to a healthier planet that ensures a sustainable legacy for future generations. The funding was received through NRCans Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) aimed at supporting initiatives that are helping Canada meet its net-zero by 2050 commitment. To support Canadians choosing EVs, the Government of Canada is helping companies like Baseload Power build reliable and available charging options where we live, work, travel and play, said Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and MP for TorontoDanforth. AURAs network of EV charging stations offer multi-speed charging services, are located at premier retail, multi-unit residential, workplace, and commercial properties across Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia and are designed to provide Canadians with convenient, accessible, and reliable EV charging. Baseload will continue to invest in expanding its AURA network across Canada to meet the future needs of e-mobility. About Baseload Power Baseload Power is a values-driven company that collaborates with electricity users, landowners, utilities, stakeholders, and partners to build sustainable electricity infrastructure that benefits individuals, companies, communities, and the world. Through the development, construction, ownership, and management of sustainable electricity assets including wind and solar generation projects, energy storage solutions, and AURA EV CHARGING, a network of best-in-class electric vehicle charging stations, we are helping to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and a more environmentally conscious future. Along with AURAs 200+ DC Fast EV charging stations that are operating or under construction across Ontario, Quebec and BC, Baseload owns a portfolio of over 2 GWs of energy storage and renewable energy projects that are under development in Ontario. Additional Links For Baseload Power and AURA media interview requests or additional information, contact: Jonathan Sandler 647-339-9748 jsandler@baseloadpower.ca MIAMI, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Defiance ETFs, a leading provider of thematic and leverage-focused exchange-traded funds, is thrilled to announce that its MSTX ETF (Daily Target 2X Long MSTR ETF) has surpassed $1 Billion in assets under management (AUM). This milestone underscores the strong investor demand and confidence in the products innovative approach to offering amplified exposure to MicroStrategy Inc. (MSTR), a company known for its substantial Bitcoin holdings and cutting-edge data analytics solutions. Key Highlights: Unprecedented Growth: The MSTX ETFs rapid ascent to $1 billion in AUM reflects investors growing interest in leveraged strategies and their desire to capitalize on the high volatility and significant movements in MicroStrategys stock. Innovative Investment Strategy: MSTX offers 2X the daily performance of MicroStrategys stock, providing sophisticated investors with a powerful tool to enhance their exposure to the companys dynamic market positioning. The ETF is designed for investors with a strong appetite for risk who seek the potential for amplified returns over short-term holding periods. Market Demand: The strong reception of the MSTX ETF signals confidence in Defiance ETFs ability to meet market demand for targeted leverage exposure, particularly in the tech and cryptocurrency sectors. MicroStrategys strategic focus on Bitcoin has made it a popular choice among investors looking to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market. Strategic Timing: The launch of MSTX comes at a time when interest in both MicroStrategy and Bitcoin is surging, driven by the increasing institutional adoption of digital assets and the evolving landscape of corporate strategies centered around blockchain technology. We are excited to see such strong early interest in the MSTX ETF, which validates our belief in the demand for specialized leveraged products that offer precise exposure to high-growth sectors, said Sylvia Jablonski, CEO of Defiance ETFs. The rapid growth of MSTX is a testament to our teams ability to deliver innovative investment solutions that resonate with todays investors. Bitcoin Risk. While the Fund will not directly invest in digital assets, it will be subject to the risks associated with Bitcoin by virtue of its investments in options contracts that reference MSTR. About Defiance ETFs: Defiance ETFs is a leader in leverage-focused exchange-traded funds, providing innovative solutions designed for tactical traders and investors seeking amplified exposure to individual companies. For more information about the MSTX ETF or to explore Defiance ETFs full lineup of products, please visit defianceetfs.com. Media Contact: David Hanono Defiance ETFs Tel: 833.333.9383 The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. The Fund pursues a daily leveraged investment objective, which means that the Fund is riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the Fund magnifies the performance of its Underlying Security. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by sophisticated investors, such as traders and active investors employing dynamic strategies. Investors who do not understand the Funds, or do not intend to actively manage their funds and monitor their investments should not buy shares of the Funds. About Defiance ETFs Founded in 2018, Defiance stands as a leading ETF issuer dedicated to income and thematic investing. Defiance also pioneers leveraged ETFs designed for traders seeking tactical opportunities. Our suite of first-mover leveraged & thematic ETFs empowers investors to express targeted views on disruptive innovations, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing, while our actively managed options ETFs are designed to seek current income. Important Disclosures The Funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the investment company. Please read carefully before investing. A hard copy of the prospectuses can be requested by calling 833.333.9383. Defiance ETFs LLC is the ETF sponsor. The Funds investment adviser is Tidal Investments, LLC (Tidal or the Adviser). Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. There is no guarantee that the Funds investment strategy will be properly implemented, and an investor may lose some or all of its investment. Underlying Security Risk. The underlying security is subject to many risks that can negatively impact the Fund. Leverage Risk. Leverage may increase the risk of loss and cause fluctuations in the market value of the Funds portfolio to have disproportionately large effects or cause the NAV of the Fund generally to decline faster than it would otherwise. Derivatives Risk. Derivatives may be more sensitive to changes in market conditions and may amplify risks. Effects of Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Funds performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each days returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from the Fund performance, before fees and expenses. Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. MSTR Performance Risk. MSTR may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of MSTR to decline. New Fund Risk. As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has no operating history and currently has fewer assets than larger funds. Like other new funds, large inflows and outflows may impact the Funds market exposure for limited periods of time. New Fund Risk. As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has no operating history and currently has fewer assets than larger funds. Like other new funds, large inflows and outflows may impact the Fund's market exposure for limited periods of time. Brokerage Commissions may be charged on trades. MSTX is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/35c78b94-929e-4d34-8f63-a3d5b44deec9 Oceans 20 prioritizes the ocean in the G20 agenda. It focuses on economic, environmental, and social sustainability through cross-sector collaboration. Before the G20 Leaders Summit on 1819 November, Oceans 20 released a Communique outlining ten priority themes and six actionable recommendations that promote a sustainable ocean economy, energy transition, food security, marine conservation, strengthened governance, and increased ocean finance. The Communique was drafted through a global process that gathered over 6,000 participants from 34 countries, featuring contributions from more than 300 international speakers. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global economy relies on the ocean, with a value of key ocean assets estimated at USD $24 trillion equivalent to 35% of global GDP. Yet, the ocean has been historically overlooked in global discussions, often relegated to a secondary position on the international agenda. G20 countries govern nearly half of the worlds coastline and are home to 60% of the worlds population. They are also responsible for 75% of global trade and accounted for 80% of global carbon emissions. As a result, they have a critical responsibility to protect marine ecosystems while promoting a sustainable and equitable ocean economy. In recent years, multilateral discussions have increasingly recognized the role of the ocean in supporting sustainable development, economic growth and planetary health. By 2030, the annual economic value of ocean-based industries is estimated to contribute over $3 trillion annually to the global economy. To ensure a sustainable and equitable ocean economy, there is an urgent need to engage stakeholders from all sectors. Now is the time for decisive action to lead, protect, and nurture the ocean that sustains us all. Oceans 20 (O20) is the first permanent Engagement Group in the G20 recognizing the central role of the ocean in the global nature and climate agendas. It emerged from efforts inspired by the Indonesian and Indian G20 Presidencies and was elevated to a permanent status in the G20 in March 2024 under Brazils Presidency. This recognition marked a historic step forward toward the G20s opportunity of driving economic and social prosperity, climate action, and security. Today, O20 released its first Communique Driving Economic Prosperity, Climate Action, and Security through Ocean Stewardship as a call for G20 Leaders to integrate the ocean into their climate, development, and trade agendas. The release takes place nearly a week before the G20 Leaders Summit on 1819 November in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "Under Brazil's Presidency, the environmental and climate sustainability group put the ocean at the forefront of the global environmental agenda, emphasizing their essential role in climate stability and the need to conserve marine biodiversity to restore planetary health," says Ana Paula Prates, Director of the Ocean and Coastal Management Department, Ministry of Environment of Brazil. The recommendations and actions shared by O20 in the past few months, drawing up proposals and actions from the global ocean community, contributed to strengthening the final declaration of the G20 Environment Ministers, she adds. O20 encouraged international cooperation and engagement across governments, the corporate sector, academia, and civil society, with the Ocean Dialogues global and inclusive process. This initiative has engaged over 6,000 participants from 34 countries, featuring contributions from more than 300 international speakers, with an aim to compile a list of actionable recommendations for the G20 that O20 synthesised in its first Communique. This well succeeded worldwide process engaged stakeholders from G20 members and its invited countries whose recommendations were considered in the Declaration of the Environment and Sustainable Development Working Group. Oceans 20 worked to establish an ocean-related G20 community. It also established a communication channel with G20 working groups, giving society a voice to help construct the ocean we need for the future we want, says Prof. Alex Turra, Chair of Oceans 20 from the UNESCO Chair for Ocean Sustainability. The O20 Communique features six key actionable recommendations under ten priority themes. These themes focused on promoting a sustainable and equitable ocean economy, advancing an ambitious and just energy transition, fostering food security, conserving and restoring marine ecosystems, strengthening ocean governance, social inclusion, policy coherence and integration, science and innovation, stimulating public-private-philanthropic partnership, and accelerating ocean finance. The Oceans 20 Communique translates an actionable and powerful plan for G20 leaders by establishing a trilingual dialogue among science, economy, and policy. This is what the G20 can offer to humanity, bearing in mind that the ocean unites us and represents prosperity and many yet unveiled resources. As we prepare to pass the torch to South Africa, a longtime partner in ocean sciences, we hope to carry this mission forward, says Janice Trotte Duha, Director of Infrastructure and Operations at the National Institute of Oceanographic Research (INPO). The O20 calls on G20 Leaders to mainstream ocean considerations into their climate, development and trade priorities; and Brazil is taking the lead on this, especially with regards to the ocean-climate nexus. "As the host of UNFCCC COP30, Brazil is counting on the O20 to build an Action Agenda on Climate and Oceans to be taken to the other G20 Presidencies and to permanently and comprehensively include the ocean in the UNFCCC COP negotiations," says Ana Paula Prates, Director of the Ocean and Coastal Management Department, Ministry of Environment of Brazil. The Communique call to G20 leaders shares critical results during Ocean 20s inaugural year, yet considerable work remains to secure concrete results and ensure a sustainable and equitable ocean economy. "Our achievements with the O20 Engagement Group are nothing short of phenomenal, and the strong support from Brazils G20 Presidency is a significant reason for our success. But one success, though noteworthy, isnt enough we must formalise the ocean track in future G20 deliberations. This will ensure sound science to continually guide G20 Leaders in building a sustainable and equitable ocean economy, ensuring that the vital work of the O20 continues with upcoming Presidencies, starting with South Africa next year," says Kilaparti Ramakrishna, Director of Marine Policy Center and Senior Advisor to the President on Ocean and Climate Policy at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). The Oceans 20 concept was first initiated in 2022 by the Government of Indonesia, with the support of the World Economic Forum, in efforts to bring the public sector and business leaders together to drive nature-positive action for a sustainable and equitable blue economy that regenerates ocean biodiversity and health. The progress made since 2022, when the O20 idea was tabled by the G20 Indonesia Presidency is remarkable. From Indonesia through to India and Brazil, G20 is demonstrating strong leadership to raise and recognize the economic value of the ocean. The opportunities that the ocean economy offers for equitable development, sustainable growth and prosperity are countless. Now is the time for G20 Leaders to move from ambition to concrete action by integrating the O20 recommendations in their deliberations and developing a plan for their implementation under the next G20 South Africa Presidency, says Silvia Guzzini, Strategy and Programme Lead, Ocean Action Agenda, World Economic Forum. ****** About Oceans 20 O20, chaired by the UNESCO Chair for Ocean Sustainability, has been co-convened by the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO), the National Institute for Ocean Research (INPO), UN Global Compact, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the World Economic Forum. About the G20 The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. ****** Media contact For further information or for interviews please contact Erin Skoczylas on erin.skoczylas@weforum.org. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Oceans 20, please contact the Oceans 20 Brasil at oceans20@oceans20brasil.org. Note to editors > Find out more about the Oceans20 Brasil Engagement Group here > Learn more about the World Economic Forums Friends of Ocean Action > Follow Friends of Ocean Action on X/Twitter and LinkedIn Vancouver, November 11, 2024 - Zodiac Gold Inc. (TSXV: ZAU) ("Zodiac Gold" or the "Company"), a West-African gold exploration company, ") is pleased to announce it has entered into a Market-Making Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with Velocity Trade Capital Ltd. ("Velocity Trade") on September 3, 2024, to provide market-making services in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") policies and applicable laws. Velocity Trade will trade common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") of the Company on the TSXV with the objective of maintaining a reasonable market and improving the liquidity of the Company's Common Shares. Under the Agreement, Velocity Trade will receive compensation of CDN$6,500 per month, payable monthly in advance. The Agreement is for an initial term of two (2) months and automatically renews for one (1) month periods ("Additional Term") unless either party provides written notice of termination to the other party thirty (30) days prior to the end of the Additional Term. There are no performance obligations contained in the Agreement, and Velocity Trade will not receive Common Shares, stock options, or any other form of equity in the Company as compensation. Velocity Trade and the Company are arms-length parties, and Velocity Trade and its principals do not currently own or have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company, however, Velocity Trade and its clients may acquire an interest in the securities of the Company in the future. About Velocity Trade Capital Ltd. (Velocity Trade) Velocity Trade is a private and independent investment dealer headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, and registered for trading in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. Velocity Trade is a member of the TMX, and of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization ("CIRO"). Additionally, the firm, through its affiliate companies, is also regulated internationally by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Authority for Financial Markets (AFM) in the Netherlands, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). About Zodiac Gold Zodiac Gold stands at the forefront of gold exploration in West Africa, boasting a district-scale discovery in the Todi Project. Guided by a commitment to responsible exploration and led by an experienced leadership team, Zodiac Gold is poised to play a pivotal role in the flourishing gold sector of West Africa. The company's flagship Todi project, covering an expansive 2,316 sq km land package, is strategically located in a previously underexplored region with close proximity to the renowned New Liberty Gold Mine. With a robust exploration strategy, excellent access to infrastructure, and a focus on sustainable practices, Zodiac Gold is well-positioned for success in unlocking the full potential of its extensive gold exploration assets. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts that address receipt of regulatory approvals, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are no guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward- looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward- looking statements include the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward- looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229522 Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. (TSX?V: NCX) ("Northisle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has filed on SEDAR+ a technical report (the "Report") prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43?101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43?101") titled "NI 43-101 Resource Estimate for the North Island Project - 2024 Update" on the Company's 100% owned North Island copper-gold project located in the north end of Vancouver Island, British Columbia ("North Island Project"). The Report was prepared by Sue Bird, M.Sc., P.Eng, of Moose Mountain Technical Services, and Peter Mehrfert, M.Sc., P.Eng, of Ausenco, each a "qualified person" for purposes of NI 43-101. The effective date of the Report is September 23, 2024. The full Report can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company's previous technical reports are no longer current and should not be relied upon. About Northisle Northisle is a Vancouver-based company whose mission is to become Canada's leading sustainable mineral resource company for the future. Northisle, through its 100% owned subsidiary North Island Mining Corp., owns the North Island Project, which is one of the most promising copper and gold porphyry projects in Canada. The North Island Project is located near Port Hardy, British Columbia on a more than 34,000-hectare block of mineral titles 100% owned by Northisle stretching 50 kilometers northwest from the now closed Island Copper Mine operated by BHP Billiton. For more information on Northisle please visit the Company's website at www.northisle.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241111196712/en/ Contact On behalf of Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. Nicholas Van Dyk, CFA Chief Financial Officer Tel: (778) 655?9582 Email: info@northisle.ca www.northisle.ca Vancouver, November 12, 2024 - Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE:GCC) (OTC:GCCFF) (WKN:A402CQ) (FSE:3TZ) wishes to announce the acquisition of the Washburn Lateral District Lot on the Company's mineral claims. The Washburn Lateral is a 20.0 ha claim immediately northeast from the historic Quesnelle Quartz Mine (see Figures 1 and 2 enclosed) and contains the undersurface mineral rights to the claim area. The collar for the discovery hole QGQ24-08 in the North Hixon zone returning 0.29 g/t Au over 263.10 m (see Company news release dated June 18 2024) lies approximately 43 m northwest of the boundary of the Washburn Lateral. The District Lot was originally located in 1913 and once owned by the Quesnelle Quartz Mining Company Ltd. Despite its proximity to the historic Quesnelle Quartz Mine, the lot has seen very limited exploration in its history and has remained virtually untested by drilling. A possible lone drill hole on the lot appears to have been drilled in 1972 on the southern corner and totaled 91.44 m, intersecting younger, post mineral cover rocks (see Figure 2). Golden Cariboo's President and CEO Frank Callaghan stated: "Acquiring the Washburn Lateral is an important milestone for the Company, providing us with a key parcel of land within our multi-kilometer gold trend on our Property. With this District Lot now in hand, the Company is able to test our gold trend to the southeast from our discovery made in the North Hixon zone earlier this year." Figure 1: Historic map (1933) of District Lots and gold mineralized trends near the Washburn Lateral (top centre, bolded) and the Quesnelle Quartz Mine Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2: Map containing the Washburn Lateral and Property drill traces with previously reported gold intervals The Washburn Lateral District Lot is being acquired for a cash payment of 10,000EUR and 200,000 Company shares at a price of C$0.20, in a sales agreement dated October 18, 2024, subject to approval by the Canadian Securities Exchange. The technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Jean Pautler, P.Geo., a qualified person with respect to NI 43-101. About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with highly targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property which is almost fully encircled on 3 of 4 sides by Osisko Development (NSE-ODV/TSXV-ODV). Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90 km trend from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property have recorded production and successful placer mining continues to this day. Golden Cariboo's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property is 4 km northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. The Project includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 in conjunction with placer mining activities. Hixon Creek, which dissects the old workings, is a placer creek which has seen small-scale placer production since the mid 1860s. For further information please contact: GOLDEN CARIBOO RESOURCES LTD "J. Frank Callaghan" J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO Tel: 604-669-6463 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.goldencariboo.com LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements: This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Company's exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. 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. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Vancouver - Green Bridge Metals Corp. (CSE: GRBM, OTCQB: GBMCF, FWB: J48, WKN: A3EW4S) ("Green Bridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has established an entity licensed to operate in the state of Minnesota, USA, as well as an office and core facility in the area of Duluth, Minnesota. Green Bridge Metals USA, LLC has been formed and will operate on behalf of Green Bridge Metals Corporation in the state. The establishment of a Minnesota based headquarters allows the Company to advance the plan to resample drill core from the copper (Cu)- Nickel (Ni)- Platinum Group Elements (PGE) (Titanium (Ti)- vanadium (V)) at the Skibo project (Figure 1). With an active core facility ready to process core, the Company will begin transporting and sampling core within the month. Results from this program will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the contained Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization at Skibo, as well as shed light on the potential for Ti and V mineralization which had not been analyzed in the most recent drilling at Skibo. In addition, this space provides a base of operations as the Company gears up for a helicopter supported Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) survey that the Company has contracted Geotech to conduct and is tentatively scheduled to begin the last week of November. The VTEM survey is designed to cover all of the Titac Property as well as the Boulder area (Figure 2). A Message from David Suda, CEO of Green Bridge Metals "Establishing headquarters in Minnesota is a significant step toward advancing the South Contact Zone project. We are optimistic that results from the initial sampling program will add value to the Skibo area and we are excited to see results from this program." Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1. Skibo prospect with current geophysical interpretation (VTEM plus magnetics) map. Coloured polygons represent identified Oxide Ultramafic Intrusion targets (magenta = new high priority, blue = previously identified, cyan = newly identified). Historical core images with massive sulphide veins containing <3% Cu and <0.8% Ni are shown with their respective locations within the property. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2. Plan map of the Titac and Boulder prospect areas showing areal extent of planned airborne geophysical survey (VTME) as well as historical drill hole locations. All scientific and technical information, and written disclosure in this news release has been prepared by, or approved by Ajeet Milliard, Ph.D., CPG, Chief Geologist for Green Bridge Metals and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. ON BEHALF OF GREEN BRIDGE METALS, "David Suda" President and Chief Executive Officer For more information, please contact: David Suda President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: 604.928-3101 investors@greenbridgemetals.com About Green Bridge Metals Green Bridge Metals Corporation is a Canadian based exploration company focused on acquiring 'battery metal' rich mineral assets and the development of the South Contact Zone (the "Property") along the basal contact of the Duluth Intrusion, north of Duluth, Minnesota. The South Contact Zone contains bulk-tonnage copper-nickel and titanium-vanadium in ilmenite hosted in ultramafic to oxide ultramafic intrusions. The Property has exploration targets for bulk-tonnage Ni mineralization, high grade Ni-Cu-PGE magmatic sulfide mineralization and titanium. Forward Looking Information Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to: the resampling of drill core from the copper (Cu)- Nickel (Ni)- Platinum Group Elements (PGE) (Titanium (Ti)- vanadium (V)) at the Skibo project; the upcoming planned VTEM airborne geophysical survey; and the general exploration and development of the South Contact Zone Properties. Although management of the Company believe that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: the proposed sampling program and upcoming VTEM airborne geophysical survey may not occur as currently contemplated, or at all; the exploration and development of the South Contact Zone Properties may not result in any commercially successful outcome for the Company; risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Certain figures and references contain information supported by public and corporate references that may have been updated, changed, or modified since their referenced date. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Giant Mining Corp. (CSE: BFG | OTC: BFGFF | FWB: YW5) ("Giant Mining" or the "Company") has received final assay results for MHB-31 ("MHB-31") the second core hole drilled at its Majuba Hill ("Majuba Hill") Copper-Silver Porphyry Deposit located in Pershing County, Nevada. Hole MHB-31 drilled the marginal breccia around the high-grade copper-bearing breccia intersected by MHB-30. Hole MHB-31 was located over 600 feet (185 meters) to the east of MHB-30 and intersected the marginal breccia portion of the copper-bearing breccia as shown on Figures 1 and 2. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1: Magmatic-Hydrothermal Breccia Corridors and Prominent Breccia Bodies MHB-31 returned: 115 feet (35.1 meters) of 0.10% copper and 3 g/t silver from 769 to 884 feet (234.4-269.5 meters). "This confirms breccia controls for the location and wide zones of copper and silver mineralization that was highlighted by the technical review completed before the 2024 drilling," said Buster Hunsaker, Consulting Geologist to Giant Mining Corp. "These results are consistent with the copper grade-domains outlined in the Exploration Target Model constructed by RESPEC in the 2023 NI43-101." Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2: Drone photo and Cross Section looking North "With the validation of the Majuba Hill high-grade, copper-bearing breccia we are looking forward to the next phase of the 2024 drilling program," said David Greenway, CEO of Giant Mining. "This understanding will make our drilling programs more cost-effective as we develop the deposit's potential to become a significant domestic supply of copper for the USA and for the benefit of all Giant Mining stakeholders." Copper mineralization in the "Breccia-Margin" zones of the high-grade, copper-bearing breccias is within limonitic-matrix breccias, tourmaline-bearing stockwork zones, and tourmaline-bearing fracture zones as shown in Figure 3. Typically, copper occurs as azurite, malachite, cuprite, and chalcocite. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 3: MHB-31 Copper in Breccia Margin with chalcocite and cuprite. Left photo: includes 879-884 feet (267.9-269.4 m) with 0.44% Cu and 6.6 g/t Ag. Right photo: includes 909-914 feet (277.1-278.6 m) with 0.70% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag. Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures, Chain of Custody The Company utilizes a QA/QC program using best industry practices at the Majuba Hill Project. The samples are placed in cloth or plastic sample bags and are transported from the Giant Mining secure warehouse or directly from Woods Process to the ALS Labs Sample Prep Facility in Elko, Nevada. ALS then transports the prepared pulps to their analytical lab in North Vancouver, B.C. Drill core samples are cut lengthwise into two halves and one half is placed in labeled cloth sample bags. All samples are analyzed for copper, gold, silver, and 33 other elements. Gold is determined by ALS Labs method Au-AA23 which is a fire assay with an AAS finish on a 30-gram split. Copper, silver, and the remaining 31 elements are determined by ALS Labs method ME-ICP61 which is a four-acid digestion and ICP-AES assay. Approximately 10% of the submitted samples are drill duplicates and copper-gold-porphyry commercial standard reference material pulps. The sample rejects and remaining pulps will be retrieved from ALS Labs. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). About Giant Mining Corp. Giant Mining Corp. is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of latter stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity. The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold District located 156 miles (251 km) outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions where government regulations are supportive of mining operations. 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. On Behalf of the Board of Giant Mining Corp. "David Greenway" David C. Greenway President & CEO For further information, please contact: E: info@giantminingcorp.com P: 1 (604)-499-6791 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.giantminingcorp.com LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn DOWNLOAD INVESTOR INFORMATION Click Here Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Giant Mining Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Giant Mining Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Giant Mining Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. VANCOUVER, Nov. 12, 2024 - Standard Lithium Ltd. ("Standard Lithium" or the "Company") (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE American:SLI) (FRA:S5L), a leading near-commercial lithium company, today announced its financial and operating results for the fiscal first quarter 2025 ended September 30, 2024. "Our fiscal first quarter highlights demonstrate our commitment to doing what we say we're going to do," said David Park, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Standard Lithium. "We told you that we would pursue Government grants, and we have been conditionally approved for $225 million - one of the largest grant awards for a domestic critical minerals project - from the U.S. Department of Energy. The conditional grant is a testament to the world-class caliber of the South West Arkansas project and the good work the team has done to de-risk and advance the project now to a FEED stage." "Now is the time for us to prioritize, focus and execute. Our attention turns to bringing production online for our shareholders, and the next right step for us is to move forward with customer off-take commitments and financing. We can then continue to advance, in partnership with Equinor, the South West Arkansas project and leasing foothold in East Texas." Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Highlights All amounts are in US dollars. Received conditional $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") for the South West Arkansas Project ("SWA"). The grant is expected to support construction of the Central Processing Facility for Phase 1 of the SWA project in the Smackover Formation. Phase 1 is currently contemplated to produce 22,500 tonnes of battery-quality lithium carbonate annually beginning in 2028. The grant is one of the largest ever awarded to a U.S. critical minerals project. Appointed David Park as Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company. Mr. Park assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") on September 1, 2024, following the retirement of CEO, Director and founder Robert Mintak. Mr. Park joined the Company as a strategic advisor in July 2023 at Mr. Mintak's request and worked closely with him, playing a pivotal role in securing the strategic partnership with Equinor. Previously, Mr. Park served in various leadership roles at Koch Industries for 28 years and brings with him significant experience in the energy and industrial sectors. Mr. Mintak has been retained as an advisor to the Company and continues to ensure the transfer of institutional knowledge to the executive team. Change in reporting and presentation currency from CAD to USD. Effective July 1, 2024, the Company began using USD rather than CAD in its financial reporting and external marketing materials. The Company made this change given that its most significant assets and liabilities are denominated in USD and for consistency with peer companies in the lithium industry. Cash and working capital of $28.9 million and $24.7 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2024. The Company has no term or revolving debt obligations as of September 30, 2024. Subsequent Events to the Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Entered into a license agreement ("Agreement") with Koch Technology Solutions ("KTS") to deploy and use KTS' Li-Pro Lithium Selective Sorption ("Li-pro LSS") technology. Under the license agreement, SWA Lithium, the jointly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Standard Lithium and Equinor, will utilize Li-pro LSS at the commercial processing facility for Phase 1 of the SWA project. The Agreement includes a first-of-its-kind performance guarantee from KTS for lithium recovery, contaminant rejection and water use. In addition, it allows for continued, exclusive joint development of the technology in the Smackover Formation. Commercial-scale direct lithium extraction ("DLE") at the Demonstration Plant continues to exceed expectations. The Company installed a commercial-scale DLE column in late March 2024 and has been operating the column continuously. The column is a Li-pro LSS unit, supplied by KTS and identical to those currently being integrated into the front-end engineering and design (FEED) study for the SWA project. Key technical highlights of the commercial-scale DLE column include: lithium recovery efficiency of 95.4% and excellent contaminant rejection rates. Nearly 10,000 operational cycles have been completed by the Li-pro LSS technology to date. Consolidated Financial Statements This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, which are available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. FISCAL Q1 2025 RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST The Company will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss its fiscal first quarter 2025 results on Thursday, November 21st at 5:00 p.m. ET. Access to the call is available via webcast or direct dial. Conference Call and Webcast Details Standard Lithium First Quarter 2025 Results Call and Webcast November 21, 2024 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada) Participant Information: USA / International Toll +1 (646) 307-1963 USA - Toll-Free (800) 715-9871 Canada - Toronto (647) 932-3411 Canada - Toll-Free (800) 715-9871 Attendee Webcast Link: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/565402822 About Standard Lithium Ltd. Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The Company prioritizes projects characterized by the highest quality resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") and purification process. The Company's flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor ASA, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively exploring promising lithium brine prospects in East Texas. Additionally, the Company is advancing the Phase 1A project in partnership with LANXESS Corporation, a brownfield development project located in southern Arkansas. Standard Lithium also holds an interest in certain mineral leases in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. Standard Lithium trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American under the symbol "SLI"; and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "S5L". Please visit the Company's website at www.standardlithium.com. Qualified Person Steve Ross, P.Geol., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and Vice President Resource Development for the Company, has reviewed and approved the relevant scientific and technical information in this news release. Twitter: @standardlithium LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standard-lithium/ 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. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to intended development timelines, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause 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. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Initial Bulk Sample Returns 11.6 g/t Gold from 861 Tonnes North Vancouver, November 12, 2024 - Lion One Metals Ltd. (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to report that the development of a new high-grade near-surface roscoelite zone has commenced at the company's 100% owned Tuvatu high-grade alkaline gold mine on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Lion One CEO Walter Berukoff stated, "Quartz-roscoelite veining is the most economically significant mineral assemblage at several world class alkaline gold deposits that are similar to Tuvatu. Roscoelite is a defining characteristic of these alkaline systems and it is directly associated with high-grade gold. An initial bulk sample of the near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu has returned 11.6 g/t gold from 861 tonnes of material mined at full mining widths. We are now enhancing our mine plan with this gold-rich roscoelite material, which is already being processed through the pilot plant". Roscoelite veining is directly related to high-grade mineralization at the nearby Vatukoula gold mine in Fiji where over 7 million ounces of gold have been produced over the last 85 years. Roscoelite is also observed in association with gold mineralization at the Porgera gold mine in PNG, which has been a top ten ranked gold mine globally and which has produced over 25 million ounces of gold. At Porgera, the most economically significant veins are the Stage II quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins with native gold, found in the Roamane fault zone.1 At Tuvatu the high-grade Stage II veins also ubiquitously occur with roscoelite - a rare dark green to black vanadium rich mica mineral.2 This same mineral assemblage is observed in the near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu, which consists of a series of intersecting flat and sub-vertical banded veins composed primarily of low-temperature chalcedonic quartz intergrown with roscoelite, pyrite, lesser sphalerite and galena, and native gold. This same mineral assemblage is also observed at the high-grade Zone 500 at 500m depth in Tuvatu, at the West Zone near-mine expansion target 300 m to the West of Tuvatu, as well as in drill core throughout the Tuvatu deposit (Figure 1). See news releases: Lion One drills 20.86 g/t Au over 75.9 m from Zone 500, June 6, 2022, and Lion One drills 105.2 g/t Au over 2.1 m from near-mine exploration at the West Zone, October 1, 2024. Tuvatu is optimally located on Fiji's Viti Levu lineament, with a tectonic history and structural setting that created ideal conditions for the vertical ascent of deep alkalic magmas and the formation of the Navilawa volcanic caldera. Within the caldera, the precipitation of metals from hydrothemal fluids occurred through episodic phases of boiling, mixing and cooling. The presence of roscoelite in direct association with high-grade gold mineralization reflects a rare combination of criteria, shared by other notable world-class alkaline gold deposits, thus underscoring the enormous potential for Tuvatu as part of a potentially much larger high-grade alkaline gold system within Fiji's Navilawa Caldera. Figure 1. Example high-grade mineralization from Porgera3 (left), the new near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu (center), and Zone 500 at Tuvatu (right; TUG-141 drill core, 492.5 m depth, 25.23 g/t Au). High grade mineralization at Porgera, Zone 500, and the new near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu all consist of veins composed of quartz-roscoelite-pyrite with native gold. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/229581_c687060444df788b_001full.jpg Figure 2. Location of the new roscoelite zone in relation to underground developments. The new roscoelite zone is in Zone 2 of Tuvatu, in the northwest part of the deposit, approximately 65 m below surface. Preliminary evidence indicates that the zone extends to additional levels below the current underground workings. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/229581_c687060444df788b_002full.jpg Figure 3. Location of the new roscoelite zone in relation to Zone 500. Mineralization observed in the new near-surface roscoelite zone is like that observed in the high-grade Zone 500, which is approximately 350 m below the current underground workings. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/229581_c687060444df788b_003full.jpg The near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu is located 65 m below surface and consists of a series of flat-lying and vertical veins. The strongest gold mineralization occurs in blow-out zones at the intersection of these structures (Figure 4). The primary vertical structures in this zone consist of quartz vein arrays with roscoelite and minor base metal sulfides, while the primary flat-lying structures consist of low-temperature quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins. Both sets of veins contain high-grade gold. This is a very similar scenario to that observed at the Porgera gold mine, wherein there are high-grade ore shoots formed at the intersection of early Stage I base metal veins with later Stage II quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins, with both sets of veins containing gold.1,4 In the near surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu there is evidence of multiple stacked flat-lying quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins, which would produce multiple stacked shoots of high-grade mineralization at the intersection of vertical structures below the current underground workings. Figure 4. Simplified conceptual illustration of intersecting structures in the near-surface roscoelite zone. Multiple flat-lying quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins have been observed underground. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/229581_c687060444df788b_004full.jpg Notes and References: Vatukoula: Sandstorm Gold Royalties | Vatukoula | WHI-VGM-040112 Porgera: Strong Output Growth in 2023 - Zijin Mining | (Zijin Mining 2024) Lihir: (Table 8.1): Technical Report on Lihir Operations as of 30 June 2020 Alkaline Gold Systems: Alkalic-Type Epithermal Gold Deposit Model | USGS 1. Ronacher, E. (2002). The Porgera gold deposit: Fluid characteristics, ore deposition processes, and duration of the ore forming event. [Doctoral Thesis, University of Alberta]. p 55. Link to report 2. Schmidt, D. (2023). Petrographic Characterization and Evolution of the Alkalic-Type Epithermal Tuvatu Au-Te Deposit, Fiji. [Masters Thesis, Colorado School of Mines]. P50. Link to report 3. Supplied image of Porgera rock sample. 4. Cameron, G. (1998). The Hydrothermal Evolution and Genesis of the Porgera Gold Deposit, Papua New Guinea. [Doctoral Thesis, Australian National University]. p 53. Link to report Competent Persons Statement The information in this report that relates to mineral exploration at the Tuvatu Gold Project is based on information compiled by the Lion One team and reviewed by Melvyn Levrel, who is the company's Senior Geologist. Mr Levrel is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC code). Mr Levrel consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. Lion One Laboratories / QAQC Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods. Diamond drill core samples are logged and split by Lion One personnel on site and delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples. Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using the same methods (Au-AA26 and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 23 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish. About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited 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/229581 VANCOUVER, Nov. 12, 2024 - Finlay Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: FYL) (OTCQB: FYMNF) ("Finlay" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Cascadia Minerals Ltd., ("Cascadia"), the optionor of the PIL Property, announced results of their 2024 drilling and surface exploration work on the PIL Property. Exploration results from the PIL Property referenced in this news release are taken from Cascadia's news release dated October 23, 2024 entitled: "Cascadia Releases 2024 Exploration Results, with Multiple High-Grade Copper-Silver-Gold Discoveries in BC", which can be found on www.sedarplus.ca. PIL 2024 Summary- Cascadia completed two diamond drill holes totaling 1,759 meters ("m") at the PIL South target and a property-wide prospecting program evaluating under explored areas; Drilling at PIL South returned broad intervals of low-grade copper ("Cu"), gold ("Au"), silver ("Ag"), molybdenum ("Mo") and zinc ("Zn") mineralization, with Cu-Au grades increasing towards the bottom of both holes suggesting that the drillholes are distal to a porphyry source; PILS-24-006 returned 162.00 m of 0.10% Cu with 0.05 g/t Au, 7g/t Ag, and 0.18% Zn from 749.00 m, including 1.65 m of 1.34% Cu with 0.63 g/t Au and 195 g/t Ag; Prospecting identified the Zeus target: a new high-grade Cu-Ag mineralized zone across a 400 x 300m area and a 100 m vertical extent; highlight vein samples from Zeus include 12.25% Cu with 0.26 g/t Au and 329 g/t Ag and 7.13% Cu with 0.29 g/t Au and 247 g/t Ag; Prospecting at the undrilled Ben showing, 2.5 km north-west of Zeus, identified a new 300 m long zone of Cu-Ag mineralization, with a highlight sample returning 10.90% Cu with 39.50 g/t Au and 2,680 g/t Ag from outcrop; Prospecting on a ridge-top 500 m east of the Atlas target returned high-grade mineralization over 100m, including 5.64% Cu, 0.11 g/t Au and 337 g/t Ag; Cascadia has met the Year 3 exploration work requirements and the PIL Option Agreement remains in good standing. Robert F. Brown, President & CEO of Finlay Minerals states: "The 2024 deep drilling and surface exploration program at the PIL property continues to enhance and expand the areas of mineralization on the project. Both Finlay and Cascadia teams are continuing their technical reviews of the data to best focus continued exploration and drilling efforts, in particular, at the porphyry copper PIL South target." Pursuant to the option agreement, Cascadia may exercise the option and acquire a 70% interest in the PIL Property for consideration totaling $1.9 million, and $12 million of work in staged amounts on or before December 31, 2026. Following the exercise of the option, Cascadia and Finlay would hold interests in the Property of 70% and 30%, respectively, and a joint venture would be formed. (Reference: Finlay News Release 03-22 dated March 1, 2022 - "Finlay Minerals signs Definitive Agreement for the Option of its PIL Property.") The PIL Property is in the heart of the Toodoggone Mining District of British Columbia and contains several mineralization types including epithermal gold-silver, porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum and skarn gold. The PIL Property is neighboured by TDG Gold Corp.'s Sable/Baker Property, Freeport McMoRan - AMARC Resource's joint venture Joy Property, and Skeena Resource's Sofia Property and is also 25 km northwest of Centerra Gold's Kemess South Mine and 15 km east of Thesis Gold's Lawyer's Project. Qualified Person: Wade Barnes, P. Geo. and Vice President, Exploration for Finlay Minerals and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has approved the technical content of this news release. About Finlay Minerals Ltd. Finlay is a TSXV company focused on exploration for base and precious metal deposits with four properties in northern British Columbia: The ATTY Property covers 4,498 hectares (ha) of sub-alpine terrain in the southern Toodoggone region. The Toodoggone is a northwest-trending belt of Triassic to Jurassic arc terranes that hosts numerous significant porphyry Cu-Au Ag and associated epithermal Au-Ag deposits. The ATTY Property is in between and contiguous to Centerra Gold's Kemess Property and the joint-venture Joy Property held by Amarc and Freeport-McMoRan. The ATTY's KEM target has similarities to the Kemess North Trend, which hosts the Kemess Underground and Kemess East deposits; The PIL Property, which covers 13,965 ha in the heart of the Toodoggone region, has numerous porphyry Cu-Au Ag targets and associated epithermal Au-Ag mineralization; The Silver Hope Property covers 21,690 ha and surrounds the past-producing Equity Silver Mine in the prospective Skeena Arch region of central B.C. The Silver Hope contains the Main Trend which is a >2 km Cu-Ag-Au mineralized trend with mineralization starting at surface. West of the Main Trend is the West Cu-Mo Porphyry which is also mineralized starting from surface. The Property hosts a network of forestry roads and trails and has all-year access from Houston, BC, and The SAY Property covers 15,234 ha and is located 140 km north of Smithers, B.C. The SAY Property is within a 135 km-long belt of relatively unexplored Stikine Terrane from American Eagle Gold's NAK and Amarc Resources/Boliden Minerals Canada's Duke Cu-Mo-Ag-Au porphyry prospects in the south to the Red Spring sediment hosted Cu-Ag mineralized showing in the north. The SPUR and SHEL zones are the most advanced targets on the property. The SPUR is a high-grade Cu-Ag structural controlled vein and breccia target extending for 4.3 km with assays up to 15.8% Cu and 993 g/t Ag. The SHEL target area is a Cu-Mo porphyry identified by historic mapping and drilling. Finlay trades under the symbol "FYL" on the TSXV and under the symbol "FYMNF" on the OTCQB. For further information and details, please visit the Company's website at www.finlayminerals.com On behalf of the Board of Directors, Robert F. Brown, P. Eng. President & CEO 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 Information: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding, among others, the exploration plans for the PIL Property. Although Finlay believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions, the timing and receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals, the ability of Finlay and other parties to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner, the availability of financing for Finlay's proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Finlay does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. SOURCE Finlay Minerals Ltd. 2 5 VANCOUVER, Nov. 12, 2024 - Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE:APXC) (OTCQB:APXCF) (FWB:KL9) ("Apex" or the "Company"), an exploration company focused on developing high potential resource sector projects, is pleased to announce results of its 2024 field exploration program at the Cap Project located north-west of Prince George, British Columbia. The project is within a region informally known as the "Rocky Mountain Rare Metal Belt." The Cap Project covers a large carbonatite complex, which is considered highly prospective for both niobium and are earth element (REE) mineralization. Highlights include: 3.33% Nb 2 O 5 in outcrop with four (4) additional outcrop samples assaying between 0.16% to 0.50% Nb 2 O 5. Two mineralized carbonatite outcrops discovered are separated by approximately 250 meters. 1.79% and 1.45% Nb 2 O 5 returned from carbonatite boulders Distinct niobium anomaly discovered from soil sampling, situated along an interpreted trend of known mineralized carbonatite outcrops and coincident radiometric anomaly. Elevated rare earth oxide ("REO") values also identified with one soil sample assaying 1.21% REO and three (3) additional samples assaying between 0.33% and 0.34% REO. Stream concentrate sampling proved an effective exploration tool with four (4) samples returning > 275 ppm to 360 ppm Niobium, coincident with anomalous soil zones and mineralized rock samples. The 2024 summer exploration program was completed during July 2024, with a total of 32 rock samples, 373 soil samples and 26 stream concentrate samples collected. The objectives were to validate and expand upon previously identified niobium mineralization from historical surface samples and drilling in 2017, which intersected 0.51% Nb 2 O 5 over 4.01 meters (CAP17-004). All assay results from the 2024 program have been received and the exploration work proved highly successful, with significant results returned from all sampling approaches. The analytical data will be utilized to generate targets for a planned 2025 drill program. Additional details can be found at https://apexcriticalmetals.com/projects/cap-project. Sean Charland, CEO of Apex Critical Metals comments, "We are extremely encouraged with the results of our 2024 exploration program. With one rock sample in particular delivering the highest outcrop assay recorded to-date on the Property at 3.33% Nb 2 O 5 , our overall findings underscore the Project's potential. The discovery of a significant niobium soil anomaly alongside the successful mapping and sampling of additional carbonatite outcrops has notably expanded our understanding of the Cap Project. As we look ahead to planning our 2025 drill program, we are optimistic about unlocking the future potential of the Niobium mineralization at the Cap Project." A total of seven (7) of the fourteen (14) carbonatite grab samples collected from the Cap Property during the 2024 exploration program returned niobium values exceeding 0.1% Nb 2 O 5 , with two (2) boulder samples assaying 1.45% and 1.79% Nb?O? and one (1) outcrop sample assaying 3.33% Nb?O?. The mineralized outcrops that were mapped and sampled represent a potential strike length of up 250 m, with the largest outcrop exposed at surface over a 75 m x 5 m area, and mineralization remaining open in multiple directions (Figure 1). These rock samples also yielded elevated phosphate (P?O?), and rare earth oxides (REO) (Table 1). Table 1. Select Mineralized Rock Sample Results from 2024 Exploration at the Cap Property Sample ID Type Nb?O? % P?O? % REO % (1) 80130 Outcrop 3.33 0.92 0.16 80130 Boulder 1.79 0.68 0.13 80146 Float 1.45 0.35 0.09 80102 Outcrop 0.5 9.34 0.15 80136 Outcrop 0.38 3.2 0.16 80143 Outcrop 0.2 1.39 0.06 80139 Outcrop 0.16 0.59 0.08 Rare Earth Oxide (REO) is the summation of Ce2O3 + La2O3 + Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 + Eu2O3 + Sm2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb2O3 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + Y2O3 Figure 1. 2024 Surface Rock Sampling Summary at the Cap Project. Soil sampling at the Cap Property outlined a distinct anomalous niobium trend, extending nearly 1.8 km northwest of the known mineralization (Figure 2). The anomaly directly coincides with a radiometric anomaly historically identified from airborne geophysics. The anomaly is interpreted to be the potential extension of the newly discovered carbonatite outcrop that returned 3.33% Nb?O?. The soil sampling grid also identified highly elevated REO results with one (1) sample returning 1.21% REO and three (3) additional samples returning between 0.33% and 0.34% TREO. In addition to the soil and rock sampling, results from stream concentrate sampling displayed elevated niobium results with four (4) samples returning values greater than 275 ppm Nb up to a maximum of 360 ppm. These anomalous samples correlate with the known mineralized outcrop and downstream of the niobium soil anomaly (Figure 2). Despite much of the Cap Project area being covered by thick soil profiles and glacial till, stream concentrate and soil sampling has proven to be an effective method for identifying mineralization in areas with limited outcrop exposure. Figure 2. 2024 Soil Sampling Summary at the Cap Project highlighting distinct niobium trend Quality Assurance / Quality Control All rock samples were collected in the field using a hammer and chisel. Soil samples were collected from the presumed B horizon using a hand auger and/or geotool. Stream concentrate samples were collected by fill approximately of a 12x20 cm sample bag with stream sediment. The material was first passed through a 1/8-inch sieve yielding a fine fraction that was then processed using both 14" LeTrap plastic pans to concentrate the heavy fraction, resulting in approximately tens of grams per sample. The concentrate was then carefully transferred to a pre-labeled zip-lock sample bag with a corresponding sample book tag and sample number Locations for all sample types were obtained using a handheld GPS or tablet with samples placed in pre-labelled sample bags. Metal tags with the sample numbers and flagging tape were left at each sample location. Samples were shipped using Manitoulin Transport to Actlabs Laboratory in Kamloops BC. Rock samples were prepped via RX1, Dry, crush (< 7 kg) up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g) and pulverize (mild steel) to 95% passing 105 m. Analysis consisted of Code 8 by XRF Nb?O?, ZrO2 and Ta2O5 (0.003%), Code 8 - REE Assay, and 1A2 Au Fire Assay - AA, 30g weight, 5-5,000 ppb. Soil and stream concentrate samples were prepped using code S1-230, which requires drying (60C) and sieving (-63 m). Analysis consisted of packages 4B2-STD, Lithium Borate Fusion / ICP-MS Trace Element package, and 1A2 Au Fire Assay - AA, 30g weight, 5-5,000 ppb A Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocol was incorporated into the rock sampling program and included the insertion of two certified reference material ("CRM's) and one quartz blank representing approximately 9% of submitted samples. For the soil sampling and stream concentrate sampling, a total of five CRMs were inserted into the sample stream representing approximately 1% of the submitted samples, with the Company also relying on the internal QA/QC procedures of Actlabs. Management cautions that prospecting surface rock samples, soil samples, stream concentrate samples and associated assays, as discussed herein, are selective by nature and represent a point location, and therefore may not necessarily be fully representative of the mineralized horizon sampled. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Nathan Schmidt, P. Geo., Senior Geologist for Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 on standards of disclosure for mineral projects, who has prepared and reviewed the content of this press release. Mr. Schmidt has verified all scientific and technical data disclosed in this news release including the sampling and QA/QC results, and certified analytical data underlying the technical information disclosed. Mr. Schmidt noted no errors or omissions during the data verification process. The Company and Mr. Schmidt do not recognize any factors of sampling or recovery that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the assay data disclosed in this news release. About Apex Critical Metals Corp. Apex Critical Metals Corp. is a Canadian exploration company specializing in the acquisition, exploration and development of high potential rare earth elements (REE's) and niobium properties. Apex Critical Metals is publicly listed in Canada on the CSE, under the symbol "APXC," in the USA on the OTCQB market under the symbol "APXCF," and in Germany on the Borse Frankfurt under the symbol "KL9" or WKN: A40CCQ. You are invited to find out more at www.apexcriticalmetals.com where you can subscribe for News Alerts, watch our Video, or follow us on Facebook, X.com or LinkedIn. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Sean Charland Chief Executive Officer APEX CRITICAL METALS CORP. Tel: 604.681.1568 Email: info@apexcriticalmetals.com Web: https://apexcriticalmetals.com/ Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the Company's plan to undertake a 2025 drill program. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including risks related to factors beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, a risk that the Company may not proceed with a drill program in 2025 due to the prevailing state of the capital and labour markets, geopolitical events and the market prices for minerals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: Apex Critical Metals Corp. Qatar could eventually buy majority Audi F1 stake Audi's new Formula 1 venture looks set to completely sidestep the financial crisis at Volkswagen. Guanyu Zhou, Brazilian GP 2024 Sauber It is emerging this week that, amid the ongoing VW crisis, Sauber's new 100 percent owner Audi could be set to sell up to half of the F1 team for a tidy profit. Osterreich newspaper reports that Audi's purchase price of the Swiss-based Sauber team was 600 million euros. And the rumoured sale-price of a minority share sale to Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, potentially involving title sponsorship by Qatar Airways, could be worth a billion euros to Audi. Now Audi is coming (to Sauber), former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told Blick newspaper this week, but in the current situation the Germans are perhaps not even unhappy that some people from Qatar are showing interest in the new project and want to get involved. It is believed Audi F1's deal with Qatar, on top of the Middle Eastern country's existing part-ownership of the full Volkswagen Group, could be announced at the Qatar GP later this month. According to several media reports, the sheikhs are expected to invest up to 1 billion euros, confirmed the major German newspaper Bild. If Qatar were to acquire more than 50 percent, the official team name could even change. Audi is yet to comment. Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport also reported: "The investment should initially be a minority stake, without changes to the name or key faces of the team. But it is not excluded that in the future the fund will aim for the majority of the team, as well as the (Audi) engine factory in Neuberg, Germany, the newspaper added. (GMM) Villeneuve statue stolen, Lauda helmet found Jacques Villeneuve admitted to losing sleep after a life-size bronze statue of his iconic father, Formula 1 legend Gilles Villeneuve, was stolen. Niki Lauda The Cahier Archive Days ago, operators of the Gilles Villeneuve Museum in Ferrari legend Gilles' hometown of Berthierville, in Quebec, were stunned to discover the statue - which had stood there for three decades - mysteriously missing. I'm stunned, 1997 world champion Jacques said. "When I heard about it, I could hardly sleep. Such soulless beings do not deserve to be called human. My father represented Canada all over the world, and there are not many such people. It is shameful that there are idiots who are capable of such an act. They have no heart and nothing in their heads. Gilles died in a horror F1 crash at Zolder in 1982. Two years later, artist Jules Lasalle created the bronze statue. He told the Calgary Herald: This is a huge disappointment. I hope we find the statue in one piece. The value of the metal is not that high, but for the people of Berthierville, the value is very high. In a social media post, the town of Berthierville - offering a $12,000 reward for information about the theft - said the crime robs our community and motorsport enthusiasts around the world of a powerful symbol . In happier news, the famously charred and partly melted helmet that Niki Lauda was wearing when he crashed at the Nurburgring in 1976 has been found. The helmet went missing in 1988, after its then owner Gino Amisano - founder of the helmet's brand AGV - loaned it to the Milan Motor Show. It has now re-emerged at a Bonhams charity auction in Miami, according to the Italian magazine Autosprint, with a starting price of $60,000. Lauda's damaged and legendary AGV X1 'Air System' helmet is now on display at the Dainese Archivio di Vicenza in Italy, and can be seen free of charge. (GMM) 2 Major mining pacts hang in the balance Charles Benoni Okine Business News Nov - 12 - 2024 , 05:40 The fate of two major mining agreements hangs in the balance as the uncertainties surrounding the resumption of sittings in Ghanas Parliament take a new twist. The agreements are the proposed joint venture between Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine and AngloGold Ashantis Iduapriem Mine in Ghana, and the Atlantic Lithium Mining project at Ewoyaa in the Central Region. These major agreements, should they take off as projected by the Ghana's first lithium mine, also expressed concern about the delay in the ratification of its mining lease by Parliament, saying the development was severely impacting its operational timelines and overall production goals. The Finance Director of Atlantic Lithium, Amanda Harsas, said while the company continued to make progress with key permitting steps, the pace had slowed, fearing that the turn of events could affect the speed of getting the project into production gear. Advertisement "The delay has affected our timeline. Rather than accelerating and getting into production as quickly as we can, we've had to be more careful due to the uncertainty. Our exploration and other activities have slowed down and it will take us a long time to get into production. We've constantly reviewed our deadlines with the information we get, she said. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 4th West Africa Mining Security (WAMS) Conference in Accra, she expressed concerns over the delay in the approval of its mining agreement with the government. The companys flagship project, the Ewoyaa Lithium Project, set to be Ghanas first lithium-producing mine, is being advanced to production under an agreement with Piedmont Lithium. The project is proven to produce a spodumene concentrate product suitable for conversion to be used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. In June 2023, the company announced its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Ewoyaa Project, confirming the projects economic viability and profitability potential for the production of 3.6Mt spodumene concentrate over a 12-year Life of Mine (LOM). The DFS considers the February 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate of 35.3Mt at 1.25% LiO (increased in July 2024 to 36.8Mt at 1.24% LiO), Ore Reserves of 25.6Mt at 1.22% LiO and long-term concentrate pricing of US$1,410/t, FOB Ghana. In October 2023, Atlantic Lithium was granted a Mining Lease for the Project, representing a major landmark for Ghana and the company and paving the way for Ewoyaa to become one of the next major spodumene concentrate producers. companies, are expected to rake in hundreds of millions of dollars which could help shore up the countrys foreign exchange reserves and also contribute to the stabilisation of the weak local currency. Parliament adjourns again Parliament, which was recalled last week after a long standoff between the two leading parties in the House, had to be adjourned again by the Speaker because Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling party failed to show up to kick-start any business. With less than a month to go to the presidential and parliamentary polls, it is not clear how the House can fast-rack such urgent bills before it rises to draw the curtains on the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic. Major concerns The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr Sulemanu Koney told the Graphic Business that what was happening is not healthy for the mining industry. He pointed out that there is competition for capital in recent times and, therefore, if the country has been able to attract some investment through exploration, its only unfortunate that the impasse in Parliament is delaying the ratification of these agreements. The companies have a lease which is good, ordinarily you have a lease, it provides some comfort that you can do some investment but our recent history has taught us that a mining lease is not enough. The lease has to be ratified by Parliament. Our recent history has taught us painfully that you need to have your leases ratified as required by the 1992 Constitution, he stated. He said these companies, therefore, do not have the authorisation to mine yet because their agreements have not yet been ratified. So, as we speak, yes, we have had some engagements with some stakeholders because what is happening is not healthy for the industry, he added. He said there was so much uncertainty surrounding these agreements which was not the best. On the way forward, Dr Sulemanu said the constitution provides only one avenue and that is for Parliament to ratify these agreements. So if they can't have a business meeting, then it cannot be even be presented for ratification.? So there are no options, they just have to do what they have to do, he said. Goldfields/Ashanti statement Gold Fields Limited and AngloGold Ashanti, in their joint media release of March 16, 2023, announced that they had agreed on key terms for a proposed joint venture between Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine and AngloGold Ashantis Iduapriem Mine in Ghana. The companies aim to create Africas largest gold mine. Under the agreement, Gold Fields would hold a 60% stake; AngloGold Ashanti 30%, while the Ghanaian government would keep the remaining 10%. The joint venture at the time of the agreement was projected to produce an average of 900,000 ounces annually over the first five years and 600,000 ounces over its estimated 18-year lifespan. The parties said they had attempted to secure the required permits before Ghanas national elections, to be held in December. The parties said notwithstanding constructive engagement with the Government of Ghana since the announcement of the Proposed Joint Venture on March 16, 2023, the requisite approvals by the Government of Ghana for the proposed joint venture had not yet been obtained. Gold Fields and AngloGold Ashanti have sought to secure the requisite approvals, which include approval of the Proposed Joint Venture by the Parliament of Ghana, ahead of the October 2024 Parliamentary recess before the Ghana national elections to be held in December 2024, they said in the release. Meanwhile, the parties maintained that they believed a combination of the two neighbouring mines into a single managed entity was compelling, given that it was anticipated to extend the life of the mine, increase production and lower costs, creating value for all stakeholders. To them, however, in the absence of the requisite approvals from the Government of Ghana and clear timelines for execution of an agreement, Gold Fields and AngloGold Ashanti will maintain engagement in relation to a potential asset combination while separately continuing to pursue improvements to their respective assets. Atlantic Lithium A couple of months ago, Atlantic Lithium, the Australian mining company developing Ghana's first lithium mine, also expressed concern about the delay in the ratification of its mining lease by Parliament, saying the development was severely impacting its operational timelines and overall production goals. The Finance Director of Atlantic Lithium, Amanda Harsas, said while the company continued to make progress with key permitting steps, the pace had slowed, fearing that the turn of events could affect the speed of getting the project into production gear. "The delay has affected our timeline. Rather than accelerating and getting into production as quickly as we can, we've had to be more careful due to the uncertainty. Our exploration and other activities have slowed down and it will take us a long time to get into production. We've constantly reviewed our deadlines with the information we get, she said. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 4th West Africa Mining Security (WAMS) Conference in Accra, she expressed concerns over the delay in the approval of its mining agreement with the government. The companys flagship project, the Ewoyaa Lithium Project, set to be Ghanas first lithium-producing mine, is being advanced to production under an agreement with Piedmont Lithium. The project is proven to produce a spodumene concentrate product suitable for conversion to be used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. In June 2023, the company announced its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Ewoyaa Project, confirming the projects economic viability and profitability potential for the production of 3.6Mt spodumene concentrate over a 12-year Life of Mine (LOM). The DFS considers the February 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate of 35.3Mt at 1.25% LiO (increased in July 2024 to 36.8Mt at 1.24% LiO), Ore Reserves of 25.6Mt at 1.22% LiO and long-term concentrate pricing of US$1,410/t, FOB Ghana. In October 2023, Atlantic Lithium was granted a Mining Lease for the Project, representing a major landmark for Ghana and the company and paving the way for Ewoyaa to become one of the next major spodumene concentrate producers. 2nd Corporate Insolvency journal launched Elizabeth Nyaadu Adu Business News Nov - 12 - 2024 , 04:10 The Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors (GARIA) has launched the second edition of the Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring Journal (CIRJ) to enhance the framework of business rescue and insolvency in Ghana. The comprehensive publication addresses critical aspects of Ghana's evolving insolvency landscape, offering valuable insights for practitioners and stakeholders while serving as a guide for board members navigating companies through financial distress and unexpected economic challenges. Highlights Key highlights of this edition include an in-depth analysis of Post-Commencement Financing (PCF) and its vital role in business recovery. The journal also explores the complexities of insurance sector insolvency and provides a fresh tax perspective on the Companies Act 2019. Advertisement It examines the landmark Dream Reality Case, highlighting how judicial interpretation shapes Ghana's insolvency law development. The journal also introduces progressive discussions challenging traditional approaches, including a critique of the conventional waterfall method in liquidation proceedings and its impact on creditor fairness. Additionally, it addresses current gaps in legislation, particularly regarding cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Speaking at the launch in Accra, GARIA President Felix Addo, acknowledged Ghana's previous shortage of insolvency expertise adding that there were ongoing efforts to prevent company collapses. "Our insolvency practitioners have acquired significant experience over the years, including international exposure. While the insolvency profession in Ghana is relatively young, we are prioritising administration turnaround and rescue to prevent unnecessary liquidations," he said. Relevance The Board Chair of Tropical Cable and Conductor Limited, Dr Anthony Oteng-Gyasi, emphasised the journal's importance for industry professionals. He explained that the passage of Act 117 has established a comprehensive legal framework, eliminating the need to rely on common law or other jurisdictions. He said the new framework provides companies with bankruptcy protections similar to the US's Chapter 11 provisionsa first for Ghana. "This framework allows companies to restructure rather than face complete closure, preventing job losses, preserving tax revenue, and maintaining employment. It provides protection for businesses to recover and continue contributing to the economy," he added. Next article: Ghana: Who can declare an MPs seat vacant? A legal scholar unpacks the dispute between parliament and the supreme court Tale of two elections Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng Opinion Nov - 12 - 2024 , 09:07 5 minutes read I have not paid much attention to American politics in general or the countrys presidential election in particular for quite a while. Of course, like many black people around the world, the Obama campaign of 2008 was something I found thrilling and exciting, given the realistic prospect of the first black man in the White House as President. I therefore vividly followed the campaign. By 2012 the magic had worn off a bit and I suppose that was the beginning of the dip. Aside from Ghanaian politics, UK politics has found space in my political mind, which is unsurprising, really, given that I once sojourned in the UK for almost two decades and therefore I am more familiar with their political intricacies and the underlying tones. Advertisement However, given that When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold, as the saying goes, one cannot completely ignore American politics and elections because of its impact on all our lives, one way or the other. I must repent on this matter. US election post-mortem Even in my limited awareness of what was going on in the US presidential election campaign, I had assumed, rather naively, I suppose, that there was no way Donald Trump would be able to stage a successful comeback and win the election. His baggage seemed to weigh him down a convicted felon who had been locked in a long brawl with the law for some time, sleazy stories around his personal life and a proclivity for shooting from the hip. As Nana Kwasi Gyan Apenteng, former chairman, National Media Commission, President of the Ghana Association of Writers and a consultant in communication put it in an interesting Facebook post on this election the other day, At no time would it have made sense to suggest that America would resoundingly endorse a convicted, ill-mannered, badmouth, racist misogynist as President. Hence the question: Why??? As if in answer to the question, Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, Director of the Centre for Democratic Governance, opined in a Facebook post that the Democratic Party had effectively ceded to the Republicans such powerful emotive political symbols such as the American flag (which evokes patriotism) and faith (what he calls The Two Fs) as well as material wealth, all symbols that large populations of Americans hold dear, even if mostly in pretence. Like Nana Apenteng, I have also asked myself not just Why? but also How? I do share Prof. Prempehs argument and have done some reading on post-mortem reports. Perhaps many who disliked him as a person found what was coming out of his mouth appealing and decided to focus on that instead. By his unapologetic Make America Great Again, rhetoric, his constant attacks on immigration, abortion rights and his advocacy for prayer in schools, among others, saying what many dared not say because of what has become known as liberal wokeism in America, Trump appeared to have struck a chord, including among some ethnic minorities (usually pro-Democrat) who thought the liberal pendulum had swung too far but were perhaps to embarrassed to publicly support Trump. Fear voters! His blustery style in the face of all his travails perhaps marked him as a man who knows how to take charge and scare Americas enemies, which ignites patriotic fervour among her citizens. Of course, some analysts have thrown in race and gender as factors that went against Vice-President Kamala Harris. One can only wait and see what Trump will unleash in his comeback presidency, not just locally, but on global geo-politics, particularly with reference to the Middle East, an almost perennial cauldron of bubbling tensions. Ghana parallel Ghanas presidential election cycle since 1992 has run an interesting parallel with the United States, giving bucketloads of fodder to political propagandists. With the exception of 2020, whenever the Democrats won the US presidency, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) romped to victory a month later, with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winning the same year the Republicans won. The NDC, on the back of its social democrat credentials, finds alliance with the US Democrats while the NPP sees the Republican party as its soulmate, given their right-of-centre claims. The two parties share the same symbol the elephant. In Ghana this year, a sitting Vice-President is facing a former president who was thrown out of office earlier after one term. The US offered the same scenario ahead of its elections. Trumps win gives natural fodder to some NDC activists on social media, who were insisting excitedly that this was a good sign that American history would repeat itself in Ghana next month never mind the faintly ironic spectacle of social democrats here rejoicing at the win of a right-of-centre party in the US. Not to be outdone, NPP social media activists went to town, reminding everyone that the elephant party had won in the US, which is a good sign, they said. Added to this is the historical trend of every Republican win in the US followed by an NPP win in Ghana, they insisted. Of course, it is all amusing propaganda, because I do not think for a moment that in strategy meetings at the high echelons of either of the two parties, US trends and issues come into play. The issues are entirely different, even if there have been some striking similarities in the past. No serious strategist would give much thought to US election outcomes ahead of Ghanaian elections. After all, as I noted the other day on Facebook, Kansas is not Kasoa, Arkansas is not Ankaase, and New York City is not Gomoa New York. Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng, Head, Communications & Public Affairs Unit, Ministry of Energy. E-mail: rodboat@yahoo.com Mother-of-two, 54, dies following botched weight loss surgery in Turkey Dailymail.co.uk Life Nov - 12 - 2024 , 11:04 4 minutes read A mother bled to death after botched stomach surgery in Turkey because she could not buy another course of Ozempic, an inquest has found. Glamorous driving test examiner Janet Savage, 54, had travelled to the country to undergo a gastric sleeve operation, supposed to help her lose weight, the coroner was told. She paid 2,750 for a package including flights and the medical procedure via a health tourism company, after her body mass index (BMI) reached a score of 30.7. According to the NHS, a healthy womans BMI should be in between 18.5 and 24.9. Mrs Savage was in the borderline obese category. Advertisement North Wales Coroners Court heard Mrs Savage had been given a course of weight loss jab Ozempic at one stage but was unable to buy it privately so turned to surgery to help her lose three stone. She booked the trip in July last year, just 24 hours after first contacting the health tourism firm, and arranged to go out the following month. But after travelling to Turkey to undergo the procedure at the Ozel Rich private hospital in Antalya, on August 5, things went drastically wrong. Surgical implements were placed inside Mrs Savage and her aortic artery ruptured. Coroner Kate Robertson said: Sadly, during the procedure it appears the major artery trauma has occurred which was, according to the surgeon, repaired (but) Janet went into cardiac arrest. Mrs Savage died in the early hours of August 6 last year in the hospitals intensive care unit and her body was formally identified by husband Andrew. Ms Robertson heard evidence including a post-mortem examination held after Mrs Savages body was flown back to the UK. Pathologist Muhammad Aslam, who carried out the procedure at Glan Clywd Hospital, St Asaph, found the cause of death was due to acute bleeding from the abdominal aorta. Recording a narrative conclusion at todays hearing in Caernarfon, the coroner said: She underwent a gastric sleeve operation in Turkey on August 5, 2023. During the procedure an injury occurred, with attempts to repair. She died the following day. Alison Ergun, a client administrator for Warwickshire-based health tourism company, Regenesis Health Travel, said in a statement that Mrs Savage had declared in one message to her that she was a little worried about having the operation. She was sent a weblink to converse with other patients, for reassurance, and the booking was made. But Ms Ergun said of the operation: There was a complication and she had stopped breathing in the first few minutes of surgery. Ms Ergun said Mrs Savage's family arrived in Antalya later that day. She told how she escorted them from the airport to the hospital. Using a translator, Mrs Savage's relatives were told there had been "serious internal bleeding" and that she had had a heart attack. Ms Ergun said the family "thanked" her for her efforts and she escorted them back to the airport afterwards. Relatives of Mrs Savage, a mother-of-two from Bangor, Gwynedd, chose not to attend the inquest conclusion. Ms Robertson translated notes from the surgeon who carried out the botched operation, Dr Ramazan Azar. He described how there had been a 3-4mm defect in the aorta artery when the operation began, resulting in the catastrophic bleeding. He said that the aorta was repaired and the surgery to fit the gastric sleeve procedure itself was stopped. Medical staff in the intensive care unit were then unable to find a pulse and Mrs Savage was pronounced dead. Ms Robertson said that she had considered the evidence as thoroughly as she could but added: As with many deaths that occur abroad, the different judicial processes mean the evidence we are provided with isnt perhaps to the extent we would have in this country. The NHS advises people considering having surgery abroad to consider potential risks due to differences in safety standards. Its website advises: It's important to do your research if you're thinking about having cosmetic surgery abroad. It can cost less than in the UK, but you need to weigh up potential savings against the potential risks. Safety standards may not be as high. No surgery is risk-free. Complications can happen after surgery in the UK or abroad. The coroner passed on her condolences to Mrs Savage's family. Mrs Savage had been employed by the Driving and Vehicles Standards Agency based in Bangor as an examiner - and had passed hundreds of drivers in her eight years as a driving test examiner. In May last year, she had been promoted to "recruitment ambassador" as an executive officer with the Government agency. Previous article: Vote for competence above other considerations - NCCE boss to electorate Engage Now Africa and Social Welfare rescue 20-year-old trafficked Camerounian GraphicOnline Nov - 12 - 2024 , 10:05 2 minutes read Engage Now Africa (ENA), in partnership with the Ghana Immigration Service and border control authorities in Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon, has successfully facilitated the safe reintegration of a 20-year-old Cameroonian girl trafficked online to Cote d'Ivoire. According to an ENA statement, the girl (Angel) was lured to Cote d'Ivoire with promises of onward travel to Europe, but upon arrival, she fell victim to trafficking and endured severe exploitation. Angel recounted that her trafficker had initially promised swift visa processing for Europe. However, once in Cote d'Ivoire, her travel documents were confiscated, and she was subjected to sexual exploitation. After a failed escape attempt, she fell into the hands of another trafficker who took her to Ghana, where she suffered further abuse. Advertisement While in Osu, Accra, Angel discovered she was pregnant and eventually fled. Homeless, she and her newborn were left on the streets until a Good Samaritan connected her with the Department of Social Welfare. Recognizing Engage Now Africas dedication to fighting human trafficking, the La Dade-Kotopon District Department of Social Welfare referred Angels case to the organization. With the support of Engage Now Africa, Angel and her child received medical care and logistical support, enabling her safe return home. Grateful, Angel expressed deep appreciation to the organization for the assistance she and her son received. The reintegration process was bolstered by the Survivors Network Cameroon, part of the African Survivors Network and Commonwealth 8.7 Network, ensuring Angels secure journey back to Cameroon. Financial support from the ASEA Advancing Life Foundation, totaling $2,500, covered essential items including rehabilitation, food, clothing, transportation, and other needs for her successful reintegration. She was also giving a startup fund by ENA to proceed with the business she wanted to venture into. The statement commended the Ghana Immigration Service, the Department of Social Welfare, Street Girls Aid, and border authorities across West and Central Africa for their roles in supporting Angels recovery and reintegration. The organization also cautioned the publicespecially young womenabout the dangers of online trafficking tactics, which often exploit misleading promises. Engage Now Africa has developed a public educational booklet to highlight the stages and tactics of online sexual exploitation, helping to raise awareness and prevent further incidents. Angel, now safely reintegrated, has pledged to advocate against online exploitation, encouraging young women to be vigilant about enticing promises made through social media. COP29 opens in Azerbaijan - Over 50,000 delegates in attendance Timothy Ngnenbe Nov - 12 - 2024 , 07:57 4 minutes read The 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate (UNFCCC) opened in Baku, Azerbaijan, yesterday with a clarion call on world leaders to agree to a new global climate finance goal to accelerate climate action. The Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, Simon Stiell, who made the call, stressed that the climate crisis had a far-reaching impact on all aspects of humanity and was also dealing a devastating blow to national economies, for which reason no country should frustrate global efforts to tackle the menace. He further observed that although the climate crisis was affecting every single individual in the world in one way or another, it was frustrating a single COP could not deliver the full transformation that every nation needed. "But if we want to address the excesses of the climate crisis, then it is here that Parties need to agree a way out of this mess. Advertisement "That is why here in Baku, we must agree on a new global climate finance goal," he said. Participation The COP29 Summit is one of the largest gatherings of world leaders to accelerate actions towards the goals of the Paris Agreement on the UNFCCC. About 50,000 delegates are attending the COP, comprised of over 100 government representatives from Africa who will be joining other UN member states, the State of Palestine, the Holy See, the Cook Islands and the European Union, who are parties to the UNFCCC. Some key thematic areas of focus and activities that are expected to happen at the two-week COP29 are the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, which sets the tone for the conference; finance, investment and trade; energy and peace; relief and recovery, as well as science, technology and innovation. Also key on the agenda are issues of human development, including children and youth, health, education, food, water and agriculture; urbanisation, transport and tourism, as well as indigenous peoples, gender equality, and nature and biodiversity. Bold actions Rallying the world for climate action, Mr Stiell said COP29 was a platform for bold and frank discussions on climate financing and world leaders could not afford to lose that opportunity. "So, let us dispense with any idea that climate finance is charity. An ambitious new climate finance goal is entirely in the self-interest of every nation, including the largest and wealthiest," he said. However, he added that it was not enough to just agree to a goal; "and we must work harder to reform the global financial system." Mr Stiell said COP29 must get international carbon markets up and running by finalising Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Again, he underscored the need to move forward on mitigation so that targets from COP28 can be realised. "We must not let 1.5 slip out of reach, and even as temperatures rise, the implementation of our agreements must claw them back," he said. Critical issues The UNFCCC Executive Secretary urged world leaders to work hand in glove in taking bold, unwavering steps towards addressing the global climate crisis. He stressed that it was by leveraging technology, human ingenuity and partnerships that humanity could survive the scourge of the crisis. "What inspires me is human ingenuity and determination: our ability to get knocked down and to get up again over and over again, until we accomplish our goals," he said. He added that when countries threw their hands in despair, rather than soldiering on with the needed climate action, the impact of the crisis would be dire to both humanity and the planet. Mr Stiell said the UNFCCC process was the only place world leaders could converge and address the rampant climate crisis, "and credibly hold each other to account to act on it." "We cannot afford to continue upending lives and livelihoods in every nation - so lets make this real," he said. He said tackling the climate crisis meant that at least two-thirds of the world's countries must be able to cut emissions quickly. "If nations cant build resilience into supply chains, the entire global economy will be brought to its knees. No country is immune. Additionally, he said countries must continue to improve the new mechanisms for financial and technical support on loss and damage. Govt expands areas under public irrigation scheme from 11,000 to 19,000 hectares Emmanuel Bonney & Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Nov - 12 - 2024 , 07:57 4 minutes read The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, has reiterated the governments commitment to expand irrigation infrastructure and access to sustainable water systems, particularly in regions prone to drought. Speaking at the 40th National Farmers Day Awards in Accra last Friday, Dr Acheampong described the initiative as a critical factor in building resilience to climate change and making all-year-round production possible. It was for this reason, he said, the ministry over the last eight years had expanded the area under public irrigation schemes from 11,000 hectares (Ha) in 2016 to 19,000 hectares in 2024. It is important to state that between 2023 and 2024 alone, about 7,000 hectares have been added. Farmer-led private commercial schemes also increased from 189,000 hectares to 207,000 hectares between 2016 and 2023, he said. Advertisement Projects Dr Acheampong noted that there were several ongoing interventions that would bring an additional 6,250 ha under irrigation upon completion. These, he said, included the Afram Plains Economic Enclave Irrigation project, the rehabilitation of the Vea Right Bank, the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Kpong Irrigation Scheme phase under MoFA/FSRP phase 2; the construction of the Tamne Irrigation Project; the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Tanoso Irrigation Scheme, and the construction and installation of 150 boreholes for solar pump irrigation systems and others. Food production Dr Acheampong further stated that despite the existential challenges presented by climate change, the agricultural sector had seen growth from 2.6 per cent in 2016 to an average of 5.7 per cent between 2017 and 2023. He attributed the positive change to strategic investments and programmes implemented by the government in the sector with the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) as the main vehicle which also improved farmers access to certified seeds, fertilisers and mechanisation services. This resulted in increased crop productivity and production of targeted crops. Yields of maize, rice and soya beans, for example, increased by 135 per cent, 67 per cent and 18 per cent respectively, while production of cereals, legumes and roots and tubers increased by 106 per cent, 68 per cent and 59 per cent respectively from 2016 to 2023. The country also achieved food self-sufficiency in major food staples, such as maize (122 per cent), soya bean (106 per cent) cassava (107 per cent), plantain (133 per cent) and yam (110 per cent), he explained. To continue the trend, Dr Acheampong emphasised that the government was making the sector both climate-resilient and sustainable through the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, strengthening of agricultural extension services, building partnerships, improving farmer access to finance and inputs, and the drafting of a Long-Term Climate Resilient Agricultural Development Strategy for Ghana (2025 - 2050). While we have made significant progress, there is still much to be done. Climate change is a long-term challenge, and we must remain vigilant, adaptable and committed to continuous improvement. To our cherished farmers, I assure you of the ministry's continuous commitment to support you with the necessary tools, knowledge and resources to enable you to thrive in these challenging times, he added. Aquaculture The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson, noted that the sector continued to play a significant role in the socio-economic development of the country. It is estimated that more than three million people are employed along the value chain of the sector. Fish production for 2023 was more than 684,000 metric tonnes and the per capita consumption was 20 kilogramme. The country earned over $425 million from the export of fish and fishery products in 2023, She, however, lamented how the effects of climate change on the coast and fish farms in addition to overfishing and habitat degradation threatened the health of water bodies and ecosystems, making them more vulnerable. Ms Koomson, therefore, indicated that the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, when passed by Parliament would provide for the regulation of aquaculture practice and support aquaculture operators with the needed input to make the industry stronger and more resilient, ensuring that it can continue to meet demand and contribute to national food security. HASAG annual conference to promote financial safeguards in health sector Daily Graphic Nov - 12 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read The Health Accounting Staff Association of Ghana (HASAG) is set to hold its 18H Annual General Conference in Bolgatanga with the aim of strategising to enhance the protection of financial resources in the health sector of Ghana. The conference, being held from November 13 to 16, 2024 on the theme, Safeguarding financial resources through effective financial management, the role of finance and internal audit professionals," is drawing together hundreds of HASAG members across the country to brainstorm on pertinent issues affecting their profession and conditions of service. It is part of the renewed effort of the association to promote financial governance, transparency, and accountability in the health sector institutions for effective resource management and improved health care. According to the association, the quest to safeguard the financial resources in the health sector had become highly critical in view of the fast-paced and complex business environment, that called for safeguards against financial corruption, abuse and misappropriation. Advertisement Explaining the objectives of the event, the National President of HASAG, Emmanuel Dennis Kofi Amoah, indicated that the conference would also discuss outstanding issues affecting HASAG members, including the disparity in the single spine salary structure. According to him, there was a wide gap between the remuneration of members under the single spine salary structure and their counterparts in other public sector organisations such as Controller and Accountant General Department, Ghana Revenue Authority, Judicial Service and Audit Services among others, adding that there was an urgent need for the government to address the challenge. He said participants would also discuss delays and conditionalities for promotions to chief accountant positions, and the inconsistent flow of remittance from Controller and Accountant General for the association to work with, indicating that the association was currently owed three months transfer arrears. In addition, he expressed worry over the challenge of inadequate permanent staffing at the various Budget Management Centres (BMCs) in the District Health Directorates, most of which had temporal staff. We have huge numbers of temporal staff at the various BMCs. We have a lot of temporal staff in our various BMCs who have worked for more than 10 years. However, we see people employed as accountants and posted. We call on the appropriate authorities to ensure that these temporal staff are mechanised to reduce the burden on the internally generated funds, he stressed. Regarding the conditions of service for HASAG members, he said the association had successfully negotiated the non-financials of their condition of service with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, awaiting the negotiations of the financials. NADMO organises election simulation exercise ahead of 2024 polls Nii Martey Martey Nov - 12 - 2024 , 18:49 2 minutes read The National Disaster and Management Organisation (NADMO) has organised a pre-election functional simulation exercise to test its preparedness to combat election-related crisis during and after the 2024 general election. The exercise which was aimed at training and preparing all NADMO Regional Emergency Operations Centres, and stakeholders in disaster risk management, also sought to test their readiness to respond to any eventualities associated with the forthcoming elections. Speaking to a section of journalists during the exercise, the Director General in charge of Technical and Reforms at NADMO, Seji Saji Amedonu, said with just a few weeks to go to the polls, there was the need to prepare for, and avert any form of eventualities. He noted that the exercise was also to ensure harmonisation and coordination of efforts between all stakeholders to yield optimum results. Advertisement Politics Mr Amedonu who, said elections were supposed to be calm and solemn, also noted that politics of the world overruled incident-free logic, and Ghana was not an exception to election related violence and crisis. "The ongoing political campaigns are characterised by threats and counter threats, and we of the humanitarian fraternity want to prepare for any humanitarian consequences that could arise in the face of an electioneering crisis," he said. Mr Amedonu challenged the exercise evaluators to boldly bring out the gaps or shortfalls to help them improve their skills, and also urged all participating institutions and agencies to be serious and professional about the task. The National Programme Officer of IOM Ghana, Daniel Tagoeon, who spoke on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, said elections were not isolated events but complex processes that required comprehensive planning, coordination and preparedness at all levels of society. "While we strive for peaceful electoral outcomes, it is vital to remain prepared for any potential disruption," he said. Mr Tagoeon who commended NADMO for spearheading the initiative, said it reflects Ghana's commitment to disaster preparedness and crisis management in the electoral process. He tasked NADMO and other Government Agencies to be dedicated to fostering a peaceful and secure environment, and further pledged the UN Country Team and its development partners' continued commitment and strong partnership on emergency response and humanitarian coordination in Ghana. The exercise which was funded by the United Nations Agencies with technical support from UN Interagency Working Group Emergencies, was the second and last of a series. The first, which was a full scale exercise was conducted in three regions, namely the Northern region, the Greater Accra region and the Ashanti region. UDS confers honorary doctorate on founder, College of Science and Technology Mohammed Fugu Nov - 12 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read The University for Development Studies (UDS) has conferred a Doctor of Human Letters (LHD, Honoris Causa) on the founder of Northern College of Science and Technology, Nathaniel Nii Sasah Adams Jnr., for his remarkable contribution to the advancement of society. The prestigious award is in recognition of his substantial contribution to sustainable development, education and social entrepreneurship in northern Ghana. The conferment of the honorary degree makes him an alumnus of the university. The Vice-Chancellor of UDS, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, and the Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Wayo Seini, jointly decorated Dr Adams Jnr. at the 25th congregation of the university in Tamale last Saturday. Advertisement Conferment Prof. Al-Hassan acknowledged Dr Adams Jnr. for his dedication and resilience in championing development issues in the region and northern Ghana at large. He said his work was in line with the mission of the university which aimed to improve lives through community-driven education and development. "After today, you will become part of the university alumni association, so, I urge you to use your influence and wide network to advocate the development and progress of UDS," he said. Gratitude Dr Adams Jnr, who is also a development practitioner, expressed gratitude to the university for the honour done him. He said the gesture was not only an honour, but a challenge for him to do more for the forward march of the north and the nation in general. The awardee expressed his unwavering commitment to giving out his best for the growth and progress of the university, adding that "this honour from UDS is not only for me but for everyone who has been a part of this journey. I am inspired to continue working towards a future where every community can access education, clean water and sustainable development. "I have been working in my small corner for the past two and half decades, I never knew that people were watching me," he said. Dr Adams further said that the north abounded with numerous potential and resources which, when exploited, could help open up the area for investments to improve the livelihood of the people. Background With a background in Geophysical Data Management, his career began in 2000, with the Community Water and Sanitation Agency in Tamale, where he assisted the Zonal Hydrogeologist. His commitment and expertise quickly propelled him to leadership roles. By 2002, he was made the Head of the Technical Department at Rural Water Development Project, and in 2007, he became the Project Manager, overseeing technical operations and development strategies of the organisation. In 2019, he became the Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Water & Development Programme, Ghana, driving strategic water and sanitation projects to improve rural livelihoods. His impact in the water sector earned him respect as an expert and a reliable advocate for sustainable development. Driven by a desire to enhance educational opportunities in the region, Dr Adams Jnr. founded the Northern College of Science and Technology in Yendi, in 2013. The college has since become an influential institution, equipping young people with the technical skills needed for modern industries, especially in science and technology. He has also served on the Yendi Municipal Health Committee and the Yendi Municipal Hospital Advisory Committee, working to improve health outcomes in rural areas. He also holds a board position with PawerSol Company Limited, a private entity, and serves as the Board Chairman of JAK Solar Technology, where he promotes clean energy solutions for under-served communities. Writer's email:mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.g Vote for competence above other considerations - NCCE boss to electorate Justice Agbenorsi Nov - 12 - 2024 , 12:51 3 minutes read The Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy, has called on voters to look beyond money, ethnic and religious considerations to vote on December 7. She said the electorate must vote based on the competence and plans of candidates. The NCCE chairperson said this would enrich the countrys democratic credentials and spur development. The criteria for that vote should not be money, should not be religion, should not be even ethical considerations because as a country, we should have gone past that by now. The days of strongholds and territories should be behind us. Advertisement Voting is more than just a right; it is a civic duty, a means to shape governance and hold our leaders accountable, she said in her presentation on the topic, Civic engagement: voting, participating in democracy and staying informed. She was speaking at a two-day annual conference organised by the Ghana Chapter of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists last Saturday on the theme: The voice of the people: elections for a more responsive government. It was chaired by a Business Development Consultant, Daniel Dugan, and brought together public social scientists to examine political, social and economic realities using empirical data, the churchs social teaching and natural law. The conference aimed to reshape minds and orient participants towards the well-being of the country ahead of the December 7 election. Civic duty Ms Addy explained that protecting and defending the countrys democracy was the civic duty of every Ghanaian, adding, Many of the problems we face as a country will decline if we all play our role in this democracy creditably. She called on religious leaders to be courageous and call out political leaders and hold them accountable. If you have a leader and that person is on television threatening the whole country and doing all these terrible things yet they have a church, a pastor, a father they go to, and sit at the front row. We let them sit and never call them to order or hold them accountable. That kind of trying to hold people accountable in the social context is more powerful than law, so how are we going to end bad behaviour if we reward bad behaviour? she questioned. To ensure peace in the upcoming election, the NCCE chairperson said the Commission was working with religious leaders, including the Catholic Bishops Conference and the Chief Imams Office, among others, to sensitise the public to practical steps towards attaining peace. Aside from these, she said the Commission was also, in its public engagement, focusing on four key areas monetisation in politics, violence and intemperate language, misinformation and fake news and religious tolerance. On religious tolerance, she called for unity among various ethnic groups, adding, We must not allow politics to divide us along religious lines, she stated, stressing that sectarian sentiments foster division and could lead to broader societal issues such as discrimination in schools and public spaces. President Akufo-Addo engages in high-level talks with Azerbaijans President Aliyev at COP29 GraphicOnline Nov - 12 - 2024 , 17:41 1 minute read President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo met with Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev today as both leaders attended the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan. President Aliyev expressed appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for honouring Azerbaijans invitation, describing the visit as an important opportunity to deepen bilateral relations and explore mutual areas of cooperation. He highlighted COP29 as a suitable platform for advancing climate action and fostering international collaboration. President Akufo-Addo commended Azerbaijans organisation of COP29, praising the smooth coordination of the event and congratulating the host country on a successful opening ceremony. He expressed admiration for President Aliyevs keynote address at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, describing it as insightful and a testament to Azerbaijans commitment to climate action. Advertisement President Akufo-Addo shared that he had also gained insights into Azerbaijani culture during the event, which strengthened his appreciation of the host nation. The discussions covered various avenues to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties, including cooperation in science, education, and business. Both leaders highlighted the importance of fostering student exchanges, with Ghanaian students currently studying in Azerbaijan expressing satisfaction with their educational experience. To further promote economic cooperation, the presidents agreed on facilitating mutual visits of business and government delegations from both countries across diverse sectors. Rawlings' family remembers him four years on after his passing Zadok Kwame Gyesi Nov - 12 - 2024 , 06:54 3 minutes read The Rawlings' family and Foundation have issued a statement to mark the fourth anniversary of his passing, describing him as a warm soul who dedicated his whole life to the ordinary people. The statement dated November 12 said, "He was an example of African patriotic leadership committed to freedom, justice and accountability for the ordinary man and woman." Ghana's former President Jerry John Rawlings died at the age of 73 on Thursday morning, November 12, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra. Mr Rawlings had been on admission at Korle Bu for about a week for an undisclosed ailment before the sad incident happened. Advertisement Mr Rawlings was born on June 22, 1947. His mother, Madam Victoria Agbotui also died in September 2020 at age 101 and was buried on October 24, 2020, the last time that Mr Rawlings was seen in public. Jerry John Rawlings emerged onto Ghanas political landscape in 1979 at a time when Ghana was facing socio-economic decline. As a young Airforce fighter pilot, leading a nation in crises, Flt Lt JJ Rawlings understood the need to lead from the front, inspiring a new political awakening among Ghanaians. Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings remains the longest serving leader of Ghana. He was Head of State between June and September 1979 as Chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), Chairman of the PNDC from December 1981 to January 1992 and elected First President of the Fourth Republic from 1992 to January 2001. He is the Founder of the National Democratic Congress. Read the statement from the Rawlings' Family and Foundation PRESIDENT JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS FOUR YEARS ON Today marks the 4th anniversary of the passing of President Jerry John Rawlings. We commemorate the 4th anniversary of the loss of the former President, who was a dedicated husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend to millions in Ghana and across the world. Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings was a warm soul who dedicated his whole life to the ordinary people. He was an example of African patriotic leadership committed to freedom, justice and accountability for the ordinary man and woman. He emphasised Africas need for leaders and Governments that are genuinely committed to serving their people. As we reflect on his legacy, we recognise the profound impact JJ Rawlings has had on Ghana's socio-economic recovery, Her growth and development. Duty-bound to the cause of social justice throughout his life, Jerry John Rawlings has indeed left an indelible mark in Ghana, and Africa. His courage to stand against injustice, and his strength to stand against the exploitation of our human and natural resources continues to be an inspiration on the continent of Africa. Jerry John Rawlings emerged onto Ghanas political landscape in 1979 at a time when Ghana was facing socio-economic decline. As a young Airforce fighter pilot, leading a nation in crises, Flt Lt JJ Rawlings understood the need to lead from the front, inspiring a new political awakening among Ghanaians. Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, remains the longest serving leader of Ghana. He was Head of State between June and September 1979 as Chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), Chairman of the PNDC from December 1981 to January 1992 and elected First President of the Fourth Republic from 1992 to January 2001. He is the Founder of the National Democratic Congress. Jerry John Rawlings remains The Peoples Man: A leader who gave his life willingly in service to the ordinary people. Supreme Court to explain correct position of the law today, regarding when an MP's seat can be declared vacant [News in Brief] Graphic.com.gh Nov - 12 - 2024 , 00:08 1 minute read The Supreme Court will today give judgment on the correct position of the law regarding Article 97(1) (g) and (h), the constitutional provision that the Speaker of Parliament used to declare four seats in Parliament vacant. A seven-member panel of the court, presided over by the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, fixed the date for judgement on Monday after hearing arguments from the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame and Joe Ghartey, lawyer for Alexander Afenyo-Markin , the plaintiff. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, who is the first defendant in the action has, however, chose not to defend the action. Mr Afenyo-Markin is seeking an interpretation from the court that Article 97(1) (g) and (h) only applies to a current term of Parliament and ,therefore, the the move by the Speaker to declare the seats of the four MPs vacant is unconstitutional. Advertisement The video above is a brief of what transpired in court on Monday and why the case is at the Supreme Court Next article: We need stable internet for effective, technological healthcare delivery GMA Ghana hosts multi-agency emergency preparedness simulation Joshua Bediako Koomson Health Nov - 12 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read Ghana has been chosen to host a multi-agency emergency preparedness simulation, aimed at improving West Africas response to potential health crises such as Ebola and Marburg outbreaks. The high-level exercise, which began yesterday, in Accra, brings together United Nations agencies, non-governmental organisations, and representatives from several West African nations. The five-day simulation exercise will test and refine response protocols, facilitating the swift mobilisation of personnel, medical supplies and essential resources across the region. It will also offer an opportunity for the country to not only test its response capabilities but also to share its expertise with neighbouring countries, thereby strengthening regional resilience. Advertisement WHO The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, Dr Frank Lule, said this year marked 10 years since the West African Ebola virus disease outbreak, which started in Guinea then quickly spread to neighbouring countries Sierra Leone and Liberia. The outbreak, which lingered on for 28 months, spreading to seven additional countries, affected more than 28,600 people with 11,325 mortalities recorded. He said that illustrated how outbreaks of high-impact pathogens could evolve from small, localised events into global threats when containment capacities were inadequate at the points of origin. Since this outbreak, Dr Lule said the WHO had undergone internal re-structuring and completely overhauled its approach to dealing with public health emergencies. The WHO continues to be guided by the lessons from this outbreak and many others to ensure that populations are protected from the impact of such events. It is in this spirit that the WHO has so heavily invested in partnerships, research, tools and innovations to keep the world safe, Dr Lule said. He further expressed confidence that the simulation exercise would strengthen capacities in case management, provide valuable lessons in the deployment and utilisation of innovative tools and provide inputs into the roadmap for the next steps of the project. Preparedness A Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Health, Dr Darius Osei, commended the WHO for choosing Ghana as the host for the critical exercise. He emphasised the importance of preparedness, citing the countrys experience with past outbreaks and its position as a logistical hub in West Africa. This simulation is a unique opportunity to test our response capabilities and to strengthen collaboration with our neighbours, he added. According to Dr Osei, Africa faces over 100 health emergencies annually, putting immense pressure on governments and health systems to respond swiftly. He said high-impact outbreaks such as ebola, polio, cholera, and COVID-19 had underscored the need for robust response frameworks, especially in areas with limited public health resources. GMA unhappy with increased health personnel involvement in alcoholism, drug misuse and abuse Alberto Mario Noretti Health Nov - 12 - 2024 , 18:17 2 minutes read The President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr Frank Serebour has expressed concern over what he described as dwindling professionalism in the health sector in recent times, saying some health personnel are involved in alcoholism, drug misuse and abuse. There has also been reported cases of sexual harassment perpetuated by health workers, he added. Dr Serebour made the remarks at the just-ended 66th Annual General Conference of the GMA at Sokode-Lokoe in the Volta Region. The week-long conference was on the theme: Fostering technology, entrepreneurship and professionalism in Ghanas health sector. Advertisement The GMA president said there had also been cases in which doctors had been unpleasantly discussed on radio programmes and other media platforms, in addition to several legal suits against health facilities with unfavourable outcomes. Sometimes, we are left off the hook simply because the victims of our unprofessionalism chose to blame the witches for their predicament, he added. Dr Serebour insisted professionalism should be the guiding principle on the job. Let us take decisions based on reason rational processes and thoughtful considerations, rather than emotions and other ulterior motives. Touching on entrepreneurship, Dr Serebour urged doctors to explore uncharted territories and work extra hard to create other streams of income. Sooner than later, laws may be passed to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65, based not on increasing life expectancy, but rather on economics, he explained. Dr Serebour said what was even more gloomy was a possible shrinking employment opportunity for upcoming health professionals in the government sector. He said it would be a step in the right direction for the government to lease some Agenda 111 projects to doctors and other health workers as a form of group practice for them to pay back with time. Dr Serebour announced the GMA had set up a partnership with Stanbic Bank to support doctors in private practice with funding at highly competitive rates. In the current unforgiving stormy economic environment, relying on a single source of income has become an eternal poison; it will kill you either now or in your retirement. That is the reason we need to safeguard our income through investments and other smart financial decisions, to ensure our comfort zones do not become our coffins, Dr Serebour told the conference. Road to Election 2024: Experts call for direct climate change policies Timothy Ngnenbe Politics Nov - 11 - 2024 , 09:57 9 minutes read Some experts in climate change and the broader environment space have expressed reservations about the less attention that was given to policies for enhancing climate action ahead of the December 7 polls. They said it was worrying that despite the excruciating impact of the climate crisis across all sectors, the political discourse in the lead-up to the election had been largely focused on issues such as the economy, education, job creation and infrastructure development, without critical scrutiny of proposals for climate action. In separate interviews with the Daily Graphic, the climate change experts stressed that while the country was experiencing worsening climate change impacts such as flooding, longer dry spells, coastal erosion and potential food insecurity, prominence had not been given to climate action as the country goes to the polls. Those who spoke to the Daily Graphic were a climate change expert at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu; the Director, Climate Vulnerabilities and Adaptation at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Antwi-Boasiako Amoah; a natural resources and environmental management expert at Tropenbos Ghana, Boakye Twumasi Ankra; an Environmental Communication lecturer at the School of Communication at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Dr Akwasi Bosompem Boateng and the Project Coordinator of Connecting Communities, Climate and Politics for Tomorrow Project (3CP), Charles Smith. Advertisement The Daily Graphics assessment of the 2024 political party manifestos revealed that parties had itemised some environmental policies intended to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that trigger climate change, with most of the measures centered on tree planting, restoration of degraded lands and energy transition. The assessment of the manifesto promises on climate change is against the backdrop that the clock is fast ticking towards the 1.5C threshold of global warming that Ghana and other countries signed for in the Paris Agreement. Again, a UN report launched on October 25 ahead of the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) warned that if countries continue with their current environmental policies, it would lead to 3.1 degrees Celsius warming over pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. The NDC promises Under the environment theme of its 162-page manifesto for the 2024 election dubbed Resetting Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is mindful of the countrys vulnerability to climate change and will pass a National Climate Change Law to tackle the menace. The party promises to prioritise adaptation and mitigation measures to, among other things, enhance climate resilience of sensitive economy sectors, including agriculture, water resources, forestry, energy, fisheries and aquaculture, infrastructure and tourism. Again, the party has promised to align national efforts and policies with international efforts to limit global warming to 1.5C and collaborate with global partners to implement the same for sustainable development. The NDC also says it will implement measures to facilitate the just transition to renewable energy sources, as well as the implementation of energy efficiency technologies and practices to reduce household consumption of electricity, which will ultimately reduce the energy budget of households. The party further pledges that environmental sustainability will be integrated into all aspects of national development planning while implementing policies and programmes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. It further intends to invest in renewable energy sources to diversify the energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to carbon footprints. Among other things, the manifesto highlights steps an NDC government will take to support the development and implementation of community-based natural resource management initiatives; enhance local communities capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change through targeted interventions and support; and promote innovative technologies and practices to enhance environmental sustainability and resilience. NPPs possibility manifesto The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has also put out in its manifesto some measures intended to promote responsible mining, protect the environment and subsequently contribute to tackling the global climate crisis. One such measure is the promise to enhance the protection of the countrys forests and biodiversity hotspots, including the restoration of forests through reforestation programmes. To achieve this objective, the party has targeted 30,000 hectares of degraded areas for reforestation and plantation development annually. In addition, the NPP has promised to establish 1,000 hectares of bamboo and rattan plantations annually for watershed protection and plantation development. The party has also pledged to provide tree seedlings and plantain suckers in a minimum of 1,000 communities to enhance the national reforestation and plantation development programme. Great Transformation Plan For its part, the Movement for Change (M4C), which presents former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, as an independent presidential candidate, promises to scale up the governments current efforts at reducing the countrys carbon footprints and facilitate access to the carbon trading markets. The M4C further says its major strategic objective for climate action will be anchored on establishing mechanisms to strengthen the countrys preparedness against the negative effects of climate change. Specifically, the M4C pledges to undertake a comprehensive review of the management and operations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and identify key interventions that will strengthen EPA as a regulatory institution, and enhance its programmes and service delivery. It also promises to establish EPA as an independent authority under a new Act of Parliament, with a renewed mandate to coordinate the inter-sectoral activities required under a National Climate Change Policy. Expert views In the interview with the Daly Graphic, the WMOs Prof. Matazu observed that the design and roll-out of comprehensive policies on adaptation and mitigation of climate change were non-negotiable and that any government that had the welfare of its citizens at heart must act or suffer the consequences. The more countries develop policies and programmes for adaptation and mitigation, the less suffering we will have regarding climate change effects and the less we do adaptation and mitigation, there will be more suffering. More suffering means that the economies, gross domestic product (GDP), livelihoods and society and development will be affected, he added. Against this backdrop, Prof. Matazu stressed that Ghanaians, like citizens of any other country, must pay particular attention to the policies the government and political parties seeking to lead their country have to tackle the climate crisis. Prof. Matazu stressed that citizens must look out for mitigation and adaptation measures such as switching to efficient transportation systems, particularly electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He added that citizens must embrace climate policies that promote rural electrification to reduce the pressure on wood and charcoal as fuels. Climate governance For his part, Dr Amoah said any policy intervention targeted at addressing climate change must look at enhancing governance structure and facilitating climate actions. To ensure a robust governance regime for climate change, he said policies of political parties seeking power must look at creating a division at the EPA that would have the capacity to take more staff for climate change issues. Dr Amoah said as a measure to mainstream climate change into all aspects of national development, units and departments must be set up at ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for effective coordination. The climate expert added that in assessing the manifestos of political parties on climate change, citizens needed to look out for proposals that sought to mainstream climate programmes into key sectors of the economy, including energy, agriculture, health, gender and infrastructure development. Again, he said viable policies on climate change must address climate financing issues. In that regard, he said political parties needed to demonstrate how they intended to institute a dedicated scheme for climate financing for projects to be climate-resilient. There should be a budget allocation for climate change, targeting adaptation at the local level. Currently, most of the climate change interventions in the country are donor-funded, but if we want sustainable climate action, we need to have a dedicated budget, he stressed. Dr Amoah added that viable climate policies were those which prioritised capacity-building, especially for metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) to be on top of climate issues. He stressed that because Ghanas agriculture was largely rain-fed, policies by political parties on climate change needed to look at how to provide sustainable irrigation systems while providing safety nets for the cocoa sector, which had been heavily impacted by climate change. Mixed verdict Mr Twumasi-Ankra said although some of the policies proposed in the manifestos of the political parties were good at face value, they needed to be properly targeted to make the desired impact. For instance, he said much as the promise to undertake tree planting as a mitigation measure against climate change was good, the experiences with the governments Green Ghana initiative had shown that merely planting trees was enough. Any policy for the planting of trees for climate effect should not be for political funfair; it should be led by experts and targeted in terms of the species being planted and the appropriate place to plant them, he said. Mr Twumasi-Ankra said the policies proposed by political parties to tackle climate change would be meaningless if there were no concerted efforts and demonstrable commitment to halt human activities that were harming the environment and leaving behind carbon footprints. There should be a well-thought-through incentive system for local actors at the community level, especially local farmers willing to adopt sustainable practices. Farmers that practice agroforestry should be given benefits in the end product of the trees that they nurture, he added. Dr Bosompem said the policies and programmes proposed by contesting political parties were limited in many regards because their solutions were focused on climate change issues of tree planting, renewable energy and land reclamation, relegating several important complements of climate action to the backdrop. For a developing country such as Ghana, which is affected by diverse climate change issues, the policies of political parties should be all-encompassing to address the multi-faceted challenges to the climate and environment. The policies should broadly address mitigation, adaptation, climate justice and equity, sustainable development, international cooperation, implementation and accountability, as well as research and development, he said. Mr Smith said since climate change had cross-cutting effects on all sectors, it was important for policy proposals by political parties targeted at tackling the menace to be progressive, encompassing and comprehensive. Specifically, he said priority needed to be given to policies that would help to adapt to or mitigate against climate change excesses such as erratic rainfall patterns, drought, flooding, coastal erosion and tidal waves. The policies on climate change must also focus on community engagement to increase knowledge and awareness creation so that people at the local level can take appropriate action, he added. Use mediums to promote peace, unity - E/R Minister urges journalists Haruna Yussif Wunpini Politics Nov - 12 - 2024 , 06:57 2 minutes read The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, has asked journalists in the region to use their mediums to promote peace and unity before, during and after the December 7 general election. That, he said, was because the populace listened and acted on any information channeled through their mediums. Mr Acheampong, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), made the call when members of the council interacted with journalists in Koforidua last Friday. The meeting was to see how best the various mediums would channel information that would ensure that the upcoming general election would not lead to misunderstandings, chaos or violence. Advertisement Emerging tensions Mr Acheampong said looking at the emerging tensions as the country headed to the polls, REGSEC was interacting with stakeholders, especially the media, to help make the elections peaceful by channeling information devoid of animosity and other negative tendencies that could spark misunderstandings, chaos and eventually anarchy before, during and after the elections. "We have already met other stakeholders and identifiable groups such as Muslim and Christian leaders as well as traditional rulers who can persuade their followers or people not to do anything that will mar the peaceful nature of the elections. The Regional Minister said Ghana had been recognised as one of the best democratic states in Africa. "Ghana has been recognised as one of the best democratic states in Africa and also seen by the comity of nations in the world, and therefore we should not do anything that will disturb the peaceful nature of the elections", he indicated. Promote unity For his part, the Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Maxwell Kudekor, appealed to journalists to at all times cross check any information with respect to the elections before putting it in the public domain. He also called on journalists to go by the ethics, rules and regulations of journalism in the conduct of the elections in their reportage. Writer's email: haruna.wunpini@graphic.com.gh Yesterday, Ice Universe said that Samsung could release the One UI 7 beta next week but only for the US and South Korea. However, people in Europe and India may not have to wait long as the first One UI 7 beta builds for the Galaxy S24 series have already been spotted on Samsungs servers. Firmware version ZXKB was spotted for the SM-S928B, which is the model number of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra sold in Europe and India. The first internal test builds were reported in May. One UI 7 beta firmware for the Galaxy S24 Ultra One UI 7 was officially unveiled at SDC 2024. It is based on Android 15 and promises to refresh the look of the custom skin, to provide smoother animations, boost performance, more customization and other improvements. However, the stable release is not expected until next year. There is another developer conference, SDC Korea 2024, which might bring more details about One UI 7 and it is scheduled for November 21 (next week). Source (in Italian) Samsung is preparing to release budget-friendly versions of its Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold foldables, an increasing number of reports claim. They are said to be under the "Fan Edition" series, but details are rather scarce at this point. But the latest info from a tipster gives us something to work with. According to rumors, the Galaxy Z Flip FE will run on this year's Exynos 2400 chip. But when the device actually launches, the SoC will be at least a year-old. This signals a slightly different strategy compared to the standard S FE lineup, which tends to get the latest chipset, albeit a toned-down version like the Galaxy S24 FE with the Exynos 2400e. Keep in mind that this doesn't automatically mean that the Z Fold FE will employ the same SoC. Samsung might decide on something else. While it may sound a bit disappointing for some, we believe it's a sensible way to reduce cost. The Exynos 2400 will be perfectly fine in 2025, and more people will be able to afford a foldable. Source The Matao, Guams senior mens national soccer team, goes against Singapore in the second leg of the FIFA World Cup 26 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Joint Preliminary Qualification Round 1. Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide. In the United States alone, its the second most common cancer in both men and women, surpassed only by prostate and breast cancer, respectively. Sadly, its also the leading cause of cancer-related death, claiming 132,000 lives in the U.S. in 2022. On Guam, we face a similar threat. These statistics highlight not only the need for more education, but also aggressive action. Avoid risk factorsSeveral risk factors contribute to the development of lung cancer. While smoking is the most well-known and significant risk factor, accounting for about 80-90% of lung cancer cases, its not the only one. Exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution can also increase your risk. Additionally, a family history of lung cancer and certain genetic mutations may play a role. Its crucial to be aware of these factors and minimize your exposure and risk wherever possible. Early detection is keyGiven the high mortality rate of lung cancer, early detection is key. Clinically, lung cancer usually presents with one or more of these symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent cough, coughing up blood, frequent respiratory infections, wheezing, fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, or hoarseness in your voice. Seeing your doctor regularly and expressing any of these red flags can prompt the appropriate testing needed to help make a diagnosis. Whether you have symptoms or not, the United States Preventive Service Task Force recommends annual lung cancer screening for adults aged 50-80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. A pack-year is smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year. The screening is done using a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan, a quick and easy procedure readily available at multiple facilities on Guam. If you fall into this high-risk category, I strongly encourage you to speak with your health care provider and get screened as soon as possible. Quit smokingFor smokers, the single most important step you can take to reduce your risk of lung cancer is to quit smoking. This, I know, is easier said than done, but the benefits are immense. Within minutes of quitting, your body begins to heal. After 10 years of being smoke-free, your risk of lung cancer drops to about half that of a person whos still smoking. There are many resources available to help you quit, including nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medications, counseling, and a newer approach called transcranial magnetic stimulation. Dont hesitate to reach out to your health care provider for support in your journey to becoming smoke-free. Vaping is not the answerIn recent years, vaping has gained popularity, especially among younger people, with some viewing it as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Thats absolutely false. Some e-cigarettes can still contain nicotine and other potentially harmful and cancer causing chemicals. Your lungs were meant to breathe air, nothing else. The long-term effects of vaping on lung cancer risk are not yet fully understood, as the practice is relatively new. Until more research is available, its best to approach vaping with extreme caution. Education is importantUnderstanding lung cancer and its risk factors is crucial for everyone, not just those at high risk. By being informed, you can make better decisions about your health and encourage your loved ones to do the same. By avoiding smoking, limiting exposure to known risk factors, and participating in appropriate screening programs, we can work toward reducing the impact of lung cancer on our island. Take care and stay healthy, Guam! Following last weeks election, plenty of anti-Trump Americans have threatened to cut ties with their country in search of a new four-year home. One Florida cruise line is now offering would-be escapees the chance to put their money where their mouth is all quarter of a million dollars of it. Villa Vie Residences, a residential cruise line based in Florida, has announced a four-year-long Skip Forward voyage, docking in 140 countries across all seven continents. If youd like to remain seaboard for Trumps entire term, an all-inclusive ticket starts at $255,999 for single-occupancy rooms. You could also opt for a two-year Mid-Term Selection package for $150,399 for a single guest ($187,998 for two), in case youre willing to return to land for the 2026 election. All food and drinks are included in the price, including alcohol at dinner, as well as Wi-Fi and medical visits. Weekly housekeeping and biweekly laundry service is provided at no additional cost. Your villa is your bedroom, and the ship is your home, shell take you across the globe to endless horizons, Anne Alms, head of sales for Villa Vie Residences, said in a statement. Villa Vies Odyssey ship first set sail in September after remaining docked in Belfast, Ireland, for four months due to paperwork delays. A passenger was reportedly kicked off the ship weeks before it ever set sail for complaining about the delays in private WhatsApp groups, according to the Independent. Now, the 600-guest-capacity ship is finally on the move, and is prepared to welcome new passengers at ports around the world. A company spokesperson told Quartz that the recently-unveiled four-year residency wasnt meant to stir political uproar but to offer a real way for people who are disappointed with the election results to get away from reality. In the land of gator bites and Cuban sandwiches, Floridas taste buds have gone global, with Chinese cuisine topping the charts as the Sunshine States favorite fare, according to a recent study. Who knew egg rolls and General Tso would dethrone key lime pie? Well, move over seafood and sunshine, because a recent study from Hello Millions claims the way to a Floridians heart just might be a serving of sweet and sour chicken. To determine the most popular cuisines in each state, Hello Millions analyzed the average number of monthly Google searches over the past 12 months for terms relating to different cuisines, ranked them according to their Google search popularity, then adjusted the data for each states population in order to calculate the rankings. In Florida, Chinese was identified as the most popular cuisine, with an average of 589.12 Google searches per month per 100,000 people. But where can you find Floridas best Chinese restaurants? Well, it depends on where you live in the state. Within Epcots World Showcase in Orlando, Nine Dragons Restaurant, the winner of Tripadvisors Travelers' Choice Awards, consistently leads the Chinese restaurant pack with top reviews. Down south, fellow Travelers Choice Award winner Chifa Du Kang at 11768 SW 88th St. in Miami is the top spot, offering a fusion of Chinese and Asian cuisine. For the residents of Pinellas County, Zom Hee at 9015 Park Blvd. in Seminole is the areas best Chinese restaurant as chosen by those who took part in Tampa Bay Newspapers Readers' Choice contest in both 2020 and 2021. A sentiment echoed by the food website, Love Food, which selected Zom Hee as Floridas best Chinese restaurant in 2023 and 2024. Owned and operated by the Mui family since 1985, in an interview with Tampa Bay Newspapers, Kenny Mui said, We have three generations of the family working here sometimes, we are serving a fourth generation of customer, adding, Weve had so many customers who come year after year, that theyve become like friends of the family, and thats whats really matters. According to the study, Floridas second favorite cuisine is Italian, generating an average of 298.89 monthly searches per 100,000 people. Third was Indian, which produced 254.1 searches per 100,000 people on average per month. Ranking fourth was Mexican, with an average monthly Google search volume of 234.53 per 100,000 people. And rounding out the top five was Thai, which generated an average of 177.04 monthly searches per 100,000 people. Across the nation, Chinese cuisine was identified as most popular, with an average of 1,691,658 Google searches per month, followed by Mexican, Indian, Italian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, American, Greek and rounding out the top 10 favorite cuisines nationwide was Jamaican. The popularity of many cuisines in the U.S. has risen significantly in the past few decades, reflecting the countrys increasing cultural diversity as well as the impact of globalization, a spokesperson for Hello Millions said. Once primarily influenced by European immigrants of the 18th and 19th centuries, the American culinary landscape has evolved to include tastes from every corner of the globe, driven by factors such as immigration, travel and media exposure. Haiti - FLASH : Port-au-Prince airport closed, update on airlines Following the attack on Spirit Airlines Flight 951 while landing at Toussaint Louverture International Airport https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43614-haiti-flash-spirit-airlines-plane-hit-in-flight-by-several-bullets-video.html , all U.S. based carriers, including American Airlines out of Miami International Airport, have canceled all Tuesday flights to Port-au-Prince. In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince said it was aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince, which could include armed violence and disruptions on roads, ports, and airports. The U.S. Embassy has confirmed the temporary suspension of operations at Toussaint Louverture International Airport effective November 11, 2024. JetBlue Airways announced late Monday that it will suspend all flights to and from Haiti through December 2. Sunrise Airways advises that due to the closure of Toussaint Louverture International Airport, all flights to/from Port-au-Prince (domestic and international) are suspended until further notice. For any information with the rescheduling of your flight, please contact our Call Center : WhatsApp : +509 39 11 2222 / +509 22 20 01 11 / + 509 28 11 22 22 / + 1 877 652 0202 Spirit Airlines has confirmed the temporary suspension of flights to Cap-Haitien following the shooting incident that occurred Monday in Port-au-Prince https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43614-haiti-flash-spirit-airlines-plane-hit-in-flight-by-several-bullets-video.html . Flights to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien are now suspended pending further assessment, according to a Spirit spokesperson. To be continued... See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43614-haiti-flash-spirit-airlines-plane-hit-in-flight-by-several-bullets-video.html S/ HaitiLibre In contrast to the US in-house exhibition VMware Explore US, which Broadcom organized in Las Vegas after the takeover at the end of August, the mood among the participants attending the European version of the event had stabilized somewhat, at least in terms of the feeling. The almost 5,000 participants represent the hard core of VMware users in the Europe and Middle East region. However, it is also true that many companies did not come or sent significantly fewer participants to the trade fair. Anzeige As in Las Vegas, Broadcom's CEO Hock Tan took to the stage and repeated his philosophy: roll up your sleeves, make good products instead of chasing the next trend every year. This has not always been successful for VMware in the past, as the manufacturer has not been able to extend its technology and market leadership from the VM sector to the cloud and container sector as desired. A retreat into the private sector is supposed to fix this: "The future of the enterprise is private", announced the CEO and emphasized that it is important for companies to have full control over data, AI and the cloud. And this is only possible with an on-premises environment. Where necessary, the public cloud services can of course be accessed in order to realize load peaks and resource elasticity when required. VeloCloud returns In addition to the announcements already made in Las Vegas, VMware presented several new AI-driven services in Barcelona: VeloRAIN, vDefend with Intelligent Assist and fleshed out its private AI strategy based on the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). VMware had already acquired VeloCloud, a manufacturer specializing in SD-WAN, in 2017, then removed the manufacturer name from the products and renamed the products back at the beginning of 2024 Frequent name and brand changes are the rule rather than the exception at VMware. In the market for SD-WAN technology, VMware's products in the leader category are in second place with Cisco behind top dog Fortinet, according to Gartner at . Fresh from Explore, Sanjay Uppal, Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom's VeloCloud division, presented VeloRAIN, with which Broadcom claims to have introduced an architecture for the secure and robust communication of AI services and applications across data center boundaries for the first time in the industry. VeloRAIN (Robust AI Networking) is designed to improve the security and performance of AI data traffic using AI and ML services. The manufacturer aims to achieve this by identifying encrypted data traffic that could not previously be identified and accelerated by network optimization software and assigning it to suitable QoS categories. In addition, wireless network connections should be able to benefit from a quality of service (QoS) similar to fiber optic cable thanks to AI assistance. Using DABS (Dynamic Application-Based Slicing), the VeloRAIN architecture should be able to assign new applications to the correct QoS category across different networks. In addition to the VeloRAIN architecture, Broadcom presented new VeloCloud devices and a partner program for managed services providers in this area. The new top models VeloCloud Edge 4100 and 5100 are designed to support up to 30 and 100 Gbps throughput and up to 12,000 and 20,000 tunnels respectively. VeloCloud customers should benefit from a simplified architecture, as they will need to use fewer devices for their network and security services. If bandwidths beyond 100 Gbps are required, the appliances can also be clustered. The manufacturer also presented a new partner program called Titan, which replaces the previous partner program for VeloCloud service providers. The manufacturer also wants to offer license portability and ensure price stability an interesting aspect, as the change in pricing is at the heart of the criticism of the takeover of VMware by Broadcom. The VMware vDefend Distributed Firewall, previously known as the NSX Distributed Firewall, has also been enhanced with AI functions. A new feature is the GenAI feature Intelligence Assist, which is designed to assist security administrators with a natural language interface for maintaining firewall rules and interpreting alarms and responding to them automatically. Better further development of VCF Anzeige Within its core product VMware Cloud Foundation, Broadcom has further substantiated the announcements made in the USA. Work on the upcoming version VCF 9 has picked up speed iX spoke on site with employees of major German corporate and government customers who had taken part in the two-day pre-release program for hand-picked CTAB (Customer Technical Advisory Board) customers and were presented with features and insights into the upcoming version by the manufacturer that were still kept under wraps. Apart from the licensing and pricing issues, which are still causing annoyance, the participants were positive about the further development of the product and the improved focus that Broadcom is bringing to the development process, which was not very well coordinated before the takeover. As expected, the exhibition associated with the in-house exhibition was much less crowded than in previous years. Of the major server manufacturers, only Lenovo was represented with its own stand and concentrated on the integration of VCF and the Private AI services on the servers developed together with VMware, which for the first time in the industry also enable the redundant operation of two Nvidia Bluefield 2 DPUs hypervisor and network acceleration cards at the same time. There was no sign of Cisco, Dell or HPE at the trade fair . Dell and HPE in particular are currently making their own moves away from VMware. And: HPE recently acquired Morpheus Data, and the presentation of its own KVM hypervisor based on the acquisition is considered very likely. On the keynote stage, Chris Wolf, Global Head of AI and Advanced Services, VMware Cloud Foundation Division, Broadcom, presented the latest developments in the VMware Private AI Foundation with Nvidia, which can be booked as an add-on service to VCF. In a subsequent interview with iX, Bjorn Brundert, Principal Technologist at the manufacturer, was very positive about the developments in the market. With just three servers with VCF in the VI workload domain, compatible Nvidia GPUs such as A100, L40S or H100, customers can set up their own on-premises AI environment to prevent the outflow of data or unauthorized training of models. At the same time, VCF's clustering features ensure optimal utilization of expensive GPU resources with identical or higher performance than bare-metal usage, as Chris Wolf demonstrated in the keynote. According to Wolf, the outstanding performance results are possible thanks to many years of experience with optimizing the scheduler in the VMware kernel. In the keynote speech, Chris Wolf showed that virtualized GPU performance can keep up with or even surpass bare metal (comparative value: 1.00). (Image: Broadcom) Further vSphere licenses The reintroduction of the VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus and Standard licenses in the subscription model, which was announced shortly before the trade fair, went completely under the radar. Broadcom had initially abolished these editions following the takeover of VMware in order to force customers onto the larger private cloud licenses , causing a great deal of annoyance in the German and European market. Since then, many companies that require pure compute virtualization without major add-ons have been looking for alternatives to the VMware stack . Perhaps Broadcom would like to catch up with this trend of discontinuation, but perhaps the concession has come too late for many. The manufacturer provides a comparison of the reintroduced product editions in an updated data sheet. Recordings of the keynote and selected presentations are available online. Whether there will be another European edition of the in-house exhibition in the future was discussed intensively among the participants present. So far, the manufacturer has only announced the date for the next event in the USA from August 25 to 28, 2025, the VMware community will come together in Las Vegas. (mki) We're a family of eight living in Georgia where Andrew's a professor at GSU and Nancy is a PhD student at UGA. You can read more about us here YLE on Thursday revealed that its latest poll shows support for the opposition party surging by 1.7 percentage points over the past month, to 24.3 per cent. With the National Coalition seeing its popularity fall by 1.2 points to 18.8 per cent, the gap between the two parties has widened to 5.5 points. THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY has solidified its status as the most popular political party in Finland. Support for the Finns Party fell by a point to 15.7 per cent. Both of the ruling right-wing parties have lost supporters to the Social Democrats, according to Tuomo Turja, the research director at Taloustutkimus. Traditionally the Social Democrats gets supporters from other red-green parties, but now it looks like its getting supporters from the Finns Party and partly from the National Coalition. A clear difference from the previous time is that its getting clearly more support from the sleeping party, meaning people who didnt vote in the previous parliamentary elections, he commented to YLE on Thursday. The National Coalition, he added, has lost female, elderly and highly educated voters. The Finns Party, in turn, finds itself in a not unusual situation in that its supporters are retreating to the sidelines. The Finns Party is also leaking support to the Social Democrats, as well as the National Coalition and Centre. As the Swedish Peoples Party and Christian Democrats both gained 0.1 points rising to 4.0 and 3.5 per cent, respectively support for the four-party ruling coalition has fallen to its lowest level since it began its term in mid-2023. Its approval rating of 42 per cent is low also in comparison to the two previous governments 18 months into their term. Support for the Centre appears to have settled around the 13-per-cent mark, dipping by 0.1 points to 13.1 per cent in the poll. The Left Alliance was the choice of 9.3 per cent of respondents for the second consecutive month, despite the departure of its widely popular chairperson Li Andersson. The Green League saw its popularity creep up by 0.4 points to 8.0 per cent. Support for Movement Now fell by 0.3 points to 1.1 per cent. Taloustutkimus interviewed 2,383 people for the poll between 7 October and 5 November. The respondents were asked which party would receive their vote if the parliamentary elections were held now. The results have a two-point margin of error. Aleksi Teivainen HT Governments at the COP29 talks approved Monday new UN standards for international carbon markets in a key step toward allowing countries to trade credits to meet their climate targets. On the opening day of the UN climate talks in Azerbaijan, nearly 200 nations agreed a number of crucial ground rules for setting a market in motion after nearly a decade of complex discussions. COP29 president Mukhtar Babayev hailed the "breakthrough" but said more work was needed. Other key aspects of the overall framework still need to be negotiated, experts said, but the decision brings closer a long-sought UN-backed market trading in high-quality credits. "It's hugely significant," Erika Lennon, from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), told AFP in Baku, saying it would "open the door" for a fully-fledged market. Carbon credits are generated by activities that reduce or avoid planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions, like planting trees, protecting carbon sinks or replacing polluting coal with clean-energy alternatives. One credit equals a tonne of prevented or removed heat-trapping carbon dioxide. Since the Paris climate agreement in 2015, the UN has been crafting rules to allow countries and businesses to exchange credits in a transparent and credible market. The benchmarks adopted in Baku will allow for the development of rules including calculating how many credits a given project can receive. Once up and running, a carbon market would allow countries -- mainly wealthy polluters -- to offset emissions by purchasing credits from nations that have cut greenhouse gases above what they promised. Purchasing countries could then put carbon credits toward achieving the climate goals promised in their national plans. "It gets the system a big step closer to actually existing in the real world," said Gilles Dufrasne from Carbon Market Watch, a think tank. "But even with this, it doesn't mean the market actually exists," he added, saying further safeguards and questions around governance still remain unanswered. An earlier UN attempt to regulate carbon markets under the Paris accord were rejected in Dubai in 2023 by the European Union and developing nations for being too lax. Some observers were unhappy that the decision in Baku left unresolved other long-standing and crucial aspects of the broader crediting mechanism, known in UN terms as Article 6. "It's not possible to declare victory," said a European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. There are hopes that a robust and credible UN carbon market could eventually indirectly raise the standards of the scandal-hit voluntary trade in credits. Corporations wanting to offset their emissions and make claims of carbon neutrality have been major buyers of these credits, which are bought and exchanged but lack common standards. But the voluntary market has been rocked by scandals in recent years amid accusations that some credits sold did not reduce emissions as promised, or that projects exploited local communities. Lennon said even if a carbon market had integrity "if what you are doing is offsetting ongoing fossil fuels with some sort of credit, you're not actually reducing anything". In a landmark move, North Korea has approved a mutual defence treaty with Russia, state media announced Tuesday. This comes amid growing international concern as North Korean soldiers joined Moscow's war with Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a decree on Monday endorsing the Treaty of Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with Russia. The agreement will come into force upon the exchange of ratification documents between the two nations, as reported by North Korea's state news agency, KCNA. The treaty reportedly states that both nations will be committed to provide immediate military assistance to one another, using "all means" necessary in the event of "aggression." On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers are in the region. Just days later, The New York Times reported Sunday some 50,000 Russia and North Korean troops were taking part in the assault. "Mostly, the tasks are defined as the second echelon of defense. In the Kursk region, these are direct combat operations," a Ukrainian commander told CNN Sunday. "These groups will be directly involved in combat operations in the short term on the territory of Ukraine. They are highly likely to emerge in the occupied territories of Ukraine as well." Moscow and Pyongyang are yet to directly comment on the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia. Last week, Zelensky expressed frustration that world leaders are not heeding his urgent calls for long-range weapons as Ukraine faces a "new wave of escalation," involving what he described as "the army of another state" joining the war against his country. Uncertainty over Ukraine's future grew further as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January. While Trump vowed to end the conflict in "24 hours," NATO allies and Kyiv are concerned about a potential shift in U.S. policy. During the campaign, Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, questioned the level of U.S. commitment to Ukraine. Meanwhile, reports that President-elect Donald Trump is considering Florida Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state have added to concerns about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine. Earlier this year, Rubio was among 15 Republican senators who voted against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which ultimately passed in April to support the country in its fight against Russia. The Ukraine crisis will be a top priority for Rubio. In recent interviews, he emphasized that Ukraine should pursue a negotiated settlement with Russia instead of prioritizing the recovery of all territories seized by Moscow over the past decade. "I'm not on Russia's side - but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement," Rubio said in September. Just days after Donald Trump's election victory, the President-elect is awaiting another verdict a ruling on his conviction in his hush money case. A New York judge is set to decide Tuesday whether to scrap his conviction because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Judge Juan M. Merchan, who oversaw Trump's landmark trial, now faces the decision of whether to overturn the jury's verdict, call for a retrial, or dismiss the charges entirely. His ruling may also determine if the Trump will be sentenced as planned on November 26. Trump has twice managed to postpone his sentencing on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to concealing a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. "The odds of him going to jail are zero at this point," Mark Bederow, a New York City criminal defense lawyer and former Manhattan prosecutor, told USA TODAY. "He's not going to sweep subways and push papers and do community service either it's just become untenable." Trump has claimed that certain evidence presented to the jury during his trial, which concluded in late May, violates the presidential immunity ruling issued by the Supreme Court in July. Citing this, Trump said that his convictions should be overturned. However, prosecutors argue that the Supreme Court's ruling does not justify overturning the jury's verdict. They claim that Trump's conviction pertains to unofficial actspersonal conduct that is not protected by presidential immunity. If Merchan sides with Trump's motion, the charges would be dismissed, and the President-elect would avoid sentencing altogether. However, what happens if the motion is denied? Trump's legal team is expected to request a delay in sentencing to allow time for an appeal. If this request is also rejected, his lawyers plan to challenge the immunity ruling in state appellate courts and potentially take the matter to the Supreme Court where they would request postpone sentencing until all appeals are resolveda process that could extend for months. Meanwhile, sentencing Trump as president-elect could ignite a significant political controversy. "I do think that any judge can't ignore the 800-pound gorilla in the room, which is this guy was just resoundingly voted to be the next president," Bederow told USA Today. "If (Merchan) were to sentence him, this country is going to get torn apart even further at the seams." If Merchan orders a new trial, it is unlikely to proceed while Trump is in office. Trump would likely argue that such a trial violates his constitutional due process rights, citing the deterioration of evidence and witness testimony over time. "When defendants have that long of a gap between the first trial and the second trial, they will often argue that they can't be put on trial fairly four years later because witnesses' memories will have faded, some people may have died," Mitchell Epner, a New York litigator and former New Jersey federal prosecutor, reportedly said. Dutch brand Rituals has participated in the China International Import Expo for the first time this year. The company looks forward to growing and expanding its presence in China, saying the Chinese market has always been a key part of its global strategy. The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, San Francisco Bay Area's premier Forbes Five-Star oceanfront resort, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sandeep Kumar as the new Hotel Manager starting this November. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the luxury hospitality industry, Kumar brings a wealth of international experience and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences. Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, Kumar held key leadership positions at renowned luxury hotels, including the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong. His expertise in hotel operations, food and beverage, and pre-opening projects will be instrumental in further enhancing the resort's reputation. Kumar is known for his innovative approach to hospitality, his dedication to guest satisfaction, and his ability to inspire and lead teams. His appointment marks an exciting new chapter for The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay as it continues to set the standard for luxury hospitality on the California coast. Skift Aviation Forum returns to Dallas in November, as the industry's top executives and thought leaders stare down the biggest issues facing the future of aviation. This event brings the sector's most influential minds together on-stage for expertly shaped conversations, crafted by Skift's incisive editorial viewpoint, extensive research, and the substantialinsights of Airline Weekly, Skift's highly influential global business newsletter that is followed by CEOs and senior executives across the industry. Throughout our Forum, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the shifts in regulation, network reconstruction, operational spending, and the evolving preferences of the global middle class traveler, and their impact on the agility of the aviation industry. This event is organized by skift Inc. The leading global hospitality and travel technology company, HotelRunner, is excited to announce its attendance at The Phocuswright Conference, running from November 19 to 21, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. As a proud sponsor, HotelRunner will join the top industry thought leaders at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa this year. At The Phocuswright Conference, HotelRunner embraces this "new age of travel" by advancing industry transformation through its innovative technologies and robust partnerships. HotelRunner is dedicated to redefining the travel value chain by connecting every element seamlessly, from suppliers to travelers. With real-time distribution capabilities, data-driven insights, automation, and AI HotelRunner equips travel and hospitality businesses to scale, adapt swiftly, and deliver superior guest experiences. Its mission is to seamlessly bridge the gap between supply and demand, completing the travel value chain and driving forward a resilient, tech-driven future in hospitality. Arden Agopyan, Founder and Managing Partner of HotelRunner said "We are thrilled to return to Phoenix and sponsor this forward-thinking conference. Our team is eager to connect with other industry leaders to discuss the future of travel and showcase how our platform and solutions empower our partners to thrive in a rapidly evolving market." Founder and Managing Partner Ali Beklen added, "Attending The Phocuswright Conference each year is an invaluable experience. Industry-leading events like this are instrumental in reinforcing our vision, fostering strong partnerships, and connecting with those who share our passion for pushing the travel industry forward." HotelRunners leadership team, including Arden Agopyan, Ali Beklen, Rza Kaynak, Cihan Coskuntuncel, and Yigit Can Bacakoglu will be present to meet attendees at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, to discuss industry trends, and share insights into how HotelRunners data-driven platform leverages technology to redefine hospitality operations. HotelRunner continues to grow its presence in the U.S. and across the globe, supporting the industrys sustainable growth with strong partnerships and solutions that connect the travel ecosystem seamlessly. About HotelRunner HotelRunner is a data-driven SaaS-enabled unified sales, operations, and distribution management platform and B2B network for accommodations, travel agencies, and payment providers. HotelRunner has thousands of accommodation and travel agency partners globally. HotelRunner is a Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner and Best Overall Performing Partner, Expedia Preferred Connectivity Partner, Airbnb Software Partner, Agoda Innovative Supplier, Oracle, Hotelbeds, trivago, and Google Hotel Ads strategic partner. For more about HotelRunner, visit the website. Media Relations Contact: [email protected] HotelRunner Media View source Global Asset Solutions has marshalled EBITDA growth of 34.63% YoY to August 2024, across its expanding portfolio of luxury hotels. Reporting on performance across its portfolio, the group saw ADR grow by 4.88% YoY to August 2024, with occupancy growing by 2.2 percentage points and RevPar climbing by 10.68% in the same period. Our priority is the performance of the hotel through effective collaboration between the hotel team, operator, owner and our team. The results we have achieved illustrate the importance of a good asset manager. The luxury hotel segment attracts attention globally from investors and we are in talks with an increasing number eager to expand their holdings in this flourishing market. Maximising profit from a luxury hotel requires a thorough understanding of hotel operations and an appreciation of the propertys position within its specific market. Combining these two facets is key to success in meeting an owners objectives in this dynamic investment class. Different strategies are applied depending on the needs of each hotel and identifying what might be most appropriate comes from placing the hotel at the heart of what we do. Whether pushing the ADR or focusing on F&B, to restructuring the payroll and reviewing costs, our teams long experience allows us to deploy tailored strategies to each property to achieve the hotels true potential. Alex Sogno, CEO, Global Asset Solutions Global Asset Solutions is the largest independent asset manager in Europe, Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, including award-winning upper luxury hotels such as the Rosewood Phnom Penh and the Four Seasons Madrid. Recent additions have included a portfolio of nine hotels in the Middle East in mid 2023 meant the addition of spectacular hotels under the W, Ritz Carlton, JW, Intercontinental and Alila brands. The company has also added to its team, with the appointment of Juan Manuel Gea as corporate business manager and Jordi Izquierdo as hotel asset manager. Sogno added: We are thrilled to be expanding our team and adding valuable experience to our offering for investors. As we continue to grow we will continue to demonstrate the advantage of an asset manager that is independent, specialised and global. About Global Asset Solutions Global Asset Solutions operates worldwide providing independent hotel asset management services. Clients include PE firms, institutional investors, sovereign funds and family offices, with over $20bn of assets managed in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The company leans on decades of experience in the luxury sector to deliver bespoke solutions which allow investors to grow their asset value and realise the potential of their assets. www.globalassetsolutions.com Alex Sogno CEO & Senior Hotel Asset Manager London, UK Both corporate travel managers and business travellers in Europe have a shared responsibility as well as opportunities to mitigate risk by making smart choices when it comes to ground transportation for business trips.This is according to a new report, titled Maximising Duty of Care: Choosing the Safest Last Mile Option for Your Business Travel from FREENOW, Europes multi mobility app with taxi at its core, and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the worlds largest business travel association. Whilst a large majority of travel programmes have risk management protocols for business travel in place, these often overlook ground transport risks specifically, according to data from the report. For instance, a large majority of travel programmes (85%) have risk-related policies for business travel, but only about half (55%) always or often address ground transport in these policies. In addition, most travel programmes (62%) conduct regular safety trainings for employees about business travel, but only about half (56%) always or often include ground transport risks in this training. Most travel programmes (89%) have a traveller tracking system in place, however only one-quarter (24%) can always or often locate employees using ground transport data. The research reflects that travel programmes can do more to improve how they manage risk when it comes to ground transportation for their employees. Corporate travel managers should partner with trusted ground transportation companies known for their exemplary safety records. Additionally, educating employees on the realities of ground transportation safety is crucial, helping them make informed decisions when navigating their travel options. Suzanne Neufang, Chief Executive Officer, GBTA Further Reduction of Risks in Ground Transportation The research also indicates that taxis are often perceived as the safest form of third-party ground transport, with 50% of travel managers considering taxis among the top safest options, compared to 43% for rental cars and 26% for public transit. The importance of vehicle safety checks (93%), partnering with reputable brands (93%), and requiring drivers to have professional taxi or Black Cab licenses (91%) were all identified as essential to ensuring safety. Daniel Barthuly, Head of Business Travel, FREENOW, said: Companies must protect their employees by promoting safe ground transport and integrating it into Travel Risk Management (TRM). Around 70% of corporate travel managers rank safety records as a top factor in choosing transport vendors. Barthuly added that FREENOW for Business supports this by allowing companies to access management software that gives a total overview of employee rides. In addition, riders can share their live location in real-time tracking with friends or family, and all FREENOW taxi drivers are verified and meet local regulations, ensuring reliable, compliant ground transportation. Companies commonly have a formal relationship, contract, or business account with a ground transport vendor. This could be a taxi company / technology platform, a rental car company, or a chauffeured car company, among others. Across the countries surveyed Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland at least three in five business travellers say their company has such relationships. This allows companies to receive dedicated account support, apply travel policies, and streamline processes such as payment and expense reporting. In addition, companies can choose to work with vendors who have a demonstrated safety recordas well as mandate or encourage employees to book with these vendors. These partnerships not only help in streamlining operations but, according to survey results, at least nine out of 10 business travellers believe that such relationships could significantly increase operational efficiency as well. Download the Dangers of the Last Mile - Managing the Risk of Ground Transport on Business Trips full report here. GBTA members can also access the full report on the GBTA Hub. About the Research Methodology GBTA and FREENOW continue to examine the ways European business travellers and travel managers in key markets assess and use various modes of ground transport, drawing comparisons to similar research the two organizations conducted in 2020 and 2023. Findings from the report are based on responses from surveys of 425 business travellers and 76 corporate travel managers in four European markets: Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland. Responses were collected in September and October 2024 via an online survey of GBTA members and an online panel convened by Qualtrics. For purposes of the survey, "last mile transportation" was used to refer to ground transportation trips that are taken over distances of 75 kilometres or less, excluding long-distance rail. Join the Upcoming Webinar on Wednesday, 20 November On 20 November, 2:00-3:00pm CET, GBTA in partnership with FREENOW will host a related complimentary webinar hosted by Daniel Barthuly, Head of Business Travel, FREENOW, and Mark Sharoff, Senior Research Manager, GBTA. Ideal for travel buyers and industry suppliers, the webinar will expand on the research findings and explore the changing landscape of ground transport safety, the role of sustainability in the mobility ecosystem, and how business travellers and travel managers perceive transportation options, particularly concerning last-mile transport. Register here. About FREENOW FREENOW is Europes multi-mobility app with taxi offering at its core, available in 9 European markets and over 150 cities. Its users can access various mobility services within a single app, including taxis, PHV, carsharing, car rental, eScooters, eBikes, eMopeds and public transport. FREENOW partners with numerous mobility brands and aggregates their offering with the ambition to make urban mobility more efficient and sustainable without adding new vehicles on the street. FREENOW is backed by its shareholders: BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility. FREENOWs HQ is located in Hamburg and the company is led by CEO Thomas Zimmermann. FREENOW for Business is a leading provider of business travel, employee mobility benefits and client travel solutions for companies. More than 15,000 companies have selected FREENOW for Business as their top choice for corporate mobility solutions. Visit our Website for further information and download the FREENOW app for iOS or Android. About GBTA The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org. About the GBTA Foundation The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org. Debbie Iannaci GBTA Global Communications, PR & Research +1 305 301 7057 GBTA Design Hotels, the community-driven portfolio of nearly 300 independent hotels, announced 29 signed agreements and 10 percent growth of its global portfolio within the last 12 months. From the under-the-radar Black Sea coast of Batumi, Georgia, to the bustling, residential neighborhood of Tribeca, New York, each of the new and upcoming Design Hotels properties embodies the values of the brand and the singular vision of the property owner. As we expand our global portfolio, each property reflects the visionary spirit of its original owner, ensuring that Design Hotels continues to push boundaries and deepen community. That sentiment translates to that intangible Design Hotels' experience - where every stay feels uniquely personal and is infused with the passion of its creator. Stijn Oyen, Managing Director, Design Hotels Design Hotels gains momentum in the United States and Mexico: adding 7 new destinations across the two countries, with 10 newly added hotels in the United States and surpassing 25 hotels in Mexico. With significant new hotel signings, Design Hotels strengthens its work with Firmdale Hotels and Grupo Habita and introduces new agreements with renowned independent hotel groups Drift Hotels and ASH. The Warren Street Hotel , Firmdales 69-key property in Tribeca, New York City, opened in February 2024 and marks Tim and Kit Kemps 11th opening in the Firmdale stable, with its distinctive hotels and townhouses in London and New York already members of the Design Hotels portfolio. , Firmdales 69-key property in Tribeca, New York City, opened in February 2024 and marks Tim and Kit Kemps 11th opening in the Firmdale stable, with its distinctive hotels and townhouses in London and New York already members of the Design Hotels portfolio. ASH, the vision of hoteliers Ari Heckman and Jonathan Minkoff, creates cinematic experiences at each of its meticulously designed hotels. Properties joining the Design Hotels portfolio include Ulysses, Baltimore and The Dean, Providence . and . Thanks to owner Philip Bates vision to create soulful hotels with a sense of place, Drift Hotels boasts stunning boutique hotels in San Jose del Cabo, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and Nashville all now part of Design Hotels. Drift Nashville, which opened in July of this year, features 104 chic, minimalist rooms and suites, and three vibrant food and beverage outlets led by Nashville hospitality talent, Alexis Soler. which opened in July of this year, features 104 chic, minimalist rooms and suites, and three vibrant food and beverage outlets led by Nashville hospitality talent, Alexis Soler. The signings of the coveted Hotel 850 SVB in West Hollywood, imagined by renowned hotelier and restaurateur Jeff Klein, and upcoming Granger Hotel Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, anticipated to open this year, will bring Design Hotels portfolio to 14 in California, including the new additions of Drift Santa Barbara and Palm Springs . in West Hollywood, imagined by renowned hotelier and restaurateur Jeff Klein, and upcoming in San Diego, anticipated to open this year, will bring Design Hotels portfolio to 14 in California, including the new additions of and . With these new signings, Design Hotels will boast 26 hotels in its open portfolio and signed pipeline across Mexico. Design Hotels signed the forthcoming Tinte Hotel, an intimate hotel expected to open in 2026 that will offer ocean views from its rooftop sitting in a UNESCO world heritage site in the south of the Yucatan peninsula. Hotel Sevillaa restored colonial villa from the 16th century in the city center of Merida, and Hotel Humanoa boutique hotel built into the bedrock at the southern end of the iconic stretch of beach in Puerto Escondido are expected to join Design Hotels, both part of Grupo Habita and poised to open in 2025. Design Hotels will add three one-of-a-kind hotels in Switzerland, bringing the brands portfolio to 15 hotels in the country; welcomes its fifth hotel in Georgia; and introduces hidden gems in Istanbul, Singapore, and Bali. The Home Hotel Zurich , which opened this August, channels the whimsical Dada avant-garde art movement of the early 20th century reimagining a former paper mill to feature 132 rooms and suites, lobby and lounge, neo-bistro and collaborations all with the local creative community. , which opened this August, channels the whimsical Dada avant-garde art movement of the early 20th century reimagining a former paper mill to feature 132 rooms and suites, lobby and lounge, neo-bistro and collaborations all with the local creative community. Poised to open by the end of this year, Hotel Borsari will feature 51 rooms and suites set amid the charming town of Martigny and surrounded by gorges that rank among the top 10 in Europe, thermal springs, stunning mountain trails, and terraced vineyards. A subterranean Roman bathhouse, the property stands as a testament to the towns rich heritage and nods to the town's ancient legacy. will feature 51 rooms and suites set amid the charming town of Martigny and surrounded by gorges that rank among the top 10 in Europe, thermal springs, stunning mountain trails, and terraced vineyards. A subterranean Roman bathhouse, the property stands as a testament to the towns rich heritage and nods to the town's ancient legacy. Rooms Batumi Hotel marks Design Hotels fifth hotel in Georgia, and its first in the resort destination on the Black Sea. With a bold design and 1970s flair, the hotel features nearly 120 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, a cocktail bar, and a restaurant that blends Georgian and international culinary influences. With Stijn Oyen at the helm, Design Hotels enters a new era of growth and propels the next generation of independent hotels forward. As Design Hotels continues to gain growth momentum, its hotels are increasingly leveraging the brands serviceswhich span public relations, sales, digital marketing, web design, and content creation, as well as Marriotts global distribution channels and access its leading travel program, Marriott Bonvoy. This announcement follows on the heels of Stijn Oyen being named Managing Director earlier this year to helm the award-winning portfolionow in its fourth decade of operation. The future of Design Hotels is brimming with opportunity, and Im delighted to lead such a talented, passionate team, spearheading the brands growth in new territories and realizing the brands vision for the future, Oyen concluded. For more information, please visit www.designhotels.com. citizenM - the pioneer of affordable luxury hotels - has launched a new opening campaign for its third property in Miami, providing guests the opportunity to embrace their sunny side. Located steps away from the buzzing retail and restaurants of Lincoln Road, citizenM Miami South Beach is where the positive effects of sun meet the positive effects of citizenMs sleep experience. To embody the energy and flair of Miami, citizenM enlisted Edd Carr, a British artist who specializes in cyanotype, and three Miami-based influencers - Gaby Cuadra, Rodolfo Rojas and Gabi Fuller - for this one-of-a-kind campaign. Carr utilized cyanotype, a practice which allows you to print images with the suns rays, to uniquely capture how Gaby, Rodolfo and Gabi embrace their sunny side at citizenM. The vibrant blue hue in each image is a direct result of the cyanotype process, in which paper, soaked in a special solution turns blue when exposed to sunlight. The entire campaign was created by exposing photographic negatives in this manner, showcasing the suns power to impact people. In a way that is distinctly citizenM, the bold campaign artwork is the brand's newest out-of-home ads. To celebrate the propertys recent opening, citizenM took the campaign to the beaches of Miami with boats featuring the animated artwork. In September, citizenM brought the out-of-home ads to New York allowing locals and tourists a glimpse of the sunshine state of mind on the citys waters. The cyanotype artwork reflects the vibrant community of South Beach featuring Gaby Cuadra, a multifaceted social media professional with her finger on the pulse of Miamis vibrant scene, Rodolfo Rojas, a professional athlete known for his daring slacklining and watersport stunts and Gabi Fuller, renowned American cheerleader inspiring fans with her positivity and dedication to personal growth. We are thrilled to share our newest opening campaign for citizenM Miami South Beach, which marks the arrival of our third property in the city. Following our warm welcome for citizenM Miami Brickell and Miami Worldcenter, we built upon our prior campaigns in a way that is recognizable to the community as uniquely citizenM. Inspired by the Sunshine State of Mind, the sun was the natural choice to capture the radiance of South Beach. To bring the campaign to life, we worked with cyanotype specialist, Edd Carr, who beautifully captured how guests can embrace their summer spirit at citizenM Miami South Beach. Robin Chadha, Chief Brand Officer citizenM continues to invest in guests' sleep experience from rooms kitted with XL king comfy beds and the finest European linens to the newly released personalized sleep guides. Launched in September, the sleep guides offer thought-led advice on how to get the best sleep. Each guide is personalized to an individual guests sleep chronotype, based on the outcome of the questions answered via sleep.citizenm.com. A sleep chronotype refers to an individual's natural preference for activities and sleep at certain times of the day, such as being a morning person (early bird) or an evening person (night owl). By identifying a guest's sleep chronotype, the citizenM sleep guides provide personalized advice to optimize their sleep, especially when staying at citizenM. The sleep guides are available to guests who have booked into any of citizenMs locations across the US, UK, Europe, and Asia. The 168 rooms are designed to be the very best: the beds are XL king-size wall-to-wall with an extra comfy mattress and luxury bedding. A 4K widescreen TV offers streaming options via free super-fast Wi-Fi, so that guests can enjoy their own content. A powerful rain shower with full-size shower gel, shampoo and conditioner (as well as giant fluffy towels) will soothe all long- and short-haul travelers. The room ambiance is fully controlled by an in-room iPad the blinds, climate, the TV, even the lights with changeable colors or via the award-winning citizenM app. Within the property, guests have access to stylish amenities, including a cozy living room perfect for bleisure travelers catching up on emails, the brands signature canteenM serving 24/7 snacks and drinks, a 24/7 gym, 2 societyM meeting rooms, rooftop infinity pool and hidden bar surrounded by lush greenery and a cozy outdoor second-floor terrace in addition to the captivating art on display throughout the hotel. As a part of citizenMs commitment to art and emerging artists, the three Miami properties will host activations during Miami Art Week 2024 (December 6-8). Head to citizenM.com or follow on Instagram and TikTok to stay up-to-date on all Miami Art Week activation announcements and details over the coming weeks. citizenM Miami South Beach follows the successful openings of Miami Worldcenter (2023) and Miami Brickell (2022) and is a part of an ambitious expansion plan in the US and beyond, which aims to introduce its innovative lifestyle brand to hubs with modern travelers on-the-go. citizenM Miami South Beach joined the portfolio as the 36th hotel and follows recent openings in Boston Back Bay, Austin Downtown, Menlo Park on the Meta campus, and several cities across North America and worldwide. About citizenM citizenM was launched in 2008 with a purpose to disrupt the traditional, stale hotel industry. Rattan Chadha the founder of the global fashion brand Mexx was inspired by his employees to create a hotel for today's frequent travelers, giving them everything they need and nothing they don't. This means central locations in the world's most exciting cities, but at an affordable price. Not just a place to sleep, but somewhere to work, relax and play just like home. Somewhere with superfast free Wi-Fi, tech that makes life easy, and world-class art that isn't "hotel art'. A room with an ultra-comfortable XL bed to crash in, and a powerful rain shower to wake-up in. Rattan Chadha called this "affordable luxury for the people'. The first citizenM opened at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport in 2008. As of November 2024, citizenM's portfolio has 36 hotels in 21 exciting cities: London, Glasgow, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Rome, Zurich, Geneva, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Menlo Park, Taipei and Kuala Lumpur. www.citizenM.com | @citizenM GBTA + VDR Conference 2024 Highlights European Business Travel Trends and Sustainability - Image Credit GBTA The GBTA +VDR Conference 2024, in partnership with the Nordic Business Travel Associations, recently concluded in Copenhagen. The event, co-located with the GBTA Sustainability Summit, focused on the future of business travel in Europe, with a special emphasis on sustainability. Held from November 4th to 6th, the event saw participation from industry professionals, subject experts, and thought leaders from the travel, corporate, and business sectors. They gathered to discuss industry trends and explore innovative solutions. The conference attracted a record 850 Summit attendees, over 1,300 Conference attendees, and 67 exhibitors from 38 countries. The GBTA Sustainability Summit on November 4th brought together industry professionals, sustainability experts, and policymakers. They discussed the need to advance sustainable business travel and shared insights on global standards, climate resilience, decarbonization solutions, regulatory preparedness, and the impact of artificial intelligence. The Summit also unveiled the results from the GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge, a benchmarking initiative evaluating companies' sustainability practices. GBTA released a new European regional analysis forecasting regional business travel spending to reach 476.6 billion euros in Europe by 2028. For 2024, the projection is for European business travel spending to reach 360.4 billion euros, reflecting a 10.4% increase from last year. Economic factors and global political uncertainty continue to impact the business travel sector in Europe. The Conference featured 16 education sessions, 7 Main Stage segments, and 9 committee roundtables. These sessions covered topics ranging from leveraging technology for sustainability, travel risk management trends, to driving value with hotel program performance metrics. Keynote speaker Dr. Stephanie Hare explored the evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on the industry. The Conference concluded on 6th November with a session featuring Magnus Goransson, co-host and judge of Lego Masters Sweden, who shared insights on fostering a culture of agility and innovation. The 2024 events were supported by the Sustainability Summit and Europe Conference sponsors. The next GBTA + VDR Conference will be held in Hamburg, Germany, from 10-12 November 2025, with the 4th Sustainability Summit scheduled for 10 June in Washington, D.C. Booking.coms DMA Deadline is Approaching What Can Hoteliers Expect? - Image Credit Unsplash Discover how the EU's Digital Markets Act impacts Booking.com, and what changes we might expect to see from their November 14th announcement. On May 13th 2024, Booking.com was the only Online Travel Agency (OTA) to be designated as a gatekeeper under the EUs new Digital Markets Act, meaning they had six months to comply with the laws stringent regulations. This week, those six months are up, and on November 14th Booking.com will release a compliance report detailing the steps that they will be taking to comply with their gatekeeper status. The risk is potentially huge: when Google - one of the first designated gatekeepers - revamped the way they presented hotel booking information in EU search results back in January 2024, Tripteases data found that direct hotel bookings from Google search results dropped by 30%. But hotel bookings are just a small part of Googles overall search business. By contrast, one industry insider described DMA gatekeeper status as an existential threat for Booking.com that could cause real disruption to their business and 69.3% EU market share. Naturally, Booking.com recognize this risk, making the rather more reserved observation that: we are and will in the future become subject to additional rules and regulations that may not be applicable to our competitors which could adversely impact our business. Even this understated framing looks more ominous when youve already identified that intense competition could reduce our market share and harm our financial performance. In the words of Triptease co-founder Charlie Osmond, Booking.com has put extraordinary investment into creating this amazing shopping experience and booking platform, and theyre now going to be pushed into making changes. So its going to be extraordinary to see how that impacts the consumers experience. Lets take a look at what the impact of the DMA could be, and some changes Booking.com might make. What is the DMA? First, a quick recap. The Digital Markets Act, or DMA, is an EU-wide legislation designed to regulate the power of online gatekeepers like search engines, social networking sites, or in the hospitality world OTAs. The act aims to create a fairer business landscape in the EU, and to reduce the outsize influence of these large players in the market. The DMA covers ten different types of platforms, with slightly different regulations for each type. Booking.com is classified as an Online Intermediation Service - a Very Large Online Platform that connects consumers with goods and services. What are the regulations imposed on gatekeepers by the DMA? The European Commission has released specific guidelines for how gatekeepers will have to proceed in order to avoid significant consequences, including fines of up to 20% of the companys total worldwide annual turnover in the case of repeated infringements. DOs of the DMA: Gatekeepers must allow third parties to inter-operate with the gatekeepers own services in certain specific situations Gatekeepers must allow their business users access to data generated through their use of the gatekeepers platform Gatekeepers must allow their business users to promote their offer and conclude contracts with their customers outside the gatekeepers platform DONTs of the DMA: Gatekeepers cant treat services and products offered by themselves more favourably in ranking than similar services or products offered by third parties on the their platform Gatekeepers cant prevent consumers from linking up to businesses outside their platforms. Google and the DMA Google was one of the first designated gatekeepers named by the European Commission, so keeping an eye on the changes theyve made is key when considering potential impacts of the DMA on Booking.com. Many hoteliers initially felt that the DMA could have a positive impact on direct bookings coming from Google, but we have generally seen the opposite. Googles EU search results page changes have pushed direct channels further down, and have led to fewer date selected searches on metasearch - all of which is bad news for hotels looking to drive direct bookings. Check out our webinar on the DMA, Google and Booking.com for a more detailed breakdown of how Google search looks in the EU in the aftermath of the DMA, and the impact on hotels. When evaluating the impact of the DMA on Google, its important to remember that Google is a platform where other providers have always been represented through paid search ads and organic search results (albeit less prominently). The negative impact of DMA gatekeeper compliance will affect only a small part of what Google does. On the other hand, Booking.coms core business relies heavily on controlling its booking interface and consumer relationships so enforcement of the key DMA regulations could be devastating to their EU business. How might Booking.com modify their offering to comply with the DMA? Looking at the Booking.com website in the EU today, its largely the same as it was back in May when their gatekeeper status was confirmed. We can only speculate the types of changes we may expect to see , but its likely theyll have a significant impact. Based on the guidelines, there are some specific areas that we expect Booking.com to be addressing in next Thursdays report. Elimination of Rate Parity Clauses Historically, Booking.com enforced rate parity clauses, preventing hotels from offering lower prices on their own websites compared to those listed on the platform. Back in July, they announced the end of EU parity clauses, meaning that hotels could no longer be penalized by Booking.com for offering lower rates direct. However, Booking.com still employ a tactic called algorithmic persuasion. That means while hotels cant be penalized for not offering the best rate to Booking, they can be rewarded when they do. We imagine that there may be some further discussion around this, as algorithmic persuasion could still be seen as exercising undue pressure on hotels under the DMA. Adjustments to booking options displayed onsite The DMA stipulates that gatekeepers cannot self-preference, meaning that in theory Booking.com will have to offer alternative booking avenues onsite for customers. Yes, you read that correctly - in theory Booking.com may have to include equally prominent links to other websites where consumers could choose to book the same rooms. Of course, we would love to see them include an avenue for direct bookings. Maybe something like this: In this example, guests could have the option to either book through Booking.com - or direct via the hotels website. However, not self-preferencing doesnt necessarily mean boosting direct sales. Theres also a chance that Booking.com could also start displaying booking options for other third-party sites like Google or Tripadvisor. Enhanced data sharing with hoteliers The DMA mandates that gatekeepers provide business users access to data generated through their platforms. This could result in Booking.com allowing hotels to access valuable insights that are currently withheld - including booking patterns, customer demographics, and performance metrics, enabling hotels to make informed decisions and tailor their offerings more effectively. It could also mean that Booking.com shares more data with hotels around their overall marketing strategies - including how they are promoting them through paid search and other offsite channels. Allowing direct communication with guests One of the major drawbacks for hotels when a guest books through an OTA is losing the direct line of communication. Currently, in the case of Booking.com, all communication occurs through the platform - so the hotelier doesnt have access to that guests information. DMA compliance could mean that Booking.com no longer requires hotels to communicate with guests solely within the platform - especially since they cant keep customers from linking up with business outside it. It seems likely they will do all they can to avoid such an outcome however, since - as hoteliers know only too well - first-party guest data and relationships provide significant value. Introduction of interoperability features Currently, it can be challenging for hoteliers to sync up their Booking.com listings, creatives, and data with their other internal and external systems. With the DMAs focus on interoperability, theres a chance that we will see Booking.com introduce more APIs and exportable features that can be joined up more effectively with hotels other tools. How much change are we likely to see from Booking.com - and how quickly? While Booking.com have to take these regulations seriously to continue operating in the EU, its unlikely that theyre going to immediately make major changes without pushing back- in fact, they've already started. We are likely to see them announce as little as possible, and then wait for feedback or further policing from the European Commission. Following the absolute letter of the law (whether that means providing direct booking links onsite, significantly increasing the data they pass on to hotels, or opening up direct communication channels between guests and hoteliers) could have a massive effect on their business, so we imagine they will continue to push back as much as possible. What could these changes mean for hotels? Its tempting to say that the DMAs impact on Booking.com will help hotels grow their direct bookings and there are definitely some changes coming up that could be very exciting. With no parity clauses, more transparent access to booking data, and more direct customer communication, hotels could gain more autonomy and insights over their guest relationships and pricing strategies. Interoperability measures, like enhanced API support, could allow hoteliers to synchronize their listings and booking data across platforms seamlessly, reducing operational costs and effort. However, its important for hoteliers to keep their eye on the ball. As Booking.com enact these changes, theyll also be focusing on maintaining as much market share as possible, which will likely include increased marketing spend and tricky on-site tactics. The Triptease team will be keeping an eye out for Bookings announcement, and well be back with an update on how hotels can prepare for - and benefit from - the upcoming changes. IHCL Expands Ginger Hotel Brand with 100th Property in Lucknow - Image Credit IHCL The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the signing of its 100th Ginger Hotel, an 85-key property located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This announcement marks a significant milestone in the growth of the Ginger brand, which offers a blend of work and leisure amenities in modern, stylish spaces. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of IHCL, expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion. He noted that the Ginger brand's unique positioning had enabled it to achieve this growth milestone. He added that the mid-scale segment in India is ripe for expansion due to India's robust GDP growth and rising consumer aspirations. The new hotel will cater to diverse categories and destinations, from metropolitan areas, state capitals, and commercial centers to pilgrimage sites and leisure hotspots. IHCL has partnered with Lekhraj Builders for this project. The Ginger Lucknow Hotel is situated on Capt. Aditya Mishra Marg is in the notable Indira Nagar area. The hotel offers comfort and functionality, featuring amenities like all-day dining at Gingers signature restaurant Qmin, a fully equipped fitness center, and high-end meeting facilities for business and leisure travelers. Rajat Garg, Chairman of Lekhraj Builders, expressed his excitement about collaborating with IHCL. He said the Ginger Hotel would cater to Lucknow's growing business potential. Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is a significant tourist destination known for its rich history, vibrant markets, and exquisite cuisine. Lekhraj Builders, led by Rajat Garg, is a prominent real estate developer in Lucknow. The firm has a longstanding legacy of successfully executing numerous residential and commercial projects and is committed to redefining the hospitality landscape in the region. The Indian Hotels Company Limited operates several brands catering to different market segments, including Taj, SeleQtions, Tree of Life, Vivanta, Gateway, and Ginger. THesis Hotel Miami THesis Hotel Miami, located at the junction of three Miami neighborhoods, has become a part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. The 245-room lifestyle hotel will continue to offer its unique services, now enhanced with exclusive Hilton benefits and its guest loyalty program, Hilton Honors. THesis Hotel is located opposite the University of Miami, a 25-minute drive from Miami International Airport. The hotel serves as a community hub, hosting various activities such as local art exhibitions, live music, wellness workshops, and culinary experiences. Guests can relax by the pool at Ivy Rooftop, enjoy happy hour at The Collab, or dine at the hotel's renowned signature restaurant, Mamey. "We are delighted that THesis has been selected to join the Curio Collection," said Vikash Maharaj, general manager of THesis Hotel Miami, Curio Collection by Hilton. "We look forward to offering benefits for Hilton members while continuing to create unforgettable experiences that celebrate the essence of Coral Gables and the dynamic destination of Miami." The hotel's 245 guest rooms and suites overlook the Mahi Waterway, and they are designed for relaxation and creativity. The hotel's Executive Chef, Nicolas Mazier, leads the culinary operations. THesis also offers over 20,000 square feet of flexible space for meetings and events. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels will have instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose almost any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, and free standard Wi-Fi. Senator Mark's November Staff Office Hours BOSTON State Sen. Paul W. Mark's staff will host office hours at five locations in Berkshire County in November. Residents of any of the 57 municipalities in the senator's Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire District are encouraged to share ideas on current or potential state legislation, or to ask for assistance with issues involving any state agency. Appointments are not required. The New Moon Masonic Lodge hosts a veterans resource fair and dinner on Saturday night. More than 200 veterans and guests attended. PreviousNext New Moon Lodge Holds Veterans Dinner and Resource Fair Andrew Berry, a psychologist who works with veterans, speaks at Saturday's resource fair. More photos here. PITTSFIELD, Mass. More than 200 area veterans and their families were connected to a host of resources available to them on Saturday and had dinner, too. Local restaurant Biggins Diggins served up smoked prime rib, Cajun-smoked pork chops, smoked chicken, baked potatoes, and seasonal vegetables The Freemasons hosted the inaugural Veterans Dinner and Resource Fair at their South Street lodge with hopes it will be replicated elsewhere. Lodge Master Bernard Tremblay said these resources had never been gathered in one place before. "We keep copious records of what events and things that go on during the course of our history here, and the last time we had any type of event like this for veterans was at the end of World War One that I can see at the Dedication of the Memorial Plaque up in the lodge room upstairs," he said. "So, this was very unique. I talked to the veteran services group around the perimeter, and they themselves said they haven't seen anything on a local level like this." The idea for a resource fair came from Kyle Kuffel, veteran officer for Masonic District 31 of Massachusetts, which consists of four South Berkshire lodges. Kuffel is a retired Army sergeant who also works with Hope for Warriors. "The thought occurred to me that I wasn't aware of all the things that are available to veterans. And so I thought, let's have resources fair with it, so that people can come and figure out and find out the information about these organizations," Kuffel said. Kuffel and Tremblay want to create a roadmap to repeat this event down the road and in other Masonic communities across the state after they meet with the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts The lodge presented Biggins Diggins owner Terry Bishop with a 2024 Veterans Ally Award for his dedication and support to all veterans. "You served us, and now we serve you," Kuffel said. Bishop said an event like this is important because it shows veterans that they are truly loved and appreciated. "It's something that they'll never ask for, but it's something that they absolutely deserve. As a business, we love to give back when we can. It's just our way of showing our appreciation to the community," he said. "The environment this evening was absolutely incredible. There was lots of smiles, lots of happy faces, and I'm hoping lots of full bellies." Speakers at the event emphasized the critical need for open dialogue, community engagement, and ongoing support to address the challenges veterans face transitioning back to civilian life. Psychologist Andrew "Doc" Berry spoke on the profound changes that combat can have on a person's identity and mental well-being and the importance of open dialogue and community support to help veterans in crisis. "The goal of me talking to you guys tonight is to get a conversation going, to get a real, meaningful conversation going. Let's make talking about this the norm instead of the exception. What am I emphasizing when I say that [is] simple veterans and first responders are trained to think of everybody else around them absolutely first and themselves absolutely last, if at all," Berry said. "That's necessary for mission completion, and I get it, but there is a time at the end of the mission, at the end of service, to start having a meaningful discussion about whether or not our veterans are okay. Folks, many of them are not, and many are hanging on by a thread." He highlighted this with several stories, such as a Vietnam veteran who had a history of alcohol-related crimes and had essentially "drank his weight out of his own life." His first and second wives would not talk to him, and his kids hated him. His story was "a gothic horror tale that we have heard many, many too, many times," Berry said. When he asked the man what he missed the most, he burst into tears, saying, "I miss me. I used to be a nice guy." What civilians don't understand is that when veterans return home, they are not the same person. Combat changes the central nervous system and the biochemistry and physiology of the brain, Berry said. "Combat is comprised of adrenaline blasts that go on for hours, nonexistent sleep that goes on for days or even weeks, terrible food, those god awful sounds, those god awful screams, and they come back, and they are expected to just live their lives. It doesn't work that way," he said. How can our society reduce the 22 veterans who commit suicide daily in the United States down to zero by talking about it, Berry said. "This formula is very simple, and I'm going to say it twice because it has to register with everybody in this room: You open your mouth, and the pain comes out," he said. Mayor Peter Marchetti also highlighted the importance of open dialogue and communication about veterans' experiences by drawing on his own personal regret of not having those conversations with his father. When his father passed away, he had to call city veterans office to know what to put in his father's obituary. "I knew my dad served. I saw pictures of my dad in uniform, but we've never talked about it. And so, how did I know that my dad enlisted in 1965, and how did I know he was honorably discharged in 1970? I read out a piece of paper that came from the city of Pittsfield veterans office because we never talked about it," Marchetti said. "I feel cheated that I need to get to have conversations with my dad about an important time in his life because he didn't want to talk about it. And so for me, as I've become mayor and become more involved in the veterans issues, it's really because I've missed an opportunity, and I don't want others to miss that same opportunity." The Route 2 overpass, the Veterans Memorial Bridge, is the focus of a transportation planning study to better connect the downtown to Mass MoCA. North Adams Hosting Route 2 Overpass Study Walks NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The city of North Adams is hosting three community walks this week to solicit input on a study of the 60-year-old Central Artery project. The focus is on the deteriorating Veterans Memorial Bridge that carries Route 2 and connections between the downtown and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. The site visits will be led by Openbox, a community-centered design partner for the study, in collaboration with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition The community walks will be held on one evening and two mornings: Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The walks are open to all and attendees are asked to register here and indicate and accessibility needs. Attendees should arrive within the first hour and plan to spend between 30 to 45 minutes in total during the 90-minute timeframes. Meet at the UNO Community Center on River Street for a self-guided site walk around the Route 2 overpass and return to the center for conversations about people's everyday experiences moving to, through, and around Route 2 and North Adams. The city, in conjunction with Mass MoCA, has received a federal Reconnecting Communities grant of $750,000 for a planning study. North Adams was one of only 46 communities out of 450 applications to receive a grant; the $1 billion pilot program is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. The study will analyze traffic flow and multimodal access and come up with alternative streetscape designs that will better connect the north and south sides of Route 2. It will consider other plans that relate to downtown connectivity, commission transportation, urban design and environmental analyses of the overpass and its surroundings, and engage diverse segments of the community to comment on planning and the feasibility study. PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) bolster their child online protection initiatives in Visayas by conducting the Better Today for Kids: Bata, Bata Kami ang Iyong Kasangga learning caravan, in the municipalities of Daanbantayan in Cebu and Miagao in Iloilo. Speakers and participants, including barangay personnel, teachers, parents, and students, pose for a group photo during the Miagao leg of PLDT and Smarts Bata, Bata, Kami ang Iyong Kasangga learning caravan, an initiative that aims to raise awareness on Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Launched in August 2024, the Learning Caravan seeks to raise awareness on the prevalence of online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the country. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent in producing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM), this initiative aims to equip vital sectors, such as local government units (LGU), barangay personnel, educators, and parents, with the necessary knowledge and digital tools to combat criminal activity online. As internet service providers, one of our priorities is to protect our customers online, including children. We are grateful to work with the LGUs of Daanbantayan and Miagao in amplifying our call to end OSAEC, encouraging more individuals to help make this world a safe space for our children, said Marylou B. Gocotano, Stakeholder Management Visayas Relations Head at PLDT and Smart. PLDT and Smart partnered with Save the Children Philippines, International Justice Mission Philippines, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office Region 6 for the Visayas run of this caravan. More than 360 participants deepened their understanding of Republic Act No. 11930 or the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Moreover, the learning session covered the dangers of AI-generated CSAEM and provided ways to address this emerging issue. PLDT and Smart also shared #BeCyberSmart tips to guide participants in building a safer digital environment for children. As a core institution, it is our prime responsibility to protect the rights of our learners, especially our children. The impact of this seminar is very beneficial in the sense that it adheres to the core values that we educators are implementing at school. It will serve as our constant reminder that we need to take part in addressing pressing issues in our community, such as OSAEC and CSAEM, said Lemuel Soliva, Senior High School teacher at Bacolod National High School in Miagao. These efforts underscore PLDT and Smarts commitment to helping the Philippines attain UNSDG 16, which promotes just, peaceful, and inclusive societies. 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 Police in Italy said they have successfully broken up a major European criminal network that was forging and selling artwork attributed to some of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art, including Banksy and Andy Warhol. Over 2,100 pieces of forged artwork were recovered, which were supposedly by Banksy, Salvador Dali, Gustav Klimt, Joan Miro, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso, and were potentially worth about 200m (165m). Thirty eight people across Italy, Spain, and Belgium have been arrested over the forgeries and its illegal sale. Forgeries of artists like Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Henry Moore, Giorgio de Chirico, Marc Chagall, Jackson Pollock, Francis Bacon, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandisky, and Piet Mondrian were also found. The investigation was announced in a joint statement on Monday (11 November) by the paramilitary Carabinieri art squad and the Pisa prosecutors office, reported Reuters. Teresa Angela Camelio, chief prosecutor of Pisa, said that experts from the archive who assisted with the investigation were considering this operation as the biggest act of protection of Banksys work. The activity carried out made it possible to shed light on a transnational system of forgers interconnected with compliant auction houses. open image in gallery Modern and contemporary fake artworks, including Banksy, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, are displayed after Italian police uncover crime ring ( via REUTERS ) The investigation was taken up in March last year after Italian art police seized 200 works of contemporary art from a businessman in Pisa. His collection included a copy of a drawing of Caryatid by Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, which gave the operation its name: Operation Cariatide. This in turn led investigators to auction houses across Italy, which were selling contemporary artworks at extremely low prices. Six forgery workshops were thus uncovered, three in Italy and three elsewhere in Europe, containing over 1,000 fake artwork, as well as 450 counterfeit certificates and 50 fake stamps that were meant to guarantee that the forged art was authentic. The suspects primarily created the copies of the artwork and then made agreements with different Italian auction houses. They even organised two separate Banksy exhibitions with a published catalogue in reputable locations in Mestre near Venice and Cortona in Tuscany, investigators said. open image in gallery ( via REUTERS ) Camelio added that if the investigation had not managed to uncover the network of forgers and compliant auction houses, the forged works could have been sold at prices close to the artists original works, which would certainly have significantly changed the auction market. The operation has also allowed us to identify and block works that could have been placed on the market with prices close to those of the artists original works, she said. Banksy expert Stefano Antonelli, who was present at the press conference, said a majority of the fakes were stamped Dismaland, referring to the temporary apocalyptic theme park Banksy created in 2015 in the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, England. Antonelli also noted that the forgers created entirely new Bansky work, where they painted his iconic flower thrower onto a road sign, reported ArtNews. A majority of the works that were seized in the operation are now being displayed at Palazzo Toscanelli in Pisa. The Independent has reached out to Banksys representatives for a comment. 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 Dwayne The Rock Johnson has confirmed that a story from earlier this year that alleged he is often extremely late to set and pees into bottles to save time is somewhat true. Late in April 2024, a report stated that Johnson regularly showed up hours late to set, which resulted in the crew being forced to shoot around him on some days, and drove the budget of his new Christmas film Red One up to $250m. The story also stated that Johnson would urinate into a water bottle to save time, which upset several crew members. On set, away from his trailer, if he needs to pee, he doesnt go to the public bathroom. He pees in a Voss water bottle and his team or a PA has to dispose of it, an insider told The Wrap. The online trade publication also reported that Johnson showed up as much as eight hours late to set. In a new interview, Johnson admitted that he is late on set, but that the report exaggerated his tardiness. Yeah, that happens, Johnson told GQ magazine, adding that he felt the controversy over the report was bulls***. But not that amount, by the way. That was a bananas amount. Thats crazy. Ridiculous, he said. On whether he really did urinate into bottles to save time, he simply said: Yeah. That happens. Ive said a thousand times: Hey, Im here. Come and ask me. And Ill tell you the truth. Helmed by Jumanji director Jake Kasdan and written by Chris Morgan who wrote several Fast & Furious films the new action-comedy is about a kidnapped Santa Claus (JK Simmons) whose top operative (Johnson) must team up with an accomplished tracker (Chris Evans) to find him and save Christmas. Red One also features Lucy Liu, Bonnie Hunt, and Kiernan Shipka. Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in Red One ( 2022 Amazon Content Services LLC ) Kasdan, however defended the Moana actor, saying: [Dwayne] never missed a day of work ever. He has a lot going on. He can be late sometimes, but such is Hollywood thats the case with everybody. Honestly, Ive made three big movies with him. Ive never seen him be anything but great to every single person on the set. Co-star Chris Evans echoed Kasdans words, saying: In terms of the guy that I saw, compared to some of the things Ive seen on other movies with other actors who are not only not conscious of other peoples time and efforts, but theyre unpredictable? I found Dwayne to be we all know exactly what hes going to do when hes going to do it. The Captain America star said that Johnson often worked out in the mornings before he was meant to be on set, but that his habitual tardiness was worked into the schedule by the crew. 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 But this is something that the producers, the director, and its all his team, so they all know this. So its all basic. Its not like hes late unexpectedly, and I wouldnt even call it late. He comes in slightly later on certain mornings, but its part of the plan, he said. Its worked into the schedules and everyone knows it, so he shows up when hes scheduled to show up. The film opened to brutal first reviews, with critics calling it charmless and artificial. Red One is out now in UK cinemas and will be released in US theatres on 15 November. 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 Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman has claimed that Elon Musk made her cry when he hosted the show. The Tesla founder divided SNL viewers with his surreal hosting stint in May 2021, an appearance that led to criticism from some of the shows cast due to Musks controversial views. Fineman shared her alleged experience with Musk after the billionaire spoke out against the US sketch show after he was mocked during a segment about Donald Trump. There has been a question mark surrounding which guest host it was that had reduced somebody to tears. The revelation was originally shared by Bowen Yang in August, who said on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that a male celebrity host made multiple members cry during a table-read. While he did not name any names, Fineman, inspired by Musks criticism of the show, revealed in a now-deleted TikTok post (as per Variety): OK, I just saw some news article about Elon Musk being like butt-hurt about SNL and his impression, but Im, like, youre clearly watching the show. Like, what are you talking about? And Im like, you know what? Im gonna come out and say at long last that Im the cast member that he made cry. And hes the host that made someone cry. Maybe theres others. She continued: But Im like, no, if youre gonna go on your platform and be rude, like, guess what? You made I, Chloe Fineman, burst into tears because I stayed up all night writing the sketch. I was so excited, I came in, I asked if you had any questions and you stared at me like you were firing me from Tesla and were like, Its not funny. I waited for you to be like, Ha ha, joke. No. Then you started pawing through my script, like flipping each page, being, like, I didnt laugh once, not one time. Fineman said she ended up having a really good time performing the sketch, adding: I thought you were really funny in it. But, you know, have a little manners here, sir. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free The Independent has contacted Fineman and Musk for comment. In the first post-election episode of SNL, Dana Carvey played Musk, depicting him wearing a dark MAGA hat and speaking with a garbled voice. Elon Musk wasnt happy with his depicton on SNL ( Getty Images / YouTube ) Musk was not impressed with the performance and set his sights on SNL in the immediate aftermath of the episodes broadcast. He wrote on X/Twitter, which he owns: They are so mad that @realDonaldTrump won. He then criticised Carveys performance, stating: Dana Carvey just sounds like Dana Carvey. 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 Jon Stewart has delivered a 15-minute monologue in response to Donald Trumps US election victory and the fallout, which has seen political pundits criticise the Democrats for being too woke. Trump soared to a surprisingly big victory over Kamala Harris in last weeks election, winning seven swing states to return to the White House. On election night, Stewart used the closing portion of The Daily Show to hit out at pollsters who claimed throughout the campaign that Trump and Harris were neck-and-neck in the polling. The 61-year-old comedian used his first show since it was confirmed that Trump had won to criticised pundits who have been trying to find reasons for why the Democrats performed so poorly. Stewart played a montage of commentators from various US news channels who claimed that the Democrats had gone woke and were too concerned with virtue signalling and identity politics. I only have one problem with the woke theory, Stewart added. I just didnt recall seeing any Democrats running on woke s***. Stewart then proceeded to play a compilation of Democrat campaign videos, all of which focused on the border issue and migrant crisis, which was also a major campaign element for the Republicans. The host then shows more eye-opening Democrat campaign videos that focused on being pro-police, pro-firearms, anti-immigrant and against transgender healthcare. He also showed a clip of Harris proclaiming: I have a Glock. They acted like Republicans for the last four months, Stewart yelled. They wore camo hats and went to Cheney family reunions. Do you know how dangerous it is to wear a hunting hat around Cheney? 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 He furiously added: Democrats were mostly running against an identity that was defined for them based on a couple of months of post-George Floyd, defund the police Instagram posts from four years ago. What happened was the country felt like the government wasnt working for them, and that the Democrats in particular were taking their hard-earned money and giving it to people who didnt deserve it as much as them. So the Democrats have got to chill out. Im glad to say Democrats did protect democracy just for the other side. Stewart concluded his rant with a reassuring message for Democrats with a reference to the past. Im sure any robust examination of better policies is very welcome, he said. But I just want to please assure people: This isnt forever. A map of the results of the 1984 presidential election is then shown, where every state, barring Minnesota, voted for Republican president Ronald Reagan. Jon Stewart with a map of the 1984 US election results ( The Daily Show/ Comedy Central/ Paramount + ) Everyone thought that was the end of the Democrats, but eight years later, there was a Democrat back in office said Stewart. 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 Keke Palmer has claimed she clashed with Scream Queens director Ryan Murphy while working on the series. Speaking in a new interview about her memoir Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, in which she shares anecdotes from her career so far, Palmer reflected on her two seasons making Foxs 2015 slasher comedy Scream Queens, alongside actors Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Skyler Samuels and Lea Michele. In her book, 31-year-old Palmer claims that Murphy who also created American Horror Story and Monsters called her unprofessional during filming, and that an unnamed co-star made a racist remark towards her. According to the LA Times, Palmer writes that she had been given a shooting schedule and arranged to fulfil another business obligation on her day off. But when that day came around, she was informed by production that she was needed on set. She decided to attend her prior obligation, and writes that this decision resulted in an angry phone call with Murphy in which he ripped into her and told her she was being unprofessional. It was kind of like I was in the deans office, Palmer told the publication when asked about the incident. He was like, Ive never seen you behave like this. I cant believe that you, out of all people, would do something like this. The Independent has contacted Murphys representative for comment. The actor said she had imagined she could possibly become one of the people you keep seeing in Ryans world Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts. Palmer reckons that possibility went out the window when she pushed back on the scheduling changes. open image in gallery Keke Palmer pictured in 2023 ( Getty Images ) Palmer said she apologised to Murphy for not being able to film that day, and she thought that would be the end of the disagreement. However, days later, Palmer recalled talking to a co-star in her trailer who said Murphy was still agitated.I said, Ryan talked to me and I guess hes cool, its fine, and she was like, Its bad, trying to make me scared or something, which was a little irritating, Palmer said. Im still not sure Ryan cared, or got it, and thats okay because he was just centering his business, which isnt a problem to me, Palmer writes in the memoir, via LA Times. But what I do know is even if he didnt care, and even if I never work with him again, he knows that I, too, see myself as a business. 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 open image in gallery Ryan Murphy at the Golden Globes in 2023 ( Getty Images ) Elsewhere in the book, Palmer alludes to other negative experiences on the Scream Queens set. She describes how a white actor on the show, whom she refers to as Brenda, once made a racist remark to her on set. Palmer writes that Brenda was upset over a clash with a colleague, and she tried to calm her down by suggesting that everyone have fun and respect each other. Keke, literally, just dont. Who do you think you are? Martin f***ing Luther King? It was such a weighted thing that she said, but I didnt allow that weight to be projected on me, because I know who I am, Palmer told LA Times. Im not no victim. Thats not my storyline, sweetie. I dont care what her ass said. If I allow what she said to cripple me, then she would. Scream Queens follows the college sorority Kappa Kappa Tau (KKT), which is targeted by a serial killer using the universitys Red Devil mascot as a disguise. It ran for two seasons before being cancelled by Fox. 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 Keke Palmer has claimed that one of her white Scream Queens co-stars made a racially insensitive comment to her on set. The actor, 31, worked on both seasons of Foxs 2015 slasher comedy alongside actors Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Skyler Samuels, and Lea Michele. In her new memoir, Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, Palmer shared anecdotes from her career spanning nearly two decades. At one point during the book, she recalled how a white actor on the show whom she referred to as Brenda once made a racist remark to her on set. Palmer wrote that Brenda was upset over a clash with a colleague, and she tried to calm down her co-star by suggesting that everyone have fun and respect each other. Keke, literally, just dont. Who do you think you are? Martin f***ing Luther King? the co-star replied. In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, Palmer reflected on the incident and said that she didnt allow her unnamed co-stars comments to be projected on me. It was such a weighted thing that she said, but I didnt allow that weight to be projected on me, because I know who I am, the Nope star said. Im not no victim. Thats not my storyline, sweetie. I dont care what her a** said. If I allow what she said to cripple me, then she would. Keke Palmer says she didnt allow her unnamed co-stars offensive remark to be projected on me ( Getty Images for BET ) Scream Queens, which aired from 2015 to 2016, followed the college sorority Kappa Kappa Tau at the fictional Wallace University, where students were being targeted by a serial killer using the universitys Red Devil mascot as a disguise. Elsewhere in the LA Times interview, Palmer said she clashed with Scream Queens director Ryan Murphy while working on the series. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free In her book, Palmer wrote that she had been given a shooting schedule and arranged to fulfill another business obligation on her day off. But when that day came around, she was informed by production that she was needed on set. Although she decided to attend her prior obligation, she wrote that the decision resulted in an angry phone call with Murphy, in which he ripped into her and told her she was being unprofessional. It was kind of like I was in the deans office, Palmer told the publication when asked about the incident. He was like, Ive never seen you behave like this. I cant believe that you, out of all people, would do something like this. The Independent has contacted Murphys representative for comment. The Nickelodeon alum said she had imagined she could possibly become one of the people you keep seeing in Ryans world Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts. Palmer reckoned that possibility went out the window when she pushed back on the scheduling changes. Palmer said she apologized to Murphy for not being able to film that day, and she thought that would be the end of the disagreement. However, days later, Palmer recalled talking to a co-star in her trailer who said Murphy was still agitated. I said, Ryan talked to me and I guess hes cool, its fine. And she was like, Its bad, trying to make me scared or something, which was a little irritating, Palmer said. Im still not sure Ryan cared, or got it, and thats okay because he was just centering his business, which isnt a problem to me, Palmer wrote in the memoir, via LA Times. But what I do know is even if he didnt care, and even if I never work with him again, he knows that I, too, see myself as a business. 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 An original Frasier cast member has explained why they dont want to return for the revival series. Wendie Malick appeared in the hit sitcoms original run, which lasted from 1993 to 2004, playing Ronee Lawrence in season 11. In the show, Ronee was the childhood babysitter of Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) who was introduced in the show as a love interest of their father Martin (John Mahoney). Frasier is currently enjoying a second wind, with the conclusion of the reboots latest season drawing to an end this week. While this season welcomed back original stars Peri Gilpin, Harriet Sansom Harris, Dan Butler and Edward Hibbert, many original stars including Hyde Pierce are not present. Malick has now addressed a possible return to the show, but remained coy about the idea for a rather moving reason. The actor said she would not want to reprise the role of Ronee due to the fact that Mahoney died in 2018. The actor, who appears in Apple TV+ series Shrinking as Dr Julie Baram alongside Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, told TV Insider: Its sort of like when people ask me about Just Shoot Me. Without George Segal, I just dont think it would feel right. I had such a connection to John Mahoney playing his love interest and finally marrying him that Im not sure that I want to revisit that. Malick continued: That was something that was such a lovely ride, and that season was so much fun and I was honoured to be part of it. And sometimes I think you feel like you took your character as far as you could, and then maybe you just leave it and savour those memories. Never say never, but thats my gut feeling. Wendie Malick and John Mahoney as Ronee and Martin in Frasier ( NBC ) Hyde Pierce, speaking about his potential involvement, with Vulture in June 2022 said: That whole time of my life, the writing on those shows, the actors I got to work with all of that is deeply important to me. And I would never disrespect that in such a way as to say just offhandedly, Oh, no, thanks. Im not going to do that again. Its too valuable to me. However, the actor said that he wouldnt just do it for the reason that the experience was such a valuable one. 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 believe it can be done without me, too finding new stories to tell, in the same way that Frasier did after Cheers. They didnt bring along the Cheers gang to make a new show. Frasier is available to stream on Paramount+. 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 North Korea reportedly ratified a mutual defence treaty with Russia, which experts see as a step towards formalising their military cooperation amid concerns over thousands of Pyongyangs troops training to join the Russian war in Ukraine. The deal between North Korea and Russia signed in June calls to "immediately provide military and other assistance using all available means" if either side is in a state of war. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ratified the treaty as a decree on Monday, according to state media KCNA, adding that it takes effect when both sides exchange the ratification instruments. Russia has already ratified the deal with both houses of the Russian parliament formalising the treaty which president Vladimir Putin later signed. South Korea, the US, and Ukraine have said North Korea has sent at least 10,000 soldiers into Russia with reports suggesting many of them are already engaging in combat and some have even died. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said that its military was battling nearly 50,000-strong enemy group in Kursk region where Kyiv had launched a surprise counteroffensive in the summer. Ukraine video appears to show North Korean troops at Russian military base ( Sourced ) The Ukrainian presidents comments came after a New York Times report citing Ukrainian and US officials said that Russia could send a 50,000-strong contingent of North Korean and Russian troops to Kursk, without having to pull back soldiers from Ukraines east where the main battle is being fought. Moscow and Pyongyang have responded vaguely to South Korean and Western claims of the North Korean troop deployment to Russia, emphasising that their military cooperation conforms with international law, without directly admitting the presence of the Norths forces in Russia. If officially confirmed, it would mark the first time that North Korea, which has one of the worlds largest militaries with 1.2 million soldiers, has put boots on the ground in an international conflict since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea and Russia have rekindled their Soviet era ties since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Mr Kim has called the war Russias sacred fight and vowed to support its partner till the war ends. 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 half of Delhi residents sought medical help for respiratory issues due to severe pollution, a survey has revealed. A survey by pollster LocalCircles reported that 81 per cent of respondents reported related health problems as well. Many households turned to doctors or hospitals, while half bought medications like inhalers and antibiotics, it found. Four in 10 households consulted a doctor, with severe cases going to hospitals. Delhi typically sees a spike in air pollution during the festive season starting in October. After Dussehra celebrations in the second week of October, Delhis Air Quality Index reached the poor category, with higher levels of fine particulate matter raising the risk of respiratory issues, eye irritation, asthma, and serious lung conditions. The capital has long faced hazardous air quality in winter, often forcing the government to close schools early to protect children. Year-round pollution from vehicle emissions and dust intensifies in winter when crop stubble burning in nearby states adds to the problem. Low wind speeds further trap pollutants, including firecracker emissions, close to the ground, making the air particularly difficult to breathe. After the Diwali celebration on 31 October, Delhi again became the most polluted city in the world as people continued bursting firecrackers despite the government ban. It is a public health concern and we are going to escalate this survey to the government today, LocalCircles founder Sachin Taparia was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. With responses from about 11,000 people per question, the LocalCircles survey offers rare insight into the direct health effects of Delhis air pollution crisis. A study published in June found that air pollution killed 135 million people over the last four decades around the world, with India and China accounting for the bulk of the fatalities. In 2023, Delhis AQI was recorded between 445 and 520 just a day after Diwali, placing it firmly in the severe category. Prolonged exposure to high pollution levels can cause respiratory discomfort and irritation of the skin and eyes, while also contributing to serious health issues like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, reduced lung capacity, emphysema, cancer, and increased mortality rates. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India is likely to bring in its first Taliban representative at its consulate in Mumbai, according to reports, in its push for talks with the former insurgent group since they claimed power in Kabul. The Taliban have proposed the name of Ikramuddin Kamil as the Afghanistan representative at the countrys consulate in Mumbai, reported The Sunday Guardian. His name has been proposed for second secretary at Afghanistan consulate in Mumbai, the report added. An official at the consulate confirmed to The Independent that Mr Kamil is visiting New Delhi and is yet to officially take charge as the consul general at the Mumbai consulate. According to the Guardian, he entered India on a standard passport and is likely to be issued a diplomatic passport soon. If formalised by Delhi, Mr Kamil will be the first official to represent the hardline Islamist regime in India. The Taliban has been seeking international recognition and increased engagement with its Asian allies, including China and Pakistan. The move of bringing in the Taliban officials in India is also seen as Delhis bid to expand diplomatic relationship and have an open communication channel with Afghanistan as terrorism concerns surge in the region. Additionally, three more representatives of the Taliban are set to be introduced at the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi, reported the Afghanistan International on Monday. These three representatives include Najeeb Shaheen, son of Sohail Shaheen, the head of the Talibans political office in Qatar, who has been introduced as the charge daffaires of the Afghan embassy in India, the report added. The Independent has not confirmed the reports. The flurry of appointments come within a week of senior Indias foreign ministry official JP Singh meeting with the Talibans acting defence minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob as the two sat down in Kabul to expand the bilateral relations. The meeting has been termed as a significant development as Mr Yaqoob, the son of the Talibans founder and late supreme leader Mullah Omar, has not publicly interacted with Indias interlocutors in the past, reported Indian daily Hindustan Times, citing people familiar with the matter. Mr Singh, who is a joint secretary in Indias external affairs ministers office and was on an unannounced visit to Kabul, also met with the Talibans acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and former president Hamid Karzai, the report added. The ministry of external affairs has not issued a comment or statement about the meeting. 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 Shigeru Ishiba, president of Japans ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was seen dozing off in parliament on Monday where he was reelected as the prime minister. Video footage showed Mr Shigeru briefly closing his eyes during a plenary session of the House of Representatives as the votes were being counted, leading to social media comments criticising his apparent drowsiness. Late on Monday, the governments top spokesman addressed a news conference to respond to questions about the prime ministers health. The prime minister has been extremely busy working until late into the night, and I understand that he had a cold today and was taking cold medicine, Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary, said. He said that besides the cold there are no problems with his health. Some lawmakers, including a member of the opposition, criticised Mr Shigerus behaviour, suggesting it showed a lack of urgency. If he was really asleep, that shows his marked lack of tension, the unidentified lawmaker was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. In the viral video, Mr Hayashi was seen looking at the prime minister with concern during the session on Monday. In a closely watched parliamentary vote on Monday, Mr Shigeru was confirmed as prime minister, successfully clearing one of the initial challenges for his new administration. This comes after his LDP and its coalition partner Komeito failed to secure a majority in the recent Lower House election. However, the video of him with his head down and eyes closed quickly overshadowed news of his confirmation, The Japan Times reported, as the clip went viral on the X, attracting numerous critical comments under the hashtag #Ishibashushonoinemuri or #PMIshibaSnoozing. Nobuyuki Baba, leader of the Japan Innovation Party (or Nippon Ishin no Kai) said that while he believed Mr Shigeru was undoubtedly tired, his actions were inappropriate for the occasion. We were holding an election to decide the head of one of the three branches of government, so I think it would be inappropriate for one to take a rest during such an election, 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 A woman in Thailand has had to endure severe pain for nearly two decades after medical staff left a needle in her vagina during childbirth. The woman, now 36, from the southern Narathiwat province said a nurse accidentally dropped a needle into her vagina 18 years ago while stitching her up after childbirth. A doctor apparently tried "using his fingers" to retrieve the misplaced needle but could not get it, the woman told the nonprofit Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, which she asked for assistance on 4 November. Fearing more blood loss due to a delay in suturing, the woman recalled, the doctor continued the procedure without taking the needle out. She was soon feeling constant pain in her lower abdomen, which often turned severe, the foundation said. An X-ray last year showed that the needle was still lodged in her vagina, prompting doctors at the local hospital to send her for surgery in the Songkhla province. The procedure, however, has had to be postponed two-three times as the needle keeps moving inside her. The woman has to visit the hospital at least four times a month for follow-ups to monitor her condition, causing her significant financial strain. "Her family is poor, so she asked Paveena to help," the foundation said on its website last week. Pawina Hongsakul, the head of the foundation, said she contacted a public hospital and set up an appointment for her treatment. She also coordinated with the department of social development and human security in the province to arrange transport for the woman for her hospital visits. It was not immediately known when she might have surgery to remove the needle or whether she would take legal action against the hospital for medical malpractice. In June, another Thai woman nearly lost her life after a medical team left gauze inside her uterus during treatment for cancer that caused her to suffer a severe infection. 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 Police in Vietnam have arrested a pro-democracy activist for alleged anti-state activity in the latest incident of crackdown on political dissent in the communist nation. Tran Khac Duc, 29, was arrested by Ho Chi Minh Police for "creating, storing, distributing or disseminating information, documents and items" in an alleged effort to oppose the Vietnamese government. Police said he was part of an "exiled reactionary organisation" and had been warned several times. Mr Duc was arrested in September this year but the authorities announced of his arrest through a state-run newspaper over this weekend. He was reportedly affiliated with the Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism organisation (ADP), which aims to establish a "multi-party democratic system" in the one-party nation. The Vietnamese government has escalated its clampdown on dissent by arresting activists, journalists, lawyers and critics with large followings on social media. According to reports, the government adopted a more hardline approach in throttling dissent after Nguyen Phu Trong was re-elected as the Communist Party chief. The authorities said despite warnings, Mr Duc continued to "contact and receive instructions from the leaders of the organisations" and allegedly carried out activities such as "managing" the group's website and drafting and sharing articles "with content insulting great people". It added that Mr Duc sought, connected and allegedly developed domestic forces for the pro-democracy organisation. "This is a very dangerous act, directly violating national security and the political security situation in Ho Chi Minh City," the state media report stated. The ADP was founded in 1982 and led by Nguyen Gia Kieng, a former official of the US-allied South Vietnamese government and now exiled in France. Nguyen Gia Kieng told Radio Free Asia on Saturday that ADP members had been repeatedly harassed and beaten up by police but the arrest was "unusual". In June, Vietnamese authorities charged journalist and historian Truong Huy San with violating a national security law because of his post on Facebook. Reporters Without Borders ranked Vietnam 174th out of 180 countries and territories in their 2024 World Press Freedom. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Oil and gas are a gift of god, Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev told the Cop29 climate conference on Tuesday. Speaking to delegates at the United Nations summit, held in the capital city of Baku, Mr Aliyev defended his nations fossil fuel resources after some campaigners had criticised holding the event in Azerbaijan. He added that countries should not be blamed for having [oil and gas] and should not be blamed for bringing the resources to the market, because the market needs them. As a president of Cop29 of course, we will be a strong advocate for green transition, and we are doing it. But at the same time, we must be realistic, said Mr Aliyev, who has labelled his countrys oil and gas resources a gift from god. Azerbaijans share in global gas emissions is only 0.1 per cent, he told the conference. The declaration stunned many at the summit, where global leaders, thousands of delegates and campaigners have assembled to push for a transition away from oil and gas. Azerbaijans role as the host was already controversial. Before the start of the summit, recordings highlighted in a report by the BBC allegedly showed the chief executive of Azerbaijans Cop29 team, Elnur Soltanov, discussing investment opportunities in the state oil and gas company with a man posing as a potential investor. We have a lot of gas fields that are to be developed, he appears to say. Azerbaijans Cop29 team have not commented on the allegations. However, Mr Aliyev said western fake news media was unfairly targeting the country. open image in gallery World leaders and delegates pose for a photo in Baku on Tuesday ( AFP ) I have to bring these figures to the attention of our audience, because right after Azerbaijan was elected as a host country of Cop29, we became a target of a coordinated, well-orchestrated campaign of slander and blackmail, Mr Aliyev says. Western fake news media and so-called independent NGOs and some politicians ... as if [they] were competing in spreading disinformation and false information about our country, he adds. President Aliyev and his administration are accused by human rights organisations of spearheading a crackdown on freedom of speech ahead of the climate summit, including against climate activists and journalists. Ahead of Cop29, Azerbaijans authorities extended the pretrial detention of at least 11 journalists from the countrys remaining independent news outlets on currency smuggling charges related to alleged funding from Western donors. Alex Rafalowicz, executive director of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, said: Countries are not to blame for their natural resources, but they are responsible for the threat they pose to humanity by extracting them from the ground and driving climate impacts. This is betraying the nations that are present here in these negotiations. open image in gallery Antonio Guterres speaks at the Cop29 summit on Tuesday ( Getty ) Meanwhile, United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres told world leaders on Tuesday to pay up to prevent climate-led humanitarian disasters, and said time was running out to limit a destructive rise in global temperatures. On climate finance, the world must pay up, or humanity will pay the price, Mr Guterres said in a speech. The sound you hear is the ticking clock. We are in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C and time is not on our side. This year is set to be the hottest on record. Scientists say evidence shows global warming and its impacts are unfolding faster than expected and the world may already have hit 1.5C (2.7F) of warming above the average pre-industrial temperature a critical threshold beyond which it is at risk of irreversible and extreme climate change. The conference was already facing a muted start, with many world leaders missing. The recent re-election of Donald Trump in the United States has cast doubt on US climate commitments, with Mr Trumps team indicating a probable withdrawal from the Paris Agreement once he assumes office. This uncertainty has left many delegates anxious about the outcome of Cop29 where the task at hand is to create a trillion dollar fund for climate action. Joe Biden, the US president, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, and Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, have all missed the summit. Mr Aliyevs statements echo Azerbaijans broader stance on fossil fuels, as the nation continues to rely heavily on oil and gas revenues. Earlier this year, he announced plans to increase gas production. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Dutch court has overturned a landmark ruling ordering fossil fuel giant Shell to significantly cut its carbon emissions, in a blow to climate campaigners. In the original 2021 ruling, hailed as a monumental victory for activists, Shell was ordered to cut its carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels in line with the Paris climate accords. The legal action brought in 2019 by seven activist groups, including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth Netherlands marked the first time that campaigners had sought to use the courts to force companies to curtail activities contributing to the climate crisis. But as world leaders gather for the UNs Cop29 climate summit, the Dutch court of appeal annulled the previous verdict, ruling that despite Shell having a responsibility to cut emissions it was unable to determine a fitting reduction target for oil and gas companies, based on the available science and data. Following Tuesdays ruling, Friends of the Earth Netherlands vowed to continue its fight against large polluters. But it did not say whether it would launch a further appeal at the Netherlands Supreme Court. This hurts, said director Donald Pols. At the same time, this case has shown that large polluters are not above the law. Shell chief executive Wael Sawan said the energy giant believed the decision was the right one for the global energy transition, the Netherlands and our company, adding: Our target to become a net zero emissions energy business by 2050 remains at the heart of Shells strategy and is transforming our business. open image in gallery Shell had been ordered to reduce its carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 ( AP Photo/Gerald Herbert ) In a written summary of the ruling, the court said Shell has a duty of care to limit its emissions, but it annulled the lower courts decision because it was unable to establish that the social standard of care entails an obligation for Shell to reduce its CO2 emissions by 45 per cent, or some other percentage. There is currently insufficient consensus in climate science on a specific reduction percentage to which an individual company like Shell should adhere, it said. Presiding Judge Carla Joustra said Shell already has targets for climate-warming carbon emissions that are in line with demands of Friends of the Earth both for what it directly produces and for emissions produced by energy the company purchases from others. The court then ruled: For Shell to reduce CO2 emissions caused by buyers of Shell products ... by a particular percentage would be ineffective in this case. Shell could meet that obligation by ceasing to trade in the fuels it purchases from third parties. Other companies would then take over that trade. Judge Joustra said: The courts final judgment is that Friends of the Earths claims cannot be granted. The court therefore annuls the district courts judgment. open image in gallery World leaders are gathered at the Cop29 climate summit in Azerbaijan this week ( EPA ) In appeal hearings earlier this year, Shell which was headquartered in The Hague prior to completing its move to London in 2022 said demands for companies to reduce emissions could not be made by courts, but only by states. The court agreed with Shell that an absolute order to reduce emissions from its products could have an adverse effect worldwide, as it could lead customers to switch from using Shells gas to more polluting coal. In general, any reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is positive to mitigate climate change, Judge Joustra said. But that does not mean that a reduction order for Shell has that same effect. In common with some of its peers, Shell scaled back its renewable operations, which can take longer to generate profits compared with oil and gas. In March, Shell weakened targets for the products it sells, to a 15 per cent to 20 per cent reduction in net carbon intensity by 2030 relative to 2016, while it retired a previous target to reduce its carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2035. The company says it plans to invest $10bn(7.8bn) to $15bn between 2023 and 2025 in low-carbon energy. Greenpeace UK campaigner Philip Evans called the decision a setback for people everywhere dealing with ... climate chaos. But pointing to legal challenges over the North Sea oil fields of Rosebank and Jackdaw, Mr Evans added: Around the world, the fossil fuel industry is facing a tidal wave of lawsuits and legal challenges to hold them accountable for their role in the climate crisis. Whether in the courts or in the streets, Greenpeace and the global climate movement will keep fighting until Shell and the rest of the industry stops drilling and starts paying for the damage they are doing to people and the planet, he said. Additional reporting by Reuters Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy After nearly a decade of negotiations, leaders during the United Nations climate conference's first day decided on some of the finer points of Article 6. The news has been celebrated by some, but what does it actually mean? Known as Article 6, it was set up as part of the 2015 Paris Agreement to help nations work together to reduce climate-causing pollution. Part of that was a system of carbon credits, allowing nations to put planet-warming gasses in the air if they offset emissions elsewhere. But the gaveling through of Article 6 late Monday was criticized by climate justice groups, who said carbon markets allow major polluters to keep emitting at the expense of people and the environment. COP29, as this years summit is known, has brought together world leaders to discuss ways to limit and adapt to the climate crisis. Scientists agree that the warming of the atmosphere caused primarily by human-burned fossil fuels is fueling deadlier and increasingly catastrophic droughts, flooding, hurricanes and heat. open image in gallery Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to members of the media at COP29 in Azerbaijan ( Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street ) What is Article 6? Article 6 first made an appearance at the Paris climate talks in 2015, where world leaders agreed to try to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) from pre-industrial levels. Its aim is to outline how countries and companies can trade emissions reductions to remove and stop more carbon pollution reaching the atmosphere. The idea is to set up carbon trading markets, allowing higher polluters to offset some of the pollution they produce by buying carbon credits from less polluting countries. Article 6 offers two ways for countries to do this. The first is for two nations to set their own rules and standards for carbon credit trades. Some countries are already signing deals to do this, including Singapore with the Philippines, Costa Rica and Sri Lanka, Switzerland with Ghana, Peru and Ukraine, among others. The second option creates an international, U.N.-governed market that anyone can purchase credits through. Isa Mulder, an expert on global carbon markets with the research group Carbon Market Watch, said the idea behind Article 6 is for countries to find the cheapest way to cut emissions. By trading carbon credits, it makes cutting global pollution cheaper and more efficient. But Article 6 is contentious, leading to years of delays. At COP28, negotiations crumbled after disagreements on transparency, rules on credits that could be traded, and what makes a good carbon removal credit. There are other problems like when local communities don't have a say in the project and are forced to resettle," said Mulder, referring to how some tree-planting carbon credit schemes can happen on inhabited Indigenous lands. So theres a lot of human rights concerns. United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres urged negotiators to agree to rules for fair, effective carbon markets and leave no space for greenwashing or land-grabbing. open image in gallery Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on day two of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference at Baku Stadium on November 12, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan ( Getty Images ) The hope of Article 6 is that it incentivizes countries to collaborate to reach their climate goals. Countries could generate carbon credits based on projects aimed to meet their own climate goals, such as protecting existing forests from development or shutting coal-fired plants. Private-sector players or other high carbon polluter countries could then buy the credits, which would allow them to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas. Heavy-polluting companies would be important customers. Each credit would equal a ton of CO2 or the equivalent of other greenhouse gases that can be reduced in the air, sequestered, or avoided by using green energies instead. Money from the credits generated would go to local projects. The per-ton price of carbon would fluctuate in the market, meaning that the higher it rises, the more green projects could fetch through new credits generated. Under carbon markets, countries that lower their emissions can sell carbon credits. Countries that sell credits can use them for clean energy projects, such as installing solar panels or electrifying public transportation systems. But critics question whether it will be effective and worry it could lead to similar problems seen with the Kyoto Protocol, a 1997 pact for developed nations to reduce their heat-trapping gas emissions to 1990 levels and below. The deal was dealt a hammer blow when the then U.S. administration withdrew from it. "Theres a lot of concerns about whether that credit actually represents what it stands for, said Mulder from Carbon Market Watch. open image in gallery A flag for the United Nations and Azerbaijan are displayed outside the venue for the COP29 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Monday's decision signaled early momentum on establishing Article 6, which the COP29 presidency said it would prioritize this year. But leaders still need to agree on other sections of the issue, including rules on two-nation carbon credit trading and the final details of the international, U.N.-governed market. Once finalized, Article 6 could reduce the cost of implementing national climate plans by $250 billion annually according to U.N. estimates. The COP29 presidency will then encourage countries to participate in carbon trading. On Monday, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev said Article 6 will be a game-changing tool to direct resources to the developing world. But concerns remain about how it will work, given how it was developed. Communities' consent and ownership over these initiatives are not just essential, but also a matter of respect and inclusion, said David Nicholson, chief climate officer at Mercy Corps, a nonprofit that works on poverty, climate and other issues. "We are concerned that the agreement lacks adequate protections to human rights and undermines the goals of the Paris Agreement, rather than supporting them. If these concerns arent addressed, the decision could allow carbon trading to take the place of genuine, much-needed climate finance commitments, Nicholson added.= 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 Armie Hammer has revealed that his mother, Dru Hammer, paid for his vasectomy. During the second part of his new Armie HammerTime Podcast, which aired on November 11, the 38-year-old actor and his mother discussed the gift she gave him for his birthday in August. So I call and I go, Armie, What would you like for your birthday this year? Dru recalled. He was like, I dont know. Maybe money. Whatever. And I was like, I believe Im going to give you a vasectomy. Armie then confirmed that he underwent the procedure after his conversation with his mother. I go to a doctors office and I go, Yes, Im here to schedule a vasectomy, he explained, before noting that he initially had a consultation with a doctor. When the doctor asked Armie if he was sure he wanted to have a vasectomy, the Death on the Nile actor said yes, as he already had two beautiful kids Harper, nine, and Ford, seven with his ex-wife, Elizabeth Chambers. I dont want any more kids, Im good to go, the Call Me by Your Name star told his doctor. Armie Hammer recalls how his mother bought him a vasectomy for his 38th birthday ( Getty Images ) The medical professional explained that while a vasectomy is reversible, the reversal procedure is way harder. However, Armie made it clear that he was getting the vasectomy, telling his doctor: Youre not going to talk me out of this. Like, Im done. Im good. The actor said that when he spoke to the receptionist at the doctors office, he told her that he wouldnt be using health insurance to pay for the procedure since he wasnt insured. [The receptionist] was like, Are you going to be putting it on a credit card? he continued. And I go, My credit cards wont cover this. My mother will be calling you, and shes going to be paying for it. He said that the receptionist looked confused by his response, as he told her: Yes, my mother gave me this as a birthday present. Dru then explained that, due to her Catholic beliefs, she would love to say that shes praying her son wouldnt have sex outside of marriage. Still, she knew that was not going to work. Its a miracle we dont have a bunch of little Hammers running around, she quipped. So, I know there are these young girls that would love to have Armie Hammers baby. Armie chimed in: Maybe when I had money they would. His mother then shared her belief that her son will be successful again, as she told Armie: Youre going to have money because I know youre called to be an actor. And I love that you lived up to your wrongdoings when you were on Piers Morgan. In an interview with Morgan last July, Armie addressed becoming the center of a social media scandal in 2021 after messages allegedly sent from him detailed graphic sexual desires and cannibalistic fetishes. Hammer was subsequently accused of rape and abuse by various women, but has consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing and was not charged with sexual assault after an investigation. His attorney has repeatedly stated that all of his relationships with women were consensual. Elsewhere during the podcast, Dru defended her son against the allegations of sexual assault and cannibalism. I say this all the time: My son was not criminally wrong, she said. If there was a smidgeon of things that were wrong that you did, as far as a rape accusation, they would have nailed you. I even called you one time. I was like, OK, Let me just get this straight. I go, Are there any women out there with limbs or ribs missing? Thats what I want to know as a mother. Dru also joked that her son had learned not to put stupid things in DMs, to which he responded: I was definitely stupid. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and families across America will be starting to build their dinner menus for the feast. While youre heading to the grocery store to pick up your turkey and sweet potatoes, theres one aspect of Thanksgiving thats important to consider while planning out the big day: When will dinner be served? Over the years, Americans have opted to host their dinners at different times, with many families starting the meal at 3pm on the fourth Thursday in November. On the other hand, some people decide to eat dinner as they normally would, by hosting Thanksgiving at 6pm or 7pm. The question of when to have your Thanksgiving dinner may be tied to one major factor - that large meals can make you a bit sleepy. Theres constant discussion surrounding the star of Thanksgiving, turkey, and how it makes you tired. Turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid in our bodies that helps make melatonin to regulate sleep schedules, according to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Theres no arguing that eating a Thanksgiving meal full of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes would make anyone ready for a nap. Still, the question remains as to whether the chemicals in turkey actually make us susceptible to tiredness, or whether other factors are at play in our post-meal slumber. Speaking to The Independent, professional chefs have discussed the drowsiness that comes from eating a hefty meal, and how that feeling can affect your upcoming Thanksgiving plans. According to the Cleveland Clinic, tryptophan is an essential acid thats found in food containing high levels of protein, such as chicken, eggs, cheese, and fish. Since theres tryptophan in turkey, the amino acid can affect our bodys levels of both melatonin and serotonin, neurotransmitters that control our moods. Speaking to The Independent, California-based chef Brendan Collins acknowledged that the tryptophan in turkey is an amino acid that affects our sleep schedule. However, he clarified that turkey isnt the reason for the drowsiness, and rather our eating habits on Thanksgiving could be the culprit. I think the truth is that we can end up overeating on Thanksgiving, in comparison to our normal eating schedule, and we get food comas, he explained. We need to sleep because of that. Not because of the small amount of tryptophan found in the turkey itself. open image in gallery ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) John Carpenter - an executive chef at Signature Restaurant at La Cantera Resort and Spa in Texas - agreed that stuffing our faces with food on Thanksgiving may be more likely to blame for our tiredness. He noted that its easy to feel sleepy after a big meal and specified that a range of foods and beverages can contribute to the drowsiness, from pumpkin pie to wine. Thanksgiving dinner is quite heavy, between stuffing and large amounts of meat we eat, whether that be turkey or ham, he explained. Its also usually surrounded by friends and family, and theres some alcohol drinking usually involved, which isnt exactly known to keep us awake. With the side effects of eating a big Thanksgiving meal in mind, chefs have shared their advice on when to plan your dinner. Its important to note that the day before Thanksgiving can be relatively busy, from buying your ingredients to decorating your home. In addition to managing physical tasks, Carpenter said theres another routine he usually takes on to prepare for the holiday - changing up his eating habits. For me personally, I definitely prefer to change my eating schedule, leading up not only the day of Thanksgiving, but also a couple of days before, he said. I always eat a little bit lighter, leading up in anticipation of a big meal. And personally, I normally dont even eat breakfast on Thanksgiving because I know Im going to eat so much. The morning of Thanksgiving tends to be quite hectic, so Collins urged families to give themselves enough preparation time before dinner. He recommended giving yourself a good two and a half to three hours of cooking time, when you can prepare all your vegetables while the turkey is in the oven. So, when is the best opportunity to serve the food to your guests? Professional chefs recommend the daytime, rather than evening, as the best time to host your dinner, taking both meal preparation time and drowsiness into account. Normally for me, its early in the afternoon or early in the day, Carpenter explained. I have two children so I prefer earlier because it gives us the rest of the day for them to wind down from a big meal and all that. And then you have more time during Thanksgiving day to be with your family. open image in gallery ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) When you decide to host your Thanksgiving dinner is entirely up to you, but Collins acknowledged that the age of your guests is another factor to consider. He noted that children are generally accustomed to having their meals earlier in the day, even though that might not be the case for adults. I think if theres a lot of children under 10 years of age, having your dinner at 2pm or 3pm would be good, Collins said. If its more towards the adult scene, then I think its more of an early dinner, late lunch kind of thing. Id personally go for 4pm or 5pm. Thanksgiving aside, studies have found that late-night dinners may not be the best idea. In a 2022 study published in peer-reviewed journal Cell Metabolism, researchers examined 16 patients who were overweight and obese as they ate the same exact meals on two schedules - one group eating as late as 9pm. Results showed that eating later had a large effect on how patients regulated their energy intake, expenditure, and storage. Since theres so many different types of food served on Thanksgiving, eating dinner on the earlier side could ultimately be better for your physical health. Personally, I know you shouldnt be eating a huge meal later at night, especially the size of a normal Thanksgiving meal, Collins added. So definitely give yourself the time for your food to settle down. Although there are various factors to consider when planning the timing of your Thanksgiving dinner, its important to remember not to let the stress of it ruin the day. Dont stress out too much about the food, Collins said. I know sometimes Thanksgiving is one of the first times youve seen friends or family in a long time. So I think the idea is that its celebratory, and make sure you do that. Buy really good wine or champagne and enjoy yourself. 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 porn website is receiving its biggest visitor count in 12 years after being accidentally featured on the back of Mattels new line of Wicked dolls. Ahead of the films premiere on 22 November, Mattel launched a line of limited-edition dolls inspired by the stars portrayal of the characters originally created by Gregory Maguire. The famed toy conglomerate was forced to pull the line of toys after one shopper took to X to show an NSFW box error found on a Glinda toy displayed in-store. On 9 November, Sarah Genao posted side-by-side images of the Glinda toy package, front and back, with the caption: The official Mattel Wicked dolls link to a porn site on the box. A close-up of the back of the green box showed a link for www.wicked.com pasted next to the barcode. When typed into a search engine, the URL sends you to an age-restricted website that says you must be 18 or older to view the content uploaded. According to its website, Wicked Pictures was established in California in 1993, and has a firm commitment to producing quality parody porn movies. Sarah Genao posts pictures of Mattels Wicked boxes with NSFW link ( X/@just2goodYT ) Now, a report by Variety states that, according to Google Trends analytics, searches for the misprinted URL have hit their highest levels since mid-2012. Fans online have surmised that the packaging likely meant to direct buyers to www.wickedmovie.com the films official website presented by Partners. In a statement sent to The Independent, a representative for Mattel explained the company was aware of the label misprint. Mattel was made aware of a misprint on the packaging of the Mattel Wicked collection dolls, primarily sold in the US, which intended to direct consumers to the official WickedMovie.com landing page. We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this, the statement read. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children. Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel Customer Service for further information. Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble and Macys all removed their line of Wicked dolls from online storefronts on Monday, according to CNBC. The dolls with the misprinted labels, originally priced between $20 (15) and $40 (31), were seen on sale on eBay for prices between $40 and $2,100 (1,637). Wicked stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. 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 TikTok star Pookie received a lavish push present from her husband, Jett Puckett, just hours before welcoming her first child. The married couple who rose to internet fame for their outfit check videos, in which Jett would constantly refer to his wife as Pookie announced they were expecting their first child together back in June. On Monday (November 11), Pookie whose real name is Campbell Hunt Puckett and Jett arrived at the hospital to welcome their baby girl. But before Campbell gave birth, she was presented with a luxurious gift from Hermes. In a video posted to Campbells TikTok, the 31-year-old expectant mother could be seen smiling from a hospital bed as Jett, 33, handed her the high fashion brands signature orange bag. My beautiful angel pie Pookie is preparing to give birth to our daughter, Jett said in the clip. And now its officially time for her push present. A push present is a modern tradition usually offered to women after they go into labor. New mothers are typically gifted a push present from their boyfriends, husbands, or significant others as a gesture of their love and appreciation. open image in gallery TikTok star Pookie opens Hermes push present before going into labor ( TikTok/@campbellhuntpuckett ) Jett went all out for Campbells push present, splurging on an Hermes Kelly bag thats not even available on the brands website. Upon receiving the orange shopping bag, Campbell said: Oh my god. The second most exciting thing of the day, Jett exclaimed, as Campbell carefully unboxed her cream-colored handbag. Yes, a Craie Kelly 25 Epsom leather gold hardware just for Pookie, he said. According to online reseller sites, such as Fashionphile, FWRD, and Sothebys, pre-loved Craie Kelly 25 Epsoms are sold for upwards of $22,000. On Madison Avenue Couture, one Kelly 25 in Craie epsom leather with gold hardware is priced as high as $34,500. open image in gallery Pregnant influencer receives a $30,000 Hermes Kelly bag from her husband ( TikTok/@campbellhuntpuckett ) Campbells mouth fell open as she spun the bag around in her hands. Its so beautiful, she said, before Jett could respond: Almost as beautiful as Pookie. Jett confessed he had flown to Palm Beach, Florida, on a special mission to secure the bag. He believed the Hermes Kelly purse would be the perfect present to show his gratitude for Campbell, as well as his excitement for this next chapter of their lives together. The video has since received more than 7.1m views on TikTok, as thousands of followers rushed to share their thoughts on the extravagant present. In the comments section, several mothers confessed they never received such an expensive push present like Campbell did. One woman admitted: The push present I received was an epidural beforehand. My push present was watching my L&D nurse throw something at my fiance because he wouldnt wake up from his nap to help me through my contractions, a second woman added, while another said: Ive had two babies, and all I got was two babies. I feel robbed. A fourth commenter remarked: My push present was a Petunia Pickle bag, Black Opium perfume, a Soma robe and at the time it was maxing out our budget. I love this, regardless of how extravagant it may seem to some. 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 former Disney Channel actor has announced her pregnancy. Skai Jackson most known for playing Zuri Ross on the sitcom Jessie, and several appearances on shows spin-off Bunkd confirmed to People that shes expecting her first child with her current boyfriend, whose identity has yet to be revealed. Im thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full! she told the outlet. The news of the actors pregnancy comes just a few months after her arrest in August for suspicion of domestic battery. At the time, Jackson was with her boyfriend at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles, California, when security had detained her for allegedly pushing her boyfriend, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. However, there were no weapons involved or noticeable injuries, and Jackson was released from the West Hollywood Sheriffs Station a few hours after being taken there with no charges. Skai is relieved that the investigation revealed that this was nothing more than a misunderstanding. We appreciate that the DA determined very quickly that there should be no charges of any kind and Skai looks forward to putting this behind her, a representative for the actor told People at the time. Now that the 22-year-old is preparing to be a mother for the first time, she has previously gushed over her close relationship with her own mother, Kiya Cole, who raised Jackson by herself. [My mom] always taught me to stand up for myself, stand up for what I believe in, and fight for what is right, Jackson told People back in 2023. I thank her for that because without her, I probably wouldnt have a lot of the confidence that I do now. open image in gallery Skai Jackson, 22, is known for her role as Zuri Ross on the Disney Channel show Jessie ( Getty Images for IMDb ) The Disney Channel alums pregnancy announcement comes after fellow actor Megan Fox confirmed shes expecting a child with her fiance, rapper Machine Gun Kelly. The Jennifers Body star announced her pregnancy in an Instagram post shared on Monday (November 11), which included one image of Fox holding a baby bump and another image of a positive pregnancy test. She captioned the photos with lyrics from Kellys song Last November, which touched upon the couples past miscarriage. Nothing is ever really lost. Welcome back, Fox wrote. In 2023, the Transformers star reflected on suffering a miscarriage with Kelly during an appearance on Good Morning America. I had never been through anything like that before in my life, Fox said. I have three kids, so it was very difficult for both of us. And it sent us on a very wild journey together and separately, and together and apart, and together and apart, and together and apart, trying to navigate: What does this mean? Why did this happen? Both Fox and Kelly have previously made subtle references to a 2021 miscarriage. She seemingly hinted at the pregnancy loss in an excerpt of her poetry book, titled Pretty Boys Are Poisonous. There is an ultrasound by your side of the bed, 10 weeks and 1 day do you think that if she could have, she would have left a suicide note? she wrote. But now I have to say goodbye. I close my eyes and imagine holding you tight against my chest as they rip you from my insides. I will pay any price, tell me please, what is the ransom for her soul? 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 International Criminal Courts oversight body announced Monday it will open an outside investigation into sexual misconduct accusations against its top prosecutor Karim Khan, confirming reporting by The Associated Press. Khan said he won't step down during the probe. The Assembly of States Parties made the announcement after the courts internal watchdog opened and shut an inquiry into the allegations after only five days. An external investigation is therefore being pursued in order to ensure a fully independent, impartial and fair process, ASP president Paivi Kaukoranta said in a statement. Khan has categorically denied accusations that he tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship. The claims come amid reports of an ongoing Israeli intelligence campaign to discredit the courts prosecution of Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. An AP investigation found that two court employees in whom the alleged victim confided came forward with the accusation in May, a few weeks before Khan sought arrest warrants against Netanyahu, his defense minister and three Hamas leaders on war crimes charges. A three-judge panel is now weighing that request. AP reported that Khan traveled frequently with the woman after transferring her to his office from another department at the ICCs headquarters in The Hague. In his own statement Monday, Khan said he was aware of the new investigation and had requested that his two deputy prosecutors take responsibility for the matter internally. I welcome the opportunity to engage in this process, he said. He also declined to step down during the investigation. I will be continuing all other functions as Prosecutor, in line with my mandate, across situations addressed by the International Criminal Court,'' he said. The composition of the new probe remains unclear. According to Kaukoranta, the practical modalities of the investigation are being finalized. AP sources suggested law enforcement officials from Europe and a law firm could be involved. The United Nations internal watchdog has also been discussed for such a probe, but that could be fraught with conflict-of-interest concerns because Khans wife, a prominent human rights attorney, had previously worked at the agency in Kenya investigating sexual harassment. The ASP said the courts watchdog, the Internal Oversight Mechanism, had no objections to the opening of an external probe. The internal watchdog interviewed the woman but she opted against filing a complaint due to her distrust of the watchdog, according to the AP investigation. Khan was never questioned and the watchdogs inquiry was closed within five days. The watchdog did recommend that Khan minimize contact with the woman. 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 Palestinian medical officials said two Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 14 people, including two children and a woman. The deaths came as eight international aid groups said in a report on Tuesday that Israel has failed to meet U.S. demands that it allow greater humanitarian access to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, where conditions are worse than at any point in the 13-month-old war. A late Monday strike hit a cafeteria in the so-called Muwasi humanitarian zone west of the Gaza city of Khan Younis, killing at least 11 people, including two children, according to officials at Nasser Hospital, where the casualties were taken. Another strike early Tuesday hit a house in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing three people including a woman, according to al-Awda Hospital, which received the casualties. The Biden administration last month called on Israel to surge more food and other emergency aid into Gaza, setting a 30-day deadline that was expiring Tuesday. It warned failure to comply could trigger U.S. laws requiring it to scale back American military support as Israel wages war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has announced some steps toward improving the situation. But in recent days, U.S. officials signaled Israel still isnt doing enough, though they have not said if they will take action against it. The Israel-Hamas war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people mostly civilians and abducting 250 others. Israels military response in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 people, Palestinian health officials say. The officials do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but say more than half of those killed were women and children. In Lebanon, to the north, the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group, began firing into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Since the conflict erupted, more than 3,200 people have been killed and more than 14,000 wounded in Lebanon, the country's Health Ministry reported. ___ Here's the latest: Israel's military says it delivered aid to northern Gaza on a US-imposed deadline TEL AVIV The Israeli military said on Tuesday that hundreds of packages of food and water were brought to a besieged area in northern Gaza where the military has been carrying out a concentrated operation since October. COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza said aid trucks were brought to the areas of Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun, where the military has carried out an intense operation since Oct. 6. At least 700 Palestinians have been killed in northern Gaza since the operation began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and tens of thousands have been displaced. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its counts. An Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military briefing rules, said the army estimates there are approximately 5,00010,000 Palestinians still living in northern Gaza. The aid was delivered on a U.S.-imposed deadline that called on Israel to surge more food and other emergency aid into Gaza. It warned that failure to comply could trigger U.S. laws requiring it to scale back military support as Israel wages war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Aid groups have accused Israel of falling short on aid distribution, especially in northern Gaza. Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel; Israel denied or impeded 85% of aid convoys to northern Gaza last month, UN says UNITED NATIONS The U.N. humanitarian office says 85% of its attempts to coordinate aid convoys and humanitarian visits to northern Gaza where hunger is acute and Israel is carrying out a major offensive were denied or impeded last month. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs made 98 requests to Israeli authorities for authorization to go through the checkpoint along Wadi Gaza but only 15 made it, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, is worried about the fate of Palestinians remaining in North Gaza, as the siege there continues, and urgently calls on Israel to open up the area to humanitarian operations at the scale needed, given the massive needs. Dujarric said. In a new report published Monday, OCHA said humanitarian organizations submitted 50 requests to the Israeli authorities to enter North Gaza governorate in October and 33 were rejected while eight were accepted but faced impediments including delays that prevented their completion, he said. Over the past three days, Dujarric said, teams from OCHA, the U.N. human rights and de-mining agencies and other humanitarian groups visited nine sites in Gaza City to assess the needs of hundreds of displaced families, many from North Gaza. The teams say that some were in shelters, abandoned homes, destroyed clinic and some were sleeping in the streets or open fields where they feared stray dogs at night, Dujarric said. In a severely damaged structure, the team found more than a dozen families including people with disabilities and some in urgent need of medical care sheltering in the basement which had no electricity and was full of sewage, he said,. ___ For more Middle East news: https://apnews.com/hub/middle-east 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 Frank Auerbach, who fled Nazi Germany for Britain as a child and became one of the major artists of the 20th century, has died aged 93. Auerbachs gallery, Frankie Rossi Art Projects, said on Tuesday the artist died at his home in London the day before. Born in Berlin in 1931, Auerbach came to England in 1939 on one of the Kindertransport trains carrying Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe in the months before World War II. Both his parents died in the Holocaust. He attended a boarding school in England alongside other war orphans, and after studies at St. Martins School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, he devoted the remaining seven decades of his life to painting. He lived and worked in the same north London studio from 1954 until his death and, according to his gallery, worked 364 days a year. Along with the other School of London post-war artists including Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and Leon Kossoff, he focused on figurative painting regardless of changing artistic fashions. Auerbach slathered canvasses in thick layers of paint to produce near-abstract but recognizable landscapes and brooding, occluded portraits. Auerbach exhibited his work from the 1950s but didn't gain fame for another 20 years. His first retrospective exhibition was at London's Hayward Gallery in 1978. He represented Britain at the 1986 Venice Biennale, winning the Golden Lion top prize. His most recent exhibition, Frank Auerbach: The Charcoal Heads, opened at London's Courtauld Gallery in February. In later life, his work commanded high prices. In 2023, Mornington Crescent one of many paintings inspired by the urban streets near his home sold at Sothebys for $7.1 million, a record for the artist. We have lost a dear friend and remarkable artist but take comfort knowing his voice will resonate for generations to come," said Geoffrey Parton, director of Frankie Rossi Art Projects. Auerbach is survived by his son, Jacob Auerbach. 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 special tribunal in Bangladesh on Tuesday asked the international police organization Interpol to issue a red notice for the arrest of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in connection with the deaths of hundreds of protesters during a mass uprising against her. Hasina fled to India on Aug. 5 with her close aides and former ministers, ending a 15-year rule. Nobel Peace laurate Muhammad Yunus took over as the interim leader of the South Asian nation on Aug. 8, and later reconstituted the tribunal that once handled charges of crimes against humanity during the countrys 1971 independence war against Pakistan. B.M. Sultan Mahmud, a prosecutor at the tribunal, told The Associated Press that they wrote to Interpol through the police chief seeking assistance from the France-based organization in the arrest of Hasina and others. The Yunus-led government has promised to try Hasina and said that it would seek her extradition from India. 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 New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made a formal and unreserved apology in Parliament on Tuesday for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care. It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened, Luxon said, as he spoke to lawmakers and a public gallery packed with survivors of the abuse. An estimated 200,000 people in state, foster and faith-based care suffered unimaginable abuse over a period of seven decades, a blistering report released in July said at the end of the largest inquiry ever undertaken in New Zealand. For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility, Luxon said. Words do matter and I say these words with sincerity: I have read your stories, and I believe you, he added. The Prime Minister was apologizing on behalf of previous governments too, he said. The results were a national disgrace, the inquirys report said, after a six-year investigation believed to be the widest-ranging of comparable probes worldwide. Of 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in state, foster, and church care between 1950 and 2019 in a country that today has a population of 5 million nearly a third endured physical, sexual, verbal or psychological abuse. Many more were exploited or neglected. They were disproportionately Maori, New Zealand's Indigenous people. In response to the findings, New Zealands government agreed for the first time that historical treatment of some children in a notorious state-run hospital amounted to torture, and pledged an apology to all those abused in state, foster and religious care since 1950. Luxon's government was decried by some survivors and advocates earlier Tuesday ahead of the apology for not yet having divulged plans for the financial compensation of those abused. 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 Israeli airstrikes hit a cafeteria and a home in Gaza, killing at least 14 people, medical officials said. In Lebanon, warplanes struck the capital Beiruts southern suburbs on Tuesday after the military ordered a number of houses there to evacuate. The new bombardment on both fronts comes on the verge of a deadline set by the United States for Israel to dramatically ramp up humanitarian aid allowed in Gaza or risk possible restrictions on U.S. military funding. A group of eight international aid agencies said in a report on Tuesday that Israel has failed to meet the U.S. demands. In Lebanon, large explosions shook Beiruts southern suburbs an area known as Dahiyeh where Hezbollah has a significant presence soon after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 11 houses there. There was no immediate word on casualties. The military said the houses contained Hezbollah installations, but the claim could not be independently confirmed. Late Monday night, a strike hit the village of Ain Yaacoub in northern Lebanon, killing at least 16 people, the Lebanese civil defense said. Four of the killed were Syrian refugees, and there were another 10 people wounded. There was no immediate Israeli military comment on the strike. Israel has been carrying out intensified bombardment of Lebanon since late September, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and put a stop to more than year of cross-border fire by the Lebanese militant group onto northern Israel. At the same time, Israel has continued its campaign in Gaza, now more than 13 months old, triggered by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. An Israeli strike late Monday hit a makeshift cafeteria used by displaced people in Muwasi, the center of a humanitarian zone that Israels military declared earlier in the war. At least 11 people were killed, including two children, according to officials at Nasser Hospital, where the casualties were taken. Video from the scene showed men pulling bloodied wounded from among tables and chairs set up in the sand in an enclosure made of corrugated metal sheets. Another strike early Tuesday hit a house in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing three people including a woman, according to al-Awda Hospital, which received the casualties. The strike also wounded 11 others, it said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes. Hours earlier, the Israeli military announced a small expansion of the humanitarian zone, where it has told Palestinians evacuating from other parts of Gaza to take refuge. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering in sprawling tent camps in and around Muwasi, a largely desolate area of dunes and agricultural fields with few facilities or services along the Mediterranean coast of southern Gaza. Israeli forces have also been besieging the northernmost part of Gaza since the beginning of October, battling Hamas fighters it says regrouped there. With virtually no food or aid allowed in for more than a month, the siege has raised fears of famine among the tens of thousands of Palestinians believed still sheltering there. An Oct. 13 letter signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin gave Israeli 30 days to, among other things, allow a minimum of 350 truckloads of goods to enter Gaza each day. So far, Israel has fallen short. In October, 57 trucks a day entered Gaza on average, and 70 a day in the 10 days of November, according to Israeli figures. The U.N. puts the number lower, at 37 trucks daily since the beginning of October. Israel has announced a flurry of measures in recent days to increase aid, including opening a new crossing into central Gaza. But so far the impact is unclear. The military said Tuesday it had allowed hundreds of packages of food and water into Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun, two areas under siege in the far north of Gaza. The Palestinian civil defense agency said three trucks carrying flour, canned food and water reached Beit Hanoun. It was only the second delivery allowed into the area since the beginning of October; a smaller cargo was let in last week, though not all of it reached shelters in the north, according to the U.N. The military announced Tuesday that four soldiers were killed in Jabaliya, bringing to 24 the number of soldiers killed in the assault there since it began. Palestinian health officials say hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, though the true numbers are unknown as rescue workers are unable to reach buildings destroyed in strikes. Israel has ordered residents in the area to evacuate. But the U.N. has estimated some 70,000 people remain. Many Palestinians there fear Israel aims to permanently depopulate the area to more easily keep control of it. On Tuesday, witnesses told The Associated Press that Israeli troops had encircled at least three schools in Beit Hanoun, forcing hundreds of displaced people sheltering inside to leave. Drones blared announcements demanding people move south to Gaza City, said Mahmoud al-Kafarnah, speaking from one of the schools as sounds of gunfire could be heard. The tanks are outside, he said. We dont know where to go. Hashim Afanah, sheltering with at least 20 other people in his family home, said the forces were evicting people from houses and shelters. Israels campaign in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities that do not distinguish between civilians and militants in their count but say more than half the dead are women and children. Israel says it targets Hamas militants and blames the militant group for civilian deaths, saying it operates in residential areas and infrastructure, and among displaced people. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250 as hostages. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, about a third of them believed to be dead. ___ Associated Press reporters Samy Magdy in Cairo and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. ___ This story has corrected to show that the span of the war is now 13 months, not 19 months. For John Folkes, it all began with a simple command, and a blinding flash. It was September 1956, and he was flying 18,000ft over Maralinga, Australia, secured in his seat by a single lap and shoulder strap, when a 15 kiloton atomic device as powerful as the weapon that had devastated Hiroshima a decade before was detonated over the desert plains below. Two days earlier, the 19-year-old had been told that his job was to head directly into the mushroom cloud and collect a sample of the radiation released by the blast. The flash blazed beneath him, forming an image that would terrorise Folkess dreams for the remainder of his life: it was an inferno, he recalls, describing crimson and black smoke billowing up towards us. The cloud was rising, it was coming up faster than we expected, but there was no turning round, no brakes on a plane. Thats when I thought Were not going to make it. They sped up. Suddenly, all the gauges in the cockpit were spinning out of control. Folkes shared a look with the pilot. No more than four seconds later, we were hit with this enormous shockwave, which flipped the aircraft over on its back, leaving me suspended in the air on these straps. Britains nuclear bomb scandal: The story of John Folkes Unfathomably, they made it safely to the ground By the hand of God, says Folkes, who is now 89 and lives in Thanet. The moment he stepped off the plane, his hands began violently shaking, and they havent stopped since. Folkes was working as part of Operation Buffalo, carried out by the UKs Atomic Weapons Establishment. He was just one of thousands of young men whose lives were treated as little more than collateral damage in Britains race to become a global nuclear power. In the years that followed the Second World War, the nuclear weapons programme placed 39,000 service personnel, scientists and local people in close proximity to 45 nuclear bomb detonations and hundreds of radioactive experiments. The testing left a permanent mark on once-pristine areas such as Maralinga and Christmas Island, causing lethal contamination to regions inhabited by Indigenous Aboriginal and Gilbertese populations. Many of those who were exposed to the blasts experienced debilitating illness for the rest of their lives, with the after-effects of the radiation affecting generations of their families. They werent respected servicemen, they say, but disposable pawns in a deadly game. Large swathes of the men developed cancer commonly of the liver, blood, bone, bowel, skin or brain and overwhelmingly high numbers of families suffered stillbirths, generational birth defects, and miscarriage. open image in gallery A mushroom cloud forms after a test at Emu Field on the Australian mainland in 1953 ( State Library of South Australia ) Despite this, theyve been consistently denied compensation from the War Pension Scheme (WPS). The proof that they were harmed, they allege, has been covered up for decades by the Ministry of Defence. For years, atomic programme veterans have repeatedly requested blood test results and other medical records, only to be told that no such tests were carried out. Numerous FOI requests made by Daily Mirror journalist Susie Boniface revealed the existence of more than 4,000 top-secret documents relating to orders to conduct medical examinations on thousands of troops and civilians documents that have been hidden ever since. Raw blood test data obtained by Boniface stands as evidence that MoD officials were misleading government ministers by denying that this testing had ever taken place. The veterans decades-long fight for justice has been rightly likened to the Post Office scandal. Its only now that a different story is beginning to emerge, one that will be exposed in a new BBC documentary, Britains Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story, next week. I was invited to a seminar in 2022; it was with a lot of the nuclear veterans and their family members, John Morris, 87, from Rochdale, explains. He was posted to Christmas Island aged 18, having never travelled further than Blackpool before. There were 12 men on that stage, and we were asked a question Have any of you lost a child? All 12 men put their hands up. Alongside them, 11 women got on the stage, who were asked, Have you lost a child, or had a deformed child, or miscarriages? Again, every single one put their hands up. This is a story that resonates with hundreds of veterans families. Its just not right. open image in gallery Atomic veteran John Morris, whose son, Steven, died at just four months old ( BBC/Hardcash Productions ) While serving, Morris was instructed to sit on the ground with his back to an exploding nuclear bomb 20 miles away. Boys next to me were wetting themselves, others were praying. Some wanted their mothers, he recalls. They were given shorts, T-shirts and sunglasses as their only protection. There was a countdown, he explains. We put our hands over our eyes. When the bomb went off, the light was so bright, I cant begin to explain it. Like nothing youve seen before. It was so bright that I could see through my hands literally through them, the bones, the blood. I felt my blood boiling, like I was being microwaved. The heat was immense. The palm trees were all scorched, the iron wagons were so hot we couldnt touch them for hours. The wiper blades had all been melted... In those two minutes, I was exposed to millions of X-rays. And then, everything was contaminated by the cloud. Morris, who has had pernicious anaemia since his twenties and later developed prostate cancer, had a son, Steven, with his wife not long after he returned from duty. He was a happy little boy, and family life came easily to the couple. We were very proud, says Morris. One night we put him to bed in the normal way, having fed him, and my wife woke up in the middle of the night to find Steven dead in his cot. She was beside herself and ran up to the telephone box to call an ambulance, while I tried to give him the kiss of life. Steven was pronounced dead at the hospital and Morris and his wife were initially arrested for his murder. A coroner later ruled that Steven had died of pneumonia, and the allegations were dropped but Morris felt his diagnosis was incorrect. Only in the last couple of years was he able to track down a copy of Stevens autopsy report, which showed he had underdeveloped lungs. Morris believes this was likely to have been caused by his exposure to radiation. open image in gallery David Purses son, Steve, was born with multiple disabilities, which he believes were a result of his fathers radiation exposure ( BBC/Simon Rawles ) Before she died, my wife always felt I was responsible for Stevens death, Morris explains, his voice cracking with emotion. They had two more children, whom Morris regimentally checked on each morning and through the night. I am now a great-grandad. [My great-grandson] is eight weeks old now, and I am terrified in case he dies or theres something wrong with him. That fear is always there. It will always be there. For Steve Purse, the fear of passing on genetic abnormalities his father, David, served in radioactive experiments known as the minor trials in Maralinga in 1963 almost stopped him from having children altogether. Purse was born with a number of disabilities, including a unique form of short stature. Purses father told him that he had watched officials try to simulate crashes of aircraft carrying nuclear weapons Basically, piling explosives onto warheads to see what it would take to make them pop, he says. He described watching molten jets of plutonium squirting 200ft in the air. It went everywhere the wind carried it. They said they cleared it up, decontaminated it. But you cant. The wind blows it, and you dont know where. When Purse met his wife, they decided to roll the dice and later welcomed a gorgeous baby boy. He seemed healthy, but, as hes grown, Purse says, its become clear that he hasnt escaped. Now three, his son has a genetic condition that means his teeth are crumbling. I hope thats all hell get. But thats the nature of what we deal with. Its invisible bullets being fired. open image in gallery Morris was sent to Christmas Island when he was just 18 ( John Morris ) Like hundreds of others, Purse continues to campaign for justice for his dad, and for other veterans who have been consistently dismissed by the MoD, denied recognition for their service, and denied the compensation theyre entitled to. Morris has taken his fight to every corner he can find. Now, he is calling for Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner, who pledged to help the veterans while in opposition, to make good on their promise. The veterans want a public apology, and for what theyve been through the sacrifices theyve made, and the fear theyve lived with since to be recognised. Our next step is to take the MoD to court, says Morris. Folkes, who has complex PTSD and is plagued by nightmares that hes falling out of the sky, explains that many veterans were unable to speak out until recently because they had signed a 50-year embargo under the Official Secrets Act. He called his book about his experiences Silent Tears. That is because so many veterans have died as a consequence of this. They must be in their thousands. And there are copious deformities, and lost children, and children who are going to have problems in the future. It has been a big problem, and it continues to be. I find it very difficult that our government is still trying to hide it. Its time for answers. Britains Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story is on Wednesday 20 November at 9pm on BBC Two and on iPlayer 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 Edinburgh University has warned privileged students not to be snobs towards their working-class peers. The university has admitted there is a problem of class-related prejudice on campus, with poorer students being inadvertently or deliberately shamed by more privileged students. New guidance issued by the university said affected students include those admitted as part of the widening participation policy under which entry requirements are lowered for people from deprived backgrounds. The guidance, aimed at counteracting socio-economic microaggressions, calls on wealthier students to create a more inclusive environment. Examples of prejudice given include comments about clothing and lack of knowledge or regional accent. An unnamed student who qualified under the policy is quoted in the guidance, saying they had been told: You cant be working class because youre at university. We were discussing inheritance tax in class, and people have explicitly said that they have more money because they just worked harder, the student said. My father is a manual labourer but I dont think he works any less hard than their dad at his desk job. The guidance, aimed at counteracting socio-economic microaggressions, calls on wealthier students to create a more inclusive environment ( PA Wire ) Private school students make up almost 40 per cent of Edinburgh Universitys intake of UK domestic students. In the 2023/2024 academic year, some 26 per cent of Edinburgh's students were from Scotland, 23 per cent from the rest of the UK and just under 50 per cent were international students. The guidance tells privileged students Dont be a snob! and advises: When you meet new people, be curious about their interests and aspirations rather than their backgrounds. The warning was issued after the Scottish Social Mobility Society complained that lecturers and students frequently mocked and mimicked individuals from north of the border. At the University of Edinburgh, students who come from middle to lower socio-economic backgrounds are in a minority, it said. However, in wider UK society they are the majority. The guidance also states: Dont assume that everyones life or family is like yours, and Try to undo some of the unhelpful mythology about the relationship of wealth to intelligence or hard work. Another student quoted in the guidance said: I guess I knew I was working class, but Im not sure how much it was really present to me when I was living at home. Like so many people I know from home, it was only going to uni that made us realise how working class we are. Its so weird being isolated, surrounded by middle-class and privileged people. Now I just assume Im going to be surrounded by people who are better off than me. The university recognises that people from lower socio-economic groups often dont have the same level of support and encouragement to go to university despite being extremely academically capable, the guidance says. An Edinburgh University spokesperson said: We are incredibly proud of our diverse community, and work hard to create an environment that eliminates discrimination and allows all of our students to have the best experience possible during their studies. Our Dignity and Respect policy sets out clear expectations of behaviour, including recognising when comments or behaviour may be harmful or upsetting to others and acting accordingly. The university is a recognised leader in its work to attract students from diverse social backgrounds, but also in ensuring they thrive both here and in all their future endeavours. This article was amended on 18 November 2024. It previously stated that more than 70 per cent of the universitys students were from England but this was not accurate. Latest figures show that 26% of Edinburghs students come from Scotland. The figure of more than 70 per cent relates to students from the rest of the UK and overseas students. 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 Gas boilers will reportedly be banned in most new homes by 2027, as part of legislation to slash carbon emissions across households. The Future Homes Standard, being brought forward by the government, will mean developers must ensure that new-builds are only fitted out with electric heat pumps or non-gas alternatives. It aims to ensure the carbon emissions of new homes are 75 per cent lower than under current standards. The new Labour government hopes to lay out the final guidance on phasing out gas boilers in May next year, sources told the Financial Times. But the ban is unlikely to be enforced until 2026, when the legislation takes effect, the paper reported. There would then be a year-long delay to give housebuilders sufficient time to prepare for the transition. The average household energy bill increases by 149 a year from Tuesday (Andrew Matthews/PA) ( PA Wire ) While the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the government wants all new properties to be built without gas boilers by the end of the decade, one official told the FT that the gas boiler ban could include some exceptions. The department said they are currently considering responses to the Future Homes Standard consultation, which was launched by the previous Tory government last year and came to an end in March. James Dyson, a senior researcher at climate policy think-tank E3G, said the delay in introducing the new standards was a scandal. He said: We estimate the delay has led to about 700,000 homes being built with heating systems that need replacing passing a cost of over 12,000 per home on to families and social housing associations. Mr Dyson called for the plans to be implemented as soon as possible, arguing a phased rollout would let down families across the country and cause energy bills to remain high. However, concerns have been raised over the plan, with industry figures warning that the current supply of heat pumps would not be able to keep up with demand. Steve Turner, executive director of the Home Builders Federation lobby group, said: We need to make sure the heat pump supply chain will be in place. At the minute, were only installing about 35,000 a year to go from there to up to 300,000 a year, plus additional ones fitted to existing homes, the supply chain will need a significant scale-up. Mr Turner also expressed concern over the impact on the National Grid, which would be forced to increase capacity to provide enough electricity to replace gas supplies. If youre not using gas for heating, that will load more on to the grid. We need to make sure theres enough resilience within that, he said. A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: We remain committed to delivering highly efficient new homes that will become net zero as the grid decarbonises. We are considering the responses to the Future Homes Standard consultation and will respond in due course. 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 The scandal that led to the resignation of Justin Welby has been called just the tip of the iceberg, as one bishop warned the Church of England is not a safe institution. Jayne Ozanne, a prominent LGBT+ campaigner who sat on the Archbishops Council, said the resignation of Justin Welby, had to be a watershed moment for the Church. Ms Ozanne told the BBC: This is just the tip of the iceberg, there are many other abusers that have been covered up for the good of the church. We must look afresh at how we empower and allow leaders to speak out when they disagree rather than muzzling them. When you just work as a pack and go silent, that silence is deafening, particularly for survivors. open image in gallery Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby stood down in the wake of the John Smyth scandal ( WPA ROTA ) Mr Welby said on Tuesday that his decision to step down which came after days of pressure following a damning report into abuse cover-up was in the best interests of the Church. Victims of John Smyth, a barrister who led Christian summer camps and is thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the Church, have called for further resignations from senior clergy members involved in the scandal. It came as Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty said she couldnt guarantee that abuse is not still going on in the Church. We still have this institutional problem where we are not putting victims and survivors at the centre. In some ways, we are not a safe institution, she said. open image in gallery John Smyth is said to have subjected his victims to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks ( Channel 4 ) She added she believes Mr Welby has done the right thing but his resignation is not going to solve the problem. It is frustrating for me because in many ways we have been working really hard at making churches safer places. No institution, nothing, can ever be totally safe but there has been loads of really good work going on, she said. This is about institutional changes, our culture and a systemic failure, so there must be more that we need to do. Keith Makin, who led the independent review, said last week that despite the efforts of some individuals to bring the abuse to the attention of authorities, the responses by the Church of England and others were wholly ineffective and amounted to a cover-up. Health secretary Wes Streeting, who said he was speaking as an Anglican, not as a government minister, said it was absolutely the right decision for Mr Welby to resign, but church leaders should not think one head rolling solves the problem. He told the Today programme there are deep and fundamental issues of not just practice, but culture on safeguarding that needs to be taken seriously. In his resignation statement, Mr Welby said he was quitting in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse and that the past few days had renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. The review concluded that Smyth might have been brought to justice had the Archbishop formally reported him to police in 2013. Across five decades in three different countries and involving as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa, Smyth is said to have subjected his victims to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. He died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the review said. It emerged Justin Welbys automatic peerage may be in doubt over his failures to alert authorities about John Smyth QCs abhorrent abuse of children and young men. Archbishops of Canterbury have, by convention, been given lifetime peerages allowing them to continue to sit in the Lords when they retire. But a Downing Street spokesperson declined to confirm that Welby would receive the honour. Mr Welbys successor will become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, with Stephen Cottrell the Archbishop of York among the possible successors. Stephen Cottrell will assume the role of the Church of Englands temporary leader, as the selection process takes place. Other frontrunners for the role include Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London; Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford; Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells; Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester; and Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich. 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 The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned after a damning report exposed a conspiracy of silence around a barrister thought to have been the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England. Justin Welby had come under growing pressure to stand down over his failures to alert authorities about John Smyth QCs abhorrent abuse of children and young men. On Tuesday, Dr Welby said it was very clear I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. He said: The Makin review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. open image in gallery Welby became Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013 ( EPA ) For nearly 12 years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done. I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. Among the calls for Dr Welby to quit was a petition instigated by some members of the General Synod the Churchs parliament which gathered more than 10,000 signatures, while a senior bishop issued a public statement describing the Church as being in danger of losing complete credibility on safeguarding. Sir Keir Starmer also piled pressure on Dr Welby, hours before the primate stood down, saying that Smyths victims had been failed very, very badly. Later on Tuesday, the prime ministers official spokesperson said Sir Keir respects the archbishops decision to resign from his post. The spokesperson added that while Sir Keir recognises Dr Welbys years of service to the Church, his thoughts first and foremost remain with the victims in light of the horrific allegations. Dr Welby had been resisting the calls for him to resign, but reiterated his horror at the scale of John Smyths egregious abuse, as reflected in his public apology. The Makin review into Smyths abuse, published last week, concluded that the barrister might have been brought to justice had Dr Welby formally reported it to police a decade ago. Smyth died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and so was never brought to justice for the abuse, the review said. open image in gallery Smyth died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police ( Channel 4 ) He is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks across five decades, in three different countries, permanently marking their lives. Dr Welby said he had had no idea or suspicion of this abuse before 2013, but acknowledged that the review had found that after its wider exposure that year he had personally failed to ensure the case was energetically investigated. Although Dr Welby knew Smyth because of his attendance at Iwerne Christian camps in the 1970s and did have reason to have some concern about him, the review said this was not the same as suspecting he had committed severe abuses and concluded it was not possible to establish whether Dr Welby knew of the severity of the abuses in the UK before 2013. Dr Welbys resignation comes after the petition described his role as Archbishop of Canterbury as no longer tenable, while the Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, similarly called his position untenable. She told the BBC on Monday that while his resignation was not going to solve the problem, it would be a very clear indication that a line has been drawn, and that we must move towards independence of safeguarding. The petition stated: We must see change, for the sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable, and for the good of the Church and we share this determination across our traditions. 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 senior Labour MP has intervened in the Justin Welby abuse row highlighting his failure to act as the party adds to the pressure piling on the Archbishop of Canterbury. Marsha de Cordova, who represents the Church of England in the House of Commons, said the sexual abuse scandal was a stark reminder that the church has much more work to do to clean up its act. She stopped short of backing calls for Mr Welby to resign, but her pointed remarks add to the pressure on the embattled archbishop after a damning report into a barrister thought to have been the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England. open image in gallery A senior Labour MP has intervened in the Justin Welby abuse row as the party adds to the pressure piling on the Archbishop of Canterbury ( PA ) Downing Street announced last month that the appointment of Ms de Cordova as Second Church Estates Commissioner, the churchs representative in the Commons, had been approved by the King. She is the 43rd Second Church Estates Commissioner, a role first created in 1850 to coordinate between Government, Parliament, and the established Church, according to the Church of England. Ms de Cordova said on Monday: I recognise the Archbishop of Canterburys acknowledgement of and apology for his own failure to act with sufficient urgency in his response to learning about the abuse in 2013. This case is a stark reminder that there is much more work for the Church of England to do to ensure it provides safe, open and transparent spaces for everyone in society. Ms de Cordovas comments come as a petition by some members of the General Synod the churchs parliament has now reached more than 5,000 signatures, urging Mr Welby to stand down over his failures to alert authorities about John Smyth QCs abhorrent abuse of children and young men. The Makin review into the abuse, published last week, concluded that he might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally reported it to police a decade ago. The prime minister himself would not be drawn on the issue, with Keir Starmer telling reporters the matter of whether Mr Welby should resign is one for the church. open image in gallery Marsha de Cordova represents the Church of England in the House of Commons ( Alamy ) However, Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley echoed the petitions calls, saying the Church of England risked losing its moral voice if the situation persisted. Ms Hartley told the BBC: I think that its very hard for the church as the national, the established church, to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation when we cannot get our own house in order with regard to something as critically important, something that would be asked of any institution, let alone the church, which is meant to have the gospel of Jesus Christ looking out for the most vulnerable in our midst. We are in danger of losing complete credibility on that front. Of Mr Welby, she said: I think, sadly, his position is untenable, so I think he should resign. She said while his resignation is not going to solve the problem, it would be a very clear indication that a line has been drawn, and that we must move towards independence of safeguarding. When the report was published Mr Welby admitted he had considered resigning but decided not to after taking advice from senior colleagues. After the petition was launched, Mr Welbys spokesman said he reiterates his horror at the scale of John Smyths egregious abuse, as reflected in his public apology, repeated that he does not intend to resign, and said he hopes the Makin Review supports the ongoing work of building a safer church here and around the world. Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was never bought to justice for the abuse, the Makin Review published last week said. Across five decades, Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. The Archbishop said he had no idea or suspicion of this abuse before 2013 but acknowledged the review had found that after its wider exposure that year he had personally failed to ensure it was energetically investigated. 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 Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is quitting after coming under sustained pressure over his handling of a Church of England-linked abuse case. Welby had been facing growing pressure to stand down over his failures to alert authorities about John Smyth QCs abhorrent abuse of children and young men. Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men to traumatic physical, sexual and psychological abuse over five decades in the UK and Africa. The independent Makin Review concluded that barrister and Christian camp leader John Smyth might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013. Mr Welby has said it was very clear I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. open image in gallery Justin Welby with the King at his coronation (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Archive ) We look at the process for choosing Mr Welbys successor: Who appoints the archbishop? The King the defender of the faith and supreme governor of the Church of England formally appoints archbishops, bishops and deans. Mr Welby sought permission from the King before he announced his intention to resign. Who recommends the Archbishop appointment? The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) examines the candidates and puts forward two names to the Prime Minister a preferred candidate and an alternative. It is Sir Keir Starmers responsibility to advise the King on the appointment. In 2012, when Mr Welbys predecessor Rowan Williams stepped down, there were 16 voting members of the CNC: a layperson appointed by the Prime Minister, a bishop, the Archbishop of York, six representatives elected from the Diocese of Canterbury, six from the General Synod three clergy and three lay and a member of the primates meeting of the Anglican Communion. In addition, the secretary general of the Anglican Communion, the Prime Ministers appointments secretary and the archbishops secretary for appointments are non-voting members of the Commission. Once the King has approved the chosen candidate and they have indicated a willingness to serve, 10 Downing St will announce the name of the archbishop-designate. The college of canons of Canterbury Cathedral then formally elects the new archbishop. What will happen to Justin Welby? The Archbishop said he would honour his existing constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings for his departure will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed. Previous archbishops have received a life peerage to sit in the House of Lords. Get a daily round-up of the best shopping deals, chosen by our IndyBest experts Sign up to our Daily Deals email Sign up to our Daily Deals email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Martin Lewiss money advice service has issued a three-week warning to all Tesco Clubcard shoppers not to miss out on valuable deals as vouchers worth million of pounds worth will soon expire. Customers are urged to act should act as vouchers worth 18m go out of date at the end of November. These cash discounts, earned by collecting points on shopping, last for only two years after they are sent. Advice from Money Saving Expert says Tesco shoppers should first check how many valid Clubcard vouchers they have. This can be done on the Tesco Clubcard website or app. open image in gallery Vouchers could be worth hundreds ( PA Media ) For those that have many to use up, they are advised to check when they are expiring and be sure to use them before the deadline. However, the money service advice also points out that the value of these vouchers can be boosted or extended if the correct steps are taken. open image in gallery Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis ( This Morning/ITV ) Tesco shoppers can as much as double the value of their vouchers by spending them at Tescos Reward Partners. This gives those with many vouchers the chance to get discounts across more purchases than just the supermarket giant. Restaurants such as Pizza Express, days out, railcards and even a Disney+ subscription are included in the Reward Partner scheme. Whats more, vouchers will often be double their value when spent in this way instead of in a Tesco store. Money Saving Expert has also shared a little-known loophole to extend soon-to-expire vouchers for up to two years. This can be done by making a small purchase or charity donation (as little as 50p) on the Tesco Clubcard Rewards page when the remaining value of the voucher will be credited back to your account. This new amount should be valid for another two years, but experts warn that Tesco may look to close this loophole without any notice. Meanwhile, Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis has been vocal about Labours changes to the winter fuel payment for pensioners, advising older people how to boost their finances as the colder months hit. 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 major bank has been fined millions for errors that left customers at risk. Metro Bank has been fined 16.6m by regulators for failings over money laundering controls from 2016 to 2020. The issues, which continued for four years despite concerns being raised by junior staff, applied to more than 60 million transactions with a value of more than 51bn, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The watchdog said Metro Bank automated financial crime monitoring in 2016 but its system did not work as intended. An error in how data went into the system meant transactions on the same day an account opened along with many further transactions were not monitored. Junior staff raised concerns about the issue in 2017 and 2018 but these did not result in the issue being identified and fixed. Metro Bank put a fix in place in July 2019 but even then did not have a system to consistently check that all relevant transactions were being monitored correctly until December 2020. Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, said: Metros failings risked a gap being left in our defence against the criminal misuse of our financial system. Those failings went on for too long. open image in gallery Metro Bank has been fined 16.6m by regulators for failings over money laundering control ( Mike Egerton/PA Wire ) The company would have been fined 23.8m but it agreed to resolve the matters and so qualified for a 30 per cent discount, the watchdog said. Metro Bank has about 3 million customers in the UK and earlier this year announced a round of heavy cost cutting which saw it axe 1,000 jobs. The company said over the summer that it expects to return to profitability by the end of the year, following the turnaround effort. Shareholders last year gave the green light to a 925m fundraising which saw Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski Bacal become a majority shareholder in the group with a 53 per cent stake. 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 Justin Welbys resignation as the Archbishop of Canterbury over his handling of historic abuse allegations leaves a vacancy at the top of the Church of Englands leadership. He had been facing growing pressure to stand down over his failures to alert authorities about John Smyth QCs abhorrent abuse of children and young men. Now the Crown Nominations Commission must select a successor, which will be taken to the prime minister, Keir Starmer, who will then submit it to the King. These are the senior figures who could become the next Archbishop of Canterbury: Stephen Cottrell The Archbishop of York is the second most senior bishop in the Church of England, making him the obvious candidate to replace Justin Welby. On Tuesday he described Justin Welbys resignation as the right and honourable thing to do. Theologian and author Andrew Graystone said that while he originally believed Mr Cottrell, 66, would be ruled out because of his age, he could serve as an effective and popular interim leader while a long-term candidate is chosen. open image in gallery Stephen Cottrell pictured with Welby on the day of the Queens funeral ( PA ) Sarah Mulally The Bishop of London is the third most senior bishop in the Church of England, and was in the running to be the Archbishop of York until Stephen Cottrell was chosen in 2020. She came to the ordained ministry later in life after serving as the NHSs chief nursing officer. She has a high public profile, having led Remembrance Day events at the weekend, and presides over a popular and growing diocese. Last year she described the Churchs welcoming of same-sex couples into the institution as a moment of hope. Guli Francis-Dehqani The Bishop of Chelmsford was born in Iran, where her father was an Anglican bishop, but fled the Middle Eastern country with her family as a result of the Islamic revolution, in which her brother was killed, in 1980. She is outspoken on justice issues, and recently called on western governments to address Palestinian dispossession in occupied territories. Helen-Ann Hartley The Bishop of Newcastle led calls this week for Justin Welby to resign, describing his position as untenable and claimed that the church was in danger of losing complete credibility. She told the BBC the public was asking whether the church could be trusted to keep them safe. And I think the answer at the moment is No, she said. However, her vocal stance may also reduce her perceived suitability for the top spot where other senior figures remained silent. open image in gallery Hartley became Bishop of Newcastle in 2023 ( AFP/Getty ) Rachel Treweek Mr Graystone described Rachel Treweek, the Bishop of Gloucester, as an extremely popular choice who is articulate and effective both in the House of Lords and her parish, and is known for taking on tough issues. In July she spoke out against Israels treatment of Palestinians by comparing its conduct to South Africas former apartheid policy. In 2015 she said the Church of England should stop using male pronouns when referring to God. Justin Welby resigns as Archbishop of Canterbury Martyn Snow The 54-year-old Bishop of Leicester has been in his current posting since 2016. He was born in Indonesia and also worked as a vicar and youth chaplain in West Africa. He has been the Churchs lead bishop in its Living in Love and Faith program, which grapples with questions of sexuality and doctrine. Graham Usher The Bishop of Norwich is outspoken on issues relating to climate change, and most recently called on the government to hit major polluters with higher taxes in the run-up to this weeks COP29 summit in Azerbaijan. 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 The UK will not enjoy supremacy in the air in future warfare but will have to fight against an ever-improving enemy for control, the head of the Royal Air Force has warned, as he claimed that the UK faces the most difficult strategic environment in decades. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, chief of the Air Staff, suggested the era of unchallenged Western dominance in the air had come to an end, adding that it was imperative the RAF modernise its efforts to stay ahead of the likes of China and Russia. Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a defence think tank, for the annual Lord Trenchard Memorial Lecture, Sir Richard praised the strength of the RAF but said that it had spent the past 25 years preparing for a now outdated form of warfare. open image in gallery An RAF Typhoon FGR4 aircraft back at base, following strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in February ( Ministry of Defence ) Throughout my career, we have enjoyed air supremacy, never mind air superiority, at least above 10,000 feet, he said. That is not going to be the case in the future. It seems clear to me that we are going to have to fight for control of the air. We have spent the last 25 years or more optimising ourselves for the types of conflict we saw in the Balkans, the Middle East or Afghanistan. We as a service responded well and adapted our systems and capabilities for those wars. open image in gallery Richard Knighton said the RAF must ensure it is not preparing for an outdated form of warfare ( RUSI ) But this is not the threat we face today. We need to become match fit for the new, bigger and more important game. Over the last three decades, the UK and its allies have enjoyed considerable dominance in the air over their adversaries. That advantage, said Sir Richard, has meant the need to adapt fighting capabilities has been less urgent. But the rapid growth of the Chinese military, as well as the mobilisation of Russias war economy to perpetrate its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, have brought into sharp relief the need for the UK to modernise. The involvement of the private sector in shaping warfare, with the introduction of artificial intelligence and drones proving critical in the likes of Ukraine and Gaza, has also sped up the cycle of adaptation in war. Sir Richard said that cycles of adaptation in Ukraine, for example, which encapsulates the creation of a weapon, of a countermeasure, and of a response to that countermeasure, were just three weeks long. They have become so short, he added, that Kyiv was creating a response to the countermeasure at the same time as creating the original weapon. open image in gallery The era of unchallenged Western dominance in the air has come to an end, according to the chief of the Air Staff ( Ministry of Defence ) The RAF will bring into service two new fleets of aircraft next year, including E-7 command and control planes and remotely piloted endurance aircraft known as Protector, as part of its bid to remain among the most modern and capable air forces. But Sir Richard pointed out that after the introduction of these two aircraft, the RAF does not expect to bring in major new aircraft until at least 2035, meaning that the force we have [by next year] is pretty much the force we will have to fight with until later in the next decade. While the UKs current Typhoon and F-35 aircraft, designed in the 1980s and 1990s respectively, are due for upgrades in the coming years, which Sir Richard says will bridge the transition into 2035, he added that the UK cannot afford to stand still over the next 15 years in the face of an evolving threat. He name-checked the recently introduced Chinese J-20 and slightly older Russian Su-57 fighter jets, both of which claim to have advanced stealth capabilities, as reasons for the need to continue improving the RAFs own aircraft. The proliferation of China and Russias capabilities, he said, means that we also need to plan for the next generation of capabilities now. While highlighting the significance of the threat posed by the China-led quadrumvirate of Russia, Iran, North Korea and Beijing, Sir Richard did not suggest the UK faced an immediate threat of direct attack. But he suggested the swelling anti-Western axis should nevertheless spur the UK and its Western allies on to create a credible deterrence to prevent future wars. Three decades of relative peace and the absence of any serious, direct threats to the UK has left us with limits to our capability to respond to some of the threats we could face in the future, he said. Deterrence and hard power matter more now than they have for many years. If it fails, we are doomed to repeat the brutal suffering of our past wars. 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 campaign to return a 13th-century copy of the Bible to its ancestral home in Salisbury Cathedral has been hailed by the culture secretary as an example of our country at its best as it received a remarkable 10,000 donation. The bible is one of only six manuscripts attributed to the Sarum Master, who was among the greatest artists of the medieval period and illuminated pages of vellum in his workshop in Salisbury. The campaign is aiming to raise 90,000 in 90 days to secure its return. The generous 10,000 donation was gifted by the Old Possums Practical Trust, founded in 1990 by Valerie Eliot, the wife of TS Eliot, to promote literary and cultural initiatives through grants that honour the poets legacy. Funded largely by proceeds from Cats, the trust has contributed to numerous projects over the years, continuing Eliots impact on literature and the arts. A spokesperson for the TS Eliot estate said: We would like to see this extraordinary book returned to where it was originally written. It feels like poetic justice for this jewel of a manuscript to return seven centuries after it was written and illuminated on vellum. open image in gallery Lisa Nandy has praised the campaign to return the book to Salisbury ( Reuters ) The Sarum Master was known for his work on religious manuscripts, particularly the Sarum Missal, which was used for the liturgical practices of the cathedral, influencing English Christianity before the Reformation. At the time, no other city apart from London and Oxford supported this scale of book production, and Salisbury became renowned as an academic and cultural centre. Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, said: This campaign by Friends of the Nations Libraries to return a book handwritten by one of Englands most famous medieval artists to the place where it was made 700 years ago shows our country at its best. I applaud and give my full support to the charities involved for stepping in to save a masterpiece of bibliographical, artistic and religious content. open image in gallery The Bible is one of only six manuscripts to be attributed to the medieval artist the Sarum Master, who had a workshop in Salisbury ( Salisbury Cathedral ) The Friends of the Nations Libraries (FNL), which protects the UKs written and printed history, is campaigning to raise the 90,000 to purchase the incredibly rare copy of the Bible from a private collector. Geordie Greig, chair of FNL, said: I am determined that this campaign by Friends of the Nations Libraries to return a literary treasure to an ancient cathedral library, 700 years after it was written by one of the few known medieval artists, will be successful. To achieve this we are asking the public and donors to help us to save the Master of Sarum Salisbury Bible, a treasure of infinite historical and bibliographical merit. Christopher de Hamel, an expert on medieval manuscripts, said: The Sarum Master was one of the earliest manuscript artists in England of whom we have a recognisable oeuvre. open image in gallery A spokesperson for the TS Eliot estate said We would like to see this extraordinary book returned to where it was originally written ( Getty ) He added that Salisburys flourishing book trade during the medieval period meant that its published manuscripts were available for purchase, which led to the Use of Sarum the liturgy developed in Salisbury becoming standard for all of southern England until the Reformation period. The artist is known for his intricate and highly stylised illustrations, which were characteristic of Gothic art. His work includes detailed images of saints, biblical scenes, and illuminated initials, with vibrant colours, flowing lines, and elaborate gold leaf. Salisbury Cathedral is visited by around 250,000 people each year and boasts the tallest spire in the country, which stands at 123 metres. It also houses a library, founded in 1445, that holds a large collection of manuscripts dating from the ninth century and is one of the earliest purpose-built library rooms in England. open image in gallery Friends of the Nations Libraries hopes to raise 90,000 to buy the bible and return it to the cathedral ( Salisbury Cathedral ) Among its prized possessions is one of only four remaining copies of the 1215 Magna Carta and the worlds oldest mechanical clock. The Very Rev Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, said: We are immensely grateful to the Friends of the Nations Libraries for their invaluable support with the campaign to bring the Sarum Bible back to Salisbury after nearly 800 years. The artistry of the Sarum Master speaks to a centuries-long tradition of creativity at Salisbury. We are delighted at the prospect of being able to share this treasure with visitors to the cathedral library in the future. You can donate here: Return the Sarum Master Bible to Salisbury Cathedral 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 Birdwatchers flocked to a residential cu-de-sac after an ultra-rare species was spotted in Yorkshire for the first time. The bird is believed to be a scarlet tanager, which arrived in Shelf, near Halifax, after being blown off course by strong winds from a hurricane in North America. Normally, the bird makes two annual trips between lowland South American woods and the eastern United States. But the rare scarlet tanager appears to have been blown off course to the quiet street Yorkshire, attracting dozens of birdwatchers from across the UK. The birds song is often described as sounding like a robin with a cold, according to the American Bird Conservancy. The rare scarlet tanager has managed to find its way to a quiet cul-de-sac in Yorkshire ( @Benbbirder/X ) Females and juvenile birds have a yellowish-green body, while male breeding birds have a bright red body with black wings and tails, according to Cornell Universitys All About Birds website. Website Bird Guides said on X that the sighting was believed to be the first in Yorkshire. Never before seen in Yorkshire, the first-winter male scarlet tanager is just the eighth British record and the first since 2014, it said. The birds have thick, rounded bills for catching insects and eating fruit. One birdwatcher, who made the journey from London, described the spotting as exhilarating. Another one, Luke Nash, who made the trip from Durham, told the BBC: I was a bit suspicious when I heard it was here. I was dawdling and playing with my camera, looking at my phone and then someone shouted it was coming in and then the camera came out of the bag and the binoculars were up. 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 Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has revealed that caring for his dying mother as a teenager convinced him against assisted suicide, as MPs prepare for a historic vote on the issue. In a moving interview, the former minister spoke of his fears that the terminally ill, those with disabilities and others could feel under a real pressure psychologically to end their lives. His mother had been in a lot of pain towards the end of her life, he said, revealing that she had a had a very, very painful disease. But he said it was being with her in those final days that I came to the conclusion we should not have this ... we should focus on better palliative care. open image in gallery Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey (Ben Birchall/PA) ( PA Wire ) Cabinet ministers are split on a bill on assisted dying, which MPs are due to vote on at the end of this month. Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, said on Tuesday that he supported the move to make assisted suicide legal. But the two secretaries of state who will be responsible for any new law have voiced their opposition. Health secretary Wes Streeting has said he intends to vote against the Bill, voicing fears over coercion and people feeling a "duty to die". Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, has also spoken against assisted dying and voted against it in 2015. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has also warned of legalisation leading to a "slippery slope" in terms of who is eligible. Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he is yet to decide on the proposed law, although he has spoken in favour of the idea in the past. open image in gallery Dame Esther Rantzen has hailed the wonderful Bill (Esther Rantzen/PA) ( PA Media ) The new assisted dying Bill claims to be the "most robust" in the world. Only terminally ill adults with less than six months to live and who have a settled wish to end their lives would be eligible. The Labour MP behind the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill said hers was the only Bill in the world with "three layers of scrutiny" a sign-off by two doctors and one High Court judge. Kim Leadbeater said the proposed legislation for England and Wales would offer the "safest choice" for mentally competent adults at the end of their lives and insisted it was robust enough to protect against coercion. But critics claim the proposed legislation is being "rushed with indecent haste" and that MPs will not have enough time to properly scrutinise it before the November 29 debate and vote. open image in gallery Energy secretary Ed Miliband backs the Bill amid a cabinet split (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire ) In an interview with the BBCs Today programme, Sir Ed said that he thought as a society we do need to talk about death more. But he said that having wrestled with this issue for most of my life, he feared that too many could feel under a real pressure psychologically to end their lives they could feel themselves a burden. And I feel if we take this decision, I think those people would be less free because of that psychological burden. He added: I had to look after my mother when she was terminally ill as a young teenager she had a very, very painful disease. It was in being there at the end of her life that I came to the conclusion we should not have this (assisted dying).. we should focus on better palliative care. He warned a combination of people feeling a burden and the problems in the palliative care system could mean people may feel they have no choice but to end their lives. Sir Ed, who also spoke about his disabled son, said he wanted a society where those people feel valued.. I want people who are disabled to feel more valued. And I really think this approach could undermine that. 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 A bill to legalise assisted dying for some terminally ill adults is the safest choice and the strictest in the world, the MP behind the new law has claimed as it is set to be published. Mentally competent adults with a life expectancy of six months or less who have a settled wish to die that has been approved by two doctors and the High Court would be able to do so under the proposed legislation for England and Wales. Ahead of its publication on Tuesday, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater insisted her private members bill would make it illegal for someone to persuade a person through dishonesty, coercion or pressure to declare they wanted to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer drugs to die. Anyone found guilty of doing so would face a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. Critics argue the controversial Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which is likely to run to more than 40 pages, is being rushed with indecent haste and that MPs will not have adequate time to scrutinise it before the 29 November debate. The legislation says two independent doctors must be satisfied that the person is eligible, but no doctors will be obliged to take part in the process. open image in gallery Kim Leadbeater (centre) is the Labour MP behind the new law ( PA Wire ) The High Court would also be involved, with a judge required to hear from at least one of the doctors and able to question the dying person if appropriate. Terminally ill people who have been resident in England and Wales for at least 12 months would have to take the prescribed medication themselves. Health secretary Wes Streeting has already said he intends to vote against the bill, voicing his fears about coercion and people feeling a "duty to die". Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby who is currently facing mounting calls to resign over a sexual abuse scandal has warned of legalisation leading to a "slippery slope" in terms of who is eligible. High-profile supporters of a change in the law include Dame Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill and revealed in December that she had joined Dignitas due to the current law. open image in gallery Health secretary Wes Streeting has already said he intends to vote against the bill ( PA Wire ) Ms Leadbeater said she has "consulted widely" on the Bill, speaking with medical and legal experts, those in the palliative care and hospice sectors, disability rights activists, faith leaders and "many, many people with their own personal experience of why the current law is not fit for purpose". She said she had a responsibility to put before MPs "the best possible legislation and I believe I have done that". She added: "It has been nearly a decade since the Commons last voted on the issue and it could easily be as long before they get another opportunity, so I was determined to get this right." She said MPs have "almost three weeks to look closely at this Bill before the debate" and she is "ready and willing to answer any questions they may have, because I don't underestimate the seriousness of the issue". She added: "For my part, I have looked closely at the evidence from other jurisdictions and I believe this Bill not only offers protections to people nearing the end of their lives that they don't have at present, but also provides for the strictest safeguards anywhere in the world. open image in gallery Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby who is currently facing mounting calls to resign over a sexual abuse scandal has warned of legalisation leading to a slippery slope in terms of who is eligible ( PA Archive ) "I believe it is our duty as parliamentarians to give these proposals careful scrutiny and I hope MPs will agree with me that we can offer the safest choice to those who want it at the end of their lives, while at the same time working to make our already excellent palliative care provision even better and protecting the rights of people with disabilities, mental illness and other challenges to have all the support and care they need throughout their lives." Right To Life UK branded the proposed legislation "a disaster in waiting". Spokeswoman Catherine Robinson said: "It's outrageous that MPs and the wider public are only seeing this Bill two weeks before it goes to a vote. What is being proposed is a monumental change to our laws, and it's totally unjustifiable and fundamentally undemocratic to try and rush it through without proper public scrutiny." Campaign group Our Duty of Care, representing doctors and nurses, has sent a letter to the Prime Minister arguing that "any change (to the current law) would threaten society's ability to safeguard vulnerable patients from abuse; it would undermine the trust the public places in physicians; and it would send a clear message to our frail, elderly and disabled patients about the value that society places on them as people". The group said it is "impossible for any government to draft assisted suicide laws which include protection from coercion and future expansion". 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 A new law has been proposed to legalise assisted dying for some terminally ill adults in England and Wales. Mentally competent adults with a life expectancy of six months or less who have a settled wish to die that has been approved by two doctors and the High Court would be able to do so under the proposed legislation for England and Wales. Ahead of its publication on Tuesday, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater insisted her private members bill would offer the safest choice for mentally competent adults at the end of their lives. She said the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would make it illegal for someone to persuade a person through dishonesty, coercion or pressure to declare they wanted to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer drugs to die. Anyone found guilty of doing so would face a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. Critics argue the controversial legislation, which is likely to run to more than 40 pages, is being rushed with indecent haste and that MPs will not have adequate time to scrutinise it before the 29 November debate. open image in gallery Labour MP Kim Leadbeater (centre) previously joining Dignity in Dying campaigners in Parliament Square outside the Houses of Parliament ( PA Wire ) Here, we take a look at the details of the bill as it is set to be published. What is assisted dying? This, and the language used, varies depending on who you ask. Pro-change campaigners Dignity in Dying say that assisted dying allows a person with a terminal condition the choice to control their death if they decide their suffering is unbearable. They argue that, along with good care, dying people who are terminally ill and mentally competent adults deserve the choice to control the timing and manner of their death. But the campaign group Care Not Killing uses the terms "assisted suicide" and "euthanasia", and argues that the focus should be on "promoting more and better palliative care" rather than any law change. They say legalising assisted dying could "place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden upon others" and argue the disabled, elderly, sick or depressed could be especially at risk. What is the current law? 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 being charged with murder or other offences. What is happening at Westminster? Labour MP Kim Leadbeater formally introduced her bill to give choice at the end of life for the terminally ill in October. A debate and first vote are expected to take place on 29 November. If the bill passes the first stage in the Commons, it will go to committee stage where MPs can table amendments, before facing further scrutiny and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, meaning any change in the law would not be agreed until next year at the earliest. Ms Leadbeater's bill would apply only to England and Wales. open image in gallery Liz Carr is among those opposed to an assisted dying law ( PA Wire ) What is in the bill? There are several requirements for someone to be eligible under the proposed law. The person must be an adult aged 18 or older and be resident in England and Wales and registered with a GP for at least 12 months. They must have the mental capacity to make a choice about the end of their life and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish free from coercion or pressure to end their life. They must be terminally ill and be expected to die within six months. They must make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die. The process must involve two independent doctors being satisfied the person is eligible and the medics can consult a specialist in the person's condition and get an assessment from an expert in mental capacity if deemed necessary. A High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors regarding the application and can also question the dying person as well as anyone else they consider appropriate. There must be at least seven days between the two doctors making their assessments and a further 14 days after the judge has made a ruling, unless the person's death is expected imminently. What safeguards are there? It would be illegal for someone to pressure, coerce or use dishonesty to get someone to make a declaration that they wish to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer an approved substance. If someone is found guilty of either of these actions, they could face a jail sentence of up to 14 years. Would doctors have to take part in the service of assisted dying? No. Doctors would not be under any obligation to take part. Doctors who do would have to be satisfied the person making their declaration to die has made it voluntarily and not been coerced or pressured by anyone else. They would also be required to ensure the person is making an informed choice, including being made aware of their other treatment options such as palliative and hospice care. open image in gallery Doctors would not have to take part in an assisted dying service in England and Wales ( PA Archive ) Who would administer the medication? The dying person must take the medication themselves. No doctor or anyone else can give the medication to the terminally ill person. Will there be any scrutiny of how the new law operates? The chief medical officers in England and Wales and the Health Secretary would be required to monitor and report on the operation of the law. The health secretary would also be required to report on the availability, quality and distribution of appropriate health services to people with palliative care needs, including pain and symptom management, psychological support for those people and their families, and information about palliative care and how to access it. Has the issue been voted on at Westminster before? Not for almost a decade. An Assisted Dying Bill, which would have allowed some terminally ill adults to ask for medical help to end their life, went before the Commons in 2015 and was rejected by MPs. There was also a bill proposed in the House of Lords during the 2021/2022 session which reached a second reading in the chamber, while a Westminster Hall debate on assisted dying took place in July 2022. Are MPs guaranteed a vote on the bill next month? No. Bills such as this are known as private members' bills (PMBs) and are considered during Friday sittings. The time available to consider them is from 9.30am until 2.30pm. If the debate is still ongoing at 2.30pm then it is adjourned and the bill falls to the bottom of the list, which means it is highly unlikely to make any further progress. A closure motion can be moved to curtail the debate and force a vote. It may be moved at any time during proceedings. On Friday sittings, an MP seeking to move such a motion tends to do so at around 1pm. If approved, the House then votes on whether or not to give the bill a second reading. If rejected, the House resumes the debate and the bill is unlikely to progress. 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 A terminally ill teacher has urged MPs to back Kim Leadbeaters assisted dying bill, saying the legislation would offer people choice at their darkest hour. Nathaniel Dye, who is suffering from terminal cancer, said the bill is a chance to act with kindness. It comes as the Labour MP behind the legislation said she expects assisted dying to be used by just hundreds of people each year. Ms Leadbeater said that evidence from around the world suggests between 0.5 per cent and 3 per cent of deaths would be covered by the legislation. MPs are preparing for a historic vote on the issue at the end of this month. Speaking at a press conference in Westminster, Mr Dye said: I see this as a chance just to act with kindness and a choice for people at their darkest hour. open image in gallery Kim Leadbeater addresses a press conference in Westminster ( Independent ) I am not a doctor, I am not a lawyer, but I would just implore MPs and peers to really carefully consider these safeguards because I think it is the best phrase I have got: my very death depends on it. MPs will be offered a free vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which claims to be the "most robust" in the world. Only terminally ill adults with less than six months to live and who have a settled wish to end their lives would be eligible. Ms Leadbeater said her proposed legislation was the only plan in the world with "three layers of scrutiny" - a sign-off by two doctors and one High Court judge. She said the proposed legislation for England and Wales would offer the "safest choice" for mentally competent adults at the end of their lives and insisted it was robust enough to protect against coercion. Sir Max Hill, a former director of public prosecutions (DPP), said the legislation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Parliament to act in the public interest. He told the Westminster press conference that the current settlement either leads people to travel to Dignitas in Switzerland if they have money, or for relatives to consider assisting their loved ones to die against the law if they cannot make the journey. Sir Max said: Those two reasons combine surely to make an unanswerable argument that the law at the moment provides no safeguards, no rails, no guidance and leaves the vulnerable in a pitiful situation. When I look at the draft Bill that has just been released, it has got safeguards all over it on every page and at every stage. All I say is that once we get past November 29 and the second reading of this Bill, that provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Parliament, who act in all of our interests, to debate every word, every line and every clause in this Bill. He warned that the current law doesnt protect patients, doesnt protect doctors and it doesnt protect society. It came after Lord Falconer warned that the current law is completely broken, claiming that the DPP wont prosecute those who assist loved ones in ending their lives if they are motivated by compassion. The law desperately needs to change, but there needs to be safeguards, he said. Cabinet ministers are split on the bill, with energy secretary Ed Miliband saying on Tuesday that he supported the move to make assisted suicide legal. But the two secretaries of state who will be responsible for any new law have voiced their opposition. open image in gallery Wes Streeting has said he intends to vote against the Bill (Leon Neal/PA) ( PA Wire ) Health secretary Wes Streeting has said he intends to vote against the Bill, expressing concerns over coercion and people feeling a "duty to die". Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, has also spoken against assisted dying and voted against it in 2015. Meanwhile Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said caring for his dying mother as a teenager convinced him against assisted suicide, saying he fears that the terminally ill, those with disabilities and others could feel under a real pressure psychologically to end their lives. His mother had been in a lot of pain towards the end of her life, he said, revealing that she had a had a very, very painful disease. But he said it was being with her in those final days that I came to the conclusion we should not have this ... we should focus on better palliative care. Mr Dye, however, criticised suggestions that improvements to palliative care were the answer. Imagine I am dying and palliative care hasnt improved. Well, I have no choice whatsoever: I die in pain or I die in pain, he said. 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 British troops may have to be deployed in Ukraine if Donald Trump cuts Kyivs funding, Boris Johnson has warned. The former prime minister has said that if Vladimir Putin gains the upper hand in the conflict, the UK may have to deploy troops to defend Europe. Mr Trumps return to the White House has raised fears that the US, which has been Ukraines biggest backer since Russias invasion, could withdraw support from the country. Mr Trump has repeatedly promised an immediate end to the war on his return to the White House, saying one of his first acts will be to negotiate a deal between the two sides. But, amid fears this would see Ukraine cede significant ground, which Putin would see as a win for his forces, Mr Johnson said: If Ukraine goes down, then we face an even bigger threat on our borders, the borders of the European continent wherever the democracies butt up against Russia. He told GB News that the knock-on effects would be felt in the Baltic states and the South China Sea, adding: What Im saying is for people watching, thinking why are we supporting the Ukrainians? Boris Johnson has repeatedly called for Ukraine to be allowed to join Nato (Victoria Jones/PA) ( PA Archive ) Its because otherwise our collective security will be really degraded by a resurgent Russia threatening all sorts of parts of Europe, and we will then have to pay to send British troops to help defend Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has discussed sending British forces to Ukraine to train the countrys soldiers, but has avoided deploying troops in the conflict in what would be a significant escalation. There is already a small number of British medical personnel in Ukraine, delivering training and mentoring to the countrys armed forces. Defence secretary John Healey struck a defiant tone after Mr Trumps re-election, saying that he expects the Americans to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail over (Vladimir) Putins invasion". Mr Healey said he recognises that countries get security through strength, just as alliances like Nato do. And Mr Healey stressed that Americas determination to support Ukraine in its campaign against Russia is just as strong as before voters in the US went to the polls. His comments came after a report in The Washington Post claimed Mr Trump phoned Putin the day after the election and warned him not to escalate the war in Ukraine. Moscow has denied the call took place. Last year, Mr Trump told Fox News that he would tell Mr Zelensky No more, you gotta make a deal in order to broker peace between the two countries. 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 Agriculture minister Daniel Zeichner has been accused of having egg on his face after his latest attempt to justify the so-called family farm tax stirred up further anger on the issue. The Labour minister today addressed the Egg and Poultry Industry Conference in South Wales with anger growing over plans for a tax raid on family farms and claims that he and the government are underestimating its impact. It came as the Countryside Alliance, set up in the later 1990s in protest over the hunting ban but now specialising in wider issues, has reported that more than 5,000 automated emails to MPs have been sent protesting about the family farm tax. Farming minister Daniel Zeichner. ( PA ) The row comes as up to 10,000 farmers are preparing to descend on London to protest against the new tax on 19 November. The Independent understands that the campaign email was so popular with people from the farming community that the system temporarily glitched at the weekend because it could not cope with demand but is now fully functioning. Speaking at the conference in Wales on Monday, Mr Zeichner tried to provide some reassurance for farming communities over the planned changes to inheritance tax. It means that farms worth more than 1 million will come under inheritance tax for the first time since 1992 at a rate of 20 per cent. Opponents have claimed that it will mean the end of family farms in the UK which make up the majority of the farms across the country. Mr Zeichner told people at the conference: The feedback Ive been getting from some of my colleagues is that, when people have sat down and gone through the detail, they are then much more reassured. He pointed to Treasury figures which show that there were just 462 claims for agricultural property relief last year, and that figure was expected to go down, suggesting the impact would be limited. As reported by Farmers Weekly, the minister said the low claim rate for APR was very much at odds with much of what is being said. These are the facts, and I think it is worth looking at them. He added: Inheritance tax is really complicated and no two situations are the same, but our genuine view is that it will not be affecting many people. The defence was in line with statements government ministers have been giving since the row broke after Rachel Reeves shock Budget announcement. But Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of External Affairs for the Countryside Alliance, said the minister had egg on his face for the intervention for underestimating the impact. He said: The government does not appear to be in listening mode, which isnt all surprising given so few cabinet ministers represent rural seats. So, the time has come for MPs to relay the strength of hurt and anger out there on behalf of their constituents to Rachel Reeves and the Treasury directly and we thank the thousands who have already done so. Labour MPs, many of whom now find themselves representing rural seats, must stand up for their farming families who are going to be hit hard by this controversial budget. Hopefully the Government will listen to their own MPs and Rachel Reeves will reconsider. After their landslide victory Labour is now the biggest party in rural constituencies representing 114 seats. 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 Sir Keir Starmer has distanced himself from comments made by a senior adviser to Tony Blair after he said we dont need small farmers during a discussion about the fury among farmers towards the inheritance tax rises announced in the Budget. John McTernan, who was the ex-Labour PMs political secretary, sparked fury as he said family farming is an industry we can do without. The party grandee was asked about planned protests by farmers over Rachel Reeves Budget, which will mean they have to pay 20 per cent of tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than 1m from April 2026. The change is being dubbed the tractor tax and has sparked outrage among farmers, who say it will threaten the UKs food security and lead to the closure of family farms. open image in gallery Keir Starmer said he totally disagrees with John McTernan ( Getty ) Mr McTernan said: If the farmers want to go on the streets - we can do to them what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners. Ms Thatcher used heavy-handed police tactics to break up miners strikes in the 1980s and effectively destroyed the mining industry. And, doubling down, Mr McTernan told GB News: Its an industry we can do without. If people are so upset that they want to go on the streets and spread slurry then we dont need small farmers. Sir Keir said he totally disagrees with Mr McTernans comments. And the prime minister added: I am totally committed to supporting our farmers. I said it before the election and I say it after the election. So I totally disagree with those comments. open image in gallery John McTernan said Britain can do without family farmers ( NurPhoto via Getty Images ) And a Labour source told The Independent: This is shockingly irresponsible nonsense from someone who does not represent the Government. Labour values the hard work our farmers do to feed the nation. Thats why we have just agreed the biggest budget in history for sustainable food production. The source stressed that farmers will still be able to pass on family farms from generation to generation, while wealthy individuals will be prevented from buying up farmland to avoid inheritance tax. Responding to Mr McTernans comments, Gareth Wyn Jones, a farmer in North Wales, said: Oh my God, how crazy is he? Mr Wyn Jones said the UKs food security would crumble without farmers, asking whether Mr McTernan believes supermarkets or the government are producing food without family farmers. Be careful my friend, you might be just awakening a sleeping giant, a sleeping giant that is feeding you every day, he added. And former Boris Johnson adviser Dominic Cummings, whose family owns a farm in Durham, said Mr McTernans comments showed Labour is planning to close down all small farmers because they are a political enemy. He called for farmers to ignore police warnings about protests and flood Westminster and apply: Pressure, pressure, pressure. Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies said: These comments are disgraceful but are sadly indicative of how many people in the Labour Party seem to feel. Its clear that for many on the left, the anti-farmer agenda is a new frontier in the class war, whereby farmers are being punished for not sharing the metropolitan worldviews of those in London and other cities. I will always stand with our farmers, because like most people in Britain, I know that no farmers means no food. Thousands of farmers are set to descend on London later this month in protest against the tractor tax, with the Metropolitan Police having given the march the green light. 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 Sir Keir Starmer has piled further pressure on Justin Welby amid growing calls for him to resign as the Archbishop of Canterbury, saying the victims of a Church of England-linked abuser had been failed very, very badly. A petition, started by three members of the General Synod the churchs parliament calling for Justin Welby to quit has received more than 11,500 signatures. While Sir Keir would not comment directly on Mr Welbys position, saying it was a matter, in the end, for the church, he made clear that the victims had been let down. The independent Makin Review concluded that barrister John Smyth, who is thought to have been the most prolific abuser associated with the church, might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013. open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking at the Cop29 talks in Baku (Carl Court/PA) ( PA Wire ) Asked about the case at a press conference in Baku, the prime minister said: Let me be clear: of what I know of the allegations, they are clearly horrific in relation to this particular case, both in their scale and their content. My thoughts, as they are in all of these issues, are with the victims here who have obviously been failed very, very badly. While Mr Welby has apologised, he has insisted he will not resign, with a Lambeth Palace spokesperson saying the archbishop hopes the Makin Review supports the ongoing work of building a safer church here and around the world. Smyth, who was a lay reader and led Christian summer camps, died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was never brought to justice for the abuse, the review published last week said. Pressure is now mounting on the Archbishop of Canterbury, with several abuse survivors echoing calls for him to step down. Mark Stibbe, who was abused by Smyth in the 1980s, told BBC Newsnight on Monday that Mr Welbys position was untenable. I honestly dont believe that Justin Welby can continue I dont believe that his position is tenable. I would also apply that to the bishops that knew and did nothing, and the senior clergy of the Church of England that knew and did nothing. Their positions are also untenable. The Dean of Chapel at Kings College Cambridge added to the calls for the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign, saying: This is no longer a person who can carry the representative role of that office. I think he really needs to now tender his resignation and allow there to be significant change, Dr Stephen Cherry told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. There are circumstances in which something happens whereby a person in a position of prominent leadership essentially loses the trust and the confidence and the capacity to do that really wonderful thing that someone like an Archbishop does, which is represent everyone at a certain moment, publicly. open image in gallery The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (Doug Peters/PA) ( PA Wire ) And the pain in the victim community and the pain of not listening to people and not responding to people who are profoundly hurt by those in positions of power means that this is no longer a person who can carry the representative role of that office. On Monday, the Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, warned that the church is in danger of losing complete credibility in safeguarding, urging Mr Welby to resign. Mr Welby knew Smyth because of his attendance at Iwerne Christian camps in the 1970s, but the review said there was no evidence that he had maintained any significant contact with the barrister in later years. The archbishop said he had no idea or suspicion of this abuse before 2013. Over five decades between the 1970s until his death, Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. The report said Smyth could and should have been formally reported to the police in the UK, and to authorities in South Africa (church authorities and potentially the police) by church officers, including a diocesan bishop and Justin Welby in 2013. When the Makin report was published, Mr Welby admitted he had considered resigning but decided not to after taking advice from senior colleagues. After the petition was launched, Mr Welbys spokesman said he reiterates his horror at the scale of John Smyths egregious abuse, as reflected in his public apology and repeated that he does not intend to resign. 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 Keir Starmer has no plans to visit Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago on his way to a meeting of the G20 group of world leaders next week, despite at least one ally making the trip. Argentinas libertarian President Javier Milei has been invited to see the US president-elect at his Florida club, amid speculation others will follow. A supporter of Mr Trump, Mr Milei celebrated his election win with a fireworks display and posts on social media. But while Sir Keir offered the Republican his hearty congratulations, there are fears Labour will struggle with the next occupant of the White House. The Trump campaign has accused the party of meddling in the US election, in a row over activists who travelled to help the Democrats. Sir Keir has also stood by his foreign secretary David Lammy, over comments from 2018 calling Mr Trump a neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath. Mr Lammy will remain in his post until the next election, Downing Street said last week just hours after Mr Trumps victory was secured. Asked if he was considering a stop to see the president-elect in Florida on his way to the G20 summit in Brazil, the prime minister told reporters: "No, were going straight there as far as I know. "To be perfectly honest, next week is a long way off just at the moment but as far as I know were going straight there. Milei will meet Elon Musk alongside Trump the pair met at a Tesla factory in Texas on 12 April ( Getty ) He added: "I obviously spoke to him, as you know, on the phone on Wednesday evening - a very constructive, very good conversation. "And obviously I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to speak to him for a couple of hours in New York where we discussed a wider range of issues, and well continue to do so." The Argentinian president is due to meet tycoon Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X, alongside Mr Tump when he is in Florida. Mar-a-Lago is also set to host a gathering of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) from November 14-16, leading to speculation other world leaders could travel to Florida. 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 The Conservatives have taken a two-point poll lead over Sir Keir Starmers Labour Party in Kemi Badenochs first week as leader. The new Tory leader has taken the party to 29 per cent of the vote, according to pollsters More in Common, with Labour behind on just 27 per cent. It is the highest rating for the Conservatives since February. It marks a remarkable fall from grace for Labour, which in July was elected to power in a landslide victory over Rishi Sunaks Conservatives. Then, Labour won a 174-seat majority on 34 per cent of the vote, while the Tories suffered their worst election defeat in history. open image in gallery Kemi Badenoch succeeded Rishi Sunak as Tory leader last week ( @KemiBadenoch/X ) But, as the fallout from Rachel Reevess historic 40bn tax grab grows, Labours poll rating has continued to fall. And, just days after succeeding Mr Sunak as Tory leader, Ms Badenoch is enjoying a bounce, though More in Common director Luke Tryl cautioned that at this stage people are not that familiar with her. As that familiarity figure grows, the early first impressions she makes as leader of the opposition will be key to setting the course of her leadership, he added. Her net approval rating sits at minus 3, compared with Sir Keir on minus 25 points. However, just one in three people say they are familiar with Ms Badenoch, More in Common found. It is just the latest poll to show a boost for Ms Badenoch and her party since she beat Robert Jenrick in the contest to replace Mr Sunak. open image in gallery Keir Starmers government has faced backlash over his chancellors 40bn Budget tax grab ( Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street ) The Independents weekly tracker poll by Techne UK on Friday revealed that in the week after she took over from the former PM, Ms Badenoch cut two points from the Labour lead in the polls. It comes as Sir Keirs government faces a mounting backlash over the Budgets inheritance tax raid on farmers and the increase in employer national insurance contributions. Thousands of farmers are set to descend on London later this month in protest against the governments extension of inheritance tax, which they say will threaten the UKs food security and lead to the closure of family farms. The Labour Party has been accused of traumatising farmers with the tax grab, which will mean they have to pay 20 per cent tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than 1m from April 2026. Meanwhile, Britains biggest business organisations have accused the government of betrayal over Budget plans to hike employer national insurance contributions from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent despite a manifesto pledge not to increase taxes for working people. The majority of the increase will be passed on to workers through lower wages. Elsewhere in the poll, Nigel Farages Reform UK continued to gain support, with 19 per cent of the vote, up from 18 per cent at the beginning of November. The Liberal Democrats lost ground, falling from 14 per cent of the vote to 11 per cent, while the Green Party remained flat on 8 per cent. Mr Tryl said the distribution of support made the UK look more like a continental country with a voting system based on proportional representation. 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 Vladimir Putin was so close to using nuclear weapons in October 2022 that Liz Truss spent the dying days of her premiership preparing for the potential fallout, an updated version of her biography has claimed. The former prime minister reportedly spent her last days in office studying weather maps and preparing for cases of radiation poisoning in the UK amid US intelligence a strike was imminent. Ms Truss had been told the Russian president was just hours from deploying a nuke, which Whitehall officials feared would hurl radioactive material into the atmosphere which could spread 1,700 miles from the blast, according to Out of the Blue, an unauthorised biography of the short-serving former PM. An updated edition of the book, by journalists Harry Cole and James Heale, said Ms Truss spent numerous hours studying satellite weather data and wind directions over fears the wrong weather patterns could have a direct fallout effect on Britain. open image in gallery Liz Truss reportedly spent her last days in office preparing for the potential fallout of a Russian nuclear attack in Ukraine ( Jeff Moore/PA ) There was reportedly exquisite intelligence from the Americans that pointed to a 50 per cent chance of Russia using either a tactical nuke in Ukraine or a larger bomb over the Black Sea. Extracts of the book, published by The Sun, set out the horrifying details of how close the war came to a nuclear escalation. It added that, on 18 October that year, then defence secretary Ben Wallace travelled to Washington to discuss the crisis. At the same time, US president Joe Biden said there was a direct threat of Russia deploying nuclear weapons if things continue down the path they are going. A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, Mr Biden said at the time. The updated version of Out of the Blue follows the publication of Ms Trusss own book, Ten Years to Save the West, which contained a series of bombshell claims about her 49 days in office. open image in gallery At the time, Joe Biden said a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought ( AP ) Ms Truss, who lost her seat at the general election, claimed she thought Why me, why now? after learning the Queen had died, and said Boris Johnsons dog left fleas in No 10. The former PMs book also detailed how her husband predicted her premiership would all end in tears. She wrote about the moment she learnt that her predecessor, Mr Johnson, was forced to resign. Ms Truss was in Bali at the time as foreign secretary and said: As I walked along the beach in Indonesia I started crying. Even Hugh [her husband], who predicted it would all end in tears, accepted that this was the moment I was expected to run and that if I didnt, people would say I had bottled it, Ms Truss wrote. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has resigned over allegations some of which he has accepted that he failed to act against a prolific and sadistic paedophile, John Smyth, who had been associated with the Church of England for decades. A number of Welbys more senior colleagues had openly called for him to stand down, while others remained silent, and the general unease had become deafening. A petition to remove him from his post though strictly, he probably had absolute security of tenure attracted more than 10,000 signatures. For an Anglican primate to quit in such circumstances is unprecedented but also, it seems, inevitable... Whats it all about? The John Smyth scandal is an extremely distressing and complicated one, but as far as Welby is concerned, the matter turns on two points identified in an independent report by Keith Makin, published last week. Makin is a former director of Social Services, was the chief executive of an independent childcare company, and has much experience in abuse inquiries. He concludes that Smyth, who died in 2018 aged 77, had clearly been perpetrating abuse across England and in Africa, at schools and Christian camps, from 1978 until around the 2000s. By the 2010s at the latest, the Church knew all about his activities, and he was named by Channel 4 in 2017. The first issue that caused concern is that Welby knew Smyth long ago, before he became archbishop, but did nothing about him. Welby had been aware of Smyth when he volunteered at Christian holiday camps in Dorset, for example: As I recall him, he was a charming, delightful, very clever, brilliant speaker. I wasnt a close friend of his, I wasnt in his inner circle or in the inner circle of the leadership of the camp, far from it. Welby says he had no idea about Smyths activities, though there seems to have been a lot of gossip about him at the time. The Makin report says it is unlikely that Welby didnt know what was happening. Second, in 2013, as Anglican primate, Welby was formally told of the true enormity of Smyths crimes, including one possible case in which a juvenile male had died, but didnt do enough to follow up the revelations then, and did not go to the police. In his resignation letter, Welby himself says: When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. What was Welbys sin? Hypocrisy. In many similar abuse scandals over the past decade, notably the Jimmy Savile case, Welby has been outspoken in condemning the safeguarding failures of leaders in other organisations, and their reluctance to quit in the face of comparably shameful episodes. Until the independent review came out, Welby was unwilling to apply those same standards to his own position. What about the rest of his record? Controversial. Hes been criticised for closing churches for worship during the pandemic, as well as closing thousands of others that have been deconsecrated for good. The clergy are unhappy with their pay and conditions, and the global Anglican community is deeply divided on issues such as the role of women and LGBT+ rights. Its fair to point out that, while any archbishop has a duty to lead and the opportunity to militate for change, they have very little actual executive power, such as a head of government or a chief executive possesses. But if you cannot lead by example, then, as Welby has discovered, your position is untenable. In that sense, the job is political, and its incumbent comes under the same sorts of pressure as any party politician or leading businessperson. As it happens, Welby has also been political in a wider sense, addressing the TUC conference, criticising big business, and, most controversially, condemning the last governments Rwanda plan. How can an archbishop resign? For about three centuries after the restoration of the established Church following the English civil war, archbishops of Canterbury remained in office until death, like popes or monarchs. In the 20th century it became normal for them to retire instead, by permission of the governor of the Church of England (the reigning king or queen). None have been executed since 1645, when Oliver Cromwell condemned Archbishop Laud to death for his opposition to parliamentary rule. What next? Welby intended to resign anyway in 2026, and the Crown Nominations Commission senior Church people will now speed up the process of suggesting a successor, for the prime minister to, in effect, pass on to the King. 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 A surge in shoplifting under the Conservatives has led to shoppers paying a 10p crime tax on every basket, businesses have warned, as a Home Office minister vowed an end to the shameful neglect of retail crime. At the Co-op Group and shopworker union Usdaws retail crime summit, supermarket bosses detailed how organised gangs are operating with effective immunity, stealing huge amounts of stock to be resold on the black market. Midcounties Co-operative head of store support Chris Chandler told attendees how staff are facing being dragged across the shop floor by their hair, attacked in car parks and attacked with hammers, knives and threatened with guns. It is genuinely unprecedented I have been in retail for 28 years and I have never seen crime like it in our stores, he warned. And, setting out the financial cost to retailers and the public, the Association of Convenience Stores said crime against retailers is now leading to an extra 10p crime tax per transaction. open image in gallery Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson told the conference one of her constituents was punched 50 times by a customer he was trying to help ( PA Wire ) Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson pointed to figures from a recent Usdaw study of 5,500 retail staff, which set out how one in five suffered a violent attack last year, more than double the figure two years ago. Meanwhile, almost half reported facing threats of violence. This is the shocking reality of being a shopworker in 21st century Britain, Ms Johnson said, promising that Labour will end the shameful neglect of shoplifting over the last ten years. The party has promised to create a specific offence covering attacks on shopworkers and to end the so-called shoplifters charter introduced by the Conservatives, which created a category of low-value shoplifting for thefts of goods worth under 200. The category led to the police deprioritising enforcement of the low level cases, which Ms Johnson said left businesses and retail workers at the mercy of criminals. open image in gallery Dame Diana Johnson vowed an end to the shameful neglect of retail crime ( PA Graphics ) As well as highlighting British Retail Consortium (BRC) figures that showed the 1.8bn cost to shops of theft, Ms Johnson said staff are facing a wave of abuse, threats and violence. Just last week I met with a shop worker in my own constituency who sent me CCTV footage of him being punched 50 times by a customer he was trying to help, Ms Johnson told the conference. She said: It must stop. The era of criminals acting with impunity, built up through years of Tory rule, is over. This is a Government committed to our mission for safer streets, for safer communities, and for a safer Britain, and we have a plan to get there. With a new offence of assault of a shopworker, investment from the Treasury, by scrapping the Conservatives shoplifters charter, and by putting neighbourhood police officers back in our communities, back on the beat, and back in the service of the public once again. open image in gallery Former policing minister Chris Philp called for the public to make citizens arrests against shoplifters ( PA Wire ) Last year, former policing minister Chris Philp urged members of the public to step in when they see thieves shoplifting by making citizens arrests. He told a fringe event at the Conservative Partys conference: The wider public do have the power of citizens arrest and, where its safe to do so, I would encourage that to be used because if you do just let people walk in, take stuff and walk out without proper challenge, including potentially a physical challenge, then again it will just escalate. While I want the faster and better police response, the police cant be everywhere all the time. Ms Johnson added: His bright idea? His solution to a shoplifting epidemic that was occurring on his watch? Citizens arrests. He urged members of the public to have a go when they saw thieves stealing goods, DIY policing. A statement that is so deeply irresponsible that its almost laughable. Thats how bad it got. But it gets worse. Chris Philp is now the shadow home secretary in Kemi Badenochs Conservative top team. 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 A hereditary peer likened Keir Starmer to Chinas President Xi after Labour pushed through a vote in the Commons to reform the House of Lords. The prime minister already facing claims that he is conducting a class war by adding VAT on to independent school fees and imposing the new family farm tax by changing the death duty rules. And his governments victory in the second reading of the Lords reform legislation to absolish hereditary peers has provoked a further backlash. Tory hereditary peer Lord Mancroft claimed Sir Keir Starmer is trying to give himself powers comparable to the authoritarian Chinese leader Xi Jinping that would mean the UK Parliament will be on its way to becoming like the toothless farce that is the Chinese Peoples Congress. Tory shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart accused the government of attempting to gerrymander the membership of the House of Lords. We believe that this nervous, little Bill is misconceived, and perhaps at its worst is dishonest, he said. He added: What we see here today is really an attempt to gerrymander the membership of the House of Lords undercover of a reform. open image in gallery Starmer has been accused of trying to gerrymander parliament ( REUTERS ) Conservative peer Lord Dobbs, known for writing the House Of Cards trilogy, branded the removal of hereditary peers from the House of Lords "constitutional clickbait" and said Labour were coming across as "narrow-minded and vindictive". But Labour peer Lord Grocott, a former MP who had long campaigned to scrap hereditary peer by-elections, argued wholesale reform of the upper chamber would "slowly and inexorably grind into the sand". Welcoming the legislation to abolish bloodline members, he said: "Unfinished business is for me a powerful reason for being enthusiastic about this Bill. "The other reason for me is that it means the end., never to return of those risible, farcical, indefensible hereditary peers' by-elections." He believed the way to reform was not "one grandiose scheme", he added: "The overwhelming evidence of the last 100 years is that attempt at wholesale reform all in one go will slowly and inexorably grind into the sand. "The reforms which will succeed are those which are short, simple and focused." Meanwhile, elements of the unelected Lords which Sir Keir wished to keep meant that Labours vast majority was able to prevent a Lib Dem amendment turning the Upper House into an elected chamber by 355 to 93 and another attempting to remove the bishops, which attracted support from just 41 MPs. open image in gallery Tory hereditary peer Lord Mancroft claimed Sir Keir is trying to give himself powers comparable to authoritarian Chinese leader Xi Jinping ( EPA ) Tory MP Andrew Murrison told the Commons: "I don't particularly want to see our legislature populated by people who are there because they are representative of one particular faith community in this country." He added: "I'm a practicing Anglican and I value the views of bishops, of course I do, but it's simply not right to have them being politicians in dog collars, I would say, generally propagating a left-liberal worldview. "I would much rather that they were in their diocese engaged in the cure of souls. That's where I want to see them as an Anglican." MPs also voted 376 to 98, majority 278, to reject a Conservative amendment to the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill that would have delayed changes to the upper chamber until after a publication of a joint-report on wider reforms to the Lords. SNP MP Pete Wishart described Parliaments second chamber as an absurd embarrassment and criticised the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill for not going far enough. Speaking during the Bills committee stage, Mr Wishart also hit out at the Labour Government for not being prepared to kick out the bloody bishops. The MP for Perth and Kinross-shire branded the Bill, which proposes to remove the rights of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the Lords, a pathetic, little, minuscule Bill that should have been done centuries ago. He told the Commons: Im just someone who intrinsically believes that if you represent the people, you should be voted by the people. That to legislate requires consent, through some sort of electoral mandate, a group of people who vote for you to go into a legislature and to represent them, and allow you to make the laws of this land. 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 Sue Gray has turned down Sir Keir Starmers offer to become the prime ministers envoy for the nations and regions, No 10 said, in yet another blow to the prime minister as questions continue about his Downing Street operation. Ms Gray was sacked as chief of staff last month after losing a power struggle with election strategist Morgan McSweeney. It came as the prime minister attempted to reshuffle his top team of advisers following a dreadful start to his government, which has been plagued by infighting, a row over freebies and complaints that he is failing to get his message over on difficult policies like ditching winter fuel payments. This latest blow comes as the government is locked in a row about the new family farm tax. But The Independent understands that questions were being raised almost immediately after Sir Keir appeared to attempt to appease Ms Grays humiliation with a new job of envoy for the nations and regions. But she failed to turn up at a nations and regions conference that same week and now appears to have rejected the role after months of speculation. open image in gallery Sue Gray resigned from her position as Downing Street chief of staff in October (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire ) It is understood that ministers involved in the nations and regions portfolio were less than impressed and not enthusiastic about the idea of Ms Gray, with questions over whether she would be telling them what to do. No 10 repeatedly said she was on a short break before taking up her new post, but has since confirmed she has decided not to take up the role. Meanwhile, an ally of Ms Gray told the Financial Times she is going to focus on other things. Shes taken time to think about it properly, talking to stakeholders, but ultimately shes decided she doesnt want to do it, they added. There have also been rumours that the prime minister was considering withdrawing the job offer. open image in gallery Morgan McSweeney replaced Ms Gray as chief of staff after a power struggle ( Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock ) No 10 had previously described her new position as a vital role in strengthening our relations with the regions and nations. In the job, she would have acted as a go-between for ministers with devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and regional mayors across England. On Tuesday, the prime ministers spokesperson said: Sue has played a vital role in strengthening our relations with the regions, as such she was in a unique place to build on that. But she has decided not to take up that role. We will keep that role under review to ensure we have the right processes in place in terms of the regions and nations. Her resignation as chief of staff followed weeks of infighting almost from the moment Labour won a historic election result, coupled with questions over gifts for the prime minister, and fears the government had lost control of its own agenda. The prime minister was forced to reset his top team in an attempt to regain control of the political agenda, even after announcements about restricting gifts in the future and paying back some of them. At the time, Ms Gray agreed to take up the new role in government following an admission she had become a distraction, not least over revelations of her 170,000 salary more than the prime minister. In a statement, Sir Keir thanked Ms Gray for her work to prepare us for government and get us started on our programme of change. Ms Gray did have some support among the metropolitan mayors. Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen told The Independent: She was effective and helped me get stuff done over the few months she was there. 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 Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have vowed to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into winter, in a boost in support before Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office. In a show of European solidarity days after Trumps election win, the two leaders held talks in Paris to mark Armistice Day and consider how best to continue supporting the war-torn country. It comes amid suggestions that the UK and France could seek to persuade Joe Biden to permit Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles to strike into Russia before he leaves the White House. There have been concerns over Mr Trumps approach to the war, with the president-elect criticising Washingtons provision of tens of billions of dollars worth of aid to Ukraine since it was invaded by Russia, as well as expressing scepticism towards Nato and accusing European countries of free-riding on Americas promise of protection. A Downing Street spokesperson said: The prime minister thanked the president for the personal invitation, noting he was the first UK leader to attend in 80 years. open image in gallery Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron arrive at Place de lEtoile to mark the 106th anniversary of the Armistice, ending the First World War, in Paris ( Reuters ) The leaders started by discussing the situation in Ukraine, including how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter. Turning to the Middle East, both underscored their deep concern at the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. They also reiterated the need for stability in the West Bank. The spokesperson added: Reflecting on the situation in the Channel, the prime minister set out his mission to disrupt and deter smuggling gangs across Europe, and the leaders strongly agreed on the importance of bearing down on illegal migration at every stage of a migrants journey. The leaders agreed to stay in close touch. In August, the prime minister was forced to reiterate that the UKs backing for Ukraine was unwavering after Volodymyr Zelensky said UK support had slowed down shortly after Labours election victory. No 10 said the prime minister was resolute in his support for Kyiv, adding that Britain had committed 3bn a year to help its ally. Concerns about US support for Ukraine have grown since Mr Trump swept to victory in the US. He has promised to end the war immediately when he returns to the White House, leading to fears he will negotiate a deal that would see Ukraine give up land to Russia in what Putin could present as a win. The president-elect spoke to the Russian leader on the phone the day after the presidential election, telling him not to escalate the conflict, sources told The Washington Post. open image in gallery There are fears Trump will negotiate a deal that would see Ukraine give up land to Russia in what Putin could present as a win ( AFP/Getty ) Meanwhile, on Sunday, Mr Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, mocked Mr Zelensky in a social media tirade, suggesting that Ukraines military aid budget was about to be abolished. But defence secretary John Healey struck a defiant tone on US support for Ukraine, saying he expects the Americans to stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes to prevail over [Vladimir] Putins invasion. He told Sky News on Monday that the president-elect recognises that countries get security through strength, just as alliances like Nato do, as well as stressing that Americas determination to support Ukraine in its campaign against Russia is just as strong as before voters in the US went to the polls. Sir Keirs trip to Paris makes him the first UK leader to attend a French Armistice Day ceremony since the Second World War following a personal invitation from Mr Macron. Given the collapse of Olaf Scholzs administration in Germany, Sir Keir will be keen to woo the French president and build bridges with one of the EUs strongest powers. A No 10 spokesperson said the prime ministers attendance at Mondays event symbolises the close and enduring friendship between the UK and France. 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 The UK risks infuriating Donald Trump after the frontrunner to be Britains next ambassador to the US suggested he could combine the job with another role. Former Labour cabinet minister Lord Mandelson said that becoming the UKs man in Washington was not incompatible with being next chancellor of the University of Oxford. Lord Mandelson is seen as the leading contender for the Washington job, as the Labour government comes under pressure to woo the president-elect. Relations between the two are rocky, after Trumps election campaign team hit out at Labour , accusing it of attempting to interfere in the election, in a row over UK activists helping Democrats. Sir Keirs foreign secretary David Lammy has also had to try to tried to play down comments he made in the past, in which he called Donald Trump a neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath. Lord Mandelson is also in the running to become the chancellor of the University of Oxford (PA) ( PA Archive ) Lord Mandelson is also currently in the race for the prestigious post with the university, where his challengers include ex-Tory foreign secretary William Hague. At the weekend, he said if I were lucky enough to be elected chancellor, I would never let the university down. But on his How To Win An Election podcast he said: If by some chance these two things were to happen, they are notincompatible with each other. And the university has made that clear to me. Theyre not incompatible. He added: Look, if I was in the United States, I would be promoting Oxford as a great, iconic premier university that is revered in the US. And if I was in Oxford as its ceremonial figurehead, I would be helping to bring in the best of American philanthropy. So theyre not incompatible. And I think anyone who thinks for one moment will realise that. He also suggested that when it comes to the US, Britain has to navigate our way through this and have, Im afraid, the best of both worlds. We have got to find a way to have our cake and eat it.An announcement on the UKs next ambassador to Washington is expected within days. The current ambassador Karen Pierce is is widely credited with building good links with the Trump team and at the weekend told CBSs Sunday morning politics show that I have always found him and his team very willing to listen to our point of view. However, it is thought her term will end soon after Mr Trump enters the White House. 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 U.S. jury on Tuesday awarded $42 million to three former detainees of Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison, holding a Virginia-based military contractor responsible for contributing to their torture and mistreatment two decades ago. The decision from the eight-person jury came after a different jury earlier this year couldn't agree on whether Reston, Virginia-based CACI should be held liable for the work of its civilian interrogators who worked alongside the U.S. Army at Abu Ghraib in 2003 and 2004. The jury awarded plaintiffs Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili and Asaad Al-Zubae $3 million each in compensatory damages and $11 million each in punitive damages. The three testified that they were subjected to beatings, sexual abuse, forced nudity and other cruel treatment at the prison. They did not allege that CACI's interrogators explicitly inflicted the abuse themselves, but argued CACI was complicit because its interrogators conspired with military police to soften up detainees for questioning with harsh treatment. CACI's lawyer, John O'Connor, did not comment after Tuesday's verdict on whether the company would appeal. Baher Azmy, a lawyer for the Center for Constitutional Rights, which filed the lawsuit on the plaintiffs' behalf, called the verdict an important measure of Justice and accountability and praised the three plaintiffs for their resilience, especially in the face of all the obstacles CACI threw their way. open image in gallery Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili and Asaad Al-Zubae $3 million each in compensatory damages and $11 million each in punitive damages. ( Dana Verkourteren ) The trial and subsequent retrial 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. CACI had argued it wasnt complicit in the detainees abuse. It said its employees had minimal interaction with the three plaintiffs in the case and any liability for their mistreatment belonged to the government. As in the first trial, the jury struggled to decide whether CACI or the Army should be held responsible for any misconduct by CACI interrogators. The jury asked questions in its deliberations about whether the contractor or the Army bore liability. CACI, as one of its defenses, argued it shouldnt be liable for any misdeeds by its employees if they were under the control and direction of the Army. under a legal principle known as the borrowed servants doctrine. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that CACI was responsible for its own employees' misdeeds. The lawsuit was first filed in 2008 but was delayed by 15 years of legal wrangling and multiple attempts by CACI to have the case dismissed. Lawyers for the three plaintiffs argued that CACI was liable for their mistreatment even if they couldnt prove that CACIs interrogators were the ones who directly inflicted the abuse. The evidence included reports from two retired Army generals, who documented the abuse and concluded that multiple CACI interrogators were complicit in the abuse. Those reports concluded that one of the interrogators, Steven Stefanowicz, lied to investigators about his conduct and that he likely instructed soldiers to mistreat detainees and used dogs to intimidate detainees during interrogations. Stefanowicz testified for CACI at trial through a recorded video deposition and denied mistreating detainees. 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 US Coast Guard has launched a desperate search for a sailor missing on board a 48-foot boat last seen off the coast of Massachusetts. The sailor on board the Alchemist last made contact on Thursday while sailing near Pleasant Bay in Chatham, the Coast Guard said. A search was launched on Sunday. As of Tuesday, the vessel and the sailor have not been tracked down. However, a vessel finder navigation tracker shows the boats current position as just off the coast of Cape May, on Cape Island in New Jersey roughly 300 nautical miles from Pleasant Bay. The Alchemist is described as having a green hull and green bimini the front and main underbelly of the boat and the soft fabric cover on the upper deck. The identity of the sailor has not been publicly released. The Coast Guard has urged anyone with information about the sailor and the vessel to contact them at 866-842-1560. The Independent contacted US Coast Guard North East for furthr information. The parents of the three pandas, Hao Hao and Xing Hui, will remain at the park. BRUSSELS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Groups of fans came to the Pairi Daiza Zoo in the Belgian city Brugelette during the weekend to bid farewell to giant panda Tian Bao, Bao Di and Bao Mei as they will return to China on Dec. 10. Tian Bao was born in 2016, and the panda twins Bao Di and Bao Mei were born on Aug. 8, 2019. They will go back to the Giant Panda Base in Bifengxia, a research and breeding center for giant pandas located in the city of Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The parents of the three pandas, Hao Hao and Xing Hui, will remain at the park, according to Pairi Daiza. 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 teenagers body was found wrapped in a comforter and dumped along a Connecticut highway and now two of his cousins have been charged in connection to his murder. Edgar Josue Chiche Martinez, 18, was found dead at the side of 80 Pope Park Highway in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday morning, Hartford Police Department said. The medical examiners office said the teen died from two gunshot wounds and estimated his body had been dumped along the highway around 24 hours before it was found. Hartford Police told The Independent that two of the victims cousins a 17-year-old who has not been named because of his age, and Sender Soto-Veliz, 21 had been arrested. The 17-year-old was charged with murder and tampering with evidence, while Soto-Veliz was charged with hindering prosecution in the second degree and tampering with evidence. Police said the two suspects and the victim all lived together at an apartment near Keney Park. Martinez who had only graduated from college in spring and was days away from turning 19 was allegedly shot dead inside the apartment on Thursday. open image in gallery Sender Soto-Veliz, 21, (pictured) is facing charges of hindering prosecution in the second degree and tampering with evidence ( Supplied ) The victims family said they grew concerned for him when he failed to show up to work on Thursday and Friday. When his body was found on Saturday, police tracked down one of the suspects vehicles and took the pair into custody that night, police said. Investigators then allegedly found evidence of the killing inside the apartment. Martinezs family told NBC Connecticut that they believe his death may have been connected to money. Nimsa Martinez, the victims sister, told the outlet: He was the person who always took care of me, despite him not being OK. Im going to remember him as the most beautiful person I couldve ever known. What we do want is for justice to be done, his aunt Veronica Imelda Martinez Mayen said, adding of her nephew: He was playful. A prankster. He stayed away from parties. [He was] very friendly. The family is now arranging for Martinezs body to be returned to Guatemala where his parents live, NBC reported. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old suspect is now awaiting transfer to an adult court. Soto-Veliz is being held on $500,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US 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 Tributes have poured in for a seven-year-old boy and his mother after they were both fatally shot by his father, during a horrific murder-suicide in which five people died in Minnesota. Toys, games and flowers have been left outside a free toy library that was built by Oliver Nephew, who was killed alongside his mother Kathryn Nephew on November 4. Duluth police said at a news conference that the shooter, 46-year-old Anthony Nephew, had, just hours before, killed his former partner Erin Abramson, 47, and his other 15-year-old son Jacob Nephew. Anthony Nephew had died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Police Chief Mike Ceynowa. open image in gallery Toys and floral tributes are left outside a toy library made by seven-year-old Oliver Nephew, who was fatally shot by his father on November 5 ( Northern News Now ) Oliver Nephew, a first-grader, had built a free toy library for children in his neighborhood. Since the tragic incident dozens of stuffed animals, toys, and floral tributes have been added to the pile. Residents have also been placing the items inside totes to keep them safe from the rain, local outlet Northern News Now reported. Duluth Public Schools will hold a candlelight walk on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in honor of the youngster. A GoFundMe page has been set up for Abramson and her teenage son, which has raised over $2,000. According to the page, Abramson was an avid runner and beloved member of the Duluth community. A memorial event inviting members of the community to run, walk, or bike the route of her final running group event will take place on November 29, on what would have been her 47th birthday. In a previous press conference, Ceynowa, said that Anthony Nephew had suffered from a pattern of mental health issues. Officers were first called to a home just after 2pm on Thursday, he said. There, they found Abramson and her son dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Abramson and Anthony Nephew were previously involved in a relationship, Ceynowa said. Later on Thursday, police identified Anthony Nephew as the suspect and surrounded his home. When they entered, officers found the bodies of him, his 45-year-old wife Kathryn Nephew and Oliver Nephew. Police said Anthony Nephew had killed the four victims before killing himself. open image in gallery Five people died in a horrific murder-suicide in Minnesota Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims families, friends, and loved ones involved in this tragic event, Duluth Police department wrote on Facebook. Duluth, a city of nearly 90,000 residents, is roughly 135 miles north of Minneapolis. 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. 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 federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty earlier this year to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act following his arrest in the most consequential national security case in years. He was brought into court in an orange jumpsuit and showed no visible reaction as he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani. Earlier in the hearing he apologized before the judge. This artist depiction shows Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, right, appearing in U.S. District Court in Boston, April 14, 2023 ( AP ) Prosecutors had originally requested a 17-year sentence for Teixeira, saying he "perpetrated one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history." Defense attorneys had sought an 11-year sentence. In their sentence memorandum, they acknowledged that their client "made a terrible decision which he repeated over 14 months," But they argued that Teixeira's actions, though criminal, were never meant to "harm the United States." He also had no prior criminal record. The security breach raised alarm over America's ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain the diplomatic and military fallout. 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 Wisconsin father-of-three who vanished during a kayaking trip faked his disappearance and fled to Europe, local authorities announced. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, was reported missing by his family on August 12 when he didnt return home from his trip to Green Lake. When the authorities responded to Dodge Memorial Park, they found Borgwardts vehicle and trailer parked in the lot and a capsized kayak in the western part of the lake where the water is around 220 feet deep, according to the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office. Fisherman found Borgwardts fishing rod in the same lake, as well as his tackle box which contained a wallet, keys and a license. His wife, who he had last had contact with on August 11, feared he had drowned. But, in a bizarre twist, its believed that the father-of-three staged the accident and then fled the country for Europe, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said during a press conference Friday afternoon. open image in gallery Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll speaks at a press conference on Borgwardts disappearance Friday ( Green Lake County Sheriffs Office ) In the update, that comes following a 54-day search for Borgwardt, officials say that while searching his electronic devices for clues, they discovered that before Borgwardt went on his kayaking trip, he had been communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan online, had opened a new bank account, obtained a new passport before leaving his original one at home, and then wiped his computer. Officials also found that the missing fathers name had been checked by law enforcement in Canada the day after he was reported missing. Borgwardts alleged plan to leave his family was at least seven months in the making, according to the digital trail, officials said, revealing that it started when Borgwardt purchased a $375,000 life insurance policy. Search efforts for Borgwardt have officially ended, but Sheriff Podoll offered an emotional plea for the man to return home to his family. Ryan, if you are viewing this, I plead that you contact us or contact your family, Sheriff Podoll said. We understand that things can happen, but theres a family that wants their daddy back. 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 California authorities arrested a naked man after he was reportedly found living under an elderly womans home where he is believed to have been for months. Los Angeles Police Department officials found Issac Betancourt, 27, in a crawl space under the home in El Sereno, a Los Angeles neighborhood, on Thursday. Cops used police dogs and rubber bullets to try to get the man to come out without success. He was naked and he wouldnt come out of there, a KCAL anchor said, quoting police. Officials later deployed tear gas and the man removed himself from the home around 4 a.m. on Friday morning. Betancourt has been charged with misdemeanor trespassing. Its not clear how long he had been living under the home but officers found blankets and food in the mans hiding spot. Ricardo Silva, the son-in-law of the woman living in the home, who is thought to be in her 90s, said she kept hearing strange noises late at night but assumed it was just animals. The noises were kind of like knocking. It was kind of like, as my wife was walking, they were kind of knocking back from under the house so she says, You know somethings wrong, Silva said, according to NBC News, adding the family suspects the man may have been living under the home for six months. Betancourt was arrested on November 8, released the following day and is scheduled to appear before a judge on December 6. Its a bizarre thing, but its not probably uncommon, you know. In this day and age, people are looking for shelter, Silva said, according to People. He refused to leave. He wasnt scared of the dogs, and the first two attempts at gas didnt fish him out. 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 has been accused of kidnapping a pregnant woman at gunpoint from her Washington home before leaving her stranded thousands of miles away in Mexico. Daniel Lopez, 24, faces charges of first-degree kidnapping and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to charging documents first seen by Komo News. The Auburn Police Department (APD) said Lopez was located following a joint investigation between the FBI and local authorities in connection with the disappearance of 21-year-old Auburn resident Jackelin Perez. He was arrested more than 2,300 miles away from Auburn in Houston, Texas, after authorities tracked down his license plate, the APD said. Lopez was said to have been extradited to Washington before he was charged, as per the local TV station. Perez had emigrated to Washington with her husband from Guatemala months prior to when she went missing last month, according to authorities. Police said that the victim, who was six-weeks pregnant, was taken from her home under duress in an extraordinarily violent kidnapping between 6pm and 7pm on October 13 from her home in the north-east of the city. Perezs husband arrived home approximately 20 minutes after she was abducted by at least two men including Lopez before reporting her disappearance on the morning of October 14, according to charging documents. The kidnappers brought the victim to Mexico before subsequently releasing her, police said. It is not currently clear why the kidnappers decided to take her to Mexico. Police speculated that Perez was caught up in illegal activity which she was not directly involved in. Search efforts were also made in Guatemala and Mexico before she was tracked down. Jackelin Perez has been located and is alive. She was found in Mexico earlier this week by Mexican authorities, APD said in a statement on October 23. After speaking with Perez, she confirmed that she was, in fact, kidnapped at gunpoint. Kolby Crossley, a public information officer for the APD, told WSAZ3: It was shocking. It was a surprise to all of us and really just thrilled, he added of Perez being located. A job well done by our detectives, who have been working around the clock to find Jackelin. We also want to thank the FBI and the other agencies that assisted in this case, the APD added in its statement. The Independent has contacted the APD for more information. 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 More than seven years after the bodies of best friends Abigail Abby Williams, 13, and Liberty Libby German, 14, were found near the historic Monon High Bridge in Delphi, Indiana their tragic murders shattering the small, tight-knit community a judge has sentenced their killer to 130 years in prison. Special Judge Fran Gull handed Richard Allen, 52, the maximum sentence for the murders at a December 20 hearing, calling the case the most heinous she has encountered in her career. Allen was found guilty on all four counts in the 2017 murders of the teenage best friends. A jury delivered the unanimous verdict on November 11 after deliberating for about 18 hours. Allens attorneys later filed a motion to throw out two of the charges, arguing he cant constitutionally be convicted twice for the same crime. Gull vacated the two federal murder charges at the sentencing hearing, local outlet WISH-TV reported. The sentencing hearing lasted just over an hour, according to reporters in the courtroom. The girls loved ones took the stand ahead of Gulls decision. Allens sentence will never be enough, Germans grandmother Becky Patty told the court. What happens when Libbys nieces and nephews, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, want to learn about Libby and thats what they were met with? Patty said. The so-called Delphi murders case has been shrouded in mystery and plagued by delays, shifting narratives, controversies, chaotic developments and evidence leaks ever since that fateful day in February 2017. The first major break came in October 2022 when Allen, a Delphi local, was arrested and charged with the teenagers 2017 murders, a shocking turn more than five years on from the killings. He had admitted to investigators that he was on the bridge trail on the day the girls disappeared, but pleaded not guilty to the charges. open image in gallery Richard Allen was arrested in October 2022 and charged with the teenagers 2017 murders, a shocking turn more than five years after the killings ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) After 17 days of testimony, the verdict was handed down at the Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi, the town where the crimes took place. Gull banned photography and video cameras from the courtroom, along with audio recording and other electronic devices, creating a frustrating situation for the community and the media. Few details were released by prosecutors prior to the trial and the people closest to the case have been silenced by a gag order. But both local and national reporters banned together to get the information out to the public. Now that the trial is over, does the town put on the map by the horrific case finally have answers? Heres what we do know about the confounding case: What happened to Libby German and Abby Williams? Libby and Abby went missing on February 13, 2017, after they set off on a hike along the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Indiana, a small town of just 3,000 people. During the walk, Libby posted photos on Snapchat of them along the trail including one image believed to be the last ever photo taken of them. Their bodies were discovered the next day in a wooded area around half a mile off the trail. In a move that propelled the investigation forward, Libby also captured a grainy video on her phone of a man dressed in blue jeans, a blue jacket and a cap walking along the abandoned railroad bridge. open image in gallery Libby German (left) and Abby Williams (right) pictured together before they were killed in 2017 ( Facebook ) Investigators released a grainy image from the video and a chilling audio of the man telling the two girls: Go down the hill. Investigators long suspected that the man caught on camera is the girls killer and have praised the girls for documenting the evidence. How were the Delphi victims murdered? For years, police refused to say how the girls died. However, a trove of court documents released in June 2023 revealed new details about the murders for the first time. Both Libby and Abby are believed to have been killed with a knife, suffering wounds caused by a sharp object, the filings state. A gun is also believed to have been used in the crime, after an unspent bullet, meaning one that has not been fired, was found by the victims bodies. open image in gallery Image of Abigail Williams walking across the Monon High Bridge was recovered from her Snapchat account on the day she disappeared ( Snapchat ) Libbys iPhone, containing the infamous video of Bridge Guy, was found underneath her body at the scene. Articles of clothing from the girls were missing from the scene, including a pair of underwear and a sock, documents state. Court documents filed by Allens attorneys in September revealed more graphic details, including that the teenage best friends both had their necks slashed, as well as disturbing details of how their bodies were left. The documents in which Allens legal team claimed his innocence and that the victims were instead murdered by a white nationalist cult state that Libby was found at the base of a tree with four tree branches of varying sizes intentionally placed in a very specific and arranged pattern on her naked body and blood spots all over her body. Abby meanwhile was fully clothed, including in Libbys sweatshirt and jeans, the documents state. open image in gallery This grainy image was taken on Libbys phone on the trail the day the girls went missing. Investigators believe the man is the killer ( Indiana State Police ) There was no blood on her clothing, indicating that she was likely murdered while naked and then dressed after she was killed. Tree branches and sticks had also been arranged on her body, the documents state. Both victims appeared to have been moved and staged after they were killed. Who is Richard Allen? Before his sudden arrest in 2022, Allens name was never publicly linked to the case. At the time of the murders, he would have been 44 years old. He has no prior criminal record, though jail records list him as also going by the alias of Craigh Ross Rentfrow. The now 52-year-olds Delphi home, where he lived with his wife Kathy, with whom he shares an adult daughter, is less than a five-minute drive away from where the bodies of Libby and Abby were found. open image in gallery A makeshift memorial to Liberty German and Abigail Williams near where they were last seen ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) According to online records, Allen has lived there since at least 2006, and in Indiana his whole adult life. Allen is a trained pharmacy technician, receiving his most recent pharmaceutical license in February 2018 one year on from the murders. At the time of his arrest he was working at the local CVS store. Following his arrest, Libbys grandparents Mike and Becky Patty said that they recalled Allen processing photos for them at the store following their granddaughters murder. In a chilling photo, posted by Allens wife Kathy on Facebook in December 2021, Allen is seen smiling alongside his wife in a local bar in Delphi. On the wall behind him is the 2019 police sketch of the murder suspect. Allen bears some likeness to the drawing. The selfie was posted on social media the same month investigators issued a fresh appeal urging members of the public to come forward with information about an online catfishing account thought to be tied to the murders. open image in gallery Richard Allen in pictured in his most recent mugshot in August 2024 ( Cass County Jail ) What evidence ties Richard Allen to the murders? In an affidavit released in November 2022, prosecutors revealed that they had connected Allen to the murders through a bullet found at the crime scene. The document states that ballistics confirmed that an unspent .40 caliber round found close to the bodies of the teenage victims had come from a Sig Sauer Model P226, belonging to Allen. That gun, which he owned since 2001, was found during a search of Allens home. Both Allen and his wife allegedly confirmed that he was the only person with access to the firearm. The affidavit also revealed that Allen spoke with investigators at least twice, including in 2017 confirming that he was on the radar of police at the time of the murders. open image in gallery Police sketches released in 2019 (left) and 2017 (right) in the search for the killer ( Indiana State Police ) In the 2017 interview, Allen had confessed to being on the Monon High Bridge Trail on the afternoon of February 13 2017 placing him on the scene at the same day and time that the victims went on their fateful walk. He denied any involvement in the murders and insisted he had never seen the two girls. In another interview on October 13 2022, Allen had no explanation as to how the spent bullet from his gun ended up in between the bodies of the two teenage victims, the affidavit states. The accused killer said he had not been on the property where the unspent round was found, that he did not know the property owner, and that he had no explanation as to why a round cycled through his firearm would be at that location, it says. Investigators believe Allen to be the Bridge Guy. Jury hears Richard Allens alleged confessions Indiana State Police Detective Brian Harshman testified during a three-day hearing this year that Allen has confessed to the murders more than 60 times since his arrest, mostly in jailhouse phone calls to his wife or his mother while he has been behind bars at the Westville Correctional Facility. Allen first began to confess in late March 2023 when he had an apparent come to Jesus moment, said the officer who had reviewed around 150 hours of calls. In the confessions, Harshman said Allen spoke very specifically about some of the details of the crime including his alleged motivations. open image in gallery Richard Allen pictured in mugshot in 2022 after arrest for Delphi murders ( Indiana State Police ) Indiana State Police Lt. Jerry Holeman also gave damning testimony, telling the court a fellow inmate had come forward to claim that Allen had not only confessed but also revealed the murder weapon. Allen allegedly claimed he killed Libby and Abby with a boxcutter and disposed of it by throwing it in a dumpster outside the CVS where he worked. Allens defense has long argued that his confessions were the result of his poor mental health after being treated like a prisoner of war in state prison while awaiting trial. But Judge Gull allowed the jury to hear all of Allens confessions that police say he has made since his arrest in 2022. What the jury did NOT hear at the trial The bizarre manner in which the girls bodies were found has sparked multiple theories, including one pushed by Allens defense attorneys that the girls were ritually sacrificed by neo-Nazis who were followers of Odinism. Odinism is a pagan Norse religion with origins in ancient Viking and Nordic beliefs and pre-Christian European culture. Sometimes referred to as Wotanism, it is seen as a racist variant of the pagan religious sect Asatru, according to the Anti-Defamation League. While Asatru itself is not racist, over the years Odinism has become increasingly tied to white supremacist and neo-Nazi beliefs in the US. Many followers known as Odinites are now said to exist among the white supremacist prison population. Members of a pagan Norse religion, called Odinism, hijacked by white nationalists, ritualistically sacrificed Abigail Williams and Liberty German, his attorneys wrote in court documents viewed by The Independent. open image in gallery Flowers are placed at the Monon High Bridge where the girls were found dead ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) They said that possible Odinism signatures were left behind by the killers at the crime scene, with the victims bodies staged by trees with branches and sticks laid across their bodies in the shape of pagan symbols. While Allen has no known connection to any pagan cult, his attorneys also took the extraordinary step of naming four individuals they say are involved in Odinism as potential suspects in the Delphi murders while insisting that Allen had nothing to do with the killings. But the judge banned the defense attorneys from bringing up the Odinism cult theory or the names of nearly a dozen other suspects in court during Allens trial. Judge Gull issued the ruling, stating that the burden is on the defense to show a nexus between the other suspects, Odinism, and the murders. She found that the defense had failed to produce admissible evidence demonstrating a nexus. Allens attorneys quit the case Allens trial began on October 14, after a slew of delays after Allens attorneys dramatically quit the case in October 2023 amid a scandal over the leak of graphic crime scene photos. The images began circulating online earlier in the month and, in a bombshell twist, it emerged that the leak originated from a man who was a close friend of one of Allens attorneys. Richard Allen's attorneys withdraw from case following crime scene photo leak Hed previously worked as an employee at his law firm, but he had never worked on the Delphi case and left the firm years before. The individual died by suicide after a police investigation into the leak was launched. During a closed-door hearing in October 2023, Judge Gull told defense attorneys Andrew Baldwin and Bradley Rozzi she planned to remove them from the case. Gull claimed the leak of the photos was one of many ways Baldwin and Rozzi acted with gross negligence in their defense of Allen. The attorneys later claimed that Gull coerced them into quitting in what they described as a pre-meditated ambush. They requested she recuse herself from the case. open image in gallery Special Judge Fran Gull oversaw the proceedings in Delphi ( AP ) Public defenders William Lebrato and Robert Scremin were then appointed by the court and were on the case for a short time before they filed the motion to remove themselves from the proceedings at the beginning of the year. Around the same time, the Indiana Supreme Court issued a ruling that Allens original attorneys would be reinstated. The states highest court however denied the motions regarding Gulls removal. 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 woman in Seattle has been charged with first-degree murder after she killed her father with an ice axe for refusing to shut off the lights in her house, police say. Corey Burke, 31, allegedly told detectives that she was trying to convince her 67-year-old father, Timothy, to shut the lights off, but could not make him budge. She also told police that she had been in a highly emotional state due to the election, and felt that there was "something important" about Election Day, according to the Seattle Times. Police were dispatched to the area she lived at around 8 p.m. November 5 after reports of someone breaking out the windows of a home. Burke then exited the house with blood on her face, and was taken to hospital for a mental health evaluation. Police continued to search the home and found her fathers body in the basement, with wounds to his head and torso, according to the King County medical examiners report. A bloody silver-and-blue ice climbing axe was also recovered. The day after the attack, Burke told detectives that she tripped and strangled her father with the axe, allegedly whispering to one that "I killed him, the Seattle Times reports. Timothys extensive injuries included wounds to his head and torso, 2-inch lacerations to his rib cage and a puncture near the base of his skull. Corey stated (when) her father started arguing with her, about the lights being shut off, that she just freaked out, Seattle Detective Azrielle Brikey wrote in a report. The defendant told Detectives that she knew that she could not convince him to keep the lights off, so she went upstairs retrieved an ice axe and tripped her father, strangled him with the axe and her hands and then bit him and hit him several times in the head and side with the blunt and sharp ends of the ice axe, a case summary by the prosecutors office read. According to police, Timothy was something of a shut-in due to a number of health problems he was facing prior to his death and was living at his daughters home in Rainier Valley, Washington. Burke was formally charged on Friday in King County Superior Court. Prosecutors have asked that the court set a $2 million bail for Burke, citing public safety concerns and flight risk concerns. Her arraignment is scheduled for November 21. 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 are fighting for life after an explosion at a chemical manufacturing plant in Louisville, Kentucky left 12 people in hospital. The blast rocked Louisvilles Clifton Neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Craig Greenburg said at a press conference. Multiple victims suffered burn and crush injuries in the incident, with aerial footage showing significant damage at the scene of the explosion. Residents across the city reported hearing a large boom, with lights flickering and buildings shaking from the impact of the blast on Tuesday afternoon at around 3 p.m. local time. The University of Louisville Hospital received seven of the injured employees, officials said. Two of the employees are in critical condition as of Tuesday evening, chief medical officer Jason Smith said. open image in gallery Firefighters check their gear near the site of the Louisville explosion. Two of the injured employees are in critical condition as of Tuesday night ( AP ) According to officials, there was a hazardous materials incident at the Givaudan Sense Colour plant a Swiss-based fragrance and food coloring company which prompted a shelter-in-place order for those within a one-mile radius. The University of Louisville Hospital has since activated its decontamination unit/procedures, officials said. Greenburg also told reporters that, despite concerns, the air quality was fine, though the cause of the explosion was unknown and would be under investigation for some time. He added that employees of the plant, working in the building had said everything was normal activity when the explosion occurred. open image in gallery Officials speak to residents following the Tuesday afternoon explosion. Nearby businesses had windows blown out and local schools had to delay dismissal due to the blast ( AFP /AFP via Getty Images ) The Louisville Fire Department called the explosion a large scale incident. As a result, several roads in the immediate area were closed and public transport was diverted. Many businesses near the facility also had their windows blown out by the blast, local outlet WDRB reports, and several local schools delayed their dismissal time at the request of emergency officials. A previous explosion occurred at the same plant in 2003, according to WDRB. That blast, which caused the release of aqua ammonia, killed one employee, the outlet reports. 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 Florida forecasters said Tuesday that they expect a tropical weather system moving near Hispaniola and Puerto Rico to strengthen over the coming days potentially into another hurricane that could hit the state. The low-pressure area in the Caribbean should develop into Sara later this week or over the weekend, according to Orlandos WFTV. The station said the system is anticipated to drift into the western Caribbean as Tropical Storm Sara, and will likely become a hurricane in the southern Gulf of Mexico. While it remains too early to tell where it will end up, WFTV said some models show the system moving east and into Florida. open image in gallery The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disturbance in the Caribbean Sea, which is expected to strengthen over the coming days. The system will likely become Sara, the next named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and could impact Florida ( National Hurricane Center ) The National Hurricane Center said Tuesday that environmental conditions appear to be right for development in the Caribbean Sea. A tropical depression is likely to form by the end of the week, as the system shifts westward. By early next week, the Hurricane Center said it would shift northwestward. Sara would be the 18th named tropical cyclone of the 2024 season. Last week, Rafael hit western Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane, knocking out its entire power grid. Only a few days later, eastern Cuba was rocked by an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8. open image in gallery Children wade through a flooded street after Hurricane Rafael in Batabano, Cuba, earlier this month. The storm was followed by a major earthquake ( (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) ) Rafael brought dangerous and life-threatening surf and rip currents to beaches along the Gulf Coast. Climate change is bringing hurricanes later into the year, with ocean water temperatures reaching record or near-record highs in the Gulf of Mexico. The normal Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30. Dont let your guard down just because the calendar says were heading into mid-November. Conditions and water temperatures in the tropics are still primed for tropical storms to form in the final weeks of hurricane season, AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva warned on Monday. History shows that Florida faces a higher risk of tropical impacts than any other state during the month of November. 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 Republican Party is likely to retain control of the House of Representatives in the coming days, but with the makeup of the chamber virtually unchanged despite decisive victories in the presidential race and US Senate contests. GOP members are projected at this point to win a single-digit majority. Seventeen seats around the country remained up for grabs as of Monday evening, with Democrats currently leading in nine and Republicans in eight in two cases, by just a few hundred votes. Of the races already called, Republicans have secured 214 four short of a majority. Democrats currently sit at 204 in the chamber. Notable incumbents on both sides lost seats, including Anthony DEsposito in the New York GOP and Pennsylvanias Susan Wild on the Democratic side. The result is remarkable and would represent a clean sweep for the party, with Donald Trump soundly defeating Kamala Harris, winning seven out of seven fought-over swing states, winning the popular vote for the first time, and even shrinking his margins of defeat in long-held Democratic bastions like Maryland. But nevertheless, it could still cause headaches for the GOP next year. Case in point: the already-rambunctious state of the House Republican majority, which has hovered in the single digits for months and even before then was so unruly it resulted in the ouster and eventual resignation of Kevin McCarthy, the Republican who won the role of speaker after more than a dozen votes. open image in gallery Mike Johnson is poised to be speaker of the House once again come January ( AP ) With Donald Trump poised to install loyalists across his administration, the real test for him this time around in terms of ramming through as much of his ultra-conservative, nationalist agenda as possible will be posed by Congress. His ability to unify and bully Mike Johnsons members into falling in line will be key to halting the kind of rebellion that took down McCarthy and could stall his legislative agenda. Even his more optimistic aides will probably privately agree that the party risks losing the House once again in the coming midterm elections, though the Senate may be out of reach for Democrats thanks to a map that once again gives their rivals the edge. That leaves roughly a year and a half before an election will in some way hinder the GOPs ability to pass policy through Congress. For perspective: last time around, GOP House and Senate majorities worked together to pass Trumps signature tax cuts in his first year, after trying and failing to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The vast majority of Trumps agenda was pursued through the Executive Branch. Hell be essentially on that same timeframe unless, of course, Democrats fail to get their act together between now and then. Its always possible that Republicans will hold the House, too, in 2026. open image in gallery Trumps ability to rein in Johnsons unruly caucus will likely determine the fate of his legislative agenda ( AP ) On the Democratic side, wounds remain extremely raw following last weeks defeat. Harris underperformed compared to the partys Senate candidates as well as House candidates in areas where her support collapsed, like Dearborn, Michigan. This was coupled with an admission from Jon Favreau, former speechwriter to Barack Obama, that Joe Bidens own internal campaign polling showed Trump winning 400 electoral votes in what have been an absolute bloodbath during the period his aides and campaign officials were angrily insisting he was the best candidate to put forward. Such a loss would have been devastating to the electoral prospects of Bidens allies in Congress. The president-elect formally announced two Cabinet nominees on Monday GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik to be his United Nations ambassador, and former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. In the days ahead, the focus will be on bigger positions being filled in Trumps Cabinet secretary of State, Defense and the attorney general among them as well as news regarding the incoming administrations first big legislative push. 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 Nearly two months after deadly Hurricane Helene hit the US Southeast, residents of North Carolina and Tennessee are still feeling the storms impacts. Residents of the city of Asheville, which saw major flooding and mudslides, have water coming out of their taps but it is not yet safe to drink. Part of the reason for these continued water woes has been sediment that was stirred up in the North Fork Reservoir, according to local media outlets. The water can contain microorganisms that cause disease. The reservoir serves 80 percent of Ashevilles water customers. Non-drinkable water has been restored to tens of thousands of customers, to be used for showers and toilets. Residents have been advised to boil tap water and use bottled water for drinking and cooking, if available. Several locations offer drinking and flushing water. Now, officials must find a way to get the reservoirs water clear enough to be treated. The reservoirs turbidity level which tells the clarity of the water is down, according to WLOS. open image in gallery Travis Edwards captures water while cleaning dishes last month in Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville residents still dont have clean drinking water nearly two months after Hurricane Helene struck the southeastern state. ( (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson, File) ) In a recent video, Asheville City Council member Maggie Ullman said that water restoration may not be completed until mid-December. Part of the plan is for the Army Corps of Engineers to build a filtration system along the dam, according to City Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler. Chandler told Blue Ridge Public Radio that the timeline is a best-case scenario. In an update last week, he said that efforts to treat the reservoir with aluminum sulfate, a salt that could clear the water, is expected every day this week or until the chemicals run out. The situation has led to frustration and consternation from residents and social media users. My husband and I consider ourselves climate-change refugees. We knew we couldnt outrun it by leaving Austin, but we did not expect a hurricane in Asheville, which is over 2,100 feet above sea level and some 300 miles from the coast, resident Mary Ann Roser wrote in Wake Forest Magazine. Nor did I ever expect to live anywhere for weeks on end without being able to drink from the faucet. Its been 45 days since Helene hit western North Carolina. There is STILL no clean drinking water in the city of Asheville. Trash is swinging from the trees 20 feet high. Kids in Yancey County wont go back to school until late November. Where are the reporters?! exclaimed X user Matt Van Swol. We still need help! His post has garnered more than 292,000 views on the platform. Just another Thursday in Asheville, NC. Its been six weeks since Helene, and most of us still dont have potable water, said user Evan Fisher. I cant tell you how grateful I am for the crews working day and night to restore our water supply. They are all heroes! We are especially grateful for the dedicated members of the National Guard who are supporting water distribution efforts in our community, the city said in a post. open image in gallery An aerial view shows flood damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Erwin, Tennessee, last September. The storm resulted in millions of dollars of damage to Tennessee roads and bridges. ( (AP Photo/George Walker IV) ) Meanwhile, in neighboring Tennessee, Senate Transportation Committee Chair state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey told Knox News Tuesday that the Department of Transportation is dealing with millions of dollars in damage to roads and bridges. Knox News reported that the storms have resulted in competition with other counties in the state which could lead to delays. The rebuilding phase will last for years and many roads throughout North Carolina also remain impassable. Two days ago, the Junaluska Fire Department said a few travelers were very fortunate to be alive after they drove around a closed road on Interstate 40 and drove off it from a large hole in the roadway. In Asheville, areas that suffered catastrophic damage have brought multiple hazards. Please make every effort to pay attention to road closures, signage, and the instructions of law enforcement, urged the Asheville Police Department. 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 hero who saved dozens from a devastating blizzard in 2022 has spoken out after being included in a mass layoff by his employer. Jay Withey, 29, became known as "Merry Christmas Jay" after he risked his own life to save 24 others when he pulled people from their cars and a nearby school after they got snowed in, in December 2022. Sumitomo Rubber, Witheys employer broke the news on Thursday that it would close its Tonawanda, New York tire manufacturing plant and in turn, eliminate all 1,550 union and salaried jobs, as reported by the Associated Press. Withey told WKBW: "If this was a Buffalo-owned company it wouldve never happened. His cousin Matthew Mond, who also worked at the company, told the outlet: Its like a landlord booting you out with no cause." "When you go through something, you dont go through it alone in Buffalo. If I get in anywhere, and I can help anyone get a job, or use my connections to help anyone else out who works here, Im absolutely going to do so, Withey added. open image in gallery Sumitomo Rubber announced the decision to eliminate all 1,550 union and salaried jobs at its Tonawanda, New York site on Thursday ( New York Power Authority ) The blizzard hero told the outlet that the company had allowed staff to take a week off only a week before the stark notice. We had no idea, Withey told WKBW. The Japan-based manufacturer admitted it had been grappling with financial losses and attempts to control and offset such costs had failed, as per the AP. Sumitomo announced in a statement on Thursday: SRUSA remains committed to supporting its former employees through this challenging time, and remains grateful for all associates hard work, dedication, and contributions to the company and facility over its many years in business. Workers gathered outside the plant in Tonawanda on Monday to protest the immediate shutdown of the rubber facility, reported WKBW. Sumitomo Rubber reportedly gave staff no prior warning before it announced the cuts jeopardizing the livelihoods of those who work there, as reported by WKBW. A media spokesperson for Sumitomo Rubber told The Independent: We are assisting SRUSA with media inquiry responses and can confirm that there are various career transition services being put in place by the company to support the outgoing workforce. There are various initiatives being coordinated by Erie County and New York State related to employee transition. The Buffalo hero found fame on December 29 2023 when he left a note apologizing for breaking into and damaging a school building where he had led those who needed refuge against the storm. The note read: To whomever it may concern, Im terribly sorry about breaking the school window and for breaking in the kitchen. Got stuck at 8pm Friday and slept in my truck with two strangers just trying not to die. There were seven elderly people also stuck and out of fuel. I had to do it to save everyone and get them shelter and food and a bathroom. Merry Christmas Jay. His actions were celebrated by the Buffalo Bills among others. 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 Fallen sex cult leader Nancy Salzman is facing a lawsuit filed by actress and former top recruiter Sarah Edmondson, along with dozens of other ex-members, who say Salzman is refusing to hand over more than $150,000 she owes them as part of a civil settlement. Salzman, 70, the co-founder and president of Nxivm, who served less than 20 months of a 4-and-a-half year prison sentence for racketeering conspiracy, ran Nxivm alongside co-founder Keith Raniere, who is four years into a 120-year sentence of his own. In 2020, Salzman, Raniere, and other Nxivm leaders were sued by a slew of members who claimed the Upstate New York multi-level marketing scheme and self-help group was, in fact, a massive criminal enterprise engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, and illegal human experimentation. As part of an agreement with her victims, Salzman consented to sell three properties she owned and to transfer the net proceeds to them, according to a November 8 suit first reported by the Albany Times-Union . open image in gallery Nancy Salzman was the president and co-founder of Nxivm, a sex cult disguised as a multilevel marketing scheme. She was sentenced to prison for her crimes committed while part of the sect ( AP ) But while Salzman forked over the money from the first two sales, in 2023 minus $6,450 she demanded for upkeep and maintenance on one of them, the lawsuit says she is now allegedly withholding $155,687.32 from the third sale, claiming she needs it for capital gains tax and unpaid property management fees on all three properties. No mention of either was ever included in paperwork finalizing the settlement, and Salzman did not contend or attempt to withhold capital gains tax from either of the other property sales, according to the lawsuit. The attorney representing the victims has asked Salzmans lawyer to put the funds in escrow while the dispute winds its way through the courts, but was advised that Salzman will not agree to such a transfer absent a court order, the lawsuit states. open image in gallery Keith Ranieres Nxivm sex cult forced women to brand themselves with his initials. Famous actresses were part of the cult ( Elizabeth Williams ) They are now asking a judge to declare that Salzman is not entitled to withhold capital gains tax and unpaid property management fees from the net proceeds of the sale of the three properties, and are seeking a court order to force Salzman to disgorge the funds according to the terms of the settlement. Nxivm, which was based in the Albany, New York area, forced women who joined to brand their pelvises with Ranieres initials and become his sex slaves, prosecutors charged. Its members included, among others, Clare and Sara Bronfman, heirs to the Seagram fortune. Former Smallville actress Allison Mack served as the de facto face of Nxivm, and in 2021 was sentenced to three years in prison for her role in the all-female organization. She was described in court by US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis as an essential accomplice, but also as someone who was manipulated by Raniere. Mack and other so-called first-line masters induced women to join the group, after which the unwitting pawns suffered unthinkable physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Raniere and his team. In a letter of apology Mack wrote prior to sentencing, she said she was sorry to those of you that I brought into Nxivm. I am sorry I ever exposed you to the nefarious and emotionally abusive schemes of a twisted man, Mack wrote. I am sorry that I encouraged you to use your resources to participate in something that was ultimately so ugly. I do not take lightly the responsibility I have in the lives of those I love and I feel a heavy weight of guilt for having misused your trust, leading you down a negative path. I am sorry to those of you whom I spoke to in a harsh or hurtful way. At the time, I believed I was helping. I believed in tough love and thought it was the path to personal empowerment. I was so confused. I never want to be someone who is considered mean, but those aspects of my humanity have been revealed in all of this; it has been devastating to reconcile. Mack was released from prison in July 2023. 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 Friday night in Downtown Santiago, the capital of Chile, a group of 15 people gather around a table, sharing a bottle of wine as the smell of tobacco and incense fill the air. Black candles burn on top of an altar decorated with chalices and knives. The members of the Temple of Satan are about to start a ritual. Five years after the Satanic Temple of the United States made headlines and unleashed a wave of panic when it was designated a church, a similar organization in Chile, a conservative country where half of its population of 18 million identifies as Catholic, is asking the government to recognize them legally as a religious association. Scholars, believers and residents consulted by The Associated Press note that Chile, where a long-lasting tradition of Catholicism has played a leading role in public discussions, is experiencing a crisis of faith, following revelations of multiple sexual abuse scandals within the Catholic church over the years. These types of organizations now feel that they have greater support to challenge what was virtually impossible before, said Luis Bahamondes, a professor at the Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Chile. And thats because, until very recently, the Catholic Church enjoyed an unprecedented power. It had an opinion on everything: politics, economics, geopolitics, sexuality and education. Despite its name, The Temple of Satan: Satanists and Luciferians of Chile does not embark on sacrifices nor asks its congregants to worship the devil. Among its 100 members are people who work as publicists, firefighters, police officers, lawyers and psychologists, who have found in the organization a way to defy moral norms, dogmas and religious impositions. While they embrace the term Satanist, they dont revere or believe in Satan. Instead, they worship rationality, individualism, pleasure and the mundane life. Rather than gods, they praise humankind. open image in gallery Members of The Temple of Satan: Satanists and Luciferians of Chile, drink wine at the start of a monthly ceremon ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) You are the owner of your present and future, there is no God that makes decisions for you, said Haborym, a spokesperson for the group, during a walk through tombs and mausoleums at the General Cemetery of Santiago. He notes that the figure of Satan is purely symbolic and their rituals are performed to bring out the emotions and leave the intellect aside. Haborym and other members of the Temple of Satan in Chile spoke on condition their real names not be used, particularly with many hold public-facing jobs, citing growing threats. While Hollywood movies like Rosemarys Baby and TV series such as True Detective helped to portray the idea of Satanists as linked to sacrifice, evil, pain and death, modern groups like Chiles Temple of Satan are strongly against animal abuse, prohibit the affiliation of people with criminal records, see pleasures as a delight rather than a sin, and do not express their opinions unless asked. We dont want people killing in the name of Satan, said Haborym. In order to join Chiles Temple of Satan, applicants are requested to go through a lengthy process that includes filling out a form, showing proof of not having a criminal record, being interviewed by a special commission and, finally, being evaluated by a psychologist. open image in gallery Members of The Temple of Satan: Satanists and Luciferians of Chile walk through the General Cemetery ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Once they are accepted, members can choose a new name normally that of a demon or fallen angel with which they will be identified inside the Temple and among other associates. Founded in 2021, Chiles Temple of Satan has 100 members, and more than 400 people applied to join in the past few weeks, said Haborym. The interest spiked at the end of July, when the group formally requested the countrys Ministry of Justice to legally recognize it as a religious association. A media frenzy followed, unleashing a heated debate and causing a stir among Chiles main religious denominations. The history of Satanism is well known (and) it has often been the cause of tragedies, the leaders of several churches in Chile, including the Catholic, Anglican, Jewish and Evangelical, said in a joint statement. Following the steps of the Church of Satan founded in 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey, modern Satanists praise skepticism and logic over celestial or supernatural beings. Its followers are free to formulate their own beliefs, rites and spiritual practices. Many self-described Satanists and Luciferians are atheists, others are witches or believe in the power of magic. We do accept that there are certain bases, both academic and esoteric, that give meaning to our existence and reality, said Azazel, who quit Judaism four years ago and, one year later, founded the Temple of Satan of Chile. His words resonate in the darkness of the chamber and are interspersed with chants, clapping, mantras and readings of passages from the Satanic Bible and the Bible of the Adversary, the main guidelines of the group. open image in gallery A member of The Temple of Satan: Satanists and Luciferians of Chile reads from The Bible of the Adversary by Michael Ford, during a ceremony at the General Cemetery in Santiago ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Just like Azazel, others have turned to the Temple of Satan out of disappointment with traditional religions. The new congregants include not only occultists and esotericists, but also Catholics, Jews, Protestants and Evangelicals. In Satanism there are no solutions or absolute truths. You are your own god and you create your own reality, said Kali Ma, a dentistry student who was born and raised in a Jehovahs Witness family. If we compare both, Jehovahs Witnesses are the real sect, she said. They dont let you do certain things, they tell you how to dress, what to do, how to behave, whether or not to grow a beard. Nestor da Costa, an expert in secularism and religion at the Catholic University of Uruguay, said the influx of people seeking answers through different perspectives might be linked to the search for less dogmatic approaches. It may be a readjustment of the religious side of people who leave Catholicism but continue to believe in something, he said. It is unclear if the Chilean government will legally recognize the Temple of Satan as a legitimate religious association, but its very existence has already helped to spark a discussion that until recently was unthinkable in this conservative society. Demanding recognition is the ultimate expression of everything praised by Satanic aesthetics: the rebellion against the status quo and the breakup with deep-rooted traditions. We comply with everything that is requested of us as a religious entity, says Haborym. So there would be no reason to reject us beyond the fact that were a controversial figure. 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 Chris Christie has claimed that the Trump campaigns most effective ad during the 2024 race was one which focused on attacking Kamala Harriss transgender rights policy. The former Donald Trump ally-turned-critic said that Democrats focused on trans issues and pronouns during the Harris campaign, which could have pushed moderate liberals to vote Republican. He specifically pointed to one particular Trump campaign attack ad which ran with the argument: Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you. The most effective ad that the Trump campaign ran in this campaign was, you know, Kamala Harris is for they/them, and Donald Trump is for us, Christie said in a panel discussion on ABC Newss This Week with Jonathan Karl. Thats because most people dont see themselves as they/them. Yet, the Democrats have spent more time talking about a trans issue, which, quite frankly, is infinitesimal, he said. Karl interrupted him and pointed out that it was the Republicans who spent more time talking about it. But Christie added that he also believed the Democratic Party from 2017 through 2024 went off the deep end. On November 6, not long after Trump clinched victory, New York congressman Ritchie Torres posted on X: Donald Trump has no greater friend than the far left, which has managed to alienate historic numbers of Latinos, Blacks, Asians, and Jews from the Democratic Party with absurdities like Defund the Police or From the River to the Sea or Latinx. The former New Jersey governor said he agreed with the Democrat that the far left had actually helped Trump win the election. Donald Trump speaks during a victory party on Election night at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida ( AFP via Getty Images ) Well, hes absolutely right, Christie told the panel. I mean, the stuff they have been saying is just offensive to a large percentage of the American people. The DEI stuff is offensive to a large swath of the American people. Christies comments come as Democrats continue to search for answers following Harriss loss last week. Since Trump won the election, two Democratic congressmen have come out against transgender athletes competing in womens sports. New York Rep Tom Suozzi and Massachusetts Rep Seth Moulton, both of whom have supported transgender rights in Congress in the past, expressed frustration at their partys unwillingness to address an issue that was central to the Trump campaigns messaging, particularly in its TV ads. Speaking to The New York Times last week, Suozzi said: The Democrats have to stop pandering to the far left. I dont want to discriminate against anybody, but I dont think biological boys should be playing in girls sports. Democrats arent saying that, and they should be. Moulton also told the Times. Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face, he said. I have two little girls, I dont want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat Im supposed to be afraid to say 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 Donald Trump Jr has landed a new job post-election but it isnt in his fathers White House. Trumps eldest son, who played a central role in getting his father reelected, has revealed that he is joining capital venture firm, 1789 Capital. Don Jr made the announcement while speaking to a room full of Republican donors in the tech world at a conference, hosted by JD Vances Rockbridge Network, on Sunday, according to the New York Times. The president-elects son had been asked whether he intended to join his fathers administration when he shared his plans to instead join 1789 Capital as a partner, according to the Times. 1789 Capitals investments currently include Tucker Carlsons media company. Don Jr, 46, had helped cement Vance as Trumps pick for the Republican vice presidential nominee, played a role in brokering close ties with Robert F Kennedy Jr who has been tipped for a health position within Trumps administration and encouraged his father to embrace cryptocurrencies. Trump Jrs new role comes as the president-elect is currently naming his cabinet appointments to serve in his second administration. open image in gallery Donald Trump Jr will not be joining his dads team in the White House (pictured together on Election Night) ( Getty Images ) So far, the list includes Florida Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Florida congressman Mike Waltz as his national security adviser. The Republican has also announced two immigration hardliners will join the fold. Former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tom Homan will come in as his border czar, tasked with enacting the mass deportation of illegal immigrants he promised on the campaign trail, while Stephen Miller architect of some of the most controversial border policies from his first term, including the family separation policy will be his deputy chief of staff for policy. open image in gallery Donald Trump Jr played a central role in Trumps 2024 election campaign ( AP ) Last week, after his dads election victory, Don Jr took a swipe at Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming that the Ukrainian president was just weeks away from losing his allowance. The outspoken political scion shared an Instagram post by former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, as per screenshots taken by the Daily Beast, with the caption: POV: Youre 38 Days from losing your allowance. Trump has staunchly criticized the Biden Administration spending more than $64bn in providing security assistance to Ukraine since Russias invasion in February 2022, according to figures from the US Department of State. 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 Democrats are looking at spending at least the first two years of Donald Trumps second presidency in the wilderness after losing the Senate. It looks increasingly likely they will fail to retake the House of Representatives, too. Now, many are questioning whether the party is truly going to learn anything of value from the second defeat of the Democratic standard-bearer to Trump and MAGA Republicanism. Centrist Democrats in particular are taking it from all sides, humiliated with a seven-swing-state sweep after successfully talking Harris into abandoning the progressive-ish agenda she championed in her 2020 bid for the White House. Those centrists spent the past few months stating plainly that she would not be a meaningful departure from the presidency of Joe Biden, with whom Harris could not identify a single issue on which she disagreed. Instead, she campaigned with Liz Cheney and sought out moderate Republican voters the Nikki Haley coalition in states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Analysts now agree with what the election results seemed to show last week: that strategy failed to move a significant number of voters to Harriss side in all but a few areas. Worse, it likely alienated the vice presidents base at a time when Democrats were already in dire straits with those same voters. J. Miles Coleman, executive editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball, explains that the so-called #NeverTrump Republicans of 2016 are now either standard Republicans or #Resist Libs. You did have some of the suburbs around Milwaukee shift a little to Harris compared tolast time, he noted. [But] fundamentally, you know, its Trumps party now You probably have a lot of Democrats now saying, We maybe, kind of should have focused more on turning out our base. Theres also reason to believe, he says, that fears about younger Black men leaving the Democratic Party may be real, yet still overblown. One fact remains to skew the numbers, which some Democrats are loath to admit: millions of voters, particularly younger ones, stayed home rather than turn out to vote for Democrats in 2024. Harriss vote total marked a sharp decrease from Joe Bidens in 2020, which was a year of higher voter turnout especially for younger voters. open image in gallery Joe Biden won millions more votes in 2020 than his running mate Kamala Harris did four years later, while voter turnout nationally dipped by 2% ( AP ) Even in states where Harris campaigned intensely, there are already signs that a failure to turn out voters who inherently lean Democratic and likely were not considering Donald Trump at all contributed to Harriss loss. Consider Detroit, a majority-Black city in one of the nations biggest battleground states. Despite turnout statewide remaining roughly unchanged from 2020 levels, there was a 3-percent drop in the share of eligible voters who cast ballots in the deep-blue city this year. And thats not even touching the vice presidents collapse in Dearborn, the hub of Arab American life in the state, where Democrats were swept to re-election easily in local races while Harriss support sank to unrecognizable depths. Just about everyone agrees: a massive part of the Democrats inability to motivate their own base to turn out stemmed from the refusal of Joe Biden to consider stepping down before the 2024 primaries took place. The stink of a party lurching on for months bound by pride to nominate a candidate voters so clearly did not think was physically or mentally capable to serve another four years in office never washed off Harris, his former running mate especially as she declined to distance herself from those decisions at all. Pod Save America host and Obamaworld insider Jon Favreau revealed last week that internal Biden campaign polling had the incumbent president losing a 400-electoral-vote blowout before he withdrew from the race in July. We modeled that she would need about 83-84% of the Black male vote to have a chance of winning. She didnt get anywhere near that until our last October poll, said Dr Alvin Tillery, whose group tracked Black support for Biden-Harris for months. [By that point] shes at like 71% after being at like 59% for months. Tillery, a professor at Northwestern whose 2040 Strategy Group projected in late October that Harris was in striking distance of turning out the requisite percentage of Democratic-leaning Black men to actually win, told The Independent that Harriss campaign never made the sustained investment in turning out the Democratic base rather than swing voters which it needed to overcome Trumps consolidated dominance of the GOP. The craziest thing is that the Democrats just I dont know if its overconfidence, [but] they just didnt message to those groups, Tillery said. open image in gallery Kamala Harris became the first Democrat to lose the popular vote to Donald Trump ( AFP via Getty Images ) In an age of digital ads, where you can message to those groups and the white swing voters that you really prize wont even see those messages because theyre all on, like, YouTube? he continued. Yeah, just crazy to me that they didnt do that. Trumps biggest successes in the 2024 cycle were his gains among younger men of all races, but mainly white and Hispanic men. He also made slight inroads with Republican voters, further diminishing the already-tiny share of registered Republicans who voted Democratic in 2020. Thats a statistic which is notable for how un-notable it is in any other year, expected, but not after a sustained months-long effort by the Harris campaign to target white Republican women, moderate and conservative alike. The lack of a clearer backlash stemming from the overturning of Roe vs Wade stunned even some analysts. It was surprising to me that Harris lost the white womens vote by like six points, Coleman said in his interview. It wasnt even close. It wasan election for the Democrats where the kind of long-term trends that had been working in their favorbasically stopped. Reversed some. Whereas the trends that were working against them just kept going. Tillery offered one clear diagnosis for why younger voters and Black voters turned out in such lower numbers. I wish somebody would come out and just be truthful about the fact thatIsraels war on Gaza probably cost them, like, 50,000 to 100,000 votes in all of these swing states, right? Like, look at Michigan! said Tillery. But if you dont want to own up to that stuff, then you know, you can tell your story about what a titan Donald Trump is. If thats the story, thats the story. But a lot of us gave them other pathways to follow. 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 Melania Trump is said to have shunned an invitation from Dr Jill Biden for a post-election meeting at the White House later this week, as the feud between the incoming and outgoing first ladies rumbles on. In recent months, the former first lady has re-entered the political spotlight due to the release of her self-titled memoir Melania. Though she still avoided joining her husband Donald Trump on the campaign trail, a smiling Melania appeared by the president-elects side as he swept to victory on Election Night. However, despite her seeming willingness to somewhat engage with the world of politics again, sources told CNN that Melania is set to skip the traditional first lady meeting. The sources said that the snub is due to an upcoming scheduling conflict related to her New York Times bestselling book. It comes four years after the Trumps declined to invite the Bidens to a similar White House meeting during the transition period between presidents after the GOP candidate decried election interference. Trumps team did try to persuade Melania to come to reconsider as they deemed the meeting important, CNN reported. One insider told the network that her decision has not yet been finalized. open image in gallery Trump, Melania and their 18-year-old son Barron on stage at Palm Beach County Convention Center, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 6 as Trump declares victory ( Reuters ) Another source gave a different reason for Melanias predicted absence, claiming that she still holds grievances over the FBIs raid on Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida in August 2022, as part of the federal classified documents case which was subsequently dropped in July. She aint going, that unnamed source told the New York Post. Jill Bidens husband authorized the FBI snooping through her underwear drawer. The Bidens are disgusting. Jill Biden isnt someone Melania needs to meet. A source also told The Daily Mail that Mrs Trump is not going, adding that Melania and Jill Biden have not spoken. The Independent has contacted the White House and Trumps spokespeople for more information. In line with tradition, Jill had extended the olive branch to Melania last week, inviting the 54-year-old American-Slovenian model to join her at the White House at 11am on Wednesday November 13. open image in gallery Barack Obama and Michelle Obama welcome Donald Trump and his wife Melania to the White House on January 20, 2017 ( AFP via Getty Images ) President Joe Biden also invited Trump to the Oval Office in a move symbolic of a smooth and peaceful transition of government, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. Trump accepted and so the meeting will take place on Wednesday, just over a week from when Trump defeated Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 race. The Bidens invitations come after the Trumps refused to follow tradition back in 2020. Trump did not invite Biden to Washington in 2020 after the Democrat clinched the presidency, and Melania likewise did not reach out to Jill. The Trumps also refused to attend the inauguration ceremony. Before then, the decades-long traditions had never been broken with Melania visiting the presidents official residence in 2016, where then-first lady Michelle Obama welcomed her into the Yellow Oval Room for their first meeting. The pair drank tea and talked about raising children before Melania was taken on a tour of the premises, including the Truman Balcony and the State Floor. 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 National Security Adviser Michael Flynn is calling for Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago staff to be subjected to polygraph tests after a series of press reports about the incoming presidents cabinet picks. Flynn, who briefly served in the Trump administration, made the remarks on X/Twitter on Tuesday in response to a tweet by controversial far-right activist Laura Loomer. It would be very easy to catch someone doing this. Give everyone that is there a one question poly (this is very easy to do). Ask them one question, have you communicated with any media outlets in the past week? Youll see the leaks disappear, Flynn said in response to a tweet by Loomer, a hard-right conspiracy theorist who traveled with Trump on the campaign trail. On Monday, The New York Times reported that Trump had nominated Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio to serve as his secretary of state. CNN reported that hed also selected South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Both of the outlets cited unnamed sources familiar with the presidents thinking. Reacting to news of the apparent leaks, Loomer wrote on X: Why are people inside Mar-a-Lago leaking Trumps possible cabinet picks to the media? Not a good sign that things are being leaked already. People should be respecting President Trumps privacy and the privacy of the transition team. The leaks came as Trump announced several of his cabinet picks this week, including his incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and United Nations Ambassador Elise Stefanik. Its unclear if Flynn himself will make a political comeback in Trumps second administration. The retired US Army general was appointed as Trumps first national security adviser in 2017, despite outgoing president Barack Obama having reportedly warned Trump against hiring Flynn. open image in gallery Michael Flynn on the campaign trail with Donald Trump in 2016 ( Getty Images ) However, Flynn lasted only weeks, resigning amid a media storm over claims he had discussed US sanctions on Russia with the then-Russian ambassador to the US, Sergei Kislyak, despite multiple official denials. Trump said he had fired Flynn because he had lied to the vice-president, Mike Pence, and the FBI about his contacts with Kislyak. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to FBI officials in late 2016 about the conversations as part of a plea deal although he later sought to withdraw his guilty plea. Trump went on to pardon him before leaving office. In May 2023, Trump vowed to bring him back while speaking at the ReAwaken America Tour hosted by Flynn. open image in gallery Laura Loomer with Trump. Her presence on the 2024 campaign reportedly caused consternation among his closest advisers ( Screenshot / Twitter / Laura Loomer ) You just have to stay healthy because were bringing you back. Were going to bring you back, Trump said. Were proud of you, general. I knew it from day one youre really somebody very special. The former aide has been one of the lead proponents of Trumps 2020 election fraud claims. Hes continued repeating Trumps unfounded claims since exiting the administration and encouraged his former boss to seize voting machines and order the military to demand another vote in certain states. Loomer is known for spreading conspiracy theories about 9/11 being an inside job and for her anti-Muslim rhetoric. She aired a conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio eating domestic pets a day before Trump said it in his one debate with Kamala Harris. City officials said there was no evidence to support the claims. Michael Flynn pledges allegiance to QAnon Some Republicans blamed Loomer for the remark and grew concerned about her closeness to the campaign after she started flying on Trumps plane and attending events, including one to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. At a news conference in September, Trump said: I dont control Laura. Laura has to say what she wants. Shes a free spirit. Trump will continue to make appointments ahead of Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025. On Monday, he demanded that anyone hoping to secure the coveted Senate majority leader spot agree to recess appointments, allowing him to bypass Congresss votes on each of the nominations, a hallmark of the countrys democratic process. 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 Rudy Giuliani has claimed he cant afford to buy food, just one week after he rocked up to vote in the election in his Mercedes. The former New York City mayor issued a plea for cash on X in the early hours of Tuesday morning, sharing a crowd-funding link saying that he had been persecuted to the highest level for his support of Donald Trump. Wilkie Farr Law Firm is filled with a distorted left wing hate and vitriol. Judge Liman doesnt seem to know the exemptions, Giuliani said, referring to the judge presiding over the $150m defamation case against him. They have seized all my money which wasnt much. I need legal representation against these evil people. I cant buy food. As of Tuesday morning, his page had raised $115,615 out of a $250,000 target. Americas Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, has been persecuted to the highest level through law fare due to his support of President Donald Trump, the page reads. Therefore, we are raising funds to go directly to his legal defense. Judge Lewis Liman previously ordered Giuliani to transfer his $5.6m Madison Avenue co-op apartment along with cash, 26 watches, his Mercedes Benz that was allegedly previously owned by Lauren Bacall, and other valuables to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the election workers whom he has been ordered to pay $150m in the defamation case. Rudy Giuliani rocked up to vote in Florida last week in his Mercedes ( REUTERS ) His legal team has argued that the ruling will render Giuliani penniless and homeless. Giuliani has until November 14 to hand over his possessions or risk severe sanctions, Judge Liman ruled last week. After appearing in court last Thursday, Giuliani told reporters outside that he had no regrets about defaming the two women after he falsely accused them of election fraud. Giuliani quickly corrected himself to say that he did not believe he ever defamed them. Mr Trump doesnt have to help me get out of this, he added. All Mr Trump has to do is straighten out the legal system, and youll find out who the real criminals are. In court filings and in bankruptcy proceedings, Giuliani said he believes he is owed $2m from Trumps campaign. 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 President-elect Donald Trumps incoming border czar Tom Homan has pushed back against critics, claiming that legal immigrants are perfectly safe from the administrations mass deportation efforts. Trump has pledged to deport tens of millions of undocumented migrants, a group which includes people who have lived in the US for decades. Some have also voiced concerns that the administration could go after immigrants who are citizens or try denaturalization of longstanding citizens. Homan appeared on Fox Business, where host Elizabeth MacDonald showed clips of MSNBCs Nicole Wallace noting that Homan has connections to Project 2025, the conservative agenda for the next Republican administration that Trump has been attempting to distance himself from, and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro saying that Homan has a cowboy attitude. Castro also said that Trumps immigration agenda will need a lot of pushback and Ana Navarro, the co-host of The View, said, When he says Yes, families can be deported together, what he is saying, is that US citizens can be deported. Are you saying that, Tom? MacDonald asked Homan. The incoming border czar said that US citizens and legal immigrants are perfectly safe, for Gods sake. Homan responded to a question from CBS late last month in which he was asked about going ahead with mass deportations without separating families. Families can be deported together, Homan said at the time. open image in gallery Tom Homan has been named as Donald Trumps border czar and tried to downplay some of the concerns over the administration's deportation plans ( AFP via Getty Images ) He also claimed in his Fox Business appearance that the Biden administration has deported families together. If these people demand due process, they demand the right to claim asylum, they demand the right to see a judge, and we give [that] to them at ... taxpayer cost, at the end of that due process, if [a] federal judge [says] You must go home, they have to go home, Homan said. If they dont, then what the hell are we doing? Jessica Tarlov, a co-host of The Five on Fox News, addressed Homans comments, saying that a key contributor to Project 2025 had been put in charge of immigration enforcement. Tom Homan was interviewed on 60 Minutes and asked Is there a way to carry about mass deportation without separating families? He said ... families can be deported together, Tarlov noted. He also said ... if someone was going to be rounded up and grandma was in the house and she is undocumented, it didnt necessarily mean she wouldnt be taken too. You can say Donald Trump has the mandate until youre blue in the face, taking grandma is not what people were voting for, she added. They were voting for criminals to be kicked out of this country. open image in gallery Trump has said he will deport millions starting day one of his presidency as he looks to overhaul immigration in the US ( AFP via Getty Images ) Commentator Ed Krassenstein wrote on X that most Americans ... dont want the US-born children (American citizens) of undocumented immigrants forced to leave. They dont want Grandma deported. And many dont want hardworking contributors to our economy expelled, either. He added: People voted for stronger borders, but what theyre getting looks like an extreme approach. Trump didnt tell you the whole story. Were going to see videos of young American kids deported alongside their immigrant parents. Well see elderly women being forced to leave. Homan said on Monday that the incoming Trump administration will conduct workplace raids to find illegal immigrants. During an appearance on Fox & Friends on Monday, the former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the raids would take aim at labor and sex trafficking. Where do we find most victims of sex trafficking and forced labor trafficking? At worksites, Homan said. But immigration advocates have said the tactic probably wont address the problem. The director of federal advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center, Heidi Altman, said Homan is conflating the traffickers with the people being trafficked, according to The Hill. Tom Homan is skilled at using public safety rhetoric to justify vicious tactics that tear families apart. During his stint in the first Trump administration, Homan pushed for the zero tolerance policy which led to the separation of more than 4,000 children from their families. While Homan told Fox that hell mainly target public safety threats and national security threats, he also said that foreigners with deportation orders become fugitives, meaning that immigrants without criminal pasts but with a deportation order could be prioritized for removal. 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 President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, rewarding longtime loyalists, aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign and in his legal battles. In the weeks since winning the election, Trump has named dozens of appointments to major government roles including some highly controversial picks. A week after he was nominated, Trumps first pick for attorney general now-former congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration amid a looming congressional report into allegations of sexual misconduct. Heres a look at who Trump has selected for Cabinet positions and key roles so far. Trumps first failed nominee: Matt Gaetz, Attorney General open image in gallery Former congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration for attorney general amid investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct ( AP ) Now-former congressman Matt Gaetz was selected for attorney general, the nations top law enforcement official, and a role widely seen as Trumps vehicle for his promised retribution and vengeance against his political enemies, testing the historic independence of the Department of Justice. But after meetings with Senators a week after his nomination, Gaetz pulled his name from consideration. Gaetz also resigned from the House of Representatives moments after his nomination while he remains at the center of a long-running House Ethics Committee investigation into sexual misconduct. He also was the subject of a Justice Department probe but was ultimately never charged with a crime. The other Cabinet-level nominees so far: Pam Bondi, Attorney General Hours after Gaetzs dropped out of the nomination process, Trump selected Pam Bondi, the former attorney general for the state of Florida. Bondi also chairs the legal arm of America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned group that has drafted policy recommendations for the next administration, and she has joined Trump in his contempt for special counsel Jack Smith and his investigations into the former president. She has also supported Trumps spurious attempts to reverse his election loss in 2020, falsely alleging mass voter fraud in states he lost. Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture The former White House aide is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned right-wing policy group that has been instrumental in shaping his agenda. She is now in line to direct the USDA, and would be the second-ever woman to lead the agency, which oversees critical aid programs like food stamps which makes up more than half of its nutrition budget and other federal food assistance and school meals that could be the front lines of Republicans budget cuts. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State open image in gallery Marco Rubio was once a critic of Donald Trump ( AP ) The one-time Trump critic and Florida senator made an unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2016 before becoming a key ally to the former president in Congress. His approach to foreign politics described as hawkish especially when it comes to Iran and China. He also strongly supports Israel and has been wary about US intervention in the UkraineRussia conflict. He will also be tasked with tackling illegal immigration and defense of the US-Mexico border. If confirmed, Rubio will be the first Latino to serve as secretary of state. Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense open image in gallery Pete Hegseth is facing allegations of sexual assault he denies ( AP ) Trump has nominated Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense, the nations largest federal agency overseeing all branches of the military, an $850 billion annual budget and roughly 3 million service members and personnel. Hegseth, 44, served tours with the Army National Guard in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 and co-host of the weekend edition of the networks flagship program Fox & Friends. Hegseth has been the subject of a sexual misconduct allegation he insists was consensual, espoused anti-Islam views, and does not believe women should serve in combat roles. He is expected to lead Trumps attacks on what they perceive as a woke military, including firings of top brass. Doug Burgum, Secretary of Interior open image in gallery Doug Burgum was once considered for Trumps running mate ( Getty Images ) Doug Burgum, a former software executive, was briefly in the running for Trumps vice presidential pick befor JD Vance. Now Trumps pick to lead the federal agency charged with managing the nations public lands and waterways, Burgum will also lead a newly formed national energy council. Burgum is expected to lead on Trumps dictator on day one agenda to drill, drill, drill as well as his own agenda for unleashing American energy dominance. The current governor of North Dakota, the nations third-largest oil producer, is likely expected to liase between the White House and oil producers who were a key backer in Trumps campaign. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce open image in gallery Howard Lutnick is one of several billionaires given key roles by Trump ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Cantor Fitzgerald CEO and co-chair of Trumps transition team is the incoming presidents pick to lead the Department of Commerce. Lutnick, 63, is a billionaire who heads companies involved in nearly every sector of the U.S. economy potentially raising concerns about conflicts of interest. He has spoken in favor of the president-elects widely panned idea to impose tariffs on imports, which would naturally raise prices for consumers, according to economists. Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury open image in gallery Scott Bessent would be the first openly gay treasury secretary, if confirmed ( Middle East Images/AFP via Getty ) Scott Bessent, a billionaire and an economic adviser on Trumps 2024 campaign, is the founder of hedge fund Key Square Group and served as chief investment officer to a hedge fund founded by George Soros, a prominent Democratic donor and Trump target. He has promoted tariffs, which he described as a useful tool for achieving the presidents foreign policy objectives in a Fox News op-ed this month. If confirmed, he would be the first openly gay treasury secretary. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services open image in gallery HHS secretary nominee Robert F Kennedy Jr is a conspiracy theorist and anti-vaxxer ( Getty Images ) Trump has nominated vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead Americas largest public health body, the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other health agencies. When he was running for president, Kennedy said he would immediately tell the National Institutes of Health to stop drug development and infectious disease research for eight years, and instead study chronic disease. Kennedy who does not possess any medical or public health degrees is known for repeating widely debunked conspiracy theories about health that have left doctors, public health experts and critics concerned for the future of Americas health and ability to combat disease under his watch. Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation open image in gallery Sean Duffy is a former MTV reality star ( AP ) Duffy, 53, is a former MTV reality television star and Fox News contributor who represented Wisconsin in Congress from 2011 to 2019. If confirmed to lead the agency, Duffy will oversee roughly 50,000 workers handling widespread safety issues in aviation, labor actions and climate concerns surrounding the nations transit infrastructure. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy open image in gallery Chris Wright is a fracking advocate ( (Andy Cross/The Denver Post via AP) ) Trump has tapped oil fracking CEO Chris Wright to serve as Secretary of Energy. Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy in Denver, Colorado, is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development and one of the industrys loudest voices against efforts to fight the ongoing climate crisis. If confirmed, he will also serve on Trumps newly-created Council of National Energy, alongside Burgum. Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs open image in gallery Doug Collins will be responsible for veterans affairs ( Getty Images ) Former Georgia Representative, Doug Collins, has been tapped to oversee the Department of Veterans Affairs the agency responsible for overseeing lifelong healthcare services to military veterans. Collins, 58, is a veteran who served as a Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command and fought in the Iraq War. He defended Trump during his first impeachment proceedings. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security open image in gallery Kristi Noem is notorious for killing her own dog ( AP ) South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security, the third-largest federal government agency, which is expected to play a key role in implementing Trumps mass deportation operation to remove potentially millions of people from the US. Noem was elected the states first female governor in 2018, and she won re-election in 2022. She faced scrutiny earlier this year for a book in which she claims to have killed a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer named Cricket. Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff open image in gallery Susie Wiles is nicknamed The Ice Maiden ( Reuters ) Susie Wiles was a senior adviser to Trumps 2024 presidential campaign and served as its de facto manager. The 67 year-old will serve as the nations first-ever female White House chief of staff. Trumps announcement was among his first major decisions as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration. Wiles is said to have earned Trumps trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trumps three presidential campaigns. Trump has given her a fitting nickname: The Ice Maiden. Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations open image in gallery Elise Stefanik is a long time Trump supporter ( REUTERS ) Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trumps staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, after Trumps allies ousted Liz Cheney from the role. Stefanik has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Her questioning of university presidents over allegations of antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence open image in gallery Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congressman, has been accused of being a Russian asset ( Getty Images ) Tulsi Gabbard, a veteran and former Democratic House member who promoted conspiracy theories about the U.S.s involvement in Ukraine, has been selected to lead the nations intelligence community. The former Hawaii congresswoman left Congress to embark on an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2020. She joined the Republican Party earlier this year, endorsed Trump and joined his presidential transition team. Gabbard joined an Army reserve unit after serving 17 years in the Hawaii National Guard, and she points to her deployment experience to explain her skepticism towards U.S. military interventions. She secretly met with Syrias Bashar al-Assad while she was a member of Congress and has blamed US and NATO for Russias assault in Ukraine. John Ratcliffe, CIA director open image in gallery John Ratcliffe, a former director of national intelligence, has been nominated to lead the CIA ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Trumps nominee to lead the CIA was a former director of national intelligence in the former presidents first term. Prior to serving in the Trump administration, John Ratcliffe was a Republican congressman for Texas, serving on the House intelligence, judiciary, and homeland security committees. In the House, Ratcliffe was critical of the investigations into ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign, and helped pursue Republican priorities like scrunitizing Hunter Biden. Ratcliffe currently is the co-chair of the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned think tank. Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser open image in gallery Mike Waltz has criticised NATO and is hawkish on China ( Getty Images ) Retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran Mike Waltz has been nominated to serve as Trumps national security adviser. Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from Florida who served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a US boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Secretary of Labor Oregon Republican Congresswoman Lori Chavez DeRemer has been nominated to lead the Department of Labor, which aims to improve working conditions and foster the welfare of employees, job seekers, and retirees. Chavez-DeRemer lost her re-election bid earlier this month. The 56-year-old is considered a pro-union Republican; she was one of just three members of her party to co-sponsor the Protecting the Right to Organizing Act of 2023 and received the support of Teamsters president. Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build Americas workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America, Trump said. Scott Turner, secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development open image in gallery Former NFL player Scott Turner has been nominated as Housing Secretary ( Getty Images ) Former NFL player-turned-Texas state Rep. Scott Turner has been nominated to serve as the secretary of HUD, responsible for the countrys housing policies, including developing public or subsidized housing programs for low-income Americans and handling cases of housing discrimination. Turner served in the Texas state House from 2013 through 2017. During Trumps first term, Turner served as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, that Transformed our Countrys most distressed communities, the president-elect wrote. Russell Vought, Director of the office of management and budget open image in gallery Russell Vought, a prominent author of Project 2025, has been tapped to return to his role as Trumps OMB director, a position he served in his first term ( Getty Images ) Russell Vought, co-author of Project 2025, is set to return to the role he held during Trumps first term leading the OMB. He co-founded the right-wing nonprofit Center for Renewing America, which promotes election fraud claims, calls Covid-19 vaccine mandates unlawful and aims to combat critical race theory as well as other radical philosophies, rooted in Marxism, according to its website. Trump described Vought as an aggressive cost cutter and deregulator who will help us implement our America First Agenda across all Agencies. He knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State and end Weaponized Government, and he will help us return Self Governance to the People, Trump added. Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency administrator open image in gallery Lee Zeldin appears to have little experience on environmental issues ( (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) ) Former New York congressman Lee Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. He represented Long Island in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2023 before he left to run for governor. During his time in Congress he frequently voted against environmental-friendly bills. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet. White House staff, advisers and other key officials Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Department of Government Efficiency open image in gallery Elon Musk has become a vocal supporter of Trump ( Getty Images ) The worlds wealthiest person Elon Musk and wealthy entreprenuer Vivetk Ramaswamy have been tapped to lead a newly created outside advisory board that will recommend drastic spending cuts across the federal government. The duo have warned they want to cut funding and jobs in a bid to streamline the government. They are putting a plan together that is set to be published in 2026. Tom Homan, border czar open image in gallery Tom Homan defended Trumps zero tolerance approach to border crossings ( AFP/Getty ) Tom Homan has been tasked with Trumps top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nations history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was among the architects of the former presidents zero tolerance anti-immigration agenda and the maligned practice of separate families who arrive at the US-Mexico border. He has now promised to run the biggest deportation operation this countrys ever seen, and vowed shock and awe with Trumps first days in office. Brendan Carr, Federal Communications Commission chair Trump appointed Brendan Carr, the author of Project 2025s chapter on the agency that regulates radio, television, internet access and communications, to the Federal communications commission chair. He has promised to take aim at Big Tech and censorship as well as major network news broadcasters that Trump has accused of unfair coverage. Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy open image in gallery Longtime Trump ally Stephen Miller has been tapped as deputy chief of staff for policy ( AP ) Stephen Miller was a senior adviser during Trumps first administration, among the architects of Trumps anti-immigration agenda, and a vocal advocate for mass deportations during the 2024 campaign. The far-right figure also helped craft the Trump administrations travel ban from majority-Muslim countries. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies and universities, among other targets of right-wing groups. Mike Huckabee, ambassador to Israel open image in gallery Mike Huckabee is a long-time supporter of Israel ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The president-elect has tapped former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to serve as the US Ambassador to Israel. Huckabee a Christian Zionist who has dabbled in media companies, Fox News gigs, and Evangelical preaching has said theres no such thing as a Palestinian, the West Bank, or settlements. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus cabinet, both praised Huckabees nomination. Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general open image in gallery Trump has picked his attorney Todd Blanche (right) to serve as Deputy Attorney General. ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Trump says he will nominate his own criminal defense attorney, Todd Blanche, to the second-highest position in the Justice Department. Blanche defended Trump in courtrooms in Florida, Washington DC and New York, where the 50-year-old was the lead attorney in Trumps hush money trial, in which the former president was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. If the Senate confirmation process goes Trumps way, Blanche could likely oversee the day-to-day operations of the Justice Department, serving as Gaetzs number two, if both are confirmed. Trump also nominated Emil Bove, another one of Trumps criminal defense attorneys, as principal deputy attorney general. He could be acting deputy attorney general while Blanche is awaiting confirmation in the Senate. D. John Sauer, solicitor general open image in gallery D. John Sauer is the attorney who successfully argued that Trump should be immunized for any official act, even having a political rival assassinated ( AFP via Getty Images ) D John Sauer the attorney who managed to convince the Supreme Court that Trump is partially immune from criminal prosecution is Trumps choice for solicitor general, the fourth-highest official in the Justice Department. He argued in front of federal appeals court judges and the Supreme Court for Trumps immunity from criminal prosecution for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, and his failure to stop a mob that stormed the Capitol to do it by force. Trump notably referenced that case in his announcement, saying that his Supreme Court victory was key to defeating the unconstitutional campaign of Lawfare against me and the entire MAGA Movement. Will Scharf, White House staff secretary Trump has picked Will Scharf, yet another one of his personal attorneys who defended the former presidents immunity argument, to serve as the White House staff secretary in his upcoming administration. Scharf lost a Republican primary election for Missouri attorney general to Andrew Bailey earlier this year. His campaign was awarded $2 million by a Leonard Leo-backed organization with aims to reshape the nations judicial system in Trumps image. Taylor Budowich, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel open image in gallery Taylor Budowich was the executive director of the Tea Party Express ( Getty Images ) Taylor Budowich served as the CEO of Trump-connected MAGA Inc. political action committee and as the communications director for Trumps Save America PAC. He was also accused of playing a role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol, though he has denied any involvement. A one-time intern for Democratic politicians in California, Budowich switched his party allegiance and by the age of 25 was the executive director of the right-wing Tea Party Express. In 2023, Budowich was subpoenaed by the special counsels office to testify before a grand jury about Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Budowich railed against the investigation as bogus, and claimed, without evidence, that the system had been weaponized against Trump. James Blair, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs open image in gallery James Blair once worked for Trump whipping boy Ron DeSantis ( Getty Images ) Fresh off a stint as political director for the Republican National Committee and the Trump 2024 campaign, James Blair is set to follow Trump to the White House for his next term. Shortly after Trump won the election, Blair insisted during an interview on CNN that the campaigns virulently anti-trans messaging didnt demonize the transgender community, arguing that the ads were instead about misplaced priorities. The founder and president of Rapid Loop Consulting has worked on state- and federal-level campaigns for Republicans nationwide. He also served as deputy chief of staff to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Sergio Gor, personnel office director open image in gallery Sergio Gor (center-right) has worked for a host of right-wing pols, including Sen. Rand Paul (center-left) ( Getty Images ) Segio Gor and Donald Trump Jr. together founded Winning Team Publishing, a vanity press that put out the president-elects books after leaving office in 2020. The company was set up to promote authors who represent the Silent Majority, America First patriots, and liberty minded readers, according to its official site. Gor lists Republican Senator Rand Paul, GOP operative Charlie Kirk, and cable news host Eric Bolling as clients. Steven Cheung, director of communications open image in gallery Steven Cheung is Trumps pick for comms director ( Getty Images ) Steven Cheung, a former communications director for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, served as director for the Trump-Vance campaign and White House director of strategic response during Trumps first term. He has issued official statements calling Vice President Kamala Harris a stone-cold loser, and gleefully amplified Trumps derisive attack on the free press at every turn. In 2022, Cheung served s a senior advisor on the Senate campaign of former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, who stepped down amid accusations of, among other things, sexual misconduct and physically abusing his wife. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary open image in gallery Karoline Leavitt is on track to become the youngest-ever White House press secretary ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) The 27-year-old New Hampshire native Karoline Leavitt who made headlines after being thrown off the air during a CNN interview will become the youngest-ever White House press secretary in history. She returned to work on the Trump campaign this past summer, four days after giving birth to her son. Leavitt continues to claim, incorrectly, that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, and posted a video online in 2022 that showed her firing a gun at a shooting range, with the mocking caption for President Joe Biden to come and take it. William McGinley, White House counsel William McGinley, who served as White House Cabinet secretary during Trumps first term, has also served on the RNCs outside counsel on election litigation. Trump has lauded him as having played a major role in our election victory in 2024. His key role will be liaising between the White House and the Justice Department, with Trump expected to break from precedent and wipe out the agencys independence to function more like a law enforcement arm of the White House. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator open image in gallery Dr. Oz is well known to TV viewers ( Getty Images ) The television personality physician turned failed Senate candidate Dr Mehmet Oz was nominated to oversee healthcare programs including Medicare, Medicaid, the Childrens Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace. Oz has stirred controversy for promoting pseudoscience and alternative medicine on his former daytime talk show. He ran an unsuccessful campaign to represent Pennsylvania in the Senate in 2022. During his campaign, he said he supported repealing the ACA and backed Medicare Advantage Plus. Dave Weldon, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention open image in gallery Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL) has been nominated to helm the CDC in Trumps second administration ( Getty Images ) Doctor and former Florida Republican Congressman Dave Weldon has been tapped to head the health protection agency, which Americans have lost trust in, Trump said. The 71-year-old Army veteran has been an outspoken critic of the agency he will now lead, namely of its vaccine program. Weldon served in Congress from 1995 to 2009. Trump nominated RFK Jr, another vaccine skeptic, to helm the HHS, the CDCs parent agency. Dave has been a respected conservative leader on fiscal and social issues, and served on the Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, working for Accountability on HHS and CDC Policy and Budgeting, Trump wrote in his announcement. Alex Wong, assistant to the president and principal deputy National Security Advisor Alex Wong has been tapped to serve in both a national security role and as assistant to the president. During Trumps first term, Wong served as his deputy special representative for North Korea, in which he helped negotiate my Summit with North Korean Leader, Kim Jong Un, Trump said. He also served as the deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State, whne he led the State Department's efforts to implement the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, the president-elect added. Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism open image in gallery White House terrorism advisor Sebastian Gorka will serve as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism in Trumps second term ( Getty Images / Mark Wilson / Staff ) Sebastian Gorka will serve as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism. The 54-year-old conservative commentator had a brief stint in Trumps first administration as a deputy assistant to the president. Trump noted he was a legal immigrant who since 2015 has been a tireless advocate for the America First Agenda and the MAGA Movement, serving previously as Strategist to the President in the first Trump Administration. Gorka promoted Trumps controversial Muslim travel ban before abruptly leaving the White House in August 2017. Marty Makary, food and drug administration commissioner open image in gallery Dr Marty Makary is set to serve as the FDA commissioner ( (Fox News) ) Dr. Marty Makary was tapped to lead the FDA, which oversees the safety and efficacy of food, medical devices, cosmetics and drugs. He is a pancreatic surgeon and professor at Johns Hopkins, where he also serves as the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery, according the schools website. Makary is a Highly Respected Johns Hopkins Surgical Oncologist and Health Policy Expert, to course-correct and refocus the Agency after the FDA has lost the trust of Americans, Trump wrote. During a congressional roundtable, he branded the US government as the greatest perpetrator of misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Similarly, in his remarks to the House Oversight sub-committee on the Covid Pandemic, he criticized the Biden administrations vaccine mandates and instead promoted natural immunity. Janette Nesheiwat, surgeon general open image in gallery Dr Janette Nesheiwat is set to serve as surgeon general under Trumps second administration ( Getty Images ) Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a Fox News medical contributor and a medical director of urgent care center network CityMD, was tapped to serve as surgeon general, a role known as the nations doctor. Dr. Nesheiwat is a fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health. She is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality healthcare, and believes in empowering individuals to take charge of their health to live longer, healthier lives, Trump announced. She has worked in emergency care, family medicine, and disaster relief response, including leading medical relief efforts from Haiti to Ukraine to Africa, according to her website. Close Related video: Jake Tapper shares five words he never contemplated using to describe Trumps cabinet pick 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 has returned to Madison Square Garden tonight to attend an Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the New York City arena. The president-elect returned to the famed venue just weeks after his controversial campaign rally there. Attendees met him with thundering cheers as he entered alongside UFC CEO Dana White, billionaire ally Elon Musk, cabinet pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Popular podcaster Joe Rogan also attended, greeted Trump with a friendly handshake. Meanwhile, Trump continues to fill key posts in his second administration and tonight named fracking CEO Chris Wright as his choice for energy secretary. Wright, CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development and one of the industrys loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. Trump's transition team is also firefighting serious allegations surrounding Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Pete Hegseth for defense secretary. A woman who gave testimony to the House Ethics Committee probing Gaetz claims that she witnessed him having sex with a minor, her lawyer told ABC. Gaetz denies all wrongdoing. The president-elect's transition team is also reportedly "stunned" by a sexual assault allegation regarding Hegseth that only emerged within 48 hours of announcing him for the top defense job, CNN reports. He denied all the accusations. 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 set to announce South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in his second administration, according to reports. As the president-elect continues to shape his future cabinet, two sources told CNN on Monday evening that the 52-year-old one-time vice presidential hopeful has been tapped to head up the agency as part of Trumps crackdown on immigration. As part of the role, Noem will oversee a $60bn budget and thousands of employees from federal agencies ranging from the US Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the US Secret Service. The report follows Trumps rehiring of Tom Homan, the former acting director of ICE, as the president-elects border czar. Trump has also announced the appointment of immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as his incoming White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Noem, a staunch Trump supporter and proponent of strict immigration policies, had once been a top contender to become the Republican presidential candidates running mate. But the South Dakota lawmaker appeared to fall down the pecking order in April after she admitted to shooting dead her young untrainable and dangerous dog, Cricket, in her memoir titled Not Going Back. A similar fate was set for a nameless problem goat, whom Noem wrote she dragged to the same gravel pit and killed the farm animal. open image in gallery Donald Trump and Kristi Noem dance to the song YMCA at a campaign town hall in Philadelphia on October 14. Trump has picked Noem as his Homeland Security secretary ( AP ) In May, Trump defended Noem as loyal and great, before adding that he was really curious about what happened to Cricket. Noem had sat in the lower chamber of the House between 2007 and 2019, first as a representative for South Dakotas sixth district before representing the at-large congressional district from 2011. Trump endorsed Noem in the 2018 gubernatorial election, which saw her become the Mount Rushmore States first female governor in January 2019. Upon her landslide re-election victory in 2022, the governor flipped 17 counties and set the record for the most votes received as a candidate in the state. The longtime Republican went on to garner national attention during the Covid-19 pandemic as she refused to enforce statewide mask mandates. Noem also hit headlines when she was banished from the land belonging to South Dakotas largest tribe, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, with its leader claiming the governor was politicizing the border to influence Trumps presidential campaign and boost her chances of becoming his running mate. This came after Noem deployed the South Dakota National Guard to Texas to provide assistance at the southern border in January, declaring the US is in a time of invasion. open image in gallery Trump appears with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem on September 7, 2018, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota ( AP ) Noems purported appointment comes as Trump continues to fill the top ranks in his incoming administration with immigration hardliners after clinching re-election in the 2024 presidential race last week. The Republican candidate surpassed the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes early on Wednesday after winning several swing states. Trump went on to win all seven battleground states. Trump has so far also picked former New York Representative Lee Zeldin to take charge of the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday, in what is expected to see a thorough reshuffle. Susie Wiles, who was co-chair of the Trump campaign and earned the sobriquet the Ice Maiden, has been appointed as incoming White House chief of staff. On Sunday evening, the president-elect confirmed New York Representative Elise Stefanik as the incoming US ambassador to the United Nations, branding her as strong, tough, and smart America First fighter. Marco Rubio has also been picked for Secretary of State, sources told CBS, with a flurry of GOP members of congress already congratulating the Florida senator. Meanwhile, Florida Representative Michael Waltz, who was re-elected to the Houses lower chamber last week, is tipped to serve as national security adviser. The Independent has contacted the representatives of both Trump and Noem for more information. 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 expected to select US Senator Marco Rubio as the Secretary of State in his second administration, according to a report. The president-elect has chosen the Republican Florida lawmaker, who was a regular on the 2024 campaign trail with Trump, to become the countrys top diplomat, sources told The New York Times on Monday evening. The Cuban-American will become the first Latino to serve in the role when Trump takes office in January. Hell face a geopolitical landscape where multiple U.S. allies are at war abroad, including Ukraines defense against the Russian invasion, and Israels conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Hell also be expected to deliver on key campaign promises that are closer to home, like dramatically cutting illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Rubio, 53, was elected to the US Senate in 2010 and was reportedly considered as a 2024 running mate by Trump. He is viewed as a hawk on both China and Iran, and a staunch supporter of Israel. The newspaper said that Trump could still change his mind at the last minute but looked likely to choose his former Republican primary rival. Rubio said last year he wouldnt call for a ceasefire in Gaza and hopes Israel can destroy every element of Hamas, whom he labelled as vicious animals responsible for the thousands of civilian deaths on both sides in the conflict. Amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, Rubio called last month for the reimposition of a maximum pressure campaign against Iran and said he supports Israel in responding disproportionately to Iranian attacks. He has also pushed for legislation banning TikTok alongside other social networks deemed to be connected to China, and is a sharp critic of the Maduro regime in Venezuela. Rubios fellow US Senator from Florida, Rick Scott, took to X on Monday to congratulate him on his new role. Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 4, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Im thrilled for my friend, Florida colleague, and our next Secretary of State @marcorubio! He will restore American leadership around the world, especially in Latin America, as he represents the United States with dignity and courage! Its been an honor to serve the people of Florida alongside him and look forward to continuing our work together, he wrote on Elon Musks social media platform. Rubio currently serves as the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Rubio has called for Ukraine to reach a negotiated peace deal with Russia and not try and regain the land that Moscow has taken from it in recent years. He voted against a $95bn military aid package for Ukraine in April. Im not on Russias side, but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement, Rubio told NBC in September. The reported pick caps a dramatic evolution in Rubio and Trumps relationship, which has seen the two go from extreme adversaries to allies on the world stage. During the 2016 campaign, Trump mocked Rubio as Little Marco who he wouldnt let run one of his corporate enterprises, while the senator often referred to Trump as a con man who couldnt be trusted in the White House. Rubios vision of foreign policy also seems somewhat at odds with the Trump 2024 campaign, where Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance derided their opponents as war hawks and sold themselves as the candidates of peace and ending foreign military engagements. Rubio himself also once co-sponsored legislation that would make it harder for the U.S. to pull out of NATO, despite Trumps frequent criticisms of the transatlantic alliance. Trump has already chosen Florida Representative Michael Waltz as his national security adviser and Representative Elise Stefanik as his ambassador to the United Nations. 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 As President-elect Donald Trump picks his Cabinet members for his second administration, veteran journalist Michael Wolff warns that Trumps second term will be no different from his first. Despite the fear surrounding Project 2025s influence during the 2024 campaign cycle, the Fire and Fury author expects that prominent rightwing think-tanks will have little influence over the president-elect. Wolff, who has written numerous books about Trump during his presidency, predicted his second term will serve as the preamble for his first: He doesnt listen to anybodyhe just does what he wants to do. When asked what Trump 2.0 would look like, the journalist told the Hollywood Reporter: The obvious answer is: we know what its going to be like because weve already lived through it before. Maer Roshan, the Hollywood Reporter journalist, pressed Wolff on his answer, asking whether he thought it was possible that Trump now has a coterie of people around him who have been avidly preparing for this moment for the past four years, and who are determined to do it right this time. Total bulls***, complete bulls***, bulls***, bulls***, Wolff replied succinctly. A veteran journalist predicts that Trumps second term will closely resemble his first, since he doesnt listen to anyone ( REUTERS ) Thats just their press. Thats just what they put out! He doesnt listen to them. He doesnt listen to anybody. Theres always people in Trumps wake whispering to him about one thing or another. But since he doesnt listen to anyone, getting anything done will be a very difficult proposition, he continued. Wolff then touched on Project 2025, a blueprint spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation in the case of a second Trump presidency that he has repeatedly tried to distance himself from, and America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a rightwing think tank founded by two former Trump administration officials. The Project 2025 people shot themselves in the foot by getting all that bad press. And now theyve kind of been pushed aside by the America First Policy people, he said. So you have a bunch of rabid ideologues on one side, but at the same time, hes also surrounded by this small group of insiders who ran his campaign who are not very ideological at all, but very disciplined, political, just get-it-done people like Susie Wiles. While Trump may be surrounding himself with disciplined folks, Wolff warned: Never underestimate how short an attention span he has, because in Donald Trump, it is the shortest it can be. He is always on to the next rhetorical gesture. He exists wholly in a rhetorical world doing things, getting things done, follow through, all of that normal business discipline doesnt exist for him. As for the hypothetical tug of war between the rightwing think tanks and his disciplined staff vying for attention, Wolff believed Trump would ultimately not be influenced by either side. He continued: So which side prevails in the end? We dont know. But the truth is, when Trump is involved, nobody ever wins. Donald is always at the center. Its always about what he wants, which changes every moment, so its incredibly difficult to influence him. He doesnt listen, he doesnt hear, he just does what he wants to do. The president-elect is already filling out his Cabinet. So far, Trump has tapped Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, Florida Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state, New York Rep Elise Stefanik as United Nations ambassador, former senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy, Florida Rep Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary. When asked for three things to prepare for in Trumps first 100 days of his second term, Wolff replied: Chaos, chaos, chaos. He added: It may well be the start of a real national nightmare. But at least nobody will be bored. 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 has asked Republican Florida congressman Mike Waltz to serve as his national security adviser, multiple news outlets report. President-Elect Trump will begin making decisions on who will serve in his second Administration soon, Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for the Trump transition team, told The Independent. Those decisions will be announced when they are made. The Independent has contacted Waltz for comment. Reacting to the reported offer, former Florida governor Jeb Bush praised Waltz on X as a great choice and a patriot. If Waltz joins the Trump White House, hell confront a number of complicated national security issues, including Israels expanding regional war with Hamas and Lebanon, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and competition with China. The highly influential position does not require Senate confirmation. Mike Waltz is known as a sharp China critic ( Getty Images for Concordia Summi ) Waltz, a former Green Beret and policy adviser to Defense Secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates, is known for advocating a tougher position towards Iran and China, a country which he argues is locked in a new Cold War with the U.S. In 2023, Waltz introduced a bill calling for more U.S. cooperation with Indo-Pacific nations to counter Chinese and other malign influences in the Asia-Pacific region. He has advocated for Europe to do more to support Ukraines fight against Russia and has called on the U.S. to define more clearly its objectives and timeline in supporting the country, deriding the current policy as a blank check to Ukraine. The Biden administration has neither explained the American objective in Ukraine nor his strategy to achieve it, Waltz wrote in a Fox News op-ed last year. Will American military spending continue until Ukraine has pushed Russia back to its prewar boundaries? Its pre-2014 boundaries? Or until the Putin regime collapses? Waltz has been a sharp critic of the Biden administrations national security policy on issues like the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and Chinese spying in the U.S. His wife, Dr. Julia Nesheiwat, served as Homeland Security Adviser in the Trump administration. I have never in my lifetime seen the world falling apart like it is under Joe Biden, Waltz told Florida Politics in July. We had a president who defeated ISIS, broke Iran, stood with Israel, always stood with our allies, made China pay. You didnt see any spy balloons under President Trump, did you? He also claimed the military under Joe Biden was focused on DEI and pronouns. After Trump won in 2024, Waltz told NPR the new administration has a strong mandate to return to the previous Trump administrations policies on issues like the border. He also called for more oversight of the Pentagon. We still have a Pentagon that cannot audit itself, despite years and years of trying the basics of understanding where every tax dollar goes, he said. It seems - I can go through the weapons systems. They just, over and over again, cost twice as much, deliver half as much and take twice as long as originally planned. And there is a whole slew of new technologies from Silicon Valley and elsewhere that are really chomping at the bit to help with our defense and security issues, and they cant break through the bureaucracy. The Trump transition team has filled a number of key positions in recent days, choosing New York Republican Representative Elise Stefanik to serve as ambassador to the UN, anti-immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy, Tom Homan his border czar, and former New York Republican Representative Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. 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 judge overseeing Donald Trumps historic hush money trial is delaying a ruling on whether to toss out a verdict after the Supreme Courts landmark immunity ruling. A decision on Tuesday from New York Justice Juan Merchan, a week after Trumps victory in the 2024 presidential election, adds yet another delay to proceedings in a case that resulted in his 34-count criminal conviction. Merchan was scheduled to issue a ruling on Trumps immunity argument on Tuesday. Instead, he told Trumps lawyers he will delay a decision until November 19. Merchan initially moved his decision on the immunity question until after Election Day to avoid any appearance of political interference. Trump was scheduled to be sentenced on November 26. That will also be put on hold for now. According to emails filed in court, the president-elects attorneys asked for a delay in the days after he won the presidential election, arguing that throwing out the case is necessary to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trumps ability to govern. In response, Manhattan prosecutors asked the court to adjourn the upcoming scheduled dates to afford the People time to assess these recent developments and to make their arguments about appropriate steps going forward. open image in gallery Donald Trump, pictured sitting in New York Justice Juan Merchans courtroom in Manhattan in April, will face another delay on whether the verdict in his hush money case can be tossed out ( AP ) On May 30, a jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records in connection with a scheme to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels, whose story about having sex with Trump threatened to derail his 2016 presidential campaign. Trumps then-attorney Michael Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 for the rights to her story; Trump repaid Cohen in a series of payments, including in checks signed from the White House in the early months of his presidency, the true nature of which were concealed in the Trump Organizations accounting records. Those reimbursements were falsely recorded in accounting records as legal expenses. Trump whose campaigns relied on a narrative of political persecution and retribution against a justice system he accuses of conspiring against him continues to insist he has done nothing wrong. The Supreme Courts decision partially shields Trump and any other presidents from criminal prosecution for actions considered official duties while in office, and provides a presumption of immunity for acts in the outer perimeter of those official duties. There is no immunity, presumptive or otherwise, for a presidents unofficial acts, according to the Supreme Court. Hours after the Supreme Courts ruling on July 1, Trumps attorneys argued in a 50-page filing in Manhattan criminal court that several pieces of evidence used against him at trial fall under the scope of the high courts decision. That impermissible official-acts evidence includes Trumps conversations with a White House aide, phone records from his time in office, and posts on Twitter, which was recognized as a formal channel of White House communication in the Trump Administration, according to Trumps attorneys. No President of the United States has ever been treated as unfairly and unlawfully as District Attorney Bragg has acted towards President Trump in connection with the biased investigation, extraordinarily delayed charging decision, and baseless prosecution that gives rise to this motion, his attorney Todd Blanche wrote at the time. Rather than wait for the Supreme Courts guidance, the prosecutors scoffed with hubris at President Trumps immunity motion and insisted on rushing to trial before the Supreme Courts decision. open image in gallery New York Justice Juan Merchan pushed back a decision on Trumps immunity claims in his hush money case until November 19 a week before the president-elect was scheduled to be sentenced ( AP ) Blanche argued that Alvin Braggs office forced the court to front-run the Supreme Court on a federal constitutional issue with grave implications for the operation of the federal government and the relationships between state and federal officials. The record is clear: [the district attorney] was wrong, very wrong, Blanche added. Manhattan prosecutors urged Merchan to keep the verdict in place, writing in response to Trumps claims that the Supreme Courts ruling has no basis for disturbing the jurys verdict. Trump was a private citizen when he arranged a scheme with Cohen to pay Daniels, they argued. For all the pages that defendant devotes to his current motion, the evidence that he claims is affected by the Supreme Courts ruling constitutes only a sliver of the mountains of testimony and documentary proof that the jury considered in finding him guilty of all 34 felony charges beyond a reasonable doubt, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo wrote in a 69-page response. 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 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has teased a possible role in Donald Trumps future cabinet, saying that he has a couple great options before him. The biotech CEO appeared on ABCs This Week on Sunday where he was asked by Jonathan Karl whether he will be part of a second Trump administration, one which the Trump transition team is thought to be crafting around political appointees who value loyalty to Trump above all else. Ramaswamy was evasive about what exact role he might play but confirmed he was having high-impact discussions about his path forward. There's a couple great options on the table, Ramaswamy said, as Karl mentioned both the soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat in Ohio, currently occupied by Vice President-elect JD Vance, as well as the position of Homeland Security director. I want to have the biggest possible impact on this country, he added. The two options hinted at by Karl are largely thought to be the two prizes Ramaswamy is most likely to seek. He remained largely deferential to Trump during his presidential run, and had been clearly angling for an alliance with the former president since the Iowa caucus results in January made it clear the former president was going to bulldoze his way to the nomination. Ramaswamy, in his own campaign, concentrated resources on Iowa in a bid to make a surprise early showing, one that would generate a snowballing of support. It never materialized. Former presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy was evasive about his future plans on ABCs This Week ( The Independent ) As director of the Department of Homeland Security, Ramaswamy would be in charge of carrying out and crafting the specifics of Trumps immigration policy. The former president pledged over the summer to launch Americas first mass deportation program of the modern era, with the intent of removing one million immigrants living in the US illegally if re-elected. In Ohio, meanwhile, Ramaswamy has possibly a more direct route at building his own political star. His home state has trended increasingly red in recent election cycles, in large part due to Democrats at the DNC and elsewhere in Washington writing off the state as a lost cause in presidential races. The party has now also lost two Senate races in Ohio in as many election cycles. With Vances election to the vice presidency, his seat in Ohio will become vacant in January and the states Republican governor will fill it with an appointment. A special election will then be called in 2026 to determine who will finish out Vances term. As a senator, Ramaswamy could carve out his own political brand in the Senate free of the burden presented by the prospect of becoming the face of Trumps immigration and border control policies among other duties for the next however-many years. But it would, in return, require Ramaswamy to rebuild his fundraising apparatus to the point where he could defeat a Democratic candidate in 2026, though its questionable how competitive that race would even be. One of the Republican Partys few truly young national figures, Ramaswamy is set up better than most to build his brand over the next four years. Having never truly emerged as a rival to the president-elect in a way that Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis did during the primary, Ramaswamy could very well end up in the spotlight before long. 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 New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon on Tuesday made a "formal and unreserved" apology in parliament for decades of abuse and torture of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in the state's care. An independent inquiry in July found that the countrys state agencies and churches failed to prevent, stop or admit the "unimaginable" abuse of at least 200,000 people, many of them Maori, between the 1950s and 2019. "It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened," Mr Luxon addressed the parliament in Wellington and a public gallery packed with about 200 survivors. "Today I am apologising on behalf of the government to everyone who suffered abuse, harm and neglect while in care," he said as he apologised to all the survivors on behalf of the country's previous governments as well. Mr Luxon said the vulnerable people "should have been safe and treated with respect, dignity and compassion" in foster and church care along with state-run institutions such as hospitals and residential schools. "But instead, you were subjected to horrific abuse and neglect and in some cases torture," he added. The findings by the Royal Commission the highest level of inquiry that can be undertaken in New Zealand capped a six-year investigation that followed two decades of similar probes around the world amid a public outcry for nations to reckon with authorities transgressions against children placed in care. The inquiry found the results to be a national disgrace". Of 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in state, foster, and church care between 1950 and 2019, nearly a third endured abuse, while many more were exploited or neglected. The inquiry detailed a litany of abuses, including rape, sterilisation and use of electric shocks, which peaked in the 1970s. Children were removed arbitrarily and unfairly from their families and the majority of New Zealands criminal gang members and prisoners are believed to have spent time in care, the injury found. The report singled out churches, particularly the Catholic Church, stating that as many as 42 per cent of those in faith-based care by all denominations were abused. The Catholic Church said in a 2020 briefing to the commission that accusations had been made against 14 per cent of its New Zealand clergy during the time covered by the inquiry. "For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility," Mr Luxon said on Tuesday. These gross violations occurred at the same time as Aotearoa New Zealand was promoting itself, internationally and domestically, as a bastion of human rights and as a safe, fair country in which to grow up as a child in a loving family, the inquiry heads wrote, using the countrys Maori and English names. If this injustice is not addressed, it will remain as a stain on our national character forever, they wrote. Mr Luxon said his government had completed or started work on 28 recommendations from the inquiry and will provide its full response early next year. He said a National Remembrance Day would take place on 12 November next year and work will begin to remove memorials like street names, public amenities, and other public honours of proven perpetrators. Instead, the country would honour the victims, many of whom were buried in unmarked graves at psychiatric and other sites that were places of care in New Zealand. Additional reporting by agencies 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 Sydney Bondi Junction mall knife attacker fatally stabbed six people and injured 10 others in just three minutes, an inquest into the April carnage was told. The New South Wales state coroner on Tuesday heard that Joel Cauchi, 40, accused of attacking the shoppers with a large hunting knife, suffered from schizophrenia and had been off his "psychotropic medication". Five women and one man were stabbed to death by Cauchi in the Westfield shopping centre on 13 April in an attack that sent shockwaves across Australia. The victims were identified as Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, an architect in Sydney, 55-year-old Pikria Darchia, security guard Faraz Tahir and Chinese student Yixuan Cheng. The New South Wales (NSW) police said it was obvious that Cauchi was targeting and attacking women. Police shot dead Cauchi shortly after and authorities ruled out terrorism. The attacker grew up in Toowoomba in Queensland and had been sleeping rough in Maroubra on the morning of the attack, the coroner was told. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager in 2001 and had received public mental health treatment in Queensland until 2021, counsel assisting Dr Peggy Dwyer SC told the court. The attacker stopped taking his medication in 2019 and his mental health condition deteriorated between then and the day of the stabbing. While he was never previously charged with any crime, he "came to the attention" of Queensland police over the years before coming to Sydney, the court heard, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Cauchi called the police to his parent's house in Toowoomba in January last year to report that his father had stolen his collection of military-style combat knives. The court was told those were "the same type of knife used in the Bondi" mall attack. The police were advised by Cauchis parents that their son suffered from long-term schizophrenia and was off the medication. His parents reportedly said they were worried about the deterioration of his mental state and thats why his knives had been confiscated by his father. Cauchi again called the police a month later to report his father for stealing his knives, the inquest heard. Dr Dwyer told the court that the police did not consider they had a basis to detain Mr Cauchi involuntarily at that time. One of the officers, who had been called both times, wrote to the Queensland police mental health team but there were no follow ups, the inquest was told. Cauchi traveled to NSW between 2023 and 2024 and was homeless and living under the Maroubra beach pavilion, the court heard. A resident reportedly called the local police after spotting him in a sleeping bag, prompting authorities to speak to him. A CCTV footage captured Cauchi taking a hunting knife from a locker and putting it in his backpack, the court heard. I expect Your Honour will hear from at least one expert psychologist that there is a strong need for sustained serviced housing of mentally ill homeless persons which includes men like Mr Cauchi who are experiencing schizophrenia who fall through the cracks and then become acutely unwell, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted Dr Dwyer as saying. She said experts and doctors would be called in April 2025 when the inquest formally begins. The investigation will look into possible security lapses and failings in the mental health systems in NSW and Queensland, BBC reported. According to anonymous sources quoted in The Washington Post, one of Donald Trumps first actions on being re-elected was to call Vladimir Putin. That call was immediately denied by the Kremlin. As Trump moves back into power, we should get used to confusion and mixed messaging between him and Vladimir Putin, its always going to be hard to tell which, if either, might actually be telling the truth on any given occasion. In fact, Russias response to the return of Trump has been a similarly confusing mixture of shameless flattery and blatant trolling. Putins comments on courageous Trump were accompanied by Russias primetime television propaganda show welcoming Trump to the White House by airing nude photographs of his wife from a quarter-century ago while its presenters smirked. Thats led to speculation over how the relationship might have moved on since Trumps first term in office. But long-term Russia analysts consider this kind of power play normal for Putin particularly when the target of the information campaign has shown himself as easy to manipulate as Trump. Putin may want to make it look as though Trump has come begging, but will still make his man in the White House look good in the end. The bigger issue is what that means for the war on Ukraine and how that affects the whole of Europe. Its true that the supposed phone call would have been out of character. In it, Trump is reported to have taken a firm line with Putin, warning him not to escalate in Ukraine and reminding him of the USs substantial military presence in Europe. Thats the opposite of Trumps public attitude to date, or with what he and his team have said about Ukraine or about that same military presence. Trump has repeatedly said he could end the war on Ukraine in one day if re-elected. Thats been widely taken to mean hed force Volodymyr Zelensky to capitulate and reward Putin for the invasion by granting him the territory he wants to seize. Theres no official Trump peace plan as yet; but unsurprisingly, the most specific proposals seen to date are close to what Russia wants, and catastrophic for Ukraine. Also unsurprisingly, Russia has given no hint that its open to a compromise deal that gives it less than total control over Ukraines future. But even a temporary ceasefire would suit Putin perfectly. Theres no expectation that Russia would observe the terms of a ceasefire, but even so, it gives Moscow the opportunity to continue to build up its forces for when fighting resumes. Trumps grand plan will also have to deal with the inconvenient fact that Ukraine wants to survive. Forcing Kyiv into compliance may simply not be possible if it means crippling the countrys chances of withstanding the next Russian onslaught. And proposals for Ukraine to give up land to Russia to buy peace customarily overlook the fact that this means human beings, not just territory, and that kind of deal means abandoning the south and east of the country to savage Russian military occupation indefinitely. Its because the front-line states neighbouring Russia know what that means from their own experience that they are such staunch supporters of Ukrainian resistance. open image in gallery Its widely believed that Trump is likely to try and force Zelensky to capitulate ( Getty ) The incoming Trump administration does have powerful tools available to influence Russia if it wants to. Lifting the ban on long-range strikes into Russia with Western munitions, and closing sanctions loopholes through which Russia still receives energy income to drive its war machine, are just two levers that the Biden administration consistently refused to pull. But the bigger question is what the United States might use those levers for to arrive at a solution thats tolerable for Ukraine and positive for the safety of Europe, or one that looks good for Trump, and for America, makes the problem go away, at least temporarily. For Europe, an end to the fighting in Ukraine makes the danger from Russia much greater, not less. European and North American intelligence and defence chiefs are unanimous that Russia is preparing to mount an attack against a Nato state in the near future. Where there is disagreement though is not over whether Russia will attack, but where and when. The unexpected speed with which Russia has been rebuilding its land forces has triggered a spate of warnings across the continent to prepare for conflict more urgently. And as soon as Ukraine is no longer demolishing those forces on the front line, Russia will be able to rebuild and re-equip them much faster including with manpower pressed into service from Ukraines occupied territories, and now reinforcements from North Korea. open image in gallery Supporters of Ukraine mark the one-year anniversary of Russias invasion outside the White House ( Getty ) The end of the current fighting in Ukraine will not bring peace without effective means of deterring Russia from starting another war. At present, its an open question whether even the strongest European military powers possess those means without US support. For over a decade, Ukraine has held the front line for Europe against Russias plans for reclaiming its former dominions, at immense and tragic cost. That has bought time for the rest of Europe to prepare to meet the threat itself. But as I discovered when researching my new book Who Will Defend Europe?, with the exception of front-line states like Finland, Poland and the Baltic states, most of the continent has squandered the opportunity. In the UK in particular, the yawning gap between words and action under the current government and the previous one will be a source of lasting shame when the countrys ability to defend itself is put to the test. And that moment will be much closer if Ukraine is forced into submission with Trumps help. Keir Giles is an author and a senior consulting fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House 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 students in Spains eastern Valencia region returned to classes on Monday, two weeks after floods killed over 200 people and devastated towns in the area. Controversy over the regional governments handling of the floods still rages, and a teachers union accused it of exaggerating the number returning and leaving the clean-up to teachers and pupils. Twenty-three people remain missing in the Valencia region after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, sending tides of muddy water through densely populated city suburbs, drowning people in cars and underground car parks, and collapsing homes. A total of 47 schools in 14 affected municipalities reopened to more than 22,000 children on Monday, the regions education department said. Last week, it said it expected around 70% of students in the worst-affected areas to return this week. open image in gallery The level reached by the flooding is marked on a wall at Salvador Segui Auditorium in the flood-hit town of Massanassa, province of Valencia, Spain ( EPA ) The schools that have opened their doors today have followed cleaning and disinfection protocols to ensure maximum safety for students, teachers and staff, it added. But the regional teachers union STEPV said it believed that the numbers returning on Monday were lower, without providing an alternative figure. Spokesperson Marc Candela said many schools were not ready to resume lessons, adding: Teachers and parents are cleaning the schools with their own materials such as brooms. Educators wanted professional cleaning crews to sanitise facilities, as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. open image in gallery People pick up goods in a supermarket affected by the floods in Valencia, Spain, Thursday, Oct. 31 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Parents are also worried about their childrens emotional states, said Ruben Pacheco, head of the regional federation of parents associations, FAMPA: Families are exhausted, suffering psychologically, and nothing should be decided without consulting them so as not to generate more discomfort than theyve already suffered. Candela said the department had held an online course for teachers last week with recommendations for psychological care, but had not dispatched additional counsellors. Carolina Marti, head teacher at a school in Castellar-Oliveral, said it had received 60 children from neighbouring towns, while five teachers were on medical leave. She said children and teachers were struggling to reach the school as many roads remained impassable. The news comes as COP29 began, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres telling world leaders on Tuesday to pay up to prevent climate-led humanitarian disasters, and said time was running out to limit a destructive rise in global temperatures. 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 Israel has failed to meet US demands to allow greater humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, where conditions are worse than at any point in the 13-month-old war, a number of international aid organisations have said. The obstacles facing aid distribution were on display this week. Even after the military gave permission for a delivery to the northernmost part of Gaza virtually cut off from food for more than a month by an Israeli siege the United Nations said it couldnt deliver most of it because of turmoil and restrictions from Israeli troops on the ground. Meanwhile, in the south, hundreds of truckloads of aid are sitting on the Gaza side of the border because the UN says it cannot reach them to distribute again because of the threat of lawlessness, theft and Israeli military restrictions. The administration of Joe Biden set a deadline last month that expires on Tuesday, for Israel to surge more food and other emergency aid into the Palestinian territory. The administration warned that failure to comply could trigger US laws requiring it to scale back military support as Israel wages offensives against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has announced a series of steps though their effect was unclear. On Tuesday, it opened a new crossing in central Gaza, outside the city of Deir al-Balah for aid to enter. It also announced a small expansion of its coastal humanitarian zone, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering in tent camps. It connected electricity for a desalination plant in Deir al-Balah. It said hundreds of food packages and thousands of litres of water had been delivered a day earlier to distribution centres for civilians in the area of Beit Hanoun, on Gazas northern edge. open image in gallery Trucks carrying humanitarian aid cross into the Gaza Strip from Erez crossing in southern Israel ( AP ) It said 741 trucks of aid had been delivered into northern Gaza through the Erez crossing since October, while 244 patients had been evacuated for treatment. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said last week that Israel had made some progress but needs to do more. Still US officials havent said if they will take any action. Israels new foreign minister, Gideon Saar, appeared to downplay the deadline, telling reporters on Monday that he was confident the issue would be solved. The Biden administration may have less leverage after the reelection of Donald Trump, who was a staunch supporter of Israel in his first term. Eight international aid organisations said in their report on Tuesday that Israel not only failed to meet the US criteria but also took actions that dramatically worsened the situation on the ground, particularly in northern Gaza that situation is in an even more dire state today than a month ago. The report listed 19 measures of compliance with the US demands. It said that Israel had failed to comply with 15 and only partially complied with four. The report was co-signed by Anera, Care, MedGlobal, Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, Refugees International and Save the Children. In a 13 October letter, the US gave Israel 30 days to, among other things, allow a minimum of 350 truckloads of goods into Gaza each day; open a fifth crossing; allow people in coastal tent camps to move inland before the winter; and ensure access for aid groups to northern Gaza. It also called on Israel to halt legislation that would hinder operations of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. Aid levels remain far below the US benchmarks. Access to northern Gaza remains restricted, and Israel has pressed ahead with its laws against UNRWA. open image in gallery Palestinians line up to receive aid distributed by UNRWA, the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Nusairat refugee camp ( AP ) Israel launched a major offensive last month in the north, where it says Hamas militants had regrouped. The operation has killed hundreds of people and displaced tens of thousands. Through October and the first days of November, Israel allowed no food to enter the area, where tens of thousands of civilians have stayed despite evacuation orders. On Tuesday, COGAT the Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza announced it allowed a new delivery of food and water to Beit Hanoun a day earlier. Again, the WFP said that while it tried to send 14 trucks, only three made it to the town due to delays in receiving authorization for movement and crowds along the route. When it tried to deliver the rest on Tuesday, Israel denied it permission, it said. Aid into all of Gaza plummeted in October, when just 34,000 tons of food entered, only a third of the previous month, according to Israeli data. UN agencies say even less actually gets through because of Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and lawlessness that makes it difficult to collect and distribute aid on the Gaza side. In October, 57 trucks a day entered Gaza on average, and 75 a day so far in November, according to Israels official figures. The UN says it only received 39 trucks daily since the beginning of October. COGAT said 900 truckloads of aid are sitting uncollected on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south. Before the organizations give out grades, they should focus on distributing the aid that awaits them, COGAT said in response to the aid groups report. COGAT blamed the drop in October on closures of the crossings for the Jewish high holidays and memorials marking the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war. The war began last year when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israels bombardment and ground invasion have killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to local health authorities, who dont say how many of those killed were militants. Around 90 per cent of the population of 2.3 million has been displaced, and hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid tent camps, with little food, water or hygiene facilities. Associated Press 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 Saudi Arabias crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has said Israel is committing genocide in Gaza in the first such condemnation by the kingdoms de facto ruler since the start of the war. The prince and other Arab leaders criticised Israel for its attacks in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran at a joint summit by the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Conference held in Riyadh as they demanded an immediate ceasefire. "This summit is held as an extension to the previous summit in light of the continued heinous Israeli aggressions against our brotherly Palestinian people and the extension of aggressions on the brotherly Republic of Lebanon," the crown prince, who is also known as MBS, said in his keynote speech. "The kingdom reiterates its denunciation of the genocide perpetrated by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people, which resulted in more than 150,000 martyrs, wounded and missing, the majority of whom are women and children." He also condemned the massacre committed against Palestinian and Lebanese people in some of the harshest words yet. The Saudi government has hardened its stance against Israel since its onslaught on Gaza since 7 October 2023 and demanded a ceasefire, calling for a two-state solution. Efforts by the Joe Biden administration to broker a normalisation accord between Saudi Arabia and Israel also suffered a setback after Riyadhs government said it would not do so without the establishment of a Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also lashed out at Israel for banning the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and attacks on aid agencies in Gaza. The summit was also attended by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Nigerian president Bola Tinubu. Mr Abbas demanded stern sanctions on Israel and halting the expansion of settlements "within one year". Egypts president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Israels actions were "the systematic murder of civilians in Gaza" as he refrained from mentioning the word genocide. Mr Erdogan warned Israel against efforts "to annihilate Palestinians". We must maintain our coordinated efforts to put pressure towards measures against those committing genocide in Palestine, he said. More than 43,400 people, mostly children and women, have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, since Israel launched a military campaign on the strip. The long-simmering campaign between Israel and Hamas reached a breaking point after 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas militants who broke into southern Israel and took 253 people hostages. They also killed 1,200 people. 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 Israels far-right minister of finance said that Donald Trumps presidential election win means the time has come to annex the West Bank. During a meeting with his faction in parliament, Bezalel Smotrich said he intends to work with the new administration of President Trump and the international community to apply sovereignty and achieve American and international recognition for the move. He also added he has directed various Israeli agencies to begin preparations. Smotrich, a settler himself, said the Trump administration brings an important opportunity for the state of Israel, and that further extension of Israeli sovereignty over the region was the only way to remove the threat of a Palestinian state. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said on Monday no formal plan to annex the West Bank has been decided, but if it will be relevant it will be discussed again with our friends in Washington. open image in gallery Israels minister of finance Bezalel Smotrich, left, with Benjamin Netanyahu ( AFP/Getty ) The Palestinian Authority, which maintains partial control over the West Bank, called the Smotrich statements a blatantly colonial and racist extension of the ongoing campaign of extermination and forced displacement against the Palestinian people. The West Bank was seized from Jordan during the 1967 Arab-Israel War. Since then, Israel has supported the settlement of some 700,000 Jews across roughly 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, a practice considered by most international observers to be illegal under international law governing occupied territories. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims the territories are part of the Jewish states present and ancestral territory. The first Trump administration helped secure many of the Netanyahu governments priorities: declining to oppose West Bank settlement; pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal; recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; affirming Israels claims to sovereignty over the Golan Heights, captured from Syria during the 1967 war; and brokering the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Middle Eastern states. open image in gallery Israels finance minister says hes going to seek further annexation of the West Bank during the Trump administration ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Biden administration left many of these moves in place, keeping the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and the new Iran policy, while continuing to pursue normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia and providing extensive military aid to Israel throughout its war with Hamas after the October 7 terror attacks. On the campaign trail, Trump, promised to bring peace in the Middle East, while offering few details on how. He criticized the Harris campaign for prominently featuring former congresswoman Liz Cheney, daughter of former Bush administration vice president Dick Cheney, arguing the latter virtually destroyed the Middle East during his time presiding over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the ballot box, some Muslim voters moved away from the Democratic party, a surprise for observers who thought Trumps frequent, quasi-fascistic attacks on migrants and White House travel ban on largely Muslim-majority countries would harm his support. open image in gallery Donald Trump has claimed he can end the conflict, without explaining how ( AFP via Getty Images ) A majority of Muslim voters backed the Green Partys Dr. Jill Stein, with 21.4 percent supporting Trump and 20.3 percent for Harris, according to an exit poll from the Council on Americna-Islamic Relations. Rabiul Chowdhury, founder of Muslims for Trump, toldThe Guardian the shift was a protest vote against the Democrats from citizens upset with the Biden administration, which has continued to support Israel as the Gaza war turns into what some international observers have declared is a genocide. Everyones ultimate goal was to punish Harris and the best way to do this was to vote for Trump, Chowdhury said. Some argued that Muslim and Arab-American voters didnt believe Harris had done enough to stop the Israel-Hamas conflict. "All Kamala had to do was pick up the phone and stop Israel from continuing its genocide against the Palestinians, and she would have won. Ronald Regan did it. Instead of trying to win the Muslim/Arab vote she remained staunch in her support of white supremacy, apartheid, and genocide," Mariam Abu Tarboush, of Detroits American Muslims for Palestine, told Middle East Eye. Since the October 7 conflict began, violence in the West Bank has skyrocketed. Between October 7, 2023, and late September 2024, the Israel Defense Forces and settlers killed 693 Palestinians, a period in which Palestinians killed 23 Israelis, according to the United Nations. Even before the war, Israel was ramping up its influence over the area. In 2023, it established a new Settlements Administration with the power to expropriate Palestinian land and retroactively authorize Jewish settlements built without advanced government approval. Its part of a creeping de facto annexation of the region that will further diminish Palestinian hopes of using parts of the West Bank in a future state, Haaretz columnist David E. Rosenberg wrote in Foreign Policy in June. While the rest of Israel is preoccupied with the fighting in Gaza, the fate of the hostages held by Hamas, and Hezbollahs pummeling of the countrys north, Smotrich has been realizing his dream of creating the conditions that will bring about Israels annexation of the West Bank, Rosenberg continued. Indeed, the war has in many ways facilitated his plans. 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 Bitcoin surged above $81,000 for the first time as Tesla billionaire Elon Musk called on new US president-elect Donald Trump to use the cryptocurrency to address Americas unsustainable debt growth. The Tesla titan, who endorsed Mr Trump during his campaign trail, has been warning of a looming financial emergency in the US. Excess government spending is driving America into bankruptcy....This debt growth is unsustainable, the multibillionaire posted on X. Mr Trump too brought up the idea of using Bitcoin to pay off the $35 trillion national debt in August this year. Hand them a little crypto check, right? Well hand them a little bitcoin and wipe out our $35 trillion, he said. This debt growth is unsustainable https://t.co/3hjc8t3MEQ Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 10, 2024 Following his election victory and as the 45th US President inches closer to overall control of the US Congress, Bitcoin rallied past $81,000 on Sunday as other cryptocurrencies also continued to surge in price. Mr Trump promised favourable regulation and the formation of a US bitcoin reserve if he wins, vowing to make the US the crypto capital of the planet. He vowed that one of his first moves as president would be to sack the current Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairperson Gary Gensler who led the governments crackdown on the crypto industry hinting at a friendlier regime for digital currencies. JPMorgan Predicts Strong Performance For Bitcoin And Gold Under Trump Presidency Bitcoin is currently valued at more than $81,200, rising by nearly 5 per cent in the last 24 hours, up by over 65 per cent from this years low of $38,505 it hit on 23 January. Overall, the worlds biggest cryptocurrency has surged in value by more than 80 per cent this year. Other cryptocurrencies, including dogecoin promoted frequently by Mr Musk are gaining value. Prices of top cryptocurrencies as on 3:43 am UST 11 November ( Coindesk ) Many investors anticipate that a Trump victory will clear the path for mainstream adoption and regulation that is both favourable and necessary for bitcoins continued growth, Nigel Green, chief executive of financial advisory firm deVere Group, said. This pro-crypto narrative could pave the way for regulatory clarity, bolstering institutional investments that could send bitcoin to unprecedented heights, Mr Green, who forecasted a Bitcoin price rally beyond $80,000, said. 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 More than 700,000 people have joined the social media app Bluesky since last weeks US election, the firm has revealed. The sudden surge in new users, who mostly come from the US, appears to have been prompted by Elon Musks endorsement of president-elect Donald Trump. As the owner of X (formerly Twitter), Mr Musk has been accused of altering the platforms algorithm in order to boost pro-Trump content. Recent analysis of the social media platform which the tech billionaire acquired in 2022 showed that his posts saw a sudden increase in views and engagement shortly after he began endorsing Mr Trump in July. Bluesky, which was created by former Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey, has positioned itself as an alternative to X since Mr Musks takeover and saw a massive influx of new users after X was banned in Brazil in September. Bluesky membership has grown from 9 million to 14.5 million since then, with the US election fueling another wave of new users. Were excited to welcome all of these new people, ranging from Swifties to wrestlers to city planners, said Bluesky spokesperson Emily Liu. Among those leaving X for alternative platforms are academics, according to a study published last month. Researchers at the European University Institute in Italy found that the number of active accounts associated with people in academia dropped significantly following Mr Musks acquisition. Under his ownership, X has changed its verification process, reinstated banned accounts, and allowed blocked users to view peoples posts. Each of these changes influenced the broader social-network characteristics in ways that are not yet fully understood, quantitatively, but which entailed a shift in the user experience that we colloquially refer to as vibes., the researchers noted in their study. We argue that a combination of these features of the threat and then the reality of Musks ownership of the Twitter corporation influenced academics either to quit Twitter altogether or at least reduce their engagement with the platform. At the same time, Blueskys popularity has been boosted by improved functionality and new features like direct messages and video support. 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 My trip across the pond to London happened by mistake. You know how they say you shouldnt go grocery shopping while hungry? You probably also shouldnt call your American parents from the wrong side of the Atlantic while homesick. Your brother and I are going to Harry Potter world, my mom told me over the phone. Do you want to come with us? Do you mean, do I want to pay to fly across the ocean to visit the fake version of the city I live in? I asked her. Yes, she said, as if this made sense. I shook my head and rolled my eyes but yes, of course, I was in. How could I pass up a chance to experience London as imagined by Florida, after four years of living in the UK? When I agreed, my dad and sister-in-law who have never read Harry Potter said they were in, too, completing the transformation from mother-son trip into chaotic family adventure. So, I booked a non-stop British Airways flight from Gatwick. The flight took about 10 hours and I arrived so late around 10pm that London had closed for the day once I arrived. Already, it was shaping up to be an authentic experience. open image in gallery Venture down Diagon Alley, visiting Ollivanders wand shop, Gringotts bank and the Leaky Cauldron pub ( Universal Orlando ) Our journey to London the next morning began with a water taxi from the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Not because the Italian Riviera had any relevance to our childhood memories of fighting over a shared copy of Harry Potter, but because that was where we found the most sensible hotel package. Also because in Florida, the whole world has been resized to fit within the parameters of Americans meager annual leave. Read more: The ultimate guide to Orlandos best theme parks When we disembarked at Universal Studios Florida not to be confused with Universal Islands of Adventure, which is next door we crossed the US in a matter of minutes. We ventured past mini New York skyscrapers and a replica of an American imitation of an Irish pub. We walked until we reached Pier 39 in San Francisco. Instead of the usual sea lions sunning themselves on rocks in the Bay, we found Kings Cross and Leicester Square next door to one another, right across the street. A classic red telephone booth stood out front. Pick up the phone, my mom encouraged my younger brother and his wife, who are both 30, as if we were all eager children again. As the designated arbiter of authenticity, I inspected the booth, knocking on the frame and panes of glass while they dialed 6-2-4-4-2 on a rotary payphone to listen to a message from the Ministry of Magic. I announced that I couldnt tell if it was an original or a facsimile, and Mom was pleased. open image in gallery Leicester Square tube station... in Florida ( Kassondra Cloos ) I wasnt sure what to expect when I agreed to all this, but I must admit I was impressed by the attention to detail. We heard bricks grinding against one another as we walked through a wall into Diagon Alley, which I was delighted to find was every bit as chaotic as I had imagined. There were no right angles anywhere everything was constructed to appear crooked, architecturally implausible, and older than Florida itself. Magical wares spun, levitated, and smoked in storefront windows. Lopsided boxes of wands defied muggle physics. A food truck outside the station sold jacket potatoes, and Florean Fortescues Ice Cream Parlour sold flavours including clotted cream, which Ive never seen outside the UK. The departures board at Kings Cross changed frequently, showing trains to Finsbury Park, Aberdeen, and beyond, marking just the right amount as delayed for extra authenticity. And on the rides, in both Diagon Alley and neighboring Hogsmeade, even the queuing areas were designed to immerse us in Harrys world. We queued underneath chandeliers at Gringotts, the wizarding bank, before packing into an office where a projection of Bill Weasley welcomed us. It was all so visually delicious, I was forced to drop my air of skepticism. I was charmed. Read more: Best theme parks in Florida, from Disney World to Universal Studios and more My parents have yet to visit England, and so my favourite part was taking them to the Leaky Cauldron as if it were my local. Its cathedral ceiling was much higher than that of your typical British pub, but its aged decor worked overtime to make it feel historic. My mother beamed when I told her, over a mug of hot Butterbeer, that I had momentarily forgotten we were playing pretend in Florida rather than visiting a real pub. The scotch eggs which Ive yet to find at any other restaurant in my home country were so good I ordered them two days in a row. Perhaps it was my jetlag speaking, but Id say they rivaled Fortnum and Masons. open image in gallery The Leaky Cauldron pub on Diagon Alley ( Universal Orlando ) But perhaps the best part of it all was how such an imaginative place allowed us all to slip into our traditional family roles immediately upon reuniting. My brother and sister-in-law live an hours drive from my parents, and its been many years since weve all spent several days together. I delighted in the opportunity to see us all at our most quintessential. Mom, trip coordinator, explored every possible avenue to find the best hotel deal, scoring a package that included meals and express passes; queue-jumping is not a crime in America, as long as youve paid for the privilege. She consulted the parks app to make a handwritten checklist of every roller coaster so we could be sure we didnt miss any. Read more: Best hotels in Orlando Dad calculated the most strategic route from the breakfast room to the water taxi, minimising time outside in the Floridian humidity. My sister-in-law declined to rush, operating at her own pace as she has always done, and it all worked out fine, just as it always has. My brother conspired to sleep as late as possible and then sprint into the park to beat the queues. Later, as predicted, he infected us with his bad travel luck, which resulted in a significant delay on our flight home to Rhode Island from Orlando. Thankfully, because I know him so well, I had insured our trip against disruptions, and we profited off the inconvenience. open image in gallery All architecture in the wizarding world is made to appear crooked, with bricks hanging on to each other as if by magic ( Kassondra Cloos ) As for my role? Im the crocodile hunter of the family, my sister-in-law declared, like the voice in a nature documentary. I didnt grasp what she meant until I realised I was taking notes as she said it, cataloging everyones movements and commentating on their commentary. It may have been the least logical trip I have ever taken, but somehow, it was also one of the best. How to do it The Wizarding World of Harry Potter consists of Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and the Hogwarts Express, spread across Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. A third section, the Ministry of Magic, will open at the brand-new Universal Epic Universe park in May 2025. Adult tickets start at $174 (137) per person, per day; multi-day passes are more economical. Season pass holders (including my mother) receive discounts on hotel stays and other purchases. open image in gallery Loews Portofino Bay Hotel ( Universal Parks ) We stayed at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, which was discounted due to ongoing renovation at the time of our visit. The hotel includes early park admission for guests and free express passes, which can cost over $300 each during peak season when purchased separately. Queues for top rides can often take an hour or more, but we usually skated through in minutes. Portofino Bay also has two pools, a spa with a sauna and steam room, and a club lounge offering unlimited snacks, meals, and drinks for an additional fee. Read more: Best cities to visit in Florida Unless you have your own broom or flying car, engage a muggle airline to transport you safely to London. British Airways and Norse operate nonstop flights from Gatwick, and Delta and Virgin Atlantic fly direct from Heathrow. Flight time is around 10 hours. Kassondra was the guest of Universal Studios Florida. Read more: Taking the Brightline to Disney: Why I switched road for rail to travel from Miami to Orlando Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has said he considered resigning over the John Smyth scandal. Mr Welby apologised after the Makin Review concluded that the barrister, thought to have been the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England, might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013. Speaking to Channel 4, Mr Welby told Cathy Newman he had taken advice from senior colleagues as recently as the morning of their interview. No, Im not going to resign for this. If Id known before 2013 or had grounds for suspicion, that would be a resigning matter then and now. But I didnt, he added. Mr Welbys spokeperson said he reiterates his horror at the scale of John Smyths egregious abuse, as reflected in his public apology, repeated that he does not intend to resign, and said he hopes the Makin Review supports the ongoing work of building a safer church here and around the world. Sir Keir Starmer appeared to dodge questions over President-elect Donald Trumps climate fears at the Cop29 summit. The prime minister was asked how he plans to work with the new US president on climate change, when he previously described the crisis as a hoax. Sir Keir appeared to dodge the question during an interview on Tuesday (12 November), instead insisting that the UK will show leadership to tackle the climate crisis. Trump has threatened to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement once more to curb global warming. When pressed again on Trumps views on climate change, Sir Keir said: I look forward to working with President Trump. Avia Solutions Group, which has its headquarters in Dublin, has ordered 80 Boeing 737 Max jets, half of them firm orders and the other half options to buy. The worlds biggest ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) provider, Avia offers crewed, wet-leased planes to airlines. The company says the Boeing order is part of a strategy to increase its capacity to meet a continued strong demand from airlines around the world for more aircraft at peak times. The 737 Max currently has a list price of $99.7m (93.89m), making the Avia order worth almost $8bn. The deliveries will start in 2030. Last January, the Irish Independent reported that Avia was planning an order for 100 jet aircraft, which would have been worth about $12bn. Executive chairman Gediminas Ziemelis revealed that the company was in talks with both Boeing and Airbus, and said the order would be for narrow-body passenger jets. He did not reveal the precise order, but said it was likely to be a three-digit number. Avia Solutions Group, which was originally founded in Lithuania by Mr Ziemelis, moved its headquarters to Ireland last year. In a statement today, he said leisure-focused airlines are seeing big seasonal fluctuations in traffic, with peak demand usually coming in the summer. To meet the need for more capacity, the airlines need extra aircraft during those peak periods. ACMI, or wet leasing, is the optimal solution to address this need without airlines having to take on long-term financial commitments, he said. As the worlds largest ACMI provider, carrying over 35 million passengers annually for our clients, we have committed to a strategic approach of expanding our capacity to meet our customers seasonal needs, and our first order with Boeing is a key pillar of this. Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing, said it was honoured that Avia had chosen his companys airlines to meet the demand from its customers. By choosing the 737-8, Avia is aligning with its customers plans to operate increasingly fuel-efficient fleets that improve the passenger experience, he added. Avia currently operates a fleet of 220 aircraft, including 14 Boeing 737-8s. The company has 11 air operator certificates (AOCs), including Avion Express and Klasjet, which operate in over 60 countries for both scheduled airlines and tour operators. The company says that by building this global network of AOCs, it can strategically transfer aircraft to markets where customers need additional seasonal capacity. Perceptions of how much a funeral costs vary widely, survey shows Jonathan Roche-Kelly, director of financial services for Gallagher in Ireland Most people have made no financial provision for their funeral despite the ceremony being a big cost for loved ones. More than eight in 10 Irish people say they have not set aside funds or made arrangements for their funerals, according to research commissioned by insurance specialist Gallagher. The survey found that one in four say they have no plans to do so, either. Conducted by iReach, the survey found more men than women say they will not be preparing for this eventuality. More than half of the 1,000 adults asked say they believe the cost of a funeral would come in at under 5,000. The remainder believe it could be above this figure. Some estimate the cost could be in excess of 10,000. Funeral costs are influenced by factors such as the type of service, coffin selection and the location of the service. One Dublin-based funeral director quotes between 3,500 to 8,500, according to the research by Gallagher. Other quotes are between 1,750 and 7,275, while prices from a third provider came in between 2,950 and 8,000. Outside of Dublin, prices were found to be similar, with a funeral director in Meath quoting between 4,000 and 6,500. Jonathan Roche-Kelly, director of financial services for Gallagher in Ireland The survey found most people believe the cost falls between 1,000 and 5,000. Around four out of 10 of those surveyed, estimate it to be between 5,000 and 10,000. Just under one in 10 think a funeral would cost less than 1,000. More women than men estimate funeral costs to exceed 5,000. Funerals in Ireland can indeed be costly affairs, and peoples perceptions of the costs vary widely much like the actual expenses involved Jonathan Roche-Kelly, the director of financial services for Gallagher in Ireland, said: Understandably, people dont relish the prospect of thinking about their own funeral, which could be why so few people have put plans in place. He said it was not surprising that the older respondents were much more likely to have considered the cost of their funeral and the need to arrange it. Funerals in Ireland can indeed be costly affairs, and peoples perceptions of the costs vary widely much like the actual expenses involved. Mr Roche-Kelly said based on market research, funeral prices could range anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000. In reality, many families are left struggling to cover these costs, so planning ahead and considering these expenses in advance can be a practical step. The survey findings indicate that women and those over the age of 55 are most inclined to make financial arrangements for their funeral. One-third of people aged over 55 have already made such plans. More men than women say they dont plan on putting arrangements in place. Today's News in 90 seconds - 12th November 2024 Those with a pension are more likely to say they will plan or have planned for their funeral than those without. Homeowners are almost twice as likely than non-homeowners to have plans in place. Mr Roche-Kelly said not everyone would have the financial capacity to make provisions for when they pass away. He recommended people work with a financial adviser who can provide guidance when it comes to funeral planning. Confidence levels have grown slightly but another challenging year expected While confidence levels of European businesses have marginally improved on last year, they are still negative overall, according to the 2025 Eurochambres Economic Survey. Based on responses from 42,000 businesses across 27 countries, the survey finds that Europes business people are expecting another challenging year. High labour costs, skills shortages and a growing regulatory burden are the main concerns, the survey finds. The regulatory burden has markedly increased compared to last year, according to what is Europes biggest survey of business sentiment, which includes an Irish input. Most new administrative costs can be traced to environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations under the European Green Deal, which will impose nearly 2bn in additional burdens on both businesses and citizens, the report says. Reporting requirements under the EUs sustainability reporting and due diligence framework seem to be a particularly significant source of administrative burden for businesses. The excessive regulatory burden can seriously dampen the European market attractiveness As they have less resources to cost-effectively address regulatory compliance, SMEs are often the most affected by these reporting requirements. Overall, the excessive regulatory burden can seriously dampen the European market attractiveness, as well as its general business sentiment, contributing to the perception of an overly bureaucratic ecosystem that is unfavourable to business growth, says the report. Although the European Commission is seeking to reduce regulatory burdens, progress remains limited. The problems being caused by excessive red tape were highlighted in the recent report by Mario Draghi on competitiveness, which claimed Europes economic performance has fallen behind as a result. The report said that an oppressive and overly complex regulatory framework was holding back European businesses vis a vis their counterparts in China, America and in other emerging economies. In 2025, the biggest challenge for EU businesses is expected to be high labour costs, according to the survey published today. This was found in all the main economic sectors, such as industry, services and construction. A combination of rising wages and higher non-wage employment costs is being blamed. A lack of skilled workers is another obstacle identified by the survey of European firms. The shortage is especially critical in construction, healthcare and ICT. European firms particularly need highly skilled workers due to the new disruptive technologies. Speaking at the Irish launch of the survey, Ian Talbot, the chief executive of Chambers Ireland, said: Irish businesses are approaching 2025 with optimism but despite an increase in business confidence compared to last year, significant challenges remain. High labour costs and an ever-growing regulatory burden continue to be major obstacles and expectations for export sales have deteriorated. Combined, this points to a weakened competitive edge. Mr Talbot said we are at a tipping point for our businesses. The regulate first, deal with the consequences later approach to EU policymaking must stop now. The new European Commission and co-legislators must focus on encouraging Irish businesses to invest, employ, innovate and pursue opportunities within the single market and globally. While modest growth is expected in the Irish domestic market, Mr Talbot said: We are united with our European colleagues in calling for action to address this competitive pitfall. Eurochambres president Vladimir Dlouhy said: The EU must double down on enhancing Europes productivity and provide an enabling environment for businesses to grow and compete internationally. Fexco has reported an operating profit of 24m in 2023, a significant increase from the 14.8m reported in 2022. Total income at the Kerry-headquartered international financial services group increased to 178.7m from 156.1m in 2022. The group said growth has been fuelled by ongoing investments in innovation, new accounts show. Fexco operates across digital payments, foreign exchange and business services with millions of customers across global markets it services. The growth last year was led by Fexcos payments and FX division following investments in markets including Asia Pacific, Middle East and Latin America, the company said. Other divisions also saw significant growth including business services, managed and advisory services and property services and Fexco said it also expanded its artificial intelligence (AI) functionality rollout across products and services. Fexco Group chief executive Neil Hosty said last year had seen organic growth alongside a number of strategic acquisitions and the business had continued to develop into this year. We also continued to invest in innovation and market expansion for the enduring success of the group. Our success is driven by our 2,880 employees, who are dedicated every day to delivering for our partners and customers, he said. A filing earlier this year showed Fexco had invested more capital into its credit union joint venture Metamo to support the development of new services and products. The investment comes in the aftermath of Fexco accumulating significant funds following the 70m sale to AIB of its 51pc interest in Goodbody Stockbrokers, and the 30m it received for the sale of its holding in the fintech Taxamo. In April, Mr Hosty told the Irish Independent the sales provided a war chest for future mergers and acquisitions. The company would invest its capital where it sees longer-term value, he said at the time. We are in no rush, nor under any pressure, but are happy to be in a position where we can make strategic decisions at pace if we find the right options, he said. He added that Fexco also had options to raise capital, either through debt or by working with investment partners. The consolidated Statement of Financial Position for Fexco Holdings Limited at the end of 2023 shows the family-owned business had net assets of 353m. Dont kill the Irish beef sector to close a lucrative Mercosur trade deal If the EU is serious that all imported food must comply with the EU standards, then all Brazilian beef imports must be suspended immediately Richard Moeran on his Cavan farm. Photo: Lorraine Teevan Richard Moeran Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 03:30 As a beef producer and finisher I understand the rigorous standards we have to adhere to, and the benefits of meeting those standards. Jim OBrien: How can we ensure we are not complicit in Gaza horror? If they wont stop military stopovers, at least search the planes A Palestinian man sits on the rubble of a house destroyed in the Israeli military offensive in the southern Gaza Strip on November 4, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem Jim O'Brien Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 03:30 How much did you know, when did you know and what did you do about it? These are the questions that are inevitably asked of people in the wake of major catastrophes. An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, is to commit to simplifying supports for farmers as they struggle to navigate increasingly complex schemes. The Fine Gael leader is expected to make the commitment at the IFA National Council on Tuesday, which will also hear from Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald. Amid widespread anger in the farming community over the red tape associated with schemes, Harris will say farmers focus should be on producing food, not filling forms. In what will be seen as a swipe at Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, it is expected he will tell farmers that if Fine Gael has control of the Department of Agriculture, it will make things simpler for farmers. When I was young, farmers talked about the Single Farm Payment, now we have multiple schemes, multiple deadlines, and multiple terms and conditions, Harris will say. We cannot have farmers waiting on much-needed payments or unsure of what theyre owed from schemes like ACRES. I want to see us take a whole of farm approach to payments, like there was in REPS, where farmers know upfront what they were getting and get it on time. To do that we need to deliver a strong CAP budget for farmers, and we need people with experience in Europe, experience of delivering in Europe, like Fine Gael did with Brexit. IFA President Francie Gorman said it will be a valuable interaction between the main party leaders and members of the IFA National Council. He said its very important that those in the mix to be Taoiseach in the next Government would hear the views of our county and commodity chairs. We have prepared a detailed submission to the political parties and candidates, setting out the issues that matter to farm families. Tomorrows meeting will allow us to discuss these in detail with the main party leaders and question them on what they will do if they are part of the next Government, he said. Just three members of the 13-man Oireachtas Agriculture Committee turned up to a hearing last week to discuss a 200m overspend in the Department of Agricultures budget. Further, just two of the three members, Michael Fitzmaurice and Martin Kenny, asked questions of Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue and his officials in relation to the Departments spending, which will hit over 1bn this year. The meeting lasted just 45 minutes and was chaired by Joe Flaherty. The Minister told the meeting an additional 200m, representing an increase of 10.2pc of his Departments gross 2024 allocation, is required to meet costs that will arise this year. Spending by the Department under the food safety, animal and plant health and animal welfare heading will increase by 17pc, or just over 63m. The main reason for this increase is that the level of bovine TB in Ireland has increased in 2024. The 12-month rolling TB herd level herd incidence on September 22, 2024 stood at 5.6pc, up from 4.74pc in September 2023. Minister McConalogue said while market values have broadly remained static since 2023, weakened factory salvage recovered against animals, primarily dairy animals, removed under the scheme has resulted in the average compensation per head rising by 23.5pc year-on-year. This reinforces the need to support the TB programme not just financially, but also ensure that the policies the TB forum develops are implemented in a robust manner, the Minister said. The upgrade to Rosslare Europort to develop the necessary permanent infrastructure required as a result of Brexit will see some 21.5m go to the Office of Public Works from the Departments 2024 budget. Spending under the heading farm sector supports and controls is being increased by 117.72m. This includes an additional 106m for ACRES and 9m for residual payments on the 2023 Ukraine-related tillage schemes and the 2024 national sheep scheme. In respect of ACRES alone, the total 2024 expenditure is some 334m. The Minister said in response to the exceptional demand from farmers, he was able to secure places for all 55,000 farmers who applied under tranches 1 and 2, requiring additional funding of 134.6m. Minister McConalogue outlined that the Government has pledged a total of 105m for the period 2025 to 2027 to directly fund the World Food Programmes global humanitarian work. This represents a 40pc increase on the funding made under the previous three-year period. The advance of 18m in 2024 on next years commitment will help save lives by supporting food security and nutrition in very fragile humanitarian settings, he said. An additional 5m is also being provided to support the sustainable beef and lamb quality assurance scheme, which is managed by Bord Bia. This sum represents an advance payment to Bord Bia in respect of 2025. Jo Jo Dullard (inset) and the scene of gardai searching ground in Wicklow yesterday A man that was arrested on suspicion of murdering Jo Jo Dullard has been released without charge as searches continue of a site on the Kildare-Wicklow border. The male, aged in his 50s, arrested as part of the investigation has been released without charge. A search operation on open ground at a location in Co Wicklow near the Wicklow/Kildare border is continuing. The man was one of the last people known to have interacted with her before she went missing. He has long been a person of significant interest to detectives and made a statement to gardai shortly after Ms Dullard disappeared. He was detained yesterday morning and and questioned at a garda station in Kildare on suspicion of Ms Dullards murder. The first arrest in the cold-case investigation came after gardai issued a detailed appeal over the weekend. A source said the appeal was part of a strategy to spook the suspect prior to his arrest. Ms Dullard was 21 when she disappeared on November 9, 1995. In 2019, the gardas cold-case unit began a review into her disappearance. This was upgraded to a murder investigation the following year. Since then, the Serious Crime Review Team has generated almost 800 recommendations for detectives in Kildare to follow up on. They relate to new avenues of investigation and old lines of inquiry to be revisited. This includes evaluating telephone traffic, CCTV evidence, witness statements and intelligence related to the investigation. Jo Jo Dullard (inset) and the scene of gardai searching ground in Wicklow yesterday Man arrested in connection with murder of Jo Jo Dullard As part of the review, gardai also assessed statements made during the original investigation by the man who had been arrested. This subsequently led to him being classified as a suspect in the murder inquiry. He comes from a highly respectable and well-known family The man had previously given a statement to gardai after it emerged he was one of the last people to interact with Ms Dullard on the night she was last seen alive. A source told the Irish Independent: This individual has long been on the radar for gardai investigating the case. The lines of inquiry generated in recent years have cemented garda suspicions in relation to him. Jo Jo Dullard He comes from a highly respectable and well-known family. Gardai yesterday began carrying out searches of a site on the Kildare-Wicklow border. A significant amount of machinery was brought in to excavate the land. Two residential properties connected to the suspect were also searched by gardai. A forensic anthropologist is assisting in the hope that gardai can locate Ms Dullards remains at the site. In a media briefing, Superintendent Paul Burke said the investigation is being led by detectives in Kildare and the Serious Crime Review Team. An Garda Siochana have been and continue to keep the family of Jo Jo Dullard fully updated in relation to this investigation and they have been fully appraised of all of todays developments, he said. A plaque in Moone where Jo Jo was last seen Ms Dullards father, John, died before she was born and her mother, Nora, died from cancer in 1983. Ms Dullard was the youngest of five children. On the night she disappeared, she had been socialising in Bruxelles Bar in Dublin city centre. She missed her last bus home to Kilkenny and instead boarded a bus to Naas, Co Kildare, intending to hitch-hike the rest of the way home. She hitched a lift from Naas to the slip road on the M9 motorway at Kilcullen, and at around 11.15pm hitched another lift to Moone, Co Kildare. She then called her friend, Mary Cullinan, from a telephone box in Moone at 11.37pm. During the call she told her friend that a car had stopped for her and that she would take a lift. Search to continue for woman (30s), who also went missing after going for a swim in Silverstrand on Tuesday morningBoth swimmers may have got into difficulty after one went to the aid of the other The scene at Silverstrand near Barna in Galway where the search is still under way for the missing woman. Photo: Media West (Ireland) The search for a woman missing off the coast of Galway resumed this morning at 8am. The alarm was raised yesterday when the woman, aged in her thirties, and a man, in his seventies, were declared missing after going for a swim off the same beach. The man who died in the drowning accident has been named as well-known singer and songwriter Johnny Duhan. The body of Mr Duhan, aged 74, was recovered from the Silverstrand in Barna on Tuesday morning. The Limerick native was well-known for writing the hit song The Voyage, performed by Christy Moore. Mr Duhan failed to return home yesterday morning and as a search was launched. The woman is still missing after also going for a swim off the same beach and the search resumed for her this morning. Singer and songwriter Johnny Duhan. Photo: Tony Gavin Volunteers look for the woman missing in Galway Bay Hundreds of volunteers are combing the coastline from An Spideal towards Galway city. A heavy fog has descended making visibility very poor at high tide this afternoon. Lead by gardai in co-operation with the Coast Guard, RNLI crews, Civil Defence teams and hundreds of volunteers many on paddle boards and in kayaks an intense search of the sea and coastline continues. While the focus of the search remains in the Silverstrand- Rusheen Bay area boats have now widened their field of search. Members of the missing woman's family and friends remain at the shoreline today having spent the night. Local boat-owners from as far away as Mayo and Clare have joined the search, despite foggy conditions forecast for this morning. The woman is from the local area and members of her family, including her father, remain at the scene. A thorough search of the area, both land and sea, has so far failed to find any trace of her. Gardai leading the investigation said they are treating the tragic events as two separate incidents and while both, like many in the area, were regular swimmers there, they do not believe they were known to each other. The search for her was launched when she did not turn up for work and her car was found in the car park at Silverstrand where she was a regular swimmer. The tragic double incident has shocked the local community with neighbours and friends comforting both families and joining them at Silverstrand for the search. Taoiseach Simon Harris led tributes to Mr Duhan and said it was terribly sad news tonight from Galway. He added: Johnny Duhan was a renowned and much loved songwriter. Thinking of his family and loved ones at this very sad time. The young woman who is still missing remains in our thoughts tonight. Writing on X, Sinn Fein senator Paul Gavan said it was very sad news. He added: I saw him play live in the 1980s a number of times in Limerick. A great writer and performer and a warm and thoughtful man. Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said on X: Im really sorry to hear of the death of Johnny Duhan. One of our finest songwriters and creative writers. Hothouse Flowers musician Fiachna O Braonain said The Voyage belongs in the pantheon of Irish songs. Writing on X, he added: I played Johnny Duhans music regularly on @RTERadio and his songs always received such a warm response.. and without fail, i received a beautifully crafted thank you note from Johnny.. every time. A master wordsmith Deepest sympathies to Maureen and all his beloved family [sic] Mr Duhan, who wrote songs for artists such as The Dubliners, Christy Moore, Mary Black and Dolores Keane among others, is a renowned singer and songwriter. He is survived by his wife Maureen and five children Ronan, Niamh, Kevin, Ailbhe and Brian, ten grandchildren, four sisters and three brothers, along with a large cohort of music fans. The Irish Coast Guard and a number of local boats went to the scene on Tuesday in an effort to find the missing swimmers but visibility was extremely poor. Family members of both swimmers began arriving at the scene yesterday as news of the incident spread. Gardai sealed off the road leading to the beach. In a statement, the coast guard said the two swimmers were reported overdue separately in the same location this morning before 10am. "The body of one male swimmer was subsequently recovered by Aran Island Lifeboat at 1:30pm. Resources on scene include Costelloe Bay Coast Guard boat, Galway Bay RNLI and Aran Island Lifeboat in addition to the Civil Defence. "Cleggan Coast Guard Unit are also on scene assessing conditions for a drone search. A number of local boats are also searching the area in support of the search. Craig Coyle (37) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court A man will be sentenced next year after he threatened to publish intimate images of a woman online and then sent her hundreds of degrading and abusive emails described by a judge as debasing not only to this woman but all women in general. Tears and screams in court as young mothers among dozens of squatters who are told they will be jailed before it emerges they were held illegally Boyfriend accused of strangling Dublin mum Kirsty Ward to death with hair straightener power cable after she dumped him Spanish public prosecutors accuse Keith Byrne (32) of strangling Kirsty to death with a hair straightener power cord hours after she dumped him following a row in their Spanish hotel room. Keith Byrne Natalia Penza Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 15:52 An Irishman has been charged with the murder of his south Dublin girlfriend and warned he could be caged for more than two decades if convicted. Sinn Fein's Cathy Bennett elected in Cavan-Monaghan Ms Bennett joins running mate Matt Carthy and Fine Gael's David Maxwell on the ticket, with just two seats in the constituency, and the country, left to be filled. It was elation once again for Sinn Fein as first time candidate Cathy Bennett won a seat to Dail Eireann amid wild celebrations in the Cavan Leisure when she was elected. Her supporters sang 'Oro Se Do Bheatha Abhaile' at full pitch this evening. Cathy Bennett got 3,281 votes from Matt Carthys transfers putting her on 13,383 and giving her a surplus of 1,841 to be distributed between Fianna Fails Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth and Aontus Sarah OReilly. Niamh Smyth is on 10,856 after getting 73 from Carthys surplus while Brendan Smith got 94 pushing him to 10,616. Aontus Sara OReilly got 131 from Carthys surplus and is on 9,129 and looks like she will finish in sixth place. But, there was a heavy feeling of inevitability on the 13th count as Cathy Bennett, Brendan Smith, and Niamh Smyth relaxed with their families and friends so you had none of the quaintly manic nail biting of other elections where a delicious sense of hope and wonder filled the air. Smith and Smyth are sitting TDs and Fianna Fails vote has increased by around 600 votes while Sinn Feins overall vote is down around 2000 votes while Fine Gaels vote is down around 5,000 votes. But they will be happy to have held the seat that ex Minister Heather Humphreys worked so hard to win and first timer David Maxwell has big shoes to fill. But for those who won, it was all worth the trudging of the winding roads of Cavan and Monaghan in the deep winter was all worthwhile. But with one more count to go, Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth look set be elected. Gerry McLaughlin Ahead of the general election, we guide you through the voting system with important advice on how to register your vote. The Electoral Commission is calling on people to check the register to ensure theyre registered to vote in the upcoming election, and that their details are correct. How do I register to vote? You can go to checktheregister.ie to register to vote, update your name, or update your address. These steps can all be done fully online. The last date to register to vote in the general election is today, Tuesday, November 12th. To register to vote online, all you need is your PPS number and Eircode. The deadline to apply for postal and special votes has passed. To vote in a general election, you must be: Over 18 years of age; An Irish or British citizen; Resident in Ireland; Listed on the Register of Electors (Electoral Register). So whats PR and STV again? The electoral system is the set of rules used to convert votes cast at the election into seats. Elections in Ireland are conducted using an electoral system called Proportional Representation by the Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV). The system has been used at elections since 1922 and is enshrined in the 1937 constitution. It is an unusual system and the only other country in Europe which uses it for general elections is Malta. The use of the word proportional in the name of the system is the critical part. In practice, the system does not work out as perfectly proportional, no system does. But it is generally agreed that the system is fair. When you vote in an election in Ireland, you are asked to give your vote in order of preference. After the first count, your number preferences are distributed (in decreasing value) until all candidates either pass the quota or fill the seats available. How secret is a secret ballot? Your vote is secret. When you have finished marking your ballot, you should fold it over and place it in the ballot box. No selfies! There are no specific laws about taking selfies but it is an offence to reveal the content of your ballot in the polling station so no posing with it, no matter how much you want to. For the same reason, voters should not write any messages or slogans on their ballot. Again, it may reveal the identity of the voter and could result in the vote being deemed invalid and thus excluded during the counting process. Voters have sparked a big trend on social media by bringing their dogs with them to vote. The electoral law in Ireland does not cover dogs at polling stations but health and safety could strike so best to check whether your dog is welcome before you arrive together. How do I vote? Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. A polling card is not required to vote but voters may be asked for identification so it is important to have some with you. Voting under the PR-STV system is a straightforward process. Each voter will be given a ballot paper for their constituency. There is a lot of information on the ballot to help voters. A photograph of each candidate is included along with information on any political party affiliation, their address and occupation. Each voter ranks the candidates in order of their preference by placing 1, 2, 3. in the box alongside the candidate. The number of candidates on the ballot will vary from one constituency to the next. The great advantage of PR-STV is that it is an intuitive system allowing the voter to express an opinion on all of the candidates if they want to. It is often said, that whilst a person has one vote, they can offer many choices. How do I avoid spoiling my vote? Many voters choose to express only a few preferences, often voting from 1 to 5. The important thing is to express a clear preference. If you would like to vote for just one candidate, put the number 1 next to their name. Returning officers usually accept a single X next to a candidates name as a clear preference. But you should not put multiple Xs on the ballot as this will result in your vote being spoiled. The same would be true if you put the number 1 next to a few candidates. The vote cannot be counted as the returning officer cannot be sure about the order of the preferences and it will be deemed invalid. Justice Minister Helen McEntee takes aim at lack of detail in Fianna Fail manifesto Micheal Martin with general election candidates at the launch of Fianna Fails manifesto at the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin. Photo: Damien Eagers The battle to lead the next coalition government has escalated, with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael taking aim at each others election promises. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein is moving to woo middle-ground voters with a pledge to introduce a massive 1.8bn tax cut for workers. The rising political tensions came as parties held a series of launches in the capital yesterday, with the campaign entering its fourth day. Fianna Fail launched its election manifesto in the heart of Dublin with promises to increase the weekly state pension to 350 and a pledge to keep the age you can qualify for the payment at 66 years old. Micheal Martin with general election candidates at the launch of Fianna Fails manifesto at the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin. Photo: Damien Eagers Taoiseach Simon Harris speaks after his first phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump It also included a radical plan to introduce a new Department of Domestic Affairs to take the lead in national security, migration and other key issues. The move would involve devolving powers from the Department of Justice. However, soon after the Fianna Fail policy document was launched, Fine Gael issued a statement from Justice Minister Helen McEntee deriding the election pledges announced by her coalition partner. Its quite remarkable that after spending the last five years in government, Fianna Fail has today produced a manifesto that contains so little substance, Ms McEntee said. The Fianna Fail document is riddled with promises that are so incredibly vague which is disappointing for a party that claims it wants to lead the next government. The lack of detail in the manifesto is nearly as extraordinary as the fact that the document is full of bizarre costings. The Fine Gael minister likened the figures in the document to back-of-the-matchbox-style politics that really could set Ireland backwards and scupper the economic progress that we have made in recent years. Fianna Fail responded saying all costings were provided by the Department of Finance and the relevant government departments. Every income and spending proposal is accounted for and the economic assumptions are as provided by the Department of Finance, it said. A spokesman added: It has been clear in recent days that some in Fine Gael headquarters need to calm down. "Theyve been on the back foot since it was revealed that they want to increase all energy bills and are looking for a distraction. We look forward to seeing their manifesto rather than the policy soundbites they and Sinn Fein have been focused on. As the only party to have proposed a full manifesto, we are the only party which has set out its full range of proposals and the fiscal and economic background. Fine Gael also tried to stir controversy over a commitment in the Fianna Fail manifesto to decriminalise drugs for personal use, with spin doctors highlighting the pledge in their coalition partners manifesto. Asked about the commitment at the election event, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said: We have to deal with drugs on a health-based model, as opposed to a criminal justice-based model. That approach requires resources in personnel and in people treated around addiction, and around various therapies and so forth. We did this in previous times, during the heroin epidemic of previous years, and we can do it again. The party says it will introduce legislation to require those found in possession of illegal drugs for personal use to attend educational or treatment programmes. Fianna Fail also pointed out that two Fine Gael politicians, Mary Seery Kearney and David Stanton, were part of an Oireachtas committee on drugs that agreed decriminalising drugs was the right approach. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein is promising to abolish USC on all incomes up to 45,000 over the lifetime of the next government if it is elected to power after the general election. The tax package will cost 1.8bn and Sinn Fein is also committing to introducing a mini-budget soon after taking office. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said the tax cut will benefit workers by around 1,100. Speaking as she launched her general election candidates, Ms McDonald said: This tax was introduced by Fianna Fail at a time when they had crashed the economy. For a long time, there has been a debate, not just within Sinn Fein, but across politics, as to as to how relief is brought, how there is a dividend for people who get up early in the morning and who work very, very hard. Our tax package, at the heart of it, is this measure designed to give relief to every single worker on the first 45,000 of their income, but particularly for middle- and lower-income workers. This is a real win for them. Irelands retiring TDs on the reality of the job: Nobody will know me, and that will be weird I wonder, psychologically how that will feel? Politicians say they have to weigh up pros and cons before deciding, but the call of an ordinary life can be hard to resist Brid Smith said she is looking forward to life outside of the Dail. Photo: Collins Ellen Coyne Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 03:30 Last Thursday night, on the long drive from Leinster House on one side of the country to his home constituency of Kerry on the other, outgoing TD Brendan Griffin watched the election posters appear. Fionnan Sheahan: Who gets the poisoned chalice? What line-up of ministers in new cabinet might look like Michael O'Leary said 'I wouldnt generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done' to laughter. Photo: Getty General election candidate and special education teacher Fionntan O Suilleabhain has branded Ryanair boss Michael OLearys recent comments on teachers to be demeaning as well as highlighting how undervalued teachers are by the current Government. Mr OLeary was speaking at a campaign launch event in Mullingar for Enterprise Minister Peter Burke when he criticised TDs who were teachers in the past. General election candidate for the Wicklow Wexford constituency, Cllr O Suilleabhain works as a special education teacher in Gaelscoil Moshiolog, Gorey and Coolgreany National School. He is also on the board of management of Waterford Wexford Education & Training Board; Gorey Community School and Creagh College. Speaking on this, Cllr O Suilleabhain said, "The thing that struck me was the Fine Gael party guffawing at the comments and the reaction from the party conference, that was the most telling. It was very demeaning towards teachers, it highlights how undervalued teachers have become by the Government. We see it all the time and Ive worked with people over the years who have immigrated because they dont feel valued in this country by the Government, said Cllr O Suilleabhain. Sinn Fein Councillor Fionntan O Suilleabhain has been selected to run in the next General Election. He went on to say that over the years, hes been surprised that some parties such as Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have not prioritised teachers in their policies. "The thing that struck me through the years is I was always shocked by the amount of anti-teacher and anti-education policies from politicians who were themselves teachers. While the skills are transferrable, the parties that have gone into Government, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have not valued education, even if they were teachers themselves, said Cllr O Suilleabhain. Meanwhile, general election candidate for Wicklow Wexford Brian Brennan has said that Mr OLeary owes the teachers of Ireland an apology and has distanced himself from the comments, which he says are not aligned with his views, nor those of the Fine Gael Party in general. Wicklow-Wexford general election candidate, Brian Brennan. As the father of young children I am crucially aware of the vital role that teachers play in their lives, particularly in this day and age with the mounting pressures that they face. My own sister was a teacher and I have seen first hand the vocational nature of the job that extends far beyond the school day. Our teachers have an enormous responsibility on their shoulders to guide the development of our children from a young age right through their teens and it is reprehensible that anyone would make light of their efforts or denigrate the work that they do, said Mr Brennan. Mary Fitzgibbon who is running as an Independent Candidate for the general election. Election fever is heating up in Kerry as 16 names have put themselves forward to contest General Election 2024. Among the newest names to declare include Cian Prendiville who is running for People Before Profit Election candidate in Kerry. People Before Profit-Solidarity has announced that it will stand candidates in 41 constituencies, 19 women and 22 men. Cian Prendiville said among the issues he will be campaigning on which will include solidarity with Palestine, an end to the use of Shannon Airport by the US military, the passing of the Occupied Territories Bill, the establishment of a state construction company to build tens of thousands of social and affordable homes, price controls on rent, oil, energy and essentials and the scrapping of carbon taxes. Meanwhile Brandon Begley has announced he will contest the election for the Irish Freedom Party. The West Kerry native is an Irish speaker, musician, businessperson, tour guide and bus driver. He is the son of Breanndan O Beaglaoich who is a well-known musician and activist. From a well-known musical family, he said: My main concerns for the constituency and the country are uncontrolled immigration, housing, the economy and decreasing safety." Housing also features on the list as a concern for Mr Begley. He also believes there should be no labels like right or left used. Sinn Fein in recent days also announced a second candidate with Stephanie O'Shea now on the ticket for the party. Mary Fitzgibbon has also put her name forward. She is a nurse, mid-wife and a full-time lecturer in nursing and health care sciences in MTU. She is a veteran candidate having ran for several elections most recently for the European Elections in Ireland South. She lives in Ballymacelligott but hails from Tralee. In keeping with her concerns for the European Elections she is concerned about immigration. She is also concerned about protecting life and the family. In total to date Kerry has 16 candidates listed though this could change. The deadline for candidates is next Saturday, November 16. The new facility will replace the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street. Photo: Getty The long-delayed new National Maternity Hospital should open in late 2028 to early 2029, according to the latest forecast even though construction of the main 244-bed facility has yet to start. Department of Health officials said lessons have been learnt from the procurement process of the controversial National Childrens Hospital. That project will cost 2.24bn and will not be completed until June next year after the finish date was changed 14 times in the last four years, following a previous deadline of November 2022. The new maternity hospital will relocate facilities from its cramped and outdated building in Holles Street in Dublin city to the St Vincents Hospital campus in Dublin 4. Department of Health officials said that under the current timetable, it is envisaged the hospital will be built in late 2028 to early 2029. Tenders from construction companies to build the main hospital are due before the end of the year and the next government will need to sign off on them next year, paving the way for the building to start. We have taken a different procurement approach and a different approach as we enter into the contract, senior health official Derek Tierney told the Oireachtas health committee. We separated the enabling works from the main works contractor to de-risk the main works contractor. Criticism of the contract around the childrens hospital was that a lack of final design before signing contracts with builder BAM contributed to an escalation in costs due to changes. Mr Tierney told the committee that when it came to the new maternity hospital, there was now a detailed design going into procurement. It has not once, but twice carried out independent, third-party reviews of that design for robustness to ensure that it reflects a true bill of quantities to support that. This is to bring all the parties together, integrate all the parties and make sure everybody is clear about what the intent is Ultimately, the budget will be set once we complete procurement of the main works and the specialties. That will be brought to government for sign-off and agreement, he said. There is another thing we are doing in the construct of lessons learnt. Before we sign any contract with a construction contractor or reserve specialists, we will enter into a six-month pre-service contract period. This is to bring all the parties together, integrate all the parties and make sure everybody is clear about what the intent is and that any open questions are answered before we sign down contracts. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has faced a series of parliamentary questions about the new maternity hospitals progress. Mr Donnelly told Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan a number of buildings were required to be completed in advance of the commencement of the main works. It is expected that they will be completed by mid-2025 in parallel with the seeking of government consent to proceed to sign contracts, the minister said. The new hospital plan was approved by the Cabinet in 2022 after a heated row over its clinical and operational independence was concluded. NI First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said her office is monitoring Mr Ballentine's situation. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA The mother of a Northern Irish man who has been held in Dubai after posting a negative online post about a dog grooming business has appealed to authorities for help in getting her son home. Last week, First Minister Michelle ONeill said she was monitoring the situation after Co Tyrone man Craig Ballentine was arrested in Dubai. Mr Ballentine (33), from Cookstown, was detained when he arrived in Abu Dhabi to visit friends three weeks ago and was transported to Dubai to face charges of slander under the United Arab Emirates (UAE)s cybercrime laws. The strict legislation prohibits any form of online criticism. His mother, Margaret Ballentine, called on the British Foreign Office and UAE ambassador to help. I am very worried for my son and Im calling on the Foreign Office to help him and for the UAE Ambassador to see that the charges against my son are just very silly, Ms Ballentine said. "This has all been so stressful. The thought of Craig going to prison over a Google review is just horrendous, we are all suffering sleepless nights and anxiety. Its just not something I ever imagined possible. How can someone be so vindictive as to lock another up over a negative social media review? Why couldnt she just ask him to take it down? Why criminalise someone and try to jail them? This is going too far. He didnt use bad language, he just expressed his views which is what youre supposed to do on review sites. We call on the government, the Foreign Office and Dubai authorities to please let our son come home. Craig Ballentine (33) Today's News in 90 seconds - 12th November 2024 Close friend Sean Morgan said: Since Craigs arrest, Ive learned that its actually common for tourists to be arrested for leaving a 1 or 2 star reviews of tourist facilities like hotels or restaurants. I had no idea. How can a tourist destination make it illegal to say anything bad about service providers? Mr Moran added: Craig is the kindest man youll ever meet. Hes always volunteering and helping others. He has been treated appallingly and he just doesnt deserve it. Im doing everything I can to help get him home. Im asking people to share his story and raise awareness. We need to do more than that though, we need tourists to be aware they could be jailed for an internet post. They need to know this before even booking a flight. Why arent these nightmare stories all over the travel advisory website, the newspapers and travel agencies? Radha Stirling, the CEO of campaign group Detained in Dubai, who is helping Craig, has advised tourists and expats who have visited or lived in the UAE before to check their police status before travelling. If Craig knew it was a good idea to check his criminal status in advance of flying to Dubai, he would have found out there was a case against him and we could have dealt with it from the safety of abroad, she said. The vast majority of arrests on arrival are preventable by taking this simple precaution. Travel agencies and the Foreign Office should recommend this on their websites." In response to a query, a Sinn Fein spokesperson said: Ms O'Neills office will closely monitor the case and will stay in contact with the family to provide support and advice. NI First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said her office is monitoring Mr Ballentine's situation. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Mr Ballentine, who is an autism support worker by trade, had accepted a role as a dog groomer in one of Dubais canine salons in 2023. He had been employed by the salon for almost six months when he required a number of days off due to sickness. After being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, he informed his employer and submitted a doctors certificate. The company, however, registered him as having absconded. Mr Ballentine was left unemployed and attempting to remove a travel ban from his passport in order to return home to NI. After his experience, he left an online review of the centre and his former boss, noting the problems she had caused him. Campaign group Detained in Dubai, which represents people who find themselves arrested in the country, has been working with Mr Ballentine. Ms Stirling said the post did not contain any abusive content. Weve seen people arrested for complaining to customer service, or for leaving online reviews on hotels and rental car agencies, she said. The UAEs laws are so far from international standards that almost everyone who visits is already technically a criminal. Mr Ballentine had been working as a dog groomer in Dubai When someone is offended, even if they are at fault, they can open a criminal prosecution out of spite. Craig deleted the post and apologised but still faces jail. Its outrageous. The UAEs recently enacted cybercrime laws are a nightmare for foreigners. It is sufficient for a complainant to simply tell police that someone posted something offensive or rude. The police dont even need to see the actual post. The complainants have all the power and often demand money from the accused to close out the case. Its a means for vindictive people to extort. Once a criminal case is won, they can also open civil cases for massive damages. The system incentivises it. Flatmates, co-workers and even spouses have abused this law and we find that its often foreigners who are taking advantage. In this case, both parties are Western. Most people wouldnt dream of opening a similar case in their own countries but seem quite happy to open them in the UAE. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai Mr Ballentine is now stranded in Dubai, without employment and facing two years in prison. He said the experience has also taken a toll on his parents, who thought he was dead. Ms Stirling said the countrys strict rules are having devastating effects on peoples lives. Craig needs to get home and get to work. Its atrocious that authorities are allowing such frivolous criminal reports to entangle visitors in the system. The sheer number of cybercrime reports they receive must be significant. There are no protections or safeguards and peoples lives are being ruined. Taoiseach Simon Harris, out canvassing with Cllr. John Clendennen in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. 12/11/24 Picture by Fergal Phillips Released on behalf of Fine Gael. Taoiseach Simon Harris, out canvassing with Cllr. John Clendennen in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. 12/11/24 Picture by Fergal Phillips Released on behalf of Fine Gael. Taoiseach Simon Harris courted farmers and canvassed in the fog of a festive Co Offaly on the fifth day of the general election campaign, urging supporters to keep their shoulders to the wheel as the countdown continues. The Christmas tree was being hung with lights in Tullamore town when the Fine Gael leader pulled up for a canvass with Offaly candidate John Clendennen, who was flanked by party stalwarts including outgoing TD Charlie Flanagan. By his own count, Mr Harris has barrelled through 17 constituencies since the Dail was dissolved on Friday and the party is taking no chances. He took selfies, disrupted haircuts in the local barbers and spoke to voters about the issues moving them most. Better mental health supports and inheritance tax were on the minds of the public in Tullamore, with the party posse breathing a collective sigh of relief as one young student revealed that, yes, they had registered to vote before the deadline tonight. Its coincidental that youre here, I said I was going to nab you while I saw you, one woman, Linda, told the Fine Gael leader as she stopped him on the street. He committed to calling her friend, Muriel Claffey, who set up a petition calling for better financial entitlements for people like her who were working while receiving treatment for cancer. Taoiseach Simon Harris, out canvassing with Cllr. John Clendennen in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. 12/11/24 Picture by Fergal Phillips Released on behalf of Fine Gael. A fog fell on the town as Harris appeared in local businesses along the main street, greeting young Nora (4), gingerbread man in hand, before chatting to Donal (7) donning an elf hat and his siblings further down the street. Entering the winter wonderland of Cloonans Hardware, the Taoiseach remarked that it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas as he greeted owner Brian Cloonan. It remains to be seen whether Christmas will truly come early for Fine Gael as the election campaign runs on sometimes literally as Mr Harris has adopted the habit of breaking into an occasional jog while out on the canvas as part of his bid to get through as many constituencies as possible before polling day. He wrapped up his whirlwind trip to Tullamore with a call to supporters to keep their shoulders to the wheel, dont leave anything in the dressing room as he attempted to pick up votes on day five of the general election campaign, which first saw him address the Irish Farmers Association Hustings in Dublin. Mr Harris laid out the Fine Gael offerings for farmers, which includes a focus on succession and inheritance tax, while calling on farmers to not vote for independents if they wanted to strengthen Fine Gaels hand in Government. Junior agriculture minister Martin Heydon said he had often heard the line throughout the country that the Green tail was wagging the dog and wanted to remind people that the three-party coalition came about because the two biggest parties didnt have enough numbers themselves. The reason the two main parties didnt have enough numbers was because of the amount of independents elected the length and breadth of the country, he said. If enough independents are elected, it will stymie what a government can do. The discovery of three books once owned by Oscar Wilde has been hailed as a miracle and for providing an invaluable insight into LGBTQ+ history. The Picture of Dorian Gray author amassed a collection of more than 2,000 books in his lifetime, but had to sell them off to help pay off legal debts he had incurred in 1895. Only around 40 books in his collection have since been identified, with the rest remaining lost. But thanks to the detective work of a librarian at University College London (UCL), three more have been shown to have been owned by Wilde, one of Irelands most famous gay writers. Sarah Pipkin, outreach and exhibitions co-ordinator in UCL Special Collections, noticed a handwritten note in all three copies from the buyer, which confirmed they were bought at the Wilde book auction. The books, discovered in the library or archives at UCL, are said to provide an invaluable insight into his Asian influences and Britains LGBTQ+ history at the turn of the 20th century. Wilde was prosecuted for being gay at a time when it was against the law and Ms Pipkin said the volumes shed light on both the author and a crucial chapter in LGBTQ+ history. Wilde did not use a personalised bookplate or write his name in all his books and it is the lack of annotations which makes rebuilding his library very difficult, Ms Pipkin said. The fact we have been able to identify these books at all is a miracle really. They are a slice of LGBTQ+ history. Two of the books from Wildes collection are The Golden Lotus and Other Legends of Japan by Edward Greey and an 1882 translation of Persian author Mullana Abdulrahman Jamis The Book of Joseph and Zuleikhaa. A copy of Salome, a play by Wilde, was also confirmed as part of his collection. It contains drawings by an illustrator who was heavily influenced by Japanese art. The Golden Lotus includes Greeys retelling of several Japanese folklore stories and was published in 1883. It was thought to have been owned by Wilde as it was listed on the auction catalogue, but UCLs copy has revealed he had a personal relationship with the author. UCLs copy was given as a gift from the author alongside a personalised inscription to Wilde. Burnout meant I would have to lock myself away for days this is how I turned things around After years of feeling overstimulated and empty after projects, photographer Julia Dunin realised it was time to reassess her lifestyle and implement new, healthier habits Photographer Julia Dunin founded wellness brand Duine. Photo: Nathalie Marquez Courtney Katie Byrne Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 03:30 I was born in Warsaw, Poland, where I lived for the first 25 years of my life. I did a lot of travelling before and during college, which is how I came to visit Galway 13 years ago. It was supposed to be a 10-day holiday, but I loved it so much I decided to stay. A child carries a goat on their shoulders through a flooded river in Malawi caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy last year. Photo: AP As world leaders meet in Azerbaijan this week for Cop29, I urge them to think of the communities I work with in Malawi. Our small south-east African state is being relentlessly battered by the brutal impact of climate change. Over the past five decades, Malawi has experienced more than 19 major floods and seven droughts. The frequency and ferocity of these floods and droughts is increasing, culminating with Cyclone Freddy in March of last year, which killed 679 people and forced 659,000 people to flee their homes. Freddy was the longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever recorded and it produced the most energy of any cyclone on record globally, but whats more terrifying is the pattern of extreme weather patterns being experienced in Malawi. Freddy followed on the heels of Cyclones Ana and Gombe in 2022 and the devastating Cyclone Idai in 2019. In addition, there have been numerous droughts, with some regions yo-yoing between drought and wind/flood damage from cyclones in the same season. The impact of these extreme weather events is amplified by the fact that Malawi is primarily a rural society and rain-fed agriculture is the backbone of communities. Anything which affects crops has a significant impact on food security and livelihoods in a country where 80pc of the population is employed in agriculture. Climate campaigner Mtisunge Kadambo with a failed maize crop in Malawi. Photo: PA I remember carrying out damage assessments in southern Malawi in the days after Cyclone Freddy tore through. It was distressing to find submerged fields which weeks previously had held a bumper growth of sorghum, almost ready to be harvested. Other fields of crops were flattened by the force of the floods the crops washed away or destroyed. Some villages were cut off and were only accessible by canoe. The scale of the devastation caused by these events is difficult to describe to people in Ireland, where the reality of climate change may not have struck home yet. But what should be clear is that Malawi one of the poorest countries in the world, which produced just 0.04pc of the worlds carbon dioxide emissions last year is bearing the brunt of a warming planet. Concern Worldwide, in conjunction with the Malawi government and communities, is working to help communities adapt to this ominous challenge. There should be a significant public, grant-based funding component to allow the money to flow to people exposed to climate impacts This includes the roll-out of climate-smart agriculture programmes (using both climate-resilient seeds and farming techniques), the use of nature-based solutions such as afforestation to help reduce the impact of floods, and the development of early warning systems. But this work needs to be funded and Malawi is one of the worlds poorest countries. The people of Malawi and many of the worlds poorer countries will pay close attention to outcomes of negotiations at Cop29. Dubbed the finance Cop, global leaders are due to agree a new global finance goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions, boost resilience, help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change and cover the costs of loss and damage. The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCGQ) will replace the existing $100bn (94bn) annual goal that is due to end next year. Its vital that this goal must be fit for purpose and sets, within the wider mobilisation goal, a public finance provision target of at least $1trn per annum in grants and grant-equivalent terms. Wealthier countries have a clear obligation, under the Paris Agreement, to provide funding to address the challenges. For this new goal to succeed, the new climate finance commitment must be sufficient to meet the needs of countries impacted by climate change; It must cover adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage, and be accountable for delivery. Furthermore it must ensure quality and accessibility of finance. There should be a significant public, grant-based funding component to allow the money to flow to people exposed to climate impacts. Anything less than this will condemn communities in Malawi and many other countries to an even greater struggle to grow sufficient food, sustain livelihoods and continue living in regions experiencing the escalating impact of climate change. Tommy Chimpanzi is programme co-ordinator for Concern Worldwide in Malawi Amid alarming climate and humanitarian crises, another authoritarian petrostate is hosting Cop29. Campaigner Greta Thunberg was clearly not concealing her chagrin at Cop29 the UN climate summit being held in Baku, Azerbaijan. With genocides, ecocides, famines, and wars, she described levels of commitment as a dark joke. And you could hardly blame her. With emergency levels of action and engagement urgently needed, global appetites to react and adapt appear alarmingly low. The absences of the presidents of the US, China and EU from the summit illustrated this starkly. Critics maintain the summit is a sham more likely to add to the worlds hot air, than limit it. They point to the grandiose declarations last year. Historically, agreements to transition away from coal, oil and gas were loudly hailed, but quietly forgotten. Australias climate minister had even declared the age of fossil fuels will end. US president Joe Biden said the deal put the world one significant step closer to its climate goals. But, far from cutting back, the worlds wealthiest nations are scaling up exports and embarking on major new fossil-fuel projects. This year the summit has set its sights on a major push to secure $1trn annually of new climate finance for poorer nations. UN climate change chief Simon Stiell said: Lets dispense with the idea that climate finance is charity. The benefits for all are self-evident. Without broad buy-in, scientists are convinced economies including the largest will be severely threatened unless we slash emissions and bolster global climate resilience. Our own Environment Minister, Eamon Ryan, has been given a pivotal role to identify and break down possible barriers to a final agreement. There is no real chance of assisting vulnerable countries, without the solid financial foundation of secure funding. But getting governments to stump up has been as much of a problem as getting them to drastically cut emissions. For instance, America, which is already producing more oil than any other country, is likely to crank it up even more, with the election of Donald Trump, and his drill, baby, drill motto. Trump has also committed to once again pulling the US out of international climate co-operation. We have been repeatedly been put on notice that the planet has only about five years left at current emissions levels before we break the carbon budget that might keep temperature rises below 1.5C. This was the key goal of the Paris agreement and deemed essential. Last years deal called for accelerating action to limit global warming to well below 2C compared with pre-industrial levels. And despite the ever-more frequent and violent reminders of extreme weather events aggravated by unchecked emissions we have no hope of meeting this threshold. This year is touted to be the hottest ever on record, yet world leaders still give the cold shoulder to those worst affected. 06/11/2024 Conor McGregor pictured leaving the High Court in Dublin where he is appearing for a personal injury case against him from Nikita Ni Laimhin (Nikita Hand). Conor McGregor, one of Ireland's biggest sporting and celebrity names, has been involved in a high-profile civil rape case, which is being heard in the High Court. The mixed martial arts superstar and his co-defendant, James Lawrence, are accused of sexually assaulting and raping Nikita Hand (35), a hair colourist from Drimnagh, in a Dublin hotel in December of 2018. Both men strongly deny the claims. Ms Hand had spent the previous night at a Christmas party where alcohol and cocaine were consumed . She had wanted to continue partying the following morning and arranged for McGregor, who she knew, to pick her and her colleague Danielle Kealey up from the salon where they worked. McGregor (36) arrived in a car driven by a security guard shortly after 10am. The UFC fighters friend, James Lawrence, was later picked up from his home in Drimnagh and the group arrived at the hotel around 12.30pm. Giving evidence last Wednesday, Ms Hand broke down in tears and started shaking as she provided her account of being allegedly raped by McGregor while Lawrence and Ms Kealey were in an adjoining room. Both men deny raping Ms Hand. They claim they each had consensual sex with her twice in the hotel. Ms Hand said she has no recollection of a second sexual episode with McGregor or of having any sexual relations with Lawrence. Today on The Indo Daily, Tabitha Monahan is joined by Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor with the Irish Independent, and Catherine Fegan, Special Correspondent with the Irish Independent, to reflect on what has been heard so far in this consequential case, which is due to wrap up later this week. Hannah Murphy of Aghabullogue NS, one of the winners of My Creative Wish 2024 pictured with her sister Sadie. Photo: Anna Groniecka Applications have now opened for Cork County Councils My Creative Wish. My Creative Wish is an arts programme which aims to grant the creative wishes of children and young people in conjunction with Cruinniu na nOg, Irelands national day of creativity for young people. Through workshops in schools and local libraries across the county, My Creative Wish granted 35 wishes this year. The wishes granted included everything from architecture to acting, baking to ballet, circus skills to ceramics and design to dance. With the support of Creative Ireland, Cork County Council would like to grant even more creative wishes in 2025 and has extended the call to youth groups working with young people aged 13-17. Encouraging schools and youth groups to get involved, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll said: When we nurture creativity, we empower young people to explore new opportunities, to develop their talents and build confidence. "Every young person deserves the right to be creative and the My Creative Wish programme offers a unique opportunity for young people to realise their dreams and harness new skills in the process, he added. Our Lady of Mercy National School in Bantry was one of the schools that had a wish granted this year. Their teacher Maeve Keane was full of praise for the initiative: These workshops were a huge asset to my class. Pupils gained confidence in something they would never have the opportunity to take part in outside the classroom. The facilitator was so approachable and each session went so smoothly each week. The final show was amazing and the pupil who won the competition was thrilled to have her family at the performance. Cork County Councils Culture and Creativity team will select 16 winning wishes from young people up to age 17. The winners will receive six creative workshops facilitated by professional artists, for them and their class. As part of Cruinniu na nOg 2025, the winning wishes will go on to take part in a school showcase in the form of an exhibition, concert or performance on Saturday, June 7 2025. 16 runner-up proposals will be selected to receive a free Creative Ireland funded creative workshop at their local Library. Schools may request an application pack by emailing creativeireland@corkcoco.ie by Monday, November 18. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, December 6 2024. Councillors from the West Cork Municipal District strongly criticised the decision to hold the general election count for Cork South West in Mallow GAA Complex as a disgrace and displaying total disregard for its constituents. A spokesperson for Cork County Returning Office recently confirmed with The Corkman that the three general elections counts for Cork County would be held in Mallow. It is our intention to use the GAA complex in Mallow for the Cork County Count. The constituencies being counted at that location will be Cork South West, Cork North West, and Cork East. The decision has caused widespread anger amongst the public and politicians in Cork South West who are dismayed that the counting for the general election wont be held in its traditional location of Clonakilty. A motion was raised at Mondays full council meeting by members of the West Cork MD urging the County Sherriff to reverse the decision to relocate the election count to Mallow. The motion called for the election count to continue in Clonakilty and their members emphasised the importance of maintaining local democratic practices. Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre Kelly said the decision to relocate makes no sense. It doesnt make any sense to bring everyone from West Cork all the way to Mallow. From my own house it is one hour and 22 minutes to Mallow. You could add another hour and ten minutes for anyone travelling from Castletownbere. It is absolutely ridiculous and I dont see the point in it. I would hope the decision would be reviewed. "People in West Cork are outraged that it has been shifted to Mallow, said Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins: We recently had the count for the local elections in Mallow. When we arrived that morning the doors were closed and we had to wait for 50 minutes before we were left in. This would never happen in Clonakilty. It is two and a half hours from Bantry to Mallow. Our day is long enough. It also has an economic benefit for the town of Clonakilty. This has to be overturned. We need to bring the count back to Clonakilty, he added. Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said the counting for Cork South West should remain in Clonakilty. Cllr Harrington criticised the decision as showing total disregard for the people of Cork South West. Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy said the ridiculous decision undermines local democracy, while Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry said it is important that as many people as possible get in to see how the process works. Fine Gael councillor John Michael Foley also voiced his anger with the decision. It is a disaster and a disgrace that the count has been taken out of Clonakilty. We had to go to Mallow for the opening of the boxes which was difficult enough. People in West Cork are doing a five hour round trip to do that. The chair of the Northern Committee Cllr Ian Doyle said Mallow is well capable but agreed that the concerns of the West Cork councillors regarding the distance should be noted. I want to defend the capabilities of Mallow and Mallow town centre. From a professional, economic and social point of view the Mallow centre is well capable. I agree with the West Cork contingent over the distance and their concerns should be noted. Maybe we should look at having West Cork in Clonakilty and having the rest of the county in Mallow. His party colleague Gearoid Murphy agreed with Cllr Doyles sentiments. If the situation were reverted I would be equally up in arms. I agree with the importance of the count and the real ability of it to bring democracy alive for local communities and families. Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll said West Cork people are being denied democracy. I just cant understand why it is being taken down there. It couldnt be economically better. If the crowd will be so big not everybody will be left in. It makes no sense at all. It is great to see how democracy works. The people of West Cork are being denied that. It was unanimously agreed that a letter would be sent to the County Sherriff seeking a reversal of the decision to relocate the Cork South West general election count to Mallow. Matt Cranitch and Jackie Daly were named Cork Persons of the Month for November. Pictured with Matt and Jackie at the award presentation l/r Padraic Hanrahan, The Metropole Hotel, Manus OCallaghan, Awards Organiser, George & Max Duggan, Cork Crystal. Picture Vitaliy Makhnanov. Fiddle-player Matt Cranitch and accordionist Jackie Daly have been jointly awarded Novembers Cork Person of the Month Award. The duo have been recognised for their significant contribution to the Sliabh Luachra tradition of Irish music over the past several decades. Both men are acknowledged masters of the rich musical tradition of Sliabh Luachra, a culturally unique area on the Cork/Kerry border renowned for its distinctive style of playing and special repertoire of tunes. Matt is a world-renowned and award-winning fiddle-player, having won several All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil titles, the Oireachtas Crotty Cup, the M.J. Quill Irish Cultural Center Award in New York. He has also been named The Fiddler of Dooney. Prolific in terms of writing, performing and composition, he is the author of The Irish Fiddle Book, first published in 1988 and now in its fourth edition. His discography includes albums with groups such as Na Fili, Any Old Time and Sliabh Notes, in addition to his solo album of slow airs entitled Eistigh Seal which he considers one of his proudest works. In addition to playing music, Matt is also widely recognised for his deep knowledge of Irish traditional music. One of the leading authorities on the music of Sliabh Luachra, he received a PhD in 2006 for his study on the fiddle-playing tradition of this region and has taught a number of courses in Irish traditional music at University College Cork. He has also served as a long-time consultant for the Geantrai series on TG4, is a former adviser to the Irish Arts Council scheme for the traditional arts, and has served on the board of the Irish Traditional Music Archive. Jackie Daly is synonymous with the button accordion in the world of Irish traditional music. He was described in The New York Times as probably the best accordionist in Ireland. Born in Kanturk, where he grew up surrounded by the rich music tradition of Sliabh Luachra, Jackie credits Ballydesmond fiddle-player Jim OKeeffe and Sliabh Luachra fiddle-master Padraig OKeeffe as two of the greatest influences on his early musical development. Despite primarily being an accordionist, Jackie has had a lifelong affinity for fiddle-music and is most well-known for his highly-acclaimed albums featuring fiddle and accordion which he produced with figures such as the late Cork-based musician Seamus Creagh, Kevin Burke, Maire OKeeffe, and, most recently, with Matt Cranitch. Jackie has been a central figure in some of the most esteemed Irish traditional music in recent times. He has performed throughout the world with bands such as De Danann, Patrick Street, Buttons and Bows, Arcady, Reel Union and Kinvara. It is the style and repertoire of the Sliabh Luachra tradition that has made the most significant impression on his accordion-playing and holds a special place in his heart, as evidenced by his performances and recordings. A multi-award winning accordionist, Jackie has been honoured with titles including the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Award, the Kanturk Arts Festival Award, the M.J. Quill Irish Cultural Center Award in New York, and the Patrick OKeeffe Traditional Music Festival Award. Matt and Jackie can now add the title of Cork Person of the Month alongside their impressive list of accolades. Awards Organiser Manus OCallaghan said: When Matt and Jackie come together to play anything from slides and polkas to reels and airs, they display not only their immense level of musical virtuosity but also their respect, love and deep understanding of the vibrant musical tradition of Sliabh Luachra. Their dedication to their craft and commitment to keeping this worthy Cork tradition alive is commendable. This Cork Person of the Month Award is in recognition of their stellar service to Corks musical and wider cultural landscape, he added. Matt and Jackies names will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at the annual gala awards lunch in January, 2025. A HSE officer found that there was an active rodent infestation in the food storeroom and kitchen area of the premises A Dunmanway food business was ordered to close after rodent droppings were discovered in its kitchen area and food storeroom. Baking Emporium at Bridgemount House in Dunmanway was issued with a closure order on October 4 for breaches of Food Safety Authority Ireland legislation following an inspection by a HSE officer. The inspector reported that there was an active rodent infestation in the food storeroom and kitchen area where food is stored, handled and prepared. This was evidenced by the presence of rodent droppings in multiple areas of the food storeroom and kitchen & kitchen area, the HSE officers closure order read. The closure order noted that rodents are known to spread harmful pathogens like salmonella via their faeces and urine. Food produced in these conditions is likely to be unsafe & therefore poses a grave and immediate danger to public health, the inspector said. The closure order on the premises in Dunmanway was lifted on October 10. Patrick Furlong, Roadstone Contractor, Cllr Bernard Moynihan (FF) Cork County Council Officials Niall Healy, North Cork Manager, Miriam Coney, Senior Engineer, Sean Callery, Engineer, Aidan Baker, Engineer and Andrew Sheehan, Site Engineer pictured at Cork County Council Offices in Mallow where they signed the contract for the upgrading of the N72 road. Pic: Sheila Fitzgerald The scheme, aimed at upgrading the heavily potholed road between Clonbanin and Meenskeha, was one of the County Cork projects postponed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) earlier this summer due to funding pressures. Road works were subsequently not due to be resumed until 2025 or later. The decision to put the scheme on hold came just after Cork County Council had appointed a contractor to carry out the works and created a lot of anger locally. However, it was confirmed in recent weeks that funding for the project, which was initially granted 2 million in funding, has been restored. Following correspondence and discussions about the project between the Minister of State at the Department of Transport James Lawless and Cork North-West TD Michael Moynihan in recent weeks, TII were funded to resume the scheme. Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan welcomed the commencement of the road works. I am delighted that work began on the 2.4 million Meenskeha Road on Monday, November 11. The initial works will involve hedge cutting, tree cutting, drainage work and road crossings. The road is currently in an appalling state. We are in constant contact with Cork County Council to progress this project as soon as possible. An investigation has been launched in Co Donegal after a woman walking in a park had her phone snatched out of her hand by a cyclist. Gardai in Milford are appealing for the assistance of the public in relation to a theft incident that occurred at the Community Development Park, Ballykeeran, Kilmacrennan on Thursday, November 7, at approximately 2pm. A woman was walking in the park when a male aged in his late teens/early twenties cycled past her and as he did, he snatched her phone from her hand. He cycled onwards in the direction of the woods following the incident. The phone in question is a black Samsung Galaxy S22. A Garda spokesperson said, We appeal to anybody who may have observed the incident or observed this male on a bike in the area to make contact with Gardai in Milford on 074-9153060. "If anybody was in the general area with a dash-cam between 1.30pm and 2.30pm, we ask them to make the footage available to Gardai. Follow Independent Donegal on Facebook "Should anybody come across a similar mobile phone for sale on a second hand basis, we ask them to alert Gardai also. Simon Harris, Roderic O'Gorman, Darragh O'Brien and Paschal Donohoe launch the Dublin City Taskforce report at the GPO. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos Dublin city councillors have warned that the Dublin City Taskforce report risks being an uncosted wishlist, without a ring-fenced investment of 1bn for the city centre. During a special meeting held on Monday night to discuss the recently published report, councillors emphasised that the city council should lead the execution of the recommended actions. The report outlines several key initiatives aimed at encouraging more people to live and spend time in the city centre, enhancing safety, and improving the quality of life for both residents and visitors. Dublin City Councils chief executive, Richard Shakespeare, said concrete funding commitments are unlikely before the formation of the next government. When I took this job, I said it was about focusing on the basics, and to do that requires funding, and unfortunately, there is not enough under the present funding mechanisms, he said. The special meeting was called at the request of Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam, who opened the discussion by suggesting a model similar to the Limerick 2030 initiative, which funded the redevelopment of vacant sites for residential purposes. He also raised the possibility of the city council taking over waste collection to address illegal dumping. Sinn Fein councillor Janice Boylan questioned whether the funding was guaranteed and criticised the current Fianna Fail and Fine Gael government, saying the report evidenced their failure to create a city that is safe and vibrant. Green Party councillor Janet Horner said that while the report contains many positive points, much of it reflects what councillors have been discussing for some time. The only gap between our ambition and plans has been around the resourcing, financing and implementation behind it, she said. I am concerned about that, and I think the city council has to lead on this. We cannot implement another top-down structure deciding whats best for Dubliners. Look at the north inner city. We have community safety partnerships, the NEIC, Dublin City Council, a Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, and DublinTown, yet there is a lack of coherence and clear governance. If we want to address this, we need an empowered city council and a directly elected lord mayor, she added. Labour councillor Darragh Moriarty said his initial criticism of the reports recommendations is that there are not many new ideas within it. There is a whole range and plethora of ideas that we have already discussed but it is now being led by the Taoiseachs department which overlooked this chamber, he said. Our fear is that this is an uncosted wishlist with brilliant ideas which I commend, but without ring-fenced funding its not worth the paper its written on. Social Democrats councillor Cian Farrell said the plan offers a chance to secure a fair and sustainable funding model for Dublin, not only for this project but also for long-term city financing. However, as part of their General Election campaign, the Social Democrats launched their own comprehensive 200m plan to breathe life back into Dublin city centre. Their plan includes 200m in ring-fenced funding to restore and revive the city with ideas such as above-the-shop living, a streamlined CPO process to acquire vacant and derelict sites and buildings, an increased garda presence, and the creation of a cultural corridor from Henrietta Street to St James Gate. Fianna Fail has launched a similar policy document to enhance and support urban living across Ireland, backed by 175m over the governments term. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Mercy Mounthawk students pictured celebrating Intercultural Week with food and music at the school last week. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan. Students in Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School in Tralee last week enjoyed a different type of school day as they took part in a special event to mark Intercultural Day in the school. The annual event takes place every November after the conclusion of Black History month in Ireland this is celebrated annually in the month of October and is always an electrifying, colourful event that is packed to the brim with vibrant clothing, exhilarating music and dazzling showcases of national pride. Last weeks event in the school saw students and their families from almost 20 countries celebrate and share their customs and traditions with the wider school community. Some of the countries that were celebrated at this years event include Nigeria, Sudan, Ireland, China, Poland, Ukraine, Philippines, Albania, Bangladesh, India, Japan, Spain (Catalonia), Mexico, Serbia, Iran, Spain, Egypt, and Thailand. Events such as these though dont just spring up or happen overnight but instead require weeks of hard work behind the scenes with this event being no different with students dedicating themselves to making the day as educational and enjoyable as possible. "Students from all different ages and classes in our school community teamed up to meticulously plan and design bright-coloured activities posters and displays. As well as this, we cooked enticing food to draw in teachers and students to learn about their respective cultures, said student Oluwatomiwa Abigail Adetunji The main aim of the event of course was to celebrate and learn about the variety of countries and cultures in Mercy Mounthawk through fun, honouring the differences and similarities between the numerous different cultures presented, she continued. In the words of Ms. D. Buckley, a teacher organising the event, it is a fun chaos in which everyone can feel cherished and comfortable cherishing their identity. The day saw students from a wide variety of countries introducing the medley of bright stalls all of which were headed by excited students to visitors, all of whom were eager to try out some delicious traditional dishes and further educate themselves on the respective countries. Some of the traditional meals served at the event were jollof rice, dumplings, tacos and fried rice. Later on the day, there was a vivid display of cultural performances, mainly revolving around dance, with the main event being run by Albanian students. All reports from the day indicate that it was another huge success with participation levels up again from last years event. The event, in the words of Ms. Buckley, will be even "bigger and better next year. Dont believe us, then take the word of one of the students who described as an unforgettable experience and they that they already cant wait for the next one. In a pastoral message of Bishop Kevin Doran to both dioceses, Bishop Doran said it had been just over six months now since the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, made known the decision of Pope Francis to initiate a process of closer cooperation and consultation, which is intended to lead eventually to the merging of the neighbouring dioceses of Achonry and Elphin. A similar process was proposed at the same time for the dioceses of Tuam and Killala. Bishop Doran said: I am aware that this decision, coming when it did, left many people in the Diocese of Achonry feeling shocked and disappointed. It was difficult for the diocese to lose a young and energetic Bishop. Following discussions which had taken place over a number of years, I expected that there would be some reconfiguration of the six dioceses of the Province of Tuam. My own appointment as Apostolic Administrator of Achonry took me by surprise. Since I took over responsibility for the Diocese, I have been greatly encouraged by the warm welcome and support that I have received from so many people. To date, I have visited two thirds of the parishes, and I look forward to continuing those visits in the weeks and months ahead. People have asked me why is this happening? The merging of dioceses is not new and it is not unique to Ireland. It is not easy, in a small diocese, especially with lower levels of religious practice, to find the human and financial resources required to do all that is necessary for pastoral care and good governance. Both Achonry and Elphin are small by the standards of the Church around the world. The hope is that, with our combined resources, we will be able to exercise our mission more effectively. As the Apostolic Nuncio said, when announcing the proposed changes: We know from personal experience that life is a process of adaptation to changing circumstances. Although we seek to preserve at all times our essential identity, we adopt measures to meet new challenges as they arise. That is true also of the life of the Church and it is reflected in what we are doing today. To meet the evolving needs of the Church in the ecclesiastical Province of Tuam, it is necessary to envisage a gradual process of reorganisation, which will, it is hoped, give added impetus and vitality to the communities concerned. Bishop Doran pointed out that in the period since April 2024, various consultations have taken place, including the six gatherings that took place in recent weeks. Some initial decisions have been made, reflecting what has been heard. It has been agreed, for example, thatthe tw o dioceses will join together for the Pilgrimages to Lourdes and Knock, as well as for young-adult pilgrimages, the two dioceses will work more closely together for the formation of lay ministers and Parish Pastoral Councils, we will plan together for the activities of our youth and young-adult ministry, we will establish a working group, drawn equally from both dioceses to consider what other actions might be necessary to allow us to work more effectively together and, if the process evolves further, to eventually become one diocese. Some people have understandably asked very practical questions such as: What will the Diocese be called?, Where will the Cathedral be? and Where will the Bishop live?. These questions have not yet been considered in any detail. I can say, however, that in many cases where dioceses have merged, both cathedrals have equal status. These are known as co-cathedrals. Because of our shared Baptism, and our sharing of the Eucharist, before ever the question of a merger arose, we are as Saint Paul reminds us one Body in Christ. Our dignity as Christian communities has nothing to do with our relative size. We are pilgrims on a journey and our mission is to support one another and to welcome the stranger. In recent weeks, we have been blessed to have six gatherings, in which approximately five hundred people participated, from both dioceses. I am very grateful to all those who participated and to those who facilitated the gatherings. We promised those who came to the gatherings that we would make available a summary of all that was said. This report has now been prepared by a group of seven people from both dioceses. I hope it will be widely discussed at parish gatherings and in family homes. This is just a beginning. Each of us has different gifts to bring, but all of us can pray. It is important that we bring this process to prayer, asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and help. In that way we can be sure that we will make the decisions that God wants. We have prepared a prayer for our two dioceses, which is available on a separate card and online. I encourage you to pray this prayer, whether on your own or in the community of the Church. Peter Kenny with members of the Cahore Inshore Rescue, Courtown/Arklow Coast Guard and Gorey section of the Irish Red Cross pictured during the 'Big Splash for Little Heroes' on the Old Bawn Beach in aid of the Laura Lynn Foundation on New Years Eve. Pic: Jim Campbell Sinn Fein's general election candidate in the new Wicklow Wexford constituency has said that the long overdue upgrade of Coast Guard facilities in Courtown and Arklow must be a priority for the next government. Cllr Sinn Fein Councillor Fionntan O Suilleabhain has been selected to run in the next General Election. said this is a matter he will continue to pursue in order to enhance the essential services the Coast Guard provides along the Wicklow and Wexford coastline. Cllr O Suilleabhain said: In response to a recently tabled parliamentary question by my party colleague Johnny Mythen TD, regarding the development of facilities for Coast Guard in Courtown and Arklow that are included in the programme to upgrade a number of the 58 stations across the State, the vagueness of when this essential work will commence, particularly in relation to Courtown, was disappointing. "Because of where the Courtown station is located it cannot be extended and modernised to the required standard and the OPW, working with the Department of Transport, completed a feasibility study and have identified a suitable site for a new building to replace the existing one. In their Parliamentary reply to Deputy Mythen, they stated that active negotiations are taking place with the owner of the preferred site and because of the commercially sensitive nature of the discussions no further information is available regarding the plans to replace the existing building. "Even if this part of the process is successful, additional time will be required for the authorisation of funding from the Department of Transport and a project team will have to be appointed to commence planning prior to a tender process. This means, a replacement facility for Courtown will likely take some time to complete, said Cllr O Suilleabhain. The existing Courtown Coast Guard Station is a single room limestone-built building, originally designed for storage of rescue equipment. As the current site is only slightly larger than the building footprint and is bordered to the rear by a steep river gulley, there is very limited capacity to provide for any expansion or upgraded facility. Therefore, the OPW is continuing to liaise with the Department of Transport and the Irish Coast Guard to progress a proposed new location for the Coast Guard Station at Courtown. In relation to the Arklow project, the OPW completed a detailed design for a single storey extension to the existing Coastguard Rocket Cart house. A planning application was submitted in 2023 and the decision to grant permission for the proposed extension was made by Wicklow County Council on December 5, 2023, with the final grant received on January 25, 2024. The OPW is currently undertaking procurement for the services of a consultant civil and structural engineer, to complete the design team. Cllr O Suilleabhain said the information provided on the Arklow station was "a little more encouraging". "I understand that a planning application for the upgrade of the Arklow station at Rocket Cart house was submitted to Wicklow County Council in December 2023 and the extension was agreed a month later in January 2024. It is anticipated therefore, that work to modernise this existing facility will commence in 2025 and will take nine months to complete which whilst welcome, needs to happen without delay and due diligence applied so that the project is completed on time and on budget. "Wicklow and Wexford are counties that are tasked with monitoring busy sea lanes, so we need to ensure that the vital services the Coast Guard provides in keeping people safe are well funded and both the Courtown and Arklow facilities, that have served us so well, need to be modernised and upgraded to ensure local maritime activity is well regulated, said Cllr O Suilleabhain. James Dean stars in Rebel Without a Cause, the movie that shocked the States with a performance that still electrifies the screen 25 years after his untimely death prior to the film's release. In this archetypal drama of teenage angst and rebellion, three high school students who should lead idyllic lives in their stable, comfortable suburban families explode with a violence and sexuality that their parents cannot understand. The modern classic and a powerful coming-of-age story screens on Monday, November 18 at 8.00pm. Educate Together This years Greystones Educate Together Craft Fair will be running from 11am to 4pm, Sunday, November 17, with local goodies, home-baked cakes, Christmas jumpers, plenty of gift stalls and some quiet time from 10.30am to 11am. Plaza Market Its nearly that time, and the Christmas on the Plaza market will be running every Saturday and Sunday, from November 16 until December 22. This market not only supports local small businesses but it is a vital fundraiser for Greystones Tidy Towns. Music Bingo Music Bingo, rather than a numbers game, is about marking off the songs and the fun takes place in Greystones Rugby Club, Saturday, November 23 from 7.30pm to 11.30pm. 20 admission goes to two worthy charities Greystones Cancer Support and The Friends of St Lukes. Greystones Christmas Christmas officially begins in Greystones, with the Holyhead Santa coming to town on Saturday, November 16, with the reception party at 4.30pm, in Burnaby Park for a seasonal party for all. Historical Society Talk The Greystones Archaeological & Historical Society talk takes place on Wednesday, November 20 when the Life and Times of Frank OConnor will be discussed by historian Dr Cormac Moore. Frank OConnor was a well known literary figure. The talk will focus on a lesser known aspect of his life and his career as a librarian. The venue is Kilian House, behind Holy Rosary Church, at 7.30 pm. There will be a small charge of 3 for the venue. Bereaved Parents The Anam Cara Wicklow monthly meeting takes place on Monday, November 18, at Parkview Hotel, Newtownmountkennedy, at 7:15 pm. Anam Cara supports all bereaved parents, regardless of the age of their child or circumstances of their death. This free informal evening gives an opportunity to meet other parents. Bray Library meetings The Junior Book Club (ages 9 to 11) is now accepting new members. It meets on the second Monday of each month at 3.15pm, you can email: braylibrary@wicklowcoco.ie or ask at the library desk to book a place. Doodle Time for 9-12 year olds takes place every Thursday from 3pm to 4pm. Bray Library Knitting and Crochet will meet on Wednesdays between 3pm and 4pm, no need to book. For sleuths, Crime Club is second Tuesday of the month at 7pm. November lunch The Greystones St Patricks Church soup and sandwiches luncheon takes place on Tuesday, November 19, at the church, Church Road, from 12.30pm to 2pm. Suggested donation of 7 will go to charity. Takes place on the third Tuesday, every month. Film Club Greystones Film Club screens Sins of the Fathers, on Thursday, November 21, in Whale Theatre at 8pm. Admission 12. Film maker, Alex Fegan, takes a look inside the confession box with 15 priests spilling the beans. Car boot sale The car boot sale takes place in Ballywaltrim Community Centre on Sundays, 8am to 1pm. Kilcoole Music Festival The Kilcoole Music Festival is running from Friday, November 15 to Sunday 17, and from Friday November 22 to Sunday 24, with musicians from near and far taking part in a celebration of vocal, choral, instrumental and orchestral music, along with speech and drama. Dementia Support Wicklow Dementia Support is seeking volunteers to become a friend to someone with dementia. Also looking for volunteers for a new group in the Villa Pacis Centre, Queen of Peace, Bray, Wednesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm. Contact: info@wicklowdementiasupport.org or Kate on 0851345128. Open Door Day Centre The Open Door Day Centre operates Monday to Friday on Vevay Road, Bray. Open Door provides facilities and activities for adults with physical disabilities as a result of multiple sclerosis, stroke, motor neurone disease, spina bifida, road accidents. Call 01 286 7123, email info@opendoor.ie. Rathdown Bridge A new Bridge club has opened at Greystones Bridge Centre, Victoria Road each Tuesday, from 10am until 1pm. Established players and beginners are both most welcome and lessons are available. Details of membership from: johnstaffordfennell@gmail.com. Dargle Bridge Club Dargle Bridge Clubs new season has begun again and takes place each Wednesday, at 7.20pm. Play finishes approx. 10.30pm. Membership is 20 and 5 per night table money. Venue is the Open Door Day Centre, Vevay Road. For further details see darglebridgeclub.com, or phone Michael on 087 9480151, or Anne on 087 2399457. A new novice section has also been added to the club for any newcomers. Cancer Support Greystones and District Cancer Support provide various support services to those affected by cancer and their families in Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole, Newcastle and Newtownmountkennedy. Offers a wide range of support services, classes and therapies. Contact the office at 01 287 1601, email info@greystonescancersupport.com or visit greystonescancersupport.com. Sanctuary Runners The Bray Sanctuary Runners Walk and Talk group meets at 7pm at Queen of Peace Church car park, Putland Road, Bray, on the last Thursday of the month. If a run is more your thing by way of a winter warmer, go to The Esplanade Hotel, Saturdays at 11.30am. Garda clinic The community policing clinic is held every Monday from 6 pm to 8pm in the Kilcoole Community Centre. The clinic is there for members of the public to drop in and for crime prevention advice, to get help with forms, such as passports stamped and driving licences, as well as other Garda services that can be attended to on the spot by Gda Molly Corbett. Mens Sheds Bray Mens Shed is now full. Greystones Mens Shed meets on Mondays at 77 Rathdown Park, from 7.30 p.m. Contact Jim Rice at 089 254 0586. Bray Comhaltas Bray Comhaltas are delighted to announce that from September 25, 2024, traditional Irish music classes for children and adults will be held in Colaiste Raithin, Bray on a Wednesday night and in Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath on a Thursday night. Please go to the website to enrol: braycce.ie Purple House Purple House Cancer Support provides a range of professional support services to people of all ages. It has a wide range of classes and programmes available both in person and remotely through its Purple House at Home Service. For details, contact info@purplehouse.ie or visit purplehouse.ie. Parkinsons Support Theres a Parkinsons Support Group meeting every first and third Friday of the month at the Holy Rosary Church from 3pm to 5pm, with everyone welcome to drop in for a coffee and a chat. Theres also Musical Memories sessions, which take place every Friday at St Patricks Church from 11.30am to 12.45pm and everyone is free to join in. Delgany ICA Delgany ICA meet on Thursdays, at 8pm in St Killians Hall, Greystones. The team are always looking for new people to join, and offer drama, crafts and a book club as well as many wonderful day trips to exciting places for the members. Pop in for a tea and a chat. From art exhibitions and organ concerts to markets and a book signing with popular wellness influencer Roz Purcell, Wicklow is bustling with diverse cultural activities this week offering something for everyone from music lovers to hiking enthusiasts. PERSPECTIVES Wicklow artist Muriel Becketts designs are inspired by her surroundings, by the ever-changing colours of the Irish landscape, particularly of the Garden County, where she lives and works in her home studio and where each wall hanging is individually designed and woven by hand using natural materials. The subtle natural colours of land, sea and sky are woven together on the loom using fine wools and linens combining traditional handweaving skills with contemporary design to create unique works of art. Coming to Signal Arts Centre, her latest exhibition, titled Perspectives, sees Muriel create woven tapestries in which colour, texture and pattern are blended to evoke the shades and tones of the Wicklow landscape. Muriel graduated from the Dun Laoghaire School of Art and studied advanced textiles in Finland. She is a member of Visual Artists Ireland, Contemporary Tapestry Artists Ireland, Portfolio selection @DCCI, The Timelines Tapestry Group, The Wicklow Craft Foundation & The Signal Arts Centre. Over a long, well established career Muriel has won many awards, exhibited widely and has completed numerous commissions. The opening launch is on Sunday afternoon, November 17, at 3pm. EDWARD HARTE AT CHRIST CHURCH Organist Edward Harte. Edward Harte, the 15-year-old Bray organist who began at the age of 10 in St Patricks Cathedral, Dublin, is hosting a concert in Christ Church Bray, in aid of Unicef, Saturday November 16, at 7pm, titled Organ for Africa. I believe that the current situation in many parts of the world is very bad and that we should help them, Edward said. For this reason I have set up this page to raise as much money as possible and also I am putting on an organ concert in my home parish, Christ Church, Bray. Edward mainly plays in St. Patricks Cathedral in morning services and has been doing so since 2021. Tickets are 10 on the door, and online at idonate.ie/fundraiser/EdwardHarte ARTIST SALON Russborough House in west Wicklow will host the Wicklow Artist Salon on Saturday, November 16, where three outstanding artists will present their latest work. Curated by Joanna Kidney and Philip St John, this edition of the salon entitled An Image, A Tune, A Poem will feature renowned visual artist Helen Blake, award-winning poet Jessica Traynor and highly respected musician and composer Colm Mac Con Iomaire. PLAZA MARKET Coinciding with the lighting-up event which signals the start of Christmas in the seaside town of Greystones, the Plaza Market makes its return, with the addition of the covered section for winter and a range of stalls, goodies, trinkets, paintings and other craft work at the ready for early Christmas ideas. The market, which will open on Saturday, November 16 at 11.30am, will continue every Saturday and Sunday, until Sunday, December 22. Do keep an eye out as time marches on as other events are scheduled. If you are in town on the first Saturday, be warned, Santa is about. ONOIR AT THE ARKLOW BAY Donegal-based singing group, Onoir. Photo: onoirmusic.com The Arklow Bay Hotel will welcome Donegal folk sensation Onoir to the stage on Saturday, November 16, at 8 pm, for a show not to be missed. A modern Irish male folk group, who sing harmony-focused songs and musical arrangements, Onoir were formed in August 2020, when four individual, Donegal-based musicians; Tom McHugh, Declan Gaughan, Deane Connaghan, and Diarmaid McGee joined forces to create a contemporary version of the famous Irish folk ballad, The Auld Triangle. Onoir are currently touring their brand new theatre show across Ireland, the UK, and Europe, and were also on tour in the USA during the month of August. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.ie BOOK SIGNING AT BEYOND THE TREES Roz Purcell. Beyond the Trees Avondale will welcome former Miss Universe Ireland, blogger, avid hiker and author Roz Purcell for a signing of her book, The Hike Life, on Sunday, November 17, from 1 pm to 2 pm. One of Irelands leading voices on the value of getting outdoors, and the mental and physical benefits of a life lived in harmony with the natural world, Rozs new book highlights 50 of her favourite hikes from all round Ireland. As well as a step-by-step route for each hike, difficulty levels and useful information along the way, The Hike Life is Rozs very personal guide to these brilliant hikes, telling the reader what she loves about each one and what they mean to her, taking you from the Coumshigaun Horseshoe Loop in Co. Waterford to Knocknarea in Co. Sligo and to all her favourite hikes in Ireland. With beautiful photography and a wealth of detail, The Hike Life is the perfect getaway. Come and say hello between 1 and 2 pm and get your own personalised book signed by Roz. Copies of The Hike Life will also be available. LITERARY TALK Frank O'Connor. The next meeting of the Greystones Archaeological & Historical Society will be on Wednesday, November 20, at 7.30pm in the Kilian Family Centre beside Holy Rosary Church and is a fascinating talk on The Life And Times of Frank OConnor. The talk will be given by historian Dr Cormac Moore. Frank OConnor was a well-known literary figure, writing poetry, dramatic works, memoirs, journalistic columns and features on aspects of Irish culture and history. He is most widely known for his more than 150 short stories and for his memoirs. The Frank OConnor International Short Story Award was named in his honour. The talk will focus on a lesser known aspect of his life. Admission is 3. WARM tributes have been paid to former Fine Gael MEP and past President of the Irish Farmers Association Alan Gillis of Grangecon, who passed away on Friday. There was a huge turnout for his funeral service held on Monday in St Marys Church, Baltinglass, followed by his interment in St Johns Churchyard, Stratford-on-Slaney. Mr Gillis was President of the Irish Farmers Association from 1990 to 1994, and was elected to the European Parliament at the 1994 European election for the Leinster constituency. He was a member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in the European Parliament. Mr Gillis is sadly missed by his children Nigel, Hazel, Barry and Anna. His wife, Irene, passed away in 2020, while he is also predeceased by his son Stephen, who passed in 2018. An Tanaiste and Leader of Fine Gael, Leo Varadkar was among the first to offer their condolences to the Gillis family. He said: It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Alan Gillis, he was a real gentleman and liked by all who met him. A dedicated public representative, Gillis was elected as an MEP for Fine Gael in the Leinster Constituency in 1994. While there, he served on the European Parliaments Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, putting Irish rural communities at the heart of Europe. A former President of the Irish Farmers Association, Gillis was a passionate determined and considerate representative both at home and abroad. My condolences go to his children, Nigel, Hazel, Barry and Anna, and his extended family. Senator Victor Boyhan said Mr Gillis was an engineer by profession, and always maintained he was a Farmer by choice. In the early 1960s, Mr Gillis bought a farm in Kill, County Kildare, and soon decided he wanted to pursue farming full-time but required more land to fulfil that ambition. He set his sights on magnificent 375-acre farm in Grange on and agreed a deal to purchase the farm at Ballyhoos, close to Senator Boyhans own grandfathers farm in Grangecon. Alan Gillis will be missed by his many friends and his huge network of colleagues, he was a farmer, Churchman and politician. He advocated strongly for farm families, was faithful to and proud of his Church of Ireland roots and loved a good political argument, said Senator Boyhan. Alan maintained a strong interest in agriculture from European Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) to Dail and Seanad debates on Agriculture, church matters and politics. When I was first elected to Seanad Eireann one of the first letters I received in Leinster House was from Alan congratulating me on my election to the Agricultural Panel with the opening line, I wont give you advice on agriculture but went on to outline on 12 pages his ideas for progressive framing and the need for improved agricultural training. I remember the key line - better framing practices, better animal husbandry and better cultivation, will yield better results for us all. That was Alans message. The farming community especially in County Wicklow will miss him. He was a true gentleman. Sean Kelly MEP and Leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament expressed his deepest sympathies to the Gillis family. "It is a great sadness for the Fine Gael family to learn of the passing of Alan Gillis, who served Ireland so well as an MEP and covered the very important policy area of Agriculture and Rural Development. I always regarded him as one of the best ever Presidents of the IFA. On behalf of the Fine Gael delegation in the European Parliament, I send condolences to Alan's family and friends. "It is rather poignant that Alan Gillis has passed away just ahead of Europe Day on May 9, on which the EU celebrates its unity and integration for greater cooperation and peace. We will always remember Alan Gillis and his valuable contribution to public life as a committed European," said Mr Kelly. Former Fine Gael TD, Billy Timmins said: Alan was a decent and honourable individual who worked harder than any MEP I have ever known. He carried out tireless work, particularly behind the scenes in Brussels, for all aspects of Irish society. Councillors also paid their own tributes to Mr Gillis at Mondays monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council. Cllr Vincent Blake commented: Alan was a Kildare man but he was adopted here in Wicklow quite a number of years ago. He was President of the Irish Farmers Association for four years and was also elected as an MEP, where he was a very dedicated member of the European Parliament. He served the rural community very well and was an absolute gentleman to anyone who know him. He was very much a family man and sadly lost his wife and a son in recent years. My deepest sympathy to the family. He was a great man and a great friend. Cllr Irene Winters said Mr Gillis had helped inspire her to get involved in politics. I have known him for 30 years and he was always a very kind and generous man. He is one of the main reasons I got involved in Fine Gael in Wicklow. Cllr Avril Cronin commented: He was man of great pride and great passion. The crowds at his funeral showed the great respect he was held in and the impact he had on the lives of people from all over the country. Cllr Patsy Glennon said: I extend my sympathies to the Gillis family. Alan was a very prominent person in west Wicklow, due to his involvement in politics and the IFA. A young child carries flowers to place as a tribute near the crime scene at Bondi Junction, Sydney, where the stabbings took place. Photo: Rick Rycroft The Sydney Bondi Junction mall knife attacker fatally stabbed six people and injured 10 others in just three minutes, an inquest into the April carnage was told. The New South Wales state coroner on Tuesday heard that Joel Cauchi, 40, accused of attacking the shoppers with a large hunting knife, suffered from schizophrenia and had been off his "psychotropic medication". Justin Welbys position branded untenable over failures to report barristers abuse A senior bishop in the Church of England has called for the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign following a damning report into a barrister thought to have been the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the church. A Russian Navy frigate equipped with new generation hypersonic cruise missiles has conducted drills in the English Channel and is carrying out tasks in the Atlantic Ocean, Russian news agencies reported on Tuesday. Ukraine said yesterday its hard-pressed military was battling 50,000 troops in Russias Kursk region to its north, while also scrambling to reinforce two besieged fronts in the east and bracing to meet an infantry assault in the south. A male emperor penguin, since named Gus, stands on a beach near Denmark, Australia, thousands of kilometres from its normal habitat on Antarctica. (DBCA via AP) A malnourished emperor penguin found far from its Antarctic home on the Australian south coast is being cared for by a wildlife expert. The adult male was found on November 1 on a popular tourist beach in the town of Denmark in temperate south-west Australia about 2,200 miles north of the icy waters off the Antarctic coast, according to the Western Australia states Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Tom Homan, US president-elect Donald Trumps incoming border czar, said yesterday he would prioritise deporting immigrants in the United States illegally who pose threats to public safety and national security, as well as employers who hire immigrants without legal status. Trump, who takes office in January, said in a social media post overnight that the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from his first administration would be in charge of the countrys borders in his new administration starting, January 20. Joe Biden to urge president-elect to continue supporting Ukraine when the two meet tomorrow The Kremlin dismissed yesterday reports that US president-elect Donald Trump had spoken to Russian president Vladimir Putin in recent days as pure fiction. A source told Reuters on Sunday that Trump, who has criticised the scale of US military and financial support for Kyiv and said he will end the war quickly, had spoken to Putin in recent days. How new Canadian prime minister and Mayo man Mark Carney was in our corner during dark days after bust Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in US prison Teixeira pleaded guilty to six counts of wilful retention and transmission of classified informationDefence team argued for 11-year term, citing Teixeira's autism and intent to educate friendsTeixeira faces separate military charges for obstructing justice and failing to obey orders Jack Teixeira. Photo: Reuters. Nate Raymond Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 22:26 Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was sentenced on Tuesday to 15 years in prison for leaking online highly classified military documents, including records related to Russia's war in Ukraine. Indias RBI Introduces Framework for Converting FPI to FDI in Indian Companies The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has streamlined the process for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) to reclassify their holdings as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) if their stake in an Indian company exceeds 10 percent. Previously, FPIs exceeding this cap were required to either divest the surplus shares or reclassify them as FDI. Indias Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a streamlined framework allowing Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) to convert their holdings into Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) if they surpass the 10 percent equity limit in an Indian company. The RBI notification on November 11, 2024, provides a clear pathway for FPIs who unintentionally exceed the threshold, enabling them to maintain investments under FDI guidelines. The new RBI framework allows FPIs to hold investments beyond a certain limit in Indian companies by converting any excess as FDI. For instance, an FPI holding a 22 percent stake can classify the surplus 12 percent as FDI, provided it has the necessary approvals from the government and the investee company. According to several investment experts, this change could benefit Indian companies by making it easier to attract additional foreign investment. Key highlights of the new framework FPI ownership limit Current cap: FPIs in India are restricted to holding a maximum of 10 percent of a companys paid-up equity. Exceeding the cap: If this cap is surpassed, FPIs previously had to either sell off the excess shares or reclassify them as FDI. New requirement: Under the new RBI guidelines, reclassification to FDI must occur within 5 trading days of breaching the limit , with approval from the Indian government and the relevant company. Reclassification remains restricted in sectors where FDI is limited . List of prohibited sectors for FDI as specified by the central government: *Lottery Business including government/ private lottery, online lotteries etc. Chit funds Trading in transferable development rights (TDR) Manufacturing cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes (tobacco or tobacco substitutes) Gambling and betting, including casinos* Nidhi company **Real estate business or construction of farmhouses Sectors not open to private sector investments atomic energy, railway operations (other than permitted activities mentioned under the consolidated FDI Policy) *Foreign technology collaboration in any form, including licensing for franchise, trademark, brand name, and management contract is also prohibited for lottery business and gambling and betting activities. **Real estate business shall not include the development of town shops, construction of residential/commercial premises, roads or bridges, and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) registered and regulated under the SEBI (REITs) Regulations, 2014. Compliance and reclassification requirements Steps for reclassification: 1. Compliance reporting: FPIs must adhere to the Foreign Exchange Management (Mode of Payment and Reporting of Non-Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2019. After completing the required reporting, FPIs must instruct their custodians to transfer shares from the FPI demat account to a designated FDI demat account. 2. Intent and custodian notification: If an FPI intends to reclassify its holdings, the custodian must report this to SEBI and halt further equity purchases by the FPI until reclassification is finalized. Immediate enforcement and scope This framework is effective immediately, empowering the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to protect investor interests, maintain compliance, and uphold the integrity of the securities market. Issued to: Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) Designated Depository Participants (DDPs) and Custodians Depositories Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations SEBIs parallel guidelines The RBIs framework aligns with recent SEBI updates, effective May 30, 2024, which also outline procedures for reclassifying FPI holdings that exceed the 10 percent threshold. SEBI requirements for reclassification: Notification by custodian: When an FPI crosses the 10 percent threshold, the custodian must notify SEBI and suspend additional equity transactions in the company until reclassification is complete. When an FPI crosses the 10 percent threshold, the custodian must notify SEBI and suspend additional equity transactions in the company until reclassification is complete. Transfer of holdings: The custodian will assist in moving the securities to an FDI-designated account after all necessary compliance and reporting requirements are met. Difference between FDI and FPI FDI refers to a long-term investment where a foreign investor acquires an ownership stake in an Indian company, project, or central government initiative. This category of investment requires direct government approvals and bypasses stock market transactions. FPI, in contrast, involves short-term investments in a countrys financial assets, such as stocks and bonds. FPI flows through stock markets or initial public offerings (IPOs) and can be traded at any time for profit. Mumbai/IBNS: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is gearing up to make its largest investment outside of Gujarat, committing Rs 65,000 crore to construct 500 compressed biogas plants in Andhra Pradesh over the next five years, as reported by The Economic Times. This initiative forms part of RILs broader clean energy strategy. Each biogas plant, requiring Rs 130 crore, will be established on unused lands across the state, creating direct and indirect employment for approximately 250,000 people, as projected by the Andhra Pradesh government. The plan was agreed upon following discussions in Mumbai between Anant Ambani, who heads RILs clean energy initiative, and Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh, who also chairs the states cabinet committee on job creation. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is set to be signed on Tuesday in Vijayawada, with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu attending, according to the report. To encourage investment in biofuels, the Andhra Pradesh government has introduced an integrated clean energy policy that offers incentives such as a 20 percent capital subsidy on biogas plant investments over five years, along with full reimbursement of state goods and services tax (SGST) and electricity duty during this period. Minister Lokesh confirmed the investment, stating, Job creation is a top priority for us, and our new clean energy policy includes extensive incentives to attract investors like Reliance. Lokesh revealed that discussions with RIL began after he learned of the companys interest in expanding its biogas operations, and an action plan was promptly devised to secure the investment. From the initial outreach to the MoU signing, we completed this process within 30 days, Lokesh said. This showcases our efficiency in business facilitation. Im thrilled to see the MoU finalized, and were committed to fully supporting this Rs 65,000 crore investment from RIL, he added. Lokesh highlighted the transformative potential of the project, especially in terms of employment. Creating 250,000 jobs will be a game-changer for the youth in Andhra Pradesh, he noted. Apart from job creation, RILs initiative aims to revitalize wastelands and benefit farmers by training them in energy crop cultivation, with an estimated income boost of Rs 30,000 per acre annually, ET reported, citing government sources. The project also promises long-term economic benefits for Andhra Pradesh. Initial estimates suggest that the 500 plants could generate Rs 57,650 crore over 25 years through SGST, electricity duty, and employment-related taxes. Telecom Min Jyotiraditya Scindia said Elon Musk's Starlink is working to comply with govt-mandated security requirements. File photo by Ministry of Civil Aviation via Wikimedia Commons New Delhi/IBNS: Elon Musk's Starlink is making progress with its license application in India, with Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirming on Tuesday (Nov. 12) that the Elon Musk-led company is working to fulfill government-mandated security requirements. These compliance steps are crucial for Starlink to gain approval, as Scindia emphasized the need to address security concerns fully. Once they check all the boxes, theyll get the license," he noted. On satellite spectrum pricing, Scindia deferred to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for future clarification. Recent meetings with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have seen Starlink agreeing "in principle" to adhere to regulatory guidelines, an essential move towards securing a satellite broadband, or GMPCS, license. The companys application with IN-SPACe has also progressed, with further details requested for final review. Currently, Starlink operates a satellite network providing low-cost internet to remote areas and has long-term plans to expand its constellation to 42,000 satellites from its current count of around 6,500. In India, similar satellite licenses have been granted to Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Platforms' Orbit Connect India, in partnership with SES. Minister Scindia also addressed other telecom matters, including a pending decision on waiving bank guarantees for telecom operators, particularly cash-strapped Vodafone Idea. Any relief will be sector-wide, Scindia clarified, noting that only BSNL has received specific support. India's telecom industry has seen substantial growth in recent years, with four major players active in the market. Scindia remarked that the range of options available to consumers is broader in India than in most countries, ensuring competition and choice. The DoT recently shared a draft Cabinet note, backed by the law and finance ministries, on waiving bank guarantees for spectrum bought up to 2022. If approved, this measure could ease the financial burden on companies like Vodafone Idea, which faces a requirement of Rs 27,000 crore in bank guarantees in the coming months. In August, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) urged Telecom Secretary Neeraj Miital to remove these bank guarantee requirements, citing potential improvements to cash flow and network investment. Minister Scindia also commented on the financial situation of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), which owes significant repayments on local-currency bonds guaranteed by the government. With outstanding debt of Rs 42,680 crore, MTNL is expected to negotiate loan settlements with banks before its operations transfer to BSNL. However, the government has indicated it will not fully intervene in MTNL's recovery but will continue to cover interest payments on sovereign-guaranteed bonds. Further support, monetization, or mergers appear unlikely for the heavily indebted MTNL. Support Our Journalism We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news. Support objective journalism for a small contribution. Sanjoy Roy is the only one named in the CBI chargesheet in RG Kar case | Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab/IBNS source Kolkata/IBNS: Civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy, who was arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has claimed he was being framed by former city Commissioner of Police Vineet Goyal, media reports said. Sanjoy claimed this shouting from a prison van after the court hearing on the case. The accused claimed, "I have been framed by (former) Commissioner of Police Vineet Goyal, who conspired the entire thing. They had threatened me. There were big officers in it." Goyal was the CP when the RG Kar rape-murder incident occurred on the intervening night of August 8 and 9. The Kolkata Police and state administration were accused of the alleged cover-up of the incident. After massive protests including ceasework by the junior doctors, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee replaced Goyal with Manoj Kumar Verma as the Kolkata CP. Days ago, Sanjoy had claimed innocence as charges were framed against him in a case that sent shockwaves across the country triggering public fury and massive protests in West Bengal. "I did not commit any crime. I have been framed in this rape-murder case. No one is willing to listen to my side of the story. The government is framing me and threatening me to shut my mouth. I am being framed to protect the real culprits," he had said. As per the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet, Sanjay Roy is the only man who has been accused of the rape and murder of the PGT doctor at the RG Kar facility on August 9. He has been under the BNS sections 103(2), 64, 66. The trial in the case will begin on November 11. The framing of charges came 87 days after the incident. The evidence depends on digital and material proof that establishes him at the scene of the crime on that fateful day. The probe agency has shown Roy entered the trauma centre of RG Kar at 3:34 am on August 9. The CBI was handed over the case after the Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction and pointed out several lapses in the investigation by the Kolkata Police. BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum. Noting that at present, the Global South is growing with a strong momentum and playing an increasingly important role in the cause of human progress, Xi said China has always been a member of the Global South and will always belong to the developing world. China is willing to work alongside Global South countries to practice true multilateralism, advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, in a joint effort to build a community with a shared future for mankind, he said. Xi emphasized that in the face of global changes of the century, pursuing modernization and working for a more just and equitable international order are the sacred historic missions of Global South countries and the common issues of the times for Global South media and think tanks. Xi expressed hope that the forum's participants will engage in in-depth discussions, build consensus, and jointly amplify the "voice of the Global South" while showcasing the "commitment of the Global South." He also urged them to contribute wisdom toward empowering the Global South to become a stabilizing force for peace, a backbone of openness and development, a constructive force in global governance, and a driving force for mutual learning among civilizations. The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum kicked off on Monday in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The forum, co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the Brazil Communication Company, was held under the theme of "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South." Also on Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also sent a congratulatory message to the forum. Navinchandra Ramgoolam (L) and Narendra Modi (R) | Photo courtesy: Wikimedia/Narendra Modi Facebook page New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Navinchandra Ramgoolam for his win in the Mauritius General Elections. Modi wished him success in his new tenure and reiterated Indias commitment to support the prosperity and well being of the friendly people of Mauritius. Prime Minister Modi recalled the immense contributions made by Ramgoolam and as well as by Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the Father of Nation, over the years in strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Mauritius. He posted on X, "Had a warm conversation with my friend @Ramgoolam_Dr, congratulating him on his historic electoral victory. I wished him great success in leading Mauritius and extended an invitation to visit India. Look forward to working closely together to strengthen our special and unique partnership." Had a warm conversation with my friend @Ramgoolam_Dr, congratulating him on his historic electoral victory. I wished him great success in leading Mauritius and extended an invitation to visit India. Look forward to working closely together to strengthen our special and unique Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2024 Prime Minister-elect Ramgoolam accepted Prime Minister Modi's invitation for an early visit to India. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work closely together to further deepen and advance the special and unique partnership. Both leaders have agreed to remain in touch. Narendra Modi wishes Navin Ramgoolam over Mauritius poll victory. Photo Courtesy: PIB Indian PM Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Dr Navin Ramgoolam for winning the polls in Mauritius. Modi said he is looking to strengthen the unique relationship shared between India and Mauritius. "Had a warm conversation with my friend @Ramgoolam_Dr, congratulating him on his historic electoral victory. I wished him great success in leading Mauritius and extended an invitation to visit India," Modi posted on X. "Look forward to working closely together to strengthen our special and unique partnership," he said. Had a warm conversation with my friend @Ramgoolam_Dr, congratulating him on his historic electoral victory. I wished him great success in leading Mauritius and extended an invitation to visit India. Look forward to working closely together to strengthen our special and unique Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2024 Apart from wishing him on X, Modi also spoke with Navinchandra Ramgoolam and invited him to visit India. During the conversation, Prime Minister Modi recalled the immense contributions made by Ramgoolam and as well as by Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the Father of Nation, over the years in strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Mauritius. "Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work closely together to further deepen and advance the special and unique partnership," read the statement issued by the Indian government. Labour Party leader Dr Navin Ramgoolam-led coalition came to power by registering a landslide victory in the polls. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth-led coalition failed to take back any of the 62 seats that were up for grabs. Jagnauth has conceded defeat. Ramgoolam served as the PM of the country from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2005 to 2014. Russian Deputy PM Denis Manturov meets Indian PM Narendra Modi. Photo Courtesy: Narendra Modi X page Russian Deputy PM Denis Manturov met Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi when they exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in various areas. "PM Modi welcomed the sustained and joint efforts being made by the teams in both sides for the implementation of the decisions taken during his recent visits and meetings with President Putin to further strengthen India- Russia Special and Priviledged Strategic Partnership," read a statement issued by the Indian government. PM extended his warm greetings to President Putin and said that he looked forward to continued exchanges with him. After meeting the Russian top leader, Modi wrote on X: "Glad to meet Russias First Deputy PM Denis Manturov today. Happy to see that teams on both sides are working together to implement decisions taken during my recent visits and meetings with President Putin to further strengthen India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership." Glad to meet Russias First Deputy PM Denis Manturov today. Happy to see that teams on both sides are working together to implement decisions taken during my recent visits and meetings with President Putin to further strengthen India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic pic.twitter.com/CvMlc22iAx Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2024 On Tuesday, Denis Manturov and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will jointly hold the 25th Session of the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation in New Delhi. Yogi Adityanath slams Mallikarjun Kharge for appeasing minorities. Photo courtesy: M Kharge Facebook & Adityanath X Mumbai/IBNS: The war of words between Yogi Adityanath and Mallikarjun Kharge, on allegations of spreading communal hatred vs appeasement politics, reached a peak on Tuesday with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister claiming that the Congress supremo forgot his family's sacrifice for the sake of votes. Addressing a rally in Amravati, Adityanath said: "These days Mallikarjun Khargeji is very getting angry with me... Khargeji, don't get angry at me. I respect your age. If you want to get angry... show your anger to the Hyderabad Nizam. The Nizam's 'razakars' burnt your village, brutally killed Hindus, and burnt your respected mother, sister, and family members. Present this truth before the country - whenever they will be divided, they will be divided in the same brutal manner..." #WATCH | Maharashtra: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "These days Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge is unnecessarily getting angry at me, he is furious. Kharge ji, don't get angry at me, I respect your age. If you want to get angry, get angry at Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/ERMllgi1Cg ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2024 He said Kharge is betraying the country for the sake of vote bank politics and not telling the citizens the whole truth. The rebuke came in response to Kharge's indirect attack on the UP CM claiming that many politicians live in the disguise of sadhus and wear 'gerua' (saffron) clothes. At the 'Samvidhan Bachao Sammelan', Kharge said: "Many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become seasoned politicians. Some have even become chief ministers. They wear 'gerua' clothes and have no hair on their heads...I would say to the BJP, either wear white clothes or if you are a sanyasi or wear 'gerua' clothes and get out of politics." "On the one hand, you wear 'gerua' clothes and on the other hand, you say 'batenge toh katengey'...They are spreading hatred among the people and trying to divide them," he said. #WATCH | Mumbai: At the 'Samvidhan Bachao Sammelan', Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "Many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians. Some have even become chief ministers. They wear 'gerua' clothes and have no hair on their pic.twitter.com/wLnFkNNNz7 ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2024 Kharge's jibes were in reference to comments by Yogi Adityanath in August. Speaking in Agra, he cited the example of the then problem in Bangladesh and said, "You see Bangladesh... those mistakes should not be repeated here. 'Batenge to katenge, ek rahenge to nek rahenge'." This time in a build up to the Maharashtra assembly election, Adityanath raked up Kharge's childhood tragedy and recalled how Hyderabad Nizam's Razakars burned down his village in 1948, killing his mother and sister. Maharashtra will vote for a new assembly on November 20 and the counting will take place on November 23. In a nation that prides itself on diversity and inclusivity, recent events in Surrey, BC, demand a closer look at where multiculturalism intersects with public safety. The sight of Sikh police officers participating in swordplay at a religious gathering would ordinarily be an encouraging example of cultural integration, a celebration of heritage within the broader Canadian heritage. However, when Khalistani flags fly in the background, the narrative shifts alarmingly. It raises urgent questions about whether these officers, sworn to uphold the law impartially, can do so while appearing to support a separatist movement with a dark and violent history. Lets be clear: the presence of Khalistani flags in any context is not a benign cultural symbol. It represents a political ideology linked to extremism, one that has been responsible for significant acts of terror, including the worst in Canadian historythe Air India Flight 181 bombing, which claimed 329 innocent lives. The painful memory of that atrocity still lingers, a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of allowing extremism to fester unchecked. This is not about questioning the loyalty of Sikh Canadians or their right to practice their religion. Sikh officers, like all others, have every right to attend religious ceremonies and engage in cultural practices. But public confidence in law enforcement depends on the perceptionand realityof neutrality. When officers are seen under the banners of a movement tied to extremism, it corrodes trust and raises valid concerns about their ability to act as impartial enforcers of the law. Would we tolerate officers openly participating in events where symbols of white supremacy or other hate-driven ideologies are displayed? The answer is a resounding no. The same standard must apply here. Canada cannot afford to downplay or dismiss the threat posed by Khalistani extremism simply because it operates under the guise of a cultural or religious cause. Moreover, the recent escalation in threats against Hindu temples in Surrey should not be ignored. The community has the right to question whether law enforcement is equippedor even willingto protect them from this rising tide of hostility. Public safety is not an abstract concept; its a lived reality that demands unwavering commitment from those who serve and protect. Its time for Canada to confront this uncomfortable reality. Multiculturalism is a strength, but it must never become a shield for extremism. We need clear guidelines to ensure that police officers, while embracing their cultural identities, do not compromise the principles of justice and fairness that underpin their duties. Political symbols tied to violence have no place in law enforcement settings, period. The stakes are too high for complacency. We owe it to the victims of past atrocities, and to all Canadians, to demand better from those entrusted with our safety. Trust in our institutions is not a given; it must be earned and maintained. And when that trust is shaken, it is the duty of leaders at all levels to restore itswiftly and decisively. (Image and text courtesy: Khalsavox.com) Megan Fox is announcing the birth of her first child with Machine Gun Kelly. Photo Courtesy: Megan Fox Instagram page American actor Megan Fox has announced she is expecting to welcome her first child with partner Machine Gun Kelly. The actress made the announcement by sharing a post on Instagram. This was welcoming news for the actress who had reportedly suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage earlier. Fox shared an image of her baby bump on Instagram. "Nothing is ever really lost. Welcome back," she wrote on Instagram. Along with an image of herself, the actress also shared a picture of the positive pregnancy test she underwent recently. This is going to be Fox's fourth child. She is already mother to sons Noah, 12, Bodhi, 10, and Journey, 8, with ex-husband Brian Austin Green. Her partner is going to be a father for the second time. A video of a pleasant meeting between an Indian woman and Japan's renowned Nara deer has gone viral. Divya, an Indian digital content creator, shared a compelling film featuring one of her travel diaries from Japan. In the video, she walks up to a Nara deer in a park. She greets the deer with a traditional Japanese bow, and the animal mimics the gesture. In the video, the deer consistently reciprocates the bow gesture. Divya is also seen tenderly caressing and feeding the animals. Watch the video here. Where can you find these polite Deers? Credit: Pexels | The deers at the Nara Park Nara Park, like Naramachi and Nishinokyo, is a must-see destination in Nara City. The large region of 660 hectares is known for its free-roaming deer and world-famous temples. Feeding the deer is an attraction in and of itself, and special crackers are on sale throughout the park. Traditional teahouses and shops offering snacks and souvenirs are available for human consumption. How to reach Nara Park? As an Indian, you can book flights from major Indian cities (like Delhi or Mumbai) to Osaka (KIX). Alternatively, you can fly to Tokyo and take a domestic flight or bullet train to Osaka. To get to Nara Park from Kansai International Airport (KIX) you can either take a train directly to Nara Station. The journey takes about 1-1.5 hours. Alternatively, from Osaka or Kyoto, you can take the JR Yamatoji Line the Kintetsu Nara Line from Osaka, or the JR Nara Line from Kyoto. Both routes are about 35-50 minutes by train. What to do at the Nara Park? Credit: Pexels | The great hall of Budha When you reach Nara Park, you can feed the famous deers, and visit Todai-ji Temple (home to the Great Buddha), Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofuku-ji Temple. The park itself is open 24/7, but temples and other attractions have specific hours, usually 9 AM - 5 PM. Enjoy the cultural and natural beauty of Nara Park and interact with its friendly deer! Also read: Japan's local train's interiors featuring garden & home-like aesthetics goes viral, internet is shocked For more on such stories on celeb lifestyle and fashion from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Amaran OTT Release Update: Sivakarthikeyan is currently ruling in the theatres with his recently released biographical drama. Also starring Sai Pallavi in the lead, this Rajkumar Periasamy directorial was released on October 31 and has so far grossed over Rs 255 crores worldwide. While Amaran was supposed to have its OTT premiere in November, the latest scoop predicts a delay. When will Amaran be released on OTT? As per an OTT Play report, Amaran will see a weeks delay considering its promising ongoing theatrical run and will likely arrive on Netflix on December 11, 2024. However, an official confirmation about both Amarans platform and OTT release is awaited. Netflix is expected to make an announcement right around the time this Tamil actioner will start to leave theatres across India and abroad. Amarans plot A classic adaptation of Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singhs book series India's Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Millitary, Amaran is a retelling of Major Mukund Varadarajans glorious life and achievements. On April 25th, 2014, this Ashok Chakra awardee was martyred in the Qazipathri Operation of Shopian and the movie pays homage to the legends sacrifices for his country. Also starring Sai Pallavi as the female lead, Amaran is much more than a war story. Rajkumar Periasamy in a promotional video stated, This is primarily a love story. A love between a wife and a husband. A love between a brave man and his passion. It is about the greater selfless love, and Amaran started with Indu. Produced by Kamal Haasan, Vakil Khan, Mrunalini Havaldar, and R. Mahendran under the banners Raaj Kamal Films International and Sony Pictures Films India, Amaran is currently streaming in theatres near you. Go, watch and review @indiatimes. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. "Gangadhar hi Shaktimaan hai"! After three long decades, Mukesh Khanna who essayed the role of India's first superhero Shaktimaan is all set to don the superhero costume once again at the age of 66. For 90s kids who grew up watching him on Doordarshan TV are suprisingly not happy. They are trolling the actor quite savagely. Watch the teaser below. Mukesh Khanna to return as Shaktimaan The actor who also essayed the role of Bhishma in BR Chopra's epic Mahabharat made the announcement while wearing the iconic superhero suit. "I am even happier than the others about becoming Shaktimaan again. I am carrying out my duty that I started in 1997 and which went on till 2005. I think that my work should reach the public in 2027 because today's generation is running blindly. They have to be stopped and told to catch their breath," he was quoted as saying by ANI. #WATCH | Mumbai: Actor Mukesh Khanna, who is all set to reprise his iconic character of 'Shaktimaan', speaks about the role. "This is a costume within me...I think personally too, in my mind, this costume has come from within me...I did well in Shatimaan because it came from pic.twitter.com/1NdTRup83h ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2024 Meanwhile, Mukesh Khanna had previosuly slammed Ranveer Singh quite harshly after it was speculated that the Bollywood actor will play the role of Shaktimaan in a Rs 300 crore movie. Slamming Ranveer for his infamous nude photoshoot, he said, "No matter how big a star a person with such an image may be, they cannot play Shaktimaan. I have put my foot down. Now let's see what happens next." Shaktimaan actor Mukesh Khanna has expressed his disagreement & anger against casting of Ranveer Singh in this iconic role for the upcoming remake. pic.twitter.com/DBaAh0z3Mj Ray (@kapoorempire) March 16, 2024 Fans are upset about his return for two reasons As soon as he made the announcement, people started trolling him brutally on the internet. They were not happy or excited about this peiece of news for two reasons. Firstly, they didn't want him to ruin the iconic series as remakes have never worked in the past. Don't ruin Shaktiman pls, don't do it Veena Jain (@DrJain21) November 11, 2024 Secondly, his recent comments drew ire from people who said that they have lost respect for him. While one of the fans called him "Shaktimaan as a character was good. But, Mukesh Khanna as a human is disgusting," another one added, "He has become a clown. Someone please give him a Rajya Sabha and save my childhood nostalgia. What a fall!" A communal pig doesn't deserve this costume. He's no more superhero T O K Y O (@tokyyo_says) November 11, 2024 Are you happy with Mukesh Khanna's return as Shaktimaan? For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Riteish Deshmukh has found himself at the centre of the storm after his recent political speech to support his brother Dhiraj Deshmukh, a Congress candidate, ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections of 2024. While some lauded him for indirectly slamming BJP for its politics over religion, many others slammed his speech telling him to stick to acting. Riteish Deshmukh under fire after his political speech Those who beg for votes saying your religion is in danger. Actually, their party is in danger. Ritesh Deshmukh pic.twitter.com/LvovXBlGvM Mohit Chauhan (@newt0nlaws) November 10, 2024 Some users have been sharing clips from his sex comedy movies after he spoke about women safety in his speech at Latur. "We can take care of your religion. They should answer what they have done for unemployment, farmers and women's safety," he had said. Aisi movies banane wala women safety ki baat kar rha https://t.co/ndX5bim0TW pic.twitter.com/DpMD77SRdt Abhishek (@be_mewadi) November 11, 2024 Some others are slamming him mentioning religion. The actor had said, "Those who beg for votes saying your religion is in danger Actually their party is in danger. Tell them we will take care of our religion." Saying this when there is literally a genocide of Hindus going on in Pakistan and Bangladesh is insane. May Ritesh suffer the same fate as the Bangladeshi/Kashmiri/Pakistani Hindus. https://t.co/tM4w4bvvin Aryavarta (@Aryavarta99) November 11, 2024 Others pointed out that when his father Vilasrao Deshmukh was the Chief Ministe of Maharashtra, there were bigger problems that Mahashtra dealt with then including the 26/11 terrorist attacks and Adarsh Housing Society scandal, a 31-story building constructed on prime real estate in Colaba, Bombay, that allegedly violated Indian environment ministry rules. His father was CM of Maharashtra when 26/11 Attacks & Adarsh Scam happened pic.twitter.com/VWf56iFykJ Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) November 11, 2024 One of the users even pointed out how Riteish Deshmukh was on "cinematic tour" at Taj Hotel two days after 26/11 terrorist attacks. For the unversed, Riteish and filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma had accompnied Vilasrao Deshmukh during the visit drawing anger of the people of the nation. It was said that RGV was working on a film based on the real life events and thus was on a recee for the Bollywood preoject. The act was labelled insensitive. At that time, Deshmukh had said that Varma's presence was just a "coincidence" and urged people to ignore the issue. Later, it led to Deshmukh's resignation. Look who is giving gyan - The same Riteish Deshmukh went to Taj Mumbai Post 26/11 attacks for Bollywood film recce along with director Ram Gopal Varma. Do you know his father Late Mr Vilas Rao Deshmukh had to quit his CM-ship due to the backlash later? https://t.co/oBtZOyK005 pic.twitter.com/5aAfd13Jbl PoliticsSolitics (@IamPolSol) November 11, 2024 Coordinated by the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, 26/11 Mumbai attacks were well-coordinated terror attacks that took place on Nov 26, 2008. Ten gunmen carried out attacks at high-profile locations including Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Nariman House and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station. After 59-hour battle that costed many hundreds of lives, these places were freed from terrorists. Meanwhile, Riteish younger brother Dhiraj and elder brother Amit Deshmukh are contesting elections from Latur (Rural) and Latur (City) constituencies in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections and the Bollywood actor is supporting them in their campaigns. Also Read: 'He gave belt treatment to BJP': Riteish Deshmukh's speech to support his brother causes stir For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Logan Paul, a YouTuber, arrived in India earlier this week, alongside MrBeast. The two internet personalities are in the country to debut their brands, Feastable and Prime. MrBeast (actual name Jimmy Donaldson) launched Feastables, a snack brand, and Paul pushed Prime, a range of beverages. Logan Paul is just as well-known as MrBeast, the world's most-followed individual YouTuber. However, the American YouTuber is no stranger to controversy; in 2018, he faced widespread criticism after posting a video showing the body of an apparent suicide victim in Japan. Paul was captured chuckling in the video, which was eventually removed from YouTube following a massive public outrage. Who is Logan Paul? Logan Alexander Paul is a popular American social media influencer, YouTuber, professional wrestler, entrepreneur, and actor. Logan Paul was born in Ohio on April 1, 1995. His younger brother, Jake Paul, is also a social media sensation. Paul has over 23.6 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel. He was named one of Forbes' highest-paid YouTube creators in 2017, 2018, and 2021. Paul rose to prominence in 2013 when he began publishing doodles on the now-defunct video-sharing platform Vine. When did Paul film a dead body? Logan Paul's most notable encounter with public outrage occurred in December 2017, when he captured and released a video of a deceased person in Aokigahara Forest, widely known as the "Suicide Forest" near Mount Fuji in Japan. In the video, Paul and his pals discovered a body hanging in the jungle and made fun of the situation. The gang was observed laughing and joking as they gathered around the deceased body. The incident sparked extensive criticism from viewers, who described it as profoundly rude and disrespectful. The media and mental health advocates joined the public in denouncing Paul's actions. Later in a video he issued an apology. Also read: Why are American YouTubers MrBeast and Logan Paul visiting India? Here's what we know What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. While the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) claiming the top spot in India at rank 44 in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025 is a significant achievement for India, it's not all positive news. Several prominent institutions, including IIT Bombay and IISc, have seen a drop in their rankings. The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) has secured the top position in India in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025, rising to 44th place globally, up from 46th last year. This leap was largely driven by significant improvements across various indicators, particularly the number of PhD-qualified staff, where IIT-D saw a remarkable 58-place jump. However, its not all positive news for Indian institutions. IIT Bombay, which held the top spot last year for India, now ranks second in India, slipping from 40th to 48th regionally. Other top universities, including IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IISc, and IIT Kanpur, have all faced declines in their rankings. IIT Bombay dropped by eight spots, IIT Madras saw a slight dip from 53rd to 56th, while IISc and IIT Kanpur both fell by four ranks, now standing at 62nd and 67th, respectively. IIT Kharagpur experienced a minor decline, dropping from 59th to 60th. The QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025 evaluates universities based on factors such as academic reputation, employer reputation, research output, student-to-faculty ratio, international diversity, citations per faculty member, proportion of international faculty, proportion of international students, sustainability, employment outcomes and international research network. It ranks institutions to reflect their overall standing in Asia, considering both academic and global engagement. For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education. Amid the ongoing sectarian tensions between Sikhs and Hindus in the Canadian city of Brampton, the Triveni Mandir there has cancelled an upcoming Indian consulate event due to an alleged threat of violence by Khalistani groups. The Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre has cancelled a Life Certificate Event, a consular camp aimed at providing an avenue for people of Indian origin to renew their essential certificates, which was scheduled for 17 November. CREDIT: Brampton Triveni Mandir 'Threat of high levels of violence' According to the temple authorities, the event could witness an "extremely high level of violent protests," due to which it has been cancelled. "Please be advised that the Life Certificate Event scheduled at Brampton Triveni Mandir by the Indian Consulate on 17 November 2024 has been cancelled. This is due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests," the temple administration said. What Brampton Triveni Mandir said The Brampton Triveni Mandir is located just 20 km away from the Hindu Sabha Temple, which was the scene of violent protests by pro-Khalistani groups during a similar Indian consular camp. "We call on Peel Police to address the threats being circulated against Brampton Triveni Mandir and provide security guarantees to the Canadian Hindu Community and the general public," the temple administration added. CREDIT: Brampton Triveni Mandir Hindu temples under attack in Canada This is the latest in a series of events that have been ongoing for more than a year in Canada, following the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, for which the Canadian authorities have blamed agents of the Indian government. While India has outrightly denied the allegations, Canadian Hindus and their places of worship in the country have become the targets of Khalistani separatists. Also read: Hindu priest suspended for 'violent rhetoric' in Canada's Brampton, reinstated after being 'cleared of any wrongdoing' CREDIT: ANI SFJ leader arrested Last week, Canadian police arrested a 35-year-old Brampton resident on charges of assault with a weapon during a violent demonstration at a Hindu Sabha temple. According to Peel Police, the arrested man, Inderjeet Gosal, is the Sikhs for Justice coordinator for Canada. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, who was recently arrested in France for his role in enabling a host of illegal activities on his instant messaging and social media platform, has reportedly offered free in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment to women. But there is a catch they have to use Durov's sperm. Credit: Reuters Free IVF treatment for women AltraVita IVF clinic, based in Moscow, is offering free IVF treatment to women who are no older than 37 if they are willing to use donor sperm from Durov. According to the clinic, there are only a limited number of slots available for this special offer. You can undergo the procedure of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) absolutely free of charge, using donor sperm from Pavel Durov, one of the most famous and successful entrepreneurs of our time, the clinic said. Pavel Durov has over 100 children As bizarre as it may sound, this should not come as a surprise, as the 40-year-old by his own admission has already fathered over 100 children. CREDIT: REUTERS In a post on his Telegram channel in July, Durov had said that he was told he had over 100 biological kids despite never having married and preferring to live alone. How Pavel Durov real-life Vicky Donor According to Durov, he first donated sperm to a friend who said he and his wife couldnt have kids due to a fertility issue. However, when the clinic told him that high-quality donor material was in short supply and that it was his civic duty to donate more sperm to anonymously help more couples, Durov went on a donation spree. CREDIT: Du Rove's channel According to the Telegram founder, he helped over a hundred couples in 12 countries to have kids, and even after he stopped being a donor, the AltraVita IVF clinic still has his frozen sperm available for anonymous use by families who want to have kids. Durov even said he was planning to open-source his DNA so that his biological children could find each other more easily. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. US President-elect Donald Trump has announced yet another name as Trump 2.0 continues to take shape ahead of the inauguration on 5 January. The latest to join the Trump administration is South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who will serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. CREDIT: AP Second female in key role in Trump 2.0 Noem, who was earlier this year considered one of the strong contenders to be named Trump's running mate, is the second female to be nominated by him for the upcoming administration. Earlier, Trump had nominated Susie Wiles, a long-time Republican strategist, as the first woman White House Chief of Staff. Also read: Who is Susie Wiles, the first appointment of US President-elect as White House Chief of Staff? Who is Kristi Noem The 52-year-old Noem is described as a rancher, farmer, small business owner, and New York Times bestselling author. In 2018, Noem made history when she was elected as South Dakota's first-ever female Governor. She was re-elected as South Dakota Governor in 2022. CREDIT: AP It is widely believed that the controversial admissions she made in her book, No Going Back: The Truth on Whats Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, in which she described in detail, how she once put down her 14-month-old dog, cost her the post of Trump's Vice President. Why DHS is crucial for Trump 2.0? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a key part of the US administration and, during Trump's first term in office, played a major role in the crackdown on illegal immigration to the country. The DHS, which is tasked with border security, immigration, and customs, among other responsibilities, is once again expected to have a significant role in Trump 2.0, which is widely anticipated to crack down on illegal immigration with more vigour than in Trump's first term in office. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. In the newest chapter of 'Bengaluru Rent Woes,' a woman alleges she was requested to pay 5 lakh as a security deposit for a 40,000 per month apartment. Harnidh Kaur took to social media to convey her rental troubles, and her post drew attention on X (previously Twitter), with many commenting that rent costs in Bengaluru are "out of control". Bengaluru landlord asks for Rs 5 lakh security 5 lakh deposit for a flat with 40k rent :))))) Im so tired :)))) Harnidh Kaur (@harnidhish) November 11, 2024 5 lakh deposit for a flat with 40k rent. Im so tired, Kaur posted on X. In many locations, including Delhi, the security deposit is usually one or two months' rent. In Bengaluru, which is known for its increasing real estate prices and space shortage, the amount can reach five or even ten months' rent. However, social media users agreed that a security deposit of 5 lakh is quite excessive for Bengaluru. Social media users pointed out that it exceeds a year's rent (4.8 lakh). How did people on the internet react? As Kaur's post began to go viral online, she received a flood of unexpected inquiries. The founder of The Hiring Update, situated in Bengaluru, declined to rent the property since the asking price of 5 lakh was too high. Some questioned whether it would be more financially prudent to buy a home rather than rent at such exorbitant rates, while others chastised 'greedy' landlords for pricing tenants out of the market. Here's what people wrote in the comments. ~$10B is stuck in rent deposits across India. Wait for a year, somes going to start a fintech around lending / securitising this Raj Kunkolienkar (@kunksed) November 11, 2024 Learn Kannada brigade will now tell you that had you known Kannada, you would have got it reduced to 4.85L Alan (@cbe_sam) November 11, 2024 I hope you will get back half of the deposit, landlord a NRI? Veloster (@prawnstaff) November 11, 2024 Deposits are largely inflated so you can negotiate easily than rent. TD (@v_forvindicator) November 11, 2024 Down Payment for new house Security Deposit Prathamesh Shanbhag (@Prathamesh_117) November 12, 2024 Also read: Local vendor in Bengaluru challenges Blinkit, Zepto, BigBasket with unique ad What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Turkey presents a tantalizing prospect for Greek businesses with its proximity and massive import market exceeding 360 billion. However, the reality of exporting to Turkey, especially in the food and agricultural sectors, is fraught with challenges. High tariffs and a complex web of bureaucratic obstacles are stifling Greek exporters' ability to capitalize on this potential While Greek exports to Turkey reached 1.8 billion in 2023, this figure is dwarfed by Turkey's imports from other countries. Greece ranks a disappointing 37th among Turkey's suppliers, underscoring a significant trade imbalance. The disparity is further emphasized by the fact that Turkey's exports to Greece exceed 2.7 billion, leaving Greece with a trade deficit of nearly 907 million. The struggles faced by Greek exporters are particularly evident in the food sector. Last year, Greek food exports to Turkey amounted to a paltry 50 million. This can be largely attributed to the exorbitant tariffs imposed by Turkey. For instance, some meats face tariffs of up to 225%, while cheeses like feta are subject to a staggering 180% tariff and kefalotyri cheese faces a 138% tariff. Even olive oil, a staple of Greek exports, is burdened with a 31.2% tariff. Tariffs on fruits, cereals, and vegetables range from 7% to over 100%, depending on the specific product. These protectionist measures, implemented under Turkey's customs regulations, are particularly frustrating as they apply even to goods originating from the European Union, despite the existence of the EU-Turkey Customs Union agreement. Adding to the complexity are various taxes and surcharges levied on imported food products, including a special housing fund tax and a special consumption tax on certain alcoholic beverages. The combined weight of these barriers creates a highly unfavorable environment for Greek exporters seeking to compete in the Turkish market. Until these obstacles are addressed, the potential for increased trade and economic cooperation between the two nations will remain significantly constrained. By Yiannis Pappous iefimerida.gr In response to a rise in violence among minors, the Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Hellenic Police have launched "SAFE.YOUth," a new app aimed at preventing and addressing youth violence. Developed with support from the Vodafone Foundation, the app provides information, resources, and direct access to police assistance for young people facing violence or abuse. SAFE.YOUth offers tailored content for three age groups (12-15, 15-18, and 18+), covering sensitive topics like sexual abuse, juvenile delinquency, equality, and racism. Crucially, users can report child protection concerns, anonymously or with identification, and connect with trained police personnel through a dedicated 24-hour hotline ("10201") or the emergency line ("100"). A key feature is the "Emergency Button," which allows registered minors to alert police to immediate threats using geolocation. This ensures rapid response in critical situations. The app launch, hosted by television presenter Danae Barka, included insights from middle and high school students who contributed to the app's design. They highlighted factors like family problems, social media influence, and exposure to violent role models as contributing to youth violence. Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis stressed the government's commitment to tackling this pressing social issue. He thanked contributing government ministers and Vodafone CEO Haris Broumidis, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the app's creation. SAFE.YOUth represents a significant step in utilizing digital tools to protect young people and address their needs in the modern age. iefimerida.gr Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan on Wednesday. His schedule follows (all times are Athens times): At 07:30, the prime minister will be interviewed by Bloomberg TV. He will then inaugurate the Greek kiosk and address the World Leaders Climate Action Summit (WLCAS). At 09:15, Mitsotakis will attend the parallel event "Vertical Corridor: Europe's New Energy Lifeline" and at 12:00 noon the parallel event "Our Ocean, Our Action". Both are hosted at the Greek kiosk. At 14:00, the PM will participate in the parallel event for the UN high-level segment on the dispatch of timely warnings and the management of very high temperatures. At 15:20, Prime Minister Mitsotakis will meet with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. COP29 is taking place from November 11 to 22. iefimerida.gr Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has described the ongoing case between socialite, Idris Okuneye and the Federal Government, as an institutional issue facing the country. Recall that the controversial cross-dresser, popularly known as Bobrisky has been facing series of allegations, following his jail time over naira abuse. He was overheard in a leaked audio message, claiming to have paid some officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service to get special treatment in prison. Advertisement INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that a popular social media critic, identified as Martins Otse, a.k.a VeryDarkMan, alleged that some officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission collected 15 million from Bobrisky during his naira spraying ordeal for the anti-graft agency to drop money laundering charges against him. VDM also alleged that Bobrisky paid some millions of naira to secure a choice place in prison. READ MORE: Verydarkman Releases New Audio Of Bobriskys Alleged EFCC Bribery Confession Speaking over the development on Tuesdays edition of Channels Televisions Politics Today, Tunji-Ojo said that the incident is a reflection of institutional issue. He said: When you have an institutional problem, you dont just provide a knee-jerk approach to solving. We set up that committee to look into all the issues, beyond Bobrisky, beyond people absconding, it is a whole institutional issue. We cannot transfer todays problem to the future. Unidentified gunmen have killed a prospective groom in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, in yet another cult-related incident on Monday. According to Tribune Online, the latest victim, Dalandi, was the son of Benins Seriki Hausa. Danladi, it was learnt, was slated to wed in December. Advertisement According to an anonymous witness, Danladi was shot dead outside his friends shop, approximately 100 meters from the Esigie Police Division in the states Oredo Local Government Area. The source went on to say that Danladi was sitting in his friends shop on Enohuwa Street, off First East Circular Road, when his assailants opened fire on him twice at close range. READ MORE: Two Dead, Several Injured In Abia Road Crash Danladi is an easygoing guy. He was the son of Seriki Hausa in the area. His death has created a huge vacuum in his family and a painful loss to his would-be wife. He has started sending invitation cards for his wedding to guests. He was billed to tie the knot with his partner in December, the source said. When reached, the public relations officer of the Edo police command, SP Moses Yamu, expressed regret for the states recent resurgence of cult killings. The command is doing everything within the law to tame cultism in the state. The situation has been brought under control, he said. Mr Yamu, on the other hand, urged the people to provide beneficial information to the police in order to aid the states fight against cultism and cult-related crimes. Four young men have drowned in a shallow river after attending an event at Okemesi-Ekiti, the headquarters of the Okemesi-Ido-Ile LCDA. Sunday Abutu, the Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State Police Command, said on Monday in Ado-Ekiti that investigations were underway to determine the true cause of death. The four men, who are said to have come from Lagos, allegedly drowned on Sunday while swimming in the Osun River at Ajindo, Ikoro-Ekiti Road, Okemesi Ekiti. Advertisement However, it remained unknown how the adults drowned, particularly during a near-dry season when the river was neither full nor overflowing its banks. However, it was discovered that two of the deceased were from the Aworogun family in Okemesi, while the other two were from Lagos. READ MORE: Two Dead, Several Injured In Abia Road Crash A distress report received on Sunday has it that on Sunday, a 23-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, who are natives of Okemesi-Ekiti, went to River Osun Ajindo/Idoile road to swim. The two men were with two of their friends who came from Lagos state to attend a burial ceremony, which took place at Okemesi. The four young men unfortunately got drowned. Their bodies have been recovered, and deposited in the morgue while investigation is underway, said the police. (NAN) Former African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has made startling claims about the governments stance towards the Igbo people. In a recent episode of the Honest Bunch Podcast, Sowore alleged a secret memo exists, cautioning against empowering Igbos with political positions and opportunities. Nigeria has an Igbo problem, Sowore stated. Advertisement READ ALSO: Seek Greener Pastures Abroad, Return When We Fix Nigeria Peter Obi Urges Students There is a secret memo in the government to be careful of Igbos For an Igbo man to survive in Nigeria as it is currently put together, Nigeria must break. Sowores comments has since sparked controversy across social media platforms, highlighting long-standing concerns about ethnic tensions and representation in Nigeria. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has secured a deal with Dangote Petroleum Refinery to directly lift Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel. IPMAN National President, Abubakar Garima, disclosed this after a meeting with the associations National Working Committee in Abuja. Advertisement After meeting with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, were pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has obliged IPMAN to lift PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for onward supply to IPMAN depots and retail outlets. This new arrangement will ensure steady and ceaseless supply of PMS products all over Nigeria at an affordable rate for Nigerians, Garima said on Monday. Garima urged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, citing benefits of backward integration and positive impacts on Nigerias foreign exchange market. READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery: IPMAN Negotiates Terms For Petrol Lifting Amid Import Controversy IPMAN members should rely on Dangote Refinery and Nigerian Refineries for white products, creating more job opportunities and supporting President Bola Tinubus renewed hope agenda. On pricing, Garima expressed confidence that negotiations with Dangote would yield lower rates. Regarding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), IPMAN, he noted, is preparing for a seamless transition to CNG refill stations nationwide. We call on all IPMAN members to put machineries in place for a successful transition to CNG refill stations. CNG has the potential to rejuvenate our economy for a better life for Nigerians, and IPMAN is ready to support the CNG initiative, Garima said. This partnership follows recent controversy over IPMANs inability to source petrol from Dangote Refinery, with both parties resolving their differences. The Arewa Consultative Forum has said that Lakurawa terrorist group, operating in Sokoto and Kebbi State is a threat to national securitya. According to the ACF, the group is not new to the northern part of the country. Recall that there was a viral report, claiming that the new terrorist group had emerged in the North-Western part of Nigeria. Advertisement A video making wave on social media showed how some suspected terrorists, said to be Lakurawa were recruiting young individuals to join them. Speaking on Monday during an interview on Channels TVs Politics Today, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the publicity secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, said that the Department of State Services was aware of the existence of the terror group. He said: They are not a new group; the DSS is aware of them. We thought they had been chased out, but we later found out that it was a deal that they should either leave or be attacked. This is a major threat to national security. When you have a group like that coming into the country and establishing bases, putting in place our security and justice administrator system, it is like theyve taken over sovereignty. READ MORE: Lakurawa Terrorist Kills 15 In Kebbi Attack This is not a new group. In fact, when they emerged about 2017 and 2018, I think, at least, the DSS is aware of it. At least one journalist who came and spoke on the issue said he had a meeting with the DSS. At that time when everything went wild, we thought they had been chased out only to be told later on that it was a deal that they should either leave or they would be attacked. They decided to leave and ask for time to get rid of some of the cattle they possessed, whether it was cattle they took from people as zakat. A group identified as Northern Youth Assembly, has condemned Abdulmumini Jibrin, for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the controversial tax reform bill. Recall that Honorable Jibrin, a lawmaker representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, Kano State, had said that the bill is not an attempt to fight northerners as it was claimed by some stakeholders in the region. Reacting to the development on Tuesday, in a statement by Comrade Mohammed Hussaini Bauchi, National Assistant Publicity Secretary of the group, expressed disappointment over the lawmakers position on the issue. Advertisement The forum faulted Mr. Jibrin for publicly supporting President Tinubu over the bill, adding that its the highest order of disrespect to the lawmakers constituent, Kano people, and the entire Northern Nigeria. The statement reads: As representatives of Northern Nigerian youth, we believe that this proposal, in its current form, will disproportionately affect the economic livelihoods and aspirations of our people, without considering the current economic reality in the country. READ MORE: Kano Lawmaker Backs Tinubus Controversial Tax Reform Bills, Says It Wont Undermine Northern Region While the proposed tax reform may be of significant interest to those at the centre, your unwavering enthusiasm to champion this anti-North bill exposes a misguided commitment to the cause of those you represent. It is evident that the North faces a range of critical issues, including an acute shortage of electricity supply, rampant insecurity, severe poverty, unemployment, and a dismal state of infrastructure, to name just a few. We believe that these are some of the challenges your constituents suffer from, and the purpose of your election was to address them through effective legislation and advocacy, rather than dedicating your legislative energy to serve an agenda that could further marginalise the Northern Nigerian people, the region from which you come. It would be wiser and more beneficial for you to prioritise your efforts towards addressing the disturbing socio-economic challenges ravaging the people of the North. This tax reform, in its current form, threatens to exacerbate the burdens on businesses and families in Northern Nigeriabusinesses that are already struggling to survive due to unreliable power, inconsistent policy, lack of Federal Government support, and poor access to essential services. The Commissioner for Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, has predicted that outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki will face accusations of looting the State purse. In a Monday statement on his X handle, Ifaluyi-Isibor alleged that Obaseki will be falsely accused of stealing a $2.5 trillion World Bank loan given to the State. His words: Ifaluyi-Isibor warned that social influencers will be paid to spread the false narrative, with some receiving cool millions to post on Twitter, while others in Benin and Auchi will get ten ten k (10,000) to share on Facebook. Advertisement We know the format READ ALSO: Edo APC Transition Committee Recommends Probe Into Obasekis N410 Billion Debt They will do all the media BS to gain some legitimacy before the people, but guess what! Edo people have wisened up! Despite the anticipated smear campaign, Ifaluyi-Isibor maintained that Governor Obaseki has served Edo State to the best of his ability. Godwin Obaseki has done his own and done his best, you shut up and do your own too, he stated. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration of Governor Obaseki comes to an end today, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, making way for the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo. Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has made key appointments to his administration. He named Musa Ikhilor as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Samson Osagie as State Attorney-General, and Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole as Health Commissioner-designate. Advertisement The nominations of Osagie and Oshiomhole are subject to confirmation by the Edo House of Assembly. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, disclosed the appointments in a statement on Tuesday in Benin. Ikhilor, born on August 6, 1980, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, boasts an impressive educational background as revealed in the statement. READ ALSO: Okpebholo Sworn-In As Gov, Pledges Loyalty With Edo People He earned an LL.B from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2008, and a B.L. from the Nigerian Law School in 2009. Ikhilor also holds a Masters degree in Telecommunications Law from Ahmadu Bello University, acquired in 2017. With over 11 years of experience in legislative drafting, parliamentary administration, and lawmaking procedures, Ikhilor brings valuable expertise to his new role. His experience in general legislative governance, gained through various positions at the National Assembly, will also serve the State well. Samson Osagie, the nominee for State Attorney-General, is a seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience across Nigeria and the African continent. Dr Oshiomhole, son of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, takes on the role of Health Commissioner-designate, bringing his expertise in public health to the position. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has revealed that police officers protecting arrested foreign hackers were not authorized to do so. This comes after the Nigeria Police Force revealed the arrest of 130 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals and 17 Nigerian collaborators, for high-level cybercrimes and hacking. Egbetokun confirmed that the police officers in question have been arrested and detained. Advertisement The policemen have been arrested. We found out that the policemen were on illegal duty. Nobody deployed them, he said in a Monday statement. The IG emphasized that not everyone deserves police protection, but certain individuals, such as employers of labour and big businessmen, do require it. READ ALSO: Minors Fainting In Court Scripted IGP Egbetokun There are VIPs that the police have to protect Some individuals have thousands of Nigerians in their organisations. Such individuals deserve protection, he explained. Regarding the arrested minors, Egbetokun clarified that they were not arrested for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests but for looting and destruction of public infrastructure. The police did not arrest anybody who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest. We arrested criminals who took advantage of the protest to cause destruction, he said. Egbetokun also warned against the misuse of police escorts, stating that those who misuse their escorts will have them withdrawn. We will investigate and find out that they really deserve the escorts, and they are given the escorts. But when those individuals misuse their escorts, we immediately withdraw them, he added. A Nigerian man, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, has been added to the US Marshals Services 15 Most Wanted list for murder, serious bodily harm to a child, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest of the 48-year-old suspect. Olawusi was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of causing serious bodily injury to a child after his 3-month-old son was found with severe injuries in Providence, Rhode Island, on April 3, 2017. Advertisement The child died six months later. Mr. Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child, and has fled the country to avoid justice. READ ALSO: Igbos Cant Thrive In Current Nigeria Setup Sowore We have placed Mr. Olawusi on our 15 Most Wanted list due to the heinous crimes hes committed and the threat he continues to pose to the public, said US Marshals Service Director, Ronald L. Davis. Olawusi, also known as Olekun Olawusi, is 58 tall, weighs 185 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. He reportedly fled the US in June 2017 using his Nigerian passport and may be receiving support from relatives in Nigeria. Anyone with information on Olawusis whereabouts is advised to contact the US Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or via the USMS Tips App. The 15 Most Wanted program has led to the capture of over 250 fugitives since its inception in 1983. Six suspected criminals who were experts in different types of criminal activity in Damaturu and its environment have been apprehended by the Yobe State Police Command. DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the commands Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists. He stated that the suspects specialised in shoplifting, theft, criminal trespass, and burglary on both public and private property. Advertisement According to him, their arrest came after the police received a series of reports from members of the public, prompting Commissioner of Police Garba Ahmed to initiate a stakeout to apprehend the culprits. READ MORE: Gunmen Attack In Ogun Claims Two Lives On November 10, 2024, at 2 pm, the police received a distress call from one Mallam Musa Audu of Nayinawa Ward, Damaturu, stating that six tyres and five windscreens of tricycles parked in his vicinity had been stolen by suspected thieves at 5:40 am the previous day. A Divisional Police Station swiftly responded, apprehending six syndicate members: Abubakar Ahmed, Hassan Musa, Shayibu Adamu, Ahmed Ismail, Babagana Lawan and Gambo Daiyyabu, 52, of Nayinawa Ward, all in Damaturu, he added. He said the suspects were found with 13 tricycle tyres, six windscreens, four crates of empty Coca-Cola bottles, two bicycles, and a toolkit. The suspects confessed to the crime and are cooperating with the investigation, DSP Abdulkarim said. Lower Merion Township police investigate a hit-and-run crash that killed a 61-year-old woman in a wheelchair on City Avenue near Conshohocken State Road early Monday morning. Read more A 61-year-old woman in a wheelchair was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver on City Avenue just south of Conshohocken State Road on a rainy early Monday morning, Lower Merion Township police said. The woman, who was described as a former Philadelphia resident who was unhoused, was on the southbound side of City Avenue just before 2:15 a.m. when she was hit by a newer model Toyota Camry, said Detective Sgt. Michael Keenan. Advertisement The Camry was described as a four-door sedan, black or dark-colored, with heavy tinting on all its windows. It may have damage on the passenger side of the front bumper below the headlight, as well as damage along the passenger side of the vehicle. A passing motorist called 911 and stopped to protect the woman from traffic, Keenan said. The woman, who was not named, was transported to Lankenau Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the Toyota Camry was described a male who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with Just Do It in large white letters on the chest. He also was wearing black pants and black shoes. Surveillance images showed the man stopped in a parking lot to inspect the exterior of his car. This is a person who knows what they did, Keenan said. Collisions happen. People need to take responsibility for their actions, Keenan said. Its understandable that someone might be scared or upset. Its in their interest to turn themselves in. Photo of racist graffiti spray-painted on the back fence of a home in the historically Black community of Lawnside in South Jersey. Read more A home in the historically Black community of Lawnside in Camden County was hit by racist graffiti shortly after the election, prompting condemnations as well as shows of community support for the woman who lives there. Dawn Hines, 53, said she found out on Thursday from a neighbor that somebody spray-painted a racist phrase for Black people on her back fence, which can be seen from often-busy Evesham Road. Advertisement Weve never gotten anything like this before, said Hines, who has lived in the house for 20 years and called the incident a hate crime. Hines said the fence was unmarked during the day Wednesday, so the graffiti occurred sometime Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Besides experiencing surprise and shock, she thought the timing was not a coincidence. It has something to do with the election, Hines said, suggesting that someone was emboldened by Republican Donald Trumps presidential victory. U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, a South Jersey Democrat whose district includes Lawnside, condemned the incident on social media: Racism must be called out when we see it, especially when it happens in our own community. Im glad the police are investigating this act of vandalism as a hate crime. Hate has no place here. The Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia also condemned the racist graffiti: Vandalism like this is despicable and only seeks to intimidate. In the face of this incident, we applaud the people of Lawnside coming together to stand as neighbors. Thanks to police for treating this as the hate crime it is. We hope the perpetrators are held responsible. In a joint statement Tuesday, Commissioners Jonathan Young and Al Dyer, of the Camden County Board of Commissioners, called the racist graffiti a shocking and disgusting display of hatred and vowed that the perpetrators would be punished. Lawnside is a beautiful town with a deep connection to the African American community, as it was the first independent, self-governing African American municipality north of the Mason-Dixon Line, the commissioners said. And to see such a blatant attack on our Camden County community is frightening and appalling to say the least. Hines said the Lawnside Borough Police Department and the Camden County Prosecutors Office have told her they are investigating the incident. Neither agency could be reached for comment Monday evening. A work crew from borough removed the racist word and a vulgar sexual image, but the rest of the words, including hate and sorry not sorry, were left intact, Hines said. A friend then came out and spray-painted over the entire message. Hines said the owner of a pressure wash company offered to further clean the fence and the owner of a fence company offered to replace it. Love is winning, Hines said. She already had a security camera with a view of her backyard, but not of the fence and the grassy field beyond stretching to Evesham Road. Hines said she would add video surveillance to give her a complete picture of what is happening. Police, on Woodland near 52nd Street, with a pickup truck that may have been involved in the carjacking on the 5400 block of Chancellor Street on Sunday. Read more Authorities continue to investigate the death of a 47-year-old man who was shot and killed by police responding to a report of a domestic disturbance in West Philadelphia on Sunday night. Around 6 p.m., a woman believed to be the mans girlfriend called 911 to report that he had fired a gun inside a home on the 5400 block of Chancellor Street, police said. He then left the home and carjacked a neighbors pickup truck, police said, then pointed a gun at responding officers. One of the officers shot at the man, according to police, but it was unclear if he was struck by a bullet before taking off in the stolen truck with police in pursuit. Advertisement After leading officers on a two-mile chase, the suspect stopped the truck on the 5200 block of Woodland Avenue, police said, where he jumped out and with officers close behind, ran to a nearby lot. As police pursued the fleeing man, two officers one of them a sergeant fired their guns at him. The man, whom police did not identify, was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m., police said. It was unclear when or where the man was shot, police said. An investigation continues to determine whether he was struck during the initial confrontation outside the home or as he fled police who followed him into the empty lot. A Taurus 9mm was recovered at the scene of the second shooting, police said. No officers were injured. The 25-year-old officer who fired his gun at Chancellor Street has been with the department for two years, police said, while the 29-year-old officer and 34-year-old sergeant who fired their guns on Woodland Avenue have been on the force for six and 10 years, respectively. Isauro Perez, 46, a local business owner, said Monday afternoon that he had just walked to a nearby gas station on Sunday when he saw the pickup truck speeding up Woodland Avenue toward South Lindenwood Street, with police cruisers close behind. He said he saw the cars come to an abrupt stop near the empty lot adjacent to South Lindenwood Street and watched a man get out of the truck and run, with the officers right behind him. Perez said he then heard multiple gunshots. In security footage from a nearby bodega, the flashing lights of police cars can be seen approaching the lot seconds before a group of people run from the scene down Woodland Avenue. A second later, a man is seen running into the lot, away from the officers and with his back to them and then falling to the ground as at least three officers with their guns drawn are close behind. The officers then approach the man, aiming flashlights at him with their guns still drawn before two of the officers drag him away from the lot, the footage shows. The departments officer-involved shooting investigation unit, the internal affairs bureau, and the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office continued to investigate the shooting. Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel Contra Costa County, California Advertisement $15.99 14.5% alcohol PLCB Item #7579 Sale price through Dec. 1; regularly $18.99 Vintners add all sorts of extra terms to their labels to make their wines seem more desirable. Some, like reserve, are pure marketing spin. Others, like barrel fermented for oaked chardonnays, or brut for sparkling wines that are not sweet, can refer to concrete winemaking processes that can and do affect flavor. As times change and customers become more environmentally conscious, we are seeing more references to sustainability, as with this wine that comes emblazoned with a term that is newly in vogue: a dry-farmed zinfandel from Californias East Bay area. Dry farming is the agricultural practice of cultivating a crop without irrigation. With water restrictions throughout the United States in the news, its little wonder that operations that farm this way would wish to make it known. However, dry farming is not simply a method to minimize a vineyards environmental impact it is also a means to increase the flavor concentration of its fruit. Irrigating vineyards increases the volume of grapes that can be harvested. Indeed, irrigating vineyards was banned in cooler, rainier Europe almost a century ago because it was seen as a means to artificially inflate crop yields and dilute wines flavor. But irrigation was essential to the expansion of winemaking into warmer, drier regions of the New World, like California, and remains the norm outside Europe. Dry farming contributes to this wines density and concentration, as does its sourcing from older vines, up to a century old in some plots. Both factors boost its amplitude, giving the wines flavors of fig jam and strawberry compote more oomph and a more opulent texture, too. Try it with slow-roasted meats or blue cheeses, or pull it out as a great red to share over a rich holiday spread at Thanksgiving. Also available at: Canals in Mt. Ephraim, $14.09 http:// mycanals.com/ Total Wine & More in Wilmington and Claymont, Del., $14.49 http:// www.totalwine.com/ Wine Warehouse in Voorhees, $14.98 Joe McKay has cluster headaches, perhaps the most painful medical condition that exists, and has turned to psychedelics for relief. The former firefighter tried psilocybin for the first time in his backyard in Monmouth County, N.J. (pictured). The experience gave him something he hadnt had for a very long time: hope. I can live with this, he thought. I had something that worked. Read more Joe McKay tried everything medicine had to offer for the blinding headaches that began in the months after 9/11, when the former New York City firefighter spent weeks wading through the curtains of dust and smoke at the World Trade Center. On his worst days, McKay was incapacitated by pain every few hours, feeling as if someone had stabbed him in the eye with an ice pick. Its the worst pain Ive ever felt, he said. Advertisement He tried numerous prescription medications without lasting relief. Doctors diagnosed him with a condition called cluster headaches, also known as suicide headaches for the despair experienced by suffers. Then McKay heard about an unusual treatment that some cluster headache patients swore by: psilocybin, the psychedelic chemical found in magic mushrooms. McKay called a friend who knew someone who used to go to Grateful Dead concerts, and, in his backyard in Monmouth County, N.J., took a nibble of a chocolate he was told contained psychedelic mushrooms. He felt a bit blissful, and it seemed to help keep his headaches at bay. When the symptoms came roaring back, and nothing else seemed to work, he learned about a specific protocol for psilocybin developed via a grassroots effort from cluster headache patients, then tried again. The next day, he felt the shadows of a cluster headache attack, but it never came. Same with the day after. McKays headaches didnt return for a year. The experience gave him something he hadnt had for a very long time: hope. I can live with this, he thought. I had something that worked. Thats not how medicine is supposed to happen. Psychedelic drugs that are illegal arent supposed to work better than prescription medications, backed by reams of research data. But for McKay and many other people with cluster headaches, thats the reality. Now, science is slowly catching up to what patients are experiencing in backyards all over the globe, and preliminary research is showing that, for some, psilocybin could be a game-changing treatment for cluster headaches. Scientific studies are vetting its potential along with other psychedelic drugs for other hard-to-treat conditions like mental illness. When it comes to psilocybin and cluster headaches, some academics are aided by a grassroots, advocacy organization known as Clusterbusters (McKay is now on the board), which developed instructions on how to grow your own mushrooms from spores (legal to purchase in Pa., just not to grow), and a protocol for how to use low, non-hallucinogenic doses to treat and prevent cluster headaches. Theres really compelling evidence that [psilocybin] is efficacious and safe and seems to help people with cluster headaches, said Dominic Sisti, associate professor of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Theres really no reason why we ought not look into it further. Prayed for death Its not clear what causes the crushing pain associated with cluster headaches, nor why psilocybin might help. Research on cluster headaches suggests they may stem from a surge of certain chemicals near a nerve that transmits information between the face and brain, or from problems in the brain region known as the hypothalamus. This is also the region of the brain that psilocybin appears to act on, limited research on psychedelics is showing. Cluster headaches affect fewer than 1 in 1,000 adults including Tom, a therapist in private practice in his mid-60s who works in Montgomery County. His headaches began in December 2008 and are unbearable. In a 2020 survey, cluster headache patients reported the pain is worse than every other condition, such as unmedicated childbirth, kidney stones, and getting shot. There were times where I prayed for death, said Tom, who declined to provide his last name to protect his professional license. I prayed for Gods mercy to take me out. Over the years, he tried various prescription medications, which would work for a while, until the headaches came thundering back. He heard about people who used psilocybin, but as a recovering alcoholic, he was leery of illegal drugs that produced psychedelic experiences. Psilocybin, MDMA (also known as Ecstasy or Molly), and LSD are all considered psychedelics because, at certain doses, users can hallucinate. Tom learned that firsthand when he finally decided to give psilocybin a try in 2022. I felt like the light was brighter. Colors were sharper, more vibrant. He still uses psilocybin sometimes as a way to stay pain-free for longer, and a complement to the multiple prescription drugs he takes, not as a way to get high. Im not over here partying and having a good time. For me, its medicine, and I really do think of it as medicine, Tom said. With the gaps in knowledge about psilocybin come gaps in understanding about its potential risks: Although the data suggest psilocybin is generally well tolerated, people who have bipolar disorder (or a family history of it) may exhibit more psychotic symptoms after taking psychedelics than people without that history. Tom has told only a few people he takes magic mushrooms, and even hesitated sharing it with his neurologist. But the doctor didnt have a problem with it. I just wont put it in your record, he told Tom. I was shocked, Tom said. Research roadblocks Psychedelics such as psilocybin and ayahuasca have been used medicinally for thousands of years in Indigenous communities. But the U.S. has classified psilocybin as an illegal substance in the most restrictive category, along with heroin and LSD (another type of hallucinogen that research suggests could have some health benefits, including for cluster headaches). This makes it difficult to conduct research studies using psilocybin. Despite this roadblock, scientists have managed to investigate the potential benefits of psychedelics, and generated early data showing they could help conditions ranging from depression to addiction to PTSD. In 2021, a clinic opened up in West Philly, offering psychedelic-assisted therapy. That said, psychedelics have a certain hype bubble around them at the moment, said Penns Sisti. Some people claim the drugs will cure many ailments, although they have little if any supporting evidence. And neither regulators nor most members of the public appear convinced they should be widely used as medicine. In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a treatment that combined MDMA with psychotherapy for PTSD, and on Election Day, voters in Massachusetts (a fairly liberal state) rejected a ballot measure to allow people to grow psilocybin at home. The fact that psilocybin remains illegal to grow and use likely deters some cluster headache patients from trying it, writes Joanna Kempner in her 2024 book, Psychedelic Outlaws, about the cluster headache patient community. One advocate Kempner spoke with said she hears from many patients of color who worry about getting caught by police. One cluster headache patient Kempner met was charged with a felony after police pulled him over for a traffic stop and found mushrooms in his car. (His sentence came with mandatory rehab and probation, no jail time, according to Kempners account.) Early data But many cluster headache patients who have benefited from psilocybin remain undaunted. Over the years, Clusterbusters has pushed for rigorous research into psilocybins benefits, even offering to fund the studies themselves, said Kempner, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers University, who lives in West Philly and has had migraines since she was a child. The advocacy is starting to pay off. A 2015 Clusterbusters survey of 500 patients found people reported psilocybin worked as well as or better than most conventional medications, even at low (non-hallucinogenic) doses. People keep reporting that psychedelics are the most effective treatment theyve used, compared to all the other available legal treatments, Kempner said. A 2022 paper published in the scientific journal Headache tested psilocybin in 16 cluster headache patients using a randomized controlled trial the gold standard in medical research in which they received either psilocybin or a placebo. The research showed a pulse dosing schedule of psilocybin, similar to what Clusterbusters recommends (three doses, five days apart), appeared to reduce the frequency of attacks. But the finding wasnt a slam dunk, as the results were not statistically significant meaning they could have been due to chance. This isnt a surprise, Kempner said, because only a small number of patients took psilocybin, too few to generate more convincing data. But when the study participants returned for a 2024 paper to repeat the pulse dosing six months later, the frequency of cluster attacks was cut in half a finding that was statistically significant. Still, research isnt confirming the outrageously positive effects people are reporting from psilocybin, Kempner said. That may reflect the difficulty of testing therapies for cluster headaches, she noted: The pain comes and goes, and many patients may not be willing to take the risk of getting a placebo drug while they are experiencing blinding pain, especially when they could grow the drug being tested at home. Its such a hard disease to study, she said. Despite all we still dont know about psilocybin and cluster headache, Kempner remains impressed by the data cluster headache patients have fought to get and, even more, by how they used that advocacy to form a community. Another way to serve Psilocybin doesnt work for everyone with cluster headaches, but the advocacy around it has created a community of patients who can pick each other up when they fall, and offer hope that someday, somehow, they will get relief. The drugs themselves, the mushrooms themselves, have knitted together this incredible community of people who support each other, Kempner said. Thats what impresses me. Now retired from firefighting, Joe McKay has devoted his life to what he considers new types of service. When cluster headaches took his life away, and psilocybin helped give it back, McKay vowed to serve this new community, fighting to give people with cluster headaches access to the medicine that helped him the most. Even though psilocybin is illegal, McKay doesnt worry about talking to lawmakers or advocating for the right to use it. For the people in my community, a lot of us, its psilocybin or suicide, he said. I shouldnt go to jail because I just want to be pain free. That said, he doesnt like being put in this predicament. I dont want to be an outlaw, but I am. To him, this work is an extension of what he did as a firefighter. I took an oath of office to serve and protect the people. Every single cluster headache attack is a medical emergency. How do you not help? Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump cheer during a campaign rally in June at the Liacouras Center at Temple University, in Philadelphia. Trump improved his vote totals in Philadelphia as he won Pennsylvania. Read more President-elect Donald Trump pushed Philadelphia to the right this year by increasing his vote totals across a range of demographic groups and improving his performance with working-class voters, a shift thats been underway since his first run for president in 2016. According to an Inquirer analysis of precinct-level data, Trump increased his standing in the citys white, working-class neighborhoods, winning more than 30% of the vote in precincts where white voters make up the majority of the electorate. He also improved in majority-Black and -Latino precincts, and with middle- and working-class voters. Advertisement Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, still won Philadelphia handily, garnering 78% of the vote. Thats to be expected in a deep-blue city where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 6-1. But the inroads Trump made in Philadelphia similar to growth he saw in urban areas across the country helped him on his path to win Pennsylvania and the White House. His gains, coupled with slightly lower turnout in the city compared with 2020, meant Harris netted tens of thousands fewer votes in the city than President Joe Biden won here four years ago. READ MORE: To win Pennsylvania, Donald Trump did exactly what he needed to in Philly: Improve slightly. While about 2% of the vote in Philadelphia remained to be counted as of Tuesday, the election returns show a clear rightward shift in the city as there was most everywhere else Tuesday. Heres a breakdown of the vote shift. White voters make up Trumps base, but he grew most with Latinos Ballots that voters cast are private, so it is not possible to discern exactly how each candidate performed with specific types of voters. But we can ascertain how types of voters lean by examining how candidates performed in neighborhoods where a certain group makes up a majority of residents. Trump performed best in the citys majority-white neighborhoods, winning nearly 30% of the vote in precincts where more than half the residents are white, according to U.S. Census data. He garnered more than 90,000 votes in majority-white areas, which is nearly two-thirds of his vote total in the city despite those areas making up only a third of all precincts. While the bulk of Trumps support came from white voters, he showed the biggest improvement with Latino residents, reflecting a national trend of those voters moving right. Trump won 22% of the vote in majority-Latino precincts, compared with just 6% in the same areas in 2016. Thats a swing of 16 percentage points. READ MORE: Donald Trumps growing support among Latino voters helped him clinch battleground Pennsylvania Trump also improved in the citys majority-Black precincts, but his support in those areas was still far below the city average, despite significant hand-wringing in the Democratic Party about Harris potentially losing support among Black men. Trump won barely 6% of the vote in majority-Black areas, an increase of 4 percentage points over his performance in those areas in 2016. The city has only a few majority-Asian precincts, so not enough data were available to discern how Asian residents voted. Trump improved in areas where education levels are lower Working-class voters in the city have steadily moved toward Trump since his first run for president in 2016. In both the 2020 and 2024 elections, he made gains in neighborhoods where education levels are lowest and poverty rates are highest. For example, in precincts where fewer than 40% of residents have a college degree, Trump improved by 10 percentage points compared with 2020. READ MORE: In deep-blue Philly, working class voters are shifting toward Republicans Trump had comparatively worse results in highly educated areas. He gained just 4 percentage points in neighborhoods where more than 40% of the population has a college degree. One bright spot for Democrats was Northwest Philadelphia, where the Democratic presidential nominee gained votes in most precincts for the second straight election. The party also made significant gains this year in parts of Center City and University City compared with 2020, but thats likely because many Philadelphia college students werent on campus four years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, those neighborhoods make up some of the most highly educated portions of the city. Trump increased his standing in lower-income areas Trump generally received a larger share of the vote in districts with higher incomes, aside from the highest income bracket, where his popularity dipped slightly. His support was highest in precincts with a median income of between $75,000 and $100,000 a year. He won 30% of votes in those areas compared with 26.5% in 2016. The Republicans support in precincts with a median household income of more than $100,000 ticked up only slightly over the last three elections, rising from 20.3% in 2016 to 21.2% in 2024. However, his improvement with Philadelphia voters has been steepest in areas where incomes are lower. Across the city, Trump performed better in precincts where the poverty rate is higher. In precincts where the poverty rate is over 35%, Trump gained 3.3 percentage points compared with 2020. Conversely, Trump saw less improvement in areas where fewer people live in poverty. In precincts where the poverty rate is below 10%, Trump gained only 0.4% over his 2020 total. His support in precincts where the median annual income is under $50,000 more than doubled, jumping from 4.9% in 2016 to 11.6% this year. Staff writers Lizzie Mulvey and Saara Ghani contributed reporting. If truth be known, Judith Jamison is only 5 feet, 10 inches tall. Anyone who has ever seen her dance would surely guess her to be somewhere around the height of a mighty oak tree, The Inquirers Nancy Goldner wrote in her 1994 review of dancer Judith Jamisons autobiography, Dancing Spirit. Ms. Jamison, who was born in Philadelphia, was the artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1989 until 2011, and then its artistic director emerita, died in New York on Saturday, at age 81 after a brief illness. She was surrounded by close friends, Ailey company spokesperson Christopher Zunner confirmed to the Associated Press. Advertisement Ms. Jamison brought the company not only continued global exposure and crossover cultural appeal but economic stability and growth, putting it in a stratosphere that Ailey couldnt even imagine, said Wendy Perron, author and former longtime editor of Dance Magazine. Perron attributes Ms. Jamisons success, in a world when many dance companies struggle to survive, to her unique personality and ability to forge relationships. There was a warmth and magnetism about her everyone wanted to be with her, said Perron. There was a light shining around her. Ms. Jamison, however, described herself somewhat more modestly. Im this little girl from Philadelphia, right? Long legs, long arms. God-given talent. Very simply, thats it, she told The Inquirer in 1985. Ms. Jamison was born in 1943 and from age 5, lived in the 200 block of Duval Street in Germantown. Her father played the piano; her mother drew. Her mothers parents lived next door, and they also had a farm in Franklinville, Gloucester County, giving young Judy a touch of rural life, Goldner wrote. But her talents were prodigious, and they were shaped by the city in which she grew up. At 6, she began studying with Marion Cuyjet at the Judimar School of Dance in Center City. Along with Cuyjet, who Ms. Jamison called a third parent, she studied with Marina Swoboda, Antony Tudor, and Agnes de Mille, who gave Ms. Jamison her first big break a leading role in her ballet The Four Marys, created in 1964 for American Ballet Theatre. The family rowhouse on Duval Street in Germantown was built with bricks, heated with coal and filled with love, she told the Daily News in a 1994 interview. Ms. Jamison attended Germantown High School, where she sang in the glee club and played violin in the All-Philadelphia Junior High School Orchestra. On Saturdays, the family listened to the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts on radio. Each Sunday, they came downtown to attend services at Mother Bethel AME Church, a place Ms. Jamison calls the umbrella in her autobiography. Her parents never squelched her or her siblings, she wrote, but disciplined the children and taught them pride in being African Americans. There was always singing in the house, always. Opera or classical music thats what I grew up on, she said to The Inquirer in 1985. My father would come home from work and hed take me to dancing school, wait for me, and then drop me home. And if he wasnt doing it, my brother was by the time he could drive. And that would happen every day. And I loved every minute of it. I thought life existed there. Her mother, she said in a 2023 podcast interview, made Ms. Jamisons costumes, and would massage my legs when I got home from class. The family would visit The Rodin, the Museum of Modern History, the Academy of Music, the Philadelphia Orchestra whenever we would go there we would sit waaaaay at the top because that was all we could afford the Uptown Theatre, the Pearl Theatre, where my mother first saw Ella Fitzgerald sing just so many extraordinary things to take in, Ms. Jamison said to The Inquirer in 1999. The people who surrounded me in my life were the type where if a door shut, theyd open another one, and they created their own agenda, Ms. Jamison said. Theyre the people I admire most. When she was young, she wanted to be a brain surgeon, a pilot, or an engineer on a train. I love moving people, she told The Inquirer in 1985. And I thought the uniqueness of that was, of course, that I would be a woman pilot. The whole idea that a single human being could run something as massive as an engine, you know, was fascinating to me. Or a ship or anything like that. So the power, the idea of being able to move other people, to whatever level, to take them out of their stance into another circumstance, has always been fascinating to me. And Ive always wanted to be the mover. At 14, Ms. Jamison danced in Giselle and Sleeping Beauty and played in the All-Philadelphia String Ensemble. After graduating high school, she briefly attended Fisk University in Nashville. She then transferred to the Philadelphia Dance Academy, which later became part of the University of the Arts, and studied the Horton technique with Joan Kerr. Ms. Jamison left Philadelphia for New York in 1964 and joined the Ailey company the following year. Ailey chose Ms. Jamison for Cry in 1971, a work he dedicated to Black women everywhere, but especially mothers. On opening night, Ms. Jamison said she didnt know if she was going to make it through the demanding 16-minute solo in which she transformed herself from a scrubwoman to an African princess. She left the troupe 15 years later to be one of the stars of Duke Ellingtons Sophisticated Ladies on Broadway. In the late 1980s, she returned to UArts and founded the Jamison Project, a small repertory dance company jointly administered by the Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts. Her work was featured at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and she choreographed scenes in a 1988 Opera Company of Philadelphia production of Boitos Mefistofele. After taking the reins of Aileys company upon his death in 1989, Ms. Jamison, as artistic director, introduced new works and choreography, but also made sure to keep front and center her predecessors undisputed masterpiece: Revelations, a 1960 classic that has defined the company and powered its success like few others, if any, in the history of dance. To this day, Revelations appears on most of the companys programs, at home in New York and on tour, and is referred to as the most-seen work of modern dance. (Its hard to conceive of anything comparable.) Revelations was even performed at the White House, at a dance event hosted by Michelle Obama in 2010, in which the first lady paid tribute to Ms. Jamison, calling her an amazing, phenomenal, fly woman. Obama also told Ms. Jamison from the stage that a photo of her in Cry had been the only piece of art in the Obamas home before the White House, and that her daughters, Malia and Sasha, had asked her: Is that the lady in the picture? A year later, retiring as artistic director, Ms. Jamison exclaimed to a cheering crowd at New York City Center gathered to honor her: I have come a long way from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Among her many laurels, Ms. Jamison was awarded Kennedy Center Honors in 1999 and a National Medal of the Arts in 2001. She was the protagonist of the 1988 WHYY documentary, Dancemaker. In 1985, she launched Jamisons Choice Limited, a fledgling gourmet pie business with Toni Lynn Dickinson, the financial aid director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater School. Dickinson made chocolate cream pies while Ms. Jamison made her special lemon meringue and sweet potato pies, following her grandmothers recipe which she insisted on keeping a secret. See these hands, she said then. Not only do they dance, but they bake. In fact, while Im cooking, Im thinking of dance steps. The same year, in a news conference held before an Ailey company performance at the Academy of Music, Ms. Jamison said shed like Philadelphia to be my home, if duty calls. Among her dreams for the city was a whole building devoted to the arts, noting there were some awfully nice buildings around Broad Street and Susquehanna Avenue. Did you know that five Ailey dancers are from Philadelphia? she noted with pride. This town is hot to trot, but we need to keep those dancers here. This article contains information from the Associated Press. A SEPTA bus crosses Ninth at Market Street in Center City. While SEPTA is seeing recovering ridership post-pandemic, it is facing a budget deficit, the resignation of its CEO and general manager, and a potential worker strike. Read more SEPTA is on the right track as it continues to recover from the pandemic. But a series of emerging challenges including the resignation of its chief executive, a possible strike, and uncertainty about state funding levels threaten that positive momentum, and the public transportation systems future remains precarious. Overall, there is plenty of good news for the often-beleaguered agency. September saw an average of nearly 800,000 riders on weekdays. Thats short of the nearly one million who rode the system in 2019, but its roughly in line with figures from 2016. Advertisement Not only is ridership up, but crime is down. Theres been a 45% year-over-year reduction in serious incidents on the system. New train cars are set to replace those currently in use on the deteriorating Market-Frankford Line, and modern, accessible trams initially ordered during the Jimmy Carter administration are also due to arrive soon. READ MORE: Properly funding SEPTA is essential to Philadelphias economic future | Editorial However, the slow recovery and the end of federal COVID-19 relief funds have left the agency facing a fiscal cliff a $240 million budget deficit after Harrisburg Republicans declined to approve the additional funding the agency had asked for. Failure to address this shortage could lead to what agency officials call a death spiral in which service cuts and fare increases lead to fewer people on SEPTA, which further erodes fare revenue, leads to more cuts, and traps the system in a doom loop. Dealing with the financial strain by itself would be hard enough, but SEPTA is also facing the departure of its general manager and CEO, Leslie S. Richards, and at least two unions gearing up for a potential strike. It is a strike SEPTA officials should work to avoid at all costs. The 1983 labor action on SEPTAs Regional Rail system, the longest in the agencys history, led to a 60% reduction in ridership, according to researcher Jake Berman, a decline that took decades to reverse. Any protracted strike now would weaken the systems post-pandemic ridership recovery, which is essential to not only the agencys bottom line but also the regions success. The operators unions demands for increased pay and safer working conditions seem reasonable if harder to produce given SEPTAs current financial circumstances. Yet, delivering on both would have a positive impact on the entire system. Current wages have driven operator shortages that often lead to late or missing buses and subways which is precisely the kind of unpredictability that keeps many potential users from depending on public transportation. While SEPTA may not have the financial capacity to issue the 10% raises union officials have asked for, it can and should build upon its recent progress in combating bad behavior on the system. Public safety issues impact riders, but they impact operators more. No matter how long anyones commute is, it is not eight hours a day, five days a week. Operators have been spat on and shot at and often may have to provide a ride to a customer who has already been abusive. Bad behavior has been reported by both urban and suburban operators. Stronger enforcement of the existing rules and better protection for workers are necessary demands. SEPTA must also find a qualified replacement for the outgoing Richards, whose tenure provides important lessons for her successor. Bus Revolution, Trolley Modernization, Key Advantage, and Reimagining Regional Rail programs, all Richards-driven initiatives, represent essential reforms for SEPTAs future. Still, she steered $40 million of pandemic relief funds to the misguided King of Prussia rail extension that ended up facing a federal veto and was too slow to fix public safety problems on the system. READ MORE: After legislative failure, Gov. Shapiro should ensure transit funding success | Opinion Transit Police staffing shortages worsened under her watch and made it harder to address an increase in antisocial and violent behavior on public transit. At one point, Transit Police was 50 officers short, representing nearly a quarter of its ranks. Richards also stuck with SEPTAs well-meaning reform of penalties for smoking and fare evasion for too long. The failure to enforce these violations and to apply substantive penalties led to an increase in these behaviors. It also exacerbated tensions with workers, who felt their concerns were not being taken seriously. Richards successor must build on her ambition and learn from her missteps. Despite failing to secure critical funding in the General Assembly this fall, SEPTA has one more opportunity next year. While the recent election did not shift the balance of power in either chamber, the so far recalcitrant Senate Republicans have exchanged a seat in Harrisburg for one in Northeast Philadelphia held by State Sen.-elect Joe Picozzi. For Picozzi, delivering for SEPTA financially would be an impressive way to begin his tenure. Meanwhile, Philadelphias House Democrats must stand firm on the budget, refusing to support any version that doesnt include adequate funding for SEPTA and other transit systems. After all, the regions economy depends on public transit, and a death spiral looms. Republican Dave McCormick interacts with supporters in August. McCormick was declared the winner of the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania last week. Read more Pennsylvania Republican Dave McCormick was invited to the U.S. Senate freshman orientation just in time, after Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego won his Senate race in Arizona. From Tuesday to Thursday this week, incoming senators will be shown the ins and outs of their new jobs. But as of Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) had not invited McCormick to the event. He also had not invited Gallego, a Democrat leading the Senate race in Arizona. Advertisement Schumers office said Tuesday morning that Gallego and McCormick have both been invited to attend orientation. The decision comes after the Associated Press determined that Gallego won his race late Monday night. The AP called McCormicks race last week. On Monday, a Schumer spokesperson said that McCormick had not been invited because there were more than 100,000 ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania, and that the race had not been decided. As is custom, we will invite the winner once the votes are counted, the spokesperson said. Ballots were still being counted in the race Tuesday, and incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey has not conceded the race. Remaining ballots continue to be counted after winners are called in every election, whether it is close or not. But the process has earned extra attention in Pennsylvania this year because the race is close and Caseys campaign has continued to argue the remaining ballots could swing the race. Across our Commonwealth, close to 7 million people cast their votes in a free and fair election, Casey said in a statement on Tuesday. Our county election officials will finish counting those votes, just like they do in every election. The American democratic process was born in Pennsylvania and that process will play out. Before he was invited, McCormick had already posted online Monday morning that he was looking forward to Senate orientation. President-elect Donald Trump saw some of his biggest gains this year in Luzerne County, which includes Wilkes-Barre, and Lackawanna County, which includes Scranton. Read more SCRANTON Matt Wolfson used to be a construction worker in New Jersey, and he said his union implored members to vote for Democrats every election. Then Wolfson got hurt on the job, and he felt the union didnt have his back in the ordeal that followed. I changed party as soon as I got hurt and the union didnt take care of me, said Wolfson, 45, who is disabled and was able to collect early on his pension. Advertisement Wolfson, a Scranton resident, said hed been optimistic former President Donald Trump would beat Vice President Kamala Harris in last weeks presidential election. But he hadnt expected the Republican to win so decisively. READ MORE: Donald Trump won Pa. with more votes than any statewide Republican candidate in history. Heres how he did it. I just wanted to give him a second chance, he said while getting lunch in central Scranton on the day after the election. We had a pretty good economy before COVID hit. Trump improved on his 2020 performance in every region of the state. But his gains were most dramatic this year in Northeast Pennsylvania, where voters in postindustrial cities and Pocono Mountains towns gave the president-elect the edge he needed to secure the Keystone State and the White House after losing both in his previous election. Four of the top six counties where Trump saw his biggest percentage gains in votes from 2020 are in the Northeast, an Inquirer analysis of preliminary election results shows. Monroe County in the Poconos saw the biggest jump, with Trumps vote total increasing 3.7% compared with 2020. Luzerne County, which includes Wilkes-Barre, was third with a 3% bump. Scranton, President Joe Bidens hometown, is the seat of Lackawanna County, which was fourth, with Trump getting a 2.9% increase. Harris narrowly won the county, but the immense gains Trump made compared with past Republican candidates has given the county a reputation as a bellwether in the political era defined by his rise. Trump surprised by losing Lackawanna County by only 3.5 percentage points in his 2016 victory. In the previous election, then-President Barack Obama beat Republican Mitt Romney by 27 points in the county. In 2020, Biden appeared to have reversed the trend, beating Trump by 8 percentage points in the county. But Trump struck back this year by shrinking his deficit to just 3 points against Harris. Those swings are emblematic of Rust Belt cities across the country, where working-class voters who were long loyal Democratic voters have embraced Trumps economic populism, including his protectionist trade agenda. Trump saw a combined swing of 2.5 percentage points in his margins in the 10 counties of Northeast Pennsylvania. He got 6% more votes this year there than in 2020, while Harris got 4% fewer votes than Biden in 2020. In the states other 57 counties, the combined swing to Trump was only 0.9 percentage points, with the former president getting 4% more votes than in 2020, and Harris 3% less than Biden. Scranton resident Leonard Vaivada said he saw Trumps big win coming. It really wasnt surprising, said Vaivada, a 72-year-old retired house painter. We really need a secure border. I dont care about people saying its racist. No, its protecting your border. Many voters, he said, didnt trust Harris on economic issues. She wants to give too many things away, he said. Luzerne GOP rejoices In Luzerne County, Republicans arent fighting to get over the hump, as they are in Lackawanna. Theyre in the drivers seat. After Obama won the county in 2012 by 5 percentage points, Trump has racked up wins of 19 points in 2016, 14 points in 2020, and 20 points this year. Luzerne County GOP chair Gene Ziemba said Trumps embrace of drill, baby, drill energy policy plays well in the region, which is home to some of the greatest fossil fuel deposits in the world and was once dominated by the coal and railroad industries. This hits home. We are sitting on the Marcellus Shale, he said, referring to Pennsylvanias large natural gas reserves. Many people in the area are hoping Trumps energy policies will create a local economic boom. Weve got cheap housing, and weve got a ready and willing labor force, he said. Another factor in Trumps big win in the county, he said, was his growing popularity with Latino voters. Local Republican activists in Hazleton, which has a Hispanic majority, took it upon themselves to request and distribute 4,000 campaign signs provided by the county GOP in the run-up to the election, Ziemba said. The border issue here in our county here is huge, and we have a giant Hispanic population, who by the way love Mr. Trump, Ziemba said. We clean swept up here. About 18% of residents in the Northeasts 10 counties are Latino, compared with 8% of the state overall, and polls showed the former president has been making inroads with Hispanic voters. Ed Mitchell, a Democratic strategist who lives in Kingston, said his party has been in disarray in Luzerne since Republicans in 2012 took control of local offices following a county reorganization that saw the creation of a GOP-dominated county council. Theres no party-building, Mitchell said, lamenting that between the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, Republican registered voters overtook Democrats on the county rolls. We basically have no Democratic Party. We have a couple of people who get together. Mitchell now consults for an upstart group called Action Together NEPA, which is trying to rebuild political infrastructure for local Democrats and made gains in last years county council races. If the Democratic Party is going to come back, here in Pennsylvania anyway, theyre going to have build locally, he said. Staff writer Julia Terruso contributed to this article. The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The House of Representatives remains uncalled a week after Election Day. Read more Update: The Associated Press called the U.S. House for Republicans Wednesday at around 10:30 p.m. Philly time. Its been a week since Americans cast their ballots on Election Day, and control of the U.S. House of Representatives remain undetermined. Advertisement Republicans, who will control both the White House and Senate, will almost certainly remain in power in the House, giving President-elect Donald Trump the opportunity to enact many of the policies he ran on. As of Wednesday morning, 12 races remain uncalled. Democrats would need to win 11 of those to reach the 218 seats needed to take control of the House, which would lead to a divided government and checks on Trumps agenda. Democrats are in the lead in just six of those outstanding races. Democrats received some good news Tuesday night, with California Democrat George Whitesides flipping Californias 27th District by defeating Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia. The Associated Press also announced Democratic Rep. Mike Levin held onto his seat in Californias 49th District. But two seats were also called for Republicans Rep. David Valadao held onto his seat in Californias 22nd District and Gabe Evans flipped Colorados 8th District, defeating Rep. Yadira Caraveo. Most of the uncalled House races are in California, where efforts to make voting easier have extended the time it takes to count all the votes. California also has more than 22 million registered voters, and the vast majority vote by mail, where ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be counted up to seven days later. Among the most-watched races is in Alaska, where Republican Nick Begich III leads incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola for the states only House seat. Begichs grandfather, former Rep. Nick Begich, once held that seat, but his plane disappeared while traveling to Juneau during his 1972 reelection campaign. Alaska has ranked-choice voting, so if neither candidate receives 50% of the vote, the race will be determined on Nov. 20. Another close race is in Maines 2nd District, where incumbent Democratic Rep. Jared Golden narrowly leads Republican challenger Austin Theriault. That race will also be decided by an automatic ranked-choice recount, which is scheduled to begin Tuesday afternoon. READ MORE: Who has Trump picked for his cabinet and administration so far? Here's a running list. Pennsylvanias House races have all been called. Republicans won 10 of the commonwealths 17 seats in Congress and flipped two seats the 7th District in the Lehigh Valley, where Ryan Mackenzie upset Rep. Susan Wild, and the 8th District in Northeast Pennsylvania, where Robert Bresnahan defeated Rep. Matt Cartwright. Republicans will also need to contend with at least two vacancies. The first is in New York, thanks to Trumps decision to nominate Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.) to become the countys next United Nations ambassador. Its unclear when Stefanik will resign her seat a special election cant be scheduled until she officially steps down from office. Once that happens, the special election will take place between 70 and 80 days later. The second vacancy will be in Florida to fill the seat that will be vacated by Rep. Mike Waltz, whom Trump has appointed to serve as national security adviser. Florida Gov. Ron DiSantis will need to call a special election to fill the seat, a process that will likely take a few months. Here are the U.S. House races that remain uncalled: Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) speaks with reporters at the Capitol in September. Read more Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) said Tuesday on X that Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), President-elect Donald Trumps expected pick for secretary of state, is a strong choice and that he will look forward to voting for his confirmation. Fettermans post is a rare glimmer of Democratic support for Trumps prospective cabinet. Advertisement Fetterman acknowledged in his post that Unsurprisingly, the other teams pick will have political differences than my own, but Rubio and Fetterman are in agreement on one thing: staunch support of Israel. Both Rubio and Fetterman support Israels war against Hamas. Fetterman met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this summer. Fettermans stance has caused tension with former progressive supporters who have demonstrated against the war in Gaza since last year. Rubio, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has likened the Israel Defense Forces operation in Rafah to the Allies pursuit of Adolf Hitler during the Holocaust, according to the Forward, an independent news organization geared toward the U.S. Jewish population. Rubios appointment as the nations top diplomat would require confirmation in the U.S. Senate, where Republicans have regained a majority. Fetterman was an outspoken supporter of President Joe Biden remaining the Democratic nominee, and in the wake of the election he told Semafor that Democratic leaders who pushed for Bidens withdrawal should own the outcome and fallout of Trumps win over Vice President Kamala Harris. He also criticized liberal voters for casting their ballots for Green Party candidate Leila Hazou instead of Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, who lost his reelection bid to Republican Dave McCormick in a tight race, which was called by the Associated Press last week. A recount remains possible but is unlikely to change the result. A spokesperson for McCormick did not immediately comment on Rubios reported selection for secretary of state. Rubio campaigned for McCormick in Allentown a month before the election. Who else will be in Trumps new cabinet? Fettermans post about Rubio appears to be his only message of support so far for any of Trumps prospective cabinet picks. As of Tuesday afternoon, Trump had tapped former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel, U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz (R., Fla.) as his national security adviser, and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.) as the United Nations ambassador. He also picked Stephen Miller, a senior adviser during Trumps first administration, as his deputy chief of staff for policy, and U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.) to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Tom Homan, who led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration, will be border czar. Trump made other picks throughout the evening, including naming billionaire Elon Musk and former GOP presidential primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to head the newly-established Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to decrease what those involved with the program consider to be wasteful spending. Trump is also expected to pick South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Trumps first major staffing decision was naming campaign manager Susie Wiles as his chief of staff. Donald Trump quickly made clear he wants the Republican-led Senate to bend to his will when it comes to his appointments, asserting that he plans to go around the chamber for some nominees. Read more Republican lawmakers will return to Capitol Hill on Tuesday with some spring in their step. After winning the presidency and the Senate majority, the party is on the cusp of regaining the House majority - and with it, a powerful governing trifecta in Washington. Advertisement Though control of the House may not be called for days, GOP lawmakers will this week work on the assumption theyve clinched it, pushing ahead with House leadership elections and shaping plans to reverse or overhaul much of the Biden administrations domestic and foreign policy. READ MORE: Who has Trump picked for his cabinet and administration so far?: A running list Republican lawmakers have said that their first priority for the 119th Congress will be passing policies aimed a securing the southern border. A top candidate to lead Senate Republicans vowed Monday to take a hatchet to the regulatory apparatus as the conferences second priority. They also plan to quickly reauthorize President-elect Donald Trumps 2017 tax law and other budgetary measures. One question is how Trump will seek to shape the agenda. Trump quickly made clear he wants the Republican-led Senate to bend to his will when it comes to his appointments, asserting that he plans to go around the chamber for some nominees. His allies, meanwhile, loudly lined up behind Sen. Rick Scott (Florida) for GOP leader, although Trump himself has not endorsed in the secret-ballot race. READ MORE: Donald Trump made his biggest gains in the Northeast Pa. communities near Joe Bidens hometown Democratic lawmakers, who maintain that they still have a narrow path to the House majority, will be focused this week on confirming as many judges as possible in the Senate in the dwindling days of their majority. There are about two dozen judicial nominations already awaiting votes in the Senate Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor, but some of them do not have bipartisan support, making their path more difficult. We are going to get as many done as we can, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) said in a statement on Monday. READ MORE: Elon Musks Tony Stark energy helped excite Pennsylvanians for Trump. And Republicans are chasing his rising star power. Republican leadership elections Republican lawmakers first order of business this week will be electing House and Senate leadership. Republicans overwhelmingly expect Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), and Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota), all Trump allies, to be reelected to their leadership posts on Wednesday - whether the House has been called. Some hard-liners may push to delay elections until the majority is called or finalize the rules that would dictate the House next term before choosing who would lead. READ MORE: Trump names former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead EPA, adviser Stephen Miller to be deputy chief of policy The new Senate majority - which is likely to include 53 seats, pending the outcome in Pennsylvania - will on Wednesday pick new leadership after 18 years under Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), who frequently sparred with Trump. Three candidates are vying to get elected in the secret-ballot election, and all are touting their relationship with, and deference to, the president-elect. Scott has cast himself as the true Trump ally in the race and picked up powerful MAGA momentum in recent days, boasting endorsements from billionaire Elon Musk, former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson, Trump backer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and at least five senators. Im very optimistic that Im going to win because Im representing Trumps agenda and what my colleagues want, Scott said on Fox News on Monday. But Trump himself has not endorsed a candidate yet, and the grassroots fervor could benefit the two other more establishment candidates in the race, given some senators may feel alienated by the online pressure campaign. READ MORE: President-elect Donald Trump chooses New York Rep. Elise Stefanik as ambassador to United Nations Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota), the current No. 2 Senate Republican, and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) have been lobbying their fellow senators for months, and both have promised a shift from how McConnell has run things. Thune and his allies have publicly urged Trump not to put his finger on the scale of the race, and so far the president-elect has held back. Trump has, however, urged senators to allow him to bypass their approval and appoint his nominees without a Senate vote. Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner, he wrote on Truth Social on Sunday. READ MORE: Democrats kept calling Trump a fascist, but these Pennsylvania voters thought he could help them pay the bills All three leadership candidates quickly said allowing recess appointments, which requires the Senate to be adjourned for at least 10 days while the president unilaterally appoints nominees, would be an option they would consider. Such a move could allow Trump to push through controversial nominees who do not have the support of all Republicans. Plans for the months ahead Both the House and Senate will also begin earnest negotiations to address several must-pass bills by the end of the year. Now that Republicans are poised to hold both majorities next year, lawmakers may extend fiscal levels, which are set to expire Dec. 20, until March. This would theoretically allow the Senate some time to focus on confirming a number of Trumps Cabinet officials in the first 100 days. READ MORE: Five of Donald Trumps top campaign promises, explained Since a small bloc of House Republicans continues to oppose short-term spending bills, Johnson may once again need to rely on House Democrats to fund the government. His willingness to work with Democrats has angered some hard-right Republicans, though Trump has stood by the speaker throughout. Lawmakers will also have to reauthorize laws addressing the countrys agriculture and defense by the end of the year and appropriate more funds to help those recovering from recent hurricanes and fires. It is possible disaster relief will be passed next month alongside a bill extending government funding, according to two people familiar with the early negotiations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. President-elect Donald Trump is beginning to assign key members of his cabinet and administration on the heels of his win last week. So far, hes tapped a group of aides and allies who supported him during his 2024 campaign. As news of who hes selected and who hes eyeing for other slots continues to unfold, this list will continue to be updated. Advertisement Here are Trumps picks so far. Susie Wiles, chief of staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trumps 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Shes a veteran of Florida politics, having worked with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Gov. Rick Scott, and two former Republican Jacksonville mayors. Wiles will become the first woman to hold the role of White House chief of staff, a powerful position that can shape a presidents impact. READ MORE: Who is Susie Wiles? What to know about Trumps new chief of staff. Mike Waltz, national security adviser Mike Waltz is a three-term GOP representative from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser under defense chiefs Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates. Trump asked Waltz, a retired Army National Guard officer, to be his national security adviser, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter before Trump made a formal announcement. Tom Homan, border czar Tom Homan, 62, who previously led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trumps first term, was anticipated to be tapped by Trump to carry out the president-elects goal of the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Gov. Kristi Noem, homeland security secretary Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will serve as Trumps homeland security secretary according to the Washington Post and other outlets. The critical role, given Trumps emphasis on border security, would oversee a $60 billion budget and more than 230,000 employees. Elise Stefanik, United Nations ambassador Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trumps staunchest defenders. Stefanik, 40, was elected to the House in 2014 and has served as the House Republican Conference chair since 2021. She replaced former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R., Wyo.) after Cheney was removed following her criticism of Trump when he falsely claimed he won the 2020 election. Stefaniks questioning of university leaders over antisemitism on their campuses led to two president resignations, including Liz Magill at the University of Pennsylvania, and raised her national profile. Mike Huckabee, ambassador to Israel Trump announced he was nominating former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Huckabee has been a longtime defender of Israel. His nomination poises the Trump administration to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israels interests amid the ongoing war. Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller served as a senior adviser in Trumps first administration. He was considered a central figure in some of Trumps policy decisions, including his move to separate thousands of immigrant families for which he was a vocal spokesperson. Miller, 39, also served as president of America First Legal, an organization comprised of former Trump advisers that challenged President Joe Bidens administration and other groups over free speech issues. Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin will lead the Environmental Protection Agency despite his lack of experience in environmental issues. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member is a longtime Trump supporter. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin would make quick deregulatory decisions, rolling back protections the Biden administration put in place, adding that the United States would have the cleanest air and water on the planet. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Trump announced Marco Rubio, the Florida GOP senator, as his pick for Secretary of State. The duo were once political rivals, both vying for the 2016 Republican presidency nomination, but an alliance has unfolded. Rubio shares many of Trumps right-aligned views when it comes to foreign policy. Marco is a highly respected leader, and a very powerful voice for freedom, Trump said in his announcement. Pete Hegseth, defense secretary President-elect Donald Trump moved to build out his national security team, announcing he is nominating Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary, and John Ratcliffe, former director of national intelligence, to lead the Central Intelligence Agency. Hegseth, 44, cohosts Fox & Friends Weekend and has been a network contributor since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump. He lacks senior military or national security experience. John Ratcliffe, CIA director John Ratcliffe, former director of national intelligence, has been tapped by Trump to lead the CIA. Ratcliffe, a former Republican congressman from Texas, served as director of national intelligence for the final months of Trumps first term, leading the U.S. governments spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. He is a more traditional pick for the role, which requires Senate confirmation, than some rumored loyalists pushed by some of Trumps supporters. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of X, has been tapped by Trump along with Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead what theyre calling the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a nod to the cryptocurrency of the same name. In his announcement about the initiative, Trump said the pair would pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff; assistant to the president Dan Scavino, a former golf caddie who became one of Trumps most trusted aides, will serve as Trumps assistant and a deputy chief of staff under Wiles. Scavino was a senior adviser on the Trump campaign. He was one of the few people Trump trusted to post tweets signed under Trumps name. James Blair, deputy chief of staff for legislative, political, and public affairs; assistant to the president James Blair, a former political director for the Trump campaign, has also been named one of Trumps assistants as well as deputy chief of staff for legislative, political, and public affairs. Blair was a director of this election cycles Republican National Committee, where he managed staff and oversaw political operations and programs, a statement said. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel; assistant to the president Taylor Budowich, who previously worked in a senior role in Trumps Save America PAC and who also served as CEO of the pro-Trump Super PAC, MAGA Inc., will serve in the deputy role and as one of Trumps assistants. Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence Trump has chosen Tulsi Gabbard, a former Congress member and presidential candidate, to serve as director of national intelligence. In his announcement, Trump touted the former Democrat for her Army service. But critics say she lacks experience in intelligence matters and are concerned with her past stances on foreign affairs. Gabbard opposed U.S. interventions in Ukraine and Syria and often suggested the U.S. provoke Russia into aggressive policies. Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general Trump has chosen Todd Blanche, the attorney who led the legal team that defended him at his hush money criminal trial, to serve as the second-highest ranking Justice Department official. Blanche has served as a key figure on Trumps defense team, both in the New York case that ended in a conviction in May and the federal cases brought by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. Trump said Blanche would be a crucial leader. In this role, he would manage the day-to-day operations of the sprawling Justice Department, which Trump has vowed to radically overhaul. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., health secretary Trumps plan to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services would put a prominent vaccine skeptic at the helm of the nations sprawling public health landscape. Kennedy made a name in his own right as an environmental attorney who successfully took on large corporations. But over the past two decades, hes increasingly devoted his energy to promoting claims about vaccines that contradict the overwhelming consensus of scientists. Kennedy would lead the agency that oversees everything from drug, vaccine, and food safety to medical research and the social safety net programs Medicare and Medicaid. But whether the Senate even with a Republican majority will confirm Kennedy remains a question. Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Trump announced Thursday that he would appoint Doug Collins to lead the Veterans Affairs Department in his new administration. The former Republican congressman from Georgia would lead the agency tasked with providing health care to former United States armed forces members. Collins, 58, is a Baptist minister who served in the Navy and Air Force Reserve. He rose to national notice during the Robert Mueller probe into Trump regarding Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. William Bill McGinley, White House counsel Bill McGinley, who served as Trumps cabinet secretary during his first term as president, has been tapped by the president-elect to be his White House counsel this time. The Republican campaign lawyer will take on one of the most powerful positions in the White House, providing legal advice to Trump and his team on policy issues, ethical matters, and congressional oversight. McGinley would serve as the main position between Trump and the Justice Department. Dean John Sauer, solicitor general Another one of Trumps attorneys, Dean John Sauer, was named solicitor general, representing the federal government at the high court. Sauer was part of Trumps defense team during his case regarding his involvement with the Jan. 6 insurrection. Sauer spent six years as Missouris solicitor general. He was also once a law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia. If confirmed, his role would entail representing the United States during key arguments at the Supreme Court. Hed also lead the staff of lawyers at the Justice Department handling high-court litigation. Brendan Carr, FCC chair Trump named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications, and broadband. Carr is a longtime commission member who served previously as the FCCs general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. The FCC is an independent agency that Congress oversees, but Trump has suggested he wanted to bring it under tighter White House control, in part to use the agency to punish TV networks that cover him in a way he doesnt like. Sean Duffy, transportation secretary Trump announced he was nominating former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy for transportation secretary. Duffy is a former reality TV star from MTVs Real World who later went on to cohost Fox Business The Bottom Line after leaving Congress in 2019. He was one of Trumps most visible defenders on cable news a prime concern for the media-focused president-elect. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, was a member of the Financial Services Committee and chairman of the subcommittee on insurance and housing. In his announcement, Trump noted that Duffy is married to a Fox News host, calling him the husband of a wonderful woman, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a STAR on Fox News. Duffy is the second Fox-affiliated TV host named to Trumps cabinet so far. Doug Burgum, interior secretary The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was also a serious contender to be Trumps vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club. Chris Wright, energy secretary A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Wright is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking a key pillar of Trumps quest to achieve U.S. energy dominance in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industrys loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is collapsing under its own weight. The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Mehmet Dr. Oz, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator In a statement Tuesday, Trump announced he was selecting TV personality Mehmet Oz, known as Dr. Oz, to oversee Medicare, Medicaid, and the Childrens Health Insurance Program. The role which the Senate must confirm oversees the programs that provide health care to over 100 million Americans. Oz lost his 2022 race for a Pennsylvania Senate seat to John Fetterman despite a Trump endorsement and the fact that Fetterman suffered a stroke during the primary by more than 260,000 votes. He was often criticized for not spending time in Pennsylvania despite running for a seat that would represent the state. READ MORE: Trump taps Mehmet Oz to head office in charge of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act Linda McMahon, education secretary Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency he has promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trumps initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Shes seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she has expressed support for charter schools and school choice. Howard Lutnick, commerce secretary READ MORE: Donald Trump taps Haverford College mega-donor Howard Lutnick for commerce secretary Trump named Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick to lead the Commerce Department. Hes a cryptocurrency enthusiast and head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald. Lutnick will have a key role in carrying out Trumps plan to raise and enforce tariffs. On Trumps social media platform, Truth Social, he said Lutnick would also be responsible for the Office of the United States Representative. Karoline Leavitt, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trumps campaign press secretary and current spokesperson amid his presidential transition, has been named Trumps White House press secretary. At 27-years-old, it makes her the youngest White House press secretary in history. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trumps first term. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Pam Bondi, U.S. attorney general Pam Bondi, a member of Trumps legal team during his first impeachment in 2020, has been tapped to be Attorney General following his first nomination, U.S. Rep Matt Gaetzs withdrawal. Bondi, 59, was Floridas first female attorney general serving between 2011 and 2019. Considered a loyalist, she has served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that has helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Scott Bessent, treasury secretary Trump announced Friday that hell nominate billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction, to serve as his next treasury secretary. Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nations first openly gay treasury secretary. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, labor secretary Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid earlier this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the Labor Departments workforce and its budget, and policies that impact workers wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employers rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the Protecting the Right to Organize or PRO Act that would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers rights. Brooke Rollins, agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins, 52, is a Texas attorney and longtime associate who served as Trumps domestic policy chief and director of his office of American innovation in his first term. She is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for the second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Scott Turner, housing and urban development Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trumps first term in office. In a statement, Trump credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person hes yet selected for his administration, with helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Countrys most distressed communities. Withdrawn picks: Matt Gaetz, U.S. attorney general Now-former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz was nominated by Trump to serve as his attorney general, positioning a loyalist for the role of the nations top prosecutor. Gaetz had represented Floridas 1st District in the House of Representatives, where hes served since 2017. Hes likely to face scrutiny regarding an ongoing review of allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, along with other ethical issues like abusing special privileges. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. A Justice Department probe into allegations that he obstructed justice and violated sex trafficking laws closed last year. In a statement, Trump said Gaetz would protect borders and dismantle criminal organizations. Update: On Thursday, Gaetz said he was withdrawing his name from consideration as attorney general. READ MORE: Whats going on with Matt Gaetz? The hack and allegations surrounding Trumps attorney general pick, explained. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Its really expensive and you could be ironing out the bugs, said Sheppard. Ideally, what you want to wait for is other people to lay the groundwork and then you just buy the package off the shelf. Cook v Riding for the Disabled Association (NSW) & Anor [2024] NSWSC 1332 In this matter, a child with disabilities was injured during a riding session provided by the Riding for the Disabled Association. The plaintiff argued that the association was negligent for failing to provide adequate supervision, leading to her injury. We are pleased to work with James River on a bespoke solution that further de-risks their balance sheet and provides equity capital to take advantage of the robust E&S market, said David Ni (pictured right), Enstars chief strategy officer. Benefit-to-cost ratios vary widely by region, according to Swiss Res research. Grey infrastructure, such as dykes and levees, is highly effective for mitigating coastal flood damage, providing benefits two to seven times their costs, and in some cases, up to ten times in flood-prone areas. When designed to optimal standards, these structures can cut flood damage by 60% to 90%, particularly in densely populated areas. In his prior role, Galvin spent 17 years building and managing a team of 15 professionals at a large global brokerage. His experience spans both the carrier and brokerage sides of the industry, and he previously served as an equity partner at a startup benefits consulting firm that was later acquired by a global financial services company. Since joining Ascot in 2020 as SVP, head of E&S Casualty, Roy has overseen the expansion of the team to 25 risk specialists and the rollout of four new products within the E&S Casualty segment. His role has also involved advancing technological innovations within the company to support more efficient underwriting practices. This trend has been primarily attributed to an influx of capital in the market, creating a surplus of available resources. However, despite this soft market environment, certain classes of professional liability business and specific regions continue to challenge insurers and brokers with complex risks and demands. This post is part of a series sponsored by Selectsys. In todays fast-paced insurance market, underwriters and wholesalers face increasing pressure to streamline operations, reduce manual processes, and enhance efficiency across multiple lines of business (LOBs). Whether its General Liability, Workers Compensation, Cyber, Property, or specialized lines like Tech E&O and Flood Insurance, Underwriter Link provides a fully automated, integrated solution to revolutionize underwriting processes. Download Our Free Brochure With seamless API integrations, real-time data exchange, and automated submissions, Underwriter Link helps underwriters reduce data entry, push information to carrier systems, and bind policies in record time. Key Features of Underwriter Link Across All LOBs 1. Automated Submission Process Underwriter Link automates submission workflows, eliminating the need for manual data entry. This allows underwriters to quickly push data into both carrier systems and agency management systems, increasing speed and accuracy. 2. Real-Time Quoting and Binding For all LOBs, underwriters can generate quotes and bind policies in less than 3 minutes. The platforms integration with leading carriers ensures real-time data exchange for faster policy issuance. 3. Comprehensive API Carrier Integration Underwriter Link integrates with a wide range of carriers across various lines of business, including: General Liability : Clear Blue Specialty Insurance Company, American Builders Insurance Company, Accredited Specialty Insurance Company, Global Indemnity, LIO Specialty Insurance Company, Crum and Forster, Markel, Nautilus, North East Coverage Solutions, LLOYDS, United National, Imperium Insurance Company. : Clear Blue Specialty Insurance Company, American Builders Insurance Company, Accredited Specialty Insurance Company, Global Indemnity, LIO Specialty Insurance Company, Crum and Forster, Markel, Nautilus, North East Coverage Solutions, LLOYDS, United National, Imperium Insurance Company. Workers Compensation : Accident Insurance Company, National Liability & Fire Insurance Company, MidSouth Mutual Insurance Company, Accredited Surety and Casualty Company, PIE Insurance, AmTrust Financial, Employers, Cerity, Guard. : Accident Insurance Company, National Liability & Fire Insurance Company, MidSouth Mutual Insurance Company, Accredited Surety and Casualty Company, PIE Insurance, AmTrust Financial, Employers, Cerity, Guard. Cyber Insurance : At-Bay, Beazley, CFC, Coalition, Corvus, Cowbell, Elpha Secure, TMHCC, Travelers, Measured. : At-Bay, Beazley, CFC, Coalition, Corvus, Cowbell, Elpha Secure, TMHCC, Travelers, Measured. Tech E&O : CFC, Coalition, Corvus. : CFC, Coalition, Corvus. Commercial Property : Canopius, Amherst Speciality Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company. : Canopius, Amherst Speciality Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company. Flood Insurance (Residential and Commercial) : Hiscox, Canopius. : Hiscox, Canopius. Motor Truck Cargo: LLOYDS, AIFE, United National, Summit Specialty. This connectivity ensures that underwriters can easily push risk information, receive quotes, and bind policies onlineoften in less than 5 minutes. 4. AI-Powered Risk Assessments Underwriter Link utilizes advanced AI algorithms to evaluate risks, providing underwriters with the most accurate data to make informed decisions and offer competitive pricing. 5. Seamless Integration with Agency Management Systems and ImageRight Underwriter Link integrates with your agency management systems and ImageRight for submission clearance, document management, and workflow automation, reducing processing time and ensuring smooth operations. 6. Customizable Workflow Management The platform is designed to allow underwriters to tailor workflows for each LOB, optimizing processes for General Liability, Workers Compensation, Property, and specialty lines like Tech E&O, EPL, and more. 7. Advanced Data-Driven Insights By leveraging real-time data analytics, Underwriter Link helps underwriters make better decisions, providing key insights into risk assessment and pricing across multiple LOBs. 8. Automated Compliance Checks Underwriter Link includes built-in compliance tools to ensure that all quotes and policies meet regulatory standards for each line of business, reducing the risk of errors and penalties. Download Our Free Brochure Benefits of Underwriter Link Across All Lines of Business Speed and Efficiency : With automated submissions, real-time quoting, and fast policy binding, Underwriter Link drastically reduces the time it takes to issue policies across all LOBs. : With automated submissions, real-time quoting, and fast policy binding, Underwriter Link drastically reduces the time it takes to issue policies across all LOBs. Enhanced Accuracy : The platforms automation reduces manual errors, ensuring that data is accurately transferred across systems. : The platforms automation reduces manual errors, ensuring that data is accurately transferred across systems. Increased Market Access : Underwriters can access a broad range of carriers from a single platform, providing more options for clients and improving coverage opportunities. : Underwriters can access a broad range of carriers from a single platform, providing more options for clients and improving coverage opportunities. Improved Client Satisfaction: Faster, more efficient quoting and binding processes lead to higher client retention and satisfaction rates. Real-Life Case Study: Revolutionizing Wholesaler Operations Across All LOBs A prominent wholesaler specializing in multiple lines of business, including General Liability, Workers Compensation, and Cyber, was facing inefficiencies from managing separate carrier systems. By adopting Underwriter Link, the wholesaler integrated with key carriers like Liberty Mutual, The Hartford, and Beazley, reducing quote turnaround times by 50% across all LOBs. They were able to bind policies in under 5 minutes, and their policy bind rates increased by 35%. The automation allowed them to scale their business, enhance operational efficiency, and better serve their clients. Customer Testimonials Underwriter Link has completely transformed our operations. Weve reduced policy binding time by 60% and improved client satisfaction significantly. John Doe, Underwriting Manager Conclusion Underwriter Link is designed to transform the underwriting process across all lines of business, from General Liability and Workers Compensation to specialized lines like Cyber and Tech E&O. By automating submissions, integrating with carrier systems, and providing real-time quoting and binding capabilities, Underwriter Link enables underwriters and wholesalers to optimize workflows, reduce manual effort, and deliver faster, more accurate service. Ready to streamline your underwriting operations across all LOBs? Contact us today to learn more about how Underwriter Link can help your business thrive or start a pilot to experience seamless underwriting across all lines of business. Topics Underwriting A New York City man has been charged with staging a car accident for insurance fraud purposes last month in a case that received wide publicity after the victim shared dashboard camera footage of the crash, authorities announced Friday. Prosecutors say the 28-year-old Brooklyn man was in a car whose driver cut off another car in Queens and then intentionally backed into the vehicle. The defendant and others allegedly staged a crash on a busy highway and rammed an unsuspecting driver with their vehicle after they forcibly stopped her in the left lane of the Belt Parkway, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a news release. Countless lives were jeopardized due to this incredibly reckless conduct. According to prosecutors, Asphia Natasha was driving north on the Belt Parkway on Oct. 16 when a silver Honda Civic cut in front of her car and stopped. Natasha braked to avoid a collision and the Hondas driver backed into her car, damaging both vehicles, prosecutors said. The occupants of the Honda held up what appeared to be a plastic tarp that partly obscured Natashas view inside the Honda, and the occupants of the Honda switched seats within the car, Katz said. Natashas dashboard camera captured the collision, and the video has received millions of views on TikTok. Four people exited the car after the crash. The 28-year-old man was arrested Thursday after arriving in New York on a flight from Ecuador, Katz said. Prosecutors believe he was a backseat passenger in the Honda at the time of the crash. The other three people who were in the car are still being sought. The man was arraigned on charges including staging a motor vehicle accident, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and insurance fraud. He pleaded not guilty. A message seeking comment was left with his attorney. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Auto Fraud Personal Auto New York City cant use an unconstitutional, two-century-old anti-pauper law to block the state of Texas from offering migrants free bus rides to the city from the southern border, a state judge has ruled. The court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by Mayor Eric Adams in January against charter bus companies contracted by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. It sought to bar them from knowingly dropping off needy persons, citing an 1817 state law that criminalized bringing an indigent person into the state for the purpose of making him a public charge. Justice Mary Rosado said in a sternly worded decision that the law is unconstitutional for several reasons. For one, she wrote, states are not permitted to regulate the interstate transportation of people based on their economic status. The statute also violates a fundamental right the right to travel, she added. Rosado said requiring bus operators to screen passengers based on the possibility that they may need public assistance when they get to their destination would infringe on that fundamental right, and punishing the bus companies for failing to keep poor people out of the city would be improper. The judge concluded by saying that if city officials want to do something, they should turn to Congress rather than ask the court to enforce an antiquated, unconstitutional statute to infringe on an individuals right to enter New York based on economic status. Starting in 2022, the state of Texas began offering migrants free bus rides to cities with Democratic mayors. At least 46,000 were sent to New York, 19,000 to Denver, 37,000 to Chicago and over 17,000 to other cities, according to Abbotts office. At the time, Adams, a Democrat, said the trips were illegal and amounted to political ploys from the state of Texas. Related: New York City Sues 17 Bus Companies for Transporting Migrants From Texas It would have been difficult for New York City to sue Texas due to a legal doctrine known as sovereign immunity, so it went after the private charter companies instead. Despite the court loss, the Adams administration said the lawsuit has had its desired effect: Fewer charter buses brought immigrants to the city after it was filed, and none have been identified since June, according to a statement from his office. Adams has not given up on further action, either. We are reviewing our legal options to address the costs shifted to New York City as a result of the Texas busing scheme, mayoral spokesperson Liz Garcia said in a statement. The New York Civil Liberties Union applauded the courts decision. Mayor Adams is not above the law and cannot keep wrongly exploiting the plight of newly arrived immigrants to bolster his own political agenda, NYCLU senior staff lawyer Beth Haroules said. Everyone, regardless of their citizenship status or income, has the right to freely travel and reside anywhere within the United States. Abbot said during one visit to New York City that Adams was right to be upset about the surge in migrants but should be blaming President Joe Biden. Adams ultimately did criticize the federal government, saying it had an obligation to help the city pay for housing and providing services to migrants. New York has long provided shelter to more homeless people than any other U.S. city, in part because of a 1981 court ruling requiring it to shelter anyone who asks for it. City officials say they have provided shelter and other services to more than 200,000 immigrants in the past two years, only a fraction of whom arrived via Texas-sponsored buses. As the new arrivals swelled, New York and other cities ended up following Abbotts lead, offering migrants free bus tickets to other places. New York paid over 4,800 fares for immigrants to travel to Texas, including some who had been bused from there, according to city officials. Top Photo: Asylum seekers arrive at the Roosevelt Hotel on Friday, May 19, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Texas Legislation New York Fire crews on both coasts of the United States continued battling wildfires on Sunday, including a blaze in New York and New Jersey that killed a parks employee and another in Southern California that destroyed more than 130 structures and damaged dozens more. Firefighters continued making progress against a wildfire northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County that broke out Wednesday and quickly exploded in size due to dry, warm and gusty Santa Ana winds. The Mountain Fire prompted thousands of residents to flee their homes and was 26% contained as of Sunday, up from 21% the previous day. The fires size remains around 32 square miles (about 83 square kilometers). The cause is under investigation. The fire continues to creep and smolder in steep rugged terrain. Threats remain to critical infrastructure, highways, and communities, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, better known as Cal Fire. Meanwhile, New York State Police said they were investigating the death of Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old state parks employee who died when a tree fell on him Saturday afternoon as he battled a major brush fire in Sterling Forest, located in New York states Greenwood Lake near the New Jersey line. Rip brother your shift is over job well done, a New York State forestry services post said. Jeremy Oldroyd, a forest ranger with New York state, said that Vasquez died assisting with fire line construction. Wildland firefighting is a very dangerous profession, and we try to take as many precautions as we can mitigate some of the hazards that are out there in the wildland fire environment. But occasionally accidents do happen, he said. New Jerseys state forest fire service said Sunday that the blaze dubbed the Jennings Creek Wildfire was threatening 25 structures, including two New Jersey homes. It had grown to 4.7 square miles (12 square kilometers) and was 10% contained as of Sunday night. Related: Pennsylvania Prohibits Fires on State Lands as Dry Conditions Persist Health advisories were issued for parts of New York, including New York City, and northeastern New Jersey due to unhealthy air quality due to smoke from the fires. People were urged to limit strenuous outdoor physical activity if possible; those especially sensitive included the very young and very old and people with ailments such as asthma and heart disease. But there was progress on other fires. New Jersey officials reported 75% containment of a 175-acre (70-hectare) fire in the Pompton Lakes area of Passaic County that was threatening 55 homes, although no evacuations had been ordered, as well as progress made on other fires burning in the state amid bone-dry conditions. In New Jersey, Ocean County prosecutors on Saturday announced arson and firearms charges in connection with a 350-acre (142-hectare) Jackson Township fire that started Wednesday. They said that fire was sparked by magnesium shards from a shotgun round on the berm of a shooting range. Officials said firing that kind of incendiary or tracer ammunition was barred in the state. The majority of the blaze has been contained, officials reported Friday. In Massachusetts, one wildfire among several fueled by powerful wind gusts and dry leaves has burned hundreds of acres in the Lynn Woods Reservation, a municipal park extending across about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in the city some 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Boston. The Lynn Fire Department cited a dry spell we have not seen during this time of year in many years. We have had over 400 acres of the woods that have burned so far. We believe we have the fire contained using the main fire roads. We will maintain a presence to ensure the fire doesnt spread further, Lynn Fire Chief Dan Sullivan said in a statement late Sunday. He said windy and dry conditions certainly made it challenging even as he asked people to stay away from the burned-out areas. There are far too many weakened trees, and we dont want the public to get injured, he added. Top Photo: People walk along a path near flames on the forest floor, in Lynn Woods Reservation, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Lynn, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters USA Wildfire New York New Jersey Malayan Banking Bhd. is considering options including buying out Ageas SAs minority stake in Etiqa as Malaysias biggest lender seeks to boost the value of the Southeast Asian insurer, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Maybank, as the Kuala Lumpur-listed lender is known, may also seek to replace Belgium insurer Ageas with another minority investor, said the people, asking not to be identified as the deliberations are private. Maybank owns 69% of Etiqa, while Ageas holds the remaining 31%. A potential deal could value Etiqa at as much as $4 billion, the people said. Other options include renegotiating existing bancassurance agreements to help distribute insurance products, they added. Deliberations are ongoing and no final decisions have been made, the people said, adding that Maybank could decide against pursuing any transaction. Representatives for Maybank, Ageas and Etiqa declined to comment. Etiqa is profitable and has potential to grow in Malaysia and the region, Maybank Chief Executive Officer Khairussaleh Ramli said in an interview last year. The executive also ruled out a potential listing of the insurer. With more than 10,000 agents and 44 branches, Etiqa offers both conventional and Shariah-compliant insurance products in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia, according to its website. Photograph: Pedestrians outside Maybank Islamic Bhd. bank branch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 19, 2023. Photo credit: Samsul Said/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Carriers Specialist Risk Group (SRG), the London-based specialist insurance intermediary, announced the acquisition of One Claim Ltd. Based in Essex, England, One Claim provides broker partners and their clients with claims management support from initial notification through to settlement. The One Claim team will now sit within SRGs MGA pillar MX. The One Claim team has significant expertise in the motor fleet sector, which will add value to SRGs existing motor fleet capabilities across underwriting, wholesale and retail broking. This includes a motor fleet offering through MGA Capulus, which SRG acquired in October 2024. Furthermore, SRG employs a large motor fleet broking team in its UK Wholesale business through Miles Smith and a significant fleet book handled by its retail business, Specialist Risk Insurance Solutions. One Claim is a fantastic addition to our growing MGA, MX and this deal is a natural next step following Capulus joining our MX MGA pillar earlier this year. The Capulus and One Claim teams perfectly complement each other and they will continue to work closely together to support their broker partners and their clients, commented Lee Anderson, group deputy CEO of Specialist Risk Group. We are delighted to be joining Specialist Risk Group, and look forward to working alongside our friends at Capulus, said Kevin Smith, director of One Claim Ltd. We are proud of the business that weve built and of our team that delivers an outstanding service to our clients. In recent years we have seen a significant reduction in the average cost per claim for our clients, delivered by a team of deeply specialist claims professionals, Smith added. We are excited for the future as part of MX and the wider SRG business. Source: Specialist Risk Group Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Claims Former first lady Michelle Obamas brother and his wife have settled a lawsuit they filed in 2022 alleging a private school in Milwaukee refused to reenroll their children after the couple raised concerns about racism and inappropriate conduct at the school. Craig and Kelly Robinson alleged in the lawsuit that the University School of Milwaukee terminated their then 9- and 11-year-old sons re-enrollment contracts for the 2021-2022 school year after the couple complained that teachers treated students of color and socioeconomically underrepresented students unfairly. The couple said that when the boys were learning virtually at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, they became aware of racial and ethnic stereotypes appearing in assignments. School officials said at the time that the enrollment decision had nothing to do with their complaints. But USM Head of School Steve Hancock told the couple in a termination letter and an email that they had repeatedly engaged in disrespectful communications with teachers and administrators. He issued a statement when the lawsuit was filed that the enrollment decisions had nothing to do with complaints about inequity or discrimination. But Hancock said the school would not tolerate persistently disrespectful, bullying, or harassing behavior directed at teachers and administrators. Online court records indicate Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Thomas McAdams dismissed the lawsuit on Tuesday. The Robinsons and the school issued a joint statement saying that they have resolved the dispute and both sides regret that the disagreement resulted in the Robinson children no longer being enrolled. The statement called the Robinson children model students. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The Robinsons were seeking unspecified monetary damages. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits K-12 DETROIT (AP) A jury awarded more than $12 million Friday to a woman who lost her job at a Michigan insurance company after declining to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Much of the award $10 million is for punitive damages against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, according to the verdict form. Lisa Domski, who worked at Blue Cross for more than 30 years, said she was a victim of religious discrimination. The company in 2021 did not grant an exemption from its vaccine policy, despite her insistence that it clashed with her Catholic beliefs. Domskis attorney, Jon Marko, said she worked 100% remotely as an IT specialist during the pandemic; 75% before COVID-19 hit in 2020. Even without the vaccine, she wasnt a danger to anybody, Marko said in an interview after the trial. Besides punitive damages, the jury in Detroit federal court awarded Domski about $1.7 million in lost pay and $1 million in noneconomic damages. Blue Cross denied any discrimination. In a court filing earlier in the case, the insurer said Domski lacked a sincerely held religious belief. An appeal is possible. Blue Cross released a statement but didnt make anyone available for comment. While Blue Cross respects the jury process and thanks the individual jurors for their service, we are disappointed in the verdict, the health insurer said. Blue Cross is reviewing its legal options and will determine its path forward in the coming days. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Michigan COVID-19 The US Supreme Court left intact a ruling that curbs the Justice Departments ability to use federal antitrust law to prosecute people and companies for bid-rigging, price-fixing and other collusion. The justices, without comment, turned away a Biden administration appeal aimed at reinstating the bid-rigging conviction of a former sales manager at a North Carolina construction company. At issue was the standard prosecutors must meet to prove illegal collusion occurred among companies that are both competitors and partners. A federal appeals court said companies with those types of arrangements can sometimes reach bidding agreements without running afoul of federal antitrust law. The ruling from the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals will limit the tools available to prosecutors in five mid-Atlantic states. The Justice Department said the 4th Circuit decision marked a sharp departure from the longstanding understanding that bid-rigging among competitors is per se that is, inherently illegal under the 1890 Sherman Act. Under the per se standard, prosecutors must prove only that an agreement between competitors was reached. Defense lawyers are barred from arguing that the agreement was beneficial in some way. The case stems from construction contracts awarded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to install aluminum structures that prevent flooding. Two of the three companies that generally bid for the contracts also had a supply relationship, with Pomona Pipe Products buying aluminum from Contech Engineered Solutions for use in the projects. Prosecutors alleged that from 2009 to 2018, Contech sales manager Brent Brewbaker coordinated bids with his counterparts at Pomona. Under the alleged arrangement, Pomona would submit the lowest bid and then purchase the necessary aluminum from Contech. Pomona won about 340 aluminum-structure contracts, worth more than $23.9 million, the Justice Department said. A federal jury convicted Brewbaker of fraud and bid-rigging, and he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The 4th Circuit upheld his conviction on five fraud counts but tossed out his bid-rigging conviction on a 3-0 vote. The 4th Circuit said the prosecution was subject to the rule of reason, an antitrust doctrine that assesses whether restraints on trade are legal by looking at the impact on competition. The panel said the Contech-Pomona arrangement had possible procompetitive effects. The Justice Department generally pursues criminal charges under the Sherman Acts Section 1 only when the per se standard applies, not when prosecutors would have to meet the rule of reason test. The case is United States v. Brewbaker, 23-1365. Photo: The U.S. Supreme Court Building. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Nonresident surplus lines brokers working in Alabama, like their in-state brethren, must secure a $50,000 fidelity bond to be licensed in the state, starting Jan. 1. The Alabama Department of Insurance posted the bulletin last week. A form is available on the DOIs website. Resident brokers have, for years, been required to obtain fidelity bonds. Nonresidents bond requirements were brought about by recent legislative changes. Different states have differing mandates on bonds, and some states have moved away from requiring bonds. About the same time that Alabama demanded bonds for out-of-staters, Florida ended the practice, and no longer requires fidelity bonds for nonresident or for resident surplus lines brokers. The premium for a surety bond can start at about $375 and varies depending on the applicants credit rating, the ALDOI said. The bulletin can be seen here. Topics Agencies Excess Surplus Alabama Firefighters battled strong winds driving a fast-moving Southern California wildfire that forced the evacuations of thousands of people and destroyed at least 168 structures. Containment of the Mountain Fire in Ventura County increased to 48%. The fire has now burned 20,630 acres. The fire broke out Wednesday driven by winds and gusts to 80 mph. However, on Sunday conditions improved, and firefighters made progress. Related: Wind-Driven Southern California Blaze Has Destroyed at Least 132 Structures Minimal fire activity throughout the day. Crews continue to construct and improve containment lines, the most recent CalFire update states. Fire suppression repair operations are ongoing and damage inspection teams remain out in the fire area assessing affected structures. Repopulation efforts continue in areas that are safe to do so. Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of resources to Ventura County. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Related: High Winds in Southern California Drive Two Blazes Nearly 2,400 personnel, 275 engines and 13 helicopters are assigned to fight the fire. Topics California Wildfire Hollywood actor Chris Pratt and author Katherine Schwarzenegger said they are overjoyed to welcome their third child. The Guardians Of The Galaxy star and his wife, the daughter of Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger, confirmed their son was born on Friday. A search and recovery operation has resumed this morning for a missing swimmer in Galway Bay. The woman, aged in her 30s, was one of two people who failed to return to shore in two separate incidents after going swimming at Silver Strand. The alarm was raised after the swimmer, aged in her 30s, failed to show up for work and her car was found at the scene. The body of the second person, who has been named as renowned singer and songwriter Johnny Duhan, aged 74, was recovered shortly before 2pm on Tuesday afternoon. The Limerick native, who has lived in Barna in Galway for many years, drowned after going for a swim at Silverstrand near his home this morning. The alarm was raised when he failed to return home and as a search was being launched it emerged that a woman in her 30s was also missing after also swimming off the same beach. Gardai leading the investigation said they are treating the tragic events as two separate incidents and while both, like many in the area, were regular swimmers there, they do not believe they were known to each other. A search will resume at first light for the woman who is believed to be from nearby Spiddal. The search for her was launched when she did not turn up for work and her car was found in the car park at Silverstrand where she was a regular swimmer. The bizarre double incident has shocked the local community with neighbours and friends comforting both families and joining them at Silverstrand for the search. Mr Duhan, who wrote songs for artists such as The Dubliners, Christy Moore, Mary Black and Dolores Keane among others, is a renowned singer and songwriter. He wrote 'The Voyage' which was made famous by Christy Moore. He is survived by his wife Maureen and five children Ronan, Niamh, Kevin, Ailbhe and Brian, ten grandchildren, four sisters and three brothers, along with a large cohort of music fans. Gardai are treating the incidents separately and are trying to establish what happened. Supt Paudie OShea appealed for anyone who was in the Silverstrand area on Tuesday morning and noticed anything to contact them. We don't fully understand the sequence of events which occurred here this morning, but it would be quite unusual. That is something we're just trying to piece together, said Supt OShea, speaking at Silverstrand as the search continued on Tuesday afternoon. At the moment, currently, we are treating them as two separate incidents. We're dealing with two different families at one location. Both parties would be local to the area. We don't believe they are known to each other. They would have both arrived here this morning for they would have been both people who would frequent the sea for a daily swim. We're just trying to piece together the sequence of events, and currently we don't know the full sequence of events, and that is something we're trying to establish. It is absolutely devastating for both families and An Garda Siochana are working closely with both families. We are supporting them through this devastating time for both of them, he added. Galway's Silverstrand Beach. File picture: Google Maps Gardai, Galway RNLI, the Coast Guard, Galway Sub Aqua, and local volunteers, including fishing boats, launched a search both in the water and along the shoreline in a bid to locate the two swimmers. Visibility was very poor, which prevented the Coast Guard rescue helicopter from being tasked, but Mr Duhan was located after a few hours. This morning at 10am An Garda Siochana received a report here at Silverstrand of a male who had failed to return to shore, who had gone out swimming, added Supt OShea. At approximately 1.40pm this afternoon, the body of a male was recovered close by by Galway RNLI. The body was removed to Galway docks and was subsequently removed to Galway University Hospital where a postmortem will be conducted. An Garda Siochana are working and supporting the family of this deceased male. While Gardai were present this morning here at the scene they received a further report of a lady who had not returned to shore following a swim. "An Garda Siochana are currently conducting searches here with the assistance of Galway RNLI, the Coast Guard, Galway Sub Aqua and local volunteers. An Garda Siochana are also supporting and working with the family of this missing lady. An Garda Siochana would also like to thank the tremendous support of the local community here, which they have provided over the last number of hours. There were distressing scenes as distraught family members of the two swimmers arrived at the scene, with more volunteers arriving as the afternoon progressed in efforts to locate them. Several local people arrived with hot food and drinks for the rescue workers and family members. Others arrived with kayaks on the roof of their cars or jet-skis on trailers and took to the water in the search, while other volunteers used drones. More combed the shoreline on foot before the search was called off as darkness fell. The conditions are very challenging, added Supt OShea. We will be having a debrief this evening after our searches, and we'll be continuing tomorrow again. I want to pay tribute to all the agencies who are working closely with us here today, providing tremendous support to them, the local community. It has been outstanding, the amount of support we've got here. If people were here this morning and noticed anything unusual, we would certainly be appealing to them to come forward to An Garda Siochana with any information, no matter how small that may be. The search will resume at Silverstrand, which is about seven kilometres west of Galway city, at first light on Wednesday morning, and Supt OShea asked that any volunteers joining the search make themselves known in advance. We would just caution that they make themselves known to us in the morning. We'll be here on the ground, and we'll have coordinated searches. But we want to make sure that if people are going out, that they're safe, added Supt OShea. Taoiseach Simon Harris has led tributes to Mr Duhan. In a social media post, Mr Harris said it was terribly sad news tonight from Galway. He added: Johnny Duhan was a renowned and much loved songwriter. Thinking of his family and loved ones at this very sad time. The young woman who is still missing remains in our thoughts tonight. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Sinn Fein senator Paul Gavan said it was very sad news. He added: I saw him play live in the 1980s a number of times in Limerick. A great writer and performer and a warm and thoughtful man. Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said on X: Im really sorry to hear of the death of Johnny Duhan. One of our finest songwriters and creative writers. Hothouse Flowers musician Fiachna O Braonain said The Voyage belongs in the pantheon of Irish songs. Writing on X, he added: I played Johnny Duhans music regularly on @RTERadio and his songs always received such a warm response.. and without fail, i received a beautifully crafted thank you note from Johnny.. every time. A master wordsmith Deepest sympathies to Maureen and all his beloved family - Additional reporting by PA The daughter of a man killed by a dangerous driver has accused the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of not caring about the victim after the case against her fathers killer was delayed repeatedly. Terry Gaff, aged 56, pleaded guilty last April to causing the death of 68-year-old Alan Rice after driving into his motorcycle on the wrong side of the road, near Skerries in Co Dublin in April 2021. However, the resolution of the criminal action took three years to process after the DPP failed to have a book of evidence prepared in order to prosecute Mr Gaff on eight separate occasions, including one on the second anniversary of Mr Rices death, an experience his daughter Laura described as the worst. Speaking at a Road Safety Authority event to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Laura Rice said she has no doubt her familys loss would have been much easier to deal with had the legal process concluded within a reasonable timeframe. Each time we had to sit on a bench beside the man who killed Da, sitting as strangers but wanting to ask him why he did this, she told the audience, itself comprised of others who had lost loved ones to road tragedies. The DPP should have its evidence ready. Why did it take two years? And then they describe it as an inefficiency? Its wasting guards time, wasting families time. Whos winning when you go to court so many times? I dont think they care at all about the victim, Ms Rice said. After hearing that her father had died, Ms Rice said she had been "naive" when inquiring if the driver had been arrested or banned from driving. I had no idea that our lives, moods, grief were going to be given over to a criminal case, which I found to be like a part-time job but with no pay and no reward and one that I could not quit. Ms Rice and her family attended court 16 times before Mr Gaff finally pleaded guilty. He was never required to give a statement as to what had happened when the collision occurred. He was handed a 1,000 fine and a two-year suspended prison sentence following his guilty plea. Ms Rice said the lack of mandatory sentencing for offenders points to an inherent issue in our legal system. The system, meant to provide justice, seemed to prioritise his needs over ours, she said of Mr Gaffs prosecution, describing his punishment as a mere slap on the wrist. He could still drive, he needed to for work, the judge said. My fathers life, his dreams, his love for his family, seemed to hold little value in the eyes of the courts. How did he mean so little when he was our world? she asked. A paramedic told the High Court that she had not seen someone so bruised in a long time when she examined a woman who claimed she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor. Advanced paramedic Eithne Scully said that Nikita Ni Laimhin, who is claiming civil damages against Mr McGregor, was very upset and distressed and was curled up when she spoke to her the day after the alleged incident. Mr McGregor is facing accusations in the civil action that he brutally raped and battered Ms Ni Laimhin. She is also suing another man, James Lawrence, for sexual assault in December 2018. Ms Ni Laimhin, who has no automatic right to anonymity, has accused Mr McGregor of pinning her to a bed and raping her in a hotel bedroom in south Dublin. The court also heard on Tuesday that Ms Ni Laimhin has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of the alleged rape. The court heard that Ms Scully and another paramedic took Ms Ni Laimhin to the Rotunda hospital sexual assault unit. She said that Ms Ni Laimhin's main concern was that a tampon had been pushed up way too far, and she had pains. In evidence to the court, Ms Scully said she could see a small cut on her chin and there appeared to be some bruising on her lower neck. During an examination, she saw bruising around her chest, breast, down her legs, as well as around her buttocks and thighs. When asked about the severity of the bruising, Ms Scully told the court that she had not seen someone so bruised in a long time. The court also heard from Ms Ni Laimhin's GP, Dr Frank Clarke, who said that she had been diagnosed with PTSD. He said he has been treating Ms Ni Laimhin since she was a child, and that she had a history of anxiety and struggled with her confidence and had previously been prescribed a low dose of medication to help her. He said that following her diagnosis of PTSD, she had been prescribed stronger medication, which he said helped her deal with the peaks of her emotional pain. Dr Clarke said the medication has a sedative effect, and helps people who suffer from night terrors, panic attacks and severe distress. He said they are only used in the short term as they can be abused. Nikita Ni Laimhin, who is also known as Nikita Hand (Brain Lawless/PA) Ms Ni Laimhin was prescribed a number of the tablets, which helped with her sleep, anxiety and emotional distress but he said it was not a good route to go. In general we are strongly against using those on an ongoing basis, he added. Dr Clarke said that Ms Ni Laimhin has struggled over the years because of her PTSD, and has struggled with her self-esteem. He said that symptoms of PTSD includes a person losing hope, hating themselves, drinking too much, and behaving in a way that is uncharacteristic. He said that Ms Ni Laimhin has received ongoing counselling and medication to help her with her condition. He said that Ms Ni Laimhin was anxious not to become dependent on medication and had remained determined to continue using counselling as a form of treatment. The court was told that PTSD is caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event. The person can either be part of the event or witness it. The court was told that Ms Ni Laimhin has suffered from flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. Dr Clark said Ms Ni Laimhin had to leave her work as a hairdresser because the alleged event happened following a Christmas work party, that people in her work knew about it and people coming into the salon had been talking about it. The GP said Ms Ni Laimhin had great difficulty coping, and that the relationship with her former partner broke down and she had difficulty in supporting her mother. He also said Ms Ni Laimhin has found it difficult to undergo routine health procedures, including a smear test. He said that it has been incredibly difficult for his patient, and he hopes she can continue with check-ups soon. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. Emily Healys daughter Brooke is a gentle, sweet toddler, living with a rare disease that has turned the familys days into an all-consuming search for help. A hairdresser in Limerick, Emily even chats to clients about her daughters care, and they swap tips on private therapists. Despite efforts from some HSE staff, almost all of Brookes care in her two years of life has been private. Emily's joy in Brooke is clear as she says: She is so happy, just gentle and sweet and so social. Everyone who meets her dotes over her. The little girl has Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. The more we do for her now, the better the outcome will be when she is older, Emily explains. At the moment she is still not walking, she has never crawled. She does get around on her bum but shes been on her bum since before she was one. Its getting to the stage where shes getting swelling in her joints. Emily points out they were really lucky to get a diagnosis early, thanks to an unbelievably helpful cardiologist at University Hospital Limerick. She referred them to CHI at Crumlin for genetic testing. It is heart-breaking, you dont know what is ahead really, she says. Especially when its rare there are not a lot of people around you can turn to. I think a lot of people have that shock with autism but it is a lot more common as well. Their GP referred them to a HSE physiotherapist in Nenagh who Ms Healy also praises for trying to help them. Realising Brooke needed specialist care, this physio referred them to a childrens disability network team. The wheels stopped turning then. The childrens service dont even have an occupational therapist on their team at the moment, Emily explains in frustration. While waiting, she and her husband Martin have turned to private therapists. Physiotherapy can cost from 75 for 30 minutes up to 120 depending on the therapist, even though they do not see differences in the care. They found a speech & language therapist at 60 for 30 minutes, although she adds: She usually does an hour, shes lovely. A paediatrician appointment set them back around 200, only to be told Brooke has reflux. Emily Healy (right) and Martin (left) with their daughter Brooke in Annacotty, Limerick. Picture: Brian Arthur After months of worry about feeding problems, they went to a private clinic called the National Tongue-Tie Centre near Clonmel. They told us she had a tongue-tie, a lip-tie and two cheek-ties. If we had caught those early, we could have been charged maybe 600 for them, but because we caught them so late and over an age limit, she had to be sedated. It cost us over 3,000, she said. Although her husband has health insurance through work, this was not covered. The family are supported by Rare Ireland and Enable Ireland. Ms Healy has already taken this up with canvassers, asking why she is relying on charities instead of the State. She wants to know why colleges are not funded to train more therapists and why the HSE cannot hire to fill the gaps in the teams. She says: Its all empty promises, you never really hear from them. Its very frustrating. I dont feel it is a priority for anyone really unless you have kids with disabilities yourself. Laura Egan, co-founder of Rare Ireland said: We have children in membership who have never received the therapies they require to reach their potential. As a charity, every year we have more parents coming to us seeking support in paying for these therapies privately as they are not available in the public system. Case Study: GP shortage in Clare highlights service issues Dr Micheal Kelleher has gone from working with his GP father to working alone, to being part of a three-practice merger in the face of doctor shortages in north Clare. The GPs in Lahinch and Corafin saw patient numbers rising but struggled to attract new doctors to smaller practices. So they took a chance on something new. This beautiful rural area has seen a population-bump post-pandemic as remote workers re-located. That is in addition to thousands of tourists. More people means more patients, but Clare now only has 68 GPs per 100,000 of population. This puts it in the crisis zone referred to by the Irish College of General Practitioners as it pointed to the target of 100. Dr Kelleher, a GP for 40 years, said: What we did here in north Clare was we merged three neighbouring practices, and that worked and is working quite well. We are in our fourth year of that merger. They use three buildings but work as one entity, he explained, meaning resources are shared. Over time, we also hope to merge into two rather than three centres of practice, he said. Two of those practices are next door to each other, so that doesnt discommode the patients. Just before the merger he was working alone, saying: I previously was a partner with my late father, thats several years ago. Another practice was single-handed and the third had two doctors. Dr Michael Kelleher. Picture: Brian Arthur Dr Kelleher said: The merger made a lot of sense when we teased out the mechanics of it, we had some help with that and so far its been working well and hopefully will continue to work well. The team now includes four GP partners, two associates, and two registrars in higher training. Over time, we have consolidated the practice services and there is a degree of synchronicity that wouldnt have been there before, he explained. He expects to see more mergers, saying: I think it will be increasingly difficult to fill rural practices that are single-handed. Were not unique but there arent that many have done it. I think we are probably pioneering in that aspect. GPs are not HSE staff but most have contracts treating medical card patients for the State. Some 42% of the population now have either a full medical card or a GP visit card. The difficulty with single-handed practices is that the contract is a 24-hour contract, he said. "Very few doctors would work those hours now but that is the contractual obligation. A key challenge is the struggle to find locum cover for holidays, sick leave, or even maternity leave, Dr Kelleher explained. Working in a team removes many of those barriers. Our practice areas would have always over-lapped and we have younger doctors who are embedded in the community, he said. They live in the community and are likely to continue in practice here. For me, as the elder doctor in the group, it allows me to continue in service because I have more manageable hours now. Dr Kelleher also said the shortage of GPs is not unique to Ireland with a similar crisis brewing across Europe. He cautiously welcomed the recent increase in training places here. This will see 350 new GPs trained every year after completing their initial training. It takes a long time to shift these things, medical education takes between 10 and 15 years, he added. So the 350 coming in now, the earliest we will be seeing them come into practice is in four to five years. The Aontu party's election document 'Our Common Sense Immigration Policy' launched on Tuesday, strangely focused only on one small element of immigration to the exclusion of all others. It seems one mans common sense is anothers dog whistle. Asylum seekers accounted for less than 10% of the inward flow of people into the State in 2023, numbering 13,277 out of a total of 141,500 (Ukrainians fleeing the war made up around 40,000 of that number in a very unusual year). Yet it is asylum seekers, many of whom are among the most desperate people on the planet, who are being subjected to Aontus common sense. The launch took place at Buswells Hotel near the Dail. Party leader Peadar Toibin was flanked by various election candidates. Aontu is hoping for a breakthrough this time around, and may well move beyond the single seat occupied by the leader, who also won a Euro parliament seat last June. Questions and challenges around accommodation for asylum seekers was a major issue this year but in recent months it has faded from the frontline. It remains to be seen whether other parties will publish specific papers on the matter and if it will feature as voters make up their minds. Toibin began by pointing out that his party has led on the issue of immigration, which isnt accurate. Certainly, he has been a loud voice in asking questions around asylum seekers but he has had nothing to say about the other elements of immigration. This is an issue that we led on and the political establishment now, many of them are copying us word for word, which is incredible, he told the assembled media. This is an important issue for Irish society and for the cohesion of Irish society. Aontu is a pluralist Republican party. We believe everybody in Ireland should be treated equally." The party wants a new Irish border agency, which has a Trumpian ring to it. Lithuania, a country of similar population and size has an integrated border force of over 4,000 staff our investment in a new border agency will be of the same magnitude. Lithuania is a former soviet republic, which borders a belligerent Belarus and is not too far from Russia. Maybe Aontu is expecting the Vikings to set sail for this country again, but otherwise its difficult to see a purpose to having 4,000 people dealing with the States borders. Aontu's Aisling Considine putting up election posters near the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street in Dublin. The party is hoping for a breakthrough this time around Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie There are a few bits in the document that might generally be accepted as actually fitting the term common sense. A community dividend, including ramping up vital services, is proposed for areas which host migrants. Another proposal is that applications for protection be determined within six months. Enforcing deportations is a controversial area but one that may be open to debate. Then we come to a proposal entitled No Entry for Criminals. We will not permit the entry into the country of anyone with a criminal record, it states. How such records might be verified from countries like Afghanistan and Syria is not explained. But there is absolutely no evidence of asylum seekers committing crime to any extent that is anyway notable. Certainly, there is plenty of disinformation and lies suggesting otherwise but why introduce such an idea if it is obviously baseless? When asked, Toibin said he was not alleging that asylum seekers were responsible for crime but it was an issue that was coming up on the doorsteps. He said we shouldnt fear talking about these things and he rejected the idea that introducing the matter as if it was a real issue would inflame the lies and disinformation. Presumably, therefore, if it was coming up on the doorsteps that asylum seekers turned into vampires when the sun went down Aontu would be advocating for a vampire police unit to be set up. To be fair, this type of dog whistling did not begin with Aontu. A few months ago, Sinn Fein reps were repeatedly noting that the party was not in favour of open borders. The reasoning behind such statements was that it was coming up on the doorsteps, and rather than point out that there was no such concept of open borders it was thought better to pander to the lies. Back in Buswells another strand of common sense was presented in a proposal to ensure fairness in allocation of resources. This had to do with, wait for it, the government creating a situation whereby some people who have entered the country have been given priority in areas like accommodation, health, and transport. This echoes with Donald Trumps ravings about Democrats fitting out illegal immigrants in the best of threads before signing them up to vote in the presidential election. We will ensure that non-citizens will no longer be prioritized over Irish citizens for any public service, Aontu patriotically assert. Protesters at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, in July, following plans to redevelop the disused warehouse to house asylum seekers. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Such a premise is entirely spurious and plays directly into the hands of those who revel in spreading lies and kicking down on the most vulnerable. When questioned, Toibin cited the building of modular houses for Ukrainians rather than homeless people. This ignores that previous attempts to build such accommodation was centred on Dublin and met huge opposition as being sub-standard. Once again, the objective of disseminating this stuff is to root around in the gutter beneath the fabled doorstep rather than explaining to householders that the allegation is based on lies. Much easier to pander than to tackle base prejudice. In response to questions Toibin said that there should be a conversation about these matters and that some in politics and the media didnt want any such debate. It is difficult to fathom the value of debating about criminal asylum seekers and the state discriminating against citizens when both notions are based on lies that would needlessly inflame anger and prejudice. He did say when asked about it that he would be in favour of a reduction in the work visa numbers, but nowhere in the document was there a reference to any cohort but asylum seekers. Next door to Aontu in the hotel, People Before Profit were presenting a document on disability. Paul Murphy said that the whole issue of asylum seekers was being used by the government to deflect from its mismanagement. Asked whether he still had reservations about Sinn Fein on this issue, as he had expressed a few months ago, he confirmed that to still be the case. Last Sunday, when Fine Gael was under pressure over Michael OLearys kick at teachers, Simon Harris stated that his party wants to charge asylum seekers for their room and board. This was already being planned by the outgoing government but theres never any harm in restating something if it might net a few votes floating around in the nether regions of the doorstep. In reality, the rules around international protection applicants have been tightened up in recent months in response to political pressure. Sources working in the system say that there has been a notable change. While some describe this as heightened efficiency, others wonder whether it is in danger of impacting on human rights. Despite these changes, there remains in some political quarters the feeling that theres still a few votes to be hoovered up by appearing tough on this issue, throwing out anything that might chime with somebody looking to have prejudices confirmed. All, of course, in the name of common sense. Note: The headline of this article was changed to better reflect the tenor of the column. While the forthcoming election will undoubtedly focus on the big-ticket items such as housing, the cost of living, and immigration, candidates and parties would do well not to ignore one of the lesser publicised issues Irelands disabled. With the Economic and Social Research Institute having recently highlighted the fact that 23% of 13-year-olds here are now labelled as having some disability or other, they also point out that the figure was only 6% as recently as 2011/12. Reasons for this growth include greater awareness of disability and a greater prevalence of certain conditions. No matter the reasons, of greater concern is the lack of access to vital therapies, a lack of therapists, and a dire shortage of general practitioners, especially throughout rural Ireland. These are problems that are not going to go away as children develop into adults and their acute needs become even more burdensome on themselves and their families. Ahead of the election, the Disability Federation of Ireland has produced a manifesto for change and are asking all candidates to take note; it is also asking the many affected to bring these matters up when their vote is being asked for. As Fergus Finlay points out in his column on Tuesday, the wastefulness of finances down the years here has only worsened a situation that should not be regarded as problematic, but as a wonderful opportunity to right the many wrongs disabled people and their families face. As a former Labour stalwart, he will have seen the Social Democrats proposal for a Department for the Disabled, which brings together the strands and finances which are currently distributed between education, social protection and health and oversee a co-ordinated effort to make those with disabilities feel they are being catered for. This is one of many election issues we will be highlighting in the coming days and weeks and is one that you the voter should highlight when candidates ring your doorbell. Biodiversity damaged without a plan The recent report from the Living Planet Index, which indicated that wildlife population numbers around the world are dropping precipitously, have been panned by some researchers as having included data too inconsistent and varied to draw specific conclusions. But, with one conclusion estimating there has been a reduction of 73% in the average size of monitored wildlife population in the 50 years from 1970 to 2020, the way the globe is trending is undoubtedly a cause for major concern. This years index was based on evidence from 34,836 local populations of some 5,495 species, all of which were vertebrates: Mammals, birds, fish amphibians, and reptiles. It may be that changes in tiny populations of one animal can have an outsize effect on the global count because they are averaged together with larger ones, but the big picture is still startling. Scientists are already alarmed that species populations are declining at an unprecedented rate and admit that while the scientific evidence might not be fully reliable, it is noteworthy for the trends it is revealing. There is widespread consensus among the scientific community that our planet is facing a crisis of biodiversity loss that has dangerous implications for humanity. The drivers behind this loss include habitat loss, hunting, and fishing animals for food and other reasons, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and disease. That makes the lack of agreement at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, last week aimed at halting the rapid decline of nature by 2030 all the more concerning. As the earth so obviously careens towards dangerous environmental tipping points, it is sad that not only can we not agree on saving our wildlife, but we also cannot even agree measures which will ultimately protect humanity. What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Cheese thieves get a taste for luxury An outbreak of cheese theft has mystified both police and suppliers but is, in actual fact, just a tiny fraction of a global problem in food related crime. Last month, a heist in London netted roughly 950 truckles of cheese roughly the weight of four elephants in what was labelled the grate cheese robbery by the tabloids. Twenty-two tonnes of it disappeared without a trace. It did not come as a surprise in some circles as certain foods especially items of foreign produce banned in Russia as a response to economic sanctions placed on the country after its invasion of Ukraine are now commonly linked to theft, counterfeiting, and smuggling. Roughly estimated, these add up to a cost of $30bn-$50bn (28bn-47bn) annually, according to the World Trade Organization. Such theft varies radically, from the logistical high-wire act of hijacking of freight lorries delivering to warehouses, to the simplicity of stealing live lobsters from storage pens across northern Europe. But the targeting of cheese and in particular, luxury cheese is something curious, although it too has been around for a while. As long ago as 1998, thieves broke into a storeroom at a family farm in Somerset and stole nine tonnes of cheddar. And, prior to last Christmas, 50,000 (60,000) of various cheeses went missing when it was stolen from a trailer in a motorway services in the west of England. In Italy, some 80,000 worth of parmigiano reggiano was nicked in 2016 and at the time authorities in the north of the country estimated that 6.5m of the cheesy delicacy had been stolen in a two-year period. Britains office for national statistics estimated the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks rose by 25% between January 2022 and January 2024. The cost of cheese went up by a similar amount in the space of just 12 months. Dont be surprised then if you find security tags on blocks of cheese in your local supermarket soon. A definite sign of the times. North Korea ratified a major defence treaty with Russia stipulating mutual military aid, the Norths state media reported on Tuesday. It comes as the US, South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Russia had completed the ratification of the treaty last week after it was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June. It is considered both countries biggest defence deal since the end of the Cold War. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty will take effect when both sides exchange documents on the ratification, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. North Korea ratified the treaty through a decree signed on Monday by the countrys president of state affairs, KCNA said, using one of Kims titles. North Koreas rubber-stamp parliament, the Supreme Peoples Assembly, has the right to ratify treaties but Kim can unilaterally ratify major ones, according to South Koreas Unification Ministry. The treaty requires both countries to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance if either is attacked. Some observers speculate the treatys ratification in both countries could signal North Korea could formally enter the Russia-Ukraine war soon. According to US, South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments, up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia likely as part of the June treaty. Last week, Ukrainian officials said Ukraine and North Korean troops engaged in small-scale fighting while Ukraines army fired artillery at North Korean soldiers in Russias Kursk border region. North Koreas troop dispatch threatens to escalate the almost three-year war. South Korea, the US and their partners also worry about what Russia could give North Korea in return. Possible Russian transfer of sensitive technology to enhance North Koreas already-advancing nuclear and missile programmes would be an alarming development for the US and its allies. North Korea and Russia have been significantly strengthening their military and other co-operation. South Koreas spy agency said last month that North Korea had sent more than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles. In 1965, a Norwegian woman gave birth to a girl in a private hospital. Seven days later she returned home with a baby. When the baby developed dark curls that made her look different from herself, Karen Rafteseth Dokken assumed she just took after her husbands mother. It took nearly six decades to discover the true reason her biological daughter had been mistakenly switched at birth in the maternity ward of the hospital in central Norway. The girl she raised, Mona, was not the baby she gave birth to. The babies, one born on February 14 and the other on February 15, 1965, are now 59-year-old women who with Mrs Rafteseth Dokken are suing the state and the municipality. In their case, which opened in the Oslo District Court on Monday, they say that their human rights were violated when authorities discovered the error when the girls were teenagers and covered it up. They say Norwegian authorities had undermined their right to a family life, a principle enshrined in the European human rights convention, and demand an apology and compensation. The case is being heard at Oslo District Court (Terje Pedersen/NTB Scanpix/AP) Mrs Rafteseth Dokken, now 78, was in tears as she described learning so many years later that she got the wrong baby, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. It was never my thought that Mona was not my daughter, she said in court on Tuesday. She was named Mona after my mother. Mona described a sense of never belonging as she grew up. That sense of uncertainty pushed her in 2021 to do a DNA test, which showed that she was not the biological daughter of those who raised her. But the woman who raised the other baby knew long before. A routine blood test in 1981 showed that the girl she was raising, Linda Karin Risvik Gotaas, was not biologically related. The woman raising her, however, did not pursue a maternity case. Norwegian health authorities were informed of the mix-up in 1985, but did not tell the others involved. Both women who were swapped at birth have said in interviews that it was a shock to learn about the mix-up, but the knowledge made pieces of their lives fall into place, explaining differences both in terms of appearance and demeanour. Kristine Aarre Haanes, representing Mona, said the state violated her right to her own identity for all these years. They kept it secret. Mona could have learned the truth when she was a young adult, but instead she did not find out the truth until she was 57. Her biological father has died. She has no contact with her biological mother, added Aarre Haanes. Circumstances surrounding the 1965 swap at Eggesboenes hospital are unclear, but media reports by NRK suggest there were several cases during the 1950s and 1960s where children were accidentally swapped at the same institution. At the time babies were kept together while their mothers rested in separate rooms. In other cases the errors were spotted before the children were permanently placed with the wrong families, according to the reports. An official from the Norwegian ministry of heath and care services said the state was unaware of similar cases and that there were no plans for a public inquiry. Asgeir Nygaard, representing the Norwegian state, is contesting the case on the grounds that the 1965 switch took place in a private institution and that the health directorate in the 1980s did not have the legal authority to inform the other families when they discovered the error. Documentation from that time indicates that government officials found the assessments difficult, inter alia because it was legally unclear what they could do, he said in a statement to The Associated Press ahead of the trials opening. Therefore, in court, we will argue that there is no basis for compensation and that the claims being made are in any case statute-barred. The trial will run until Thursday, but it was not clear when a ruling is expected. A US jury on Tuesday awarded 42 million dollars (33 million) to three former detainees of Iraqs notorious Abu Ghraib prison, holding a military contractor responsible for contributing to their torture and mistreatment two decades ago. The decision of the eight-person jury came after a different jury earlier this year could not agree on whether Virginia-based CACI should be held liable for the work of its civilian interrogators, who worked alongside the US army at Abu Ghraib in 2003 and 2004. The jury awarded plaintiffs Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili and Asaad Al-Zubae three million dollars (2.34 million) each in compensatory damages and 11 million dollars (8.6 million) each in punitive damages. The three gave evidence that they were subjected to beatings, sexual abuse, forced nudity and other cruel treatment at the prison. They did not allege that CACIs interrogators explicitly inflicted the abuse themselves, but that CACI was complicit because its interrogators conspired with military police to soften up detainees for questioning with harsh treatment. CACI said: For nearly two decades, CACI has been wrongly subjected to long-term, negative affiliation with the unfortunate and reckless actions of a group of military police at Abu Ghraib prison from 2003 through 2004. To be clear, no CACI employee has ever been charged, criminally, civilly, or administratively in this matter. CACI employees did not take part in nor were any of our employees responsible for these disturbing events. Baher Azmy, a lawyer for the Centre for Constitutional Rights, which filed the claim on the plaintiffs behalf, called the verdict an important measure of justice and accountability and praised the three plaintiffs for their resilience, especially in the face of all the obstacles CACI threw their way. The trial and subsequent retrial was the first time a US jury heard claims brought by Abu Ghraib survivors in the 20 years since photos of detainee mistreatment, accompanied by smiling US soldiers inflicting the abuse, shocked the world during the US occupation of Iraq. CACI had argued it was not complicit in the detainees abuse. It said its employees had minimal interaction with the three plaintiffs in the case and any liability for their mistreatment belonged to the government. As in the first trial, the jury struggled to decide whether CACI or the army should be held responsible for any misconduct by CACI interrogators. The jury asked questions in its deliberations about whether the contractor or the army bore liability. CACI, as one of its defences, said it should not be liable for any misdeeds by its employees if they were under the control and direction of the army, under a legal principle known as the borrowed servants doctrine. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that CACI was responsible for its own employees misdeeds. The lawsuit was first filed in 2008 but was delayed by 15 years of legal wrangling and multiple attempts by CACI to have the case dismissed. Lawyers for the three plaintiffs argued that CACI was liable for their mistreatment even if they could not prove that CACIs interrogators were the ones who directly inflicted the abuse. The evidence included reports from two retired army generals, who documented the abuse and concluded that multiple CACI interrogators were complicit in the abuse. Those reports concluded that one of the interrogators, Steven Stefanowicz, lied to investigators about his conduct and that he likely instructed soldiers to mistreat detainees and used dogs to intimidate detainees during interrogations. Stefanowicz testified for CACI at trial through a recorded video deposition and denied mistreating detainees. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. Subscribe or contribute Special Offers Calendar Keep in touch with the events going on in our community. Longest "Double 11" shopping spree unleashes China's surge of consumer vitality Xinhua) 08:37, November 12, 2024 HANGZHOU, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's annual "Double 11" shopping festival kicked off especially early this year. When celebrated in the first years after its creation in 2009, it was a frenzied orgy of consumption -- buyers anxiously clicked the checkout button, and online retailers cheered for astronomical sales figures at the exact moment when the clock struck 00:00 on Nov. 11. Customers walk past a banner promoting "Double 11" shopping festival at a store in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Chuanhao) Over time, the festival has been extended, especially this year, when e-commerce platforms rolled out their respective "Double 11" programs significantly earlier. Douyin, for example, started a preliminary sales campaign on Oct. 8. Taobao and Tmall, under China's e-commerce giant Alibaba who created the festival, started on the 14th -- 10 days earlier than last year. That makes this year's Double Eleven the longest ever. A heady, instant extravaganza has evolved into a month-long affair. With each edition over the past years, the annual shopping spree changed in various ways. However, one constant is that it remains an optimal source of insights into the country's vibrant online consumption dynamics. NEWER AND GREENER: A TRADE-IN MAGIC In the early stages of this year's "Double 11" shopping fiesta, Mr. Liu, a Gen-Z Hangzhou resident in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, purchased a Xiaomi TV he had long had his eye on. "It would have cost 4,599 yuan (about 640 U.S. dollars). But I only paid 2,799 yuan, with Tmall's "Double 11" discount and the 699 yuan trade-in subsidy from the government," he said. "It's a real bargain." This year, China has been promoting large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-in programs for consumer goods, aiming to boost domestic demand and support continuous economic growth. As of early November, the trade-in programs had seen over 30 million consumers participating and brought more than 400 billion yuan in sales, according to the country's Ministry of Commerce. Customers apply for trade-in subsidy from the government at a cashier in Fuyang, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) During the ongoing "Double 11" shopping festival, the state's trade-in subsidy has been added to the festival discounts provided by e-commerce platforms for the first time, creating combined offers that drive consumption. "As the trade-in policy provides more subsidy to energy-efficient products, it effectively pushes forward the replacement of energy-consuming equipment," said Wang Kui, a manager with the trade-in program at Taobao and Tmall Group. "A 'green consumption' is now becoming mainstream." Statistics show over 92 percent of home appliances sold on Tmall have been the most energy-efficient during this year's "Double 11." The trade-in policy reduces pollution and boosts resource reuse, helping to build a greener, low-carbon society, said Hong Yong, an associate researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation. IMPROVED EXPERIENCE FOR ALL The "Double 11" shopping spree has long passed the phase when it is all about the thrill of a midnight shopping rush. This year's extended shopping festival is being enjoyed as a quality experience by shoppers, shippers and sellers alike. Ms. Chen, a dog owner based in Beijing, said she had a better online shopping experience in the prolonged "Double 11." "I can still remember a few years ago when I had to load up merchandise several days in advance and check out at 00:00 sharp. That gave me anxiety," she said. "Now I have time to make more rational purchasing and make purchases at different stages throughout the month." Shippers are allowed to take their time, too. In a month-long time period, they face several smaller delivery peaks instead of one delivery boom they found themselves struggling to cope with. This photo taken on Nov. 1, 2024 shows an outdoor installation featuring "Double 11" shopping festival at Alibaba Group's Xixi Park in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi) An extended shopping festival helps alleviate a backlog in logistics storehouses, said Tan Meng, a manager working at a delivery service point in Hangzhou, adding that while parcels increase this year, the logistics is smoother and more organized. With the buildout of AI, online retailers view this year as the start of applying this cutting-edge technology to their business. Graphic design, virtual presentations, and customer services based on AI made their job easier and faster and helped reduce costs. "With Taobao's AI tools to generate scenes, I no longer need to tote the products around in photo studios," said a lighting products retailer in Guangdong, talking about product photography. "Using the AI software costs only one tenth of renting a studio." About 80 percent of the retailers on Taobao and Tmall now use the platform's AI functions, according to the group. Among them are individual sellers, major brands such as the Denmark footwear brand ECCO, French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif, Japanese retail company MUJI, and the skincare brand NIVEA. A GLOBAL CELEBRATION Mr. Huo, a Chinese national now living in Osaka, Japan, found himself relying on Chinese e-commerce platforms for books and stationery. He has been able to join the Chinese shopping spree this year by buying more books and taking advantage of the free cross-border delivery services. "I still prefer buying on Chinese e-commerce platforms for commodities like phone cases or clothing, as I have a dizzying array of choices at much cheaper prices there," he said. As this year's "Double 11" began in mid-October, Taobao and Tmall added four countries -- Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia -- to their brand-new global free shipping program. The program, initiated in July, covers various countries and regions, including Singapore, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea. The program waives the shipping fees for orders over a certain amount. In Huo's case, the threshold is 199 yuan. JD.com, another e-commerce giant, recently included Malaysia and Thailand in its global free shipping zone. Free shipping services overseas by China's e-commerce platforms reflect their improving capacity in overseas sales, customer service, logistics and payment, said Pan Helin, a member of an expert committee under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Advertisements of "Double 11" shopping festival are displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 28, 2024. (Xinhua) According to data by Taobao and Tmall, almost 70,000 retailers who joined their global free shipping program have seen sales double in the early stages of this year's shopping festival. Sales of tank tops to Thailand grew by 68 percent, while sales of ballet shoes to Japan jumped by a staggering 277 percent from the previous edition. "Made-in-China products are very competitive globally for their good quality offered at better rates, and that comes from China's mature and efficient supply chain system," said Pan. (Reporting by Yu Aicen, Ma Yujie, Zhang Xuan, Huang Xiao, Zheng Keyi and Wang Junlu) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to letters from friendly personages from all walks of life in Brazil recently, encouraging them to continuously contribute to the China-Brazil friendship. In his reply, Xi said that he is glad to see that the China-Brazil friendship has been passed on from generation to generation, adding that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Brazil have marched forward hand in hand, sharing weal and woe, and have forged a friendship spanning mountains and oceans. China is willing to work with Brazil to enrich the friendship between the two countries in the new era, make China-Brazil relations a good example of solidarity, coordination, common development and mutual benefit among major developing countries, and make greater contributions to the cause of peace and progress of mankind, Xi said. He said Brazilian friends are welcome to visit China more often and experience for themselves the myriad sights of Chinese modernization. He voiced hope that people from all walks of life in the two countries will play a positive role in promoting the continuous development of China-Brazil relations and making the China-Brazil friendship flow unceasingly like the Yangtze River and the Amazon River, Xi added. Recently, Enrique Teixeira, former deputy mayor of Campinas, Sao Paulo State, and more than 100 friendly personages from the Brazil-China Friendship Association, Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo State University, and the Copacabana Fort Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro wrote to Xi respectively, thanking the Chinese government, enterprises and universities for their contributions to China-Brazil friendly exchanges and the improvement of local people's livelihood. The leader of the global Anglican communion is under increasing pressure to resign following a troubling report that concluded the Church of England concealed a serial abuse case. Three members of the General Synod, the churchs national assembly, have initiated a petition demanding the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in light of these revelations. Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley has emerged as the most senior clergy member to support these calls, stating to the BBC that it would be challenging for the church to maintain a moral voice when we cannot get our own house in order. The report unveiled that the Church of England, the mother church of Anglicanism, had a history of failures regarding the prolific, brutal and horrific abuse perpetrated by John Smyth, a lawyer who organized evangelical summer camps during the 1970s and 1980s. Smyth, who resided in Africa from 1984, passed away at the age of 75 in South Africa in 2018 while under investigation by British police, and he never faced any criminal charges. Labelled arguably the most prolific serial abuser associated with the church, the independent inquiry revealed that church officials were aware of his abuses by the early 1980s. Nonetheless, those who were informed participated in an active cover-up, which permitted Smyth to continue his abusive behavior for decades, according to the report. The report stated that Archbishop Welby could and should have reported the abuse to authorities in 2013. After being appointed the Church of Englands highest-ranking cleric that same year, he expressed last week his deep sorrow that this abuse occurred and stated he had no knowledge or suspicion of this abuse prior to that time. He mentioned to Britains Channel 4 News that he contemplated resigning but ultimately decided against it. The Makin inquiry also critically evaluated the churchs response to a 2017 Channel 4 expose regarding Smyths abuses (stock image). If I had known before 2013 or had grounds for suspicion, that would have been a resigning matter then and now. But I didnt, he remarked. However, the petition initiated by three members of the General Synod, which is composed of 483 lay members and clergy, contends that he held a personal and moral responsibility to pursue this further which he failed to fulfill. Given his role in enabling the continuation of abuse, we believe that his remaining as Archbishop of Canterbury is no longer sustainable, it asserts. By this afternoon, the petition had garnered over 3,000 signatures, while an increasing number of priests voiced their dissent against him. Giles Fraser, the vicar of St Annes Church in southwest London, characterized the situation as terrible during an interview with BBC radio. Unfortunately, hes really lost the confidence of his clergy, he stated. He has lost the trust of many of his bishops, and his position is entirely untenable. The investigation into Smyth, conducted by former social services chief Keith Makin, concluded that those at the highest level within the Church were aware of the extent of his abusive actions since mid-2013. The failure to alert the police represented yet another missed opportunity to bring him to justice, the report noted. It may have also resulted in an ongoing and avoidable safeguarding threat during the period between 2012 and his death in 2018. The Makin investigation further criticized the churchs reaction to a 2017 Channel 4 expose of Smyths abuses, labeling it as poor in terms of speed, professionalism, intensity, and curiosity. Firefighters Confront Wildfires Along Both Coastlines of the United States Emergency crews are combating wildfires on both coasts of the United States. Among the blazes is one in New York and New Jersey that tragically resulted in the death of a parks employee and led to the postponement of Veterans Day celebrations. Another significant wildfire in southern California has destroyed over 130 structures. Firefighters are making headway against a wildfire northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County, which ignited last Wednesday and grew rapidly due to dry, warm, and gusty winds. The Mountain Fire forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes and was reported to be 31% contained yesterday, an increase from 26% the day before. Some residents have been permitted to return home; however, road closures and evacuation warnings are still in effect in certain areas, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. Firefighters assist in searching for belongings among the debris of a house in California. In other news, New York State Police are investigating the tragic death of Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old state parks employee who died Saturday afternoon after a tree fell on him while he fought a major brush fire in Sterling Forest, near Greenwood Lake, close to the New Jersey border. The New Jersey state forest fire service reported that the Jennings Creek Wildfire is threatening 25 structures, including two homes in New Jersey. In West Milford, New Jersey, a Veterans Day ceremony has been postponed to later this month due to ongoing firefighting efforts. Health advisories have been issued for parts of New York, including New York City, and northeastern New Jersey because of unhealthy air quality caused by smoke from the fires. Residents are advised to limit strenuous outdoor activities whenever possible. However, progress has been made regarding other fires. New Jersey officials announced 75% containment of a 70-hectare fire in the Pompton Lakes area of Passaic County, which was threatening 55 homes, although no evacuations were ordered. Additionally, advancements have been made against other fires in the state amid extremely dry conditions. In New Jersey, Ocean County prosecutors revealed arson and firearms charges on Saturday linked to a 142-hectare fire in Jackson Township that began last Wednesday. By the end of the week, the fire was largely contained, officials reported. They noted that the blaze was ignited by magnesium shards from a shotgun round on a shooting range. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, one of several wildfires fueled by strong winds and dry leaves has scorched hundreds of hectares in Lynn Woods Reservation, a municipal park spanning about 9 sq km in the city located approximately 16 km north of Boston. The Lynn Fire Department indicated that we are experiencing a dry spell we have not encountered during this time of year in many years. At least 14 individuals lost their lives and 15 others sustained injuries due to an Israeli airstrike on the northern Lebanese town of Ain Yaaqoub, as reported by the towns mayor. This strike, which represents the northernmost location in Lebanon targeted by Israeli forces since the onset of hostilities in October 2023, struck a building housing 30 residents, including Syrian refugees. The local mayor indicated that some individuals remain trapped beneath the rubble. Earlier today, an Israeli raid in the southern town of Saksakiyeh resulted in the deaths of at least seven people and left seven others injured, according to information from the Lebanese health ministry. This occurs as Israels newly appointed foreign minister has stated that there has been some advancement toward a ceasefire in Lebanon, where conflict has persisted for over six weeks as Israel conducts operations against Hezbollah. There is certain progress, Gideon Saar remarked when asked about a potential ceasefire. We are collaborating with the Americans on the matter, he informed reporters in Jerusalem. Israel intensified airstrikes in late September, targeting Hezbollah throughout Lebanon and deployed ground troops on September 30. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has articulated that the operations objective is to compel Hezbollah to retreat north of the Litani River, which flows through southern Lebanon. Additionally, another aim is to thwart any efforts by Hezbollah to replenish its armaments. The group is armed and financially supported by Iran. Mr. Saar reiterated Israels objectives, stating that Israel would be ready for a ceasefire if Hezbollah is not positioned along the border and is incapable of rearming with weapon systems coming from Syria, from the sea, from the airport. He further commented: The primary challenge, ultimately, will be to implement what is agreed upon. Latest Middle East stories Our priority is to ensure the safe return of our citizens, and if the appropriate conditions arise, we will be prepared. In the meantime, the operations of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) near our border will persist, Mr. Saar added. Tens of thousands of Israelis were displaced when Hezbollah initiated cross-border fire over a year ago, which they framed as support for the Palestinian militants Hamas, whose attack on Israel ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Mr. Netanyahu stated that the Prime Minister had sanctioned the pager attacks against Hezbollah in September. On September 17, numerous pagers were triggered simultaneously in the southern suburbs of Beirut and various Hezbollah strongholds, typically following the devices beeping, signifying an incoming message. The Israeli military initially refrained from addressing inquiries regarding the detonations. More than 3,400 people were injured in attacks in September A Hezbollah official described the incident as the largest security breach the group faced in nearly a year of conflict with Israel. Overall, the pager attack, along with a subsequent operation the following day that activated weaponized walkie-talkies, resulted in 39 fatalities and more than 3,400 injuries. Israeli media disclosed yesterday that during a cabinet meeting, Mr. Netanyahu confirmed his authorization of the attack, informing ministers that senior defense officials and political figures had opposed the activation of the pagers, yet he proceeded with the operation. Hezbollah militants have been utilizing pagers as a low-tech mode of communication to evade Israeli tracking, as reported by two sources familiar with the groups operations in a Reuters report this year. Israel followed the pager detonations with the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike. A missile launched by Russia struck a residential building in Kryvyi Rih, located in central Ukraine, injuring at least seven individuals, with several more trapped beneath the debris, as reported by officials. Among the injured were two children, according to regional governor Serhiy Lysak via the Telegram messenger app. The attack resulted in the destruction of apartments spanning from the first to the fifth floors, he noted. Images shared by officials illustrated the buildings damaged roof and collapsed floors, which were engulfed in smoke. Vehicles parked outside were also buried under rubble. In response, he made a renewed plea to allies for the supply of weaponry and stronger global support to counter Russian aggression. Prior to this, Ukrainian authorities had issued air raid alerts across most of the country following Russian strikes that claimed the lives of at least six individuals in southern Ukraine. Preventive power outages were implemented in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk regions, as per the Ukrainian energy provider DTEKs announcement on Telegram. Earlier, Russian airstrikes had resulted in at least six fatalities in southern Ukraine, occurring just a day after record overnight drone attacks were exchanged between Russia and Ukraine. In the southern city of Mykolaiv, five people were reported killed, according to the regional governor, while another victim in Zaporizhzhia succumbed to injuries from an assault that left over a dozen wounded. Smoke rises from a home following an artillery strike that occurred yesterday in Pokrovsk, Ukraine. Approximately 300km east in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraines state emergency services reported that Russia conducted three airstrikes that resulted in one death and damaged several buildings. Zaporizhzhia Governor Ivan Fedorov stated that 18 individuals were injured, including five children. Boys aged 4, 16, and 17, as well as girls aged 15 and 17, received the necessary medical treatment, he shared through Telegram. During the night from Saturday to yesterday, Russia launched 145 drones at Ukraine, as revealed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking the highest number of drones deployed in a single nighttime assault throughout the conflict. Latest updates on Ukraine In addition, Russia announced it had intercepted 34 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow yesterday, marking the largest attempted attack on the capital since the war began in 2022. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that the political reckoning regarding Spains deadliest floods in decades, which has sparked widespread anger towards the governing class, will have to wait until the nation has recovered from the disaster. In light of the 29 October catastrophe that resulted in 222 fatalities, his government also unveiled a new aid package totaling nearly 3.8 billion as Spain assesses the damage. The extraordinary Mediterranean storm that affected the European country wreaked particular havoc in the eastern Valencia region, which experienced the highest number of fatalities and destruction. Public frustration directed at the authorities for their perceived mishandling of the situation before and after the floods led to mass protests on Saturday, with the largest in Valencia city attracting 130,000 participants. Hundreds of thousands protested against the governments response to the flooding. The political discussion regarding necessary improvements in response to this climate emergency will come later, Mr. Sanchez commented at a press conference. Mr. Mazon, who is set to address the regional parliament on Thursday regarding his administrations decisions, acknowledged that mistakes may have occurred and emphasized that everyone must analyze them. Critics have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Valencia regions alert system, which, in some cases, only notified residents after the water had already begun flooding their towns. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez introduced a second aid package amounting to 3.76 billion. Volunteers have provided essential food, water, medical supplies, and cleaning tools to the hardest-hit towns, while authorities took several days to reach these areas. This sense of abandonment has given rise to the rallying cry only the people save the people, but Mr. Sanchez reassured that we are all the state. Fresh funding The violent influx of muddy waters devastated roads and railways, overturned vehicles, destroyed shops, and submerged agricultural lands, with the total damage bill projected to reach tens of billions of euros. In addition to the 10.6 billion announced last week, Mr. Sanchez introduced a second aid package worth 3.76 billion. Compensation processes will be streamlined and expanded to cover more residents and properties, while farmers will receive additional support totaling 200 million. Borrowers will also benefit from more lenient mortgage repayment terms until 2026. Furthermore, Mr. Sanchez indicated that another 500 million would be allocated for clearing debris and repairing flooded sewer systems in the most severely affected towns. Requests for furloughs affecting 9,000 individuals have been submitted, and initial insurance claims are being processed following last weeks measures. The government is also ensuring income security for approximately 400,000 workers. Cars damaged in the floods being sorted in a junkyard. Mr. Sanchez likened the current measures to the governments economic interventions during the Covid-19 crisis and confirmed that the administration will be there with all the necessary resources for as long as needed. Thousands of soldiers, police officers, civil guards, and emergency personnel are actively working to repair infrastructure, distribute relief supplies, and search for numerous missing individuals. Mr. Sanchez reported that nearly all affected residences have been reconnected to both the power and telephone networks; however, road and railway repairs will require significantly more time. The national railway company, Renfe, announced that the high-speed line connecting Madrid and Valencia would be back in operation on Thursday. While Mediterranean storms are typical for this time of year, scientists indicate that climate change resulting from human actions is amplifying the intensity, duration, and frequency of extreme weather events. Taoiseach and Trump Engage in Talks on Ukraine and Middle East Conflicts The Taoiseach has had a conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump, covering topics such as the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Simon Harris participated in the call while traveling between canvassing events in the northwest of the country this afternoon. Mr. Trump, who served as US president from 2017 to 2021, was re-elected to the White House last week following a successful election. He is set to assume office on 20 January 2025, succeeding current President Joe Biden. The Taoiseach noted that the two leaders addressed the horrific humanitarian situation in the Middle East and the circumstances in Ukraine. We need your consent to load this comcast-player content. We use comcast-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences Mr. Harris stated that the deep and historic economic ties between Ireland and the United States were also discussed, highlighting Irelands good economic positioning and recognizing the strong performance of the Irish economy. I emphasized to the President-elect that the US and the EU must collaborate on many issues, including economic, humanitarian, and promoting global peace, he remarked, proposing a US-EU trade summit. With the recent clarity on the political situation in the US, I believe its essential for the EU to implement meaningful mechanisms for engagement, Mr. Harris said. The US and the EU are interdependent, and this cooperation is crucial for trade, investment, stability, and global certainty. Mr. Harris pointed out that the Irish-American connection functions as a two-way relationship, noting that while numerous jobs in Ireland are generated by US companies, Irish firms have created many positions in the US as well. The Taoiseach referred to the conversation as an important initial discussion. He added that Mr. Trump expressed a desire for the two to meet soon. Characterizing the world as a very grim and dark place at the moment, Mr. Harris conveyed to the US President-elect his wish to see an end to the loss of civilian life and a return to peace. In a statement, the Taoiseachs office mentioned that both leaders agreed to maintain communication. ( Middle East Monitor ) Saudi Arabias Crown Prince and de facto ruler condemned what he called the genocide committed by Israel against Palestinians during a speech at a summit of leaders of Muslim and Arab countries in Riyadh on Monday, Reuters reports. The Kingdom renews its condemnation and categorical rejection of the genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said at an Arab Islamic summit, echoing comments by Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, late last month. He urged the international community to stop Israel from attacking Iran and to respect Irans sovereignty. The Crown Prince said in September the Kingdom would not recognise Israel unless a Palestinian State was created. US President Joe Bidens administration had sought to broker a normalisation accord between Saudi Arabia and Israel that would have included US security guarantees for the Kingdom, among other bilateral deals between Washington and Riyadh. Those normalisation efforts were put on ice after the 7 October, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas fighters from Gaza and Israels subsequent retaliation. Israels military assault on Gaza in the last 13 months has killed tens of thousands, displaced nearly its entire population, caused a hunger crisis and led to allegations of genocide at the World Court, which Israel denies. Via Middle East Monitor Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Stakeholder Gold Corp. (TSXV: SRC) ("Stakeholder" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results and interpretation for the 2024 exploration program undertaken on the Company's 100% owned Ballarat Gold Project which covers 18,741 Ha in the Heart of the White Gold District of the Yukon Territory, Canada. The 2024 summer exploration program on Ballarat was designed to provide further information on gold and copper anomalies first identified in 2016, and then subsequently confirmed with more extensive testing during the 2023 exploration season. Highlights of the 2024 program include: Skye Gold Zone: Identification of key structural controls associated with the 1.9 km and 1.3 km gold in soil trends. The two subparallel gold in soil trends defining the Skye Gold Zone extend west-southwest off of the route proposed for the Northern Gateway Road, where the road traverses the northern section of the Company's claim holdings. Loki Copper Zone: Identification of a 2.3 km x 530 m zone of anomalous copper in soils associated with a WNW trending Jurassic aged intrusive unit. The associated intrusive unit is assigned to the Minto suite and indicates the potential for mineralization similar to the Minto Cu-Ag-Au mine which is found ~92 km SE of the Ballarat Property. The Loki Copper Zone is located east of Ballarat Creek within the southeast sector of the Company's contiguous claim holdings, and approximately 1 km east of the route proposed for the Northern Gateway Road where it traverses the southern section of the Company's claim holdings. Identification of multiple further potential target areas based on soil geochemistry and/or structural settings within previously un/under explored portions of the property. 2024 Exploration Program The 2024 Ballarat exploration program was comprised of ground-based VLF surveys on the Skye Gold Zone, grid soil sampling on the Loki Copper Zone and a property wide drone magnetic survey. Results of the work programs are discussed in more detail here: Property Wide Drone Magnetic Survey The Company completed a property scale drone magnetic survey to aid in geologic and structural interpretation. The survey was conducted using the MagPlane deployed by Overhead Intelligence Corp. with work overseen by GroundTruth Exploration Inc. The MagPlane, is a fast unmanned magnetometry system with a maximum velocity >80km/hr that integrates a boom-mounted magnetometer with an advanced laser altimeter. A total of 2,008 line-km were flown over 100 m spaced lines (N-S) and 1,000 m spaced tie lines (E-W) covering greater than 90% of the project area. The magnetic survey highlighted multiple previously unknown structures. Of particular importance are a series of E-W and NE trending faults in the central portion of the property interpreted at 2nd to 3rd order structures between the regional scale Thistle Creek and Ballarat Creek faults. These interpreted faults correlate with known gold in soil anomalies on the property and are likely primary controls to gold mineralization in the area. This structural setting is very similar, and related, to known zones of gold mineralization on the White Gold Property, including the Golden Saddle deposit, located 30 km to the northwest. Figure 1: Drone magnetic survey of the Ballarat Property showing 1VD magnetics and structural interpretation. Skye Gold Zone The Skye Gold Zone is located in the central portion of the Ballarat Property and consists of two, NE-SW trending, sub parallel gold in soil anomalies extending approximately 1.9 km and 1.3 km respectively. The two sub parallel gold in soil anomalies are detected in association with locally established indicator minerals Mo, Pb, and/or Te. The anomalous gold in soils are hosted within sericite altered quartz-feldspar gneiss with quartz veining and disseminated to vein-controlled pyrite mineralization. These gold in soil anomalies, and particularly clusters of >50 ppb gold along them, are associated with a series of E-W and NE oriented structures which have been highlighted with the 2024 drone magnetic survey. The intersections of the two structural sets appear to be key locations for alteration and mineralization and provide at least three priority areas for drilling across the Skye Zone. Nine ground-based VLF survey lines were completed over these three priority target areas in 2024. The VLF survey data is currently being processed and will aid in refining the targets for follow-up work which will include drill testing. Figure 2: Gold in soils on the Skye Zone with structural interpretation. Loki Copper Zone The Loki Copper Zone is located 7 km SE of the Skye Zone and is an emerging copper target discovered during ridge and spur soil sampling in 2023. Exploration in 2024 consisted of a grid soil sampling survey and included 1,663 samples collected on 100 m spaced lines with 50 m sample intervals targeting 'C' horizon material. The sampling returned individual results ranging from 6.3 to 1,867 ppm Cu and highlight a significant WNW trending zone of >100 ppm Cu in soils over an area of 2.3 km x 530 m which is coincident with weakly elevated silver and an elongated magnetic high outlined in the drone imagery. Based on regional mapping, the copper in soil anomaly covers an intrusive unit assigned to the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Minto Intrusive Suite. This suite includes a separate large intrusion(s) which hosts mineralization in the Minto Cu-Ag-Au mine located approximately 92 km to the southeast of the Ballarat Property and may indicate the potential for similar mineralization in the Loki target area. Figure 3: Copper in soils on the Loki zone with regional geology. Further Targets A series of smaller gold in soil anomalies (up to 200 ppb Au) 2 km east of the Skye Zone now appear to be associated with the same structural controls as the Skye Zone and warrant additional follow up work (1). In addition, potential structures were also noted to extend through the previously explored NW and East zones and reassessment of data from these areas is also now ongoing as a result of the new structural information. (1) See the Company's news release dated Oct. 20th, 2023. Available on SEDAR. "The defining characteristic most pleasing to management that results from the 2024 exploration work season is size. This is the case for both the Skye Gold Zone and, separately, for the Loki Copper Zone. It is evident to us that we have meaningful discovery potential for both gold and copper on company claims in the Heart of the White Gold District," stated Christopher Berlet, President & CEO of Stakeholder. "We have progressed exploration work on the Ballarat Property systematically over several exploration seasons and have now been rewarded with evidence of at least two extensive mineralized targets, each of which are located within a short distance of the proposed route for the Norther Gateway Road on company claims. The Ballarat Property itself is located proximal to some of the largest commercial extractive development projects in the Yukon Territory and Stakeholder company claims now show evidence of supporting further large prospective discovery targets for both gold and, resulting from the 2024 exploration work program, for copper." "Our intention is to begin drilling on the Skye Gold Zone and, separately, the Loki Copper Zone as soon as possible in early 2025, and to carry on with the exploration work which has now identified yet further targets of merit on company claims." Figure 4: Ballarat Property target areas with gold in soils. Ballarat Property The Company's 100% owned, 18,741-hectare, contiguous claim position covers key ground features in the center of the rapidly evolving White Gold Mining & Exploration District. Stakeholder's claims are located in the relative center of the White Gold District, north and northeast of Newmont's Coffee Gold Project, due north of Western Copper and Gold Corporation's Casino Project and west, south, and east of White Gold's regional exploration initiatives. Figure 5: Ballarat Property regional location QAQC and QP Statement The analytical work for the 2024 program was performed by Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd., an internationally recognized analytical services provider, at its Vancouver, British Columbia laboratory. Sample preparation was carried out at the company's Whitehorse, Yukon facility. All soil samples were prepared using procedure SS80 (dry at 60 C and sieve 100g at -80 mesh) and analyzed by method AQ201 (aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS analysis). The work was completed using industry standard procedures, including a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program consisting of the insertion of certified standards, blanks, and field duplicates into the sample stream. Jodie Gibson, M.Sc., P.Geo. is the Qualified Person for the Company, as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 12, 2024 /CNW/ - Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation (TSXV: OCG) (OTCQX: OCGSF) (DE: MRG) ("Outcrop Silver") is pleased to provide an update on the regional exploration and target generation program. Mapping from the El 20 historic mine workings has shown a potential mineralized shoot in Los Mangos vein with highly prospective assays (Table 1). In addition, regional exploration work done at La Rica prospect confirmed a series of veins carrying significant gold grades (Figure 4). Outcrop Silver continues executing its ambitious regional exploration program, aiming to generate drill-ready targets with the potential for increasing the Mineral Resource. Outcrop Silver currently has two rigs exploration drilling with Los Mangos being the next target to be tested. Highlights in Recent Work from the 2024 Regional Exploration Program The target generation program continues advancing targets for near-term drilling along the 17 kilometre fully permitted mineralized vein corridor. Mapping and channel samplings from underground workings at Los Mangos show mineralization along 30 meters in a quartz vein. The returning assays are up to 1,737 grams of silver across 1.60 metres (Figure 2). Los Mangos is the next target to be drilled. show mineralization along 30 meters in a quartz vein. The returning assays are up to 1,737 grams of silver across 1.60 metres (Figure 2). Los Mangos is the next target to be drilled. Samplings from La Rica target are returning up to 15.59 grams per tonne of gold in channel samples and 53.92 in chip samples from float boulders (Table 2). "After launching our regional exploration program, we are thrilled with the amount of geological knowledge generated in recent months," comments Guillermo Hernandez, Vice President of Exploration. "The generated data is a key component in the exploration process to better define potential targets. Our strategy is to conduct comprehensive assessments on every single vein target to increase our overall exploration success rate. The regular process starts with the selection of areas based on geophysics, regional geochemical surveys, and previous reports of historic small-scale mining activities. Then our crew goes down, starts mapping the area, and collects rock samples from float boulders or outcrops, always keeping in mind all the potential structural controls in the region. When outcrops are scarce, we design and execute detailed soil surveys, followed by trenching campaigns to expose veins and mineralized fault zones. Finally, after defining a minimum exploration unit, which is a confirmed vein trace of at least 250 metres long that shows rock sample assays higher than 300 g/t AgEq with consistency, the target moves to drill planning that involves logistical, social and environmental analyses additionally to the geological one". The target generation program continues defining the Los Mangos vein and La Rica targets located to the south of the initial Mineral Resource. To date, three targets have been confirmed through drilling: Aguilar, Jimenez, and La Ye (see News Releases dated July 17, 2024, September 11, 2024, and October 8, 2024). Additional targets, such as Los Mangos, La Rica, Frias, and Morena, are ready to be drilled for the first time after extensive mapping campaigns, thorough rock samplings, and targeted soil geochemical surveys. Los Mangos Detailed geological mapping in the El 20 historic mine workings showed the Los Mangos vein as an anastomosing pinch and swell vein with an average width of 1.32 metres and the potential for finding a parallel vein on the hanging wall (Figure 2). Channel samples from El 20 workings have returned encouraging grades up to 2.28 grams per tonne of gold and 1,737 grams per tonne of silver (Table 1) along the main adit for a total distance of 30 metres. The mineralization observed in the workings is consistent with the high-grade mineralization typical throughout the Santa Ana project - massive coarse-grained sulfide bands or clusters, primarily consisting of pyrite and argentite hosted in whitish quartz veins (Figure 3). Channel ID Sample Length (m) Au g/t Ag g/t AgEq g/t MAbs0 1.20 1.79 20 155 Inc. 16153 0.45 4.72 41 396 MAbs2W 1.05 2.28 35 206 Inc. 16729 0.45 5.27 75 471 MAbs4W 1.20 1.55 60 177 Inc. 16732 0.45 4.08 154 461 MAbs8W 1.25 0.85 40 104 Inc. 16738 0.55 1.91 57 201 MAbs10W 0.80 1.39 21 125 Inc. 16742 0.50 2.22 33 200 MAbs12W 1.30 0.47 75 110 Inc. 16147 0.60 0.94 160 230 MAbs14W 1.35 0.29 139 161 Inc. 16745 0.70 0.44 130 163 And 16747 0.65 0.13 150 159 MAbs18W 1.40 0.60 73 117 Inc. 16751 0.70 0.98 139 212 MAbs20W 1.60 0.51 1,737 1,775 Inc. 16144 1.05 0.46 266 301 And 16145 0.55 0.60 4,545 4,591 MAbs24W 1.85 0.11 182 190 Inc. 16138 0.30 0.37 1,053 1,081 MAbs26W 0.70 0.09 411 417 Inc. 16753 0.40 0.04 160 163 And 16754 0.30 0.16 744 756 MAbs28W 1.40 0.18 731 744 Inc. 16756 0.40 0.16 1,500 1,512 And 16757 1.00 0.19 423 437 MAbs30W 1.65 0.37 68 96 Inc. 16762 0.30 0.12 312 321 MAbs32W 1.20 0.07 613 618 Inc. 16767 0.50 0.13 1,466 1,476 MAbs34W 1.15 0.17 545 558 Inc. 16772 0.40 0.45 1,566 1,599 MAbs36W 2.85 0.28 19 40 Inc. 16130 0.85 0.92 56 125 And 16129 0.30 0.04 10 13 MAbs5E 1.00 0.98 45 118 Inc. 17424 0.30 1.25 61 155 And 17425 0.70 0.86 38 103 MAbs0S 16148 1.60 0.15 104 115 MAbsCXSur 0.55 0.26 99 119 Inc. 16157 0.25 0.50 122 159 Table 1. Channel sample assay results reported in this release from the El 20 historic mine at Los Mangos target. Silver equivalent (AgEq) was calculated using each element's prices, recovery, and grades using the formula given in the silver equivalent note. Channel samples lengths are interpreted as the true width of the vein. La Rica Follow-up geological mapping work from the program reported in the News Release dated September 04, 2024, confirmed the extension of this prospective vein for nearly 600 metres with consistent float occurrences showing gold grades ranging from 3.48 to 53.92 grams per tonne (Figure 4 and Table 2). Additional detailed continous channel samples on the northern extension of La Rica revealed a 1.0 metre wide vein zone at 10.52 grams per tonne of gold (Table 3). La Rica target continues to show parallel shallow dipping veins striking between 270 to 290 hosted by a granodioritc intrusion. Further work planned involves trenches once the soil assays results are available. Sample ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Type Width (m) Au g/t Ag g/t AgEq g/t Release Date 16550 501994.000 557796.000 853.34 Channel 0.65 5.93 5 451 September 4, 2024 16553 501992.000 557796.000 854.15 Channel 0.60 15.59 23 1,194 September 4, 2024 16559 502018.330 557776.110 833.59 Float 53.92 64 4,113 September 4, 2024 16560 502022.000 557828.000 851.92 Float 9.54 40 757 September 4, 2024 16635 501900.740 557605.190 822.47 Float 11.69 29 907 September 4, 2024 17247 502043.850 557920.350 891.00 Channel 0.30 7.60 9 580 Current Release 17251 501919.000 557764.000 859.00 Float 29.85 98 2,339 Current Release 17252 502138.000 557946.000 893.00 Float 14.59 52 1,147 Current Release 17253 502119.000 557968.000 891.00 Float 8.75 26 682 Current Release 17264 502199.000 557999.000 889.00 Float 6.89 28 545 Current Release 17266 502236.000 558059.000 918.00 Float 3.48 231 493 Current Release 17286 502162.980 558057.520 896.00 Channel 0.55 5.16 5 393 Current Release 17389 501951.000 557705.000 847.00 Float 10.46 34 819 Current Release 17392 502019.000 557781.000 859.00 Float 4.88 50 416 Current Release Table 2. Channel and chip sample results in the La Rica target from the target generation program previously reported and referred to in Figure 4 (see News Releases dated September 04, 2024). Silver equivalent (AgEq) was calculated using each element's prices, recovery, and grades using the formula given in the silver equivalent note. Sample lengths are interpreted as true widths. Channel ID Sample Length (m) Au g/t Ag g/t AgEq g/t LR_03 17443 0.30 1.69 8 135 RI-001 1.00 10.52 29 819 Inc. 17269 0.40 14.24 51 1,120 And 17271 0.30 15.87 30 1,222 RI-003 17295 0.35 8.29 11 633 RI-004 17291 0.45 3.90 10 302 Table 3. Channel sample results in the La Rica referred to in Figure 4. Silver equivalent (AgEq) was calculated using each element's prices, recovery, and grades using the formula given in the silver equivalent note. Sample lengths are interpreted as true widths. Sample ID Type Prospect Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Sample Length (m) Azimuth () Dip () MAbs0 UG Channel Los Mangos 501843.335 556526.543 871.26 2.50 145 0 MAbs0S UG Channel Los Mangos 501844.240 556524.620 869.46 3.60 170 0 MAbs10W UG Channel Los Mangos 501835.460 556520.420 871.40 1.75 140 0 MAbs12W UG Channel Los Mangos 501833.870 556519.210 871.40 1.30 140 0 MAbs14W UG Channel Los Mangos 501832.280 556518.000 871.35 1.35 150 0 MAbs16W UG Channel Los Mangos 501830.520 556517.080 871.30 1.30 140 0 MAbs18W UG Channel Los Mangos 501828.620 556516.470 871.50 1.40 140 0 MAbs20W UG Channel Los Mangos 501826.806 556515.335 872.80 1.60 140 0 MAbs24W UG Channel Los Mangos 501823.921 556512.682 871.56 2.70 140 0 MAbs26W UG Channel Los Mangos 501822.430 556511.400 871.50 1.70 140 0 MAbs28W UG Channel Los Mangos 501820.840 556509.980 871.60 1.40 140 0 MAbs2W UG Channel Los Mangos 501841.800 556525.260 871.17 1.65 140 0 MAbs30W UG Channel Los Mangos 501819.330 556508.670 871.59 1.65 140 0 MAbs32W UG Channel Los Mangos 501817.390 556508.210 871.75 1.70 145 0 MAbs34W UG Channel Los Mangos 501815.720 556507.130 871.85 2.00 145 0 MAbs36W UG Channel Los Mangos 501814.044 556506.023 871.36 2.85 140 0 MAbs38W UG Channel Los Mangos 501812.910 556504.290 871.49 1.80 135 0 MAbs40W UG Channel Los Mangos 501811.100 556503.240 871.49 1.85 135 0 MAbs42W UG Channel Los Mangos 501810.380 556501.190 871.32 1.30 120 0 MAbs44W UG Channel Los Mangos 501809.380 556499.440 871.28 1.40 115 0 MAbs46W UG Channel Los Mangos 501808.240 556497.810 871.36 1.55 120 0 MAbs48W UG Channel Los Mangos 501807.060 556496.200 871.45 1.75 120 0 MAbs4W UG Channel Los Mangos 501840.250 556524.020 871.10 1.20 140 0 MAbs50W UG Channel Los Mangos 501805.920 556494.550 871.56 1.40 125 0 MAbs52W UG Channel Los Mangos 501804.790 556492.910 871.68 1.50 125 0 MAbs54W UG Channel Los Mangos 501803.660 556491.260 871.68 1.65 120 0 MAbs56W UG Channel Los Mangos 501802.920 556489.660 871.80 0.95 115 0 MAbs57W UG Channel Los Mangos 501802.624 556489.011 871.69 1.30 115 0 MAbs5E UG Channel Los Mangos 501849.710 556530.370 871.08 1.00 140 0 MAbs6W UG Channel Los Mangos 501838.650 556522.820 871.10 1.53 150 0 MAbs8W UG Channel Los Mangos 501837.050 556521.620 871.40 1.25 120 0 MAbsCXSur UG Channel Los Mangos 501845.791 556510.040 874.23 1.30 130 0 LR_03 Channel La Rica 502170.000 558054.000 914.00 1.15 60 -85 RI-001 Channel La Rica 502163.000 558061.000 897.00 1.30 175 -20 RI-003 Channel La Rica 502172.000 558061.000 919.00 0.80 185 -70 RI-004 Channel La Rica 502161.250 558056.490 897.00 1.65 160 -50 Table 4. Collar and survey table for channel samples reported in this release. All coordinates are UTM system, Zone 18N, and WGS84 projection. Sample lengths are interpreted as true widths. Silver equivalent Metal prices used for equivalent calculations were US$1,800/oz for gold, and US$25/oz for silver. The equivalency formula as follows: Metallurgical recoveries based on Outcrop Silver's Metallurgical test work are 97% for gold and 93% for silver (see NR from August 23, 2023). QA/QC For exploration core drilling, Outcrop Silver applied its standard protocols for sampling and assay. HQ-NTW core is sawn with one-half shipped. Core samples were sent to either ALS, Actlabs or SGS in Medellin, Colombia, for preparation. Samples delivered to Actlabs were AA assayed on Au, Ag, Pb, and Zn at Medellin using 1A2Au, 1A3Au, Multi-elements AR (Ag Cu Pb Zn), and Code 8 methods. Then, samples were sent to Actlabs Mexico for ICP-multi-elemental analysis with code 1E3. After preparation, the samples sent to ALS Colombia were shipped to ALS Lima for assaying using Au-ICP21, Au-GRA21, ME-MS41, Ag-GRA21, Ag-AA46, Pb-AA46, and Zn-AA46 methods. In line with QA/QC best practices, blanks, duplicates, and certified reference materials are inserted at approximately three control samples every twenty samples into the sample stream, monitoring laboratory performance. A comparison of control samples and their standard deviations indicates acceptable accuracy of the assays and no detectible contamination. No material QA/QC issues have been identified with respect to sample collection, security and assaying. The samples are analyzed for gold and silver using a standard fire assay on a 30-gram sample with a gravimetric finish for over-limits. Multi-element geochemistry was determined by ICP-MS using either aqua regia or four acid digestions. Crush rejects, pulps, and the remaining core are stored in a secured facility at Santa Ana for future assay verification. Qualified Person Edwin Naranjo Sierra is the designated Qualified Person within the meaning of the National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and verified the technical information in this news release. Mr. Naranjo holds a MSc. in Earth Sciences, and is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM) and the Society of Economic Geologists. About Santa Ana The 100% owned Santa Ana project covers 27,000 hectares within the Mariquita District, through titles and applications, known as the largest and highest-grade primary silver district in Colombia with mining records dating back to 1585. Santa Ana's maiden resource estimate, detailed in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled "Santa Ana Property Mineral Resource Estimate," dated June 8, 2023, prepared by AMC Mining Consultants, indicates an estimated indicated resource of 24.2 million ounces silver equivalent at a grade of 614 grams per tonne and an inferred resource of 13.5 million ounces at a grade of 435 grams per tonne. The identified resources span seven major vein systems that include multiple parallel veins and ore shoots: Santa Ana (San Antonio, Roberto Tovar, San Juan shoots); La Porfia (La Ivana); El Dorado (El Dorado, La Abeja shoots); Paraiso (Megapozo); Las Maras; Los Naranjos, and La Isabela. The 2024 drilling campaign aims to extend known mineralization and test new high-potential areas along the permitted section of the project's extensive 30 kilometres of mineralized trend. This year's exploration strategy aims to demonstrate a clear pathway to substantially expand the resource. These efforts underscore the scalability of Santa Ana and its potential for substantial resource growth, positioning the project to develop into a high-grade, economically viable, and environmentally responsible silver mine. About Outcrop Silver Outcrop Silver is a leading explorer and developer focused on advancing its flagship Santa Ana high-grade silver project in Colombia. Leveraging a disciplined and seasoned team of professionals with decades of experience in the region. Outcrop Silver is dedicated to expanding current mineral resources through strategic exploration initiatives. At the core of our operations is a commitment to responsible mining practices and community engagement, underscoring our approach to sustainable development. Our expertise in navigating complex geological and market conditions enables us to consistently identify and capitalize on opportunities to enhance shareholder value. With a deep understanding of the Colombian mining landscape and a track record of successful exploration, Outcrop Silver is poised to transform the Santa Ana project into a significant silver producer, contributing positively to the local economy and setting new standards in the mining industry. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ian Harris Chief Executive Officer +1 604 638 2545 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.outcropsilver.com Kathy Li Vice President of Investor Relations +1 778 783 2818 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential," "we believe," or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Outcrop to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, capital expenditures and other costs, financing and additional capital requirements, completion of due diligence, general economic, market and business conditions, new legislation, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, political uncertainties, and the state of the securities markets generally. Although management of Outcrop have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Outcrop will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference. VANCOUVER, British Columbia / Nov 11, 2024 / Business Wire / Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. (TSXV: NCX) (Northisle or the Company) is pleased to announce that the Company has filed on SEDAR+ a technical report (the Report) prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43101) titled NI 43-101 Resource Estimate for the North Island Project 2024 Update on the Companys 100% owned North Island copper-gold project located in the north end of Vancouver Island, British Columbia (North Island Project). The Report was prepared by Sue Bird, M.Sc., P.Eng, of Moose Mountain Technical Services, and Peter Mehrfert, M.Sc., P.Eng, of Ausenco, each a qualified person for purposes of NI 43-101. The effective date of the Report is September 23, 2024. The full Report can be found under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Companys previous technical reports are no longer current and should not be relied upon. About Northisle Northisle is a Vancouver-based company whose mission is to become Canadas leading sustainable mineral resource company for the future. Northisle, through its 100% owned subsidiary North Island Mining Corp., owns the North Island Project, which is one of the most promising copper and gold porphyry projects in Canada. The North Island Project is located near Port Hardy, British Columbia on a more than 34,000-hectare block of mineral titles 100% owned by Northisle stretching 50 kilometers northwest from the now closed Island Copper Mine operated by BHP Billiton. For more information on Northisle please visit the Companys website at www.northisle.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Initial Bulk Sample Returns 11.6 g/t Gold from 861 Tonnes North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to report that the development of a new high-grade near-surface roscoelite zone has commenced at the company's 100% owned Tuvatu high-grade alkaline gold mine on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Lion One CEO Walter Berukoff stated, "Quartz-roscoelite veining is the most economically significant mineral assemblage at several world class alkaline gold deposits that are similar to Tuvatu. Roscoelite is a defining characteristic of these alkaline systems and it is directly associated with high-grade gold. An initial bulk sample of the near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu has returned 11.6 g/t gold from 861 tonnes of material mined at full mining widths. We are now enhancing our mine plan with this gold-rich roscoelite material, which is already being processed through the pilot plant". Roscoelite veining is directly related to high-grade mineralization at the nearby Vatukoula gold mine in Fiji where over 7 million ounces of gold have been produced over the last 85 years. Roscoelite is also observed in association with gold mineralization at the Porgera gold mine in PNG, which has been a top ten ranked gold mine globally and which has produced over 25 million ounces of gold. At Porgera, the most economically significant veins are the Stage II quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins with native gold, found in the Roamane fault zone.1 At Tuvatu the high-grade Stage II veins also ubiquitously occur with roscoelite - a rare dark green to black vanadium rich mica mineral.2 This same mineral assemblage is observed in the near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu, which consists of a series of intersecting flat and sub-vertical banded veins composed primarily of low-temperature chalcedonic quartz intergrown with roscoelite, pyrite, lesser sphalerite and galena, and native gold. This same mineral assemblage is also observed at the high-grade Zone 500 at 500m depth in Tuvatu, at the West Zone near-mine expansion target 300 m to the West of Tuvatu, as well as in drill core throughout the Tuvatu deposit (Figure 1). See news releases: Lion One drills 20.86 g/t Au over 75.9 m from Zone 500, June 6, 2022, and Lion One drills 105.2 g/t Au over 2.1 m from near-mine exploration at the West Zone, October 1, 2024. Tuvatu is optimally located on Fiji's Viti Levu lineament, with a tectonic history and structural setting that created ideal conditions for the vertical ascent of deep alkalic magmas and the formation of the Navilawa volcanic caldera. Within the caldera, the precipitation of metals from hydrothemal fluids occurred through episodic phases of boiling, mixing and cooling. The presence of roscoelite in direct association with high-grade gold mineralization reflects a rare combination of criteria, shared by other notable world-class alkaline gold deposits, thus underscoring the enormous potential for Tuvatu as part of a potentially much larger high-grade alkaline gold system within Fiji's Navilawa Caldera. Figure 1. Example high-grade mineralization from Porgera3 (left), the new near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu (center), and Zone 500 at Tuvatu (right; TUG-141 drill core, 492.5 m depth, 25.23 g/t Au). High grade mineralization at Porgera, Zone 500, and the new near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu all consist of veins composed of quartz-roscoelite-pyrite with native gold. Figure 2. Location of the new roscoelite zone in relation to underground developments. The new roscoelite zone is in Zone 2 of Tuvatu, in the northwest part of the deposit, approximately 65 m below surface. Preliminary evidence indicates that the zone extends to additional levels below the current underground workings. Figure 3. Location of the new roscoelite zone in relation to Zone 500. Mineralization observed in the new near-surface roscoelite zone is like that observed in the high-grade Zone 500, which is approximately 350 m below the current underground workings. The near-surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu is located 65 m below surface and consists of a series of flat-lying and vertical veins. The strongest gold mineralization occurs in blow-out zones at the intersection of these structures (Figure 4). The primary vertical structures in this zone consist of quartz vein arrays with roscoelite and minor base metal sulfides, while the primary flat-lying structures consist of low-temperature quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins. Both sets of veins contain high-grade gold. This is a very similar scenario to that observed at the Porgera gold mine, wherein there are high-grade ore shoots formed at the intersection of early Stage I base metal veins with later Stage II quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins, with both sets of veins containing gold.1,4 In the near surface roscoelite zone at Tuvatu there is evidence of multiple stacked flat-lying quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins, which would produce multiple stacked shoots of high-grade mineralization at the intersection of vertical structures below the current underground workings. Figure 4. Simplified conceptual illustration of intersecting structures in the near-surface roscoelite zone. Multiple flat-lying quartz-roscoelite-pyrite veins have been observed underground. Notes and References: Vatukoula: Sandstorm Gold Royalties | Vatukoula | WHI-VGM-040112 Porgera: Strong Output Growth in 2023 - Zijin Mining | (Zijin Mining 2024) Lihir: (Table 8.1): Technical Report on Lihir Operations as of 30 June 2020 Alkaline Gold Systems: Alkalic-Type Epithermal Gold Deposit Model | USGS 1. Ronacher, E. (2002). The Porgera gold deposit: Fluid characteristics, ore deposition processes, and duration of the ore forming event. [Doctoral Thesis, University of Alberta]. p 55. Link to report 2. Schmidt, D. (2023). Petrographic Characterization and Evolution of the Alkalic-Type Epithermal Tuvatu Au-Te Deposit, Fiji. [Masters Thesis, Colorado School of Mines]. P50. Link to report 3. Supplied image of Porgera rock sample. 4. Cameron, G. (1998). The Hydrothermal Evolution and Genesis of the Porgera Gold Deposit, Papua New Guinea. [Doctoral Thesis, Australian National University]. p 53. Link to report Competent Persons Statement The information in this report that relates to mineral exploration at the Tuvatu Gold Project is based on information compiled by the Lion One team and reviewed by Melvyn Levrel, who is the company's Senior Geologist. Mr Levrel is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC code). Mr Levrel consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. Lion One Laboratories / QAQC Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods. Diamond drill core samples are logged and split by Lion One personnel on site and delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples. Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using the same methods (Au-AA26 and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 23 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish. About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. After-Tax NPV8% of US$1,149 Million and IRR of 82% over 25 years Initial Capital Costs of US$73 Million for Annual Anode Material Production of 26,000 tonnes per annum Attractive Cash Costs of US$3,193 per tonne of Anode Material Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 12, 2024 TheNewswire Falcon Energy Materials plc (TSX-V: FLCN) (Falcon or the Company) today welcomes the positive results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the natural graphite spheroidization, purification and coating plant (the Anode Plant, view the video HERE) in the Kingdom of Morocco (Morocco). The PEA, prepared by Dorfner Anzaplan UK Limited (Anzaplan), showcases the strong financial and operational potential of Falcons vision to produce coated, spheroidized and purified graphite (CSPG) anode material in Morocco at industry leading operating costs. Highlights of the Preliminary Economic Assessment include: After-tax net present value (NPV) at a real 8% discount rate of US$1,149 million; After-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 82%; Pre-production initial capital costs, including contingency, estimated at US$73 million; Average operating costs of US$3,193 per tonne of CSPG; and Average CSPG production of 26,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) and 18,000tpa fines Matthieu Bos, Chief Executive Officer of Falcon, commented The robust PEA results affirm Falcons strategic vision and dedication to closing critical gaps in the battery materials supply chain. Were poised to advance as a key CSPG supplier to Western markets, ensuring a reliable source of high-quality, sustainable battery materials. Leveraging Advanced Technology and Procurement with Hensen Partnership The Anode Plant in Morocco will feature Falcons integrated mine-to-market strategy, backed by a strategic partnership with Hensen Graphite & Carbon Corporation (Hensen). Hensen, a leading CSPG producer, brings years of operational expertise from its successful synthetic and natural graphite anode plants in China. Hensen is currently building a large-scale anode plant in Weihai, China (the Weihai Plant), expected to be commissioned in Q4 2024. Hensen and Falcon have leveraged the proven design, procurement and existing supply chain practices from Hensens recently completed Weihai Plant to establish a highly competitive, cutting-edge facility in Morocco. The partnership allows Falcon to implement advanced technology and process efficiency to deliver high quality anode materials at scale and with competitive costs to the rapidly growing European and North American markets. With the Hensen partnership and redomiciliation to Abu Dhabi, we have created a unique platform, headquartered in the UAE with a listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, while maintaining an open mind to additional partnerships with industry leaders in China, Mr. Bos continued. Falcons strategy and structure are truly unique and cannot be replicated by anyone in the short to medium term. The very complicated nature of the CSPG supply chain, which is almost entirely dominated by China, makes partnerships with long-standing anode material producers a critical pathway to success. Figure 1: Illustration of Falcons Morocco Anode Plant Flow Sheet Falcons Anode Plant envisages the construction of three distinct production lines, using established and proven Hensen technology and design, focusing on the key steps to produce CSPG: Spheroidization Plant: Employing the latest, innovative processes to shape the graphite flakes into spheres, increasing the surface area density and energy density, to produce spherical graphite (SG); Purification Plant: Employing hydrofluoric acid alongside hydrochloric and nitric acid to remove impurities, producing 99.95% spherical purified graphite (SPG); and Coating Plant: Applying an amorphous carbon (pitch tar) coating on the SPG surface to enhance energy density and increase battery safety and longevity, producing coated SPG (CSPG). Location and Infrastructure The Anode Plant, which requires approximately 8 hectares of land, is strategically located in Morocco on the African continent, benefiting from access to critical port and energy infrastructure and free trade agreements with both the United States and the European Union. Falcon anticipates securing graphite feedstock for the Anode Plant from its 100%-owned Lola graphite project as well as third party concentrates. Spheroidization Plant The 45,000tpa spheroidization plant consists of three separate process steps: micronization, spheroidization of the micronized graphite to produce coarse primary SG, and secondary spheroidization to produce a fine secondary SG product. The overall yield of the spheroidization plant is 60% resulting in 27,000tpa of SG. The micronization and spheroidization process is designed to produce spherical particles of a size of 20 microns (categorized as SG20) and 10 microns (categorized as SG10). SG20, representing 86.7% of the feed, is collected into a main collector and sent to the purification plant by pneumatic transportation. SG10 is collected and sent to secondary spheroidization circuit, which contains additional spheroidizers. SG10, representing 13.3% of the feed, is collected into a main collector and sent to a separate circuit in the purification plant by pneumatic transportation, while the remaining fines by-product particles are sent directly to the bagging station and sold separately. Purification Plant The 27,000tpa purification plant consists of a chemical treatment to increase the purity of the SG from 94.6% to 99.95% and SPG. The purification plant consists of four separate process steps: a thermally induced chemical reaction, pressure filtration, washing, and drying. The SG is washed with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid (the Key Acids) and steam to remove the main impurities (e.g., SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, Fe2O3, and CaO). Following the purification step the Key Acids are recovered in a filter press and reused. Finally, the SPG is washed to remove water-soluble impurities generated during the reaction and dried to reduce the moisture content below 1%. Figure 2: Illustration of Falcons Coating Plant Coating Plant The coating process is the final step of the CSPG production process. The objective of this step is to coat particles with a thin film of carbon precursor (3-25 nanometres thick), which is then crystallized. This involves milling pitch tar (10% wt.), mixing the milled pitch tar with SPG, and thermally treating the mixture in a coating furnace. The coating furnace lines are dedicated to coat primary SP20 and SP10, separately. The cooled CSPG is deagglomerated, demagnetized, sieved and bagged to ensure the final product meets stringent end-user specifications. The coating line is initially built with a 5ktpa capacity and expanded to 26ktpa following end-user qualification of the CSPG. Gas and Water Treatment The Anode Plant contains gas and water treatment systems. The gas scrubber cleans the off-gasses from the purification and coating plant. A hydrated lime solution is fed into the scrubber to capture residual gas, and the purge is sent to the lime scrubber buffer tank. The clean gas is sent to a stack and released in the atmosphere. The water purification plant, which predominantly treats the effluents of the purification plant, has a capacity for 1,200 m3 / day. All waste water will be tested before discharge to the local sewage system and will meet Moroccan discharge limits. The Anode Plant footprint and buildings are designed such that an production can be doubled by adding additional spheroidization, purification and coating lines without erecting new buildings. Capital and Operating Costs The projected capital and operating costs for the project are presented below in Table 2 and 3. The capital and operational costs are estimated based on the actual costs of the Hensen Weihai Plant, adjusted for transport to and construction in Morocco. Estimations were performed in accordance with the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) Class 5, Recommended Practice 47R-11, with typical variation in low and high accuracy ranges of -20% to -50% and +30% to +100%, respectively. Table 1: Capital Costs Capital Costs Spheroidization Plant $19M Purification Plant $13M Coating Plant $18M Land Acquisition $5M Contingency $18M Total Pre-Development Capital Costs $73M Coating Plant Expansion $24M Contingency $9M Total Expansion Capital Costs $33M Table 2: Operating Costs (US$ per tonne CSPG) Operating Costs in US$ per tonne CSPG Spheroidization Plant $314 Purification Plant $829 Coating Plant $503 Waste Disposal $5 General & Administration $54 Sales & Marketing $36 Contingency $165 Direct Operating Costs $1,907 Concentrate Purchase Costs $1,286 All-In Operating Costs $3,193 Economic Analysis With global demand for CSPG expected to surge, the Morocco Anode Plant is projected to yield annual revenues of approximately US$246 million and an operating cash flow of US$152 million at consensus CSPG pricing. Additionally, the plant includes advanced gas and water treatment systems, ensuring compliance with local environmental standards. Tanger Med Engineering SA (TME) is currently completing a preliminary environment impact analysis of the Anode Plant. Table 3: Preliminary Economic Assessment Results Post-Tax Results Pre-development Capital $73M Expansion Capital (1) $33M Direct Operating Costs $1,907 / t CSPG All-in Operating Costs (2) $3,193 / t CSPG NPV8% (US$M) (3) $1,149M IRR (%) 82% Payback (Years) 1.0 1. Incurred in year 2 of production to expand the coating line from 5ktpa to 25ktpa 2. Includes graphite concentrate purchase costs (US$754 per tonne CIF Tanger) 3. Assuming long-term average US$9,000 per tonne CSPG pricing The Company expects a 9-month detail engineering and design period followed by a 15-month construction and commissioning period. Next Steps Falcon and Hensen commenced work on a NI 43-101 compliant feasibility study (the Feasibility Study), which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. The Feasibility Study will also form the basis for the environment impact analysis and is required to complete the permitting process in Morocco. Quality Assurance and Control For readers to fully understand the information in this press release, they should read the Technical Report in its entirety when it is available on SEDAR, including all qualifications, assumptions, and exclusions that relate to the information to be set out in the Technical Report, which qualifies the technical information contained in the Technical Report. The Technical Report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context. The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Derick R. de Wit, B-Tech. (Chem Eng), FSAIMM, FAusIMM, Pr Tech Eng, a qualified person (QP, as defined by NI 43-101) from Anzaplan. The PEA was prepared in compliance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). The complete NI 43-101 Technical Report pertaining to the PEA will be filed within 45 days and will be available on Falcon's website and on ww.sedar.com. About Anzaplan Anzaplan specializes in process design and engineering services for graphite beneficiation projects. The Company offers advanced graphite evaluation services for high value applications including strongly growing markets such as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. Starting with the initial characterization of the graphite ore through development of a beneficiation process to obtain a high- quality flake graphite concentrate, shaping and purification into battery grade spherical graphite, characterization of electrochemical performance and testing of lithium-ion cells. About Falcon Falcon is focused on developing the Lola Graphite Project located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. The Lola Graphite Project has Proven and Probable Reserves of 42Mt at a grade of 4.2% Cg. Falcon aims to develop a fully integrated source of battery anode material to supply the European lithium-ion and fuel cell markets. With attractive operating costs, proximity to European end-markets and strong ESG credentials, the Company is poised to become a reliable supplier while promoting sustainability and supply chain transparency. Falcon is committed to generating sustainable, long-term benefits that are shared with the host countries and communities where it operates. For additional information, please visit Falcons website at www.falconem.net. Contact: Matthieu Bos President & CEO Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Matt Johnston IR Advisor Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Telephone: +971 2307 4013 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 information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as potential, vision, affirm, advance, ensure, expect, deliver, anticipate, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", will, "would" or "might". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock price; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits and mine plans for the Companys mining operations; (v) the risk associated with establishing title to mineral properties and assets including permitting, development, operations and production from the Companys operations being consistent with expectations and projections; (vi) fluctuations in commodity prices, finding offtake takers and potential clients or enforcing such agreements against same, (vii) prices for diesel, process reagents, fuel oil, electricity and other key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; (viii) production and cost of sales forecasts meeting expectations; (ix) the accuracy of the mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates of the Company; (x) labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Company's current expectations; (xi) there being no significant disruptions affecting the operations of the Company whether due to COVID-19 restrictions, the war in Ukraine, artisanal miners, access to water, extreme weather events and other or related natural disasters, labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; (xi) asset impairment (or reversal) potential, being consistent with the Company's current expectations, and (xii) risks associated to the accuracy of projections provided in a preliminary economic study which are preliminary in nature and which include significant of uncertainties,. and other risks and factors described or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the MD&A of the Company and which is available at www.sedar.com, all of which should be reviewed in conjunction with the information found in this news release. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information, including notably the capacity of Falcon execute its vision to produce CSPG anode material in Morocco at industry leading operating costs, Falcons capacity to execute the projections provided for in the PEA and the Companys capacity to become a key CSPG supplier to Western markets or to ensure a reliable source of high-quality, sustainable battery materials. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is given as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Equity Metals Corporation (TSXV: EQTY) ("Equity" or the "Company") reports it has signed a letter agreement with Origen Resources Inc. ("Origen") on November 5, 2024 (the "Arlington Agreement") to earn a 100% interest in nine claims, totaling 3,583.89 ha, located within the Boundary District of south-central British Columbia (the "Arlington Property"). The Arlington Agreement, which is subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange") acceptance ("Regulatory Approval"), provides that Equity may earn a 100% interest in the Arlington Property by meeting the following obligations to Origen, all by the first anniversary of Regulatory Approval: making cash payments totaling $130,000 ($30,000 of which is reimbursement of costs associated with the Bond posted in regards to the current drill permit to be assigned to Equity); incurring exploration expenditures of $250,000 on the Arlington Property; and issuing shares valued at $200,000 within 7 days of Regulatory Approval; and issuing additional shares valued at $200,000, or 2 million shares, whichever is greater, by the first anniversary of Regulatory Approval. Origen will retain a royalty of 2% of net smelter returns, provided that the Company may purchase 1% of such royalty at any time for the price of $1,000,000. About the Arlington Property The Arlington Au-Cu-Ag Property is located in the West Kettle River Valley in southern British Columbia; it is 17 km north of the community of Beaverdell and 65 km south of Kelowna B.C., within the Greenwood Mining Division (see Figure 1). Historic work in the area was driven by the early success and discoveries made in the Beaverdell and Carmi Mining Camps during the late 1890s. Most of the production in the district was from the Beaverdell Camp, which was mined from 1913 to 1991 and produced approximately 35Mozs silver and 16.5Kozs gold. The Buckhorn Mine, located 60km to the south of the property in northern Washington state, is also considered a possible exploration analogue. The Buckhorn mine was operated by Kinross from 2007 to 2017, producing 1.3Moz gold from 5Mt ore. The Arlington Au-Cu-Ag property was explored as early as 1888, with modern exploration on the property occurring in several stages from the early 1970's to 1996, and most recently from 2015 to 2022. Thirteen historic mineral occurrences are identified on the claims, although more recent prospecting and reconnaissance work has identified several additional undocumented historical shafts, adits and trenches in the northern part of the claims that reflect significant historical exploration and some mining activity on the property over time. The claim position has been steadily expanded since initial staking by the vendors in 2015 and now totals nine claims. Figure 1: Location of the Arlington Property Work on the Arlington property by the vendors includes surface reconnaissance rock chip and grab sampling, several phases of soil sampling and targeted VLF and surface magnetic geophysical surveys over the resulting geochemical anomalies. Sampling successfully confirmed the high-grade nature of the known mineral occurrences in the northern claims, returning strongly anomalous gold, silver and copper results including: 11.7g/t Au, 211g/t Ag and 3.22% Cu (grab) 6.8g/t Au and 2.0g/t Ag (grab) 1.3g/t Au, 31g/t Ag and 1.2% Cu (grab) Work in the more recently staked southern claims has identified a broad Au-Ag-Cu anomaly, extending approximately 2,000m in a N-S direction and 1,000m in an E-W direction. Gold values range from 15 2,300 ppb, with associated anomalous values of As, Bi, Te and As. Targets in this area include gold-enriched epithermal-styled veins and Au/Cu-enriched disseminated to massive magnetite replacement bodies. Historic Au-placer deposits were mined in the main drainage transecting the soil anomaly. An additional Cu-Mo-Ag soil anomaly was identified just 750m to the northeast of the Au-Ag-Cu anomaly and extends over 500m of strike-length and is open laterally to the northeast. The anomaly is spatially associated with strong argillic alteration in the host lithologies, possibly representing an additional porphyry-related target at depth for further follow-up and exploration. The Arlington property represents an exploration opportunity within an historic mining district with a geological setting and observed styles of mineralization which are geologically analogous to known productive mineral deposits within the region. Recent exploration on the property has greatly expanded its prospectivity with the identification of two new polymetallic surface soil anomalies extending over a 3.0km in cumulative strike length. Three separate targets have been identified on the property for immediate follow-up: High-grade Au-enriched poly-metallic quartz veins (potentially analogous to veins at the Beaverdell Mine); Au-Cu magnetite skarn deposits (potentially analogous to the Buckhorn Mine); and a Cu-Ag-Mo porphyry system Initial work on the project by Equity will include detailed soil sampling, geological mapping, prospecting and potentially trenching toward further refinement of the known targets to be followed by initial drilling in 2025. Silver Queen Project - Drilling Update The Company also reports that drilling continues on the No. 3 Vein North target as part of the its Fall '24 exploration program on the property. Twelve core holes totalling 4152 metres have been completed to date of the 14 holes planned for this target. This is a new target area for the Company, which could potentially extend the No. 3 Vein deposit a further 300 metres to the northwest. The No. 3 Vein North area has been previously tested by limited historical drilling, limited underground development, and minor historical mining. Initial drilling on the target is intended to confirm the encouraging historical drill results and then test lateral and downdip extensions of the higher-grade zones. Logging and sampling of the holes is in progress and new assay results are anticipated over the coming weeks. Four additional follow up holes are planned for the Camp Deposit and Camp North targets and will be added to the current drill program. The Silver Queen Project is a premier gold-silver property with over 100 years of historic exploration and development and is located adjacent to power, roads and rail with significant mining infrastructure that was developed under previous operators Bradina JV (Bralorne Mines) and Houston Metals Corp. (a Hunt Brothers company). The Silver Queen Property consists of 46 mineral claims, 17 crown grants, and two surface crown grants totalling 18,871ha with no underlying royalties. Mineralization is hosted by a series of epithermal veins distributed over a 6 sq km area. An updated NI43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate with effective date December 1st, 2022 was detailed in a News Release issued on Jan 16, 2023, which can be found by clicking here and the full Technical Report can be found on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca/) and the Company's website. About Equity Metals Corporation Equity Metals Corporation is a member of the Malaspina-Manex Group. The Company owns 100% interest, with no underlying royalty, in the Silver Queen project, located along the Skeena Arch in the Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia. The property hosts high-grade, precious- and base-metal veins related to a buried porphyry system, which has been only partially delineated. The Company also has a controlling JV interest (57.49%) in the Monument Diamond project, NWT, strategically located in the Lac De Gras district within 40 km of both the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines. As well, the Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Arlington Property, located within the Boundary District of south-central British Columbia. Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is VP Exploration of Equity Metals Corporation and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He is responsible for the supervision of the exploration on the Arlington and Silver Queen projects and for the preparation of the technical information in this disclosure. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr." Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr., P.Geo President, Director, Equity Metals Corporation Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements including statements regarding the exercise of the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Arlington Property, Exchange acceptance of the Arlington Agreement, and future exploration plans and expenditures on the Arlington Project. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Equity Metals Corporation does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 11, 2024) - Surge Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: NILI) (OTCQX: NILIF) (FSE: DJ5) (the "Company" or "Surge") is pleased to announce that it has filed on SEDAR a technical report titled "Technical Report on Mineral Resource Estimate for the Nevada North Lithium Project, Elko Country, Nevada USA" (the "Technical Report"). The Technical Report is dated effective October 9, 2024. The Technical Report was required to be filed under NI 43-101 because of the mineral resource estimate (the "MRE") disclosed by the Company in its news release dated September 24, 2024. The information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Bruce M. Davis, PhD, FAusIMM and Jeffrey D. Phinisey, SME RM#4030404, the authors of the Technical Report. Both authors are Qualified Persons as that term is defined in NI 43-101 and NI 43-101CP. About Surge Battery Metals Inc. Surge Battery Metals, a Canadian-based mineral exploration company, is at the forefront of securing the supply of domestic lithium through its active engagement in the Nevada North Lithium Project. The project focuses on exploring for clean, high-grade lithium metal in Nevada, USA, a crucial element for powering the electric vehicles of tomorrow. With a primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and the OTCQX Market in the US, Surge Battery Metals Inc. is strategically positioned as a key player in advancing lithium exploration, contributing significantly to the sustainable future of the electric vehicle industry. At Surge Battery Metals, we are not just exploring minerals; we are pioneering the path to a cleaner and more sustainable future, driving innovation in the lithium sector, and contributing to the evolution of the electric vehicle industry. About the Nevada North Lithium Project The Company owns the Nevada North Lithium Project located in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County, Nevada. The first three phases of drilling, completed in 2022, 2023, and 2024, identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike length of more than 4,300 meters and a known width of greater than 1500 meters. Highly anomalous soil values and geophysical surveys suggest there is potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent, while wide drill spacing allows for significant upside to occur during infill drilling. The Nevada North Lithium Project has a pit-constrained Inferred Resource containing an estimated 8.65 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) grading 2,956 ppm Li at a 1,250 ppm cutoff. Keep up-to-date with Surge Battery Metals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This document may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan" or "planned", "possible", "potential", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities including lithium and nickel, the accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental, local community or indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure or water, changes in laws, rules and regulations including in the United States, Nevada or California or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$ or other currencies, fluctuations in the market for lithium related products, changes in exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in the United States or any other jurisdiction and other factors or information. The Company's current plans, expectations, and intentions with respect to development of its business and of its Nevada properties may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of any pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions (including US government subsidies or incentives) on its ability to secure further financing or funding of its Nevada properties. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon several assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, environmental (including endangered species, habitat preservation and water related risks) and social risks, contingencies, and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause 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. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Highlights: Soil Grid Across the Southern Portion of Gran Pilar Returns High-Grade Results: Including 21.2 g/t Au and >2,000 g/t Ag, 1,000 meters northeast of the Main Zone; 2.4 g/t Au and 21.9 g/t Ag, 1,700 meters east, northeast of the Main Zone; 1.3 g/t Au and 299 g/t Ag, 390 meters north, northeast of the Main Zone; 1.2 g/t Au and 8.2 g/t Ag, 1,700 meters east of the Main Zone; 0.8 g/t Au and 23.4 g/t Ag, 1,500 meters southeast of the Main Zone; 0.6 g/t Au and 7.7 g/t Ag, 2,000 meters southeast of the Main Zone. 62 of 541 Sample over 0.1 g/t Au or 100 ppb 350 of 541 Samples over 0.02 g/t Au or 20 ppb, Considered Anomalous for Exploration Surface Exploration Work Ongoing at Gran Pilar, 184 Rock Samples Pending Analysis Video: Soil Sample Overview CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 /Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the "Company") (CSE:TOC) (OTCQB:TCVNF) (FSE:TV3), is pleased to provide exploration results from its Gran Pilar gold-silver project in mine-friendly Sonora, Mexico. Surface soil and rock sampling has been ongoing across the Gran Pilar project area with a focus on the northern and eastern extensions of the Main Zone, North Hill and 4-T trends. To date, over 541 soil samples and 184 rock chip samples and counting have been collected by technical staff. Results for 541 soil samples are provided in this release across an area that totals over two-square kilometers within the southern block of Gran Pilar where Tocvan holds 100% interest (see Figure 1). This data builds off of a previous soil grid completed across the original Pilar concessions. The soil grid was completed along north-south orientated lines 100 meters apart with 50-meter sample spacing. Soil material from each site was sieved below 200 mesh or 74 microns, collecting an average sample size of 1.3 kg at each sample location. The southern block remains unsampled 1.4 kilometers east and 400 meters south of the soil grid released today. Another four-square kilometer remains unsampled and open for additional discovery within the southern block alone. In exploration, soil sampling is a useful tool for locating areas of interest through the geochemical expression of weathered rock. The subtle increase in gold or other pathfinder elements are tracked to outline target areas. Samples returning values greater than 0.02 g/t Au or 20 ppb Au are thought to be anomalous and worthy of closer evaluation. Sample results with values greater than 0.1 g/t Au or 100 ppb Au are thought to be significant and warrant immediate follow-up as near surface mineralization is likely. It is important to note that the soil samples are widely spaced on a 50-meter by 100-meter grid. The results have yielded high-grade gold and silver mineralization across the sample grid with the highest value returning 21.2 g/t Au (21,200 ppb), greater than 2,000 g/t Ag, 0.62% Cu, 12.7% Pb and 2.3% Zn. Follow-up has shown this highly anomalous sample coincides with a nearby historic working concealed in overgrown vegetation. This sample is within a broader zone of anomalous values that extends for over 800-meters long and 500-meters wide. Several other zones of significant and consistently high values of gold have been identified showing several kilometers of prospective trend that remains open to the east for further expansion. For reference, historically the highest soil sample across the Main Zone returned 8.1 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag with most values ranging as low as 0.04 g/t Au or 40 ppb Au. Results from the recent soil survey are summarized in Figure 1 and Table 1. "The results from the soil survey are simply incredible with samples exceeding the analysis overlimits two to three times; outlining the much larger potential for significant mineralization at Gran Pilar" commented Brodie Sutherland, CEO. "The consistently high values across the area is telling of the overall potential, this area also coincides with early reconnaissance sampling that has returned significant gold and silver values released earlier this year. It is fantastic to see several values in excess of 1 gram per tonne in the soil results and immediate follow-up has proven the values are directly related to mineralized structures tied to historic workings. This proves the soil sampling method is extremely effective in discovering new areas of interest. As surface work and drill preparation continues, we look forward to refining these targets for future drill programs. It is important to note that the entire area has never seen systematic and modern exploration, these areas are completely new and we are beginning to outline the larger mineralized system that remains untested. This is just one portion of the southern block of Gran Pilar with even larger untested sections of the property extending to the north. More results are to come as we unlock the full potential of Gran Pilar." Figure 1. Summary of Latest Soil Sample Results from Gran Pilar, highlighting the expansion potential to the north and east of the Main Zone. Gold values above 20 ppb are thought to be anomalous. The highest values recorded in recent soil sampling were up to 21,200 ppb or 21.2 g/t Au. Figure 2. Gran Pilar project overview showing location of soil sample grid in the southern block of the property. Further to the north a separate mineralized system remains largely unsampled with only early reconnaissance completed to date. Table 1. Summary of Soil sample results and the related pathfinder elements for gold values greater than 200 ppb or 0.2 g/t Au. Figure 3. Target Map of the Gran Pilar Project Area. Recent surface discoveries have highlighted several target zones across the project area. About the Pilar Property The Pilar Gold-Silver property has returned some of the regions best drill results. Coupled with encouraging gold and silver recovery results from metallurgical test work, Pilar is primed to be a potential near-term producer. Pilar is interpreted as a structurally controlled low-sulphidation epithermal system hosted in andesite rocks. Initially three primary zones of mineralization were identified on the original property from historic surface work and drilling and are referred to as the Main Zone, North Hill and 4-T. Each trend remains open to the southeast and north and new parallel zones have been discovered. Structural features and zones of mineralization within the structures follow an overall NW-SE trend of mineralization. Mineralization extends along a 1.2-km trend, only half of that trend has been drill tested so far. The Company has now expanded its interest in the area by consolidating 22 square-kilometers of highly prospective ground where it has already made significant surface discoveries. Pilar Drill Highlights: 2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag 2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au 2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag 15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag Pilar Bulk Sample Summary: 62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8") Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time Additional Metallurgical Studies: Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth. Based on management's strong belief in the project's potential, the Company is outlining a permitting and operations strategy for a pilot facility at Pilar. The facility would underpin a robust test mine scenario with aims to process up to 50,000 tonnes of material. Timelines and budget are being prepared with the aim of moving forward with the development early in 2025. With gold prices hitting all-time highs, the Company believes the onsite test mine will provide key economic parameters and showcase the mineral potential of the area. In 2023, the Company completed an offsite bulk sample that produced important data showcasing the potential to recover both gold and silver through a variety of methods including heap leach, gravity and agitated leach (see August 22, 2023, news release for more details). About Tocvan Ventures Corp. Tocvan's advancing gold-silver projects are located in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. Through ongoing exploration programs, Company is unveiling the high-potential at its Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value. Tocvan has approximately 51 million shares outstanding. Quality Assurance / Quality Control Samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold and multi-element analysis of soils was completed by aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS finish using a 50-gram nominal weight. Over limit gold values greater than 1 g/t were re-assayed with a more robust aqua regia digestion ad ICP-MS finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising blank samples and certified reference materials were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol. Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO for Tocvan Ventures Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 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. This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These 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. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. 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. For more information, please contact: TOCVAN VENTURES CORP. Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO 1150, 707 - 7 Ave SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 3H6 +1-403-829-9877 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The Howard Group Jeff Walker VP Howard Group Inc. +1-403-221-0915 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. All amounts are expressed in US dollars unless otherwise indicated. VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 12, 2024 /CNW/ - Aris Mining Corporation (Aris Mining or the Company) (TSX: ARIS) (NYSE-A: ARMN) announces its full financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 (Q3 2024 and YTD 2024, respectively). Q3 2024 Q2 2024 YTD 2024 Gold production (ounces) (Segovia & Marmato) 53,608 49,216 153,591 Segovia All-in Sustaining Cost per Ounce Sold (AISC/oz) $1,540 $1,571 $1,515 EBITDA[1] $27.8M $30.8M $80.9M Adjusted EBITDA1 $43.0M $36.1M $107.5M Net earnings (loss) $(2.2)M or ($0.01)/share $5.7M or $0.04/share $2.7M or $0.02/share Adjusted earnings1 $12.9M or $0.08/share $12.7M or $0.08/share $31.0M or $0.20/share Neil Woodyer, CEO of Aris Mining, commented: "In the third quarter of this year we achieved a 9% increase in total gold production over the prior quarter and demonstrated effective cost management at Segovia, as illustrated in Figure 1, with an AISC of $1,540 per ounce sold. The combination of higher gold prices, increased production, and effective cost control led to a 37% increase in AISC margin at Segovia, reaching $44.1 million compared to $32.2 million in Q2, as shown in Figure 2. Our operational focus remains on generating cash flow while advancing our expansion projects at Segovia and Marmato. Over the past 12 months, we have generated Adjusted EBITDA of $147.2 million. Following Q3, we refinanced our existing $300 million 6.875% Notes with a new 5-year $450 million 8.000% Notes deal, increasing cash reserves and extending maturity. Our current pro forma cash balance has increased to $266 million following the refinancing and receipt of a stream funding installment, as shown in Figure 3. We are well-positioned and funded to deliver on our growth strategy." ___________________________ 1 EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted (net) earnings and AISC are non-GAAP financial measures in this document. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under GAAP, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers. Refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section in this document for a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the Company's interim financial statements. Segovia Operations Review AISC margins at the Segovia Operations continued to improve to $44.1 million in Q3 compared to $32.2 million in Q2. The improvement was driven by rising gold prices, increased gold production and lower AISC costs of $1,540 per ounce. in Q3 compared to in Q2. The improvement was driven by rising gold prices, increased gold production and lower AISC costs of per ounce. We operate our own mines and collaborate with community-based mining partners, referred to as Contract Mining Partners (CMPs), to increase our total gold production. Some partners work within our infrastructure, while others manage their own mining operations on our tenements. In addition, we purchase high grade mill feed from third-party contractors operating off-title, which further optimizes production and increases operating margins. Cash costs for Owner Mining and On-Title CMPs were $1,145 per ounce, representing a 5% improvement over Q2 2024. This cost reduction was driven by increased production, partially offset by a rise in realized gold prices which negatively impacted the cost of CMP-purchased mill feed. per ounce, representing a 5% improvement over Q2 2024. This cost reduction was driven by increased production, partially offset by a rise in realized gold prices which negatively impacted the cost of CMP-purchased mill feed. Similarly, purchase and processing costs for high grade mill feed delivered by off-title CMPs increased in Q3 to $1,834 per ounce from $1,790 per ounce in Q2. The increase reflects higher realized gold prices, partially offset by lower average grades of 28.5 g/t Au compared to 29.1 g/t Au in Q2. per ounce from per ounce in Q2. The increase reflects higher realized gold prices, partially offset by lower average grades of 28.5 g/t Au compared to 29.1 g/t Au in Q2. The Third-Party off-title CMP segment of our business maintained a strong sales margin of $4.9 million in Q3 2024, up from $3.8 million in Q2 2024. Total Segovia Operating Information Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024 % Change (Q3 vs Q2) YTD 2024 Average realized gold price ($/ounce sold) 2,457 2,308 2,061 6 % 2,280 Tonnes milled (t) 166,868 155,912 154,425 7 % 477,205 Average tonnes milled per day (tpd) 1,940 1,834 1,817 6 % 1,864 Average gold grade processed (g/t) 9.23 9.14 9.42 1 % 9.26 Gold produced (ounces) 47,493 43,705 44,908 9 % 136,106 Cash costs ($/ounce sold)1 1,257 1,299 1,162 3 % 1,239 AISC total ($/ounce sold)1 1,540 1,571 1,434 2 % 1,515 Segovia Operating Information by Segment Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024 % Change (Q3 vs Q2) YTD 2024 Owner Mining & On-title CMPs Gold produced (ounces) 39,921 36,400 39,915 10 % 116,236 Gold sold (ounces) 40,248 36,117 40,253 11 % 116,618 Cash costs per ounce sold ($ per oz sold)1 1,145 1,201 1,134 5 % 1,158 AISC/oz sold - ($ per oz sold)1 1,483 1,527 1,439 3 % 1,482 AISC sales margin (%)1,2 40 % 34 % 30 % 35 % AISC margin ($'000)1 39,199 28,388 25,064 38 % 92,650 Third-Party Purchased Material (off-title CMPs) Gold produced (ounces) 7,572 7,305 4,993 4 % 19,870 Gold sold (ounces) 7,811 7,248 5,036 8 % 20,095 Purchase & processing cost per ounce ($ per oz sold)1 1,834 1,790 1,386 -2 % 1,706 Third-Party sales margin (%)1,2 25 % 23 % 33 % 25 % Third-Party sales margin ($'000)1,2 4,868 3,785 3,403 29 % 12,056 1 Non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section for a full reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the Interim Financial Statements. 2 Sales margin is calculated as AISC margin over revenues as disclosed above, sales margin is considered by management to be a useful metric of the operations' profitability. Segovia Expansion Project As announced in Q4 2023, the Segovia expansion project aims to increase processing capacity from 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes per day and is progressing as scheduled. Phase 1 of the Segovia expansion is complete with the newly expanded receiving area for our CMPs fully commissioned and handed over to operations. The new facility began processing material in October 2024 . . Phase 2, which involves installing a second ball mill in the former contractor receiving area, is underway and scheduled for completion in Q1 2025, followed by a ramp-up period to reach a production rate of 3,000 tpd in the second half of 2025. The new ball mill is expected to increase throughput and gold production by enabling finer grinding and process efficiency. The total cost of the expansion project is estimated at $15 million , with $8 million spent as of September 30, 2024 . Marmato Lower Mine Expansion Aris Mining commenced construction of the new Marmato Lower Mine in Q3 2023 following the receipt of environmental permits in July 2023 . The Lower Mine will access wider porphyry mineralization below the Upper Mine, with both mines estimated to produce a combined 162,000 ounces of gold per year over a 20-year mine life. 2 . The Lower Mine will access wider porphyry mineralization below the Upper Mine, with both mines estimated to produce a combined 162,000 ounces of gold per year over a 20-year mine life. The site access road and portal face were completed in Q3 2024 and the contractor is preparing to initiate work on the twin declines. Both the semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) and ball mill fabrication are progressing on schedule for completion before the end of 2024. As of the end of September 2024 , the estimated cost to complete the Lower Mine construction was $235 million , of which $122 million will be funded by existing stream financing commitments; resulting in $113 million of cost to complete on a net basis. On November 6, 2024 , Aris Mining received the first $40 million milestone payment under its streaming agreement. Further payments of $40 million and $42 million are expected to be received upon reaching the 50% and 75% construction spend milestones, respectively, next year. Marmato Lower Mine Construction Budget US$ million Total Construction Budget 280 Less: spend to date (as of September 30, 2024) 46 Estimated cost to complete (as of September 30, 2024) 235 Remaining stream financing (at 50% and 75% completion) 82 Net construction budget to be funded by Aris Mining 153 1 Relates to costs directly associated with the construction of the plant, mining and other surface infrastructure of the Marmato Lower Mine Project, exclusive of costs associated with other ancillary activities supporting the wider Marmato Mine complex. Aris Mining's condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and related MD&A are available on SEDAR+, in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and in the Financials section of Aris Mining's website here. Hard copies of the interim financial statements are available free of charge by written request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Q3 2024 Conference Call Details Management will host a conference call on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 9:00 am ET/6:00 am PT to discuss the results. The call will be webcast and can be accessed at Webcast | Q3 2024 Results Conference Call (choruscall.com). Participants may gain expedited access to the conference call by registering at Diamond Pass Registration (dpregister.com). Upon registering, call in details will be displayed on screen which can be used to bypass the operator and avoid the call queue. Registration will remain open until the end of the live conference call. Participants who prefer to dial-in and speak with a live operator, can access the call by dialing: Toll-free North America : +1-844-763-8274 : +1-844-763-8274 International: +1-647-484-8814 After the call, an audio recording will be available via telephone until end of day November 20, 2024. The recording can be accessed by dialing: Toll-free in the US and Canada : +1-855-669-9658 : +1-855-669-9658 International: +1-412-317-0088; and using the access code: 9996142 A replay of the event will be archived at Events & Presentations - Aris Mining Corporation. _____________________ 2 Refer to the pre-feasibility study on the Marmato Lower Mine Project with an effective date of June 30, 2022, see Section "Qualified Person and Technical Disclosure" About Aris Mining Aris Mining is a gold producer in Latin America, currently operating two mines with expansions underway in Colombia. The Segovia Operations and the Marmato Upper Mine produced 226,000 ounces of gold in 2023. Aris Mining is targeting a production rate of approximately 500,000 ounces of gold per year in the second half of 2026, following a ramp-up period after the Segovia mill expansion scheduled for completion in Q1 2025 and the Marmato Lower Mine's first gold pour in late 2025. Aris Mining also operates the 51% owned Soto Norte joint venture, where studies are underway on a new, smaller scale development plan, with results expected in early 2025. In Guyana, Aris Mining is advancing Toroparu, a gold/copper project. Aris Mining intends to pursue acquisitions and other growth opportunities to unlock value through scale and diversification. Aris Mining promotes the formalization of small-scale mining units into contract mining partners as this process enables all miners to operate in a legal, safe and responsible manner that protects them and the environment. Additional information on Aris Mining can be found at www.aris-mining.com, www.sedarplus.ca, and on www.sec.gov. Cautionary Language Non-GAAP Financial Measures Free cash flow, cash costs ($ per oz sold), AISC ($ per oz sold), EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted (loss)/earning, sustaining capital and expenditures on growth capital are non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP ratios. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS or by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers. For full details on these measures and ratios refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (MD&A). The MD&A is incorporated by reference into this news release and is available at www.aris-mining.com, on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and in its filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov. The tables below reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures contained in this news release for the current and comparative periods to the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the Company's Q3 2024 interim financial statements. Cash costs per ounce Reconciliation of total cash costs by business unit at the Segovia Operations to the cash costs as disclosed above. Three months ended Sept 30, 2024 Three months ended June 30, 2024 ($000s except per ounce amounts) Segovia Marmato Total Segovia Marmato Total Total gold sold (ounces) 48,059 5,710 53,769 43,366 6,103 49,469 Cost of sales1 66,570 16,673 83,243 62,282 14,712 76,994 Less: royalties1 (3,506) (1,343) (4,849) (3,078) (1,126) (4,204) Add: by-product revenue1 (2,665) (613) (3,278) (2,862) (153) (3,015) Total cash costs 60,399 14,717 75,116 56,342 13,433 69,775 Total cash costs ($ per oz gold sold) $1,257 $1,299 Total cash costs including royalties 63,905 59,420 Total cash costs including royalties ($ per oz gold sold) $1,330 $1,370 Three months ended March 31, 2024 Nine months ended Sept 30, 2024 ($000s except per ounce amounts) Segovia Marmato1 Total Segovia Marmato1 Total Total gold sold (ounces) 45,288 5,756 51,044 136,712 17,570 154,282 Cost of sales1 57,949 13,384 71,333 186,801 44,769 231,570 Less: royalties1 (3,008) (1,084) (4,092) (9,592) (3,553) (13,145) Add: by-product revenue1 (2,318) (112) (2,430) (7,845) (878) (8,723) Total cash costs 52,623 12,188 64,811 169,364 40,338 209,702 Total cash costs ($ per oz gold sold) $1,162 $1,239 Total cash costs including royalties 55,631 178,956 Total cash costs including royalties ($ per oz gold sold) $1,228 $1,309 1 As presented in the Interim Financial Statements and notes thereto for the respective periods. Cash costs per ounce Three months ended Sept 30, 2024 Three months ended June 30, 2024 ($000s except per ounce amounts) Owner & On- title CMP Off-title CMP Total Owner & On- title CMP Off-title CMP Total Total gold sold (ounces) 40,248 7,811 48,059 36,117 7,248 43,365 Cost of sales1 52,245 14,325 66,570 49,304 12,977 62,282 Less: royalties1 (3,506) (3,506) (3,078) (3,078) Add: by-product revenue1 (2,665) (2,665) (2,862) (2,862) Total cash costs 46,073 14,325 60,399 43,364 12,977 56,342 Total cash costs ($ per oz gold sold) $1,145 $1,834 $1,257 $1,201 $1,790 $1,299 Three months ended Mar 31, 2024 Nine months ended Sept 30, 2024 ($000s except per ounce amounts) Owner & On- title CMP Off-title CMP Total On-title CMP Off-title CMP Total Total gold sold (ounces) 40,253 5,035 45,287 116,618 20,095 136,712 Cost of sales1 50,968 6,980 57,948 152,518 34,283 186,801 Less: royalties1 (3,008) (3,008) (9,592) (9,592) Add: by-product revenue1 (2,318) (2,318) (7,845) (7,845) Total cash costs 45,643 6,980 52,622 135,080 34,283 169,363 Total cash costs ($ per oz gold sold) $1,134 $1,386 $1,162 $1,158 $1,706 $1,239 1 As presented in the Interim Financial Statements and notes thereto for the respective periods. All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Reconciliation of total AISC by business unit at the Segovia Operations to the AISC as disclosed above. Three months ended Sept 30, 2024 Three months ended June 30, 2024 ($000s except per ounce amounts) Segovia Marmato Total Segovia Marmato Total Total gold sold (ounces) 48,059 5,710 53,769 43,366 6,103 49,469 Total cash costs 60,399 14,717 75,116 56,342 13,433 69,775 Add: royalties1 3,506 1,343 4,849 3,078 1,126 4,204 Add: social programs1 4,294 185 4,479 2,120 151 2,271 Add: sustaining capital expenditures 5,423 938 6,361 6,224 782 7,006 Add: lease payments on sustaining capital 389 - 389 364 364 Total AISC 74,011 17,183 91,194 68,128 15,492 83,620 Total AISC ($ per oz gold sold) $1,540 $1,571 Three months ended March 31, 2024 Nine months ended Sept 30, 2024 ($000s except per ounce amounts) Segovia Marmato Total Segovia Marmato Total Total gold sold (ounces) 45,288 5,756 51,044 136,712 17,570 154,282 Total cash costs 52,623 12,188 64,811 169,364 40,338 209,702 Add: royalties1 3,008 1,084 4,092 9,592 3,553 13,145 Add: social programs1 2,289 1,166 3,455 8,703 1,502 10,205 Add: sustaining capital expenditures 6,496 824 7,320 18,143 2,544 20,687 Add: lease payments on sustaining capital 506 506 1,259 - 1,259 Total AISC 64,922 15,262 80,184 207,061 47,937 254,998 Total AISC ($ per oz gold sold) $1,434 $1,515 1 As presented in the Interim Financial Statements and notes thereto for the respective periods. All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Three months ended Sept 30, 2024 Three months ended June 30, 2024 ($000s except per ounce amounts) Owner Mining & On-title CMP Off-title CMP Total Segovia Owner Mining & On-title CMP Off-title CMP Total Segovia Total gold sold (ounces) 40,248 7,811 48,059 36,117 7,248 43,365 Total cash costs 46,073 14,325 60,399 43,364 12,977 56,341 Add: royalties1 3,506 3,506 3,078 3,078 Add: social programs1 4,294 4,294 2,120 2,120 Add: sustaining capital expenditures 5,423 5,423 6,224 6,224 Add: lease payments on sustaining capital 389 389 364 364 Total AISC 59,685 14,325 74,011 55,150 12,977 68,127 Total AISC ($ per oz gold sold) $1,483 $1,834 $1,540 $1,527 $1,790 $1,571 Three months ended March 31, 2024 Nine months ended Sept 30, 2024 ($000s except per ounce amounts) Owner Mining & On-title CMP Off-title CMP Total Segovia Owner Mining & On-title CMP Off-title CMP Total Segovia Total gold sold (ounces) 40,253 5,035 45,287 116,618 20,095 136,712 Total cash costs 45,643 6,980 52,623 135,080 34,283 169,363 Add: royalties1 3,008 3,008 9,592 9,592 Add: social programs1 2,289 2,289 8,703 8,703 Add: sustaining capital expenditures 6,496 6,496 18,143 18,143 Add: lease payments on sustaining capital 506 506 1,259 1,259 Total AISC 57,942 6,980 64,922 172,777 34,283 207,060 Total AISC ($ per oz gold sold) $1,439 $1,386 $1,434 $1,482 $1,706 $1,515 1 As presented in the Interim Financial Statements and notes thereto for the respective periods. Additions to mineral interests, plant and equipment Three months ended, Nine months ended, ($'000) Sept 30, 2024 June 30, 2024 March 31, 2024 Sept 30, 2024 Sustaining capital Segovia Operations 5,423 6,224 6,496 18,143 Marmato Upper Mine 938 782 824 2,544 Total 6,361 7,006 7,320 20,687 Non-sustaining capital Segovia Operations 16,962 16,284 11,023 44,269 Toroparu Project 1,970 2,079 1,939 5,988 Marmato Lower Mine 10,825 19,143 14,865 44,833 Marmato Upper Mine 10,275 1,046 2,278 13,599 Soto Norte 5,033 - - 5,033 Juby Project 1 1 3 5 Total 45,066 38,553 30,108 113,727 Corporate Assets - 3,895 - 3,895 Additions to mining interest, plant and equipment1 51,427 49,454 37,428 138,309 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA Three months ended, Nine months ended, ($000s) Sept 30, 2024 June 30, 2024 March 31, 2024 Sept 30, 2024 Earnings (loss) before tax1 13,603 17,904 10,310 41,818 Add back: Depreciation and depletion1 9,019 8,082 7,519 24,620 Finance income1 (1,351) (1,691) (2,246) (5,288) Interest and accretion1 6,493 6,496 6,803 19,792 EBITDA 27,764 30,791 22,386 80,942 Add back: Share-based compensation1 2,533 1,373 1,842 5,748 (Income) loss from equity accounting in investee1 17 2,301 552 2,871 (Gain) loss on financial instruments1 12,842 6,144 3,742 22,728 Other (income) expense1 (428) 2,681 - 2,253 Foreign exchange (gain) loss1 311 (7,211) (109) (7,010) Adjusted EBITDA 43,039 36,079 28,413 107,531 1. As presented in the Interim Financial Statements and notes for the respective periods. Adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share Three months ended, Nine months ended, ($000s except shares amount) Sept 30, 2024 June 30, 2024 March 31, 2024 Sept 30, 2024 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 169,873,924 151,474,859 138,381,653 153,304,168 Net loss1 (2,227) 5,713 (744) 2,743 Add back: Share-based compensation1 2,533 1,373 1,842 5,748 (Income) loss from equity accounting in investee1 17 2,301 552 2,871 (Gain) loss on financial instruments1 12,842 6,144 3,742 22,728 Other (income) expense1 (428) 2,681 - 2,253 Foreign exchange (gain) loss1 310 (7,211) (109) (7,010) Income tax effect on adjustments (109) 1,738 78 1,708 Adjusted net (loss) / earnings 12,939 12,739 5,361 31,040 Per share basic ($/share) 0.08 0.08 0.04 0.20 1. As presented in the Interim Financial Statements and notes for the respective periods. Qualified Person and Technical Information Pamela De Mark, P.Geo., Senior Vice President Geology and Exploration of Aris Mining, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101), and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Unless otherwise indicated, the scientific disclosure and technical information included in this news release is based upon information included in the NI 43-101 compliant technical report entitled "Technical Report for the Marmato Gold Mine, Caldas Department, Colombia, Pre-Feasibility Study of the Lower Mine Expansion Project" dated November 23, 2022 with an effective date of September 30, 2022 (the "2022 Marmato Pre-Feasibility Study). The 2022 Marmato Pre-Feasibility Study was prepared by Ben Parsons, MAusIMM (CP), Anton Chan, Peng, Brian Prosser, PE, Joanna Poeck, SME-RM, Eric J. Olin, SME-RM, MAusIMM, Fredy Henriquez, SME, ISRM, David Hoekstra, PE, NCEES, SME-RM, Mark Allan Willow, CEM, SME-RM, Vladimir Ugorets, MMSA, Colleen Crystal, PE, GE, Kevin Gunesch, PE, Tommaso Roberto Raponi, P.Eng, David Bird, PG, SME-RM, and Pamela De Mark, P.Geo., each of whom is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined in NI 43-101, and with the exception of Pamela De Mark of Aris Mining, are independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 43-101. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" or forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements relating to the operational focus of management of the Company and expected growth strategy, the Segovia expansion project increasing processing capacity from 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes per day and the timing and projected cost thereof, the timing, implementation, projected costs and potential benefit of Phase 2 at Segovia, the timing, projected costs and potential benefit of the Marmato Lower Mine expansion project, receipt of payments under existing streaming agreements, the Company's targeted annual production rate, the development and expansion of the Soto Norte and Toroparu projects and the timing thereof and the projected benefits of the formalization of small-scale mining units into contract mining partners are forward-looking. Generally, the forward-looking information and forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "will continue" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The material factors or assumptions used to develop forward looking information or statements are disclosed throughout this news release. Forward looking information and forward looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Aris Mining to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or forward looking statements, including but not limited to those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Aris Mining's annual information form dated March 6, 2024 which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and in the Company's filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Although Aris Mining has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information or statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information or statements. The Company has and continues to disclose in its Management's Discussion and Analysis and other publicly filed documents, changes to material factors or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements and to the validity of the information, in the period the changes occur. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and Aris Mining disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. This news release contains information that may constitute future-orientated financial information or financial outlook information (collectively, FOFI) about the Company's prospective financial performance, financial position or cash flows, all of which is subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications as set forth above. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise or inaccurate and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI. The Company's actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, FOFI. The Company has included FOFI in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on the Company's future operations and management's current expectations relating to the Company's future performance. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. FOFI contained herein was made as of the date of this news release. Unless required by applicable laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any FOFI statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gatos Silver, Inc. (NYSE/TSX: GATO) (Gatos Silver or the Company) today announced its third quarter of 2024 financial and operating results including earnings per share of $0.14, up 200% from $0.05 in the third quarter of 2023. The Company will host an investor and analyst call on November 12, 2024, details of which are provided below. The Company has a 70% interest in the Los Gatos Joint Venture (LGJV), which in turn owns the Cerro Los Gatos (CLG) mine in Mexico. The Companys reporting currency is US dollars. On September 5, 2024, Gatos Silver and First Majestic Silver Corp. (First Majestic) announced that they entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which First Majestic will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Gatos Silver (the Merger). The proposed Merger is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025 and would consolidate three world-class, producing silver mining districts in Mexico to create a leading intermediate primary silver producer. On September 25, 2024, Gatos Silver reported an updated life of mine plan (LOM plan) that adds two years of additional reserves and a 36% increase in silver equivalent production compared with the prior LOM plan at CLG. Production for the third quarter of 2024 and improved guidance for the full year were disclosed on October 9, 2024. CLGs strong third quarter 2024 production and cost performance together with higher metal prices resulted in record quarterly free cash flow at the LGJV and a record quarter-end cash balance for Gatos Silver, said Dale Andres, CEO of Gatos Silver. We believe we are well positioned to deliver significant value into the combination with First Majestic given the Companys strong cash position and free cash flow generation together with CLGs track record of performance, the extended mine plan disclosed in September and ongoing exploration efforts across the broader Los Gatos district. Summary LGJV Q3 2024 results compared to Q3 2023 (100% basis): Revenue of $93.8 million, up 40% from $67.0 million Cost of sales of $31.2 million, down 1% from $31.4 million Record net income of $25.7 million, up 71% from $15.1 million Record EBITDA 1 of $57.2 million, up 87% from $30.6 million of $57.2 million, up 87% from $30.6 million Record cash flow from operations of $58.2 million, up 98% from $29.4 million Record free cash flow 1 of $42.6 million, up 199% from $14.3 million of $42.6 million, up 199% from $14.3 million Silver production of 2.42 million ounces, up 9% from 2.22 million ounces Silver equivalent production 2 of 3.84 million ounces, up 11% from 3.46 million ounces of 3.84 million ounces, up 11% from 3.46 million ounces Co-product AISC 1 of $16.13 per ounce of payable silver equivalent, down 9% from $17.64 of $16.13 per ounce of payable silver equivalent, down 9% from $17.64 By-product AISC1 of $9.61 per ounce of payable silver, down 35% from $14.71 Gatos Silver Q3 2024 results compared to Q3 2023: Net income of $9.9 million, up from $3.3 million, and adjusted net income 1 of $15.2 million of $15.2 million Basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.14, up from $0.05 per share, and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share 1 of $0.22 and $0.21, respectively of $0.22 and $0.21, respectively EBITDA 1 of $9.1 million, compared to $3.2 million, and adjusted EBITDA 1 of $14.4 million of $9.1 million, compared to $3.2 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $14.4 million Cash flow provided by operating activities and free cash flow1 of $34.2 million, compared to $33.3 million __________________ 1 See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below. 2 See definition of silver equivalent production below. At the LGJV, the 40% increase in revenue in Q3 2024, compared to the same quarter in 2023, was primarily attributable to higher sales volumes and higher realized metal prices. Cost of sales decreased by 1% despite the higher sales volumes. Site operating unit costs of $96.93/t milled were 8% lower than in Q3 2023 primarily due to higher mill throughput in the quarter. By-product AISC1 per ounce of payable silver decreased to $9.61 primarily due to significantly higher silver and by-product production and sales volumes. For Gatos Silver, higher unadjusted and adjusted net income, earnings per share and EBITDA1 for Q3 2024 were primarily attributable to the higher equity income from the LGJV and higher interest income. General and administrative expenses were higher in Q3 2024, mainly due to $5.3 million of costs related to the proposed Merger with First Majestic (which are excluded from adjusted net income1, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA1 as described below), partially offset by a decrease of $1.1 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense, a $0.9 million decrease in legal and consulting fees not associated with the proposed Merger, and a $0.4 million decrease in insurance expense. As of September 30, 2024, the Company and the LGJV reported cash and cash equivalents of $116.7 million and $33.9 million, respectively. The Companys quarter-end cash balance was a new record, up 40% from $82.5 million at the end of June 30, 2024. The increase in cash was due to $37.9 million of cash distributions received during the third quarter. As of October 31, 2024, the Company and the LGJV had cash and cash equivalents of $114.8 million and $47.3 million, respectively. On November 7, 2024, the LGJV made a capital distribution to its partners of $40.0 million, of which the Company received $28.0 million. The Company continues to be debt free with $50.0 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility. Financial and Operating Results Below is select operational and financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. For a detailed discussion of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 financial and operating results refer to the Form 10-Q expected to be filed on November 12, 2024 on both the EDGAR and SEDAR+ systems and posted on the Companys website at https://gatossilver.com. Los Gatos Joint Venture LGJV 100% Basis Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions, except where otherwise stated) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenue $ 93.8 $ 67.0 $ 260.3 $ 195.2 Cost of sales 31.2 31.4 93.9 83.3 Royalties and duties 0.6 0.3 1.7 1.0 Exploration 1.6 1.0 4.6 2.1 General and administrative 3.9 4.4 12.3 12.7 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 17.8 16.7 58.9 59.6 Other (income) expense (1.0 ) (0.9 ) 1.3 (1.8 ) Income tax expense (recovery) 13.9 (0.9 ) 31.2 9.8 Net income and comprehensive income2 $ 25.7 $ 15.1 $ 56.4 $ 28.5 Sustaining capital1 $ 12.9 $ 9.1 $ 33.2 $ 29.9 Resource development drilling expenditures1 $ 2.1 $ 3.5 $ 7.2 $ 10.5 EBITDA1 $ 57.2 $ 30.6 $ 146.4 $ 97.2 Cash provided by operating activities $ 58.2 $ 29.4 $ 150.0 $ 103.8 Free cash flow1 $ 42.6 $ 14.3 $ 108.8 $ 62.6 Operating Results (CLG 100% Basis) Tonnes milled (dmt) 298,586 268,312 885,570 794,082 Tonnes milled per day (dmt) 3,246 2,916 3,232 2,909 Average Grades Silver grade (g/t) 285 285 281 293 Zinc grade (%) 4.04 3.82 4.19 3.92 Lead grade (%) 1.97 1.84 1.93 1.85 Gold grade (g/t) 0.30 0.30 0.29 0.29 Production - Contained Metal Silver ounces (millions) 2.42 2.22 7.10 6.65 Zinc pounds in zinc conc. (millions) 16.5 13.8 51.5 42.7 Lead pounds in lead conc. (millions) 11.4 9.5 33.5 28.7 Gold ounces in lead conc. (thousands) 1.45 1.28 4.20 3.86 Silver equivalent ounces (millions)3 3.84 3.46 11.42 10.45 Co-product cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent1 $ 12.13 $ 14.42 $ 11.86 $ 12.43 By-product cash cost per ounce of payable silver1 $ 3.69 $ 10.04 $ 3.67 $ 6.42 Co-product AISC per ounce of payable silver equivalent1 $ 16.13 $ 17.64 $ 15.21 $ 15.81 By-product AISC per ounce of payable silver1 $ 9.61 $ 14.71 $ 8.82 $ 11.40 Sales volume by payable metal Silver ounces (millions) 2.18 1.96 6.45 5.99 Zinc pounds in zinc conc. (millions) 14.7 12.4 44.3 36.2 Lead pounds in lead conc. (millions) 10.6 8.7 31.6 26.6 Gold ounces in lead conc. (thousands) 1.13 0.96 3.28 3.02 Copper pounds in lead conc. (millions) 0.03 0.13 Average realized price by payable metal Average realized price per silver ounce4 $ 29.62 $ 24.24 $ 27.09 $ 25.08 Average realized price per zinc pound4 $ 1.26 $ 0.89 $ 1.30 $ 1.10 Average realized price per lead pound4 $ 0.93 $ 0.97 $ 0.92 $ 0.98 Average realized price per gold ounce4 $ 2,362 $ 1,885 $ 2,162 $ 1,828 Average realized price per copper pound4 $ 3.28 $ $ 3.72 $ 1 See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below. 2 Totals may not add up due to rounding. 3 Silver equivalent production for 2024 is calculated using prices of $23/oz silver, $1.20/lb zinc, $0.90/lb lead and $1,800/oz gold to convert zinc, lead and gold production contained in concentrate to equivalent silver ounces (contained metal, multiplied by price, divided by silver price). For 2023, silver equivalent production was calculated using prices of $22/oz silver, $1.20/lb zinc, $0.90/lb lead and $1,700/oz gold. For comparative purposes, the calculated silver equivalent production for the three and nine months ended September, 2023 would be 3.41 million ounces and 10.30 million ounces, respectively, using price assumptions for 2024. 4 Realized prices include the impact of final settlement adjustments from prior period sales. Gatos Silver, Inc. Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions, except where otherwise stated) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Exploration $ 0.1 $ $ 0.2 $ General and Administrative 10.4 7.5 25.3 19.2 Total expenses2 10.6 7.5 25.5 19.3 Equity income in affiliates 18.2 9.4 40.0 15.9 Other income, net 2.8 1.3 7.8 3.9 Total net other income2 21.0 10.8 47.8 19.8 Income tax expense 0.5 0.7 Net income and comprehensive income2 $ 9.9 $ 3.3 $ 21.6 $ 0.5 Net income per share basic $ 0.14 $ 0.05 $ 0.31 $ 0.01 Net income per share diluted $ 0.14 $ 0.05 $ 0.30 $ 0.01 Adjusted net income1 $ 15.2 $ 3.3 $ 28.3 $ 0.5 Adjusted net income per share (basic)1 $ 0.22 $ 0.05 $ 0.41 $ 0.01 Adjusted net income per share (diluted)1 $ 0.21 $ 0.05 $ 0.40 $ 0.01 EBITDA1 $ 9.1 $ 3.2 $ 19.1 $ 0.6 Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 14.4 $ 3.2 $ 25.8 $ 0.6 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 34.2 $ 33.3 $ 61.2 $ 25.5 Free cash flow1 $ 34.2 $ 33.3 $ 61.2 $ 25.5 1 See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below. 2 Totals may not add up due to rounding. Financial Results Webcast and Conference Call Investors and analysts are invited to attend the financial results webcast and conference call as follows: Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 Time: 11:00 a.m. ET Listen-Only Webcast: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/627122313 Direct Event Registration Link (for Analysts only): https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I98433625 An archive of the webcast will be available on the Companys website at: https://gatossilver.com within 24 hours. About Gatos Silver Gatos Silver is a silver dominant exploration, development and production company that discovered a new silver and zinc-rich mineral district in southern Chihuahua State, Mexico. As a 70% owner of the Los Gatos Joint Venture (LGJV), the Company is primarily focused on operating the Cerro Los Gatos mine and on growth and development of the Los Gatos district. The LGJV includes approximately 103,000 hectares of mineral rights, representing a highly prospective and under-explored district with numerous silver-zinc-lead epithermal mineralized zones identified as priority targets. On September 5, 2024, Gatos Silver and First Majestic Silver Corp. (First Majestic) announced that they entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which First Majestic will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Gatos Silver (the Merger). The proposed Merger would consolidate three world-class, producing silver mining districts in Mexico to create a leading intermediate primary silver producer. Information relating to the proposed Merger can be found at the Companys website at www.gatossilver.com. Qualified Person Scientific and technical disclosure in this press release was approved by Anthony (Tony) Scott, P.Geo., Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Technical Services of Gatos Silver who is a Qualified Person as defined in S-K 1300 and NI 43-101. Non-GAAP Financial Measures We use certain measures that are not defined by GAAP to evaluate various aspects of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP. Cash Costs and All-In Sustaining Costs Cash costs and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) are non-GAAP measures. AISC was calculated based on guidance provided by the World Gold Council (WGC). WGC is not a regulatory industry organization and does not have the authority to develop accounting standards for disclosure requirements. Other mining companies may calculate AISC differently as a result of differences in underlying accounting principles and policies applied, as well as definitional differences of sustaining versus expansionary (i.e. non-sustaining) capital expenditures based upon each companys internal policies. Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of sales, do not capture all of the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain production. Therefore, we believe that cash costs and AISC are non-GAAP measures that provide additional information to management, investors and analysts that aid in the understanding of the economics of the Companys operations and performance compared to other producers and provides investors visibility by better defining the total costs associated with production. Cash costs include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, treatment and refining costs, general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes. AISC includes total production cash costs incurred at the LGJVs mining operations plus sustaining capital expenditures. The Company believes this measure represents the total sustainable costs of producing silver from current operations and provides additional information of the LGJVs operational performance and ability to generate cash flows. As the measure seeks to reflect the full cost of silver production from current operations, new project and expansionary capital at current operations are not included. Certain cash expenditures such as exploration, new project spending, tax payments, dividends, and financing costs are not included. Adjusted Net Income Management uses adjusted net income, which exclude costs associated with the strategic review resulting in the proposed Merger with First Majestic, to evaluate the Companys operating performance. The Company believes the use of adjusted net income reflects the underlying performance of our business and allows investors and analysts to compare the results of the Company to our historical results and to similar results of other mining companies. Managements determination of the components of adjusted net income are evaluated periodically and is based, in part, on a review of non-GAAP financial measures used by mining industry analysts. EBITDA Management uses EBITDA to evaluate the Companys operating performance, to plan and forecast its operations, and assess leverage levels and liquidity measures. EBITDA is defined as net income adjusted for interest expense, interest income, income tax expense and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. The Company believes the use of EBITDA reflects the underlying operating performance of our core business and allows investors and analysts to compare results of the Company to similar results of other mining companies. EBITDA does not represent, and should not be considered an alternative to, net income or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently and those calculations may not be comparable to our presentation. Adjusted EBITDA Management uses adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the Companys ongoing operating performance, without the impact of costs associated with the strategic review resulting in the proposed Merger with First Majestic. The Company believes the use of adjusted EBITDA reflects the underlying operating performance of our core business and allows investors and analysts to compare the results of the Company to our historical results and to similar results of other mining companies. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent, and should not be considered an alternative to, net income or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP. Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently and those calculations may not be comparable to our presentation. Free Cash Flow Management uses free cash flow as a non-GAAP measure to analyze cash flows generated from operations. Free cash flow is cash provided by (used in) operating activities less cash flow from investing activities as presented on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company believes free cash flow is also useful as one of the bases for comparing the Companys performance with its competitors. Although free cash flow and similar measures are frequently used as measures of cash flows generated from operations by other companies, the Companys calculation of free cash flow is not necessarily comparable to such other similarly titled captions of other companies. Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures The table below presents a reconciliation between the most comparable GAAP measure of the LGJVs expenses to the non-GAAP measures of (i) cash costs, (ii) cash costs, net of by-product credits, (iii) co-product AISC and (iv) by-product AISC for our operations. CLG 100% Basis Financial Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in thousands, except where otherwise stated) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Expenses $ 55,215 $ 53,809 $ 171,408 $ 158,648 Depreciation, depletion and amortization (17,824 ) (16,712 ) (58,901 ) (59,558 ) Exploration1 (1,605 ) (998 ) (4,577 ) (2,118 ) Treatment and refining costs2 3,420 4,793 9,716 12,865 Cash costs $ 39,206 $ 40,892 $ 117,646 $ 109,837 Sustaining capital3 12,919 9,128 33,220 29,870 Co-product all-in sustaining costs $ 52,125 $ 50,020 $ 150,866 $ 139,707 By-product credits4 (31,168 ) (21,246 ) (93,986 ) (71,407 ) All-in sustaining costs, net of by-product credits $ 20,957 $ 28,774 $ 56,880 $ 68,300 Cash costs, net of by-product credits $ 8,038 $ 19,646 $ 23,660 $ 38,430 Payable ounces of silver equivalent5 3,232 2,835 9,917 8,837 Co-product cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent $ 12.13 $ 14.42 $ 11.86 $ 12.43 Co-product AISC per ounce of payable silver equivalent $ 16.13 $ 17.64 $ 15.21 $ 15.81 Payable ounces of silver 2,180 1,956 6,448 5,989 By-product cash cost per ounce of payable silver $ 3.69 $ 10.04 $ 3.67 $ 6.42 By-product AISC per ounce of payable silver $ 9.61 $ 14.71 $ 8.82 $ 11.40 1 Exploration costs are not related to current operations. 2 Represent reductions on customer invoices and included in sales of the LGJV combined statement of operations and income. 3 Sustaining capital excludes resource development drilling costs related to resource development drilling of the CLG deposit. 4 By-product credits reflect realized metal prices of zinc, lead and gold for the applicable period, which includes any final settlement adjustments from prior periods. 5 Silver equivalents utilize the average realized prices during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, of $27.09/oz silver, $1.30/lb zinc, $0.92/lb lead, $2,162/oz gold and $3.72/lb copper and the average realized prices during the three months ended September 30, 2024, of $29.62/oz silver, $1.26/lb zinc, $0.93/lb lead and $2,362/oz gold and $3.28/lb copper. Silver equivalents utilize the average realized prices during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, of $25.08/oz silver, $1.10/lb zinc, $0.98/lb lead and $1,828/oz gold and the average realized prices during the three months ended September 30, 2023, of $24.24/oz silver, $0.89/lb zinc, $0.97/lb lead and $1,885/oz gold. The average realized prices are determined based on revenue inclusive of final settlements. The following table provides a breakdown of cash flows used by investing activities of the LGJV and a reconciliation of sustaining capital and resource development drilling to that measure: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Cash flow used by investing activities $ 15,591 $ 15,168 $ 41,148 $ 41,160 Sustaining capital 12,919 9,128 33,220 29,870 Resource development drilling 2,092 3,452 7,199 10,499 Materials & supplies 1,826 503 Change in capital-related accounts payable 580 762 729 288 Total $ 15,591 $ 15,168 $ 41,148 $ 41,160 The table below reconciles adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share (basic and diluted), which are non-GAAP measures to net income and net income per share (basic and diluted), respectively, for the Company: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net income $ 9,884 $ 3,288 $ 21,572 $ 530 Costs related to the proposed Merger with First Majestic 5,314 6,747 Adjusted net income $ 15,198 $ 3,288 $ 28,319 $ 530 Weighted average shares: Basic 69,343,979 69,162,223 69,247,280 69,162,223 Diluted 71,613,178 69,524,838 71,110,386 69,381,222 Net income per share (basic) $ 0.14 $ 0.05 $ 0.31 $ 0.01 Costs related to the proposed Merger with First Majestic per share (basic) $ 0.08 $ $ 0.10 $ Adjusted net income per share (basic) $ 0.22 $ 0.05 $ 0.41 $ 0.01 Costs related to the proposed Merger with First Majestic per share (diluted) $ 0.07 $ $ 0.09 $ Adjusted net income per share (diluted) $ 0.21 $ 0.05 $ 0.40 $ 0.01 The table below reconciles EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures, to net income for the Company: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net income $ 9,884 $ 3,288 $ 21,572 $ 530 Interest expense 332 679 Interest income (1,322 ) (389 ) (3,206 ) (676 ) Income tax expense 529 701 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 4 3 11 74 EBITDA $ 9,095 $ 3,234 $ 19,078 $ 607 Costs related to the strategic review resulting in the Merger Agreement with First Majestic $ 5,314 $ 6,747 Adjusted EBITDA $ 14,409 $ 3,234 $ 25,825 $ 607 The table below reconciles EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, to the LGJVs net income: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net income $ 25,720 $ 15,053 $ 56,379 $ 28,500 Interest expense 102 343 851 484 Interest income (349 ) (592 ) (892 ) (1,147 ) Income tax expense (recovery) 13,867 (884 ) 31,186 9,814 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 17,824 16,712 58,901 59,558 EBITDA $ 57,164 $ 30,632 $ 146,425 $ 97,209 The following table sets forth a reconciliation of free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, to cash provided by operating activities for the Company, which the Company believes to be the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to free cash flow. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 34,236 $ 33,330 $ 61,171 $ 25,465 Net cash used by investing activities Free cash flow $ 34,236 $ 33,330 $ 61,171 $ 25,465 The following table sets forth a reconciliation of free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, to cash provided by operating activities for the LGJV. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 58,175 $ 29,424 $ 149,983 $ 103,789 Net cash used by investing activities (15,591 ) (15,168 ) (41,148 ) (41,160 ) Free cash flow $ 42,584 $ 14,256 $ 108,835 $ 62,629 Please see Appendix A for the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets of the Company and the LGJV as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the related unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income of the Company, the unaudited combined statements of operations and comprehensive income of the LGJV for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the unaudited statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that constitute forward looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. and Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our updated LOM plan, 2024 revised guidance and the expected timing, benefits, impacts, and completion of the proposed Merger with First Majestic, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on managements beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and such other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities commissions. Gatos Silver expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Investors and Media Contact Andre van Niekerk Chief Financial Officer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (604) 424 0984 APPENDIX A GATOS SILVER, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) September 30, December 31, (US$ in thousands) 2024 2023 ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 116,732 $ 55,484 Related party receivables 292 560 Other current assets 1,215 22,642 Total current assets 118,239 78,686 Non-Current Assets Investment in affiliates 285,454 321,914 Deferred tax assets 222 266 Other non-current assets 348 38 Total Assets $ 404,263 $ 400,904 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY Current Liabilities Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities $ 12,226 $ 33,357 Non-Current Liabilities Lease liability 187 Stockholders Equity Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 700,000,000 shares authorized; 69,352,645 and 69,181,047 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 117 117 Paid-in capital 556,050 553,319 Accumulated deficit (164,317 ) (185,889 ) Total stockholders equity 391,850 367,547 Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity $ 404,263 $ 400,904 GATOS SILVER, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (US$ in thousands, except for share data) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Expenses Exploration $ 144 $ $ 219 $ 26 General and administrative 10,435 7,494 25,270 19,157 Amortization 4 3 11 74 Total expenses 10,583 7,497 25,500 19,257 Other income Equity income in affiliates 18,171 9,437 39,985 15,922 Interest expense (332 ) (679 ) Interest income 1,322 389 3,206 676 Other income 1,503 1,291 4,582 3,868 Other income 20,996 10,785 47,773 19,787 Income before taxes 10,413 3,288 22,273 530 Income tax expense 529 701 Net income and comprehensive income $ 9,884 $ 3,288 $ 21,572 $ 530 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.14 $ 0.05 $ 0.31 $ 0.01 Diluted $ 0.14 $ 0.05 $ 0.30 $ 0.01 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 69,343,979 69,162,223 69,247,280 69,162,223 Diluted 71,613,178 69,524,838 71,110,386 69,381,222 GATOS SILVER, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) Nine months ended September 30, (US$ in thousands) 2024 2023 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 21,572 $ 530 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities: Amortization 11 74 Stock-based compensation expense 4,319 3,327 Equity income in affiliates (39,985 ) (15,922 ) Distributions and dividends received from affiliate 76,445 35,000 Other 94 837 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables from relatedparties 268 678 Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities (23,007 ) 5 Other current assets 21,454 936 Net cash provided by operating activities 61,171 25,465 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Net cash used by investing activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayment of Credit facility (9,000 ) Lease payments (89 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 166 Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 77 (9,000 ) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 61,248 16,465 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 55,484 17,004 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 116,732 $ 33,469 Interest paid $ 16 $ 417 Interest earned $ 3,206 $ 690 LOS GATOS JOINT VENTURE COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) September 30, December 31, (US$ in thousands) 2024 2023 ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 33,884 $ 34,303 Receivables 13,646 12,634 Inventories 16,180 16,397 VAT receivable 13,417 12,610 Income tax receivable 9,296 20,185 Other current assets 3,435 1,253 Total current assets 89,858 97,382 Non-Current Assets Mine development, net 231,060 234,980 Property, plant and equipment, net 159,220 171,965 Deferred tax assets 699 9,568 Total non-current assets 390,979 416,513 Total Assets $ 480,837 $ 513,895 LIABILITIES AND OWNERS CAPITAL Current Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 33,999 $ 29,100 VAT payable 11,873 8,684 Income taxes payable 11,204 920 Related party payable 270 560 Total current liabilities 57,346 39,264 Non-Current Liabilities Lease liability 155 208 Asset retirement obligation 12,245 11,593 Deferred tax liabilities 4,974 3,885 Total non-current liabilities 17,374 15,686 Owners Capital Capital contributions 360,638 455,638 Paid-in capital 18,186 18,186 Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 27,293 (14,879 ) Total owners capital 406,117 458,945 Total Liabilities and Owners Capital $ 480,837 $ 513,895 LOS GATOS JOINT VENTURE COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (US$ in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenue $ 93,839 $ 67,038 $ 260,255 $ 195,162 Expenses Cost of sales 31,204 31,446 93,931 83,255 Royalties and duties 639 298 1,682 1,024 Exploration 1,605 998 4,577 2,118 General and administrative 3,943 4,355 12,317 12,693 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 17,824 16,712 58,901 59,558 Total expenses 55,215 53,809 171,408 158,648 Other (income) expense Accretion expense 217 273 652 866 Interest expense 102 343 851 484 Interest income (349 ) (592 ) (892 ) (1,147 ) Other (income) expense (13 ) (18 ) 635 13 Foreign exchange (gain) loss (920 ) (946 ) 36 (2,016 ) (963 ) (940 ) 1,282 (1,800 ) Income before taxes 39,587 14,169 87,565 38,314 Income tax expense (recovery) 13,867 (884 ) 31,186 9,814 Net income and comprehensive income $ 25,720 $ 15,053 $ 56,379 $ 28,500 LOS GATOS JOINT VENTURE COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Grit Metals Corp. (TSXV: FIN) (FSE: K9T) ("Grit Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to report impressive assay results from several newly identified areas of Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatite mineralization on its exploration licenses at its Central Finland Lithium Project. Key Takeaways: Multiple new spodumene-bearing LCT-type pegmatite boulder clusters and trends have been identified and sampled during the summer 2024 campaign A total of 600 rock chip grab samples were collected and submitted to ALS Laboratories for assaying; assays are pending for approximately 150 samples Pegmatite boulder trains individually traced over several hundred metres Jylha North : 34 large boulders up to 3 m diameter with visible spodumene discovered over 700 m distance assayed from 0.01% to 2.80% Li 2 O, averaging 0.86% Li 2 O (Li 2 O = lithium oxide) Morkyla : 15 large boulders up to 4 m diameter with visible spodumene discovered over a275 distance assayed from 0.004% to 2.46% Li 2 O, ave raging 0.54% Li 2 O Five new Exploration License (ELs) applications totaling 10,220 hectares (ha) were recently submitted bringing the Company's total holdings to 15,770 ha (see Aug 15, 2024 press release) New ELs largely contiguous with Keliber's licenses and within 1 km of known lithium pegmatite deposits and the Keliber Spodumene Concentrator Prospecting and boulder sampling to continued until the end of October Figure 1. The Finland Lithium Pegmatite Project - New Spodumene Mineralization Jylha and Tastula Prospects The new Jylha and Tastula ELs are contiguous with the western boundary of Keliber's ELs. Spodumene-bearing LCT-type pegmatite boulders have been identified in multiple clusters and/or trends over a total distance of 12.5 km. The Jylha North prospect comprises a > 700m long East-Northeast trend comprised of of 34 spodumene-bearing pegmatite boulders of which 22 contain visible spodumene. Individual boulders range in size from 10s of cms to over 3 m in diameter. The boulders assayed 0.01% to 2.80% Li 2 O, averaging 0.86% Li 2 O. The boulder trend is parallel to interpreted geological and coincident geophysical signatures and is also one of the preferred orientations of the LCT deposits in the Kaustinen region (For example the Outovesi Deposit). This occurrence is situated approximately 1 km south-southeast of Keliber's Emmes Lithium Pegmatite deposit which comprises 1.08 million tonnes grading 1.22% Li 2 O. Figure 2. Jylha North Prospect Jylha discovery boulder (left); spodumene crystals in same boulder (right); assayed 2.33% Li 2 O The Morkyla Prospect, which lies approximately 1.5 km west of Keliber's Levikangas Lithium Pegmatite deposit (0.47 million tonnes grading 1.00% Li 2 O), is a 275 long Northwst-Southeast trend of 15 large boulders and blocks of spodumene-bearing pegmatite. Individual boulders are over 4 m in diameter and contain course visible spodumene (see Figure 2) The boulders assayed from 0.004% to 2.46% Li 2 O, averaging 0.54% Li 2 O. Figure 3. Moorkyla Prospect Moorkyla discovery boulder (left); spodumene crystals in same boulder (right); assayed 2.46% Li 2 O Tastula Prospects Three separate clusters of spodumene -bearing LCT pegmatite boulders were identified during initial reconnaissance prospecting. These occur over an approximate 2 km by 4 km area with individual boulders being over 1.5 m in diameter. Thirty-two pegmatite boulders were sampled across the EL assaying 0.0004% to 1.59% Li 2 O with five samples assaying >0.30% Li 2 O. Nabba Prospects The highlight of 2023 was the discovery of the Kyrola prospect on the Nabba EL, where an 850 m by 110 m spodumene-bearing boulder field was discovered, comprised of 49 rock chip grab samples assaying from 0.003% to 3.84% Li 2 O Li 2 O, with 15 of the 49 samples returning assays in excess of 0.50% Li 2 O. Prospecting at Nabba in 2024 has identified new spodumene bearing LCT pegmatites mineralization in multiple areas. One of which was located 2.3 km west of Kyrola within an LCT pegmatite boulder cluster, with three boulders containing course visible spodumene. Two boulders assayed 1.60% and 0.14% Li 2 O respectively Another was 6 km northwest of Kyrola, where follow-up prospecting of a boulder that assayed 0.36% Li 2 O in 2023, which outlined LCT boulders with trace spodumene observed locally over a distance of >1.2 km. Only weakly anomalous Li assays are reported. Discussion The Company's projects are in the Kaustinen-Seinajoki region, which is highly prospective for LCT pegmatite deposits, as evidenced by the success of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and subsequently Keliber Oy in discovering significant Li-bearing spodumene pegmatite prospects and deposits in the region. The Company's success in identifying widespread spodumene-rich LCT pegmatitic boulders is very encouraging, as the area is topographically flat and extensively covered by a thin veneer of glacial overburden. It is important to note that all the significant deposit and prospect discoveries (with one exception) in the belt were found by tracing boulders back to source and identifying the source ultimately through drilling. The GTK/Keliber Oy discoveries demonstrate that boulders are generally located within 300 - 500 m of their source suggests excellent potential for discovery on the Company's licenses. Grit Metals Corp. cautions investors grab samples are selective samples by their nature and are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the property. The Company further cautions the presence of lithium mineralization on Keliber Oy's properties is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the Company's mineral reservations. "Through multiple phases of exploration our team continues to discover new, highly prospective areas of LCT mineralization which has led to a tripling of our project size," commented Jeremy Poirier, CEO of Grit Metals Corp. This is a testament to the strength of our exploration team in their ability to discover the expressions and ultimately the source of these lithium rich deposits. Our exploration program remains fully-funded and continued until the end of October. The company will review all assays and determine next steps. Including the selection of multiple drill targets." QA/QC Statement Samples were submitted to ALS Laboratories in Sodankyla Finland. ALS inserted internal standards, blanks and pulp duplicates within each sample batch as part of their own internal monitoring of quality control protocols. Grit Metals Corp. monitors precision and bias performance by inserting certified lithium standards (CDN-LI-01 and GTA-05) as well as blanks into each batch submitted to ALS at a rate of 1:20. The major element oxides and trace elements including Li, Cs, Ta and Be were analysed by ALS analytical package ME-MS89L involving digestion by Na2O2 fusion followed by ALS's super trace ICP-MS methodology. QAQC results to date do not indicate any analytical accuracy issues with all standards returning values Li values within 3 standard deviations of their certified mean and blanks returning expected values. Mike Basha, P.Eng., P.Geo. (NL), VP Exploration of Grit Metals Corp., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has prepared this press release and compiled the results discussed herein. About Grit Metals Corp. Grit Metals Corp. is a junior mining company currently focused on the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum Finnish Pegmatite Project in central Finland. Governing bodies in Europe and Finland are legislating environmentally friendly and energy independent laws and policies. One of the key components is access to REE and, specifically, lithium. The company's exploration licenses are located within 1 kms of the Keliber mine and production complex, currently under construction and expected to begin production in H2 2025. An estimated 600 million investment by Keliber's parent company Sibanye-Stillwater Limited (NYSE: SBSW) in partnership with the Finnish Minerals Group (www.mineralsgroup.fi) is underway in the Kautinen Region and will see the development of open-pit and underground mining from several deposits, construction of a central spodumene concentrator plant and a lithium hydroxide chemical plant at tidewater in Kokkola. When completed, this complex will comprise a complete hard-rock spodumene pegmatite lithium supply chain (source: www.sibanyestillwater.com). The Company also has several 100 percent owned precious metals projects in Northern Finland. They are located in the Paleo-Proterozoic Greenstone Terrane of Northern Finland comprised of multiple greenstone belts including the CLGB which hosts world-class gold (eg Kittila Deposit, owned by Agnico Eagle and Ikkari Deposit, owned by Rupert Resources) and base metal deposits (eg Kevitsa owned by Boliden and Sakatti owned by Aglo-American). The belt's potential is also suggested by the presence of several major mining companies in the belt. The belt has very recently garnered significant interest following an offer from Rupert Resources to buy B2Gold's 70% interest in a Joint Venture between B2Gold and Aurion Resources which lies adjacent to Ruperts Ikkari Deposit, for $102 million. The joint venture ground is strategic to Ruperts proposed development of the Ikkari Deposit but is also host to numerous gold prospects along a structural corridor that extends >125 km. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the presence of lithium mineralization at, and the exploration and development potential of, the Finland Pegmatite Project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include the costs of any anticipated work programs and the ability to fund such costs, required approvals in connection with any work programs and the ability to obtain such approvals, risks inherent in exploration as well as those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Nova Pacific Metals Corp. (CSE: NVPC) (OTCQB: NVPCF) (FSE: YQ10) (WKN: A40GFH) (the "Company", or "Nova Pacific") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement with three arm's length vendors to acquire 100% ownership of 9 mineral tenures (the "Property") encompassing approximately 658 hectares located west-northwest of and contiguous to the Company's flagship Lara Project on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Anita Property The Property encompasses the same highly prospective package of bimodal volcaniclastic rocks (McLaughlin Ridge Formation) that host the Company's Lara deposit. These rocks host numerous other polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide occurrences and mines in the Cowichan Uplift (Figure 1) and are correlative with the Myra Formation of the Paleozoic Sicker Group, which hosts ore at the notable Myra Falls mine of Trafigura Mining Group, approximately 140 km to the northwest. Approximately 4 Mt of Myra Falls' pre-mining estimate of over 40 Mt remain to be mined, after a 56-year mining history. Base and precious metal massive sulphide mineralization outlined on the Property by Falconbridge Ltd. in the 1980's was traced out on the surface and discontinuously in 56 drill holes (totalling 17,871 m) over a strike length of approximately 2.5 km. 'Anita Zone' mineralization, comprising 10-25% sulphides (pyrite pyrrhotite + sphalerite + chalcopyrite galena) appears to be at the same stratigraphic interval as the Lara Project's Coronation Trend, to the east-southeast (Figure 1). Samples across mineralized drill intercepts returned assay values as high as 2.30% Cu, 3.66% Zn, 0.49% Pb, 73.4 g/t Ag & 1.9 g/t Au across a true thickness of 4.8 m1 (Table, Figure 2), while the best surface channel sample assayed 3.38% Cu, 9.98% Zn, 0.66% Pb, 241 g/t Ag & 6.62 g/t Au across 0.3 m2. A recent grab sample from a surface exposure near the Anita Shaft also returned 1.655% Cu, 0.231% Zn, 0.223% Pb, 2,520 g/t Ag and 8.17 g/t Au3, suggesting local precious metal enrichment. The trend is untested at depths below approximately 300 m and for approximately 2 km to the west-northwest. Option Terms In order to exercise the option, the Company is obligated to pay the vendors the following aggregate consideration: upon the execution and delivery of the option agreement, $15,000 (paid) and 60,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (each, a "Nova Share") issued at a deemed price per Nova Share equal to the volume weighted average trading price of the Nova Shares on the CSE for the 10 trading days prior to the date of issuance (the "Market Price"); $45,000 payable on November 1, 2025, with $15,000 paid in cash and the remaining $30,000 to be paid in either cash or by the issuance of Nova Shares at a deemed price per Nova Share equal to the Market Price at the time of such issuance, or any combination thereof, with such election at the sole discretion of the Company; and $60,000 payable on November 1, 2026, with $15,000 paid in cash and the remaining $45,000 to be paid in either cash or by the issuance of Nova Shares at a deemed price per Nova Share equal to the Market Price at the time of such issuance, or any combination thereof, with such election at the sole discretion of the Company. The Company has also agreed to pay the vendors $30,000 paid in either cash or by the issuance of Nova Shares at a deemed price per Nova Share equal to the Market Price at the time of such issuance, or any combination thereof, with such election at the sole discretion of the Company on November 1 (the "Annual Pre-Production Royalty Payment Date") on an annual basis (the "Annual Pre-Production Royalty"), beginning on November 1, 2029. The Company's obligation to pay the Annual Pre-Production Royalty in any year can be satisfied by incurring qualifying expenditures on the Property in the amount of at least $300,000 in any 12-month period preceding the applicable Annual Pre-Production Royalty Payment Date. Expenditures incurred in excess of $300,000 in the 24 months preceding the applicable Annual Pre-Production Royalty Payment Date may be applied towards the succeeding 24-month period as allocated by the Company. The Company may reduce the royalty granted to the vendors at any time from 2% of net smelter returns to 0.5% of net smelter returns by paying, or causing its permitted assign to pay, the sum of $2,000,000 to the vendors in cash or Nova Shares, and the Company also has the right to accelerate the exercise of the option by making all the required cash payments in advance of any deadline dates. Mr. J. Malcolm Bell, CEO of Nova Pacific Metals Corp., commented, "The Anita agreement represents a significant opportunity for Nova Pacific Metals to expand and optimize our potential to discover and develop additional deposits along strike, all within a highly prospective geological environment known for notable deposits of gold, silver, copper and zinc. The Anita claim group acquisition aligns with the company's commitment to increase value through responsible and ethical mining for the benefit of all shareholders." All Nova Shares issued in connection with the option agreement are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance. Figure 2 1 Clemmer, S. et al. (1988): 1988 Final Report, Chemainus Joint Venture Project 116, Falconbridge Ltd. 2 Enns, S. (1988): 1987 Trenching Programme Results in the Anita Area, Chemainus Project #116, Falconbridge Ltd. 3 BC Assessment Report 41227 Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by David Nelles, P.Geo., a consultant to the company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI43-101"). Rights of Indigenous Communities Statement Nova Pacific Metals recognizes the Rights of all Indigenous Peoples of Canada. Nova is committed to consultation and accommodation with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group communities on whose Traditional, Ancestral and Unceded Territory the Lara Property is located. The Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group is a politically unified group that represents six Hul'qumi'num-speaking First Nations: Cowichan, Stz'uminus, Penelakut, Lyackson, Halalt, and Lake Cowichan. About Nova Pacific Nova Pacific Metals is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on our key asset, the Lara Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) Project on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This brownfields development project boasts a significant polymetallic resource rich in gold, silver, copper, and zinc, situated in a prime location with excellent infrastructure. Nova Pacific's forward-looking strategy includes confirmation and infill drilling, completion of an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) and preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Study if and as required. We are committed to creating value for our shareholders while maintaining environmental responsibility and strong community relationships. For additional information please visit: www.novapacificmetals.com. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forwardlooking information. Forwardlooking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forwardlooking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forwardlooking information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forwardlooking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to the Company's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forwardlooking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forwardlooking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forwardlooking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Canadian Copper Inc. (CSE: CCI) ("Canadian Copper" or the "Company") announces that it has initiated a non-brokered private placement of up to 10,000,000 units at a price of $0.15 per unit for gross proceeds up to $1,500,000 ("Private Placement"). The Company has secured an initial lead order from Ocean Partners Holdings Limited of $500,000. Simon Quick CEO of Canadian Copper has committed $100,000 to this offering. Purpose of the Private Placement and Use of Funds The Company plans to use the proceeds to complete the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") that will analyze the economic potential of processing the Murray Brook deposit at the Caribou Complex under the Combined Scenario. The Company announced its proposed acquisition of the Caribou Process Plant Complex on October 28th, 2024. In this release, we stated several activities (see Table A) with anticipated completion dates that will culminate in a PEA targeted for the first half of 2025. For an updated Company presentation, please click here. Progress Update The Company has selected SGS Canada Inc. Lakefield ("SGS") to complete the ~600-kilogram metallurgical program designed to complement the historical testwork already completed for the Murray Brook deposit. The primary objective of this testwork is confirm performance of the Murray Brook deposit material at the Caribou Process Plant Complex. Composite samples simulating the early years of operation have been selected and will be delivered to SGS this month. Table A: Schedule of Activities for the Combined Strategy Government Related Funding Opportunities On November 7th, 2024, the Company submitted its application for financial assistance and received acknowledgement of receipt from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ("ACOA"). There is no certainty in the approval of our request, but ACOA could contribute up to 50% of applicable costs related to certain qualifying PEA expenses. The Company continues to engage with the Canadian Government and related entities for possible critical mineral funding including Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Infrastructure Bank, Opportunities New Brunswick, and Export Development Canada. Private Placement Details Each unit of the Private Placement will consist of one common share of the Company and one-full share purchase warrant. The warrant is comprised of two distinct parts: one warrant with a six-month expiry and an exercise price of $0.175 and one warrant with a 24-month expiry and an exercise price of $0.225. The warrant with an exercise price of $0.225 will be subjected to an accelerated exercise clause in the event the Company's share price exceeds $0.30 for 10 consecutive trading days on a volume weighted average price basis. Closing is expected on or about November 29th, 2024, or such other date as the Company may determine. While the Private Placement is being offered by the Company on a non-brokered basis, the Company may pay finder's fees to arm's-length third parties consisting of a cash commission of up to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Private Placement and 7% broker warrants on the same terms as warrants issued per the Private Placement. A statutory four month plus one day hold period will apply to all securities issued in connection with the Private Placement. The Private Placement is subject to CSE and regulatory approval. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities 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 in the United States unless registered under the 1933 Act and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or where an applicable exemption from the registration requirements is available. Certain directors and other insiders of the Company may participate in the Private Placement and subscribe for an amount no more than the maximum amount permissible under applicable securities laws and regulatory rules. Participation by the directors and other insiders in the Private Placement would be considered a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61- 101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects to be exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the insiders' participation in the Private Placement in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in that the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of any securities issued under the Private Placement (and the consideration paid to the Company therefor) to interested parties (as defined under MI 61-101) will not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). About Canadian Copper Inc. Canadian Copper is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company with defined copper and other base metals resources. The Company is focused on the prolific Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC) of New Brunswick, Canada. There are currently 90,044,762 shares issued and outstanding in the Company. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the Private Placement and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's option to acquire properties under the Puma Option Agreement, the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the CSE), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties" in the Company's annual management discussion and analysis for the year ended October 31, 2023 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. 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 in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2024) - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) (OTCQB: DRYGF) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results on the Elora Gold System in the Gold Rock Camp. The Phase Five drill program completed late this summer, was designed to follow up on the high-grade shoot discovered on the Elora Target (see March 25, 2024, October 8, 2024 news release). Highlights: Hole KW-24-024 intercepted the mineralized zone at approximately 190 meters from surface and returned 8.93 g/t gold over 12.45 meters, including 32.96 g/t gold over 2.73 meters . In addition, this hole intercepted a hanging wall structure that returned 1.67 g/t Au over 2.75 meters, including 8.41 g/t gold over 0.43 meters . This is Dryden Gold's deepest hole to date and is Dryden's widest and most consistently disseminated high-grade intercept at Elora. A video summary of today's results can be found here. Hole KW-24-024 followed up on previously released holes KW-24-008 and KW-24-017 which returned 14.10g/t gold over 7.54m and 30.72 g/t gold over 5.70m , respectively. Dryden Gold has already begun a follow up drill campaign on the Elora Gold System based on these results. This program will focus on expanding the down-plunge potential and strike expansion at Elora. "We are pleased to see this wide intercept of disseminated high-grade gold as we test down plunge at Elora. These results strengthen our understanding of the controls of high-grade gold mineralization and have now also revealed a gold-bearing hanging wall structure. We have already shown that the Gold Rock Camp has significant near surface high-grade gold and now we are beginning to show that this is also a typical Archean Gold System with deep roots. High-grade mineralization at Red Lake Mine extends to almost 2 km and, given the geological similarities, we hope to show the Gold Rock Camp has similar depth potential," stated Trey Wasser, CEO of Dryden Gold. Table 1: Dryden Gold - New Elora Drill Holes Target Area Drillhole From To Length (m)* Grade (g/t Au) Elora KW-24-024 92.00 94.75 2.75 1.67 Including 93.07 93.50 0.43 8.41 209.00 221.45 12.45 8.93 Including 218.12 220.85 2.73 32.96 Elora KW-24-025 79.00 118.40 39.40 0.35 Including 97.87 101.00 3.13 1.39 and including 112.00 118.40 6.40 0.96 196.85 207.00 10.15 0.34 Including 202.05 204.65 2.60 1.24 *Reported intervals are drilled core lengths; assay values are uncut In the Phase Five drill campaign, three holes were drilled at Elora following up on drill hole KW-24-008, which intercepted 14.10 g/t Au over 7.54 meters that was drilled earlier this year (see March 25, 2024 news release). The first hole of the Phase Five drill program, KW-24-017, returned 30.72 g/t gold 5.70 meters including the highest-ever value intersected by Dryden Gold of 313.00 g/t over 0.55 meters (See October 8, 2024 news release). Hole KW-24-024 was drilled approximately 30 meters below hole KW-24-017. The final hole of the program was drilled south of hole KW-24-017, but mineralization was impacted by several dykes cutting through the mineralized zone. Unfortunately, although mineralization was present in hole KW-24-025, there were several dykes noted at the target depth suggesting that they were the reason for the lack of mineralization. Both holes intersected hanging wall mineralization before the Elora zone. The Geological team is pleased to see parallel mineralization at the Elora Target, much like what has been observed in the Big Master Gold System. Figure 1: Elora Target Contoured Long section Dryden Gold is focused on growth of the Gold Rock Camp project but will also continue to advance and review regional exploration targets on the resource pipeline. Dryden Gold has a large 70,000-hectare land package in the Dryden area with District scale exploration potential. The Company has continued early-stage exploration programs on its Hyndman project and Sherridon projects, as well as within the Gold Rock Camp. UPCOMING MARKETING EVENTS Dryden Gold is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the upcoming 121 Mining Investment London Conference taking place on November 14-15, 2024, Swiss Mining Institute's Zurich conference happening November 20-21, 2024, and the New Orlean's Investment conference on November 20-23, 2024. Trey Wasser, CEO & Director will be meeting new investors in Europe and Maura Kolb, P. Geo., President will be attending and presenting in New Orleans. Investors can look forward to hearing about the Company's recent achievements from the 2023-2024 drill program, as well as an exploration update on the continued drill campaign at the Gold Rock project, the summer field campaign designed to follow-up on Dryden Gold's best drill results and expand on the known high-grade zones, as well as the ongoing relogging of historic regional core by the Dryden Gold Geology team. Dryden Gold welcomes the opportunity for attendees to reach out to management with any questions and review our updated corporate presentation here. Qualified Person The technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maura J. Kolb, M.Sc., P.Geo., President of Dryden Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures All sampling completed by Dryden Gold Corp. within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials, and a level of duplicate analysis. Drill samples from the 2023 program were sent to Activation Laboratories, with sample preparation and analysis in Thunder Bay, where they were processed for gold analysis by 50-gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish and over limits determined by Fire Assay with a gravimetric finish. Activation Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meets assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101. ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP. Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("DRY") and on the OTCQB marketplace ("DRYGF"). The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce. For more information go to our website www.drydengold.com. CONTACT INFORMATION Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to : the acquisition of the Property, receipt of corporate and regulatory approvals, issuance of common shares; future development plans; future acquisitions; exploration programs; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings including receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval for the acquisition of the Property; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward--looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections. UNITED STATES ADVISORY The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), have been offered and sold outside the United States to eligible investors pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, or resold in the United States or to, or for the account of or benefit of, a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. Hedging transactions involving the securities must not be conducted unless in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in the state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. CALGARY, Canada (Nov. 12, 2024) TheNewswire - Pambili Natural Resources Corporation ("Pambili" or the "Corporation") (TSX-V: PNN) is pleased to provide an update on its underground drilling program at its Golden Valley Mine (GVM) in Zimbabwe. Pambili is conducting a planned six-hole drilling program at GVM with the objective of identifying a gold resource it can rapidly bring into production. The Corporation re-started gold production at GVM earlier this year, processing sands from the Projects third-party toll-milling facilities as well as from processing material from the drives developed to facilitate the underground drilling program. To date, Pambili has completed two holesEADD004 and EADD006each to a depth of 100 metres, targeting a NW-trending shear previously interpreted from airborne geophysics. Pambili is investigating the potential that this shear represents a parallel structure to the historically mined orebody at GVM. Pambilis first down-dip holeEADD001has reached a depth of some 25m and is expected to be completed over the coming days. This hole is testing the down-dip continuity of the historic GVM orebody. The lithology of the core retrieved from the holes drilled to date along with planned remaining holes can be seen in the schematic below. The red wireframes are interpretation of quartz veins that appear in both EADD004 and EADD006. Figure 1: 3D representation of the DD holes completed at GVM as well as the direction of the planned additional holes. Pambili has also selected some 15.2m of core from its drilling to date for assaying at an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited commercial metallurgical assay laboratory in Zimbabwe. This core either displays sulphide mineralization or the potential to carry gold, and Pambili expects the results of assaying to help guide the direction of subsequent holes. Figure 2: Examining core samples at GVM. Figure 3: Pyrite mineralization. Figure 4: Pyrite mineralization. Figure 5: Medium-fine grained pyrite following the direction of the fabric. Jon Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Pambili Natural Resources, commented: It is encouraging to see that our first two holes encountered known gold pathfinder minerals like pyrite and quartz. The down-dip hole is not yet complete, but even within the first 25m we have encountered mineralized zones including pyrite along with several quartz stringers. We look forward to seeing how much more mineralization we encounter as the hole reaches its planned depth. We also look forward to receiving assay results from our core over the coming weeks. These results will provide Pambili with a better understanding of GVMs commercial gold potential beyond the extent of the historic underground mining area. Improving our understanding on the structural controls of gold mineralization at GVM will help to improve the targeting of our remaining underground holes as well as planning the surface holes required to target a code-compliant mineral resource at the Project. Pambilis independent geologist, Gayle Hanssen BSc. (Hons.) Geology, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. About Pambili Natural Resources Corporation Pambili Natural Resources Corporation is a natural resources exploration and development company (www.pambilinrc.com) currently active in Zimbabwe and in the province of Alberta. For further information, contact: Pambili Natural Resources Corporation Jon Harris (CEO) T: 403 277 4421 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information Forward-looking statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words such as believes, may, likely, plans, or similar words. Forward- looking statements included in this news release include statements with respect to work to be done on the Golden Valley mine in Zimbabwe. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Corporation, including, but not limited to the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, currency fluctuations, and dependence upon regulatory approvals. The Corporation does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions or circumstances other than as required by applicable law. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES The governing body of the International Criminal Court on Monday announced an external investigation into alleged misconduct by chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who has denied the allegations. Khan hit the headlines in May when he sought ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and three top Hamas leaders. The president of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), Paivi Kaukoranta, said an external probe was needed "in order to ensure a fully independent, impartial and fair process." The 54-year-old Briton said he welcomed the investigation and "the opportunity to engage in this process". "I will be continuing all other functions as prosecutor, in line with my mandate, across situations addressed by the International Criminal Court," Khan said. Khan has reportedly been accused of sexual misconduct towards a member of his office, but he has said there was "no truth to suggestions" of such behaviour. "It was with deep sadness that I understood reports of misconduct were to be aired publicly in relation to me," Khan said in a statement emailed to AFP at the time. The ICC has not yet made its decision on whether to grant the warrants he sought against the two senior Israeli politicians and the Hamas leaders. Khan also sought and obtained an ICC warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which promptly slapped arrest warrants on the prosecutor himself. Khan has courted controversy throughout a career that has included stints defending Liberia's former president Charles Taylor against allegations of war crimes in Sierra Leone. Other high-profile clients have included Kenya's President William Ruto in a crimes-against-humanity case at the ICC that was eventually dropped, and the son of late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, Seif al-Islam. Khan has fiercely defended the independence of the office of the ICC prosecutor, warning critics not to threaten him or they may find themselves in hot legal water. He noted in his statement denying the allegations that "this is a moment in which myself and the International Criminal Court are subject to a wide range of attacks and threats." Seated in The Hague, the ICC investigates and prosecutes genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. Karim Khan's job as chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court requires a scrupulous and meticulous examination of evidence to bring cases against alleged perpetrators of the world's worst crimes. Now the 54-year-British lawyer faces his own probe, into allegations of misconduct reportedly against a member of his own office, that he firmly denies. When Khan was sworn in as chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, he said the court should be judged by its acts -- "the proof of the pudding should be in the eating." And by seeking arrest warrants for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Hamas figures, Khan has shown he is not afraid to take on the world's most controversial cases. The application followed an arrest warrant issued last year for President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which promptly slapped arrest warrants on Khan himself. But Khan has faced down controversy throughout a career that has included stints defending Liberia's former president Charles Taylor against allegations of war crimes in Sierra Leone. Other high-profile clients have included Kenya's President William Ruto in a crimes-against-humanity case at the ICC that was eventually dropped, and the son of late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, Seif al-Islam. Asked about "crossing the floor" -- working as both prosecutor and defence -- Khan told specialist publication OpinioJuris that it helps lawyers stay "grounded." It also prevents "corrosive traits such as thinking that defence counsel is the devil incarnate or that as a prosecutor you are doing 'God's work'," he said. Criticised initially for not acting fast enough to prevent atrocities in Gaza, Khan touched off a firestorm when applying for arrest warrants over the war. Netanyahu called it a "moral outrage of historic proportions." For US President Joe Biden, it was "outrageous." Even before Khan's application, senior US Republicans penned a letter threatening to bar him and his family from the United States, ending ominously "you have been warned." But Khan told CNN: "This is not a witch hunt. This is not some kind of emotional reaction to noise... It's a forensic process that is expected of us as international prosecutors." - 'Guilty as charged' - Born in Scotland, Khan was educated at the private Silcoates School in northern England, before studying undergraduate law at King's College, London. His father was Pakistani, his mother British and he is a member of the minority Ahmadiyya Muslim sect, sometimes sprinkling his speeches with "inshallah" (God Willing). Called to the bar in 1992, he went on to cut his teeth in international law at the former Yugoslav and Rwandan war crimes courts from 1997 to 2000. He later represented survivors and relatives of victims of the 1970s Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia at its UN-backed court in the late 2000s. His other roles have included a stint at The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon, set up to bring to justice the killers of Lebanese ex-PM Rafic Hariri in 2005. More recently, he headed the UN special probe into Islamic State group crimes and called for trials like those at Nuremberg of Nazi leaders. Initially absent from a list of candidates for the top ICC prosecutor job, Khan was added reportedly at the insistence of the Kenyan government. The ICC selection panel described him as a "charismatic and articulate communicator who is well aware of his achievements." "I did apply because I thought I could do the role. If the Search Committee thought this was arrogance, then I'm guilty as charged," Khan said. In his speeches, he is forthright with a strong command of oratory, sprinkled with dashes of British humour. "From what I've observed, Karim Khan seems like a no-nonsense lawyer, which I quite respect," Melanie O'Brien, visiting professor in international law at the University of Minnesota, told AFP. An ICC prosecutor "has to have a certain fortitude because you know that you are going to be up against people who don't agree with you and don't agree with the court generally," she added. The October sun floods the courtroom with its cracked linoleum dotted with black specks. This is the second autumn that Anatoliy Derevyanko, 57, an engineer from the village of Verbivka, Balakliya district, spends back and forth between the prison and the court. - I feel fine, my plea hasnt changed [not guilty]. I am waiting for the verdict. I hope it will be fair, the accused said through a slot in the glass-walled dock. - What does fair mean to you?, the journalist from MediaPort asks. - I wish there was an acquittal. However, in these circumstances, I think it is unrealistic. Due to the prosecutors office pressure, it never happens. The prosecutor refuses to comment on anything or react to the remarks of the accused before the verdict is announced. He asks to wait until his closing arguments. Derevyanko does not expect leniency from him. He is sure the prosecutor will ask the court for 5 years in prison - the maximum sentence. If its even a bit less, I think it would be a good thing. There have been suspended sentences, 10 years as well, 5 to 8 years, and sometimes 3. There have been all kinds of sentences, the accused says, explaining that he got acquainted with the court practice during the year and a half of the trial. Jailed since March 2023 Derevyanko has been in custody since March 2023. Initially a witness in the case, he did not think he would become a suspect. But the prosecution accused him of having profited from the occupation to become self-proclaimed manager of the Grain Storage Company of Balakliya, during the Russian occupation of this city located in the Kharkiv region, eastern Ukraine. Derevyanko had been working for the Balakliya Grain Storage Company since the 2000s. He did not leave during the Russian occupation, which lasted from March to September 2022. After the manager quit, the chief engineer continued to go to work. Other employees did the same. There was still grain in this storage facility they call the elevator. The Company was one of the most prosperous firms in the area. In addition to the elevator, its agricultural holding under the umbrella of Megabank (declared insolvent in June 2022 and currently in liquidation) included a bread-making plant and a mill. His defence lawyer, Serhiy Chub, says the chief engineer was only taking care of his team and protecting economic property. Chub, brought his client's case before the European Court of Human Rights to challenge the preventive measure. Following the lawyers claim, the court initiated proceedings. We filed a claim because of my clients rights violation: his preventive measure of detention was continuously extended. We believe that it is not legal, as the criminal offence is of a mild degree, and there is an alternative in the form of bail or any other preventive measure. This is too severe and disproportionate to the charges against him, Chub explained. Before the closing arguments on 24 October 2024, the defence asked the court to admit two documents to the case files: a letter of gratitude for charitable support to the Ukrainian army which, according to the lawyer, confirms his clients patriotism, and a character reference from the pre-trial detention centre. He tries to maintain friendly relations with his cellmates, behaves politely when communicating with representatives of the administration and staff of the detention centre, shows reasonable initiative and interest, cooperates willingly, and complies with the legitimate demands of the staff, judge Svitlana Yashchenko reads out the document from the Kharkiv detention centre. Detained since March 2023, Anatoliy Derevyanko was released on probation on 30 October. Photo: MediaPort Accused of collaboration with the aggressor The prosecutor spends the next half hour voicing his position: he considers Derevyankos guilt thoroughly proven. Pursuing the goal of gaining profit and engaging in commercial activities in collaboration with the occupation administration of the aggressor state, in early August 2022, while under the occupation of the Balakliya territorial community of the Izyum district, Kharkiv oblast, he willingly accepted to assume the position of acting director of the Grain Storage, offered to him by Mr Shevchenko, the head of the temporary civil administration of Balakliya, Izyum district, he says. According to the prosecution, while under the Russian occupation and in the absence of the manager, Derevyanko arbitrarily ran the company and conducted business in collaboration with the aggressor. Given his testimony, we conclude that Derevyanko confirmed having resumed work and having performed organisational and administrative functions at the said company, the prosecutor says. However, the prosecutor notes that the accused did not admit to collaborating with the occupation authorities and signing company documents. It was all done in order to preserve the companys property, as Anatoliy Ivanovych believes, out of the need to gain some money to survive and in the absence of an order to suspend work or to abandon the company... Nevertheless, this claim is the defendants right to self-defence, an attempt to avoid criminal responsibility, showing a lack of awareness and remorse for the crime and is refuted by the evidence in the criminal proceedings, the prosecutor states. As evidence of the defendants guilt, the prosecutor invokes the seized documents, as well as witness statements, and asks for a five-year prison sentence. Ukrainians helped Ukrainians to preserve the grain But even most of the prosecution witnesses supported Derevyanko, as the defence lawyer argued. MediaPort has previously published some depositions - in particular, Oleksandr Globa's, a farmer, who said that he delivered his grain to the elevator because there was no other place to store it. Derevyanko did meet with the occupiers, but he insisted that he did not sign any agreements with them nor receive any money. If the occupiers did plan to take control of the company, they did not have enough time to establish their own regulations, said Larysa Nazarenko, one of the companys employees and a witness in the case. She considered all discussions of Balakliya becoming a part of the Belgorod region as lunacy: they didnt really understand what to do with it, how it would be and what would happen, and suggested we go back to work and start by renovating our offices. I was among those who went back to the elevator in order to earn as much as a jar of pate to survive... We would preserve what was left in the elevator. We would weld shut certain storages to prevent them from being looted. And he [Derevyanko] was like the head of our gang. The companys contracts for farmers were translated into Russian, but the basis for it was a previously used template in Ukrainian. These are contracts with the Ukrainians. The prosecution did not introduce any representatives, Russian citizens, [to prove] this collaboration... The Ukrainians helped the Ukrainians to preserve the grain, which, by the way, was returned intact in the same volume as it was received. Both the manager and the chief accountant confirmed that an inventory was carried out after the de-occupation, and there was no financial damage, Derevyankos defence lawyer, Chub said. In his final statement, Derevyanko repeated what he had said many times before. He insisted that he fulfilled his professional duties, went to work to help his fellow villagers, and had no intention of collaborating with the occupiers. I went back to work for one month to help our Ukrainian farmers preserve the grain they had grown. As a result of my work, after the de-occupation, the company received payment for the work I performed. Following this payment, Ukraine received a profit in the form of taxes. It means that now you are prosecuting me for the fact that the state made a profit, the defendant said. Found guilty but freed with a probation sentence On 30 October 2024, judge Yashchenko returns from the deliberation room to announce the verdict: Anatoliy Ivanovych Derevyanko is hereby found guilty of committing a criminal offence and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment with prohibition to hold positions related to administrative and executive functions for a period of 10 years, without confiscation of property. [He] is suspended from serving the sentence of imprisonment with a probationary period of 3 years, the judge read the ruling. Behind the glass wall, Derevyanko could not clearly hear the decision. He only realised he was free when the court guard opened the door of the dock, and his defence lawyer explained what had happened. You were found guilty, but your sentence is suspended for three years. The preventive measure is cancelled. Its over, Chub explained. If you dont commit another offence during these three years, you wont be serving a prison sentence. Derevyanko came to the announcement of the verdict empty-handed: he did not take his belongings or passport. His mood is cautiously optimistic. I wasnt ready. I had hope. But anything could have happened... What emotions? I can be free now! And thats good. Lets see how it goes. I will try to get home, Derevyanko says. - Do you know about the situation in the country?, the journalist from MediaPort asks. - Of course, we have a TV. - And do you hear the explosions? - We hear them, we hear it all. As soon as Derevyanko was released from custody, his defence lawyer shook his hand, and immediately afterwards, the prosecutor, who once again abstained from commenting, left the courtroom. They are likely to meet again soon - this time in the appeal court. Both the defence and the prosecutors office have thirty days to decide whether to appeal the decision. This report is part of our coverage of war crimes justice produced in partnership with Ukrainian journalists. A first version of this article was published on the "MediaPort" website. Gender apartheid is a new frontline of international justice, as Justice Info recently highlighted. The guest in this new episode of our Asymmetrical Haircuts partners, Karima Bennoune, is currently campaigning for this alleged crime committed in Afghanistan to be recognised as a crime against humanity by the United Nations General Assembly, and explains to us how and why. Recommended reading The Talibans rule is gender apartheid Slip and fall incidents pose significant risks to individuals, often resulting in injuries that can lead to long-term consequences. Property owners have a legal and moral obligation to maintain a safe environment for visitors, customers, and employees. In Pittsburgh, premises liability attonreys play a crucial role in ensuring property owners understand their responsibility in mitigating slip and fall incidents. This article explores the obligations of property owners and the guidance provided by Pittsburgh premises liability lawyers to prevent such accidents. Regular Maintenance and Inspection Property owners must conduct regular maintenance and inspections of their premises to identify and address potential hazards promptly. This includes checking walkways, staircases, parking lots, and common areas for uneven surfaces, wet floors, or other obstacles. A Pittsburgh premises liability attorney emphasizes that property owners should establish a routine inspection schedule, documenting their efforts to demonstrate their commitment to safety. Prompt Repairs and Hazard Removal Upon identifying hazards, property owners have a duty to promptly repair or remove them. This includes fixing broken stairs, potholes, or loose flooring, as well as promptly cleaning up spills. Negligence in addressing known issues can make property owners liable in slip and fall cases. Pittsburgh premises liability lawyers advise property owners to take immediate action to rectify hazards and prevent accidents. Proper Signage and Warnings In situations where immediate repairs are not possible, property owners should provide adequate warnings and signage to alert visitors about potential hazards. This may include placing wet floor signs, barricades around dangerous areas, or warning signs near slippery surfaces. Pittsburgh premises liability lawyers stress the importance of clear, visible warnings to prevent accidents and protect property owners from legal liabilities. Snow and Ice Removal In regions like Pittsburgh, where winter weather is common, property owners must promptly remove snow and ice from walkways and parking lots. Failure to do so can lead to slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of slip and fall accidents. Pittsburgh premises liability attorneys advise property owners to establish snow removal protocols and ensure pathways are consistently clear and safe for pedestrians. Proving Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases In the unfortunate event of a slip and fall incident, premises liability attorneys in Pittsburgh play a crucial role in proving negligence on the part of the property owner. They gather evidence, including surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness testimonies, to establish that the property owner failed in their duty to maintain a safe environment. An experienced lawyer can effectively navigate legal complexities and advocate for the rights of the injured party. Conclusion Property owners bear a significant responsibility in ensuring the safety of individuals on their premises. By conducting regular inspections, promptly addressing hazards, providing warnings, and promptly removing snow and ice, property owners can significantly mitigate the risk of slip and fall incidents. Pittsburgh premises liability lawyers are instrumental in guiding property owners, as well as advocating for the rights of individuals who have suffered injuries due to negligence. By understanding their responsibilities and seeking legal counsel when needed, property owners can contribute to a safer community and avoid legal liabilities arising from slip and fall accidents. If you need legal assistance, you can visit a Pittsburgh slip and fall lawyer for expert guidance. Kim Na Jung, 31, a former television announcer and current model, made an appeal for help on social media, saying she was too scared to leave her hotel while in the Philippines. UPDATE: The model is now under investigation after confessing to drug use. Kim said she was at the Conrad Hotel in Manila and felt threatened in an Instagram post on November 12. She wrote, "I am scared I cannot go to the airport or I cannot take a taxi. Help me." She also posted a plea for her followers to reach out to the embassy on her behalf. Kim relayed her plight via a text on the numberregistered with the embassy, saying she wanted to return to South Korea. "I think I'm going to die if I get on a plane," she wrote. "I think I'm going to die if I go out of Manila. The airport is also dangerous." In another post later that day, she said she was on a flight that took off from Manila at 12:05 p.m. local time. Though it is uncertain what triggered her distress, a wave of concern from fans has been directed towards her while she is receiving the necessary assistance. KimNa-jung, who gained public attention from MBN's "Miss Maxim" contest in 2019, appeared on various TV programs such as SBS's "Black Sheep Game" and Wave's original series "Four Seasons Verification Zone: The Community." So far, the embassy has not issued a statement regarding her case Hundreds of West Kelowna residents are calling for an independent inquiry in water management in the city. Advocates were to make a presentation to city council last night. Shown here is Mayor Gord Milsom at the opening of the city's new $75 million treatment plant earlier this year. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - An X user claims that some scammers have been running blood donation drives in Nairobi CBD and selling the donated blood in Somali. They camp along busy streets in Nairobi CBD, especially along Archives, where they ask passersby to donate blood for their relatives. However, the donated blood is not taken to their so-called ailing relatives. It is reportedly sold in Somalia, where they make a killing. Check post. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - American jewelry designer, Jennifer Meyer is engaged to Nigerian billionaire heir fiance, Geoffrey Ogunlesi, 33. The 47-year-old jewelry designer proudly showed off her massive diamond engagement ring as they attended Baby2Baby gala in Los Angeles. The ring looks to be in the $500,000 range, The Diamond Bank in Los Angeles told DailyMail.com. Meyer revealed in September that she is engaged to Geoffrey Ogunlesi, son of Nigerian billionaire lawyer and investment banker Adebayo Ogunlesi. Jennifer and Geoffrey started making public outinglast summer. Her red carpet debut with Geoffrey came seven years after she split from Tobey Maguire, 49, and three years since she filed for divorce. Jennifer shares two kids with the Spider-Man actor. The pair met in 2003 while he was shooting Seabiscuit. They were engaged three years later, and welcomed their daughter Ruby, 17, in November 2006. They went on to marry the following year, and welcomed their second child, son Otis, 15, in 2009. After nearly 10 years of marriage, Maguire and Meyer separated in 2016. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - A dispute between businesswoman Margaret Mweru and Bishop John Paul Thiong'o, Head of City of Refuge Ministries International, has reached the Small Claims Court in Nairobi. The businesswoman who runs a high-end furnished rental apartment business claims that Thiongo owes her unpaid rent for services rendered on several occasions throughout 2023 and part of 2024. Mweru's witness statement outlined the nature of her business, which involves offering luxury rental apartments listed on major platforms like Airbnb, Bookingcom, and TripAdvisor. The apartments are primarily rented out for short stays by corporate clients, tourists, and those seeking premium private accommodations. The respondent is said to have been a regular guest at her properties, booking the apartments for personal and private stays. After numerous stays and an agreed-upon rental fee, the Bishop allegedly failed to pay the full rental amount amounting to Ksh 243,000 for the services rendered. The businesswoman claims that this non-payment has been a recurring issue with the Bishop acknowledging the debt through a Debt Repayment Agreement but subsequently failing to honor the terms of repayment. She attached the Debt Repayment Agreement as part of her evidence which shows that Thiongo had promised multiple times to settle the amount but didn't make any payments. In her legal filing, she expressed her frustration at the lack of accountability from the Respondent. She states that despite her efforts to resolve the matter amicably, including serving Thiongo with a demand letter and notice of intention to sue, there was no compliance with her requests. This prompted her to pursue formal legal action through the Small Claims Court, seeking a judgment in her favour to recover the outstanding Ksh 243,000. Her legal team PMAK Advocates cites a breach of contract as the basis for her claim, arguing that the Respondents failure to pay the agreed-upon rental fees constitutes a direct violation of the terms of their agreement. Milimani Small Claims Court has set a mention for November 21, 2024, before Hon. Barbara A. Akinyi. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) wishes to address the misleading claims published in the Daily Nation on November 11, 2024, regarding alleged attempts by detectives in unmarked Subaru cars to prevent Hon. Rigathi Gachagua from attending a church service in Nairobi. We want to clarify that these allegations are entirely false and seem to be aimed at misrepresenting the actions and intentions of the DCI. The DCI operates within the parameters established by the rule of law and has consistently affirmed its commitment to refraining from interference in the liberties of individuals and institutions. Moreover, the claim that the writer was unable to obtain a comment from the DCI is incorrect. The Director of Criminal Investigations provided a prompt response, reaffirming the DCI's commitment to respecting the autonomy of religious institutions and the writer acknowledged receipt of this response. The Daily Nation must thoroughly verify facts, present balanced perspectives, and handle sensitive topics carefully to uphold its commitment to truth and fairness in journalism. This is particularly important when the information affects individuals' reputations and the integrity of institutions. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has challenged President William Ruto to publicly reject the proposed extension of presidential and other elected leaders term limits in office. In a statement on X, Kalonzo stated that by agreeing and introducing the term extension bill, he (Ruto) would be making a bigger mistake for the country. Mr Ruto, do not make the mistake of bringing that seven-year presidential term limit to us. "Drop it like a hot potato if you love your country, Kalonzo urged Ruto. He went on to suggest that if the head of state introduces such a bill, it should be shortened from the current five years to four. If you introduce such a Bill, it should be to shorten the duration to four years. Kenyans are tired, Kalonzo wrote. In addition, the Wiper leader stated categorically that as leaders from the opposition party, their fight is against impunity and liberating the country and that they should not be mistaken as noisemakers. We are not noisemakers. We are the true and loyal Peoples Opposition in this country, Kalonzo said. The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Senator Cherargei, is now set for introduction in the Senate for first reading. The Bill proposes an increase in the term of service for the President, Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of County Assembly (MCAs), and governors to seven years. The bill also creates the office of the Prime Minister, similar to the proposals in the National Dialogue Committee and the Building Bridges Initiative reports. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned Kenyans to expect more rains over the next seven days. In the latest weather forecast, the weather department revealed that some areas might experience heavy rainfall compared to others. The rain is expected to be in several areas, including the Central Highlands, Nairobi, Western Kenya, Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, SE, Coast, and North Eastern Kenya. Some areas might experience isolated heavy rainfall," Kenya Met said. The weatherman further noted that night temperatures in several parts of the country will be cooler. It said some areas may experience temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius. Nighttime Temperatures: Expect cooler nights, with temperatures dropping below 10C in parts of the Central Highlands, Central Rift Valley, and South-eastern lowlands. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - Kenyan model Phidelia Mutunga, who was crowned Miss Supranational Africa in 2021, is off the market after getting married to Coca-Cola Africa boss Darly Wilson. The lavish wedding held at the posh Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club was attended by family and friends. Top Kenyan artists among them Otile Brown had been hired to entertain the guests. Phidelia and Darly Wilsons affair was marred with controversy sometime back after she was engaged in a war of words online with his ex-wife, Queentar Mercy. Mercy left Wilson over alleged domestic abuse and warned Phidelia that he was an abusive man. She further claimed that the wealthy Coca-Cola Africa boss would cheat on her with multiple women. However, Phidelia ignored the warnings from Wilsons ex-wife and got married to him last weekend in a memorable wedding that has been the talk of the town. Below are videos of the wedding. Kenyan Model Phidelia Mutunga Gets Married To Wealthy Coca-Cola Africa Boss Darly Wilson In A Lavish Wedding After His Ex-Wife Left Him Over Alleged Domestic Abuse pic.twitter.com/UBPhc8Xf1o DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) November 12, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has hit back at Senator Joe Nyutu over remarks that she is a ceremonial puppet of President William Ruto. Taking to her X account, CS Wahome lashed out at Nyutu, emphasising that she is interested in serving the people as opposed to playing politics. I am more interested in service delivery and governance and not power. I dont know who sent you to talk about me, she fired off. CS Wahome, who is in Baku, Azerbaijan for COP29, noted she was busy representing the country at the summit and would not be distracted. I have just arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan for COP29. Im here for various high-level meetings on behalf of the country, she added. Wahome further warned Nyutu, who is an ally of former DP Rigathi Gachagua, to desist from mentioning her name in political rallies. Kindly do not drag me into your politics, she warned tactfully removing herself from politics surrounding the impeachment of Gachagua. This is after Nyutu claimed Wahome is powerless in government. I dare say this, that though Alice Wahome is the CS (of Lands), she has no power in that Ministry. All the power is with the Principal Secretaries and they have no regard for her, Nyutu stated. The Senator further faulted the current regime for carrying out a choreographed plan to kick out leaders from the Mt Kenya region after using their votes to win the 2022 general elections. He further named politicians from the Mt Kenya region who campaigned for Ruto but have since been sidelined by the Kenya Kwanza government. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 12, 2024 President William Rutos office at State House in Nairobi has invited potential Kenyans to express their interest in short-term consultancy services. In a notice published yesterday, Rutos office announced that the roles of the consultants would be to support the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. The epicenter of the consultancy services would be on macroeconomics, which encompasses credit and financial inclusion, labour markets, household and welfare economics, and education and health economics. Another area of interest was in natural resource economics which includes energy, environment, and climate finance. Industrial economics such as Industrial policy, competition policy, enterprise development, and technology. Applicants were also urged to apply for consultancy services as experts in emerging areas such as investment climate, ease of doing business, regulation, consumer protection, competition policy, property rights, and climate action. According to the notice, interested individuals must possess relevant experience including a piece of documentary evidence for their experience. They must also have evidence of similar assignments executed and completed in the last ten years which confirms the scope, nature, and successful execution of the assignments. Viable applicants were directed to submit a cover letter and a duly filled pre-qualification form. The applicant must have a minimum qualification of Master of Arts or Master of Science in Economics, Law, or related fields. The applicant must also possess at least ten years of experience with a track record in research, policy analysis, policy advisory, and practice. They must also have at least three publications in the related fields. Those who wish to express their interest in short-term jobs were directed to submit the requisite documents by November 26 this year by 11 am. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - A man is facing two years in prison in Dubai after posting a negative review of a dog grooming business. Craig Ballentine, 33, accepted a role last year in a canine salon in Dubai, where he worked for nearly six months. According to the New York Post, Craig, from Belfast, was then diagnosed with fibromyalgia and needed to take days off work. He informed his boss and sent her his doctors note but against Dubai employment law his they reported him as absconded with authorities, his lawyers say. This led to his unemployment and a travel ban on his passport that took two months and thousands of pounds to remove, allowing him to return home to Northern Ireland. After returning home, Craig left a Google review of the grooming centre and his former boss and the problems she had caused. Three weeks ago, Craig visited Abu Dhabi for a short holiday with friends and was transported to Dubai to face charges of slander under the UAEs strict cybercrime laws. He is now stuck in the country, absent from his employment as a support worker with autistic people and facing two years in prison. Weve seen people arrested for complaining to customer service or for leaving online reviews on hotels and rental car agencies, said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, who have been working to try and get Craig home. Craig has been advised by local lawyers there is almost zero chance of the case against him being dropped. When someone is offended, even if they are at fault, they can open a criminal prosecution out of spite. Craig deleted the post, apologised but still faces jail. Its outrageous. Weve seen people arrested for complaining to customer service or for leaving online reviews on hotels and rental car agencies. The UAEs recently enacted Cybercrime laws are a nightmare for foreigners. It is sufficient for a complainant to simply tell police that someone posted something offensive or rude. The police dont even need to see the actual post. The complainants have all the power and often demand money from the accused to close out the case. Its a means for vindictive people to extort. Once a criminal case is won, they can also open civil cases for massive damages the system incentivises it. Flatmates, co-workers and even spouses have abused this law and we find that its often foreigners who are taking advantage. In this case, both parties are Western and most people wouldnt dream of opening a similar case in their own countries but seem quite happy to open them in the UAE. Craig told Ms Stirling in a phone call that his mother was so upset and stressed she thought I was dead. Craig, who frequently volunteers in his local community, is scared and desperate to return home. Craig needs to get home and get to work, said Ms. Stirling. Its atrocious that authorities are allowing such frivolous criminal reports to entangle visitors in the system. The sheer number of cybercrime reports they receive must be significant. There are no protections or safeguards and peoples lives are being ruined. We have reached out to Craigs local representative, Michelle ONeil to implore her to make diplomatic representations to the UAEs Ambassador and FCDO. We hope she can assist in the same way Ireland helped Tori Towey come home. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - Chief Justice Martha Koome has spoken about claims of bribery and corruption at the Judiciary. In an interview with BBC on Monday, Koome who is also the President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, said in her 22-year tenure as a judge, nobody has ever approached her with a bribe. "In all these 22 years Ive been a judge and a chief justice, nobody has ever approached me with a bribe. I would have them arrested," Koome said. Some Kenyans have coined the term "jurispesa"a blend of "jurisprudence" and "pesa" (Swahili for money)to suggest corruption within the judiciary. But she defended herself and her colleagues, asking anyone making such accusations to present the evidence to the security agencies or to the judicial oversight commission. She told the BBC Africa Daily podcast that the claims were "meant to undermine my credibility." "It is supposed to distract me. I know who I am and I know what I have done and what I am going to do." she asserted, adding that she would always remain impartial. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - Billionaire media personality, Oprah Winfrey has denied being paid $1million to help Kamala Harris by hosting a star-studded town hall event for the Vice President in September. Oprah was approached by a reporter for TMZ in quaint Santa Barbara, who quizzed her about the payment. 'Not true' she said when asked about the alleged payment. 'I was paid nothing. Ever.' The talk show legend initially made it clear she didn't want to discuss President-elect Trump's landslide victory: 'I'm not talking about the election,' she insisted. On Sunday, the Washington Examiner reported how Winfrey's Harpo Productions had received $1million from the Harris campaign on October 15 after Winfrey hosted the event. In total, the Harris campaign spent $1.2billion on the race while Trump's campaign spent $750 million, a Financial Times analysis found, although some believe Harris's spending could be even higher. Harris also reportedly spent six figures to build out the set for her October appearance on the hit podcast 'Call Her Daddy', where she sat down with the show's host Alex Cooper. According to a report by The Washington Examiner, her campaign spent six figures alone on building out the very beige set of the podcast for her small appearance. The outlet also reported that it was filmed inside a hotel room in Washington DC, with crews building the set to imitate Cooper's actual set in Los Angeles. The Harris campaign, affiliated PACs, and the Democratic National Committee amassed over $2.3 billion in political contributions. After raising nearly $4.2 billion, they spent a combined $3.5 billion on the presidential race, making it the most expensive contest ever held according to the analysis. Donald Trump's team, affiliated PACs and the Republican National Committee raised $1.8 billion. It's not yet known how the money was spent. The Examiner explored ways in which the Harris campaign had managed to burn through the eye-watering figure, which included the podcast appearance. According to the outlet, her campaign and its affiliates spent over $654 million from July to Election Day. Trump spent $378 million, 57 percent less than her. One vendor, Village Marketing Agency, was paid over $3.9 million to recruit social media influencers to boost Harris' online appeal. Event production, like the podcast appearance, was a big spend for the campaign that hosted the likes of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry on the eve of the election. According to federal filings, the campaign paid over $15 million to companies for such services. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - Premier League official David Coote has been suspended following the emergence of a video in which he allegedly insults Liverpool FC and its former manager, Jurgen Klopp. The video, circulating on social media, appears to show Coote making disparaging comments about Liverpool, calling the club s***, and referring to Klopp as a German c*** while speaking with another individual. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which manages officiating for the Premier League, announced Cootes immediate suspension, stating that a full investigation is underway. PGMOL has declined to provide additional comments until the investigation concludes. The clip also features a man, alleged to be Coote, recounting past interactions with Klopp, including a game against Burnley during the pandemic lockdown. He describes Klopp as arrogant and explains his preference to avoid conversation with him, though he expresses a favorable opinion of Liverpool player James Milner. Coote officiated Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday, November 9, but the video appears to have been recorded earlier. This incident has raised significant concerns over impartiality and professionalism, leading to the referee's suspension while PGMOL completes its review. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - A close ally of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has warned President William Ruto against relying on Luhya community votes during the 2027 presidential election. In a social media post on Monday, Saboti Member of Parliament, Caleb Amisi, stated that Ruto would be making a bigger blunder by losing the Mt Kenya region vote and relying on the Luhya community vote. The ODM lawmaker warned that Ruto faces an uphill battle in winning the Luhya vote, citing historical injustices and labeling his Western Kenya allies as "political dinosaurs." "Ruto wants Western votes in the next election at a throwaway price through the perennial political dinosaurs, ostensibly because Kikuyu votes have a price tag. "Well, think twice.Vindu vichenjanga.Western will not be a walk in the park because of historical injustices!" Amisi said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - President William Rutos close ally Millicent Omanga has left tongues wagging after acquiring a Bentley Bentayga as millions of Kenyans complain of harsh economic times. Taking to social media, the former Nominated Senator expressed joy for her new multi-million car, terming it as a blessing from God. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows," she captioned quoting the Bible on James 1:17. According to a reputable car website, the price of a Bentley Bentayga starts at Sh20 million and could go up to Sh27 million, depending on the model and specifications. This latest ride adds to Millicent Omangas growing list of expensive machines, which include a 2024 Range Rover Vogue. The Bentley Bentayga is a luxury SUV that combines exceptional performance, opulent features, and advanced technology. Omanga is among the powerful cartels in the Kenya Kwanza regime making a killing through state tenders. She has been supplying curtains and furniture to state lodges, earning billions of shillings through inflated tenders. Watch the video. Millicent Omanga Acquires a New Bentley After Being Paid Billions To Supply Curtains And Furniture to State Lodges pic.twitter.com/jgFGPluSIP DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) November 12, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - A man on a flight to South Korea caused panic after he tried to open the emergency door of a plane mid-flight, with dramatic video showing flight attendants tackling him. The suspect, who has not been named, was said to have sat in a cabin crew seat without permission while on Korean Air flight KE658 from Bangkok, Thailand, to Incheon, South Korea, on November 7. When an air hostess ordered him to leave, he reportedly threatened her despite being warned that he may have been violating Korea's Aviation Security Act. Footage shows flight attendants scrambling to stop the man as he grabbed the door latch and allegedly tried to open it. The crew were able to restrain the man, who reports say threatened them and had been acting aggressively, and he was taken to a separate area to calm down. The Airbus A330-300 with 238 passengers onboard landed without delays at the Incheon International Airport in Seoul at around 4.45 am. The man was handed over to the Incheon International Airport Police for investigation. Korean Air said in a statement: "The incident was managed according to our established security protocols, to prioritise passenger safety and operational integrity. "While the situation was successfully contained, we will cooperate with relevant authorities in the investigation of this matter. "Korean Air maintains a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours that compromise aviation safety and will continue to respond decisively to such incidents." Watch the video below. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - US President-elect, Donald Trump is expected to tap Florida Senator, Marco Rubio as his nominee to become America's next top diplomat, according to reports, a selection likely to set a tough tone on relations with China from the outset. The New York Times cited three sources familiar with Trump's thinking who expressed confidence that the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president had settled on Rubio. The two were rivals during the contentious 2016 Republican presidential primaries, during which Trump gave Rubio the epithet "Little Marco." Trump considered him for the role of running mate, a position ultimately filled by JD Vance, Rubio's Senate colleague from Ohio. Rubio has been an outspoken critic of China during his time in the Senate. He cosponsored bipartisan legislation supporting the international standing of Taiwan, the self-ruled island that China has vowed to unify with, by force if necessary. He also cosponsored legislation banning imports suspected to be made with forced labor in China's Xinjiang, as well as a bill requiring the U.S. government to report on human rights abuses in the majority-Muslim region. Chinese officials there have been accused of detaining as many as 1 million people in internment camps, which Beijing insists were reeducation camps. Rubio was among the U.S. lawmakers Beijing targeted with tit-for-tat sanctions in 2020 over his criticism of the situation Xinjiang and China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong. In September, Rubio introduced legislation to close loopholes to prevent China, Russia, and other U.S. adversaries from circumventing tariffs. Trump has already asked Representative Michael Waltz, a retired Green Beret and National Guard colonel representing Florida's Sixth District, to replace outgoing National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan if confirmed by the upper chamber. Michael Waltz is also a known China hawk, having earlier this year sounded the alarm over China's growing influence in the Western Hemisphere. He also supports expediting weapons exports to Taiwan to help it better defend against potential Chinese aggression. "We must learn from Ukraine by addressing the threat of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) and arming Taiwan NOW before it's too late," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in May. Although the U.S, like most countries, does not officially recognize Taiwan diplomatically, it is the island democracy's main supplier of arms, which Washington has sold for decades under the Taiwan Relations Act. These arms sales rile China, which considers them a violation of its sovereignty. "Senator Rubio is one of Washington's most levelheaded, strategic thinkers on countering the Chinese Communist Party," said Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow in Indo-Pacific Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council and author of Countering China's Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance, in an interview with Newsweek. As for Waltz, Sobolik called him one of the House's "most focused members on the issue" and observed he has "worked consistently" on the behalf of political prisoners in the country. "President-elect Trump's picks for Treasury and Commerce will be telling, but early indications suggest tough days ahead for Beijing," Sobolik added. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - In a well-coordinated operation, police officers based at Mtwapa Police Station and officers from Kenya Wildlife Service Mombasa, have deftly netted two Tanzanian nationals for their involvement in the illegal trade of ivory. The sweep proved fruitful as they successfully recovered elephant tusks, valued at Sh3, 300,000. Acting on a tip-off, the officers pounced on Paul Kuya, 36, and Paul Telek, 29, at their hideout in Majengo area of Mtwapa where they uncovered eleven elephant tusks, weighing 32.924 kilograms, cleverly concealed in nylon sacks within three different bags. It was established that the smugglers had journeyed from Tanzania to Kenya via the Namanga border, their sights set on finding potential buyers to purchase their illicit haul. The duo was promptly escorted to Mtwapa Police Station, where they await their day in court. Meanwhile, the seized elephant tusks are safely stored as exhibits. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has officially been kicked out as Deputy Party Leader of President William Rutos UDA. This is after UDA officially named Kithure Kindiki as Deputy Party Leader, effectively ending Gachaguas tenure. Kindiki, who was sworn in as Kenya's new deputy president at the start of November, was officially announced as UDA's new deputy in a statement shared by the party yesterday. "By virtue of the resolution of the National Assembly and the vote of the Senate and by operations of articles 75 (3) and 45(7) of the constitution, Rigathi Gachagua is unable to perform the duties of the deputy party leader and thus ceases to hold office of the Deputy Party Leader," the statement read. However, according to sources, Gachagua was not expelled from the party and it is his choice to continue as an ordinary member or quit. "As of now, the only thing that has been done is the changing of the party leadership. Gachagua has just been replaced. A decision on expulsion has not been made. "He is free to be a member of our party if he wishes or not," our source stated. The latest development came just days after Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, who serves as the UDA Chair, announced changes within the party's hierarchy at the top were imminent. Mbarire made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of DP Kindiki, citing the UDA party constitution. Kindiki affirmed his new position as UDA's deputy during the party's NEC meeting yesterday. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - Retired President Uhuru Kenyattas billionaire uncle George Muhoho has turned a year older. Muhoho celebrated his 86th birthday in the company of his sons. John Muhoho, one of his sons, posted a photo on his Instagram account and captioned it, Lunch with the birthday boy....happy birthday to the boss, 86 looking great on him....we thank the most high,. Muhoho, a former Cabinet Minister and longtime KAA Chairman has interests in aviation, real estate, and education. He is among the richest Kenyans. See photo. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - The United States of America has offered a $25,000 reward for anyone who could provide information that could lead to the arrest of a fleeing Nigerian man who is facing trial for the alleged murder of his son. According to a report on the U.S. Marshals Services official website, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of causing serious bodily injury to a child after emergency personnel in Providence found his 3-month-old son with severe injuries at a residence on 3 April 2017. The child was rushed to hospital in cardiac arrest and required resuscitation to regain a pulse. A medical examination at the hospital revealed 18 injuries in varying stages of healing, consistent with prolonged abuse. The child's injuries included a skull fracture, subdural haematoma, severe brain injury, and fractures to the ribs, clavicle, legs, and arms. The child tragically died six months later. Police initially arrested and charged Olawusi with first-degree child abuse on 20 April 2017. He was released the same day but subsequently fled. Following the childs death on 31 October 2017, the charge was escalated to murder. In November 2017, the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to locate Olawusi. Investigations revealed that Olawusi left the United States from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on 20 June 2017, using his Nigerian passport. In a statement credited to the Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, Don Freeman, he said Olawusi has been added to the U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted fugitives list with an up to $25,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest. He said, A man wanted in Rhode Island on charges of murder, inflicting serious bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution has been added to the U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted fugitives list with an up to $25,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest. Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, was charged in Providence with first-degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily injury to a child after Providence Police and Fire personnel found his three-month-old son bleeding from the mouth and nose at a residence on April 3, 2017. The child was transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated to regain a pulse. An examination at the hospital noted 18 injuries at various stages of healing, indicating a pattern of long-term abuse. These injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, significant brain injury, and fractures of the childs ribs, clavicle, legs and arms. He was placed on life support but died six months later. Providence police arrested and charged Olawusi on April 20, 2017, with first-degree child abuse. He was released the same day and subsequently fled. The murder charge was added following the infants death on October 31, 2017. Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child and has fled the country to avoid justice. We have placed Mr Olawusi on our 15 Most Wanted list due to the heinous crimes hes committed and the threat he continues to pose to the public. The USMS will exhaust all resources necessary to bring him to justice for his family and the community. Olawusi, who uses the alias Olekun Olawusi, stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Information regarding his whereabouts may be reported to the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or via the USMS Tips App, Freeman concluded. * This year's "Double 11" shopping festival is the longest ever. A heady, instant extravaganza has evolved into a month-long affair. * The "Double 11" shopping spree has long passed the phase when it is all about the thrill of a midnight shopping rush. This year's extended shopping festival is being enjoyed as a quality experience by shoppers, shippers and sellers alike. * Despite all the changes, one constant is that it remains an optimal source of insights into the country's vibrant online consumption dynamics. HANGZHOU, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's annual "Double 11" shopping festival kicked off especially early this year. When celebrated in the first years after its creation in 2009, it was a frenzied orgy of consumption -- buyers anxiously clicked the checkout button, and online retailers cheered for astronomical sales figures at the exact moment when the clock struck 00:00 on Nov. 11. Over time, the festival has been extended, especially this year, when e-commerce platforms rolled out their respective "Double 11" programs significantly earlier. Douyin, for example, started a preliminary sales campaign on Oct. 8. Taobao and Tmall, under China's e-commerce giant Alibaba who created the festival, started on the 14th -- 10 days earlier than last year. That makes this year's Double Eleven the longest ever. A heady, instant extravaganza has evolved into a month-long affair. With each edition over the past years, the annual shopping spree changed in various ways. However, one constant is that it remains an optimal source of insights into the country's vibrant online consumption dynamics. NEWER AND GREENER: A TRADE-IN MAGIC In the early stages of this year's "Double 11" shopping fiesta, Mr. Liu, a Gen-Z Hangzhou resident in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, purchased a Xiaomi TV he had long had his eye on. "It would have cost 4,599 yuan (about 640 U.S. dollars). But I only paid 2,799 yuan, with Tmall's "Double 11" discount and the 699 yuan trade-in subsidy from the government," he said. "It's a real bargain." This year, China has been promoting large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-in programs for consumer goods, aiming to boost domestic demand and support continuous economic growth. As of early November, the trade-in programs had seen over 30 million consumers participating and brought more than 400 billion yuan in sales, according to the country's Ministry of Commerce. During the ongoing "Double 11" shopping festival, the state's trade-in subsidy has been added to the festival discounts provided by e-commerce platforms for the first time, creating combined offers that drive consumption. "As the trade-in policy provides more subsidy to energy-efficient products, it effectively pushes forward the replacement of energy-consuming equipment," said Wang Kui, a manager with the trade-in program at Taobao and Tmall Group. "A 'green consumption' is now becoming mainstream." Statistics show over 92 percent of home appliances sold on Tmall have been the most energy-efficient during this year's "Double 11." The trade-in policy reduces pollution and boosts resource reuse, helping to build a greener, low-carbon society, said Hong Yong, an associate researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation. IMPROVED EXPERIENCE FOR ALL The "Double 11" shopping spree has long passed the phase when it is all about the thrill of a midnight shopping rush. This year's extended shopping festival is being enjoyed as a quality experience by shoppers, shippers and sellers alike. Ms. Chen, a dog owner based in Beijing, said she had a better online shopping experience in the prolonged "Double 11." "I can still remember a few years ago when I had to load up merchandise several days in advance and check out at 00:00 sharp. That gave me anxiety," she said. "Now I have time to make more rational purchasing and make purchases at different stages throughout the month." Shippers are allowed to take their time, too. In a month-long time period, they face several smaller delivery peaks instead of one delivery boom they found themselves struggling to cope with. An extended shopping festival helps alleviate a backlog in logistics storehouses, said Tan Meng, a manager working at a delivery service point in Hangzhou, adding that while parcels increase this year, the logistics is smoother and more organized. With the buildout of AI, online retailers view this year as the start of applying this cutting-edge technology to their business. Graphic design, virtual presentations, and customer services based on AI made their job easier and faster and helped reduce costs. "With Taobao's AI tools to generate scenes, I no longer need to tote the products around in photo studios," said a lighting products retailer in Guangdong, talking about product photography. "Using the AI software costs only one tenth of renting a studio." About 80 percent of the retailers on Taobao and Tmall now use the platform's AI functions, according to the group. Among them are individual sellers, major brands such as the Denmark footwear brand ECCO, French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif, Japanese retail company MUJI, and the skincare brand NIVEA. A GLOBAL CELEBRATION Mr. Huo, a Chinese national now living in Osaka, Japan, found himself relying on Chinese e-commerce platforms for books and stationery. He has been able to join the Chinese shopping spree this year by buying more books and taking advantage of the free cross-border delivery services. "I still prefer buying on Chinese e-commerce platforms for commodities like phone cases or clothing, as I have a dizzying array of choices at much cheaper prices there," he said. As this year's "Double 11" began in mid-October, Taobao and Tmall added four countries -- Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia -- to their brand-new global free shipping program. The program, initiated in July, covers various countries and regions, including Singapore, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea. The program waives the shipping fees for orders over a certain amount. In Huo's case, the threshold is 199 yuan. JD.com, another e-commerce giant, recently included Malaysia and Thailand in its global free shipping zone. Free shipping services overseas by China's e-commerce platforms reflect their improving capacity in overseas sales, customer service, logistics and payment, said Pan Helin, a member of an expert committee under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. According to data by Taobao and Tmall, almost 70,000 retailers who joined their global free shipping program have seen sales double in the early stages of this year's shopping festival. Sales of tank tops to Thailand grew by 68 percent, while sales of ballet shoes to Japan jumped by a staggering 277 percent from the previous edition. "Made-in-China products are very competitive globally for their good quality offered at better rates, and that comes from China's mature and efficient supply chain system," said Pan. (Reporting by Yu Aicen, Ma Yujie, Zhang Xuan, Huang Xiao, Zheng Keyi and Wang Junlu; Video reporters: Wang Yiwen and Liu Mingxiang; Video editors: Zheng Xin, Roger Lott, Luo Hui, Yin Le and Jia Xiaotong) A KILDARE barrister is hoping to force an unresolved insurance loophole that saw a client injured in an accident she had zero responsibility for onto the General Election agenda. Rory de Bruir from Kildare town said Dail Eireann had failed to implement anything during the lifetime of this government despite prompting by a former Supreme Court Justice. Five years have elapsed and nothing has been done by legislators, he said. Id hoped that the Green Party with Eamonn Ryan as minister for transport would have helped pass an amendment, but no joy, he added. We are well used to insurance companies publicising fraudulent claims or excessive damages for personal injuries sustained in road traffic accidents, but few people know that insurance companies deny compensation to innocent parties when they plead the defence of inevitable accident. In January 2015 a bus in Kildare town crashed into three cars outside the national school on Bride Street after the driver had a brain haemorrhage. Allianz Insurance subsequently refused Mr de Bruirs client the 30,000 she had been awarded by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) citing the above defence. The barrister appealed the decision but in the circuit court in Naas in November 2019 the insurance giant cited this defence as ruled on by Justice Frank Clarke in 2005. This 2005 case involved an application to sue Dublin Bus by victims following the fatal Wellington Quay bus crash which was rejected, and the judge in Naas agreed. 'Inevitable Accident' In 2005 Justice Clarke was tied by a 1998 precedent which declared that a drivers duty of care to other road users did not include that which he was unaware like the seizure the 2004 driver suffered. Back in 2005 Justice Clarke commented that it was undoubtedly a most unfortunate situation from the point of view of the plaintiffs (the pedestrians hit by the bus) as they were injured through no fault of their own but went on to point out a change in the law is, however a matter for parliament. In his case, Mr De Bruirs client was a local mother sitting in her car outside a local school when an unfortunate passing motorist had a fatal brain aneurysm and crashed into her stationary car. However, despite the former Supreme Court Justice flagging this issue nearly 20 years ago, Mr de Bruir is angry nothing was done about it to change the law in the meantime and says his client suffered substantially because of this lack of action. There were approximately 15 persons, mothers and infant pupils on the pavement ready to cross the road, and had this accident occurred a number of minutes later it is likely that there would have been fatalities or serious injuries to mothers and infants, said Mr de Bruir. Why have our legislators not acted to change this law, and is the minister for transport aware of this defence of 'inevitable accident'? he asked. What is the position of the Road Safety Authority in advising all citizens and road users that they are exposed to suffering injuries in cases where insurance companies plead the defence of 'inevitable accident'? It was an absolute disgrace that an entirely and utterly innocent party is deprived of compensation." Campaigning for change, he added: I believe it essential that all right-thinking persons ask their TD and Senator to indicate their position on this defence of 'inevitable accident', and to take immediate action to have the law amended, by supporting on a cross-party basis a private members bill to abolish the defence of 'inevitable accident' in road traffic accidents. A simple amendment to the Road Traffic Acts abolishing the Defence of 'inevitable accident' in the case of innocent victims in road traffic accidents is what is required, he concluded. It is estimated the daily operating profit of Allianz worldwide to be 1,000 times the amount they tried to deny Mr de Bruirs client. A man in his 50s arrested for questioning over the disappearance and murder of Josephine "Jo Jo" Dullard has been released without charge. Gardai said a search operation is continuing on open ground in Co Wicklow near the border with Kildare. The land is being searched and excavated before a technical and forensic examination is carried out, gardai said. On Tuesday morning, excavation work was under way with two vehicles on site and a large number of people operating in the surrounding fields who appeared to be using metal detectors in a systematic search around the field. Josephine Jo Jo Dullard went missing on November 9th, 1995, while on her way home to Callan in Co Kilkenny after socialising in Bruxelles bar on Dublins Harry Street. The 21-year-old missed her last bus to Kilkenny and instead boarded a 10pm bus to Naas, Co Kildare, intending to hitchhike the rest of the way home. She hitched a lift from Naas to the slip road on the M9 motorway at Kilcullen, Co Kildare, and at 11.15pm got another lift to Moone. There, Ms Dullard called her friend Mary Cullinan at 11.37pm from a phone box. During that call, Ms Dullard told Ms Cullinan that a car had stopped for her and she was going to take the lift. This was the last known interaction with Ms Dullard. Gardai launched a fresh appeal from her sister Kathleen Bergin on Saturday to mark the 29th anniversary of the young womans disappearance. Ms Bergin appealed to anyone with knowledge to help bring her home. The arrest and search operation is being led by the investigation team from Kildare Division Serious Crime Unit and the Serious Crime Review Team at the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. An Garda Siochana has also appealed to anyone with any information to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884 300 or any Garda station. Those who wish to provide information confidentially can contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Excited shoppers gathered on High Street this morning as Kilkenny Citys new Tesco Express was officially opened. Mayor of Kilkenny, Andrew McGuinness cut the ribbon to officially open the store alongside manager Colm Cleary and members of staff. The new Tesco Express employs 19 people and stocks a wide variety of general goods and groceries. It will be a great shopping attraction for our High Street, Mayor McGuinness said. It will increase footfall and bring benefit to other shops nearby. READ NEXT: Kilkenny man humbled by support after finishing demanding fundraising run Its great to see so many local employees and it is a very positive development in Kilkenny City. Wishing staff and management the very best. Store Manager Colm Cleary told Kilkenny Live that he is excited to welcome customers to the new Tesco store. This is a big moment for us in Tesco but particularly here in Kilkenny City, he said. We cant wait to welcome our new customers, and we really look forward to actively engaging with the community. Were really looking forward to meeting local groups and projects who need our support through the Community Fund over the coming months. PICTURE: David Clynch Customers who shop in Tesco Express High Street will be able to help decide how the outlets own cut of the Tesco Community Fund is allocated. Customers can place the blue token they receive at the checkout in the donation box of the local good cause they would most like to support. Then, at the end of the 12 weeks, the number of tokens is counted and up to 2,000 is distributed proportionally between three local good causes. The more tokens a local good cause gets the larger share of the donation they receive. The three good causes currently vying for support are Clara GAA Club, Newpark Close Family Resource Centre and St Johns National School. Last November, Tesco opened their first store in County Kilkenny with their Express outlet in Ferrybank. Until then, Kilkenny was the only county in the Republic of Ireland without a Tesco. Plans are also currently being considered by Kilkenny County Council for a large Tesco outlet on the old mart site in Kilkenny City. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Thirty-eight leading British meetings and events professionals attended the recent Ireland Meets the West End in London recently. The annual B2B event organised by Tourism Ireland in conjunction with Failte Ireland and Tourism NI saw the buyers from Britain meet, and do business with, some 35 tourism businesses from across Ireland, including Lyrath Estate. Tourism Ireland aims to grow international business events i.e., corporate meetings, events and incentive travel business to Ireland. Ireland Meets the West End provided a valuable opportunity for the companies from Ireland to showcase and sell their product and to inspire the British buyers to confirm their corporate meetings and incentive events in Ireland for 2025 and beyond. Around 720 commercial meetings were conducted at the event. Tourism Irelands message is that Ireland offers a winning combination of world-class infrastructure, unique and luxurious accommodation, state-of-the-art venues, spectacular landscapes and the warmest of welcomes and fantastic hospitality, making it an ideal destination for meetings, incentive travel and events of all sizes. David Boyce, Tourism Irelands Head of Business Events and Luxury, said: Tourism Ireland was delighted that so many top British meetings and events professionals took the time to attend our Ireland Meets the West End event and meet our partners from Ireland demonstrating their commitment and interest in Ireland for 2025 and beyond. Business travel is high value and often midweek and off season by its nature, thereby aligning with Tourism Irelands strategy to grow overseas tourism revenue outside of the peak summer season. Meet in Ireland is the official MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) brand for the island of Ireland, comprising Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, who work in partnership to promote the island of Ireland as a leading business events destination. By KTimes Fujita Sayuri, 45, a well-known TV personality in Korea who is a Japanese national, recently shared her experience of becoming a mother through sperm donation abroad four years ago while also addressing common misconceptions about sperm banks. Appearing on the YouTube channel Shilamyeon on Sunday, Sayuri shared details of her experience and said that all sperm donations are priced equally. "Some ask, 'Is sperm from intelligent, handsome and well-educated men more expensive?' But the price is the same," she said. Sayuri clarified that sperm donors do not earn much from the process, receiving only enough to cover transportation costs. Sayuri pointed out that equal pricing prevents the potential for "human trafficking," adding, "All donated sperm is equally valuable, and it's about contributing." However, she said that costs might vary depending on transport and storage processes when receiving sperm from abroad, as each country has different donor requirements based on age and health. Sayuri, who welcomed a son into the world in November 2020 after receiving a donation from a Western donor, revealed that her decision stemmed from a desire to have a child before it was too late. "I was 41, and it felt like my last chance. I really wanted a child," she said. "When I was younger, I didn't consider being a single mother. I thought the ideal would be to marry and have a child with a good partner, but that option wasn't available to me, so I opted for IVF." When asked if she was curious about her son's biological father, Sayuri said, "Yes, I am curious." She added that she has a childhood photo of the donor and noted some similarities between him and her son: "Their eyes are a bit different, but their faces and hair are similar." Challenges as non-Korean Sayuri also shared the challenges she faces as a non-Korean raising her son in Korea. She said that unlike Korean citizens who pay around 200,000 won ($150) per month for daycare, she must pay 600,000 won because of her foreigner status. When host Kim Soo-yong suggested that she consider becoming a Korean citizen, Sayuri humorously replied, "I'd probably fail the citizenship test. I failed the written driver's test 20 times, and my IQ is 84, borderline." In a lighthearted exchange, Kim teased that her score was "higher than expected," to which Sayuri quipped, "Well, it's higher than a dolphin's." According to Statistics Korea's 2023 Birth Statistics, non-marital births in Korea reached a record high last year, making up nearly 5 percent of all births. Out of total newborns, 10,900 were born outside of marriage, representing 4.7 percent. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times. Actor Song Jae-lim, who appeared in the TV series "Moon Embracing the Sun," was found dead at his home Tuesday, police said. He was 39. Song was found dead at his home in Seoul's Seongdong Ward at around 12:30 p.m. by a friend who had plans to have lunch with the actor, according to the police. There were no apparent signs of foul play and a note was found at the scene, they said. The actor's family told Yonhap News Agency they wished to hold a small funeral involving only family members and offered no cause of death. Song debuted in the 2009 film "Actresses" and gained popularity through his role as a warrior loyal to the king in the 2012 drama "Moon Embracing the Sun." He later gained further popularity while appearing in the 2014 reality show "We Got Married." (Yonhap) By Baek Byung-yeul In the late 19th century, Westerners coined the phrase "The Land of the Morning Calm" to describe Korea's 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom, portraying it as a tranquil but stagnant society. Director Park Ri-woong, while filming his new movie "The Land of Morning Calm," noted that the atmosphere in Korea's fishing villages today evokes a similar sense of quiet and inertia, reflecting those long-ago perceptions in an unexpected, modern way. The Korean title of the movie, 'The Morning Sea Gull Is,' is the first line of the nursery rhyme 'Sea.' The English title is 'The Land of Morning Calm,' which was written by a French writer when Joseon was introduced to Europe and I decided on the English title because I thought that a country that was so tranquil had gone through ups and downs and now it's literally a deserted country, the director said at a press conference, Tuesday. Park, who left a strong impression on movie fans with his 2022 film "The Girl on a Bulldozer," turns his focus to the struggles of a desolate fishing village in his latest feature, offering a raw look into the lives of its residents. Read More Indie films fill void in Novembers slow movie season In this film, the young fisherman Yong-soo (played by Park Jong-hwan) grows weary of his monotonous life and hatches a desperate plan. He decides to stage his own death by drowning to claim life insurance, intending to escape to Vietnam, his wifes homeland. He dreams of a fresh start there, taking along his wife and his elderly mother (portrayed by Yang Hee-kyung). Only an old captain (Yoon Joo-sang) knows of this absurd plan and helps with the staged death, but unexpected events continue to occur, derailing the young fisherman's plan. In "The Land of Morning Calm," the serene visuals of the fishing village, with residents tirelessly casting their nets against the deep blue sea, contrast starkly with the underlying struggles the film reveals. Throughout its two-hour runtime, it peels back layers of hardship and despair, painting a raw portrait of life in these coastal communities where dreams are often at odds with grim realities. The film unflinchingly portrays the lives of Vietnamese women married to local fishermen, who face isolation and struggle for acceptance within the tight-knit community. It also highlights the struggles of aging residents, whose quality of life diminishes amid a shrinking, stagnant population, underscoring the villages slow decline and the challenges born from its resistance to change. By shedding light on the often-overlooked realities of life in Korean fishing villages, this film garnered considerable attention at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in October. It received three awards: the prestigious New Currents Award, the KB New Currents Audience Award, and the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Award. However, Park, the director, said his film is actually a toned-down version of the real conditions he witnessed in fishing villages. "I researched people living in fishing villages while writing and filming this movie. I think what I showed in the film might be a more subdued version of the reality I felt there. The reality is far more serious," the director said. Nevertheless, what gives this film its powerful sense of realism is the performance of 75-year-old veteran actor Yoon. He portrays, with remarkable subtlety, an old captain who goes fishing every day while carrying the deep pain of losing his daughter, who had longed to escape the confines of the fishing village. Jung Han-seok, a programmer of BIFF, praised Yoon's acting, saying, "Park Ri-woong's discovery of Yoon Joo-sang is as fresh as Bong Joon-ho's discovery of Byun Hee-bong." "I acted to show old captain Yeong-gook's daily life like a documentary. I thought about what Yeong-gook's goals might be and I think this character is just living life. Even now, if you go to any fishing village on the east coast, you might find an old captain like him, not fully recovered from yesterdays drinking, but still going about his daily routine," Yoon said. Yang, another veteran actor, portrayed the young fisherman's mother, embodying a familiar maternal figure seen throughout Korea. The director shared that he only considered Yang for the role, and she expertly brought to life a character who was both warm and resilient, capturing the essence of a mothers love and strength. "I played a mother who lives trusting her only son. I played a mother you can see anywhere, who laughs when her son laughs and cries when her son cries," Yang said. She added that not only young people but also older people might find enjoyment in comparing their own reality through this film. The Land of Morning Calm will be hit local theaters on Nov. 27. Ad video garners over 6 million views; criticism in Korea over potential intellectual property infringement By KTimes The Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) expressed concerns that the name of Indonesian instant noodle brand Indomies new product, Korean Ramyeon, could mislead local consumers into thinking the noodles are made in Korea. The product, promoted by the popular K-pop group NewJeans, has gained significant attention, amassing over 6 million views on Instagram as of Nov. 12. KIPO said Monday, Its not necessarily problematic for foreign companies to register trademarks in Korean, just as Korean companies can register trademarks in English. However, there is a considerable risk that Indonesian consumers could mistake Korean Ramyeon for a Korean product. This response came after a recent complaint was filed by a Korean netizen through a public petition, alleging that the product infringes on Koreas intellectual property rights. Indonesia's largest noodle manufacturer, Indomie, introduced Korean Ramyeon with three flavor varieties on Oct. 31, appointing NewJeans as brand ambassadors. The packaging prominently displays the name Korean Ramyeon in Korean characters, with the term Ramyeon written in the Korean pronunciation rather than the Japanese Ramen. In the advertisement, NewJeans members hold up the noodles, saying in Korean, Its so delicious! a phrase that may lead consumers to believe the product is genuinely Korean. Its currently unclear whether Korean Ramyeon has been registered as a trademark with the Indonesian Intellectual Property Office," KIPO said. "Determining whether this qualifies as an intellectual property infringement would require a more in-depth review. The Korean government plans to discuss this issue with Indonesian authorities in future bilateral meetings, hoping to reach a solution. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. By Yi Whan-woo Securities firms are rushing to attract wealthy investors following a decision by the government and rival parties to scrap a controversial scheme that aimed to impose taxes on incomes generated from financial investments. The financial investment income tax was aimed at levying a 20 percent tax on capital gains of more than 50 million won ($35,600) from stock investments and a 25 percent tax on profits surpassing 300 million won. Large and influential investors were believed to be the main targets if the taxes took effect as scheduled in January 2025. The plan faced heavy resistance over fears of the potential exit of these investors from the stock market by the end of 2024 to avoid taxation and subsequent negative impact on the market. With the risk gone, Daishin Securities, Yuanta Securities, Korea Investment & Securities and other brokerage houses have been opening retail branches and conferences exclusively for wealthy investors. Daishin Securities merged its three wealth management centers in southern Seouls affluent Gangnam District to better take care of VIPs. These VIPS will be offered tailor-made services in a range of investments, including stock and real estate, the company said. Yuanta Securities began offering consulting services for wealthy customers who are interested in investing in property and other forms of assets in the United States. Korea Investment & Securities hosted a conference for wealthy families whose financial assets exceed 10 billion won. Concerns over infringement of management rights along with legal flaws to be key points of contention By Jun Ji-hye Discussions on revising the Commercial Act to be more favorable to shareholders are expected to intensify at the upcoming year-end regular session of the National Assembly, as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pushes to pass the amendment before the end of the year. The DPK is pushing to revise the Commercial Act to expand corporate directors' duty of loyalty to include shareholders, a move aimed at shielding minority shareholders from what it describes as unfair practices by companies run by large, family-owned business conglomerates whose stocks are publicly traded. However, the business community, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the government are wary that the revision could leave Korean companies vulnerable to attempts to wrest control of their management. Nevertheless, the DPK's determination to pass the amendment, even if it means using its parliamentary majority, is poised to ignite political conflict. The DPK argues that the revision will help boost the value of local businesses by addressing the harm inflicted on minority shareholders during corporate spin-offs and mergers, which are often used to solidify the shareholding of the owner family. The party views this as a major factor behind the so-called "Korea discount." However, businesses are expressing concerns that expanding directors' duty of loyalty may not stimulate the stock market but could instead hinder corporate management by decentralizing the command structure, potentially doing more harm than good. Both the government and the ruling party are cautious about revising the Commercial Act and are instead focusing more on amending the Capital Market Act as a way to better protect minority shareholders. The ruling party claims that amending the Capital Market Act is more effective in protecting minority shareholders because it directly targets publicly listed companies, implementing stricter regulations and stronger enforcement mechanisms under the Financial Services Commission's oversight. DPK ups pressure DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung emphasized the need for fundamental measures to revitalize the domestic stock market, voicing strong support for a revision to the Commercial Act. We must block unfair internal transactions where profits are transferred to (chaebol) family members by creating subsidiaries and engaging in improper transactions, Lee said during the partys Supreme Council meeting, Nov. 6. It doesnt make sense to allow unfair practices that strip the core assets through the physical division of key businesses. He then announced plans to pass the amendment by the end of the year. The main opposition partys stronger push for the revision is seen as an attempt to appease the backlash from civic groups and liberal supporters following its recent decision to align with the ruling party and the government in abolishing a proposed tax on income gained through financial investments. The DPK claims that expanding corporate directors duty of loyalty to include shareholders by revising the law will prevent boards from making decisions that could harm minority shareholders, such as spinning off and listing core businesses. A prime example of this was a series of listings by Kakao. After the debut of Kakao Games in 2020, the company listed Kakao Bank in August 2021 and Kakao Pay in November of that year. During this period, Kakaos stock price fell by more than 20 percent within just five months. Kakao Pay, in particular, faced backlash when eight executives sold around 440,000 shares acquired through stock options just a month after the company went public, reaping a profit of 87.8 billion won ($62 million). In 2021, SK Chemicals also faced significant shareholder criticism over its corporate restructuring. The company spun off its vaccine business into SK Bioscience, which was later listed, and in December of the same year, it separated its industrial energy supply business to form SK Multi Utility. More recently, controversy arose over the calculation of swap ratios in the planned merger between Doosan Group subsidiaries Doosan Bobcat and Doosan Robotics. In order to push ahead with the law amendment, the DPK established an eight-member task force. DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae did not rule out the possibility of unilaterally passing the amendment if the government and the PPP oppose it. We are determined to see it through and will demonstrate it through clear actions, Park said. Controversy and opposition Experts point out that requiring directors, who are entrusted with authority through a contract with the company, to act in the interests of shareholders does not align with the existing legal framework. Adding the concept of shareholders' interests to directors' duties, which already have well-established precedents and practical standards, could create significant confusion in corporate management, said Kim Kyung-chun, an attorney at Lee & Ko. Professor Chun Kyung-hoon of Seoul National University School of Law echoed a similar view. Shareholders are not in a contractual relationship with directors, so they cannot be the object of duty of loyalty, he said. On behalf of the business community, which strongly opposes the DPKs proposal, Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation, a prominent business lobby group, said during a meeting with the DPK chairman on Monday, Expanding directors duty of loyalty to include shareholders could potentially stifle normal business operations. The Federation of Korean Industries, another business lobby group, surveyed professors specializing in commercial law at law schools and law departments nationwide last September and found that 62.6 percent of the 99 respondents opposed the amendment, with 65.7 percent of them believing the proposed revision would negatively impact corporate management. The governing party appears to align with the business community. Rep. Kim Sang-hoon, the partys policy chief, emphasized that shareholders encompass a range of entities, including institutional investors, foreign private equity funds (PEFs) and minority shareholders. The DPKs bill has a potential issue of infringing on management rights, and in such cases, there are concerns as to whether the interests of minority shareholders can be fully protected, he said during a press conference on Sunday. Earlier, he also argued that defining the duty of loyalty to serve the interests of shareholders is inherently contradictory and poses a significant risk of corporate management rights being infringed upon by aggressive hedge funds, such as PEFs. The government, for its part, is adopting a cautious stance but acknowledges the need to enhance the transparency of governance and decision-making processes within companies to protect minority shareholders and increase corporate value. Both Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Kim Byoung-hwan vowed to present a relevant proposal within this year, but did not elaborate on details. During a press briefing for foreign correspondents in Seoul on Monday, FSC Vice Chairman Kim So-young echoed this sentiment, saying, There is agreement on the need to improve corporate governance in relation to the advancement of the capital market. However, discussions are still ongoing about the best approach to achieve this, whether the amendment to the Commercial Act is necessary, or if there are other potential solutions. The government and the ruling party appear to be focusing more on amending the Capital Market Act rather than the Commercial Act, believing that the controversy over the unfair treatment of minority shareholders during major corporations' business restructuring can be addressed by making a more targeted revision in that area. If there is an opportunity to communicate with the opposition party, we could discuss ways to protect shareholder interests in corporate M&As through the Capital Market Act, the PPPs Kim said. A conference opened in Seoul on Tuesday to commemorate the 30th anniversary of a bill enacted to attract private investment in social overhead capital (SOC) projects. The two-day event, co-hosted by the finance ministry and the Korea Development Institute, a state-run think tank, was held at a hotel in Seoul to celebrate the enactment of the Act on Promotion of Private Capital in Social Overhead Capital Facilities, which was introduced in 1994. Over the past 30 years, 853 SOC projects led by the private sector have been initiated in areas such as highways and railroads, totaling 146 trillion won ($103.7 billion), the ministry said. "While private investment in the past 30 years has primarily supported economic growth through large-scale transportation infrastructure, like roads and railways, the next 30 years will focus on dynamic, innovation-driven growth led by the private sector," Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said in his opening remarks. The conference brings together a total of 300 participants from government, academia and international organizations, including high-level officials and ambassadors from around 30 countries, according to the ministry. The participants will discuss challenges and future directions for the private investment system, the ministry said. (Yonhap) By Jung Da-hyun Hiking in Seoul is attracting an increasing number of foreign visitors, with 17,600 of the 40,000 visitors to Seoul Hiking Tourism Centers being international tourists approximately one in three according to the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), Monday. These centers aim to support hikers with services like equipment rental, luggage storage, changing facilities and detailed guidance on Seouls mountain trails. The centers also offer various programs tailored to enhance the hiking experiences of visitors. Currently, three Seoul Hiking Tourism Centers are in operation, located near Mount Bukhan, Mount Bugak and Mount Gwanak. The first center, opened in 2022 near Mount Bukhan in Gangbuk District, reflects the challenging terrain of Seouls only national park. Known for its steep mountain paths, the areas center is equipped with a wide array of safety gear, including crampons and hiking sticks, to support safe hiking. This year alone, more than 1,300 items have been rented out to hikers. The second hiking center, located near Mount Bugak in Samcheong-dong in central Seoul's Jongno District, began trial operations last November before officially opening in April. The center is built in a "hanok" style (a traditional Korean house) and offers visitors a unique urban hiking experience with scenic views of nearby Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbok Palace, along with options for short hikes and picnics. The center also hosts a monthly program designed for foreign visitors. This program includes cultural and hiking experiences through activities such as calligraphy, soap-making with Mount Bugak motifs and brewing "makgeolli," Koreas traditional rice alcoholic beverage. A center near Mount Gwanak has been in pilot operation since Nov. 1 and has quickly become one of the most popular destinations for hikers. Within its first week, the center attracted over 3,000 visitors, including both locals and tourists. The center also offers a variety of hiking programs specifically designed for international visitors. Group tours tailored for foreign tourists, companies and travel agencies are also on the rise. This year, 230 participants from 40 countries joined tour programs, exploring Seouls mountains and discovering the citys outdoor attractions. "The mountains in Seoul are accessible and easy to climb, making hiking tourism a new trend among foreign visitors," said Kil Ki-yon, head of the STO. "We plan to help more international tourists fully experience Seouls iconic mountains by providing them with K-climbing information and services at the Seoul Hiking Tourism Centers." North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has signed off a defense pact with Russia, the North's state media reported Tuesday, as Pyongyang sent its troops to Russia in support of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The treaty on "comprehensive strategic partnership" between North Korea and Russia was ratified the previous day as a decree from the North Korean leader, the North's Korean Central News Agency reported. The report noted that the treaty will take effect from the day both sides exchanged ratification instruments. Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the treaty in Pyongyang in June, which includes a provision committing both nations to mutual military assistance in the event of an attack on either side. Russia's news agency TASS has reported that Putin signed the pact on Saturday (local time). North Korea's Rodong Sinmun daily covered Putin's treaty ratification on Tuesday, in what appears to be a demonstration of the growing closeness between the two countries. Since the treaty was forged in June, North Korea and Russia have elevated their military partnership to new heights. The United States has confirmed that as many as 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia's western front-line Kursk region with the possibility of engaging in combat against Ukrainian forces. The recent finalization of the mutual defense treaty by both North Korea and Russia raises speculation that North Korean troops might soon begin combat engagement in earnest. Concerning the KCNA report, an official at South Korea's unification ministry said that North Korea and Russia have completed all ratification procedures for their treaty, pending the formal exchange of ratification instruments. "Exchanging ratification instruments can be done through embassies, or high-level officials may visit for an exchange ceremony," the official said on condition of anonymity. The official also noted that Pyongyang and Moscow might have timed their treaty ratification based on various factors, including the United States presidential election, raising the possibility that the countries could link the new treaty to the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia. In a recent TASS report, Putin mentioned the possibility of the two countries holding joint military exercises, suggesting a further deepening of their military cooperation. (Yonhap) " " You'd probably be terrified to stumble across this image on a wintertime hike, but there are actually wildcats way more dangerous than this mountain lion. Thankfully, the vast majority of them don't attack humans unless threatened. Ibrahim Suha Derbent / Getty Images What's the difference between a purring feline on your lap and the most dangerous cat in the world? Whether large or small, the skilled hunters on this list capable of taking down prey and sometimes they come into contact with humans, resulting in fatal or serious injuries. From the most famous big cats of Africa to smaller but equally deadly species, these wild animals demand respect. Here, we've ranked the felines by the number of recorded fatalities and injuries. Advertisement These wild cats, both large and small, can be solitary animals or live in prides, but one thing is certain: They all possess the instincts of top-tier predators. Documents give rare insight into NKs attempts to subvert obligation on human rights By Kwak Yeon-soo According to documents obtained by the Ministry of Unification, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was broadly involved in directing the country's response to international criticism of its human rights situation, viewing it as a threat to his regime. The documents released Tuesday, dating from 2016 to 2023, were provided by Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor of political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba who defected to South Korea in November last year. They showed diplomatic cables exchanged between the North Korean Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions to the United Nations in New York and the U.N. office in Geneva. "There were about 12 diplomatic cables on human rights issues. If you look at the full text, you can see how sensitive Kim Jong-un is to the international criticism of his regimes human rights record," a senior ministry official said on condition of anonymity. "There were occasions when he ordered specific measures to deflect attention from North Koreas human rights violations and subvert international obligation on human rights." According to the documents, Kim ordered then-North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong to boycott any high-level panel discussions on North Korean human rights issues at the 31st regular session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in March 2016 in protest of the panel singling out Pyongyangs human rights issues. In November 2016, Kim ordered a then-North Korean representative to leave the room after making a statement rejecting the adoption of a North Korean human rights resolution at the Third Committee of the 71st session of the U.N. General Assembly. North Korea claims there wasnt a consensus on North Korean human rights because the U.N. Human Rights Council adopted the resolution without a vote. But the fact that there was no need to vote reflects that members of the international community agree on the issues regarding North Korean human rights, the official added. Since 2017, North Korea has become more resolute in preventing discussions on human rights issues, calling it a vicious plot that causes damage to the supreme dignity, according to the ministry. Kim issued an order to carry out campaigns to expose the "falsity" of North Korean defectors' testimonies and threatened to ruin their reputations so they lose social credibility. I believe North Korea has become more sensitive to defectors testimonies after Tae Yong-ho, former North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain, fled to the South in 2016, the official said. At the International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights in Geneva last month, Ri talked about Kims efforts to block the international communitys human rights offensive. During the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group of North Koreas human rights practices, South Korea pressured North Korea to address the issue of enforced disappearance, condemned the implementation of the so-called "three evil laws," which include the Law on Rejecting Reactionary Thought and Culture (2020), the Youth Education Guarantee Law (2021) and the Law on Protecting the Pyongyang Cultural Language (2023), all aimed at suppressing residents, and urged the repressive country to protect women and girls from sexual violence and human trafficking. At the UPR session, for the first time, North Korea admitted to carrying out public executions, a form of punishment widely criticized by the international community as a human rights violation, and acknowledged its use of re-education centers for those who commit anti-state crimes. International attention to North Korea's human rights abuses has had a perceptible effect in raising awareness of human rights among the country's general public, a former North Korean diplomat said Tuesday, calling for sustained global efforts on the issue. Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor for political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba who defected to South Korea last year, made the point during a discussion at the 2024 Global Dialogue on Korean Peninsula Unification, co-hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council and Yonhap News Agency. "Since the 1990s, the human rights situation in North Korea has significantly changed," Ri said, citing the impact from international efforts to press North Korea to improve its human rights condition, as well as the inflow of outside information. "Before that time, the term 'human rights' was unknown to North Koreans, but now they are familiar with the concept to the extent that some even blurt out 'Isn't this a human rights violation?'" he told the session. Since 1995, the North Korean regime has somewhat changed its attitude to human rights issues due to international pressure, but the fundamental human rights situation in the North has still not improved, Ri noted. "(Such an attitude change) is merely a strategy to deflect criticism and pressure from the international community regarding human rights violations," he said, stressing the need to continue sending propaganda leaflets into North Korea and to win over North Koreans dispatched overseas. (Yonhap) The United States confirmed Tuesday that North Korean troops, who have been deployed to Russia's western front-line Kursk region, have begun engaging in combat operations against Ukrainian forces. Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department, made the remarks amid growing concerns that the North's troop deployment could expand Moscow's protracted war in Ukraine with security implications for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. "We are incredibly concerned by Russia's decision to turn to the DPRK to supply soldiers to continue their brutal war against Ukraine," Patel told a press briefing. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "Today, I can confirm that over 10,000 DPRK soldiers have been sent to eastern Russia, and most of them have moved to far western Kursk Oblast, where they have begun engaging in combat operations with Russian forces," he added. Patel noted that Russian forces have been training North Korean troops in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing operations, which he said are "critical" skills for frontline operations. But he stressed that Russia's battlefield success using North Korean troops will in large part be dictated by how well Russia can integrate them into their military. "Some of the challenges they would need to overcome are interoperability, the language barrier, command and control and communications," Patel said. "The United States is consulting closely with our allies and partners in other countries in the region on the implications of this, on these development." The North's troop deployment will likely be a topic to be discussed when Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss support for Ukraine with his counterparts at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Union, according to Patel. The U.S.' confirmation on the North Korean troops' entry into combat came as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un finalized the domestic ratification procedure for the "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty with Russia in a telltale sign of deepening military cooperation between the two countries. Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the treaty during their summit in Pyongyang in June. The treaty includes a mutual defense clause in what is seen as a revival of the two countries' Cold War-era military alliance. (Yonhap) The chief of a global initiative tasked with providing affordable treatments to low-and-middle income nations has said that South Korea's effective handling of COVID-19 can offer valuable lessons for the world in addressing future pandemics and existing diseases. "Korea managed the pandemic in the best way in the world," Unitaid Executive Director Philippe Duneton said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency, noting that the country has shown "discipline and communication," as well as "collective intelligence and responsibility." Duneton was visiting South Korea to take part in the World Bio Summit, co-hosted by the health ministry and the World Health Organization in the country's western port city of Incheon, under the theme of "Future investments for a healthy and secure decade." "I think what was really impressive about the Republic of Korea is that it is one of the rare countries in the world that did not undergo a total shutdown," Duneton said, referring to South Korea by its official name. "We will use this learning even outside a pandemic situation because we have to fight HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases," he added. Unitaid, established in 2006, works to provide pharmaceutical support to developing nations, targeting major diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. South Korea, a major donor to the organization, has contributed a total of US$95 million as of the end of 2023 and has served as a member of the executive board since its establishment. During the interview, Duneton emphasized that Unitaid seeks to expand its cooperation with South Korea, as the country's top-notch competitiveness in the production of biosimilar products can help advance its vision of ensuring affordable and accessible treatments for countries in need. "Korea is the best place because there isn't much capacity elsewhere," Duneton said. "If you want to think about how to simplify processes, increase volume and decrease prices, that's why we are here." Duneton also highlighted South Korea's leadership in diagnostics and rapid test kits, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Korea is a big supporter specifically in the work that we are doing at Unitaid. What we try to do is to have simple products, more easy to take, and more easy to use for people," Duneton said, noting that South Korea can help in supplying easy-to-use test kits globally. Addressing potential cooperation with North Korea in tackling diseases, Duneton said, "It is not an easy time," but noted that Unitaid does not "ask passports" in its mission to provide accessible health care treatments to those in need. "Unitaid has previously supported two projects in North Korea, focusing on pediatric tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis, and is open to future collaboration in partnership with the Republic of Korea stakeholders," he said. "Unitaid is committed to health equity across the Korean Peninsula and supports efforts to improve health outcomes in DPRK when possible," he added. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The executive director stressed that a political commitment is "absolutely essential" in achieving its goal, expressing gratitude to South Korea for supporting its vision. "Rugby is about creating opportunities. You create an opportunity, run with the ball and score. It's the same for public health policies. Politicians can open a space where we can do our work," he added. (Yonhap) Korea's disease control agency on Tuesday confirmed the country's first death from whooping cough, involving an infant, and urged pregnant women, families and caregivers to get vaccinated. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis or the 100-day cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by bacteria. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said the infant, less than two months old, was diagnosed with whooping cough late last month and died last week after experiencing worsening symptoms. It marks the first recorded death caused by whooping cough since the KDCA began compiling related data in 2011. Korea has been experiencing a sharp increase in the number of whooping cough cases, with 30,332 reported as of the first week of November, compared with just 292 cases recorded for all of 2023. Children aged six years or less accounted for 3.3 percent of the total cases. "People in high-risk groups should take extra precautions in light of the country's first whooping cough death," KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee said, adding that the government will also monitor infections among children. Pregnant women are advised to get vaccinated to ensure their newborns are born with immunity against pertussis. Family members, caregivers and health care workers are also strongly recommended to get vaccinated at least two weeks before interacting with infants. (Yonhap) The foreign policy focus of the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Donald Trump "aligns closely" with South Korea's vision of taking responsibilities as a leading country, Seoul's top diplomat said Tuesday. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul made the remark as Seoul is preparing to face the second Trump term following his election win last week, amid a slew of security and economic challenges lying ahead, including North Korea's troop deployment to Russia in support of the war against Ukraine. "President-elect Trump's policy direction emphasizes the importance of allies contributing to security," Cho said in a press conference in Seoul. "This aligns closely with our vision of Korea as a global pivotal state, fulfilling responsibilities that meet our national power and status." Cho said that South Korea and the United States have institutionalized minilateral cooperation with countries like Japan, calling it one of the favorable external conditions that have been created to bolster alliances. "I am confident that the South Korea-U.S. alliance will remain strong and continue to strengthen under a second Trump administration," he said. Cho also noted that the first Trump administration was the first such U.S. government that advanced the Indo-Pacific strategy, a vision that also aligns with the diplomacy under the Yoon Suk Yeol government. "The vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific order and strong alliances emphasized through this strategy aligns considerably with the Yoon government's diplomatic stance," he added. "Our ministry intends to build on these shared policies to enhance cooperation through close policy coordination with a second Trump administration," Cho said. (Yonhap) President Yoon Suk Yeol will travel to Peru and Brazil from Nov. 14-21 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Group of 20 summits, his office said Tuesday. Yoon will visit Peru from Thursday to Saturday to participate in the APEC summit and then travel to Brazil from Sunday to Tuesday for the G20 summit, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo told reporters. On the sidelines of APEC and G20 summits, Yoon is arranging a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, a senior presidential official told reporters. Talks have been also under way to arrange a trilateral summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Ishiba, as well as a separate meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the official said. When asked if Yoon might meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump en route from or to his South America trip, the official replied that close communications have been under way. Yoon said he and Trump agreed to meet at an early date during their phone call last week. (Yonhap) President Yoon Suk Yeol's office has been in communication with aides of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to arrange a meeting during Yoon's upcoming trip to South America, a senior presidential official said Tuesday. Yoon is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru and participate in Group of 20 summits in Brazil from Nov. 14-21. When asked if Yoon might meet with Trump en route to the trips, a senior official said Yoon's office has been in contact with Trump's aides, though no decisions have been made. "(We) have indeed been in close communication with Trump's team," the official told reporters. Yoon said he and Trump agreed to meet at an early date during their phone call last week. Korean officials and lawmakers are increasing their outreach to Trump's inner circle, anticipating potential shifts in trade policies and increased demands for Korea's financial contribution to U.S. troops in the country. (Yonhap) S. Korean president seeks meeting with Trump By Anna J. Park President Yoon Suk Yeol will seek to hold bilateral talks with Japanese and Chinese leaders, as well as a trilateral meeting between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, during his participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Peru and the G20 Summit in Brazil, the presidential office said, Tuesday. The presidential office also said it is in contact with aides to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to arrange a possible meeting with Yoon during the South Korean presidents trip. "The bilateral meeting between South Korea and Japan is actively being coordinated, with a high likelihood of it taking place. Similarly, a summit between South Korea and China is also under discussion, making it highly likely as well," an official from the presidential office said. He added that arrangements are also underway to organize a trilateral meeting among the leaders of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan during this presidential visit to South America, although it has not yet been confirmed. Whether a meeting between Yoon and Trump will take place this time has also drawn significant media attention. The official did not elaborate, saying only that the presidential office is "maintaining close communication with the Trump transition team." In addition to the potential summits, Yoon has a busy, week-long itinerary filled with multilateral diplomatic events. The South Korean president will arrive in Lima, Peru, on Thursday (local time). On Friday, Yoon will begin his schedule at the APEC Summit with an informal dialogue involving member countries as well as non-member states. "During the first session of this APEC Summit, which will be held under the theme of promoting welfare and inclusive growth, the leaders of various countries are expected to discuss cooperative measures for inclusive economic growth and support for vulnerable groups," Kim Tae-hyo, principal deputy national security adviser, said during a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yoon will then participate in a luncheon dialogue with members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and attend the CEO Summit handover ceremony, where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech. Later in the day, Yoon will join the leaders' gala dinner hosted by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte. On Saturday, Yoon will participate in the second session of the APEC Summit, a retreat reserved exclusively for leaders of member states. This session will feature open discussions on APECs role in addressing global challenges, including strategies for inclusive economic growth through digitalization, energy transition, and reducing food waste. At the end of the retreat session, a handover ceremony for the APEC chairmanship will take place, during which Yoon will assume the role from Peru, the current chair. South Korea is set to lead next years APEC, hosting the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, a historic city in the southeastern part of the country. As of 2022, APEC is the worlds largest regional cooperation body, representing 61 percent of global GDP and 45 percent of international trade volume. Following his APEC engagements, the South Korean president will commence his official visit to Peru with a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Lima. After their summit, the two leaders will share the outcomes of their countries' defense industry cooperation at a joint press conference. On Sunday, the South Korean president will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the G20 Summit. This will be Yoon's third appearance at the G20, following the 2022 summit in Bali and last years event in New Delhi. Yoon will attend the G20 Summit meetings from Monday to Tuesday, expressing support for the global coalition to combat hunger and poverty, an initiative led by this years chair, Brazil. The South Korean president will also emphasize the need for stronger global cooperation to address the climate crisis and transition to clean energy. "The president will underscore that a rules-based international order must be upheld above all for a sustainable future for the global community and will emphasize the need for international solidarity regarding the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea," Kim stressed. Meanwhile, Yoon is expected to hold several bilateral talks with the leaders of key South American countries during the APEC and G20 summits. South Korea will make sure that its position is reflected in any process leading to potential dialogue between President-elect Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during Trump's second term in office, a senior Seoul official said Tuesday. The official made the remark as the prospects of another Trump-Kim meeting are gaining traction with Trump's election win last week, which could potentially impact Seoul's diplomacy with Washington and its policy toward the North, amid Pyongyang's growing ties with Russia and its troop support for Moscow's war in Ukraine. "During the first Trump administration, the United States had initially applied 'maximum pressure' on North Korea, so if he seeks to engage North Korea again, he's likely to follow that same approach," a senior foreign ministry official told reporters on background. "However, since it's uncertain whether dialogue will resume at all, and everything is still up in the air, we will consider all possibilities," the official said. Before shifting to dialogue, Trump and Kim had raised tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with Trump warning of "fire and fury," and both of them boasting of having "nuclear buttons" on their desks. But as the flurry of nuclear diplomacy with North Korea later unfolded, Trump and Kim met three times during Trump's first term, although the nuclear talks ended without a deal in early 2019. "What's important is that any dialogue with North Korea should be led by us, and that we ensure that our position is reflected in the process," the official said. Since then, Kim has completely abandoned his engagement policy with the U.S. and vowed to sever ties with the South, while bolstering its nuclear and missile development through its closer alignment with Russia. On the expectations for China to play a role in the North's deployment of its soldiers to Russia, the official said the government intends to continue efforts to get Beijing to engage Pyongyang over the issue. "We believe that China doesn't want to be seen being in the same group as North Korea and Russia ... so we think that these efforts are worthwhile." The recent ratifications of the new defense partnership treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow appear to be related to the North's troop deployment to Russia, the official noted. "It's highly likely that there is a significant connection," he said. "Given that Russia continues its war aggression on Ukraine and North Korea is involved in the war on Russia's side, it is difficult to expect any improvement in our relations with Moscow at this stage," the official added. (Yonhap) S. Korea-US alliance expected to remain robust By Lee Hyo-jin Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul expressed optimism on Tuesday that the South Korea-U.S. alliance will remain solid under the incoming Donald Trump administration, dismissing concerns that the president-elect's "America First" policies could weaken the decades-long partnership. "I am confident that the South Korea-U.S. alliance will remain robust and continue to strengthen under the second Trump administration," Cho said during a press conference. He emphasized that Trump's focus on expanding the roles and security contributions of allies aligns with South Koreas vision of becoming a global pivotal state by fulfilling responsibilities commensurate with its national power. "Additionally, during Trumps first term, the U.S. formally advanced its Indo-Pacific Strategy. The free and open Indo-Pacific order stressed in this strategy closely aligns with the Yoon Suk Yeol administrations diplomatic principles," the foreign minister noted. Cho pledged that his ministry will work to deepen cooperation with the upcoming U.S. administration based on these shared policy goals. His remarks came amid heightened concerns in South Korea regarding Trumps return to the White House. During his first term, bilateral relations were strained due to the U.S. leader's transactional approach to alliances. One key concern is that Trump may attempt to reverse the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA), which outlines South Koreas financial contributions for hosting 28,500 U.S. troops starting in 2026. Although the deal was finalized in October, there are concerns that Trump may seek to nullify the agreement, demanding Seoul to pay more. "To my knowledge, President-elect Trump has not directly commented on the outcome of the 12th SMA negotiations. His recent media remarks though some may be exaggerated reflect his position concerning the 11th SMA negotiations," a foreign ministry official said during a closed-door briefing. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that there is little reason to be overly concerned about Trump pushing for a renegotiation of the deal. However, he noted that once the 12th SMA is ratified by the National Assembly, it would gain legal stability, making it harder to revise under the new U.S. administration. Beyond the bilateral alliance, Trumps return is expected to have significant implications for the security landscape in Northeast Asia. Officials in Seoul and Washington are closely monitoring Pyongyang's military cooperation with Moscow, including the recent deployment of North Korean troops to support Russias invasion of Ukraine. During the presidential campaign, Trump said he could "end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours." His approach could complicate the South Korean government's deliberation on whether to provide weapons to Kyiv, depending on the scale of North Koreas involvement in the conflict. "It is true that President-elect Trump expressed a strong commitment to ending the war within 24 hours during his campaign. However, a war doesnt end with a unilateral decision. There are other parties involved, and the interests of the related countries must be considered," the foreign ministry official said. "At this point, I dont see any urgent need for our government to make drastic policy changes (regarding the war in Ukraine)." Earlier in the day, North Korea announced that its leader Kim Jong-un has formally ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Russia signed in June, just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin did the same. The treaty, which has now officially taken effect, includes a clause on mutual defense in the event of an attack on one of the parties. Regarding this, South Korea's foreign ministry viewed that the ratification of the treaty could be connected with North Korean troop activities in Ukraine. "The North Korea-Russia treaty and its potential link to the deployment of North Korean troops is something we will need to monitor closely. Personally, I believe there is a significant likelihood of such a connection," the official said. "We will respond accordingly, based on our principle that Russia should cease its military cooperation with North Korea and North Korean troops should immediately withdraw from Russia." National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik said Tuesday South Korea is no longer a "one-sided beneficiary" of the bilateral alliance with the United States, vowing to work with the incoming U.S. administration for the denuclearization of North Korea. Shin made the remark during a keynote speech at the 2024 Global Dialogue on Korean Peninsula Unification, co-hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council and Yonhap News Agency. "South Korea is no longer a one-sided beneficiary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance," Shin said. "As a partner with capabilities to contribute to regional and global security and prosperity, South Korea will continue to protect its core interests." Shin said South Korea will seek to maintain a strong security posture through the integrated nuclear deterrence system in close coordination with the new U.S. administration under Donald Trump to counter North Korea's nuclear threats "The government will establish a close cooperation framework with the next U.S. administration to firmly safeguard freedom and peace in South Korea, and we will uphold the goal of complete denuclearization of North Korea," he said. The top security official criticized North Korea's strengthening military cooperation with Russia through a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty, calling it Pyongyang's "worst gamble." According to North Korean state media, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed the treaty, which includes a mutual assistance clause committing both nations to provide military support if either comes under attack. He cautioned against North Korea's receiving sensitive military technologies from Russia in return for its troop deployment in support of the war in Ukraine and gaining modern combat experience. Shin warned of the security risks should North Korea receive sensitive military technology from Russia in exchange for troop support in the Ukraine conflict, which would also allow North Korean forces to gain modern combat experience. "The war between Russia and Ukraine is not a distant conflict but a critical issue for South Korea," he said. (Yonhap) Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, is willing to build the CH-53K chopper in Korea, a company official said Tuesday, as the company aims to win a multibillion-dollar deal to deliver special operations choppers for Korea's military. The remark came as the South's state arms procurement agency is planning to spend 3.7 trillion won ($2.6 billion) to buy heavy-lift special operations choppers from overseas from 2024-31, with reportedly 18 aircraft to be purchased under the plan. Lockheed Martin's CH-53K, along with rival Boeing's CH-47F, are considered the two choppers vying for the deal. "We have every intention of having all 18 aircraft assembled here in Korea," Frank Crisafulli, Director of International and Commercial Strategy and Business Development, at Sikorsky told reporters in Seoul. "And from there, we look to evolve that relationship on the CH-53K, not just from simple assembly and final assembly, but to the next step of how we can work together to build parts for KAI here and also to export those to other countries," Crisafulli said, referring to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Ltd. Stressing that Lockheed Martin has continuously evolved its ties with KAI, the official said his company values the Korean aerospace firm not just for offset requirements but to take the CH-53K to "its full potential" here. In the meeting with reporters, Crisafulli also noted how the Korean arms industry has grown remarkably from the past. "Korea has taken advantage of the technology and paired that with the process to come from simply manufacturing or assembling kits to being a major exporter in the top 10 exporters of the world when it comes to defense technology," he said. When asked about budget issues, given that securing the CH-53K would cost more than the CH-47F, Crisafulli expressed reluctance over potential price negotiations, saying that "more budget would be needed." When delivered, the new fleet of special operations aircraft will replace aging special operations choppers and search-and-rescue helicopters used by the Army and the Air Force. (Yonhap) The remains of Korean independence fighter Lee Ui-gyeong, known for the autobiographical fiction "The Yalu River Flows" that portrays life during Japan's 1910-45 colonization, will return home from Germany this week, 105 years after Lee left the nation, the veterans ministry said Tuesday. Lee's remains are set to arrive at Incheon International Airport on Saturday, following a memorial and send-off ceremony held at Lee's grave site in the southern German municipality of Grafelfing, according to the ministry. A burial ceremony will take place at Daejeon National Cemetery in Daejeon, 140 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sunday, it added. Born in Haeju, in the modern day North Korean province of South Hwanghae, in 1899, Lee joined the independence movement but was later forced into exile in Shanghai in 1919. In 1920, Lee traveled to Germany where he helped raise awareness on the independence movement and published "The Yalu River Flows," which was later carried in German school textbooks. Lee died from stomach cancer in 1950. South Korea has repatriated the remains of independence activists since 1946. Lee's remains will be the 149th to be repatriated, according to the ministry. (Yonhap) The state human rights watchdog recommended Tuesday that the justice ministry inspect "protection rooms" in correctional facilities nationwide after an inmate, placed in one of such rooms for violent behavior, died in March due to suspected neglect. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued the recommendation following its investigation into the death of an inmate in late March while detained in a prison protection room. A prison protection room is a space where inmates are separately accommodated for special attention due to risks of suicide, self-harm or illness. The correction facility in question claimed the inmate was sent to a protection room after showing aggression toward another inmate and injuring an official who was trying to control the inmate's behavior. The watchdog's investigation, however, found that the preliminary medical checkup required for protection room admittance was insufficiently conducted on the inmate and the inmate's call for help from the protection room before his death went unanswered. The watchdog also concluded that the inmate was unnecessarily placed in a protection room, noting the inmate's lack of attempted suicide or self-harm records and the fact that he was about 60 days away from discharge. The NHRC recommended that the justice minister conduct an inspection of prison protection rooms nationwide to prevent a similar death. The commission concluded that the dead inmate's personal liberty and dignity were excessively restricted by the use of three types of physical restraint gear, which should have been applied minimally in limited circumstances. (Yonhap) The identities of four British soldiers, who were anonymously buried at the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan, have been confirmed, and Britain's defense ministry held a dedication ceremony for the tombstones inscribed with their names Tuesday. The four previously unknown soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War are Corporal William Adair, rifleman Mark Foster, Major Patrick Arthur Angier and Sergeant Donald Northey. Adair and Foster lost their lives in January 1951 while performing an operation to cover Seoul citizens retreating south from enemy forces. Angier and Northey, both of the Gloucestershire Regiment, were killed by enemy forces during the Battle of the Imjin River in 1951. It is known that their identities have been confirmed thanks to war researcher Nicola Nash. She reportedly used hundreds of documents, including maps, telegrams, reports and letters, to identify the men, though she had no DNA evidence. Britain sent 81,084 combat troops, the second-largest number after the United States, during the Korean War, and 1,106 of them lost their lives on Korean soil. Still, the identities of 72 British soldiers buried at the Busan cemetery, about 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, remain unknown. The tombstone dedication ceremony was attended by the families and friends of the fallen soldiers, British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks, and defense officials from both countries. (Yonhap) Rights commission suspects pressure caused by equipment may have contributed to convict's demise By Jung Min-ho The National Human Rights Commission of Korea urged a prison warden to minimize the use of restraint devices, saying that excessive use of such equipment could be detrimental to the health of some inmates. In a statement released Tuesday, the commission recommended against using more than two types of equipment simultaneously to gain control of a violent inmate unless absolutely necessary. It also called for the warden in question to strengthen monitoring of the inmates who might seek help for equipment-caused emergencies. This comes after the commissions investigation of one of the nations correctional facilities, where an inmate died in March after being forced to wear a helmet, handcuffs and leg irons after showing aggressive behavior toward another inmate. The cause of his death remains unclear. But the commission said the pressure caused by the devices might have contributed to it, given that he had high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and other underlying health conditions. Given that an autopsy report did not confirm the cause of death, it is difficult to conclude that the use of the protective equipment was the direct cause of his death, the commission said. But the victim was healthy an hour prior to the use of the equipment. Additionally, it was found that many problems may have contributed to his death, such as the simultaneous use of three types of protective devices, failure in monitoring the victim, flawed reasons for putting him in an isolated cell and no device installed there for emergency calls. On March 29, the inmate, scheduled to be released in two months, had a fight with another prisoner. In apparent anger, he tried to use violence against him and accidentally hit the leg of one of the prison guards trying to restrain him. After being handcuffed for 45 minutes, he was returned to his cell. But he was later told by prison officers to put on restraint equipment handcuffs, a helmet and leg irons, all at once for trying to attack the same person. Then, at 4:51 p.m., he was put in a protection room, an isolated place set up for prisoners who need extra attention for the risk of self-harm among other reasons. According to the rights commission, he started to show signs of pain soon after entering the place. He asked for help through the door, only to be ignored. Five minutes later, he passed out, security camera footage showed. However, prison officers did not notice anything serious happening until 5:33 p.m. When he was taken to a nearby hospital, it was too late. The law on treatment of correctional institute inmates stipulates that protective (restraint) equipment should not be used as a means of punishment. As the name suggests, its purpose is protecting the person from harming others or themselves, the rights commission said. It pointed out that he could have survived it if the prison guards had responded earlier. The commission asked the justice ministry to check all emergency call equipment installed at protection rooms of prison facilities nationwide to prevent similar incidents. The head of a North Korean defectors' group was referred to the prosecution Tuesday on charges of sending heavier-than-permitted balloons to the North as part of a leaflet propaganda campaign, police said. Park Sang-hak, the head of Fighters for a Free North Korea, is accused of sending about 10 large balloons carrying some 300,000 anti-Pyongyang leaflets, U.S. dollar bills and USB sticks containing South Korean dramas and songs from the border city of Paju on June 20. Police found the balloons weighed over 3 kilograms, making them "unmanned aerial vehicles." Earlier, the land ministry issued an authoritative interpretation that flying a leaflet-carrying balloon weighing over 2 kg can constitute a violation of the Aviation Safety Act. (Yonhap) Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung's judicial risk is set to hit a watershed in the next two weeks, as a local court will hand down its decisions on two of his four pending criminal cases, political watchers said Tuesday. Depending on the outcome of the court rulings slated for Friday and Nov. 25, the political life of the chair of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) could be endangered, the watchers said. On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court will make its judgment on his charges of violating the election law by making false statements during the previous presidential election campaign. Lee was indicted in September 2022 on charges of lying during the presidential campaign about a high-profile land development project pursued by the Seongnam city government, south of Seoul, during his term as mayor. During the previous hearing, prosecutors demanded a two-year prison sentence for him. If given a finalized sentence of a 1 million-won (about $715) fine or more for violating the Public Official Election Act, Lee loses his parliamentary seat and will be barred from running for the next presidential election slated for 2027. In that case, the DPK will also have to return about 43.4 billion won received from the state coffers as presidential election expenses. In consideration of the importance of the case, lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party and others have asked the court to allow a live broadcast of Lee's sentencing trial, but the final decision has not been made yet. On Nov. 25, the same court will rule on Lee's indictment on charges of suborning a former Seongnam mayoral secretary to make false court testimony in his favor in 2018. Lee was indicted last year for demanding a secretary of former Seongnam Mayor Kim Byung-ryang to give false testimony in a 2018 election law violation case involving him. Prosecutors demanded a three-year prison term for him in the previous hearing. The case is also expected to affect Lee's political life, as he will lose his National Assembly seat and be barred from running for public office for the next five years, if a sentence heavier than imprisonment without forced labor, including a suspended one, is finalized. Besides the two cases, Lee is now standing trial in connection with alleged bribery and other charges related to a high-profile property development corruption scandal in Seongnam and an illegal cash transfer of $8 million to North Korea by Ssangbangwool Group between 2019 and 2020. Lee's wife, Kim Hye-kyung, is also awaiting an important ruling from a court this week. On Thursday, the Suwon District Court in Suwon, south of Seoul, will hand down its verdict for Kim, indicted on charges of providing free meals to several people ahead of the 2021 party convention to pick the DP's presidential candidate. She was indicted for providing meals worth 104,000 won to the wives of three former and current party lawmakers, and three of her aides at a restaurant in Seoul in August 2021, shortly after Lee declared his bid for the election to pick the party's candidate for the 2022 presidential race. Prosecutors demanded a fine of 3 million won for Kim in her previous hearing. (Yonhap) The ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday criticized the main opposition party's latest move to submit a scaled-down special investigation bill targeting first lady Kim Keon Hee, calling it an attempt to drive division within the ruling party. On Monday, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said it will submit a revised proposal for a special counsel probe into two key allegations involving the first lady alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and interference in election nominations through a power broker. The scaling back from its previous unsuccessful bills, which encompassed a much broader range of allegations against Kim, was seen as an attempt to gain support within the ruling party and to increase the chances of the bill's passage through a revote. PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho slammed the move as "very base political conduct ... meant to foment division within a rival party" during a party meeting, pledging to block its passage. PPP lawmakers aligned with party leader Han Dong-hoon who have previously intensified calls for a special counsel probe bill against Kim also joined other party lawmakers in objecting to the DPK's push, saying the appointment of a special inspector should come first. This comes ahead of a crucial court ruling for DPK leader Lee Jae-myung on Friday for his alleged violation of the election law. The PPP views the DPK's move to revise the bill ahead of Lee's court ruling as a move to create a rift between pro-Han lawmakers and those aligned with Yoon, who have been at odds over the issue. The DPK plans to put the bill up for a revote on Nov. 28 if Yoon vetoes the bill. This will be the third version of the bill targeting the first lady following a similar proposal vetoed by Yoon last month, which was ultimately scrapped in a revote. (Yonhap) By Esther Kim The morning after the election results, the front page of the satirical paper The Onion read, "America Defeats America In a historic outcome that promised to halt the rising scourge of the United States in its tracks, America has defeated America at the ballot box." Now, in remote Vermont at a residency, I felt numbed. A close friend in Manhattan, who works as a preschool teacher, texted, "[People] mostly look like they got hit by a bus." Eight years prior, after Trump got elected, I sobbed on two hours sleep, walked into my office on Fifth Avenue and sat with stricken coworkers. After 5 p.m., we went directly to Union Square to march north on Fifth, shouting "Not My President" at Trump Tower and Black Lives Matter chants with the honking yellow cabs. By contrast, the mood in the artists dining hall was subdued. What towers? The trees outnumber the humans here. Over breakfast, one painter from Maine said she found another artist weeping by the breakfast nook. One of her kids was a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which stemmed the deportation of children without documents and provided a pathway to citizenship for them. Under the Trump regime, family separation may happen. What was going to happen to their child? Could they be deported? The painter hugged the other and simply listened. Over beers, the artist-activist from Guatemala said he had seen this happen in his own country. Over yogurt bowls, a senior painter said, people voted for Hitler in Germany. We thought it could not happen again. It couldnt happen here. Now look. I mostly listened. As far as I could see, American democracy is still a very young and deeply idealistic experiment. People vote for authoritarians, and then they vote for authoritarians. I felt compelled to search for the next protest march on Washington. Circled the date: Jan. 18, 2025. The Peoples March will precede the inauguration by two days. The five stages of grief are said to be denial, bargaining, anger, grief and acceptance. Perhaps fear could be added. Im afraid for my family, who work in medicine, and how hostile patients will become. But its undeniably beautiful here where I am in remote Johnson, Vermont. This place only affirms how the United States is vast and decentralized. A long-disused grain mill like so many across the country, this red-painted mill now serves as the heart of the Vermont Studio Center. Guided by Buddhist principles, and the philosophy of "artists serving artists," three white artists started this international artists and writers residency program 40 years ago in 1984. Today, approximately 30 artists and writers from vastly different walks of life gather here for each residency session, thanks to the Gihon River. Im indebted to the founders values and this community during what Vermonters call "stick season." Bare of their flame-red leaves, only the trees' sticks are visible. The surrounding mountains, Butternut and Sterling, turn from brown to burnt umber at sunset. I spotted a great blue heron, wading in the river, for the first time and waved over a young artist/printmaker from Beijing. The heron stood, sunbathing, in the falls framed by red wooden slats and the Tibetan prayer flags. Its blue-gray feathers matched our writers' studio, Maverick House. The heron may represent patience and good luck. My predictions about this election were wrong. I did not foresee that Donald Trump would win the popular vote: 74.8 million. The poet bartender from New York City pointed out that 100 million did not vote. Why and how did they sit this out? A painter from California, who lived outside L.A., said she wasnt shocked by the result. Living near big agriculture and military bases in traditionally Democrat California, she counted people on the opposite side of the political spectrum as her neighbors. Californians voted for Trump due to gas prices. They werent thinking about democracy, she said. Im inclined to believe her. Rent and groceries are expensive, and the Democrats failed to address the concerns of working people. A former skateboarder turned sculptor, whod witnessed the complete leveling of his Asheville studio in North Carolina by the hurricane, distrusted the government, but hed voted for Harris. Trump was a liar. People were getting more ignorant. He said, I have a skater mentality, and I dont know any who support Trump. Countless post-mortems analyze and debate how the Democrats lost this one so badly. Theres plenty of blame to go around. Joe Bidens arrogance has cost us. Pundits call him "Genocide Joe." In truth, he was meant to be our pandemic president one term to cement his legacy. The massive infrastructure bill (IRA) will lift communities slowly; as new airports, highways and bridges are built, transportation costs may fall. Republicans will take the credit. Billionaires who will gamble away our homes, our habitat and earth won. CNN reported that the "top 10 richest people gained $64 billion from Trump's reelection." They will defund public and civic education. From now on, I urge people to memorize the names of the robber barons: Teslas Elon Musk, Amazons Jeff Bezos and Chevrons Mike Wirth. Join unions, and invest in people. On the night of the election, we gathered in the Red Mill and shared our art, poems, videos and paintings. The visual arts director, an artist with a father from Lebanon, read aloud from the Tao Te Ching, "Act without doing;/ Work without effort./ Think of the small as the large / And the few as many. / Confront the difficult / While it is still easy; / Accomplish the great task / By a series of small acts." Esther Kim is a writer from New York living in Taiwan. She is working on her first book. Partisan clashes, political risks spill over Street rallies and demonstrations have played a vital role in shaping Korea's democracy, taking on diverse forms over the years. At key moments, such as the broad-based democratic movement of 1987 and the candlelight protests in 2016 calling for former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment, these protests were instrumental. Sometimes they were peaceful. Other times, they involved violence. Yet, they have consistently provided a platform for even the smallest voices to express their opinions and influence the political landscape. Public frustration has not eased following President Yoon Suk Yeol's press conference on Nov. 7, where he addressed the ongoing scandals involving the first couple, particularly first lady Kim Keon Hee. While his apology was acknowledged as sincere, his direct and forceful remarks were met with disapproval. On Nov. 9, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), joined by four smaller parties, held a rally at Seoul City Hall, urging the public to demand a special counsel investigation into the first lady. The nation's two umbrella labor groups -- Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) -- also took to the streets on Nov. 9. The KCTU has directly called for the president to step down, with some of its members getting arrested during the protests. Meanwhile, the FKTU has voiced opposition to the Yoon administrations labor reform efforts. In addition to these rallies, professors from Gachon University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Hanyang University, and others have joined the movement, urging the president to step down in the name of democracy. The president, his ruling party, and the administration must take these voices seriously. Following the controversial press conference, the presidential office announced that the first couple will no longer use personal phones for official matters, and a second office to manage first lady's affairs is being established. Additionally, the first lady is expected to refrain from attending official events, at least until the end of the year. The president should act swiftly to appoint a special inspector recommended by the National Assembly to investigate potential corruption involving his family or relatives. With approval ratings falling below 20 percent at one point, Yoon faces serious challenges. The numbers suggest the administration may be losing or may soon lose its legitimacy in the eyes of voters. The administration must not only work to improve approval ratings, but also demonstrate its commitment to serving voters. To achieve this, it should engage with opposing forces, including the DPK. Opposition lawmakers are reportedly drafting a third bill to launch a special counsel investigation into the first lady, focusing on the series of scandals involving alleged stock-price manipulation and interference in the 2022 by-election nominations. This third bill is expected to be narrower in scope, potentially drawing defector votes from the ruling People Power Party (PPP). With 108 seats compared to the DPKs 170, any defection from the PPP could help push the special counsel probe forward, after the president vetoed the two previous bills. Another beleaguered leader is Rep. Lee Jae-myung of the DPK, who faces verdicts in two trials on Nov. 15 and 25, accused of violating election laws and encouraging perjury. As a potential candidate for the 2027 presidential election, the outcome of these trials could significantly impact Lees political future. He must ensure that the publics calls, outside the National Assembly and on the streets, are genuine expressions of discontent that the DPK is addressing on behalf of the people, rather than an attempt to shield himself. While free expression is a cornerstone of democracy, the nation also has official channels and systems for resolving disputes. The real issue arises when public trust in these institutions begins to erode. Both the PPP and the DPK must work in the coming days to restore public confidence. With more rallies expected through the end of the year, the domestic political situation remains unstable and precarious, while the international landscape grows even more volatile. Hanwha Ocean wins 2nd MRO order from US Navy By Nam Hyun-woo The stock prices of Hanwha Group's affiliates are rallying, sparked by positive outlooks on the shipbuilding, cryptocurrency and space industries, driven by expectations of a second Donald Trump presidency in the United States. According to the Korea Exchange, shipbuilding unit Hanwha Ocean soared 34.17 percent from 27,800 won on Nov. 6 to 37,300 won on Monday. It closed at 36,800 won on Tuesday, down 1.34 percent from a session earlier, as the benchmark KOSPI and secondary Kosdaq both ended weaker, down 1.94 percent and 2.51 percent, respectively. On Nov. 7, Hanwha Ocean achieved a 21.76 percent jump after the Korean presidential office announced that Trump told President Yoon Suk Yeol about the need for a close cooperation with Korea in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of ships, as well as in ship exports. Hanwha Ocean announced on Tuesday it won orders for repairing the USNS Yukon, a replenishment oiler serving in the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Under the order, Hanwha Ocean will repair the 31,000-ton displacement vessel by next April. It is the second order that Hanwha Ocean won as part of its master ship repair agreement for MRO with the U.S. Navy. After signing it in July, Hanwha in August secured its first order to overhaul the USNS Wally Schirra, a 40,000-ton replenishment vessel. Last month, Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan invited Adm. Steve Koehler, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, to the companys shipyard on Geoje Island in South Gyeongsang Province, and the commander noted that Hanwha Oceans MRO projects mark an important advancement for the Korea-U.S. alliance. Hanwha Ocean said it is encouraging that Trump is showing an unusual level of support for Koreas marine defense sector, as this could lay the groundwork not only for MRO collaborations with the U.S. Navy, worth up to 20 trillion won annually, but also for expanding the partnership to include naval shipbuilding in the future. In the financial sector, Hanwha Investment & Securities enjoyed a rally, with its stock price soaring 17.18 percent on Monday and again climbing up 0.96 percent on Tuesday to end at 4,200 won. The companys preferred stock showed double-digit growth for two consecutive trading sessions to reach 9,590 won on Tuesday. The surge represents the market enthusiasm for cryptocurrency, as the brokerage holds a 5.94 percent stake in Dunamu, the operator of Korea's largest crypto exchange, Upbit. Following Trumps pledge to introduce policies friendly to cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin spiked above $88,000 for the first time on Tuesday, and other cryptocurrencies, such as Dogecoin, are continuing bullish bets. Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Groups electronic systems for satellites and other military communications technology unit, also rallied 13.15 percent on Monday and 3.24 percent on Tuesday, on expectations that the Trump administration will create favorable conditions for the space industry, including Elon Musks SpaceX. Analysts estimate that Hanwha Group companies will likely enjoy a bullish turn because the group is running various businesses in industries buoyed by the so-called "Trump trade," but noted that investors may sell those shares before Trump's inauguration. Recent election cases suggest that beneficial stocks of an election typically experience strong trading activity for about two to three months after the election, often followed by sell-on trends before the official start of the term, SK Securities analyst Cho Jun-kee said. However, given the potential for a strong policy drive, the current trend could potentially last longer. A robot dog, made by a subsidiary of Korea's Hyundai Motor Group, has been deployed to beef up security at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's property in Florida, according to a news report. Made by Boston Dynamics, the remote controlled, four-legged robot was seen patrolling the sprawling Mar-a-Lago estate and it belongs to the U.S. Secret Service, an agency tasked with ensuring the safety of current and former presidents and visiting foreign leaders, the New York Post reported Friday. In a New York Post photo, a message of "Do not pet" was written on the robot's legs while its body was equipped with what appeared to be high-tech sensors. The Secret Service confirmed that the robot, known as "Spot," is with the agency, according to The Post. "Safeguarding the President-elect is a top priority," an agency spokesperson was quoted by The Post as saying. Beefed-up security around Trump's private property came as security concerns continued due to two assassination attempts during a tumultuous campaign period earlier this year. Hyundai Motor Group acquired Boston Dynamics in 2020. During the Consumer Electronics Show 2022 in Las Vegas, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun said that just like people are carrying mobile phones today, they will carry a Spot one day in the future. (Yonhap) By Nam Hyun-woo LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan met with Jim Keller, a renowned chip designer and CEO of U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor startup Tenstorrent, discussing strategic collaboration between the two sides for AI semiconductors, LG Electronics said Tuesday. According to the company, Cho and Keller recently met at LG Electronics' headquarters in Seoul and shared their ideas on cooperation in the semiconductor businesses. LG Electronics chief technology officer Kim Byoung-hoon and Tenstorrent's chief customer officer David Bennett also joined the meeting. Keller is a guru in designing central processing units (CPU) and other semiconductors, known for leading the development of IT company AMD's Athlon 64 and Zen architectures, which played a crucial role in AMD's bid to compete against Intel in the high-end CPU market. Tenstorrent specializes in designing high-performance computing semiconductors, leveraging its intellectual properties (IPs) such as the open-source, low-power Reduced Instruction Set Computer-V (RISC-V) CPU technology and the AI-specific Tensix neural processing unit. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged ideas on strengthening capabilities in system-on-chip (SoC) technologies, including those related to chiplets. A chiplet combines different chips into a package to serve specific functions. LG Electronics said the two sides plan to explore collaboration opportunities across AI appliances, smart home solutions, mobility and video-related server processors by leveraging their respective semiconductor IPs. Building on this partnership, LG Electronics said it plans to upgrade its AI-related software and algorithm technologies to roll out products, platforms and services using generative AI, as well as developing AI semiconductors to advance its on-device AI technology. "Tenstorrent's AI capabilities and RISC-V technology are the best-in-class in the industry," Cho said. "Through close cooperation, LG Electronics will realize its affectionate AI services that can understand the customer and provide unique experiences." According to LG Electronics, Keller said that the company was a global technology leader with an outstanding SoC development team, and their collaboration can deliver tailored solutions for customers. Samsung Electronics has shared more than 100 patents with smaller businesses as part of efforts to promote shared growth, the industry ministry said Tuesday. The leading Korean tech giant transferred 128 patents to 85 companies this year to assist them in developing innovative products and solutions without royalty fees, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Samsung Electronics first launched the program in 2015 and has offered a total of 1,210 patents to 673 companies so far. The latest set of technologies includes a route recommendation system utilizing users' biometric data, a display control method based on eye movement tracking, and a wireless data-sharing solution between a TV and a smartphone by scanning a radio frequency identification tag. "Korea will continue to support small and medium-sized enterprises in developing new products and business models to drive innovative growth through the technology-sharing program," the ministry said in a statement. (Yonhap) K-pop star's mistake on Pepero Day sheds light By Ko Dong-hwan Convenience, a Korean pleasure product company that also goes by the name BRSG, apologized on Monday for its products that apparently caused a K-pop star to publicly embarrass himself on Pepero Day. Pepero Day, which falls on Nov. 11 in Korea, encourages consumers to purchase Pepero stick snacks made by Lotte Wellfood and share them with friends or loved ones. Eric, a member of boy band The Boyz, uploaded on Instagram a photo of written letters he wrote for his fans to celebrate Pepero Day. Next to the letters was a box of BRSGs condoms, which resembled a box of Pepero at an initial glance. The photo went viral online and later was taken down from Instagram. Eric later that day admitted he mistook the condom product Love Day 11.11 for Pepero and apologized to his fans for confounding them. It was among other Peperos at a convenience store near my residence. So I was certain it was Pepero as well, Eric wrote on Instagram. BRSG had planned and manufactured Love Day in partnership with GS Retail which operates GS25, the countrys second-largest convenience store brand. The collaboration produced the condoms in limited quantities to celebrate this year's Pepero Day. Following the incident, BRSG later on Monday posted an apology on Instagram, defending Erics innocence. The company held its too cute, too adorable condom sets entirely responsible for the incident. The company explained that the Love Day product packaging design is unlike conventional condom packaging because it wanted to inform consumers that condoms should not be perceived negatively as an immoral product. The strategy was to make them appear more relatable and mainstream. Love Day isnt for adults. Its a medical apparatus specially made for teenagers, BRSG said. We wish that everyone through this incident has learned about the importance of protection in having a healthy sex life. BRSG previously released condom packs to resemble packaging for instant coffee sticks, ketchup and hot sauce in collaboration with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in 2019. The merger deal between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, Korea's two full-fledged carriers, is expected to clear a major regulatory hurdle after likely receiving a final nod from the European Union this month, according to industry sources Tuesday. The European Commission (EC), the EU's executive body, is expected to make a final decision on whether to approve the 1.8 trillion-won ($1.28 billion) merger deal after monitoring operational stability of four European routes that Korean Air transferred to low-cost carrier (LCC) T'way Air. Korean Air has so far won approval from 12 countries and regions, and is waiting for final approval from the EU and the United States. Many industry watchers expect the EC, which conditionally approved the deal in February, to give its final approval within the month. The route transfer was part of remedial measures Korean Air offered to carry out to receive conditional approval from the EC for the merger in February. The EC is currently reviewing whether T'way Air can operate these four routes reliably and establish healthy competition with Korean Air. Additionally, the EC has been conducting an on-site evaluation of Air Incheon, which was selected as the preferred bidder to acquire Asiana Airlines' cargo business. The selling of the cargo business was also proposed as part of remedies against competition concerns. Air Incheon aims to complete the integration of Asiana's cargo operations and begin flights by July 2025. "Korean Air cannot implement the acquisition of Asiana before having entered into a binding agreement with a suitable buyer for the cargo divestment business, who must be subsequently approved by the commission," an EC spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency when asked of the approval review state. The spokesperson added: "The commission's assessment is still ongoing. We cannot prejudge its timing or outcome." Industry insiders also anticipate that once the EC grants its final approval, the review by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will also conclude. The DOJ reportedly considered opening a lawsuit to block the deal over competition issues in the U.S. market. To address the DOJ's concerns regarding monopoly on U.S. routes, Korean Air has taken proactive measures, such as expanding its code-sharing partnership with Air Premia for North American routes. The DOJ did not offer a response when asked by Yonhap of its position on the merger deal. If Korean Air secures approval from the U.S., it will have obtained clearance from regulators in all 14 mandatory reporting countries and regions. "Korean Air will continue to communicate closely with the relevant authorities to secure approval from the remaining regulatory bodies, including the DOJ," a Korean Air spokesperson said. After clearing regulatory hurdles, industry watchers expect the corporate consolidation process to take around two years, during which the companies would undergo restructuring and integration of organizations, merging of mileage programs, as well as consolidation of their LCC subsidiaries. In November 2020, Korean Air signed the deal to acquire a controlling stake in Asiana to create the world's 10th-biggest airline by fleet. The nation's two full-service carriers account for a combined 40 percent of passenger and cargo slots at Incheon International Airport, Korea's main gateway. (Yonhap) Two carmakers urged to revamp sales strategy to rebound By Lee Min-hyung Audi Korea and Volkswagen Korea are rapidly losing market presence as sales decline, driven by a shortage of new models and a lack of a clear strategy for transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), industry officials said Tuesday. The increasingly dominant positions of Mercedes-Benz and BMW here are adding pressure on the two Volkswagen Group subsidiaries as reflected in this year's imported vehicle sales. According to data from the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, Audi Korea sold just 7,472 vehicles between January and October, down 51 percent from the previous year, largely due to a delayed launch of its flagship A6 sedan. The A6 available for sale in Korea was launched in October 2019, and Audi has been selling the same model without any updates for over five years. This stands in contrast to Mercedes-Benz Korea, BMW Korea and most other luxury automakers, who frequently update their models. Volkswagen Korea saw a sharp 15 percent drop in sales over the first 10 months of the year, with total units sold reaching just 6,675. The automaker is widely forecast not to achieve annual sales of 10,000 this year. Such disappointing performance would have been unimaginable a decade ago, when around 30,000 Volkswagen-branded vehicles were sold annually in Korea. Industry officials have pointed to the companys headquarters as the main factor behind the sharp decline in sales in the Korean market. Unlike rivals, such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Volkswagen Group has effectively failed to establish a clear strategy in this period of auto paradigm shift amid the rise of EVs, an official from a carmaker said. For instance, BMW Group is adopting a dual strategy of selling both conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines and EVs, but this was not the case for Audi and Volkswagen. While many imported vehicle brands have rushed to expand their lineups to appeal to the evolving tastes of Korean consumers, Audi and Volkswagen have fallen short in this regard. The two carmakers under Volkswagen Group sent an impression of caring less for the Korean market, as they have been reluctant to launch new models and failed to leave a strong brand identity for the past few years, the official said. Former Audi Korea CEO Lim Hyun-ki assumed the role in July 2022 to much fanfare as the first Korean representative for the luxury automakers local subsidiary. However, she was unable to complete her two-year tenure and left the position in May. Another industry official stated that both automakers will not be able to reclaim their former success unless they make genuine efforts by introducing a more diverse and updated lineup of models. Overseas luxury carmakers still identify Korea as a very lucrative market due to customers growing purchasing power, but Audi and Volkswagen are feared to keep losing their share to their rivals and home-gown carmakers without rapidly revamping its strategy here, the official said. By Lee Min-hyung Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF), invited Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima for talks to deepen Korea and Japan's economic partnership, the labor-centered business lobby said Tuesday. Once Korean and Japanese companies collaborate with each other to stabilize the international supply chain and forge more ties in new tech areas, this will contribute to bringing peace and prosperity across the globe, Sohn said. He underscored the dire need for both countries to tighten their business-wise alliance amid escalating internal and external risks. Both countries face challenging tasks, such as low birthrates, aging populations and climate change, and international affairs become more and more grave, with North Korea repeating test-launches of long-distance missiles, the KEF chief said. According to the business lobby, the trade between Korea and Japan was worth $76.6 billion (107 trillion won) as of 2023, and the number of their worker exchanges already topped 10 million this year, on course to set a new yearly high. Companies from both countries are on track to deepen their partnerships particularly in digital and eco-friendly tech areas, along with semiconductors and cars, Sohn said. He also urged the Korean and Japanese governments to step up policy support, so companies from both countries can continue making investments and creating jobs under their bilateral supply chain collaboration framework. The KEF has held the event since 2020 by inviting the Japanese ambassador, intending to fortify Korea-Japan economic ties and support Korean firms doing business in Japan. A group of business leaders, including Hanwha Aerospace CEO Shin Hyun-woo and LX Pantos CEO Lee Yong-ho, took part in this years event. They also exchanged their views on the need to build a future-oriented economic and business relationship between the two countries, according to the KEF. The underground wildlife trade, worth $27 billion a year globally, now ranks fourth in terms of the worlds illegal trades. A Queensland woman has been fined over $20,000 after she was found in possession of a number of native reptiles, suspected to have been obtained illegally. Source: DETSI An Australian woman has been slapped with more than $20,000 in fines after authorities discovered she had been keeping and selling native reptiles believed to have been illegally snatched from the wild. After a tip-off from a member of the public, officers with Queensland's Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DESI) attended a residence at Nambour on the Sunshine Coast in January. There, they located and seized 18 reptile eggs and 26 reptiles many of which were found to be in poor health. DESI officers said the discovery highlights the "increasing trend in people seeking to profit from high prices" that "our unique wildlife" fetch on domestic and international markets. Senior Wildlife Officer Jonathan McDonald denounced the woman's behaviour and said snakes and reptiles require specialised care, food and equipment to stay healthy in captivity much of which was not present at the Nambour residence. "Sadly, several of the reptiles were in poor condition and needed to be humanely euthanised," McDonald said. The woman admitted to knowingly keeping the animals without valid licences, purchasing animals from unlicensed sellers and operating a reptile business. Source: DETSI "The surviving reptiles can never be released to the wild as they may have been exposed to disease while they were in captivity." An independent veterinary exam of the reptiles seized revealed medical conditions among many of the animals including necrosis (death of body tissue), dehydration, neurological defects and general poor health. ADVERTISEMENT The Nambour woman admitted to knowingly keeping the animals without valid licences, purchasing animals from unlicensed sellers and operating a reptile business. She also could not produce mandatory records of sale for 13 of her purchased animals, DESI said. Shock find highlights growing illegal wildlife trade in Australia She was found to be in possession of a northern blue-tongue lizard, a Woma python, carpet python, shingleback lizard, inland bearded dragon, childrens python, Murray-Darling carpet python, broad-shelled turtle, spotted python and Centralian carpet python, among others. Globally, illegal wildlife trafficking is estimated to be worth $27 billion a year and now ranks fourth in terms of the worlds illegal trades after drugs, counterfeit products and human trafficking. Several of the reptiles were in poor condition and needed to be humanely euthanised. Source: DETSI Late last month, Yahoo News Australia spoke with Ben Pearson, country director at World Animal Protection. He echoed much of McDonald's sentiment, saying there's likely a "league of illegal wildlife trading going on" in Australia, right under our noses, after a wallaby turned up dead in regional Slovakia on October 30. ADVERTISEMENT "Australian animals across all the [world] are just very unique," he earlier told Yahoo. "They're endemic to Australia, and so they're really prized overseas." "The more I'm seeing this, the more concerned I get. The government needs to start thinking, all right, how is this happening?" Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Korean carmakers tasked with tackling Chinese threat in Southeast Asia By Lee Min-hyung Hyundai Motor and Kia have to preemptively diversify their export channels, as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump moves to impose higher tariffs particularly on countries with a strong trade surplus with the worlds largest economy, experts and industry officials said Monday. The two Korean carmakers exports to the U.S. for the first three quarters combined this year accounted for half of their global total, according to data from the Korea International Trade Association. In 2023, Korea ended up reporting a trade deficit of $10.3 billion (14.36 trillion won), but the country attained a record-high trade surplus of $44.4 billion with the U.S., driven mainly by exports of cars and chips. Experts and industry officials said the two major domestic carmakers need to reduce their reliance on the U.S., and expand their sales channels into other untapped markets, so they can minimize potential repercussions from the Trump risk. Trump has already expressed his unwavering willingness to slap stronger tariffs on companies based in countries that report a trade surplus with the U.S., Kim Pil-soo, an automotive technology professor at Daelim University College, said. Hyundai Motor and Kia have to reduce their revenue reliance on the U.S. and make up for it in other lucrative territories, such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, according to the professor. There is no clear breakthrough other than increasing the carmakers revenue structure in the less saturated markets, he said. Trump pushed to impose higher tariffs on aluminum and steel during his first presidency between 2017 and 2021, citing Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act. However, many critics argue Trump will widen the sanctions on global carmakers headquartered outside of the country in his second term, which starts in January. Hyundai Motor Groups two carmakers are also reshaping their strategy by moving to increase production of hybrid cars at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia. The facility was supposed to manufacture only electric vehicles (EV), but as the global automotive industry entered an early phase of the EV chasm, the carmaker decided to transform it into a facility capable of producing both EVs and hybrids. Even if both Korean carmakers have multiple manufacturing facilities in the U.S., their manufacturing is done in Korea for almost half of its vehicles for export to the worlds top economy. According to data from the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association, Hyundai Motors exports to the U.S. accounted for 54.7 percent of the total between January and September this year. Those from Kia also reached 40.2 percent during the same period. Another major risk factor is Trumps pledge to impose a baseline tariff of 10 percent on all imported goods to the U.S. For now, Koreas vehicle exports to the U.S. are exempt from tariffs under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. Once Trump turns the pledge into a reality, both carmakers are feared to face a revenue decline of trillions of won annually in the U.S. Risk from China's emerging carmakers Industry officials argued that China's rise will, however, come as a stumbling block for Korean carmakers expansion into the Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets. Chinese carmakers and battery firms, such as BYD, make robust growth each year, and make aggressive investments mostly in Southeast Asian markets, so the Korean carmakers will have to engage in fierce competition against such players seeking aggressive growth with price competitiveness, an official from a carmaker here said. For instance, BYD shared its investment plan worth $1.3 billion won in Indonesia, and seeks to achieve an EV market share of 40 percent by 2030 in India. Hyundai Motor Group also identified India as its next major growth engine, recently completing its much-touted initial public offering there. Hyundai Motor and Kia are no match to Chinese firms in terms of price competitiveness, so Korean carmakers have to come up with a clear differentiation strategy either by enhancing their corporate image or improving the commercial value of their lineups. The official also highlighted the dire need for the government and auto parts makers here to strengthen their alliance with local carmakers, so they can maintain their global competitiveness. Diversifying export channels is a step in the right direction, but this is not as easy as it looks due to the toughening rivalry with Chinese carmakers, he said. The government needs to offer carmakers more tax benefits or other incentive packages, so they can ensure sustainable growth in the global market. He added that the government, for its part, needs to appeal more to the upcoming Trump administration that Korean carmakers widen job creation and expand investment for the benefit of the U.S. economy. By Park Jae-hyuk LX International has appointed the first female executive in its 71-year history. After its regular year-end executive reshuffle on Tuesday, the Korean trading firm said that Lee Young-joo, head of its human resources department, has become one of its five newly appointed directors. Born in 1976, Lee joined the company in 2000 when it was an LG Group subsidiary. In 2021, LG Group hived off some affiliates for LX Group Chairman Koo Bon-joon, a grandson of the late LG Group founder Koo In-hwoi and an uncle of LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo. Lee was also the first woman to lead the trading firms overseas branch in 2015, when she was appointed the chief representative of LG Internationals Almaty office in Kazakhstan, based on her studies at Saint Petersburg State University in Russia. Considering uncertainties surrounding domestic and international economic environments, we appointed leaders with extensive experience and expertise, an LX International official said. In 2022, LX International also appointed Sohns Market Makers CEO Sohn Lan as its first female outside director in an apparent attempt to cope with a partial amendment to the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act in 2020. The law mandates that a listed company with total assets of at least 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) must not have an all-male or all-female board and should comply with this requirement within two years from the effective date of the amendment. At that time, however, LX International attributed Sohn's appointment to her knowledge of the North American market. Arab and Muslim leaders demanded on Monday that Israel withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories as a precondition for regional peace, while denouncing "shocking" Israeli crimes in war-ravaged Gaza. A summit meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh gave the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's 57 nations a chance to speak with one voice on turmoil engulfing the region, more than a year into the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. It came less than a week after Donald Trump secured a second term as president of the United States, Israel's top military backer. The summit's closing statement said that "a just and comprehensive peace in the region... cannot be achieved without ending the Israeli occupation of all occupied Arab territories to the line of June 4, 1967," referring to the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem as well as Gaza and the Golan Heights. The statement mentioned U.N. resolutions which have called on Israel to withdraw from these areas, and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, in which Arab nations offered Israel normalized ties in return for a two-state agreement with the Palestinians along the 1967 lines. The international community should "launch a plan with specific steps and timing under international sponsorship" to make a sovereign Palestinian state a reality, the statement said. Hamas later urged Arab and Muslim nations to back up those pledges with action. "The establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital would require more immediate efforts and practical solutions to force (Israel) to stop its aggression and genocide against our people," Hamas said in a statement. The hard-right Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains opposed to Palestinian statehood and Israel's new foreign minister, Gideon Saar, dismissed the prospect as not "realistic". Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich later Monday vowed to push for annexation of parts of the West Bank in 2025. The Riyadh summit reiterated regional leaders' call for Palestinian territories including Gaza, which is separated from the West Bank by Israeli territory to be grouped together in a future state. The leaders also condemned "horrific and shocking crimes" by Israel's army, saying they occurred "in the context of the crime of genocide". The war began with Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 last year, which resulted in 1,206 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed more than 43,600 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable. Ceasefire call Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Iran, began firing on Israel after the October 7 attack, in stated support of its Palestinian ally. The regular cross-border exchanges escalated in late September. Israel has intensified its air strikes and later sent ground troops into southern Lebanon. Addressing Monday's summit, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the world must "immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon" and condemned Israel's campaign in Gaza as "genocide." Prince Mohammed, the Gulf kingdom's de facto ruler, also called on Israel not to attack Iran, highlighting improving ties between Riyadh and its regional rival Tehran. Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned that his country was suffering an "existential" crisis and hit out at countries meddling in its internal affairs a thinly veiled swipe at Iran. A 'signal' to Trump Trump's election last week for a second term in the White House was likely on leaders' minds, said Anna Jacobs, senior Gulf analyst for the International Crisis Group think tank. "This summit is very much an opportunity for regional leaders to signal to the incoming Trump administration what they want in terms of U.S. engagement," she said. Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said in his remarks that "the world is waiting" for Trump "to immediately stop the war against the innocent people of Gaza and Lebanon." The final statement included a call for a ban on the export and transfer of weapons to Israel. Despite criticism of the impact Israel's military campaign has had on Gaza civilians, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden has ensured that Washington remains Israel's most important military backer during more than a year of fighting. In his first term, Trump defied international consensus with a series of moves praised by the Israeli government but condemned by Palestinians. He recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, moving the U.S. embassy there, and endorsed Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law. (AFP) Tesla shares extended last week's sharp rally with a jump of over 8 percent on Monday, fueled by bets of the automaker benefiting from CEO Elon Musk's close ties with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. At $348.30, Tesla is expected to add nearly $87 billion to its value if gains hold. The stock has jumped nearly 28 percent since Trump's election victory was declared on Wednesday, surpassing $1 trillion in market value for the first time in two years. Tesla's year-to-date gains were just over 1 percent before Trump secured his second term at the White House. Musk has been supporting Trump for months in the hopes that his close ties to the now President-elect would position his companies to benefit under the new administration, analysts have said. The billionaire contributed at least $119 million to a pro-Trump spending group, federal records show. "As an 'efficiency Czar', Musk is likely to see this as an opportunity to sweep away red tape and streamline regulation", potentially helping his companies that are "at the forefront of technological innovation", said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown. From Tesla's electric vehicles to SpaceX rockets and Neuralink brain chips, Musk's business ventures depend heavily on government regulation, subsidies or policy. Tesla's self-driving technology has been under scrutiny from safety regulators as Musk attempts to shift the company's focus towards autonomous driving and robotaxis. In September, Trump said he would establish a government efficiency commission headed by Musk to cut federal spending. Musk's potential influence in the government could be significant for his other ventures, such as the Starlink broadband system, owing to his role as a major contractor with the U.S. Department of Defense. Streeter said claims of "preferential treatment" have the potential to end up in court, but given the litigation route is long and difficult, Musk's businesses have plenty of time to benefit. Trump has also vowed to pare back certain EV incentives of the Biden administration, but startups are likely to take a bigger hit than Tesla because of the automaker's heft in the market, analysts have said. (Reuters) There is no new "stage of talks" with the United States at the moment for arms sales, Taiwan's government said on Monday, as the island considers how best to respond to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's previous demands that Taipei pay for protection. Trump, who won a second term as president last week, unnerved democratically governed Taiwan, which is claimed by China, by saying it should pay the U.S. for its defence and that it had taken away semiconductor business from America. Trump has not elaborated on what he means by Taiwan having to pay for its protection, but it could mean Taipei takes the demand seriously with large new arms deals early in his administration, say people familiar with government thinking. Taiwan's presidential office, in a statement responding to what it said were media reports that the government planned a large arms purchase from the United States, said in the face of increasing Chinese military threats, Taiwan and its neighbours have continued to strengthen their defence deterrence. This "demonstrates their determination to defend themselves on their own", it said. "There has been a period of consolidation and discussion between Taiwan and the United States on military needs, but there is no new stage of discussion at this time," the presidency added, without elaborating. Taiwan, which rejects China's sovereignty claims, has complained of a backlog worth some $20 billion of weapons it has previously ordered from the United States. The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, but there is no defence treaty, unlike in the case of Japan and South Korea. (Reuters) Japanese lawmakers voted for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to stay on as leader on Monday, after his scandal-tarnished coalition lost its parliamentary majority in a lower house election last month. Ishiba, who called the snap poll after taking office on Oct. 1, must now run a fragile minority government as protectionist Donald Trump returns to office in main ally the United States, tension rises with rivals China and North Korea, and domestic pressure mounts to rein in the cost of living. His Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito won the biggest bloc of seats in the election but lost the majority held since 2012, leaving him beholden to small opposition parties to pass his policy agenda. "In light of the very challenging election, we must transform into a national party that serves the people, that empathizes with the peoples' struggles, their misery, and their joy," Ishiba said at a press conference after parliament voted to keep him in his job. Underlining his party's fragility, however, Monday's vote, broadcast on television, went to a run-off for the first time in 30 years, with no candidate able to muster majority support in the first round. Ishiba prevailed in that run-off, garnering 221 votes, well clear of the head of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party and ex-PM Yoshihiko Noda, but still short of a majority in the 465-seat lower house. Japan will hold elections next year for the less powerful upper house, where the ruling coalition's slim majority could also be at risk if Ishiba cannot revive public trust roiled by a scandal over unrecorded donations to lawmakers. Budget challenge His imminent challenge is compiling a supplementary budget for the fiscal year through March, under pressure from voters and opposition parties to raise spending on welfare and take steps to offset rising prices. For approval he needs the backing of at least one opposition party, which is most likely to be the Democratic Party for the People (DPP) headed by Yuichiro Tamaki. He has held co-operation talks with Ishiba, but DPP lawmakers did not vote for Ishiba to stay on as prime minister. Tamaki is also in a precarious position after admitting Monday to an extra-marital affair revealed in a tabloid magazine. With his premiership confirmed, Ishiba appointed three new cabinet ministers, one each for transport, justice and agriculture, two of whom replace LDP lawmakers who lost their seats in the lower house election. Ishiba now has to prepare for a slate of international engagements, including a summit of the Group of 20 big economies in Brazil on Nov. 18 and 19. He is also trying to arrange a stopover in the United States on the way to or from that gathering to meet Trump. The Japanese leader spoke to the president-elect for the first time on Thursday in a "friendly" five-minute conversation during which he congratulated him on his election victory. Some Japanese officials nonetheless fear Trump might again hit Tokyo with protectionist trade measures and revive demands for it to pay more for the cost of stationing U.S. forces there. These issues were largely smoothed over in Trump's first term, from 2017 to 2021, by the close ties between the president and Japan's then-premier, Shinzo Abe a bond Ishiba seems keen to re-establish. Trump "said many things on Ukraine, Gaza and alliances during the election, but it is difficult to predict what his policies will be until he assumes office," Ishiba said. "Our focus will be on proposing solutions that mutually benefit both nations." (Reuters) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint U.S. Senator Marco Rubio as his first secretary of state under his second term, news reports have said. Trump has picked the Florida-based Republican to take on the job as the top American diplomat, according to news reports by Reuters and the New York Times, citing unidentified sources. Known for his hawkish stance on countries like China, Iran and Cuba, Rubio, if formally appointed, is largely expected to reinforce his hard-line position on North Korea as well. In a 2017 interview with CBS, the senator said the United States should do "whatever it takes" to stop the North from acquiring capabilities to strike the U.S. mainland with a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile. "We must do almost whatever it takes, just about anything, to prevent Kim Jong-un from acquiring the nuclear capability he can deliver against the mainland of the United States of America," Rubio said. Rubio is also known to have stressed the need for close coordination with South Korea on North Korean and Korean Peninsula issues. In 2009, Rubio visited the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas during his trip to Seoul. Rubio sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee. (Yonhap) Britains Queen Camilla is set to return to public duties Tuesday after missing weekend events commemorating the nations war dead because she was recovering from a chest infection. Camilla, 77, plans to attend a reception for the finalists in the annual Booker Prize for fiction writing, but will spend less time with guests than originally planned. She is also scheduled to attend a reception for the television and film industry, but will cut that one short too. The queen has pulled out of an appearance at the premiere of the film Gladiator II on Wednesday night as doctors advise Camilla to focus on her recovery. King Charles IIIs spouse was advised against joining other members of the royal family at a Festival of Remembrance on Saturday at Londons Royal Albert Hall in London and the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph war memorial, a major event for Britains royals. The events are held every year on the weekend before Armistice Day to honor those who died serving Britain in the world wars and all the conflicts that have followed. (AP) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump officially named Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security advisor on Tuesday, saying the Green Beret veteran will be a "tremendous" champion of his incoming administration's pursuit of "peace through strength." Trump made the announcement a day after he was reported to have offered the White House advisor post to Waltz, a veteran who served 27 years in the U.S. Army and National Guard with multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. His pick for the high-profile post comes as U.S. allies and partners have been keenly watching the formation of Trump's security and foreign policy team for clues to how Trump would handle relations with U.S. allies and partners and tackle regional and global security challenges. The national security advisor position does not require Senate confirmation. "I am honored to announce that Congressman Mike Waltz (R-FL) is hereby appointed to serve in my Cabinet as my National Security Advisor," Trump said in a statement sent to reporters. He added, "Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda, and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!" Waltz has been seen as a staunch supporter of Trump as he has aligned himself with the president-elect on key issues, including illegal immigration, the United States' support for Ukraine and North Atlantic Treaty Organization members' contributions to collective defense. When it comes to China, Waltz is known as one of the most hawkish congressional members. He called for a full U.S. boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and maintained a hard-line stance on human rights issues in China. To compete against China in the maritime domain, Waltz has noted the need to cooperate with the shipbuilding industries of Korea, Japan and European allies. He made his position clear in an article contributed last year to RealClear Defense, a media outlet. "We are in a race against time since China now has more than 200 times the shipbuilding capacity of the United States," he wrote in the article, titled "America Needs a National Maritime Strategy." "Of course, we prefer all our ships be American built. But, in the race with our greatest adversary, we need a mix of U.S., Japanese, South Korean, and European-built ships in a Reagan-style build-up." His thinking raised the prospects of the U.S. seeking greater collaboration with the South Korean shipbuilding industry under a second Trump administration. Waltz is expected to play an influential role in carrying out Trump's "America First" policy agenda that would could put pressure on U.S. allies and partners to do more for their security and reduce costly U.S. involvement in overseas affairs. He is the first Green Beret to be elected to Congress, and a former White House and Pentagon policy advisor. Waltz graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and was awarded four Bronze Stars, including two for Valor for his service in combat. (Yonhap) A scramble for artificial intelligence (AI) talent is intensifying in China, as local tech giants dangle eye-watering salaries to hire top-notch professionals to compete in a heated AI race. Beijing-based smartphone giant Xiaomi will be hosting a special hiring session for AI experts in areas spanning AI models, computer vision, deep learning, autonomous driving and natural language processing, as well as other roles, according to a post published to its official WeChat account on Friday. The company said it is providing a "fast track" for some jobseekers, who will be able to skip written tests and have their applications reviewed directly by the corresponding business department to speed up the hiring process. Xiaomi is just the latest in a long list of Chinese Big Tech firms rushing to boost their AI manpower, as they seek to catch up with US companies in the fast-developing field and capture emerging opportunities in the local market. TikTok owner ByteDance, search engine operator Baidu and food delivery giant Meituan have all been ramping up their hiring for AI roles. That hiring spree corresponds to a surging demand for AI talent across China in the first half of this year, particularly for natural language processing (NLP) experts, who are highly sought after by both established companies and fledgling start-ups, according to a report from Peking University and recruitment platform Zhilian Zhaopin. Demand for NLP talent jumped 111 percent year-on-year in the January to June period, said the report, which looked at AI's impact on the Chinese job market. Those jobs fetched 24,007 yuan ($3,350) in monthly pay on average, more than double the 11,000 yuan earned by an average IT worker in China. Demand for deep-learning talent rose 61 percent, with salaries averaging 26,279 yuan. Demand for engineers specializing in robotic algorithms climbed 76 percent, while demand for roles focusing on smart-driving systems and navigation algorithms increased around 50 percent. The willingness of companies to shell out higher pay reflects the urgency of their recruitment efforts, and also the scarcity of top AI talent in China, according to the report. Among top Chinese cities, Beijing is the most talent-hungry. The capital city, home to many educational institutions, tech research facilities and start-ups, accounted for one-fifth of AI-related jobs in the country, the report said. Beijing, along with southern tech hub Shenzhen, eastern coastal financial center Shanghai, southern port Guangzhou, and Hangzhou, capital of eastern Zhejiang province, made up the country's top five cities in AI development. Such affluent regions, with their vibrant economies, have more resources to cultivate their AI industries, while China's poorer hinterlands risk being left behind, exacerbating their technology gaps, according to the report. Read the full story at SCMP. On November 10th, the 7th China International Import Expo concluded in Shanghai. At this Expo, the Anhui trade delegation focused on high-end manufacturing equipment, raw materials, medical devices, chemical products, daily consumer goods, and other areas for business negotiations and procurement, achieving an import purchase intention of $2.417 billion, a 3.6% increase from the previous session. Anhui Province attaches great importance to participating in the China International Import Expo, focusing on four major functions: international procurement, investment promotion, cultural exchanges, and open cooperation. During this year's CIIE, Anhui Provincial Department of Commerce organized a series of activities such as "CIIE Merchants Visit Anhui" and "Anhui Participates in CIIE," encouraging various municipal trading delegations to actively connect with exhibitors and merchant resources through special events and on-site business negotiations. Over the past six sessions of the CIIE, Anhui has cumulatively organized 13,200 purchasing units and 41,500 participants, achieving a cumulative procurement transaction amount of $12.32 billion. Source: ANHUI NEWS As world leaders negotiate a transition to green energy at COP29, a woman who fled China warns it should not come at the cost of human rights. Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Womens Association president Ramila Chanisheff warned the renewable energy transition should not come at the expense of workers' rights. Source: Michael Dahlstrom Solar panels and electric vehicles are becoming cheaper in Australia and the uptake of these environmentally friendly products is on the rise. This week, leaders have jetted off to Azerbaijan to negotiate how the entire world can finance a transition from fossil fuels to green energy at the United Nations COP29 climate talks. But a leading human rights activist is warning theres a hidden cost to many renewable energy products, particularly those offered at bargain prices. If it's cheap you can assume there is something sinister behind it, Uyghur advocate Ramila Chanisheff told Yahoo News during a visit to Melbourne on Tuesday. Shes referring to the unpaid forced labour and "re-education camps" Chinas Uyghur population has been routinely subjected to. The Xinjiang region, where this largely Muslim minority is concentrated, is also an important hub for the renewable manufacturing industry. At least 35 per cent of the worlds polysilicon is produced in the region, a key ingredient in 95 per cent of the worlds solar panels. And even though Australia banned the import of products made using slave labour in 2021, it can be hard to trace back where individual components are made because Chinas supply chains are notoriously opaque. ADVERTISEMENT Around 99 per cent of Australia's solar panels are sourced from China, and a 2023 report found the nation's top five solar panel manufacturers had high or very high exposure to suppliers in Xinjiang. The conditions in Xinjiang are reportedly severe. In 2022, a United Nations report accused authorities of crimes against humanity and heard allegations of beatings, torture, rape, and extended solitary confinement. The United States found China has undertaken genocide against the Uyghur and other minority groups. The world needs to transition to renewables to save the planet from the worsening impact of climate change. Source: Getty COP29 must 'directly address' human rights concerns Speaking generally about worker's rights, the director of the Australian Human Rights Institute, Professor Justine Nolan, said she understands the rush to rapidly embrace renewables, but with many critical minerals coming from developing nations, she worries the world is repeating mistakes of the past. ADVERTISEMENT If we don't build into the cost the true price of production, which includes labour and adequate working standards, then its like were going back to the Industrial Revolution and saying let's get the product out at whatever it costs, she told Yahoo News. As delegates meet at COP29, Professor Justine Nolan has urged negotiators not to overlook the importance of human rights. Source: Getty This year, the Albanese Government announced a $1 billion investment to make Australia a global competitor in solar panel manufacturing. And on Monday it announced the appointment of a new anti-slavery commissioner, former Labor Minister Chris Evans, to help address the problem of forced labour. Nolan has welcomed both announcements but warned the transition away from goods associated with poor worker conditions will take years to complete. Addressing the COP29 talks directly, Nolan argues the environment and human rights are all part of the same picture and need to be considered in parallel discussions. ADVERTISEMENT If we're going to move towards a just transition, which includes sourcing and production of renewable energy, then we need to consider both issues in tandem. For too long there have been people who only advocate and support environmental rights and others doing workers' rights. Outspoken Chinese opponents fear returning to homeland Chanisheff and her Uyghur parents fled China in the 1970s as the cultural revolution advanced and threatened to change their way of life. She has not returned. This year the Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Australia and announced the countrys citizens could now visit his country for 15 days without a visa. But even though some of her colleagues have taken advantage of the new policy and visited their homeland, Chanisheff thinks she would be arrested for doing so as she is outspoken in her role as the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Womens Association in Australia. As many as three million people may have been held in re-education camps around Xinjiang, some of them on several occasions. Source: Getty She notes that Chinese Australian writer Yang Hengjun was arrested and given a suspended death sentence this year after being accused of blogging about state affairs. And in 2020, Australian journalist Cheng Lei was held in custody for over 1,000 days. ADVERTISEMENT In Australia, Chanisheff has seen evidence she is being monitored by Chinese authorities. An acquaintance who featured in a photograph with her on social media was questioned about their association while on a trip overseas. Those of us who are not scared to speak up, we hope that the Australian Government and the laws here will keep us safe. But I can't be protected. 24/7, right? she said. Buy with 'consciousness' to avoid being 'complicit' in abuse Because it's hard for critics of China or independent journalists to investigate conditions in factories or supply chains, particularly in the Xinjiang region, Chanisheff has some advice for Australian shoppers. It's scary to know that we are all complicit as everyday consumers in human rights abuses. And we need to be aware of how we buy and what we buy. We need to buy with consciousness, with understanding, and with heart. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. The NSW man claimed there was not enough evidence his passenger had committed a seatbelt offence. Dual technology mobile and seatbelt detection cameras have been rolled out in parts of Australia. Source: Supplied A motorist has been dealt a frustrating blow having copped a $410 fine for an offence his passenger allegedly committed while he was driving, with nothing more than grainy, unclear photos as proof of the act. The NSW man told Yahoo News the state's new mobile and seatbelt detection cameras snapped his mate supposedly "wearing his seatbelt incorrectly" while riding in the passenger seat. But he argues this isn't evident in the images provided as proof which he says are "terrible quality". Despite claiming his innocence, he sadly felt obliged to cop it after his appeal was rejected by Transport for NSW, saying "its not worth jeopardising my future visa/citizenship applications". Nationwide penalties for wearing seatbelts incorrectly Across the country, car passengers are required by law to wear their seatbelt diagonally from the top of their shoulder across their chest, with improper use often potentially resulting in severe injuries if a collision occurs. Drivers are responsible for all passengers in their vehicle, state road authorities say. ADVERTISEMENT Queensland drivers cop the highest fine in the country if passengers are caught improperly restrained by their seatbelt, with drivers fined $1209 and 4 demerit points as of July this year. In Victoria, it's $395 and 3 demerit points. In NSW, the penalty for incorrectly wearing a seatbelt is a $410 fine and three demerit points, but due to double demerits, this driver also copped six demerit points. However, he claims he was incorrectly fined. "My friend was wearing a seatbelt. I still got a penalty notice through," the driver argued. "I appealed and it was rejected. " The driver argues the images are 'terrible quality' and don't accurately show the alleged offence, claiming the seatbelt is barely visible. Source: Supplied. Photos from detection cameras 'terrible quality', driver argues In the photos, the bottom part of the seatbelt is clear, however, due to poor-quality lighting the top of the seatbelt is barely visible, and appears to blend into the passenger's clothing. This means, judging by photos alone, it's not fully clear if the seatbelt was worn over the shoulder as it should be, or in any other way. ADVERTISEMENT "The rejection was due to the seatbelt being worn incorrectly," he told Yahoo. "However, I would argue that the quality of the photos is terrible. "Ive decided to pay it. Even though I would take it to court, its not worth jeopardising my future visa/citizenship applications." 'Several stages of review' before fines are issued Transport for NSW does not comment on individual cases however when asked about its fining process, a spokesperson said, that while artificial intelligence is used to make an initial assessment of images of potential offending, "all suspected seatbelt offences detected by the cameras and software system go through several stages of human review by trained and authorised personnel before a fine is issued." ADVERTISEMENT It's understood Transport and Revenue NSW are trained to undertake a review in accordance with prescribed procedures and regular reviews are in place to ensure the procedures are applied consistently. It is common for drivers and passengers to wear clothing similar in colour to a seatbelt, however the camera technology and angle of the images enable reviewers to discern if a seatbelt is not being worn or worn incorrectly. "Wearing a seatbelt is a simple and highly effective way to prevent trauma, and doubles the chance of surviving a crash as well as reduces the risk of injury," a spokesperson told Yahoo. "Drivers can use their penalty reference details to review the images online and can seek a review of their infringement by Revenue NSW, at no cost, if they believe an error has been made. Drivers also have the option to have their matter dealt with in court. ADVERTISEMENT "Drivers are legally required to ensure passengers are correctly wearing an available seatbelt." How to properly wear a seatbelt. Source: The NRMA New dual-tech road cameras targeting Aussie drivers NSW introduced the new mobile phone detection cameras earlier this year and alarmingly, within the first three weeks, issued more than 11,400 fines across the state. The dual technology, which not only detects the use of phones while driving, but also if seatbelts are being worn correctly, is also being used in Queensland, South Australia, the ACT, and Victoria Speaking to Yahoo previously, Avinash Singh, Principal Lawyer at Astor Legal, revealed many people dont realise the seatbelt cameras dont just check people are wearing a seatbelt, but also that they are wearing the seatbelts correctly. "A surprising number of people wear their seatbelt under the armpit instead of over the shoulder," he revealed. "They often believe that as long as the seatbelt is clicked in, this is sufficient, however, it is not and you can be fined $410 and three demerit points for wearing your seatbelt like this". Previously, an Aussie dad was fined $2,156 in a matter of weeks because his daughter, a passenger, was wearing hers incorrectly. She appeared to make the same mistake twice within two weeks. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Commission calls on Apple to stop geo-blocking practices Today, following a coordinated investigation at European level, the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network of national consumer authorities and the European Commission notified Apple of several potentially prohibited geo-blocking practices that the CPC Network has identified on certain Apple Media Services, namely App Store, Apple Arcade, Music, iTunes Store, Books and Podcasts. The network requested Apple to align their practices with the EU's anti-geo-blocking rules. The CPC Network's action against Apple is led by the competent national authorities of Belgium (Directorate General for Economic Inspection), Germany (Bundesnetzagentur) and Ireland (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission), under the coordination of the European Commission. Key elements of the coordinated action The CPC Network found a number of limitations on Apple Media Services which, according to the network's assessment unlawfully discriminate European consumers based on their place of residence. Consumers face limitations when it comes to: Online access : Apple Media Services have a different interface for different countries in the EU/EEA. In the app version of these services, consumers are only allowed to access the interface made for the country where they have registered their Apple account and face significant challenges when attempting to change this, which is not allowed under EU's anti-geo-blocking rules. : Apple Media Services have a different interface for different countries in the EU/EEA. In the app version of these services, consumers are only allowed to access the interface made for the country where they have registered their Apple account and face significant challenges when attempting to change this, which is not allowed under EU's anti-geo-blocking rules. Payment methods: When making paid purchases on Apple Media Services, consumers are only allowed to use means of payment (such as a credit/debit card) issued in the country where they registered their Apple account. When making paid purchases on Apple Media Services, consumers are only allowed to use means of payment (such as a credit/debit card) issued in the country where they registered their Apple account. Downloading: Since App Store does not allow consumers to access the version of another EU/EEA country, consumers are not allowed to download the apps offered in other countries. Consumers should be able to download apps offered in other EU/EEA countries when they travel to or temporarily stay in that country. The legal obligations that the CPC Network is invoking vis-a-vis Apple can be found in the Geo-blocking Regulation and the Services Directive. The Geo-blocking Regulation prohibits unjustified discrimination between EU customers on the basis of their nationality, residence, or place of establishment when they want to buy goods and services from traders located in a different Member State. The Services Directive requires that general conditions of access to a service do not contain discriminatory provisions relating to the nationality or place of residence of the service recipient, unless directly justified by objective criteria. Next steps Apple now has one month to reply to the CPC Network's findings and propose commitments on how they will address the identified geo-blocking practices. Depending on Apple's reply, the CPC Network may enter into a dialogue with the company. If Apple fails to address the concerns raised by the CPC Network, national authorities can take enforcement measures to ensure compliance. This is without prejudice to the power of national authorities to take enforcement measures in ongoing national proceedings. Background information Under the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Regulation, the national consumer authorities of the 27 EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland, form together a network (the CPC Network') in order to investigate and take enforcement actions against cross-border infringements of EU consumer protection laws. The European Commission facilitates, and under certain circumstances also coordinates, such joint investigations and enforcement actions. The Geo-blocking Regulation was adopted in 2018 to ensure better access conditions to goods and services for individuals and businesses across the EU/EEA. It applies to all app stores operating in the EU Single Market. In July, the Commission published the results of a stock-taking exercise on the impact of the Geo-blocking Regulation and the progress made in cross-border accessibility of goods and services. The analysis found that the Geo-blocking Regulation has effectively decreased the geo-blocking practices of traders in regulated areas, but highlighted other barriers that continue to prevent seamless cross-border access to goods and services, such as remaining diverging national rules, certain taxation requirements, costs of parcel delivery services, and practices of multinational traders to arrange for the distribution of goods and services at national level. In 2023, following a CPC coordinated action, Google committed to clarify how to browse different country versions of the Google Play Store and inform developers about their obligations under the Geo-blocking Regulation to make their apps accessible EU-wide, as well as enable consumers to use means of payment from any EU country on Google Store. The closure of the action is without prejudice to the power of national authorities to enforce compliance where concerns may remain. In addition to the Geo-blocking Regulation, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA) also include provisions relevant for app stores. The DMA sets out several requirements for designated core platform services, such as app stores, that aim to promote contestability and fairness in the digital sector. The DSA introduces a set of clear rules at the EU level for online intermediaries, designed to ensure safety and accountability in the online environment and which are proportionate to the providers' size. The Commission remains committed to enforcing the DSA and DMA, ensuring that both Google Play and App Store, as designated gatekeepers (under the DMA) and providers of Very Large Online Platforms (under the DSA), comply with their obligations. For More Information Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network Coordinated actions of the CPC Network Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation Geo-blocking Regulation Evaluation of Geo-blocking Regulation Quote We are stepping up the fight against geo-blocking. No company, big or small, should unjustly discriminate customers based on their nationality, place of residence or place of establishment. Preventing geo-blocking helps consumers access the goods and services they want across Europe and strengthens the functioning and integrity of our Single Market. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age 2024-11-11 European consumers have equal rights around the EU, so we are asking Apple to bring down barriers created by geo-blocking and to align its practices with EU law. Consumers across the EU should have equal access to goods and services. Discrimination of them by companies based on the place of residence or nationality is unacceptable. Vera Jourova, Vice-President for Values and Transparency 2024-11-11 The discrimination of consumers based on their nationality or place of residence is against Union law, therefore unacceptable. This is why we have rules prohibiting unjustified geo-blocking in the EU. Consumers must be able to reap the full benefits of the Single Market and should not face any obstacles while using a specific service and traveling around the EU. The Commission urges Apple to bring its practices in line with EU rules against the unjustified geo-blocking of consumers. Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice 2024-11-11 Zarazeno ut 12.11.2024 12:11:00 Zdroj Evropska komise en Original ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=IP/24/5727&language=en lang en guid /IP/24/5727/ Bribie Island is a popular camping spot but some unwanted visitors are creating mayhem. The feral pig problem at popular tourist camping spot Bribie Island is 'getting worse' according to those who visit frequently. Source: Facebook/C Purkiss A popular Aussie tourist island has become home to a "serious environmental threat" authorities are warning tourists to watch out for when visiting. Queensland's Bribie Island National Park, just north of Brisbane, is home to many Aussie wildlife and is a perfect place for 4WD enthusiasts to pitch a tent and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While feral pigs are not a new problem, tourists to the island are increasingly reporting run-ins with them many suggesting the problem is only getting worse and the animals are becoming more and more brazen going as far as to steal food from unwitting campers. A Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DESI) spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia visitors are advised to be "cautious" around feral pigs. "They can be dangerous, and also can carry diseases," a DESI spokesperson told Yahoo. "Visitor safety is our top priority. Park visitors play a crucial role in supporting this effort and are kindly reminded to securely store their food and rubbish, as this simple action helps prevent attracting pigs and worsening the issue." Feral pigs on Bribie Island have been sighted in large populations on 4WD tracks and near campsites. Source: Facebook/L Carberry/A Caruana How did feral pigs get to Bribie Island? Feral pigs are considered one of Australias most destructive invasive species with prolific populations in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory. DESI told Yahoo feral pigs have been recorded on the island as far back as the 1960s. ADVERTISEMENT "Its not known if they were deliberately introduced to the island. Rangers have seen pigs swimming across the Pumicestone Passage (separating the island from the mainland), so it's possible pigs arrived on the island without human help," they said. Due to the island's thick vegetation and topography, it's difficult to estimate the population of feral pigs in the national park but visitors report the problem is getting worse. "Densely vegetated swamps are largely inaccessible, and spotting pigs from the air is ineffective due to the thick vegetation," said a DESI spokesperson. "Feral pigs are a serious environmental threat they spread diseases and pathogens, trample vegetation, damage wetlands, eat roots and tubers, and prey on a wide range of wildlife." DESI is working hard to help curb the problem, including conducting an annual pest control program in order to "minimise" their impact. "This program will involve targeted activities around campsites including Ocean Beach. We also work closely with other agencies and neighbours to control feral pigs on the island." ADVERTISEMENT Campers report run-ins with feral pigs on popular island Campers on Bribie Island have reported multiple run-ins with feral pigs on 4WD tracks and even witnessed the animals knock over eskies and steal food like chocolate and eggs. "They have been getting worse over the years I have been going up there," said one disgruntled visitor online. "All these wet years since the fires have made perfect conditions for all the ferals that invade the national park,' said another. "They are getting out of control," added another. Another believed that they are getting used to humans. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The alleged driver of the van that killed a Kildare teenager last Sunday night was refused bail in Athy District Court this morning (12 November) after gardai raised concerns about his flight risk. Judge Desmond Zaidan heard how Marin Silaghi (40) with an address in Ballybrittas, Portlaoise, Co Laois was only in the country eight weeks before the accident, and all his immediate family were still in Romania. Garda Mark Ryan told the court that Mr Silaghi was detected approximately three hours after the impact on the R403 in Blackwood when he was stopped at a random intoxiliser test in Leixlip. Garda Ryan said that Mr Silaghi had no recollection of hitting a human, and thought the serious damage to the front of his van was caused by a stone or a deer. Mr Silaghi was discovered to be over the legal limit and was arrested at Leixlip Garda Station. It was very fortuitous the gardai had mandated the drink and drugs stop, noted the judge. It appears he wasnt willing to turn himself in, said Garda Ryan. How long was it before someone realised a human being was on the side of the road? asked Judge Zaidan. Very shortly, another motorist called an ambulance, said Garda Ryan. Solicitor Tim Kennelly told the court Mr Silaghi was working with his cousin who has a very successful construction business and was living in Ballybrittas with a number of colleagues. However, despite the offer of a 10,000 surety to guarantee his stay, Garda Ryan did not believe this to be sufficient, and Judge Zaidan agreed. He then remanded Silaghi into custody until next Tuesday (19 November), to appear by videolink in Naas District Court. PFAS concentrations were detected up to 30 times higher than normal in the blood and organs of the turtles, which were found to have deformities. PFAS concentrations were detected up to 30 times higher in the blood and organs of turtles from the highly contaminated area, compared to control sites. Source: CSIRO First dolphins, then humans, and now reptiles. PFAS forever chemicals have been found in freshwater turtle populations in northern Australia, causing major health impacts for the animals. The cartoon series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles popularised the legend that toxic chemicals could transform simple reptiles into crime-fighting superheroes. But new research from the CSIRO and Queensland Department of Environment has revealed a grim reality juvenile turtles are dying before they reach adulthood at contaminated sites. Lead research author Dr David Beale told Yahoo News there were obvious numbers of dead turtles wherever PFAS concentrations were at their highest, and the shells of hatchling turtles were deformed. Part of our ongoing research is now to understand what's happening to these hatchlings once they emerge. Are they becoming easy prey items because of the sort of defects that they're born with, or is it something a little bit more similar, in that theyre slowly dying as a result, he said. Cancers linked to PFAS contamination The results were released on Monday following a three-year investigation, which centred around the direct impacts of PFAS on wildlife. Blood samples were taken from 350 turtles and then checks were made across 30 biochemical markers to create an overall picture of their health. ADVERTISEMENT For the untrained person, it looked like a healthy ecosystem. But it wasn't until we really dived into the health side that we got a real deep understanding of what was going on biologically, Beale said. Population decline was also observed in the freshwater turtle populations. Source: CSIRO The adults had a whole range of biomarkers that were indicative of cancers, tumours and a whole range of metabolic problems. This included the high potential of forming gout, which in a turtle is quite deadly because they can't move freely to forage for food. PFAS passed from mothers to babies PFAS dont break down in water, oil, or heat and are found in a range of everyday items like non-stick cookware, food packaging, clothing, cosmetics and firefighting foam. They are referred to as forever chemicals because they dont break down in the environment or in bodies. The research tracked high concentrations of PFAS flowing through the adult turtles, into the ovaries of mothers, then into their young. ADVERTISEMENT As result of PFAS going into the egg, we would see a depletion of nutrients and really important minerals that are vital for hatchling development during that incubation period, Beale said. It was really quite stark when you look at the bioaccumulation, the transference from adult to egg to hatchling. Ultimately, when we modelled projections of what these populations will look like over time, we see that they're just steadily declining and at some point they will collapse. Concern over high PFAS concentrations in traditional food source Although Australia doesnt manufacture PFAS, its been found in some NSW drinking water reservoirs, and dolphins in Melbournes Port Phillip Bay were discovered to have the worlds highest concentrations in their bodies. ADVERTISEMENT The turtle testing was completed in South East Queensland but the exact locations of the testing sites are yet to be released. The researchers also examined frogs and snakes, but it was turtles who had the most worryingly high levels of PFAS. The focus, and rightfully so, has been on the impact of humans and human populations. But we can't can't ignore the impact on wildlife, especially wildlife that is potentially used as a traditional food source by our Indigenous communities. There's a lot that we don't know about what these chemicals are doing. And a lot more research needs to be done. The results of the study were published in the peer-reviewed journal Science of the Total Environment. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. A Laois man was among a congregation of close to 1600 from throughout Ireland, who attended the Irish Kidney Associations 39th Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for organ donors and grateful transplant recipients. Joseph Molloy from Abbeyleix, who is grateful for the successful kidney transplant he received seventeen years ago made possible by a deceased donor, attended the service held in the Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall, Dublin 9 in October. The Service will be broadcast on RTE One and RTE Player on this Sunday, 17 November at 11am. For more information visit the Irish Kidney Association's website www.ika.ie/service2024/ Stephen Tynan PRO Laois People Before Profit Dear Editor, IRELANDS future is at risk. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are selling out to multinationals at the expense of citizens. Its time for change. In the wake of President-elect Donald Trumps recent victory, there are rising concerns that Irelands current government will prioritise multinational interests over the welfare of Irish citizens. Simon Harris was notably among the first to congratulate Trump, a former president who carries a controversial and legally fraught record, raising eyebrows among many who view Trumps policies as potentially damaging to Ireland's economic future. This response from Irish leadership highlights a trend in the Irish governments approach doing whatever it takes to maintain corporate favour, even if it risks sacrificing local interests. Irelands heavy reliance on foreign direct investment and multinational presence has brought significant economic growth but also left the country vulnerable to external pressures, especially from the US. If Trump follows through on his pledge to impose tariffs targeting the EU, Ireland could face harsh repercussions. With its significant ties to American businesses, Ireland could become collateral damage in a US-EU trade standoff. Harriss quick endorsement of Trump has raised questions about whether the government is genuinely prioritising Irish interests or merely bowing to the whims of multinationals and foreign leaders. While many within the government, particularly those leaning right, may argue that strong US-Ireland business ties are essential, this close alignment with US multinationals and potential concessions to US agricultural interests might undermine Irelands economic sovereignty. For example, any future US-UK trade deal that weakens EU cohesion could have a chilling effect on Irish exports and put Irish farmers at a competitive disadvantage, especially if the UK accepts low-cost US agricultural products that dont meet EU standards. This would erode Irish agricultural profits and harm rural economies, which rely on EU markets to protect their standards and pricing. For years, the Irish government has walked a fine line between appeasing multinational interests and managing domestic priorities. However, by extending an eager hand to the incoming Trump administration, the Irish government appears increasingly willing to placate corporate interests at any cost, including that of the average Irish citizen. Many believe that a government willing to put national interests second to multinationals, especially during turbulent trade times, will only exacerbate social and economic divides. Irelands current leadership may be focusing on short-term gains by currying favour with the US, but this approach risks ignoring the long-term impacts on Irish sovereignty, rural communities, and the broader economy. A different, more balanced approach could prioritise sustainable growth that benefits the people rather than prioritizing foreign corporate interests. Washington, November 11: President-elect Donald Trump is starting to fill key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign. Here's a look at who he's selected so far. Susie Wiles, chief of staff Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Wiles has a background in Florida politics. She helped Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trump's defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary. Trump Asks Rep. Mike Waltz, China Hawk, to Be His National Security Adviser. Wiles' hire was Trump's first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with the president-elect. Wiles is said to have earned Trump's trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trump's three presidential campaigns. Wiles was able to help keep Trump on track as few others have, not by criticising his impulses, but by winning his respect by demonstrating his success after taking her advice. Tom Homan, border czar Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump's top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation's history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. US President-Elect Donald Trump Names Stephen Miller to Be Deputy Chief of Policy in New Administration. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country's ever seen. Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's zero tolerance policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Elise Stefanik, United Nations ambassador Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticising Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik's questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the UN as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy Miller, an immigration hardliner, was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organisation made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, Nov 12 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday granted regular bail to 12 accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence which claimed at least eight lives, and in which former Union minister Ajay Mishra Teni's son Ashish is the main accused. While approving the release of the accused on bail on Tuesday, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court asked them to cooperate in the trial or their bail would be revoked. Also Read | Latest Government Jobs Notifications: UPSC Invites Applications for 27 Posts of Assistant Programmer, Apply Online at upsc.gov.in. Prime accused Ashish Mishra was already granted regular bail by the Supreme Court in the case earlier this year. The Allahabad HC bench that granted the bail to the 12 co-accused was presided over by Justice Krishna Pahal. Also Read | Kolkata: Class 4 Student Killed As Bus Hits Scooter in Salt Lake, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Directs Immediate Steps for Road Safety. It approved separate bail petitions filed by Ankit Das, Nandan Singh Bisht, Latif alias Kale, Satyam Tripathi alias Satya Prakash Tripathi, Shekhar Bharti, Dharmendra Singh Banjara, Ashish Pandey, Rinku Rana, Ullas Kumar Trivedi alias Mohit Trivedi, Lavkush, Sumit Jaiswal and Shishupal. The court had reserved its decision on October 18 after hearing the case in full and pronounced it on Tuesday via video conferencing from the Court. In the court, the defense counsel argued that the case involves 114 witnesses, yet only seven have testified so far. It also argued the Supreme Court has already granted regular bail to prime accused Ashish Mishra. The state government and the complainant's counsel opposed the bail petitions. After considering arguments from both sides, the court noted that completing the trial might take time, and with the prime accused now out on bail and no complaints filed against the other accused during their interim release, the petitions for regular bail were granted. On October 3, 2021, eight people were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri district's Tikunia where violence erupted when farmers were protesting against the then deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's visit to the area. According to the Uttar Pradesh Police FIR in the case, four farmers were mowed down by an SUV in which Ashish was seated. Following the incident, the driver of the SUV and two BJP workers were allegedly lynched by angry farmers. A journalist also died in the violence. In its order, the apex court said Ashish shall surrender his passport to the trial court within one week of his release on interim bail and not enter Uttar Pradesh except to attend the trial proceedings. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ayodhya, Nov 12 (PTI) Security was tightened around the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Tuesday after pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun allegedly issued a video message threatening to attack the temple. In the purported video, the founder of the banned outfit 'Sikhs for Justice' warned of potential bloodshed at the Ram Temple on November 16-17, coinciding with the 'Ram Vivah' festival scheduled for November 18, which Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to attend. Also Read | Leopard Attack in Lakhimpur Kheri: 2 Girls Heading to Their Familys Fields To Deliver Food in Munshigarh Village Attacked by Big Cat, Sustain Injuries To Head, Face and Shoulder. Following the alleged threat, Ayodhya effectively turned into a fortress with the already tight security around the Ram Janmabhoomi complex intensified further, police said. Armed members of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) have been deployed at the critical junctures of the temple town, where surveillance has been intensified through CCTV and drone cameras, officials said. Also Read | Congress Manifesto for Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: Party Releases Ghoshna Patra for Polls, Pledges 10 Lakh Govt Jobs for Youth (Watch Video). Intelligence agencies, anti-terrorist squads, and bomb disposal teams have been put on high alert, while heavy deployment of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Uttar Pradesh Police has been made throughout Ayodhya, they added. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) RK Nayyar told PTI, "We have tightened the security measures after receiving information about the threat from media reports." Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, however, downplayed the threat, saying, "No one can dare to launch an attack in Ayodhya which is protected by Lord Hanuman." The city is already a high-security zone having trained personnel to counter any terrorist threat, he added. (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 12: BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday alleged that the Congress party was conspiring with divisive elements in the Muslim community, sensing defeat in the upcoming Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls. In a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Prasad claimed that Congress and other INDIA bloc members were trying to appease the Muslims to get their votes. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: MVA Most Unstable Vehicle With No Wheels or Brakes, Says PM Narendra Modi. "The BJP is very clear that the Congress party is conspiring with all the conservative, divisive elements in the Muslim community for the sake of votes, as they are apprehensive about their imminent defeat, he said. "PM Modi says 'Ek rahenge toh safe rahenge,' and they (Congress) are making fun of it and knocking on the doors of the Election Commission," he said. The BJP MP also questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's stance on the Constitution and criticised his party's approach to religious reservations. "They have a problem with unity and are conspiring with forces who want to break the country and are trying to take away the rights of the poor OBCs to give them to Muslims. BJP will oppose every attempt to strip the marginalised and backward OBCs of their rights," Prasad said. PM Narendra Modi to Lay Foundation Stone for AIIMS Darbhanga on November 13. The BJP had on Saturday claimed that the Maharashtra unit of Congress assured a Muslim body that it would take steps to fulfil its demand of a 10 per cent quota for the community in jobs and education. Prasad said the BJP would like to ask the Congress and INDIA bloc whether the benefits given to Scheduled Castes will also be extended to the Muslims. "It contradicts the principles of the Constitution, we will oppose it completely," he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Pune, November 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday continued his attack on the Congress in poll-bound Maharashtra, alleging that the party is "looting people" in Karnataka and the money is allegedly being used to fight polls. Addressing a rally here, PM Modi spoke of the development works being done by the "double-engine" government in Maharashtra and Pune and said that the "middle-class" has always been a priority for the BJP. He said Congress should be kept away "to save Maharashtra". Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: MVA Most Unstable Vehicle With No Wheels or Brakes, Says PM Narendra Modi. PM Modi Addressing Rally in Pune #WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "The relationship between Pune and BJP is of ideology, culture and faith. Pune has always supported the ideology and vision of the BJP. I am deeply grateful to the people of Pune for this trust. I have come to assure pic.twitter.com/XfNSAHaUw3 ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2024 "In Karnataka, Congress lied and urged people to vote for them. They formed govt and were unable to fulfil their promises. Instead, they are running an extortion campaign in Karnataka. In Karnataka, scams are being unearthed every other day. It means that the Congress is looting people in broad daylight. Allegedly, Congress is using the same money to fight elections in Maharashtra. If we want to save Maharashtra, we need to keep Congress at bay," he said. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: PM Narendra Modi To Address 3 Public Meetings and Campaign for BJP Led-MahaYuti Candidates in State. "To empower the people of Pune, infrastructure, investment and industry - all three are required. We have worked on every aspect of it. In the last 10 years, the FDI has increased exponentially. Maharashtra is at the top of the list of investment companies that have been visiting India for investment in the last 2.5 years. Pune and this region will get a huge share of this investment. The number of companies increased when the investment was made in the electronics and IT sectors," he added. PM Modi said that the relationship between Pune and BJP is of "ideology, culture and faith". "Pune has always supported the ideology and vision of the BJP. I am deeply grateful to the people of Pune for this trust. I have come to assure you that the new Mahayuti government will work faster for the development of Pune and Maharashtra. The coming five years will be the years of new flights of development for Pune," he said. He expressed confidence of ruling Mahayuti defeating the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the polls. PM Modi addressed three rallies in Maharashtra on Tuesday. Apart from Pune, he addressed rallies at Chimur and Solapur. Polling in Maharashtra for 288 assembly seats will be held on November 20 and votes will be counted on 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) Reasi (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], November 12 (ANI): Security forces conducted a mock drill at the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge located between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the mock drill was conducted by District Police Reasi along with SOG, CRPF 126bn, GRP, RPF, SDRF, VDG, Civil Administration, Fire, Emergency, and Medical teams. Also Read | BRS Leader KT Rama Rao Meets Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Alleges Corruption Involving CM Revanth Reddy's Family in Tenders Related to AMRUT Scheme. Chenab Bridge is a structural marvel built across a gorge of Chenab Bridge in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir under the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project. This bridge was constructed 359 metres (around 109 feet) above the Chenab River in the Jammu and Kashmir region and is around 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. Also Read | Atishi Led-Delhi Government Decides to Reinstate 10,000 Bus Marshals, Urges LG VK Saxena to Make Appointments Permanent. Earlier, the Ministry of Railways made it to the "Limca Book of Records" for "most people at a public-service event - multiple venues." The Railways Ministry organised an event on February 26, 2024, which was attended by 40,19,516 people at 2,140 venues. The event was organised for the inauguration of road over/road under railway bridges and for laying the foundation stones of railway stations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The mammoth effort and mobilisation of Indian Railways was recognised, and the same was entered into the prestigious Limca Book of World Records. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed the law and order machinery to remain alert and take immediate action to prevent terror incidents in the region. While speaking to reporters about the recent security situation, Rather emphasized the need for heightened vigilance following a series of terror attacks in the Union Territory. "Our Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah) has asked the law and order machinery to be alert and bring such incidents to a stop," Speaker Rather said. Earlier, J-K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary called on security forces to take decisive actions and revise their strategies in light of recent terror attacks in J-K. The Deputy CM was commenting on recent incidents, including the encounter in Kishtwar in which a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army was killed on Sunday, and the abduction and killing of two Village Defence Guards in Kishtwar last Thursday. (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, Nov 12 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is restricting the ability of the Union Territory to harness its huge hydel power potential primarily due to constraints on storage. India and Pakistan signed the IWT in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory to the pact which sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two sides on the use of waters of a number of cross-border rivers in Jammu and Kashmir. Also Read | Ganja Cultivation in Greater Noida Flat Busted: Man Arrested for Cultivating Cannabis in His Indoor Setup in Panorama Society; Organic Grown Plants Sold on Dark Web, Say Police (Watch Videos). "As a fallout of the treaty barriers, J&K pays a heavy price in peak winter months when power generation hits low, creating hardships for its people," Abdullah, who also holds the Power portfolio, said while speaking at the Conference of the power ministers of states and Union Territories here. Abdullah highlighted the limiting clauses in the IWT that restricts Jammu and Kashmir from realising its full hydel potential by only permitting run-of-the-river projects. Also Read | Latest Government Jobs Notifications: UPSC Invites Applications for 27 Posts of Assistant Programmer, Apply Online at upsc.gov.in. "Hydel power is J&K's only viable energy source. The region is compelled to rely on power imports from other states, which adversely impacts its economy," the chief minister said. To address this, he said J&K would require special compensation from the government of India, including viability gap funding and equity assistance, to harness its untapped hydro-energy potential. Abdullah said the support would not only help in meeting the region's energy needs but also contribute to national clean energy goals. The chief minister also sought the Centre's intervention in holding Central Public Sector Undertakings like PESL and National Thermal Power Corporation accountable in fast-tracking loss reduction works under the premier Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in J&K. He also requested the Power Ministry to consider gap funding for implementation of electric infra works under RDSS. During the session on solar power potential and green energy, the chief minister dwelled upon the solar power energy being generated in Ladakh and said J&K would like to procure extra energy the UT is able to generate. Abdullah arrived here on Monday evening to participate in the Conference of Power Minister of states & UTs at India International Convention & Expo Centre Dwarka. He stayed for the entire day and participated in all technical sessions and put forth the viewpoint of the J&K government during the conference. The conference was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Power H Rajesh Prasad and Managing Directors of J&K Discoms. Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal chaired the conference. Minister of State for Power Shripad Yesso Naik was also present at the Conference. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thane, Nov 12 (PTI) Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, authorities in Thane district have seized Rs 3.7 crore cash from a builder's bungalow and a van, officials said on Tuesday. Acting on a tip, the police raided the bungalow located in Nerul area of Navi Mumbai on Monday night and seized Rs 2.5 crore cash from there, a police official said. Also Read | Tamil Nadu Weather Forecast: RMC Issues Yellow Alert From Today to November 15, Warning of Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall Expected in Chennai and 15 Other Districts in State. A probe was on to ascertain the source of the money and to whom it belonged, he said. In another operation, the flying squad and police on Monday seized Rs 1.2 crore from a cash van near Bapgaon when the vehicle was on way from Bhiwandi towards Kalyan, poll officials said. Also Read | BRS Leader KT Rama Rao Meets Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Alleges Corruption Involving CM Revanth Reddy's Family in Tenders Related to AMRUT Scheme. The authorities stopped the van and found the cash in it. The vehicle occupants could not give a satisfactory proof of the money and hence it was seized, they said. The state assembly polls are scheduled on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23. Prominent candidates in the fray from Thane city include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) OnlyFans model Bonnie Blue has revealed that she will be attempting to overturn the decision to cancel her visa. OnlyFans creator Bonnie Blue had her Australian visa cancelled after announcing she planned to work in the Gold Coast. Now she plans to have that decision overturned. Source: TikTok/Instagram Bonnie Blue the OnlyFans model who publicly boasted she would be travelling to schoolies to have sex with "barely legal 18-year-olds" has informed Yahoo News she intends to appeal the Australian government's decision to reject her visa. Last week, the UK adult content creator had her Australian visa torn up after she publicly and controversially announced she would be filming X-rated content with young men travelling to the Gold Coast for schoolies. This admission of her intention to undertake paid work was in breach of her visitor visa and her application was rejected. However, the OnlyFans model confirmed she will now appeal the decision. "As a law-abiding person, Bonnie doesn't agree with the decision but will observe and respect all laws of Australia as she has always said she will. For now, shes working on an appeal that means she hopes the decision can be withdrawn," a spokesperson for the model told Yahoo News Australia. Bonnie Blue and Annie Knight intended to work at schoolies together. Source: Instagram Over the last 24 hours, Bonnie informed social media followers she still plans to fly over to Australia and attend schoolies later in the month. "Hey Karens, I'm still going to be pleasuring your sons," she said on Instagram, addressing the schoolies situation. ADVERTISEMENT Aussie OnlyFans model Annie Knight, who announced she would be teaming up with Bonnie in the Gold Coast, further stoked the fire by writing "see you there" in a social media post tagging Bonnie. Yahoo News has reached out to the Department of Home Affairs for comment about Bonnie's visa appeal. Major pushback to X-rated schoolies plan After Bonnie and Annie initially announced their plans to attend schoolies, they were hit with a wave of criticism online and a petition was created in a bid to have Bonnie's visa denied. It received over 20,000 signatures in less than a week. ADVERTISEMENT Even the Gold Coast mayor publicly urged schoolies not to risk their reputation or future careers by engaging in any X-rated content with the pair. "These cougars [are trying to] get on to young men who are vulnerable, their adrenaline is pumping and we were all young once and enticing them to make mistakes that will be on the internet forever," Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate told media. However, the pair insist there is a rigorous vetting process for those who participate in their content, ensuring each individual gives their consent and official identification is given to confirm they are of legal age. They stand firm in the belief that they are doing nothing wrong and their behaviour is legal. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Yevla (Maharashtra), Nov 12 (PTI) Sharad Pawar addressed his first rally after the NCP was hit by internecine rebellion last year in the Yevla constituency of his former confidant Chhagan Bhujbal and apologised for giving a "wrong candidate" in 2019 polls. With campaigning for the November 20 assembly polls entering the home stretch, Pawar on Tuesday made an emotional appeal to voters to defeat the "betrayer", reflecting the deep hurt caused by Bhujbal siding with Ajit Pawar last July. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Visit Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana From November 16-21, Says MEA. Addressing a rally on Bhujbal's home ground Yevla, the veteran politician disclosed that post the NCP split, Bhujbal visited his residence and offered to mediate between him and Ajit Pawar, but never showed up again. Pawar said despite giving several opportunities to Bhujbal, ranging from the opposition leader to deputy chief minister overlooking his foibles, he crossed all limits of political decency and went on to betray him. Also Read | RG Kar Doctor Rape-Murder Case: Accused Sanjay Roy Brought and Taken From Court in Special Vehicle To Prevent Media Interactions. The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief said Bhujbal has the reputation of ditching his mentors including himself (Pawar) and the late Bal Thackeray, and appealed to voters to teach the turncoat leader a lesson. "Bhujbal made fun of Balasaheb Thackeray who had made him the mayor of Mumbai. When he feared attacks from Shiv Sainiks, who were hurt by the jibes at Thackeray, I protected him. Later, we fielded him as a candidate when he expressed the desire to contest elections, but he lost," Pawar said. Bhujbal had defected from the Shiv Sena and aligned with Pawar in the Congress in 1991. Bhujbal also walked out of the Congress with Pawar, when the latter formed the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999. Pawar said when Bhujbal lost the assembly elections, he sent him to the Legislative Council and even made him the Leader of the Opposition. "When I founded the NCP, I made Bhujbal the first state president of the party. I made the mistake of fielding him from Yeola and making him the second important minister in the government," Pawar said. Pawar recalled that Bhujbal committed some mistakes and had to resign as minister, but was taken back in the government after he gave an assurance of correcting himself. "I stood by him when he had to go to jail after some allegations were levelled at him and even gave him a post in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government," he said. Pawar said when the NCP was split, Bhujbal had come to his residence and offered to mediate between him and his renegade nephew Ajit Pawar. "He offered to mediate and left but has not returned ever since. He even took oath (as minister) the next day," Pawar said. The NCP-SP supremo said Bhujbal, who has betrayed his mentors, will come seeking votes from the people of Yevla. "It is up to you to decide whether to support such a person," Pawar said. Bhujbal is pitted against NCP-SP candidate Manikrao Shinde. The state assembly elections will be held on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23. Located in Nashik district, Yevla is home to one of the biggest onion wholesale markets in the country. Also famous for the Paithani sarees, the constituency comprises 3,26,626 voters, including nearly 1.35 lakh Marathas. Bhujbal (77), who hails from the Mali OBC community, started as a vegetable vendor in Mumbai's Byculla market. When Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966, Bhujbal was among the first to join it, advocating for the rights and pride of the Marathi community. Once a fierce supporter of the Hindutva ideology, Bhujbal joined the Congress in 1991 when Sharad Pawar was the chief minister. He focused on expanding his influence among the OBCs in the state. Last year, Bhujbal justified his decision to join the Ajit Pawar camp, stating it was motivated by the concern for voters, whose needs must be addressed. (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 12 (PTI) The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday lashed out at Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for allegedly threatening to target Ram temple in Ayodhya and said nobody can cause any harm to it. India is mighty and strong enough to firmly deal with any such threat, VHP international president Alok Kumar asserted and called upon people to remain calm in the wake of the designated Khalistani terrorist issuing such a threat. Also Read | Latest Government Jobs Notifications: UPSC Invites Applications for 27 Posts of Assistant Programmer, Apply Online at upsc.gov.in. This came after Pannun allegedly threatened to target Ram temple in Ayodhya. We have seen the notorious terrorist issuing threats on social media that he will cause harm to Ram temple. He has also threatened to take violent action if anyone waves tiranga (Indian flag) in Canada, Kumar said in a statement. Also Read | Kolkata: Class 4 Student Killed As Bus Hits Scooter in Salt Lake, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Directs Immediate Steps for Road Safety. A true disciple of waheguru ji would not even think of saying so and doing so, he said. Given the kind of cordial relationship that Hindu and Sikh community members have, only a mentally deranged person or a hired agent of some foreign power can think of indulging in such acts, the VHP leader said. We condemn the issuing of such threats. I also want to say that we do not care. India is mighty and strong. One should come prepared to face death under the provisions of Indian law if coming to cause harm to the Ram temple, he said. Nobody can harm Ram temple... All efforts to create a rift between Hindu and Sikh communities by such statements will fail, he added. On Tuesday, security was tightened around the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya after Pannun allegedly issued a video message threatening to attack the temple. In the purported video, the founder of the banned outfit 'Sikhs for Justice' warned of potential bloodshed at the Ram temple on November 16-17, coinciding with the 'Ram Vivah' festival scheduled for November 18, which Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to attend. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Barnala (Pb), Nov 12 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday slammed the central government for its alleged failure to help with stubble management and its lack of support for farmers of the state. Mann was addressing election rallies in Sanghera and Dhanaula of Barnala assembly constituency. Also Read | Ganja Cultivation in Greater Noida Flat Busted: Man Arrested for Cultivating Cannabis in His Indoor Setup in Panorama Society; Organic Grown Plants Sold on Dark Web, Say Police (Watch Videos). "Some people from Pakistan's Punjab are saying that our smoke is polluting their air, then some are saying this smoke is going to Delhi... It cannot be true that all the smoke is coming from our side," Mann said. "But let me tell you, air pollution does not know any borders. Other states cultivate paddy too. We are facing the same problem, and while we are doing everything we can to tackle it, the central government is not helping us," he said. Also Read | Latest Government Jobs Notifications: UPSC Invites Applications for 27 Posts of Assistant Programmer, Apply Online at upsc.gov.in. He highlighted the need for crop diversification to reduce the environmental impact but pointed out the central government's alleged indifference. "We are encouraging our farmers to diversify crops and move away from burning stubble, but the central government has failed to provide any incentives or support for these efforts," he added. "If they truly cared about Punjab and the environment, they would offer assistance to our farmers and help us tackle pollution in a meaningful way," said Mann. The bypolls to the four assembly seats -- ?Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal and Barnala -- will take place on November 20 and counting of votes will be held on November 23. Mann also listed achievements of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, highlighting developmental strides in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and public welfare. He thanked the people of Barnala for their continued support and assured them that the AAP government is committed to their welfare. "We are here to work and bring real change," said Mann. During the rallies, AAP MP from Sangrur Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, party candidate from Barnala, Harinder Singh Dhaliwal, several ministers in Mann's cabinet and party MLAs, among others, were also present. Speaking on healthcare, Mann highlighted the efforts made to ensure quality healthcare facilities through the setting up of 'mohalla clinics' and also touched upon various initiatives his government has taken in the education sector. He also said that 90 per cent of households in Punjab are getting zero electricity bills, with significant improvements in the power supply to rural areas, especially the timely delivery of electricity for farming. Mann took a jibe at the opposition, particularly the BJP and Congress, alleging that these parties are only interested in creating distractions and fighting amongst themselves. "They fight amongst each other, but they can never match the work we are doing for Punjab," he claimed. The CM also spoke about the employment opportunities provided by his government, highlighting that the AAP dispensation gave 45,000 government jobs to youths, and assured that more would be available soon in departments like the police. "Kartar Singh Sarabha sacrificed his life for the freedom of our country at the age of 19. Today, we too are fighting for the future of Punjab. We are fighting for clean air, a healthy environment, and a better tomorrow for our children. Their sacrifices should inspire us to keep working towards a brighter future for Punjab," he said. Sangrur MP Meet Hayer, in his address, said, "For 35 years, our region received no funds and was ignored by previous governments. But in just two-and-a-half years, we have brought real change. Sanghera has received more funds than ever before, including a substantial sum of Rs 13 crore, a remarkable improvement from the past." AAP candidate Dhaliwal said that "we are seeking votes in this bye-election based on the works done by the Mann government". (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kolkata, Nov 12 (PTI) West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Tuesday sought an immediate reply from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on RG Kar rape-murder prime accused Sanjay Roy's claim that he had been framed and that former Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goel and other senior officers were behind the conspiracy, sources in the Raj Bhavan said. Bose also urged the state government to look into the matter and inform him the factual position and its stand on the allegations "at the earliest", they said. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Assembly By-Elections 2024: Over 5.3 Lakh Voters To Select New Budhni and Vijaypur MLAs; Voting on November 13. "The governor sought an immediate report from CM Mamata Banerjee on the prime accused in the RG Kar case alleging that he was framed by senior police officers, including former Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goel," a top source said. "He also asked the state government to look into the matter and inform him the factual position and its stand on the allegations at the earliest," he said. Also Read | Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Plane Named 'Rahul Baba' Bound To Crash, MahaYuti Will Come Back To Power, Says Amit Shah. Roy had on Monday claimed outside the court that he was innocent and alleged that Goel and another senior police officer of Kolkata Police have conspired to frame him in the RG Kar case. Roy, who was produced in a city court on Monday afternoon where the trial began, also alleged that the state government has been backing the senior police officers. "There are senior officers who are involved in this. The government is backing them. I have done nothing. They (police officers) have been threatening me. I am giving you the names. They are Vineet Goel and DC Special... They have conspired to frame me into this. Why are they not telling everything? Ask them," Roy had said. Roy was arrested by the Kolkata Police on August 10, a day after an on-duty woman doctor's body was found inside the seminar room of the RG Kar hospital. Later, the CBI took up the probe of case following a Calcutta High Court order. The incident sparked a nationwide outrage. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kolkata, Nov 12 (PTI) Two witnesses were examined on Tuesday before the trial court here in the rape and murder case of a doctor of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, sources said. The in-camera trial, which began on Monday, is being held on a day-to-day basis. Also Read | Nykaa Reports 5% Decline in Net Profit to INR 12.97 Crore YoY During July-September Period. The examination of the two witnesses takes the total number of witnesses examined in the case to four, the sources said. Accused Sanjay Roy was produced before the court of additional district and sessions judge Anirban Das under heavy police bandobast. Also Read | Punjab By-Elections 2024: AAP Seeks Action Against Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring for Offering Money to Voters. Sources said that two more witnesses will be examined before the court on Wednesday. The on-duty postgraduate trainee doctor's body was found in the seminar room of the state-run hospital on August 9. The Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI investigation into the rape-murder case. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], November 12 (ANI): The folk festival Igas was celebrated at Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's residence. The CM prayed for peace and prosperity in the state by offering prayers and reciting Sundarkand. CM Dhami also played Bhelo and worshipped the same on the occasion of the Igas festival. During this, he also played Dhol Damau. Wishing all the people of the state on Igas, the Chief Minister said, "We have to take our folk traditions and folk culture forward. Today the whole state is celebrating Igas with great pomp and show." Also Read | Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Plane Named 'Rahul Baba' Bound To Crash, MahaYuti Will Come Back To Power, Says Amit Shah. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his affection for Uttarakhand and its culture. "PM Modi has also wished all the people of the state on the occasion of Igas. The Prime Minister has a special attachment to Uttarakhand that he participated in the Igas festival. PM Modi has always promoted the folk festivals and culture of Uttarakhand." Calling the folk culture and tradition "identity of Devbhoomi", Chief Minister Dhami said, "The festival of Igas is very special for us. To make this folk festival reach the people, the tradition of public holidays has also been started in the last few years. In the recently held Pravasi Uttarakhandi Sammelan, he had also requested the migrant Uttarakhand residents to go to their villages and celebrate the folk festival." Also Read | Indus Water Treaty Creating Hurdles for Jammu and Kashmir's Hydel Power Generation, Says CM Omar Abdullah. The Chief Minister said that on the State Foundation Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address had requested the people of Uttarakhand to preserve their dialect and connect with the village. "On the occasion of the Igas festival, we have to take a pledge to connect with our village and preserve the language and folk festivals," he added. Earlier on Monday, PM Modi celebrated the Igas Bagwal festival at the residence of BJP MP Anil Banuli in New Delhi. PM Modi was wearing a traditional Uttarakhand cap and greeted with Sadhus and Saints present at the residence of Baluni. PM Modi worshipped the Tulsi plant, lit the Igas flame and performed Aarti. Igal Bagwal festival is widely celebrated in Uttarakhand, after 11 days of Diwali. It is also called Budhi Diwali. Igaas festival honours the Goddess Nanda Devi and celebrates harvest, fertility, and prosperity. (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, Nov 12 (PTI) BJP MP from South Delhi Ramvir Singh Bidhuri on Tuesday inaugurated a newly constructed stretch of a 12-lane national highway connecting Mithapur Chowk to the Mumbai-Baroda highway in the Badarpur area. The highway is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in south Delhi, according to an official statement from the MP's office. Also Read | Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: How to Vote, Check Name in Voter List and Download Voter Slip Online? How to Find Polling Station? Know Everything Here Ahead of Phase 1 Polling on November 13. The National Highway at Mithapur Chowk is a major step towards resolving traffic issues in south Delhi. With this development, the region will soon be free from the persistent traffic jams, Bidhuri said. The newly opened stretch features dedicated entry and exit points at Mithapur Chowk, enhancing accessibility for commuters, the statement said. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for November 12, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. The project is anticipated to drastically reduce travel times, with the commute from Mithapur Chowk to Haryana's Sohna now expected to take just 25 minutes, compared to the previous 2.5-hour journey, it said. According to the statement, the remaining portion of the highway, from Sarai Kale Khan to Kalindi Kunj, is still under construction and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari once completed. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Nov 12 (PTI) Diageo India (United Spirits Ltd) on Tuesday announced the launch of a regenerative agriculture programme with rice farmers in Telangana, as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and water use in its supply chain. Implemented in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, the programme will work with over 220 farmers from 15 villages in Telangana, covering over 500 hectares of land in the first year, the company said in a statement. Also Read | Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: How to Vote, Check Name in Voter List and Download Voter Slip Online? How to Find Polling Station? Know Everything Here Ahead of Phase 1 Polling on November 13. The regenerative agriculture programme is aimed at supporting smallholder farmers within local communities while building resiliency in our supply chain, it said. "Through the rice regenerative agriculture programme in Telangana, we're actively working towards our goal of reducing value chain emissions by 50 per cent and water use by 30 per cent. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for November 12, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. "We continue to explore partnerships in line with our ESG (environmental, social, and governance) action plan to expand the impact of our work and leverage synergies," Diageo India Chief Supply and Sustainability Officer Jitendra Mahajan said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai, Nov 12 (PTI) Shriram General Insurance has signed a partnership with Muthoot Securities Ltd, engaged in the wealth management services of the Kerala-based The Muthoot Group, to retail its insurance policies through digital medium, the company said on Tuesday. Under the partnership, customers of Muthoot Securities Ltd would be able to purchase the insurance policies offered by the Shriram General Insurance company. Also Read | Latest Government Jobs Notifications: UPSC Invites Applications for 27 Posts of Assistant Programmer, Apply Online at upsc.gov.in. Shriram General Insurance Executive Director and Chief Marketing Officer Aftab Alvi exchanged documents with Muthoot Securities Ltd CEO Ragesh GR at an event recently, a press release said. The collaboration allows customers of Muthoot Securities Ltd to buy the general insurance products including fire, motor, engineering and health offered by the Shriram General Insurance, it added. Also Read | Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: How to Vote, Check Name in Voter List and Download Voter Slip Online? How to Find Polling Station? Know Everything Here Ahead of Phase 1 Polling on November 13. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, November 12: US President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State and Congressman Mike Waltz as his National Security Advisor. Rubio, 53, is considered to be a friend of India and has been an advocate of the India-US relationship, while Waltz, 50, is an old-India hand and has been co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for India and Indian Americans for years. By picking Rubio and Waltz as his top diplomat and NSA guarantees a continuation of bi-partisan support and further strengthening of India-US relationship under the second Trump administration. The news of these two major appointments came as the Republican party won a majority in the House of Representatives, thus giving Trump control over both the wings of the US Congress. The role of NSA does not require Senate confirmation. Donald Trump 2.0: US President-Elect Asks Mike Waltz, China Hawk, To Be His National Security Adviser, Say Reports. There has been no official statement from the Trump Transition Team. I'm thrilled for my friend, Florida colleague, and our next Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He will restore American leadership around the world, especially in Latin America, as he represents the United States with dignity and courage! Florida Senator Rick Scott said. Scott is seeking to be the Senate Majority Leader, which is currently being held by Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer. I am thrilled that President Trump has chosen Rep. Mike Waltz to serve as his National Security Adviser. There is no one more capable or qualified for this crucial role, said Congressman Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, As a Green Beret, Rep. Waltz bravely fought to defend our nation. As a leader on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Waltz has continued to work around the clock to bolster US national security. Our national security is in good hands with Rep. Waltz at the helm, Rogers said. Waltz, a Trump loyalist, is a combat-decorated Green Beret who served in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. He would be the first former Green Beret to hold the role. Waltz has served in Congress since 2019. He has called for Europe to do more to support Ukraine and for the US to be more stringent with its support, aligning with a key foreign policy goal of the president-elect. He has also been a staunch critic of the Biden administration's 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, The Hill reported. Donald Trump 2.0: Here Are People US President-Elect Has Picked for Key Positions So Far in His Second Administration. Earlier in the day, Trump announced the nomination of former Congressman from New York, Lee Zeldin, as The Administrator of The United States Environmental Protective Agency (EPA). Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet. He will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way, Trump said. He earlier nominated Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to serve in his Cabinet as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is a strong and very smart America First fighter. She graduated from Harvard University, with honours, was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, and is the highest ranking woman in Congress, as the House Republican Conference Chair, Trump said. She was the first Member of Congress to endorse me and has always been a staunch advocate. Elise is a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Intelligence Committee, and led the charge against antisemitism on college campuses. She will be an incredible Ambassador to the United Nations, delivering Peace through Strength and America First National Security policies! said the president-elect. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Etah, November 12: A bus carrying a wedding procession fell into a ditch near village Gulabpur here, leaving 12 people injured, an official said on Tuesday. The incident occurred at about 10 pm on Monday. Locals and police rescued those injured and rushed them to the medical college here. Uttar Pradesh Road Accident: 5 Killed As Car Rams Into Broken-Down Truck on Noida Expressway (Watch Video). The condition of the injured in stable, Chief Medical Officer of Etah, Dr Umesh Tripathi said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Port-au-Prince [Haiti], November 12 (ANI): Alix Didier Fils-Aime was sworn in as Haiti's new prime minister, hours after a flight from the United States was hit by gunfire while making its final approach to the capital Port-au-Prince, Al Jazeera reported. Fils-Aime was formally appointed on Monday by a presidential council after it fired the Caribbean nation's interim prime minister, Garry Conille. Following this, the newly appointed PM affirmed that he would ensure security across the nation. Also Read | US President-Elect Donald Trump Taps Florida Senator Marco Rubio As His Secretary of State and Mike Waltz As National Security Advisor. "I pledge - in front of you, members of the presidential council and the entire nation - to put my energy, my skills and my patriotism at the service of the national cause," Al Jazeera quoted Fils-Aime as saying in French. This comes amid the ongoing political tensions in Haiti after the country's then-President Jovenel Moise was killed in an assassination attempt, which led to armed groups occupying large areas. Also Read | Pakistan Air Pollution: Lahore Imposes Temporary Ban on Outdoor Activities To Address Increasing Threat of Smog. The flight departed from South Florida's Fort Lauderdale and was expected to arrive at the Haitian capital's airport. However, the flight was diverted to the Dominican Republic's capital Santiago, where it landed safely, Tommy Fletcher, spokesperson of Spirit Airlines said, adding that the flight was damaged by gunfire, as reported by Al Jazeera. The Airlines spokesperson further said that one flight attendant sustained minor injuries and no guests were reported to be injured. Airbus A321, the flight had visible bullet holes in its interior. As this happened, Spirit Airlines halted its operations in the Haitian capital and second-largest city Cap-Haitien. Following the incident, American Airlines also reportedly "suspended its operations to Port-au-Prince until November 14." The officials at the Haitian Capital's Airport confirmed the "indefinite closure" for all commercial flights. Due to years of gang violence, Haiti is mired in a huge humanitarian crisis, forcing more than 700,000 people from their homes and deepening of already devastating poverty and hunger. An escalating gang war in the country has killed almost 4,000 people this year, according to the United Nations. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dubai, Nov 12 (AP) An attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels saw multiple explosions strike near a commercial vessel travelling through the Red Sea on Tuesday, though no damage was immediately reported by the ship, Western authorities said. The Houthis later claimed they targeted American warships there. The attack comes as the rebels continue their monthslong assault targeting shipping through a waterway that typically sees $1 trillion in goods pass through it a year over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Israel's ground offensive in Lebanon. Also Read | US: American Pit Bull Gives Birth to Green Puppy in Mississippi, Pet Parents Name Dog Fiona After Shrek Movie; Viral Video Surfaces. The Houthis have insisted that the attacks will continue as long as the wars go on, and the assaults already have halved shipping through the region. Meanwhile, a UN panel of experts now allege that the Houthis may be shaking down some shippers for about $180 million a month for safe passage through the area. A vessel in the southern reaches of the Red Sea, about 130 km (80 miles) southwest of the rebel-held port city of Hodeida, reported the attack, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said. Also Read | China Car Crash: 35 Killed, 43 Injured After Car Rams Into Crowd at Sports Centre in Zhuhai, Suspect Held (Watch Videos). No one was wounded on board in the blasts, and the ship was continuing on its journey, the UKMTO added. Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree in a prerecorded statement Tuesday night claimed the rebels attacked two American destroyers in the Red Sea with ballistic missiles and drones. It wasn't immediately clear if the UKMTO report was directly linked to the Houthi claim, but similar incidents of rebel fire coming near other ships have happened before. The Houthis have targeted more than 90 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October 2023. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign, which also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels as well. The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK to force an end to Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran. The Houthis have shot down multiple American MQ-9 Reaper drones as well. The last Houthi maritime attack came Oct 28 and targeted the Liberian-flagged bulk tanker Motaro. Before that, an Oct 10 attack targeted the Liberian-flagged chemical tanker Olympic Spirit. It's unclear why the Houthis' attacks have dropped, though they have launched multiple missiles toward Israel as well. On Oct 17, the US military unleashed B-2 stealth bombers to target underground bunkers used by the rebels. US airstrikes also have been targeting Houthi positions in recent days as well. Meanwhile, a report by UN experts from October says the Houthis allegedly collected illegal fees from a few shipping agencies to allow their ships to sail through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden without being attacked. It put the money generated a month at around USD 180 million, though it stressed it hadn't been able to corroborate the information provided by sources to the panel. The Houthis haven't directly responded to the allegation. However, the report did include two threatening emails the Houthis sent to shippers, with one of those vessels later coming under attack by the rebels. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Germany prepares for snap elections amid political upheaval following the collapse of Scholz's coalition. (Photo: X/ @OlafScholz) Berlin [Germany], November 12 (ANI): Germany is set to hold early elections on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government. The news was first reported by DW Politics in a post on X, stating that the governing SPD and the opposition CDU/CSU parliamentary groups had reached an agreement on the date. Also Read | China Car Crash: 35 Killed, 43 Injured After Car Rams Into Crowd at Sports Centre in Zhuhai, Suspect Held (Watch Videos). "BREAKING: Germany is expected to hold early elections on February 23. The governing SPD and the opposition CDU/CSU parliamentary groups have reportedly agreed on the date. It comes after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition," DW Politics posted on X (formerly Twitter) with a breaking update. https://x.com/dw_politics/status/1856275257608348055 Also Read | China Car Crash: 35 Killed, 43 Injured As Car Hits Crowd Exercising at Sports Centre in Zhuhai City; Driver Detained (Watch Videos). German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his finance minister last week, leaving the government teetering on the brink of collapse. The collapse of the coalition was triggered by Scholz's dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leader of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). The FDP subsequently withdrew from the government, leaving Scholz without a majority in the Bundestag, DW reported. In a televised address, Scholz said he had dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner saying it "was necessary to prevent harm to our country." To formalise the process leading to the snap elections, Scholz is expected to call a vote of confidence in the lower house of parliament on December 16, reported DW. Scholz and the head of the country's largest opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friederich Merz came to an agreement that a no-confidence vote should be set for 16 December, with elections to follow in February of next year. Scholz previously suggested a no-confidence vote to be held on 15 January, with elections following around March, reported Euronews. This was rejected by Merz, who argued that Scholz's government were no longer able to claim a parliamentary majority in order to run the country effectively. Scholz will ask the question of no confidence in the Bundestag on 16 December. His government is widely expected to not survive the vote, with elections set to follow 60 days later. The traffic light coalition, named for the parties' respective colors, consisted of the center-left SPD, the FDP, and the Greens. Formed in 2021 after lengthy negotiations, the alliance marked a shift from the previous "grand coalition" of the SPD and CDU/CSU under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Despite initial alignment on EU, foreign, and security policies, the coalition was frequently at odds over domestic issues, including taxation, climate policy, and economic recovery measures. The FDP opposed the SPD and Greens' proposal to increase taxes on the wealthiest to address pandemic-induced national debt and resisted their vision for climate policy, favouring market-driven solutions over government intervention. More recently, disagreements over the 2024 budget and strategies to revive Germany's economy deepened the rift within the coalition, culminating in its collapse last week, reported DW. Germany's 2021 general election saw the SPD emerge as the largest party in the Bundestag, overtaking the CDU/CSU. However, the coalition's dissolution now sets the stage for a potentially pivotal election, as Germany navigates critical economic and political challenges. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Balochistan [Pakistan], November 12 (ANI): Pakistan security forces have detained two local youths and moved them to an unknown location after a military operation in the Dukki and Dasht areas of Kench district on Sunday. The military operation was intensified after an attack on the military camp by armed assailants, as reported by The Balochistan Post. This resulted in the abduction of Talal, son of Umar, and Amir Baloch, son of Ibrahim who were taken to an undisclosed location. Other details about the detention were unclear due suspension of Internet and mobile services. Also Read | Amazon Data Breach: E-Commerce Giant Confirms Hackers Stealing Employee Data and Publishing on Notorious Website. According to the Balochistan Post, the armed assailants attacked the military camps, resulting in the death of a soldier and injuries to eight personnel. This was followed by intensified security actions against the people of the region. The Balochistan Post reported that the armed forces imposed a strict curfew across the region after the attack and suspended mobile connectivity. The curfew led to the closure of shops and educational institutions, hampering the needs of the people. In addition to this, helicopters were seen patrolling in the area with the high number of military forces deployed in the area. The fearful situation has created an atmosphere of terror in the minds of residents. Also Read | Turkey Weight-Loss Operation Takes Another Life: UK Woman Suffers Cardiac Arrest, Bleeds to Death After Gastric Sleeve Surgery Goes Wrong in Antalya Hospital. The incident has infuriated people amid the background of the ongoing situation of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Meanwhile, Dostain, son of Shah Murad Bugti, from Dera Bugti was forcibly disappeared by the military forces. Recently, Khan Mohammad Bugti, a shop owner in Dera Bugti's Phelawgh area, was detained by the Pakistani security forces from his shop. In another incident, Irshad was assaulted and abducted by the armed forces during a raid. The families protested but received no answers from the armed forces. Earlier, the families of Sher Jan Darvesh and Irshad staged a protest at Fida Chowk in Turbat, demanding justice and the immediate release of their loved ones. (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 12 (ANI): Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud will pay an official visit to India from November 12-13, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. Al-Saud will arrive at the Air Force Station at Palam in Delhi. On Wednesday, he will hold a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Hyderabad House. Also Read | Leg Severed, Scalp Missing: Woman Mauled to Death by Wild Dogs in Russia's Kazan City, Mutilated Body Found. Earlier on November 1, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated. 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. Also Read | Tesla Model Y Car Fire Incident in Canada: 4 Indian-Origin People in Toronto Burned to Death in Tesla's EV As Electric Doors Fail To Open After Crash. 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 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 the 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. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Taipei [Taiwan], November 12 (ANI): Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported Chinese military activity on Tuesday, detecting ten People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, and five People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels. The Taiwanese MND stated that eight of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central southwestern and eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Also Read | US President-Elect Donald Trump Names Stephen Miller to Be Deputy Chief of Policy in New Administration. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1856139855232938225 "10 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." Taiwan MND said on X. Also Read | Russian Deputy PM Denis Manturov Calls on PM Narendra Modi Ahead of Key Intergovernmental Meeting (See Pics). https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1855777463629934617 On Monday, the Taiwanese MND detected 7 Chinese aircraft and five vessels around it. "7 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." Taiwan MND said on X. Notably, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan by deploying aircraft and naval vessels since September 2020. It is using grey zone tactics to achieve its security objective. Earlier, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security conference in which he assured the public about the government's commitment to neutralising any threat to Taiwan's democracy and security after China staged a large-scale military drill around the island. He made his remarks in response to the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) announcement of military drills, named "Joint Sword-2024B," in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, which were described as a "stern warning" to advocates of Taiwan independence, according to the Taipei Times. In an attempt to modernise Taiwan, on November 4, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te attended the keel-laying ceremony for the Taiwanese Navy, also known as the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) new light frigate prototype at Kaohsiung shipyard. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hyderabad, November 12: BRS working president K T Rama Rao met Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and submitted a letter alleging corruption involving Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's family in tenders related to AMRUT scheme. Rao met Khattar in Delhi on Monday, the BRS said here. Meanwhile, state Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy alleged that Rao's Delhi trip was actually aimed at seeking the help of "Delhi bigwigs" as the BRS leader feels that the state government's request to lodge an FIR against him is expected to get the governor's nod soon. BRS Working President KT Rama Rao Dismisses Allegations over Hyderabad Formula E-race. The Telangana government had written to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma seeking permission to register an FIR against Rao over alleged irregularities during the previous BRS regime with regard to conducting the Formula-E race in Hyderabad. Rao, who is an MLA now, was municipal administration minister in the BRS government. Mumbai, November 12: The Maha Vikas Aghadi will win more than 170 seats in the upcoming elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly and take a decision on the chief minister's post together, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said on Tuesday. In an interview to PTI, Wadettiwar, the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly, was non-committal on the demand for a chief minister from the state's Vidarbha region. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: MVA Launches Manifesto, Promises Caste Census, INR 3000 for Women; Highlights 5 Guarantees (Watch Video). Our first and foremost priority is to oust the Mahayuti government. A decision on the chief minister will be taken after the elections in consultation with the alliance partners and the Congress high command, he said when asked about having a chief minister from Vidarbha. Besides Wadettiwar, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, state BJP head Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are prominent leaders from the Vidarbha region. Wadettiwar also claimed the BJP leaders were raising "provocative" slogans such as 'batenge toh katenge' (divided we fall) as the BJP-led ruling coalition was losing ground ahead of the assembly elections. BJP Leader Amit Shah Releases 'Sankalp Patra' for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, Promises Welfare of Farmers, Women, and Poor; Hits Out at MVA (Watch Video). The ruling Mahayuti alliance of Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP is locked in a fierce contest with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress, in the November 20 state assembly polls. "Hindus are not in danger, it is the BJP that is in danger. This is the reason BJP leaders are raising slogans such as 'batenge toh katenge' and 'ek hai toh safe hai' (we are safe if we are united)," Wadettiwar said. He claimed the MVA alliance was all set to de-throne the Eknath Shinde-led government. "The MVA is set to win more than 170 seats. We were ahead in 165 assembly segments in the Lok Sabha elections. We will definitely perform better," Wadettiwar said. Maharashtra sends 48 members to the Lok Sabha and the opposition INDIA bloc, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), won 31 seats in the parliamentary polls earlier this year, giving a blow to the BJP-led NDA which managed to emerge victorious in 17 seats. Wadettiwar also dismissed speculation about a rift among the opposition alliance partners and accused the BJP of furthering such narratives to create confusion among voters. "We are united. There is no rift in the MVA and we are set to win the elections," the Congress leader said, adding the opposition alliance will win 42-45 seats of the 62 in the Vidarbha region. He also ruled out any change in political equations in Maharashtra after the elections and asserted the MVA will form the next government. "People are fed up with the current Mahayuti government and are desirous of change," Wadettiwar said, and accused the BJP of spreading canards about disquiet in the opposition alliance.On the Mahayuti government's Ladki Bahin scheme that provides a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to women in the state, Wadettiwar said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's flagship initiative was rolled out with an eye on the elections. "We have promised Rs 3,000 as monthly allowance to women in our poll manifesto," the Congress leader said. He rejected the BJP's claims that Congress governments in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh were unable to fulfil the election promises to voters. Lucknow, November 12: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said the BJP kept people preoccupied with the struggle for livelihood so it could carry out its communal politics. He said that jobs will only be created when the BJP is ousted. "If the BJP had governed with the same intensity with which it is running the bulldozer of injustice, today its members wouldn't have to hide in their homes, fearing the anger of students," he said. Yadav's remarks come amid ongoing protests by aspirants in Prayagraj over the decision of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) to conduct the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) and Provincial Civil Service (PCS) preliminary exams on different dates. "For years, either vacancies are not released, or the examination process is delayed. The BJP has distracted students from their studies and forced them to protest in the streets," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister wrote in a post on X. SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Slams BJP After Police Lathi Charge on UPPSC Aspirants Protesting Against PCS and RO/ARO Exam Format in Prayagraj (Watch Videos). "Today, the atmosphere has become Yogi vs. Contestant students!'" his post read. The SP leader said jobs for youths were not in BJP's agenda, and the people had realised this. "They got lathi charged, and jobs are still not in their agenda. We don't want a useless government." Yadav also claimed that the educated, employed middle class was no longer swayed "emotionally by the BJP." "Now even the parents, who were once victims of the BJP's false propaganda on WhatsApp groups, have realised how the BJP exploited them emotionally to gain and maintain its power," he said in the post. Prayagraj: Protest Continues Outside UPPSC Office, No Agreement Reached. "Now these people are also rejecting the BJP's divisive communal politics and embracing 'positive politics that unites.' No one is willing to remain a mental slave of the BJP anymore," he asserted. "Jobs will come only when the BJP goes," he added. The politician allied with the INDIA bloc also decried the Yogi Adityanath government's "bulldozer politics," saying the backlash it caused has made BJP leaders cower in their homes. BJP flags have been removed from the houses, shops, establishments, and vehicles of its members, he claimed. "The time for BJP's negative politics and false narratives is over," he added. Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, is a significant festival for Sikhs worldwide, celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. Born in 1469 in the village of Talwandi (now in Pakistan), Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a profound spiritual leader whose teachings emphasized love, equality, and compassion. His message of "Ik Onkar," meaning "One God," promoted the idea of a singular divine presence and the oneness of humanity, transcending divisions of caste, creed, and religion. Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 will be observed on Friday, November 15. To celebrate Guru Nanak Gurpurab, share these Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 wishes, WhatsApp messages, Guru Nanak Jayanti HD images, quotes , greetings and wallpapers to your close friends and family members. The celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti begins with early morning prayers and processions, known as "Prabhat Pheris," where devotees sing hymns and chant verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. Many gurdwaras hold Akhand Path, a continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, which is completed over 48 hours. The highlight of the festival is the Nagar Kirtan, a community procession with the holy scripture carried in a beautifully decorated palanquin, accompanied by devotees singing, dancing, and reciting hymns. On Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024, wish each other with Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 wishes, WhatsApp messages, Guru Nanak Jayanti HD images, quotes , greetings and wallpapers. November 2024 Festivals, Events and Holidays Calendar: Complete List of Important National and International Days and Dates. Guru Nanak Jayanti Wishes (Photo Credits: File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: May You Find the Strength To Tide Over All Obstacles With His Grace. Happy Gurpurab to You and Your Family. Guru Nanak Jayanti Wishes (Photo Credits: File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: Let Us Celebrate the Occasion of Guru Jis Birth and Make a Commitment To Abide by the Guidance He Provided. Happy Gurpurab! Guru Nanak Jayanti Wishes (Photo Credits: File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: Heartiest Wishes to You and Your Family on This Auspicious Occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. May This Gurpurab Bring You Joy and Happiness in Life. Guru Nanak Jayanti Wishes (Photo Credits: File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: I Hope That You and Your Loved One Are Showered With His Divine Blessings on This Auspicious Day of Guru Nanak Dev Jis Birth Anniversary! Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti! Guru Nanak Jayanti Wishes (Photo Credits: File Image) WhatsApp Message Reads: Guru Nanak Jayanti Is an Annual Reminder To Keep Guru Nanak Dev Jis Teachings in Our Hearts and Be on the Path to Enlightenment. Happy Gurupurab! Langar, a free community kitchen, is a vital part of Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations, reflecting Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings on selfless service and equality. Volunteers prepare and serve meals to all, irrespective of background, symbolizing the spirit of unity and brotherhood. The concept of langar, initiated by Guru Nanak, was revolutionary in its time and continues to be a powerful expression of equality and community service. Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings continue to inspire millions to live a life based on humility, integrity, and compassion. His principles of honest living, devotion to God, and service to humanity remain central to Sikh beliefs. Guru Nanak Jayanti is not only a celebration of his birth but also a reminder of his timeless values, which resonate universally, promoting a harmonious and inclusive world. Wishing everyone Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024! (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2024 05:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The incident sparked a war of words between the opposition Congress and the ruling BJP. The Congress accused the BJP of threatening the voters ahead of polling, while the BJP termed it a conspiracy of the Congress. 'Sonia ji tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times and 20 times the plane crashed. Now again, on the strength of Maha Aghadi, an attempt is being made to land the plane for the 21st time in Maharashtra,' Amit Shah said. Cupertino, November 12: Apple has slowly gained its edge over the competition by adopting artificial intelligence, i.e., Apple Intelligence, and a mixed reality headset, i.e., Vision Pro. It is expected to introduce its new foldable smartphone soon, along with other products. According to recent reports, the Cupertino-based tech giant would likely introduce a smart home camera and begin production by 2026. However, a report said that Apple may not launch a smart ring. After Samsung introduced its Galaxy AI this year, the smartphone market saw a surge of AI features in the operating systems. Apple, despite being slow to adopt, introduced its highly anticipated Apple Intelligence. However, a report by CNBC said that Oura CEO Tom Hale informed us that Apple might not launch a "smart ring" because it would be hard to do. iPhone 17 Air Launching in 2025 May Not Be Thinner As Expected Due to Battery Challenges Faced by Apple: Report. It is already rumoured that Apple might introduce its smart ring or Apple Ring, likely in the future, offering unique specifications and features for brand enthusiasts and customers alike. Samsung already launched its highly anticipated ring for all in 2024 with several health-tracking features. The rings are praised by the experts for being small to carry and an ideal replacement for smartwatches, which are a little bulky on the wrist and have to be removed while sleeping. Although Apple already penetrated the smartwatch segment with its Apple Watches, Tom Hale, CEO of Oura, said that Apple may not enter the segment. Oura was established in 2013 and has been developing smart rings for a longer period. During a Web Summit held in Lisbon, Portugal, Hale told the press that Apple was unconvinced about the value of having a ring and a watch together and would not take interest in undercutting Apple Watch as a business. He said that Apple may have kept a close eye on Samsung and Oura for developing a smart ring, but he said, "It's hard to do this product category right." Apple is primarily focused on its Apple Watches as a device that offers health-related information and has invested a lot in developing its features and apps. However, having a smart ring is a convenient way to get all the health-related information. iPhone SE 4 May Launch in March 2025; Check Expected Price, Specifications and Features. Smart rings are easier to carry and also last long in terms of battery life. Due to these qualities, the Apple Ring might be a good option to wear all day and night to measure health-related information. On the other hand, smartwatches may be good sources of such information, but they are a little heavy to carry on the wrist. Oura CEO Hale said that Apple, focused on the smartwatch, would make it its own platform and might not get into the smart ring segment. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2024 08:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, November 12: The Delhi High Court has ordered the Bureau of Immigration to cancel a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against BharatPes former Managing Director Ashneer Grover and his wife Madhuri Jain Grover. A bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula took note of the submission that the FIR forming the basis of issuance of LOC has been quashed on the basis of compromise between the parties. "Accordingly, the present petitions are disposed of with a direction to the respondents (authorities) to cancel the LOC against the petitioners in their records," it ordered. After a long-standing and dramatic courtroom battle, BharatPe in September this year said it had reached a settlement with its former co-founder Grover, who was charged, along with his family members, by the fintech company for alleged misappropriation of funds worth Rs 88.67 crore. Elon Musks Tesla and SpaceX Hold USD 1.73 Billion Worth Bitcoin in Total. The fintech company said that as part of the agreement, Grover will not be associated with BharatPe in any capacity nor be a part of the shareholding of the company. It added that both parties have decided not to pursue the cases filed. BharatPe in December 2022 had filed a criminal complaint against Grover, Madhuri Grover, Shwetank Jain (her brother), Suresh Jain (father-in-law of Grover) and Deepak Gupta (the couple's brother-in-law). It has been alleged that Grover, founder & ex-director of BharatPe, his wife and other officials were involved in criminal misappropriation of the company's funds, on the basis of various fabricated documents. Accordingly, payments were made to non-existent vendors and HR consultancy firms causing a wrongful loss of approximately Rs 81 crore to the complainant company. Donald Trump Planning To Appoint Pro-Crypto Cabinet for Transforming US to Crypto Capital of the Planet. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police arrested Deepak Gupta in connection with the misappropriation of the company's funds. Earlier, another accused in this case, Amit Bansal was also arrested by the EOW. BharatPe had also approached the Delhi High Court months after Grover and his wife were dismissed from the company over allegations of misappropriation of funds. In its suit, running into 2,800 pages, BharatPe claimed damages worth Rs 88.67 crore from Grover, his wife, and others for alleged cheating and misappropriation of funds. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2024 08:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Ottawa, November 12: The Brampton Triveni temple in Canada has cancelled a consular event after the Canadian police warned them of an "extremely high and imminent" threat level of violent protests. The Life Certificate event, organised by the Consulate General of India, Toronto, was scheduled for November 17 at the temple premises. It was part of the consulate's many camps for issuing Life Certificates for pension purposes. On Monday, the temple authorities said the event was cancelled due to "official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests". PM Narendra Modi Condemns Canada Hindu Temple Attack, Says Cowardly Attempt To Intimidate Indian Diplomats. "...We must make the appropriate decision to cancel to ensure the safety of Brampton Triveni Mandir devotees, community visitors, and the general public," the temple authorities said in a statement. "We are deeply saddened that Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu Temples in Canada," it added. Temple authorities called on Peel Police to address the threats being circulated against the temple and provide security guarantees to the Canadian Hindu community and the general public. The cancellation came almost a week after protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at a Hindu Sabha temple and disrupted an event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate at Brampton. Hindu Temple Attacked in Canada: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Condemns Violence at Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Fails To Address Khalistani Involvement. Last week, the Consulate General of India in Toronto said it was cancelling some of its scheduled consular camps after the Canadian security authorities conveyed their inability to provide minimum security protection to its organisers. After the protests at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton on November 3, the Ministry of External Affairs said that New Delhi remains "deeply concerned" about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada. India condemned the attack with an expectation that those indulging in violence "will be prosecuted". The relations between India and Canada have come under severe strain following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of a potential involvement of Indian agents in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing. New Delhi rejected Trudeau's charges as absurd. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was designated a terrorist by India. India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity. Gaza, November 12: At least 25 people were killed and more than 30 others injured due to intense Israeli bombings in a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, and a tent sheltering displaced people in the southern Gaza Strip. At least five people were killed and several others injured on Monday evening during an Israeli bombardment targeting a tent sheltering displaced people west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a report by the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. In a separate attack, at least 20 Palestinians were killed and more than 30 others injured due to an Israeli bombing of the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to Al-Awda Hospital in the camp, Xinhua news agency reported. A statement from the hospital said that Israeli artillery had bombed water tanks, causing water outages in parts of the hospital, adding that its administration building also sustained damage from Israeli drone attacks. Israel-Hamas War: IDF Airstrike Kills 20 People in Northern Gaza, Say Palestinian Officials. It called on international organisations to protect healthcare facilities amid the ongoing killings of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army has not commented on these incidents yet. Israel has been waging a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. Israel-Hamas War: Egypts Security Officials, Palestinian Hamas Leaders Meet for Gaza Ceasefire Talks in Cairo. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,603, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2024 08:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). On 11 November Brazils central bank (BCB) released the fiscal statistics for September, which showed a monthly reduction in the primary deficit of the public sector. End of preview - This article contains approximately 425 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Families in need will have the opportunity to receive a free Thanksgiving turkey this holiday season. Easton Councilman Frank Pintabone will host his 12th annual Turkey Giveaway at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. The event, which will take place at the corner of Second and Northampton Streets, will provide free turkeys ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Pintabone said he and a team of volunteers have distributed more than 300 turkeys each year for over a decade. He said the giveaway ensures local residents can enjoy a holiday meal despite facing hardships. The community is encouraged to attend and participate in this event, Pintabone said. Your generosity and kindness continue to make a positive impact on the Easton community, he said about the events participants and volunteers. Chelsea Kun can be reached at ckun@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on instagram at @chelsealehighvalley A major Irish supermarket with over 180 stores across Ireland is set to close up shop for three days over the Christmas season. As shoppers brace themselves for the upcoming Christmas period, supermarkets and retailers across Ireland are gearing up for additional opening hours to accommodate their busiest time of the year. Lidl Ireland has revealed its extended opening hours for what will be a busy festive season for the retail giant, confirming that their stores will be closing early on certain days and not opening at all on three key dates for shoppers. The supermarket chain has confirmed that its stores will be closed on Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day and New Year's Day. It will also close stores at the earlier time of 6pm on both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, giving workers extra time at home to enjoy the festivities during their busiest period of the year. Stores will return to normal hours from Friday, December 27 until New Year's Eve. After their New Year's Day closure, stores will be back to regular hours from Thursday, January 2 forward. The opening hours for each branch nationwide can vary, with customers urged to utilise the store's locator tool on its website to check times. The Marie Keating Foundation is today launching The Big Check Up 2024 Look Out For Lung Cancer campaign to help raise lung cancer symptom awareness and improve early detection and survival rates, to mark November being International Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer still claims more lives in Ireland each year among both men and women than any other cancer. Every 18 seconds, someone, somewhere in the world dies of lung cancer, it is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. In Ireland, more than 2,500 people receive a devastating lung cancer diagnosis each year. Just 24% of those diagnosed with the disease will survive more than 5 years. The majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at stage 3 or stage 4, meaning that treatment options are limited, and survival rates are lower. Yet awareness of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer remains worryingly low. Research carried out by Empathy on behalf of the Foundation last year shows that more than two thirds (71%) of people in Ireland feel uninformed about the signs and symptoms to watch out for in relation to lung cancer (only 29% say they feel well informed of the signs and symptoms), while more than one third of adults (36%) admit that not knowing the symptoms would delay them from getting checked by their GP. As part of its campaign, which is proudly supported by AstraZeneca, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Takeda and Merck, the Marie Keating Foundation is urging people to look out for lung cancer. If you have a cough lasting longer than three weeks, are short of breath, have recurring chest infections or are coughing up blood, then please go to your GP. New treatments and medicines can potentially cure lung cancer when the disease is caught in the earlier stages, at Stage 1 or 2. The Big Check Up 2024 Look Out for Lung Cancer campaign also includes the enhancement of the innovative multi-platform AR Lens to Filter Out Lung Cancer and raise symptom awareness. Launching this years campaign, Liz Yeates, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, commented, The statistics around lung cancer are harrowing and stark but the Marie Keating Foundation wants to share a sense of hope and positivity for the future. With advancements in treatments and medications, early detection and diagnosis can save lives and give families precious time. Thats why improved and widespread awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms is so important. Symptom awareness is however only one element that will lead to improved lung cancer survival rates in a complex sociological picture, Ms Yeates continued. Social inequality, access to services and stigma surrounding lung cancer also contribute to diagnosis delays. We have seen the impact of social inequality on patients through our work with underserved communities here in Ireland. These communities have a higher rate of lung cancer, particularly presenting at a late stage due to poorer access to services and support, along with the burden of financial stress and stigma. Not to mention the impact of language barriers for some non-national communities here in Ireland. With an increased focus on education, awareness and support and more access to services, we could see significant improvements by catching cancer when symptoms present, she said. The Empathy research also revealed that more than a third (36%) of the population believe that lung cancer patients face stigma that other cancer patients dont face. Lung cancer patient, Samantha Vaughan, aged 49, a mum of four and non-smoker from Co. Laois, advises others to be symptom aware and get checked by your GP if you have concerns. She contracted Covid in 2022 but her symptoms changed and persisted on recovery from Covid. She was completely shocked to later receive a lung cancer diagnosis. My advice to others is, Always follow your instincts. My gut was telling me that something wasnt right in my body. Sometimes you have to push for further testing, you know your own body best. I have always felt healthy, and to get lung cancer and not smoking was a very big shock to me. My hope for the future is to live long enough to enjoy life to the best I can and spend all the special times with my family. She tells her story: After having Covid I began experiencing breathlessness. I was also dealing with repeated sinus infections. This went on for a number of months but was all put down to Long Covid. I was put on a few courses of antibiotics and given inhalers, but nothing worked. By May I began feeling pain in my left side lower rib area. It felt as though I had pulled a muscle in my side. I decided to go to my doctor and requested to go to ENT and get a referral for an x-ray. I had to call back up to try to get my results as it was 2 weeks and was told that a lesion had showed up in my right lung. There was nothing wrong with my left lung and I would need a CT scan. I ended up booking a CT scan privately as I wanted to get my results as soon as possible. I had my CT scan in the morning and by the evening, I had a phone call back from my GP to say they had found a tumour. My GP had arranged for me to go into her the next morning and spoke to me about the next stage. She referred me to the fast-track clinic. CUH had got back to me. I was totally shocked; I was only 47 at the time and felt I wouldnt be affected by lung cancer as I was a non-smoker. They needed to take a biopsy and remove the tumour. They also wanted to check my lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread. I ended up having half my right lung removed but thankfully my lymph nodes were clear. I also had an airway removed as there were signs of some cancer. I was in hospital for two weeks after her surgery, spending a number of days in ICU. After that I was given my final diagnosis. Lung adenocarcinoma, an aggressive form of non-small cell lung cancer. It was stage two, grade three. My consultant said no further treatment would be needed as they had successfully removed the tumour, with no lymph nodes affected, the cancer had not spread. I was asked if the lab could do further tests to see if I was sensitive towards treatments, which I agreed. I was told that I had met the criteria for a current cancer trial Dr Collins in CUH, which would involve me taking a new medication each day for three years with the hopes that it will help protect me in the future. I feel very lucky to be able to do this and not to have to wait and worry about cancer coming back again. I decided to agree to take part in the trial and I am happy to be involved. So far, its been up and down with side effects. I have been dealing with some abscesses and ulcers in my mouth and nose, spots on the face, upset stomach, taste buds arent great, feeling sick, but I am managing this. My energy levels are also not the same, and breathing can be difficult sometimes as a result of the surgery. At the moment its the mental side I am struggling with most with. I am experiencing bad anxiety which affects my sleep. I have been told to really cut down on my activity and I am also off work. I am a busy mum, I always like to be out and about and busy, I find no longer being able to do that, very difficult. My recovery will take months not weeks. On advice I would like to share with others, Always follow your instincts. My gut was telling me that something wasnt right in my body. Sometimes you have to push for further testing, you know your own body best. I have always felt healthy and to get lung cancer and not smoking was a very big shock to me. My hope for the future is to live long enough to enjoy life to the best I can and spend all the special times with my family. Global malting giant Boortmalt has announced a 20,000 tonne expansion of its Athy plant. This expansion will bring Boortmalt's overall investment in Athy to almost 100m since it took over the Minch site in 2010. Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and T.D. for Kildare South Martin Heydon said the decision is a huge vote of confidence in the town and the wider malting barley sector. Minister Heydon said: "Athy has long been recognised as the malting capital of Ireland. It has its roots in a market town with the agri-food and drink sector a central part of that. The site in Athy has been in continuous operation since 1847 under the familiar name of Minch Nortons and now Minch Malt. "I am delighted that the proud tradition of producing malt, a key raw ingredient for the brewing and distilling sector, continues to go from strength to strength." The investment will include an expansion of capacity including state of the art malting equipment along with enhanced processing capabilities. Boortmalt currently operates 27 plants across nine countries in five continents. Last year its Athy plant ranked as its number one facility. Minister Heydon said: "In addition to a number of direct jobs, Boortmalt's plans will significantly benefit a wide number of associated local businesses creating employment and generating economic activity in the area. "Boortmalt as the processor of malting barley are one part of a three-legged stool. As producers of top-quality grain, farmers also stand to benefit from increased processing capacity for an added value crop. "This investment is closely linked to Diageo, one of Boormalt's main customers, and its plans to invest 200m in a new carbon-neutral brewery in Newbridge. "Both of these projects coming to fruition will have a very positive impact on employment and the economic development of all of South Kildare." In his new book CROOKS, veteran crime journalist Paul Williams takes readers on a thrilling ride through the underbelly of Irelands criminal world, starting with a wild moment that nearly ended his career before it even began. At just 19, Ballinamore native Williams had landed his first job at the Leitrim Observerand it didnt take long before he found himself on the front lines of rural crime. I was staring down the two long, shiny barrels of an old shotgun pointing straight at me on windswept Sliabh an Iarainn mountain, Williams remembers, describing the heart-stopping encounter with John Bernard Keaney. Keaney, a tough-as-nails veteran of the Irish War of Independence, had just been robbed by thieves and wasnt in the mood for visitors. I shot Black and Tans with this and Ill do the same to you, ya tinker, he warned Williams. As I stood frozen, I could hear Willie Donnellans car starting up as if he was about to leave. He and Donnellan, his photographer friend, spent hours racing along the boreen backroads to interview the growing number of victims. Wed turn up to interview victims, and it was like something out of a Westerneveryone was nervous, watching their backs, and you could just feel the tension in the air, Williams remembers. The stories they uncovered were grim. It involved gangs, mostly from the Travelling community, who began specializing in targeting the most vulnerable people in societyelderly folk living in isolated areas in the north-west of rural Ireland, he recalls. The fear was palpable, and this was where Williams first witnessed the injustice of crime. I grew up in a peaceful rural community where doors were never locked and everyone knew each other. Seeing peopleespecially the elderlyscared to leave their homes was something I couldnt get used to. The fear in their faces, especially people like my granny Ellie, was haunting, he adds. Theyd lived through wars and hardship, only to be terrorized in their old age. For him, it was personal. Over the next 40 years, he would go on to chronicle the violence, tragedy, and sometimes surprising acts of bravery that would define his path as one of Irelands most well-known crime reporters. In CROOKS, he shares stories from his most dangerous investigations, from confronting notorious criminals to infiltrating powerful gangs like the Kinahan cartel. The book offers a gripping look at how crime evolved in Ireland, told through Williams' own experiences. Williams recalls one of the darkest moments of his career when he witnessed the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, shot in her car. She was wearing the same outfit I had seen her wear when we spoke at RTE just a week before. I was physically sick, he says. When asked if the encounter made him reconsider his career, he replied, No, it made me twenty times worse. From pursuing the General to receiving death threats from PJ The Psycho Judge, exposing the Westies, and infiltrating the Kinahan cartel, Pauls extraordinary career serves as a firsthand account of the rise of organized crime in Ireland. And for Williams, it all began with those long drives down backroads, chasing a storyand dodging dangeroften just barely staying ahead of it. At the recent Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District meeting, Leitrim County Council tackled a variety of local issues raised by councillors, ranging from parking adjustments in Mohill to tree replacements, derelict property management, and infrastructure needs. One topic that sparked significant discussion was the recent parking changes in Mohill, particularly around Hunt National School and the OCarolan Monument. Councillor Des Guckian spoke passionately about the frustrations of local residents: The people of Mohill are really upset by many things that have been done to them in recent times I'm asking that before its too late, extra space be left for parking in the area near the OCarolan Monument. He emphasized that these changes have constrained residents daily lives and that some feel the council isnt fully listening to their needs. He also mentioned the ongoing parking issues around Gannons on Main Street, and the dissatisfaction of those living near Hunt National School with the councils decision to approve tenants for the building next to the school. In response, the council noted that while the improvements are aimed at enhancing the towns public spaces, a slight reduction in parking space was an inevitable result. They assured that the overall project would ultimately provide more parking spaces than before, though specific locations may see a net decrease. A council representative explained, The project wasnt a car parking project. It was public ground works to enhance the public space. Inevitably, when you enhance the public space, there may be an effect on car parking. Tree replacements were another topic of interest. A cherry blossom and an ash tree were recently removed near the OCarolan Monument, and the community expressed regret over the loss. According to the council, these trees were removed following advice from an arborist due to disease, and two semi-mature cherry blossoms will soon be planted as replacements. Reflecting on the issue, one councillor commented, It was hard to defend, to be honest with you At the same time, I just want, maybe, that we learn lessons from it and improve our communications around it. Efforts to address derelict properties in Mohill were also discussed, specifically the former National Irish Bank building, a local landmark in need of attention. Councillor Maeve Reynolds voiced her concern, saying, Its definitely in a state of disrepair and neglect, with broken windows and everything else. The council highlighted several initiatives available to assist property owners, including renovation grants and funding for repairs. Despite these options, progress has been slow, and Reynolds suggested that the council needs a clearer, more proactive plan: We know what could be done but is there any plan in place to address dereliction within the town going forward? The meeting also covered other community-driven requests, including Councillor Cormac Flynns motion to support the Hartley Cartown Sewerage Scheme. Unfortunately, the council responded that previous cost evaluations rendered the project too expensive for current budgets, but they acknowledged the continued interest in advancing this scheme in the future. Flynn also requested lighting at key junctions on the N4 and R280 roads. The council replied that funding for such upgrades is only available for high-risk areas with frequent night accidents, and, unfortunately, no incidents of that nature have been recorded at these locations. Public lighting at these national road junctions is not supported by TII unless there is a history of accidents, the Roads department clarified. Concerns about rising deer populations in rural areas were also raised by Councillor Paddy Farrell, who requested signage to warn drivers of potential deer crossings. The council supported the idea and will consider adding signs where appropriate. Farrell also urged for tree clearance around power lines to mitigate risks during storms, which the council promised to address in coordination with the ESB. A body has been recovered from the sea during searches for two swimmers missing off Silverstrand in Bearna, Co Galway. Two swimmers, one male and one female, were separately reported missing in the same location this Tuesday, November 12. It's understood that the deceased, a man aged in his 70s, was reported missing this morning after he failed to return from a swim. While attending the scene, gardai were made aware that another person, a woman in her 30s, had also entered the water and failed to return from a swim. According to the Irish Coast Guard, conditions at Silverstrand have been "calm but dense fog covers the area". Read Also: 'What a horrible scam' - Gardai blast sinister text targeting people in Ireland Gardai have confirmed that the body of the male swimmer was recovered just before 2pm and taken to Galway docks. According to a staatement from the Coast Gaurd, resources on scene "include Costelloe Bay Coast Guard boat, Galway Bay RNLI and Aran Island Lifeboat in addition to the Civil Defence". Cleggan Coast Guard Unit are also on scene assessing conditions for a drone search, and a number of local boats are also searching the area in support of the search. NCIG Announces Cash Tender Offers for Certain Outstanding Debt Securities NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd (the "Company"), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of NCIG Holdings Pty Ltd, has commenced cash tender offers (together, the "Offers") for up to US$65 million combined original aggregate principal amount (the "Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount") of the debt securities set forth in the table below (together referred to as the "Securities" and each referred to as a "series" of Securities). The Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount represents the maximum combined original aggregate principal amount of Securities that will be purchased. No more than US$50 million original aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Notes (as defined below) (as it may be increased by the Company in its sole discretion, the "2027 Tender Cap") and no more than US$15 million original aggregate principal amount of the 2031 Notes (as defined below) (as it may be increased by the Company in its sole discretion, the "2031 Tender Cap" (together with the 2027 Tender Cap, the "Tender Caps", and each, a "Tender Cap")) will be purchased in the Offers. The Offers are subject to the Tender Caps and proration procedures described in the Offer to Purchase dated November 12, 2024, as amended or supplemented (the "Offer to Purchase"), and order of priority (the "Acceptance Priority Levels" as set forth in the table below under "Acceptance Priority Level"), and are made to each registered holder of Securities (individually, a "Holder", and collectively, the "Holders"). The Offer to Purchase sets forth a more detailed description of the Offers. The Offer to Purchase may be obtained at https://www.gbsc-usa.com/newcastle/ or by contacting the Tender and Information Agent (as defined below) using the telephone number or email address found under "Dealer Managers and Tender and Information Agent". The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Securities and the Offers: Title of Security Issuer CUSIP / ISIN Numbers Original Principal Amount Issued Current Principal Amount Outstanding Factor Tender Cap Acceptance Priority Level(3) Reference U.S. Treasury Security Bloomberg Reference Page(4) Fixed Spread (basis points) Early Tender Premium(6) 4.400% Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (the "2027 Notes") Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd 144A: 65106W AA3 / US65106WAA36 Reg S: Q66345 AA9 / USQ66345AA95 US$500,000,000 US$488,489,630 0.97697927 US$50,000,000 1 3.875% UST due October 15, 2027 FIT1 +95(5) US$50 4.700% Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes due 2031 (the "2031 Notes") Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd 144A: 65106W AB1 / US65106WAB19 Reg S: Q66345 AB7 / USQ66345AB78 US$450,000,000 US$446,863,670(1) 0.97698027(2) US$15,000,000 2 3.875% UST due August 15, 2034 FIT1 +170 US$50 The Current Principal Amount Outstanding of the 2031 Notes will be reduced to US$439,641,122.11 , following the application of certain term charge payments received towards the redemption of the 2031 Notes on the interest payment date on November 12, 2024 based on the terms of the 2031 Notes. The factor for each series of Notes is a number that represents a fraction (expressed as a decimal rounded to 8 decimal digits), the numerator of which represents the unpaid principal amount of such series of Securities and the denominator of which represents the original principal amount of such series of Securities, and may be adjusted following each interest payment date (as adjusted from time to time, the "Factor"). As at the date of the commencement of the Offers, the Factor for the 2031 Notes is 0.99303038. The Factor will be reduced to the amount shown in the table above following the application of the term charge payments received towards the redemption of the 2031 Notes on November 12, 2024 . Subject to the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount, the Tender Caps and proration, the original principal amount of each series of Securities that is purchased in the Offers will be determined in accordance with the applicable Acceptance Priority Level (in numerical priority order with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level and 2 being the lowest Acceptance Priority Level) specified in this column. The applicable page on Bloomberg from which the Dealer Managers (as defined herein) will quote the bid side prices of the applicable U.S. Treasury Security. In the above table, "UST" denotes a U.S. Treasury Security. In respect of the 2027 Notes, notwithstanding the calculation set forth above, the Early Tender Consideration for each original US$1,000 principal amount of 2027 Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase by the Company, shall be equal to the lesser of the output of the calculation set forth on Schedule A hereto for that series and 99.100%. (the "2027 Notes Consideration Cap"). Per original US$1 ,000 principal amount validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for purchase. Details of the Offers The Offers are being made pursuant to and are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. The Offers are scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 11, 2024 (such time and date, as the same may be extended by the Company, the "Expiration Date"), unless terminated earlier. Tendered Securities may be withdrawn until, but not after, 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 25, 2024 (such time and date, as the same may be extended by the Company, the "Withdrawal Deadline"), except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law. Tender Offer Consideration and Accrued Interest Holders of Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 25, 2024 (the "Early Tender Deadline") and accepted for purchase will receive the applicable total consideration (the "Total Consideration"), which is (x)(i) the original principal amount of such tendered and accepted Securities, times (ii) the Factor, times (iii) either (a) the Early Tender Consideration, as applicable, or (b) the Tender Offer Consideration, as applicable. Subject to the 2027 Notes Consideration Cap, the "Early Tender Consideration" for each series of Securities validly tendered and accepted for purchase will be determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to the applicable fixed spread over the yield to maturity based on the bid side price of the applicable Reference U.S. Treasury Security specified in the table above and in the Offer to Purchase. In calculating the applicable Early Tender Consideration for a series of Securities, the application of the par call date will be in accordance with standard market practice. In respect of the 2027 Notes, the Early Tender Consideration for each original US$1,000 principal amount of 2027 Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase by the Company shall be equal to the lesser of the output of the calculation set forth on Schedule A to the Offer to Purchase for that series and 99.100%. Holders of Securities who validly tender their Securities following the Early Tender Deadline and on or prior to the Expiration Date will receive only the applicable Tender Offer Consideration per original US$1,000 principal amount of any such Securities validly tendered by such Holders that are accepted for purchase. The "Tender Offer Consideration" is equal to the applicable Early Tender Consideration minus the Early Tender Premium. The Early Tender Consideration and Tender Offer Consideration will be determined at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, November 26, 2024 (such time and date, as the same may be extended by the Company, the "Price Determination Date"). In addition to the applicable Total Consideration, all Holders of Securities accepted for purchase will receive accrued and unpaid interest, rounded to the nearest cent, on such original US$1,000 principal amount of Securities from the last applicable interest payment date up to, but not including, the applicable settlement date (the "Accrued Interest"). Settlement The settlement date for Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for purchase is expected to be December 4, 2024, the sixth business day after the Early Tender Deadline (the "Early Settlement Date"). The settlement date for Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline but on or prior to the Expiration Date and accepted for purchase is expected to be December 13, 2024, the second business day after the Expiration Date (the "Final Settlement Date"), assuming that the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount of Securities is not purchased on the Early Settlement Date. Subject to the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount, the Tender Caps and proration, all Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline having a higher Acceptance Priority Level (with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level) will be accepted before any validly tendered Securities having a lower Acceptance Priority Level (with 2 being the lowest Acceptance Priority Level), and all Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline having a higher Acceptance Priority Level will be accepted before any Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline having a lower Acceptance Priority Level. If the Offers are not fully subscribed at the Early Tender Deadline, subject to the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount, the Tender Caps and proration, Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline will be accepted for purchase in priority to Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline even if such Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline have a higher Acceptance Priority Level than Securities validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline. Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount, Tender Caps, Acceptance Priority Levels and Proration The Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount represents the maximum original aggregate principal amount of Securities that will be purchased pursuant to the Offers. Each Tender Cap represents the maximum original aggregate principal amount of Securities of a series that will be purchased pursuant to the Offers. The Company reserves the absolute right, but is under no obligation to, increase, decrease or eliminate the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount and/or either or both Tender Caps at any time, including on or after the Price Determination Date, subject to applicable law, which could result in the Company purchasing a greater or lesser original aggregate principal amount of Securities and/or Securities of a series in the Offers. Subject to applicable law, the Company may increase, decrease or eliminate the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount, and/or either or both Tender Caps without extending the Early Tender Deadline or the Withdrawal Deadline. There can be no assurance that the Company will increase, decrease or eliminate the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount and/or either or both Tender Caps. If the Offers are fully subscribed at the Early Tender Deadline, Holders who validly tender Securities following the Early Tender Deadline but on or prior to the Expiration Date will not have any of their Securities accepted for purchase regardless of their Acceptance Priority Level. Securities of a series may be subject to proration (as described in the Offer to Purchase) if the original aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series validly tendered and not validly withdrawn would cause the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount to be exceeded. Acceptance of tenders of Securities of a series may also be subject to proration if the original aggregate principal amount of Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn is greater than the Tender Cap applicable to such series. The Offers are not conditioned on any minimum amount of Securities or either series of Securities being tendered. However, the Company's obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, the Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Offers is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase. The Company reserves the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to: (i) waive any and all conditions to the Offers; (ii) extend or terminate the Offers; (iii) increase, decrease or eliminate the Aggregate Maximum Tender Amount and/or either or both Tender Caps without extending the Early Tender Deadline or the Withdrawal Deadline; or (iv) otherwise amend the Offers in any respect. A beneficial owner of Securities that are held of record by a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee must contact the nominee promptly and instruct the nominee to tender such Securities on the beneficial owner's behalf prior to the Early Tender Deadline in order to receive the applicable Early Tender Consideration or, in the case of Securities tendered after the Early Tender Deadline, but prior to the Expiration Date, in order to have an opportunity to receive the applicable Tender Offer Consideration as described in the Offer to Purchase. A nominee may have an earlier deadline for accepting the applicable Offers. Dealer Managers and Tender and Information Agent The Company has appointed Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and nabSecurities, LLC as dealer managers for the Offers (together, the "Dealer Managers"). The Company has retained Global Bondholder Services Corporation as tender and information agent for the Offers (the "Tender and Information Agent"). For additional information regarding the terms of the Offers, please contact: Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at +1 (212) 723-6106 (collect) or +1 (800) 558-3745 (toll-free) or by email at [email protected] or nabSecurities, LLC at +1 (212) 916-9500 or by email at [email protected]. Requests for documents and questions regarding the tendering of Securities may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation by telephone at (212) 430?3774 (for banks and brokers only), (855) 654?2015 (toll?free) or 001?212?430?3774 (international), by email at contact@gbsc?usa.com or at https://www.gbsc-usa.com/newcastle/ . This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell with respect to any securities. The Offers are being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. The Offers are not being made in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. None of the Company, its affiliates, its board of directors, the Dealer Managers, the Tender and Information Agent or the trustee for either series of Securities is making any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should tender their Securities in connection with the Offers, and neither the Company nor any other person has authorized any person to make any such recommendation. About the Company The Company owns and operates a Coal Export Terminal located at the Port of Newcastle in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales in Australia and is an integral part of the Australian coal export industry. The Company's facilities include rail, coal storage, ship loading facilities and associated infrastructure. The Company was formed in 2004 by its shareholders who are also customers of the Company's Terminal services. The shareholders of the Company are entities that are owned by some of the largest mining companies in the world, including BHP Group Limited, Yancoal Australia Limited, Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited, Peabody Energy Corporation and Banpu Public Company Limited (Centennial Coal), who each owns coal assets in New South Wales, Australia. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward?looking statements. Forward?looking statements are information of a non?historical nature or which relate to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward?looking statements. Except as required by law or regulation, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward looking statements. SOURCE Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd 12 november 2024 at 07:30 News published onand distributed by: InvoiceCloud Honored at 2024 Stevie Awards for Women in Business InvoiceCloud, a leading solution for digital bill payment services, is proud to announce that it has been named a Bronze Stevie Award winner in the Achievement in Promoting Work-Life Balance category in the 21st annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. This win comes on the heels of the company's recent recognition in Utility 2030's (U2030) Women Who SPARK Awards, an event dedicated to honoring exceptional women who have made significant contributions to innovation, transformation, and mentorship within the utility sector. "Since our founding, InvoiceCloud has worked to create an environment that encourages and empowers female team members?and, in doing so, the company as a whole," said Jessi Marcoff, Chief People Officer of InvoiceCloud. "We're honored to receive this award, and proud to foster an inclusive workplace where our team feels valued, supported, and inspired in the workplace and beyond." The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor the achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they run worldwide. The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world's premier business award. Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards, said, "In its 21st year, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business received an outstanding body of nominations. We are gratified by how meaningful it is to women to win a Stevie Award, and how impactful it can be on the futures of their careers and their organizations. We congratulate all of this year's Grand, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners for their achievements." More than 1,500 entries from organizations and individuals in 36 nations and territories were submitted this year for consideration in more than 100 categories. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the world, working on seven juries. Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Women. About InvoiceCloud InvoiceCloud provides modern digital payment, customer engagement, and outbound disbursement solutions. The company services more than 3,250 customers across the utility, government and insurance industries and is a leader in the electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) space. InvoiceCloud's SaaS platform enables continuous enhancements to the customer experience resulting in higher digital payment, AutoPay, and paperless adoption rates. By switching to InvoiceCloud, clients can improve customer engagement and satisfaction while lowering costs, accelerating payments, and reducing staff workloads. To learn more, visit www.InvoiceCloud.com. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. HCLTech sponsored the Women in Technology categories in the 2024 competition. 12 november 2024 at 09:15 News published onand distributed by: Snowflake Expands Capabilities for Enterprises to Deliver Trustworthy AI into Production Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW), the AI Data Cloud company, today announced at its annual developer conference, BUILD 2024, new advancements that accelerate the path for organizations to deliver easy, efficient, and trusted AI into production with their enterprise data. With Snowflake's latest innovations, developers can effortlessly build conversational apps for structured and unstructured data with high accuracy, efficiently run batch large language model (LLM) inference for natural language processing (NLP) pipelines, and train custom models with GPU-powered containers ? all with built-in governance, access controls, observability, and safety guardrails to help ensure AI security and trust remain at the forefront. "For enterprises, AI hallucinations are simply unacceptable. Today's organizations require accurate, trustworthy AI in order to drive effective decision-making, and this starts with access to high-quality data from diverse sources to power AI models," said Baris Gultekin, Head of AI, Snowflake. "The latest innovations to Snowflake Cortex AI and Snowflake ML enable data teams and developers to accelerate the path to delivering trusted AI with their enterprise data, so they can build chatbots faster, improve the cost and performance of their AI initiatives, and accelerate ML development." Snowflake Enables Enterprises to Build High-Quality Conversational Apps, Faster Thousands of global enterprises leverage Cortex AI to seamlessly scale and productionize their AI-powered apps, with adoption more than doubling in just the past six months alone. Snowflake's latest innovations make it easier for enterprises to build reliable AI apps with more diverse data sources, simplified orchestration, and built-in evaluation and monitoring ? all from within Snowflake Cortex AI, Snowflake's fully managed AI service that provides a suite of generative AI features. Snowflake's advancements for end-to-end conversational app development enable customers to: Create More Engaging Responses with Multimodal Support : Organizations can now enhance their conversational apps with multimodal inputs like images, soon to be followed by audio and other data types, using multimodal LLMs such as Meta's Llama 3.2 models with the new Cortex COMPLETE Multimodal Input Support (private preview soon). : Organizations can now enhance their conversational apps with multimodal inputs like images, soon to be followed by audio and other data types, using multimodal LLMs such as Meta's Llama 3.2 models with the new (private preview soon). Gain Access to More Comprehensive Answers with New Knowledge Base Connectors: Users can quickly integrate internal knowledge bases using managed connectors such as the new Snowflake Connector for Microsoft SharePoint (now in public preview), so they can tap into their Microsoft 365 SharePoint files and documents, automatically ingesting files without having to manually preprocess documents. Snowflake is also helping enterprises chat with unstructured data from third parties ? including news articles, research publications, scientific journals, textbooks, and more ? using the new Cortex Knowledge Extensions on Snowflake Marketplace (now in private preview). This is the first and only third-party data integration for generative AI that respects the publishers' intellectual property through isolation and clear attribution. It also creates a direct pathway to monetization for content providers. Users can quickly integrate internal knowledge bases using managed connectors such as the new (now in public preview), so they can tap into their Microsoft 365 SharePoint files and documents, automatically ingesting files without having to manually preprocess documents. Snowflake is also helping enterprises chat with unstructured data from third parties ? including news articles, research publications, scientific journals, textbooks, and more ? using the new (now in private preview). This is the first and only third-party data integration for generative AI that respects the publishers' intellectual property through isolation and clear attribution. It also creates a direct pathway to monetization for content providers. Achieve Faster Data Readiness with Document Preprocessing Functions: Business analysts and data engineers can now easily preprocess data using short SQL functions to make PDFs and other documents AI-ready through the new PARSE_DOCUMENT (now in public preview) for layout-aware document text extraction and SPLIT_TEXT_RECURSIVE_CHARACTER (now in private preview) for text chunking functions in Cortex Search (now generally available). Business analysts and data engineers can now easily preprocess data using short SQL functions to make PDFs and other documents AI-ready through the new (now in public preview) for layout-aware document text extraction and (now in private preview) for text chunking functions in (now generally available). Reduce Manual Integration and Orchestration Work: To make it easier to receive and respond to questions grounded on enterprise data, developers can use the Cortex Chat API (public preview soon) to streamline the integration between the app front-end and Snowflake. The Cortex Chat API combines structured and unstructured data into a single REST API call, helping developers quickly create Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and agentic analytical apps with less effort. To make it easier to receive and respond to questions grounded on enterprise data, developers can use the (public preview soon) to streamline the integration between the app front-end and Snowflake. The Cortex Chat API combines structured and unstructured data into a single REST API call, helping developers quickly create Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and agentic analytical apps with less effort. Increase App Trustworthiness and Enhance Compliance Processes with Built-in Evaluation and Monitoring: Users can now evaluate and monitor their generative AI apps with over 20 metrics for relevance, groundedness, stereotype, and latency, both during development and while in production using AI Observability for LLM Apps (now in private preview) ? with technology integrated from TruEra (acquired by Snowflake in May 2024). Users can now evaluate and monitor their generative AI apps with over 20 metrics for relevance, groundedness, stereotype, and latency, both during development and while in production using (now in private preview) ? with technology integrated from TruEra (acquired by Snowflake in May 2024). Unlock More Accurate Self-Serve Analytics: To help enterprises easily glean insights from their structured data with high accuracy, Snowflake is announcing several improvements to Cortex Analyst (in public preview), including simplified data analysis with advanced joins (now in public preview), increased user friendliness with multi-turn conversations (now in public preview), and more dynamic retrieval with a Cortex Search integration (now in public preview). Snowflake Empowers Users to Run Cost-Effective Batch LLM Inference for Natural Language Processing Batch inference allows businesses to process massive datasets with LLMs simultaneously, as opposed to the individual, one-by-one approach used for most conversational apps. In turn, NLP pipelines for batch data offer a structured approach to processing and analyzing various forms of natural language data, including text, speech, and more. To help enterprises with both, Snowflake is unveiling more customization options for large batch text processing, so data teams can build NLP pipelines with high processing speeds at scale, while optimizing for both cost and performance. Snowflake is adding a broader selection of pre-trained LLMs, embedding model sizes, context window lengths, and supported languages to Cortex AI, providing organizations increased choice and flexibility when selecting which LLM to use, while maximizing performance and reducing cost. This includes adding the multi-lingual embedding model from Voyage, multimodal 3.1 and 3.2 models from Llama, and huge context window models from Jamba for serverless inference. To help organizations choose the best LLM for their specific use case, Snowflake is introducing Cortex Playground (now in public preview), an integrated chat interface designed to generate and compare responses from different LLMs so users can easily find the best model for their needs. When using an LLM for various tasks at scale, consistent outputs become even more crucial to effectively understand results. As a result, Snowflake is unveiling the new Cortex Serverless Fine-Tuning (generally available soon), allowing developers to customize models with proprietary data to generate results with more accurate outputs. For enterprises that need to process large inference jobs with guaranteed throughput, the new Provisioned Throughput (public preview soon) helps them successfully do so. Customers Can Now Expedite Reliable ML with GPU-Powered Notebooks and Enhanced Monitoring Having easy access to scalable and accelerated compute significantly impacts how quickly teams can iterate and deploy models, especially when working with large datasets or using advanced deep learning frameworks. To support these compute-intensive workflows and speed up model development, Snowflake ML now supports Container Runtime (now in public preview on AWS and public preview soon on Microsoft Azure), enabling users to efficiently execute distributed ML training jobs on GPUs. Container Runtime is a fully managed container environment accessible through Snowflake Notebooks (now generally available) and preconfigured with access to distributed processing on both CPUs and GPUs. ML development teams can now build powerful ML models at scale, using any Python framework or language model of their choice, on top of their Snowflake data. "As an organization connecting over 700,000 healthcare professionals to hospitals across the US, we rely on machine learning to accelerate our ability to place medical providers into temporary and permanent jobs. Using GPUs from Snowflake Notebooks on Container Runtime turned out to be the most cost-effective solution for our machine learning needs, enabling us to drive faster staffing results with higher success rates," said Andrew Christensen, Data Scientist, CHG Healthcare. "We appreciate the ability to take advantage of Snowflake's parallel processing with any open source library in Snowflake ML, offering flexibility and improved efficiency for our workflows." Organizations also often require GPU compute for inference. As a result, Snowflake is providing customers with new Model Serving in Containers (now public preview on AWS). This enables teams to deploy both internally and externally-trained models, including open source LLMs and embedding models, from the Model Registry into Snowpark Container Services (now generally available on AWS and Microsoft Azure) for production using distributed CPUs or GPUs ? without complex resource optimizations. In addition, users can quickly detect model degradation in production with built-in monitoring with the new Observability for ML Models (now in public preview), which integrates technology from TruEra to monitor performance and various metrics for any model running inference in Snowflake. In turn, Snowflake's new Model Explainability (now in public preview) allows users to easily compute Shapley values ? a widely-used approach that helps explain how each feature is impacting the overall output of the model ? for models logged in the Model Registry. Users can now understand exactly how a model is arriving at its final conclusion, and detect model weaknesses by noticing unintuitive behavior in production. Supporting Customer Quotes: Alberta Health Services: "As Alberta's largest integrated health system, our emergency rooms get nearly 2 million visits per year. Our physicians have always needed to manually type up patient notes after each visit, requiring them to spend lots of time on administrative work," said Jason Scarlett, Executive Director, Enterprise Data Engineering, Data & Analytics, Alberta Health Services . "With Cortex AI, we are testing a new way to automate this process through an app that records patient interactions, transcribes, and then summarizes them, all within Snowflake's protected perimeter. It's being used by a handful of emergency department physicians, who are reporting a 10-15% increase in the number of patients seen per hour ? that means we can create less-crowded waiting rooms, relief from overwhelming amounts of paperwork for doctors, and even better-quality notes." "As Alberta's largest integrated health system, our emergency rooms get nearly 2 million visits per year. Our physicians have always needed to manually type up patient notes after each visit, requiring them to spend lots of time on administrative work," said Jason Scarlett, Executive Director, Enterprise Data Engineering, Data & Analytics, . "With Cortex AI, we are testing a new way to automate this process through an app that records patient interactions, transcribes, and then summarizes them, all within Snowflake's protected perimeter. It's being used by a handful of emergency department physicians, who are reporting a 10-15% increase in the number of patients seen per hour ? that means we can create less-crowded waiting rooms, relief from overwhelming amounts of paperwork for doctors, and even better-quality notes." Bayer: "As one of the largest life sciences companies in the world, it's critical that our AI systems consistently deliver accurate, trustworthy insights. This is exactly what Snowflake Cortex Analyst enables for us," said Mukesh Dubey, Product Management and Architecture Lead, Bayer . "Cortex Analyst provides high-quality responses to natural language queries on structured data, which our team now uses in an operationally sustainable way. What I'm most excited about is that we're just getting started, and we're looking forward to unlocking more value with Snowflake Cortex AI as we accelerate AI adoption across our business." "As one of the largest life sciences companies in the world, it's critical that our AI systems consistently deliver accurate, trustworthy insights. This is exactly what Snowflake Cortex Analyst enables for us," said Mukesh Dubey, Product Management and Architecture Lead, . "Cortex Analyst provides high-quality responses to natural language queries on structured data, which our team now uses in an operationally sustainable way. What I'm most excited about is that we're just getting started, and we're looking forward to unlocking more value with Snowflake Cortex AI as we accelerate AI adoption across our business." Coda: "Snowflake Cortex AI forms all the core building blocks of constructing a scalable, secure AI system," said Shishir Mehrotra, Co-founder and CEO, Coda . "Coda Brain uses almost every component in this stack: The Cortex Search engine that can vectorize and index unstructured and structured data. Cortex Analyst, which can magically turn natural language queries into SQL. The Cortex LLMs that do everything from interpreting queries to reformatting responses into human-readable responses. And, of course, the underlying Snowflake data platform, which can scale and securely handle the huge volumes of data being pulled into Coda Brain." "Snowflake Cortex AI forms all the core building blocks of constructing a scalable, secure AI system," said Shishir Mehrotra, Co-founder and CEO, . "Coda Brain uses almost every component in this stack: The Cortex Search engine that can vectorize and index unstructured and structured data. Cortex Analyst, which can magically turn natural language queries into SQL. The Cortex LLMs that do everything from interpreting queries to reformatting responses into human-readable responses. And, of course, the underlying Snowflake data platform, which can scale and securely handle the huge volumes of data being pulled into Coda Brain." Compare Club: "At Compare Club, our mission is to help Australian consumers make more informed purchasing decisions across insurance, energy, home loans, and more, making it easier and faster for customers to sign up for the right products and maximize their budgets," said Ryan Newsome, Head of Data and Analytics, Compare Club . "Snowflake Cortex AI has been instrumental in enabling us to efficiently analyze and summarize hundreds of thousands of pages of call transcript data, providing our teams with deep insights into customer goals and behaviors. With Cortex AI, we can securely harness these insights to deliver more tailored, effective recommendations, enhancing our members' overall experience and ensuring long-term loyalty." "At Compare Club, our mission is to help Australian consumers make more informed purchasing decisions across insurance, energy, home loans, and more, making it easier and faster for customers to sign up for the right products and maximize their budgets," said Ryan Newsome, Head of Data and Analytics, . "Snowflake Cortex AI has been instrumental in enabling us to efficiently analyze and summarize hundreds of thousands of pages of call transcript data, providing our teams with deep insights into customer goals and behaviors. With Cortex AI, we can securely harness these insights to deliver more tailored, effective recommendations, enhancing our members' overall experience and ensuring long-term loyalty." Markaaz: "Snowflake Cortex Search has transformed the way we handle unstructured data by providing our customers with up-to-date, real-time firmographic information. We needed a way to search through millions of records that update continuously, and Cortex Search makes this possible with its powerful hybrid search capabilities," said Rustin Scott, VP of Data Technology, Markaaz . "Snowflake further helps us deliver high-quality search results seconds to minutes after ingestion, and powers research and generative AI applications allowing us and our customers to realize the potential of our comprehensive global datasets. With fully managed infrastructure and Snowflake-grade security, Cortex Search has become an indispensable tool in our enterprise AI toolkit." "Snowflake Cortex Search has transformed the way we handle unstructured data by providing our customers with up-to-date, real-time firmographic information. We needed a way to search through millions of records that update continuously, and Cortex Search makes this possible with its powerful hybrid search capabilities," said Rustin Scott, VP of Data Technology, . "Snowflake further helps us deliver high-quality search results seconds to minutes after ingestion, and powers research and generative AI applications allowing us and our customers to realize the potential of our comprehensive global datasets. With fully managed infrastructure and Snowflake-grade security, Cortex Search has become an indispensable tool in our enterprise AI toolkit." Osmose Utility Services: "Osmose exists to make the electric and communications grid as strong, safe, and resilient as the communities we serve," said John Cancian, VP of Data Analytics, Osmose Utilities Services . "After establishing a standardized data and AI framework with Snowflake, we're now able to quickly deliver net-new use cases to end users in as little as two weeks. We've since deployed Document AI to extract unstructured data from over 100,000 pages of text from various contracts, making it accessible for our users to ask insightful questions with natural language using a Streamlit chatbot that leverages Cortex Search." "Osmose exists to make the electric and communications grid as strong, safe, and resilient as the communities we serve," said John Cancian, VP of Data Analytics, . "After establishing a standardized data and AI framework with Snowflake, we're now able to quickly deliver net-new use cases to end users in as little as two weeks. We've since deployed Document AI to extract unstructured data from over 100,000 pages of text from various contracts, making it accessible for our users to ask insightful questions with natural language using a Streamlit chatbot that leverages Cortex Search." Terakeet: "Snowflake Cortex AI has changed how we extract insights from our data at scale using the power of advanced LLMs, accelerating our critical marketing and sales workflows," said Jennifer Brussow, Director of Data Science, Terakeet . "Our teams can now quickly and securely analyze massive data sets, unlocking strategic insights to better serve our clients and accurately estimate our total addressable market. We've reduced our processing times from 48 hours to just 45 minutes with the power of Snowflake's new AI features. All of our marketing and sales operations teams are using Cortex AI to better serve clients and prospects." "Snowflake Cortex AI has changed how we extract insights from our data at scale using the power of advanced LLMs, accelerating our critical marketing and sales workflows," said Jennifer Brussow, Director of Data Science, . "Our teams can now quickly and securely analyze massive data sets, unlocking strategic insights to better serve our clients and accurately estimate our total addressable market. We've reduced our processing times from 48 hours to just 45 minutes with the power of Snowflake's new AI features. All of our marketing and sales operations teams are using Cortex AI to better serve clients and prospects." TS Imagine: "We exclusively use Snowflake for our RAGs to power AI within our data management and customer service teams, which has been game changing. Now we can design something on a Thursday, and by Tuesday it's in production," said Thomas Bodenski, COO and Chief Data and Analytics Officer, TS Imagine. "For example, we replaced an error-prone, labor-intensive email sorting process to keep track of mission-critical updates from vendors with a RAG process powered by Cortex AI. This enables us to delete duplicates or non-relevant emails, and create, assign, prioritize, and schedule JIRA tickets, saving us over 4,000+ hours of manual work each year and nearly 30% on costs compared to our previous solution." Learn More: Read more about how Snowflake is making it faster and easier to build and deploy generative AI applications on enterprise data in this blog post. Learn how industry-leaders like Bayer and Siemens Energy use Cortex AI to increase revenue, improve productivity, and better serve end users in this Secrets of Gen AI Success eBook. and use Cortex AI to increase revenue, improve productivity, and better serve end users in this Secrets of Gen AI Success eBook. Join us at Snowflake's virtual RAG 'n' Roll Hackathon where developers can get hands-on with Snowflake Cortex AI to build RAG apps. Register for the hackathon here. Explore how users can easily harness the power of containers to run ML workloads at scale using CPUs or GPUs from Snowflake Notebooks in Container Runtime through this quickstart. See how users can quickly spin up a Snowflake Notebook and train an XGBoost model using GPUs in Container Runtime in this video. Check out all the innovations and announcements coming out of BUILD 2024 on Snowflake's Newsroom. Stay on top of the latest news and announcements from Snowflake on LinkedIn and X. As of October 31, 2024. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains express and implied forward-looking statements, including statements regarding (i) Snowflake's business strategy, (ii) Snowflake's products, services, and technology offerings, including those that are under development or not generally available, (iii) market growth, trends, and competitive considerations, and (iv) the integration, interoperability, and availability of Snowflake's products with and on third-party platforms. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the Annual Reports on Form 10-K that Snowflake files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. As a result, you should not rely on any forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. 2024 Snowflake Inc. All rights reserved. Snowflake, the Snowflake logo, and all other Snowflake product, feature and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of Snowflake Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other brand names or logos mentioned or used herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). Snowflake may not be associated with, or be sponsored or endorsed by, any such holder(s). About Snowflake Snowflake makes enterprise AI easy, efficient and trusted. Thousands of companies around the globe, including hundreds of the world's largest, use Snowflake's AI Data Cloud to share data, build applications, and power their business with AI. The era of enterprise AI is here. Learn more at snowflake.com (NYSE: SNOW). 12 november 2024 at 09:35 News published onand distributed by: FedEx strengthens capabilities in Latin America with new flight routes The company has launched new flights in Central and South America, connecting key markets with Miami. This offers customers increased shipping capabilities and enhanced connectivity, making it easier to import and export goods into the United States and other global destinations. MIAMI, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal Express Corporation, the world's largest express transportation company, continues to strengthen its commitment to Latin America's economic growth and connectivity. The company is strengthening its air network with two new flights linking important markets in South and Central America with Miami, offering increased capabilities and better connectivity for its customers across the region. "The launch of these new routes marks a significant milestone in the history and growth strategy of FedEx across the region," said Luiz R. Vasconcelos, President of FedEx in Latin America and the Caribbean. "These flights are part of the ongoing air network redesign, aimed at better serving customers of all sizes by providing direct connectivity with the Americas and the world." In South America, a new route served by a FedEx Boeing 767-300 aircraft connects the international airports of Ezeiza in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Airport of Santiago in Chile, and Mariscal Sucre in Quito, Ecuador, with Miami International Airport. In Central America, a FedEx Boeing 757 aircraft provides direct connectivity from La Aurora airport in Guatemala and Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras with Miami. Both aircraft will operate multiple times per week. With these new flights, FedEx also establishes direct commercial presence in Honduras and Ecuador, to be closer to its customers and better serve their international shipping needs. The flights will benefit sectors such as flowers, coffee and cacao, seeds, high-tech, and the textile and automotive industries, which have gained increased international market share. Miami International Airport, the origin and destination for these routes, is among the top three cargo airports in the United States1 and one of the main transportation and international trade hubs in the Americas, playing a crucial role in connecting the region to the rest of the world. The FedEx Hub at Miami International Airport is strategically equipped to efficiently handle significant volumes of cargo and is home to the largest cold storage facility in the company's global network, providing optimal logistics and cold chain support. About Federal Express Corporation Federal Express Corporation is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. Federal Express Corporation uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments by a definite time and date. About Latin America and Caribbean Division FedEx Latin America and Caribbean (FedEx LAC) serves more than 50 countries and territories and employs more than 23,000 team members committed to total customer satisfaction. FedEx LAC offers a broad portfolio of transportation and logistics solutions, acting as a pillar of growth for the region, and continues its commitment to small, medium and large exporters by offering innovative ways to access the global marketplace. 1 Study prepared by Miami-Dade Aviation Department, Marketing & Air Service Development Division (July 2024) CONTACT: Cristina Avila, [email protected] SOURCE Federal Express Corporation 12 november 2024 at 13:03 News published onand distributed by: Innovative Photonics Products Selected as Finalists for 2025 SPIE Prism Awards The best new photonics products have been named finalists for the 2025 SPIE Prism Awards. The 24 products ? from companies ranging from emerging innovators to industry stalwarts ? selected in eight categories, will be honored during a 29 January gala evening at SPIE Photonics West. The annual event, which will be celebrating its 17th year, recognizes commercialized innovation in photonics, honoring companies that are bringing transformative products to market. Rapidly developing technology areas such as quantum, sensors, imaging, and biomedical showcase the range and variety of this year's entries and finalists. Newer companies such as Eoptic, Delta Life Science, previous SPIE Startup Challenge finalists Ki3 Photonics Technologies and FlulDect, and 2023 SPIE Prism Award winner Qunnect, will share the stage alongside more established companies such as Thorlabs, Leonardo, Trioptics, and NIL Technology. Confirmed presenters for this year's Prism Awards include Double Helix's Leslie Kimerling, Edmund Optics' Katie Schwertz, ETH Zurich's Ursula Keller, Singular Photonics' Shahida Imani, Notal Vision's Nishant Mohan, Ruda Optical's Kate Medicus, and Thorlabs' Jennifer Cable. This year, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, is also bestowing the second SPIE Catalyst Award. This recognition honors for-profit companies with specific social or environmentally focused programs that have had significant positive impact, either within their workplace, on society at large, or on the environment. Finalists for this year's Catalyst Award are SCHOTT, Thorlabs, and Vacuum Innovations, and Jessica Wade, of Imperial College London, will be presenting the award in this category. "I always look forward to the Prism Awards ceremony," says SPIE CEO Kent Rochford. "These awards give us the opportunity to showcase and appreciate the impact that optics and photonics technologies have on our lives as well as the efforts required to bring them to market. It's an honor to acknowledge the scientists, engineers, and companies working to solve problems with light, and I'm excited to congratulate all the finalists and winners at our celebration at Photonics West in January." The Award finalists and their competing products and programs: Biomedical Enspectra Health, VIO Delta Life Science, inQuiQ Norlase, LYNX Cameras and Imaging Systems Eoptic, Eoptic Cambrian Edge NIL Technology, metaEyetm Ultra-Compact Camera Thorlabs, Inc., Mini2P Lasers n2-Photonics GmbH, MIKS1_M Scantinel Photonics GmbH, Narrow linewidth hybrid-integrated laser Thorlabs, Inc., Long-Wave Infrared Supercontinuum Laser (LWIRSC) Optical Materials and Components LightPath Technologies, BDNL Materials Omega Optical, DeepUV Transmission Gratings xolo GmbH, Xube2 Lens 3D Printer Quantum Tech Ki3 Photonics Technologies Inc., Q-COMB Leonardo DRS (Daylight Solutions), Stretto Qunnect, QU-RACK Gotham Sensors EXALOS, 3-fiber SLED Transceiver EXC250033 FlulDect GmbH, SpheroScan Explorer Interherence GmbH, QUSCITE Software BRELYON, BRELYON Visual Engine HyperSpectral Corp., SpecAI PlanOpSim, PlanOpSim Test and Measurement Innovations in Optics, Inc., LumiSun-50 LED Solar Simulator Quartus Engineering Inc., OptiQuiver TRIOPTICS GmbH, OptiCentric Bonding 5D MultiAlign Catalyst SCHOTT AG, 100% hydrogen optical glass production Thorlabs, Inc., Thorlabs Photonics Learning Vacuum Innovations, Vacuum Innovations' Optical Coating Design & Technology Education For more information on the Prism Awards, please visit the official website: www.photonicsprismaward.com. About SPIE SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, we have invested more than $25 million in the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. www.spie.org. 12 november 2024 at 16:00 News published onand distributed by: FiscalNote Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NOTE) ("FiscalNote" or the "Company"), a leading AI-driven enterprise SaaS technology provider of policy and global intelligence, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. These most recent results mark another quarter of exceeding expectations driven by a blue chip public sector and commercial customer base, durable recurring revenue and high gross margins, which form the basis of the Company's increasing adjusted EBITDA. The third quarter of 2024 represented a $2.7 million improvement in adjusted EBITDA year over year and marked the fifth straight quarter of adjusted EBITDA profitability for FiscalNote. "During the third quarter, we continued to make progress on strengthening our product strategy and roadmap, enhancing our leadership team with select key hires, and further extracting operating efficiencies across the enterprise," said Tim Hwang, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder of FiscalNote. "With the recent divestiture of Aicel Technologies, we remain committed to evaluating all options to realize shareholder value and to solidify our core business by leveraging our market leading political, legislative, and regulatory policy data sets for the benefit of our global customers and in so doing pursuing our long-term growth strategy of increasing market share and improving revenue growth and sustained profitability." Financial Highlights(2) Q3 2024 vs. Q3 2023 [Note - All amounts for the three months ended September 30, 2023 include contributions from the Board.org business, which the Company divested on March 11, 2024.] Three Months Ended September 30, ($ in millions) 2024 2023 % Change Total Revenues (formerly "GAAP Revenue") $ 29.4 $ 34.0 (14 ) % Subscription Revenue as % of Total Revenues ~93 % ~88 % Gross Profit $ 23.2 $ 23.6 (2 ) % Gross Margin 79 % 69 % 1000 bps Adjusted Gross Profit (1) $ 25.4 $ 28.4 (10 ) % Adjusted Gross Margin (1) 86 % 83 % 300 bps Net Loss $ (14.9 ) $ (14.5 ) (3 ) % Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 3.4 $ 0.7 * Adjusted EBITDA Margin (1) 12 % 2 % 1000 bps Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 33.4 $ 24.4 bps - Basis Points * - percentage change is greater than +/- 100% Third Quarter and Recent Operational Highlights Appointed Can Babaoglu as Chief Product Officer to lead the conceptualization, development, and growth of dynamic products and manage the Company's overall product roadmap, strategy, and vision to drive profitable growth, including optimizing existing products and launching new ones. Continued product development efforts for FiscalNote Copilot for Global Intelligence push generative AI efforts forward by placing proprietary data from 50,000+ reports related to geopolitical, market, and security intelligence into the hands of clients excited to use the Company's powerful new AI tools. Announced the divestiture of its South Korea subsidiary, Aicel Technologies, for a total consideration of $9.65 million, a continuation of the Company's strategy of divesting non-core assets to unlock underlying value, reduce business complexity, and drive improved enterprise operating efficiency while further deleveraging the Company's balance sheet through the prepayment of senior debt using the net cash proceeds from the transaction. Commenting on the quarter, FiscalNote Chief Financial Officer, Jon Slabaugh, said, "Our performance in the third quarter reflects the strength of our core business. As we continue to implement our initiatives to further de-lever the balance sheet, simplify and reduce the complexity of our product mix, pursue improved customer experience and capture improved customer retention rates all while driving ongoing operational efficiencies, we remain well positioned for sustained profitability for the remainder of 2024 and, more importantly, expect improving growth rates and continued profitability into 2025 and beyond." Leadership Succession Announced on November 12, 2024 The Company today also announced a leadership succession whereby Tim Hwang, the company's current Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder, will transition to Executive Chairman after nearly 12 years as Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors has appointed Hwang as Executive Chairman and appointed President and Chief Operating Officer Josh Resnik as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. Third Quarter Financial Performance Revenue(2) Three Months Ended September 30, ($ in millions) 2024 2023 % Change Subscription revenue $ 27.2 $ 30.1 (9 )% Advisory, advertising, and other revenue 2.2 4.0 (44 )% Total revenues $ 29.4 $ 34.0 (13 )% For Q3 2024, subscription revenue declined $2.8 million, or 9%, versus prior year, due primarily to the impact of the Board.org sale. Excluding the impact of Board.org, subscription revenue increased by $0.6 million, or 2%. For Q3 2024, advisory, advertising, and other revenue decreased $1.8 million, or 44%, versus prior year, due primarily to the discontinuation of certain non-strategic products and related services as well as the sale of Board.org. Excluding the impact of Board.org, advisory, advertising, and other revenue decreased $1.5 million, or 41%. Key Performance Indicators(3) As of September 30, ($ in millions) 2024 2023 % Change Run-Rate Revenue $ 119 $ 138 (14 )% Pro Forma Run-Rate-Revenue* $ 119 $ 124 (4 )% Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) $ 109 $ 123 (11 )% Pro Forma ARR* $ 109 $ 109 - % Net Revenue Retention (NRR) 99 % 100 % *Pro forma Run-Rate Revenue and Pro forma ARR adjusts prior periods for the impact of the divestiture of Board.org. As of September 30, 2024, Run-Rate Revenue declined $19 million, or 14%, versus prior year, principally due to the impact of the divestiture of Board.org. Excluding Board.org, Run-Rate Revenue was 4% lower compared to September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2024, ARR declined $14 million, or 11%, principally due to the impact of the divestiture of Board.org. Excluding Board.org, ARR was level compared to September 30, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, NRR was 99%, 100 basis points below the prior year nine month period ended as of September 30, 2023. Operating Expenses(2) Three Months Ended September 30, ($ in millions) 2024 2023 % Change Cost of revenues, including amortization $ 6.2 $ 10.4 (40 )% Research and development 3.3 4.5 (28 )% Sales and marketing 9.1 11.2 (19 )% Editorial 4.6 4.5 3 % General and administrative 10.6 14.4 (26 )% Amortization of intangible assets 2.4 2.9 (16 )% Other - (0.6 ) NM Total operating expenses $ 36.3 $ 47.5 (24 )% NM - Not meaningful In Q3 2024, operating expenses decreased versus prior year, primarily due to the sale of Board.org, ongoing operating efficiency measures instituted throughout 2023 and 2024, as well as the costs associated with sunset products. On a pro forma basis, excluding amortization expense, stock-based compensation, and the impact of the sale of Board.org, operating expenses decreased approximately $4 million, or 12%. Financial Forecast With an increased focus on profitability and greater operating efficiencies as well as continuing the Company's focus on simplifying the product mix, the Company has updated its financial forecast for full year 2024 and issued its forecast for Q4 2024. Both forecasts reflect management's expectations based on the most recent information available. Full Year 2024 ($ in millions) Current Forecast Provided on 11/12/2024 Action Previous Forecast Provided on 08/08/2024 Total Revenues Approximately $120 Updated Approximately $121 Adjusted EBITDA (1) (4) Approximately $9 Updated Approximately $8 Q4 2024 Current Forecast ($ in millions) Provided on 11/12/2024 Total Revenues $ 29.0 Adjusted EBITDA (1) (4) $ 2.5 The forecast for the full year 2024 reflects slower non-subscription growth and the divestiture of Aicel, offset by further operating efficiencies, the realization of improved operating leverage resulting from continued investments in product innovation and platform investments focused on enhanced customer experience to drive higher customer engagement and retention rates. Of note, the forecast of $9 million in adjusted EBITDA marks the Company's first full calendar year of adjusted EBITDA profitability in the Company's history. The Company expects to continue to drive deleveraging of its capital structure, reduce complexity of its product portfolio, and strengthen customer experience and retention rates through the ongoing optimized product strategy and roadmap through to the end of 2024 and in 2025. Strategic Investment In addition, Era Global Technologies, LLC ("Era"), an investment firm backed by global family offices across multiple countries and markets, is investing $5.5 million in FiscalNote in the form of a convertible subordinated promissory note. The investment represents continued support from an early-stage investor and strategic advisor to the Company, which also entered into a strategic commercial partnership with the Company last year to accelerate its global AI Co-pilot program. Strategic Review The Company's Board of Directors along with its advisors continue to review the Company's ongoing plans and evaluate all strategic value-maximizing options available to the Company. There can be no assurance that the strategic review will result in any transaction or other outcome. The Company has not set a timetable for completion of the review and does not intend to disclose developments or provide updates on the progress or status of the review unless and/or until it deems further disclosure is appropriate or required. Conference Call, Presentation Supplement, and Webcast Information Company management will host a conference call at 5:00 pm ET today, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to discuss these financial results. LIVE By phone Dial for the U.S. or Canada 1 (800) 715-9871 or for International 1 (646) 307-1963 and enter the conference ID 7871199. By webcast Visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. REPLAY By phone (available through Tuesday, November 26, 2024) Dial for the U.S. or Canada 1 (800) 770-2030 or for International 1 (609) 800-9909 and enter the conference ID 7871199. By webcast Visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's website. Footnotes (1) Non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the reconciliation tables for the definitions and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most closely related GAAP financial measures. (2) All financial information incorporated within this press release is unaudited. (3) "Run-Rate Revenue," "Annual Recurring Revenue," and "Net Retention Revenue" are key performance indicators (KPIs). See "Key Performance Indicators" for the definitions and important disclosures related to these measures. (4) Because of the variability of items impacting net income and the unpredictability of future events, management is unable to reconcile without unreasonable effort the Company's forecasted adjusted EBITDA to a comparable GAAP measure. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on the non-GAAP measures. About FiscalNote FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) is a leader in policy and global intelligence. By uniquely combining data, technology, and insights, FiscalNote empowers customers to manage political and business risk. Since 2013, FiscalNote has pioneered technology that delivers critical insights and the tools to turn them into action. Home to CQ, Dragonfly, Oxford Analytica, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading brands, FiscalNote serves thousands of customers worldwide with global offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. To learn more about FiscalNote and its family of brands, visit FiscalNote.com and follow @FiscalNote. Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or FiscalNote's future financial or operating performance. For example, statements regarding FiscalNote's financial outlook for future periods, expectations regarding profitability, capital resources and anticipated growth in the industry in which FiscalNote operates are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "pro forma," "may," "should," "could," "might," "plan," "possible," "project," "strive," "budget," "forecast," "expect," "intend," "will," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "potential" or "continue," or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may impact such forward-looking statements include FiscalNote's ability to achieve and sustain organic growth; changes in FiscalNote's strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenue and losses, forecasts, projected costs, prospects and plans; FiscalNote's future capital requirements; FiscalNote's ability to service its repayment obligations and maintain compliance with covenants and restrictions under its existing debt agreements; demand for FiscalNote's services and the drivers of that demand; FiscalNote's ability to provide highly useful, reliable, secure and innovative products and services to its customers; FiscalNote's ability to attract new customers, retain existing customers, expand its products and service offerings with existing customers, expand into geographic markets or identify areas of higher growth; any cost reduction initiatives undertaken by FiscalNote; FiscalNote's ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and services, and subsequently grow acquired businesses; risks associated with international operations, including compliance complexity and costs, increased exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, political, social and economic instability, and supply chain disruptions; FiscalNote's ability to develop, enhance, and integrate its existing platforms, products, and services; FiscalNote's estimated total addressable market and other industry and performance projections; FiscalNote's reliance on third-party systems and data, its ability to integrate such systems and data with its solutions and its potential inability to continue to support integration; potential technical disruptions, cyberattacks, security, privacy or data breaches or other technical or security incidents that affect FiscalNote's networks or systems or those of its service providers; FiscalNote's ability to obtain and maintain accurate, comprehensive, or reliable data to support its products and services; FiscalNote's ability to introduce new features, integrations, capabilities, and enhancements to its products and services; FiscalNote's ability to maintain and improve its methods and technologies, and anticipate new methods or technologies, for data collection, organization, and analysis to support its products and services; competition and competitive pressures in the markets in which FiscalNote operates, including larger well-funded companies shifting their existing business models to become more competitive with FiscalNote; FiscalNote's ability to protect and maintain its brands; FiscalNote's ability to comply with laws and regulations in connection with selling products and services to U.S. and foreign governments and other highly regulated industries; FiscalNote's ability to retain or recruit key personnel; FiscalNote's ability to effectively maintain and grow its research and development team and conduct research and development; FiscalNote's ability to adapt its products and services for changes in laws and regulations or public perception, or changes in the enforcement of such laws, relating to artificial intelligence, machine learning, data privacy and government contracts; adverse general economic and market conditions reducing spending on our products and services; the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings; FiscalNote's ability to successfully establish and maintain public company-quality internal control over financial reporting; the ability to adequately protect FiscalNote's intellectual property rights; and the possibility that the strategic review undertaken by the Board of Directors does not result in any transaction or other outcome or that any outcome is disruptive to operations and impacts financial performance. These and other important factors discussed in FiscalNote's SEC filings, including its most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly the "Risk Factors" sections of those reports, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by FiscalNote and its management, are inherently uncertain. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. FiscalNote undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (in thousands, except shares and per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues: Subscription $ 27,238 $ 30,057 $ 84,015 $ 87,986 Advisory, advertising, and other 2,201 3,952 6,782 10,394 Total revenues 29,439 34,009 90,797 98,380 Operating expenses: (1) Cost of revenues, including amortization 6,235 10,441 20,342 28,863 Research and development 3,250 4,540 9,935 14,170 Sales and marketing 9,068 11,235 27,484 35,222 Editorial 4,639 4,516 13,752 13,533 General and administrative 10,622 14,418 37,958 48,813 Amortization of intangible assets 2,436 2,899 7,541 8,614 Impairment of goodwill - - - 5,837 Transaction (gains) costs, net - (579 ) (4 ) 1,138 Total operating expenses 36,250 47,470 117,008 156,190 Operating loss (6,811 ) (13,461 ) (26,211 ) (57,810 ) Gain on sale of business - - (71,599 ) - Interest expense, net 5,585 8,018 18,267 21,853 Change in fair value of financial instruments 3,501 (7,157 ) 3,174 (18,850 ) Loss on settlement - - - 3,474 Other (income) expense, net (341 ) 207 (82 ) 245 Net (loss) income before income taxes (15,556 ) (14,529 ) 24,029 (64,532 ) (Benefit) provision from income taxes (621 ) (62 ) 1,129 181 Net (loss) income (14,935 ) (14,467 ) 22,900 (64,713 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,123 (1,006 ) 1,062 (1,037 ) Total comprehensive (loss) income $ (13,812 ) $ (15,473 ) $ 23,962 $ (65,750 ) Earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and Diluted $ (0.11 ) $ (0.11 ) $ 0.17 $ (0.49 ) Weighted average shares used in computing earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and Diluted 135,050,093 128,832,502 135,160,124 131,994,563 (1) Amounts include stock-based compensation expenses, as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Cost of revenues, including amortization $ 116 $ 45 $ 324 $ 185 Research and development 454 328 1,138 1,080 Sales and marketing 486 1,041 1,182 1,718 Editorial 200 120 465 292 General and administrative 2,925 4,690 10,776 14,937 FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except shares, and par value) (Unaudited) September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,688 $ 16,451 Restricted cash 683 849 Short-term investments 7,040 7,134 Accounts receivable, net 11,249 16,931 Costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts, net 3,078 3,326 Prepaid expenses 3,210 2,593 Other current assets 3,414 2,521 Total current assets 54,362 49,805 Property and equipment, net 5,444 6,141 Capitalized software costs, net 14,895 13,372 Noncurrent costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts, net 3,347 4,257 Operating lease assets 17,062 17,782 Goodwill 165,964 187,703 Customer relationships, net 44,164 53,917 Database, net 17,208 18,838 Other intangible assets, net 15,005 18,113 Other non-current assets 498 633 Total assets $ 337,949 $ 370,561 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $ 10,018 $ 105 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 7,635 12,909 Deferred revenue, current portion 40,257 43,530 Customer deposits 1,136 3,032 Contingent liabilities from acquisitions, current portion 114 130 Operating lease liabilities, current portion 3,650 3,066 Other current liabilities 3,976 2,878 Total current liabilities 66,786 65,650 Long-term debt, net of current maturities 142,152 222,310 Deferred tax liabilities 1,266 2,178 Deferred revenue, net of current portion 134 875 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 23,982 26,162 Public and private warrant liabilities 2,304 4,761 Other non-current liabilities 2,808 5,166 Total liabilities 239,432 327,102 Commitment and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Class A Common stock ($0.0001 par value, 1,700,000,000 authorized, 132,584,083 and 121,679,829 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 13 11 Class B Common stock ($0.0001 par value, 9,000,000 authorized, 8,290,921 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 1 1 Additional paid-in capital 885,872 860,485 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 6,147 (622 ) Accumulated deficit (793,516 ) (816,416 ) Total stockholders' equity 98,517 43,459 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 337,949 $ 370,561 FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 22,900 $ (64,713 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation 905 1,007 Amortization of intangible assets and capitalized software development costs 14,699 19,068 Amortization of deferred costs to obtain revenue contracts 2,795 2,602 Gain on sale of business (71,599 ) - Impairment of goodwill - 5,837 Non-cash operating lease expense 1,567 2,885 Stock-based compensation 13,885 18,212 Loss on settlement - 3,474 Other non-cash expenses 4 (688 ) Bad debt expense 201 267 Change in fair value of acquisition contingent consideration (4 ) (138 ) Unrealized loss on securities 95 115 Change in fair value of financial instruments 3,174 (18,850 ) Deferred income taxes (838 ) (80 ) Paid-in-kind interest, net 5,995 3,987 Non-cash interest expense 2,244 3,035 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, net 4,149 2,560 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,429 ) 1,935 Costs capitalized to obtain revenue contracts, net (2,155 ) (3,263 ) Other non-current assets 163 (119 ) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (3,047 ) (6,389 ) Deferred revenue 4,796 6,141 Customer deposits (928 ) (2,182 ) Other current liabilities 1,082 (754 ) Contingent liabilities from acquisitions, net of current portion (13 ) (39 ) Operating lease liabilities (2,538 ) (5,844 ) Other non-current liabilities (53 ) (6 ) Net cash used in operating activities (3,950 ) (31,940 ) Investing Activities: Capital expenditures (6,875 ) (5,957 ) Purchases of short-term investments - (7,369 ) Cash proceeds from the sale of business, net 91,384 - Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired - (5,010 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 84,509 (18,336 ) Financing Activities: Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs 801 6,000 Principal payments of long-term debt (65,781 ) (80 ) Payment of deferred financing costs (7,068 ) - Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan purchases 474 650 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (71,574 ) 6,570 Effects of exchange rates on cash 86 (184 ) Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 9,071 (43,890 ) Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period 17,300 61,223 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period $ 26,371 $ 17,333 Supplemental Noncash Investing and Financing Activities: Issuance of common stock for conversion of debt and interest $ 10,934 $ - Warrants issued in conjunction with long-term debt issuance $ - $ 178 Amounts held in escrow related to the sale of Board.org $ 285 $ - Property and equipment purchases included in accounts payable $ 74 $ 323 Supplemental Cash Flow Activities: Cash paid for interest $ 11,723 $ 15,290 Cash paid for taxes $ 277 $ 16 Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures to clarify and enhance our understanding, and aid in the period-to-period comparison, of our performance. Where applicable, we provide reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the corresponding most closely related GAAP measure. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP financial measures to its most comparable GAAP financial measure. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information, non-GAAP financial measures have limitations and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, their most comparable GAAP measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential differences in their financing and accounting methods, the book value of their assets, their capital structures, the method by which their assets were acquired and the manner in which they define non-GAAP measures. Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin We define Adjusted Gross Profit as Total revenues minus cost of revenues, including amortization of capitalized software development costs and acquired developed technology, before amortization of intangible assets that are included in costs of revenues. We define Adjusted Gross Profit Margin as Adjusted Gross Profit divided by Total Revenues. We use Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends. We believe these metrics are useful measures to us and to our investors to assist in evaluating our core operating performance because they provide consistency and direct comparability with our past financial performance and between fiscal periods, as the metrics eliminate the non-cash effects of amortization of intangible assets that may fluctuate for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance. Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. They should not be considered as replacements for gross profit and gross profit margin, as determined by GAAP, or as measures of our profitability. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using non-GAAP measures only for supplemental purposes. Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin as presented herein are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA represents earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA reflects further adjustments to EBITDA to exclude certain non-cash items and other items that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by Total Revenues. We disclose EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin herein because these non-GAAP measures are key measures used by management to evaluate our business, measure our operating performance and make strategic decisions. We believe that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are useful for investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as management. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as substitutes for net income (loss), net income (loss) before income taxes, or any other operating performance measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Using these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze our business would have material limitations because the calculations are based on the subjective determination of management regarding the nature and classification of events and circumstances that investors may find significant. In addition, although other companies in our industry may report measures titled EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin or similar measures, such non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from how we calculate non-GAAP financial measures, which reduces their comparability. Because of these limitations, you should consider EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin alongside other financial performance measures, including net income and our other financial results presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin The following table presents our calculation of Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Margin for the periods presented: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (In thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Total revenues $ 29,439 $ 34,009 $ 90,797 $ 98,380 Costs of revenue, including amortization of capitalized software development costs and acquired developed technology (6,235 ) (10,441 ) (20,342 ) (28,863 ) Gross Profit $ 23,204 $ 23,568 $ 70,455 $ 69,517 Gross Profit Margin 79 % 69 % 78 % 71 % Gross Profit 23,204 23,568 70,455 69,517 Amortization of intangible assets 2,224 4,796 7,159 10,454 Adjusted Gross Profit $ 25,428 $ 28,364 $ 77,614 $ 79,971 Adjusted Gross Profit Margin 86 % 83 % 85 % 81 % EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin The following table presents our calculation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the periods presented: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (In thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net loss $ (14,935 ) $ (14,467 ) $ 22,900 $ (64,713 ) Income tax (benefit) provision (621 ) (62 ) 1,129 181 Depreciation and amortization 4,961 8,030 15,604 20,074 Interest expense, net 5,585 8,018 18,267 21,853 EBITDA (5,010 ) 1,519 57,900 (22,605 ) Gain on sale of business (a) - - (71,599 ) - Stock-based compensation 4,181 6,224 13,885 18,212 Change in fair value of financial instruments (b) 3,501 (7,157 ) 3,174 (18,850 ) Other non-cash charges (c) 17 (704 ) 93 5,227 Acquisition and disposal related costs (d) 40 12 1,138 1,391 Employee severance costs (e) 437 560 635 1,310 Non-capitalizable debt raising costs 49 - 527 316 Business Combination with DSAC (f) - 81 - 415 Loss contingency (g) - 201 - 4,091 Costs incurred related to the Special Committee (h) 229 - 682 - Adjusted EBITDA $ 3,444 $ 736 $ 6,435 $ (10,493 ) Adjusted EBITDA Margin 11.7 % 2.2 % 7.1 % (10.7 )% (a) Reflects the gain on disposal from the sale of Board.org on March 11, 2024. (b) Reflects the non-cash impact from the mark to market adjustments on our financial instruments. (c) Reflects the non-cash impact of the following: (i) charge of $49 in the first quarter of 2024, $31 in the second quarter of 2024, and $17 in the third quarter of 2024 related to the unrealized loss on investments; (ii) gain of $4 in the first quarter of 2024 from the change in fair value related to the contingent consideration and contingent compensation related to the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Acquisitions; (iii) impairment of goodwill of $5,837 in the first quarter of 2023, (iv) charge of $115 in the third quarter of 2023 related to the unrealized loss on investments; (v) loss from equity method investment of $34 in the first quarter of 2023, loss from equity method investment of $56 in the second quarter of 2023, and a gain from equity method investment of $147 in the third quarter of 2023, and (vi) charge of $2 in the first quarter of 2023, a charge of $2 in the second quarter of 2023, and a gain of $672 in the third quarter of 2023 from the change in fair value related to the contingent consideration and contingent compensation related to the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Acquisitions. (d) In 2024 reflects the costs incurred related to the sale of Board.org, principally consisting of accounting, tax, and legal fees. In 2023 reflects the costs incurred to identify, consider, and complete business combination transactions consisting of advisory, legal, and other professional and consulting costs. (e) Severance costs associated with workforce changes related to business realignment actions. (f) Includes non-capitalizable transaction costs incurred within one year of the Business Combination with DSAC. (g) Reflects (i) $3,474 non-cash loss contingency charge related to the settlement with GPO FN Noteholder LLC recorded in the second quarter of 2023 and (ii) accounting and legal costs incurred associated with the settlement with GPO FN Noteholder LLC totaling $168 in the first quarter of 2023, $248 in the second quarter of 2023, and $201 in the third quarter of 2023. (h) Reflects costs incurred related to the Special Committee. Key Performance Indicators We monitor the following key performance indicators to evaluate growth trends, prepare financial projections, make strategic decisions, and measure the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts. Our management team assesses our performance based on these key performance indicators because it believes they reflect the underlying trends of our business and serve as meaningful measures of our ongoing operational performance. Annual Recurring Revenue ("ARR") Approximately 90% of our revenues are subscription based, which leads to high revenue predictability. Our ability to retain existing subscription customers is a key performance indicator that helps explain the evolution of our historical results and is a leading indicator of our revenues and cash flows for subsequent periods. We use ARR as a measure of our revenue trend and an indicator of our future revenue opportunity from existing recurring subscription customer contracts. We calculate ARR on a parent account level by annualizing the contracted subscription revenue, and our total ARR as of the end of a period is the aggregate thereof. ARR is not adjusted for the impact of any known or projected future customer cancellations, upgrades or downgrades, or price increases or decreases. The amount of actual revenue that we recognize over any 12-month period is likely to differ from ARR at the beginning of that period, sometimes significantly. This may occur due to timing of the revenue bookings during the period, cancellations, upgrades, or downgrades and pending renewals. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue as it is an operating metric and is not intended to be a replacement or forecast of revenue. Our calculation of ARR may differ from similarly titled metrics presented by other companies. Run-Rate Revenue Management also monitors Run-Rate Revenue, which we define as ARR plus non-subscription revenue earned during the last 12 months. We believe Run-Rate Revenue is an instructive indicator of our total revenue growth, incorporating the non-subscription revenue that we believe is a meaningful contribution to our business as a whole. Although our non-subscription business is non-recurring, we regularly sell different advisory services to repeat customers. The amount of actual subscription and non-subscription revenue that we recognize over any 12-month period is likely to differ from Run-Rate Revenue at the beginning of that period, sometimes significantly. Net Revenue Retention ("NRR") Our NRR, which we use to measure our success in retaining and growing recurring revenue from our existing customers, compares our recognized recurring revenue from a set of customers across comparable periods. We calculate our NRR for a given period as ARR at the end of the period minus ARR contracted from new clients for which there is no historical revenue booked during the period, divided by the beginning ARR for the period. We calculate NRR at a parent account level. Customers from acquisitions are not included in NRR until they have been part of our consolidated results for 12 months. Accordingly, the 2022 and 2023 Acquisitions are not included in our NRR for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Our calculation of NRR for any fiscal period includes the positive recurring revenue impacts of selling additional licenses and services to existing customers and the negative recognized recurring revenue impacts of contraction and attrition among this set of customers. Our NRR may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including the growing level of our revenue base, the level of penetration within our customer base, expansion of products and features, and our ability to retain our customers. 12 november 2024 at 16:05 News published onand distributed by: AJF Supports Historic Partnership Between UNU-INWEH, UEF, and WUP to Develop The World Station for Urban Water, Environment, and Health Challenges RICHMOND HILL, Ontario, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Almas Jiwani Foundation (AJF) is proud to announce its support for a landmark partnership between the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), the Urban Economy Forum (UEF), and the World Urban Pavilion (WUP). This collaboration marks the development of The World Station?an innovative data analytics platform designed to address critical global challenges in urban water, environment, and health systems. The joint declaration signed by UNU-INWEH, UEF, and WUP reflects their collective commitment to tackling the complex challenges faced by urban areas worldwide. As cities grapple with rapid urbanization, climate change, and public health crises, the need for an integrated approach to data and analytics platform has never been more urgent. The World Station will serve as a vital resource for cities and policymakers, providing real-time data to improve water management, public health, and environmental resilience. The historic signing ceremony, held on November 9th 2024, was presided over by Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of UNU and United Nations Under-Secretary-General; Reza Pourvaziry, Chair of the UEF; Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH; and Eduardo Lopez Moreno, Co-Director of WUP. Several Canadian elected officials, including Mayor David West, joined the event in support of Canada's commitment to advancing urban sustainability. The ceremony underscored the collective vision for The World Station as a platform to foster data-driven solutions for global urban sustainability. The World Station will provide a global monitoring system for urban water resources and related development issues, offering critical data for governments, UN bodies, and international stakeholders. This data will support climate adaptation, disaster mitigation, and health management, while strengthening global collaboration and knowledge-sharing. "This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to address the pressing urban challenges of water, environment, and health," said Reza Pourvaziry, Chair of the Urban Economy Forum. "By harnessing data and collaboration, we can create actionable solutions that can help cities worldwide tackle these critical issues with informed decision-making." The creation of The World Station represents a major advancement in sustainable solutions for urban challenges. AJF is excited to be part of this pioneering initiative and looks forward to collaborating with all partners involved to foster innovation and drive global urban sustainability. For more information, please visit: www.uefeorum.org Media Contacts World Urban Forum Saeed Sepanta [email protected] www.ueforum.org Almas Jiwani Foundation Jason Dupuis, VP Communication [email protected] www.almasjiwanifoundation.org 12 november 2024 at 17:30 News published onand distributed by: Hadja Memounatou IBRAHIMA, Rt. Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, leads a five-member Parliamentary Mediation Mission of the ECOWAS Parliament to Liberia Construction work ongoing on land acquired at Omega by one of the top officials of the past regime GARDAI in Limerick have arrested a man in his 20s following the discovery of thousands of euros worth of drugs and cash. As part of an ongoing operation targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the region, approximately 4,130 worth of drugs and 5,161 cash was seized. Gardai from the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit assisted by Community Policing, the Regional Dog Unit and the Regional Support Unit, carried out a search under warrant at three residential premises in the Garryowen area this Tuesday, November 12. As a result of this search, approximately 40g of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated value of 2,800 was discovered, along with an estimated 1,260 of suspected cocaine. READ MORE: General Election posters removed in Limerick city following 'serious safety concern' As well as this, a small quantity of alprazolam tablets were found. Cash to a value of 5,161, drug paraphernalia, mobile phones and a number of other items were also seized. A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and conveyed to an unspecified garda station in the southern region. He is currently being detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1996. A NEW free online resource is highlighting the numerous benefits of occupational therapy for people working to improve their mental health and wellbeing through a focus on the everyday activities that bring meaning and purpose to life. Introducing Occupational Therapy for Mental Health Recovery is an informative, interactive guide devised collaboratively by Mid West ARIES and the HSE Mid West Mental Health Occupational Therapy Service. The guide is the latest in an expanding series of educational resources provided by Mid West ARIES to support recovery and mental health. The new guide is the first of its kind in the country, deftly deploying a range of IT tools to raise awareness of how Occupational Therapy works, including video testimonials, interactive quizzes and live online links to community-based support services, all easily accessible on a laptop, PC or smartphone. All you need is internet access. This guide is free and available here. This is a unique online education resource, said Mike ONeill, manager, Mid West ARIES. It fulfils all aspects of our mission to identify gaps in peoples knowledge of mental health services and supports, and deliver innovative solutions that tangibly make a difference to peoples lives, not least by enhancing access, as conveniently as possible, to the support they need. Mikes colleague at Mid West ARIES, Margaret Keane, the agencys education, training & development officer, explained: Occupational Therapy can play an enormously positive role in peoples mental health recovery. But many people are unaware of precisely how Occupational Therapy works. Further challenging our awareness-raising mission is the current era of rapid, instantaneous sharing of unverified opinions, misinformation and disinformation. Such a swirl of myths and misconceptions can often act as barriers to people seeking help. The Myth Busting section of the resource gamifies the educational process through a simple True/False quiz, that shows the user, for example, that Occupational Therapy is not talk therapy or counselling, but a practical therapy focused on the activities a person does in their everyday lives; or that it is not what you seek when you are sick at work (thats Occupational Health). Incorrect responses to the questions prompt you to have another go, before delivering the correct answer. READ MORE: New festival as Gaeilge aims to promote fluency in Limerick, with all events free Video is also used to show people how Occupational Therapy works from the perspective of the service-user and the practitioner. Aine Frawley, occupational therapist at St Anne's Community Mental Health Centre, Roxboro Road, Limerick, explains the role of Occupational Therapy in mental health recovery. Service-user Mary OCarroll discusses how the therapy helped her to achieve significant weight-loss goals, effectively manage her tendency towards hoarding, and transform her social life to play a more active role in her community. I want to give hope to those people who are struggling at the momentwith the right supports, recovery is possible, Mary says. Eithne Kennedy, occupational therapist manager, Limerick and North Tipperary Adult Mental Health Service, described the guide as a great enabler for anyone attending mental health services, and for their families and loved ones: By understanding what a profession can offer, people are empowered to request the kind of input they think will be of benefit. Many people who have informally fed back on our services have said that if theyd known previously what Occupational Therapy was, they would have requested it much earlier in their recovery. Im delighted that this modern resource is so readily available and accessible. I hope that by using the guide, service users, families and staff can all learn more about the role of Occupational Therapy in mental health recovery, she added. The resource is just the latest of the ARIES range of inclusive and transformative recovery education resources available online and in the community throughout the Mid West, covering topics such as anxiety, creativity for wellbeing, self-care and resilience. All Mid West ARIES workshops are co-produced, by people with mental health challenges, their families, carers and supports, mental health staff and community partners. Co-production grows out of Mid West ARIES collaborative ethos, creating an edge to their resources in which everyones contribution whether service-users and their family members, and service-providers is equally valued, making for powerful, meaningful and relevant learning outcomes. For immediate information on additional supports, the Occupational Therapy guide also shares links to a wide range of community-based partner organisations, including EmployAbility, Grow, Jigsaw, Limerick Mental Health Association, Limerick Youth Service, and the National Learning Network. If you are recovering from mental health challenges and want to find out more about Occupational Therapy, the answer may be just a tap of the smartphone away. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 8, China's Hubei Province released its Action Plan for Accelerating the Development of the Hydrogen Industry (2024-2027), outlining ambitious targets to boost its hydrogen energy sector. According to the plan, the province aims to establish a diversified and cost-effective green hydrogen supply system by 2027, featuring a series of green hydrogen production projects. Hubei plans to build 100 hydrogen refueling stations and achieve an annual hydrogen production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes. The province will expand pilot applications of hydrogen energy across transportation, industrial use, and energy storage and power generation. Additionally, the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is set to surpass 7,000 units, with Hubei leading the country in the application of hydrogen-powered vessels and aircraft. Geely's fuel cell bus; photo credit: Geely The plan also envisions forming a hydrogen industry cluster centered around Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, positioning it as a national hub for hydrogen technology. By 2027, the province aims to develop a national-level hydrogen equipment center focusing on electrolysis cells and fuel cells. Hubei seeks to create a demonstration area for the widespread application of hydrogen in transportation and industry. In terms of industrial scale, Hubei targets a total value of 100 billion yuan across the full hydrogen, with 30 billion yuan attributed to hydrogen production and 40 billion yuan from hydrogen application equipment and components. The province also aims to be included in the national strategic emerging industrial clusters program, attracting over 10 leading hydrogen enterprises and 100 key companies in the hydrogen sector. On the innovation front, Hubei plans to establish six hydrogen industry innovation platforms at the provincial level or higher by 2027. The province aims to achieve internationally advanced standards for technologies like proton exchange membranes, membrane electrodes, electrolyzers, and hydrogen storage. Hubei also seeks to maintain a leading position in hydrogen fuel cell and vehicle R&D, setting more than 10 national standards and industry benchmarks for the hydrogen sector. Police will do better, a senior officer has promised following criticism of an investigation into a young womans death. The Police Service of Northern Ireland was criticised by the Police Ombudsman for a flawed initial investigation into the death of showjumper Katie Simpson which failed her family. Ms Simpson was initially assumed to have taken her own life, but Jonathan Creswell was later arrested for her murder. His trial collapsed earlier this year following his sudden death. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said he acknowledged shortcomings in the investigation and said he apologised unreservedly for this. It is clear that we were not rigorous enough in our pursuit of all potential lines of enquiry and did not act quickly enough in responding to some of the concerns that were raised around Katies death, he said. We relied too much on the lack of any presenting medical evidence around what had happened to Katie when she was first admitted to hospital and on the forensic post-mortem that was conducted on August 11 2020. Our systems failed to identify Creswells previous related, serious offending. We acknowledge this and reaffirm our position that we must and will do better, moving forward. Ms Simpsons family has called for more accountability, particularly within the senior ranks of police. While the Police Ombudsman recommended misconduct proceedings in relation to six officers, two have since retired, and for one no misconduct was proven. Of the remaining three, one received written warning, while there was action aimed at improving performance for another and the final one received management advice. Mr Beck stated that for police, it is less about individual officers actions and more about our organisation not getting things right from the outset. He said 18 officers were initially considered as part of that investigation. 15 of those officers were interviewed by the Ombudsman, and as a result of that, six of the officers were recommended for further misconduct proceedings, three of those officers received misconduct proceedings he said. Those were three sergeants. Mr Beck also said there are now more offences in law in terms of violence than there were at the time of Ms Simpsons murder in 2020. At the time of Katies murder, there were a number of gaps around legislation. Those gaps thankfully have been filled, working with the Department of Justice, we have new offences a specific offence around non-fatal strangulation and since that legislation was brought in just over a year ago, we have over a thousand people arrested in terms of non-fatal strangulation offences, he said. We have had further offences in terms of coercive control and domestic violence. We have had over 1,700 cases of arrests in respect of that particular offence since that new legislation was brought in and we have new offences in terms of stalking. We are certainly better equipped in terms of the legislation and what I would say to victims is that those figures demonstrate that we are using those powers, we are rigorously investigating those areas and I am more assured now that there is less opportunity for us to miss potential offending because the legislation allows is to take more swift and more appropriate action. THE UNIVERSITY of Limerick has withdrawn an application to designate lands in Clare adjoining the north campus of the University as an Economic Strategic Development Zone. The application had been jointly submitted by the university and Clare County Council in 2022, to expand and designate lands on the north campus of UL as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) through the UL and Clare Economic Development Agency Designated Activity Company (DAC). UL was the lead partner in the application, which had been forecast to generate upwards of 3,500 jobs with additional employment being generated in the construction phase and subsequent spin-off developments, and a gross added value of 1.795 billion annually to the Irish economy. In a statement shared with Limerick Live which had been sent to all staff last Thursday, November 7, UL said that the reasons for withdrawing "are multi-faceted and the Executive Committee has concluded, on balance, that the SDZ proposal was not to be recommended". "The designation, if granted, would have required a significant financial investment and the University considers that it would be better to continue to prioritise investment in developing and honing our teaching, learning and research offering, in collaboration with industry," the letter to all staff read. Read Also: Man arrested following drugs and cash seizure in Limerick city housing estate A letter to Clare County Council formally notifying them of the decision to withdraw the application stated "emphatically" that reasons for the withdrawal had "nothing to do with the council", praising them as an "exemplary partner at all times". The letter to Clare County Council went further in explaining UL's reasons for withdrawing the SDZ application. It cited delays in progress with the Limerick Northern Distributor Road, the current governance situation at the university, and imminent changes to planning legislation which would remove the provision for designation of SDZs. Reading the letter at the November council meeting on Monday, November 11, Chief Executive Pat Dowling expressed his disappointment at UL's decision, saying senior management had been working to keep the project alive "for a number of weeks". "We have dealt with three different presidents over an extensive period of time, we've invested a lot of effort into this project, it's disappointing," he said. Councillors also shared their disappointment over UL's decision, with Independent Clonlara Cllr Michael Begley calling it "a sad sort of a letter to hear". However he said that any future campus expansion at UL would surely take place in south east Clare, as there was "not much land to play around with in Limerick". A NEW festival celebrating Irish culture, heritage and everything 'as Gaeilge' is taking place in Limerick. Feile na Samhna 2024, a festival celebrating the Irish language, is underway this week in Limerick city and county. Running until November 17, the festival will offer a variety of free events designed for all ages and levels of Irish fluency. The festival programme includes engaging social conversation groups over a cup of tea or a friendly lunch in local venues, giving attendees the chance to use their Irish in a relaxed atmosphere. Highlights include a lecture on the artistic approach behind the acclaimed Irish-language film An Cailin Ciuin, a modern song-writing workshop, a guided nature walk, and a childrens music session. For families, theres also a children's club and a dedicated parent and toddler group. READ MORE: Graduates share 'inspiring experiences' as hundreds conferred from Limerick college Board member Denis Kelly from Ahane is passionate about how the festival is not just about Irish: "Comhluadar Luimnighs vision has always been about giving people opportunities that happen to be through Irish, through events that are also inspiring, rewarding and enjoyable social opportunities in themselves. "We cater for all age groups and everyone is welcome if readers have a look at our full programme on our website, they will see what answers to their own needs and interests." Free Feile na Samhna 2024 events include: Social conversation groups and loin le Gaeilge in various venues in the city and county Song-writing workshop in Mary Immaculate College. Dive into modern Irish-language music and meet up with like-minded people with an interest in Irish and composing/performance (18+) Parent & baby group in Adare - meet with other parents with an interest in Irish Guided nature walk in Curraghchase Childrens music session Ava Nic Searraigh, development officer for Comhluadar Luimnigh, is looking forward to what she describes as "a real grassroots programme, that's all about community, creativity, inclusion and making Irish accessible". All events are free, (lunches/coffee at participants own cost and discretion) but registration is essential to ensure adequate space. Full details and registration can be found here. Insecticides India Q2 Results Live : Insecticides India declared their Q2 results on November 11, 2024, revealing a mixed performance with a topline decrease of 9.9% year-over-year (YoY) while profit saw a significant increase of 15.69% YoY. Compared to the previous quarter, revenue declined by 4.51%, but profit surged by 25.46%. The company's Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses showed a slight decline of 1% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ), although they rose by 12.65% YoY, indicating increased operational costs over the year. Despite this, Insecticides India reported a robust operating income growth of 27.88% QoQ and 10.37% YoY. Earnings per share (EPS) for Q2 stood at 20.78, reflecting a 15.77% increase YoY. This positive growth in EPS is a key indicator of the company's profitability and financial health. In terms of stock performance, Insecticides India has seen a -3.4% return over the past week, but has delivered an impressive 52.55% return over the last six months and a 24.25% year-to-date (YTD) return. The company currently holds a market capitalization of 2445.53 crore, with a 52-week high of 1084.25 and a low of 465.6. As of November 12, 2024, out of two analysts covering Insecticides India, both have given a Buy rating, with a consensus recommendation to buy as of the same date. This reflects a positive outlook for the company's future performance in the market. Insecticides India Financials Period Q2 Q1 Q-o-Q Growth Q2 Y-o-Y Growth Total Revenue 627.09 656.69 -4.51% 695.99 -9.9% Selling/ General/ Admin Expenses Total 38.46 38.85 -1% 34.14 +12.65% Depreciation/ Amortization 7.25 7.13 +1.58% 7.35 -1.43% Total Operating Expense 544.78 592.32 -8.03% 621.41 -12.33% Operating Income 82.32 64.37 +27.88% 74.58 +10.37% Net Income Before Taxes 82.32 65.43 +25.81% 71.75 +14.73% Net Income 61.49 49.01 +25.46% 53.15 +15.69% Diluted Normalized EPS 20.78 16.56 +25.48% 17.95 +15.77% Jubilant Foodworks Q2 Results Live : Jubilant Foodworks has announced its Q2 results on November 11, 2024, revealing a significant increase in revenue but a sharp decline in profit. The company's topline surged by 42.82% compared to the same quarter last year, marking a notable growth trajectory. However, the profit for the quarter took a hit, decreasing by 34.11% year-over-year. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, revenue saw a modest growth of 1.12%, while profit rebounded with a 14.78% increase. The financial details further indicate that selling, general, and administrative expenses rose by 2.48% sequentially and jumped by 29.87% year-over-year, contributing to the profit decline. In addition, operating income experienced a slight dip of 1.19% compared to the previous quarter, though it showed a robust increase of 45.7% on a year-over-year basis. Jubilant Foodworks reported an earnings per share (EPS) of 1.05 for Q2, which reflects a decrease of 28.87% from the same period last year. Despite these challenges, the company has demonstrated resilience, delivering a 6.15% return over the past week, a 27.43% return in the last six months, and a 6.54% year-to-date return. As of November 12, 2024, Jubilant Foodworks holds a market capitalization of 39,582.56 crore, with its stock trading between a 52-week high of 715.45 and a low of 421.05. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with out of 27 analysts covering the stock, 8 have issued a Sell rating, 8 a Hold, 5 a Buy, and 6 a Strong Buy. The consensus recommendation remains to Hold, reflecting cautious optimism amidst the recent profit decline. Jubilant Foodworks Financials Period Q2 Q1 Q-o-Q Growth Q2 Y-o-Y Growth Total Revenue 1954.72 1933.06 +1.12% 1368.63 +42.82% Selling/ General/ Admin Expenses Total 336.82 328.66 +2.48% 259.36 +29.87% Depreciation/ Amortization 201.43 183.54 +9.75% 141.88 +41.98% Total Operating Expense 1757.57 1733.54 +1.39% 1233.32 +42.51% Operating Income 197.15 199.52 -1.19% 135.31 +45.7% Net Income Before Taxes 86.99 79.63 +9.24% 120.53 -27.83% Net Income 64.05 55.8 +14.78% 97.2 -34.11% Diluted Normalized EPS 1.05 0.93 +11.9% 1.47 -28.87% Beauty e-retailer Nykaa is pushing for faster order deliveries while sidestepping heavy capital outlays that could strain its bottom line, ,Anchit Nayar, CEO of the company's beauty e-commerce vertical, told analysts Tuesday after the companys Q2 earnings results. Despite its entry into faster deliveries, Nykaas investments in setting up rapid warehouses are expected to stay lean. Nayar noted that high average order values in beauty e-commerce allow the company to expand its logistics efficiently and profitably. Read this | How dark stores are lighting up the online beauty business At this point, it [faster deliveries] is not going to be margin dilutive or capital intensive. We have the ability to do it. We know how to run our supply chain, manage warehouses, and we have the assortment as well, Nayar said. However, he added that certain beauty productsespecially those requiring selection from a wide rangeare less suited for quick delivery. Beauty is a long-tail category. If you want to buy foundation, there could be 30 different shades that suit Indian skin tones. There are large parts of our business that are not addressable by quick commerce, at least not in an affordable and sustainable way, Nayar said. With the launch of Nykaa Now, the company is focusing its quick delivery on high-demand, everyday items rather than specialized beauty products. The service promises delivery within 30 minutes to three hours in select metros. These are the everyday essentials for consumers and not exactly a deliberate beauty purchase. For us to continue to dominate market share in these SKUs (stock keeping units), we believe it is important to be competitive in certain metros from a delivery speed perspective, Nayar added. The Mumbai-based company rolled out Nykaa Now last month, joining the quick commerce trend with a promise of four-hour deliveries on beauty basics. In its latest quarter, Nykaa reported that 70% of its orders in the top 110 cities arrived on the same or next day, with 80% hitting that mark in the top 12 cities. And this | Indias beauty brands battle hard in a crowded market We are able to provide quick and timely delivery of a wide assortment of over 1,50,000 SKUs across 3,000 brands, Nayar said during the earnings call. Q2 performance Nykaas revenue from operations rose 24% year-on-year to 1,875 crore in the September ended quarter, supported by strong growth in its beauty segment and a moderate recovery in fashion. Net profit rose 72% to 10 crore during the quarter. Beauty marketplace gross merchandise value (GMV) jumped 29% year-on-year to 2,783 crore, driven by the success of in-house brands like Dot & Key and Kay Beauty, as well as growth in offline store sales. In fashion, revenue growth outpaced GMV, bolstered by marketing income from Little Black Book (LBB) and higher service-related revenue, according to the companys stock exchange filing. There is a lot of talk that the fashion industry didnt do well in the first half because this year all the festivals were dominant in the second half. It was seasonally weak. But, there was some pick up in October. The industry is hoping for better growth outcomes in the second half of the year linked to the wedding season, Falguni Nayar, founder and chief executive of Nykaa, said in the analysts call. The failure to revive two prominent Indian airlinesJet Airways and Go Firsthas triggered a debate on the limitations of Indias Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), particularly in addressing airline insolvencies. Jet Airways and Go First have now become case studies shedding light on the difficulties in reviving airlines under the IBC. Mint explains what went wrong in these case. The Jet Airways insolvency Jet Airways, once a flagship airline in India, spiralled into insolvency in June 2019 after defaulting on over 8,000 crore owed to its creditors, chiefly State Bank of India (SBI). Despite being a major player in the Indian aviation market, Jet faced mounting operational inefficiencies, excessive debt, and stiff competition, leading to its downfall. In 2021, the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium (JKC), led by UAE-based Murari Lal Jalan and Florian Fritsch of Kalrock Capital Partners, won the bid to revive Jet Airways with a resolution plan worth 4,783 crore. Of this amount, 475 crore was allocated to settling outstanding debt to creditors. However, the revival plan quickly became mired in an ugly legal dispute between JKC and the lenders. While JKC claimed ownership of the airline and stated it was doing everything possible to restart operations, the consortium accused the lenders of intentionally stalling efforts and pushing the airline closer to liquidation. A major stumbling block was JKCs failure to fulfil key financial obligations outlined in its resolution plan. The consortium was supposed to make an initial payment of 350 crore to creditors but only deposited 200 crore. They attempted to secure the remaining 150 crore with a bank guarantee, which led to a legal battle with the lenders, who insisted on cash payments and rejected the guarantee. This disagreement created delays and complications in the resolution process. JKC also struggled to overcome significant operational and regulatory hurdles in reviving Jet Airways. These included securing critical airport slots, obtaining an air operator certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, securing the home ministrys approval, and renewing bilateral rights for international routes. Furthermore, JKC had to pay over 200 crore in worker dues and clear mounting airport charges, all of which were mishandled, further delaying the revival process. Also read | Jet Airways liquidation: A wake-up call for Indias insolvency code The non-compliance with the conditions of the resolution plan ultimately became grounds for the Supreme Court to intervene. On 7 November, using its special powers under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution, the court ordered the liquidation of Jet Airways. According to insiders involved in the Jet Airways insolvency, the resolution was further complicated by the consortiums lack of expertise in aviation. Despite promising to infuse enough funds to revive the airline, JKC lacked the operational know-how to manage an airline of Jet Airways scale, according to industry experts. As Captain P.P. Singh, a former accountable manager at Jet Airways, explained, They bid for the airline without understanding the intricacies of the business... they didnt stand a chance." The consortiums lack of aviation expertise became evident early on, as it failed to address the regulatory and operational challenges, which proved insurmountable. Moreover, 11 grounded aircraft that could have been sold or leased to generate cash were allowed to deteriorate, compounding the airlines financial woes. This combination of mismanagement, lack of expertise, and financial missteps ultimately sealed Jet Airways fate, preventing any meaningful revival and leading to its eventual liquidation. This isnt the first time a successful bidder has failed to implement a resolution plan, as seen in the Amtek Auto insolvency. A successful resolution applicant is not just a participant but a key stakeholder responsible for ensuring the timely implementation of resolution plans," said Palash Taing, manager at Tatva Legal, Hyderabad, adding that the IBC aims to maximize the profits of the bankrupt company. What went wrong with Go First Go First (formerly GoAir) filed for voluntary insolvency in May 2023 after it grounded its fleet due to faulty engines from Pratt & Whitney. Unlike Jet Airways, Go First relied heavily on leased aircraft, and when it defaulted on lease payments, lessors moved quickly to repossess their assets. Within weeks of the insolvency filing, lessors sought to deregister 54 grounded aircraft through writ petitions in the Delhi High Court, complicating the airlines ability to resume operations. Although the National Company Law Tribunal allowed Go First to operate the planes temporarily in June 2023, legal battles with lessors in the Delhi High Court soon prevented any meaningful revival. In October 2023, a government notification exempted aircraft-related transactions from the insolvency moratorium, weakening Go Firsts position and making it more difficult for the airline to protect its assets. Also read | Go Firsts foreign funding push to test Indias insolvency framework By 2024, after a prolonged legal struggle, the Delhi High Court ruled in favour of the lessors, effectively leaving Go First without any operational fleet. This decision deterred potential investors, including SpiceJets Ajay Singh and EaseMyTrips Nitish Pitti, from pursuing bids for the airline. Ultimately, Go First was forced to file for liquidation in September. With no assets and no viable path forward, the airlines creditors are now pursuing a legal case against Pratt & Whitney in Singapore, seeking over $1 billion in damages for the engine issues that led to the grounding of Go Firsts fleet. As it was with Jet Airways, Go Firsts resolution process was marred by mismanagement, with lessors even filing contempt proceedings against the airlines resolution professional, Shaildnea Ajmera, for allegedly damaging the lessors grounded planes. The common factors: mismanagement of key assets Both Jet Airways and Go First reveal how mismanagement of their key assetsparticularly their aircraftwas a core factor in their failed insolvencies. Jet Airways grounded aircraft were allowed to deteriorate, which could have been sold or leased to generate cash. In Go Firsts case, the airlines heavy reliance on leased aircraft meant that once the lessors moved to repossess them, the airline lost most of its operational fleet, leaving it with little to sustain operations or attract potential buyers. The success of an insolvency resolution relies heavily on the companys ability to operate viably or possess assets that can be monetized. When liabilities exceed these resources, recovery becomes extremely challenging," said Vihang Virkar, partner at DMD Advocates. Jayesh H., co-founder of Juris Corp, added, Airline value largely resides in intangibles like landing slots, which the airline doesnt legally own. Most aircraft are leased, complicating repossession and value recovery." Flaws in the IBC framework for aviation Shryeshth Sharma, partner at SKV Law Offices, explained that both Go First and Jet Airways faced similar issues under the IBC, leading to their liquidation. The airlines reliance on leased assets required strong lessor relationships, but the IBC moratorium delayed repossession and repayment. Lack of interim funding, prolonged insolvency proceedings, and unclear restructuring plans discouraged investors. Also, the absence of an aviation-specific framework within the IBC led to asset depletion, financial losses, and made revival efforts unfeasible. Also read | Re-tweak the IBC to better secure aircraft lessor rights Experts argue that the IBCs one-size-fits-all approach is ill-suited for service-sector bankruptcies, such as airlines, where operational downtime leads to rapid erosion of goodwill and market position. Mukesh Chand, senior counsel at Economic Laws Practice, explained, The IBC is poorly equipped to handle service-sector insolvencies that need quick turnaround times. Delays are particularly damaging in aviation, where goodwill and market position deteriorate rapidly when operations halt." Alignment with the Cape Town Convention A key issue in both the Jet Airways and Go First bankruptcy cases has been Indias partial alignment with the Cape Town Convention, an international treaty that protects lessors rights during insolvency. While India ratified the treaty, it has not fully incorporated its provisions into domestic law, leaving lessors with limited protection. This was particularly problematic for Go First, where foreign lessors faced significant challenges in repossessing their aircraft. The Cape Town Convention, signed in November 2001, aimed at standardising transactions involving movable property, including contract registration, sales and leases, financial defaults, repossession, and bankruptcies. Aircraft equipment, including aircraft and aircraft engines, is one of the treaty's four protocols and came into force in 2006. Also read | How voluntary group insolvency can smoothen IBC proceedings The IBC lacks provisions for aviation-specific asset security interests or the protections for lessors provided by the Cape Town Convention, explained Virkar of DMD Advocates. During airline insolvencies, the IBC imposes a moratorium that temporarily blocks asset repossession, including leased aircraft. This directly opposes lessors rights under the Cape Town Convention, leading to legal and financial uncertainties. Full alignment with the Cape Town Convention is necessary to provide clear and effective repossession rights, mitigating many of the issues currently faced by lessors in India," Virkar emphasized. What needs to change Legal experts recommend several reforms to improve Indias insolvency framework for the aviation sector. Key suggestions include: Amending the IBC to prioritize lessors and operational creditors in line with the Cape Town Convention, Introducing provisions for debtor-in-possession financing and temporary asset retention to ensure operational continuity, and Enforcing stricter IBC timelines to expedite proceedings. Additionally, experts call for fully aligning Indian fiscal and tax laws with the Cape Town Convention to protect lessors repossession rights and clarify GST treatment on repossessed aircraft. Also read | A three-point action plan for higher debt recoveries under the IBC There is a massive opportunity in courier aggregation as e-commerce is evolving fast and has sufficient headroom for growth in the coming years, Kapil Makhija, managing director and chief executive officer of listed e-commerce SaaS platform Unicommerce, told Mint , shortly after announcing the acquisition of courier aggregation and automation platform Shipway. Courier aggregation is a large opportunity. Today, it accounts for more than 85% of Shipways total revenue and will continue to be a primary driver going forward. It also ties in with Unicommerces core products," Makhija said in an interview. The e-commerce enablement SaaS platform acquired a 42.76% stake in Shipway for 68.4 crore in cash, and will acquire the remaining stake within a year through a stock swap by issue of equity shares or a merger, it said in a stock exchange filing late on Monday evening. The entire deal is expected to be worth 200 crore, according to a person in the know who did not want to be named. Unicommerces Makhija did not comment on the total deal size. Founded in 2015, Gurugram-based Shipway offers shipping software solutions to over 3,000 e-commerce and direct-to-consumer brands across 29,000 pin codes. It also provides an automated marketing platform called ConvertWay to equip brands with artificial intelligence-powered marketing tools. Strategic alignment Shipway competes with Temasek-backed Shiprocket in the courier aggregation space which is a roughly 3,800-4,300 crore market, according to industry estimates. The acquisition allows Unicommerce to enter a brands customer engagement journey which includes marketing automation and chatbots for sales and support, he said. Right from transaction processing, courier aggregation and customer engagement, we are able to now straddle across the entire value chain and brands are able to get everything under a single umbrella," Makhija noted. The company will invest more on scaling the segment after monitoring growth over the next few years, he said. The Kunal Bahl-backed company continuously observes white spaces in the e-commerce enablement journey and will take active steps to capitalize on opportunities that will be created as the industry evolves, the executive added. While e-commerce has been around for a decade if you zoom out and see, in India, the number of shipments that were processed last year were only 4.5 billion. Compare that to China which did about 130 billion plus shipments last year. The headroom for growth for e-commerce is significant," he said. Direct-to-consumer (D2C) continues to grow, too. The market is likely to triple in four years to reach $61.3 billion by FY27 from $17 billion in FY23, buoyed by increased targeting by brands, hyper-personalisation, increased competition and rise in per capita earnings, according to a June report by market intelligence firm 1Lattice and venture firm Sorin Investments. There is a large potential for the transaction processing layer where we operate today. And with Shipway coming in, there is a large potential in courier aggregation and even in the pre-purchase segment as well," Makhija noted. Unicommerces shares on Tuesday fell 1.6% to settle at 193.90 apiece. Its current market capitalisation stands at about 1,900 crore as on Tuesday. The Adani Group is planning a $5 billion foray into India's metals business, two years after marking its mega entry into the country's cement sector. The conglomerate will challenge incumbents such as Anil Agarwal-promoted Vedanta Ltd, Aditya Birla Groups Hindalco Industries Ltd and Tata Group, riding the synergies shared with its other businesses. Adani's natural resources division has decided to spend the amount over the next 3-5 years on mining, refining and production of copper, iron and steel, and aluminium, two people aware of the plans said on the condition of anonymity. The group is well-positioned to enter other metals including aluminium, iron and steel," said a person close to the group, which started the first phase of its copper operations with a smelter capacity of 500 ktpa in March. Out of the $5 billion, $2 billion will go into copper, and the rest $3 billion into other metals, the person said on the condition of anonymity. Some of India's largest metals businesses are run by Vedanta (aluminium, zinc-led-silver, iron and steel, nickel) Tata Group (iron and steel), Hindalco (copper and aluminium) and JSW (steel). Metals offer significant synergies with Adani's renewable energy, transmission, logistics, ports and infrastructure businesses, the two people said. An email sent to Adani Group remained unanswered. In 2022, the Adani Group entered the cement sector by acquiring Ambuja Cements Ltd and ACC Ltd for $6.6 billion, sparking a rivalry with Aditya Birla Group's market leader Ultratech Cement Ltd, and marking the beginning of consolidation in the industry. Also read | Adani group lifts threat to cut power to Bangladesh under new repayment terms. But readies a backup. Just as in the case of cement, Adani sees synergies in metals, one of the two people cited above said. Adani, which operates in power and transportation, has an edge in metals since these account for a big part of the metals business, the person added, pointing out that a more important reason is captive consumption. "That will be significant and critical for the groups green energy businesses (solar, wind and green hydrogen) and transmission," the person added. It is critical to have end-to-end ecosystem in order to keep costs and production under control. Most of these (metals businesses) should be created over the next 2-3 years," said the first person. The two people said since the group, which aims to reach 50GW in renewable energy by 20230, itself needs a lot of aluminium for manufacturing solar panels, frames, stands, and wind turbines, the plan to have own aluminium assets may play a critical role in the groups energy production costs and attaining better sales margins than others. This benefit can be further passed on to the consumers. As the production costs are lower, the output costs will also be low. Further, at the macro or industry level, demand-supply balance will ensure less volatility of these commodities and lower dependency on foreign suppliers," said the first person. At present, the group imports aluminium dust for manufacturing solar panels, frames, electrical transmission systems and wind turbines. Also read | Adanis resurgence: A $5-7 bn war chest for cement, ports, defence acquisitions Three years ago, Adani group had considered setting up an alumina refinery under a wholly owned subsidiary Mundra Aluminium Ltd, but this arm hardly has any business till date. In 2022, Adani got an approval to build an alumina refinery and a captive power plant in Rayagada, Odisha, but the work on this project is yet to begin. The groups copper plant, however, has just got operational under a subsidiary Kutch Copper and in the coming quarters the group plans to invest around $1 billion more to double its capacity. India's direct copper demand is expected to double over the next five years, which means dependency on imports will rise unless incremental supply comes," said the second person. Apart from wiring and cabling for power generation and transmission, copper is used in manufacturing wind turbine motors (green energy) and in electric vehicles (EVs). Adani groups primary rivals both in copper and aluminium will be Vedanta and Hindalco. While Adani group itself is in the business of thermal and green power generation, it plans to sell copper to EV players and other power sector players as well. Similarly, the group needs iron and steel too for its infrastructure businesses like roads, real estate and other constructions, said the two people. On 5 November, in a call with analysts, Adani Enterprises Ltd, the groups flagship, said in the mining services portfolio, during the July-September quarter, AEL received letter of award for development and operations of iron ore mine at Taldih, Odisha with a capacity of 7 mtpa. In the iron and steel business, Tata Steel Ltd and NMDC Ltd will be key rivals. AEL has signed an MDO (mine developer and operator) agreement for a coal mine at Dahegaon with Ambuja Cements in Maharashtra. With these new mines, AEL's MDO business has 9 coal blocks and 2 iron ore blocks. Also read | Adani Groups bid to buy Reliance Powers plant near Mumbai gets a fresh boost During the September quarter, total mining services dispatch volume was up by 32% to 8.2 million metric tonnes, while revenue increased by 64% to 803 crore and the operating income increased by 65% to 400 crore on year-on-year basis, said the company to the analysts. The $5 billion being planned for the first phase of the groups metals foray is over and above the investment already made by the group in Kutch Copper. These (metal) businesses offer high RoCEs (return on capital employed), almost over 25% in some cases," added the first person. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- EHang, a Chinese company focusing on urban air mobility (UAM) technology, announced on November 11 a long-term strategic partnership with Zhuhai Enpower Electric Co., Ltd. ("Enpower"), a prominent player in new energy vehicle power systems. The collaboration aims to jointly develop high-performance electric motors and motor controllers tailored for EHang's series of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Photo credit: EHang The partnership will focus on creating customized electric drive systems that meet the specific requirements of EHang's diverse eVTOL product lineup, while also adhering to the stringent airworthiness standards set by the Civil Aviation Administration of China ("CAAC"). Enpower's innovative "integrated chip" technology is expected to enhance EHang's motor solutions, enabling a lightweight, high-power, and highly efficient design that can be applied across various eVTOL models. This strategic move is set to boost the performance and reliability of EHang's eVTOL products, addressing the growing demands of the UAM industry. Jiang Guibin, Chairman of Enpower, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: "We are delighted to collaborate with EHang. With nearly 20 years of expertise in new energy vehicle power systems, combined with EHang's decade-long leadership in the eVTOL space, we are poised to deliver advanced motor solutions that will drive innovation and industrialization, taking the UAM sector to new heights. EHang's Founder, Chairman, and CEO Hu Huazhi commented: "EHang is dedicated to making urban air mobility a reality. Our strategic partnership with Enpower not only validates our vision but also provides a solid boost to achieving our goals. Together, we aim to redefine the future of transportation, making it safer, more efficient, and more sustainable. We look forward to collaborating with more partners across the UAM industry value chain and achieving greater milestones in the future." Companies across industries are rolling out the red carpet for middle and junior management employees in a bid to both retain top performers as well as attract new talent. Long-term incentives, floating stock units and global postings are being liberally handed out at a time when companies cannot afford big hikes and bonuses. Yet, they need to hold on to their top performers and attract digitally savvy younger talent from the startup ecosystem, industry experts and companies told Mint . Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), for instance, have conventionally been the preserve of senior management and CXOs. But companies are now using it as a tool to attract junior to mid-level people to ensure they stay around longer. In the IT, e-commerce, and product sectors, companies have integrated deep-discounted ESOPs as a core element of their rewards philosophy," said Jang Bahadur Singh, associate partner of human capital solutions at consulting firm Aon in India. Singh noted that traditionally, sectors such as financial services, FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods), and FMCD (fast-moving consumer durables) have offered equity programs to top and middle management. Ironically, although the job market is muted, holding on to key talent remains a challenge. The incentive programs are now trickling down the hierarchy as the battle for niche talent intensifies. As these industries begin to recruit talent from technology-focused organizations, they are now expanding their equity offerings to include junior-level employees as well to mirror the reward structures of these technology organizations," Singh said. Going ahead, he expects group incentives and flexible work arrangements, which are routine in tech companies, to permeate other industries, too. Also read | Mint Explainer: The budget, buybacks, and Esop taxation Ironically, although the job market is muted, holding on to key talent remains a challenge. Attrition levels in IT, banking, startup, and consumer sectors have fallen in the past year or so, but top talent remains a vulnerable spot for companies. The middle management are more prone to leave if the right compensation, stocks or career growth path are not given, making succession planning difficult for firms. Whos giving the incentives In the banking sector, for example, Axis Bank and Yes Bank have brought in stock units for their high performers in the middle management. Over the last year and a half, we have rolled out employee stock units for the high performers in middle management. They help us in both retaining and aligning the executive to the companys goals," said Rajkamal Vempati, president, human resources at Axis Bank. Meanwhile, Mint has learnt that Yes Bank is implementing selective RSUs for mid-level employees this year as a strategic retention measure for key talent. The bank did not respond to Mints queries. RSUs refer to restricted stock units, where a certain number of shares is given to an employee after she completes a certain tenure in the company. Apart from RSUs, companies are also dishing out plain vanilla ESOPs and performance shares. Under ESOPs, employees can buy stock of the firm at a predetermined price after a certain number of years. In performance stocks, the shares are allotted only if the employee meets the goals, stays with the company for a specific tenure and the firm also meets its growth target in the sector. Also read | Care throws a challengeand an apologyto insurance regulator on Salujas Esops This phenomenon is not restricted to the financial services industry, where attrition rates are relatively higher. Several leading companies in industrial segments, too, have put in place measures to keep their flock happy. A Japanese tyre major has expanded the number of employees eligible for its long-term incentive plan in India. A senior executive in the company said on condition of anonymity that the firm has long-term incentives that stretch over a three-year period for high performers. That number has increased by 2x in the last five years," the executive said. The long-term grants are given to those who fit the bill of critical talent and whose roles are crucial and who do not have a successor in place." Similarly, at spirits major Pernod Ricard, employees are offered an opportunity to apply internally for mid- and senior-management roles within India and beyond. Mint has learnt that Yes Bank is implementing selective RSUs for mid-level employees this year as a strategic retention measure for key talent. During the negotiation process, candidates can discuss options for cash or stock, but these are only part of the equation and have limited efficacy when it comes to fostering long-term engagement," said Nitu Bhushan, chief human resources officer at Pernod Ricard South Asia. Besides, we continuously explore roles and opportunities with our global teams to ensure that talent from India gains valuable global exposure," Bhushan added. These conversations are ongoing, even when specific roles have not yet opened, allowing us to identify potential positions well in advance." For early-stage to growth-stage tech-focused startups, the formative days of the firm are most critical and a large part of the funding they raise goes towards building out teams. In most cases, the companies offer stock options to the top management to buy into the founders vision. However, they are now increasingly including junior and mid-level employees in the Esop pool. The need to prevent the middle and junior order from heading to competition also comes at a time when consumer, logistics, e-commerce, and retail will see average bonuses rolled out on back of muted sales during the festive season, experts pointed out. Also read | How Religare chief got Care Esops after Irdai's NO Over the near future, we are planning to offer follow-on grants to our best performing employees with the view of retaining talent. These would include employees in the junior to mid-level too," said Sachin Santhosh, cofounder of Scimplify, a specialty chemicals contract-manufacturing startup that raised $9.5 million from investors led by Omnivore in this August. According to Santhosh, the company will explore liquidity for employees with stock options in subsequent funding rounds. The 3one4 Capital-backed company will look at raising a new funding round over the next 12-18 months. For scaled startups that have achieved profitability, steadying the ship for the next level of growth becomes critical and ensuring the talent stays with it is equally important, new-age founders say. Bengaluru-based mattress and home solutions startup Wakefit, which offers stocks across hierarchies, says it is a disservice to its potential if Esops are seen merely as a retention tool. Esops for us is to build true ownership and loyalty with the companys mission. We provide Esops to junior and mid-level team members, too. There are target-based and tenure-based top-ups to the Esop pool, which has resulted in our mid and senior management teams staying for good tenures," said Chaitanya Ramalinegowda, co-founder of Wakefit.co. The government is happy to give a licence to Elon Musk's Starlink as long as it complies with conditions laid down for offering the service in India and addresses security concerns, Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday. They (Starlink) are in the process of addressing the (security) concerns, and they have to check all the boxes," Scindia said in a media briefing, noting that the SpaceX-owned satellite broadband provider's application was under process. He did not elaborate on the security concerns the Indian government has raised with Starlink. Indian telecom players Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd and Bharti Airtel Ltd are resisting Starlink's entry into the Indian satellite broadband market on the grounds that the US-based firm's direct-to-consumer service will compete with their retail services, distorting the level-playing field. The spectrum allocation for satellite broadband has been at the centre of the ongoing tussle between the two sides. Also Read: Advantage Musk, Starlink as Trump prepares for second tenure Starlink has sought administrative spectrum allocation, and the Indian carriers have cited same service, same rules as the benchmark for spectrum allocation. The 'same service, same rules' principle refers to the idea that telecom operators and any other company that offers similar services as wireless carriers should be regulated in the same way. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is currently deciding on the method of spectrum allocation for satellite broadband services in the country. Indian operators and Starlink publicly stated these views including during an open-house discussion by Trai last week. In response to questions on granting waiver on bank guarantees of 27,000 crore sought by Vodafone Idea, Scindia said that any assistance that has to be given will not be company-specific but will be sectoral. The sector has received a tremendous amount of boost from the government over the last two-and-a-half years. We have four players in the market, which is necessary from a sectoral point of view. The customer must have a choice. All the assistance given till now has been given from a sectoral point of view, except for BSNL, he said. The minister added that BSNL had set up 50,000 radio access network sites for 4G and all 100,000 sites are expected to be up by May or June 2025. He added that some of the sites would be 5G-enabled by the middle of next year. On relief sought by Vodafone Idea on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) calculations, the minister said the Supreme Court verdict "stands as is" and that if the government were to take a decision, it would be notified at the appropriate time. Also Read: Why Reliance Jio is upset over India's satellite broadband plan On the question of whether telecom service providers will be asked to remove Chinese equipment from legacy networks, Scindia said security cannot be compromised, and the security checks were there for all networks, but replacement of legacy networks will be "evaluated at a later time". At this point of time, the trusted source system is fully in place, he said. And whether a stand has been taken on the demand of telecom operators to get a share of revenues from OTT players, the minister said the government will hear the views of the carriers through the advisory committee mechanism set up by the minister, but noted that the telecom regulator will take a view on the matter. Theyve also circulated a consultation paper on the issue, he said. Scindia added that the ministry has not held any discussions with banks that have pending loans with state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) and that the lenders will have to take the issue up with the company. He, however, clarified that any government debt will be sovereign backed and continues to be guaranteed of payments. Meta Platforms plans to give European users of Instagram and Facebook the option of receiving what it says are less personalized ads," a concession to regulators that risks hitting the companys revenue in one of its largest markets. The social-media company plans in coming days to begin prompting users in Europe with the choice of the new ad format, without paying a fee, according to people briefed on the plans. The less-personalized format will show European users what Meta calls contextual ads based on content that a user sees during a given browsing session, rather than a users broader activity history, like the ads most users now see peppered into their feeds and stories on Metas apps. Some of the new adswhich will also be targeted based on age, gender and locationwill cover the whole screen and be unskippable for a few seconds. Metas new ad option comes amid pressure from European Union regulators who say users should have access to a free version of the companys apps with less-personalized ads. Meta has long resisted giving users a no-fee way to avoid having their in-app digital activity used for advertising purposes because it risks cannibalizing the companys main source of revenue: highly targeted ads selected using data it gathers about its users, including which posts they share and which videos they watch. The company also says personalized ads make for a better experience for users and advertisers. The financial consequences of the move arent clear, and partly depend on how many users change their ad preferences. Meta has told European regulators that it expects the less-personalized ads option to have a negative impact on its business. The greater Europe region that includes the EU accounted for 23% of Metas revenue in its latest financial report. The new ads option comes as frustration has built at Meta over the EUs efforts to regulate tech companies. The company recently spearheaded an open letter saying that the blocs laws threatened to squelch the artificial-intelligence boom in the region. A major source of tension has been whether and how Meta must ask users for consent to use the data it collectsnot just for targeting ads but also for training AI. Meta delayed release of its AI chatbots in the EU after privacy regulators in the bloc had suggested the company may need to seek consent to train models based on adults public posts on Instagram and Facebook in Europe. Meta said Tuesday that it is introducing less-personalized ads to comply with demands from EU regulatorsand that the changes could harm small businesses. If EU regulation makes digital advertising less efficient, the entire European business community suffers," Meta said. The new ad format is the second change in a year that Meta has made to its EU ads options. Last fall, it introduced an option called subscription for no ads," which forced users in Europe to choose between consenting to its highly targeted ads or buying a subscription to an ad-free version of Facebook or Instagram for a monthly fee starting at 13 euros, or nearly $14, a month on mobile devices. The subscription offer was Metas effort to navigate both a new EU digital competition law and rulings by privacy regulators in the bloc, who said an earlier law also required Meta to seek user consent before repurposing information about user behavior to target ads. Concerned that too many users wouldnt consent to targeted ads, undermining its business, Meta added a fee to cover at least some of the potential lost revenue. The company argued at the time that an EU court decision had suggested a fee was permissible. But in July, EU regulators charged Meta with violating the new digital competition law with what officials called Metas pay or consent model. Penalties for violations of the law can run as high as 10% of a companys global annual revenue, or 20% in the case of repeated violations. The new less-personalized ads option is an effort by Meta to try to settle that case. As part of the new offer, Meta will also announce it is cutting the price of its subscriptions to 8 on mobile devices plus 5 for each additional mobile-device account. It is unclear if the new concession will satisfy EU regulators. Officials have said they intend to finish their investigation by late March. They havent validated the companys approach and discussions with Meta havent concluded, according to some of the people briefed on the plans. One question could be whether the new free option still relies in some ways on information about a users activity. Even if ads are selected to match only the content a user sees in a given browsing session, Metas apps personalize the content they show based on user behavior in prior sessions. That could make even those contextual ads indirectly based on a users past digital activity. Meta, for its part, says its new contextual ads meet EU regulator demands and go beyond whats required by EU law." A spokeswoman for the European Commission, the EUs executive arm, said the investigation is ongoing and that the commission sent its preliminary findings in the case in July. Write to Sam Schechner at Sam.Schechner@wsj.com and Kim Mackrael at kim.mackrael@wsj.com Rajeev Misra is formally stepping down as co-chief executive officer of SoftBank Group Corp.s Vision Fund, bringing to a close a tumultuous tenure at the helm of what had been the largest-ever venture capital fund. Misra was instrumental in helping SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son set up the Vision Fund in 2017, helping him raise nearly $100 billion from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Apple Inc. and other backers. The unprecedented bet on the startup sector originally gave Son and Misra immense power to support their favored founders. The strategy to scale up in venture capital went awry, however, as they bet billions of dollars on the startup ecosystem that saw the implosions of WeWork, Zume Pizza and the dog-walking app Wag. Misra stepped back from his central role at the company two years ago, as he began to spend more time on his own investment fund, OneIM. Alex Clavel will become the Vision Funds sole CEO, as Misra cedes his remaining title and management responsibilities. Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla, known for backing Kamala Harris in the recent US elections, took to social media to congratulate Elon Musk on Donald Trumps victory. In his post on X, Khosla not only celebrated Elon Musks role in the outcome but also shared his hopes for the new administration, outlining what he expects the SpaceX CEO to influence and what he hopes Trump will avoid. Congratulations Elon Musk on the win. Hopefully, you can get Trump to do some of the things he said he'd do and not do some of the things he promised to do, Khosla wrote, directing his message to the tech mogul. Khoslas Vision for Trump's Presidency Vinod Khoslas post didnt stop at mere congratulations. He used the opportunity to highlight key areas where he hopes Musks influence will be felt under Trumps leadership. Make the best of it now for the country. For example, if we can focus in FDA on better regulation instead of RFK kooky science, it would be good, Khosla added, referencing Robert F Kennedy Jr, who is expected to have a significant role in the Trump administration. Khosla continued, urging Trumps administration to pay attention to climate change, a cause Musk has been vocal about supporting. Attention to climate, which you subscribe to, would be good. Under the MAGA banner, I hope we dont abandon our allies and Ukraine, Khosla added. Addressing RFK Jr's Controversial Stance on Vaccines Vinod Khoslas comment on RFK kooky science was a pointed reference to Robert F Kennedy Jrs controversial stance on vaccines. Kennedy, a vocal critic of vaccine safety, is expected to play a key role in the Donald Trump administration. Despite being popular for his physical fitness, Kennedys vaccine scepticism has drawn criticism from the medical community. In response to such criticism, Kennedy defended his position in an interview with NBC News, stating, Im not going to take away anybodys vaccines. If vaccines are working for somebody, Im not going to take them away. People ought to have a choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information. Kennedy pledged to ensure that scientific safety studies and efficacy data are available to the public, allowing individuals to make informed decisions about vaccines. Elon Musks Role in Trumps Election Campaign Vinod Khosla is not the only high-profile figure to praise Elon Musks involvement in Donald Trumps campaign. Zydus Lifesciences Ltd announced strong double-digit growth in line with estimates, on the back of sustained growth across its key businesses, in its consolidated financial results for the September quarter on Tuesday. Its consolidated revenue grew 20% year-on-year (y-o-y), from 4,369 crore in Q2FY24 to 5,237 crore in Q2FY25. The firm posted a net profit of 911 crore, up 14% YoY from 801 crore in Q2FY24. Ebitda for the pharma major rose 27.5% on-year from 1,146 crore in Q2FY24 to 1,461 crore in the September quarter this fiscal. Ebitda is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. Ebitda margin for the quarter grew by 170 basis points to 27.9%, from 26.2% in the corresponding period last year. Also Read: Zydus Cadila gets USFDA nod to market generic cancer drug The company said that its research & development (R&D) spend for the quarter was 480 crore, which is 9.2% of its revenues. This was higher than its R&D investment in Q1FY25, at 392.5 crore, as well as in Q2FY24, at 319.5 crore. The company plans to continue investment in R&D for the fiscal. Guideline for FY25 is around 8% of revenueand going forward also, at least for the near future we are looking at the same percentage, Dr Sharvil Patel, managing director, said in an earnings call with investors after the results. Zydus's India businesses Zydus's India businesses, which includes its formulations and wellness segments, accounted for 38% of its consolidated revenues. Its branded business grew 10% y-o-y, outpacing the market in both chronic and acute segments. The India businesses registered a consolidated revenue of 1,944 crore. The companys US formulations business grew 30% y-o-y, registering a revenue of 2,417 crore. It was, however, down 22% quarter-on-quarter from 3,093 crore in Q1FY25. The business accounted for 47% of the firms consolidated revenue. Also Read | A prescription for speed: How e-pharmacies aim to transform medicine delivery The company is focusing on scaling up its US business. We have three-four legs of growth that we are targeting in the US, Patel said. Apart from their generics business, the company is scaling up their injectables segment, and launching competitive generics. Plus, they are also entering the animal-free protein products segment with their joint venture with Perfect Day Inc. earlier this year, through the acquisition of a 50% stake in Sterling Biotech Ltd. The company is also seeing significant scale-up in its rare and speciality products business, Patel said. The companys active pharmaceuticals ingredients (API) business saw a degrowth of 15% year-on-year with 119 crore revenue during the quarter. It accounted for 2% of the consolidated revenue. During the quarter, the companys consumer wellness business acquired Naturell (India) Pvt. Ltd. the maker of Ritebite Max Protein and other products. The business is about 130 crore in annual revenue. We have always indicated that we would like to play in the protein malnutrition slash nutrition space, this gives us a good area to enter, Patel said during the earnings call. The brand is a market leader in its category with strong growth, he added. Also Read: Govts generic pharmacy stores to stock top 200 medicines round the clock The companys performance was in line with Bloomberg estimates, which had pegged its consolidated revenue at 5,233 crore, and its net profit at 916 crore. Ebitda was estimated to be 1,356 crore. New Delhi: States should consider listing their power utilities including generation, transmission and distribution companies which are financially viable, in a bid to raise funds and increase operational efficiency, the Union power minister said. Addressing the media after a conference of state power ministers, Manohar Lal, the Union power minister said that there would be a requirement of 42 trillion of investments into the power sector by 2030 for which fundraising avenues need be looked into. With the growing power demand, there is a growing need for investment in the sector and improving operational efficiencies. States may identify and take up utilities for listing, he said, adding that Haryana and Gujarat have shown interest in listing their power utilities. He said that although power generation and transmission companies across states are largely in good financial health, distribution companies (discoms) have to significantly improve their financial viability to go public. Also read: Power trading volumes in short-term market rise 12% in FY24 Noting that the aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses of discoms have increased to 17.6% in FY24 from 15.4% in the previous fiscal year, the minister said the Centre has suggested states to calculate technical and commercial losses separately to allow targeted solutions. "States should look into addressing losses with dedicated methodologies for both technical and commercial losses," he said. The minister also informed that the outstanding debt of discoms stands at 6.84 trillion, while accumulated losses currently stand at 6.46 trillion. He called upon states to accelerate reform measures to reduce this burden and improve financial sustainability. The conference chaired by the Union minister was attended by the chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah, three deputy chief ministers and 12 power ministers of states along with principal secretaries of states and other officials. Also read: Cyclones, heatwaves push up insurance cost for Indias wind power projects Further, during the deliberations on Tuesday, the minister also stressed on the need to expand the nuclear power generation capacity and asked states to look for suitable sites for such projects. Currently, 18 sites have been identified for possible nuclear power plants. New Delhi: The trade of pulses, including lentils and yellow peas, between India and Russia is set to grow, following a meeting between Russia's deputy agriculture minister Maxim Titov and India's consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare on Monday. The discussion comes in the backdrop of imports of Russian lentils and yellow peas helping ease India's supply crunch. Russia is now exploring diversifying its pulse production to include tur and urad, as stated in the official press release from the ministry of consumer affairs, food & public distribution. To be sure, an influx of imports and promising kharif crop prospects have reduced Indias pulse supply constraints, particularly for tur, urad, and chana. The Indian government has also been taking steps to ensure that onions and tomatoes remain affordable for consumers. By the first week of November 2024, India's imports of tur and urad have already exceeded the total imports for 2023, reaching 1 million metric tonnes and 640,000 metric tonnes (MT), respectively. Also read: Govt directs big retailers to reduce pulses prices in line with mandi trends Promising tur dal The government reported that the tur crop has been promising, with early harvests underway in pockets of Karnataka. This, along with continued imports of pulses like tur, urad, chana, and yellow peas, has ensured a stable supply for the country. Sowing of kharif pulses this year was 12.85 million hectare, a 7.7% increase over last year's 11.93 million hectare, as per the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. In response to the rising prices of onions and tomatoes earlier this year, the government implemented relief measures, including transporting 1,600 MT of onions by Kanda Express, which arrived in Delhis Kishanganj station on 20 October. Also read: Kharif crop sowing surpasses average area driven by paddy, pulses and coarse cereals Another shipment of 840 MT arrived by rail rake on 30 October. Similar shipments were sent to Chennai and Guwahati to address supply shortages. India's merchandise exports are likely to rise 1.85% year-on-year to $107.5 billion in the third quarter of FY25 (October-December), according to India Exim Bank. In the same period last year, goods exports stood at $104.61 billion. Exim Bank has projected non-oil exports at $91.7 billion, marking a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 7.39%. Non-oil, non-gems, and jewellery exports are forecasted at $82.7 billion, reflecting a 7.8% YoY increase. Read this | RITES sets sights on Africa for export of refurbished and underutilized railway diesel locos This anticipated growth signals a modest yet steady rebound amid global economic uncertainty, driven by Indias strong fundamentals and stable demand from key trading partners. Potential global monetary policy easing could further support the export environment. However, Exim Bank cautions that external risks persist, including uncertainties in advanced and emerging economies, rising geo-economic fragmentation, crises in the Middle East and West Asia, potential protectionist policies, and ongoing supply chain disruptions. The positive momentum in total merchandise, non-oil, and non-oil, non-gems, and jewellery exports is expected to extend into Q4 FY25, according to Exim Bank. The export forecast for this quarter is only slightly higher than last years, but when looked at on a monthly basis, its clear that real growth is not happening, said Pronab Sen, an economist and former chief statistician of the country. Theres no substantial increase; the growth were witnessing is far below what was anticipated. For an economy targeting a 7% growth rate, exports should ideally grow by 14-16%. However, exports are not reflecting this pace. Although numerous factors are affecting exports, a slowdown in the global economy isnt one of them. The global economy is, in fact, holding steady. We need to take a closer look at why our exports are struggling to gain momentum, Sen told Mint. India's goods trade deficit narrowed to a five-month low in September, buoyed by a modest rise in exports. However, sequential declines indicate that momentum remains fragile. Imports also hit their lowest level since May, reflecting softer demand. India's trade deficitthe gap between exports and importsstood at $20.78 billion in September, down from $29.65 billion in August. It was $23.5 billion in July, $20.98 billion in June, $23.78 billion in May, and $19.1 billion in April. Indias goods exports reached $109.11 billion in Q1 FY25 and $102.34 billion in Q2, compared to $101.87 billion in Q1 FY24 and $107.5 billion in Q2 FY24. Also read | Opinion: No major threat to Indian exports to US New Delhi: India now ranks among the top 10 countries globally in the number of patents, trademarks and industrial design applications, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) 2024 report on IP trends. The World Intellectual Property Indicators report underscores Indias rapid progress in the IP landscape. India recorded the fastest growth among the top 20 origins in patent applications, with a 15.7% increase in 2023, marking its fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth in this area, the commerce ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. With 64,480 patent applications, India now ranks sixth worldwide, crossing a notable threshold as Indian filings accounted for over half the total (55.2%) for the first time, it said. This upward trend in patent applications is accompanied by an impressive 149.4% surge in granted patents compared with the previous year, indicating rapid development within India's IP infrastructure. Industrial design applications have also risen by a remarkable 36.4%, attributed to a heightened focus on the manufacturing and creative sectors. Also read: Expiry of patent for key product weighs on PI Industries Leading industries Textiles, tools and machines, and health and cosmetics emerged as the leading industries, representing nearly half of all design applications, demonstrating Indias growing emphasis on both functional and aesthetic innovation in product development. Trademark filings, another indicator of the nations burgeoning IP ecosystem, saw a 6.1% increase in 2023, positioning India fourth globally, the ministry said. Almost 90% of trademark applications were filed by domestic entities, with health (21.9%), agriculture (15.3%) and clothing (12.8%) leading the charge. Indias trademark office now holds the second-largest number of active registrations globally, with over 3.2 million trademarks currently in force, it said. WIPO reported a 2.7% increase in patent filings worldwide in 2023, totaling 3.55 million applications. China, the US, Japan, South Korea and India contributed the most to this growth, as countries emphasized domestic innovation. India has seen a significant shift in the proportion of resident versus non-resident patent filings over the last decade, reflecting a substantial transformation in its intellectual property (IP) environment. As per the report, in 2013 resident filings represented only 24.8% of total patent applications. By 2023, however, this distribution reversed, with resident filings climbing to 55.2%. This shift highlights the increasing prominence of domestic innovation and intellectual property activities, fuelled by various government initiatives such as the 'Make in India' programme, which has encouraged local manufacturing and innovation. The rise in resident filings signifies the strengthening of Indias research and development capabilities and a growing recognition of the value of IP protection. Also read: Affle India takes on the big guns with 15 new AI patents Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 12, Dongfeng Nissan announced it has become the first joint-venture-owned car brand in China to form a comprehensive cooperation with HarmonySpace, Huawei ' s sub-brand dedicated to automotive cockpit business, aiming to co-create a smart and comfortable mobility experience. Photo credit: Dongfeng Nissan In a recent interview, Zhou Feng, Vice President of Dongfeng Nissan, shared insights on the company's current status and future plans. Mr. Zhou acknowledged that the company had initially misjudged the trajectory of China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market, leading to hesitancy in their strategic decisions. This hesitation caused Dongfeng Nissan to miss the optimal window for transitioning to NEVs. To address these challenges, Zhou emphasized that the company will now adopt a more proactive approach, focusing on both electrification and intelligent technology. He revealed, "We are preparing intensively for this transformation, and next year we will launch a series of NEV products and intelligent solutions." Mr. Zhou identified three main sources of confidence for the company's transformation. First, both major shareholders (Dongfeng Motor and Nissan Motor) are fully supporting the joint venture's shift to NEVs, with plans to introduce more than five NEV models over the next two to three years, backed by an investment exceeding 10 billion yuan. Second, the company's team is increasingly shifting towards a customer-centric approach, becoming more responsive to consumer needs. Third, Dongfeng Nissan is leveraging the combined technological resources of its shareholders to drive its development forward. Additionally, Zhou disclosed that Dongfeng Nissan is collaborating closely with key partners including Huawei, Momenta, iFlytek, and NVIDIA to advance its capabilities in intelligent and NEV technologies. The strategic partnership with Huawei involves co-developing an intelligent cockpit system, which he believes will soon enable Dongfeng Nissan to offer customers a complete, integrated solution. Admissions for private schools in Delhi will begin later this month for the 2025-26 academic session. A missive released by the state education department indicated the process would begin from November 28 with the first list of candidates released in mid-January. Private, unaided and recognised schools in Delhi have been asked to upload their admission criteria and all other relevant points by November 25 for open seats. Application forms will be made available by each school till the last date of submissions on December 20. A non-refundable fee of 25 will be charged for admission registration. The first list of selected children and the waiting list will be displayed by schools on January 17 next year alongside their marks under the point system. Eligible parents will be able to resolve their queries regarding the allotment of points between January 18 and January 27. A second list (if necessary) will be displayed by February 3. The admission process will be closed on March 14. Delhi govt releases 2025 admission schedule for entry level classes The guidelines apply to Nursery, KG and Class 1 admissions with the Education department outlining the eligible age brackets. Those applying for pre-school or nursery admission must be less than four years old as of March 31 next year. Those applying for pre-primary or KG admission have to be less than five years old while Class 1 students must be less than six as of March 31. An age relaxation up to 30 days can be sought by parents through a manual application. It can be granted by the head of school or principal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 12 called Congress an anti-reservation party and said that as long as there is one Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, the party won't allow reservations for Muslims. Congress is an anti-reservation party. They want to end reservations for backward classes and Dalits to provide it to Muslims. As long as there's even one BJP MLA, we won't allow reservations for Muslims, Shah was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. He was addressing a public rally in poll-bound Jharkhand's Dhanbad. First Phase Voting on Wednesday The first phase of elections for 43 seats in Jharkhand is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, and the second phase for 38 seats is scheduled for November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23. Also Read | ED raids multiple locations in Jharkhand ahead of assembly elections The contest in Jharkhand is between the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance. In the 2019 Assembly Elections, JMM emerged as the largest party with 30 seats, while the BJP bagged 25 seats. The Congress won 16 seats, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) got three seats, while the All Jharkhand Students Union won 2 seats. During the ongoing election campaign in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the BJP leaders, including Modi and Shah, have alleged that the Congress party wants to finish reservations for backward classes and Dalits and give them to Muslims instead. BJP's UCC promise in Jharkhand Sharpening his attacks on the ruling government, Amit Shah said that they committed a 1,000 crore MGNREGA scam, land scam, and mining scam. When our government comes, we will implement our 'Sankalp Patra'. We will fulfill all guarantees we make. We have promised that 2,100 will be deposited into women's bank accounts. Regardless of gas prices nationwide, it won't cost more than 500 here, and on Diwali and Raksha Bandhan, BJP's government will provide two free gas cylinders, Shah said. In another rally in Baghmara, Shah said that the BJP, when it comes to power, will implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Jharkhand to prevent infiltration. However, tribals will be kept out of its ambit, Shah said. The UCC is a proposal in India that is aimed at replacing personal laws based on religions, customs, and traditions with one common law for everyone, irrespective of religion, caste, creed, sexual orientation, and gender. The war of words between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Devendra Fadnavis and AIMIM chief, Asaduddin Owaisi is getting murkier as political temperature heats up in poll-bound Maharashtra. Continuing his scathing attack on the Hyderabad Member of Parliament (MP), Fadnavis asked Owaisi to refrain from coming to Maharashtra where elections are scheduled to take place on November 20. These days Owaisi has started coming here. My Hyderabadi brother, stay there, don't come here, you have no business here. I dont understand whats happening- coming here, were being threatened, Fadnavis is heard saying in a latest video shared by news agency IANS. Fadnavis, who is also Maharashtra's deputy chief minister, is heard invoking Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal emperor who ruled from 1658 until his death in 1707, in his speech. "Aurangzeb is being glorified here. I want to say that even true Muslims of India do not see Aurangzeb as their hero. Aurangzeb was an invader; he attacked us. So listen, Owaisi, even a dog wouldn't urinate on his identity," Fadnavis said. The remarks come amid war of words between the two leaders that began over Fadnavis's vote-jihad comment. Earlier this week, Fadnavis slammed Owaisi and called him descendant of Razakars, who tortured the people of Marathwada. The Razakars were a paramilitary wing of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, an Islamic political party in the Hyderabad princely state of British India. From Razakars to Britishers "They are descendants of 'Razakars'. The 'Razakars' tortured the people of Marathwada, looted their lands, tried to rape women, and destroyed families. How can they talk to us?" Fadnavis said The Deputy CM's Razakar jibe came a day after Owaisi targeted Fadnavis over his vote jihad remarks, claiming that the BJP leader's idelogical ancestors wrote love letters to the Britishers instead of fighting against them during the freedom movement. "Our ancestors did jihad against Britishers and Fadnavis is now teaching us about jihad. (PM) Narendra Modi, (Union minister)Amit Shah, and Devendra Fadnavis together cannot defeat me in a debate," Owaisi said during a public meeting at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Sunday. Even a dog wouldn't urinate on Aurangzeb's legacy Fadnavis had claimed on Saturday claimed that "vote jihad" had begun in poll-bound Maharashtra, which should be countered by "Dharma yuddha" of vote. The former Chief Minister said that the BJP's narrow loss in Dhule Lok Sabha constituency was also due to 'Vote Jihad'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, November 12, addressed a public rally in Solapur of Maharashtra ahead of the Assembly election voting and launched a scathing attack on the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led NCP, saying there's constant infighting between the coalition partners as everyone wants to be their candidate on the chief minister's seat. You all are seeing how there is a stampede in the Aghadi. There is a tug-of-war going on in the Aghadi for the post of chief minister, PM Modi said, adding, Those whose condition is like this before the elections, they can never give a stable government to Maharashtra. Patricia Greene had spent a month recovering from a devastating stroke when her Medicare Advantage insurer, a unit of UnitedHealth Group, decided to stop paying for her nursing home. The 85-year-old was so weak and fragile, her son said, that she couldnt even get herself out of bed. Her family felt she wasnt ready to leave the facility in New York Citys Queens borough. So she dropped her UnitedHealth coverage and enrolled in the traditional version of Medicare run directly by the federal government. That decision saved UnitedHealth tens of thousands of dollars in the months that followed, billing records show, and shifted onto taxpayers the cost of later hospital and nursing home care in what turned out to be the final months of her life. A Wall Street Journal analysis of Medicare data found a pattern of Medicare Advantages sickest patients dropping their privately run coverage just as their health needs soared. Many, like Greene, made the switch after running into problems getting their care covered. Plans run by the private insurers in the Medicare Advantage system are supposed to offer old and disabled people the same benefits they would get from traditional Medicare. The plans can be a bargain for people because they limit out-of-pocket expenses and often offer extra benefits such as dental care. As recipients get sicker, though, they may have more difficulty accessing services than people with traditional Medicare. Thats because the insurers actively manage the care, including requiring patients to get approval for certain services and limiting which hospitals and doctors patients can use. People in the final year of their lives left Medicare Advantage for traditional Medicare at double the rate of other enrollees from 2016 to 2022, the Journals analysis found. Those private-plan dropouts300,075 during that time spanoften had long hospital and nursing-home stays after they left, running up large bills that taxpayers, not their former insurers, had to pay. They cost the federal government an average of $218 a day during that period. That is more than seven times the cost of a typical Medicare recipient, and about twice the cost of other recipients in the last year of their lives. The Journals analysis excluded hospice expenses, which traditional Medicare typically covers for all patients. Medicare Advantage insurers collectively avoided $10 billion in medical costs incurred by the dropouts during that period, the analysis found. If those beneficiaries had stayed in their plans, the government would have paid the insurers about $3.5 billion in premiums, meaning the companies netted more than $6 billion in savings during that period. These are some of the costliest services, received by some of the costliest patients," said Claire Ankuda, a physician and researcher at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York who focuses on end-of-life care. Plans are strongly motivated to reduce the cost of care delivery." Medicare Advantage companies said they use Medicares standards when they review and approve medical services, and that their setup improves care for their members, including those at the end of life. They said their oversight ensures that customers get safe, appropriate and high-quality care. A UnitedHealth spokesman, Matthew Wiggin, said the Journals analysis focused on just a tiny fraction of the companys Medicare recipients and that nearly all Medicare Advantage participants are satisfied with the program. He disputed that care denials by insurers played a role in peoples decisions to switch out of Medicare Advantage, saying patients at the end of life might switch coverage for many reasons. Medicare experts both inside and outside the federal government have raised concerns about data that shows patients with the biggest medical needs are more likely than others to leave Medicare Advantage plans. A 2021 Government Accountability Office report warned that patients who dropped out of Medicare Advantage in the last year of their lives imposed high costs on the Medicare program and could signal issues with access to care or the quality of care provided under [Medicare Advantage]." Medicare Advantage grew out of the idea that the private sector could make the sprawling Medicare program more economical, and private insurers now oversee benefits for more than half of Medicare recipients. The insurers use some of the same money-saving tactics they use with their non-Medicare customers, such as requiring referrals from primary-care doctors or approvals from insurers for many services, and including only certain hospitals and doctors in their networks. In 2022, Medicare Advantage insurers denied 3.4 million requests for services, according to an analysis by the health-policy nonprofit KFF. Traditional Medicare requires preapproval for only a small number of services, including surgeries that could be cosmetica type of care not covered by the program. The Medicare data available to the Journal and other researchers doesnt include details about denials of care by either Medicare Advantage insurers or the traditional government program. Recipients might switch to traditional Medicare for many reasons, including changes in their finances or geographical moves. In a 2022 report, the inspector general that oversees the Medicare agency analyzed a sample of Medicare Advantage denials and found that 13% of them actually met Medicare coverage rules and likely would have been approved if the patients had been enrolled in government Medicare. The report said some of the most common improperly rejected services were pricey ones sought by patients after they left the hospitalstays at nursing homes and inpatient rehabilitation facilities. A recent report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found that Medicare Advantage plans had high denial rates for care in institutions where patients go after hospital stays. For the largest insurers, the rejection rates for such care were between about three and 16 times their denial rates for all services in 2022. In traditional Medicare, hospitals and nursing homes determine who gets such services. Switching to traditional Medicare gives some patients another path. The Journals analysis found nearly 20% of people near the end of life who left Medicare Advantage received nursing-home services within a week of landing back in traditional Medicare. By comparison, 3.9% of all traditional Medicare patients near the end of life used those services in a typical week. A spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said it has taken many steps to address the use of prior authorization by MA plans and ensure that people with Medicare Advantage have timely access to care." Any further changes would come through a formal rule, she said. Covering costs After a near fatal car wreck that left him with a brain injury, Joseph Smoltz, 78, spent weeks in the hospital. When he moved to a nursing home in New Yorks Westchester County, he was still disoriented and struggling to speak, records indicate. In late December of 2020, the nursing home referred him to an inpatient rehabilitation facility that specializes in brain-injury treatment. The request was submitted to his Medicare Advantage insurer, Anthem, for approval. His son Ken Smoltz, a sales executive in the finance industry, had hired a consultant, Susan Keating, to help advise the family on managing his fathers care. Her advice: Move him to traditional Medicare, which was more likely to cover his needs. So the elder Smoltz quit Anthem and joined traditional Medicare, as of Jan. 1, 2021. Three days later, his son got an email from the nursing home saying Anthem had rejected the earlier request for a transfer to the rehab facility. Traditional Medicare would pay, though, so he moved the next day and spent about two months in the inpatient rehab facility. The cost to Medicare: more than $85,000. Ken Smoltz was left scratching his head about the disparity in coverage. What you think is the same is just not the same," he said. A spokeswoman for Elevance Health, the parent company of Smoltzs Anthem plan, said it uses prior authorization to ensure the care our members receive is safe, medically necessary, high value, and appropriate." Decisions can be appealed, she said. Medicare Advantage has grown over the past two decades to provide coverage to more than half of the 67 million seniors and disabled people on Medicare. Insurers have lured new customers with plans that promise free dental coverage and eyeglasses, and caps on copays and other out-of-pocket charges. Under traditional Medicare, seniors who want to limit such fees need to buy an extra policy called Medigap. To gauge how well Medicare Advantage serves some of the sickest patients, the Journal looked at enrollment patterns during Medicare participants final year of life. The analysis used billions of Medicare records obtained under a research agreement with the federal government. The data doesnt include patients names, and it wasnt used to identify anyone named in this article. The Journal found that 5.1% of Medicare Advantage members in the last year of life dropped out to go to traditional Medicare, compared with 2.6% among other Medicare Advantage enrollees. The traditional Medicare program spent twice as a day much on hospital care for the end-of-life Medicare Advantage dropouts as it did for other end-of-lifers in traditional Medicare, and more than three times as much on nursing-home care. To be sure, people near the end of life join Medicare Advantage plans, too, but they do so at a lower rate than the broader population, the Journals analysis found. Patients often choose the private plans because of the perks they see in ads, said David Meyers, an assistant professor at Brown University who has studied Medicare Advantage. What you dont know when you are picking a [Medicare Advantage] plan is how long care is going to be delayed because of a prior authorization requirement," he said. Medicare Advantage insurers pointed to the majority of members, including those near the end of life, who chose to stay in their plans. UnitedHealth said it was unfortunate" that the Journal wasnt more focused on these members. Leaving a Medicare Advantage plan in the last year of life might add to costs and problems, said Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson, UnitedHealths chief medical officer. When care is disrupted, youre going to get rework, youre going to get inefficiencies." Freaking out Patricia Greene, the stroke victim who left her Medicare Advantage plan, had chosen the UnitedHealth product after seeing an ad on TV, said her son, Michael Greene. He was surprised when nursing home staffers told him UnitedHealth had rejected their recommendation for a longer stay, he said. I started freaking out," recalled the retired New York City paramedic. His mom couldnt afford to pay for the nursing home, and she didnt have the strength for tasks like going to the bathroom by herself, he said. He appealed the UnitedHealth decision twice and lost. He said he didnt know the Medicare review process allowed him another level of appeal. Instead, he signed up his mother for traditional Medicare and Medicaid, the government program for low-income Americans. Those government programs covered her continued stay in the nursing home, a hospital admission to treat a urinary-tract infection and other issues, and other expenses. Four months later, she was able to return home to her Queens apartment, where she passed away. UnitedHealth said 13% of Medicare services are subject to prior authorization requirements under its plans, and less than 1% of all Medicare claims are denied. For nursing-home authorizations, UnitedHealths Dr. Wilson said, the company uses Medicare criteria. The use of such reviews is really driven by the need to ensure clinical quality and the safety for the people that we serve," she said. If a person doesnt need to be in a hospital or a facility, then they really shouldnt be there." According to the Senate report, UnitedHealths denial rate for authorizations of such care rose from 1.4% in 2019 to 12.6% in 2022. UnitedHealth said its denial rate for nursing-home authorizations was 9.2% in 2023, and that the report, which it noted was by the committees majority staff, mischaracterizes the Medicare Advantage program and UnitedHealths clinical practices. Medicare rules make it complicated to switch out of Medicare Advantage. Most Medicare enrollees can adjust their coverage only once a year, to take effect on Jan. 1. Enrollees who are in nursing homes get a special window to change plans. Still, their new coverage doesnt take effect until the start of the following month. Tatiana Fassieux, a Medicare expert at the nonprofit California Health Advocates, navigated a transition for her own mother in 2022. Her mom, Agnes Smirnoff, had been in a Los Angeles-area nursing home for 19 days, recovering from a broken femur, when her Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage plan said that June that she needed to go home. Fassieux felt that her mother, then 96, still needed nursing-home care. Fassieux won three appeals, forcing Blue Shield to pay into early July. Eventually, she lost. Fassieux decided to switch her mother to traditional Medicare, but she had to stay in the Medicare Advantage plan until the start of the next month. Fassieuxs family spent more than $14,000 of their own money to keep her mother in the nursing home during her last few weeks in Medicare Advantage. That Aug. 1, traditional Medicare kicked in and covered two more months of nursing-home care, costing the government about $55,000. A Blue Shield spokesman said its authorization decisions are governed by Medicare criteria, and can be appealed. We recognize that many end-of-life cases are extremely complex," he said, adding that the company is committed to providing seniors with access to care. Complicated choices Many patients feel they cant afford to leave Medicare Advantage plans because their plans limit copays and other out-of-pocket charges, while traditional Medicare doesnt. Many enrollees in regular Medicare cover those costs through supplemental Medigap plans or Medicaid. Those who sign up for Medicare when they turn 65 have a window to buy Medigap coverage at relatively low rates. But when people switch to traditional Medicare later, Medigap companies can charge far more for those with pre-existing conditionsor reject them altogether. The Journals analysis found that people in the last year of life who had access to that type of additional coverageeither Medicaid or Medigap policiesdropped out of Medicare Advantage at far higher rates. That might help explain why certain Medicare Advantage insurers had among the highest dropout rates in the Journals analysis. At Healthfirst, an insurer in New York, where state law makes Medigap policies far more accessible, 12% of members near the end of life left for traditional Medicare, more than double the rate of the broader industry. At Molina Healthcare, an insurer focused on patients with both Medicare and Medicaid, 16% of members quit their plan in the last year of life, the highest rate in the country among large insurers. Both insurers pointed to the large share of their Medicare members who are also enrolled in Medicaid. A Molina spokesman said that, based on its membership mix, the statistics are well within our expectations and in line with industry norms." A spokeswoman for Healthfirst, a nonprofit, said its overall disenrollment rate, for all members, was half the national average last year. We take many steps to make it easier for members to get access to care," she said. Janet Burch, an 80-year-old retired teacher in Clifton, Texas, had a stroke in February. She was airlifted from the local hospital to one in Waco, where she spent eight days, including some in the intensive-care unit. The hospital referred her to a nursing home, but UnitedHealth, her Medicare Advantage insurer, refused to cover it. Burchs family was angry. They just abandon you if youre sick," said her sister, Susan Orr. The insurer decided Burch didnt need nursing-home services, based partly on records showing she could walk 100 feet with a walker and light-touch support," according to a document later sent to the family. A video taken by one of Burchs sisters near the end of her hospital stay showed the patient shuffling hesitantly with a walker, while an attendant kept a grip on a belt strapped around her waist. Terrified that the frail, often-disoriented Burch would fall and hurt herself, Orr and two other siblings took turns staying at her house. UnitedHealth paid for some care in her home, including visits by a health aide and a physical therapist, which Orr said had little effect on her condition. The family looked into moving Burch to traditional Medicare, but an insurance agent warned that a Medigap policy would be costly. In Texas, patients with pre-existing conditions can be charged more for Medigap coverage or rejected outright. Also, Burch likely would have needed to wait until the start of 2025. The family ended up tapping her savings to pay for a local nursing home, where she could get frequent physical therapy. Burch paid about $4,900 for approximately three weeks, and her condition improved, Orr said. Burch moved to an assisted-living apartment and walks without a walker now, according to her sister. UnitedHealth said the documentation submitted by Burchs care team did not support care in an inpatient setting." The company said a physician who treated her in the hospital was offered the chance to do a peer-to-peer review and declined. Burch remains in her Medicare Advantage plan. Mark Maremont contributed to this article. Write to Anna Wilde Mathews at Anna.Mathews@wsj.com, Christopher Weaver at Christopher.Weaver@wsj.com and Tom McGinty at Tom.McGinty@wsj.com View Full Image The Sickest Patients Are Fleeing Private Medicare PlansCosting Taxpayers Billions View Full Image The Sickest Patients Are Fleeing Private Medicare PlansCosting Taxpayers Billions New Delhi: A global carbon market will be set up after a landmark decision on the first day of the global climate summit in Baku, at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The market will allow nations to trade carbon creditscertified reductions of carbon emissionswhose prices are determined because of emission caps imposed by countries. The market follows from a section in the Paris Agreement, called Article 6. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement facilitates international collaboration to lower carbon emissions. It offers two pathways for countries and companies to trade carbon offsets, supporting the achievement of emission reduction targets set in their climate action plans, or nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under its sub-sections 6.2 and 6.4. Also Read | Mint Primer: Your 2-minute guide to COP29 and dystopia India, as part of its NDC, committed to reduce emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels and create a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of additional forest and tree cover by 2030. Countries, including India, must come up with the third round of NDCs by February. Genuine carbon credits Although most of the necessary nuts and bolts to make operational such a carbon market supervised by a UN body were in place since 2022, there were several concerns, especially on ensuring that the carbon credits generated are genuine and their antecedents are transparent. There have been numerous rounds of talks involving the parties (country signatories to the Paris Agreement) on these outstanding worries that are raised. Last month, a supervisory body of the UN, which would be the ultimate arbitrator of the market, set out a draft text that laid out the standards for carbon removal and assessing projects. In the run-up to COP29, there was optimism that a global carbon trading mechanism will be a reality and that the first UN-sanctioned carbon credits will be available in 2025. Also Read: Will the COP29 climate summit break the cycle of broken promises? This will be a game-changing tool to direct resources to the developing world, Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 president, said in a statement. Following years of stalemate, the breakthroughs in Baku have now begun. But there is much more to deliver, he added. Finalising Article 6 negotiations could reduce the cost of implementing national climate plans by $250 billion per year by enabling cooperation across borders. Article 6 "India expects to conclude the work on Article 6. COP29 should be able to agree to a mechanism which uses market-based instruments (such as carbon credits) to incentivize low-carbon development. The parties should establish clearer rules for global carbon markets which do not create unfair barriers to trade or development and instead address the technology and financing gaps for supporting developing nations," officials from the environment ministry said on Tuesday, on condition of anonymity. "On setting project baselines, the introduction of stricter limits, called downward adjustments, is a good measure, Dhruba Purkayastha, director of growth and institutional Advancement at Council on Energy Environment and Water, told Mint. It prevents inflated claims by ensuring projects only earn credits for real, additional reductions in emissions. However, we need to be careful about any exceptions that allow using less effective technology to set baselinesthese exceptions must be well-monitored and rigorous," he said. However, this should not take the focus away from the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) as carbon markets are one of the ways to deliver on the NCQG, experts said. Also Read | COP29: The climate funds math that needs to be reset, explained NCQG refers to an update to the $100 billion a year that was to be made available to developing economies by developed economies to adapt to climate change as well as mitigate emissions. According to the Paris Agreement the new target must come into effect by 2025 and is thereby one of the most awaited outcomes of the Baku accord. Meanwhile, environment ministry officials in the context of NCQG said India has been vocal and will continue to be vocal about the need for adequate finance for the global south. "Currently much of the focus of the climate finance discussions are on investments in mitigation actions. The COP 29 should maintain balance and highlight the urgency of addressing adaptation needs, particularly for vulnerable communities in developing countries," they said. "India will continue to engage in discussions around the strengthening of collective global climate action and call upon the developed countries to ramp up their climate ambitions. COP29 should ensure that the climate finance is adequate, predictable, accessible, grant based, low-interest, and long-term," they added. Meanwhile, Yalchin Rafiyev, COP29 lead negotiator at a press conference on Tuesday said that COP29 presidency and the International Energy Agency will address mitigation with a leader-level dialogue to provide clear direction and mandates to negotiators between Tuesday and Wednesday. This follows the calls to action that the COP29 presidency jointly published on Monday and will be an important opportunity to take them forward. It co-hosted a summit of methane with the US and China on Tuesday and will host the leaders of international financial institutions as they have a special role in mobilising climate finance. New Delhi: Indias battered cryptocurrency industry, which has seen retail trading volumes decline by over 90% in the past three years, is cautiously optimistic about the industrys latest surge. On Monday, the price of one Bitcoin token crossed $82,000, scaling a new all-time peak and sparking optimism for growth of business among domestic cryptocurrency exchanges. However, domestic challenges such as heavy taxation and the Reserve Bank of India's adverse stance on cryptocurrencies could hinder a sustained growth in investors and trading volumes. Ashish Singhal, chief executive of cryptocurrency exchange and aggregator CoinSwitch, said that the platform has seen a 500-700% sequential uptick in active users on the platformbe it for returning users, or new users signing up on the platform." The rise that Singhal pointed to occurred over the past one week, with Bitcoin rising to its record-high, fuelled by Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections held on 5 November. Also read | The crypto world is preparing for a renaissance under Trump The demand for investing in cryptocurrencies in India remains lower than the highs we witnessed in 2021, due to multiple factorsthe key among which include a negative stance on cryptocurrencies by the central government, and no offset of losses in taxation," Singhal added. Others echoed Singhal. Sumit Gupta, chief executive of cryptocurrency exchange CoinDCX, Sathvik Vishwanath, chief of Unocoin, and Vikram Subburaj, chief of Giottus all said that the platforms had seen a clear increase in active users over the past one week, during which the price of Bitcoin tokens soared by over 20%. Weve seen a double-digit percentage of inactive users logging in and becoming active traders (in the past week). Since our platform has been active since 2013, many of the early buyers who were inactive are now choosing to exit and book profit as well," Vishwanath told Mint. More investors are logging in during this period to add to their cryptocurrency holdings, since investors are bullish on the overall global growth of cryptocurrency tokens as an investment class due to the US elections," said CoinDCXs Gupta. To be sure, US President-elect Donald Trump is viewed to have a pro-cryptocurrency stance in policymaking. In September, Trump invested in a cryptocurrency business, World Liberty Financial, and is therefore expected to have a softer, more enabling stance on the controversial asset class than the erstwhile Biden government. Also read | What the history of money tells you about cryptos future President Biden and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairperson Gary Gensler have cracked down on cryptocurrencies. Gensler, in June 2021, had said that cryptocurrencies involved frauds, scams and abuses." The differing policy stance is expected to boost Bitcoins pricing, a bellwether in cryptocurrency industry trends, to above $100,000a projection that brokerages had made at the start of the year. The exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US have further rationalized cryptocurrency investments around the world, and the USs pro-cryptocurrency stance could boost a more favourable policy approach around the world including in India," Singhal said. However, each of the above stakeholders are cautious about their approach towards the industry. What remains to be seen is for how long the rally holdsif Trumps policy work on cryptocurrencies takes a backseat, investors may not take a bullish stance on Bitcoin for a very long-term approach. We may then see some corrections in Bitcoin and the overall cryptocurrency industrys valuations," Giottus Subburaj said. What is holding India back Unocoins Vishwanath added that the WazirX hacking incident, coupled with the lack of any policy or formal approach from the Centre in India, has left the industry without a clear direction ahead. This (the WazirX hack) has seriously hampered the trust that consumers had on Indias crypto industry. Customers who have lost money on WazirX are not even considering alternate exchanges right now, and it could take up to at least the middle of next year for us to convince them," Vishwanath said. He added that if the US takes a positive approach towards cryptocurrencies, this may influence other geographies to follow suit. So, just India taking up a different stance with regulation and taxation will not sustain in the long run. Cryptocurrencies are not tied to a physical location, and this could lead to capital and talent flight," Vishwanath said. In the long run, this could lead to diversification of businesses, too. Vishwanath said that a diversification approach may not be out of the question. CoinSwitch, Indias best-funded cryptocurrency venture, has already enabled equity investingthough Singhal has insisted that the diversification plan was always on the cards, and is not linked to the crypto markets movement." CoinDCXs Gupta said that if Indias negative stance on taxation and investing persists beyond the next fiscal, investors may find the tax burden too much to sustainand this can significantly hurt the local cryptocurrency industry." We havent heard any intent of a positive upturn in approach towards the cryptocurrency industry from the Centre, but were hoping that a friendlier US policy approach may make the India market more viable for investors, too," Gupta said. This week 180,000 people descended on Abu Dhabi to attend ADIPEC, the global oil-and-gas industrys biggest annual gathering. This years focus, perhaps unsurprisingly, was the nexus of artificial intelligence (AI) and energy. On the eve of the jamboree Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of ADNOC, the Emirati national oil giant, convened a private meeting of big tech and big energy bosses. A survey of some 400 energy, tech and finance bigwigs released in conjunction with the event concluded that AI is set to transform the energy business by boosting efficiency and cutting greenhouse-gas emissions. That is a high-minded vision. Many energy bosses, though, have their hopes set on a more immediate windfall from the AI frenzy, as tech giants hurry to find ways to power the data centres they are building. Hyperscalers are driving crazy demand into natural gas right now," said Murray Auchincloss, the chief executive of BP, late last month. In September Mike Wirth, his counterpart at Chevron, argued that AI advances will depend not only on the design labs of Silicon Valley, but also on the gasfields of the Permian Basin." How long big techs love-in with big oil will last, though, is unclear. The oil-and-gas industry has recently been squeezed. Rising production in the Americas and anaemic demand in China have depressed oil prices, despite the threat of a widening conflict in the Middle East. Western oil giants, including those run by Messrs Wirth and Auchincloss, have recently reported weak quarterly profits, dragged down by oil prices that are about 15% lower than a year ago. The AI boom may provide some relief for the oilmen thanks to rising demand for natural gas. Goldman Sachs, an investment bank, estimates that Americas data-centre boom will require an incremental 47 gigawatts (GW) of power capacity by 2030, with 60% coming from gas and 40% from renewables such as wind and solar. It thinks the gas market could grow by 50% globally during the next five years. Many of the tech giants leading the AI charge, though, have made noisy pledges to achieve net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases. They will struggle to meet them if they power their data centres with natural gas. When a local utility in Americas South tried to persuade regulators to approve the building of new gas-fired plants to meet growing power demand, a coalition of tech companies threatened to build their data centres in another state unless clean energy was offered instead. The problem is compounded by growing evidence that natural gas may be more harmful to the climate than claimed by the industry, which holds that burning it emits half as much greenhouse gas (GHG) as coal. But that claim is true only if the upstream emissions associated with producing and transporting gas are not included. The venting and flaring of methane, a more potent GHG than carbon dioxide, is a particular problem. To their credit, a number of the biggest oil-and-gas companies have committed to slashing their methane emissions. But progress so far has been slow. The World Bank estimates that upstream flaring of methane in the global oil-and-gas industry grew by 7% from 2022 to 2023. Analysis by the Environmental Defence Fund, a green group, suggests that methane emissions from Americas oil-and-gas patch are four times greater than what has been calculated by the Environmental Protection Agency, a government body. That puts tech giants in a bind: to avoid falling behind their competitors in the AI race, they may have to compromise on their climate pledges, or at least defer them. Even if they dont, by cornering what clean-energy capacity already exists, they may force other industries to rely on gas for longer. That helps explain why tech firms are pouring money into developing their own sources of clean energy. Microsoft, one of the hyperscalers, has entered into a $10bn deal with Brookfield, an asset manager, to develop over 10GW of renewable energy to power its data centres. More such deals may come. In the meantime, add oil bosses to the list of winners from the AI boom. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com New Delhi: The board of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) on Tuesday approved a revision of all audit standards issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in spite of objections from the accountants' body on some of the changes. NFRA recommended the implementation of the revisions to the government from 1 April 2026, the ministry of corporate affairs said in a statement, marking a major shift in the norms governing statutory audit of companies. NFRA, formed in 2018, has taken the lead in revising the audit standards and getting them notified as government rulesan overdue requirement that was written into the law in 2013. The new Companies Act of 2013 that replaced the 1956 law mandated changes to the statutory audit regime following the Satyam Computers scandal of 2009. Revising standards The ministry said NFRA has referred to the government the revised 38 audit standards, including those dealing with audits of consolidated financial statements of business groups, joint audits and financial statements prepared under special purpose frameworks, as well as two quality control standards. These are to be notified under the Companies Act. Mint reported on Monday that NFRA had kicked off an epic overhaul of the way auditors verify the truthfulness of corporate financial information, in a change of regime from the current system where auditing standards issued by ICAI are deemed to be final. The ministry said that out of 11 board members of NFRA attending the meeting, eight, including the representatives of CAG, RBI and Sebi, were in support of proposals for revision of audit standard for group financial statements known as SA600 standard on joint auditsSA299, revision of standard on quality control and three other audit standards. But three ICAI representatives, who are part of board, expressed their disagreement" to the four proposals. A person informed about ICAI's position and the discussions that took place at the board meeting said that of the 40 audit standards recommended by NFRA to the government for notification, 38 were accepted as recommended by ICAI. However, ICAI expressed strong concerns over the revised SA 600 and the revised SA 299. ICAI is of the view that the existing SA 600 has all the power and if required, it can be strengthened but aligning the framework with the International standard on auditing or ISA 600 is not desirable," the person said. In the case of the standard on joint audits, ICAI expressed the concern that the changes could lead to duplication of work and increased costs. While ICAI's standard is based on the concept of a division of responsibility among joint auditors, the NFRA emphasizes on joint responsibility. Additionally, ICAIs standard does not require a cross-review of the work done by joint auditors, whereas the NFRA mandated such cross-reviews," said the person, who is aware of ICAIs position on the changes. In line with the practice followed globally in countries such as UK, Australia, Singapore, the Authority also decided to recommend to the Central government to name the auditing standards as IndSAs. Upon the approval of the Central government, these standards are recommended to be effective from 1 April 2026," the ministry said in a statement. This is a historic moment for auditing and corporate governance in India," a second person who is also informed about the NFRA board discussions said on condition of not being named. Queries emailed to ICAI on Tuesday evening seeking comments for the story remained unanswered at the time of publishing. The Satyam Computers scandal, which led the government to supersede that companys board in 2009, eventually led to the Companies Act proposing a new audit regulator. The Companies Act of 2013 mandated that auditing standards of ICAI have to be notified by the Central government in consultation with and after examination by NFRA. Till then, ICAI standards will be deemed to be good enough. This is set to change from FY26. In the Satyam Computers scandal, the auditors faced questions about how the company had manipulated financial statements but ICAI was only empowered to take action against individual auditor partners, not audit firms. Hdfc Bank Share Price Today on 12-11-2024: At 12 Nov 16:00 today, Hdfc Bank shares are trading at price 1718.35, -2.73% down from the previous closing price. Sensex is trading at 78675.18, down by -1.03%. The stock has hit a high of 1773.25 and a low of 1708.8 during the day. On the technical front, the stock is trading above the 50,100,300 days SMA & lower than the 5,10,20 day SMA. The stock will have support at 50,100,300 days SMA & face resistance at 5,10,20 days SMA The SMA values for the stock are given below : Days Simple Moving Average 5 1745.37 10 1741.99 20 1725.93 50 1697.75 100 1670.38 300 1574.04 The classic pivot level analysis shows that on a daily time frame, the stock has key resistances at 1759.08, 1800.22, & 1825.43, whereas it has key support levels at 1692.73, 1667.52, & 1626.38. Hdfc Bank Share Price Today Till 4 PM today, the volume traded on NSE & BSE for Hdfc Bank was -2.73% lower than the previous trading session. Volume traded is an important indicator along with price to study trends. Positive price movement with higher volume suggests a sustainable upmove, and negative price movement with higher volume might be an indication of further decline in prices. Overall, as per Mint technical analysis, Following a strong uptrend, the stock is indicating signs of a reversal.. From a fundamental analysis perspective, the company has a ROE of 17.18% & ROA of 2.00% respectively.The current P/E of the stock is at 19.48 & P/B is at 2.80. The median 1-year forecasted upside in this share is at 13.19% with a target price of 1945.00. The company has a 0.00% promoter holding, 8.27% MF holding, & 48.00% FII holding as per filings in the september quarter. The MF holding has increased from 8.21% in june to 8.27% in the september quarter. The FII holding has increased from 47.15% in june to 48.00% in the september quarter. 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. NETA Auto partners with Bolivia's largest dealer for South American expansion On November 12, NETA Auto signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Saavedra Group, the largest automotive sales group in Bolivia. This partnership marks a significant milestone in NETA Auto's strategy to strengthen its footprint in the South American market. Photo credit: NETA Auto 2025 Buick Century MPV hits Chinese market On November 12, SAIC-GM put the 2025 Buick Century flagship MPV model onto the market. The new model offers four-seat, six-seat, and seven-seat options, with a total of five variants priced between 469,900 yuan and 699,900 yuan. GAC Group to announce reform initiative for wholly-owned brands At the upcoming Auto Guangzhou 2024 this week, GAC Group is set to unveil its reform plan for its wholly-owned brands. Additionally, the company's five major brands will debut five new models, showcasing its commitment to innovation and growth. Dongfeng Nissan, HarmonySpace form comprehensive cooperation On November 12, Dongfeng Nissan announced it has become the first joint-venture-owned car brand in China to form a comprehensive cooperation with HarmonySpace, Huawei's sub-brand dedicated to automotive cockpit business, aiming to co-create a smart and comfortable mobility experience. BMW's 5 Series to integrate V2X technology starting Jan. 2025 Starting in January 2025, BMW will produce the new BMW 5 Series equipped with Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, marking BMW's first model to feature integrated V2X capabilities for vehicle-road-cloud communication, according to BMW's WeChat post on November 11. XPENG launches industry's first crowdfunding campaign for chip upgrade On November 11, Chinese new energy vehicle maker XPENG announced the launch of the industry's first-ever crowdfunding campaign for a chip upgrade, running from November 11 to December 12, 2024. RoboSense's M-Core LiDAR-specific SoC gains AEC-Q100 certification Smart LiDAR solution provider RoboSense recently announced that its fully self-developed M-Core SoC chip received AEC-Q100 automotive-grade reliability certification in October, marking it as the world's first LiDAR-specific SoC chip to achieve this standard. UAES, Goodix Technology partner in digital car key field On November 11, UAES and Goodix Technology formed a strategic partnership, which targets the evolving needs of in-car connectivity. The collaboration will begin with integrating Goodix's low-power Bluetooth chips into digital car key applications, aiming to deliver differentiated, innovative solutions for automakers. Leapmotor's net loss narrows both QoQ, YoY in Q3 2024 On November 11, Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., Ltd. (Leapmotor) released its financial results for the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, reporting revenue of 9.86 billion yuan, marking an 83.9% surge quarter-on-quarter and a 74.3% spike year-on-year. Cumulative deliveries of ZEEKR 007 SUV surpasses 20,000 units in 50 days upon market launch On November 11, ZEEKR announced that its first family-oriented SUV, the ZEEKR 7X, has surpassed 20,000-unit deliveries just 50 days after its market launch. EHang, Enpower to co-develop electric motors, motor controllers for eVTOL aircrafts EHang, a Chinese company focusing on urban air mobility (UAM) technology, announced on November 11 a long-term strategic partnership with Zhuhai Enpower Electric Co., Ltd. ("Enpower"), a prominent player in new energy vehicle power systems. The collaboration aims to jointly develop high-performance electric motors and motor controllers tailored for EHang's series of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. China's Hubei Province aims to put over 7,000 fuel cell vehicles on roads by 2027 On November 8, China's Hubei Province released its Action Plan for Accelerating the Development of the Hydrogen Industry (2024-2027), outlining ambitious targets to boost its hydrogen energy sector. According to the plan, the province aims to establish a diversified and cost-effective green hydrogen supply system by 2027, featuring a series of green hydrogen production projects. Hubei plans to build 100 hydrogen refueling stations and achieve an annual hydrogen production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes. The province will expand pilot applications of hydrogen energy across transportation, industrial use, and energy storage and power generation. Additionally, the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is set to surpass 7,000 units, with Hubei leading the country in the application of hydrogen-powered vessels and aircraft. Multibagger Stock: CCL Products (India), engaged in the production, trading, and distribution of coffee, has witnessed a remarkable surge in its share price over recent years, setting new milestones and breaking record highs. The stock, which was trading at 315 per share in May 2022, has surged 126.3% to reach its current value of 713. Over four years, the stock has gained 200% and a striking 2,540% over the past 11 years. In September, the stock reached a fresh record high of 855 per share. This extraordinary rally can be attributed to the company's strong financial results, driven by increasing demand for its products. Despite facing significant challengessuch as rising green coffee prices, intense competition, and supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical issuesCCL Products managed to achieve healthy volume growth and maintain profitability on a per-kilo basis. Also Read | Penny stock under 5: Five foreign companies buy stake during Q2 FY25 For the quarter ended September 2024 (Q2), the company reported a 22% year-on-year (YoY) growth in revenue, reaching 738 crore, driven by a 10% YoY increase in volume and a higher contribution from value-added, high-margin products. It delivered strong consolidated EBITDA growth, up 24.7% YoY to 137 crore in Q2FY25, with EBITDA margins expanding by 48 basis points YoY to 18.6%. Net profit rose by 21% YoY to 74 crore, with PAT margins coming at 10% in Q2FY25, in line with the previous quarter. The company also holds 50 crore in cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet. The company remains on track with its capacity expansion plans across subsidiaries. These efforts, along with a focused strategy to increase the share of premium and value-added products, are aimed at strengthening its market position. The newly established Freeze-Dried Coffee (FDC) facility in Vietnam, with a capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes, is on track and currently operating at 40-50% capacity utilisation, showing steady progress toward full operation. Also Read | Multibagger Defence stock Zen Technologies among rising star picks by SBI Sec Coffee price headwinds Despite posting healthy volume growth in Q2, growth came at the lower end of managements guidance due to a sharp rise in coffee prices, which impacted the company's long-term contract bookings. According to management, global coffee prices have shown some softening, with the potential to decline further to the USD 3,800-4,000 range, given favourable crop yields in Vietnam and Brazil. The company anticipates securing additional long-term contracts once coffee prices stabilise, likely after December. The company has reaffirmed its volume growth guidance for FY25, projecting robust growth between 10-20%. Looking ahead, the company expects that rising coffee prices may drive a shift in consumption patterns from out-of-home coffee consumption to more in-house consumption, which bodes well for the instant coffee industry. Recent estimates suggest that the domestic coffee market in India is growing at an approximate rate of 10-15% YoY. Can the stock sustain its rally? Domestic brokerage firm LKP Securities projects that CCL Products will sustain mid-teen volume growth due to several strategic initiatives: a planned doubling of capacity from 38,500 MT in FY22 to approximately 77,000 MT by FY25, across its facilities in Vietnam and India, particularly in value-added segments like freeze-dried coffee and small packaging; the introduction of high-margin products, including specialty coffee, which now accounts for 5% of sales; and a cost-efficient business model. Additionally, the company aims to strengthen its presence in the UK, US, and other key markets as part of its expansion strategy. Therefore, the brokerage maintains its buy rating on the stock with a target price of 881 apiece. It expects the company to post a revenue, EBITDA, and PAT CAGR of 19%, 25%, and 29%, respectively, over FY24-26E. While blue-chip stocks often hog the spotlight, the mid cap segment has been flourishing quietly, delivering impressive growth in recent years. In a market where investors traditionally turn to large cap stocks for reliable dividends, three mid caps are breaking through with substantial yields, offering a blend of income and growth potential. Mutual funds are increasingly eyeing these under-the-radar stocks for their solid dividend payouts and promising upside, signalling a shift in investor interest. These mid cap companies showcase a rare combination of growth potential and financial discipline, offering dividend yields that often surpass those of many blue-chip stocks. Also read: Railway stocks could be set for a strong finish to 2024 Their dividends are backed by solid numbers on growth and sustainability, which is probably why they've caught the eye of fund managers. Here are the three stocks in question. Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd Gujarat Pipavav Port, Indias first private sector port, is strategically located on the southwest coast of Gujarat near Bhavnagar. Positioned along a vital international maritime route, it connects India with major regions such as the US, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. With a market cap of 8,856 crore and a dividend yield of 3.99%, Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd is a strong candidate for dividend-focused investors seeking both stable income and growth potential. Noteworthy investments from mutual funds are as follows: HDFC Capital Builder Value Fund: 7.86% (down from 8.34% in the last quarter) ICICI Prudential Business Cycle Fund: 3.41% (up from 3.36% in the last quarter) Tata Infrastructure Fund: 2.98% (down from 3.04% in the last quarter) The companys board recently approved capital expenditure of $90 million for a part of its expansion. The company also holds 39% share in Pipavav Railway Corporation Limited (PRCL). Sales grew at a compounded rate of 7% in the last five years from 702 crore to 988 crore. Profit after tax (PAT) grew from 206 crore in FY19 to 354 crore in FY24, at a compound annual rate of 14%. Also read: Two hugely underperforming stocks set for a big turnaround? The company also boasts of the highest return on capital employed (ROCE) of 24.8% when compared to industry peers such as Adani Ports (12.9%) and JSW Infrastructure (16.4%). It has been using these returns to give back to shareholders, with a dividend payout of almost 100%. Ebitda was 389 crore in FY19 and grew to 574 crore in FY24 at a compound annual rate of 8%. The current share price is 183 which is a 118% jump from 84 five years ago. View Full Image Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd Share Price The stock is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.8, the lowest in the industry. The industry average is 28.76. The company's 10-year median PE ratio is 24.3x. Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd has been ranked amongst top 50 efficient ports globally for the third consecutive year by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence on the Global Port Performance Index (GPPI). The company has big plans to ensure its operation are in line with the governments green energy initiatives. It already meets 45% of its energy requirements through green sources. Redington Ltd Redington Ltd is a leading distributor of technology and mobility products, and a provider of supply chain management solutions and support services in India, the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. With a market cap of 14,921 crore and a current dividend yield of 3.25%, it secures a spot on our list today. Top mutual funds that have invested in the company are: HDFC Midcap Opportunities Fund: 9.24% (up from 9.12% in the last quarter) Tata Smallcap Fund: 1.90% (down from 2.41% in the last quarter) Redington operates in 31 countries, serving 40 markets, and holds the first or second position across all regions. The companys sales grew from 46,536 crore in FY19 to 89,346 crore in FY24, at a compound annual rate of 14%. PAT was 484 crore in FY19 and grew at a compound annual rate of 18% over five years to 1,239 crore in FY24. Its ROCE is 19.5% and it has maintained a healthy dividend payout of 40%. Ebitda grew at a compound annual rate of 16% from 966 crore in FY19 to 2,009 crore in FY24. The share price has increased from 57 to 191 or 235% in five years. View Full Image Redington Ltd Share Price The stock is trading at a PE ratio of 12.8, the lowest among its peers. The current industry average is 37.4x. The 10-year median PE ratio of the company is 10x. The company saw some major changes recently with managing director Rajiv Srivasrava resigning and V S Hariharan being appointed as the group CEO in September 2023. Redington has announced a strategic partnership with Zoho Corporation to expand access to Zoho's cloud solutions for office productivity, team collaboration and customer engagement, to reach more customers across India. HeidelbergCement India Ltd HeidelbergCement India Ltd, the Indian subsidiary of Germany's HeidelbergCement Group, is a prominent player in the Indian cement industry. With a market cap of 5,188 crore and an attractive dividend yield of 3.49%, it is increasingly catching the attention of income-focused investors. Known for its solid financials and consistent performance, the company is well-positioned to benefit from Indias growing infrastructure demands. The top mutual funds that have invested in the company are: ICICI Prudential Smallcap Fund: 3.42% (fresh investment) Axis Value Fund: 2.22% (invested since 2020) SBI Mutual Fund: 1.94% (fresh investment) Specialising in 100% blended cement, the company operates plants in Central India (Damoh, Madhya Pradesh; Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh) and South India (Ammasandra, Karnataka), selling under the MyCem and MyCem Power brands. Sales have risen modestly from 2,133 crore in FY19 to 2,366 crore in FY24, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. However, profits have declined 24% from 221 crore to 168 crore during this period. Despite this, the company maintains a healthy ROCE of 16.07%, outperforming the industry average of 13.07%. The company has surprisingly been maintaining a healthy dividend payout of 116%. For more such analysis, read Profit Pulse. Ebitda has experienced a significant decline over the past five years, dropping 34% from 483 crore in FY19 to 317 crore in FY24. This highlights the challenges the company has faced in maintaining profitability during this period. The share price has grown 20% in five years, from 190 to 229. View Full Image HeidelbergCement India Ltd Share Price The stock currently trades at a PE ratio 39.2, while the current industry average is 39. The 10-year median PE ratio of the company is 24.7. The markets are also buzzing with the news that parent company Heidelberg Materials AG wanting to sell its stake of 69.4% in the company. According to media reports, JSW Groups cement division and Dalmia Bharat Group are in the race. Mid cap marvels or mishaps? Companies in the Nifty Midcap 150 index have experienced significant growth in recent years. Accordingly to media reports, between June 2019 and June 2024, their combined profit after tax surged by 207% to 2.05 trillion, and market capitalisation doubled to 82.5 trillion. Also read: Lab-grown diamonds: Goldiam leads the charge, Trent joins the race This period has also seen significant diversification with more than 240 meaningful IPOs, collectively exceeding $1 billion in market capitalisation, according to a report by Mirae Asset. Rising interest from domestic institutional investors, particularly mutual funds, signals that individual investors may want to pay closer attention to these mid cap stocks. Note: We have relied on data from Screener.in and Trendlyne.com throughout this article. Only in cases where the data was not available, have we used an alternate, but widely used and accepted source of information. The purpose of this article is only to share interesting charts, data points and thought-provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation. If you wish to consider an investment, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor. This article is strictly for educational purposes only. Suhel Khan has been a passionate follower of the markets for over a decade. During this period, he was an integral part of a leading equity research organisation based in Mumbai as its head of sales & marketing. Presently, he spends most of his time dissecting the investments and strategies of the super investors of India. Disclosure: The writer and his dependants do not hold the stocks discussed in this article. Indian public sector banks (PSBs) delivered a robust performance in the September quarter (Q2FY25), surpassing their private-sector peers. This was driven by a drop in provisions and a notable improvement in asset quality. Additionally, a surge in non-interest income and Treasury profits helped state-run lenders report a strong show in Q2. The combined net profit of 12 Indian PSBs rose by 35.39 per cent to 45,550 crore in Q2 FY25, according to data compiled by LiveMint. The countrys largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), accounted for about 40.24 per cent of the net profit of PSBs in Q2 FY25. In the same quarter last year, PSBs reported a combined net profit of 33,643 crore. Sequentially, net profit also increased, with PSBs recording 39,974 crore in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. PNB leads profit growth among PSBs In terms of net profit growth, Punjab National Bank led the pack with an impressive year-on-year (YoY) growth of 145 per cent, surging from 1,756 crore in September 2023 to 4,306 crore in September 2024. Asset quality also improved, with PNBs gross NPAs falling to 4.48 per cent from 6.96 per cent a year ago, while net NPAs dropped to 0.46 per cent from 1.47 per cent. Bank of India followed with strong YoY growth of 63 per cent, as its profit rose from 1,458 crore to 2,373 crore. Central Bank of India recorded a 51 per cent increase, with profits rising from 605 crore to 913 crore on a YoY basis. Its gross and net NPAs have come down to 4.59 per cent and 0.69 per cent, respectively. UCO Bank reported a 50 per cent YoY jump in net profit to 603 crore, alongside reductions in gross NPAs to 3.18 per cent and net NPAs to 0.73 per cent. Bank of Maharashtra also showed stellar growth of 44 per cent YoY, increasing from 920 crore to 1,327 crore. Additionally, Union Bank of India reported a 34 per cent rise in net profit, growing from 3,511 crore to 4,720 crore YoY. Indian Bank also saw a 36 per cent increase in profit, reaching 2,707 crore, while reducing gross NPAs to 3.48 per cent and net NPAs to 0.27 per cent. Also Read | Banks go slow on microloans as asset quality stress weighs Bank of Baroda recorded a 23 per cent YoY rise in profit to 5,238 crore. Its gross NPAs improved to 2.5 per cent and net NPAs to 0.6 per cent. Deposit war continues In recent years, banks have observed a shift in investors' focus toward investing in capital markets rather than saving in traditional fixed deposits. This has led to a "deposit war" within the banking system, which is ongoing, causing lenders to trim both deposit and loan growth targets. Additionally, several small finance banks (SFBs) have raised their fixed deposit rates to over 8 per cent for two-year terms. These higher rates put SFBs in direct competition with larger banks, as their deposit rates are now 100120 basis points higher than a year ago, highlighting the increasing challenges banks face in attracting deposits. Amid this backdrop, Bank of Baroda has adjusted its advances growth target for the second quarter to 11-13 per cent, down from the previous target of 12-14 per cent, and its deposit growth target to 9-11 per cent, compared to the earlier guidance of 10-12 per cent. Also Read | The anatomy of falling bank depositsand how to arrest it In its recent report, domestic brokerage firm B&K Securities highlighted that deposit growth in the country is expected to decelerate to 11.2 per cent YoY in fiscal year 2025. According to the report, deposit growth at the end of fiscal year 2024 was recorded at 13.8 per cent YoY. Private sector banks post moderate profit growth Private sector banks displayed more moderate profit growth in Q2 FY25. Axis Bank recorded the highest profit increase among private players, with an 18 per cent rise, followed by ICICI Bank with a 14.5 per cent increase. HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank showed modest profit growth of 5.3 per cent and 4.8 per cent, respectively, while IndusInd Bank experienced a notable decline in profit by 39.6 per cent. Also Read | Deposits outpace loans in relief for private banks Overall, private sector lenders reported an 8.21 per cent growth in net profit during Q2. On the asset quality front, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank, RBL Bank, and IDFC First Bank saw gross bad loans as a percentage of total assets increase by 2 to 19 basis points during the quarter. Most of these private banks have raised provisions, setting aside additional funds to cover potential defaults, particularly in anticipation of rising pressures in unsecured lending segments. Lenders with a higher share of unsecured loans are experiencing greater stress compared to those focused on secured lending. Segments such as personal loans and credit cards, in particular, are facing heightened default risks. The RBI has been highlighting the significant growth in unsecured lending over the past year, along with potential challenges related to asset quality. In November 2023, the central bank increased the risk weights on specific segments of unsecured loans, such as personal loans and credit cards, by 25 percentage points, bringing them to 125 per cent. Additionally, it raised the risk weights on bank credit to NBFCs. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, banks significantly increased their lending to NBFCs, primarily driven by the growth in retail and unsecured loans. On the other hand, private banks maintained a stronger domestic Current Account Savings Account (CASA) ratio during the September quarter. Kotak Mahindra Bank led with a CASA ratio of 43.6 per cent, closely followed by ICICI Bank at 40.6 per cent. Shares to buy or sell: The Indian domestic stock market indices closed flat on Monday, November 11, as the movement in IT and Banking stocks was balanced by losses in index heavyweights. The Nifty 50 index closed 0.03 per cent lower at 24,141.30 points after Monday's session, compared to 24,148.20 points at the previous market close. The BSE Sensex index closed 0.01 per cent higher at 79,496.15 points, compared to 79,486.32 points at the previous market close. Also Read | October sees 4-month low in new Demat account additions amid market volatility Nifty Index opened negative but bulls took over in the initial couple of hours which was followed by wiping off its intraday gains. It dropped to 24000 levels and has been making lower lows from the last three sessions. It slightly recovered in the last hour and managed to close near 24,150 zones. It formed an outside Bar and a Doji sort of candle on daily frame indicating indecisiveness and tug of war between the bulls and bears. Now till it holds below 24,150 zones, some weakness could be seen towards 24,000 then 23,850 zones while hurdles are placed at 24,350 and 24,500 zones, said Chandan Taparia, Head Equity Derivatives and Technicals, Wealth Management, MOFSL. On option front, Maximum Call OI is at 25,000 then 24,500 strike while Maximum Put OI is at 23,000 then 23,500 strike. Call writing is seen at 24,300 then 24,500 strike while Put writing is seen at 24,000 then 23,600 strike. Option data suggests a broader trading range in between 23,700 to 24,600 zones while an immediate range between 23,900 to 24,400 levels. Bank Nifty On the Bank Nifty outlook, Taparia further added, Bank Nifty Index opened on a negative note and drifted lower towards 51300 zones in the initial hour of the session. However quick recovery was seen from lower levels as it headed towards 52177 marks but remained consolidative near 52000 zones in the latter part of the day. It formed a bullish candle on daily scale and negated its lower highs formation of the last three sessions. Now it has to hold above 51750 zones for a bounce towards 52222 then 52555 levels while a hold below the same could see some weakness toward 51500 then 51250 zones. Chandan Taparia has recommended three stocks to buy today. These stocks are Infosys Ltd, Bank of Baroda Ltd, and Power Finance Corporation Ltd. Stocks to buy today 1. Infosys Ltd. (INFY): Buy at 1,860 | Target Price: 1,950 | Stop Loss: 1,810. Price has bounced back up from its major support levels and forming higher lows from past four trading sessions. Buying is visible across Nifty IT space which may support the ongoing up move. The MACD Indicator is giving a bullish crossover which suggests upward momentum. 2. Bank of Baroda Ltd. (BANKBARODA): Buy at 258 | Target Price: 275 | Stop Loss: 250. Price is retesting its breakout from a consolidation zone with a large lower wick suggesting buyers are holding levels. The RSI indicator is rising which confirms the up move. 3. Power Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC): Buy at 481 | Target Price: 510 | Stop Loss: 465. Price has broken out from a symmetrical triangle with a surge in volumes. The On Balance volume indicator has turned up suggesting accumulation at current levels. Stock Market Today: Amidst a volatile trading session on Monday, the benchmark Nifty 50 index struggled to hold gains as it closed 0.03% lower at 24,141.30. The S&P BSE Sensex also ended almost flat at 79,496.15. Bank Nifty gained 0.61% to end at 51,876.75, shielding the market fall well supported by IT stocks. All other sectoral indices saw a decline, with Metals and Pharma seeing sharp cuts. Broader indices were also corrected with small caps, with deeper corrections than mid-caps. Trade setup for Tuesday The Nifty daily chart indicates that bulls were unable to sustain the upside bounce, though sharp downside momentum was also absent. This market action could give bulls hope of making a comeback from the lows. Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities, said the underlying trend of Nifty remains choppy with a weak bias. Nifty is moving in a broader high-low range of 24300/24600-23800 levels. Bank Nifty is now likely to continue with the positive momentum towards the 52500 52850 zone over the next few trading sessions, and on the downside, 51300 51200 shall act as a crucial support zone, said Jatin Gedia, Technical Research Analyst at Sharekhan. Global market outlook & Q2 results today European Markets gained but Asian markets remained a mixed bag. In an attempt to support economic growth, China approved $839 billion refinancing of local government debt. However, this was below expectations and failed to enthuse global markets. FIIs have been selling equities for the last 29 consecutive days. Based on mixed global factors and subdued quarterly results, Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, markets are expected to remain sideways. Stock-specific action could continue because of the last leg of Q2 numbers to be announced this week. Key results on Tuesday include BSE, Motherson, Zydus Life, and Hyundai Motors, amongst others. Stocks to buy today Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, has recommended two stock picks for today. Ganesh Dongre, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Anand Rathi has suggested three stock ideas. Sumeet Bagadia's stocks to buy today 1.Coforge Ltd- Bagadia recommends buying Coforge at 8006.9 keeping Stoploss at 7777 for a target of 8500 Coforge is exhibiting strong bullish momentum, currently trading at an all-time high of 8079.95 levels. The recent breakout above the crucial resistance at 7750 levels is a significant technical development, supported by robust trading volumes, reinforcing the strength in the stock. The breakthrough suggests a potential continuation of the upward trend, offering an optimistic outlook for investors. 2. Ramco Industries Ltd - Bagadia recommends buying Ramco Industries at 290.5 keeping stoploss at 280 for a target price of 310 Ramco Industries daily chart analysis offers a favourable view for the following week, indicating a steady higher advance. Notably, the stock has produced a notable higher high and higher low pattern, and the company's recent upward swing has effectively violated the neckline, with the significant breakout above the key resistance level around 270. This breakthrough indicates the possibility of a significant follow-through upward increase in the stock price. Ganesh Dongre's stocks to buy today 3.HDFC Bank Ltd- Dongre recommends buying HDFC Bank at 1764 keeping Stoploss at 1730 for a target price of 1810 The stock having a substantial support at Rs.1730, marking a crucial juncture in its recent trading. Presently, at Rs.1763, the stock has demonstrated a definitive reversal in price action, suggesting a potential continuation of its upward momentum. Traders keen on seizing this opportunity could consider buying and holding the stock, setting a prudent stop loss at 1730. The anticipated target for this trade is Rs.1810, representing the next significant resistance level. This strategy positions traders favorably to capitalize on the stock's anticipated rally in the weeks ahead 4. IndusInd Bank Ltd- Dongre recommends buying IndusInd Bank at 1058 with Stoploss at 1030 for a target price of 1610. In the recent short-term trend analysis of the stock, a notable bullish reversal pattern has emerged. This technical pattern suggests the possibility of a temporary retracement in the stock's price, potentially reaching around Rs. 1610. At present, the stock is maintaining a crucial support level at Rs.1030. Given the current market price of 1058, a buying opportunity is emerging. This suggests that investors might consider purchasing the stock at its current price, anticipating a rise towards the identified target of Rs. 1610 5. GAIL (India) Ltd- Dongre recommends buying GAIL at 203 keeping Stoploss at 195 for a target price of 220 On the daily chart of this stock, a breakout at the Rs. 203 price level has been observed, signaling a potential upward trend. Complementing this breakout, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is still turning up, indicating increasing buying momentum. Given these technical indicators, traders can consider buying on dips, entering the stock at a lower price point. To manage risk, a stop loss at Rs.195 is recommended. The target price for this strategy is Rs.220 in the upcoming weeks, suggesting a potential gain as the stock continues its upward trajectory. At the foot of a towering baobab tree outside Senegal's capital Dakar on Saturday, cameras flashed in the waning dusklight as 20-year old Najeebah Samuel strode down the catwalk to zealous applause. Born with cerebral palsy, Samuel, 20, was the first of two dozen models of all shapes and sizes to take the runway at Dakar's 19th annual Fashion Week event, held at the weekend with the dual themes of inclusiveness and sustainability. "I want to prove to other disabled kids that you're not your disability, you're just you," Samuel said, wearing an orange and blue dress by Fashion Week founder Adama Ndiaye. "You have to come out and show people who you are." Featuring designers from across Africa, the Dakar Fashion Week is one of the continent's longest-running fashion exhibitions. Forced outdoors to abide by covid-19 restrictions last year, the organisers of this edition chose to return to the baobab forest to remind attendees of the fashion world's responsibility to operate in a sustainable way. Textile production generates 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon emissions annually, and if current rates continue, the industry could account for more than a quarter of global emissions by 2050, according to a 2015 study from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Known by her brand name Adama Paris, Ndiaye, who also created the first Black Fashion Week show in the French capital, routinely attaches progressive themes to Senegal's marquee fashion event. She sets high minimum quotas for female designers and once banned models using skin depigmentation cream to promote self-acceptance. She chose inclusiveness as one of this year's themes to contrast the often rigid beauty standards of Western fashion. New Delhi: S.P. Oswals ordeal began on the afternoon of 27 August, with an innocuous phone call. It was a pre-recorded message from someone claiming to be from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Just out of hospital after battling an illness, the unsuspecting 82-year-old Oswal, chairperson of the Ludhiana-based Vardhman Group, pressed 9 when prompted. That keypress was a standard screening procedure by scamsters to ascertain the gullibility of their victimsOswal, a Padma Bhushan awardee, instantly became a target. What followed was nothing short of a nightmare. Within an hour, the octogenarian received calls from people posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers from Mumbai. They alleged that his Canara bank account had been used to launder money. Oswal did not have an account with Canara Bank, but the scamsters had details of his Aadhaar card, which they used to put him on the defensive. Under the pretext of helping him clear his name, they put him under digital custody using a Skype account. I had never used Skype until then, so they helped me create an account and told me not to leave the house and to be always online so they could monitor my activities," Oswal told Mint. They kept sending me various documents (related to the alleged case) on WhatsApp with the CBI insignia, which seemed very authentic. They also forbade me to discuss the matter with anybody else, including my family members, or it would lead to a prison term of three years." At the same time, he said, they never threatened him and tried to put him at ease. Otherwise, I would have consulted my lawyer immediately." Once the scamsters realized who Oswal was, they upped the stakes and even held a fake virtual court hearing the next day, with one of them impersonating D.Y. Chandrachud, then the Chief Justice of India. I never saw his (Chandrachuds) face but heard his voice. He asked me just one question: whether the account (in Canara bank) belonged to me, which I denied," Oswal said. Thereafter I was sent a court ruling and asked to deposit 4 crore in three separate SBI accounts. The next day, they asked for another 3 crore." The scamsters told him that failure to do so would lead to his arrest, but assured him that the money would be refunded once his name was cleared. He complied both times. Things went awry for the fraudsters on the third day when Oswal, feeling unwell, moved out of their surveillance to visit the hospital. There he confided what was going on to his colleague, Vikas Kumar, who flagged it as a scam and alerted the police. This was also the day the fraudsters directed him to transfer more money, but this time to an ICICI bank account, which raised Oswals suspicion. Following prompt action by the local police, two people were arrested and over 5.65 crore recovered. View Full Image A file photo of S.P. Oswal, chairman, Vardhman Group. The most important aspect was the speed with which the police actedwithin 12 hours of filing the FIR, the accounts where the money was transferred was frozen, and the cops gave precedence to retrieving the money first rather than catching the culprits," Oswal said. Oswal may have been the most high-profile victim of a cybercrime, but his case is just one in a multitudethe number of cyber crimes in India has surged since the pandemic. The number of complaints received by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which falls under the ministry of home affairs, has shot up from just 26,049 in 2019 to over 1.5 million in 2023. In the first four months of 2024 alone, it received 740,957 complaints, with the total financial toll at 176 crore. The figures may be eye-popping, but experts believe they are only a fraction of the actual number of crimes. Most victims are still averse to reporting a fraud out of embarrassment, and in many cases, the local police take such cases lightly. As a result, many cases do not get reported. Cybercrime takes many forms, including financial crimes such as vishing, where voice calls, or messages are used to steal personal information; phishing, where emails or text messages are sent to trick people into revealing important information or install malware; identity fraud, theft of card or financial information, and ransomware attacks. Beyond direct financial crimes, it also involves spreading malware to infect computers or networks and trafficking in illegal materials. In India, the profile of victims of financial cybercrimes is very wide, ranging from retired and serving officers and white-collar workers, to students, businessmen, housewives, seasoned professionals and even an Reserve Bank of India (RBI) official. Most victims fell prey to online investment fraud, gaming apps, algorithm manipulations, illegal lending apps, sextortion, and one-time password (OTP) scams. In 2023, I4C reported over 100,000 investment fraud incidents. Technology is evolving at a fast pace, and with AI and deepfakes, the challenge is even more complex. Typically, criminals make the best use of technology, and investigators play catch up. That is the scary bit," said Aaron Bugal, a field chief technology officer at Sophos, a British security software and hardware firm. How they do it The modus operandi in all financial cyber crimes is similar. Fraudsters first call victims on their mobile phones posing as Trai officials or courier executives seeking to deliver a package. Subsequent calls from people posing as CBI or Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials accuse them of involvement in a money laundering or narcotics case, and once the victims are on the defensive, place them in digital custody". View Full Image Fraudsters are well aware the victims are scared of law enforcement agencies like the Enforcement Directorate. (HT) The fraudsters are well aware the victims are scared of law enforcement agencies. So, they use social engineeringdeception to manipulate the victims into doing their biddingto offer help and save them from punishment. Cyber frauds have risen because fraudsters have cracked the social engineering method of instilling feari.e., of the police, CBI, EDin the minds of unsuspecting senior victims," said Prashant Mali, a cyber and privacy lawyer at the Bombay High Court. A retired businessman from Delhi concurred. They know the mere mention of a case is enough to scare us, so they build confidence and act as if they are on our side," said the businessman, who was put under digital arrest for nine days and duped of 10.3 crore over a fortnight. Their assurance that everything will be alright if we cooperate and that the money will be returned once the investigation is over is what misled me. If they had only tried to scare me then it would not have worked." Like Oswal, victims are then directed to deposit money into specific accounts with the assurance of a refund once the case is closed. Through a chain of transactions, the money is then funnelled through various other accounts, making it difficult for investigative agencies to retrieve it. The scamsters are well aware of the deficiencies in the systemlack of coordination and urgency to track such cases, and use this to their benefit," said Bugal of Sophos. Even though the money moves through digital channels, leaving footprints all over, the transactions happen so quickly that every minute counts. The longer the delay, the lower the chances of tracking the money." Unlike Oswal, though, in most cases, recovery is abysmalless than 20%, on average. At the local police station, cops are simply indifferent. The police do not seem to be concerned about the monetary loss due to cyber frauds and their help is limited to freezing the target account. Our justice mechanism has failed our citizens," said lawyer Mali. Digital arrest con Oswals case served as a wakeup call for investigating agencies, prompting them to start an awareness campaign on the illegality of digital arrests. Nearly 4,600 cases of digital arrests have been reported in the first four months of 2024 alone. According to I4C, these fake arrests resulted in a loss of 120 crore. On 18 October, for instance, a retired government official in Noida was duped of 1.19 crore after being put under digital arrest" for four days by scamsters posing as CBI officials probing a chit fund fraud of 300 crore. On that same day, in Hyderabad, an 80-year-old retired woman was duped out of 13.9 lakh by fraudsters posing as police officers. The scammers falsely accused her of being involved in money laundering and threatened her with arrest. A fortnight earlier, on 5 October, an employee at an institute under the department of atomic energy was duped out of 71 lakh by using the digital arrest modus operandi in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The scammers posed as Trai officers and accused the victim of sending illegal advertisements and text messages. The victim was threatened with an arrest warrant for money laundering and human trafficking. On 6 October, I4C issued an advisory warning the public about digital arrest crimes. It emphasised that law enforcement agencies such as the CBI, police, customs, ED, or judges do not conduct arrests through video calls and cautioned the public against falling victim to these schemes. Dont Panic, Stay Alert. CBI/Police/Custom/ED/Judges DO NOT arrest you on video call," stated the advisory. It even featured in Prime Minister Narendra Modis monthly radio programme, Mann ki Baat, on 27 October. Govt measures no deterrent The government has set up teams for greater coordination between various investigative arms at the central and state level. It has also roped in domain experts from the tech and banking backgrounds in the fight against financial cyber crimes. The Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, under I4C was launched in 2021 for immediate reporting of financial frauds in a bid to stop siphoning off of funds by fraudsters. Since its inception, the government claims more than 2,400 crore have been saved in more than 7,60,000 complaints. A toll-free helpline number, 1930, provides assistance in lodging online cyber complaints. Till date, more than 5,80,000 SIM cards, as reported by police authorities, have been blocked by the Government of India. Yet, as the rise in the number of cases suggests, these measures have not deterred the criminals. Bhavesh Mishra, deputy secretary, IT electronics and communications department, Government of Telangana, believes around two cybercrime cases are reported every minute now and people are losing around 1.3 to 1.5 lakh on an average in India. Recovery rates remain below 20%," he said. Cybercrimes currently account for 30% of all crimes, a number that could rise to 50% in the future. Online betting and loan app scams have seen a significant increase, with fraudsters using UPI payments and crypto networks to carry out large-scale scams," said Cyberabad police commissioner Avinash Mohanty. There is an urgent need to speed up [strengthen] the regulatory framework with coordination between government and industries. Banks need to strengthen their KYC procedures, improve oversight and audit and ensure compliance to regulation." Several investigations have revealed that multiple companies associated with the same address and with common directors are involved in cyber crime, Mohanty added. It is as if readymade companies are prepared in India and handed over to individuals who want to create frauds." Mule accounts One of the biggest enablers of cybercrime in the country is a gaping loophole in the banking systemthe presence of a large number of mule accounts. These are accounts used as the first port of call for money laundering globally. Many of them are relatively inactive or dormant and suddenly spring to life when a large transaction happens and money quickly flows to many different accounts before the banking system can act. View Full Image Mule accounts are used as the first port of call for money laundering. The danger such accounts pose has been frequently flagged by regulators, including the RBI, but the menace has not been tamed yet. In India, many such accounts are willingly opened by individuals and offered to fraudsters for a fee, which makes it difficult to detect at the time of onboarding. Investigating agencies, with the aid of bankers, are trying to crack down on such accounts. In the first four months of 2024, around 3,25,000 suspect mule accounts have been frozen. A recent case in Pune, where a software engineer was cheated of 12 lakh in a parcel scam by cyber criminals, shows how mule accounts are used. One of the accounts that received part of the money, 2.5 lakh, belonged to a struggling rickshaw driver. When the cops zeroed in on him, he directed them to a man in a black SUV, who had given him 10,000 to use his account. Tracking the movements of the SUV, police managed to bust the gang, arresting four people and recovering 18 cell phones, 90 SIM cards, 60 bank passbooks and debit cards, and 15 Aadhaar cards. The culprits were handling over 300 mule accounts. The masterminds, however, were abroad and untraceable. The handlers get caught while the real perpetrators almost always get away," said Nisheeth Dixit, advocate and cyber law consultant. If one gets duped, the system is such that one has to be prepared to run from pillar to post to retrieve the money and get the perpetrators behind the bars." The overseas connection So, who are the real culprits? While cyber sleuths are yet to figure that out entirely, there is evidence to suggest most of these frauds emanate from South East and Middle East Asian countries. We have seen a spurt in organized cybercrime emanating from South East Asian countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos," said Rajesh Kumar, chief executive officer, I4C, at a press conference on 22 May. We find that 45% of cyber-financial frauds taking place in the country originate from this region," he added. We have seen a spurt in organized cybercrime emanating from Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. Rajesh Kumar Myanmar and Cambodia have also become hotbeds of cyber slavery, where job seekers from India are lured on the pretext of employment. As per official data, nearly 30,000 people who travelled to Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand in the first five months of this year have not returned and are suspected to be involved in cybercrime against their will. Mint reached out to cybercrime departments in the police of over a dozen states as well as I4C, the RBI, Microsoft and telecom operators Bharti Airtel, Jio and Vodafone Idea. None of them responded to the publications questions. Some officials were, however, willing to speak on the condition of anonymity. Entities outside India are definitely involved. Ultimately, we will have to make our systems more immune to such attacks and people need to be more aware," said a Delhi police staffer under the cyber wing. Right now, cases are rising in such a way that we are overwhelmed." The perpetrators know that too. In one of their more daring strikes, an RBI officer in Bengaluru was the target of a suspicious parcel-turned-money laundering case in May and duped out of 24 lakh in three tranches. Nobody is safe. Indias Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare has launched Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0. The initiative, known as Jeevan Pramaan, aims to make it easier for over 78 lakh Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) pensioners to submit life certificates online, removing the need for physical visits to banks. With the new digital process, pensioners can confirm their eligibility for payments from the comfort of their homes, adding convenience and reducing the hardships often faced by the elderly. According to a June 8, 2024 Press Information Bureau release, the digital submission process reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for a Digital India. With the campaigns rollout, pensioners can authenticate their identity through face recognition on mobile devices, eliminating the hassle of yearly in-person submissions. How it Works The new system requires pensioners to install two applications on their smartphonesAadhaar Face RD and Jeevan Pramaan. After setting up the apps, users can complete the identity verification using face authentication. The Aadhaar-linked mobile number is essential, as it secures the authentication process, prompting pensioners with a unique Pramaan ID and a Pension Payment Order (PPO)--a unique 12-digit identifier number on successful submission. The digital certificate, valid for one year, can be conveniently re-submitted anytime. Unlike other government pensions requiring a certificate before November 30 each year, EPS'95 pensioners need only renew one year after their previous submission, easing their documentation timeline. Streamlined Process Once downloaded from the Google Play Store, the Aadhaar Face RD app runs in the background of the Jeevan Pramaan app, helping capture the face scan. Following OTP verification, the app guides pensioners step-by-step through the setup. As the face scan completes, a confirmation appears, and pensioners can download a PDF version of their certificate from the Jeevan Pramaan website using their Pramaan ID. Impact and Accessibility For many, especially those facing physical challenges, this digital approach minimizes travel and paperwork. A senior government spokesperson noted, This innovation ensures that pensioners, even the very elderly or infirm, can complete their certification smoothly from home. A financially literate and economically empowered female population means more informed financial decisions at the household level, increased savings and investment, and ultimately, a more robust and inclusive economy. In an era of complex financial landscapes, the persistent gender gap in financial literacy remains a significant barrier to women's economic empowerment. This disparity, evident both globally and in India, demands urgent attention. Recent data from the 2023 OECD/INFE International Survey reveals that women globally score less than men in financial well-being and resilience. The S&P Global FinLit Survey states that worldwide, 35% of men and 30% of women are financially literate. In India, the situation is even more pronounced, with only 21% of women deemed financially literate compared with 27% of men, according to a 2020-21 National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) survey. The gender gap in labour force participation directly impacts women's financial independence and literacy. By gaining greater control over their finances, women can lift themselves and their families financially, reduce their vulnerability to economic hardship, protect themselves from exploitation in the informal sector, and enhance their capacity to participate fully in productive, measurable economic activities. The International Labour Organization'sWorld Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2023 report sheds further light on the gender disparities in the global labour market. The report highlights that the global gender gap in labour force participation remained stagnant in 2022, with 47.4% of women participating in the labour force compared with 72.3% of men. The gender wage gap further exacerbates the financial literacy divide. The ILO report emphasises that women are more likely to be in informal employment, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Government initiatives In India, over 90% of women in the workforce are in informal employment and such prevalence of informal work often correlates with lower wages, job insecurity, and limited access to financial services and education. The Global Wage Report of 2022-23 cites womens average pay across the world is at about 20% less than men. In India, it is even worse, with women earning, on an average, 34% less than men for performing the same job. This disparity affects women's current financial situation as well as their long-term financial planning and security. India requires an effective, well monitored multi-pronged strategy that integrates financial education into school curricula nationwide To meet the challenge, the Indian government has launched several initiatives. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has made strides in financial inclusion, with women holding about 55% of the 460 million accounts opened. The National Strategy for Financial Education and the financial literacy efforts of the government and regulators aim to promote financial knowledge, especially among women and the rural population. The Digital Sakhi Programme of the Reserve Bank of India provides training for rural women in digital financial literacy, aiming to bridge both gender and digital divides. Women with lower financial literacy are less likely to participate in the financial markets, more prone to debt, and less prepared for retirement. In India, where only 33% of women have an active bank account compared with 45% of men, the consequences for financial inclusion and economic growth are significant. To truly close the gap, we need to look beyond to learn from global innovative approaches. Sweden's financial literacy programme, integrated into the national curriculum from an early age, offers a model for early intervention. Australia's Women's Money Toolkit provides tailored financial advice for women at different life stages. The UKs Money Advice Service uses behavioural insights to design more effective financial education programmes. Japan's "Financial Park" concept offers interactive financial education experiences. India can draw learnings from Rwanda's success in integrating financial literacy with microfinance programmes. By coupling access to financial services with education, Rwanda has seen significant improvements in women's financial behaviour and outcomes. To make a quantum jump forward, India requires an effective, well monitored multi-pronged strategy that integrates financial education into school curricula nationwide, with a special focus on empowering girls. Financial literacy and education for women can be greatly enhanced through accessible and easy-to-understand modules. Process, concept literacy Programmes should use audio-visual booklets to effectively communicate complex topics, ensuring that women fully grasp the products and processes involved. Moreover, according to the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI), a balanced focus on both process literacyunderstanding how financial systems workand concept literacy will empower women with practical skills, ensuring manifestation of financially prudent behaviour. Employers should be encouraged to provide financial education programmes for female employees to help them understand and negotiate fair wages. Technology can be leveraged to develop mobile apps and digital platforms to make financial education more accessible, especially in rural areas with women focus. Promoting successful women in finance as role models and establishing mentorship programmes is crucial, alongside the implementation of policies to close the gender wage gap and incentivise financial institutions to create products tailored to women's needs. A gender-disaggregated research may be prioritised to address specific barriers women face in achieving effective financial literacy and equity. In India, only 21% of women are deemed financially literate compared with 27% of men Public-private partnerships involving government agencies, regulators, financial institutions, NGOs and tech companies can foster innovative solutions. Targeted programmes for women in the informal sector can help improve their financial literacy and access to formal financial services. Addressing cultural barriers through awareness campaigns is essential to challenge societal norms that hinder women's financial independence and literacy. Specific programmes for long-term financial planning and retirement savings should be calibrated to account for womens longer life expectancy and often interrupted career paths. Also Read | Financial Literacy: 5 key reasons why it matters more than ever Over the years, financial inclusion has evolved from a bank-driven model to a multi-stakeholder approach, with telecom service providers and fintech companies now playing key roles in advancing inclusive growth. The path to closing the gender gap in financial literacy and economic equality is clear, though challenging. It requires sustained effort, innovation, and collaboration across sectors. By empowering women with financial knowledge and skills, and addressing systemic inequalities like the wage gap, India can not only advance gender equality but also unlock significant economic potential. Its time to realise that gender equality should not rest on womens reservation or better employment opportunities but should continue to achieve sustained financial education and empowerment of women. As we work towards the goal of improving female financial literacy, we're not just bridging knowledge and wage gaps, ensuring dignity, confidence and well-being as also paving the way for a more equitable society, stronger and more resilient society. The time to act is now. Every step taken towards improving female financial literacy and economic equality is a step towards the Viksit Bharat. Dr CS Mohapatra is the chair professor - IEPF, and Depannita Ghosh a research analyst - IEPF, at the National Council of Applied Economic Research A man from Greater Noida was arrested after the police discovered illegal cultivation of cannabis inside his apartment in a housing society, reported PTI on Tuesday. The accused, Rahul Chaudhary, is an English graduate who hails from the Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh, who was cultivating a variety of cannabis in his flat on the 10th floor in a high-end setup. Around 80 ganja plants with more than 2 kg of cannabis were seized from the apartment, the report stated, citing Deputy Commissioner of Police (Greater Noida) Saad Miya Khan. Also Read | To cope with dementia, seniors are turning to cannabis The accused was growing cannabis for almost six months, inspired by web series and crime dramas. He was held near the P-3 roundabout in the Beta-2 area by the local Beta-2 police station officials and those from Ecotech-1 police station, and in coordination with the district's anti-narcotics team. Following this, the police raided his apartment, Flat No. 1001, Tower 5, Parsvnath Panorama, and secured around 2.070 kg of cannabis and 163.4 grams of high-grade 'OG' cannabis, the report said. Also Read | Himachal Pradesh to legalise controlled cannabis cultivation amid fiscal woes The accused was utilising advanced aeroponic techniques, which he learned through online resources, to cultivate cannabis in a fully controlled environment, the report quoted DCP Khan. He had invested in specialised equipment to regulate temperature, lighting and humidity within the flat, creating ideal conditions for growing cannabis without soil, he added. According to the police, the accused allegedly procured seeds from international websites and used encrypted messaging platforms to communicate with buyers to avoid detection. He used the dark web for operations. Also Read | NY judge imposes $15 million fine on unlicensed cannabis shops owner who says he gave free samples The setup would cost between 5,000 to 7,000 per plant, yielding high-quality cannabis that sold for upwards of 60,000 per 30-gram yield, the DCP was quoted as saying. The police also confiscated various fertilisers, pesticides, packaging items and digital scales during the raid. SAN DIEGOSean Cody has launched a new underwear campaign featuring the studios newest stars. Officially launching today, the campaign features Scott Braun, Sumner Blayne, Joey Dane and Ryan Orion, who will soon make his SeanCody.com debut. The underwear campaign showcases the brands new boxer briefs in two styles (all-black and yellow stripe) and four sizes (from S to XL). Launched in 2023, Sean Cody Apparel is a one-stop shop for exclusive merchandise where shoppers can purchase swim briefs and underwear with the signature Sean Cody branding on the elastic band. Other items include classic staples (t-shirts, dad hats) and seasonal apparel (hoodies, beanies, crewnecks, tanks, beach towels). For more information or to view products, visit SeanCodyApparel.com. In a significant move to empower women across the country and encourage more to join the forces, the Union government on Tuesday, November 12, sanctioned the establishment of the first-ever all-women reserve battalion of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The battalion will consist of over 1,000 personnel and support the force's expanding duties. According to officials, this new unit will be formed within the CISF's existing manpower of roughly 200,000 personnel. The CISF had previously requested the establishment of an all-women battalion, which has now been granted, as confirmed by a home ministry official. In a statement, CISF Deputy Inspector General Deepak Verma said, The CISF headquarters has started preparations for the early recruitment, training and selection of location for the HQrs of the new Battalion. "The training is being specially designed to create an elite Battalion capable of performing multifarious roles as Commandoes in VIP security and also security of airports, Delhi Metro Rail duties," mentioned the statement. Also Read | CISF personnels quick reaction saves life of passenger at Delhi airport | Watch The womens reserve unit will comprise 1,025 personnel led by a senior commandant-rank officer. Currently, the CISF maintains 12 reserve battalions, which are typically kept in reserve and deployed as reinforcements when new tasks arise. Such tasks include temporary responsibilities such as election security, assignments like the recent addition of Parliament House security. The force has a huge women interface at facilities like the 68 civil airports that it guards, the Delhi Metro and historical monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Apart from these installations, the 1969-raised CISF provides a counter-terrorist security cover to a number of facilities in the nuclear and aerospace domain apart from those in the private sector like the Infosys offices in Bengaluru and Pune, Reliance refinery in Jamnagar (Gujarat), among others. Chennai weather today: All schools will remain shut in Chennai amid the India Meteorological Department(IMD) forecast of heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Several parts of Tamil Nadu are set to brace heavy rainfall this week. In light of the heavy rain forecast, holiday has been declared for all schools in Chennai today, ANI quoted District Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade. The weather forecasting agency has issued heavy rainfall alert for multiple Tamil Nadu districts, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, etc. Tamil Nadu: Rain lashes parts of Tiruvallur city As per IMD, heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Villuppuram districts, Puducherry and Karaikal area today. Heavy rainfall was reported from different parts of the state on Tuesday including Tiruvallur, Chennai, etc. Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed heavy downpour in Tiruvallur. Chennai Weather Today Chennai is likely to witness heavy rainfall on Tuesday and in the coming days because of an active system over Bay of Bengal. According to Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai, the state capital is set to experience moderate to heavy downpour with thunderstorm today. Maximum temperature is likely to be 32- 33C and Minimum temperature is likely to be around 25C. According to Chennai Rains (COMK) X handle, run by an independent weather blogger, rains in the city will resume at around 9:30 am and people have been advised to avoid travel to save themselves from traffic jams and other chaos. Currently a break in #Rains for most parts of #Chennai, the next spell may start roughly around 9:00 - 9:30 AM. Those who have the option of #WFH please exercise that to avoid traffic chaos as at times the spells may be heavy, read an X post by Chennai Rains (COMK). Five people were arrested on Monday for the murder of Baba Siddique including main shooter Shiv Kumar Gautam. Details revealed by the assailants however indicate that both Baba Siddique and his son Zeeshan Siddique had been potential targets. According to a News18 report, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang had instructed Gautam to kill either of the two politicians whomever he encountered first. He also told the Mumbai Police during interrogation that the instructions were given by Anmol Bishnoi the brother of the jailed gangster. Senior NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead by three gunmen near his MLA son Zeeshan's office in Mumbai on October 12. The police have arrested 23 people in the case so far. Meanwhile a recent update from the Mumbai Crime Branch suggested that another Pune leader was also on the radar of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The manner came to light after a pistol intended for the next killing was recovered by the police. Inputs and information have been shared with authorities in Pune and an investigation remains underway. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang was planning to kill the Pune leader too and the responsibility of carrying out the crime was given to the shooters involved in Plan B, the official told ANI. Several people arrested in connection with the murder of Baba Siddique had also been involved in a backup plan made by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Shooter Gaurav Vilas Apune who was arrested last week on Friday had been sent to Jharkhand with weapons towards the end of July to practice firing. He had been involved as a shooter in Plan B. The investigation of the Mumbai Crime Branch revealed that he had been accompanied by Rupesh Mohol who was arrested earlier by the Mumbai Police. The arrangements had been made by murder mastermind Shubham Lonkar. Both had practised their firing for a day in Jharkhand before returning to Pune and getting back in touch with Lonkar. Veteran Bengali theatre stalwart Manoj Mitra, celebrated for his profound impact on the arts through farcical and fantastical works that illuminated societal and political issues, passed away on Tuesday. The 86-year-old breathed his last at a Kolkata hospital due to age-related ailments, marking the end of an era for Bengali cinema and theatre. Manoj Mitras Final Days Manoj Mitra, who had been battling health complications for some time, was admitted to the hospital on 3 November with a range of conditions, including breathing difficulties and electrolyte imbalances, medical professionals confirmed. A doctor at the facility said, He was admitted with several illnesses. His condition kept on deteriorating and today at around 8.50 am he left us. The octogenarian had previously been hospitalised in September for similar issues but was discharged by the end of the month after showing signs of recovery. Tribute from CM Mamata Banerjee West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her heartfelt condolences following Mitras death, describing his passing as an irreplaceable loss. "Saddened by the demise of the famous actor, director and playwright, 'Banga Bibhushan' Manoj Mitra today morning," Banerjee shared on social media platform X. Acknowledging his profound legacy, she added, He had been a leading personality in our theatre and film worlds and his contributions have been immense. I convey my condolences to his family, friends and admirers. Saddened by the demise of the famous actor, director and playwright, 'Banga Bibhushan' Manoj Mitra today morning. Manoj Mitra's Legacy of Bengali Theatre and Cinema Manoj Mitras name became synonymous with Bengali theatre, where he wrote, directed, and performed in numerous plays that deftly combined humour and insight to critique social and political structures. Mitra was especially known for his acclaimed performance in Tapan Sinhas film Banchharamer Bagan, adapted from his own play Sajano Bagaan. His prowess extended to collaborations with celebrated directors, featuring in Satyajit Rays iconic films such as Ghare Baire and Ganashatru. Manoj Mitra's talent also shone in his diverse roles across the works of other prominent filmmakers, including Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Basu Chatterjee, Tarun Majumdar, Shakti Samanta, and Goutam Ghose. Whether playing comical or antagonistic characters, he consistently brought depth and authenticity to his portrayals. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted extensive searches at multiple locations across the country in connection with the activities promoted by some Bangladeshi nationals as part of terror group Al-Qaidas conspiracy to destabilise India, according to an official statement. The crackdown at nine locations, linked with individuals suspected of supporting and funding the activities of the proscribed terrorist organisation Al-Qaida, started early in the morning in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura and Assam, it said. Also Read | Another woman jumps into Niagara Falls; police search ongoing The searches led to the recovery of incriminating documents showing detailed banking transactions, digital devices including mobile phones, and other evidence related to terror funding activities, the statement issued by the NIA said. As per NIA investigations, the suspects whose premises were raided are sympathisers of a Bangladesh-based Al-Qaida network. The searches were part of NIAs ongoing investigations into a 2023 case pertaining to a conspiracy orchestrated by Bangladesh-based Al-Qaida operatives in collaboration with the arrested individuals, it said. The conspiracy was aimed at propagating Al-Qaidas terrorist activities and radicalising gullible youths in India, the probe agency said. In November last year, NIA had filed a charge sheet against five accused, including four Bangladeshi nationals -- Mohd Sojibmiyan, Munna Khalid Ansari alias Munna Khan, Azarul Islam alias Jahangir or Aakash Khan, Abdul Latif alias Mominul Ansari, it added. The fifth accused, Farid, is an Indian national. Also Read | ED to question Amazon, Flipkart officials over foreign investment law violations NIA investigations into their antecedents had revealed that the accused had procured forged documents to carry out their activities covertly. RG Kar rape-murder case trial: Three months after a trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered during her duty hours at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the trial commenced on Monday at the Sealdah Court. The proceedings in the case are being held in-camera at the court of additional district and sessions judge Anirban Das. Key accused Sanjay Roy was present in the court during the trial. He was brought to the court in the afternoon while the proceedings were being held. Outside the court after the proceedings, Roy alleged that he was framed by senior police officers, including former Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal. They did not let me speak even today. Ive done nothing and have been framed, Roy told reporters while being whisked away. "Senior officers are involved in this. The government is backing them. They have been threatening me. I am giving you the names. They are Vineet Goel and DC Special... They have conspired to frame me into this," he added. The father of the victim was also present in the court as a witness, said a report by news agency PTI citing police sources. This case has drawn significant attention due to its serious nature, and the court's decision marks a major step in the legal proceedings against the accused. On November 4, when charges were framed against Roy, he claimed he was innocent. He has been booked under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (rape), Section 66 (punishment for causing death or resulting in a persistent vegetative state) and 103 (punishment for murder). He was arrested by the Kolkata Police on August 10, a day after the 31-year-old doctors body was found inside the seminar room of the RG Kar Hospital. Also Read | West Bengal junior doctors end fast-unto-death after meeting Mamata Banerjee Later, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation into the case at the direction of the Calcutta High Court. NEW DELHI : Indias premium smartphones market witnessed a surprisingly muted festive period as buyers deferred purchases citing lack of innovation, according to retailers and distributors. Samsung and OnePlus saw the most tepid demand from buyers for smartphones priced at 40,000 ($500) or more during the six-week period from mid-September to end October, said six retailers and distributors across India that Mint spoke with. Read this | Diwali smartphone sales revive budget phonesfor now Samsungs premium devices saw a clear downturn in demand from buyers during the festive period, even though it did strongly in the budget 5G smartphones range," said Manish Khatri, partner at Mumbai-based retailer Mahesh Telecom. Most buyers who walked in during the festive period were not too impressed with the features that Samsungs or OnePlus flagship phones currently offer, he said. Impact on retailers and brands Lower sales in the lucrative high-priced smartphone category, which has fuelled revenue growth for smartphone retailers, distributors and brands after Covid-19 pandemic, will be a concern to the industry. Premium devices ($400+) account for 13% of the market by volume according to market researcher International Data Corporation (IDC), but deliver a greater share of revenue and profit, with margins being up to 10 times that of budget phones priced at $180 or lesser. Read this | Apple marks record India, global quarterly revenues, driven by iPhone sales OnePlus shipments to retailers across India during the festive period declined 46% year-on-year, according to data shared with Mint by market researcher Counterpoint India. Its market share during the festival season fell from 6% last year to 4% this time. Samsungs festive volumes fell 7% over a year earlier during the auspicious period of buying, bringing its volume market share from 17.2% to 15.8% this year. Samsung and OnePlus did not immediately respond to Mints emailed queries on their festive season sales. Consumer sentiment and future outlook While the decline in demand varies across online and offline retailers, it is a sign of stagnant features, according to Tarun Pathak, director at Counterpoint India. OnePlus has seen a year-on-year decline across all stores, with its premium brand value diluting considerably due to it selling less-premium devices at scale. On overall terms, more buyers are opting for devices that are one generation old, since they offer a near-flagship experience." Pathak said brands like Samsung that marketed their latest flagships based on artificial intelligence features have struggled to sell since most buyers consider AI to be a surplus. Buyers perceive it as a lack of innovation. Kartikeya Rana, a 31-year-old Dehradun resident, wanted to buy a smartphone to replace his five-year-old Apple iPhone 11. I wanted to shift to the Android ecosystem ... (with) Samsungs Galaxy S24 lineup. However, I decided to put off my purchase because the retailer near my residence is awaiting stock of the companys Galaxy S22 model from two years ago," Rana said. The new generations AI features felt completely surplus, and the Galaxy S24 seemed too expensive for its overall feature set. With the S22, I can get almost the same experience for half the price." According to IDC Indias smartphones report from 13 August, while mid-premium devices priced $400-800 ( 35,000-65,000) accounted for 6% of the market, the super premium segment priced above $800 ( 70,000 and beyond) accounted for 7%. The entry-premium or mid-range smartphones, priced $200-400 ( 15,000-35,000), was also a growing segment with 30% share of all smartphones sold in the country. While the entry-premium and super-premium segments saw year-on-year growths in volume over last year, the decline in mid-premium category will make it more difficult for retailers to market devices to new buyers. That, in turn, is leading to retailers failing to meet distributorship and brand-driven sales targets, hurting their margins and ability to offer additional discounts. This puts the online retailers of Amazon and Flipkart in a position of major advantage. Their entire model works differently from physical retailers, which still account for half and, at times more, of Indias 150 million-plus smartphones sold each year," said a Delhi NCR-based multi-brand electronics and appliances retailer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to a non-disclosure agreement with the Korean electronics retailer Samsung. More here | Smartphones see a muted 23, this year may be better But were helpless hereand in order to drive better value in business, were expanding to more electronics categories and appliances," said this retailer. Samsung, which was once our biggest value driver in terms of revenue, has become increasingly difficult to sell to buyers." Analysts expect this predicament to persist. Consumers are not buying into Samsungs marketing of AI features in their phones, and OnePlus has also had a meek quarter," said Navkendar Singh, associate vice-president at IDC India. For some brands such as Motorola, pricing has also worked in their favour. On overall terms, Apple has retained its position of growth since there is ample room for the iPhone in India." According to a senior industry analyst, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, because of Samsungs demand slowdown, coupled with Apples sustained growth, the iPhone maker is a clear number one in the smartphone market by revenue, followed by Samsung. IDCs report pegged Apple to have sold over 4.85 million iPhones in the $600 ( 50,000) and above segment, accounting for 78% of the premium smartphones market in India during the first half of the year. Also read | Next Diwali, you may drive a sub- 10 lakh GenAI car In the near term, if new phones by Samsung and OnePlus do not show a spurt of changes in design and innovation starting in January next year, these long-established brands could further struggle in India, leaving the premium smartphones market to potentially see a slowdown as well," the analyst said. Afghanistan appointed Ikramuddin Kamil as acting consul for its Mumbai mission on Tuesday the first such appointment made by the Taliban to set up to any Afghan mission in India. The announcement was made less than a day after the Afghanistan Consulate in Mumbai announced the resumption of passport distribution for citizens. According to local media reports, the announcement was made by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this week. An unnamed source told the Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency that Kamil was currently in the city to fulfill his duties as a diplomat representing the Islamic Emirate. The publication said his appointment was part of Afghan efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with India and enhance its presence abroad. Kamil holds a PhD degree in international law and previously served as the deputy director in the department of security cooperation and border affairs in the foreign ministry. He is expected to facilitate consular services and represent the interests of Afghanistan in India. The appointment was announced days after the MEA point-person for Afghanistan held talks with the Taliban acting defence minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob in Kabul. There has been almost negligible presence of diplomatic staff at the Afghan missions in India. Most of the diplomats appointed by the Ashraf Ghani government have already left India. In May, Zakia Wardak, the seniormost Afghan diplomat in India, resigned from her position after reports emerged that she was caught at the Mumbai airport for allegedly trying to smuggle 25 kg of gold worth 18.6 crore from Dubai. India is set for a significant day in economic and diplomatic developments as several events unfold. Russias First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov will meet with Indias External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for a high-level bilateral session to discuss trade and scientific collaboration. Major companies, including 3M India, Nykaa, and Hyundai Motor, are expected to release their Q2 financial results, shedding light on sectoral growth. Meanwhile, the Sagility IPO launches on the BSE and the NSE, Russias First Deputy PM's bilateral meetings Russias First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov is set to participate in a key bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on November 12. During Manturov's working visit, both leaders will lead a session of the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission, focusing on enhancing trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation. TTD to celebrate Mana Gudi festival Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will observe the Mana Gudi festival from November 11 to 17, organising celebrations in selected Shiva temples across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana through its Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP) wing. Over seven days, religious discourses on the significance of the Kartika month will take place in 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh and 33 districts of Telangana. In honour of Kaisika Dwadasi on November 13, two temples in each district will host special programmes. Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance Launch Mercedes-Benz Indias 14th launch for the year is the AMG C 63 S E Performance, which is slated today, November 12, 2024. The C 63 S E Performance is the second AMG variant in the C-Class line-up, with the other being the C 43 4Matic. Major companies set to release Q2 earnings On Tuesday, November 12, several key companies, including 3M India Ltd, Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Bosch Ltd, CESC Ltd, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd (Nykaa), Religare Enterprises Ltd, and Sula Vineyards Ltd, will release their second-quarter earnings reports. The financial disclosures are expected to provide insights into the firms' growth and fiscal performance amidst challenging market conditions. Delhi AQI today remains in very poor category The air quality in Delhi continues to remain in the very poor category as winter conditions exacerbate pollution levels, leading to serious health concerns for residents. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhis average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 352 on Monday, a slight increase from Sundays 24-hour average AQI of 335. Similar levels of pollution are being reported in 11 other Indian cities, including Patna and Bhagalpur, as winter season effects take hold across urban regions. Sagility India IPO set to list on stock exchanges Sagility India Ltd is set to debut its equity shares on both the BSE and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on November 12. Investors are eagerly watching this IPO listing, expected to generate significant stakeholder interest. Mangal Compusolution IPO opens Mumbai, Maharashtra Mangal Compusolution Limited is launching its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on November 12, 2024, aiming to raise 16.23 crore. The comprehensive IT hardware solutions provider plans to list shares on the BSE SME platform. The IPO, comprising up to 36,06,000 equity shares at a face value of 10 each, will close on November 14. The funds raised will go toward capital expenditure and general corporate purposes. Equity Share Allocation: Non-Institutional Investors: 17,10,000 shares Retail Individual Investors: 17,10,000 shares Market Maker: 1,86,000 shares Maharashtra polls: "MVA will reach 175-180 seats," As Maharashtra gears up for assembly elections, Yugendra Pawar of the NCP-SCP (Sharad Pawar faction) has expressed confidence in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliances success, projecting that it will win 175 to 180 seats. Five stocks in F&O ban list on November 12 On Tuesday, November 12, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) banned trading in five stocks in the futures and options (F&O) segment after these securities exceeded the 95% market-wide position limit. The banned stocks are Aarti Industries Ltd, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd, Granules India, Hindustan Copper Ltd, and Manappuram Finance Limited, though they remain available for trading in the cash market. (Bloomberg) -- Intudo Ventures, an Indonesian venture capital firm, closed its fourth fund at $75 million, downsizing from its previous one to cater to Southeast Asias shrinking startup industry. The new fund, Intudo Ventures IV, will invest in more than a dozen young Indonesian startups across sectors and help them expand globally, founding partners Eddy Chan and Patrick Yip said in an interview. The firm had previously obtained $144 million for its third fund and has also raised a separate $50 million fund to invest in areas including renewable energy. We dont believe Indonesia, Southeast Asia can support a fund in excess of $90 million, Chan said. The market has pulled back by about 45%. A cloudy global economic outlook has battered tech companies valuations, and venture firms have been struggling to raise capital amid a depressed market for initial public offerings. Southeast Asia remains a challenging market for raising equity, as many of its still-unprofitable startups are deemed high-risk by the worlds venture investors. Now, money will go extremely far in the market and the startup industry is becoming more capital-efficient, said Chan, adding that the firms initial investment into a company will range from $1 million to $10 million. Since Intudo Ventures debuted in 2017, more capital has been flowing into Southeast Asia, helping regional and local VC firms to raise bigger funds. Intudo said it will stick to its roots as an early stage VC firm that concentrates squarely on Indonesia. Investors in Intudos new fund include more than 30 Indonesian families and their conglomerates, and Black Kite Capital, the family office of Singaporean investor Koh Boon Hwee. Its portfolio companies include telemedicine startup Halodoc, coffee retailer Common Grounds and fintech company Xendit. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com The Philippines keeps stirring up tensions, exacerbating the situation in the South China Sea - all while enjoying the US backing, especially in the form of military aid. The US pledged $8 million in new funding to support the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in late October. The funds will aid in modernizing the PCG infrastructure enhancement, training program development, resource acquisition and management planning. This follows the US announcement in July that it will provide $500 million in military funding to the Philippines. The Philippines also reportedly intends to buy intermediate-range missile launchers from the US. Behind these moves is an undeniable fact: Since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took office, security cooperation between the US and the Philippines has become increasingly task-oriented and checklist-driven. The current Philippine government has largely completed its policy adjustment to strengthen the country's strategic alignment with the US. Since the Cold War, the US and the Philippines have had different interactions, including struggles, in their military and security cooperation, but three points have remained consistent. First, regardless of which political party is in power, the US does not want, nor will it allow, the Philippines' foreign policy to deviate from America's strategic direction, making it difficult for the Philippines to achieve true independence in foreign policy. Second, the extensive defense ties form the core network of the US-Philippines alliance, with the US using military funding to cultivate a large pro-American faction within the Philippines. Third, military funding is a "remote control" that the US holds to steer the direction of the US-Philippines alliance. Through adjusting the level of military funding, the US forces the Philippines to adopt foreign policies that align with American interests. From the US perspective, increasing military aid to the Philippines strengthens America's influence and dominance over Philippine foreign policy, while also deepening the Philippines' dependence on the US. This creates a dynamic: The donor "dominates" the relationship, while the recipient is "subordinated" or made to follow the donor's lead. The core objective of US aid to the Philippines has shifted in line with changes in America's national security strategy. In the current context, the US increasingly views military aid to the Philippines as a tool to intervene in the South China Sea affairs and advance its competition with China. In reality, the US is using its financial resources to set up a system in the Philippines that provides real-time information and monitoring capabilities, allowing the US to track and observe China's naval and air activities in the nearby areas. History has shown that US foreign military aid does not lead to fair or peaceful resolutions of regional or global crises, yet US defense giants always profit from arms sales and military aid programs. Part of the US fundings pledged to the Philippines remain in the US, and some ultimately find their way back into American pockets, leaving only a small portion appearing in the Philippine accounts. On the one hand, although the equipment is delivered to the Philippines, the financing and production processes occur in factories across the US. This is precisely why many US lawmakers are keen to maintain and strengthen such aid, as these funds ultimately flow into states across the country and defense companies in their own constituencies. On the other hand, US aid to the Philippines includes not only equipment and supplies but also training the Philippine military, enhancing interoperability, strengthening logistics systems and guiding military reforms. To address these issues, the US frequently relies on private military firms, defense contractors and non-profit organizations to bypass the limitations of official actions and make up for the shortcomings of government agencies. These aid funds ultimately flow to US commercial, technology and consulting firms, as well as NGOs registered in the US. As the world's largest provider of military aid, the US military assistance to the Philippines is essentially designed to serve its own strategic interests. It is a tool the US uses to control the US-Philippines alliance in order to maintain its hegemonic position. The US has been stoking tensions over disputes in the South China Sea, attempting to drag Southeast Asia into the path of bloc politics and factional confrontation, which is a dangerous direction that deserves caution. The Marcos Jr government, by binding itself to the US war machine at the expense of the Philippines' independence and national dignity, is truly a troubling scenario. (Source: Global Times) ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) A U.S. jury on Tuesday awarded $42 million to three former detainees of Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison, holding a Virginia-based military contractor responsible for contributing to their torture and mistreatment two decades ago. The decision from the eight-person jury came after a different jury earlier this year couldn't agree on whether Reston, Virginia-based CACI should be held liable for the work of its civilian interrogators who worked alongside the U.S. Army at Abu Ghraib in 2003 and 2004. The jury awarded plaintiffs Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili and Asaad Al-Zubae $3 million each in compensatory damages and $11 million each in punitive damages. The three testified that they were subjected to beatings, sexual abuse, forced nudity and other cruel treatment at the prison. They did not allege that CACI's interrogators explicitly inflicted the abuse themselves, but argued CACI was complicit because its interrogators conspired with military police to soften up detainees for questioning with harsh treatment. CACI issued a statement expressing its disappointment in the verdict and its intention to appeal. For nearly two decades, CACI has been wrongly subjected to long-term, negative affiliation with the unfortunate and reckless actions of a group of military police at Abu Ghraib prison from 2003 through 2004, the company said. To be clear: no CACI employee has ever been charged criminally, civilly, or administratively in this matter. CACI employees did not take part in nor were any of our employees responsible for these disturbing events. Baher Azmy, a lawyer for the Center for Constitutional Rights, which filed the lawsuit on the plaintiffs' behalf, called the verdict an important measure of Justice and accountability and praised the three plaintiffs for their resilience. The $42 million fully matches the amount sought by the plaintiffs, Azmy said. It's also more than the $31 million that the plaintiffs said CACI was paid to supply interrogators to Abu Ghraib. Today is a big day for me and for justice, said Al-Ejaili, a journalist, in a written statement. Ive waited a long time for this day. This victory isnt only for the three plaintiffs in this case against a corporation. This victory is a shining light for everyone who has been oppressed and a strong warning to any company or contractor practicing different forms of torture and abuse. Al-Ejaili traveled to the U.S. for both trials to testify in person. The other two plaintiffs testified by video from Iraq. The trial and subsequent retrial were 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. None of the three plaintiffs were in any of the notorious photos shown in news reports around the world, but they described treatment very similar to what was depicted. Al Shimari described sexual assaults and beatings during his two months at the prison. He also said he was electrically shocked and dragged around the prison by a rope tied around his neck. Al-Ejaili said he was subjected to stress positions that caused him to vomit black liquid. He was also deprived of sleep, forced to wear womens underwear and threatened with dogs. CACI had argued it wasnt complicit in the detainees abuse. It said its employees had minimal interaction with the three plaintiffs in the case, and CACI questioned parts of the plaintiffs' stories, saying that military records contradict some of their claims and suggesting they shaded their stories to support a case against the contractor. Fundamentally, though, CACI argued that any liability for their mistreatment belonged to the government. As in the first trial, the jury struggled to decide whether CACI or the Army should be held responsible for any misconduct by CACI interrogators. The jury asked questions in its deliberations in both cases about whether the contractor or the Army bore liability. In the first trial, which ended with a mistrial and hung jury, multiple jurors told The Associated Press that a majority wanted to hold CACI liable. CACI, as one of its defenses, argued it shouldnt be liable for any misdeeds by its employees if they were under the control and direction of the Army. under a legal principle known as the borrowed servants doctrine. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that CACI was responsible for its own employees' misdeeds. They said provisions in CACIs contract with the Army, as well as the Army Field Manual, make clear that CACI is responsible for overseeing its own workers. The lawsuit was first filed in 2008 but was delayed by 15 years of legal wrangling and multiple attempts by CACI to have the case dismissed. Lawyers for the three plaintiffs argued that CACI was liable for their mistreatment even if they couldnt prove that CACIs interrogators were the ones who directly inflicted the abuse. Evidence included reports from two retired Army generals, who documented the abuse and concluded that multiple CACI interrogators were complicit in the abuse. Those reports concluded that one of the interrogators, Steven Stefanowicz, lied to investigators about his conduct and that he likely instructed soldiers to mistreat detainees and used dogs to intimidate detainees during interrogations. Stefanowicz testified for CACI at trial through a recorded video deposition and denied mistreating detainees. A Lufthansa flight from Buenos Aires to Frankfurt on Tuesday faced a mid-air crisis. The flight was hit with severe turbulence while it was flying over the Atlantic, Reuters quoted the airline as saying. In the incident, 11 people were injured. "Unfortunately, five passengers and six crew members suffered mostly minor injuries," a Lufthansa spokesperson said, adding that the safety of the flight was not in jeopardy at any time. Also Read | Sudha Murty advocates flying on economy as Narayana discusses hiring chartered After the aircraft landed safely at its planned destination at 10:53 am (0953 GMT) on November 12, all the injured received medical treatment immediately, the airline said. The flight that encountered the mid-air crisis was Boeing 747-8, which had 329 passengers and 19 crew members on board. However, the turbulence was short-lived, which happened in an intertropical convergence zone. This development came on the same day Germany's Lufthansa Group announced that it would soon be closing the deal to purchase Italy's ITA Airways, the successor airline to bankrupt Alitalia. A package of remedies to the European Commission had been submitted, which was needed to secure EU antitrust approval to take a minority stake in Italy's ITA Airways, Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday. In May this year, a passenger passed away due to a suspected heart attack, while 30 others were injured when a Singapore Airlines passenger plane witnessed mid-air turbulence in May this year. The aircraft was severely jolted by an air pocket over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar. According to the turbli database, the most turbulent flights of all connect Santiago in Chile to Santa Cruz in Bolivia. Furthermore, flights from Tokyo dominate the list of the roughest long-haul services. When does turbulence happen? Strong turbulence occurs when air streams moving at different speeds converge. This is often found at the boundaries of jet streams, over mountains, and within certain storm clouds, according the Turbli said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Nigeria, Rio de Janeiro and Guyana from November 16 to 21, 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs informed on Tuesday. This will be PM Modis first visit to Nigeria and the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister in 17 years. At the invitation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prime Minister, will visit Nigeria from 16-17 November 2024. This will be the first visit by a Prime Minister of India to Nigeria in 17 years, the External Affairs ministry said in a statement. PM Modi will discuss measures to improve bilateral relations between the two countries and address the Indian diaspora in Nigeria during his visit. India and Nigeria have been strategic partners since 2007 with growing economic, energy and defence collaboration. More than 200 Indian companies have invested over USD 27 billion in important sectors in Nigeria. India and Nigeria also share a strong development cooperation partnership, the ministry said. Also Read | PM Modi congratulates new CJI Sanjiv Khanna after oath taking ceremony From November 18 to 19, 2024, PM Modi will be attending the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, hosted by the President of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva. Prime Minister Modi plans to address various global issues based on the outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration and Voice of the Global South Summits during the G20 Summit. He is also expected to meet several leaders on the sidelines of the Summit. Lastly, PM Modi will visit Guyana from November 19 to 21, 2024. This will be the first visit to the country by any Indian prime minister since 1968. At the invitation of the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister will undertake a State Visit to Guyana from 19-21 November 2024, the External Affairs Ministry said. In 2023, Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali was invited as the Chief Guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. President Ali will also participate in the Second CARICOM-India Summit. Mumbai Police on Tuesday , November 12, night arrested a 24-year-old man for sending threat messages to Bollywood actor Salman Khan, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying. Salman Khan had received a death threat on November 8, with the sender demanding 5 crore on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The threat message was sent to Mumbai traffic polices WhatsApp helpline. Besides issuing a death threat to Salman Khan, the sender has also issued a threat to the lyricist of the song Main Sikandar Hoon. In the past few weeks, the traffic police helpline has received many threat messages for Salman Khan. Salman Khan had earlier received death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang over the actor blackbuck case the animal is revered as sacred in the Bishnoi community. Also Read | Salman Khan speaks about blackbuck murder in old video; social media reacts While Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi himself is lodged in Ahmedabads Sabarmati jail in cases including attempted murder and extortion, suspected members of his gang opened fire outside Salman Khans Bandra home in April 2024. A few days ago, the Mumbai Police had arrested a 35-year-old man from Karnataka for sending a threat message for the actor along with a demand for 5 crore on traffic police's helpline. He was identified as Bhikaram Jalaram Bishnoi. The threat message read: If Salman Khan wants to stay alive, he should go to our temple and apologise or pay 5 crore. If he does not do so, we will kill him; our gang is still active. During the investigation, it came to light that the accused hailed from Karnataka, following which a team of Worli police was sent to apprehend him. Bishnoi was nabbed late on Tuesday and after his interrogation, he was placed under arrest by the Worli police, an official said. (Bloomberg) -- Germanys election campaign kicks into high gear on Wednesday, when Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes his case in a public address for another term, despite polls showing voters are overwhelmingly looking for a change. Scholzs Social Democrats will tout the chancellors experience while criticizing the opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who heads the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and is leading opinion polls by a wide margin. Theyll say hes incapable of leading Europes largest economy through a wold of growing threats and uncertainties. The candidates will have to convince voters ahead of the Feb. 23 election that theyre best placed to pull Germany out of its economic malaise and safeguard its important manufacturing sector. The next chancellor will also have to navigate a new relationship with incoming US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to upend the global order, potentially at the expense of European companies. Ill guarantee a new leadership in Europe for Europe, Merz said on Tuesday. Germany is a sleeping middle power and must become an active middle power. Scholz will address the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, his first major public address since a date was set for the election. Scholz threw the German government into crisis last week by firing his Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party in a dispute over more debt-financed support for Ukraine. That marked the end of the fractious coalition between Scholzs SPD, the liberal FDP and the Green party. Stock investors initially welcomed the call for the snap election, with Germanys benchmark DAX Index surging 1.7% following the announcement. The move higher has since been erased, as the threat of US tariffs under Trump, as well as doubt over economic growth in China, has hit European equities. The next chancellor will also confront a bleak economy, which has failed to mount a sustained rebound from the pandemic and war in Ukraine, with some economists predicting 2024 output to shrink for a second year in a row. The main weakness is its manufacturing sector, which is dragged down by soft foreign demand, high energy costs and structural issues at home. Investor sentiment in Germany unexpectedly worsened in November, with an expectations index by the ZEW institute falling to 7.4 from 13.1 the previous month. Economists had expected an increase to 13.2. German bonds have gained over the past week, as the market prices in slower growth particuarly if there are tit-for-tat tariffs between the EU and US and a faster pace of interest-rate cuts from the European Central Bank. What Bloomberg Economics Says... While the short-term impact of a power vacuum should not be overstated, the absence of a mandate to govern will also constrain Germanys ability to respond to unfolding events, like the restoration of President-elect Donald Trump to the White House. Martin Ademmer, Antonio Barroso and Jamie Rush, economists. For full note, click here The other big question for investors is whether a new government in Berlin does away with the nations rigid debt break, paving the way for extra issuance and fiscal stimulus. The prospect of added bond sales last week drove a widely watched gauge of supply to record levels. Scholz will lead a minority government with the Greens until the February election. In the interim, lawmakers from the SPD and Greens are pushing for limited cooperation with opposition lawmakers to pass legislation, including some military procurement projects, which would guarantee planning security for defense contractors, according to people familiar with the planning. Scholzs minority government will first need to pass a supplementary budget for this year and the 2025 finance plan approved in parliament. To do so, theyll need the votes of opposition lawmakers. Finance Minister Joerg Kukies conceded on Tuesday that its not realistic that the 2025 budget will get approval by the end of the year, meaning the government will be forced to resort to a temporary finance planning process to keep funds flowing. While its not an ideal state of affairs and some new projects may face delays, Kukies said its not technically problematic and has happened multiple times before, including earlier this year after a constitutional court ruling upended the governments finances. Scholzs support plunged to record lows this fall amid political fragmentation in Germany, which has seen the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany and the new far-left Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht. Both of those parties have taken advantage of rising resentment over the governments management of irregular migration. Merzs alliance is leading with more than 30%, putting it in prime position to win back the chancellery after it lost to Scholzs SPD party three years ago. Backing for the SPD is at about 16% in third place, behind the AfD in second with around 18%. The Greens are at about 11% in fourth, while the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht is fifth with roughly 8%. The FDP is polling as low as 3%, down from 11.5% in the 2021 election, putting it in danger of missing the 5% threshold for getting into parliament. Coalition negotiations in Germany usually take several months which means that the next government may not be in place before April at the earliest. As things stand, a CDU/CSU-led grand coalition with the Social Democrats looks the likeliest outcome, with possibly the Greens as a junior partner. --With assistance from Michael Msika and Constantine Courcoulas. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com In another instance of Bangladesh interim government giving in to the demands of the students, chief advisor Muhammad Yunus ordered removal of the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from president's office, according to a report in India Today. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founding father of Bangladesh and also, father of Sheikh Hasina who was forced to resign and leave country in view of the student uprising that often turned violent. In the post-upheaval time, demonstrators stormed the former prime minister's residence, seizing anything they could get their hands on. As Sheikh Hasina fled, the fury of the protesters turned toward her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose legacy so far endured through street names, public landmarks, and impassioned speeches. Some protesters climbed up his statue at Bijoy Sarani in the heart of Dhaka and pulled it down. Public murals depicting Bangabandhu or Friend of Bengal were defaced. Also Read: The we-brought-you-freedom story has an expiry date The house in Dhanmondi where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family were assassinated on August 15, 1975 and which was later converted into a memorial suffered extensive damage by protesters. The mosaic panel in the Dhaka University area was defaced. Many fear that his legacy will be slowly erased. Sheikh Hasina, 76, resigned as prime minister on August 5 amid widespread protests against her government. The students protested against the government jobs' quota system that favoured the families of the veterans of 1971 war. With no solution in sight, the protests became violent. Rahman was born in 1920 in undivided India. Bangladesh evolved from Bengal presidency to East Bengal to East Pakistan and eventually as a separate nation born in 1971. On his death anniversary, 10 days after Sheikh Hasina fled, a large group of stick-wielding people positioned themselves in front of the Bangabandhu's residence-turned-museum and foiled attempts by deposed premier Sheikh Hasinas supporters to commemorate the anniversary of the assassination of her father and Bangladesh's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A German man recently posted on Reddit, seeking help identifying an unknown Devanagari text he discovered at a flea market in Hamburg. He shared pictures of two yellowed pages covered in text, which appeared to be in Hindi or Sanskrit, and asked users for assistance in determining the origin and meaning of the pages. The caption read, Found this on a flea market in Hamburg, Germany. Can you tell me what it is? "Its a very old panchang printed in Banaras city (currently called Varanasi) in the Uttar Pradesh state of India. A panchang is a Hindu calendar and almanac," a netizen replied. Another netizen said, "This is a Hindu calendar known as a Panchang, printed by the Bhargava Press. The press was owned and managed by Pandit Nawal Kishore Bhargava, who was one of the biggest publishers of his time. His significance is even mentioned in the movie Mirza Ghalib, where he famously declined to publish for Ghalib. This calendar is at least 150 to 180 years old, if I'm not mistaken. I know this because he was our ancestor, our relative from about five generations back. His descendants still live in Lucknow, but they no longer operate the press." By the time of writing, the post gathered 2k upvotes and 180 comments. A user said, This is the secret stolen from Raja Chandragupta. It is said that the copies were made after this sacred scripture was stolen. It was created by Chanakya. Germany has many of the Sanskrit scripts of these kind- maybe stolen from India. Prince Harry was deeply upset when his father, King Charles, requested that Meghan Markle not accompany him to Balmoral on the day Queen Elizabeth II passed away. On September 8, 2022, when Harry was invited to Scotland to bid a final farewell to his grandmother, Charles reportedly told him that Meghan should not join him, despite both of them being in the UK at the time. The revelation comes from the Duke of Sussex himself as Harry penned it in his memoir, Spare. In his memoir, Harry describes how Charles explained his reasons, which he found disrespectful and unreasonable. "He said I was welcome at Balmoral, but he didn't want... her. He started to lay out his reason, which was nonsensical, and disrespectful, and I wasn't having it," the Mirror UK quoted Harry as writing in his book. Harry mentioned feeling angry and responded sharply, asking his father not to speak about his wife in that manner. Charles, according to Harry, stammered and apologised, explaining that he didnt want too many people at Balmoral, especially as Kate Middleton) wouldnt be attending either, and thus felt Meghans presence was unnecessary. "He stammered, apologetic, saying he simply didn't want a lot of people around, Harry wrote. Harry also shared that he faced difficulties reaching Balmoral that day as communication from the rest of the Royal Family was limited. He was left to arrange his own travel to Scotland. The prince ultimately arrived too late to say goodbye to the Queen. My father was King He recalled discovering his grandmothers passing through a message from Meghan and a news update on the BBC. It was a message from Meg: 'Call me when you get this.' I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King," Harry added. IAS officer Amit Kataria, hailing from Gurugram, Haryana, currently serves in Chhattisgarh. He has been making headlines for his wealth and earning recognition as one of the richest IAS officers in India. According to several news reports, Kataria is Indias richest IAS officer with an estimated net worth of 8.9 crore. Kataria achieved 18th place in the highly competitive 2003 UPSC examination, which paved the way for him to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Despite amassing considerable wealth , he is well-known for his symbolic gesture of accepting just a 1-rupee salary at various stages of his career to reflect his commitment to serving the nation and prioritizing public service over personal financial gain. Amit Kataria is a IAS officer from the 2004 Chhattisgarh cadre who has recently returned to the state after a seven-year tenure on central deputation. Originally from the Delhi NCR region, Kataria secured the 18th rank in the 2003 UPSC examination. Before his return, he served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Rural Development. He has also held several key positions in Chhattisgarh, including serving as Collector in multiple districts, where he gained significant experience and influence. IAS officer Amit Kataria drew significant attention during his tenure as the Collector of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, in 2015. He made headlines for wearing sunglasses while meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the region. This was seen as a breach of government protocol, leading to Kataria receiving a show-cause notice from the state government, led by Chief Minister Raman Singh at the time. Despite the controversy surrounding this incident, Kataria's contributions to administration, particularly his efforts in promoting transparency and advancing public welfare, have earned him widespread recognition. His work has solidified his reputation as a dedicated public servant. President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Republican Representative Mike Waltz as his national security adviser. 50-year-old Mike Waltz is an ex-Army Green Beret who served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan. Waltz will hold office, which bears a significant influence in shaping US international strategies, and does not require Senate confirmation. Mike Waltz's background in defence policy and strong stances on China suggest a focus on addressing challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. As national security advisor, Waltz will coordinate US foreign policy within the West Wing and briefing the president on developments across the globe. On Capitol Hill, Waltz distinguished himself among Republicans with aggressive questioning of Biden administration witnesses over the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. The job could be a perilous one for Waltz. Donald Trump had four national security advisors in his first term, including Michael Flynn, who was fired after less than a month on the job. Also Read | Gold Holds Near One-Month Low as Dollar Rallies After Trump Win Mike Waltz: Track Record and Military Credentials -Mike Waltz has served as a colonel in the National Guard. -Waltzs was deployed to Afghanistan on several combat tours as a Reservist Army Special Forces soldier even as he was an Afghanistan policy adviser at the Pentagon under then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Waltz was awarded four Bronze Stars. -Separate from military service, Mike Waltz led a small company called Metis Solutions a defense and intelligence consulting firm. Mike Waltz: Focus on China and Indo-Pacific Strategy -Mike Waltz's reputation as a staunch China critic is well established. As a member of the Republican China Task Force, he has been vocal about the need for the US military to bolster its preparedness in the face of potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. In his book Hard Truths: Think and Lead Like a Green Beret, published earlier this year, Waltz outlined a comprehensive strategy for deterring aggression from China. -Mike Waltz's recommendations include rapidly arming Taiwan, strengthening alliances with Pacific nations, and modernising military assets such as aircraft and naval vessels. Also Read | Trump names Stephen Miller to be deputy chief of policy in new administration Mike Waltz: Praise for Trump's Disruptive Foreign Policy Approach -Mike Waltz has expressed consistent support for Trumps foreign policy methods, applauding the president-elects tendency to challenge established norms. "Disruptors are often not nice... frankly our national security establishment and certainly a lot of people that are dug into bad old habits in the Pentagon need that disruption," Waltz stated during an event earlier this year. "Donald Trump is that disruptor," he added. Also Read | As Donald Trump staffs up for second term, only MAGA loyalists need apply Mike Waltz: Reflections on Ukraine and NATO -While Waltz has supported Trump's policy moves in various areas, his stance on NATO and Ukraine showcases a nuanced approach. He has lauded Trump for urging NATO allies to increase defence spending but has not aligned with Donald Trump's occasional suggestion of withdrawing from the alliance. "Look, we can be allies and friends and have tough conversations," Waltz said recently, indicating his belief in constructive yet candid relationships with allies. -His views on Ukraine have evolved over time. Following Russia's 2022 invasion, Waltz pushed for the Biden administration to supply Kyiv with more weapons, advocating for decisive support against Russian advances. -However, in a recent appearance, Waltz called for a reassessment of American objectives in Ukraine, questioning the level of US commitment amid broader strategic priorities. "Is it in America's interest, are we going to put in the time, the treasure, the resources that we need in the Pacific right now badly?" he queried, hinting at a potential recalibration of US focus towards the Indo-Pacific. Mike Waltz: What lies ahead for the US NSA -The appointment by Donald Trump puts Mike Waltz at the forefront of a litany of national security crises ranging from the ongoing effort to provide weapons to Ukraine and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. Former US First Lady Melania Trump has reportedly declined an invite to attend the traditional White House meeting with first lady Jill Biden after husband and businessman Donald Trump's victory in the US Presidential Elections 20204. While some media reports say it is scheduling conflict for the former first lady related to her newly released memoir, some say Melania Trump just doesn't want to meet Jill Biden. The reason they have cited is the 2022 Mar-a-Lago raids when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) scoured through the Trumps' Florida mansion on the accusations that he was withholding the classified White House documents. "She aint going. Jill Bidens husband authorised the FBI snooping through her underwear drawer. The Bidens are disgusting, a source was quoted as saying by the New York Post. Jill Biden isnt someone Melania needs to meet, the source said. Jill Biden extended Melania Trump the customary invitation last week as her husband, Joe Biden, also invited the president-elect Donald Trump to the Oval Office, a symbolic gesture to show the country and the world that there will be a peaceful transition of power. Also Read | Robotic dog now patrolling Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida Heres why Except from 2020, it has been tradition for the current first lady to host the incoming first lady at the White House. In 2016, then-first lady Michelle Obama hosted Melania Trump for tea in the White House's Yellow Oval Room and took her on a tour of the private residence. Donald Trump and Joe Biden are set to meet on Wednesday, according to the White House. Melania Trump had expressed displeasure in an interview over the August 2022 raids, saying she was angry. I saw unpleasant stuff that nobody wants to see. And you get angry because, you know, nobody should be putting up with that kind of stuff, she had said. AstraZeneca Plc isnt the only health-care company facing compliance questions in China as concern continued to swirl about a probe into alleged legal breaches tied to drug importation and data privacy. Across our own industry, several companies are affected by some of the issues were affected by, Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot said Tuesday. About 100 former Astra employees have been sentenced on charges of medical insurance fraud. A handful of current and former senior executives are under investigation for the alleged illegal importation of cancer drugs. Leon Wang, president of Astras China division, is being detained and the company has said it has few details about the probe. Astra has said it hasnt received any notification that the company itself is under investigation. Soriot didnt name other companies that have been impacted, though he did detail some of the issues. Breast cancer patients from mainland China can travel to Hong Kong, get prescription drugs there to treat the disease and bring them back, he said. Whats illegal is using a delivery service to have drugs from Hong Kong shipped to the mainland for a fee, he said. Its very hard to monitor this, he said. I tell you, a number of other companies have also been caught on this. Astras woes have been more visible than others for reasons that still arent properly understood but could be because its the biggest, he said. We take this very seriously, but at the same time we have to wait. We just have to wait to understand better, he said. Still, Astra remains committed to China. Whatever happened, the country will be there tomorrow, the company will be there, and we will continue, Soriot said. Two money-making education apps that are part of the troubled Byjus software empire were wrongly transferred away from US lenders and must be returned to a court-supervised bankruptcy trustee, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. A rogue officer manipulated Apple Inc. into changing the ownership and the revenue stream of two apps that bring in about $1 million a month, according to the trustee, who controls three of Byjus US units. The apps are used by parents to download education materials for their children, Catherine Steege, a lawyer for the US units said Tuesday during a virtual hearing. The transfer happened shortly after the trustee took control of the bankrupt units: Epic! Creations, Neuron Fuel, and Tangible Play. Since the trustee, Claudia Springer, was given control of the three units by a federal judge, unknown people directed by Byjus, which is based in India, have been grabbing cash, moving source code away from cloud systems managed by Apple and Alphabet Inc.s Google and changing the names of various online accounts, Steege said. These bad actors began a game of catch me if you can, Steege told US Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey in Wilmington, Delaware. They are trying to stay one step ahead of the trustee. Dorsey ordered Apple to return ownership of the apps to the US units. A lawyer for an Indian firm that had been wrongly given ownership of the apps unsuccessfully tried to persuade Dorsey to delay making any ruling. The dispute is the latest clash between Byjus and its US lenders. After Byjus, whose formal name is Think & Learn Private Ltd., defaulted on more than $1.2 billion in debt, US lenders took control of one Byjus shell company and forced three smaller, US subsidiaries into bankruptcy. A representative for Byjus did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Byjus bought the firms just a few years ago for $820 million according to court records. Springer is preparing to hold an auction for at least two of the unit in order to raise money to repay Byjus creditors, including the US lenders. Lenders have been fighting Byjus in state and federal courts in the US for more than a year. Byjus is facing an insolvency proceeding in India, where a court-appointed professional has been tasked with raising money to repay creditors. That professional, Pankaj Srivastava has asked the US court to take no action related to the three US units because they are owned by Byjus and could be used to repay creditors in India. Dorsey has rejected those requests, saying the units are US-incorporated entities that are subject to American bankruptcy courts. Company founder Byju Raveendran has denied wrongdoing, saying his actions were justified in response to overly aggressive tactics used by lenders who specialize in squeezing money out of distressed companies. The case is Epic! Creations, Inc., 24-11161, US Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware . In Brampton, Canada, the Triveni Community Centre cancelled its planned life certificate event by the Indian Consulate, initially set for November 17, 2024, citing safety concerns over potential violent protests. The event aimed to help Indian-origin citizen in Canada to renew essential life documents. Please be advised that the Life Certificate Event scheduled at Brampton Triveni Mandir by the Indian Consulate on November 17, 2024, has been cancelled. This is due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests, read the statement by the community centre. Also Read | Brampton Hindu temple attack: Police arrest in connection with altercation Appeal for Security Measures Triveni Community Centre urged the Peel Police to address threats targeting the Brampton Triveni Mandir and called for security assurances to protect the Canadian Hindu community and the public. We apologise to all community members who were depending on the event. We are deeply saddened that Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu Temples in Canada. We call on Peel Police to address the threats being circulated against Brampton Triveni Mandir and provide security guarantees to the Canadian Hindu Community and the general public, the temple administration added. Tensions Following Brampton Temple Incident This cancellation of events at the community centre follows a violent disruption by Khalistan separatists on November 3 at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton. Videos showed clashes involving fistfights and poles being used as weapons. The Peel Regional Police confirmed responding to the disturbance, noting that protests escalated into physical violence. Peel Police Requests Rescheduling Event Chief of Police with the Peel Regional Police in Canada, Nishan Duraiappah writes to Brampton Triveni Mandir & Community Centre, requesting them to consider rescheduling the upcoming Consular Camp at the Brampton Triveni Mandir & Community Centre on November 17, 2024. "We believe that a temporary postponement could contribute meaningfully to de-escalating the present tensions and safeguarding the wellbeing of those attending your location..," the letter reads. PM Modi and Justin Trudeau's Condemnation Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton and expressed disapproval of attempts to intimidate Indian diplomats. I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken Indias resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law, Modi stated on X. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the violence, affirming that all Canadians have the right to practise their faith safely. Also Read | Justin Trudeau wears sacred threads from 3 Hindu temples, shares Diwali video Arrest of SFJ Canada Coordinator Peel Police have arrested a 35-year-old Brampton resident, Inderjeet Gosal, on charges of assault with a weapon during the temple protest. Gosal, identified as the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun-led Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) coordinator for Canada, was taken into custody on November 8 and has been released on conditions pending a court appearance. The US-based SFJ group is banned in India. The Peel Police disclosed that the investigation captured several offences on video, showing protesters wielding flags and sticks as weapons. Indias Ministry of External Affairs urged that those involved face prosecution, stressing concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in Canada. The 29th annual United Nations climate summit, COP29, started in Azerbaijan this week. Key on the agenda is devising a new roadmap to finance developing countries needs in their fight against climate damage. The current $100-billion-a-year commitment made by advanced nations in 2015 to support them is set for an upgrade in 2025, making it critical to decide the path ahead. The need to set this new collective quantified goal" (NCQG) by 2025 was part of the agreement struck at COP21 in Paris in 2015. The pact was that this goal would take into account the needs and priorities" of developing countriesthis wasnt the case with the $100-billion annual figure. The enhanced financial support would help developing countries strengthen their national climate plans, which, too, are due for an update in 2025. Some countries, including India, have called for advanced countries to provide around $1 trillion per year for this. According to a new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), a needs-based approach would put the bill for developing countries at around $1.1 trillion in 2025, rising to $1.8 trillion by 2030. At least 75% of this would need to come from rich countries, or 1.4% of their GDP in the first year, as per UNCTAD calculations. This figure is relatively lower than other major recent expenditures by developed countries. That makes it feasiblebut will it be enough? COP29 stakes The NCQG would also support climate adaptationthe component of climate action aimed at helping countries adjust to existing climate impacts. Currently, the adaptation finance is falling short. The gap between whats coming and whats needed remains extremely large, shows the UNs Adaptation Gap Report. International public adaptation finance flows improved from $22 billion in 2021 to $28 billion in 2022, the largest increase since the Paris deal. But, the requirement is nearly 18 times higher, and the report says that even if the money rises to around $40 billion by 2025double the 2019 levels as aimed by the 2021 Glasgow pactit would reduce the gap by only around 5%. If COP29 succeeds in establishing a robust financial framework to succeed the current one, it could mark a significant milestone towards the Paris goal of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2C, preferably to 1.5C, above pre-industrial levels. But concerns are coming in from the US, where Donald Trump is set to become president again in January. During his last term, he had pulled the US out of the Paris deal, a move reversed by his successor. Such political shifts can impact global climate efforts as the US is the second largest greenhouse gas emitter. "The election result is a setback for global climate action, but the Paris agreement has proven resilient and is stronger than any single country's policies," said Laurence Tubiana, chief executive officer of European Climate Foundation, a Netherlands-based philanthropic initiative. "The context today is very different to 2016. There is powerful economic momentum behind the global transition, which the US has led and gained from, but now risks forfeiting. The devastating toll of recent hurricanes was a grim reminder that all Americans are affected by worsening climate change." Also Read: Will the COP29 climate summit break the cycle of broken promises? Beyond finance COP29 negotiations will extend beyond financial frameworks to focus on mitigation strategies and greenhouse gas reduction targets. Vulnerable nations are pushing their industrialized counterparts and emerging economies to submit more ambitious plans with stronger emission cuts and faster transition from fossil fuels. Recent global temperature data justifies these demands. The period from February 2023 to January 2024 marked a troubling milestone as it was the first 12-month period when global temperatures averaged 1.5C above the pre-industrial levels, reaching 1.52C, according to theCopernicus Climate Change Service. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations average greenhouse gas index (AGGI), which measures how much heat Earths atmosphere is trapping due to long-lived greenhouse gases, has risen 52% since 1990. TheWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO) projects an 80% chance that temperatures will surpass the 1.5C threshold for at least one year before 2028. Lastly, COP29 also intends to finalize rules for a global carbon market, which could help companies offset their emissions by investing in green projects and earning carbon credits. Members approved the standards for such a UN-backed market on the opening day. The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have been early adopters of carbon markets, but their small economies limit their influence and benefits. Also Read: Mint Primer: Your two-minute guide to COP29... and dystopia A UNCTAD analysis shows that the value of carbon credits coming out of LDCs so far has been minimal against the more common sources of funding such as development aid, foreign direct investment and remittances. In 2023, LDCs captured just about $403 million in carbon credit value, just 1% of total development aid they got. From finance and emission targets to fossil fuel transition, the stakes for COP29 are running high. China's burgeoning aviation industry and military might will be on display this week as the country's largest air show gets under way on Tuesday. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, held in the southern city of Zhuhai, will showcase military fighters, passenger jets, drones and weapons systems, some for the first time in public. Military enthusiasts will monitor the latest advances in the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, while foreign businesses hope to make deals with their Chinese counterparts. Here are five things to watch for during the show: J-35A multirole stealth fighter China's newest stealth fighter will make its hotly anticipated debut at the air show. The fighter, over a decade in the making, is primarily designed for air superiority missions but also has surface attack capabilities. It is smaller and lighter than the J-20 already in service, indicating an emphasis on stealth. Many have compared it to the US's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. But one noticeable difference is that the F-35 is powered by a single large turbofan engine, while the J-35A has twin engines. The J-35A is reserved for land operations, rather than aircraft carrier use. J-15T carrier-based fighter The J-15T is an updated version of China's J-15 carrier-based fighter that adds catapult-launch capabilities. That means it can not only operate on China's two operational aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, which have "ski jump" takeoff ramps, but also from the newer Fujian carrier, currently undergoing sea trials, which has a flat flight deck. The J-15T took part in China's first dual-carrier drills announced last month. It is equipped with Chinese-made WS-10 turbofans rather than Russian-made engines, suggesting China is no longer reliant on Moscow for powerful fighter engines. HQ-19 missile defence system The HQ-19 is a mobile surface-to-air missile system primarily used for regional interception of ballistic missiles. Each launch system carries six interceptor missiles mounted on an 8x8 wheeled chassis. Also Read: Commodity stocks drag Australian shares lower on China stimulus letdown Experts have compared it to the US THAAD-ER (Terminal High Altitude Defence - Extended Range) system produced by Lockheed Martin. China's previous surface-to-air missile systems, like the HQ-9 and HQ-22, focus on anti-aircraft missions. SS-UAV attack reconnaissance drone This massive jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can launch swarms of smaller drones for reconnaissance, electronic warfare and kinetic strike missions. Dubbed "Jiu Tian" ("High Sky" in English), the UAV has a maximum take-off weight of 16 tonnes, according to state media. China has demonstrated interest in drone swarm capabilities in the past -- in part because they can be extremely difficult to defend against. The country has regularly deployed UAVs in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and along contested border areas with India. Its WZ-7 high-altitude drone was also spotted near the Philippines in April. Su-57 stealth fighter In a signal of close China-Russia relations, Moscow has brought its most advanced "fifth generation" fighter jet to the Zhuhai airshow for its first overseas demonstration. The single-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter can reach Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) and carry a range of missiles, rockets and bombs. Russia may be hoping to drum up export interest in the fighter, which has struggled to bring in orders since it entered service in 2020. Early visitors to the airshow in Zhuhai criticised the Su-57's construction in videos posted on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, comparing it unfavourably to China's fighters. Multiple videos showed close-ups of gaps between the jet's bodywork panels and screws that don't sit flush. Several major French newspapers have initiated legal action against Elon Musk-led X for using their content without payment. The publications cited their ancillary rights which allow payment to news outlets by digital platforms for the distribution of their content. The revenue from these rights, with the investment that it would enable its beneficiaries to make, is a boost to the plurality, independence and quality of the media, which are essential for freedom of expression and the right to information in our democratic society, added a statement quoted by Reuters. Leading French publications including Le Figaro, Les Echos, Le Parisien, Le Monde, Courrier International, Huffington Post, and Le Nouvel Obs have launched joint action against the social media company. Others including wire agency AFP have also separately sued the social media platform run by US billionaire Elon Musk. A court hearing has been set for May 15 next year. The claimants have already asked for an emergency injunction against X which they accuse of not negotiating. Also Read | Elon Musk is sued over $1 million election giveaway French media groups accuse the site formerly known as Twitter of violating so-called neighbouring rights. This is due when social media platforms republish news content under a European directive adopted into French law. A Paris tribunal had agreed with the media companies on May 24 giving X two months to provide commercial data that would allow them to assess the income it earns from their content. The newspapers say that the social media site "has not yet complied" with this decision and demonstrated its continued intent to avoid its legal obligations. The Biden administration sidestepped its own 30-day deadline for Israel to provide significantly more humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip or face a weapons cutoff, saying only that some progress has been made. Israel has done enough to assuage US concerns but needs to do more, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said in a briefing Tuesday in Washington. We, at this time, have not made an assessment that the Israelis are in violation of US law, Patel told reporters. If we dont see steps being taken, we of course will appropriately enforce US law. The decision follows a warning from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a joint letter dated Oct. 13 to their Israeli counterparts of the increasingly dire situation in Gaza and giving Israel 30 days to improve the situation. The letter became public although it was intended to set down a private marker. The October letter emphasized that a US law requires countries receiving American weapons to facilitate and not arbitrarily deny, restrict, or otherwise impede humanitarian assistance provided or supported by the US. However, aid groups disputed the US findings of improved aid. On Tuesday, eight groups including Oxfam and Save the Children said Israel has failed to address the specific criteria laid out in the letter and that Israels actions actually have dramatically worsened the humanitarian situation. On Friday, a United Nations-affiliated famine review committee issued an alert warning of the imminent and substantial likelihood of famine due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip. It warned that action within days is required and that access to food is at critical levels and rapidly deteriorating. In their letter, Blinken and Austin called for Israel to allow a minimum of 350 trucks of aid into Gaza daily, enhance security for aid sites and the movement of humanitarian workers and end the isolation of north Gaza, among other actions. The Israelis have taken steps including reopening a crossing into Gaza, waiving certain onerous customs requirements for aid shipments and starting new delivery routes within Gaza, Patel said on Tuesday, adding that the Israeli government needed to do more. Only 404 trucks entered Gaza between Nov. 1 and Nov. 9, he added far fewer than the 350 per day called for in the US letter. No Pass I would not view it as giving them a pass, Patel said, when asked repeatedly how the US had determined the situation was improving when aid groups said it was getting worse. Under questioning, he said I dont want us to go down a rabbit hole of specific truck numbers. Blinken reviewed steps Israel has taken with the countrys Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on Monday, but stressed the importance of ensuring those changes lead to an actual improvement in the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the State Department said in a statement. Aid groups have accused the Israeli military of conducting an effective siege of northern Gaza in pursuit of Iran-backed militants, disrupting the distribution of food and medical supplies. Blinken and other US officials have repeatedly pressed Israel over disruptions to the supply of food, water and other supplies to Gaza since Hamas militants who govern the strip launched their attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which sparked the war thats now in its second year. Learning by doing is about the only way to master swimming, cycling or yoga, but does it apply to harnessing Indias Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code as well, particularly in the case of airlines? After Go Air, it is now Jet Airwayss turn to go into liquidation after an insolvency resolution process under IBC failed to sell the business as a going concern and recover a decent portion of the money owed to lenders. The rules under IBC arent ideal for dealing with airlines because of their unique business model, and India needs a customised legal and procedural regime to deal with such entities. After the Go Air resolution threatened to wreck Indias airlines ability to lease aircraft on anything but the most onerous terms, the government modified IBC rules to comply with Indias commitment under the Cape Town Convention and Protocol. This treaty cuts across differences in national juridical regimes on dealing with insolvency and bankruptcy to give lessors of aircraft engines, air frames and helicopters the right to hassle-free repossession of leased aircraft. Also read: Jet Airways' liquidation wasn't the ideal way out of insolvency India acceded to the treaty in 2008 and agreed to let its terms come into force the same year, but when IBC was framed in 2016, it did not specifically exempt aircraft from being frozen under the law. This left Go Airs lessors unable to repossess their leased aircraft. Under IBC, lessors are inferior to financial creditors in the hierarchy of claims over resolved assets. An insufficient tweak Under the revised IBC provisions, however, aircraft lessors who possess Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) can repossess aircraft from bankrupt airlines as these are not counted among the frozen assets. So far, so good. Lessors can now avoid a repeat of their experience with Goa Air. But this doesnt mean the resolution of defunct airline companies is smooth. Take the example of Jet Airways. The airlines insolvency resolution began in 2019, found a potential buyer in the Jalan Kalrock Consortium (JKC), and asked it to go ahead after it pledged to deposit 350 crore of its commitment of 4,793 crore to relaunch the airline. The airlines lenders are owed 7,500 crore, of which JKC said it would pay all of 475 crore. The consortium also promised to settle employees dues worth 226 crore and airport dues of 1,100 crore. Also read | Jet Airways failed take-off: An IBC let-down However, JKC failed to settle the dues, to deposit the 350 crore it had pledged, or even provide a bank guarantee for 150 crore as directed by the Supreme Court. This prompted the lenders to move the Supreme Court against the National Company Law Tribunals award of the airline to JKC. Given the shadow of suspicion over the source of funds that JKC would access and the consortiums total lack of experience in running an airline, the courts decision to abandon the resolution plan and move to liquidate the company is more than understandable. Lenders can hope to recover some money from the 11 aircraft and spares Jet Airways owned. It is not clear that the planes have been serviced or maintained during the prolonged resolution process, so their value may have eroded. Time is the enemy Clearly, bankruptcy resolutions of airline companies cannot be allowed to drag on for years, and new legal provisions are needed for speedy resolution of such cases. More to the point, banks need new rules for declaring an airline to be in default, different from the norm of a three-months delay in servicing a loan thats applied to other businesses. An airline is a capital-intensive business, but most of the capital needed is variable capital that can be sourced through loans. Lease expenses are variable capital, as are expenses on maintenance, repairs, overhaul, and the biggest operational expense fuel. Staff salary is also variable capital, as are airport charges. In fact, all the identifiable elements of airline costs general and administrative expenses, insurance, ticketing and promotions, passenger services, navigation charges and depreciation can be met by variable capital. Also read | Jet Airways liquidation: A wake-up call for Indias insolvency code In other words, an airline can operate with very little in equity and fixed assets, and lots of debt. A smart operator who understands the business can run an airline with very little risk capital, provided he can convince lenders to provide sufficient credit. The trick is to service the loans religiously. Salaries, rentals, lease payments, airport fees and other such charges and are paid monthly. Insurance premiums are paid annually. But revenue comes in daily from the sale of tickets. Of course, revenue is not uniform throughout the year, but years of data are available to determine the average for each season. A potential solution Is there any reason for airlines to not service their loans on a daily or a weekly basis seasonally adjusted, if necessary? Why should a loan to an airline not be declared non-performing if a payment is overdue for 14 or 21 days? These terms can vary depending on how much equity capital backs up the debt, with airlines that have a larger proportion of equity getting greater leeway in servicing loans. Such a system would catch non-performance early enough for lenders to remove the incumbent management and hand over the business to a new operator to minimise losses. This arrangement would not only ensure faster and smoother resolution of bankrupt airlines but increase the number of airlines as well. Also read | The Insolvency Codes progress: From deep haircuts to fuller recoveries Smart entrepreneurs whose chief asset is expertise in running an airline would be able to launch and operate airlines without having to first mobilise a whole lot of equity capital or offer substantial fixed assets as collateral. Banks could finance the business, knowing that they could swiftly retrieve their funds if the operation went belly up. The IBC norms and procedures for airlines ought to be revamped to incorporate this logic. The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka is reviewing a proposal to introduce a reservation for Muslims in public contracts for construction (civil) works valued up to 1 crore, according to media reports. If approved, this measure would raise Karnataka's quota in government tenders to 47 per cent. Karnataka's Existing Reservation Framework At present, Karnataka reserves 43 per cent of civil work contracts: 24 per cent for SC/STs, 4 per cent for OBC contractors under Category-1, and 15 per cent for Category-2A OBCs. Also Read | BJP ends Muslim quota in Karnataka; Amit Shah explains why The proposed inclusion of a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims under Category-2B would add to this structure, pushing the overall quota to 47 per cent. 4% Muslim Quota Proposal: Details and Clarifications Media reports emerged that the Congress administration was considering adding Muslims to the reservation ambit, stirring political and public discourse. The demand to add Muslims under Category-2B with a reservation of 4 per cent is being examined. No decision has been made yet, the reports cited people familiar with the development as saying. Hours after the reports surfaced, the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) clarified the situation, stating that while demands for such reservations had been received, there was currently no official proposal under consideration. Its true that there is a demand to provide reservation for Muslims in government contracts but there is no proposal before the government right now, the CMO confirmed. Background of 4% Muslim Quota Proposal Initial information suggested that the state government was exploring a reservation scheme for Muslims similar to those granted to SC and ST communities in civil contracts. A News18 report stated the possibility of tabling a bill related to this proposal during the winter session of the Karnataka Assembly. Political Reactions to the Proposal The proposal has sparked sharp responses, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). If Muslims are given this quota in Karnataka then whose share will be cut SC, ST or OBCs? BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya criticised the Siddaramaiah government, framing the move as a violation of constitutional principles. Siddaramaiah administration in Karnataka is evaluating a proposal to provide reservations to Muslims in public contracts for construction (civil) works. If Muslims are given this quota in Karnataka then whose share will be cut SC, ST or OBCs? Malviya questioned in a post on X. Also Read | Muslim quota in government jobs needs a rethink Malviya further noted, In Telangana, Muslims have been given 4% reservations, eating into the share meant for the socially backward communities. In Maharashtra, the Congress-led MVA has accepted Jinnah-like demands of the All India Ulema Board. It is all about Muslim votes for the Congress, in gross contempt of the Constitution, which precludes any religion-based reservation. Walk into the All Sages Bookstore in north-western Beijing, and you enter a different world. Not here the collections of speeches by Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, that greet visitors to state-owned bookshopsrows of covers with the same face, the same beneficent smile. The founder of All Sages, Liu Suli, served 20 months in prison for his role in the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. His shelves are filled with the works of free thinkers: economists and political scientists, historians and legal scholars. The potential market could be bigger than it was during the build-up to Tiananmen. Mr Liu says Chinas liberals are becoming ever more numerous. That view jars with the impression conveyed by another, far more conspicuous, trend: the rise of Chinese nationalism. In public forums online, it is usually hard to find liberal views. The internet is filled with the voices of West-hating cheerleaders for the regime who pounce on the few who dare to challenge them. The nationalists enjoy a wide-open field thanks to Mr Xis relentless efforts to silence liberals. In contrast with the 1980s, the intellectual landscape of China can seem drearily homogenous, sucked of vitality by a party re-energised and strengthened by Mr Xi. Yet liberalism is surprisingly resilient. In subtle ways, as Mr Liu believes, it may even be drawing more adherents. This is not to say that active dissent is spreading. Far from it. Mr Xis clampdown has made it all but impossible for anyone who persistently and openly criticises Chinas political system to remain free. With the help of high-tech surveillance and a massive domestic-security apparatus, the party appears in firm control. It is hard to imagine another Tiananmen. But liberals are not necessarily dissidents (nor are they necessarily left-leaning, as the label is often taken to mean). They may even support the party, seeing its collapse as a recipe for chaos. They are people who want more personal and economic freedom. They are supporters of individual rights, even when these clash with the governments wishes. They admire the values that Western democracies say they uphold, even if they see faults in the way the West works. Though not synonymous with dissent, liberalism can be a wellspring of it. Its influence explains why Mr Xi focuses so much on fighting it. On August 31st, as a new academic year got under way, the Communist Partys main theoretical journal, Qiushi, republished a speech given by Mr Xi in 2018. In it he warned of persistent efforts by the West, targeting young people, to foment a colour revolution" in China. The fight over young people is a long and severe battle," said Mr Xi. We cannot afford to lose, and we must not lose. We must stay vigilant!" Studies by scholars abroad provide some insights. The opinions of Chinese citizens are more diverse and liberal than one might expect", wrote Scott Kennedy and Ilaria Mazzocco of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies in 2022, citing data collected over several years by Jennifer Pan and Yiqing Xu of Stanford University. There are plenty of nationalists, but there is also a silent majority in favour of economic reform and political liberalism." In a review last year of such research, Sungmin Cho, then at the Asia Pacific Centre of Security Studies in Hawaii, said that while the majority of Chinese citizens welcomed the stability provided by party rule, their support of democratic norms and values has also increased over time". Some researchers are less sure. In China as Number One: The Emerging Values of a Rising Power", a multi-author work published this year, John James Kennedy of the University of Kansas wrote that a poll in 2018the latest in a series by an international project called the World Values Surveysuggested a more conservative trend" had emerged in Chinese views on issues such as gay rights, gender equality and respect for authority. Much has changed, however, since 2018. In the first two years of the pandemic, the party clearly enjoyed a surge of support as China successfully contained the spread of covid-19, while Western countries floundered. Chinas propagandists made hay of this, heaping scorn on the weakness of Western democracy. Many Chinese appeared to agree with the governments spin. But in 2022 the mood appeared to shift. Mr Xis determination to pursue his zero-covid strategy, despite the difficulty of containing the Omicron variant of the virus that swept the world that year, stirred anger among the millions of people who were forced to stay at home for days or weeks on end. For the first time since Mr Xi came to power a decade earlier, multi-city protests erupted. The demonstrations that November were small, but brave. Participants demanded an end to the lockdowns and also aired political grievances. They criticised censorship, holding up blank sheets of paper to make their point. Some called for the overthrow of Mr Xi and the party. If only briefly, the liberal wellspring gushed. The white-paper movement", as the protests came to be dubbed, revealed that Mr Xi was not wrong to worry about dissent. In the following weeks, police swung into action, tracking down those involved, warning many and detaining dozens. In this climate of fear, few liberals would dare to speak out. But conversations with young urban Chinese in several parts of China suggest that the white-paper movement was a big moment for liberals, and the countrys sudden, chaotic exit from zero-covidthought to have resulted in more than 1m deaths, mainly of elderly peoplewas a wake-up call for some supporters of Mr Xis brand of authoritarianism. Cynicism about the way China is run appears more widespread. That does not mean many now want an immediate end to one-party rule. But gloominess is palpable. It is being compounded by the economys lacklustre performance. In Beijing, Mr Lius bookshop is a rarity. Perhaps the authorities reckon that to close it would anger many and achieve little. The works of Isaiah Berlin, Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises (among Mr Lius bestsellers) can be found online and in libraries, after all. But look at the flow of young people to less oppressive cities in China, or abroad, and you can detect a liberal yearning. I think the covid restrictions triggered a lot of Chinese people to have that kind of thought: to emigrate to other countries," says Zhang Jinping (a pseudonym), who recently completed a master's degree in Beijing. We can see the leadership is not listening to its people." Digging for the truth For Ms Zhang the turning-point came in 2019, when pro-democracy protests engulfed Hong Kong. On the mainland, nationalist fury erupted against the demonstrators. The party portrayed them as CIA-backed separatists. Many young Chinese bought that line: internet censorship allowed no other to prevail. But Ms Zhang tunnelled through the great firewall" and found a different story. Her confidence in the government dropped from 100% to 80%, she says. The final months of zero-covid turned her into a far greater sceptic. I would say Chinese people have learned the hard way how the Chinese leadership is." Her faith in the party is now very low". The south-western city of Chengdu is a popular destination for young, liberal-minded Chinese who want to get away from the capitals suffocating politics. It is no nirvana for dissent. Outspoken critics of the party are still targeted by police. But there is a little more freedomin its cafes and counterculture of underground music; and in a laid-back lifestyle nurtured by a mild, subtropical climate that is a welcome respite from Beijings fierce extremes. Here there are several liberal-oriented bookshops. A shelf in one contains multiple copies of two translated works. The first is The Plague" by Albert Camus, published in 1947. It describes a city ravaged by disease in a way that seemed prescient about the horrors of zero-covid. The other is George Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four". In Chengdu it is easy to join small gatherings known as shalong (derived from salon"), at which people discuss books and current affairsthough not, as one shalong enthusiast points out, anything specifically related to lao da, or the big boss. (Even in Chengdu, few dare openly to criticise Mr Xi.) Organisers say such events are becoming more common. At one, about three dozen people, most of them in their 20s or 30s and many unknown to each other, assembled in a brightly lit exhibition space. They had been drawn by an announcement, circulated on WeChatChinas closely monitored equivalent of WhatsAppof a debate on the motion Israels war against Hamas has gone beyond the scope of self-defence". The discussion was calma far cry from the stampede in official media and online to portray the violence as a product of American meddling, ignoring Hamass atrocities. Neither side was declared the winner. As one organiser stressed, it was a victory for orderly discussion. Chinese dont have freedom of speech," says one participant. Its great to have this opportunity to speak." Beijing is more stifling, but liberal thinking is common in the capital, too. One striking sign of it is meetings of women, particularly the young and well-educated, to discuss problems related to their sex. Mr Xi has cracked down hard on feminist activism. Officials see it as a front for anti-party dissent. There has been barely any organised campaigning related to womens issues since 2015 when five high-profile activists were detained just before International Womens Day. In 2018, in response to the #MeToo movement, Chinese women took to the internet to air their own grievances. But the government has moved to silence them, too. In June a prominent #MeToo activist was sentenced to five years in prison for subversion. Online and offline, however, women still gather to encourage each other in their struggle against discrimination and abuse. Demand for feminist books shows how interest in this subject is surging. The works of Ueno Chizuko, an honorary professor at the University of Tokyo, are among the most popular. In 2019 she spoke to new students about gender inequality in higher education. She attacked expectations in Japan that girls be kawaii, or cute, and that women hide their academic achievement to avoid being seen by men as a threat. Amid a campaign by Mr Xi to promote conservative family values, emphasising the role of women as mothers, Ms Uenos speech struck a chord among Chinese women. It went viral on social media. A video of it has garnered more than 1m hits. Chinese publishers rushed to bring out translations of Ms Uenos books on feminism. More than 20 are now on sale. They have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. In recent years, feminist ideas have spread rapidly in China and have influenced many young people," says Jiang Xue, a Chinese journalist who left China in 2022 after harassment by state-security police. This inevitably includes thoughts about personal rights." As for campuses, much research by Chinese academics suggests that free-thinking attitudes remain attractive, at least to some. Of more than 1,400 students who were surveyed in 2019 at four universities in Henan province, more than 40% said they believed that liberalism was influential among students. The researcher, Cao Chong, said such thinking had undermined the mainstream values of college students and blurred the standards of morality and justice". In the 1980s the spread of liberalism at universities was in part encouraged by politics. Reformers in the leadership wanted China to move further away from Maoist totalitarianism by easing the partys grip on the media and academia. No such reformers are visible today. Mr Xi has silenced them. A journal that had their backing, Yanhuang Chunqiu, was ended in 2016. Amid soaring unemployment, property-market wobbles and a slowing economy, the police will be on heightened alert for unrest. Two American scholars, Scott Rozelle and Martin Whyte, have analysed data concerning attitudes towards inequality. They found that most people once believed a lack of ability explained why some people were poorer. Now they are more likely to blame the system. But dont expect them to demonstrate. Liberals see no end in sight to the clampdown. There is no sign that Mr Xi, who is 71, plans to step down. And whoever emerges as his successor is likely to share his anxiety about the partys possible collapse, should it relax its ideological grip. In the 1980s it was partly thanks to paralysis in the party, as reformers and hardliners squabbled, that demonstrations were able to grow. It is possible that, post-Xi, the party may experience such rifts again. If so, there could be another gushing of liberal-hued dissent onto the streets. But it could be a long wait. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com WASHINGTONPresident-elect Donald Trump is stocking his cabinet and White House staff with loyalists with deep congressional experience who back his agenda on immigration and foreign policymostly shunning establishment Republicans whom he blames for thwarting his first-term goals. In the clearest example yet, Trump has asked Rep. Mike Waltz (R., Fla.), a former Army Green Beret who shares the former presidents views on illegal immigration and skepticism of Americas support for Ukraine, to be his national security adviser, according to people familiar with the discussion. The job, which Trump has elevated to cabinet rank, doesnt require Senate confirmation. The president-elect is also expected to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio, (R., Fla.) to be secretary of state, according to people familiar with his thinking. Rubio has differed with Trump over the importance of alliances and favors confronting China and Iran but, like Trump, has called for ending the war in Ukraine. Trump hasnt signaled who he will pick as secretaries of defense and the treasury. Among the candidates for Treasury are hedge-fund manager Scott Bessent and billionaire investor John Paulson, both of whom publicly backed Trump during the campaign. Some of Trumps closest advisers are seeking to block candidates deemed insufficiently loyal for other top administration posts, fearing they could derail or slow roll his priorities. It wont be easy to achieve the unanimity that Trump and some advisers want. To ensure Senate confirmation he might be forced to turn to some candidates who are at odds with him in important respects. Disagreements between agencies and members of his team were rife in his first term and are likely to reappear, current and former officials said. Trump has also announced he will nominate Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), the first lawmaker to endorse his re-election bid, as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and has named immigration hard-liner Stephen Milleras deputy chief of staff for policy.Tom Homan, a champion of family separation, will be the new border czar." Former Republican lawmaker Lee Zeldinwas nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Trump announced Monday. His choice as White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is known for delivering candid advice but isnt confrontational and doesnt seek the spotlighttraits that have gotten other Trump insiders in trouble. The discipline she brought to the campaign earned her credit with Trump, say people close to the incoming president, who wanted to send a message about the disciplined operation he plans to lead this time. What Trump will look for in senior nominees in a second term is fealty. He wants yes men and yes women," said John Bolton, who was national security adviser during Trumps first term but is now one his most outspoken critics. View Full Image Former Republican lawmaker Lee Zeldin was nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Photo: Reuters Trump has rejected Mike Pompeo, who served as the Central Intelligence Agency chief and secretary of state in the first term but has been a strong supporter of U.S. assistance to Ukraine, and Nikki Haley, Trumps top presidential rival and former envoy to the U.N. who broke with him over support for NATO. I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country," Trump said Saturday in a social-media post, referring to Pompeo and Haley. Responding the following day, Donald Trump Jr. said in a social-media post he was working on keeping other job seekers who didnt share his fathers agenda out of the administration. Former top aides such as Robert OBrien, Trumps fourth and last national security adviser, are open to serving again but arent sure they will be asked to join the administration. The president has a great group of people to select his cabinet from. Im enthusiastic about the prospects for the country," OBrien said. If I remain in the private sector, which is likely, I will be cheering on the president and his team for huge successes." With more like-minded advisers, the hope is Trump can pursue his America First" agenda with fewer restraints, people who served on the Trump campaign said. But a team that shuns dissenting views also brings risks, according to former officials and analysts. View Full Image Trumps choice for White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is known for delivering candid advice but doesnt seek the spotlight. Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters Trump looks set on bringing in a team that prizes loyalty, which could instill some message discipline but also risks group think," said Richard Fontaine of the Center for a New American Security, a centrist Washington think tank. Trump doesnt make decisions in an orderly process, often announcing decisions without consulting advisers or via social media. Staffers during the first term often tried to walk back some of those decisions. Loyalists are more likely to carry out the order without providing alternative ideas or explaining the pitfalls of certain calls, analysts said. The president-elect has long said he would end American involvement in overseas wars, erect new trade barriers and force allies in Europe and Asia to share more in defense costs. During his first term, his advisers often pushed back against his more ambitious policies, occasionally convincing him to back off and other times slow-rolling his orders. Several generals he placed in top jobs at the Pentagon and White House because he saw them as able to get results often proved to be obstacles to some of his most far-reaching national security plans. Trump wanted U.S. forces out of Afghanistan, but it wasnt until February 2020 that the administration struck a deal with the Taliban to withdraw several thousand remaining troopsbut only after President Biden took office. View Full Image Mike Pompeo, who served as secretary of state in Trumps first term, has been a strong supporter of U.S. assistance to Ukraine. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images After Trump lost the 2020 election but before leaving office, he signed a directive pushed by loyalists and not seen by senior Pentagon leaders to remove all troops from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Germany, and across Africa. Trump eventually canceled the order but only after a conversation with OBrien, then his national security adviser, who said it hadnt gone through proper channels. Journalist Bob Woodward reported in his book Fear" thatGary Cohn, the chief economic adviser in the White House, stole a 2017 letter off the Resolute Desk that, if signed by Trump, could have ended a key free-trade deal with South Korea, a staunch ally. Trump denied that any aides took letters or other documents off his desk, even though Woodward reproduced the letter in his book. As he constructs his second-term cabinet, Trump is turning to Republicans whose views have moved toward his own. Rubio, for example, echoed Trump in a video statement posted on social media earlier this month, saying the Biden administrations military aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia was funding a stalemate" that needs to be brought to a conclusion." Unlike Trump, who has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a genius" and savvy" for the Ukraine invasion, Rubio said that seeking to end the war doesnt mean we celebrate what Vladimir Putin did or are excited about it. But there needs to be some common sense." Alex Leary and Brian Schwartz contributed to this article. Write to Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com PM Modi vs Congress on ATM Remark: As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, political tensions have escalated following Prime Minister Narendra Modis controversial statement accusing Congress of turning states into ATMs for the "Shahi Parivaar". Hitting back Mumbai Congress working president Charan Singh Sapra on Tuesday said, PM himself has taken the ATM onboard, he took Ajit Pawar with him against whom he levelled 70,000 Crores of corruption charges. Another ATM Narayan Rane is with him. Several ATMS are with the BJP. There is ATM of industrialists as well, be it Adani or Ambani. PM Modi Accuses Congress of exploiting Karnataka to Fund Maharashtra Poll campaign PM Modis comments specifically targeted Congress governance, alleging that Karnatakas government has siphoned 700 crore from liquor sellers to fund their campaign in Maharashtra. In the name of elections in Maharashtra, they (Congress) have looted 700 crore from liquor sellers in Karnataka. You can imagine the loot once they win the elections, Modi added, further stating that Congress-ruled states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana have become ATMs for their leadership. Congress and Allies Retaliate: Why can't PM initiate a probe? The Congress hit back, with senior leader Rashid Alvi questioning why PM Modi hasnt initiated any legal probes if corruption is indeed rampant. PM Modi is the Prime Minister of the country. If corruption is happening somewhere, law can do its job. Why can't PM initiate a probe as per the law if somebody is corrupt? Karnataka is not an ATM; BJP has made the whole country an ATM, Alvi said, accusing the BJP of prioritising the wealth of industrialist allies over the welfare of the people. Mumbai Congress working president Charan Singh Sapra joined the rebuttal, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy. PM Modi doesn't want to discuss the issues of Maharashtra or the people... PM wants to distract people, Sapra claimed. Shiv Sena (UBT) and Opposition Slam Politics of Convenience Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey also criticised PM Modis remarks, attributing them to desperation. Dubey pointed out the BJPs diminishing success, stating, It is not just the Prime Minister but the Home Minister and UP CM are also at it. They are restless. Ever since they won only 17 of the 48 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, they are desperate to regain trust. But the people of Maharashtra want a government under Maha Vikas Aghadi leadership. Dubey accused Modi of practicing politics of convenience and warned of the consequences. When you give ATMs to your industrialist friends, do you not say anything before people? They will face a crushing defeat on November 23, Dubey added. Maharashtra Elections: A Pre-Poll Crossfire PM Modi doesn't want to discuss the issues of Maharashtra or the people... PM wants to distract people. PM Modis ATM analogy and the oppositions sharp counterattacks have set the stage for a fierce battle in the run-up to the Maharashtra assembly elections on 20 November, with votes being counted on 23 November. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, composed of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), aims to wrest control from the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP and its partners. On November 11, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah undertook a sudden and last minute road trip from Srinagar to Jammu, after his flight was cancelled due to poor visibility. In Jammu, Abdullah resumed office from the Civil Secretariat, as part of an annual practice of shifting the administrative base to the Union Territory's winter capital -- Jammu. The deputy chief minister, cabinet ministers, chief secretary, administrative secretaries, and heads of departments also resumed their work from Jammu 300 kms from Srinagar. Until last week the Jammu and Kashmir government worked out of the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar the summer capital in Kashmir where the temperatures have dropped with season's first snowfall in upper reaches. Jammu, unlike Kashmir, doesn't face harsh winters. This was Abdullah's first visit to the civil secretariat in Jammu as chief minister since assuming office on October 16. The UT government had instructed bureaucrats to be present at the civil secretariat in Jammu from November 11. Also Read | Meet PhD scholar from Jammu and Kashmir who now sells juice in Anantnag Only the administrative secretaries and the top department heads will shift to Jammu from Srinagar, under what is being reffered to as a curtailed Darbar move. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said with the resumption of work from Jammu on Monday, half of the Darbar Move was accomplished. The Darbar Move Tradition Darbar Move' is a bi-annual practice in which the government functions for six months in the two capitals Srinagar and Jammu. The exercise involves shifting the government from Srinagar to Jammu during the winter months October to May and back to Srinagar in the summer, along with thousands of officials, workers, heaps of files and other logistics in hundreds of buses and trucks along the treacherous, and sometimes hazardous, Jammu-Srinagar highway. The 149-year-old tradition was ended by Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha- led administration in 2021. On June 20, 2021, the L-G administration completed the transition to e-office, thereby ending the practice of the biannual Durbar Move. Save 200 Cr a year Now both the Jammu and Srinagar secretariats can function normally for 12 months. This will save the government 200 crore per year, which will be used for the welfare of the deprived sections, the LG said then. Since then, employees based in Jammu had been working there throughout the year. The same arrangement applied to those in Srinagar. Only administrative secretaries and UT-level head of departments continue to rotate between the two cities as needed to ensure seamless delivery of services. Before the L-G's order, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had in May 2020, observed that there was no legal justification or Constitutional basis for the Darbar Move. A bench comprising chief justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal had said that the Darbar Move resulted in wastage of tremendous amount of time, efforts and energy on inefficient and unnecessary activity (say, packing of records). Since Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1872 The National Conference (NC) had promised resumption of Darbar Move in the run-up to assembly elections. Instituted by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1872, the Darbar Move aimed at facilitating governance in both Srinagar and Jammu during favourable weather during the summer and winter seasons in both cities. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A man has been jailed for eight months for his involvement in a violent hit and run shooting incident which occurred in a Longford housing estate nearly three years ago. Michael Jnr Ward (35), of 30 Palace Crescent, Longford, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing harm, failure to stop a vehicle in circumstances where the vehicle had caused injury, and failure to keep the vehicle at the scene of the occurrence of an injury. Two other men connected to the incident, Jamie Dinnegan (33), of 18 Grian Ard, Ardnacassa, Longford and Noel Ward (26), of 8 Spring Lawn, Longford pleaded guilty to a charge of affray earlier this year, shortly before a jury trial was due to commence, Dinnegan was subsequently jailed for 18-months and Noel Ward was handed a 14-month prison sentence last July. READ NEXT: Judge sends four Longford men to prison for 'terrorisation' of family and warns "feuding equals jail" During that hearing Judge Connolly requested a probation report be compiled on Michael Jnr Ward and he appeared for sentencing on Tuesday. Detective Sergeant Keelin Brennan told the court that, at 12.30pm on January 24, 2022, Gardai received reports that there were 20 to 30 members of the Keenan and Stokes families engaged in an altercation in Palace Crescent. Gardai called to the scene several times throughout the day in an attempt to diffuse the situation but, at 4.30pm, a number of 999 calls were received, reporting gunshots and suggesting a person was lying on the ground dead after being hit by a van. A number of Gardai, as well as members of the Armed Support Unit and the Roads Policing Unit arrived on the scene at 4.48pm and found Jamie Dinnegan was lying on the ground, wearing just a vest and boxers, with other people roaring and shouting in the area. READ NEXT: Proud Longford student Caleb among graduates at DkIT Conferring Mr Dinnegan had bruising to his face and scrapes on his leg and Gardai were informed that he was driven at by a white van that hit him. He was taken to Mullingar Hospital in an ambulance and informed Detective Garda Chris Murray in the back of the ambulance that hed been hit by Michael Jnr Ward. Two pieces of video footage were played for the court. In one video, a shot was heard, but Det Sgt Brennan told the court we believe three shots were fired. Another video showed a van cutting across the green from the side where the Keenan family resides, towards where the Stokes family lives, the court heard. Michael Ward is driving the van and Jamie Dinnegan is about to be struck. Noel Ward is in blue making good his escape away from the van, Det Sgt Brennan narrated, as the footage was played for the court. Jamie Dinnegan is thrown into the air and Noel Ward in the blue, at the end of the video runs over to pick something up and the van makes good it's escape down Ardnacassa Avenue. READ NEXT: Longford at home to Limerick in the opening round of the NFL There is a complex background to the feuding between the families, Det Sgt Brennan explained. There was an altercation on New Years Eve, where a member of the Keenan family refused to step into a photograph where there was a member of the Stokes family. That was taken as an insult, that the Keenans thought they were above the Stokes. There were tit-for-tat incidents in the lead-up to this incident, he said. He informed the court that the families are all intermarried and that there were suggestions of fist fights to settle the score but I dont believe that, to this day, it has been settled. There have been no incidents since, he added, though he noted a recent assault on one of the Keenans was on the periphery of this feud, but tensions would still be between the families. Michael Ward has a total of 60 previous convictions. In mitigation, Vincent Heneghan SC, for Michal Ward, said his client had been involved in a reckless act but asked the judge to account for the early guilty plea. Similarly, Brendan Grehan SC, for Jamie Dinnegan, accepted that the incident occurred out of the most trivial matter possible, but urged the court to consider the early plea of guilt. John Shortt SC, for Noel Ward, said the incident was almost Shakespearean, but whether this is a tragedy or a farce, its hard to say. Referring to Mr Shortts Shakespearean reference, Judge Connolly said the only parallels he could draw were the feuds between the Montagues and Capulets that went on for decades in Romeo and Juliet. Judge Connolly said previously it was utterly ridiculous for grown adults to be behaving that way and to place themselves in jeopardy of going to jail over some perceived family slight. Turning to sentencing on Tuesday, Judge Connolly he stated the probation report was "not good" and it painted a picture of a defendant who had previously been given community service orders but saw them as a 'soft sentencing option. "The report says he has an extremely poor insight into his offending and his culpability," Judge Connolly said. The judge noted how Mr Dinnegan sustained bruising to his legs, cut and face when he was struck by the van and it was a "miracle" he did not suffer greater injuries. "The background to this is quite difficult to understand. For firearms and a person to be run over as a consequence of a person not standing into a photograph is very childish and nonsensical," Judge Connolly added. He noted there were 136 witness statements and 83 exhibits gathered by Gardai and the guilty plea had saved the court a lot of time. Judge Connolly also heard Michael 'Jnr' Ward had completed voluntary work and he had a number of positive testimonials. He imposed a 15-month prison sentence for the careless driving causing harm offence with the final seven months suspended for two years on strict conditions that he engage with the Probation Service, be of good behavior and abide by a curfew upon his release. Judge Connolly imposed a four year disqualification from driving on Michael 'Jnr' Ward. Ward was also handed an additional 30-month prison sentence which is to run consecutively for a separate affray offence. As he was being led away to begin his lengthy prison stint of three years and two months. Ward shouted defiantly 'Peace Out' to his family as he was led away. A Canadian woman who tossed a message in a bottle into the sea 24 years ago has visited the West Mayo beach where it was discovered earlier this year. Lexi Ploc-Canning, a native of Ontario with Irish connections through her grandfather, has said she wants to move to Mayo after she visited local couple Aoife and Tom Bourke, who discovered her message in a bottle on Bertra Beach while out walking with their children. Ms Ploc-Canning threw the bottle into the Atlantic Ocean in Newfoundland when she was eight years old thinking that pirates were going to find it. I had forgotten about it for a very long time time and then shortly before they found the letter both my grandparents passed away and then I was remembering all the memories with them and thought about the letter and then it was a couple of weeks after I thought about the letter that it popped up here, Ms Ploc-Canning told The Mayo News. Lexi Ploc-Canning pictured in Newfoundland aged eight Though water-damaged, the message in the bottle was legible enough to show Ms Ploc-Cannings name. The couple then connected with her through Instagram, and eventually, Ms Ploc-Canning organised a trip to the very beach where her bottle was discovered. She said she was very shocked when the Bourkes made contact saying they had discovered it 24 years after she tossed it into the ocean. I had been staying in Costa Rica for a while and I was just leaving and it was a very magical place that I was staying in, she said. Then I get this message and it the reminder that I needed in that moment that magic is everywhere, no matter where I go, that its always going to happen, that its always present. An avid animal enthusiast, Ms Ploc-Canning, was very taken by the scenery in West Mayo before returning home to Canada last Thursday. I love it, its probably one of my favourite places that Ive been. The land is beautiful, the people are amazing, the culture and all of it, she said. I could not even have imagined it in my wildest dreams. The fact that Im here and the letter is here is so surreal. Though she will remain in Canada for the foreseeable future, Ms Ploc-Canning is already dreaming of one day opening a farm centre in West Mayo. I need to think about it all and look into all of that. I have been looking at getting a VISA too to come here for years and see really if I like it before I decide to do something like that, she said. The fully suspended sentence handed down to the "determined and organised" admin of a child abuse messaging group who was caught with hundreds of images and videos after an FBI tip-off was too lenient, the State has argued. Anthony Ryan with an address at Macoyle Upper, Inch, Gorey, Co Wexford, deserved an "immediate custodial sentence", lawyers for the Director of Public Prosecutions told the court on Monday. Ryan had pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography on September 22, 2020. He was sentenced to three years in prison suspended for a period of four years by Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Court on March 20, 2024. The court heard Ryans home was searched following a tip-off from the FBI after an undercover agent infiltrated messenger groups and alerted authorities. A large number of images and videos were found on Ryans personal mobile phone and further material was retrieved from the Kik messaging application. The combined examinations revealed 575 items, including 326 images of young girls - the majority of whom were under the age of 12 exposing themselves and 159 videos of young boys and girls engaged in sexually explicit activity. At the Court of Appeal today, Patricia McLaughlin SC, for the DPP, contended this was a case that called for an immediate custodial sentence. She argued the nature of the material involved, the methodology around acquiring and distributing these images and videos and the level of activism of the respondent on particular chat threads merited a higher headline sentence. Counsel referenced the nature and content of the material involved - including children under the age of eight engaged in oral sex with both adults and children - and the young age of the children which she said was a relevant consideration. She said Ryan effectively used the tools of the internet to assist his offending, not only by registering on Kik but also signing up to Dropbox and other sites to store the images so that they were readily available to him. Ms McLaughlin asserted there was a difference between someone who is drawn unwittingly into viewing this material and someone who does it in a determined, organised and premeditated way. The barrister acknowledged that the sentencing judge had referenced the relevant aggravating circumstances in his judgement but submitted he had given them insufficient weight. Michael OHiggins SC, representing Ryan, argued the sentence imposed had not been unduly lenient and said there was very strong mitigation in this case. He said there had been instant co-operation with gardai, Ryan had supplied his pin number to access the phone and there had been an early plea of guilty. He said this was a case which was on the line where there was some very depraved conduct with regard to establishing the facts of the case but on the other hand there was very significant mitigation. Counsel described Ryans offending as an affliction and compulsive behaviour. Theres no justification here, its rationalisation, he said. Mr OHiggins said the respondent had seen the death of both his father and a teenage daughter and this had led him into a very dark place but when the knock comes at the door the turning around could not have been any quicker. He said his client had immediately engaged with child abuse support service One in Four. He said Ryan recognised he was in the throes of this affliction and took every single step to stabilise it, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the three-judge court said would reserve judgement in the case. Detective Garda Jacinta Gordon told the sentencing hearing that gardai searched Ryans home following a tip-off from the FBI in Winnebago, Illinois in relation Kik Messenger accounts associated with email addresses linked to the respondent. The court heard Kik Messenger is a messaging platform with similar functions to Whatsapp and Viber permitting group chats of up to 50 people. The platform also facilitates the sharing of pictures, videos and links between participants. Several electronic devices were seized from Ryans home and a large quantity of images and videos were found on his personal mobile phone. The respondent was present during the execution of the warrant and cooperated by providing all devices and PIN codes to the gardai. The mobile phone was examined in December 2021 and material was extracted using Cellebrite software with further material from the contents of the Kik application retrieved manually using the screenshot function. The combined examinations revealed 575 items, including 326 images of girls, the majority of whom were under the age of 12, with the genital region exposed and 67 images of young girls engaged in or subjected to sexually explicit activity. Gardai also found 23 videos depicting both boys and girls, mostly under the age of 12, with the genital region exposed and 159 videos of young boys and girls engaged in sexually explicit activity. In addition to the material in Ryans possession on Kik, there was also evidence of the distribution by him of images and videos of child pornography on those chat threads. In total he shared 42 images. The court heard that Ryan actively engaged in commenting on images shared by others. When interviewed, he admitted that he was a group administrator of a Kik Messenger group which shared child sexual abuse images. Bill and Will unpack the implications of Trumps win on the foreign and national security policies, particularly as they related to Ukraine, Israel, and Iran. They also analyze the second Trump administrations potential strategies for addressing burden sharing amongst NATO members, the ongoing jihadist threat, and the challenges posed by China and North Korea. Powered by RedCircle Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Download Image: Web Joining the ranks of Pennsylvania research institutions including Carnegie Mellon and Lehigh University, Lycoming College today announced it is the recipient of a five-year NASA Space Grant award that will enable the institution to host 15 astronomy research interns over its duration. The College is committing to this on-campus, NASA-funded research by matching the award for a total investment of $70,000 in astronomy student research opportunities. Initiated in 1989 by NASA, the National Space Grant program is a network of colleges and universities that work to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASAs aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing science and engineering education, research, and public outreach. Thanks to the NASA Space Grant, we are able to engage students in research very early in their careers, which will be transformative to their college experience. The grant will help fund the Lycoming College FUSION program, which is dedicated to involving first-year astronomy and physics students in faculty-led research a rare find on college campuses. Every summer the FUSION program selects two first-year student researchers who show an aptitude for, and high interest in astronomy research, as well as a third student researcher, who is typically an upper-class student, to assist faculty in guiding and managing research projects while also conducting their own faculty-led research. FUSION research students have the option to live in Lycoming residence halls during the six-week paid internship and enjoy spending time in Williamsport outside of the academic year when classes are not in session. Thanks to the NASA Space Grant, we are able to engage students in research very early in their careers, which will be transformative to their college experience, said Melissa Morris, assistant professor of astronomy and physics at Lycoming College. Not only will they gain first-hand experience of what the actual scientific research process looks like, they will also gain knowledge and skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their careers, both at and beyond Lycoming College. The national research internship landscape is so competitive for undergraduates that giving them experiences early on can only enhance their chances of securing a prestigious REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) later, said Emily Wilson, assistant professor of astrophysics at Lycoming College. We hope this funding for our FUSION program allows students to learn about the research process and scientific method in a very hands-on way early in their careers. The internship will also help students build different skillsets and knowledge bases that will help them in future courses. The Astrophysics program at Lycoming College enables students to learn about the mysteries of the cosmos with small class sizes, individualized attention, and access to scientific equipment as early as their first year on campus. Graduates of the program often pursue careers in aerospace, research observatories, and museums, or become analysts, atmospheric physicists, or computer system analysts. More information is available at https://www.lycoming.edu/astrophysics/. Whenever Apple drops a new product, certain netizens rush to online corners like Reddit, Threads, and X to complain about the latest design choices. The case with the new Mac mini is no different. Despite the device featuring a competitively miniature, sleek build, many loud critics have fixated on the repositioned power button that now lives on its bottom side. Its classic Appledesign something gorgeous and impressive but all everyone wants to talk about is one head-scratching decision. Im here to tell you that these complaints are completely baseless. Let me explain. Hidden by design Believe it or not, the power button is mostly useless on modern Macs. Yes, you do need it to power it on when you first unbox it. However, if youre operating your computer correctly, youll rarely have to rely on it beyond that point. Unlike older PCs or machines from other brands, youre supposed to keep your Mac powered on at all times. Newer versions of macOS running on Apples M-series chipsets are extremely efficient, and they arent designed to be shut down daily or even regularly. No matter what you do with your Mac mini, you dont need to turn it off very often. Apple I keep my MacBook Air M2 powered on overnight, and its battery percentage pretty much never drops in hibernation. macOS automatically puts all unnecessary tasks to sleep, ensuring that no intensive background activities drain its energy when not in use, and Apple silicon is extremely efficient. So, leaving your Mac on all night wont meaningfully increase your electricity bill or make your Mac wear down any faster. If your Mac mini M4 acts up or lags for whatever reason, then thats what the (software) restart option in the top-left Apple menu is for. Unless your computer completely freezesand this shouldnt occur routinely on M4 Macsyou wont need to push the bottom button. Beyond the loud critics, a group of creative minds has risen to solve this mind-boggling issue. Because reaching underneath your Mac mini once in a while is obviously a horribly inconvenient task, theyve engineered an ingenious accessory that clicks it on your behalf. The 3D-printed add-on acts as an extension to the power button, allowing you to push it by applying pressure on your Macs top surface. It wouldve been great if one needed to push that button on a daily basis, but thats not the case. So, the end result is a cheap-looking piece of junk resting on a premium, aesthetically pleasing box of smartsin an almost insulting manner. While I understand that a majority of those users are doing it as a joke, Im confident there are a few folks out there who will be tarnishing their beautiful Mac minis with a 3D-printed accessory unironically. The power button on the Mac mini M4 serves a similar purpose to the hidden reset buttons found on countless gadgetstypically concealed behind a tiny pinhole. Fortunately, on your Mac, you wont need a paper clip to press it, just a mild inconvenient lift. Leave the Magic Mouse alone too Ever since Apple introduced the Magic Mouse 2 in 2015, people have similarly been attacking its bottom-positioned charging port. And since the iPhone maker didnt overhaul its design with the latest USB-C upgrade, the tired memes have resurfaced. Well, Im here to courageously declare that theres absolutely nothing wrong with how the Magic Mouse charges. Its time to stop the Magic Mouse charging port hate. Apple While, yes, you obviously cant use the Magic Mouse while its charging, most people dont seem to be aware of how rapidly it tops up its battery. Plugging it in for just a few minutes can get you 8-9 hours of use. So, even if you somehow miss the low battery alerts, it can get you through a workday while you prepare your coffee. Meanwhile, a full chargewhich only takes around two hourscan get you around a month of use. No matter how hardworking you are, Im pretty sure you can spare a couple of hours every couple of weeks. The Apple Watch is similarly useless when its charging, yet we dont hear anyone complain about that. Not all gadgets are designed for continuous use. The Magic Mouse follows Apples modern, elegant design language and isnt marketed or meant to be the most practical or ergonomic option. Fortunately, macOS supports thousands of third-party mice with distinct designs and functionalities that cater to all expectations and needs. So, you wont ever have to witness a Magic Mouse charging with an exposed belly if it bothers you so much. These quibbles are wearing thin In an interview posted this week to Chinese video-sharing site Bilibili, Apple VPs Greg Joswiak and John Ternus blamed the power button fiasco on the Mac minis size and defended the placement as being in the most convenient position. Its not just corporate speakthe Magic Mouse and M4 Mac mini criticisms are mostly coming from either ignorant users or those who have never laid their hands on them. Had they known how these devices operate, their entire arguments would crumble before their eyes. The Mac mini should be celebrated, not picked apart. Apple Yes, the Mac minis power button is placed in an unintuitive spot. But once you realize that you dont actually need to press it every day, its placement starts to make sense. Similarly, the Magic Mouse may look meme-able while it charges on its back. However, taking its long battery life and swift charging into consideration justifies this design choice. And of course, both products look cleaner because they hide these imperfections on their concealed sides. Apple is far from perfect. But instead of obsessing over trivial details, lets focus our collective feedback on more impactful flaws that we think the company should addresslike why doesnt the Mac mini come in Space Black? Daniel Lopez lost his main mode of transportation to work, so his work family decided to help him out. He will no longer have to walk two hours to start his shift after his McDonalds coworkers surprised him with a new bicycle Tuesday morning. Lopez lives in Brighton near St. Elizabeths Medical Center but works at McDonalds at 463 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge. He has worked there for 10 years. While Lopez normally rides his bike to work, it was stolen 2 to 3 months ago while Lopez was on his way home. He fell on the sidewalk and somebody stole his bike, Carol Chin, owner of the McDonalds, told reporters at the restaurant on Tuesday. Its very sad. Not only did the incident put Lopez in the hospital for more than a month, but it also forced him to walk roughly two hours to work once he recovered. Lopezs only option was walking, as his shift starts at 5 a.m., and there is no public transportation available before that time. He also didnt want to change his work hours, so Lopez braved the walk each morning to keep his schedule and stay with his team. He would ride the bus to get home after his shift. Once the crew heard about this, they all chipped in to buy Lopez a new bike. I wasnt expecting it at all and Im very happy, very surprised, Lopez, who speaks Spanish, told MassLive through a translator. Im very grateful and want to thank them for everything they did to get money together to help me out. @masslivenews A McDonalds employee no longer has to walk two hours to get to work after his co-workers surprised him with a new bike Go to MassLive.com for the heartwarming story! #masslive #mcdonalds original sound - MassLive News Lopez does a little bit of everything at McDonalds, from maintenance and cleaning to working in the kitchen. Lopez, whose entire family is in Guatemala, came to Massachusetts for a better life and found solace at his job. His McDonalds colleagues have become more than just his coworkers. We all love him. He loves the entire staff, Chin said. We love each other. We are part of a big family. To make his surprise extra sweet, the crew also celebrated Lopezs birthday on Tuesday. They brought out a cake and other goodies to celebrate his special day. The people here are really good to me and I want to return that back to them, said Lopez, who is very excited about not having to walk to work anymore. A lottery player won $50,000 playing Powerball in Massachusetts on Monday. The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Nov. 11 were 3, 21, 24, 34, 46 and Powerball: 9. The multiplier was a 3X. The $50,000 ticket sold in Massachusetts matched four of the first five numbers, and the Powerball number. It was sold in Waltham at a 7-Eleven. Overall, at least 200 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Monday, including eight in Springfield, seven in Worcester and 20 in Boston. The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600. So far, the largest lottery prize won in Massachusetts this year was worth $1 million a year for life. The prize was from the lotterys Lifetime Millions scratch ticket game. The winner claimed their prize through a trust on July 10, and opted to receive a one-time payment of $15.4 million. Several ground cinnamon products are being pulled from shelves nationwide due to elevated levels of lead. The Food and Drug Administration is issuing a second expansion for the recall, which was initially posted in July, to include an eleventh brand. Affected products were sold across seven states: Connecticut, New York, California, Virginia, Maryland, Missouri and Arkansas. State of sale Retailer Brand name Lead concentration (ppm) Lot Code Connecticut Eurogrocery Compania Indillor Orientale 2.23 Exp.: 08/2024 L1803231 Connecticut Eurogrocery ALB Flavor 3.93 Exp.: 08/30/2025 LA02 Connecticut Patel Brothers SWAD 2.89 Exp.: 10/2026 KX28223 New York Premium Supermarket Shahzada 2.03 Unlisted New York Fish World Spice Class 2.04 Exp.: 12/2026 New York Frutas Y Abarrotes Mexico, Inc. La Frontera 2.66 Unlisted Maryland El Torito Market El Chilar 3.75 7.01 Exp.: 06/24 D181 Exp.: 02/2025 E054 Missouri A&Y Global Market Columbia, Asli 2.32 Exp.: unlisted DDDLUS Missouri Save-A-Lot Food Stores, Ltd. Marcum 2.22 2.14 Exp.: 12/05/2025 D8 Virginia Save-A-Lot Food Stores, Ltd. Marcum 2.22 2.14 Exp.: 12/05/2025 12D11 California Dollar Tree Supreme Tradition 2.37 Exp.: 10/06/25 10A11 The FDA warns consumers that these products may be unsafe, and urges people to throw them away. These products have a long shelf life, the administration wrote in a statement. Consumers should check their homes and discard these products immediately. No incidents of illness have been reported related to this recall as of Nov. 12. The administration said it continues to analyze cinnamon and review products for high levels of lead concentration. Most people have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure, according to the FDA, but side effects vary based on factors like age and lead concentration level. Very young children are more vulnerable to lead poisoning effects because of their smaller body sizes, rapid metabolisms and growth. High levels of lead exposure in utero, infancy and early childhood can lead to neurological effects like learning disabilities and lower IQ. Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday urged Massachusetts residents to just use common sense in conserving water and not fuel the growing wildfire risk, as winds and severe drought conditions do just that. Healey spoke to reporters in Middleton, in Essex County, flanked by environmental and fire officials, about the state of wildfires across Massachusetts. Last month saw a 1,200% increase in wildfires across the state. Instead of the average 15 typically seen in October, Healey said there were 280. November has already seen a tenfold increase in wildfires than what is the average, Healey said. November has so far seen 261 wildfires break out, Dave Celino, chief fire warden of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, said. That just speaks to the severity of this moment, how extreme the situation is and the incredible work that these men and women have been having to do for days now to work to keep our communities safe, Healey told reporters. Three Massachusetts firefighters have been injured, along with a New York firefighter who was killed battling wildfires in the Empire State, Healey said. Im also here today to speak directly to the public, she continued. To let the public know that a lot of these fires that were seeing theyre caused by human behavior, OK? Now is not the time to burn leaves. Now is not the time to go outside and light a fire out back and sit around one of our stoves. Its just not that time." She urged Massachusetts residents to also conserve water as drought conditions across the state worsen. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs announced last week that Western Massachusetts is under a significant drought, while most of Central and Eastern Massachusetts, except for Cape Cod, is in a critical drought. It means, Im asking the public, to conserve water at this time because we need it to fight fires, Healey said. Its really important that people do things like run their dishwasher less frequently, make sure youre running your washing machine only at full capacity. Take shorter showers. High wind gusts have also fueled fires, with the National Weather Service warning of 35 mph wind gusts in each of their Red Flag Warnings. Healey reiterated this warning, and that any outdoor fire is likely to spread and spread quickly and be very difficult to extinguish. Current weather conditions, as you can see, Healey said as winds blew back her hair, present a very challenging situation, and we continue to face severe wildfire risk in Massachusetts. Along with the ban on outdoor fires, Healey urged residents to please everybody, just use common sense and dont contribute to creating risks. No fire pits, no charcoal grilling, no burning leaves, nothing that can send sparks right now. Lets do it, lets work to make [firefighters] job less difficult. State Fire Marshal Jon Davine commended firefighters for their work in an unprecedented fire season. If you see smoke or fire nearby, call 911 right away, Davine said. The sooner we hear about a fire, the sooner we have a chance of containing it. Celino warned of fatigue among fire officials and firefighters as they keep up with the growing wildfires. All of the fires have been manmade, theres been no lightning systems in the area in October and November, and thats the natural cause of wildfires, he said. If you leave a campfire unattended, there is no doubt that under these conditions it will escape, its going to affect your town firefighters and the state resources that you see here, Celino said. A Department of Youth Services corrections officers became trapped in his truck on Friday after a group of people began jumping on it and banging on the windows, according to the Boston Police Department. The corrections officer was leaving work when he was blocked by multiple vehicles. One of the cars side swiped his truck and tried to drive away, according to police. Then the group of people began to surround his truck and bash on the windows. By the time additional officers arrived to help, Canterbury Street had about 100 vehicles blocking it. Officers had to run down the street to help the officers. The group dispersed as the other officers arrived and the corrections officer was not injured, police said. Boston police officers saw one of the people who they believed was involved in the incident get into a car that didnt have a front license plate. When officers asked for his license and registration, he drove away, almost hitting the officers, police said. But due to heavy traffic, officers were able to continue to follow the car on foot. The person continued to refuse to get out of the car and reached towards a bag near the center console. Officers drew their department issued firearms and ordered the suspect and passengers to not move, a press release from the police department states. All those in the car were then removed and handcuffed. Police said they found a gun, three different license plates and three different key fobs. Another car had been backed into bushes. When officers asked for their identification, they provided fake names. Officers removed all the people from the car and found another gun. They also discovered the car was stolen and that it had two stolen license plates. Alan Ridenour, 19, of Marlboro, Mario Florian, 19, of Ashland, and Geraldo Colon, 21, of Framingham were arrested and face charges after the incident. All three people are expected to be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court. CHICOPEE Does the city have an Americans with Disabilities Act compliance officer and perform ADA audits on municipal buildings? Depends upon whom you ask. A city councilor and the Disability Commission say no, as theyre working to make City Hall and other municipal buildings more accessible, to possibly hire an Americans with Disabilities Act compliance officer and to find a vendor to conduct citywide audits. Meanwhile, the mayors office contends that those measures and position already exist. At a City Council meeting last Thursday, Mary Beth Pniak-Costello, Ward 9 councilor, brought up the need for audits and the compliance post. Many residents have expressed their concerns to me about ADA compliance in public buildings, including the Chicopee Housing Authority, schools and playgrounds , and other city buildings," she told a reporter Monday. Its important taxpayers get their moneys worth. The city routinely performs audits of city buildings and programs through its Occupational Safety and Health Administration officer, according to Mayor John Vieau s office. Also, the City Hall building will become more accessible for people with disabilities in the second phase of its remodel, including a revamp of its chair lift. Additionally, ADA compliance is included in the human resources directors role, according to the mayors office. But, after two investigations into Chicopees most recent human resources director, Stephen Zajchowski, the city is on the hunt for a new director of its troubled HR department. Last year, the department faced criticism after city officials discovered it continued to pay health insurance premiums for employees and retirees after they quit or died. At last weeks City Council meeting, Mike Pise, the mayors chief of staff, requested that $100,000 be used to hire a consultant to review the HR department. Pniak-Costello said, while the HR director is also in charge of ADA compliance, the director is not required to be certified as a compliance officer. The Commission on Disability will discuss the possibility of an audit and whether it should be required for Chicopees HR director to be certified, she said. It will be on the agenda at the boards upcoming meeting on Nov. 25. Certification lasts three years. Amy Partlow, the chair of the citys Commission on Disability, said Tuesday afternoon that the commission is amid discussions about whether the city should hire an ADA compliance officer and is looking at vendors to perform the audit. We are in the beginning stages of this process, said Partlow, explaining that every member of the Disability Commission is a volunteer ADA compliance officer. Wed have to speak with the mayors office about next steps. HADLEY Specialty grocery chain Trader Joes retaliated against its unionized workers by denying them the same retirement benefits as its non-union shops, according to a recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board. The decision came down on Nov. 8, issued by an administrative law judge. It held that Trader Joes used coercive threats against workers who wore union pins. The ruling applies to stores in Hadley and Minneapolis, Minnesota. If I told you that our state runs the only program in the country that targets hunger and health, by making fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers accessible to families on SNAP, you might feel proud of that fact. And if I shared that this Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) is championed by the House, Senate and the governor, across both political parties, because of its tremendous success in addressing many issues, you might feel the glow of the shared values of commerce and community. But this budget year, the administration requested $25 million to continue the $40 of local produce per month for the smallest households. The Legislature only allocated $15 million. So, the administration announced draconian cuts of at least 50% for every household that uses HIP, starting Dec. 1. SPRINGFIELD In 1968, Jim Bousquet walked into a building on State Street, responding to a notice that drafted him into the U.S. Army and sent him to fight in Vietnam. The Easthampton resident returned pretty much to the same spot on Monday to watch the citys Veterans Day Parade, while people thanked him for the job he did 56 years ago. He was just finishing his degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, when he was drafted and in basic training before his graduation ceremony. Bousquet said he remembers his father driving him to the airport to head to Vietnam: It was Thanksgiving Day, and his brothers joked that his departure meant more turkey for them. He called himself lucky. Bousquet said he spent eight months in Vietnam, when Nixon started withdrawing troops. His unit was one of the early ones. He then spent nine months in Hawaii. We went from the outhouse to the poolhouse, Bousquet said. For a long time, he said, returning veterans were pretty much ignored. I didnt tell anyone I was in Vietnam unless I was asked, Bousquet said. They didnt pay attention to us for 30 years, until 9/11. That was just the way it was. Bousquet, who grew up in Pine Point, said most communities hold some type of Veterans Day event, and he started attending the parade in his hometown a few years ago, just to mix it up. He drove to the Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Agawam earlier that day to visit the graves of his brother, a Coast Guard veteran who died around 10 years ago, and a friend who died four years ago. The 11 a.m. parade traveled from Springfield Technical Community College down State Street and ended at City Hall. Junior ROTC corps from Central High, High School of Commerce and High School of Science and Technology all participated and joined together to formally display the flags. Veterans ended the ceremony by placing wreaths at the Memorial for Vietnam Veterans, since the remaining memorials are blocked because of construction. Junior ROTC students from three Springfield high schools display the flags during the city's Veterans Day Parade on Monday. (Jeanette DeForge / The Republican)republican While it is important to say thank you, Mayoral Chief of Staff William Baker and state Sen. Adam Gomez, who spoke on behalf of all the citys state legislators, also talked about ways to help veterans through the newly passed state HERO Act, which boosts tax exemptions for disabled veterans. The City Council is currently working to opt into the act, which will double the real estate tax break disabled veterans receive on their homes and simplifies the process to exempt them from excise taxes on a vehicle. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has said he also will support it. Veterans Service Agent Joseph DeCaro urged all disabled veterans to reach out to him or the citys assessors to apply for those tax breaks. DeCaro and Baker also announced that the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee and the city are working together to add a monument on Veterans Way to honor the veterans from the global war on terror, which includes the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Parks Department and others have approved the plan, and the agency is preparing for a fundraising campaign to pay for the monument, Baker said. Every year as part of Veterans Day, the city names a parade marshal and a veteran of the year to recognize two veterans who have contributed to Springfield and their country. Toni Hendrix is the fourth woman in 38 years to be named Veteran of the Year, while Matthew Ferri, a longtime volunteer and senior compliance project manager for the city, served as parade marshal. It is special to be a woman veteran. As a woman, we have to work twice as hard, we have to run twice as fast, and we have to be true to ourselves, said Hendrix, vice president of human resources for Behavioral Health Network, who served in the U.S. Army for seven years. She volunteers, especially supporting female veterans. Ferri spent 13 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, and is known for his volunteerism, not only with formal groups but informally helping his neighbors and city residents. Today is about you, the American citizen, Ferri said. It is about the mom, dad, brothers and sisters. It is the fabric of our family that makes up this great nation. Common Council Member Zeneta Everhart grew up on the East Side and knows firsthand what its like to have limited access to fresh, healthy food. The issue of food access is personal to her. This is really the development of our children and our babies and of our future. Our future is based upon whether or not our children have food to eat, Everhart said. Thats why Everhart was at the side of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand at the Delavan-Grider Community Center in January as the senator announced her plan to increase funding for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative and use some of the funding to build more grocery stores on Buffalos East Side. Gillibrand is working on securing up to $50 million in funding that would help incentivize grocery stores to open in underserved areas. Her office says she is in conversation with nonprofits and private grocer chains. Gov. Kathy Hochul also pledged $10 million to develop and upgrade supermarkets, food co-ops, farm stands and food stores in underserved areas throughout the state. The application period is open through Nov. 22. The lack of supermarkets and the attendant lack of healthy food in stores in certain parts of communities has come to be known as food deserts. It has been an issue on the East Side for years but became more widely known to the community at large following the May 14, 2022, racist massacre at Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue. The shooting forced the stores closing for two months and removed one of the only options for people looking for healthy food options. Everhart believes it is crucial to the development of a whole community to incentivize bigger grocers to build stores on the East Side. When you start building economic development in a community, other businesses follow automatically, and then housing follows, and you know, all these different things start to stack on top of each other, Everhart said. Its about the government saying, Look, we are at the table on this food access issue, and we want our grocers to be at the table. If were willing to invest, we want our businesses to also invest. The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) is funded through the federal Farm Bill. Gillibrand is trying to double its funding to $50 million in the current Farm Bill, which has not yet been passed. HFFI funding can be used to financially incentivize new grocery stores to open, as well as help existing stores expand or renovate, and fund programs that improve healthy food options at food stores. Hochuls Food Access Expansion Grant Program has a similar goal: to fund the development and expansion of food retail. Both programs are meant to help businesses overcome the barriers in starting or expanding a grocery store. Do financial incentives work? Theres local precedent for financially incentivizing grocery stores to open in food deserts, or what some food access leaders call food apartheid. When Tops Markets opened its Jefferson Avenue and Niagara Street locations in the early 2000s, it received $5.2 million in loans and grants from the city of Buffalo, Empire State Development Corp. and the federal Enterprise Community Zone program, which was a federal program aimed at revitalizing underserved communities, The Buffalo News reported at the time. More recently, a food cooperative with plans to build a $4.8 million market at 238 Carlton St. in the Fruit Belt received the majority of its funding from governmental incentives. The African Heritage Food Co-op was given $3 million from Hochul and Empire State Development, as well as $120,000 from HFFI and $1.5 million from historic tax credits. Braymiller Market, an independent grocery store with one other location in Hamburg, opened in 2021 to fill a gap in downtown Buffalo, where it is the only grocery store for a couple of miles. It received tax incentives from Erie County, as well as a $561,000 forgivable loan from the city of Buffalo last year as it struggled to survive. Financial incentives arent a perfect solution. Grocery stores still struggle to make it, even when they receive financial help. A ProPublica investigation published in August reported that many grocery stores that open in food deserts struggle to thrive, despite financial support from government programs. ProPublica found that five out of 24 stores helped by the Healthy Food Financing Initiative in 2020 and 2021 had already closed, while six had yet to open for lack of funding or site selection. Independent grocery stores struggled to keep their prices competitively low compared to national chains, according to ProPublica. If prices arent competitive, its difficult to entice new customers to change their previous shopping habits, ProPublica reported. Braymiller Market, for example, changed its food offerings since opening. Owner Stuart Green switched from selling more expensive national brands to affordable generic brands. Upfront funding to help with a grocery stores startup costs is necessary but not sufficient, according to Charles Lindsey, associate professor of marketing at the University at Buffalo. On a macro level, independent stores need help competing with the prices of large grocery chains who are able to offer much lower prices, Lindsey said. Dr. Samina Raja, a University at Buffalo professor of urban and regional planning and principal investigator of the schools Food Lab, said it is definitely important for local, state and federal governments to invest in food as public infrastructure. Such a program is not meant to put money into the pockets of a corporate grocery chain, Raja said. Its meant to serve the people in that neighborhood. Raja believes financial incentives should include community benefits agreements outlining specific ways in which the business will help the community, such as by hiring people from the surrounding neighborhoods and hosting apprenticeship programs. (The Buffalo Bills, for example, signed a community benefits agreement after accepting $850 million in public funding.) Procurement policies should also be in place, according to Raja, that ensure grocers buy locally produced food. You can put a grocery store in a neighborhood, but you also have to make sure that people in that neighborhood benefit from wealth generation and income tied to that government incentive, Raja said. New grocery stores should also collaborate with small businesses by selling their products, Everhart said. The Jefferson Avenue Tops, for example, is one of several local grocery stores to sell local bakery Cake Crazys sweet potato pie. Shetice Jackson recently told The News that her growing partnerships with local grocery stores enabled her to invest $100,000 into new equipment and infrastructure for her Cheektowaga bakery. I want to see a grocer thats not just going to come in as a grocery store, but as a community partner, Everhart said. Thats what a grocer is to me. Its groceries It is getting access to food for our residents, but its also a piece of the community. Where should a new grocery store go? A lot of the East Side lacks a grocery store. The following neighborhoods lack a supermarket: Kensington-Bailey, Kenfield, Fillmore-Leroy, Delavan-Grider, Hamlin Park, MLK Park, Genesee-Moselle, Lovejoy, Fruit Belt, Pratt-Willert and Ellicott, according to the UB Food Labs East Buffalo Food and Health Equity Dashboard, which was updated in summer 2023. The U.S. Department of Agricultures food research atlas also identifies most of those neighborhoods as food deserts. However, there are more small-scale food retailers in those neighborhoods. A growing number of ethnic grocery stores, which are often stocked with fresh produce and whole foods, are helping to bridge the gap. I mean, listen, I can sit down with any grocer and I can tell them exactly where they need to set up shop, because theres a lot of options, Everhart said. According to Gillibrands office, she should have the chance. A spokesperson for Gillibrand said that her office will consult local experts and advocates on specifically where a grocery store should open on the East Side. Raja agrees that community input is necessary to understanding where a store should locate and what it should offer to serve the real needs of a community. We have neighborhoods that could be amazing, walkable neighborhoods, but we need somebody to come in and make that a reality for us and start with grocery stores, Everhart said. The most basic thing that we need to survive as humans is food. SPRINGFIELD Simply put, for Robert Martinez, digital equity means a less-expensive internet connection. But that isnt all. He also is sandwiched between finding time to help his father, who needs technical assistance occasionally, and assisting his daughter when she is assigned homework on her school laptop but cant figure out how to navigate the program. AMHERST The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has launched a statewide initiative to support local public health nurses and enhance community health outcomes. The Public Health Nurse Consultant Program, funded by the state with an initial $3.5 million over 28 months, aims to provide training for about 300 public health nurses across Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns. This program addresses the diverse needs of local public health departments, focusing on building a stronger and more responsive public health workforce. In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, UMass Nursing will collaborate with local communities and the states Office of Local and Regional Health to develop a tailored, three-tiered curriculum. This curriculum will prioritize health equity and best practices to empower nurses in reducing health disparities. Ann Becker, clinical associate professor and program leader, emphasized the significance of this collaboration. By supporting our local public health nurses, were fostering a future of resilience, innovation, and enhanced health outcomes across the commonwealth, she said in a statement. Five experienced public health nurses will be hired as regional nurse consultants to provide clinical consultation and mentorship. The program also will support recruitment pathways to encourage more nursing professionals to enter and advance in public health. This initiative is essential in building a sustainable pipeline of skilled nurses who are prepared to meet the needs of communities today and in the future, Becker said. The programs launch will be promoted at the Massachusetts Health Officers Association annual conference on Nov. 13 and 14 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. You dont need to travel out of town for your next dinner date. Thats the message behind Food Fest West, a festival hosted by the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, being held this year on Nov. 20. Thats what the Chambers mission is, is to showcase all of the wonderful things that Western Mass has to offer, so people dont go to Hartford, and they dont go to Boston, they stay right in our area, said Robin Wozniak, executive director. RENOWNED uilleann piper and Ballina native Eamonn Walsh is to play at the funeral of the late Kathleen Watkins, who will be laid to rest today (Tuesday). Mr Walsh, who played at the funeral of her husband and legendary broadcaster Gay Byrne, will perform when Ms Watkins remains arrive at the church in Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook and at her graveside. Mr Walsh has performed for various visiting dignitaries over the years and is due to perform at the ceremony to mark Irelands formal recognition of the state of Palestine. Though he has resided in Tallaght, Co Dublin, for most of his life, Mr Walsh has remained an active member of the Moy Valley Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann branch and is currently their PRO. An accomplished writer, musician and broadcaster, Ms Watkins married Gay Byrne in 1964. They became known as Irelands golden couple and were married until his passing in 2019. In 2010, Ms Watkins travelled to Mayo to attend Ballinrobe Musical Societys world amateur of the highly-acclaimed Pirate Queen, a musical based on the story of Granuaile. She passed away last week in the care of Blackrock Clinic at the age of 90. Her Requiem Mass takes place at 12pm today (Tuesday, November 12) at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook, followed by a private burial. May she rest in peace. THE Grow Remote Westport chapter will host a gathering for remote and hybrid workers on Saturday, November 30 at The Creel Restaurant in Westport, beginning at 11am. Grow Remote Westport is part of a wider network of more than 80 volunteer-led chapters across Ireland, focused on organising a range of events for remote and hybrid workers in their local communities. Grow Remote aims to solve the challenges of remote work to unlock social, economic, and environmental change for individuals, employers, and local communities. As remote and hybrid working become more mainstream, it has created new job opportunities for people living in County Mayo. The Westport event aims to bring remote and hybrid workers together, raise awareness of local opportunities, and strengthen the professional network within the area. By connecting remote workers, employers, and advocates, Grow Remote helps people find remote roles, equips them with tools for success, and supports employers who offer flexible job opportunities that enhance rural communities. Local leaders of the Westport chapter, Padraic Wade and Laura del Rosal, shared their thoughts about this event: Padraic noted: Were excited to be running our Grow Remote meetup at The Creel. Remote working has become an important part of many peoples lives in Westport and the surrounding areas. This has allowed people to work and shop locally, supporting the local community. We welcome anyone working remotely for a chance to meet new people and socialise in a friendly atmosphere. Laura added: The most recent CSO data shows that about 1,000 people in and around Westport work remotely or in a hybrid model, highlighting just how important this way of working has become over the last few years. While some companies are bringing employees back on-site full-time, others continue to see the clear benefits of remote work, allowing people to stay local while taking on jobs that once required a move to larger cities. This gathering is the first of what we hope will be regular meetups a chance for remote and hybrid workers in Westport and the surrounding areas, as well as anyone interested in remote work, to connect and discuss how we can strengthen our remote work community here. MORE TO register for the Grow Remote Westport gathering, visit Eventbrite. All are welcome. For those interested in getting involved with Grow Remote, email hello@growremote.ie. MAYO woman Eva Fogarty is among the finalists for this years Irelands Best Dressed Debutante competition. Ms Fogarty, who attended the St Josephs Secondary School Foxfords debs, is among ten finalists for the competition, the winner of which will be chosen later this month. Each year throughout the debs season, debsireland.com hosts a competition to crown Irelands Best Dressed Debutante. At each debs event, two debutantes are selected as Best Dressed, with their photos featured on their website where the public can vote for their favourite. This year, the competition drew 150,000 views and 85,000 votes collectively for the top ten contestants. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DEBSireland.COM (@debsireland) On the day of the photoshoot, the finalists received exclusive styling and pampering from our expert glam team, including renowned makeup artist and influencer Cakedwcian, hairstylist Amy Donoghue, and a stylist from The Grafton Barbers. The finalists were then photographed by award-winning photographer Mark Duffy. This years overall winner will win a holiday for two to Dubai along with an exciting modelling contract with Assets Model Agency. The overall winner will be decided by DEBSireland.COM (1 vote), Assets Model Agency (1 vote), and the website vote (1 vote). Voting closes Friday, November 15. by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, November 12, 2024 Racist text messages evoking slavery and targeted at Black men, women and students raised alarms across the U.S. last week. This should alarm everyone, but should be of even greater concern to audience targeting data companies, where the information likely originated. The racially motivated messages demonstrated that data protection remains inadequate in a sea of legislation that makes it appear as if consumers are protected, and that media buyers are trustworthy. The text messages demonstrates how app developers, data brokers, companies that build and support targeting data, businesses and government agencies are not doing enough to protect consumers, despite laws and regulations that have been passed in recent years. Messages identified recipients by name and were sent anonymously in Alabama, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Tennessee. They were sent using similar wording, but varied in tone. advertisement advertisement Marketers pointed to app developers and data brokers as the likely way perpetrators gained access to personal data to target the victims, though it is not understood whether data brokers had been hacked or leaked the information. Companies likely do not have a race segment in audience databases, but algorithms could be written to guess with a high level of accuracy, said Kevin Lee, chairman of digital marketing agency Didit, which was founded in 1996. The point isn't whether a specific data source is conjecture or not, but that it wouldn't be difficult to create a list of several hundreds of thousands of people who are highly likely to be of a specific race, especially with the use of AI, Lee said. One could even do a search of the social media profiles associated with the names and have an AI look at the skin tone. The FBI learned late last week that some of the messages appear to have been sent through TextNow. A competitor, TextSpot, told CNN a new user had signed up on Wednesday and attempted to use the platform to send a message with racist language. But those who sent the racist text messages still needed data with names and numbers. Where did the data come from? Companies like AcquireWeb enable marketers to identify anonymous customers to activate messaging to their audience across email and social and display media. Several major U.S. data-brokerage companies offer marketers access to postal names, addresses, and phone numbers along with demographic data for targeted marketing purposes, Lee said. There is no shortage of political ads and they are targeted in many ways, from first-party custom audiences to uploaded custom audiences. One marketing expert who asked for anonymity believes someone hacked or had access to the database owned by the Democratic and Republican National Committees and gave it to foreign agitators. The DNC and RNC in 2012 began working to develop data hubs in the hopes of gathering voter data. The goal was to join voter file data with intent data. Today there are dozens of marketplaces. For example, Madhive, a software platform for digital TV advertising, teamed up with Fox Television Stations earlier this year to launch a local marketplace for political advertising through connected television (CTV). There are many small details about the legality of buying audiences or targeting ads based on race. They range from federal to state laws, platforms to ethical considerations. Google Gemini suggests that this is a complex issue with no straightforward answer. For media buyers, theres no specific federal law that explicitly prohibits media buyers from buying audiences based on race, but certain practices could potentially violate other laws, such as the Fair Housing Act or the Civil Rights Act, if they lead to discriminatory housing or employment practices. Some states and localities, according to Google, have laws restricting the use of demographic data -- including race -- in advertising. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates political advertising and has rules to prevent discriminatory practices. And while these rules do not explicitly mention race, they do prohibit discrimination based on other protected characteristics. There is no shortage of data and brokers. Acxiom has data on more than 260 million individuals and 190 million households in the U.S., including demographic, behavioral, financial and other data points. Experian's ConsumerView database includes information on more than 300 million consumers and 126 million households. Epsilon claims to have data on 250 million U.S. consumers, including demographic information, spending habits and other consumer insights. Equifax, as a major credit reporting agency, has extensive financial and demographic data on more than 220 million U.S. consumers. These data brokers offer marketers the ability to select demographic criteria and obtain corresponding postal addresses, names and phone numbers for targeted marketing campaigns. by Tanya Gazdik , November 11, 2024 Apparently everyone needs a proofreader -- especially those who write copy for boxes containing kids' toys. Instead of listing the website for Universals Wicked movie, boxes featured a link to a pornographic website for a group called Wicked Pictures, according to CNBC. Target, Walmart and Amazon had removed the line of Wicked' dolls from their online storefronts as of midday Monday, as had Best Buy, Barnes & Noble and Macys, Mattel says it deeply regrets this unfortunate error" and parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children. Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel Customer Service for further information. advertisement advertisement WickedMovie.com is the official landing page for the film that premiered Saturday in Los Angeles and is based on the successful stage musical. Instead, it appeared to list a link to a website that featured 6,000 + scenes of wicked porn, according to The Washington Post. On social media, many expressed shock over the blunder. This isnt the first gaffe to involve a toy. Earlier this year, Target the main retail partner for the Wicked toy line had to recall a Black History Month educational kit after a TikTok user pointed out its magnetic figures misidentified key historical figures Carter G. Woodson, W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington, according to The Hollywood Reporter. And a 1998 issue of Wolverine comics accidentally published an antisemitic slur in place of the word 'killer' Despite an attempt to recall and destroy all copies, many survived and are still available for sale online. Ebay has been flooded with offerings of the dolls with the incorrect URL. Listings touting the Mattel dolls Porn MISPRINT! and RARE URL PORN ERROR have been seeking $140 to $200 for the items, which retail for $25 to $40, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It features 615 horsepower and 649 foot-pounds of torque and will offer 300 miles of range and will start at $78,790 including a destination freight charge of $1,395. It aims to deliver on the brands promise of performance, craftsmanship and technology. With the addition of Vistiq, Cadillac will be one of the only brands to offer an EV entry in every luxury SUV segment, says John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. The Vistiq target customer is a leader, says Brad Franz, director, Cadillac marketing. These customers are stylish, confident, ambitious and adventurous and are looking for a vehicle to elevate their busy lives.They need space for their active live that includes kids, pets and cargo. Thats where the seven-passenger seating of the Vistiq comes into play. advertisement advertisement The premium luxury vehicle also includes the tech that really matters, including available night vision and an augmented reality heads up display, he says. One of the ways we are going to position this vehicle is very similar to Escalade, Franz told media during a preview of the vehicle. Obviously it checks all the boxes of the we the family, everything you need to do in that perspective. But then also theres an opportunity here for us to push into the me, to be bold, to be expressive. You can drive this vehicle; you dont always need to be hauling around goods or the family. And that vehicle will make a statement by itself. Other technology that will elevate the luxury experience includes a standard 23-speaker AKG Studio Audio system with Dolby Atmos. The vehicle will also include standard Super Cruise, the industry's first truly hand-free driver assistance technology, with three years of OnStar connected service. Like its big sibling Escalade IQ, Vistiq has a swept-back windshield and black crystal shield grille unique to Cadillacs electric portfolio. Vistiq will be sold globally, including in the U.S. and Canada, with production starting in early 2025 at General Motors Spring Hill, Tennessee manufacturing plant. The automaker is already collections information from handraisers on a web page. The Cadillac Vistiq is joining the luxury brands EV family at a significant time. It was recently announced that the Cadillac Lyriq is the best-selling mid-size luxury EV in the United States based on registrations this calendar year through September, according to the automaker. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 12, 2024 Elon Musk's X Corp. is pressing a federal appeals court to revive a lawsuit against a watchdog that published critical reports about the platform, allegedly causing it to lose tens of millions in ad revenue. U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer in the Northern District of California threw out X's claims in March, ruling that the X sued the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) to penalize it for publishing negative reports. Breyer dismissed the case under California's California's anti-SLAPP (strategic litigation against public participation) law -- a free-speech law that provides for fast dismissals of lawsuits over statements regarding matters of public interest. But X argues that its claims deal with data security, as opposed to the content of the nonprofit's reports, and therefore aren't precluded by free-speech principles. The CCDH and the Stichting European Climate Foundation conspired in 2021 to steal, scrape, and manipulate Xs private data for use in 'reports' that CCDH would then publish attacking X and calling for advertisers to boycott the company, X wrote in papers filed Tuesday with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. (The Stichting European Climate Foundation allegedly helped the Center for Countering Digital Hate obtain data about posts on X.) advertisement advertisement The security breach cost X thousands of dollars in reasonable investigation and response expenses, and CCDHs use of the ill-gotten data in published reports further caused X to lose tens of millions of dollars in advertising revenue, the company added. X's new papers come in a legal battle dating to August 2023, soon after the group reported that the platform failed to remove racist, homophobic and antisemitic comments posted by Twitter Blue subscribers. That report cited examples such as the posts Diversity is a codeword for White Genocide, and Trannies are pedophiles. The tech company, which has lost significant ad revneue since its 2022 acquisition by Musk, claimed in a lawsuit that the hate speech researchers violated X's terms of service, which prohibit scraping, and ran afoul of a computer hacking law. Breyer dismissed the case soon after holding a hearing at which he expressed skepticism of X's claims. At that hearing, Breyer told X attorney Jon Hawk that the platform couldn't obtain damages for lost ad revenue, unless those damages were foreseeable when the Center for Countering Digital Hate agreed to X's terms of service. X then asked the 9th Circuit to reverse Breyer's ruling and reinstate the claims. The Center for Countering Digital Hate opposed that request, arguing in papers filed last month that X's suit was actually about the critical reports, regardless of the specific claims regarding the terms of service or hacking. X Corp. has resorted to suing its critics to try to silence them. This case is a prime example of that strategy, the nonprofit write. The American Civil Liberties Union, Electronic Frontier Foundation and Knight First Amenment Institute at Columbia University are backing the Center for Countering Digital Hate, arguing in a friend-of-the-court brief filed last month that the lawsuit could set a dangerous precedent by blocking newsgathering, research, and public commentary about digital tools and platforms. Those groups accused X of attempting to misuse claims under contract law and the anti-hacking law to suppress criticism. Courts cannot, and should not, allow private companies like X to wield breach of contract and computer intrusion claims as weapons to punish criticism, the civil liberties groups argued. X countered in its new papers that free speech principles don't protect companies over the claims in its lawsuit. X seeks only to recover economic damages proximately caused by defendants violations of ...California laws that require promises to be kept, the company contends. The First Amendment simply does not apply. The 9th Circuit hasn't yet said when it will hear arguments in the case. by Colin Kirkland , November 12, 2024 As Meta continues to lose billions on virtual reality (VR) and metaverse initiatives -- a concern for investors -- the tech giant is beginning to test its VR tools with select universities, attempting to gain helpful feedback on whether or not education will be a successful use case when developing and promoting applications for its Quest devices. The Meta for Education beta program includes partnerships with over a dozen universities across the U.S. and the U.K., giving institutions like the Imperial College London, the University of Glasgow, and the University of Leeds early access to a range of apps and features designed to introduce students to expensive or out-of-reach educational experiences. Meta says that these institutions will ensure regular touchpoints with educators who are trialing VR and XR prototypes and programs in their own classrooms, as a way to help the company improve its products ahead of official launches. advertisement advertisement Ultimately, the company and the partnered colleges want to establish a new learning ecosystem made up of creators, developers, educational institutions, research organizations, and tech companies as a means to combine the digital and physical worlds, according to Monica Ares, the executive director of Imperial Idea Lab at Imperial College London. To showcase this merging of worlds, Meta is also working with VictoryXR, an educational metaverse company, to develop digital twin metaversities in Europe where educators and students will be able to explore, socialize, and participate in live classes remotely within immersive environments that mirror their physical campuses. The University of Leeds began immersive Performance and Theater classes in September, while the University of the Basque Country plans to use Meta's immersive tech to host classes in Physiotherapy and Anatomy in February 2025, along with other European universities. The educational VR push follows Meta's recent strategy of prioritizing education as a major use case for its Reality Labs creations -- especially Quest headsets. The company launched its first pilot program for educational VR with 15 U.S. universities in 2023, touting the potential benefits of immersive nursing and surgical VR applications. And earlier this year, the company announced a training program to help educators utilize VR in the classroom. As of now, it is unclear which U.S. universities have agreed to partner with Metas newest beta program. by Danielle Oster , November 12, 2024 A new chief marketer will preside over the number two soda brand nationally, as well as the rest of Keurig Dr Peppers U.S. refreshment beverages portfolio. Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) appointed Drew Panayiotou to the role of CMO, U.S. refreshment beverages, effective as of Nov. 11. In the role, he will be responsible for leading and managing marketing for KDPs $9 billion portfolio in the cold refreshment beverage category which includes such brands as 7Up, A&W, Canada Dry, Core Hydration, Motts,and Snapple, in addition to its flagship Dr Pepper brand. Panayiotou will also be responsible for overseeing all functions with KDPs enterprise-wide marketing centers of excellence, across departments such as media and public relations, marketing innovations, insights and analytics, creative services, and category management, according to the company. advertisement advertisement In the role, Panayiotou will report to KDP president, U.S. refreshment beverages Andrew Archambault, and work closely with marketing leaders within KDPs coffee unit, and its Canada and Mexico operations teams, with the goal of evolving the companys approach to brand-building. In a statement, Archambault attributed the appointment of Panayiotou to his deep acumen and expertise to accelerate a digital-first marketing approach, adding, As consumer-obsessed brand builders, KDP is embracing new ideas and cutting-edge technologies to connect and resonate with today's audiences, and Drew will take this work to new heights." Panayiotou joined KDP following over two years as global CMO for Pfizer. Prior to that, he spent a couple of years as CMO for Googles Verily, and Google Life Sciences. His industry experience includes both brand marketing and agency leadership roles. He left a role as president and CEO of BBDO Atlanta in early 2017 to lead Chick-fil-A innovation incubator Red Wagon Ventures for nearly four years.. His marketing leadership roles have also included stints at Best Buy, The Walt Disney Company, and Coca-Cola -- where he served as vice president, global marketing for the Sprite and Fanta brands. Panayiotou said in a statement that he would work on accelerating [KDPs] digital marketing transformation while creating meaningful connections with consumers in new media spaces," in the role. Panayiotou replaces Andrew Springate in the role, as Springate moves into what the company characterized as a critical new role leading industry and strategic initiatives, reporting directly to KDP CEO Tim Cofer, and working closely with Panayiotou over the ensuing months to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming CMO. 2024 marked something of a milestone year for the Dr Pepper brand in particular, as it overtook Pepsi as the number two soda brand behind Coca-Cola. 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... "Avoiders." That's the term used in Ukraine to refer to draft dodgers, the men who have skirted military service as the country continues to wage a protracted campaign against invading Russian forces. Thousands have seen the impact the conflict has had on their peers and are nervously avoiding being called to bear arms, while the Ukrainian military struggles to keep its ranks filled as Russian forces send wave after wave of recruits to the front line. "It's quite hard to see the people you know come back different, really different," Alexei, a 28-year-old former tourism student, told Military.com while sipping coffee in downtown Kyiv last month. "And not just physically, obviously. I mean with blank eyes." He looked around at the other patrons as if to check whether anyone else was listening. Most of his friends have either fled the country or joined the military, leaving a smaller and smaller pool of eligible men to add to their ranks -- and increasing the likelihood that Alexei will be called up. Those who don't serve are often looked down upon by the general public, criticized for not helping protect the country as it wards off an invader. Alexei feels guilty for hanging back, but does not see the point of joining the fight now. "No one knows how it's going to end. No one actually sees the end," he said. He suffered a stroke at the onset of the invasion due to stress -- like his grandmother did at the outbreak of World War II -- but does not believe the disorder would exempt him from service. Because of the sensitive nature of the topics discussed, Military.com agreed to use only the first names or call signs of all interviewees. Almost three years after Russia launched its first strikes on Kyiv in February 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have tripled in size to include an estimated one million personnel -- one of the largest militaries in the world, but still far short of what the country needs to push back enemy forces from occupied lands. A national draft was instituted on the first day of the full-scale invasion to fill the ranks with conscripts, but governmental mismanagement and misinformation have led to hundreds of thousands of men skirting the law while those already serving wait endlessly for reinforcements. The situation has created a divide in Ukrainian society between those who fight and those who don't. The Recruiting Gap Ukraine's government has said it needs many more fighters to maintain its defense and push back Russia from the occupied territories. Recruitment began slowing by the end of 2022, becoming a major problem after the failed summer counteroffensive in the South and East the following year. As the need for soldiers ramped up and the number of volunteers dropped, the Armed Forces of Ukraine began turning more and more to the draft for fresh recruits. Men between the ages of 27 and 60 were initially eligible for the draft and barred from leaving the country when martial law was instituted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a new conscription law in April lowering the draft age to 25 after hundreds of revisions were added to the bill. Several discrepancies still exist in the treatment of possible recruits. Deserters, avoiders and escapees face vastly different consequences for opting out of the same fight. If caught, draft-aged men who do not register for service can be pressed to join an unpopular battalion -- typically those with the highest casualty rates. In contrast, soldiers who desert their unit after enlistment face much harsher penalties, including years in military prison. And the hundreds of thousands of men who have fled abroad currently fear no definite criminal penalties. While this chasm between fighters and avoiders has widened over the course of the war in many significant and long-lasting ways, other deeper realizations about the impact of the devastation on the future of the country have also taken hold in society. The looming question of how Ukraine will approach the reintegration and rehabilitation of hundreds of thousands of soldiers into normal society -- and how society will view those who fought and those who did not -- after the war's inevitable end remains a major concern. Some believe that soldiers should gain special status in the future thanks to their sacrifices during the war. "I fear that, after the war or other circumstances, the idea of being a soldier or volunteer will be discredited by society," Kyrylo, a former AFU mortarman and drone operator, told Military.com. "Those who hid or acted cowardly might have the same social status as those who defended the country." The 35-year-old joined at the outset of the full-scale invasion, without any previous military experience, but was demobilized late last year after getting injured during the Battle of Bakhmut and again later in Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. "This is a clash of two worlds -- those who sought to contribute to the defense of statehood and physical survival, and those who took their families abroad and continued with their lives, growing and developing," he said. "I wouldn't have been able to explain to my son why I didn't defend our homeland." Kyrylo worries most about the impact of the war on his fellow front-line fighters, many of whom have not been rotated out of the hot zone for years due to the manpower shortage. "There's no clear understanding of when demobilization will take place or who will replace us. In everyday life, there's an opinion that the guys who became soldiers in 2022 will remain soldiers until death," he said. Although he has chosen not to fight, Alexei has not fled the country to escape the draft, the fighting, or the devastation like tens of thousands of his compatriots. He is the sole breadwinner in his family and wants to stay behind in case his younger brother is eventually called up. Only one man per family can be drafted, according to the current mobilization law, and he wants to be there to take his brother's spot if the situation were to arise in the future. Even more, he worries what will happen if everyone flees and Ukraine becomes a "country of old men." "Someone needs to rebuild this country," he said, referring to the war's inevitable, if unimaginable, end. A Flawed Draft The government made some serious missteps when it came to the countrywide mobilization in terms of transparency, information sharing and organization, according to multiple people interviewed by Military.com. Several government officials have been accused of taking bribes to selectively apply conscription rules, and multiple instances of civilians being illegally conscripted into units have made headlines. Misinformation about the current mobilization law runs rampant across the country; everybody seems to have a different understanding of the legalities governing the draft, complicated by the passing of several new regulations in Ukraine's parliament. The new draft law came "late and is neither effective nor fair," another soldier with the call sign Syvyy explained to Military.com. He summed up the problems. "In the third year of war, the army is desperate for manpower. It has too many draftees well after 40 and too many holes to avoid the army while cities are full of strong young men." The botched roll-out of the draft both failed to meet strategic military needs from the beginning and -- maybe more significantly -- turned millions of people against the idea of fighting. Oleksii Bezhevets, a Ministry of Defence spokesman overseeing the country's latest recruitment campaign, said the government has learned from its mistakes and is rapidly trying to shed its problematic reputation. "Our goal is quite simple: We are building trust," he told Military.com. By opening up different avenues to joining the military voluntarily, he hopes to change the way avoiders and civilians at large think about joining up. The MoD has organized new recruitment centers that are separate from the notorious draft offices run by the military that have become synonymous with forced conscription and corruption over the last two years. The centers allow recruits to apply for a position within a specific military unit through ads that commanders have posted on a recruitment website, much like applying for any other job online. Bezhevets said soldiers who volunteer are eligible for different contracts than draftees -- they can opt to sign up until martial law ends or, like draftees, for a three- or five-year term -- and are guaranteed to be placed in the unit they are accepted into. "Without trust, you cannot recruit people. And to build trust, you really need the whole system to work properly," Bezhevets said. The new recruitment centers, which opened earlier this year, have already claimed responsibility for bringing in thousands of fresh conscripts every month. For those already fighting on the front lines, the reinforcements are a welcome respite whose means of joining the armed forces are secondary to their dedication to the cause. "There's no difference between draftees and volunteers," Kyrylo said. "The real difference is between those motivated to defend the country and those who are just random passengers in this war." But years of war are taking a toll on millions of Ukrainians, those on the front lines and those not. "Three years of being inside the full-scale war -- you definitely will be broken. Definitely," Olga, a 34-year-old Kyiv native whose fiance fights in the AFU, told Military.com. She put her full-time job as a marketing manager on hold to provide support to the military for the first 18 months of the war, but has since had to find a balance between paid and volunteer work to continue supporting her family. "I'm not a soldier, but seeing all the constant deaths on social media -- the pictures of bodies and all of that -- it's just not normal. It's toxic." More than a dozen people who spoke with Military.com in the last month reflected similar feelings of exhaustion and anguish over the neverending nature of the fighting. "I feel like I've lost my mind," Olga said. She had previously judged avoiders like Alexei, but three years of war have changed her perspective. "I have friends who are so-called avoiders, and I feel like they're so lost. ... They want to escape this tragedy. Me too," she said. Remembering who is perpetuating their suffering is key to staying united, she added. "Russia is to blame for all of our pain and anger, and someone needs to fight this horror, even if we're exhausted," Olga said. "We don't have the choice to stop." The MoD recruitment representative also described how the traumas of war have bonded Ukrainians today. "We are all in the same boat," Bezhevets said. Together. "And in a way, it's sinking. It's filling up with water." -- Katie Livingstone is a freelance correspondent currently reporting from Ukraine and Eastern Europe. A graduate of Medill and Wellesley, her work has appeared in Foreign Policy Magazine, Rolling Stone Magazine, USA Today, UPI and more. Katie speaks five languages and lives in Washington, D.C. President-elect Donald Trump is likely to overturn a decision to permanently place U.S. Space Command in Colorado and move it to Alabama -- where Trump originally wanted it -- during his first week in office, the House Armed Services Committee chairman said Monday. On July 31, 2023, President Joe Biden's administration announced that Space Command would keep its headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado -- reversing Trump's announcement in 2021, which would have moved it to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., told a Mobile, Alabama, radio station on Monday that Trump had vowed to reverse the decision on the campaign trail and said the president-elect will make good on that promise in short order. Read Next: Draft Dodgers, Volunteers and the Complicated Situation of Military Service in Ukraine "I think you'll see in the first week that he's in office, he'll sign an executive order reversing Biden's directive," Rogers told the radio hosts. "And we will start construction next year in Huntsville." Trump's original decision to place Space Command -- the combatant command tasked with military operations in space that was reactivated in 2019 -- in Alabama was made in the waning days of his first term and immediately sparked backlash from Colorado lawmakers, who requested a Government Accountability Office report as well as a Department of Defense inspector general probe. In May 2022, the inspector general probe said that, while the selection process was marred by shoddy recordkeeping, the ultimate decision to choose Huntsville was reasonable. And in June 2022, the Government Accountability Office found that Space Command's move from Colorado to Alabama was driven by an unorganized and unclear process that raised concerns about "significant shortfalls in its transparency and credibility," as well as the "appearance of bias" in the decision. Once Biden announced that Space Command would be permanently based in Colorado Springs -- it had been temporarily housed at Peterson Space Force Base in the state -- Rogers quickly pushed back by calling for new GAO and DoD inspector general investigations. Rogers said on the talk show that those probes should be finished in the coming months. "I have every confidence that those investigations, when they're finished probably in December or January, are going to say there was no reason for it not to go to Huntsville, and would have reversed the president's decision anyway," Rogers said. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., in a statement posted Tuesday on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, vowed to fight for Space Command to remain in his state. "Colorado is the rightful home for U.S. Space Command," Bennet wrote. "Our state's space and military assets are critical to America's national security, and Colorado is the best place for our service members and their families to train, live, work and retire." The partisan battle over Space Command's headquarters decision left military families and service members in limbo, Military.com previously reported. Military.com also first reported that the issue of abortion, following the Supreme Court decision in 2022 overturning Roe v. Wade, was also a major concern among Colorado lawmakers who feared that service members' reproductive rights would be limited by moving from their state, where abortion access is unrestricted, to Alabama, where it is illegal with limited exceptions. Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who focuses on space policy, told Military.com in an interview Tuesday that Trump reversing the decision is "near certain," especially because Republicans are likely on the brink of controlling both the House and the Senate. "It's going to require military construction appropriations and the authorization from Congress, but with Republicans in control of both chambers, and we're talking about moving a headquarters from a blue state to a red state, it seems pretty likely that's going to happen," Harrison said. There have been numerous partisan fights in Congress related to the military's space operations, including the ongoing argument over whether to create a Space National Guard -- a position that Trump supports and one that the outgoing Biden administration opposed. Harrison added that it's possible, if Democrats regain control of both chambers of Congress in two years, they could potentially halt the Space Command construction, although it won't be easy to justify. "I think it's a foregone conclusion that it's going to start," he said of the construction. "In two years it is entirely possible that we could see both the House and the Senate flip to Democratic control, in which case they could, in theory, put the brakes on the move and stop construction. It becomes more and more difficult and more wasteful to do that, the faster the construction is able to move forward." Related: Space Command Pick Gave Military Families an Answer, But Worries of a Continuing Fight Persist The White Sox announced that both infielder Nicky Lopez and left-hander Sammy Peralta cleared waivers and elected free agency in lieu of accepting outright assignments. The clubs 40-man roster count drops to 36. There wasnt any previous indication that either player had been removed from the roster, but its a common time of year for a bit of shuffling. The Rule 5 protection deadline is coming up on November 19, meaning that all clubs are likely going to be needing a few spots to shield young players from that draft. As that deadline date approaches, roster spots around the league will be at a premium, increasing the chances of a player being nudged off and then passing through waivers unclaimed. Lopez, 30 in March, has a decent track record now as a glove-first utility player. He was acquired by the White Sox as part of the November 2023 trade that sent Aaron Bummer to Atlanta, then went on to appear in 124 games for Chicago this year. He hit just one home run in 445 plate appearances, leading to a pyramid-shaped slash line of .241/.312/.294. That production translated to a 77 wRC+, indicating he was 23% worse than league average at the plate. That season brought his career batting line to .248/.312/.314, which equates to a 73 wRC+. Lopez has been able to bounce around the field, playing all four infield spots and even a small amount in the outfield, stealing some bases here and there as well. But the bat is clearly subpar, with seven career homers in 2,346 trips to the plate. The Sox could have retained him for one more season via arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting him for a salary of $5.1MM, but it seems the Sox werent planning to do that. Lopez has more than enough service time to reject an outright assignment, so hell head to the open market. Hell likely garner interest from clubs interested in a depth infielder, either on a minor league deal or a major league pact with a modest guarantee. Peralta, 27 in May, was first selected to Chicagos roster in May of 2023, but hes been on and off since then. He was designated for assignment in March of this year, went to the Mariners via waivers, but then came back to the Sox via another waiver claim in May. Shortly after coming back to the Sox, he was put back on waivers and cleared, getting outrighted to Triple-A. He was selected back to the 40-man in June but has now been outrighted for a second time. Around those transactions, he has thrown 35 big league innings with a 4.37 earned run average, 17.9% strikeout rate and 11.1% walk rate. His Triple-A track record consists of 125 2/3 innings over the past three years. He has a 4.80 ERA at that level, along with a 24.1% strikeout rate and 8.8% walk rate. Since this is his second career outright, he has the right to elect free agency and has done so. He will market himself to other clubs around the league and will likely be looking at minor league offers. DEAR ABBY: I got out of rehab two months ago. While I was there, I met someone. Annie lives in Florida, and I live in California. We both are doing great, and I believe we make each other stronger. Do you think a long-distance relationship can work? I hear its not possible. She has recently divorced, and so have I. Annie has two children, 15 and 16, and for this reason, she cant leave Florida. I have two kids as well, 11 and 16, and cant leave my state for the same reason. But our kids will go to college in a few years, and I really care for her. I know how hard it is to find someone. Over the last three years, Ive dated 20 women. None of them is anyone I would like to be in a relationship with. Annie is perfect for me. I said we should take it one day at a time. She has flown out here twice to see me, and Im going to fly to see her next. I know this relationship has its challenges. People tell me that anything is possible and that I should see where it takes us. -- HOPEFUL IN THE DESERT DEAR HOPEFUL: In three years, Annies younger child will be 18. Will her children be off to college? It will be seven years before your younger child is considered an adult. Would Annie be able to move to California when shes no longer bound by a custody agreement? I happen to agree with the folks who tell you that anything is possible. It is the truth -- as long as you and Annie are prepared for a long-distance relationship in the coming years. You both have your sobriety that needs to be maintained, children who need support and relationships with exes that may or may not be problematic. For the foreseeable future, you and Annie should agree to keep your options open and not rule out dating others. If you are meant to be together, it will happen. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. GRAND RAPIDS, MI A federal jury convicted a Kalamazoo man of drug trafficking causing death and other charges. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten on Tuesday announced that a federal jury convicted Antjuan Pierre Jackson, 39, of distributing fentanyl causing death, and possession of 40 grams or more of fentanyl intending to distribute. Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 27, 2025. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI A truck driver was taken to the hospital after suffering a medical emergency on the freeway and spilling his load of salt onto the road. Police were called at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 to westbound I-94, west of Baker Road in Lima Township for a report of a semitrailer that had overturned on the freeway, according to the Michigan State Police. The preliminary investigation showed the driver, a 63-year-old man, had driven off the freeway, causing the trailer full of salt he was hauling to overturn, police said. It is believed the driver suffered a medical emergency leading up to the crash and was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor for treatment. His current condition is unknown, police said. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Motorist should expect delays as the right lane will be periodically closed for cleanup efforts. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Ottawa County Board Chair Joe Moss, co-leader of a highly conservative political platform that stirred up county government in the last two years, says hes not expecting clashes with newly elected commissioners. Moss, who co-founded Ottawa Impact, talked Friday, Nov. 8, to MLive/The Grand Rapids Press about leading the county board and what hes anticipating for January when five non-Ottawa Impact commissioners take office. JACKSON COUNTY, MI Kids wearing red, white and blue while singing patriotic tunes helped honor veterans at a Jackson County school on Veterans Day. Jackson Christian School hosted its annual Veterans Day program on Monday, Nov. 11 at the high school, 4200 Lowe Road. The event has been taking place for several years and provides a chance for students and staff to give thanks to veterans for their service, Superintendent Todd Barney said. Were super glad to have the vets here and able to honor them, Barney said. Its one of the days kids and staff look forward to. The event previously only featured elementary school students but became a full-school celebration with the high school students around six years ago, Elementary Music Teacher Michelle McCune said. The Veterans Day program, headed by McCune, included patriotic music sung and played by elementary through high school students. Band and choir students performed Veterans, We Love You, America the Beautiful, God Bless America and The Star-Spangled Banner. Jackson Christian Schools Royal Players, a traveling drama ministry team, also read The Gettysburg Address. The program lasted roughly an hour, and allowed the students to celebrate their country, veterans and faith, McCune said. I love doing it, I think it means a lot to the veterans, sophomore Alexis Dexter said. It makes others happy, so it makes me happy. People also heard from guest speaker Ken Wyatt, former Jackson Citizen Patriot editorial writer and current Jackson County Historical Society board member. Wyatt is a U.S. Army veteran, and listed reasons why people celebrate military members, including their willingness to serve, their love for the U.S. and the freedom citizens received from them, he said. There are so many good reasons to honor veterans today, Wyatt said. Remember what St. Paul said, Honor to whom honor is due. This is a good day to practice that. Around 100 people showed up to the event, including dozens of veterans, including Charles McDonald of Jackson, a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1970-74 and 1976-82. McDonald has been attending the program at Jackson Christian School for around five years to see his grandchildren perform. Hes said hes proud that Jackson Christian School puts on this annual event. I love hearing the kids sing and the band play, McDonald said. More information about Jackson Christian School can be found on its website. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. BARRY COUNTY, MI A man has been missing for several days and police are asking for the publics help to find him, the Michigan State Police reports. Michael John Hodge, 76, was last seen Friday, Nov. 8, MSP said. Wayland Post troopers have requested assistance from the public to locate him. Hodge is known to wear a black fleece jacket and his family is concerned about his well-being, police said. Hodge was former Gov. James Blanchards legal advisor from 1987 to 1990, according to his LinkedIn page. Police ask anyone with information to contact Barry County Central Dispatch or MSP Wayland post at 269-792-2213. Delton is located about 20 miles north of Kalamazoo, in Barry County. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI The next provost at Saginaw Valley State University is a noted historian who has written several books and has an expansive academic career, according to a news release announcing her addition to the faculty. Lisa Krissoff Boehm will join SVSU in January as the universitys next provost and vice president for academic affairs. She joined the university after serving as the dean of the Bridgewater State University College of Graduate Studies, a title she held since 2017. I am thrilled to be returning to Michigan and embarking on this next chapter of my professional adventure, Boehm said in a statement. I am committed to the type of institution that SVSU is, a regional public university that is committed to the success of its students and the state. I was highly impressed by the energetic students and dedicated faculty and staff I met during my visit to campus during the interview process. At Bridgewater State, Boehm oversaw 43 program chairs and led the introduction of several new graduate degree programs, according to the release. A Michigan native, Boehm also held an appointment as professor of history and American studies while at Bridgewater State. Prior to joining the Massachusetts-based institution, Boehm was a founding dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Manhattanville College in New York state. We are pleased to welcome Lisa into our SVSU community, SVSU President George Grant Jr. said in a statement. With her extensive leadership experience and strong background in academics and community engagement, she brings valuable expertise that will continue to strengthen our universitys commitment to academic excellence and student success. Boehm has previously held appointments at other institutions around the nation, including two years as a visiting assistant professor of history at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and more than 13 years at Worcester State University in Massachusetts, where she served as interim dean of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Business, as well as director of the Commonwealth Honors Program. As an academic leader, I have tried to keep up my scholarly work and my teaching to the greatest extent possible, Boehm said. It keeps me current with the changes in higher education. As an oral historian, Im dedicated to listening, and Im eager to engage in conversation with students, faculty and staff, as well as employers and other partners in the community. Boehm grew up in Grand Rapids and Holland. She completed a bachelors degree at Northwestern University, a masters degree at the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. at Indiana University. Boehm and her husband plan to live in Frankenmuth. 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. Firefighters at Fire Squad 1 in downtown Portland wait for emergency calls Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 16, 2023. Pictured is some of their medical equipment that includes Naloxone (Narcan), a life saving drug that helps people overdosing from opioids. The drug can be injected or inhaled through the nostril. Mark Graves/The Oregonian There are various changes going on in the worlds climate. One strong trend in Michigan is a warmer fall season. Look at the October trend across some Michigan cities. Not all Michigan cities are warming at the same rate. In fact, southern Lower Michigan is warming at a faster rate than the Upper Peninsula. 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 Opinion / Bereavements Mpumelelo Ncube writes in his personal capacity in honour of the departed heroine. We bow our heads in reverence, honouring the extraordinary life of Holy Messenger Margaret "Maggie" Mukosi (nee Mpofu) who passed on this 23rd of October 2024. Born on the 5th of March 1936 in Shurugwi, Zimbabwe, she grew up in Mondoro under the care of her maternal grandparents. Her life's journey unfolded with purpose, guided by divine providence.In 1953, she moved to Gweru to live with her sister. The following year, Maggie met Stephen Mukosi, a police officer stationed in Bulawayo who had travelled to Gweru. With her elder sister's guidance, Maggie and Stephen began their family, welcoming their first child that same year. They went on to have seven more children.Maggie faced a challenging period, suffering from septic ulcers that prevented her from eating certain foods, including mealiepap, for over four years. During this time in Gweru, she met Mrs. Violet Makaya, Mrs. Rosinah Chitate, and Mrs. Emily Zindoga, who used to travel to various places selling handcrafted doilies. They quickly formed a close bond, and Mrs. Makaya began preaching to Maggie about Guta RaMwari, where she could find healing for her ulcers. They also discovered that Mrs. Makaya's husband, Mr. Tadeus Makaya, was a blood relative to Mr. Mukosi.As a result of Mrs. Makaya's persistence, Maggie, at age 26, and Stephen joined Guta RaMwari on April 6, 1962. Within two weeks, Maggie's septic ulcers were miraculously healed. At that time, Guta RaMwari was in Mpopoma South.In 1963, she was overcome by a divine spirit that proclaimed through her mouth, "Ndini MaPaulos" (I am Paulous). Subsequently, she was commissioned to heal the sick by hand, becoming the second Holy Messenger, after Holy Messenger Chibuda, to be ordained since God's advent in Africa in His human Hosts. Similarly, a spirit named Gabriel manifested through Mrs. Makaya and began healing the sick by hand.At that time, Holy Messengers were not formally announced as is the practice today; instead, they proclaimed their arrival and revealed their heavenly names such as Peter, John, Paul, Gabriel, Michael and others. Many other members of the religion experienced similar spiritual callings.Later, Holy Messenger Mukosi, alongside Evangelist Gordon Tshuma and Evangelist Josiah Mangena, was ordained as a member of the Chosen 12. This was in addition to the original 12 families who had joined the great transition from Guta RaJehova to Guta RaMwari. During that era, the healing of the sick and troubled was often instantaneous. Those who committed themselves to the religion witnessed profound transformations, often within a very short time.The presence of God's Spirit was undeniably upon them. A tremendous amount of spiritual work was accomplished during that time. Though invisible, the Holy Spirit could be felt flowing through her fingers, like water streaming through the body. Holy Messenger Mukosi would often rub her hands together as she walked, attempting to ease this unusual sensation, until one day, the Voice rebuked her, urging her to let the Spirit flow freely.Together with Holy Messenger Makaya, Holy Messenger Mukosi was deployed to various areas of Botswana, including Maun, Tshesebe, Mathangwane, and Mahikeng in South Africa, where they sought out the sick and troubled. In Zimbabwe, she was deployed to establish branches in Tokwana, Harare, Zimuto, Masvingo, and Victoria Falls, among others, which remain spiritual healing centres to this day. Through her unwavering dedication, many attest to being drawn to Guta RaMwari and receiving the salvation they had longed for.She was at the Tshesebe branch when, on one memorable December 25th, Holy Messenger Makaya was sent to sanctify a sacrificial lamb for the Departure Commemoration. Subsequently, Holy Messenger Maggie Mukosi was commissioned to perform the same at the Tokwana Branch which was under the leadership of Evangelist Kwetje Nleya.Furthermore, since 1964, Holy Messenger Mukosi, among others, had been a respected elder in the religion, known for her extensive knowledge of virginity testing which is a cultural and spiritual practice in Guta RaMwari through which young people voluntarily participate to uphold and preserve their chastity.At 88, Holy Messenger Margaret Mukosi's remarkable life has come full circle, her legacy forever etched in the hearts of God's children in Guta RaMwari and beyond. Her body was buried on Sunday the 27th of October 2024 at Athlone Cemetery in Bulawayo. Today, we pause to honour her extraordinary journey, rejoicing in the knowledge that she now joins the celestial realm, embraced by fellow Holy Messengers with open arms, for death is a transformative stage where a soul departs from this world and enters the invisible realm. Indeed, physical life has an expiring term. May her exemplary life inspire us to live with purpose, leaving an enduring impact on those we touch.Everlastingly. Archisha Yadav 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. 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I Accept SEVENTEEN concludes U.S. leg of 'right here' world tour with Monumental Stadium debut in Los Angeles 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. 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I Accept 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. 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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 Tushar Goenka is a breaking news reporter who focuses on startups. Interested in venture capital, quick commerce, e-commerce, food delivery and D2C. 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 Tushar Goenka USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept Arsh Dalla: All about the arrested 'Khalistani' who tried to step into Hardeep Singh Nijjar's shoes Siddharth Chakravorty 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. 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I Accept Battleground Nanded: Will 'secular man' Ashok Chavan live up to BJP's expectations in Maharashtra? J. Kumar is an author, journalist and a political commentator based in in Mumbai who writes on crime and Maharashtra politics. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Armaan Bhatnagar 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. 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I Accept 'Did you inspect bags of Modi, Shah': Uddhav Thackeray questions scrutiny of his bag in Maharashtra poll rally 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. 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I Accept Jharkhand Election 2024: Polling in 43 seats across 15 districts tomorrow, Champai Soren among 683 candidates in fray 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. 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I Accept November 12, 2024 / 16:21 IST Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the BJP and its allies would spare no effort and make up for the losses they faced during the Lok Sabha elections to emerge victorious in the assembly polls. Addressing rallies for the November 20 assembly elections at three locations in Palghar district, he said once the Mahayuti is voted to power in Maharashtra, its government would waive farm loans. "We will make up for whatever losses we faced during this year's Lok Sabha elections. We are confident that the Mahayuti will retain power," Fadnavis said. Maharashtra Elections 2024: Key numbers and dates you must know 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. 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I Accept Deepinder Goyal offers job to Bengaluru man after his feedback on Zomato's 'Food Rescue'. See post Shubhi 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. 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I Accept In this editing of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: Indian banks gearing for change in new year, how the trading cycle will fare in 2024... AI boom sweeps through creator economy as influencers bank on artificial intelligence to bring down costs 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. 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I Accept Finding winning products on AliExpress can be a game-changer for your online store. Whether youre dropshipping or stocking your inventory, the right products can lead to increased sales, customer satisfaction, and long-term business success. This article will guide you through the process of discovering trending and profitable products on AliExpress, and provide strategies for selecting items that will drive success for your online store. 1. Understanding AliExpress AliExpress is a global online retail platform that connects buyers with suppliers from China and other countries. With millions of products available, it is an attractive marketplace for e-commerce businesses, particularly for those running dropshipping operations. One of the key advantages of using AliExpress is its wide selection of products, ranging from electronics and clothing to home goods, gadgets, and beauty products. AliExpress allows store owners to easily source products at low prices, often with no minimum order quantity, which makes it ideal for both new and established e-commerce businesses. However, finding winning products on AliExpress requires careful research and strategy. A winning product is one that not only attracts customers but also generates a solid profit margin. Let's dive into how you can identify these winning products. 2. The Importance of Winning Products Finding winning products is crucial to the success of your online store. These products are typically in high demand, have low competition, and provide solid profit margins. Here are a few reasons why identifying winning products is vital: Increased Sales : Products that resonate with your target audience are more likely to sell out quickly, resulting in a boost in sales. : Products that resonate with your target audience are more likely to sell out quickly, resulting in a boost in sales. Customer Loyalty : Winning products can lead to repeat customers, especially if they are satisfied with their purchases. : Winning products can lead to repeat customers, especially if they are satisfied with their purchases. Brand Reputation : Offering high-quality, trending products can help you establish a strong reputation as a reliable and innovative brand. : Offering high-quality, trending products can help you establish a strong reputation as a reliable and innovative brand. Market Expansion: Once you identify a successful product, you can scale your business by introducing complementary products or expanding your marketing efforts. By focusing on identifying winning products, you can create a successful online store that attracts customers and generates consistent revenue. 3. How to Spot a Winning Product on AliExpress Finding winning products requires a keen eye and methodical research. Below are the top strategies for spotting those hidden gems on AliExpress. Look for High Ratings and Reviews One of the easiest ways to assess the potential success of a product is by checking its ratings and reviews. Look for products with: A high number of positive reviews (preferably over 100) A rating of 4.5 stars or higher Consistent feedback from buyers indicating satisfaction with the product quality, shipping time, and customer service. This ensures that the product is proven and popular among other buyers. Track Product Trends Using Tools AliExpress has a feature known as "Best Sellers," which shows you the top-selling products across various categories. Additionally, use external tools to track product trends. Google Trends is a free tool that allows you to analyze search trends for specific products. This can help you identify products that are trending in your niche and predict future demand. Check for Low Competition When looking for a winning product, consider the competition level. A product with too many competitors can make it difficult to stand out, especially if the market is already saturated. Conversely, a product with too little competition might indicate low demand. Finding the sweet spot between these two extremes can give you a competitive edge. Focus on Niche Markets Instead of going for broad product categories, consider focusing on niche markets. Niche products often have dedicated audiences willing to pay a premium for specialized items. Use keyword research tools like Ahrefs or Ubersuggest to uncover underserved niches and product opportunities. 4. AliExpress Product Research Tools There are several tools available that make product research on AliExpress easier. Below are some of the most effective ones: AliExpress Best Sellers AliExpress itself has a "Best Seller" section that lists the most popular products in various categories. This section can provide quick insights into what is trending across different markets. Focus on items that are consistently top-rated and have high order volumes. AliExpress Dropshipping Center The Dropshipping Center is a tool within AliExpress that helps dropshippers identify high-demand products. It provides data on products with high order volume, good reviews, and reliable suppliers. This is a must-visit tool for anyone looking to dropship products from AliExpress. Google Trends Google Trends helps you understand how search volume for a specific product has changed over time. Use it to track the popularity of a product and see whether it is experiencing seasonal spikes or growing steadily over time. This can give you a good indication of its future potential. Product Research Tools There are also third-party tools like Ecomhunt, Thieve.co, and Niche Scraper that help you identify trending products on AliExpress. These tools often have additional features like competitive analysis, profit margin calculators, and sales predictions. 5. Analyzing Product Demand Understanding the demand for a product is key to ensuring its success in your online store. Below are a few ways to analyze product demand: Using Social Media and Influencers Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest are great places to spot trends. Look for influencers and popular accounts in your niche to see what products they are promoting. If a product is being talked about widely or going viral, it could be a potential winner for your store. Leverage Search Data Analyzing search data can provide insights into what customers are actively looking for. Tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Ubersuggest can help you analyze search volumes and keywords associated with your product. High search volume and low competition are signs of a potential winning product. 6. Evaluating Suppliers on AliExpress Once youve identified a product, you need to assess the suppliers before committing to sell their products. Here are some key factors to consider: Supplier Rating and Reviews Check the supplier's rating and customer reviews. Look for suppliers with a rating of 95% or higher, as they are more likely to provide good service and reliable products. Communication and Response Time Its important to have a supplier who is responsive and willing to answer any questions about the product. Good communication can help you resolve any issues quickly and ensure that your customers are satisfied. Shipping and Delivery Times Ensure that the supplier offers fast and reliable shipping. A long delivery time can lead to poor customer satisfaction, especially for international orders. Look for suppliers who offer ePacket or other fast shipping methods. 7. Identifying Profitable Niches Identifying a profitable niche is crucial for differentiating yourself in the marketplace. Here are a few strategies to consider: Focus on Micro-Niches A micro-niche is a highly specific product category with low competition. For example, instead of selling generic phone cases, you could sell phone cases for a specific phone model with custom designs. These niche products tend to have less competition and loyal customer bases. Analyze Seasonal Trends Certain products perform better during specific seasons or holidays. Consider selling products that have seasonal appeal, such as Christmas decorations, winter coats, or summer accessories. Tools like Google Trends can help you identify these patterns. Profit Margins and Markup Potential To make your online store profitable, you need to calculate the markup and profit margins for each product. A good rule of thumb is to look for products with at least a 2x markup, meaning you can sell the product for twice what you pay. 8. Testing Products Before Committing Before investing in large quantities of a product, its essential to test its potential in the market. Heres how: Order Samples Order samples of the product to check the quality, shipping time, and overall experience. This will help you understand what your customers will receive and ensure that the product meets your expectations. Start Small with Limited Stock Dont invest heavily in a product until youve confirmed that it will sell. Start with small quantities and test the waters. If the product sells well, you can increase your orders. Run Small Facebook/Instagram Ads Run small, targeted ads on Facebook or Instagram to gauge customer interest in your product. Monitor the performance of your ads to see if the product resonates with your audience. 9. Building a Strategy Around Your Winning Product Once youve identified a winning product, you need to build a strategy for marketing, sales, and customer service. Consider the following: Marketing and Promotion Use various marketing channels, including social media, paid ads, and influencer marketing, to promote your product. The more exposure your product gets, the higher the chances of it becoming a bestseller. Customer Service Offer excellent customer service, including fast response times, clear communication, and hassle-free returns. This will help you retain customers and build long-term loyalty. Brand Building Building a strong brand around your winning product can help you stand out in a competitive market. Focus on delivering consistent quality and a memorable shopping experience for your customers. 10. Case Studies: Successful AliExpress Product Examples Here are a few examples of successful products from AliExpress: LED Strip Lights : These products gained popularity due to their versatility and appeal to both home decor enthusiasts and tech lovers. : These products gained popularity due to their versatility and appeal to both home decor enthusiasts and tech lovers. Fitness Resistance Bands : With the rise of home workouts, these bands became a popular and affordable fitness accessory. : With the rise of home workouts, these bands became a popular and affordable fitness accessory. Phone Accessories: Customized phone cases and pop sockets continue to be high-demand products due to their functionality and personal style. 11. Conclusion Finding winning products on AliExpress requires a combination of research, strategy, and testing. By focusing on products with high ratings, low competition, and clear demand, you can find items that resonate with your audience and provide a solid profit margin. Use the right tools, analyze trends, and test products to build a strong foundation for your online store. With persistence and the right approach, youll be on your way to success in the e-commerce world. Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. San Andreas, CA The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors will meet this morning and discuss several items. The meeting will start at 8 am and the board will immediately go into a closed session to do a performance evaluation of CEO Teresa Hitchcock. Later, at around 9 am, there will be a proclamation voted on to formally recognize yesterday as Veterans Day. There will also be a proclamation recognizing November 18-22 as California Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Week. The board will also vote to renew Jessica Fowlers contract as the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures for another four years. She first stepped into the role in 2020 and it is one of two positions in county government (the other being County Counsel) that calls for a four-year appointed term. In addition, the supervisors will review a proposal to pay a company $12,000 to conduct a salary survey related to elected positions. Other items of note include a report on economic development activities and votes on cannabis-related ordinances, such as cultivation tax rates. Todays open-to-the-public meeting will be at the Government Center in San Andreas. You have to take into account that you may not be able to pay by debit card for a longer period of time, notes the Dutch National Bank. Then you have to have cash under the mattress, or be able to pay with QR codes. In October, 2022, Paivi Heikkinen, the Head of the Payment Systems Department and Chief Cashier at the Bank of Finland, warned that Finlands payments system could go down for weeks, and urged households to keep enough cash to last them for up to 72 hours in case of payment system disruptions. The irony, as we pointed out at the time, is that Finland, like its Scandinavian peers, is among the worlds most cashless economies, and its central bank, like its counterparts in Norway and Sweden, played more than a bit-part role in making that possible: According to the Bank of Finland, [Finland] is on track to become completely cashless by 2030. A survey conducted last year by the central bank found that only 7% of people use cash when making purchases. Ninety percent of the surveys respondents said they pay for their groceries with a card or mobile payment app. However, Heikkinen says that now is not a good time to give up cash completely, given the rising risk of attacks against Finnish infrastructure, including its payments system: More payment methods bring resilience. If a single payment method sometimes does not work, then we have other payment methods at our disposal. Cash still plays a very important role here. It seems that more and more central banks in Europe are rediscovering one of the beauties of cash: its resilience. It wont fail in a power cut or seize up during a cyber attack (although, of course, ATMs might). As Brett Scott, author of Cloudmoney: Cash, Cards, Crypto and the War for our Wallets, notes , any society that runs purely on digital platforms operated by large financial institutions is going to have major resiliency problems. Role of Ukraine Conflict To reinforce Finlands payments system, the Bank of Finland has recommended that the use of cash payments be guaranteed by law. In March 2022, the bank initiated a proposal for legislation to ensure a minimal level of cash-paid services. But its not only the central bank that appears to be re-evaluating its approach toward cash: so, too, is the general public, with 95% of citizens considering it crucial for cash to continue serving as a valid payment method alongside digital alternatives, according to a 2023 survey by IRO Research for Nosto ATMs. The war in Ukraine and Finlands recent membership of NATO appear to have played a role in this shift. According to the survey, the conflict in Ukraine and concerns about supply security have affected the attitude of nearly one-third (28%) of Finns towards cash. Cash usage, especially in the context of supply security, is fundamentally tied to social responsibility, said Risto Lepo, Country Manager of Nosto ATMs. Not every Finn has access to bank cards or digital services. Historically, societal upheavals often lead to an increased reliance on cash. The conflict in Ukraine underscored the importance of supply security, prompting Finns to consider multiple payment methods as a prudent approach. A similar phenomenon has occurred in Sweden and Norway. As we reported in mid-October, the government and central bank of Norway, one of Europes most cashless economies, are now seeking to slow or even reverse the mass abandonment of cash. Only 3% of Norwegians used cash in their latest purchase in a physical shop, according to a recent central bank survey. In a bid to change that, a new amendment to Norways Financial Contracts Act came into force on October 1 that bolsters citizens rights to pay with cash in retail settings. Earlier this year, the worlds oldest bank, Swedens Riksbank, cautioned about the unintended consequences of rapidly driving cash out of the economy. In its 2024 payments report, it warned of serious fraud problems that could undermine trust in the payment system. Digitalisation, it said, also makes payments more vulnerable to cyber attacks and disruptions to the power grid and data communication, adding that these developments suggest we should concentrate more than before on the challenges of digitalization.* Since then, The Daily Telegraph has reported that criminals in Sweden are having a field day after the countrys mass abandonment of cash. Around the same time, Fortune magazine ran an article titled Going Cashless Has Turned Sweden from One of the Safest Countries into a High-Crime Nation. The countrys central bank now wants to reverse course, and has called on the government to adopt urgent measures to strengthen cashs role as a means of payment. Late last year, the central bank echoed a point we have been making for a number of years: it is not enough to simply take measures to strengthen the availability of cash through withdrawal requirements and new depots, it must also be usable. Cash Under the Mattress The latest European central bank to sound the alarm is the Dutch National Bank (DNB), which in late October highlighted the rising threat posed to the financial system by artificial intelligence, surging cybercrime and system outages. Cyberattacks against the financial sector account for roughly one-quarter of all attacks and can, in extreme cases, make financial services temporarily unavailable across the countrys entire financial system, the central bank wrote in its financial stability report. In the Netherlands, like everywhere in Europe and most parts of the world, cash use has fallen sharply over the past decade.* Between 2019 and 2022, it was the second country in the Euro Zone where access to cash worsened the most. From Cash Essentials: Per the European Central Banks (ECB) 2022 SPACE study, the Netherlands is the penultimate euro-area country by volume of cash payments after Finland. Cash has the lowest share of person-to-person payments in the euro area. Dutch consumers had the lowest cash holdings, with 46. Cash services and infrastructure have shrunk, particularly after the three major banks (ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank) merged their ATMs into the Geldmaat joint venture in 2019. ATMs for withdrawing cash declined 29.1%, from 7,226 in 2018 to 5,122 in 2023; recirculating ATMs combining withdrawal and deposit functions shrank 34.2%, from 2,960 in 2018 to 1,948 in 2023 (CPA Memorandum 2024: While Dutch cash use has declined in the aggregate, 1.3-1.5 million Dutch people depend on cash in their daily transactions, according to a rough 2020 estimate by McKinsey (CPA Policy Compass 2024: 1c). In 2022, 13% of Dutch consumers reported cash was their preferred payment instrument; a plurality (46%) consider having the option to pay with cash very or fairly important. The Netherlands has already suffered two large payment outages in the past 15 months, not to mention the fallout from the global Crowdstrike meltdown. In August 2023, a nationwide outage made it prevented stores from being able to process many debit card payments. Problems with ATMs were also reported. Then, on May 16 and 18 of this year, another outage struck retail payment systems, with more than a third of PIN-based payments affected. This time, ATMs were unaffected, providing a vital lifeline for citizens and businesses. However, DNBs monetary affairs chief Olaf Sleijpen recently told the Dutch financial newspaper Financieele Dagblad that people should not assume that payments system will always work: This could happen, for example, if the services of a number of large financial institutions were to go down at the same time, if several banks were to suffer financial damage at the same time or if customers were to lose confidence in the sector due to an incident. A banks services can be out of service for a longer period of time and customers need to be prepared for this, says DNB director Olaf Sleijpen. Large online attacks simply happen more often. Just look at the hack at the National Police (in which contact details of almost all police employees were stolen at the end of September, ed.) You have to take into account that you may not be able to pay by debit card for a longer period of time. Then you have to have cash under the mattress, or be able to pay with QR codes. The biggest danger of bank hacks is that if one bank is hit, consumers lose confidence in the entire system, says Sleijpen. This could lead to a run, which may lead to DNB having to block financial transactions. Then people can no longer access their money. You dont want that. Third-Party Risks The report also notes that the financial sector is increasingly vulnerable to incidents affecting third parties, as recently demonstrated by the Cloudstrike outage that caused millions of Microsoft systems around the world to crash, bringing the operating systems of banks, payment card firms, airlines, hospitals, NHS clinics, retailers and hospitality businesses to a standstill. Affected businesses were faced with a stark choice: go cash-only, or close operations until the systems came back online. The scale of the resulting disruption was so great that it even prompted some of the UKs largest newspapers, which had heretofore played a key supporting role in the War on Cash, to warn about the inherent fragility risks of a cashless society. In the wake of the outage, New Zealands central bank, like an increasing number of central banks in Europe, recommended that citizens have some cash on hand in the case of future incidents. Since the Cloudstrike meltdown, outages have continued to plague banks, both large and small, around the world. On Sunday, the UK lender Natwests banking app went down, leaving thousands of customers unable to access money for hours, reports The Mirror. In the US, two of the largest lenders, JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America, have suffered significant outages in the past month. In the case of Bank of America, many of its customers complained that their account balances were not visible on the app while others reported seeing a balance of $0. It is a similar story down under. Two of Australias Big Four lenders, Westpac and Commonwealth Bank, have both suffered extensive problems with their online and mobile banking systems over the past month. In the case of Westpac, its banking services repeatedly became unavailable over a four-day period, leaving customers unable to transfer funds or payments. Days later, a systems error at Commonwealth Bank brought its banking app down. Some customers complained of having duplicate transactions taken out of their bank accounts with many reportedly going overdrawn as a result. Australia has been so plagued with bank outages that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) began requiring banks to publish consistent figures on how reliable their services had been across areas such as branches, ATMs, websites, apps and card payments. The Optus meltdown last year resulted in the CEOs resignation, a parliamentary inquiry, and significant brand damage. The banks claim to be spending more on cybersecurity, yet while the number of outages has gone down the actual number of hours lost to outages remains unchanged. Bank outages are on the rise as a result of the complexity of ever more flexible and immediate banking services, the RBA recently conceded, noting that online banking and fast payments services are most likely to be affected from outages. Yet these are the exact same services and platforms the banking industry, including the RBA itself, has spent the past decade or so encouraging (to put it mildly) people to do all their banking with, while removing traditional options such as old-school branches and ATMs. Yet even as the outages persist, the RBA and Australian government appear to be doing precious little to help support public access to and use of cash. Meanwhile, in Europe the central banks of both Sweden and Norway have the unenviable task of trying to slow or even reverse the mass abandonment of cash they themselves helped set in motion. They will have their work cut out given that so much of the countries cash infrastructure in particular private banks branch networks, ATMs and the distribution services offered by cash handling companies has been allowed to wither over recent years. * There can be no doubt that we are living in a less cash world, with digital wallets now leading point-of-sale payments at 30% of transaction value, with credit cards second at 27%, debit cards third at 23% and cash fourth at 16%, according to the latest Global Payments Report by Worldpay. But its far from a uniform picture. While countries like Sweden claim to have reached the outer limits of what is possible in their transition to becoming cashless societies, cash is still being used by billions of people worldwide. It is the leading payment method in twelve of the 40 markets examined by Worldpay: Argentina, Colombia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, Peru, Poland, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam. In Germany, cash is narrowly pipped at the post by debit cards, at 36 and 38% of payment value respectively. As the pressure group Cash Matters notes, in the current landscape, the strengths of cash continue to shine: being an always on payment unaffected by network outages, supporting people with managing tight budgets, and providing privacy and competition as a not-for-profit payment method in a field of profit-making options. Yves here. Anyone cozying up to Iran is an admission against interest for a US messaging outlet like RFE/RL and so should be taken seriously. The uptick in visible moves to improve Saudi-Iran ties looks to be yet another Trump-proofing move. UPDATE 7:25 AM EST: A just-released story at the Financial Times provides additional confirmation. From Gulf states wary of return to Donald Trumps maximum pressure against Iran: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have signalled they remain committed to de-escalation with Iran as they prepare for the return of Donald Trump, hoping he can end a year of war in the Middle East but wary his unpredictability could inflame tensions further. .the Gulfs two powerhouses Saudi Arabia and the UAE have changed tack, seeking to engage with Tehran amid doubts about the USs commitment to their security. This became more urgent after Hamass October 7 2023 attack against Israel triggered a wave of regional hostilities and heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi seeking to remain on the sidelines. In a sign of Riyadhs desire to maintain its cold peace with Iran, Prince Mohammed on Monday hosted senior Iranian officials at an Arab-Muslim conference in Jeddah in which he accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. He also condemned Israels strikes on Iran, calling on the international community to stop hostile actions on Iranian territory. Separately, Anwar Gargash, the UAEs presidential adviser, told a conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday that the incoming Trump administration must pursue a comprehensive approach instead of reactive and piecemeal policies. The comments underlined the shift in Saudi and Emirati thinking since they actively courted Trump after he took office in 2017 following years of Arab frustration with US policy swings and a sense of disengagement from the region. By RFE/RL. Cross posted from OilPrice The Chief of Staff of Saudi Arabias armed forces made a rare visit to Iran, signaling a strengthening of ties between the two countries. The visit comes amidst a backdrop of shifting political dynamics in the Middle East, including the recent election of Donald Trump. The warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran could have significant implications for regional security and stability. The general chief of staff of Saudi Arabias armed forces, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, met his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Baqeri, in Tehran during a rare visit on November 10. Irans official IRNA news agency said they discussed the development of defense diplomacy and bilateral cooperation without offering any details. Iranian media said Baqeri had discussed regional developments and defense cooperation with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman al-Saud last year. Ruwaili is only the second high-profile Saudi official to travel to Tehran since Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations after seven years following Chinese-brokered talks in March 2023. Previously, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan visited Iran in June 2023. Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia severed ties with Shia-dominated Iran in 2016 after its diplomatic compounds in Tehran and Mashhad were attacked by protesters over Riyadhs execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. The trip comes days after the election of Donald Trump, whose second term as U.S. president begins in January. He has pledged to bring peace to the Middle East, where U.S. ally Israel is engaged in wars against Iranian-backed groups in Gaza and Lebanon. Hamidreza Azizi, a fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said the timing of the trip was significant because it comes as various countries are preparing for a second Trump presidency. He said the Saudis decision to send their top military official to Tehran is a signal that they are committed to the detente process that started last year and that they dont want Trumps election to jeopardize the recently improving relations with Iran. Separately, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on the phone and discussed expanding bilateral relations, according to Pezeshkians office. Trump had good relations with Persian Gulf Arab states in his first tenure in office and worked on normalizing relations between Arab states and Irans archfoe, Israel. Saudi Arabia has not normalized relations with Israel but Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is said to have discussed the possibility of normalization with Saudi Arabia since 2021. In another sign of warming relations, Saudi Arabia announced last month that it held military drills with Iran in the Sea of Oman. By Lambert Strether of Corrente. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it. Letter of William T. Sherman to James M. Calhoun, E.E. Rawson, and S.C. Wells, September 12, 1864 On Veterans Day, I usually run an etching from Goyas Disasters of War (gallery), because militarism and imperial triumphalism, of which we have a surfeit in this country, make my back teeth itch. This Veterans Day, what with our genocide in Gaza, our Ukrainian meatgrinder by proxy, our quest for escalatory dominance over Iran, and our pervasive Real men go to Beijing zeitgeist, I thought I would give Goyas war art a little more attention; his subject, in essence, is the aspects of war the veterans you know may dream of, but very rarely talk about. First, Ill take a brief, biographical look Goyas art in the Peninsular War of 1807-1814 (Goyas handwritten title on an album of Disasters proofs given to a friend reads: Fatal Consequences of Spains Bloody War with Bonaparte, and Other Emphatic Caprices (Fatales consequencias de la sangrienta guerra en Espana con Buonaparte, Y otros caprichos enfaticos). Ill start with a short potted biography of Goya. Then I will look at one painting. Following a sidebar on Goyas technique, Ill look at three etchings from Disasters. The works speak for themselves and should be looked at slowly; to that end, Ill try to be strong on technical detail and leave the interpretation up to you. Ill conclude with some 30,000-foot musings. Francisco de Goya y Lucientes The great Australian critic Robert Hughes, whose biography Goya you might add to your tsundoku, wrote: What lay before Goya as the 18th century turned its corner into the 19th? Steady work, at rising prices, for the court and nobles; security, wealth and honour in an encroaching old age. The idea that Goya was, or ever had been, a social rebel is simply untrue. His art, even at its most radical a phase still to come was a horrified protest against disorder and superstition, not a call to irrationality. As first painter to the king he was doing really well and as long as the court held, he would continue to reap its fruits. (In 1812, when he was 66, his house, furni ture, possessions and cash in hand were worth, in aggregate, about 350,000 reales.) As a portraitist he had no rivals. [But then] Spain was plunged into what were, in effect, two wars. The first was a formal affair of arching armies and proper battles Wellington and his generals versus Napoleon, the Peninsular war. The second was an internal war of Spanish irregulars against, in part, other Spanish factions and, especially, the hated French. The guerillas (as they called themselves) were poorly armed. Napoleon was not the last general to make that mistake about guerillas. After 1814 Goya had to show he had been loyal to Spain during the Napoleonic occupation otherwise he would have lost his precious job as first court painter, after the restoration of Ferdinand. What he had really been doing, much of the time, was working on the series of 80 etchings known as the Disasters of War. For reasons we dont now know, these werent published during Goyas lifetime. In fact they didnt appear until 1863, 35 years after his death. They are reflections on the evil, sadism and cruelty inherent in war itself. Goya doesnt take sides, strange to say. French soldiers do dreadful things to Spanish peasants, partisans and women; but then, Spaniards do equally horrible things to the French, and to other Spaniards The idea of the noble proletariat is very far from Goyas thinking. He has seen too much. He knows too much. Now and again he permits himself a sort of hideously sardonic culture-joke, but generally he takes the war head-on, without irony, in a passion too deep even for tears. In these etchings Goya junks all the issues of glory, patriotism and the rest. It is a tremendous, mesmerising achievement and it spills over into his paintings as well. The Third of May 1808 Of this painting, Hughes writes: On May 2, 1808, in the heart of Madrid, a crowd of citizens attacked a detachment of Mameluke (Moorish) cavalry led by a French general. The next day, May 3, the French struck back. Six years later, in 1814, Goya did two monumental paintings, so that these events should never be forgotten. The rising of May 2 1808 ( The Second of May 1808 ) and the execution of the partisans on May 3, 1808. The Third of May 1808 is the picture against which all future paintings of tragic violence would have to measure themselves. It is truly modern, never surpassed in its newness, so raw that although it was a state commission it remained in storage, unseen by the public for the first 40 years of its life. The surface is ragged: no smooth finish. The blood on the ground is a dark alizarin crimson smeared on thick and then scraped back with a palette knife, so that it looks crusty and scratchy, just like real blood smeared by the twitches of a dying body. You cant read the wounds that disfigure the face of the man on the ground, but as signs of trauma in paint they are inexpressibly shocking their imprecision conveys the thought that you cant look at them. I will stop there, since I would prefer you to focus on the painting. Sidebar on Etching From the Park West Gallery: Instead of using color, Goya sought out bleak shadows and shade to express his stark views in Disasters of War. He did so through a combination of etching, drypoint, and aquatint. Goya began his process by coating a copper plate with wax and etched lines into it with a sharp, needle-like tool. He then submerged the plate into an acid bath, causing the acid to bite at the exposed metal. The plate was then washed and the wax melted away. Goya next employed the drypoint technique. He scratched onto the plate directly to create more textured, uneven lines in his compositions. Lines created this way are softer when final impressions are made. To create additional tonal effects, Goya used the aquatint technique. This involves dusting a plate with a powdered resin and heating it until the resin melts and hardens. Acid is applied to the plate and eats away at the metal around the resin. As a result, small channels are created that will hold ink depending on how long they were exposed to the acidthe longer the exposure, the darker the ink appears on the print. The final step in the printmaking process was to ink a plate and wipe away the excess, resulting in ink remaining in the etched lines. The plate was placed on top of dampened paper and run through a printing press, transferring a mirror image of the plate onto the paper. Through this tedious process, Goya exposed generations of art lovers to the sobering realities of war. Goya is often considered one of the first modern artists and, through his Disasters of War, we can understand whyhis unflinching commentary on war and morality speaks to us through time, impacting us in the present in ways few artists can. One curator comments, in Goya: Drawings from the Prado Museum on the uses of these techniques in Disasters of War: If we look at these works as prints, they violate all of the conventions of the preceding tradition of European etching. Murky pools of aquatint appear like pools of blood, the focus is personalised, immediate and confronting. Not only the limbs, but compositional structures are truncated and violated. So many of the artistic strategies advanced by Goya are not only pictorially confronting, but also pre-empt the devices of Expressionism and Surrealism of a century later. Aquatint as pools of blood. Good to know. To the etchings Plate 7: Que Valor! (What courage!). From the National Galleries of Scotland: This print is notable among Goyas Disasters of War etchings as being one of the few to depict a well known event. It shows the heroism of a woman named Augustina Zaragoza (also known as Agustina de Aragon) during the 1808 Napoleonic siege of Saragossa. She is shown standing on the bodies of fallen Spanish artillerymen as she fires a canon at the French army. Her white dress stands out in stark contrast to the darkness of the canon and bodies. Augustina is said to have leapt to the defence of the city when she realised that the Spanish militia had been killed or too badly injured to fight, and according to legend she took the match to light the canon from the hand of a dead soldier. Her courage was renowned throughout Spain, and she was credited with having repelled the French army, on that occasion at least. This is the one plate where Goya shows a heroic action. The issue of whether Goya was reporting or imagining will come up later, but here he seems to be reporting, although not from primary sources. (The white dress and the cannon barrel, I assume, are part of the plate where the acid didnt bite in, hence no ink. Not exactly like working in LightRoom!) Plate 13: Amarga Presencia (Bitter Presence). A post from Every Painter Paints Himself starts off with the brilliant observation that the painting resembles a skull, and the archways to the left are the holes for Goyas eyes. It then devolves into an interpretation that is so like a combination of gender studies + The Anxiety of Influence that I refuse to quote it (its here). My own fanciful interpretation is that the soldiers are the bitter presence for the woman about to be raped, and the memory of the rape is a bitter presence for the artist, so bitter it persists into the grave after Goyas death. We might also see the uninked parts of the plate (the world outside Goyas skull; the woman) as the sweet light of reason, present but powerless. Plate 39: Grande Hazana con Muertos (A heroic feat! With dead men!) Here is one amusing reaction from The Art Blog, Goyas emotionally charged art about war and human folly rings true today: I confess I was hard-pressed, while viewing works such as A Heroic Feat! With Dead Men! that depicts the naked and dismembered bodies of several men hanging on a tree, not to see them as mirror images of similar atrocities revealed in the press this past week regarding the rape, torture, and mutilation of Israeli women by Hamas soldiers on October 7 (not to confuse Hamas here with the majority of Palestinian citizens, also victims of the war). But see AP, How 2 debunked accounts of sexual violence on Oct. 7 fueled a global dispute over Israel-Hamas war. From the National Galleries of Scotland: In this sickening image, one of the most extreme in The Disasters of War series, the naked bodies of mutilated, tortured and castrated men are shown hung from a tree as a warning to others. Goya was one of the first artists to reveal the grim reality of warfare, stripped of all chivalry, romance and idealism. He captured something quintessential about modern war which has found resonance with succeeding generations of audiences. This print was controversially adapted in the 1990s by the artists Jake and Dinos Chapman. It formed the basis for one of their gory, three-dimensional tableaux, in which scenes from the series were recreated using dismembered mannequins covered in fake blood. And what a trivial time the 90s were, to be sure. Conclusion The Library of Congress subject headings for Disasters of War are about as neutral is it is possible to be: SpainMadrid, Comunidad deMadrid SpainZaragoza 1810 to 1820 Allegory Atrocities Death Famines Goya, Francisco, 1746-1828 Peninsular War, 1807-1814 Romanticism War casualties I recently encountered this thread on wars between supercolonies of ants, also involving (no doubt) atrocities, death, famines, and war casualties, although (one assumes) not allegory or romanticism: Many are aware that a world war between Argentine ant supercolonies is currently underway, across multiple continents, and against multiple ant 'nations'. pic.twitter.com/EuJJ1PFq8D Stone Age Herbalist (@Paracelsus1092) November 8, 2024 If there are indeed aliens observing earth from far above the atmosphere, one might wonder whether they see war between ants and war between humans as all that different, considering what we humans make of ourselves. Yves here. This article intriguingly suggests that Ukraine might be well served to be far more selective about rebuilding than its government and backers see as desirable. Mind you, this piece skips over another big reason why this necessity (failure to fully redo due to lack of funds) is likely to be a virtue (depopulation greatly reducing the extent of reconstruction requirements). It also presupposes that there will be a meaningful Ukraine, as opposed to, say Greater Kiev being rebranded as Ukraine, when the conflict is over. Interested readers might take a detour to the original post, since it contains an interactive image (by Flourish). Moving a slider back and forth shows the area below the Kakhovka dam before and after it was blown up. By Fred Pearce, a freelance author and journalist based in the U.K. He is a contributing writer for Yale Environment 360 and is the author of numerous books, including The Land Grabbers, Earth Then and Now: Amazing Images of Our Changing World, and The Climate Files: The Battle for the Truth About Global Warming. Originally published at Yale Environment 360; cross posted from Undark It was a monumental disaster. The dynamiting of the Kakhovka dam on Ukraines Dnieper River just before dawn on June 6 last year rapidly emptied Europes largest hydroelectric reservoir. Some 14 million acre-feet of water hurtled downstream for more than 100 miles to the sea. Around 80 villages were flooded, more than 100 people died, and more than 40 nature reserves were engulfed. In the Black Sea, the flood delivered a flush of industrial toxins, land mines, agricultural chemicals, sediment, and freshwater that killed fish and unleashed swarms of algae along the coast. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, called it the largest man-made environmental disaster in Europe in decades since the meltdown at the countrys Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986. Within days, his government pledged to rebuild the dam. But now the ecological consequences of this war crime widely presumed to be perpetrated by the dams Russian occupiers are being seen in a different light. The bed of the former reservoir is rapidly rewilding, with extensive thickets of native willow trees growing. The countrys ecologists are calling for plans for a new dam to be dropped, in favor of nurturing the ecological renewal. And they argue that some of Ukraines short-term wartime environmental catastrophes on rivers, in forests, and across the countrys precious steppe grasslands can be turned into long-term ecological gains. After the war, Ukraine could secure its inadvertent ecological gains and ensure that reconstruction puts the environment at its heart. War-wilding can benefit a country still chained to Soviet-era infrastructure, they say. After the war ends which Zelensky said during a visit to the U.S. in September could be closer than we think Ukraine could secure its inadvertent ecological gains and ensure that reconstruction puts the environment at its heart. There is no doubt that the breaching of the Kakhovka dam 16 months ago was a catastrophe for people living downstream. Many ecosystems were badly damaged. The question now is whether and how nature will recover. At least in the 155-mile lengths of the drained reservoir, the prognosis is remarkably positive. Ecologists initially warned that the sediments exposed on the reservoirs bed would either turn to desert and unleash dust storms laced with toxic detritus, or else be invaded by alien species. Neither has happened, according to Anna Kuzemko, a botanist at the M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany in Kyiv, who has made three field trips to the reservoir bed, during one of which she was shelled by Russian mortars. The river has resumed its flow down old channels. Sturgeon have made it upstream to old spawning grounds near the dam. Nourished by rich sediment, native willows have grown across the reservoir floor, with reed beds fringing water courses. During her most recent visit, in May, Kuzemko found that the new willow trees had reached an average height of three meters. We were amazed. They are growing by a centimeter each day, she said. At an international symposium of vegetation science in September, we concluded that the young forest at the bottom of the former reservoir is now the largest floodplain forest in Europe. The situation downstream is less clear. The river below the dam site is on the wars front line, with Ukraines forces on the west bank and Russia occupying the east bank. The toxic floodwaters here soon abated, but field trips to check out their longer-term impact on ecosystems are currently impossible. Even so, as the initial damage recedes, downstream floodplains are likely to restore quickly, as they are adapted to flooding, said Eugene Simonov, a freshwater ecologist and founder of the activist group Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group, or UWEC. Satellite images of the Kakhovka Reservoir in June 2022 (left) and June 2023 (right), after the Kakhovka dam was destroyed. NASA In any case, local ecologists are sufficiently enthusiastic about the rewilding of the extensive reservoir bed that they want the newly liberated river to remain free. It is a unique chance to learn about the self-restoration capabilities of a major European river, said Simonov, who is currently studying at the University of New South Wales in Australia. He anticipates the permanent return of what, before Soviet engineers arrived in the 1950s, was known as the Velykyi Luh, or Great Meadow, a region of steppe grassland and swamp previously prized for its archaeological remains and Cossack history, as well as its ecology. Ukraine has a chance to restore its natural and historical heritage, said a conservationist. We must not waste this chance. The restoration of the Velykyi Luh would be the largest freshwater restoration project ever carried out in Europe, said Oleksii Vasyliuk, head of the Ukraine Nature Conservation Group, which works to identify and establish protected areas across the country. Ukraine has a chance to restore its natural and historical heritage, said Kuzemko. We must not waste this chance. The gains from eschewing a new dam would be economic and political, as much as ecological, the ecologists argue. In the Soviet era, which ended in 1991, Ukraine was a bastion for building inefficient infrastructure that took a heavy toll on nature. Engineers installed a cascade of six hydroelectric dams on the Dnieper, Europes fourth longest river. The last and largest of them, the Kakhovka dam, was constructed on a floodplain, with much of its reservoir often only a few feet deep. Kakhovka took 830 square miles of flooded land to provide just 357 megawatts of generating capacity. That is more than three times the land take for Americas Hoover Dam, to deliver less than a fifth of the power. Simonov calculates that, rather than rebuilding this Soviet monster, the same energy capacity could be delivered by installing solar panels across fewer than 10 square miles, little more than 1 percent of the area flooded by the original dam. A further reason for Ukraine not to rebuild large dams is that they would be vulnerable to future sabotage. By approving an aid package providing the country with small energy systems, including solar power, Germanys minister for economic cooperation and development, Svenja Schulze, said in September that her government was supporting a decentralized power supply infrastructure, as Russia will then not be able to destroy it so easily. The conflict in Ukraine has added a new term to the environmental vocabulary: war-wilding. It was coined by British academic Jasper Humphreys, who studies the impact of armed conflict on nature at the Department of War Studies in Kings College London. He said it came to him at the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, when Ukraine halted the advance on Kyiv of hundreds of tanks by breaking the Kozarovychi dam on the Irpin River. Besides saving the nations capital, the inundation of some 6,000 acres of farmland downstream restored the rivers natural floodplain. Now, like the Kakhovka dam, the fate of the Kozarovichy dam and the reborn Irpin floodplain hang in the balance. Irpin city authorities want to rebuild the old Soviet structure, redrain the floodplain, and revive prewar plans for a massive new housing development there. But Volodymyr Boreyko, director of the Kyiv Environmental and Cultural Center, has received strong support for his call for the Irpin to be declared a River Hero of the conflict, and kept natural, with beavers swimming its length and water buffalo grazing the floodplain. Ecologists argue that if Ukraine prioritizes nature in its reconstruction plans, that will help the countrys application to join the EU. While its wrecked hydroelectric dams have attracted the most headlines, Ukraines forests have also been in the front line of the war. They provide much-needed cover against drone surveillance. With much of the fighting happening in and around them, they are also vulnerable to fires ignited by munitions. But they can also benefit from war-wilding. UWECs scientists estimate that a quarter-million acres have burned during the conflict. That sounds bad, but according to Stanislav Viter, a forest ecologist at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the losses are significantly smaller than those resulting from logging and various fires in peacetime. In fact, the absence of loggers has meant that some forested areas of the frontline are increasingly reminiscent of protected areas, he said. The forest war-wilding may continue long after the war is over, according to Valentyna Meshkova, head of Ukrainian governments Laboratory for Forest Protection. Many forests on the frontline are now dotted with minefields that could take decades to clear. Mines are bad news for large forest animals such as elk. But they keep away humans, preserving habitat for many smaller mammals, invertebrates, birds, and plants. She likens the potential ecological benefits of the minefields to the large-scale regeneration of forests in the radioactive exclusion zone created in 1986 around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the far north of the country. In the absence of human activity, natural regeneration has increased forest cover there by almost 50 percent. With more than two-thirds of the exclusion zone now tree-covered, it has been designated a nature reserve, Europes third largest. Nobody knows when the war will end, and whether it will result in Ukraine holding on to all its former territories. But plans for reconstruction are being laid, and many of the countrys ecologists argue that if those plans put nature first, that will be a valuable credential in the countrys application to join the European Union. The EU is committed to achieving massive ecological restoration in the coming decades, but has not yet worked out how or where. As Vasyliuk notes, the only place in Europe where we can see large-scale recovery of nature is the part of Ukraine which has suffered from military action. With many areas likely to remain off-limits for decades after the war because of mines or munitions contamination, he said Ukraine could let nature deliver environmental gains on a scale that until now had seemed pretty distant and unrealistic. Several of Ukraines steppe grasslands, including the countrys oldest protected area, are currently occupied by the Russian military. But this is far from a given. While many of the countrys forests could be winners in the aftermath of the war, there is growing concern that the big ecological losers could be the countrys precious unfenced steppe grasslands. Ukraine has many of Europes last surviving such steppe landscapes. They are home to a third of the nations endangered species, including the much-loved, endemic sandy blind mole-rat. Several of these areas are currently occupied by Russian military, including the countrys oldest protected area, the 128 square-mile Askania-Nova biosphere reserve on the east bank of the Dnieper River. Russian forces have dug extensive fortifications there and ignited large fires. Fire is a natural phenomenon in steppe regions, said Viktor Shapoval, the exiled director of the reserve. So, he hopes that recovery can be swift. But arguably a bigger concern is that, even as the war continues, Ukraines foresters are planting trees on these rich steppe grasslands to make up for lost commercial forests in the war zone. Viter said almost 27,000 acres were planted in the 22 months prior to the end of 2023. He fears that, with minefields leaving many forests out of bounds for the foreseeable future, the cessation of hostilities will only accelerate the foresters annexation of steppe ecosystem. @startleseasily is a fervent observer of the Metro government's comings and goings. In this column, "On First Reading," she'll recap the bimonthly Metro Council meetings and provide her analysis. You can find her in the pew in the corner by the mic, ready to give public comment on whichever items stir her passions. Follow her on Twitter here. Im not going to lie to yall. Im scared about what last weeks election means for and says about our country. As we look ahead to four more years of having a wannabe dictator as our president, Im reminded once again of the importance of our local legislative bodies. The ghouls who will control the federal government in a few short months are going to do what theyre going to do. Theres not much you or I or anyone else who doesnt worship at the altar of our soon-to-be malevolent overlord can do about it. Instead, we need to shift our focus, doubling down on efforts to shape our local government in a way that reflects the will of its people. That means pushing the Metro Council to make life as minimally shitty as possible for the marginalized groups who will face the brunt of harm from bigoted policies and directives at the federal level. And its going to take everyone paying attention, reaching out to councilmembers, and putting pressure on the council and the mayors office to make sure that happens. Rent Is for Socialists In times of intense political and personal strife, theres a type of lukewarm comfort that comes from watching the council go through the motions like its just another Tuesday (or Thursday, in this case). One of those motions is listening to people make off-the-wall arguments during public hearings. During a public hearing on a proposed rezoning in Councilmember John Rutherfords district, a community member had a puzzling warning about the danger of apartment buildings. She started off with your typical arguments against increased density: traffic, changes to neighborhood character, strain on existing infrastructure and so on. Then came the hard left turn to ... socialism. Apartments do nothing, except create socialism and communism, she said, because once all of Nashville is going to be rented out ... all the rents going to be controlled. Setting aside the fact that socialism and communism are not synonymous, rent control isnt a core tenet of either doctrine. Rent control is a fundamentally capitalist project an attempt to ease the burdens of capitalism on people who struggle to pay their bills every month. But never fear, maam, rent control is not allowed in Tennessee. The state legislature has literally outlawed it, along with a number of other tools communities may use to address the housing crisis. As long as Republicans control the statehouse, rent control is dead on arrival. Councilmember Sean Parker, the councils lone Democratic Socialist, set the commenter straight. The private extraction of rents in, say, an apartment building for a scarce resource like housing that is necessary for humans to live is, by definition, not socialistic, Parker clarified. That is capitalism, very simply and straightforwardly. Not With a Bang Cop Caucus Councilmember Bob Nash had another run-in with Community Review Board director Jill Fitcheard on Thursday. Fitcheard attended the council meeting to speak during the public comment period. She expressed concerns over a grant that will allow the police department to outsource DNA testing. The program aims to reduce the significant backlog in processing samples across the country a backlog that delays justice for victims and people accused of crimes. Fitcheard requested a deferral on the resolution to allow the Community Review Board time to review the details. She also had questions about chain of custody, credentials of the testers and the process for selecting the laboratories to perform the testing. When the resolution came up for a vote, Nash noted that many of Fitcheards concerns had already been addressed in committee. Ms. Fitcheard has every right to call up Chief Drake, Nash said, and ask any question prior to coming to the meeting and kind of throwing a bomb out. I understand the Citizen Review Committee is here to check on complaints about police officers, and how those complaints are handled, Nash continued. They must not have enough to do, because this is not the first time that Ms. Fitcheard has come up here ... and dropped a bomb about management decisions and process decisions made by Chief Drake. According to Fitcheard, Chief Drake has refused to meet with her for more than a year. Perhaps Councilmember Nash is unclear on the fact that the CRB exists not only to investigate complaints, but also to provide policy recommendations which is exactly what Fitcheard was suggesting they do here. In any case, characterizing Fitcheard asking questions as throwing a bomb seems a little over-the-top. And Nash didnt seem to take issue with Metro Human Relations Commission director Davie Tucker appearing during public comment to raise his own concerns about a separate police-related resolution. Several of Nashs colleagues pushed back on his rhetoric, encouraging respect for all department heads at Metro. Ultimately, Nash got his way, which he couldve done without throwing his own bomb in the direction of the CRB. The resolution passed easily. Meanwhile, Councilmember Jeff Preptit abruptly withdrew a controversial ordinance that would have explicitly prohibited Metro employees participation in hate groups and paramilitary gangs. The ordinance has been deferred multiple times, and I was expecting a showdown over a proposed substitute from Councilmember Jordan Huffman. In a statement to the Scene, Preptit writes: I am proud of the work that has been done on addressing this critical issue. He adds, There is more work to be done to make sure we are addressing these issues in the most effective way possible, and that work is continuing. Preptit plans to bring the legislation back in some form in the future. Be Good to Each Other This Is Nashville host Khalil Ekulona signs off every episode with a simple request: Be good to each other. Im going to take a bit of creative license and add something to Ekulonas signature sign-off: Be good to yourself. Take time for intentional self-care. Reflect on whats bringing you joy, and focus on maximizing that, whatever that is for you. And then try to minimize all the other shit. For me, that has meant taking a break from Twitter, learning to bake cookies, and hanging out with my dad. You may feel like everything is going to shit I know I do. But if we can all be good to each other and be good to ourselves, I think well be OK. And please email me at startleseasily@gmail.com if you want some cookies. Im eating way too many cookies. You think Im kidding, but Im dead serious. Im literally eating cookies as I write this. It has to stop. AIPAC brags about its increasing influence over U.S. Congress The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is openly bragging about how it has expanded its influence over the politics of the United States, with 362 AIPAC-endorsed politicians winning their primaries and 11 so-called "anti-Israel candidates" being defeated Chris Menahan, writing for Information Liberation, noted that nobody can deny that there are major organizations influencing how politics works in the United States. With AIPAC publicly bragging about its success, it can be said that this Israeli government-funded and supported organization has just concluded one of the most successful foreign influence operations in American history as it successfully bought off lawmakers to promote the interests of Israel. The day after the election, the major lobbying group published a video on its social media accounts bragging about how it "endorsed 362 candidates and won in every primary" it had a candidate on the ballot. "We helped our friends win and defeated 11 anti-Israel candidates," the group wrote. "I'm a firm believer that no candidate wins an election on their own. I just want to extend my sincere gratitude to this community for helping me get to Congress and ensure everybody that you're going to have a long-term friend," said Rep. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-MD) in the video. She received $4.2 million from AIPAC in her campaign for Maryland's third congressional district. "[When AIPAC] comes in, it's like someone threw you a life raft," said John McGuire (R-VA), the Member-elect for Virginia's fifth congressional district who, with AIPAC funding, successfully challenged Rep. Bob Good in the primary and subsequently won the election. Most members of Congress have "AIPAC babysitters" As Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) mentioned early this year, practically every member of Congress has an "AIPAC babysitter" who guides them on how to vote in the interests of Israel. (Related: Rep. Thomas Massie tells Tucker Carlson every GOP member of Congress has an AIPAC babysitter.) "It's the only country that does this. I actually won't accept the premise that AIPAC has the right to interfere in an American election on behalf of a foreign country," said Massie, who stated last year that AIPAC should register as foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. AIPAC spent over $300,000 on attack ads against Massie this recent election but he won reelection anyhow. According to Walter Hixson, a retired professor of history and author, AIPAC's methods are direct and it "supports any candidate for Congress who is pro-Israel and targets and punishes any candidate that is critical of Israel." That modus operandi has been in plain sight in the countdown to the Nov. 5 elections in America with a recent report by The Intercept disclosing that AIPAC has spent money on more than 80 percent of all electoral races. "There's nothing like AIPAC in American politics for any other country," Hixson said in an interview with Anadolu Agency. "It's not only the most powerful lobby representing a foreign country, it's one of the most powerful lobbies, period." Hixson added that while numerous organizations are part of the pro-Israel lobby in America, AIPAC is distinct as it concentrates directly on Congress and has been "tremendously successful." He stated that when it comes to funding, AIPAC primarily depends on a small number of super-rich billionaire donors, who under the American political system, are able to influence elections greatly. Follow IsraelCollapse.com for more news about Israeli influence over the United States. Watch the video below about Rep. Thomas Massie talking to Tucker Carlson about AIPAC's influence in Congress. This video is from the CreeperStatus channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: AIPAC boasts of influence over Congress, ousting "eleven anti-Israel candidates." Billionaire OnlyFans porn mogul Leonid Radvinsky donates MILLIONS to right-wing AIPAC pro-Israel lobby. $9 million from AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel helps oust pro-ceasefire Cori Bush in Missouri primary. Rep. Jamaal Bowman LOSES New York primary after AIPAC dumps $14 million on single House seat race. AIPAC-funded House Democrat wants to railroad passage of Countering Antisemitism Act. Sources include: InformationLiberation.com AA.com.tr TheIntercept.com Brighteon.com All states are empires of lies Most economists are political apologists masquerading as economists, wrote Doug Casey in one of his columns. They prescribe the way they would like the world to work and tailor theories to help politicians demonstrate the virtue and necessity of their quest for power. (Article by Thomas J. DiLorenzo republished from Mises.org) Moreover, wrote Casey, The field of economics has been turned into the handmaiden of government in order to give a scientific justification for things the government wants to do. This of course is not a new development. Ludwig von Mises was calling the universities of his day nurseries of socialism but, thankfully, there is always a remnant of students who resist the statist brainwashing. The above quote about concocted scientific justifications for interventionism and socialism, by the way, sounds like a precise definition of Keyness General Theory. Caseys sound advice is that to be a good citizen one needs to become your own economist. Dont rely on the states mouthpieces in the media or even academe for your economic knowledge. Educate yourself to some degree; it doesnt take a university degree. Indeed, everything we do at the Mises Institute is geared toward helping anyone anywhere to become their own economist (preferably Austrian School and not Keynesian or Post Keynesian!) and avoid being bamboozled by the state and its court historian economists. Mises never joined the American Economic Association, the association of academic economists founded in the 1880s. The associations founding document provides a clue as to why. The state is an educational and ethical agency whose positive aid is an indispensable condition of human progress, the document purred. The doctrine of laissez faire, on the other hand, is unsafe in politics and unsound in morals, said the statist moral scolds who founded the American Economic Association. There are exceptions, the Austrian School economists being the most prominent, but the majority of academic economists view themselves as advisors or potential advisors to the state. They are Rothbards court historians with degrees in economics instead of history. The role that they serve is the same as all intellectuals in our almost 100 percent state-funded universities. As Rothbard put it: The majority [of the celectorate] must be persuaded by ideology that their government is good, wise, and at least inevitable. Promoting this ideology . . . is the vital task of the intellectuals. In return, the intellectuals are given government jobs, grants, placement at prestigious universities, book deals, and myriad other political payoffs. (Mises wrote that history, law, and economics are the disciplines most widely used to bamboozle the public about the supposedly good, wise, and inevitable state). Take the Fed please (as Rodney Dangerfield would say). Economist Larry White published a journal article several years ago that revealed that about 75 percent of all articles published in academic economic journals on the subject of monetary policy are published by economists who are in some way associated with the Fed. As Milton Friedman once said, If you want a career as a monetary economist it is best not to criticize the major employer in your field. And so they do not. If there is ever any criticism it is always constructive criticism about how to supposedly become even better at central planning. Most Americans are rationally ignorant of the Fed, and what little they do know about it is overwhelmingly shaped by the Feds court historians, especially the ones who teach economics at colleges and universities. The Austrian economists (but not all of them) are the only ones to challenge the existence of the Fed and call for its abolition. In addition to being the federal governments legalized counterfeiting arm, the Fed is also another appendage of the governments massive propaganda apparatus. The laughingly labeled independent Feds research, according to economist Emre Kuvvet writing in The Independent Review, increasingly focuses on climate change, gender, race, and inequality the woke political agenda of the Democrat party. The one true statement that Joe Biden made as president was Its not Milton Friedmans Fed anymore. The New York Fed has always been considered to be the most powerful and influential of all the Fed branches. Its homepage defines its mission as a desire to root out the intolerable inequities and injustice grounded in systemic racism . . . steadfast in our commitment to work for a more equitable economy and society. A clearer definition of socialism would be hard to find. Kuvvet found that of all the employees of the Feds Board of Governors there are 97 Democrats and 2 Republicans. Leadership positions on the Board consist of 45 Democrats and 1 Republican. As I said, its just another D.C. government propaganda mill. Some Examples of the Empire of Economic Lies A typical introductory economics textbook devotes most space to endless stories of market failure (free-rider problems, externalities, monopoly and oligopoly, monopolistic competition, asymmetric information, and on and on), and almost nothing about entrepreneurship, the cornerstone of capitalism. It wasnt always like that. When the first federal antitrust law was passed in 1890 (the Sherman Antitrust Act) the entire economics profession, which was very small at the time, opposed the new law as being inherently incompatible with competition, as Jack High and I proved by quoting all of them in a July 1988 Economic Inquiry article. They all viewed competition like the Austrian economists always have as a dynamic, rivalrous process of discovery and entrepreneurship, and thought that antitrust law could only disrupt that process and distort markets. By the 1930s a new and more scientific-sounding theory of perfect competition had been invented, which asserted that competitive perfection required all homogenous products and prices in an industry, perfect information in the minds of buyers and sellers, costless entry into and exit from industry, an many firms, whatever that might mean. For the next half century and more, economists would spin thousands of tall tales about how the real world fell short of this perfection, defined as market failure, and prescribed regulation, control, nationalization, or regimentation by presumably wise and, well, perfect politicians and bureaucrats. UCLA economist Harold Demsetz labeled this dishonest method of analysis the Nirvana fallacy: Comparing the real world to an unachievable never never land of Nirvana. As F.A. Hayek once described it, In perfect competition there is no competition. That is, there could not be product differentiation, price cutting, advertising, research and development, the rise to the top of a few superior-performing firms in an industry all the ingredients of genuine competition. Generations of students have also been taught that in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries large-scale production of electricity, water supply, telephone services and other similar products was producing natural (i.e., free market) monopolies. Governments then stepped in and legally mandated public utility monopolies, supposedly to be regulated in the public interest. I proved this to be yet another falsehood in my paper, The Myth of Natural Monopoly. There was vigorous competition in all these industries. They were monopolized by the state, not the free market, with loot-sharing agreements whereby state and local governments would share in the monopoly profits created by their government-mandated monopolies. Then theres the Big Lie of the Sherman Antitrust Act which was supposedly needed because of rampant monopolization in the 1880s as the industrial revolution proceeded in America. In an article in The International Review of Law and Economics I showed that the industries being accused of monopolization at the time were by far the most competitive, dynamic, price-cutting, innovative, and production-expanding industries in America. The purpose of the Sherman Act was to stifle competition, not to protect it. One of the most ridiculous things taught to generations of economics students was that because of the free-rider problem the U.S. would be spending far too little on national defense. Efficiency requires coercive taxation. There are economists who have defended Pentagon corruption and fraud on the basis that it expands defense spending, which is supposedly hindered by that nasty free rider problem. Who on earth would define Pentagon spending as efficient? ! It was only in the past ten years that the mainstream of the economics profession finally discovered that the massive interventions of the New Deal actually made the Great Depression more severe and longer lasting, something the Austrian economists have said all along. This Big Revelation was made in an article in the prestigious Journal of Political Economy by Professor Lee Ohanian of UCLA, an editor of the American Economic Review at the time. Better late than never. Nobel prizes in economics have been awarded for many theories of market failure that subsequent research proved to be bogus. Janet Yellens husband, George Akerloff, was a co-recipient of the award for a paper that, in 1970, predicted that the used car market would soon disappear because of asymmetric information between buyers and sellers. He apparently never heard of thirty-day warranties that allow car buyers to determine whether or not they had been sold a lemon. David Card was awarded a Nobel prize for a paper claiming that minimum wage laws do not cause unemployment that was called deeply flawed by a National Bureau of Economic Research redo of his study. There are many similar episodes. Economics students are taught that the root cause of pollution is profit seeking, which ignores the fact that the worst pollution in all the world over the past century, by far, was in the socialist countries of the world in the twentieth century that prohibited private profit seeking. A corollary to the profit-seeking-causes-pollution theory is that wise and benevolent government bureaucrats are needed to solve this problem. This not only ignores political reality, but also ignores how the absence of property rights causes many pollution problems in the first place, and also how entrepreneurs solve many externality problems because it is profitable to do so. In public finance students are taught that tax loopholes are inefficient because they supposedly create artificial market distortions. Its much more efficient, they are taught, to let government bureaucrats spend more of your money. Then theres the cornerstone of Keynesian economics the canard of the paradox of thrift which asserts that savings reduces consumption, which in turn reduces GDP, which leads to lower savings. This theory has justified confiscatory taxation of interest income on savings for decades. The intellectual godfather of mainstream economics will probably always be Paul Samuelson, whose Principles of Economics textbook dominated textbook sales for forty years, with almost all other textbooks during that time being imitations of his book. The statist bias that permeated that book and the others like it can be encapsulated by what Samuelson wrote in his 1988 edition a prediction that by the year 2000 Soviet GDP would be larger than U.S. GDP. All of this demonstrates why Austrian economics is more important now than ever. The economics profession has not been immune from the cult of political correctness. In fact, it was politically incorrect before political correctness was cool, as Mises comment about how the universities of his day were nurseries of socialism shows. Doug Casey was right when he wrote that most economists are political apologists masquerading as economists. Yours Truly recognized this as a college student decades ago, and was blown away by the discovery of Mises and the Austrian School, the writings of which very clearly showed that the Austrians were unique in that they were powerfully devoted to the intellectual search for the truth about how the economic world (and beyond) works, and how governments dont work, and were not at all interested in being apologists for the plundering class. Read more at: Mises.org Florida removed over 4,500 adult and LGBTQ books from schools last year, says report Florida has emerged as the top state in America for so-called "book banning," according to a recent report More than 4,500 total books (and 4,231 individual titles) were pulled from Florida public schools in the 2023-2024 school year, based on the report by PEN America, a free speech nonprofit. This is a massive increase from the 1,406 books banned the previous school year and accounts for nearly half of the more than 10,000 books removed from schools nationwide. As stated in the report, 39 percent of the books banned had LGBTQ themes and characters, and 57 percent had "sex or sex-related content." Another 44 percent were about "characters of color," but PEN America did not explicitly state that race was a motivating factor for removal, merely suggesting a correlation. (Related: LGBTQ-themed books top list of most challenged library books of 2023.) Florida's 2023 law, House Bill 1069, made a legal process for pulling out books, in addition to a requirement that they be removed while schools reply to challenges filed by parents or citizens. The list gathered by PEN America involves books permanently removed from schools, removed pending investigation, and restricted based on grade level or parental permission requirement. 33 School districts in Florida have removed books As stated by PEN America's report, 33 of Florida's 73 public school districts removed books from their school's shelves. The highest removal numbers in the state came from Escambia, Clay, Collier and Orange counties. Escambia comprised 1,582 of Florida's removals, many of which were "banned pending investigation" in August 2023, immediately after the book removal law came into effect. "This crisis is tragic for young people hungry to understand the world they live in and see their identities and experiences reflected in books. 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," PEN America Freedom to Read Director Kasey Meehan said in a statement. Bryan Griffin, the spokesman of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, said the concept that not everything is appropriate to be in a school is still an unacceptable concept to Florida print media and Democrats. "They're still trying to equate removing porn from the classroom with a 'book ban.' Good thing they've rendered themselves irrelevant in this state," he said. In August, Griffin said some "dumped" books were actually "just getting replaced with newer versions." During a press conference last year, DeSantis showed examples of sexually explicit materials. "Exposing the 'book ban' hoax is important because it reveals that some are attempting to use our schools for indoctrination. In Florida, pornographic and inappropriate materials that have been snuck into our classrooms and libraries to sexualize our students violate our state education standards," DeSantis said. Follow EducationSystem.news for more news about American public schools. Watch the video below as Gov. Ron DeSantis blasts the book ban "hoax" happening in Florida. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Virginia public schools quietly remove a perverse LGBTQ book from their public libraries to avoid scrutiny. Appeals court REJECTS request by Maryland parents to allow kids to opt out of reading LGBT BOOKS. TORCHED 'EM: Missouri secretary of state candidate uses flamethrower to burn "GROOMING" books in viral video. Obama denounces "profoundly misguided" bans on sexually explicit and pro-LGBT books from public school libraries. Biden Regime GROOMING CHILDREN while promoting perverted books and gender-bender cult philosophy in SCHOOLS across America. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Tallahassee.com OrlandoWeekly.com Brighteon.com Germany to hold confidence vote in January following the dismissal of Christian Lindner as finance minister Germany's ruling three-party coalition is set to hold an immediate confidence vote following the dismissal of Christian Lindner as finance minister. In a televised address to the nation from the Federal Chancellery on Nov. 6, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), announced that ongoing disagreements over budgetary priorities had undermined the ability of the coalition to manage the financial challenges of Germany, particularly in light of the projected 2025 federal budget. He claimed that the abrupt dismissal of Lindner was "necessary to prevent harm to our country." (Related: German economy in DEATH SPIRAL after failed "green economic miracle" escapades.) The dismissal came after days of political negotiation among leaders of Germany's "traffic light" coalition Scholz of the red SDP, Lindner of the yellow Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Robert Habeck of the green Green Party. The crisis reached a head when Lindner published an 18-page economic proposal, titled "Germany's Economic Turnaround," which outlined tax cuts and urged a "fundamental revision of key political decisions" to protect Germany's position as an economic powerhouse. However, German commentators described Lindner's paper as a manifesto more in line with campaign rhetoric than coalition cohesion, which prompted speculation about his long-term ambitions. Cynics suggest it may have served as a veiled bid for electoral support rather than an actionable government policy. "For the past three years, my focus has been on providing stability and making decisive choices for Germany," Scholz said during the address. He revealed that he had presented a "comprehensive offer" to the FDP to bridge their policy divide and avoid economic turbulence while addressing key budget issues. However, Lindner "showed no willingness to implement any of our proposals." Scholz announced that he would call a confidence vote for Jan. 15, possibly setting the stage for snap elections by the end of March. Until then, Scholz pledged to advance legislation with potential cooperation from Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU). "The economy cannot wait until after the elections," Scholz stated. If the elections proceed, it would mark Germany's first snap election since 2005, when Chancellor Gerhard Schroder called for early elections but ultimately lost to Angela Merkel. Linder countered Scholz's allegations in a separate speech In a separate address that same day, Lindner countered Scholz's allegations. During his address, Linder claimed that the chancellor had dismissed his proposal to resolve the budgetary crisis through early elections. Lindner also disclosed that Scholz had urged him to pause Germany's "debt brake" a constitutional measure preventing excessive government borrowing. Lindner, known for his fiscal conservatism, refused to compromise on this measure. He stated that adherence to the debt brake was essential for Germany's financial credibility, especially "after the U.S. elections," a period when Lindner said global stability would be critical. Meanwhile, Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which recently won its first state election, approved the coalition's potential collapse. Alice Weidel, the party's leader, celebrated the news and called the coalition's dissolution "a liberation for our country." "The end of the traffic light coalition is a liberation for our country. The end of the self-proclaimed 'progressive coalition' that took Germany to the brink of economic ruin was more than overdue," Weidel posted on X. Visit BigGovernment.news for similar stories. Watch this video of former German Finance Minister and FDP leader Christian Lindner speaking about the reasons for his dismissal. This video is on Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth Channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: CENSORSHIP: German government BANS conservative magazine, claiming to combat "hate speech" and "extremism." Germany halts new military aid to Ukraine amid budget shortfall. Germany refusing to send any more weapons to Israel unless Jewish leaders sign "genocide clause" promising not to slaughter innocents. NOT FIT FOR KIDS: Children's channel in Germany uses crude language in criticizing Chancellor Scholz for not sending missiles to Ukraine. Volkswagen to trim upwards of 30,000 German employees as global economy falters. Sources include: RMX.news MSN.com AlJazeera.com Brighteon.com Do humans have a latent ability to regenerate body parts? Weve all heard of salamanders and other amphibians regrowing limbs, but can humans do the same? Your first instinct might be to say that this is impossible, but there is some anecdotal evidence that children can regrow a finger after an accident although its an area where there is surprisingly little research. Multiplex Editor-in-Chief Brian Roemmele recently posted on X about fingers regrowing in young children who lost them in accidents and did not receive surgical treatment for them. According to his research, when the wound is kept wet using a salted cover and the stump is not closed, the finger eventually returns, along with its skin, bone, hair and nails and without any scar tissue. This is apparently down to the very low current electricity provided by the salted cover, which provides a current potential and activates the cells memory, spurring them to grow like they would if they were still inside the womb. Roemmele notes: This electrical potential is the most misunderstood and understudied part of medical research as there is no massive pharmaceutical company investment at universities. He is currently looking into how AI can help break this bioelectrical code and other aspects of the human body we dont yet understand. Although this hasnt been explored in great depth, scientists have long understood that fingertips can grow back in children, especially if the slice happens before the edge of the nail. In these cases, the fingerprint might not come back, and the tip could look slightly misshapen, but the bone, flesh and nail will likely all come back. University of Washington Medicine Hand Center Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Christopher Allan has spoken about this phenomenon, telling NPR: "Kids will actually regrow a pretty good fingertip, after amputation, if you just leave it alone." He recounted the story of an eight-year-old girl he treated who sliced off her middle finger close to the cuticle in an accident with her brothers bicycle. The hand reconstruction specialist struggled to find the small artery that was needed to reconnect the cut-off part of her finger, so he instead tried a different approach: using a biological dressing to stick the tip back on and hope for a good outcome. And that's exactly what happened. He said: "The girl came back in a few weeks with the old fingertip in a bag and a new one on her hand. It was far better than anything that I could have given her with a graft or surgery." Nail stem cells may help with regeneration A study published in the journal Nature points to something about the nail cuticle that could be responsible for this. Scientists note that this can also happen with the paws of mice, and it doesnt matter how old they are, as long as the amputation leaves a small amount of their claw behind. They found that there are what they term nail stem cells sitting near the cuticle that start regrowing the claw when it is amputated, and they also generate a signal that brings nerves and bones to the wounds. The nerve is whats essential for creating the bone in this case, much like how the nerve triggers the regeneration process seen in amphibians. However, more research is needed. Scientists have also found that the currents in the fingers of children who had fingertip amputations in saline were very similar to those found in salamanders. The human body is remarkable, and were still learning just how much it is capable of. However, there is little opportunity for profiting from humans healing themselves, so there arent a lot of investments being made in studying these possibilities. Sources for this article include: X.com NPR.org IOPScience.IOP.org Israeli airstrikes target alleged Hezbollah site near Beirut Airport Israeli airstrikes targeted a site allegedly linked to Hezbollah located just yards from the runways of the Beirut International Airport in the early morning hours of Nov. 7. The strikes hit a building between two runways, reportedly causing several explosions at the site, with footage showing the aftermath of the attack. Social media posts captured scenes of airport staff taking cover inside hangars as the missiles exploded nearby. (Related: Israel resumes airstrikes on southern Beirut.) The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly launched up to three missiles at the facility, which was situated close to Lebanon's only operational civilian airport. The strikes came after the IDF had issued evacuation warnings to nearby residents, though all scheduled passenger flights had already landed or departed before the attack. Video footage from the scene showed large explosions, and some clips captured the sounds of up to three missiles hitting the target, with airport vehicles and equipment visible in the foreground. While the strikes near the airport caused significant damage to a maintenance building owned by Middle East Airlines, an airport official confirmed there was no damage inside the terminal. However, a nearby heater factory was severely damaged in the attack. Lebanese Minister of Public Works Ali Hamiyeh reassured the public that the airport is still operating normally despite the strikes, and planes were able to take off and land without disruption. Israel claims it is retaliating against Hezbollah rocket strikes The airstrike occurred after Hezbollah fired more than 120 rockets at military sites in both northern and southern Israel. In the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Masaryk, around 14 miles from the border with Lebanon, Hezbollah rockets killed an 18-year-old who was hit by shrapnel. Rocket strikes triggered air raid sirens across both central and northern Israel. The most damage was reported in the Israeli border settlement of Avivim. Further south, one of Hezbollah's rockets struck the ground near the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel's busiest transport hub. While the airport itself remained operational, the strike caused visible damage, including a crater in a car park. Debris from another intercepted Hezbollah rocket struck a parked car in the central city of Raanana, around 12 miles north of Ben Gurion Airport. Most of the rockets were intercepted by the IDF's Iron Dome anti-air defense system. However, analysts noted that the ongoing missile fire reflects the continued escalation of the violence since Israel's ground invasion of southern Lebanon. In the face of the growing conflict, Israel has been targeting Hezbollah positions along the Lebanese border. The day before its strike near the Beirut airport, the IDF reported the killing of a Hezbollah battalion commander, Hussein Abd al-Halim Harb, who was responsible for several rocket attacks on Israeli towns. The IDF also claimed that Hezbollah's rocket arsenal has been significantly depleted, now down to about 20 percent of its pre-war capacity. The violence has extended beyond the battlefield, sparking domestic unrest within Israel. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, protests erupted across Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant following a breakdown in trust over the countrys handling of military operations. Demonstrations took place in cities like Haifa and Jerusalem, and in Tel Aviv, where protesters blocked highways and lit bonfires. Watch this clip discussing Israeli missile strikes on Beirut. This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says Netanyahu is the real enemy not Iran or Hezbollah. REPORT: Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon kill six medics, frustrating potential ceasefire talks. Local leaders condemn Netanyahu over failure to protect northern settlements from Hezbollah attacks. U.S. ambassador to Lebanon calls for "internal uprising" in Lebanon to help Israel destroy Hezbollah: Allies need to "do their part," she insists. Israeli airstrikes in Beiruts residential area kill 22, injure 117 people. Sources include: Telegraph.co.uk TheHindu.com Brighteon.com RFK Jr. to be involved in oversight of health and agriculture departments under second Trump admin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be involved in oversight of the health and agriculture departments under the second term of President-elect Donald Trump. During an Oct. 30 virtual event, the former independent presidential candidate said Trump himself has promised that he would hold a powerful role over the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the deal, Kennedy would have influence over select USDA divisions and three key offices under the HHS the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. While the environmental lawyer did not say whether this role would take the form of a formal appointment, he suggested that he could serve an advisory role if a formal title would be unfeasible. According to YourNews, any formal appointment would require Senate confirmation and could put Kennedy under fire due to his vocal opposition to vaccine policies. At the time, the Trump campaign has not confirmed Kennedy's claims and has dubbed them as "premature." Its spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement: "No formal decisions about [his] cabinet and personnel have been made." "However, [President-elect] Trump has said he will work alongside passionate voices like [Kennedy] to Make America Healthy Again by providing families with safe food and ending the chronic disease epidemic plaguing our children," Leavitt continued. "[He] 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." (Related: Wow: Former CDC head Robert Redfield endorses Trump, says he and RFK Jr."got everything right.") YourNews noted that Kennedy has long criticized certain public health measures, including vaccine mandates. He also promotes minimizing toxic exposures to combat chronic childhood illnesses. Kennedy recommends Florida's Ladapo for HHS Meanwhile, ABC News reported that Kennedy is eyeing Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida's surgeon general, to head the HHS. The aforementioned article smeared Ladapo as a "vaccine skeptic" even though the Sunshine State's top doctor already presented evidence that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are dangerous. Multiple sources confirmed this to the news outlet, with tipsters close to the president-elect's transition team saying the recommendation "is being taken seriously." The team is also expected to vet Ladapo for the position. Ladapo was appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to head the Florida Department of Health in 2022. Kennedy himself attested to this during an interview with Jonathan Karl of ABC News. "We are still talking to people and [Ladapo] is among the people we are talking to," the former independent candidate said. According to Kennedy, Ladapo's skepticism toward the federal government's medical tyranny and vaccine mandates played a part in his decision to recommend Florida's top doctor to lead HHS. Kennedy explained: "He was willing to question some of the government orthodoxies to not close the schools, to not force people to wear masks [and] to look actually at the safety data from the vaccines, rather than just accept the words that vaccines are safe and effective." Check out RFKJr.news for more stories about RFK Jr.'s role in the second Trump administration. Watch Howard Lutnick, head of the second Trump transition team, discussing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s potential position in the president-elect's second term. This video is from the Thrivetime Show channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump says hes willing to offer RFK Jr. a role in his administration if elected in November. Trump has long been a skeptic of childhood vaccines, leaked video with RFK Jr. reveals. Mike Adams and Texas Rep. Cloud discuss the implications of RFK Jr. supporting Donald Trump. Sources include: YourNews.com ABCNews.go.com Brighteon.com Sermon 63: GODS COMETS will defeat Satan, the Beast and the False Prophet The 63rd sermon of the Health Ranger Mike Adams discussed God's comets that will defeat Satan, the Beast and the antichrist False Prophet. This sermon, part of the 100 Sermons series for the Church of Natural Abundance, was based on the Book of Revelation. According to the Bible nutrition educator, God will unleash comets as large area of effect weapons to destroy entire cities that have turned evil. In the same manner, God is using comets or meteors as precision weapons to destroy cities, kingdoms, nations or planets similar to ballistic or cruise missiles. He has unlimited amounts of these giant space rocks at His disposal to use against evil. "In other words, God uses comets to defeat and destroy evil," Adams said, noting the destruction coming upon Babylon. He believes New York City is the modern-day equivalent of the Babylon mentioned in the book of Revelation. (Related: Sermon 56: Mike Adams discusses the biblical COSMIC IMPACTS prophesied to reset Earth.) Comets are God's weapons against wickedness and evil One passage in Revelation mentions a "white horse," but Adams said this translates to a giant white comet in God's artillery against the Beast and its allied armies. Whatever was left of mankind's armies had gathered together and declared war on God who has been hammering Earth with comets. But this white comet will be sent to Earth as a final blow to defeat evil and destroy wickedness. After the impact of the great white comet, the Beast and the False Prophet will both be captured and cast alive into the lake of fire and brimstone. The False Prophet worked signs in the Beast's presence, deceiving people who received the Mark of the Beast and worshiped its image. The lake of fire is the giant gaping hole on Earth that falls into the inner magma. According to Adams, the lake of fire where the Beast and False Prophet will be thrown into would look like a pool of deep liquid fire churning under intense pressure and heat. Another passage in the book mentions a giant comet, this time represented by an angel who will lock up Satan in the bottomless pit. Satan, also known as the dragon and the serpent of old, will be bound and cast in the pit so that he would not be able to deceive the nations until the thousand-year reign of Christ and His saints are finished. Adams explained that in this passage, God sends a comet to defeat the remaining military empires on Earth. He then throws Satan into Earth's inner magma, where he will stay for 1,000 years. Meanwhile, the martyrs and the good people who refused to bow down before the Beast or receive its mark will reign with Christ for that period of time. When the millennium ends, Satan will be released from prison. The dragon will then go out to deceive the nations, gathering them together in a final battle against Christ and the saints the Armageddon. But God will rain fire from heaven and destroy them all. At the end of the battle, the dragon will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, joining the Beast and the false prophet in torment forever. These comets, Adams concluded, will destroy not only the old world but also the artificial wicked world of man. Follow CosmicImpacts.com for more news about comets and other heavenly bodies. Listen to the 63rd sermon of the Health Ranger Mike Adams about how God's comets will defeat the Dragon, the Beast and the False Prophet. This video is from the Abundance Church channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mike Adams Sermon 89: GOD'S JUDGMENT upon the WICKED. Sermon 24: Mike Adams discusses theories about the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. The "Comet of the Century" is here Has God put it there to be a "sign in the heavens?" Sources include: Brighteon.com BibleGateway.com 1 BibleGateway.com 2 Shadow network that overthrew Trump in 2020 plotted J6 takeover of U.S. Capitol to disrupt electoral count The findings of investigative journalist Millie Weaver's in-depth investigation into the suspicious events of election season 2020 are finally online , andwas there a lot of deep state activity taking place behind the scenes. For one, we now know that a secret shadow campaign behind the public-facing campaign plotted everything from stealing the election for Joe Biden to staging the infamous "insurrection" that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Weaver uncovered prolific evidence ranging from Zoom videos and internal documents suggesting a carefully crafted plot by the deep state to stop Donald Trump from winning a second term in 2020. It was also Democrats, not Republicans, who were actually behind the events of J6. A youth-led group called the Sunrise Movement that Weaver successfully infiltrated utilized a massive network of other leftist groups to lead all sorts of political activism aimed at disrupting the peace and destabilizing the Trump campaign. "The Sunrise Movement was also part of a coalition, that was created pre-election, called 'Protect The Results' which consisted of hundreds of organizations that were conducting simulation exercises and preplanning to activate in the event Trump contested the 2020 election results," Weaver explains about her findings. "However, the over arching theme of the groups was a mutual hatred of President Trump and an agenda to force him out of office. This concerted effort also incorporated Federal Government Bureaucrats that were plotting to subvert President Trump from the inside and working clandestinely with protest groups on the outside. This strategy, mentioned by the group Feds For Democracy in a Zoom call session, was called the Inside / Outside strategy. This group would jokingly refer to themselves as The Deep State or The Swamp." (Related: Did you hear about the ongoing investigation into the ActBlue "smurfing" scandal?) Government, academia and military all involved in 2020 election steal Shady people from everywhere, including a variety of three-letter federal agencies in Washington, participated in the behind-the-scenes activity that culminated with a contentious "win" for Joe Biden and other Democrats that year. Weaver says contractors from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) played various roles in the scheme as did state government employees, military servicemembers and academics. The deep state web that Weaver uncovered is extensive, in other words. Considerable efforts were made to stack the voter rolls in 2020, as well as to ensure the newly released vote-by-mail Americans were told that this was the only "safe" way to vote because of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) scheme went without a hitch. Anti-Trump activists were also embedded throughout the electoral system via allied non-profit groups that funneled these undercover election stealers to various election-related roles, i.e., some were sent as poll workers specifically to swing states so they could manipulate the vote counts. "But above all else they preplanned a massive campaign to 'Protect The Results' and had a contingency plan to disrupt the January 6th electoral count by physically taking over the U.S. Capitol to prevent Trump from receiving the electoral vote in a Constitutional Crisis," Weaver notes. As for the current election, Weaver further uncovered evidence to suggest that these same deep state players have a plan of action in place regardless of who wins in 2024. Whether it is Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, the hidden hands of power are seemingly always there to pull the strings. "If Trump wins, they will move to acts of civil disobedience, working with NGOs and with federal bureaucrats, attempting to topple the pillars of government," Weaver says. "If Kamala wins, they will 'train to be ready to take action if something happens.'" The latest 2024 election news can be found at Rigged.news. Sources for this article include: MillennialMillie.com NaturalNews.com Turkey and 51 other nations call for global arms embargo on Israel Despite being one of the Jewish state's top trade partners, Turkey along with 51 other countries and two organizations is calling for an immediate halt of all military transfers to Israel over the situation in Gaza. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan sent a letter to the United Nations (UN) last week claiming that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Echoing statements he also made while speaking at a news conference in Djibouti, Fidan said that it must be "repeated at every opportunity that selling arms to Israel means participating in its genocide." The Middle East is now on the brink of war because of what Israel is doing, added Ahmet Yidiz, Turkey's permanent ambassador to the UN. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan likewise believes that imposing an arms embargo on Israel will be an "effective solution" to ending the war in Gaza. According to Erdogan, Israel is trying to fan the "flames of conflict" all across the Middle East region, which he says will "pay the price for this ongoing genocide in Gaza, sooner or later." (Related: Experts from the UN are calling for targeted sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel for crimes against humanity.) Why is Turkey still transferring oil from Azerbaijan to Israel? All this talk out of Turkey about punishing Israel is a bit disingenuous in light of the fact that Turkey continues to allow the transfer of oil from Azerbaijan to Israel via the Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan oil pipeline. Israel needs all that oil to keep its economy running, including its war economy. Without all that oil, Israel would not have the energy it needs to continue attacking Gaza, Lebanon, and the rest of its targets. "Erdogan, turn off the valves," reads a banner carried by the activist group "One Thousand Youth for Palestine" at a recent protest outside the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters in Istanbul. "End your participation in Israel's genocide." Turkey has long been involved in Israel's oil trade. Both Erdogan and Fidan collaborated with Israel and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, in northern Iraq to deliver Kurdish crude to Israel. In June 2014, they also supported the ISIS invasion of Mosul, allowing the Kurdish Peshmerga to conquer oil-rich Kirkuk and commence oil experts to Israel through Turkey. Turkish businesses are also continuing to export goods to Israel despite the situation in Gaza. Since there is no formal trade ban, the goods continue to flow, though Turkish exporters are reportedly using Palestinian Authority (PA) customs to make their deliveries. In short, Turkey appears to be trying to hide its continued trade partnership with Israel by routing goods through Palestine, hence the 423 percent surge in Turkish exports there that occurred during the first eight months of this year. Last year during the same time period, Turkey sold $77 million worth of goods to Israel. This year, that figure jumped to $403 million. In the month of August alone, Turkish exports to Palestine soared by 1,156 percent, increasing from $10 million in 2023 to $127 million this year. "It suggests that the trend of using Palestine to maintain trade with Israel has been accelerated," reported Middle East Eye. Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, accused Turkey of "malice" following the submittal of the letter calling for an arms embargo on Israel. "What else can be expected from a country whose actions are driven by malice in an attempt to create conflicts with the support of the 'Axis of Evil' countries?" Danon said, "Axis of Evil" referring to the Arab countries that signed the letter. The latest Middle East news can be found at Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co NaturalNews.com AveryJournal.com UN warns that everyone in north (Gaza) at imminent risk of dying as Israels ethnic cleansing operation forges on The fighting between Hamas and Israel in northern Gaza is intensifying after Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) laid to waste another residential area, killing 55 Palestinians and injuring hundreds of others. The Gaza Health Ministry reported a total of 55 deaths and 192 injuries "in seven massacres of families in the last 24 hours." The attacks occurred in Jabalia's Nazla area and in the vicinity of the Muscat Clinic in Gaza City's Sabra neighborhood. Among the casualties were three children who got caught on the fray of an Israeli drone attack on a health clinic that was conducting a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. "84 Palestinians have been confirmed killed in the attack [on Jabalia refugee camp] including 50 children." Al Jazeera's Tareq Aby Azzoum reports on the latest intense Israeli attacks across the besieged Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/et8SLW7PWu Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 2, 2024 (Related: Did you know that South Africa just filed 750 pages' worth of evidence against Israel in its International Court of Justice [ICJ] genocide case?) Tens of thousands of Palestinians trapped without food or medicine The situation is so severe for Palestinian civilians still living in northern Gaza that the United Nations (UN) issued a statement. "The entire Palestinian population in North Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine, and violence," said UN aid chief Joyce Msuya, who heads up UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and other aid groups, adding that the situation is "apocalyptic" for those caught in the fray of the war. "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." Over the weekend, the IDF announced the deployment of a combat team from the Kfir Brigade to the Jabalia refugee camp, which has been under heavy fire over the past several weeks as the IDF clashes with the Qassam Brigades, which are trying to get Israel out of Gaza. WATCH | Qassam Brigades fighters target an Israeli troop carrier with a Yassin 105 shell west of the Jabalia Camp in northern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/a3oVpZwU8P The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) November 2, 2024 On X / Twitter, someone called the images and video footage seen above "heartbreaking and unimaginable," adding that the world should not "turn a blind eye to this suffering." "Innocent lives deserve protection and peace," this user added. Another tweeted that very soon the entire U.S. military will be in the Middle East trying to protect Israel as it continues waging war on its neighbors. "U.S. Secretary Austin ordered the deployment of additional ballistic missile defense destroyer ships, fighter squadron and tanker aircraft, and several U.S. Air Force B-52 long-range strike bombers to the region," reads a retweeted news update from over the weekend. Others lamented the continued loss of life in Gaza while the rest of the world carries on with business as usual. "The whole world is listening and watching but no action to stop it," one said. "What a hypocritical and corrupt world, everyone included." "Sad," expressed another. "The loss of lives continues while international agencies, the Security Council and the world, remain silent. Every loss of life is a failure of humanity. The world cannot continue to turn a blind eye." "When that many children are killed, it is not an accident," wrote another. "It is because Israel is targeting children to wipe them out." Will Israel succeed in defeating its neighbors and creating "Greater Israel" in the Middle East? Find out more at IsraelCollapse.com. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co NaturalNews.com Calls for Netanyahus resignation intensify as Israel faces domestic crisis As Israel grapples with deepening domestic divisions, opposition leader Yair Lapid has called for the immediate removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , citing his inability to lead the country during wartime. "Netanyahu is unfit to lead the country," said Lapid during an interview with Israel's Channel 12. He urged Israel's legal advisor to make an official declaration on the matter. The calls for Netanyahu's removal come after his controversial decision to fire Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, allegedly over disagreements regarding the conduct of Israel's current conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Gallant also reportedly opposed Netanyahu's refusal to negotiate and accept a hostage exchange deal with Hamas in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. Gallant was also against Netanyahu's decision to obstruct an inquiry into the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel by Hamas that killed around 1,200 Israelis. United States officials have described Netanyahu's firing of Gallant as "bizarre and incomprehensible." His dismissal further fueled widespread unrest in Israel, where public protests have intensified over Netanyahu's actions. Netanyahu facing opposition for his handling of the conflict Critics have accused Netanyahu of undermining Israels democracy, with prominent figures including former prime ministers and national security officials calling for his resignation. A letter sent to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana earlier this year, signed by over 40 former senior officials, including former Israel Defense Forces chiefs and Nobel laureates, holds Netanyahu accountable for the failures that led to the Oct. 7 massacre. (Related: Mass protests in Israel after Netanyahu fires his defense minister in desperate bid to hold onto power.) The letter directly blames Netanyahu for fostering a political environment that weakened Israels security, particularly through his controversial judicial reforms and alliance with extremist religious factions. These reforms, which critics argue have destabilized the nation, were seen as a key factor contributing to the intelligence and security lapses that allowed Hamas to launch its unprecedented attack. "Netanyahu bears primary responsibility for creating the circumstances leading to the brutal massacre," the letter reads. "The victims blood is on Netanyahus hands." The 40 signatories include scientists, business leaders, former heads of Israel's foreign and domestic security services, Mossad and Shin Bet, respectively, and former CEOs and ambassadors. The letter also notes that Netanyahu has for the longest time supported Hamas' control over Gaza to undermine the Palestinian Authority's efforts to govern both Gaza and the West Bank. For years, Netanyahu approved Qatar's delivery of cash-filled suitcases into Gaza to keep Hamas' government over the Gaza Strip fully funded. It allowed Hamas to pocket some of the funds ostensibly meant to support social services to grow its military strength. This policy has come under renewed scrutiny as Netanyahu faces accusations of indirectly empowering Hamas, making Israel's security situation more precarious. As Israel faces mounting pressure at home and abroad, the debate over Netanyahus leadership and his future in office remains a defining issue. While Netanyahu refuses to step down, the demands for his resignation are growing louder, with many calling for a national "restart" to restore stability and security to the country. Learn more about the volatile political situation inside Israel at IsraelCollapse.com. Watch this episode of "World Alternative Media" as host Josh Sigurdson speculates about the possibility that the Israel Defense Forces may launch a coup against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This video is from the McKenna channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says Netanyahu is the real enemy not Iran or Hezbollah Local leaders condemn Netanyahu over failure to protect northern settlements from Hezbollah attacks. October was Israel's deadliest month this year, with more than 62 soldiers killed. JEWS HIDING GENOCIDE: Netanyahu adviser Jordana Cutler appointed as chief of Facebooks U.S. censorship unit on Israel and Palestine. Israeli government under Netanyahu rejects all ceasefire talks, pushes to ANNEX GAZA into Greater Israel. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com CNN.com Brighteon.com Telekom Malaysias wholesale arm TM Global said on Monday it will expand its core data centres in Cyberjaya and Johor to serve growing demand for domestic and international data hosting services. TM Global said the second phase of both the Klang Valley Data Centre (KVDC) in Cyberjaya and Iskandar Puteri Data Centre (IPDC) in Johor will deliver a combined IT load of around 20MW. Both data centres will meet Tier-III standards, as well as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating for long-term sustainability. The KVDC and IPDC upgrades which are scheduled for commercial operations sometime in 2025 are part of the next phase in TMs roadmap to grow its infrastructure ecosystem as Malaysia overall positions itself as a data centre hub and a digital powerhouse in Southeast Asia. That strategy also includes TMs recently established joint venture with Nxera, the regional data centre arm of Singtels Digital InfraCo unit, which plans to develop data centres in Malaysia, starting with a 200MW hyperscale AI-ready data centre campus in Johor. TM Global EVP Khairul Liza Ibrahim said the KVDC and IPDC expansions and the Nxera tie-up will lay the foundation for digital services such as cloud, advanced analytics, AI and IoT. KVDC and IPDC are integral infrastructures in Malaysias digital ecosystem, serving as international gateways and interconnected points to support 5G networks, she said in a statement. This second phase of our data centre expansion will feature sustainable designs, boosting our capacity to support hyperscalers, OTT players, cloud and next generation AI providers, as well as enterprises. Khairul Liza added that TM Globals recent acquisition of a facilities-based operator license in Singapore will allow the company to provide seamless data centre-to-data centre connectivity. This enables us to meet the growing connectivity demands across the region, linking data centres from Thailand to Malaysia, Singapore, and Batam in Indonesia, she said. TM currently operates seven data centres across Malaysia. The operator has said its participation in the Asia Link Cable Systems (ALC) subsea club cable which links Hong Kong and Singapore, with branches connecting Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam and Hainan, China will add another 24 Tbps of international capacity for its data centres in Johor when the cable goes live in the third quarter of 2025. FEMA official fired over leaked memo telling government aid workers to avoid Trump houses after Hurricane Milton The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in hot water after a leaked memo revealed that some FEMA workers are refusing to provide federal aid to people who support Donald Trump. At least one individual was "removed from their [sic] role" over the scandal, which involved FEMA workers being told to "avoid Trump houses" in Hurricane Milton-ravaged central Florida. A FEMA supervisor named Marn'i Washington reportedly told aid workers to "avoid homes advertising Trump" while canvassing Lake Placid, Fla., in search of residents who qualify for federal aid. Washington told FEMA workers both verbally and in a group chat that they should not help anyone in need who in any way appears to support Trump, i.e., with yard signs or Trump flags. "When we got there, we were told to discriminate against people," a FEMA employee confessed. "It's almost unbelievable to think that somebody in the federal government would think that's okay." "I volunteered to help disaster victims, not discriminate against them," the employee continued, noting that the directive was aimed at hurting Trump supporters at their "most vulnerable." "It didn't matter if people were black, white, Hispanic, for Trump, for Harris. Everyone deserves the same amount of help." (Related: Remember when FEMA claimed that it could not help Hurricane Helene victims in some parts of western North Carolina because of "armed militias?") FEMA "removed" Washington from post following scandal Washington sent the memo after criticism was levied at Joe Biden and his regime over what many saw as a sluggish response to Hurricane Helene in some rural areas of the South. In Roan Mountain, Tenn., for instance, locals reported that it took almost two weeks for FEMA to show up 81 percent of Roan Mountain voted for Trump in 2024. In south-central Florida, a similar situation occurred in Highlands County, 70 percent of which voted for Trump. After getting slammed by tornadoes, torrential rain and wind from Milton, residents of Highlands County had to wait a really long time for FEMA to help. "The blatant weaponization of government by partisan activists in the federal bureaucracy is yet another reason why the Biden-Harris administration is in its final days," tweeted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just days before Biden and Harris were both ousted at the polls. "New leadership is on the way in D.C., and I'm optimistic that these partisan bureaucrats will be fired." The scandal is big enough that FEMA actually responded to it by firing "removed" is the word the agency used Washington "from their [sic] role," calling her actions "deeply disturbed." FEMA claims it is taking "extreme actions to correct this situation," adding that FEMA officials are "horrified that this took place." Keep in mind that just because Washington was 'removed from her role' does not mean that she was fired. In fact, it appears that Washington is still employed by the government, aka U.S. taxpayers, but now simply occupies a different role. "This person needs to go to jail," one person wrote on X / Twitter about how Washington should be punished for what she did. "Unless 'removed from role' means fired, FEMA needs to rethink their response," wrote another about how Washington's punishment should be more severe. Not only Washington but whoever else is above her should also get canned, added another. "The person's boss should be fired, and that person's boss. They are responsible for the people who report to them. And how about the people who received that message? 'I was just following orders' is not an acceptable response. If the person didn't lodge a complaint, they should be fired. The latest Trump news can be found at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com Foreign Policy magazine: NATO is aware that Ukraine is LOSING the war The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is aware that Ukraine is losing its conflict with Russia , according to the influential magazine Foreign Policy (FP). According to a piece from the magazine published on Nov. 6, NATO has realized that Kyiv's position is slowly worsening and that it has almost no chance of coming out on top in its conflict with Russia. "NATO sources and Western security officials almost universally agree that Ukraine is slowly losing the war," FP reported. The magazine noted that an especially difficult winter will make things more difficult for Kyiv. Moreover, Moscow's attacks on Ukrainian ports have also hurt Ukraine's logistics. Nevertheless, Western officials have warned that a Russian victory would solidify the Kremlin's influence in Europe. Michael Bociurkiw, a lobbyist at the think tank the Atlantic Council, said the Kremlin has noticed a leadership "vacuum" in Kyiv and is "testing for soft tissue" in the West. He noted that Moscow's strategy has been effective as missile strikes across Ukrainian cities have increased the possibility of power and heating shortages as winter approaches. "The Russian strategy in the east seems to be to freeze people out and heavily bomb their cities and towns. The strategy in the south seems to be to manipulate a key international artery for food," Bociurkiw remarked. The lobbyist also expressed his belief that Russia has been taking advantage of the vacuum created by the recently concluded United States presidential election, alongside uncertainty about whether Washington's support for Ukraine will survive a change of administration. "It's been really disheartening to see the lack of spine in Washington and elsewhere," he commented. According to Signs of the Times (SOTT), Moscow has highlighted Kyiv's aspirations to join NATO as among the main reasons it launched its "special military operation" against Ukraine in February 2022. (Related: Blinken says Ukraine "will become a member of NATO.") Trump's plan for peace facing opposition "Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukrainian military and energy facilities in recent months," SOTT continued. "In April, the [Russian Ministry of Defense] sad they were a response to Kyiv's attempts to target Russian oil infrastructure. [The ministry stressed] that the targeted facilities support the Ukrainian defense industry, and that the strikes do not target civilians." Given the escalating violence, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has emphasized the importance of both Moscow and Kyiv laying down their arms. But according to FP, this shift could mean a reassessment of Washington's aid to Ukraine. Observers who talked to the magazine have warned that this may signal a weakened American footprint on the global stage aligning with Trump's America First policy. King's College London professor Ruth Deyermond warned against a ceasefire, however, claiming that doing so would cause the Americans to lose face. Such a move, she added, would only permit Russia to bolster its military capability in the interim. "Ukraine losing would look to the rest of the world as if the U.S. was losing to Russia. Any scaling back of U.S. support would also look as if the U.S. had been forced to retreat by Russia," explained Deyermond. "If there's a ceasefire that effectively allows Russia to hold that territory, it will allow Russia to consolidate its position, reinforcing its military presence. With no war to fight, it would also be able to develop its military presence in Belarus threatening NATO members in the Baltic region," Deyermond continued. "And an emboldened Russia would be likely to escalate its attacks on European critical infrastructure and increase its interference in many NATO states, including the United States." SOTT ultimately remarked: "Ukraine was never anything more than a patsy battering ram to try to weaken Russia, an Eastern European Vietnam as it were. Except that it didn't work. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes." Visit UkraineWitness.com for similar stories. Watch Scott Ritter discussing Ukraine's waning hope of winning against Russia in this clip. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukrainian front line on the brink of collapse as soldiers' morale plummets. Ukrainian government COLLAPSING as panicked Zelensky purges officials. Ret. Army Col. Douglas MacGregor says Russia has already won its war with Ukraine. Former NATO officer reveals Ukraine's military manpower is in tatters, losing 800 soldiers per day. German intelligence agency: Ukraine losing HUNDREDS of soldiers daily the situation is not sustainable. Sources include: SHTFPlan.com ForeignPolicy.com SOTT.net Brighteon.com Israeli government targeting U.S. influencers, commentators and journalists over their opposition to Gaza genocide The government of Israel is claiming to be monitoring notable American individuals specifically, social media influencer Dan Bilzerian, political commentator Candace Owens and journalist Tucker Carlson for criticizing Israel's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, extremist Israeli politician Amichai Chikli, head of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, noted that it is heavily monitoring anti-Israel and so-called antisemitic content spreading through social media networks. He added that the government is maintaining constant correspondence with social media executives, especially those of TikTok. Chikli claimed that the platform has been "particularly problematic" since Oct. 7, 2023, the beginning of Israel's conflict in Gaza. He said he repeatedly reached out to the platform's leaders to take down allegedly antisemitic content. "TikTok is better now than it was 10 months ago, but there is still a lot of work to do [regarding social media networks], especially on X [formerly Twitter]," said Chikli. Chikli's ministry is mostly focused on the global Jewish diaspora and on incentivizing Jews to perform the aliyah, or to immigrate to Israel. In January 2023, the ministry was modified to also focus on combating antisemitism globally, leading to accusations that the ministry is being used as a means of politicizing antisemitism by only focusing on antisemitism coming from liberals and left-wingers. Recent events in the United States have given this accusation some credence. In his interview, Chikli admitted that his ministry helped lobby Canada and the United States to ban Samidoun, an international pro-Palestinian organization that focuses on providing aid to Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. He admitted that his ministry is also lobbying both countries to ban other pro-Palestinian and left-wing groups like Students for Justice in Palestine, a pro-Palestinian human rights student activist organization active in the U.S., Canada and New Zealand. Chikli admits Israel "monitors" so-called "anti-Israel influencers" Chikli claimed it is "not true, it's not accurate" that his ministry only focuses on combating antisemitism from the left. To prove this, he admitted that his ministry is also focused on combating antisemitism from conservatives, he admitted that the ministry closely monitors "anti-Israel influencers," naming Bilzerian, Owens and Carlson as notable conservative antisemites. (Related: BBC staffers accuse media outlet's executives of instituting bias in Gaza coverage, claiming favorable treatment of Israel.) Speaking of Bilzerian, Chikli noted how his ministry found it suspicious that, in recent months, he has "all of a sudden [become] an Islam promoter." "All of a sudden, he has changed the narrative," said Chikli. "He is speaking about the Quran and Islam and the State of Israel." Chikli went on to claim that Bilzerian, Owens and Carlson may be being paid by Qatar to produce anti-Israel propaganda. "[There might be] a Qatari effort behind some of these influencers and the changes they have made in their opinions," said Chikli. "I have said from the beginning of the war: The cooperation with Qatar regarding the hostages is a grave mistake because Qatar should have been pressed first and foremost by the Americans and also by Israel to pay the price for their support of Hamas." "I don't see Qatar as a friendly state," he concluded. "I don't see Qatar as a fair mediator in negotiations. Qatar is an enemy state." Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, interviews Rick Wiles of "TruNews" regarding Israel and Zionism. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Israel used WSJ to launch propaganda assault on UNRWA, falsely linking aid agency to October 7 attack. AIPAC boasts of influence over Congress, ousting "eleven anti-Israel candidates." Ben Shapiro: Trump will put Mike Pompeo and David Friedman in charge of "Israel policy." Another ISRAELI SPY revealed to be working within the mainstream media. Is your "private" VPN service controlled by Israel? Sources include: InformationLiberation.com JPost.com Brighteon.com Still NO PARDON for Hunter Biden, outgoing Democratic White House insists The possibility of presidential son Hunter Biden being pardoned remains off the table , the outgoing Democratic White House has insisted. The executive branch has previously rejected the prospect of outgoing President Joe Biden pardoning his son multiple times, according to Just The News. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre again stressed this stance on Nov. 7. "Our answer stands, which is no," she told reporters that day. Jean-Pierre answered in the negative when pressed whether the incumbent Democratic chief executive would commute his son's sentence, saying: "That's not what we're going to do." In June, the younger Biden was convicted on three federal charges in relation to his purchase of a firearm while being addicted to illegal drugs. One of the three charges he was found guilty of was lying on a federal form to buy the gun. Hunter, 54, also pleaded guilty to multiple tax charges staving off a second criminal trial this year, just before it was set to begin. (Related: Hunter Biden INDICTED by Delaware federal court on GUN-RELATED CHARGES') His June conviction made history as "the first criminal conviction of a sitting president's child." Hunter is scheduled to be sentenced in the gun trial on Dec. 4, after a federal judge agreed to push back his sentencing. According to court filings, the presidential son faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000. But Just The News noted that first-time offenders rarely get the maximum sentences. Talk of the presidential son's pardon emerged following the victory of President-elect Donald Trump over outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris on Nov. 5. Last month, Trump said he hasn't ruled out a pardon for the younger Biden. The real estate mogul told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that despite Hunter being "a bad boy," he "wouldn't take it off the books." Sen. Johnson: Commuting Hunter's sentence could unite the country The president-elect isn't the only one open to giving the younger Biden a respite. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) earlier said that he hoped Trump would mull commuting Hunter's sentence once the real estate mogul is inaugurated as the 47th president in January. This, the senator argued, could be one way to unite the country. "From my standpoint, I think we should be looking at some measure of mercy there," Johnson remarked. "Again, I don't want to get ahead of myself because he hasn't been sentenced yet." But if the senator for the Badger State had his way, he wouldn't be pardoning Hunter Biden and has suggested that Trump do the same. "I wouldn't really want to pardon because I don't want to excuse the behavior. I don't think he should pardon Hunter. I think we need to be very careful about having a dual system of justice where the powerful or the sons and daughters of the powerful, get off scot-free." Republicans in both the House of Representatives and the Senate have launched numerous investigations into the presidential son and how his overseas business dealings involved his father Joe, 81. Johnson and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have spearheaded the Senate GOP's investigations into Hunter and allegations of corruption surrounding the Biden family. Moreover, Johnson has criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Biden administration for its double standards. The senator argued that the DOJ has purportedly treated the presidential son's alleged crimes with kid gloves while launching politically motivated criminal investigations into the 45th and now 47th president. Watch Tucker Carlson and Tony Bobulinski, Hunter Biden's former business partner, discussing whether the presidential son will be pardoned. This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: White House press secretary: No presidential pardon for Hunter Biden. Joe Biden insists he will neither "pardon" nor "commute sentence" of convicted son Hunter. Sen. Ron Johnson says he has seen proof that Hunter Biden is working 'directly for communist China.' Hunter Biden PLEADS GUILTY to all nine federal tax charges, avoids trial but will no doubt be pardoned by his father. White House: NO PARDON for Hunter Biden if found guilty on gun charges (a small slap on the wrist that protects him from much larger prosecutions). Sources include: JustTheNews.com 1 TheHill.com JustTheNews.com 2 MSN.com Brighteon.com Radical pro-abortion amendments pass in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Missouri, New York and Nevada Radical pro-abortion amendments have passed in seven states , namely Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Missouri, New York and Nevada, after residents voted in favor in the election on Nov. 5. According to a LifeSiteNews report, the "Arizona for Abortion Access," which prohibits the state from interfering with this right unless it is to protect the health of the individual seeking an abortion, passed with 61.71 percent support. The new measure, which would create a "fundamental right to abortion" before fetal viability, restricts post-viability abortion only when medically necessary. Missouri also backed similar measures protecting abortion access until fetal viability. In C0lorado, 61.48 percent of voters approved the "Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom" amendment to formally recognize a "right to abortion" and ban government intervention or restrictions on insurance coverage for abortion services. The measure prevents future restrictions on abortion access. Additionally, it removes previous language prohibiting taxpayer funding for abortions. In Maryland, the "Right to Reproductive Freedom" amendment passed with 74.11 percent support. This enshrines an individual's right to make reproductive decisions as central to liberty and equality. The measure provides for nearly unrestricted abortion access, with only narrowly defined government interests allowed to limit this right. Montana and Nevada also followed suit, each passing their respective amendments with similar provisions that aim to protect abortion rights. Montana's initiative, which received 57 percent of approval from voters, introduces a "right to abortion" as a protected constitutional right, only allowing for limitations under certain health-related conditions. Meanwhile, Nevada's amendment, known as the "Reproductive Freedom Amendment," passed with 63.33 percent of the vote but will require a second approval in 2026 before being added to the state constitution. New York also approved amendments to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions. Conservative states of Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota have defeated pro-abortion ballot initiatives Still, pro-life advocates managed to end the two-year streak of victories for the abortion rights movement in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota as voters defeated pro-abortion ballot initiatives. In Florida, voters, led by a coalition of pro-life advocates and Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, defeated Amendment 4, a measure that sought to establish a constitutional right to abortion in the state. Despite national support and over $40 million in funding from abortion rights groups, the amendment failed to achieve the 60 percent threshold needed for a state constitutional change. Instead, it only secured 57.11 percent of the vote. (Related: Trump says he'll VOTE NO on Florida's pro-abortion amendment.) The result keeps Florida's six-week abortion ban, which has exceptions for cases of rape, incest and when the mother's life is at risk. In South Dakota, voters rejected an amendment that would have allowed unrestricted access to abortion in the first trimester, while allowing state regulation or prohibition in later stages, with exceptions for the woman's health. South Dakota currently enforces one of the strictest abortion laws in the country, allowing abortion only to save the woman's life. Meanwhile, Nebraska voters faced two conflicting abortion-related measures. They approved a measure that upholds abortion rights only in the first trimester and prohibits the procedure in the second and third trimesters, with exceptions for medical emergencies and cases of rape or incest. This measure aligns with the state's existing 12-week abortion ban. However, a separate amendment that would have expanded abortion access until fetal viability was rejected. Visit Abortions.news for stories related to this. Watch this video about Donald Trump clarifying his position on abortion in his home state of Florida. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Arkansas Supreme Court confirms radical pro-abortion amendment WON'T APPEAR on November ballot. Six Nebraska female athletes support abortion ban in new pro-life ads. Gov. Abbott's pro-Israel speech ban on Texas public school campuses violates the First Amendment, says court. Florida ballot measures to legalize recreational weed and expand "abortion rights" FAIL. Democrat consultants who joined Team Kamala turned out to be CROOKS who deceived donors, vacuumed up all their cash and fled. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com 1 NBCNews.com LifeSiteNews.com 2 Brighteon.com Trump names campaign manager and former Big Pharma lobbyist Susie Wiles as his chief of staff President-elect Donald Trump has chosen his 2024 campaign manager, Susie Wiles , as his White House Chief of Staff. Wiles is a former lobbyist for Big Pharma As president-elect, Trump has begun preparing candidates for his Cabinet, with Wiles being his very first pick, announced just two days after the election. "Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns," Trump said in a statement announcing her appointment on Thursday, Nov. 7. "Susie is tough, smart, innovative and is universally admired and respected. Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again." "It is a well-deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States History," he added. "I have no doubt that she will make our country proud." Wiles is considered the "most important adviser" to Trump, with Politico even claiming that she is almost single-handedly responsible for making sure that Trump was, almost from the very beginning of the Republican Party's primary season, the presumptive nominee and not Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. "There is nobody, I think, that has the wealth of information that she does. Nobody in our orbit. Nobody," said top GOP pollster and strategist Tony Fabrizio. "She touches everything." "Certainly," said former Florida GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo. "She's one of the most consequential people in American politics right now." Susie Wiles has lobbied for major Big Pharma companies It appears that Wiles was able to gain her skill at running presidential campaigns from her decades of working as a lobbyist for Big Pharma companies. (Related: Trump's top healthcare priority must be repealing Big Pharma's legal immunity for vaccines.) Liam Sturgess, writing for the blog platform of "The Kennedy Beacon" podcast, warned that Wiles' close connections to Big Pharma pose a problem for the second Trump administration. "Given the increasingly vocal opposition to the [Wuhan coronavirus] COVID-19 vaccination program, including among his base, why does Trump continue to demand acclaim for his role in pushing the shots through?" wrote Sturgess. "We find the answer in Susie Wiles, who appears to be the connective tissue between Trump and Big Pharma." Sturgess described Wiles as an individual who presents the facade of "a soft-spoken, approachable grandmother figure." However, this image is coupled with the fact that she has "a long career specializing in political machinations." Since the mid-1980s, Wiles has worked relentlessly as a lobbyist for multiple corporate and political lobbying firms. One of these is the major lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs, which Wiles became the co-chair of in February 2022. Some of Mercury's major Big Pharma clients include Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead Sciences and Novavax. Mercury has also worked with major organizations that advocate mass and mandatory vaccinations, including the United Nations Foundation, the UN's main charity organization, and Gavi: The Vaccine Alliance, also known as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization. Through Wiles' work with the smaller Tallahassee, Florida-based lobbying firm Ballard Partners, she also lobbied for the biotech research firm Nanobiosym. Multiple investigations have uncovered that Mercury has had operatives that worked for both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Mercury has also had contracts with AmeriPac: The Fund For a Greater America, a political action committee founded by former Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to help elect Democrats, and the nonprofit environmental group the Natural Resources Defense Council. Watch this Nov. 7 episode of "X22 Report" discussing how Big Pharma is panicking over Donald Trump's victory in the election. This video is from the Sanivan channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: RFK Jr. vows to remove entire departments from corrupt FDA: WATCH. Trump's impressive political comeback against all odds makes headlines around the world. The top twelve priorities for Trump's America in 20254 achieve these things and we may save the Republic. President-elect Donald Trump to consider banning certain vaccines if they are proven risky. America's current economic problems pose a big challenge for the next president (Trump). Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com HealthImpactNews.com Brighteon.com When Trump takes office on January 20, the reckoning must begin for the real insurrection by the deep state against President Trump President-elect (that does have a nice ring to it, doesnt it?) Donald Trump delivered a shock and awe election victory on November 5. Those most surprised are the corporate media, Hollywood, and the paid Democrat X-shills, all living in their social media bubbles. (Article by Brian C. Joondeph republished from AllNewsPipeline.com) I wasnt terribly surprised, as I have been tracking the polls on these pages for some time. Aside from the numbers, enthusiasm was on Trumps side, culminating in four rallies the day before the election, which ended in the wee hours of the morning. Compare that to Candidate Joy, who held small rallies with trashy rapper guests who were as verbally challenged as their favored candidate. Prognostications of delayed results, electoral theft, false flag operations, and the like never materialized, at least not significantly. Although I admit I was worried sick about a repeat of 2020, I also noted in my writings that Trump is a smart guy and would not run the same campaign as he did in 2020, this time expecting a different result. Thats the definition of insanity. Trump, for all the claimed faults leveled against him by critics, is quite sane. Not to mention, he is smart, savvy, and determined. From having scores of ballot watchers and attorneys in swing states, ready to pounce on any electoral irregularities, to having his daughter-in-law running the RNC, to a brilliant media campaign, serving fries at McDonalds and riding in a garbage truck, this was not a repeat of 2020. Now Trump must make it through the transition, over two months until the inauguration, when lawfare pit bulls will bare their fangs. They will try to put Trump in jail for his nonsensical crimes. I would love to see that. Trump can take over Rikers Island for his transition team, leaving NYC to figure out what to do with thousands of displaced prisoners. Let NYC deal with the security concerns of business and government leaders visiting the prison daily, clogging up Manhattan traffic. Imagine President-elect Trump holding court in an orange jumpsuit. This would make the McDonalds and garbage truck scenes pale in comparison. I doubt this will happen, but wowza if it does! Trump has a busy agenda ahead of him. Closing the border, disentangling the U.S. from unnecessary wars, and unleashing Elon Musk to perform radical liposuction on the morbidly obese administrative state. Then there must be a reckoning. Or, as Trump would say, returning the stolen diamonds. Where to start? Spygate over fabricated Trump-Russia collusion, impeachments, and other assorted lawfare, including the Mar-a-Lago raid. Other loose ends include Hillary Clintons emails, Anthony Weiners laptop, the Biden familys foreign influence peddling, Hunter Bidens laptop, the weaponized January 6 protests, investigations, and prosecutions, to name a few. The easiest place to start, as in low-hanging fruit, is the 51 intelligence officials claiming in writing with their signatures that the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation, influencing the 2020 election. Isnt that an insurrection? Lets take it apart. Government officials take an oath of office which, among other things, affirms, I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. What happens when said officials violate this oath? Thats called insurrection, which is defined by US Code partially as, Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States. For clearer language, lets turn to Britannica, Insurrection, an organized and usually violent act of revolt or rebellion against an established government or governing authority of a nation-state or other political entity by a group of its citizens or subjects. Enough background. Lets talk about two insurrections, one falsely named and the other one ignored. According to the corporate media, Democrats, and a handful of Trump-deranged Republicans, January 6 was an insurrection on par with the holocaust, World War 2, or 9/11. Except that on January 6, 2021, President Donald Trump was the government. Was he trying to overthrow himself when he told his rally audience to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard? How much of this insurrection was instigated and carried out by federal agents? What role did Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi play? So many questions and so little curiosity from the media and the January 6 committee. What about another insurrection that is being dutifully ignored? And who are these insurrectionists? I refer to former Director of National Intelligence under the Obama administration, James Clapper. He, along with associates in the intelligence community, also known as spooks, attempted to subvert the 2016 and 2020 elections, the latter one successfully. They also attempted successfully to undermine Donald Trumps candidacy and administration by casting doubt on his legitimacy as president through fabricated ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Paul Sperry, in Real Clear Investigations, does a deep dive into the Clapper insurrection. I will highlight his findings. Shortly before the 2016 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, Clapper issued the unprecedented intelligence advisory with Obamas personal blessing. It seemed to lend credence to what the Clinton camp was telling the media that Trump was working with Russian President Vladimir Putin through a secret back channel to steal the election. Sure enough, the Democratic nominee pounced on it to smear Trump at the debate. Yet there was zero evidence of this, as verified by the Mueller and Durham reports. Fast forward for years to another presidential debate. In 2020, he was the lead signatory on the intelligence statement that discredited the New York Posts October bombshell exposing emails from Hunter Bidens laptop, which documented how Hunters corrupt Burisma paymasters had met with Joe Biden when he was vice president. It was released Oct. 19, just three days before Trump and Biden debated each other in Nashville. Fifty other U.S. Intelligence Community officials and experts signed the seven-page document, which claimed the arrival on the U.S. political scene of emails purportedly belonging to Vice President Bidens son Hunter, much of it related to his time serving on the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. If Hunters laptop was disinformation, how could it be introduced by DOJ prosecutors as evidence in his recent felony gun trial? It turns out the FBI knew the laptop was real and suppressed the story, giving Biden a debate talking point. The FBI, which had known Hunter Bidens laptop was authentic since 2019, admitted to Twitter that it was real on the day the New York Post published its reporting on the laptop but then switched its narrative to no further comment and refused to acknowledge the laptops veracity to any other Big Tech companies ahead of the 2020 election. Did Clapper and the 51 spooks change (rig) the 2020 presidential election? One of the fact-checkers, Politifact, acknowledged that 19% of Americans would have changed their vote if they knew the laptop story was real. Another poll from Technometrica Institute of Policy and Politics found, A whopping 79 percent of Americans suggest President Donald Trump likely would have won reelection if voters had known the truth about Hunter Bidens laptop. Another survey from The Polling Company discovered that 45% of Biden voters in swing states said they were unaware of the financial scandal enveloping Biden and his son and that full knowledge would have led more than 9% of these Biden voters to not vote for him, flipping all six of the swing states he won to Trump and giving Trump the election. Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com A groundbreaking discovery has revealed a mysterious "donut-shaped" region deep within the Earth's core, potentially unlocking new insights into the planet's seismic activity and magnetic field. Scientists from the Australian National University made this discovery after analyzing seismic waves that passed through Earth's core. The waves moved two percent slower in this newly identified region, which lies in the outer core just above the boundary with the mantle. This region, shaped like a donut and located parallel to the equator, could be crucial for understanding the planet's magnetic field. The scientists believe the area is composed of lighter elements, such as silicon and oxygen, according to Greek Reporter. Professor Hrvoje Tkalcic, the lead author of the study, explained that these elements might play a role in the currents of liquid metal circulating through the core, which generate Earth's magnetic field. He added, "The magnetic field is a fundamental ingredient that we need for life to be sustained on the surface of our planet." READ MORE : Microplastics Could Form Clouds and Severely Affect Weather, Climate Seismic Discovery Finds Earth's Donut-Shaped Outer Core Region The research team's method was innovative, as they tracked seismic waves long after an earthquake occurred. Unlike traditional studies that focus on the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, the team waited several hours before analyzing the waves. This allowed them to reconstruct the path and behavior of the seismic waves, revealing the existence of this hidden donut-shaped region. The improved approach provided a more comprehensive view of Earth's outer core, leading to this exciting discovery. The region's slower seismic waves suggest that it is made of lighter elements, and its location at the top of the liquid outer core might be essential for the planet's internal processes. These findings could have broader implications for studying not just Earth, but also other planets, as they might help explain the conditions necessary for sustaining life. Without this dynamic motion within the outer core, the Earth's magnetic field might not exist, leaving the planet vulnerable to harmful solar radiation, according to MailOnline. Dr. Tkalcic concluded, "Our results could promote more research about the magnetic field on both Earth and other planets." Digital infrastructure and cloud gaming technology company Radian Arc and COMIT, a leading regional provider of telecommunications services and solutions, have announced a partnership that will bring Radian Arcs complete portfolio of GPU-powered solutions to Vietnam and Southeast Asia. This strategic collaboration enables COMIT, whose expertise includes test and measurement, RAN planning and optimisation, and BSS/OSS support systems, to deliver Radian Arcs advanced infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) platform to its extensive network of telco and enterprise clients throughout the region, encompassing cloud gaming, artificial intelligence, and desktop virtualisation solutions. The solution they offer combines Radian Arcs proven GPU technology and sophisticated SaaS management layer with COMITs strong market presence and deep understanding of local business needs. The partnership introduces a comprehensive suite of services built on Radian Arcs GPU infrastructure. While cloud gaming serves as an initial focus, the collaboration also aims to address the rapidly growing demand for AI and ML capabilities in the region. Radian Arc explains that organisations can now access advanced GPU infrastructure for AI model training and development, enabling real-time inferencing capabilities for production AI applications. The platforms robust architecture supports large language models, generative AI workloads, and complex data analytics, providing the computational power needed for todays most demanding AI applications. The gaming and interactive media capabilities of the platform provide low-latency game streaming infrastructure, supporting multiple gaming platforms and engines. This infrastructure extends beyond traditional gaming to power interactive media and virtual reality applications, thus, says Radian Arc, opening new possibilities for immersive digital experiences. As for data sovereignty requirements, by placing GPU infrastructure directly within local telco networks, organisations can perform AI training and inferencing while ensuring sensitive data never leaves their jurisdiction. The collaboration also brings enterprise-grade desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) solutions to corporate clients, enabling them to provide high-performance virtual workstations to their employees. The DaaS offering includes GPU-accelerated virtual desktops that support demanding applications used in engineering, design, and creative industries. The result, says Radian Arc, is that organisations across various sectors can now leverage enterprise-grade GPU infrastructure without substantial capital investment, accelerating their digital transformation initiatives while maintaining cost efficiency. Globe Telecom president and CEO Ernest Cu said on Monday that unauthorized transactions that affected some GCash wallet users in the Philippines over the weekend were the result of a glitch, and that no funds were lost. Several GCash users complained on social media on Saturday that multiple unauthorised transfers of PHP2,000 (US$34) each had been made from their accounts. GCash issued a statement attributing the transfers to errors in an ongoing system reconciliation process. During a press briefing on the Globes third-quarter results on Monday, Cu confirmed that the problem was due to a system reconciliation error, according to ABS-CSN News. Cu also said that affected users didnt lose any money as a result of the glitch. "No consumer lost any funds. The accounts were restored within 24 hours, and corrections were indeed made on process that will ensure that this doesn't happen again," Cu said. According to a statement from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday, G-Xchange Inc (GXI) which operates the GCash digital wallet assured the central bank that all accounts of GCash users remain secure and that they are now in the process of refunding the deductions. Globe, its fintech subsidiary Mynt (which runs the GCash business) and GXI have not disclosed how many users were affected. The statement from GCash on Saturday said the incident was isolated to a few users. GCash currently has around 94 million users. According to the Philippine governments Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the Inter-Agency Response Center (IARC) hotline received 21 complaints related to unauthorized fund transfers as of Monday. Meanwhile, BSP said it has instructed GXI to submit regular updates on its actions in resolving the problem. BSP will also launch its own investigation into the incident to identify possible vulnerabilities and review compliance with regulations and policies. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it wont be investigating the incident as it has no audit jurisdiction over private fintech firms like GCash, the ABS-CSN News report said. Despite Globes assurance that the incident was a system glitch, the CICC said it is looking into the possibility that at least some of the unauthorised transactions may have been the work of cyber criminals. In a statement on Monday, the CICC said it was looking into an Instagram post from actress Marietta "Pokwang" Subong, who claimed that PHP85,000 the entire balance of her GCash account was transferred to almost 30 unregistered mobile numbers. CICC executive director Alexander Ramos said if the report is accurate, it sounds more like an organized breach rather than a system glitch. Globe said in its Q3 2024 results that Mynt contributed a record PHP3.5 billion to the overall company for that period, representing a 14% contribution to Globe's pre-tax net income, compared to 6% a year ago. What will we eat in two or three months? This is probably the question that Cubans on the island are asking themselves the most today . There is no answer to this question in sight. Nor is there one for others, like how long the blackouts will last, or when Raul Castro's remains be placed in his mausoleum in the Sierra Cristal? But, since eating is a sine qua non for living, we must begin by breaking down the causes of the staggering pace at which the crisis in Cuban agriculture is now worsening, and what can happen if it does not stop by liberating the countryside. I will address the energy crisis, and why the health of a single person in Cuba is so absurdly important for an entire people, another time. The speed at which agricultural production is dropping is unprecedented. . After agonizing over getting something to cook today or tomorrow, Cubans are now looking ahead and wondering what they will be able to eat, and how much, in the near future. Less and less food is reaching grocery stores Cuba's socialized countryside has never produced enough food, but now it is producing less than ever, and the Government does not have the funds to import food to at least alleviate hunger, which is rising rapidly. At neighborhood grocery stores, agromarkets, MSMEs, private restaurants, shopping centers, and even on the indispensable black market, there is less and less food for sale. And when it "appears," it is in very small quantities. For example, the people of Santiago, after six months without receiving a single ounce of rationed chicken, now have begun to receive less than a half of kilogram per capita for the month. This month they could be eating half an ounce a day of chicken, less than at a Nazi concentration camp! The situation is so serious that recovery will be very difficult, expensive and prolonged. Minister of Agriculture Ydael Perez Brito revealed figures evidencing the agricultural debacle in the last four years. It was found that even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic there was more production than now, and that the socialist measures publicized to increase production made everything worse. Believe it or not, Cuba today produces less than 200,000 tons of food in total. And 700,000 tons of rice alone are needed for consumption by Cubans. In 2023 only 27,900 tons of rice were produced, and 238,000 fewer tons of food was produced, in general. In contrast, Uruguay, another small country in the region, lists come 3.4 million inhabitants and its territory covers less than twice Cuba's, but it produces food for more than 30 million people. Fidel's "culture of folly," Communist genes and GAESA What is the cause of the causes of this disaster? Generally, when analyzing the issue, criticisms focus on the regime's mistakes and its mismanagement of agriculture. That is true, and that the current government team is the ineptest since the declaration of independence, but those errors are an effect and not the cause, or at least not the main one. The causal matrix is three-fold: 1) the "culture of revolutionary folly" introduced by Fidel Castro; 2) the DNA of socialism; and 3) a military mafia (GAESA) that holds supreme power and runs the economy basically for its own benefit. The aforementioned "culture" was sown by a narcissistic and know-it-all psychopath who never held anyone accountable for his hair-brained ideas; a man who ruled by slamming his fist on the table to impose his ideas, disconnected from reality, and dismissed those who questioned them, no matter how stupid they were. This aggravated Communism in Cuba. The "chosen one," Charlatan in Chief, surpassed all his counterparts in the so-called "socialist camp" in terms of the nonsensical ideas he implemented. We may recall the 10 Million Ton Sugar Harvest (he dismissed the Minister Orlando Borrego, when he confessed that this would not be possible), the sickly F-1 hybrid cows, the Holsteins at air-conditioned dairy farms, the Cordon de La Habana (massive State agricultural project), his bizarre obsession with the Ubre Blanca (White Udder) cow, and the Rosafe Signet stallion bull. Then there was the deforestation (with the Che Guevara Brigade) of 215,000 hectares of fruit trees, forests, and crops, at a cost of 500 million dollars, to plant rice and pangola grass, which were never sown, and aggravated the droughts on the island; the Dairy Cordon of Havana, the countryside school, the Triangle of Ceba (Camaguey), the Food Plan, the "Zero Option" (which involved training the population to live without water or electricity), the unproductive (and very expensive) "voluntary work" in the countryside... and even the proposal to dry 67,000 swampy hectares of the Cienaga de Zapata. No State can be an agricultural monopoly Worst of all, the last straw, is that today the regime boasts of the "continuity" of those disastrous practices. And now we can add the socialist DNA, very easy to detect with a question: are fatal, absurd mistakes made in the management of agriculture in countries with market economies? No, because it is in private hands and based on an infallible natural law: "the master's watchful eye fattens his cattle." In no serious country can the State have a monopoly on agriculture and agricultural commerce. Pale-faced bureaucrats who have never planted a sweet potato cannot dictate from refrigerated offices what to sow, how, and how much, to sun-weather men working the fields, nor can they force them to deliver their crops to the State at prices that do not even cover production costs, nor should they imprison successful farmers for "illicit enrichment." Even in countries where the Communist Party still rules, but agriculture has been liberated, production has soared. Vietnam, with its Doi Moi (capitalist reform) went from massive famines to being the world's third largest exporter of rice and second largest exporter of coffee. Finally, there is the mafia factor. A single example is revealing: in 2023, the Government allocated over 32.37 billion pesos (over 1.34 billion dollars, at the official 24x1 exchange rate) to the Tourism industry, owned by the mafia (GAESA), and barely invested 2.99 billion pesos (125 million dollars) in agriculture. And in the first half of 2024, with more hunger in Cuba, over 16.32 billion pesos were invested in Tourism, and some 1.05 billion in agriculture - 15 times less! The head of this mafia is a "general" (who did not earn any of its four stars) and who, with characteristically cold cruelty, refuses to allow agricultural workers to freely produce and trade their crops. He also prohibits Cubans from buying land and investing capital in their own country to make it produce more. He only gives land to foreigners who agree to do business with the GAESA mafia. As long as the Government meddles in agriculture, "there will never be food in Cuba" These are the three heads of the dragon that has spawned the agricultural disaster in Cuba, and they must be severed as soon as possible. Without freedom in the countryside, agriculture is doomed. Cuba's agricultural workers have always said this, and continue to do so. I remember back in 1966, in the Sierra Cristal, dozens of coffee growers told me that if the State continued to intervene in the coffee cultivation and its commercialization, all national production would plummet. And so it was: from 60,000 tons produced in 1960 of an excellent, world-famous coffee, today it produces between 8,000 and 9,000 tons. Today, 58 years later, this is what Emiliano Gonzalez, from Bayamo, told the independent press from his El Horno farm: "As long as the government keeps meddling with agricultural workers, and with agriculture, and livestock, and the production of eggs, as long as the black hand of Communism is there, forget it; there will never be food in Cuba." We must stop the socialist State from strangling agriculture and restore common sense, which means private property, liberating the nation's fields. Cubans should be allowed to invest capital in their own agriculture, which should also be opened up to foreign investment, without ties to a dictatorial mafia. We must do this, or there will be humanitarian crisis and famine. Perhaps this is the answer to the question of what we are going to eat. Scientists at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, along with a colleague from Peking University People's Hospital in China, have been leading a special collection and published an editorial in Frontiers in Endocrinology, emphasizing the transformative role digital health technologies play in diabetes management and prevention. Highlighting studies that underscore how digital technology innovations enable improved self-management, personalized treatments, and seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers, the editorial was authored by Dr. Gang Hu and Dr. Yun Shen of Pennington Biomedical and Dr. Xiantong Zou of Peking University. "Digital tools offer unprecedented opportunities to improve patient outcomes through better monitoring, individualized care, and more efficient communication between patients and healthcare providers," the authors wrote. Digital health tools promise to make diabetes care more accessible, effective, and adaptable to patients' individual needs. Advancements in wearable devices, mobile applications, and telemedicine can support patient self-management, personalize treatment, and improve health outcomes. The editorial addresses key challenges with these technologies, including data privacy and accessibility, and encourages ongoing research and development in this promising field. "As the field advances, digital health innovations are poised to play an increasingly critical role in the prevention and management of diabetes, paving the way for more efficient and equitable healthcare delivery," the authors concluded. Dr. Hu is professor and director of the Chronic Disease Epidemiology Laboratory, and Dr. Shen is assistant professor-research in chronic disease epidemiology at Pennington Biomedical. Dr. Zou is attending physician and associate professor at Peking University People's Hospital. This editorial provides insight into the pivotal role digital technologies are playing in our everyday lives, and especially how these technologies can be used in disease management and treatments. The work being done by Dr. Shen and Dr. Hu here at Pennington Biomedical, in partnership with colleagues across the globe showcases the collaborative mindset of Pennington Biomedical and the commitment we have to advance healthcare through innovative research." Dr. John Kirwan, executive director of Pennington Biomedical KFF Health News has sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General to compel it to release a range of Medicare Advantage health plan audits and other financial records. The suit, filed Nov. 12 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco under the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, seeks documents from the HHS inspector general's office, which acts as a watchdog over federal health insurance programs run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The suit asks for correspondence and other records of contact between HHS officials or their representatives and Medicare Advantage organizations concerning overpayment audit findings and potential financial penalties. It also seeks records reflecting communication between HHS and CMS officials regarding the government's policies for recovering overpayments discovered during Medicare Advantage audits, including a controversial decision in January 2023 to limit dollar recoveries for audits dating back a decade or more. Additionally, the suit seeks copies of government contracts awarded to outside firms that have conducted Medicare Advantage audits, including budgets and performance evaluations, dating to 2020. In these audits, reviewers take a sample of 200 patients from a health plan and determine whether medical records support the diagnoses the government paid health plans to treat. KFF Health News requested the records in August, but, more than two months later, "no documents, responsive or otherwise, have been produced," the suit says. Sam Cate-Gumpert, an attorney with Davis Wright Tremaine, which is representing KFF Health News pro bono in the case, said the information is "critically important to public oversight of government misspending." According to the suit, the inspector general's office has audited the Medicare Advantage program more than three dozen times since 2019, revealing billions of dollars in overpayments. But government officials have not recouped the overcharges, according to the suit. The HHS Office of Inspector General "has left taxpayers footing the bill for billions of dollars in overpayments even though HHS OIG's primary purpose is to combat fraud and waste in Medicare and other federally funded health programs," the suit alleges. "In fact, taxpayers have been forced to pay for the Medicare Advantage program's wasteful spending twice first, because of the program itself, and second, because of the costs of the audits, which the government spends millions of dollars to conduct," according to the suit. Medicare Advantage, mostly run by private insurance companies, has enrolled more than 33 million seniors and people with disabilities, more than half of people on Medicare. But the program has faced criticism that it costs billions of dollars more than it should with research showing that many health plans exaggerate how sick patients are to boost payments. A FOIA lawsuit filed by KFF Health News in September 2019 prompted CMS to release summaries of 90 Medicare Advantage audits revealing millions of dollars in overpayments. As part of a settlement, CMS paid $63,000 in KFF Health News' legal fees, though it did not admit to wrongfully withholding the records. The HHS Office of Inspector General had no immediate comment on the suit. Some patients with advanced heart failure can benefit from the support of a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) to sustain heart function. However, despite improvements managing complications associated with the use of CF-LVADs, stroke continues to be a major adverse event after the implantation of the device. Early detection and management of post-CF-LVAD strokes is crucial for improving outcomes. Our goal in this study was to identify a way to predict the risk of future strokes that may occur after CF-LVADs implantation." Dr. Nandan Mondal, co-corresponding author of the work assistant professor in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine Previous studies have shown that mitochondria, cellular structures that provide cells with the energy they need to conduct their activities, play a vital role in stroke. Specifically, reduced levels of OxPhos mitochondrial proteins in white blood cells have been associated with disease severity. "In the current study, published in ASAIO Journal, we investigated whether the levels of OxPhos in white blood cells could help predict the risk of stroke after CF-LVAD implantation," said first author Jacob P. Scioscia, a medical student at Baylor conducting research in the Mondal lab. Scioscia learned about the project in Baylor's SOAR database. SOAR the Office of Student Opportunities for Advancement in Research is dedicated to educating and supporting BCM medical students in pursuing research opportunities. "Dr. Mondal was looking for students with a background in machine learning. I have knowledge in this area and the project was in cardiothoracic surgery, a field I am interested in," Scioscia said. "It looked like a good opportunity to gain experience in basic science research and meet experts in the field." The team studied 50 CF-LVAD patients; 25 had a stroke before implanting the device, and 25 did not. "We took blood samples from all the patients before and after CF-LVAD implantation and measured different OxPhos proteins in white blood cells," Scioscia said. "These generate large amounts of data. We used machine learning modeling to analyze the data and identified six prognostic factors that predicted postimplantation stroke. A reduction on OxPhos proteins appeared to be associated with a new stroke after implantation." "We found that, both before and after CF-LVAD implantation, the group with a prior stroke had lower levels of OxPhos proteins than the group without a prior stroke," Mondal said. "In the group with a prior stroke, OxPhos levels were lower after CF-LVAD implantation than before." The study shows for the first time the existence of mitochondrial dysfunction in white blood cells of patients with congestive heart failure who had a stroke, even before CF-LVAD implantation. "The findings suggest that changes on OxPhos proteins could serve as indicators, predicting new post-CF-LVAD strokes," Scioscia said. "It was exciting to work with Dr. Mondal and the other lab members combining experimental results with machine learning to detect with high reliability the likelihood of stroke progression from OxPhos proteins," Scioscia said. "I believe the research that Dr. Mondal is conducting has the potential to change the standard of care for these patients." "Many factors can contribute to the risk of stroke after CF-LVAD implantation. This study represents one step toward the discovery of stroke indicators. We are currently studying others," Mondal said. "We are continuing this research with a larger group of patients for a longer follow-up time to determine whether our results are widely applicable. This approach would give physicians and surgeons a means to anticipate complications and implement interventions before CF-LVAD implantation," Mondal said. Other contributors to this work include Ivan Murrieta-Alvarez, Shiyi Li, Zicheng Xu, Guangyao Zheng, Jason Uwaeze, Carl P. Walther, Zachary Gray, Katherine V. Nordick, Vladimir Braverman, Alexis E. Shafii, Gabriel Loor, Camila Hochman-Mendez, Ravi K. Ghanta, Subhasis Chatterjee, O Howard Frazier, Todd K. Rosengart and Kenneth K. Liao. The authors are affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University and the Texas Heart Institute. The study was supported by a Faculty Research Grant from Baylor College of Medicine and BCM-INSTINCT and Rice University ENRICH Grants to Dr. Mondal. Members of a gang that smuggled Vietnamese job-seekers to Cambodia and tortured them for ransom. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Public Security Police have recommended charges of robbery, kidnapping and murder against six Vietnamese accused of smuggling five fellow countrymen to Cambodia and torturing them, authorities said Monday. Authorities arrested several people in An Giang Province that borders Cambodia in September for brokering illegal exit from Vietnam. The alleged perpetrators, Nguyen Khac Manh, 34, Nguyen Van Khoa, 29, Hoang Van Thanh, 24, and Nguyen Ngoc Thao and Phan Sy Dung, both 27, have been recommended to be charged with robbery and kidnapping by the police of An Giang. Le Duy Cuong has been recommended to be charged with murder, robbery and kidnapping. They had smuggled five people from northern Vietnam to Cambodia through the border in An Giang in August last year, promising to then bring them to Taiwan to work illegally. However, once they reached Cambodia, the five were detained and taken to a house in Kandal Province, where all of their belongings, including phone and cash, were taken. Thanh, Dung, Thao and certain other people then tortured the victims, and the process was recorded on the phone by Thanh. The torture footage was sent to the families of victims to demand ransoms. The family of one victim failed to deliver the ransom, so the perpetrators hit the victim in the head, resulting in their death. After the families of three other victims sent around VND500 million ($19,760), Manh's group took the money and disappeared. The four surviving victims then escaped their bondage, returned to Vietnam through An Giang and requested authorities for help. The police said Khoa and his accomplices also took VND70 million from the victims in stolen belongings. Mursla Bio, a leader in Extracellular Vesicle (EV) science on a mission to significantly improve cancer outcomes for at-risk patients through the power of dynamic biopsy technology, announced it has been invited to join EVEREST, a leading European consortium. The consortium's objective is to advance EV research, innovation and clinical translation for the benefit of patients. Mursla Bio's selection demonstrates the Company's leadership in the field, particularly in developing EV-based disease surveillance and diagnostic tests. This consortium comprises 22 institutions, academic and non-academic and over 80 Marie Curie Scientific fellows across 11 European countries and will promote the exchange of expertise to advance EV science and its clinical applications in disease management. Mursla Bio will provide oversight on the work package 'scaling and commercialization' of EV products, especially for clinical diagnostics. Additionally, Mursla Bio will host researchers from institutions across Europe and send staff members on secondments to other partners. Mursla Bio's dynamic biopsy technology combines the accuracy and disease sub-typing capabilities of tissue biopsies with the ease of liquid biopsy sample collection, providing a non-invasive intervention with comprehensive biological insights. This is made possible by advanced EV science and an innovative extracellular omics approach, supported by Mursla Bio's technologies. These technologies include organ-specific EV isolation from biofluids for precise targeting, an AI-enabled multi-omics workflow for disease biomarker identification, and a scalable assay platform using optimal biomarkers for clinical use. Pierre Arsene, Founder and CEO of Mursla Bio said: "As a leader in EV science and its clinical applications, we are pleased to have been selected to join the EVEREST consortium as an industry partner. Our cross-Atlantic expertise will guide the consortium in scaling up and commercializing clinically relevant products. Together we aim to shape the best of EV research into highly innovative clinical tests that will benefit millions of patients over the next decade." As the field of EVs is progressing rapidly, initiatives like EVERESTwhich bring together academic and industry partnersare essential to facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical insights. The scientific exchange within the program will greatly benefit the field, with Mursla Bio contributing its expertise to channel the best of EV scientific innovations into clinical products." Dr Tomas Dias, CSO of Mursla Bio The EVEREST project, beginning January 2025, is co-ordinated by the University College Dublin and will receive funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101183034. First Flight To Land At Noida International Airport In 72 Hours, Full Ops Expected By April 2025 Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 17:09 IST On November 30, the Noida International Airport will witness a significant event: aircraft carrying passengers will land at the airport for the first time. Labourers work during the development of Noida International Airport (NIA). (PTI Photo) In a major milestone for the Noida International Airport under construction in Jewar, Greater Noida, aircraft testing operations are set to begin in a matter of hours. Starting November 15, planes will begin landing on the newly-constructed runway as part of a rigorous testing phase that will run through mid-December. The airport is taking significant steps toward its full operational launch, with commercial flights expected to take off in April 2025. Testing Phase to Start Soon related stories The airports testing process will begin in just three days, with numerous empty aircraft from various airlines scheduled to land on the runway for crucial evaluations. These trials will take place between November 15 and December 15, 2024. During this period, aircraft will undergo various flight tests, including multiple landings on the runway. On November 30, the airport will witness a significant event: aircraft carrying passengers will land at the airport for the first time. However, in order to ensure safety and compliance with aviation standards, the Noida International Airport Authority must secure the necessary permissions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by November 25. Special Training Operations to Begin by November 30 As part of this process, a special training session is scheduled for November 30. On that day, a variety of aircraft types, including commercial airliners, will land at the airport. Key industry players, including passengers, aviation experts, and representatives from various airlines, will observe the event. We are on track to start testing the runway and the aircraft landing procedures from November 15," said the CEO of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) in an interview with Local 18. On November 30, we will be conducting a special training session with different aircraft, and this will include both simulated and real-life training scenarios." Full Commercial Operations to Begin by April 2025 The much-anticipated commercial operations at Noida International Airport are slated to begin in April 2025, marking a significant step forward in aviation sector. The airport, which will serve as a major hub for both domestic and international flights, is expected to handle 30 flights on its opening day. This includes 25 domestic flights, three international flights, and two cargo flights. International Destinations and First Flights The CEO confirmed that the first international flights from Noida International Airport will head to Dubai and Singapore. Partnerships with major global airlines, including Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, have already been finalised for these inaugural routes. These flights are set to take off on April 17 2025, marking the official start of commercial services at the airport. Ticket Bookings Open 90 Days Before Operations In preparation for the launch of commercial flights, ticket bookings for the first flights are expected to open 90 days prior to the commencement of operations, which means passengers can begin securing tickets as early as January 2025. The airport management has confirmed that all necessary systems for ticketing and booking will be fully operational ahead of the launch. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A Transformational Project for Uttar Pradesh The Noida International Airport, set to become one of Indias largest airports, is expected to transform the regions economy by creating thousands of jobs, boosting tourism, and improving connectivity. Once fully operational, it will serve as a key transportation hub for Noida and beyond. Location : Greater Noida, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 16:21 IST IndiGo Explores Extension of Boeing 777 Wet Lease to Meet Rising Demand Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 13:43 IST Starting November 15, IndiGo plans to replace the Boeing 777 with A321 aircraft for its flights to Istanbul. Since February 2023, the airline has been operating the Boeing 777 on long-haul routes, aiming to enhance capacity while keeping fares affordable. (Representative/PTI File Photo) IndiGo is working with the civil aviation ministry to explore the possibility of extending the wet lease of wide-body Boeing 777 planes from Turkish Airlines, as the existing lease period is ending this week. Currently, IndiGo is operating two wet-leased Boeing 777 planes for flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul. These are also the only two wide-body aircraft that are in the fleet of the airline, which is Indias largest carrier with a domestic market share of over 62 per cent. related stories These aircraft were wet-leased to cater to the rising demand for international travel from India. IndiGo started operating its first wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft on the Delhi-Istanbul route from February 1, 2023, and began operating the Boeing 777 plane on the Mumbai-Istanbul route from May 17, 2023. Sources in the know said the airline has not received an extension for continuing with the wet lease of the aircraft. When contacted, an IndiGo spokesperson on Monday told PTI that the airline is working with the ministry to explore solutions to extend the wet lease as our AOG (Aircraft On Ground) related capacity constraints, while improving, are not entirely behind us". The two Boeing 777 planes will be operated by IndiGo till November 14 for the flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Istanbul. From November 15, the airline will be deploying A321 aircraft for operating these flights, according to information available on flight tracking website Flightradar24.com. Wet lease of an aircraft by an Indian carrier involves the leasing of foreign aircraft, along with crew, maintenance and insurance. The plane is also under the operational control of the foreign operator (lessor) and subject to regulatory requirements of the foreign civil aviation authority concerned. The safety oversight of such operations is also under the purview of the foreign authority concerned, and the role of Indian carriers is limited to commercial aspects of operations. While announcing the induction of the second Boeing 777 plane into its fleet in May 2023, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said the new aircraft will not only increase capacity on the route but also help keep the fares affordable. The Boeing 777 aircraft has a seating capacity of 400 passengers in a dual-class configuration with 24 business and 376 economy class seats, the airline said. In the wake of Pratt & Whitney engine issues, the airline has grounded many aircraft, impacting its capacity. Last month, IndiGo, which also became Indias first airline to have more than 400 aircraft, said the number of grounded aircraft has reduced to the high 60s from the mid-70s and will further come down to the sub-60 level by the year-end. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At the end of September, the carrier had a fleet of 410 planes. As part of expanding its international network to long-haul destinations, IndiGo, in May this year, placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. First Published: November 12, 2024, 13:43 IST Hyundai India Q2 Results: Net Profit Declines 16% to Rs 1,375 Crore, Revenue Down 7.5% Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 14:50 IST Hyundai India Q2 Results: Hyundai Motor India's revenue from operations during July-September 2024 declines 7.5 per cent to Rs 17,260 crore as against Rs 18,660 crore in the year-ago period. Hyundai Motor India has declared its Q2 results. Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Tuesday reported a 16 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 1,375 crore for the September 2024 quarter, on lower domestic sales and exports. This first quarterly results sinces the companys listing on exchanges. The auto majors revenue from operations during July-September 2024 declined 7.5 per cent to Rs 17,260 crore as against Rs 18,660 crore in the year-ago period. The Creta SUV manufacturer had reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 1,628 crore in the corresponding period last year. related stories Its Ebitda slipped by 10 per cent to Rs 2,205, while margin narrowed by 30 basis points on a year-on-year basis to 12.8 per cent from 13.1 per cent in the year-ago quarter. Ebitda stands for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. Shares of Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday declined by over 2 per cent to Rs 1,772 apiece on the BSE during the day after the results. The company said it has sold a total of 1,91,939 units of passenger vehicles during the September quarter. It includes 1,49,639 units in the domestic market, with a strong contribution from the SUV segment, it added. The export volume stood at 42,300 units, HMIL said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite the sluggish market conditions, we have successfully maintained profitability in H1 FY 2024-25, largely due to our proactive and continuous cost control measures," HMIL Managing Director Unsoo Kim stated. We will be launching the Creta EV for the mass market in the coming months, and we expect it will be a game changer in the EV market." The company said that in the mid to long term, it expects a sustained demand momentum in the industry and will continue to focus on the quality of growth by maintaining an optimum balance between volume, market share and margins. First Published: November 12, 2024, 14:41 IST 'Intel Took Care of...': Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu On Why Chipmaker Has Lost to Nvidia, TSMC, AMD Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 17:56 IST Intel took care of Wall Street instead, and they have lost comprehensively to TSMC, AMD and Nvidia. And now they have lost Wall Street as well, says Zoho founder. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu says AMD and Nvidias success illustrates the benefits of long-term investment in skilled engineering talent. Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has criticised Intels approach to prioritising the Wall Street returns over employee well-being, suggesting this focus contributed to the chipmakers decline relative to competitors like Nvidia, AMD, and TSMC. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Vembu said, Intel took care of Wall Street instead, and they have lost comprehensively to TSMC, AMD and Nvidia. And now they have lost Wall Street as well." related stories He contrasted this strategy with competitors who, he says, thrived by investing in their engineering talent a nod to people calling him a socialist" for his critique on layoffs at Freshworks, leaving it to readers to decide if his stance aligns with such a label. Reflecting on US business practices, Vembu noted, This was not at all the norm in the US either 50 years ago. US companies became world beaters by taking care of their employees. This private equity and Wall Street-led shareholder first world does not work. It wont even work out well for shareholders." You decide: am I a socialist to focus on the most important asset of any company their own people and their well being?Take Nvidia and AMD. Ultimately they triumphed due to their engineers and crucially the engineers that stayed long term to work on deep tech. Their CEOs are https://t.co/USPMd4aqIw Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) November 8, 2024 He argued that AMD and Nvidias success illustrates the benefits of long-term investment in skilled engineering talent, attributing their growth to the vision of their Taiwanese CEOs who focused on talent retention. Vembu particularly highlighted Taiwans semiconductor success, noting TSMCs rise as a dominant force despite Taiwans small population. He criticized what he called the perversion" of capitalism in todays US system, where companies chase short-term profits and executive bonuses at the cost of sustainable growth. Pointing to issues like Federal Reserve bailouts and inflated asset valuations, he remarked, We bet other peoples money and if we win we keep a lot of the gains and if we lose we run to the Fed to bail us out." Vembu warned that with CEO pay reaching 500 times the average workers wage, the country could be headed toward civil unrest. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Citing last years Silicon Valley Bank bailout, he criticized tech leaders for quickly abandoning free-market principles when facing losses. Instead, Vembu advocated for real capitalism" one that focuses on employee well-being and long-term company success over short-term financial strategies. That is how real capital building works: take care of your employees, your most valuable asset and build long-term successful companies," he said, describing this approach as both sound business and our dharma". First Published: November 12, 2024, 17:55 IST Stock Market Holiday: NSE, BSE To Remain Closed On November 15 And 20 Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 08:42 IST Stock market holiday: In the wake of the Assembly Elections in Maharashtra, trading activity at the BSE and the NSE will remain closed on November 20 Sensex Today Indian stock markets including the National Share Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Share Exchange (BSE) will remain closed on November 15 on account of Guru Nanak Jayanti and on November 20 for Maharashtra Assembly Elections. This decision was made by the NSE on November 8. All trading and settlement activities will be closed due to these holidays, which will affect the currency derivatives, futures and options, stock, and commodity derivatives segments. related stories Stock market holidays in 2024 According to the list of stock market holidays in 2024, the Indian stock market was closed on November 1, 2024, on account of Diwali. The special one-hour Muhurat trading session was held on November 1 between 6:00-7:10 pm to mark the beginning of the new Hindu calendar. November 15 (Friday): The markets will be closed on this particular day in honour of Guru Nanak Jayanti which is a religious holiday. November 20 (Wednesday): The markets will also be closed on this account of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections where the entire 288 seats of the state legislative assembly will go to polls for the election. The votes are expected to be counted on November 23. The Maharashtra Legislative Assemblys current term ends on November 26. The state will witness a two-way contest between two coalitions the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Congress, and the Mahayuti Alliance, which brings together BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), and NCP (Ajit Pawar). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Traditionally, during significant political events, for example, during state elections, changes in market sentiments are noted. Experts have opined that the Maharashtra result surpasses importance as the state contributes over 13-14% to Indias GDP and serves as a stronghold for the major political front, as per Money Control. In December, the markets are closed for a day on December 25 for Christmas celebrations. First Published: November 12, 2024, 08:00 IST Stocks To Watch: Hindalco, IndiGo, Nykaa, ONGC, Vedanta, SBI, Ambuja, And Others Reported By : Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 08:54 IST Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Hindalco, IndiGo, Nykaa, ONGC, Vedanta, SBI, Ambuja, and others will be in focus on Tuesday's trade Stocks To Watch Stocks to Watch On November 12: The markets experienced volatility on Monday and closed nearly flat amid mixed signals. In todays trade, shares of Hyundai, Nykaa, Hindalco, NMDC, Britannia, IndiGo among others will be in focus today due to various news developments and second quarter results. related stories Q2 Results: FSN E-Commerce Ventures (Nykaa), Hyundai Motor India, Zydus Lifesciences, Bosch, General Insurance Corporation of India, Ashoka Buildcon, Cello World, CESC, EIH, Finolex Cables, Samvardhana Motherson International, Natco Pharma, Sula Vineyards, Sunteck Realty and others will announce their September quarter earnings today. Hindalco: Copper and aluminium maker reported a net profit of Rs 3,909 crore, up 78 per cent, from Rs 2,196 crore a year ago. The companys revenue was up 7.4 per cent for the quarter under review to Rs 58,203 crore as compared to Rs 54,169 crore a year ago. Britannia: The biscuit makers net profit declined 9.6 per cent to Rs 531.5 crore in Q2FY25 as compared to Rs 587.59 crore a year ago. The companys total revenue grew 5.1 per cent to Rs 4,713.6 crore in Q2FY25, compared to Rs 4,485.23 crore a year ago. Jubilant FoodWorks: Dominos parent reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 66.53 crore in the quarter ending September 30 (Q2FY25) in comparison with Rs 97.2 crore a year ago. The companys revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,954.72 crore as compared to Rs 1368.6 crore a year ago. Godfrey Phillips: Cigarette maker reported a 23 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 248.31 crore in the second quarter ended September 30 (Q2FY25) as compared to Rs 202.06 crore a year ago. The consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,651.42 crore in the quarter under review compared to Rs 1,374.55 crore in the year-ago period. ONGC: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) reported a rise in second-quarter (Q2FY25) standalone profit by 17 per cent to Rs 11,984 crore in the quarter that ended September 30 as compared to Rs 10,238.1 crore a year ago. Vedanta: Metals major said it plans to invest around $500 million in its group company, AvanStrate Inc., a global display glass manufacturer. Vedanta secured a 98 per cent stake in ASI earlier this year. L&T Tech: Engineering and technology services firm announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Silicon Valley-based Intelliswift, for $110 million. The acquisition aims to deepen its offerings across software product development, platform engineering, digital integration, data, and artificial intelligence (AI). Ambuja Cements: Gautam Adani-led company has sought approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire a majority stake in CK Birla group firm Orient Cement in a Rs 8,100-crore deal. HealthCare Global Enterprises: The company has announced the sale of its diagnostic business Triesta, to its subsidiary, HCG Nagpur Cancer Hospital, and Research Institute Oncology. The transaction is valued at Rs 135 crore and is expected to be completed by December 1. Delta Corp, Nazara Tech, and other online gaming stocks: Indias gaming market grew 23 per cent year-on-year (Y-oY) by revenue to $3.8 billion in 2023-24 (FY24), despite the newly imposed 28 per cent blanket goods and service tax (GST) on online gaming, according to a report by gaming-focused venture capital firm Lumikai. Pharma stocks: The Indian Pharma Market (IPM) registered a 6.1 per cent value growth in October 2024 with major therapies showing positive value growth, according to a report by market research body Pharmarack. LIC: State-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has realigned its commission structures for its distributors in accordance with new surrender value norms but has no plans to introduce any clawback", it said in a post-earnings analyst call on Friday. SBI: State Bank of India expects loan book growth of 14 16 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) for 2024-25 (FY25). This comes after a moderation in credit growth in the banking system to 11.5 per cent Y-o-Y till October 18 this financial year. The industry is projected to post credit growth around 13 per cent Y-o-Y in FY25. IRFC: Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) has raised Rs 1,415 crore through bonds maturing in 15 years at a coupon rate of 7.14 per cent, as per reports. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all CAMS and KFintech: The two registrar and transfer agents (RTAs) have forged a new standalone entity to operate the mutual fund (MF) central platform. The joint venture (JV) will explore monetisation opportunities for the MF platform while also increasing the services. Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. First Published: November 12, 2024, 08:54 IST Tatas Dreams: AI-Vistara Merger Becomes Reality; SIA To Invest Rs 3,195 Crore More In Integrated Entity Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 17:33 IST The completion of the much-awaited amalgamation, which was announced in November 2022, comes within six weeks of the integration of Air India Express and AIX Connect. The enlarged Air India will operate over 5,600 weekly flights, connecting more than 90 domestic and international destinations with a fleet of 210 aircraft. Marking a significant consolidation in the fast-growing Indian aviation space, Air India on Tuesday completed the Vistara merger to create an integrated airline, partly owned by Singapore Airlines, that will be flying over 1,20,000 passengers daily and connect more than 90 destinations. The completion of the much-awaited amalgamation, which was announced in November 2022, comes within six weeks of the integration of Air India Express and AIX Connect. The two mergers have created a full service carrier and a low-cost carrier of scale for the Tata Group, which is seeking to establish a world class global aviation company with an Indian heart". related stories Earlier in the day, the nearly 10-year-old Vistara a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines flew into the sunset and its last flight was from Delhi to Singapore. As part of the merger, Singapore Airlines (SIA) will invest an additional Rs 3,194.5 crore in the enlarged entity. The enlarged Air India will operate over 5,600 weekly flights, connecting more than 90 domestic and international destinations with a fleet of 210 aircraft, according to an Air India release. Also, the new entity will fly over 1,20,000 passengers every day and offers an extended worldwide connectivity to over 800 destinations through more than 75 codeshare and interline partners. It is now the countrys largest international carrier and the second-largest domestic carrier. Post-merger, Air India Group operates a combined fleet of 300 aircraft covering 55 domestic and 48 international destinations, with 312 routes and 8,300 flights per week. The collective staff strength stands at over 30,000," the release said. While the Vistara flight code UK has faded away, the airlines flights will have the code starting with the prefix AI2 to help customers choose at the time of booking as Vistara was well regarded for its services whereas Air India, which is in the transformation phase, has been grappling with some service issues. The merger of Air India and Vistara completes the consolidation and restructuring phase of the Air India Groups post-privatisation transformation journey, and is thus a significant milestone. Over the past two years, teams across the four airlines have worked closely together and with other stakeholders to ensure that the transition of people, assets, operations and, most importantly, customers, was as seamless as possible," Air India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said. The iconic Maharaja, once synonymous with Air India for a long time, will remain in a different form in the merged entity. Around 4.5 million Club Vistara frequent flyer accounts have been transferred to Air Indias flying returns programme, which has been renamed as Maharaja Club. Amongst many other aspects, Air India said more than 4,000 vendor contracts have been consolidated and 2,70,000 customer bookings migrated. UK115 flight from Delhi to Singapore was the last flight of Vistara with the code UK while UK986 from Mumbai to Delhi was the carriers last domestic flight. Starting a new chapter, the merged entity operated its first flight with the code AI2286 from Doha to Mumbai. In the domestic sector, the integrated entitys first flight AI2984 took off from Mumbai to Delhi. All the four flights landed at their respective destinations early in the morning on Tuesday. The Air India-Vistara merger also marks the second major airline industry consolidation in the country after 2006-2007. Now, Air India is the lone full service Indian carrier. In 2006-07, Indian Airlines merged with Air India and Air Sahara merged with Jet Airways. During the same period, Air Deccan was amalgamated with Kingfisher Airlines. Air India, Vistara, and AIX Connect together had a domestic market share of little over 29 per cent in September, as per latest official data. Singapore Airlines (SIA) said the merger has been completed and Air India will be an associated company of the airline, adding that it will invest an additional Rs 3,194.5 crore in the enlarged entity. The airline intends to fund the cash amount for the additional capital injection by way of SIA Groups internal cash resources. A lower additional capital injection amount, expected at about Rs 31,945 million (equivalent to approximately USD 498 million). The expected additional capital injection amount remains unchanged to date, based on the current targeted share allotment and issuance date of November 21, 2024. There will be no change to SIAs equity interest of about 25.1 per cent in the enlarged AI, arising from the lower additional capital injection amount," it said in a filing to the Singapore Stock Exchange. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mentioning about the transformation journey, Air India said Vihaan.AI programme has seen commitment to more than 500 new aircraft and the commencement of a USD 400 million interior retrofit programme for legacy aircraft, among others. Tatas has a long association with the airlines industry dating back to the 1930s. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy (JRD) Tata founded an airline in 1932 and named it Tata Airlines. In 1946, the aviation division of Tata Sons was listed as Air India and in 1953, Air India was nationalised. First Published: November 12, 2024, 17:33 IST ICAI CA Foundation, Intermediate 2025 Exam Registration Begins At icai.org, Check Schedule Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 12:49 IST According to the schedule, the deadline to submit the ICAI CA Foundation and Intermediate January Exam 2025 is November 23 this year Once the registration process ends, the application correction window will open from November 27 to 29, 2024. (Representational/File) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has commenced the online registration process for the CA Foundation and Intermediate exams which are scheduled for January 2025. Candidates can apply for the respective exams by visiting the official website of ICAI at icai.org. According to the schedule, the deadline to submit the ICAI CA Foundation and Intermediate January Exam 2025 is November 23 this year. Candidates must keep in mind that they can apply online for the exam with late fees of Rs 600 by November 26, 2024. Once the registration process ends, the application correction window will open from November 27 to 29, 2024. related stories ICAI CA Foundation and Intermediate January 2025: Eligibility Criteria CA Foundation: The candidate must be enrolled in the Foundation Course by no later than September 1, 2024. On the day of the exam, the candidates status changes from CPT to Foundation. The candidate must have taken or passed Class 12 at an accredited school. They must provide their Class 12 mark sheet or admission card to SSP. CA Intermediate: To take the January 2025 CA Intermediate exam, candidates must have finished an 8-month study programme as of January 1, 2025, which means they must have registered by the May 1, 2024, deadline. ICAI CA Foundation and Intermediate January 2025: Steps To Register Step 1: Go to the official website of ICAI at icai.org. Step 2: Search and click on the direct URL that is provided on the homepage. Step 3: First, complete the registration process. Then log in again on the portal. Step 4: Fill out the form as asked and upload all the necessary documents. Step 5: Pay the application fee and submit the form as directed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ICAI CA Foundation and Intermediate January 2025 Exam Schedule As per the official timetable, the CA Intermediate 2025 exams are set to commence with Group I papers on January 11, 13, and 15, 2025. It will be followed by Group II exam papers which will be held on January 17, 19, and 21, 2025. Meanwhile, the CA Foundation exams are said to take place on January 12, 14, 16, and 18, 2025. It is a Descriptive cum Objective type examination of 400 marks comprising four papers. First Published: November 12, 2024, 12:49 IST Student Found Hanging in Hostel Room of Telangana Varsity, Family Alleges Foul Play Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 07:57 IST The girl, a student of Pre-University Course-II, was found hanging in her hostel room at the institutes campus in Basar town by her roommates, a police official said. The girl is suspected to have taken her own life due to family issues, according to a preliminary investigation (Representational/File Photo) A 17-year-old girl student of Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT) in Nirmal district of Telangana allegedly died by suicide on Monday, police said. The students family members raised suspicion over her death and alleged that the hostel staff members were responsible for the incident. related stories The girl, a student of Pre-University Course-II, was found hanging in her hostel room at the institutes campus in Basar town by her roommates, a police official said. The girl is suspected to have taken her own life due to family issues", according to a preliminary investigation. A suicide note, purportedly written by the student and addressed to her parents and brother, has been found, police said, adding she was a native of Nizamabad district. Meanwhile, the girls family members questioned why her body was shifted to the hospital for postmortem without showing it to them first. They argued that the "suicide note" was also not shown to them and alleged the hostel staff was responsible for the girls death. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Further investigation is on, police said. DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) First Published: November 12, 2024, 07:57 IST The United States, along with Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the European Union, released a joint statement November 6 expressing grave concern over the deployment of DPRK troops to Ukraine. The statement noted that the DPRKs direct support for Russias war of aggression against Ukraine would mark a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific peace and security. It would be a further breach of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter. There are some 10,000 North Korean troops in eastern Russia with most currently in the Kursk Oblast. There have been reports of clashes between Ukrainian and DPRK forces in Kursk. As U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said, This is the first time in more than a century that Russia has welcomed foreign troops onto its own soil. The reason why, he noted, is that Putins forces have suffered serious losses. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have caused more than 1200 Russian casualties per day more than at any other time during Putins war. And by tin cupping to North Korea for manpower, Putin is showing the world another clear sign of weakness. The Kremlins North Korean gambit just underscores how badly Putins war has gone, and how much trouble hes in. During a recent press briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said time will tell exactly how these [DPRK] forces are integrated into Russian operations and how theyre committed to the battlefield. So inasmuch as that these are potentially forces that are coming in to replace the massive numbers of losses that Russia is experiencing, I think thats probably a fair assessment, and I certainly would not want to be a North Korean soldier. ... The Ukrainians are battle-hardened veterans who know how to fight. And so every indication [is] that they will continue to defend Ukrainian sovereignty and continue to defend Kursk, the territory that theyve taken. Major General Ryder emphasized that the United States continues to consult very closely with our allies and partners. And we also continue to ensure that were working with Ukraine and some 50 nations to rush security assistance to Ukraine, to defend Ukrainian sovereignty both here and elsewhere in the battlefield. Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain: The Effect Of PM Modi's Slogan On Maharashtras Muslim Seats Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 12:17 IST Maharashtra polls: In Muslim-dominated Bhiwandi East, BJP hopes for consolidation, while MVA calls the slogan a last-minute measure Bhiwandi East in Thane district has seen narrow victory margins ranging in the past three elections. (News18) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain the centrepiece of the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) campaign in Maharashtra and the slogan seems to be resonating the most in Muslim-dominated seats of the state, where every vote matters. One such seat is Bhiwandi East in Thane district, which has over 55% Muslim population and has seen narrow victory margins ranging between 1,300 and 3,300 votes in the past three elections. related stories The Shiv Sena, under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won the seat in 2010 and 2014, but Samajwadi Partys (SP) Rais Sheikh won it in 2019 and is in the contest again as a Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate. This time, Sheikh is facing the biggest challenge from the PMs new slogan. This batoge toh maroge type slogans are good for some other place, but this (Maharashtra) is a state which follows Ambedkars ideology. It is a progressive state. I dont see a place for such slogans herein fact the more they do this, the more our chances of winning go up," Sheikh told CNN-News18 in Bhiwandi. He termed the slogan a desperate last-minute measure to divide society" and said there is no response to it. They (BJP) know they cannot win on the development plank," Sheikh added. #WATCH | Addressing a programme marking the 200th-anniversary celebrations of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Vadtal, PM Modi says There is a conspiracy going on to divide the society on the basis of caste, religion, language, high and low, men and women, villages and cities. It is pic.twitter.com/MhrE6WmxGU ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2024 His competitor and Shiv Sena (Shinde) candidate, Santosh Shetty, however, said Sheikh was rattled by the PMs slogan. Sheikh is holding closed-door meetings with Muslims and telling them woh toh ek ho gaye. He is the man who described the description of a Lord Ganesh idol in Bhiwandi as a small issue to appease Muslims. He wants to mislead Muslims and get their vote, but our slogan is to take everyone together, even Muslims. We want to keep the infiltrators out of Bhiwandi," Shetty told CNN-News18. SUPPORTERS DIVIDED Hum kahan alag hain, sab ek hi hain (Where are we divided, we all are one)," says a group of elderly Muslims in a Bhiwandi street when asked about the PMs new slogan that the Congress has termed as divisive. The BJP is saying wrong things, they want communities to fight. We want development. Jo kaam kare, usko vote donot on caste or religion. Rais has done work, no MLA did so much work so far, he is the first MLA to do real work," they said. The BJP supporters disagree and say the MVA is running its entire campaign on the fake narrative" that the constitution and reservations are in danger. The PMs slogan is not communal. The BJP schemes are for all under the womens scheme, for example, money has gone to Muslim women too. The Congress has nothing to speak on development, so they mislead people, but everyone knows where the unity lies this time," the BJP supporters said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sheikh, meanwhile, predicted the Bhiwandi East seat wont have a close margin this time and he will win by a big margin. The policy of dividing Hindus and Muslims is over. I am a Muslim candidate, but you can see around me my friends are from Hindu community," pointing to his supporters like Swati tai, a Dalit, and Tejas Patil, a Maratha. I think development will work," he added. Shetty has a parting message Sab ek raho. Sab ek ho jao and send Sheikh back to Mumbai (Sheikh belongs to Mumbai)." Shetty is banking on the PMs slogan to see him home. First Published: November 12, 2024, 07:00 IST From Foes To Allies: PM Modis Jibe Exposes Congress's Complex History With Shiv Sena Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 13:03 IST PM Modis remarks arent merely rhetorical, they carry significant undertones and highlight the nuanced and often contradictory relationship between Congress and Balasaheb Thackeray. The Congress and Balasaheb shared a political relationship that fluctuated between adversarial and accommodative, depending on the shifting dynamics within Maharashtra and national politics. (File Image: X) Balasaheb Thackeray, known for his hardline regional and Hindu nationalist views, led Shiv Sena from its inception in 1966 until his death in 2012. His relationship with the Congress has been complex, characterised by both confrontation and cooperation. The Congress and Balasaheb shared a political relationship that fluctuated between adversarial and accommodative, depending on the shifting dynamics within Maharashtra and national politics. related stories In the 1960s, Maharashtra was experiencing economic hardship and an influx of migrant workers, leading to a strong sentiment of Marathi pride among locals. This situation gave birth to the Shiv Sena, which initially positioned itself as a champion of the Marathi Manoos" (Marathi people) against outsiders." This stance aligned with some elements of the Congress partys political agenda, as they too was concerned about social tensions. Initially, the Congress did not take a strong stand against Shiv Sena, as it viewed the partys rise as a counterforce to the growing influence of the Communist Party, which had gained considerable traction among Mumbais working-class population. However, as Shiv Senas ideological leanings shifted towards Hindutva in the 1980s, the relationship soured. The Congress partys secular platform increasingly found itself at odds with Thackerays overt Hindu nationalism. Thackerays unapologetic rhetoric and staunch Hindu identity politics clashed with Congresss secularism, marking a clear ideological divide. The relationship reached a critical point under then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who saw Shiv Senas rising influence as a direct threat to Congresss hold over Maharashtra. During the Emergency (1975-1977), Gandhi imposed stringent controls on dissent, leading to severe consequences for those who opposed her rule. At that time, Shiv Sena had not fully developed its Hindutva agenda, yet Thackerays anti-establishment stance was enough for Congress to consider him a potential disruptor. Indira Gandhi is reported to have considered banning Shiv Sena due to Thackerays provocative speeches and his ability to mobilise public opinion against the Congress regime. Gandhis push for a ban was partly strategic, as she wanted to curb any political entity that could challenge her rule in Maharashtra. Shiv Senas growing influence among Mumbais working class and middle class, along with its popularity among Marathi-speaking communities, made it a formidable force. However, despite Indira Gandhis efforts, she refrained from an outright ban on Shiv Sena, possibly due to the political backlash it could have provoked in Maharashtra, a Congress stronghold. Instead, Congress resorted to weakening the Sena by nurturing its political rivals in the state. According to Prakash Akolkar, senior journalist and author of book on Shiv Sena named Jay Maharashtra, Shiv Sena party came into existence with the help of Congress. The reason to support Shiv Sena was to curb the impact of Left unions and socialist influence in Mumbai. Shiv Sena was also referred as Vasanat Sena due to their close relations with Vasantarao Naik, then Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Many current leaders of Shiv Sena are not aware of the fact that in 1980s, Shiv Sena didnt nominate any candidate against Congress party in state assembly polls and struck a deal to get two seats of State council. In that election, Balasaheb Thackeray had campaigned for Congress candidate and helped rally for him, which I had covered," said Akolkar. PM Modis recent jibe that Congress should praise Balasaheb Thackerays work" isnt merely a nostalgic invocation, it serves multiple political objectives. First, it challenges Congresss narrative on secularism by pointing out the paradox of its alliance with Shiv Sena UBT (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. The Congress partys alliance with a party founded on Hindutva ideology contradicts its secular principles and puts the party in a difficult spot. Through his remarks, PM Modi seeks to highlight what he sees as Congresss inconsistency and ideological compromises. He reminds voters that the Congress party, which once viewed Shiv Sena as a threat to secularism, is now collaborating with the same partys splinter faction to retain power. This message resonates with BJPs base, reinforcing the partys portrayal of Congress as opportunistic and willing to forsake its values for political gain. Moreover, Modis praise for Balasaheb serves as a calculated move to co-opt Thackerays legacy. By positioning himself as an admirer of Balasahebs work, PM Modi aims to appeal to the traditional Shiv Sena base, especially in light of the split within the party. While the Shiv Sena UBT faction is aligned with Congress in the MVA coalition, Modis comments are intended to remind Balasahebs followers of his ideological alignment with the BJPs vision of Hindutva, subtly reinforcing the divide between the original Shiv Sena ideals and the current Uddhav-led factions stance. Akolkar is of the opinion that PM Modi is trying to create rift between MVA by making such statements, but Congress and Shiv Senas love-hate relationship goes back to 1960s when Sena was established in Mumbai and was limited to Mumbai and Thane. For us, BJP-Sena alliance was a kind of shock as Sena was having good equations with Congress party in Mumbai, Sena used to get plum departments in Mumbai Municipal Corporation on the basis of their relations with Congress leadership in the state. It is after the 1980s that Sena, in a bid to expand its wings across Maharashtra, took on the agenda of Hindutva instead of Marathi Manoos, we saw differences surfacing between these two parties as Congress has always advocated secular values and secularism." Balasaheb Thackerays legacy remains deeply ingrained in Maharashtras political psyche. His brand of Hindutva and regional pride inspired an entire generation and reshaped Maharashtras politics. For his followers, Thackeray represented a leader who prioritised the interests of Maharashtrians and Hindus, a sentiment that still holds sway in parts of the state. The irony in todays political landscape is evident. Congress, which once viewed Shiv Senas Hindu nationalist ideals as a threat, now shares a political platform with a faction of the Sena in an effort to challenge the BJPs influence in Maharashtra. For Congress, this alliance is a necessary compromise to counter the BJPs political dominance, but it also opens the party up to criticism for aligning with an ideology it historically opposed. Prime Minister Modis comments on Thackerays legacy serve as a reminder of this contradiction and highlight the complex web of political alliances in Maharashtra. His taunt isnt only aimed at exposing Congresss inconsistency, it also seeks to appeal to the Shiv Sena loyalists who feel alienated by the partys alliance with Congress. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Modis praise of Balasaheb Thackeray and his taunt towards Congress serve a strategic purpose, underscoring the ideological inconsistencies that have emerged within Maharashtras political alliances. The historical tension between Congress and Balasaheb reflects the broader challenge Congress faces in reconciling its secular ideology with the pragmatism required for coalition politics in Maharashtra today. This history provides context for understanding the BJPs strategy in Maharashtra, where it seeks to capitalise on Thackerays legacy and portray itself as the true inheritor of his Hindutva vision. As Maharashtra heads toward another election, this invocation of Balasaheb Thackeray is a calculated reminder of the ideological battle lines that continue to shape the states political landscape. The enduring question remains: Can Congress balance its ideological stance with the practicalities of coalition politics, or will it further alienate its traditional voter base? For PM Modi and the BJP, the answer may well determine the outcome of the next electoral contest in Maharashtra. First Published: November 12, 2024, 13:03 IST Jharkhand Election: Polling Across 43 Assembly Seats Today, 683 Candidates In Fray Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 23:59 IST While the JMM-led coalition is seeking to retain power in a tough contest with BJP-led NDA by riding on its welfare schemes including Maiyan Samman Yojana the saffron party has raised the election pitch through an aggressive Hindutva pitch, including infiltration and corruption by the... Read More In the 2019 assembly elections, the contest was close, with the JMM winning 30 seats and the BJP securing 25, down from 37 in 2014. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance won a comfortable majority with 47 seats. (Photo: PTI file) Jharkhand is geared up for polling in 43 of the 81 assembly seats in the first phase on Wednesday, when the electoral fate of 683 candidates, including former chief minister Champai Soren and ex-MP Geeta Kora will be decided, officials said. Polling is scheduled to begin around 7 am in 43 assembly constituencies in 15 districts, and will continue till 5 pm. related stories However, in 950 booths, voting will end at 4 pm, though people standing in the queue at that time will be able to exercise their franchise. While the JMM-led coalition is seeking to retain power in a tough contest with BJP-led NDA by riding on its welfare schemes including Maiyan Samman Yojana the saffron party has raised the election pitch through an aggressive Hindutva pitch, including infiltration and corruption by the current dispensation. Top BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma held a number of rallies where they attacked the JMM-led coalition over corruption and infiltration. INDIA bloc leaders including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife and legislator Kalpana Soren campaigned, promising welfare schemes and accusing the BJP-led Centre of unleashing" all central agencies including ED, CBI and I-T against the opposition. A total of 1.37 crore voters out of the total 2.60 crore are eligible to participate in the voting on Wednesday. Of the 683 candidates, 609 are men, 73 women and one of the third gender person. Out of the 43 seats, 17 are reserved for general category candidates, 20 for Scheduled Tribes and six for Scheduled Castes. A total of 15,344 polling stations have been set up for the first phase of elections. Of those, 12,716 are located in rural areas and 2,628 in urban areas. Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar said all preparations for voting have been completed and polling personnel have reached the stations. Mock polls will begin at 5.30 am, he said. The responsibility of the entire voting process at 1,152 polling stations will be in the hands of women, Kumar said, adding that 24 booths will be manned by persons with disabilities. He said since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, a total of Rs 208.78 crore worth of illegal material and cash has been seized. Till Tuesday, 58 cases have been registered over violation of the MCC, of which the maximum of 29 was in reported in Garhwa district. Both the NDA and INDIA bloc pulled out all the stops to ensure their victories in the elections with BJP focusing on Roti, Beti, Maati and the INDIA bloc trying to capitalise on suppression of voice of a tribal CM". The BJPs key promises include driving out infiltrators", implementing Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Rs 2,100 per month to every woman and 5 lakh employment opportunities for the youth. The JMM, in order to counter BJPs Gogo Didi scheme of providing Rs 2,100 financial assistance to women per month, promised to give Rs 2,500, besides 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs, bringing domicile policy based on 1932 as the cut-off year for land records, implementation of Sarna Dharma Code, and hiking reservations for the OBC, SC and ST communities to 27 per cent, 12 per cent, and 28 per cent respectively. Former CM Champai Soren, contesting on a BJP ticket in Seraikela, faces a challenge from former JMMs Ganesh Mahli. BJPs Geeta Kora, wife of former chief minister Madhu Koda, will lock horns with Congress Sona Ram Sinku in Jagannathpur. Congress veteran Rameshwar Oraon will contest against AJSU Partys Shanti Bhagat in Lohardaga. In Jamshedpur (West), JD (U) candidate Saryu Roy will lock horns with Congress Banna Gupta. In 2019, Roy as an Independent, had defeated sitting CM Raghubar Das. In Jamshedpur (East), BJPs Purnima Sahu Das, the daughter-in-law of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, is contesting for the first time, against Ajoy, an IPS officer-turned-politician. He had represented Jamshedpur once as an MP. From Potka, former chief minister Arjun Mundas wife Meera Munda is contesting against JMMs Sanjiv Sardar. The second phase of elections will be held on November 20 while the votes will be counted on November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the contest was close, with the JMM winning 30 seats and the BJP securing 25, down from 37 in 2014. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance won a comfortable majority with 47 seats. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Currently, the strength of the assembly stands at 74, with the JMM-led ruling alliance comprising 44 members 26 from the JMM, 17 from Congress, and one from RJD. Location : Ranchi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 23:52 IST Jharkhand Polls: Congress Releases Manifesto, Promises Caste-based Census, Free Power Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 21:23 IST The manifesto, unveiled by party manifesto committee chairman Bandhu Tirkey, focused on seven promises and 24 resolutions, including the 1932 Khatiyan-based domicile policy and implementation of the Sarna religious code of the tribals The Congress in its manifesto promised to set up one 100-bed super-specialty hospital in every district headquarters, distribute green ration cards to 10 lakh additional beneficiaries and make Jharkhand a manufacturing hub. (PTI file) The Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for the Jharkhand assembly elections promising 250 units of free electricity, caste-based census and filling up of all vacant government posts within a year. The manifesto, unveiled by party manifesto committee chairman Bandhu Tirkey, focused on seven promises and 24 resolutions, including the 1932 Khatiyan-based domicile policy and implementation of the Sarna religious code of the tribals. related stories It was released a day before the first phase of polling for 43 of the total 81 seats of the state. The manifesto promises free electricity up to 250 units to the poor as against 200 units at present. We will fill up all vacant government posts in a year," Tirkey said. He said, Keeping in mind the interests of the tribals in Jharkhand, the Manifesto Committee held a Chaupal in every district and interacted with the public. We made every effort to ensure that our manifesto is for the common people." The manifesto promised to repeal the previous BJP governments Land Bank Policy and strictly implement the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act, Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act and provisions of the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act. The Congress in its manifesto promised to set up one 100-bed super-specialty hospital in every district headquarters, distribute green ration cards to 10 lakh additional beneficiaries and make Jharkhand a manufacturing hub. Meanwhile, Jharkhand BJP on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the Congress and JMM for allegedly releasing their manifestos in the silent period. The BJP demanded that the Commission take action against the Congress and the JMM. Sudhir Srivastava, who led the party delegation to the election office, said that the campaign for the first phase of the elections ended on Monday at 5 pm. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The silent period starts thereafter, and no publicity, press conference or releasing manifestos could be done during the period. But, the JMM and the Congress released their manifestos during the period violating the model code of conduct," he said. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday released its manifesto for assembly elections promising 33 per cent reservation to women in state government jobs. Location : Ranchi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 21:23 IST Kharge's Mother, Sister Had Died in Razakar Attack But: Yogi Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 19:06 IST Days after Kharge criticised the seer-turned-politician on his saffron attire and "Batenge to Katenge" slogan, Adityanath launched a strong counterattack at a poll rally in Maharashtra's Amravati Adityanath alleged Congress ignores historical atrocities for the sake of vote bank politics. (Image: ANI/X) Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday claimed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge purposely keeps mum on the tragic death of his mother and sister in an attack by Razakars as he feared losing Muslim votes. Days after Kharge criticised the seer-turned-politician on his saffron attire and Batenge to Katenge" slogan, Adityanath launched a strong counterattack at a poll rally in Maharashtras Amravati. related stories He accused the Congress veteran of suppressing these painful personal memories for political expediency. Adityanath alleged Congress ignores historical atrocities for the sake of vote bank politics. Kharge has conveniently forgotten the history of the Razakars under the Nizam of Hyderabad despite the personal loss he had suffered, Adityanath said. (Mallikarjun) Kharges village, Varawatti, was also burned down by Razakars, and his mother, aunt, and sister died in the attacks," Adityanath claimed. He alleged Kharge was suppressing this truth fearing he might lose Muslim votes if he spoke about atrocities committed by the Nizams forces. Congress is trying to reject history and Kharge has conveniently forgotten what happened to his family, just for vote bank politics," said the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. The Razakars was a paramilitary force that operated in the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad with a primary objective to maintain the rule of the Muslim Nizams of Hyderabad and prevent the accession of Hyderabad to India. The UP CM further alleged that the historical leadership of Congress compromised with the Muslim League in 1946, resulting in the division of India and the killing of Hindus. When the Nizam realised during the Independence movement that he could not remain independent, he resorted to killing Hindus," said Adityanath. He claimed B R Ambedkar had advised Hindus and Scheduled Castes to move to Maharashtra for their safety (from the Nizam-ruled territory). Adityanath also warned against divisions within the nation. If you are divided, your daughters will become unsafe, temples will be attacked, and communities targeted. This is the reality of what happens when you are not united," Adityanath said while drawing a parallel with the rise of instances of love jihad and land jihad in Maharashtra" and blaming the erstwhile Congress governments. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During a poll rally, Kharge had said, Many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians" in a veiled attack on Adityanath. On the one hand, you wear gerua (saffron) clothes, and on the other hand, you say batoge to katoge. I would say to the BJP, either wear white clothes or if you are a sanyasi, wear gerua clothes, but then get out of politics," Kharge had said. Location : Amravati, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 19:06 IST Stay United Or Congress Will Take Away Your Quotas: PM Modi In Maharashtra Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 14:13 IST PM Modi took a jibe at the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) while addressing a public rally in poll-bound Maharashtras Chandrapur PM Narendra Modi (Image: YouTube/Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Opposition Maha Vikas Agadi in poll-bound, saying Agadi meant biggest players of corruption". While addressing a public rally in Chandrapurs Chimur, he said, The rapid development of Maharashtra is beyond the reach of Aghadi. They have done a PhD in braking development. And Congress is a double PhD in it. Aghadi yani Bhrastrachar ke sab se bade khiladi, Aghadi yani khiladi (Aghadi means biggest players of corruption)." related stories #WATCH | Chandrapur, Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting in Chimur. pic.twitter.com/ds1HFJBX6S ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2024 Campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is an ally of the present Mahayuti government in the state, PM Modi said Maharashtra has seen the wonders a double-engine government can do. You have seen the double speed of development in the last 2.5 years. Maharashtra is the state with maximum foreign investment. There are new airports and expressways, one dozen Vande Bharat trains are running, and more than 100 railway stations are being transformed. The people of Chandrapur have been demanding rail connectivity for years, but Congress and Aghadi did not let that happen," he said. The elections for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra will take place in a single phase on November 20, with the vote count scheduled for November 23. Congress Wants To Divide People: PM Modi PM Modi took a dig at Congress and said the grand old party wanted to divide people based on their caste. He urged people to stay united to prosper. Agar aap ek nahi rahe, aapki ek jutata tuti, sabse pehle congress aapka reservation cheen legi (If you dont stay united congress will take away your quotas)," he said. He added that the tribal population in the country was around 10% and Congress wanted to divide the Adivasi community into castes and weaken them. If the Adivasi community gets divided into castes, it will end its identity and strength. The prince of Congress has announced this in a foreign country (Rahul Gandhi) We dont have to become a part of Congress conspiracy and we have to stay united. PM Modis Scheduled Rallies In Maharashtra With less than a week to go for campaigning to end, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address two more public meetings and campaign for MahaYuti candidates. The Prime Minister will address a rally Solapur at 4:15 pm. and later in Pune at 6:30 pm in western Maharashtra. In western Maharashtra which has 70 Assembly constituencies, the BJP and its MahaYuti allies will look to minimise any damage in what is essentially considered an NCP-Congress stronghold. The BJP is looking to strategically deploy the Prime Minister to overcome any cracks in its organisation at the ground level. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Vidarbha is crucial for the contest as 36 of the 76 direct contests between the Congress and the BJP will play out in the region, which has a total of 62 Assembly constituencies. The BJP has also fielded 47 candidates in the region and if it strikes a blow here, the MahaYuti alliances chances of returning to power will increase to a large extent. The regions importance to the BJPs poll calculations is apparent when one looks at PM Modis quick visits to Wardha and Washim on September 20 and October 5, respectively. During those visits, the Prime Minister focused on agriculture, the textile sector, and OBCs. First Published: November 12, 2024, 13:27 IST Wayanad Bypoll: Priyanka Gandhi Faces Key Test; Will She Surpass Rahul's Victory Margin? Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 22:58 IST During the high-voltage campaign, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi has relied heavily on her brother's tenure as Wayanad MP and his popularity in the constituency to boost her prospects Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi has promised that she will keep coming to Wayanad if she wins from the constituency. (Image: PTI/File) Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her maiden electoral contest in Keralas Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll on Wednesday, faces a key test not only to hold onto the partys stronghold but also to widen the victory margin her brother, Rahul Gandhi, achieved in the last two elections. During the nearly month-long, high-voltage campaign, Priyanka has relied heavily on her brothers tenure as Wayanad MP and his popularity in the constituency to boost her prospects, frequently highlighting the love and affection" he has for the people of Wayanad and how they supported him during challenging times. related stories Rahul, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has also joined her at public meetings and roadshows in the constituency on several occasions, urging the people of Wayanad to show her the same support they gave him. Meanwhile, her rivals, LDFs Sathyan Mokeri and NDAs Navya Haridas, are hoping that Priyankas lack of electoral experience will discourage voters from choosing her. Mokeri has a history of contesting from the Wayanad LS seat in 2014 and reducing the victory margin of then UDF candidate to 20,000. The LDF and NDA campaign also focused on pointing out that Rahul allegedly rarely came to the constituency after his win from there in 2019 and that he abandoned them after his win in 2024. Both political fronts have claimed that Priyanka too will follow in her brothers footsteps. The LDF and NDA are also of the view that Rahul won in the general elections held in April as the people thought he would be the next prime minister, which would not be the case this time round. Priyanka has answered the LDF and BJPs statements questioning her experience by pointing out that she has been active in politics for 35 years, since 1989, when she campaigned for her father, Rajiv Gandhi. She also said that she would keep coming to Wayanad if she wins from here, till the people tell her not to come there so frequently. The Congress leader further contended that she was a fighter" and would fight for the interests of the people of Wayanad on every platform. The constituency, which Rahul won this year with a victory margin of over 3.5 lakh votes, was vacated by him following his success in the Rae Bareli LS seat also, necessitating a bypoll in Wayanad. He won the constituency in 2019, with a margin of over 4.3 lakh votes. A total of 16 candidates, including Priyanka, Mokeri and Haridas, are vying for the support of the over 14 lakh voters in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. On Monday, the last day of by-election campaigning in the hill constituency saw roadshows by all three major political fronts, with Rahul showing up in person to garner support for his sister, who is making her electoral debut. Meanwhile, extensive preparations have been made in the constituency, where a bypoll was announced by the Election Commission on October 15. The Wayanad LS constituency comprises seven Assembly segments Mananthavady (ST), Sulthan Bathery (ST), and Kalpetta in Wayanad district; Thiruvambady in Kozhikode district; and Eranad, Nilambur, and Wandoor in Malappuram district. Several companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Armed police Battalion have been deployed for election duties in the seven assembly segments, according to details shared by the respective district administrations. Polling will be conducted in over 1,000 booths across the constituency and special security arrangements have been made at the places where there was a Maoist presence or which are considered to be trouble-prone, the district administration said. The preparations also include setting up 24-hour control rooms and round-the-clock police patrolling ahead of the polling, which will commence at 7 am on Wednesday. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Malappuram district administration said that since the model code of conduct came into effect, police have seized 13.1729 kilograms of ganja, 76.25 grams of MDMA, 30 liters of Indian-made foreign liquor, Rs 50,98,300 in cash and 719.8 grams of gold from the district. Besides that, a country-made gun and 12 rounds of ammunition were seized from the Nilambur police station limits, it added. The counting of votes will be done on November 23. Location : Wayanad, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 22:58 IST Maharashtra Polls: Sharad Pawar Calls For Defeating 'Betrayer' Chhagan Bhujbal Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 23:07 IST NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said Chhagan Bhujbal has the reputation of ditching his mentors, and appealed to voters to teach the turncoat leader a lesson NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar made an emotional appeal to voters to defeat Chhagan Bhujbal, reflecting the deep hurt caused by his siding with Ajit Pawar last July. (Image: PTI/File) Sharad Pawar addressed his first rally after the NCP was hit by internecine rebellion last year in the Yevla constituency of his former confidant Chhagan Bhujbal and apologised for giving a wrong candidate" in 2019 polls. With campaigning for the November 20 assembly polls entering the home stretch, Pawar on Tuesday made an emotional appeal to voters to defeat the betrayer", reflecting the deep hurt caused by Bhujbal siding with Ajit Pawar last July. related stories Addressing a rally on Bhujbals home ground Yevla, the veteran politician disclosed that post the NCP split, Bhujbal visited his residence and offered to mediate between him and Ajit Pawar, but never showed up again. Pawar said despite giving several opportunities to Bhujbal, ranging from the opposition leader to deputy chief minister overlooking his foibles, he crossed all limits of political decency and went on to betray him. The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief said Bhujbal has the reputation of ditching his mentors including himself (Pawar) and the late Bal Thackeray, and appealed to voters to teach the turncoat leader a lesson. Bhujbal made fun of Balasaheb Thackeray who had made him the mayor of Mumbai. When he feared attacks from Shiv Sainiks, who were hurt by the jibes at Thackeray, I protected him. Later, we fielded him as a candidate when he expressed the desire to contest elections, but he lost," Pawar said. Bhujbal had defected from the Shiv Sena and aligned with Pawar in the Congress in 1991. Bhujbal also walked out of the Congress with Pawar, when the latter formed the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999. Pawar said when Bhujbal lost the assembly elections, he sent him to the Legislative Council and even made him the Leader of the Opposition. When I founded the NCP, I made Bhujbal the first state president of the party. I made the mistake of fielding him from Yeola and making him the second important minister in the government," Pawar said. Pawar recalled that Bhujbal committed some mistakes and had to resign as minister, but was taken back in the government after he gave an assurance of correcting himself. I stood by him when he had to go to jail after some allegations were levelled at him and even gave him a post in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government," he said. Pawar said when the NCP was split, Bhujbal had come to his residence and offered to mediate between him and his renegade nephew Ajit Pawar. He offered to mediate and left but has not returned ever since. He even took oath (as minister) the next day," Pawar said. The NCP-SP supremo said Bhujbal, who has betrayed his mentors, will come seeking votes from the people of Yevla. It is up to you to decide whether to support such a person," Pawar said. Bhujbal is pitted against NCP-SP candidate Manikrao Shinde. Located in Nashik district, Yevla is home to one of the biggest onion wholesale markets in the country. Also famous for the Paithani sarees, the constituency comprises 3,26,626 voters, including nearly 1.35 lakh Marathas. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bhujbal (77), who hails from the Mali OBC community, started as a vegetable vendor in Mumbais Byculla market. When Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966, Bhujbal was among the first to join it, advocating for the rights and pride of the Marathi community. Once a fierce supporter of the Hindutva ideology, Bhujbal joined the Congress in 1991 when Sharad Pawar was the chief minister. He focused on expanding his influence among the OBCs in the state. Last year, Bhujbal justified his decision to join the Ajit Pawar camp, stating it was motivated by the concern for voters, whose needs must be addressed. Location : Yevla (Yeola), India First Published: November 12, 2024, 23:07 IST 'Waqf Board In Habit Of Grabbing Land, Time To Make Change': Amit Shah At Jharkhand Rally Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 22:41 IST Union Home Minister Amit Shah also claimed that no one can stop the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, which is "needed to check infiltrators" and assured tribals that they will be kept out of its ambit Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the JMM-led coalition of making infiltrators its vote bank.. (Image: PTI/File) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the Waqf Board of grabbing land of temples, villagers and others in Karnataka and stressed that it was time to make changes in the body and amend the related Act. He also claimed that no one can stop the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which is needed to check infiltrators", and assured tribals that they will be kept out of its ambit. The Waqf Board is in the habit of grabbing land. In Karnataka, it has devoured the assets of villagers. It has grabbed land parcels of temples, farmers and villagers. Tell me whether changes are required in Waqf Board or not. Hemant Babu and Rahul Gandhi say no. I tell you let them oppose it, the BJP will pass the Bill to amend the Waqf Act. No one can stop us," he said while addressing a poll rally in Jharkhands Baghmara. related stories He also accused the JMM-led coalition of making infiltrators its vote bank and claimed that trainloads of illegal immigrants will be sent to Bangladesh if the BJP is voted to power in Jharkhand". No one can stop implementation of Uniform Civil Code aimed at preventing infiltration in Jharkhand, and tribals will be kept out of its ambit," he said, further alleging that the Congress was opposed to OBC reservation. Rahul Gandhis four generations cant touch your reservation," he said while addressing the rally. Accusing the JMM and Rahul Gandhi of dividing the country on the basis of castes, the BJP leader claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made only four categories poor, farmers, youths and women for the welfare of people. The union home minister promised that if the BJP is voted to power, it would make Jharkhand the most prosperous state in the country in the next five years and each paisa looted by JMM-Congress leaders will be returned to its treasury." We will set up mineral-based industries in Jharkhand and create an environment in which no one will migrate to other states," he added. Addressing another rally at Jharia, he slammed the JMM-led coalition for alleged corruption and coal smuggling and urged voters to strengthen BJPs hands so that corruption could be stopped. Coal smuggling will be stopped in Jharkhand if the BJP comes to powertraders need not fear now," Shah said at a BJP rally in the coal belt of Jharia. He also alleged that Jharkhand leaders who looted public money" will not be spared after the BJP forms the government in the state. We will hang the corrupt leader upside down to straighten them," he claimed. Shah claimed, Hemant babu welcomes infiltrators by rolling out the red carpets for them. We will identify and drive out them if the BJP is voted to power in Jharkhand." Shah alleged that infiltrators were marrying tribal women and grabbing their land. Your one vote will decide Jharkhands destiny. It will also decide whether women will become lakhpati under PM Modis leadership or Jharkhand corrupt leaders will fill their coffers," Shah said while addressing the rally. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He claimed, Modis guarantees are like patthar ki lakir (strong as a rock inscription). Womens property registration will be made for Rupee 1 if the BJP comes to power in Jharkhand." Alleging that the Congress was trying to snatch reservation of OBCs, STs and SCs to handover quota to Muslims," he asserted that the BJP would not allow reservations to the minority community. The BJP leader also took an apparent dig at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and urged voters to press the button for lotus, the symbol of the BJP, so hard that current is felt in Italy". Location : Jharkhand, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 22:41 IST Can Underwater Curtain' Stop This Doomsday Glacier From Melting? | Explainer Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 16:11 IST Melting of the Doomsday Glacier could flood Americas eastern coast. To prevent this, researchers have suggested placing a thick artificial glacier sheet over the seawater The Thwaites Glacier, a colossal ice mass covering 192,000 square kilometres in West Antarctica, is located east of Murphy Mountain on the Walgreen Coast of Marie Byrd Land. (AP/File) Ice is melting across the globe, threatening to raise sea levels and submerge major coastal cities, including Mumbai. Scientists are particularly concerned about the Arctic and Antarctic regions, with the most pressing worry being Antarcticas rapidly melting Doomsday Glacier, a significant contributor to this potential crisis. In a bid to mitigate the risks, scientists are exploring innovative solutions, including the deployment of a massive underwater curtain. related stories The melting of the Doomsday Glacier alone could inundate the eastern coast of America. To avert this, researchers have proposed deploying a thick sheet of artificial glacier over the seawater. Another suggestion involves cooling the bedrock beneath the Thwaites Glacier, also known as the Doomsday Glacier, to prevent warm water from infiltrating it. The Thwaites Glacier, a colossal ice mass covering 192,000 square kilometres in West Antarctica, is located east of Murphy Mountain on the Walgreen Coast of Marie Byrd Land. Climate change is accelerating its melting rate, potentially raising global sea levels by 10 feet. What will happen if the Thwaites Glacier melts? The potential consequences of the glaciers complete melting are dire, with coastal cities like New York, Charleston, Atlantic City, and Miami facing catastrophic flooding. To address this looming threat, researchers from the Climate System Engineering Initiative at the University of Chicago have published a report proposing a new initiative. Our argument is that we should start funding this research from now, so that when the water is already reaching our ankles, we do not make any panicked decisions," urged Douglas MacAyeal, a professor of geophysical sciences and co-author of the report. Experts have consistently emphasised the need for proactive measures to address such challenges. How will this work? The report proposes pumping seawater to the surface of the Doomsday Glacier, where it would freeze due to the frigid air temperatures, thickening the glacier. However, the authors acknowledge the inherent risks and costs associated with this idea. The salinity of seawater could hinder the ices ability to freeze or maintain a uniform frozen state. Additionally, pumping vast quantities of seawater requires substantial energy. UK-based startup Real Ice has been exploring the concept of pumping seawater since 2019, with promising results from field trials in Canada. However, large-scale deployment would require approximately Rs 506.34 billion annually and consume significant energy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Scientists have also proposed other geo-engineering solutions to halt glacial melting. Some experts deem these ideas revolutionary" but caution that geo-engineering would be difficult or impossible to achieve" and could distract from the more pressing need to reduce carbon emissions. Gernot Wagner, a climate economist at Columbia Climate School, said, When we talk about glacial geo-engineering, we have to tell the truth, which is that it is not a solution to climate change. At best, it is a pain reliever." Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 16:11 IST How Vistara-Air India Merger Will Impact Flights, Travel Experience, Membership | Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 10:38 IST Vistaras routes, schedules, in-flight experience, including products and services, will remain unchanged, with same crew serving on the flight. Let us look at what would happen to customers loyal points, membership statuses and reward points after the merger Any Club Vistara Points, including those set to expire in September or October 2024, will automatically convert to Flying Returns points on November 12. (File photo) Vistaras full integration into Air India began on November 12, as the airline makes an official departure from operating flights as an independent brand. Vistara, which was a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and the Tata Group, operated its last domestic and international flight on November 11. Air India has promised smooth transition for customers, who took to social media yesterday to describe Vistara as the finest" domestic airline. related stories The regular flyers with Vistara are also wondering how the merger will affect their loyalty points, membership status and reward. What Are The Changes For Vistara Members? Club Vistara Points: The last day to earn and redeem the CV points on Vistara flights was November 11, 2024. After this date, all points and benefits will transfer to Air Indias Flying Returns programme at a 1:1 ratio, according to a report by CNBC TV18. Flying Returns: Starting November 12, Vistaras operations fully merge with Air India. CV Points, Tier Points, and Vouchers will be transferred to your linked Flying Returns account. If you already have a Flying Returns account, the migration will be seamless. If not, a new Flying Returns account will be created with the same details as your Club Vistara account. What Happens To Point Conversion? Any CV Points, including those set to expire in September or October 2024, will automatically convert to Flying Returns points on November 12 at a 1:1 ratio. These points will have an extended validity of at least one year from the migration date, giving passengers more time to redeem them, CNBC TV18 reported. Vistara credit cardholders will begin earning Flying Returns Points instead of CV Points after the merger. The accumulated CV Points will be converted to Flying Returns Points at a 1:1 ratio. Vistara credit cardholders can continue to enjoy their existing benefits, such as One Class Upgrade Vouchers and Complimentary Ticket Vouchers, until March 31, 2026. These benefits will be transferred to Flying Returns accounts on November 12, 2024. Cardholders will also gain access to over 20 airline partners through Star Alliance, significantly expanding from the five airlines available under Club Vistara. What About Tier Status And Credit Card Renewals? Following the merger, the Club Vistara tier status will be valid for another year, allowing passengers to continue enjoying benefits such as lounge access and priority check-in until at least March 2025. Vistara co-branded credit card renewals will stop after March 31, 2025. However, cardholders can continue to get benefits for the remainder of their current 12-month renewal period. No new Vistara credit cards have been issued since September 30, 2024. Starting November 12, 2024, co-branded cardholders will also receive additional complimentary ticket vouchers and One Class Upgrade Vouchers, alongside their existing benefits. The six affected co-branded Vistara credit cards: Club Vistara SBI Card, Axis Vistara Infinite Card, Axis Vistara Signature Card, Axis Vistara Card, Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Credit Card, Club Vistara IndusInd Bank Explorer Credit Card A statement on Vistaras website read, As programme benefits will continue until March 31, 2026, annual card membership renewals, where applicable, will cease after March 31, 2025. This ensures the continuation of features and benefits throughout the 12-month membership period. Please note that the last date for annual card renewal may vary based on the issuing partners internal policies, but it will not extend beyond March 31, 2025." What Passengers Can Expect? Vistaras routes, schedules, in-flight experience, including products and services, will remain unchanged, with same crew serving on the flight. Air India has also allocated resources at various touchpoints across India and partnered airports to ease the transition. Support includes help desk kiosks at major airports to assist customers. Moreover, customer service staff, identifiable by How may I assist you?" Air India x Vistara-branded T-shirts, will guide customers with old Vistara tickets to help desks or Air India support staff. The airport ticketing offices and check-in terminals of Vistara will gradually transition to Air India. Advisory notices will be displayed at self-service kiosks to guide passengers checking in under Air India starting November 12. Air India has migrated 270,000 Vistara customers to its system and informed them of the changes. Notably, more than 4.5 million Vistara loyalty programme members are now being merged into Air Indias loyalty programme. With a unified network, Air India will now offer connections to over 90 domestic and international destinations, along with access to over 800 additional destinations through codeshare and interline partnerships. History Of Vistara Vistara was born out of a joint venture between Tata Sons, which holds 51% stake, and Singapore Airlines (SIA), which owns 49%, in January 2015. Within three years of its launch, Vistara achieved a key milestone by receiving its 20th aircraft and started international flight operations. It became a premier carrier offering world-class service. Vistara launched its first international flight from Delhi to Singapore in August 2019, marking its foray in the international markets. Over the next few years, the airline expanded to 18 international destinations, including London, Dubai, and Paris. By 2024, the airline grew into one of the leading carriers in India, operating 350 flights per day across 32 domestic routes and 18 international routes. Its fleet had also expanded to include 70 aircraft, which featured seven Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 53 Airbus A320s, and 10 Airbus A321s. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The growth reflected in Vistaras market share as it held 9.8% share of the Indian aviation market. Despite its strong fleet and routes, the airline struggled with losses, including high operating costs. In November 2022, Tata Group made a strategic move to merge Vistara with Air India. Singapore Airlines too agreed with the merger as they thought it was too risky" to continue as a standalone airline in the Indian market, as per a report by CNBC TV18. First Published: November 12, 2024, 10:37 IST Why COP29 At Baku Is A Make-Or-Break Moment For Climate Action | Explained Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 10:00 IST Developing countries including India have demanded at least $1-2 trillion annually until 2030, and gradual increase thereafter to replace the previous $100 billion goal set in 2009, which remained largely unfilled India has highlighted time and again that the evasion of climate action responsibilities by the developed countries undermines the growth prospects of the developing nations. Azerbaijans capital city Baku is seeing an influx of delegates from nearly 200 countries for the COP29 climate change conference that began on Monday. Climate finance, which is a concern for many countries, is the top agenda at the two-week-long UN summit. The record-breaking temperatures have unleashed extreme weather events across the world, hitting the most vulnerable countries in the Global South the hardest. Without increased climate funding now, developing countries will continue to bear the brunt of a crisis they didnt create. With limited national budgets, they are dependent on international finance to implement their climate action plans (NDCs), transition to clean energy, reduce emissions, and adapt to the devastating impacts of global warming. related stories Meanwhile, the developed nations the worlds biggest historical emitters of greenhouse gases led by the US have the responsibility to fund climate action in the Global South, which is facing the consequences. Their previous commitment of $100 billion in 2009 remained largely unfilled, except once in 2022. Now, the 2015 Paris Agreement requires the governments to come together and set a new climate finance goal the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to replace the previous goal. What Will Countries Negotiate On? Over the next two weeks, countries will engage in crucial negotiations to find consensus on a range of issues: How much money will be pledged? Who will contribute, and how much? How will the funds be accessed, and what exactly will it be used for? Despite two years of talks, the countries still remain divided on all these issues. The developing countries have made it clear that the final figure must reflect the needs and priorities of the Global South. Developing countries, including India, have demanded that the amount should be at least $1-2 trillion annually. But the rich nations have not yet proposed any specific numbers. The Second Needs Determination Report by the UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) has put the needs estimate between $5 and $6.8 trillion, which will be required cumulatively until 2030 to support developing nations to achieve their stated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Countries Debating New Climate Finance Goals Among the most debated issues at COP29 will be the quality of finance. Global South insists that the finance should mostly come from public sources, in the form of grants and concessional loans, rather than private finance. This is because private finance is often at the mercy of market forces, and many developing countries are already burdened with significant debt. Major groups including the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC), G77+China, Least Developed Countries (LDC), African Group, Arab Group, Pakistan, India and Russia are together in this demand. The countries are also debating whether this new climate finance goal should be set up for a period of five years till 2030, or 10 years till 2035, with a gradual increase thereafter. India has highlighted time and again that the evasion of climate action responsibilities by the developed countries undermines the growth prospects of the developing nations. On the other hand, wealthier nations such as the US, Australia, European Union, Switzerland, Japan, UK, Canada, and Norway are also arguing over who all should contribute to the fund. They are making calls to include other developing countries based on their gross national income and cumulative emissions. Experts point out that the contributor base cannot be expanded now, considering the NCQG timeline, urgency and need for finance. Will COP29 Deliver? The final outcome of COP29 has far-reaching repercussions. Since it is the last COP before the countries submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions next year, a finance deal will also pave the way for an ambitious goal next year. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Climate policy experts agree that Global North has enough money to provide, its just a matter of misplaced priorities. The rich countries continue to pour money into military spending, fossil fuel subsidies, and oil and gas extraction. It remains to be seen whether they will finally step up and give climate finance the attention that it so desperately needs. But the escalating natural disasters around the world continue to serve a grim reminder: the clock is ticking. First Published: November 12, 2024, 10:00 IST Bulldozer Justice: Supreme Court To Frame Rules On Illegal Demolition Of Buildings Today Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 13, 2024, 10:27 IST The Supreme Court has said even a single instance of illegal demolition is "against the ethos of the Constitution", while underlining that there is a need to frame pan-India guidelines in such cases In past hearings, the SC has taken strong exception to illegal demolition targeting those accused in crimes. (Image: PTI/File) The Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict in pleas against bulldozer justice" on Wednesday. In past hearings, the court has taken strong exception to illegal demolition targeting those accused in crimes. The SC has said even a single instance of such an exercise was against the ethos of the Constitution", while underlining that there is a need to frame pan-India guidelines in such cases. related stories The judgement in the matter will be pronounced by a bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan. Lets take a look at what the SC has said in previous hearings: November 6: Simply Unacceptable Under Rule of Law The last verdict in the matter was delivered on November 6, which was delivered in a matter related to demolition of a house in Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh in 2019. The SC said bulldozer justice" is simply unacceptable under the rule of law, as citizens voices cannot be throttled by a threat of destroying their properties. Bulldozer justice is simply unacceptable under the rule of law. If it were to be permitted, the constitutional recognition of the right to property under Article 300A would be reduced to a dead letter," said the bench, which also comprised Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. Article 300A of the Constitution states that no person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law. Observing that this is unknown to any civilised system of jurisprudence, a bench headed by then Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said the state must follow due process of law before taking action to remove illegal encroachment or unlawfully constructed structures. Justice through bulldozers is unknown to any civilised system of jurisprudence. There is a grave danger that if high-handed and unlawful behaviour is permitted by any wing or officer of the state, demolition of citizens properties will take place as a selective reprisal for extraneous reasons," stated the verdict delivered on November 6. Penned by Justice Chandrachud, the verdict stated: Citizens voices cannot be throttled by a threat of destroying their properties and homesteads. The ultimate security which a human being possesses is to the homestead." The verdict held that the entire process followed by the UP government was high-handed", directing the state to pay Rs 25 lakh compensation to the petitioner, whose house was razed for a road project, as an interim measure. The top court had pulled up the UP government for the illegal" demolition. You cant come with bulldozers and demolish the constructions overnight. You dont give the family time to vacate. What about the household articles inside the house?" the bench had told the counsel representing the state government. September 17: No Demolition Without Our Nod The SC had halted demolition exercises without its permission till October 1, saying even one instance is against the ethos of the Constitution. A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, however, had said its order will not be applicable to unauthorised structures on public roads, footpaths, water bodies and railway tracks. Even if there is one instance of an illegal demolition it is against the ethos of our Constitution," the bench observed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had told the court that a narrative" was being built over demolition of properties. Rest assured that outside noise is not influencing us," the bench told him. Outside noise is not influencing us. We wont get into question ofwhich community at this point" Justice Viswanathan said. Narrative not influencing us. We made it clear we wont come between unauthorised construction but, the executive cant be a judge," Justice Gavai added. September 2: Property Cant Be Demolished Even If One Is Convicted The SC had underlined the need for guidelines in bulldozer justice" cases against those accused in crimes, saying a structure cannot be demolished even if one or all occupants of the house have been convicted or found guilty. We propose to lay down certain guidelines on a pan-India basis so that the concern with regard to the issues raised (on bulldozer actions) are taken care of," a bench of Justices Gavai and Viswanathan said. The bench asked: How can a demolition take place even if someone is accused? The property cannot be demolished even if a person is convicted. Even if he is a convict, still it cant be done without following the procedure as prescribed by law." The bench also asked for draft suggestions that can be considered by the court to frame pan-India guidelines. Let us try to resolve the issue on a pan-India basis," the bench said. What are the pleas about? A batch of petitions was filed before the Supreme Court in 2022, in connection with the demolition drive scheduled for April of the same year, in Delhis Jahangirpuri. While the drive was stayed, the petitioners prayed for a declaration that authorities could not resort to bulldozer action as a form of punishment. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One of these petitions was by former Rajya Sabha MP and CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat. During a hearing in September 2023, senior advocate Dushyant Dave (appearing for some of the petitioners) voiced concerns about the rising trend of state governments demolishing the homes of people accused in crimes, stressing that the right to a home was a facet of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. (With PTI inputs) First Published: November 12, 2024, 20:04 IST Centre Sanctions First-Ever All-Women Reserve Battalion For CISF Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 20:44 IST Women personnel constitute over seven per cent of the force whose present strength is about 1.80 lakh First-ever all-women CISF battalion has been sanctioned by the Union government. (Representational/ PTI Photo) A first-ever all-women CISF battalion comprising more than 1,000 personnel has been sanctioned by the Union government keeping in mind the burgeoning duties of the force in VIP security, airports and other vital installations. Officials told PTI that the unit will be raised from within the sanctioned manpower of the force of about two lakh personnel. related stories The Union home ministry issued a sanction order on Monday approving an exclusive women unit called "reserve battalion" in the force with a total strength of 1,025 personnel led by a senior commandant-rank officer, they said. Women personnel constitute over seven per cent of the force whose present strength is about 1.80 lakh. A force spokesperson said preparations for the early recruitment, training and selection of location for stationing the new reserve battalion has been initiated. "The training is being specially designed to create an elite battalion capable of performing a multifarious role as commandos in VIP security and also security of airports, Delhi Metro, etc.," he said. Once raised, it will be the first all-women reserve battalion of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The CISF has 12 reserve battalions under its establishment at present and they have a mix of both men and women personnel. As the name suggests, reserve units are kept in readiness and this pool is used as reinforcement when the force gets a new job like temporary duties of conducting elections and permanent tasks of guarding an installation like the Parliament House complex that came under CISF cover this year, an official said. The force has a huge interface with women commuters and visitors at facilities like the 68 civil airports it guards, the Delhi Metro and historical monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. It already has female personnel deployed at these duty locations. Apart from these installations, the 1969-raised CISF provides a counter-terrorist security cover to a number of facilities in the nuclear and aerospace domain apart from those in the private sector like the Infosys offices in Bengaluru and Pune, Reliance refinery in Jamnagar (Gujarat), among others. The CISF projected a requirement of having an all-women reserve battalion early this year following the directions of Union home minister Amit Shah during the 53rd Raising Day of the force that was held in March 2023, a home ministry official said. "The addition of a mahila (women) battalion would encourage more aspiring young women across the country to join CISF and serve the nation. It will give a new identity to women in CISF," the spokesperson said. PTI NES KVK KVK top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all . . First Published: November 12, 2024, 20:44 IST Baba Siddique Killed For Close Links With Dawood Ibrahim: Shooter Shiv Kumar To Cops Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 17:26 IST A day after NCP leader Baba Siddiques murder on October 12, wanted accused Shubham Lonkar had posted a message on social media about Dawood Ibrahims links with the former minister and Salman Khan Shiv Kumar Gautam, who was arrested with four others near the Nepal border in UP, is allegedly the main shooter in the Baba Siddique murder case. (Image: News18/ANI) Shiv Kumar Gautam, allegedly the main shooter in the Baba Siddique murder case, has reportedly revealed that the NCP leader was killed due to his close connections" with fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Gautam, who was arrested along with four other accused close to the Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday (November 11), told investigators that he was promised Rs 10 lakh, a foreign trip and monthly expenses. He said wanted accused Shubham Lonkar was his handler, who told him that gangster Anmol Bishnoi wanted to create terror in Mumbai. related stories According to police sources quoted in a report published by Times of India, he said Lonkar managed to manipulate him through provocative lectures. A day after Siddiques murder on October 12, Lonkar had posted a message on social media about Dawood Ibrahims links with the former minister and Salman Khan. Salman Khan, we didnt want this war, but you caused harm to our brother Today, Baba Siddiques integrity is questioned, and at one time, he was involved with Dawood in deals We have no enmity with anyone, but whoever helps Salman Khan and the Dawood gang should keep their accounts clear" his post was quoted. According to police, Gautams statements to the police align with this post on social media. However, we are treating his (Shiv Kumar Gautams) claims with caution. The key suspects, Lonkar and Zeeshan Akhtar, aka Jassi, are still at large and may have more insight into the motive," an officer told ToI, adding, he showed no remorse over the murder." How Was Shiv Kumar Gautam Arrested? The police said suspicious late-night conversations on social media apps between four close friends played a pivotal role in tracking down Shiv Kumar Gautam, who allegedly shot Siddique at close range. He was arrested with four others Anurag Kashyap, Gyan Prakash Tripathi, Akash Srivastava and Akhilendra Pratap Singh from Uttar Pradeshs Nanpara area. Officials said the investigation was triggered by suspicious activities of Gautams four friends, who were spotted purchasing clothes in different sizes and planning to meet him at a remote forest about 10 km from Nanpara on bikes. It was later discovered that they were intending to assist Gautam in fleeing the country via the Nepal route, they said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all They further said the four men had been in constant touch with Gautam through internet calls on mobile phones, purchased in Lucknow. Their communication, especially during late hours, had caught the attention of authorities, leading to increased surveillance, they added. (With PTI inputs) First Published: November 12, 2024, 17:26 IST Bangladeshi Infiltration Case: 3 Arrested After ED Raids In Jharkhand, Bengal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 23:06 IST The Enforcement Directorate has raided 17 locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal over a money laundering probe linked to illegal Bangladeshi infiltration and trafficking. ED conducts raids in Jharkhand and West Bengal (Screengrabs/PTI) The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted raids at multiple locations in poll-bound Jharkhand and some locations in West Bengal in connection with a money laundering probe linked to alleged illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals. related stories After the raids, the agency three persons from West Bengal under anti-money laundering law. Incriminating items including fake Aadhaar cards, forged passports, illegal arms, immovable property documents, cash, jewellery, printing papers, printing machines, and blank proformas used for forging Aadhaar were recovered following the raids, the agency said. ED, Ranchi is conducting searches at 17 locations under PMLA, 2002, in Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection with illegal Bangladeshi infiltration. So far various incriminating items including fake Aadhaars, forged passports, illegal arms, immovable property documents, cash, pic.twitter.com/lnpaCMlv9z ED (@dir_ed) November 12, 2024 According to news agency PTI, a total of 17 places were raided across the two states. VIDEO | The Enforcement Directorate is raiding multiple locations in poll-bound Jharkhand apart from West Bengal in a money laundering investigation linked to alleged illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals. Visuals from #Ranchi.#JharkhandAssemblyElections2024 pic.twitter.com/ewo6huGG30 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 12, 2024 BANGLADESHI INFILTRATION CASE In September this year, the Enforcement Directorate filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe an instance of alleged infiltration and trafficking of some Bangladeshi women into Jharkhand leading to the generation of alleged slush funds. Before that, in June, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by the Jharkhand Police in Ranchi, on the complaint of a Bangladeshi woman who allegedly infiltrated into the country from along the India-Bangladesh border with the help of touts to find work. In her complaint, she named around six women as accused who were arrested following a raid at a local resort. The woman who filed the complaint escaped from a similar guest house and reached the police station. Police also recovered a fake" Aadhaar card from one of these women. The police pressed multiple IPC sections like 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 34 (common intention) in the FIR. They also slapped section 12 of the Passport Act (knowingly furnishing any false information or suppressing any material information to obtain a passport or travel document) and 14A of the Foreigners Act (penalty for entry in restricted area) in the complaint. The FIR quoted the woman complainant saying they were trafficked into India from Bangladesh allegedly for prostitution by luring them in the name of getting a job in beauty salons. ED sources had earlier said the agency will investigate the entire gamut" of infiltration from across the eastern borders, including Bangladesh, into Jharkhand including in the tribal districts of Santhal Pargana and Kolhan, PTI reported. PM MODI ACCUSED JHARKHAND GOVERNMENT OF AIDING INFILTRATION Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have accused the Jharkhand government of aiding such infiltration leading to the altering of the demographic landscape of the tribal-dominated areas of Santhal Pargana and Kolhan regions during the recent poll campaign. On November 11, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led coalition of converting Jharkhand into a dharmashala for Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Seraikela on Monday that a committee would be formed, once the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in Jharkhand, to identify and drive out infiltrators from the state besides reclaiming land grabbed by them. The first phase of the Assembly polls is slated for 43 constituencies in Jharkhand on Wednesday, while the second for 38 seats will be held on November 20. First Published: November 12, 2024, 10:59 IST Gurugram Society Uses 'Artificial Rain' To Fight Air Pollution, Should Delhi Consider It Too? Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 19:00 IST The Delhi government has been pushing for artificial rain using cloud-seeding - the method of triggering rain by seeding clouds with salts - to fight the pollution, but the plan is yet to take off. Anti-smog guns being used to spray water droplets to curb air pollution, at Raisina Hills in New Delhi. (PTI Photo) Videos of artificial rain at a housing society in Gurugram caught peoples attention last week, while Delhi was engulfed in apocalyptic smog after stubble burning, firecracker bursting, and other meteorological factors around Diwali pushed air pollution levels to new highs. Although the rain was artificially created using sprinklers, it offered a glimmer of hope to residents in NCR, even though there is no empirical evidence to suggest that it reduced pollution levels in the area. related stories The Delhi government has also been pushing for artificial rain using cloud-seeding the method of triggering rain by seeding clouds with salts to fight the pollution, but the plan is yet to take off. The government came up with the idea last year as well, but the plan did not materialise due to unfavourable weather conditions. News18 spoke to eminent experts tracking air quality to understand if this artificial rain could be considered as an immediate solution for the capitals winter problem since showers seem to improve the citys air quality index (AQI) during monsoon. Experts do not view artificial rain as a sustainable solution to pollution problems and point out that it may improve air quality slightly for some hours or a day or two depending on meteorological factors, wherever it happens. But once polluted particles settle in again from nearby areas, the AQI will go up again, resulting in waste of resources and energy deployed to induce artificial rain. There has been little global research on using artificial rain to lower pollution levels in cities like Delhi. However, during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China used cloud-seeding methods to induce rain, thereby, clearing smog, reducing pollution levels and improving visibility and weather conditions for the opening day event. Will Artificial Rain On Diwali Help Bring Down Pollution Levels? For Delhi, air quality scientists said artificial rain can be experimented in extreme situations like on Diwali day or after for a shorter duration around sensitive locations when pollution levels reach extreme levels. Even though artificial rain might cut down pollution to some extent, Dr R Subramanian, Sector Head, Air Quality at Center for Study of Science, Technology & Policy (CSTEP), said that the relief will only be temporary since other sources like wood burning, vehicular exhaust, industrial pollution, are going to pollute the city unless they are blown out by wind or washed out by rain. There have not been a lot of studies done on this. Some particles formed clouds and they rained down. Once raindrops come down, they hit other particles and they wash them out. In theory regarding cloud seeding, authorities are hoping once raindrops come down, they will scavenge out pollution particles from below. It might or might not work. Even if it does work, it will be a very temporary solution. If we dont cut down the source of pollution, pollution will keep coming back after a while. Do you want to just keep on pouring rain again and again," he asked. Sunil Dahiya, Founder and Lead Analyst, Envirocatalysts, said there is no concrete scientific evidence anywhere globally which has approved measures like artificial rain to be effective to clean air at a city scale for sustained durations. Solutions like artificial rain can be implemented in extreme situations like on Diwali day or after for a shorter duration around sensitive locations. As soon as artificial rain stops, polluted particles from nearby areas will come in. Any such measure either to induce artificial rain or using water sprinklers in any form or even smog towers are not solutions to air pollution," he said. However, he also pointed out different reasons that might help to bring down pollution levels in case of rain on Diwali, like fewer people will go out to burst firecrackers and move around the city in their vehicles, cutting emission loads. A day after that the impact of rain would have gone away and within a day we would have seen the same pollution level which was there earlier," Dahiya said. Also Read: Not Just Choking Lungs, Delhi Air Pollution Is Affecting Your Mental Health Too Cloud Seeding: How It Works? Cloud seeding involves introducing various chemical agents, such as silver iodide, dry ice, and sometimes table salt, into clouds to enhance their density and improve the likelihood of rainfall. One of Indias most eminent climate change and air quality scientists Sachchida Nand Tripathi, who is Dean of Kotak School of Sustainability at IIT Kanpur, highlighted the need for effective cloud-seeding to induce rain, which would then help clean the atmosphere to a certain extent. The issue is whether seeding can result in rain. It depends on many conditions. Some of them are not under your control. Outcome of seeding is not certain. For this you have to experiment and then only you can perfect the art," he said. Elaborating further, Tripathi, who is actively involved in cloud seeding projects at IIT Kanpur, said, The advantage with seeding is that if you are able to successfully seed and thereby alter somewhat cloud characteristics which can result in rain, then certainly it can clean the atmosphere to a certain extent. We have developed seeding material at IIT Kanpur. You have to have effective seeding. Clouds form on some seeds. They dont form without seeds, which are particulate matter. If there is more particulate matter, then there will be more droplets. Then depending on the nature of the seed, you can alter somewhat cloud characteristics. You inject seed at a certain level height under certain conditions so it accelerates the rain formation process in clouds. Once you seed it, rain may happen. We had installed seeding equipment on our aircraft and sprayed it on clouds. This is what we did in Kanpur, and rain happened." How Much Will Artificial Rain Cost? Manoj Kumar, Analyst at Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), said there are significant limitations of artificial rain and the cost is substantial for such an experiment that does not address the fundamental causes of air pollution. Artificial rain has significant limitations. Not all clouds are seedable, and even when they are, there is no control over where the rain falls or how much rain occurs," he said. He said it is estimated to cost around Rs 1 crore for every 100 square kilometres of area. Given that Delhi covers 1,400 square kilometres, the total cost for even a temporary improvement could exceed Rs 14 crore. It would be more prudent to invest in long-term measures that target pollution at its source," he added. Need For Sustainable Solutions top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Prakash Doraiswamy, Program Director, Air Quality, WRI India, said the only way to ensure sustained improvement of air quality over the long term is to reduce emissions at the source. He underlined that Delhi-NCR and the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) should work collectively to reduce emissions from all source sectors all year. Echoing similar views, CREA Analyst Manoj Kumar said Delhi must prioritise proactive measures to curb pollution, focusing on reducing emissions from key sources such as transportation, power plants, and industrial activities. First Published: November 12, 2024, 13:49 IST India-Russia Trade Likely To Reach USD 100 Billion Ahead of 2030 Timeline: Jaishankar Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 22:49 IST The external affairs minister said New Delhi welcomes and fully reciprocates Moscow's growing interest in exploring economic opportunities in India Jaishankar also touched upon Russia's supply of fertilizers, crude oil and coal to India. (Reuters file photo) India is confident of achieving USD 100 billion in annual bilateral trade with Russia well ahead of the timeline of 2030 and a more substantive relationship between the two nations has a larger global resonance, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday. There have been challenges to trade, especially with regard to payments and logistics and perceptible progress has been made in that regard, but there is still some work to be done, he said. related stories The external affairs minister was speaking at the 25th India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). The Russian delegation at the meeting was led by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. In his televised opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar said that the trade between the two countries needs to be more balanced and that would require addressing current constraints and undertaking greater facilitative efforts." As two major nations in an increasingly multipolar world, a more substantive relationship between us has a larger resonance," he said. The external affairs minister said New Delhi welcomes and fully reciprocates Moscows growing interest in exploring economic opportunities in India. Our economies are not only complementary in many respects but benefit from the trust and confidence built over many years. The growth in bilateral trade is now estimated at USD 66 billion and it is impressive," he said. Our goal is that it needs to be more balanced and that would require addressing current constraints and undertaking greater facilitative efforts. Making it easier to do trade should be accompanied by progress in the negotiations on the India-Eurasian Economic Union FTA," he said. Jaishankar said India has noted Russias growing interest in the Make in India programme and it would encourage joint ventures and other forms of collaboration between the two sides. I am confident that we will achieve the trade target of US dollars 100 billion by 2030, well before that," he said. The external affairs minister also highlighted Indias impressive growth rate in the last few decades. India that has many decades of 8 per cent growth at least ahead of it obviously values a reliable partner when it comes to resources, technology and best practices," he said. Jaishankar also touched upon Russias supply of fertilizers, crude oil and coal to India. Russia has emerged as a major source of fertilizers for us. Its supply of crude oil, coal and uranium are indeed important. Similarly, Indias pharmaceutical industry has emerged as an affordable and reliable source for Russia." Looking ahead we are also exploring the mobility of talent, skills, customising them for the Russian market has to be a shared enterprise," he said. The external affairs minister also talked about the importance of various connectivity projects. Our joint endeavours in regard to connectivity, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor and the Northern Sea Route must go forward," he said. We will also be discussing cooperation critical for our food, energy and health security," he added. In his remarks, Manturov also delved into fast-evolving trade ties between India and Russia. Over the last five years, the trade turnover of our country has grown more than fivefold. And India is now the second country among all the foreign economic partners of Russia," he said. Among other things, we confirm our strong commitment on signing the free trade agreement between the EEU (Eurasian Economic Union) and India, as well as the bilateral agreement on services and investments. This fully meets the needs of our business community," he said. Hours later in a post on X, Jaishankar described the meeting as productive". Co-chaired a productive and wide-ranging 25th meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission in Delhi. Thank my co-chair First DPM Denis Manturov and our delegations for their contribution," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Our deliberations covered the complimentary and beneficial India-Russia economic and trade cooperation, reinforcing critical food, energy & health security and facilitating mobility of talent and skills," he said. Confident that our deliberations today will make a strong contribution to the direction and progress of our strategic partnership," Jaishankar added. First Published: November 12, 2024, 22:49 IST Buzz Over 4% Muslim Quota In Karnataka Govt Tenders Sparks Row, Siddaramaiah's Office Reacts Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Ashesh Mallick Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 11:44 IST The Congress government in Karnataka is considering a proposal to give reservation to Muslims in the government contracts. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (PTI Photo) A huge controversy has erupted in Karnataka after reports of the state government considering a proposal to bring Muslims under the ambit of reservation in public contracts for construction (civil) works emerged on Tuesday. However, hours later, the Chief Ministers Office cleared the air and said that there have been demands for reservation, however, there is no proposal" in this regard. related stories Its true that there is a demand to provide reservation for Muslims in govt contracts but there is no proposal before the government right now," the Chief minister office said. Earlier, sources said that Congress-led Karnataka government was considering a proposal to give reservations to Muslims in the government contracts. The Siddaramaiah government is likely to table a bill in the winter session of the Assembly in this regard, they had added. What Is The Said Proposal? Sources had earlier claimed that there is a proposal to give reservation for Muslims in public contracts for construction (civil) up to Rs 1 crore on the lines of reservation given to SC and ST communities. This comes as the state government has already provided 24 per cent quota to SC/ST and certain backward classes in the government contracts. Currently, the state has 43 per cent reservation in the government contracts OBC in Category-1 (4 per cent), Category-2A (15 per cent). If the said proposal is okayed, the reservation will also include Muslims and the quota limit will be pushed to 47 per cent. Muslim Reservation In Govt Contracts Under the latest proposal, Muslims under category 2B will be given 4 per cent reservation in contracts. Not just Muslims, other backward classes will be given reservation," sources said. The Karnataka government is likely to have 47 per cent overall reservation in the government contracts while also increasing the ceiling to Rs 2 crore. BJP Reacts Sharply top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all BJP leader Amit Malviya tore into the Siddaramaiah government over the proposal alleging religion-based reservation as gross contempt of the Constitution". Siddaramaiah administration in Karnataka is evaluating a proposal to provide reservations to Muslims in public contracts for construction (civil) works. If Muslims are given this quota in Karnataka then whose share will be cut SC, ST or OBCs? In Telangana too, Muslims have been given 4% reservations, eating into the share meant for the socially backward communities. In Maharashtra, Congress-led MVA has accepted Jinnah-like demand of the All India Ulema Board. It is all about Muslim votes for the Congress, in gross contempt of the Constitution, which precludes any religion-based reservation," Malviya posted on X. First Published: November 12, 2024, 10:02 IST Kerala Lottery Results, November 13 & November 12, 2024 (Today & Yesterday): Sthree Sakthi SS-441 Winners Announced; Full List Here! Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 16, 2024, 09:10 IST Kerala Lottery Results: Here's FULL LIST of winning numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-441 lucky draw for Tuesday, November 12. Kerala Lottery Sthree Sakthi SS-441 Result: The first prize winner of Sthree Sakthi SS-441 will get Rs 75 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock) KERALA LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-441 RESULT ON TUESDAY, 12.11.2024, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Sthree Sakthi SS-441 lucky draw for Tuesday, November 12. Ticket number SB 538427 has won the first prize of Rs 75 lakh, while the participant with ticket number SD 809565 won the second prize of Rs 10 lakh. The jackpot winning ticket worth Rs 75 lakh was sold at Kattappana by an agent Madhu PS (Agency No: Y 4036). Check the full list of winning numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Results Today 16.11.2024: Karunya KR-680 Winners Soon; First Prize Rs 80 Lakh! related stories FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR STHREE SAKTHI SS-441 LOTTERY WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE SA 538427 SC 538427 SD 538427 SE 538427 SF 538427 SG 538427 SH 538427 SJ 538427 SK 538427 SL 538427 SM 538427 WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 75 LAKH IS SB 538427 (KATTAPPANA) Agent Name: MADHU P S Agency No: Y 4036 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS SD 809565 (KOLLAM) Agent Name: SHAHEER S Agency No: Q 2218 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE 0013 0252 0871 1032 2414 2943 3037 3074 3773 4002 6867 7003 7911 8205 8640 9004 9021 9697 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE 0288 0376 0862 0865 1235 1578 3844 4545 8119 8486 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE 0186 1041 1604 2138 3357 3782 4316 5028 5230 5487 6039 6052 6069 6888 6942 7128 9197 9301 9500 9875 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE 0046 0082 0195 0216 0527 0799 0892 1449 1665 1906 2083 2156 2613 2832 3118 3140 3216 3412 3619 3958 4111 4238 4290 4469 4482 4584 4714 4784 4826 4904 5310 5468 5477 5529 5743 5837 6389 6467 6710 6840 6857 7089 7237 7286 7521 8138 8217 8224 8681 8724 8776 9325 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 200 ARE 0257 1038 1239 1411 1641 2128 2262 2419 2496 2798 2809 3247 3776 4079 4314 4320 4500 4534 4894 5130 5158 5197 5232 5493 5598 5710 5802 6114 6198 6230 6324 6485 6922 7219 7418 7963 8252 8792 9147 9374 9514 9683 9748 9837 9932 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE 0061 0072 0126 0177 0413 0456 1100 1174 1409 1827 1859 1951 1975 1993 2098 2126 2151 2213 2263 2442 2453 2555 2572 2600 2702 2771 2838 2854 2935 2954 3097 3175 3220 3269 3325 3348 3557 3750 3824 3860 3866 3924 4027 4115 4138 4171 4286 4345 4363 4419 4426 4431 4522 4532 4678 4767 4835 4993 5023 5131 5134 5166 5446 5458 5627 5666 5667 5828 5884 5901 5934 5975 6076 6111 6143 6319 6535 6660 6767 6797 6799 6824 6878 7036 7097 7101 7112 7118 7123 7218 7225 7449 7455 7551 7611 7929 7942 7955 7956 8025 8139 8179 8196 8220 8420 8738 8981 8983 9083 9298 9306 9378 9386 9416 9519 9591 9656 9731 9737 9765 9811 9815 9844 9945 9988 9993 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: STHREE SAKTHI SS-441 PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 75 lakh 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakh 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 HOW TO VERIFY KERALA STHREE SAKTHI SS-441 LOTTERY RESULTS? Participants can check the winning numbers for the Sthree Sakthi SS-441 lottery through two convenient methods: visiting the Kerala Lottery Departments office in person or viewing the results online at the official website, www.keralalottery.info. These options make it easy for players to see if theyve won. For more details, please refer to the official website. How To Collect Your Prize Money Winners should verify their results by comparing their ticket numbers with those published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If a ticket matches the winning numbers, winners have 30 days from the announcement date to claim their prize at the Kerala Lottery office in Thiruvananthapuram. To collect the prize, winners must present the winning ticket along with valid identification for verification. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY? A self-attested copy of the winning ticket, showing both the front and back. Passport-sized photographs, signed by a Gazette official. A signed copy of the participants PAN card. The completed online award receipt form, with a revenue stamp affixed. Identity verification documents, including voter ID, Aadhaar, PAN, and ration cards. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? Go to the official Kerala Lottery Department website at keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. Click on the link for the Sthree Sakthi SS 441 Results. The winning numbers will appear on your screen. Find the download option on the page. Choose the PDF format to view or download the SS 441 lottery results. Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India First Published: November 12, 2024, 09:00 IST Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Wanted Baba Siddique Or Zeeshan Killed: Shooter Shiv Kumar To Police Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Aveek Banerjee Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 10:09 IST Shiv Kumar Gautam told Mumbai Police that he was tasked by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to kill either Baba Siddique or his son Zeeshan. Shiv Kumar Gautam, the main shooter in Baba Siddique murder case, was arrested in UP on Sunday. (Image: News18) Shiv Kumar Gautam, one of the assailants who shot dead Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique on October 12 and was arrested from Uttar Pradeshs Bahraich on Sunday, has revealed shocking details to Mumbai Police on the Lawrence Bishnoi gangs involvement in the incident. Gautam told Mumbai Police during interrogation that the Larence Bishnoi gang had assigned him the task of killing either Baba Siddique or his son Zeeshan Siddique. Anmol Siddique, brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, had instructed him to shoot whomever he came across first. related stories Police also arrested four individualsAnurag Kashyap, Gyan Prakash Tripathi, Akash Srivastava, and Akhilesh Pratap Singhfor providing him shelter and helping his bid to flee the country. Siddique (66) was shot dead by three gunmen in Mumbais Bandra area on October 12. ALSO READ: Baba Siddique Murder: Father Of Shooter Says Desire For Lavish Life Led Son To Crime Gautams arrest brought the total number of arrests in the Baba Siddique murder case to 23. A joint team of UPs Special Task Force earlier said that the group was attempting to escape to Nepal via the porous border near Bahraich. How Did Shiv Kumar Plan His Escape? Gautam had disclosed that he, along with two accomplices, conducted extensive surveillance of Siddique in Mumbai. On October 12, amid a crowded festival atmosphere, they took advantage of an opportunity to kill the NCP leader. Gurmail Singh, a native of Haryana and Dharamraj Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh, were the other two shooters who were detained on the spot. According to Mumbai Police, Shiv Kumar changed his appearance after the assassination of Baba Siddique and observed the commotion at the spot for a considerable amount of time, mingling with the crowd to avoid being identified. He later took an auto to Kurla Station and boarded a local train to Thane. After reaching Thane, he boarded an express train to Pune and disposed of his mobile phone to avoid being traced. He stayed in Pune for about seven days, then travelled to Jhansi by train, where he stayed for five days. He next went to Lucknow and bought a new mobile phone to contact his associates. Gautam stayed in Lucknow for about 11 days before going to Bahraich, where he was arrested. His associates had arranged a safe house for him in a nearby village. Gautam only used public transportation to travel from Mumbai to Bahraich and was planning to flee to Nepal on November 10 following instructions from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The accused told police that he had plans to go to Ujjain, then Vaishno Devi before fleeing abroad, which was foiled by his arrest. During his escape from Mumbai, he had contacted co-accused Anurag Kashyap using a passengers phone who was travelling to Jharkhand. How Mumbai Police Caught The Suspect? The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police had been tracking Shiv Kumar Gautam for 21 days, tracing various people connected to him. Police had collected detailed data on Gautams family and close associates, covering 45 individuals who were under surveillance. Gautam had been in regular touch with Shubham Lonkar, a scrap dealer who connected him with Lawrence Bishnois brother, and Zeeshan Akhtar before and after the murder. Police investigation gradually narrowed down to four suspects Gyanprakash Tripathi, Anurag Kashyap, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, and Akash Srivastava when they went to the market to purchase clothes matching Gautams size. A trap to nab the accused was laid on November 10. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Additionally, the police said Rs 2 lakh had been deposited into Anurag Kashyaps bank account before the murder, which he then withdrew and gave to Gautam to purchase weapons. An investigation to identify the source of this money is underway. Furthermore, Rs 5 lakh was found in the account of accused Harish Kumar Nishad. Gautam has been remanded to police custody till November 19. Lawrence Bishnois younger brother Anmol, believed to be living in Canada, was allegedly behind the murder, but the motive remains unclear, police have said. First Published: November 12, 2024, 09:44 IST Supreme Court Extends Interim Protection From Arrest To Actor Siddique In Alleged Rape Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 11:52 IST The Supreme Court has extended Malayalam actor Siddique's interim anticipatory bail in an alleged rape case. Siddique has claimed the allegations against him were fabricated. Supreme Court extends interim protection to Malayalam actor Siddique (Photo: PTI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended until next week, the interim anticipatory bail/protection from arrest granted to Malayalam actor Siddique in a rape case registered against him based on allegations levelled by a young actress. The hearing was adjourned until next week due to the ill health of the petitioners counsel, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi. During the hearing, Rohatgi said he was facing challenges in submitting the phone and laptop being used by the actor in 2016 when the alleged rape happened. related stories When the bench comprising Justices Bela Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma asked whether the petitioner was appearing before the investigating officer, senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, for the State, submitted that though he was appearing, he was not cooperating with the investigation and was giving evasive responses. This comes a day after Siddique, on Monday, accused the Kerala Police of cooking up baseless stories" about him in the case. In his affidavit filed in the top court, Siddique argued that he was made an accused without conducting a proper probe, and contended that the police probe team is raising issues which even the actress who filed the complaint against him has not raised. The actor also accused the police of creating a scenario for a media trial" against him on the baseless allegations against him. Siddique also sought to bring to the attention of the court that he is not at all a powerful personality" and has done a huge majority of his roles as a supporting actor only. Actor Siddique is accused of raping a young actress at a Thiruvananthapuram hotel. THE PREVIOUS HEARING On October 22, the bench extended the interim anticipatory bail granted to actor Siddique on September 30 for another two weeks, after senior advocate V Giri, for Siddique, sought time to file a rejoinder to the status report filed by the Kerala Police opposing his petition. He added that after the courts interim order, Siddique appeared before the investigating officer. Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar, for the State of Kerala, submitted that Siddique was not cooperating with the investigation and was destroying the evidence. When Justice Trivedi pointed out that the complaint was filed by the victim eight years after the alleged incident, Ranjit Kumar explained the developments related to the Justice Hema Committees report on the abuses faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kumar submitted that the victim mustered the courage to come out with the allegations following the publication of the Hema Committee report and requested the court to understand the delay in the filing of the First Information Report (FIR) in the case. The young actress alleged that Siddique sexually exploited her in 2016 when she met him in a hotel room after he offered her opportunities in the film industry. This was after the publication of the Justice Hema Committee report regarding the exploitations faced by women in Malayalam cinema. First Published: November 12, 2024, 11:40 IST Manipur Violence: Curfew In Jiribam Day After Militants Killed In Encounter, Arms Seized Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 19:30 IST The Jiribam district administration has issued orders prohibiting assembly of five or more persons and "movement of any person outside their respective residences" Security personnel during a search operation and area domination in the vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts of Manipur. (Photo: PTI) A day after at least 10 suspected insurgents were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Manipurs Jiribam, the situation remained tense on Tuesday morning with policemen patrolling at vulnerable points, officials said. The Jiribam district administration on Monday issued orders prohibiting assembly of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful and movement of any person outside their respective residences". related stories An order issued by the District Magistrate also prohibited carrying of fire arms, swords, sticks, stone or other lethal weapons, sharp edged article or objects of any description which can be used as offensive weapons. A shutdown has been observed since 5 am on Tuesday in Kuki-Zo majority areas in the hills to protest against the killing of suspected insurgents, the officials said. A major attack was averted in Manipur on Monday as at least 10 Kuki insurgents were killed in a gunfight with CRPF personnel in the Jiribam district. Rescue Ops Underway To Trace 6 Missing Persons Rescue operations were underway to trace six persons, including three minors, missing after an attack on Borobekra police station in Jiribam district by suspected militants, Manipur Police said on Tuesday. Police said purported photographs of the six missing persons in captivity of militants doing the rounds on social media could not be confirmed and the rescue operations will continue till they were traced. Kukis Plan To Attack CRPF HQ According to top sources, the Kukis had a plan to attack the CRPF headquarters, which controls local administration and checkpoints. The insurgents came in heavily armed with at least 100 weapons, including light machine guns (LMG) and INSAS rifles, which were recovered. Two CRPF personnel also sustained injuries during the heavy exchange of fire at Borobekra, and the condition of one of them was stated to be critical, they said. Following this incident, fresh violence was reported from multiple places in Imphal Valley where armed groups from the two warring sides engaged in exchanges of fire, police said. The Kuki-Zo Council called for a total shutdown in the hill areas of the state from 5 am to 6 pm on Tuesday to express their collective grief and solidarity who were brutally shot dead". Operations were continuing to flush out militants, and reinforcement teams consisting of Assam Rifles, CRPF and police were rushed to the spot, the police said. On Monday evening, violent clashes were reported from various villages in Imphal West and Imphal East districts, the officials added. SECURITY FORCES RECOVER ARMS FROM SEVERAL AREAS IN MANIPUR In a week-long joint operation, Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police and other security forces recovered 29 weapons, Improvised Explosive Device (IED), ammunition and other war-like stores (WLS) from several districts of Manipur, the Ministry of Defence said in a release on Monday. Security forces recovered weapons, Improvised Explosive Device (IED), ammunition and other war-like stores from both the hill and valley regions from Imphal West, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi. Bishnupur, Tengnoupal and Kakching districts of Manipur, the ministry added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As per the release, acting on specific information regarding the presence of arms and ammunition in general areas of Samukom Village in Tengnoupal District, Assam Rifles along with Manipur Police launched a coordinated search operation on 04 November 2024 and recovered two large Pompi guns, grenades, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), explosive material, ammunition and other war-like stores. (With PTI, ANI inputs) First Published: November 12, 2024, 11:50 IST PM Modi To Attend G20 Summit In Brazil From Nov 18-19 Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 22:58 IST The prime minister will visit Rio De Janeiro from November 18-19 to attend the G20 summit hosted by Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, the MEA said Modi will also undertake a state visit to Guyana from November 19-21 on the invitation of the country's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. (PTI File) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a three-nation visit from November 16-21 during which he will also travel to Brazil to attend the G20 summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. On the sidelines of the G20 summit, Modi is expected to meet several leaders. related stories The prime minister will visit Rio De Janeiro from November 18-19 to attend the G20 summit hosted by Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, the MEA said in a statement. India is part of the G20 troika along with Brazil and South Africa, and has been actively contributing to the ongoing G20 summit discussions, it said. During the summit, the prime minister will put forward Indias position on various issues of global importance and build on the outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration and Voice of the Global South Summits which were hosted by India in the past two years," the MEA said. On the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prime Minister Modi will visit Nigeria from November 16-17. This will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Nigeria in 17 years, according to the statement. During the visit, the prime minister will hold talks to review the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and discuss further avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship," the statement said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Modi will also undertake a state visit to Guyana from November 19-21 on the invitation of the countrys President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. This visit to Guyana will be the first by an Indian prime minister since 1968," it said. First Published: November 12, 2024, 22:58 IST 'Poor' AQI Forces VP Jagdeep Dhankhar To Abandon Global Meet On Agrifood In Ludhiana Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 22:54 IST A thick layer of smog has engulfed many parts of Punjab with the air quality index at many places remaining in the "poor category Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. (File Photo) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar could not attend a conference here as his plane could not land at the Halwara airport here because of poor visibility on Tuesday, said officials. Dhankhar was to attend the international conference on Transforming Agrifood Systems in the Face of Climate Changes and Energy Transitions at the Punjab Agricultural University, here. related stories His aircraft landed at the Amritsar airport before he headed to Madhya Pradesh to take part in another event. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahwney said the vice presidents plane landed at the Amritsar airport where he stayed for 40 minutes. A thick layer of smog has engulfed many parts of Punjab with the air quality index at many places remaining in the "poor" category. The conference here was, however, attended by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called upon Chief Minister Mann to set aside party differences and engage in a dialogue with the Union government to devise a comprehensive strategy to tackle the smog problem affecting the region. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Bittu pointed out that due to the severe smog, Vice President Dhankhar, who was scheduled to address a conference at the PAU, was unable to land. Location : Ludhiana, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 22:54 IST 'BR Ambedkar Was Ready To Convert To Islam': Karnataka Congress Leader Stirs Controversy Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Vani Mehrotra Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 13:59 IST Congress leader Sayed Azeem Peer Khadri, while addressing a gathering, has claimed Dr BR Ambedkar nearly converted to Islam. File photos of Dr BR Ambedkar/Sayed Azeempeer Khadri (PTI) Karnataka Congress leader and former MLA Sayed Azeem Peer Khadri stirred a controversy on Tuesday after he claimed BR Ambedkar was all set to convert to Islam, and that if this had happened, state Home Minister G Parameshwara and many Dalits today would be Muslims. Khadris remarks came while he was addressing a political rally in Karnatakas Shiggaon. related stories Babasaheb Ambedkar, in those days, was all set to accept and join Islam, but he then eventually became a Buddhist," the Congress leader claimed. (Karnataka Congress leader) Nagaraj Yadav Sir may know about this. Had Babasaheb Ambedkar joined Islam, then Ramappa (Timmapur) would have been Rahim, Dr G Parameshwara would have been Peer Saheb, Hanumantha Gowda would have been Hassan and Manjunath Timmapur would be Mehboob," he added, at a convention of Madiga community ahead of the by-election in Shiggaon on November 13. Soon after Khadris remark went viral, an embarrassed Congress tried to distance itself from the statement. MLC Nagraj Yadav, who was on stage when the comment was made, spoke to News18 and called it an unwarranted comment". This is an unwarranted comment by Khadri, and I dont second it at all. Dr Ambedkar is one of the greatest leaders India has ever seen. He wanted everyone to accept all religions. He was never into stuff like what Khadri said. Khadri should restrain such statements," he said. Later, lashing out at the Congress leader, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that Khadris statement reflects his and his partys ignorance. There were attempts by Hyderabad Nizam to get Ambedkar to join Islam and they attempted to bribe him by offering him crores of rupees. Ambedkar clearly said Islam doesnt have equality and it has intolerance" said BJP leader CT Ravi. Sayed Azeem Peer Khadri had rebelled against the party after being denied a ticket and filed his nomination as an Independent in the byelection to Shiggaon Assembly Constituency. Earlier, on November 8, the Congress alleged that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) want to get rid" of BR Ambedkars Constitution and replace it with one based on the ideology of the Manusmriti. The party also said that is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the caste census an attempt to divide the nation". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh claimed that the BJP and its ideological mentor, RSS have many grouses with the Constitution, and reservations for Dalits, Adivasis and Other Backward Classes (OBC) are among the primary ones. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rameshs attack came after Modi accused the Congress of playing a dangerous game of dividing castes and communities. If the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes stay united, the Congresss politics will be over, the Prime Minister said in Dhule, addressing his first rally in Maharashtra for the November 20 assembly polls in the state. First Published: November 12, 2024, 13:48 IST Tamil Nadu School Headmistress Tapes Students' Mouths Shut For Talking Too Much in Class Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 14:27 IST Five fourth-standard students, including one girl, were allegedly found with broken tape in their mouths at a government primary school in Ayyampatti village, Thanjavur district It has been claimed that the childrens mouths were kept taped for four hours which led to breathing problems. (Representative/Shutterstock) In a shocking incident of corporal punishment, a headmistress of a government school in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, has been accused of taping students mouths shut as punishment for talking in class. Five fourth-standard students, including one girl, were allegedly found with pieces of broken tape in their mouths at a government primary school. The incident took place at Ayyampatti village, near Orathanadu town in the Thanjavur district. related stories Following the incident, the students parents lodged a complaint with the Thanjavur District Collector. Meanwhile, the schools headmistress and the district officer of the elementary school denied the allegations. The incident allegedly took place in the school on October 21. It has been claimed that the childrens mouths were kept taped for four hours which led to breathing problems. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Elementary school district officer Matiyazhakan said the headmistress had to take care of the class due to the teachers absence. He stated that the headmistress had no role in the incident and the children taped each others mouths. He informed that a probe has been ordered. Punitha, the schools headmistress, responded to the allegations, stating that she had no involvement in the incident. She claimed the children applied the tape on themselves while playing, and someone took their photograph and circulated it. Location : Thanjavur, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 14:27 IST UPPSC Exam Date Row: Aspirants' Protest In Prayagraj Enters Second Day Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 21:23 IST The protesters laid siege to the UPPSC headquarters on Monday by staging a sit-in even as a large posse of police personnel tried to disperse them Aspirants in Prayagraj continue their protest outside the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) office. (Image: ANI) Government job aspirants in Prayagraj on Tuesday continued their protest against the UPPSCs decision to conduct the RO-ARO and PCS preliminary examinations on two different dates, demanding a rollback to the earlier practice of holding the tests on a single day. On November 5, the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) announced to hold the Review Officer and Assistant Review Officer (RO-ARO) preliminary examination in three shifts on December 22 and 23, and the Provincial Civil Service (PCS) preliminary examination in two shifts on December 7 and 8, drawing large-scale criticism from the aspirants. related stories The protesters laid siege to the UPPSC headquarters on Monday by staging a sit-in even as a large posse of police personnel tried to disperse them. While the district magistrate and the police commissioner held a meeting late on Monday, it remained inconclusive, sources said. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Aspirants in Prayagraj continue their protest outside the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) office. They are demanding that the PCS and RO/ARO exams be conducted in one day and one shift.Rapid Action Force (RAF) and police personnel pic.twitter.com/09MKturjRz ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2024 Most of the protesters, including women, spent the night under the open sky while those who had gone home returned on Tuesday morning to join the agitation at the commissions gate. The students were seen holding placards with slogans like, "We will not retreat, we will remain united until we get justice", and "One day, one exam". On Tuesday, the agitators were seen beating drums while carrying an effigy of UPPSC Chairman Sanjay Shrinet, raising slogans against him. "UPPSC Secretary Ashok Kumar came out twice to reason with the students who remained firm on their demand for one day, one exam," Ganesh Singh, one of the protesters, said. "If the Union Public Service Commission can conduct exams on a single day, why cant the UPPSC do the same," he asked. Speaking to PTI, UPPSC Secretary Ashok Kumar said, "As per the commissions guidelines, only government institutions within a 10-km radius of the district headquarters are used as examination centres. Previously, the same students were against using private institutions as exam centres due to concerns over security and paper leaks." Underlining the logistical challenges, Kumar said, "A total of 576,000 candidates have registered for the PCS exam, while centres are available for only 435,000 students across all the 75 districts. Under these circumstances, holding the exams over two days is unavoidable." Meanhwhile, RSS student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said in a statement that in light of the concerns raised by the aspirants, the UPPSC should take prompt steps to address their issues. "The ABVP demands the UPPSC to promptly resolve the students concerns. The integrity and transparency of the exams must not be compromised, and all the issues regarding centre allocation and normalisation must be addressed with utmost seriousness," ABVP national secretary Ankit Shukla said in a statement. Echoing Shuklas views, Abhay Pratap Singh, secretary, ABVP Kashi region, said the commission should increase the number of districts where the exams will be conducted. On Monday, the UPPSC said maintaining the integrity of exams and ensuring candidates convenience were its top priorities. On the concerns raised by some of the candidates about the normalisation process, a UPPSC spokesperson said that to safeguard the students future, exams are being conducted exclusively at centres where the possibility of irregularities is entirely eliminated. The spokesperson also claimed that various irregularities surfaced at the remote exam centres in the past, creating uncertainty for the deserving students. To prevent this and to ensure a merit-based exam process, such centres have now been removed from the list, he added. In a statement issued here, the spokesperson said that to ensure the integrity and quality of exams, only government or funded educational institutions located within a 10-km radius of a bus stand, railway station or treasury, and with no history of suspicion, controversy or blacklisting, are being designated as examination centres. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This arrangement has been implemented in response to the demands of the candidates for maintaining exam purity and quality, the statement said. To maintain the integrity and quality of exams, it is essential to hold them in multiple shifts, especially when there are over 5,00,000 candidates, it added. Location : Prayagraj, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 21:23 IST Uttarakhand: Muslim MLAs Don't Attend Har Ki Pauri Event After Opposition By Ganga Sabha Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 21:16 IST The Ganga Sabha expressed strong objection to the entry of Muslim MLAs at Har ki Pauri, calling it "illegal as per the Municipal Act of 1935 Three local Muslim MLAs invited by the district administration to a 'Deepotsav' event at Har ki Pauri ghat. (File Photo) Three local Muslim MLAs invited by the district administration to a Deepotsav event at Har ki Pauri ghat here did not attend the event after strong objections from the Ganga Sabha which manages the ghats. However, the Muslim MLAs two of them from the Congress and one of the BSP on Tuesday cited personal reasons for not attending the event which was held a day ago in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. related stories Following the protocol, the administration had invited all the 11 MLAs from the district to the event including Congress MLA from Manglaur Qazi Nizamuddin, BSP MLA from Laksar Mohammad Shahzad and Congress MLA from Piran Kaliyar Furqan Ahmed. However, the Ganga Sabha expressed strong objection to the entry of Muslim MLAs at Har ki Pauri, calling it "illegal" as per the Municipal Act of 1935. "Har ki Pauri is a holy place for Hindus. In 1935, to maintain the sanctity of the ghat, the entry of non-Hindus was completely banned as per the Municipal Act. This provision in the Act is fully applicable at present," Ganga Sabha president Nitin Gautam told PTI. The Sabha also threatened not to allow the three MLAs enter Har ki Pauri area if they tried to. Gautam said when the Ganga Sabha expressed its opposition to the invitation being extended to the Muslim MLAs, it was told that the invitation was given as part of protocol but they would not come. "We had also asked the administration to ensure they do not come and if they do, we will not let them enter Har ki Pauri," Gautam said. When approached, no official from the district administration came forward to comment on the controversy. On being approached by PTI, BSP MLA Shahzad said, "We were invited by the administration but we deliberately did not attend because such programmes become personal programmes of the BJP." On the opposition by the Ganga Sabha, he said no one "stopped them from coming". "The Ganga belongs to everyone. We have also bathed at Har ki Pauri many times," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The other two Muslim MLAs also cited personal reasons as well as their preoccupation with Maharashtra assembly elections for not attending the programme. Reacting to the BSP MLAs claim that he had bathed at Har ki Pauri, the Ganga Sabha president said, "If someone comes hiding his identity, what can we do. But if he comes revealing his identity, then an answer will be given." Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India First Published: November 12, 2024, 21:16 IST Aamir Khan Opens Up About Nearly Quitting Bollywood To Reconnect With Family: 'I Felt A Lot Of Guilt' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 14:08 IST Actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan opens up about his near-retirement decision, revealing he almost left Bollywood to focus on family, feeling he had devoted too much of his life to cinema. Aamir Khan reveals how he almost quit Bollywood to focus on family, feeling guilty about neglecting loved ones for cinema. Actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan, a towering figure in Hindi cinema for over three decades, recently shared how he nearly left it all behind to focus on his family, feeling that his devotion to the industry had come at a personal cost. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Aamir and his ex-wife, Kiran Rao, reflected on the pivotal moment when he told his family he planned to step away from films for good. I decided to quit before Laal Singh Chadha," Aamir revealed. I was going through a personal journey of my own. Towards the end of Covid, I suddenly realised that I have spent the bulk of my adult life, starting from the age of 18 right up to now, all of my bandwidth and focus has been on cinema and films." related stories Aamir admitted feeling guilty about not being fully present in his relationships, explaining, I havent been there enough for my relationships my kids, siblings, and family. Whether it was Kiran or Reena, when I was married to them. I felt that I wasnt there for these people enough." This revelation hit midway through Laal Singh Chadha, as filming resumed after Covid. In the middle of Covid, I went through an emotional moment where I felt that I have given my whole life to cinema and I havent been there for my family. I felt a lot of guilt," he said. At one point, Aamir even sat down with his family to break the news. So, I told them that I want to quit films and spend time with you all. That was my reaction; it wasnt out of any disappointment from cinema. Junaid and Ira convinced me not to quit. My family knew I had quit, but when the time came to tell my potential directors, my kids sat me down. Junaid said, Why do you have to go from one extreme to the other? There is a space somewhere in the middle where you can be in." With their guidance, Aamir reconsidered, describing the decision as a personal journey." Kiran also shared her thoughts on Aamirs decision, recalling a private moment. She asked me to come to the balcony to talk alone. She said, You are leaving us. I said, No, I am not leaving you, I am leaving films. She said, You are a child of cinema, and if you are leaving films, you are leaving us." With humor, Kiran added that they werent eager for him to stay home all the time. Can you imagine him sitting at home and not doing any films? In fact, his daughter told him, Please papa, you cant spend all your time with us, we will go crazy. After that, he went straight into six films. 0-6, there is no moderation and balance," she joked. Aamir explained his renewed drive, clarifying that he took on six films because he wanted to make the last 10 years of my active life as an actor to be the most productive." He added, Hopefully, if I am fine, these 10 years will be the last active 10 years for me in the industry, and I want to work with creative people, including musicians, writers, and directors, people who I feel are really good." First Published: November 12, 2024, 14:08 IST Anupamaa Star Rupali Ganguly Files Rs 50 Cr Defamation Suit Against Esha Verma: 'These Baseless...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 03:17 IST On November 11, Rupali Ganguly filed the suit with the help of her legal representative, celebrity lawyer Sana Raees Khan, who was also a contestant on Bigg Boss 17. TV actor Rupali Ganguly is married to Ashwin K Verma. Anupamaa star Rupali Ganguly has filed a defamation suit against her stepdaughter, Esha Verma who accused the actress of breaking up her parents marriage. Esha, the daughter of Rupalis husband, Ashwin K Verma, from his second marriage, alleged that Rupali mentally, emotionally, and physically" abused both her and her mother. Ganguly, known for her titular role in the hit TV series Anupamaa, had previously remained silent on the matter but has now chosen to address the accusations head-on. related stories On November 11, Ganguly filed the suit with the help of her legal representative, celebrity lawyer Sana Raees Khan, who was also a contestant on Bigg Boss 17. The suit seeks Rs 50 crore in damages, asserting that Eshas public claims have unfairly tarnished Gangulys personal and professional reputation. According to Khans legal team, Gangulys decision to pursue legal action was influenced by Eshas remarks involving her 11-year-old son, Rudransh, which the actress found unacceptable. In an official statement, Sana Raees Khans team explained the reasons behind the legal step. We have issued a defamation notice to her stepdaughter in response to her false and damaging statements as Rupali Ganguly firmly stands against the use of defamatory tactics for Publicity and she has taken this legal step to protect her reputation from unfounded claims. These baseless allegations were clearly intended to harm Rupali Gangulys reputation and capitalise on her public standing. Such actions have not only caused emotional distress but have also unfairly tarnished her personal and professional integrity," the statement read. The controversy began when a 2020 post by Esha resurfaced online, leading her to reiterate these claims in new social media posts. In the resurfaced post, Esha alleged that Rupali had an affair with Ashwin while he was still married to her mother. Esha went on to accuse Rupali of being controlling" and abusive", alleging that the actress made death threats toward both her and her mother. Esha Verma is the daughter of Ashwin Verma and his ex-wife Sapna Verma, who divorced in 2008. Ashwin later married Ganguly in 2013, and the couple welcomed their son, Rudransh, the same year. Recently, Esha released a video statement reiterating her claims, where she described the challenges she and her mother faced due to Gangulys relationship with her father. First Published: November 12, 2024, 03:17 IST Avneet Kaur Meets Tom Cruise On Mission Impossible 8 Set; Varun Dhawan REACTS, Pics Go Viral Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 12:17 IST Avneet Kaur sparks rumours of a Hollywood debut in Mission: Impossible - Final Reckoning after her photos with Tom Cruise goes viral. Avneet Kaur poses with Tom Cruise on the sets of Mission Impossible 8. Bollywood actress Avneet Kaur is living every Mission: Impossible fans dream. On Monday, she sparked a wave of excitement by sharing photos with Tom Cruise from the set of the upcoming Mission: Impossible 8. The Tiku Weds Sheru star took to Instagram to post snapshots with Cruise, fuelling rumours that she may be joining the legendary action franchise. Although Avneet did not confirm if she has a role in the film, fans are abuzz, speculating this could be her Hollywood debut. If true, she would follow in the footsteps of Anil Kapoor, who appeared in Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol in 2011, making her only the second Indian actor to join the franchise. In her post, Avneet expressed her excitement about visiting the set, describing the experience as awe-inspiring." She praised Tom Cruise for his commitment to performing real, high-stakes stunts, writing, Im still pinching myself! I had the incredible opportunity to visit the set of the next #MissionImpossible film, starring the one and only Tom Cruise! Witnessing the filmmaking magic firsthand was awe-inspiring. Toms dedication to performing real, practical stunts continues to raise the bar. Cant wait to share more about my experience! Stay tuned for updates closer to the release date, May 23, 2025." related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Avneet Kaur (@avneetkaur_13) Fans and celebrities alike flooded Avneets comments with messages of excitement and pride. One follower commented, I cant even imagine how proud your parents must feel!" while another wrote, Whoa, this is huge! MI movie set with Cruise is legendary." Even Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan joined in, commenting, Wow." As of now, there is no official confirmation about Avneets involvement in Mission: Impossible Final Reckoning, which would be the final installment of the action-packed series led by Cruise as Ethan Hunt. However, her photos with Cruise have set off a whirlwind of excitement, with fans hopeful for an Indian representation in the popular franchise. Aside from her possible Hollywood connection, Avneet Kaurs next major project is Love in Vietnam, a groundbreaking India-Vietnam collaboration that was announced at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Rahhat Shah Kazmi, the film also stars Shantanu Maheshwari and Vietnamese actress Kha Ngan. It is based on the bestselling novel Madonna in a Fur Coat. Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: November 11, 2024, 22:32 IST Happy Birthday Anne Hathaway: 6 Iconic Movies And Audiobooks That Highlight Her Unmatched Talent Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 17:57 IST At 42, Anne Hathaway continues to captivate audiences with her range and charm. From her memorable role as Andy in The Devil Wears Prada to narrating audiobooks like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Hathaway effortlessly blends elegance with power, leaving fans in awe. From The Devil Wears Prada to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, discover the works that make Anne a Hollywood favorite. Age is just a number for this ever-green Academy Award-winning actress. As she turns 42, we look back in awe at this icons versatility as a voice actress in audiobooks to the helpless Andy in The Devil Wears Prada navigating a tough boss and being an awesome boss herself in The Intern! She never ceases to surprise with her performance and has continued to raise the bar of what an artist can do since her big-screen debut, The Princess Diaries. Her finesse and effortless perfection make her an absolute delight and we have put together some of her best work so far. Without further ado, fire up your device and get started because this week is all about Anne Hathaway! TO LISTEN related stories The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Platform: Audible This timeless American classic has captivated audiences for over a century. In this audio version, listeners will follow the enchanting journey of Dorothy Gale and her loyal companion, Toto, as they are whisked away to the magical realm of Oz. Fan favourite characters and iconic locations await the listeners, as do surprise elements from the book that didnt make it to the film. As Dorothy embarks on her unforgettable quest to the Emerald City, she faces challenges and forges friendships that shape her destiny. Tune in for this solo narration by the multi-talented actress as she transports you to the land of wizards, witches and more! The Princess Diaries Platform: Audible A typical New York City girl, living with her artist mom, Mias life takes an unexpected turn when she finds out her dad is the Prince of Genovia. Moreover, her dad cant have any more children, leaving her as the only potential heir to the throne. But heres the catch: Mia is faced with the challenges of learning princess lessons from her formidable grandmother whos determined to mould Mia into a royal. With her heart set on Manhattan, she resists moving to Genovia. However, with a name like Princess Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, destiny has other plans in store for her. Tune in and listen to this classic in the voice of the OG princess, Anne Hathaway and find out what happens next! Princess in the Spotlight Platform: Audible Just when Mia thinks shes finally got a hang of being a princess, chaos ensues. As the newly crowned Princess of Genovia, Mia is set to be introduced to the world by her formidable grandmother, the dowager princess, in a national primetime interview. However, her innocent remarks during the interview spark outrage, alienating her best friend, a teacher, and the entire country of Genovia. Amidst this and gruelling princess lessons at the Plaza, Mias mother drops a bombshell. Meanwhile, Mia also receives cryptic letters from a mysterious admirer. Overwhelmed by royal intrigue, Mia finds herself in a whirlwind of confusion as she struggles to find her place in this new world. Will she navigate this royal rollercoaster or break under the pressure? Find out here as the actress takes us through this madness with her compelling narration! TO WATCH The Devil Wears Prada Platform: Amazon Prime Video In the fan-favourite classic, The Devil Wears Prada, Anne Hathaway plays Andy, a fresh graduate with dreams of becoming a journalist who lands in the bustling heart of New York City. As the new assistant to the formidable Miranda Priestly, a legendary fashion magazine editor, Andy is quickly thrown into a world of high stakes and icy glamour! Her journey from outsider to navigating Mirandas expectations brings both charm and grit, capturing the clash between ambition and authenticity in a world where appearances are everything. The Idea Of You Platform: Amazon Prime Video What happens when a 40-year-old single mother finds herself falling for the heartthrob of a boy band? Here, Anne Hathaway brings depth to Solene, a 40-year-old single mother who stumbles into a romance with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the 24-year-old member of the worlds hottest boy band. Her portrayal is magnetic, balancing vulnerability and strength, as Solene navigates the intoxicating pull of love in a whirlwind world of fame. Her performance breathes life into this story, inviting us to feel every thrill and ache of rediscovering love against all odds. The Intern Platform: Netflix Tune into this film to witness how a 70-year-old intern could shake things up in the fast-paced world of fashion well, who would have thought of that? Anne Hathaway plays Jules, a young, high-powered entrepreneur overwhelmed by her growing business. Enter Ben (Robert De Niro), a retired widower, who joins her team as a senior intern. Anne brings depth and charm to her role, effortlessly balancing Jules tough exterior with moments of vulnerability, as the film explores the unlikely bond between two generations, leaving you feeling all bittersweet! First Published: November 12, 2024, 17:57 IST Kavya Kalyan Rams Malaysia Vacay Pics Big Hit Among Fans Curated By : Local News Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 16:21 IST The recent photos shared by Kavya Kalyan Ram have sparked a flurry of attention online. Kavya strolled through the beaches of Malaysia. The real-life charm of movie heroines often surpasses their on-screen glamour, and Kavya Kalyan Ram, known for her role in Balagam, recently showcased this during her trip to Malaysia. Sharing moments from her beachside and boating adventures, Kavya posted photos on Instagram that captivated her followers. During her visit to an island in Malaysia with her mother, Kavya opted for stylish dresses, posing amidst the natural beauty while seated on a tree. Although she began her career as a child artist and has appeared in several films, Kavya is currently making waves on social media as she awaits new opportunities. Her captivating posts, highlighting her stunning features and vibrant personality, are drawing significant attention from her fans. related stories The recent photos shared by Kavya Kalyan Ram have sparked a flurry of attention online, with many expressing their admiration and playful comments. Kavya, known for her fair and charming appearance, embraced modern fashion as she strolled through the beaches and streets during her international vacation. Her photos have been met with a wave of compliments, with fans calling her gorgeous," and cutie pie." Despite the success of Kavya Kalyan Rams recent film Balagam, substantial film offers are yet to come her way. While she possesses notable talent and charm, industry insiders suggest that her height might be a limiting factor in being cast alongside top-tier In response, Kavya has turned to social media for self-promotion, sharing eye-catching photos to build her image. Her latest posts have drawn both admiration and light-hearted comments, as fans appreciate her confidence and beauty. First Published: November 12, 2024, 16:21 IST Shah Rukh Khan Death Threat: Man Accused Of Threatening SRK Arrested In Chhattisgarh Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 09:59 IST Man who made the death threat call to Shah Rukh Khan earlier this month has been arrested. Shah Rukh Khan received a death threat earlier this month. A man who threatened Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan earlier this month has been arrested. The man, Faizal Khan, was arrested from his house in Chhattisgarhs Raipur. NDTV reported that Mohammad Faizan Khan is a lawyer. He was arrested after he did not appear for questioning by Mumbai Police. Previously, he had claimed he lost the phone that was used to make the death threat call. related stories Last week, Mumbai Police revealed that a man called them and threatened to kill Shah Rukh Khan. He claimed he was standing outside of Mannat, SRKs home, and made the call. At the time, News18 had reported that the accused was a resident of Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Sources added that a Mumbai Police team has gone to Raipur to investigate. Sources also revealed that Bandra police station received a call threatening actor Shah Rukh Khan and asked for Rs 50 lakh. As per the police, the caller said, I am calling Shah Rukh Khan from Mannat Bandstand. If he doesnt give me Rs 50 lakh, I will kill him." When asked about his motive, the caller said, It doesnt matter, if you want to mention, you can write my name as Hindustani." Soon after the call, Mumbai Police registered a case was registered against an unidentified person at Bandra Police Station in Mumbai for allegedly giving a threat to actor Shah Rukh Khan. Offence u/s 308(4), 351(3)(4) BNS registered. Shah Rukh has not reacted to the death threat. However, the actor has been subjected to threats since last year, following the success of Pathaan and Jawan. Last year, it was revealed that SRK was receiving death threats. He was granted Y+ security. Shah Rukh is often spotted with his entourage of security team members. Meanwhile, on the work front, Shah Rukh Khan is gearing up for his venture titled King. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, the high-octane action thriller will also star Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Abhay Verma. First Published: November 12, 2024, 09:46 IST South Korean Actor Song Jae Rim Passes Away At 39, Found Dead In Seoul Apartment Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 16:03 IST South Korean actor Song Jae Rim died on Tuesday, November 12. The cause of death is still unknown. South Korean actor Song Jae Rim no more. South Korean actor Song Jae Rim died on Tuesday, November 12. He was 39 years old. The K-drama actor was seen in a few shows, including 2012 drama The Moon Embracing the Sun." He shared the screen with Kim Soo-hyun in the K-drama. As per reports, he was found dead in Seoul. The cause of death is still unknown. According to Soompi, Song Jae Rim was found dead in an apartment in Seouls Seongdong District. The police investigation is under way and a two-page letter was allegedly found at the scene. Meanwhile, it is reported that the actors funeral will take place on November 14. related stories As per Xportsnews, a memorial space has been put together under Song Jae Rim by his family at the Yeouido St. Marys Hospital Funeral Hall. It is reported that his younger sister has been named as the chief mourner. Song Jae Rim made his debut in the 2009 film, Actresses. However, he shot to fame after starring in The Moon Embracing the Sun. He was seen playing the role of the loyal bodyguard, Lord Kim Jae-woon, one of the supporting characters of the show. #SongJaeRim has passed away!According to media outlet OSEN, Song Jae Rim was found dead on the afternoon of November 12. He was 39 years old.He is best known in his role in "MOON EMBRACING THE SUN", a 2012 drama along with KimSooHyun. pic.twitter.com/PL5zoZabnw vanessa althea (@vanessaalthea26) November 12, 2024 After the success of the series, he bagged a few more shows. These include Two Weeks (2013), in which he played the role of a cold-blooded assassin. He was also seen in shows like Unkind Ladies (2015), Secret Mother (2018), I Wanna Hear Your Song (2019), Cafe Minamdang (2022) and more recently, My Military Valentine (2024). This year, he was also seen in Queen Woo. He was also popular courtesy his participation in We Got Married Season 4. He shared the screen with Kim So-eun. He had two projects in the pipeline. These include Ill Become Rich and Death Business. News18 Showsha offers our condolences to Song Jae Rims family, friends and fans. First Published: November 12, 2024, 16:03 IST Suriya Shares Major Detail About The Climax Of Kanguva: 'We Leave You With Questions...' | Exclusive Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 19:51 IST Ahead of the release of Kanguva, Suriya talked about the climax of the movie at a press conference. He also talked about a future collaboration with Vikram. Suriya at Kanguva's press conference. Tamil actor Suriya is all set to return to the big screen after a hiatus of almost two years. The actor is gearing up for the release of Kanguva which is one of the most-anticipated releases of 2024. Ahead of the release of the film, the actor shared major details about his future collaboration with Vikram and what holds in the future for the Kanguva franchise. Speaking exclusively to News18 at a press conference for Kanguva, Suriya talked about the possible crossover and collaboration between him and Vikram. He talked about whether there could be a collaboration between him and Vikrams Thangalaan. The actor said, These are two different times and eras. I dont think they look at the same timeline. We go a little pre-civilization than you have seen the British in Thangalaan. This is (Kanguva), kind of, almost a thousand years back pre-civilization. I dont know, its a completely different idea and different thought." related stories In the same conversation, the actor also talked about Kanguva 2. The makers had previously announced that the movie would consist of two parts. Suriya shed more light on the sequel and said, We also have Kanguva 2 in line. We leave you with a lot of questions in the climax of Kanguva 1. It will have a lot of questions and a lot of surprises. So Kanguva 2 is what I am looking forward to." Directed by Siva, Kanguva will star Suriya in a dual role. Along with Suriya, the movie will also star Bobby Deol and Disha Patani in key roles. This film will mark their Tamil debut. Reports mention that the movie revolves around a warrior who died in the 1600s due to an illness. The movie has been produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja, V. Vamsi Krishna Reddy, and Pramod Uppalapati. The epic fantasy action film is all set to release in cinemas on November 14. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 19:50 IST YouTuber Sohail Pasha Arrested For Threatening Actor Salman Khan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 22:46 IST Sohail Pasha, held from Raichur in Karnataka, wanted a song written by him to become famous and used this ploy for the purpose Actor Salman Khan (Pic Credit: Instagram/ Manav Manglani) YouTuber Sohail Pasha, who wrote a song on actor Salman Khan titled Main Sikandaar Hoon, was arrested from Karnataka on Tuesday by Mumbai Police. Reportedly, the YouTuber had threatened the actor and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 crore. According to the police, Pasha allegedly sent threatening messages to Salman Khan and demanded ransom from him in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. related stories Sohail Pasha, held from Raichur in Karnataka, wanted a song written by him to become famous and used this ploy for the purpose, police claimed. The WhatsApp helpline of Mumbai traffic police on November 7 received multiple messages stating that the sender was a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and Salman Khan would be killed if he did not pay Rs 5 crore. In addition to this, the sender also warned that they would also kill the writer of the song Main Sikandar Hun". Following the threat message, the crime branch of Mumbai Police tracked down the mobile number from which the messages had come to Raichur. Accordingly, a team was sent to Karnataka and Vyankatesh Narayan, who owned the number, was interrogated, the official informed. But Narayans mobile phone had no Internet facility, he added. Police then found that his phone had received a WhatsApp installation OTP. Narayan told police that on November 3, a stranger approached him in a marketplace and asked if he could have Narayans phone to make a call. The probe revealed that the man had installed WhatsApp on his own mobile by using Narayans mobile number to obtain an OTP, the official said. The crime branch team then zeroed in on Pasha at Manavi village near Raichur. He turned out to be the writer of Main Sikandar Hun" song mentioned in the threat, the official said, adding that he wanted to make the song famous and hence used this ploy of including it in a threat message to a famous person. Pasha was brought to Mumbai and handed over to Worli police for further probe, the official said. The traffic police helpline has received at least four threat messages for Salman Khan in recent months. (With PTI inputs) Location : Karnataka, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 22:29 IST Opinion | Why Khalistanis Define Themselves By Hatred Alone Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 12:11 IST A survey of the Khalistan movement shows it has been driven by grievances, hatred, and distorted history rather than clarity of purpose Devotees were attacked at a temple in Canadas Brampton by a group of Khalistani supporters. (Image: X) The visuals that went viral appeared more from Bhatinda than from Brampton. One does not normally associate the mob violence, as recently witnessed outside Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, with a cold and urbane country like Canada. A hot-headed mob wielding Khalistani banners assaulted persons who had gathered at the temple either for worshipping or availing the consular services extended by the Indian High Commission. The Brampton incident exposes the policies of the Trudeau government. Last year, the city was in news for exhibiting a tableau celebrating the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguard. The tableau was put on display during the Sikh nagar-kirtan. The Canada government chose to look the other way, even as the local Punjabi community condemned the tableau. When one sows the wind, one reaps the whirlwind. Having fostered the radical elements, Canada suffered the deadly bombing of Air India Flight 182 (Emperor Kanishka") on June 23, 1985, which killed 329 persons, of whom 268 were Canadian citizens. As its present diplomatic impasse with India shows, Canada apparently learnt nothing, forgot nothing. And those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. related stories The Khalistan movement has had expatriate ideologues and activists from the days of Dr Jagjit Singh Chauhan, Ganga Singh Dhillon, Dr Paramjit Singh Ajrawat, Gurmit Singh Aulakh, and Surjan Singh Gill, among others. These figures still hold considerable influence within the Sikh diaspora. However, it is unlikely that Punjab could now relapse into the turbulent days of the 1980s. At that time, not only was Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale a prominent figure, but the agitation launched by a mainstream political party, the Akali Dalincluding actions such as burning copies of the Indian Constitution, boycotting Republic Day 1984, and the Dharm Yudh Morchahad muddied the waters in Punjab, creating an environment where terrorism and anarchy could thrive. The Akali Dal has become today the prisoner of Bhindranwale," stated Professor Madhu Dandavate in the Lok Sabha on 4 April 1984. Unless they liberate themselves from Bhindranwale, they will not be able to join the mainstream and even get justice from this Government." Prof. Dandavate did not mince words, asserting that Bhindranwale was a creation of the Congress, which, like Frankensteins monster, was now attempting to swallow its creator. Today, political parties in Punjab have become more astute. While traces of Khalistani elements still exist in Punjab, they are unlikely to receive patronage. Terrorism has lost its support base in Punjab, as it became clear that it would target Sikhs as much as Hindus. As Prof. Dandavate highlighted in his speech, out of 220 murders, 190 were Sikhs, illustrating that Bhindranwale did not discriminate between Sikhs and Hindus but rather targeted those who did not align with his views. If a Sikh belongs to the Nirankari sect, massacre him. If he happens to belong to Congress (I), finish him. If he belongs to the Communist Party, then target him. If he belongs to the Lok Dal, finish him. He is not concerned with whether someone is a Sikh or a Hindu; he only believes in one cult." A survey of the Khalistan movement shows it has been driven by grievances, hatred, and distorted history rather than clarity of purpose. Unsurprisingly, this has led to malignant growth in the form of terrorism. Many captured terrorists, when asked to define the Khalistan they were fighting for, could not articulate it. Khalistani ideologues envisioned it as a sovereign nation with undefined boundaries lying between India and Pakistan. Others perceived it as an autonomous state, coextensive with Punjab, within the Indian Union. As a 1982 publication by the Guru Nanak Dev Mission in Sanaur, Patiala, aptly titles it, Khalistan is a politics of passion." This small publication, Khalistan: The Politics of Passion, describes various grievances, real or perceived, that Sikhs harboured. Many of these concerns actually related to Punjabs territory, industry, and economy, where most Sikhs resided, making it unnecessary to frame them in religious termsa move that could even hinder the fulfilment of such demands. It would be akin to running with the hare and hunting with the hound"seeking a fair share from the Indian Republic as a constituent state while insisting on a distinct religious identity. However, this is not the movements worst flaw. The tragic flaw of the Khalistan movement is its failure to define Khalistan in terms of territory, demography, or polity. It is reckless to incite people who then become cannon fodder for a deliberately nebulous and misleading cause. Mapping of Khalistan To this day, Khalistans proponents have not been able to provide any credible map of the proposed state. This was as true in the 1980s as it is now. During a visit to England in that period, Khushwant Singh was able to procure one such map for 2. Singh found that, according to the map, Khalistan would include Jammu, the entirety of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Saurashtra to give the state access to the sea. By rough estimate, Sikhs would not constitute more than 13 per cent of this proposed country. Naturally, such a state could not be democratic. Yet, as Singh noted, it was being presented as a paradise on earth, signed by ten signatories led by Jaswant Singh Thekedar (My Bleeding Punjab, pp. 155-156). More recently, in 2021, Sikhs for Justice (SJF), an organisation banned in India and led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released a map of Khalistan. His version of a sovereign Sikh state not only included the Indian state of Punjab but also nearly the entirety of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, five districts of Rajasthan, several districts of Uttarakhand (including Dehradun and Haridwar), and a number of districts from Uttar Pradesh. Incorporating such extensive territory would inevitably reduce Sikhs to a minority within the proposed state. Curiously, Shimla is marked as the capital of Khalistan, despite Sikhs comprising no more than two per cent of the population in and around the city, and indeed in all of Himachal Pradesh. The story was widely reported in the Pakistani media. Tellingly, no map of the proposed Khalistan has ever included even a square inch of Pakistani soil, despite the following facts: a) Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born in a village near Lahore (now Nankana Sahib), b) Lahore was the capital of the Sikh Kingdom established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and c) until Partition, the Sikh population was concentrated in central Punjab districts that are now part of Pakistan. These omissions leave little doubt as to whose interests the Khalistanis may be serving. However, when Sikhs for Justice (SJF) conducted a referendum in various countries like Canada, Britain, and Australia (some of which proceeded while others were cancelled), the question presented was whether India-governed Punjab should be a separate nation-state. There was no mention of Shimla/Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, or Uttar Pradesh anymore. A true supporter of Khalistan would be within their rights to hold Pannun to account for proposing this moth-eaten Khalistan. Thus, despite the sound and fury surrounding Khalistan, there is utter confusion among its expatriate sponsors on something as fundamental as its territory. This, in fact, highlights the degree of khali-stan (empty space) in their heads. No thought on polity If Khalistan is demanded on the grounds of religion, it is most likely to become a theocracy, although, unlike Islam, Sikhism may not provide an established model for governing a state. The historical examples of the Lahore Durbar under Maharaja Ranjit Singh or the Phulkian states like Patiala, Jind, Nabha, and Faridkot were based on personal rule, where Sikhs were actually in the minority, and therefore could not serve as models for a Khalistan construed as an exclusively Sikh state. If Khalistan were conceded, for arguments sake, it would be essential to define the constitutional relationship between its temporal ruling establishment and ecclesiastical authority (i.e. SGPC) in unambiguous terms. Pakistan, created on the basis of the two-nation theory in 1947, faced significant challenges in defining its polity in Islamic terms within its Constitution. Its first Constitution took nearly nine years to draft through a parliamentary process before its adoption in 1956. However, it was soon abrogated in 1958 under Ayub Khans military dictatorship. A new Constitution was promulgated in 1962, only to be abrogated again in 1969. Fazlur Rahman, writing in the Studia Islamica journal (1970), observed that in these two enacted (and subsequently abrogated) constitutions: a) Islam appears among many other goals and policies, and b) where Islam does appear, it essentially functions as a limitation rather than a positive or constructive factor producing values, goals, and programmes for human progress and enrichment (Islam and the Constitutional Problem of Pakistan, Studia Islamica, 1970, p. 276). The proposed Khalistan is bound to be a theocracy, though determining the official stance on religion would undoubtedly be challenging. Whether they would enact blasphemy laws with capital punishment remains a matter of speculation. Economy The nearest sea coast to Punjab is more than 1,100 km away. This means that, for all practical purposes, Khalistan would be a landlocked state, sandwiched between India and Pakistan. Since the 1970s, Punjab has been the biggest beneficiary of the Green Revolution. Historically, it has been an agrarian region with a focus on farming and fighting, rather than being an industrialised state, due to the peculiar influence of geography and history on its population. While Punjab is the largest supplier of grains, particularly wheat and rice, in India, it is severely deficient in minerals such as coal and iron. For these resources, it must rely on states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. Therefore, a sovereign Khalistan would be a poor idea, both for the cultivators in particular and for the people of the state in general. Hindu factor top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Khalistanis generally overlook the fact that Sikhs constitute around 58 per cent, or less than two-thirds, of Punjabs population. The Hindu population, mostly concentrated in urban areas, is over 38 per cent. This is significantly higher than the Sikh population (13 per cent) in colonial Punjab. While more than half of Punjab was lost to Pakistan during Partition, which is now beyond reach for both Sikhs and Hindus, Khalistan would mean that Punjabi Hindus are either rendered stateless or relegated to second-class citizens. Hindus have played a leading role in shaping modern Punjab. Figures such as Lala Lajpat Rai, Munsiram Vij (also known as Swami Shraddhanand), Mahatma Hansraj, Sir Gangaram, Gokul Chand Narang, Prof. Ruchi Ram Sahani, Bhai Parmanand, and Sir Manohar Lal have all made lasting contributions to the making of modern Punjab. Punjabi Hindus are present across various fields, including administration, banking, medicine, engineering, film, journalism, and fashion today. They were also among the first targets of terrorism in Punjab in the early 1980s. By excluding the Hindus of Punjab from any discourse surrounding Khalistan, Khalistanis have demonstrated that their vision of Punjab is anti-modernist. The writer is author of the book The Microphone Men: How Orators Created a Modern India (2019) and an independent researcher based in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: November 12, 2024, 12:11 IST 'For A Yogi, Nation Is First': Adityanath's Comeback After Mallikarjun Kharges Jibe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 16:09 IST In a no-holds-barred attack on Adityanath, Kharge had said a true 'yogi' would never make remarks like batenge toh katenge" Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. In a befitting response to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharges not a true yogi remark, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday, said he was a yogi and the nation was his priority. From the past three days, I have been listening to Kharge jis comments. I am a yogi and nation comes first for me. For you (Kharge) Congress appeasement politics comes first," said Adityanath while addressing a rally in poll-bound Maharashtras Achalpur. related stories Taking his partys (BJP) katenge toh batenge slogan forward, he said, If we are divided, then Ganapati pooja would be attacked, lands would be grabbed under Land Jihad, safety of daughters would be in danger. There is no Love Jihad or Land Jihad in UP today." #WATCH | Amravati, Maharashtra: Addressing a public meeting in Achalpur, UP CM Yogi Adityanath says, If we are divided, then Ganapati pooja would be attacked, lands would be grabbed under Land Jihad, safety of daughters would be in danger There is no Love Jihad or Land Jihad pic.twitter.com/7ZtriWKmWm ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2024 In a no-holds-barred attack on Adityanath on Monday, Kharge said a true yogi" would never make remarks like batenge toh katenge" (if divided, we will be wiped out) and this language is used by terrorists". Congress Reacts Responding to Yogi Adityanaths comeback, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera told CNN-News18 that Congress was all about Bharat Jodo, but BJP was into Bharat Todo. Accusing the Congress president of appeasement politics he said, When Kharges native village, Baramati (under erstwhile Hyderabad), was burnt, he lost his mother, aunt, and sister. Kharge ji does not want to tell the truth because he feels that if he blames the Nizam, the Muslim votes will slip away. For the sake of the vote bank, he forgot the sacrifice of his family." Khera responded to it, saying, Yogi has no idea that Kharge has mentioned the incident involving his family several times." Kharges initial comments during recent political rallies had also sparked a political storm when he, without taking names, tagetted Yogi Adityanath saying, Many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians. Some have even become chief ministers. They wear gerua clothes and have no hair on their heads I would say to the BJP, either wear white clothes or, if you are a sanyasi, wear gerua clothes, but then get out of politics." BJPs Response Calling the Congress anti-Hindu" and anti-Sanatan", the BJP said the party is the only one to talk about saffron terrorism" and Hindu terror". It said while Kharge is saying how Adityanaths gerua attire should not be brought into politics, he would not say the same about Muslim religious leaders. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is the true philosophy and DNA of the Congress, which is anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan. Therefore, the Congress is now saying those who wear gerua and saffron, the clothes of a sadhu should not come into politics but will they ever say this about maulana and maulvi?" said BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on the Congress presidents statement. The elections for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra will take place in a single phase on November 20, with the vote count scheduled for November 23. First Published: November 12, 2024, 14:53 IST Canva Global Outage Leaves Hundreds Of Users With Blank Screen: What The Company Said Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 16:05 IST Canva users are unable to access the web version of the photo editing platform on November 12. Canva is used by millions to edit photos and create new content. Canva, the popular photo editing platform has been affected by a massive outage that has resulted in the website showing a blank screen. Canva has officially confirmed the issue faced by people trying to visit the canva.com website on the desktop. We have been aware that some users might receive an error page when visiting canva.com, says the Canvas status report page. The downdetector website has also confirmed the development, with many outage reports coming in from 3:00 PM IST on Tuesday, 12 November. The issue is not only affecting users in India and but other regions as well. At the time of writing, Canva was not accessible on our system as well, so it is likely that a major issue has caused this down time for the platform. related stories Canva has now updated its status page and as of 4:04 PM IST, the website says all systems are operational and they will continue to monitor the situation if the outage strikes again. Canva recently announced that it has garnered 200 million monthly active users and continues to grow rapidly from its previous user base of 115 million users in the last couple of years. The company has recently made acquisitions of AI startups to build its suite of features and tools to entice more people to buy its premium offerings. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Canva had rolled out new features for its Visual Suite, including a cutting-edge text-to-image artificial intelligence (AI) generator. The image creation tool has multiple use cases and is based on Leonardo.AI Phoenix basic model. Additionally, Canva has enhanced its Visual Suite with new tools such as Magic Write, interactive charts, polls and quizzes, and AI-powered whiteboards. This is one of the first major outage faced by the company in recent memory and it is vital that as it picks up more users, the platform will need to become equipped enough to handle the growing traffic. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 15:32 IST iPhone 17 Air Might Not Be As Thin As Apple Would Like: This Could Be The Reason Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 07:30 IST Apple has big plans for its 2025 iPhone lineup which is rumoured to include a Slim/Thin iPhone 17 model. Apple wants to make a thin iPhone but will succeed? Apple is planning for some big changes in 2025 with the rumoured iPhone 17 Slim or Air likely to bag some headlines. But it seems the company might have a tough time matching its ambitions with the thinness of the upcoming model. The details about the issue are coming through a source in South Korea. Slim Troubles Brewing? related stories The brand is said to be struggling with the size of the battery that will go into the Slim version, and it is unlikely that Apple will compromise on the battery life to make it thin. In fact, the report claims Apples effort could invariably fall short, and we could get an iPhone as slim as the iPhone 6 version (that came at 6.9mm), which is not exactly a breakthrough for the company. The whole purpose of bringing the Slim/Air moniker is to highlight its thinness and if Apple is now unable to meet its own high standards and demands for a device like this, what are the chances of the product not coming through to the market at all? The iPhone 17 Air is reportedly going to be powered by the upcoming A19 chipset, and feature a single rear camera that does sound rather bold from Apple. It is likely to have a ProMotion 120Hz display that should slightly tilt the scale in its favour. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Having said that, rumours around the iPhone 17 Slim have been just that, pure rumours, and unless Apple gives us more concrete hints for its plans in the Air direction with the iPhones, we would prefer to take these updates with a pinch of salt. For the time being, all our eyes are on the iPhone SE 4 model which not only promises a big overhaul in terms of the design but also its ability to support Apple Intelligence AI features on a modest budget (by Apples standards). First Published: November 12, 2024, 07:30 IST Microsoft Is Giving Notepad For These Windows Users A Big AI Update And We Like It Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 11, 2024, 15:40 IST Microsoft is bringing AI to one of its oldest Windows tools as it looks to increase the usage time for its applications. Notepad is one of the oldest Windows tool which is also getting AI Microsoft is going big with its AI focus where some of them can be useful and some come across as gimmicky. But the new update coming to Windows users will surely bring a new side of the app called Notepad. Windows 11 users will soon have AI baked into the popular tool that will not only help you rewrite sentences with a single click. Notepad AI Update: How Rewrite Works related stories Notepad has generally been used for basic text formatting changes, but having AI on board means the tool now becomes more enhanced and reliable for tasks like rewriting and helping you correct the sentences. The feature is available to those signed up for the Windows 11 Insider which is Microsofts own beta program and they need to sign into their Microsoft/Outlook account to get the benefits of the AI features. Talking about the tool itself, Windows 11 users can select the sentence or paragraph to rewrite and then right-click to see the AI tweak feature. The AI tech will then offer multiple versions, and you can select one of them for your purpose. The AI rewrite tool is limited to select regions like the US, Canada, UK, Italy and Germany among others. Windows 11 users in India will probably have to wait a little longer to try out this new AI feature if they use a lot of Notepad for their daily tasks. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In other AI news from the company, Microsoft has been testing its AI-powered chatbot for Xbox for several months and now the update is out for selected users. Named Support Virtual Agent, it is an AI-powered technology designed to help Xbox players resolve support-related gameplay difficulties more efficiently. According to the tech giant, the AI chatbot can quickly obtain information from Xbox help pages to answer questions about Xbox console and game support difficulties. As per reports, Xbox Insiders based in the US can try out the Xbox AI chatbot through support.xbox.comand it will address queries about Xbox console and game support issues. Location : Redmond, Washington State, USA First Published: November 11, 2024, 15:40 IST Bengaluru Landlord Asks For Rs 5 Lakh Deposit To Rent Out Flat For Rs 40,000 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 13:02 IST Bengaluru: A woman claimed that a landlord asked her to pay Rs 5 lakh deposit for a flat with Rs 40,000 rent. The hefty deposit prompted many to compare Bengaluru with metro cities like Delhi. (Representative Image/Getty) A house-hunter in Bengaluru shared her frustration on social media after a landlord demanded her to pay Rs 5 lakh deposit for a flat with Rs 40,000 rent. Harnidh Kaur shared her renting struggles on social media while advocating for a cap on the deposits tenants are required to pay. Her post also started a discussion on rising rental prices in the Silicon Valley of India, and led to comparisons with other cities like Delhi (and Bengaluru is not even a metro city). Some users even suggested that Kaur might be better off buying a home rather than paying such a hefty deposit for a rental. Others did some maths and pointed out that the Rs 5 lakh deposit is more than the total rent for an entire year. Read| Indian Tenant in Canada Watches as Landlord Throws Out Belongings Over Refusal to Vacate House. Viral Video related stories 5 lakh deposit for a flat with 40k rent," Kaur wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). She expressed that she is tired" of hunting for rental flats in the city. Take a look at the post right here: 5 lakh deposit for a flat with 40k rent :))))) Im so tired :)))) Harnidh Kaur (@harnidhish) November 11, 2024 In response to her post, several users shared their own experiences with hefty rental deposits in Bengaluru. An individual wrote, I was asked 7 times the rent. I negotiated to 5 times the rent." Another joined him: I remember paying a 2 lakh deposit back in 2019! Just a classic case of demand & supply in some areas of BLR. Crazy how things have escalated!" Also Read| Rs 45,000 Rent For This 1 BHK Chawl In Mumbai? Internet In Shock Others expressed surprise, noting that in many parts of India, the typical deposit is only one or two months rent. I hope you will get back half of the deposit, landlord a NRI?" asked an Internet user. Kaur said that the flat was not worth it. Didnt bother lol, the flat was NOT worth it," she said. A third expressed shock, I feel lucky to be renting in the days when the norm was only 1 month security deposit and 1 months rent in advance." Thats insane and doesnt even make sense. Thats like a whole years rent," posted a fourth. A fifth joked, Tell me you live in Bengaluru without telling me you live in Bengaluru." Thats the down payment for another flat and monthly rent will take care of EMI," wrote a sixth. Some even drew comparisons to Delhi. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Another X user chimed in, In Delhi as far as I know, the deposit is equal to 3 months rent." Delhi is the best place to live in India. Public transport is great, best food, good night life, more green, less traffic, more affordable. We just need to improve the air quality. Mumbai is ahead in law & order scene tho definitely but Bengaluru has nothing over Delhi," another user weighed in. First Published: November 12, 2024, 12:57 IST Chinese Woman Dies After 6 Cosmetic Surgeries In 24 Hours, Family Wants Compensation Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 09:07 IST The woman first underwent double eyelid surgery and a nose job, followed by liposuction on her thighs the next morning. Liu reportedly died from acute respiratory failure. (Representative Image) Cosmetic procedures have gained significant popularity worldwide in recent years, with top surgeries like liposuction, breast augmentation, facelifts, and nose reshaping among the most sought-after. While these surgeries offer the chance to transform ones appearance, they also carry risks, sometimes leading to severe complications, physical harm and even death. One such case has been reported from China where a womans cosmetic surgeries turned out to be fatal, claiming her life in less than a week after going under the knife. The woman, surnamed Liu, from the Guigang of Guangxi province, southern China, visited a clinic in Nanning and reportedly took out a loan of over 40,000 yuan (approximately Rs 4.6 lakh) to finance her six cosmetic procedures at a clinic in Nanning, according to the South China Morning Post. Her initial surgeriesa double eyelid procedure and a nose jobtook place during the COVID-19 pandemic, on the afternoon of December 9, 2020. related stories After a 5-hour session, she next went for a liposuction on her thighs, following which the fat was injected into her face and breasts the next morning. The procedure also went on for another five hours. Shortly after the surgeries, Lui was discharged on December 11, the same day when she collapsed in the clinic. She was provided with emergency efforts and was transferred to The Second Nanning Peoples Hospital; however, she was declared dead in the afternoon. As per the report, Liu died from acute respiratory failure" caused by pulmonary embolism after the liposuction procedure. She was survived by an 8-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. Following the tragic event, Lius family sued the clinic, seeking compensation of 1.18 million yuan (Rs 1.37 crore), and were offered only 200,000 yuan from the other end. I said that at least one million yuan should be given for a persons death. Even if we split the responsibility, it should still be at least 500,000 yuan. I refused their private settlement, and I said we should just go to court," her husband said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Future investigations into the matter revealed that the clinic had all the legal documents to conduct the procedure, and the doctors were also legally licensed. The clinic authorities emphasised that Liu bore responsibility for the risks associated with the surgery. While the court initially held the clinic fully responsible for the death and ordered the compensation demanded by the family, it was later revised to only half of it after the clinic acknowledged only partial responsibility. The final evaluation suggested that while the clinic failed to assess the risks, Lius own physical condition might have also contributed to her death. According to SCMP, the incident attracted a lot of attention in the country, sparking a heated debate about such surgical procedures. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 09:07 IST IndiGos Tribute To Vistara Proves Rivals In The Market Are Always Friends In The Sky Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 14:16 IST A new journey on the horizon awaits. Goodbye, Vistara, IndiGo said. Vistara has merged with Tata-owned Air India. (Photo Credits: LinkedIn) Vistara operated its last-ever domestic flight on Monday. This marked the end of an era as the airline prepared to merge with Tata-owned Air India. Vistara, which began operations in 2015, has received an outpouring of tributes and emotional messages from loyal flyers, companies and other airlines. Joining the heartfelt farewells, IndiGo also paid tribute as Vistara concluded its 9-year journey on November 11. IndiGo posted a video of Vistaras final flight before its merger on X (Formerly Twitter) and wrote, As an unforgettable legacy takes its final flight, a new journey on the horizon awaits. Goodbye, Vistara." related stories In response, Vistara Airlines commented, Onward and upward! Heres to the future and all the exciting possibilities it holds!" The post didnt go unnoticed by social media users. Many applauded IndiGo for the thoughtful tribute. Great gesture," wrote one. Great gesture Amrit Pradhan (@amritpradhan63) November 11, 2024 Another one said, When your competitor praises you, thats when you know you were DAMN GOOD!!" When your competitor praises you , that's when you know you were DAMN GOOD!! Jai Agarwal (@jai_0008) November 11, 2024 Using a Bollywood dialogue reference, a social media user wrote, Ab rulayega kya?" Ab rulayega kya? Rahul Srinivas (@whizkidd) November 11, 2024 Thats the spirit IndiGo. Rivals in the market are always friends in the sky," a comment read. That's the spirit @IndiGo6E. Rivals in the market are always friends in the sky. EBATS (@ebirdsats) November 11, 2024 In a message on LinkedIn, Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan expressed heartfelt gratitude, thanking the team for their unwavering support and service throughout the airlines journey. Thank you, Team Vistara TATA SIA Airlines Ltd., past and present. Thank you to our 75 million passengers for your support, patronage, and touching testimonials. Humbled and honored to have been part of this team. Onwards and upwards towards our new chapter. The new feeling has a new home." https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vinod-kannan-79571b3_team-activity-7261552363528704000-f2Tv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Vistara operated its last-ever domestic flight at 10:50 pm IST, flying from Mumbai to Delhi (flight number UK986), followed by its final international flight at 11:45 pm IST from Delhi to Singapore (flight number UK115). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Vistara has merged with Air India, and as a result, the flight code will change from UK to AI2XXX. Vistara travellers were allowed to book tickets until November 11. However, for those with Vistara tickets on November 12 or later, their bookings will be transferred to Air India flights. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 14:16 IST Man Posing As Soldier Promises Army Jobs To People, Arrested In Agra With Fake ID Cards Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 16:36 IST The man arrested by the STF for scamming people while posing as a soldier has a criminal history, having served two jail terms for serious offenses, including rape and fraud. The accused, Vikram Singh, was arrested in Agra with fake ID card and army uniform. (screengrab) The Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a man in Agra who was posing as an Indian Army soldier to carry out a job scam. The accused, Vikram Singh, also allegedly collected money from people by falsely promising them army-dependent benefits. His arrest followed a tip-off received by the STF. As per reports, Singh, a resident of Mathura, would enter restricted army areas using counterfeit ID cards. He lured many victims by offering army-dependent benefits and employment opportunities at the army canteen. related stories Read| Rajasthani Men Scam Amazon Of Rs 1.29 Crore By Distracting Delivery Agents A video of Singh admitting to his crimes has been going viral on social media. The video opens to show Singh riding a bike when an official asks him to stop. As one person records, another inspects his bag that has army uniform and shoes. Upon further inspection, a fake ID card was found in his pocket. When questioned about the ID card, Singh confessed to downloading it from Google and filling it in with his details. The official in the video then asks Singh if he serves in the Indian Army, to which he denies. Towards the end of the video, a victim reveals that Singh posed as a canteen in-charge and swindled him out of 5,100 with the promise of a job. Two other individuals also confessed to giving Singh money in exchange for alleged employment at the army canteen. Watch the video here: He would charge them up to Rs. 20,000 for fake deceased dependent cards and army canteen cards," ETV Bharat quoted STFs Agra unit in-charge inspector Yatindra Sharma as saying. A case has been filed against Singh at the Sadar police station for posing as a soldier and running a job scam. This is not Singhs first brush with the law. He has previously served two jail terms for serious charges, including rape and fraud. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Also Read| Chinese Woman Uses Bizarre Marriage Bed Ritual To Dupe Man Of Rs 11 Lakh We are also investigating, along with the Army Intelligence, how Singh gained so much knowledge of the army and their working style. We are gathering details about the victims who he has cheated on so far," an STF official told the outlet. First Published: November 12, 2024, 16:36 IST MP Artist Wins Rs 51,000 In Bundelkhandi Folk Dance Competition Curated By : Local News Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 14:33 IST The artist claimed that he will celebrate his victory by organising a Kanya Bhoj for the entire village. The Moniya dance competition was held on November 11. A Madhya Pradesh artist, after winning the famous folk dance competition Moniya Dance, claimed that he would celebrate his victory by organising Kanya Bhoj in the entire village. The victory became a cause of pride not only for the artist, but for the entire village. The preparations for this famous folk dance of Bundelkhand start before Diwali and continue till Devuthani Gyaras. This is the oldest dance in the area, also known as the Deepawali dance. In this tradition, teenagers form a circle and dance gracefully, holding peacock feathers in a beautiful display. In this competition, the winning team from Pancham Nagar were given a trophy along with a prize of Rs 51,000. Churyari and Khera Kachhar were tied at the second place, and both were awarded an amount of Rs 31,000. At the same time, the Banjari team stood in the third position with a hamper of Rs 21,000. Apart from this, certificates along with cash were also distributed to the other 7 teams. The remaining teams were given a hamper of Rs 1100. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all related stories Artists from the winning team, the team of Pancham Nagar, mentioned that they reached the finals after winning all the three rounds. They have worked day and night for the last 15 days to win this competition. Following this, they have expressed their happiness after winning the competition. Additionally, they cited that their village is 40 kilometres away; but in the joy of victory, they seem to have forgotten the distance to home. An artist from the Moniya team shared that while theyre thrilled about the victory, the entire village is even more excited about the Rs 51,000 theyve won. The first thing well do when we get back to the village is to organise a Kanya Bhoj with this prize money," he added. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 14:33 IST UP Man Fall Prey To Marriage Trap, Loses Over Rs 1 Lakh Curated By : Local News Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 16:24 IST Pradeep eventually fell for her trap and transferred Rs 10,000 to the womans account initially. The man called the number provided in a newspaper ad. A resident of Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh named Pradeep Kumar was looking for a bride with his familys help. However, the lockdown disrupted everything, causing a marriage arrangement to fall through. Later, Pradeep saw an advertisement in a newspaper that invited people looking to marry to get in touch. He called the number provided in the ad, and a young woman answered. Pradeep called the number, and a woman named Khushbu Devi answered. Over time, Pradeep and Khushbu began talking frequently, and she eventually asked him for money. Initially, Pradeep refused, but eventually, he fell for her trap and transferred Rs 10,000 to Khushbus account. In this way, Khushbu managed to extort a total of Rs 1.7 lakh from Pradeep in several instalments. After that, she disappeared, and her number was switched off. related stories Shaken by this incident, Pradeep filed a complaint with the former District Magistrate, Dr Dinesh Chandra, who ordered an FIR to be registered against an unknown person. However, no trace of Khushbu Devi was found. For the past two years, Pradeep has been regularly visiting the police station, requesting that either the woman marry him or return his money. Another shocking incident has come to light in Uttar Pradeshs Hathras where a brother and sister reportedly married each other, and several other married couples tied the knot again to fraudulently receive government benefits meant for newly-married couples for the economically weaker sections of the society. The fraud was exposed after a complaint from local residents, following which the local SDM took action and ordered an investigation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The scam was orchestrated to receive benefits under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, which promises Rs 35,000 in the bank account of the bride, essential goods worth Rs 10,000 for the couple besides the Rs 6,000 expenditure in solemnising the marriage. According to reports, two married couples residing in Sikandrarao were remarried under the scheme. Additionally, a case of a brother and sister marrying each other has also been reported. Local residents raised the issue with the SDM, leading to an order for an investigation. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 16:24 IST Woman Finds Needle Left Inside Her After 18 Years Of Pain From Childbirth Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 11:03 IST A 36-year-old woman suffered intense pain for nearly two decades after childbirth. An X-ray later revealed that a needle had been left inside her during delivery. The woman had been suffering in silence until now. (Representative Image) A 36-year-old woman from Thailands Narathiwat province has endured nearly two decades of severe pain after a needle was accidentally left inside her during childbirth. She recently turned to the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, a non-profit organization supporting victims of abuse, for assistance. The woman had been suffering in silence until now, revealing the painful and shocking mistake that occurred during her delivery. According to her account to the foundation, the incident occurred 18 years ago during labour when a nurse accidentally dropped a needle while suturing her after childbirth. Although a doctor attempted to retrieve it with his fingers", the needle couldnt be removed. The woman recalled that due to concerns about excessive bleeding, the doctor chose to complete the procedure even though the needle remained inside her vagina. related stories The nurse accidentally dropped the needle while stitching me up after childbirth. A doctor tried to retrieve it with his fingers, but could not get it," the woman told Pavena Foundation for Children and Women as quoted by The Independent. Since then, for nearly two decades, the woman endured intermittent but intense lower abdominal pain without knowing the cause. It wasnt until an X-ray last year revealed a needle lodged inside her. Although she was referred for surgery to remove it, the procedure has been delayed multiple times due to the needle shifting within her body. With the needle still in her body, she needs to go to the hospital four times a month for regular check-ups. Although her medical insurance covers most of her treatment, extra costs like transportation have put a strain on her financially. Due to these extra expenses, she turned to the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women for support. Her family is poor, so she asked Paveena to help," the foundation said. The head of the foundation, Pawina Hongsakul, took steps to assist her by arranging an appointment at a public hospital. Hongsakul also worked with the local Department of Social Development and Human Security to organise transportation for her hospital visits. It is still uncertain when the needle will be removed or how long her treatment will continue. The hospital has not yet responded to the incident and it is also unknown if there will be any legal action or compensation. The situation, however, has sparked outrage online. Many criticised the hospitals negligence with some suggesting that she should take legal action for the years of pain she has endured. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One user commented, She should sue the doctor to the fullest! They should compensate her for 18 years of suffering." Another added, Attention to detail is critical in every task. This negligent doctor should face consequences, and irresponsible doctors deserve to be punished!" Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 12, 2024, 11:03 IST President Luong Cuong (second to left) and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font (second to right) witness the signing ceremony of the joint statement, Santiago, Chile, November 11, 2024 - Photo: VNA According to the document, President Luong Cuong and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font held talks on the bilateral friendship as well as global and regional issues of mutual concern. The Vietnamese President also met with Senate President Jose Garcia Ruminot, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Karol Cariola, and Mayor of the Commune of Santiago Iraci Hassler; delivered a policy speech at the University of Chile; and met with executives of prominent Chilean enterprises. Leaders of the two countries underlined the historic significance of the visit, the first by a Vietnamese President in 15 years, and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the bilateral friendship. This year also marks the 55th anniversary of the historic meeting between Salvador Allende and President Ho Chi Minh in 1969, which paved the way for the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971. President Luong commended Chile's recent accomplishments, while President Boric expressed admiration for Viet Nam's impressive socio-economic achievements over the past nearly 40 years of renewal and global integration. Both sides' leaders agreed to deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership established in 2007, and reiterated their commitment to promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific and globally. They pledged to intensify high-level exchanges to guide the future of Viet Nam-Chile relations, foster cooperation among legislative bodies, local authorities, academic institutions, and people-to-people exchanges. Acknowledging the growth of economic and trade exchanges, they underscored the importance of the Viet Nam-Chile Free Trade Agreement and committed to ongoing coordination to maximize the effectiveness of this deal and other key agreements. The leaders committed to expanding bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest, including defense, security, agriculture, sustainable development, renewable energy, science, education, culture, and tourism. They acknowledged the necessity of opening their markets to each other's agricultural and aquatic products, and expressed their interest in continuing to streamline procedures for market access for the goods. They praised the Vietnamese Government's recent establishment of the defense attache office in Chile and Chile's opening of an agricultural attache office in the Southeast Asian country. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting multilateralism and strengthening cooperation in multilateral mechanisms based on adherence to the UN Charter and international law, and on respect for national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Chile expressed its support for Viet Nam's hosting of APEC 2027. Besides, Chile underscored its desire to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Viet Nam welcomed Chile's proposal and pledged to actively promote discussions among member states on this matter. The leaders affirmed that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNLOS 1982) serves as the legal framework governing all maritime and oceanic activities and highlighted its strategic importance as the legal basis for actions and cooperation at national, regional, and global levels. Additionally, they emphasized the significance of resolving maritime disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the UN Charter and UNCLOS 1982. They said they wish to effectively implement cooperation initiatives within the framework of the ASEAN-Chile Development Partnership for 2021-2026. The leaders expressed their delight at the outcomes of the Vietnamese President's visit, saying it will create crucial momentum for deepening the bilateral relations in the coming time. On the occasion, Luong extended a formal invitation to President Boric to visit Viet Nam at a mutually convenient time in 2025, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure./. 2023 Pakistan Mosque Blasts: Cop Arrested For Sharing Map With Suicide Bomber Published By : Associated Press Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 19:08 IST A police officer was arrested for facilitating a suicide bombing at a mosque in Pakistan, killing 101 people in January. A man walks amid the rubble, days after a suicide blast in a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan. (IMAGE: REUTERS) A police officer has been arrested in connection with facilitating a suicide bomb attack at a mosque on the premises of a police compound in northwest Pakistan. Provincial police chief Akhtar Hayyat announced the arrest of police constable Mohammad Wali at a news conference in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Tuesday. related stories Wali, who worked with the Peshawar police, is alleged to have shared a map of the compound with the suicide bomber who carried out an attack on the mosque on Jan. 29, 2023, killing 101 people, mostly police officers, and wounding 250 others. Hayyat said Wali had joined the outlawed Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, which orchestrated the attack, in 2023. The arrest was made in a raid on Monday and Wali had confessed to his role in the attack, the chief added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Police last year released CCTV images from the blast scene showing the suicide bomber in a police uniform approaching the site pushing a motorcycle, giving the impression it had broken down. Hayyat said it is alleged that the uniform had been provided by Wali. The assault on the mosque inside the police facility was one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in recent years. Location : Peshawar, Pakistan First Published: November 12, 2024, 19:08 IST Melania Trump Declines To Meet First Lady Jill Biden In White House. Here's Why Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 13:10 IST Melania Trump voiced anger over the 2022 FBI raid on her Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where agents ransacked her wardrobe. Melania Trump said the 2022 raid on her Mar-a-Lago estate was a 'violation of privacy'. (Reuters) Melania Trump has declined an offer to meet First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday in the White House, apparently still angered over the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) snooping" her underwear drawer during a 2022 raid on her familys Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida as part of the governments probe into his handling of classified documents. The decision to search the home of a former US president was an extraordinary move, as Trump was indicted on 37 counts related to illegally keeping classified documents and violation of the Espionage Act. The classified documents case in Florida was dismissed by District Judge Aileen Cannon in July. related stories Earlier this year, Melania called the raid at her Mar-a-Lago residence an invasion of privacy" and said it was a warning for all Americans that their freedom and rights must be respected. Donald Trump later said Melania felt very violated" after the raid as the FBI agents ransacked her possessions. ALSO READ: Who Is Mike Waltz? Trumps Pick For National Security Adviser, His Stance On US-India Ties What Melania Said On Meeting Jill Biden? Following Donald Trumps victory in the presidential election held on November 5, President Joe Biden had invited the Trump family to the White House on Wednesday for a traditional post-election meeting. Typically, the first lady hosts their replacement for tea in the White House. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, Melania has declined to meet with Jill Biden. She aint going. Jill Bidens husband authorised the FBI snooping through her underwear drawer. The Bidens are disgusting," a source told the New York Post. Jill Biden isnt someone Melania needs to meet." After his 2020 election loss to Biden, Trump did not invite the family to the White House before the Democrat took office in January 2021, breaking a decades-long tradition. Trump refused to concede defeat in the election and accused the Democrats of stealing the election" and committing widespread voter fraud, allegations that have not been proven so far. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 12, 2024, 11:47 IST How Trump 2.0 Cabinet Is Shaping Up? Who's Who In Key Appointments So Far Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 14, 2024, 15:26 IST Trump has not wasted much time to select allies in key posts of his administration and demanded a Senate vote bypass for other picks. Susan Wiles was the central figure in Trump's successful 2024 presidential campaign, keeping media backlashes at a minimum. (Reuters) Donald Trump secured a thumping victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the US election and has not waited a breath in chalking out key appointments in his upcoming Cabinet, relying on aides and allies who had strongly backed him during the 2024 presidential campaign. With Trump presiding over the White House and his Republican Party securing control over both chambers of US Congress, this has made him one of the most powerful presidents in US history. Without skipping a beat, he has named his closest allies in key positions, including the White House Chief of Staff, Secretary of State, National Security Adviser and more. related stories Trump earlier said he would not invite former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley or his ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to join his incoming administration. Haley, the Indian-origin Republican leader, was Trumps presidential rival in a bitter contest for the nomination before losing and endorsing him later. In October, Trump said in the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience that the biggest mistake" of his previous presidency was picking bad, disloyal people" to join his administration. His second administration is expected to be widely different from the last, with loyalists in key posts, and the President-elect has demanded a Senate confirmation bypass for his selections. Heres the list of Trumps picks in key posts so far: Susan Wiles, White House Chief Of Staff Susie Wiles served as the senior campaign manager of the Republican leader in the 2024 presidential race and will become the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff. Named the ice maiden", Wiles has decades of experience in American politics and previously worked on former President Ronald Reagans campaign in 1980. She is credited for launching a bold campaign for Trump that was able to attract some Black and Latino voters in his victory. With her selection as President-elect Donald Trumps incoming White House chief of staff, veteran Florida political strategist Susie Wiles moves from a largely behind-the-scenes role of campaign co-chair to the high-profile position of the presidents closest adviser and counsel. She has largely avoided the spotlight, even refusing to take the mic to speak as Trump celebrated his victory early Wednesday morning. Pete Hegseth, Secretary Of Defence Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, has been selected for the coveted post of Defence Secretary in Trumps cabinet. Hegseths selection was surprising as his name was not among those considered as likely picks for Trumps defence secretary among Pentagon officials. Trump hailed Hegseth as tough, smart and a true believer in America First". Pete Hegseth is a military veteran and a popular conservative media personality with a large following of his own. Having joined Fox News in 2014, 44-year-old Hegseth co-hosts Fox News Channels Fox & Friends Weekend", and serves as a host for Fox Nation. He has also authored several books, one of which was personally lauded by Trump. Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser Trump chose Mike Waltz, a retired National Guard officer and three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida, as the National Security Adviser in the United States. Waltz gained attention for advocating a hawkish policy on China and has repeatedly expressed concerns about Chinas aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Waltz is also the co-chair of the bipartisan congressional India Caucus and has championed deepening ties with India in defence and security cooperation. ALSO READ: Who Is Mike Waltz? Trumps Pick For National Security Adviser, His Stance On US-India Ties In the position, Waltz will be responsible for briefing Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies. He would be at the forefront of a litany of several issues, ranging from the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine to the escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Tom Homan, Border Czar Thomas D Homan, the former acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was appointed as the border czar" in Trumps second administration, as the President-elect expressed confidence in his ability to drive illegal aliens" out of the US. Homan has long been a Trump loyalist and shares his view of illegal immigration, promising to run the biggest deportation operation" in the country. During Trumps first administration, Homan operated a zero tolerance" immigration system where family members were separated during detention and deportation proceedings. He has criticised Joe Bidens administration for allowing millions of undocumented immigrants into the country and called for robust enforcement. However, Homan said the deportations would be conducted in a humane manner". ALSO READ: Who Is Tom Homan, Trumps Hawkish Border Czar? Old Videos Of His Stance On Deportations Go Viral Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief Of Policy Miller, a long-time Trump ally and an immigration hardliner, was appointed as the deputy chief of policy in his new administration. Miller had previously served in Trumps first term and has been a central figure in many of his policy decisions, particularly on immigration, and crafted Trumps hard-line speeches. Since leaving the White House, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization of former Trump advisers fashioned as a conservative version of the American Civil Liberties Union, challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as freedom of speech and religion and national security. Kristi Noem, Secretary Of Homeland Security South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been chosen to become the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Noem will be tapped to take over the agency as two key immigration hardliners Stephen Miller and Tom Homan are slated to serve in senior roles. Yet another Trump loyalist, Noem has promised to secure the border and restore safety to American communities". Noem has been a fierce critic of the Biden administrations immigration policies. The department saw an immense amount of turmoil the last time Trump was in office. She will now be tasked with overseeing a sprawling agency that oversees everything from US Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the US Secret Service. John Ratcliffe, Director Of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Former director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe was announced as the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Trumps incoming administration, putting a rest to the possibility of Indian-origin former Republican House staffer Kashyap Kash Patel being picked for the post. A close Trump ally, Ratcliffe was declared the American top spy in 2020. He was previously accused by Democrats and former intelligence officials of declassifying intelligence for Trumps use to attack opponents, including Biden who was up against him in the presidential race. Ratcliffe had denied the charges. Trump hailed him as a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights" of the citizens of the country. Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy: Department Of Government Efficiency Trump announced that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead his new Department of Government Efficiency, an ambitious initiative that aims to dismantle government bureaucracy, cut down government spending and restructure federal agencies. Likening it to the Manhattan Project, Trump said it will create an entrepreneurial approach to the incoming administration. This new department will also provide advice and guidance from outside of the government and partner with the White House to drive large-scale structural reform. Trump said the departments work would conclude by July 4, 2026 and make life better for all Americans". Trump had already hinted at key roles for Tesla CEO Musk and Indian-origin entrepreneur Ramaswamy. Elise Stefanik, UN Ambassador Elise Stefanik, the youngest woman elected to Congress in US history, has been picked by Trump as the UN ambassador. The New York congresswoman has for years been one of Trumps staunchest supporters in Congress and currently serves as the House Republican Conference chair since 2021, the third-ranking member of House leadership. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the UN as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine since 2022. Stefanik has also criticised the UN for its lack of sufficient backing for Israels war against Hamas. Stefaniks questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning. Lee Zeldin, Environment Protection Agency Amid concerns over Trumps policy on climate change, he chose New York Representative Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. The 44-year-old Zeldin has vowed to restore US energy dominance, revitalise the auto industry to boost jobs and make America the global leader in Artificial Intelligence. Like others, Zeldin is a long-time supporter of Trump but does not have much experience in environmental issues. Trump said Zeldin will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet". William McGinley, White House Counsel Veteran Republican lawyer William Joseph McGinley was picked as the upcoming White House counsel. Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement," Trump said in a statement. McGinley previously served as White House Cabinet secretary in the first half of Trumps first term in office. The lawyer in the powerful post would become one of the chief advisers who acts as a guardrail for the president. Yet Trumps style has caused his past White House counsels to become top witnesses in multiple federal investigations including McGinleys longtime colleague and Trumps first White House Counsel Don McGahn. John Thune, Senate GOP Leader The Republicans in the US Senate picked John Thune as the chambers new leader. He is succeeding Mitch McConnell and had a rocky relationship with Trump. Thune was highly critical of the then-president as Trump tried to overturn his election defeat in 2020 and after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by Trumps supporters. Thune said at that time that Trumps efforts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power were inexcusable". He, on his election, said he remains committed to implementing policies Donald Trump is proposing. This Republican team is united behind President Trumps agenda, and our work starts today," Thune, who represents South Dakota, said in a brief statement. Tulsi Gabbard, Director Of National Intelligence US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat, and the first-ever Hindu Congresswoman, would serve as Director of National Intelligence in his second term. Tulsi Gabbard, a four-term Congresswoman, 2020 presidential candidate, and New York Times bestselling author, is a decorated military veteran with three deployments to war zones in the Middle East and Africa. Recently, she transitioned from being a Democrat to joining the Republican Party. Marco Rubio, Secretary Of State Trump has selected Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State, which will make him the first Latino to serve as the nations top diplomat amid growing rivalries with China and Iran. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trump picked the 53-year-old Florida-born Senator, the most hawkish name in the shortlist for the position, although he could still change his mind at the last minute. As the top American diplomat, Rubio is expected to deal with a more volatile world than Trumps previous presidency in 2017, with wars raging in Gaza and Ukraine and China growing closer to US foes Russia and Iran. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 12, 2024, 14:06 IST Dramatic Visuals Erupt As Royal Caribbean Cruise Tilts In Atlantic Ocean, Passengers Run For Safety Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 18:39 IST The Royal Caribbean confirmed one passenger was injured in the incident and several others reported minor injuries Screengrab of Royal Caribbean ship tilting in Atlantic storm. (Image: X/@FearedBuck) A video showing dramatic visuals from the Royal Caribbean cruise is going viral on social media after passengers were left clinging on for their balance as the ship tilted 45 degrees due to freak weather off of the coast of Africa. The Royal Caribbean cruise recently encountered severe weather on its journey from Barcelona to Miami, causing chaos on board. In the viral visuals, the passengers can be seen scrambling for safety as strong winds and rough seas tossed bottles off bar shelves and overturned tables in the casino. The strong turbulence struck the ship on Thursday night (November 7), shortly after it departed from Spains Castilian coast, according to Cruise Mapper. related stories The vessel was near Tenerife, the largest of Spains Canary Islands when it was hit by an unexpected wind gust," Royal Caribbean Cruises said in a statement. Reportedly, the ship was carrying 4,290 passengers. Cruise ship tilted 45 degrees in the Atlantic ocean pic.twitter.com/4lIIxIFCkh FearBuck (@FearedBuck) November 10, 2024 Following the incident, the passengers were requested to return to their cabins for a headcount and safety verification. Meanwhile, the Royal Caribbean confirmed one passenger was injured in the incident and several others reported minor injuries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One of our guests was injured and requires additional medical care, so the ship will make a call in Las Palmas, Spain, for medical disembarkation. We are communicating these changes directly with our guests," the Royal Caribbean said in a statement, NDTV reported. The Explorer of the Seas, a majestic 1,020-foot cruise liner, has capacity for 4,290 guests and 1,185 crew members. The ship was built in 2000 and registered in the Bahamas, this Royal Caribbean vessel has been sailing the seas for over two decades. Location : Spain First Published: November 12, 2024, 18:38 IST Nijjar, Other Khalistanis Funded Former Trudeau Ally Jagmeet Singh: Exclusive Documents Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 09:20 IST According to the documents, slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar donated to Jagmeet Singh's NDP between 2014 and 2019. Canada's New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh (IMAGE: REUTERS) Khalistani extremists have reportedly been getting a free run in Canada for years. However, there are now shocking revelations about how Khalistani terrorists have been funding Canadas New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh, the former ally of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. CNN-News18 has accessed exclusive documents that reveal Khalistani funding to Jagmeet Singh. According to the documents, slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar donated to Jagmeet Singhs NDP between 2014 and 2019. related stories The first donation record is from 2014. On June 26, 2014, Nijjar donated 250 Canadian dollars (Rs 15,139). In November 2017, Nijjar donated 375 Canadian dollars to NDP thrice. There were three transactions of Rs 22,705.91 each from Nijjar to NDP. According to another document, Khalistani terrorist Mo Dhaliwal also donated to NDP between 2017 and 2021. In May 2017, Dhaliwal donated 1550 Canadian dollars to NDP. On November 14, 2018, Dhaliwal donated 1,000 Canadian dollars to NDP. In May and June 2019, donations worth over 4,000 Canadian dollars were made. On September 6, 2019, a donation of 1,000 Canadian dollars was made. On September 18, 2021, he donated $500 to Singh. Why do Khalistanis get a free run in Canada? What are the political compulsion of the Trudeau government?K-funding link proven: Documents showing Nijjars donations to NDP accessed by CNN-News18#Exclusive investigation by @BhupenderAzad07 #BrassTacks | @Zakka_Jacob pic.twitter.com/NoYMFUfDFm News18 (@CNNnews18) November 11, 2024 Khalistani terrorist Tehal Singh also donated 200 Canadian dollars to NDP on October 26, 2017. Terrorist Bhagat Brar, too, donated to NDP in 2017. Brar donated $400 to Singh in June 2017, according to the Canadian election website. document 5 The documents accessed by CNN-News18 also reveal donations from Khalistani terrorists Malkeet Singh and Dulai in 2015 and 2017. Hindus in Canada Under Khalistani Threat These revelations come at a time when ties between India and Canada have been strained over Trudeaus inaction against Khalistani extremists despite several extradition requests from Indian government. There have also been attacks on Hindu temples and temple leaders in Canada over the past one year. On Monday, the administration of the Brampton Triveni Mandir cancelled an event due to threats of violent protests by Khalistani separatists in Canada. The event, scheduled to be held on November 17, has been cancelled and would have seen life certificates being handed over to Sikh and Hindu residents. The event was being held in cooperation with the Indian consulate. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The temple administration said that the event was cancelled due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police who told them that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests". Threat posters released on social media handles of Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice also called for violent protests outside Hindu temples. First Published: November 12, 2024, 09:05 IST Indians In Canada Under Threat? Concerns Grow As Khalistani Leaders Meet Pakistani Groups Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 11:55 IST Recent inputs suggest that with the support of local police and other administrative agencies, PKEs are successfully gathering information on Indians who are voicing opposition to Khalistan in Canada. Visuals show a group of men wielding sticks and attacking devotees outside a Hindu temple in Canada. (Image: X) From tracking groups on social media apps like WhatsApp to physical confrontations, protests and threatening Indians living in Canada, pro-Khalistani entities (PKE) are increasingly targeting the Indian community there. According to sources in Indian intelligence agencies, following a meeting with like-minded Pakistani leaders, in touch with Pakistan based terror groups, the leadership of Khalistan has amplified aggressive protests, particularly in areas where Indians gather in large numbers. Sources said the meeting was held in the first week of November. The amplified protests could soon lead to violent confrontations, with Indians being threatened, manhandled by PKE and even booked by local authorities in various cases. related stories Recent inputs suggest that with the support of local police and other administrative agencies, these entities are successfully gathering information on Indians who are voicing opposition to Khalistan in different regions of Canada. Their addresses have been shared in various groups along with contact details, putting Indian families at risk. Sources indicate that Indian restaurant owners, students, and professionals are primarily targeted by these violent Khalistani entities, who may attack Indians at various locations, including outside temples. An official familiar with the situation said, Various social media groups of different Indian communities have been infiltrated by Khalistani entities, who are using chats and messages to provoke Khalistani supporters. Additionally, small groups of people are threatening Indians, demanding that they either support Khalistan or leave Canada immediately." Many professionals living in Canada have begun selling their properties and are planning to return to India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ive been living in Canada since 2017, but Ive never seen an environment like this. Now, people in groups are roaming the streets, ready to engage in violent altercations with Indian families. Families are being forced to pack up and leave for India to ensure their safety," said Arpit Tiwari, a 42-year-old software engineer, speaking to News18 over the phone. He added that Indians no longer trust the local police, as many are believed to be supporting Khalistani groups. Indian intelligence agencies are concerned that the situation will escalate by the end of this year, potentially becoming even more dangerous and challenging for Indians living in Canada. First Published: November 12, 2024, 11:17 IST Kamala Harris Makes First Appearance With Joe Biden After US Election Defeat Published By : AFP Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 08:38 IST The event, at historic Arlington National Cemetery, was also the first time Harris has been seen in public since her November 6 speech US President Joe Biden (L) and Vice President Kamala Harris stand at attention during a wreath-laying ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. President Joe Biden told US veterans Monday that serving as commander-in-chief had been the greatest honor" of his life as he laid a wreath at a ceremony that marked his first appearance with Kamala Harris since her election defeat. The event, at historic Arlington National Cemetery, was also the first time Vice President Harris has been seen in public since her November 6 speech in which she conceded the presidential election to Donald Trump. related stories Democrats, facing a painful reckoning over their drubbing, have begun soul-searching internal discussions and some not-so-private blaming over what caused Harriss loss, with some pointing to Bidens initial insistence on running again at age 81, despite having promised to be a bridge president to the next generation. Criticism of Harris herself has been more muted, and Biden heaped praise on Harris last Thursday in a televised White House address. Earlier Monday Biden hosted veterans at the White House to mark the holiday before heading to Arlington, the final resting place of two presidents, five-star generals, and some 400,000 veterans of major US conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Biden and Harris placed their hands on their hearts before participating in a wreath-laying. This is the last time I will stand here at Arlington as commander-in-chief," the president said in an address. Its been the greatest honor of my life to lead you, to serve you, to care for you, to defend you just as you defended us, generation after generation after generation." Biden spoke of his visits to veterans cemeteries in Europe, adding he would never forget standing in the cliffs of Normandy, 80 years after D-Day, to honor the servicemembers and veterans who literally saved the world." Afterwards as God Bless America" played, Biden dabbed both eyes with a handkerchief. The ceremony came shortly before Biden hosts Trump at the White House on Wednesday. The Republican has begun naming loyalists to his new administration. He announced he is bringing a hardline immigration official, Tom Homan, back into the fold to serve as his so-called border czar," and rightwing congresswoman Elise Stefanik to be US ambassador to the United Nations. Trump himself has long claimed he is a fierce supporter of Americas military, but he has made a series of controversial comments about veterans. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all His longest-serving White House chief of staff, retired general John Kelly, has said the Republican leader privately disparaged US servicemembers, including describing those who died or were imprisoned defending America as suckers" and losers." Trump denies the accusation. But the soon-to-be 47th president has been on record expressing contempt for late American war hero and senator John McCain, who spent years in a Hanoi prison during the Vietnam War. Trump posted on social media Monday a picture of himself saluting in front of the American flag, with the wording: Happy Veterans Day 2024." Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: November 12, 2024, 08:38 IST Khalistani Arsh Dalla Charged With 11 Counts In Canada Firing Case | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 12:59 IST News18 has exclusively accessed the chargesheet of the October 28 firing case, in which Arsh Dalla, Gurjant Singh have been arrested Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Dalla was involved in a shootout in Canada on October 28. (X) From illegal possession to tampering of evidence, Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, a designated terrorist in India, who was arrested in Canadas Ontario in connection with a shooting incident has been booked under 11 counts, according to the chargesheet accessed by News18. Responding to the arrest, Indian intelligence sources said, A country is giving shelter to terrorists who are wanted in another country. They are committing similar crimes in Canada too. As Arsh Dalla is now in custody, Canada should extradite him to India." related stories THE FIRING According to the chargesheet, around 04:17 hours on October 28, the Guelph Police received a call from Guelph hospital regarding a male at the hospital with a gunshot wound. The male was accompanied by a second male. They had arrived at Guelph hospital in a Dodge Durango, DCHN175The two males were identified as Arshdeep Gill and Gurjant Singh. Gill had a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his right bicep, which was treated by hospital staff," said the chargesheet. #BreakingNews | Govt Sources Spill-Canada Is Sheltering Terrorists 'Canada needs India more than anyone else' Defence Expert AK Siwach in conversation with @SakshiLitoriya_ | #IndiaCanada #Khalistan pic.twitter.com/kvtBbsa5qp News18 (@CNNnews18) November 12, 2024 Officers observed the Dodge Durango, licence plate DCHN175, parked in front of the hospital had what appeared to be bullet holes on the drivers side of the vehicle and the front window of the vehicle. Upon closer inspection of the vehicle, officers observed two bullet casings inside the vehicle on the passenger seat, indicating that a firearm had been discharged from within the vehicle. This vehicle was seized and secured by Guelph police. This vehicle was subsequently securely towed to Halton Regional Police Headquarters pending the authorization of a warrant to search. THE FIRING Gill and Singh informed police that while driving on Guelph Line, north of Highway 401 in Milton, Region of Halton, a period of time before attending at Guelph hospital, an unknown vehicle had drawn up beside their vehicle (Dodge Durango DCHN175) and several shots were discharged into their vehicle, resulting in the gunshot wound to Gill. As a result of police observations of bullet casings within this vehicle, both Gill and Singh were arrested. Both were cautioned, given rights to counsel and transported to central lock up, Oakville police station. Both accused were held in custody pending a bail hearing. THE CHARGES The investigation into this matter is ongoing, and search warrants are currently being obtained. Due to the seriousness of the offence, and the belief that additional charges could be laid upon the execution of the search warrants, police are requesting that the accused be held for three days. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all They have been booked for: Discharging a firearm with intent Unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm Careless use of a firearm Possession of a prohibited firearm knowing its possession is unauthorised Unauthorised possession in a motor vehicle Tampering with serial number Unauthorised possession of a firearm: rifle Unauthorised possession of a firearm: shotgun Counts 10 & 11- Possession of a prohibited device First Published: November 12, 2024, 12:48 IST Thailand On Alert For Plot To Carry Out Terror Attack Targeting Israelis Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 18:07 IST Ynet, an Israeli news agency, said Thailands police in internal documents raised concerns about a plot to carry out attacks on Israelis in the country. Thailand police in internal documents said there is a risk of terror attacks targeting Israeli tourists in the country during a popular festival. (IMAGE: REUTERS/REPRESENTATIVE) Thailand police officers issued an internal warning about a potential terror plot targeting Israelis in the country, Israeli news agency Ynet said citing sources. The alert specifically highlights the upcoming Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan Island, scheduled for November 15, a popular event that attracts many young Israelis. related stories Ynet reports that local police have intensified operations in recent days, acting on specific and credible information related to the alerts. The National Security Council issued a warning regarding the matter later. Following recent information and the increasing fear of an attack on Israelis and Jews across Thailand, the National Security Council urges Israelis in Thailand to heighten their alertness and heed updates," the warning message said. The NSC in its warning advised staying away from Israeli communities or Jewish events, concealing any identifying signs of being Israeli or Jewish, refraining from sharing travel plans on social media, and notifying local security about any suspicious activities. According to Axios, in 2022, Thai officials told their Israeli counterparts that Iran had decided not to carry out attacks on Israeli targets in Thailand. Israels national security council called on Israelis in October to immediately leave some tourist areas in southern Sri Lanka over the threat of a possible terrorist attack. The agency at the time said the warning pertained to the area of Arugam Bay and beaches in the south and west of Sri Lanka, and stemmed from current information about a terrorist threat focused on tourist areas and beaches". The security council called on Israelis in the rest of Sri Lanka to be cautious and refrain from holding large gatherings in public areas. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Israeli security establishment is in close contact with the security authorities in Sri Lanka and is following the developments," it said. The US embassy in Sri Lanka also released a security alert stating it had received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area". Location : Bangkok, Thailand First Published: November 12, 2024, 17:44 IST Trump To Pick China Hawk Marco Rubio For Secretary Of State Over Vivek Ramaswamy: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 11:31 IST A top China hawk in the US Senate, Marco Rubio has long advocated for an aggressive policy towards America's top adversaries. US Senator Marco Rubio, a contender for Trump's VP pick, has long advocated for an aggressive policy against China. (Reuters/File) US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to select Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State, which will make him the first Latino to serve as the nations top diplomat amid growing rivalries with China and Iran, three sources told Reuters on Monday (local time). Trump picked the 53-year-old Florida-born Senator, the most hawkish name in the shortlist for the position, although he could still change his mind at the last minute. As the top American diplomat, Rubio is expected to deal with a more volatile world than Trumps previous presidency in 2017, with wars raging in Gaza and Ukraine and China growing closer to US foes Russia and Iran. related stories Rubio was elected to the Senate in 2010 and has advocated for years a more aggressive foreign policy towards Americas geopolitical adversaries like China, Iran, and Cuba. He has softened some of his stances in the last several years to align more closely with Trumps views. Rubio serves as the vice chairman on the Senate Intelligence Committee and is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. By selecting Rubio for a key policy role, Trump may help consolidate gains among Latinos and make clear that they have a place at the highest levels of his administration. ALSO READ: Trump Picks India Caucus Head Mike Waltz As National Security Adviser According to ABC News, Marco Rubio was being considered for Secretary of State alongside Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a key Trump ally during the campaign. This came after a series of high-profile appointments in the Trump 2.0 Cabinet, like national security adviser, White House Chief of Staff, and more. Marco Rubios Views On Russia-Ukraine War While most of his proposed policies were aimed at China and Iran, Rubio has said in recent interviews that Ukraine needs to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia rather than focus on regaining all territory that Russia has taken in the last decade. He was also one of 15 Republican senators to vote against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, passed in April. Im not on Russias side but unfortunately, the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement," Rubio told NBC in September. This comes amid general uncertainty over Trumps policy to bring an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Many speculate that Trumps vision of ending the war, given his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, will end up with Moscow gaining control of the occupied territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, while Ukraine would not be able to join NATO. ALSO READ: Trumps Longtime Ally Stephen Miller Named Deputy Chief Of Policy In New Administration Rubios Differences With Other Republicans After his election to the Senate, the Cuban-origin Rubio found itself at odds with other Republicans who have been skeptical of his proposed approach towards China and Iran, according to the New York Times. During Trumps first term, Rubio co-sponsored legislation that would make it harder for Trump to withdraw from NATO. Trump has railed for years against NATO member countries that failed to meet agreed military spending targets and warned during the campaign that he would not only refuse to defend nations delinquent" on funding but would also encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want" to them. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He ran against the President-elect for the presidential nomination in 2016, where Trump ridiculed him as Little Marco" while the latter called him a con artist" and the most vulgar person to ever aspire to the presidency". However, he softened his stance and prepared him for his first debate against President Joe Biden in 2020. He was a contender for Trumps running mate this year. (with agency inputs) Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 12, 2024, 07:37 IST russian propagandists claim that during the battles in the Kursk region, their troops are using the Tor-M2KM SAM system mounted on a KamAZ truck chassis. As we can see from the image, this system was located on a hill, probably for more effective target detection. According to russians, this SAM system had a camouflage color typical of the Armed Forces of Armenia, as well as was intended for export to Armenia's army. Tor SAM system in Kursk region, fall 2024 / Open source photo russians also note that in 2024, Armenian government officials repeatedly stated that russia had not fulfilled its obligations to supply equipment and weapons. This led to the final liquidation of the separatist entity in Nagorno-Karabakh. As Defense Express, we would like to draw attention to the following points. It is worth noting that this is not the first instance of russians using Tor systems on KamAZ chassis to provide air defense. For example, we can recall that this SAM system was spotted in temporarily occupied Crimea in July of this year as part of air defense near Sevastopol. Tor SAM system in temporarily occupied Crimea, summer 2024 / Open source photo This story about the use of the Tor system intended for Armenia aligns with the trend of Russians using equipment and weapons initially meant for export contracts. It is also worth recalling that in December 2022, russians took 152-mm shells for the Msta-S howitzer from Azerbaijan to fight against the Defense Forces of Ukraine. At the same time it became known that the russian federation was using "Iraqi" Pantsir-1S system. Earlier Defense Express reported that russian army's biggest truck supplier, KamAZ, had declared multi-million financial losses. Israeli Ministers Warned Not To Assume Trump Will Back West Bank Annexation In Second Term Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 16:13 IST According to Israel, the annexation of West Bank was discussed in Trumps first term as well. The US has for decades backed a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said the country will seek the Donald Trump administration's help in annexing the West Bank. (Image: Reuters/File) Soon after Israels far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said the country will seek the Donald Trump administrations help in annexing the West Bank, two former aides of the US President-elect said it should not be assumed that he will share the same views. According to Israel, this issue was discussed in Trumps first term. The US has for decades backed a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians and has urged the former not to expand settlements. related stories Two officials, who were part of the previous Trump administration, warned senior Israeli ministers not to make such an assumption about his second term. They also told them that support for this controversial move may have a negative impact on other US foreign policy goals, as per a report published by the Times of Israel. But, far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus cabinet have remained undeterred despite the message being delivered in separate talks in the months leading up to the presidential election. While Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said his governments position on the issue was not yet settled, Netanyahu on November 8 announced that Israels next ambassador to the US will be Yechiel Leiter. He is a former settler leader who has advocated for annexing large parts of the West Bank and is against the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Times of Israel spoke to three highly placed sources who said Trumps former advisers have not ruled out him backing the annexation. But, an Israeli official, who did not want to be named, said they underlined that it should not be treated as a foregone conclusion". What Did Israels Finance Minister Say? On Monday (November 10), Smotrich said he hoped Israel will extend sovereignty into the occupied West Bank in 2025, and that he will push the government to engage the incoming Trump administration to gain Washingtons support. The Israeli minister, who also wields a defence ministry supervisory role for settlers as part of his coalition deal with Netanyahu, said he hoped the Trump administration will recognise an Israeli sovereignty push. He said separately that while no decision was made, the issue could come up in talks with the future administration in Washington. For years, Smotrich has called for Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, land Palestinians want for a future state. At a meeting of his far-right faction in parliament, he said he instructed Israeli authorities overseeing West Bank settlements to begin professional and comprehensive staff work to prepare the necessary infrastructure" for extending sovereignty, as per a statement from his office. What Is The Netanyahu Government Saying? Earlier the same day, however, Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the governments position on the issue of extending sovereignty into the West Bank was not yet settled. A decision has not yet been made on the issue," he told a news conference in Jerusalem. The last time we discussed this issue was in the first term of President Trump. And so lets say that if it will be relevant, it will be discussed again also with our friends in Washington. It is important to state that Israel sees what we call Judea and Samaria and others call the West Bank not as occupied territories but as disputed territories." What Is The US Stand? In 2020, during Trumps first term, discussions were held between Israel and Washington on plans to annex parts of the West Bank, which is among territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war and where Palestinians, with international support, seek statehood. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Most world powers deem the settlements illegal. Israel disputes that, citing historical claims to the West Bank and describing it as a security bulwark. (With agency inputs) Location : Jerusalem, Israel First Published: November 12, 2024, 15:24 IST Trump Picks India Caucus Head Mike Waltz As National Security Adviser Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 08:48 IST Waltz had previously expressed concerns about China's growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region and suggested closer ties with India. In his new role, Mike Waltz will deal with several national security crises, from, Ukraine to China, under Trump 2.0. (Reuters/File) US President-elect Donald Trump picked Mike Waltz, a retired Army National Guard officer and the head of India caucus, as his National Security Adviser, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press on Monday (local time). Waltz is a three-term Republican congressman from east-central Florida and a staunch supporter of Trump. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser for two terms. He is considered hawkish on China, calling for a US boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the outbreak of COVID-19 and the mistreatment of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang. related stories The position of a national security adviser, which does not require Senate confirmation, carries significant weight. Waltz will be put at the forefront of a series of national security crises, from providing weapons to Ukraine to dealing with the growing alliance between North Korea and Russia. ALSO READ: Trumps Longtime Ally Stephen Miller Named Deputy Chief Of Policy In New Administration Mike Waltzs Stance On India-US Relations Mike Waltz is the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, the largest country-specific bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the House of Representatives that is committed to strengthening the relationship between the two largest democratic countries of the world. In his position, Waltz had advocated for stronger US defence and security cooperation with India. Im honored to serve as the Co-Chair of the House India Caucus this Congress to ensure we continue this partnership, strengthen political, economic, and security ties between our two countries, and protect democracies in Asia and worldwide," he said last year. Waltz is also on the Republicans China Task Force and has argued the US military is not as prepared as it needs to be if there is conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. He slammed the Biden administration for a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and has publicly praised Trumps foreign policy views. ALSO READ: Kamala Harris Makes First Appearance With Joe Biden After US Election Defeat What This Means For US Military? Waltz has said his views on Ukraine have evolved. After Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he called for the Biden administration to provide more weapons to Kyiv to help them push back Russian forces. However, during an event last month, Waltz said the United States aims in Ukraine had to be reassessed. As a congressman from Florida, he has been at the forefront of a conservative movement opposed to teaching certain theories about racism and has criticised military officials for it. He has also lamented the Pentagons failure to fire generals and civilian bureaucrats who fail to perform. In 2023, Waltz introduced an act in Congress that would have required an audit of unnecessary and political DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs" in the military and restore a merit-based culture to our ranks." He was also critical of the US Military Academy at West Point for teaching critical race theory. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trump is expected to have a far darker view of his military leaders in his second term, after facing Pentagon resistance over everything from his skepticism toward NATO to his readiness to deploy troops to quell protests on the streets. (with inputs from agencies) Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 12, 2024, 07:13 IST Trumps Day One: Deportations, Border Wall, Scrapping Biden Humanitarian Programs Last Updated: November 13, 2024, 00:03 IST Trump also is expected to end President Joe Bidens humanitarian programs that allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter legally in recent years Trump's early executive actions would kickstart his immigration agenda. (Reuters) Donald Trump is expected to take a slew of executive actions on his first day as president to ramp up immigration enforcement and roll back signature Biden legal entry programs, a sweeping effort that will be led by incoming "border czar" Tom Homan and other Republican immigration hardliners, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The executive actions would give federal immigration officers more latitude to arrest people with no criminal records, surge troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and restart construction of the border wall, the sources said. related stories Homan, who served as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from 2017-2018 under Trump, will bring a deep understanding of the U.S. immigration system after a four-decade career that took him from a frontline Border Patrol agent to head of the agency that arrests and deports immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Trump also is expected to end President Joe Bidens humanitarian programs that allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter legally in recent years and could encourage those with expired statuses to leave voluntarily, according to the sources, who declined to be identified. All of these should be on the table," said Mark Morgan, an immigration official in Trumps first four-year term who said he did not speak for the Trump transition team. Trumps early executive actions would kick-start his immigration agenda, which includes a promise to deport record numbers of immigrants in the U.S. illegally. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimated there were 11 million immigrants without legal status in 2022, a figure that may have increased. Some cities that received migrants, including New York, Chicago and Denver, struggled to house and aid them. Trump, a Republican, defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in last weeks presidential election. He made claims that the Biden administration allowed high levels of illegal immigration a focus of his campaign. Trumps transition effort remains in its early stages, and plans could change before his inauguration on Jan. 20. A Trump spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Migrant arrests reached a record during Bidens presidency, straining U.S. border enforcement. But illegal crossings fell dramatically this year as Biden instituted new border restrictions and Mexico stepped up enforcement. Trump aims to drive illegal crossings even lower and use a whole-of-government approach to arrest, detain and deport large numbers of people. Trump announced on Sunday night that Homan would serve as a White House border czar" overseeing security and immigration enforcement. Vice President-elect JD Vance on Monday appeared to confirm that Stephen Miller, architect of Trumps restrictive first-term immigration agenda, would return as deputy chief of staff for policy, assuring the issue will remain central. Trump also plans to nominate South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to become secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Noem, whose Midwestern home state is closer to Canada than Mexico, took a hardline stance on illegal immigration and made several trips in recent years to the U.S.-Mexico border, which she called a "war zone" in January. Trumps aggressive agenda will likely encounter legal challenges from states governed by Democrats, the American Civil Liberties Union and pro-immigration advocates. DAY ONE TAKES SHAPE One of Trumps Day One executive actions is expected to be an order on so-called interior enforcement, arresting and detaining immigrants in the U.S. illegally, the sources said. Trump intends to scrap Biden administration guidance that prioritized people with serious criminal records for deportation and limited enforcement against non-criminals, they said. The Trump order would call for deportations to prioritize people charged with felonies and people who have exhausted their legal avenues to remain, but would not restrict officers from picking up other potentially deportable immigrants. More than 1 million immigrants in the U.S. have exhausted their legal options and been ordered deported, according to the pro-immigration American Immigration Council. Homan told Fox News on Monday these people would be a priority. A federal judge said, You must go home, and they didnt," he said. Certain groups such as international students who support Palestinian militant group Hamas and have violated the terms of their student visas could also be listed as a priority, two of the sources said. ICE could use military planes in deportations and seek help from other government agencies to transport deportees, one source said. All options are on the table," the source said. Another order would deal with border security, the two sources said. Trump intends to send National Guard troops to the border and declare illegal immigration a national emergency to unlock funds for border wall construction, the sources said. Wall construction in Arizona where Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has opposed Republican enforcement efforts could be a priority, two sources said. ENDING BIDEN PROGRAMS Trump plans to end Bidens temporary humanitarian parole" programs, which have allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter legally and access work permits, the sources said. The programs include an initiative for certain migrants with U.S. sponsors and another that allows migrants in Mexico to use an app to schedule border appointments. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all People in the U.S. with expired parole status who leave voluntarily could be allowed to apply for legal admission without penalties, the sources said. Trump is also expected to talk with Mexico about reinstating his Remain in Mexico" program, which required non-Mexican asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their U.S. cases were decided. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 13, 2024, 00:03 IST Who Is Marco Rubio? Trumps Likely Pick For US Secretary Of State Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 09:47 IST He is known to be a hawk on China and Iran, which are expected to be priority areas for Trumps incoming second administration Republican Presidential-elect Donald Trump and and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) react during a campaign event. (Photo: AP) Donald Trump is expected to pick 53-year-old US Senator Marco Rubio for the US Secretary of State role, official sources said. The Florida-born politician is on track to be the first Latino to serve as Americas top diplomat once the Republican president-elect takes office in January. Rubio was arguably the most hawkish option on Trumps shortlist for secretary of state, and he has in years past advocated for a muscular foreign policy concerning Americas geopolitical foes, including China, Iran, and Cuba. related stories Over the last several years he has softened some of his stances to align more closely with Trumps views. The president-elect accuses past US presidents of leading America into costly and futile wars and has pushed for a more restrained foreign policy. While the famously mercurial Trump could always change his mind at the last minute, he appeared to have settled on his pick as of Monday, sources requesting anonymity told news agency Reuters. The new administration will confront a world more volatile and dangerous than it was when Trump took office in 2017, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and China aligning itself more closely with US foes Russia and Iran. The Ukraine crisis will be high on Rubios agenda. RUBIOS POLITICAL JOURNEY Born on May 28, 1971, Marco Antonio Rubio is a politician-lawyer serving as the senior United States senator from Florida, a seat he has held since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2008. Rubio unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 2016, but won presidential primaries in Minnesota, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Rubio is a Cuban American from Miami, Florida. After serving as a city commissioner for West Miami in the 1990s, he was elected to represent the 111th district in the Florida House of Representatives in 2000. Subsequently, he was elected speaker of the Florida House; he served for two years beginning in November 2006. Upon leaving the Florida legislature in 2008 due to term limits, Rubio taught at Florida International University. CHINA, CUBA HAWK Some of Trumps supporters will be skeptical of his decision to tap Rubio, who until recently held muscular foreign policy positions that contradict those of Trump. During Trumps 2017-2021 term, for instance, Rubio co-sponsored legislation that would make it harder for Trump to withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, by requiring two thirds of the Senate to ratify withdrawal. Trump has railed for years against NATO member countries that failed to meet agreed military spending targets and warned during the campaign that he would not only refuse to defend nations delinquent" on funding but would also encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want" to them. Rubio is a top China hawk in the Senate. Most notably, he called on the Treasury Department in 2019 to launch a national security review of popular Chinese social media app TikToks acquisition of Musical.ly, prompting an investigation and troubled divestment order. As the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, he has also kept up the heat on the Biden administration, demanding it block all sales to Huawei earlier this year after the sanctioned Chinese tech company released a new laptop powered by an Intel AI processor chip. Rubio, whose grandfather fled Cuba in 1962, is also an outspoken opponent of normalizing relations with the Cuban government, a position Trump shares. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The head of the House subcommittee overseeing Latin American affairs, he is also a frequent and fierce critic of Nicolas Maduros government in Venezuela. First Published: November 12, 2024, 09:29 IST What Is Vivek Ramaswamy's Future In Trump 2.0 After Likely Snub For Secretary Of State? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 15, 2024, 13:23 IST Ramaswamy, one of the leading voices in Trump's successful 2024 campaign, was reportedly shortlisted for the post of Secretary of State. Vivek Ramaswamy played a crucial role in Trump's 2024 campaign after competing against him in the GOP primaries. (Reuters) Vivek Ramaswamy has been appointed the head of US President-Elect Donald Trumps new Department of Government Efficiency (To read about the new development, click here) Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy emerged as one of US President-elect Donald Trumps fiercest backers during his successful 2024 campaign for the White House. His energetic speeches advocating Trumps hard-line policies struck a chord with many voters and attracted the attention of bigwigs like Elon Musk. related stories During the campaign trail, Ramaswamy competed against Trump for the presidential nomination during the GOP primaries and pitched himself as Trump 2.0". He and Trump largely avoided attacking each other during the primaries, and the President-elect commended Ramaswamy for doing a hell of a job" after he dropped out of the race Now that Trump is going to form the next government, Ramaswamy was anticipated for a big role in his second administration that will take the reins from January 20 next year. However, Trump seemingly snubbed Ramaswamy for the post of Secretary of State by giving it to Senator Marco Rubio, according to several reports. With this, the million-dollar question is what Ramaswamys role would be in the Trump 2.0 cabinet. With several high-profile positions still left for allocation, there is still a chance that the businessman would be given a key post after Trump refused to invite another Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley. Did Trump Promise Ramaswamy A Position In His Administration? The Republican primary debates were chaotic as Ramaswamy took on Haley by calling her fascist" and corrupt". His tersely-worded arguments thrust him into the spotlight as an outspoken supporter of Trumps policies as he called the latter the greatest president" in US history. The people who waxed eloquently about threats to our democracy" were really most worried about threats to our bureaucracy which is the *actual* threat to democracy itself. pic.twitter.com/5kVfMYwDyE Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 11, 2024 Soon after dropping his presidential bid, Ramaswamy strongly endorsed Trump and attacked Kamala Harris for her policies on the economy and immigration. Trump praised the young Indian-American businessman, describing him as smart as hell" and noted that he initially provided tough competition during the race. After withdrawing from the race in June, Ramaswamy said, There is not a better choice left in this race than this man right here. Do the right thing and vote for Donald Trump as your next president." Trump thanked Ramaswamy for his endorsement and said hes gonna be working with us". I hope hes going to be involved in our administration," Trump said last month, suggesting that Ramaswamy could oversee major government initiatives. We can put him in charge of one of these big monsters and hell do a better job than anybody you can think of." Trump on Ramaswamy: Were going to bring him in.. Somebody said, who is going to be secretary of state? I said, do me a favor. Lets win first. He will be a part of something that will be really big. pic.twitter.com/SLEn9GnnKj Acyn (@Acyn) October 10, 2024 President Trump on Vivek Ramaswamy:Hell be working with us for a long time." pic.twitter.com/nIxMtY5ozO Gary D (@KMGGaryde) January 17, 2024 Ramaswamys Role In Trumps Administration With weeks left for the ultimate showdown between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Ramaswamy was reported as a possible vice presidential candidate until Trump chose Ohio Senator JD Vance for the role. Ramaswamys support for Trump remained resolute and his attacks on the Biden-Harris administration intensified. His regular speeches and interviews on X platform amplified support for Trumps presidential bid. Trump secured a landslide victory, winning 312 electoral votes over Harris 226 with Republican victories in both the Senate and the House of Representatives making him one of the most powerful presidents in US history. He called on Republicans to stop dunking on Harris/Biden" and called on Democrats to give Trump a chance. We won. Kamala lost. My ask of Republicans: were done dunking on Harris/Biden/etc. My ask of Democrats: give Donald Trump a chance this time, to improve the lives of all Americans. And yes, that includes you. pic.twitter.com/zioM9zCgcV Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 8, 2024 Vivek Ramaswamy was being considered for Secretary of State alongside Rubio, reported ABC News. However, recent reports suggest that Trump has picked Rubio over Ramaswamy for the position of Americas top diplomat. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Speaking to ABC, Ramaswamy appeared to tease a possible role in Trumps cabinet, saying that he has a couple of great options" before him. He did not reveal details about his role but confirmed having high-impact discussions" about his path forward. Ramaswamy is also a favourite for Secretary of Homeland Security, but the newly-appointed border czar Tom Homan is also in the race. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 12, 2024, 15:47 IST Women Stock Up Hormone, Abortion Pills Before Reproductive Apocalypse During Trump Term Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 12, 2024, 11:35 IST Reproductive health organisations also noted a rise in demand for emergency contraception and long-term birth control methods US President-elect Donald Trump. Women across the United States started stocking up on hormonal contraceptives and abortion medication in anticipation of the reproductive apocalypse" expected when Republican Donald Trump starts his term as the 47th president in January 2025. According to media reports, Aid Access, one of the largest suppliers of abortion pills, reported a sharp surge in demand following the election results, receiving 10,000 requests for the medication in the 24 hours after the Republican nominee was declared the winner early Wednesday. This was roughly 17 times the usual daily requests, which typically number around 600. related stories Just the Pill, a non-profit that provides abortion medication through telemedicine, noted that 22 of its 125 orders from Wednesday to Friday came from individuals who were not pregnant. Julie Amaon, the groups interim executive director, described such advance provision" requests as an unusual occurrence. Plan C, an organisation that offers information about accessing abortion medication, saw a massive spike in traffic, reporting 82,200 visitors to its website on Wednesday. This was a dramatic increase compared to the usual 4,000 to 4,500 daily visits before the election. Clearly, people are trying to prepare for the reproductive crisis they expect under a Trump presidency," said Elisa Wells, co-founder of Plan C, in an interview with The Guardian. Other reproductive health organisations also noted a rise in demand for emergency contraception, or morning-after" pills, as well as long-term birth control methods like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and vasectomies. However, they refrained from providing specific numbers. Brittany Fonteno, president of the National Abortion Federation, emphasized that the heightened concern was driven by the real and pressing threat to abortion access under a potential Trump administration. People are understandably worried about their ability to get the care they need," she said. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Trumps transition team, responded by reiterating that the president has long supported states rights to make decisions on abortion. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trump has shifted his stance on abortion over time, previously declaring himself the most pro-life president in history," yet also vowing to veto a federal abortion ban. During his first term, he nominated three Supreme Court justices, setting the stage for the Courts decision to overturn Roe vs Wade in Dobbs vs Jackson Womens Health Organisation. Meanwhile, anti-abortion doctors have filed lawsuits to restrict access to mifepristone, a key medication used in abortions. Additionally, some far-right groups have erroneously labelled emergency contraception and IUDs as abortifacients. First Published: November 12, 2024, 11:17 IST Farmers work in the field in Xiaba Village of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 6, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. Every day, a large number of farmers take the special line to the city to sell their home-grown produce. Shelves and leather ropes were also installed on the bus to help fix farmers' vegetable baskets. With the opening of the special line, the time for fresh fruits and vegetables to reach the city has been reduced from more than one hour to about 40 minutes, and the travel experience has also been greatly improved. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2024 shows people shopping for fresh vegetables transported here by Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer picks vegetable for sale in the city the next day in Xiaba Village of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 6, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer is pictured with vegetables for sale on Bus No. 252 at Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2024 shows Bus No. 252 running in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer prepares to sell vegetables after getting off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer sorts vegetable before taking Bus No. 252 in Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers talk with the bus driver after getting off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer gets off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers, who took Bus No. 252 to the city, sell vegetables in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2024 shows people shopping for fresh vegetables transported here by Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers wait for Bus No. 252 at Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2024 shows Bus No. 252 running in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Bus driver Zhang Guilin is seen at work on Bus No. 252 in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers get on Bus No. 252 at Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2024 shows Bus No. 252 running in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers prepare to sell vegetables after getting off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2024 shows people shopping for fresh vegetables transported here by Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers take Bus No. 252 to sell vegetables in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Bus driver Zhang Guilin cleans a shelve on Bus No. 252 at the terminal station in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2024 shows Bus No. 252 running in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers take Bus No. 252 to sell vegetables in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer prepares to sell vegetables after getting off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers, who took Bus No. 252 to the city, sell vegetables in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A citizen shops for fresh vegetables transported here by Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers get on Bus No. 252 at Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer picks vegetable for sale in the city the next day in Xiaba Village of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 6, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer carrying vegetables gets off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Editor: ZAD Uranus has only been visited by a spacecraft onceand Voyager 2 "arrived at just the wrong time," says Jamie Jasinski, a planetary scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Jasinski is the lead author of a study published in the journal Nature Astronomy that suggests the 1986 flyby happened when solar activity had created very unusual conditions, meaning our understanding of the planet has been wrong for the past 38 years, the New York Times reports. "If we had arrived a week earlier, we would have had a completely different picture of Uranus," Jasinski says. Jasinski and his co-authors say the flyby "revealed an unusually oblique and off-centred magnetic field" that "has been the basis of our interpretation of Uranus's magnetosphere as the canonical extreme magnetosphere of the solar system; with inexplicably intense electron radiation belts and a severely plasma-depleted magnetosphere." They say they have determined from a review of Voyager 2 data that the extreme conditions were caused by an intense solar wind event known as a "co-rotating interaction region." They believe the conditions observed by Voyager 2 are only present on Uranus around 4% of the time. The "major mysteries" from the flyby can be explained by the solar wind event, which "compressed the magnetosphere dramatically just before the flyby started," Jasinski tells Gizmodo. The team also concluded that the planet's two outermost moons are inside its magnetosphere, which will make it easier to search for subsurface oceans. "Titania and Oberon are the most likely candidates for harboring oceans because they are slightly larger than the other moons, meaning they can retain heat better, and therefore be warmer," Jasinski says. "This means they are less likely to be completely frozen." NASA plans to launch another Uranus mission in 2032, the Times reports. (More Uranus stories.) The Japanese called the USS Edsall "the dancing mouse." Stumbling upon a Japanese naval force in the Indian Ocean three months after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the aged and damaged destroyer loaded with 185 US Navy personnel and 31 US Army Air Force pilots fought alone for more than an hour, dodging more than 1,000 enemy shells, before sinking as 26 dive bombers joined the fight, per the Washington Post . Now, 82 years later, the wreck of "the dancing mouse" has been discovered. US and Australian officials announced Monday that USS Edsall was discovered last year in 18,000 feet of water some 200 miles east of Australia's remote Christmas Island, per NBC News . The Stoker, an Australian naval support ship often used for hydrographic surveys, found the wreck in the summer of 2023 during an unrelated mission, according to the Royal Australian Navy. Retired US Navy Rear Adm. Samuel J. Cox, head of the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington, was informed in May. "It is pretty incredible," he tells the Post of the discovery, noting an underwater image shows a dark spot near the ship's stern, marking "the fatal bomb hit." A triple torpedo tube mount is also visible near the wreck. The 314-foot ship was probably on its way to assist the USS Pecos, an oiler which had sent out a distress call before sinking, when it, too, was sunk on March 1, 1942. The Edsall's position was "hopeless," writes Cox, noting its small guns couldn't reach Japanese ships. Still, the ship could delay the inevitable. In the hands of skipper Lt. Joshua James Nix of Memphis, it "zigged and zagged, sped up and slowed down," evading enemy shells, per the Post. Nix eventually called to abandon ship, then pointed the bow toward the enemy. "It's a maritime version of flipping the bird," says Adm. Cox. The Japanese took a few prisoners who were later beheaded in a prison camp, the Post notes. "We will now be able to preserve this important memorial and hope that the families of the heroes who died there will know their loved ones rest in peace," says Caroline Kennedy, US ambassador to Australia. (More shipwreck stories.) Gunfire struck an airliner over Haiti's capital on Monday, injuring a flight attendant and prompting airlines to cancel flights to the country. Spirit Airlines said its flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port-au-Prince was diverted to the Dominican Republic, where an inspection found damage to the plane consistent with gunfire, per NBC News . CNN reports data from FlightRadar24 shows the plane descending to an altitude of 550 feet just east of the airport, then pulling up quickly and passing up the runway. Toussaint Louverture International Airport later paused its operations. The crew member's injuries are minor, Spirit said. The US State Department's mission issued an alert on Monday. "The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports," it said. The State Department advises against Americans going to Haiti. Those already in Haiti are advised against traveling around the countryor trying to leave when it is unsafe to do so. Spirit suspended service to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien, and JetBlue and American Airlines canceled Haiti flights until Thursday, per CNN. JetBlue waived cancelation fees through Saturday. Gang activity has enveloped Haiti for nearly a year. (The interim prime minister has been replaced.) John Bonello, translator of "The Three-Body Problem," reads the Maltese version of the book during a book launch event at the Malta Book Festival in Attard, central Malta, on Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) VALLETTA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Maltese version of "The Three-Body Problem," the acclaimed science fiction novel, was officially launched on Friday at the Malta Book Festival, which runs from Nov. 6 to Nov. 10 in Attard, central Malta. At the book launch event, attendees were captivated as excerpts from "The Three-Body Problem" were read in Chinese, Maltese, and English. The published book is the first in "The Three-Body Problem" trilogy. "The Three-Body Problem," written by Chinese author Liu Cixin, portrays humanity's struggle for survival against an existential threat from an alien civilization. The novel's expansive cosmic vision and profound philosophical reflections earned it the prestigious Hugo Award, one of the highest honors in the sci-fi genre. In a video address, Liu said that "The Three-Body Problem" represents his years of contemplation on technology, the universe, civilization, and human nature. Its creative inspiration is derived from the "three-body problem" in celestial mechanics, he said, adding that based on this scientific problem, he envisioned a galaxy where three stars engage in irregular motion and the existence of the "Three-Body Civilization" within the galaxy. The novel has been published in more than 30 languages and has gradually become a sci-fi work that influences readers in many countries, he said. "I do not speak Maltese, but science fiction is a language we share," Liu said. He expressed his hope that Maltese readers will enjoy the book and he looks forward to visiting the beautiful country of Malta one day. "This is quite an accomplishment," Joanne Micallef, director of Malta's Faraxa Publishing, which is responsible for the publication of the book, told Xinhua, adding that she was very proud to have secured the rights to publish the novel in Maltese. She said that the company has a plan to translate the remaining two books into Maltese as well. Micallef emphasized the significance of the translation, noting that so far only a few Chinese books have been translated into Maltese. She hopes that this project will "open the road" for more works in the genre to reach Maltese readers. She also expressed interest in further collaboration with Chinese publishers, saying that the experience of publishing the Maltese-version "The Three-Body Problem" was highly positive and that she looks forward to continued partnerships with Chinese publishers. John Bonello, the book's translator, began work on the project in June 2023. He dedicated ten months to the first draft, working daily, followed by an additional six months to bring the book to publishing standard. "It was challenging and required a lot of hard work, but the story deserves it," he told Xinhua. According to Bonello, there are very few science fiction books in the Maltese language. He hopes that this book will be well-received and inspire more Maltese writers to create works in Maltese. He also expressed hope to bring more of China's remarkable literature to Maltese readers, offering them a window to explore Chinese culture through translation. Lynn Zammit Russell crafted the cover of the book. She is also a fan of science fiction novels and movies. "I have watched the Netflix series 3 Body Problem, but I'm looking forward to reading the book today," she told Xinhua. Malta's National Book Council and the China Cultural Center in Malta supported the publication of the book. John Bonello (R), translator of "The Three-Body Problem," autographs a Maltese version of the book during a book launch event at the Malta Book Festival in Attard, central Malta, on Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) Editor: WXY President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday made their first joint appearance since her election loss when they observed Veterans Day together, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. They then went to the cemetery's memorial amphitheater, where Biden honored the service and sacrifice of America's military veterans and their families. It was the final time Biden was to speak there while commander in chief of the US military, the AP reports. "It's been the greatest honor of my life, to lead you, to serve you, to care for you, to defend you, just as you defended us, generation after generation after generation," the president said. "You are the greatest fighting force, and this is not hyperbole, the finest fighting force in the history of the world." Biden announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding the types of cancers covered under the PACT Act, legislation he signed to expand health care services for veterans who served at military bases where toxic smoke billowed from "burn pits" that incinerated garbage and other waste. The president opened his brief remarks by stating that America's "truly sacred obligation" is to prepare those it sends into harm's way and care for them when they come home, or don't. The president's son Beau served in the Delaware Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq in 2008 for about a year. He died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46. The president and first lady hosted veterans and members of the military community at the White House before they, along with Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, departed for the hallowed burial ground across the Potomac River from Washington. It was the first time that Biden and Harris had been seen together in public since the vice president lost last week's election to President-elect Trump, per the AP, though Biden had spoken to both Trump and Harris by phone. (More President Biden stories.) A man accused of laundering millions of dollars for drug traffickers flipped to informant, only to steal $150,000 from the Drug Enforcement Administration, federal prosecutors say. Known as "The Englishman," Daniel Shaun Zilke, 49, of Mexico City, allegedly oversaw money laundering operations for drug cartels across the US from 2015 to 2020. An undercover DEA agent was posing as a money launderer in 2015 when he made contact with Zilke, who was looking to move hundreds of millions of dollars from Europe to Mexico. While assisting in that move, the undercover agent learned Zilke and two associates laundered money through various bank accounts, including one purportedly belonging to a charity, earning a percentage of the amount moved, per the Los Angeles Times . In 2019, Zilke reached out to the DEA, offering to expose the scheme, per the Sacramento Bee. He was then given $200,000 in DEA funds, which was to be forwarded to an associate known as "The Cowboy"Jeffrey Mark Thompson of Dallas, Texasmoved through the accounts, then returned to the DEA. "However, approximately two weeks after the cash delivery, Zilke returned to Thompson's residence and took back $150,000 without telling the DEA agents" prosecutors say, per the Times. "After this theft of government funds, he repeatedly lied to the agents about the money and made excuses for why it was taking so long to receive the wire transfers for the full $200,000." Zilke pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to aid drug distribution and conspiracy to launder money last December and was handed seven years and three months in prison at his Nov. 4 sentencing in Los Angeles. He was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the DEA on top of a $50,000 fine. Thompson, 63, who oversaw the purported charity Peace Through Water Foundation, is still awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to aid and abet drug distribution, money laundering, and concealment money laundering of drug trafficking proceeds. Another Zilke associate, Gustavo Adolfo Aldana-Martinez, 58, of Pico Rivera, California, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to launder money in December 2021 and sentenced to four years in prison in July, per CBS News. (More money laundering stories.) New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued a heartfelt apology in Parliament on Tuesday for decades of abuse encountered by an estimated 200,000 individuals in state, foster, and faith-based care. Addressing a gallery of survivors, Luxon lamented the horrific experiences, stating, "For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility." This apology marks a crucial response to a thorough investigation revealing unimaginable abuse disproportionately affecting Maori, New Zealand's Indigenous people, over seven decades. The inquiry, concluded in July, highlighted a deeply troubling history, qualifying the findings as a "national disgrace." Luxon's government has begun to address 28 of the inquiry's 138 recommendations, though specifics on financial reparations remain undeclared. Criticism arose as survivors voiced dissatisfaction with the absence of a compensation plan, while Luxon promised a redress system by 2025. The report severely chastised prior administrations for deliberately ignoring known abuses and abusers. Survivors filled the Parliament gallery, some expressing distrust towards the government's acknowledgment process. Opposition leader Chris Hipkins emphasized the incomplete nature of historical records, which complicates understanding the true extent of the abuse. Survivors, like Fa'afete Taito, stressed the need for actions beyond mere apologies, advocating for measures to foster healing and prevention. The inquiry recommended pursuing further accountability, including apologies from church leaders and reforming the legal and welfare systems. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) US Rep. Mike Garcia, the last Republican congressman anchored in heavily Democratic Los Angeles County, on Monday conceded to Democrat George Whitesides, ending his reelection bid in a district north of Los Angeles, the AP reports. In a statement, Garcia, a former Navy fighter pilot, said he had congratulated Whitesides and will ensure a smooth handoff of office operations to the former NASA chief of staff. The Associated Press has not yet declared a winner because thousands of ballots have not yet been counted. The race will figure in the ongoing battle to determine which party controls the House next year. (Decision Desk HQ called the race for House control Monday night, projecting Republicans would retain control of the chamber, but the AP has not yet made that projection.) Garcia thanked district residents "for allowing me to represent them during a tumultuous and critical period in our nation's history." Whitesides said in a statement that he had spoken with Garcia and thanked him for his service to the district and the nation. He said he would fight in Congress for good jobs and lower household costs. Garcia, a supporter of former President Donald Trump with a conservative voting record, was first elected in a 2020 special election running against California's liberal-leaning government. "I don't want my country to turn into what my state has become," he said at the time. He claimed a full term later that year. Garcia, who flew more than 30 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, had displayed a surprising ability to beat the odds in a district with an 11-point Democratic registration edge. The once-conservative 27th District runs through suburbs and high desert north of Los Angeles. (More House of Representatives stories.) In September 2014, Australian Mohamed Ahmed Omer booked a one-month family vacation from Melbourne to Sudan with his wife and two young childrenexcept once in Sudan, he took the kids, and his wife's various forms of identification, and fled back to Australia without her, essentially stranding her in Africa. Now, the 52-year-old will spend 4 1/2 years behind bars after becoming the first person in Victoria to be found guilty of "exit trafficking," which ABC Australia defines as "a person coercing, forcing, or threatening another to leave Australia against their will." Omer's wife, who wed him in an arranged marriage in 2010, was stranded in Sudan for 16 months, per the Guardian. After he'd taken their children and left her behind, the woman reached out to the Australian Embassy in Egypt and discovered her visa had been canceled. "It can be almost impossible for people caught in this situation to return to Australia," notes the Mercy Foundation, an Australian social justice group. "However, as Australian citizens or permanent residents, they have a right to return home." After much legal wrangling, the woman was finally able to get a temporary visa to head back Down Under in February 2016. At a July presentencing hearing, the woman told the court that being without her children for that period was "the most devastating experience of my life," and that her kids had undergone "unimaginable suffering" as well. Evidence was also heard in court that Omer had "behaved aggressively and threatened the woman during the marriage," in addition to being controlling, per ABC. story continues below After a jury trial that stretched for a month, Omer, who'd pleaded not guilty, was convicted of exit trafficking in April. Due to time already spent behind bars while in custody, he'll be eligible for parole in three years and three months. "You treated her as a chattel that could be simply discarded," Judge Frank Gucciardo said Tuesday during Omer's sentencing hearing. (More Australia stories.) More than 1,000 people in Russia have reportedly faced criminal prosecution for vocalizing their opposition to the war in Ukraine, and now an elderly pediatrician there is facing her own repercussions. Citing state news agency Tass, Reuters reports that 68-year-old Nadezhda Buyanova was sentenced by a Russian court on Tuesday to 5 1/2 years in a penal colony, after a 7-year-old patient's mother accused her of telling the boy that his soldier father's death in Ukraine was justified. Buyanova had been arrested and charged with spreading false information about the war and Russian troops, a violation of a law put in place to squash critics after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, per the AP . The mother in question, 34-year-old Anastasia Akinshina, put up an emotional video online in January after bringing her son to an appointment at Buyanova's clinic, reports the New York Times. In that footage, Akinshina claimed the pediatrician had inquired why the boy was acting out, and that when she told Buyanova that he had anxiety after his father had been killed in Ukraine, Buyanova said the man was a "legitimate target" for Ukrainian fighters. The video was soon picked up by Kremlin-supporting media, and Buyanova was arrested in February. Buyanova has denied saying such things, and prosecutors at Buyanova's trial offered no strong evidence that she hadthere was no audio from inside the room where Buyanova and Akinshina had met. Akinshina, meanwhile, had originally said her son wasn't in the room to hear the comments, but a month later she changed her tune and allowed him to be interviewed for the case. Akinshina has insisted that "western Ukraine hates Russians"Buyanova was born in Lviv, in Ukraine's westbut the doctor broke down in tears in court last week and insisted that wasn't the case. "I'm related to the three ethnicities: Russia, Ukrainian, and Belarusian," she said, per the Times. "I don't want to have to choose between the three of them." A petition for Buyanova's release has drawn more than 6,000 signatures, while a group of Russian doctors penned an open letter calling the denunciation of her a "disgrace," per Reuters. (More Russia stories.) It turns out that two passenger planes were struck by gunfire over Haiti on Mondayfirst, a Spirit Airlines jet, and then a second from JetBlue. Not surprisingly, both airlines have canceled flights to and from the country for the time being, reports Reuters. American Airlines has done the same. Authorities blame gangs for deliberately shooting at the planes near the international airport in the capital of Port-au-Prince, per the AP. The violence comes as the nation descends further into gang violence amid political turmoil. The American Civil Liberties Union said Louisiana's law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools was " blatantly unconstitutional ." And now a federal judge has agreed. US District Judge John deGravelles on Tuesday struck down the law signed in June by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, calling it "facially unconstitutional," per NBC News . Landry said he couldn't wait to be sued over the law requiring every public classroom, from kindergarten to college, to display the Ten Commandments beginning in January. The ACLU, other groups, and a coalition of parents answered his wish, arguing the law "sends the harmful and religiously divisive message that students who do not subscribe to the Ten Commandments ... do not belong in their own school community and should refrain from expressing any faith practices or beliefs that are not aligned with the state's religious preferences," per NBC. DeGravelles echoed that in a 177-page decision, saying the "discriminatory and coercive" law would pressure students into adopting the state's preferred religious teachings, per Reuters. He found the law was at odds with the 1980 Supreme Court decision in which justices ruled 5-4 to overturn a similar law in Kentucky, citing the First Amendment's establishment clause, which prevents the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one over another. The judge therefore granted the plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction and ordered the state attorney general's office to inform all affected schools that the law was found to be unconstitutional. story continues below Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Republican, is expected to challenge the decision at the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, "widely considered among the most conservative federal appeals courts," per Reuters. She argues the posters created for classrooms are constitutional because they include historical context. Supporters of the lawa group including President-elect Trump, per the Hillargue the Ten Commandments represent a historical document, key to the founding of the US. In court testimony, however, a professor of law, history, and religious studies countered that argument, stressing that the Founding Fathers believed in a separation of church and state. (More Ten Commandments stories.) The Supreme Court refused Tuesday to let former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows move the election interference case against him in Georgia to federal court, where he would have argued he was immune from prosecution. The justices did not detail their reasoning in a brief order, as is typical, reports the AP . There were no publicly noted dissents. Meadows was one of 19 people indicted in Georgia and accused of participating in an illegal scheme to keep then-president Donald Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump was also charged, though after he won reelection last week to a second term any trial appears unlikely, at least while he holds office. It's unclear what effect the election results could have on others charged in the case, which is largely on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Meadows had gone to the Supreme Court in an effort to move the charges out of Georgia courts. He argues the case belongs in federal court because it relates to his duties as a federal official. He pointed to the Supreme Court ruling giving Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution to support his argument. But prosecutors said Meadows failed to show he was carrying out official duties, including participating in a phone call where Trump suggested Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger help "find" votes he needed to win the state. A US district judge and the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals both ruled that the case against Meadows and some of his co-defendants should remain in state court. Four people have already pleaded guilty in the Georgia election case. The remaining 15, including Trump and Meadows, have pleaded not guilty. (More Mark Meadows stories.) Texas woman Mandy Rose Reynolds was murdered by a very bad man, prosecutors saybut her very good dog helped them catch the killer. The dog, a labradoodle named Titan, was found at the site in Robinson, Texas, where Reynolds' body was found "burned beyond recognition" in April last year, the McLennan County District Attorney's Office said in a news release . The dog "barked frantically at officers and refused to leave the area of the body, but also refused to allow police to capture it," the DA's office said. A citizen found the dog at the same spot the next day and called animal control officers, who determined that Titan was microchipped and belonged to Reynolds. Police went to Reynolds' home and discovered that all of the 26-year-old's possessions had been removed. They tracked her Honda Accord to Wichita, Kansas, where her cousin, 29-year-old Derek Daigneault, was arrested after a high-speed chase. Investigators determined that he shot Reynolds before burning her body in a plastic container, NBC News reports. He was sentenced to life in prison last week. "The keys to this case were a heroic and loyal dog named Titan and extraordinary cooperation between law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions and states," prosecutors Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin said. The jury deliberated for around 40 minutes before sentencing Daigneault to life, KWTX reports. After the trial, Calvert said that what Daigneault did to Reynolds"shooting her in the head, driving her body here to McLennan County, and setting her on fire like a piece of trash"was enough to justify a life sentence. But during the penalty phase, he said, jurors learned that he had nine previous felony convictions and had served time in prison for violent crimes, including another shooting. "He is just an extremely violent individual, and he cannot be trusted with the safety of this or any other community," Calvert said. "So life, we felt, was the only just verdict." (More murder stories.) People visit the Auto Zurich 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland, Nov. 8, 2024. At the ongoing 37th edition of the Auto Zurich, scheduled from Nov. 7 to 10, 70 brands are showcasing their latest models to visitors. The "EV Experience" module, featuring electric vehicles for test drives and consultations, also gained popularity during the event. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) A visitor takes photos of a car at the Auto Zurich 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland, Nov. 8, 2024. At the ongoing 37th edition of the Auto Zurich, scheduled from Nov. 7 to 10, 70 brands are showcasing their latest models to visitors. The "EV Experience" module, featuring electric vehicles for test drives and consultations, also gained popularity during the event. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) People visit the Auto Zurich 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland, Nov. 8, 2024. At the ongoing 37th edition of the Auto Zurich, scheduled from Nov. 7 to 10, 70 brands are showcasing their latest models to visitors. The "EV Experience" module, featuring electric vehicles for test drives and consultations, also gained popularity during the event. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) People view an electric car at the Auto Zurich 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland, Nov. 8, 2024. At the ongoing 37th edition of the Auto Zurich, scheduled from Nov. 7 to 10, 70 brands are showcasing their latest models to visitors. The "EV Experience" module, featuring electric vehicles for test drives and consultations, also gained popularity during the event. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) A visitor takes photos of a car at the Auto Zurich 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland, Nov. 8, 2024. At the ongoing 37th edition of the Auto Zurich, scheduled from Nov. 7 to 10, 70 brands are showcasing their latest models to visitors. The "EV Experience" module, featuring electric vehicles for test drives and consultations, also gained popularity during the event. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) People view a car developed by Chinese manufacturer MG Motor at the Auto Zurich 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland, Nov. 8, 2024. At the ongoing 37th edition of the Auto Zurich, scheduled from Nov. 7 to 10, 70 brands are showcasing their latest models to visitors. The "EV Experience" module, featuring electric vehicles for test drives and consultations, also gained popularity during the event. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) Editor: WXY A Wisconsin man apparently faked his own drowning this summer so he could abandon his family and flee to eastern Europe, investigators say. Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podell said in a news release Friday that the Dodge County Sheriff's Office informed his agency on Aug. 12 that Ryan Borgwardt, a 44-year-old father of three from Watertown, had gone missing after he went kayaking on Green Lake. Borgwardt's wife said that he texted her at 10:49pm on Aug. 11 saying he was heading to shore. Deputies located Borgwardt's vehicle and trailer near the lake. They also found his overturned kayak with a life jacket attached to it on the lake, in an area where the waters run more than 200 feet deep. An angler later discovered Borgwardt's fishing rod. Investigators had speculated that Borgwardt's kayak capsized and he didn't have a life jacket. The search for his body went on for more than 50 days, with divers on several occasions exploring the lake, the AP reports. Bruce's Legacy, a nonprofit organization that specializes in recovering drowning victims, searched about 1,500 acres, often in more than 100 feet of water, and scoured hours of sonar data and images to no avail. A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. Airman Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty earlier this year to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act following his arrest in the most consequential national security case in years. The 22-year-old showed no visible reaction as he was sentenced by US District Judge Indira Talwani, the AP reports. Earlier in the hearing, he apologized before the judge. "I'm sorry for all the harm that I've wrought and that I've caused," Teixeira said, per the New York Times. "I understand all the responsibility and consequences falls on my shoulders alone. And I accept whatever that may bring." He has been held without bail since his arrest in April 2023. Prosecutors had originally requested a 17-year sentence for Teixeira, saying he "perpetrated one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history." Defense attorneys had sought an 11-year sentence. They acknowledged that their client "made a terrible decision which he repeated over 14 months," But they argued that Teixeira's actions, though criminal, were never meant to "harm the United States." His attorneys described Teixeira as an autistic, isolated individual who spent most of his time online, especially with his Discord community. His intent, they said, "was to educate his friends about world events to make certain they were not misled by misinformation." Prosecutors, though, countered that Teixeira does not suffer from an intellectual disability that prevents him from knowing right from wrong. Teixeira, who worked as a cyber transport systems specialist, leaked documents exposing unvarnished secret assessments of Russia's war in Ukraine, including information about troop movements in Ukraine. Teixeira is still officially a member of the Air National Guard, but that could change after a court-martial scheduled for next year, the Times reports. (More Jack Teixeira stories.) The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law. HM King Hamad warmly welcomed by HM King Charles TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Email: mail@newsobahrain.com His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom at Windsor Castle as part of his visit to the UK. Upon arriving at Windsor Castle in the royal carriage, HM the King was received by HM King Charles III with an official welcome, including the playing of the Bahraini national anthem. During their discussion, their Majesties exchanged views on the longstanding and close ties between the two royal families and discussed means to advance the strong and historic relations between Bahrain and the UK, focusing on enhancing cooperation and shared initiatives. HM the King expressed gratitude to HM King Charles III for the warm welcome and acknowledged the British leaders role in fostering strong ties with Bahrain for the benefit of both nations. HM King Hamad wished HM King Charless continued health and success he leads the UK towards further progress. HM the King praised the historical relations and strong partnership between the two kingdoms extending for over 200 years, that are rooted in solid foundations. His Majesty expressed his ongoing commitment to strengthening this strategic relationship and expanding areas of cooperation to achieve shared interests. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, including developments in the Middle East. HM King Hamad commended the UKs influential role on the international stage and its active efforts to promote regional and global peace and stability. HM King Charles III expressed his appreciation to HM the King for his commitment to advancing the historic relations between the two kingdoms. The meeting was attended by HM the Kings accompanying delegation. People visit a space-themed light exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) People visit a space-themed light exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) People visit a space-themed light exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) People pose for photos with a light installation during a space-themed light exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) Children pose for photos with a light installation during a space-themed light exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) People visit a space-themed light exhibition in Prague, the Czech Republic, on Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua) Editor: WXY TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2024 /CNW/ - As passionate cheese connoisseurs for over 140 years, Balderson Cheese is dedicated to preserving the craft of Canadian cheesemaking, ensuring those cherished moments whether around the dinner table or in a fine restaurant continue to delight for generations. Today, the brand is excited to announce the opening of The Balderson Artisan Cheesemakers Scholarship, an initiative dedicated to inspiring the next generation of cheesemakers in Canada. Balderson Cheese (CNW Group/Balderson Cheese) The initiative looks to encourage new talented artisans to pursue their passion and to preserve the fine art of cheese production, by providing financial support to up to 25 students who are newly enrolled or currently attending a full-time cheese-focused program at a recognized post-secondary institution across the country. "The Balderson Scholarship is our way of investing in the future of cheesemaking," says Bindia Wijesekera, Brand Manager at Balderson Cheese. "We want to encourage the craftsmanship that is at the heart of our brand and encourage prospective cheese artisans to explore this highly-skilled field." The Balderson Artisan Cheesemakers Scholarship Details: Each Scholarship recipient will receive a total of $2,000 CAD, awarded in two parts: $1,000 CAD upon enrollment in an approved cheesemaker program CAD upon enrollment in an approved cheesemaker program $1,000 CAD upon successful program completion For more information on the Scholarship, its eligibility criteria and entrance form, please visit www.baldersoncheese.ca/scholarship. About Lactalis Canada Inc. With 140 years of brand heritage, Lactalis Canada is committed to enriching and nurturing the lives of Canadians by producing nutritious and great tasting dairy products. Named on Forbes list of Canada's Best Employers, Lactalis Canada directly employs more than 4,000 employees, supports hundreds of farming families and contributes to the livelihoods of thousands of Canadians who provide essential services to Lactalis Canada's more than 30 operating sites including 19 manufacturing facilities. The company's iconic brands include Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, P'tit Quebec, Balderson, Cheestrings Ficello, aMOOza!, Astro, Khaas, siggi's, IOGO, IOGO nano, Olympic, Lactantia, Beatrice, Galbani, and President. Lactalis Canada's commitment to responsible and sustainable growth has been recognized with the 2021 Canadian Grocer Impact Award for Sustainability and its CDN $2.9 million investment to the communities in which it operates. Lactalis Canada is part of Lactalis Group, the world's leading dairy company, headquartered in Laval, France. For more information, visit www.lactalis.ca . SOURCE Balderson Cheese For more information contact: Strategic Objectives, Terina Ram Account Manager, [email protected] MONTREAL, Nov. 12, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is proud to announce that it will play an essential role supporting the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI), a highly anticipated initiative unveiled today by the Government of Canada. This new institute is a pivotal step in ensuring the safe and responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, reinforcing Canada's position as a global leader in AI. Recent studies have shown that a lack of confidence in AI safety is currently blocking the adoption of AI technologies by many Canadian businesses, which risks impacting their competitive advantage and productivity. By addressing societal, technical and ethical challenges around AI, CAISI will play a crucial role in building trust in AI technologies and promoting their responsible adoption among Canadian business and institutions. Building on its leadership role since 2017, when the Government of Canada identified CIFAR as a partner for the Pan-Canadian AI Strategymaking Canada the first country to implement such a strategyCIFAR will now implement the applied and investigator-led research stream of the Canadian AI Safety Institute. Funded by a $27 million contribution to CIFAR from the Government of Canada, the applied and investigator-led research stream of CAISI will be steered by CIFAR, in collaboration with the National AI Institutes, and will take a multidisciplinary approach, engaging experts from diverse fields to mitigate and address both the short and long-term risk of AI systems. By partnering with research institutions across the country, it will further the research Canada's experts have already started in areas of AI safety, such as detecting AI-generated content, contributing to the evaluation of advanced AI models, ensuring the safe adoption of AI in high-risk applications and ensuring privacy in AI systems. "The Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute will propel Canada to the forefront of global efforts to use AI responsibly, and will be a key player in building public trust in these technologies. In a world that's evolving quickly and full of unknowns, Canadians can be confident that we will always take the necessary steps to ensure the AI they use is safe, responsible, and trustworthy," says the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. The CAISI applied and investigator-led research stream will support priorities identified by CAISI, while considering key international reports such as the International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI, developed as part of a global initiative following the inaugural international AI Safety Summit in 2023. Yoshua Bengio, a Canada CIFAR AI Chair and Founder and Scientific Director at Mila, was appointed to lead the creation of this report. To ensure a comprehensive and collaborative effort to understand and mitigate AI risks, CIFAR CAISI research activities will be guided by a Scientific Committee, which will include researchers and representatives from CIFAR, the National Research Council of Canada, and the country's three National AI Institutes: Mila in Montreal, the Vector Institute in Toronto and Amii in Edmonton. The program will leverage the extensive expertise of these renowned institutes. Stephen Toope, President and CEO of CIFAR, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, saying: "As the world grapples with the tremendous potential and the risks of AI, CIFAR is pleased to play a leading role in Canada's response. The applied and investigator-led research stream at CIFAR will draw upon the strengths of Canada's robust AI scientific community in order to advance world-leading research on AI safety, for the benefit of all." The launch of the Canadian AI Safety Institute marks a significant milestone as Canada joins a select group of countries with their own AI Safety Institutes, such as the United Kingdom and the United States. Just days before the inaugural meeting of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes in San Francisco and the upcoming AI Action Summit in Paris this February, Canada has now solidified its commitment to the safe development and adoption of AI technology. "Canada has, over the course of decades, built a strong network of Canadian AI researchers, thanks in part to the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy," comments Elissa Strome, Executive Director, Pan-Canadian AI Strategy at CIFAR. "Our world-leading scientists are highly engaged in the scientific questions that inform the development of safe and responsible AI. This initiative will ensure that Canada will continue to be a leader in the ongoing global scientific response and deployment of this new and powerful technology." CIFAR is currently seeking to fill three open positions for Members at Large on its Scientific Committee. Applications are accepted until December 16, 2024, and can be submitted here. About CIFAR The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a globally influential research organization proudly based in Canada. We mobilize the world's most brilliant people across disciplines and at all career stages to advance transformative knowledge and solve humanity's biggest problems, together. Through our 15 research programs and the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, CIFAR convenes close to 400 of the world's top researchers from 141 institutions in 20 countries. This community has included 23 Nobel Prize laureates, 3 Turing Award winners, 37 recipients of the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering and 2 recipients of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (Canada) Gold Medal. Our early-career programs attract and support some of the most exciting young researchers in the world today. We are supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta and Quebec, as well as Canadian and international foundations, individuals, corporations and partner organizations. SOURCE Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Media Contact: Eric Aach, [email protected], 514-569-3594; Anna Woodmass, [email protected], 416-571-2147 MONTREAL, Nov. 8, 2024 /CNW/ - The Salvation Army, invites the community to gather on Nov. 9, 2024, at 6620 Monk Boulevard, to mark the 140th anniversary of the Citadel in Montreal. Since it's founding in 1884, The Salvation Army Citadel has been a vital pillar of the Montreal community, beginning with its simple yet powerful motto of "soup, soap, and salvation." Today, its mission is more important than even, as The Salvation Army continues to provide essential support to vulnerable individuals and families facing unprecedented challenges. Over the years, The Salvation Army has expanded its services to meet the evolving needs of the community, offering everything from shelters and food bank assistance to programs for newcomers, addiction recovery, and beyond. As the landscape of social need grow, the Citadel remains a beacon of hope and care for all who turn to it. Media and community members are encouraged to join, as this event will bring together Salvation Army partners, collaborators, members, and friends for a day of activities, memories, and camaraderie. What: Photo and interview opportunities will be available Where: The Salvation Army Citadel, 6620 Monk Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H4E 3J When: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 Time: Stating at 3:00 p.m. Who: The Salvation Army Those attending this event will have the opportunity to enjoy a one-hour walk through the community, weather permitting, enjoying refreshments from The Salvation Army's mobile canteen followed by a community meal that will be served to celebrate the legacy of The Salvation Army. About The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become one of the largest direct providers of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people in 400 communities across Canada and in more than 130 countries around the world. Its community and social service activities include: hunger relief for individuals and families through food banks and feeding programs; shelter for people experiencing homelessness and support for those needing housing; rehabilitation for those struggling with substance-use recovery; long-term care and palliative care; Christmas assistance such as food hampers and toys; after-school programs, camps and school nutrition programs for children and youth; and life-skills classes, such as budgeting, cooking for a family, and anger management. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community. SOURCE The Salvation Army Quebec Division For more information, contact: Brigitte St-Germain, The Salvation Army Public relations officer, 438.490.5095, [email protected] In celebration of friendship everywhere, the Bestie Bundle is available at participating McDonald's restaurants while supplies last TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2024 /CNW/ - Nothing says friendship like sharing what you love and that's why starting today, McDonald's Canada is inviting all besties to share a meal together with the launch of the Bestie Bundle, available for a very limited time at participating McDonald's restaurants, while supplies last. Calling all besties! The Bestie Bundle is available at participating McDonalds restaurant in Canada but only for a limited time while supplies last. (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada) Each Bestie Bundle includes two Junior Chicken sandwiches, 2 small fries, 2 small fountain drinks and 2 friendship bracelets for $13 plus tax. Besties can celebrate the memories they've made together with five different friendship bracelets available to collect and trade, with sayings such as "Live Laugh Big Mac" and "Share fries l8r?". Guests are encouraged to act quickly to get their hands on these limited-edition bracelets, as they are only available while supplies last. The Bestie Bundle celebrates friendship in all forms and the shared moments that make them special, whether it's singing your favourite song together in the car, cheering on your favourite team in unison, or sharing laughs over your most-loved McDonald's menu items. "We brought our guests the Bestie Bundle because we know that our favourite McDonald's orders bring friends together. With the Bestie Bundle, we invite best friends everywhere to share a meal with a little something extra to remember it by," says Alyssa Buetikofer, Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald's Canada. The Bestie Bundle is the latest way McDonald's Canada is helping to celebrate the moments, rituals and fandoms our guests are passionate about. About McDonald's Canada In 1967, Canada welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving more than one million guests every day. In both franchised and corporate-owned restaurants, nearly 100,000 people are employed from coast to coast to coast, and more than 90 per cent of McDonald's 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. Of the almost $1 billion spent on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald's Canada, visit mcdonalds.ca. SOURCE McDonald's Canada For further information: Canada Impact Team, McDonald's Canada, [email protected] Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received credentials from the newly appointed ambassadors of four countries to Ukraine: Pantelis Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos of Greece, Ernal Filo of Albania, Masashi Nakagome of Japan, and Barakat Elleity of Egypt. According to the information on the website of the Ukrainian head of state on Tuesday, during a meeting with the Greek ambassador Zelenskyy noted the high level of bilateral relations and thanked Greece for defense support. The President spoke about the military assistance needs, primarily for air defense, artillery and armored vehicles. In his conversation with the ambassador of Albania, Zelenskyy thanked the government and people of Albania for their constant support since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. He also noted that it is important to sign a bilateral security agreement as soon as possible. "We had consultations on the bilateral security agreement. We hope that with your help we will prepare the document for signing as soon as possible," he said. During a meeting with the Japanese ambassador, the President noted Japan's support for Ukraine and the development of the current bilateral cooperation, expressed readiness for further intensification of dialog at all levels, and discussed current challenges for Ukraine. The head of state emphasized that it is important to strengthen cooperation with Japan in the security sphere on information exchange and ways of joint response to the participation of North Korean military in the war against Ukraine. "Today, the situation with North Korea, its troops on the Russian side requires a response we need Japan's support," Zelenskyy said. In a conversation with the Egyptian ambassador, the President noted that Ukraine is interested in the intensification of bilateral dialog, the early resumption of trade and economic cooperation, as well as the implementation of specific projects in the field of food security. The head of state also emphasized that it is important to involve Egypt in the promotion of the Peace Formula, in particular, joining the General Communique. "Now we have defensive developments and are ready to develop in this direction. We have an initiative on food security Grain from Ukraine and we hope that Egypt will join this mission," Zelenskyy said. The Ministry of Communities and Territories Development and Infrastructure is preparing new concession projects, as well as restarting those suspended in Ukrainian ports, said deputy minister Tymur Tkachenko. "Preparations are underway to restart projects in the ports of Olvia and Kherson. In parallel, we are working on PrJSC Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company - this is critically important for strengthening the company's position in the Danube shipping market and ensuring export deliveries of grain, especially in the event of possible restrictions on access to deep-water ports," Tkachenko wrote on Facebook on Tuesday following a meeting with representatives of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Tkachenko expressed gratitude to the IFC for its comprehensive support and direct involvement in the development of port infrastructure. "As part of this cooperation, we continue to work on updating the schedules for the implementation of concession projects, which will help determine the optimal time frame for announcing concession tenders," he wrote. Among the priority topics, according to him, are the development of investment activities in Ukrainian ports, fleet modernization and attracting private capital to finance the restoration and development of infrastructure. As is known, Kherson maritime merchant port was transferred to a 30-year concession to Risoil-Kherson in 2020. Later it became known that the co-investor of Risoil-Kherson, which won the tender for the implementation of the state property concession project in Kherson port, Jemal Inaishvili, withdrew from the project. According to him, the main reason for this decision was the delay in the process of transferring the port to the concessionaire. On December 1, 2021, the property of Olvia port was transferred to a 35-year concession to the Qatari QTerminals Olvia. The company's investments were estimated at UAH 3.4 billion. In addition, the company was planning to build a new tunnel under the railway in Korabelny district in Mykolaiv. The investments were estimated at UAH 80 million. In connection with the Russian full-scale invasion, the public-private partnership was not put on hold - it was reported that new concession projects were being prepared in Odesa and Izmail ports. Former Deputy Minister - Minister of Communities and Territories Development and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov reported at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2023) in London that five large companies were showing interest in concession projects in Chornomorsk seaport. In particular, it was reported that the Danish transport and logistics company A.P. Moeller-Maersk was interested in the concession of the container terminal at this port. An arrest has been made in a 50-year-old Wisconsin murder case thanks to genealogy researchers at a college in New Jersey. Jon K. Miller, 84, of Owatonna, Minnesota, was arrested on Thursday and charged in the killing of the 25-year-old hitchhiker, which happened on February 15, 1974, the Dunn County Sheriffs Office of Wisconsin said. Research conducted by the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center at Rampo College of New Jersey in Mahwah helped investigators identify Miller. This is the first time that work by the colleges genetic genealogy team has led to an arrest. The victim, Mary K. Schlais, was hitchhiking from her home in Minneapolis to an art show in Chicago. Her body was found near the intersection of 408th Avenue and 990th Street in Spring Brook, Wisconsin, officials said. Before last week, no suspects had been identified. A stocking cap was found near her body and hairs from the cap were preserved for evidence, ABC-7 Chicago reported. Years later, those hairs were used to develop a DNA profile, which researchers at the college then used to track the suspect down through potential relatives using forensic genealogy, according to the network. Miller is in custody in Minnesota and is awaiting extradition to Dunn County, Wisconsin. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. All good things must come to an end, especially the Eras Tour. After 152 shows across North America, South America, Europe, the United Kingdom and Asia, Swift will finally wrap up the Eras Tour on Dec. 8 in Vancouver, British Columbia. From all the friendship bracelets that were traded, surprise songs shared and Taylor Swift themed outfits created and put together, this is surely one tour that no one, especially Swifties, will ever forget. However, if you want to say goodbye to the Eras Tour the best way we know how, at the Dec. 8 concert, then we are here to make sure you get the cheapest tickets possible. Here are the cheapest tickets we could find, at the time of publication, for you to snatch up. Related: 20 Taylor Swift gifts for the Swiftie in your life The cheapest Eras Tour tickets for Taylor Swifts final show Sunday, Dec. 8 Cheapest tickets: $1,797 on StubHub | $1,778 on Vivid Seats | $2,374 on SeatGeek Cheapest mezzanine tickets: $1,873 on StubHub | $1,974 on Vivid Seats | $3,048 on SeatGeek Cheapest front-row tickets: $3,175 on StubHub | $3,362 on Vivid Seats | $5,098 on SeatGeek 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. Dont wait! That was one of the key messages voiced by residents, environmental groups and even some water suppliers Tuesday during a special public hearing to address New Jerseys severe drought situation and shrinking water capacity. Many people who spoke at the hearing urged the state Department of Environmental Protection to move as quickly as possible in issuing a formal drought warning or declaring a rare, but more sweeping, drought emergency. It appears the DEP is poised to issue a drought warning as early as Wednesday, because the agency has scheduled a press briefing for 11 a.m., saying it will discuss the state entering drought warning status as prolonged dry periods continue statewide. Some attendees at Tuesdays hearing, which was held virtually on Microsoft Teams, accused the state of waiting too long to take decisive steps to ensure New Jersey has enough water capacity for drinking, watering crops and fighting the many large wildfires that have erupted because of the extremely dry conditions. Although the office of Gov. Phil Murphy issued a drought watch on Oct. 17, the watch simply asked residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. It did not include mandatory water-use restrictions something several speakers at Tuesdays hearing said is needed soon. I would really like to move to a drought emergency so that we stop people from watering their lawns, said Tim Eustace, executive director of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, which oversees a major water network in Passaic County that includes the huge Wanaque Reservoir. We at Wanaque are at about 45% capacity at the moment, Eustace said, and I have to agree that using drinking water to water lawns is kind of crazy. It always has been. He was referring to concerns expressed by some residents and environmentalists that millions of gallons of drinkable water are used each day by people watering their grass. Some speakers also expressed concerns about whether the shrinking flow of streams and rivers, and low aquifer levels in some parts of the state, may be adding to the risk of water contamination. A reporter from the Associated Press asked the DEP whether any towns or cities in New Jersey face an imminent danger of running out of drinking water or enough water to battle fires. The DEP called it a technical question and didnt offer an immediate response. Low water levels caused by the severe drought are seen at the Brick Reservoir in Brick Township, N.J. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.Jim Lowney | For NJ Advance Media Among the people who spoke in favor of mandatory water restrictions was Doug OMalley, director of an environmental advocacy group called Environment New Jersey. I would say for an average member of the public, the difference between a drought warning or drought watch, or even a drought emergency isnt especially clear, OMalley said. That being said, when someone tells you that you cant water your lawn, that gets peoples attention. Thats honestly where we need to go. He said the low reservoir capacity should be a blinking red light to state officials that emergency measures need to be taken. Major rainfall deficit The public hearing was prompted by the steady drop of water storage levels in many areas of the state as serious drought conditions linger with no end in sight. New Jersey State Climatologist David Robinson noted the state faces substantial rainfall deficits, as much as 10 inches in places like New Brunswick, because of the historic stretch of dry weather our region has experienced for several months. Although New Jersey had some rain in September, it ended up being the states third driest September on record, with stats going all the way back to 1895. That was followed by a nearly rain-free October which wasnt only the driest October on record but also the driest of any month ever recorded in New Jersey, Robinson said at the drought hearing. And the dry spell has continued, with very little rain falling during the first 12 days of November. Although theres a slight chance of showers Thursday night, no rain is in the forecast for most of the next five days. Drought conditions at Manasquan Reservoir, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Howell, N.J. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media Drought warning may be issued Based on the current water storage levels with some of the biggest reservoirs around the state at or near record lows the DEP may issue a formal drought warning, technically known as a water supply drought warning, in a matter of days. The DEP called the long period of extremely dry weather unprecedented and said the lack of rain has led to rapidly worsening water supply indicators. Making the situation even worse is the rash of wildfires, with firefighters battling hundreds of blazes in recent weeks fueled by very dry brush, low humidity and gusty winds. More than a half-dozen wildfires continue to burn on Tuesday, including a massive fire that has spread to nearly 3,500 acres in northern New Jersey and nearby Orange County in New York. A drought warning would give the DEP greater authority to ensure that water suppliers distribute and transfer enough drinking water to each region of the state, particularly the areas with the lowest supplies. It also would allow the state to order water companies to develop alternative sources of water. A drought emergency which is more serious and more rare than a warning would allow the governor to order mandatory restrictions, or even a ban, on certain uses of water. The DEP, which is responsible for monitoring and managing water supplies in collaboration with public and private water providers, noted that a water supply drought refers to reductions in water supplies, like reservoirs, streams and groundwater. A water supply drought determination is based upon a lack of precipitation, rapidly declining storage in the combined capacity of major surface water supply reservoirs, and/or severely depleted ground water levels and streamflows, the agency said. In October 2016, the state DEP issued a drought warning for 14 counties in northern and central New Jersey amid major rainfall deficits and shrinking water supplies. Prior to that, the last drought warning in the state was issued in November 2001, covering 13 counties. That warning was expanded to cover seven additional counties in January 2002 and was followed by a rare drought emergency declared by then-Gov. James McGreevey in March 2002. For more details about the states current drought status, reservoir levels and water conservation tips, the DEP said residents can check this website: njdrought.org. 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. Democrats need a new party chairman, and on Tuesday, Politico reported that Gov. Phil Murphy is rumored to be in the running. The governors people swear they didnt start this rumor. But I cant see another explanation. Yes, Murphy can raise money, and thats an important part of the job. But Democrats just got shellacked, despite Kamala Harriss financial advantage over Donald Trump. She set a world record for the biggest fundraising quarter ever, bringing in $1 billion in the three-month period that ended Sept. 30. So, if Democrats want to fix what aint broken, then Murphy is their man. But another big part of this job is messaging, the ability to find an argument that works, and communicate in a clear and convincing way. Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation secretary, is the best at this among current politicians. Barack Obama had the magic, as did Bill Clinton. Our own Chris Christie, like him or not, played in that league. But Phil Murphy? Ask yourself this: After seven years of watching our governor in action, have you ever come away thinking, Wow, this man has a silver tongue. Im convinced!? Past chairs like Donna Brazile, Howard Dean and Terry McAuliffe were all regulars on the TV talk shows. Thats especially important at times like this, when the Democrats dont hold the presidency, and when they are losing big chunks of their own constituency. Murphy has many fine qualities, but communication is not among them. If you need a reminder, please watch the disastrous CNBC interview with him that ran on Oct. 30. It runs 7 minutes, and you can listen to it 10 times without hearing a half-decent argument in favor of Harris. Not to mention the goofy hair and the Nixon-like sweaty upper lip. We need to be honest about these things if hes really in the running. I doubt he really is, and its not just the communication problem. Murphy is a Goldman Sachs zillionaire who vacations at his 23-room villa in Italy. Is he the man to bring back working class voters? Didnt he almost lose re-election in 2021 in an overwhelmingly blue state? Is that the political guru Democrats need right now? And lets face it hes been a mediocre governor. I like a lot of the progressive bills hes signed, from minimum wage to mandatory sick-pay. But that stuff was a gimme in a state where Democrats dominate the Legislature. Where are the heavy lifts in that, the stuff that couldnt get done without him? Dont miss the best in editorials, opinion columns and commentary from NJ.com writers. Add your email here: On spending, hes been lucky enough to be in the chair when a flood of federal pandemic aid landed in his lap. But thats gone now, we face huge structural deficits, and hes done virtually nothing to contain government spending since he swore the oath. Hes hamstrung by his loyalty to the public worker unions. His poor record with women may be disqualifying in the party. His 2017 campaign was a frat party, toxic to women who complained to me of unwanted touching, jokes about male genitalia, and plans for visits to strip clubs all at campaign staff meetings. And the gag orders. Most of those women talked to me anonymous because they had to sign gag orders, and they feared retaliation. Julie Roginsky, who helped run Murphys campaign, is a polished political professional who has become a leader in the #MeToo movement, who will be sure to pound him over the head on that issue. And did I mention the unchecked rapes at the states only womens prison, and Murphys failure to stop it until a gang of guards in SWAT gear launched a midnight raid to assault women prisoners? He didnt tell anyone about that raid for weeks, until it was reported in the Star-Ledger. Hows that going to fly? Dan Bryan, a senior advisor to Murphy who runs Murphys Super PAC, noted that Murphy has served as finance chairman of the DNC, chairman of the National Governors Association, and chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, making him a credible choice as party chair. We werent floating it, he said. Ive been getting people calling me saying, Hey, the governor would be great. But to me, this rumor has about as much credibility as the one suggesting he might be chosen as Harris running mate. It just isnt going to happen. Because it shouldnt. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Former White House director of communications Alyssa Farah Griffin has been critical of her former boss, Donald Trump, since she left the administration. But that doesnt mean she thinks some of the senior staffers Trump tapped to be in a second administration are bad ones. (Rep. Mike Waltz) is objectively a strong pick for Natl Security Advisor. Hes a realist on foreign policy, understands Americas role in the world, is a combat veteran. Hes a China hawk & tough on Russia, & Iran. Big sigh of relief for folks who worried Trump would take a totally isolationist posture, Griffin posted to X. She added: Yall know Im not a Trump fan but I root for America. Waltz as NSA & Rubio as SecState are good for America & the world. Yall know Im not a Trump fan but I root for America. Waltz as NSA & Rubio as SecState are good for America & the world. Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) November 12, 2024 Trump has asked Waltz, a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, a person familiar with the matter said Monday. The move would put Waltz at the forefront of a litany of national security crises ranging from the ongoing effort to provide weapons to Ukraine and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. Waltz, a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida, was the first Green Beret elected to the U.S. House, and easily won reelection last week. He has been chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Trumps also expected to tap Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as his next secretary of state. Rubio, who was in the running to be vice president, had made it clear that he was interested in potentially joining Trumps Cabinet. The Florida senator, a China hawk, was a constant on the campaign trail during Trumps third presidential run. Hes been the leading Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. 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. In Chernihiv region, the first 14 farmers have already been given 44 grain sleeves, each of which can hold up to 200 tonnes of grain, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval said. The minister said 2,550 applications were registered in the State Agrarian Register as part of a joint initiative of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Harvest program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and with financial support from the governments of Canada, Japan, the Australian charity Minderoo Foundation and the United States through USAID. "After careful consideration and verification of applications in accordance with the program criteria, some 1,978 farmers cultivating up to 1,000 hectares of land and 306 farmers with land plots from 1,000 to 10,000 hectares were selected. In total, FAO will provide 7,000 grain sleeves to small and medium-sized farms with a land bank of up to 1,000 hectares. The Harvest program will provide sleeves to large agricultural enterprises. "Distribution of sleeves will continue over the next few weeks to provide farmers with the necessary equipment for storing grain before the start of winter," Koval said. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy said agricultural enterprises cultivating from 50,000 to 10,000 hectares of land in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Chernihiv regions took part in the program. Amedisys has quashed a deal to sell more than 100 home health centers to a Dallas-based company. Tomas Fiala, founder and CEO of leading Ukrainian investment firm Dragon Capital, believes there is a greater than 50% chance of a ceasefire agreement in Russia's war against Ukraine by Q1 2025, especially following Donald Trump's U.S. election victory and his initial statements. "I think, given the election results in the U.S. and Trump's early statements, there's now a more than 50% chance that a ceasefire agreement could be reached in the first quarter," Fiala told attendees at the European Business Association (EBA) general meeting in Kyiv on Tuesday, Interfax-Ukraine reported. Fiala anticipates that such an agreement would lead to a significant reduction in the intensity of the war. "But as we saw after 2015, following the Minsk II agreements, there were still provocations on the front lines and a lower-intensity conflict continued. This will likely be the case again, but the intensity could significantly decrease, the front could stabilize, and we might see fewer troop movements, less use of heavy weaponry, and fewer troops engaged on both sides," he said. He added that a ceasefire, much like the one after 2015, would allow businesses greater operational stability and facilitate further European integration. While Fiala is less optimistic about Ukraine joining the EU by 2030, he believes accelerated progress could make it feasible. "According to the European Commission report published a few weeks ago, while we made progress over the past year, it was slower than needed to be fully positioned for EU membership ratification by 2030," he said. However, Fiala emphasized that the EU integration process itself remains a strong motivator for increased investment. EBA Executive Director Anna Derevyanko mentioned that the business community is hopeful for a ceasefire in 2025. Meanwhile, National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Governor Andriy Pyshnyy clarified that recent NBU forecasts no longer attempt to predict the war's duration, acknowledging the inaccuracy of initial estimates and the war's prolonged nature. The cooperation between Rheinmetall and the search and rescue satellite system manufacturer ICEYE, which was announced in September 2024, is already bearing fruit, the press service of Rheinmetall reported on Monday. "To meet Ukraines urgent demands for SAR satellite reconnaissance capabilities, Rheinmetall and Ukraine, supported by the German government, signed a contract. The agreement further increases the SAR data and other support Ukraine has been receiving from ICEYE during the war," the press release notes. It is noted that since the beginning of October 2024, Ukraine has been receiving new satellite images taken by ICEYE's SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites as part of the cooperation between Rheinmetall and ICEYE. This provision will complement further intelligence data obtained by other sensors and provide the basis for decision-making and operational planning by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The cooperation includes dedicated satellite capacity and allows the use of the capacity of the entire ICEYE satellite fleet. Since 2018, ICEYE has launched 38 satellites for use by ICEYE and its customers. "SAR satellites offer the advantage over conventional satellites that they can generate high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. These are very detailed and make even the smallest objects on the earth's surface identifiable. This can bring decisive advantages for the armed forces in terms of surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance or their own positioning on the battlefield," the press release notes. The company recalled that ICEYE has been working closely with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine to support and help Ukraine in building space defence capabilities. In August 2022 ICEYE announced a contract with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation to provide the Government of Ukraine with ICEYEs SAR satellite imaging capabilities with one of ICEYEs SAR satellites designated for the Government of Ukraines use over the region. ICEYE also provides access to its constellation of SAR satellites, allowing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to receive radar satellite imagery on critical locations. In July 2024, ICEYE and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Cooperation outlining partnering to strengthen Ukraines space defence capabilities. 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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 In Zhytomyr region, 55 families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) received housing in a new modular town, built thanks to the joint efforts of Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration, Zhytomyr City Council and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS). "This is the third large-scale project of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society out of six that are already being implemented. The next ones will be in Sumy region, Zakarpattia region and Chernivtsi region, and therefore I am glad today that we are finishing this troublesome long work, and finally 55 families will be able to receive the keys to these beautiful houses," general director of the URCS Maksym Dotsenko said during the official opening of the modular town on Monday. A total of 56 houses were built, in which 55 families (155 people) were settled. Each house is 45 square meters in area and is designed for four people. It has two bedrooms, a kitchen-studio and a separate bathroom. The apartments have all the necessary equipment: boilers, air conditioners, and showers are installed. In some cases, the needs of people with disabilities were taken into account. In addition, the town is equipped with generators, and solar panels and inverters are installed on each house. A shelter is also provided. When resettling, priority was given to the most vulnerable categories of internally displaced persons. These included: families of military personnel who took part in the defense of the country; families whose housing was destroyed as a result of armed aggression; families of internally displaced persons who were forced to change their place of residence again due to full-scale armed aggression; large families with three or more children; families with one child; families with people with limited ability to work; families with people of retirement age. "I want to thank the families who are moving here today. For staying in Ukraine, for working here, for raising children here with dignity. For our part, we will do everything to ensure that you never feel out of home. I thank our international partners for lending a shoulder to cry on, as well as the city authorities, the governor of Zhytomyr region," Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine - Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Kuleba said. Makin it Local will feature three Central and Eastern Oregon artists in art, wine, and food pairing receptions scheduled through the month of November. Artist parings include Raku pottery from Terri Axness / Muddy Creek Studio (Haines), newly released fine art prints by Susan Luckey Higdon (Bend) and Kathy Deggendorfer (Sisters). All pairings and receptions feature Oregon wines curated by Mark Clemens of Friends and Vine, (@friends_and_vine Sisters, Oregon) and feature Alexana Vineyard (Pinot Noir), Resonance Vineyard (Chardonnay), Rex Hill Vineyard (Chardonnay), and more. Hors doeuvres, Oregon wine, beer, and Makin it Locals famous gingersnap cookies will be served. Terri Axness is a retired teacher, painter, and potter known for her diverse work. She was raised in Baker City, Oregon. Terri received her BA from the University of Oregon and her MS in Education from Eastern Oregon University and taught art in public schools for over 30 years. She works in acrylic, oil, pencil, watercolor, and clay, capturing a wide variety of subject matter from the serious to the whimsical. Axness fires in electric and gas kilns in her ceramic studio, showcasing her thrown and hand-built ceramics. Her love of design and a lifetime of experience in different media allows Terri to produce unique and collectible works. Her work is exhibited in galleries in Oregon and Washington and can be found in collections throughout the United States and Europe. A lifelong Oregonian, Susan Luckey Higdon is well-known for capturing the essence of Oregons dramatic landscapes, from mountain peaks to wild rivers, especially the high Cascade lakes and streams. Her paintings depict the complex interactions of color and pattern in what she describes as natural abstractions. Color, light, texture, shapes...I want to communicate what I see in a way that captures the spirit of the place, showing accurate mood and detail, but working toward simplicity, she said. Over 30 years ago, Luckey Higdon began painting with soft pastels in stolen moments while working full-time as a graphic designer in an advertising agency and raising two young children. Her motivation was to do something completely creative for herself, working intuitively and moving color around for sheer joy. In the beginning, because she didnt have a studio, Luckey Higdon used soft pastels because of the pure, vivid colors, which gave immediate, gratifying results. They also fit her method of laying colors next to each other to play upon each other rather than blending. Later, moving to acrylics allowed her to work larger and removed the need for glass over the artwork. She developed a technique of using acrylic paints on cradled birch board, adding thick color, and then rubbing it off. Scratching and working the medium quickly to achieve an impressionistic effect with rich depth, building up layers, and adding detail, the final image emerges. A founding member of Tumalo Art Co., an artist-run gallery in Bend, Oregons Old Mill District in its 20th year, Luckey Higdon was the signature artist for the Deschutes River Conservancys RiverFeast event for 11 years and has been featured in Italian flyfishing magazine H2O, Bend Magazine, and a segment on OPBs Oregon Art Beat, among others. She is an invited artist to the High Desert Museums prestigious juried, annual exhibit Art in the West. Her underwater fish series was displayed in McCormick & Schmick restaurants across the country, and a long list of images have been installed in corporate settings and medical centers. Her paintings have been juried into prestigious shows like the Pastel 100 and by jurors such as Wolf Kahn and are collected widely. Her greeting card line, which began in 2000 and features panoramic views of iconic Central Oregon scenes, is still available throughout the area. Kathy Deggendorfer lives on a cattle and hay ranch just outside of Sisters. Inspired by her surroundings color and texture, her vibrant and colorful watercolor paintings are whimsical representations of ranch life, her travels, and the environment. Deggendorfers paintings are often referred to as Painters Quilts. Deggendorfer was chosen to create the 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2019 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Posters. Her work has been translated into quilting fabrics in collections by In The Beginning Fabrics, Maywood Studios, and FreeSpirit Fabrics. Rich with color and pattern, Deggendorfers work is collected throughout the Pacific Northwest. In 2008, Deggendorfer was selected to create the Oregon State Ornament for the White House Christmas Tree, and in 2009 was a featured artist on Oregon Art Beat. Her image Coming Home was featured on the cover of the 2010 OPB calendar. In 2014, Kathys work was honored in a one-person show at the High Desert Museum in Bend. This exhibit continues to travel to museums around Oregon. It includes shows at the Oregon Historical Society Museum in Portland, the Columbia River Discovery Center Museum, and the Baker City Museum. In collaboration with Kibak Tile of Sisters, Deggendorfer creates handprinted tile murals for installation in public and private settings. Her work is included in the permanent collections at Roberts Field Municipal Airport, Brasada Ranch Resort, Mahonia Hall ( The Oregon Governors mansion), OHSU Casey Eye Institute, OSU Cascades Campus, St Charles Hospital Cancer Center, City of Sisters Fir Street Park, Peace Health Hospital in Longview, Washington, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, as well as many private collections. Makin It Local is located at 281 W. Cascade Ave. CLACKAMAS Surrounded by a hastily assembled group of campaign volunteers, Democrat Janelle Bynum declared victory in Oregons closest congressional race. The Democratic state representative is the first Black congresswoman from a state that banned Black people from living within its boundaries when it joined the union. That history was on Bynums mind as she gave brief remarks at her campaign headquarters Friday afternoon, November 8. Its not lost on me that I am one generation removed from segregation. Its not lost on me that were making history, and I am proud to be the first, but not the last, Black member of Congress in Oregon, she said Friday afternoon. Im proud to be a groundbreaker because of what that means, not just for my children, but for all young people across our state to see that change is possible, and that when something big has never been done before, that it might just be because you havent accomplished it yet. The Bynum win over Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who herself made history in 2022 as one of Oregons first Latina members of Congress, flipped the 5th District back to Democratic control after 14-year former Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader lost in the 2022 primary to Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner, who subsequently lost the general election by 2.1 points to Chavez-DeRemer. In 2020, Democratic President Joe Biden won the district by 9 points. It has more Democratic voters than Republicans nearly 32 percent to 27 precent and is one of Oregons most geographically diverse, stretching across Linn County, most of Clackamas and Deschutes counties, and parts of Multnomah and Marion counties. The election results are bittersweet for Oregons Democrats, including the campaign volunteers who flanked Bynum at her victory press conference. Portland resident Jeff Kidder, a volunteer with the progressive group Indivisible who spent his weekends knocking on doors for Bynum, said he and fellow volunteers are grieving the presidential results and trying to plan how theyll protect anyone negatively affected by Trump administration policies, but first theyre celebrating that Bynum will go to D.C. to represent them. Bynum was an engineer before moving to Oregon, her husbands home state, about 20 years ago. She couldnt find an engineering job in the state in the wake of the dot-com bubble burst, and she eventually joined her husband in taking over his mothers McDonalds franchise. As she talked to more of her neighbors before she first ran for the state House in 2016, she said she heard from people with similar stories of not making it in Oregon. Thats what propelled me to first run for office, to make sure that everyones voices were heard at the table, she said. So at the end of the day, Im still an engineer. I still take apart complex issues and put together solutions. I still try to figure out how to do what others thought was impossible, and thats why I entered public service, to solve hard problems. Among Oregons U.S. races, the 5th District has been the most closely watched, with the candidates raising more than $12 million through mid-October and millions more spent by interest groups to get them elected. National Democrats and Republicans both considered the race among a few nationwide that would determine control of the House. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee named Bynum to its competitive Red to Blue program, throwing its support behind her in the primary. During the campaign, Bynum centered her campaign around abortion rights. While Oregon and Vermont do more to protect abortion access than all other states, Democrats including Bynum have warned that Republicans might try to pass a national abortion ban through Congress. Bynum spoke frequently about her 22-year-old daughter, who is deciding where to attend graduate school based in part on where her reproductive rights will be protected, and pledged to support legislation restoring a national right to abortion. She also sought to tie Chavez-DeRemer to Trump, referring to the Republican congresswoman as standing by her man. Chavez-DeRemer, on the other hand, touted her bipartisan record and unusually long list of labor endorsements. While Oregons large public sector unions, including Service Employees International Union Local 503, the Oregon Education Association, and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations back Bynum, the states largest private sector union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, gave both Bynum and Chavez-DeRemer its greenlight stamp, indicating that both candidates values align with the unions. Chavez-DeRemer was endorsed by about 20 unions, mostly smaller local unions representing public safety and tradespeople. Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. After a bruising campaign, Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp decisively won election as Deschutes County Sheriff. Vander Kamp garnered 59.32 percent of the vote while his opponent Captain William Bailey recorded 40.06 percent. It was a pretty loud message enough is enough, Vander Kamp told The Nugget. The Sheriff-elect told The Nugget that his immediate priorities revolve around community engagement, a comprehensive budget review, enhancing traffic safety initiatives, and building his command staff. Vander Kamp said that he will hold a series of good, old-fashioned listening sessions with stakeholders across the county, recognizing that different areas of the county have different needs and expectations of law enforcement. He is particularly keen on building, rebuilding, and/or enhancing good public safety partnerships, not only with other law enforcement agencies, but also with social service providers, and public officials. He acknowledged that strong partnerships already exist in Sisters. Sisters weve been very blessed with, because we get along so well with the City, the fire department, Black Butte Ranch, he said. An immediate priority is enhancing traffic safety initiatives on the Highway 97 and Highway 20 corridors. Drug enforcement, which has been Vander Kamps particular focus as field operations leader for the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE), will continue to be a priority. Vander Kamp is particularly concerned about the presence of the deadly opioid fentanyl. Fentanyl continues to be just a monster in our community, he said. Vander Kamp intends to spend more time interacting with his personnel, and with the public, and he will have the same expectation of his command staff. Visibility and accountability are really important, especially when it comes to leadership, he said. Just getting out and being visible is important, I think. The Sheriff-elect also plans to initiate an immediate, line-by-line comprehensive budget review to identify potential cost savings. He plans to establish strong performance metrics to gauge how well expenses measure up against public safety pay-off. He believes that the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office has spent too much on ancillary products that we didnt use, including vehicles. He also plans to reduce vehicle turnover. Were probably not going to replace cars as often as we are (currently), he said. Vander Kamp also pledges greater transparency and public scrutiny on budgetary issues, including seeking input on priorities from members of the community. I know theres people who want to get involved, he said. He also believes that there are ways to streamline operations and reduce redundancies with services provided by other law enforcement entities. The national election has put a spotlight on enforcement of immigration laws. As the incoming Trump Administration vows to deport illegal immigrants, local people have enquired about the role DCSO would play. Oregon statute prohibits local law enforcement from assisting federal authorities in immigration actions. We wont participate, just based on state law, he said. We cant. He noted that he expects immediate constitutional challenges over immigration matters. I suspect theres going to be a lot of constitutional challenges, he said. A significant aspect of Vander Kamps election mandate centered around culture and morale issues internal to DCSO. He was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Deschutes Sheriffs Association. He told The Nugget that there is considerable relief in the office that the election is now over. This was a hard election for our office, he said. He interprets his election as a mandate for change. We have to build trust, he said. He said that he plans to have key command staff positions filled in the next week or two, pending his assuming of the office in January. He plans to retain the position of Undersheriff. He does not anticipate any lingering rancor from supporters of Captain Bailey, or from Bailey himself. I know that Bills a professional, and were going to work right through it, he said. He told The Nugget that Bailey will continue to have a place at DCSO, even though they dont see eye-to-eye on some issues. We havent had an in-depth conversation, but we will, he said. Bailey is welcome. Hes always going to be welcome. I have a place in my heart for people who have dedicated their life to public service. Greetings friends, from Cefalu, Sicily. In honor of the idea that life is short but wide, my husband Rod and I are spending a couple months going to Italian school and exploring. At first glance, it may not seem that Sisters and a town in Sicily have much in common. But there are some striking similarities. Photo provided Cefalu on the north coast of the island, is a tourist town just like Sisters. It has only 14,000 permanent residents, but millions come each year to enjoy the white sandy beaches, clear Mediterranean water, and charming architecture. Just as Sisters once had an economy based on logging and ranching and now is dependent on tourism, Cefalu was historically a fishing village but is now vibrant with visitors, spending money in shops and restaurants featuring delicious seafood, pasta, and pizza. Remember the streets of Sisters during Quilt Show? It looks like that many days on the streets of Cefalu. Sicily is a very mountainous island and Cefalu has a mountain backdrop just as Sisters has the Cascades. The geology here is a bit more complicated, involving both uplift of limestone and an active volcano. Mount Etna is over 11,000 feet tall and 57 miles from our town as the birds fly. It last erupted in June. Affordable housing is an issue in both towns. The economic benefit of renting an apartment in the charming old town outweighs providing long-term rentals to residents. Many people make a living from managing multiple rentals and B&Bs. Teachers, tour guides, and waiters we have met live outside the city center in locations not favored by tourists. Drought is a big problem in both Central Oregon and Sicily. Low rainfall and unusually high temperatures here have dried rivers and lakes used for livestock as well as for domestic use. Wildfires often scorch the hills. The olive, citrus, and wheat crops are suffering. During Roman times Sicily was called "the Granary of Rome" and wheat cultivation is still an important part of the economy. Hotels and our school counsel us on water conservation. The water in many parts of Sicily, including Cefalu, is considered unpotable because of high calcium levels and some contaminants. It's a good workout to carry a 6-pack of 2-liter drinking water bottles up three flights of stairs every week. But life in Cefalu is also very different than in Sisters where many of us lucky ones have a house on a bit of land. In Cefalu we live in the dense old town which was laid out by Arab architects to take advantage of cooling winds from mountains and sea. The intimacy of living in a small apartment on a narrow street facing others brings a symphony of voices, sounds, and the smells of what's cooking next door. Tall windows have shutters letting cooling air inside. Tiny balconies provide a place to check out the weather and hang your laundry to dry. No one has a dryer. I am surprised when I go out to greet the morning and find a little white-haired lady on the next balcony, we wave and say good morning to each other. Garbage trucks and motorcycles roar down the narrow street every morning bringing diesel fumes. The restaurant courtyard below our apartment echoes with voices of diners and music, often an accordionist who plays moody variations on "The Godfather" theme. Photo provided Dinner doesn't even start till seven and goes late into the night. At non-tourist restaurants, pizza is only served for dinner, often wood-fired, with a million kinds. We were appalled to see "Pizza Americana" on the menu, topped with hotdog slices and french fries, then we learned from our teacher Simona that it is the favorite of many Italian children. When the restaurants close, we hear the clatter of bottles and garbage cans being dragged down the cobblestone street. There is little parking and much walking up the hilly streets and stairs. Traffic is chaotic, ruled by what they laughingly call "jungle law". Walkers dodge cars and motorcycles (a little like crossing Hwy 20 on a weekend but without the safety flags). Many workmen use scooters or electric bikes. It's easy to walk 4 miles a day just to get to school and the grocery store. That helps a bit to counteract the seductive pasta dishes with pistachio cream and shrimp, crispy calamari rings with lime mayo, cannoli stuffed with sweet sheep ricotta, gelato on every corner, and cold Sicilian beer, which comes with a trace of salt. Almost every business in town closes between 1 and 4 to allow people to go home for lunch and a siesta. We leave Italian school at noon, shop for a panini sandwich or a Sicilian street food favorite - a fried ball of rice with a filling of cheese, meat ragu, or spinach called "arancini." Then go home to sleep it off with a nap, it's nice! Sicily has been conquered by just about everybody - Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and now millions of tourists. To deal with the lack of common language people learned to talk with their hands. Loudly. It may look like an argument, but they are probably talking about the weather. Photo provided The mixing of cultures and conquerors has created physical diversity in the beautiful people of Cefalu.There are blondes with green eyes, redheads, and many with cascades of dark curly hair. There is a level of acceptance of differences. However immigration by desperate people looking for a better life is a huge issue here as well, especially on the southern coast near Africa. We live two blocks from a magnificent Norman Cathedral with Arab design elements called the Duomo. It's the living room of Cefalu. The square in front is lined with palm trees, full of outdoor seating, and lined with shops for gelato, beautiful pastries, hot food, and drinks. From 5 to 7 there is a custom called "passeggiata." You fix your hair, dress up a little, and stroll, greeting your friends and neighbors, and maybe sit down for a light drink, which always comes with free snacks like potato chips, peanuts, and olives to tide you over until dinner. Learning Italian is hard, but they say it's good for aging brains to create new neural pathways. And travel isn't always a picnic, but I like the quote "Traveling, it leaves you speechless and turns you into a storyteller." That's my story for today, friends. See you in December. Sisters Habitat for Humanity thanks everyone who attended the incredible Jim-Isaac Chua Concert on October 25. The concert was indeed a feast for the ears. We are very grateful to our sponsors who made the event possible: TDS Telecommunications, Central Oregon Daily News, Mid Oregon Credit Union, Sisters Senior Living, Merrill OSullivan Stewart Law, Roth Home, Sisters Coffee Company, BUILD LLC, Rad Dyer of Ponderosa Properties, Sisters Ace Hardware, Bedouin, Sisters Veterinary Clinic, and The Nugget. And a special thanks to Sisters High music teacher Kayla Golka for coordinating the opportunity for students and Jim-Isaac to meet. The Sisters community was very gracious to Mr. Chua, and he is looking forward to returning next year. David Hiller, president, Sisters Kiwanis Club wrote: On behalf of the Sisters Kiwanis Club, I would like to wholeheartedly thank each donor providing the wonderful gifts and every one of you for purchasing raffle tickets for the 1st Annual Make-a-Date Raffle. Without the unending work of Suzy Ramsey, Teresa Cravens, Jan Failing, Derek Hill, and the other members of the Kiwanis Club this would not have been the success it is. Thank you. Sisters Community contributions help us, help others in this Community. Indeed, with your support, Sisters Kiwanis will continue to make an impact by creating opportunities for youth and young adults to thrive! Whether we are building playgrounds, distributing staples at the Sisters Food Bank, building greenhouses at the schools, or helping our neighbors in one-on-one situations, the strength of Sisters Kiwanis is greater thanks to all of you! Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov spoke about the possibilities of Ukrainian drone production during a meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Kyiv. "I told the EU delegation about the possibilities of Ukrainian drone production, which is currently estimated at $11 billion. Of this, we can invest about $3 billion ourselves, but to maximize our potential, we need financial support from our partners," Umerov wrote on Facebook on Monday. He expressed hope that a significant part of the next tranche of frozen Russian assets will be directed specifically at strengthening the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex. According to the minister, "one of the most effective steps to help our defenders is investing in the Ukrainian defense-industrial sector." "I highly appreciate Mr. Borrell's personal contribution to diplomatic, economic and military support for Ukraine. In gratitude for these efforts, which have strengthened our defense capabilities, I presented him with the Cross of Honor," Umerov said. The EU has already provided Ukraine with military aid worth EUR 44 billion. EU needs to consider increasing support for Kyiv in connection with Trump's victory in USA - Borrell The EU will have to consider increasing aid to Ukraine in connection with Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, said EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell. Borrell said that the EU should consider a scenario in which its support for Ukraine would increase in light of Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, Bloomberg reports. Borrell made these statements in Warsaw at a press conference with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. Last weekend, Borrell traveled to Kyiv, where he promised that the EU's support for the Ukrainian authorities would remain unwavering. Earlier, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson told HuffPost that the Republican Party, which is making progress in the current elections in the country, is not in the mood for discussions on new aid to Ukraine in the near future. Before that, The Wall Street Journal reported that the EU is currently quietly discussing how it will be possible to continue funding Ukraine if the USA under the Trump administration reduces its contribution to supporting Kyiv. In turn, former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, at the hearings in the European Parliament on her candidacy for the role of head of EU diplomacy on Tuesday, noted the importance of the task of continuing to provide aid to Ukraine, and spoke about the priority of such a policy for Brussels. PORTAGE Indiana recently inked deals with the Port of Cork and Pork of Antwerp-Bruges as it looks to bring international container cargo to the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. It's landing a U.S. Customs facility and looking to tap into the multi-billion-dollar container industry, which is how a majority of the world's goods are moved. Ports of Indiana officials say container traffic has the potential to be transformative for the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. About 90 international vessels known as salties come from the Atlantic Ocean, pass through the St. Lawrence Seaway and head into the Great Lakes to visit ports like the Port of Indiana Burns-Harbor and the Port of Chicago. Most transport commodities and special cargos like windmill blades, power plant parts or beer tanks. "The economic impact of our maritime ports is massive," Port of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock said. "Our goal is to try to improve on that, to try to increase the value we bring to the state both in terms of creating new jobs but also reducing the supply chain costs of the companies that live here." Most of the containers that carry the goods people buy at stores like Walmart and Target visit coastal ports like Baltimore, Montreal, New York and Norfolk. That's due to the fact that many container ships are too large to fit through the St. Lawrence Seaway, a series of locks that changes in elevation by six stories between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. "It makes it very difficult," Peacock said. "It's a difficult market. You have major constraints with locks. You have seasonality issues. You're shutting down for three months a year. It's hard to do any supply chain like that." The St. Lawrence Seaway shuts down every winter when the Great Lakes freeze, making them unnavigable for ships. "Right now, today, we're handling steel for 12 months," Peacock said. "When the locks shut down, we're moving steel by rail. So there are other ways to deal with it." Currently, two Great Lakes ports in Cleveland and Duluth are handling containers. More and more Great Lakes ports are looking to get in on the action. "I look at it this way, 60% of world trade moving by water is moving by container," Peacock said. "If we're going to be a serious port, then we've got to look at bringing in containers. There are containers that come in with every project cargo. If we don't handle containers, that cargo is going somewhere else. The container changed the world. It's just the way goods are moving now. This is a really a next step for this port if it's going to evolve and be a major player. To not do the most prominent piece of cargo out there would be a big oversight." Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor Director Ryan McCoy said container traffic could potentially bring more traffic and businesses to the port, which is home to 30 companies, half of which work in the steel industry. More than 75 acres of land are available to be developed at the port along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Porter County, including along newly built berths with docks and rail access. "We believe there's a market out there for packing and unpacking the containers that we'll need to support," he said. "We learned in Ireland there's the need to clean containers, especially if you're going change commodities. We believe there are going to be a lot of ancillary businesses that need that type of support." The Ports of Indiana recently reached memorandums of understanding with two of the largest ports in Europe as it looks to explore more trade opportunities, including with containers. "If you look at the trading patterns, Europe is our primary trading partner," Peacock said. "FedNav provides regular liners to Burns Harbor that come twice a month in some cases. That is a natural trading partner with us. We need to find container shippers in Europe that want to do business with the greater Northwest Indiana/Chicago market. It's a huge container market. Chicago handles more containers than LA. It's a huge market but nobody is servicing it by water right now." CenterPoint Intermodal Center Joliet/Elwood southwest of Chicago is the nation's largest inland port, moving goods by rail and truck. In addition to being a distribution hub, Chicago is the third largest metropolitan area in the country. "We're exploring the opportunity of establishing the only all-water route between Europe and Northern Indiana," Peacock said. "That would be a big thing to have in this region. You've not only got the volume and efficiencies of water. You've the greenest form of transportation moving into that area." U.S. consumers purchase many products manufactured abroad. The challenge is to figure out what the United States will ship outbound. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reached a memorandum of understanding with the Ports of Indiana. It's interested in shipping corn, soybeans and hardwoods abroad. "We're looking at the macro level," he said. "There's desire in Indiana to do it. There's trade coming from Europe already." Ireland is Indiana's biggest trading partner, sending $20 billion worth of goods coming every year. That's more than Canada and China combined. Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly has operated three pharmaceutical plants in Ireland for decades. "We think there's opportunities," Peacock said. "We just have to put it all together." Currently, goods that move by container head to ocean ports and are shipped by truck or train halfway across the country to Indiana. Moving goods that way can be expensive and result in a lot of carbon emissions. Some pharmaceutical companies have stopped moving products by truck because the vibrations cause a degradation of the product, Peacock said. Pharmaceutical companies even have taken to flying goods in from abroad but that adds a lot of cost, he said. The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor hopes to get the container traffic going as soon as possible. It aims to have a U.S. Customs facility built and operational by 2026. "We're going to work with customs to build it to the right specifications," he said. "As soon as it's done, it will be open for business. The ships are here today. The cranes are here today. The workers are here today. It's just a matter of getting customers approval and the right setup for customers inspections." The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor also will need to build a market, which will be higher-value and more specialized than mass consumer goods. "Shipping containers in the Great Lakes is a completely differently market than shipping to the coasts," he said. "The big ships that come to the coasts, the largest ships in the world, will never fit in the Great Lakes. It will never happen. It will be a completely different market." The same ships that are now coming to the Great Lakes ports will continue to come but could bring a hold full of containers, two holds full of containers or have containers on the deck. "We're not going to bring in the massive container ships you see on the coasts," he said. "It will be a very different scale. It will be a niche market. It will be specialty goods like pharmaceuticals or refrigerated products. It would have ag products going out. It would be very different than the all-inclusive container ships going to the coast. A large container ship coming to the coast is doing it by volume." A large container ship coming to the coast will have 24,000 TEUs or twenty-foot-equivalency units. Without that volume and the resulting efficiency, it will have to carry premium products that cover the added costs. "There might be advantages to bringing it to the door," he said. "You can bring a ship right into Burns Harbor for a quick delivery. You don't have to wait for your ship to be stuck in a railyard or a congested port where there will be delays. What we're offering is a diversification option, a new supply chain route that hasn't existing before that companies can look at to see if they want to diversity their cargo." Great Lakes ships coming to the Port of Indiana would be 2,400 TEUs, or about a tenth of the size. The cost of shipping it to the coast will be cheaper because of volume but the cost of getting it to the end destination could be competitive in some cases since the goods wouldn't have to be taken by truck as far to the final destination. "Everyone in supply chain is trying to match the pieces together," he said. "Do you use a ship, a truck, a barge, rail? You have to put together the pieces and decide if you're going for the lowest cost, the shortest distance, the quickest time, the least emissions, the least damage to your product. Everybody has different motivators. We're putting together the proposition that we're going to have a new supply chain option." A 68-year-old Russian doctor was convicted on Tuesday and sentenced to five and a half years in prison, according to her legal team, on accusations that she told a young boy during a medical appointment that his father, who was killed while fighting in Ukraine, deserved to die. The conviction of the Moscow pediatrician, Nadezhda Buyanova, is one of a flurry of criminal cases punishing ordinary Russians for voicing opposition to the war. But it is unusual because it relied in part on the testimony of a 7-year-old boy, whose mother originally said he was not in the room to hear the doctors comments but then changed her account a month later and allowed her son to be interviewed for the case. Ms. Buyanova was charged with disseminating false information about Russias military campaign in Ukraine. She denied the accusation in court, saying that she did not discuss the war with the boy. The court did not allow the boy to be questioned during the trial; instead, prosecutors submitted minutes of a pretrial interview. A lawyer for Ms. Buyanova questioned the veracity of the statement, saying that the notes read like a prepared narrative with words and syntax too complex for a 7-year-old. An elderly Thai woman desperate to keep her drug and gambling-addicted son away from temptation installed an iron jail cell inside her home. After more than 20 years of living in constant fear of her drug-addicted son, a 64-year-old woman from Thailands Buriram Province took extraordinary measures to protect herself and her neighbors. She recently had contractors build a jail cell inside her home where she could confine the 42-year-old man when he became violent. She told police that she had tried everything to save her son over the years, including several rehabilitation attempts in over 10 different centers across the country, but nothing worked and he became increasingly violent as time went by. To make matters worse, at one point, the son became addicted to gambling as well, which only made things worse. Photo: Khaosod For twenty years, Ive lived in constant fear, the Buriram mother told reporters. I have lived alone with my son since my husband passed away. One of the causes of my husbands death was depression and stress caused by my sons drug addiction. I installed iron bars in my house because I was worried about my safety and that of my neighbors. On October 23rd, the woman had to call the police because he couldnt control her own son. He was committed to a hospital, but she knew he would return, so she decided to have a jail cell installed. The elderly woman, referred to only as Mrs. A. by the media, made sure that her son had access to basic amenities and left a space between the metal bars to give him food and water. Photo: Khaosod The room with the bars has essential amenities such as a bed, bathroom, and WiFi, the woman said. I designed a small hole to deliver food and drinks to my son and installed a CCTV system to monitor his behavior 24 hours a day. I believe this measure will protect me and my neighbors from his aggressive behavior. Its not clear how police found out about the womans homemade jail cell, but they certainly werent too happy about it when they visited her home last week. A spokesperson told reporters that the woman could be found guilty of infringing on human rights and unlawful detention. Mr. As actions may violate Article 310 of the Criminal Code, which deals with unlawful detention resulting in death or serious injury, and is punishable by a prison sentence of three to 15 years, the District police chief said. It is unlikely that the desperate mother will face any criminal actions, especially now after her story made international news headlines, highlighting Thailands growing drug addiction problems. She was however ordered to dismantle the jail cell, with police promising to find a better solution to her problem. Allison Davis CG Life hires Allison Davis as chief client officer, a newly created role. Davis was most recently chief client officer at closerlook inc, a digital marketing agency serving the pharmaceutical commercialization sector that was acquired by Fishawack Health (now Avalere Health). At CG Life, she will lead the agencys account team in building client relationships and connecting clients with the broader team to support their business goals. Her deep understanding of client needs and ability to foster long-term partnerships will be key in helping us deliver even greater value to our clients, said CG Life CEO David Ormesher. Drew Panayiotou Keurig Dr Pepper appoints Drew Panayiotou as CMO, U.S. Refreshment Beverages. Panayiotou succeeds Andrew Springate, who is being appointed to a new role leading industry and strategic initiatives. Panayiotou joins the company from Pfizer, where he was global CMO. He has also served as CMO at Verily/Google Life Sciences. As Keurig Dr Pepper, Panayiotou will lead marketing for the companys portfolio of cold beverage brands, including Dr Pepper, Canada Dry and Mott's. He will also oversee all functions within KDPs enterprise-wide marketing centers of excellence, including insights & analytics, media & public relations, marketing innovation, creative services and category management. "We're excited for Drew Panayiotou to bring his deep acumen and expertise to accelerate a digital-first marketing approach at KDP," said U.S. Refreshment Beverages at KDP president Andrew Archambault. Hillary Holley Women Donors Network and Women Donors Network Action names Hillary Holley as managing director of politics & advocacy, effective in January. Holley is currently VP of civic engagement for the National Domestic Workers Alliancean organization of over 400,000 domestic workers and care workers. She is also the executive director of Care in Action and has been a senior digital strategist for the Democratic Party of Georgia. In her new post, Holley will work with leadership to shape the organizations strategy, drive impactful political education and advocacy initiatives, deepen the networks donor organizing and mobilization in partnership with movements, and elevate WDN Actions voice and partnerships in the field. Hillarys vast experience as a seasoned organizer, advocate, innovative leader, and political strategist, as well as her passion are exactly what we need at the helm of WDN and WDN Action, said WDN and WDN Action president and CEO Leena Barakat. FGS Global has hired controversial management consultant McKinsey & Co. to forge a growth plan as the corporate communications shop will soon be a 100 percent-owned property of the KKR & Co. investment firm. Called Project Thunder, the three-month process calls for a plan to help FGS Global achieve its most ambitious growth opportunities, according to an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg News. Mareike Oldemeinen, who helps lead FGS Globals corporate development unit, and James Leviseur, chief of staff to co-chair Roland Rudd, are working with McKinseys Tom Bartman and Homayoun Tatami on Project Thunder. Miami-based Bartman is a McKinsey partner and head of its Center for eCommerce Operations in North America. Hatami is a Paris-based senior partner. WPP in August announced the sale of a majority stake of FGS Global to a fund managed by KKR, a deal that values the PR firm at $1.7B. The transaction is to be completed by the end of the year. The municipal utility company Kyivteploenergo (KTE) has reported systemic pressure from law enforcement authorities, based on unfounded accusations that, if continued, could destabilize essential city operations as winter approaches. "Today, on November 12, representatives from the Kyiv Metropolitan Police visited KTE's headquarters a peculiar occurrence, given that Kyivteploenergo has no dealings whatsoever related to the metro," KTE shared on its Telegram channel on Tuesday. According to KTE, the investigation pertains to construction work at an energy site managed by a contractor. The grounds for the search were alleged labor law violations and the contractor's supposed use of unregistered workers. "KTE finds these accusations from law enforcement absurd, as the utility has no involvement in labor practices within the contractor's organization and has no authority over labor matters; this falls exclusively under governmental agencies," KTE said. The company added that law enforcement officers attempted to seize original documents from ongoing contracts, which could disrupt critical infrastructure projects in the city. This incident follows several previous document seizures by police and prosecutors. "It appears that criminal cases are being artificially created to destabilize the enterprise's operations at the very start of the heating season, with unprofessional interference in every aspect of our work," KTE stated. The company warned that unauthorized interference in restoring the city's critical infrastructure could lead to unpredictable outcomes in winter. "Our sole goal in restoring energy facilities is to ensure reliable power supply for Kyiv," KTE asserted. EDENDERRY-based company Bretland Construction has opened a new headquarters in the north Offaly town. Founded by Carbury native Fechin Daly and his wife Mary in 1999, the opening also coincided with the company's 25th birthday celebration. During those 25 years Bretland Construction has grown to become one of Ireland's leading construction companies and in his remarks as he conducted the official opening, Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Tony McCormack paid tribute to the Dalys and their team. What an amazing journey it has been for Bretland Construction. What we see here today is the result of hard work, resilience and dedication. Bretland Construction has built a reputation for delivering high quality projects across Ireland and also contributing to the development of vibrant, sustainable communities, said Cllr McCormack. I am thrilled to join the team today in celebrating this significant milestone, which also reflects positively on the development and economic growth of the Edenderry area. Speaking to the Tullamore Tribune, Mr Daly, 64, recalled how he started off as a small builder with ground work and civil works and the company then went from strength to strength. We went into more commercial work and streetscape and did work for Offaly County Council and South Dublin County Council and Pfizer, he said. He added: It didn't happen overnight. It's been a good trip. Hard going, 24/7. The company now has more than 60 employees. Recently Bretland completed 38 social housing units for Offaly County Council in Clara and the company has also done a 52-unit residential development in Laois, along with major commercial and office projects. Speaking at the opening, Coleman Yates, deputy managing director, Bretland Construction, remembered the era when Fechin started the company. Those were different times with the millennium bug and the whole Y2K hysteria. We all remember well our fear that our computers would break down and the aircraft would fall out of the sky, said Mr Yates. Through all those years and changes we have remained dedicated to the vision of this company. Now Bretland Construction has become a name synonymous with excellence in the Irish construction industry. He said Bretland embraces the newest technology and materials with a results-driven team and pointed out that it also sponsors the Offaly Ladies GAA team and the Bretland Park ground. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued closure orders on two food businesses in Tipperary in the month of October. Longfield Academy, a preschool and creche in Cashel, and Welcome Home, a bakery in the heart of Tipperary Town, were issued separate closure orders by the FSAI for a ranges of food safety concerns, including a 'rodent infestation'. The main kitchen used for reheating food in Longfield Academy, located at Rockview, Deerpark Rd, Cashel, was issued the order under the FSAI Act, 1998. According to the FSAI, the closure order was issued due to "failure to ensure adequate procedures were in place to control pests". Evidence of rodent infestations were found in the kitchen area, where droppings were located under the fridge and in several other locations. Holes were also found found in the walls and floors, which the FSAI said "allowed rodent entry". Welcome Home, found at 2 Kickham Place, Tipperary Town, was served the closure order under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The FSAI issued the closure order for a number of reasons, including a "lack of adequate, regular or thorough cleaning". The closure report also detailed how rodent faeces were found in the food storage area, and an inspection found "inadequate procedures in place to control pests in the food premises". On top of this, several items of food equipment had been found in poor condition and were described as not well maintained, including a meat slicer, microwave, grill and oven. with a total of 16 Enforcement orders handed out nationwide due breaches of food safety legislation. The Enforcement Orders, issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI, were for a range of food safety reasons, including rats, maggots, food debris and more. In a statement, the FSAI confirmed some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in October included "rat infestation, significant build-up of rodent droppings, presence of fruit and drain flies, live maggots on old food residue, extensive rodent droppings" and a range of other health-related breaches of food safety laws. Other reasons issued were an inaccessible wash hand basin, a complete lack of cleaning, dirty food contact equipment and no evidence of a food safety management system. READ NEXT - Tipp club pays tribute to legendary member on the 50th anniversary of significant event Gardai investigating a fatal road crash in County Louth earlier this year have arrested a woman. Arthur Daly, 64, from The Salting, Annagassan,died at the scene of the collision which happened close to the village of Dunleer - midway between Dundalk and Drogheda - shortly before 9am on July 14. The father of two adult children, who was originally from Howth in County Dublin, was the driver of one of the two cars which collided with each other. At the time, numerous tributes were paid, with many people describing Arthur as a "true gent" and a "great sportsman". Following the incident, gardai stated the driver of the second car, a female aged in her 50s, was airlifted from the scene to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin, where she was treated for serious injuries. READ ALSO: Property search and dig conducted after man arrested in connection with murder murder of Jo Jo Dullard In an update, issued this Monday morning, gardai confirmed that a woman has been arrested and is being questioned about the crash. "Gardai have arrested a woman as part of the investigation into a fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Dunleer, Co Louth on Sunday, July 14, 2024. The woman, aged in her 50s, is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in County Louth," said a spokesperson. There needs to be a reset in the relationship between Irish politicians and farmers, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said. Speaking during a visit to the National Council of the Irish Farmers Association in Dublin, Mr Harris said politicians talk about farming in a way they would not about any other part of the Irish economy. He also said that the farming community requires support to help the sector to meet ambitious environmental targets. Speaking to the media ahead of addressing the council, Mr Harris said: I think we have to press reset on the relationship with farmers. I definitely know from speaking to farmers that they feel that they are talked at and talked down to far too often. There is a climate emergency in the world, there is no doubt about that, the planet is on fire and there is a need to take action, but the responsibility for all of that doesnt all fall to farmers. I hear politicians talking about farming in a way they wouldnt talk about any other part of the Irish economy. We have to help farmers, we have to help them transition. Yes, we need to take climate action but we also need to produce food, it is a really important part of our Irish economic model. At a time when the risk of a trans-Atlantic trade shock is rising and the impact that can have on foreign direct investment in Ireland and in Europe, it is more important than ever that we support Irish indigenous business. There is nothing more indigenous than Irish farming. The Fine Gael leader said politicians needs to realise that farming is not a hobby. He added: When parties, including my own, publish our manifestos, a lot of the projects in those manifestos are funding off the back of tax receipts paid by the agri-food sector in Ireland. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald also addressed the National Council on Tuesday. In his address, Tanaiste Mr Martin said government needed to break the cycle of insecurity which farmers face. He said: I want us to move on to a new agenda of permanent security for farming and for the expansion of our agri-food industry as an economic anchor for our country. In the manifesto we released yesterday we provide over 280 million euro per year in new funding for agriculture. The Defense Ministry of Ukraine, German defense giant Rheinmetall and ICEYE, an international company in the field of SAR satellite systems, have signed a contract on the use of satellite data in the interests of defense of Ukraine. "We are expanding our intelligence capabilities through cooperation with international partners. The Ministry of Defense has signed a strategically important contract with ICEYE, a leader in SAR satellite technology," Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Facebook on Tuesday. The contract will provide Ukrainian military with access to high-precision satellite imagery with complete coverage of the combat zone, he said, adding that the command will be able to independently set priority observation areas and quickly receive up-to-date data via the ICEYE satellite system. The minister also noted that the agreement was made possible with the support of the German government and Rheinmetall, which acted as a contracting party. "I am grateful to our partners for their assistance and trust. By implementing advanced space reconnaissance technology, we are creating a technological advantage that enhances combat capability and protects our military personnel," Umerov said. Ukraine will gain access to more high-precision space images from SAR satellites as soon as this year. And the military command will be able to determine on its own the areas for satellite imagery depending on the intensity of hostilities. ICEYE closely cooperated with the Defense Ministry to support and help Ukraine develop its space defensive capabilities. In August 2022, the company signed a major contract with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation and provided access to data from one of its satellites. In July 2024, ICEYE and the Defense Ministry signed a memorandum on cooperation to outline partnership with the aim of strengthening Ukraine's space capabilities. Poland will not shoot down Russian missiles and drones over the territory of Ukraine, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Wiesaw Kukua said on Tuesday. No. Our and the allied position is clear. We will not do this," the head of the Polish General Staff replied, answering a question from Rzeczpospolita about the possibility of shooting down missiles and UAVs in Ukrainian airspace. "Today, our responsibility for protecting the union sky is determined by our borders," Kukula stressed. More joint efforts from different parties encouraged to boost industry 08:41, November 12, 2024 By Tu Lei ( Global Times Against the backdrop of global energy transformation, the aviation industry is accelerating decarbonization, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has become a hot topic. Global Times has learned that many airlines have announced that they will use SAF to promote the goal of net zero emissions and have launched relevant layouts; some large oil companies have also begun to focus on related capacity construction. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that SAF could provide approximately 65 percent of the emissions reduction needed for the aviation sector to reach net-zero CO2 by 2050, underscoring the need for significant production scale-up. Aviation accounts for a relatively small share of global emissions but is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize. SAF has the advantages of high energy density and zero emissions, which brings new opportunities for emission reduction in the aviation industry. However, market analysts noted that SAF supply is limited, with a low replacement rate for traditional aviation fuel, and it requires collaboration across sectors to be further adopted in the industry. Vast potential The civil aviation industry has reached a consensus that sustainable aviation fuel is the most important means to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality in the industry, Grace Cheung, Cathay General Manager Group Sustainability told the Global Times on the sidelines of the recently concluded second International Conference on Green Aviation (ICGA) held by International Association for Green Aviation in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province on November 6, 2024. The ICGA has been regarded as a global platform to enhance awareness of climate change, exchange cutting-edge results in green aviation, and promote international cooperation. During the two-day meeting, hundreds of industry delegates from the world shared their insights into green aviation. Data from the ICGA showed that demand for air travel is projected to increase through 2030. New aircraft may be up to 20 percent more efficient, but growth in aviation activity has historically outpaced efficiency gains. Substituting petroleum kerosene with SAF can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 80 percent over the fuel's life cycle. With its advantages of high energy density, flexible preparation methods, and compatibility with current aviation systems, SAF is widely regarded as a key way for the aviation industry to achieve decarbonization in the short and medium term, Airbus China CEO George Xu told the Global Times on Monday. A report released by Deloitte in September of 2023 showed that China's SAF demand is expected to reach 3 million tons/year by 2030. With the improvement of technologies and the advancement of China's "dual carbon" goal, China's SAF demand is expected to reach 86 million tons/year by 2050. More players As an essential fuel for aviation decarbonization, SAF has vast market potential. Currently, companies across the supply chain are vying to enter the SAF market. Chengdu-based Tianzhou International Trading Group in Southwest China's Sichuan Province focuses on the comprehensive use of biomass resources utilizing core technologies for green energy production. Eason Chen, general manager of Tianzhou International Trading Group told the Global Times at the sideline of the ICGA on November 6, 2024, that more than 5 million tons of sustainable biofuel capacity annually will be built in the company, and their business is really growing fast. "China has a very strong background in terms of manufacturing, and we are catching up with the business," he added. From the production side, major oil companies around the world currently attach great importance to SAF development. For example, companies such as Honeywell, BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, and domestic oil companies such as Sinopec all have SAF technology initiatives. In March of this year, TotalEnergies and China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) signed a Heads of Agreement to jointly develop a SAF production unit at SINOPEC's refinery in China. The planned unit, a joint venture between SINOPEC and TotalEnergies, will have the capacity to produce 230,000 tons of SAF per year, and will process local waste or residues from circular economy sources such as cooking oils and animal fats, according to TotalEnergies' website. Airbus said it has started from itself and actively promoted the use of SAF fuel. At present, all existing Airbus models can run on 50 percent SAF fuel, and Airbus plans to run on 100 percent SAF fuel by 2030. At the same time, SAF fuel has been used in Airbus aircraft delivery flights, test flights, and commercial flights. Since the first delivery of SAF fuel at the Toulouse plant in France in 2016, more than 600 Airbus aircraft have been delivered using SAF fuel, according to the information the company shared with the Global Times. Cathay Pacific was among the first airlines in Asia to set a target to use 10 percent SAF for its total fuel consumption by 2030. Cathay Pacific launched Asia's first major Corporate SAF Program in 2022 and has since expanded it by adding new corporate and NGO partnerships. On September 18, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Civil Aviation Administration of China held a launching ceremony for the pilot project of SAF application in Beijing, aiming to promote SAF development in China in an integrated manner. According to the pilot work arrangement, from September 19, 12 flights of Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines from Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Shuangliu, Zhengzhou Xinzheng, and Ningbo Lishe airports will be officially refueled with SAF. Notably, overall, the global SAF industry is currently still in early development and faces many challenges. Cheung from Cathay Pacific emphasized the need for strategic partnerships in transitioning to sustainable aviation to support SAF supply chain growth of the SAF supply chain in the region. Chen echoed that the demand for SAF remains low, partly due to the high cost, which makes airlines hesitant to incur higher costs. "We still want to encourage more players to join the market, and expand and lower costs in the market, and it will be better for future development, Chen said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Blinken to discuss support for Ukraine with colleagues from NATO, EU countries in Brussels this week U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Brussels on Tuesday, where he will hold meetings with the foreign ministers of the EU and NATO member states to discuss support for Ukraine, the State Department said on Tuesday. Blinken will travel to Brussels for meetings with his NATO and European Union counterparts to discuss support for Ukraine, the American media cite excerpts from the U.S. State Department's message. It is noted that the U.S. Secretary of State will stay in Brussels until November 13 inclusively. According to the State Department, Blinken will then travel to Peru and Brazil, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit and the G20 summit will be held. As reported, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha will also visit Brussels on November 12-13. The government has adopted a resolution on the real and transparent transfer of soldiers between units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, transfers will work through the Army+ application, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "The transfer of soldiers to the army should be unblocked. Only the government has adopted a special resolution that introduces a real and transparent mechanism for transfers for our soldiers between military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This concerns transfers specifically on the initiative of the warriors," Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram channel on Tuesday. According to the President, the mechanism for transferring soldiers was developed in cooperation with civil society, the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Zelenskyy added that the agreement had been reached at a meeting with civil society in October. "Transfers will work through the Army+ app. Seventy-two hours are provided to check the report. The result of the check is reported to the warrior via Army+. In case of refusal, clear reasons must be indicated. In case of agreement, it is an understandable decision," the president explained. The effectiveness of the approved mechanism should be monitored by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The technical readiness of the launch is on November 15. "This is an important example of absolutely constructive cooperation between the military leadership and the team of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on the one hand and representatives of public organizations on the other," Zelenskyy said. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put into effect the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), which supported the proposals made by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on the application of sanctions against 15 individuals and 102 legal entities from the Russian Federation, the website of the head of state reports. Relevant decrees No. 761/2024 and No. 762/2024 are published on the President's website. In particular, decree No. 761/2024 imposed sanctions against 15 individuals from the Russian Federation, 29 legal entities from the Russian Federation, two from Belarus, and seven from the occupied territories. Decree No. 762/2024 imposed sanctions against 63 legal entities from the Russian Federation. In an evening video message on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that sanctions had been imposed "against Russian enterprises and individuals working for the interests of the aggressor state and providing it with the opportunity to avoid responsibility for the war." "Ukraine will definitely coordinate such sanctions with those of its partners, in particular with regard to the Russian aviation infrastructure," the head of state added. Rutte calls to raise cost for Putin by providing Ukraine with support it needs to change trajectory of war NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said it is necessary to "raise the cost" for Putin and his authoritarian friends by providing Ukraine with the support it needs to change the trajectory of the war. "We must recommit to stay in the course for the long haul. And we must do more than just keep Ukraine in the fight. We need to raise the cost for Putin and his enabling authoritarian friends, by providing Ukraine with the support it needs to change the trajectory of the conflict," he said at a joint press briefing with President of France Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday. "So, we must stand together Europe, North America and our global partners - to keep our people safe and prosperous," Rutte said. According to him, "the immediate challenge we face, obviously, is support for Ukraine." The second major challenge is enhancing the defense of our Alliance in this more dangerous world, the Secretary General said, adding that to go faster, NATO needs more robust transatlantic defense cooperation. "The more we spend on defense, the more we reduce the risk of future conflict. And I want to welcome that France will invest more than 2% of GDP in defense this year," he said. Rutte emphasized that Russia, working together with North Korea, Iran and China "is not only threatening Europe, it threatens peace and security." Ukraine plans to modernize more than 800 school kitchens and create twelve factory-kitchens in 2025-2027, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said Tuesday. "Have ambitious plans for the future. In 2025-2027, we aim to modernize more than 800 school kitchens and twelve factory-kitchens that will deliver food to schools and kindergartens. A pilot project of such a kitchen has already been implemented in Bucha, Kyiv region," he said at the European Regional School Meals Summit in Kyiv. Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Oksen Lisovy, for his part, said that modernization is carried out not only in the school kitchens, but also in the school canteens, where children eat. As reported, the school meal reform was launched in Ukraine from January 1, 2022. Schools began to introduce menus developed by chef Yevhen Klopotenko, a collection of 600 recommended recipes for feeding children in educational institutions was published, developed in support of the strategy of the school meals reform. In October 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Strategy for Reforming the School Nutrition System for 2023-2027. In 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 1.5 billion for overhauls of 173 school canteens in 23 regions. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister urges action as Sri Lanka Navy increases fishermen arrests Posted by Editor on November 12, 2024 - 10:09 pm MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, has written a letter to Indias External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, expressing concern over the increasing number of Indian fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. Stalin highlighted that this year has seen the highest number of arrests in seven years. According to the Sri Lankan Navy, Indian fishing boats are poaching in Sri Lankan waters, prompting the Navy to conduct regular patrols to curb illegal fishing. This year, the Navy has detained 66 Indian fishing boats and 497 fishermen in Sri Lankan waters. The issue of fishermen crossing into each others waters remains a long-standing point of tension between India and Sri Lanka. It revolves around fishing rights and territorial disputes in the Palk Strait, which separates Tamil Nadu from the northern part of Sri Lanka. Stalins letter referenced two recent incidents, one on November 9 and the other on November 12, where a total of 35 Tamil Nadu fishermen and their four boats were detained by Sri Lankan authorities. Stalin emphasized that these arrests disrupt the livelihoods of the fishermen and cause significant distress to their families. In the wake of these tensions, India and Sri Lanka have been holding discussions on maritime security. On November 11, officials from the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) met in Colombo for the 7th Annual High-Level Meeting, focusing on issues like maritime crime, marine pollution, and enhancing cooperation. This came shortly after the 34th India-Sri Lanka Navy & Coast Guard International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting on November 6 in Palk Bay, where both nations discussed maritime security and the safety of fishermen. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a campaign speech ahead of the countrys parliamentary elections, accused Indian fishermen of damaging marine resources in Sri Lankas northern region. He vowed to protect Sri Lankan fishermens rights, create more local jobs, and combat drug abuse in the region. Actress Avneet Kaur recently had the thrilling opportunity to meet Hollywood star Tom Cruise on the set of his upcoming film 'Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning'. On Monday, 11th November, Avneet shared her excitement with fans on social media by posting several photos with Cruise, along with a heartfelt note describing the memorable experience. She also mentioned the incredible stunts she witnessed him perform during the shoot. Alongside the photos, Avneet wrote, "Im still pinching myself! I had the incredible opportunity to visit the set of the next #MissionImpossible film, starring the one and only Tom Cruise! Witnessing the filmmaking magic firsthand was awe-inspiring. Toms dedication to performing real, practical stunts continues to raise the bar." She continued, "Cant wait to share more about my experience! Stay tuned for updates closer to the release date, May 23, 2025!" ADVERTISEMENT In her professional life, Avneet was last seen in the film 'Luv Ki Arrange Marriage', where she starred alongside Sunny Singh. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise officially revealed the title for the eighth instalment of the Mission: Impossible series along with its first trailer. This highly anticipated film, originally slated for a 2022 release, faced multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike. It is now set to hit theatres on 23rd May 2025, a date eagerly awaited by fans worldwide. The iconic film 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', starring Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta, is set for a grand re-release in theatres this month. Dharma Productions shared the exciting news on social media, announcing that Nikhil Advani's beloved romantic comedy will be back on the big screen starting November 15. In their post, Dharma Productions wrote, Laal ab sabke dil ka haal hai, hone wala ab kamaal hai! #KalHoNaaHo re-releasing in cinemas on 15th November at @pvrcinemas_official @inoxmovies! Karan Johar, who wrote the story for the film, also re-shared Dharmas post on his Instagram stories, adding the movies title track to the video. 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' also stars Saif Ali Khan in a key role, with Jaya Bachchan, Sushma Seth, Reema Lagoo, Lillete Dubey, and Delnaaz Irani in supporting roles. Released on November 28, 2003, the film remains a beloved classic, remembered for its peppy tracks and SRKs chemistry with Preity Zinta. The story follows Naina Kapoor (Preity Zinta), an MBA student in New York, who falls in love with her terminally ill neighbor, Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh Khan). Despite his declining health, Aman is determined to ensure Nainas happiness after he is gone. To achieve this, he decides to bring her together with his best friend, Rohit (Saif Ali Khan), even at the cost of his own feelings. Shah Rukh Khans unforgettable confession, I love you very much, Naina, as he reads from a blank diary, remains etched in fans hearts. In 2020, Karan Johar celebrated 'Kal Ho Naa Ho's 20th anniversary with a heartfelt video, featuring a compilation of the films most memorable moments. He shared, This film has been such an emotional journey for me and, perhaps, for all of us, as I have gathered over the many years. To bring such a stellar star cast together with a story that has beating hearts, its all kudos to the entire cast and team behind the camera for making 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' still beat strong within everyones hearts. For me, this was the last film that my father was a part of within the Dharma family, and it feels surreal to feel his presence in every frame as I rewatch it even today. 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' received multiple awards, including two National Film Awards, cementing its legacy as a cherished film in Indian cinema. (With IANS inputs) Democrats are outraged by Trump's approach to COP29 and the Paris Climate Agreement because it dismisses the urgency of the climate crisis, undermines global cooperation, and puts America at odds with the rest of the world in combating an existential threat. Trump's approach essentially gives a free pass to polluters while ignoring the devastating fires, floods, and storms that are tearing apart communities across the country and the world. Democrats see this as not just irresponsible but downright dangerous, risking lives and livelihoods for the sake of short-term gains. By backing out of the Paris Agreement, Trump didn't just walk away from climate commitments; he signaled to the world that the U.S. was abandoning its leadership role. Democrats believe this betrayal weakened global alliances, diminished America's influence, and put us on the sidelines while the world moves forward on climate action without us. Trump's cozy relationship with the fossil fuel industry is seen by Democrats as blatant favoritism, putting corporate profits over the health and safety of people. Rolling back environmental regulations, gutting clean air and water protections, and ramping up oil and gas production are seen as a clear message that his administration was more interested in appeasing industry donors than protecting citizens from climate impacts. Democrats are appalled by Trump's rejection of established science. Denying climate change isn't just ignorant; it's an attack on truth itself. To Democrats, his approach reflects a cynical disregard for the overwhelming scientific evidence that demands urgent action, leaving future generations to clean up the mess. Trump's stance is seen as a betrayal of the frontline communities-- often low-income and marginalized-- that bear the brunt of climate change. Democrats argue that abandoning climate action abandons these communities, allowing pollution and environmental devastation to hit the poorest and most vulnerable the hardest. Democrats view Trump's obsession with fossil fuels as stuck in the past, ignoring the massive potential of green energy for jobs, innovation, and economic strength. His refusal to embrace renewables isn't just backward-looking; it's sabotaging America's future economic potential, making the U.S. less competitive on the world stage and ceding leadership to countries that are racing ahead in clean energy technology. Trump's approach to COP29 and the Paris Agreement wasn't just wrong; it was a reckless, short-sighted betrayal of responsibility, a shameful abdication of leadership, and an outrageous disregard for the catastrophic impacts of climate change that are already evident today. From a European perspective, America's conservative resistance to robust climate action, spearheaded by figures like Donald Trump, has been infuriating and disheartening. European nations, many of which have committed substantial resources to meet Paris Agreement goals and have actively pushed for more ambitious targets at COP conferences, view America's withdrawal and wavering as a dangerous betrayal-- not just to the planet, but to global trust and leadership. For Europeans, who have seen firsthand the impacts of climate disasters-- from devastating floods in Germany to unseasonal heat waves scorching southern Europe-- the stakes could not be higher. In their eyes, America's conservatives, in prioritizing short-term profits and fossil fuel interests, are disregarding the suffering and devastation climate change is already causing worldwide. This willful inaction doesn't just ignore the science; it holds the world hostage to a warming planet and undercuts the very collective action required to secure a livable future. America, a top emitter and one of the world's wealthiest nations, has, according to Europeans, an undeniable duty to lead by example. Instead, under conservative leadership, it has shirked its responsibilities, abandoned binding agreements, and turned away from international partnerships. Europeans see this as America undermining the very global cooperation that is essential to combating climate change, sending a message that the U.S. is more interested in protecting corporate profits than securing the planet's future. In response, Europeans express profound anger not only at America's withdrawal but at the conservative American mindset that seems locked in an outdated, fossil-fueled past. Many in Europe feel that U.S. conservatives are actively working against the planet's welfare, driven by an ideology that disregards both scientific consensus and the urgent pleas of the international community. This growing frustration threatens to strain transatlantic relations, with Europe increasingly questioning whether it can count on the U.S. as a partner in this critical fight. With a climate crisis that respects no borders, Europe's anger is grounded in a sense of betrayal-- betrayal by a wealthy ally that has opted to ignore the gravity of climate change in favor of politics and profit. PART ONE: How we discovered the deep truth behind JFK's assassination through the magic of Love Field Airport After sixty-one years of asking "who's to blame", it's time for all Americans to come together with the citizens of Dallas to break the spell that keeps us from the bright future we want and deserve. We've come to a profound understanding of how the resurrection of JFK'S spirit of peace through the magic of Love Field will fulfill that goal. On looking back to what drew our attention to Love Field in 2023 we were reminded of our own choices made in 1981 and how the path we chose to get here was inspired by JFK's favorite poet Robert Frost in his poem A Road Not Taken. That year we became the first American journalists to gain access to Afghanistan following the expulsion of all western media after the 1979 Soviet invasion. Getting the first Visa to enter Kabul with a film crew for CBS News was a big SCOOP after a blackout of 18 months. But we never imagined back then that touching the ground of Afghanistan would lead us to Love Field and the deep truth about the JFK assassination forty-three years later. But that is exactly what happened. After witnessing CBS's willful misuse of our facts on Afghanistan and its transformation into propaganda we continued to challenge the mainstream narrative through ABC News and PBS and received the same results. Back then most Americans believed that freedom of the press was not only a Constitutional right but that it actually meant something. We had yet to face the truth that no matter what facts we unearthed the official narrative on Afghanistan would remain the voice of the CIA and there was little we could do to change that. Faced with that reality, we finally asked ourselves, if facts didn't matter, what did? So in 1987 we decided to follow the Road Not Taken and started writing screenplays and by the early 1990s had developed four. Then in September of 1991, our 10-year-old daughter Alissa told us of a dream with Paul's deceased father - accompanied by a man who told her he was 800 years old. We already knew the Fitzgerald family had come to Ireland 800 years before as mercenaries for King Henry II and decided the dream was a mystical message. But where did it lead? After three months of researching the Fitzgerald history we saw Oliver Stone's film, JFK, and found the clues that would unlock the meaning of our daughter's message. Stone's decision to include secret societies in his telling resonated with us. In our research into the 1169 Norman invasion of Ireland, largely run by the Fitzgerald family, we found motivations for why some secret societies would target JFK as retribution for past offenses. We had hoped Stone would be interested in this history but he wanted our Afghanistan story instead. Although our three years of work with Stone did produce the Three Nights of Desmond script concept, it was never fulfilled. Thirty years in the making, we finally brought that concept to fruition in 2021 in our memoir series, Valediction Three Nights of Desmond along with Valediction Resurrection. Since then our publisher Kris Millegan has been hosting monthly Roundtable discussions based on our memoir, giving us the platform to further explore the Fitzgerald legacy. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. 2084 The World as It Might Be (Or Do I Mean Might Have Been?) By Tom Engelhardt Honestly, what would George Orwell have written about this planet of ours, four decades after that ominous year 1984 passed from his fiction into history? And yes, in case you think that, as in his novel 1984, published in 1949, a year before his death and just as the Cold War (a term he was the first to use in an essay in October 1945) was getting underway, our world, too, seems to be heading for a nightmarish future, I suspect that -- were he capable of returning to this planet of ours -- he wouldn't disagree with you for a moment. Phew! Sorry for such a long, complicated sentence, but little wonder given the way our world is now tying itself in knots. Yes, just last week, with the election of climate-change denier and (to steal from Orwell) our very own Big Brother Donald Trump as president of the United States (again!), we just paved the way for an instant all-American nightmare. Still, even without him, the world was anything but peachy keen. As a matter of fact, we live in a country on the brink of who knows what, on a planet on the brink of" well, yes, who has any idea anymore? One thing, however, is obvious (even if not to The Donald, who plans to "drill, baby, drill" on day one back in the White House): it's getting hotter by the year (after year after year) in every sense imaginable, as heat records are broken, week by week, month by month around the world. After all, 2024 is expected to be the hottest year in human history, beating out 2023 for that record, and yet, all too sadly, it's not likely to hold that record for more than a year. As Kristina Dahl, a climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, pointed out recently: "The latest scientific data shows a devastating scientific duality: not only is 2024 slated to be the hottest year on record to date, but it could also be one of the coolest years we'll see in the decades ahead." Yikes! War, War, and More War Just consider that, so many thousands of years after we humans first began making war on each other, we're on a planet that seems to be going down big-time in ways Orwell couldn't have imagined. And no matter its state, we just can't seem to stop ourselves from, or even evidently stop wanting to make war again" and again" and again. At this point, in fact, at least three thoroughly nightmarish, seemingly never-ending conflicts are being fought (and fought and fought) on this planet of ours. There is, of course, the war in Ukraine that began with Russian President Vladimir Putin's painful decision in February 2022 to invade that country. More than two and a half years later, with perhaps 200,000 or more deaths and the destruction of significant parts of Ukraine, it seems as if that particular war is in a nightmarish slog of endless devastation leading who knows where or to who knows what end (including, possibly, the first use of nuclear weapons since August 1945, something Orwell was already thinking about in that Cold War essay of his only months after the U.S. nuked the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II). And oh yes, only recently, a third country, also nuclear-armed like the Russians, and its leader, like Vladimir Putin, also willing to threaten the use of such weaponry, decided to directly enter the fray. I'm thinking, of course, about the neighboring state of North Korea. And don't be confused by that "neighboring." After all, that country's only about 4,500 miles away from Ukraine, but it's certainly a neighbor of Russia's, right? Whoops, sorry about that! After a glance at a map, I realize that I must have meant a neighbor of China, which is indeed a neighbor of Russia, which is more or less the same thing. Under the circumstances, why shouldn't North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have sent 8,000 to 10,000 of his crack troops to more or less the other side of the planet (or do I mean the universe?) to help an atomic near-neighbor? And I certainly have no right to be critical of such a decision, since in this century my own country has dispatched its military endless thousands of miles away to fight (losing) wars in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Of course, whatever my country did, what's now going on in Ukraine should still be the definition of a nightmare first class, a war without end that only seems to be growing more severe. But perhaps when compared to what's now taking place in the Middle East, it might have to be seen as a nightmare second class. After all, another nuclear-armed country, Israel, in response to a horrifying terror attack on its citizens by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023, has spent more than a year (14 months!) devastating and decimating just about anything left standing, including human beings, in the tiny Gaza Strip. It has by now killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, including staggering numbers of children, destroyed most of the infrastructure there, promoted famine, and well" honestly, that's just a start, since Vladimir Putin"oh, sorry, my mistake, I meant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been spreading the war on Gaza in a thoroughly -- yes! -- devastating way to Lebanon (where, forget the growing numbers of dead, more than 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced from their homes and turned into refugees in next to no time at all). Meanwhile, he's been going face to face, or perhaps I mean bomb to bomb and missile to missile -- and keep in mind that most of those bombs and missiles come from my own remarkably generous country, since Israel is "the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. military aid since World War II" -- with Iran. And who knows where that set of wars may, in fact, go from here (though undoubtedly, nowhere good), or where else in the Middle East the Israelis might still want to expand their military campaigns. And if all of that isn't enough for you, or this deeply battered planet of ours, then don't forget Sudan, where a devastating civil war has been raging for a year and a half, killing untold tens of thousands of Sudanese, displacing eight and a half million more of them from their homes, and causing a brutal famine affecting millions that could destroy an inconceivable number of lives. And like the horrifying conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, that war between two local military factions shows not the slightest sign of ending any time soon. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Birmingham, UK - 26th February 2025 - Fourteen young people from across Birmingham took part in a groundbreaking yoga training programme between the 10th and 14th of February, marking the first-ever yoga initiative run by The King's Trust on its Get Started programme. The training, delivered by Stacey Smith, founder of 3 Yoga, represents a full-circle moment in Stacey's journey, having started her own business with the help of The Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine/ The Luxembourg Red Cross has expanded its activities in Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, providing assistance to health institutions. "Since 2022, the Luxembourg Red Cross has been assisting the Irpin branch of the Heart Institute, which, like many buildings in the city, was severely damaged by shelling. [...] The Luxembourg Red Cross, in partnership with the Ukrainian Red Cross, helped to restore the damaged buildings of the medical institution and start receiving patients as soon as possible," the Ukrainian Red Cross said on Facebook on Tuesday. The Luxembourg Red Cross also financed this year the purchase of modern industrial washing equipment for the Heart Institute branch. Between 2023 and 2024, the organization helped create a safe bomb shelter. The 32-square-meter basement of the Irpin Heart Institute was renovated, sanitary rooms were arranged and a ventilation system with automatic and manual modes was installed. In addition, the bomb shelter has a supply of drinking water, benches, backup lighting and communication equipment to comfortably accommodate 30 people for 48 hours. The Luxembourg Red Cross plans to continue assistance to the most vulnerable categories of the Ukrainian population, responding quickly to urgent calls caused by the war. Among the priorities of the organization is support of awareness-raising activities on prevention of cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, diabetes. The Luxembourg Red Cross will continue to maintain close cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross, government agencies and local authorities. Mumbai, 12 November 2024 | Tuesday AjnaLens, India's leading 'Make-In-India' XR product company, celebrated a landmark achievement with its third consecutive win at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) Awards 2024, securing the 'Best Connected Consumer Device & Application' award for its flagship products, AjnaXR & AjnaVidya. This win underscores AjnaLens' dedication to delivering secure, scalable, and cost-effective XR solutions that drive digital transformation across Indian enterprises. Through strategic partnerships with defence institutions The Portland Trail Blazers will attempt to make amends for the mess they put on the court during Sundays 134-89 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. How that could look is anyones guess. The Blazers host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday and Wednesday. The same team that defeated the Blazers 127-102 Friday in Minnesota. The game is the Blazers' first in the in-season tournament. Many bad matchups for the Blazers exist in the NBA. Minnesota is one of the worst. The Timberwolves rank sixth in three-point shooting (39.3%) and seventh in both defensive rating (109.7) and net rating (plus-5.6). Plus, Minnesota has a bonified superstar in Anthony Edwards, who lit up the Blazers for 37 points on Friday while shooting 9-of-15 from three-point range. The Blazers arent quite as good. They rank 23rd in defensive rating (116.1), 29th in net rating (minus-10.8) and 29th in three-point shooting (30.2%). Also, the Blazers best player, Anferee Simons, is off to a slow start and has not shown he can come close to matching Edwards firepower. Simons is averaging 17.5 points while shooting 38.1% from the field and 30.1% from three-point range, both career lows. Just trying to figure it out, Simons said on Sunday. Not trying to get caught up too much on the outside expectations. Just trying my best to find ways to help the team the best way possible for us to be a better team. Whether that looks like me scoring 30 or some nights, it might be less than that. Just trying to find different ways to impact the team. Thats where my main focus is. Until Simons pulls out of his funk, the Blazers wont be defeating teams like the Timberwolves in the near future. Prediction: The Blazers must prove they can at least hang with a contender before they should ever again be picked to defeat one. Timberwolves all the way. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES What: Trail Blazers (3-8) vs. Timberwolves (6-4), 7 p.m., Tuesday. Where: Moda Center, Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM). TV channel: KATU Charge (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Comcast: 302 and 1170. DirecTV and Dish: Available Jan. 1). How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you dont have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here. ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings) Moneyline: POR +320 | MIN -410 Spread: POR +9 | Over/Under: 220.5 INJURIES Blazers: Deandre Ayton (right index finger sprain) and Matisse Thybulle (right knee inflammation) are out. Timberwolves: None. NEXT UP The Blazers host the Timberwolves again at 7 p.m. Wednesday. -- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook) A former Oregon Department of Corrections guard admitted to smoking his brother in a fatal shooting over the weekend, according to court records that detail what led to the guards arrest Saturday in front of the Oregon State Penitentiary. Alonzo Rowell, 51, of Dallas is being held at the Polk County Jail on allegations of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, recklessly endangering another person and unlawful use of a weapon. Staff at psilocybin centers in Oregon have called 911 or taken a client to a hospital five times during the approximately 15 months since the states first licensed center began giving people magic mushrooms, newly released records show. One person pulled a fire alarm. Another became convinced that the people trying to guide her through the psychedelic trip were up to something and stepped into a busy road as staff tried to convince her to return to the center. The 26-year-old man killed in the shooting at the Vancouver Mall on Halloween was the son of a man shot to death by Portland police two decades earlier. James Perez Jr. was only 6 years old when his father, James Jahar Perez, was killed in his car by a Portland police officer in March 2004. Officer Jason Sery fired at Perez three times after his partner had grabbed Perezs arm and tried to remove him from the front seat of a four-door car in North Portland. Perez, 28, was unarmed. The Police Bureau at the time said officers pulled over James Jahar Perezs car because he didnt use his turn signal within 100 feet of making a turn. According to police, he refused to show identification or step out of his car when instructed to do so. One officer attempted to take him into custody, and during the ensuing struggle, Sery fired at Perez. Twenty-four seconds passed between the time an officer radioed the traffic stop and a call of shots fired. The fatal police shooting spurred protests and allegations of police racism, leading to a public inquest, a rarely used proceeding aimed to publicly review the facts of a death. James Jahar Perez was shot and killed in his car by a Portland police officer in March 2004. His shooting led to a public inquest to review the facts of his death. A month after the shooting, a grand jury cleared Sery of criminal wrongdoing. During the inquest, Sery testified that he believed Perez had a gun. The six-member inquest jury concluded that Sery killed Perez with a gunshot to the heart. Sery left the Police Bureau in August that year, three months after the inquest. Then-Portland Police Chief Derrick Foxworth found the former officers actions in the shooting fell within police policy. Sery is currently a sergeant with Beaverton police, state records show, and was hired by the department in 2008. In 2008, four years after the shooting, the city approved a $350,000 payout to settle a lawsuit brought by the Perez family. The younger Perez was shot and killed in the Vancouver Malls food court as hundreds of people attended a trick-or-treating event at the shopping center. Travis L. Ward is accused of donning a Joker mask, following the 26-year-old and shooting him in the back of the head at point-blank range, according to court records. Ward then allegedly fired several more times at Perez, wounding two other men in the process. Vancouver Police arrested Ward two days after the shooting, and he is accused of first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree assault. A judge ruled to hold him without bail. Police have described the shooting on the evening of Halloween as a targeted attack but did not describe the nature of the relationship between Ward and Perez. Following Wards arrest, police interviewed him, and court records said he would not admit or offer any explanation as to why he had shot and killed Perez. On social media, James Perezs aunt, Samaiyah, James Jahar Perezs sister, asked people to send prayers to her family. Rest easy nephew!! she wrote. Kiss my bro for me. 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. The parents of Bobby Smallwood, the security guard shot and killed last year at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, sued the hospital Monday, arguing that it put their son in mortal danger by failing to enforce basic workplace violence prevention protocols. The $35 million wrongful death lawsuit alleges supervisors should have removed and barred the gunman, PoniaX Kane Calles, from the hospital after he had repeatedly threatened staff in the days leading up to the shooting. Coos County Sheriffs officials are asking for the publics help in finding a child who went missing late Saturday afternoon. Joshua James McCoy, 5, disappeared from his home on Stage Road in the unincorporated Coos County community of Hauser around 5:30 p.m. after taking a nap with his mother, the sheriffs office said in a statement. Coralines Curious Cat Trail, the installation of 31 cat sculptures inspired by Laikas first animated feature, Coraline, motivated fans of the movie and feline fanciers alike to take photos and share social media posts of the cats and their locations in Portland, until the cats farewell weekend, on Oct. 12-13. The installation was part of celebrations surrounding the 15th anniversary of Coraline, which was first released in 2009. The cat statues were decorated by local artists and displayed in locations mostly in the downtown Portland area from Aug. 2 to Oct. 13. After Coralines Curious Cat Trail ended, the statues were auctioned off to raise money for OHSU Doernbecher Childrens Hospital. According to a press release from Portland Metro Chamber/Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, the auction raised $324,500. The release also says that, based on preliminary economic data, more than 135,000 people are estimated to have visited Coralines Curious Cat Trail, with an economic impact of $4 million to the downtown area. The Oct. 12-13 farewell weekend attracted 10,000 visitors to Director Park, the release says. The release also includes a statement from David Burke, Laikas chief marketing & operations officer. Our collaboration with the Visit Downtown Campaign and Wild in Art to celebrate Coralines 15th Anniversary highlighted Portlands vibrant creativity and inspired thousands of visitors, Burke stated. Were incredibly proud to have been part of such an impactful initiative. Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe While some in the TV industry have been worrying about a decline in comedies on the broadcast networks, Wendi McLendon-Covey, star of the new Oregon-set NBC mockumentary, St. Denis Medical, thinks network comedies will never go away. In a recent Zoom interview, McLendon-Covey said the reason sitcoms were destined to remain staples on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox is the fact that you can watch them, and not get stressed out. When you want to unwind, and just relax, and cool down from the day, youre going to turn on a nice comedy, like The Golden Girls or Seinfeld. Theres a reason that these shows have never been off the air. As a veteran of such series as Reno 911, and The Goldbergs, which ran for 10 seasons on ABC, McLendon-Covey knows how to make audiences laugh. In St. Denis Medical, she plays Joyce, the executive director of an underfunded regional hospital, located in the fictional town of Merrick, Oregon. The mockumentary format will remind audiences of such comedies as The Office and Parks and Recreation. Co-creators Eric Ledgin and Justin Spitzer have experience in workplace comedies, with collective credits such as Superstore and American Auto. Asked why Oregon wound up as the setting for St. Denis Medical, showrunner Ledgin told reporters at the 2024 Television Critics Association summer press tour that Oregon was chosen for a couple reasons. One is, I just feel like its a very underrepresented state. Its a great and beautiful state that you dont hear a lot about. In addition, There was a nurse that I spoke to a lot during the research part of the development process, and it was a little bit of a nod to her. She helped inspire the character of Alex (the supervising nurse played by Allison Tolman, of Fargo), Ledgin said. St. Denis Medical films in Los Angeles, but the fictional town of Merrick named after Ledgins hometown is also a fun place for us to discover as we go. Weve got little references to Oregon throughout Season 1, but, of course, if we get more seasons of the show, well explore more outside the hospital. McLendon-Covey has her own connection to Oregon, in that her sister, Shelley McLendon, is the owner and artistic director of Portlands Siren Theater. This summer, McLendon-Covey said, she was in Portland to take in a performance at The Siren Theater of Shes Like the Wind, a parody of Dirty Dancing. I was so proud, McLendon-Covey said, as she recalled laughing, screaming and kicking my legs while watching the show. In St. Denis Medical, McLendon-Covey is part of a gifted ensemble cast that includes David Alan Grier, Tolman, Kahyun Kim, Kaliko Kauahi, Josh Lawson, Mekki Leeper and, in a later episode, Nico Santos, the Superstore veteran and onetime Oregon resident. The role of Joyce appealed to her, McLendon-Covey said, because she spent 10 years playing the ultimate smother, as The Goldbergs family matriarch Beverly Goldberg. It was the greatest gift of my life, she said, but she figured it was best not to play another mom right away. When she got the script for St. Denis Medical, McLendon-Covey said I really loved the character of Joyce, because shes such an oddball. Shes a corporate oddball. Even though Joyces ambitions for the hospital are not very realistic, She is so determined. She has no personal life at all. Decades have gone by, and she just kind of forgot to have a personal life. Despite her officious manner and bureaucratic tendences, Joyce is also oddly likable, particularly in an episode where viewers learn a little about her ultra-nerdy hobbies. I hope people like her, McLendon-Covey said. I know shes a weirdo. Her interpersonal skills are lacking. But she means well. McLendon-Covey is also a fan of the mockmentary format. Its smarter, in that there are jokes between the words, where you have to actually be watching the screen to see what those things are. And with a hospital theres always something happening. And you hope its not funny when youre the patient. But a lot of times, funny things happen. Whenever youre trying to correct something that has gone wrong, something funny will happen whether you want it to or not. As for whether viewers will get a chance to see the St. Denis staff out of the hospital, McLendon-Covey said, I would love to see Merrick, Oregon. I would love to actually go to Oregon, and film there a little bit. I hope we do get to see it. I think Merrick has a lot of interesting things to show us. St. Denis Medical premieres with two back-to-back episodes, beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, on NBC. No cable or antenna? Stream on Fubo, which offers a free trial; or stream the following day on Peacock. Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe The scent of cooking bread and the sound of drumming filled the air at Directors Park on Saturday as Portlanders gathered for the first Frybread Fest. Families gathered around, savoring bites of frybread as they chatted with vendors, while children clustered nearby, drawn to the rhythmic beat of drums. The Kyivstar largest Ukrainian mobile operator and one of the largest volunteer foundations "Come Back Alive" have accumulated UAH 54.8 million as part of the fundraising campaign for demining of Ukrainian territories "We Live Here 2.0." "Demining of territories remains a critical issue for the restoration of safe life in Ukraine. We plan to cover the urgent needs of sapper units in the amount of UAH 100 million, providing them with modern Ukrainian equipment," Director of the Come Back Alive foundation Taras Chmut said in the press release on Tuesday. Kyivstar said some UAH 17.8 million of the specified amount was collected from subscribers who subscribed to the charitable Superpower "Help for the Armed Forces of Ukraine" or an SMS subscription. In order to support the donation, the mobile operator itself transferred UAH 30 million of its own funds. "We are grateful to everyone who supported the initiative and contributed to demining the country, our goal is UAH 100 million. We encourage all those who are not indifferent to join the initiative and support the sappers," Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov said. It is noted that the collected funds will be used to provide the sappers of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with robotic complexes of Ukrainian manufacture, transport and communications. will ensure remote demining by explosions. According to him, the collection includes the transfer of 16 Tarhan reconnaissance and logistics robotic systems (64 vehicles), eight Termit robotic systems (32 vehicles), some 28 vehicles, four maintenance workshops, some 28 electronic warfare vehicles, 100 radio stations of various types, one Vampire drone with thermal imaging cameras for remote demining, as well as 96 drones of various types to increase the awareness of sappers and related equipment. It is specified that the first Ukrainian super-app for dog and cat owners, Bubibo, has also joined the collection, collecting UAH 1 million as part of the project and attracting cats and dogs to support sappers. Twenty years ago, a nonprofit, then known as Oregon Halfway House, wanted to expand its 15-bed facility located near Southeast Hawthorne to accommodate up to 125 parolees. The city gave us several requirements for a new location: the residence could not be within a mile of another human services provider or school, and it must have access to jobs and public transportation. We negotiated a fair deal with a property owner near the airport that met all requirements, and the city approved it. We held community meetings so it wasnt a surprise to neighbors. It was a very successful project. Now, 20 years later, we see a deflection center placed in the Buckman neighborhood with no public input and with very poor standards of operation to protect the community. The deflection center is located about a block away from a preschool, with drug users going in to the deflection center and being released unsupervised. This doesnt meet the reasonable standards that had been established by a respected mayor and City Council. This is bad policy, and the county and city must own it. A judge threw out the lawsuit by the preschool in October, (Preschools attempt to delay Multnomah County deflection center denied; facility to open Monday, Oct. 11). A Multnomah County interim division director and former deputy chief of staff to Chair Jessica Vega Pederson is suing the county, alleging that she was retaliated against after she raised concerns about public records violations within the chairs office. Tabitha Jensen, who currently runs the countys Youth and Family Services Division, first brought her concerns to county officials in May 2024, after she was allegedly asked to use Vega Pedersons personal email address to communicate with the county chair, according to the lawsuit and a statement from her attorney, Michael Fuller. The lawsuit alleges that the county then concealed information on personal email accounts and phone numbers when responding to public records requests. A division leader in the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office will be trading in his suit jacket for a judges robes, election returns show. Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff Auxier won the five-way match for the open seat on the bench notching 42% of the votes as of Tuesday. Beginning in 2008, Auxier worked as a Multnomah County prosecutor for a decade before being appointed Columbia County District Attorney. He went on to win two terms before resigning and returning home to Portland in 2023 to lead the Multnomah County District Attorneys domestic violence unit. He faced challenges from Rachel Philips, a private practice defense attorney who came in second with 24% of the vote, and three public defenders: Jennifer Myrick (18%), Tom Dwyer (7%) and John Schlosser (6.5%). OREGON ELECTION 2024: Live Results Page | Election Live Updates Auxier, 44, collected scores of endorsements during the race, including from other judges, both the current and incoming Multnomah County district attorney and several prominent members of the defense bar. He raised some $110,000, easily more than every other candidate combined, campaign finance records show. His top donors were the Multnomah County Prosecuting Attorneys union, which gave $25,000, as well as Stephen Babson, managing director of the venture capital group Endeavour ($5,000), and his mother, Katherine Auxier, ($4,000). Auxiers salary at the district attorneys office is $230,800 a year, according to a spokesperson. He will be paid $174,108 a year once in office as a judge. Contested judicial elections are rare, and most new judges are appointed by the governor because their predecessor retired mid-term. But Gov. Tina Kotek declined to pick a replacement following the elevation of former-Circuit Judge Amy Baggio to U.S. District Court, saying the voters should decide. Elsewhere in Oregon, Jackson County Circuit Judge Matthew Rowan and Washington County Circuit Judge Charles Bailey, both incumbents, held off challengers. But incumbent Umatilla and Morrow County Circuit Judge Joanna Marikos was defeated by criminal defense attorney John Ballard. Civil attorney David Carlson narrowly triumphed over criminal defense attorney Michelle Vlach-Ing in the race for an open seat in Marion County Circuit Court. Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane. Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe. House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich announced Monday he will not seek reelection as caucus leader, citing a reevaluation of his priorities following the death of his father. Helfrichs resignation comes during a year of considerable turnover in leadership for both parties. Republicans will enter next years session with new leaders in both chambers, while Democrats will have a new House speaker and majority leader and a new Senate majority leader. A substantial share of Portland residents who voted in last weeks election left their preference for mayor or City Council entirely blank, despite having the ability to rank up to six candidates from sprawling fields in each race. Champions of the new, voter-endorsed ranked-choice method for local Portland elections touted the systems promise to boost civic engagement and drive up the number of people who cast ballots. The warning was for Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon. "The threat has ended," according to the National Weather Service. Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service. Warm orange light spills onto dark brown booths as country music rings out. Barstools line the floor. Steaming plates of food are carried to hungry customers. Students come and go through the building as the lights fade and the music changes. The Wagon, Campus Corners only country-themed bar, opened in August, replacing Blackbird Gastropub. From the lighting to the decor, The Wagon exemplifies a Western-country vibe, which Maya Banks The Wagons general manager and OU alum said was not only missing from Norman but needed. 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 We always knew we wanted to go country, Banks said. That was something that we felt Norman needed. Other people felt like Norman needed a country bar or something country-themed. And so we were more than happy to take on that challenge and fill that space on Campus Corner. Banks said she wanted the bar to be different yet familiar. Referencing the classic Sooner Schooner, the wagon pulled by OUs mascots, she felt the name The Wagon was a fitting homage to the university. Banks said the welcome to Campus Corner has been great. It's been a very warm reception from Campus Corner and the greater Norman area, Banks said. People seem to be really excited about what we're doing here. When the general manager position opened up, Banks said it was the perfect mix of passion and opportunity. We heard about the space and the possibility that we could get keys (to the building). It's been vacant for a year and a half, and we were very keen on the idea, Banks said. We saw an opportunity, seized it and we're very happy that we did. Scott Martin, president and CEO of the Norman Chamber of Commerce, said starting a business in Norman like The Wagon is becoming more accessible for entrepreneurs. We get it in our heads that to start a business, you have already been successful. Well, that's not typically the case, Martin said. Most entrepreneurs didn't start successful. They saw their opportunity became successful and their success begets success. Martin said new business ventures like The Wagon follow his goal of growing business in Norman. My goal is to make Norman the startup capital of the state, Martin said. We already have a lot of great startups here, but we need to work a little bit harder making sure that the capital is here for businesses to get off the ground. Martin is part of Team Norman, a coalition of organizations, businesses and volunteers committed to growing businesses and opportunities in the city. Banks said she hopes The Wagon will provide necessary variety to the restaurants and cuisines available to Norman residents. The term I use is flavor fatigue. When you eat your favorite food over and over again, you're bound to want something different every once in a while, and so that's us, Banks said. We want to be your something different. In July, OU officially moved from the Big 12 to the Southeastern Conference along with longtime rival University of Texas at Austin. Dan Schemm, president and CEO of Visit Norman, said the SEC has given the Norman community a massive boost in revenue and business growth. According to Schemm, of the total amount of money spent in the city during the OU-Tennessee weekend, 34.5% came from visitors. What's really cool is that 56% of that amount spent from visitors went to local businesses, not chains, Schemm said. 45% of their spend was on restaurants, 22% went to retail and visitors accounted for 94% of spend at hotels. Banks said the move to the SEC could not have come at a better time and fits with the natural flow and changes that come with Campus Corner. It's very fitting that we came to be during OUs career in the SEC. I would say every few years Campus Corner goes through a change, with every graduating class really, Banks said. We're just happy to be here now. Banks said the new business venture doesnt stop with The Wagon. Archive, a bar run by The Wagons owners, operates on the third floor of the building with an emphasis on serving OU seniors and alums. That's definitely what sets us apart up there (at Archive). Come get cute, take pictures and hang out with your friends, said Banks. We want students, specifically seniors, to have a place on campus, before they leave, to hang out. And once they do leave, they have somewhere to come back to and share memories. Banks said that she wants The Wagon to be a place on Campus Corner where residents can make memories over food and drinks. Come in, eat, drink and be merry, Banks said. We want to be your spot on Campus Corner. This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure, Ana Barboza and Ismael Lele. Kylie Caldwell, Avery Avery and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a planned conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "The main thing is our further cooperation with Canada and the Group of Seven states in order to strengthen our common positions and protect Ukraine and all partners from the constant Russian desire to cause even more harm by war. By war and intervention," Zelenskyy said in an evening video message on Tuesday. The Iraqi government is poised to pass a new law that would lower the age of consent from 18 to nine and allow men to marry girls that young, according to a report. In August, the Shia religious group that dominates Iraq's political system introduced an amendment to "Law 188" that would roll back women's rights in the country. Under the law, known also as Personal Status Law, the legal age of marriage was raised to 18. Forced marriages were prohibited. Mothers also had custody of their children until the age of 10, with a possible extension to age 15. Furthermore, all marriages were to be contracted before a judge. If passed, the bill would lower the age of consent from the current 18 to nine. It would also allow families to marry off their young girls to grown men. Additionally, it would allow religious authorities or the civil judiciary to make decisions related to family affairs, per the New York Post. "This is a catastrophe for women," Raya Faiq, a coordinator of a coalition of groups opposing the change, said, as quoted by The Guardian. "This law legalizes child rape." In addition to lowering the age of consent, the Shia group is also proposing severely restricting women's rights to divorce, child custody, and inheritance. Read Also: Eight Countries Plan to Ban Corporal Punishment Against Children Under 18 Iraq's Child Marriages The Iraqi government outlawed marriages involving children under the age of 18 in the 1950s. However, a 2023 survey from UNICEF found that 28% of girls in Iraq were married before they even reached the age of 18. No evidence of child marriages was reported among Iraqi boys. Should the new law pass, it could further increase the number of young girls who are married off before their 18th birthday. It also puts young girls at risk of experiencing physical or sexual violence. It is unclear when the amendment will go before the parliament for a vote. The Shia group has previously attempted to amend Law 188 in 2014 and 2017 but failed after receiving backlash from Iraqi women. However, the group now holds a large majority in the parliament. Just two days after Donald Trump's re-election, Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters issued a memo highlighting his priorities under the new administration, backing Trump's plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Walters pledged to direct state resources to end "social indoctrination in classrooms" and limit the impact of "illegal immigration" on schools, according to the memo obtained by The Oklahoman. Walters, a vocal Trump supporter, expressed commitment to "restoring authority to states" by pushing for federal education funds to be redirected as block grants. "For decades, the U.S. Department of Education has unjustifiably expanded federal power over American education," Walters said in the memo, pledging to work closely with Trump to eliminate federal "overreach" in education. "By eliminating the federal bureaucracy, money can be efficiently directed to local schools and allow disenfranchised parents to have more direct say over education in their states and communities." Walters said. The memo drew bipartisan criticism. State Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, described the memo as "yet another example of how inept and power hungry" Walters is. "Not only can he not do the things he proposes, he is obviously doing all of this to catch the eye of the incoming president," Rosecrants told The Oklahoman. "None of this will help our schools move up from the bottom, which is where he's left our schools, in the almost two years he's been elected to lead our schools." State Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, dismissed the announcement as a publicity move. "I find it amusing, that not even 48 hours after Trump's election, Walters is already talking about what the Trump administration is going to do," McBride told The Oklahoman. "Personally, I will wait until the adults in the room that is, President Trump and his team decide before I get excited." Originally published by Latin Times. A seven-year-old girl was shot in broad daylight Monday in a gang-related shooting incident in Harlem, authorities said. The girl was walking down the sidewalk on West 145th Street near Bradhurst Avenue when two men jumped out from behind a parked car and opened fire around 2:50 p.m. local time. The girl was hit in the abdomen by a stray bullet. The child was immediately rushed to Harlem Hospital by police, where she underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition, per NBC New York. "When I ran up, I saw the cops carrying the girl to a patrol car. and then her dad was inconsolable that's all I remember I had to calm her dad down," Angel Casanova, a witness, told ABC 7. Was the Girl Targeted by the Shooters? Investigators believe the girl was not the intended target and that the shooters were aiming at two men who were members of a rival gang. The suspects were quickly taken into custody. Authorities have recovered one firearm but are still searching for a second gun. Police said at least nine rounds were fired in the altercation. Seven shell casings were found at the scene. A video on the Citizen App also showed bullets outside a shattered glass window at a nearby Starbucks where the child was hit. Gun Violence Against Children The shooting is the latest in the growing number of cases of gun violence against children. So far this year, there have been 206 children killed and 478 injured in gun violence-related crimes. Among teens, the figures go up to 1,005 killed and 2,828 injured, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. One of those cases involved the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Xavier Navarez last week. Police from the 40th Precinct in the Bronx were called to Beekman Avenue and Oak Terrace in Mott Haven on the evening of Nov. 9 about an assault in progress. When they arrived, Navarez was already lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds to his back, AMNY reported. The teen was rushed to Lincoln Hospital but passed away later that night. Police have yet to determine what led up to the shooting. Newly posted on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: Interpreter Radio Show November 3, 2024, including The Book of Mormon in Context for Ether 12-15 In the 3 November 2024 installment of the Interpreter Radio Show, Martin Tanner, Brent Schmidt, and Hales Swift discussed Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon lesson 48, the Interpreter Foundations Margaret Barker seminars, Saints Volume 4, the new Church garments, the recent articles in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship by Diane E. Wirth and Matthew Bowen, and other topics. Recorded, archived, and now made available at no charge and at your sovereign pleasure, these recordings have been edited to remove commercial breaks. The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake each and every Sunday evening from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640, or you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com. President Nelson, 100, dedicates the 200th Latter-day Saint temple: This is the Lords house. It is filled with His power, President Russell M. Nelson says of new Deseret Peak Utah Temple in Tooele, Utah The news that the centenarian president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated the Churchs two-hundredth temple on Sunday has led to very pleased rejoicing among many members of the Church, both generally and, in particular, in the Tooele Valley. Not so, however, in certain other wearisomely predictable quarters. Among those whose lives currently revolve around disdaining the Church, its leaders, its members, its efforts, its teachings, and its values, the newly dedicated temple has aroused indignation and sneering. In fact, for certain critics who may perhaps have their own unresolved personal issues with vanity and with what Sigmund Freud (in his letters to Wilhelm Flie) called Projektion, the rapid building of temples under the administration of President Russell M. Nelson is merely President Nelsons vanity project an accusation that they have also leveled against me, in connection with the Interpreter Foundations films Witnesses (2021), Undaunted: Witnesses of the Book of Mormon (2022), and Six Days in August (2024) and is possibly even his subtle method of attempting to show up, supersede, and, thus, defeat his predecessor in the presidency of the Church, Gordon B. Hinckley (who presided over the last major wave of temple building). On the Peterson Obsession Board, in particular, my recent mention of a visit to the Villahermosa Mexico Temple inspired a small flurry of attacks on the very idea of temples. Jesus, it was pointed out, built no temples. Instead, they said, he served the poor. Were he alive today, he would be establishing soup kitchens, not temples. But, of course, todays Restored Church builds both soup kitchens that is, it serves the poor and the needy and it builds temples. And Jesus didnt build any temples because a temple already stood in Jerusalem, which he plainly venerated. (See also Hugh Nibleys classic 1967 article on The Passing of the Primitive Church.) Here, for instance, is an account from the Gospel of John: And the Jews passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Fathers house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. (John 2:13-17) And here, representing the Synoptics, is a passage from the Gospel of Matthew: And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12-13) And please note that the very next verse, Matthew 21:14, reads as follows in the King James Version: And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. Reverence for the temple and concern for the needy. Moreover, unless one is a Marcionite or is simply (whether ingeniously or disingenuously) making up a god according to his own preferences and without reference to history or the Bible, it was the God of Jesus (or even, in some sense or another, Jesus himself) who commanded the building of the Jewish tabernacle and temples in the first place. Another argument deployed against the Latter-day Saint concept of a temple on the Obsession Board is that Jesus welcomed everybody, including publicans and sinners, into his church and that he would not have excluded anyone. And today, the argument continues, sinners are welcomed into Catholic and other churches, whereas the self-righteous and exclusivist Latter-day Saints require certification of worthiness for entry into dedicated temples. But, of course, there is no worthiness requirement for entry into ordinary Latter-day Saint chapels. And here, too, the criticism betrays willful or inadvertent innocence of history and the Bible, or even a predilection for Marcionism. For the ancient tabernacle and its successor-temples, with such features as a court of the Gentiles, a court for Israelite women, a court for Israelite men, and a holy of holies into which only the high priest could enter (and, even then, only once a year) were most definitely not open to the general public. I dont have the time or the energy or the space here to make a full argument for what follows, but it can certainly be contended that the modern Latter-day Saint temple represents a much more expansive admission into the symbolic presence of the Lord than did its ancient Israelite counterpart: Not merely the single high priest but all men and women who are permitted access into the temple are allowed to pass through the veil. In Catholic churches, the priest and those who assist him are allowed proximity to the altar, in a ritual that clearly derives in some sense from the liturgy of the ancient temple. But congregants attending a service are certainly not free to wander about the altar or to mingle with the officiants during the mass. In the Latter-day Saint temple, nobody who enters the endowment room is barred from approaching the altar and participating in priestly activity. It has even been suggested by reputable scholars that, in ancient Christendom, non-Christians were excluded from the worship space during baptisms, and that the term mass derives from a Latin dismissal of unbaptized worshipers. This can be debated, and it has been, but there is plenty of reason to doubt the claim that there have never been barriers between congregants and clergy in Christian history and practice. In the Latter-day Saint temple, however, the congregation is composed not of mere lay spectators but of priests and priestesses. I conclude, as is my wont, with some material drawn from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File: Religious communities can help solve our social isolation crisis: In a society increasingly isolated by technology, do religious communities hold the answer? This is a thoughtful essay by Josh Good, who serves as director of the Aspen Institutes Religion & Society Program. And I append to it this short piece from the Deseret News, written by Scott Anderson and Michael Parker, which, although it doesnt actually mention religion, seems to me to have come from somewhere in close proximity to the Hitchens File: Opinion: Utahs moment is about being Utah See also this item from WalletHub about Most Charitable States. I could quibble about some of its categories and metrics, but the overall high ranking of my adopted home state seems to me pretty much correct. And what makes Utah unique? Is it not its culture? But what created its culture, if not its distinctive and very religiously influenced history and its demographics? Finally, Stephen Cranney and Joshua Coates have published an article in the most recent issue of BYU Studies [63/3 (2024):35-47] that offers up truly disheartening news about the impact of religion and religious beliefs on marriage: Temple Marriages Are Less Likely to End in Divorce: Insights from the B. H. Roberts 2023 Current and Former Latter-day Saint Survey. What is now many years ago when Jan & I first moved to New Englands rocky and lovely soil, Jan wanted to go to the Cambridge cemetery to put a rose on Henry James grave. I was more than happy to join her as I wanted to put a flower on Williams grave. You know the brothers, one wrote like a psychologist, the other like a novelist After consulting some guides we bought a small bouquet of roses and drove out to the cemetery which turns out to be just east of the more famous Mt Auburn cemetery. We had a little difficulty finding the James family site, but eventually we did find it. As we set single roses down for each Henry & William, I was glad we had extras, as everyone tells me their sister Alice was the smart one in the family. And she definitely deserved a flower of her own. Then as we stepped back to admire the scene, I turned slightly and saw a large tombstone featuring that most common symbol of Unitarian Universalism, a flaming chalice. We walked over and saw it was James Luther Adams grave. I thought this a most wonderful accident. Adams is without a doubt the most significant theologian that Unitarian Universalism produced during the twentieth century. I mean to note his birthday every year as it rolls around. Sadly, Im not as consistent as I would like. But today, especially, I remember. As the world seems to be turning toward its baser impulses, reminding ourselves of our nobler spirits, our better angels, feels even more important to recall him. Adams was one of our trustworthy guides, very much one of those exemplars who show the way. James Luther Adams was born in Washington state on the 12th of November, in 1901. At first his course was not very clear. He dropped out of school at sixteen to help support his family, going to work for the railroad. But it was clear to all he had more to offer. Encouraged to continue his education he returned to school earning an undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota. From there he attended Harvard Divinity school, after which he was ordained a Unitarian minister. In 1937 he began teaching at Meadville Lombard, the Unitarian seminary in Chicago. He spent twenty-one years there, and another eleven at Harvard Divinity School. In retirement he continued to teach for a few years at Andover Newton. His influence was wide, extending beyond Unitarian and later Unitarian Universalist circles, particularly in his exploration of ethics. Adams spiritual journey took him from Christian fundamentalism, to a rationalist humanism, and finally to liberal Christianity. From that vantage he became one of the foremost exponents of liberal Christianity, a spirituality informed by the twin currents of the Christian tradition and the rationalist spirit that began in the Eighteenth century Enlightenment. While I am perhaps more a liberal Buddhist than Christian, I find his approach, and especially his cautions very important. What I find particularly important was Adams lovers critique of liberal Christianity and indeed liberal religions sometimes too easy optimism. Adams spent several years studying in Germany in the years running up to the Second World War and there he met Nazi German Christians as well as leaders of the Confessing Church resistance. He was deeply concerned with the vulnerabilities of the liberal church when confronted with such stark dangers. Lessons that so sadly we need to relearn and then relearn again Something we children of the west, informed as we are by the currents of rationality and its bone deep optimism in human possibility, whether we are conscious of it or not, of whatever spiritual tradition we might be, can, I believe all profit from knowing a little more about. As a small aside, if youre interested a good introduction to Adams work, I recommend George Kimmich Beachs Transforming Liberalism. (Here is a good review) Adams shows us a way through. So. And. When Jan and I were there standing in front of his grave, we laid the rest of our roses there. I remain grateful for his work. His heart. And, his mind. And most of all his great reminder that even in these hardest of times, we do not walk alone The Verkhovna Rada's interim inquiry commission for the investigation into possible violations of the Ukrainian legislation by the Defense Ministry and the Armed Forces of Ukraine draws attention to the poor military training of mobilized persons. "Another problem [] is military training and its poor level. Those who were teachers, combine drivers, sellers yesterday, become soldiers in a month. And, unfortunately, most of them cannot and are not prepared both physically and psychologically to do this job. [They have] a very poor level of training," the chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada's interim inquiry commission, Hanna Skorokhod, who is a Member of Parliament from the For Future deputy group, told a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine press center on Tuesday. Members of the inquiry commission visited the training grounds several times and observed how the servicemen were trained. According to her, inadequate military training is the main reason why servicemen leave the unit unauthorized. Skorokhod also emphasized that, unfortunately, there is no command responsibility for the actions of the personnel. "No command is responsible for the personnel, for the lost personnel, for the lost equipment, for the decisions they make. And, you know, an ordinary soldier, he is responsible for everything, even for lost property on the battlefield," the MP said. According to her, members of the commission proposed in their bills to amend the legislation and introduce the liability of the command. "Unfortunately, to date this is blocked by the top military leadership. Mr. Syrsky [Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky] is very afraid of everything, he does not like very much our work," Skorokhod said. According to the MP, during the period of its work, the inquiry commission considered more than 3,000 appeals. "A lot of guys received help, a lot of issues were investigated and [...] conclusions and recommendations were provided on how it can be changed," she said. On December 6th, Netflix invites audiences on a compelling journey back to ancient Judea to witness the story of the Nativity through the eyes of Mary of Nazareth, mother of Jesus Christ. This coming-of-age Biblical epic tells the story of one of historys most profound figures and the remarkable journey that led to the birth of Jesus. Chosen to bring the Messiah into the world, Mary (Noa Cohen) is shunned following a miraculous conception and forced into hiding. When King Herod (Anthony Hopkins) orders a murderous hunt for her newborn baby, Mary and Joseph (Ido Tako), go on the run bound by faith and driven by courage to save his life at all costs. To bring the movie world of Mary to life, Christian Director DJ Caruso and Producer Mary Aloe consulted with a wide range of Christian scholars and leaders to capture the storys historical elements, and to center Mary of Nazareths experience, revealing a side of Mary we rarely see on screen. When asked about his inspiration for the project, Director DJ Caruso shared, As a practicing Christian, I believe Mary is the most extraordinary woman ever to walk this earth. Her story, especially for younger generations, has often been underappreciated. I wanted to create a film that presents Mary as someone we can all relate tonot just as a saint but as the young woman she was before her sanctification. My hope is that audiences feel my reverence for Mary and come to see her not only as a holy figure but as a friend, a mother, and one of the greatest heroines ever to grace the screen. In the end, its her love that will save the world. From a cinematic perspective, Caruso describes Mary as an origin story of Christianity centered on her journey as the chosen one to bring the world its greatest gift. Like many reluctant heroes, Mary has her doubts, but in a decisive moment, she proclaims her fiatLet it be done to me according to Gods will. She endures scorn, is hunted, and makes profound sacrifices, yet remains steadfast. Audiences witness her transformation from a young girl into the iconic Virgin Mary, with a story rooted in love, grace, and forgiveness that overcomes all obstacles. Aloe, also a person of faith, calls the film a labor of love and adds, This story is needed now more than ever in our world. As a woman, a Christian, and a producer, Marys story is important to me. This is a story of faith, hope, and pure love. Aloe expresses her hope that viewers will be inspired to learn more about faith through Marys journeyher familys sacrifices and her calling to bring us Jesus. The film aims to offer a global audience, regardless of background, a glimpse into Marys personal struggles and triumphs as a young woman who protected her son against all odds. I hope audiences will see Mary and Joseph as relatable figures and feel inspired to explore their stories further in the Bible, Aloe said. Caruso shared insights into his approach for Mary, saying, It was essential to stay true to the biblical narrative as the storys foundation, which Timothy Michael Hayes script captured beautifully. I was fortunate to have the guidance of a brilliant biblical scholar who served as my spiritual advisor and an expert on Mary. He helped me interpret the scriptures in a way that was both relatable and deeply emotional. From there, we carefully fictionalized the moments between Marys journey, adding tension, emotion, and pacingall vital elements for compelling cinemawhile preserving the truths of the miraculous events in her life. The plot remains faithful to the scriptures, with thoughtful interpretations that enhance the films central themes. In short, we aimed to honor the scriptures. Aloe emphasized the teams dedication to authenticity and respect for the films biblical roots. The script went through 74 drafts, with input from a wide range of religious leaders, including priests, theologians, and scholars, all of whom helped shape the story, Aloe said. An important takeaway is to never give up; keep faith, hope, and love in your heart. Caruso shared his hopes for the impact of Mary: I want the audience to feel a deeper connection to Mary, to see a side of her theyve never seen or imagined before. I hope the audience is inspired by her strength to overcome obstacles, just as she did. Ultimately, we can change the world if we fight for what is right and always choose love like Mary. My reverence for Mary runs deep, and I hope audiences come to view her as not only a holy figure but as a friend, a mother, and one of the greatest heroines ever to grace the screen. Caruso added, Marys story is as relevant today as ever. Shes a timeless yet contemporary character that we can all relate to. And we bring all of this to life in a very engaging and entertaining film. Mary will land on Netflix on Dec.6. Watch the first trailer below. Dmitry Ostapenko: 30 Years of Leadership in Innovative Paint Manufacturing in Ukraine and the EU Today, Kompozit paints are highly popular in Ukraine and Slovakia. The company holds a leading position in the Ukrainian market across key industry parameters, is actively expanding in Europe, and has even entered the U.S. market with a modern, eco-friendly production facility under the name Kompozit LLC. The companys success is rooted in its innovation, environmental responsibility, high product quality, and reliability. Kompozits range of paints is used in various sectors, including industrial applications, home interiors, and protection for concrete, wood, and metal. The companys paints are also popular for artistic uses, including fabric painting. Notably, many art installations and murals in Kyiv were created with Kompozit paints as part of its social initiatives and collaborations with talented Ukrainian artists. Kompozit is a Ukrainian, family-owned, financially independent, and internationally certified business producing safe, high-quality paints for a range of industries and interiors. With innovative, safe manufacturing facilities in Ukraine, Slovakia, and the U.S., the company has ambitious plans for further international expansion. Representing 30 years of growth and an impeccable reputation, Kompozit was built and upheld by founder Dmitry Ostapenko. How did a Ukrainian entrepreneur create a company poised to become a unicorn in the paint industry? Dmitry Ostapenko has always demonstrated an innovative entrepreneurial spirit and a tech-savvy approach. He began his paint business in Ukraine at the age of 18, in 1993, when the market had limited European goods and little focus on technology, environmental responsibility, or quality. At this time, Ostapenko saw an opportunity to implement the best Western practices and technologies in Ukraine. Dmitry developed this vision over five years. Initially, he founded a paint trading company, and by 1998, he launched his own brand, Kompozit. In 2001, Kompozit began producing paint products at its own certified facility. It was the first in Ukraine to produce ultra-white paint and introduce lithographed cans and Euro packaging for industrial paint containers. Kompozit products represent an optimal combination of safety, practicality, price, and quality. The key to our market success is innovation, environmental responsibility, transparency, and stability values highly appreciated by our European partners. I chose to align with Western market values, creating paint products with my team that serve the core sectors of the economy says Dmitry Ostapenko, founder and owner of Kompozit. Kompozit production uses 100% acrylic formulas, ensuring durability and high performance, making the brands products popular among both private users and large-scale industrial projects. Over the years, the company has registered patents for unique paint formulations with properties like thermal insulation, moisture resistance, and anti-corrosion, keeping Kompozit competitive in the global market. Products and Innovations A key success factor for Kompozit is the continuous improvement of its product line, which includes: Exterior composite paints with enhanced UV protection and fade resistance. with enhanced UV protection and fade resistance. Thermal insulation coatings that reduce heating and cooling costs. that reduce heating and cooling costs. Anti-corrosion coatings to protect metal structures, widely used in construction and industry. to protect metal structures, widely used in construction and industry. Low-VOC interior paints, making them eco-friendly and safe for residential spaces. International Recognition and U.S. Market Expansion Today, Kompozit LLCs U.S. branch is actively introducing innovative solutions tailored for the American market, adapting products to suit diverse climate conditions. With the launch of a production facility in Miami, Kompozit began manufacturing interior and exterior paints with features that meet the high quality standards in the U.S. Entering the American market allowed the company to establish production and distribution channels, gaining the trust of local consumers and large construction firms. Dmitry Ostapenko plans to expand the American branch, create new jobs, and build a distribution network to export Kompozit products to other countries. Opening the Miami plant was a strategic move, strengthening Kompozits international standing. A standout product introduced in the U.S. is the ONE paint product, specially developed for single-layer coverage with maximum opacity and durability. This innovation has become a breakthrough, popular among both professional painters and private clients. Ostapenko also plans to launch additional innovative products developed at the American facility, including a multi-functional, non-heating paint. Made from eco-friendly materials using safe production technologies, this paint offers vibrant, long-lasting colors, easy washability, and even coverage from the first layer with no visible marks during touch-ups. Its thermal insulation properties help retain warmth indoors ideal for both colder regions and sunny U.S. states. According to Dmitry, this innovative product was developed over several years in collaboration with top technologists, and he is now considering the best timing and market strategy for its launch. Kompozit represents quality, safety, and innovation in paint manufacturing. The companys commitment to excellence, implementation of new technologies, and focus on customer needs open new opportunities for continued growth and market strength in the U.S. and worldwide summarizes Dmitry Ostapenko. Kompozit Quality Paints for All Your Needs! For more details on our products, visit the companys official websites: https://kompozit.ua/ , https://kompozitusa.com , https://artkompozit.com . Author: Oleg Reshetnyak The largest mall in Pennsylvania has announced that a number of stores have recently opened at the mall, and numerous tenants are on the way as well. The new tenants join hundreds of other retailers at the King of Prussia Mall at 160 N. Gulph Road in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County. The following stores have recently opened at the mall: American Eagle sells trendy clothing, accessories and swimwear. The store opened in October. Offline by Aerie sells activewear including leggings, tops, workout dresses and skirts, among other items. The store opened in October. Garage sells casual clothing for young women. The store recently opened in its newly expanded space. The store opened in late Summer. Kizik sells footwear for men, women and children. The store opened in late Summer. Oak + Fort sells luxury fashion for women and men. The store opened in October. Sayki sells sophisticated menswear with a modern twist. The store opened in October. Tecovas sells western boots and accessories. The store opened in late summer. The following stores and restaurants are coming to the mall: The King of Prussia Mall is home to more than 450 stores including Nordstrom, Macys, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Primark and Dicks Sporting Goods. The mall has two food courts and a number of casual and sit-down restaurants including The Cheesecake Factory. The mall is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The mall is about 85 minutes from Harrisburg. By David Koenig, The Associated Press DALLAS Southwest Airlines is offering buyouts and extended leaves of absence to airport workers to avoid what it calls overstaffing in certain locations, which it blames on a shortage of new planes from Boeing. The move on Monday comes as a hedge fund presses Southwest to increase profits and boost the stock price, which has fallen sharply since early 2021. A Southwest spokesperson said the offers of voluntary separation are limited to 18 airports. The company declined to identify the airports or say how many jobs it hopes to eliminate. All the targeted jobs are in ground operations, including customer service agents, baggage handlers and cargo workers. Pilots and flight attendants are not included in the buyout offer, the spokesperson said. Southwest officials have said that the Dallas-based airline plans to end this year with 2,000 fewer workers than it started. That is after Southwest grew from 66,600 to nearly 75,000 employees last year. The figures count part-timers as one-half. Southwest has reduced overall capacity to meet demand with a constrained fleet due to aircraft delivery delays, the company said in a statement. Offering voluntary separation and extended time off to contract and noncontract employees, along with continued slowed hiring, will help us avert overstaffing in certain locations. Southwest had originally expected about 85 new Boeing 737 jets this year but has cut that number to 20 because of production problems at Boeing that began after a panel blew out of the side of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max during a flight in January. The Southwest fleet consists solely of Boeing 737s, including the Max and older versions of the plane. Starting in June, hedge fund Elliott Investment Management built an 11% stake in Southwest and pressed the airline to improve its financial performance. The two sides reached a truce last month to avoid a proxy fight, but Elliott won several seats on the Southwest board, which it can use to keep pressure on CEO Robert Jordan and other executives. Even before Elliott, Southwest limited hiring and stopped flying to several airports to save money. It also announced plans to target premium travelers. Southwest shares rose 3% Monday and are up 13% this year. That is far behind the 117% jump at Delta Air Lines and the 58% gain at United Airlines. Tuskegee University has replaced its security chief and established a new policy requiring identification badges for entry and to be worn at all times on campus, the university announced after the early Sunday morning shooting that resulted in one death and injuries to 16 others. Tuskegee President and CEO Dr. Mark A. Brown on Monday said the university was making the changes to protect students. Tuskegee University is no longer an open campus, Brown said. Effective immediately, we require IDs for everyone to be displayed to enter campus and worn at all times while on campus, like the one that you see me wearing today. This morning, we hired a new campus security leader and relieved our previous security chief of his duties. Our new campus security chief and ultimately his team, will complete a full review, including all implementations of new security procedures. Brown did not answer questions from the news media. He did not name the former security chief or the new one or say why the former chief was fired. Brown said the university had no plans to change its homecoming celebration traditions. He said security measures were in place but did not account for what he said was an unapproved event on campus. This year, to us, was special, Brown said. It was our centennial, our 100th anniversary. The university planned for thousands of people to join us to celebrate our centennial homecoming. We hired over 70 additional law enforcement officers from throughout Alabama and Georgia with authority for crowd control. We sold tickets to all events in advance to avoid ticket lines, although we realized that we would still have lines associated with security checks. We told visitors to expect some inconvenience. Brown said he made a video to clearly state the universitys clear bag security policy and prohibitions against drugs and weapons on campus. He said there were entry checks at all officially sponsored events, some random and some 100% checks. However, the general campus remained open and we did not, nor could we have planned for security at an event that was not approved in advance or officially sanctioned by the university, Brown said. The event in which the shooting took place was not approved in advance, and in no way was it sanctioned by the university. Nonetheless, it happened on our campus, and we take full responsibility for allowing a thorough investigation and implementing corrective actions. Students are our greatest asset, and we will do everything possible to protect them. Mother Tuskegee has been serving students and changing their lives for the betterment of some 143 years. We remain resolute to safely continue that mission. In addition to the security changes, Brown said Tuskegee is focusing on the well being of students who could be affected by the tragedy. Today and tomorrow, the campus is closed so that students can take a moment to focus on their own mental health and healing, Brown said. Counseling is available to them in person or virtually for as long as they may need it. We have and will prioritize the mental health of our students. Kimorie Carlisle, a sophomore from Birmingham, said she was talking to some friends and heard gunfire from what sounded like more than one shooter. Out of nowhere we just heard gunshots, Carlisle said. And I remember just getting down on the ground. There was like maybe five people on top of me. It was really scary. Carlisle estimated she stayed on the ground about eight minutes before running to a dorm and still heard gunshots after she was inside. Carlisle said the campus needs to improve its security. She noted there was also a shooting last year. Four people were injured at a student housing complex while leaving an unauthorized party in September 2023. They need to do better, Carlisle said. Enforce more security, because this all could have been prevented. Carlisle said she is relying on her faith to cope with the trauma. Im trusting that God is going to do something here and things will turn out better eventually. Recently, on October 28-29, 2024, the II Summit "Partnership and Veterans' Health", organized by Ruthenia ICF, was held in the Ukrainian Civil Society Hub within the European Parliament in Brussels. Over 70 speakers representatives from government institutions, international organizations, charitable foundations from Ukraine, the EU, the United States; healthcare professionals, prosthetic manufacturers and veterans discussed projects and expanded collaboration to ensure high-quality medical and psychological rehabilitation of veterans, support prosthetics in Ukraine and abroad, as well as to support veteran in launching businesses. Ukraine was represented at the summit by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health and the Representation of Ukraine to the EU. Ambassador Vsevolod Chentsov emphasized Ukraine's progress and future plans to support veterans, including international initiatives like Unbroken, Superhumans and Medevac. "We are committed to supporting veterans and their families through expanded assistance programs. We also urge Ukrainian business to get involved. We should not consider veterans as a group suffered by conflicted, but as members of society who are valuable, capable members of society," the Ukrainian representative to the EU said. Veterans' Health: Achievements and Challenges Deputy Health Minister of Ukraine Oleksandr Porkhun highlighted significant advances in the Health Ministry's rehabilitation efforts. "An important element of our policy is the development of a powerful rehabilitation system: in 2024, more than 221 rehabilitation departments will be created in cluster and supercluster hospitals, which will provide more than 9,000 therapeutic sessions every day. We plan to increase the number of rehabilitation beds to 7,800 throughout the territory of our country. For treatment for patients with the most complex injuries (such as spinal injuries), an intensive rehabilitation model has been introduced: patients can receive up to 8 cycles of 14 days per year," Porkhun said, adding that the Health Ministry actively integrates Israeli experience to better adapt rehabilitation protocols to Ukrainian realities. The Ministry of Health supports the professional adaptation of veterans by helping them get an education and start their own business in the field of health care. Veterans can receive advice on licensing issues directly from the ministry. International Support The summit was backed by numerous international partners. In particular, notable speakers included European Parliament representative, parliamentary assistant of MEP Petras Grazulis (who was a political prisoner during the Soviet era) Naglis Puteikis, Deputy in the Brussels Parliament Jonathan de Patoul and Alderman of the city of Fleurus Mikhael Jacquemain. "Most of us here live in relative ignorance of what is happening in Ukraine... While we enjoy our safety, Ukrainians are fighting for survival, just a short distance away. This war is a reality that demands our attention and action. Its aggression, its destructive impact and its consequences are much deeper than we may even fully understand. Our responsibility is to recognize that and act on it," Jacquemain said, calling for municipalities with direct access and understanding of the workings of local industrial and commercial networks. "It is essential to raise awareness among Belgian and European municipalities of the potential they have both in terms of aid during the conflict and for future reconstruction efforts. Beyond material contribution, municipalities also have a tool for collaboration that is often underutilized twinning cities. Ukrainians' desire to integration into Europe will largely depend on this: through sports, youth programs, culture or civic participation it is above all human contacts that will foster mutual understanding and cohesion of our continent," the official said. Expert in international business negotiations and geopolitics, researcher at the Federation for Diplomacy and United Nations Paul-Pierre-Rostislav Froissart outlined the association's initiatives to support Ukraine, specifically its assistance to Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 10. Innovative rehabilitation approaches and technology The U.S. company ValiCor US/UA founded by John Kilmer and Yuriy Kuznetsov, introduced the H.E.A.T. (Human Emotion Analysis Technology) emotional intelligence platform, aimed at integrating veterans into society through the development of emotional self-awareness. "We support veterans and their families. I am American, but I was born in Ukraine. Our veterans in Ukraine are dying, they are coming home and 'dying' too: mothers cannot understand their soldier sons, husbands, fathers, brothers... Our focus is to help veterans who have fought to come back home to be reintegrated into society. I worked with soldiers in America after Iraq and Afghanistan, I know the pain... In Ukraine, right now, the mental health system is broken. You have the Digital Ministry that is trying to empower technology like ours. The cost of screening is $30 to $400 a test, too much. Our technology is affordable for veterans, for mothers H.E.A.T. is a platform we can be integrated into any system and through partnerships we can help Ukraine. We are already working with Superhumans center," ValiCor US/UA founder Kilmer said. Notable among the key international experts in medical equipment was Piet Stevens, founder of Ceriter BV, a company specializing in rehabilitation equipment for individuals with disabilities. Meanwhile, Ossur, a leading prosthetics company, demonstrated Direct Socket technology, focused on innovative prosthetic solutions for lower-leg amputees at any level of activity, allowing the design, manufacture and installation of a prosthesis in one session. Numerous healthcare and psychological centers, along with community organizations, showcased their projects and addressed pressing concerns. In particular, Founder of the Union of Ukrainian Veterans in Germany Liliya Ketler spoke about the stages of accompanying the injured and coordinating their delivery to healthcare facilities in German cities as part of the Medevac program. Despite challenges with housing and long-term rehabilitation in Germany, over 1,300 wounded soldiers are currently receiving treatment there. Veterans, social reintegration specialists, and representatives from the Superhumans rehabilitation and prosthetics center, Andriy Vasiliev and Denys Kryvenko shared their experience with prosthetics by the center's specialists, who are certified to work with the most modern models. Denys, in particular, convinced by his own example that even with triple amputations it's possible to continue living and rediscover oneself. Military psychologist-trauma therapist Oleksandr Galchynski presented the author's practical trainings for veterans and psychologists developed in partnership with the Israeli Trauma Coalition and UCU, and in cooperation with rehabilitation physician Anna Stoyak, based at the Median health center, training for physiotherapists. Representatives from charitable foundations shared projects focused on veteran rehabilitation and inclusivity, namely PanteonX Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Association of Small Towns of Ukraine and the Navigart company highlighted efforts to adapt Ukrainian city infrastructures for veterans and people with disabilities. The CORP32 Charitable Foundation introduced a project centered on inclusivity and international support for veterans. Similar topics were also addressed by the Light in You Inclusive Foundation and the Healthy Movement Engineering Charitable Foundation. In the thematic panel on the role of Ukrainian women in wartime, U.S. Army Veteran, President and CEO JAD Associates Judith Ann Cushman DuBose called for support for Ukrainian women, especially those in military service. She highlighted the resilience and dignity of women fulfilling roles as volunteers, medics, and snipers, as well as those enduring torture in captivity. In conclusion, the esteemed patrons: Count Renaud de Kerchove de Denterghem, President of the Commission for International, European and Cross-border Affairs Christian Debeve, and the founder of Ihor Vitenko Mission were honored with the Cross of the Patriot of Ukraine award. The next summit to discuss new initiatives and ways to support Ukrainian veterans is scheduled for March 2025. Details: PanteonX Charitable Foundation, Media and Information Department of the New Start for Ukraine platform ([email protected]). PanteonX Charitable Foundation Ruthenia ICF A Lancaster County man who strangled his mother to death in 2023 before stealing her purse, wallet and car will spend up to 80 years in state prison, according to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office. Zachary T. Gift, 28, of Adamstown, pleaded guilty to five felony charges third degree murder, robbery, theft by unlawful taking and two counts of strangulation and was sentenced to 35 to 80 years in prison, the DAs office said. Gift and his mother, Lois, got into a fight in their home along the 300 block of Grant Road around 11 p.m. March 19, 2023, after Gift tried to steal her purse, wallet, phone and car keys, according to police. During the fight, Gift smothered and killed his mother with a pillow before he took her belongings and left the area in her car. Just a few hours after the murder, Gift crashed the car into an embankment around 12:30 a.m. in Millcreek Township, Lebanon County, police said. Gift was taken to the hospital for treatment following the crash, where he was arrested on March 22, 2023, after concerned family and friends called police because Gifts mother missed some of her scheduled appointments. Her body was found in the basement during a welfare check the day after she was murdered. A forensic pathologist the following day determined her death was a homicide by strangulation, according to police. Lancaster County Judge Craig Stedman originally called Gifts actions a betrayal of his mothers love, but later said, I dont think that word is strong enough, according to the DAs office. Multiple people who knew Gifts mother personally described her as a dedicated parent and grandparent who was working two jobs and going into debt to help Gift with his substance abuse issues. Its clear that [Lois Gift] gave her life to you, Stedman said to Gift. You took her life. A woman who knew Gifts mother for more than 30 years told Gift she wanted him to accept the plea deal so he could have a chance to become the man that your mother wanted you to be. Gift also surrounded his mother with turmoil and chaos, eventually making her fear for her life, the longtime friend added. The friend also said Gifts mother believed that he couldnt wait for his mother to die so he could take over her home. Gift called his actions tragic and horrible while asking his family for forgiveness, the DAs office said. He also prayed that his son doesnt choose to go down the same path of drugs and violence he chose. I chose drugs over everything, he said. Gifts uncle also gave a victim impact statement, in which he said Gifts selfish act took the life of a woman who always believed in his potential. You left us all heartbroken, Gifts uncle said. Gift initially told police he pushed his mother and drove away in her car because she was trying to kill and eat him. However, he later admitted to smothering and strangling her in her bed, covering her body with a bedsheet and leaving the area with her purse, wallet, phone and car. A Cumberland County woman avoided jail time in connection with the death of a 71-year-old woman who drowned in a hot tub while she was sleeping on the job. Folake Sowami, 45, of Harrisburg, was sentenced to nearly two years of house arrest with electronic monitoring for endangerment for failing to stay awake to keep Rosinha Pereira safe. Sowami is also prohibited from working at any nursing facility, home healthcare field or to care for any care-dependent person, according to online court records. Pereira suffered from Parkinsons disease and required 24-hour care partly because her medication caused her to have hallucinations. Sowami worked the overnight shift caring for Pereira. At sentencing last week, Sowami expressed her regret and asked Pereiras family for forgiveness, saying she saw Pereira as a second mother, and the house as a second home asking Pereiras family for forgiveness. On the night of Oct. 4, 2023, after Pereira woke up to use the bathroom at around midnight, Sowami fell asleep in a chair facing the bathroom door. Around three hours later, Sowami awoke and found Pereira lying face-down in an outdoor hot-tub. Pereiras death was ruled a homicide as a consequence of freshwater drowning by Charley Hall, the Cumberland County coroner. Sowami began her work day at 8 a.m. the prior day. She worked that job until 4 p.m. before arriving at Pereiras home at around 6 p.m. to begin the overnight shift. Sowami was a hard worker and has never been in legal trouble, according to her attorney Jonathan White. But for the enormous amount of hours she worked in such a small window, we might not be here, White said at the time of Sowamis guilty plea. Its something that certainly weighs on her its a tragic set of circumstances. In a sentencing memorandum filed Oct. 22, White said Sowami was born in Nigeria and emigrated to the United States in 2016 to escape an abusive marriage. Sowami has worked as a caretaker since 2019, and works two jobs often totalling more than 60 hours a week to raise enough money to eventually bring her children to the United States, according to White. Two hours after Pereira drowned, Sowami called 911 and cooperated with police from the start, White said. Pereiras family was present in the courtroom at the time of the sentencing, and Cumberland County Judge Christylee Peck ensured there were no objections to her sentence before giving it, White said. Sowami pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a care-dependent person for whom she was responsible, a felony; and a misdemeanor charge of involuntary manslaughter.. Charges of neglect of a care-dependent person, a felony, and recklessly endangering another person, a misdemeanor, were dismissed as part of the plea arrangement. Peck sentenced Sowami to four to 23 months of house arrest with an ankle monitor. Involuntary manslaughter is the least-serious form of homicide under Pennsylvania law. A person is guilty of involuntary manslaughter when they unintentionally cause the death of another person in a reckless or grossly negligent manner, according to Pa. statute. Sowami spent more than five weeks in jail before posting $5,000 bail. Pereira had been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease for around 14 years, her daughter Ramona Pereira-Chakka previously told PennLive. As the disease progressed, Pereira required additional support to live comfortably while staying in her daughters home. For two years, Pereira-Chakka contracted caregivers through Shadai Home Health to monitor her around the clock. Sowami had cared for Pereira for around six months alongside a handful of other caretakers. Sowamis duties were to monitor Pereiras behavior, assist her with moving around the house, give her medication and help her with her meals. Night workers were specifically told they must stay awake during their shifts, police wrote in court records. Sowami told police Pereira woke up at around midnight the night she died and told her she could go to the bathroom herself. So Sowami remained in a chair facing the bathroom door while Pereira was inside but Sowami said she did not see Pereira leave the bathroom. About 90 minutes later, video surveillance from inside Pereiras home showed Pereira walking outside by the hot tub. Around 15 minutes later, the video showed her falling into the water. Nearly two hours later, video recordings showed Sowami walking into the backyard and finding Pereira unresponsive in the water. Pereira-Chakka contracted with Sowami and several other caretakers through Shadai Home Health, a Camp Hill provider. An employee at the business said Sowami was no longer employed by the provider at the time of her arrest in January. Pereira grew up in poverty in Goa, India, the second child of 9, according to her daughter. She took responsibility for raising seven younger brothers some of whom were 10 to 20 years younger than her and followed in her older sisters footsteps of becoming a nurse. From there, she went to nursing school and spent a year studying in Saudi Arabia before becoming head nurse at Mata Lachmi Hospital in Mumbai, India. She earned nicknames such as: the Florence Nightingale of Mumbai for treating neighbors who did not have the means to pay for medical care after 12-hour shifts at the hospital; and the Rajdhani Express after the fastest train in India because of how she raced around the hospital, never stopping to use an elevator. Pereira moved to the United States in 2005 to be with her family, retaking all of her exams to become a registered nurse in Michigan at the age of 53. PennLive reporter Charles Thompson contributed to this story. A disabled woman was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Philadelphia on Monday. The unidentified woman, who was described as unhoused, was on the southbound side of City Avenue a little before 2:15 a.m. when she was hit by a Toyota Camry, according to reports from NBC10 and The Philadelphia Inquirer. A passing motorist called 911 and attempted to shield the woman from oncoming traffic. She was taken to a hospital where she later died, police said. The Camry was a black or dark-colored four-door sedan, with heavy tinting on its windows. The vehicle might have a damaged front bumper as well as damage along the passenger side. Detective Sgt. Michael Keenan told news outlets that the woman was in a wheelchair and was a former Philadelphia resident, but was currently homeless. Police said the Camrys driver was a man wearing a black hooded Nike sweatshirt, black pants and black shoes. The sweatshirt had Just Do It in white letters on the front. Surveillance footage showed the man stopping in a parking lot to inspect any damage to his car. Collisions happen. People need to take responsibility for their actions, Keenan said to the Inquirer. Its understandable that someone might be scared or upset. Its in their interest to turn themselves in. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, as difficult as that may be to believe. And leading up to the holiday, a report has been published covering the best places in the United States to celebrate the holiday. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia the only cities representing Pennsylvania in the report were ranked in 23rd and 37th on a list analyzed and compiled by WalletHub. Researchers at the site ranked the countrys 100 most populous cities across five key dimensions Thanksgiving Celebrations & Traditions; Affordability; Safety & Accessibility; Giving Thanksgiving; and Thanksgiving Weather Forecast as well as corresponding metrics such as Holiday Decoration Shops per Capita and Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner. This means that both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia ranked amongst the best cities spectrum, being in the top 50 and all. San Diego, Calif., ranked in first. Another California location Stockton came in last. San Diego is the best place to go for Thanksgiving this year, and its an especially good place for people who want to dine out, with an extremely high number of restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars, the report reads. San Diego also helps make things festive with an abundance of pumpkin patches and holiday decoration shops. In addition, San Diego residents get very excited about Thanksgiving, searching Google for terms related to the holiday more than people in most other cities. And if you want to offset the materialism of the following shopping weekend with some charitable giving, San Diego has the 11th-most charities per capita. Sunday shoppers had a celebrity encounter of The Rock variety at a New Jersey Target. Actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson was at the Clifton store to promote his Papatui line of mens personal care products. He was there for some giveaways of skincare and other products at the store, including TVs and toys. Videos posted on social media show a crowd of customers with their cellphones out, and Johnson, who swooped in with an entourage and cameras, stopping to play a game of rock, paper, scissors with a young fan (his first move: rock, naturally). The big-screen star, 52, is also promoting the release of his holiday action film Red One, in theaters Friday (and Jersey theaters starting Thursday). Johnson was in the store to promote his personal care line.Provided photo Johnson plays Callum Drift, who manages security at the North Pole for Santa Claus, played by Oscar winner J.K. Simmons. Of course, hes on the case when someone abducts Santa. The cast also includes Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt and Nick Kroll. Johnson also returns as Maui in the Disney animated film Moana 2 the sequel to the 2016 film Moana which hits theaters Nov. 27. He stars alongside Aulii Cravalho, who reprises the role of Moana. Next year, the WWE superstar leads A24s The Smashing Machine as real-life professional wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr. In the film, directed by Benny Safdie, he appears opposite Oscar nominee Emily Blunt, who plays Kerrs wife. She previously co-starred with Johnson in Jungle Cruise. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup. A new report has found which Thanksgiving food Pennsylvanians love the most. It also hint is the most popular Thanksgiving dish nationwide. According to Innerbody, the majority of Americans Pennsylvania residents included list star of the show, turkey, as their favorite food to eat on the holiday. It is no surprise that turkey is the overall most popular Thanksgiving menu item in the U.S. (and despite the rumors, turkey alone isnt to blame for that post-meal food coma), reads the report. We found that turkey loyalty is scattered across the country, but the bulk of the turkey love is on the East Coast. Meanwhile, southerners like to switch things up Google Trends data found that the South prefers ham over turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Indeed, states such as Florida preferred ham the second most popular Thanksgiving meal in the country over turkey. The third most popular dish was mashed potatoes. But food isnt the only thing this Thanksgiving study covered: The dinner itself was found to be the most popular tradition nationwide followed by the gathering of family and then Thanksgiving lunch. Almost 40 percent of respondents to a survey pooled by researchers also admitted theyd much rather attend a family or friend gathering than host (17.5 percent). It makes sense, then, that hosting a Thanksgiving was ranked as the number one worst thing about the holiday. In second in this regard was how expensive the holiday can get followed by the stresses that come with traveling for the day. Comedian Kevin Hart is coming home next month and you do not want to miss his show. He will perform on his Acting My Age tour on Wednesday, Dec. 4; Thursday, Dec. 5; Friday, Dec. 6; and Saturday, Dec. 7, at The Met in Philadelphia. Acting My Age is my ninth tour and I wanted to change things up by creating a more intimate environment, Hart said. This hour is about connecting with the audience and feeding off the crowds energy and laughter. Fans can buy tickets here (prices are as of the time of this publication): Wednesday, Dec. 4 Thursday, Dec. 5 Friday, Dec. 6 Saturday, Dec. 7 CHURCH CREEK, Md. (AP) Revered abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who was the first woman to oversee an American military action during a time of war, was posthumously awarded the rank of general on Monday. Dozens gathered on Veterans Day at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Marylands Dorchester County for a formal ceremony making Tubman a one-star brigadier general in the states National Guard. Gov. Wes Moore called the occasion not just a great day for Tubmans home state but for all of the U.S. Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran, Moore said. Today we celebrate one of the greatest authors of the American story. FILE - A bronze statue of abolitionist Harriet Tubman is seen at the Maryland State House, Feb. 10, 2020, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, file)AP Tubman escaped slavery herself in 1849 and settled in Philadelphia. Intent on helping others achieve freedom, she established the Underground Railroad network and led other enslaved Black women and men to freedom. She then channeled those experiences as a scout, spy and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War, helping guide 150 Black soldiers on a gunboat raid in South Carolina. Nobody would have judged Tubman had she chosen to remain in Philadelphia and coordinate abolitionist efforts from there, Moore said. She knew that in order to do the work, that meant that she had to go into the lions den, Moore siad. She knew that leadership means you have to be willing to do what you are asking others to do. The reading of the official order was followed by a symbolic pinning ceremony with Tubmans great-great-great-grandniece, Tina Wyatt. Wyatt hailed her aunts legacy of tenacity, generosity and faith and agreed Veterans Day applied to her as much as any other servicemember. Aunt Harriet was one of those veterans informally, she gave up any rights that she had obtained for herself to be able to fight for others, Wyatt said. She is a selfless person. Tubmans status as an icon of history has only been further elevated within the last few years. The city of Philadelphia chose a Black artist to make a 14-foot (4.3-meter) bronze statue to go on display next year. In 2022, a Chicago elementary school was renamed for Tubman, replacing the previous namesake, who had racist views. However, plans to put Tubman on the $20 bill have continued to stall. Pa. Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R, 15th) is in the VIP section of the Trump rally in Harrisburg, July 31, 2024. The 15th district includes the State College and other areas. (Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com)Megan Lavey-Heaton, PennLive.com A Pennsylvania member of Congress may be in line for a cabinet post in the new Trump administration. House Agriculture Chair Glenn Thompson is among the candidates under consideration as Trumps agriculture secretary, according to a report in E&E News/Politico. Thompson has served in the House since 2009, most recently representing the 15th district in north-central Pennsylvania, and was among the Republican elected officials campaigning for Trump across the state during the election season. The Trump transition team neither confirmed nor denied Thompsons candidacy, E&E reported. Matthew Brennan, Thompsons chief of staff, told E&E in a statement that the congressman was humbled by the prospect of being nominated, but was focused on his work on the farm bill, the five-year package of legislation addressing agriculture and food policy. The Bellefonte native has deep experience working on agricultural issues, is viewed as a moderate on climate change and someone who can work both sides of the aisle. In 2023, Thompson became the first Pennsylvanian to lead the House Agriculture Committee in 168 years, when the GOP took control of the House. Agriculture is big business in Pennsylvania with some 52,000 farms and 7.9 million acres of farmland, generating $82 billion. Pennsylvania is the nations number one mushroom producer and ranks among the top producers of fruit, dairy and ice cream in the country. Thompson has taken heat in the last two years among members of the Pennsylvania agriculture community for his support of the EATS Act, part of the still pending farm bill. The act would override 1,000 state and local laws, including 30 in Pennsylvania, governing animal housing and disease prevention, and prohibit state and local governments from establishing laws and standards on any agricultural products produced in another state. Among the laws at issue in California and elsewhere are those that have improved conditions for animals in commercial agriculture facilities, such as cage-free chicken housing. Many Pennsylvania farmers oppose the act because they have invested millions in upgrading animal housing to comply with laws in other states that buy their products. Among the other potential candidates being floated for Agriculture Secretary according to E&E are: Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs Ted McKinney; Kip Tom, formerly U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture;. The Department of Agriculture is comprised of 29 agencies and 100,000 employees with a budget is almost $200 billion. The department oversees a wide range of programs beyond agriculture, including food and nutrition assistance programs, like WIC and SNAP, natural resources and rural development. . An Allentown middle school student claims to have been beaten by school security guards, according to a federal lawsuit. The student was attacked Oct. 14, 2022, at Raub Middle School in Allentown, according to the lawsuit filed Monday, Nov. 4. The suit says up to ten Allentown School District employees believed to be security officers / personnel ... needlessly and senselessly attacked the child, who stood 4 feet 11 inches and weighed 80 pounds at the time, according to the lawsuit. Attorney Andrew Bonekemper of Blue Bell represents the school district in the lawsuit. He didnt respond to a message seeking comment. Messages to the district superintendent and school board president were also not returned. The lawsuit offers no context for the alleged beating. It identifies the student by initials but doesnt specify the students age, gender or grade level at the middle school. The school serves children in grades six through eight. The lawsuit was filed by an Allentown woman on behalf of the child. It doesnt say the relationship between the woman who filed the lawsuit and the child. Attorney Jerry Lindheim of Philadelphia filed the lawsuit. He didnt respond to messages seeking clarification and more details about the allegations. The lawsuit says the student suffered severe orthopedic, neurological and emotional injuries from the beating, although it offers no further specifics. Nor does it clarify whether the student has fully recovered from the injuries. The lawsuit blames the school district and administrators for failing to train and regulate employees to prevent the beating. It accuses the school district of violating the childs civil rights. Lindheim seeks unspecified damages of at least $50,000. The lawsuit was originally filed in Lehigh County Court but transferred to federal court Nov. 4. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. A panel discussion titled Powering the future: The Mediterraneans initiative towards 1TW renewable energy by 2030 is taking place as part of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. Azerbaijan's Deputy Energy Minister Orkhan Zeynalov has stated that an intergovernmental agreement between Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan will be signed tomorrow to implement the green corridor project. I believe that Central Asia has a huge potential. We are also talking about the need to link the corridors while harmonizing and bringing them to a common structure in terms of feasibility studies, as well as approaches to the different stages of their development. In general, we are talking about harmonizing the development of green corridors around the world, he said. Zeynalov also noted that the 1TW target is a really impressive number and an excellent aspiration. Senior Deputy Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Grammenos Mastrojeni said if decarbonization is not carried out in the Mediterranean, there will be several consequences. The Mediterranean is the second fastest warming region in the world with projected consequences that are, frankly, frightening. In a few years, 250 million people will find themselves in water scarcity, Mastrojeni said. According to him, renewable energy is not just about decarbonization. Nature has distributed the potential evenly. Those with no sun are rich in wind power, for example. But, for example, uranium or other resources hidden deep underground are available to only a few. Therefore, renewable energy is sovereignty. Renewable energy is jobs. But in the case of the Mediterranean, it is also the largest unification of the human community. Renewable energy is peace. We are in the midst of major negotiations on the integration of the South and North Coast as part of the green transition. The European Union is committed to decarbonization, and this cannot happen without the contribution of Southern potential. And the potential of southern countries cannot be developed only based on local markets, he added. Meanwhile, co-chair of the Mediterranean Clean Energy Network, Jauad El Kharraz, a senior fellow at think tank ECCO, stated that the Mediterranean is ready to take on the ambitious goal of achieving 1TW of renewable energy by 2030, which would significantly contribute to global targets. In every crisis lies a unique opportunity - a chance to embrace a new era of clean and sustainable energy. At COP28, as you know, more than 130 countries committed to tripling renewable energy capacity to 11 terawatts, he said. He pointed out that immediately afterward, regional organizations, industrial companies, think tanks and civil societies on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea came together to translate this aspiration into a concrete regional effort called Teramed. Police are asking for the communitys help in locating two people captured on video abandoning eight cats inside a taped plastic tub at the doorstep of an Adams County animal shelter on Saturday night. Forever Love Rescue at the Kitty Corner Gettysburg animal shelter said the incident occurred after 7 p.m. when a man was seen getting out of the passenger side of a dark-colored Chevy SUV. The footage showed him open the back passenger door, where he pulled out the tub, that later was revealed to contain eight cats that were crammed and trapped inside. The animal shelter, which is located at 39 Queen St., said the man left the cats outside overnight in the freezing cold at their doorstep. Two adults, two older kittens and four baby kittens were found inside the tub, the animal shelter reported on Facebook. This is absolutely heartless and unacceptable, the animal shelter said on Facebook. And abandoning helpless cats will not be tolerated here (as the sign states right beside where they left them). The animal shelter said the cats appeared to be unharmed. But the shelter was forced to create room for them inside, which was already at maximum capacity, like most animal rescues at the moment. In Pennsylvania, its against the law to dump animals, even if its at a rescue. According to the law: a person who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly mistreats, beats, abandons, or abuses an animal commits animal cruelty. Penalties for animal cruelty range from fines to time behind bars depending on the level of the offense. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Forever Love Rescue at the Kitty Corner Gettysburg or Gettysburg Borough Police Officer Orth at worth@gettysburgpa.gov or 717-334-1168. Who knew another issue to be concerned about is gunfire in the skies? Multiple airlines have suspended flights to Haiti after gunfire hit a Spirit Airlines flight to the island on Monday, injuring a crew member. Spirit Airlines Flight 951 attempted to land in Port-au-Prince from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but was diverted to the neighboring Dominican Republic, where it landed safely at Santiago Airport, Spirit Airlines confirmed in a statement, per multiple news outlets, including BBC News and NBC News. A flight attendant suffered minor injuries, but no passengers were hurt in the attack. The company added that an inspection of the aircraft showed damage consistent with gunfire. One flight attendant on board reported minor injuries and is being evaluated by medical personnel, the statement said. No guest injuries were reported. The flight had been scheduled to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport when it was hit. Unverified video that was shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, captured several bullet holes on the inside of the aircraft, where the crew sat during take-off and landing. The plane came within 550 feet of the runway before aborting its landing and diverting to the Dominican Republic, according to data on FlightRadar24. As of right now, Spirit is suspending its services to Haiti pending an evaluation of the incident and the plane is being taken out of service for the time being. A return flight is being arranged for members of the crew and passengers who were diverted to the Dominican Republic. This is the second incident in three weeks that involved an aircraft flying over Haitis capital as the State Department warned of gang-related efforts to stop travel to the Caribbean nation and cautioned Americans not to travel there. Also on Monday, a post-flight inspection of the exterior of a JetBlue aircraft used for a trip to Port-au-Prince to New York Citys John F. Kennedy International Airport carried evidence that it had been struck by gunfire, JetBlue said in a statement. No issues were initially reported by the operating crew, JetBlue said. The airline launched an investigation and decided to suspend its flights to and from Haiti through at least Dec. 2, as it blamed ongoing civil unrest for the halt in travel. American Airlines said in a statement that it was also suspending its services from Miami to Port-au-Prince. We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed, it said. The president of the Slippery Rock Area School Board in Butler County is facing calls for her resignation after posting on social media about the presidential election. CBS News reports that board president Heather Bennett Scott posted a message on social media, in which she stated she was numb following the results of the election. Its not a political disagreement, its a moral and ethical divide that cant be overcome, the post read, encouraging anyone who voted for Trump to unfriend her on the platform. Scotts post, which was shared on her private Facebook page but shared publicly by others via screen shot, went on to state her concern about immigration policy and the potential loss of reproductive rights. Its one thing to disagree on policy, but quite another to be fine with controlling what another human can do with their life, the post read. It also included profanity, including when Scott wrote you are all selfish [expletive]. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, some residents found Scotts comments unhinged and are demanding she step down from her position. The posting in question is offensive on multiple levels, said Gregory Schiller, the boards vice president, during a public meeting on the matter. Setting aside the coarse language used to describe persons who the poster disagrees with, the posting is a prime example of the inflammatory political discourse many are trying to get rid of. Such a posting by a school board member does not represent the values we are trying to instill in our students in our community. Jondavid Longo, mayor of Slippery Rock borough and an outspoken Trump supporter on his own Facebook page, re-shared the image of Bennetts post. In his post, Longo said that this public figure and public school board office holder does not represent who we are as a people or school district and we wholeheartedly reject her twisted worldview. Longo, who is a Christian and regularly posts religious content, also cited an instance where Scott donated to a fundraiser for abortion access hosted by the Satanic Temple on Facebook. While many residents have spoken against Scotts comments, others have shared their defense of her concerns and right to a dissenting opinion. Scott, who has one year left in her term, said that she had already decided against running for reelection prior to making the post. She added that her address had been shared publicly, leading to some rather nasty comments and wishes for things that would happen to me. Do I wish that maybe I hadnt used those words? Yeah, Scott said at the public meeting, according to the Post-Gazette. But Im still entitled to feel how I feel and Im still upset about the election. But maybe I would have changed the vocabulary had I known it was going to be screenshot and posted elsewhere. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. On November 12, at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Head of the Presidential Administration, Chairman of the COP29 Organizing Committee Samir Nuriyev gave a reception in honor of the delegations participating in the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Trend reports. 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. North Augusta American Legion Post 71 had its Veterans Day program the morning of Nov. 11 at Wade Hampton Veterans Memorial Park. Doug Allen, Post 71 Legionnaire and Vietnam veteran, spoke of his own endeavor to understand what it means to sacrifice because, How do you define sacrifice anyway? Allen told of his experience as a light infantryman in the West Mekong Delta during the spring of 1967, of the chaos that was over as quickly as it had begun, of the automatic rifle fire and grenade blasts, of the craters in gray rice paddy mud and the strange patterns shadows cast by parachutes in the irregular flashes at night. And of a rescue that quickly became a recovery mission. That night, I basically had to deal with things I've not been able to unsee, un-experience or forget, Allen said of March 14, 1967. Morale was low after that night, he said, and things were never quite the same in our company. The reality that we were not invincible had set in. Less than two months later, Allen found himself facing the Vietcong and shouting to his fellow solders that he would give cover while they fell back. Allen didnt understand that hed been hit in the stomach until he realized he couldnt move. Hed noticed his watch had stopped working collateral of the concussive effects of a grenade before he noticed the wound. On this night, May 4, 1967, Allen said he could only flip himself over and play dead. The Vietcong searched his pockets and took his radio, code book and rifle, he said, but they were too much in a hurry to take his life. Sacrifices are seen and unseen, but theyre all sacrifices, he said. The physical wounds and unwanted flashbacks, the careers that suffered and families who lost someone. This inventory of sacrifice that Allen recounted brought him around to some understanding. Sacrifice, he said, ultimately comes down to the value of life. How events impact a soldiers legacy. How events impact a soldiers quality of life, and how those events affect the lives of those around them. BLUFFTON For most of its lifespan, this was a one-square-mile town tucked along the banks of the May River. And it remained that way for nearly a century and a half. Then came 1998, the year the town started to expand by gobbling up surrounding property. Now, Bluffton spans 54 square miles a far cry from the early days of this area incorporated in 1852. In the past quarter century, its population has exploded from a quaint 750 residents to 35,000 strong, making it S.C.'s 15th largest city. Such rapid growth has caused discomfort for some residents. New development means less green space and more traffic, along with the slow disappearance of the Lowcountry town they grew to love. Despite these worries, Bluffton is set to annex another 65 acres of unincorporated county land into town limits filling in part of a donut left behind during its rampant growth. Opponents say the land grab will usher in commercial development and force Beaufort County to pursue a long-controversial road project. They also accuse Bluffton officials of not making the approval process more accessible. Town staff say the move will allow Bluffton to benefit from taxes generated by the land, while also requiring builders to operate under municipal code. Local longtime developer John Reed says he can better execute his vision for the area through one local government, rather than two. Town Council on Nov. 12 is set to approve a slate of ordinances that will annex land owned by Reed, whose office is a short walk from council chambers. Reed estimates that he has built 4,000 homes in Bluffton, including the developments of Hampton Lake, Belfair and Berkeley Hall. Plans of what could come Off the corner of Buckwalter and Bluffton parkways, Reed plans a medical campus and town center. S.C. Department of Health records show Novant Healthcare wants to open a hospital that would become the anchor tenant. Further along the road, Reed envisions mixed-use businesses where people can dine, work and shop. IRMO Superintendent Akil Ross and his Lexington-Richland Five administration are fresh off an Election Day victory, after Chapin- and Irmo-area school district voters overwhelmingly approved $240 million of new debt to fund a wide-ranging plan to reorganize and rebuild the school system. But that's in the past. Now, after years of discussion and consultation leading up to the referendum, Ross and his leadership team have to start the years-long process of delivering the promised projects and keeping district's trust while doing so. The task ahead includes building a new elementary school, security vestibules at several campuses and new classroom wings, as well as adding high school programs, carrying out schoolhouse renovations, restructuring the district's grades and rezoning its schools. District leaders are hoping that a citizen review team, announced during a Nov. 8 press conference, will help maintain voters' confidence in projects funded by the new bonds, which will be sold in three phases over three years. An online dashboard is in development to show residents how different projects are progressing. The exact timeline for the building projects isn't yet set as the district hasn't received bids or awarded contracts for the construction or design work. Conversations about that process will start at the newly-elected school board's first meeting Nov. 18. The district preemptively sent out some bid requests over the summer. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The World Bank will announce a program to finance a number of topical initiatives in key sectors of some countries' economies in the coming period, the President of the World Bank Ajay Banga said at the COP29 summit on methane and greenhouse gases, Trend reports. The World Bank has developed 15 national programs to combat climate change. The Bank will soon announce a program to finance several relevant initiatives in key sectors of individual countries' economies. One of the main causes of climate change is carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Central Asian countries are planning to increase production of alternative and renewable energy, which will be a valuable experience in sustainable development. In this region, including countries such as China, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, 66 countries provide 65 percent of the rice requirement, which also contributes to carbon dioxide emissions. The World Bank is implementing irrigation development and crop production projects in countries such as Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt, which have achieved success through modest but effective efforts. In the future, the World Bank plans to launch a program to finance additional initiatives in key sectors of the economy from which recently joined countries can also benefit, he said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ATLANTIC BEACH The S.C. Supreme Court will decide if a duly elected candidate in the town of Atlantic Beach will be officially allowed to serve one year after she won her race. The town's Municipal Election Commission recently appealed Circuit Judge William Seals Jr.'s Nov. 5 order, which had allowed candidate Carla Taylor to "immediately" take her seat on Town Council. Taylor was elected on Nov. 7, 2023, and sworn in on April 5. The commission, which had voted 2-1 to consider an untimely election protest, is now asking the state Supreme Court to reconsider allowing Taylor to take her seat. The S.C. Supreme Court accepted the appeal on Nov. 7. "The Circuit Court erred in failing to recognize and/or acknowledge the Election Commission's explicit statutory authority ... to consider after-discovered evidence of voter fraud," the appeal states. "The Circuit Court erred in disregarding the Supreme Court's precedent ... which specifically authorizes consideration of after-discovered evidence of improper voter residency claims." For months, Taylor has been unable to serve because town leaders waited to determine the validity of an election protest filed by the race's fourth-place candidate, Shaun Swinson Sr. The commission did not meet until Taylor petitioned the court and Seals issued a new deadline of Oct. 19 for the protest to be addressed. Over the next two months, Earth's orbit will encounter meteor showers likely to bring fireballs or "earth grazers" which should be visible above South Carolina as several November and December showers overlap. The prolonged showers come from the Taurids, Leonid and Geminids, which are visible each fall and winter with some years filled with more activity than others. The North and South Taurid meteor showers both radiate from the constellation Taurus the Bull, which can be seen high in the sky in the middle of the night. Moonlight obscures most views of meteorites, so viewing should be better when there is no moon or a crescent rather than a full moon. The South Taurid meteors are active now through Nov. 20. The North Taurids meteors are active through Dec. 10. EarthSky.com suggests the number of visible meteorites may peak this week, with the Leonid meteor shower overlapping, running until Dec. 2 with a predicted peak of Nov. 17-18 producing up to 15 meteors an hour. Not all astronomers agree on when peak viewing occurs, especially in climates where humidity affects atmospheric clarity. The Leonid surprised astronomers in 1966 with thousands of meteorites visible, according to Earth Sky, which says that the shower gave observers the sense of our planet moving through a star storm. Taurids may bring some fireballs into view. These fireballs are meteorites that shatter into fragments as they sizzle through the atmosphere. Astronomers sometimes nickname them "earth grazers," since scorched fragments occasionally make it all the way to Earth. Don't worry. The fragments won't be as big as the meteorite that smashed down in Russia in 2013, an impact that blew out skyscraper windows in a nearby city. Scientists concluded that behemoth was 66 feet in diameter and zoomed down at 42,690 miles per hour. A South Carolina man who assaulted a police officer during the 2021 Capitol riot told his attorney he was "adamantly opposed" to requesting a delay in his sentencing, despite President-elect Donald Trump's repeated pledge to pardon some Jan. 6 defendants like him when he returns to the White House. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras on Nov. 12 sentenced Christopher George Rockey, of Cross in Berkeley County, to 18 months in prison. He will be on supervised release for two years after his prison term ends, said Brady Vannoy, his Moncks Corner attorney. Rockey is one of more than 30 South Carolinians charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol that left more than 100 police officers injured and sent lawmakers running into hiding as they met to certify Joe Bidens 2020 presidential victory. Rockey also has the unique distinction of being the first Jan. 6 defendant from South Carolina to be sentenced since Trump's victory a week ago, which has set off a flurry of legal filings. Defense attorneys in some of the Jan. 6 cases have asked federal judges in Washington, D.C., to postpone proceedings until Trump takes office on Jan. 20. The filings could complicate the Justice Department's ability to conclude its prosecutions before the change in power. Vannoy told The Post and Courier that his client, a former Marine who was honorably discharged, was "adamantly opposed to that idea" of requesting a sentencing delay after Trump won the 2024 presidential election. Vannoy said Rockey "wished to accept full responsibility and be sentenced accordingly." Trump's praise of Jan. 6 defendants was a centerpiece of his 2024 presidential campaign, calling them "patriots" and "hostages." He also recorded a version of the Star-Spangled Banner with the so-called Jan. 6 Choir, a musical group composed of rioters serving time in the Washington, D.C., jail, and has played the song at some of his political rallies. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Director General of the International Organization for Migration Amy Pope arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan on November 12 to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports. At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the guest was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan Hasan Hasanli and other officials. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 19:12:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 990 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Psychedelic healing ministry targets mental health using ancient wisdom, science of mind and sacred plants now heals in the comfort of 100 million householdsWASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / The House of Shu, led by Ajarn Shaman Shu, is thrilled to announce the launch of The House of Shu TV, the world's first free shamanic healing TV network. Available on YouTube, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and other OTT streaming platforms, The House of Shu TV is a transformative, free-access platform reaching over 100 million U.S. households. With a focus on mental health, spiritual wellness, and holistic transformation, The House of Shu TV brings ancient healing practices to the modern world, available to everyone at no cost.A Vision Realized Through Perseverance and DeterminationThe journey to create The House of Shu TV has been one of resilience, with Ajarn Shaman Shu and his team dedicated to making shamanic and spiritual healing accessible to all. As the first network of its kind, The House of Shu TV has forged a path despite challenges from conventional organizations. Its purpose is clear: to provide holistic, transformative healing to urban and global communities alike through ancient wisdom and modern mental health practices."Our communities are in deep need of healing, and the answers have been with us all along," says Ajarn Shaman Shu. "We have the tools within us-our voices, our natural frequencies, the elements, and the divine spark of our Creator. Through The House of Shu TV, we're helping viewers reconnect with these powerful sources, creating a space where healing can unfold. We are here to support each individual's journey to peace, strength, and renewal." About Soul Tribes International MinistriesSoul Tribes International Ministries, founded by Ajarn Shaman Shu, is a spiritual community devoted to the holistic healing and empowerment of individuals worldwide. Rooted in ancient shamanic practices and spiritual teachings, Soul Tribes focuses on bridging the gap between ancestral wisdom and contemporary needs. By embracing sacred plant medicines, mental health support, and shamanic healing, Soul Tribes aims to create a sanctuary for self-discovery, growth, and inner transformation. Soul Tribes is the first psychedelic church in michiganSoul Tribes International Ministries is a beacon for those seeking connection, healing, and understanding of the power of spirit. Through its unique approach, Soul Tribes fosters community support and guidance on paths of personal enlightenment, collective healing, and ancestral connection. The launch of The House of Shu TV reflects this vision, broadening Soul Tribes' reach to help millions tap into their inner power and embrace holistic wellness.Healing Through Ten Essential ModalitiesThe House of Shu TV offers a variety of focused programming to address common mental, physical, and spiritual challenges, empowering viewers with practical tools and ancient techniques. The ten core modalities featured on The House of Shu TV include:Anxiety Relief: Tools and practices to manage anxiety through grounding, breathwork, and mantra meditation.Depression Support: Healing frequencies and elemental alignment to lift spirits and promote resilience.Self-Help and Empowerment: Techniques to boost self-esteem and unlock inner strength.Law of Attraction and Manifestation: Teachings on cosmic alignment and intention setting to help viewers create positive change in their lives.Science of Mind Principles: A modern approach to the metaphysical science of thought for mental clarity and focus.Trauma Healing and PTSD Support: Techniques for addressing and processing trauma, offering a path to peace and recovery.Chronic Illness Relief: Holistic approaches to help manage chronic pain and physical conditions through energy alignment.Spiritual Growth: Mantras, energy practices, and cosmic teachings for deeper spiritual connection and awakening.Addiction and Recovery Support: Shamanic practices for finding inner peace and resilience on the journey to recovery.Psychedelic Integration: Guidance for integrating profound psychedelic experiences into everyday life for deeper healing and self-discovery.Harnessing the Power of the Five ElementsCentral to The House of Shu TV's teachings are the five elements-earth, water, fire, air, and space-which provide balance across the body, mind, and spirit. Viewers are encouraged to connect with these elements, utilizing ancient wisdom to create harmony and well-being.A Platform for Holistic TransformationThrough diverse, free programming, The House of Shu TV provides viewers with practical tools and support for their mental, emotional, and spiritual journeys. Highlights include:Mental Health Support: Programs for managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health challenges.Chronic Illness Relief: Techniques to support holistic health and chronic pain management.Spiritual Growth and Empowerment: Insights into mantras, energy work, and cosmic teachings.Ancient Shamanic Wisdom: Tools for resilience and inner strength, rooted in ancestral practices.Psychedelic Integration: Safe guidance for individuals seeking to process and heal from psychedelic experiences.Expansive Platform ReachBy utilizing major streaming platforms, The House of Shu TV reaches a wide and diverse audience seeking accessible spiritual and mental health guidance:Roku: Reaching over 70 million active accounts globally, covering audiences in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.Apple TV: With Apple TV+ boasting 39 million viewers in the U.S., The House of Shu TV offers an expanding reach.Amazon Prime Video: Available to over 200 million Amazon Prime subscribers worldwide.YouTube: Accessible to billions worldwide, The House of Shu TV's YouTube channel connects directly with viewers looking for on-demand spiritual and healing content. Visit and subscribe atThe House of Shu TV onYouTube .Healing Communities, Changing LivesAs the world's first free shamanic healing TV network, The House of Shu TV is breaking new ground in the wellness industry, offering practical and transformative tools for mental health and spiritual growth. Under the guidance of Ajarn Shaman Shu and the foundation of Soul Tribes International Ministries, The House of Shu provides accessible resources for those seeking to heal, grow, and empower themselves through ancient and shamanic teachings.Download The House of Shu TV TodayStart your journey toward inner peace, healing, and spiritual empowerment with The House of Shu TV. Download and stream now on your preferred device:Download The House of Shu TV on Rokuhttps://cha PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 16:03:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 421 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CEO and Founder of T-ROC Global, Brett Beveridge, named in Florida Trend's 2024 Florida 500 marking his sixth year on the listMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 /The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC Global), the leading provider of people and technology solutions for the global retail market, announces its CEO and Founder, Brett Beveridge, has once again been named in Florida Trend's 2024 Florida 500. This marks his sixth consecutive year on the prestigious list as one of the state's most influential business leaders."I'm honored to be recognized for the sixth consecutive year as it is a testament to the incredible dedication of our team, our commitment to innovation, and our focus on leading the future of retail," said Brett Beveridge, CEO and Founder of T-ROC Global.Brett has been a leader in the retail industry and has earned various recognitions, including being the proud recipient of Ernst & Young's 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year - Florida and holds a 2018 Gold Stevie Award for Entrepreneur of the Year - Retail category. Mr. Beveridge was also recognized as a 2021 Ultimate CEO by South Florida Business Journal.Florida Trend's Florida 500 published product is a year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend resulting in a personal, engaging look at the state's most influential business leaders across major industries. The 500 executives are selected based on extensive contacts in regional business circles, hundreds of interviews, and months of research, culminating in a highly selective, biographical guide of the individuals who are moving Florida forward. In addition to Florida Trend's own executive editorial team, a variety of sources are used to produce the list, including input from executives of economic development organizations, professional associations and others who know their communities, industries, and the state well.To see the full Florida 500 list, visit Florida Trend's Florida 500.To learn more about The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC Global), visit www.trocglobal.com . Follow T-ROC Global on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.# # #About The Revenue Optimization Companies (T-ROC Global)T-ROC Global is a retail branding and consulting partner that supports companies in navigating through today's retail shopping experience, redefining the power of people and technology. T-ROC Global offers a unique combination of people-based services, applications, technology management, mystery shopping programs, actionable market research and competitive insights that support the complex needs of assisted selling. T-ROC Global's expertise and next-generation technology is delivered by a team that's all in to drive sales, optimize performance and deliver measurable ROI for businesses every single day.Media Contact: Tyler Sminkey, (786) 390-8510, tyler@ jwipr.com SOURCE: T-ROC Global PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 16:04:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 605 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 New Location Enhances Service Delivery and Client Support in Houston AreaHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Bridgehead IT, a leading provider of comprehensive technology solutions, is excited to announce the opening of its new office in Houston, Texas. This expansion is a testament to our commitment to meeting the growing needs of our clients in the Houston area and beyond.Bridgehead IT Co-Owners Chris Brandvik, COO, (left) and Wes Bunch, CEO, (right).Located at 1919 Decatur, Houston, Texas 77007, our new office will enable us to provide even more personalized and efficient service to the businesses we have proudly served for many years. The Houston office can be reached at (832) 850-1131, with toll-free support available at (833) 470-7900. Our headquarters in San Antonio remains at (210) 477-7900.Wes Bunch, CEO of Bridgehead IT, expressed his enthusiasm for the new office: "Opening an office in Houston is a significant milestone for Bridgehead IT. It allows us to be closer to our clients in the area, providing them with the high-quality, custom-tailored technology services they have come to expect from us. We are excited to continue our journey of growth and innovation in this vibrant city." Chris Brandvik, COO of Bridgehead IT, added: "Our new Houston office is a strategic move to enhance our service delivery and support for our clients. We look forward to building stronger relationships and helping businesses in Houston and beyond achieve their technology goals." Bridgehead IT has been a trusted partner in technology solutions since its founding in 1999. With a focus on end-to-end, custom-tailored services, we cater to a diverse range of clients, from publicly traded global entities to mid-sized businesses. Our team of experts is dedicated to delivering thoughtful solutions that drive business success.What sets Bridgehead IT apart is our deep expertise and commitment to exceptional technology support. Our team of certified professionals brings a wealth of knowledge and experience across various industries, ensuring that we can address the unique challenges faced by each client. We pride ourselves on our proactive approach, providing 24/7 support and leveraging the latest technologies to deliver innovative solutions. This dedication to excellence and client satisfaction is what differentiates Bridgehead IT in the competitive technology landscape.Client Success Story:One of our longstanding clients, a global manufacturing firm, faced significant challenges with their outdated IT infrastructure, which was hindering their operational efficiency and growth. Bridgehead IT stepped in to provide a comprehensive assessment and implemented a robust, scalable IT solution tailored to their specific needs. This included upgrading their network infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and migrating their data to a secure cloud platform.As a result, the client experienced a 40% increase in operational efficiency and a substantial reduction in downtime. Their enhanced IT capabilities have enabled them to expand their operations and better serve their customers worldwide. The client praised Bridgehead IT for our expertise, responsiveness, and commitment to delivering exceptional results.For more information about Bridgehead IT and our technology consulting services, please visit our website at www.bridgeheadit.com About Bridgehead ITBridgehead IT is a premier provider of comprehensive technology solutions, offering end-to-end, custom-tailored services to meet the unique needs of businesses of all sizes. Since our founding in 1999, we have been committed to delivering innovative, thoughtful solutions that drive business success. Our team of certified professionals brings extensive expertise across various industries, ensuring that we can address the specific challenges faced by each client. With a proactive approach and 24/7 support, Bridgehead IT is dedicated to providing exceptional technology services that empower businesses to thrive.Contact InformationLauren SerratoDirector of Marketinglserrato@ bridgeheadit.com +12104006113SOURCE: Bridgehead ITView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 14:01:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 550 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Connexion OnDemand, powered by Uber for Business, will improve customer transportation at thousands of dealerships across the U.S.DETROIT, MI / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 /Connexion Mobility today announced an integration with Uber for Business, Uber's enterprise arm, aimed at providing more comprehensive transportation solutions at thousands of automotive dealerships across the United States.Connexion OnDemand, powered by Uber for Business, enables dealerships to easily request, manage, and track Uber rides within Connexion's loaner management platform. From basic economy to luxury rides, dealership customers can enjoy a seamless, convenient experience - managing their journey via SMS or their Uber app. Meanwhile, dealership staff enjoy reduced double-entry of customer information, reduced platform juggling, and more streamlined warranty administration.OnDemand is live today, with fixed operations managers already reporting greater visibility and control over their operations with various budget-setting controls, dealer-branded messaging, disbursement and management of vouchers, and expanded analytics."When courtesy fleet vehicles are unavailable or impractical, we want to assure our customers they have a ride to and from the dealership while their car is in for maintenance or repairs," said Chuck Rhodes, General Manager of Reynolds GMC. "Through this integration with Connexion and Uber for Business, we can now optimize our existing loaner fleet with a seamless, all-in-one platform to manage all our courtesy transportation needs." With nearly half of a dealership's gross profit stemming from fixed operations, it's important to deliver an exceptional experience at every touchpoint - including post-purchase. Through the integration with Uber for Business, Connexion's dealership partners can issue Uber Vouchers to their customers to optimize loaner fleet allocation and solve for multi-day repair scenarios. This collaboration gives dealerships extra tools to improve the experience for service customers."Our work with Uber for Business is designed to give our dealership partners back time and peace of mind," said Aaryn Nania, CEO of Connexion. "Not only does OnDemand supplement loaner supply and elevate the customer experience, but it also supports and streamlines dealers' warranty claim submission - a win-win for all involved." "All car owners have been there: you bring your vehicle into the shop for routine maintenance and you must choose between waiting in the lobby or bothering a loved one for a ride. Many dealerships offer loaner vehicles when they can, but on a busy day, availability can be limited," said Charles Mizrahi, Head of Automotive Partnerships at Uber for Business. "Our work with Connexion presents a unique opportunity for dealers to supplement loaners with the magic of Uber, while keeping customers satisfied." To learn more about how your dealership can use Connexion OnDemand for customer rides, click here.About Connexion MobilityConnexion is a public, enterprise-grade, mobility software company servicing the global Automotive Retail industry. Its mission is to be the Connexion between Fleet Owners and the Future of Mobility, starting with courtesy transportation.The Company's proprietary OnTRAC and Connexion platforms incorporate embedded telemetry, fleet management, contract management, and data analytics tools to help OEMs and dealerships move people, parts, and vehicles.Connexion powers courtesy transportation for thousands of dealerships across the US, maximizing asset utilization and increasing operational efficiency while elevating the end-customer experience. For more information, visit Connexion Mobility.Media ContactTony Vigiletti tony.vigiletti@connexionltd.com +1 313 480 35383SOURCE: Connexion Telematics LTD PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 17:00:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 476 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 New Verification System Ensures 100% of Driver Tips Are Accurately Distributed, Reinforcing dlivrd's Commitment to Fairness and TransparencyPHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 /dlivrd, a leader in third-party logistics for delivery drivers, has teamed up with Gigsafe to introduce the gig economy's innovative third-party tip verification system, designed to ensure fair and accurate tip distribution on the dlivrd platform. This groundbreaking initiative underscores dlivrd's commitment to transparency and fairness in the gig economy, reinforcing its dedication to accountability and trust.The new partnership with Gigsafe will enable independent verification of delivery tips, guaranteeing that 100% of intended gratuities reach drivers' pockets. While dlivrd's systems are built to secure accurate tipping, unforeseen technical or human errors are possible. In cases where discrepancies are identified, dlivrd has pledged to pay drivers twice the original tip amount, demonstrating their dedication to the fair treatment of gig workers."I find it fitting that dlivrd is the first to announce this type of program, as transparency is so deeply embedded in everything we do," said Chris Heffernan, CEO of dlivrd. "Building trust with the drivers who use our platform is essential. Other gig companies have faced criticism for mishandling driver tips, but this extra layer of accountability is a testament to our commitment to fairness and integrity in every transaction." "Tip transparency is essential to creating a fair gig economy," said David Pickerell, CEO of Gigsafe. "As someone who previously built a tip transparency tool used by hundreds of thousands of drivers at Para, I'm deeply committed to ensuring 1099 workers are treated with the fairness and transparency they deserve, while also enabling companies to thrive." Gigsafe's advanced suite of solutions will bring more than just tip verification to dlivrd. With robust compliance and faster onboarding, Gigsafe empowers businesses to streamline driver operations. Key features include mobile-first, customizable onboarding flows that can reduce onboarding time by up to 80%, insurance options with usage-based premiums, faster payments for drivers with multiple payout options, and back-office automation to keep operations efficient. These tools give dlivrd the agility to grow while maintaining compliance, operational excellence, and driver satisfaction.To learn more about the exciting new partnership, please visit: www.dlivrd.io About dlivrd dlivrdis a white-label delivery management service with operations across the U.S. and Canada. dlivrd's proprietary technology matches strategically placed restaurant orders with an extensive network of independently-contracted drivers who meet restaurant brand specific requirements. dlivrd has earned the trust of thousands of restaurants, from national chains to local single unit locations.About Gigsafe GigSafe is the go-to system of record for companies engaging 1099 workers, streamlining compliance, insurance, and onboarding. Our mission: help companies grow by supporting their 1099 workers, while empowering contractors with the tools they need to thrive.Contact InformationJanie MackenzieVice President Public Relationsjanie@ ascendantgroupbranding.com 267.969.9442SOURCE: dlivrdView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 21:31:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 626 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 This First-of-its-Kind Center Will Offer the Incarcerated Women of Puerta La Cruz Fire Camp a Welcoming Space for Meeting with Their ChildrenSAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 /Gordon Philanthropies (GP) and Officials from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) celebrated the grand opening of Puerta La Cruz Fire Camp's first-of-its-kind Outdoor Children's Educational Recreation Center. The Center offers the incarcerated women of the camp a welcoming space for creating meaningful relationships with their children. GP Founder Dan Gordon, CDCR Associate Director of Female Offender Programs and Services Angela Kent, Film Producer, and Activist Michelle Ebony Hardy, and 46 children and their incarcerated parents celebrated the opening with a ribbon cutting and Thanksgiving luncheon."The Outdoor Children's Educational Recreation Center fosters connections between children and their incarcerated firefighter mothers," said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber. "It offers a vibrant space for educational and recreational activities that will not impact quick emergency response during crises. This combination of engagement and safety highlights the center's commitment to a nurturing environment." The Center is designed to offer the incarcerated women a safe space to create healthy relationships with their children. Research suggests that strong parent-child relationships are important for preventing recidivism and helping children to overcome the challenges of having an incarcerated parent. The Center's beautiful, open-air design includes seating and a lovely collection of age-appropriate books, games, and activities for families to enjoy."Gordon Philanthropies is grateful for the courageous, selfless service of the wonderful women of Puerta La Cruz Fire Camp. Their bravery has saved thousands of lives, homes, and acres of land across the state. The building of this Outdoor Children's Educational Recreation Center is to create effective and high-quality approaches that help close the literacy gap and support the mothers of Puerta La Cruz on their children's reading journey. We know they are heroes, not just to us and the people of California, but to their children as well," said Dan Gordon, Founder of Gordon Philanthropies.The 40 incarcerated women of Puerta La Cruz Fire Camp have contributed 16,171 hours fighting fires across the State of California in 2024. Their services are part of the state's critical front-line fire defense system. California's 32 fire camps contributed more than 1.5 million collective hours fighting 7,026 wildfires across the state this year. Their courage was recognized with AB 2147, which "allows former non-violent incarcerated people who participate" in fire camps to have their records expunged. This has enabled participants to obtain gainful employment with CAL FIRE, the US Forest Service, and hotshot crews."I am so incredibly proud of and inspired by the women of Puerta La Cruz Fire Camp. These strong, caring, and courageous women put their lives on the line to protect a society that often views incarcerated people as invisible. These women serve with dignity, power, and grace, and their stories need to be heard. I am grateful to Gordon Philanthropies and the staff of Puerta La Cruz Fire Camp for their support for these women and for granting me the space to learn more of their incredible lives. It is important to remember everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, and we all deserve the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and evolve as people," said Michelle Ebony Hardy, Film Producer and Activist.Gordon Philanthropies, CDCR staff, and the incarcerated women of Puerta La Cruz and their children celebrated their heroism and the opening of the Outdoor Educational Recreation Center with a lovely Thanksgiving luncheon, complete with beautiful tables, place settings, eucalyptus garland runners, fall leaves decorations, and delicious food.Contact InformationCatherine Reyes-HiguerosCommunications and PR Managercreyes@ gordonphilanthropies.org (424)385-2202Pedro CalderonCDCR Deputy Press Secretarypedro.calderonmichel@cdcr.ca.gov SOURCE: Gordon PhilanthropiesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 23:17:28 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 / November 12, 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: 2024-11-12 18:32:44 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 12, 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 PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 18:37:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 443 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Health & Palliative Services of the Treasure Coast, Inc. ("Treasure Health") recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of students. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Treasure Health.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On February 27, 2024, Treasure Health became aware of a security incident on its IT Network. As a result, Treasure Health launched an investigation with the assistance of third - party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Treasure Health completed its investigation on April 15, 2024. The investigation confirmed that individuals sensitive personal and protected health information was compromised as a result of the data breach. On July 17, 2024, Treasure Health completed a review of the impacted data.Treasure Health's investigation discovered that the following types of sensitive personal information may have been exposed in the data breach: Full name, mailing address, medical information, and insurance information. On November 7, 2024, Treasure Health issued a public disclosure about the data breach and started sending notice letters to impacted individuals. 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 Treasure Health 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: 2024-11-12 20:00:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 603 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Petroff Amshen LLP, a New York-based law firm known for its commitment to consumer protection, is proud to announce the expansion of their credit repair and identity theft practice. This includes comprehensive support for victims of identity theft, with a specific emphasis on credit repair. Led by its founding partner, Serge F. Petroff, this initiative underscores the firm's commitment to helping clients protect their rights despite increasing identity theft and wrongful reporting cases.NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Identity theft is surging across New York and the nation, leaving victims facing not only the emotional and financial tolls of compromised personal data but also unfair damage to their creditworthiness. Petroff Amshen LLP leverages their years of experience being at the forefront of this legal issue, focusing on legal support to restore credit scores, correct false reporting, and guide clients through the complexities of identity recovery."Our firm has always stood on the side of consumers," said Serge F. Petroff. "With the expansion of our litigation practice, we are dedicated to giving a voice to those who fall victim against inaccurate credit reports caused by identity theft. Too many individuals suffer prolonged financial harm due to errors from credit bureaus or negligence in reporting. We ensure their rights are fully protected from credit bureaus federal law and have their credit restored." According to recent studies, over 16 million individuals in the United States fall victim to identity theft every year, resulting in significant financial strain that can linger for years. When identity theft leads to inaccurate or damaging information on credit reports, consumers face challenges in securing loans, housing, and even employment. The Federal Trade Commission reported that in 2021, identity theft was the top consumer complaint, highlighting the urgent need for effective legal support in this area. Petroff Amshen LLP's expanded legal services help individuals address wrongful reports quickly and thoroughly.These credit repair and identity theft services provide clients with access to legal professionals experienced in managing wrongful credit disputes and ensuring compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Serge F. Petroff emphasizes that wrongful credit reports are a prevalent issue that deserves immediate and aggressive action. "Correcting wrongful reporting is often an uphill battle, but it's a necessary fight," he stated. "Our firm is here to help clients regain their financial stability and improve their quality of life." Petroff Amshen LLP's approach to credit repair is comprehensive, covering all aspects of dispute resolution, negotiation with credit bureaus, and support throughout the credit restoration process. The firm not only challenges misleading practices but also seeks compensation for the victims."Our clients need real solutions, not temporary fixes," said Serge F. Petroff. "By building a structured and thorough process for credit repair and continued monitoring, we're ensuring that every individual we represent receives a personalized path to restored financial well-being and protection." Through its focus on consumer advocacy, the law firm is also committed to raising awareness of the devastating impact of identity theft and wrongful reporting. Petroff Amshen LLP provides no-cost consultations to help consumers understand their rights and how to protect their financial standing.With almost two decades of experience, Petroff Amshen LLP has become a trusted name in consumer protection law, offering tailored legal solutions to individuals facing foreclosure, identity theft, wrongful credit reporting, and more. Based in Brooklyn, NY, the firm is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of New Yorkers and contributing to a more accountable financial landscape.Contact InformationGabriel Botero Media Relationsmedia@ petroffamshen.com (718) 336-4200SOURCE: Petroff Amshen LLPView the original press release on newswire.com Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan on November 12 to attend the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports. At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the guest was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan Hidayat Abdullayev and officials. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 18:46:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 349 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / The Republican Main Street Partnership is proud to congratulate several distinguished members and alumni on their appointments to serve in the incoming Trump Administration. These talented and dedicated public servants have been chosen to lead in roles that reflect their strengths, experience, and commitment to advancing policies that benefit all Americans.Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21) has been appointed as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Known for her strong advocacy for American leadership and support for our allies, Rep. Stefanik's strategic insight and diplomatic skills make her an excellent choice for this critical role on the world stage. We are confident she will represent our nation's values and interests with honor and integrity.Rep. Mike Waltz (FL-06) will serve as the National Security Advisor. A former Green Beret and a staunch supporter of a robust U.S. national defense, Rep. Waltz brings extensive military and security expertise to the position. His dedication to national security and his unwavering commitment to protecting the United States make him an outstanding leader to guide our nation's security strategy.Former Rep. Lee Zeldin (NY-1) has been named the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. As a former member of Congress with a track record of balancing environmental stewardship with economic growth, Mr. Zeldin is uniquely positioned to guide the EPA in implementing policies that will unleash American energy dominance."We are incredibly proud to see members of the Republican Main Street Partnership chosen for such important roles," said RMSP President & CEO, Sarah Chamberlain . "Their appointments underscore the impact that pragmatic, solutions-focused leadership can have on our country and the world. We look forward to watching Rep. Stefanik, Rep. Waltz, and former Rep. Zeldin bring their expertise and values to the Trump Administration." The Republican Main Street Partnership remains committed to supporting our members as they continue to champion policies that advance the economic, security, and environmental priorities of American families.Contact InformationElizabeth AucampDirector of Business Developmentelizabeth@ javelindc.com (704) 249-1430SOURCE: Republican Main Street PartnershipView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 13:46:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 976 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Sassy Gold Corp. (CSE:SASY)(OTCQB:SSYRF)(FSE:4E7) ("Sassy" or "the Company") announces that the Company has entered into agreements to acquire a 100% interest in the Ashuanipi Gold Property covering 220 sq. km in Labrador, 30 km southwest of Schefferville, Quebec.Highlights:Extensive early-stage exploration over the past 8 years has taken the Ashuanipi Property to the drill-ready stage;10,000 soil samples with results up to 8,973 ppb (8.97 g/t Au) have highlighted 12 distinct gold-in-soil anomalies with a core area measuring approximately 8 km x 2 km;Rock sampling and geological mapping, combined with ground magnetic surveys and airborne VLF-EM geophysical surveys, support interpretations from soil sampling and have outlined specific diamond drill targets.Sassy Gold President and CEO Mark Scott commented: "Ashuanipi is an attractive addition to Sassy's portfolio of direct exploration and equity assets. The project has undergone extensive early-stage exploration work and has never previously been drilled. Excellent infrastructure includes roads, rail connection to the Lower St. Lawrence, hydro-generated electricity, and a network of mining and exploration service providers in the area owing to the iron ore industry's presence in western Labrador and northeastern Quebec. We look forward to further developing this exciting project with first-ever drilling." The deal to acquire the Ashuanipi claims was completed with famed Canadian prospector and project generator Shawn Ryan and Wildwood Exploration Inc. (the "Owners") on November 1, 2024 (the "Option Agreement"), with cash payments and shares spread out over a 5-year period (no cash payments in Year 1) as outlined further below.Ryan first staked the Ashuanipi Property in 2017, having been drawn to it by the largest and most intense lake sediment gold anomaly in Labrador which was identified using publicly available government data. In 2017, Ryan and his team gathered 900 additional lake sediment samples in the region and conducted reconnaissance soil sampling over an area approximately 70 km by 20 km. The results of that work identified a distinct population of anomalous gold samples, which are covered by the four exploration licenses (882 claims) comprising the Ashuanipi Property today. Subsequent follow-up programs have built a large project database which includes over 10,000 soil samples, rock sampling, geological mapping and extensive geophysics.Mr. Ryan commented: "Ashuanipi reminds me a lot of my Coffee discovery in the Yukon, in that we have a large multi-km scale gold-in-soil anomaly which appears to be structurally rather than lithology-controlled, cross-cutting several different rock units. With all this previous exploration work, Sassy is now set up to be the first company to drill this new district-scale gold property. I look forward to seeing a drill program on this exciting new group of targets, which have been 8 years in the making." This region, part of the Ashuanipi Complex within the Superior Province, boasts a geological framework conducive to the presence of orogenic mesothermal gold deposits. Historical exploration activities have been revitalized through systematic geological mapping and modern sampling techniques, revealing numerous gold anomalies across the site.The geology of the Ashuanipi Property is characterized by migmatitic metasedimentary rocks intruded by various tonalitic and granodioritic plutons, with widespread gold mineralization associated with garnet-biotite-quartz gneisses. The geological setting of the property, combined with evidence of high-grade metamorphism, aligns with known gold deposits in similar metamorphic terrains. The ongoing exploration efforts are aimed at further delineating these mineralized structures, reinforcing the Ashuanipi Property's status as a high-priority target for hosting potential gold deposits.The DealThe Option Agreement grants the Company the sole and exclusive right and option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in the Ashuanipi Property.To exercise the option for Ashuanipi, Sassy must make a total of $450,000 in cash payments over 5 years and issue an aggregate of 2,000,000 fully paid and non-assessable common shares of the Company to the Owners over a 5-year period, with initial payment of 300,000 shares shortly after execution of the Option Agreement. No cash payment is due in the first year of the agreement, though Sassy will fund exploration work performed during the 2024 field season. The Company secured the Option Agreement through entering an assignment agreement with a third party and has agreed to issue the assignor 1,000,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.11 per share and 1,000,000 common share purchase warrants at an exercise price of $0.13.Director ChangeThe Company also announces the resignation of Richard Savage as Director effective October 17, 2024. Mr. Savage will continue to support the Company in an advisory capacity.Qualified PersonThe technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Peter Lauder, P.Geo., Consulting Geologist for Sassy Gold Corp. Mr. Lauder is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards.About Sassy Gold Corp.Sassy is an exploration stage resource company currently engaged in the identification, acquisition and exploration of high-grade precious metal and base metal projects in North America. Sassy owns 100% of the Foremore Project located in the Eskay Camp, Liard Mining Division, in the heart of Northwest B.C.'s prolific Golden Triangle, and now has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Ashuanipi Gold Property in Labrador. Sassy also holds a 20% interest in the Highrock Uranium Project in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin, and significant equity positions in Gander Gold Corp., Galloper Gold Corp., and MAX Power Mining Corp., giving the Company and its investors direct and indirect exposure to gold, silver, copper, uranium, lithium and natural hydrogen.Contact InformationMark Scott Chief Executive Officerinfo@ sassygold.com Terry Bramhall Corporate Communications & Investor Relations terry.bramhall@sassygold.com 1.604.833.6999 (mobile)1.604.675.9985 (office)Caution Regarding Forward Looking StatementsCertain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified using forward-looking terminology such as, "will be", "expected" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 16:04:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 588 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Now customers using both Scarf and Salesforce can glean new insights from open source usage data for the first timeOAKLAND, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Scarf, the leading platform for open source sales and marketing intelligence, today announced the release of a powerful, native integration with Salesforce. This new integration enables customers to automatically sync open source usage data directly into their Salesforce CRM, helping them identify new sales opportunities and drive targeted engagement without leaving their existing workflows. Alongside the integration, Scarf has released a suite of new features designed to further streamline sales processes and maximize the value of open source data for commercial success.Scarf Platform with Native Salesforce Integration Customers can leverage Scarf insights in their existing sales processThe new Salesforce integration is a game-changer for sales and marketing teams. By pairing Salesforce accounts with companies interacting with open source projects and surfaced in Scarf, sales teams can identify high-intent signals and better prioritize outreach, boosting revenue growth and driving faster and more targeted engagements. A customer using the integration shared their experience: "The Scarf-Salesforce integration has unlocked a new level of visibility into our open source users. We can see exactly which companies are showing interest in our projects, allowing us to engage at the perfect time. It's been instrumental in helping us find and convert new prospects." With over 7 billion events processed through Scarf's gateway, the platform has become the go-to for operationalizing open source data. Now, with its native Salesforce integration, Scarf is making it even easier for customers to tap into this rich data source. This integration enables syncing of key Scarf metrics-such as account funnel stage and its change history, first and last seen dates, version details, and more-directly into Salesforce. Users can customize what data is synced and how often, seamlessly incorporating these insights into their existing sales processes."We recognize that the rich data Scarf provides is most valuable when it's directly in front of the Sales and GTM teams," said Avi Press, Founder and CEO of Scarf. "Building this direct Salesforce integration allows our customers to leverage Scarf insights in their existing sales process without requiring sellers to bounce between tools. Now, they can focus on what they do best: building relationships and closing deals." The new release also extends beyond the Salesforce integration. Recent feature additions include:Match Feedback: Directly correct and flag event data for improved accuracy in company matching and attribution, enhancing the quality of insights.Advanced Filtering: Enhanced data filtering options - tech stack, geographic location, company size, etc - for exports, along with an export history list, making it easier to access and analyze historical trends.Scarf has taken the lead in transforming open source usage data into actionable insights since its founding in 2019. By delivering the tools that help companies unlock revenue opportunities hidden within their open source projects, Scarf's customers can make more informed decisions and drive higher engagement.For customers without the resources to build custom integrations, Scarf has done the heavy lifting. The Salesforce integration eliminates complexity, allowing companies to focus on scaling their sales efforts and turning open source engagement into business growth.Scarf's latest release also follows the completion of its SOC 2 Type 2 examination and PCI-DSS compliance, ensuring a high standard of security and compliance for its customers.Come see us in booth #S49 at KubeCon NA in Salt Lake City, UT.Contact InformationForrest Carmanforrestc@ owenmedia.com 206-859-3118SOURCE: ScarfView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 03:00:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 408 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 11, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against The Toronto-Dominion Bank ("TD Bank" or the "Company") (NYSE:TD). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether TD Bank and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 23, 2024, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired TD Bank securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On October 10, 2024, TD Bank disclosed that it had pleaded guilty and agreed to pay over $3 billion in penalties to resolve investigations by U.S. authorities into violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and money laundering. The resolution of the investigations also included an asset cap preventing TD Bank's U.S. subsidiaries from collectively exceeding $434 billion in assets and subjects TD Bank to more stringent approval processes for its products, services, and market rollouts. In a corresponding press release, the U.S. Department of Justice described TD Bank as "the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act program failures, and the first US bank in history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering." On this news, TD Bank's stock price fell $4.07 per share, or 6.41%, to close at $59.44 per share on October 10, 2024.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 22:07:47 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 12, 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 Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 16:45:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 655 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 A Transparent, Student-Driven Approach to College Rankings Based on Student ChoiceBLACKSBURG, VA / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 /Olive Book, a pioneer in visual, engaging SAT preparation, has announced its inaugural "Olive Book 100" college ranking, a list that redefines the way students, parents, and educators view college rankings. Unlike conventional methodologies, the Olive Book 100 is based on a "revealed preference" approach, relying on students' actual enrollment choices. This methodology reflects what matters most to students in real-world scenarios and avoids the pitfalls of traditional ranking systems that are increasingly seen as skewed or manipulated.Olive Book 100 Olive Book 100Two universities can be compared to discover: of those students who were accepted to both schools, and chose to enroll in one of the two, what percentage of those students went to School A and what percentage instead enrolled in School B. By pitting hundreds of schools against one another in a round robin tournament to see which colleges students chose when they got into both schools and chose to enroll in one, a revealed preference emerges. This ranking likely accounts for the students' perception of the college's academic reputation, affordability & perceived value, financial aid offerings, campus amenities (sports teams, dorm life, campus grounds), university location, perceived nightlife expectations, weather, balance of in-person vs. online classes offered, class size, majors available, and a general sense that "students like me belong in a place like this. "This process reveals a preference that is often hidden in other ranking systems. Points are awarded to the school chosen more frequently and deducted from the less popular choice, creating a dynamic score that reflects true student inclinations.Michael Ermann, Olive Book founder and Virginia Tech professor, expressed frustration with the limitations of traditional legacy rankings, which he believes distort real indicators of quality in undergraduate education. "When a major legacy ranking publication eliminated class size as a factor in 2023, it did a disservice to students," Ermann said. "Class size impacts quality, and faculty have lost a tool to push back on university administrators that, looking at budgets, understandably push consistently for fewer faculty and more students. Olive Book 100 provides a fresh, student-centered alternative that weighs the colleges the way students weigh the colleges." Additional Methodology InsightsTo enhance fairness and transparency:Point-Based Ranking: Schools accumulate or lose points depending on how frequently students choose one over another.Data Analysis & Statistical Rigor: Advanced statistical methods ensure that differences among the 350 schools ranked are significant.Limitations Noted: Military academies and schools with acceptance rates above 75% are omitted from the top 100. The Olive Book 100 comes at a time when public confidence in traditional rankings has waned. Many universities have reportedly gamed the ranking system to appear more selective. "Rankings that emphasize selectivity encourage schools to manipulate acceptance rates rather than focus on student experience and educational quality," said Ermann. "This ranking tells a different story: one based on where students really want to go when they have a choice." Olive Book invites the public to review and critique this innovative approach. Ermann notes, "If you believe an error has been made or your school has been overlooked, reach out-we're committed to transparency and continual improvement." For more information, or to view the Olive Book 100, please visit: www.olive-book.com About The Olive BookAt Olive Book, our mission is to transform SAT preparation by providing you with the most engaging, effective, and accessible test prep materials on the planet. We believe in the power of visual learning and have designed our content to cater to the needs of visual learners and busy students. Our goal is to simplify the SAT prep process, making it both effective and enjoyable so that you have the opportunity to achieve your highest potential score.Contact InformationJanie MackenzieVice President of Public Relationsjanie@ ascendantgroupbranding.com 2679699442SOURCE: Olive BookView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-12 14:01:30 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 583 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 North America's Largest Social Gaming & Lifestyle Network Exclusively Represented in Canada by Nation's Largest Digital AgencyTORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 12, 2024 / Vertical Studios, owners of North America's largest gaming and lifestyle network on social media, has signed Ideon Media to exclusively lead all of its digital brand and ad sales efforts in Canada, it was announced today by Vertiqal Studios CEO Jon Dwyer and Chief Revenue Officer Pamela Glassman.Vertiqal Studios is a secret weapon for brands and advertisers to create always-on digital strategies that authentically live in Gen Z and Millennial culture. The company partners with brands to develop strategic solutions, creative ideation, and content production, while also providing distribution and amplification through their O&O channels - all delivered with boutique, white-glove service. Vertiqal Studios' expertise lies with managing over 130 channels across TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, producing over 55 pieces of content a day for a growing audience of 52 million-plus followers.Ideon Media is Canada's leading independent digital media company. As the single point of exclusive access to premium Canadian and international publications, Ideon reaches 19 million engaged Canadians through digital advertising solutions that deliver results."Ideon's experience, creativity and relationships are second to none in the Canadian advertising marketplace," says Vertiqal Studios' Dwyer and Glassman. "As we continue to expand our reach in the Canadian marketplace, Ideon Media is the perfect partner for us to grow our relationships with leading brands to further create engaging content programs." "Ideon Media is thrilled to partner with Vertiqal Studios to bring their premium gaming and lifestyle social content to Canadian brands," said Jes Biagioni SVP of Sales, Ideon Media. "Vertiqal's unmatched expertise in creating high-engagement content for Gen Z and Millennial audiences aligns perfectly with Ideon's commitment to innovative, impactful digital advertising solutions. Together, we'll continue to deliver unique, high-performance campaigns that resonate with Canadians." Originally launched in 2019, as Gamelancer Media Corp., the company rebranded to Vertiqal Studios in 2023. Vertiqal leverages TV economics to monetize content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram and revenue-share on platforms such as Snapchat. The company's focus on producing and broadcasting performative organic content, positions Vertiqal Studios as a key player in scalable marketing concepts with brands, agencies, and creators for full production and distribution brand campaigns on major social platforms.About Vertiqal StudiosVertiqal Studios is a secret weapon for brands and advertisers to create always-on digital strategies that authentically live in Gen Z and Millennial culture. The company partners with brands to develop strategic solutions, creative ideation, and content production, while also providing distribution and amplification through their O&O channels - all delivered with boutique, white-glove service. Vertiqal Studios' expertise lies with managing over 130 channels across TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, producing over 55 pieces of content a day for a growing audience of 52 million-plus followers. For more information and to join our email subscriber list for direct press releases and newsletters, visit https://vertiqalstudios.com/ ABOUT IDEON MEDIAIdeon Media is Canada's leading independent digital media company. As the single point of exclusive access to premium Canadian and international publications, Ideon reaches 19 million engaged Canadians through digital advertising solutions that deliver results.At the forefront of digital storytelling, Ideon Media empowers brands to connect with their target audiences like never before. Ideon Media combines scale with innovation across digital media, connected television, digital audio, programmatic and native platforms.For further information, please contact:Joe Schlosser joe@ schlossercommunications.com Heather Krug heather@ heatherkrug.com Natalie Milne natalie.milne@ideonmedia.com SOURCE: Ideon Media BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Deputy Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China Ding Xuexiang arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports. At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the guest was welcomed by Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan Hidayat Abdullayev and officials. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Trend reports. At Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Dickon Mitchell was welcomed by Hasan Hasanli, Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Science and Education, along with other officials. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Trend reports. At Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Hissein Brahim Taha was welcomed by Hasan Hasanli, Deputy Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, along with other officials. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) started on November 11 in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. By unanimous decision of almost 200 countries Azerbaijan was honored to host COP29. This decision is a sign of respect to our country as well as appreciation of our active role in the international arena, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at COP29, Trend reports. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov spoke with Prime Minister of the Republic of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne on November 12 during the opening ceremony of the Leaders' Summit of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) taking place in Baku, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers. In the course of the conversation, Azerbaijan's cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda in international organizations was noted, and prospects for the development of bilateral relations were discussed, the information of the Cabinet reads. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) kicked off yesterday. COP29, which is held at the Baku Olympic Stadium, will continue until November 22. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan. A key expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. A total of 14 initiatives were put forward by the COP29 Chairmanship. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel IRVING, Texas, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 7-Eleven, Inc. announced today an expanded deployment of Gulp Radio programming to 5,000 stores across the U.S. by the end of 2024 and more than 12,000 stores by the end of 2025, which includes all 7-Eleven , Speedway and Stripes stores nationwide. Currently in more than 4,000 stores, Gulp Radio network offers an opportunity to influence the shopper at the point of purchase by deploying advertising and messaging via in-store audio. Once fully deployed at scale, Gulp Radio will be one of North America's largest commercial radio networks enabling advertisers to reach the world's largest convenience chain's 13 million daily shoppers. 7-Eleven, Inc. Redefines the Shopper Experience with Expansion of Gulp Radio: One of North Americas Largest Commercial Radio Networks The Gulp Radio network's expansion is the result of an extended partnership with audio retail media platform Qsic , which has allowed 7-Eleven to more quickly develop and bring audio messaging to market. Through Qsic's AI-powered creative audio development, 7-Eleven more efficiently generates localized audio advertisements that reach target audiences during peak times all backed by first-party data to measure the impact and determine revenue lift. Products promoted through Gulp Radio 7-Eleven locations have seen an average overall sales lifts of 59%. "Audio is the easiest and most cost-effective way to influence consumer behavior within the convenience store environment. Qsic's audio platform authentically connects with in-store customers to immediately drive measurable results for our brand partners," said Mario Mijares, Vice President of Marketing, Insights, Loyalty and Monetization Platforms at 7-Eleven, Inc. "Qsic has already proven its value in our stores, we're excited to extend our partnership with them throughout the U.S." *Research shows that 85% of all retail media transactions are in-store, yet most retailers need help to ensure their in-store advertisements hit the mark and influence over-the-counter sales. With its proprietary technology, Qsic surpasses IAB standards by dynamically adjusting audio volume based on ambient noise levels, ensuring each ad is heard clearly. Additionally, Qsic's system timestamps each ad, providing unmatched validation for in-store media compliance. "Gulp Radio network has already driven significant results for advertisers by optimizing in-store assets to influence shoppers at the point of purchase. In-store retail media presents a huge opportunity for brands to drive more conversions, and 7-Eleven and Gulp Radio are at the forefront," said Matt Elsley, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Qsic. Launched in October 2022, Gulp Media Network is America's largest coast-to-coast immediate consumption Retail Media Network designed to leverage 7-Eleven's customer purchase and behavioral data, which is 95 million loyalty members strong, or approximately one in four Americans. As the #1 Immediate Consumption Retailer, 7-Eleven's Gulp Media Network is a closed loop solution with the ability to track ROAS and iROAS by deploying advertising and messaging through social, display, gas pump TV's, connected TV ads and CRM throughout more than 7-Eleven's 12,000 stores across 47 of the top 50 DMAs in the U.S. *Data derived from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Measurement, Addressability and Data Center's " Digital Out of Home (DOOH) & In-Store Retail Media Playbook 2024 ". About 7-Eleven, Inc. 7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name in the U.S. convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 13,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to 7-Eleven stores, 7-Eleven, Inc. operates and franchises Speedway , Stripes , Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits locations. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7-Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7-Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products at outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards loyalty programs with more than 80 million members, place an order in the 7NOW delivery app in over 95% of the convenience retailer's footprint, or rely on 7-Eleven for other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-eleven.com . About Qsic Qsic is the global intelligent in-store audio platform that uses data & AI to remove friction from the planning process and elevate and measure the impact of audio. Reaching over 100 million in-store shoppers monthly, Qsic helps retailers activate their Retail Media Networks by setting up, running and commercializing their audio assets. This extends from music curation, ad production and collateral to ad sales and price evaluation. Qsic has invested heavily in developing a patented method of measuring the impact of audio advertising on real-world in-store transactions. It is now a leading provider of AI technology that strategically leverages the power of audio to deliver better customer and sales experiences. Learn more at www.getqsic.com . SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc. Leading Electricity Retailer Entrusts Hansen to Power Growth in Denmark with Seamless Integration to the Danish Energy Data Hub MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hansen Technologies (ASX:HSN), a leading global provider of software and services to the energy, utilities, communications, and media industries, is pleased to announce that A Entelios, one of the Nordic region's largest B2B electricity retailers, has selected Hansen CIS to support its strategic expansion into the Danish market. A Entelios has extended its trust in Hansen's customer billing and engagement capabilities to navigate Denmark's unique energy ecosystem requirements. Crucial to A Entelios's successful expansion is Hansen's ability to seamlessly integrate support for the Danish Energy Data Hub. This centralised platform collects, manages, and distributes energy-related data for all market participants. Hansen CIS will streamline crucial processes such as metering, billing, settlement, and reporting, ensuring A Entelios's smooth entry and efficient operations within the Danish energy sector. The joint project between A Entelios and Hansen will focus on developing functionalities necessary to fully support Business Requirement Specification (BRS) processes for retail operations in the Danish market. By leveraging Hansen's proven solutions and deep expertise in energy market operations, A Entelios is well-positioned to deliver enhanced services to its growing customer base in Denmark. Asne Taksrud, Chief Technology Officer at A Entelios, commented: "Hansen has been a trusted partner, empowering us to grow our business effectively. This latest expansion into Denmark broadens our strong collaboration, spanning many years. We are delighted to have Hansen continue to partner with us as we grow our business in Denmark and beyond." David Castree, President of Energy & Utilities Division at Hansen, commented: "We are proud of the trust that A Entelios has shown by selecting the Hansen CIS solution to help them increase their market footprint in Denmark. This partnership reinforces Hansen's commitment to supporting energy retailers across Europe and enabling them to thrive in dynamic, data-driven markets." For further information about Hansen Technologies, please visit www.hansencx.com. About Hansen Hansen Technologies (ASX: HSN) is a leading global software and services provider for the energy, utilities, communications, and media industries. With its award-winning software portfolio, Hansen serves customers in over 80 countries, helping them to create, sell, and deliver new products and services, manage and analyse customer data, and control critical revenue management and customer support processes. For more information, visit www.hansencx.com About A Entelios A Entelios is one of the largest electricity companies in the Nordic region, and our mission is to assist public and private enterprises through the green transition. We are a part of Norway's leading power group, A Energi, focusing on increasing renewable energy production and developing better energy services. For more information, visit www.entelios.com/en The nonprofit surveyed more than 800 doctors to develop the Seven Principles for a Life Course of Healthy Skin NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- November is National Healthy Skin Month, and American Skin Association (ASA)the nation's premier nonprofit dedicated to skin research and educationis taking this month to remind everyone of seven principles for healthy skin. Through its Education Council, ASA has developed these invaluable guidelines for people of all ages to protect their health and quality of life, now and in the future. By surveying more than 800 dermatologists, family practitioners and pediatricians about what they believe are the most important tips for a life course of healthy skin, ASA has collected seven critically important rules for protecting skin health. For National Healthy Skin Month, American Skin Association is reminding everyone of 7 principles for healthy skin. Post this The Seven Principles for a Life Course of Healthy Skin are: Minimize Exposure to UV Light. Limit time outdoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. , apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, wear sun-protective clothing, and avoid tanning beds and similar artificial tanning devices entirely. Maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes regular water intake, sleep and exercise. Do not smoke. Visit your dermatologist once a year or as needed. Examine your skin daily, and report concerning changes in skin condition and/or color to your dermatologist or health care professional as soon as possible. Hydrate your skin daily, especially after bathing or showering. Maintain good hygiene for skin, hair and nails by giving gentle and constant attention to avoid irritation. Immediately attend to wounds. To avoid infection and scarring, never pick or squeeze blemishes. "Each National Healthy Skin Month, we are reminded how important it is to prioritize skin health," said ASA Chair Howard P. Milstein. "With these seven principles, we can help those of all ages protect and care for their skin." American Skin Association brings together patients, families, advocates, physicians and scientists to fight against a wide range of skin diseases like melanoma and skin cancer. By especially focusing on education for children and teenagers, ASA hopes to ingrain healthy skin practices early on to prevent problems like skin cancer later in life. About American Skin Association A unique collaboration of patients, families, advocates, physicians and scientists, ASA has evolved over nearly four decades as a leading force in efforts to defeat melanoma, skin cancer and other skin diseases. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization to serve the now more than 100 million Americans (one-third of the U.S. population) afflicted with skin disorders, the organization's mission remains to: advance research, champion skin health particularly among children and drive public awareness about skin disease. For more information, visit americanskin.org . American Skin Association has earned Candid's 2024 Platinum Seal of Transparency and the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. Media Contact Kathleen Reichert American Skin Association 917-538-5731 [email protected] SOURCE American Skin Association BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Azerbaijan is an active supporter of multilateralism. At the same time, we play an active role in intercultural dialogue, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at COP29 on November 12, Trend reports. Multiculturalism is our state policy, and at the same time, it is our lifestyle. The People of Azerbaijan, regardless of their ethnic or religious identity, live in peace and harmony as one family, added the head of state. Pre-conference Course and General Session Registration Announcement for the American Society for Preventive Cardiology HOUSTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) announces a full program of events to be held at their annual Congress on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, scheduled in 2025 for July 31 August 3 hosted at the Omni Boston Seaport hotel in Boston, MA. The scientific sessions will be held Fri., August 1 through Sun., August 3. A brand new pre-conference course will be offered July 31 that is aimed at educating medical professionals in their early stages of training with an interest in choosing cardiovascular disease prevention as their career path. This course will be offered to a select group of trainees, and will be sponsored by the ASPC to encourage more medical students to focus on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Additional details are expected to be released in early 2025. The ASPC Congress on CVD Prevention emphasizes inclusiveness and the care of all at risk for CVD. The 2.5-day program provides cutting-edge lectures, lively debates, and practical applications exploring the broad spectrum of preventive cardiology led by world-renowned experts in the field. The 2025 Planning Committee Chair, Dr. David Maron of Stanford University, shares that "The annual ASPC Congress is a great opportunity to learn about the latest developments in preventive cardiology, to interact with giants in the field, to see old friends, and to make new ones." The 2025 program includes sessions that provide the latest evidence on the full range of issues that preventive cardiologists and CVD prevention specialists deal with daily. Dr. Maron continues, "We will review career options in preventive cardiology, discuss the role of artificial intelligence and imaging in practice, do a deep dive into GLP-1s, and debate the future of preventive cardiology as a specialty." The full program agenda and faculty list is expected to be released in February 2025. Additional information about the ASPC and its programs is available at www.aspconline.org. About the American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) The ASPC is a national organization representing a multidisciplinary group of clinicians and researchers who share an interest in and dedication to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The mission of the ASPC is to promote the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, advocate for the prevention of cardiovascular health, and disseminate high-quality, evidence-based information through education of clinicians. SOURCE The American Society for Preventive Cardiology NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Antelope Surgical Solutions, Inc. , a leader in radioligand fluorescent technology, is proud to announce that it has received commercial IND approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its novel prostate cancer technology, AS1986NS. AS1986NS, a fluorescent and lutetium-175 bearing drug, represents a new class of drugs. This milestone paves the way for the initiation of clinical trials aimed at addressing prostate cancer identification and surgical margin delineation. Breakthrough in Prostate Cancer Antelope Surgical Solutions Achieves Commercial IND Approval for PSMA-Fluorescent Novel Drug AS1986NS. Post this Antelope Surgical's latest achievement represents a major leap forward in image-guided surgery and radiopharmaceuticals. The company introduces the term 'radiofluorescent' to describe a new class of drug that it manufactures in-house. This innovation enables the transformation of both small- and large-molecule ligand-targeted drugs into dual-purpose agents, combining therapeutic (e.g., actinium, lutetium, or other lanthanide) and imaging radioisotopes (such as fluoride) with a fluorescent linker. While fluorescence is currently used in surgery to assist with identifying vascular flow and staining tissues, existing fluorescent technologies lack specificity for disease. AS1986NS advances this field by enabling molecular targeting to directly stain specific cancer cells. This drug's prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted fluorescent capability, is designed to illuminate the margins of prostate cancer, enhancing surgical precision. Commencing Clinical Trials With commercial IND approval secured, Antelope Surgical is set to initiate Phase I/II clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of AS1986NS in human volunteers. The trials are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025, pending IRB approval and NCT database registration. The multi-center trials will be led by the authority in surgical robotics Ashutosh Tewari, MD, MBBS, MCh, Kyung Hyun Kim, MD, Professor and Chair of the Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, NY, and by Po-Hung Lin, MD, PhD of the Division of Urology, Department of Surgery at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Artificial Intelligence The testing of AS1986NS will signify an important advancement in the integration of computer vision with surgical robotics. When Antelope Surgical's technology is radiolabeled, it will generate medical images mapping specific cancer cells in both fluorescent and PET (positron emission tomography) images. This development is particularly significant for computer visionadvanced AI models capable of interpreting infrared and DICOM-medical image formats. AI in medical robotics and imaging will improve the accuracy and precision of image-guided surgery, facilitating more effective and targeted treatments. Quote from Company Representative "We are thrilled to have reached this important milestone," said Amy Wu, MD , CEO of Antelope Surgical. "This approval brings us one step closer to offering a new hope for patients suffering from all stages of prostate cancer. Our goal is to automate surgery in the future to impact outcomes and improve efficiency." About Antelope Surgical Solutions, Inc Antelope Surgical Solutions is an earlystage radiofluorescence pharmaceutical dedicated to advancing medicine and surgery through innovative research, in-house scalable chemical manufacturing, AI surgical tools, and time- and cost-saving targeted treatments. For more information, please visit www.antelopesurgical.com . Please email [email protected] if you are interested in donating to or investing in Antelope Surgical Solutions. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "may," "will," "potential," "believes," and "if" are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, future circumstances, or events to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to: those associated with the success of research and development programs, the ability to raise additional funding, and the need to obtain regulatory approval. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Antelope Surgical has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. SOURCE Antelope Surgical Solutions, Inc. SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Artera, the SaaS digital health leader in patient communications, announces new leadership for Artera Government Solutions: Kari Baldonado as General Manager; Marsha Laird-Maddox as Senior Director of Strategy and Operations; and Matt Beirne as Director of Federal Growth & Strategy. Artera Government Solutions, a business unit of Artera, is an established patient communications leader in the federal space. In 2023, Artera acquired AudioCARE, a leading on-premise patient communications solution provider for federal agencies, including the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and the Indian Health Service, for more than 30 years. Today, the AudioCARE team and AudioCARE suite of products are part of the Artera Government Solutions Business Unit. Kari Baldonado Named General Manager, Artera Government Solutions Kari Baldonado has been promoted to General Manager, Artera Government Solutions. Baldonado is a seasoned leader managing cross-functional teams, multi-million dollar budgets and has spent more than 20 years in healthcare IT. Baldonado previously led Artera's Oracle Health channel team, joining Artera more than two years ago. Prior to Artera, she spent 17 years at Cerner Corporation leading teams across the organization including consulting, product, and customer experience. Marsha Laird-Maddox Named Senior Director, Strategy and Operations, Artera Government Solutions Marsha Laird-Maddox has been promoted to Senior Director of Strategy and Operations for Artera Government Solutions. This is an expansion of Laird-Maddox's role for the last three years at Artera, leading federal program management and federal business development. Laird-Maddox has more than 20 years of experience in product innovation, program and project management, new market entry and performance optimization across multiple domains in healthcare IT. Prior to Artera, she spent 18 years at Cerner Corporation. Matt Beirne Joins Artera as Director, Federal Growth & Strategy Matt Beirne joins Artera as Director of Federal Growth and Strategy, bringing more than 13 years of healthcare experience including deep expertise in healthcare IT, strategy and sales to advance healthcare quality. Beirne joins Artera from Oracle Cerner, where he was responsible for driving new business across multiple federal agencies and fortifying strategic partnerships for the company's federal healthcare business unit. "As Artera's federal business has scaled over the past two years, it was an easy decision to elevate top talent, form a dedicated Business Unit, and enhance the leadership team with government expertise," said Guillaume de Zwirek, CEO and co-founder of Artera. "We take great pride in delivering exceptional healthcare experiences for American Indians and Alaska Natives, and the heroes who serve(d) our country. These investments will accelerate our progress in the federal sector, streamlining pharmacy, scheduling, financial and clinical communications, and ensuring IHS beneficiaries, service members, veterans and their families receive the timely and compassionate care they deserve." About Artera Artera is a SaaS digital health leader redefining patient communications. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, the company is trusted by 800+ healthcare systems and federal agencies to facilitate more than 2 billion communications annually, reaching over 100 million patients. The Artera platform integrates across a healthcare organization's tech stack, EHRs and third-party vendors to unify, simplify and orchestrate digital communications into the patient's preferred channel (texting, email, voice, and secure chat), in 109+ languages. The Artera impact: more efficient staff, more profitable organizations and a more harmonious patient experience. Artera Government Solutions (AGS), an Artera business unit, is the leading provider of patient communication technology to federal agencies, including the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and a growing number of Indian Health Service sites. AGS builds on the 30-year legacy of AudioCARE, now an Artera Company, by providing federal agencies with a comprehensive suite of patient communication tools, including SaaS technology and AudioCARE on-premise solutions, in order to enhance patient care, support medication adherence, and increase operational efficiency. For more information, visit www.artera.io. Forward-looking statements: These statements are based on current information and are subject to change without notice. They may not be accurate or reliable, and actual events may differ from those projected. Disclaimer of responsibility: The company is not responsible for the correctness, completeness, or accuracy of the statements made herein. Any claims for damages based on the press release are hereby excluded. Right to make changes: Artera reserves the right to make changes without notice in design, specifications, and models. The only warranty Artera makes is the express written warranty extended on the sale of its service(s) and/or product(s). SOURCE Artera Contemporary Lineup Includes "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In," Hong Kong's Official Oscar Submission, and Multi-Award-Winner "Mad Fate" Classic Screenings to Feature "Comrades: Almost a Love Story" and "In the Mood for Love" LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 10th Annual Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) is delighted to announce the Focus on Hong Kong program, celebrating the region's dynamic cinema industry with contemporary and timeless films. The Focus on Hong Kong program is presented with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco (HKETO San Francisco), and will run from November 14-17, 2024. The 10th Annual Asian World Film Festival will be held from November 13 to 21, 2024, at the Culver Theatre in Culver City, CA. "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In,"; Photo Credit - Asian World Film Festival Kicking off Focus on Hong Kong is Soi Cheang's electrifying martial arts/crime blockbuster, "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In," Hong Kong's Official Submission for the 97th Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Also screening from the director is "Mad Fate," a stylish action thriller that premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in 2023 and garnered three Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Director for Cheang. The Focus on Hong Kong program will also feature the timeless romantic epic "Comrades: Almost a Love Story." The film's visionary and influential director, Peter Ho-Sun Chan, will join a Q&A session following the screening of what many regard as one of the greatest Chinese-language films in history. As previously announced, Wong Kar-Wai's 2000 masterpiece "In the Mood for Love" will be presented as the Centerpiece Film. "Hong Kong cinema has been instrumental in shaping global film culture, and we are privileged to present this exciting program that spans action, drama, and romance," said Georges N. Chamchoum, AWFF Executive Director. "From pioneering blockbusters to cherished classics, these selections showcase the exceptional breadth and depth of Hong Kong's creative and technical achievements." Iris Wong, Acting Director of HKETO San Francisco, said, "We are honored to collaborate with the Asian World Film Festival for the first time to present the Focus On Hong Kong program, which consists of both iconic classics and recent blockbusters from Hong Kong. Through strategic partnerships with film festivals across the western part of the US, including the Los Angeles area, our office is dedicated to fostering cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the US." Focus On Hong Kong is one of seven programs centered on Asian nations and autonomous regions at the 10th Annual Asian World Film Festival. The Focus on Program will also spotlight films from Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Screening times and program details are available at asianworldfilmfest.org AWFF Sponsors The Asian World Film Festival is proudly sponsored by Aitysh Film, Pechanga Casino Resort, Panavision, Bruce Lee Foundation, Korean Cultural Center (Los Angeles), Korean Film Council (KOFIC) Taiwan Academy (Los Angeles), Hollywood Arab Film Association (Los Angeles), Vietnam Cinema Association (Hanoi, Vietnam), Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (San Francisco), Culver City Arts Foundation, CAPE (Los Angeles), AARP (Los Angeles), Blackmagic Design, Beirut Film Association (Lebanon), AARP (California), Emporium Thai (Los Angeles), Jackson's Market and Deli (Los Angeles), Shin Beijing (Los Angeles) and NAMOO (Marina Del Rey), among others About the Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, the Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) was founded by Kyrgyz public figure Sadyk Sher-Niyaz to bring the best of Asian cinema to Los Angeles and to strengthen ties between the Asian and Hollywood film industries. The festival screens feature films from more than 50 countries, spanning Japan to Turkey and Russia to India and Southeast Asia. As of 2024, AWFF is the only Los Angeles-based festival that showcases most Asian submissions for Academy Award for Best International Feature Film and Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language. AWFF is a non-profit organization under Aitysh USA. Follow AWFF on: X (formally Twitter): https://twitter.com/asianworldff Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsianWorldFilmFest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianworldff/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@asianworldfilmfestival3974 PHOTOS: HERE MEDIA CREDENTIALS: https://forms.gle/4y3D4F2KwgTEB76a6 MEDIA CONTACTS: Weissman/Markovitz Communications Rick Markovitz [email protected] 818-760-8995 SOURCE Asian World Film Festival The Practice Ownership Program has been a cornerstone of Aspen Dental's proven model, fueling the entrepreneurial spirit of clinicians since 2004. CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspen Dental is celebrating a major milestone: the 20th anniversary of its Practice Ownership Program (POP), a pioneering model that empowers dentists to become successful business owners. The program provides clinicians with a structured, clear path to practice ownership and an opportunity to build equity in their own practice with the backing of a team of experts to support the non-clinical aspects of the business. "Looking back, the decision to launch the Practice Ownership Program back in 2004 was the single most important decision we've made in the history of the business," said Bob Fontana, chairman and CEO of TAG The Aspen Group. "We knew early on that in order to grow Aspen Dental into a national platform, we needed to create a model that fundamentally met the needs of the providers whose practices we support, with an ownership program that enabled them to achieve their long-term career goals. Watching hundreds of dentists grow from associates to single-practice owners, and eventually multi-practice owners, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career." Aspen Dental has been a leader in the dental industry for more than 25 years, demonstrating how dentists can excel as both clinical leaders, delivering the highest standard of care, and as entrepreneurs and business owners. A league of their OWN The number of practice owners within the Aspen Dental network has more than doubled over the past decade. Today, there are 277 Aspen Dental practice owners and 137 partners. In 2014, the 10th anniversary of the program, there were just 85 practice owners and 14 partners. "Twenty years ago, when Bob approached me about being one of the first dentists to take the leap into practice ownership with Aspen Dental, I never could have imagined the journey it would take me on," reflected Dr. Iswara Parvathaneni, who, together with his dentist partners, owns seven Aspen Dental locations in the Finger Lakes region and Western New York. Continued Dr. Parvathaneni, "It's been an immensely successful decision. The model has enabled me and hundreds of dentists just like me to not just own our own practice but do it with the support of a team of experts backing us up every single day with non-clinical support services. I get to do what I love focus on clinical care while a support team takes care of the administrative things I don't like to do. I'm so grateful for the support and vision the program provided to me, and I'm proud of how it's shaped the next generation of dentists." Practice Owners also serve as mentors for the next generation of dental professionals, guiding them on their own journey to ownership. At its annual Leadership Retreat this year, Aspen Dental celebrated the 20th anniversary of the program by showcasing letters written by mentees to the practice owners who mentored them. "You have an extraordinary gift for embracing each doctor's unique strengths and helping both the doctors and the business thrive," wrote Dr. Neelam Attri in a letter to her mentor and partner, Dr. Shekhar Gupta. "The autonomy you gave me as an associate and then as a managing clinical director led me to become one of your partner doctors. After 12 years as partners, I can confidently say that our bond has only grown stronger." "You've taken me under your wing, and in doing so, you've shown me the kind of leadership that isn't just about guiding a practiceit's about nurturing a community, building lasting relationships, and striving for excellence," wrote Dr. Tirzah Elliot in a letter to her mentor, Dr. Jere Gillan. "Over the years, you've done more than just help me advance my clinical expertise or navigate the complexities of practice ownership. You've been a true mentor, offering support that has had a profound impact on both my professional and personal life." Watch this video to hear more letters from practice owners to their mentors. Aspen Dental's commitment to doctors, their professional growth, and the communities they serve is at the heart of the Practice Ownership Program's success. As it celebrates 20 years, Aspen Dental looks forward to continuing to empower dentists to take ownership of their careers and provide high-quality care to patients across the nation. For more information about the Practice Ownership Program or to start your journey with Aspen Dental, visit careers.aspendental.com. ABOUT ASPEN DENTAL Aspen Dental was founded in 1998 in New York by Bob Fontana with a simple goal in mind: to break down the barriers that doctors and patients face when it comes to dental care. Today, more than 25 years later, with a network of 1,100+ Aspen Dental locations nationwide, the mission of the company remains the same to bring better care to more people. Aspen Dental is the largest group of branded dental offices in the world. For more information, visit aspendental.com, and follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) , and LinkedIn. SOURCE Aspen Dental Poets & Quants ranked the W. P. Carey Full-time MBA top in the US, ahead of University of Michigan, Duke, and UCLA TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the Poets & Quants 2025 Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship ranking, the ASU W. P. Carey School of Business was named No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world, ahead of University of Michigan, Duke University, and University of California Los Angeles. This is a four-place jump from the school's No. 6 ranking the previous year. "This top ranking is incredibly gratifying for the school," said Ohad Kadan , Charles J. Robel Dean and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair in Business. "ASU is known for being No. 1 in innovation, and it follows that our business school should be deeply committed to entrepreneurship. The Poets & Quants ranking is an external marker of our ongoing commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset throughout our programs and operations." Poets and Quants' methodology uses 16 data points collected via school surveys, including factors such as the percentage of MBA elective courses that are 100% focused on entrepreneurship and/or innovation; data looking at the number of members of the school's main entrepreneurship club; incubator or accelerator space available to MBAs; entrepreneurs in residence available to MBAs; the average percentage of MBAs launching businesses during B-school or immediately after; and startup award money available to MBAs. The W. P. Carey Full-time MBA offers extensive support to students who are interested in starting a business. The entrepreneurship concentration includes a core course in entrepreneurship, combined with five required specialization courses and related electives. The curriculum helps students develop skills in idea generation, opportunity assessment, concept development, resource determination and acquisition, funding opportunities, managing growth, and harvesting the business. "Our entrepreneurship courses put students in the shoes of an entrepreneur, helping them develop critical thinking to make business decisions in real time with limited information," said Kate Eaton , associate dean for graduate programs at W. P. Carey. "From sponsored opportunities to access venture funding to mentorship from experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs, W. P. Carey MBA students are supported in pursuing their big ideas and turning them into successful businesses." Mike Shufeldt (MBA '23) is founder of Ignite Healthcare Solutions, a healthcare consulting company, and Xcellerant Ventures, a venture capital firm. Shufeldt cites the Executive Connections mentorship program, a unique opportunity available in the ASU Full-time-MBA, as a life-changing experience. "I meet and talk to my mentor, a lifelong entrepreneur, to this day," he said. "He's been there for me to bounce ideas off and talk about business growth I'm thankful for the lasting connections I made in the program." Learn more about the W. P. Carey Full-time MBA. About the W. P. Carey School of Business The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is the largest and one of the top-ranked business schools in the United States. The school is internationally regarded for its research productivity and its distinguished faculty members. Students come from more than 100 countries and W. P. Carey is represented by alumni in over 160 countries. Visit wpcarey.asu.edu. For more information/media contact: Shay Moser, W. P. Carey School of Business [email protected] SOURCE W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University SYDNEY, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Auraya is thrilled to unveil ArmorVoxTM 18, a game-changing release that sets a new standard for voice biometrics. Designed to empower organizations with faster, smarter, and more secure identity verification, the latest ArmorVoxTM 18 upgrade combines cutting-edge technology with a user-centric approach to deliver exceptional performance. As the voice biometrics industry faces a seismic shift with Nuance Communications announcing the end of life for its legacy systems, organizations worldwide are left in a bind. Questions loom: How do we transition? What happens to our existing voiceprints? Amid this uncertainty, Auraya delivers a lifeline with the release of ArmorVoxTM 18. New Era of Voice Biometrics ArmorVoxTM 18 is packed with innovations that make voice authentication simpler and more secure. Whether managing large-scale customer interactions or protecting sensitive data, ArmorVox ensures unmatched security, and scalability. ArmorVox also enables effortless migration from Nuance legacy systems to Auraya's platformwithout needing customers to re-enrol. What's New in ArmorVox 18? Unmatched Efficiency Faster onboarding and seamless voiceprint management with improved calibration and enhanced system speed. Next-Level Security Rest easy knowing advanced cybersecurity protocols protects your data. Simplified Management The upgraded console delivers an intuitive interface, making administration tasks smoother than ever. Flexibility at Its Core Fully backward compatible and multi-tenant-ready, ArmorVox adapts to your organization's needs, no matter how complex. Seamless Transition Easy and efficient migration of your existing Nuance voiceprints into EVA, ensuring continuity without disruptions. Future-Proof Technology Built to counter evolving threats, including deep fakes, ArmorVox offers the most advanced protection with flexibility in deploymentwhether on-premise, in the cloud, or hybrid. Built for Growth Businesses can scale effortlessly while maintaining top-tier performance. From improving customer experiences to safeguarding sensitive data, ArmorVox empowers companies to achieve their goals with confidence. "The voice biometrics landscape is evolving rapidly, presenting both challenges and exciting new opportunities. With ArmorVox, businesses can navigate this shift seamlessly. We provide a future-proof solution with progressive security and effortless migration, eliminating any anxiety about the sunsetting of Nuance's legacy systems." - Jamie Lister, CTO, Auraya For more information, visit www.aurayasystems.com or contact at [email protected]. About Auraya Auraya is a global leader in voice biometrics, delivering innovative solutions that enhance security and improve user experiences. With a focus on advanced technology and customer success, we're shaping the future of secure, seamless authentication. SOURCE Auraya PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dilworth Paxson is pleased to announce its inclusion in the Best Law Firms 2025 edition by Best Lawyers. The firm earned recognition for its excellence across multiple practice areas both nationally and within the metropolitan regions of Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City. "Dilworth is honored to be included in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms," said Co-Managing Partner, Kristen Behrens. "This recognition underscores our commitment to providing exceptional service and innovative legal solutions for our clients. We are dedicated to maintaining these high standards and achieving outstanding results across all practice areas, and we are grateful for the acknowledgment of our efforts." Best Lawyers recognizes leading legal talent worldwide, gathering perspectives from top attorneys within specific regions and practice areas. Eligibility for a Best Law Firms ranking requires that a firm includes at least one lawyer listed in the current edition of Best Lawyers in a Best Law Firms practice area and geographic jurisdiction to become eligible for a Best Law Firms award. Dilworth Paxson was honored to have 39 of its attorneys recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. Since 1983, Best Lawyers has published ranking for practice areas nationally and across 188 U.S. metropolitan areas, utilizing a thorough review of client and attorney feedback, peer assessments and recent firm-submitted matters. "It is a true honor to be recognized as a Best Law Firm, especially when this acknowledgment is in part from industry peers," said Dilworth's New Jersey Managing Partner, Mark Schiavo. "This recognition reflects the dedication and impact of the work we do for our clients, both regionally and nationally. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and remain committed to delivering the highest level of service and results for our clients." Best Lawyers has ranked Dilworth as a Best Law Firm nationally in seven practice areas and 30 metro rankings. The practices named in the 2025 list include: National Tier 2 Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Land Use and Zoning Law Trusts and Estates National Tier 3 Litigation Bankruptcy Litigation Construction Railroad Law Tax Law Metropolitan Tier 1 New Jersey Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Insurance Law Philadelphia Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Commercial Litigation Litigation Bankruptcy Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Litigation - Trusts and Estates Railroad Law Real Estate Law Tax Law Trusts and Estates Metropolitan Tier 2 New Jersey Litigation - Construction Philadelphia Land Use and Zoning Law Litigation - Real Estate Metropolitan Tier 3 New Jersey Construction Law Litigation Insurance Public Finance Law New York City Litigation - Patent Philadelphia Appellate Practice Bet-the-Company Litigation Corporate Law Criminal Defense: White-Collar Employment Law Management Litigation Antitrust Litigation - Banking and Finance Litigation - Intellectual Property Litigation - Labor and Employment Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions Plaintiffs Nonprofit / Charities Law Public Finance Law About Dilworth Paxson LLP Founded in 1933, Dilworth Paxson LLP has offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware. Dilworth has a rich and impressive history filled with landmark work that reflects a tradition of legal excellence and a deep concern for its clients and the communities it serves. Dilworth represents a broad spectrum of clients, including the world's leading companies, regional businesses, governmental and civic entities, and individuals. Media Contact: Doreen Clark 269-271-9193 [email protected] SOURCE Dilworth Paxson COVINGTON, Ky., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel class of biologic therapy to treat solid tumor cancers and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), today announced that the Company will participate in the Jefferies London Healthcare Conference. The conference will be held in London, UK, from November 19-21, 2024. Jim Beach, CEO and President of Bexion Pharmaceuticals, and Joyce LaViscount, Chief Financial Officer of Bexion Pharmaceuticals, will attend the conference. About BXQ-350 Bexion's lead drug candidate is BXQ-350, a first-in-class biologic containing the multifunctional, sphingolipid activator protein, Saposin C, and a phospholipid. Multiple Phase 1 clinical trials in adult and pediatric patients have demonstrated a robust safety profile for BXQ-350 with evidence of single agent activity across multiple solid tumor types. Additionally, other clinical and non-clinical data suggest BXQ-350 has activity in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, an area of high unmet medical need in patients treated with oxaliplatin and other chemotoxic agents. About Bexion Pharmaceuticals Bexion Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, is advancing a new class of biologic therapy aimed at treating solid tumors and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), with the potential to expand its portfolio into additional cancer types and broader neuropathic pain treatments. Bexion has generated positive data across various solid tumor types, including colorectal cancer, high-grade gliomas and pediatric brain tumors. The Company is currently enrolling patients and collecting data in the open-label portion of its Phase 1b/2 trial, which evaluates BXQ-350 in combination with the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Additionally, Bexion has completed patient enrollment in a proof-of-concept study for treating CIPN. Investor Contact: William Windham Solebury Strategic Communications 646-378-2946 [email protected] Media Contact: Joyce LaViscount Bexion Pharmaceuticals 859-446-7386 [email protected] SOURCE Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday evening, November 8, the White House released its decision in a Section 201 trade case involving imports of fine denier polyester staple fiber (PSF), a product used in the production of clothing, wipes and defense applications. While there are some positive aspects to President Biden's decision, the domestic industry is extremely disappointed that the action fails to provide protection from the low-priced imports that have caused the closure of two factories and the layoff of hundreds of workers. The White House decision was in response to an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that found imports of PSF from numerous countries caused serious injury to the domestic producers of PSF. The ITC unanimously recommended strong import relief in the form of a quota on imports that were avoiding duties under what is called the Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB) regulation. Moreover, the ITC recommended tariffs on all but a few imports that were not imported under the TIB provision. The purpose of the recommended import relief was to allow the domestic producers to regain financial health, rehire workers, and boost their international competitiveness. The U.S. companies have plans and pledged to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in their production facilities if effective import relief was granted by the White House. Unfortunately, President Biden's proclamation does not achieve that goal. While his decision addresses the TIB import problem a very helpful and necessary aspect of the remedy it falls short of the import relief needed by U.S. producers for long-term success. In rejecting the unanimous recommendation by the ITC to impose significant tariffs on PSF imports, the President is allowing imports to continue to undersell the domestic producers. Without a more robust remedy, the U.S. producers are unlikely to recover to a level that would allow them to invest in this critical American manufacturing industry. This is a disappointment to the domestic industry and its workers, who are facing an existential threat. Background On February 28, 2024, the U.S. PSF industry filed a petition for relief with the ITC under the safeguards provisions of the Trade Act of 1974, also known as Section 201. Fine denier PSF is a manmade fiber, produced from both virgin and recycled polyethylene terephthalate inputs, that is similar in appearance to cotton or wool. Fine denier PSF goes into a huge variety of important consumer products that impact our daily lives in seen and unseen ways. It is used in numerous applications including knit/woven (textiles for clothing and bed linens), nonwoven (household and hygiene products like baby wipes, diapers, coffee filters, and medical gowns), and as fill in pillows and similar products. It is also used to manufacture apparel and gear for our military, including high tech fabric that helps evade electronic detection. The three petitioners representing the domestic PSF industry are Darling Fibers of Darlington, South Carolina; Nan Ya Plastics Corp, America of Lake City, South Carolina; and Sun Fiber LLC of Richburg, South Carolina. Although U.S. producers obtained trade relief in 2018 with antidumping and countervailing duty orders on fine denier PSF imports from China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan, the benefits from those trade orders was short-lived. Imports from numerous other countries surged into the U.S. market. U.S. producer Alpek Polyester (formerly known as DAK Americas) (Charlotte, NC and Moncks Corner, SC) was forced to close in 2021. Darling was forced to suspend operations in 2022 and release over 300 employees. Other domestic producers have had to temporarily idle capacity for the same reason. As the ITC found, the domestic industry is now in a severely injured state, threatening the future of PSF manufacturing in the United States and the hundreds of well-paid manufacturing jobs that are vital to families and the small, rural communities surrounding the domestic facilities. The product covered by President Biden's November 8 proclamation is fine denier PSF, not carded or combed, measuring less than 3.3 decitex (3 denier) in diameter, whether coated or uncoated. Fine denier PSF is classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) in subheading 5503.20.00 and described in statistical reporting number 5503.20.0025 or 9813.00.0520. SOURCE Darling Fibers, Nan Ya Plastics Corp America and Sun Fiber LLC BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Despite 30 years-long occupation by Armenia of almost 20 percent of the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, despite ethnic cleansing and the deportation of 1 million Azerbaijanis from their ancestral lands, we managed to build a strong country with a self-sufficient economy and independent policy, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at COP29 on November 12, Trend reports. The head of state noted, Four years ago, we celebrated the historical victory in the Second Karabakh War. A year ago, we fully restored our sovereignty in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, and UN Security Council resolutions, which had remained on paper for 30 years. We implemented these resolutions ourselves and restored international law, justice, and put an end to the Armenian occupation. DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BioSpace, the leader in biopharma news and careers has published its 2025 Best Places to Work list. The list includes 50 employers with U.S. operations that have been recognized as Best Places to Work by the life sciences community, with 20 organizations ranked in large and 30 ranked in small employer categories. BioSpace's Best Places to Work showcases the 50 most sought-after employers in life sciences. Post this After nominations were completed, BioSpace received over 3,600 submissions from biopharma industry professionals to identify which companies are currently the most sought-after in the industry. "Life science organizations have been resilient in the face of market uncertainty and it's encouraging to see how many are focused on creating positive employee experiences," said Josh Goodwin, BioSpace CEO. "As hiring starts to pick up again, being named a Best Place to Work is an excellent way for these businesses to showcase their work culture." For the fourth year running, mRNA leader Moderna was ranked as the number one most desirable large employer. Moderna received top marks across all attributes, but ranked particularly high once again for innovation. Earlier in 2024 Moderna moved into new headquarters in Cambridge. Moderna has thousands of employees in Massachusetts and more globally. Eli Lilly and Company, Regeneron, Amgen, and Novo Nordisk completed the top five large employers list. Sutro Biopharma, based in South San Francisco and with multiple products in development targeting unmet needs, came out on top for small employers. Apogee Therapeutics, Poseida Therapeutics, Kriya Therapeutics and A2 Biotherapeutics rounded out the top five small employers list. To view the complete lists of 2025 Best Places to Work, click here. About Best Places to Work Nominations for Best Places to Work were open throughout June 2024. Voting was conducted throughout August 2024. Best Places to Work includes responses from over 3,600 life sciences professionals. Respondents were asked to identify their top three most desirable biopharma companies, segmented by large (more than 1,000+ employees) and small (less than 1,000 employees) companies. Respondents were also asked to rate their top choice organizations on attributes including: compensation, innovation, career growth opportunities, leadership, culture, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), reputation and flexibility and remote work. About BioSpace BioSpace is the hub for life science news and jobs. We provide essential insights, opportunities and tools to connect innovative organizations and talented professionals who advance health and quality of life across the globe through news, webinars, podcasts, email, advertising and jobs. Learn more and subscribe at www.biospace.com. SOURCE BioSpace AccuWash Technology monitors and aids an engaged hand wash; helps reduce C. diff, HAIs. ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- After a successful pilot program, BioVigil, the leader in electronic hand hygiene technology solutions, is launching full production of its hand wash solution powered by AccuWash Technology. This technology provides the most accurate way to observe and record a health provider's handwashing compliance. AccuWash Technology is the latest innovation in BioVigil's comprehensive hand hygiene monitoring solution. It uses thermal energy and a set of sophisticated sensors inside a sink beacon. When the beacon senses a user's hands under the faucet, it starts a clearly visible timer. The beacon provides visual cues as the user is washing their hands. As the user reaches the CDC-recommended 20-second length of time, the visual hand sign on the beacon turns green to confirm a successful hand wash. "We tested the technology in several locations across the country, in a variety of hospital settings and sizes. White Plains Hospital in New York had quite a positive experience," said Ben Wood, director of Engineering and Technology. "I really liked the visual on the device that lets me know that I have spent the right amount of time washing my hands!" -Juliana Rossi, RN, White Plains Hospital, NY "The device is so cool! The flashing blue hand on the device turns green when I have reached the required time for handwashing and when my badge turns blue, I know what to do!" -Anthony Pena, Nurse Tech, White Plains Hospital, NY "The testing process helped to identify how to refine the software and the hardware. We also revamped our manufacturing process, and we're now much leaner with the assembly done here in southeast Michigan," said Wood. Additional refinements include a 3-year battery life with the use of a standard AA battery, and updated design to improve the accuracy at detecting when handwashing occurs. "We have received excellent feedback from our clients who used the AccuWash Technology solution. They are reporting improved accuracy in hand wash detection, and a positive user experience," said Sanjay Gupta, president and CEO. " There's really nothing else like this. It's an incredibly engaging and reliable solution that has resulted in much improved hand hygiene compliance for our clients." AccuWash Page Two With the full rollout, the sink beacon with AccuWash Technology is a standard part of the complete BioVigil electronic hand hygiene system. The system also includes a room beacon, badge sensor and robust data suite. The BioVigil system has helped numerous partners across the country improve hand hygiene behavior, reduce HAIs by up to 83%, achieve 97% hand hygiene compliance, and improve LeapFrog quality grades. Go here for a demonstration video. About BioVigil: BioVigil is a leader in electronic hand hygiene monitoring. BioVigil technology is used to increase hand hygiene compliance in healthcare facilities, resulting in decreased healthcare associated infections (HAIs), improved patient engagement, accessibility to data insights, and improved Leapfrog Group grades. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, BioVigil launched in 2012 and its solutions are used in more than 40 facilities across the United States. Learn more at BioVigil.com Media Contact: Debbie Reinheimer, [email protected] SOURCE BIOVIGIL Hygiene Technologies, LLC MIAMI, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With a strong air cargo market exceeding pre-pandemic levels, Boeing [NYSE: BA] forecasts continued long-term growth, saying air cargo traffic will increase by an average of 4% per year through 2043. These projections appear in Boeing's 2024 World Air Cargo Forecast (WACF), the biennial overview and long-term outlook for the air cargo industry. "As the quickest and most reliable way to move goods, air cargo's sustained growth has returned the industry to its long-term trend," said Darren Hulst, Boeing vice president of Commercial Marketing. "There will be many drivers for continued freighter demand over the next 20 years, including expansion of emerging markets and global growth in manufacturing and e-commerce." Further insight from the 2024 WACF: The global air cargo fleet is forecast to rise to 3,900 airplanes by 2043, a two-thirds increase from 2,340 freighters in 2023. Driven by demand in high-growth Asian markets, the large widebody freighter fleet will nearly double. Nearly half of production and conversion deliveries will replace retiring freighters with more capable and fuel-efficient models due to recent market needs, many older jets remain in service. Regional movers: East and South Asian markets will see the highest traffic growth per year, driven by expanding economies and consumer demand. With the Asia-Pacific fleet expected to nearly triple, carriers in that region will require the most deliveries (980), followed closely by North America (955). These two regions will account for more than two-thirds of global deliveries. fleet expected to nearly triple, carriers in that region will require the most deliveries (980), followed closely by (955). These two regions will account for more than two-thirds of global deliveries. India's domestic air cargo market will nearly quadruple as express and e-commerce networks expand. Express carriers forecast: Express carriers will serve one quarter of the air cargo market (up from current 18%). Express carriers are poised to grow faster than the industry average due to an increasing role in e-commerce distribution and the expansion of express networks in emerging markets. By the numbers: Freighter deliveries (2024-2043) 2,845 Production 1,005 Conversions 1,840 Delivery types Standard-body 1,250 Medium widebody 785 Large widebody 810 The complete 2024 World Air Cargo Forecast can be found at www.boeing.com/wacf. As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers . Contact: Boeing Media Relations [email protected] SOURCE Boeing GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 136th Canton Fair recently hosted the Canton Fair Industry Trend Forum focusing on home furnishing trend and market strategy sharing. Co-organized by the World's Global Style Network (WGSN), the sharing session released WGSN's latest "White Paper on Home Trends in 2025" and "White Paper on Future Consumers in 2026" reports, engaging industry leaders in discussion about current trends in the home furnishing market, consumer needs and future strategies for home living. 2025 Home Trends unveils sustainable, tailored and intelligent lifestyle The "Home Trends in 2025" report applies the STEPIC framework, covering six dimensions: society, technology, environment, politics, industry and creativity. This comprehensive analysis provides insights into market drivers and areas of innovation. The report paints a blueprint for the future of home living with sustainability, personalization and intelligence at its core, the trends of which not only shape the future direction of product design and interior design, but also have a profound impact on people's interaction with the environment, society and culture. The analysis provides a macro perspective to help decision-makers and innovators grasp future trends and integrate these factors into design, ultimately creating products and services that meet the demands of society. During the forum, Ye Wenshi, a trend consultant from WGSN, highlighted that the industry would find new opportunities in multifunctional design and material innovation, which add practical and emotional value to product concepts. 2026 Future Consumer Trends sees growing complex consumer profiles The "Future Consumer in 2026" report, outlines the diversity in customer profiles including "truth-seekers", "autonomists", "shimmers" and "synergists", as they tend to have more complex emotions as society transforms from an era of information to a time of imagination. Wu Anjing, another trend consultant from WGSN, emphasized the growing demand for authenticity, emotional resonance, and personalized experiences. Industry businesses will need to adapt innovative strategies, such as tailored marketing and service, to keep customer loyalty in alignment with evolving consumer values. The forum also featured presentations from Nancy Yamada, the Executive Director of Emerald Holding, Inc., who analyzed the U.S. home furnishings market, highlighted trends like multifunctional, space-saving furniture due to urbanization, and the popularity of handcrafted, high-quality and personalized decor. The 137th Canton Fair will be held from April 15 to May 5, 2025 in Guangzhou. For more information, please visit https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US SOURCE Canton Fair NHP data demonstrate potential for CAP-004 to treat CNS, cardiac, and sensory manifestations of Friedreich's ataxia THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Capsida Biotherapeutics ("Capsida") today announced new preclinical data for CAP-004, a potential best-in-class systemically administered next-generation gene therapy for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia. CAP-004 is Capsida's third wholly owned program and utilizes one of the company's proprietary engineered capsids to target central nervous system (CNS), cardiac, and sensory manifestations of the disease while limiting effects in off-target tissues, especially the liver. CAP-004 is now entering Investigational New Drug (IND) application enabling studies. Data highlighting the therapeutic potential of CAP-004 will be presented in a late-breaking poster presentation at the International Congress for Ataxia Research (ICAR), being held November 12-15, 2024 in London, UK. Friedreich's ataxia is a rare hereditary disease with limited treatment options. It is caused by a mutation that reduces frataxin (FXN) protein expression, leading to progressive neurodegeneration, cardiac dysfunction, and sensory deterioration. CAP-004 is designed to target and address the key pathophysiological features of the disease by delivering therapeutically meaningful FXN expression in the CNS, cardiac tissues, and sensory regions. In the study conducted in non-human primates (NHPs), results showed that CAP-004 demonstrated: Brain-wide biodistribution, achieving more than 80% transduction in key cell types, such as Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, neurons in the dentate nucleus, and motor neurons in the cortex and spinal cord. 100 times higher RNA expression compared with AAV9 in the cerebellum, motor cortex, and spinal cord. Significant cardiac tissue transduction, covering nearly 30% of the left ventricle tissue area. Bulk hFXN protein levels in treated NHPs were up to 8.2 times higher than endogenous levels in the motor cortex and 1.7 times higher in the left ventricle, highlighting the therapeutic potential in both CNS and cardiac regions. Potential in treating sensory vision loss, with significant RNA expression detected in the retina. Significant detargeting of the liver and other non-target tissues contributed to the favorable safety profile characterized by no adverse immunogenicity, clinical pathology, and histopathology findings. "These preclinical data demonstrate CAP-004's potential to be a best-in-class gene therapy for Friedreich's ataxia, a devastating disease with few treatment options," said Peter Anastasiou, CEO of Capsida Biotherapeutics. "With CAP-004 delivered as a single IV injection, Capsida has the potential to address neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and sensory components of this disease." Details about the CAP-004 ICAR poster presentation: Systemic AAV Gene Therapy with Next Generation Engineered Capsids for Treatment of CNS and Cardiac Symptoms in Friedreich's Ataxia Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 6:00 PM GMT Session: Emerging and existing therapeutics preclinical research Poster Number: 477 Location: Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge, Minories Suite Presenter: Celeste Stephany, Ph.D., Director of CNS and Ophthalmology Preclinical Research, Capsida About Capsida Biotherapeutics Capsida Biotherapeutics is a fully integrated gene therapy company with a central nervous system (CNS) pipeline consisting of disease modifying and potentially curative treatments for rare and more common diseases across all ages. Capsida's intravenously (IV) administered gene therapies utilize proprietary engineered capsids that enable high transduction levels to desired tissues and cells, while limiting tropism to non-target organs, such as the liver. Capsida has three wholly owned programs, including a potential first-in-class treatment for STXBP1 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and a best-in-class treatment Parkinson's disease associated with GBA mutations, both of which are in IND-enabling studies and on track to enter the clinic in the first half of 2025. Capsida's third program is a potential best-in-class therapy for Friedreich's ataxia and is in IND-enabling studies. In addition to its wholly owned programs, the Company has validating CNS partnerships with AbbVie, Lilly, CRISPR Therapeutics, and the AbbVie partnership was expanded to include ophthalmology disorders. Capsida was founded in 2019 by lead investors Versant Ventures and Westlake Village BioPartners and originated from groundbreaking research in the laboratory of Viviana Gradinaru, Ph.D., a neuroscience professor at Caltech. Visit us at www.capsida.com. SOURCE Capsida Biotherapeutics WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CGTN America & CCTV UN releases "Chinese Films Gain Ground at 45th American Film Market." The 45th American Film Market (AFM) wrapped up on November 10 in Las Vegas in the U.S. state of Nevada, where China Film Group's "China Film Joint Pavilion" helped showcase recent achievements in Chinese cinema. This is the second year the "China Film Joint Pavilion" has participated in AFM, attended by a delegation of 55 top Chinese film organizations. Over 200 film projects were featured, including works highlighting Chinese culture and aesthetics, such as The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero and Only Green. Reality-themed films such as Moving Forward were also shown, along with animated films and documentaries like The Great Journey. The showcased Chinese films have garnered considerable interest from industry professionals, promoting Sino-U.S. cultural exchanges. Fu Ruoqing, Chairman of China Film Group Corporation, said that Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros, Universal, Sony and Disney, have shown interest in distributing Chinese films and forming partnerships. "I believe that through films, we can help Chinese people better understand the American people, and allow Americans to learn more about China and its people," said Fu. "In the future, we will continue to create more films and reflect China's real-life experiences, culture and values," he added. The AFM is one of the world's most significant film trading events, bringing together thousands of industry professionals from over 80 countries for six days of rights transactions, film screenings, and forums. Click here to watch the video: https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2024-11-12/-Chinese-cinema-celebrated-and-expands-its-global-reach-at-AFM-1ysBLl8Ctoc/p.html (This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.) Contact: [email protected] LIMA, Peru and SAO PAULO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from iChongqing: The "China: An Opportunity, Chongqing Brands" global promotion series has made significant inroads in Latin America from November 5 to 8, showcasing Chongqing's vibrant culture, innovative industries, and strategic potential. On-Site at the "China: An Opportunity, Chongqing Brands" Global Promotion. (Photo/Vivian Yan) These events, held in Lima and Sao Paulo, brought together local officials, business leaders, media, and scholars, highlighting the growing connections between Chongqing and Latin American markets. Joseph Cruz Soriano, a distinguished Peruvian Sinologist, set the tone with an engaging greeting in the Chongqing dialect, sparking immediate enthusiasm among participants. Guan Hong, Executive Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, emphasized that these promotions aim to deepen ties between Chongqing and Latin American markets by fostering bilateral trade, cultural exchange, and investment. One of the highlights of the promotion was the presentation by Erik Mitsuo, General Manager of Inchcape Peru and Changan Automobile Peru. He highlighted Changan's growth as an example of Chongqing companies succeeding in the Peruvian market, noting that sales reached 6,153 units from January to September 2024- ranking first among Chinese brands and fourth overall in Peru's auto market. Liu Qingqing, Director of the Publicity Department of Dazu District, Chongqing, further enriched the event by presenting the historical and cultural significance of the Dazu Rock Carvings, underscoring shared heritage and enhancing cultural bonds. Paulo Braga, Vice General Manager of Chongqing Polycomp International Brazil Branch, highlighted CPIC's acquisition of Capivari Glass Fiber in 2011, illustrating how Chongqing enterprises have already established a significant foothold in Brazil. "I am very fond of Chongqing and have visited multiple times. The introduction of the '33618' industry cluster at this promotion event has given clear direction for our company's future efforts in Brazil," Braga shared. Adding to the dialogue, Tang Yishin, a professor at the University of Sao Paulo, shared insights into the current state of higher education in Brazil and pointed to potential opportunities for academic cooperation. He praised Chongqing's leadership in education and innovation, particularly in AI, engineering, and environmental science, emphasizing that joint research and talent exchange would yield mutual benefits. The exhibition in Lima and Sao Paulo also featured captivating photos of Chongqing's landscapes and urban scenes, paired with authentic samples of local cuisine such as Chongqing noodles, creating an immersive experience that resonated with the attendees. For more, please visit: https://www.ichongqing.info/category/news/news-special/bridging-china-and-latin-america/ SOURCE iChongqing WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from Colorado will have the opportunity to hear NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Suni Williams answer their prerecorded questions aboard the International Space Station on Thursday, Nov. 14. Watch the 20-minute space-to-Earth call at 1 p.m. EST on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content on various platforms, including social media. (Oct. 25, 2024) NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams is pictured at the galley inside the International Space Stations Unity module at the beginning of her day. Credit: NASA The JEKL Institute for Global Equity and Access, in partnership with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, will host students from the Denver School of Science and Technology for the event. Students are building CubeSat emulators to launch on high-altitude balloons, and their work will drive their questions with crew. Media interested in covering the event must RSVP by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, to Daniela Di Napoli at: [email protected] or 832-656-5231. For more than 24 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN's (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network. Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the space station benefit people on Earth and lays the groundwork for other agency missions. As part of NASA's Artemis campaign, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars; inspiring Artemis Generation explorers and ensuring the United States continues to lead in space exploration and discovery. See videos and lesson plans highlighting space station research at: https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation SOURCE NASA PLANO, Texas, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) is a 6-Time Winner in the Dallas Morning News' 2024 Top Workplaces DFW awards. CHC placed 24th among 60 winners in the small company category, and ranked top, receiving the "Best Communication" award among all 313 company submissions. The highly competitive annual award competition recognizes and celebrates employers who foster inspiring leadership and an outstanding culture. CHC President and CEO Jim Kendrick commented on this year's DMN Top Workplace award: "We are truly honored to receive this prestigious award. We take pride in improving the performance of hundreds of hospitals nationwide. Top workplace recognition underscores CHC's expertise in advancing community healthcare nationwide since the company's inception in 1996." CHC Consistent Top Workplace in the DFW small company category 2024: Placed 24th among 60 winners and won "Best Communication" for 3rd time 2023: Placed 14th among 55 winners 2022: Placed 10th among 35 winners and won "Best Communication" for 2nd time 2021: Placed 11th among 36 winners and won "Best Communication" 2020 & 2019: Earned National Standards of Excellence recognition 2016 & 2015: Ranked among Top Workplaces About Community Hospital Corporation HELP WHERE HOSPITALS NEED IT Community Hospital Corporation owns, manages and consults with hospitals through CHC Hospitals, CHC Consulting and CHC ContinueCARE with the purpose to collaborate with partners and bring innovative solutions to support the vibrancy and accessibility of community healthcare. Based in Plano, Texas, CHC provides the resources and experience community hospitals need to improve quality outcomes, patient satisfaction and financial performance. Visit https://chc.com/. CONTACT: Anne Block 972-943-6470 [email protected] SOURCE Community Hospital Corporation LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Confido Capital ("Confido"), a privately held investment management firm, has officially launched, offering amplified income strategies to the institutional market. Founded by industry veteran Brad Boyd, CFA, Confido is dedicated to delivering consistent, absolute return-oriented solutions that prioritize yield, diversification and liquidity. "We continue to see considerable unmet demand for strategies targeting double-digit returns, downside protection and regular access to invested capital," stated Boyd. "Our approach is centered on the predictability of income combined with years of experience utilizing the full market toolkit to exploit inefficiencies and control risk." Confido Charts Course: Targeting Double-Digit Yields, Reduced Market Correlation, and Downside Protection Post this With over 20 years in financial markets, Chief Investment Officer Brad Boyd is recognized as a pioneer in absolute return fixed income and multi-asset strategies. Confido adheres to a refined process that combines both qualitative and quantitative elements to deliver consistent outcomes for global investment partners. Firm Highlights: - Income Generation: Confido employs the dependability and compounding power of income as the foundational cornerstone of its investment philosophy. - Flexible, Multi-Asset Opportunity Set: The firm sources yield across regions and asset classes including global fixed income, quality equity and option premia. - Risk-Managed, Absolute Return Approach: Extensive expertise optimizing portfolios for risk-adjusted return and downside protection enhances Confido's ability to navigate varying market cycles. "Over the years, yield-focused products have often been accompanied by excessive risk and overly optimistic assurances of liquidity, or, in other cases, restrictive and lengthy lock-up periods," said Boyd. "Our government-oriented foundation and multi-asset approach provide attractive return potential, diversifying characteristics, and ample access to capital when investors need it most." About Confido Capital Founded in 2024 by Brad Boyd, CFA, Confido Capital is an employee-owned investment firm specializing in risk-managed income solutions. Boyd, an industry expert in absolute return and income strategies, previously held senior leadership and portfolio management roles at Oaktree Capital and Payden & Rygel. Frequently featured in financial media, he is a regular speaker and panelist. Based in Los Angeles, Confido Capital is dedicated to defensively oriented strategies that prioritize yield and diversification - serving a broad investor base, including family offices, fund of funds, endowments, foundations and more. For more information, please visit confidocap.com or contact [email protected]. SOURCE Confido Capital BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. In his speech at the opening ceremony of COP29, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the accusations made against Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The head of state said: Two years ago, Azerbaijan and the European Commission signed a Declaration on strategic partnership in the field of energy. But it was not our idea. It was a proposal from the European Commission. The President of the European Commission came to Baku two years ago to sign this document with us. Because they needed our gas. EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate Technologies, a leading national managed service provider (MSP) offering IT and cybersecurity solutions, has acquired RSPN, an MSP serving SMB customers in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo region of Iowa. The acquisition expands Corporate Technologies' national reach to 17 markets in twelve states. "RSPN's founders Mark and Mike have been dedicated to providing technology services to businesses in Iowa for over 30 years," said Jim Griffith, CEO of Corporate Technologies. "The significant growth of RSPN is a testament to their leadership and the service delivery team they built. We are excited to partner with them as we continue our growth in Iowa." "Our goal in selling was to find the right place for customers and employees. Corporate Technologies will provide significant resources and opportunities for both," said Mark Stewart, CEO and Co-Owner of RSPN. "Corporate Technologies was an ideal fit for RSPN due to their focus on service delivery, customer focus, and employee experience," replied Mike Place, President and Co-Owner of RSPN. This is the sixth acquisition by Corporate Technologies and its second since being acquired by Tonka Bay Equity Partners in July of 2023. Corporate Technologies' acquisition continues its mission of building a national company to empower and provide its customers with technology services that enable their success. About Corporate Technologies Founded in 1981, Corporate Technologies is a leading provider of managed services, cybersecurity solutions and disaster recovery services for businesses. Corporate Technologies is an award-winning company serving more than 1400 customers across the country. For more information visit www.gocorptech.com Media Contact: 7018934000 SOURCE Corporate Technologies, LLC SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Uber Eats (NYSE: UBER) is excited to announce a new partnership with Stew Leonard's, the family-owned and operated farm fresh food store renowned for its exceptional quality and unique shopping experience. Now, from everyday items to exclusive cult-favorites, customers can enjoy the convenience of having their favorite Stew Leonard's products delivered right to their doorstep. All of Stew Leonard's iconic New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut locations are available now to shop on the Uber Eats and Uber appsgiving consumers near instant-access to the brand's exclusive items, from dairy-fresh Christmas Cookie Milk to their chef-made chunky guacamole. As always, Uber One members will benefit from $0 Delivery Fee and 5% discount on all Stew Leonard's orders with a $35 minimum purchase. And all consumers will benefit from up to 50% off their next Stew Leonard's order of $50 or more through November 25th . Terms apply. See app for details. From everyday items to cult-favorites, customers can enjoy the best of Stew Leonard's delivered to their doorstep. Post this "Growing up outside of Connecticut, I've always admired Stew Leonard's for its incredible in-store experience and its truly unique selection of fresh, high-quality products," said Beryl Sanders, Director of Grocery and Retail Partnerships at Uber. "Now, with Stew Leonard's on Uber Eats, we're bringing a taste of that iconic shopping experience right to people's doorsteps. This partnership allows us to offer our customers even more of what they crave, and discover new items from this beloved brand." "Before he opened Stew Leonard's in 1969, my grandfather delivered milk from his family's dairy to local customers," said Jake Tavello, COO at Stew Leonard's. "Today, more than 55 years after he ended his milk delivery route, my family is proud to partner with Uber Eats. We're excited to offer our shoppers the convenience of online shopping and home delivery of our farm fresh milk, chef-prepared meals, freshly baked cookies, and more." Through the Uber Eats app, customers can browse a wide range of Stew Leonard's exclusive products, including: Heat and serve items, including Stew's best-selling parmesan-crusted chicken, cheese quesadillas, and handmade meatballs. Gameday menu favorites, from hot pizzas and spicy chicken wings to 7-layer dip and more. Fresh sweets and treats directly from Bethy's Bakery, like Bethy's award-winning chocolate chip cookies, heavenly apple crisp, and kettle-boiled bagels. To place an order, customers simply need to open the Uber Eats app, select their desired Stew Leonard's location, and browse the available products. Orders can be placed for immediate delivery or scheduled for a future time. Taxes and fees may still apply. See app for membership details. Promo expires on (2024-11-25) 11:59PM PDT. Promo valid for 50% off (up to $35) orders of $50 or more (before taxes and fees) from Stew Leonard's. Discount available on your next order only. Valid only for those who received it directly from Uber. Taxes and fees still apply. Offer may not be combined with other offers (except for applicable Uber One member promos). Terms are subject to change. Pickup orders excluded. Other exclusions may apply. See app for details. About Uber Uber's mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 52 billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities. Press: [email protected] About Stew Leonard's Stew Leonard's is a family-owned and operated fresh food store with locations in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, Conn.; Clifton and Paramus, N.J.; and East Meadow, Farmingdale, and Yonkers, N.Y. For more information, visit Stew Leonard's website at www.stewleonards.com . Press: Meghan Bell, 203.847.7213 [email protected] SOURCE Uber SAN MARCOS, Calif., Nov. 11, 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 Grand Plaza in San Marcos, California on November 23rd. "We are thrilled to open our store at Grand Plaza," 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 San Marcos community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication." The new Daiso store at Grand Plaza encompasses 6,412 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 166 units in 8 states with more states opening in 2025." On both Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th, the first 100 customers to shop at the Grand Plaza 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 Grand Plaza Daiso, at 193 S Las Posas Road, is by neighboring tenant Lane Bryant 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 WACO, Texas, Nov. 11, 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 Lake Air Mall in Waco, Texas on November 23rd. "We are thrilled to open our store at Lake Air Mall," 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 Waco community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication." The new Daiso store at Lake Air Mall encompasses 10,689 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, "Texas based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region. We currently operate 166 units in 8 states with more states opening in 2025." On both Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th, the first 100 customers to shop at the Lake Air Mall 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 Lake Air Mall Daiso, at 5201 Bosque Blvd, Suite 380, is by neighboring tenant Target 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 SHANGHAI, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry, today announced that it will hold its annual general meeting (the "AGM") at Daqo New Energy Corp. Shanghai Office, 29th Floor, Huadu Building, No. 838, Zhangyang Road, Pudong District, Shanghai 200122, People's Republic of China on December 10, 2024 at 10:00 AM (Beijing time). Holders of record of the Company's ordinary shares at the close of business in the Cayman Islands on November 18, 2024 will be entitled to attend the AGM and any adjournment or postponement thereof in person. Holders of the Company's ordinary shares or ADSs may obtain a hard copy of the Company's annual report on Form 20-F, free of charge, from its website at http://www.dqsolar.com,, by emailing the Company's Investor Relations Department at [email protected], or by writing to: Daqo New Energy Corp. Shanghai Office 29th Floor, Huadu Building No. 838, Zhangyang Road Pudong District, Shanghai 200122 People's Republic of China Attention: Investor Relations About Daqo New Energy Corp. Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) ("Daqo" or the "Company") is a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry. Founded in 2007, the Company manufactures and sells high-purity polysilicon to photovoltaic product manufactures, who further process the polysilicon into ingots, wafers, cells and modules for solar power solutions. The Company has a total polysilicon nameplate capacity of 305,000 metric tons and is one of the world's lowest cost producers of high-purity polysilicon. SOURCE Daqo New Energy Corp. Dial brand teams up with country duo Maddie & Tae for a social media campaign and sweepstakes to unveil new 2025 brand positioning. STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For over 75 years, the Dial brand has been trusted to deliver undeniable clean skin to help consumers feel confident and connected. Everyday moments of connection are essential, which is why Dial brand is thrilled to partner with award-winning country duo Maddie & Tae for their upcoming campaign. Maddie & Tae's music celebrates everyday moments and the power of feeling good in your own skin. Their unbreakable bond embodies confidence and authenticity, which is why Dial brand has enlisted the duo for a campaign that showcases how Dial brand helps us connect and live life close-up. This initiative aims to raise awareness for the Dial brand as they move into 2025 and gear up to launch new product innovations. Dial brand's evolved positioning from "Dial Up Your Day" to "Dial Up Your Clean" showcases a renewed dedication to delivering trusted innovations that provide powerful deep cleansing while remaining gentle on your skin so that nothing holds you back from being ready to engage and connect. Maddie & Tae Henkel Logo (PRNewsfoto/Henkel) "The partnership with Maddie & Tae is a powerful testament to Dial's brand commitment to empowering everyone to confidently engage in everyday moments of connection. Dial brand believes that nothing should hold you back from being ready to connect and delivers an undeniable clean that lets you live life close up." said Allison Feldman, VP Marketing - Personal Care Brands at Henkel. "By aligning with such a talented duo, we're encouraging consumers to embrace their own undeniable clean and confidence journey with Dial brand products." The campaign launches on November 12, 2024 and will run until December 9, 2024. Maddie & Tae will star in three social media posts across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. These posts will feature Dial brand's 2024 launch, the Exfoliating Cocoa Butter and Orange Extract Body Wash, and illustrate how an "undeniable clean" empowers consumers to reset and connect with confidence. To elevate the campaign experience, Dial brand will also host a sweepstakes with Maddie & Tae, offering a luxurious spa experience and VIP access to their concert rehearsal in Nashville. Consumers are encouraged to follow @maddieandtae and @dial for more information on how to enter the sweepstakes. Dial brand is just getting started on ramping up for the new year ahead. This campaign provides a sneak peek into their updated brand positioning and product innovations for 2025. With a fresh lineup of launches for both men and women, Dial brand is ready to resonate deeply with consumers and redefine the way they connect. Stay tuned for more updates as the Dial brand continues to innovate and inspire connections through authentic experiences. About Dial Soap America's trusted brand for 75 years, Dial delivers an undeniable close up clean for you and your family with products for Women, Men, and Kids. From bar soap, body wash, and hand soap, our products provide a wide variety of cleansing benefits for our consumers. See www.dialsoap.com for full details. About Henkel in North America Henkel's portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes Schwarzkopf hair care, Dial soaps, Persil, Purex, and all laundry detergents, Snuggle fabric softeners as well as Loctite, Technomelt and Bonderite adhesives. With sales close to 6.6 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2023, North America accounts for 28 percent of the company's global sales. Henkel employs around 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com and on X, @Henkel_NA. About Maddie & Tae: Award-winning duo Maddie & Tae channel their unbreakable bond, honest songwriting, and signature harmonies into their latest EP, What A Woman Can Do, out now. Together as longtime friends and music collaborators, Maddie Font and Taylor Kerr previously drew praise for their 1-2 punch project Through The Madness Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and their No. 1 debuting The Way It Feels album. The album's 3X Platinum-certified No. 1 hit, "Die From A Broken Heart" topped the country airplay charts, making Maddie & Tae the first and only female twosome with multiple No. 1s their first being the Platinum-selling, brilliant counter to bro-country, "Girl In A Country Song." Stacking acclaim throughout their career, they have taken home Group/Duo Video of the Year ("Woman You Got") at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, and are currently nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year at the 58th CMA Awards. They have toured with country music's biggest names including Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, and Brad Paisley. They recently wrapped their headlining Here's To Friends Tour, and will kick off their Love & Light Tour in Spring 2025. SOURCE Dial CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Finance Research Institute has launched its new AI-powered Smart Investment Decision System, marking a pivotal advancement in quantitative trading technology. This system leverages deep learning, big data analytics, and machine learning to analyze market data in real time, track multidimensional changes, and deliver precise decision-making insights to investors. With this innovation, investors gain a powerful tool to adapt effectively to shifting market conditions and make informed choices with enhanced accuracy. Digital Finance Research Institute Digital Finance Research Institute has been at the forefront of financial education and technology. Led by Professor Charles Brown, the institute has trained thousands of students globally, preparing them to meet the demands of modern finance. As AI and machine learning continue to transform the industry, the institute has focused on integrating these technologies to drive forward-looking financial solutions. The Smart Investment Decision System goes beyond market trend predictions; it assesses economic data, news, and social media to gauge market sentiment comprehensively, providing investors with a holistic view. This system is designed to help investors quickly respond to market changes and optimize their strategies for improved returns. Educational Innovation and Industry Collaboration Digital Finance Research Institute not only leads in technological advancements but also in financial education. Professor Charles Brown combines his extensive investment experience with academic insights to design a curriculum that balances theory with practical applications. Through collaborations with top global financial institutions and technology companies, students gain valuable industry experience, preparing them for leadership in the evolving financial landscape. Future Outlook As the financial sector becomes increasingly technology-driven, Digital Finance Research Institute is committed to advancing AI applications within finance. Moving forward, the institute aims to continue leading educational innovation while fostering the development of high-caliber financial technology professionals to meet global market needs. About Digital Finance Research Institute Founded by Professor Charles Brown, Digital Finance Research Institute is a global leader in financial education and technology innovation. Its mission is to bridge the gap between theory and practice, empowering students to tackle real-world financial challenges. The institute is dedicated to advancing financial technology through research and developing tools that enhance investment strategies and market efficiency. Media Contact Company Name: Digital Finance Research Institute Contact Person: Laura Brown City: Chicago State: Illinois Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.dfr-corp.com/ Tel: 708-362-6841 SOURCE Digital Finance Research Institute In collaboration with Turespana, the campaign aims to highlight the beauty and attractions of Costa Del Sol DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wego, the number 1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is thrilled to announce a new co-marketing campaign in collaboration with Costa Del Sol to promote tourism to this stunning Spanish destination. The campaign is in partnership with Turespana, the official Spanish tourism board, and aims to captivate travelers with the charm, culture, and natural beauty of the iconic Costa Del Sol. faro torrox - senda azul As part of this campaign, Wego will leverage its extensive platform to showcase the best of Costa Del Sol to its millions of users across the Middle East and beyond. From the stunning beaches and vibrant cities to the rich history and world-class gastronomy, this region of Spain offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion for all kinds of travelers. Costa Del Sol is recognized as one of Spain's most alluring destinations, offering a year-round sunny climate, beautiful coastal scenery, and a host of attractions ranging from luxury resorts to historic landmarks and natural parks. Through this partnership, Wego will help inspire travelers to explore Costa Del Sol's many facets, offering tailored travel deals, flight options, and curated content to enhance the travel planning experience. Speaking on the collaboration, Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Business Officer of Wego, said: "We are excited to partner with Costa Del Sol and Turespana to bring this incredible destination to the forefront of travel plans for our users. Spain is a top destination for travelers from the Middle East, and Costa Del Sol offers an ideal blend of leisure, culture, and adventure. Together, we aim to make travel to Costa Del Sol more accessible, providing users with the best travel options available." Turespana's involvement in the campaign further strengthens the collaboration, reinforcing the commitment of Spain to boost off-season tourism from the Middle East. Through joint efforts, this co-marketing initiative will deliver rich content, special travel insights, and increased visibility for Costa Del Sol on Wego's platform, allowing travelers to discover the diverse experiences awaiting them. About Wego Wego is the number 1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It provides award-winning travel search websites and top-ranked mobile apps for travelers living in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. Wego harnesses powerful yet simple to use technology that automates the process of searching and comparing results from hundreds of airlines, hotels, and online travel agency websites. Wego presents an unbiased comparison of all travel products and prices offered in the marketplace by merchants, both local and global, and enables shoppers to quickly find the best deal and place to book whether it is from an airline or hotel directly or with a third-party aggregator website. The company was founded in 2005 and is dual headquartered in Dubai and Singapore with regional operations in Bangalore, Riyadh, Cairo, Lahore, and Kuala Lumpur. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2553843/Wego_Faro_Torrox_Senda_Azul.jpg SOURCE Wego Annual Pantheon Awards honor California's most impactful life sciences innovators SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cepheid congratulates Executive Vice President, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, David H. Persing, MD, Ph.D., for receiving the 2024 California Life Sciences (CLS) Pantheon Leadership award. The award recognizes Dr. Persing's legacy of innovative research and leadership in the field of molecular diagnostics. His visionary leadership has accelerated advancements in diagnostics, improving global healthcare by making rapid, accurate testing accessible for a wide range of diseases. Nasdaq Congratulates David H Persing Dr. Persing accepts Pantheon Award for Leadership Dr. Persing conducted his scientific and medical training with Don Ganem and Nobel laureate Harold Varmus at the University of California, San Francisco. After residency training in Clinical Pathology at Yale University, he held leadership roles in academia and industry starting in the early 1990s with the design and operation of the first PCR reference laboratory at the Mayo Clinic. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles and reviews and co-authored the first textbook on molecular testing. Dave also serves as Consulting Professor of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine. "Dave's commitment to the democratization of molecular diagnostic methods has spanned his entire career," said Vitor Rocha, president of Cepheid. "Since he joined Cepheid in 2004, Dr. Persing has made a substantial impact shaping the technology and direction of Cepheid - leading development on diagnostics tests for infectious diseases including mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), MRSA, HIV, influenza, COVID-19, Ebola, and hepatitis C. As we near his retirement at the end of 2024, I am honored to highlight Dr. Persing's commitment to patients and his contributions toward ensuring people worldwide have access to diagnostic testing." Dr. Persing was selected from a group of respected peers, who each have an established track record of devoting their career to meaningfully improving people's lives through science. "Congratulations to Dave on his well-deserved Pantheon Award," said CLS President & CEO, Mike Guerra. "His achievements showcase the trailblazing spirit of California's life sciences sector. As Pantheon celebrates its 21st anniversary, it's especially inspiring to honor innovators like Dave, whose trailblazing work in diagnostics embodies the role of effective leadership in driving technological innovation and improving health outcomes worldwide." Pantheon unites over 500 industry leaders each year to celebrate the transformative contributions of California's top life sciences professionals. This year's winners were announced at the awards ceremony on November 7 in San Francisco. Visit www.califesciences.org/pantheon to learn more. About Cepheid Based in Sunnyvale, Calif., Cepheid is a leading molecular diagnostics company. Cepheid is dedicated to improving healthcare by developing, manufacturing, and marketing accurate yet easy-to-use molecular systems and tests. By automating highly complex and time-consuming manual procedures, the company's solutions deliver a better way for institutions of any size to perform sophisticated molecular diagnostic testing for organisms and genetic-based diseases. Through its strong molecular biology capabilities, the company is focusing on those applications where accurate, rapid, and actionable test results are needed most, such as managing infectious diseases and cancer. For more information, visit http://www.cepheid.com. Media Inquiries: Darwa Peterson [email protected] SOURCE Cepheid ATLANTA, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eagle Merchant Partners ("Eagle"), an Atlanta-based private equity firm, has acquired a stake in AYA Medical Spa ("AYA"), a premier medical spa headquartered in Atlanta, with nine units across the metro area and Dallas, Texas. This investment represents Eagle principal's 12th multi-unit consumer deal and the seventh platform investment in Eagle's inaugural fund, Eagle Merchant Partners I, L.P. Founded in 1998 by Jim Namnoum, AYA has established itself as a pioneer in the medical spa industry. Driven by a mission to empower individuals to achieve their aesthetic goals and enhance their well-being, AYA's team of experts delivers a diverse array of services, including neurotoxin and filler injections, clinical skin treatments, laser hair removal, and premium retail skincare products. AYA believes in a personalized approach to aesthetic skincare with a dedication to patient satisfaction rooted in best-in-class medical training. "Eagle Merchant Partners is thrilled to welcome AYA Medical Spa into our family of investments," said Drew Foster, Vice President of Eagle. "AYA's longstanding reputation for exceptional patient care and cutting-edge treatments perfectly complements our background of building industry-leading brands within the multi-unit consumer sector. We are excited to collaborate with Jim Namnoum and the talented team at AYA to further expand AYA's geographic reach." "Joining forces with Eagle Merchant Partners marks an exciting new chapter for AYA Medical Spa," said Jim Namnoum, the CEO and founder of AYA. "Our commitment to excellence in services and training, underpinned by clinical expertise led by plastic surgeons, remains unwavering. With Eagle's experience and resources, we are poised to accelerate our growth and continue providing our patients with the highest level of care and innovation." The partnership will look to expand AYA Medical Spa's presence by venturing into new regions across the United States. Additionally, the partnership is pursuing strategic acquisitions to augment AYA's portfolio and accelerate its growth trajectory. ABOUT EAGLE MERCHANT PARTNERS Eagle Merchant Partners is an Atlanta-based private equity firm focused on partnering with founder-owned businesses based in the Southeast in franchise, multi-unit, and commercial service sectors. Eagle serves as a strategic partner and is committed to accelerating growth and creating long-term value in its companies. For more information, visit eaglemerchantpartners.com. Media Contact Thornton Kennedy C | 404 210-0363 [email protected] SOURCE Eagle Merchant Partners BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The signing of a peace agreement by the end of the year depends on Armenia, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told reporters, Trend reports. The Minister noted that the main articles of the peace agreement have been agreed. "I don't want to say the exact numbers right now. But there are still issues that are important to coordinate," he noted. He also stressed that the Azerbaijani side is the initiator of the peace agreement signing process. Bayramov added that the Azerbaijani side insists on bringing this issue to an end. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global edge computing market size is estimated to grow by USD 19.6 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 33.57% during the forecast period. Rising demand for decentralized computing to reduce latency in decision making is driving market growth, with a trend towards deployment of industry 4.0 infrastructure. However, competition from low-cost centralized and general-purpose computing infrastructure poses a challenge.Key market players include Aarna Networks Inc., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Arrow Electronics Inc., Capgemini Service SAS, Cisco Systems Inc., ClearBlade Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., EdgeConneX Inc., General Electric Co., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Huawei Investment and Holding Co. Ltd., Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., Nokia Corp., NVIDIA Corp., Renesas Electronics Corp., Schneider Electric SE, and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global edge computing market 2024-2028 AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered End-user (Industrial manufacturing, Telecom, Mobility, Government, and Others), Component (Hardware, Software, Services, and Edge-managed platforms), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Aarna Networks Inc., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Arrow Electronics Inc., Capgemini Service SAS, Cisco Systems Inc., ClearBlade Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., EdgeConneX Inc., General Electric Co., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Huawei Investment and Holding Co. Ltd., Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., Nokia Corp., NVIDIA Corp., Renesas Electronics Corp., Schneider Electric SE, and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Edge computing is a trending IT infrastructure solution that brings data processing closer to the source of data generation. This approach is revolutionizing networking and software development, enabling traffic distribution and service management in various sectors. In healthcare, edge computing powers online consultations and telemedicine, while CDNs and network functions enhance 5G virtualization for game streaming and connected devices. AI edge computing also boosts artificial intelligence applications in healthcare, telecom firms, and manufacturing. Security and compliance are crucial, with edge computing adhering to industry standards. Cloud computing and Industry 4.0 strategies merge with edge computing in smart factories and grids. Digital health strategies, IoT in healthcare, and life sciences applications benefit from edge computing's low latency and data processing capabilities. Recession or digital developments, edge computing remains flexible and scalable for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Edge computing hardware investments offer Capex and Opex savings, making it a cost-effective solution for IoT applications, robotics & automation, smart cities, oil & gas, and IT & telecom industries. The Industrial Revolution 4.0, also known as Industry 4.0, signifies the integration of connected automation systems and technologies in the industrial sector. This includes cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cloud computing, and cognitive computing. The implementation of these technologies is predicted to influence the market for edge computing. Industry 4.0 adheres to several fundamental principles, such as machine interconnection, enabling machines and devices to communicate via IoT. Big data collection, gathering extensive data from sensors and instruments for valuable insights. Technical assistance, early problem identification and correction for increased machine uptime and efficiency. Lastly, decentralization, empowering systems to make autonomous decisions, reducing the need for human intervention. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Edge computing is a growing market that enables data processing and analysis at the source of data generation, closer to the end-user. This approach addresses challenges in IT infrastructures, networking, software development, and traffic distribution for various industries. Healthcare systems, telecom firms, and CDNs benefit from reduced latency for online consultations, network functions, and 5G virtualization. Edge computing also supports game streaming, connected devices, artificial intelligence, and 5G technology in sectors like healthcare, government and defense, manufacturing, and IoT applications. However, edge computing presents new challenges, including security, compliance standards, and infrastructure investments. Capex and Opex for edge computing hardware, infrastructure, and software are crucial considerations for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Scalability and flexibility are essential to accommodate digital developments, such as AR and VR tools, IoT devices, and Industry 4.0 initiatives. Multi-CDN designs and network function virtualization are key to addressing service management and traffic distribution. The recession and supply chain disruptions may impact edge computing adoption, but the potential benefits far outweigh the costs. Edge computing is poised to revolutionize industries, from smart factories and smart grids to digital health strategies, life sciences applications, robotics & automation, and smart cities. The Oil & gas industry and IT & telecom industry are also expected to embrace edge computing to optimize their operations. The centralized computing infrastructure, consisting of cloud data centers, supercomputing facilities, and traditional data centers, serves as the backbone for numerous organizations' global operations. These facilities offer computing and storage capabilities as a service to anywhere in the world, thanks to their virtual accessibility. Notably, many cloud server operators provide cost-effective services on a pay-as-you-go basis, posing a challenge to the expansion of the global edge computing market. This competitive marketplace, populated by various cloud server and data center operators, offers diverse pricing and volume options to cater to the unique requirements of end-users. Despite edge computing and cloud computing serving different purposes, the availability of affordable cloud services may limit the growth of the edge computing market to some extent during the forecast period. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This edge computing market report extensively covers market segmentation by End-user 1.1 Industrial manufacturing 1.2 Telecom 1.3 Mobility 1.4 Government 1.5 Others Component 2.1 Hardware 2.2 Software 2.3 Services 2.4 Edge-managed platforms Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Industrial manufacturing- Edge computing plays a crucial role in the automation of industrial manufacturing and process environments, particularly in the context of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), automation hardware, and connected sensors and actuators. Large-scale industrial facilities generate vast amounts of data that require real-time analysis and storage to detect anomalies, prevent machine or equipment failure, monitor system performance, and ensure quality control. Edge computing infrastructure is essential for these applications due to its ability to process data at the local node, reducing latency and improving overall efficiency. The digitalization and automation of manufacturing and process industries, driven by Industry 4.0 infrastructure and practices, are expected to fuel the growth of edge computing. For instance, offshore oil and gas production rigs, which often lack high-bandwidth connections to on-shore cloud computers, can benefit from edge computing architecture to collect and analyze production data and monitor critical processes. Strategic partnerships between vendors and end-users, such as Ford and Google's six-year agreement on cloud services and the Android operating system, can also influence market growth. Edge computing is the foundation of industrial machine learning and AI networks, enabling faster identification of irregularities and minimizing inefficiencies in automated manufacturing processes. Additionally, edge computing enables local integration between factory data and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, reducing the need for constant cloud connectivity and improving system uptime. The increasing focus on event-driven manufacturing operations is driving investments in edge computing solutions to reduce IT costs and improve security, latency, innovation capability, and system integration. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis Edge computing is a decentralized IT infrastructure solution that brings processing power and data storage closer to the source of data generation. This approach reduces latency and bandwidth requirements for transferring large amounts of data to the cloud. Networking plays a crucial role in edge computing by enabling efficient traffic distribution and service management. Software development for edge computing requires optimization for resource-constrained devices and low-latency processing. Video conferencing software, healthcare systems, telecom firms, and CDNs are among the industries leveraging edge computing for improved performance and user experience. Network functions like load balancing, firewalls, and VPNs are being virtualized at the edge to enhance security and compliance with industry standards. 5G virtualization and edge computing go hand in hand, enabling real-time processing of data from connected devices, such as those used in gaming, AR/VR tools, and smart factories. AI edge computing is also gaining traction in industries like healthcare, life sciences, and digital health strategies, where real-time analysis of data is essential. The recession and digital developments have accelerated the adoption of edge computing, as organizations seek to reduce reliance on cloud computing and improve their digital infrastructure. The convergence of 5G technology, AI, and IoT in edge computing is expected to drive significant growth in the coming years. However, security and compliance remain key challenges that need to be addressed to fully realize the potential of edge computing. Market Research Overview Edge computing is a decentralized IT infrastructure solution that brings computing power closer to the source of data generation. It leverages networking, software development, and traffic distribution to enable real-time data processing and service management. The healthcare system, telecom firms, CDNs, and various industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, life sciences, and smart cities are adopting edge computing to reduce latency, enhance security, and ensure compliance with industry standards. 5G virtualization, game streaming, connected devices, artificial intelligence, and 5G technology are driving the growth of edge computing. The recession and digital developments have accelerated the adoption of edge computing, particularly in small businesses and large enterprises, to optimize Capex and Opex. Edge computing hardware, including sensors and edge devices, is essential for scalability and flexibility. Multi-CDN designs, organization size, employee numbers, and industry-specific applications, such as IoT in healthcare, digital health strategies, and robotics & automation, influence the adoption of edge computing. The infrastructure investments required for edge computing vary depending on the industry and the specific use case. Security and compliance standards are critical considerations for edge computing, particularly in government and defense, oil & gas, and IT & telecom industries. The VOLTA data center, a leading edge computing provider, offers a comprehensive edge computing solution that addresses the unique requirements of various industries, ensuring optimal performance, security, and flexibility. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation End-user Industrial Manufacturing Telecom Mobility Government Others Component Hardware Software Services Edge-managed Platforms Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio $3 Million in Prize Money Awarded to Seven Global Food, Beverage, and Agriculture Startups, Including $1 Million Grand Prize for Unibaio Competition is Supported by Upstate Revitalization Initiative and Builds on CNY Rising, Finger Lakes Forward and Southern Tier Soaring Regional Strategies ITHACA, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire State Development Thursday announced Unibaio, of New York, NY, as the grand-prize winner of sixth annual Grow-NY business competition which is focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier. The competition awarded $3 million including the $1 million grand prize to seven of the 20 finalists participating in the business development accelerator. The announcement took place at the Grow-NY Summit, a two-day event in Ithaca where finalists pitched their business plans to a panel of expert judges. Each winning team will commit to operating in the region for at least one year, while also providing a modest equity stake to Cornell University, to fund future food and ag entrepreneurship programming. The competition is managed by Cornell University's Center for Regional Economic Advancement. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Congratulations to the Grow-NY winners, and to all of the teams that participated in round six of this unique agriculture-based business accelerator and competition. Grow-NY is rooted in Governor Hochul's support of startups that are building entrepreneurial ecosystems and continues to nurture economic growth across the rich farming areas of the Finger Lakes, Central and Southern Tier regions. State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "The Grow-NY competition is an annual opportunity to spotlight New York agriculture's diversity and strengths, and the many opportunities it holds for innovative businesses that are looking to grow and thrive. Now in its sixth round, Grow-NY has proven itself to be a program that is integral to enhancing our agricultural economy. I congratulate all the winners and participants this year and thank Governor Hochul for her continued support in making sure New York agriculture remains a powerhouse nationwide." Unibaio offers naturally derived particles that trap the active ingredients of pesticides and fertilizers, enabling them to penetrate plants more efficiently. Matia Figliozzi, CEO and Co-Founder of Unibaio said, "Winning the $1 million grand prize at the Grow-NY Summit is a dream come true. It's more than just the money it's validation of our team's hard work, innovation and dedication to creating a solution that will have a lasting impact on farming. The mentorship we received and relationships we developed through Grow-NY were invaluable, helping us refine our strategy and prepare for growth. This win will allow us to scale our operations in Upstate NY and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system." The finalist teams were provided with expert mentorship and guidance as they developed their business plans leading up to the Summit. During the event, they presented their pitches to a panel of seven judges with expertise in agriculture, food production and venture development. Other 2024 winners included: $500,000 Winner: PureNanoTech , Parsippany, N.J. Created a nanobubble irrigation solution to maximize irrigation performance and optimize energy usage in the agriculture, pond and lake restoration, wastewater treatment, and disinfection industries. $500,000 Winner: UdderWays , Albion, N.Y. Uses a unique, brushless technology to gently stimulate cows and ensure clean and dry teats. With the startup's patented vortex-style application, farmers can achieve consistent stimulation and effortlessly promote milk letdown. $250,000 Winner: Clean Crop Technologies , Holyoke, M.A. Combines electricity and food-grade gasses to remove pathogens from seeds before they are planted, increasing yields, reducing waste, and improving food safety without preservatives. $250,000 Winner: ClearLeaf , San Jose, Costa Rica Offers safe fungicides and bactericides protects soil and crops from a wide range of pre- and post-harvest pathogens, without harming the environment or your health. $250,000 Winner: For Bitter For Worse , Portland, O.R. A distillery using certified organic, locally farmed ingredients to create a healthier, more inclusive culture with their non-alcoholic cocktails. $250,000 Winner: Zordi , Oakfield, N.Y. Builds autonomous greenhouses with robots and AI to make delicious, high-quality produce available anywhere. The public also participated in the competition by voting for the "Wegmans Audience Choice" award, which went to Bialtec of Delft, Netherlands, earning them $10,000 sponsored by Wegmans. More than 1,100 people registered for the sixth annual Grow-NY Summit. The Summit culminated with the presentation of awards, where individuals from previous Grow-NY competition winners and finalists Capro-X, WeRadiate, Sweet Pea Plant-Based Kitchen and GR8PE by Stil-Bene announced the four $250,000 winners. Commissioner of Agriculture Richard A. Ball revealed the two $500,000 recipients as well as the $1 million award winner. The winning companies will now immediately get to work executing their business plans in New York state, leveraging the connections made and regional knowledge gained from the competition. In its sixth year, the Grow-NY competition attracted 312 applicants from 50 countries, including Canada, the UK , and Italy, along with 89 entries from New York, with 44% of applicants featuring a female founder and 60% representing a culturally diverse group. The winners will now focus on executing their plans in New York state, fostering job growth and leveraging the regional connections made during the competition. Grow-NY Program Director Jenn Smith said, "Through the Grow-NY competition we've touched more than 1,800 startups wanting to build their businesses in Upstate NY. This year's finalists are all exceptional, and we are thrilled to add Unibaio to our portfolio of ventures growing in the region." Grow-NY judges-based award decisions on the following criteria: The viability of the startup's business model The diversity, quality, readiness and completeness of the startup team The value that the startup offers customers The agrifood innovation that that the startup has invented The job growth and opportunity potential that the startup can bring to the region All winners are required to work toward making a positive economic impact in the Grow-NY region, which consists of 22 counties home to vibrant farmlands, a hardworking population, abundant freshwater and several rising cities, including Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca, Geneva and Binghamton. The winning businesses will drive job creation, collaborate with local industry partners and help strengthen the regional economy. Central New York Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Randy Wolken, President & CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York and Le Moyne College President Linda M. LeMura said, "We are pleased to offer congratulations to all of today's winners and to all who were part of round six of the Grow-NY competition. New York State continues to experience unprecedented growth in the agriculture and food industries. The Grow-NY competition represents yet another exciting investment in our community that will further bolster regional job growth and further support our agricultural base throughout Central New York ensuring the region continues to rise." Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Co-Chairs Bob Duffy, President and CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Denise Battles, President of SUNY Geneseo said, "We are so incredibly proud of all who took part in round six of this innovative competition. The regional council is laser-focused on growing the state's agricultural and food industries. Our continued investment in the Grow-NY competition is working to connect local industry partners with the cutting-edge ideas of these entrepreneurs, further supporting our multi-pronged approach to creating a thriving regional economy." Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Judy McKinney Cherry, Executive Director, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development said, "I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the winning teams and to all of the round six Grow-NY competitors who took part in this year's summit in Ithaca. Innovation and entrepreneurship are key to our economic future. New York's agriculture industry is one of the most diverse and prestigious in the world, and this initiative sets New York apart from other states, adding to our region's continued economic success." Learn more about the Grow-NY competition here . Learn more about Cornell University's Center for Regional Economic Advancement here . Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward Today's announcement complements "Finger Lakes Forward," the region's comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture and food production , and advanced manufacturing. More information is available here. Accelerating CNY Rising Today's announcement complements "CNY Rising," the region's comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. More information is available here. Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring Today's announcement complements "Southern Tier Soaring," the region's comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. More information is available here. About Empire State Development Empire State Development (ESD) is New York's chief economic development agency ( www.esd.ny.gov ). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY" the State's iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov . SOURCE Grow-NY American Lung Association and Pulmonary Hypertension Association partner on expert roundtable and release 'Guidance to the Guidelines' for primary care physicians CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pulmonary hypertension is a serious condition in which there is abnormally high pressure in the blood vessels between the lungs and the heart. While this condition is rare, if untreated it has a high mortality rate, and the disease is not consistently diagnosed or treated across the U.S. To help primary care providers better understand pulmonary hypertension, the American Lung Association and Pulmonary Hypertension Association today released the "Guidance to the Guidelines." Research and understanding of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is growing, however diagnosis and treatment of the disease vary across geographic areas and among health care providers. Many primary care physicians are not subject matter experts in rare lung disease and may need more guidance for recognizing symptoms, ordering diagnostic tests and knowing when to refer patients to specialty care. "Diagnosing PH can be difficult because many of the initial signs and symptoms present like other lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A person with PH may have other medical conditions, and the disease may be associated with a variety of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases such as congenital heart disease, COPD or lupus," said Albert Rizzo, Chief Medical Officer for the American Lung Association. "Managing PH often requires a multi-faceted and multidisciplinary approach, with active involvement from patients diagnosed and living with PH." In 2022, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) convened a taskforce to develop new ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PH. These new guidelines integrate recent developments in detecting and managing PH. The guidelines can help providers to identify patients earlier, and the information can be vital to disease management and health outcomes. However, the intricacy of the guidelines, complexity of the U.S. healthcare system and heterogeneity of the U.S. population creates a need for more customized, easily digestible guidance for the U.S. audience. "PHA scientific leaders worked with American Lung Association to break down complex information about PH and diagnostic information for health care professionals who might not be as familiar with pulmonary hypertension," said Matt Granato, President and CEO of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. "We hope to see more people diagnosed when their symptoms initially arise instead of suffering for years without appropriate treatment. With earlier, accurate diagnosis, people with PH can find specialized care, targeted therapy, experience higher quality of life, and live longer with PH." To improve the diagnosis and care of people in the U.S. living with PH, the American Lung Association and Pulmonary Hypertension Association convened a scientific roundtable of PH experts on April 8, 2024. The experts created flowcharts for decision-making based on current guidelines and practice to develop a "Guidance to the Guidelines" for diagnosis and management of PH and to distribute it to health care providers across the U.S. The new "Guidance to the Guidelines" document is available here. About the American Lung Association The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events. This year, the American Lung Association is celebrating 120 years! Join us in our journey to champion lung health and help us celebrate 120 Years of Impact. Donate today at Lung.org/donate. CONTACT: Jill Dale | American Lung Association P: 312-940-7001 E: [email protected] SOURCE American Lung Association A Shared Vision Encompass Health and BLOX began working together in the early 2000s with a shared vision to build higher quality and more cost-efficient hospitals. Initially, BLOX manufactured bathroom pods off-site in an assembly line format at their facility in Bessemer, Alabama for installation at new Encompass Health hospitals. Since that time, both companies have grown rapidly, and BLOX has progressed from producing bathrooms to headwall modules and patient rooms, to a fully prefabricated hospital. BLOX utilized its DesignManufactureConstruct (DMC) approach to manufacture and ship 80 uber-modules to Houston, where a team of on-site specialists stitched them into a completed hospital. The DMC process is notably fast and capable of delivering completed buildings much more quickly than traditional construction methods. "We're proud to work with our innovative partners at Encompass Health," said BLOX CEO Chris Giattina. "Their prescient leadership saw the potential power of using DMC to raise the healthcare standard for quality, value and speed to market. We are building on the successes at Houston to continuously improve the delivery of future Encompass Health hospitals." "This milestone demonstrates our nimble and innovative approach to providing patient-centered services as the demand for inpatient rehabilitation services continues to grow," said Encompass Health Chief Design and Construction Officer Tom Boyle. "The capacity to quickly replicate hospitals in highly competitive markets is important to our success." About the Hospital Every detail of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Houston at The Medical Center was created with patients' needs in mind. The nearly 70,000-sq ft freestanding location in the heart of The Medical Center allows for easier transfers from other facilities and more convenient access for families and visitors. Amenities include all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym featuring advanced rehabilitation technologies, an activities of daily living suite, in-house dialysis suite, therapy courtyard, dining room, in-house pharmacy and dayroom areas. An interdisciplinary team of highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians provide physical, occupational and speech therapies to help patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions restore function and quality of life. Patients receive a minimum of three hours of intensive therapy for five days each week, frequent physician visits and 24-hour nursing care. "The need for inpatient rehabilitative care in Houston is growing rapidly," said Frank Brown, president of Encompass Health's Southwest region. "As we celebrate the opening of our ninth hospital in the metropolitan area, we look forward to providing high-quality rehabilitative care that will help our patients get back to what matters most." Just the Beginning With a robust pipeline of development projects, Encompass Health continues to expand to serve patients in need of inpatient rehabilitation across the country. Prefabrication will continue to play a significant role in the construction of Encompass Health's new hospitals. "Encompass Health is a process-driven company," said Boyle. "We look forward to continuing to evolve and improve upon the delivery of this construction method." To learn more about Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Houston at The Medical Center, visit encompasshealth.com/locations/houston/houstonmedrehab. About BLOX BLOX is the nation's largest manufacturer of healthcare buildings. BLOX delivers turn-key building to serial builders across the country using the DesignManufactureConstruct (DMC) process: a 21st-century approach to building delivery that leverages manufacturing to simplify construction. Headquartered in its one-million-square-foot facility in Birmingham, Alabama, BLOX is shaping the future of the industry by utilizing technology, innovation and manufacturing to deliver buildings at a new industry standard. About Encompass Health Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 166 hospitals in 38 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Becker's Hospital Review's 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to prefabrication construction projects, demand for inpatient rehabilitation and the Encompass Health development pipeline, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date made, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Encompass Health's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the regulatory review and approval process, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against Encompass Health; the possibility projects will experience unexpected delays; disease outbreaks, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread; BLOX's ability to meet Encompass Health's construction requirements; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including its Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 and Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended Mar. 31, 2024, Jun. 30, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2024. Encompass Health media contact: Polly Manuel | 205-970-5912 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. BRILLION, Wis., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Endries International, Inc. a leader in industrial fasteners, class-c components and fulfillment solutions is pleased to announce the acquisition of Assembly Fasteners, Inc. (AFI), a distributor specializing in latches, fasteners, and hardware products and solutions. Founded in 1984 with the goal of providing superior products and services, AFI offers a variety of services, including Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Customer Managed Inventory (CMI), and iBinDrop, a stock management innovation giving customers more control over their stock. "I welcome the crew at AFI to the Endries family. It is a great business that the Watson's and their team have built that fits hand-in-glove with Endries," said Michael Knight, Endries President, and CEO. "This acquisition strengthens our presence in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas, and increases our relationship with a key supplier of ours, PennEngineering, whom we have in common with AFI." "We are thrilled to join forces with Endries International as we look to build on our strong reputation for service excellence these past 40 years," said Hugh Watson, Founder and CEO of AFI. "This partnership marks a new chapter for AFI, one that will enable us to grow nationwide and continue to provide exceptional value to our employees and customers well into the future. Together with Endries, we are poised to bring innovative solutions that will shape the industry and drive long-term success." Endries' industry leading fulfillment solutions and expertise complement AFI's renowned commitment to customer-centric programs and customer service. Together, Endries and AFI will deliver enhanced value, drive growth, and reinforce a shared dedication to innovation, quality, and service excellence in the fastener industry. About Assembly Fasteners, Inc. Founded in 1984, Assembly Fasteners, Inc. is a leading distributor of fasteners and electronic hardware, offering a comprehensive range of products to meet diverse industry needs. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, AFI provides solutions that ensure reliability and efficiency in various applications. For more information, visit www.afi.cc. About Endries International, Inc. Endries International, Inc. is a leading distributor of industrial fasteners and Class-C components, offering advanced supply chain solutions for over 50 years. With 26 distribution centers across North America and Europe, the Endries family of brands delivers an extensive product breadth of over 800,000 SKUs, including standard and engineered fasteners. Headquartered in Brillion, WI, Endries is committed to providing innovative, reliable solutions with a focus on quality and service for industrial and commercial OEMs. For more information, visit http://www.endries.com. CONTACT: Melissa Schleis [email protected] SOURCE Endries International Inc. Browse in-depth TOC on "Energy Recovery Ventilator Core Market" 193 Tables 43 Figures 197 Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=198977108 The engineered resin segment is expected to account for the largest value share of the energy recovery ventilator core market by material type during the forecast period. The engineered resin segment is estimated to have the largest market share by value by material type. Engineered resins have superior durability, especially in harsh environments such as wet and freezing, making them suitable for various climate zones. Long-term durability combined with consistent performance and resistance to mold, bacteria, and other forms of degradation prove essential growth factors for this segment. Engineered resins are highly efficient in transferring heat and moisture, enhancing overall energy recovery in HVAC systems. By flow type, the crossflow segment is expected to account for the largest market share in terms of value during the forecast period. Based on flow type, the crossflow segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the market during the forecast period. In crossflow ERV cores, exhaust air and supply air pass through separate channels, thus preventing air blending. This avoids the mixing of dirt, bacteria, and odors. The airflow design helps move heat well. Outside, cold air is warmed to near room temperature as it moves through various slats and channels. Thin metal panels, often aluminum, make very good crossflow cores and deliver thermal efficiency from 40% to 65%. These cores are very effective in large ventilation systems since they can remove large volumes of air. This makes them useful for houses, businesses, and factories- both for hospitals and gyms. They come in different sizes and designs, making them even more helpful for various project needs. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=198977108 By shape, the hexagon segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period in terms of value. Based on shape, the hexagon segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the market during the forecast period, primarily because its designs can be utilized in both counter-flow and cross-flow configurations. Counter-flow hexagonal ERV cores offer higher temperature efficiency than crossflow designs, as the airflow passes through parallel aluminum plates in opposite directions. Using counter-flow hexagonal ERV cores ensures that the fresh air and exhaust air streams are separated so that heat and mass transfer may occur. This leads to heat transfer from the warmer side to the cooler side and water vapor from the moist side to the drier side, all leading to improved energy saving and environmental benefits. Hexagonal cores are generally made from robust materials, like engineered resins or ultra-thin fibrous papers, which afford excellent vapor permeability, breathability, and tear resistance while providing significant mold resistance, structural strength, and minimal air leakage. North America will register the largest market share during the forecast period. North America is estimated to lead the market during the forecast period. Growth in this region is mainly due to increased technology, higher adoption of advanced ventilation systems, and rising demands for energy-efficient solutions. An increase in construction activities, coupled with renovating residential and commercial properties and various industrial projects, further prompts the demand for ERV cores. Therefore, North America is a prime market due to better indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Request Customization: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=198977108 Some of the leading players in this market include CORE Energy Recovery Solutions (Germany), HOLTOP (China), Greenheck Fan Corporation (US), Ruskin (US), and Innergy Tech Inc. (Canada). Browse Adjacent Market: Membranes Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Energy Recovery Ventilator Market - Global Forecast to 2022 Air Handling Units Market - Global Forecast to 2026 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/energy-recovery-ventilator-core-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/energy-recovery-ventilator-core.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets Espolon Tequila announces partnerships with Urban-Alt Rapper, Alvaro Diaz, and Shoe Designer, Dexter the Creator, in celebration of Latin GRAMMY Awards and ComplexCon NEW YORK , Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Espolon Tequila, one of the fastest-growing tequila brands in the world, announced today its partnership with fashion forward Puerto Rican Urban-Alt Rapper, Alvaro Diaz, to amplify its dedication to supporting trailblazing Latin creatives. This collaboration underscores Espolon's ongoing commitment to honoring unapologetic originality and celebrating the artistry and culture of Latin communities across multiple touchpoints throughout the month of November, including the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, where Espolon is the Official Tequila Sponsor and Diaz is nominated for two awards. Together with Diaz and footwear lifestyle artist Dexter the Creator, Espolon also introduces "The Calavera Collection: Los Mavericks Edition," celebrating their collective disruptive innovation through a limited-edition capsule merch collection and custom sneakers for Diaz. Alvaro Diaz and Espolon Tequila team up to bring "The Calavera Collection: Los Mavericks Edition" to life. "Celebrating Latin heritage through music and fashion is a true passion of mine. It's a powerful way to honor our vibrant culture and connect with our community," said Diaz. "'The Calavera Collection: Los Mavericks Edition' not only embodies my commitment to pushing the boundaries of urban music, but also represents the transformative art that can be created when you blend tradition and modernity. Together with Espolon Tequila and Dexter the Creator, we've crafted something truly special that empowers our communities and inspires others to embrace their own creativity, especially as we celebrate the amazing achievements of today's Latin artists at this year's Latin GRAMMY Awards." Espolon's sponsorship of the Latin GRAMMY Awards follows a major milestone for the brand as this year also marks Espolon's 25th anniversary. In honor of these 25th anniversary celebrations, Espolon has created the official tequila cocktail of the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs, the Espolon Ritmo Rosado Margarita, which will be served to Latin music's biggest stars throughout Latin GRAMMY Awards Week. Espolon has also worked with Diaz to create the brand's first segment to air during the Latin GRAMMY Awards telecast, as well as co-branded content for social media. The partnership with Diaz comes on the heels of his sold-out tour for his new album, "Sayonara," which is nominated for Best Urban Music Album at this year's Latin GRAMMY Awards. As part of "The Calavera Collection: Los Mavericks Edition," which is rooted in celebrating bold artists that inspire the next generation of creative mavericks, Espolon Tequila has collaborated with Dexter the Creator to create custom sneakers for Diaz to wear throughout Latin GRAMMY Awards Week. The custom shoe draws inspiration from Diaz, urban culture and aesthetics by showcasing bold colors, dynamic patterns and contemporary graphics, which Diaz is known to represent through his Latin music and street style. The sneakers will also honor Dexter the Creator's and Espolon Tequila's shared Mexican heritage through its design, such as python accents on the heel and toe box representing the serpent from the Mexican flag, and pink fabric stripes that capture the spirit of Espolon Tequila Blanco label. In honor of Dexter the Creator's grandfather who was a cowboy boot maker in Mexico, the design will showcase a western-breakaway tongue cover in addition to a patch of Espolon's iconic Ramon the rooster toasting to Hispanic heritage, and Diaz's "Coco" caricature. "Creating with Espolon Tequila and Alvaro is a true celebration of culture and creativity," said footwear lifestyle artist Dexter the Creator. "'The Calavera Collection: Los Mavericks Edition' goes beyond just sneakers - it's about representing our Hispanic roots while pushing the boundaries of style and artistic expression, which Espolon and Alvaro are known for. Drawing inspiration from my great-grandfather, a shoemaker in Mexico, I am proud to weave his legacy into my designs, reflecting the richness of Mexico's vibrant culture. The fact that this is a one-of-a-kind shoe that can't be replicated anywhere else makes it a timeless piece." For fans, Espolon Tequila has created the third installment of Espolon's Calavera Collection. The Los Mavericks Edition of the Calavera Collection will feature a t-shirt and hoodie designed in collaboration with Diaz and Dexter the Creator, which will drop on the heels of the Latin GRAMMY Awards and ahead of ComplexCon 2024. Fans interested in getting a piece from the collection can do so on Espolon's online merch store or at ComplexCon, the groundbreaking festival and exhibition that brings together music, style, sneakers, pop culture, art, food and innovation, on November 16th and 17th in Las Vegas, where Espolon proudly serves as the Official Tequila Sponsor. Espolon Tequila reaffirms its dedication to fostering the next generation of Hispanic creative leaders, ensuring that the voices shaping tomorrow are supported today. Whether celebrating Hispanic artistry at home or in-person, Espolon Tequila reminds you to do so responsibly. For more information visit www.espolontequila.com/en-us/ ASSETS FOR MEDIA USE About Espolon Tequila Distilled from hand-harvested 100% Blue Weber Agave in Los Altos, the Highlands region of Jalisco, Espolon's award-winning tequilas are the pride of the Casa San Nicolas. Espolon was the realization of a lifelong desire for late founder and Master Distiller Cirilo Oropeza, who dreamed of creating a tequila that blends artisanal Mexican tradition with modern techniques. Espolon is, at its heart, a tribute to Mexican culture, with striking bottle designs by the rich, storied history of Mexico. Through its labels, Espolon pays tribute to a true luminary Jose Guadalupe Posada. Posada was a 19th century artist and printmaker, a real pioneer, and a bit of a rebel. His most famous work, the calaveras (skeletons), were a powerful commentary on the social injustices of his time. He gave his people a voice and gave the art world a style that continues to influence pop culture today. Today, Espolon Tequila Blanco, Espolon Tequila Reposado, Espolon Tequila Anejo and Espolon Cristalino each spotlight different moments in Mexican history, led by the legendary rooster, Ramon. For more information on Espolon, visit espolontequila.com. Please drink responsibly. ABOUT CAMPARI AMERICA Campari America LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano N.V. Campari America has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Campari Group's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY Vodka, SKYY Infusions, Grand Marnier, Campari, Aperol, Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Courvoisier Cognac, Espolon Tequila, American Honey, Russell's Reserve, The Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek Canadian Whisky, BULLDOG Gin, Cabo Wabo Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, Appleton Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew Rum, Coruba Rum, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Frangelico, Cynar, Averna, Braulio, Cinzano, Mondoro and Jean-Marc XO Vodka. ABOUT COMPLEXCON ComplexCon is a groundbreaking festival and exhibition that brings together music, style, sneakers, pop culture, art, food and innovation. A weekend where creative minds converge to celebrate the latest trends and ideas shaping our culture, the festival features immersive experiences, exclusive releases from the most influential brands, thought-provoking panel discussions and headlining performances from Travis Scott & Cactus Jack, Playboi Carti & Opium, Metro Boomin and many more. This year, Travis Scott will act as the curator of the event, bringing "CactusCon" to Las Vegas. We invite you to join our community and experience the future of pop culture this November 16-17 in Las Vegas. 2024 Campari America, New York, NY. Please enjoy responsibly. SOURCE Espolon Tequila One highly configurable certified solution for a wide range of IoT applications: eliminates custom design costs, speeds up global deployment, and simplifies connectivity while substantially cutting compliance efforts AMARO, Italy, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eurotech, a leader in embedded systems and edge AI enablement solutions, launches ReliaGATE 15A-14, the industry's first cybersecure modular edge gateway designed to meet the growing demand for secure, flexible, and globally deployable IoT solutions. Built to support a wide range of applications, the ReliaGATE 15A-14 accelerates IoT projects by simplifying compliance with regional and carrier certifications, providing native support for field asset integration, and meeting stringent security standards. Introducing industrys first cybersecurity-certified modular gateway, the ReliaGATE 15A-14 The ReliaGATE 15A-14 combines flexible feature expansion to adapt to diverse customer requirements with multiple compact form factors ideal for space-constrained deployments. With cellular carrier certification and global coverage, it enables customers to operate across multiple regions with a single device version, significantly reducing operational overhead and stock management costs. 5G-ready and with a long lifecycle, the ReliaGATE 15A-14 is built to future-proof any project with ease. With cybersecurity now a requirement rather than an option, driven by regulations like the US IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act, EU NIS2, RED, Cyber Resilience Act, and Machinery Directive, the ReliaGATE 15A-14 is ready to meet these demands right out of the box. Pre-certified to ISA/IEC 62443-4-2, it enables organizations to efficiently meet regulatory standards, drastically reducing compliance time, effort and fees. The ReliaGATE 15A-14 also simplifies project lifecycle management by handling crucial aspects like security updates, secure cloud provisioning, and automatic tamper event reporting. It offers a visual low-code/no-code programming environment to significantly accelerate user application development, interface with field assets, connect them to cloud services, and execute sophisticated workloads on the device. This comprehensive approach maximizes ROI and future-proofs organizations as they scale. "Our ReliaGATE 15A-14 introduces a new approach to gateway modularity while retaining a secure-by-design architecture. It minimizes the physical footprint and enhances its configurability for different use cases - from industrial application to energy distribution." said Marco Carrer, CTO at Eurotech, "It allows businesses to deploy IoT solutions faster, simplify operations, reduce total cost of ownership, and meet cybersecurity compliance mandates with ease." The ReliaGATE 15A-14 will be available in December 2024. For further details, visit the Eurotech website or reach out to Eurotech sales team directly. About Eurotech Eurotech (ETH.IM) is a multinational company that designs, develops, and supplies Edge Computers and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions - complete with services, software, and hardware - to system integrators and enterprises. By adopting Eurotech solutions, customers have access to IoT building blocks and software platforms, to Edge Gateways to enable asset monitoring, and to High-Performance Edge Computers (HPEC) created for Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. To offer increasingly comprehensive solutions, Eurotech has partnered with leading companies in their field of action, with the view of creating "best in class" solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things. Learn more Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2553914/Eurotech.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1897403/Eurotech_Logo.jpg October closed sales finish 5% above 2023 at a median price of $258,000 INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Indiana real estate rallied to 6,670 home sales in October, up 5% from 2023, while new pending sales (6,669) finished 7% ahead of last year according to data released by the Indiana Association of REALTORS (IAR). Mortgage rates inched higher in October but still remained more than a half-point below their 2024 peak, keeping more buyers in a market that also featured the most homes for sale statewide in nearly five years. 8,684 homes were also listed in October (up 8% versus 2023), so Indiana's overall supply of available homes increased for the seventh straight month to 15,410 average daily listings. More homes were for sale on a typical day than last October in 74 of 92 counties. The state median sale price fell from $260,000 in September to $258,000 in October, in line with seasonal trends after Labor Day. A larger share of homes listed and sold above $350,000 over the past two months kept this median price 8% above October 2023. "Mortgage rates ticked up last month but are still on the low end of what we've lived through the past two years," noted IAR president Jennifer Parham, managing broker of Lighthouse Realty of Northwest Indiana. "Homebuyers have more buying power than they did this summer and more options to choose from." With higher inventory and many buyers still cautious about the market, homes took 17 days to go under contract in October, up from 13 days last year. As days from listing to pending sale began rising in late June, sellers began accepting less of their original listing price falling below 96% (95.7%) in October. Listing prices also dropped modestly in October, falling below $260,000 the last week of the month for the first time since February. Price reductions also continue to rise, hitting 49% of total listings by the end of October. "The bottom line for Hoosiers listing a home is that sale prices are still rising about 5% above 2023 year-to-date and homes are still selling faster than 2018 or 2019," said Parham. "But we do see sellers adjusting expectations and buyers able to negotiate better deals even with healthy growth in property values." Indiana's 92 counties were evenly split between counties with fewer sales than October 2023 (46 counties) and those with the same or more sales; the state's largest counties drove the positive statewide trend, including Marion (1,009 closed sales, +5% year-over-year), Hamilton (504 closings, +6%), Lake (474, +4%), Allen (471, +20%) and St. Joseph (292, +3%). Indiana's total year-to-date home sales are less than five hundred closings behind 2023 through October. SOURCE Indiana Association of REALTORS Enhancing Business Security with Tailored Assessments to Identify and Address Potential Vulnerabilities HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast Guard Service, a leader in providing security solutions nationwide, is pleased to announce its expanded range of professional security assessments for businesses of all sizes. With a tailored approach that addresses each client's unique needs, Fast Guard Service helps organizations identify potential security vulnerabilities, evaluate current safety measures, and implement effective, customized protection strategies. Expert Security Assessments for Today's Threat Landscape Fast Guard Service A security assessment provides business owners with a detailed analysis of their current security measures, helping to identify potential vulnerabilities and areas for improvement. This process involves a comprehensive review of physical security, such as entry points, surveillance, and access controls, as well as procedural aspects like employee protocols, emergency response plans, and cybersecurity. For business owners, a security assessment delivers several key benefits: Risk Identification: It highlights specific areas where the business may be vulnerable to theft, vandalism, unauthorized access, or other security threats. Tailored Recommendations: Based on the unique needs of the business, the assessment offers practical recommendations to enhance security measures. This might include adding surveillance cameras, updating alarm systems, enhancing access control, or implementing stricter cybersecurity policies. Compliance and Safety: Many industries have strict regulations for safety and security. A security assessment ensures that businesses remain compliant, minimizing the risk of legal issues and fines. Enhanced Peace of Mind: Knowing that a thorough evaluation has been conducted provides business owners with confidence that they have taken proactive steps to protect their assets, employees, and customers. Cost Savings: By addressing potential vulnerabilities early, a security assessment can help prevent costly incidents and losses, ultimately saving the business money in the long term. Overall, a security assessment empowers business owners with the knowledge and tools to create a safer, more secure environment for their business operations. In an ever-evolving threat landscape, businesses face a variety of risks that can compromise their operations, assets, and people. Fast Guard Service's security assessments are designed to provide businesses with a comprehensive evaluation of their security protocols. Through expert analysis, these assessments highlight any existing vulnerabilities and recommend actionable solutions to enhance overall safety and resilience. "Our goal is to empower businesses with the insights they need to protect their operations effectively," said Roderick Payne Jr., President, Fast Guard Service. "Our team of seasoned security professionals has the expertise to identify risks, offer strategic recommendations, and help implement practical, robust solutions." Customized Solutions to Fit Your Business Needs Fast Guard Service's security assessment process begins with an in-depth review of the client's facilities, procedures, and existing security measures. Each assessment is tailored to meet the specific requirements of the business, taking into account factors such as location, industry regulations, and unique operational challenges. From entry point surveillance and perimeter security to cybersecurity considerations and emergency response plans, Fast Guard Service ensures a holistic approach to security. Building Safer, More Resilient Businesses Businesses across various industriesincluding retail, healthcare, education, and hospitalityare increasingly recognizing the importance of proactive security measures. Fast Guard Service's security assessments not only help businesses mitigate risks but also foster a culture of safety, ensuring that employees, clients, and assets remain protected. With a network of highly trained security professionals and a commitment to staying at the forefront of security innovations, Fast Guard Service provides businesses with the peace of mind that their security is in expert hands. Fast Guard Service is a leading security provider specializing in comprehensive safety and protection solutions nationwide. With over 20 years of experience, Fast Guard Service offers a wide range of security services, including armed and unarmed security guards, personal protection, event security, fire watch, and emergency response. Headquartered in Florida, Fast Guard Service operates with a commitment to excellence, maintaining the highest standards of training and professionalism. Our team of licensed and highly skilled guards ensures safety for individuals, businesses, and communities across various sectors. Whether protecting assets, securing events, or providing 24/7 surveillance, Fast Guard Service is dedicated to delivering trusted, reliable security that clients can depend on. For more information, please visit https://fastguardservice.com/ or contact 844-254-8273. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Fast Guard Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov met with the President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid during the opening ceremony of the Leaders' Summit of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) taking place in Baku, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers. The meeting emphasized the global importance of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in terms of strengthening the fight against climate change. The sides discussed various aspects of Azerbaijani-Iraqi ties and exchanged views on further cooperation. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel HOUSTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Care For, P.A. and its affiliates are pleased to announce the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas dismissed a lawsuit against them brought by insurance companies affiliated with Farmers Insurance. Last week, reaffirming its decision, the court issued a ruling denying a request for reconsideration from Farmers Insurance. Filed on December 4, 2020, the lawsuit was part of a campaign by Farmers Insurance and other insurers to indirectly attack auto claim settlements. Instead of litigating each case, insurance companies accused and attempted to discredit medical practitioners whose bills supported individual claims. The lawsuit alleged Care For, P.A. and other medical providers violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Acta federal law traditionally intended to fight organized crimeby participating in an alleged "scheme" to fraudulently inflate the value of people's claims through false medical bills and records. Care For, P.A., the affiliated practices and their doctors adamantly denied the allegations and refused to settle. After more than three years of litigation, the court concluded that Farmers Insurance provided "no evidence to support these allegations." After more than three years of litigation, the court concluded that Farmers Insurance provided "no evidence to support these allegations." Post this In his ruling granting Care For, P.A.'s motion for summary judgment, U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks, Jr. noted, "Finally, the Court observes that Plaintiffs lodged very serious allegations against Defendantshealthcare providers, who almost certainly rely on their reputations and trust in their professionand did virtually nothing in almost three years to substantiate those claims." Care For, P.A.'s lead trial attorney, Jason Davis of San Antonio-based Davis & Santos, PLLC, stated, "It's never easy to take on a large national insurance company. We are gratefulalthough not surprisedthat the court agreed with us that these claims were meritless. We are so pleased that the clinics and their doctors have been vindicated with this resounding victory." Donald E. Baxter, M.D., a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Care For, P.A., said, "This ruling is a significant step in clearing our names and restoring our professional reputations. Our primary focus has always been and remains the well-being of our patients. We are happy the system worked and the court recognized Farmer's claims as baseless." Dr. Baxter served as Chief of the Foot Service and Fellowship Program and Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Over the years, prominent Houston athletes such as Carl Lewis and Hakeem Olajuwon turned to Dr. Baxter for their care and, in more recent years, Dr. Baxter brought the same level of attention to the Houston community via Care For, P.A. and its affiliates. James Slayton, D.O., another Care For, P.A. provider, emphasized the lack of evidence presented by the insurance companies, "We have always maintained that our practices are ethical and in full compliance with medical standards. The court's decision validates our position and underscores the lack of evidence behind these serious allegations." John Ray Hall, D.O., another medical provider named in the suit, stated, "We are glad to put this behind us. I always considered these claims frivolous, and I'm happy the court agreed." "In my forty-plus years of practicing chiropractic medicine, I have always put patients first," said Donald Colwell, D.C., a provider at Care For, P.A., an affiliated practice. "We should not have been dragged through this by Farmers and hopefully this loss will discourage them from pursuing these types of suits." About Care For, P.A. Care For, P.A. is a respected provider of orthopedic services with clinic locations in Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Dallas. Care For, P.A. is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and compassionate medical care to Texans. Our team of experienced orthopedists and chiropractors is committed to improving patient health and well-being through evidence-based practices and patient-centered care. Media Contact: Kat Griffith [email protected] (512) 797-4002 SOURCE Care For, P.A. ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded BryceTech, LLC a five-year contract to support its Office of Emerging Threats (OET). This partnership reinforces BryceTech's role in strengthening the nation's readiness to respond to threats. BryceTech delivers expertise in data analytics and risk assessment to help FEMA OET's mission to identify and evaluate emerging threats. This requires close coordination between intelligence and risk assessments to reinforce FEMA's response and recovery capabilities. "The expanding nature of today's threat landscape requires an equally dynamic approach," said John David, Chief Transformation Officer at BryceTech. "OET focuses on identifying emerging threats and performing risk analyses to assess their potential impacts and enhancing FEMA and its partners' ability to respond effectively." OET focuses on identifying, assessing, and informing FEMA about threats that challenge core national response and recovery capabilities. Using advanced data analytics, operational planning, and strategic risk assessments, BryceTech is equipped to support FEMA's swift and effective response. As FEMA encounters increasingly sophisticated threats, BryceTech will support the agency to ensure readiness and resilience. About BryceTech BryceTech is a trusted government services provider, delivering mission-critical solutions to agencies grappling with the challenges and opportunities of deep tech. Our specialized expertise in systems engineering, program management, and analytics addresses the unique requirements of aerospace, biosecurity, and defense. BryceTech innovation and reliable execution empower agencies to stay ahead of evolving demands and achieve mission success. Website: https://www.brycetech.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BryceSpaceTech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bryce-space-tech FEMA does not endorse any non-government entities, organizations, or services. SOURCE BryceTech WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The FLCCC Alliance announced that its co-founders, Dr. Pierre Kory and Dr. Paul Marik, are seeking by motion to join the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) Educational Foundation's federal lawsuit against the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and other board-certifying organizations as well as the Biden Administration. This lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Galveston, TX, seeks to hold accountable entities that have not only censored but retaliated against physicians, including Drs. Kory and Marik, for advocating evidence-based approaches to patient care that are contrary to public health agency directives. Drs. Kory and Marik asked the court to join the suit after ABIM's unprecedented decision to revoke their board certifications for their public advocacy despite their expertise acquired through long and distinguished careers. The lawsuit alleges that ABIM engaged in tortious interference with their efforts to engage in a national debate over repurposed drugs and concerns about mRNA vaccination. The suit alleges that ABIM infringed on their freedom of speech, contractual due process rights, and includes defamation claims on behalf of Drs. Kory and Marik. "Consensus-Driven" Medicine Cited as Rationale for Decertification Since May 2022, when the ABIM first issued a Notice of Potential Disciplinary Action, Drs. Kory and Marik have tirelessly defended their efforts on the part of FLCCC's positions, providing substantial medical and scientific evidence to support their recommendations for early COVID-19 treatment and critiques of vaccine risks. Despite these eminent physicians' submitting over 170 references in a comprehensive 60-page response in January 2023, the ABIM chose to dismiss these scientific contributions in favor of a narrow, "consensus-driven" narrativea rationale used as grounds for the revocation of their board certifications. The AAPS case against ABIM and its co-defendants was originally dismissed by the District Court but was reinstated against the board defendants by the Fifth Circuit in its opinion that expressed strong concern about the suppression of medical viewpoints. In response to their recent decertifications, Dr. Marik underscored the pressing need to protect medical freedom and accountability in healthcare. "True progress in medicine depends on the free exchange of ideas and the courage to challenge established norms," he stated. "Without open scientific debate, we risk losing the opportunity to discover effective treatments and provide the best patient care." "This fight is about more than just our right to speakit's about protecting the future of healthcare and putting these organizations on notice. When doctors are silenced for questioning the prevailing narrative, we all lose," said Dr. Kory. "We must ensure that medical decisions are guided by expertise and evidence, not by fear of reprisal." A Stand for Free Medical Speech and Patient Care The lawsuit contends that board-certifying organizations, including the ABIM, the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), and the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ABOG), have acted in concert together and with the federal government to suppress and retaliate against physicians with dissenting viewpoints, thus infringing upon First Amendment rights. President and Chief Medical Officer of FLCCC Dr. Joseph Varon highlighted the critical need for organizations like FLCCC to stand behind medical professionals facing such reprisals. "The FLCCC Alliance firmly believes that the essence of medical science lies in the open dialogue, exchange of ideas, and rigorous debate of differing perspectives," said Dr. Varon. "However, the actions of the ABIM reflect a troubling trend towards censoring any opinions that challenge the status quo. This censorship stifles innovation, limits treatment options for patients, and ultimately harms the doctor-patient relationship." Seeking Justice and Accountability This case represents a broader fight for the integrity of healthcare, protecting physicians' right to practice honest medicine based on clinical experience and scientific evidence. The FLCCC Alliance remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for healthcare providers' autonomy, ensuring that the voices of Drs. Kory and Marik, and other medical professionals, are not silenced. This lawsuit is a pivotal step toward safeguarding medical integrity and patient care freedom for practitioners and patients around the world. For media inquiries or further information, please contact Lynne Kristensen at [email protected]. About the FLCCC Alliance The FLCCC Alliance, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, was formed in March 2020 by a group of highly published, world-renowned critical care physicians and scholars with the academic support of allied physicians worldwide. Known for its lifesaving protocols for preventing and treating COVID-19 in all stages of illness, including "long COVID" and post-vaccination syndrome, the FLCCC has expanded its work to include treatment guides for various other conditions, such as sepsis, metabolic disease, cancer, and depression. The organization is dedicated to Honest Medicine that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and the empowerment of both physicians and their patients. For more information, visit flccc.net About AAPS The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons AAPS is a non-partisan professional association of physicians in all types of practices and specialties across the country. Since 1943, AAPS has been dedicated to the highest ethical standards of the Oath of Hippocrates and to preserving the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship and the practice of private medicine. www.aapsonline.org SOURCE FLCCC Alliance FULLERTON, Calif., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fullerton College, the longest continually-running community college in California, is proud to announce the launch of its first Bachelor of Science degree in Drone and Autonomous Systems, set to begin in Fall 2026. This groundbreaking program, the first of its kind on the West Coast, will provide students with a comprehensive education in the rapidly growing field of drone technology and autonomous systems. The Bachelor of Science degree in Drone and Autonomous Systems is designed to equip students with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in areas such as operations, management, applications, and programming. This affordable, state-of-the-art program offers a unique combination of theory and practical experience, preparing students to lead in industries that increasingly rely on drone and autonomous technology. "Drones and autonomous systems are revolutionizing and transforming industries," said Jay Seidel, chair of the Fullerton College Drone Technology program. "This new baccalaureate degree is a testament to our commitment to innovation and providing our students with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow." The bachelor's degree joins Fullerton College's already robust Drone Technology program, which currently offers two associate degrees and four specialized certificates, with additional certifications under development. By offering a four-year degree in drone and autonomous systems, Fullerton College reinforces its status as a leader in education for emerging technologies and underscores its dedication to providing relevant, accessible pathways to meaningful careers. "Offering a bachelors degree to our students, prospective students and community members provides access to opportunities that are transformational," said Dr. Cynthia Olivo, President of Fullerton College. "The future of career possibilities with drones and autonomous systems is endless and I'm so proud that Fullerton College is at the forefront of such innovation." To celebrate this historic milestone, Fullerton College will host a special announcement event featuring a drone light show on December 3. This event will bring together students, faculty, industry partners, and community members to mark the beginning of a new chapter in the college's legacy. Fullerton College is excited to offer this new bachelor's degree and looks forward to shaping the future of drone and autonomous systems professionals on the West Coast and beyond. For more information about the new program or to RSVP for the event, please contact Rachel Mendiola at [email protected] About Fullerton College: As the longest-running community college in California, Fullerton College has a rich history of providing quality, affordable education to students. With a commitment to innovation and student success, Fullerton College continues to be a leader in higher education in California and beyond. Event Details: What: Announcement Celebration for the new Bachelor of Science Degree in Drone and Autonomous Systems and Winterfest celebration Announcement Celebration for the new Bachelor of Science Degree in Drone and Autonomous Systems and Winterfest celebration When: December 3, 2024 5:30-7 p.m. Where: Fullerton College Quad Quad Highlights: Drone Light Show, Networking with Program Faculty and Industry Leaders Contact: Jay Seidel (714) 992-7575 [email protected] drones.fullcoll.edu SOURCE Fullerton College Nation's Leading Physical Therapy Franchise to Continue Impressive Growth with Guidance from New Executive Role SARASOTA, Fla., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers , the country's fastest-growing physical therapy franchise, specializing in balance and vestibular rehabilitation, is excited to announce the newest member of its executive team: Sarah Frohnhoefer as Chief Strategy Officer. The FYZICAL team is excited to welcome a fresh perspective to propel the brand's innovation and growth, on top of positioning the organization for long-term success in the continuously evolving healthcare and franchise landscape. FYZICAL expands leadership team with appointment of new Chief Strategy Officer Sarah Frohnhoefer. Sarah joins the FYZICAL family bringing over 20 years of experience launching new businesses globally, most recently working with consumer-facing start-ups like Sofar Sounds and CLEAR. In her previous roles, she launched new products and ventures for leading brands like Marriott International, facilitated funding entrepreneurs, and scaled small businesses focused on social impact, making her transition to the franchise industry a natural next step. "FYZICAL is at the forefront of growth in the health and wellness industry. We've maintained significant growth without losing sight of delivering quality, personalized care to everyone we serve. Health and wellness isn't a trend, it's become fundamental to the life we all want to live," said newly appointed CSO, Sarah Frohnhoefer. "As I embark on this new role alongside a fantastic team, we'll continue to develop and provide holistic and innovative programs that empower individuals to love their life." "We created the Chief Strategy Officer role to focus on long-term brand growth and innovation that keeps FYZICAL at the forefront of the healthcare franchising landscape," said CEO Brian Belmont. "This role will drive new opportunities, streamline operations, and align the system with industry trends, ensuring success for our franchisees and a positive overall patient experience." FYZICAL is expanding and looking for franchise partners across the country. To explore franchise opportunities with FYZICAL, visit fyzicalfranchise.com. For appointments and to find a clinic near you, visit fyzical.com . About FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers: FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers stands at the forefront of the health and wellness industry as the nation's fastest-growing physical therapy franchise, boasting an extensive network of over 575 locations that span across 46 states. Committed to a holistic approach, FYZICAL provides top-notch, personalized care plans to treat patients of all ages experiencing muscle, joint, and neurological conditions including balance and vestibular issues. As an advocate for patient choice and direct access, FYZICAL empowers individuals to take control of their well-being to achieve optimal physical health and balance. For more information about FYZICAL or to find the nearest location, visit fyzical.com. Media Contact: Jayne Bauer, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] SOURCE FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers Leading Automotive Franchise Encourages Franchisees and Communities to Give Back this Holiday Season ORLAND PARK, Ill., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - In the spirit of giving, Moran Family of Brands is excited to announce a nationwide holiday toy drive from November 10, 2024 December 10, 2024. Customers and community members are invited to drop off toys to be donated to Toys for Tots at select locations across its repair and tint brands including Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, Turbo Tint, Alta Mere, Multistate Transmissions, and Dr. Nick's Transmissions. Guided by the core values of DRIVE dedication, respect, integrity, vision, and engagement Moran Family of Brands is committed to making a meaningful impact on as many lives as possible. The brand strives to raise awareness for important causes and has supported the Toys for Tots Foundation for many years through various drives, donations, and other initiatives. DETAILS: Duration: November 10, 2024 December 10, 2024 How to Participate: Customers and community members can visit participating locations and drop off new, unwrapped toys to be donated to Toys for Tots. Anyone who donates will be entered into a raffle for a $100 Amazon gift card. The raffle winner will be contacted after December 10 . Customers and community members can visit participating locations and drop off new, unwrapped toys to be donated to Toys for Tots. Donation Match: For every toy donated, Moran Family of Brands will contribute $1 to Toys for Tots, up to a total of $5,000 , to be used to provide additional gifts and much-needed resources to children. For every toy donated, Moran Family of Brands will contribute to Toys for Tots, up to a total of , to be used to provide additional gifts and much-needed resources to children. Purpose: Toys for Tots has donated 677 million toys to 301 million deserving children. By supporting their mission, Moran Family of Brands helps make a significant impact by providing less fortunate children with toys and cherished memories. "This holiday season, we have a wonderful opportunity to spread joy and hope to children in need through our Toys for Tots drive," said Barbara Moran-Goodrich, CEO of Moran Family of Brands. "Our brand has proudly supported this organization for many years because we believe every child deserves the chance to experience the magic of the holidays. By uniting as a community, we can create a meaningful impact and bring smiles to those who need it most. We invite everyone to join us in providing more children with gifts this season." To further celebrate the holiday season, Turbo Tint franchise locations will be offering 25% off all automotive window tint services from November 25 to December 25. Known as Tintmas, this exclusive discount gives customers the perfect opportunity to enhance their vehicle's style and privacy while adding protection against harmful UV raysall at an incredible holiday rate. For more information on Moran Family of Brands, visit https://moranfamilyofbrands.com/. About Moran Family of Brands: Moran Family of Brands is one of the nation's leading franchisors of general automotive repair, transmission repair, automotive accessories, and window tint and paint protection services. Based in Orland Park, Illinois, Moran Family of Brands provides specialty products and services in virtually every aspect of the automotive aftermarket through six individual brands and a total of more than 130 franchise locations nationwide including Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, Turbo Tint, Alta Mere "The Automotive Outfitters", Multistate Transmissions, and Dr. Nick's Transmission. SOURCE Moran Family of Brands Ginkgo provides update on its restructuring process including an acceleration of site consolidation initiatives and continued progress on cost reductions Ginkgo signs new and expanded deals with Novo Nordisk and achieves a major research milestone with Merck BOSTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DNA, "Ginkgo"), which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, today announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. The update, including a webcast slide presentation with additional details on the third quarter and supplemental financial information will be available at investors.ginkgobioworks.com . Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results Third quarter 2024 Total revenue of $89 million , up from $55 million in the comparable prior year period, an increase of 61% driven by $45 million of non-cash revenue from a release of deferred revenue relating to the mutual termination of a customer agreement. Excluding this impact, Total revenue in the quarter was $44 million , a decrease of 21% over the prior year period Excluding the $45 million non-cash deferred revenue release, third quarter 2024 Cell Engineering revenue of $30 million , down from $37 million in the comparable prior year period, a decrease of 20% driven by the continued shift from early stage customers to large/enterprise customers along with commercial changes related to the restructuring Third quarter 2024 Biosecurity revenue of $14 million with gross profit margin of 28%. Biosecurity revenue decreased from the comparable prior year period due to the expected ramp down of K-12 testing , up from in the comparable prior year period, an increase of 61% driven by of non-cash revenue from a release of deferred revenue relating to the mutual termination of a customer agreement. Excluding this impact, Total revenue in the quarter was , a decrease of 21% over the prior year period Third quarter 2024 Loss from operations of $(55) million (inclusive of stock-based compensation expense of $14 million and M&A and restructuring related costs of $2 million , net), compared to Loss from operations of $(286) million (inclusive of stock-based compensation expense of $54 million and M&A and restructuring related costs, including asset impairments, of $124 million ) in the comparable prior year period. The 2024 period also benefited from the above non-cash deferred revenue release (inclusive of stock-based compensation expense of and M&A and restructuring related costs of , net), compared to Loss from operations of (inclusive of stock-based compensation expense of and M&A and restructuring related costs, including asset impairments, of ) in the comparable prior year period. The 2024 period also benefited from the above non-cash deferred revenue release Third quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA of $(20) million , up from $(84) million in the comparable prior year period, driven by the above non-cash deferred revenue release and a decrease in operating expenses , up from in the comparable prior year period, driven by the above non-cash deferred revenue release and a decrease in operating expenses Cash and cash equivalents balance as of the end of the third quarter of $616 million "I'm extremely proud of the significant progress we made in the third quarter," said Jason Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Ginkgo. "The team has been laser-focused on delivering for customers while driving down costs even further. We are achieving ambitious milestones, signing new deals with several new and existing customers while also launching our new Automation, Datapoints and AI offerings. Beyond customer successes, we will substantially consolidate our overall real estate footprint by exiting several facilities in Cambridge, MA and Europe by year end. We couldn't have done this without the support of our Board and we're very grateful to Arie for all of his service and contributions to our journey since going public, and look forward to working closely with Sri as he brings a wealth of knowledge in the automation and life science tools space as we expand increasingly into tools. It's an incredibly important time to be pursuing the mission of making biology easier to engineer and creating sustainable biosecurity infrastructure for the future. I am excited by the momentum we are gaining to meet that mission as we close out this year on a substantially reduced cost base." Recent Business Highlights & Strategic Positioning Cell Engineering closed deals with new and existing customers Added 25 new programs and other customer contracts to the Cell Engineering platform in Q3 2024, of which 11 were comparable in size and scope to historically reported New Programs and an additional 14 contracts that represent a variety of other deal archetypes, such as Datapoints projects Signed a new deal with Novo Nordisk focused on the discovery and development of proteins while also expanding Ginkgo's existing collaboration on expression systems for pharmaceutical products Delivered on a major research milestone for Ginkgo's previously announced deal with Merck . As part of this milestone completion, Ginkgo will receive a fee of $9 million in cash, expected in Q4 2024, and will move to Stage 2 to work towards making an even more effective production process Signed three new Datapoints deals with a major TechBio company and two of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies Ginkgo Biosecurity continues to work towards creating solutions that offer persistent, pervasive monitoring Ginkgo validated its approach to rapidly detect H5N1 and has updated its offerings to include DNA sequencing of raw milk, bioinformatics as a service and comprehensive analyzed data sets Ginkgo made significant progress on its plan to reach Adjusted EBITDA breakeven by the end of 2026 The reduction in force is estimated to achieve over $85 million in annualized savings by mid-2025 Ginkgo has continued implementing significant non-people cost cutting measures, including rationalizing third-party costs and site consolidation Dr. Sri Kosuri , CEO of Octant and former associate professor at UCLA in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, joined our Board on November 6, 2024 . Dr. Arie Belldegrun, a director since September 2021 and member of our compensation committee, resigned from the Board on November 7, 2024 Full Year 2024 Outlook Ginkgo previously issued 2024 guidance for Total revenue of $170 -190 million; Cell Engineering services revenue of $120 -140 million; and Biosecurity revenue of at least $50 million . Ginkgo updates its previously issued guidance solely to reflect the impact of the previously mentioned $45 million non-cash deferred revenue release in the third quarter to: Total revenue guidance of $215 -235 million in 2024; Cell Engineering services revenue of $165 -185 million in 2024; and Biosecurity revenue of at least $50 million in 2024. -190 million; Cell Engineering services revenue of -140 million; and Biosecurity revenue of at least . Ginkgo updates its previously issued guidance solely to reflect the impact of the previously mentioned non-cash deferred revenue release in the third quarter to: Conference Call Details Ginkgo will host a videoconference today, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET. The presentation will include an overview of third quarter financial performance, recent business updates, a discussion on Ginkgo's outlook, as well as a moderated question and answer session. To ask a question ahead of the presentation, please submit your questions to @Ginkgo on X (hashtag #GinkgoResults) or by sending an e-mail to [email protected] . A webcast link is available on Ginkgo's Investor Relations website and a replay will be made available following the presentation. Ginkgo Investor Website: https://investors.ginkgobioworks.com/events/ Audio-Only Dial Ins: +1 646 876 9923 (New York) +1 301 715 8592 (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 (Chicago) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 (Houston) +1 408 638 0968 (San Jose) Webinar ID: 920 8859 2008 If you experience technical difficulties with any of these dial-ins or if you need international dial-in numbers, please visit our website at https://investors.ginkgobioworks.com/events/ for updated dial-in information. About Ginkgo Bioworks Ginkgo Bioworks is the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, providing flexible, end-to-end services that solve challenges for organizations across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to pharmaceuticals to industrial and specialty chemicals. Ginkgo Biosecurity is building and deploying the next-generation infrastructure and technologies that global leaders need to predict, detect, and respond to a wide variety of biological threats. For more information, visit ginkgobioworks.com and ginkgobiosecurity.com , read our blog , or follow us on social media channels such as X (@ Ginkgo and @ Ginkgo_Biosec ), Instagram (@ GinkgoBioworks ), Threads (@ GinkgoBioworks ) or LinkedIn . Forward-Looking Statements of Ginkgo Bioworks This press release, the presentation, and the conference call and webcast contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding our plans, strategies, including with respect to our current expectations, operations and anticipated results of operations, both business and financial, including the timing for attaining Adjusted EBITDA breakeven and profitability, our reduction in workforce and anticipated impacts thereof, the timing and structuring of our facilities consolidation and the potential financial impact thereof, potential customer success, including successful application of our offerings by our customers, expectations with regard to revenue, expenses, including our stock-based compensation expenses, our full year 2024 outlook, and the market environment, all of which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, market trends, or industry results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "can," "project," "potential," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to: (i) our ability to realize near-term and long-term cost savings associated with our site consolidation plans, including the ability to terminate leases or find sub-lease tenants for unused facilities, (ii) volatility in the price of Ginkgo's securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Ginkgo operates and plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, and changes in laws and regulations affecting Ginkgo's business, (iii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and to identify and realize additional business opportunities, (iv) the risk of downturns in demand for products using synthetic biology, (v) the uncertainty regarding the demand for passive monitoring programs and biosecurity services, (vi) changes to the biosecurity industry, including due to advancements in technology, emerging competition and evolution in industry demands, standards and regulations, (vii) the outcome of any pending or potential legal proceedings against Ginkgo, (viii) our ability to realize the expected benefits from and the success of our Foundry platform programs, (ix) our ability to successfully develop engineered cells, bioprocesses, data packages or other deliverables, (x) the product development or commercialization success of our customers, and (xi) the potential negative impact on our business of our planned reduction in force or the failure to realize the anticipated savings associated therewith. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of Ginkgo's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 29, 2024 and other documents filed by Ginkgo from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ginkgo assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Ginkgo does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Certain of the financial measures included in this release, including Adjusted EBITDA, have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), and constitute "non-GAAP financial measures" as defined by the SEC. Ginkgo has included these non-GAAP financial measures because it believes they provide an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating Ginkgo's financial performance and prospects. Due to the nature and/or size of the items being excluded, such items do not reflect future gains, losses, expenses or benefits and are not indicative of our future operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental to, and should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with comparable names used by other companies. See the reconciliation below for additional information regarding certain of the non-GAAP financial measures included in this release, including a description of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of the historic measures to Ginkgo's most comparable GAAP financial measures. Ginkgo Bioworks Contacts: INVESTOR CONTACT: [email protected] MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected] Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except per share data, unaudited) As of September 30, 2024 As of December 31, 2023 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 616,214 $ 944,073 Accounts receivable, net 23,411 17,157 Accounts receivable - related parties 531 742 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 22,324 39,777 Total current assets 662,480 1,001,749 Property, plant, and equipment, net 211,035 188,193 Operating lease right-of-use assets 405,911 206,801 Investments 62,103 78,565 Intangible assets, net 79,566 82,741 Goodwill 49,238 Other non-current assets 59,788 58,055 Total assets $ 1,480,883 $ 1,665,342 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 15,700 $ 9,323 Deferred revenue 22,894 44,486 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 75,833 110,051 Total current liabilities 114,427 163,860 Non-current liabilities: Deferred revenue, net of current portion 105,247 158,062 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 445,592 221,835 Other non-current liabilities 17,674 24,433 Total liabilities 682,940 568,190 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value Common stock, $0.0001 par value 5 5 Additional paid-in capital 6,527,698 6,386,191 Accumulated deficit (5,730,023) (5,290,528) Accumulated other comprehensive income 263 1,484 Total stockholders' equity 797,943 1,097,152 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,480,883 $ 1,665,342 Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except per share data, unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Cell Engineering revenue $ 75,089 $ 37,176 $ 139,183 $ 116,555 Biosecurity revenue: Product 6,495 28,949 Service 13,957 11,759 44,013 71,196 Total revenue 89,046 55,430 183,196 216,700 Costs and operating expenses: Cost of Biosecurity product revenue 906 7,481 Cost of Biosecurity service revenue 9,987 6,017 30,996 39,913 Cost of other revenue 2,016 3,930 Research and development (1) 77,006 156,662 347,684 463,583 General and administrative (1) 52,292 82,028 188,864 295,802 Impairment of lease assets 96,210 96,210 Goodwill impairment 47,858 Restructuring charges 2,949 20,015 Total operating expenses 144,250 341,823 639,347 902,989 Loss from operations (55,204) (286,393) (456,151) (686,289) Other income (expense): Interest income, net 9,251 15,020 31,275 43,914 Loss on equity method investments (1,516) Loss on investments (6,912) (36,324) (16,282) (44,815) Loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary (7,013) (7,013) Change in fair value of warrant liabilities 1,528 1,891 5,701 (1,387) Other income, net 1,572 2,893 2,821 9,045 Total other income (expense) (1,574) (16,520) 16,502 5,241 Loss before income taxes (56,778) (302,913) (439,649) (681,048) Income tax expense (benefit) (375) (22) (154) 127 Net loss $ (56,403) $ (302,891) $ (439,495) $ (681,175) Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (1.08) $ (6.21) $ (8.58) $ (14.09) Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 52,240 48,770 51,244 48,330 Diluted 52,246 48,770 51,250 48,330 Comprehensive loss: Net loss $ (56,403) $ (302,891) $ (439,495) $ (681,175) Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustment 494 (1,599) (2,713) (267) Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment realized upon sale of foreign subsidiary 1,492 1,492 Total other comprehensive income (loss) 1,986 (1,599) (1,221) (267) Comprehensive loss $ (54,417) $ (304,490) $ (440,716) $ (681,442) (1) Total stock-based compensation expense, inclusive of employer payroll taxes, was allocated as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Research and development $ 3,214 $ 33,976 $ 48,028 $ 122,086 General and administrative 10,799 19,671 46,608 69,238 Total $ 14,013 $ 53,647 $ 94,636 $ 191,324 Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands, unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (439,495) $ (681,175) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 47,368 57,670 Stock-based compensation 91,783 187,047 Goodwill impairment 47,858 Restructuring related impairment charges 4,823 Loss on investments and equity method investments 16,282 46,331 Loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary 7,013 Change in fair value of warrant liabilities (5,701) 1,387 Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability 3,698 10,217 Non-cash lease expense 20,619 24,635 Non-cash in-process research and development 19,796 3,981 Impairment of long-lived assets 121,404 Other non-cash activity 655 3,053 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (6,101) 21,168 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,487 13,557 Operating lease right-of-use assets 19,224 9,277 Other non-current assets (196) (2,733) Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities (31,099) (4,822) Deferred revenue, current and non-current (67,779) (29,382) Operating lease liabilities, current and non-current (11,383) (18,310) Other non-current liabilities 1,998 (974) Net cash used in operating activities (277,150) (237,669) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (48,831) (37,355) Business acquisition (5,400) Proceeds from sales of marketable securities 3,951 Proceeds from sale of equipment 591 3,000 Other 538 336 Net cash used in investing activities (49,151) (34,019) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from exercise of stock options 84 79 Principal payments on finance leases (694) (977) Contingent consideration payment (922) (1,082) Other (4) (604) Net cash used in financing activities (1,536) (2,584) Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (208) (690) Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (328,045) (274,962) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 944,073 1,315,792 Restricted cash, beginning of period 45,511 53,789 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period 989,584 1,369,581 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 616,214 1,049,244 Restricted cash, end of period 45,325 45,375 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 661,539 $ 1,094,619 Selected Non-GAAP Financial Measures (in thousands, unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net loss (1) $ (56,403) $ (302,891) $ (439,495) $ (681,175) Interest income, net (9,251) (15,020) (31,275) (43,914) Income tax expense (benefit) (375) (22) (154) 127 Depreciation and amortization 17,171 21,060 47,368 57,670 EBITDA (48,858) (296,873) (423,556) (667,292) Stock-based compensation (2) 14,013 53,647 94,636 191,324 Impairment expense (3) 112,403 47,858 121,404 Restructuring charges (4) 2,949 20,015 Merger and acquisition related expenses (5) (796) 12,253 6,110 43,127 Loss on equity method investments 1,516 Loss on investments 6,912 36,324 16,282 44,815 Loss on deconsolidation of subsidiary 7,013 7,013 Change in fair value of warrant liabilities (1,528) (1,891) (5,701) 1,387 Change in fair value of convertible notes 281 317 1,127 121 Adjusted EBITDA $ (20,014) $ (83,820) $ (236,216) $ (263,598) (1) All periods include non-cash revenue when earned, including $45.4 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, recognized pursuant to the termination of revenue contracts with Motif. (2) Includes $0.2 million and $1.1 million in employer payroll taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $2.9 and $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. (3) For 2024, includes $47.9 million related to goodwill impairment. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, includes a $16.2 million impairment loss on lab equipment and a $96.2 million impairment loss on an operating lease right-of-use asset and related leasehold improvements associated with an exited Zymergen leased facility. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, includes a $25.2 million impairment loss on lab equipment and a $96.2 million impairment loss on lease assets associated with the exited Zymergen leased facility. (4) Restructuring charges consist of employee termination costs from the reduction in force commenced in June 2024, as well as the impairment of a right-of-use asset relating to facilities consolidation. (5) Represents transaction and integration costs directly related to mergers and acquisitions, including: (i) due diligence, legal, consulting and accounting fees associated with acquisitions, (ii) post-acquisition employee retention bonuses and severance payments, (iii) the fair value adjustments to contingent consideration liabilities resulting from acquisitions, (iv) costs associated with the Zymergen Bankruptcy, as well as securities litigation costs, net of insurance recovery. Not included in this adjustment are non-cash charges for acquired in-process research and development expenses, which totaled $19.8 million and $4.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. Segment Information (in thousands, unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenue: Cell Engineering $ 75,089 $ 37,176 $ 139,183 $ 116,555 Biosecurity 13,957 18,254 44,013 100,145 Total revenue 89,046 55,430 183,196 216,700 Segment cost of revenue: Cell Engineering 2,016 3,930 Biosecurity 9,987 6,923 30,996 47,394 Segment research and development expense: Cell Engineering 57,201 90,889 253,790 275,494 Biosecurity 141 313 720 1,408 Total segment research and development expense 57,342 91,202 254,510 276,902 Segment general and administrative expense: Cell Engineering 29,319 42,617 103,167 155,216 Biosecurity 10,040 12,207 33,169 42,862 Total segment general and administrative expense 39,359 54,824 136,336 198,078 Segment operating (loss) income: Cell Engineering (13,447) (96,330) (221,704) (314,155) Biosecurity (6,211) (1,189) (20,872) 8,481 Total segment operating loss (19,658) (97,519) (242,576) (305,674) Operating expenses not allocated to segments: Stock-based compensation (1) 14,013 53,647 94,636 191,324 Depreciation and amortization 17,171 21,060 47,368 57,670 Impairment expense (2) 112,403 47,858 121,404 Restructuring charges 2,949 20,015 Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability 1,413 1,764 3,698 10,217 Loss from operations $ (55,204) $ (286,393) $ (456,151) $ (686,289) (1) Includes $0.2 million and $1.1 million in employer payroll taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $2.9 million and $4.3 million in employer payroll taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. (2) For 2024, includes $47.9 million related to goodwill impairment. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, includes a $16.2 million impairment loss on lab equipment and a $96.2 million impairment loss on an operating lease right-of-use asset and related leasehold improvements associated with an exited Zymergen leased facility. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, includes a $25.2 million impairment loss on lab equipment and a $96.2 million impairment loss on lease assets associated with the exited Zymergen leased facility. SOURCE Ginkgo Bioworks TIANJIN, China, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Frost & Sullivan, a world-renowned market consulting company, awarded AIMA with the market status certification of the "Global Leading Electric Two-wheeler Brand (by Sales)". As of March 31, 2024, the total sales volume of AIMA electric two-wheelers reached 80 million, fully demonstrating AIMA's leading position in the global electric two-wheeler sector. The Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Award for Growth, Innovation, and Leadership (GIL) is an authoritative certification provided by a third-party independent research institution. The authority and impartiality of the award have been widely recognized by the investment community, the financial sector, and the industry. This certification has consolidated AIMA's market position and further demonstrated consumers' high recognition of the market competitiveness, brand influence, and product strength of AIMA electric two-wheelers. Over the years, AIMA has always been a product trendsetter in the electric two-wheeler sector. Taking fashion as its soul and technology as its foundation, AIMA is committed to providing consumers with high-quality and high-performance electric two-wheelers. It has developed multitudinous classic products for the electric two-wheeler sector. Additionally, through continuous product design optimization and strict production quality control, AIMA has earned a good reputation and credibility for its relentless pursuit of quality. In 2015, AIMA formally embarked on its globalization strategy. By the end of 2023, AIMA electric two-wheelers had established a presence in over 50 countries worldwide. Besides, 11 production bases had been built globally, including overseas factories in Indonesia and Vietnam. To date, AIMA electric two-wheelers have consistently safeguarded the riding safety of more than 80 million users worldwide, setting a benchmark and example for the sound development of the entire industry. Such achievements are contributed by AIMA's adherence to the customer-centered product philosophy and technologies that support long-term innovation and breakthroughs. With such solid capabilities, in the future, AIMA will continue to increase its R&D investment and vigorously develop a new generation of electric two-wheelers that are more intelligent, high-end, and personalized while continuously enhancing the competitive advantages of products. It will continually change users' inherent perceptions of electric two-wheelers and lead the industry's breakthroughs and expansion on a global scale. SOURCE AIMA Technology BEIJING, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Italian explorer Marco Polo was a key focus of a recent meeting that highlighted the China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who is in China on a state visit from Thursday to Tuesday, attended the event. During the two leaders' talks, Xi said the two countries should support youth exchanges and "work together to cultivate more Marco Polos in the new era." Seven hundred years after Marco Polo's death, the legendary explorer remains an inspiration for those passionate about the cultures of China and Italy and a symbol of the ties between the two countries and beyond. The renowned sculptor and director of the National Art Museum of China, Wu Weishan, who created a sculpture named The Traveler on Horseback as a heartfelt tribute to this pioneering figure in the history of cultural exchanges between the East and West, told the Global Times on Thursday that the weighty forms and dynamic lines of the sculpture embody not only his interpretation of the distinct civilizations of China and Italy, but also the personal journey of his own artistic exploration. "As a Chinese artist, I constantly reflect on how to use art to convey the spirit and essence of China's rich cultural heritage to the world, inviting deeper dialogue," said Wu. Symbolizing the enduring ties between China and Italy, Wu's work uses powerful sculptural language to portray Marco Polo as a resolute and profound figure, emphasizes Polo's critical role in bridging Eastern and Western civilizations. Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, Xi said that the two countries, both ancient civilizations, should uphold their traditions of openness and inclusiveness, and encourage the international community to resolve differences through dialogue and rise above conflicts through cooperation. Mattarella noted that Italy and China should further enhance people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in fields such as culture, education, language teaching and cultural heritage cooperation, and make new contributions to promoting the dialogue and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations, as well as the progress of human civilization. Inspired by the spirit of Marco Polo, the China-Italy Cooperation Mechanism and the Dialogue between Chinese and Italian University Presidents recently held in Beijing have yielded fruitful results in promoting mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two peoples. At the dialogue on Saturday, the Chinese Ministry of Education announced it would offer more than 100 student exchange opportunities for 22 Italian universities, aiming to strengthen mutual learning and deepen cultural exchanges between the two countries. "We sincerely hope that universities in both countries can make full use of various opportunities such as short-term study visits, student exchanges, summer schools and joint training programs to promote in-depth exchanges among Chinese and Italian youth," said Huai Jinpeng, China's minister of education. Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between China Media Group and the Italian Ministry of Culture on Friday. This partnership aims to promote practical cooperation in the film industry, including organizing joint film festivals and exhibitions, co-productions, personnel exchanges, and technical cooperation. It marks a significant step toward enhancing cultural ties and mutual understanding through the cinematic arts, providing a platform for both countries to learn from each other and share their rich cinematic traditions. To celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Italy in 2025, The Divine Comedy Opera Musical, based on Italian poet Dante Alighieri's eponymous poem, is scheduled to debut in China in April 2025, the Italian Embassy in China announced at an event on Saturday. The musical's chief producer Gabriele Gravina told the Global Times that he hoped that the show could strengthen the friendship between Italy and China. Over 700 years since his death, the understanding and the emotional bonds between China and Italy have grown deeper and stronger thanks to the legacy of Marco Polo. SOURCE Global Times Sterling to Manufacture GNX102-ADC for Planned Phase 1 Clinical Program NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GlycoNex, Inc. (4168, hereinafter referred to as GNX), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of glycan-directed cancer immunotherapies, today announced a manufacturing agreement with Sterling Pharma Solutions, a UK-based CDMO with a specialist Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) division, for clinical trial production of GNX102-ADC in preparation for a planned Phase 1 clinical program investigating the drug technology. GNX102-ADC combines GlycoNex's proprietary monoclonal antibody (mAb), GNX102, and cytotoxic drug therapies to elicit cellular cytotoxicity to target cancer cells with high specificity. GNX102 is a humanized mAb designed to target novel tumor-associated glycans to inhibit tumor growth. GNX102 successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials with data demonstrating strong safety and tolerability. "Our GNX102 monoclonal antibody demonstrated superior safety in Phase 1 clinical trials making it an ideal candidate to develop as an ADC," said Dr. Mei-Chun Yang, CEO of GlycoNex. "We are excited to benefit from Sterling's ADC manufacturing expertise in the production of GNX102-ADC as we seek to investigate the technology's ability to bind antibodies to cancer cell antigens, initiating apoptotic cell death while directly delivering cytotoxic drugs to the tumor." Commenting on the partnership, Chad Telgenhof, Chief Commercial Officer at Sterling Pharma Solutions added, "As a company, Sterling continues to invest in capabilities to support ADC innovator companies, in what is a strong and growing area of research. This agreement will leverage the expertise we have in clinical-scale GMP manufacturing at our site in Deeside, UK, and we look forward to building a partnership with GlycoNex to support its ongoing drug development." Data from the preclinical trials of GNX102-ADC demonstrated safety comparable to approved ADCs with the potential to treat a range of solid tumors, including gastric cancer, colorectal, pancreatic, and lung cancers. In addition, GNX102-ADC has shown strong tumor-suppressing potential in preclinical animal studies. GlycoNex retains full development rights for GNX102-ADC, with patents secured in key global markets, including the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Russia. The global ADC market size was valued at USD 11.65 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach approximately USD 28.61 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2024 to 2033.i GlycoNex is well positioned to capitalize on this opportunity with its comprehensive in-house capabilities for end-to-end antibody drug development. GlycoNex's advanced capabilities supports the full drug development cycle, from monoclonal antibody discovery and preclinical studies to manufacturing and clinical development, ensuring a seamless and efficient transition from laboratory research to clinical trials. About GlycoNex Inc. GlycoNex Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of glycan-directed cancer immunotherapies that effectively inhibit tumor growth while minimizing side effects. GlycoNex possesses a robust pipeline led by GNX102, a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) designed to target abnormal sugar molecules in cancer cells. GNX102 has successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials with data demonstrating excellent safety and promising efficacy. GlycoNex is also advancing a portfolio of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that precisely attack cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. GlycoNex is headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. For more information, visit http://www.glyconex.com.tw. About Sterling Pharma Solutions Sterling Pharma Solutions is a global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) with more than 50 years' experience in providing small molecule API development and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical industry, specialising in handling challenging chemistries. Sterling manages the most complex API challenges from proof-of-concept to commercial manufacture, as well as antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) research and development bioconjugation services. Sterling has six facilities employing more than 1,350 people: its HQ in Dudley, Cramlington, UK and a site in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; a European presence in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, Ireland; a dedicated bioconjugation and ADCs facility in Deeside, North Wales, UK; and two sites in the US, in Cary, North Carolina and Germantown, Wisconsin. Find out more Contacts for GlycoNex, Inc. Investor Relations Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. David Irish [email protected] Media Relations Eric Reiss [email protected] i https://www.novaoneadvisor.com/report/antibody-drug-conjugates-market SOURCE GlycoNex, Inc. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Kazakhstan actively supports Azerbaijan in holding COP29, Special Representative of the President of Kazakhstan for International Environmental Cooperation Zulfiya Suleimenova told Trend on the sidelines of COP29 in Azerbaijan. COP29 presents a distinctive chance for the area to showcase its efforts in combating climate change. We anticipate that this event will significantly enhance understanding of climate dangers and opportunities for regions proactively confronting environmental concerns, she said. Suleimenova is convinced that the collaboration between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on climate initiatives will keep on trucking and yield fruitful results for both nations. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have attained a significant degree of engagement; yet, both parties persist in exploring novel avenues to enhance collaboration. In this setting, it is essential to not only endorse existing initiatives but also to discern new avenues for collaborative ventures, she added. To note, Baku hosts the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the official opening ceremony of which was held on September 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The Summit of World Leaders on Climate Action will be held on November 1213. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was made on December 11 last year at the plenary session of COP28 in Dubai. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to prevent dangerous anthropogenic impacts on the climate system. The first session was held in March 1995 in Berlin and the conference secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel HOUSTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI) ("Group 1" or the "Company"), a Fortune 250 automotive retailer with 260 dealerships located in the U.S. and U.K., today announced its board of directors approved a new share repurchase authorization of $500 million, and also declared a quarterly dividend. Share Repurchase Authorization Increase The Company announced that its board of directors increased the Company's common share repurchase authorization by $333 million to $500 million . Year-to-date 2024, the Company repurchased 461,365 shares at an average price per common share of $298.49, for a total of $138 million. Purchases may be made from time to time, based on market conditions, legal requirements, and other corporate considerations, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The Company expects that any repurchase of shares will be funded by cash from operations. Repurchased shares will be held in treasury. Quarterly Dividend Group 1's board of directors also declared a $0.47 dividend per share that will be payable on December 16, 2024 , to stockholders of record as of December 2 , 2024. The dividend is consistent with the Company's previously announced increase of 4% in its annualized dividend rate from $1.80 per share in 2023 to $1.88 per share in 2024. ABOUT GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. Group 1 owns and operates 260 automotive dealerships, 338 franchises, and 39 collision centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 35 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships and omni-channel platform, the Company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service and insurance contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts. Group 1 discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations at www.group1corp.com , www.group1auto.com , www.group1collision.com , www.acceleride.com , and www.facebook.com/group1auto. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS All statements in this press release related to future, not past, events are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor contacts: Terry Bratton Manager, Investor Relations Group 1 Automotive, Inc. [email protected] Media contacts: Pete DeLongchamps Senior Vice President, Financial Services and Manufacturer Relations Group 1 Automotive, Inc. [email protected] Kimberly Barta Head of Marketing and Communications Group 1 Automotive, Inc. [email protected] or Clint Woods Pierpont Communications, Inc. 713-627-2223 [email protected] SOURCE Group 1 Automotive, Inc. SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LivAway Suites continues to make waves in extended stay hospitality with the grand opening of its second location nationwide, strategically positioned in Richland, Washington. The LivAway Suites brand launched in early 2023 and committed to a rapid expansion across the country, providing an enhanced extended stay experience that blends comfort with affordability. "This opening represents more than just another hotel opening; it's an embodiment of our ongoing effort to redefine what economy extended stay can and should be," said Kevin Dailey, Chief Operating Officer of LivAway Suites. "The Richland location will not only meet but exceed expectations for travelers seeking value without compromising quality." The hotel was developed by West77 Partners, a real estate development firm focused solely on economy extended-stay hotels. "We plan to develop 10-15 LivAway Suites hotels in the state of Washington over the coming years," said Dan Barrett, President of West77 Partners. "With over 10 years of experience developing economy extended stay hotels in Washington, we know how desperately LivAway Suites is needed throughout the state. We look forward to filling that need," added Barrett. Following a successful opening in the Salt Lake City area earlier this yearwhere demand for the hotel has already surpassed projectionsLivAway Suites is poised for further growth across the country. The Tri-Cities area promises fertile ground for expansion, given its need for modern, extended-stay accommodations tailored to both short-term and long-term visitors. LivAway Suites aims to disrupt traditional hotel franchising through a developer-centric model focused on transparent fee structures and the profitability of each hotel. By offering straightforward services paired with essential amenities, it targets cost-conscious travelers who prioritize function over frillsa formula that has already proven effective in its inaugural property in West Jordan, Utah. "Our goal is simple: provide everything our guests need and nothing they don't," noted Dailey. "As we progress toward having 50 hotels open or under construction by the end of 2026, every hotel opening like Richland brings us one step closer to our goal." For more information about West77 Partners, please visit www.west77partners.com. About LivAway Suites Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, LivAway Suites is a new hotel brand with a developer-centric business model and hotel design that helps our guests feel more at home while away. The brand is built on understanding the importance of offering guests everything they need and nothing they don't, with straightforward services and pragmatic amenities that offer livability and comfort at an affordable rate. Built on a foundation for developers, by developers, LivAway Suites is poised to disrupt the traditional hotel franchise model through transparent pricing and an improved return on investment. For more information, visit www.livawaysuites.com. SOURCE LivAway Suites LONDON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- H.I.G. Bayside Capital Europe ("Bayside"), the European special situations and capital solutions affiliate of H.I.G. Capital ("H.I.G."), a leading global alternative investment firm with $65 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce its financing of Oliver James ("Oliver James" or the "Company"), the rapidly growing international recruitment and talent solutions specialist. Bayside provided a 31m facility to refinance existing debt and finance the further growth of the Company. Oliver James was founded in 2002 in Manchester, England by Oliver Castle and James Rogers, and is now a multi-award-winning recruitment and talent solutions specialist with 14 offices globally, focusing on specialist verticals. Since its inception, Oliver James has experienced significant organic growth driven by its sophisticated, tech-enabled operating model, knowledge of specialist markets, and focus on staff development and retention. Bayside provided a bespoke, flexible financing solution to Oliver James that allows the Company to continue to invest in its business and drive ongoing development. The financing solution also includes undrawn facilities to support future growth. Graeme Edwards, Chief Financial Officer at Oliver James, said: "We are delighted to partner with Bayside for the next phase of our growth and investment. The Bayside team excelled with their knowledge and flexibility and was able to tailor the financing to our needs." Florian Kawohl, Managing Director at Bayside, said: "Oliver Castle's and James Rogers' impressive approach, strategy, and execution have resulted in an outstanding recognition of their business in the marketplace. Our Capital Solutions loan allows us to refinance their existing debt and provide flexible funds to support the business in its next phase. We are looking forward to working with the team at Oliver James and supporting the continued growth of the business." About Oliver James Oliver James specialises in recruitment and talent solutions services, operating out of 14 offices across the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the U.S., with a global turnover of 351 million in 2023. To discover more, visit oliverjames.com. About Bayside Capital Bayside Capital is the special situations affiliate of H.I.G. Capital. Focused on middle market companies, Bayside invests across several segments of the primary and secondary debt capital markets with an emphasis on long term returns. With eight offices throughout the U.S. and Europe and over 500 investment professionals to draw upon, Bayside has the experience, resources, and flexibility required to generate superior risk-adjusted returns. For more information, please refer to the Bayside website at bayside.com. About H.I.G. Capital H.I.G. is a leading global alternative investment firm with $65 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Dubai, and Hong Kong, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to middle market companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach: H.I.G.'s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses. H.I.G.'s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance. H.I.G.'s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices. H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector. Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm's current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com. *Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates. Contact: Duncan Priston Co-Head of Bayside Europe [email protected] Andrew Scotland Co-Head of Bayside Europe [email protected] SOURCE H.I.G. Capital BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Industry Leaders from Hospital de Sant Pau and Huawei today outlined a vision of how digital technology can make hospitals more efficient and improve patients' lives. Speaking at an event held at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau, Dr. Alfons Torrego, Medical Director at Sant Pau Hospital, outlined the current context of digital transformation in the healthcare sector. He highlighted projects currently being implemented by Sant Pau, and explained the ideal scenarios for digital transformation and innovation initiatives in healthcare. The speakers shared their thoughts at the roundtable Dr. Josep Munuera, Director of the Diagnostic Imaging Service at Sant Pau, discussed the potential of AI as a powerful tool to enhance and optimize processes such as imaging diagnostics and the development of predictive models. He emphasized that these advancements could enable a more efficient implementation of precision medicine, tailoring treatments to individual patient needs with greater accuracy and effectiveness. During a round table, participants emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private organizations to drive innovation and efficiency in healthcare. They highlighted the hospital's partnership with Huawei as a prime example, focusing on data storage and security solutions. Such partnerships are essential for enabling secure digital transformation in the healthcare system, ensuring that sensitive patient data is protected while fostering a modern, efficient infrastructure. Sant Pau is expanding its technological capabilities to address the complex challenges of modern medicine. Under the leadership of Dr. Josep Munuera, the hospital has launched a new research group in Advanced Medical Imaging, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Image-Guided Therapy. In a similar vein, Dr. Abdel Hakim Moustafa, director of the Dimension Lab at Sant Pau, led the hospital's advancements in 3D technology. His work in 3D modeling, digital twins, and 3D-printed customized medical devices has revolutionized the approach to complex surgeries, allowing for patient-specific planning that enhances surgical precision and safety. The Dimension Lab's use of virtual surgical planning and digital twins exemplifies Sant Pau's commitment to personalized medicine and illustrates the hospital's leadership in combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology. Dr. Hakim Moustafa explained the importance of interdisciplinary coordination. He highlighted how biomedical engineers, doctors, and nurses at Sant Pau are working together to bring digital health solutions. This collaborative approach aims to enhance patient care by integrating advanced, tailored healthcare technologies into clinical practice. Digital tech's contribution to innovative care at Sant Pau's can be seen in "Being Digi-Sapiens , " a documentary series made by Warner Brothers Discovery with support from Huawei. The series is hosted by YouTuber Simone Giertz, who points out that, in the past, patient records have consisted mostly of doctors' hand-written notes. Today, such records comprise thousands of data points spread out across numerous platforms, often taking the form of images such as X-rays, sonograms, and CAT scans. All of this data must be rapidly accessible and protected with the most resilient, fault-tolerant IT systems available. Huawei is doing its part to help put this goal within reach. Since 2020, Huawei has been Sant Pau's leading strategic partner in state-of-the-art storage systems. Huawei supplied Sant Pau with an all-flash storage solution providing medical staff near-instant access to patient data when needed. The solution features the latest backup, recovery, and anti-ransomware technologies ensuring the highest levels of patient data protection. "By working together with institutions like Saint Pau, we hope to make life easier, safer, and more connected for communities across Europe. " said Mr. Kenneth Fredriksen, Senior Vice President of Huawei Europe Region. "Huawei remains deeply committed to partnering with organizations from all sectors to bring intelligent digital solutions to every corner of society." During the upcoming event "HUAWEI CONNECT 2024 Paris", Huawei will launch its New-Gen OceanStor Dorado All-Flash Storage solution in Europe. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2555359/1.jpg LONDON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HSBC Holdings plc (the 'Company', 'we' or 'us') has announced the anticipated launch of two separate offers to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding series of notes listed in the table below. The launch of the Offers (as defined below) is expected to be at or around 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on November 12, 2024 (the 'Launch Date'). The Offer Documents will be available from 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Launch Date at the following link: https://www.gbsc-usa.com/hsbc/ . We refer to the outstanding notes listed in the table below collectively as the 'Notes' and separately as a 'series' of Notes. We refer to each offer to purchase a series of Notes as an 'Offer', and collectively as the 'Offers'. The Offers are made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated November 12, 2024, relating to the Notes (the 'Offer to Purchase') and the related notice of guaranteed delivery (the 'Notice of Guaranteed Delivery', and together with the Offer to Purchase, the 'Offer Documents'). As of the date of the Offer to Purchase, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes subject to the Offers is $3,000,000,000. References to '$' are to U.S. dollars. Title of Notes CUSIP Maturity Date Principal Amount Outstanding Reference Security Fixed Spread Fixed Price(1) 4.250% Subordinated Notes due 2025 (the '2025 Notes') 404280AU3 August 18, 2025 $1,500,000,000 N/A N/A $997.00 4.375% Subordinated Notes due 2026 (the '2026 Notes') 404280BH1 November 23, 2026 $1,500,000,000 UST 4.125% due October 31, 2026 (ISIN US91282CLS88) +20 basis points N/A (1) Per $1,000 principal amount. The Offers are being undertaken to proactively manage the Company's outstanding debt portfolio. Each Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on November 18, 2024, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Company in its sole discretion (such date and time with respect to an Offer, as the same may be extended, the 'Expiration Time'). Notes tendered for purchase may be validly withdrawn at any time at or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on November 18, 2024 (such date and time with respect to an Offer, as the same may be extended, the 'Withdrawal Date'), but not thereafter, unless extended or earlier terminated with respect to an Offer by the Company in its sole discretion. We expect the Settlement Date to occur on November 21, 2024, unless extended or earlier terminated in respect of an Offer by the Company in its sole discretion (such date and time with respect to an Offer, as the same may be extended, the 'Settlement Date'). Each Offer is independent of the other Offer, and we may terminate, modify or waive the conditions of either Offer without terminating, modifying or waiving the conditions of the other Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer Documents, holders who (i) validly tender Notes at or prior to the Expiration Time or (ii) validly tender Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on November 20, 2024 (such date and time with respect to an Offer, as the same may be extended, the 'Guaranteed Delivery Date') pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and whose Notes are accepted for purchase by us, will receive consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of such Notes, which will be payable in cash on the Settlement Date as described below (the 'Consideration'). The Consideration applicable to the 2025 Notes validly tendered and accepted by us pursuant to the Offer with respect to the 2025 Notes will be the Fixed Price specified in the table above. The Consideration applicable to the 2026 Notes validly tendered and accepted by us pursuant to the Offer with respect to the 2026 Notes will be calculated at or around 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on November 18, 2024 (such date and time, as the same may be extended by the Company in its sole discretion, the 'Price Determination Date'), in accordance with the formula set forth in the Offer to Purchase and with standard market practice, using the 'Offer Yield', which will be equal to the sum of: a) the 'Reference Yield', as determined by the Dealer Manager, that corresponds to the bid-side yield of the Reference Security specified in the table above for the 2026 Notes appearing on the Price Determination Date, such yield being directly quoted on the Bloomberg Reference Page (as defined below) and being rounded to the nearest 0.001 per cent. (with 0.0005 per cent. being rounded up), plus b) the Fixed Spread specified in the table above. Accordingly, the Consideration payable by us for each $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes accepted by us will equal: (i) the present value on the Settlement Date of $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes due on the maturity date (as specified in the table above) of the 2026 Notes and all scheduled interest payments on such $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes to be made from (but excluding) the Settlement Date up to and including such maturity date, discounted to the Settlement Date at a discount rate equal to the Offer Yield, minus (ii) the Accrued Interest per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes; such total amount being rounded to the nearest cent per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes, and the above calculation being made in accordance with standard market practice as described by the formula set forth in the Offer to Purchase. The 'Bloomberg Reference Page' means the page on Bloomberg from which the Dealer Manager will observe the bid-side yield of the Reference Security for the 2026 Notes, which is expected to be PX1 (or any other recognized quotation source selected by us in consultation with the Dealer Manager if such quotation source is not available or manifestly erroneous). As soon as reasonably practicable after the Price Determination Date, the Company will issue a press release specifying the Consideration for the 2026 Notes validly tendered and accepted. In addition to the Consideration, holders whose Notes of a given series are accepted for purchase will also be paid a cash amount equal to accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes from, and including, the last interest payment date for such Notes to, but not including, the Settlement Date, rounded to the nearest cent (such amount in respect of a series of Notes, 'Accrued Interest'). Accrued Interest will be payable on the Settlement Date. For the avoidance of doubt, interest will cease to accrue on the Settlement Date for all Notes accepted in the Offers. Under no circumstances will any interest be payable to holders because of any delay on the part of Global Bondholder Services Corporation, as depositary, The Depository Trust Company ('DTC') or any other party in the transmission of funds to holders. On the date of the Offer to Purchase, the Company expects to launch a proposed new issuance (the 'Proposed Issuance') of one series of subordinated unsecured debt securities (the 'New Notes') which are not subject to the Offers. No assurance can be given that the Proposed Issuance will be completed. It is expected that the Offers will be financed with the proceeds received from the Proposed Issuance and, to the extent required, with cash on hand. The Offers are subject to the terms and conditions described in the Offer Documents. In particular, the Company's obligation to complete the Offers is conditioned on the successful completion, on terms and conditions satisfactory to us in our sole discretion, of the Proposed Issuance (the 'New Issue Condition'). The Company reserves the right to amend or waive any of the conditions of the Offers, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, in our sole discretion, subject to applicable law. If any of the conditions are not satisfied at the Expiration Time with respect to an Offer, we may, in our sole discretion and without giving any notice, subject to applicable law, (a) terminate such Offer, (b) extend such Offer, on the same or amended terms, and thereby delay acceptance of any validly tendered Notes, or (c) continue to accept tenders. We will, in connection with the allocation of the New Notes in the Proposed Issuance, consider among other factors whether or not the relevant investor seeking an allocation of the New Notes has, prior to such allocation, validly tendered or given a firm intention to us or the Dealer Manager that they intend to tender their Notes pursuant to the Offers and, if so, the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered or intended to be tendered by such investor. Therefore, a holder who wishes to subscribe for New Notes in addition to tendering its Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offers may be eligible to receive, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company, priority in the allocation of the New Notes, subject to the issue of the New Notes and such holder also making a separate application for the purchase of such New Notes to the managing bookrunner of the issue of the New Notes in accordance with the standard new issue procedures of such bookrunner. However, we are not obliged to allocate the New Notes to a holder who has validly tendered or indicated a firm intention to tender Notes pursuant to the Offers and, if New Notes are allocated, the principal amount thereof may be less or more than the principal amount of Notes tendered by such holder and accepted by us pursuant to the Offers. All Notes accepted in the Offers will be cancelled and retired, and will no longer remain outstanding obligations of the Company. Holders of Notes are advised to read carefully the Offer to Purchase, including the 'Risk Factors' section, for full details of and information on the procedures for participating in the Offers. The Company has retained HSBC Bank plc as Dealer Manager for the Offers (the 'Dealer Manager'). Questions and requests for assistance related to the Offers may be directed to the Dealer Manager at UK: +44 (0)20 7992 6237, US: +1 (212) 525-5552 (Collect) or +1 (888) HSBC-4LM (Toll Free), or by email at [email protected]. Global Bondholder Services Corporation will act as the information agent (the 'Information Agent'). Questions or requests for assistance related to the Offers or for additional copies of the Offer Documents may be directed to the Information Agent at +1 (855) 654-2014 (toll free) or +1 (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers). You may also contact your broker, dealer, custodian bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offers. If the Company terminates an Offer, all Notes tendered pursuant to such Offer will be returned promptly to the tendering holders thereof. Holders of Notes are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold Notes as to when such intermediary would need to receive instructions from a beneficial owner in order for that beneficial owner to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in, an Offer before the deadlines specified herein and in the Offer to Purchase. The deadlines set by any such intermediary and DTC for the submission and withdrawal of tender instructions will also be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified herein and in the Offer to Purchase. This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell, any security. No offer, solicitation, or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Offers are only being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. Holders of the Notes are urged to carefully read the Offer to Purchase before making any decision with respect to the Offers. United Kingdom. This communication and any other documents or materials relating to the Offers is not being made and such documents and/or materials have not been approved by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the 'FSMA'). Accordingly, this communication and such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials is exempt from the restriction on financial promotions under section 21 of the FSMA on the basis that it is only directed at and may be communicated to (1) those persons who are existing members or creditors of HSBC Holdings or other persons within Article 43 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, and (2) to any other persons to whom these documents and/or materials may lawfully be communicated. Belgium. Neither this communication nor any other documents or materials relating to the Offers have been or will be notified to, and neither this communication nor any other documents or materials relating to the Offers have been or will be approved by, the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority ('Autorite des services et marches financiers / Autoriteit financiele diensten en markten'). The Offers may therefore not be made in Belgium by way of a public takeover bid (openbaar overnamebod/offer publique d'acquisition), as defined in Article 3 of the Belgian law of 1 April 2007 on public takeover bids, as amended (the 'Belgian Takeover Law'), save in those circumstances where a private placement exemption is available. The Offers are conducted exclusively under applicable private placement exemptions. The Offers may therefore not be advertised and the Offers will not be extended, and neither this communication nor any other documents or materials relating to the Offers have been or will be distributed or made available, directly or indirectly, to any person in Belgium other than (i) to 'qualified investors' within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and (ii) in any circumstances set out in Article 6, 4 of the Belgian Takeover Law. This communication has been issued only for the personal use of the above qualified investors and exclusively for the purpose of the Offers. Accordingly, the information contained in this communication may not be used for any other purpose or disclosed to any other person in Belgium. Italy. None of the Offers, this communication or any other document or materials relating to the Offers have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedures of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ('CONSOB') pursuant to Italian laws and regulations. The Offers are being carried out in the Republic of Italy as exempted offers pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the 'Financial Services Act') and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended. Holders or beneficial owners of the Notes that are located in the Republic of Italy can tender the Notes for purchase in the Offers through authorized persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of 15 February 2018, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority. Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Notes and/or the Offers. Hong Kong. The contents of this communication have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. Holders of Notes should exercise caution in relation to the Offers. If a holder of the Notes is in any doubt about any of the contents of this communication, such holder should obtain independent professional advice. The Offers have not been made and will not be made in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (i) to 'professional investors' as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of the laws of Hong Kong (the 'SFO') and any rules made under that ordinance, or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a 'prospectus' as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of the laws of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that ordinance. Further, no person has issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, or will issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Offers, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Offers and/or the Notes which are or are intended to be made only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to 'professional investors' as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder. This communication and the information contained herein may not be used other than by the person to whom it is addressed and may not be reproduced in any form or transferred to any person in Hong Kong. The Offers are not intended to be made to the public in Hong Kong and it is not the intention of HSBC Holdings that the Offers be made to the public in Hong Kong. Canada. Any offer or solicitation in Canada must be made through a dealer that is appropriately registered under the laws of the applicable province or territory of Canada, or pursuant to an exemption from that requirement. Where the Dealer Manager or any affiliate thereof is a registered dealer or able to rely on an exemption from the requirement to be registered in such jurisdiction, the Offers shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager, or such affiliate, on behalf of the Dealer Manager in that jurisdiction. France. This communication and any other offering material relating to the Offers may not be distributed in the Republic of France except to qualified investors as defined in Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements In this communication the Company has made forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms such as 'believes', 'expects', 'estimate', 'may', 'intends', 'plan', 'will', 'should', 'potential', 'seek', 'reasonably possible' or 'anticipates' or the negative thereof or similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy. We have based the forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, as described under 'Risk Factors' in the Offer to Purchase. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed herein might not occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. Investor enquiries to: Greg Case +44 (0) 20 7992 3825 [email protected] Media enquiries to: Press Office +44 (0) 20 7991 8096 [email protected] Note to editors: HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 60 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,099bn at 30 September 2024, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. SOURCE HSBC Holdings plc Surveyed Hyundai employees recognize the company as a great place to work FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America is proud to be Certified by Great Place To Work, for the second year in a row. The prestigious award is based entirely on current employees' experience working at Hyundai and its luxury brand, Genesis. This year, 76% of responders said it's a Great Place To Work a +3% increase from last year and 19 points higher than the average U.S. company. "Hyundai has the best team in the business," said Jose Munoz, president and global COO, Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO, Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America. "Working in this amazing industry is as challenging as it is rewarding. Our team members are the heart and soul of the company and are seeing the tangible results of their hard work and passion in the incredible transformation of Hyundai and Genesis. It's extremely gratifying to be part of this winning team and we are honored to be recognized as a Great Place To Work once again." Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation. When surveyed, employees overwhelmingly mentioned the people, inclusive culture, benefits, and work-life balance as reasons why Hyundai is a great place to work. "Earning the Great Place To Work certification again is a proud achievement and a reflection of the supportive culture we strive to build at Hyundai and Genesis," said Matt Little, vice president, human resources and administration services, Hyundai Motor North America and vice president, global human resources group, Hyundai Motor Company. "Our commitment to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued is unwavering." "Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president, global recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. "By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Hyundai stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees." According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 15 times more likely to choose a company certified as a great workplace by its employees. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 67% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and 85% say they want to stay for a long time. The certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. About Great Place to Work Certification Great Place To Work Certification is the most definitive "employer-of-choice" recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified. About Great Place To Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok SOURCE Hyundai Motor America HELSINKI, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In Parallel has successfully closed a 2.8 million seed funding round from Lifeline Ventures, helping the company to scale its innovative AI-powered approach to strategy execution management. In Parallel's business is to digitalize and improve enterprise operating models to enable efficient and aligned strategy execution. In Parallel founders Markku Makelainen and Kristian Luoma secure 2.8m seed funding to revolutionize corporate strategy execution with AI Its proprietary AI-powered Intelligent Operating Model is designed to test, set, and monitor the contexts that businesses and management teams need to push their strategy forward faster. In Parallel's approach uses AI agents that autonomously handle tasks like data collection, alignment tracking, and market analysis. This provides leaders with real-time insights and proactive adaptability, reducing the need for costly consulting services while ensuring continuous strategic execution. Known as the "Parallel Twin," this capability empowers leaders to define and simulate outcomes, align their teams, and make informed decisions for enhanced business performance. In Parallel describes this approach as Strategy-Execution-as-Software, offering an efficient, data-driven alternative for adaptive strategy execution. The seed round was led by Lifeline Ventures, a Helsinki-based venture capital firm that is an early investor in companies such as Supercell, Oura, Wolt, Aiven, and ICEYE. Notion Capital, a venture capital firm focused on European SaaS and Cloud, also participated in the round. Lifeline Ventures focuses on technology startups in sectors such as software, consumer internet, and health tech. Its portfolio includes successful companies such as Oura, Supercell, Varjo, and Wolt. Markku Makelainen, In Parallel co-founder and CEO, says: "This funding represents a crucial milestone for us it is not only an investment in our game-changing technology but also a strong endorsement of our vision. Our mission is to empower organizations and people to do the right things right, and in doing so, to transform strategic concepts into tangible outcomes. Our aspiration is to enable major organizations to enhance their strategic execution capability and thrive in today's rapidly changing business environment. We are already partnering with some of the world's leading companies, and with this new funding, we're excited to accelerate our mission and extend our solutions to a broader set of global enterprises." Teemu Mattila, Partner at LifeLine Ventures, says: "In essence, In Parallel increases the velocity of large enterprises. Their AI-powered platform enables leaders to experiment with strategies and implement them effectively, as well as enterprises to rapidly adapt to changes in their internal and external environments. In Parallel and strategy is akin to Celonis and processes, and both will be multi-ten-billion dollar long-term market opportunities." In Parallel plans to leverage this investment to expand its reach in the Central European and Nordic markets while continuing to drive innovation in the field of strategy execution. About In Parallel Oy Established in October 2023 and located in the heart of Helsinki, Finland, In Parallel Oy is empowering organizations and people to do the right things right. We are committed to providing strategic clarity in a rapidly changing world by using AI to create and evolve game-changing Adaptive Strategies that help organizations to become more resilient. Our goal is to upgrade and modernize our customers' operating models and bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2554357/In_Paralell.jpg SOURCE In Parallel The Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) announces partnerships with the UAE and Bahrain as it ramps up activity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where it will work directly with industry, investors and local governments to accelerate investment by 2026 First country partners of the ITA MENA Project Support Programme are the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain . (UAE) and the Kingdom of . The ITA is working with the UAE's Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain to ensure efforts align with national climate objectives. ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates , Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) has announced partnerships with governments of the UAE and Bahrain to expand its efforts in industrial decarbonisation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This is the ITA's second region of focus, following the early success of its Brazil programme, announced in a partnership with Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services in July this year. ITA announces partnerships with governments of the UAE and Bahrain: (L-R) Dr. Khaled Alalawi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Development at the Ministry of Industry & Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain; H.E. Abdulla Bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain; H.E. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President, and ITA Co-Chair; James Schofield, Deputy Director, Industrial Transition Accelerator The industrial sector contributes 40% to MENA's GDP, surpassing the global average of 26%, and with advantages in both conventional energy and renewable energy generation, the MENA region is well-positioned to lead the global decarbonisation of heavy industry1. The UAE's Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Bahrain's Ministry for Industry and Commerce are the ITA's first partners in the MENA region, with further country partners expected to be announced in the coming months. The ITA will collaborate with regional governments, industry leaders, and financial institutions to bolster the investment case for MENA's emerging green industries and mobilise the critical capital needed to advance regional and global decarbonisation efforts. The ITA's analysis, using the Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) Global Project Tracker shows a pipeline of announced green industrial projects in the MENA region. These projects are awaiting billions of dollars of investment to start production of green commodities but require a stronger demand signal from the market to give businesses and investors the confidence to act2. H.E. Abdulla Bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain, said: "We are delighted to be the first partner to join the ITA along with the UAE in the MENA Project Support Programme in this critical initiative to expand green industry in the region. Being part of this reaffirms our commitment towards promoting sustainable manufacturing inline with our Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026). The opportunities are vast and exciting and the need to advance this industry is urgent to accelerate our efforts to achieve carbon neutrality." Faustine Delasalle, Executive Director of the ITA, said: "Unlocking the existing pipeline of green industrial projects in the region would make a significant contribution to the region's green growth agendas and help the scale-up of green markets globally. This new partnership with the governments of the UAE and Bahrain will showcase how the MENA region can speed up its energy and industry transition." The road to Final Investment Decision (FID) in the UAE The ITA is working to identify and support large-scale industrial projects that can be accelerated toward FID by 2026 and operational by 2030. To get on track with Paris-aligned climate targets, a critical mass of large-scale projects that have the potential to drive a deep reduction in emissions, must reach FID in the next two years and be brought online by 2030. The MPP Global Project Tracker has identified more than six announced net-zero aligned industrial plants in the UAE which, if brought to FID and combined with those already operating or at FID, would represent a total of approximately 30% of UAE's 2030 climate target. Targeted Regional Support To help mature the project pipeline in the MENA region, the ITA will provide on-the-ground, practical, tailored implementation support. Specifically, the ITA is partnering with project developers to identify and help overcome their barriers to investment by, for example, helping to stimulate demand for green goods by addressing policy and regulatory needs at a regional level, while building low-emissions value chains and identifying mechanisms to de-risk regional project investment. Corporate partnerships The following companies from the UAE are the first to sign formal agreements to work with the ITA as part of the MENA program: EMSteel, Emirates Global Aluminium, and Arabian Gulf Steel Industries. Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of EMSTEEL, said: "As one of the largest publicly traded steel and building materials manufacturers in the region, we are honoured to be working with the ITA to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy industries in the UAE and beyond. EMSTEEL has been actively driving low-carbon products and setting sustainable benchmarks for the region, and our pilot project with Masdar demonstrating the use of green hydrogen to produce green steel is a clear testament to our efforts. It is essential for us to work with the wider ecosystem to effectively address viability concerns of commercial scale decarbonisation projects, and we are confident that our partnership with the ITA will help in overcoming those obstacles and in driving the wider adoption of sustainable solutions." Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: "Many decarbonisation challenges are shared between industries, and we must work together to solve them. The Industrial Transition Accelerator is a forum to advance this cooperation." Asam Hussain, CEO of AGSI, stated: "As a signatory to the ITA, and the world's first carbon neutral steel plant, we are excited to see the opportunities for advancing net-zero goals in the MENA region. We are committed to being an innovation leader in industry on the ground, actively implementing sustainable solutions and driving decarbonisation across the sector. In order to drive progress effectively, we need a clear path to scale demand, clarity in industry definitions and confidence in policy frameworks that support project scalability." Notes to Editors About the ITA: The ITA is a global multistakeholder initiative to catalyse decarbonisation across heavy-emitting industry and transport sectors, that represent a third of global emissions. With expansive networks across industry, financial institutions, and governments, the ITA brings together global leaders to unlock investment at scale, for the rapid deployment of decarbonisation solutions. Within three years, it aims to significantly grow the pipeline of commercial-scale, clean industrial projects to reduce emissions by 2030 and enable delivery of Paris Agreement-aligned ambition for these sectors. https://ita.missionpossiblepartnership.org/ 1 https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.TOTL.ZS?most_recent_value_desc=true 2 https://www.missionpossiblepartnership.org/tracker/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2554510/ITA_MENA_launch_official.jpg SOURCE The Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) The survey reveals under preparedness in prevention, third-party vendor risks, and the need for technological advancement NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Walker LLP today announced the release of its 2024 Community and Mid-Size Banks Cybersecurity Survey, the fourth in the law firm's series of industry-focused, biannual cybersecurity studies. The comprehensive report highlights significant vulnerabilities and areas for improvement among community and mid-size banks in the United States. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/jones_walker/9234351-en-jones-walker-2024-cybersecurity-survey 2024 Community and Mid-Size Banks Cybersecurity Survey Promo Video Jones Walker Unveils 2024 Cybersecurity Survey Exposing Critical Gaps in Community and Mid-Size Banks Based on responses from 125 banking executives, including senior risk, technology, and information security leaders, the survey provides a detailed assessment of the current state of cybersecurity awareness, confidence, and preparedness in the banking sector. This survey is the national law firm's fourth on the topic of cybersecurity for critical industries. In 2018, the firm's first survey focused on the greater maritime industry. The second survey, in 2020, focused on the midstream oil and gas sector, and in 2022, the third survey focused on the nation's ports and terminals. Key Takeaways: 1. Post-Incident Regulatory Compliance is Slowly Improving, but Prevention and Preparedness are Lacking: The banking sector is highly regulated, which makes data security, data privacy, and data breach compliance a top priority for banking executives. However, only 42% of respondents felt their own bank was very prepared for cyber threats, considering that only 61% of banks have established specific incident response teams with clearly assigned roles and responsibilities and 37% fail to encrypt sensitive information. The banking sector is highly regulated, which makes data security, data privacy, and data breach compliance a top priority for banking executives. However, only 42% of respondents felt their own bank was very prepared for cyber threats, considering that only 61% of banks have established specific incident response teams with clearly assigned roles and responsibilities and 37% fail to encrypt sensitive information. 2. The Lack of Due Diligence Performed on Third-Party Vendors is a Significant Risk: While virtually all, 99%, of community and mid-size banks rely in part or in full on the services of third-party vendors to address their cybersecurity needs, only 71% hold them accountable for contractual, legal, or regulatory liability, and a mere 23% require vendors to indemnify them against data breaches. While virtually all, 99%, of community and mid-size banks rely in part or in full on the services of third-party vendors to address their cybersecurity needs, only 71% hold them accountable for contractual, legal, or regulatory liability, and a mere 23% require vendors to indemnify them against data breaches. 3. Banks Are Underutilizing Outside Counsel and Cybersecurity Professionals: Fifty-seven percent of respondents do not engage experienced cybersecurity attorneys, increasing their exposure to regulatory and legal risks. In addition, only 32% use outside pre- and post-incident forensic consultants, potentially hindering effective breach response and recovery. On top of that, 59% have not reviewed their cyber insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage. Fifty-seven percent of respondents do not engage experienced cybersecurity attorneys, increasing their exposure to regulatory and legal risks. In addition, only 32% use outside pre- and post-incident forensic consultants, potentially hindering effective breach response and recovery. On top of that, 59% have not reviewed their cyber insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage. 4. Responsibly Embracing Emerging Technology Delivers Significant Advantages: Community and mid-size banks are hesitant to implement emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) for cybersecurity enhancements. With large banks adopting AI, this hesitancy may make community and mid-size banks more vulnerable targets if they do not keep pace. Author Commentary: "Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and community and mid-size banks must enhance their cybersecurity posture to protect their customers and assets," said Andy Lee, a partner and co-leader of Jones Walker's privacy, data strategy, and artificial intelligence team and Technology Industry Team. "Our survey reveals that while banks are aware of the risks, many are not taking sufficient proactive measures to prevent breaches." Tom Walker, a partner on the firm's Banking & Financial Services Industry Team and a former community bank executive vice president and director, said, "Third-party vendors are a critical resource for community banks, but also a significant source of risk. As our survey clearly points out, community and mid-size banks can do more to mitigate the risks posed by third-party vendors to their information systems, reputations, and customers' data by following industry and regulatory standards for planning, due diligence, selection, contract negotiation, and monitoring." "Banks are highly regulated, but many third-party vendors are not. It is critical that banks conduct thorough due diligence on their vendors and ensure robust contractual protections are in place," added Rob Carothers, a partner on the firm's Banking & Financial Services Industry Team. "As big banks continue to bolster defenses with sophisticated security technologies, cybercriminals are shifting focus to community and other smaller banks," warned Jason Loring, a partner and co-leader of Jones Walker's privacy, data strategy, and artificial intelligence team. "AI-based tools, however, can serve as a great equalizer for smaller banks that may have more limited resources, so long as those tools are implemented responsibly. This can help these banks maintain levels of fraud protection, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency commensurate with larger institutions." "We urge small and mid-size banks to shift their security mindset to one focused on cyber resilience, which emphasizes the need to anticipate new threats and continuously improve cybersecurity measures, rather than the traditional notion of achieving a static state of cybersecurity," encouraged Lara Sevener, a partner and co-leader of the firm's Technology Industry Team. "As security threats are constantly evolving, focusing on a culture of cyber resilience in which organizations implement a holistic approach that includes anticipation of cyber threats likely to occur, implementation and continuous improvement of security practices and defenses, and a strong focus on business continuity in the wake of an attack will help to minimize the disruption and negative impacts caused by any future cyber event." Best Practices: Enhance Focus on Prevention and Preparedness: Shift from reactive compliance to proactive measures, including regular training, testing, and updating of cybersecurity policies. Increase Oversight of Third-Party Vendors: Conduct thorough due diligence, enforce robust contractual terms, and hold vendors accountable for security obligations. Leverage Outside Legal Counsel: Engage experienced cybersecurity attorneys and consultants to mitigate regulatory and legal risks and improve breach response. Adopt Emerging Technologies: Embrace AI and other advanced technologies to enhance cybersecurity defenses and stay competitive. Given community and mid-size banks' unique position at the center of local and regional economies and the trillions of dollars in assets and loans they collectively manage, they are a prime target for threat actors. We commend the strides the sector has taken so far and urge stakeholders to bolster their cyber readiness to further improve their banks' defenses. The 2024 Community and Mid-Size Banks Cybersecurity Survey is part of Jones Walker's ongoing commitment to provide valuable insights into cybersecurity trends across critical industries. About Jones Walker Jones Walker LLP (joneswalker.com) is among the largest 145 law firms in the United States. With offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Texas, we serve local, regional, national, and international business interests. The firm is committed to providing a comprehensive range of legal services to major multinational public and private corporations, Fortune 500 companies, money center banks, worldwide insurers, and emerging companies doing business in the United States and abroad. All of the sources quoted in this news release are available for interviews and private briefings. Please follow a discussion about our 2024 Community and Mid-Size Banks Cybersecurity Survey on LinkedIn: #JonesWalkerCyberSurvey. Media Contact: Amanda Ferrari [email protected] 440-465-6162 SOURCE Jones Walker LLP MIAMI, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Klika Tech, a global technology solutions and consulting leader delivering cutting-edge IoT, AI/ML, Cloud and Embedded solutions, today announced that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Life Sciences Competency, placing the company among an exclusive group of AWS Global Consulting Partners advancing Life Sciences. This achievement demonstrates the company's proven expertise in delivering transformative embedded and cloud solutions to healthcare companies worldwide. Klika Tech To receive this designation, AWS Partners must possess deep AWS expertise and undergo an assessment of the security, performance, and reliability of their solutions. AWS Life Sciences Competency Partners have demonstrated technical expertise and customer success in building Life Sciences solutions on AWS, increasing the ability to discover, develop, manufacture, and commercialize life sciences solutions while driving top line revenue and improving patient experiences. Klika Tech empowers life sciences companies to enhance their healthcare operations through advanced, cloud-driven solutions that streamline processes, improve data accessibility, and enable faster, more accurate decision-making. By leveraging IoT, AI/ML, and AWS's secure, scalable infrastructure, Klika Tech helps organizations drive better outcomes for both patients and caregivers, ultimately transforming the way healthcare is delivered and experienced. From improving patient engagement to optimizing clinical workflows, Klika Tech's solutions address the unique challenges faced by life sciences companies, enabling them to deliver higher-quality care and foster innovation across the healthcare ecosystem. "The life sciences industry drives impactful change," said Gennadiy Borisov, President and Co-CEO of Klika Tech. "Achieving the AWS Life Sciences Competency underscores our expertise and successful track record in delivering value for customers and patients alike. The speed and flexibility of AWS align perfectly with our hands-on approach to helping life sciences clients achieve their transformative goals." AWS is enabling scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions for customers ranging from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, AWS established the AWS Competency Program to help customers identify AWS Partners with deep industry experience and expertise. About Klika Tech Klika Tech is a global technology solutions and consulting company that specializes in delivering cutting-edge Cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), and embedded systems solutions. Headquartered in the U.S. with locations across North and South America, Europe, and Central Asia, Klika Tech co-creates end-to-end hardware, embedded, and software solutions for wearables, smart home/building/city platforms, connected healthcare, smart manufacturing, smart retail, connected agriculture, asset tracking, automotive, and smart mobility. We are an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, AWS IoT, Life Sciences, Advertising and Marketing Technology, Smart City, and DevOps Competency Partner with multiple AWS Service validations. For more information, visit www.klika-tech.com or email us at [email protected]. Link to AWS Profile Media Contact: Anne-Marie Rouse Head of Marketing and Communications [email protected] 561-635-8292 SOURCE Klika Tech, Inc. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku is well organized, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze told Trend. It's a special pleasure for me to arrive in Baku and to attend the COP29. President Aliyev's opening speech was excellent. The opening ceremony of the event was also perfectly organized. I would like thank all the COP29 organizers for this grandiose conference, he added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Limited-edition "Shrine of Democracy" collection celebrates America's most iconic presidents. LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lear Capital announces the release of its Theodore Roosevelt commemorative coin, marking the completion of its prestigious "Shrine of Democracy" series . The final installment, crafted in partnership with the New Zealand Mint, rounds out a collection honoring the four presidents immortalized on Mount Rushmore. View PDF Lear Capital unveils the final 'Shrine of Democracy' coin featuring Theodore Roosevelt, honoring Mount Rushmore's legacy in pure gold and silver. The Theodore Roosevelt coin, representing "Development," completes a thematic journey through American history alongside George Washington ("Birth"), Thomas Jefferson ("Growth"), and Abraham Lincoln ("Preservation"). Available in 0.25 ounces of 0.9999 pure gold and 1.5 ounces of 0.999 pure silver, each coin features meticulous detail celebrating Roosevelt's enduring legacy of progress and conservation. "Theodore Roosevelt's addition to our 'Shrine of Democracy' series represents a crowning achievement," said Kevin DeMerrit, founder of Lear Capital. "His vision of American innovation and resilience is beautifully captured in this final piece, offering collectors a tangible connection to a transformative era in our nation's history." Key features of the Theodore Roosevelt commemorative coin include: Limited mintage of 5,000 gold and 50,000 silver coins. Custom proof finish highlighting intricate design details. Individual retirement account eligibility for retirement portfolio diversification. diversification. Portrait of King Charles III on the obverse, issued for the country of Niue . on the obverse, issued for the country of . Certificate of authenticity with each coin. The series has already demonstrated significant collector appeal, with both the Washington and Jefferson coins completely sold out. A limited quantity of Lincoln coins remains available, presenting a final opportunity for collectors to complete their sets before the series concludes. The Theodore Roosevelt coin is now available for purchase through Lear Capital by calling 800-576-9355 or visiting learcapital.com . About Lear Capital Since 1997, Lear Capital has been a trusted name in the precious metals industry, providing expert guidance and tailored solutions for investors. With a commitment to transparency and customer education , Lear Capital empowers clients to make informed decisions about incorporating gold, silver, and other precious metals into their long-term financial strategies. For more information visit https://www.learcapital.com or contact one of the firm's knowledgeable representatives at 800-576-9355. SOURCE Lear Capital LONDON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) has announced a partnership with the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom to advance AI and data science solutions. The partnership will leverage the university's Bayes Centre, an innovation hub for data science and AI, to address critical challenges in areas such as environmental, civil, healthcare, and national security. Charles Newhouse, chief technology officer for Leidos UK & Europe, said: "We are excited to partner with the University of Edinburgh, a leading centre for AI research in Europe. With its research excellence, interdisciplinary approach, and innovation hubs like the Bayes Centre, the university provides an ideal environment for groundbreaking advancements in AI." The partnership underscores Leidos' commitment to build AI that delivers high-quality outcomes while scaling efficiently. By integrating the university's cutting-edge research with Leidos' Trusted Mission AI solutions, the collaboration will drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and deliver AI that meets the highest standards of trust and reliability. Ron Keesing, chief AI officer at Leidos, said: "Our University Alliance Program connects Leidos with communities of innovation at top universities, and we are excited to welcome the University of Edinburgh to our global network. Universities are key partners in researching, testing, and bringing solutions to market for the nation's most challenging problems." The collaboration will also focus on generating positive social impact, allowing Leidos to engage with the university's highly skilled, diverse talent pool of over 45,000 students. Through internships and joint projects, the partnership will help attract new talent and drive innovation across the organization. Professor Ruth King, director of the Bayes Centre, said: "We are delighted to welcome Leidos to the Bayes Centre. The University of Edinburgh recognises the expertise Leidos has in innovating and delivering science and technology solutions across key sectors globally, and we are excited at this opportunity to build a collaborative partnership to advance technology and contribute to scientific development." About Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500 innovation company rapidly addressing the world's most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 48,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023. For more information, visit www.leidos.com . About the University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top research-intensive universities and the birthplace of European AI. Our advanced computing capacity and world-leading informatics enable us to harness data and computational methods across disciplines to address key challenges in a responsible and ethical way. The Bayes Centre, our flagship innovation hub for Data Science and AI, is housed at the heart of the University's campus in a purpose-built 45M facility where around 500 academics, students, and industry partners work side by side to create value from the use of AI and data, unlocking solutions and innovation. www.ed.ac.uk/research-innovation www.ed.ac.uk/bayes Contact: Alyssa Pettus Director, External Communications, Leidos (571) 992-5499 [email protected] Charlotta Cederqvist Business Development Manager, University of Edinburgh [email protected] SOURCE Leidos The Osaka and Tokyo-Based LightSpeed Japan Studio Will Focus on AAA Action Games TOKYO, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS, a leading global game developer, has announced the establishment of LightSpeed Japan Studio, its new game development studio focused on the development of original AAA action game titles, marking a major step in LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS' global expansion. Hideaki Itsuno, Head of LightSpeed Japan Studio LightSpeed Japan Studio will be led by the legendary game director Hideaki Itsuno. Born in Osaka, Itsuno is the former Capcom veteran, where he not only planned the Street Fighter Alpha series, but also directed iconic franchises series such as Rival Schools, Power Stone, Capcom VS. SNK, Devil May Cry, and Dragon's Dogma. "It is our great honor to have Hideaki Itsuno join LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS," said Jerry Chen, President of LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS. "The establishment of LightSpeed Japan Studio is a significant step in LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS' expansion and demonstrates our commitment to bringing the best possible games to our players." Operating from both Tokyo and Osaka, LightSpeed Japan Studio will offer a flexible and inclusive working environment. The studio is designed to foster innovation by integrating multi-platform, cross-device technologies, creating an environment where creativity and technical excellence thrive. The team will focus on pushing the boundaries of new game creation, continuously exploring new opportunities in gameplay and storytelling. "Joining LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is an exciting new chapter for me. With LightSpeed's strong development capability and global network, I look forward to creating original AAA action game titles together with the amazing team and building aesthetic and innovative experiences for the global player community. We welcome all talented and passionate game creators from the world over to join our vision," said Hideaki Itsuno. Supporting Hideaki Itsuno at LightSpeed Japan Studio is a team of seasoned game developers who stand by LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS' mission to explore the forefront of innovative game creation. The studio welcomes talented individuals that share LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS' vision to co-create and deliver the best games possible to players around the world. See here for available positions. About LightSpeed Japan Studio LightSpeed Japan Studio is a game development studio dedicated to crafting original AAA action game titles for global audiences. Led by industry veteran Hideaki Itsuno, the studio operates across two locations in Tokyo and Osaka. The studio offers a flexible and inclusive work environment and actively welcomes game creators who are full of talent and passion for pushing the boundaries of game development. LightSpeed Japan Studio is a studio under LightSpeed Studios, a global game development group with teams across the world. For more information, please visit: https://www.lightspeed-studios.com/jp/join/index.html About LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is a leading global game developer with teams across China, United States, Singapore, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and United Arab Emirates. LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS has created over 50 games across multiple platforms and genres for over 4 billion registered users. It is the co-developer of worldwide hit PUBG MOBILE (co-developed with KRAFTON, Inc.) and the developer of the upcoming AAA open-world game, Last Sentinel. LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is made up of passionate players who advance the art & science of game development through great stories, great gameplay, and advanced technology. We are focused on bringing next generation experiences to gamers who want to enjoy them anywhere, anytime, across multiple genres and devices. More information about LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS please visit www.lightspeed-studios.com , and follow us on Twitter , Facebook and YouTube . SOURCE LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS The blood drive took place at Tareen Dermatology's Roseville office headquarters. Tareen Dermatology staff and patients donated along with community members to honor veterans by contributing to the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross has an estimate that every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets and approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the United States. "We are so grateful for the generosity of our donors, who contributed approximately one pint of blood each, which showcases the spirit of giving that defines our community. We hope that this is a good reminder for people to go and donate blood," said, Dr. Mohiba Tareen, Board Certified Dermatologist and Founder of Tareen Dermatology. Over the last year, there has been a blood shortage across the country due to fewer donors, weather events, and seasonal travel. Tareen Dermatology is committed to doing their part to help create awareness for blood donation with the American Red Cross and the important role blood donation plays in saving lives every day. To donate or help with this cause, please go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/ to schedule an appointment at a donation center near you. About Tareen Dermatology: Tareen Dermatology is a leading dermatology practice located in Roseville, Maplewood, Faribault, Farmington, Monticello, Eagan, MN, and Hudson, WI. The practice is dedicated to providing exceptional skincare services to patients. Led by 26 board certified providers, the practice offers a comprehensive range of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology treatments. With a patient-centered approach and a commitment to excellence, Tareen Dermatology strives to deliver the highest quality care to its patients. For more information about Tareen Dermatology, please visit www.tareendermatology.com About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education in the United States. The organization relies on the generosity of volunteers and donors to fulfill its mission of helping those in need, and its blood donation program is vital to ensuring a steady supply of blood for patients facing medical emergencies. Contact: Natalie Borer Director of Marketing Tareen Dermatology Phone: 612.559.4791 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Tareen Dermatology Five postdoctoral scientists receive grants, mentoring and networking, and celebration inspiring next generation of female scientists NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today L'Oreal USA revealed the 2024 For Women in Science (FWIS) awardees, providing five female postdoctoral scientists grants to further their research. The program, running for more than two decades, reflects L'Oreal USA's unwavering commitment to supporting women at the forefront of scientific innovation. Courtesy of LOreal USA The 2024 FWIS cohort represents a dynamic range of scientific disciplines and research focus areas, from uncovering the intricate relationships between microbes to developing sustainable cooling technologies and understanding the mysteries of auroras on other planets. Katherine Ennis , University of California, Berkeley , researches the intricate relationships between microbes, focusing on the often-overlooked impact of bacteriophages (phages). Unlike most research which concentrates on direct phage-bacteria interactions, her work explores the broader effects phages have on entire bacterial communities. She's finding that phages create ripple effects, influencing bacterial evolution and interactions, even among bacteria they don't directly infect. Ultimately, this research aims to improve predictions of microbial interactions impacting agriculture and develop better phage-based treatments for bacterial infections. , , researches the intricate relationships between microbes, focusing on the often-overlooked impact of bacteriophages (phages). Unlike most research which concentrates on direct phage-bacteria interactions, her work explores the broader effects phages have on entire bacterial communities. She's finding that phages create ripple effects, influencing bacterial evolution and interactions, even among bacteria they don't directly infect. Ultimately, this research aims to improve predictions of microbial interactions impacting agriculture and develop better phage-based treatments for bacterial infections. Emily McGuinness , University of Minnesota , develops new cooling materials by creating special fibers from everyday materials like plastics and ceramics. These specialized fibers reject sunlight and radiate heat into space through a process called passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC). Microscopic fiber design enhances both sunlight rejection and heat radiation for efficient cooling. This technology could help energy-efficient building cooling, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. , , develops new cooling materials by creating special fibers from everyday materials like plastics and ceramics. These specialized fibers reject sunlight and radiate heat into space through a process called passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC). Microscopic fiber design enhances both sunlight rejection and heat radiation for efficient cooling. This technology could help energy-efficient building cooling, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. Caterina Profaci , Scripps Research, studies PIEZO1, a mechanosensor highly concentrated in blood vessel cells (endothelial cells), focusing on its role in adult blood vessels. Her research investigates how PIEZO1 senses and responds to brain blood flow changes, particularly during heightened neuronal activity. Understanding PIEZO1's function could identify new therapeutic targets for protecting the brain from blood flow-related damage. , Scripps Research, studies PIEZO1, a mechanosensor highly concentrated in blood vessel cells (endothelial cells), focusing on its role in adult blood vessels. Her research investigates how PIEZO1 senses and responds to brain blood flow changes, particularly during heightened neuronal activity. Understanding PIEZO1's function could identify new therapeutic targets for protecting the brain from blood flow-related damage. Andrea Hughes , NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/ George Mason University , studies auroras on Mars and Venus, focusing on proton auroras caused by solar wind particles. Her research compares these auroras on planets lacking strong magnetic field like Earth to understand their formation and evolution. This work uses data from past and current space missions to analyze the auroras' appearance and changes over time. By examining how proton auroras relate to atmospheric loss, as seen on Mars, Dr. Hughes aims to further understand planetary evolution and how Earth could change in the future. , NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/ , studies auroras on Mars and Venus, focusing on proton auroras caused by solar wind particles. Her research compares these auroras on planets lacking strong magnetic field like Earth to understand their formation and evolution. This work uses data from past and current space missions to analyze the auroras' appearance and changes over time. By examining how proton auroras relate to atmospheric loss, as seen on Mars, Dr. Hughes aims to further understand planetary evolution and how Earth could change in the future. Taylor Hersh, Oregon State University , studies how Arctic warming affects bowhead whales, focusing on changes in their vocalizations. Using underwater recordings, she analyzes bowhead whale songs to understand how warming impacts communication and social interactions. Her research illuminates bowhead whale behavior, including endangered populations, and reveals the complexity of their acoustic communication. Through outreach and mentoring, Dr. Hersh uses the bowhead whale to highlight the urgency of climate action. "L'Oreal is committed to accelerating women's advancement in STEM by increasing representation, amplifying their accomplishments, and supporting the next generation of change-makers," said Marissa McGowan, Chief Sustainability Officer for L'Oreal North America. "We know these scientists' ideas and innovations will inform solutions from climate change and sustainable energy to human health and disease. Beyond their research, I am struck by their dedication to mentorship and representation, inspiring future scientists and redefining what women in science truly means." The FWIS program, the U.S. component of the global L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards, embodies L'Oreal's belief in the essential role of women in science and aims to create community and connection for women postdoctoral researchers as they pursue ambitious research projects and attain leadership positions in their fields. Since 2003, the L'Oreal USA FWIS program has supported more than 100 remarkable women scientists, awarding over $5 million in grants. L'Oreal USA will honor the 2024 For Women in Science recipients at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 14, 2024. The ceremony will be emceed by a fellow woman in science, Kellie Gerardi, Astronaut and STEM Ambassador, whose work encourages alland especially the next generationof women in science. Leading up to the awards ceremony, the group engages in three days of programming at esteemed scientific organizations including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine (NASEM). Experiences include mentorship and idea exchange with internationally recognized women in science, valuable training on public engagement and science policy, and the opportunity for candid conversation on career navigation and advancement in scientific fields. "AAAS and L'Oreal USA's partnership over the last two decades has enabled more than 100 women to propel their scientific research and thrive across STEMM fields," said Travis York, Director of Inclusive STEMM Ecosystems for Equity & Diversity at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). "The ongoing investment from and collaboration with L'Oreal USA remains fundamental to continuing our efforts to create pathways for women in science and thereby build a more excellent STEMM enterprise." The candidates for the L'Oreal USA FWIS program are evaluated based on a number of factors including their research potential, scientific excellence, and their commitment to supporting future generations of women and girls in science. For more information about the L'Oreal USA 2024 For Women in Science Awardees or to apply for the 2025 program, please visit https://aaas.secure-platform.com/lorealfwis. About L'Oreal USA L'Oreal USA is the largest subsidiary of the L'Oreal Groupe, the world's leading beauty company. Through its management of over 35 iconic beauty brands, L'Oreal USA has generated more than $10 billion in sales annually. Products are available across all distribution channels including hair salons, department stores, mass market, pharmacies, medi-spas, e-commerce and more. L'Oreal USA's commitment to growth is generated through sustainable innovation and driven by the company's L'Oreal for the Future ambition which demonstrates sustainable development across the Group's value chain. The company is headquartered in New York City, employs more than 12,000 people, and operates administrative, research, manufacturing and distribution facilities across 16 states. About For Women in Science The L'Oreal USA For Women in Science (FWIS) fellowship program awards five women postdoctoral scientists annually with grants of $60,000 each for their contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and commitment to serving as role models for younger generations. Since 2003, L'Oreal USA's FWIS program has supported more than 100 outstanding female postdoctoral scientists from across the country, awarding over $5 million in grants. L'Oreal USA partners with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to manage the program's application and peer-review process. The program is the U.S. component of the L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards, a global philanthropy created in 1998 that has recognized and rewarded over 4,100 women scientists from more than 110 countries. About AAAS The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is one of the world's largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science, as well as Science Translational Medicine; Science Signaling; a digital, open-access journal, Science Advances; Science Immunology; and Science Robotics. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes more than 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world. The nonprofit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to "advance science and serve society" through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For additional information about AAAS, see www.aaas.org. SOURCE L'Oreal USA MOORESVILLE, N.C., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) announced today that it will hold its Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call at 9 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, Nov. 19. A webcast will be available by visiting the Quarterly Earnings section of the Lowe's Investor Relations website, ir.lowes.com. Supplemental materials will be available 15 minutes before the start of the conference call. What: Third Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call When: 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 19 Where: Visit the Quarterly Earnings section of the Lowe's Investor Relations website, ir.lowes.com. How: Listen live online and view the supplemental materials by following the directions above. A webcast replay of the call can be accessed from noon ET on Nov. 19, 2024 through Nov. 18, 2025 by visiting Events & Presentations on our Investor Relations website and clicking on Q3 2024 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Earnings Conference Call. About Lowe's Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE 50 home improvement company serving approximately 16 million customer transactions a week in the United States. With total fiscal year 2023 sales of more than $86 billion, Lowe's operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs approximately 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com. LOW-IR SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc. VERO BEACH, Fla., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At Market Street Memory Care Residence East Lake, seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia-related illnesses receive world-class care, multi-sensory programming and diverse culinary experiences in an exceptional senior living environment. And still, the Market Street team continues to elevate the individualized attention for each resident offering additional resources and partnerships in their community. Market Street Memory Care Residences celebrates their expanded partnership with Sobe Innovative Rehabilitation in Florida. The partnership is showing great results in maximizing quality of life and independence for residents living with Alzheimer's and dementia-related illnesses. Market Street Memory Care Residences, under the operational leadership of Watercrest Senior Living, have recently focused on a partnership with Sobe Innovative Rehabilitation, an organization providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology to patients in assisted living facilities across the state of Florida. The partnership began with services provided to the residents of Market Street Memory Care Residence in Viera, Florida and has now expanded to include Market Street Memory Care Residence East Lake, near Tarpon Springs, Florida. "We have seen such positive results in the overall health, happiness and well-being of our residents at Market Street Viera, that we are compelled to expand this partnership across the state to our Market Street East Lake residents," says James Brassard, Director of Market Street Operations for Watercrest Senior Living. "Our partnership with Sobe Rehab is aligned with our Watercrest vision to honor our elders and strengthens our ability to continuously improve the lives of our residents." At Sobe Rehab, therapists use sophisticated diagnostic methods, such as movement investigation and gait analysis, to create successful treatment plans for pain relief, healing, and future injury prevention needs. These advanced methods result in high levels of success in patients achieving their rehabilitation goals. "The partnership between Sobe Rehab and Market Street Viera has been a huge success. Through these partnerships, residents enrolled in our innovative rehab programs have extended their length of stay by 129%, while reducing hospitalizations by 82%, and falls by 37%," states Dr. Nkume Sobe, D.P.T., Founder and CEO of Sobe Rehab. "These statistics show that the Sobe Rehab "Resident Retention Program" works; and delivers on our promise of helping seniors enjoy an extended length of stay that maximize their quality of their lives and independence at their community. This ultimately increases the vibrancy of the community while helping to build a higher censes for more residents to enjoy a safe, happy, independent lifestyle." Market Street East Lake is an award-winning memory care community offering world class care, multi-sensory programming, diverse culinary experiences, and unparalleled associate training honoring seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia. The community boasts Water crest's uniquely designed Market Plaza, an active, 'outdoor' streetscape, complete with Newsstand, Art Gallery, Bakery, Salon and Spa, and Post Office caringly designed to welcome family and friends. Market Street Memory Care Residence East Lake is conveniently located at 833 East Lake Road North in Tarpon Springs. For information, contact the community at 727-477-8837 or visit www.marketstreetresidence.com. About Watercrest Senior Living Group Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. A seven-time certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com. SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group Mehrdad Soltani, a celebrated musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, is transforming the global music scene with his emotionally rich and culturally diverse sound. NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Born in Tehran, Iran, on April 14, 1982, Mehrdad Soltani's music is a powerful testament to his multicultural roots. With a Lebanese father and an Iraqi mother, his artistry represents a harmonious blend of traditions, resonating with audiences worldwide. A Journey Rooted in Passion and Tradition Mehrdad Soltani Mehrdad's love affair with music began in his early years. Growing up in a household brimming with cultural richness, his exposure to diverse musical traditions laid the foundation for his unique sound. Over the years, his passion blossomed into a distinct artistic identity that marries traditional Middle Eastern influences with modern pop, and global sounds. A Signature Sound That Defies Genres Although primarily rooted in pop, Mehrdad seamlessly incorporates elements of R&B, showcasing his versatility as an artist. Collaborating frequently with lyricist and composer Majid Adib, he crafts songs that are both innovative and deeply resonant. This collaboration has garnered him a dedicated fanbase, eager for the next chapter in his musical journey. Mehrdad's music videos, often directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Mahdi Marvdashti, are more than just visual accompanimentsthey are narratives that amplify the emotional depth of his compositions. These striking visuals, combined with his melodic genius, offer fans an immersive experience. Mehrdad Soltani's Vision for the Future He mixes traditional Middle Eastern elements with modern pop to reach out to the world audience. The ambition is well-seen in his YouTube channel through such tracks as "Raha Kon," "Tavalod," and "Ro Dast," which express his devotion to making music evocative of emotion. By blending pop into his unique sound, Mehrdad aspires to push beyond cultural confines toward new creation and innovative sounds that will speak to a global diversity of listeners, and cement his status as one of the forerunners of the music of today. The digital management of Mehrdad's career is overseen by Amir Eight, owner of the record label Musixsale. This collaboration has been instrumental in amplifying his reach, connecting him with audiences across continents. Mehrdad's social media strategy is a key component of his success, allowing him to engage directly with fans and foster a sense of community. Website: https://mehrdadsoltani.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mehrdadsoltani_music/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568189204664 X: https://x.com/MehrdadSoltanix YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYFm2JWnpf8myJ1cG1F1Yew This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Mehrdad Soltani GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer is stocked and ready with delicious fresh and frozen turkeys at extremely low prices including Meijer brand frozen turkeys priced at only 49 cents per pound or lower through Nov. 30. Meijer is stocked and ready with delicious fresh and frozen turkeys at low prices, including Meijer brand frozen turkeys priced at only 49 cents per pound or lower through Nov. 30. These low prices make it easy for Meijer customers to purchase all the fixings needed for a full traditional Thanksgiving meal for 4-6 people for around $37. That includes a 14-pound turkey and Meijer brand ingredients to make Thanksgiving favorites like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and cranberry sauce, as well as turkey stuffing, gravy, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie. "As a family-owned company, we understand the importance of holiday gatherings like Thanksgiving," said Jenn Martin, Vice President of Fresh at Meijer. "We're working hard to offer low prices on Thanksgiving staples so our customers can focus on enjoying a special meal with family and friends without having to worry about the cost." The Midwest retailer anticipates selling more than 1 million turkeys and 9 million pounds of russet and sweet potatoes in the weeks before Thanksgiving. The retailer is offering a robust selection of fresh and frozen turkeys, including: Meijer brand frozen turkey at 49 cents per pound or lower per pound or lower Meijer brand fresh turkey at 99 cents per pound per pound Butterball brand frozen turkey at 99 cents per pound per pound Butterball fresh turkey at $1.99 per pound Fresh turkeys will be available at all stores beginning the week of Nov. 17. All Meijer brand turkeys will be limited to one per customer, and customers can use mPerks for even greater discounts. Signing up for mPerks is easy and free. Shoppers can enroll at meijer.com/mperks, or by downloading the Meijer app. About Meijer: Meijer is a privately owned, family-operated retailer that serves customers at more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest. As the pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept, more than 70,000 Meijer team members work hard to deliver a friendly, seamless in-store and online shopping experience featuring an assortment of fresh foods, high-quality apparel, household essentials, and health and wellness products and services. Meijer is consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work and annually donates at least 6 percent of its profit to strengthen its communities. Additional information on the company can be found by visiting newsroom.meijer.com. SOURCE Meijer Visit Mesa Strives to Become one of the Nation's Most Accessible Destinations and Celebrates the City's Commitment Toward Inclusivity MESA, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- November 2024 marks the five-year anniversary of Mesa receiving the designation as the first-ever Autism Certified City in the nation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) . The initiative started in 2018 after Visit Mesa's President and CEO, Marc Garcia, went on a family vacation with his son who is on the autism spectrum. After an unpleasant experience, Garcia vowed to ensure that Mesa would be a safe and welcoming destination for neurodiverse travelers. In the past five years, 50 businesses and 7,921 community members have completed autism-specific training, demonstrating the community's strong commitment to inclusion as a shared core value. "We are incredibly proud of the progress Mesa has made in creating a welcoming environment for all individuals," said Marc Garcia, President and CEO of Visit Mesa. "Becoming the first Autism Certified City in the U.S. was just the beginning. Our community's dedication to accessibility and inclusion continues to grow, and Mesa is setting the standard for what it means to be an accessible destination for all." The celebration of the five-year anniversary kicked off with the "Live Life Limitless" event held at The Post on November 7th and will run through April 2025, culminating with Autism Acceptance Month. At the event, Visit Mesa reflected the city's success over the past five years and announced the launch of its Accessibility Champion Program, the first of its kind initiated by any Destination Marketing Organization. The program empowers businesses to lead in accessibility best practices and supports Visit Mesa's vision of becoming one of the most accessible cities in the nation. Participating businesses will designate a team member to lead accessibility initiatives, ensuring staff stays informed, trained, and equipped to create an inclusive environment for all guests. Here is what residents and visitors can expect over the next five months: Exclusive Hotel Offers: Autism-certified hotels in Mesa will provide discounts and special packages designed to accommodate the unique needs of families traveling with autistic individuals, ensuring a comfortable and supportive stay. Autism-certified hotels in will provide discounts and special packages designed to accommodate the unique needs of families traveling with autistic individuals, ensuring a comfortable and supportive stay. Check-in Challenge: Visitors can explore autism-certified attractions and collect virtual check-ins, with a special prize* for participants. This will encourage families to experience Mesa's many autism-friendly locations. Visitors can explore autism-certified attractions and collect virtual check-ins, with a special prize* for participants. This will encourage families to experience many autism-friendly locations. "Spec(trum) Ops" Cider and Soda: In partnership with Cider Corps in Downtown Mesa , Visit Mesa will be releasing a custom cider and soda to raise awareness for autism acceptance. In partnership with Cider Corps in , Visit Mesa will be releasing a custom cider and soda to raise awareness for autism acceptance. Sensory Kits: Autism-certified hotels and museums including the Arizona Museum of Natural History, I.D.E.A Museum and Mesa Arts Center will offer sensory kits* to provide comfort for visitors with sensory sensitivities. *While supplies last Wrapping up in April, Mesa will be "lighting it up blue" for Autism Acceptance Month. The organization will be pairing up with local brewmasters for the fourth-annual release of Spectrum IPA. The limited-edition brew will be sold at select Mesa businesses with a launch party held on World Autism Acceptance Day on April 2nd. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the brew will benefit the Mesa For All Foundation. In addition to autism-related programs, Visit Mesa supports a variety of initiatives aimed at improving the travel experience for all individuals with disabilities. These include Aira, a guided visual interpretation service, and Threshold 360 virtual tours and AbleVu, which allow visitors to explore locations online before arriving. Visit Mesa was also the first U.S. destination to adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, a way for visitors and residents to self-identify that they have a disability that might require a little extra help. Most recently, Mesa became the first city worldwide to receive the Destination Verified Seal from Wheel the World, an inclusive online booking platform for travelers with disabilities. "Our goal at Visit Mesa is to empower travelers of all abilities to confidently plan their trips to our destination," said Alison Brooks, Vice President, Marketing & Destination Experience at Visit Mesa. "For Mesa to achieve the Autism Certified City designation, while also becoming the first city in the world to receive the Destination Verified Seal from Wheel the World, shows that we are dedicated to promoting inclusive travel. The ongoing support from our business partners and from the community plays a pivotal role in sustaining these efforts and ensuring our accessibility programs continue to grow and evolve. Mesa is not only a limitless destination with countless rewarding travel experiences, but visitors will also feel limitless knowing that they can navigate our city without barriers." Learn more about Visit Mesa's designation as the nation's first Autism Certified City and its mission to become the most accessible city at www.visitmesa.com. Visit Mesa is the official destination marketing organization responsible for positioning and promoting Mesa, Arizona, as a top regional destination for leisure and business travel. Learn more about Visit Mesa and its mission to promote the value and vitality of Mesa's visitor economy to create a better community at VisitMesa.com. Mesa For All Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to improving the daily resident and visitor experience by elevating Mesa's already leading position as an accessible, equitable and inclusive city through purposeful education and innovative technology. Learn more at MesaForAll.org. MEDIA CONTACT: Zoey Shircel, Communications Manager, Visit Mesa Direct: 480-682-3654, E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE VISIT MESA BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Azerbaijan and Poland have an important economic cooperation, the President of Poland Andrzej Duda told reporters at COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. Within the framework of COP29 in Baku, I had a bilateral meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. I invited President Ilham Aliyev to Poland. I hope that this visit of the President of Azerbaijan will take place next spring, he said. The Polish President emphasized that the two countries have important cooperation on economic issues. I hope that these relations and this cooperation will be strengthened in various fields, especially in the field of renewable energy, he said. Duda also noted that he was very pleased to take part in the opening of the climate summit in Baku. We are all impressed with the organization of the conference, with which we congratulate the host country, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. We have experience in organizing a climate summit, and I can say with full responsibility that this summit is well organized, he added. To note, Baku is hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The official opening ceremony was held on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was taken on December 11 last year at the plenary session of COP28 in Dubai. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to prevent dangerous anthropogenic impacts on the climate system. The first session was held in March 1995 in Berlin and the conference secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Features Include a User-Friendly Interface, Multi-Agent Functionality, AI Messaging Optimization and Enhanced Analytics for Data-Driven Campaigns PETAH TIQWA, Israel, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MessageWhiz by MMDSmart, a leading enterprise messaging solution platform, is excited to announce the release of its redesigned portal. This highly anticipated update delivers a series of new features designed to streamline the user experience and improve campaign management, making it easier than ever for businesses to engage with their customers. This new version of the popular MessageWhiz portal introduces a revamped, user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of creating and managing messaging campaigns. The update includes a three-step message creation flow, making it more intuitive for users to craft and send targeted messages. With enhanced generative AI capability for messaging optimization and advanced analytics, businesses can now optimize their communication strategies with greater precision. "We're always looking to empower our customers to run smarter and more efficient messaging campaigns," said Arie Frenklakh, CEO of MMDSmart. "We listened closely to our users and focused on delivering more features to enhance their workflows. With the carefully crafted UI, added AI tools to optimize campaigns, advanced analytics, and multi-agent functionality, this release is a major step forward in helping businesses maximize the impact of their messaging efforts." One of the standout features of the new portal is its multi-agent capability, which enables teams to collaborate seamlessly within the platform. This is beneficial for companies managing 2-way messaging campaigns or multiple agents who need to coordinate outreach efforts. By allowing multiple agents to access and work on the same 2-way conversations, businesses can achieve greater efficiency and consistency in their customer communications. The upgraded analytics dashboard delivers deeper insights into campaign performance, providing businesses with actionable data to refine their messaging strategies. Users can drill down into key performance metrics, identify trends, and make informed decisions to optimize future campaigns. In addition to the new functionalities, the updated MessageWhiz portal emphasizes security and reliability, ensuring that businesses can trust the platform to deliver messages quickly and securely across the globe. The new version is now available and MessageWhiz users can start taking advantage of these improvements immediately. Whether it's crafting a simple SMS or orchestrating a multi-channel campaign, the upgraded portal offers the tools needed to execute successful messaging strategies with ease. Latest capital raise will accelerate delivery of silicon roadmap to drive next-generation implantable devices for neurological applications LONDON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MintNeuro, a pioneer of scalable, low-power semiconductor technology for minimally-invasive neural implant applications, today announces that it has raised 1 million in a funding round led by Empirical Ventures. Additional investment came from Parkwalk Advisors (through the Imperial College Enterprise Fund), Imperial College London, Plug & Play, Excellis Holding, and several prominent angel investors. Neurological disorders impact over a billion people globally and pose a significant social and economic burden. Current treatments, especially pharmaceuticals, are often ineffective or fail to provide long-term solutions. With drug development becoming increasingly costly and less productive, many patients are left without effective care options. Neural implants offer a promising alternative, yet traditional technologies remain bulky, power-intensive, and reliant on invasive surgeries that limit accessibility and increase patient risk. Developed at Imperial College London, MintNeuro uses semiconductor technology to make neural implants smaller, more efficient, and scalable. With over 14 million in underpinning R&D grant funding to date, the MintNeuro team leverages semiconductor manufacturing to allow cost-effective, mass-producible neural devices. Unlike conventional implants, its compact, low-power chips enable modular designs adaptable to various neurological conditions, offering sensing, stimulation, and processing capabilities to enhance both functionality and accessibility. "Our semiconductor-based approach is fundamentally reshaping what neural implants can achieve," said Timothy Constandinou, CTO and co-founder of MintNeuro. "By offering a customisable, compact solution that integrates seamlessly into medical devices, we're empowering a new era of neural interfaces that are not only more powerful but also less invasive. This marks a transformative shift in neurological care." "Millions of patients with neurological disorders face limited treatment options," said Dorian Haci, CEO and co-founder of MintNeuro. "Our goal is to bridge that gap with safer, more accessible, and effective neural technology. This investment accelerates our chip development and enables us to expand our team of experts, bringing game-changing neural implants to clinicians for the benefit of patients everywhere." MintNeuro's innovative semiconductor solutions have already gained considerable traction through strategic partnerships with leading institutions and medical device companies. Collaborations include the NIHR-funded DREAM project with Imperial College London and King's College London and Hospital, targeting development of a breakthrough device for epilepsy monitoring, with a first-in-human study planned for next year. Additionally, MintNeuro's partnership with Amber Therapeutics, which has recently secured $100 million in funding, is focused on developing a neuromodulation therapy chipset through an Innovate UK Smart grant. This technology initially targets mixed urinary incontinence, with the potential for future applications of the MintNeuro chipset in conditions such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, and depression. "MintNeuro is uniquely addressing the core limitations of neural implants with a semiconductor-based approach," said Johnathan Matlock, General Partner at Empirical Ventures. "We are excited about the market opportunity and the potential of entrepreneurial scientists like Dorian and Tim to drive forward the next generation of neural implants." The global neural implant market is experiencing rapid growth, with rising interest from major healthcare and technology players. Recent Morgan Stanley research estimates that, in the US alone, the Total Addressable Market (TAM) for brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies could span almost 10 million patient candidates seeking optimised treatment options for health conditions ranging from multiple sclerosis to strokes and total around $400 billion in potential revenue from initial implant procedures. Martin Glen, Investment Director at Parkwalk Advisors, added: "MintNeuro's innovative technology has the potential to change the lives of millions of patients suffering from a diverse range of neurological conditions. Its accessible, adaptable solution represents a major advancement in treatment options, and we're extremely excited to be supporting the team in its journey to revolutionise neurological care." Notes to editors About MintNeuro (www.mintneuro.com) Founded as a spinout from Imperial College London, MintNeuro leads in advanced semiconductor technology for neural implants. With strong roots in world-class academic research and a dedication to innovation, the company boasts a robust portfolio of intellectual property underpinning its groundbreaking solutions. MintNeuro's proprietary chip technology tackles core challenges in neurology with scalable, low-power solutions that enhance the efficiency and accessibility of implantable devices. Strategic partnerships with leading institutions and medical device companies place MintNeuro at the forefront of adaptable systems addressing a range of neurological conditions, including epilepsy, movement disorders, and cognitive dysfunctions. For more information, visit our website. About Empirical Ventures (www.empiricalventures.vc) Empirical Ventures leads pre-seed and seed rounds for deep science startups that are creating century-defining technologies. The team are looking for exceptional science-led startups that are using the latest technological advances to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing society and our planet. Empirical fills a key need in the DeepTech landscape in the UK by leading due diligence on deep science startups, helping to de-risk early-stage investments for their investors and co-investors. Empirical Ventures operates as an appointed representative of SFC Capital Partners. For more information about Empirical Ventures and its mission, please visit our website. About Parkwalk (www.parkwalkadvisors.com) Parkwalk is the largest growth EIS fund manager, backing world-changing technologies emerging from the UK's leading universities and research institutions. With 500m of assets under management, it has invested in over 180 companies across its award-winning Parkwalk Opportunities and Knowledge Intensive EIS Funds, as well as the enterprise and innovation funds Parkwalk manages for the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol and Imperial College. Parkwalk invests in businesses creating solutions to real-world challenges, with IP-protected innovations, across a range of sectors including life sciences, AI, quantum computing, advanced materials, genomics, cleantech, future of mobility, medtech and big data. For more information, please go to our website. About Plug and Play (www.plugandplaytechcenter.com) Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across 5 continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit our website. About Excellis Holding (www.excellis.it) Excellis is a private holding that invests in early-stage deep-tech companies founded or co-founded by exceptional Italian expatriate researchers, recognized for their expertise and contributions to their fields. Press contacts: EvokedSet PR for MintNeuro [email protected] +44 (0)118 328 2916 SOURCE MintNeuro DENVER, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of Bette M. Morris' foundational vision and her enduring legacy of support, Morris Animal Foundation is proud to announce the naming of the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Data Commons & Biorepository as the Bette M. Morris Data Commons & Biorepository. This tribute reflects Bette's pivotal role in shaping the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, one of the largest and most comprehensive health studies in veterinary medicine. Bette M. Morris Data Commons & Biorepository More than 12 years ago, Bette championed the Foundation's ambitious endeavor to launch the largest study in veterinary research history. Her vision was clear: gather longevity data and biological samples from a cohort of 3,000 golden retrievers to address fundamental questions about the sources, causes and treatments of the five most common canine cancers. Bette's commitment has been instrumental in developing a research foundation akin to the Framingham Heart Study in human medicine, which transformed our understanding of cardiovascular health and inspired life-saving treatments. Her dedication has made a similar promise now a reality for canine cancer researchers, allowing nested studies that address questions previously inconceivable. The daughter-in-law of the Foundation's founder, Dr. Mark L. Morris Sr., Bette has served with distinction as a Trustee and now Trustee Emeritus. Her sustained advocacy has been critical to the Study's success, particularly in advancing impactful research and training emerging scientists. Her insight and generosity, along with the efforts of dozens of scientists and research professionals, have made the Data Commons & Biorepository one of the most valuable resources in veterinary research. This extensive database and biorepository has required significant financial resources and years of scientific dedication, turning an unimaginable vision into reality. "Bette's scientific expertise and distinguished contributions have profoundly elevated the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study," said Dr. Rodney Page, world-renowned veterinary oncologist and original Principal Investigator of the Study. Recently retired as the Director of the Flint Cancer Center at Colorado State University, Dr. Page continues to support the National Institutes of Health's One Health initiative, which bridges human and animal health sciences. "Her insight and commitment over the years have enriched the quality and rigor of this research. Naming these resources in her honor is a fitting tribute to her lasting influence and enduring passion for golden retrievers and the well-being of all dogs." Naming the Data Commons & Biorepository after Bette not only honors her remarkable legacy but also promotes wider use of these invaluable resources. The Foundation hopes to inspire further research and foster fundraising initiatives that will ensure the Study's continued success. By honoring Bette in this way, the veterinary community celebrates her dedication to advancing veterinary science, improving animal health, and nurturing future generations of researchers. About Morris Animal Foundation Morris Animal Foundation's mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding $167 million in more than 3,000 critical animal health studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org. SOURCE Morris Animal Foundation BOSTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Navisun , an independent power producer with operations across the United States, and Queen City Solar, a North Carolina-based solar developer founded and led by energy industry veteran Keith Akers, are pleased to announce a structured co-development partnership that is already advancing 30 megawatts (MW) of affordable community solar power to Marylanders and benefitting energy communities and consumers across the state. Navisun and Queen City Solar are pleased to announce a partnership that advances community solar power for Marylanders. Post this Navisun and Queen City Solar are pleased to announce a structured co-development partnership that is already advancing 30 megawatts (MW) of affordable community solar power to Marylanders. The collaboration between Queen City Solar and Navisun not only supports the development of more solar energy but also serves as an example of the potential for well-structured partnerships between startup developers and long-term owners. Queen City Solar will leverage its strong landowner relationships and development expertise to acquire sites, advance development, and move projects through permitting. Meanwhile, Navisun will take ownership and fund the projects from an early stage, with the partners sharing both risk and upside in their work together. Four of the initial projects will be located in Western Maryland on underutilized land: dormant agricultural lots, odd lot parcels, and former mining sites; the other five will be located in Central and Eastern Maryland and will be built on underutilized farmland or family plots. Landowners will receive yearly lease income in exchange for hosting the solar arrays. Cumulatively, the 30 MW will benefit 3,000 customers, at least half of whom qualify as low- or middle-income. "Co-development is a core strategy for us, and we're committed to developing, co-developing and building community solar projects that serve energy communities and those who haven't traditionally been able to benefit from solar," said Matt Preskenis, Navisun's Senior Vice President of Business Development. "These projects will be developed into Maryland's community solar program in a way that directly benefits income-qualified customers statewide, with more to come." Navisun is currently Queen City Solar's exclusive co-development partner in Maryland. The collaboration stemmed from Navisun's established record of successful partnerships and steady streams of capital. "Having a well-financed partner who has an in-house construction team and is an owner-operator helps to minimize unknown variables and keep all parts of the project under the same roof," said Keith Akers, the Founder of Queen City Solar. "Between our collective industry experience and Navisun's strong balance sheet, landowners can take comfort in knowing that their project will get built and just as importantly, they'll be working with the same team from day one." The first half of the projects aim to finish development in early 2025 and to break ground later that same year, with the second half not far behind. About Navisun Navisun LLC is a leading solar independent power producer (IPP) headquartered in Massachusetts with 37 operating assets across 6 states generating greater than 106MW and 150GWh annually. With 28MW of projects under construction and a greater than 300 MW development pipeline, Navisun is positioned to support the energy transition in the United States. Navisun is a portfolio company of OMERS Infrastructure, a global infrastructure investor and the infrastructure investment arm of OMERS, the defined benefit pension plan for municipal employees in the Province of Ontario, Canada, with C$128.6 billion in net assets (as of December 31, 2023). Learn more at navisunllc.com . About Queen City Solar Queen City Solar is a community solar developer committed to advancing solar projects that provide local communities with access to renewable energy while dually preserving land for future generations. Founded by Keith Akers, the company's primary focus is early-stage land and project development. Learn more at https://www.queencitysolar.net/ . Media contact Dana Filek-Gibson DG+ for Navisun [email protected] SOURCE Navisun Cruise Economic Contribution Outpacing Global GDP WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the cruise industry, shared highlights from the association's new 2023 Global Economic Impact Study last week at the annual CLIA Cruise Forward conference in Miami. The study revealed the highest-ever global economic impact from cruise tourism and reaffirmed that 2023 surpassed 2019 as the benchmark year for cruise industry performance. The report also confirmed the cruise sector's role as a robust job creator. In 2023, the cruise industry generated $168.6 billion in total economic impact globally, a 9% increase over 2019. Moreover, this growth in economic activity was accompanied by an increase in industry-supported jobs. According to the study, the cruise industry contributed 1.6 million incremental jobs in 2023 and paid $56.9 billion in wages, representing growth over 2019 of 37% and 13%, respectively. 77% of these jobs were land-based. Cruise also contributes $85.6 billion to global GDP, with its growth outpacing that of the global economy. These latest figures reflect the steady evolution of the cruise industry, driven by the rising popularity of cruise vacations. 31.7 million passengers sailed in 2023, an increase of 7% from the 29.7 million that sailed in 2019. "The cruise industry is an important contributor to the global economy, generating billions of dollars in economic output and supporting millions of jobs," said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of CLIA. "As demand for cruising continues to grow, our member cruise lines are committed to preserving the integrity, cultural heritage and beauty of treasured destinations so they can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike." The contribution of cruise benefits multiple sectors, including transportation, aviation, food and beverage, lodging, manufacturing, technology, agriculture, travel agencies, and a robust supply chain. "The economic impact of the industry extends long after a cruise ends, as CLIA research shows that 60% of cruise passengers return to a destination they first visited on a cruise for a longer stay," said Craighead. Highlights of CLIA's 2023 Global Economic Impact Study can be viewed here. The full report, along with region specific studies for the United States, Europe and Canada will be posted on CLIA's website in the coming month. As cruise continues to grow, so does the industry's commitment to sustainable tourism and destination stewardship. Examples of the work being done by CLIA member lines to optimize cruise tourism in the destinations they visit are featured in CLIA's new Guiding Principles for Responsible Tourism . The publication identifies the Sustainable Development Goals to which the industry is contributing and offers a framework for ongoing cooperation and joint activities between the cruise sector, ports, and destinations to help preserve the integrity, cultural heritage, and beauty of the world's most treasured destinations for generations to come. About Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) CLIA is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice for the industry as the leading authority of the global cruise community. On behalf of its members, affiliates and partners, the organization supports policies and practices that foster a secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise ship environment, promoting positive travel experiences for millions of travelers who cruise annually. This year, CLIA forecasts that the annual number of passengers will reach 35.7 million passengers surpassing 2019 levels. The CLIA community includes the world's most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a widespread network of stakeholders, including ports and destinations, ship development, suppliers, and business services; and highly trained and certified travel agent members that represent the largest network of travel professionals specializing in cruise travel. The organization's global headquarters are in Washington, DC, with regional offices located in North and South America, Europe and Australasia. For more information, please visit cruising.org or follow us on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter , and YouTube with our handle @CLIAGlobalor on LinkedIn . SOURCE CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION Alliance to Protect Home Care's Raises Alarm on Gov. Hochul's Catastrophic Deal with PPL Watch HERE ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Alliance to Protect Home Care announced that it is launching its latest digital and TV ad as part of its larger campaign to protect New York's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP). Running across New York, the new seven-figure ad campaign raises the alarm on PPL, the controversial out-of-state company that Governor Hochul selected to take over New York's home care program: "Governor Hochul plans to hand over New York's entire home care program to PPL, an out-of-state company backed by private equity. PPL claims: "We've implemented more than 50 programs in the last decade, and you know, they're going well." Really? In Pennsylvania PPL's mismanagement cost taxpayers $7 million a year, and caregivers sued PPL for wage theft. In New Jersey, a disability rights alliance accused PPL of egregious fiscal and operational failures. In Colorado, clients called PPL unresponsive, error-prone, a nightmare, giving it the lowest rating among home care providers. PPL means increased costs, unpaid caregivers, operational failures, and a nightmare for New York. Tell Governor Hochul and the state legislature it's not too late to stop big business from hijacking our home care. Call 1-877-K-HOCHUL today." The latest ad follows months of growing opposition to Governor Hochul's plan to cut New York's home care program. Elected officials from both parties and at every level of government have found rare common ground in opposing Gov. Hochul's plans, including: 15 New York City Council Members , 31 Assembly Members , 49 State Senators and the entire GOP congressional delegation . "PPL has been a disaster practically everywhere they've worked. Hundreds of thousands of elderly and disabled New Yorkers who rely on the state's home care program can't afford to have a company like PPL in charge of their health," said Bryan O'Malley, the executive director of the Alliance to Protect Home Care. "Governor Hochul and the state legislature still have time to stop this plan before it becomes another PPL disaster." On September 30th, Governor Hochul announced PPL as the company selected to run the state's entire consumer directed home care program - eliminating hundreds of small, local businesses in the process. Based in Georgia and backed by private-equity investors, PPL has a checkered history and a track record of failure: In Pennsylvania , PPL became the single fiscal intermediary and the state's auditor general issued a scathing report that found PPL's "transition was, by all accounts, a disaster" and cost the state taxpayers an additional $7 million per year ( Bangor Daily News , 11/22/13) , PPL became the single fiscal intermediary and the state's auditor general issued a scathing report that found PPL's "transition was, by all accounts, a disaster" and cost the state taxpayers an additional per year ( , 11/22/13) In Pennsylvania , PPL is still fighting a class-action lawsuit because they allegedly "refused to pay workers for overtime." ( Business Wire, 05/13/2017) , PPL is still fighting a class-action lawsuit because they "refused to pay workers for overtime." ( 05/13/2017) In New Jersey , the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD) released a report detailing the "egregious fiscal and operational failures" by PPL in managing two DHS programs. ( Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities, Advocacy Paper, 01/20/20) , the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD) released a report detailing the "egregious fiscal and operational failures" by PPL in managing two DHS programs. ( 01/20/20) In Colorado , PPL scored the lowest of the three Financial Management Services Agencies assessed by a Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing survey on Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) customer satisfaction. (CDASS, 2016 Client Satisfaction Survey Report , 02/03/17) The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance program provides essential, personalized care to elderly, sick, or disabled New Yorkers in the comfort of their own home. The program's home care workers help patients live independently and with dignity, assisting with everything from making meals and eating, to taking medications, to bathing, dressing, and tasks typically reserved for a nurse. About The Alliance to Protect Home Care Founded by the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State, The Alliance to Protect Home Care is a coalition composed of New Yorkers who rely on home care, the caregivers who provide home care, and small business owners. Visit www.protecthomecare.org . SOURCE The Alliance to Protect Home Care NEWARK, Del., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) has published an action plan for increasing flexibility of antibody manufacturing for rapid response. Antibody therapies provide life-saving treatment for patients facing a wide variety of medical conditions, from cancers and autoimmune disorders to infectious diseases like COVID-19. Antibody therapy manufacturers need increased flexibility to be able to rapidly develop new products for use in emergency health situations while maintaining supplies of existing ones for the patients who need them. Next-generation technologies would allow these manufacturers to more rapidly scale up production, increase the speed at which their products get to market, and diversify their portfolios to target multiple diseases and variants. However, challenges remain with enabling the biopharmaceutical industry to adopt these technologies. To explore these challenges and potential ways to address them, NIIMBL sought input from biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry experts among its membership via interviews, a survey, and three virtual workshops. This content was developed into the action plan, which describes the need and value for increased adoption of next-generation technology for this industry, the barriers currently limiting flexible and rapid manufacturing processes, and a set of priority actions that NIIMBL can pursue alongside the U.S. government toward addressing the barriers. "Over the last year or two, we've seen an increase in conversations around how we can move medical countermeasures to commercial manufacturing as quickly as possible," said NIIMBL Institute Director Kelvin Lee. "NIIMBL plays a role in facilitating these conversations and developing solutions, including the innovative technologies being demonstrated in our testbeds. For this plan, we wanted to put our heads together and determine what the current state is and what activities we need to pursue. This plan shows what the future of rapid response antibody manufacturing capability could be." Moving forward, NIIMBL will pursue high-priority activities in the plan through the work done in its NIIMBL-Led Programs and by soliciting ideas for new projects through its Project Call Program. Industry stakeholders who are interested in contributing to these solutions are encouraged to check out NIIMBL membership. To download the Action Plan, visit niimbl.org. About NIIMBL The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) is a public-private partnership whose mission is to accelerate biopharmaceutical innovation, support the development of standards that enable more efficient and rapid manufacturing capabilities, and educate and train a world-leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce, fundamentally advancing U.S. competitiveness in this industry. NIIMBL is part of Manufacturing USA, a diverse network of federally sponsored manufacturing innovation institutes, and is funded through a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S. Department of Commerce with significant additional support from its members. Contact: News Media Daniel Maiese Communications Manager 302-831-3824 [email protected] SOURCE National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) Company ditched legacy provider in favor of simplification with better insights and reports DULLES, Va., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Unanet, the leading provider of project-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) for the government contracting (GovCon) industry, today announced One Federal Solution (OFS) is a new Unanet ERP GovCon customer. Unanet will replace OFS' legacy software in order to provide in-depth business insights and easy-to-access executive reports that will influence the company's growth strategy. OFS, based in Alexandria, Va., specializes in data analytics, financial management, management consulting services, and various areas information technology for federal and commercial customers across the United States and internationally. After years of using time-consuming, expensive and cumbersome legacy software, the frustrated company ended its existing software contract early and searched for a solution that would allow it to manage its financial and labor resources more efficiently and provide real-time reports easily. OFS conducted a thorough assessment of SaaS software options, demonstrated several of them, and spoke to multiple Unanet customers. The President and CEO, Abdul Baytops said what ultimately convinced OFS to transition to a new system was feedback from an industry peer who told him, "With Unanet, you'll be able to focus on your business and allow you to see a full view of your organization without all the complexities of multiple resources for simple tasks for financial management tasks." In addition he was looking for a way to ensure his company success in a competitive environment, and having the ability to look at rates structures across the company as a whole was also very important. Abdul is very excited about using Unanet's executive dashboards that will give him strategic insights on company financials, employees and subcontractors, burn rates and time management. He also anticipates saving time managing invoicing with new AI-powered financial automation tools that can streamline accounts payable and receivable processes. Lastly, Unanet will enable OFS to simplify its DCAA compliance. All these valuable, real-time insights and efficiency drivers will help OFS and the team grow the company strategically. "With our previous software, I always felt like we were in a reactive state," said Abdul. "Unanet's dashboards and real-time reports will help us be proactive, make managing our resources 1,000 times easier, and help us know how to grow." Like OFS, approximately 50% of GovCons reported that resource management remains a top project management challenge, according to Unanet's most recent GAUGE Report, a widely referenced benchmarking analysis that highlights trends, best practices, and business challenges for GovCons. The findings from this year's edition demonstrate how GovCons are leveraging AI to drive better business outcomes. Today, more than 2,000 GovCons have selected Unanet ERP GovCon and Unanet CRM because the solutions have the right mix of functionality and accessibility while also offering the ability to scale and grow seamlessly. To learn more about Unanet solutions for GovCons, please visit https://unanet.com/erp-for-govcon/overview/. About Unanet Unanet is a leading provider of project-based ERP and CRM solutions purpose-built for government contractors, architecture, engineering, construction, and professional services. More than 4,000 project-driven organizations depend on Unanet to turn their information into actionable insights, drive better decision-making, maintain regulatory compliance, and accelerate business growth. All backed by a people-centered team invested in the success of your projects, people, and financials. For more information, visit www.unanet.com. About One Federal Solution One Federal Solution (OFS) is an innovative professional services provider with more than 18 years experience supporting Federal and civilian businesses. OFS specializes in business intelligence, data analytics, healthcare support, and technical and professional support services. We are pioneers, builders, thought leaders, and pride ourselves in thinking outside the box to co-create with our customers, helping them achieve excellent enterprise-wide outcomes. As a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), OFS is committed to providing people who deliver high performance and excellence to our government partners. For more information, visit www.onefederalsolution.com. SOURCE Unanet The MANEUVER study met the primary endpoint with an objective response rate (ORR) at week 25 of 54.0% compared with 3.2% for placebo (p< 0.0001 ) Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements also seen in all key secondary endpoints, including pain and stiffness - Treatment with oral, once-daily pimicotinib was well-tolerated, with very low rates of discontinuation due to treatment-related adverse events Updated results from Phase 1b study of pimicotinib demonstrated best ORR of 85% with median treatment duration of 20 months SHANGHAI, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbisko today announced that the Phase 3 MANEUVER study evaluating pimicotinib in the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) achieved statistically significant improvements in objective response rate (ORR) at Week 25 of 54.0%, compared with 3.2% for placebo (p< 0.0001) based on RECIST v1.1 per Blinded Independent Review CommitteeBIRC. Notably, the study also showed that treatment with pimicotinib provided statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in secondary endpoints associated with important patient outcomes in TGCT, including stiffness by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS; -3.00 mean change from baseline vs. -0.57 for placebo, p<0.0001) and pain by Brief Pain Inventory (BPI; -2.32 vs. 0.23 mean change from baseline, p<0.0001). Further efficacy and safety data from Part 1 of the MANEUEVER study will be presented at an upcoming medical conference. In MANEUVER, pimicotinib was well-tolerated, and the safety profile was consistent with prior reported data, with no evidence of cholestatic hepatotoxicity. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 1.6% (n=1) of patients treated with pimicotinib; TEAEs leading to dose reduction occurred in 7.9% (n=5) of pimicotinib-treated patients. "TGCT tends to be a disease of the young. This rare, benign tumor that grows in and around the joints primarily affects young and middle-aged adults in their working years. The swelling, pain, stiffness and limited mobility caused by the disease can have a significant impact on the ability to perform daily activities, limiting patients' work and social lives. Treatment often involves surgery, yet the high recurrence rate and potential complications from repeated surgical interventions can be very challenging for patients to deal with, creating an urgent need for systemic therapy that could control tumor growth," said Professor Niu Xiaohui, Director of the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Diagnosis and Research Centre at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. "Based on these new data from the MANEUVER study, together with once-daily oral administration that may promote long-term adherence and pimicotinib's selective inhibition of CSF-1R, this investigational medicine has the potential to establish a new treatment paradigm for patients with TGCT. " Yaochang Xu, Chairman and CEO of Abbisko Therapeutics, said, "As the first global trial to enroll both Asian and Western patients with TGCT in balanced proportions across multiple regions, MANEUVER is a landmark global study that allows for detailed outcome comparisons. This can facilitate a deeper understanding of disease characteristics and potential similar response across different populations. This unique study shows that pimicotinib has the potential to provide a novel oral small molecule therapy option for TGCT patients, representing a key advancement within the emerging class of CSF-1R inhibitors. We look forward to collaborating with Merck as we pursue registration of pimicotinib as the first therapy option indicated for the systemic treatment of TGCT in China." In December 2023, Abbisko Therapeutics entered into a licensing agreement granting Merck, a leading science and technology company headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, an exclusive license to commercialize pimicotinib in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as an exclusive option for global commercial rights of pimicotinib. "There is a tremendous unmet need for effective, well-tolerated systemic treatment for TGCT, a disease primarily caused by CSF-1 overexpression that leads to joint tissue thickening and overgrowth, severely impacting patients' lives. These Phase III data from MANEUVER confirm results of Abbisko's Phase I study, indicating that targeting CSF-1R with pimicotinib has the potential to offer a new treatment option for patients. As we work with Abbisko to review the data from this study and prepare to share it with regulators in China, we are focused on our shared goal of bringing pimicotinib to patients in need," said Danny Bar-Zohar, Global Head of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer for the Healthcare business sector of Merck. About MANEUVER The pivotal Phase 3 MANEUVER study is a three-part, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of pimicotinib in patients with TGCT who are eligible for systemic therapy and who have not received prior anti-CSF1/CSF1R therapy. The study is being conducted in China (n=45), Europe (n=28), and the US and Canada (n=21). In the double-blind Part 1, 94 patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either 50 mg QD of pimicotinib (n=63) or placebo (n=31) for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint is objective response rate (ORR) at Week 25 as measured by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 by BIRC in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. Secondary endpoints include tumor volume score, active range of motion, stiffness by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), pain by Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and physical function measured by PROMIS. After the double-blind Part 1, eligible patients may continue to the open-label Part 2 for up to 24 weeks of dosing. Patients who complete Part 2 may then enter the open-label extension phase (Part 3) for extended treatment and safety follow-up. Updated long-term follow-up results from the phase 1b study of pimicotinib in TGCT Abbisko also announced the updated results from the Phase 1 open-label, multicenter study evaluating the safety and efficacy of pimicotinib in patients with TGCT. The poster, titled, "Long-term efficacy and safety profile of Pimicotinib (ABSK021) in tenosynovial giant cell tumor: Phase 1b update," will be presented at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society 2024 Annual Meeting in San Diego, United States on November 13-16, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, data from 42 patients who received the 50 mg dose of pimicotinib showed: - The best ORR was 85.0% by RECIST v1.1 per IRC. With a median treatment duration of 20.67 months (0.5, 30.1), 54.8% and 38.1% patients had an exposure of 18 months and 24 months, respectively. The median duration of response was not reached (NR) by Kaplan-Meier estimates, and 69.0% patients remained on treatment. Continuous and gradual improvement in tumor regression, pain and stiffness relief, and joint mobility were observed during long-term treatment. - The overall safety profile remains largely consistent, with no distinct adverse events emerging upon long-term follow-up. - No evidence of cholestatic hepatotoxicity was observed. SOURCE Abbisko Esteemed Fast-Casual Franchise Transforms the Customer Experience with Scalable, Tech-Driven Design and Faster, Contactless Service COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pita Pit USA, a distinguished Mediterranean fast-casual brand specializing in made-to-order pita sandwiches, has announced the launch of its revolutionary drive-thru design, which is set to redefine customer service and operational efficiency across the U.S. With modular scalability and state-of-the-art technology, this new drive-thru concept reinforces Pita Pit's commitment to providing fast, fresh, and customizable meals. Pita Pit USA, a distinguished Mediterranean fast-casual brand specializing in made-to-order pita sandwiches, has announced the launch of its revolutionary drive-thru design, which is set to redefine customer service and operational efficiency across the U.S. With modular scalability and state-of-the-art technology, this new drive-thru concept reinforces Pita Pits commitment to providing fast, fresh, and customizable meals. For more information about the Pita Pit franchise opportunity and its new drive-thru model, visit pitapitusa.com/franchising. "This isn't about simply adding a drive-thruit's about reshaping the entire customer experience with a forward-thinking model that enhances both speed and service," said Peter Riggs, CEO of Pita Pit USA. "Our new drive-thru concept is a game-changer, allowing us to meet consumer demands for faster, more accurate service without sacrificing Pita Pit's reputation for serving quality and fresh food." Key Features of the New Drive-Thru Design Scalable, Flexible Layouts for Any Market Pita Pit's new drive-thru concept features adaptive footprints that range from compact, 600-square-foot drive-thru-only models to expansive, 2,000-square-foot setups with multi-lane systems and traditional indoor dining. Each location can be tailored to meet local demand, whether in high-traffic suburban areas or dense urban centers. Dedicated lanes for app-based and third-party pickups, supported by on-site kiosks, help streamline service and reduce customer wait times, ensuring optimal efficiency. Pita Pit's new drive-thru concept features adaptive footprints that range from compact, 600-square-foot drive-thru-only models to expansive, 2,000-square-foot setups with multi-lane systems and traditional indoor dining. Each location can be tailored to meet local demand, whether in high-traffic suburban areas or dense urban centers. Dedicated lanes for app-based and third-party pickups, supported by on-site kiosks, help streamline service and reduce customer wait times, ensuring optimal efficiency. Advanced Technological Integration The design integrates automated queue gates, inspired by car wash systems, to guide vehicles through the drive-thru in precise order, ensuring smooth handoffs and eliminating errors. Additionally, kiosk-supported ordering and QR code-based pickups provide a contactless, seamless experience that minimizes human error and speeds up the service process. The design integrates automated queue gates, inspired by car wash systems, to guide vehicles through the drive-thru in precise order, ensuring smooth handoffs and eliminating errors. Additionally, kiosk-supported ordering and QR code-based pickups provide a contactless, seamless experience that minimizes human error and speeds up the service process. Seamless Operational Efficiency Pita Pit's drive-thru model features a single pickup window, which eliminates the need for multiple handoff points, reducing congestion and maximizing throughput. The scalable design allows for quick adaptation to local traffic patterns, ensuring that each location operates at peak efficiency, whether in a small town or a bustling city. Pita Pit's drive-thru model features a single pickup window, which eliminates the need for multiple handoff points, reducing congestion and maximizing throughput. The scalable design allows for quick adaptation to local traffic patterns, ensuring that each location operates at peak efficiency, whether in a small town or a bustling city. Distinctive Mediterranean-Inspired Design The architecture of the new drive-thru incorporates Greek and Roman elements, such as classical columns, creating a striking and recognizable identity that ties back to Pita Pit's Mediterranean roots. Dynamic LED lighting enhances visibility in high-traffic areas, making Pita Pit stand out, particularly during evening hours. Meeting the Needs of Modern Consumers As the fast-casual industry evolves, consumers demand faster, more efficient, and tech-forward solutions. Pita Pit's new drive-thru model addresses these needs by integrating automation and contactless service without compromising quality or customization. "We're not just responding to industry trendswe're setting new ones," added Riggs. "By combining cutting-edge technology with our dedication to fresh, made-to-order meals, we're leading the charge in redefining the fast-casual experience." The new drive-thru design is highly scalable, allowing Pita Pit to expand into new regions and adapt to different market demands while maintaining brand consistency. This innovation positions Pita Pit as a leader in the fast-casual sector, meeting the modern consumer's demand for convenience, speed, and quality. For more information about the Pita Pit franchise opportunity and its new drive-thru model, visit pitapitusa.com/franchising. About Pita Pit USA Founded on the principles of quality ingredients, convenience, and flavor innovation, Pita Pit is a Mediterranean fast-food brand specializing in made-to-order pita sandwiches, providing a satisfying and wholesome dining experience for individuals seeking a quick and nutritious meal on the go. Headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, ID, Pita Pit USA 4.0, Inc., currently has 68 locations across the country, including locations in Alaska. Customers can also download the Pita Pit Rewards app for iOS and Android, where they can earn and redeem rewards. For more information, visit https://pitapitusa.com/ or follow Pita Pit on Instagram @PitaPitUSA. SOURCE Pita Pit BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko voiced proposals for global action to combat climate change at the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports. "These and other areas call for pulling together our international resources and joining forces. Actions speak louder than words. It's high time to put our money where our mouth is. The one whos got the bill should step up to the plate, not just twiddle his thumbs in the office, emphasized the Belarusian leader. The president laid it on the line that the climate has shifted, and that's the long and short of it. Therefore, the primary task is to reconfigure the national economy, especially agriculture, taking into account the changed conditions, to adapt it to the new conditions, he declared. Aleksandr Lukashenko made it clear that Belarus is in the thick of things and is more than willing to lend a helping hand with its know-how. The head of state called on the powers that be to lend a hand to developing countries, ensuring they can get a fair shake at green technologies without stepping on their toes when it comes to national interests. He mentioned that it's high time to cut the cord on anything that stands in the way of international trade in technology, the sharing of innovations, and the exchange of best practices. As Lukashenko puts it, the world has already been down that road where shiny new products, touted as greener options, end up doing just as much harm in the long run. Its high time we rolled up our sleeves and took a good, hard look at how innovations might shake things up for the environment from start to finish. We need a fresh perspective on the whole shebang, Lukashenko said. Baku hosts the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the official opening of which was held on November 11 at the Azerbaijan's Baku Olympic Stadium. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was taken on December 11 last year at the plenary session of COP28 in Dubai. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to prevent dangerous anthropogenic impacts on the climate system. The first session was held in March 1995 in Berlin and the conference secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Expansion introduces leader in quality outdoor living and building solutions to southeast market, offering premium decking, trim, and rail products for residential and commercial applications IRVING, Texas, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PrimeSource Building Products, Inc., a leader in building materials distribution, is excited to announce the expansion of its Wolf Home Products line into the southeastern United States. This strategic move positions Wolf Home Products as the premier choice for outdoor living products in a region known for its appreciation of outdoor spaces. This expansion, spanning Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, aims to connect local builders and homeowners with high-quality decking, railing, trim, and mouldings options tailored for the Southeast's unique lifestyle and climate. We are excited to provide the Southeast with premium products that combine innovation, durability, and design. Post this The expansion includes the following key product offerings: Florida : Wolf Serenity Decking, Wolf Trim , and Wolf Mouldings : Wolf Serenity Decking, , and Wolf Mouldings Georgia , North Carolina , South Carolina , and Tennessee : Wolf Serenity Decking, Wolf Trim , Wolf Mouldings, Wolf Perspective Decking, Wolf Serenity Porch, Wolf Railing , Wolf Outdoor Lighting, and Wolf PVC Column Wraps By leveraging PrimeSource Building Products' established relationships with Southeastern retailers, Wolf Home Products will enhance its visibility and accessibility in the region. Through this expansion, PrimeSource aims to increase its network of stocking dealers and introduce Wolf Home Products as a top choice for building and outdoor living solutions. "As we expand the reach of Wolf Home Products, we are excited to provide builders and homeowners in the Southeast with premium products that combine innovation, durability, and design," said Drew Meng, CEO of PrimeSource Building Products. "The demand for high-quality outdoor living materials has grown significantly in the Southeast, where the climate and strong emphasis on outdoor living call for products that are both resilient and beautiful. This expansion allows us to meet that demand with a trusted brand that brings decades of expertise in outdoor building solutions." Wolf Home Products will provide market development representatives across the Southeast to support local retailers, ensuring exceptional service and product knowledge. This local support will be further enhanced through strategic marketing efforts, including social media campaigns, participation in regional home improvement shows, and collaborations with local territory managers. This regional rollout marks the initial phase of a broader initiative to expand Wolf Home Products' presence nationwide, aligning with PrimeSource Building Products' mission to grow Wolf's brand recognition across its network of global production, distribution, and sales locations. The product line will be available to dealers as part of a full-scale distribution beginning January 2, 2025. For further information about the expansion and Wolf Home Products' offerings, visit PrimeSourceBP.com, WolfHomeProducts.com, or contact the media relations team at 312.565.0044 ext.1136. About PrimeSource Building Products PrimeSource Building Products is a specialty branded building products company with a portfolio including fastening solutions, building materials, and outdoor living products serving residential and commercial new construction and remodeling customers. Home to the Grip-Rite, Pro-Twist, Wolf Home Products, and other premier building products brands, PrimeSource leverages worldwide sourcing capabilities and fulfillment centers nationwide to supply products for construction, including: collated fasteners, tools and accessories, hand-drive screws and nails plus insulation, roofing and gypsum materials, perimeter security accessories, decking, railing and trim, among others. For more information, please visit www.primesourcebp.com or call (800) 676-7777. About Wolf Home Products Wolf Home Products is an innovator in the building products industry. Transforming homes for 180 years, Wolf Home Products has been the preferred home building products brand by families across North America who value the importance of their home and time together to build lasting memories in the spaces they enjoy most. With a vast inventory of kitchen and bath, outdoor living and building products, Wolf Home Products delivers orders in a fraction of the time, ensuring unparalleled value when and where customers need it. Wolf stands behind its service, cultivated with years of business experience into a total satisfaction guarantee. SOURCE PrimeSource Building Products ATLANTA, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pye-Barker Fire & Safety the largest fully integrated and full-service fire protection, life safety and security services provider in the United States has acquired Sonitrol New England, a regional leader in security and fire alarm services, from the Sonitrol Security Systems network. From this acquisition, Pye-Barker gains two new branches in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and Riverside, Rhode Island. This marks Pye-Barker's first location in the state of Rhode Island, helping Pye-Barker expand its full fire code compliance services in the Northeast. Sonitrol New England works with thousands of New England customers to protect their businesses, schools, government buildings, healthcare facilities and other commercial entities. The team designs and services fire detection, intrusion detection, video surveillance, panic buttons, access control, and emergency communication systems. This marks Pye-Barker's first location in Rhode Island, helping Pye-Barker expand its services in the Northeast. Post this Since its founding in 1972 by Doug Curtiss, Sonitrol New England has remained at the forefront of the latest security technology and team training, efficiently transmitting alarm information to emergency dispatch and first responders. "For over 50 years, Sonitrol New England has been committed to protecting our neighbors and building highly skilled local teams," said Doug Curtiss, Sonitrol New England Founder and President. "Joining Pye-Barker is a unique opportunity to add more fire protection services to our offerings and expand career development for our team, while maintaining the localized service that our customers trust." "At the heart of Pye-Barker are the local teams who are out protecting their communities every day," said Bart Proctor, Pye-Barker CEO. "As we continue expanding our geographic footprint, we are proud to bring aboard hardworking teams like those at Sonitrol New England and support their continued service in the neighborhoods where they live and work." Sonitrol New England was represented by Mark Sandler, Managing Director at SPP Advisors, in this transaction. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP represented Pye-Barker. About Pye-Barker Fire & Safety The U.S. leader in fully integrated life safety systems, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety provides complete fire protection and security systems nationwide. With over 230 locations and 7,000 team members nationwide, Pye-Barker ranks No. 849 on the Inc. 5000 and No. 8 on the SDM 100. Pye-Barker continues to explore strategic acquisition opportunities. Visit pyebarkerfs.com/acquisitions to see why we're the industry's acquirer of choice. Contact: Eric Garner Chief Business Development Officer 801.395.8738 [email protected] Media: Alycia Volpe [email protected] SOURCE Pye-Barker Fire & Safety CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- QurAlis Corporation ("QurAlis"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company driving scientific breakthroughs into powerful precision medicines that have the potential to alter the trajectory of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and other neurodegenerative and neurological diseases, today announced that it will participate at the Stifel 2024 Healthcare Conference to be held from November 18-19, 2024, in New York, NY. Kasper Roet, Ph.D., QurAlis' chief executive officer and co-founder, will present a corporate update on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 3:35PM ET. Management will also participate in one-on-one investor meetings. The QurAlis corporate presentation can be accessed by visiting the presentations section of the Company's website at www.quralis.com. About QurAlis Corporation At QurAlis, we are neuro pioneers on a quest to cure. We work with a relentless pursuit of knowledge, a precise attention to craft, and an optimistic mindset to discover and develop effective precision medicines that have the potential to alter the trajectory of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and other neurodegenerative and neurological diseases. Founded by an internationally recognized team of neurodegenerative biologists from Harvard Medical School and Harvard University, QurAlis is advancing a robust precision medicine pipeline with therapeutic candidates aimed at modifying severe disease pathology in defined patient populations based on both disease-causing genetic mutation(s) and clinical biomarkers. For more information, please visit www.quralis.com or follow us on X @QurAlisCo or LinkedIn. SOURCE QurAlis ST. LOUIS, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Radialogica LLC and Scientific RT GmbH announced clinical availability of the latest version of SciMoCa, the premier Monte Carlo-based solution for secondary dose computation and plan quality assurance. SciMoCa version 1.8 includes support for the Elekta Unity MR-Linac as well as performance enhancements to facilitate real-time adaptive workflows. SciMoCa is the first clinically available patient QA tool that provides independent, Monte Carlo-based dose calculations for the Unity treatment machine. Monte Carlo dose computation is essential for irradiation in a magnetic field but time constraints have limited its utility for online treatment adaptation. Following successful pre-clinical validation at the IRCCS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Cancer Care Center, the accuracy and precision of Monte Carlo is now available to the Elekta Unity user community. The latest version of SciMoCa also includes performance improvements and workflow enhancements that respond to the clinical constraints associated with online adaptive applications. SciMoCa's real-time capability will enable Monte Carlo-based dose calculation and treatment plan verification within the online adaptive setting for Elekta Unity and Varian Ethos users. "Patient-specific QA for real-time plan adaptation requires a maximum of accuracy due to time constraints on one hand and the unforgiving nature of hypofractionation on the other. With Monte Carlo, we have the only method that can achieve sensitive QA under these demanding conditions," said Markus Alber, CEO of Scientific RT. "With SciMoCas real-time Unity functionality weve reached a new pinnacle in our Monte Carlo development." "This latest SciMoCa release continues our commitment to supporting new treatment machines and new clinical workflows," said Andrew Cowen, CEO of Radialogica. "Extending Monte Carlo to Unity and enabling online adaptive applications for Unity and Ethos sites represent significant milestones on our roadmap." Radialogica, a privately held company based in St. Louis, is a healthtech company focused on radiation oncology for cancer patients. They provide software tools and analytics services to healthcare providers, clinical trials sponsors, and CROs with the goal of enhancing treatment quality, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the burden of cancer survivorship. Scientific RT, a privately held company based in Munich, is a scientific consulting and software development company specialized in medical physics. It has worked with the majority of global players in radiotherapy to provide tailored leading-edge software solutions and consulting for dose computation and dose optimization and maintains strong international links to academia. Media Contact: Andrew Cowen; [email protected] SOURCE Radialogica LLC Husband-Wife Team Strengthen Presence of One of America's Largest Bathroom Remodelers in the Northeast PORTLAND, Maine, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the bathroom remodeling industry continues to see steady growth, Re-Bath is capitalizing on the need for its services by expanding to Maine for the first time. The brand announced a new signed agreement to bring its services to Portland, Maine and surrounding communities. Co-owners Bill Trombly Jr. and Cristina Velez, who have successfully operated Re-Bath in New Hampshire, view Portland as the perfect place to grow their portfolio and bring their family-oriented approach to a new market. About the Franchisees A Family Operation: Bill Trombly Jr. is a third-generation plumber with decades of experience in the plumbing industry. After working for his father's plumbing and heating company for 20 years, he purchased the business in 2006. In early 2024, he sold the company and shifted his focus solely to Re-Bath. Trombly opened Re-Bath New Hampshire in April 2022 , and after quick success looked to expand into other areas of the Northeast. is a third-generation plumber with decades of experience in the plumbing industry. After working for his father's plumbing and heating company for 20 years, he purchased the business in 2006. In early 2024, he sold the company and shifted his focus solely to Re-Bath. Trombly opened Re-Bath New Hampshire in , and after quick success looked to expand into other areas of the Northeast. Cristina Velez , originally from Colombia , has spent over two decades in higher education, currently serving as the Assistant Dean for the School of Business at Southern New Hampshire University . Her business expertise has been essential to expanding Re-Bath's presence into new markets. , originally from , has spent over two decades in higher education, currently serving as the Assistant Dean for the School of Business at . Her business expertise has been essential to expanding Re-Bath's presence into new markets. Jordan Trombly, Bill and Cristina's son, has been named General Manager for the new territory in Maine . He recently got his Master's Degree in Business from Southern New Hampshire University , where he got experience as an intern and brand ambassador for Re-Bath. "We have been wanting to expand into Maine for a long time, and the Re-Bath franchise system helped make that goal a reality," said Bill Trombly. "The support we've received from Re-Bath since day one has been instrumental to our growth, and we're excited to bring our services to the vibrant community up in Maine." With more than 129,000 franchise businesses and an output of $143.9 billion, the northeast region of the U.S. presents a great opportunity for aspiring franchisees. While Re-Bath views the Northeast a prime area for growth, there are numerous territories available throughout the country. "After Bill and Cristina's success in New Hampshire, we have no doubt they are ideal franchisees to expand Re-Bath's footprint into Maine for the first time," said Brad Hillier, CEO of Re-Bath. "Their deep roots in the Northeast and family-focused approach to running their operation will set them up for success in this new territory. We're thrilled to see them grow within our franchise system and lead the way in expanding our reach to Maine." As one of the largest bathroom remodeling companies in the United States, Re-Bath has established a proven business model, unparalleled franchise office support, and an infrastructure for growth as it continues to seek strategic franchise partners to expand its footprint nationwide. The impressive growth achieved by the brand has not gone unnoticed as Re-Bath recently earned the No. 192 spot on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2024 Franchise 500, the world's first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Re-Bath also ranked No. 151 on the 2024 Franchise Times Top 400, No. 9 on Qualified Remodeler's 2024 Top 500 Nationals List, and was recognized as No. 1 in the "Best Bathroom Renovations" category on Bob Vila's 2022 Best Home Improvement Contractors of 2022 Ranking. For more information on Re-Bath and franchise opportunities, visit www.rebathfranchise.com or call 888-454-8842. About Re-Bath Re-Bath is one of the nation's largest complete bathroom remodeling franchises that has grown to more than 100 locations across the country. The parent company's first entry in the bathroom remodeling industry occurred in 1978 and focused on the hospitality sector. In 1991, Re-Bath launched its first franchise location to focus on the residential market. The company offers complete bathroom remodels, tub and shower updates, plus aging and accessibility solutions. From simple bathtub replacements to complete bathroom redesigns, Re-Bath makes bathroom remodeling effortless, convenient and affordable, all with professional, friendly and factory-trained installers. Re-Bath is a one-stop service that covers the entire process from design to done in three easy steps: consultation, removal, and installation. Re-Bath assembles its own exclusive line of products at its headquarters located in Phoenix, Ariz., and offers best-in-class products from national brands for its customers. For more information, please visit www.rebath.com or www.rebathfranchise.com for more details on the franchise opportunity. Media Contact: Ethan Gutstein, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300 or [email protected] SOURCE Re-Bath ReasonLabs Named Editor's Choice In The Browser Security Category In The 12th Cyber Defense Magazine's Annual InfoSec Awards NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ReasonLabs, the cybersecurity pioneer equipping home users with a cutting-edge distributed EDR platform, is proud to announce that it has been named the winner of the Browser Security award from Cyber Defense Mag, the industry's leading electronic information security magazine. "We're thrilled to be a member of this coveted group of winners in the 12th year of Cyber Defense Awards, during CyberDefenseCon 2024," said Kobi Kalif, ReasonLabs CEO and co-founder. "We knew the competition would be tough and with top judges who are leading infosec experts from around the globe, we couldn't be more pleased. This award reinforces the path we are on, protecting users worldwide from next-generation threats, identity theft, and privacy invasion." "ReasonLabs embodies three major features we judges look for with the potential to become winners: understanding tomorrow's threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution, and innovating in unexpected ways that can help mitigate cyber risk and get one step ahead of the next breach," said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine. ReasonLab's comprehensive Online Security Platform includes components that enhance users' privacy, protect their identity, and safeguard their devices. Features such as browser security, identity theft protection, next-gen antivirus, VPN, and more give the peace of mind needed to live a worry-free digital life. Online Security is available now on iOS and Android, and the web. ReasonLabs' next-generation antivirus engine RAV Endpoint Protection recently received the highest grade of A+ in Virus Bulletin's VB100 antivirus test, detecting 99.90% of all malware tested. The A+ grade signifies RAV Endpoint Protection's exceptional performance in detecting and neutralizing malware, ransomware, and other malicious software. The full list of the Top InfoSec Innovators for 2024 can be found here, and for more information about ReasonLabs and its award-winning Online Security Platform, visit https://reasonlabs.com. About Cyber Defense Awards: This is Cyber Defense Magazine's 12th year of honoring cybersecurity innovators, in this case the Top Global CISOs for 2024, on our Cyber Defense Awards platform. In this competition, judges for these and other prestigious awards includes cybersecurity industry veterans, trailblazers and market makers Gary Miliefsky of CDMG, Dr. Lindsey Polley de Lopez of VentureScope, Katie Gray of In-Q-Tel, Robert R. Ackerman Jr. of Allegis Cyber, Dino Boukouris of AltitudeCyber and with much appreciation to emeritus judges Robert Herjavec of Cyderes, Dr. Peter Stephenson of CDMG and David DeWalt of NightDragon. Top InfoSec Innovators for 2024 is found here: https://cyberdefenseawards.com/top-infosec-innovators-for-2024/ and download The Black Unicorn Report for 2024: https://cyberdefenseawards.com/the-black-unicorn-report-for-2024/ and Top Global CISOs Winners for 2024, here: https://cyberdefenseawards.com/top-global-cisos-winners-for-2024/. About ReasonLabs: ReasonLabs is revolutionizing cybersecurity for consumers with its cutting-edge distributed EDR platform, providing millions of home users the same level of protection trusted by Fortune 500 companies. Powered by artificial intelligence, the ReasonLabs security suite leverages billions of real-time data points, threat intelligence, and behavioral analysis to provide best-in-class security, privacy protection, and identity theft defense. Its products are cloud-native and built with a lightweight architecture for both mobile and desktop. ReasonLabs is certified by the Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI), VirusBulletin's VB100, and OPSWAT, and is a member of AMTSO and AVAR. The company is based in New York and Tel Aviv. Learn more at https://www.ReasonLabs.com. Follow ReasonLabs: Blog | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Media Contact: Eric Wolkstein Senior MarCom Manager, ReasonLabs [email protected] +19892441734 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1883752/ReasonLabs_Logo.jpg SOURCE ReasonLabs The REI Cooperative Action Fund will distribute $5 million to 258 nonprofits this grant cycle SEATTLE, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The REI Cooperative Action Fund, a community-driven nonprofit that supports organizations creating a more equitable outdoors for everyone, announced its latest milestone, having received three million donations from REI employees, members, customers and community members. The Fund is also distributing $5 million to 258 nonprofits during its fall 2024 grant cycle. The REI Cooperative Action Fund is distributing $5 million to 258 nonprofits during its fall 2024 grant cycle. Post this The REI Cooperative Action Fund, a community-driven nonprofit that supports organizations creating a more equitable outdoors for everyone, announced its latest milestone, having received three million donations from REI employees, members, customers and community members. The Fund is also distributing $5 million to 258 nonprofits during its fall 2024 grant cycle. The REI Cooperative Action Fund was established in 2021 with the mission of supporting nonprofits dedicated to strengthening the health and well-being of people and communities through time outside. Fueled by community donations, this latest investment brings the REI Cooperative Action Fund's total giving to $24 million since its launch. Each year the Fund announces new investments in the spring and fall to bring together the collective strength of the co-op community. "Seeing the holistic impact the REI Cooperative Action Fund has made in just three years is a tangible reminder of the things we can achieve when we come together," said Kristen Ragain, managing director of the REI Cooperative Action Fund. "We are eternally grateful to the collective kindness from our co-op community and are pleased to be welcoming three new board members to further implement our mission to create a more equitable outdoors for everyone." The vast majority of this year's 258 grantees stem from the REI Cooperative Action Fund's Local Grant Program, in which co-op employees across the country recommend nonprofits from their own communities with which to partner. Many of these local grant partners are receiving their second grant installment in a two-year cycle to continue collaboration and local impact. The Local Grant Program is supported in part by Capital One, which this year made a $2 million donation. This fall, the REI Cooperative Action Fund also welcomed three new Board members: Roma McCaig is the chief public affairs and impact officer at REI and will join the Fund's board of directors as its new chair. With over 25 years of experience at the forefront of corporate communications, ESG, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and philanthropy, Roma works to scale the organization's mission and purpose through internal and external communications, employee events and recognition, sustainability, community partnerships, philanthropic giving, public policy, government affairs, and broader advocacy initiatives. She also sits on the boards of B Lab US & Canada and Sustainable Brands. is the chief public affairs and impact officer at REI and will join the Fund's board of directors as its new chair. With over 25 years of experience at the forefront of corporate communications, ESG, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and philanthropy, works to scale the organization's mission and purpose through internal and external communications, employee events and recognition, sustainability, community partnerships, philanthropic giving, public policy, government affairs, and broader advocacy initiatives. She also sits on the boards of B Lab US & and Sustainable Brands. Sharon Philpott is rejoining the board in addition to her role as a current board director at REI Co-op. Sharon has extensive experience as an independent board member having also been a board member at the Washington Society of CPAs and the Reves Center for International Studies. Prior to joining REI, she served 24 years with EY in domestic and global leadership positions. is rejoining the board in addition to her role as a current board director at REI Co-op. Sharon has extensive experience as an independent board member having also been a board member at the Washington Society of CPAs and the Reves Center for International Studies. Prior to joining REI, she served 24 years with EY in domestic and global leadership positions. Michelle Kirkpatrick will join the board as a seasoned financial executive with over 20 years of experience in leading and transforming accounting and financial organizations. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of Finance & Corporate Controller at REI, where she oversees a broad range of financial functionsaccounting, treasury, tax, strategic sourcing, procurementalong with the company's ERP transformation program. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the REI Cooperative Action Fund is led by its own board of directors with the support of a dedicated staff and compensated community advisors, who are respected leaders focused on equity in the outdoors. REI Co-op continues to provide ongoing support for the REI Fund's operations and grantmaking. Anyone can participate in the REI Fund's mission from direct donations to recommending a grantee. For a full list of grantees, visit REIFund.org/grantees. About the REI Cooperative Action Fund The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a 501(c)(3) public charity launched in 2021 by REI Co-op to create a more equitable outdoors by bringing together the collective strength of the co-op community. The REI Fund aims to inspire millions of REI members, thousands of REI employees, and hundreds of nonprofit partners and community leaders to support organizations that are improving the well-being of all people through time outside. With ongoing support from REI Co-op, 100% of donations from the general public to the REI Fund go to the people and organizations leading this work in communities across the country. SOURCE REI Co-op DENVER, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Renew Dental Implant Centers is excited to announce the transformation of its business model into the Renew Affiliate Program, a revolutionary initiative that acquires, converts, and finances full-arch patients for implant practices through local and national advertising. Renew has formed strategic partnerships with AvaDent Digital Dental Solutions and Zest Dental Solutions to introduce advanced prosthetic configurations that redefine patient options for affordable full-arch restorations. Renew Affiliate Office AvaMax LOCATOR FIXED Through this collaboration, Renew affiliate offices can now offer Zest's industry-leading LOCATOR FIXED system combined with AvaDent's AvaMax Hybrid Prosthetics. This combination provides patients with more affordable, durable options for their dental restorations, allowing them to select from multiple prosthetic configurations that cost significantly less than traditional fixed implant solutions. This affordability aligns with Renew's mission to make life-changing dental care accessible to a broader population. "Our partnerships with AvaDent and Zest Dental Solutions exemplify our commitment to innovation and patient-centered care," said Dr. Don Miloni, Founder and Chairman of Renew Dental Implant Centers. "By providing diverse prosthetic options at more accessible price points, we are able to help more patients regain their confidence and improve their quality of life." Renew's Affiliate Program provides dental practices with a powerful direct-to-consumer sales and marketing system, plus exclusive financing for patients with credit scores as low as 550broadening access to implants and boosting practice revenue. Renew handles nationwide advertising through TV, digital, and social media to drive patient interest, allowing affiliates to focus on care while we manage operations, sales, marketing, and financing. As we expand across the U.S., our program offers a risk-free model for affiliates to grow without the usual financial burden of patient acquisition. For more information about the Renew Affiliate Program, visit renewdentists.com or for patient information, visit renewsmiles.com . About Renew: Headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, Renew was created by Dr. Don Miloni, a dental industry veteran with more than four decades of experience, and a founder of ClearChoice. Renew provides patients who have unstable dentures, or those suffering with missing and failing teeth, an advanced, digital full mouth restorative treatment at an affordable cost. The Renew solution is offered through dental centers across the nation and provides patients with a renewed sense of wellbeing, a renewed outlook on life, and a renewed sense of confidence. For more information, please visit renewsmiles.com . About AvaDent: Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, AvaDent leads removable digital dentistry in the USA and Europe, serving over 400,000 patients. Its patented monolithic digital dentures are crafted in state-of-the-art facilities in Arizona and the Netherlands using 3D laser scanning, 3D printing, and advanced milling. These dentures are up to 8X stronger than conventional ones, bacteria-resistant, repairable, and more hygienic. AvaDent is committed to enhancing dental outcomes with a focus on fit, function, and aestheticsall in just two appointments. About Zest: Zest Dental Solutions is a global leader of diversified dental solutions for a continuum of patient care from the preservation of natural teeth to the treatment of total edentulism. The company's product offering consists of a range of solutions including the LOCATOR Family of Attachment Systems, LOCATOR Implant Systems, Consumables and Dental Equipment, with global distribution through Implant Companies, dealer/distributor networks, as well as a domestic retail sales operation. Zest Dental Solutions is headquartered in Carlsbad, California with operations in Anaheim and Escondido, California and a global education center in Las Vegas, NV. Zest Dental Solutions is a portfolio company of BC Partners, a leading private equity firm. For more information, please visit www.Zestdent.com . Media Contact: Accounts Payable [email protected] 714-319-0364 SOURCE Renew Dental Implant Centers With multicultural populations making up over 40% of the U.S., this report outlines a six-phase roadmap for culturally informed health programs MIAMI and FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Republica Havas Health & M3 MI have released their latest Executive Report, "Equity in Action: Mapping the Multicultural Patient Journey for Inclusive Strategies" a vital guide for healthcare professionals aiming to address the unique needs of multicultural communities and advance health equity. Drawing from the 2023/2024 MARS Consumer Health Study, which surveyed over 40,000 respondents, the report examines a subset of 23,138 multicultural patients with chronic conditions. It provides critical insights into cultural and socioeconomic barriers that impact African American, Hispanic, and Asian American groups, who together now represent over two-fifths of the U.S. population and face unique healthcare disparities. Up to 33% of U.S. adults have basic or below-basic health literacy, and literacy is even lower in multicultural groups. Other key findings reveal 47% of respondents seek healthcare only when sick or injured; and 56% report that pharmaceutical ads improve their understanding of medications while also making them more inclined to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider, showing greater trust in brands that engage them directly compared to their White counterparts. "Understanding and addressing multicultural patients' barriers through data-driven approaches is crucial for advancing health equity," says Eirasmin Lokpez-Cobo, EVP Brand Strategy, Republica Havas Health. "This report provides valuable insights toward improving cultural competence and closing care gaps to meet diverse patients' needs." Lokpez-Cobo is the chief architect of the report and leads cross-cultural strategies for Republica Havas Health's partner brands. Recently awarded the MM+M Women of Distinction Award, she is also the founder of the Wellness for Growth Foundation serving underserved women through wellness education, and an industry speaker at national conferences. The report is organized into six phases of the patient journey: Disease Awareness, Disease Education, Treatment Awareness, Treatment Consideration, Conversion, and Patient Adherence. Each phase offers critical insights to inform actionable strategies for culturally relevant health programs. "Today, it's critical that healthcare brands and their agencies have access to reliable national data representative of our evolving population, like the MARS Study, to identify and understand the unique health needs, motivations, and channel preferences of multicultural populations," notes Jayne Krahn, VP, Product & Research Operations, M3 MI. Adds Jorge A. Plasencia, Global Chief Client Officer of the Havas Creative Network and CEO of Republica Havas: "A cross-cultural marketing agency with a health equity focus is essential to empowering partner brands to better serve diverse patients. Republica Havas Health is proud to lead impactful change." Republica Havas Health is an NMSDC minority- and Corporate Plus-certified agency leading cross-cultural health and wellness marketing, helping brands connect authentically and effectively with multicultural audiences. Equity in Action is the first in a series of reports that will explore barriers and motivations across diverse patient demographics. SOURCE Republica Havas Cockpit upgrade will increase collaboration, operational effectiveness and safety for UK and U.S. operators LONDON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has received a $19 million contract from the Department of Defense to equip a fleet of new H-47 Chinooks for the UK Royal Air Force with its Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) avionics management suite. This cockpit upgrade will make UK Chinooks interoperable with the U.S. Chinooks, using the same avionics system, advance digital cockpit displays and applications. "Interoperability with our allies will be crucial in the future fight, particularly when it comes to maintaining air dominance," said Dave Schreck, vice president and general manager of Military Avionics and Helicopters at Collins Aerospace. "Having the same battle-proven, modernized flight deck technology on both UK and U.S. aircraft will enable our forces to collaborate more seamlessly, lower their workload and increase operational effectiveness and safety in challenging environments." CAAS's Flight2 Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) architecture design integrates multiple communications, navigation and mission sensor subsystems through its flexible hardware and software. Its open systems architecture enables cost-effective system upgrades and enhancements, reducing total sustainment costs over a platform's life cycle. As part of this contract Collins Aerospace will also be responsible for completing data analysis and testing whilst working with the UK Ministry of Defence to help it meet the UK Military Airworthiness Authority's requirements. Earlier this year, the UK government announced that the UK's heavy lift capability would be enhanced with the purchase of 14 extended-range Chinooks, contributing an estimated 151 million into the UK economy. Work on this contract will be conducted in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Huntsville, Alabama. About Collins Aerospace Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is a leader in integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Our 80,000 employees are dedicated to delivering future-focused technologies to advance sustainable and connected aviation, passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration, and more. About RTX With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected]. SOURCE RTX BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The mega projects initiated by Azerbaijan have already changed the energy and transportation maps of Eurasia and have led to the establishment of fruitful multinational cooperation formats, said President Ilham Aliyev in his speech at the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Trend reports. Speech by President Ilham Aliyev - Distinguished Secretary-General of the United Nations, Distinguished heads of state and government, Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all to Azerbaijan. Many of our guests are visiting Azerbaijan for the first time. I hope they will have a chance to get acquainted with our country, its history, traditions, and culture. I would like to thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, and the Secretariat of the UNFCCC for their support of Azerbaijan on the path to COP29. I congratulate my dear brother, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and all his team on the landmark UAE consensus achieved at COP28 in Dubai, and their support in the preparation for COP29 in Baku. Last December, by a unanimous decision of almost 200 countries, Azerbaijan was honored to host COP29. We consider this decision as a sign of respect for our country, as well as an appreciation of our active role on the international arena. Azerbaijan is a country where East and West, North and South meet, and this is not only about geography. We can build political, cultural, energy, trade, and transportation bridges between different international actors. The mega projects initiated by Azerbaijan have already changed the energy and transportation maps of Eurasia and have led to the establishment of fruitful multinational cooperation formats. Despite the 30-year-long occupation by Armenia of almost 20% of the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, despite ethnic cleansing and the deportation of 1 million Azerbaijanis from their ancestral lands, we managed to build a strong country with a self-sufficient economy and independent policy. Four years ago, we celebrated the historical Victory in the Second Karabakh War. A year ago, we fully restored our sovereignty in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, and UN Security Council resolutions, which had remained on paper for 30 years. We implemented these resolutions ourselves and restored international law, justice, and put an end to the Armenian occupation. As the President of COP29, Azerbaijan will do its best to find a common understanding between developed and developing countries, between the Global South and the Global North. For four years, by unanimous decision of 120 countries, Azerbaijan successfully chaired the Non-Aligned Movement, the second international institution after the United Nations. Azerbaijan is also an active member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which unites almost 60 countries. Azerbaijan has signed agreements and adopted declarations on strategic partnership with 10 members of the European Union. All this allows us to think that we may be very helpful and useful in building bridges between different important actors on the issue of climate change. Azerbaijan is an active supporter of multilateralism. At the same time, we play an active role in intercultural dialogue. Together with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, every two years, we organize the Intercultural Dialogue Forum in Baku. Multiculturalism is our state policy and, at the same time, it is our lifestyle. The people of Azerbaijan, regardless of their ethnic or religious identity, live in peace and harmony as one family. Now, I'd like to say a couple of words about Azerbaijan's green agenda. Our technical potential for renewable energy is estimated at 135 gigawatts onshore and 157 gigawatts offshore. Last year, Masdar from the UAE inaugurated the solar power plant of 230 megawatts, the biggest in our region. ACWA Power from Saudi Arabia is currently constructing a wind power station with a potential capacity of 240 megawatts. During COP29, an agreement will be signed with bp from the UK to build a 240-megawatt solar power station in the district of Jabrayil, which was liberated from Armenian occupation four years ago. This project will provide decarbonization of one of the biggest oil and gas terminals in the world, the Sangachal terminal. By 2030, we plan to build solar, wind, and hydro power stations of approximately six gigawatts. But this is not all of our plans. Contracts and MoUs for 10 gigawatts of renewable energy projects have been signed. We are also looking at export markets and working actively with our partners in order to implement another important energy security projectthe Black Sea Caspian energy cable. This will allow us to export green energy to Europe, and the technical potential of this cable - by the way, feasibility studies will be ready very soonis close to four gigawatts. But again, this is only the beginning. Our green agenda also covers different regions of Azerbaijan, so Nakhchivan, Karabakh, and East Zangazur regions of Azerbaijan have been declared green energy zones, and this is about the quarter of our territory. Now, a couple of words I'd like to say about another segment of energy security, which is oil and gas. I understand that this topic is not very popular at a climate change conference, but without that, my comments would not be complete. Just to begin with information, the world's first industrial oil well was drilled in Azerbaijan, in Baku, in 1846. It is situated not far from this place. Maybe it may take a 10-15 minute drive. The first offshore oil well was also drilled by Azerbaijani oilmen in the Caspian Sea in the middle of 20th century. In the 19th century, Azerbaijan produced more than half of the worlds oil. If, then, some Western politicians and media called us a petrostate, that would probably have been acceptable. But when they call us a petrostate now, today, this is not fair, and it only demonstrates a lack of political culture and knowledge. Today, Azerbaijan's share of global oil production is 0.7%, and its share of global gas production is 0.9%. But the fake news media of the country, which is the number one oil and gas producer in the world and produces 30 times more oil than Azerbaijan, calls us a petrostate. They had better look at themselves, or at least at their neighbor, which produces 10 times more oil than Azerbaijan. Azerbaijans share in global gas emissions is only 0.1%. I have to bring these figures to the attention of our audience because right after Azerbaijan was elected as the host country of COP29, we became the target of a coordinated, well-orchestrated campaign of slander and blackmail. Western fake news media, so-called independent NGOs, and some politicians seemed to be competing in spreading disinformation and false information about our country. To accuse us of having oil is the same as accusing us of having more than 250 sunny days a year in Baku. Countries should be judged by other criteria. For instance, the level of unemployment in Azerbaijan, it is 5.4%, the level of poverty, it is 5.2%, our green agendaI have already described our plans how countries manage their foreign debt - in Azerbaijan, it's only 7.5% of GDP. These, along with many other important criteria, should serve as the basis for evaluating the country's performance, rather than its natural resources, which are a gift from God. I said this several months ago, and now those who want to attack me, particularly the international media, simply quote me saying that this is a gift from God. And I want to repeat it here today: it is a gift from God. Every natural resource, whether it's oil, gas, wind, sun, gold, silver, copper, they are all natural resources. Countries should not be blamed for having them, and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market because the market needs them. The people need them. So, this is my message. As the President of COP29, of course, we will be strong advocates for the green transition, and we're doing it, but at the same time, we must be realistic. Another point of accusation is that two years ago, Azerbaijan and the European Commission signed a Declaration on strategic partnership in the field of energy. But it was not our idea. It was a proposal from the European Commission. The President of the European Commission came to Baku two years ago to sign this document with us. Because they needed our gas due to the change of geopolitical situation, and they asked us to help. And we said, okay. We are always ready to help if our help is needed. We said, Okay, we will help Europe with the energy security. When we signed this declaration two years ago, the number of countries, which were receiving our gas, I mean, European countries, was equal to two. So now, it's eight countries. Eight out of ten countries, which have access to Azerbaijani gas are in Europe. The European Commission also asked us to double the gas supply to Europe by 2027, and this is reflected in the Declaration, which was signed by the President of European Commission and myself two years ago in Baku. Unfortunately, double standards, the habit of lecturing other countries, and political hypocrisy have become a kind of modus operandi for some politicians, state-controlled NGOs, and fake news media in some Western countries. My last message is for those who, for almost one year, have been advocating for a boycott. They used all the tools in their possession to launch a campaign to boycott COP29 in Baku. I have bad news for them. We have 72,000 registered participants from 196 countries. Among them are 80 presidents, vice-presidents, and prime ministers. So, the world has gathered in Baku, and we say to the world: Welcome to Azerbaijan. Thank you. Purchase Price of US$79.5 Million Complementary Geographic Extension into the Florida Market Significant Value-Added Processing and Non-Ferrous Product Mix TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Russel Metals Inc. (TSX: RUS) announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Tampa Bay Steel Corporation ("Tampa Bay Steel") for US$79.5 million, subject to normal course adjustments. The purchase price includes working capital, buildings and equipment, and the related real estate. Tampa Bay Steel has a long standing and well-respected management team in the central Florida region, and its business includes significant value-added processing and non-ferrous products. John Reid, President and CEO of Russel Metals commented, "Our approach to acquisitions is to focus on opportunities that are complementary from a product mix and geographic perspective, but also aligned with our performance-based and decentralized culture. We believe that the transaction is a strong fit as it will allow us to extend our footprint into the Florida market with an experienced management team and a culture that is aligned with ours. In addition, Tampa Bay Steel has invested approximately US$20 million in value-added equipment and facility expansion over the past three years, and has a platform for further growth within the Florida market. We look forward to having the Tampa Bay Steel employees join the Russel family." Tampa Bay Steel generated average annual revenues and adjusted EBITDA1 of approximately US$115 million and US$13 million, respectively, over the past five years. The transaction will be financed from our cash on hand or drawings under our credit facility and is expected to close in December 2024. 1 Non GAAP measure that represents earnings before non-recurring items, interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. About Russel Metals Inc. Russel Metals is one of the largest metals distribution companies in North America with a growing focus on value-added processing. It carries on business in three segments: metals service centers, energy field stores and steel distributors. Its network of metals service centers carries an extensive line of metal products in a wide range of sizes, shapes and specifications, including carbon hot rolled and cold finished steel, pipe and tubular products, stainless steel, aluminum and other non-ferrous specialty metals. Its energy field stores carry a specialized product line focused on the needs of energy industry customers. Its steel distributors operations act as master distributors selling steel in large volumes to other steel service centers and large equipment manufacturers mainly on an "as is" basis. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to, among other things, the anticipated benefits of the transaction, the timing to close the transaction and there can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will occur, or that it will occur on the exact terms contemplated in this press release. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "expect", "may", "will", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us, inherently involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. While we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct, and our forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update our forward-looking statements. If you would like to unsubscribe from receiving Press Releases, you may do so by emailing [email protected]; or by calling our Investor Relations Line: 905-816-5178. SOURCE Russel Metals Inc. After over a decade without notable progress in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patients with this ongoing condition now have two new treatment options, with more expected in the future. Regeneron and Sanofi recently revealed that the FDA has expanded the approved uses of their widely successful drug DUPIXENT to include COPD treatment. This marks the drug's sixth approved indication in the US, following its first approval seven years ago for atopic dermatitis. LAS VEGAS, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition characterized by obstructed airflow, making breathing difficult. It primarily encompasses two main conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema, often coexisting. COPD typically develops due to long-term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, or occupational dust. As per DelveInsight analysis, the diagnosed prevalent population of COPD in the 7MM was around 44 million in 2023. These cases of COPD in the 7MM are expected to increase at a significant CAGR of 1.4% throughout the study period (20202034). As per the estimates, the majority of cases of COPD are in females as compared to males, in the US. But in EU4 and the UK, and Japan the diagnosed cases of males represent the majority of the cases. Overall, in the 7MM, females are predominantly high in number. In 2023, the US had around 3 million, 9 million, 5 million, and 1 million cases of GOLD 1, GOLD 2, GOLD 3, and GOLD 4, respectively based on the severity of airflow limitation. Estimates suggest that airflow limitation was higher in GOLD 2 severity. Various types of medications are used to manage COPD symptoms and complications, including bronchodilators, which help relax the muscles around the airways. This relaxation opens the airways and makes breathing easier. Most bronchodilators are administered via an inhaler. In more severe cases, the inhaler may also contain steroids to reduce inflammation. Some commonly used short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators for COPD management include Albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, and others), Ipratropium (Atrovent HFA), Levalbuterol (Xopenex), Aclidinium (Tudorza Pressair), Arformoterol (Brovana), and Formoterol (Perforomist). In the LABA category, medications such as Striverdi Respimat, Arcapta/Onbrez, Serevent, and Brovana are included, while the LAMA class features drugs like Spiriva (available as Spiriva HandiHaler and Spiriva Respimat), Tudorza Pressair, Incruse Ellipta, Yupelri, Seebri Neohaler, and Lonhala Magnair. Since the generic version of Brovana was approved in April 2020, its market share has declined. Additionally, Arcapta Neohaler, Seebri Neohaler, and Utibron Neohaler were discontinued in the US in March 2020, which means they no longer contribute to market size. Patients who do not respond to single therapies are often prescribed double or triple therapy. Among the double therapies, the LABA+ICS combination is widely recommended, with drugs such as Symbicort, Breo Ellipta, and Advair. There are also LABA+LAMA combinations, including Anoro Ellipta, Stiolto Respimat, and Bevespi Aerosphere. In July 2020, the US FDA approved AstraZeneca's BREZTRI AEROSPHERE for the maintenance treatment of patients with COPD. Additionally, in October 2020, TRIXEO AEROSPHERE (a combination of formoterol fumarate, glycopyrronium bromide, and budesonide) received marketing authorization in the EU for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe COPD who are not adequately controlled by either a combination of an ICS and LABA or a LABA and LAMA. Currently, two triple combination therapies are available in the US: BREZTRI and TRELEGY ELLIPTA. Learn more about the FDA-approved COPD drugs @ Drugs for COPD Treatment Recently, Sanofi/Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' DUPIXENT added one more jewel to its crown by getting a label expansion nod for COPD from the FDA, EU, and NMPA. DUPIXENT's approval as the first targeted therapy for COPD represents a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for the disease. Unlike conventional treatments, which largely aim to manage symptoms, DUPIXENT specifically targets the IL-4 and IL-13 pathways linked to type 2 inflammation, a key driver in a subset of COPD patients. This precision in targeting allows for a more tailored treatment, especially for patients with elevated eosinophils, who often experience more frequent exacerbations and worse outcomes. The Phase III BOREAS trial demonstrated that patients treated with DUPIXENT experienced a 30% reduction in moderate-to-severe exacerbations over 52 weeks, significant improvements in lung function, and enhanced quality of life. By Week 52, those on DUPIXENT had improved prebronchodilator FEV1 by 160 mL compared to 77 mL in the placebo group. DUPIXENT was also well-tolerated, with a low frequency of adverse events. These results suggest that DUPIXENT could drastically shift COPD management by reducing exacerbations, improving lung function, and offering a safer, targeted therapy for patients with type 2 inflammation. To know more about COPD treatment options, visit @ New Treatment for COPD The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease pipeline possesses potential drugs in mid-stage developments to be launched in the near future. Itepekimab (Sanofi/Regeneron Pharmaceuticals), Benralizumab (AstraZeneca), Tezepelumab (Amgen/AstraZeneca), Mepolizumab (GSK), and others shall further create a positive impact on the market. Discover which therapies are expected to grab major COPD market share @ COPD Market Report Itepekimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-33 (IL-33), a protein involved in both type 1 and type 2 inflammation. The drug is administered via subcutaneous injection. Preclinical studies demonstrated that REGN3500 effectively inhibited several markers of both inflammatory types. Regeneron and Sanofi are investigating REGN3500 in diseases related to respiratory and dermatological inflammation. Currently, REGN3500 is in a Phase III clinical trial for COPD and was developed using Regeneron's VelocImmune technology, which produces optimized fully human antibodies. The development is part of a global collaboration between Regeneron and Sanofi. FASENRA (benralizumab) is a humanized recombinant monoclonal antibody of the IgG1k immunoglobulin type that selectively targets the alpha chain of the interleukin 5 receptor (IL-5R) found on eosinophils and basophils. It prevents IL-5 from binding and stops the hetero-oligomerization of the IL-5R's alpha and beta subunits, thereby inhibiting signal transduction. Additionally, it is an afucosylated IgG, which enhances its affinity for the FcRIII receptor on natural killer cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. Approved by the FDA in November 2017 for severe eosinophilic asthma, benralizumab was developed by MedImmune, AstraZeneca's global biologics R&D division. The company is currently conducting Phase III clinical trials for FASENRA as a treatment for COPD. TEZSPIRE (tezepelumab), a pioneering human monoclonal antibody created by Amgen and AstraZeneca, has shown considerable therapeutic potential for various respiratory conditions. Originally intended for treating COPD, TEZSPIRE has yielded encouraging results in decreasing moderate-to-severe exacerbations in patients with high blood eosinophil counts. Recent findings from the Phase IIa COURSE Trial, unveiled at the ATS 2024 conference, underscored TEZSPIRE's effectiveness in minimizing COPD exacerbations among patients with different eosinophil levels. Mepolizumab is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials for COPD, particularly in patients with frequent exacerbations and elevated eosinophil levels. It is available as an injectable solution and a powder for reconstitution for subcutaneous administration. The IL-5 receptor complex activates several signaling pathways that lead to the release of cytokines, neuromediators, chemokines, and various kinases, which facilitate eosinophil differentiation, proliferation, recruitment, and degranulation. Mepolizumab works by inhibiting the formation of the IL-5 receptor complex, thereby preventing eosinophil activation. This disruption affects normal eosinophil maturation and function, leading to decreased eosinophilic airway inflammation and reduced eosinophil survival. Discover more about drugs for COPD in development @ COPD Clinical Trials The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies for COPD are poised to transform the market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the COPD market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. DelveInsight estimates that the market size for COPD in the 7MM is expected to grow from USD 16 billion in 2023 with a significant CAGR of 5% by 2034. This growth is mainly driven by the rise in the number of prevalent cases of COPD, ongoing clinical research, and better diagnostic tools that might improve the prognosis of the disease. DelveInsight's latest published market report titled as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 will help you to discover which market leader is going to capture the largest market share. The report provides comprehensive insights into the COPD country-specific treatment guidelines, patient pool analysis, and epidemiology forecast to help understand the key opportunities and assess the market's underlying potential. The COPD market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 20202034 in the 7MM segmented into: Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Subtype-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Based on Severity of Airflow Limitation Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of COPD Based on Symptoms and Exacerbation History The report provides an edge while developing business strategies by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7MM COPD market. Highlights include: 11-year Forecast 7MM Analysis Epidemiology-based Market Forecasting Historical and Forecasted Market Analysis upto 2034 Emerging Drug Market Uptake Peak Sales Analysis Key Cross Competition Analysis Industry Expert's Opinion Access and Reimbursement Download this COPD market report to assess the epidemiology forecasts, understand the patient journeys, know KOLs' opinions about the upcoming treatment paradigms, and determine the factors contributing to the shift in the COPD market. Also, stay abreast of the mitigating factors to improve your market position in the COPD therapeutic space. Related Reports Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pipeline Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pipeline Insight 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key COPD companies, including Sanofi, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., United Therapeutics Corporation, Verona Pharma plc, Immunotek, Yungjin Pharm. Co., Ltd., Pulmotect, Inc., Tetherex Pharmaceutical, CSL Behring, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Genentech, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, EmeraMed, Afimmune, Mereo BioPharma, Synairgen, Adamis Pharmaceuticals, Quercegen Pharmaceuticals LLC, Regend Therapeutics, Meridigen Biotech Co., Ltd., Pulmatrix, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals, 3SBio, OmniSpirant, Foresee Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, ProterixBio, RS BioTherapeutics, MitoRx, C4X Discovery, Respiratorius, ARK biosciences, Incannex, GNI Pharma, Celon pharma, Alveolus Bio, Kinaset therapeutics, Landos Biopharma, Parion Sciences, KeyMed Biosciences, Bioneer corporation, AlgiPharma, Palobiofarma, Dimerix Bioscience, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, among others. Asthma Market Asthma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key asthma companies including GlaxoSmithKline, 4D Pharma plc, AstraZeneca, Suzhou Connect Biopharmaceuticals, Avillion, Pearl Therapeutics, ARS Pharmaceuticals, Sinomab, Avalo Therapeutics, Kymab, Sanofi, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Inc., among others. Asthma Pipeline Asthma Pipeline Insight 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key asthma companies, including Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, GlaxoSmithKline, Immunotek SL, AB Science, EMS, Avalo Therapeutics, Sunshine Guojian Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., ARS Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Zura Bio Ltd., AstraZeneca, EURRUS Biotech GmbH, T-Balance Therapeutics GmbH, Gossamer Bio, Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc., Trio Medicines, Janssen Research & Development, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Hoffman-La-Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Biohaven Pharmaceutical, TAK-Circulator Co., Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical, among others. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Market Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key ARDS companies, including MediciNova, Edesa Biotech, Light Chain Biosciences, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Windtree Therapeutics, Biomarck Pharmaceuticals, Athersys, Healios, Direct Biologics, Biohaven Pharmaceutical, Arch Biopartners, APEPTICO Forschung und Entwicklung GmbH, Staidson (Beijing) Biopharmaceuticals, Veru, Mesoblast Limited, Avalo Therapeutics, Pluristem Therapeutics, ILTOO Pharma, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP SEATTLE, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, has experienced exceptional booking volume for its expedition voyages, demonstrating a high level of interest and desire by luxury travelers to experience a Seabourn ultra-luxury expedition vacation. Current net bookings for expedition voyages are nearly 30 percent more compared to this same time in 2023. Limited space is available on the award-winning ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, during the 2025 expedition season, including the Northwest Passage, Arctic, Amazon, and South Pacific, with some destinations already sold out. Due to the strong demand and high occupancy levels, prices continue to rise, and guests are encouraged to book now for the best pricing and suite availability. "We are very encouraged by the extensive amount of interest and bookings for our expedition voyages, which indicates that the time to book a Seabourn expedition is now when space may be limited or even fully booked," said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. "When we introduced our first expedition ship more than two years ago, we knew that we would deliver an extraordinary experience that would exceed our guests' expectations, and I'm beyond thrilled to share that we have been able to do this. Our strong booking volume clearly demonstrates that travelers have responded incredibly well to our ultra-luxury expedition experiences." Since Seabourn launched its expedition ships, the cruise line has received more than 15 awards and accolades recognizing the outstanding expedition offerings and services. In addition to the popular 2025 season, space is still available on the line's 2026-2027 expedition voyages. Travelers who wish to explore the majesty of Antarctica may book a voyage on either Seabourn Venture or Seabourn Pursuit in late 2025 and early 2026. The ships will operate a series of 11- and 13-day voyages to Antarctica, as well as two 21-day and one 28-day voyage that will include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Following the Antarctica season between March and November 2026, Seabourn Venture will sail on a series of 10- to 25-day voyages to Iceland, Greenland, and the British Isles. Seabourn Pursuit will operate expedition voyages ranging from 10 to 22 days to the South Pacific and the Kimberley in Western Australia between March and November 2026. Both ships return to Antarctica November 2026 through March 2027. Both Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit offer the same luxurious small ship experience that travelers have come to expect from Seabourn, enhanced by world-class equipment that allows the line to offer its widest range of expedition activities led by an expert 23-person expedition team of scientists, scholars, naturalists, and more. Designed and built for remote, diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards, the ship includes a plethora of modern hardware and technology that extends the ship's global deployment and capabilities. There is close to 30,000 square feet of deck space and special touches at every turn, as well as indoor and outdoor guest areas with nearly 270-degree views. In addition, a 4K GSS Cineflex Camera is mounted on the mast of the Constellation Lounge and capable of broadcasting imagery from miles ahead on monitors located throughout the ship and in guest suites. The ships are also equipped with enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity with SpaceX's Starlink, providing its expedition guests with faster service and greater connectivity, rivaling the best Wi-Fi experiences available on land. For more details about Seabourn, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn expedition options, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391, visit www.seabourn.com or contact a professional travel advisor. About Seabourn: Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a suite of six modern ships. The all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, including Seabourn Venture that launched in 2022 and Seabourn Pursuit in 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL andNYSE: CUK). Find Seabourn on , , , and . SOURCE Seabourn NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sovreign, a consulting company exclusively focused on Bitcoin, is proud to announce the official launch of its Bitcoin consulting services. With the mission of "Bringing Bitcoin to the World of Business," Sovreign aims to simplify Bitcoin integration for companies worldwide, empowering them to unlock the financial and operational benefits of Bitcoin. Test your Bitcoin knowledge and get a free Bitcoin Knowledge pdf https://sovreign.scoreapp.com/. Founded by Daniel Frank and Joe McGee, Sovreign is positioned to meet the growing demand for Bitcoin as a strategic asset and operational tool in business. In contrast to general cryptocurrency consultants, Sovreign focuses exclusively on Bitcoin, offering deep expertise in the unique value Bitcoin brings to modern business. Sovreign, The Bitcoin Consulting Company - Integrating Bitcoin into the World of Business Treasury and Operations Post this "Bitcoin presents a transformative opportunity for businesses to secure their financial future while capitalizing on the momentum of corporate adoption," said Joe McGee, Co-CEO of Sovreign. "Our mission is to simplify Bitcoin for business leaders, providing them with a clear roadmap to harness its potential for financial resilience, operational agility, and a forward-looking corporate culture." Sovreign's Bitcoin Consulting Framework Sovreign's approach to Bitcoin integration is designed for seamless adoption: Discovery & Strategy A opportunity to identify each client's unique objectives and needs in Bitcoin integration. Tailored Services From treasury transformation to operational expansion, Sovreign offers specialized consulting packages, including corporate training, Bitcoin -backed accounts and treasuries, payments, and mining partnerships. Long-Term Support Clients receive ongoing guidance through Enterprise Solutions, workshops, and webinars designed to ensure continuous growth and adaptation in the evolving Bitcoin landscape. Sovreign's carefully designed roadmap leverages partnerships with leading Bitcoin service providers, such as River and Swan, to ensure businesses can adopt Bitcoin seamlessly. Companies that adopt Bitcoin are set to transform their operations, build resilient financial systems, and engage more meaningfully with the growing global Bitcoin community. For more information on how Sovreign can transform your business with Bitcoin, visit Sovreign's website or contact our media [email protected]. About Sovreign Sovreign is a pioneering Bitcoin consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses adopt Bitcoin. With the mission of "Bringing Bitcoin to the World of Business," Sovreign provides expert guidance for companies looking to integrate Bitcoin as a transformative tool for financial independence and sustainable growth. SOURCE Sovreign HOUSTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Starlight Haven, the outdoor hospitality brand known for blending luxury and nature, is thrilled to announce its special holiday season exclusives, inviting travelers to embrace the beauty of the great outdoors with limited-time offers. Available at Weiss Lake, Alabama and Hot Springs, Arkansas locations, these promotions are designed to give the gift of an extraordinary escape into naturejust in time for the holiday season. Starlight Haven Treehouse Starting with a Black Friday launch on 11/29/2024, Starlight Haven's exclusive holiday deals will make it easier than ever for families, couples, and solo travelers to experience the brand's signature luxury accommodations, including cozy geodesic domes, inviting safari-style tents, unique cabins, and enchanting treehouses. Guests at both locations can immerse themselves in picturesque views, private decks, and resort-like amenities that bring unparalleled comfort to the great outdoors. Each accommodation at Weiss Lake and Hot Springs allows guests to experience nature their way, with activities ranging from lakeside relaxation to scenic hikes and cozy winter bonfires. "Our holiday specials are all about providing memorable, relaxing experiences that celebrate both nature and togetherness," said Elizabeth Sears, Resort Manager at Starlight Haven Hot Springs. "Whether guests join us in Alabama or Arkansas, we're delighted to offer exclusive deals that create unique opportunities to connect with nature and each other during this special season." Starlight Haven will continue spreading holiday cheer with a Winter sale promotion from 12/9/2024 through 2/28/2025. During this time, guests will be able to enjoy all that Starlight Haven offers at discounted winter rates. To take advantage of the holiday and winter season exclusives and to secure your spot at Weiss Lake or Hot Springs, visit www.visitstarlight.com or follow @visitstarlight on social media for all the latest updates. About Starlight Haven: Starlight Haven is an outdoor hospitality and events company on a mission to make the outdoors more accessible so that everyone can enjoy nature. The company strives to provide the ultimate outdoor experience where guests can enjoy nature in comfortone destination, one shelter and one campfire at a time. Media Contact: Starlight Haven Press Team Email: [email protected] Website: www.visitstarlight.com SOURCE Starlight Haven HOUSTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellus Capital Management, LLC ("Stellus"), alongside its affiliates, provided senior debt financing to support the acquisition of Norplex Micarta ("Company") from Industrial Dielectrics Holdings, Inc. by Hidden Harbor Capital Partners ("Hidden Harbor"). Based in Postville, Iowa, Norplex Micarta is one of North America's leading producers of high-performance thermoset composite materials. By providing high quality technically advanced composites to unique customer specifications, Norplex Micarta has become the provider of choice for OEMs, fabricators, and distributors serving the electrification and industrial end markets. "Hidden Harbor looks forward to providing operational and financial resources to support the Norplex Micarta team as they scale operations and execute on the company's growth strategy," said Ben Koch, Vice President at Hidden Harbor, adding, "We appreciate Stellus' support on the transaction and look forward to working with the Stellus team as we look to execute on the company's strategic growth initiatives." Gavin Roseman, Managing Director at Stellus, added, "We are excited to partner with Hidden Harbor and the Norplex Micarta team. The Company's unique value proposition combined with Hidden Harbor's knowledge of the specialty materials sector creates a compelling investment opportunity to capitalize on actionable growth opportunities across a variety of end markets." SOURCE Stellus Capital Management, LLC SAN MARCOS, Texas, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Subtle Asset Management announced its $9.68 Million acquisition of San Marcos Place, a 73,882-square-foot commercial property located at 900 Bugg Lane, in San Marcos, Texas, on November 8, 2024. Strategically positioned at the intersection of Highway 80 and Interstate 35, the property hosts a mix of office and retail spaces, including major tenants like the Social Security Administration and Poco Loco Supermercado. With this acquisition, Subtle Asset Management seeks to enhance occupancy, increase foot traffic, improve tenant satisfaction, and strengthen community engagement. The company is actively marketing 13,283 square feet of available space to attract new tenants. Located in a high-traffic area along Interstate 35 which sees approximately 170,000 cars per day, San Marcos Place's tenants include some of the regions most frequented locations, including a high-traffic US Postal Service branch and the local Social Security Administration office. Positioned between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos has experienced robust economic growth, making it an increasingly attractive area for commercial investment. Subtle Asset Management's acquisition reflects a commitment to fostering economic vitality within the San Antonio-Austin corridor. "As a local real estate investment firm, acquiring 900 Bugg Lane reaffirms our dedication to enhancing the San Marcos community," said Norman Padilla, spokesperson for Subtle Asset Management. "We are committed to investing in high-quality commercial properties that bring value to tenants and offer sustained growth potential within the thriving San Antonio-Austin metroplex." For more information on leasing opportunities, please contact Norman Padilla, [email protected]. For photos of San Marcos Place, click HERE. About Subtle Asset Management Subtle Asset Management is a Texas-based real estate investment firm specializing in retail and multifamily properties in Illinois, Florida and Texas. SOURCE Subtle Asset Management Offering Comprehensive Hardware and Software Backup Solutions for Businesses SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era where data has become a core asset for modern enterprises, TerraMaster, a global leader in data storage and management solutions, launched five high-performance integrated backup servers: T9-500 Pro, T12-500 Pro, U4-500, U8-500 Plus, and U12-500 Plus, provides enterprise users with an integrated, efficient, and secure data backup solutionfrom hardware to softwareby pairing these devices with BBS Business Backup Suite. New Integrated Backup Servers BBS and Integrated Backup Server Key Features of the New Integrated Backup Servers T9-500 Pro & T12-500 Pro: These products feature compact designs and are easy to manage. With powerful processors, large memory capacities, and dual 10GbE network interfaces, they ensure high-efficiency data backup tasks, catering to the large-scale data storage and backup needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. U4-500: Designed for SOHO, small offices, and remote work scenarios, the U4-500 features a compact 4-bay design and convenient network connectivity, making it an ideal data backup solution. U8-500 Plus & U12-500 Plus: These two rackmount 8-bay and 12-bay upgraded models feature fully optimized designs, high-performance processors, and standard dual 10GbE high-speed interfaces. They not only improve data processing speeds but also enhance data security, making them particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises that need to handle large volumes of data backup and recovery. BBS Business Backup Suite This suite integrates advanced backup software such as Centralized Backup, TerraSync, Duple Backup, CloudSync, and Snapshot, along with powerful data encryption technology and intelligent management functions. It automates backup tasks, reducing human errors, and supports cloud synchronization and offsite backups to ensure data is protected under any circumstances. Advantages of the Integrated Backup Solution Comprehensive Coverage: From small and medium-sized enterprises to large organizations, TerraMaster new product line is designed to meet the diverse data backup needs of businesses of all sizes. Efficient Management: The centralized management platform provided by the BBS Business Backup Suite simplifies backup task setup and monitoring, reducing management costs. Data Security: Using advanced encryption standards, TerraMaster ensures the security of data during transmission and storage, and the solutions comply with industry regulations. Flexible Expansion: The product design takes future data growth into account, allowing easy upgrades and expansions, safeguarding long-term investments for businesses. TerraMaster new integrated backup server series and BBS Business Backup Suite are available globally now. More details, please visit https://www.terra-master.com/global/bbs Follow TerraMaster: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terramasterofficial Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerraMasters LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3wKrjmr YouTube: https://bit.ly/3dMXGIK Contact: Yuki Shi +86 755 81798272 [email protected] SOURCE TerraMaster XI'AN, China, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 10, the 10th Silk Road International Arts Festival, hosted by the Shaanxi Provincial People's Government and organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Shaanxi Province, and the Shaanxi Provincial Administration of Radio and TV, concluded with a grand finale. After 10 years of development, this festival has evolved into a celebrated platform for high-caliber art and performances, bringing world-class cultural experiences to a broad audience. The festival has been instrumental in advancing deep cultural exchanges and building closer connections among people along the Belt and Road Initiative. Moving forward, Shaanxi aims to bolster the festival's inclusiveness by inviting outstanding works from more Belt and Road countries to explore innovative operation models, and attract social capital to improve the quality and global appeal of the festival. This vision seeks to elevate the festival as an global stage where artists worldwide can connect, collaborate, and inspire one another. The closing concert, Echoing the Silk Road: a Musical Journey-Silk Road Chorus Concert", epitomized this spirit by gathering choral groups from across the Silk Road to perform a repertoire in unity. Through scenic performances and traditional instruments, the artists celebrated the timeless charm of Silk Road culture, highlighting the region's rich legacy and cross-cultural resonance. As we revisit this year's Silk Road Art Festival, we see the artists from 113 different countries participated in its 8 distinct segments, which included opening and closing ceremonies, premier play showcases, an International Children's Theater Week, intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, choral concerts, a Silk Road Carnival, an international art invitational, and a series of micro-dramas. Among these countries were Russia, the US, UK, France, Turkey, Serbia, and Thailand. Over 1,200 artists took the stage, performing 34 outstanding dramas, 1,300 visual art pieces, and over 80 diverse cultural events. The impressive lineup drew both high public participation and widespread media attention, demonstrating the festival's success in providing a memorable cultural experience to the public. SOURCE Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 1,000 religious leaders from 57 countries completed a 2-day scripture exchange program 'Revelation Speech' by representatives of religious leaders from Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism drew attention. Chairman Lee speaking to the religious leaders on the first day of the Second Global Invitation Revelation Seminar. On the 1st, at the 2nd Session of the International Invitation Revelation Lecture held at Shincheonji Cheongju Church, Buddhist religious leader, Venerable Hyun-sun, is seen delivering a speech based on Revelation 1:1-8 from the Book of Revelation, which he had studied. Buddhist spiritual leader and meditation instructor, Bharat Dashrath Shastri Triratna Buddha, shared, "I have been learning the Bible for one year through the Bible exchange program. I am truly happy to learn. I will now do my best to lead everyone to become part of God's family." Triratna Buddha, completed the 1-night, 2-day schedule of the "Second Global Invitation Revelation Seminar" hosted by the Shincheonji Church of Jesus at the Shincheonji Cheongju Church in Cheongju, Chungbuk Province. He attended the first Global Invitation Revelation Seminar held in Seoul in February, and after being deeply moved by the teachings, participated again in the second seminar. Shincheonji Church of Jesus explained that many religious leaders who participated in the first seminar could not forget the inspiration and impact, which is why they attended the second session as well. The purpose of the Global Invitation Revelation Seminar is to enhance mutual understanding between different religions based on their sacred texts and eliminate conflicts to bring peace to the world. Shincheonji Church of Jesus' General Overseer, Lee Man-hee, emphasized during the "First Global Invitation Revelation Seminar" that "Although the sacred texts of each religion may differ slightly, the fundamental teachings are not very different," and he added, "All Christians and religious people from each country should study their sacred texts to understand and verify them and strive to unite as one." Following this call, over 1,000 religious leaders from 57 countries attended the second seminar, which was held eight months after the first. This is more than ten times the number of participants in the first seminar, which had about 80 religious leaders from 27 countries. On October 30, they attended the Zion Christian Mission Center's 115th graduation ceremony and, on the 31st, learned about the introduction to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation. During a prayer session for global peace, they united their hearts despite their religious differences. On the final day, November 1, religious leaders representing Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam delivered speeches about the Revelation they had learned, receiving applause and cheers from the attendees. Notably, some of these religious leaders had participated in the first seminar and had since returned to their countries to establish "Peace Centers." Media Contact: Scott Alwin 626-230-5039 [email protected] SOURCE Shincheonji Church of Jesus Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. On November 12, Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, hosted a reception at the Gulustan Palace in Baku in honor of the heads of state and government attending the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Trend reports. President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the event. This immersive journey offers guests unparalleled access to Alaska's wilderness, abundant wildlife, and cultural heritage. Highlights include guided explorations of remote inlets, kayaking amidst glacial fjords, and visiting local communities committed to preserving their unique way of life. "We're excited to bring this new opportunity to our guests, showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty of the Inside Passage while supporting our core mission of conservation," said Hunter McIntosh, President and CEO of The Boat Company. "This itinerary allows us to deepen our connection to the Tongass National Forest and inspire greater awareness of the need to protect these waters for future generations." The Boat Company's cruises emphasize sustainability, from reducing environmental impact onboard to fostering partnerships with conservation organizations. The new route complements the company's existing offerings while inviting new and returning guests to experience Southeast Alaska from an entirely fresh perspective. Reservations for this groundbreaking cruise are now open. For more information, visit The Boat Company's website or contact their team at 360-697-4242. About The Boat Company Founded in 1979, The Boat Company is a non-profit, conservation-focused luxury eco-cruise operator specializing in sustainable tourism in Southeast Alaska. Through unique itineraries and a commitment to environmental stewardship, The Boat Company offers transformative travel experiences while advocating for the preservation of the Tongass National Forest. Media Contact: Hunter McIntosh President & Executive Director [email protected] +1 (202) 468 8055 SOURCE The Boat Company MONTREAL, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - The Kersheh Group, a North American leader in sleepwear and loungewear, announces an exciting collaboration with the iconic John Deere brand. Launching in June 2025, the collection will feature sleepwear, loungewear and underwear for men, women, and children, as well as family sleep sets. "We are thrilled to partner with John Deere, a heritage brand known for quality and trust," said Sam Kersheh, CEO of The Kersheh Group. "This collaboration aligns with our commitment to offering high-value products to our retail partners." "For the active, hard-working farmers, construction workers, maintenance crews and weekend warriors who bring our brand to life, downtime is sacred. John Deere's partnership with Kersheh is focused on delivering quality products to the most comfortable part of our customer's day," said Kellye Haskin, Licensing Category Manager at John Deere. A GROWING MARKET The partnership between The Kersheh Group and John Deere comes at a time when the sleepwear and loungewear market continue to expand, driven by consumer demand for comfort and style. This collection will tap into these trends, offering modern, everyday pieces that promote well-being and relaxation. The US sleepwear market was valued at $10.3B in 2023 (Circana), and the North American sleepwear market is projected to see CAGR of 8.6% (Bonafide Research) through 2031. ABOUT THE KERSHEH GROUP With over 45 years of experience, the family owned Kersheh Group is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with offices around the globe. The company partners with leading retailers across North America, consistently delivering quality apparel through successful collaborations with iconic brands. To learn more or explore retail opportunities, please contact Sam Kersheh at [email protected] . ABOUT JOHN DEERE Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray, and E-Power Backhoe are just some of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.deere.com/en/news/ . INFORMATION The Kersheh Group Website SOURCE The Kersheh Group SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of El Salvador (the "Republic"), announced today the commencement of an invitation for each holder to submit offers (the "Offers") to tender for cash the notes set forth in the table below (collectively, the "Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the invitation, dated November 12, 2024 (the "Invitation"), to purchase the principal amount of Notes accepted for tender and pay Accrued Interest (as defined below) and any premium with respect to such Notes (the "Accepted Tender Amount"). The Invitation will begin on the date hereof and, unless extended or earlier terminated, the Invitation and withdrawal rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York time on November 18, 2024 (such time, as may be extended, the "Expiration Time"). The settlement of validly tendered and accepted Notes is scheduled to occur on or about November 25, 2024 (the "Settlement Date"). The Republic reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to delay the Settlement Date without extending the Expiration Time. Acceptance of tenders of Notes may be subject to proration if the amount to purchase the principal amount of Notes tendered and pay Accrued Interest and any premium with respect to such Notes is greater than a maximum amount determined by El Salvador. El Salvador reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to accept only a portion of Notes tendered, not to accept any or all Offers and to extend or terminate the Invitation with respect to one or more series for any reason. El Salvador may decide in its sole discretion the aggregate principal amount of each series of Notes to be accepted for purchase. The following table sets forth certain terms of the Invitation: Securities CUSIPs, ISINs and Common Codes Principal Amount Outstanding as of November 12, 2024 Purchase Price(1) 6.375% Notes due 2027 (the " 2027 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 AS1 ISIN: US283875AS10 Common Code: 111168059 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 AT3 ISIN: USP01012AT38 Common Code: 111168075 U.S.$387,408,000 U.S.$994.66 8.625% Notes due 2029 (the " 2029 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 BW1 ISIN: US283875BW13 Common Code: 157312162 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 BX3 ISIN: USP01012BX31 Common Code: 157242083 U.S.$500,000,000 U.S.$1,008.30 9.250% Notes due 2030 (the " 2030 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 CE0 ISIN: US283875CE06 Common Code: 280751413 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 CF1 ISIN: USP01012CF16 Common Code: 280751405 U.S.$1,000,000,000 U.S.$1,025.65 8.250% Notes due 2032 (the " 2032 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 AH5 ISIN: US283875AH54 Common Code: 014617418 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 AE6 ISIN: XS0146173371 Common Code: 014617337 U.S.$500,000,000 U.S.$952.43 7.625% Notes due 2034 (the " 2034 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 AM4 ISIN: US283875AM40 Common Code: 020163186 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 AM8 ISIN: USP01012AM84 Common Code: 020163232 U.S.$248,183,000 U.S.$871.54 _________________ (1) Purchase Price per each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Time and accepted for purchase. The Purchase Price does not include the applicable accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the Settlement Date (as defined below) ("Accrued Interest"). On the Settlement Date, holders will also receive Accrued Interest on Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase. Any holder desiring to submit Offers for Notes should refer to the Offer to Purchase for further instructions. Notes tendered pursuant to the Invitation may only be withdrawn in accordance with the procedures specified under "The InvitationIrrevocability; Withdrawal Rights," prior to the Expiration Time, but not thereafter. El Salvador is making the Invitation only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. There is no letter of transmittal for the Invitation. The Republic reserves the absolute right to amend or terminate the Offer in its sole discretion, subject to disclosure and other requirements as required by applicable law. In the event of termination of the Offer, Notes tendered and not accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer will be promptly returned to the tendering holders. The complete terms and conditions of the Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase, a copy of which may be obtained from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the tender agent and information agent (the "Tender and Information Agent") for the Offer, at www.dfking.com/salvador, [email protected], by telephone at 1 (800) 848-3402 (U.S. toll free) and (212) 269-5550 (collect) or +44 20 7920 9700 (UK), in writing at 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005 or 51 Lime Street, London EC3M 7DQ, United Kingdom. The Republic has engaged BofA Securities, Inc. to act as the dealer manager (the "Dealer Manager") in connection with the Invitation. Questions regarding the terms of the Invitation may be directed to BofA Securities, Inc. by telephone at +1 (646) 855-8988 (collect) or +1 (888) 292-0070 (U.S. Toll-free). Disclaimer This announcement is not an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes. The invitation for each holder to submit Offers is only being made pursuant to the Invitation. Holders of Notes should read the Invitation carefully prior to making any decision with respect to tendering Notes because it contains important information. The distribution of materials relating to the Invitation, and the transactions contemplated by the Invitation, may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Invitation is made only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. The Invitation is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Invitation come into your possession, you are required to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Invitation do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. The Invitation does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the Invitation is required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and in which the Dealer Manager or any of its affiliates is so licensed, it shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliates on behalf of El Salvador. See "Certain Legal Restrictions" and "Jurisdictional Restrictions" in the Invitation. El Salvador will make (or cause to be made) all announcements regarding the Invitation by press release issued to an international news service, which is expected to be PR Newswire or another appropriate international news service, (the "News Service"), and will subsequently publish such announcement on the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (www.luxse.com). NONE OF EL SALVADOR, THE DEALER MANAGER OR THE INFORMATION AND TENDER AGENT MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION THAT ANY HOLDER TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH HOLDER'S NOTES, AND NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY ANY OF THEM TO MAKE SUCH A RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS WHETHER TO TENDER NOTES, AND, IF SO, MUST DECIDE ON THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES TO TENDER. Important Notice The distribution of the Invitation and the transactions contemplated hereby may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this Invitation come are required by El Salvador and the Dealer Manager to inform themselves of and to observe any of these restrictions. Each person accepting the Invitation shall be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed (in respect of itself and any person for whom it is acting) that it is not a person to whom it is unlawful to make an Invitation pursuant to this Invitation (including under the applicable securities laws referenced below), it has not distributed or forwarded this Invitation or any other documents or materials relating to the Invitation to any such person, and it has (before offering the Notes for exchange) complied with all laws and regulations applicable to it for the purposes of its participation in the Invitation. This Invitation does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making an offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. Neither El Salvador nor the Dealer Manager accepts any responsibility for any violation by any person of the restrictions applicable in any jurisdiction. European Economic Area The Invitation is not intended to be offered, or otherwise made available to and should not be offered or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EC (as amended, the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 (e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129) (the "Prospectus Regulation"). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore making the Invitation or offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. United Kingdom The Invitation is not intended to be offered or otherwise made available to and should not be offered or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom ("UK"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore making the Invitation or offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. The communication of this Invitation and any other offer material relating to the Invitation are not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials is exempt from the restriction on financial promotions under section 21 of the FSMA on the basis that they are only directed at and may only be communicated to persons (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the "Financial Promotion Order"), (ii) who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) who are outside the United Kingdom, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities, including this Invitation, may otherwise lawfully be communicated in accordance with the Financial Promotion Order (such persons together being "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this Invitation or these other documents and/or materials relate are available only to, and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this Invitation or these other documents and/or materials or any of its or their contents. SOURCE The Republic of El Salvador New CEO and CFO appointed; former CEO transitions to President role overseeing Enterprise business ATLANTA, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Weather Company , the world's most accurate weather forecaster1, today announced key executive leadership changes designed to accelerate growth and enhance its ability to prepare people, businesses, and communities for weather's increasing impact. Rohit Agarwal has been appointed CEO of The Weather Company into its next phase of growth. He brings extensive product and commercial experience with a proven track record of building high-performing organizations at SoundCloud, CNN and more. Rohit Agarwal has been appointed as Chief Executive Ofcer (CEO) to lead The Weather Company into its next phase of growth. He brings extensive product and commercial experience with a proven track record of building high-performing organizations and transforming businesses. In his most recent roles, Agarwal served as Chief Product and Revenue Ofcer at SoundCloud and Chief Product Officer at CNN. He brings a track record of creating long-term growth and value through growing audiences and deepening engagement. Prior to SoundCloud and CNN, he held various leadership positions at companies including HSBC, Trustpilot, and AOL. "I am honored to lead The Weather Company at this exciting time," said Agarwal. "Weather is playing an increasingly integral role in business and people's lives. Our goal is to strengthen our position as the most accurate weather forecaster and the most trusted news source in America2 by offering indispensable tools and experiences to give people and businesses the information and condence they need to make better and more informed decisions. With increased investment and focus, we're poised to deliver even greater value to people who depend on our consumer digital properties, and businesses that rely on our proprietary weather data and insights." In a strategic move to accelerate enterprise growth, Sheri Bachstein will transition from CEO to the role of President. In this capacity, she will lead The Weather Company's Enterprise business, overseeing Advertising, Aviation, Media, and Government & Defense product and solutions and client portfolios. "We see great growth potential in the Enterprise sector, and we aim to become as prevalent in this space as our The Weather Channel brand is with consumers," added Agarwal. "With Sheri's deep industry experience and relationships, she is the right leader to expand our Enterprise business and unlock its full potential." Alongside Agarwal, Michael Love joins The Weather Company as Chief Financial Ofcer (CFO), bringing a wealth of nancial expertise to support the company's growth plans. Michael previously was CFO of Intuit Mailchimp, where he was instrumental in developing and executing the company's nancial plan. Prior to Mailchimp, Michael led nance and strategy for Home Depot's Pro business unit and served as a Principal at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The Weather Company remains committed to enhancing its position as the world's most accurate forecaster. The Weather Company combines AI, advanced weather science and technology, and human expertise to deliver unparalleled weather forecast accuracy. Its forecasts are 3x more likely to be accurate than those of its closest competitor, a testament to its decades of meteorological expertise, deep understanding of consumer behavior, and data science prociency1. This combination of human expertise and advanced technology is perhaps best known within its digital consumer properties The Weather Channel app, weather.com, Weather Underground app, wunderground.com, and Storm Radar app. The Weather Channel brand connects with more than 360 million consumers wherever they are with data-driven insights that go beyond the forecast to help people make more condent decisions when planning outdoor activities and travel, as well as information on how weather affects their health and well-being. Through its Enterprise business, which includes offerings for broadcast, media, aviation, advertising technology, and weather data and intelligence solutions for a variety of other industries, The Weather Company delivers meaningful insights to businesses increasingly affected by weather in their decision-making processes. 1 ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, https://forecastwatch.com/AccuracyOverview2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company. 2 According to a YouGov 2024 Trust in Media poll: https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/49552-trust-in-media-2024-which-news-outlets-americans-trust The Weather Channel was the #1 most trusted news source by Americans. The poll was conducted from 5/10/2024 through 5/17/2024, among a nationally representative sample of 2,006 U.S. adult citizens. About The Weather Company The Weather Company helps people and businesses around the world make more informed decisions and take action in the face of weather. With its deep industry expertise and highly accurate, high-volume weather data combined with advanced technology and AI, The Weather Company provides insights and solutions that harness the power of weather in a scalable, privacy-forward way. The world's most accurate forecaster, the company serves hundreds of enterprise customers across media, advertising, aviation and more, and is trusted by hundreds of millions of monthly active users via digital properties from The Weather Channel (weather.com) and Weather Underground (wunderground.com). For more, visit weathercompany.com. SOURCE The Weather Company NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global thermal interface materials market size is estimated to grow by USD 3.16 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 18.57% during the forecast period. Increasing demand from computers hardware manufacturing is driving market growth, with a trend towards advances in technology. However, miniaturization of electronic devices poses a challenge.Key market players include 3M Co., AIM Metals and Alloys LP, AOS Thermal Compounds LLC, Bergquist, DALEBA ELECTRONICS LTD, Dow Chemical Co., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Fuji Polymer Industries Co. Ltd., GrafTech International Ltd., Henkel AG and Co. KGaA, Honeywell International Inc., Indium Corp., KITAGAWA INDUSTRIES America Inc., Laird Performance Materials, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Parker Hannifin Corp., SEMIKRON Elektronik GmbH and Co. KG, Shin Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Wakefield Thermal Inc., and ZALMAN. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global thermal interface materials market 2024-2028 AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Application (Computers, Telecom, Automotive electronics, Medical devices, and Others), Type (Grease and adhesive, Taps and films, Phase change materials, and Others), and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled 3M Co., AIM Metals and Alloys LP, AOS Thermal Compounds LLC, Bergquist, DALEBA ELECTRONICS LTD, Dow Chemical Co., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Fuji Polymer Industries Co. Ltd., GrafTech International Ltd., Henkel AG and Co. KGaA, Honeywell International Inc., Indium Corp., KITAGAWA INDUSTRIES America Inc., Laird Performance Materials, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Parker Hannifin Corp., SEMIKRON Elektronik GmbH and Co. KG, Shin Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Wakefield Thermal Inc., and ZALMAN Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The global thermal interface materials market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for advanced technology in various industries. With the rise of consumer electronics, such as phones, tablets, and smart devices, there is a surging need for effective thermal management solutions. These materials help in dissipating heat generated by fast-speed networks, higher bandwidth IT activities, and advanced cockpit functionality in automotive and aerospace components. Moreover, the healthcare sector is another major contributor to this market. The geriatric population's increasing need for dental health solutions, including complete and partial dentures, is driving the demand for thermal interface materials. Dental diseases like tooth loss, periodontitis, gum disease, cavities, cracked teeth, and root canal caries are common among the elderly. The aesthetic appeal of dentures and the need for improved dental pulp health are also factors fueling market growth. Emerging economies, with their expanding healthcare infrastructure and growing disposable incomes, are expected to boost sales and installation figures in the post-pandemic times. Additionally, the manufacturing of medical products, pharmaceuticals, and medical electronics, as well as construction work, require thermal interface materials for various applications. The market trends include technical advancements in materials like polymer matrix composites, metal matrix composites, and carbon composite products. The increasing focus on thermal insulation, conductance, and dissipation in medical devices and industrial machinery is also driving the demand for these materials. Engineers in the manufacturing zone are constantly seeking innovative thermal management solutions to meet the evolving needs of various industries. Despite the market's promising growth, challenges such as high prices, lack of reimbursement, and economic situations impact demand and supply. However, the increasing consumer health awareness, changing lifestyle, and consumer electronics' widespread use are expected to offset these challenges. The banking, e-commerce, utilities, media, and office end-use sectors are also expected to contribute significantly to the market's growth in the coming years. The thermal interface materials market has experienced notable advancements with the introduction of innovative solutions like gap fillers and metal-based thermal interface materials. Competition among vendors is intense as they explore new technologies to maintain market position. End-user industries are increasingly adopting modern thermal interface materials due to improved thermal conductivity, efficiency, and ease of application. This market trend is expected to fuel the growth of the global thermal interface materials market significantly during the forecast period. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges The global thermal interface materials market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for advanced electronics, medical devices, and industrial machinery. Challenges in the dental industry, such as the growing geriatric population, dental diseases, and tooth loss, are driving the need for better thermal management solutions in dental health. Dentures, including complete and partial, are essential medical products for dental health, and their manufacturing involves the use of thermal interface materials like greases, thermal tapes, elastomeric pads, and solders. However, economic situations, lack of reimbursement, and high prices are hindering the dentures market's growth in emerging economies. In post-pandemic times, upgradation of dental practices, sales, and installation figures are expected to increase. The PC market, consumer electronics, and IT activities require high thermal conductivity materials for faster networks and higher bandwidth. Engineers in the manufacturing zone are focusing on technical advancements, such as phase change materials and polymer matrix composites, for thermal management solutions. The healthcare sector, including medical electronics and medical devices, is a significant consumer of thermal interface materials. Construction work, utilities, and banks also require thermal insulation and dissipation materials. The demand and supply balance in the market are influenced by factors like consumer health awareness, changing lifestyles, and household incomes. In conclusion, the thermal interface materials market is poised for growth in various end-use sectors, including dental, electronics, medical devices, and industrial machinery. The shrinking size of electronic devices, particularly mobile handsets, presents a significant challenge for manufacturers in terms of thermal management. With the trend toward smaller devices, the range of thermal interface materials is being reduced, leading to decreased consumption. Moreover, mobile manufacturers are investigating chip-level thermal management solutions for portable platforms. Additionally, the preference for smaller smartphone screen sizes, which has grown since 2019, further complicates matters for thermal interface material suppliers. As a result, the miniaturization of electronic devices is anticipated to hinder the expansion of the global thermal interface materials market over the forecast period. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This thermal interface materials market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Computers 1.2 Telecom 1.3 Automotive electronics 1.4 Medical devices 1.5 Others Type 2.1 Grease and adhesive 2.2 Taps and films 2.3 Phase change materials 2.4 Others Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 North America 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Computers- Thermal interface materials play a crucial role in managing heat dissipation in electronic devices such as laptops, PCs, tablets, and palmtops. These materials reduce thermal resistance between the heat source and heat sink, ensuring efficient heat flow. By filling air gaps and minimizing interface resistance variance, they lower contact resistance. Widely used in manufacturing computer accessories like microchips, transistors, and diodes, the global computer accessories industry's growth forecast fuels demand for thermal interface materials. This market is poised to witness significant growth due to its essential function in enhancing device performance and longevity. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis The Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) market refers to the industry that produces and supplies materials used to enhance the thermal conductivity between two surfaces in electronic devices and industrial applications. The global market for TIMs is driven by several factors, including the growth in consumer electronics, IT activities, and construction work. The increasing demand for high-performance electronic devices, such as tablets and smartphones, requires efficient cooling solutions, driving the demand for TIMs. Additionally, infrastructure development and higher bandwidth requirements in emerging economies are expected to fuel market growth. Phase change materials, dispensable gels, and adhesive tapes are some of the popular types of TIMs used in various industries. Factors such as economic situation, disposable incomes, and lack of reimbursement may impact the market growth. The geriatric population and dental diseases, such as tooth loss, periodontitis, gum disease, cavities, cracked teeth, and root canal caries, are significant factors driving the demand for dentures. However, the high price of dentures and lack of reimbursement may limit the market growth. Dry mouth, a common condition among the elderly and those with dental diseases, can also impact the demand for TIMs, as it affects the efficiency of cooling systems in electronic devices. Market Research Overview The Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) market encompasses a wide range of products, including greases, thermal tapes, elastomeric pads, solders, phase change materials, and more. These materials play a crucial role in managing heat dissipation in various industries, from consumer electronics and IT activities to construction work and industrial machinery. Driving factors for the TIM market include the growing demand for fast-speed networks, higher bandwidth, and advanced technologies in sectors like medical electronics, consumer durables, automotive electronics, and aerospace components. The proliferation of phones, smart devices, tablets, video games, and other consumer electronics has fueled the need for efficient thermal management solutions. Key applications for TIMs include medical products, office end-use, and manufacturing zones. Factors influencing the market include economic situations, disposable incomes, healthcare spending, infrastructure development, and consumer health awareness. The post-pandemic times are expected to bring about upgradation, sales, and installation figures in various sectors. TIM product utilization is influenced by factors like thermal conductivity, hardness, and tensile strength. Technological advancements and the development of thermal management solutions, such as polymer matrix composites and metal matrix composites, are expected to further boost the market. In industries like construction, dispensable gels and adhesive tapes are used for thermal insulation and dissipation. In the medical field, TIMs are used in medical devices and dental health applications, including dentures. Dental health concerns like tooth loss, periodontitis, gum disease, cavities, cracked teeth, and root canal caries affect the geriatric population and those with dental diseases. The high price of dentures and lack of reimbursement are significant challenges in the dentures market. The TIM market is influenced by various factors, including demand and supply dynamics, PC market trends, banks, e-commerce, utilities, media, and consumer lifestyle changes. Emerging economies and their healthcare systems, as well as manufacturing activities, also impact the market. Engineers and manufacturers in these industries are constantly seeking innovative solutions to improve thermal management and meet the evolving needs of their customers. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Computers Telecom Automotive Electronics Medical Devices Others Type Grease And Adhesive Taps And Films Phase Change Materials Others Geography APAC North America Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) will host a public webinar tomorrow evening, Nov. 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to present more details about the toll increase proposed last month for the Bay Area's seven state-owned toll bridges as well as proposed updates to the policies for high-occupancy vehicles on approaches to these bridges. If approved by BATA in December, the toll increase would be phased in over five years, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, with the additional revenue used only to pay for the maintenance, rehabilitation and operation of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward bridges. Proposed changes to the carpool lane policies on the bridge approaches also would take effect in 2026. BATA Logo (PRNewsfoto/Bay Area Toll Authority) Webinar Details Date: Wednesday, Nov. 13 Time: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Webinar ID: 897 0503 7686 Webinar Passcode: 034321 Join by Video: Zoom Join by Phone: 877-853-5247 BATA is required by state law to fund projects to preserve and protect the Bay Area's seven state-owned toll bridges. The proposed toll hike is separate from the $3 increase approved by Bay Area voters in 2018 through Regional Measure 3 to finance a comprehensive suite of highway and transit improvements around the region. The first of the three $1 Regional Measure 3 toll increases went into effect in 2019, followed by another in 2022. The last of the RM 3 toll hikes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2025, bringing the toll for regular two-axle cars and trucks to $8. BATA, which is directed by the same policy board as MTC, administers toll revenues from the Bay Area's seven state-owned toll bridges. Toll revenues from the Golden Gate Bridge are administered by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, which joined with BATA to operate a single regional FasTrak customer service center in San Francisco. MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. SOURCE Metropolitan Transportation Commission OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wealth|KC today announced that financial advisor Lucas Fender, CRPC, CRPS, has joined their fast-growing practice. Wealth|KC now employs a team of 4 wealth advisors and 3 support staff, who have been offering financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth investors, and businesses for over six years across 2 locations in Kansas City and Overland Park. Fender joins Wealth|KC With over nine years at Edward Jones where he specialized in financial planning and investment management, Lucas brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to building long-lasting client relationships based on trust and integrity. Lucas managed approximately $120 million in client assets and is joined by his Client Support Specialist, Mallory Hartwick. Lucas maintains professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor(CRPC) and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist(CRPS), and currently serves as President of the Johnson County Society for Human Resource Management. "We evaluated several firms and the Wealth|KC team rose to the top. We came here to have the capabilities and support we need to provide comprehensive financial planning, without having to compromise to the corporate pressure to meet one-size-fits-all metrics that go against our clients' best interests. Our shared philosophy for providing holistic financial planning, together with the vast support and resources of LPL, gave us confidence that we'll be able to offer an elevated client experience." Advisor joins an experienced LPL ensemble Shean Fletcher, President of Wealth|KC, said, "We are incredibly excited to welcome Lucas Fender to our team at Wealth|KC. His passion for delivering comprehensive wealth management to his clients is right in line with everything we stand for as a firm. He and Mallory have strong ties to the community and after our initial conversations, I knew they would be a great fit and be able to offer their clients a high level of guidance and service." To learn more about Lucas and Wealth|KC - visit www.wealthkc.com, email [email protected], or call (816) 820-4756. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. SOURCE Wealth|KC Hagen brings a wealth of experience from financial investment industries from previous roles as CEO of PayPal Invest and co-founder/president of Ally Invest Hagen to take lead for achieving regulatory approval for TSA Financial LLC's Broker-Dealer operations SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Toss Securities, a fintech securities firm with the largest data-driven investment platform in South Korea, has announced the appointment of Richard J. Hagen, Jr (Rich) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its US subsidiary, TSA Financial LLC. With this appointment, TSA Financial LLC will begin regulatory processes to be registered as a Broker-Dealer in the US market starting this year. Toss Securities Appoints Richard J. Hagen as CEO of US Subsidiary TSA Financial LLC Earlier in August, Toss Securities had established two US subsidiaries, Toss Securities Americas Inc. and TSA Financial LLC. TSA Financial LLC will be responsible for the company's US Broker-Dealer business operations. Upon receiving regulatory approval and being registered as a Broker-Dealer, TSA Financial LLC will play a pivotal role in strengthening Toss Securities' US securities brokerage business and diversifying revenue streams. Hagen is a seasoned professional in the financial investment sector, bringing over 30 years of leadership experience in digital financial services to his new role at TSA Financial LLC. Most recently, he served as the CEO of PayPal Invest, where he explored opportunities in the consumer investment sector. Additionally, he co-founded and led Ally Invest (formerly TradeKing, Inc.), focusing on digital investing and investment advisory services. "We are thrilled to welcome Richard to the Toss Securities team. The formation of TSA Financial LLC represents a pivotal step in expanding Toss Securities' reach into global capital markets. Richard's expertise in online brokerage, combined with his passion for innovation, makes him the perfect fit to lead the team into this exciting new chapter," said Kyungsoo(Peter) Kim, CEO of Toss Securities Americas Inc. "Toss Securities has been a leader in retail investing innovation in Korea," said Hagen. "Expanding globally is a natural progression in Toss Securities' strategic growth plans, and I look forward to collaborating with our talented team to broaden our reach and deliver even greater value to our clients." Profile * Experience Paypal Invest, CEO (2021-2023) Ally Invest, Co-founder & CEO (2005-2019) H&R Block Financial Advisors, Head of Online Brokerage (2004-2005) FOLIOfn, Vice President of Retail Brokerage (2001-2002) SURETRADE, Co-founder & CEO (1997-2001) * Education Long Island University Southampton / Bachelor of Science - Business and Marketing About Toss Securities Toss Securities, a subsidiary company of Viva Republica, which operates the financial super app Toss, launched its customer service in March 2021. As a newly licensed securities company after 13 years, it provides user-centered services with UX/UI optimized for the mobile environment. In particular, it is the first in the industry to introduce an integrated account service that allows customers to conveniently trade multiple financial instruments from one account without installing a separate app, and as of October 2024, more than 6.3 million customers have used Toss Securities. Monthly Active Users (MAU) reach over 3.3 million to date. In addition to real-time overseas fractional stock trading, the company offers a variety of services such as community and customized content and is evolving into a data-driven investment platform. SOURCE Toss Securities BEIJING, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tsingke proudly concluded its participation in BIO-Europe 2024, held from November 4 to 6 in Stockholm, Sweden. As one of the premier global events for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and investment sectors, over 5,500 attendees join, representing more than 2,800 companies and over 60 countries. At the event, Tsingke showcased its innovative products and services in synthetic biology at Booth #174 B, including synthesis services, self-developed synthetic materials, consumables, bioreagents, and state-of-the-art equipment, focusing on how these innovations reshape research. Tsingke's presence highlighted its commitment to advancing life science research and its vision of becoming 'The Great Tsingke Gene Factory'. A Hub for Partnerships and Collaboration Tsingke's booth attracted significant attention, with many attendees eager to explore potential collaborations. Hundreds of Industry professionals from various sectors, including pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, and academia, had deeply engaged with Tsingke's professional team and discovered how its solutions can help researchers accelerate their work and address complex challenges in a variety of fields, including gene therapy, diagnostics, and bio-manufacturing and drive life science industrial advancements forward. Product Highlights Gene Synthesis: Tsingke has an intelligent gene synthesis line to provide high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective plasmids up to 200kb in length. Clients can select from over 160 commercial vectors and benefit from complimentary codon optimization services. Every plasmid undergoes meticulous NGS and Sanger sequencing. With a turnaround time of just 5 days, obtaining the desired synthesized gene is swift and hassle-free. Tsingke also prides itself on offering robust after-sales support. This includes 24/7 technical assistance and a free replacement policy within a month for any quality issues. Oligo Synthesis: Tsingke specializes in providing high-quality oligos for a variety of applications, with synthesis capabilities spanning from micrograms to kilograms. For custom DNA oligos, we ensure a 99.5% coupling efficiency through stringent quality control at every stage, from raw material selection to purification. For Custom RNA Oligos and Modifications, backed by ISO 13485 certification from SGS and equipped with 100,000 class GMP-Like workshops, Tsingke ensures the purity and reliability of its offerings. Its clientele spans more than 1,200 companies engaged in IVD with Tsingke delivering tailored products and services. Protein Expression: Tsingke provides a comprehensive service from sequence design to protein expression and purification, offering five expression systems: E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, yeast, insect, and mammalian cells. Through codon optimization, vector selection, and high-expression strain screening, Tsingke maximizes protein expression and delivers results with a fast 2-week turnaround. The company also offers a range of customizable options, including enzyme digestion analysis, endotoxin removal, and so on. Tsingke's expert after-sales team is available 24/7 for technical support, providing tailored after-sales services to prioritize customer satisfaction. Looking Forward to Future Collaborations Beijing Tsingke Biotech Co., Ltd. is a pioneering force in the field of DNA/RNA synthesis. Tsingke is dedicated to innovation and has established an autonomous, full-chain synthesis platform that provides customers with a variety of products and services, including gene synthesis, oligo synthesis, antibody, proteins, synthetic materials, consumables, bioreagents, and equipment. As BIO-Europe 2024 draws to a close, Tsingke remains committed to its mission of driving innovation and collaboration within the synthetic biology industry. The company looks forward to continuing its engagement with global partners to shape the future of biotechnology and to explore further opportunities for cooperation that will contribute to the advancement of scientific research. For more information, please visit www.tsingke.com.cn. Prominent careers-first university modernises technology operations with unmatched SaaS student information system LONDON and RESTON, Va., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ellucian, the leading higher education technology solutions provider, today announced that the University of East London (UEL) will implement Banner, part of the Ellucian SaaS Platform. A new Ellucian customer, UEL will streamline its technology operations and enhance student experiences as it grows enrolment with this innovative Student Information System (SIS). UEL joins more than 2,000 institutions leveraging the Ellucian SaaS Platform to efficiently scale resources and drive student success. Upgrading to the advanced, cloud-based Ellucian SaaS Platform enables UEL to integrate data and processes into a unified technology system, offering students a cohesive, user-friendly experience from enrolment to graduation. Improved self-service capabilities and centralised access to resources will support enhanced student engagement and success. And for staff, automation and optimised operations will reduce the time spent on manual processes, allowing them to focus on student support and strategic initiatives. This modernisation aligns with UEL's Vision 2028 strategy, which aims to reshape education through industry partnerships and prepare students for a digital future. "The University of East London has a rich history of preparing students for the future of work, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Ellucian community," said Laura Ipsen, President and CEO, Ellucian. "We are excited to partner with UEL to bring their strategic vision to life with the Ellucian SaaS Platform. Our technology will help drive student success, boost enrolment and retention, and support their mission to equip students from all backgrounds with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy." "We are delighted to be working with Ellucian, a leading, innovative, higher education solution provider," said Sophie Bowen, UEL Chief Student Officer. "As a careers-first university committed to providing opportunities for all, we believe that implementing Banner SaaS will move us to the next level in ensuring that our business continues to put our students at the heart of what we do, underpinned by the right technology to support them. The new system will enable us to deliver an optimised, holistic, seamless, personalised and automated end to end student journey that sets up our students with the best possible chance for learning success." For more information on Ellucian solutions, visit: https://www.ellucian.com/emea-ap/solutions/all-products (for Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific) or https://www.ellucian.com/solutions/all-products. For more information about University of East London, visit: https://www.uel.ac.uk. ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON The core mission of the University of East London, founded in 1898, is to be a careers-first university and engine for social mobility, committed to diversifying the talent pipeline and providing students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the continuous next. UEL is uniquely positioned as an anchor institution in east London and around the world, focused on reimagining the role of higher education in support of a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world. The University is home to more than 40,000 students (both on campus and via partners) representing over 160 nationalities, with campuses in Stratford and the Royal Albert Dock in east London's Docklands Enterprise Zone. UEL was named The Times & The Sunday Times University of the Year for Teaching Quality, Good University Guide 2025. UEL was also 1st in London, 1st in England and 3rd in the UK for overall graduates' positivity in the National Student Survey 2024; the highest ranked, most improved university, now 9th in London, in the Guardian University Guide 2025; and shortlisted for 'University of the Year' in the 2023 Times Higher Education Awards. In 2025, UEL celebrates a Year of Health, which focuses on tackling health inequalities, promoting health and wellbeing and driving forward innovation in healthcare, centred around the opening of a new state-of-the-art, community-focused Health Campus in Stratford. ABOUT ELLUCIAN Ellucian powers innovation for higher education, partnering with more than 2,900 customers across 50 countries, serving 22 million students. Fuelled by decades of experience with a singular focus on the unique needs of learning institutions, the Ellucian platform features best-in-class SaaS capabilities and delivers insights needed now and into the future. These solutions and services span the entire student lifecycle, including data-rich tools for student recruitment, enrolment, and retention to workforce analytics, fundraising, and alumni engagement. Ellucian's innovative solutions, vast ecosystem of partners and user community of more than 45,000 provides best practises leading to greater institutional success and achieving better student outcomes. Media Contacts Jess Weston [email protected] Kiera Hay [email protected] SOURCE Ellucian BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on the sidelines of COP29, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on its page on X, Trend reports. The parties stressed the importance of dialogue for a better understanding of positions on international issues. One in five U.S. nursing homes rated as "Best." WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in health care rankings and consumer advice, today announced the 2025 Best Nursing Homes ratings . The 2025 evaluation features ratings of nearly 15,000 U.S. nursing homes. Nursing homes offer either short- or long-term care and offer assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, medication management, rehabilitation and chronic disease management. The latest edition recognizes fewer than 20% of the evaluated U.S. nursing homes as "Best Nursing Homes" in "Short-Term Rehabilitation," "Long-Term Care," or both. More specifically, 1,637 U.S. cities (out of 5,147) and 715 U.S. counties (out of 1,687) have at least one "Best Nursing Home." U.S. News' evaluation finds that nearly half of U.S. nursing homes do not comply with a federal regulation to provide at least eight registered nurse-staffing hours every day of the year. Among nursing homes that did not comply, the average nursing home had 15 days of inadequate staffing. "Since 2009, U.S. News' annual Best Nursing Homes analysis has supported American consumers and their families in making more informed decisions about quality of care for their loved ones," said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. "These facilities set the standard for quality care and should be commended for their commitment to improving the lives of their residents." "Staffing levels continue to be a major challenge for U.S. nursing homes," Harder added. "U.S. News' latest evaluation reveals the Best Nursing Homes for short-term rehabilitation have an average of 50% more total nursing care per resident than facilities rated as below average in short-term rehab, and the Best Nursing Homes for long-term care have double the staff retention rate of nursing homes when compared to underperforming nursing homes." Of note in the 2025 Best Nursing Homes ratings: Best Nursing Homes for short-term rehabilitation discharge an average of 50% more patients to a residence (rather than a long-term care setting) compared to facilities rated as below average. Best Nursing Homes for long-term care preserve residents' self-reliance longer: residents are on average 50% less likely to lose the ability to perform self-care activities, such as feeding and washing themselves, compared to residents at facilities rated as below average. Best Nursing Homes for long-term care give residents antipsychotic medications 46% less of the time compared to facilities rated as below average. Residents at Best Nursing Homes for long-term care are more than 60% less likely to require emergency department care compared to residents at facilities rated as below average. The following ten metropolitan areas, listed in alphabetical order, have the greatest number of "Best Nursing Homes" in the U.S.: Boston, MA Chicago, IL Miami - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Phoenix, AZ San Diego, CA San Francisco - Oakland, CA - Washington, D.C. To calculate the Best Nursing Homes ratings, U.S. News evaluated each nursing home's performance using a variety of quality measures obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The U.S. News Best Nursing Homes proprietary ratings methodology factors in resident care, safety, outcomes and other aspects of quality including data on nurse staffing levels, consistency and retention, as well as use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing ER visits. For more information, visit Best Nursing Homes and use #BestNursingHomes on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and X . About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services. SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P. SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- USANA Health Sciences, Inc., a global leader in nutrition, was recently awarded Manufacturer of the Year for the third consecutive year by the Utah Manufacturers Association in the "mega-sized (500+ employees) companies" category. To learn more about USANA and its commitment to quality, please visit USANA.com. USANA Named Top Manufacturer in Utah for Third Time "Our manufacturing capabilities are one of our biggest differentiators as a company," said Jim Brown, CEO and president of USANA. "Our ability to manufacture the majority of our products in-house while maintaining extremely high Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards is a major selling point for our distributors, and a reason why we are trusted by more Olympic and professional athletes than any other health and wellness company." The Utah Manufacturers Association (UMA) is the premier champion of manufacturing in Utah. UMA has been Utah's "voice of industry" for 112 years. Its mission to connect and strengthen all of Utah's manufacturers has helped save businesses millions of dollars and streamlined governmental processes. "USANA has a mission to manufacture high-quality products, and because we take pride in our manufacturing practices, we create products people trust," said Walter Noot, USANA's chief operating officer. "We are one of the few companies to manufacture almost 70% of our products in our state-of-the-art, FDA-registered facility (excluding Mainland China), something I am truly proud of. USANA is committed to excellenceand being named manufacturer of the year for a third year in a row proves that." USANA manufactures its supplements, foods, powders, and select skincare products on-site. The most impressive machines on USANA's nutritional supplement manufacturing line are the high-speed tablet presses. Two of these seven presses can produce anywhere from 60,000 to 500,000 tablets per hour, all while checking for specific quality attributes. Each machine is equipped to customize or change the size and shape of each supplement. USANA is an FDA-registered facility and is GMP certified by USP and NSF. Multiple USANA products have also been certified by third-party assessor ConsumerLab.com over the years. About USANA USANA (NYSE:USNA) prides itself on providing consumers with quality nutritional and lifestyle products. From its award-winning supplements to its innovative Celavive skincare and Active Nutrition lines, USANA has proven for over 30 years why it's a company you can trust. How about giving us a try? Shop at USANA.com or learn more at whatsupUSANA.com. Media Contact: (801) 954-7645 media(at)USANAinc(dot)com SOURCE USANA Vatn Systems' cost-effective, modular autonomous underwater vehicles enable customers to deploy effects at scale against undersea and surface targets Founded in 2023, the company is already actively testing in military exercises with key defense organizations including the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps PORTSMOUTH, R.I., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vatn Systems, a leading defense technology company building autonomous underwater vehicles for the US military and allies, today announced it has raised an oversubscribed $13 million seed round, bringing total funding to $16.5M. The round was led by DYNE Ventures with participation from Lockheed Martin Ventures, RTX Ventures, In-Q-Tel (IQT), Propeller Ventures, SAIC Ventures, Cubit Capital, Fortitude Ventures and existing investors that include Centre Street Partners, The Veteran Fund, Blue Collective, and Decisive Point. Vatn Systems Announces $13M Oversubscribed Seed Round "Vatn Systems is on a journey to redefine naval warfare by building low-cost, high-speed, autonomous underwater vehicles that can be deployed at scale as force multipliers," said Nelson Mills, co-founder and CEO of Vatn Systems. "This funding enables us to advance our strategy to expand our team and set up a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to bring our autonomous underwater vehicles to market next year." "Vatn's rapid progression from concept to high-tech working prototype in just six months is an impressive feat that speaks to the strength of the winning team they've built," said Matthew Kibble, co-founder and Managing Partner of DYNE Ventures. "We're also confident they can replicate their early success with the Department of Defense to address commercial needs in sectors such as law enforcement, aquaculture, and search & recovery across the U.S. and our AUKUS partners." Vatn Systems' cost-effective, modular autonomous underwater vehicles enable customers to deploy effects at scale against undersea and surface targets. Bridging the gap between AUVs and torpedoes, Vatn's flexible design and in-house Inertial Navigation System enable precision delivery of a wide range of effects at ranges of almost 1,000 miles. A core differentiator is the company's advanced navigation software that is effective in GPS, vision, and communication-compromised environments. Vatn vehicles use applied AI to make decisions in real-time, and the systems also leverage Machine Learning to enhance navigation algorithms. "Lockheed Martin Ventures' investment in Vatn Systems aligns with our strategy to invest in cutting-edge technologies that have the potential to provide innovative deterrence solutions to the U.S. and its allies," said Chris Moran, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures. "The development of autonomous underwater vehicles that collaborate in cooperative swarms, especially in challenging environments with limited communication, could be a game changer in completing sea domain missions." "Vatn's dynamic platform and advanced software are enhancing naval technology and redefining navigation capabilities," said Daniel Ateya, president and managing director of RTX Ventures. "Our investment will help Vatn to progress autonomous underwater vehicles, delivering transformative capabilities that are essential for military and law enforcement operations." Founded in April 2023, Vatn Systems has quickly proven its technology, growing from founding to launching its first drones in the water within six months. The company is actively testing in military exercises with key defense organizations including the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. About Vatn Systems Vatn Systems is a leading defense technology company building autonomous underwater vehicles that can be deployed at scale for the US military and allies. Founded in 2023 by a team of maritime experts and military leaders, Vatn Systems is on a mission to be the next underwater defense prime in a world where autonomous systems dominate naval battlefields. For more information, visit www.vatnsystems.com. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Vatn Systems Verizon-Authorized retailer, TCC, and Verizon franchisor, Wireless Zone, Celebrate 'Rock the Pantry' Initiative Parent Company Round Room to Match Every Item with a $1 Donation to Non-Profit Hunger Fight Corporate and Store Employees, Along with Community Members, Come Together to Fight Food Insecurity FISHERS, Ind., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With 47 million people in the U.S. not being able to purchase or have access to food, Round Room, LLC one of the country's largest Verizon Authorized Retailers with more than 1,200 TCC and Wireless Zone stores is holding a nationwide 'Rock the Pantry' initiative to combat food insecurity. On Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17, TCC stores and participating Wireless Zone locations will be collecting non-perishable food items to benefit a local food bank. Additionally, Round Room will be donating $1 to non-profit Hunger Fight for every item that is brought into stores, up to $30,000. Hunger Fight works to eradicate childhood hunger and illiteracy by packing and delivering meals to those in need. In 2023, the organization packaged more than 5.1 million meals that benefitted children as well as seniors and those impacted by natural disasters. Authorized Verizon retailer hosts food drives across the U.S. to combat food insecurity. Post this "All of our philanthropic efforts are a direct representation of our employees' passions we want to support and contribute to causes they care about," said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room. "We started Rock the Pantry last year because food insecurity was an important issue to our staff, and we were able to make a real difference with more than thousands non-perishable items donated to food banks across the country. Our employees were excited to bring this initiative back, and we look forward to making another incredible impact this year." ITEMS TO DONATE: Grains: pasta, rice, and oats Fruits and Vegetables: applesauce, canned fruits, and canned vegetables Protein: dried or canned beans and lentils, canned fish, canned chicken, nut butters, mixed nuts and trail mix Other items: soups and broths, pasta sauce, herbs and spices, condiments, cooking oils, shelf-stable or powdered milk Those who bring in any items to their local TCC or participating Wireless Zone store will be supporting Hunger Fight and will also receive a coupon for 20% off any accessories, limit one per person. Cody Mason, a Sales Associate and Regional Good Ambassador in Terre Haute, IN, shared why he and his team are passionate about this initiative. "The food our customers help us collect for Rock the Pantry supports families right here in our community, so we get to immediately see the positive impact we've made on a local level! That's what makes our work truly special." The Round Room Way Philanthropy is simply a part of Round Room's DNA as the company regularly organizes events that leave positive impacts on the communities it serves. On a larger, national scale, Round Room hosts quarterly events including "Teachers Rock," "Rescues Rock," "School Rocks," and "Rock the Pantry." In addition to these collective events, Round Room has donated more than $8M through its community grant program which has supported over 1,600 non-profit organizations, hospitals, and more. To learn more about Rock the Pantry, visit www.tccrocks.com/rock-the-pantry. About Round Room, LLC Founded on a mission and deep commitment of giving back to employees, customers, and the communities it serves, Round Room is one of the largest Verizon-authorized retailers in the U.S. Its collective portfolio of brands includes TCC, Wireless Zone, Culture of Good, and Redux. With more than 1,200 TCC and Wireless Zone retail locations across 43 states, Round Room has donated more than $8M to various causes through ongoing giveback initiatives. The company's efforts have also been recognized through the Top Workplaces USA 2024 award and Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award. To learn more about Round Room, visit www.RoundRoom.com. About TCC Founded in 1991, TCC is a Verizon wireless retailer that operates over 500 locations from coast to coast and employs upwards of 1,900 people. As a certified 'Culture of Good' company, TCC encourages employees to give back in every community it serves through its Community Grant program, volunteer opportunities, and local philanthropic events. TCC has been recognized with several notable awards including Inc. Magazine's Best in Business, Top Workplaces USA, and Glassdoor's Best Places to Work. To learn more about TCC or to find a location near you, visit www.TCCRocks.com. For more information about TCC's parent company, Round Room, LLC, visit www.RoundRoom.com. About Wireless Zone Wireless Zone is the nation's largest wireless retail franchisor with more than 720 independently owned and operated Verizon wireless stores across the U.S. Founded in 1988, Wireless Zone has earned prestigious industry rankings on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and Franchise Business Review's Top Franchise in 2024, and has been honored with Verizon's "Best Customer Service" award for five consecutive years. From franchisees to corporate employees, each team member plays a critical role in its giveback efforts through system-wide fundraising campaigns or nominating a local charity for a community grant. The system is franchised and operated by Wireless Zone, LLC. Visit www.WirelessZone.com for more information or www.RoundRoom.com to learn about its parent company, Round Room, LLC. Media Contact: Marisa Beaumont, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300 or [email protected] SOURCE Round Room (TCC | Wireless Zone) They are compatible with single-serve coffee makers and are available for a limited time exclusively at Sam's Club locations nationwide before rolling out to other retailers LITTLE CHUTE, Wis., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trilliant Food & Nutrition, a leading, vertically integrated coffee manufacturer in the U.S., today announced the launch of its new Victor Allen's High Quality, Premium Coffee Pods. The 60-count variety pack of coffee pods is compatible with single-serve pod coffee makers, offering a hassle-free brewing experience perfect for busy mornings or relaxing afternoons. Victor Allens Coffee Launches NEW Victor Allens Premium Coffee Pods in a 60-Count Variety Pack 60-count variety pack of Victor Allens High Quality, Premium Coffee Pods Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/twelve5_beverage_co/9239651-en-trilliant-food-and-nutrition-victor-allen-premium-coffee-pods-60-count-variety-pack These high-quality, premium coffee pods come in a variety of medium and dark roasts, all crafted and roasted to perfection. They feature classic favorites like Colombia and a smooth Espresso, along with a few unique blends like Brazil and Mexico, that are sure to transport you to your happy place. Victor Allen's Coffee maintains its fresh taste and high standards by shipping 100% Arabica coffee beans that the company expertly sources, roasts, grinds, and packs all in one location in Little Chute, WI. "At Victor Allen's, we're dedicated to delivering elevated coffee experiences that perfectly fit your lifestyleeffortlessly and affordably," said Zac McAuley, Director of Brand Marketing at Victor Allen's Coffee. "Our newest coffee pods feature the highest quality beans we've ever produced, sourced from the world's top coffee-producing countries. This isn't just another coffee pod; it's a step up from what's currently available in the market. Whether you're kicking off your morning or enjoying a well-deserved afternoon break, you can indulge in a rich, delicious cup of coffee in seconds. It's never been easier to savor that perfect coffee moment!" Victor Allen's Premium Coffee Pods deliver exceptional quality that rivals top premium brandsat a fraction of the cost. This 60-count variety pack includes 15 pods of each flavorful roast, featuring options like Colombia Coffee Blend, Espresso Roast, Mexico Coffee Blend, and Brazil Coffee Blend. Enjoy your Victor Allen's Premium Coffee Pods however you likehot or cold, black, or customized with milk, cream, or syrup. The coffee pods are available exclusively at Sam's Club for a limited time starting in November, at $14.98 per packbut this special pricing won't last forever! For more information about the Victor Allen's Coffee Brand, visit the Victor Allen's website and follow Victor Allen's Coffee on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. About Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC Founded in 1979, Trilliant Food & Nutrition is a leading, vertically integrated coffee manufacturer in the U.S. providing coffee sourcing, roasting, extraction, packaging of dry and liquid formats, product development, supply chain management, and sales and marketing services to the world's leading retailers, foodservice operators, and brands. For more information on Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC, visit www.trilliantfood.com or Email: [email protected]. SOURCE Trilliant Food & Nutrition Excellus BCBS insurance will be accepted at WellNow Urgent Care effective November 15 EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WellNow Urgent Care announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement to return to the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield insurance network. Excellus BCBS patients who visit any of WellNow's urgent care clinics across New York can use their insurance as of November 15, 2024, without paying any out-of-network fees. "Ensuring convenient access to quality care, particularly in areas where healthcare options are limited, is our primary goal," said Sam Meites, President of WellNow Urgent Care. "We appreciate the urgency and partnership that Excellus BCBS brought to our good-faith negotiations so that, together, we can continue focusing on serving our patients and the community in New York." WellNow Urgent Care provides critical healthcare services through more than 70 urgent care clinics in New York, including 41 centers across Central New York, where hospital closures in recent years have resulted in many communities becoming "healthcare deserts," where patients often do not have adequate and convenient access to high-quality healthcare services. Urgent care centers like WellNow fill an important gap in the U.S. healthcare system, providing immediate care for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses without the long wait times and expensive bills that patients would encounter at emergency rooms. WellNow's return to the Excellus BCBS network will benefit hundreds of thousands of Excellus BCBS-covered patients across New York. WellNow Urgent Care centers provide timely evaluation and treatment for ailments such as colds and flu, COVID-19, RSV, sprains, burns, and lacerations, as well as on-site X-rays, lab testing and physicals. Occupational medicine services, including Workers' Compensation assistance, pre-employment physicals, drug and alcohol testing and more are also available by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Patients who prefer to speak with a WellNow provider virtually, either from the comfort of home or on the go, can access the company's Virtual Care platform 24/7 from their personal computer, tablet or smartphone. A full list of locations and services can be found at WellNow.com. About WellNow Urgent Care WellNow Urgent Care is a leading provider of urgent medical care, virtual care, and occupational health services. Opened in 2012, WellNow has grown to more than 165 centers across New York, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. More information about WellNow Urgent Care's services, hours and locations can be found at WellNow.com. SOURCE WellNow Urgent Care ATLANTA, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity International announced today that Whirlpool Foundation has renewed its support for the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program. Over the next two years, the Foundation will allocate $2.5M to help the global housing nonprofit construct stronger, more energy-efficient homes that are responsive to changing climate conditions and increasing climate hazards. In the next evolution of the program, 50 net-zero-energy-ready homes will be built, bringing energy efficiency and cost savings to homeowners. The BuildBetter with Whirlpool program, launched by Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool Corporation in June 2021, started as a three-phase initiative expanding upon Habitat's current efforts to help homeowners mitigate the impact of climate change with more energy-efficient and climate resilient homes. The initiative also aims to produce a long-term reduction in operating costs for homeowners through an expected improvement in energy efficiency of up to 45% compared to homes built to current local government code. Dollars saved on water and energy bills can be used to help with the cost of food, medical expenses and other household expenses or as savings for the future. "We are thrilled to continue our work with Habitat on the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program," said Pam Klyn, executive vice president for corporate relations and sustainability for Whirlpool Corporation. "We're learning from the data collected to date and evolving the program to build homes that are even more efficient in the next two years. This project truly demonstrates that creating energy efficient homes isn't just for the luxury market." The first commitment of the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program, which launched in 2021 and will be completed later this year, encouraged local Habitat affiliates to build above local code to meet higher energy and resilience standards. It also focused on research and collaboration to establish a more accurate baseline to measure sustainable building standards across the construction industry. By the end of 2024, more than 260 energy efficient and climate resilient homes will be constructed across the U.S., resulting in an average 45% predicted energy cost savings per family, as well as a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per home. The second commitment of the initiative will begin in early 2025. "Whirlpool Corporation has been an instrumental partner in helping us improve and broaden the ways we can help more families achieve housing stability," said Charlita Stephens-Walker, vice president of corporate partnerships and cause marketing at Habitat for Humanity International. "Through the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program, we have been able to build more resilient and energy-efficient homes, helping families reduce their carbon footprint as well as lessen their housing costs. We are proud to continue this work with Whirlpool and we are grateful for their dedication to ensure everyone has a safe and decent place to live." For more than 25 years, Habitat for Humanity International and Whirlpool Corporation have worked together to help families around the world build strength and stability through safe and affordable housing. Over the lifetime of the relationship, Whirlpool has given more than $140 million in funding and donated products supporting nearly 200,000 Habitat households in the U.S. and close to 1 million people in more than 50 countries worldwide. The company has also supported other initiatives including Habitat's global housing forums, the Cost of Home national advocacy campaign, and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. About Habitat for Humanity Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org. SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WirelessCar, a global leader in connected vehicle services, today announced that it has opened an office in Japan. This new branch has been established to support the digital transformation of the Japanese automotive industry, further enhancing our collaboration with Japan's automotive OEMs. Supporting Japanese OEMs in Overcoming Digital Transformation Challenges Japanese automotive manufacturers today face numerous challenges, including the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and increasing competition in emerging markets. With a decade of collaboration with a leading Japanese OEM, WirelessCar's new Japan branch aims to deepen existing partnerships and build new ones, helping Japanese OEMs remain leaders in global connected vehicle services. 25 Years Innovating Connected Vehicle Services Since its founding in 1999, WirelessCar has been at the forefront of automotive innovation. WirelessCar's journey began by helping Volvo develop its first telematics services, including Volvo On Call, setting the stage for future collaborations. Today, WirelessCar develops and operates connected vehicle services and cloud-based API products, enabling safer, smarter, and more sustainable mobility. The company works with global automakers such as Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz, connecting over 14 million vehicles and providing digital services in over 105 markets worldwide. "With 25 years of experience working alongside OEMs, WirelessCar's strength lies in its deep, long-term collaborations," says Niklas Floren, CEO of WirelessCar. "With our new branch in Japan, we are equipped to better understand and address the unique needs of Japanese OEMs, strengthening our global competitiveness through close, responsive relationships built on trust, reliability and the highest quality." Media Contact: Hanna Belleus Head of Marketing, Communications and Brand WirelessCar +46 428 88 84 66 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/wirelesscar/r/wirelesscar-establishes-japan-branch--strengthening-partnerships-with-japanese-oems-to-accelerate-gl,c4064656 The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/wirelesscar/i/wirelesscar-japan-opening-ceremony,c3350741 WirelessCar Japan Opening Ceremony https://news.cision.com/wirelesscar/i/ceo-niklas-floren-japan-opening-ceremony,c3350742 CEO Niklas Floren Japan Opening Ceremony SOURCE WirelessCar CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ocean Tomo Transactions, a part of J.S. Held, announces the sale of the world's strongest perovskite quantum dot intellectual property portfolio and related know-how and manufacturing assets by Swiss-based technology company Avantama AG. Avantama is a leader in high-tech materials for electronics with innovations used in optical and electronic coatings. IP for sale protecting key materials for perovskite PV & SWIR sensors and LCD, QD-OLED, QD-microLED & QD-EL displays. Post this IP for sale protecting key materials for perovskite PV & SWIR sensors and LCD, QD-OLED, QD-microLED & QD-EL displays. Avantama has developed a global patent portfolio of more than 220 assets covering innovations, including processes, compositions, formulations, films, and devices for the commercialization of semiconductor nanoparticle and quantum dot inks and films, essential for perovskite solar cells, SWIR sensors and LCD, QD-OLED, QD-microLED, and QD-EL displays. The company has demonstrated the commercialization potential of these technologies with proven and established multi-ton scale production capacities in Switzerland. Avantama's materials have enabled a world-record power efficiency of 25% in perovskite PV cells and leading QD-EL display demonstrators. The company has been an audited materials supplier for electronics since 2016. Avantama's technologies are essential to achieve commercialization in perovskite solar cells leveraging semiconductor nanoparticle ETL and HTL inks, as well as next-generation displays leveraging perovskite quantum dot inks and films. The company's nanoparticle formulations are routinely used in the development of solution-processed perovskite solar cells, organic solar cells, SWIR detectors and QD-EL displays. Their cadmium-free quantum dots are rapidly redefining the display market with an industry-leading optical performance and unmatched Rec.2020 coverage. Avantama's nanoparticle formulations are highly customizable offering unparalleled material flexibility, finely tuned nanoparticle sizes, particle functionalizations and coating formulations for various coating and printing processes. More than a decade of specialization in nanoparticle and formulation engineering confirm the team's ability to repeatably generate customized nanoparticles and formulations at multi-ton scale. This valuable technological know-how is also on offer with the offering. Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held, is representing Avantama in this asset transaction. Inquiries related to the transaction or to receive sample materials should be directed to Christopher Bruce at [email protected]. About Ocean Tomo Transactions, a part of J.S. Held Ocean Tomo Transactions, a part of J.S. Held, works closely with intellectual property owners and corporations seeking to monetize high-value IP-driven businesses, IP portfolios, or proprietary technology solutions. The team has closed transactions totaling more than $1 Billion in IP value realization and has advised on IP engagements totaling over $10 Billion. As a part of J.S. Held, Ocean Tomo Transactions works alongside more than 1500 professionals globally and assists clients corporations, insurers, law firms, governments, and institutional investors. J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high-stakes events demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations. J.S. Held professionals serve organizations across six continents, including 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC Top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not law firms and do not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC or Ocean Tomo Investment Group, LLC, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC. All rights reserved. Media Contact Kristi L. Stathis, J.S. Held, +1 773 294 4360, [email protected], JSHeld.com SOURCE Ocean Tomo, LLC, a part of J.S. Held BEIJING, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024 Chinese council meeting of the China-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with a promotion event on China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, was held on November 8 in Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province. The 2024 Chinese council meeting of the China-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry was held in Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 8, 2024. More than 120 representatives of trade promotion organizations and from various industries including infrastructure construction, communications, logistics, energy, chemicals, finance, trade, overseas industrial park development and others attended the meeting, sharing thoughts on the ten partnership actions for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization. Officials with the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Zhejiang Provincial Committee and the Jinhua municipal government, as well as representatives of China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation Ltd. and China Communications Construction Company Limited, delivered speeches at the meeting. The Chinese council of the China-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry summarized its previous achievements at the meeting and unveiled its plans and designs for next-step economic and trade cooperation with Africa. A representative with the Power Construction Corporation of China spoke as a member of the presidium of the council. Government officials of South Africa's Buffalo City Metro Municipality and the city of Jinhua gave promotional presentations of the investment environment and key industries of their cities. Based on their own fields and experiences, representatives of enterprises such as Huajian Group, the New Development Bank, the Bank of China, BGI Group and so on discussed around current situations and future prospects of China-Africa cooperation. The event also included industrial cooperation match-makings, covering five industries of agriculture, industrial parks, new energy, infrastructure and finance. Providing an effective platform for in-depth exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa in commerce and industry, the event is hosted by the CCOIC, undertaken by the Jinhua municipal government, and implemented by the CCPIT Jinhua Committee. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/343072.html Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2554851/image.jpg BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan on November 12 to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports. The guest was welcomed by officials at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Terazo's engineering capabilities meet Zennify's industry expertise to address the growing demand for data and AI transformation SACRAMENTO, Calif., and RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zennify , a data-first technology consultancy specializing in financial services, today announced it has acquired Terazo , a leading digital engineering firm renowned for its AI, API, and application development capabilities. The acquisition brings together Zennify's depth across platforms such as Salesforce, nCino, and Databricks with Terazo's depth in data-driven customer engagement leveraging technologies like Twilio and Databricks. Zennify will now offer enhanced capabilities to deliver complex data projects with a more holistic, enterprise-wide approach. Terazo "Terazo and Zennify share a common vision to help customers capitalize on the power of AI, and getting their data house in order is the first step," said Chris Conant, Chief Executive Officer for Zennify. "Both companies have been investing in this vision for the last 18 months, but this will allow us to do even more, driving better, more scalable outcomes for customers faster." Zennify, a premier Salesforce partner, has made a name for itself delivering innovative, revenue-generating programs for banks, credit unions, insurance, and wealth management firms. With Salesforce's growing focus on AI, clients require more data engineering expertise and deeper integration with different cloud and on-premise systems. Terazo's platform modernization expertise and experience operationalizing data intelligence will allow Zennify to address these requirements and expand its existing service offerings both within financial services and other regulated industries including utilities and health and life sciences (HLS). "Our strengths in data engineering, platform modernization and AI make the Terazo team a natural fit with Zennify's customer experience expertise," said Mark Wensell, Chief Executive Officer of Terazo. "Together, we are well positioned to help customers solve even more of their toughest challenges." The acquisition will create new opportunities to collaborate alongside existing partners on AI-powered solutions to increase customer engagement, improve productivity, and drive revenue. "There is a growing need for data and software engineering expertise in regulated industries, especially financial services," said Mark Sullivan, Zennify Board Observer and President of Salesforce Regulated Industries. "Zennify's acquisition of Terazo adds data engineering expertise to their stack and addresses the current market demands, ensuring they can capitalize on the latest Salesforce innovations like Data Cloud and Agentforce with confidence." "Through this acquisition, Zennify is making a strategic leap that empowers regulated industries to harness the full potential of data and AI," said Michael Hartman, Senior Vice President, Regulated Industries at Databricks. "As we continue to work with Zennify to power data-driven customer engagement and operationalize data intelligence, Terazo's AI and data engineering expertise will be an asset for our regulated industry customers." "Terazo helps our clients use AI to drive business outcomes and deliver real-time personalized customer experiences. They excel in foundational data engineering, ensuring clients are "AI-ready," said Natasha Byrne, VP, Partner Alliances at Twilio. "By joining up with Zennify, Terazo now has the scale to extend their expertise deeper into regulated industries." Tercera , an investor in both Zennify and Terazo, will continue to support the combined company through both capital and counsel to support market expansion and drive the company's AI-enabled delivery model. Salesforce and others are among the trademarks of salesforce.com, inc. About Zennify Zennify is a leading Salesforce and data consulting partner dedicated to serving financial institutions with a relentless commitment to accelerating business outcomes. Zennify unites platforms, process, and people to help financial institutions across North America realize greater currency in their data and achieve growth, faster. Learn more at zennify.com . About Terazo Terazo is a leading data engineering and software development firm specializing in API development, data architecture, Customer Engagement, and AI. With a focus on creating scalable, reliable solutions, Terazo helps businesses unlock the full potential of their data by connecting systems and building custom applications that drive digital transformation. Known for its expertise in cloud-native technologies, they are the top Twilio integrator in North America and EMEA. Terazo partners with enterprises across regulated industries like utilities, healthcare, and financial services. Headquartered in Richmond, VA, Terazo is dedicated to enabling growth and innovation through technology. For more information, visit terazo.com . SOURCE Zennify BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Safeguarding the world entrusted to us by the Almighty is our sacred responsibility. The conflicts, wars, and atrocities unfolding across the globe not only impact humanity but also jeopardize the future of our natural environment and its delicate climate, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office Sheikhul Islam Allahshukur Pashazade told reporters on the sidelines of COP29, Trend reports. Pashazade noted that COP29 is convened to tackle pressing climate-related challenges. "Hosting a major international event like COP29 in Azerbaijan, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, highlights our nation's commitment to tolerance and inclusivity. Today, world leaders, public figures, and religious representatives have convened in our country, a testament to the successful and forward-thinking policies adopted by Azerbaijan. I hope that the decisions made at this summit will have a profound impact on global events. Our lands, which have been liberated from prolonged occupation, have suffered extensive destruction over the past 30 years. The discussions here must address not only environmental issues but also promote peace and reconstruction in regions that have endured such devastation," he added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The personnel shortage within the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan was addressed, and initial steps have been taken in regard to it, Azerbaijans Minister of Culture Adil Karimli told reporters on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. Karimli noted that the personnel reform initiative within the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan primarily aims to attract highly skilled professionals with specialized knowledge and expertise in their respective fields. "The training of personnel is a top priority for the Ministry of Culture. We are dedicated to integrating individuals with higher education in specialized fields into the cultural sector. In alignment with this mission, the Ministry has introduced additional training programs aimed at enhancing management skills for those educated in cultural disciplines. This year, the Ministry established a scholarship program for studies abroad, focusing on areas identified by President Ilham Aliyev. Through this initiative, numerous Azerbaijani students are receiving scholarships to further their education in the cultural field. To effectively cultivate skilled managers and professionals in culture, we recognize the need for substantial efforts. We are actively working to attract foreign instructors to our institutions while also facilitating opportunities for our students to pursue supplemental education at esteemed international universities," he said. The Minister of Culture also mentioned the availability of vacancies. "As you may recall, last year we established a personnel bank. We are currently engaged in a thorough analysis of this resource, aiming to make informed appointments in relevant areas that align with individual preferences and requests," Karimli added. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened today at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Washington, Nov 12 : US Vice President Kamala Harris made her first appearance since delivering her concession speech, participating in a wreath-laying ceremony for Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery. The Vice President on Monday laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with President Joe Biden. President Joe Biden told US veterans on Monday that serving as Commander-in-Chief had been the "greatest honour" of his life as he laid a wreath at a ceremony that marked his first appearance with Kamala Harris since her election defeat. The event, at historic Arlington National Cemetery, was also the first time Vice President Harris has been seen in public since her November 6 speech in which she conceded the presidential election to Donald Trump. Democrats, facing a painful reckoning over their drubbing, have begun soul-searching internal discussions -- and some not-so-private blaming -- over what caused Harris's loss, with some pointing to Biden's initial insistence on running again at age 81, despite having promised to be a bridge President to the next generation. Criticism of Harris herself has been more muted, and Biden heaped praise on Harris last Thursday in a televised White House address. Earlier on Monday, Biden hosted veterans at the White House to mark the holiday before heading to Arlington, the final resting place of two Presidents, five-star generals, and some 400,000 veterans of major US conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Biden and Harris placed their hands on their hearts before participating in a wreath-laying. "This is the last time I will stand here at Arlington as Commander-in-Chief," the President said in an address. "It's been the greatest honour of my life to lead you, to serve you, to care for you, to defend you -- just as you defended us, generation after generation after generation." "We have many obligations, but only one sacred obligation," Biden said, speaking about caring for America's service members and veterans. "We commit and recommit to the sacred vow." Biden spoke of his visits to veterans cemeteries in Europe, adding he would never forget "standing in the cliffs of Normandy, 80 years after D-Day, to honour the servicemembers and veterans who literally saved the world". Afterwards as "God Bless America" played, Biden dabbed both eyes with a handkerchief. The ceremony came shortly before Biden hosts Trump at the White House on Wednesday. The Republican has begun naming loyalists to his new administration. He announced he is bringing a hardline immigration official, Tom Homan, back into the fold to serve as his so-called "border czar," and rightwing Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to be US ambassador to the United Nations. Trump himself has long claimed he is a fierce supporter of America's military, but he has made a series of controversial comments about veterans. Trump posted on social media Monday a picture of himself saluting in front of the American flag, with the wording: "Happy Veterans Day 2024." Meanwhile, Melania Trump paid tribute to veterans in a statement on X, expressing respect and appreciation for them while acknowledging their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to serving the country. "We stand united in gratitude," the former and soon-to-be first lady highlighted. Vice President-elect JD Vance also delivered a message of gratitude for the nation's veterans on Monday. "Thank you to all the veterans out there for putting on this country's uniform. In a country blessed with incredible natural resources, perhaps the most valuable resource we have is that millions of people are willing to serve in uniform. We are grateful to you!" he posted on X. Vance is a Marine Corps veteran. Jerusalem, Nov 12 : The Israeli military has said it struck a rocket launcher in southern Lebanon after a barrage of 90 rockets crossed into the country from Lebanon, injuring three people. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that Hezbollah militants in Lebanon fired approximately 80 projectiles within five minutes at the Krayot, a cluster of towns north of Haifa, and the Galilee region, Xinhua news agency reported. "Most of the projectiles were intercepted, and fallen projectiles were identified in the area," the military said, adding that two explosive drones from Lebanon were also intercepted in the Galilee area. A few minutes later, another barrage of 10 rockets targeted the Western Galilee and Krayot, with some landing in open fields, the IDF noted. Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service reported that strikes were identified in at least nine locations, injuring a 17-year-old boy, a 52-year-old man, and a 75-year-old man. Another man sustained injuries while rushing to a shelter. Israel's National Fire and Rescue Authority reported that rockets set fire to several vehicles, with one projectile striking an apartment and another hitting a bus stop, causing damage. Throughout Monday, a total of about 175 rockets have been fired by Hezbollah forces at northern Israel, according to the IDF. Ramallah, Nov 12 : Palestinian authorities have condemned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remarks about the imposition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency, said on Monday in a press statement that Smotrich's remarks confirmed that the Israeli government intends to finalise its plans to control the West Bank by 2025 and that it is not content with its "crimes" in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. Rudeineh noted that the Palestinian presidency holds Israeli authorities fully responsible for the consequences of these "dangerous policies," which are pushing the region toward a "full-scale explosion". In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates referred to the Israeli Finance Minister's remarks as a direct result of international failure, Xinhua news agency reported. The failure to implement UN resolutions on the Palestinian issue and those calling for an end to the killings encourages Israel to continue its "crimes and violations," which aim to "eliminate" the Palestinian cause and undermine the possibility of a two-state solution, it said. The statement called for a firm US and international response to these positions through a UN Security Council resolution granting Palestine full membership in the United Nations. The Ministry also said that imposing "deterrent" international sanctions on Israel, its leaders, settlement figures, and "terrorist" elements would be crucial in stopping Israel's "encroachment" on the rights of the Palestinian people. Smotrich on Monday said that Donald Trump's election as the next US President created an opportunity to extend Israel's sovereignty over the West Bank, according to Israeli media. United Nations, Nov 12 : India has warned that a 'lowest common denominator' approach to reforming the Security Council could derail real major change. The "lowest common denominator" in reforming the Council should not lead to "mere tinkering" of the system being portrayed as a major reform, Permanent Representative P. Harish told the General Assembly on Monday. "The development of a consolidated model based on 'convergences' should not lead to a race to the bottom to trace the lowest common denominator," he said. "There is every danger that the search for such a lowest common denominator might be used as a smokescreen to attempt a mere tinkering of the existing framework of the UN Security Council and terming it as a major reform," he added. The Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN), as the process for Council reforms is known, has been deadlocked because of opposition by a small group of countries to text-based negotiations. One of the suggested ways to move the stalled negotiations forward is to develop a model for a reformed Council based on inputs from member countries leading to the adoption of a negotiating text on which the discussions can continue. Harish said, "While we seek real tangible progress in the IGN, including with regard to the development of a new 'model' of reform of the Security Council as a precursor to text-based negotiations, we urge caution." He said that if it only led to minor changes, "this could indefinitely postpone significant elements, such as expansion in the permanent category and addressing under-representation of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, to a distant future." Many countries, including those opposed to expanding the permanent membership of the Council, support longer terms for some elected seats. The group opposing adding permanent members, Uniting for Consensus (UfC), includes Pakistan and is led by Italy. Speaking for the group, Italy's Permanent Representative Maurizio Massari said that while they oppose more permanent members "we propose longer-term, re-electable seats, with a flexibility to accommodate the positions of other negotiating groups and the unique dynamics of each regional group". In a "least common denominator" scenario, there is the danger that presenting the longer-term membership as having wider support -- or convergence -- could promote that as an immediate solution and postpone any move towards expanding permanent membership. "Convergence is not consensus," Harish said. "As a member of the Global South, we believe that 'representation' stands as the unassailable prerequisite for both 'legitimacy' and 'effectiveness' of not just the Council, but the UN as a whole," he added. While the Council's basic structure is stuck in the post-World II era with the five winners in that war monopolising the permanent membership with veto powers in the Council, he said that younger organisations have been "much more adaptive and nimbler". He cited the example of G20, the group of major industrialised and emerging economies that under India's presidency welcomed the African Union as a member last year. "The Security Council," he said, "has too often found itself paralysed by the geopolitical realities of today, which have evolved far beyond the realm of that of 1945." A more equitable Council is essential in today's interconnected world, he said, and "that sentiment was also clearly reflected in the Pact for the Future" laying out the roadmap for the UN as it turns 80 next year that was adopted by the world leaders at their September summit. India is a member along with Brazil, Germany, and Japan of the G4 which advocates for Council reforms and mutually supports their claims for permanent membership. Speaking on behalf of the four countries, Germany's Permanent Representative Antje Leendertse, said, "More than 140 participants in this year's General Debate called for UN reform, surpassing last year's number once again." "This number is above the threshold of two-thirds of the General Assembly (membership) and shows there is clear and increasing momentum for the reform of the Council," she said. "We are in favour of discussing this consolidated model, reflecting the positions expressed by the majority of Member States, as soon as possible," she added. Japan's Permanent Representative Yamazaki Kazuyuki said, "To achieve substantial progress towards text-based negotiations, we are eager to see the submission of more models, especially from Africa, so as to forge a consolidated model in the current IGN cycle." Ramallah, Nov 12 : Palestinians in the West Bank have commemorated the 20th anniversary of the death of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. A speech festival was held on Monday at Arafat's tomb in the Palestinian Presidential Compound in Ramallah, central West Bank, organised by the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and attended by both officials and the public, Xinhua news agency reported. Participants in the event, including dozens of children, raised Palestinian flags, Fatah's yellow banners, and the keffiyeh that the late leader was often pictured wearing. Mahmoud Al-Aloul, Fatah's deputy leader, said in his speech that this year's anniversary of Arafat's death came at a "difficult time" for the Palestinian people due to the ongoing Israeli "aggression". Al-Aloul added that the Palestinian people are facing "unprecedented war crimes" as the "occupation" ignores all international agreements, laws and norms. He also criticised the international community's "silence" over the "violations and crimes" committed against Palestinians. Ahmed Soboh, chairman of the Board of the Yasser Arafat Foundation, said the anniversary is an opportunity to highlight that Arafat's life and legacy serve as a model of resilience and steadfastness. He emphasised the importance of national unity for survival, victory, and keeping "our rights and independent state" at the forefront of the world stage. Also on Monday, some other West Bank cities, towns, and villages, including Tulkarm and Hebron, held activities, demonstrations, and photo exhibitions to commemorate Arafat. Arafat passed away on November 11, 2004, at the age of 75 in a hospital in France due to an unknown illness. Palestinians accused Israel of poisoning him, a claim that Israel denies. This year's anniversary coincides with the ongoing large-scale Israeli war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 2023. The conflict has resulted in more than 43,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure. This followed an unprecedented attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which, according to Israeli authorities, killed about 1,200 Israelis and captured about 250 hostages. Gaza, Nov 12 : At least 25 people were killed and more than 30 others injured due to intense Israeli bombings in a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, and a tent sheltering displaced people in the southern Gaza Strip. At least five people were killed and several others injured on Monday evening during an Israeli bombardment targeting a tent sheltering displaced people west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a report by the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. In a separate attack, at least 20 Palestinians were killed and more than 30 others injured due to an Israeli bombing of the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to Al-Awda Hospital in the camp, Xinhua news agency reported. A statement from the hospital said that Israeli artillery had bombed water tanks, causing water outages in parts of the hospital, adding that its administration building also sustained damage from Israeli drone attacks. It called on international organisations to protect healthcare facilities amid the ongoing killings of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army has not commented on these incidents yet. Israel has been waging a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,603, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday. Washington, Nov 12 : In the most significant appointment yet for India from the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump on Monday announced Mike Waltz, a Congressman from Florida who is the co-chair of the India Caucus, as his new National Security Adviser. Waltz, 50, is a retired Army colonel who served as a Green Beret, an elite special forces unit of the US Army. He has been a member of the US House of Representatives since 2019. He has been a forceful critic of President Joe Biden's foreign policy and serves on the House Armed Services Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Intelligence Committee this term. He has called for Europe to do more to support Ukraine and for the US to be more stringent with its support, aligning with a key foreign policy goal of the President-elect. He has also been a staunch critic of the Biden administration's 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Waltz has praised Trump for pushing Nato allies to spend more on defence, but unlike the President-elect has not suggested the US pull out of the alliance. "Look we can be allies and friends and have tough conversations," Waltz said last month Waltz is also on the Republicanas China taskforce and has argued the US military is not as prepared as it needs to be if there is conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. Waltz had been open about his willingness to serve in the administration and was considered a candidate to lead the Pentagon. The role of National Security Adviser does not require Senate confirmation. Waltz is also a co-chair of the India Caucus in the House, which is the largest country-specific group in the US Congress. Trump has been moving swiftly to announce key personnel of his incoming administration, including Susan Wiles, his White House Chief of Staff who will be the first woman to hold the position. Trump's other appointments include Stephen Miller, as a senior adviser, who is a known critic of the H-1b visa programme which he tried to kill in Trump's first administration. The President-elect has been quickly assembling a roster of senior staff since winning last week's election. He has already announced Tom Homan as his "border czar," Elise Stefanik as US ambassador to the United Nations, and Lee Zeldin as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. According to his website, Waltz was born in Boynton Beach, Florida, and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and went on to serve for 27 years in the US Army and National Guard. As Trump's NSA, Waltz will be dealing with Ajit Doval, the Indian NSA who has dealt with a rotating roster of NSA starting with his first Michael Flynn in 2017 and then H R McMaster, John Bolton, and then Robert Brien; all in the Trump administration. Doval then dealt with Jake Sullivan, NSA to President Joe Biden, who is expected to serve out his full term and leave the administration at the end of his tenure on January 20, 2025. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Starting next year, Azerbaijan will introduce a new social welfare package, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Sahil Babayev told reporters at the COP29 platform, Trend reports. "As you are aware, President Ilham Aliyev has announced plans for a new social package to be implemented in Azerbaijan starting next year. This initiative includes increases to both the minimum wage and minimum pensions. Proposals related to these changes have already been developed and are currently being considered as part of the relevant state budget discussions. I anticipate that details regarding these increases will be disclosed once the state budget discussions are finalized. It would be premature to make any announcements before these discussions are complete. Each year, there is a rise in both the subsistence minimum and the need criteria in our country, which in turn influences the thresholds for social assistance, as well as the minimum wage and pensions. These elements are all integral components of the upcoming social package. Once the overall parameters of the state budget are approved, I believe we can expect specific figures to be announced," the minister noted. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened today at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together. 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New York, Nov 12 : US President-Elect Donald Trump has entrusted one of his loyal supporters, Lee Zeldin, with the task of remaking the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to align it with his campaign promise of dismantling its onerous regulations. As EPA's administrator -- a cabinet-level job -- "he will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses," Trump said on media platform Truth Social. At the same time, he said that Zeldin "will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the US to grow in a healthy and well-structured way". Trump added, "He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet." Zeldin wrote on X: "We will restore US energy dominance, revitalise our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water." His appointment with the mandate to dismantle environmental regulations came ominously on a day that the United Nations Climate Change Conference began in Baku, Azerbaijan, where countries are to negotiate measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Trump has threatened to again pull out of the Paris Climate Accord on fighting global warming. Zeldin's is Trump's third cabinet nomination after his Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and United Nations Permanent Representative Elise Stefanik. Like Stefanik, Zeldin also voted against certifying the election of Joe Biden in a show of loyalty by endorsing Trump's claim that the election was "stolen". His nomination among the first came a day after Trump announced the appointment of Tom Homan as the "Border Czar" which appeared to show his priorities. While immigration was a key issue in his campaign, increasing fossil energy production was also important, with his cries of, "Drill baby, drill" (for oil and gas), at his rallies. Some of the laws and regulations would have to be dropped or weakened to increase drilling for oil and gas, and with this in mind, Trump wrote: "Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies." Trump, who is a climate change skeptic, criticised throughout his campaign various measures adopted by President Joe Biden like the mandate to move away from petrol cars to electric vehicles, with a target of going 50 per cent electric and stopping the building of pipelines. In his first administration, he scrapped scores of environmental regulations and Biden reinstated many of them and introduced new ones. Zeldin is a former member of the House of Representatives from New York and ran unsuccessfully for the state's governor. Seoul, Nov 12 : The chief of a global initiative tasked with providing affordable treatments to low-and-middle income nations has said that South Korea's effective handling of Covid-19 can offer valuable lessons for the world in addressing future pandemics and existing diseases. "Korea managed the pandemic in the best way in the world," Unitaid Executive Director Philippe Duneton said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency, noting that the country has shown "discipline and communication," as well as "collective intelligence and responsibility." Duneton was visiting South Korea to take part in the World Bio Summit, co-hosted by the health ministry and the World Health Organization in the country's western port city of Incheon, under the theme of "Future investments for a healthy and secure decade." "I think what was really impressive about the Republic of Korea is that it is one of the rare countries in the world that did not undergo a total shutdown," Duneton said, referring to South Korea by its official name. "We will use this learning even outside a pandemic situation because we have to fight HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases," he added. Unitaid, established in 2006, works to provide pharmaceutical support to developing nations, targeting major diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. South Korea, a major donor to the organization, has contributed a total of US$95 million as of the end of 2023 and has served as a member of the executive board since its establishment. During the interview, Duneton emphasized that Unitaid seeks to expand its cooperation with South Korea, as the country's top-notch competitiveness in the production of biosimilar products can help advance its vision of ensuring affordable and accessible treatments for countries in need. "Korea is the best place because there isn't much capacity elsewhere," Duneton said. "If you want to think about how to simplify processes, increase volume and decrease prices, that's why we are here." Duneton also highlighted South Korea's leadership in diagnostics and rapid test kits, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Korea is a big supporter specifically in the work that we are doing at Unitaid. What we try to do is to have simple products, more easy to take, and more easy to use for people," Duneton said, noting that South Korea can help in supplying easy-to-use test kits globally. Addressing potential cooperation with North Korea in tackling diseases, Duneton said, "It is not an easy time," but noted that Unitaid does not "ask passports" in its mission to provide accessible health care treatments to those in need. "Unitaid has previously supported two projects in North Korea, focusing on pediatric tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis, and is open to future collaboration in partnership with the Republic of Korea stakeholders," he said. "Unitaid is committed to health equity across the Korean Peninsula and supports efforts to improve health outcomes in DPRK when possible," he added. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Madrid, Nov 12 : Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a second aid package for those affected by the devastating flash floods that struck the Valencia region on October 29. In a press conference from his official residence at the Palacio de la Moncloa on Monday, Sanchez detailed the new package, which includes 110 measures totalling 3,765 million euros ($4,001 million). This follows the 10.6 billion euros in aid he announced last week to address the extensive damage caused by the floods, which, according to the government website, have claimed 222 lives and severely impacted infrastructure and businesses in Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia, reports Xinhua news agency. "The Government of Spain, like the entire Spanish society, stands with the people of Valencia for as long as necessary," Sanchez said, adding that the measures would take effect almost immediately. A central focus of the new aid package is to assist homeowners, including renters, by offering financial support to replace household items, with the government covering 50 per cent of replacement costs upfront to reduce waiting times during claim processing. The package also includes provisions to protect the income of around 400,000 workers, support 30,000 companies in resuming their operations, and aid approximately 100,000 households in meeting essential needs. To streamline assistance, the government plans to expand infrastructure to expedite claims processing. Additionally, on Monday, Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente announced that high-speed train service between Valencia and Madrid will resume on Thursday, November 14. Meanwhile, children in 22 municipalities were able to return to schools that had been closed due to the flooding. (1 euro = $1.07) Bhopal, Nov 12 : Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar will visit Madhya Pradesh to attend the 66th Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh, that will commence from Tuesday in Ujjain. The Vice-President, who is the chief guest, will address the gathering of dignitaries, including Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on this occasion. The four-day-long event will start at 4 P.M. and cultural activities will begin around 7 P.M. on Tuesday. The concluding ceremony will be held on November 18, according to the Madhya Pradesh government. On this occasion, the Vice-President will also confer the 'Kalidas Alankaran Samman' for 2022-23 to renowned artists for their contribution in the field of art and for preserving the artistic heritage of the nation. This year the 'Kalidas Alankaran Samman' will be conferred on Pandit Uday Bhawalkar of Pune (2022), Pandit Arvind Parikh of Mumbai (2023) and Dr. Sandhya Purecha of Mumbai (2022) for classical dance. Theater artists who will be honoured for their contributions are Raghupathi Bhat of Mysore (2023), Bhanu Bharti of Rajasthan (2022) and Rudraprasad Sengupta of Kolkata (2023). Notably, the 'Kalidas Alankaran Samman' is an annual arts award given by the Madhya Pradesh government to recognise outstanding work of individuals in the arts. The award is named after Kalidas, a renowned classical Sanskrit writer and dramatist from ancient India. The Madhya Pradesh government introduced this award first in 1980, which includes a cash prize, plaque, and citation. A committee of prominent people from the relevant fields selects the recipients of the award. The Vice President had last visited Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of 'World Sickle Cell Day' on June 19 and then he had urged everyone to make efforts to eradicate sickle cell disease for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a national initiative. Sickle-cell anaemia is caused by a defective gene, Haemoglobin S, which causes flexible red blood cells to become stiff sickle-shaped cells, obstructing blood flow and increasing the risk of organ damage. New Delhi, Nov 12 : It was a spellbinding moment that no camera could do justice to. This Bollywood actor, who had made his name as a mealy-mouthed, sadistic, and vicious brigand, now played a cultured yet hapless Nawab and on the first shot itself, lost control of himself as he crooned a simple but sad couplet with the melancholic light of a setting sun defining his face, leaving the director emotional too. As Amjad Khan, playing Nawab Wajid Ali Shah in "Shatranj Ke Khiladi" (1977), recited: "Jab chhorh chale Lucknow nagri/Kahein haal ke hum par kya guzria", even Satyajit Ray's eyes grew moist, screenplay writer Shama Zaidi recalled. He also delivered one of the funniest dialogues of Hindi films in the same film. As his wazir Madar-ud-Daula (Ali Naqi Khan), played by Victor Banerjee, silently weeps after coming from meeting the British resident where he is told the Nawab must abdicate, Wajid Ali Shah comes on him silently and asks him what had happened. As he keeps on weeping, the ruler asks:" Kya huya, Resident sahab ne koi ghazal to nahi suna di?" Despite being branded by his role in "Sholay" (1975) and a villainous 'heavy' in several other Bollywood movies - usually opposite Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan (1940-92), who was born on this day (November 12), had much more to his oeuvre than just being Gabbar Singh. Satyajit Ray had his eye on him ever since he conceived of what would become his sole Hindi film. Journalist-turned-scriptwriter Javed Siddiqi, who had been roped in for the project, wrote that when he first met Ray, he found that the legendary filmmaker had made sketches of Khan in the role of the Nawab, noting their uncanny resemblance. . Ray's wife, Bijaya, was also impressed by Khan. Recalling a time when he came to their house for dinner, she, in her autobiography "Manik And I, My Life with Satyajit Ray" (2012) termed Khan a "wonderful man", who "spoke charmingly and was very well-educated too". "Manik and he found many things to discuss, and time just flew," she wrote. And then, Gabbar Singh was not Khan's sole contribution to "Sholay". He was tasked with liaising with the Hollywood technicians that director Ramesh Sippy had flown in for the action scenes - as he was the most fluent English talker on the sets. However, actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, who played a cameo, recently revealed that he and Khan had been the directors of most of the film, as Sippy concentrated only on the scenes featuring the top actors. But Gabbar Singh and Khan's other notorious roles - volatile criminal Dilawar in "Muqaddar ka Sikandar" (1978), sinister criminal Vikram in "Mr Natwarlal" (1979), Damodar aka Damu of "Naseeb" (1981), the covetous and murderous uncle in "Satte Pe Satta" (1982) and many more, overshadowed his forte for more positive and even comic roles. Take the wisecracking, drum-playing police inspector - named Amjad Khan - in "Qurbani", the foster father of Sanjay Dutt in his debut "Rocky", Ranvir Singh of "Laawaris", the hero's affluent and supportive friend Bishan in "Yaarana" (all 1981), affable police constable Sher Singh in "Love Story" (1982), Vatsyayan (of "Kama Sutra" fame) in "Utsav" (1984), feckless prince Vishwanath of fantasy "Pataal Bhairavi" (1985), and helpful advocate Harish of "Chameli ki Shaadi" (1986), among others. Son of veteran character actor Jayant (Zakariya Khan), most known as Balraj Sahni's Pathan friend in "Garam Coat" and the Brigadier in that grim war film "Haqeeqat" (1964), Khan was drawn into acting from his very childhood. Even before doing theatre during his college days in Bombay, he had an uncredited role as a child artiste in romantic fantasy "Nazneen" (1951), starring Madhubala, Nasir Khan (the younger brother of Dilip Kumar) and his father. After a minor part in Raj Kapoor's "Ab Dilli Dur Nahin" (1957), his first adult film appearance was again an uncredited role, as a gang member in "Maya" (1961), starring Dev Anand, and then, a cameo as a Pakistan Air Force officer in war thriller "Hindustan ki Kasam" (1973). Though Javed Akhtar, who had seen Khan on stage, thought of him as perfect for Gabbar Singh and partner Salim Khan agreed, the duo later did not appreciate his performance and even tried to get him changed. Khan was furious when he learnt of this later, and never worked with them again. However, in 1976, Khan's career - and life - nearly came to a premature end when he, and his wife, were severely injured in a road accident on the Goa-Bombay highway. It was Amitabh Bachchan who signed the consent form for his emergency surgery and while he recovered, his health had been affected. He began putting on weight, leading to a fatal heart attack in 1992. (Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in) Chennai, Nov 12 : The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 12 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu near Paruthurai on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Tamil Nadu coastal police officials said that they were arrested in the wee hours of Tuesday. This arrest comes shortly after a public statement by Sri Lanka's new President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who expressed concerns about Indian fishermen allegedly depleting Sri Lankan marine resources by fishing illegally in the island nation's waters. The President has vowed to take firm action against such incursions. Two days prior to this incident, the Sri Lankan Navy detained 23 Tamil fishermen from Rameswaram and seized three mechanised boats. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, had earlier written to the Union government on October 23, urging intervention to secure the release of Tamil fishermen. CM Stalin reported that 128 Tamil fishermen were currently in judicial custody in Sri Lanka and 199 mechanised fishing boats had been impounded. Anbumani Ramadoss, president of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and a former Union Minister, has also called on the Union External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to address these frequent mid-sea arrests of Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, EAM Jaishankar discussed this issue with the Sri Lankan government, advocating for measures to prevent further arrests and boat confiscations. In response to these recurring arrests, fishermen association leaders across Tamil Nadu are organising large-scale protests. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, stated that fishermen associations in coastal districts are mobilising against these frequent detentions. "The livelihood of our fishermen is under threat," he noted. "Thousands who depend on fishing and related activities are facing severe hardship, and a sense of fear has already taken hold of fishermen and their families about going to sea," he said and added that the new Sri Lankan government is moving to nationalise mechanised fishing boats seized from Tamil fishermen. He warned that this action could devastate the fishing industry, as many fishermen had taken loans to purchase these costly boats, expecting to repay them through their fishing income. In response, the fishermen's association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appealing for intervention to stop mid-sea arrests and the seizure of boats critical to Tamil fishermen's livelihoods. K.M. Periasamy, a fishermen leader from Ramanathapuram, highlighted the emotional and financial toll on fishermen's families. "Families are in deep distress due to regular arrests and attacks at sea by the Sri Lankan Navy," he said. "We are planning to meet with Prime Minister Modi and Union External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to discuss these issues," he said. He emphasised that Tamil fishermen go to sea to earn their livelihood, not for unlawful activities, and urged the Indian government to engage with Sri Lankan authorities at the highest level to resolve these issues. Despite ongoing diplomatic discussions, arrests have persisted, prompting fishermen's associations across Tamil Nadu to plan major protests. It is worth noting that on August 1, 2023, an Indian fisherman from Tamil Nadu died after his fishing boat capsized following a collision with a Sri Lankan coastal patrol vessel. The deceased was identified as Malaisamy (59), while another fisherman, Ramachandran (64), went missing. Two other fishermen, M. Mookiah (54) and Muthu Muniandi (56), were detained but later handed over to Indian authorities. New York, Nov 12 : Foreign policy hardliner and India backer Marco Rubio will be President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for the nation's top diplomatic job, according to several media outlets. The multiple reports on Monday night said that according to Trump insiders, whom they did not name, he plans to name the senator from Florida as his secretary of state. The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio was reported to have been on Trump's shortlist of vice president candidates before he settled on JD Vance. Rubio takes a hardline on China and views India as the counterweight to Beijing in the region and globally. He introduced a Bill in July to strengthen India-US cooperation in Defence, citing the "increased aggression from Beijing" that India faces. The US-India Defense Cooperation Act seeks to treat India as if it were of the same status as US allies such as Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO allies regarding technology transfers, according to him. It would also give India "a limited exemption from CAATSA sanctions for purchases of Russian equipment that are currently used by the Indian military", according to him. The CAATSA Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act imposes sanctions on countries entering into military deals, among others, with Russia, Iran and North Korea, and it would affect India with its reliance on Russian armaments. In a statement ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington last year, Rubio said, "We find ourselves at a new juncture in global history in which both India and the United States can further strengthen this vital partnership and build upon the foundation of our shared democratic values and national interests." "Our nations' economic and security interests overlap on many of the most pressing issues, especially the growing hostility of the Chinese Communist Party in the Himalayas and in the Indian Ocean", he said urging Congress and the administration to prioritise relations with India. While he has assumed strong postures against Russia, he appears to accept Trump's line that the war with Ukraine should be ended with some compromise that some view as giving Moscow an edge and putting Kyiv at a disadvantage. Elected three times to the Senate, he serves on the Foreign Relations Committee and the Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, and is the vice chair of the Select Intelligence Committee. He has also displayed an isolationist "America First" streak voting in April against a measure for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, protesting against President Biden's lax border policies. This was despite his staunch support for Israel. Rubio ran unsuccessfully against Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016, but endorsed him in 2020 and this year. Mumbai, Nov 12 : A man named Mohammad Faizan Khan, who gave out death threats to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was arrested from Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Mumbai, Nov 12 (IANS) A man named Mohammad Faizan Khan, who gave out death threats to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was arrested from Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. The accused, a lawyer, was arrested from his residence in Chhattisgarh's Raipur, TV reports said. Faizan Khan made a threat call to Bollywood's 'Badshah' and also demanded Rs 50 lakh. He was arrested after he failed to appear before the Mumbai Police. Earlier, the accused claimed that his mobile phone was stolen and was subsequently used to make the threatening call last week. He also said that he filed a police case regarding 'stolen phone' on November 2. According to reports, a case was registered against him by the Mmmbai police under sections 308(4) (extortion involving threats of death or serious injury) and 351(3)(4) (criminal intimidation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as the threat call was made from a phone number registered in his name. The superstar received the death threat last month; this was after the success of two movies - 'Pathaan' and 'Jawan'. After which, his security was tightened by Mumbai Police, giving him a Y+ security blanket. This ensures he is accompanied by six armed personnel around the clock; earlier he had two security personnel, also armed, accompanying him. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan too has been receiving threats. Last week, a man, aged 32 was arrested in Karnataka for issuing death threat to the "Dabangg" star. The threat call was apparently made from the gang members of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who have demanded the actor to apologise at the temple over killing of a blackbuck. The second threat message to Salman was received by Mumbai Traffic Control room. The gang also threatened to kill a songwriter who penned a track on Lawrence Bishnoi in one month's time. The message said that the "songwriter's condition will be so bad that he won't be able to write songs by his own name. If Salman Khan has the courage, then he should save him." Kolkata, Nov 12 : Bypolls for six Assembly constituencies in West Bengal are scheduled for Wednesday with the polling to be conducted under blanket security coverage of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployment and 100 per cent webcasting. The six Assembly constituencies that will be going for bypolls include Sitai in Cooch Behar district, Madarihat in Alipurduar, Taldangra in Bankura, Medinipur in West Midnapore district and Haroa and Naihati in North 24 Parganas district. All the six constituencies are going for bypolls since the erstwhile legislators from there got elected as Lok Sabha members in the general elections this year. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections barring Madarihat, where a BJP candidate got elected, Trinamool Congress candidates had won from the other five constituencies. A total 108 companies of CAPF have been deployed for the bypolls for these six Assembly constituencies, a number substantially increased from the initial deployment of 89 companies. The CAPF distribution includes 40 companies of Border Security Force (BSF), 29 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 12 companies of Indo-Tibetan Police Force (ITBP), 14 companies of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and 13 companies of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The counting will be on November 23. This time there will be a four-cornered contest in all six Assembly constituencies between Trinamool Congress, BJP, Left Front and its allies and Congress, since there had been no seat-sharing arrangement between CPI-M-led Left Front and Congress that started since the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections. While Left Front candidates are contesting from Sitai, Madarihat, Medinipur and Taldangra, they have sacrificed Haroa for All India Secular Front (AISF) and Naihati for Dipankara Bhattacharya-led CPI-M-L. Political observers feel that the three-way division of Opposition votes is giving Trinamool Congress an extra edge in the by-elections. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the closing hours of the campaign process said that if her party candidates get elected from all the six Assembly constituencies, it will increase the pace of developmental activities in the state. Munich, Nov 12 : German giants Bayern Munich have extended the contract of CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, 57, by two further years until June 30, 2027. The supervisory board of FC Bayern Munich AG unanimously passed a motion to this effect at its regular meeting on Monday. "Jan-Christian Dreesen took over as CEO in a difficult time and led FC Bayern Munchen AG back into calmer waters in a short space of time. We want to continue on this path together. We are certain that he is the right person to tackle the upcoming challenges together with his fellow board members Michael Diederich and Max Eberl and to achieve FC Bayern's ambitious goals," stated Herbert Hainer, chairman of the supervisory board. On getting the extension as club CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen said, "I would like to thank the supervisory board for the trust they have placed in me and look forward to continuing to work with them. FC Bayern has always been a matter close to my heart. Together with my colleagues on the executive board and all employees, I would like to make my contribution to ensuring that FC Bayern remains what it is, which is one of the absolute top clubs in Europe in terms of sport and business, with a great Bavarian tradition and the highest national and international standards." Dreesen joined FC Bayern Munich AG as chief financial officer in 2013 after a highly successful career in banking. Just one year later, he was promoted to deputy chairman of the executive board. Since May 2023, the business graduate has been the club's CEO. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov met with Director General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the opening ceremony of the Leaders Summit held in Baku COP29 on November 12, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers. The meeting expressed confidence that COP29 will contribute to international efforts to promote the green agenda. Moreover, the meeting noted long-term fruitful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the World Health Organization. The sides talked about the consistent reforms implemented in our country in the health care system and touched upon cooperation aimed at reducing the impact of climate change on human health. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) commenced at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11 and will last until November 22. The event is the largest ever staged by Azerbaijan and is being hosted in the region for the first time. The highest-level event, the COP20-framed summit of world leaders on climate action, will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, the creation of climate finance will also contribute to meeting the 1.5C commitment by bringing everyone together. 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Mumbai, Nov 12 : Sonali Bendre and her husband, Goldie Behl, are celebrating 22 years of togetherness, today. To mark this milestone, the actress shared a heartfelt video compiling their unseen romantic and cherished memories. Sonali took to her Instagram to post the sweet video and captioned it, "22 @goldiebehl." While the caption was simple, the video montage spoke volumes about their relationship. The 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' actress also included the song "Maiyya" by the composer duo Sachet-Parampara from the film "Do Patti." The video features Sonali and Goldie's unseen photos from their outings, starry appearances, and vacations. On their 20th wedding anniversary, Sonali had earlier shared two priceless throwback photos from her family album, alongside a recent video of the couple. She wrote, "Then. Now. Forever." One of the photos was from their wedding day on November 12, 2002. In 2018, while undergoing cancer treatment in New York, the 'Sarfarosh' actress took a moment to express her gratitude to her "husband, companion, best friend, and rock" for standing by her side. In her anniversary post, she wrote, "Marriage is standing by each other, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health and God knows how we've been through that this year. What many people don't realize is that cancer is not just an individual battle it's something the whole family goes through. I was able to go on this journey knowing that you'd juggle all your responsibilities, take on more, and hold down the fort back home all while shuttling between two continents. Thank you for being my source of strength, love, and joy, and for being with me every single step of the way." Sonali Bendre and Goldie Behl tied the knot in a lavish ceremony on November 12. Their wedding was a grand affair, attended by high-profile guests, including Mumbai's then-Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh. The couple also have a son named Ranveer together. Udaipur, Nov 12 : Performances by tribal artists would mark the Janjati Gaurav Mahotsav programme to be attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Udaipur on November 16 as part of celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda, an official said. Vice President Dhankhar will be the Chief Guest at the programme being organised by Rajasthan governmentas Tribal Area Development Department in coordination with the District Administration and Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, an official said on Tuesday. Tribal artists, artisans and entrepreneurs are expected to participate in the festival, being organised to celebrate the achievements of the Janjati community. To review the preparations of the November 16 programme, a meeting was held in the Divisional Commissioner's office under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner and TAD Commissioner Pragya Kewalramani, an official said. In the meeting, Divisional Commissioner Kewalramani discussed the arrangements at the venue, barricade, protocol, deployment of volunteers and inquired about the preparations made so far from the concerned departmental officers. DC Kewalramani also gave necessary directions to make the Janjati Gaurav Mahotsav, being organised for the first time, a success, the official said. The official directed to ensure all arrangements for the programme were completed on time under the prescribed protocol in view of the visit of the Vice President. Additional Divisional Commissioner Chogaram Dewasi, ADM City Vaar Singh, Additional Commissioner TAD Geeteshshree Malviya, District Council CEO Hemendra Nagar and officials of various departments were present in the meeting. The Central government has declared November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, to make the coming generations aware about the tribalsa sacrifices for the country Birsa Muda, who is revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities, fought bravely against the country against the exploitative system of the British colonial system and spearheaded a movement against British oppression giving a call for aUlgulana (revolution). Srinagar, Nov 12 : The woman injured in the grenade attack by terrorists in Srinagar's Sunday market on November 3, succumbed to critical injuries in the hospital here on Tuesday. 45-year-old Abida, wife of Zubair Ahmad Lone of Naid Khai Sumbal village of Bandipora district was injured in a grenade attack by terrorists on Sunday Market in Srinagar city on November 3. She succumbed in SMHS Hospital, Srinagar on Tuesday, officials said. She was a mother of two children. She was among 12 civilians injured when terrorists hurled a grenade at the busy Sunday Market near the Tourist Reception Centre in Srinagar on November 3. IGP (Kashmir) V. K. Birdi told at a press conference two days after the attack that three persons belonging to the Ikhrajpora locality of Srinagar had carried out the attack. The IGP said that the three persons involved in the grenade attack have been arrested. They belong to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit and had carried out the attack at the behest of Pakistani handlers. The Sunday Market grenade attack had created panic among the people as it was the first attack of its kind in Srinagar city after many years. Three days before the grenade attack, a Pakistani terrorist commander, Chota Waleed was killed in a fierce gunfight with the security forces in the Khanyar area of old city Srinagar. Four security men including two CRPF troopers and two local policemen were injured in the Khanyar encounter. After the largely people-participative Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the Union Territory, terror handlers sitting across the border have directed terrorists to increase their activities in Jammu & Kashmir, intelligence agencies suggest. Army and security forces have been proactively going after the terrorists in the aftermath of increasing terror strikes. Besides, a massive search operation to hunt down the terrorists responsible for the killing of a JCO of 2 Para in the Chaas area of Kishtwar, entered its sixth day on Tuesday. New Delhi, Nov 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is capable of having a dialogue with all sides of the political spectrum on a global stage and deserves a Nobel Peace prize for his efforts, veteran investor Mark Mobius said on Tuesday. In an exclusive interaction with IANS, 88-year-old Mobius said PM Modi could become a very important peacemaker as the world goes through turbulence, especially the current West Asia conflict and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. "PM Modi is a great leader as well as a great human being. He's a very, very good person. By the way, his role internationally, I think, will grow in importance going forward because he is able to have a dialogue with all sides of the political spectrum globally, and he could become a very important peacemaker going forward," emphasised Mobius, who is renowned for pioneering the first emerging markets fund. According to him, when it comes to the Nobel Peace Prize, PM Modi "is really capable of almost anything" and deserves this global award. India has shown its ability to be neutral and to be fair to all and the country "is in a very good position to act as a mediator for peace on the global stage", Mobius told IANS. "PM Modi is very well qualified to be a key mediator in the world today," the ace investor added. Despite being seen as neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Modi has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution, reaffirming India's position as a proponent of stability. The Prime Minister's visit to Ukraine in August -- the first by an Indian PM since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992 -- underscored India's active engagement in promoting peace in the war-torn region. On a question about similarities between him and PM Modi, Mobius told IANS that common things between them are looking forward, not looking backwards, "and being more optimistic about what's happening globally". Mumbai, Nov 12 : Television actor Arjun Bijlani reunites with his "Miley Jab Hum Tum" co-star, Rati Pandey for his latest project, "Insta Empire", an audio series that delves into the complex world of social media. Mumbai, Nov 12 (IANS) Television actor Arjun Bijlani reunites with his "Miley Jab Hum Tum" co-star, Rati Pandey for his latest project, "Insta Empire", an audio series that delves into the complex world of social media. The actor shared that what drew him to the upcoming show was how relatable the story is for today's audience. Arjun shared, "What attracted me to "Insta Empire" is how relatable the story is for today's audience. Social media is such a big part of everyone's lives, and the series explores that in a fresh, compelling way." Speaking about his character, he stated, "This role is unique for Arjun, allowing him to connect with listeners on a deeper level through audio. My character has layers and depth, which is exciting to bring out through voice. I think fans will find it fascinating to hear this different side of the influencer world." Bijlani also reflected on the evolution and growth of social media, saying he understands the highs and lows social media brings as it is a big part of his life too. He mentioned that "Insta Empire" goes beyond the glamorous side, highlighting the challenges of public scrutiny and the struggle to balance personal and professional lives. "The series dives deep into the impact of social mediabeyond the glitz, it shows the challenges. It's so real, and I think it'll help people see both sides of influencer life, maybe even appreciate the moments offline more. It's a powerful message, and I'm glad to be part of telling it," the 'Naagin' actor further stated. Speaking about collaborating with Rati again, the actor expressed, "Working with Rati again has been amazing! We share such a great rapport from our earlier days, and it feels like no time has passed. We've both grown as actors, and bringing that growth to our characters in Insta Empire is really exciting. Fans who loved our pairing back then will enjoy this reunion in a new story with the same bond." "Insta Empire" is an audio series on Pocket FM that explores the complexities of social media, examining both its appeal and the challenges it presents in modern life. Imphal, Nov 12 : The situation in Manipur's mixed-population Jiribam district, where11 suspected Kuki militants were killed during an encounter with the CRPF, remained tense but under control on Tuesday, Meanwhile, fresh incidents of firing between security forces and armed unidentified groups took place in two places in mphal East and Bishnupur districts on Tuesday. However, there is no report of any injury or casualty in these incidents so far. A police official in Imphal said that the Central and state security forces are patrolling vulnerable, sensitive, and mixed-population areas of Jiribam district, where the district administration clamped curfew for an indefinite period soon after Mondayas incident to prevent further escalation of violence. The security forces also continued their search operation to nab the fleeing militants and to rescue the five missing persons, who have been untraced since Monday's violent incident. Normal life was also affected in Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, Chandel and other Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal-dominated areas on Tuesday after the Kuki-Zo Council, the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur, called a 13-hour shutdown in the tribal areas to protest how "11 Kuki-Zo village volunteers lost their lives at the hands of CRPF personnel". The Kuki-Zo Council urged the tribals to observe a total shutdown from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Sadar Hills, Churachandpur, and other tribal-inhabited districts. aThe shutdown was called in honour of the victims and to express our collective grief and solidarity to those who were brutally shot dead," the Council's Information Secretary Khaikhohauh Gangte said. At least 11 suspected Kuki militants were killed in a 40-45 minute-long exchange of fire between the security forces and the militants on Monday after the rebels, armed with sophisticated weapons, fired indiscriminately at a CRPF camp in Jiribam. Two CRPF personnel also sustained injuries during the fierce gun battle at Borobekra, and one of them stated to be critical has been airlifted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital in Assam and is under treatment. According to a Manipur Police statement, arms and ammunition recovered from the spot included three AK series rifles, four SLRs, two INSAS rifles, a Rocket-Propelled Grenade, a Pump Action Gun, bulletproof helmets and magazines. During the past two weeks, farmers in a few districts were unable to work in their paddy fields due to the firing of armed attackers from hilltops towards the low-lying fields. Two women -- Sapam Ongbi Sonia Devi, belonging to the Meitei community and Sangkim, belonging to the Hmar tribal community a" were killed by the suspected armed attackers in the Bishnupur and Jiribam districts, respectively, last week. Ethnic violence-ridden Manipur has been witnessing a series of attacks and violent incidents in different districts including Jiribam district during the past two weeks. The Jiribam district, adjoining southern Assam, has witnessed several incidents of violence this year, though the overall situation in the district had been relatively peaceful even after ethnic violence broke out in many other districts of the northeastern state since May last year. Ranchi, Nov 12 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a fierce attack on Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, accusing his government of welcoming Bangladeshi infiltrators with open arms. "As soon as the BJP government is formed, we will pick up and throw out these infiltrators who have been given a red-carpet welcome by Hemant Soren," Amit Shah said at a rally at Jharia in Dhanbad. Shah further intensified his attack by labelling the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal coalition as a "corrupt alliance," saying: "Has anyone here seen Rs 350 crore at a time? Has anyone seen Rs 35 crore at a time? This is the money looted by the ministers of this coalition. Rs 35 crore was seized from the house of Congress Minister Alamgir Alam and Rs 350 crore from another MP. The machines counting the cash got overheated, but the piles of notes didn't end." He claimed that the looted money rightfully belonged to the youth of Jharia and Dhanbad, who have been deprived of opportunities due to rampant corruption. Shah urged the public to vote for the BJP, promising swift justice for those involved in these scams. "They will be hanged upside down," he asserted. Continuing his attack, Shah accused the coalition government of being involved in multiple scams, including those related to MNREGA, land, coal, and liquor -- allegedly amounting to thousands of crores. He stated that while the Central government allocated over Rs 1.5 lakh crore to Jharkhand, the funds were misused under Soren's rule. "The people of Jharkhand have decided to end this misrule," he claimed Outlining the BJP's plans, if voted to power, Shah highlighted the party's manifesto focused on welfare and development. He said every mother and sister will be provided Rs 25,000 annually, gas cylinders at Rs 500 each, with two free cylinders on Diwali and Rakshabandhan, unemployment allowance of Rs 2,000 per month for youth, and the creation of one lakh jobs annually. He also promised transparent recruitment for 2.87 lakh vacant posts and a total of five lakh jobs in five years, purchase of paddy from farmers at Rs 3,100 per quintal, registration of property up to Rs 50 lakh for just Re 1, and establishment of 10 new medical colleges in the state. Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah said: "Rahul Baba makes one promise after another, but can he fulfil them? Narendra Modi's guarantees are etched in stone, and every promise made by him is fulfilled." He also brought up the issue of construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, contrasting the BJP's achievements with Congress' delays. "For 75 years, the Congress kept the Ram Mandir issue pending. But under Modi Ji, the temple was completed in five years," he said. Shah said that no one, not even the Congress' fourth generation, would be able to reinstate Article 370 in Kashmir, declaring it an inseparable part of India. Encouraging voters to turn out in large numbers on November 20, the second phase of elections in Jharkhand, Shah urged them to press the button so hard "that its impact is felt in Italy". He promised that if BJP candidate Ragini Singh is elected from Jharia, she would put an end to coal smuggling in the region. Seoul, Nov 12 : South Korean National Security Advisor Shin Won-sik said on Tuesday that the country is no longer a "one-sided beneficiary" of the bilateral alliance with the United States, vowing to work with the incoming US administration for the denuclearisation of North Korea. Shin made the remark during a keynote speech at the 2024 Global Dialogue on Korean Peninsula Unification, co-hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council and Yonhap News Agency. "South Korea is no longer a one-sided beneficiary of the South Korea-US alliance," Shin said. "As a partner with capabilities to contribute to regional and global security and prosperity, South Korea will continue to protect its core interests." Shin said South Korea will seek to maintain a strong security posture through the integrated nuclear deterrence system in close coordination with the new US administration under Donald Trump to counter North Korea's nuclear threats. "The government will establish a close cooperation framework with the next US administration to firmly safeguard freedom and peace in South Korea, and we will uphold the goal of complete denuclearisation of North Korea," he said. The top security official criticised North Korea's strengthening military cooperation with Russia through a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty, calling it Pyongyang's "worst gamble." According to North Korean state media, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed the treaty, which includes a mutual assistance clause committing both nations to provide military support if either comes under attack. He cautioned against North Korea's receiving sensitive military technologies from Russia in return for its troop deployment in support of the war in Ukraine and gaining modern combat experience. Shin warned of the security risks should North Korea receive sensitive military technology from Russia in exchange for troop support in the Ukraine conflict, which would also allow North Korean forces to gain modern combat experience. "The war between Russia and Ukraine is not a distant conflict but a critical issue for South Korea," he said. Srinagar, Nov 12 : The long arm of law has caught up with perpetrators of a quadruple murder committed 26 long years ago in Ladakh's Kargil district. Srinagar, Nov 12 (IANS) The long arm of law has caught up with perpetrators of a quadruple murder committed 26 long years ago in Ladakhas Kargil district. Kargil police has solved this 26-year-old quadruple murder case, bringing justice to the families of the victims. Police achieved this breakthrough after the arrest of three persons believed to have been responsible for one of the most gruesome crimes in Ladakhas history. The tragic case began on October 7, 1998, when Bashir Ahmad from Tangole reported his missing brother Mohd Ali, along with three others, Haji Anayat Ali from Kargil, Shero Ali from Kathua, and Nazir Ahmad. The men had set off for Wardwan to purchase livestock, but they never returned. Suspicion fell on three men, Mohd Rafeeq and Mohd Fareed from Hira Nagar, Kathua, and Abdul Aziz from Niyani, Samba. When Haji Anayatas nephew, Mohd Yusuf, filed a formal complaint on April 17, 1999, an investigation began under FIR No. 37/1999, charging the suspects with abduction under Section 364 of RPC. The initial investigation hit a dead end when the suspects, arrested in Khati Talab, Jammu, in April 1999, were released on bail due to insufficient evidence. Despite years of effort, the case was declared auntraceda and closed in 2007. However, skeletal remains were discovered near Kanital Glacier in 2011, later identified through DNA belonging to Nazir Ahmad and Shero Ali. This critical evidence re-opened the case and in 2012, charges were upgraded to murder and robbery, adding Sections 302 and 382 RPC. However, tracking the suspects proved to be a wild goose chase. Living nomadic lifestyles, they frequently changed locations, evading capture. The new police team under the leadership of SHO Inspector Manzoor Hussain at Panikhar Police Station, Kargil, and under close supervision by additional SP and SSP Kargil, through mobile tracking and coordination with local sources, the Kargil police located the suspects in Hira Nagar, Kathua. They were finally taken into custody and taken on a seven-day police remand. The suspectsa interrogation brought chilling details to light. Confessions led Inspector Manzoor Hussainas team to the remote crime scene, retracing the suspectsa steps over four days to recover vital evidence. Under the watchful presence of an executive magistrate and medical team, every step toward justice was taken with precision. This remarkable investigative success is evidence of two things, crime never pays and law has a very long arm. Mumbai, Nov 12 : Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi cancelled his planned election rally in Chikhli in Maharashtra's Buldhana district on Tuesday after his chopper suffered a technical glitch. For skipping the first of the two rallies in the state a" the second is scheduled in Gondia, Gandhi tendered an apology in a recorded video-message this afternoon. "I apologise to all of you. I was scheduled to come and address a meeting in Chikhli and then meet soybean farmers there. I couldnat come due to a technical probe in the aircraft," he said. The Congress leader said that soybean and cotton farmers in Maharashtra are enduring huge difficulties as the Bharatiya Janata Party government is not giving the right prices to the growers of both these crops. "However, as soon as the INDIA bloc comes to power here, we shall work out a solution for the farmers," he assured. The rallies were planned for the Congress candidates Rahul Bondre from Chikhli and Rana Dilip Sanada of Khamgaon which is also in Buldhana and Gopaldas Agarwal in Gondia district. Gandhi is slated to return to Maharashtra on November 14 and 16 for a few more rallies and then is likely to join the Maha Vikas Aghadias final rally scheduled in Mumbai early next week, before the November 20 polling. Besides, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who is the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, will start his next round of campaign on November 13, and go on to hold poll meetings in different parts of the state including Mumbai on November 14, 16, 17, and 18 with polls meetings in different parts of the state including Mumbai. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi will tour the state and plunge into poll campaigns on November 13, 16 and 17 in several constituencies in Maharashtra. She is the Congress candidate for the by-elections to the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat where polling will be held on Wednesday, with the election necessitated after her brother vacated the seat after the 2024 LS elections and chose to retain the Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh. The Gandhis and Kharge will not only canvass for Congress nominees, but also of MVA partners - the Shiv Sena-UBT and the Nationalist Congress Party-SP, which have already launched their individual or joint poll campaigns. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The protest rally against deep-sea mining and whale hunting was held in the COP29 Green Zone, Trend reports. According to information, the protest was orchestrated by the FINS Initiative (International Protection of Marine Species) with the backing of international organizations, activists, and specialists from several nations. The participants raised a red flag over the Norwegian government's plans to cash in on natural resources in its marine territories by handing out licenses to local companies for deep-sea mining. We are here to protest whale hunting. This is still happening in several countries around the world. Three countries continue to engage in commercial whaling: Iceland, Japan, and Norway. We want to draw attention to the fact that this is still happening around the world and call on COP29 participants to take action to end commercial whaling. This must stop in 2024, said FINS Initiative representative Elissa May Phillips. Another FINS representative, Maxwell Rhys Hon, also stated that several countries are still in the thick of commercial whale hunting. We are here to try to influence the situation, to make it better known, and to draw the attention of COP29 participants to the fact that this continues to happen, he said. To note, the Norwegian government's decision has sparked a widespread public outcry, with a host of scientists from different countries urging a halt to the work until scientific studies that could assess the possible impacts are completed. The area earmarked for mining is comparable to the UK and could have an impact on marine ecosystems beyond Norwegian waters. The protesters urge the Norwegian government to heed the over 800 foreign scientists who have endorsed a petition against the initiation of mining in Norwegian waters and to reassess their plans. Furthermore, they are urging Norway to cease whale hunting, which is regrettably both authorized and state-subsidized. Whale shooting quotas have escalated, rising over 15 percent this year relative to 2023, with the majority of the meat allocated for pet food production. The campaigners are urging the international community to support their appeal to the Norwegian government and hope that the Norwegian people will pressure their leaders to protect unique marine ecosystems and stop whale hunting. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Hyderabad, Nov 12 : A team of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders were detained on Tuesday by the police when they were heading to Kodangal in Vikarabad district to meet those arrested following the attack on some district officials on Monday. Former speaker Madhusudhana Chary, former IPS officer R. S. Praveen Kumar, Karthik Reddy, Surender Reddy and other officials were stopped by police when they were on their way to Kodangal, the Assembly constituency represented by Chief Minster A. Revanth Reddy. The BRS leaders said that they wanted to visit the district to express solidarity with those who were arrested in connection with Monday's incident at Lagacharla village. The officials were attacked by some villagers opposing land acquisition for the proposed 'Pharma Village'. Police stopped the BRS leaders near Changomal in Pudur mandal. They were all taken to Changomal Police Station and later sent back to Hyderabad. Vikarabad District Collector Prateek Jain, Additional Collector G. Lingya Naik, and Kodangal Area Development Authority (KADA) Chairman Venkat Reddy were attacked by a mob in Lagacharla village of Dudyala mandal when they were trying to collect the opinion of farmers who are losing their villages in the proposed pharma cluster. Following the incident, police arrested several villagers since Monday night. Internet services have been suspended in Dudyala, Kodangal and Bomraspeta mandals in the district. BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao has condemned the arrests and said such actions would fail to suppress people's voices. He alleged that farmers were arrested for Monday's incidents. "Is this the democratic rule," he asked. Senior BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao has also condemned the arrests of villagers and demanded their immediate release. He said that it was atrocious to send 300 police personnel and arrest the villagers. He alleged that the government is using police to threaten those who were refusing to give their lands for 'Pharma Village'. Harish Rao said that the government resorting to repression by using police in the middle of the night was highly condemnable. He wanted to know why Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy wanted to acquire land for 'Pharma Village' without taking people's opinions. Alleging that land was being acquired for the vested interests of the Chief Minister, he demanded that the process be stopped immediately and that the villagers and farmers arrested by police be released. Ahmedabad, Nov 12 : Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, on Tuesday, said it was a privilege to host the ambassadors from the European Union (EU), Belgium, Denmark, and Germany, who visited the world's largest renewable energy (RE) park in Khavda, Gujarat, and the country's largest port hub in Mundra. Ahmedabad, Nov 12 (IANS) Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, on Tuesday, said it was a privilege to host the ambassadors from the European Union (EU), Belgium, Denmark, and Germany, who visited the worldas largest renewable energy (RE) park in Khavda, Gujarat, and the country's largest port hub in Mundra. Gautam Adani said the discussions with the envoys focused on strengthening global partnerships to drive Indiaas energy transition and accelerate the hydrogen ecosystem. "It was a privilege to host the ambassadors from the EU, Belgium, Denmark and Germany at our office. I deeply appreciate their visit to the worldas largest renewable energy park in Khavda, Gujarat, and Indiaas largest port, logistics and industrial hub in Mundra," the Adani Group Chairman said in a post on X. Gautam Adani further stated that the discussions were "truly insightful, focusing on strengthening global partnerships to drive Indiaas energy transition and accelerate the hydrogen ecosystem". "At Adani, we continue to drive forward with our ambitious renewable energy initiatives while ensuring a balanced energy mix that supports a sustainable future for all of India," Gautam Adani mentioned. Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) reported 20 per cent EBITDA growth at Rs 4,518 crore in the first half of FY25, as cash profit surged by 27 per cent YoY to Rs 2,640 crore. It recently operationalised the first 250 MW wind capacity at the worldas largest 30,000 MW (30 GW) renewable energy plant at Khavda, and is well on track to achieve its 2030 RE capacity target of 50 GW, including at least 5 GW of energy storage. On the other hand, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) reported a 42 per cent surge in net profit at Rs 5,520 crore in the first half of this fiscal (H1 FY25), compared to Rs 3,881 crore in the same period last fiscal (H1 FY24). "Mundra Port's remarkable milestone of crossing 100 MMT in 181 days and our cargo volume trajectory reaffirm our confidence in delivering our FY25 cargo guidance and hitting the upper end of our EBITDA guidance for the year," said the company. New Delhi, Nov 12 : Islamic cleric Tauqeer Raza on Tuesday sought to clarify his controversial remarks made during a recent address in Jaipur, insisting that the his comments were taken out of context by the media. He also claimed that he was being portrayed like a 'villain' because of speaking up his mind on the Waqf Amendment bill. At a public gathering in Jaipur on Sunday, Raza warned the youth from the minority community, saying, "no one has the guts to take over our property," in reference to the contentious issue of Waqf properties. He further stirred the pot by saying, "The day we come on the streets, your soul will tremble. Our youth are not cowards. We have kept our youth under control, but the day they go out of control, you won't be able to stop them." As the comments created strong furore and led to angry backlash, Raza clarified and said, "They (media) need a villain, and they are making me out to be one. I feel that they misunderstood my words, which could harm not just me but my country as well. I always talk about goodwill and unity. Why I would say such things," he asserted. Raza clarified that his statement, "Ruh Kaanp Jayegi" (your soul will tremble), was directed at the ruling government, not the Hindu community. He further emphasised his control over the Muslim youth, stating, "We have given them proper education to ensure they do not take unlawful actions. This does not mean our youth are weak." The Islamic cleric also pointed to certain groups who are aiming to incite division between Hindus and Muslims, urging the Hindu community to take action against such instigators. Meanwhile, amidst the controversy, Muslim scholars in Jaipur have announced plans for a large protest march to Delhi on November 24, opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, which they argue threatens Muslim property rights. The march timed just before the Parliament session, is expected to draw significant attention to the ongoing political and religious tensions. Bhopal, Nov 12 : Two persons have been arrested in connection with firing incident occurred in Madhya Pradesh's Vijaypur Assembly constituency where bypolls are slated on Wednesday. Police have also claimed to have recovered a 315-bore gun and cartridges from the spot and an extensive search operation has been launched to nab other accused person. "Two accused persons have been arrested in connection with the firing incident that took place in Vijaypur and they are being interrogated," Sheopur SP Virendra Jain said. He further stated that police personnel have been deployed in Dhanayacha village where the incident took place late on Monday night. Three tribal men were injured after a group of miscreants opened fire at them. The injured have been shifted to the hospital where they are undergoing further treatment. The incident has also sparked a political controversy in the poll-bound Vijaypur. On Tuesday, both Congress and BJP workers reached the police station and accused each of conspiracy to influence the bypolls. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said the incident of firing on tribals before the voting for the by-election is extremely worrying. "Such incidents just before voting raise serious questions on law and order and election arrangements. I would appeal to the Election Commission to take the incident very seriously and ensure fair elections in Vijaypur," he said. Meanwhile, MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari claimed that the miscreants belong to the neighbouring state Rajasthan, bordering with Sheopur district. "The dacoit who fired on the tribal voters in Vijaypur is Bunty Rawat, who hails from Karauli in Rajasthan," Patwari said in a statement. Sharing the criminal record of the main accused Banti Rawat, Patwari further claimed that Rawat is a history-sheeter, who has been in jail multiple times on charges including murder and attempt to murder in Rajasthan Chandigarh, Nov 12 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab on Tuesday condemned assertions of Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, whose viral purported video makes a promise to voters in exchange for their votes in the Assembly bypoll. In the video, Warring was heard offering Rs 50,000 to voters of the Gidderbaha constituency, attempting to woo them to seek votes in favour of his wife Amrita, a greenhorn politician. "This blatant act of vote-buying is not only a violation of the model code of conduct but also a direct attack on the core values of democracy," said AAP spokesperson Neel Garg. "Raja Warring's actions represent everything that is wrong with the traditional political system. By offering money to voters, he is attempting to buy their allegiance, thereby undermining the fundamental principles of free and fair elections. Such behaviour is a serious violation of the Election Commission's code of conduct, and we demand that the Election Commission take immediate action against Raja Warring." The AAP said such incidents highlight a deeper issue with the Congress' approach to governance. "For years, politicians like Raja Warring have been manipulating the electorate with promises of money, instead of delivering the basic necessities like jobs, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. It is clear that these politicians do not believe in the power of democracy, but rather, in the exploitation of voters for their own gain," added Garg. AAP has called on the voters to reject such divisive and corrupt practices and to vote with their conscience in the upcoming elections. "You do not need to be bought. The money being offered is your own money, stolen from your taxes and used to manipulate you for political gain," said Garg. "It's time to rise above such petty tactics and vote for a party that genuinely believes in the power of the people, the Aam Aadmi Party." Pawan Kumar Tinu, another party spokesperson, said, "It is the people's money that these politicians embezzled while in power and now they are using it to buy votes." The bypolls to the four Assembly seats -- Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal and Barnala -- will take place on November 20 and counting of votes will be held on November 23. Bhopal, Nov 12 : A group of miscreants opened fire at tribal residents in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district. At least three persons were reported injured in the incident. The firing took place on Monday night in Dhachaya village in Vijaypur Assembly seat where the bypoll will be held on Wednesday. The incident has caused tensions in the region as it occurred a day before voting. The injured have been referred to the hospital where they are undergoing treatment. According to police, a scuffle, which began as a war of words turned bloody. Over a dozen men riding on motorcycles, open fire at a group of tribal people sitting in the village. The attackers managed to injure three before fleeing. The villagers, however, apprehended one of the attackers, beat him up, and handed him over to the police. He is also admitted to hospital. Police said that a case had been registered and further investigation was underway. The incident has also sparked a political controversy in the poll-bound Vijaypur. On Tuesday morning, both Congress and BJP workers reached the police station and accused each of conspiracy to influence the polls. MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari claimed that the miscreants belong to the neighbouring state of Rajasthan, bordering with Sheopur district. "The dacoit who fired on the tribal voters in Vijaypur is Bunty Rawat, who hails from Karauli in Rajasthan," Patwari said. Sharing the criminal record of the main accused Banti Rawat (as he claimed) Patwari further claimed that Rawat is a history-sheeter, who has been to jail multiple times on charges including murder and attempt to murder in Rajasthan. New Delhi, Nov12 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed a panel of doctors in AIIMS Delhi to examine the medical condition of the banned Popular Front of India's (PFI) former Chairman Erappungal Abubacker. A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Aravind Kumar, hearing a plea filed by Abubacker seeking bail on humanitarian and medical grounds, ordered that he be taken to AIIMS Delhi, where a panel of doctors will conduct his detailed examination in-patient. Posting the matter for further hearing after two weeks, the apex court remarked that it will consider the question of grant of bail on medical grounds on the basis of the report received from the Director, AIIMS. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the National Investigation Agency, said that Abubacker was not an ordinary criminal and there was evidence to indicate that Abubacker was tutoring several individuals for terrorist activities. SG Mehta added that he denied giving his consent for treatment when taken to hospital in the past. In May this year, the Delhi High Court did not find any "compelling reason" to release him on the basis of his medical condition. "As per the report received from Medical Officer Incharge, Central Jail Dispensary, he was, though, referred to AIIMS Hospital for admission, he did not choose to go there," said a division bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain. It added that allegations and averments appearing in the charge sheet coupled with the statements made by the witnesses, including the protected witnesses, leave no element of uncertainty about the fact that the case of the prosecution, under UAPA, is prima facie true. Dismissing Abubackeras plea, the Delhi HC said: "There is nothing before us which may suggest infringement of his fundamental rights. As regards, his medical complications, learned trial court has already given the requisite directions, which we also feel to be very appropriate." Abubacker was arrested by the NIA on September 22, 2022, and charged under the provisions of the UAPA. He has been in judicial custody since October 6, 2022. He was active in organisations like the Ideal Students League, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). According to Abubacker, he is suffering from multiple ailments, including a rare type of oesophagus cancer, Parkinson's Disease, hypertension, diabetes, and loss of vision. The PFI, described as an extremist Islamic organisation spreading its ideologies, was banned by the Union government in September 2022 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Jaipur, Nov 12 : In a unique protest, two youths who climbed up a water tank to press for the cancellation of the SI Recruitment Exam 2021 in Rajasthan, ended their protest on Tuesday after being persuaded by state minister Kirodi Lal Meena. On Sunday, the youths climbed the water tank to press for the demand of examination cancellation, despite police officials and people trying to convince them they had refused to come down. However, on Tuesday, Minister Kirori Lal Meena visited the protesting youth and convinced them to end the protest. First, the minister tried to convince them through a mic. However, later, he too climbed the water tank to talk to the youths. Meena persuaded the youths for about 20 minutes and came down along with the minister. "We will not let the future of youth get ruined. The SOG and the sub-committee of ministers have talked about cancelling the paper, but the final decision will be taken by the Chief Minister," the minister said. He said that 17 out of 18 papers were leaked during the previous government but they did not take any action. "After our government came to power, over 50 fake SIs were put in jail. SOG investigation takes time. Our government has presented the example of arresting two RPSC members. There are always two sides to the case. One group is demanding cancellation while the other side is demanding not to cancel the exams. That is why it is taking time," the minister added. However, the youths informed the minister that the Chief Minister must meet their delegation to listen to their demands and also issue a letter and announce the cancellation of the recruitment exam. "Minister Kirodi Lal Meena has assured us about the meeting with the Chief Minister. We will put our demands before the Chief Minister after the elections," the youth said. On Sunday, two youths Laddu Ram Chaudhary (35) and Vikas Vidhuri (34) climbed the water tank in Jaipur's Himmat Nagar with banners. The youth had written their demands on the banner regarding the SI paper leak with a headline, 'Why is the SI recruitment not cancelled?' On Monday in a similar protest, two more protesters from the Meena community in Jaipur climbed another tower, expressing anger regarding the 'Dimple Meena murder case'. However, they have refused to come down without their demands being met. A police official said that authorities and locals are trying their best to bring them down and confirm that their demands have been accepted. Solapur, Nov 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a swipe at the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), saying that it is riding in a vehicle with no wheels or brakes and are fighting with each other to drive it. Terming the MVA as the most unstable vehicle, the Prime Minister claimed that the MahaYuti on the other hand is in a position to provide a stable government for the next five years with a sole goal of development. He further added that only a stable government can make long-term policies. "You have to remember that the vehicle these Maha Aghadi people are travelling in is a vehicle which has neither wheels nor brakes and there is a fight as to who will drive it. Aghadi is the most unstable vehicle, these people waste their time fighting among themselves. Maharashtra needs a MahaYuti government for the next five years which is stable and whose sole aim is the development of Maharashtra. Only a stable government will be able to make long-term policies for Maharashtra," said PM Modi at the poll rally for the BJP and MahaYuti nominees in Solapur. The Prime Minister said right now there is a stampede in Aghadi, adding, that there is a tug-of-war going on in Aghadi for the post of Chief Minister. "One party remains busy the whole day in declaring its leader as the Chief Minister. Other parties and Congress remain busy in rejecting it. Such parties can never form a stable government in Maharashtra," the Prime Minister said. He also targeted the Congress, saying that although the grand old party ruled the country for decades its thinking is to maintain the problems and keep people entangled in such problems. "For decades, Congress governed the country but left many issues unresolved. They kept people preoccupied with various problems, which has become their typical work culture. As a result of this approach, the farmers in Maharashtra have suffered for many years," the Prime Minister said. He added that in this region, Congress and its allies failed to address irrigation issues effectively. "In contrast, we have focused on resolving these problems. Thanks to our efforts, the water table in several villages in Solapur is now rising," the Prime Minister said. He also informed that Congress wants to end the rights given to the poor and deprived people of the country. "The prince has gone abroad and openly talked about ending the reservation. Congress's desire to end reservation is not new. There was a time when Congress used to openly give big advertisements in newspapers against the reservation. Today, is the age of the internet now those anti-reservation statements of Congress are available on the internet and social media," he said. He told the people gathered at the rally that Congress is troubled by MahaYuti's unity which is why they want to make one caste fight against another caste. "Will you allow this conspiracy of Congress to succeed? We have to remain united to foil the dangerous plans of Congress. Therefore my request to you is - if we are united, we are safe," said the Prime Minister. He said that when the MahaYuti government, which believes in the "faith" and "culture" of Maharashtra, works, the people of Solapur have seen what kind of results come. "The people of Solapur had been demanding development for decades, the projects that were pending for decades, have been completed by the MahaYuti government," PM Modi claimed. The Prime Minister said that the MahaYuti government waived off the electricity bills of farmers, adding that the government's effort is that farmers do not have to pay electricity bills. "That is why we are engaged in providing solar energy to every farm," he said. The Prime Minister said that when Congress was in power, only 2 to 3 per cent of ethanol was blended into petrol, adding that after the BJP came to power in 2014, the government decided to increase the ethanol blending. "It has increased to 15 per cent now. I'm targeting ethanol-blending of 20 per cent. The farmers have received Rs 80,000 crore due to ethanol, and the sugarcane farmers were the biggest beneficiaries of it," he said. The Prime Minister also informed that the government is working by keeping women at the centre of all public welfare schemes. "Today, the houses being built under the PM Awas Yojana are being built in the name of women. The biggest beneficiaries of the Mudra Scheme are our mothers and sisters. We are engaged in the mission of making three crore sisters Lakhpati Didi," he said. The Prime Minister said that this change has been possible due to the work of the BJP at the Centre and the MahaYuti government in Maharashtra. "Today we are moving towards building a developed India from a developed Maharashtra. That's why I say: 'BJP-MahaYuti ahe, tar gati ahe. Maharashtrachi pragati ahe'," said the Prime Minister. Bengaluru, Nov 12 : Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday that India's current biofuel blending rate has reached 16.9 per cent, putting the country on track to reach the 20 per cent target set for 2025-26. "As a result of the Govt. of India's biofuel initiatives, we have saved Rs 91,000 crore in import bills parallelly giving a much-needed boost to the agriculture sector," he added. He also said that India ranks second globally in biofuel blending, underscoring its leading position in sustainable fuel practices. The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Energy Technology Meet (ETM) 2024, organised by the Centre for High Technology (CHT) and co-hosted by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. The three-day event from November 12-14 commenced here, bringing together industry experts, researchers, policymakers, and innovators under the theme 'Green Energy Horizons: Advancing Sustainable Refining and Petrochemicals'. It highlights India's commitment to sustainable energy innovations and the transition towards greener energy solutions. Referring to International Energy Agency (IEA) figures, the minister said that the nation's energy needs are expected to grow by 2.5 times by 2047. Additionally, India is expected to account for 25 per cent of the overall global growth in energy demand in the next two decades. Puri lauded the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and private energy companies for their proactive approach in achieving net-zero targets. He also affirmed the readiness of the industry to support the Prime Minister's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' through advancements in ethanol, hydrogen, and biofuels. Further, emphasising India's refining sector, Puri said, "India has the capability to process over 250 types of crude oil, with refining capacity anticipated to grow from the current 258 MMTPA to 310 MMTPA." India's refining expansion, coupled with petrochemical integration, positions India well on its way towards a flexible, efficient energy transition. Addressing the role of digital innovation, the Minister referred to the BCG report forecasting India's Artificial Intelligence market to reach $70 billion by 2027, underscoring digitalisation's potential to drive efficiency in energy operations. V Satish Kumar, Chairman & Director (Marketing), IndianOil, in his address said, "The future of the energy industry hinges on integrating green energy solutions into refining processes. Through cutting-edge technologies and resource optimisation, we can build a resilient and environmentally responsible industry. ETM-2024 opens rich opportunities for our refining and petrochemicals sector, that can play a significant role in catalysing the nation's aspirations." Over 1300 delegates from India and abroad including domain experts, academia, licensors, R&D scientists, and other professionals from the Hydrocarbon sector are participating in this 3-day event. ETM 2024 will feature technical sessions on renewable integration, hydrogen production, waste-to-energy innovation, and strategies for carbon neutrality. An exhibition area will showcase cutting-edge products and technologies from industry leaders, startups, and research institutions. The event fosters collaborative opportunities, encouraging academia-industry partnerships, skill-building, and joint R&D efforts to advance India's sustainable energy future. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. Maybe it never rains in Southern California , but for about a month this fall it also never rained in New York City , which this week asked citizens to conserve water. Or Philadelphia . Or Dallas . Or several other U.S. cities that went from unusually wet in some cases to bone dry in a flash. In fact, "flash drought" is the term for this sort of phenomenon. It joins "zombie fire," "firenado" and "thundersnow" in the growing lexicon of freak weather events that normal, non-meteorologist people are having to learn as the climate grows hotter and more chaotic. Normal droughts typically happen after long stretches of little or no rainfall. Flash droughts happen when a dearth of rainfall coincides with other factors, such as high temperatures and high winds, that suck moisture out of the ground. Sometimes they're tied to La Nina weather patterns in the eastern Pacific Ocean . But we're not in one of those yet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . In the case of this fall's flash drought, the U.S. has just ended its fourth-hottest summer ever, with cities from Phoenix to Fort Lauderdale to Caribou, Maine , suffering record-smashing highs. And then it simply stopped raining. New York , which typically gets about 4.5 inches of rain in October, got nada, leading Mayor Eric Adams to issue a drought watch for the city and giving new viral life to former Mayor Ed Koch's must-see 1980 ad to "Keep New York City Wet." New Jersey , meanwhile, has been cosplaying as California , with much of the state on wildfire alert. Philadelphia had its first rainless October since at least 1872. Asheville, North Carolina , went from drowning in Hurricane Helene to getting less than an inch of rain in its 10th-driest October on record a reminder of how wild and extreme the weather is becoming even in supposed climate havens. In late October, more than 87% of the continental U.S. was under at least "abnormally dry" conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the highest percentage on record going back 24 years. In June, only about a quarter of the continental U.S. was abnormally dry. Of course, the weather isn't climate, and flash droughts aren't new. Climate change may not have caused the latest one. But climate change has already made flash droughts much more likely, according to a 2023 study in the journal Science. And they will grow even more frequent in the decades ahead if we keep spewing greenhouse gasses and heating the planet, according to a 2022 University of Oklahoma study. The water shortages and wildfires that flash droughts fuel are dire enough for human health and safety. But they can also do significant economic damage. Low water levels hold up shipping on the Mississippi and other rivers. Crops suffer from the lack of moisture, and livestock don't have enough to eat. This fall's flash drought will keep cattle supply tight, according to the data-analysis firm DTN. That means higher prices at McDonald's and the grocery store (unless everybody just cuts down on beef, which wouldn't be a bad idea for their health, wallet or the climate). Farmers, ranchers, shippers, policymakers and more will have to do a better job of anticipating and preparing for flash droughts including being more careful about how much water we use, no matter where we are in the country. A lot of us (myself included) might have looked around at a bone-dry New York or Mississippi last month and said, "Hey, this isn't normal." But flash droughts are increasingly and uncomfortably the norm in a warming world. We still have the power to make sure they're not total disasters, if we're willing to use it. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges. In an exclusive interview with Trend, Felchesmi Jossen Mramba, Permanent Secretary of Tanzanias Ministry of Energy, outlined his country's expectations for COP29, stressing the critical role of financing and action in achieving climate goals. "We have a lot of expectations for this meeting," Mramba shared, emphasizing that this meeting is mainly focusing on financing. "We believe that for the world to be able to achieve what we are planning in terms of climate support, it's very important to have facts". He expressed hope that this fact-based approach, along with genuine commitments from participating countries, will pave the way for substantial progress on climate goals. "With this focus on facts, and hoping that the parties will be faithful to their commitments, we may be able to achieve what we are planning right now," he said. A core priority for Tanzania at COP29 is promoting "green cooking", a shift toward sustainable cooking methods that address both environmental and health challenges. "Tanzania is coming here to push the idea of green cooking for Tanzania as a country, but also for Africa," the official said. To further this goal, Tanzania will host a side event on November 12th, focusing on the role of green cooking in combating climate change. "In that side event, we will focus on the importance of green cooking as part of addressing climate change issues," he explained. By placing green cooking on the COP29 agenda, the permanent secretary hopes to foster ongoing discussions on the topic. "If this meeting will be able to set the agenda of green cooking as an ongoing agenda for the next meetings to come, we will be able to safeguard our environment," he stated. Mramba also addressed financing mechanisms, particularly the need to simplify access to carbon financing. "One of the financing mechanisms that has been spoken about a lot is carbon financing," he said. Despite its potential, he noted that knowledge of carbon financing remains limited, which hampers accessibility for countries like Tanzania. "We believe its high time that we simplify the way countries can access carbon financing. Simplify whatever means to access the money," he urged, warning that without such efforts, carbon financing would fail to reach the communities that need it most. Reflecting on past COP commitments, Mramba highlighted the need for tangible action on the Loss and Damage Fund, a topic discussed at COP28 but one that has seen limited follow-through. "Last year in COP28, a lot was spoken about loss and damage, but we have not seen a lot happening in actuality," he observed. For COP29, Tanzanias goal is clear: "Our expectation is that well have less talk and more action," Mramba asserted. "Its only by doing so that we can really attain the intentions of this COP". New Delhi, Nov 12 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday voiced concerns to create an 'Adaptive Defence' in the country, saying that it is not a strategic choice but a necessity for the defence of the nation. "'Adaptive Defence' is not merely a strategic choice but a necessity. As the new threats have evolved, we must also evolve our defence systems and strategies. We should be prepared for all future contingencies. It is more than just protecting our borders, it is about securing our future," said the Defence Minister while addressing the Delhi Defence Dialogue (DDD) in New Delhi. He added that the 'Adaptive Defence' is not merely responding to what has happened but anticipating what could happen, and preparing for it proactively. "In essence, it involves cultivating a mindset and capability to adapt, innovate and thrive, even in the face of unpredictable and evolving circumstances. Situational awareness, flexibility at strategic and tactical levels, resilience, agility, and integration with futuristic technologies are the keys to understanding and creating 'Adaptive Defence'. It must be the mantra of our strategic formulations and operational responses,' said the Defence Minister. He also threw light on the diverse range of security challenges faced by India, from traditional border-related threats to unconventional issues such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, and hybrid warfare. He asserted that the government recognised the need for an 'Adaptive Defence' strategy in a changing geopolitical and technological scenario, and has taken several initiatives to build a robust and self-reliant ecosystem. He said that the traditional notions of war are being reshaped by emerging technologies and evolving strategic partnerships, with new perspectives, doctrines and concepts of operations emerging within the Armed Forces in keeping with the changing nature of threats and challenges. He termed the present age as Grey Zone and Hybrid warfare where traditional ways to defend have been challenged. "India is aiming to become a drone hub of the world. Several initiatives have been taken in this regard. This would not only help the Indian economy but also significantly contribute to our Make in India and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme," the Defence Minister said. He added that the current geopolitical dynamics and cross-border issues make a collaborative approach to defence essential, adding that the ambiguities of cyberspace, AI and the vast potential of quantum and nanotechnologies further demand collaboration and sharing of knowledge, perspectives, information and strategies, if possible. He said that the government recognised the need for an adaptive defence strategy in a changing geopolitical and technological scenario, and has taken several initiatives to build a robust and self-reliant ecosystem. "It includes establishing the institution of the Chief of Defence Staff, promoting jointness among the three Services, improvising the training curriculum and forging new defence partnerships around the world," he said. The Defence Minister also expressed confidence that by bringing together policymakers, military experts and scholars, the Delhi Defence Dialogue will generate innovative ideas and collaborative strategies to enhance the country's defence posture. He termed it a vital initiative that aspires to strengthen the strategic vision emphasising a comprehensive approach and facilitating informed discussions that contribute to national, regional and global security. Mumbai, Nov 12 : Amid the high-decibel campaigning by the ruling MahaYuti and rival Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) for Maharashtra Assembly elections slated for November 20, an old video of Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has caught up the fancy of netizens where the latter is seen recalling the severe drought of 2016 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's out of the way help in mitigating the crisis. Maharashtra was hit with severe drought in 2016 and the state had little resources and wherewithal to lift itself out of the crisis. Devendra Fadnavis, the then state CM turned to PM Modi for help and the latter not only provided swift assistance but also extended wide scale assistance for drawing up an effective mechanism to deal with it. The video has been shared by Modi Story, a popular social media handle on the X platform. Sharing the video, the ModiStory handle wrote on X, "At that time, the Chief Minister of the state sought immediate help from Centre. PM Modi provided immediate assistance without any delay and also helped in finding a permanent solution to the problem of drought in the state. Narendra Modi's association with Maharashtra is years old, and he is always ready to help and develop this state." In the old and undated video, that has gone viral on social media, Devendra Fadnavis shares that Maharashtra faced severe drought in 2016 and the then state government lacked resources to deal with it. "The drought was widespread and its scale was much higher than previous ones. There was scarcity of drinking water while agriculture was severely impacted. People found it difficult to carry out a daily routine. I approached the Centre and requested PM Modi for help," he recollects. He says that he sought a long-term solution for the crisis and also suggested the Prime Minister for funding many half-completed projects. "In areas like Vidarbha and Marathwada, many small projects are stuck because of funds shortage. Due to the thin spreading of resources, none of the projects were completed. If some of these were completed, it could have helped us even during sparse rainfall," he told the Prime Minister. Further recounting the conversation, Fadnavis says that PM Modi asked for a complete list and also sought its revitalisation plan. "We provided him with details of 119 projects. I demanded that the state be given 70 per cent loan and 30 per cent grant as it was capable of returning the loan amount. The Prime Minister went out of the way to accept this plan. Today, we have completed more than 80 projects," says the Maharashtra Deputy CM. He further says that today if the state faces a similar crisis, it would undoubtedly be in better shape and state to deal with it. Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 12 : The Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Pawar's Kerala unit on Tuesday gave a clean chit to its legislator Thomas K. Thomas who faced allegations that he had approached two Left-linked legislators to defect to the NCP headed by Ajit Pawar for a monetary consideration. A four-member group of party leaders conducted the probe and cleared Thomas of the charge. With this, it remains to be seen if the much-awaited induction of Thomas into the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet replacing his senior party colleague and State Forest Minister A.K.Saseendran will become a reality. Thomasas name was cleared for a Cabinet berth at a meeting chaired by his party President Sharad Pawar and attended by Thomas, Saseendran and state party President P.C. Chacko in September. As part of the arrangement, the trio met CM Vijayan and presented Pawaras letter giving the nod for Thomas to replace Saseendran. But Thomasa Cabinet entry was put on hold by CM Vijayan after this allegation surfaced against him. Former State Transport Minister Antony Raju claimed that he, along with another Left independent legislator Kovoor Kunjumon, was offered Rs 50 crore each to defect to the party of Ajit Pawar. While Kunjumon was quick to deny that such a thing had ever happened, Raju stood his ground. Thomas then challenged him to undergo a lie-detection test and claimed Rajuas allegation was part of a larger conspiracy to tarnish his image ahead of an imminent Cabinet expansion and minimise his chances of getting a berth. Now all eyes are on Vijayan as Thomas' party has cleared him of any wrongdoing. Asked about this fresh development, Saseendran evaded a direct answer, saying: "Thatas for the party to decide." Thomas is the younger brother of Thomas Chandy, a businessman-turned-three-time NCP legislator who passed away in 2020 and the Kuttanad Assembly constituency that he represented was given by the party to Thomas, who won the 2021 Assembly polls. According to Thomas, there was an agreement that Saseendran would move out for Thomas after two and a half years, similar to the agreement among the Left Democratic Frontas four other allies which have one legislator each and it was effected in December last year, but Thomas failed to get the berth. Mysuru, Nov 12 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday that limiting education only to the upper caste is wrong. "Education is no one's exclusive right. Valmiki (author of Hindu the sacred scripture Ramayana), Vyasa (author of the Hindu sacred scripture Mahabharata), and Kanakadasa all hailed from Shudra and Dalit communities. The idea that only the upper castes should be educated is wrong," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while inaugurating and laying the foundation for development projects worth Rs 443.64 crore in the H.D. Kote constituency, organised by the Mysuru district administration and district panchayat. Kanakadasa is a Haridasa saint and social reformer. He is an iconic and revered figure of Kuruba (shephard) community in Karnataka. He also offered tributes to Maharshi Valmiki on his jayanti and addressed the gathering. "The government already celebrates Valmiki Jayanti and has instituted a state-level Valmiki award. Valmiki composed 20,000 Sanskrit verses. He fought against restrictions on Shudras receiving education by learning Sanskrit and composing the Ramayana, which was a great achievement," said the Chief Minister. He further added that Vedavyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, was from the Bestha (fishing) community; Valmiki, who composed the Ramayana, belonged to the 'Beda' community; and Kalidasa, the author of 'Shakuntala', was from the Kuruba community. "Education is no one's exclusive right; it requires only opportunities. We are the architects of our own lives, so every one must seek education. Kanakadasa, from the Shudra caste, became a revered saint. Thus, caste does not hinder education," said the Chief Minister. He added that the notion that only the upper castes should be educated is a misconception that has been imposed on us, which is wrong. "My father, Channappa, believed that Kurubas couldn't study law, as the upper castes would say, but I was determined, so I pursued law and became a lawyer. I even became Chief Minister," he said. He pointed out that the Valmiki laid the foundation for the democracy we celebrate today. Mahatma Gandhi's concept of Ram Rajya was depicted in the Ramayana by Valmiki. "There are false tales labelling Valmiki as a robber; do not believe them. Valmiki was a great scholar and a learned man. In H.D. Kote town today, I inaugurated development projects worth Rs 443 crore and laid foundation stones. BJP leaders spread blatant lies, claiming our government has no funds for salaries or development. If we have no money, where did this Rs 443 crore come from? Has there been any disruption in salary payments to state government employees," the Chief Minister said. He added that millions of beneficiaries across the state receive benefits every month from our five guarantee schemes. "Yet BJP spreads falsehoods, saying there is no money for these schemes. Lies are the BJP's way. Our government has allocated development funds for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population, something no other government in India has done," he said. He assured that the funds allocated to the Valmiki Development Corporation would remain intact. "A false case was also filed against B. Nagendra, the former minister for the Scheduled Tribes. He has now been released from jail. After the by-election, I will make an appropriate decision in this regard. We work for the welfare of the poor, regardless of whether they vote for us or not. Working for the poor is our commitment," he said. Baku, Nov 12 : Most G20 members, including the US, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, need to significantly step up climate action, the Climate Accountability Matrix launched at COP29 in Baku by the independent think tank, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), said on Tuesday. Featured in a new study, 'Are G20 Countries Delivering on Climate Goals? Tracking Progress on Commitments to Strengthen the Paris Agreement, the Climate Accountability Matrix is a first-of-its-kind assessment tool from the Global South to analyse countries' performance in climate aspects beyond mitigation, including adaptation and means of implementation. Among advanced economies in the G20, France, Britain, Japan, and Germany have made notable efforts, particularly through international cooperation and the establishment of comprehensive climate governance frameworks. While the US, Australia, and Canada have made efforts to adapt to climate change, concerns about their inconsistent engagement in key climate agreements, and weak ambitions remain. In the Global South, India and South Africa have made significant efforts in climate action by actively participating in key agreements, undertaking reasonable efforts domestically and adhering to their obligations, the study found. However, even the countries making reasonable progress must improve sectoral robustness and create an enabling environment for ambitious climate actions. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW, said: "The climate COPs are about raising ambition, enabling action, and, most importantly, holding everyone accountable. While COP28 resulted in many promises, it let developed countries off the hook. COP29 must be about accountability. It must accelerate the move towards net zero. The largest historical emitters have to move faster than others and reduce emissions now. Second, COP29 should raise both the quantum and quality of climate finance. As we debate the New Collective Quantified Goal, the question is not just how much is needed, but how reliably it will be delivered. "Finally, COP29 must prioritise the protection of the most vulnerable. It is the poorest who are the most affected due to climate extremes, derailing economies and reversing progress towards other sustainable development goals. COP29 must deliver on accountability, raise ambitions, push for credible and catalytic climate finance, and safeguard the most vulnerable." The CEEW matrix assesses these countries on five critical themes -- international cooperation, national measures, sectoral robustness, enablers, and climate adaptation efforts -- and 42 indicators. It takes into account the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. The countries have been categorised under a leader, reasonable effort, limited effort, and needs improvement. The findings show that COP29 must ensure accountability during this climate emergency. Dubbed the "Finance COP", the two-week 2024 UN climate conference (COP29) kicked off on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan with a focus heavily on securing a new climate finance target for countries most vulnerable to climate impacts. It brings together negotiators from nearly 200 countries, including India, to advance the Paris Agreement's goals of limiting global temperature rise, strengthening climate resilience, and mobilising support for developing nations. With solutions on the table but investment still lagging, especially in developing countries, on the frontlines of the crisis, a strong financial outcome at COP29 could unlock a new era of action. New Delhi, Nov 12 : The government on Tuesday approved 12 research projects worth Rs 13.3 crore under the National Technical Textiles Mission. The 10th Mission Steering Group, under the chairmanship of Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, the ministry approved 12 research projects. The research projects were approved across key strategic areas of geotextiles, sustainable and smart textiles and composites, etc. According to the ministry, the projects were proposed by eminent research bodies and institutions including IITs, NITs and CRRI, etc. The total number of approved research projects under the Mission now stands at 168 with a total value of nearly Rs 509 crore. At the meeting, the minister urged the industry to actively participate in research projects. The National Technical Textiles Mission is a flagship scheme of Ministry of Textiles focused on developing the research and development capabilities of the local industry, especially in the areas of high-performance fibre development. The domestic textiles industry is estimated to grow to $350 billion by 2030, generating 4.5-6 crore jobs. Setting a target of 50,000 metric tonne silk production and employment generation of 1 crore by 2030, Minister Singh recently said cultivation of silk is linked to employment generation of farmers. There is huge potential for technical textile in the country as it is used in all sectors and set an export target of $10 billion by 2030. The global trade of technical textiles is around $300 billion while Indiaas domestic market size stands at $25 billion with an export of $2.6 billion. The ministry has approved 11 startup proposals under the component for Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) initiative under National Technical Textiles Mission. Support up to Rs 50 lakh per startup is provided under the scheme. Kolkata, Nov 12 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing the multi-crore municipalities job scam in West Bengal have now summoned BJP's Ranaghat Uttar-Paschim constituency legislator Parthasarathi Chatterjee for interrogation. Sources aware of the development said that Chatterjee, who represents the seat in Nadia district, has been asked to be present at CBIas Nizam Palace office in central Kolkata on Friday with some relevant documents. Repeated attempts to contact Chatterjee for his reaction failed as he remained incommunicado. Sources said that Ranaghat Municipality in Nadia district is one of the urban civic bodies in the state that is under the CBI scanner for irregularities in recruitment for various posts there. Since many of these recruitments were done while Chatterjee was running the show at Ranaghat Municipality, hence, the sleuths have felt the necessity of questioning him in the matter. It is learnt that such irregularities were made in recruitments done since 2014. In October, the CBI also questioned the Chief Executive of Ranaghat Municipality at its Nizam Palace office. The questioning was based on the specific evidence tracked by the investigating officials regarding several irregular recruitments made in both these municipalities against hefty cash payments. These illegal recruitments were mainly made for the post of drivers, helpers, health workers and cleaning assistants. Earlier, the CBI sleuths have also procured similar recruitments done in the same period for three other municipalities, namely Halisahar, Kamarhati, North Dum Dum and South Dum Dum, all in North 24 Parganas district. In July this year, the CBI claimed to have tracked the involvement of Rs 200 crore of illegal proceeds in the 1,814 illegal recruitments done in 15 municipal bodies in West Bengal since 2014. The central agency officials also claimed to have secured definite clues that private promoter Ayan Sil and his associates had almost the entire share of this Rs 200 crore of ill-gotten proceeds, considering that all these 1,814 illegal recruitments were done through outsourced agency ABS Infozon Private Ltd, a corporate entity owned by Sil. Bengaluru, Nov 12 : Karnataka BJP on Tuesday slammed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over allegedly providing reservations in contracts for Muslims. "Do you have any sense of integrity or ethics," said Karnataka Leader of the Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka, adding, "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, you openly deny that there is any proposal before the government to reserve contracts for Muslims as if striking a blow at the truth. What can we say about your blatant dishonesty." He added that Siddaramaiah's political secretary, Naseer Ahmed, along with Minister for Waqf and Tourism Zameer Ahmed Khan and other Muslim MLAs, sent him a letter on August 24, 2024, requesting a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in contract works. "On the same day, you instructed the Finance Department to review and submit this proposal. Additionally, you approved an amendment to the KTPP Act regarding this matter. Despite all these letters and approvals, you lie, claiming there's no proposal for Muslim reservation in contracts before the government. Do you have any sense of integrity or ethics," he said. Reports of an alleged proposal to provide reservation in allotment of contracts by the Karnataka government to Muslims has stirred controversy ahead of the bypolls to three Assembly segments. However, the news has been denied by the Chief Minister's Office. Reacting to the reports, the CMO clarified on Tuesday that there was no proposal before the government to provide reservations for Muslims in allotment of contracts and termed it as false news. "It is true that there has been a request for reservations in allotment of contracts, but it has been clarified that there is currently no such proposal before the government," the CMO stated. Sources claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has consented to a 4 per cent reservation to Muslims in government contracts under Category 2B in constructions of not more than Rs 1 crore. To facilitate the reservation for Muslims, the state government is preparing to amend the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, sources said. Ranchi, Nov 12 : Just a day before Jharkhand votes for the first phase of elections, Congress unveiled its manifesto here on Tuesday evening, outlining key promises, including the creation of 10 lakh government jobs over the next five years. The party also pledged a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 to youth who have aged out of eligibility for government recruitment. The manifesto was released by the party's manifesto committee chairman and former Minister Bandhu Tirkey, MP Sukhdev Bhagat, and other leaders at an event at the state Congress office in Ranchi. This announcement comes with less than 24 hours before voting begins for 43 seats in the first phase of the Assembly elections. Voting on 38 seats in the second phase is scheduled eight days later on November 20. The Congress manifesto promises to implement a 1932 Khatian-based local policy, recognise the Sarna dharma code, and promote regional language and culture. Beginning in December 2024, women will receive a monthly payout of Rs 2,500 under the 'Maiya Samman Yojana,' according to the manifesto. Reservation policies outlined in the manifesto include a 28 per cent quota for Scheduled Tribes, 12 per cent for Scheduled Castes, and 27 per cent for Other Backward Classes. The party also announced plans to establish a Backward Classes Welfare Ministry and introduce special schemes to protect minority community interests. To support low-income households, the Congress commits to increasing the monthly ration allowance to 7 kg per person and offering gas cylinders at Rs 450. The manifesto also promises a degree college in every block, and engineering, medical colleges, and universities in each district headquarters. It also proposes raising the minimum support price for paddy from Rs 2,400 to Rs 3,200 and boosting the support price for products such as lac, tussar, karanja, tamarind, and mahua by 50 per cent. The manifesto also includes the partyas commitment to enact a strict anti-mob-lynching law, establish a womenas commission within one month, and revoke the land bank policy introduced by the previous BJP government. Patna, Nov 12 : RCP Singh, former Union Steel Minister in the NDA government, has expanded his new political party, Aap Sabki Awaj (ASA), by appointing 26 vice presidents, 28 general secretaries, and 10 spokespersons. Singh, who previously served in a high-profile role as Union Steel Minister within the second tenure of the NDA government, launched ASA with the intent to contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Among the key appointments, Colonel Kumar Sanatan, also known as Pancham Srivastava, has been assigned a dual role as vice president and chief spokesperson of the party. Additionally, Vipin Kumar Yadav has been appointed as the party's treasurer. Although the majority of ASA officials will be based in Bihar, the party has also strategically appointed general secretaries to oversee Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, signalling ambitions beyond Bihar. ASAas organisational foundation includes 140 founding members, from whom these officials were selected. This structure reflects RCP Singh's goal of building a robust organisational presence as the party prepares for its electoral debut in Bihar. RCP Singh officially launched a new political party named "Aap Sabki Aawaz" (ASA) in Bihar on the day of Diwali on October 31 this year. During the launch event in Patna, Singh introduced ASA as a fresh option aimed at offering a new political alternative for the people of Bihar. Highlighting the significance of the party's name, he explained that ASA, which translates to "hope," reflects the party's aspiration to bring renewed optimism to Bihar's political landscape. RCP Singh, a former national president of the Janata Dal (United), aims to carve out a unique political space in Bihar with this initiative, appealing to those seeking change in the regionas governance. Singh, originally a seasoned IAS officer, transitioned into politics in 2010, quickly rising to become a prominent leader in JD-U, second only to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Singhas political standing within the party began to shift in 2021 when he accepted the role of Union Steel Minister in the PM Modi cabinet. During his tenure, some of his decisions reportedly clashed with Nitish Kumaras expectations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Siaosi Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni Huakavameiliku, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Trend reports. At Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the Prime Minister of Tonga was welcomed by Hasan Hasanli, Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Science and Education, along with other officials. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Nov 12 : The Delhi High Court has ordered the Bureau of Immigration to cancel a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against BharatPe's former Managing Director Ashneer Grover and his wife Madhuri Jain Grover. New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) The Delhi High Court has ordered the Bureau of Immigration to cancel a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against BharatPeas former Managing Director Ashneer Grover and his wife Madhuri Jain Grover. A bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula took note of the submission that the FIR forming the basis of issuance of LOC has been quashed on the basis of compromise between the parties. "Accordingly, the present petitions are disposed of with a direction to the respondents (authorities) to cancel the LOC against the petitioners in their records," it ordered. After a long-standing and dramatic courtroom battle, BharatPe in September this year said it had reached a settlement with its former co-founder Grover, who was charged, along with his family members, by the fintech company for alleged misappropriation of funds worth Rs 88.67 crore. The fintech company said that as part of the agreement, Grover will not be associated with BharatPe in any capacity nor be a part of the shareholding of the company. It added that both parties have decided not to pursue the cases filed. BharatPe in December 2022 had filed a criminal complaint against Grover, Madhuri Grover, Shwetank Jain (her brother), Suresh Jain (father-in-law of Grover) and Deepak Gupta (the couple's brother-in-law). It has been alleged that Grover, founder & ex-director of BharatPe, his wife and other officials were involved in criminal misappropriation of the company's funds, on the basis of various fabricated documents. Accordingly, payments were made to non-existent vendors and HR consultancy firms causing a wrongful loss of approximately Rs 81 crore to the complainant company. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police arrested Deepak Gupta in connection with the misappropriation of the company's funds. Earlier, another accused in this case, Amit Bansal was also arrested by the EOW. BharatPe had also approached the Delhi High Court months after Grover and his wife were dismissed from the company over allegations of misappropriation of funds. In its suit, running into 2,800 pages, BharatPe claimed damages worth Rs 88.67 crore from Grover, his wife, and others for alleged cheating and misappropriation of funds. --IANS pds/vd Bengaluru, Nov 12 : While referring to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as "small people", Karnataka BJP said on Tuesday that it is not appropriate for "small people" to talk about Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a disrespectful manner. Bengaluru, Nov 12 (IANS) While referring to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as "small people", Karnataka BJP said on Tuesday that it is not appropriate for "small people" to talk about Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a disrespectful manner. "Siddaramaiah, when you speak, you stoop very low. It is not appropriate for small people to speak disrespectfully about the Prime Minister. You are not same either in age or in office as PM Modi," said Karnataka Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy while reacting to the criticism of Siddaramaiah against PM Modi. Narayanaswamy further criticised the Congress for allegedly distributing money in the three by-elections. "In these three by-elections, a river of money has flowed. Congress claims they will win, but people are watching their extravagant expenditures. The rich may drink as they wish, but the poor are targeted here. The government talks of implementing guarantees, yet raises liquor prices," he said. He added that the Congress government is completely mired in corruption and indulged in scams. "The state government is deeply mired in corruption in all 38 government departments, and our leaders are bringing each of these to light. The Chief Minister is sitting on the citadel of corruption," he claimed. Narayanaswamy criticised the Chief Minister's family for allegedly returning 14 plots in Mysuru and Minister Priyank Kharge for returning 5 acres, suggesting this as evidence of corruption and investigations in this regard are mere formalities. "Recently, the State Wine Merchant Association accused the Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur collected around Rs 500 crores in bribes. Following this, it was revealed that nearly Rs 700 crores have been embezzled. The Prime Minister mentioned this in his recent Maharashtra election campaign," he said. He said that the Wine Merchants' Association, troubled by issues with the government, has announced a state-wide protest by closure of their stores on Nov 25. "For a new license, Rs 4.5 lakh is required as a government fee, yet obtaining one costs around Rs 70-Rs 80 lakh where does this money go," Narayanaswamy questioned. He added that a one-year license renewal requires Rs 4.6 lakh, in addition to a bribe of Rs 6 lakh. "This is widely known. Even if there are no complaints, the Excise Department imposes at least two mandatory cases on every bar or liquor shop, seeking Rs 2,000 penalty and a Rs 25,000 bribe," he said. Chandigarh, Nov 12 : Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on Tuesday stressed the importance of cooperative federalism and structural reforms by the Union government. Speaking at the opening session of Punjab Vision: 2047 conclave organised by the World Punjabi Organization here, Cheema said the nation can only achieve its development goals for 2047, "if all states progress together on the path of growth trajectory". Cheema said India will celebrate 100 years of independence in 2047 and the government of India must devise solutions that ensure no state is left behind in this journey. He focused on reforms in Goods and Services Tax (GST), agriculture, environment and industrial policies, etc., while highlighting the significant revenue losses faced by states due to the current GST regime. He pointed out that the GST system, being destination and consumer-based, has led to a substantial revenue loss for Punjab. He said after implementing the GST system, the state's purchase tax was subsumed in the GST, resulting in an estimated annual revenue loss of Rs 5,000-7,000 crore. The Finance Minister praised the Punjab Vision: 2047 initiative, stating that the discussions and insights from the conclave would help draft policies ensuring the state's overall development. He highlighted the Punjab government's proactive measures, including the industrial development policy, adventure tourism policy, water tourism policy, biofuels policy, etc., which were implemented to bring about the much-needed regulatory framework aimed at the promotion of these sectors. In his speech, Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha outlined a roadmap for Punjab in 2047, marking the 100th anniversary of India's independence. He envisaged a future where Punjab emerges as a leader in sustainable agriculture, economic diversification, education, green energy, infrastructure, and social equality. Earlier, Member of Parliament Vikramjit Singh Sahney set the tone for the conclave, emphasising its role as a catalyst for collaborative dialogue and in-depth discussions. He said this two-day conclave's objective is to create a platform where diverse perspectives converge to shape Punjab's future. Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig emphasised the pivotal role of educational institutions, particularly higher education, in driving the state's development. She also shed light on the pressing issue of young Punjabis migrating to other states or countries due to various factors. Dhanbad, Nov 12 : Veteran film actor Mithun Chakraborty faced an unexpected setback while campaigning for the BJP candidate in the Nirsa Assembly seat of Dhanbad district on Tuesday. In the midst of an election rally, someone reportedly stole his purse, causing a stir among the crowd. During the rally, the stage announcer repeatedly made appeals over the microphone, urging whoever took the purse to return it. Despite these efforts, the missing purse was not recovered. Disappointed, Mithun ended the event sooner than planned and left the venue. This incident occurred during Chakraborty's second consecutive day of campaigning in Jharkhand. On Monday, he had campaigned for BJP candidates in the Kolhan division, while on Tuesday, he sought support for BJP candidate Aparna Sen Gupta in Nirsa. The rally drew large crowds, with people even climbing rooftops and walls to catch a glimpse of the actor. As Chakraborty made his way through the crowd to the stage, his wallet was stolen. Before addressing the rally, Mithun spoke at a press conference, emphasising that his presence in Jharkhand was driven by his love for the state and its people, not merely as a BJP representative. "I am here because I want to see Jharkhand thrive on the path of development," he stated. Recalling his connection with the state, he said, "In my first film, I played a tribal character named 'Ghinuwa'. I am confident that the tribal people of Jharkhand will support the BJP to form the government." Mithun also responded to a video circulating online, in which Pakistani don Shahzad Bhatti reportedly threatened him over a statement and demanded an apology within 15 days. Chakraborty firmly dismissed the demand, saying, "I have nothing to apologise for. I have never made any statement in my life that incites hatred between Hindus and Muslims. My words have been twisted and misrepresented by the media." The first phase of voting in Jharkhand will take place on Wednesday. Patna, Nov 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for a new AIIMS in Darbhanga, Bihar, on Wednesday. This highly anticipated project, initiated by the Bihar government and executed by the Central government, is designed to enhance healthcare services in North Bihar, providing the region with quality medical infrastructure. BJP MLA Sanjay Sarawgi from Darbhanga inspected the proposed AIIMS construction site along the Ekmi-Sobhan bypass road on Tuesday, where preparations are in the final stages. "The swift progress made in preparing the site, including construction of an approach road in just four days. All these are possible due to the impact of PM Modi. 'Modi Hai To Sab Kuch bi Mumkin Hai'," Sarawgi said. The area has undergone a quick transformation in anticipation of the event, which is seen as a significant milestone for Bihar. "In addition to laying the AIIMS foundation, PM Modi will also inaugurate an alternate railway bypass route for Darbhanga, along with other Central government projects aimed at boosting infrastructure in the region. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal, and other senior state leaders will attend the event, underlining the importance of this development for Bihar," Sarawgi said. The Bihar government has taken a significant step towards establishing a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Darbhanga by officially transferring 150.13 acres of land at the Ekmi-Shobhan bypass to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This land transfer, completed in the second week of August this year, marks a major milestone in the project, which aims to bring advanced healthcare facilities to North Bihar, a region with high demand for improved medical infrastructure. The Union Ministry approved the AIIMS Darbhanga project on July 25, following a site assessment by a technical team in March. Gondia : , Nov 12 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched another scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party accusing it of helping the big businessmen but not the poor farmers with loan waivers, here on Tuesday. Addressing an election rally in Gondia for the Congress-Maha Vikas Aghadi-INDIA bloc candidates, the Congress leader said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written off Rs 16 lakh-crore bank loans of big industrialists, but has not waived the small loans of any farmer in the country. "The PM claims that the three erstwhile agriculture laws were enacted for the benefit of the farmers. If those black laws were indeed in the farmers' interest, then why did the farmers take to the streets," demanded Rahul Gandhi. He was referring to the three laws that were finally withdrawn in November 2021 after a massive, united nationwide farmers' uprising that shook up the central government at that time. Rahul Gandhi listed how the BJP government is not paying appropriate remuneration for soybean, cotton and paddy farmers in Maharashtra, adding to the growing distress in farmlands in Maharashtra, while the PM hobnobbed with industrialists. Alluding to the MVA-INDIA bloc manifesto released last Saturday, the Congress leader assured that it would find a way to give suitable MSP for the soybean, cotton and paddy farmers, plus other benefits to the tillers. Training guns on the BJP-RSS, he charged them with making attempts round the clock to finish off the Constitution which contained the wisdom of thousands of years of great personalities like Lord Gautama Buddha, Sant Basaveshwar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and others. "The Constitution teaches us equality, respect and love for all religions, people The BJP-RSS are making all efforts to destroy it Nowhere does it mention killing people, perpetuating injustice on the poor or atrocities on farmers and others But, even if a red-coloured copy is displayed, PM Modi, who has not read the Constitution, criticises it," thundered Rahul Gandhi. The PM claims he is an OBC but constantly insults the very same community, when the country's population of OBCs is around 50 per cent, the BJP government spends only five per cent of resources on them. "The Congress and Opposition are trying to protect and preserve this Constitution. That's why we are determined to conduct a Caste Census, take steps to remove the 50 limit on quotasThat's why the BJP is scared," said Rahul Gandhi. He reiterated other MVA-Congress 'Guarantees' for the Maharashtra elections and mentioned how Congress-ruled states have already implemented them in full steam, covering various sections of the people like women, youth, poor, farmers, unemployed, senior citizens, etc. "We shall give the maximum to the poor people in the country We shall give as much money to the farmers as Modi gives to a handful of billionaire industrialists," vowed Rahul Gandhi. Speaking at the rally, state Congress President Nana F. Patole said that "there is a wave of anger among the people" against the BJP on multiple fronts that have made it difficult for the poor to survive, while the ruling alliance is busy trampling the Constitution, indulging in corruption and dividing people on caste-religion lines. Present on the occasion were the MVA candidates contesting in the region, like Rahul Bondre from Chikhli and Rana Dilip Sanada of Khamgaon (both in Buldhana) and and Gopaldas Agarwal in Gondia district, local MPs and other top party office-bearers. Rahul Gandhi will return to campaign in Maharashtra on November 14 and 16 for a few more rallies and then he is likely to join the Maha Vikas Aghadi's final rally scheduled in Mumbai early next week, before the November 20 polling. This afternoon Rahul Gandhi was forced to cancel his rally in Chikhli owing to a technical glitch in his aircraft -- for which he tendered an apology -- but he stuck to the second rally organised in Gondia this evening. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com) New Delhi, Nov 12 : In a decision aimed at empowering women and enhancing their role in national security, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday approved the establishment of the first all-women battalion of the CISF. "The CISF has been a preferred choice for women who wish to serve the nation in the Central Armed Police Force, constituting over 7 per cent of the force at present. The addition of a Mahila Battalion would encourage more aspiring young women across the country to join CISF and serve the nation. It will give a new identity to women in CISF," said a statement. The CISF headquarters have started preparations for the early recruitment, training and selection of locations for the headquarters of the new battalion. The training is being specially designed to create an elite battalion capable of performing multifarious roles as commandos in VIP security and also security of airports, Delhi Metro Rail duties, it said. The proposal for the creation of all-women battalions in the force was initiated in pursuance of the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the occasion of the 53rd CISF Day function, the statement said. At that event, HM Shah said, "The CISF is the only force among all CAPFs in which we can increase the number of women personnel because whether it is airports or metros, every day you have to increase the convenience of 50 per cent women passengers for their smooth travel." "Efforts should be made to take the ratio of women personnel in CISF from 94:6 to at least 80:20," he said. Founded in 1969, the CISF provides anti-terror security to government establishments including nuclear and aerospace installations. Private companies also hire CISF personnel to protect their industrial establishments and pay over Rs 100 crore annually. Infosys offices in Bengaluru and Pune and the Reliance refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat, are some of the private users of CISF services. As compared to the CISF, the CRPF got its first Mahila battalion in 1986. There are at least six Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Mahila battalions. Creche facilities have been established at 49 locations for the benefit of Mahila personnel of CRPF. Bhopal, Nov 12 : The Madhya Pradesh government will organise state-level programs to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary tribal leader Birsa Munda on November 15. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav charing the cabinet on Tuesday issued necessary direction regarding the preparation for multiple events to be held in tribal-dominated districts - Dhar and Shahdol. He later informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also join virtually. "State-level programs will be held in Dhar and Shahdol to mark Birsa Mundaas birth anniversary while PM Narendra Modi will join virtually," the Chief Minister said. On that day, artists from tribal communities will perform their traditional arts to celebrate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, whom they worship as agoda. Besides the celebration of Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, the state government will also pay tribute to local freedom fighters and their families, celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of the tribal communities. Earlier, the Chief Minister said that a person who became agoda (tribal worship Birsa Munda as their agoda) from a human being while alive, has shown so much valour that the British got weak. "Today there is a need to remember his contribution. It is unfortunate that Birsa Munda wasn't remembered, however, due to PM Narendra Modi, today, the country is celebrating Birsa Munda's birth anniversary as as pride day," Yadav has said. Notably, the first Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) was organised in Madhya Pradesh, and more than 10 lakh tribals attended the programme at Bhopal's Jamboori Maidan on November 15, 2021. Prime Minister Minister Narendra Modi then announced over a dozen schemes, prominently, PDS Ration to beneficiaries from Janjatiya community in their own villages every month, so that they donat have to travel to the fair price shop to collect their ration. Mumbai, Nov 12 : In a recent turn of events, Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma has deleted all defamatory posts aimed at the actress. The move comes after legal intervention led by Rupali's lawyer Sana Raees Khan, who now claims a significant victory in the case. On Monday, the 'Anupamaa' actress slapped Esha with a legal notice, seeking Rs. 50 crore in damages. Following this, Verma deleted the video where she talked about feeling "unsafe" around Rupali. She has also made her Instagram account private. Reacting to this, Ganguly's lawyer Sana Raees Khan stated that the deletion of defamatory posts following the legal notice reflects their victory for truth. Sana shared with IANS, "Her stepdaughter has taken down the defamatory posts following our legal notice and deleted her Twitter account, which we see as a meaningful step toward justice. This outcome reflects our victory for truth and accountability, reaffirming that reckless and harmful statements have no place in the public sphere. This definitely sets a strong precedent on importance of responsible communication, especially when it concerns the reputation and dignity of others." The former Bigg Boss contestant added, "The deletion of defamatory posts following our legal notice establishes not only an acknowledgment in her part of wrongdoing and dissemination of falsehood but also the strengthen and validity of our case. It underscores the importance of accountability in matters of reputation and integrity, particularly when false information has the potential to harm one's personal and professional life." In her now-deleted video, Esha accused her father Ashwin K Verma and Rupali of bullying her. Talking about how her father always took Rupali's side, she stated, "I don't know if he is watching this but a letter or a message to my papa. I'm sorry this had to go this far. But you have never apologised to me. Nor did you listen. You always shut me down. I felt unsafe around her, especially. I tried to open up to you and you would never take my side. I thought I was your little girl. Growing up, I told everyone about you, my friends and family that I wanted to be just like him when I grow up, a filmmaker. You never encouraged that either." Esha Verma, daughter of Ashwin, has been grabbing headlines ever since she accused Rupali of having an extramarital affair with her father. Esha's mother Sapna and Ashwin got married in 1997. However, the couple separated in 2008. He later married Rupali in 2013 and they are parents to a son named Rudransh. Kolkata, Nov 12 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced a special monitoring cell to regularly scan the functioning of the various development boards in the hills of the state's northern part. The decision in this regard was taken after the Chief Minister had a meeting with the different officials of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) including its Chief Executive Anit Thapa. "The 16 development boards in the hills will be reorganised within the next couple of months for the purpose of smooth functioning. The monitoring cell will be there to ensure smooth functioning. Anit Thapa, the Chief Executive of GTA, will be the Chairman of the cell, and L.B. Rai will be the Vice-Chairman. The District Magistrates of two districts in the hills, namely Darjeeling and Kalimpong will also be included in the monitoring cell," Banerjee told media persons at the end of the meeting. However, state government sources said that the decision to open the monitoring cell has been taken amid a series of complaints of corruption from each board. The state government provides an annual fund of Rs 2 crore to each such board. Thapa, whose Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), is having an electoral understanding with Trinamool Congress, said that whenever the Chief Minister comes to the hills, "she has something new to give to the people there". "The people of the hills have started realising that. We in GTA look forward to working closely with the state government to further development in the hills. Our party is always with the state government. The Chief Minister has a true love for the hills. I hope that the hills progress towards development further with active assistance from the state government," Thapa said. Even after it came to power in 2011, the hills of Darjeeling had always been a weak pocket for the Trinamool. On the other hand, the BJP got their party candidates elected from the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat for four consecutive terms since the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Even in the subsequent Assembly elections, the stateas ruling party could not make much of a dent in hill politics. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, former Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the current Mayor of Kuala Lumpur has expressed her gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for hosting COP29, Trend reports. "Mr. President, I thank you for the courage that you have demonstrated in hosting COP29 in Baku, which can only happen because you have managed to convince your fellow leaders to give peace a chance. For without peace, there can be no sustainable development, just as without sustainable development, we cannot win the peace," she said, as she addressed the COP29 World Leaders' Climate Action Summit in Baku. She further expressed he gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for Azerbaijan's contribution to sustainable urbanization, "as the country is rebuilding the cities guided by the new urban agenda and the sustainable development goals". Chennai, Nov 12 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting immediate action to secure the release of Tamil fishermen recently detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. On November 9, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 23 Tamil fishermen from Rameswaram. In the early hours of November 12, another 12 fishermen from Nagapattinam were apprehended. In his letter, the Chief Minister called for urgent diplomatic intervention to prevent such incidents and ensure the swift release of all detained fishermen and their fishing boats. "These arrests not only disrupt the fishermen's livelihoods but also cause immense distress to their families," Stalin wrote. He pointed out that the number of apprehensions by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2024 is the highest in the last seven years. This latest letter follows an earlier appeal Stalin made to the Union government on October 23, urging intervention to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen. Currently, 128 Tamil fishermen are reportedly held in judicial custody by the Sri Lankan government, with 199 mechanised fishing boats impounded. Anbumani Ramadoss, president of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and former Union Minister, has also appealed to the Union External Affairs Minister to address these frequent mid-sea arrests. During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Union Minister discussed these issues with the Sri Lankan government, advocating for steps to prevent further detentions and boat confiscations. In response to the recurring arrests, fishermen association leaders across Tamil Nadu are organising large-scale protests. A.Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, noted: "The livelihood of our fishermen is under threat. Thousands who depend on fishing and related activities are facing severe hardship, and a sense of fear has already taken hold among fishermen and their families about going to sea." Thajudhin added that the Sri Lankan government's potential move to nationalise seized mechanized fishing boats could devastate the fishing industry, as many fishermen rely on loans to purchase these boats and plan to repay them through fishing income. The fishermen's association has also written to the Prime Minister, urging intervention to stop mid-sea arrests and the seizure of boats critical to Tamil fishermen's livelihoods. K.M. Periasamy, a fishermen leader from Ramanathapuram, highlighted the emotional and financial toll on fishermen's families. "Families are in deep distress due to regular arrests and attacks at sea by the Sri Lankan Navy. We are planning to meet with the Prime Minister and the Union External Affairs Minister to discuss these issues," he said. Periasamy emphasised that Tamil fishermen go to sea to earn their livelihood, not for unlawful activities, and urged the Indian government to engage with Sri Lankan authorities at the highest level to resolve these issues. Despite ongoing diplomatic discussions, arrests have persisted, prompting fishermen's associations across Tamil Nadu to plan major protests. On August 1, 2023, an Indian fisherman from Tamil Nadu died after his fishing boat capsized following a collision with a Sri Lankan coastal patrol vessel. The deceased was identified as Malaisamy (59), while another fisherman, Ramachandran (64), went missing. Two other fishermen, M. Mookiah (54) and Muthu Muniandi (56), were detained but later handed over to Indian authorities. New Delhi, Nov 12 : The government on Tuesday asked the e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) to adopt practices to ensure minimum shelf life of 30 per cent or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery to the consumer, to strengthen food safety standards within the e-commerce sector. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) convened a meeting with e-commerce Food Business operators (FBOs) like Zomato and Swiggy in the national capital to reinforce compliance requirements for e-commerce FBOs. The session was attended by over 200 participants. The FSSAI cautioned FBOs against making unsupported claims online. "This would prevent misleading information and protect consumers' right to accurate product details," said FSSAI CEO G. Kamala Vardhana Rao. The regulator highlighted the pivotal role of online platforms in protecting consumer health and promoting transparency. Rao reiterated the mandate that no FBO can operate on any e-commerce platform without a valid FSSAI license or Registration, emphasising the critical need for regulatory compliance. Further, the CEO clarified that any product claims made on e-commerce platforms must align with the information provided on the product labels and in adherence to FSSAI's Labelling and Display Regulations. In a move to ensure safe food handling at every level, Rao instructed FBOs to implement proper training programs for delivery personnel, empowering them with essential food safety and hygiene protocols. Additionally, he emphasised the importance of delivering food items and non-food items separately to the consumers to avoid potential contamination. The food regulator also underscored the need for all e-commerce FBOs to adhere to food safety standards diligently. Rao said that a transparent, compliant, and accountable e-commerce food sector is vital for protecting consumer health and fostering confidence in digital food marketplaces. Chennai, Nov 12 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting immediate action to secure the release of Tamil fishermen recently detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. On November 9, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 23 Tamil fishermen from Rameswaram. In the early hours of November 12, another 12 fishermen from Nagapattinam were apprehended. In his letter, the Chief Minister called for urgent diplomatic intervention to prevent such incidents and ensure the swift release of all detained fishermen and their fishing boats. "These arrests not only disrupt the fishermen's livelihoods but also cause immense distress to their families," Stalin wrote. He pointed out that the number of apprehensions by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2024 is the highest in the last seven years. This latest letter follows an earlier appeal Stalin made to the Union government on October 23, urging intervention to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen. Currently, 128 Tamil fishermen are reportedly held in judicial custody by the Sri Lankan government, with 199 mechanised fishing boats impounded. Anbumani Ramadoss, president of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and former Union Minister, has also appealed to the Union External Affairs Minister to address these frequent mid-sea arrests. During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Union Minister discussed these issues with the Sri Lankan government, advocating for steps to prevent further detentions and boat confiscations. In response to the recurring arrests, fishermen association leaders across Tamil Nadu are organising large-scale protests. A.Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, noted: "The livelihood of our fishermen is under threat. Thousands who depend on fishing and related activities are facing severe hardship, and a sense of fear has already taken hold among fishermen and their families about going to sea." Thajudhin added that the Sri Lankan government's potential move to nationalise seized mechanized fishing boats could devastate the fishing industry, as many fishermen rely on loans to purchase these boats and plan to repay them through fishing income. The fishermen's association has also written to the Prime Minister, urging intervention to stop mid-sea arrests and the seizure of boats critical to Tamil fishermen's livelihoods. K.M. Periasamy, a fishermen leader from Ramanathapuram, highlighted the emotional and financial toll on fishermen's families. "Families are in deep distress due to regular arrests and attacks at sea by the Sri Lankan Navy. We are planning to meet with the Prime Minister and the Union External Affairs Minister to discuss these issues," he said. Periasamy emphasised that Tamil fishermen go to sea to earn their livelihood, not for unlawful activities, and urged the Indian government to engage with Sri Lankan authorities at the highest level to resolve these issues. Despite ongoing diplomatic discussions, arrests have persisted, prompting fishermen's associations across Tamil Nadu to plan major protests. On August 1, 2023, an Indian fisherman from Tamil Nadu died after his fishing boat capsized following a collision with a Sri Lankan coastal patrol vessel. The deceased was identified as Malaisamy (59), while another fisherman, Ramachandran (64), went missing. Two other fishermen, M. Mookiah (54) and Muthu Muniandi (56), were detained but later handed over to Indian authorities. Mumbai, Nov 12 : The BJP leaders including Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy, Karnataka BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday claimed that people have been deceived in the Congress-ruled states, especially in Himachal Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka as the state governments there have failed to fulfil any of the promises during the elections. Party MP Anurag Thakur said that the Congress came to Himachal Pradesh with ten guarantees. "Congress had said that they would buy dung at the rate of two rupees per kg. It's been two years and they have not made a purchase from even two people. They had said they would buy milk at the rate of one hundred rupees. So far, they have not made the purchase from even two people. 23 lakh women were promised Rs 1500. However, not even 23,000 women have received it yet," Thakur said while talking to the reporters in response to the claims made by the Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Karnataka deputy CM D Shivakumar during their recent media briefing in Mumbai and had asserted that the Congress governments have implemented their promises given during poll manifestos. Thakur added that Congress has not been able to fulfil its promise of giving Rs 1500 to even four women above the age of 18 in a family. "It was said that 300 units of electricity will be given free of cost by them. While this promise was not fulfilled, they even stopped the 125 units of electricity that we had been giving for free. Electricity rates were also increased," said Thakur. Shobha Karandlaje said that Congress's lies are now making their way to Maharashtra and accused that Congress, which had promised five guarantees, has led the state of Telangana into bankruptcy. Karandlaje added that earlier, the Karnataka government had a debt of Rs 46,000 crores. During the tenure of the Congress government, it reached Rs 82, 000 crore. She alleged that promises like free bus travel, free rice, and free electricity turned out to be just empty declarations and similarly even the Grihalakshmi scheme has turned out to be a fraud. "Congress Chief Minister of Telangana Revanth Reddy came to Maharashtra and campaigned and spread false propaganda. It has been 340 days since his government formed there. The Congress, which had given six guarantees before the elections, has not kept any of its promises so far. Congress is only focused on looting in Telangana. Congress had promised to waive off farmers' loans of up to two lakhs. However, not even 40 per cent of the farmers' loans have been waived off yet," said Reddy. He further stated that Congress had also announced to give Rs 15,000 per acre to the farmers. While this promise has not been kept, the Rs 10,000 which was received earlier, has also been stopped now. "Not even a single rupee has been received from the Mahalakshmi Yojana for women, let alone Rs 2500," he added. Wayanad, Nov 12 : Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday posted a video showing tourist places of Kerala a day after he said that he (Rahul) would help Priyanka Gandhi to make Wayanad a tourist destination. He visited Kerala's longest zipline located in the district at the Karapuzha dam site and was seen freely interacting with the workers of the dam site. He was accompanied by his sister Priyanka Gandhi whose fate will be decided on Wednesday when the Wayanad goes to polling. In the video that has now gone viral, he says: "On Priyanka's campaign trail in Wayanad yesterday, I had the chance to connect with some truly inspiring locals. Despite the recent challenges, they're not giving up. They've built incredible attractions - the largest giant swing in South India, a drop tower, and a thrilling zipline all to show visitors that Wayanad is as stunning and safe as ever. I even tried the zipline myself, and I loved every second of it.' However, he added that the reality is tough as the recent landslide has left tourism hanging by a thread, and livelihoods are suffering from shopkeepers to homestay owners and the adventure park team, 'everyone is working hard just to keep things going'. Congress wrote on X that LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi had a candid interaction with some locals in Wayanad whose stories of resilience greatly inspired them. "From the largest giant swing in South India to a thrilling zipline, the people of Wayanad have built incredible tourism and adventure spots. Despite their hardships, they continue to work hard to revitalise the local economy," Congress wrote on X. The party added that Wayanad embodies the best of India, and both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have taken on a mission to make it a top destination in Kerala. Local Congress legislator I.C. Balakrishnan told IANS that the visit by Rahul and Priyanka has evoked a tremendous response in and around the now popular tourist destination. "He will make all efforts to promote Wayanad which has suffered the worst-ever landslide that washed away four villages. His visit will certainly do a world of good for tourists especially after the video has gone viral," said Balakrishnan. He added that it was worth watching how he interacted with the workers and wanted to find out every aspect of the adventure park at the Karapuzha dam site. "There was a lull after the landslide and his video will be hugely beneficial for the tourism industry," added Balakrishnan. Srinagar, Nov 12 : J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday highlighted the implications of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) on river-rich Jammu & Kashmir, which restricts its ability to harness its huge hydel power potential primarily due to storage constraints. As a fallout of the treaty barriers, the Chief Minister said J&K pays a heavy price in peak winter months when power generation hits low, creating hardships for its people. The Chief Minister, who also holds the charge of the Power portfolio, was speaking during the Conference of Power Ministers of States & UT in Delhi. The Chief Minister highlighted the limiting clauses in the Indus Water Treaty that restrict Jammu & Kashmir from realising its full hydel potential by only permitting run-of-the-river projects. "Hydel power is J&K's only viable energy source. The region is compelled to rely on power imports from other States, which adversely impacts its economy. To address this, J&K would require special compensation from the Central government, including viability gap funding and equity assistance, to harness its untapped hydro-energy potential," he said, adding the support would not only help in meeting the region's energy needs but also contribute to national clean energy goals. Chief Minister also sought the Centre's intervention in holding Central Public Sector Undertakings like PESL and National Thermal Power Corporation accountable for fast-tracking loss reduction works under the premier Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme in J&K. The Chief Minister also requested the Power Ministry to consider gap funding for the implementation of electric infra works under RDSS. During the session on solar power potential and green energy, the Chief Minister dwelled upon the solar power energy being generated in Ladakh and said that J&K would like to procure extra energy the UT is able to generate. Earlier, Omar Abdullah arrived in Delhi on Monday evening to participate in the Conference of Power Minister of States & UTs at India International Convention & Expo Centre Dwarka. He stayed for the entire day participated in all technical sessions and put forth the viewpoint of the J&K government during the conference. Mumbai, Nov 12 : Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday claimed that the MahaYuti government will come back to power in Maharashtra after the Assembly elections but taunted that the plane named 'Rahul Baba', which has already crashed 20 times, is bound to crash 21st time. "I started working in politics at a very young age, but I have never seen such an experiment in politics where an attempt was made to land the same plane 20 times. Sonia ji tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times and 20 times the plane crashed. Now again, on the strength of Maha Aghadi, an attempt is being made to land the plane for the 21st time in Maharashtra. Soniaji, this plane is bound to crash for the 21st time because a MahaYuri government is bound to be formed in Maharashtra," the Home Minister amid cheers from the people gathered at a poll rally at Borivali in North Mumbai for the BJP and MahaYuti nominees. He targeted the NCP SP president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and Congress saying that they won't be in a position to run the government in Maharashtra and take the state forward. "However, the MahaYuti leaders including the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are moving in every nook and corner and working quite hard to increase the pace of development in Maharashtra," he said. He appealed to the people to elect the MahaYuti government and strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hands. He also called upon the people to make 21 phone calls each to relatives and associates requesting them to vote for the MahaYuti alliance. "For decades there was a demand to give the status of elite language to the Marathi language. Sharad Pawar ji, you were a minister at the centre for 10 years and were also the Chief Minister of the state, what did you do? Well, he did not do it, but our Modi ji honoured Maharashtra by giving Marathi the status of an elite language," he said. He added that when Sharad Pawar was the minister in the 10-year UPA government, Maharashtra received only Rs 1.51 lakh crore while during the PM Modi-led government between 2014 and 2024 the state received more than Rs 10 lakh crore. "In 2019, we promised to give citizenship to the persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. We brought the CAA, and now it has been implemented and after years Hindus have been accorded citizenship. The whole country believes that Kashmir is an integral part of India. Recently Sushil Shinde ji said that when I was the Home Minister in the UPA, I was scared to go to Kashmir. Shindeji, you should go to Kashmir now, not a single hair of yours will be harmed," said the Home Minister. Mumbai, Nov 12 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday alleged that Congress has always exploited the OBC community saying that OBCs were never given rights but rather their rights were given away to the other classes. "Now the true face of Congress has come before the people. The voters in Haryana rejected the Congress and voted for the BJP solely based on their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the work done by the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Haryana," he said. At the press conference here, Saini said that the people rejected the Congress in Haryana only because of the development works done by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in the last ten years and the state government. In just ten years, the BJP government at the centre has done much more than what Congress could do despite enjoying power for a very long time. He appealed to the people of Maharashtra to teach a bitter lesson to the Congress and Maha Vikas Aghadi and to maintain the pace of development in Maharashtra by the double-engine Government. Saini said that in ten years, the Modi government has brought many schemes for farmers, women and youth and the government has ensured the progress of these elements of the society. Before 2014, one had to queue up for four days to buy a gas cylinder. Now we get gas cylinders at home. The government has worked to bring the country closer by creating better infrastructure. Saini also mentioned that 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' is the motto of this government which goes to prove that BJP is equivalent to a guarantee of development. "In Maharashtra, the Mahayuti government paid Rs 1500 to women through the Ladki Bahin Yojana, but the Congress went to court to stop the scheme," said Saini. He claimed that Congress has always insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Constitution too. Jammu, Nov 12 : Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Zone Anand Jain conducted a comprehensive review of operational preparedness in Basantgarh, Udhampur district, in light of recent security developments. The visit aimed at evaluating the readiness and effectiveness of local forces in responding to emerging threats and ensuring the safety of the residents, a police statement said on Tuesday. During the review, the ADGP conducted an inspection of the Police Station Basantgarh and met with officers from various units, including Special Operations Group teams, to discuss ongoing security measures and assess equipment, resources, and training levels. The ADGP emphasised the need for round-the-clock vigilance, proactive intelligence gathering, and swift response strategies to counter any security challenges in the area. Addressing the officers, the ADGP underscored the importance of community engagement in strengthening security and urged the teams to work closely with local communities to build trust and gather real-time intelligence. He also instructed the personnel to ensure seamless coordination with other security and intelligence agencies operating in the region. The ADGP acknowledged the dedication of the forces stationed in Basantgarh. He assured that additional resources and support would be provided to enhance operational effectiveness and address any logistical needs. There have been a series of encounters between terrorists and security forces across Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past in which many terrorists and their commanders have been eliminated. Security forces have also taken casualties. Initially confined to Poonch and Rajouri districts, terrorist activities are now spreading across other areas of Jammu, areas that were relatively free from such incidents until a few years ago like the Chenab valley that was declared militancy-free and Udhampur and Kathua. Hyderabad, Nov 12 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has said that action would be initiated against Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao in the Formula E race case once Governor Jishnu Dev Varma gives his approval. He told media persons in Delhi on Tuesday that Rama Rao visited Delhi to save himself in the case. He remarked that this was exposing the secret understanding between BRS and BJP. Claiming that the corruption during BRS rule was now getting exposed, he said instead of answering the questions, KTR was resorting to counterattack. The Congress government had last month sought the Governor's permission to prosecute Rama Rao over alleged irregularities in the funding of the Formula E race. Revanth Reddy dismissed the allegations made by KTR against him in an alleged AMRUT scam. "Not all persons who are named Reddys are my relatives," said the Chief Minister on the BRS leader's allegation that a company tied to his brother-in-law Srujan Reddy was awarded Rs.1,137 crore tender under AMRUT despite the company's lack of necessary qualifications. The Chief Minister said that Srujan Reddy is the son-in-law of former BRS MLA Upender Reddy and claimed that during BRS rule works worth thousands of crores were given to Srujan Reddy. He said Upender Reddy himself has denied corruption in AMRUT tenders. Revanth Reddy said that if KTR wants to approach the court over AMRUT tenders, he is free to do so. KTR had made the allegations at a news conference in the national capital earlier in the day. He along with BRS MPs met the Union Minister for Urban Development Manohar Lal Khatter and submitted a representation demanding an inquiry and the cancellation of AMRUT tenders. Revanth Reddy asked why KTR met leaders of the BJP to give representations when he and his party had vowed to finish off the corrupt BJP. He also alleged that BRS was supporting the BJP in the Maharashtra elections. --IANS ms/dan BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. NASA astronauts thank Azerbaijan for efforts in protecting the Earth, Trend reports. "Greetings from the International Space Station. I'm NASA astronaut Sonny Williams, along with my NASA crewmate Nick Haig. When we look down on the Earth from 260 miles above, it's clear how interconnected we all are. We orbit the Earth every 90 minutes and can see how our planet is changing, from increased extreme weather like hurricanes to shrinking glaciers and increased wildfires. Through instruments on the space station and our fleet of Earth-observing satellites, NASA and our partners are observing our planet and the effects of climate change and making our data free to the world. Our missions help gather information about rising seas, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, global surface temperatures, the warming ocean, deforestation, and plant and animal life in a way that you can only see from space. It is vitally important that the world accelerates its efforts to address the climate crisis in this critical decade. On behalf of our international crew, thank you to Azerbaijan and everyone in COP29 for your efforts to protect the beauty, wonder, and diversity of our home planet," the NASA astronauts said in their video message, addressing COP29 World Leaders' Climate Action Summit in Baku. Patna, Nov 12 : The by-elections for four Assembly seats in Bihar, scheduled for Wednesday, are being seen as a "litmus test" for the state's major political parties and alliances in the run-up to the Assembly elections slated for late next year. With three of these seats previously held by the Grand Alliance and one by the NDA, the by-elections are pivotal for both alliances to assert their dominance and gauge public sentiment. The recently established Jan Suraaj is also competing, making this election a proving ground for newer political forces in the state. Political observers are viewing this contest as a "semi-final" ahead of the 2025 Assembly polls, with significant campaigning efforts from major leaders. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other senior NDA figures, along with Tejashwi Yadav, Mukesh Sahni, and leaders of the Grand Alliance, have all invested substantial effort into their campaigns. Lalu Prasad Yadav made a notable appearance in Belaganj on November 11 to rally support, while Prashant Kishor has also been actively campaigning. The Ramgarh assembly seat, in particular, has seen intense competition. This constituency has a dynamic electoral history: Ashok Kumar Singh of the BJP won the seat in 2015, only for it to switch to RJD's Sudhakar Singh in 2020. In this by-election, Ajit Kumar Singh, Sudhakar Singh's younger brother and son of RJD veteran Jagadanand Singh, is contesting. Meanwhile, the BJP is once again fielding Ashok Kumar Singh, showing faith in his ability to reclaim the seat. Jan Suraaj's Sushil Kumar Kushwaha and BSP's Satish Kumar Singh Yadav are also contesting. With these varied and influential candidates, particularly in Ramgarh, the by-elections are expected to reveal shifting caste equations and alliances. Tarari assembly constituency in Bihar's Bhojpur district also posed evenly with BJP has fielded Vishal Prashant, son of former MLA Sunil Pandey, marking the party's attempt to reclaim the seat currently held by the CPI-ML. Raju Yadav from CPI(ML) faces the challenge of maintaining the party's hold on Tarari, especially since CPI-ML has controlled the seat since 2015. Other notable candidates include Kiran Singh of Jan Suraaj, Sikandar Kumar of BSP, and two independents, one of whom is also named Raju Yadav, potentially adding intrigue and splitting votes in the constituency. The Belaganj assembly seat has been a stronghold of Surendra Yadav since 1990, who served as MLA seven times. However, it is now vacant due to his election as MP from Jehanabad. RJD has placed its confidence in Vishwanath Singh, Surendra Yadav's son, who faces a significant challenge from Manorama Devi, the NDA candidate and wife of controversial figure Late Bindi Yadav. Manorama Devi, a two-term MLC, is seen as a formidable contender despite a recent NIA raid on her residence, which uncovered over Rs 4 crore cash and weapons. Mohammad Amjad from Jan Suraaj and an AIMIM candidate are also in the race. This may lead to a split in the Muslim vote, potentially complicating the RJD's bid to retain the seat. Imamganj, a reserved constituency, became vacant after Jitan Ram Manjhi won a seat in the Lok Sabha. His daughter-in-law Deepa Manjhi is running for NDA, aiming to maintain family influence in the area. Roshan Manjhi represents RJD, having contested in previous elections though he lost to JD(U)'s Uday Narayan Chaudhary in both 2005 and 2010. Jitendra Paswan, supported by Prashant Kishor, runs on a Jan Suraaj ticket. Known locally as a "rural doctor," he appeals to the grassroots voters. These by-elections are being closely watched as a precursor to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, with major parties mobilizing top leaders to consolidate their bases. The results will not only reflect the political pulse of the state but could also reshape alliances and strategies in the lead-up to the larger battle for Bihar next year Bengaluru, Nov 12 : Major political parties in Karnataka, the ruling Congress, NDA partners BJP and JD (S) brace for a litmus test as voters are all set in three assembly seats to exercise their franchise in by-elections. The curtains for the silent door-door campaigning came down in the evening and voters are set to cast their votes on Wednesday in high-profile Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur seats. The main contest is between the Congress and BJP and JD (S) alliance in Karnataka. The Congress has fielded its candidates in three seats. Two contestants are in the fray from the BJP and one from the JD (S). The State Election Commission has ordered paid leave on the voting day for voters of three assembly segments. The polling officers have obtained the EVMs and are already stationed at their respective polling booths. The voting will be held between 7 am and 6 pm on Wednesday. The Channapatna seat is witnessing a direct fight between Union Minister HD Kumaraswamyas son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is contesting under the JD (S) symbol as NDA candidate and CP Yogeshwara of the Congress party. The contest has become a matter of prestige between Dy CM and State Congress President DK Shivakumaras family and former PM HD Deve Gowda's family. Nikhil is the grandson of Gowda. Union Minister Kumaraswamy who represented the seat earlier has been camping in the constituency since the announcement of the election. Shivakumar had begun touring every corner of the constituency well ahead. The campaigning turned bitter as former PM Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy and Shivakumar were engaged in verbal war. Deve Gowda had declared that once the bypolls results were announced, the Congress government would collapse. The result in this segment is eagerly awaited. There are a total of 2.32 lakh voters in the Channapatna seat including 1.20 lakh women and 8 third gender voters. The Vokkaliga and Muslim votes are in large numbers in the constituency. There are 208 polling booths in the constituency. The BJP has fielded former CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommaias son Bharat Bommai as its candidate and the Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan is the Congress party contestant. The result is crucial for BJP and Basavaraj Bommai as he had held the seat earlier. Basavaraj Bommai is camping in the constituency and working tirelessly to ensure the victory of his son. The Congress party suffered a setback initially as a senior Congress leader from the constituency Ajjampeer Khadri rebelled and filed for nomination as an independent candidate. Khadri also vowed to defeat the Congress. However, with the intervention of CM Siddaramaiah, the crisis was sorted out and later the Congress leaders carried out a spirited campaign. However, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra had stated that the BJP has already won the seat. There are a total of 2.37 lakh voters in Shiggaon among which 1.16 lakh are women and 6 are third gender voters. The voting would be held in the 196 polling stations across the constituency. Sandur seat, located in Bellary district, so far considered a fortress of the Congress party is being challenged by the BJP this time which has never won the seat to date. Sandur is ST reserve seat and the Maharshi Valmiki Tribal Welfare board scam is likely to impact the results in a big way. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had camped in Sandur for a week and carried out intense campaigning as the results here are crucial for the Congress party facing the allegation of tribal welfare scam. The Congress has fielded Annapurna Tukaram, wife of former minister E. Tukaram, who resigned to contest the general election. Tukaram defeated prominent BJP leader B. Sriramulu. The BJP has fielded Bangaru Hanumanthu, the State ST Morcha President. There are 2.36 lakh voters in the Sandur constituency and 1.18 lakh are women. There are 29 voters belonging to the third gender category. There are 153 polling stations. --IANS mka/dan Guwahati, Nov 12 : Alleging that the police have shown a "biased" attitude in Nagaon district where the Samaguri Assembly seat is going to bypolls, Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah has threatened to launch a stir against the administration. Guwahati, Nov 12 (IANS) Alleging that the police have shown a "biased" attitude in Nagaon district where the Samaguri Assembly seat is going to bypolls, Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah has threatened to launch a stir against the administration. He told reporters here on Tuesday, "The police in Nagaon district are working against us to benefit the BJP. I have lodged a complaint on this matter with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Assam Anurag Goel. I have apprised him about the whole situation and the general observer for the election was also informed." Borah said that he will launch a protest if the administration does not take against a police officer of Additional SP rank in Nagaon -- Jayanta Boruah. "Baruah has been creating problems for our supporters and the administration is overlooking it. We want immediate action on this police officer." Earlier on Monday night, a Congress leader in Assam's Samaguri was arrested for attacking a journalist while he was covering a news, police said. However, the opposition leaders claimed that the police are favouring the BJP supporters. The person was identified as Sirajul Islam. He was taken into custody by police from the Singimari area in Samaguri. Islam was brought to Ruparihat police station in Nagaon district. According to police, the Congress leader recently launched an attack on a local scribe who went to Singimari locality to collect news for the by-elections. A case against Islam was registered at Ruparihat police station by the journalist. Meanwhile, Congress MP Rakibul Hussain lashed out at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He said, "The Chief Minister has been disobeying the Election Commission's directive and he is directing the police personnel to arrest Congress workers. This is unacceptable and we shall launch a protest against such action of CM Sarma." Hussain also alleged that the police have been behaving like a BJP supporter and there has been total disruption of the law and order situation in the state. Incidents of sporadic violence have been reported in the Samaguri constituency between Congress and the BJP supporters. Patna, Nov 12 : The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to mandate strict compliance with the provision of providing Form 17C to polling agents immediately after the conclusion of voting at each polling station in the state. Chitranjan Gagan, the RJD spokesperson, stated that despite the provision being a clear requirement in the electoral process, the ECI has not enforced it consistently. "The form is essential as it serves as an official record of the vote count at each polling station, and its availability to polling agents is crucial for ensuring transparency and confidence in the election process," Gagan said. The RJD, along with other political parties, has repeatedly raised concerns over this issue. In response, the RJD has already submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, requesting it to issue strict instructions to all election officials, specifically presiding officers, to comply with this rule. Additionally, Gagan emphasised the need for disciplinary action against any presiding officers who fail to provide Form 17C, highlighting the importance of upholding transparency and procedural integrity in the election process. Form 17C is a crucial document in the Indian electoral process, as it contains a detailed account of the votes cast at each polling booth. It includes the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) identification number, the total number of registered voters at the booth, the count of voters who signed the register but chose not to vote, voters who were disallowed from voting, and the total votes recorded per EVM. "This document is not only essential for the transparent counting process but also serves as critical evidence in case of legal disputes regarding election results," Gagan said. In the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, two primary forms are outlined for election proceedings: Form 17A and Form 17C. Form 17A holds details of each voter, essentially serving as an attendance register, while Form 17C consolidates the overall voting statistics, including turnout percentages. There is a clear provision that, once voting concludes, Form 17C should be provided to polling agents representing all parties to ensure accountability and transparency. Patna, Nov 12 : Over 100 students were not allowed to sit for their intermediate examination due to a controversial order from their college principal in Bihar's Siwan district on Tuesday. The students, who arrived wearing jeans and carrying mobile phones, were reportedly barred from taking the exam as per the principal's directive. The students protested at the college's main gate, voicing their concerns and anger over being excluded from the crucial examination. This "sent-up" exam is typically a prerequisite for students to qualify for final exams, meaning their academic future could be directly affected by missing it. The situation eventually de-escalated when police and college officials intervened, speaking with the students to restore order. However, the incident has raised concerns about the college's policies and the implications of enforcing such rules abruptly, especially when students' academic futures are at stake. Students who were initially barred from the intermediate sent-up examination at SS High School cum Inter College in Bhagwanpur Haat, Siwan, will now be able to take the exam on November 20. Principal Lalbabu Kumar has extended an appeal to parents, asking them to work with the college administration to uphold student discipline and support their future success. Principal Kumar clarified that the exclusion from the exam was based on two main factors - attendance and adherence to college rules. "Students with attendance below 75 per cent were deemed ineligible to sit for the exam, alongside those who wore jeans or brought mobile phones, as these items are prohibited on campus," Kumar said. The administration has reinforced that electronic devices and jeans are banned within the college premises to maintain a disciplined environment. To accommodate affected students, the college has announced a re-exam date and issued a notice to ensure clarity on the matter. Bhopal, Nov 12 : The ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh and the opposition Congress blamed each other for an armed attack in Vijaypur that occurred a day before voting for the bypolls slated on Wednesday. The Congress accused the BJP of threatening the voters ahead of polling, while the BJP termed it a conspiracy of the Congress. However, villagers claimed the attack was triggered by their refusal to hand over voters' slips for the November 13 bypolls. MP Congress unit chief Jitu Patwari claimed one of the persons involved in the firing was a history sheeter from Karauli in Rajasthan who had been committing dacoities for the last 12 years. Patwari along with former Chief Minister Kamal Nath alleged that the incident was an attempt to create fear among tribal voters in Vijaypur. "The BJP is now importing goons from Rajasthan and getting them to fire on the common people of Madhya Pradesh," Patwari alleged. He also alleged that Vijaypur police's reluctance to disclose the name of the accused proves collusion between the BJP and the administration. The Congress also demanded an independent inquiry into the matter. Meanwhile, MP BJP claimed that miscreants, who opened fire at tribal residents and injured three persons, were Congress' sponsored "goons". The ruling party also accused the opposition party of tarnishing the image of the BJP candidate. "Vijaypur's incident was a well-planned conspiracy of Congress to tarnish BJP candidate's image. They have sensed their defeat even before the election, which is why, this fire attack at tribal people was planned," MP BJP chief and Khajuraho MP V. D. Sharma said. According to Sheopur district police, the incident occurred late on Monday in Dhanachya village after six to seven persons riding motorcycles engaged in a heated exchange with villagers over some issue. One of the attackers was overpowered by villagers and he was handed over to police on Monday night. On Tuesday, Sheopur SP Virendra Jain said that two accused persons have been arrested. He also informed that police have recovered a 315-bore gun and cartridges from the spot. BJP candidate and state minister Ramniwas Rawat, a former Congressman, is in the fray against Congress' Mukesh Malhotra in the Vijaypur seat. Bypolls for Vijaypur and Budhni Assembly segments are scheduled on Wednesday and the results will be announced on November 23. Bhubaneswar, Nov 12 : A court in Rayagada district on Tuesday issued non-bailable warrants(NBWs) against six persons including senior Biju Janata Dal leader and former Rajya Sabha MP N. Bhaskar Rao in connection with the sensational murder case of tribal leader Bhagirathi Mandangi. "The court on Monday issued NBW against former Rajya Sabha MP N. Bhaskar Rao, K. N. Adinarayanan, K. Krishna Rao, Y. A. Venkateshwar Rao, P. Dillip Kumar and Ippili Sanyasi Rao due to the presence of sufficient evidence against them. Everyone knew that the accused had committed the murder but they suppressed the matter for around 15 years by wielding their power. Justice delayed but not denied," said Mandangi's lawyer Samuel Tandi. The Rayagada district Adivasi Mahasangha also expressed pleasure over the issuance of NBW against the ex-MP and five others in the matter. "The district Adivasi Mahasangha has been fighting to get justice in the Bhagirathi Mandangi case for the last 15 years. This notice also exposed how Mandangi was brutally killed by a group led by the then ruling party MP N Bhaskar Rao. The government didn't take any action in this regard. So, the Mahasangha approached the court that issued NBW against six people in this case. It is a victory for the Adivasi Mahasangha. We hope the deceased's family gets justice in the case," said Basanta Ulaka, BJP leader and the convenor of District Adivasi Mahasangha. Another tribal leader alleged that Mandangi's family had in the past approached the high court and Supreme Court in the matter but failed to get justice. Police later also closed the case due to pressure. Sources claimed that the deceased Bhagirathi Mandangi, a trustee of the Maa Majhighariani Temple Trust in Rayagada, had allegedly picked a fight with the accused persons over a tender fixing. Meanwhile, Mandangi who had gone to the temple for evening Arati on December 15, 2010, went missing. His charred body with hands and legs tied was found floating in a dam in Andhra Pradesh a few days later. Alleging police apathy, the tribals had observed Rayagada Bandha several times in the past seeking justice for the deceased's family. In April 2011, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered a crime branch inquiry into the murder case, but to no avail. Haveri : , Nov 12 (IANS) Karnataka BJP on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Chief Election Commissioner against Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, the Congress candidate for the Shiggaon constituency, requesting an investigation and appropriate action. BJP election agent S.K. Akki submitted the complaint via email, highlighting that Haveri Superintendent of Police (SP) Anshu Kumar had publicly confirmed that Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan still holds the status of a "rowdy-sheeter." However, in his election affidavit, Pathan declared that he has no cases pending against him. During the 2023 Assembly elections, he had disclosed multiple cases against him, but for this by-election, he has stated there are no cases, the complaint stated. According to the complaint, Pathan submitted an affidavit claiming no cases were pending, and the election officials accepted his nomination without conducting proper verification. The Haveri SP initially stated that cases against Pathan had not been closed but later, allegedly under pressure, claimed they were resolved. This inconsistency raises questions about the authenticity of the SP's statement, the complaint said. The BJP further claimed that Pathan had misled voters in the Shiggaon constituency by submitting false information in his nomination affidavit, violating the Election Code of Conduct. The petition demanded a thorough investigation and strict action to ensure a free and fair election in the constituency. The complaint also attached copies of Pathan's 2023 and current election affidavits, as well as a video clip of Haveri SP Anshu Kumar's press statement confirming that Pathan still has a "rowdy-sheeter" status. "Prima facie, this appears to be a case of filing a false affidavit, which violates Election Commission rules and misleads the voters. I urge you to initiate an immediate inquiry to ensure free and fair elections," the complainant stated. The Chief Minister's Office clarified on Tuesday morning that there are no criminal cases against its candidate Yasir in the Shiggaon constituency. Yasir had contested against Basavaraj Bommai in the 2023 Assembly election and lost it. The Congress party had suffered a setback initially in the election campaign as senior Congress leader from the constituency Ajjampeer Khadri rebelled and filed his nomination as an Independent candidate. Khadri also said that the party has preferred a rowdy sheeter over an honest party worker. New Delhi, Nov 13 : The official website for the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was jointly launched by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, along with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who said that the government under the inspirational leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi accords the highest priority to the well-being of more than 35 million Indian diaspora. The EAM posted on X: "Delighted to launch the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas #PBD website alongside Odisha CM @MohanMOdisha ji and MoS @KVSinghMPGonda." He further wrote on X: "MEA is proud to partner with Odisha and welcome our diaspora to the temple city of Bhubaneshwar to experience India's rich culture and heritage. Our biennial #PBD is a longstanding occasion to renew bonds and develop friendships. Invite YY diaspora to register in large numbers and join us in this celebration of our shared roots." He said that the Indian diaspora is a pillar of strength in tackling global issues highlighting the journey of Indians abroad which is more than a tale of migration. The EAM added that Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas is more than just a celebration, it is an invitation to action. He said that 'Viksit Bharat ki Sankalpna Mein Pravasi Bhartiyon Ka Yogdan', that is diaspora's contribution to a developed India, is the theme for the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas convention to be held early next year The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is a flagship event of the government that provides a key platform for engaging with the Indian diaspora around the world. The convention will be held from January 8-10, 2025, at Bhubaneswar in collaboration with the Odisha government. While launching the website (pbdindia.gov.in), EAM Jaishankar said that Prime Minister Modi's regular interactions with the diaspora during his official visits abroad and their unwavering support of India's growth story are testimony to the strong bonds shared between India and its global community. The EAM expressed confidence that the Indian diaspora will continue to play a crucial role in India's march towards a Viksit Bharat. "Today, as we confront various global challenges, the strength of our diaspora provides us a pillar of support and a strong foundation to address them adequately. I am confident that the diaspora will continue to play a notable role in India's march towards becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047. Let us walk this path together with the strength and unity that has always defined us. That is why we have chosen 'Viksit Bharat ki Sankalpna Mein Pravasi Bhartiyon Ka Yogdan', which is the diaspora's contribution to a Viksit Bharat, as the overarching theme for the upcoming 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas," EAM Jaishankar said. He emphasised that the Indians who have migrated have done works that have left a unique legacy both in India and in their host countries. "The event will also showcase exhibitions on Ramayana and for the first time highlight the contributions of the diaspora to technology as part of our message that India moves on both tradition and technology together. The Odisha government also intends to install an exhibition to showcase its rich cultural heritage, diversity, and artistry. The Ministry will be extending invitations to the winners of the ongoing Bharat Pujaniya Quiz and to participants of two batches of its flagship Know India program to attend the upcoming PBD. The website of the 18th PBD has been designed and developed to serve as a single point for important information required by Pravasis. It would facilitate registration of participants, booking of accommodation, and other necessary formalities. It also provides details of the program, logistics, advisories, tourist attractions, and religious sites in Odisha. With the launch of the website today, the registration process for participants is now open and delegates are encouraged to register as soon as possible," EAM Jaishankar said. He also urged the diaspora to popularise the event among other Indians to make the event a huge success. Odisha Chief Minister Majhi urged the Indian diaspora across the world to visit Odisha and hoped that they would be able to witness and appreciate the rich historical, cultural, and spiritual heritage of the state. He encouraged them to participate in next year's convention in large numbers. The theme of the PBD Convention for 2025 is "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat". It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi. A youth edition of the convention will be held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and preside over the valedictory session. The launch of the PBD website marks the commencement of online registration for participating in the convention 2025. The website will also facilitate reservation of accommodation in Odisha and provide detailed information on the event. New Delhi, Nov 13 : Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, has arrived in New Delhi for a two-day official visit to India, during which he will hold talks with External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, on Wednesday. The Saudi Foreign Minister arrived in Delhi on Tuesday night at the Air Force Station at Palam. "Warm welcome to FM HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia as he arrives in India on an official visit. During the visit, he will co-chair the 2nd meeting of the Political, Security, Social and Cultural Committee of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC). This visit will provide further impetus to the multifaceted India-Saudi Arabia bilateral ties," Randhir Jaiswal, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said on Tuesday in a post on X. During his visit, he will co-chair the second meeting of the Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Committee of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) on Wednesday. The SPC was established in 2019, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia in October of that year. According to his schedule, the Saudi Foreign Minister will meet with EAM Jaishankar, at Hyderabad House on Wednesday. Earlier this month, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia. During his visit, Union Minister Goyal participated in the Plenary Session of the Eighth Edition of Future Investment Initiative (FII), with representatives from global governments and the industry, as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He highlighted the critical role of international partnerships and economic diplomacy in fostering global cooperation, innovation, technological advancement, and investment, the Ministry said. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. In the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), panel discussions were held on Decarbonizing and Adapting the Cotton-to-Clothing Value Chain," Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture. Speaking at the discussions, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sarvan Jafarov emphasized the sustainable development of cotton growing in our country and noted the importance of science, technology, and innovation-based approaches to overcoming difficulties caused by climate change. The Deputy Minister noted that Azerbaijan is implementing a development strategy in the field of cotton production and processing and uses the experience of countries and international organizations specializing in cotton growing in this field. In particular, in recent years, within the framework of joint projects with the International Atomic Energy Agency, studies have been carried out in our country, and possibilities of application of nuclear technologies in the creation of new varieties have been studied. Sarvan Jafarov noted that the application of scientific approaches in practice has yielded positive results; as a result of proper agricultural experiments according to the climate applied in the pilot planting plots, the yields have doubled. In the course of the discussions, it was noted that our country is striving to strengthen the domestic value chain by modernizing the cotton processing infrastructure. Investments in new technologies help improve quality, develop processing capacity, and create new jobs in rural areas. Combined with digitalization initiatives and strong financial support mechanisms, these development models support Azerbaijan's vision to deliver competitive cotton products to international markets, making the cotton processing sector a sustainable and valuable sector. The panel discussions exchanged views on international experiences aimed at minimizing the difficulties caused by climate change and answered participants' questions. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel America's Number-One Ricotta Brand Introduces a Flavorful Twist on the Classic Thanksgiving Side BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In celebration of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season, Galbani Cheese, Italy's number-one cheese brand and America's number-one ricotta brand, is excited to unveil a new recipe that offers a fresh way to elevate your holiday feast. Ricotta Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Herbs utilizes the authentic Italian flavor of Galbani Ricotta to add a new level of creamy texture and unique flavor to a classic holiday dish. Galbani Ricotta is a product of Lactalis USA, a subsidiary of Lactalis Group, the world's largest dairy company. "As the holidays bring family and friends together, people are always looking for ways to make their dishes stand out. Galbani Ricotta offers a deliciously smooth and creamy alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, creating a light yet indulgent side that pairs perfectly with your holiday meal," said Daniel Assef, vice president of marketing for the Galbani brand. "The smooth texture and versatility of Galbani Ricotta make it an essential ingredient for those who want to surprise their guests with something both comforting and unique." Featuring simple ingredients like Yukon Gold potatoes, fresh herbs, and Galbani Ricotta, this recipe is both easy to prepare and perfect for those looking to elevate their holiday meals with a unique twist. Galbani Ricotta enhances the flavor and texture of the dish. Its mild, slightly sweet taste perfectly complements the flavor of potatoes, offering both a delicious and balanced dish. Ricotta Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Herbs Ingredients: 4 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 1/2 cup Galbani Ricotta Cheese 1/4 cup heavy cream 2 tbsp salted butter 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped Salt and black pepper to taste 1-2 tbsp of additional melted butter on top Instructions: Place the potatoes into a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot. Stir in the ricotta cheese, butter, and olive oil. Mix together until fully incorporated. Pour in the heavy cream, garlic, herbs, and salt and pepper. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes until completely smooth. Spoon the mashed potatoes into a serving dish and pour the melted butter on top. Garnish with any extra herbs and enjoy! As a staple in Italian cuisine for generations, Galbani Ricotta brings a high-quality, authentic taste to holiday classics, helping to create meals that are delicious and comforting. To learn more about Galbani Cheese and to explore additional recipes, visit galbanicheese.com. Find Galbani Cheese on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. About Galbani Cheese Since its beginnings in the foothills of the Italian Alps in 1882, Galbani has steadily grown into Italy's number-one cheese brand. The brand was acquired by Lactalis in 2006 and has brought its reputation for authentic Italian flavor and quality to American consumers since 2013. Today, Galbani Ricotta is the number-one brand of ricotta in the United States. Galbani is the only brand that offers all forms of mozzarella in the U.S. including fresh mozzarella, block, shred and string, along with the authentic flavor of mascarpone. Lactalis USA produces and distributes Galbani products in the United States. For more information, visit https://galbanicheese.com/ and follow Galbani on Instagram and like us on Facebook. About Lactalis USA Lactalis USA is committed to enriching lives by producing nutritious and great-tasting dairy products. The company offers an unrivaled house of beloved dairy brands in the United States including Galbani Italian cheeses, President specialty cheeses and gourmet butters, Kraft brands in natural and grated cheeses, Breakstones cottage cheese, ricotta and sour cream, Cracker Barrel cheese, Black Diamond cheddar cheese, Parmalat milk, siggi's and Stonyfield Organic yogurt brands. In the United States, the company has approximately 4,000 employees and is present in eight states with 11 manufacturing facilities and corporate offices located in New York City and Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill., Bedford, N.H., and San Fernando, Calif. Lactalis USA is part of Lactalis Group, the world's leading dairy company, a French family business founded in 1933 in Laval, France. Media Contact Anna Zirpolo, Galbani Cheese, 1 3129195457, [email protected] SOURCE Galbani Cheese Author and illustrator Bruce Degen, best known for his detailed, humorous artwork depicting the fun and informative field trips of Ms. Frizzles class in the Magic School Bus picture book series, died on November 7 of pancreatic cancer at his home in Newtown, Ct. He was 79. Degen was born June 14, 1945, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and grew up in the borough. I always, always, always loved to draw, he told the Newtown Bee in 2022. That passion would serve as a buffer as he struggled to exemplify good behavior in school. He often recalled his boredom with elementary schoolwork, and how one exceptionally supportive teacher, Miss Rich, allowed him to stand in the back of his sixth-grade classroom and paint when he needed help focusing on lessons. From a young age, Degen also loved books. As a child I would love to go to the library, he told Something About the Author. If it was a nice day I wouldnt wait until I got home to read my books. I had to stop in the little park and begin my books under a tree, he said. By eighth grade, Degens art skills and grades were strong enough to help him gain admission to the High School of Music & Art (now LaGuardia High School). It was there that another caring teacher encouraged him to pursue higher art education at the Cooper Union in Manhattan and he earned a B.F.A. from the school in 1966. While at Cooper Union, Degen met fellow student Christine Bostard. The couple married in 1968, eventually raising two sons, also artists. Following his graduation from Cooper Union, Degen accepted a full-time position as an art teacher in the New York City public schools, and also worked freelance gigs in advertising design and painting. Beginning in 1971 he additionally served as a director for an artists lithography studio in Israel. Degen continued with his formal art study, too, and received an M.F.A. in printmaking and painting from New Yorks Pratt Institute in 1975. Though he initially thought he would earn his living as a fine artist, Degen realized that the gallery world was not the best fit. I was in art school doing very serious art, and I didnt know what I was going to do, he said in a 2020 interview with Science.org. I said to myself, Why did I do art in the first place? It was fun. And I realized that, in my heart of hearts, I wanted to do childrens books because they could be funny and beautiful. With this new goal in mind, Degen credited a night course taught by author and illustrator Barbara Bottner with shifting his illustration journey into high gear. I walked out of that course with a portfolio full of drawings and book ideas, Degen told the Newtown Bee. I went around to visit the publishers in Manhattan with my portfolio and I started doing childrens books. The first book that Degen both wrote and illustrated, Aunt Possum and the Pumpkin Man, was published by Harper and Row in 1977. That same year, he quickly lined up additional illustration projects for books by other authors, beginning with Forecast by Malcolm Hall (Coward). The work came steadily for several years and in 1980, Degen illustrated Commander Toad in Space (Coward), the first of a seven-book series of early chapter books by Jane Yolen. In 1983, Degen wrote and illustrated one of his most beloved picture books, Jamberry (Harper & Row), featuring the berry-picking adventure of a jam-loving boy and a lovable bear with a knack for spouting nonsensical berry-flavored rhymes. A bear also takes center stage in Degens illustrations for Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? (Macmillan, 1986) and a raft of subsequent titles in Nancy White Carlstroms Jesse Bear series. But the series that blasted Degen into new realms of popularityThe Magic School Buswritten by Joanna Cole was first pitched to him by the late Scholastic editor Craig Walker in 1984. As the oft-told story goes, Degen and Cole, already a noted nonfiction author, and a writer of humorous books, met at the Scholastic offices and hit it off immediately. They developed a brainstorming rhythm as Degen contributed his own ideas and flair to Coles blend of well-researched, multilayered text and flashes of zaniness. The series officially pulled out of the depot with The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks, published in 1986. Not only did Cole and Degen become close collaborators over the 14 books they created together about the amazing field trips taken by Ms. Frizzle, her class, and their shape-shifting bus, but they also became dear friends, eventually living in the same town. The books went on to be adapted as a popular animated series, first on PBS, then Netflix; and additionally spawned spin-off books, and licensed products. There are more than 95 million copies of the Magic School Bus books in print worldwide. With more than 50 books to his credit, Degen believed he had taken the most fulfilling career path with his art. You can do a painting, and it might end up being on somebodys wall, but if you do a book, it goes out into the world, he told Reading Rockets in 2008. Its in libraries. Its in homes. Theres nothing like that. Theres nothing like the fact that youve actually become part of somebodys family life. Phoebe Yeh, VP and editor at large for Crown Books for Young Readers, was at Scholastic when the Magic School Bus was born and worked with Degen on the series and beyond. It is so very hard to do justice to the genius of Bruce Degen, she said. I was the lowly editorial assistant who became part of the Magic School Bus series from the very beginning. I heard Craig Walker describe his idea about the science teacher who took her class on very strange field trips; how he searched for the right author, Joanna Cole. And then art director Diana Hrisinkos recommendation of Bruce Degen, who would not be daunted by the complexity of the book format. He would be able to make visual sense of the multiple story threads: narrative, reports, speech bubbles and create a readable aesthetic whole. Clearly, he was a genius at composition. He could draw anything: people, animals, obviously science content, and we would learn that he had a fashion sensibility, too. Everyone had suggestions about Ms. Frizzles dresses but we were all inspired by the first wardrobe he created for her. Bruce had to do extensive research alongside Joanna. And it was apparent that he was every bit as funny as Joanna. I learned everything about exemplary bookmaking from Bruce, his creative flair, his fanciful and childlike sensibility, his meticulous attention to detail. Bruce Degen was one-of-a-kind. We have lost a true pioneer of childrens bookmaking. Thankfully we have his books and characters: Jamberry, Jesse Bear, Ms. Frizzle and Arnold, who will live on, forever. And David Levithan, SVP/editorial of Scholastic Press, offered this tribute: The joy that you find on every page of The Magic School Bus comes directly from the immense joy Bruce expressed in creating the art, inspired by Joannas playfully informative words. And what a joy it was to work with him. He took such mischievous delight in the characters, and was up for any challenge the science threw his way, whether it involved wandering the vastness of space or focusing on the evolution of an amoeba. He was a craftsman in the best sense, always looking for new ways to expand the visual language of the series while staying true to its heart. I inherited the series from my boss, Craig Walker, who had a loving bond with Bruce and Joanna that went far beyond the books. They built a bus together and then they made sure to truly enjoy the ride. I will miss Bruces stories about the old days and how hed unfurl them over a long lunch. I will miss the twinkle in his eye as he road-tested a new joke for Arnold or planned a new outfit for Ms. Frizzle. But hopefully I wont miss the joy of it all, because thats what I plan to hold on toand what generation after generation of young readers will get to experience whenever they hop on board. Click Here to go to PublishersWeekly.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. An agreement was signed today by Taleh Ziyadov, General Director of Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC; Nurlan Sauranbayev, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Railways JSC; and Yuan Xiaojun, General Director of Xian Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co Ltd, on the establishment of a new enterprise dedicated to the construction of an intermodal cargo terminal at the port, Trend reports. The signing ceremony saw the attendance of Ruslan Alikhanov, Chief Executive Officer of Azerbaijan Investment Holding, and Nurlan Zhakupov, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan's Samruk-Kazyna JSC. The event took place as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The primary aim of this agreement is to establish a state-of-the-art intermodal cargo terminal in the Baku port, situated in the village of Alat, to enhance and expand cargo transportation capabilities. The project plans for the development of a 40-hectare intermodal cargo terminal, which is expected to significantly bolster the region's logistics infrastructure. Given the extensive facilities available at Baku Port, coupled with the strategic role of Kazakhstan Railways in servicing the Middle Corridor, as well as the efficient organization of container trains from Xi'an Free Trade Port along the China-Europe route, this agreement holds substantial significance for all three nations involved. Moreover, the agreement is expected to yield numerous benefits, including a consistent rise in the volume of container trains traversing the Middle Corridor, reduced unloading times, decreased transportation costs, minimized transshipment durations, and a reliable increase in overall cargo volumes. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened today at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together. 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel I rushed home after class and immediately combed through the course bulletin for other options. Everything I saw would have bored me just as much as the political science class. Psychology. Philosophy. Religion. I got tired just thinking about how much I would dread any of those classes. Then something caught my eye: IHDD 2001. I had to check it out; at worst itd just be another boring class. Instead I found the gold buried in the mud pile. A class called Introduction to Disability. Starting November 12, Vistara aircraft will be operated under the Air India banner, to be identified by a special four-digit flight code beginning with '2'. IMAGE: A Vistara aircraft at Mumbai airport. Photograph: ANI Photo As boarding gates closed at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and final passenger calls were made, flyers settled into their aubergine-coloured seats. Captain Adarsh Mohan informed passengers that the aircraft under the Vistara brand was being piloted by him for "one last time". The caveat was necessary as the 10-year-old brand Vistara, having merged with Air India, was flying into the sunset on Monday, November 11, 2024. The announcement by Captain Adarsh Mohan prompted some of the young flyers to click photographs of the cabin with dim purple-orange mood lights. Selfies on the plane were also taken. On this special day, the menu featured a special complimentary dessert. Alongside its usual meals and beverages, the flight crew served a strawberry pastry topped with vanilla sauce as a parting gesture. Earlier in the day, the farewell mood had set in at terminal 2 of the Bengaluru airport itself, where this reporter was waiting to board a Vistara flight on its final day. Vistara flight UK 854 was flying behind schedule with boarding delayed by close to an hour. The ground staff attributed the lag to air traffic congestion in Mumbai, resulting in a delayed arrival of the flight in Bengaluru. A commotion between the Vistara ground staff and passengers travelling to Mumbai, over the delay, was contained quickly: After all, it was no ordinary day. "Some delays can be excused for the airline today since it's one of its last operations as Vistara. It's one of the few brands that flyers will miss booking from now on," a 50-year old finance professional travelling in the Bengaluru-Mumbai flight said. The change of guard was visible at the check-in counters at the airport. Long queues near the airline's check-in counters prompted the Vistara staff to seek assistance from team Air India. Consequently, personnel donning Air India lanyards stepped in, opening two of the counters to ease pressure. "From tomorrow, it's only Air India for us even though operational integration may take some more time. We're excited to see how we can serve as a merged entity," a Vistara employee said. Starting November 12, Vistara aircraft will be operated under the Air India banner, to be identified by a special four-digit flight code beginning with '2'. Once the flight took off, there were questions and more. "Is it Vistara's last day today? What are the things that will change? I have been flying for the past 40 years within India, and only a few have come close to international standards," said K N Prabhashankar, a Bengaluru-based chartered accountant. He's preferred Vistara over others on his frequent trips to Mumbai. To ensure flyers like Prabhashankar face minimal interruption, majority of the airline's in-flight experience including routes, schedules, cabin crew, menu, cutlery and device would continue to remain the same for some time. "It's a day filled with mixed emotions for me. We are amongst the best airlines globally. What's heartening is I would still be able to wear the aubergine-coloured uniform until February next year," a member of the cabin crew said. "Vistara set new standards in Indian skies and pioneered premium economy in domestic aviation. The food and service standards set it apart for most parts," said Ameya Joshi, founder of aviation blog Network Thoughts. The merger with Air India comes nearly a decade after Vistara launched operations with three Airbus jets in 2015. The airline was a 51:49 joint venture between the Tata group and Singapore Airlines, and has seen an infusion of Rs 9,900 crore (Rs 99 billion). It now operated about 2,400 weekly flights and had a fleet of 70 planes. The conclusion of the merger comes near two years after it was announced. In 2022, the Tata group and Singapore Airlines said that they had agreed to merge Vistara with Air India to drive synergies and grab market share in the fast-growing aviation market. The process came with its own turbulence including pilot agitation. However, for passengers, the 'Vistara feel' would remain important. Even after the merger. Some said they would cherish their boarding passes since it would be the last time they were flying with the brand. "Today even if their tagline says 'Fly a new feeling', I hope the old feeling (of flying with them) continues to remain the same," another passenger added. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com China has stayed on top for two consecutive months in the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (EM IMI), after ceding the position to India in August. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters At the end of October, Chinas weight in the key EM gauge stood at 24.72 per cent, up from 21.58 per cent at the end of August. Indias weight during this period has slipped to 20.42 per cent from 22.27 per cent. The change in the pecking order comes amid a sharp rally in Chinese equities fuelled by aggressive stimulus measures by Beijing to support the economy. Meanwhile, record foreign outflows, coupled with earnings disappointment, have taken some wind out of Indias sails. From its September lows, the Shanghai Composite Index has rallied over 25 per cent, while Indias benchmark S&P BSE Sensex is down 8 per cent from its peak in September. When it comes to the MSCI All Country World IMI (ACWI IMI), China reclaimed its fifth spot. In August, it had slipped to seventh place behind France and India. Chinas weight at the end of October in the MSCI ACWI IMI stood at 2.67 per cent, up from 2.24 per cent at the end of August. India and France are close sixth and seventh on the ACWI IMI. Indias overtaking of China in August in both the MSCI EM IMI and the MSCI ACWI IMI while not a major development from a flow perspective was still considered a big achievement, given the domestic markets are less than half the size of its neighbours. The IMI, an offshoot of the standard EM gauge, also includes stocks in large, mid, and smallcap indices, while the standard index is restricted only to large and midcaps. The MSCI EM IMI is tracked by passive funds with lower assets under management (AUM) compared to the standard MSCI EM Index. While the MSCI EM Index has around $500 billion in AUM, the MSCI EM IMIs AUM is substantially lower. In the MSCI EM Index, Chinas weight is substantially higher at 27.38 per cent compared to Indias 18.84 per cent. Interestingly, Taiwan has edged past India in the main index, with a weight of 19.05 per cent at the end of October. Currently, Indias total market capitalisation (mcap) is $5.27 trillion, while Chinas is over $12 trillion. Global index providers like MSCI consider the mcap held by non-promoters and freely available for trading. Also, the investment legroom for foreign portfolio investors is a key consideration when formulating the weighting. Over the past decade, the sharp rally in domestic equities, coupled with improved access for foreign portfolio investors, has seen Indias weight increase in most global indices. Indias share in global mcap jumped to 4.3% on November 4, from a low of 1.6 per cent in 2013, making it the second-highest among EMs. Further, Indias rank in global mcap rose to 5th from 17th in 2004 and 10th in 2014. Indias mcap has now reached levels comparable to those of the US market in the early 1990s, China in 2014, Japan in 2015, and Hong Kong in 2017. Additionally, Indias weight in the MSCI EM Index briefly surpassed that of China in September 2024, rising to 22 per cent from 7 per cent in 2014. "However, after the recent rally, China has regained its leadership position, while India has slipped a bit post its recent correction, observed a note by Motilal Oswal. A note by Morgan Stanley on November 10 said it now expects Asias total mcap to rise to $40.9 trillion by 2027, down from earlier estimates of $55.5 trillion. That will still mean it rises in a decade by $12.4 trillion. "Growth has been and is likely to remain fastest in India, where we now expect the mcap to be around $6.2 trillion in 2027, almost treble the 2017 level. "In contrast, growth has been slower than we had expected in China/Hong Kong and is now expected to reach $18.5 trillion by the end of 2027, Jonathan Garner, chief Asia and EM strategist at Morgan Stanley, wrote in a note. After experiencing an 11 per cent contraction in exports in 2023-24 (FY24) due to a dip in exports for 10 consecutive months from April to January, the Tiruppur textile industry is back on track in 2024-25 (FY25). Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters The cluster, which contributes 55 per cent of the countrys total knitwear exports, posted a 13 per cent increase in the first five months of this financial year (FY25), with August seeing a 22 per cent rise the highest in over two years. Additionally, global majors like Primark, Tesco, Tommy Hilfiger, Marks & Spencer, and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, among others, are lining up to place orders with manufacturers from this textile city. According to the Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA), a major reason for this shift is the Green Tiruppur sustainable strategy adopted by the manufacturing units, which has made the hub more attractive to buyers in the US and Europe. Moreover, the recent political instability in Bangladesh has also made Tiruppur an attractive option for global apparel majors. Companies from the US, such as GAP, Carters, and Walmart, along with European giants like Next and Duns, and Australian companies like Target and Woolworths, have placed orders during the first five months. The textile industry is traditionally energy and water-intensive and produces substantial greenhouse gas emissions. However, investments in zero liquid discharge, green energy, and tree plantations have positioned the Tiruppur knitwear cluster to comply with environment, social, and governance standards, making it a carbon-negative cluster. This has attracted companies keen on green compliance to the region. Companies here are promoting Green Tiruppur. We are planting 2 million trees and generating nearly five times the green energy required, from wind and solar, which totals around 1,900 megawatt (Mw), while our requirement is only around 300 Mw," said K M Subramanian, president of TEA. We are also using almost 100 per cent recycled water out of the total water requirement of 150 million litres every day for processing our fabrics, Subramanian added. The manufacturers are supplying the remaining power to the grid. During the first five months of the current financial year, the regions exports were valued at Rs 14,679 crore, a 13 per cent increase from Rs 12,995 crore during the April to August period of 2023-24. In August alone, there was a 22 per cent rise, reaching Rs 3,114 crore, up from Rs 2,550 crore in August 2023. This comes at a time when the region's overall exports fell by 11 per cent in 2023-24, to Rs 30,690 crore, compared to Rs 34,350 crore in 2022-23. This decline was due to multiple factors, including the war in Ukraine, the financial crisis in Europe and the US, and global business disruptions. Tiruppur has around 28,000 manufacturing units involved in various processes across the textile value chain, providing employment to roughly 800,000 people. These include knitting, dyeing, bleaching, fabric printing, garmenting, embroidery, compacting, calendaring, and other ancillary units. 'When the bombing happened in the Taj Mahal hotel in 2008, that was a very sad moment, but he really took care of the people, took care of everybody and that was when you saw some of his best (finest) moments.' 'There are some things which we will never forget. That is when the best of a person comes out.' IMAGE: Then Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata with Tata Sons Director R K Krishna Kumar to his left at the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai after it was cleansed of terrorists, November 29, 2008. Photograph: Jayanta Shaw/Reuters= When Ratan Tata was working with Tata's National Radio & Electronics Company (Nelco),in the early 1980s, he threw himself, as was his style, eagerly and zealously into the project of building a main-frame computer for the Mumbai-headquartered company. That was when he got to know Ram. Ram was how he addressed Subramanian Ramadorai, a Nagpur-born engineer, belonging to a Tamil civil servant family, who in 1967 had earned his master's in computer science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and returned to India to work with Tata Consultancy Services in the 1970s. Ram and Ratan, young men in their late 20s and early 30s, with a vision, and energy to back it, together built this hi-tech, new-fangled Nelco computer and it was the start of a successful and warm collaboration that was to last for the rest of their lives. From those exciting computer-building days, the relationship gradually matured and blossomed into a close association of 40 plus years, as Ramadorai quickly climbed the TCS company ranks to eventually become the CEO for 13 years and later the vice-chairman for five, growing the company's revenues to $20 billion, winning accolades and awards, like the Padma Bhushan and a CBE. He and Tata worked together, travelled extensively together, consulted one another, leaned on each other's knowledge and advice and sometimes relaxed in each other's company too, though their interests were diverse, through the best of times and even some terribly sad days too. Ram bid Ratan Naval Tata -- whom he addressed sometimes as Ratan and sometimes as Sir -- a poignant farewell, staying at his side one last time, through the day on October 10, 2024. He said to Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com: "Mr Tata's contributions will remain. His memory will remain forever." When did you first meet Mr Ratan Tata? It was in the beginning of the 1980s. I was looking after the engineering part of the organisation (TCS). He was the chairperson of Nelco. We met because Nelco wanted to build a computer from California and we had to build the software for that. We looked for both the manufacturer, some of the support systems with regards to the software itself, namely for the operating system we built. We were extensively in touch with each other. When you first met him, what was he like? He was exactly true to what he appeared -- very approachable, very open and it was very easy to communicate with him. One never felt his presence in terms of hierarchy or in terms of any reservations. IMAGE: Then Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata and then Tata Consultancy Services CEO Subramanian Ramadorai at the inauguration of TCS' new headquarters in Mumbai. Photograph: Kind courtesy Subramanian Ramadorai It must have been very intriguing to work on this project in Nelco with him? He was very interested in it because he was passionate about hardware in this country and wanted the software. I picked IIT Bombay and we collaborated with the computer science department there to build the software for that machine. The second time was when we built the super computer, namely the 132 teraflop Eka in the early 2000s. I took that proposal to him, wanting the funding to be done by Tata Sons and he immediately agreed. Then we have written a small story (external link) on that, with regard to how we built that, what were the moments, because that put it as the fourth most powerful machine in the world. We applied it (used it) in the Indian Space Research Organisation (for the launch of Chandrayan). We applied it in some of the virtual simulations and virtual reality area too. When you were working with him on this computer at Nelco, were you in touch on a daily basis? Yes, he was highly invested in it. But more importantly, you could ask for a meeting anytime, any day and he was easily approachable, like I said in the beginning, so it was not a problem. Once he took over the Tata Sons' responsibility and he became the chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Group chairman in 1991, I recall it became more difficult (to approach him) because of the pressure and the kind of companies in the group he was driving for the next 20 years. You would have interacted with so many business leaders in your time and presently as well. What set Mr Tata apart? I think, his honesty of purpose. What you hear is what you get. And if you disagreed, you could communicate without any inhibitions. So that boss-employer relationship was never there. It was purely a professional interaction, which was what I cherished most. And that's what we always believe in. That's what we did at TCS, also with Dr (Faqir Chand) Kohli (MIT-educated TCS co-founder and first CEO). But overall, I think it is a culture of openness, culture of transparency, culture of what you say is what you get. One was free to challenge anything as a professional. Also, a certain amount of humbleness? Yes, that was there, because by nature he was a very approachable and a very nice person. You could talk to him on anything -- computers or electronics or policies or steel or automotive or sustainability or the Trust. So, I had a variety of experiences, interacting and my interactions were not always just professional. Also, if I had an idea about the group or I had an idea on what can be done better, he was absolutely open to listening. He would never say 'That's not your domain' or 'That's for some other time'. So, he had a very open mind and a keenness to know things? Yes, you (could approach him) in two or three ways -- either by he asking you, or you telling him something or sending a note or something, or you write something to him. Or you travel together -- that becomes a bond which was all the more important. IMAGE: S Ramadorai at the TCS IPO launch at the National Stock Exchange along with Phiroze Vandrevala, second from left, and Ratan Tata, 2004. Photograph: Kind courtesy Subramanian Ramadorai You had a very long association with him. What were some of the little personal things that you noticed about him -- what he liked to eat or his hobbies or how he relaxed? His hobbies were plenty. For example, he was an architecture man. That was his passion. So, anything to do with architecture, anything which had a design element from architecture, or painting. All these were absolutely his fondness. The second one was if you had a pet, if you had a dog and were fond of dogs, you could communicate about your own dog or a dog he was mentoring or bringing up, etc. This was another subject which you could communicate with him anytime. Third is a health initiative, whether it is cancer, whether it's a public hospital, some of the hospitals which we supported or we looked at. That was the other one. In the technology part of it -- if you saw something which made sense, and he also thought it made some sense, we could easily communicate, converse on that. That was the another area. Automotive, of course, was an amazing passion for him, and you could learn a lot, or talk about the changes that were happening in the automotive industry. The other one which we communicated a lot on was in the Tata Advanced Systems (an aerospace manufacturing, military engineering and defense technology company), which I was the chairman of, where we did quite a bit of this aerospace industry creation in the Hyderabad area. Again, my communication with him there was almost once a week, which was very important. There was a diversity of areas -- I mentioned just a few. And, of course, TCS and what we did during the TCS IPO. We met a lot of investors, a lot of our people across various geographies, travelled together, virtually lived together. I think those two weeks were like exclusive time with him. Those are some moments which are extremely important. Since you and he travelled extensively, was he like an anxious traveler? Was he up and out the door exactly on time and very disciplined in this respect? Yes, time commitment was his forte -- that's the hallmark of our group. If I gave you a time, you are supposed to be there; both were absolutely very critical. It was more to respect you as a professional, as a friend, rather than, like I said, a boss or a subordinate type of a relationship. Age was another factor. If he was 86, I was approaching 80. So, age-wise we were not too far apart. So how did you travel around? By car within a city, of course. Plus, we travelled by flights, normal commercial flights. At least on my travels with him, other than a few occasions where we took the company jet, most of the time it was commercial flights. I travelled to the US, Europe with him. We travelled to Latin America, different countries. We traveled to Singapore, and to the Far East. It was long travel, across various geographies for sure. IMAGE: Ratan Tata and S Ramadorai at the inauguration of TCS' new HQ in Mumbai. Photograph: Kind courtesy Subramanian Ramadorai Was he like a favourite passenger for wherever he went? Yes, a favourite passenger. So many people who would like to shake hands with him, take a picture with him, later with cell phones or smartphones. Air crews must have liked to serve him and maybe because he was a very humble person? He was not a demanding person. Never used his position for getting anything. Those were some of the qualities he probably acquired from J R D (Tata). It was a collection of things. All of us learn from somebody, all of us pass our learnings on to somebody, that's the way he functioned. How well did he know India? Mr Tata? Of course, he knew India because Jamshedpur was where he started, namely in the interiors with Tata Steel. (He knew) the Pune belt because of the automotive industry, which is the second largest one. And if you take the Tata Chemicals or the Indian Hotels, again, they are spread across the country. He took a personal interest in some of these properties, as well as these factories or some of the products that they manufactured etc. And he was absolutely (involved). For example, every March 3, on Tata Steel's Founder's Day (to honour the birth Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata), he was definitely there (in Jamshedpur). He would not miss a beat and every year he would be there. He would meet the employees, he'd meet the leadership and people cherish that. For JRD's birth anniversary on July 29th, he was always there in Bombay, garlanding the statue of the founder as well as Mr JRD's. These were all done with clockwork precision, on the appointed day, every year, on the dot. And these are all memories of him which are very, very sweet. Wherever he went or travelled, he made it a point to meet the employees and all the people at lower level too? Yes, yes. Did he speak good Hindi? No, no, no. Not good in Hindi or Gujarati (laughs). Seen him speak in Gujarati sometime. But I don't think it was anywhere near good. I would say it was average. Was he interested in food? He was very particular about his food because he didn't like much spices. I was the wrong person to advise him, because I'm 100 per cent vegetarian, whereas he was not a vegetarian. Would you say he was a very patient man? Yes. Very patient, very patient. When the bombing happened in the Taj Mahal hotel in 2008, that was a very sad moment, but he really took care of the people, took care of everybody and that was when you saw some of his best (finest) moments. There are some things which we will never forget. That is when the best of a person comes out. He (always displayed) his kindness, the humanity, concern for what's really happening, concern for employees and concern for anybody close to him. Or if a dog died in his house. Or a street dog suffered -- how committed he was in making sure affordable treatment was very much available. Those are some things which we can never forget. So, 26/11 upset him a lot? Of course. All of us. It was a matter of shock? Never expected it. And how the employees stood up to save the guests, before they got out themselves and they sacrificed their own lives. It came from cultural moorings and it's not a normal behaviour. Why did it happen? It's not because you're going to get a medal or something. You did it because that was the way. Was 26/11 a matter of tears for Mr Tata? I am sure. Yes. One heard that the moment something tragic happened anywhere in India, Mr Tata made sure that he mobilised aid immediately, like when the 2004 New Year's Day tsunami happened in South India. Yes. Whether it was an earthquake, whether it was a cyclone in Chennai, through Indian Hotels, or TCS, or any of the other groups, that were close to the disaster area, we all pitched in together and we worked as one team. It was not you versus me or this company within the group versus that company. Every person volunteered that time and made sure that the access to help was there instantly. The leadership made sure it happened. This was a culture we carried forward from JRD to Ratan. When the Air India building was bombed in 1993 and the terrorist attack happened in the Bombay Stock Exchange, in Worli, in Zaveri Bazaar and at Bandra (Sea Rock and Juhu Centaur hotels), I think all of us rose to the occasion and made sure that we had everything functioning within 24 hours. The second thing was the blood banks were full. The number of blood donors from the Tata group itself, from the organisation itself, made a big difference. IMAGE: S Ramadorai with Ratan Tata. Photograph: Kind courtesy Subramanian Ramadorai People who knew him told me he was neither a particularly philosophical person nor a religious person. What were some of the unusual personal things about him that struck you? Yoga was an example. He was willing to try it out for his back. Mr Krishna Kumar (a senior Tata group director) took him to some temple or another at the time of the Tata acquisition of the Corus Group (British-Dutch steel company) etc. He was quite open for that. So I don't think he believed in it, but at the same time he was not against it. He had an open mind? He had an absolutely open mind. When someone dear passes away, one remembers with fondness maybe a particular incident or moment. When you look back, what are those days that you remember with great fondness? I think it's happiness. For example, when we did a listing of TCS in 2004, I think the kind of value unleashing and the kind of retail investors from this country who had access to that, I was absolutely touched by that. Very few people will say let's list only in India and not outside, because we have to give access to the shares for our people in India, for a retail small investor, whether they have one share, 10 shares, 5 shares based on affordability and the lottery which gets them. Second is you must price the product such that there is always an upside value and it's not a price it so much that nobody gets anything at the end of the day and they all don't like it. It was a principled person who saw the value of touching the last man or the last woman in the chain, so that affordability was addressed. There was a passion to create value for every citizen of this country. That's the way he looked at problems. We must touch all, rather than touch a few. What is your sense of personal loss now that he's passed on? Being a professional, being a person who knew him, we all share the loss, share the grief, but life must move on and we must remember the person and the kind of things he did and how we can propagate that. That is the only way to move forward. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com The Mumbai police on Tuesday arrested a budding songwriter for allegedly sending threat messages to Bollywood actor Salman Khan and demanding Rs 5 crore from him in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, an official said. IMAGE: Actor Salman Khan attends Ganpati puja at Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's residence in Mumbai, September 126, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Sohail Pasha, held from Raichur in Karnataka, wanted a song written by him to become famous and used this ploy for the purpose, the police claimed. The WhatsApp helpline of Mumbai traffic police on November 7 received multiple messages stating that the sender was a member of the Bishnoi gang, and Salman Khan would be killed if he did not pay Rs 5 crore. They would also kill the writer of the song Main Sikandar Hun, the sender warned. The crime branch of the Mumbai police tracked down the mobile number from which the messages had come to Raichur. Accordingly, a team was sent to Karnataka and Vyankatesh Narayan, who owned the number, was interrogated, the official said. But Narayan's mobile phone had no Internet facility, he said. The police then found that his phone had received a WhatsApp installation OTP. Narayan told police that on November 3, a stranger approached him in a marketplace and asked if he could have Narayan's phone to make a call. The probe revealed that the man had installed WhatsApp on his own mobile by using Narayan's mobile number to obtain an OTP, the official said. The crime branch team then zeroed in on Pasha at Manavi village near Raichur. He turned out to be the writer of Main Sikandar Hun song mentioned in the threat, the official said, adding that he wanted to make the song famous and hence used this ploy of including it in a threat message to a famous person. Pasha was brought to Mumbai and handed over to the Worli police for further probe, the official said. The traffic police helpline has received at least four threat messages for Salman Khan in recent months. Jharkhand is geared up for polling in 43 of the 81 assembly seats in the first phase on Wednesday, when the electoral fate of 683 candidates, including former chief minister Champai Soren and ex-MP Geeta Kora will be decided, officials said. IMAGE: JMM leader Kalpana Soren seeks blessing from party Nala seat candidate Rabindra Nath Mahato during an election campaign for the Jharkhand assembly election, in Nala, November 12, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Polling is scheduled to begin around 7 am in 43 assembly constituencies in 15 districts, and will continue till 5 pm. However, in 950 booths, voting will end at 4 pm, though people standing in the queue at that time will be able to exercise their franchise. While the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led coalition is seeking to retain power in a tough contest with Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance by riding on its welfare schemes including Maiyan Samman Yojana the saffron party has raised the election pitch through an aggressive Hindutva pitch, including infiltration and corruption by the current dispensation. Top BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma held a number of rallies where they attacked the JMM-led coalition over corruption and infiltration. INDIA bloc leaders including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife and legislator Kalpana Soren campaigned, promising welfare schemes and accusing the BJP-led Centre of "unleashing" all central agencies including ED, CBI and I-T against the opposition. A total of 1.37 crore voters out of the total 2.60 crore are eligible to participate in the voting on Wednesday. Of the 683 candidates, 609 are men, 73 women and one of the third gender person. Out of the 43 seats, 17 are reserved for general category candidates, 20 for Scheduled Tribes and six for Scheduled Castes. A total of 15,344 polling stations have been set up for the first phase of elections. Of those, 12,716 are located in rural areas and 2,628 in urban areas. Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar said all preparations for voting have been completed and polling personnel have reached the stations. Mock polls will begin at 5.30 am, he said. The responsibility of the entire voting process at 1,152 polling stations will be in the hands of women, Kumar said, adding that 24 booths will be manned by persons with disabilities. He said since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, a total of Rs 208.78 crore worth of illegal material and cash has been seized. Till Tuesday, 58 cases have been registered over violation of the MCC, of which the maximum of 29 was in reported in Garhwa district. Both the NDA and INDIA bloc pulled out all the stops to ensure their victories in the elections with BJP focusing on 'Roti, Beti, Maati' and the INDIA bloc trying to capitalise on "suppression of voice of a tribal CM". The BJP's key promises include "driving out infiltrators", implementing Uniform Civil Code, Rs 2,100 per month to every woman and 5 lakh employment opportunities for the youth. The JMM, in order to counter BJP's 'Gogo Didi' scheme of providing Rs 2,100 financial assistance to women per month, promised to give Rs 2,500, besides 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs, bringing domicile policy based on 1932 as the cut-off year for land records, implementation of Sarna Dharma Code, and hiking reservations for the OBC, SC and ST communities to 27 per cent, 12 per cent, and 28 per cent respectively. Former CM Champai Soren, contesting on a BJP ticket in Seraikela, faces a challenge from former JMM's Ganesh Mahli. BJP's Geeta Kora, wife of former chief minister Madhu Koda, will lock horns with Congress' Sona Ram Sinku in Jagannathpur. Congress veteran Rameshwar Oraon will contest against AJSU Party's Shanti Bhagat in Lohardaga. In Jamshedpur (West), JD (U) candidate Saryu Roy will lock horns with Congress' Banna Gupta. In 2019, Roy as an Independent, had defeated sitting CM Raghubar Das. In Jamshedpur (East), BJP's Purnima Sahu Das, the daughter-in-law of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, is contesting for the first time, against Ajoy, an IPS officer-turned-politician. He had represented Jamshedpur once as an MP. From Potka, former chief minister Arjun Munda's wife Meera Munda is contesting against JMM's Sanjiv Sardar. The second phase of elections will be held on November 20 while the votes will be counted on November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the contest was close, with the JMM winning 30 seats and the BJP securing 25, down from 37 in 2014. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance won a comfortable majority with 47 seats. Currently, the strength of the assembly stands at 74, with the JMM-led ruling alliance comprising 44 members -- 26 from the JMM, 17 from Congress, and one from RJD. Beleaguered Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's political credibility will be tested by the outcome of the three by-elections. And cries that he must resign will become shriller if the Congress loses them. IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, second from left, with Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D K Shivakumar, left, and others at a cultural programme celebrating the 69th Karnataka Rajyothsava at the Sree Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru, November 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In the middle of all the excitement about the assembly by-elections in Uttar Pradesh (nine seats), to be held on November 13, there is little discussion about the three bypolls in Karnataka. Beleaguered Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's political credibility will be tested by the outcome. And cries that he must resign will become shriller if the Congress loses them. That the Mysuru Urban Development Authority land scandal has hurt the chief minister's authority is an understatement. His wife was allocated plots in Mysore, allegedly in lieu of the land she gave up for the development of Mysuru to the authority. However, the land she was given as compensation had a much higher circle rate. The matter was 'revealed' quite accidentally, via a right to information (RTI) investigation. And as he is investigated for corruption and money-laundering, the chief minister has expressed 'surprise' at his wife's public offer to return the land. Most others are surprised at the chief minister's surprise! In the middle of all this come the by-elections. The most interesting is Channapatna, held by H D Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal-Secular. When it tied up with the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections this year and Mr Kumaraswamy became a Union minister after winning the Mandya Lok Sabha seat, he resigned from the Channapatna assembly constituency. It was generally expected that the seat would be contested by the BJP's C P Yogeshwar, whom Mr Kumaraswamy had defeated (before the alliance), as an NDA (National Democratic Alliance) candidate. Despite pleas from the BJP brass that Mr Yogeshwar be given the JD-S nomination, Mr Kumaraswamy announced his son Nikhil would fight the poll as an NDA candidate. Mr Yogeshwar quit the BJP and accepted Congress nomination. So this seat is a prestige fight for both the NDA and the chief minister. It is a Vokkaliga-dominated taluk where the Congress and the JD-S are bitter rivals. Equally important is Shiggaon, the constituency of former chief minister Basavaraj S Bommai (of the BJP). If the Congress can win this seat, it will have achieved a coup. Mr Bommai has held it since 2008 and is now fielding his son Bharat, an actor. The Sandur seat is in the Ballari region and when E Tukaram of the Congress became Ballari MP he wanted his daughter to contest the assembly seat. His wife is fighting the seat instead and the chief minister himself has said the Congress will win the seat. This puts enormous pressure on Mr Siddaramaiah, who is fighting grimly to stay on in his position, though most observers say the evidence against him is damning. But this is nothing new for Mr Siddaramaiah, who revels in being an outsider. Having left the JD-S in 2005 to join the Congress, he is still a relative newcomer in the party. His political mentor, H D Deve Gowda, was extremely fond of this maverick politician and brilliant speaker. While he made him deputy chief minister in the JD-S government in 2006, he refused to make him chief minister, not unnaturally, preferring his son for the job. Mr Siddaramaiah was welcomed into the Congress -- along with a handful of assembly members, all of whom had to be accommodated in subsequent elections. It is on the strength of these assembly members that he claimed the support of 'all 121 members of the Congress legislature party' after the assembly polls in 2013. Elections were held in 2018 and threw up a hung House. The Congress and Mr Kumaraswamy formed the government, but it was toppled within a year and the BJP came to power. In the 2023 assembly elections, the Congress won convincingly and Mr Siddaramaiah was made chief minister, a position that had eluded him several times earlier. But things are not going so smoothly for him now. Despite invoking his 'outsider' image, despite no corruption charges earlier, despite his intelligence, his wit and devastating Kannada oratory, he knows he might have to bow before the inevitable: An honourable exit. At least three ministers have held conclaves on how to oust him. The outcome of the by-elections will not affect the numerical stability of the government even if the Congress loses all three. But the position of the chief minister? That's another matter altogether. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Kazakhstan supports Azerbaijan's initiative to establish a group of experts from the Caspian countries, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as he delivered his national statement during COP29 conference in Baku, Trend reports. "The Caspian Sea is in danger. Saving the biggest lake in the world is a matter of common concern that requires long-term international cooperation. We support the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev to establish a group of experts from the Caspian States," he said. The president added that Kazakhstan is intensifying its activities to preserve the Aral Sea. "I express my sincere appreciation to the Azeri government for organizing this global gathering and I believe that together we will be able to meet the defining challenge of this generation," Tokayev concluded. Warring Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups staged peaceful bandhs in their respective areas of influence in Manipur on Tuesday following the deaths of at least 10 armed men and two civilians in an attack on a police station and a Central Reserve Police Force camp in Jiribam district, and "abduction" of six civilians. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo While Meitei organisations demanded the immediate release of the civilians, which included women and children, allegedly kidnapped by the militants, the Kuki-Zo groups alleged that "11 youths of the community" were "treacherously murdered in a fake encounter". The Manipur Police said 10 suspected militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces on Monday after insurgents in camouflage uniforms, armed with sophisticated weapons, fired indiscriminately at the Borobekra police station and an adjacent CRPF camp at Jakuradhor in Jiribam district. However, a senior government official put the toll at 11. An uneasy calm prevailed in Jiribam district on Tuesday as police patrolled vulnerable areas amid a rescue operation launched for the missing civilians. Police said purported photographs of the six missing persons in captivity of militants doing the rounds on social media could not be confirmed and the rescue operations will continue till they were traced. Around 100 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were sheltered in a relief camp on the police station compound. Following the attack, the bodies of two elderly IDPs were recovered and another three rescued, while six, including three women and children each, remained untraced. Jiri Apunba Lup, the apex Meitei body in Jiribam, claimed the six missing persons were of the same family. Speaking to reporters at the state police headquarters here, IGP (Operations) I K Muivah said, "Ten militants were found dead after the retaliation by security forces and one CRPF jawan was injured and was evacuated to Assam for treatment. Two elderly civilians were also found dead, while three women and three minors remained missing. Police are trying to trace them." When journalists pointed out that Kuki-Zo bodies claimed that the slain militants were "village volunteers", Muivah said, "We have seized sophisticated firearms from the spot. This shows very clearly that they were armed militants." IGP administration K Jayanta Singh said, "We had exercised maximum restraint and retaliated only when fired upon. Had the security forces not retaliated, and with the miscreants targeting the civilians, the casualties of civilians would have been higher." On purported photographs of the six missing persons in captivity of militants doing the rounds on social media, the senior officer said, "We have seen the photographs... however, things are not confirmed yet. Search operations will continue." The six missing persons were identified as Yumrembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31) and her daughter Telem Thajamanbi Devi (8), Laishram Heithoibi Devi (25) and her two children Laishram Chingkheinganba Singh (two-and-a-half-years old) and Laishram Lamnganba Singh (10 months). Earlier in the day, the bodies of two elderly men, identified as Laishram Balen and Maibam Kesho, were found following the gunfight. Muivah said, "The two elderly men died after the insurgents torched a few shops in Jakuradhor Karong area." Meanwhile, schools and colleges were closed, markets shut, and vehicles remained off the roads as the hill areas witnessed a total shutdown. The 13-hour bandh, which began at 5 am, was called by the Kuki-Zo Council to "express collective grief and solidarity for those who were brutally shot dead" in Jiribam on Monday. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the Kuki-dominated hill areas during the shutdown, officials said. Various Kuki-Zo organisations sought a probe into the events that unfolded in Jiribam. In a statement, the Kuki Students' Organisation said, "...no CRPF personnel shall be allowed to leave their camp premises. Any CRPF personnel found in violation of this notice shall do so at their own risk and responsibility. This directive will remain enforced until the CRPF publicly acknowledges and apologises for their barbaric actions in Jiribam." The Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) said, "In light of the inhumane actions of the CRPF in Jiribam yesterday, in which 11 of our youths were treacherously murdered, we announce a social boycott of the CRPF. We demand an impartial court-monitored investigation into what can be best described as, 'fake encounter'." The Hmar Students' Association (HSA) demanded a CBI investigation into the incident and "deployment of neutral peacekeeping forces". Hmars are a part of the larger Kuki-Zo community. Various Kuki-Zo bodies called for a 12-hour bandh from 6 am on Tuesday. On the other hand, 13 civil society organisations called for a total shutdown in the five districts of the Imphal Valley on Tuesday evening, protesting the alleged abduction of six people in Jiribam. The shutdown began at 6 pm, and will continue for 24 hours, civil body International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) said in a statement. Tagging PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CM N Biren Singh, Congress's Inner Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam posted on X, "Do whatever you must with all the resources under your command to ensure their safety and freedom from their armed 'Kuki' abductors. God forbid, if anything untoward happens to these innocent women and children, you shall be solely responsible." . Bodies of two elderly men belonging to the Meitei community were recovered on Tuesday morning in Manipur's Jiribam district where a gunfight between suspected militants and security forces broke out a day before, the police said. IMAGE: Local people sitting at house in Leitanpokpi village, where 11 suspected militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jiribam area of Manipur, November 11, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Operations are underway to trace three women and three children, who have been reported missing since the violence erupted in Jiribam on Monday, inspector general of police (operations) IK Muivah said. The bodies of the two men -- Laishram Balen and Maibam Kesho -- were detected in debris during a search operation in Jakuradhor Karong area where a few shops were set on fire by suspected militants on Monday, another senior officer said. "The two elderly men belonging to the Meitei community died after the insurgents torched a few shops in Jakuradhor Karong area," he said. The Jiribam district administration imposed prohibitory orders to avoid any untoward incident in the area, the officer said. A shutdown has been observed since 5 am on Tuesday in Kuki-Zo majority areas in the hills to protest against killing of suspected insurgents in the gunfight with security personnel, another police officer said. The Kuki-Zo Council called for a total shutdown in the hill areas of the state from 5 am to 6 pm on Tuesday to express their "collective grief and solidarity who were brutally shot dead". The police had said 10 suspected militants were killed in the fierce gunfight with security forces on Monday after insurgents in camouflage uniforms, armed with sophisticated weapons, fired indiscriminately at a police station and an adjacent Central Reserve Police Force camp in Jiribam district. However, a senior officer had put the toll at 11. Two CRPF personnel also sustained injuries during the heavy exchange of fire at Borobekra, and the condition of one of them was stated to be critical, another officer said. The situation in Jiribam remained calm but tense on Tuesday morning with policemen patrolling at vulnerable points, he said. Following the incident, fresh violence was reported from multiple places in Imphal Valley where armed groups from the two warring sides engaged in exchanges of fire, the state police said. Locals and security forces recovered several improvised mortar shells in two villages of Imphal West district this morning, another officer said. Operations were continuing to flush out militants, and reinforcement teams, consisting of Assam Rifles, and CRPF, have been deployed in disturbed areas, he added. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday said no oral submissions for urgent listing and hearing of cases will be permitted and urged lawyers to either send emails or written letters for it. IMAGE: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. Photograph: ANI Photo Usually lawyers mention their cases before the CJI-led bench at the outset of the day's proceedings for out of turn listings and hearing of cases on grounds of urgency. No written or oral mentionings anymore. Only in email or written slip/letters. Just state the reasons for urgency, the CJI said. The CJI has outlined a citizen-centric agenda for judicial reforms and said ensuring easy access to justice and equal treatment to citizens regardless of their status is the constitutional duty of the judiciary. Justice Khanna, who was sworn in as the 51st CJI by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, expressed deep honour in leading the judiciary, the third pillar of democracy. "Judiciary is an integral, yet distinct and independent part of the governance system. The Constitution trusts upon us the role of constitutional guardian, protector of fundamental rights, and responsibility to fulfil the important task of being a service provider of justice," the CJI had said in his first statement on Monday. He said, "The justice delivery framework in terms of providing equal treatment necessitates fair opportunity to succeed to all, regardless of status, wealth or power, and a just and unbiased adjudication. These mark our core principles." "The responsibility entrusted upon us affirms our commitment as protectors of citizens' rights and as dispute resolvers. It is our constitutional duty to ensure easy access to justice to all citizens of our great nation," he said. Chief Justice Khanna identified pressing challenges facing the judiciary, including the need to reduce case backlogs, make litigation affordable, and simplify complex legal processes. Recognising that the justice system must cater to all citizens, he outlined a vision to make courts more approachable and user-friendly. The CJI aimed to adopt a self-evaluative approach which is receptive and responsive to feedback in its working, the apex court said in a statement. "Making judgments comprehensible to the citizens and promoting mediation will be a priority," it said. With a focus on criminal case management, the CJI pledged to prioritise reducing trial durations, adopting a systematic approach, and ensuring that legal procedures are not gruelling for citizens. He also highlighted the importance of promoting mediation to resolve disputes efficiently and provide timely justice. Security was tightened around the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Tuesday after pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun allegedly issued a video message threatening to attack the temple. IMAGE: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offers prayers to Lord Ram at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on the occasion of the 'Diwali' festival, in Ayodhya,November 1,2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Following the alleged threat, Ayodhya effectively turned into a fortress with the already tight security around the Ram Janmabhoomi complex intensified further, the police said. Armed members of the Anti-Terrorist Squad have been deployed at the critical junctures of the temple town, where surveillance has been intensified through CCTV and drone cameras, officials said. Intelligence agencies, anti-terrorist squads, and bomb disposal teams have been put on high alert, while heavy deployment of Provincial Armed Constabulary, Central Reserve Police Force, and Uttar Pradesh police has been made throughout Ayodhya, they added. Senior superintendent of police RK Nayyar told PTI, "We have tightened the security measures after receiving information about the threat from media reports." Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, however, downplayed the threat, saying, "No one can dare to launch an attack in Ayodhya which is protected by Lord Hanuman." The city is already a high-security zone having trained personnel to counter any terrorist threat, he added. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Showers in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 63F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain likely. Low around 50F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Baku Stock Exchange CJSC and AZCHEMCO LLC at COP29, aimed at fostering collaboration in financing through capital markets, including the issuance of green bonds, Trend reports. The primary goal of the agreement is to establish a partnership between the two parties in areas of mutual interest. The memorandum envisions sustainable development for the company through capital markets and further supports the Baku Stock Exchange in this direction. Notably, AZCHEMCO LLC is presenting an innovative project at COP29 aimed at rehabilitating saline soils in Azerbaijan. The project, focused on transforming saline lands into arable land, seeks to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened today at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together. 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel US President Donald Trump has urged Russia to agree to a 30-day cease-fire, warning he would slap additional sanctions on the country if it refused the US proposal, as Moscow made more gains on the battlefield. "Russia has no way out but cease-fire. If needed we will sanction it, but I hope we won't need to," Trump told reporters at the White House on March 12. "In a financial sense we can do very unpleasant, very bad things, devastating for Russia, but I don't want to," he said. His comments come a day after Kyiv agreed to the temporary cease-fire following nine hours of talks with Trump administration officials in Saudi Arabia. Trump 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. He has 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. But Trump lacks that type 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 the US over a cease-fire to improve Russia's position on the battlefield and hence at the negotiating table when and if Moscow and Kyiv hammer out a peace deal. As Trump spoke at the White House, Putin was visiting 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 seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip during any peace talks. That strategy is now at risk of failing as Russian forces slowly push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russians forces have retaken more than half the territory initially captured by Ukraine. Putin's visit to Kursk was his first since the incursion and signals the momentum Russia has in that theater of the war. The Kremlin leader urged his troops to retake the region in its entirety "as soon as possible." Ukraine's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said that fighting continued in and around Sudzha, the largest town in the part of the region that Ukraine occupied. 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. "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 "maneuver to more favorable positions, if necessary," wording often used top describe a retreat. Concessions? Trump 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." Earlier in the day, 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." 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." Moscow has so far declined to comment on the specifics of the proposal for the 30-day cease-fire, and it's unclear whether Putin has made up his mind on the agreement. 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. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who represented the United States at the talks, said Washington "will have contact with Russians" today. Trump on March 11 said he would soon speak with Putin to secure his commitment. Mike Waltz, the White House national-security adviser, spoke with his Russian counterpart on March 12, while Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff also planned to travel to Moscow, possibly to meet Putin. CIA Director John Ratcliffe held a phone call with Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, late on March 11, the Interfax news agency reported. Rubio told reporters on March 12 in first comments since leaving the talks in Jeddah that the United States hoped to have a positive answer from Russia toward the cease-fire deal and "strongly urge[s] Russians to end all hostilities. Konstantin Kosachev, an influential lawmaker in Russia's upper house of parliament, seemed to imply that Moscow would not simply accept the US-backed ceasefire proposal but attach conditions, taking into account that Russian forces have the momentum on the battlefield. "Russia is advancing, and therefore it will be different with Russia," Kosachyov said in a Telegram post. "Any agreements (with all understanding of the need for compromise) will be on our terms, not American," he said. "And this is not boasting, but an understanding that real agreements are still being written there, on the front line. Which Washington should also understand." Rubio also said Ukraine will need a strong deterrent to prevent future attacks and that Europeans will "need to be involved in this regard." He added that further discussions would need to tackle to topic of the European Union lifting sanctions on the Russian economy. "I would imagine that in any negotiation, if we get there, hopefully with the Russians, they will raise these European sanctions that have been imposed upon them," Rubio said. Moscow has so far been against a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia's position during an interview with three right-wing US bloggers that it will under no conditions accept the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine. Minerals Deal Washington and Kyiv could sign a framework agreement as early as this week on sharing the revenue generated from Ukraine's mineral resources. Trump and Zelenskyy intended to sign the deal during their meeting at the Oval Office on February 28. However, the two got into a heated, public exchange over security guarantees for Ukraine and the meeting was abruptly ended without any deal. Rubio cautioned that he "would not couch [the] minerals deal as a security guarantee." But he added that "if the United States has a vested economic interest thats generating revenue for our people as well as for the people of Ukraine, wed have a vested interest in protecting it if it were to be challenged or threatened." The parade of comments come after Russia and Ukraine traded air attacks overnight just hours after Kyiv agreed to accept the cease-fire proposal. Two Russian missile strikes hit the central Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih on March 12, killing one person, while a separate attack killed four crew members of a cargo ship near the southern port city of Odesa. Russia's Defense Ministry said its air-defense systems shot down six drones overnight on March 12, one over Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimea and five over the Black Sea. The Krymsky Veter Telegram channel reported loud explosions and air-raid sirens over Crimean towns and near Russian military sites. 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. Ukraine's battlefield positions have been under heavy pressure, particularly in Russia's Kursk region. Belarusian artist Vladislav Bokhan has repeatedly pranked teachers in Russian schools through subversive campaigns mocking Kremlin propaganda and a culture of fear that makes people loath to disobey obviously absurd instructions. In his latest ruse, he made teachers pose in tinfoil hats, portrayed as a protection "against foreign enemies." In a November 11 video interview, Bokhan told RFE/RL that the prank was only one part of a satirical series aiming to "test the extent of fascistization in Russian society." BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Kazakhstan is investing in monitoring and digital tools for early warning systems, as well as improved water and land management, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as he delivered his national statement during COP29 conference in Baku, Trend reports. Kazakhstan is investing in monitoring and digital tools for early warning systems, as well as improved water and land management. President emphasized that Kazakhstan is actively working on methane reduction projects, specifically targeting key sectors such as coal, oil, gas, and agriculture. Together with our partners, we continue working on concrete projects on methane reduction, he noted, adding that these initiatives have led to a three-fold reduction in methane emissions. With its vast agricultural resources, Kazakhstan is promoting carbon farming, a set of practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing soil quality. Kazakhstan, with its 200 million hectares of agricultural land, is well positioned for carbon farming, he stated, inviting international stakeholders to explore opportunities for sustainable agricultural investment in the country. Kazakhstans role in the global energy transition was also underscored, particularly through its significant contribution to low-carbon nuclear power. As the worlds leading uranium exporter, providing 43% of global supply, Kazakhstan is a key player in clean energy. President also announced that a recent referendum approved the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country. We are committed to ensuring the projects safety and efficiency through partnerships with global technology leaders, he said, underscoring the countrys commitment to a safe and efficient nuclear future. With U.S. foreign policy priorities likely to shift under President-elect Donald Trump, the new EU foreign policy chief made a vigorous case for Europe to remain central in defending Ukraine and countering Russia and China. At a key appointment hearing in front of the European Parliaments foreign affairs committee on November 12, Kaja Kallas noted that Ukraines victory is a priority for us all as she vowed that the bloc would continue to support Kyiv for as long as necessary. During the three-hour session, she also underlined that China must feel the higher cost of supporting Russias war and hoped that Brussels can use the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank in the EU, nearly 300 billion euro ($318 billion), to channel to Ukraine. The hearing came amid fears in Europe that the new U.S. administration under Trump will seek a quick resolution to the war in Ukraine on terms more favorable to Russia and that Washington will care less about multilateral institutions such as the EU or even NATO. 'Axis Of Autocracies' In this sense, her grilling was one big sales-pitch to the Americans that the transatlantic alliance matters more than ever. She pointed out that the United States is our biggest ally and continues to be so and added that "if Washington was worried about events in the South China Sea, then it should also be worried about how we respond to the Russian war against Ukraine." She then invoked a lesson from the past, when the United States retreated from world politics after World War 1. If you look at history, isolationism has never worked well for America, she said. But what can Brussels really offer? The two clearest ideas in this sense were, first, to identify and categorize an "axis of autocracies" in which she included Russia, Iran, and North Korea -- and "more covertly" China. 'A Systemic Rival' The inclusion of China, a big European trading partner, was a clear nod to Washingtons Sino-hawks. Beijing is now more of a competitor and a systemic rival, Kallas noted, adding that our dependency towards China in key sectors is a real vulnerability. We need to de-risk. Expect that the bloc will target more Chinese products going forward, after having slammed high tariffs on electric vehicles earlier this year. The trick appears to be clear: Show that Europe is serious about China, so that the United States remains serious about Russia. The second selling point was the clear separation between the EU and NATO, with the former Estonian prime minister clearly waving away ideas about some sort of EU army -- something of a dream for EU federalists who want a smaller American presence on the continent in the first place. I dont think we need a separate military power besides NATO, Kallas said, pointing out that if we create an alternative structure, it would be just confusing when the real conflict hits. The fear, however, is that the United States might dismiss the purpose of NATO if more European allies dont increase defense spending as a matter of priority. Strengthening Europe's Defense Industry To address these concerns, Kallas said she would soon come up with ideas on how to boost the European defense industry. However, she offered little in terms of how to tackle the two underlying problems behind this: a concrete lack of investment as well as the tendency of European countries to favor their own domestic producers and national champions, with little appetite so far for creating a proper European defense sector. Her pitch that weapons produced in Europe could target Russia without restrictions, may not resonate with war-weary, cash-strapped Europeans wary of a nuclear-armed Russia. A potential solution to the question of financing Kyiv in the future -- particularly if the United States withdraws its support -- could involve seizing frozen Russian assets within the bloc and channeling them to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also raised this idea during his meeting with European leaders in Budapest last week. The big question is how much appetite there is for this. Major eurozone members and the European Central Bank worry that unilateral action could weaken the euro, as it may deter foreign investment in the continent. Kallas, however, argued that it should be Russia -- not European taxpayers -- who bears the cost of rebuilding Ukraine. Building European Consensus? In a similar vein, she was adamant that Europe will be at the table when the security of Europe is discussed but that Ukrainians should be the first to have a say. The Ukraine war would end, she said, when Russia realizes it made a mistake and cant win it, just as it eventually did in Afghanistan. Tough talk, but the question is if she can deliver, especially as she will have to get all 27 EU member states onboard for any foreign policy decision? With some member states, notably Hungary, keen to curry specific bilateral favors with Washington, this could prove even harder still. Kallas had to admit that -- even on a straightforward issue like extending the bloc's Russia sanctions beyond six months -- there wasnt there wasnt the necessary unanimity around the table. So, what about the rest? Not a word about Georgia -- neither in her introductory remarks nor in questions by MEPs, which was telling and symbolic. On Belarus, she offered a standard answer on the need to work with the opposition. Armenia-Azerbaijan? She emphasized the importance of working for a peaceful solution and highlighted the need for transport corridors and energy cooperation. Shockingly, there was hardly any mention of the Western Balkans, perhaps the region where Brussels still has the most influence. One question at the very end of the hearing about how she would approach the region, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in particular, was the only time it was mentioned. Answering that, she offered nothing concrete on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, which she will chair. She added that the Dayton agreement on Bosnia was very good, but that there were parts lacking without specifying what. With respect to the Balkans, Kallas did note that EU enlargement needs to have a success story in the next five years. This was just a first hearing and results will speak louder than any answers given today, but the real issue is whether the EU -- a notoriously slow mover in a rapidly changing world -- can deliver on anything. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. In the coming days we will sign the agreement to supply green energy to Europe, said President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev as he delivered his national statement during COP29 conference in Baku, Trend reports. "Together with neighboring countries, we have embarked upon the implementation of a regional climate strategy. In the coming days, we will sign a multilateral agreement on supplying green energy to the European Union," he said. According to the president, Uzbekistan's main goal under the Paris Agreement is to prevent the region from outpacing temperature rise and to keep it within 1.52 degrees this century. "In this regard, we are actively pursuing extensive reforms in Uzbekistan to achieve carbon neutrality. We have set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by the year 2030. We are ready to extend this commitment by the year 2050. We will increase the share of green energy to 40%," Mirzyoyev added. Sean McCarthaigh One of Corks largest cinemas has been ordered to pay 12,000 compensation to a former duty manager over its failure to provide him with reasonable accommodation for his autism. The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Omniplex Cork, based in Mahon Point, had breached the Employment Equality Act 1998 by discriminating against Dylan ORiordan on grounds of disability. Mr ORiordan resigned from the company on June 7th, 2024 after over two years in the job over allegations that it had failed to provide him with reasonable accommodation. The WRC heard that he had referred to his autism on his job application but did not require special or reasonable accommodation at the time. However, Mr ORiordan told the WRC that his mental health had deteriorated in the last number of months in the job, and he had sought reasonable accommodation from his manager. He claimed he had explained his severe difficulties on many occasions, including one time when he had to leave a shift early in October 2023. While being off work for several months, Mr ORiordan said he had repeatedly asked for consistent scheduling with two days off to rest and recover and not to be rostered exclusively to close the cinema but felt he was getting nowhere. His wife told the WRC that the cinemas general manager had remarked that autism was a superpower in a conversation they had about her husbands condition which she claimed highlighted a concerning misunderstanding and unwillingness to acknowledge his disability. However, Omniplex Cork strongly denied all claims made by Mr ORiordan and his wife and argued that the complainant had failed to show how he had been treated less favourably. The company claimed he had been provided with reasonable accommodations and rejected any suggestion that he had been victimised. It also said its HR manager had communicated extensively with Mr ORiordan with suggestions about how accommodation could be facilitated at work, including the use of noise-reducing earplugs. The company claimed internal workplace procedures were not given time to conclude before Mr ORiordan filed a complaint with the WRC. WRC adjudication officer, Gaye Cunningham, noted that accommodation was provided for other staff members who were pregnant or students in the arranging of suitable shifts that suited their circumstances. Ms Cunningham said no such accommodation was afforded to Mr ORiordan, with some of the reasons being due to his role as a full-time duty manager, which meant he had provided a prima facie case of discrimination. She acknowledged the companys HR manager had made efforts to reach some agreement with Mr ORiordan over a lengthy period and that the issue had been made more complicated by a set of 16 grievances raised by the complainant which required a significant amount of work. However, Ms Cunningham said his acute needs given his situation had not been fully addressed, particularly in relation to the absence of certainty about having two consecutive days off work to allow for adequate rest, which caused Mr ORiordan a significant difficulty. She noted occupational health reports made the requirements for consistency and rest in his work schedule clear. Awarding Mr ORiordan 12,000 in compensation, she also instructed the cinema to carry out either awareness training or workshops in an effort to introduce a positive management approach to staff with neurological complex conditions such as autism. The WRC rejected a complaint by Mr ORiordan that he had been victimised as it ruled he had not been dismissed as he had initiated proceedings at the end of his employment. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges. In an exclusive interview with Trend News Agency, Saeed Tajik, head of the Energy and Environment Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mining, and Agriculture, commended the organization of COP29 in Baku, highlighting the event's exceptional level of preparation and execution. "Azerbaijan has done an excellent job preparing for this event, and the country deserves to be thanked for its efforts," he said. Tajik also expressed satisfaction with the fact that for two consecutive years, COP has been hosted by countries neighboring Iran. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened today at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together. 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By David Young and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of treating her partys voters as second-class citizens. Ms McDonald suggested her rivals outright dismissal of Sinn Fein as a potential coalition partner demonstrated a lack of respect for the partys supporters. Her comments came amid increasing focus on coalition permutations after the general election. Launching her partys proposals on housing at an event in west Dublin on Tuesday, Ms McDonald accused the lead parties in the last government of showing a lack of humility. If I was to listen to the coalition parties, I wouldnt get up out of bed in the morning, she said. They cant pass a microphone without stating how appalled they are, and how they will never ever, ever speak to Sinn Fein. They were at that in the last election as well. Let me just on that make this point a lot of people vote for Sinn Fein, rely on us to represent them. I would ask Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to try and muster at least a little bit of respect for the communities and the voters who vote for us. Theyre not second-class citizens, they are equal voters, just like everybody else, and I think they should demonstrate a little bit of humility and a little bit of respect towards those citizens too. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald launches her partys proposals to make housing affordable, in Clondalkin, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) While Ms McDonald has said the best outcome of the election would be a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, she has stopped short of ruling out entering into a partnership with her long-term rivals. Our position of wanting to have a government beyond Fianna Fail and Fine Gael is now a long-standing one, theres nothing new in it, she told reporters on Tuesday. We believe after a century of those two parties dominating and running government that the time is right now for a change, that is the answer, that is the way in which we can make the changes that will benefit our society. At the launch of his partys manifesto in Dublin, Green Party leader Roderic OGorman was asked about the prospect of re-entering government after the Greens served as a junior partner in the last administration. Senator Pauline OReilly, Roderic OGorman and Senator Roisin Garvey speak launch the Green Partys election manifesto in Dublin (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) First of all, I havent heard anybody rule us out, he said. What Ive heard is an attempt, I think, by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to get the numbers themselves that they wont need any support, but if theres a need for additional parties, I think those negotiations will take place. Weve demonstrated that we can negotiate hard. Weve demonstrated that we can create a really effective programme for government, but were making it very clear today that increased investment, 10 billion into public transport, is a key issue for us in those programme for government negotiations. Asked whether he wanted to remain as integration minister, Mr OGorman said: I think its far too early for any one of us to be putting our names beside departments. I have to ensure that the people of Dublin West re-elect me as their TD. A County Roscommon hair salon was named the Connacht regional winner of the Salon of the Year at the Irish Hair and Beauty Awards last weekend. This year, organisers split the awards into four chapters due, they said, to the deep talent pool of excellent and talented professionals in Ireland. Chapter 3 placed the spotlight on the salons and individuals that specialise in both hair and beauty in the provinces of Connacht and Ulster. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony that took place on Sunday, November 10th at the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa in Galway. The award for Salon of the Year Connaught went to Headerz Salon, The Square Ballaghaderreen. Now in their 7th year, the awards aim to showcase the best hair and beauty salons, beauticians, barbers, brow and lash specialists, stylists and bridal experts amongst others in Ireland that exhibit excellence and professionalism in their craft. A spokesperson for the Irish Hair and Beauty Awards 2024, Chapter 3 said: These awards provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and innovation of talented individuals and businesses in the industry. Splitting these awards into chapters will allow us to highlight an even greater pool of talent. We want to congratulate all of our winners & highly commended recipients on their incredible accomplishments. The Aesthetic Clinic of the Year went to Ash Aesthetics Beauty Clinic, Carrick-on-Shannon, while Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa was Highly Commended in the Spa of the Year category. Eoin Reynolds A garda has given a blow-by-blow account of how gunman Tristan Sherry was stamped, kicked and beaten with chairs and a bar after he had shot and killed a man at a busy Dublin restaurant last Christmas Eve. The witness also told the Special Criminal Court that one murder accused can be seen holding a phone over Sherry's head before delivering one final kick. Det Gda Dermot Sloan has been taking the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court through montages of CCTV footage from Browne's Steakhouse on December 24th last year. The court has heard that Jason Hennessy Snr and a group of people had gathered in the restaurant when Sherry and a second man entered carrying guns and with their faces covered and hoods up. Det Gda Sloan on Tuesday played CCTV footage which he told prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC shows Hennessy and other members of his group arriving at the restaurant from about 7.25pm. By 8.13pm they were gathered at tables and booths to the back of the restaurant when the two gunmen arrived. Within seconds, Sherry came to the table where Hennessy was standing and shot him. Det Gda Sloan said Hennessy was disarmed during a struggle with Hennessy and other members of the group while the second gunman fled. The detective detailed the alleged actions of Michael Andrecut (22), David Amah (18) and Noah Musueni (18), who all deny murdering Sherry. The detective said that Mr Andrecut can be seen stamping on Sherry's head or body with his right foot. Seconds later, the witness said Mr Andrecut picked up a glass from a table and struck down on Sherry with the glass. The garda detailed Mr Andrecut picking up another glass and striking Sherry in the head area, before stamping and lunging with his right foot in the direction of where Sherry was lying. About two minutes into the attack, a small group picked up Hennessy's body and removed him from the restaurant over Sherry, who remained on the ground. At the same time, Mr Andrecut became "quite animated in the vicinity of Tristan Sherry's head area," the detective said. The detective detailed jabbing motions by Mr Andrecut and a kick to Sherry's body before another member of the group handed him "what appears to be a knife". About three minutes into the attack, Mr Andrecut picked up a black bar, the detective said, and used it to strike Sherry in the head area. He then kicked Sherry and delivered a blow to the head using the bar before picking up a chair and striking down on Sherry's head area. Having left, Mr Andrecut returned to deliver a kick to Sherry's head before leaving and returning again, the detective said. On the final occasion, Det Gda Sloan said Mr Andrecut held a phone over Sherry's head and delivered one more kick before a woman pushed him away. The detective said David Amah could be seen stamping and kicking towards Sherry's body and head before picking up a chair and using it to strike Sherry's body. He left the restaurant about four minutes after the attack had begun. Noah Musueni ran to a bathroom when the violence broke out before returning to the restaurant where he helped to remove Hennessy's body. Seconds after Hennessy was removed, the detective said Mr Musueni stamped on Sherry's head area, before picking something up from a table and delivering a jabbing motion to Sherry's body. The detective detailed five further jabbing motions by Musueni towards Sherry over a 50-second period during which he also delivered a kick to Sherry's head area, the detective said. About four minutes after the attack had begun, Det Gda Sloan said Mr Musueni threw a chair which hit Sherry in the head and body area. Jonas Kabangu (18), who is charged with violent disorder, ran through the restaurant kitchen and out to the carpark when the violence began, Det Gda Sloan said. A little over one minute later, Mr Kabangu returned and kicked Sherry twice before helping to lift Hennessy out of the restaurant. The detective will continue his evidence on Wednesday before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge James Faughnan. Three men are currently on trial charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry on December 24th, 2023 at Brownes Steakhouse, Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. They are Noah Musueni (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown; David Amah (18), Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin; and Michael Andrecut (22), Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown. Jonas Kabangu (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown and 18-year-old Diarmuid O'Brien of Corduff Place, Blanchardstown are charged with violent disorder at the same location on that date. Brandon Hennessy (21) of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 the son of Jason Hennessy Snr is also charged with violent disorder. All the accused have pleaded not guilty. Giving Tuesday is an annual event created to foster the spirit of giving in the world. It is touted as a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and world. This year, the Sidney Chamber has chosen to host a progressive dinner to assist our community. Ticket holders will have the choice of starting their journey at either 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. The evening will feature a delicious multi-course meal from various participating restaurants. Starting at the South 40 for a welcome and cocktails and moving onto the Cattle-ac for hors doeuvres and then to the Meadowlark for salad. The Ranger will host the main course and the night will finish at Amys for dessert. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit local nonprofits, including the Sidney Schools Angel Fund, Kiwanis Coat Drive, Foundation for Community Care, Boys and Girls Club, and Sunrise Womens Clinic. The evening will be filled with talent from locals, the Riggs Family, Cassidy Wadley, Ryan Olson, and the Sunrise City Rockettes performing. This event is sure to put you in the Holiday Spirit with its memorable trek in downtown Sidney. With only 80 tickets available, this event is expected to fill up quickly. The ticket cost is $50. Get your tickets today online at https://www.eventcreate.com/e/givingtuesdayprogressivedinner or stop in at the Chamber, Boys and Girls Club, Sunrise Womens Clinic, or the Foundation for Community Care. It is truly one of the most wonderful giving times of the year! For more information on this event, visit the Sidney Chamber of Commerce website or follow them on Facebook. Start, or finish up, your Christmas shopping with a visit to the annual Silver Bells Craft Show Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fairview High School. With over 30 vendors and counting, the show offers everything from Norwex and Pampered Chef to art by Daphne Johnson Clark and Made in Montana baked goods and jellies by Tammy Baker. Joy Owens will have her famous lefse, Wayward Quilters will be back along with Lindsay Danielson with Side Effects, Jeremy Dean will be selling the 2025 Ornament, Mrs. Renville will be offering another amazing selection of gift baskets and so much more. Vendor spaces are still available by texting Faith Oakland at 406-480-1476. While you're shopping for those tasty treats and unique gift items, the kids can enjoy activities planned just for them. The Art Club is fundraising by offering face painting, plus other fun stuff will keep them entertained. So, plan to bring the family and enjoy shopping! Representatives with Stellar Renewable Resources met with Richland County Commissioners on Wednesday, Nov. 6 to discuss the Fairview 1 Solar Project. The financial stability of the project was outlined. explaining that it is backed by KKR, one of the largest private equity companies in the world. The experienced team behind the project was also highlighted, saying that there are over 100 years of combined experience in the field of solar energy and that Stellar currently has 53 solar projects in the lower 48 states. Garett Klone, Stellar representative, went through the design of the 74.5 MW solar project, complimented by a 25 MW 4 battery storage initiative, explaining that the boundaries had shifted for a variety of reasons including feedback from USFWS/Montana Fish and Game, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, neighbor concerns, etc. It covers approximately 615 acres over an 1100-acre area and is situated for interconnection at the MDU/WAPA Fairview West 115KV substation just across Highway 201. The project is currently working closely with WAPA as it undergoes NEPA studies including multiple environmental and cultural aspects. Weather stations have been installed to gauge wind speed and other factors which will help determine the actual structure of the project. The design could also possibly change due to pipelines in the area. The men expressed confidence in the environmental assessment process and said they would address concerns such as increased setbacks as needed. A March 2026 to December 2026 time line was given as the earliest possible completion. The project is expected to create approximately 100 construction jobs and $40-50 million in tax dollars to Richland County over its lifetime based on the current mil levy. They did indicate they would be asking for a tax abatement period down the road. One maintenance employee would be full time after construction is completed. No disruption of traffic is anticipated on Highway 201. Fire concerns were also addressed, saying that the company would not hold landowners liable for a fire that went through their facility, unless it was intentionally set, and that their insurance would cover any damages. It was emphasized that the company wants to be a good partner to the community, with development done the right way in conjunction with the county and the community. November 4-8th was Red Ribbon Week at Watford City High School orgainized by the WCHS Student Against Destructive Decisions Committee. In conclusion to our Red Ribbon Week, Watford City High School had the honor of hosting Shani. Shani discussed how important it is to keep up with your physical and mental health, as well as, looking for the signs of drug abuse in those around you. Through personal family history, students learned the signs of an overdose and active measures to take in the instance they encounter a friend or family member also being affected by drugs. Shani is the director of Mya's mission along with being on the board directors at the Providence House. Her goal is to provide narcan distribution boxes around North Dakota and the first one is going into Jack and Jill today! For more information visit the Mya's Mission Website: https://www.providencefoundationnd.org/grant-program The Providence House also invited Mark Carlson, employee at the endeavor sober living facility to share his journey with drug addiction with our students. We are thankful to the generous sponsors and speakers that shared their stories with us. Kolkata Doctor Rape and Murder Case: Prime Accused Sanjay Roy Claims He's Been "Framed" Sanjay Roy was arrested on August 10, a day after the doctors body was discovered. Kolkata Doctor Rape and Murder Case Latest News Today: The trial in the high-profile rape and murder case of a Kolkata doctor began on Monday, three months after her body was discovered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The proceedings took place in-camera in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das, with the main accused, Sanjay Roy, present. Roy, who was brought to court in the afternoon, repeated his claim of innocence, alleging he had been falsely implicated by authorities. Speaking briefly to reporters while being escorted away, Roy stated, I have done nothing and have been framed. They didnt let me speak even today. He also accused former city police commissioner Vineet Goyal of conspiring against him. Advertisement Roy faces charges under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (rape), Section 66 (causing death or a vegetative state), and Section 103 (murder). He was arrested on August 10, a day after the doctors body was discovered. Following his arrest, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI due to the case's sensitivity. The tragic incident has ignited nationwide outrage and intensified scrutiny of the justice system as the trial progresses. (For more latest news apart from Kolkata Doctor Rape and Murder Case, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Lockdown-Like Situation in Pakistan, Outdoor Activities 'Banned' Lahore Enforces Temporary Ban on Outdoor Activities Amid Rising Air Pollution Pakistan Air Pollution Lockdown Latest News: In response to escalating air pollution, the Lahore district administration has issued a temporary ban on outdoor activities, effective from November 11 to 17, according to ARY News. The notification from the Deputy Commissioners office mandates a halt on sports, exhibitions, and events, and restricts outdoor dining, though religious gatherings are exempt. Advertisement Additionally, shops, markets, and malls must close by 8 PM, with exceptions granted for medical stores, labs, petrol stations, and grocery stores. Large department stores may only keep grocery and medical sections open. In a similar move, Islamabad has introduced stringent measures to combat air pollution, including the closure of brick kilns and factories emitting smoke. Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, following consultations with the Islamabad Transport Authority and Excise Department, announced that smoke-emitting vehicles will be barred from city roads, and open-air burning of garbage is strictly prohibited. A recent Green Master Plan report reveals six primary causes of Lahores worsening smog, pointing to the citys transformation into a "heat island" due to rapid urbanization and diminishing green spaces. (For more news apart from Pakistan Air Pollution Lockdown Latest News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Sikhs in Spain Step Up for Flood Relief, Earning Local Praise Local residents have been moved by the Sikhs' dedication, with many expressing deep appreciation for their efforts. Sikhs After Spain Floods 2024 Latest News: In the wake of devastating floods that have swept through parts of Spain, the Sikh community has risen to provide crucial relief and support, embodying the Sikh values of sewa (selfless service) and compassion. Volunteers, many from local gurdwaras, took to the streets to assist in cleanup efforts, working tirelessly to help residents clear debris and restore their communities. Advertisement One volunteer shared the sentiment driving the communitys response: This country has given us everything, and its our duty to help when its in need. These words echo the strong sense of gratitude and responsibility the Sikh community feels toward Spain, where they have lived, worked, and raised families for years. Local Residents Of Spain Clapping For Sikhs Who Turned Out On Streets To Clean It After Deadly Floods In #Spain Singh Saab Says "This Country Has Given Us Everything And Its Our Duty To Help It When It's In Problem. Dhann Baba Nanak, Dhann Sikhi, Blessed To Be Sikh. Yai pic.twitter.com/RdxbIL1N1w Advertisement November 10, 2024 Local residents have been moved by the Sikhs' dedication, with many expressing deep appreciation for their efforts. Videos and photos showing Sikh volunteers helping with cleanup have gone viral, prompting widespread admiration on social media. Sikh volunteers serving flood victims in Valencia, YY spain. pic.twitter.com/ZaPojq5d7z Advertisement November 10, 2024 The Sikhs' response underscores the power of community support and the importance of standing together during challenging times. Their efforts continue to remind us of the enduring value of unity and selfless service, bringing hope and comfort to those affected by the floods. (For more news apart from Sikhs After Spain Floods 2024 Latest News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The reduction of emissions in European countries has been possible mainly due to the rapid increase in the use of renewable energy sources, European Union Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra said at the COP29 event on the theme Ministerial Dialogue: Scaling up Investment for Tripling Renewables and Doubling Energy Efficiency," Trend reports. He emphasized that while emissions in the European Union countries decreased by 8 percent last year, globally they increased by 1.3 percent. Today, more than half of Europe's electricity is generated by wind and solar power. This also surpasses all fossil fuels. Because renewable energy comes from local sources, it serves to create jobs and protect the environment. Meeting the targets would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 10 billion tons by the end of the decade, more than the total emissions of European Union countries in three years. This is quite an ambitious goal, but I think it can be achieved, Hoekstra said. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will continue until November 22, opened at Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. The highest-level climate action summit will be held at COP29 on November 12-13 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. In addition to being a top priority that sets the stage for action, the creation of climate finance will also contribute to meeting the 1.5C commitment by bringing everyone together. 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 and 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 decide otherwise, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is based in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Baccalaureate for All The 2024 baccalaureate had the highest passing rate in the last 10 years, at 76.4% Baccalaureate for All Ana-Maria Cononovici, 12.11.2024, 13:20 The 2024 baccalaureate had the highest passing rate in the last 10 years, at 76.4%. However, the confrontation with the maturity exam scares many, so several female students from Cluj, after graduating from high school with high averages and successfully passing the Baccalaureate, thought to make this experience easier for the less fortunate students like them. Baccademia became the name of the project, launched under the motto: Pass the Baccalaureate without a headache. The founder of the Baccademia project, Bianca Ionescu, told us: Our story actually began in 2022. In that year, I took the baccalaureate exam and got a 10 in history, and a 9, 80 in Romanian language and literature. Although I was a Romanian national Olympian since middle school and continued to compete throughout high school, I still felt the stress of any 12th grader as the baccalaureate exam approached. And then, after taking the exam, I chose to digitize the materials I had structured. I had spent six months structuring the matter alone. In 2022 I started helping students online. I shared those materials, free of charge, on an Instagram account, and practically the generation that took the exam in 2023 was the first one I helped. And the idea of the Baccademia only started to take shape when the students sent me their baccalaureate results. For example, out of about 3000 students helped, most passed the exam with a grade above 9.50. Some even got a clean 10. For example, people who took the exam after 10 years or 20 years also got very good grades! And practically at that moment I realized that my materials really had a positive impact. As a high-schooler until recently, Bianca Ionescu, added: High school students were tired of the thick books, written in black and white and full of details that are not required for the baccalaureate, and I understood their frustration because I was in their shoes. We are in a country where it is still noticeable that the situation before the exams does not change much, it does not improve compared to previous years. It has been 10 months since we founded the Baccademia Publishing House and we differentiate ourselves, somehow, by the fact that our team is made up only of students who obtained a grade 10 in the baccalaureate exam, or in certain subjects. And also, all our collections are colored and synthesized. It also includes, for example, advice, solved topics, or jokes in places, jokes that the current generation would clearly understand. Irina Selagea, is the author of the geography book for Baccademia and responsible for the interactive videos on social media. We asked her what the Baccademia was for her: Im the type of person who likes to help people and Im very interested in bringing a new perspective when it comes to studying for the baccalaureate, because most people think its simply a test that you just have to cram for. But I would like to propose the idea and the solution that any baccalaureate test could be passed very easily just by understanding, by jokes, and by a more entertaining way than some very expensive materials or very long materials. I came up with the solution for students who are from Generation Z, who have a different understanding of how to learn certain subjects. And, quite simply, I wanted to bring a new way to motivate the student, perhaps, to read Romanian literature in a more non-conformist way. As feedback, the Baccademia team said that several students told them that, with the help of these materials, they remembered in one minute all the one-hour material taught in class. And the team continues its work! Here is Bianca Ionescu: We still lack the computer science, chemistry and physics collections, and we are currently working on them. They will be published sometime in September, around the middle of the month, we hope. Our success is largely due to the TikTok platform. Thats where we got popular with the videos made with artificial intelligence, for example. Weve racked up almost 1,000,000 total views on the account so far. Theres nothing more to say than Happy learning! Now it seems easier! The Canadian market is holding in positive territory Tuesday afternoon posting a new record high, with stocks contributing substantially to the upmove. Materials and energy stocks are having a tough session due to weak commodity prices. The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index, which climbed to a new high of 25,024.93, was up 75.89 points or 0.31% at 24,865.17 a little while ago. The Information Technology Index is up more than 7%, lifted by Shopify Inc (SHOP.TO), which is up with a hefty gain of 25% thanks to strong results and earning guidance. Shopify reported third-quarter revenue of US$2.16 billion, up from $1.71 billion a year earlier. The company said it expects fourth-quarter revenue to grow "at a mid-to-high-twenties percentage rate on a year-over-year basis." Sylogist (SYZ.TO), Converge Technology Solutions (CTS.TO) and Lightspeed Commerce (LSPD.TO) are gaining 2.7 to 3.5%. Sangoma Technologies (STC.TO) and Docebo Inc (DCBO.TO) are up 1.5% and 1%, respectively. Materials shares Hudbay Minerals (HBM.TO), Capstone Mining Corp (CS.TO), Ero Copper (ERO.TO), Ssr Mining Inc (SSRM.TO), Seabridge Gold (SEA.TO), Ivanhoe Mines (IVN.TO), Algoma Steel (ASTL.TO), Teck Resources (TECK.B.TO), Iamgold (IMG.TO) and Lundin Mining (LUN.TO) are down 3.5 to 4.5%. In the energy sector, Nuvista Energy (NVA.TO) is down 2.5%. Vermilion Energy (VET.TO), MEG Energy Corp (MEG.TO), Suncor Energy (SU.TO), Cenovus Energy (CVE.TO), Peyto Exploration (PEY.TO) and Whitecap Resources (WCP.TO) are down 1.6 to 2%. Cronos Group Inc. (CRON.TO) is rising nearly 15%. The company reported third-quarter net income of US$7,324 million, as against a loss of US$1,590 million in the year-ago quarter. On the economic front, data from Statistics Canada showed building permits in Canada increased 11.5% in September from -6.3% in August. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Honda Teases LED Headlight of Activa Electric Ahead of November 27 Launch Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has unveiled an exciting new teaser for its much-anticipated electric scooter, expected to be named Activa Electric or eActiva. This teaser, highlighting the LED headlight, hints at a modern and refined design approach that aligns with Hondas reputation for blending aesthetics with functionality. With the official launch set for November 27, 2024, this marks Hondas significant step into the Indian electric two-wheeler market. A Glimpse of Modern Design The LED headlight design features a sleek, futuristic appearance that suggests Honda is aiming for more than just functionality; it wants to make a statement. This move reflects Hondas understanding that modern electric scooters must be stylish and technologically advanced to appeal to todays consumers. Drawing inspiration from its legendary Activa series, Hondas upcoming electric variant aims to bring the same level of trust, performance, and reliability that has made the Activa a household name in India. By leveraging this strong legacy, Honda seeks to attract a wide range of consumers, from those looking for a dependable daily commuter to enthusiasts eager to adopt eco-friendly mobility solutions. The eActiva is expected to mirror the performance of a 110cc ICE (internal combustion engine) scooter. This ensures that the scooter appeals to mass-market users who prioritize balance between power and convenience. By incorporating dual Honda Mobile Power Packs, which are swappable, the eActiva offers practical solutions for users seeking extended range without waiting for long charging periods. A range exceeding 100 km on a full charge could make it a formidable contender in the market. Cutting-Edge Connectivity and Features Hondas upcoming Activa Electric is anticipated to come with advanced connectivity features, keeping up with industry trends. These could include over-the-air (OTA) updates, a feature that enables users to receive software improvements remotely. Additionally, built-in navigation aids that guide riders to the nearest charging stations provide significant ease of use, making it a practical choice for city dwellers. Such user-centric features align with Hondas mission to offer more than just transportation; the brand aims to enhance the entire ownership experience. This strategic approach not only differentiates Honda in the competitive market but also strengthens its appeal to tech-savvy consumers who value convenience. Future Plans and Market Positioning The Activa Electric is not just a standalone launch but the starting point of Hondas broader electric strategy in India. This initial phase will lay the groundwork for multiple models projected to be rolled out by 2026. By maintaining a balance between innovation and cost efficiency, Honda plans to use its ICE expertise to scale its electric offerings. Looking ahead to the period beyond 2030, Honda envisions expanding its electric lineup with next-generation battery technologies and more sophisticated features. The launch of the eActiva is, therefore, an important milestone in Hondas long-term roadmap to become a dominant player in the global electric two-wheeler market. Tata Motors posts flat growth in October 2024 with the Punch and Nexon being its top 2 selling models Tata Motor sales in October 2024 stood at 48,133 units. This was a flat growth over 48,343 units sold in Oct 2023. The company however saw a marked improvement on a month-on-month (MoM) basis with sales growth at 17% from 41,065 units sold in Sept 2024. Tata Motors Sales Oct 2024 Tata Motors continued to be the 4th best-selling automaker in October 2024 after Maruti, Hyundai and Mahindra. It currently commands a 12.1% market share, down from 12.4% held in Oct 2023. While every model in the company lineup has seen a MoM increase in sales except for the Altroz, there were four models in the company portfolio that saw declining sales on a YoY basis. Tata Motors, with 8 cars and SUVs across its portfolio, out of which 5 are also offered with their electric counterparts, saw the Punch/EV as the highest selling model last month. Sales stood at 15,740 units in Oct 2024, up 3% over 15,317 units sold in Oct 2023. MoM sales improved by 15% from 13,711 units sold in Sept 2024. A few variants of the Punch were removed from the company website in both petrol and CNG options with more demand being noted for its sunroof variants. Tata Nexon was at No. 2 with 14,759 unit sales last month. The Nexon suffered a 13% YoY setback over 16,887 units sold in Oct 2023 though it made up in MoM sales by 29% from 11,470 units sold in Sept 2024. The new Tata Curvv has seen good demand in the past 2 months of its official launch in India. Its sales stood at 5,351 units in the past month, up from 4,763 unit sales of Sept 2024. This coupe-SUV commands a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating. Tata Tiago and Altroz, two hatchback models came in next. Tiago sales dipped 13% YoY to 4,982 units last month, whereas there had been 5,356 units sold in Oct 2023. MoM sales grew by 11% from 4,225 units sold in Sept 2024. It was followed by the Altroz with 2,642 unit sales though this hatchback has suffered a 56% YoY and 4% MoM decline in demand. Tata Safari and Harrier See Surging Demand in Oct 2024 Sales of the companys mid-sized SUVs Safari and Harrier have both seen growth in Oct 2024. Safari sales improved by 56% YoY and 27% MoM to 2,086 units. There had been 1,340 units and 1,644 units sold in Oct 2023 and Sept 2024 respectively. Tata Harrier sales were up 3% on a YoY basis to 1,947 units, from 1,896 units sold in Oct 2023. MoM sales improved by 22% from 1,600 units sold in Sept 2024. The Tigor showed relatively lower YoY demand by 41% to 926 units in Oct 2024. There were 1,563 units sold in the same month last year. MoM sales saw a 4% improvement from 894 units sold in Sept 2024. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 12. Finland is a reliable and trusted partner of Kazakhstan within the Nordic region and the European Union at large, said President Tokayev during his meeting with the President of Finland, Trend reports During the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, conferred with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb. In the discussion, the two leaders reiterated their dedication to enhancing bilateral relations, encompassing commerce, economy, and cultural-humanitarian domains. The successful execution of collaborative projects involving Finnish enterprises in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, industrial engineering, and machinery was acknowledged. Furthermore, they kicked around ideas on the latest international and regional matters, along with working hand in hand within multilateral organizations. The President of Kazakhstan extended a hearty wish for Finland to hit the ground running in its OSCE chairmanship. After the discussions wrapped up, the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Finland shook hands on the idea of swapping visits, which will give a fresh boost to fortifying their political and economic ties between Astana and Helsinki. The United Nations Climate Change Conferences are annual events conducted under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as the official assembly of UNFCCC parties to evaluate advancements in addressing climate change. The COP of this year is being held in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. COP29 is scheduled for November 11 to 22. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov met with the delegation headed by Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Qu Dongyu, who took part in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture. Meanwhile, it was noted that during the meeting held at the pavilion of the Ministry of Agriculture at COP29, the importance of projects implemented within the framework of joint cooperation with FAO was emphasized, and prospects of cooperation were discussed. Greeting the guests, Minister Majnun Mammadov touched upon the importance of holding COP29 in Azerbaijan and talked of measures taken to minimize the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector. Furthermore, it was noted that the Azerbaijani government closely cooperates with international organizations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization is one of the most important international partners of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with FAO in the field of agriculture and is interested in continuing this cooperation. The Director-General of FAO Qu Dongyu, in turn, noted that he was glad to establish high-level ties between Azerbaijan and the organization. He noted that to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals amid the impact of global challenges, it is crucial to create more sustainable agro-food systems and expand global cooperation in these directions. Such events as COP29 make an important contribution to the work of prioritizing the development of the agricultural sector. Qu Dongyu emphasized that the projects aimed at sustainable development of the agricultural sector and the formation of an effective and professional base of specialists will continue to be supported. The parties touched upon the importance of continuing cooperation within the framework of the FAO-Azerbaijan Partnership Program and discussed issues of further increasing productivity in the agricultural sphere, rational use of land and water resources, digitalization of agriculture, improvement of education, training, and research works in the agricultural sphere. In the end, a wide exchange of views was held on topics of mutual interest. At the conclusion of the meeting, a Declaration of Intent was signed on strengthening cooperation within the framework of the "Baku Climate Harmony Initiative for Farmers," included in the Sustainable Transformation for Food and Agriculture (FAST) initiative within COP29. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will last until November 22, was held on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and, for the first time, is being held in the region of Azerbaijan. The highest-level event, the summit of world leaders on climate action, will be held within COP29 on November 12-13. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5C pledge by bringing everyone together. 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Tajikistan aims to transform itself into a green country by 2037, relying fully on renewable energy sources by 2032, said President Emomali Rahmon at the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports. Rahmon highlighted that Tajikistan already generates 98% of its electricity from hydropower, positioning the nation as a low emitter with a global rank of 130th in carbon dioxide emissions. The president emphasized the critical connection between water and climate issues, drawing attention to the alarming rate of glacier melting driven by climate change. "We must pay special attention to the accelerated melting of glaciers," he stated, noting the essential role glaciers play in the regions water supply. As a significant step, Tajikistan initiated a UN General Assembly resolution declaring 2025 as the Year of Glaciers Preservation, which has since led to the creation of an international trust fund for glacier protection under the United Nations. "Tajikistan has contributed its share to this fund and calls on all partners to support this initiative," Rahmon said. Tajikistan also plans to host a high-level international conference on glacier preservation in Dushanbe in May 2025, a move Rahmon sees as essential to fostering global cooperation. Alongside France, Tajikistan has successfully advocated for the UN to declare 2025 to 2034 as the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, promoting research on frozen water bodies critical for climate stability. Rahmon also addressed concerns regarding the Caspian Sea, which faces significant environmental threats. "Saving the biggest lake in the world is a matter of common concern that requires long-term international cooperation," he noted, urging collaborative efforts to protect the Caspian Sea for future generations. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 12. Kazakhstan is striving to strengthen friendly ties and mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation with Guinea-Bissau, said President Tokayev during his meeting with the President of Guinea-Bissau, Trend reports. On the margins of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the President of Guinea-Bissau, Oumaru Sisoku Embalo. The President called Guinea-Bissau one of Kazakhstan's significant partners on the African continent. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan is an open country, adhering to a peace-loving policy and having the largest economy in the region. He emphasized that the two countries have good prospects for partnership. Despite their geographic distance, Kazakhstan and Guinea-Bissau can develop cooperation in agriculture, logistics, and information and communication technologies, Tokayev said. In turn, Umaru Sisoku Embalo expressed gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan for the opportunity to discuss the development of bilateral relations. In conclusion, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited President Umaru Sisoku Embalo to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan at a time convenient for him. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarpov called for unified global climate action and innovative financing mechanisms to support developing nations in addressing climate challenges, during his address at the COP29 summit in Baku, Trend reports. Amidst urgent climate concerns, the president emphasized the need for countries to collaborate on climate initiatives regardless of geopolitical differences. We must unite on climate action, he stated, underscoring that achieving the Paris Agreement goals requires coordinated global efforts. He voiced Kyrgyzstan's support for a new climate finance target, urging developed countries to increase climate assistance for developing nations to $2 trillion, with streamlined access to these funds. In a move toward innovative climate finance, Japarov outlined Kyrgyzstans strategy to leverage debt-for-climate exchanges. He proposed that Kyrgyzstans external debt be restructured to fund specific green initiatives. The country has established a Climate Trust Fund to channel resources into ecological and sustainable mountain projects, inviting interested nations to participate. Highlighting Kyrgyzstans renewable energy projects, President Japarov discussed the collaborative construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant with neighboring countries, one of the largest in the region. Addressing water resource challenges, he proposed creating a regional center in Bishkek dedicated to energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies, calling for support from development partners. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 12. Kuwait holds the potential to become one of the major investors in Kazakhstan's economy, said President Tokayev during his meeting with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Trend reports. On the margins of the World Climate Summit COP29, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The head of state noted that Kuwait is an important partner of Kazakhstan in the Arab world. The President emphasized the sustainable development of bilateral political dialogue and economic interaction, reaffirming Kazakhstan's commitment to strengthening comprehensive cooperation with Kuwait. He also expressed confidence that Kuwait has the potential to become one of the major investors in Kazakhstan's economy, citing the successful activities of Kuwaiti companies as an example. The interlocutors agreed to intensify trade and economic ties with a focus on the implementation of joint investment projects. Special attention was paid to cooperation within multilateral structures, including the Central Asia-Gulf Cooperation Council format. At the end of the meeting, President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev extended an invitation to the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to visit Kazakhstan. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov addressed COP29 with a call for greater focus on mountain sustainability and the pressing impact of climate change on regional water resources. Japarov highlighted that, as climate change progresses, water resources essential to Central Asia are diminishing each year, affecting water and energy supply, food security, and overall socio-economic stability in mountain regions. The president underscored the unique challenges faced by mountain communities, emphasizing that sustainable mountain development is crucial for the resilience of the region. "These challenges go beyond borders and affect the lives and livelihoods of all who rely on these resources," Japarov stated, urging international action to mitigate the environmental impacts on highland ecosystems. To address this, Japarov pointed to the UN General Assemblys recent adoption of the Sustainable Mountain Development resolution, initiated by Kyrgyzstan, which has established 2023-2027 as a Five-Year Action for Mountain Regions. The initiative aims to drive global efforts to protect and promote sustainable practices in mountainous areas, acknowledging their significance to biodiversity, water cycles, and regional stability. President Japarov invited world leaders and stakeholders to join Kyrgyzstan for the second Global Mountain Summit, titled Bishkek Class 25, to be held in 2027. This event will serve as a platform to review progress on mountain sustainability and set further goals to enhance resilience in mountain regions. We must work together to ensure that mountain communities thrive in the face of climate change, he concluded, calling for strengthened global cooperation and attention to mountain preservation efforts. Oil producer Shell has won its appeal in a Dutch court against a 2021 ruling to slash its global carbon emissions. The appeals court in The Hague ruled that while Shell had to cut emissions, it could not determine the extent of the cuts and dismissed the entire case. In May 2021, the Hague district court judged that Shell had to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% from 2019 levels by 2030. The case was brought by Milieudefensie, which is the Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth, and more than 17,000 co-plaintiffs. Energy companies continue to invest in new oil and gas fields in response to supply fears cause by geopolitical instability such as the war in Ukraine. Shell - along with rivals Petronas and Repsol - was last year ordered by Britain's advertising watchdog, to pull misleading ads as part of a crackdown on "greenwashing", or making operations look more sustainable than they really were. The Advertising Standards Authority said the trio misled the public on the climate and environmental benefits of their products, promoting "green" credentials while failing to mention the polluting nature of broader operations. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Vodafone Group reported a 1.6% rise in total revenue to 18.3bn for the first half of its financial year on Tuesday, with service revenue growing 1.7% to 15.1bn. The FTSE 100 telecoms giant said organic service revenue increased 4.8%, largely due to gains in European, African, and Turkish markets, despite a decline in Germany linked to the recent MDU TV law change. Vodafone said it had actively retained four million German households affected by the change, though service revenue in Germany still dropped 6.2% in the second quarter. In its business division, Vodafone said it saw organic service revenue accelerate to 4% in the second quarter, driven by digital service demand. In Africa, growth remained robust at 9.7%, supported by price adjustments in South Africa and strong demand for data and financial services in Egypt. Vodafone said its operating profit rose significantly, up 28.3% to 2.4bn, helped by a 0.7bn gain from the partial sale of its stake in Indus Towers. Adjusted EBITDAaL increased organically by 3.8% to 5.4bn, benefiting from revenue growth and reduced energy costs across Europe. Vodafone said it had nearly completed its second share buyback tranche, repurchasing 1bn in shares. The firm reiterated its 2025 financial year guidance, targeting adjusted EBITDAaL of around 11bn and a minimum adjusted free cash flow of 2.4bn. Strategically, Vodafone said it had been advancing its customer experience transformation, reporting reduced detractor numbers across all segments and maintaining leading net promoter scores in nine of its 15 markets. Operational simplification efforts were progressing, with Accenture investing in Vodafones commercial shared operations business as part of a 150m commitment and with 3,100 role reductions underway in Germany. Vodafones pre-tax return on capital employed rose to 7.2%, reflecting improved returns following the reshaping of the group, partially offset by the effects of the Vantage deconsolidation and regulatory changes in Germany. We continue to make good progress on our strategy to change Vodafone, said group chief executive Margherita Della Valle. The approval processes for our transactions in the UK and Italy are nearing conclusion - these will complete our programme to reshape the group for growth. We are also investing in Germany to strengthen our market position and taking steps to expand our B2B capabilities. Della Valle said that the company moved through the year of transition, its results in the first half had been consistent with expectations, adding that Vodafone was reiterating its full-year guidance. We grew service revenue by 4.8% and adjusted EBITDAaL by 3.8%. We delivered good performances across our markets, with the exception of Germany, where we have been impacted as expected by the TV law change. I am confident that the actions we are taking will deliver growth for Vodafone this year and a further acceleration into the 2026 financial year. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Social media platform Bluesky has picked up more than 700,000 new users in the week since the US election, as users seek to escape misinformation and offensive posts on X. The influx, largely from North America and the UK, has helped Bluesky reach 14.5 million users worldwide, up from 9 million in September, the company said. Guardian The owners of British Steel are to keep the blast furnaces at its Scunthorpe site running past Christmas amid talks over government support for a switch to less polluting technology. The government is thought to be considering aid for British Steel at the same level or even higher than the 500m pledged to Tata Steel, which closed its two blast furnaces in Port Talbot in September. However, no decisions on the shape of a package have been made. Guardian Rachel Reevess tax raid risks turning high streets into ghost towns for much of the week, as pubs, restaurants and shops prepare to shut earlier and open on fewer days. Retail and hospitality chiefs said they were actively looking at reducing opening hours in response to Ms Reevess decision to raise employers National Insurance contributions. It raises fears that the Budget will worsen problems for Britains high streets and leave town centres largely shuttered outside the busiest shopping days of the week. Telegraph Herbert Smith Freehills is planning to merge with its US rival Kramer Levin to create one of the 20 largest law firms in the world. The combined operation will have more than $2 billion of annual revenue and 2,700 lawyers, including 640 partners across 25 offices. The merger is designed to accelerate growth in the US across sectors including energy, infrastructure, mining and technology. The Times The Financial Reporting Council is looking to remove the mention of the environment and society from its definition of good stewardship for institutional investors. Currently, the accounting watchdog describes stewardship as the responsible allocation, management and oversight of capital to create long-term value for clients and beneficiaries leading to sustainable benefits for the economy, the environment and society. The Times Londons FTSE 100 was down 1.1% at 8,039.06 in afternoon trade on Tuesday. Fresnillo slid after saying that Industrias Penoles, its partner in a long-standing silver production agreement, was having operational issues affecting the Sabinas mine, which is fully owned by Penoles. Vodafone slumped even as it reiterated full-year guidance after saying first-half results were in line with expectations. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the quarterly performance "was marred by a weak showing for its German business, its biggest market, where a previously flagged issue around the government barring housing associations from bundling TV with rent is impacting performance". Convatec surged to the top of the index as the wound care specialist raised its guidance for 2024 following robust sales growth across its divisions. DCC shot higher as it announced plans to simplify its operations and focus on the energy sector. The sales, marketing and support services group also reported a rise in interim profit and lifted its dividend. Melrose Industries gained on the back of an upbeat note from Citi, which said a recent site visit at Western Approach highlighted "a number of industry-leading technologies". FTSE 100 - Risers Convatec Group (CTEC) 261.80p 20.87% DCC (CDI) (DCC) 5,730.00p 15.38% Rightmove (RMV) 607.00p 2.53% Smith & Nephew (SN.) 959.40p 2.30% Centrica (CNA) 118.20p 1.29% Melrose Industries (MRO) 517.20p 0.78% Diploma (DPLM) 4,518.00p 0.53% Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 793.00p 0.46% British American Tobacco (BATS) 2,751.00p 0.40% F&C Investment Trust (FCIT) 1,112.00p 0.36% FTSE 100 - Fallers Fresnillo (FRES) 635.50p -5.99% Vodafone Group (VOD) 68.64p -5.97% Vistry Group (VTY) 714.00p -5.49% Anglo American (AAL) 2,231.00p -4.10% Prudential (PRU) 619.00p -3.49% Croda International (CRDA) 3,663.00p -3.43% Airtel Africa (AAF) 95.65p -2.65% Glencore (GLEN) 378.45p -2.59% Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,617.00p -2.38% Frasers Group (FRAS) 732.50p -2.33% Hand the baking enthusiast in your life a new passion project with the sumptuous and creative Dolci!: American Baking with an Italian Accent by Renato Poliafito (Baked Occasions), chef-owner of Brooklyn, N.Y., bakery and cafe Ciao, Gloria. Sun-warmed pictures of Sicilian art, architecture, and small moments mingle with exquisitely styled photos of sugar-dusted crostata and gleaming chocolate-glazed torrone bars. Old world flavors meet new world form factors in desserts like Mocha Orange Whoopie Pies, which feature luscious orange Italian buttercream sandwiched between two rich discs of coffee-chocolate cake, and the decadent, tiramisu-inspired Italian Krispie Treats. Savory bites include the crispy Mozzarella in Carrozza, a cheese-pull fan's holy grail of sandwiches. Poliafito, who is second-generation Italian American, introduces each recipe with a brief note that includes explanation, tips, or a piece of kitchen history from his Sicilian family. The recipes include ingredient weights as well as measurements for greater precision, and the experienced baker should easily understand Poliafito's concise instructions. This joyful mingling of traditional technique and playful twists will find a warm welcome in any pastry enthusiast's kitchen. --Jaclyn Fulwood, blogger at Infinite Reads "Baking is an adventure, a pleasure and a form of alchemy," states Christopher Kimball in the introduction to Milk Street Bakes, an exquisitely presented collection of 200 thoroughly tested sweet and savory recipes. Easy step-by-step directions, baking tips, and practical techniques--along with luscious-looking photographs--serve to engage the senses. Traditional recipes such as breads, pizzas, and muffins; cakes, pies, and cookies; and everything in between become so much more with infusions of surprising flavor profiles and unexpected ingredient combinations. All bases are covered: black pepper gives a kick to Triple Ginger Scones with Chocolate Chunks. Butter enriches the flavor of Coconut Milk-Flour Tortillas. Hot honey unites tangy and sweet in the Pizza with Pepperoni and Mozzarella recipe. A zingy lemon glaze caps off a French Almond-Rum Cake. Sesame seed paste adds show-stopping depth to Tahini Swirl Brownies. And spice-infused honey is the centerpiece in Kimball's Polish Gingerbread Cookies--he recommends a dark one to contrast with the nuttiness of the rye flour. This wide array of innovative recipes will captivate home bakers, inspiring them to master these transformative creations, with delicious results. --Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines Born in Cairo, chef Michael Mina was only two when his family decided to move to the United States. Not wanting to be pigeonholed due to his background, Mina spent much of his early career pursuing the techniques of "classic" European culinary preparations, albeit with the palate of his Middle Eastern upbringing. In My Egypt: Cooking from My Roots, James Beard Award-winner Mina highlights the culture and cuisine of his birthplace, infusing their traditional fine dining with the flavors--as well as the abundance and joyful hospitality--of his Egyptian heritage. Never pretentious, Mina offers simple advice and easy substitutes for even the most elevated dishes like Grilled Octopus with Ful Medames. He refuses to diminish the homier preparations such as Koshari, a blend of lentils and chickpeas over a bed of macaroni and rice; instead, he asks, "Who says humble can't be extraordinary?" Photographer John Lee captures the vibrancy of Egyptian towns and tables throughout, a vivid portrayal of the people and places at Mina's roots. --Sara Beth West, freelance reviewer and librarian A new survey from the National Literacy Trust in the U.K. has found a "shocking and dispiriting" fall in children reading for pleasure, with only 35% of eight- to 18-year-olds enjoying reading in their spare time, an 8.8% drop from last year to the lowest figure yet recorded, the Guardian reported. The NLT said the results are part of a broader downward trend since 2016, when almost two-thirds of children said that they enjoyed reading. Reading frequency is also at a historic low, with 20.5% of those surveyed reporting reading daily in their free time, compared to 28% last year. The gender gap has also widened, with 28.2% of boys now saying they enjoy reading in their free time, compared to 40.5% of girls. "For a report focused largely on reading enjoyment, much of this is not an enjoyable read," the report noted. "The declining levels of reading enjoyment and reading frequency are, frankly, shocking and dispiriting." --- Thalia, Germany's largest bookseller, is taking over online bookseller buecher.de, effective immediately. DPA International (via Yahoo News) reported that all employees will be taken on and will keep their jobs under the same conditions. No purchase price was revealed. Buecher.de currently belongs to the Weltbild Group, which filed for bankruptcy in June, pushing other companies in the group into insolvency. Thalia said the purchase price will be paid to the insolvency estate, from which the creditors will receive their stake at the end of the proceedings. Thalia chief executive Ingo Kretzschmar described buecher.de as "an excellent addition to the Thalia Group," adding that the online company "has loyal customers and will remain as a brand in the future." --- Applications have opened for the third RISE Bookselling Conference, which will take place March 23-24, 2025, in Riga, Latvia. The first two conferences were held in Prague and Lisbon. Places are limited and you can register here. The Rise Bookselling Conference gathers some 300 booksellers from Europe and the world, as well as representatives and industry experts from the entire sector (authors, publishers, distributors, etc.). This third edition of the conference is "dedicated entirely to the bookselling sector. Meet booksellers and book trade professionals from all around the world, and enjoy a packed two-day program of discussion panels, presentations, workshops, keynote speeches and networking opportunities! Discover new ideas to implement in your bookshop, learn how the bookselling business works in other countries, and make new friends," the organizers said. In addition, on Saturday, March 22, participants have the opportunity to explore Riga and visit some of its bookshops. --- Staff meeting, NZ style: New Zealand bookseller Wardini Books, Havelock North, shared a video of the shop's "staff meeting at Wardini Towers with surprise guest--our Phoebe! She's back from the U.S. for a quick visit and executed her surprise in true Phoebe style." --Robert Gray ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 12. Rwandan President Paul Kagame expresses interest in expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan, Trend reports. In the framework of the World Climate Summit, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame. The parties discussed prospects for the development of bilateral relations in the political and trade and economic spheres, as well as opportunities for cooperation within the framework of international organizations. President Tokayev emphasized the importance of strengthening a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with Rwanda. President Paul Kagame, in turn, highly appreciated the achievements of our country in political and socio-economic development and expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Kazakhstan. At the end of the meeting Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited Paul Kagame to visit Kazakhstan. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The country is rapidly becoming a trailblazer in adopting artificial intelligence. Statistics now reveal that 30% of Indian companies use this advanced technology to unlock maximum value. What's impressive about that figure, which was produced by research from the Boston Consulting Group, is that it actually surpasses the global average of 26%. This means India is adopting a more progressive approach to incorporating AI across industries. A part of the report by BCG, 'Where's the Value in AI?', was based on responses from over 1,000 Chief Experience Officers and other senior executives across 20 different sectors worldwide, including Asia, Europe, and North America. In fact, very few would deny the role of such sectors as fintech, software development, or banking where application of AI leads to increasing operational efficiency. This spurt into AI adoption doesn't reflect an evolution inside tech-centric industries alone. It is fascinating to see how old-fashioned sectors are coming on board and actually finding out the potential of AI, with the CEOs now looking for gigantic returns on their investment. In this direction as promising as it appears, the report speaks a lot about the challenges that most companies face: 26% have put in the capabilities to transition from experiments to effective value generation. It is true that India's fast pace of embracing AI is redefining its competitive edge in the world.100% companies are at the experimentation stage with AI, which reflects India's preparedness to embrace this technology in the best possible manner. concludes Saibal Chakraborty, India Leader for BCG's Technology and Digital Advantage Practice. The insights by Chakraborty mirror both the current state and the future growth path in AI integration. He is of the opinion that while the Indian market will come at the forefront, it has the potential to generate measurable value from AI. While this does give one a sense of immense commitment towards technology, the report does have some sobering statistics to divulge in terms of performance across the globe. In fact, the bottom line is that only 4% of all businesses could deliver sustainable value through AI. Slightly below 22% have strategies in place to leverage AI accordingly. Meaningfully, 74% of businesses have not seen tangible results. There is scope for improvement, not just for Indian businesses, but also for their global counterparts. Despite these hurdles, growth in Indian interest in AI proffers bright prospects not only to the technology sector but also to the entire economy. BCG presented India's AI leaders' maturity as all-round and cutting across not only digital landscapes but traditional industries, with every variety of avenue open to advancement. According to Chakraborty, "India is poised not just to lead in AI adoption but to innovate beyond the conventional tech-driven business models". This business sentiment is also supported by continued investments from all quarters, such as the academia and private sectors, which are pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with AI. It's not uncommon to see companies invest resources, hire relevant talent, and test pilots towards exploiting the boundless potential of AI. Add to this story industrial AI startup Avathon, headquartered in the United States but formerly known as SparkCognition, is working at not merely rebranding but doubling down on its commitment to India. The company, which already boasts significant backing from influential investors such as Temasek Holdings and Boeing, plans to triple its workforce in India from around 140 to 400 employees within the next two years. The company plans to make India its largest R&D hub, indicating its confidence in the skill pool and innovative capabilities. Pervinder Johar, the CEO Avathon said, "India is at the heart of Avathon's roadmap, with AI projected to contribute over 50% of the Asia-Pacific region's growth in traditional industries by 2028." This mirrors the firm's strategic vision of improving efficiencies in operations and applying AI solutions to legacy systems going across aerospace, defence, and oil and gas. We view India as being key to our expansion: both as engineering and research and development headquarters. Focus on India would seem, in the great scheme of things, consistent with trends in multinationals' appreciation of India's huge market size and the Indian workforce's savvy talent to further fuel growth and innovation. However, Avathon is not alone in this aspect. Texas Instruments, too, has revealed new generations of microcontroller units that promise to come with integrated edge AI technology. These innovations are said to be addressed for real-time control applications in the automotive and industrial sectors at a higher safety level and efficiency. Reflecting engineers' present needs, Senior Vice President at Texas Instruments, Amichai Ron, proceeded to say that the call from engineers was urgent for smarter, energy-efficient systems to make decisions quickly. He noticed the new series of MCUs would allow engineers to take on more complex challenges and have more reliable systems while running more sustainably. India has launched its maiden space exercise dubbed 'Antariksha Abhyas 2024' being hosted by the Defence Space Agency. The Ministry of Defence said that the 'Antariksha Abhyas' is a three-day exercise. "It is being conducted by the Defence Space Agency of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff from 11 to 13 November," the ministry said. 'Exercise Antariksha Abhyas' is of a first-ever nature and will help cement national strategic objectives in space and integrate India's space capability in military operations. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said at the 'Antariksha Abhyas 2024', Space, once considered the final frontier is now the critical enabler of Indias defence and security apparatus. With its rich legacy of space exploration and growing military capabilities, India is well positioned to navigate the challenges posed to space-based capabilities. It appealed to the military leadership with the emphasis that space was increasingly congested, contested, competitive, and commercial; it suggested safeguarding national interests in space by pushing innovation and cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art systems through collaboration with DRDO, ISRO, and Academia. According to the Ministry of Defence, this space exercise was meant to achieve an increased knowledge on space-based assets and services, understanding how operational dependency on space segments between stakeholders is functioned. Besides, it aims to identify vulnerabilities in the conduct of operations in the face of denial or disruptions of space-based services. It will have participants from the Defence Space Agency and its allied units along with personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force. Specialized wings under Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff namely Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency and Strategic Forces Command would also be active participants in the exercise. Representatives from Indian Space Research Organisation as well as Defence Research and Development Organisation would also participate in it. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Thursday, Nov. 21, marks the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge spans from Staten Island to Brooklyn and is the 13th-longest suspension span bridge worldwide. It was one of the last bridges designed by engineer Othmar H. Ammann of Ammann & Whitney, now WSP. WSP is one of the largest professional services firms in the world. Since its construction, it has provided vital services to MTA Bridges and Tunnels to maintain and protect several facilities, including Verrazzano Narrows. This includes years of in-depth inspections of the suspended spans and ramps, specialized inspection/analysis of the cables and anchorages, and bridge painting of the cables and suspender ropes. For over 60 years, the MTA Bridges and Tunnels and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority have been dedicated stewards of the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge and roadways, said Joseph Viola, national transportation leader and senior vice president of WSP. All of the people who have touched the bridge in some way over the past six decades share an unwavering commitment to maintenance and innovation, which has kept this historic structure standing strong, ensuring safe and efficient travel for thousands of commuters. In the late 1990s and 2000s, WSPs work included construction inspection and resident engineering services for the rehabilitation of the bridges upper roadway decks. This was followed with construction inspection of the new ramp structures, which carry high-occupancy vehicle and bus traffic from the Gowanus Expressway to the bridges upper level. WSPs legacy spans more than the citys iconic bridges. In fact, many of its other high-profile projects include the Barclays Center, Second Avenue Subway, Central Park Tower, and One World Trade Center. Im proud that our work builds communities, connects them and makes them stronger, said Christian Viti, an associate acoustic consultant at WSP, a leading engineering, environment and professional services firm. Bridges, Verrazzano-Narrows ( Staten Island Advance/Steve Zaffarano ) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance First section of roadway steel for the (Verrazano, sic) Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is gingerly hoisted into place at the bridge's exact center on October 25. The 180-ton section, from U.S. Steel's American Bridge Division, signals start of the structure's two double-decked, six-lane roadways. View looks toward Brooklyn's Bay Ridge section. Bridges-Verrazzano UPI (United Press International)UPI (United Press International) Bridges, Narrows Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance Standing ready for the next construction phase is the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Fort Hamilton residents and Shore Parkway motorists in Brooklyn have this view. bridges VB construction Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance Completion of preparations by United States Steel's American Bridge Division for the start of cable spinning on Thursday, March 7, provided the view of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge between Brooklyn and Staten Island. This photo looking from the Brooklyn anchorage toward Staten Island shows the 20-foot wide catwalks that will serve as work platforms during the cable spinning operations. Each measuring the 6,948 feet in length, the catwalks are completed and support tramways to carry the spinning wheels that will position the 142,600 miles of galvanized steel wire making up the four main cables. United States Steel Corp.United States Steel Corp. First section of roadway steel for the (Verrazano, sic) Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is gingerly hoisted into place at the bridge's exact center on October 25. The 180-ton section, from U.S. Steel's American Bridge Division, signals start of the structure's two double-decked, six-lane roadways. View looks toward Brooklyn's Bay Ridge section. Bridges-Verrazzano UPI (United Press International)UPI (United Press International) A network of cables stands guard over the massive steel sections of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge roadway as they await elevation to their permanent residence above Ford Wadsworth. bridges Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance Workmen construct a temporary support for the bridge's upper deck. Verrazzano, bridges Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance A NATO ship heads under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge as it arrives in New York for the July 4 Harbor Fest. The ships will be on display Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal at West 48th Street in Manhattan. Bridge, V-N Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance A crane lowers one girder into place at the Brooklyn approach to the bridge near the Shore Parkway. The $325 million span will open late next year. Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance - Construction of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (Photo Courtesy of WSP) WSPWSP - Construction of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (Photo Courtesy of WSP) WSPWSP - Construction of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (Photo Courtesy of WSP) WSPWSP The New York City civil service exam schedule is open for November, and some jobs pay more than others. The application period for exams opened Nov. 6. Exam applications currently open include: benefits opportunity specialist; caseworker; computer operations manager; construction project manager; eligibility specialist; forester; plumbers helper; plumbers helper (CUNY); police communications technician; public health epidemiologist. Open, competitive, computer-based tests are administered throughout each month for various positions. If you meet the basic requirements of the job, you can apply for your exam online at Online Application System (OASys) or at one of the Computer-Based Testing and Application Centers (CTAC). Most exams have a deadline of Nov. 26. The application remains open for call center representative, emergency medical specialist-EMT (fire) and emergency medical specialist trainee through Nov. 26. Applications for for public safety exam level I are available until Nov. 29. Jobs in the public safety exam level I include: sanitation enforcement agent; school safety agent; special officer; traffic enforcement agent. The deadline to apply for police communications technician is Sept. 28, 2025. Here is the starting salary, deadline and job description for each career, according to the city. Benefits opportunity specialist Salary: $47,708 Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Benefits Opportunity Specialists under supervision, with some latitude for independent judgement and decision making and in accordance with agency policies and procedures, federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and policies, provide economic support and other economic opportunity services and supportive services to persons in need and ensure household needs are met. Caseworker Salary: $46,689 Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Caseworkers, under supervision, with some latitude for independent action and decision-making, provide social services to clients/patients, such as recipients of public assistance, SNAP, and/or medical assistance, child care assistance, adults receiving or needing institutional care or protective services, and homeless adults/families; identify, develop, and implement social service plans for such individuals; may determine the eligibility for these services; and may perform advocacy for social services and health-related services, counseling, and investigative activities. Computer operations manager Salary: Salaries will be commensurate with the level of responsibility of the assignment. Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Computer Operations Managers, under various levels of managerial or executive direction, with varying degrees of latitude for independent initiative, judgment and decision-making, are responsible for managing and directing all aspects of the operation and maintenance of computers, data storage or related data/telecommunications equipment in an IT (Information Technology) unit. Construction project manager Salary: $64,242 Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: This is a supervisory technical class of positions with varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility encompassing construction project management work and the oversight of construction work necessary for constructing, rehabilitating, renovating and maintaining public buildings, structures, infrastructures, facilities and grounds or publicly owned subsidized or regulated residential buildings. Eligibility specialist Salary: $40,957 Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Eligibility Specialists, under varying degrees of supervision and of latitude for independent judgment, and in accordance with agency policies/procedures and federal/state laws and regulations, establishes initial eligibility and/or continuing eligibility for assistance, for individuals applying for government benefits/services, including but not limited to, Cash Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid, by reviewing applications, documents required for recertification, and other documents mailed in or submitted electronically by applicants or recipients, and by accessing the agencys computer and paper files. Forester Salary: $48,870 Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Foresters implement professional forestry plans regarding the selection, planting, pruning, repairing, spraying, removal, and inspection of city trees; collect data for work load planning and computer model simulation of work to be done by contractors for stump removal, tree pruning, tree planting and related urban forestry contracts; serve as borough liaison to central office staff for assigned contract work; prepare detailed specifications of agency forestry contracts; attend preconstruction meetings to discuss contract specifications, schedules and payment procedures; monitor daily progress of agency contractors and prepares daily status reports on agency contract work; report results and recommendations to supervisors; collect statistical data concerning mensuration measurements, silvics indicators, and physiological parameters in order to maintain a complete and accurate borough or citywide tree inventory update; modify micro and macro EDP software programs as required; provide professional support and follow-up on consultancy with private and municipal agencies and private individuals on forestry-related matters; conduct research and provides entomological and pathological surveys required for the development of plans and programs regarding forestry methods, practices and procedures; as a member of a team, participate in the preparation of reports for proposals, analyses and budget requests; may supervise subordinate employees involved in professional forestry activities; operate and maintain technical and professional instruments, kits and tools in the performance of the above mentioned professional research and survey duties; operate motorized equipment and vehicles incidental to the performance of these duties. Plumbers helper Salary: $43.48 per hour for a 35-hour work week Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Plumbers Helpers, under direct supervision, assist plumbers in the installation, maintenance and repair of piping and tubing for water, gas, waste, soil, fuel and vent lines. They assist plumbers in the installation of plumbing fixtures, including tanks, sprinklers and fire suppression systems; carry tools, working materials and equipment, and prepare set-up at work locations; move heavy valves, piping and fixtures; cut, drill or otherwise prepare openings as may be necessary for installation, maintenance or repair of plumbing pipes or fixtures; use acetylene torches; cut and thread pipe with hand or electrically operated tools; clean up work areas; and may operate a motor vehicle. Plumbers helper (CUNY) Salary: $43.48 per hour for a 35-hour work week Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Plumbers Helpers (CUNY), under direct supervision, assist plumbers in the installation, maintenance and repair of piping and tubing for water, gas, waste, soil, fuel and vent lines. They assist plumbers in the installation of plumbing fixtures, including tanks, sprinklers and fire suppression systems; carry tools, working materials and equipment, and prepare set-up at work locations; move heavy valves, piping and fixtures; cut, drill or otherwise prepare openings as may be necessary for installation, maintenance or repair of plumbing pipes or fixtures; use acetylene torches; cut and thread pipe with hand or electrically operated tools; clean up work areas; and may operate a motor vehicle. Police communications technician Salary: $42,976 Application deadline: Feb. 28, 2025 Job description: Police Communications Technicians, working under direct supervision in the Police Department Communications Section, serve as 911 call-takers; obtain necessary information from callers in order to initiate emergency assistance; serve as radio dispatchers of police resources; view pictures, videos and listen to audio attachments sent via Text to 911; and perform clerical, administrative and other duties related to the provision of emergency service. Public health epidemiologist Salary: $60,617 Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Public Health Epidemiologists, under general supervision, with latitude for independent judgment and initiative, perform professional work in the conduct and supervision of programs and surveillance for the detection, investigation, prevention, and control of outbreaks of infectious, communicable, chronic, environmental, or mental health diseases in medical or other institutions and in the community as a whole. Public Health Epidemiologists utilize computers in the performance of these duties. Here are details for other exams that opened in September and October, with deadlines on Nov. 26. Call center representative Salary: $39,486 Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Call Center Representatives, under supervision, in the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) New York City 24-hour 3-1-1 Call Center, provide a single point of contact for all non-emergency City services utilizing state-of-the-art telephone and interactive computer systems, respond to phone inquiries from the public, provide customer service and information to callers, take complaints and service requests and forward them for further action; enter inquiries, complaints and requests into appropriate computer systems, and perform related clerical and computer support work. Emergency medical specialist-EMT (fire) Salary: $48,355 Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Emergency Medical Specialists - EMTs, under general supervision, perform tasks such as the following: provide timely, professional, pre-hospital emergency medical care/Basic Life Support (BLS) to anyone who requests/requires it; provide transportation to the appropriate medical facility; operate department vehicles; receive, prioritize and dispatch calls for emergency medical assistance; and provide patient care under the authorization of the Medical Director. All work is performed in accordance with FDNY policies and procedures and as legislatively prescribed in the requisite curriculum and allowed by Federal/New York State/Regional BLS Protocols and in accordance with the level of training, New York State designated scope of practice and New York State and Regional BLS Protocols. Emergency Medical Specialists - EMTs also prepare and submit reports as required and may be assigned to work in any FDNY facility, as needed. Emergency medical specialist trainee Salary: $36,330 Application deadline: Nov. 26 Job description: Emergency Medical Specialist Trainees attend a training program conducted by the New York City Fire Department. Emergency Medical Specialist Trainees receive Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and emergency medical service operations training and instruction covering basic anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology of emergency medicine, basic treatment modalities for health related emergencies, hazardous materials orientation, NYS Right to Know Laws, blood borne pathogens and infectious disease control, clinical assessment skills, multiple casualty incident (MCI) management, emergency vehicle operations, and related topics. Emergency Medical Specialist Trainees are given practice in applicable patient treatment skills and perform clinical rotations in the field and in hospitals. Sanitation enforcement agent Salary: $32,968 Application deadline: Nov. 29 Job description: Sanitation Enforcement Agents, under supervision, are responsible for enforcement of certain laws, rules and regulations of the New York City Health and Administrative Codes, New York State Public Health Law (Canine Waste), New York City Traffic Regulations; and prepare and issue summonses for certain violations thereof. Under supervision, they may inspect commercial and residential establishments, streets and sidewalks; direct and control traffic around Department of Sanitation operations. During snow events, they may assist with the coordination of the activities of snow shovelers. They operate and monitor hand-held communication devices; assist in the preparation of cases relating to summonses issued, for trial in court or before an Administrative Tribunal; operate a motor vehicle; and perform related work. School safety agent Salary: $36,955 Application deadline: Nov. 29 Job description: School Safety Agents patrol designated areas of school buildings and surrounding areas; identify and prevent infiltration of unlawful or prohibited items through scanning; give routine information to visitors and direct them to the proper personnel and offices; request identification of, and remove from the premises, any unauthorized persons; aid sick and injured persons and call for medical, police or fire assistance, when needed; notify supervisors of all emergency incidents and complete any related documentation; respond to altercations between students and other persons, and attempt to separate the involved persons and resolve conflicts; maintain records of persons entering and leaving buildings; monitor security camera systems to ensure facility entrances are secure; identify persons violating Department of Education Rules and Regulations; apprehend persons violating the Penal Law and notify the proper administrative personnel; prepare reports and testify in regard to these violations at Superintendents or Principals hearings and/or in court; monitor and use radios to request assistance from co-workers; and may operate motor vehicles. Special officer Salary: $36,955 Application deadline: Nov. 29 Job description: Special Officers under supervision, perform Special Officer work of ordinary difficulty and responsibility relating to physical security, safety, loss prevention and maintenance of order. They patrol designated areas of public buildings, other facilities, and surrounding areas to maintain order, preserve the peace, and safeguard life and property against fire, vandalism, theft, etc.; give routine information to visitors and service recipients and direct them to the proper individuals and offices; discourage and eject loiterers and disorderly persons and when appropriate, arrest and issue summonses to law violators on premises; transport, escort and/or arrange for transport of persons in custody to police precincts and have arrests recorded on police blotter; prepare and transmit all necessary documents relating to arrests; testify in court on arrests; report security instances and unusual occurrences by telephone or radio and make subsequent written reports; as required, provide assistance to the sick, injured, mentally and physically disabled, and call for ambulances and/or medical attention when necessary and complete and forward forms; record daily actions in memo book; maintain records of persons entering or leaving building; keep bulletin board in their area current by adding and removing materials; may make clock rounds as required; may control vehicular traffic on grounds and/or premises; may operate a motor vehicle; monitor and report unusual events from security systems as required; distribute and maintain accountability for designated equipment or property; monitor and control access by the means of electronic security measures, such as closed circuit television; access control readers; may operate hydraulic access devices; attend, complete, and maintain training requirements as per State and Agency mandates; make written entries into location log book; and perform related work. Traffic enforcement agent Salary: $36,045 Application deadline: Nov. 29 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The FDNY fought a residential fire early Monday afternoon in Meiers Corners. The fire was called in at 1:20 p.m. at 123 Suffolk Ave., in between Queens Street and Vermont Court, according to a spokesman for the FDNY/EMS. A jogger out for an early morning run discovered a woman shot to death in a New Jersey park early Saturday morning, according to a statement from the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office. On Saturday, just after 5 a.m., members of the Millville Police Department responded to Waltman City Park following a report of an unconscious female lying on the ground with injuries to her head. The victim, who has since been identified as Teaoshia Still, 36, a mother of three from Millville, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The death is currently being investigated by the Millville Police Department and Cumberland County Prosecutors Office. No arrests have been made and there are no suspects at this time as the investigation remains ongoing, police said. Family members told NJ.com that Still was an upbeat and friendly woman and theyre unsure of who would have wanted to kill her. She was sweet, outgoing, very energetic, said a relative who requested their name not be published. Always showed love to people who showed love to her . . . I just dont understand. Its crazy for somebody to just do that to her and leave her in the park, the relative said. Anyone with information may contact either: Millville Police Department: (856) 825-7010 Extension 5 or the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office: https://njccpo.gov/tips. Tips may be left anonymously on the tip line. The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in identifying two men who allegedly shot a Queens store owner before making off with his $22,000 Rolex. It was reported to police that on Friday, Nov. 8, at approximately 6:45 p.m., a 40-year-old male victim was at 3278 Steinway St. in Astoria when two unidentified individuals entered the location and displayed a firearm. Top in Town Wireless is located at the address provided by the NYPD. A physical altercation ensued, and the individuals allegedly discharged multiple rounds at the victim, striking him in both legs and his torso before removing the watch, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The individuals fled the location on a scooter, traveling westbound on 34th Avenue, while the victim was transported in stable condition to Elmhurst Hospital, police said. According to police, the two individuals are described as males with medium complexions. The first sought individual was last seen wearing a gray helmet, a black jacket and blue jeans. The second sought individual was last seen wearing a black helmet, red mask, blue hooded sweatshirt and red-and-black sneakers. The NYPD released a surveillance image of the men. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. The cellphone store was also burglarized a few years back, another business owner told ABC7. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - More than 75 health professionals gathered at the College of Staten Island Friday for the annual Health and Wellness Expo hosted by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC). At the Keynote Breakfast, speaker Angel M. Melendez, Pfizers Senior Director for Investigations, addressed the pressing issue of counterfeit prescription drugs -- highlighting it as a growing and serious threat to public health. Prescription drug prices are notably higher in the U.S. than in other wealthy nations, leading more Americans than ever to turn online for medications. ASOP Global Foundation survey data shows that this shift is driven by lower costs and convenience, exacerbated by drug shortages and pandemic-driven changes in access. Melendez shared that in 2022, Pfizer conducted several focus groups with healthcare providers, patients, policymakers, pharmacists, regulators and law enforcement to better understand the trends of counterfeit medicine. People wanted to really to know more about this... wanted to educate themselves more about being able to make informed decisions on where to source their medicine, Melendez said. The other thing that we were getting from patients is that the most trusted voices are health care providers and pharmacists. However, the focus groups also revealed that healthcare providers do not think about counterfeit medicine as a pressing issue, Melendez added. Melendez, who oversees Pfizer investigations related to product integrity, patient access, fraud and security in the Americas, shared that of all online pharmacies, about 95% operate without proper licenses. He added that the target audience is patients who use social media, and that artificial intelligence is being used to identify them and promote the sale of counterfeit medicines. Last month, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York indicted 18 defendants who are accused in a scheme to produce and distribute millions of deadly counterfeit drugs through fraudulent online pharmacies. If you havent heard about counterfeit medicine... if you havent heard about the growing problem that they are globally, not only here in the U.S., I at least hope I planted a seed of curiosity so you can learn more about the problem, Melendez said. And you can talk to your families so they can be safe when theyre thinking about purchasing medicine outside of the normal way. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 1% of medicines in high-income countries and 10% globally are likely to be counterfeit. About the Health and Wellness Expo The SIEDCs Health and Wellness Expo at CSI offered about 20 free health screenings provided by Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health, Community Health Center of Richmond, and Audiology Island. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi The SIEDCs Health and Wellness Expo at CSI offered nearly 20 free health screenings, including COVID, flu and RSV vaccines, PSA testing, hearing and vision exams, blood pressure checks, diabetes prevention, lung cancer screening and more. Free fitness sessions were available throughout the day, including chair yoga, Stretch for Life, mind and body awareness, and instructional fitness. A participant learns about Opus Plasma at the Health and Wellness Expo, a technology that uses advanced plasma energy to improve skin. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi Free educational seminars were held, along with the annual Health Hero awards, recognizing Staten Islanders who have made a significant impact on the health and well-being of residents. This years recipients included Tony Avilez, Owner of The Body House; Christopher Dowling, Director of Community Engagement at The Village, A Chance In Life; Loretta Orelien, RN, Charge Nurse at Constructive Partnerships Unlimited; Louise Steward, MS, RNC, Nurse Manager of Labor & Delivery, Perinatal Safety at Richmond University Medical Center; Dr. Ginny Mantello, Director of Health & Wellness at the Office of the Staten Island Borough President; Dr. Anna Van Tuyl, Associate Chair of the Emergency Department at Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health; and Dr. Ana Veronica Mendez, Chief of Ambulatory Pediatrics at the Richmond University Medical Center Family Health Clinic. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Meat and poultry products have been recalled after a listeria contamination threat, according to the USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Yu Shang Food Inc. of Spartanburg, South Carolina, has recalled about 4,589 pounds of the ready-to-eat products out of an abundance of caution, because the meat might be adulterated with listeria monocytogenes, the FSIS said. The items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and available for purchase online. The items were produced from Oct. 21 to Oct. 27 with used-by dates ranging from AUG. 21, 2025, through Aug. 27, 2025. Products subject to recall bear establishment number P-46684 or EST. M46684 inside the USDA inspection mark. The recalled products: Yu Shang Brand Cooked Chicken, 20 ounces, vacuum pack Seasoned Pork Hock, 20 ounces Japanese Chashu Pork Belly, 16 ounces, vacuum pack Braised Pork Belly in Brown Sauce, 16 ounces Yu Shang Brand Cooked Pork Hock, 1.4 pounds Chinese Brand Spicy Chicken Feet, 8 ounces Bazhen Seasoned Whole Chicken, 20 ounces Braised Beef Shank, 16 ounces Seasoned Pork Tongues, 12 ounces Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems and pregnant women and their newborns. Consumers who have bought the products should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. This is the latest recall regarding products suspected of being contaminated with listeria in recent weeks. In October, an Oklahoma company was hit with a massive recall affecting almost 10 million pounds of products. Also in October, Costcos Kirkland Signature branded smoked salmon was recalled after it tested positive for listeria, the FDA said. On Nov. 7, David Lassiter, 74, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, left his wallet behind when he voted, PennLive.com reported. Lassiter returned to the polling place and found his wallet, but $100 was missing. Police said he "made a scene inside ... (and) made threats to come back with a firearm." At home, he called police to report the alleged theft, but then said he would get a gun and handle it on his own. Officers arrived at the polling station before Lassiter arrived; in his car, they found seven firearms with ammunition. "Mr. Lassiter became aggressive and hostile toward the officers on scene," police said. "He was detained for his safety as well as that of everyone on the scene." [PennLive.com, 11/8/2023] Well, this escalated quickly. A man in Malaga, Spain, called a plumber on Nov. 4 to fix a broken pipe in his home, Oddity Central reported. After assessing the project, the plumber gave the homeowner an estimate, which sent the homeowner into a rage. He produced a firearm and threatened to kill the plumber; neighbors heard the disturbance and called police, but when they arrived, the homeowner would not release his hostage. Police got a glimpse of him and the plumber/hostage through a window and began negotiations; they asked the man to slightly open the front door so they could see that the plumber was all right. That's when special forces stormed in and rescued the hostage. The homeowner is in police custody. [Oddity Central, 11/8/2023] BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. We face a climate threat that is an existential threat to humanity, said European Council President Charles Michel as he delivered his national statement at the opening of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. "It is our responsibility as human beings to wage this war against nature," he said, while pointing out that developed countries bear greater responsibility for climate change and should therefore lead by example. Michel underscored the Paris Agreement as "our peace treaty with nature", urging that the principle of cooperation should govern the implementation of the accord. Michel highlighted the European Union's commitment to financing climate efforts, announcing $31 billion in EU contributions and calling on others to join, particularly G7 and emerging countries. "We stress the need to broaden the donor base, and we must have more contributors," he said. To mobilize climate efforts further, Michel supported a "multi-track approach" that includes carbon pricing and involving development banks. "The euro is the currency of the climate," he stated, underlining the EUs commitment to supporting developing countries through partnerships like those established with South Africa and Indonesia for equitable energy transitions. Reflecting on recent multilateral achievements, Michel described the climate pact forged in New York as a "ray of hope" and expressed optimism that COP29 could be "a COP that will walk the talk". STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Disneys newest cruise ship, on its first transatlantic voyage, rescued four people from a disabled catamaran off the coast of Bermuda on Sunday morning, officials said. The disabled 50-foot catamaran, the Serenity, was taking on water about 265 miles off the coast of Bermuda, when its escape hatch blew a gasket, causing the vessel to take on water, U.S. Coast Guard 5th District spokesperson Petty Officer 3rd Class Christine Bills told the Associated Press. The Coast Guard put out a broadcast requesting assistance from the nearest ship, and the Disney Treasure which was about 80 miles (129 kilometers) away from the Serenity responded, launching a lifeboat to rescue all four passengers. A crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in North Carolina launched an HC-130 to fly over the scene until the rescue was complete, Bills said. Coast Guard video from the scene shows the yellow lifeboat heading from the cruise ship toward the disabled catamaran. The Disney Treasure was headed from Eemshaven, Netherlands, to its future home in Port Canaveral, Florida, when it responded to the vessel in distress, the Disney Cruise Line said in a statement. Disney Treasure Capt. Marco Nogara said they were happy to be able to help the passengers in peril. Our crew members worked together on the rescue, skillfully demonstrating their training and commitment to safety, Nogara told the Associated Press. The Disney Treasure is scheduled to set sail on its maiden voyage Dec. 21. The ship will be the second of three Triton Class ships, following the Disney Wish and preceding the Disney Destiny. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In response to recent reports that Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to resurrect congestion pricing, elected federal, state and city officials joined forces at a press conference Tuesday to call for an end to the controversial plan. The program, which was halted this past spring, would charge vehicles a variable fee as much as $15 when entering the Congestion Relief Zone, which is any surface street in Manhattan south of 60th Street. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It took 60 years, but the Richmond County St. Patricks Day Parade Committee will, for the first time, allow LGBTQ+ groups to march in the boroughs annual celebration of Irish heritage. On March 2, 2025, members of The Pride Center of Staten Island will proudly march under their own banner alongside dozens of community organizations in the boroughs official St. Patricks Parade. It will be a first as the Richmond County St. Patricks Day Parade Committee has always banned LGBTQ+ groups from marching under their own banner. In fact, the boroughs St. Patricks parade is the very last -- likely in the world -- to have continued this exclusionary ban. The inclusive move was made possible under new leadership of the Richmond County St. Patricks Day Parade Committee, the Advance/SILive.com has learned. The Richmond County St. Patricks Day Parade Committee wishes to announce that the Staten Island Pride Center has been invited to march, under their own banner, in the 2025 Saint Patricks Day Parade...This invitation has been extended by new leadership of the parade committee, installed on Oct. 30, 2024, said the committee in a written statement. The parade committee is entrusted with ensuring the focus of the parade remains upon Saint Patrick, the history, traditions, culture and faith of the Irish people. In this endeavor, the leadership of The Pride Center has assured the parade committee that they are ready to provide support to the parade in fulfilling this obligation, the statement said. The parade committee, which was formerly led by Larry Cummings, had long pointed to the Catholic nature of the annual event as reason for LGBTQ+ exclusion. However, the New York City St. Patricks Day Parade in Manhattan ended a two-decade ban of LGBTQ+ groups in 2014. Parades in Boston and Dublin have done the same. The Staten Island event was the very last holdout to exclude LGBTQ+ groups from marching under their own banners. The move also comes after an advocacy project launched in 2022 by the Advance/SILive.com highlighted the LGBTQ+ exclusion by parade organizers through a series of stories that explored the large amount of city resources used to support the event, as well as the overwhelming support from the community of the Pride Center of Staten Island. Honored to be invited The Pride Center, headed up by Executive Director Carol Bullock, has fought and rallied in recent years after the group along with several other LGBTQ+ groups was continuously denied the right to march in the parade. We are truly honored to be invited to march in the St. Patricks Day Parade. This event is a time-honored tradition that brings people together from all walks of life to celebrate Irish culture, and we are excited to be part of this vibrant community celebration, said Bullock. Staten Island Pride Center head Carol Bullock celebrates during the Jerome X. O'Donovan Breakfast ahead of the first inclusive Staten Island St. Patrick's Day Parade Sunday, March 17, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta) Why did it take so long? For at least the first 55 years of the Islands traditional St. Patricks Parade, hoards of residents from all corners of the borough would flock to a strip of Forest Avenue hours before the start of the parade to create a sea of green as they eagerly awaited the hundreds of marchers, which ranged from a host of high school bands and Miss Staten Island, to all of Staten Islands elected officials, including the mayor of New York. But over the last four years, the number of organizations marching in the parade has dwindled. In fact, many groups and individuals boycotted the annual event due to the parade committees continued exclusion of LGBTQ+ groups. In 2023, organizers of the annual Jerome X. ODonovan Parade Breakfast, where local politicians gather ahead of the parade, cancelled its 25-year-old tradition over the St. Patricks Parade Committees longstanding refusal to allow members of the LGBTQ+ community to openly march in the parade. That year, a group of individuals who supported inclusion staged a brief, peaceful protest before the parade kicked off, displaying a large pride banner in the middle of Forest Avenue in front of Jodys Club Forest. Despite this, the parade committee, under its former leadership, again banned LGBTQ+ groups from participating in the 2024 event. LGBTQ+ supporters staged a brief peaceful protest before the 2023 St. Patrick's Parade kicked off by supporters displaying a large pride banner in the middle of Forest Avenue in front of Jodys Club Forest.(Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma Hammel A tale of two parades Frustrated with the exclusionary practices of the parade committee, the Forest Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) this year orchestrated the boroughs first inclusive parade held on St. Patricks Day, March 17. The inclusive parade included a host of marchers from politicians and celebrities, to public high school marching bands who had boycotted the annual parade in recent years due to exclusion of LGBTQ+ groups. And the annual political breakfast was instead held on the morning of the inclusive parade. 20 1 / 20 Patrons loving the vibes at new inclusive St. Patrick's Day Parade on Staten Island One parade for all With the new leadership in place, this years parade is positioned to be one of the largest the borough has seen in recent years. It is not lost on the parade committee how controversial this event has become, said the group in the written statement. The end to this controversy is to the benefit of the committee, the Pride Center, and the greater Staten Island community. This agreement was reached with the support of a bipartisan group of Staten Island elected officials . . . 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! BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. On the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, KazMunayGas (KMG) and the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) signed a strategic agreement on decarbonization, Trend reports. The document is an important milestone in the long-term strategy of KMG and SOCAR to reduce their carbon footprint. It is also aimed at interaction between the two leading oil and gas companies in the implementation of decarbonization projects and the introduction of low-carbon technologies. COP29 has become a key international platform for discussing climate issues. The signed agreement demonstrates the growing importance and priority of cooperation between the countries of the region on sustainable development and reducing their carbon footprint. All of this means Ive got lots of things to keep me busy and engaged. Im continuing to learn and Ive got a good social network. Time with grandchildren as well as travel were also top of Andersons priorities. When I only had four weeks of annual leave a year, we didnt travel as often as we do now, he says. Now I always like to have one or two trips organised. Weve just come back from two months in the UK, last year we did a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest and Im about to head to Vietnam for 3.5 weeks. A little sacrifice now could pay dividends in the future Your retirement your way. Credit: iStock So how can we all follow suit to enjoy overseas adventures when we hang up our work boots? Anderson suggests taking an interest in super and investments. Andrew Jewell, First Supers head of financial planning, says Australians perception of retirement has changed in recent decades, and that more people want to know theyre going to have a dignified retired life. Our grandparents got to 65 and were like, Thats it! Im not doing anything but its changed now, he says. People want to really enjoy retirement they might want to travel or simply spend more time with their children. Retirement readiness looks different for everyone In good news for people approaching retirement, Josh Parisotto, HESTAs chief engagement and growth officer, says that when you consider the age pension and assets, many people need less than they think to comfortably retire. The idea of retirement readiness can feel out of reach for many, especially with misconceptions that you need a balance of $1 million or more for a comfortable retirement, he says. Not only is this not true, but it can discourage people from engaging with their super. The focus should be on taking achievable steps like regular contributions and understanding how super can supplement the aged pension. Jewell agrees that many people need less than theyd think. The feedback we get from members is that they cant believe how much less theyre spending, he says. Its like when people were at home during COVID and they werent buying that morning coffee anymore and people accumulated wealth. Like Anderson, Parisotto encourages Australians to start engaging with their superannuation in their working years. We believe in small steps, like reviewing your super balance or checking your investment strategy it can make a big difference, he says. Many people feel unsure about their financial knowledge but its important to challenge that. Financial confidence grows over time. Stick with your Industry SuperFund in retirement and your money could go further. Visit compareyourretirement.com today. The information provided in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute financial or other advice. It is important to consider personal objectives, financial situations or particular needs when making financial decisions. Consider speaking to a financial adviser for advice that is tailored to your individual needs. Powers bewitching new novel shares more than a little of this duality. Although outwardly a book that seeks to do the same thing for the oceans that The Overstory did for trees, Playground is also focused on the transformative possibilities of artificial intelligence. That isnt surprising: Powers worked as a computer programmer early in his career, and computing has been a recurrent theme in his fiction, woven through novels as diverse as Galatea 2.2, The Goldbug Variations, Plowing the Dark and, most recently, Bewilderment. Although the thing that sticks in most peoples memories about Richard Powers 2018 novel The Overstory is the trees, the book might just as easily be read as a story about computers and artificial intelligence. Like most of Powers novels, Playground is intricately structured, interweaving the stories of a sprawling cast of seemingly unconnected characters. At the books centre are four people. The first three are a trio of friends: Todd Keane, Rafi Young and Ina Aroita. Todd, who narrates much of the novel, is the son of a wealthy Chicago businessman blessed with an ability to understand maths and computing. Rafi is the mixed-race child of a black fireman and a Korean bus driver with an extraordinary talent for reading and a fascination with literature. The two meet as teenagers at a school for the gifted, where they bond over games: first chess and later, and more significantly, the extraordinary complexity of the ancient Chinese game of Go. Their friendship endures until graduate school, where they meet Ina, the artist daughter of a Hawaiian naval officer and a Tahitian flight attendant who becomes the love of both their lives. By the time the novel begins, the two men are long-estranged. Rafi has belatedly found happiness with Ina and their two adoptive children on Makatea, in French Polynesia. Todd, on the other hand, has become one of the worlds richest people, the billionaire founder of the social platform that gives the novel its name, although all that wealth is not enough to hold off the rapid unravelling of his mind after a diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Author Richard Powers. Credit: David Levenson/Getty The fourth character is Evie Beaulieu, a French-Canadian marine biologist and ocean adventurer more than a little reminiscent of Sylvia Earle (although the novel complicates that easy identification by giving the real Earle a brief cameo). Evie learns to scuba dive as a teenager in 1947 (her father is a friend of Jacques Cousteau), and the experience transforms her, offering a way to escape her awkward body and fuelling an obsession that will shape her entire life. 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 Artist and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto once described as the godfather of electronic pop appears, seated at a grand piano, dressed in black, with his trademark mop of silver hair and glasses, and begins to play. Over the course of an hour, he performs many of his best compositions, along with some never before heard by an audience. Ryuichi Sakamoto found out his cancer had returned during the first day of filming. Credit: Luigi & Iango The beauty and power of his work is underlined by the pared-back, intimate setting; only 100 people are here to witness the tenderness with which he plays and the emotion evoked is visceral. Of course, he is no longer with us: Sakamoto died in March last year. The award-winning composer, perhaps best known for film scores including The Last Emperor and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, is brought to life in KAGAMI, a Mixed Reality production that makes its Australian premiere at Melbournes Asia TOPA festival next year. Devised by Sakamoto in collaboration with Tin Drum studios, it is shot by 48 cameras, including in 4D. You watch it wearing special glasses that make it seem like youre in the room with Sakamoto. KAGAMI at The Shed, New York, in 2023. Credit: Ryan Muir It is incredibly moving I wept, several times when I saw the production in Singapore earlier this month. When I share that detail with Todd Eckert, head of Tin Drum, he beams at me across Zoom. Thats exactly what they wanted, he says. Music is elemental to how Eckert sees the world. Im really motivated by what human beings can do that brings us to this kind of elevated state, he says. Advertisement Ryuichi played with an elegance and a sincerity that represented how I wanted the world to be, and that relationship with the piano was so singular. I had to figure out a way to present for everybody forever, not an artefact of something they went there to see, but to have their curiosity and their agency inform the experience that they had. Filming began in December 2020, and the fact Sakamoto died midway through making the project, aged 71, adds poignancy to the performance. First diagnosed with cancer in 2014, Ryuichi found out the morning that we started [filming] that the cancer was back and they were going to have to operate immediately, says Eckert. There is a gravity to his performance, the songs are slower particularly in retrospect you feel it very deeply, but in the room on the day, I just thought, OK, he is feeling every single note. There was also a visual change to his playing, according to Mary Hickson, Tin Drums chief creative officer. He crouched down lower over the piano, she says. Only Norika Sora, his wife and manager, knew what was going on. And, of course, less than two weeks after we wrapped, Ryuichi went into the hospital, and he didnt come out for over a year, Eckert says. Filming KAGAMI with the green screens as backdrop. Credit: Courtesy of Tin Drum The name behind about 50 film and television soundtracks,Sakamoto won an Oscar (for The Last Emperor), a BAFTA, a Grammy, and two Golden Globe Awards. He was a musical shape-shifter, always evolving, with a lifelong interest in technology. He was one of the first artists to play with sampling, and his band, Yellow Magic Orchestra inspired by German electronica group Kraftwerk was huge in Japan. Sakamoto was obsessed with sound, recording things like rain falling and other natural phenomena and later going on field trips to places including Antarctica to record samples. You have to open your ears all the time because anything could happen unexpectedly, he said of his approach. Anything can be music. Advertisement He played many instruments on his dozens of albums and collaborated with artists such as David Bowie, David Sylvian and Iggy Pop, and reportedly started playing piano aged just three. When he died, NPR called him a godfather of electronic pop. Eckert and Sakamoto were friends for years before KAGAMI was mooted. The prototype was Marina Abramovic, The Life, a 19-minute performance piece featuring the famous Serbian artist. I would describe him as devoid of cynicism and very much of the curiosity and excitement about the world that we associate with being children, Eckert says. Besides being a genius there was a great purity to him. Its hard to encapsulate the power of the show, which is part of Asia TOPAs focus on creative elders. A joint initiative of Arts Centre Melbourne and the Sidney Myer Fund, Asia TOPA showcases arts, culture and ideas from across the Asia-Pacific. Its only the third staging of the multi-disciplinary triennial, the last of which was disrupted by COVID-19 lockdowns. Hickson makes the point that unlike other technologies that take you somewhere else, Mixed Reality keeps you in place. While virtual reality immerses the user within a digital environment, augmented reality keeps the users field of view in the physical environment while adding digital overlays; Mixed Reality combines both. You can literally do anything in there, you can break the floor and break the ceiling, you can create a whole world, says Hickson. And youre not in a virtual reality world, youre grounded, were bringing something else into the space youre in. Its all about Ryuichi and the energy and humanity of him, its like its just the two of you, he becomes real to you, theres something really weird that happens thats really nice, she says. I think he just operated on a different plane, which made it easier for us It feels almost spiritual. Advertisement Their passion defies time, space and anyone who dares to get in their way. Claire and Jamie share an unbreakable bond of true love on Outlander, and a commitment to do anything to keep it. Its aspirational, says Caitriona Balfe, who plays Claire. These are two people who are both, in their own right, very strong characters, and they have learnt over the years to allow each other to be exactly who they are, yet they challenge each other and hold a space for each other to be better. Sam Heughan as Jamie and Caitriona Balfe as Claire in Outlander. Credit: Starz When one is down, the other one is there to catch them, and vice versa. Theyre constantly either rescuing each other or fixing each other, and its a beautiful thing to observe. Wouldnt we all want someone who loves us and fights for us so fiercely? Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie, nods as they chat in a Manhattan hotel room. Although few rock a kilt as he does, on this perfect autumn day, Heughan is more the cool dude at the corner pub in a black leather jacket, black jeans, a white T and silver rings. Advertisement Luke Bourke, sous-chef at Rockpool Bar & Grill and graduate of the National Indigenous Culinary Institute, has been named as The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025 young chef of the year. He started as an apprentice on the larder section, picking herbs and washing salads, and shucking lots of oysters, says former Rockpool executive chef Corey Costelloe. And then he ended up doing pretty much every single section of the kitchen and I think theres about 12 or 13. Good Food Guide young chef of the year winner Luke Bourke at Rockpool Bar and Grill in Sydney. Dominic Lorrimer Bourke, who has Palawa heritage and grew up on Dharug country in Penrith, accepted the award at a gala ceremony in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Monday night. Kids from western Sydney dont normally get this opportunity, he says. Im over the moon. Advertisement It definitely took a lot of backing from my team and family to get to the point where I could be up on that stage to show that no matter where you come from, you can do big things, and there are people out there that will support you 100 per cent. A judging panel of industry experts chose Bourke for his demonstrated ability as a cook, along with his active role in mentoring young chefs, particularly Indigenous chefs, and his ambition to open a restaurant that engages deeply with his culture. Luke Bourke accepts the young chef of the year award at the Sydney Opera House. Steven Siewert The 29-year-old says it has been a long-term goal to open a restaurant or wine bar in Penrith. His twin brother Sam and sister Teagan are also chefs. Not just farm to table, but our backyard and culture to your plate, says Bourke. Advertisement Using native ingredients grown on our land, and drawing on 60,000 years of culture to create a food journey that showcases Indigenous heritage in all its glory. From late-night bites to hidden gems: 31 great Sydney dining finds you need to know about His enthusiasm for cooking started at a young age. Grandma used to work at a poultry factory out the back of Penrith in Orchard Hills. Learning how to break down and roast a chicken sparked an interest in learning more ... my mum and dad arent really cooking enthusiasts, but we [siblings] all loved doing that kind of thing. Then NICI [the National Indigenous Culinary Institute] gave us a pathway into one of the best restaurants in Sydney with Rockpool. I was very lucky with that opportunity. Using fresh (rather than dried) native ingredients is a vital part of Bourkes cooking today, and the chef strives to source bush foods only from Indigenous suppliers. Advertisement Its a whole different world of flavour, he says. If you think of a Davidsons plum, for instance, a lot of people take it off the branch and freeze-dry it, so its very sour. But Indigenous people wait until the plums drop from the tree. They see the birds eating them on the ground, and then they know its ready to go the fruit will be super-sweet. Nature tells them its ready. Indigenous food in its true form is the level I want people to think is the norm not just buying a bag of powdered stuff. Whats up, whats down: Which restaurants gained (and lost) hats in the new SMH Good Food Guide Judges were also impressed by Bourkes extracurricular activities, including a tour of Ireland with his brother to spotlight native ingredients, and a stint at Barangaroos Noma Australia pop-up in 2016. Advertisement Costelloe recalls that it was Bourkes dedication that stuck with him, the chef coming into the CBD from Penrith every morning by train, and arriving an hour early ready to work. That dedication, says Costelloe, translated to exceptional focus and coolness under pressure, traits he passed on to other chefs at the start of their own careers. Bourke joins an esteemed list of former young chef of the year winners, including Daniel Puskas (Sixpenny, Stanmore), Phil Wood (Ursulas, Paddington) and Lauren Eldridge (head of pastry at Newtowns Continental Deli, and soon-to-open Flora, Mister Grotto and Osteria Mucca). With Bianca Hrovat The complete list of winners at the SMH Good Food Guide 2025 Awards The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025, featuring more than 450 reviews, is on sale for $14.95 from newsagents, supermarkets and at thestore.com.au. The new Good Food app is now available to download featuring Good Food Guide reviews, recipes and food news. Its available as a standalone subscription and as part of Nines Premium Digital packages for subscribers of The Sydney Morning Herald. Premium Digital subscribers can download the Good Food app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store now. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Each week, Dr Kirstin Ferguson tackles questions on workplace, career and leadership in her advice column, Got a Minute? This week: a single parent looking for some flexibility, close quarters for co-workers and long service leave after transferring overseas. A little empathy and understanding can do a long way. Credit: Dionne Gain Im a single mum and full-time employee. I have worked for my employer for many years without time off for personal leave or a need for flexibility. However, I currently have a teenager with serious mental health issues, and am worried about them being home alone, due to threats of self-harm. The situation is impacting my health and work. I asked my employer if I could work from home one or two days a week, to keep an eye on my teen when they dont go to school, but was refused. I was told to call my child on my lunch break. We dont have an HR manager to escalate the issue to. If I resign, Ill have to give four weeks notice and am likely to be here for long hours, training a replacement. I dont know what to do. I am so, so sorry you have had to experience such a lack of empathy and understanding. I would go so far as to say I am disgusted by the lack of decency your boss has demonstrated. You have shown loyalty to your employer for many years, yet they cant seem to demonstrate the slightest compassion when you most need it. While a long-term switch to working from home may not ultimately have been the solution, surely your employer could have worked with you to find a suitable alternative. You deserve better. My recommendation is you go to your own doctor and explain the stress you are experiencing at work and home. If they can provide you with a medical certificate for time off to look after your own health, your employer cannot ignore that. You should be able to access paid carers leave and I would recommend you contact Fair Work so they can explain your entitlements. Hopefully, once you have some time off and time to help your child, you will be in a better frame of mind to work out the next steps in terms of your employment. Do take care, and all the very best to you both. The weather bureau has updated its warning for severe thunderstorms in the southeast, expecting storms to hit Brisbane before 6.30pm today. The Bureau of Meteorology warned at 5.45pm that the Brisbane CBD is in an immediate threat zone. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology Having issued a severe thunderstorm warning at about 3pm today, the bureau has now placed the suburbs from the CBD through to Burpengary and Redcliffe in its immediate threat zone. Loading The bureau warned of damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding for affected areas. Residents were advised to remain indoors or undercover, to park cars in sheltered locations and away from trees, and to avoid driving until the storm has passed. The storm was expected to pass into the Moreton Bay region, hitting Bribie Island by 6.45pm. Examine, a free weekly newsletter covering science with a sceptical, evidence-based eye, is sent every Tuesday. Youre reading an excerpt sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox. Several scientific papers by two of Australias leading cancer researchers are being investigated by the University of Newcastle after research integrity concerns were raised. A paper co-authored by the pair was retracted in September after a review concluded some images purporting to show the results of different experiments were copies. A second paper has been corrected. Professor Peter Hersey. The retracted study was authored by Professor Peter Hersey and Professor Xu Dong Zhang in 2005, when both were based at the Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital (now Calvary Mater Newcastle). BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges. Today, we are honored to speak with the President of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) Serhat Koksal. In an exclusive interview with Trend, he said that the BSTDB will explore ways to coordinate financing for climate initiatives at COP29 in Baku. I am honoured to join global leaders and heads of international financial institutions at a panel organized by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, where well explore ways to coordinate financing for climate initiatives and mobilize the substantial funds needed to drive a green transition in line with Paris Agreement. Leading a delegation by BSTDB, I look forward to fruitful multilateral and bilateral meetings, with government officials and private sector representatives, he said. Regarding the Banks stance on climate finance, Koksal said it is compatible with the Banks core dual mandate, which is to promote regional cooperation among, and economic development in, member countries. Climate finance has obvious developmental benefits, and in many cases, it helps promote cooperation since climate related issues go across borders and many times require intergovernmental cooperation, or for expertise from one country to be provided to another. Moreover, BSTDB has adopted a Climate Change Strategy that aims at reducing emissions in its portfolio and raising the share of climate financing to at least 30% by supporting more climate positive operations and by incorporating mitigation and/ or adaptation elements into as many projects as possible, the BSTDB president added. New Country Strategy for Azerbaijan Amid the on-going war in Ukraine and its impact on the Bank, we have prioritized consolidating our portfolio to protect the interest of our shareholders- a goal we have successfully achieved. However, the focus on consolidation led to a slowdown in new project development throughout 2022, 2023, and the first half of 2024. Only in the second half of 2024 have we picked up our activity again, with a view to increasing the momentum in 2025-26. This temporary decline in new project activity has rendered the preparation of individual country strategies less important and therefore the Bank has adopted a more synoptic view as it re-expands project activities. We do expect that as we return to normal, in the next strategy period from 2026-2030 we will prepare country strategies for all our member countries where it is possible to conduct business, including of course Azerbaijan, said Koksal. He went on to add that the new country strategy for Azerbaijan will take into account by all means its climate priorities. Azerbaijan has signed and duly ratified the Paris Agreement by committing through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions and limit global temperature rise. Its NDC outlines the countrys emission reduction target, the national socio-economic climate priorities, the most vulnerable sectors, what mitigation and adaptation actions are necessary to meet said target, and what financing is required in this respect. Therefore, by including the climate commitments into the country strategy BSTDB will align its financing priorities with the NDC of Azerbaijan which, we believe will play an important role in supporting the country in meeting its climate mitigation and adaptation targets and will add more relevance to our mandate fulfilment, said the BSTDB president. Pipeline of new projects for Azerbaijan Koksal said that the Bank is building up a pipeline in Azerbaijan in line with its appetite to do more and strengthen its presence in the country. Given the need to promote diversification of the economy and to strengthen the non-oil/ non-energy portion of the economy, the Bank will pay particular attention to operations which facilitate diversification, including the promotion of small and medium scale projects in the non-oil sector which generate new employment creation and development impact. In line with the increased strategic emphasis of the Bank to help countries to boost investment and to invest in infrastructure, BSTDB will prioritize such infrastructure investment activities where possible, said the Banks president. He pointed out that given the great need, however, for development of the non-energy related portion of the economy, BSTDB will be open to undertake bankable operations that support private sector development, with emphasis on high potential sectors like: (i) trade finance and financial sector, (ii) energy and infrastructure, (iii) manufacturing, (iv) agriculture and agribusiness, (v) petro-chemical industry, (vi) transport, and (vii) real estate an tourism. This means that we continue focusing on medium scale projects in the non-oil sector with development and regional cooperation impact. In particular, we have projects in agribusiness, in manufacturing of some industrial goods & household items, in logistics and retail sectors. These are mostly the projects of large local companies that plan to expand their business through their subsidiaries in different sectors. It is important to note that we also have some projects in our pipeline of some Azerbaijanian companies planning to expand regionally in the Caucasus and in Turkiye. We give priority to such projects since they fit perfectly to our mandate of regional cooperation, Koksal said. He noted that the Bank also continues to strengthen and expand cooperation with Azerbaijani banks, including through rolling over of existing trade finance lines and working on the new medium-term financing to support access to finance for SMEs, including through provision of funding in local currency. New spheres of cooperation Koksal said that BSTDB plans to expand activities in the non-oil sector and is keen to develop a portfolio in the so-called real sectors of the economy. While it has had success financing banks, including being the first multilateral development bank to issue a local currency bond in manat in order to catalyze development of the financial sector, it has proven more difficult to find projects in areas such as manufacturing, transportation, infrastructure development, and municipal development. Our priority will continue to be on the projects that: Increase the share of non-oil sector in the economy, Substitute imports through local production, Help technological know-how transfer to Azerbaijan, Support MSMEs and green investments by offering dedicated wholesale funding through financial intermediaries, Support our potential partners in Azerbaijan to mitigate their climate impacts, by reducing their emissions through investing in renewables such as hydro-power, wind and solar as well as energy efficiency in the building sector, transport and industries. Equally important will be supporting our potential partners better adapt to the impacts of the changing climate, and BSTDB will specifically target the vulnerable sectors, such as construction and real estate, coastal infrastructure, agribusiness, mining, water-intensive sectors and utilities, the BSTDB president explained. Expanding the network of partner banks in Azerbaijan Koksal noted that the Bank is working on adding new partner banks to its network. In addition to Turanbank and Rabita bank, with whom there are active lending operations, there are discussions with two other financial intermediaries about starting cooperation where the Bank can offer trade finance and/or SME facilities. In addition, we are interested in deepening our relationships with some large banks on funding side to be able to source local currency for on-lending to both FI and corporate clients, he concluded. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Read all the latest news and analysis of the Victorian council election and find out what the results mean for you. Lord Mayor Nick Reeces plan to sell the City of Melbournes share of the Regent Theatre faces defeat in the new council. Of the 11 elected councillors, only Reece and two of his team members have publicly backed the sale. At least six councillors including one member of Reeces team say they are likely to vote against it. Lord mayor Nick Reece and deputy lord mayor Roshena Campbell campaigned on a pledge to sell the Regent Theatre to fund the arts. Credit: Simon Schluter Another hurdle to any sale is that council documents show the City of Melbourne owns only 50 per cent of the heritage-listed theatre not the 51 per cent majority Reece said it held during his election campaign. The state government, which owns the other half, had no plans to sell, a spokesman said on Tuesday. John Pesutto has for the first time overtaken Jacinta Allan as preferred premier among Victorian voters despite weeks spent in a high-profile court battle that exposed deep divisions inside his team. The findings are contained in a survey by Resolve Political Monitor, conducted exclusively for The Age, showing 30 per cent of voters now back the opposition leader as the best person to run the state, compared with 29 per cent who back Allan. Opposition Leader John Pesutto is ranked as the preferred premier in the latest RPM poll. Credit: Chris Hopkins It is the first time Pesutto has led his Labor opponent since taking on the opposition leadership, after trailing Daniel Andrews throughout his first year in the job. He had one higher result with 32 per cent of voters preferring him as premier last September, but he still trailed Andrews (41 per cent) at that point. Pesutto has steadily eroded Allans lead as preferred premier since she took the role last year. A Resolve poll in October last year reported that Allan was preferred premier for 38 per cent of voters compared with 19 per cent for Pesutto. In the last polling period in September, her lead had narrowed to 1 point. The NSW government has become engulfed in a wages battle on multiple fronts as nurses prepare to embark on a statewide 24-hour strike furious at an offer well below a $700 million deal struck with police. With nurses striking from their first shift on Wednesday, hospitals were bracing for extensive emergency department wait times and the postponement of up to 700 planned surgeries. Anger with the government escalated after police were offered a deal that would increase some pay packets by up to 39.4 per cent over four years. Striking nurses march to NSW parliament in September. Credit: Janie Barrett The government is also locked in disputes with other public-sector unions, but says it has managed to stave off the threat of a rail strike on Thursday that would have ground the citys train network to a halt. Premier Chris Minns warned the solution was only a temporary fix. As Minns celebrated the governments long-negotiated wages offer for police, he was making his most explicit case to nurses their demands would not be met, arguing granting their $1 billion pre-election demands for safe staffing levels would ultimately come at the cost of salaries. Singapore/Bali: The estranged wife of former AFL footballer Ricky Olarenshaw will remain in detention in Bali after a judge ruled that investigators had gathered enough evidence to arrest her for running a massage parlour that allegedly offered illegal sexual services. Balinese entrepreneur and influencer Ni Ketut Sri Astari Sarnanitha, or Nitha, had claimed she should never have been arrested because Olarenshaw and his three Australian business partners were the true owners of Flame Spa Bali. Former AFL player Ricky Olarenshaw and his wife Sarnanitha, or Nitha. Credit: Facebook Though she was listed as the business owner on the official paperwork, this was just a means to get around foreign investment laws that required non-citizens to stump up a certain level of capital, her lawyers claimed. They said she was merely an employee. Pictures were tendered to the court last week showing one of the Australians with wads of Indonesian money that Nithas lawyers said were dividends from the business. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten is currently investigating two separate shooting incidents that occurred early Sunday morning and early Monday morning. These incidents resulted in gunshot injuries to two individuals, who later sought medical treatment. Police are actively seeking information from the public to assist in these investigations. First Incident - Sunday, November 10, 2024 In the early hours of Sunday morning, a male victim presented himself at a medical center on the French side of Sint Maarten with a gunshot wound. According to information provided by French authorities, the victim informed French police that he had been shot on Coralita Road (Dutch Side) by unknown individual(s) while driving through the area. Following the incident, the victim drove himself home and was later transported to the French medical facility, where he received medical attention. French authorities have since taken a formal statement from the victim. Second Incident - Monday, November 11, 2024 On Monday morning, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the Central Police Dispatch in Sint Maarten received multiple calls reporting gunshots in the vicinity of a nightclub in the Defiance area. Officers responded to the scene but were initially unable to determine the exact location of the shooting. Later, officers and detectives, along with the Forensics Department, returned to the Defiance area to gather evidence. Shortly after the incident was reported, Central Dispatch was notified by the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) of a young male who had arrived with a gunshot wound. Upon speaking with detectives, the victim stated that he had been robbed and subsequently shot after leaving a gentlemens club in the Defiance area. The Sint Maarten Police Force is actively investigating both incidents and is working closely with French law enforcement to gather further details. Detectives are pursuing all leads, and forensic teams are analyzing the collected evidence. In addition, the Police Force urges anyone with information about these incidents to come forward. The public is also encouraged to share any information regarding the location of firearms or individuals known to possess firearms. Providing such information could be crucial in identifying suspects and enhancing community safety. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Sint Maarten Police Force at +1 (721) 542-2222. Anonymous tips can also be provided through the tip line at 9300. KPSM Press Release. Cul de Sac, Philipsburg On Saturday, November 2, 2024, the Business & Professional Women Concordia St. Martin (BPWC) hosted its Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony at Emilios Restaurant under the theme, Keep the Flames Burning! This cherished event, steeped in a A 100-year-old tradition initiated by BPW International founder Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips, honors the ongoing dedication and achievements of women advocating for the rights of women and girls across 125 countries. PHILIPSBURG --- The BPWC association also welcomed two new members, Ms. Aida Holaman and Ms. Sophia Carti, whose extensive experience in organizational leadership and community service strengthens BPWCs mission. The event was skillfully chaired by Suzanne Scantlebery, supported by committee members Danielle Chance-Glasgow, Sophia Carti, Cathy Questel-Gamiette, Treasurer Emelinda Lake, Secretary Sharanne Gibbs, Vice President of Membership Kathia Magdeleine, and President Catherine Magdeleine. Educator and therapist Mrs. Collette Jones Chin delivered an inspiring keynote address, reflecting on the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships and keeping the flames burning in the face of lifes challenges. Mrs. Chin engaged the audience with a heartfelt blend of words, song, and poetry, and she also shared some of her challenges and coping mechanisms she uses to keep her flame burning. The evenings atmosphere was enhanced by the melodious performance of Lady Rubia, whose captivating voice resonated deeply with all in attendance. BPWC President Catherine Magdeleine expressed gratitude, stating, There is no greater joy than to thank our members, guests, family, and friends for making this event a success. Together, we continue to keep the flames burning. A special thanks to all the sponsors of this event: Pineapple Petes Restaurant Marks Place Orco Bank Sabien Home, Bath & Body Guavaberry Colombier Tradition SOS Radio Frolic ReConnect Emilio's Dine with History Ricky Da Phoxx My Specialty Crafts BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The development of economic relations with the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe was discussed. Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov held a meeting with officials from the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe on the sidelines of COP29, Trend reports. Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov met with Minister of Environment Nilda da Mata and Minister of Planning, Finance and Blue Economy Ginesio da Mata of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. During the meeting, the development of bilateral economic relations was discussed, and the importance of expanding the use of alternative energy sources and developing sustainable business strategies was emphasized. The parties reviewed existing opportunities for developing economic ties between the two countries and discussed cooperation in agriculture, industry and renewable energy. A number of proposals were put forward on priorities for joint action. Iran nuclear facilities 'more exposed than ever to strikes': Israeli minister Jerusalem, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2024 Newly appointed Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday said Iran was "more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities". "We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal - to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel," Katz added on X. Israel has for years accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons, but the Islamic Republic has repeatedly denied the claims. The United States in 2018 under President Donald Trump -- who won re-election last week -- withdrew from a 2015 nuclear accord between Tehran and Western powers including Washington that sought to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions. Tehran has since enriched uranium up to 60 percent, just 30 percent below atomic weapons grade. Israel and Iran have traded tit-for-tat missile strikes, triggering fears of a wider Middle East war. Iran twice fired missiles directly on Israeli territory this year, prompting Israel to retaliate, most recently on October 26 when it hit Iranian military facilities. Israel has warned Iran against responding to last month's attack. Five things to watch at China's largest airshow Beijing, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2024 China's burgeoning aviation industry and military might will be on display this week as the country's largest air show gets under way on Tuesday. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, held in the southern city of Zhuhai, will showcase military fighters, passenger jets, drones and weapons systems, some for the first time in public. Military enthusiasts will monitor the latest advances in the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, while foreign businesses hope to make deals with their Chinese counterparts. Here are five things to watch for during the show: - J-35A multirole stealth fighter - China's newest stealth fighter will make its hotly anticipated debut at the air show. The fighter, over a decade in the making, is primarily designed for air superiority missions but also has surface attack capabilities. It is smaller and lighter than the J-20 already in service, indicating an emphasis on stealth. Many have compared it to the US's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. But one noticeable difference is that the F-35 is powered by a single large turbofan engine, while the J-35A has twin engines. The J-35A is reserved for land operations, rather than aircraft carrier use. - J-15T carrier-based fighter - The J-15T is an updated version of China's J-15 carrier-based fighter that adds catapult-launch capabilities. That means it can not only operate on China's two operational aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, which have "ski jump" takeoff ramps, but also from the newer Fujian carrier, currently undergoing sea trials, which has a flat flight deck. The J-15T took part in China's first dual-carrier drills announced last month. It is equipped with Chinese-made WS-10 turbofans rather than Russian-made engines, suggesting China is no longer reliant on Moscow for powerful fighter engines. - HQ-19 missile defence system - The HQ-19 is a mobile surface-to-air missile system primarily used for regional interception of ballistic missiles. Each launch system carries six interceptor missiles mounted on an 8x8 wheeled chassis. Experts have compared it to the US THAAD-ER (Terminal High Altitude Defence - Extended Range) system produced by Lockheed Martin. China's previous surface-to-air missile systems, like the HQ-9 and HQ-22, focus on anti-aircraft missions. - SS-UAV attack reconnaissance drone - This massive jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can launch swarms of smaller drones for reconnaissance, electronic warfare and kinetic strike missions. Dubbed "Jiu Tian" ("High Sky" in English), the UAV has a maximum take-off weight of 16 tonnes, according to state media. China has demonstrated interest in drone swarm capabilities in the past -- in part because they can be extremely difficult to defend against. The country has regularly deployed UAVs in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and along contested border areas with India. Its WZ-7 high-altitude drone was also spotted near the Philippines in April. - Su-57 stealth fighter - In a signal of close China-Russia relations, Moscow has brought its most advanced "fifth generation" fighter jet to the Zhuhai airshow for its first overseas demonstration. The single-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter can reach Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) and carry a range of missiles, rockets and bombs. Russia may be hoping to drum up export interest in the fighter, which has struggled to bring in orders since it entered service in 2020. Early visitors to the airshow in Zhuhai criticised the Su-57's construction in videos posted on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, comparing it unfavourably to China's fighters. Multiple videos showed close-ups of gaps between the jet's bodywork panels and screws that don't sit flush. The crude finish may be because the Su-57 on display in Zhuhai is a prototype rather than a complete production model. sam/oho/ssy/cwl LOCKHEED MARTIN China's top diplomat to host Russia's Shoigu for security talks Beijing, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 China's top diplomat will host senior Russian official Sergei Shoigu for security talks in Beijing on Tuesday, as the two powers deepen relations that have triggered protest from the West. Moscow and Beijing have expanded military and defence ties since Russia ordered troops into Ukraine nearly three years ago, with Chinese President Xi Jinping one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most important allies on the world stage. But Beijing has also found itself increasingly stuck between a burgeoning alliance of Russia and North Korea, which has sent soldiers to Ukraine and this week ratified a landmark defence pact with Moscow. On Tuesday, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi will meet with Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, for "strategic security consultations", Beijing said. The two sides will discuss "major issues involving the two countries' strategic security interests and enhancing mutual trust", foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Monday. Russia has said the talks will touch on "current problems of international and regional security, as well as a wide range of topics on bilateral cooperation". Shoigu was Russia's defence minister for the first two years of its offensive on Ukraine, before being moved to the Security Council by Putin after a string of military setbacks and criticism from the country's influential military correspondents. Shoigu is also expected to attend this week's Airshow China, which showcases Beijing's civil and military aerospace sector every two years in the southern city of Zhuhai. Russia's most advanced jet, the Su-57 stealth fighter, will make a display flight at the show. China presents itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war and says it is not sending lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations. However, it remains a close political and economic ally of Russia and NATO members have branded Beijing a "decisive enabler" of the war, which it has never condemned. Last month, the two countries' defence ministers pledged to deepen cooperation between their two countries' militaries. China's top diplomat holds security talks with Russia's Shoigu Beijing, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 China's top diplomat met senior Russian official Sergei Shoigu for security talks in Beijing on Tuesday, as the two powers deepen relations that have triggered protest from the West. Russian state media outlet TASS shared a video of Wang Yi meeting Shoigu on the messaging platform Telegram Tuesday afternoon. Moscow and Beijing have expanded military and defence ties since Russia ordered troops into Ukraine nearly three years ago, with Chinese President Xi Jinping one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most important allies on the world stage. But Beijing has also found itself increasingly stuck between a burgeoning alliance of Russia and North Korea, which has sent soldiers to Ukraine and this week ratified a landmark defence pact with Moscow. Chinese foreign minister Wang was meeting with Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, for "strategic security consultations", Beijing said Monday. The two sides were set to discuss "major issues involving the two countries' strategic security interests and enhancing mutual trust", according to foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian. Russia has said the talks will touch on "current problems of international and regional security, as well as a wide range of topics on bilateral cooperation". Shoigu was Russia's defence minister for the first two years of its offensive on Ukraine, before being moved to the Security Council by Putin after a string of military setbacks and criticism from the country's influential military correspondents. Shoigu is also expected to attend this week's Airshow China, which showcases Beijing's civil and military aerospace sector every two years in the southern city of Zhuhai. Russia's most advanced jet, the Su-57 stealth fighter, will make a display flight at the show. China presents itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war and says it is not sending lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations. However, it remains a close political and economic ally of Russia and NATO members have branded Beijing a "decisive enabler" of the war, which it has never condemned. Last month, the two countries' defence ministers pledged to deepen cooperation between their two countries' militaries. Fukushima nuclear debris arrives at lab after secret journey Tokyo, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 A small amount of radioactive debris removed by a robot from Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear plant has arrived at a research lab near Tokyo, the plant operator said Tuesday, after a journey kept secret for safety reasons. The announcement comes after operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said last week that a tricky trial debris removal operation using a specially developed extendible device had been completed. More than 13 years after a catastrophic tsunami caused by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered one of the world's worst nuclear accidents, around 880 tons of hazardous material remain. Removing this debris is seen as the most daunting challenge in the decades-long decommissioning project, because of the dangerously high radiation levels. Despite delays caused by technical snags, the trial debris removal from the plant in northeastern Japan went ahead with the aim of studying the sample for clues about conditions inside the reactors. TEPCO said in an email to reporters on Tuesday that "the transportation of the fuel debris collected during the test removal operation... was completed" during the afternoon. The company had not previously given details of when the 160 kilometre (100 mile) journey to the Oarai Nuclear Engineering Institute of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) would take place, citing safety concerns. According to Japanese media reports, while the sample retrieved by the robot weighs 0.7 grams (0.02 ounces), the JAEA has said it would need at least one gram to conduct a proper analysis. Three of Fukushima's six reactors went into meltdown in 2011 after the huge tsunami swamped the facility. Japan last year began releasing into the Pacific Ocean some of the 540 Olympic swimming pools' worth of reactor cooling water amassed since the disaster. The step sparked a diplomatic row with China and Russia, both of which banned seafood imports, although Japan insists the discharge is safe, a view backed by the UN atomic agency. Beijing, however, said in September it would "gradually resume" importing seafood from Japan. nf/kaf/sn BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev discussed expanding climate finance with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, stated on the COP29 page on X, Trend reports. On the first day of COP29 in Baku, a meeting was held between COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Discussions focused on scaling up climate finance, enhancing adaptation efforts and encouraging international cooperation for a more sustainable future. War reaches Lebanon's far north after rare, deadly Israeli strike Ain Yaacoub, Lebanon, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 A day after Israeli warplanes flattened their building, Lebanese residents helped rescuers scour the rubble for survivors, still reeling from the rare strike in the country's far north. The bombing killed at least eight people in Ain Yaacoub, one of the northernmost villages Israel has struck, far from Lebanon's war-ravaged southern border. "They hit a building where more than 30 people lived without any evacuation warning," said Mustafa Hamza, who lives near the site of the strike. "It's an indescribable massacre." After nearly a year of steady cross-border fire, Israel intensified its attacks on Hezbollah in September, mainly targeting the Iran-backed armed group in its strongholds of south Beirut and eastern and southern Lebanon. Following Monday's strike on Ain Yaacoub, residents joined rescuers, using bare hands to sift through dust and chunks of concrete, hoping to find survivors. The health ministry said the death toll was expected to rise. On the ground, people could be seen pulling body parts from the rubble in the morning, following a long night of search operations. In near-darkness, rescuers had struggled to locate survivors, using mobile phone lights and car headlamps in a remote area where national grid power is scarce. - 'People are shocked' - For years, Syrians fleeing war in their home country, along with more recently displaced Lebanese escaping Israeli strikes, sought refuge in the remote Akkar region near the Syrian border, once seen as a haven. "The situation is dire. People are shocked," Hamza told AFP. "People from all over the region have come here to try to help recover the victims." The village, inhabited mostly by Sunni Muslims and Christians, lies far from the strongholds of Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim movement. A security source said Monday's air strike targeted a Hezbollah member who had relocated with his family to the building in Ain Yaacoub from south Lebanon. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military said the strike was aimed at "a Hezbollah terrorist" and specified that the missile used sought to minimise civilian harm. Local official Rony al-Hage told AFP that it was the northernmost Israeli attack since the full-blown Israel-Hezbollah war erupted in September. After Israel ramped up its campaign of air raids, it also sent ground troops into south Lebanon. "The people who were in my house were my uncle, his wife, and my sisters... A Syrian woman and her children who had been living here for 10 years, were also killed," said Hashem Hashem, the son of the building's owner. His relatives had fled Israel's onslaught on south Lebanon seeking a safe haven in the Akkar region more than a month ago, he said. - Hezbollah operatives - The Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon has displaced at least 1.3 million people, nearly 900,000 of them inside the country, the United Nations migration agency says. Israeli strikes outside Hezbollah strongholds have repeatedly targeted buildings where displaced civilians lived, with Lebanese security officials often telling AFP the targets were Hezbollah operatives. On Sunday, Lebanon said an Israeli strike killed 23 people, including seven children, in the village of Almat -- a rare strike north of the capital. Earlier this month, authorities said an Israeli strike on a residential building killed at least 20 people in Barja, a town south of Beirut that is outside Hezbollah's area of influence. The war erupted after nearly a year of cross-border exchanges of fire, launched by Hezbollah in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas following their October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war. More than 3,240 people have been killed in Lebanon since the clashes began last year, according to the health ministry, with most of the deaths coming since late September. Europe has 'avoided bearing burden of its own security': Macron Paris, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday renewed his calls for Europe to assume more responsibility for its own defence, saying it had for "too long avoided bearing the burden of its own security". Speaking alongside NATO chief Mark Rutte, who was visiting Paris in the wake of Donald Trump's reelection as US President, Macron said he was "delighted" that other nations were falling in line with his longstanding call to collectively invest more in defence. "It's the agenda of European strategic autonomy that will allow us to have more money, to build capacity and autonomy for the Europeans, and an ability to cooperate with our non-European allies as part of the alliance," Macron said. Trump has questioned Washington's commitment to defend NATO allies and spoken of slashing support to Ukraine or striking a deal with Russia to end its years-long invasion. His return to the White House is a renewed spur to Europeans -- long used to conventional and nuclear protection from the US military -- to reexamine their own defence. "Nothing should be decided about Ukraine without the Ukrainians, nor about Europe without the Europeans," Macron said, adding that "building up homegrown military capacity would be "a long-term effort." He joined Rutte in calling North Korean troops' appearance alongside Russian soldiers "a serious escalation" in the Ukraine conflict that widened the threat to the Pacific, increasingly the Americans' priority theatre. "Russia, working together with North Korea, Iran and China, is not only threatening Europe, it threatens peace and security, yes here in Europe, but also in the Indo-Pacific and North America," Rutte said. "We must stand together -- Europe, North America and our global partners... We have to keep our trans-atlantic alliance strong," he added. Rutte pointed to backing Russia has received from Iran, North Korea and China. "We must do more than just keep Ukraine in the fight. We need to raise the cost for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his enabling and authoritarian friends by providing Ukraine with the support it needs to change the trajectory of the conflict," he told reporters. Myanmar ethnic armed group says 11 killed in airstrike on teashop Bangkok, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Eleven people were killed when a teashop in Myanmar was hit by a military airstrike in the town of Naungcho in the northern Shan state on Tuesday afternoon, a spokeswoman for a local ethnic armed group said. The attack, shortly before 3 pm (0830 GMT), comes as the junta battles widespread armed opposition to its 2021 coup and its soldiers accused of bloody rampages and using air and artillery strikes to punish civilian communities. "They were civilians who came to drink tea and were sitting at the shop," Lway Yay Oo, a spokesperson for the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said. At least four civilians were wounded and were receiving treatment in a hospital, she said. Local media also reported that 11 people had died, but said many were injured in an army air attack on Lansan tea shop. The attack is the latest violation by the junta in recent months of a China-brokered ceasefire signed early this year. Beijing brokered a truce between the junta and the "Three Brotherhood Alliance" in January after months of fighting that displaced more than half a million people near China's southern border. The ceasefire allowed the alliance -- made up of the TNLA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) -- to hold swaths of territory it had seized in northern Shan state. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi's government in 2021 and launched a crackdown that sparked an armed uprising. Last week junta chief Min Aung Hlaing met with China's Premier Li Qiang in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming where he said that the military was ready for peace if armed groups would engage, according to Myanmar state media. China has been a major arms supplier to the junta and provided Myanmar with political backing even as other countries shun the generals over their brutal crackdown on dissent. But Beijing is concerned about the chaos unfolding on its doorstep. Since last year the military has lost swathes of territory near the border with China in Shan state to an alliance of armed ethnic minority groups and "People's Defence Forces" battling to overturn its coup. The groups have seized a regional military command and taken control of lucrative border trade crossings, prompting rare public criticism by military supporters of the junta's top leadership. US contractor ordered to pay $42 mn to Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib Washington, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 A federal jury on Tuesday ordered a US defense contractor to pay $42 million in damages to three Iraqi men who were tortured at Abu Ghraib prison, their lawyers said. CACI Premier Technology Inc was found liable at the conclusion of a long-running trial for its role in the torture of the three men at the notorious prison in 2003 and 2004, the Center for Constitutional Rights said. Suhail Al Shimari, a middle school principal, Asa'ad Zuba'e, a fruit vendor, and Salah Al-Ejaili, a journalist, were each awarded $14 million in damages, the center said in a statement. The three men filed suit against CACI, a private company based in Arlington, Virginia, in 2008. Abu Ghraib prison, west of Baghdad, became a potent negative symbol of the US occupation of Iraq after evidence emerged of detainee abuse by American soldiers at the facility. Most of the abuse took place at the end of 2003, when CACI employees were working in the prison, according to the suit. The company's civilian employees were accused of having encouraged US soldiers to abuse the prisoners to prepare them for interrogation. Criminal charges were brought against 11 low-ranking guards, including former army reserve specialist Lynndie England, who was shown smiling in photographs while posing next to naked prisoners. The case against CACI was brought under a section of the US Code called the Alien Tort Statute, which allows non-US citizens to file suit in US courts for human rights violations for incidents that took place outside the United States. CACI claimed that most of the alleged abuse was approved by the then-US defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, and incorporated into rules of engagement by military commanders at the prison. "Today is a big day for me and for justice," Al-Ejaili said in a statement. "This victory is a shining light for everyone who has been oppressed and a strong warning to any company or contractor practicing different forms of torture and abuse." Katherine Gallagher, an attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, welcomed the jury's verdict saying it "makes clear CACI's role in this shameful part of our history." "Private military and security contractors are put on notice that they can and will be held accountable when they breach the most fundamental international law protections -- like the prohibition against torture," Gallagher said. "For 20 years, CACI has refused to take responsibility for its role in torture at Abu Ghraib." Yemen's Huthis attacked US warships with drones, missiles: Pentagon Washington, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Yemen's Huthi rebels targeted two US destroyers with drones and missiles as they transited the Bab al-Mandab Strait, but the warships defeated the attacks, the Pentagon said Tuesday. The Huthis began striking ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in November 2023, part of the region-wide fallout from Israel's devastating war in Gaza, which militant groups in multiple countries have cited as justification for attacks. The US warships "were attacked by at least eight one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems, five anti-ship ballistic missiles and three anti-ship cruise missiles, which were successfully engaged and defeated," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists. "The vessels were not damaged, no personnel were hurt," Ryder said of the Monday attacks. A claim from the Huthis that they also attacked the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is not accurate, he said. "Based on the information I have, it was not attacked, contrary to some of the allegations... by the Huthis," Ryder said, declining to specify the carrier's location. The Yemeni rebels say their attacks -- a significant international security challenge that threatens a major shipping lane -- are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Anger over Israel's ongoing military campaign in the small coastal territory, which began after an unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7, has stoked violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. The United States and other countries have deployed military vessels to help shield shipping from the Huthi strikes, but attacks directly targeting American warships are relatively rare. Washington's forces have also carried out frequent air strikes on the Huthis in a bid to degrade their ability to target shipping and have sought to seize weapons before they reach the rebels, but their attacks have persisted. Ryder said Tuesday that US forces carried out multiple air strikes over the weekend against Huthi weapons storage facilities. "These facilities housed a variety of advanced conventional weapons used by the Iran-backed Huthis to target US and international military and civilian vessels navigating international waters," he said, noting that both US Air Force and Navy assets were involved. US forces also targeted Iran-backed groups in Syria on Monday in response to drone and rocket attacks on American troops in that country the previous day. The attacks did not result in any American casualties, according to Ryder, who said he did not have information to provide on whether the subsequent US strikes killed or wounded militants. US airman who leaked classified documents jailed for 15 years: media Boston, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 The US airman who admitted to leaking a trove of classified Pentagon documents was jailed for 15 years on Tuesday, US media reported. Jack Teixeira orchestrated the most damaging leak of classified information in a decade while serving as an IT specialist with the Massachusetts Air National Guard. He posted highly sensitive documents on the social media platform Discord, from which they spread across the internet. "I wanted to say that I'm sorry for all of the harm that I've brought and that I've caused, and that I don't think I can really sum up how contrite I am," Teixeira told the court ahead of sentencing, The Boston Globe reported. Teixeira, whose family members were in court for the sentencing, was arrested in April 2023 and pleaded guilty in March this year to six federal counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Because he was on active duty at the time of the offenses, he was subject to both federal law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He will now face a military trial. The documents leaked by Teixeira pointed to US concern over Ukraine's military capacity against invading Russian forces, and also showed Washington had apparently spied on allies Israel and South Korea, among other sensitive details. It was the biggest such breach since the 2013 dump of National Security Agency documents by Edward Snowden, and raised serious questions about access by Teixeira and other junior staffers to high-level secrets. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Azerbaijan's Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) is represented by stand in the COP29 Green Zone, a source in the agency told Trend. According to the source, on the first day of the event, the IDDA booth showcased presentations themed "Using open data opportunities for a sustainable world", "Strengthening digital Azerbaijan: 'mygov' platform, uniting public services for all", "What is the Innovation Center of Azerbaijan and its role in the innovation ecosystem of technology parks", and "From documents to digital control: the innovative approach of mygov to data exchange". The IRIA booth also showcased projects of BERKM, Recepta, and Epoint technology park resident startups. COP29 will feature a series of panel sessions, presentations, and workshops on innovations and digitalization that will be held, and the IDDA booth will be open in the Green Zone. The booth will familiarize the event guests in details with the organization's work in the fields of digitalization and innovation and the projects it promotes, also enabling them to discuss potential partnership and cooperation opportunities. On November 16, panel discussions and presentations will be held on the topics "Digital green horizons: integrating the public sector and technology for a sustainable future" and "Innovation and digitalization for climate action". The opening ceremony of the much-anticipated COP29 conference kicked off on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Representatives, leaders, and climate experts from around the globe gathered to mark the beginning of what is set to be one of the largest climate events of the year. The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was made at the COP28 plenary session held in Dubai on December 11 of last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest governing body responsible for overseeing the conventions implementation. A total of 198 countries participate in the convention. Unless otherwise agreed, COP is held annually. The first COP took place in Berlin in March 1995, with its secretariat headquartered in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel It feels like a dreamer with ideals about the vague concept of what lunch should be has been met with the stark reality of running a restaurant in London. The whole thing smacks of founders who are merely playing at the game of restaurants and not liking the fact it doesnt seem to be going their way and are now throwing their toys out the pram. And, not that it really needs to be said, but the Yellow Bittern decided its own opening hours, decided to only have two two-hour lunch sittings and decided on the price for its menu. If these restrictions are too much of a problem for them, theres nothing stopping them changing them. Once, travel to Morocco was all about trekking the Atlas Mountains and bargaining for lanterns in the tangled lanes of the medina, but that was before beach hubs such as Agadir emerged into the sunshine. Today, Moroccos Atlantic coast offers sun, sea and sand to rival anywhere in the Med, and all less than four hours flight from London Gatwick by British Airways. The court heard that Amir left the hotel at around 4.21am on April 28 and that the limited street lighting and his dark clothing meant drivers would not have seen him and he may have been struck by multiple vehicles on the slip road. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Carbon footprint reduction in agriculture ranks among vital goals, Head of the Department for Work with Farmers, Associations and Cooperatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan Leyli Aghayeva told Trend. According to her, the agricultural sector is one of the sectors directly affected and threatened by climate change. "Massive reforms are being carried out in the agricultural sector to address the consequences of climate change. Water resource management and the efficient use of land resources are at the heart of these reforms. Effective water resource management is one of the main priorities in our agriculture. The primary focus of the reforms is to support our farmers with modern technologies and sustainable, proper water resource management. Innovative approaches and modern technologies play an important role in combating climate change. In this context, irrigation systems are being modernized in Azerbaijan, opportunities for more efficient water use by farmers are being created, and investments are being made in renewable energy sources," she said. The official mentioned that important issues such as global food security, water resource management, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture will be discussed at many thematic events organized within the framework of COP29. "These discussions will play a crucial role in adapting to climate change and ensuring the future sustainability of the agricultural sector. I would like to highlight that the issue of climate change and climate-smart agriculture will be particularly addressed during the Food, Agriculture, and Water Day at COP29. The Baku Climate Initiative for Farmers, Harmonia, was specifically created to support climate adaptation in agriculture. This initiative will act as an aggregator, bringing together existing initiatives, coalitions, and networks related to agriculture, food, and water. Our goal is to share experience in this area, facilitate climate financing opportunities, and promote cooperation with local communities, especially by empowering women in rural areas. Sustainable agricultural development within the framework of the Harmonia initiative will play an important role in addressing climate change both locally and globally. One of the main objectives of this initiative is to strengthen rural communities and increase their resilience to climate change. To achieve this goal, it is essential to work closely with international organizations, multilateral development banks, and civil society, including NGOs, and provide local farmers with environmentally safe technologies and knowledge," Aghaeva added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel She insists she was forced to carry the bags at gunpoint, after being offered a free holiday to Cancun by the two men she befriended on an earlier break to Portugal - who said they had real estate interests in Central America. She said they told each other their phones had been confiscated by the police, with Khdir having given them his passcode, while Shamo said he had given an incorrect number. A spokesperson for Shell said: From the outset, Jackdaw has been developed in line with all relevant consents and permits. We accept the Supreme Courts ruling in the Finch case, but our position is that Jackdaw is a vital project for UK energy security and the project is already well advanced. Detectives with the British Transport Police said they believed the man in the CCTV images may have information which could help with their investigation. I cant understand why the Government didnt say, Well be building at that rate at the end of the five years. If they can do that, then actually I think they will have come out of it with some degree of honour, that they are actually beginning to meet what they promised. The restaurant is expected to run on the ground, first and basement floors. The site will also be home to Carbone, a popular New York restaurant chain where a plate of pasta can cost up to 37. An acoustics survey carried out on behalf of Le Caprices owners concluded the proposed operation would not lead to any adverse noise impact on residents. Ms Bokhari told an Assembly meeting on Thursday, November 7: Migration needs to be celebrated. After the riots in the summer and the divisive rhetoric and dehumanising of immigrants and asylum seekers, we really need to have some positivity back now - welcoming people from around the world to this amazing city. He was handcuffed by the entrance to the House of Commons and then led away in front of tourists and workers. The Richmond document also raised concerns over plans for alternating Easterly Runway operations, which would allow Heathrow to switch between the southern and northern runways when on easterly operations, with flights landing from the west over Berkshire and taking off towards the east when the wind blows from the east and is over five knots. Asked if he is going to vote in favour of the legislation, the PM said: Look, its going to be a free vote and I mean that. It will be for every MP to decide for themselves how they want to vote. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The overall topic of the global nuclear issue is important, and Iran is a strategic issue we'll discuss with its representatives in Tehran, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi told reporters during COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. "We meet regularly. We met in New York, especially at a high level, but this time in Tehran, I'll meet with the president, the foreign minister, and other officials. This is a very important moment," he said. According to him, the issues of geopolitics and climate change are interconnected. The decisions being made are closely tied to the choices of each country. Therefore, the issue of security and energy has become a significant factor. "Now, I think energy also has a security aspect. We cannot ignore it; we cannot push it to the back burner," he added. The opening ceremony of the much-anticipated COP29 conference kicked off on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Representatives, leaders, and climate experts from around the globe gathered to mark the beginning of what is set to be one of the largest climate events of the year. The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was made at the COP28 plenary session held in Dubai on December 11 of last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest governing body responsible for overseeing the conventions implementation. A total of 198 countries participate in the convention. Unless otherwise agreed, COP is held annually. The first COP took place in Berlin in March 1995, with its secretariat headquartered in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Dr Clarke said that she has visited his practice in recent times, sometimes alone and sometimes with her mother and that they have been trying to support each other, but have been struggling to cope. The former archbishop later said that he had personally written to the Primate in Cape Town, but he had not done so, and he, later again, said that he had got confused and had misremembered what had actually happened at the time. The country has seen weeks of political chaos, which observers warned could result in even more violence in a place where bloodshed has become the new normal. The countrys slate of gangs have long capitalized on political turmoil to make power grabs, shutting down airports, shipping ports and stirring chaos. US President Joe Biden's administration had sought to broker a normalisation accord between Saudi Arabia and Israel that would have included US security guarantees for the kingdom, among other bilateral deals between Washington and Riyadh. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Nuclear energy should occupy a prominent role at COP29, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi told reporters on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. "This conference stands out as one of the most pivotal events of the year. As COP29 unfolds, there is a palpable sense of anticipation regarding the potential for new agreements and the initiation of key commitments established last year in Dubai. The optimism surrounding these developments is unmistakable. We are excited to be part of this event, particularly given the crucial role that nuclear energy is poised to play in our discussions," Grossi noted. The IAEA chief also emphasized the need for a measured and equitable approach to facilitate the transition towards a decarbonized future. "There is a growing international consensus that the transition to new energy sources must be managed in an orderly manner, allowing each country to determine its own unique solutions. Instant fixes do not exist; rather, it is crucial to take into account the economic, social, labor, and other factors that impact the energy choices nations make. As part of this discussion, we believe that nuclear energy should assume an increasingly significant role in the energy landscape. This is the driving force behind our presence here today," he added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Malaysian Johor state and Japan's Saitama city have signed a memorandum of cooperation between cities as part of COP29, Trend reports. The memorandum is aimed at ensuring sustainable use of wood. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Over 1.15 million transactions, with a total value of approximately 660 million lei, were recorded on November 8 at partner merchants participating in the Black Friday campaign. The largest purchase exceeded 75,000 lei for products in the IT&C category, according to data PayU GPO Romania published on Tuesday, informs Agerpres. The number of transactions made with a saved card accounted for 63% of payments, a 31% increase compared to the previous edition. According to a company release, the data shows that the total transaction volume increased 21% compared to last year, with the highest amount reported during the reference period reaching over 75,000 lei at 9:20 AM for IT&C products. In addition, during the peak minute of Black Friday 2024, over 8,200 transactions were recorded, with dominant categories including IT&C, home & deco, beauty, children's products, fashion, and restaurant vouchers in delivery apps. "Black Friday 2024 proves once again that Romanians eagerly anticipate this day to benefit from discounts and extended installment plans not available during the rest of the year. The transaction volume confirms the behavior of Romanians in preparing their favorite products, saving their cards, and tracking installment campaigns from banks or financial institutions. While in the past, there was major interest in IT&C products, this year we see a diversification of preferences, with consumers increasingly choosing products from a wider variety of categories, more everyday items. Together with our partners, we worked intensively to ensure that the purchasing process went smoothly, providing consumers with a pleasant, secure, and easy-to-navigate experience," said Elena Gheorghe, Country Manager PayU GPO Romania, as quoted in the release. The average transaction value was 573 lei, three times higher than the average value of online transactions in the first 9 months of the year. Additionally, the average transaction value for installments increased to 932 lei, 44% higher than the daily average. "Installment payments accounted for about 30% of the total processed volume, marking a 33% increase compared to Black Friday 2023. Moreover, PayU GPO data shows a 73% rise in transaction volumes via Apple Pay and a 36% increase via Google Pay, compared to the previous edition," the press release adds. On Black Friday, 15% of transactions were paid with cards issued outside the country, 13 times more than in the previous edition. The top countries from which payments were processed, according to the issuing bank, included Lithuania, the United Kingdom, and Belgium. PayU GPO Romania, a leader in online payment services, is part of the global PayU GPO group, which operates in over 40 countries. With expertise in the local market, the company offers merchants complete payment solutions and integrated access to international markets worldwide. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu is currently paying a working visit to the UK, in which context he has scheduled meetings with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and with the Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, informs Agerpres. According to a press release of the Government sent to AGERPRES, on the occasion of his visit on Tuesday and Wednesday to London, the Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu will also participate in the Romania - Great Britain Economic Forum. The Prime Minister will then visit the Romanian Church and he will meet with members of the Romanian community in Great Britain. "The Romanian Government is interested in strengthening the Strategic Partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on all levels of bilateral interest and adapted to current challenges and opportunities. The Romanian community in the United Kingdom is a large one, and the promotion of the rights of our compatriots is a vital pillar of bilateral cooperation," said Marcel Ciolacu, quoted in the press release. It is the first visit of a Romanian PM to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland after 17 years, the Executive reminded. The official delegation will also include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, the Minister of National Defence, Angel Tilvar, the Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Radu Oprea, the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, the Honorary Councilor Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and the Counsellor of State Nicolae Comanescu. The bilateral relationship between Romania and Great Britain is governed by the Strategic Partnership, launched on June 26, 2003, revised in 2011 and updated on March 23, 2023, by signing a Joint Declaration at the level of foreign affairs ministers. The Romanian community in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is estimated to have over 1.2 million people. Romania is represented in the United Kingdom through the Embassy in London and three consulates general - in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Currently, steps are being taken to operationalize the Consulate General in Birmingham and a consular office in Belfast to serve Northern Ireland. According to the press release, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is one of the most important trading partners of Romania and the first in the top of the countries with which our country has a trade surplus (1.6 billion euros in 2023 and one billion euros in the first seven months of 2024). For 2024, a total exchange value of over 4 billion euros is estimated. Among the top products exported by Romania are those from the automotive category. UK data shows that, at the end of 2023, trade has reached 10 billion euros (goods and services). In the first seven months of 2024, provisional data indicate a trade value of 2.42 billion euros, which represents an increase in bilateral trade by 8.84%. According to the National Trade Registry Office, on June 30, 2024, 7,011 commercial companies with British capital were registered in Romania. Romania will sign this week the project for the construction of reactors 3 and 4 at Cernavoda nuclear power plant, the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, announced on Tuesday in a video post on Facebook from Baku (Azerbaijan). The minister of Energy is participating in the 29th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, declined to meet with visiting lawmakers from eight European Union countries, citing what he described as the delegation's "unfriendly attitude" and "political bias." In a written statement, Papuashvili criticized certain members of the delegation, particularly Lithuanian MP Zygimantas Pavilionis, for previously supporting Georgian opposition parties and allegedly interfering in Georgia's recent elections. He stated that "this involvement violated principles of non-interference", claiming that such actions contributed to "political polarization" and damaged trust in European institutions within Georgian society.Papuashvili also referenced past instances where EU members voiced support for "false narratives," such as claims surrounding the detention of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. He asserted that some EU politicians' rhetoric and actions risk undermining Georgia's stability and democratic process, warning that using "the EU enlargement process as a weapon" to challenge election outcomes would erode public trust.Papuashvili affirmed Georgia's openness to dialogue with other members of the delegation, provided it respects principles of sovereignty and equality, signaling that only constructive parliamentary diplomacy would be welcome.EU delegation from 8 countries visited Georgia to address the political crisis following contested elections. After meeting with President Salome Zourabichvili, the delegation met with opposition leaders. The talks focused on the alleged election irregularities, the prospects for an independent investigation, and possible EU responses to actions taken by the ruling Georgian Dream government.Dimitri Tskitishvili from the Gakharia-For Georgia party highlighted the meeting's focus on devising a collective opposition strategy. He noted that discussions covered potential solutions, the risks Georgia faces, and the anticipated responses from GD. Tskitishvili said the conversation was essential for aligning the opposition's stance, both individually and as a unified force.Zurab Japaridze from the Coalition for Change underscored the potential consequences if Georgian Dream continues its current course. "There was talk that not only could Georgia's European integration be halted, but we might also lose benefits such as free trade, visa-free travel, and candidate status," he warned.Badri Japaridze from Strong Georgia stated that the EU's response could become increasingly severe. He linked the EU's potential actions to the Georgian Dream's perceived "anti-European" direction, adding that GD's moves are jeopardizing Georgia's standing in Europe. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minister of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Trend reports. At Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud was welcomed by Hidayat Abdullayev, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population, along with other officials. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The European Commissioner-designate of Romania, Roxana Minzatu, was asked on Tuesday, during the hearing in the European Parliament, what she thinks about the title of the portfolio she will hold if she is validated, how she can strengthen the Erasmus program and she also had to provide explanations about the legality of the extension of the house in Brasov where she grew up and which she purchased in 2009. The issue of the title of the future portfolio of Roxana Minzatu, proposed for the position of executive vice-president of the European Commission for "People, Skills and Preparedness", was raised by the chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) of the European Parliament, Li Anderson, who lamented the fact that this does not include the term jobs. Roxana Minzatu said that she is open to any change in the title of the portfolio, but she cannot decide on her own in this regard. On the other hand, she said, "I would like the work to speak for me."Asked by the Spanish MEP Dina Riba i Giner, originally from Catalonia and a member of the Green group, how multilingualism can be promoted at the European level, Roxana Minzatu emphasized that she is a supporter of multilingualism and, from her perspective, we need to use technology to learn new foreign languages.In her opinion, at the European level, it is necessary to communicate more clearly in terms of skills. "I can tell you that I want professional training at the European level to be consolidated, to have a European dimension and the diplomas to be recognized. It is important to state that we can better stimulate enrollment in professional training not only through Erasmus, but also through the funds of cohesion", she pointed out during the hearings.Another issue that Roxana Minzatu was asked about was what she intends to do to make the careers of teaching staff more attractive."Everything starts with teachers. And the next Commission will emphasize this topic. We must cooperate with the member states to improve the working conditions of teachers. We have a staffing crisis among teachers in 24 member states", she drew attention, committing to use tools such as the European Semester in this sense.The German MEP Sabine Yerheyen asked Roxana Minzatu if she had bought a house and doubled its area without the authorization of the Ministry of Culture and how she sees the fact that she wants to be validated for this portfolio under the conditions in which she does not even protect the cultural heritage of her own country.Minzatu explained that she bought the 60 square meter house in which she lived until 17 years old in the old center of Brasov in 2009 in order to modernize it, as it was in a strong state of degradation. She told the MEPs including the fact that she slept with her mother in the same bed until the age of 17 in this building, which had a roof through which water dripped.She admitted that the house now has an area of 120 square meters and three bedrooms, but she claims that the building is not a historical monument and that she has a document from the Ministry of Culture attesting to this. "In two documents, one from 2011 and one from yesterday [Monday] issued by the Ministry of Culture, it is mentioned that this house where I lived all my life is not a historical monument", Roxana Minzatu told the MEPs.The problem of the legality of the extension of the house in Brasov was also addressed by the Danish MEP Hanne Dahl who asked her if she is committed to supporting the rule of law."I have always been a supporter of the rule of law", assured Roxana Minzatu, who at the same time affirmed that she is not responsible for the measures against the rule of law taken at one point by a PSD government, although she was member of that party at that time moment. EXECUTIVE: - Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on a working visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland * meeting with representatives of the Romanian community in the United Kingdom DEFENCE: - Military ceremony marking the 165th anniversary of the establishment of the Defence General Staff CULTURE: - Launch of the Cultural Consumption Barometer 2023, conducted by the National Institute for Cultural Research and Training; guest - Minister of Culture Raluca Turcan ECONOMY: - National Institute of Statistics releases data on Consumer Price Index October 2024, average monthly earnings in September 2024 - GoTech World 2024, event bringing together companies in the field of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies AGERPRES JEFFERSON CITY St. Louis and St. Charles counties cannot add their own tax on the sale of marijuana on top of local municipal sales taxes, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday. In a seven-page decision that could cost the counties a growing source of revenue, a panel of judges in the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern Division overturned an April ruling by St. Louis County Circuit Judge Brian May that said counties are constitutionally authorized to enact a retail tax in incorporated areas. The three-judge panel disagreed, saying the Missouri Constitution defines local governments as cities, towns and villages, not counties. The plain, unambiguous text of this constitutional provision means, that in an incorporated area like Florissant, the village, town, or city is the local government, not the county, the court ruled. St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann said attorneys will ask the Missouri Supreme Court to review the decision. Ive talked with St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, and we both agree it should be appealed, Ehlmann said Tuesday. At issue is a concept called tax stacking. In April 2023, 65% of St. Louis County voters approved collecting a 3% sales tax on marijuana sales; in St. Charles County, 72% did. The aim of the counties was to scrape some money from an industry projected to generate $1.4 billion in sales annually. But, a marijuana dispensary in Florissant sued St. Louis County, accusing it of unconstitutionally collecting the tax when Florissant already was. The shop, identified in the suit as Robust Dispensary on Howdershell Road, argued the county is only allowed to collect the levy in unincorporated territory. St. Charles County later joined the suit. The dispensarys attorneys argued the term differentiates between municipalities and unincorporated county territory. Either could impose a tax within its borders, but not both. May sided with the counties in his ruling. If plaintiffs interpretation were accepted, then a municipality or city would essentially be given carte blanche to ignore any county ordinance or regulation, including those related to public health and safety wholly unrelated to the taxing issue, May wrote. The appeals court said May fumbled the decision. This argument suffers from several serious defects, wrote Judge John Torbitzky. Judges Robert Clayton III and Michael Wright concurred. The decision will mean a loss of millions of dollars in revenue. St. Louis County had collected more than $1.6 million through May, while St. Charles County estimates the tax would bring in $1 million annually. It is unclear at this point what the financial impact would be, Page spokesman Doug Moore said. Ehlmann said the marijuana industry could have clarified the issue before it went before the judges. When the County Council asked the voters to approve the tax, we heard nothing from anyone in the industry. This constitutional amendment was written by the marijuana industry, and they could have made it clear counties were excluded but that would have created opposition to their proposal, he said. Andrew Mullins, executive director of MoCannTrade, the marijuana industry lobbying group, called it a win for weed companies and customers. Todays ruling helps put $3 million back into the pockets of Missouri customers each month and will allow the industry to continue to contribute hundreds of millions each year in sales tax revenue to the state and our local communities, Mullins said. A similar case is being litigated in the appeals courts western division involving Buchanan County. Updated with comments by St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The Secretariat's functions, currently carried out by the UN, should be relocated to one of the Caspian countries, the Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Special Assignments Khalaf Khalafov told reporters on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. Khalafov asserts that the Caspian Sea is facing significant environmental challenges. "The Azerbaijani side has consistently highlighted this issue, and at the Ashgabat summit, a significant milestone was reached with the first call for a more elevated approach among the Caspian states to address environmental challenges in the Caspian Sea, particularly concerning the decreasing water levels," he noted. The Representative said that these issues continue to hold significant relevance today. "The declining water levels of the Caspian Sea pose a significant threat to the countries bordering it, particularly the major cities along the coast. Consequently, these nations must take proactive measures to protect the Caspian ecosystem, safeguard its biodiversity, and promote initiatives aimed at conserving its water surface. To effectively address this issue, a concerted effort in cooperative activities is essential, coupled with a commitment to enhance financial investments in environmental protection. A key aspect of this collaboration should include the establishment of a permanent secretariat for a multilateral convention dedicated to monitoring the Caspian Sea's environmental health. While the United Nations is currently fulfilling this role, the secretariat must be transitioned to one of the Caspian countries, ensuring more localized oversight and engagement. The Caspian nations must work together to strengthen the operations of this secretariat, placing a heightened focus on the environmental challenges facing the sea. One of the most pressing concerns is the issue of external pollution. It is vital to conduct thorough studies on the watersheds that flow into the Caspian Sea, as understanding these dynamics is crucial for implementing effective solutions to protect this invaluable resource," Khalafov added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel CLAYTON Budget cuts, a state payment hiccup and now unexpected retirement expenses are amplifying money problems for the St. Louis County prosecuting attorneys office. First, cuts from the County Council last year shortchanged the office. Then, the Missouri Department of Revenue failed to send $54,000 to the office for prosecuting delinquent taxpayers. And now payments to more than a dozen people who retired or quit are costing over $117,000 including nearly $26,000 for Sam Alton, the former chief of staff for prosecutor Wesley Bell. On Tuesday, the prosecutors office is asking the council to approve a $355,400 transfer from the general fund, so that we can get on with the business of keeping this region safe, said office spokesman Chris King. The first problem started a year ago. Last December, the council pitched cutting the prosecuting attorneys office budget 5%, or about $772,000. But council Chair Shalonda Webb also said that departments could ask for more money as long as they were prepared to explain why. Months later, in September, County Executive Sam Page sought the councils help filling budget gaps in the prosecutors office caused by union-negotiated raises, retirement payouts plus the council cuts that, in the end, cost $682,000, Page wrote in a letter to council members. He asked them to approve transferring $976,000 from the countys general fund to the prosecutors office. The money would restore budget cuts, cover the payouts and pay to fill 11 vacancies. That same day, council Chair Shalonda Webb introduced legislation that would send money to the prosecutors office. But Webb asked for more information, she said Monday. Within a few weeks, the prosecuting attorneys office came back with a lower number. Staffers realized they had mistakenly counted additional pay periods, said council budget director Christopher Grahn-Howard. The office actually needed much less than originally thought just $355,400. The money will pay to fill those 11 vacancies: six attorneys, three legal secretaries and two administrative positions, if the prosecutors offices manages to make all the hires. Any leftover money goes back to the general fund at the end of the year. The second problem for the prosecutors office started earlier this year with a state software issue. The problem caused Missouri Department of Revenue to stop sending payments to Bells office starting in May. The office uses the money for small expenses, such as subscriptions, office supplies and phone service and, more importantly, for access to a criminal justice database called the Regional Justice Information System. The prosecutors office didnt notice the pause in payments until October, King said. Two weeks ago, Dawn Guild, budget manager for the prosecutors office, sent an email to leaders: I dont mean to beat a dead horse, but here goes, she started. Then she listed purchases to be put on hold. We do have money for all witness events, and we can still make payment on the copiers and the IT personnel, she concluded. Other than that, were sunk. Still, King said it didnt affect any public services, and the office expects to receive the state money early this week. Missouri Department of Revenue spokesperson Anne Marie Moy did not explain the issue for this story. The third problem stems from payouts to former employees. Salary records show there were 13 payouts to departing staffers, ranging from $1,400 to nearly $28,000 for attorney Teresa Bomkamp, who retired after working for the prosecutors office since 2002. Alton, the former chief of staff, resigned this summer after facing criticism for moonlighting as a municipal attorney while holding his $144,000 job with the county. He received a $25,718 payout this year, salary records show. Webb said she plans to advance legislation on Tuesday that would send the correct amount to the prosecutors office. If all seven members are present and vote unanimously, the council could fast-track legislation and give it final approval. As Bells office grapples with balancing out this years budget, it awaits a new boss. Bell last week won election to a U.S. House seat representing Missouris 1st Congressional District. His win set off a debate about who gets to appoint his replacement. County Executive Page, a Democrat, believes he gets to make that call, but Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said the governor holds the power to name Bells replacement. Pages office said its moving on with the application process. The decision could end up in court. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. The minesweeper JS Ukushima, seen here in an undated photo, caught fire and ultimately sank on Nov. 11, 2024. (Japan's Ministry of Defense) TOKYO A joint U.S.-Japan naval drill has been canceled after a Japanese sailor went missing following a weekend fire aboard a minesweeper that eventually sank. The U.S. and Japanese navies were scheduled to conduct minesweeping training between Saturday and Tuesday until the JS Ukushima caught fire Sunday and sank the following day. The ships crew was training en route to the joint exercise, a Maritime Self-Defense Force spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Tuesday. The exercise was canceled due to the effort to find Petty Officer 3rd Class Tatsunori Koga, 33, who worked in the ships machine room, the command said in a news release. Another sailor working in the same room was injured; the remaining 43 crew members evacuated safely, the spokesman said. Its customary in Japan for some government officials to speak to the media without naming themselves. The fire began around 9:45 a.m. Sunday in waters 1 miles north of Oshima in Fukuoka prefecture, part of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands. It was extinguished around midnight Monday, but the ship ultimately sank around 8:34 a.m., the spokesman said. The Ukushima was built with a wooden hull, according to the spokesman. The Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japan coast guard were still searching for Koga on Tuesday afternoon. The fire is believed to have begun in the machine room, where the ships diesel engines are located, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said during a Monday news conference. The Government of Japan will do its best to search for the missing personnel and take all possible measures to determine the cause and conduct preventative measures, he said. The Self-Defense Force has established a committee to investigate the cause of the fire, Hayashi said. The U.S. 7th Fleet acknowledged an email from Stars and Stripes asking whether the U.S. would assist in the search or continue the drill. The command had not responded as of close of business Tuesday. Gunners Mate 2nd Class John Lopez stands watch aboard the USS Spruance on Aug. 15, 2024. (Joey Sitter/U.S. Navy) WASHINGTON Two Navy destroyers near the Red Sea fended off more than a dozen drones and missiles launched at the ships Monday by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, Pentagon officials said. The USS Stockdale and USS Spruance were attacked by at least eight drones and eight missiles while transiting the Bab el Mandeb Strait, a narrow waterway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The strait is between Yemen and the Horn of Africa and ships move roughly $1 trillion in goods through it in a year. The one-way attack drones and anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles were successfully repelled, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the top Pentagon spokesman, said Tuesday. No service members were injured and neither destroyer was damaged, he said. [U.S. Central Command] forces retain the inherent right of self-defense, and as I highlighted earlier, will take appropriate steps to protect our personnel, Ryder said. Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) support operations against Iran-backed Houthis in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/8Y4yqsAepd U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 12, 2024 Earlier Tuesday, Houthi militants claimed on social media to have attacked both destroyers, as well as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The Pentagon denies the Lincoln was attacked. Based on the information I have, it was not attacked contrary to some of the allegations, should I say, by the Houthis, Ryder said. The attacks were carried out about two days after the U.S. struck multiple Houthi facilities in Yemen used to store weapons. The weapons housed at the sites, Ryder said, were used to target military and civilian ships navigating international waters in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The operation, conducted Saturday and Sunday, involved Air Force and Navy assets, including F-35C fighter jets. On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, shared a video of an F-35C jet taking off from the Lincoln in support of an attack against the Houthis. The Stockdale and the Spruance are part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. The Lincoln and its strike group deployed July 11 from its homeport of Naval Base San Diego for what was intended to be a Pacific tour, but the carriers strike group was directed to the Middle East in late August. The group is expected to leave the region in the coming months. People attend the funeral of murdered Catholic priest Marcelo Perez at the San Andres Apostle church in San Andres Larrainzar, Chiapas State, Mexico, on Oct. 22, 2024. Priest Marcelo Perez, a well-known human rights defender who denounced violence linked to drug trafficking in Mexico, was shot dead on Oct. 20 in San Cristobal de las Casas. (Luis Enrique Aguilar, AFP, Getty Images via TNS) MEXICO CITY (Tribune News Service) Car bombs. Massacres. The slaying of a Roman Catholic priest. A cartel war that has engulfed a major city. A mayor of another large city beheaded after he dared to call for peace. Six weeks after taking office, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is contending with a nationwide wave of violence, and is facing increasingly urgent questions about what she plans to do about it. As a candidate, Sheinbaum vowed to continue the strategy of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who expanded the militarys reach but sought to avoid direct confrontations with cartels, and insisted that the best path was to address the social conditions that allow violence to flourish. A scientist by training, Sheinbaum also pledged to replicate at the national level the security policies she put into action as mayor of Mexico City, where she oversaw a dramatic drop in violent crime, including a 50% plunge in homicides. The strategy is built on professionalizing law enforcement and implementing the sorts of data-driven and community policing models used in many U.S. cities. We already did it, she vowed on the campaign trail. Of course we will continue. Extreme violence has vexed every leader of Mexico since 2006, when then-President Felipe Calderon sent soldiers into the streets to do battle with cartels. Homicides began soaring. Today, much of Mexico is contested by warring criminal groups that operate with near impunity and are often aligned with political leaders. Sheinbaums challenge at the national level, where cartels are more embedded than in Mexico City, has been abundantly clear since she was sworn in Oct. 1. Last month, the country saw an average of 74 homicides a day, up from 69 a day in October 2023. . Every day seems to bring fresh headlines of another massacre. On Saturday, 10 people were killed and 13 wounded when a gunman opened fire at a bar in Queretaro state. The next day, a similar attack at a bar in Mexico state killed five and wounded seven. Two journalists have been slain in recent weeks, as well as a beloved indigenous priest. A prominent feminist activist disappeared with her partner after reporting for years that she had been threatened with violence. In Guanajuato state, the explosion of two car bombs highlighted the escalation of cartel warfare, with some criminal groups now arming themselves with grenade launchers and drones rigged with explosives. In Guerrero, a series of brazen violent acts emphasized the chaotic nature of the states criminal topography, where a dense network of gangs compete for the right to sell drugs and extort money from business owners. In the mountains of the state, a family of 17 simply vanished last month. The remains of several of them were discovered this week. In the beach town of Acapulco, a family of five, including a child, was shot to death inside a home. And then there was the killing of Alejandro Arcos Catalan, the newly sworn-in mayor of the city of Chilpancingo. Political violence is common in Mexico, with dozens of candidates for office killed across the country during this years election season alone. But the slaying of Arcos, who had vowed to pacify the region, was particularly grisly. A week after taking office, his body was discovered inside pickup truck. His severed head was propped up outside. Mexico often sees an uptick of violence during elections and later, when newly elected leaders are taking power. That is in part because so many local governments are linked to organize crime. Sheinbaum, who has been questioned about the violence repeatedly at her daily news conferences, has vowed to stop it, saying that her administration will be focused on reducing killings and extortion, specifically. Eschewing the approach of multiple leaders before her, who formed new police or military forces to confront criminals, her strategy appears more focused on improving crime investigations. She recently announced the creation of a national intelligence center and says her administration will use statistics to identify high-impact perpetrators and work with local authorities to prosecute them. It remains to be seen how she will use the nations armed forces, including the National Guard, a 130,000-strong force that Lopez Obradror created in 2019 and later put under the control of the military. Last month, members of the military killed six migrants in southern Chiapas state whom they apparently mistook for gang members. Sheinbaum said that a situation like this cannot happen again and opened an investigation. Later that month, three civilians were killed in confrontations between the military and gangs. Her administration recently deployed hundreds of troops to Sinaloa, in northern Mexico, where a war between rival factions of the states namesake cartel is raging. One group is loyal to Ismael El Mayo Zambada, the 76-year-old cartel co-founder who was recently captured in the United States. The other faction pledges allegiance to the sons of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, Zambadas ex-partner, who is serving a life term in the U.S. Hundreds of people have been killed in Sinaloa state in recent months. This week, the states livestock association announced that it was canceling its annual expo in Culiacan a major cultural event for the city after its president was killed and a series of cartel messages appeared threatening state Gov. Ruben Rocha Moya with death. When asked about the violence there, Sheinbaum said her government had a plan. We have a security strategy that will work, she said. What there will not be is a war against drugs. 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Billions of people simply cannot risk their governments leaving COP29 without agreeing on a global climate finance target, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Simon Stiell said at the opening of the World Leaders' Climate Action Summit in Baku, Trend reports. Bolder climate action can drive economic opportunity and abundance everywhere. Cheap, clean energy can be the bedrock of your economies. It means more jobs, more growth, less pollution choking cities, healthier citizens, and stronger businesses. Billions of people simply cannot afford for their governments to leave COP29 without a global climate finance goal. So for leaders here and back in capitals make it clear that you expect a strong set of outcomes. Tell your negotiators - skip the posturing and move directly to finding common ground. We also need your direct engagement on new national climate targets and plans - NDCs. So all of you can benefit from the boom in clean energy and climate resilience, he said. Stiell emphasized that while these are indeed challenging times, resorting to desperation is not a viable strategy and is ultimately misguided. "These are not easy times, but despair is not a strategy, and it's not warranted. Our process is strong, and it will endure. After all, international cooperation is the only way humanity survives global warming. The time for hand-wringing is over; lets get on with the job," he added. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened today at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. A half size replica of the J-35a Chinese stealth fighter jet is displayed at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2024 at Zhuhai in southern Chinas Guangdong province on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ng Han Guan/AP) China on Tuesday debuted its latest model of stealth fighter jet and foreshadowed an ambitious pipeline of advanced drones, as Beijing displayed its determination to match American military might by investing heavily in the latest tech and forging ever-closer bonds with partners like Russia. The maiden flight demonstration of the J-35A, a fifth generation fighter designed to evade radar detection and attack enemy targets at supersonic speeds, was the main attraction on the opening day of the Zhuhai air show on Tuesday. Millions turned in to state broadcaster CCTVs live stream of the aircraft performing aerial acrobatics against a gray sky. This years gathering of leading Chinese defense contractors has been celebrated by Chinese state media as a milestone in Chinese leader Xi Jinpings ambitious plans to forge a world-class fighting force by 2050. To achieve that goal, Xi has pushed the countrys defense industry to invest heavily in cutting-edge technologies. Chinese manufacturers have churned out huge numbers of ships, warplanes, missiles and drones to enforce Beijings sweeping territorial claims - and send a warning to the United States and its allies. Zhuhai certainly showcases Chinas growing tech capabilities to potential adversaries, and, of course, the U.S. is on the top of that list, said Collin Koh, a defense expert at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Also on display were Chinas efforts to present itself as an alternative to the United States when it comes to arms and as a reliable security partner for nations that share Beijings hostility toward the U.S.-led military alliance network. By holding an air show of such proportion with such high publicity, China is definitely trying to [reach out to] like-minded countries in the global south that are tired of western sanctions and dont trust western technology, Koh said. The J-35A, Chinas answer to Lockheed Martins F-35, was the main attraction in a vast array of drones, missiles and aircraft displayed by Chinas leading aerospace and aviation companies in the biennial exhibition that runs until Nov. 17. It is smaller and nimbler than the heavier J-20 stealth fighters already deployed by the Chinese military. But a secondary draw for attendees was the first overseas demonstration of Russias Su-57, the most advanced stealth fighter in the Russian military, which was flown at the airshow by one of Russias most experienced pilots. The display of friendliness in the face of western efforts to isolate Moscow was underscored by the attendance of Sergei Shoigu, head of Russias national security council and a confidant of President Vladimir Putin. In a meeting with Shoigu on Tuesday, Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, said the more external challenges we face, the more resolute we must be in uniting to defend our common interests, according to an official Chinese readout. Shoigu agreed the two countries shared similar approaches to key international and regional issues. Russia-China relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation have reached the highest level in history, he said, according to Russias state-run Tass news agency. Shoigu personally coming to see Chinas advanced weaponry showed appetite for closer military-industrial ties, Wang Xiaoquan, a Russia expert at the state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told local media at the air show. It sent a signal to the outside world that no matter how the international situation changes, China and Russia will maintain a high level of mutual trust and military cooperation, he said. The air show often blurs propaganda with real announcements - many models on display remain under development - but it is a rare chance for military analysts to track progress in the Peoples Liberation Armys modernization drive. Experts pore over images in search of clues that China is making progress toward its goal to build an advantage over adversaries in a potential conflict in the South China Sea or over Taiwan, the island democracy that Beijing claims as its territory. This years fanfare over the purported operational readiness of the J-35A, as well as multiple announcements of upgrades and new systems, suggests Beijing wants to project confidence about its goals despite expanding American export restrictions that limit access to advanced western technology, analysts said. Its deployment makes China the only country other than the United States capable of using multiple stealth warplanes with capabilities that match the most advanced jets used by the U.S. Air Force, Chinese experts claimed in state media reports. A decade in development, the fighter jet, which was produced by state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, shares multiple features with its American forerunner. (In 2016, a Chinese businessman pleaded guilty to working with Chinese defense contractors to steal F-35 designs from the United States.) Chinese officials have offered only limited descriptions of the J-35As engines and other capabilities, but military analysts have described it as a combat aircraft adaptable to multiple roles in a conflict. The designation of J-35A reflects how the model is aimed at the F-35 and it will be a piece of cake to overpower the American model in one-on-one combat, Song Xinzhi, a nationalist military commentator, claimed in an interview with local media. Variants based on the same platform can be deployed from Chinese air bases or from the one of the Chinese navys aircraft carriers, Chinese state media reported. This year was also the first time the Zhuhai air show featured a section dedicated to Chinas growing fleet of unmanned aircraft and ships, including a 10-ton unmanned aerial vehicle used to deploy swarms of smaller drones. Also on display was a drone vessel with a range of 4,000 nautical miles dubbed the killer whale by Chinese media. Chinese media broadcast videos of the CH-7, a large, high-altitude, long-range stealth drone, rolling down a runway. This could be an even more significant development if it turns out to be a real reflection of battle readiness, said Justin Bronk, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a British defense think tank. Unlike high-end aircraft, which need highly trained pilots, drones can be deployed as fast as you can build them and China is very good at manufacturing things quickly in quantity, Bronk said. Having a long-range, hard-to-detect drone would give China another way to hold U.S. or Taiwanese bases at risk in addition to the large arsenal of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles that it already has, he said. In recent years, Zhuhai has also become an important venue for Chinese defense contractors to drum up international business from close partners like Pakistan. The J-35A was originally developed as an export model and Pakistans air force in January announced plans to acquire an earlier version of the fighter jet. China is still a relatively small player in the international arms trade. It accounted for 5.8 percent of global exports from 2019 to 2023 compared to the 42 percent share of the United States, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a group that tracks global security and arms control. But the war in Ukraine has created an opening for Chinese defense contractors to expand into international markets previously dominated by Russian suppliers that are now struggling to keep up with domestic demand. Even the appearance of the Su-57 at Zhuhai seemed to underscore Chinas arrival as the senior partner, reversing decades of Chinese reliance on Russian military hardware. On social media, Chinese military enthusiasts were quick to mock the Russian fighter jets clunky design and supposedly inferior stealth capabilities compared to the J-35A. Chinese media noted that a Russian-designed engine used in earlier versions of the J-35 had been swapped out for Chinas homemade WS-19. China appears to be trying to have it both ways, Koh said: providing symbolic support to Moscow by featuring the Su-57, even as its defense contractors exploit the vacuum left by Russian defense contractors focusing on the war in Ukraine. The Chinese threw out all those fully fledged new platforms. It was overwhelming enough to make sure Russia doesnt overshadow them, he said. A Russian Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine sails through the Soya Strait north of Hokkaido on Nov. 11, 2024. (Japan's Ministry of Defense) Russias most advanced submarine was spotted for the first time in waters near Japan, the countrys military announced Monday. A Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine accompanied by a flotilla of Russian vessels passed through the Soya Strait, a 27-mile-wide international waterway that separates Japans northern island of Hokkaido and Russias Sakhalin Island, according to a Joint Staff news release. The transit happened around 8 a.m. Monday. The submarine and three other vessels an Udaloy-class frigate, a Marshal Nedelin-class tracking ship and a Baklazhan-class rescue tug were seen about 50 miles northeast of Cape Soya heading west, the release said. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force dispatched a P-3C aircraft from Fleet Air Wing 2 to surveil the group, according to the release. It was the very first time that the Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed a Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine, the release said. Russian military ships and planes have ramped up their activity near Japan in recent months. A Russian IL-38 reconnaissance plane entered Japanese airspace three times on Sept. 23, prompting Tokyo to scramble fighter jets to intercept and ultimately warn off the aircraft with flares. On Sept. 12, a pair of Russian Tu-142 patrol planes circled Japans four main islands for the first time in five years. They flew a route that spanned from Okinawa in the south to Hokkaido in the north, the Joint Staff said at the time. On Sept. 1, two Russian navy corvettes were spotted 19 miles north of Cape Soya heading west, according to USNI News on Sept. 6. The E-7 Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft, also called the Wedgetail, is known for its advanced radar and surveillance capabilities. (Boeing) The U.S. State Department recently signed off on the possible sale of four E-7 Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft, also known as the Wedgetail, to bolster South Koreas reconnaissance capabilities. The potential $4.92 billion sale to South Korea includes 10 jet engines and various other infrared, navigation and radio equipment for the Wedgetails, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced in a Nov. 4 news release. The agency, part of the Defense Department, runs the Foreign Military Sales program. Sales of more than $25 million in military equipment to NATO members and five other countries, including South Korea, require congressional approval. The aircraft will boost South Koreas ability to meet current and future threats by providing increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and airborne early warning and control capabilities, according to the release. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has vowed to increase his countrys military preparedness against the threat of North Korean missiles. Last year, the South Korean, U.S. and Japanese militaries activated a data-sharing system to improve their ability to detect and track the Norths missile launches in real-time. The three countries established this mechanism to improve their ability to ensure the safety of their peoples by trilaterally detecting and assessing missiles launched by [North Korea] in real-time, the U.S. Defense Department said in a Dec. 19 news release. North Korea has launched approximately 45 missiles in 12 separate days of testing so far this year. The communist regime last fired at least seven short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast on Nov. 5, according to the South Korean and Japanese militaries. Acquiring the Wedgetails is essential for detecting potential aerial aggression from North Korea, defense analyst Harpreet Sidhu said Monday in a news release from the UK-based GlobalData consulting firm. The E-7 aircraft, known for its advanced radar and surveillance capabilities, will provide South Korea with comprehensive situational awareness and bolster its capacity for monitoring contested airspace, Sidhu said. This will also enhance [the South Korean air forces] interoperability with the U.S. and other [Asia-Pacific] allies, especially as North Korean missile threats continue to increase. Interoperability is a term used by militaries to describe the ability of one nations forces to use anothers training methods and equipment. The Wedgetail was initially developed for use by the Australian Defense Forces, according to an Air Force news release on April 26, 2022. The aircraft is based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation airliner and provides commanders with a battlefield overview using its long-range radar and communication systems, according to Boeings website. The jet has a range of roughly 4,000 miles without refueling and can fly at a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet, the website states. The Air Force decided to replace its fleet of E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft with the Wedgetail in 2022 and awarded Boeing a contract for a service-specific E-7 prototype not to exceed $1.2 billion starting the following year, according to an Air Force news release on Feb. 28, 2023. German soldiers fire a Heckler & Koch MG5/HK121 machine gun during a live fire exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 4, 2024. A majority of Germans support defense spending increases, according to a public opinion survey released Nov. 11, 2024. (Thomas Dixon/U.S. Army) STUTTGART, Germany A majority of Germans support significant defense spending increases, an outlook that coincides with the imminent return of Donald Trump to the White House and an anticipated pressure campaign on allied militaries to step up, a new public opinion survey found. In September, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius proposed pushing the amount of spending dedicated to the military from 2% of gross domestic product to between 3 and 3.5%. In a new poll released Monday by the Koerber-Stiftung Institute, 50% of respondents supported Pistorius idea, while a further 15% said even more should be spent on German defense. The bullish public sentiment on defense expenditures could come in handy for German politicians, who are likely to come under heavy scrutiny once Trump returns to office in January. A German Leopard tank returns from the shooting range as a part of a 2023 NATO exercise in Italy. A majority of Germans support defense spending increases, according to a public opinion survey released Nov. 11, 2024. (Synne Nilsson/Norwegian army) Still, 57% of Germans said they are unwilling to sacrifice social program spending for higher defense budgets. The findings were part of a series of surveys commissioned by the Koerber-Stiftung Institute between September and October, well before the outcome of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election was known. The poll didnt address whether people favored tax hikes to resolve conflicting military and social priorities. Germanys debt brake makes it difficult for the government to ramp up deficit spending. Germany faced tough criticism from Trump during his first term over its failure to meet NATOs defense spending benchmark of 2% of GDP. This year, for the first time in decades, Berlin hit that target. But the boost in the amount is unlikely to be regarded as sufficient by the incoming administration. In the past, Trump frequently said the 2% mark is too low. And some allies, such as Poland, have called for a higher NATO spending standard to ramp up defense capabilities. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius gives remarks during a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meetings at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 6, 2024. That month, Pistorius proposed pushing the amount of German spending dedicated to the military from 2% of gross domestic product to between 3 and 3.5%. A majority of Germans support defense spending increases, according to a public opinion survey released Nov. 11, 2024. (Stars and Stripes) Germanys appetite for spending more on defense doesnt mean that citizens are eager for their country to play a leading military role in NATO, however. A majority of Germans polled, 65%, opposed a military leadership role for Germany in Europe, the survey said. There has been persistent opposition to a major domestic military presence in German life, likely tracing back to the countrys responsibility for World War II. The survey also looked at German and American support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. A majority of Germans, 57%, still favor providing military assistance to Kyiv, in contrast to the U.S., where the number now stands at just 41%. The American figures in the survey were gathered by the Pew Research Center. In both countries, support for Israel in its war against Hamas was even lower, with only 25% of Germans and 30% of Americans saying their country should provide military aid to Israel, according to the survey. In this undated photo, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio stands on stage with former President Donald Trump in Allentown, Pennsylvania. (Steven M. Falk/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS) (Tribune News Service) President-elect Donald Trump plans to tap U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, making him the first Latino to helm the State Department, according to a source familiar with the plans. Trumps selection of Rubio, born in Miami to Cuban parents, is expected to assuage fears among GOP lawmakers seeking a continued U.S. presence abroad amid a lurch toward isolationism within the party. His appointment is likely to sail through the confirmation process with the support of his colleagues in the Senate, where Republicans have won majority control. A spokesperson for Rubios office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump had considered the three-term senator as his vice presidential running mate before choosing another senator, JD Vance of Ohio, instead. Rubio won the appointment over jockeying from several other prominent allies of the president-elect, including Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur, and Ric Grenell, Trumps former U.S. ambassador to Germany, who emerged as a favorite of far-right firebrands who earlier this week cast Rubio as a neocon war hawk out of step with Trumps Make America Great Again movement. Currently serving as vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and as a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio has kept focus like few others in Congress on U.S. policy toward Latin America, advocating harsh sanctions on dictatorial regimes in Cuba and Venezuela. He has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war against Ukraine, but also this week said the war had entered a stalemate and would need to end, echoing statements from the president-elect. And Rubio is an outspoken critic of the Chinese government and said this summer that Trump would continue supporting Taiwan against a potential invasion, penning legislation that would boost deterrence against a war in the Pacific. In the Middle East, Rubio has consistently pressed for a maximum-pressure strategy against Iran and supported Trumps decision to withdraw from an international agreement governing its nuclear program. And he has broadly backed Israels wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, rejecting accusations that Israeli forces have used excessive force in either conflict. Rubio, a former Florida state House speaker, was first elected to the Senate in 2010. He ran against Trump for the Republican nomination for president in 2016. While he ultimately lost that contest, he won reelection to his Senate seat that year. Rubios appointment to the State Department would allow Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint a replacement until the next regularly scheduled federal election in 2026. Trumps selection of Rubio was first reported by the New York Times and Reuters. Miami Herald staff writer Jacqueline Charles and El Nuevo Herald reporter Nora Gamez Torres contributed to this report. 2024 McClatchy Washington Bureau. Visit mcclatchydc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Armenians ruined and falsified ancient Albanian churches, Chairman of the Albanian-Udi Christian Religious Community of Azerbaijan Robert Mobili told reporters on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. He stated that the primary objective of this event is to safeguard our planet's green spaces. "The Earth is our shared home. We will welcome guests to explore Karabakh and our other regions. By visiting, they will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the rich Azerbaijani realities and witness the strength and stability of our nation. Regrettably, our cultural and religious heritage in Karabakh has faced significant erosion at the hands of the Armenians, who have destroyed and distorted our Albanian churches. However, we are committed to restoring these invaluable symbols of our history, as they are an integral part of our identity," Mobili added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. From left, veterans Noah Miller Mack, who was a sergeant in the Marine Corps, Anthony Mustifa, who was a sergeant in the Air Force, Nelson King, who was a specialist 4 in the Army, and Lloyd Hart, was a sergeant in the Army, salute during the playing of taps at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington during the Veterans Day at The Wall event on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON The keening notes of Amazing Grace reverberated at the granite walls of the Vietnam War Memorial as Army veteran Christian Jackson sounded his bagpipe at the close of the Veterans Day ceremony. Standing on a slope right above the memorial, Jackson ended an emotional commemoration that honored the fallen soldiers whose names are etched on the wall but also paid tribute to veterans and their loved ones who attended the anniversary celebration Monday. Sfc. Adrienne Doctor of the U.S. Army Band Pershing, top left, plays taps during the Veterans Day at The Wall event in Washington on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Members of the Navajo Nation Women Veterans group wait to deliver their wreath as the U.S. Army OCS Alumni deliver a wreath to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington during the Veterans Day At The Wall event on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Representatives from American Gold Star Mothers deliver a wreath to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington during Veterans Day at The Wall event on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Youre seen, youre honored, youre appreciated, Jeff Reinbold, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, said to the more than 200 visitors at the start of the 90-minute ceremony at the memorial, the most visited war monument on the mall. But the celebration also paid tribute to two lesser-known memorials at the site marking the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the Three Servicemen statute and the 20th anniversary of the In Memorial plaque. The Three Servicemen statue by sculptor Frederick Hart depicts men in uniform standing in watch at the memorial. The bronze statute was completed in 1984, just two years after the Vietnam memorial opened. The statue shows the faces of the war fighters, said Jackson, who stood outside the war memorial site, practicing Amazing Grace before the event. This is the 27th year that he has played at the Veterans Day ceremony, he said. It is important that the GIs who served are never forgotten, said Jackson, a former first lieutenant who served in the Army from 1983-1994. An attendee points to a name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington during Veterans Day at The Wall event on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) The In Memorial plaque, made from black granite, honors Vietnam veterans who died after the war from injuries sustained while on active duty. These soldiers fall outside the Defense Departments guidelines for inscription on the wall. Taken together, the monuments help to tell a story of military service and sacrifice during the Vietnam War, said Robert Doubek, keynote speaker at the ceremony. Vietnam veteran Robert Doubek is presented with an award on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, before making keynote remarks at the Veterans Day at The Wall event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Jim Knotts, president and CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, makes opening remarks on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Doubek, an Air Force veteran who helped to establish Vietnam Veterans Memorial, described the Three Servicemens statute as a heroic and traditional portrayal of military duty that reveals the pressures of combat. Doubek served for four years as an intelligence officer, including a year in Vietnam in the late 1960s. The statue is a contrast to Maya Linns minimalist design of the black granite wall at the memorial, he said. I was there. Twenty-three of my friends were killed there, said Steve Ammon, an 83-year-old Army veteran who sat in his wheelchair studying the Three Servicemen statue before the ceremony started. His wife, Mary Jo Ammon, and daughter, Kelly Krek, stood silently behind him. So much was different about how the war was fought in Vietnam, said Ammon, a former lieutenant colonel who served in the military for 23 years, retiring in 1983. Often there were small groups of soldiers three or four like this walking alone in the jungle, he said pointing to the statue. Ammon said attending the ceremony was important because he felt a connection to the other veterans who made the pilgrimage on Veterans Day. The presentation of colors Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, during the Veterans Day at The Wall event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) It makes me feel good to be here, said Army veteran Joe Harshberger, 77, of Pennsylvania. Harshberger, a former corporal, also paused at the statue. He said the monument reminded him of his own military service in Vietnam. Harshberger said he got his draft notice a month after graduating from high school. He served from 1967 to 1968. I have many friends whose names are on the wall. I come to pray for them, he said Volunteer Thanh Phung, 11, makes a wall rubbing of a name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington during Veterans Day at The Wall event on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Jackson, a retired police officer, said he sees the statue as a reminder of the heroism of all first responders. I come from a family of soldiers, sailor, cops and firemen, he said. It is important that the service and contribution of these men and women are not forgotten. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Kazakhstan is facing serious consequences of climate change, Special Representative of the President of Kazakhstan for International Environmental Cooperation Zulfiya Suleimenova said at a panel discussion on the topic "Connecting the Dots: Implementable and Investment-Ready NDCs" at COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. "I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their exemplary leadership in advancing climate action for Kazakhstan. This is an issue of paramount importance, as limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius translates to a projected temperature increase of 2.5 degrees in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Therefore, for us, a rise of 2.5 degrees represents an optimistic scenario, albeit one fraught with significant risks. Your commitment and efforts are crucial in navigating these challenges and safeguarding our future," she said. Suleimenova underscored the devastating impact of this year's severe floods in Kazakhstan, which have inundated over half the nation. This disaster has imposed substantial strain on the national budget, compelling the government to redirect crucial funds from development initiatives, renewable energy projects, and decarbonization efforts toward the urgent task of rebuilding homes and businesses. She emphasized that such extreme weather events underscore the critical importance of the discussions taking place today. Furthermore, she highlighted that addressing climate change through both adaptation and mitigation is essential. The need for financing adaptation measures is increasingly pressing; however, if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, even greater resources will be required for effective adaptation in the future. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The judge lamented that he was limited to a fine over the dangerous activity Stock image: A Belfast woman who tried to open the door of an aircraft while it was thousands of feet in the air was fined a total of 375. A Belfast woman who tried to open the door of an aircraft while it was thousands of feet in the air was fined a total of 375 today. Along with the fines, District Judge Nigel Broderick ordered Jamie Duff to pay a 15 offenders levy but he lamented the fact that under the Air Navigation Order, all I can do is fine her. For some reason, the legislatures have ordered that these offences only merit a financial penalty, he told Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena. In my view, they should give the courts greater sentencing options because to impose a financial penalty on someone who gets up drunk and tries to open the door of an aircraft while in flight, is a significantly dangerous activity. It causes concern not just to the crew but the other passengers and that should be dealt with by something more than just a financial penalty, said Judge Broderick. Duff, from Waveney Park in Belfast, had earlier entered guilty pleas to being drunk on an aircraft and smoking on an aircraft on April 9, this year. A prosecuting lawyer told the court how the Ryanair flight was on its way back from Alicante when the crew asked to be met by police due to a disruptive passenger. Duff, said the lawyer, was consuming her own alcohol and was also vaping on the flight and it was during an exchange with the judge the court heard how Duff had tried to open the door when the plane was goodness knows how many thousands of feet in the air. Arrested and interviewed, Duff denied the offences but lodging a plea in mitigation, defence counsel Patrick Taylor said the 42-year-old is extremely apologetic for her actions. He told the court that shortly before the flight left Spain, former care assistant Duff had received the news that a patient she had cared for for an extended period had entered end-of-life care so she was in an emotional state. There is no excuse for her behaviour but she was emotionally upset, said the barrister. Imposing the fines and allowing Duff six months to pay, Judge Broderick told her he takes a very dim view of this activity because there are too many people who drink on planes. Emphasising that an aircraft is a confined space, the judge said that if a passenger such as Duff is disruptive and drunk and tries to open the door mid-air, that causes the other passengers understandable concern. Craig Coyle (37) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court A man will be sentenced next year after he threatened to publish intimate images of a woman online and then sent her hundreds of degrading and abusive emails described by a judge as debasing not only to this woman but all women in general. The court heard that Craig Coyle (37) and the woman had been in a relationship for a number of months having met on the dating site Tinder in December 2022. They began their relationship early the following year and broke up in September 2023. Coyle, of Holly Court, Ballybrack, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to publish intimate images of the woman without her consent on September 23, 2023. He also pleaded guilty to harassment on dates between September 2023 and December 2023 and two charges of trespass at the womans home on December 23, 2023 and January 19, 2024. He has no previous convictions. The offence falls under legislation known as Cocos Law, which criminalises sharing or threatening to share intimate images without consent. The penalties include fines and/or up to seven years' imprisonment. Judge Pauline Codd read a number of the emails Coyle sent the woman, including one which the prosecution said was too graphic to be read into the record. After reading this particular email, which Coyle sent to the woman in October 2023 and was entitled 'F**k This', Judge Codd commented: It is grotesquely pornographic in nature he is clearly influenced by pornography. Sarah Connolly BL, prosecuting, told the court that the woman felt especially threatened by this email as it referenced a disclosure she had made to Coyle about the fact that she had previously been the victim of a serious sexual assault. She felt he was purposefully trying to scare her. Craig Coyle Judge Codd noted that the woman had to purchase a security alarm after she caught Coyle outside her home one winters evening in 2023. He was prowling around her home in the early hours of the morning, the judge commented before she described Coyles behaviour as horrendous. She said his emails were debasing not just of this woman but women in general again stating that they were pornographic in nature. She said his unwanted communication to the woman depicts a dreadful attitude. Garda Aaron Bradshaw said that the woman blocked Coyle on a social media app in September 2023 following a nasty message from him but he began then to message her on the payment app Revolut claiming that she owed him money. She accepted she owed him 200 and said she would pay him back a few days later when she was next paid. He then messaged her via Revolut and threatened to send intimate images of her to her ex-husband. The woman blocked Coyle on Revolut as soon as she paid over the money she owed him but he then began to email her - amounting to hundreds of abusive and degrading emails over the following months. He sent a message to her ex-husband on LinkedIn and told him he had material and information that would help him in their mediation. The court heard that while Coyle apologised for his behaviour in some of these emails and promised never to contact the woman again, he would send more abusive emails again a few days later. The woman contacted gardai on December 23, 2022, when Coyle was captured on security cameras peering through her kitchen window just before 6am. She had only set up security cameras in her house the previous day when she thought she had spotted Coyle at her back door. Coyle was also captured on security cameras outside the womans home on January 19, 2024. The last email Coyle sent the woman was on Christmas Day 2023 in which he told her she was most fucked up person in the world. He called her a pathetic easy tramp, a narcissistic c*nt and said he hoped she would have a great Christmas with her family because they certainly wont have with you. He said she was a disgrace to all women who have been impacted by rape and sexual assault referring to the fact that the woman had previously told him she had been the victim of a serious sexual assault. He told her she was a waste of oxygen. The woman read her victim impact statement into the record and said she had gone from someone who didnt set her alarm at night to someone who has a house alarm and cameras on 24/7. She said her mental health has deteriorated because of Coyles depraved, degrading and disgusting messages to her. No one has ever spoken to me with that level of hatred, she said. She said her self-esteem went to zero and she began to worry that she lose her job. She also started to worry that Coyle would be there when she came from work. I genuinely did not know and still dont know what this man is capable of, the woman continued. The situation made me distressed every single day, the woman said outlining that she was unable to sleep for months and she still has nightmares of seeing Coyle looking through her window. I am not the person I was when we first met. I am a shell of my former self, the woman said. She said Coyle took away her sense of security and outlined how she has installed security cameras in her home. I check the app hundreds of times a day, she continued. If he had physically hurt me, people would understand the depth of my fear. I wonder if my children would be better off if I was dead, she concluded. Judge Codd thanked the woman for her courage in delivering her own victim impact statement. I know it was not easy and I would like to thank you for that, the judge said. Cathal McGreal BL, defending, told the court that his client is consenting to a life-long prohibition of communicating with or contacting the victim in any way. Judge Codd adjourned the case to February 17 next pending an updated report from a psychologist who has recently diagnosed the man as having emotionally unstable personality disorder. Craig Coyle Gda Bradshaw told Ms Connolly that the emails contained various comments such as telling the woman how crazy she is and how she is messed up in the head. One email threatened to tell her colleague that she abused drugs while another said he would tell her employer that she was lying about her whereabouts on previous days while she was supposed to be working. In one email, sent on October 1 2023, he recorded an apology and attached a photograph of them together but two days later he again began sending abusive and degrading emails. Later that month he sent an email asking to meet her and Coyle told her he was obsessed with her. He posted her a notebook which included writings of his thoughts and a scrapbook he had made which included photographs of them together. On October 14, the woman was matched with a person on dating app and began a conversation with this man who later transpired to by Coyle. He admitted that he had catfished her in a series of emails which included screenshots of the womans conversations with him on the dating app. Coyle also tagged the woman twice on the app, formerly known as Twitter and in one of these posts he referred to her as a liar. She reported the posts to Twitter and Coyle deleted the posts the same day. In October, the woman asked Coyle to leave her alone and told him that if he didnt stop, she would report him to the gardai. He continued to email her, accusing her of cheating and lying and requesting an apology from her. In emails sent to the woman in mid-December he asked her if she was into women and included a screenshot of a conversation he had been having with an unknown woman. Gda Bradshaw said that same month the woman returned home from work to find that an empty box of the contraceptive pill, which she had earlier discarded in her wheelie bin, sitting at her back door. She emailed Coyle about this and he replied that he didnt know what she was talking about. She received further emails which referred to her physical appearance in derogatory terms. Gda Bradshaw said on December 22, 2023 she saw feet at her back door. She went outside to the front of her house and thought she saw Coyle walking across the green area in their estate. She bought a security camera that evening. Coyle was arrested on January 30, 2024 and admitted that he harassed, abused and catfished the woman. He also accepted that he had loitered around her home and got in touch with her ex-husband to prove some of her lies. He accepted that he had gone through her bins and that she had repeatedly asked him not to contact her. Mr McGreal said in Coyles own words he behaved in a horrible and abusive way. He said his client had a difficult childhood and has been recently diagnosed as having emotionally unstable personality disorder. Counsel said this stems from a deep-seated sense of rejection and neediness but asked the court to accept that a psychologist report concludes that he does not have a violent profile. Mr McGreal said his client has three children from two different relationships. He is involved in raising these children and supports them financially. Counsel said at the time of the offending, Coyle was drinking two bottles of wine a day and abusing cocaine. He no longer has issues with drugs or alcohol. He asked the court to accept that his client has shown credible remorse and apologises to the woman for his behaviour. Imposing sentence today Judge Orla Crowe accepted that the family had profound concerns for Eoin and Anns daughter, Ellen Eoin Maughan Snr, Eoin Maughan Jr and Ann Maughan pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin for a court appearance. pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie Members of the same family who became involved in confrontation with gardai because of profound concerns they had for another family member have avoided jail terms. Eoin Maughan Snr (54), Ann Maughan (58) Patrick Maughan (32), Stephen Maughan (24), and Eoin Maughan Jnr (29), all with addresses at Kilkieran Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, each pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder on November 5, 2018. Imposing sentence today Judge Orla Crowe accepted that the family had profound concerns for Eoin and Anns daughter, Ellen and the relationship she was in at the time but engaging in violent disorder is not the way to deal with it, the judge said. They broke the law, while dealing with a difficult family situation, by way of a mob reaction, Judge Crowe said. She imposed an 18 month sentence on Eoin Maughan Snr, Ann Maughan, Patrick and Eoghan Maughan Jnr which was suspended in full on strict conditions including that they engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. Eoin Maughan Jnr. Photo: Paddy Cummins Judge Crowe dealt with Stephen Maughan differently after noting that he has no previous convictions and a university degree. She said he showed exceptional promise before imposing section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act meaning that if Stephen Maughan keeps the peace and is of good behaviour until May 2025, he will not have a criminal conviction. Judge Crowe adjourned his case to April 2025, by which time Stephen Maughan must also pay a 100 fine to the garda benevolent fund. Garda Francis Chaney told Jennifer Jackson BL, prosecuting, that gardai went to a diner after a report that a woman had been forced into the back of a green Ford Galaxy. When they arrived, a man said he and his partner, Ellen Maughan, were meeting her parents, Eoin Sr and Ann Maughan at the diner. Ann Maughan left the diner, then returned a short time later with her sons Patrick, Eoin Jr and Stephen. Ellen was then forced from the diner and put into the car. Her partner followed and threw a bottle of vinegar, which smashed the back window. He was then chased by Patrick, who was carrying an implement of some sort. The man gave gardai a number of possible locations where Ellen's family members may have taken her and he went with them to one in Johnston Park. Gda Chaney told the court he saw a green Ford Galaxy with a smashed back window parked there. He said he heard shouting and cries for help, then saw Ellen trying to open a side gate. She appeared upset and asked to be taken from the house. Ellen opened the side gate and Stephen, Patrick and Eoin Jr attempted to pull her back inside. Gardai put Ellen in the patrol car with her partner. Ann, Eoin Sr, Stephen, Patrick and Eoin Jr started yelling at her and her fiance. Eoin Maughan Snr. Photo: Paddy Cummins An attempt was also made to open the doors of the patrol car and remove Ellen from it, then they tried to smash the windows of the vehicle. Gardai tried to de-escalate the situation but had to push Eoin Jr and Patrick back. Ann and Stephen became aggressive towards one of the officers present. Gda Chaney said he was struck across the head during the altercation but could not say by whom. Gardai used pepper spray and the five defendants stepped back. More officers then arrived on the scene. The five defendants voluntarily went to the garda station and gave interviews. The court heard they were co-operative and told gardai they were extremely concerned for Ellen's safety and about her relationship with her partner. Stephen has no previous convictions, while Eoin Sr has eight previous convictions for road traffic offences. Ann has 16 previous convictions, primarily for theft and public order offences while Eoin Jr has eight previous convictions including for theft. Patrick has 39 previous convictions, including five for theft and then mostly road traffic offences. The court heard Ellen has since separated from her then-partner and has made two withdrawal statements. She was present in the courts building to support her family. Gda Chaney agreed with defence counsel for each of the accused that the situation was highly emotional. It was accepted they were very concerned for Ellen, though the garda added there was no evidence to support or contradict their claims about her relationship at the time. In mitigation, defence counsel asked the court to consider the background to the offence, their clients' concerns at that time and the contents of probation reports. They asked for as much leniency as possible for their clients from the court. Counsel for Stephen said this was an isolated incident and he has not come to garda attention since. He has a good work history and plans to continue with his education. Counsel for Eoin Sr said his client is embarrassed and ashamed of his actions, which resulted from an unusual set of circumstances. A letter from Eoin Sr was handed to the court. Counsel for Ann said her client accepts her approach wasn't the best way, but it was done as a last resort out of love for her daughter. She was remorseful and apologised to gardai. She has a number of health issues. Counsel for Eoin Jr said his client acted out of love for his sister, but accepts he did wrong. A GP letter was handed to the court. Counsel said Eoin Jr has a diagnosis of ADHD and moderate learning difficulties. Counsel for Patrick said from his clients perspective, his sister was in danger. He said Patrick has attended with the Probation Service and they are willing to work with him. The witness also told the Special Criminal Court that one murder accused can be seen holding a phone over Sherry's head before delivering one final kick A garda has given an account of how gunman Tristan Sherry was stamped, kicked and beaten with chairs and a bar after he had shot and killed a man at a busy Dublin restaurant last Christmas Eve. The witness also told the Special Criminal Court that one murder accused can be seen holding a phone over Sherry's head before delivering one final kick. Det Gda Dermot Sloan has been taking the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court through montages of CCTV footage from Browne's Steakhouse on December 24 last year. The court has heard that Jason Hennessy Snr and a group of people had gathered in the restaurant when Sherry and a second man entered carrying guns and with their faces covered and hoods up. Det Gda Sloan today played CCTV footage which he told prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC shows Hennessy and other members of his group arriving at the restaurant from about 7.25pm. By 8.13pm they were gathered at tables and booths to the back of the restaurant when the two gunmen arrived. Within seconds Sherry came to the table where Hennessy was standing and shot him. Det Gda Sloan said Hennessy was disarmed during a struggle with Hennessy and other members of the group while the second gunman fled. The detective detailed the alleged actions of Michael Andrecut (22), David Amah (18) and Noah Musueni (18), who all deny murdering Sherry. The detective said that Mr Andrecut can be seen stamping on Sherry's head or body with his right foot. Seconds later, the witness said Mr Andrecut picked up a glass from a table and struck down on Sherry with the glass. The garda detailed Mr Andrecut picking up another glass and striking Sherry in the head area before stamping and lunging with his right foot in the direction of where Sherry was lying. About two minutes into the attack, a small group picked up Hennessy's body and removed him from the restaurant over Sherry, who remained on the ground. At the same time, Mr Andrecut became "quite animated in the vicinity of Tristan Sherry's head area," the detective said. The detective detailed jabbing motions by Mr Andrecut and a kick to Sherry's body before another member of the group handed him "what appears to be a knife". About three minutes into the attack, Mr Andrecut picked up a black bar, the detective said, and used it to strike Sherry in the head area. He then kicked Sherry and delivered a blow to the head using the bar before picking up a chair and striking down on Sherry's head area. Having left, Mr Andrecut returned to deliver a kick to Sherry's head before leaving and returning again, the detective said. On the final occasion, Det Gda Sloan said Mr Andrecut held a phone over Sherry's head and delivered one more kick before a woman pushed him away. The detective said David Amah could be seen stamping and kicking towards Sherry's body and head before picking up a chair and using it to strike Sherry's body. He left the restaurant about four minutes after the attack had begun. Noah Musueni ran to a bathroom when the violence broke out before returning to the restaurant where he helped to remove Hennessy's body. Seconds after Hennessy was removed, the detective said Mr Musueni stamped on Sherry's head area before picking something up from a table and delivering a jabbing motion to Sherry's body. The detective detailed five further jabbing motions by Musueni towards Sherry over a 50 second period during which he also delivered a kick to Sherry's head area, the detective said. About four minutes after the attack had begun, Det Gda Sloan said Mr Musueni threw a chair which hit Sherry in the head and body area. Jonas Kabangu (18), who is charged with violent disorder, ran through the restaurant kitchen and out to the carpark when the violence began, Det Gda Sloan said. A little over one minute later, Mr Kabangu returned and kicked Sherry twice before helping to lift Hennessy out of the restaurant. The detective will continue his evidence tomorrow before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge James Faughnan. Three men are currently on trial charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry on 24 December, 2023 at Brownes Steakhouse, Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. They are Noah Musueni (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown; David Amah (18), Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin; and Michael Andrecut (22), Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown. Jonas Kabangu (18), Corduff Park, Blanchardstown and 18-year-old Diarmuid O'Brien of Corduff Place, Blanchardstown are charged with violent disorder at the same location on that date. Brandon Hennessy (21) of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15 - the son of Jason Hennessy Snr - is also charged with violent disorder. All the accused have pleaded not guilty. Barrister Tracy Ennis Faherty, counsel for the boys, said one of them had suffered a pinch injury to his shoulder while being manhandled out of The Square The actions of a security guard, who picked on two children and threw them out of The Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght, have been described by a judge as bizarre. Judge Terence OSullivan said in the Circuit Civil Court that while a business entity was entitled to refuse entry to anyone they did not wish to have on their premises, he was at a loss as to why two boys, both aged 12, had been kicked out by being physically removed from the shopping centre. Barrister Tracy Ennis Faherty, counsel for the boys, said one of them had suffered a pinch injury to his shoulder while being manhandled out of The Square. They hadnt even been allowed in as they were met by security guards barely inside the entrance and put out, she said. They said to both of them get out and physically removed them from the premises. Ennis Faherty, who appeared with Colm OCochlain Solicitors for Hugo Davin and Kyle Murphy, said both boys had just made their confirmation a week before the incident and had been mortified by what had happened to them. She said that although both The Square Management Limited and its security provider, Bidvest Noonan, had been sued, the security company had acted promptly and offered compensation and an apology to both boys and their families for what it described as a regrettable incident. A letter stated: I wish to apologize on behalf of Bidvest Noonan for the stress and upset caused and in recognition of the mistake made we have undertaken to compensate (them) and to discharge legal costs. Bidvest Noonan (ROI) Ltd, Hilton House, Swords Business Park, Co Dublin, stated the company wished both boys all the best in the future. Hugo, of Monalea Wood, Firhouse, Dublin, had sued through his father Bernard Davin, while his friend, Kyle, of Wood Dale Green, Ballycullen, Dublin, had sued through his mother Siobhan, for defamation of character and assault. Judge OSullivan, approving settlement offers by Bidvest Noonan Limited of 7,500 each, without admission of liability, for the boys, said the court could not understand why it had happened. It does seem bizarre and it looks as if the security guards got it wrong, Judge OSullivan said. It was a nasty thing to happen. The Court of Appeal rejected his contention that the prosecution unfairly sought to spotlight his failure to give evidence at trial in their closing address and had poured scorn on the testimony of a sleep disorder expert A man who claimed he was suffering from sexsomnia when he raped a co-worker has failed in an appeal against his conviction. The Court of Appeal rejected his contention that the prosecution unfairly sought to spotlight his failure to give evidence at trial in their closing address and had poured scorn on the testimony of a sleep disorder expert. Delivering judgement today, Ms Justice Tara Burns said the three-judge court was not upholding any of the 30-year-old Dublin mans grounds of appeal. The man, who cannot be named to protect the anonymity of his victim, had pleaded not guilty to a single count of rape but was convicted on February 9th, 2018 by a majority verdict following a Central Criminal Court trial. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo imposed a sentence of eight years and suspended the final two years on strict conditions, including that the man places himself under the supervision of the Probation Service. During the trial, the defence submitted that the man suffered from a sleep disorder called sexsomnia where people engage in sexual behaviour while asleep. In her victim impact statement, the woman described the mans claims that he carried out the offence in his sleep as belittling. A sentencing hearing was told the man and woman had been working together at the time of the rape. They had been socialising as part of a group on February 8th, 2018 and at the end of the night, the man invited the group back to his Dublin apartment to continue the party. The woman tried to go to sleep in the living room but it was cold and she later went into the mans bedroom to sleep on the bed. She was fully clothed when she lay down. The woman later woke up to the man having sex with her. The fact that non-consensual sexual intercourse took place was accepted, however the appellants case was that he was not conscious of this by virtue of being asleep. The defence called Dr John Garvey, consultant in respiratory medicine who specialised in sleep disorders. He said sexsomnia is usually triggered by proximity and indiscriminate interaction with a randomly present person and episodes are typically not remembered, with patients remaining unaware of their behaviour at the relevant time. The man subsequently launched an appeal against his conviction last July, submitting that the trial judge erred in failing to discharge the jury following impermissible, wholly unfair and seriously prejudicial comments made by prosecution counsel in their closing address to the jury. At the appeal hearing Michael Bowman SC, representing the man, said there had also been a consistent theme running through the closing speech which sought to shine a spotlight on the accuseds failure to give evidence in his trial and subject himself to cross-examination. In delivering judgement today, Ms Justice Burns said the court did not agree that the prosecution counsels closing address amounted to a criticism of the appellant. She said in his speech, counsel had referred to the appellants presumption of innocence; his right to silence; the burden of proof and the fact that no adverse inference could be drawn against the man because he had not given evidence. The judge said the court was of the opinion that nothing unfair or prejudicial to the appellant was said by counsel for the prosecution and that the appellants presumption of innocence and right to silence had not been breached. Mr Bowman also argued the adverse commentary in the closing speech was not confined to the appellants failure to give evidence. He submitted the prosecution repeatedly poured scorn on Dr Garveys testimony. Lorcan Staines, for the DPP, contended that the comments made in relation to Dr Garvey were legally permissible and appropriate. Ms Justice Burns noted that counsel for the State closed with scathing criticism of the evidence given by the Dr Garvey, following a demanding cross-examination. The judge said that as was his right, the appellant did not give evidence in the trial. She said accordingly, the information provided by the man to Dr Garey, which was relied upon by Dr Garvey in forming his opinion, had no evidential basis in the trial. She went on to say that the court found the trial judge did not err in his refusal to permit Dr Garvey give evidence of another doctors opinion and said the grounds of appeal in that regards also failed. She said the other doctor could have been called to give their own expert opinion but having their opinion expressed and relied upon by Dr Garvey for the purpose of expert testimony was not permitted. Another ground advanced at the appeal was that the judge erred in permitting the prosecution to adduce evidence of one of the appellants co-workers to suggest that the man had a prior motive or sexual interest in the complainant. Mr Bowman suggested the ruling to permit the evidence was prejudicial to the appellants fair trial. Ms Justice Burns said that while the question for the jury was whether the appellant was asleep or not, the issue of him having an interest or attraction to the victim was of significance. She said if the evidence was accepted by the jury, it established a prior interest by the appellant in the victim. The court also rejected a ground of appeal relating to a pre-trial hearing ruling permitting the complainant and a witness in the case to give their evidence at trial by video-link from abroad. Ms Justice Burns said this was a decision which fell within the discretion of the Central Criminal Court Judge before whom the application was made and so he had not erred in his decision. She said in circumstances where the court had not upheld any of the grounds advanced, the mans appeal against conviction was dismissed. The mans sentencing hearing was told that the woman woke up to the appellant having sex with her. When she asked what he was doing, she said the man replied: You wanted me. When questioned by gardai, the man said nothing had happened and that he could only recall going to bed. DNA tests found his semen on the womans underwear and tights. The court heard the appellant had made sexual comments to the woman before the night of the assault including: That top leaves nothing to the imagination and those lips could give a good blowjob. Morrow admitted 16 charges of blackmail, which he committed over a period from January 14 to April 3, 2023 A Belfast man who created a false online account and who blackmailed 16 separate woman he met on Tinder into sending him sexual images and videos was jailed for 20 months. As he sentenced Christopher Morrow at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Gordon Kerr KC said the 27-year-old degraded and mocked the women and threatened that he would send sexual images to their family, friends and employers. Morrow admitted 16 charges of blackmail, which he committed over a period from January 14 to April 3, 2023. The father-of-one, from Belvoir Drive, also admitted possessing an extreme pornographic image on April 10, 2023. Judge Kerr imposed a 40-month sentence, which was divided equally between prison and licence. The court heard that in February and March 2023 the PSNI received a number of reports from females regarding online contact with a male, called Joseph, they met on Tinder. The women reported that after the initial meetings on Tinder, the conversations then moved to Snapchat and became more sexual, with intimate images and videos being exchanged consensually. Joseph was a false identity created by Morrow, who, after obtaining sexual images, then threatened that he would share them if the women didnt send him more explicit images or videos. On some occasions, Morrow sent screenshots of the womens family members Facebook accounts and threatened to send the images to them, whilst on other occasions he said he would send them to work colleagues. Morrow also told one of his victims that he was going to contact her grandmother and tell her that her granddaughter had been selling naked pictures of herself online unless she sent further images or videos. He was arrested on April 10, 2023, and his phone was seized. This provided evidence that Morrow had set up the false Joseph profile on Tinder and Snapchat using images and information from the Instagram account of a male in England. During a police interview in August 2023, he denied having any contact with any of the 16 victims and said he had not used Tinder for seven years. Despite his initial denials, Morrow subsequently admitted all 17 counts levelled against him. Judge Kerr said that Morrows offending had left his victims feeling distraught, anxious, violated and terrified that their images would be shared. He said: It is absolutely clear in each case that they have been extremely badly affected by the experience they have had. They have been left feeling uneasy, in fear, that they have been abused and, in all cases, that it has affected their ability to go on to the internet and seek any further companionship or partnership on that way. The judge set out several aggravating factors, including the distress Morrow caused to multiple victims and the pre-meditation involved for his own sexual gratification. Also noted was a claim made by Morrow that his offending occurred at a time when there were emotional difficulties and lack of sex in his relationship with his partner, who at the time was pregnant. Judge Kerr said he had also considered defence submissions which set out Morrows lack of previous convictions, his remorse and his responsibilities to his family. The judge said, in his view, Morrow had no regard for the affect his actions had on his victims and that he humiliated them and caused them significant emotional harm. Imposing the 40-month term, Judge Kerr said: The use of the internet to manipulate and take advantage of others for sexual purposes requires an immediate custodial sentence. Patrick McNamee (28) of Burwood, Buncrana appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court A Co Donegal man was caught with over 5,000 worth of drugs in his home after gardai were alerted after finding a discarded envelope he had used to post drugs across the county and was identified from CCTV in a post office. Patrick McNamee (28) of Burwood, Buncrana appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court on Friday to be sentenced for three counts of the possession of illegal drugs for the purpose of selling or supplying on March 25, 2021. A search warrant was issued for McNamees home after an envelope was found in a bin at another house in Donegal Town. The court heard there was seven or eight well dressed people in the house drinking alcohol and watching the Cheltenham horse racing festival. Gardai found quantities of drugs and one man was asked if a white substance was his and he handed detectives a tablet and said it was basically cannabis, it came with my weed. In the course of the investigation, gardai noted an envelope in the bin which was addressed to the man in the house and gardai noted the envelope had come from Buncrana Post Office and the drugs were inside the envelope. Detectives accessed the CCTV of the post office and it showed the accused buying a stamp. A search warrant was obtained for McNamees home in Buncrana. A haul of drugs including 306 ecstasy tablets, 28.1 grams of cocaine and 4.5 grams of cannabis were found in a room of the house. The total value of the drugs found was 5,407 while Gardai also recovered 5,630 in cash. The court heard McNamee made full admissions to gardai and held his hands up. He told gardai he had severe addictions, while he said it was all my fault adding he had a debt to pay which would now be worse. The court heard McNamee has no previous convictions. Letterkenny courthouse. At Letterkenny Courthouse on Friday, an investigating garda said McNamee had been 100 percent with me with the whole way through and he had led gardai to where the drugs were in the house. He explained McNamee had been living in London but had returned home for all engagements in relation to the case. The court heard McNamee had got into debt with certain elements and he had moved to London to get away and was working in the construction industry. McNamees barrister, Mr Peter Nolan BL explained McNamee started selling drugs to pay for his own habit but had found himself increasingly involved. Mr Nolan said there was a sense of relief when the guards arrived at his door and he does not attempt to minimalise his offending. Mr Nolan outlined how McNamee began experimenting with drugs such as cannabis after his parents separated and it had escalated to other drugs. The court heard he has a few good friends in London and had not had any contact with the previous cohorts in Buncrana. Mr Nolan said McNamee was engaging in regular exercise, had identified triggers for his addictions and was deemed suitable for community service, which McNamee said he will return home to complete if required. Mr Nolan said McNamee was co-operative, has no previous convictions and had shown genuine remorse. A positive reference from McNamees employer was also handed into the court and Mr Nolan asked Judge John Aylmer to be as lenient as possible. Mr Nolan told the judge, You will not see McNamee before you again. Judge John Aylmer said McNamee was before the court on three charges relating to three relatively same quantities and he was dealing in a small way to deal with his own drug issues. Judge Aylmer said the defendant was forced into a situation where he had to engage in sale and supply and he deemed the offences to be at the lower end of the scale of offending carrying a sentence of 18 months in prison on each count before mitigation. In mitigation, Judge Aylmer said McNamee was fully cooperative with gardai and had a view of the detection being fortunate and prevented him from continuing on his journey into the criminal world. The judge also referred to the early guilty plea, McNamees good family support, his rehabilitation and full time employment as mitigating factors. Judge Aylmer said it seemed that McNamee could not have dealt with the matter any better. He reduced the sentence to one of 12 months in prison on each count. However, having regard for the positive probation report which deemed that supervision would not be suitable due to his low risk of reoffending, Judge Aylmer said he was going to take the unusual step and suspend each of the sentences of 12 months for a period of 12 months. McNamee was ordered to enter into a bond to keep the peace and be off good behaviour. He was also ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs for a 12 month period. A destruction order for the drugs and a forfeiture order for 5,630 in cash were also made by Judge Aylmer. Cailean Crawford (28) today pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy on the 27th of July 2020 at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. The State intends to prove that a 28-year-old murder accused is the gunman who repeatedly shot a grandfather quite viciously and without mercy at the front door of his mothers home, a prosecution barrister has told a jury. Cailean Crawford (28) today pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy on the 27th of July 2020 at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. In his opening speech, prosecution counsel Bernard Condon SC told the jury that there is no doubt over whether Mr McCarthy was murdered, but rather it is a case of whether Mr Crawford is the one who did it. He said there was undoubtedly more than one person involved in a conspiracy over the murder. Mr Condon said that the Director of Public Prosecution's case will be made using evidence from phone call records, the movements of several vehicles on CCTV and other Garda investigations at the time. He said that all evidence leads to July 2020 when Thomas McCarthy, who was 55 years old at the time, was shot dead quite viciously without mercy and there was no doubt that what happened to him was murder. Mr Condon said that Mr McCarthy, who had five children and two grandchildren, was living in the UK at the time and had returned home to visit his family and his mother, who lived at the address in Ballyfermot. Thomas McCarthy He said on the morning of the shooting, Mr McCarthy had brought his brother to a hospital appointment, did some errands and then they both arrived back home at around 10.40am. Mr Condon said that at 10.55am they heard a knock on the door and the deceased was greeted by a man with a gun. The gunman fired at least five times at Mr McCarthy, with entry wounds mostly to the back. Counsel said Mr McCarthy died very quickly in the hallway of his own mothers house. It is the prosecutions case that the gunman standing at the door was Mr Crawford, who it is alleged came to the scene in a blue Ford Fiesta car which counsel said was seen driving in and out of the area on CCTV. Mr Condon said that the man stopped the car a short distance away, got out and set it alight. He then got into a silver Skoda Octavia car which had been parked up waiting. That car then drove away and was seen on CCTV in Clondalkin, where it was also burned out. The person was then seen getting in a black Toyota Avensis driven by someone else, with the vehicle then making its way to Castlegate Walk in Adamstown. Mr Condon said a black Mercedes jeep was then seen driving from Castlegate Walk, where the prosecution alleges Mr Crawford got into the passenger side of the vehicle wearing a distinctive red jumper. Counsel said there will be evidence that CCTV footage shows the accused back at work wearing the jumper, which it is alleged he had not been wearing when he arrived for work that morning. In addition to this, prosecution counsel said there will be evidence that Mr Crawford first approached the house in the blue Ford Fiesta at around 9.30am, but returned to his starting position when he noticed that Mr McCarthy was not at home at the time. Mr Condon said that the jury will hear phone calls which will show part of the conspiracy that was going on at the time. He also said that a SIM card was purchased, used for a short amount of time on the morning of the murder, and then was discarded. The trial will continue tomorrow in front of Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of six men and six women. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Low-income countries require access to climate finance, Director of Climate and Energy Policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists Rachel Cleetus said at a press conference within the framework of COP29, Trend reports. "One of the pivotal issues at COP29 is climate finance, which is urgently required by low-income countries to facilitate a swift and equitable transition to clean energy, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and address loss and damage effectively," Cleetus noted. She stressed the critical need to achieve consensus on the New Collective Quantified Goal for Climate Finance (NCQG), which is projected to reach as high as $1 trillion. "It is essential for high-emitting countries, such as the United States, to take a leadership role in addressing this issue. At the same time, the contributions of other nations, regardless of their emissions levels, should also be actively encouraged and embraced," she added. Cleetus also noted with concern the alarming acceleration of the planet's average temperature rise. "If world leaders fail to take immediate action, we risk a temperature increase of 3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This would lead to irreversible consequences for our planet's climate. We cannot afford to delayevery moment counts," she said. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Matley pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having the drugs for sale or supply at the airport on March 10, 2024 A search of his suitcase led to the discovery of 28 vacuum packed packages of cannabis. Stock image A teenager who was caught red-handed in Dublin Airport with just over 250,000 worth of vacuum packed cannabis has been jailed for two and half years. Lucas Matley (19) who is from Manchester, England, later admitted to gardai that he had travelled to Las Vegas for five days in an arrangement to pick up the suitcase and fly to Ireland with the drugs. He was to be paid 5,000 Stg to transport the 12.8kg of cannabis worth an estimated 257,860. Matley pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having the drugs for sale or supply at the airport on March 10, 2024. Judge Orla Crowe said that Matley had been paid to travel abroad and bring drugs back into this country before she noted the havoc that is wrought on society in every conceivable way through the abuse and dealing of drugs. She acknowledged that Matley had no previous convictions, had co-operated with the garda investigation and is on an enhanced regime in prison since his remand there in March. Judge Crowe said a headline sentence of four years was warranted before she took mitigating factors into account, including letters from Matleys former school which described him as a well-regarded student. The judge imposed a sentence of three years with the final six months suspended for a year. Garda Thomas McLoughlin told Jane Murphy BL, prosecuting, that Matley had just come off a flight from Boston when an anomaly showed up on the x-ray of his luggage. A subsequent search of his suitcase led to the discovery of 28 vacuum packed packages of cannabis. Matley later told gardai in interview that he had been paid 5,000 Stg to carry the drugs. He said he regretted his involvement. Gda McLoughlin agreed with Carl Hanahoe SC, defending, that his client had made no great effort to conceal the drugs in his suitcase. He further accepted that Matley had no previous convictions and had co-operated with the garda investigation. Mr Hanahoe said his client was quite clearly a courier and asked the court to accept that he was otherwise of good character. Counsel handed in a letter of apology from his client in which he accepted responsibility for his actions. Delivery man assaulted teen customer in his car Arslan Cheema didnt want to address his conviction when the Sunday World called A creepy food delivery driver who sexually assaulted a teenage customer claimed he is not a danger to anyone after walking free from court this week. Arslan Cheema (29), of Brookwood Avenue, Artane, Dublin, carried out the sickening sexual assault in a car outside student accommodation in the city centre in April 2021. He forcibly grabbed the shocked 19-old womans hand and placed it on his penis before grabbing her face and repeatedly attempting to kiss her after he delivered food to her student accommodation. The incident led to the young woman suffering a breakdown. Arslan Cheema Cheema, whose partner was pregnant when he carried out the attack, walked free from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Monday after being given an 18-month suspended sentence. Cheema was unapologetic when the Sunday World called to his home this week, declining the opportunity to say her was sorry for what he did. Asked if he was still a danger to women, he claimed: I am not a danger to anybody. Our reporter asked Cheema a number of questions, including if he regretted and had remorse for what he did, if the attack was a one-off and if he understood the impact his actions had on his victim. However, he repeatedly said: I dont want to say anything without my solicitor. Asked why he would need his solicitor present to explain his actions, he said Im having my breakfast so He refused to answer further questions. As I said I dont want to say anything about this. I dont want to say anything to you at all. He then repeated that he was not a danger to anybody despite his offending and returned back inside his home. Arslan Cheema didnt want to address his conviction when the Sunday World called The court heard the injured party was 19 at the time and ordered regular takeaways from Cheema. In a victim impact statement, which she previously read to the court, the student addressed Cheema, saying he had destroyed her self-image and her confidence. You hurt me so much; no one can even begin to imagine what you have done to me, the young woman said. She said she was devastated after the assault and scrubbed her hands so hard they bled. I felt so disgusted with myself. I had a breakdown. I ended up in hospital, said the woman, who added that she was put on anti- depressants and anti-psychotics, which made her gain weight and feel like a zombie. Judge Orla Crowe said Cheema abused a level of familiarity, comfort and trust between himself and the victim. She said the aggravating factors included the breach of trust and the impact on the victim. She said the victim impact statement described the profound effects on the woman, who thought she could trust him [Cheema] and he abused that trust. The judge said the court was mindful that it could not undo that damage through the sentencing process. Judge Crowe said Cheemas apology when contacted by the womans friend that night rang hollow to this court, however, she noted that he had belatedly recognised the harm caused to the victim. Having considered the mitigation, she imposed an 18-month sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions for a period of three years. Judge Crowe said the suspended sentence would hang over him in terms of his behaviour and warned that if he comes to negative garda attention during this period, the court may take a different view. The judge noted Cheema will also be on the sex offenders register. After leaving his takeaway job, Cheema was employed as a Bus Eireann Expressway driver but his barrister said that he had lost his job since a previous hearing due to publicity associated with this case. Her chief concern was that she had a tampon up inside her. That it was there for an amount of time. She was concerned about it A paramedic who tended to Nikita Hand the morning after her alleged rape by mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has told the High Court she was crying, quite distressed and afraid. She said she was sexually assaulted, said Neil Dempsey, a paramedic and firefighter with Dublin Fire Brigade. Her chief concern was that she had a tampon up inside her. That it was there for an amount of time. She was concerned about it. Mr Dempsey said Ms Hand became more distressed and had a panic attack as she was brought in an ambulance to the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin. Footage played to the court from inside the ambulance showed Mr Dempsey sitting her up in the ambulance after she had a panic attack. It also showed extensive bruising on her legs while she was being examined by his colleague Eithne Scully. Ms Scully told the court there was a cut on Ms Hands chin and also bruising around her neck and on her buttocks. She was very bruised. I havent actually seen somebody so bruised in a long time, she said. Ms Scully said Ms Hand told her she had been grabbed around the neck. She said about fighting somebody off. That there was a threat made to her, Ms Scully said. Conor McGregor The paramedics were giving evidence on the fifth day of Ms Hands civil action for damages against McGregor and his associate James Lawrence. They responded to a call to go to Ms Hands mothers house in Drimnagh, Dublin on December 10, 2018 the day after she alleges she was brutally raped and battered by McGregor in a penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford. In the civil action, Ms Hand (35) claims she was raped by both of McGregor (36) and Lawrence in the penthouse on December 9, 2018. Both deny her claims. McGregor claims she was a willing participant in consensual sex. Another witness, Dr Frank Clarke of Walkinstown Medical Centre, told the court he had seen Ms Hand as a patient since she was a child. He diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of the alleged events at the hotel and certified her unfit to work in May 2019. Dr Clarke said PTSD was a condition caused by an extremely terrifying event. He said symptoms included flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive thoughts. The doctor also said memory loss or partial memory was an important feature of the condition. Ms Hand, a hair colourist from Drimnagh in Dublin, went to the hotel with McGregor the morning after a Christmas party where she consumed beer, spirts and cocaine. James Lawrence outside court this week. Photo: Collins Courts Also present in the penthouse were Lawrence and her work colleague Danielle Kealey. Ms Hand took the civil action after the Director of Public Prosecutions directed there be no criminal prosecution. She initially only filed a garda complaint against McGregor, but this changed after Lawrence came forward and claimed he too had sex with her in the penthouse on the same day. The mother of one maintains she only remembers being raped by McGregor and has no recollection of any sort of sexual relations with Lawrence. The case continues before a jury of four men and eight women. Spanish public prosecutors are seeking a 21-year prison sentence for Keith Byrne for strangling mum-of-one Kirsty Ward at their Costa Dorada holiday hotel. AN IRISHMAN has been charged with the murder of his south Dublin girlfriend and warned he could be caged for more than two decades if convicted. Spanish public prosecutors are seeking a 21-year prison sentence for Keith Byrne for strangling mum-of-one Kirsty Ward at their Costa Dorada holiday hotel. The 32-year-old remains on remand in jail following his arrest 16 months ago. Today it emerged Dubliner Byrne had been formally charged after a long-running criminal probe by a specialist gender violence investigating judge as the details of the public prosecution case against him were released for the first time. A five-page prosecution indictment submitted to the Spanish courts accuses Byrne of strangling Kirsty to death with a hair straightener power cord hours after she dumped him following a row in their hotel room. They claim he acted with the intention of killing the 36-year-old because he couldnt accept the end of their eight-month relationship. And they allege the Irishman, who had been living in Duleek, Co Meath, took advantage of his superior strength and the fact his alleged victim had no easy escape from their room at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Salou near the east coast city of Tarragona to prevent her from defending herself. Byrne insisted soon after his arrest over the July 2 2023 killing he was innocent, claiming he found Kirsty lying prone with a ligature round her neck and tried to revive her in the doorway of their room. Keith Byrne Shooting down those claims in their hard-hitting indictment Tarragona-based public prosecutors said, outlining their version of events the day of the killing which they said occurred after a deterioration in Kirstys relationship with Byrne: During the holiday period which began on June 30 2023 and was due to last a week the climate of conflict and disengagement between the accused and the victim continued. On July 2 2023, after a new row that afternoon in their hotel room, she decided to end their relationship, following which the accused man left. About 9pm the same day he returned to the hotel and had another row with the victim in their hotel room. During that row the accused, unwilling to accept the break-up, and with the aim of causing death or knowing that was a possibility, got hold of the power cable of a hair straightener, put it round the victims neck and immediately pulled it tight, strangling her and causing her death by mechanical asphyxiation. They added in the indictment, saying the drink and drugs Kirsty had consumed also affected her ability to defend herself: The accused when he strangled his victim did so taking advantage of the privacy of their hotel room and his superior physical strength. She was also under the effects of a prior consumption of alcohol, cocaine, Benzoylecgonine and Lidocaine which prevented her from defending herself in equal conditions, leaving her unable to do anything to avoid her death. Public prosecutors are accusing Byrne of aggravated murder and not simple homicide under Spanish law because of his alleged execution of the crime in a way or with means that left the victim defenceless. As well as a 21-year prison sentence if convicted as charged at trial they are demanding he pay Kirstys teenage child, 14 at the time she died, 150,000 in compensation and her mum 100,000. Kirsty Ward No date for the trial, now expected to take place next year and before Byrne's two years of custody are up, has yet been set. Lawyers acting for Kirstys family are also expected to prosecute him alongside the Spanish state in the same case. The punishment they are seeking on conviction is not known. It emerged following Byrnes Spanish arrest that he was wanted in England by Royal Military Police for going AWOL after he left for Ireland in 2017. In the aftermath of Kirstys murder, he was remanded in custody after appearing before a special court in Tarragona that deals with violence against women in a closed hearing. The soldier, who served in the Irish Guards and Parachute Regiment before abandoning his post in Colchester, Essex, claimed after being sent to prison he found his partner dead with a cord around her neck when he returned to their hotel room. Saying he had gone back to pick up his passport and suitcase after a previous argument when they had decided to split up, Byrne insisted: She had been dead for some time and was so cold. I never felt cold like that before. I just cant get it out of my head. I took the cord off and screamed for help and some British tourists next door rushed over. The man then said, 'Let me take over' and started giving her CPR as well. I kept screaming Please come back, baby, please I love you, please dont go. Now I am being accused of killing her, but I have never been arrested in all my life. The 61-year-old is eyeing up a seat in Dublin Central. Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch arrived at Dublin Airport this morning, and confirmed his intent to run in the upcoming general election. Nicola and Niall discuss his statements to the press at the airport. These were very reckless incidents and it is a miracle that no one was seriously injured or worse, a source said. It was a miracle that no one was injured after gardai responded to two separate arson attacks which took place on opposite sides of the city on Monday night. In one incident in Dublin 22, which occurred at 10.40pm, a young baby had to be evacuated after the home was completely gutted. Two other homes were damaged in the firebomb attack which sources say was carried out by a violent local gang who are involved in an ongoing feud in the area. The occupants of the home damaged in the attack have no links to the feud. Earlier on the other side of the city, a house in the East Wall area was targeted in a petrol bomb attack. A man in his early 50s was sitting at home watching TV when a front window of the house was smashed in and a petrol bomb was thrown into the property at around 6.30pm. The man managed to put out the fire and no major damage or injuries were reported. The arson attack is being investigated by Store Street gardai who are trying to establish a motive for the incident. These were very reckless incidents and it is a miracle that no one was seriously injured or worse, a source said. Meanwhile Ronanstown gardai are investigating just the latest arson attack in their district as an ongoing criminal feud in the area continues to rage. There was a large armed garda presence observed last night outside the severely damaged property and this continued in the Buirg An Ri Walk estate this morning but no arrests have been made. Gardai responded to an incident of criminal damage that occurred at a residential premises in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 at approximately 10:40pm last night, Monday, 11th of November 2024, a garda spokesman told the Sunday World. No injuries were reported. Investigations are ongoing at this time, he added. In May, a 45-year-old woman had a lucky escape when her home was destroyed in a petrol bomb attack at nearby Buirg An Ri Terrace. Investigations revealed that the target was a criminal aged in his 20s who is known to the innocent woman. Earlier this year we revealed that children as young as 15 years of age are active participants in a west Dublin feud that continues to threatening to spiral out of control. Apart from arson attacks, there has been serious assaults and gun attacks as well as incidents in which people have been deliberately run over by vehicles. It is tit-for-tat really and has been for a long time. It is hard to even know when this all started, a source said. Up to the end of March this year there was an 11pc increase in arson offences compared to the previous 12 months according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow, the statement added. A man in his 50s who was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Jo Jo Dullard has been released without charge. Gardai confirmed the development in a statement this afternoon, but said a search operation on open ground at a location near the Wicklow/Kildare border is continuing. The investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow, the statement added. The arrested man was one of the last people known to have interacted with her before she went missing. The man, in his 50s, has long been a person of significant interest to detectives and made a statement to gardai shortly after Ms Dullard disappeared. He was detained yesterday morning and was being questioned at a garda station in Kildare before his release earlier today. The first arrest in the cold-case investigation came after gardai issued a detailed appeal over the weekend. Jo Jo Dullard was 21 when she disappeared on November 9, 1995. In 2019, the gardas cold-case unit began a review into her disappearance. This was upgraded to a murder investigation the following year. Since then, the Serious Crime Review Team has generated almost 800 recommendations for detectives in Kildare to follow up on. They relate to new avenues of investigation and old lines of inquiry to be revisited. Jo Jo Dullard This includes evaluating telephone traffic, CCTV evidence, witness statements and intelligence related to the investigation. Gardai yesterday began carrying out searches of a site in Co Wicklow on the Kildare-Wicklow border. A significant amount of machinery was brought in to excavate the land. Two residential properties connected to the suspect were also searched by gardai. A forensic anthropologist is assisting in the hope that gardai can locate Ms Dullards remains at the site. In a media briefing, Superintendent Paul Burke said the investigation is being led by detectives in Kildare and the Serious Crime Review Team. An Garda Siochana have been and continue to keep the family of Jo Jo Dullard fully updated in relation to this investigation and they have been fully appraised of all of todays developments, he said. Ms Dullards father, John, died before she was born and her mother, Nora, died from cancer in 1983. Ms Dullard was the youngest of five children. On the night she disappeared, she had been socialising in Bruxelles Bar in Dublin city centre. She missed her last bus home to Kilkenny and instead boarded a bus to Naas, Co Kildare, intending to hitch-hike the rest of the way home. She hitched a lift from Naas to the slip road on the M9 motorway at Kilcullen, and at around 11.15pm hitched another lift to Moone, Co Kildare. She then called her friend, Mary Cullinan, from a telephone box in Moone at 11.37pm. During the call she told her friend that a car had stopped for her and that she would take a lift. Speaking on the 29th anniversary of her youngest sisters disappearance last week, her sister Kathleen Bergin said: That day she went to Dublin, our lives changed forever. She is out there somewhere and we need to bring her home. Her nieces and nephews thought the world of her, with her disappearance having a huge impact on her family. When Jo Jo got to the phone box in Moone, we would often wonder what went through her mind when she realised, Im not going to get back home again. I can only imagine the fear that she was going through. Ms Bergin said her sister deserves to be brought home and laid to rest beside her parents. She asked those who may have information to look into their hearts and find the courage to come forward, as even a small detail could be the piece of the jigsaw that we are looking for. We need Jo Jo to finish her journey home, she added. Anonymous message for former Sinn Fein spokesman as he is sent to jail for child sex offences The house in Derry's Limewood street where a pipe bomb was thrown through the living room window, and (inset) Michael McMonagle and the note A sign urging paedophile Michael McMonagle to move out of his home was posted on his front door this week after a pipe-bomb attack in the street. McMonagle, a former press officer with Sinn Fein, was jailed for nine months on Friday for a series of child sex offences. The 43-year-olds case sparked a major political scandal after it was revealed two ex-colleagues in Sinn Fein gave him references for a new job in 2022 while he was still under police investigation for the offences. On Monday night, just four days before McMonagles sentencing, a pipe bomb was thrown through the living room window of a house close to McMonagles address at Limewood Street in Derry. An elderly couple living in the house miraculously escaped injury, but extensive damage was caused to their home. The attack is believed to have been carried out by absolute morons in the New IRA who mistakenly thought it was McMonagles house. In the days after the pipe-bomb attack, a typed message asking McMonagle to leave the area was stuck to the front door of his home. In the message, the writer highlighted the impact of the attack on his neighbours. Wed all hope you would please leave our street as a sign of respect to your fellow neighbours in case an incident like this happens again, the message read. The note to McMonagle from residents of his street However, McMonagle will be spending the next nine months in jail after he was sentenced at Derry Crown Court on Friday. He had pleaded guilty earlier this year to 14 charges, including 12 counts of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to engage a child in sexual activity. It emerged for the first time at Fridays hearing that the children McMonagle believed he was communicating with online were in fact police officers pretending to be children in an attempt to snare sex offenders. McMonagle was first arrested on August 19, 2021, at a time when he was working for Sinn Fein. He was suspended from the party the following day after telling Sinn Fein about his arrest, and his contract with the party was later ended in June 2022. The court was told on Friday that McMonagle used several online platforms, including Snapchat, to contact children. Michael McMonagle, with Martin McGuinness at the SD Ard Fheis in 2016 He used a number of different usernames, including Derryman, Mick Derry and In Derry. The content of the discussions he had with the police officers posing as children was sexual in nature and included McMonagle telling one young girl how to masturbate. On another occasion, he sent a young girl a picture of his erect penis. Evidence from a large number of the sexually explicit discussions were outlined in court. When first questioned by police, McMonagle claimed he had not knowingly communicated with young people under 16, despite the police decoy profiles indicating the children were as young as 12 years old. When he first appeared in court in August 2023, McMonagle denied the offences, which took place between May 2020 and August 2021, but pleaded guilty at a court hearing in September this year. A few days after his guilty plea, it was revealed two former colleagues of McMonagles in Sinn Fein had provided references for him to get a job with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in September 2022. Neither of the references mentioned McMonagles arrest or the reason why he had been suspended from Sinn Fein. When he took up the job with the BHF, the police investigation into his then alleged child sex offence crimes was continuing. Michelle O'Neill with McMonagle Sinn Fein said the party had not given permission for the references to be provided for McMonagle, adding his two former colleagues had resigned as a result of the revelation. The controversy around the references sparked a political scandal which engulfed Sinn Fein for several weeks and led to further revelations around child protection issues within the party. Speaking in court on Friday, McMonagles defence barrister criticised the level of press coverage of his clients case and claimed it had been politicised because of McMonagles previous involvement with Sinn Fein. The barrister highlighted that the case and its fallout had been raised in both the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Dail. He also claimed there had been a total eclipse of the truth in relation to the case, and said McMonagle had not been charged with grooming children or had never met any of the children he believed he was communicating with. The barrister said he was not saying his clients crimes were not serious, but claimed McMonagle had been the victim of a media witch-hunt. Michael McMonagle In a pre-sentence report prepared for the court, a probation officer said McMonagle denied having any sexual interest in children. According to the report, he told the probation officer: I didnt connect the words on a screen to real life. I didnt think it was real, I was detached from reality. I am totally ashamed, its not me in the real world. Im mortified to be honest, its like I dont recognise myself by doing that. The court was told McMonagle, who has no previous convictions, is assessed as having a medium likelihood of reoffending. He received a sentence of 18 months and will serve nine months in prison, before being released on licence for a further nine months. Speaking outside the courthouse on Friday, one of the police officers involved in the case described McMonagle as a predator who had used the internet to find underage victims. Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said the PSNI used child decoys in an attempt to catch paedophiles before they traumatise and harm children in our communities. It is by no means an easy job but a rewarding one when we are able to bring offenders like McMonagle before the courts, she said. Let this serve as a warning we are everywhere. If you are attempting to communicate with a child online in a sexual way, you will be caught and you will face the full force of the law when you are. However, Detective Chief Superintendent Fisher criticised so-called paedophile hunters who also target sex offenders online with fake child profiles. The police are the only lawful accountable authority to investigate suspected criminality, she said. Not only are the workings of these groups hindering our investigations in this space, they are not in a position to ensure safeguarding issues are addressed. We take great care in gathering robust evidence and, yes, we welcome the public to come forward and report concerns to us, but we are firm in our messaging that only we should take action against potential perpetrators. The safety of victims and innocent family members should be at the forefront, as well as gathering the best possible evidence to put predators before the courts. We would remind these groups that their methods also fall within the category of criminality blackmail, assault, false imprisonment naming but a few potential charges. The PSNI have appealed for people to report any activity, online or physical, towards a child that they find concerning. Similarly, if you have concerns or suspicions that an adult you know or live with may be engaging in this type of illegal activity report to police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Grans who snared sex beast blast decision to send him back to same community he preyed upon A group of paedo-hunting grans who snared child sex beast Kevin Christy have slammed the courts for sending him back to live beside a playpark. A fortnight ago the 41-year-old Portadown pervert was sentenced to a three-year probation order after he admitted one charge of attempted sexual communication with a child. Christy told who he thought was a 14-year-old girl, but who was in fact a granny posing as one, she should join him naked in the shower and asked her to send pictures of herself. The judge at Craigavon Crown Court said he should have been jailed for 12 months but because hed already served more than six months on remand he would just be released immediately and decided a probation order would protect the public better. But Warriors of Children - the group of grans who have been stinging perverts all over the UK and Ireland - say the local community is horrified Christy was sent back to live in the community where he offended which happens to be opposite a kids park. And they say protests held outside his address by the local community have been vindicated as Christy is already back in jail for allegedly breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). Kevin Christie was stung by Warriors Of Children and was remanded in jail as a suitable bail address couldnt be provided, a group spokesperson told the Sunday World. When he was released after time served he was sent back into the very same community where he carried out the sexual offences against children - living once again directly across from a childrens play park. The local community had a protest at his return and we at Warriors Of Children want to congratulate the people of Portadown from both sides of the community for standing with us in order to protect our children from these monsters. And then lo and behold it only took a few days for Kevin to break his SOPO by reoffending which nobody is surprised about. We dont believe that sentencing guidelines are in line with todays criminal offences. For someone like Kevin Christy to be released back into the Portadown community where he committed the crimes is unbelievable. We have grave concerns at how the judicial system is dealing with these sex offenders. There needs to be tougher sentencing, no suspended sentences and better management when offenders are released back into communities. The probation board need to get their act together as they are sending offenders into vulnerable communities to serve community service how ironic is that? And being rehoused near kids play parks, schools, nursery schools, churches etc with zero consideration for survivors of abuse. This doesnt just apply to Kevin Christy but to all sexual abuse offenders. Paedo hunter groups have faced criticism from the courts in the past but there has been a spate of cases which have resulted in prosecution which came from similar sting operations that caught Kevin Christy. Without online child protection teams who voluntarily give so much of their time to protect all children we dread to think how many predators would still be hiding in plain sight preying on our children, they told us. We at Warriors Of Children give a big shout out to each and every single team working tirelessly to protect our children. Kevin Christy In Christys case Craigavon Crown Court heard how in the 11-month long sting and for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification he communicated with a female decoy posing as a child, the communication being sexual or intended to encourage the person to make a communication that was sexual, and you did not reasonably believe that she was 16 years or over. Judge McColgan outlined his police were called to Christys home and found between 100-120 people outside. They had congregated there as the group known as Warriors of Children were broadcasting online a sting operation where they had gathered together evidence that Christy had been engaging with and sending sexualised messages and images to a decoy posing as a 14-year-old girl called Louise. Louise, said the judge, had explicitly told Christy that she was 14-years-old but also told him what youth club and school she went to and that she was sexually naive. Despite the decoy making that all abundantly clear, Christy, referred to her as his girlfriend and said that he loved her, asked her to join him naked in the shower, told her that he was horny, asked the girl for photos of herself and sent an image of himself. Christy is back behind bars despite being granted bail as he is unable to secure an appropriate address. The Warriors Of Children group say the authorities in Northern Ireland are lagging behind the US and the rest of the UK when it comes to transparency of where sex offenders live. America has a system in a lot of states where you can access information as to where these sex offenders are living, they say. The UK has Sarahs law but Northern Ireland has a child protection disclosure scheme but we have heard from people who tried to avail of this scheme but discovered it took six months for the PSNI to respond. This is totally unacceptable and must be addressed. It will provide a greater level of rehabilitation opportunities for people, whatever their situation or circumstances, and help to reintegrate them back into society by reducing existing barriers to engagement, and increase the historically low participation rates in treatment programmes. The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has developed a new model of intervention for people who are convicted of a sexual offence called New Chapters. This means anyone committed to custody from the start of this month who is convicted of a current sexual offence will be managed under this new model. This will be delivered by a team of psychologists who have specific clinical expertise in the assessment and treatment of men convicted of a sexual offence. Treatment will offer a broad range of programmes targeting the needs, risks and strengths of a much larger number of people in custody. This new model reflects a move away from the concept of a one-size-fits-all model of treatment for people convicted of a sexual offence, the IPS said in a statement. Director General of the Irish Prison Service, Caron McCaffrey said, New Chapters will transform how we work with people convicted of a sexual offence. It will provide a greater level of rehabilitation opportunities for people, whatever their situation or circumstances, and help to reintegrate them back into society by reducing existing barriers to engagement, and increase the historically low participation rates in treatment programmes. Each programme in New Chapters has been designed to help people to make positive changes in their lives, to address the known risk factors relevant to sexual offending, to prevent re-offending and/or to prepare people for release, the IPS Say. New Chapters will be rolled out initially in the Midlands and Arbour Hill Prisons, where programmes will be introduced on a phased basis in accordance with staffing levels. Other prisons will be included in the model once funding is available to cater for additional staffing requirements. The new model will include people who deny and minimise their offences and people in all risk categories, regardless of sentence length. It will also cater for the treatment needs of Autistic people, people with Intellectual Disabilities or other cognitive challenges, those with complex mental health problems, and those who have been sentenced for accessing Child Sexual Exploitation Materials (CSEM) and other internet-based sexual offending. Every person in custody convicted of a sexual offence will now be assessed early on in their sentence in order to identify both their criminogenic risk factors and clinical needs. Each person in custody will have an individualised treatment plan which aims to address their clinical needs, reduce the risk of re-offending and lead to safer communities. Treatment will be recommended at the appropriate level of intensity and dosage based on the individuals strengths, risk and needs, an IPS spokesman said. Previously, all people in custody who are convicted of a sexual offence were screened for their suitability for the Building Better Lives (BBL) programme and eight participants participated in the BBL programme at any one time, usually within the last two years of their sentence. A review of the Building Better Lives (BBL) Programme was conducted between February 2023 and July 2024 by Canadian expert, Professor Liam Marshall, following the emergence of updated research evidence, practise based evidence, discussions with field experts, new Council of Europe recommendations, and the new National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. There had been concern about the low participation rates in BBL which the IPS said was due to the strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, which included a requirement to admit their offence and harm caused, stability of mental health and personality, sufficient sentence length, moderate to high risk of re-offending, and capacity to engage in a group programme. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The Philippines continues to strive to reduce emissions despite serious climate threats, the country's representative Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco said at a panel session "Connecting the Dots: Implementable and Investment-Ready NDCs" within COP29 in Baku today, Trend reports. "The Philippines remains committed to achieving the emission reduction and prevention goals outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and its implementation plan, which aligns with the targets to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees," she said. According to her, this is of immense importance for the Philippines as it ranks among the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change. "In less than a month, we experienced four typhoons. One of them, for the first time in history, completely flooded one of our provinces. We still do not know the extent of the damage caused by the typhoon, but people are still in evacuation centers. So, this discussion is very important for us, and personally for me as well," she noted. "Despite the difficulties, the Philippines supports the efforts of the international community. We truly feel and believe that the problems will be resolved," added Dorotan Tiuseco. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. The decision was made at the plenary session 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The case gained widespread attention in the United States and across the world Richard Allen has been found guilty of murdering Abigail Williams and Liberty German in Delphi, Indiana in 2017. The 52-year-old was found guilty on two counts of murder and two counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping. He now faces 130 years in prison. While the death penalty is available in the state of Indiana, prosecutors did not pursue it. The jury spent 4 days deliberating. The trial began on Friday October 18th and heard 17 days of evidence before the defence rested their case. The brutal killings gained widespread attention in the United States and across the world after police released chilling video footage that one of the teens captured of their killer as he stalked them. The footage, covertly filmed by 14-year-old victim Liberty German, showed a man stalking her and best friend Abigail Williams (13) across a bridge near the trail where they were hiking in Spring 2017. In audio released, the man, now known to be Richard Allen, can be heard directing them Guys, down the hill. Liberty German and Abigail Williams Delphi trial: Video from victim's phone is key evidence in trial of man accused of double murder In testimony, the court heard that the accused made numerous confessions to the murders and stated that he had planned to rape the girls but was disturbed by someone driving by in a white van so he panicked and killed them. Forensic pathologist Dr Roland Kohr testified that the girls, nicknamed Abby and Libby by their loved ones, bled to death. Abby sustained one 5-6cm deep stab wound to her neck while Libby had sustained four or five stab wounds. There were no physical signs of sexual trauma, however Dr Kohr prefaced that it did not mean that no sexual activity occurred. An unspent bullet was also found at the scene and it was later matched to a pistol belonging to Richard Allen. A ballistics expert testified that the bullet, which was found between Abby and Libbys bodies, was cycled through the barrel of the gun. Allen was connected to the murders in the immediate aftermath but was not arrested and charged until 2022. Three days after the killings, Allen self-reported to police that he had been in the area of the murders around the time they occurred. He also mentioned that he had seen three other girls on the Monon High Bridge when he was there. It wasnt weeks before his arrest in November 2022 when a volunteer found his statement, which had been misfiled, and cross referenced it with a statement from the same three girls who said they saw the killer in the area that day. Following the murders, Police released a still image from the video taken on Liberty Germans phone and they came forward to say that they had seen that very man who its now alleged was Richard Allen. Abby and Libby were reported missing when they failed to meet their lift home at the end of the trail they were hiking on February 13th 2017. Their bodies were found, posed by their killer and covered with sticks, the following day. An intense investigation commenced with police repeatedly warning the killer that they knew he was among the community and hiding in plain sight. Half a decade passed before police dropped a bombshell, announcing they had identified and charged a suspect. At a press conference announcing the arrest, Superintendent of Indiana State Police Doug Carter who was at the forefront of the investigation since 2017, held back tears as he said that 2086 days after the murders, they finally had a suspect charged and in custody. All persons arrested are presumed innocent, he warned the public. Prior to his arrest Richard Matthew Allen lived in Delphi and worked in a local pharmacy. Allens defence filed court documents last September that claimed the teenage girls were killed by a pagan Norse religion as part of a ritual sacrifice. The 135-page document claimed that the scene of the crime was staged by Odinists who placed sticks and branches across one of the bodies in the shape of pagan symbols. However, the judge ruled that they would not be allowed to use any evidence pointing to a third party. A jury of 12 with four alternates were selected 100 miles away from Delphi in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Throughout the trial, they were monitored by bailiffs and have not been allowed to use their phones or engage with any news media amid fears that they could be prejudiced due to the wide public interest in the case. He is set to be sentenced on December 20th 2024. Patrick Ruane was found guilty at the Old Bailey of two charges of encouraging terrorism A Covid denier has been jailed for five years after encouraging violence against the UKs chief medical officers on social media. Patrick Ruane, 55, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of two charges of encouraging terrorism in a series of Telegram posts in which he advocated the use of weapons, guns and explosions. He suggested whacking the chief medical officer for England Sir Chris Whitty over the head with a rounders bat in one post. Sentencing on Monday, Judge Richard Marks KC said Ruanes messages were extremely dangerous during a volatile time. Chief medical officer for England Professor Sir Chris Whitty was named in the posts (James Manning/PA) The judge said the defendant could not be sure that people would not act out what was said in the messages. He went on to say that Ruane had a compulsive and obsessive mindset about the vaccines and that he often posted the messages while blind drunk. The judge also acknowledged Ruanes childhood trauma and alcohol dependence. He added: The overwhelming view around the world was that the vaccines were hugely effectively in saving lives. You and others, however, did not share that opinion. Ruane was said to believe conspiracy theories about a hidden agenda and was particularly focused on manufacturers of the Covid vaccine (Andrew Milligan/PA) You were, of course, fully entitled to publicly vent your views and to do so in an extremely cogent and forceful way, if you chose. You, however, went very much further and in so doing committed the offences of which you were convicted. Ruane specifically targeted individuals, such as Sir Chris, and the chief executive officer of Covid vaccine developer Pfizer in a series of posts during 2021, the court heard previously. Ruane had replied to a post about Sir Chris, saying: The weakest point of the scull (sic) is the back of the scull (sic) and all it would take is riding a bike very fast and whacking target over the back of head with a rounders bat but a mace (a piece of metal ball and chain) would be way better. Patrick Ruane was found guilty at the Old Bailey (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) He said this would turn said target into a vegetable for the rest of its life. In response to the creator of the AstraZeneca vaccine getting a standing ovation at Wimbledon, he commented: Its a shame there was not a sharp shooter to take that f****** POS (piece of shit) out. Prosecutor Julia Faure Walker said that Ruane was angry, frustrated and upset about lockdown policies and the vaccine rollout. He believed conspiracy theories about a hidden agenda and was particularly focused on manufacturers of the Covid vaccine and those who administered jabs, she said. In one post, Ruane wrote that he was all for hunting them down and f****** executing them, saying too many people had died and its not going to stop until we start killing them back. When someone posted about not allowing a satanist puppet to come near his children with that poison jab kill shots, the defendant encouraged others to find where they live, put a kill squad together and shoot them in their beds. In response to another post, he advocated burning all the big pharmas offices, manufacturing plants and infrastructure to the ground. The court heard Ruane referred to executing politicians, saying the manufacture of ammunition for sniper weapons could end corrupt politicians and Davos scum in one shot. Ruane, an audio producer who worked in films, posted images of Semtex explosive and when asked about delivery, wrote: Why deliver when you can make it yourself. He called for an IRA playbook to be implemented after then-prime minister Boris Johnson extended powers for a further period. The defendant also suggested destroying 5G communications, saying in one post: 5G towers are easy, Semtex, easy to make recipies (sic) on the www. Ms Faure Walker had said that the posts spanned many months and encouraged serious violence and disruption designed to influence the government or intimidate a section of the public. The posts reached a very large audience through two Telegraph chat groups, one of which had 18,000 users and the other 8,000. Ruane, of Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, west London, was cleared of collecting information useful to a terrorist, relating to a manual entitled Anon How To Make A Jolly Roger which was said to include viable instructions on making Semtex. He had denied the charges against him and claimed his film work gave him a reasonable excuse for having the manual with Semtex instructions. The family were at their Ballinderry Park home in Mayfield when Alaya started struggling to breathe after she had been nibbling on a slice of toasted bread Cork Fire Brigade personnel were hailed as heroes for helping to save a toddler who was choking on a piece of toast. First-time parents Shane Keane and his partner, Courtney Coffey, said they owed the life of their 11-month-old daughter, Alaya, to Ballyvolane Fire Station personnel whose quick thinking helped the toddler. Shane admitted that a normal Saturday turned into every parent's worst nightmare when Alaya suddenly started to choke. The family were at their Ballinderry Park home in Mayfield when Alaya started struggling to breathe after she had been nibbling on a slice of toasted bread. Without warning, the child fell to the ground and began to shake. I had cut the toast tiny. She has a load of teeth. Nearly all her teeth. Courtney had her sitting on the play mat and she was sitting behind Alaya and she started shaking. She picked her up and she was choking," Shane told RedFM's Neil Prendeville Show. "I heard the screaming and ran downstairs. In the space of 10 seconds when I got to her she was completely blue. I put her over my knee and started hitting her in the back because I did first aid training. I did that maybe 15 times. "I lifted her head and she was unconscious. I put her on the floor and started giving her chest compressions and mouth to mouth. "In my last job we did CPR training every year but last year we did CPR for children childrens first aid. Thank God we did that because we would have been lost. The shocked couple immediately called for an ambulance. However, Shane knew it would be five or 10 minutes before the emergency services would arrive so he put his daughter and partner in the car and drove towards the hospital. We were passing the fire station and we saw the lads getting into the truck and my partner said to pull in As they were driving, Courtney suggested they stop at Ballyvolane fire station. Shane headed there and firemen surrounded Alaya and started working on her. She was completely limp in the car and my partner was continuing to smack her in the back. Her eyes rolled back a small bit. "We were passing the fire station and we saw the lads getting into the truck and my partner said to pull in. We pulled in and she (Alaya) gave out a small cry. "To be fair to the lads they couldnt have been any more helpful. I told them my small one wasnt breathing and they took her off me straight away. She started crying a small bit and went unconscious again. "They brought out a load of oxygen machines. They brought her into the back. She fell unconscious two or three times. There were maybe 10 of them in the room with us getting machines ready and oxygen ready. The ambulance was there in five minutes. Shane said Alaya was then rushed to Cork University Hospital. Both parents stayed awake until 6am on Sunday morning watching over their child in fear something else would happen. In fairness to the parents they did an amazing job starting resuscitation Shane said he wanted to publicly thank the crew at Ballyvolane Fire Station for their help in saving Alaya. Without them it could have been a different story this morning. She started coming around in the ambulance. They did a load of tests on her in the hospital. It all came back that she was fine thank God. She is back to wrecking the house again." Cork City Fire Brigade second officer Victor Shine said the child was saved because of the quick thinking of her family. He urged parents of young kids to do a first aid and CPR course. In fairness to the parents they did an amazing job starting resuscitation. It was an amazing outcome as time is critical. I would encourage everyone to do courses on lifesaving. It is a life skill everyone should have. Craig Ballentine (33) was detained when he arrived in Abu Dhabi to visit friends three weeks ago The mother of a Co Tyrone man who has been held in Dubai after posting a negative online post about a dog grooming business has appealed to authorities for help in getting her son home. Last week, First Minister Michelle ONeill said she was monitoring the situation after Co Tyrone man Craig Ballentine was arrested in Dubai. Mr Ballentine (33), from Cookstown, was detained when he arrived in Abu Dhabi to visit friends three weeks ago and was transported to Dubai to face charges of slander under the United Arab Emirates (UAE)s cybercrime laws. The strict legislation prohibits any form of online criticism. His mother, Margaret Ballentine, called on the British Foreign Office and UAE ambassador to help. I am very worried for my son and Im calling on the Foreign Office to help him and for the UAE Ambassador to see that the charges against my son are just very silly, Ms Ballentine said. "This has all been so stressful. The thought of Craig going to prison over a Google review is just horrendous, we are all suffering sleepless nights and anxiety. Its just not something I ever imagined possible. How can someone be so vindictive as to lock another up over a negative social media review? Why couldnt she just ask him to take it down? Why criminalise someone and try to jail them? This is going too far. He didnt use bad language, he just expressed his views which is what youre supposed to do on review sites. We call on the government, the Foreign Office and Dubai authorities to please let our son come home. Close friend Sean Morgan said: Since Craigs arrest, Ive learned that its actually common for tourists to be arrested for leaving a 1 or 2 star reviews of tourist facilities like hotels or restaurants. I had no idea. How can a tourist destination make it illegal to say anything bad about service providers? Mr Moran added: Craig is the kindest man youll ever meet. Hes always volunteering and helping others. He has been treated appallingly and he just doesnt deserve it. Im doing everything I can to help get him home. Im asking people to share his story and raise awareness. We need to do more than that though, we need tourists to be aware they could be jailed for an internet post. They need to know this before even booking a flight. Why arent these nightmare stories all over the travel advisory website, the newspapers and travel agencies? Radha Stirling, the CEO of campaign group Detained in Dubai, who is helping Craig, has advised tourists and expats who have visited or lived in the UAE before to check their police status before travelling. If Craig knew it was a good idea to check his criminal status in advance of flying to Dubai, he would have found out there was a case against him and we could have dealt with it from the safety of abroad, she said. The vast majority of arrests on arrival are preventable by taking this simple precaution. Travel agencies and the Foreign Office should recommend this on their websites." In response to a query, a Sinn Fein spokesperson said: Ms O'Neills office will closely monitor the case and will stay in contact with the family to provide support and advice. NI First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said her office is monitoring Mr Ballentine's situation. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Mr Ballentine, who is an autism support worker by trade, had accepted a role as a dog groomer in one of Dubais canine salons in 2023. He had been employed by the salon for almost six months when he required a number of days off due to sickness. After being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, he informed his employer and submitted a doctors certificate. The company, however, registered him as having absconded. Mr Ballentine was left unemployed and attempting to remove a travel ban from his passport in order to return home. After his experience, he left an online review of the centre and his former boss, noting the problems she had caused him. Campaign group Detained in Dubai, which represents people who find themselves arrested in the country, has been working with Mr Ballentine. Ms Stirling said the post did not contain any abusive content. Weve seen people arrested for complaining to customer service, or for leaving online reviews on hotels and rental car agencies, she said. The UAEs laws are so far from international standards that almost everyone who visits is already technically a criminal. Mr Ballentine had been working as a dog groomer in Dubai When someone is offended, even if they are at fault, they can open a criminal prosecution out of spite. Craig deleted the post and apologised but still faces jail. Its outrageous. The UAEs recently enacted cybercrime laws are a nightmare for foreigners. It is sufficient for a complainant to simply tell police that someone posted something offensive or rude. The police dont even need to see the actual post. The complainants have all the power and often demand money from the accused to close out the case. Its a means for vindictive people to extort. Once a criminal case is won, they can also open civil cases for massive damages. The system incentivises it. Flatmates, co-workers and even spouses have abused this law and we find that its often foreigners who are taking advantage. In this case, both parties are Western. Most people wouldnt dream of opening a similar case in their own countries but seem quite happy to open them in the UAE. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai Mr Ballentine is now stranded in Dubai, without employment and facing two years in prison. He said the experience has also taken a toll on his parents, who thought he was dead. Ms Stirling said the countrys strict rules are having devastating effects on peoples lives. Craig needs to get home and get to work. Its atrocious that authorities are allowing such frivolous criminal reports to entangle visitors in the system. The sheer number of cybercrime reports they receive must be significant. There are no protections or safeguards and peoples lives are being ruined. It was very demeaning towards teachers, it highlights how undervalued teachers have become by the Government Michael O'Leary said 'I wouldnt generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done' to laughter. Photo: Getty General election candidate and special education teacher Fionntan O Suilleabhain has branded Ryanair boss Michael OLearys recent comments on teachers to be demeaning as well as highlighting how undervalued teachers are by the current Government. Mr OLeary was speaking at a campaign launch event in Mullingar for Enterprise Minister Peter Burke when he criticised TDs who were teachers in the past. General election candidate for the Wicklow Wexford constituency, Cllr O Suilleabhain works as a special education teacher in Gaelscoil Moshiolog, Gorey and Coolgreany National School. He is also on the board of management of Waterford Wexford Education & Training Board; Gorey Community School and Creagh College. Speaking on this, Cllr O Suilleabhain said, "The thing that struck me was the Fine Gael party guffawing at the comments and the reaction from the party conference, that was the most telling. It was very demeaning towards teachers, it highlights how undervalued teachers have become by the Government. We see it all the time and Ive worked with people over the years who have immigrated because they dont feel valued in this country by the Government, said Cllr O Suilleabhain. Sinn Fein Councillor Fionntan O Suilleabhain has been selected to run in the next General Election. He went on to say that over the years, hes been surprised that some parties such as Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have not prioritised teachers in their policies. "The thing that struck me through the years is I was always shocked by the amount of anti-teacher and anti-education policies from politicians who were themselves teachers. While the skills are transferrable, the parties that have gone into Government, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have not valued education, even if they were teachers themselves, said Cllr O Suilleabhain. Meanwhile, general election candidate for Wicklow Wexford Brian Brennan has said that Mr OLeary owes the teachers of Ireland an apology and has distanced himself from the comments, which he says are not aligned with his views, nor those of the Fine Gael Party in general. Wicklow-Wexford general election candidate, Brian Brennan. As the father of young children I am crucially aware of the vital role that teachers play in their lives, particularly in this day and age with the mounting pressures that they face. My own sister was a teacher and I have seen first hand the vocational nature of the job that extends far beyond the school day. Our teachers have an enormous responsibility on their shoulders to guide the development of our children from a young age right through their teens and it is reprehensible that anyone would make light of their efforts or denigrate the work that they do, said Mr Brennan. During the call, the Taoiseach congratulated President Trump on his comprehensive victory in the US election Taoiseach Simon Harris speaks after his first phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump Taoiseach Simon Harris has held his first telephone call with US president-elect Donald Trump. Mr Trump swept to victory last week over Democrat Kamala Harris following a divisive US presidential election campaign. The call comes as Mr Harris is continuing to campaign in the Irish General Election as he bids to return to the Taoiseachs Office Mr Harris was travelling the country today with stops in Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal. During the call, the Taoiseach congratulated President Trump on his comprehensive victory in the US election. The two leaders also reflected on the strong and enduring ties between Ireland and the United States and said they hoped to meet soon. They both discussed the many serious challenges the world faces, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. President-elect Trump extended his best wishes to the people of Ireland and he and the Taoiseach agreed to stay in touch. After Donald Trump's victory, Simon Harris said the Irish government will work to strengthen "deep and historical bonds" with the US. Election 2024 campaign daily update: Monday 11th November 2024 "I congratulate president-elect Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election. "Ireland and the United States have deep and historical bonds of people, and we will work to make these even stronger in the years ahead. "The world faces many challenges and needs leadership to meet them. "With the US and Irelands shared commitment to democracy and international law, we can, and will, tackle these challenges," Mr Harris said. More to follow... A Bay of Plenty tourism company is on a mission to make locally made hot tubs more environmentally friendly - with the help of New Zealand wool. Outdoor Gravity New Zealand manufactures Zorb balls which have become a well-known tourist attraction in Rotorua. But during Covid-19 when the tourism industry was flipped on its head, company general manager David Akers said they started looking at how to diversify the business - and saw an opportunity with hot tubs. He said the materials used to make spa pools were unsustainable in the long run. "We use hot tubs here on our Zorb site and we realised that when they come to the end of the life, you take the entire thing to the landfill, and it's a big, big product that ends up taking up a trailer and a half and just gets dumped," he said. "We thought that's not very satisfactory, there must be a better way of doing it." The company manufactured its own hot tubs featuring materials like recycled native timber, hemp fibres and wool. After starting the one-year project last February, the company's $146,000 investment into the project was boosted by a further $97,000 from the Ministry for Primary Industries' Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund. The project was a pivot for the company during the tourism slowdown brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. "Throughout Covid, we were looking at some different things, seeing as tourism wasn't going terribly well," he said. "And so we looked at the idea of making a more sustainable hot tub and spa cover as well, because spa covers can be made of polystyrene and spa pools can be made of plastic and all sorts of nasties in terms of the insulation." The company was testing water temperatures in the tubs - comparing wool insulation with none at all. Akers said so far the results had been positive. "We're definitely getting a degree or two of extra warming from having that wool layer in there, which is great. "A rough estimate in terms of how much that might save you in electricity costs, we're looking at something like $400 a year saved in electricity for the heating by having that wool insulating layer inside the hot tub." Akers said with more testing needed in different environments, he hoped the spas could soon be scaled up and sold domestically and possibly even internationally. -RNZ. Gillies was known for his work after the war, defending the rights of returning Maori soldiers who faced racism, despite serving in World War II. Gillies, known as Bom or Koro Bom, was the last surviving member of the 28th Maori Battalion . The 99-year-old died on Thursday afternoon surrounded by whanau at his home. He had suffered failing health in the past few months after a car accident. The funeral service today is at 11am and his burial will follow at the kauae urupa (cemetery). Today marks the final day of his tangihanga with whanau, friends and dignitaries among those paying their respects. His body has been at the marae in Ohinemutu since Saturday. Former battalion commander of the 2nd/1st infantry Leith Comer told the Rotorua Daily Post ahead of todays services that the 28th Maori Batallion was Gillies legacy. Ta [Sir] Bom wasnt just a figurehead when he got knighted, he actually was very active, Comer said. He went to the Waitangi Tribunal and put a case to them about how poorly the soldiers were treated when they came home. Im an ex-serving soldier and Ive had all the benefits of having a military career. Gillies pointed out some things that have been a mamae [sadness] for us for a long time. When our men came home, there were issues with entry into places ... there were issues around employment and housing. He pointed out that those issues need to be rectified and dealt with in todays modern army and the leaders of todays army, air force and navy have been listening to Sir Bom, theyve been a wonderful mouthpiece. He leaves behind the legacy of the 28th Maori Battalion. But his personal legacy was that when he got knighted, he wasnt just a tekoteko [trophy] for the knighthood. Army personnel from Palmerston North at Te Papaiouru Marae help with preparing food before the tangi of Sir Robert Bom Gillies. Photo/Andrew Warner Meanwhile, 20 personnel from the 2nd Combat Support Service Battalion in Palmerston North have been helping with tangi preparations at the marae since Saturday. Captain Ben Kimber of the 2nd Combat Support Service Battalion said food catering was not a common activity for the New Zealand Defence Force. Its a big occasion for both the New Zealand Defence Force and the remembrance of the Maori Battalion so were happy to provide catering support for the wharekai, Kimber said. Occasions to support tangihanga such as that of Sir Robert Gillies who has such a significant connection to us as Ngati Tumatauenga [New Zealand Army] are pretty rare. Kimber said the funeral was a special opportunity for the army to contribute to the wider community. In this particular case, the army was ready to offer Sir Roberts whanau whatever level of support they required and were privileged to be asked to help on the ground. Kimber said he had never met Ta Bom. But I have heard the legends and the stories so its a bit of a privilege to be here on behalf of the army and contribute towards the tangi, Kimber said. Chief of Army, Major General Rose King said: Ta Bom encapsulated what it means to be a warrior of Ngati Tumatauenga with personal courage, comradeship, commitment and integrity that was an example to us all. His service and sacrifice to Ngati Tumatauenga and to New Zealand will never be forgotten, King said. -Rotorua Daily Post. The opportunity to film an orca that dragged belly along the Mount Maunganui shoreline this month was a once in a lifetime opportunity but the rare moment could result in an official warning and fine from the Department of Conservation. Jahl Marshall is director of Media Masters and specialises in real estate photography and videography, but he was shooting a friends hydrofoiling dinghy on a recent Friday when an orca swam through his shot. Standing by the shoreline operating a drone, he redirected his lens. Its probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get that footage. Im just feeling grateful to get it and to live in a place as beautiful as we do. His Facebook reel last weekend had more than 371k views and more than 1400 shares. On Instagram, it was shared more than 1700 times and had 72,000 views. Weve had so much response from the video, we never expected it to basically go viral, Marshall said. To come so close to shore when the sea is so clear and interact with people on the shoreline was pretty magic, Marshall said. Marshall, who has more than eight years experience flying drones, said he made sure to keep far away from the mammal. I do respect whales and I do care about their wellbeing. I wouldnt want to act in a way that said otherwise and I think the video proves it, he said. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, a remotely piloted aircraft requires an observer in attendance while the aircraft is in flight. Marshall said he had a drone-spotter, Scott Meadows, observing the shoot. His skipper Rob McAllister was the first to notice the orca. What the hell is that? Marshall heard McAllister say. Is that a huge shark in the water? There was a bit of a fuss going on and then we realised there was a huge whale right on the shoreline. A female orca was with a calf and bull when she swam close to Mount Maunganui shoreline. Photo / Media Masters Although he was unaware of the Department of Conservation rule about keeping 150m from the orca when he collected the footage, Marshall said the closest he got to the mammal was about 30m. I did initially fly quite close with all the excitement and then backed off and got on the zoom lens. Id say for 80% of that flight, Im quite a bit further away than it appears, he said. A majestic visitor Marshall said at one point the orca was swimming towards a group of people. As the orca gets close to the people, I think shes starting to drag belly and thats why, I think the people didnt really race off. The orca also approached Mount resident Jacob Kelly who was paddle boarding near Moturiki Island. Kelly said: I didnt go out there to interact with them, I actually went out to go for a paddle around Moturiki Island and within 5m of being offshore a mum and a calf just beelined towards me and I freaked out. Orca filmed close to Mount Maunganui shoreline. Tauranga media company says orca sighting was 'once in a lifetime' footage. Photo / Media Masters That was the start of about 20 to 25 minutes of interaction with them - the drone stuff was just the last kind of five minutes. It scared me so much, but I wouldnt change it for the world, Kelly said. One week on he was still buzzing from the experience. It was quite insane. I turned south and paddled to Mussel Rock and around Mussel Rock, they just followed me and I could hear them behind me coming up for breaths. That was the start of it, what you saw in the footage was the last five minutes of it really. This was in chest-high water and it came right up, turned on its side and its eyeballing me in the water. I could have touched it with my paddle, obviously I didnt, but it was just magical. It wasnt aggressive, it was just curious. You saw it come in with the surf school kids, man, they were buzzing because that was only a couple of metres away from them. Kristine Theiss, Department of Conservation operations manager in the Tauranga District, said it was common for orca to be seen in Mt Maunganui and the wider Tauranga harbour area. Orca are regularly seen close to shore where they are seeking rays to feed on. It is unlikely these animals will be at great risk of stranding, but mistakes can happen, she said. Orca filmed close to Mount Maunganui shoreline. Tauranga media company says orca sighting was 'once in a lifetime' footage. Photo / Media Masters DoC says give orcas space in water In a statement to the Bay of Plenty Times DoC said it administered specific regulations around drone use regarding marine mammals. It is an offence to harass or disturb marine mammals under the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992, and the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978. Flying drones around marine mammals can be highly disturbing, and we cant always see the signs of their distress, Theiss said. To avoid disturbing or harassing marine mammals, drones must fly no closer than 150m horizontally from a point directly above the animal. Marshall said he was told by a DoC officer he may be fined or officially warned, but would not be prosecuted this time. Although I wasnt aware of the 150m rule, I still made sure I was a respectful distance from the orca, Marshall said. He used a DJI Mavic III Pro drone with a 7x zoom lens for his work. DoC advised people to always give orcas space in the water. Whales could be dangerous, especially when stressed and stuck, so treat them with extreme caution, Theiss said. For your safety and theirs. If an orca appears to be stranded or in distress call DoC on 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468) or Project Jonah 0800 4 WHALE (0800 4 94253). Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. She moved to the region in 2024 and has previously reported in Wairarapa and at Pacific Media Network. As government and public buildings throughout the country flew the New Zealand flag at half-mast in honour of Sir Robert, hundreds gathered in front of Tamatekapua Meeting House at Te Papaiouru Marae , Te Arawas paramount marae in Rotorua , to farewell him. Affectionately known as Ta Bom or Koro Bom, the 99-year-olds nehu (funeral service) at Te Papaiouru Marae today was an occasion of sadness, laughter and inspiration. But the spotlight was on the treasured war hero as he was given a farewell fitting for the last man standing of the 28 Maori Battalion . Sir Robert Gillies tangi was everything he tried to dodge - the speeches, the tributes, the honours, the saluting. Of Ngati Whakaue and Ngati Kahungunu descent, the reluctant war hero died on Thursday after suffering ill health following a car accident a few months earlier. His grandson, Te Whanoa Gillies, gave his eulogy and said the family had been planning for his 100th birthday, on February 14 next year. But the otherwise fit and healthy man never recovered from a vehicle accident a few months ago. Gillies said it created a domino effect of health complications and he took his last breath on Thursday. Koros tangi was everything he didnt want. The honours, the tributes, the speeches, the poroporoaki [final night of a tangi] that finished at 3am ... it was everything that koro dodged because he was very humble and never wanted to steal the limelight from his brothers of the two eight. He wanted all the honours for him to go back to the others because he thought they deserved it more than him. It was lonely for him being the last man standing but it had to be someone and that someone was him. Gillies said during the past few days thousands of people had paid tribute to his koro. Te Whanoa Gillies delivers the eulogy for his koro, Sir Robert Gillies. Photo / Andrew Warner Many people said koro was a window to the past of their own koros and nans. To us he was just our koro, someone we loved dearly, respected and taught us many things in life. Gillies said his koro was independent, still driving, still climbing scaffolds and still building fences. In one of the many quips of humour during the hour-long service, Gillies said people needed to stop telling the story of his moko standing around while their koro worked hard on the roof. We werent just doing nothing, we were going to catch him if he fell. The New Zealand Defence Force pays tribute Major General Rose King. Photo / Andrew Warner Major General Rose King spoke on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force saying Sir Robert embodied bravery and resilience throughout his service in North Africa and Italy during World War II. She spoke of all his awards and honours, including being knighted in two countries after previously turning down the New Zealand knighthood. King said while Sir Robert was at war, he faced some of the most challenging battles including the intense conflict at Monte Cassino. Despite going on to sustain injuries, he continued to serve alongside his brothers in arms. What Sir Robert and his comrades endured and experienced in North Africa and Italy remains one of the harshest chapters in our collective history. Words from the Church The Reverend Tom Poata delivers a humourous and inspirational address at Sir Robert Gillies' funeral. Photo / Andrew Warner The Reverend Tom Poata started his address with his expected wit by saying: As a 35-year-old, what on Earth have I got to contribute in the way of an analysis of a man who has lived for 99 summers. He spoke of Sir Roberts love for his late wife, Rae Ratima, who, he met at one of the infamous Tama dances at Ohinemutu, and how he went on to build their family home with his own hands. He adored her utterly. They got around here [Ohinemutu] like a pair of teenagers holding hands ... Her death, I think, was one of the saddest moments of his life. Poatas speech ended with a message of how Sir Roberts legacy could live on and how he was an example for Maori to relieve problems they were now facing. It is with quiet confidence that we ought to address those issues as if we were batallion representatives ... It is in the struggle, as they discovered in the trenches and their actions all over North Africa and Europe - Monte Cassino especially, how when youre put into a difficult position the only thing you can do is fight to get out of it. We need to continue to fight for each other, but not physically - socially, ethically, and morally. We must take the high ground and occupy it and refuse to leave. He said the right to fight was available now more than ever thanks to the likes of Sir Robert. Poata said Sir Roberts memory shouldnt be seen as just a myth to boost egos and tribal pride. Yet lets live by example and do our own work in our own trenches to save ourselves from the other. The final farewell Sir Roberts casket was carried from the marae by his whanau, some holding his beloved 28 Maori Battalion flag he personally designed and carried to official ceremonies. A rousing haka broke the respectful silence as the casket was taken into St Faiths Church, where a candle was lit. His whanau then carried his casket to the awaiting army representatives who placed it on a gun carriage while a three-shot gun salute from soldiers standing near St Faiths Church rang out. He was slowly driven to Tunohopu Marae for a final time before being put into his beloved Bedford van and taken on his final journey to Kauae Cemetery, where he now lies next to his late wife. The final part of the funeral for Sir Robert "Bom" Gillies, the last surviving member of the 28 Maori Battalion, was in his beloved Bedford van. Photo / Andrew Warner What did Sir Robert mean to you? Peene Henare, Labour list MP. Photo / Andrew Warner He fought alongside my grandfather who was the commander of the 28 Maori Battalion. Bom was celebrated among Maori but also all of Aotearoa and was known for his humility. He was just a good man. Peene Henare, Labour list MP Willie Jackson, Labour list MP. Photo / Andrew Warner He was magnificent. A humble man and a great example for generations to come. He was the epitome of humility. Willie Jackson, Labour list MP Warrant officer Mahaki White, New Zealand Defence Force. Photo / Andrew Warner He will forever be known as the last man standing of the Maori Battalion. We hold the Maori battalion in great reverence. Warrant Officer Mahaki White, New Zealand Defence Force Wayne "Buck" Shelford, former All Blacks captain. Photo / Andrew Warner I have got to know him in the last few years. He was a confident man for his age and didnt like pomp and ceremony. Sir Buck Shelford, former All Blacks captain Pererika Makiha, Te Arawa Returned Servicemens League president. Photo / Andrew Warner He has been a member of Te Arawa Returned Servicemens League for many years. He has left a big hole in our league and in the iwi and hapu but he leaves a legacy. Pererika Makiha, Te Arawa Returned Servicemens League president -Bay of Plenty Times. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Azerbaijan renewed the target for the share of renewable energy sources by 2030 to 35.5 percent, the Azerbaijani Minister of Energy said at a ministerial dialogue themed "Scaling up Investment for Tripling Renewables and Doubling Energy Efficiency" within COP29 in Baku today, Trend reports. "A 200-megawatt solar power plant in the green energy zone in Eastern Zangezur will play a significant role in supporting the decarbonization of the oil and gas sector in Azerbaijan as a whole. Overall, solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 2,250 megawatts, which are planned to be commissioned by 2030, will increase the share of renewable energy in installed capacity to 35.5 percent. This not only updates our target to 30 percent but also represents more than a sevenfold increase in the share of solar and wind energy in our energy system," added Shahbazov. According to him, this solar power plant will provide energy to one of the largest oil and gas terminals in the world the Sangachal terminal. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Alberto Flores Granada Tuesday, 12 November 2024, 09:35 Compartir The city of Granada in the south of Spain is full of unique corners, places with a special magic that everyone who visits the city is eager to see with their own eyes. A sunset from San Nicolas viewpoint, the views from the Torre de la Vela, the incredible panorama offered by the Sacromonte Abbey and the list goes on. Hundreds of photographers have captured incredible images from these places. However, the most popular photograph of Granada dose not feature any of them. That honour goes to an image captured almost four years ago by photographer Sergio Luque. A snapshot taken from Avenida de la Constitucion in which you can see a large part of the city, the metro tracks, the Alhambra and all with Sierra Nevada in the background. An image that has been shared on social media almost every day since then. The last time was just a few days ago, when the X user @Lentejitas shared it with the message "why the Swiss Alps if we have Granada". A publication that in a few hours already had thousands of reproductions. "I had an appointment at the hospital and I took my photographic equipment with me to take some shots with a telephoto lens from there", explained Sergio Luque to SUR's sister newspaper in Granada, Ideal. "It is very striking because the effect of the telephoto lens brings the elements together and makes Granada look closer, the Sierra Nevada bigger... Many people think it is a montage," said the photographer. However, it is not. And although he has tried to replicate it several times since then, he has never succeeded: "The light at the time, the tone of the trees... I couldn't get anything like it". "It's very striking because the effect of the telephoto lens brings the elements together. Many people think it's a montage". Sergio is aware that the photo has been shared online "thousands of times" since then. "Every week I get links from people who have uploaded it. It has gone around the world because it is also on international websites. Most of them don't name the author, which is the daily bread of photographers," he regrets. He admitted that, although his signature is often cropped out of the photo, the fact that it is so widely shared is "a source of pride" for him. "I have many photographs that have gone viral but none like this one. It is the one that has sold the most on my website and the truth is that seeing it so well liked makes you feel good," he concluded. Juan Soto Malaga Tuesday, 12 November 2024, 17:31 Compartir Malaga continues to be a magnet for multinationals of all kinds and is about to welcome a new company specialising in fashion. Kik, better known as 'the German Primark' for offering clothes at affordable prices, is set to open its first shop in the province. The low-cost chain will open its doors in the Maalaga Nostrum shopping centre. Kik will occupy a 510-square-metre space in the complex located next to the Guadalhorce industrial estate and plans to open its doors on 3 December. Prior to its arrival, the chain has begun to unify three of the current premises located next to the secondary entrance of the shopping centre, in the area closest to the Malaga Ocio complex where the cinemas are located. The company plans to hire an initial team of ten staff. At the moment, it has not been announced how the recruitment process for the opening of the new shop will take place, although Kik has its own recruitment platform on its website. The company said that the opening in Malaga comes at a time of strong growth for the company, as before the end of the year it expects to open three stores: in Loja (Granada), in Osuna (Seville) and the one in Malaga city. Following the new openings, the company will have 13 shops in Andalucia. Kik will be located next to the secondary entrance of the shopping centre Kik started trading in 1994 and its name means, 'the king is the customer' (Konig ist der Kunde). It currently has more than 4,000 shops throughout Europe and boasts low prices all year round. Its wide range of products includes low-cost clothing, decorative items and home accessories. The German multinational arrived in Spain in September 2022 and already has 35 shops open throughout the country. With the slogan 'dress yourself from head to toe for 30 euros', it arrived with the aim of opening up to 500 shops in Spain at a rate of 25-30 a year. Waiting for Costco The opening of Kik comes as the retail park prepares for the arrival of the US supermarket giant Costco that will be opening in Malaga city in 2026. Before work begins on the future supermarket, the cinemas will have to be relocated to the building formerly occupied by Conforama, opposite its current location. As SUR published last May, the town planning department has already granted the licence for the relocation. The work to fit out the new cinemas will last for a year, and the aim is to ensure that screenings are not interrupted at any time at the Malaga Nostrum. Once the current cinema building has been vacated, it will be demolished, which will take six months to complete. The owners of this shopping area, the Bogaris group, announced that once the cinemas have been demolished, Costco's intention is to start work on its shopping area immediately, with a completion period of nine or ten months. In this case, it would not have to wait for the building permit as it has already been granted since April last year. Costco is expected to open in Malaga in 2026. Former Fox News star Chris Wallace is leaving CNN for a new gig that might not be in traditional television. When I look at the media landscape right now, the people who are going independent, whether its podcasting or streaming, that seems to be where the action is, he said Tuesday. Wallace, 77, announced that hes leaving CNN after three years. He left Fox News in 2021 to be a leading personality for the CNN+ streaming service, but the platform was shut down a month later by Syracuse University alumnus Chris Licht when he took over as CNNs new chief executive. Wallace, whose father Mike Wallace was a legend at CBS News, also previously worked at ABC and NBC News before hosting Fox News Sunday for 18 years. He didnt specify where or what format his new gig would be, but said his exit from CNN was amicable and that hes actually excited about being between jobs as his contract expires at the end of the year. Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming, CNN CEO and Chairman Mark Thompson said in a statement Monday. We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom hes brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for the future. FILE - Moderator Chris Wallace speaks as President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden participate in the first presidential debate in Cleveland on Sept. 29, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/Pool via AP, File)AP MORE BUZZ: Noel Gallagher creates 6-hour version of Oasis Champagne Supernova ( BB Denzel Washington may join Black Panther 3 ( SF Former Disney star Skai Jackson pregnant with first child ( E! John Mayer, McG join forces to buy Jim Henson studio lot ( BB Oprah Winfreys team denies she was paid to appear at Kamala Harris event ( RS Shaboozeys A Bar Song is No. 1 for 17th week, second-longest all time ( BB Megan Fox pregnant, expecting first child with MGK after miscarriage ( ET Disney+ teases first look at Alien: Earth, Andor season 2 ( SF Blake Shelton, Yellowstone creator launching new singing competition ( BB Kevin Costner reacts to Yellowstone characters fate ( E! T-Pain honored with street named after him in Tallahassee ( BB Eddie Redmayne takes over Bruce Willis character in Jackal series ( SF Pitchfork Music Festival wont return in 2025 ( BB Buzz is a daily roundup of entertainment news about movies, TV, music and celebrities. Update Nov.15: The Ithaca Police Department determined that the homicide was a domestic incident. Ahmed Abed and Alaa Husein Jeena Abed were married, Ithaca police said in a news release Friday afternoon. Original story: Ithaca, N.Y. A man smashed a cinderblock on a womans head while she was sleeping and then stabbed her to death on Monday in Ithaca, police said. An all-star lineup of musicians is coming to Syracuse to celebrate the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Marcus King, Eric Johnson and Devon Allman will headline Experience Hendrix on March 25, 2025, at the Landmark Theatre. The show will begin at 8 p.m. with Noah Hunt, Ally Venable, Chuck Campbell & Calvin Cooke of the Slide Brothers, and more performers. Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster. Prices have not been announced. The show will be a tribute to Hendrix, widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. The Woodstock legend influenced many of the tours performers and other artists with songs like Purple Haze, Foxey Lady, Little Wing, Voodoo Child, and his definitive cover of Bob Dylans All Along the Watchtower. Shepherd is a Grammy-nominated blues guitarist who has released more than 10 albums and opened for rock greats like Van Halen, Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones. King, who was nominated for Best Americana Album at the 2021 Grammys, has quickly become one of the most buzzworthy names in blues and Southern rock over the past decade. Johnson, whos previously performed on the Experience Hendrix tour, is an electric guitar wizard best known for his 1990 single, Cliffs of Dover, which won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Allman, the son of Allman Brothers Band legend Gregg Allman, has also earned acclaim for his work with Duane Betts (the son of Dickey Betts) in the Allman Betts Band and the Devon Allman Project. Syracuse is the only Upstate New York stop on the Experience Hendrix tour, dubbed Celebrate the Music & Legacy of Jimi Hendrix: The All-Star Concert Event of the Year. Zakk Wylde will join Shepherd, King, Allman and Johnson at a March 28 performance at Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on Long Island. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. We must act swiftly to transform our clean energy goals into tangible results, EU Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said at the ministerial dialogue on "Scaling Investments to Triple Renewable Energy and Double Energy Efficiency", Trend reports. "Last year in Dubai, we made significant strides in our commitment to a sustainable future. We acknowledged the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels, making a bold pledge to triple our renewable energy capacity and double our energy efficiency by 2030. This commitment is not just a target for the future; I believe it represents the most prudent investment we can make today. Renewable energy is a homegrown solution that generates jobs, enhances our energy independence, and, notably, is already more cost-effective than traditional, polluting alternatives. By reaching these ambitious goals, we have the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by an astounding 10 billion tonnes by the end of this decade. To put this into perspective, thats more emissions than the entire European Union produces in three years. This vision is bold, yet I firmly believe that it is within our grasp," Hoekstra said. He noted that Europe experienced an 8 percent reduction in emissions last year, driven by the swift growth of renewable energy sources. "Today, over half of Europe's electricity is generated from wind and solar sources, outpacing the combined output of all fossil fuels. However, on a global scale, emissions rose by 1.3 percent last year, highlighting the magnitude of our shared challenge. We must accelerate our efforts and transform our clean energy targets into tangible projects across every continent and within each of our economies," the European Commissioner said. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Syracuse, N.Y. The Central New York Regional Market, which a decade ago drew national touring acts and big crowds to its F Shed building, could be back in action as a concert venue by next year. The market is looking into plans to again book occasional concerts and other events in the F Shed, said market director Bill Fisher. He took over as CEO of the markets governing body, the CNY Regional Market Authority, this summer after a state audit found fault with its financial management. The market is holding some dates open for shows at the F Shed next year after consulting with some promoters, Fisher said. But no contracts have been signed at this point, he said. The F Shed hosted concerts from 2013, not long after it was built, until about 2017. It stopped booking concerts after several shows generated noise complaints from nearby residents. Umphrey's McGee performs at the F Shed on August 14, 2016. (Trevor Frey)File 2016 Solving the noise problem and handling some other logistical issues is key to bringing back concerts, Fisher said. Weve got to work on how we can make it happen and still be good neighbors, Fisher said. Its still in the planning stages but we want to get it right so were taking it carefully. The F Shed is primarily used to house stalls during the the weekly seasonal farmers market. It occasionally hosts other events and festivals, such as the recent Halloween-themed Spooky Harvest Fest. But it has what Fisher called a unique fabric roof that can make it difficult to contain sound. A new roof is not out of the question, he said, but would likely require financial assistance from the state. Among the other options is carefully selecting the type of performers and shows to minimize noise. He suggested that most shows will likely be general admission (with no seating) and that the venue could be turned into a dance hall concept. Being able to host more concerts and other events could help generate some much-needed new revenues for the market, he said. Fisher has been consulting with Stacey Waterman, one of the busiest concert production managers in Central New York. She ran all of the concerts previously held at the F Shed. Skrillex in concert with opening act Big Gigantic at Regional Market on October 22, 2014. The crowd reacts to Big Gigantic. (Michael Greenlar, 2014)SYR In its day, the F Shed hosted such jam bands and indie rockers as moe., Umphreys McGee, O.A.R., and Young the Giant. In later years, it moved more heavily into DJ-led EDM shows like Skrillex. It was definitely a cool space, Waterman said. It has its challenges, but I think Bill (Fisher) seems ready to take them on. Aside from the noise, a big issue is the challenge of setting up staging, lighting and other logistics for concerts, then taking everything down again right away, Waterman said. Obviously the F Shed has other uses, so everything has to be cleared out after each show, she said. And any new use of the F Shed must fit in with the markets mission to serve farmers and the agriculture community, Fisher said. Thats the main mission, he said. So we have to keep that in mind when we take the assets we have and try to generate excitement and create some positive cash flow. Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. The Life is a Carnival: Last Waltz Tour 24 will make two stops in Upstate New York at the Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, NY, on Thursday, November 14, and the Kodak Center in Rochester, NY, on November 15. This special tribute tour celebrates the music of The Band and its late guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson. Itll feature a powerhouse lineup of musicians, including Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, founding members of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, who will be joined by Ryan Bingham, Jamey Johnson, Don Was, John Medeski, Dave Malone, Terence Higgins, Cyril Neville and Mark Mullins & The Levee Horns. For Campbell and Tench, this will be the first tour together since Tom Pettys death in 2017, although theyve reunited for select performances, including backing Bob Dylan at Farm Aid 2023. Where to buy Life is a Carnival: Last Waltz Tour 24 tickets Tickets for the Schenectady concert on November 14 can be purchased online through the Proctors' website, while tickets for the Rochester concert on November 15 are available on Ticketmaster. Tickets are also available on secondary market platforms such as Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub, which offer verified tickets with buyer guarantees. Heres a look at the best prices available (including fees): Thursday, November 14 - Schenectady, NY - Proctors Theatre Friday, November 15 - Rochester, NY - Kodak Center Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change. This tour honors The Bands legendary 1976 farewell concert, The Last Waltz, filmed by Martin Scorsese and turned into a concert film. The original event, held at San Franciscos Winterland Ballroom, included guest performances by artists like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Muddy Waters and more. Fans can expect to hear classic The Band songs such as The Weight, Up on Cripple Creek and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. Legendary British musician Morrissey will bring his 2024 North American tour to Rochester, NY, on Saturday, November 16, at the Kodak Center Main Theater. The concert starts at 8 p.m. Though tickets are sold out online, fans can still secure their spot at the show through secondary market platforms like Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub, which offer verified tickets with buyer guarantees. Heres a look at the best prices available (including fees): Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Morrisseys tour began on October 31, and includes stops in cities like Baltimore, Atlantic City and Newark. After Rochester, the tour will continue to Niagara Falls, Flint and Indianapolis before wrapping up on November 23 in Waukegan. During his recent show in Dallas, Morrissey was forced to stop the performance mid-set after fans rushed the stage. A complete list of Morrisseys tour dates is available here. Morrissey first rose to fame as the frontman of The Smiths in the 1980s. After The Smiths disbanded in 1987, Morrissey launched a successful solo career with hits such as Suedehead, Everyday Is Like Sunday and Irish Blood, English Heart. With 13 solo studio albums to his name, his most recent album, Bonfire of Teenagers, remains unreleased due to his battle with Capitol Records. Much of New York state is considered at high risk of fire danger as firefighters continue to battle wildfires in the Catskills and near the New Jersey border. The Jennings Creek Wildfire a 3,500-acre blaze burning in Orange County, New York and Passaic County, New Jersey was 20% contained on Tuesday morning, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The wildfire claimed the life of Dariel Vazquez, an 18-year-old New York Parks employee who was killed while fighting the fire in Greenwood Lake. I want to point out that this is the largest fire in our state since 2008. So, we have not seen anything of this scale, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Sunday. This is the time for people to be very, very careful about what theyre doing so we dont contribute to the challenges that were dealing with right now trying to stop the spread. The Jennings Creek Wildfire downstate isnt the only big blaze impacting New York. The Whitehouse fire burns a mountainside by Peekamoose Road in Denning, New York in the Catskills on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Liberty Fire DepartmentPhoto courtesy of thPhoto courtesy of the Liberty Fire Departmente Liberty Fire Department Firefighters are working to put out a wildfire that has burned 630 acres in the Catskills. The Whitehouse fire which burned mountainous forests between Peekmoose Valley, Sundown, and Rondout and Ashokan reservoirs was 95% contained as of Tuesday morning, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said in a news release. A large section of New York stretching from the Adirondacks to Long Island is considered at high risk of fire danger. A red flag warning is in place. This map from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows the fire danger rating for the state as of Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.New York State Department of Environmental Conservation What parts of New York are at high risk of fires? Downstate isnt the only part of New York considered at high risk of fire danger. (Fire danger is the measurement used to show the the likelihood of a wildfire starting, spreading and proving hard to control.) Here are the New York counties listed as being at high risk of fire danger by the state Department of Environmental Conservation: St. Lawrence County Northeastern Jefferson County Northern Franklin County Most of Clinton County Essex County along the Vermont border Warren County Saratoga County Washington County Schenectady County Eastern Montgomery County Albany County Rensselaer County Northeastern Schoharie County Most of Greene County Southeastern Delaware County Sullivan County Ulster County Dutchess County Orange County Putnam County Rockland County Westechester County Rockland County Bronx County New York County Richmond County Kings County Queen County Nassau County Suffolk County The Southern Tier, Finger Lakes and parts of Central New York and Western New York are considered at moderate risk of fire danger, according to the DEC. A helicopter crew battles the Whitehouse wildfire in the Catskill Mountains of New York near Sundown forest in early November 2024. Photo courtesy of the Ulster County Sheriffs Office Drone TeamPhoto courtesy of the Ulster County Sheriffs Office Drone Team What is a red flag warning? What parts of New York has a red flag warning been issued for? A red flag warning is issued when critical fire weather conditions exist or are expected, the National Weather Service said. In New York, a dangerous mix of strong winds, low humidity and an abundance of dry fuels (like fallen leaves) will create a significantly elevated fire growth potential, the weather service said. A red flag warning has been issued for the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, part of the Catskills, and all of downstate including New York City and Long Island. The warning will remain in place until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12. Rapid fire spread if ignition occurs, the weather service said in the warning. Outdoor burning is not recommended. The Whitehouse fire burns a mountainside by Peekamoose Road in Denning, New York in the Catskills on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Liberty Fire DepartmentPhoto courtesy of the Liberty Fire Department What is the status of the wildfires burning in New York state? Crews held the fire lines of the Jennings Creek Wildfire overnight, the New York State Park Police said in a statement successfully ensuring the blaze only made negligible incremental gains. Volunteer firefighters and state DEC rangers expanded the exiting fire lines, protecting the areas of Wah Ta Wah Park in Warwick and Sylvan Park, officials said. No evacuations have been ordered and no structures are immediately considered at risk. In New York, the DEC said the wildfire is primarily burning in Sterling Forest State Park, which borders New Jersey. Volunteer firefighters from across New York are fighting the sprawling wildfire. On Monday, helicopters with the the New York State Police and New Yorks Army National Guard dropped over 100 buckets of water on the blaze, according to park police. Todays primary objectives are to hold and monitor the wildfire, park police said. Residents are encouraged to continue to abide by the current burn ban in effect to prevent additional wildfires from occurring. Helicopter crews with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and the New York State Police worked together to battle the Whitehouse wildfire in the Catskill Mountains between in the watershed between the Rondout and Ashokan reservoirs in early November 2024. Photo courtesy of the New York City Department of Environmental ProtectionPhoto courtesy of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection The Whitehouse Fire in Ulster and Sullivan counties is the largest in the Catskill watershed since records began in 1976, the Times Union reported. According to Gov. Hochuls office, firefighters from at least 13 departments have worked with forest rangers to put out the blaze. The Liberty Fire Department, a volunteer department based in Liberty in Sullivan County, is one of the departments battling the wildfire. The department shared photos on social showing fire burning barren trees on a mountainside on Peekamoose Road. Its been a busy few days for Sullivan and the surrounding counties, the fire department wrote on Facebook. Investigators are working to determine how both the Jennings and Whitehouse wildfires started. The Whitehouse fire burns a mountainside near homes on Peekamoose Road in Denning, New York in the Catskills on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Liberty Fire DepartmentPhoto courtesy of the Liberty Fire Department Are the wildfires impacting air quality in New York? While the state Department of Health issued an air quality health advisory for the New York City metro area over the weekend, no advisories are currently in place. Despite the wildfires, the air quality across New York state is considered good, the the U.S. Air Quality Index reported Tuesday. Steve Hughes, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. (TNS) ALBANY A lawsuit filed Nov. 8 in state Supreme Court in Albany County alleges Nancy Salzman, the former president of NXIVM, is failing to comply with a financial settlement with the cult-like organizations victims. In 2020, nearly 70 people filed a civil lawsuit against Salzman as well as NXIVM founder Keith Raniere and other former NXIVM leaders. As part of the settlement, Salzman agreed to sell three properties in Halfmoon she owned through an limited liability company, with the plaintiffs signing off on the sale prices for those properties. Salzman, 70, did not admit any wrongdoing in the civil settlement. Two of the properties sold for $167,500 and $230,000, respectively, in 2023; the third, a condo, sold in April for $190,000. The victims portion of the net proceeds from the third propertys sale was supposed to be $155,687. Salzman, through a law firm that is holding the proceeds in escrow, claims she needs the money to pay more than $116,189 in capital gains taxes from the sale of the three properties, according to court documents. She has instructed the firm not to release the money without a court order. Attorneys for the plaintiffs noted in their complaint that the settlement agreement doesnt contain any language about Salzmans tax responsibilities. Salzman was released from a federal halfway house earlier this year after serving less than 20 months of prison time for the crimes she committed as Ranieres top deputy in NXIVM, which collapsed in 2018 following the arrests of Raniere, Salzman and other members of its inner circle. In September 2021, Senior U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis sentenced Salzman to prison and fined her $150,000 based on her earlier guilty plea to racketeering conspiracy related to her involvement with NXIVM. Salzman reported to federal prison in February 2022. As part of her sentence, she was ordered to forfeit several properties and more than $500,000 in cash. A native of Cranford, N.J., who had worked as a nurse, Salzman co-founded NXIVM and its Executive Success Programs with Raniere in 1998. Over the next two decades, she served as president of the secretive Colonie-based organization as it added locations in Mexico, Canada, Los Angeles, the Pacific Northwest and Europe. Visitors to NXIVMs headquarters on New Karner Road in Colonie were greeted by photos of Salzman, known as Prefect, and Raniere, known as Vanguard. While Salzman held the position of president, Raniere was NXIVMs unquestioned leader. She preached the teachings of Raniere, who she had for a period been romantically involved with, to NXIVM students even passing along his claims that children are perfectly happy having sex with adults and that women experience freedom during rape. Salzman instructed NXIVM members that anyone challenging Raniere or NXIVM, including family members and friends, were suppressives to be avoided. Former NXIVM insiders have described Salzman as Ranieres enforcer, but also a victim of his cruelty and manipulation. She was not involved in Ranieres secret master/slave group, Dominus Obsequious Sororium (DOS), which ultimately led federal prosecutors in Brooklyn to charge Raniere. Salzman was among six NXIVM defendants, including Raniere, charged in a sweeping racketeering indictment in 2018. All but Raniere pleaded guilty. In June 2019, jurors convicted Raniere on all counts of sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and racketeering counts with underlying acts of extortion, identity theft and possession of child pornography. Raniere, 64, is serving a 120-year prison sentence in a federal prison in Tucson, Ariz. Salzman, the first defendant to plead guilty, admitted she doctored tapes that were offered as evidence in a lawsuit in which NXIVM sued cult expert Rick Ross and faced counterclaims. Salzman admitted she conspired to commit identity theft when she tried to obtain names and passwords of email accounts of NXIVMs perceived enemies, information stored in files kept in the basement of her home. Members of NXVIM included Smallville actress Allison Mack, who was released from prison in 2023; Seagrams liquor heiress Clare Bronfman; and a daughter of TV star Catherine Oxenberg of Dynasty fame. ___ (c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. WASHINGTON (AP) President-elect Donald Trump says Upstate New York native Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, will serve as border czar in his incoming administration, a position that is likely to play a key role in Trumps campaign pledges to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and mount a massive deportation operation. I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nations Borders, he wrote late Sunday on his Truth Social site. Trump said Homan, a former police officer in his North Country hometown of West Carthage, N.Y., will be responsible for the southern and northern borders, maritime and aviation security and will be in responsible for deportation efforts a central part of Trumps agenda. Well have more agents here but we need to end catch and release. If youre gonna cross the St. Lawrence River or the lake or on foot, they need to know, you can come, but youre going to be arrested, Homan told WWNY of the Canadian border. Youre not walking away. Were gonna lock you up. Homan said Monday during an appearance on Fox News that he was honored at the appointment. Homan is a tough-talking former Border Patrol agent who worked his way up to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2017 and 2018 as the acting director. He was never confirmed by the Senate, and his new role does not require it. Bringing him on shows the lengths that the Trump administration is likely to go to carry out the hardline immigration pledges that were a hallmark of the campaign. However, Homan has also pushed back on rhetoric suggesting massive roundups. At the National Conservatism Conference in Washington earlier this year, Homan said that while he thinks the government needed to prioritize national security threats, no ones off the table. If youre here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder. He also said: Youve got my word. Trump comes back in January, Ill be in his heels coming back, and I will run the biggest deportation operation this countrys ever seen. FILE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Thomas Homan speaks during an interview in East Point, Ga., April 26, 2018. President-elect Donald Trump says that Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, will serve as border czar in his incoming administration. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)AP He said in recent interviews, however, that those targeted at least initially would be people posing a risk to public safety and pushed back on suggestions that the U.S. military would be assisting in finding and deporting immigrants. You concentrate on the public safety threats and the national security threats first, because theyre the worst of the worst, he said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. He also said ICE would move to implement Trumps plans in a humane manner. Its going to be a well-targeted, planned operation conducted by the men of ICE. The men and women of ICE do this daily. Theyre good at it, he said. During a 60 Minutes interview before the election, Homan called suggestions of mass neighborhood raids or building camps to hold people ridiculous. When asked whether there was a way to carry out deportations without separating families, he said, Families can be deported together. He also said worksite immigration enforcement operations which the Biden administration largely stopped would be necessary. Gil Kerlikowske, who knows Homan from when Kerlikowske headed U.S. Customs and Border Protection under then-President Barack Obama, said Homan likely got the job because hes been a strong, vocal supporter of Trump since leaving office and knows how the border and immigration works. He added that unlike other figures such as Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner whos also been tapped for a top White House job, Homans decades in immigration jobs means he knows the difficulties of launching a massive deportation operation. Tom is much more knowledgeable about what can be done and whats practical, Kerlikowske said. Trump has long vowed the mass deportation of people living in the country illegally, but logistical and financial challenges make that difficult to carry out. ICE has about 41,500 detention beds at any one time, and countries have to agree to take back their citizens which is not always a given, especially for those with which the U.S. has no diplomatic relations, like Venezuela. Obama carried out 432,000 deportations in 2013, the highest annual total since records were kept. Deportations under Trump never topped 350,000. Homan started his career in 1984 as a Border Patrol agent before moving to ICE. He was a relatively low-key but influential figure on immigration enforcement in the Obama administration, heading ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations arm tasked with tracking down people who dont have the right to be in the country and removing them. During his first administration, Trump scrapped Obama-era policies limiting deportations to people who posed a public safety threat, convicted criminals and those who have crossed the border recently, effectively making anyone without legal status open to apprehension. During that time, Homan spearheaded a 40% surge in deportation arrests and established policies to make immigration arrests at courthouses and detain pregnant women. He was also a key figure responsible for immigration when the Trump administration launched its zero-tolerance policy, which separated migrant parents from their children at the U.S.-Mexico border. When Homan retired as acting head of ICE, he said he wanted to spend more time with family. In an interview with the AP in 2018, he said he had not intended to stay on into the Trump administration but did after then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly asked him to stay. Homan said he was at his own retirement party when he got the request. Kelly gave him a weekend to decide, and he accepted. After Homan stepped down, it appeared that he might be returning when Trump said in 2019 he wanted to bring Homan back as a border czar. Homan said the announcement was premature. The reason he gave at the time may give some insight into how he believes the border czar position needs to operate this time around. I think any sort of border czar needs to be a person who coordinates an all-government response to the border, adding, That wasnt the way it was set up, he told Fox News at the time. After leaving the Trump administration, Homan wrote a book titled, Defend the Border and Save Lives: Solving Our Most Humanitarian and Security Crisis and has been a frequent guest on Fox News. He was also a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a Washington think tank that often sets the conservative agenda and he was a founder of Border 911 Foundation Inc., a group that says it fights against a border invasion. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Multilateral development banks have invested in projects with a total capacity of 30 gigawatts since 2006, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso said at a ministerial dialogue themed "Scaling up Investment for Tripling Renewables and Doubling Energy Efficiency" within COP29 in Baku today, Trend reports. "We work in countries with developing markets, where we are witnessing significant changes. It is important to note that multilateral development banks are honoring their commitments. The main goal of our mission is, of course, to provide financing. We are actively funding projects in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and we are seeing significant acceleration in this area. Since 2006, we have invested in projects with a total capacity of 30 gigawatts, but just in 2023 alone - five gigawatts, which is a substantial acceleration, representing 25 percent of investments in renewable energy in the countries where we operate, indicating strong demand. The second aspect is the implementation of energy efficiency. A quarter of the projects we invest in include components aimed at improving energy efficiency - whether its decarbonizing processes, supporting households, small and medium-sized businesses, housing construction, or working through partner financial institutions. Since 2006, we have invested $33 billion in energy efficiency projects, with a significant portion of these investments made in the last year," she added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A hot potato: A controversial proposal to strengthen international cooperation against cybercrime has gained US support. The Biden Administration is interested in signing the treaty, while politicians are still warning about its potential for misuse and human rights abuse. Senior US government officials have confirmed that the Biden Administration is ready to support a United Nations treaty on cybercrime. The legally binding agreement would be a first and could help shape the UN's future legal initiatives and cooperation in fighting and investigating cyber threats. The treaty pushes for a global criminalization of child sexual abuse material and non-consensual online sharing of intimate imagery. Officials said that the treaty could also help the United States gain more comprehensive access to cybercrime-related digital evidence, while novel extradition rules would help with arrests and investigations. The US, Europe, and other nations initially opposed the treaty. According to an Electronic Frontier Foundation timeline, the Russian Federation presented a letter with the original draft in 2017. The resolution asking for a new international treaty against cybercrime was also sponsored by Belarus, Cambodia, China, Iran, Syria, and other "rogue nations" with no particular interest in defending people's rights to fair and impartial trials. Human rights organizations opposed the draft, urging the UN General Assembly to vote against the resolution. Yet, the ruling body created an Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) to draft a new convention to fight the use of communication technologies for criminal purposes, which seemed more palatable. Earlier this year, the AHC reached an agreement on the new draft, which is now awaiting formal adoption. The treaty will likely pass a General Assembly vote. However, human rights advocates and NGOs still describe the convention as a severe threat to privacy, security, freedom of expression, and AI safety. A recent letter by six US Democratic senators said that Russia, China, and other authoritarian regimes could exploit the treaty to increase their censorship efforts, infringe online privacy, and abuse human rights. Washington said that it would enforce safeguards against human rights abuses, with the Department of Justice refusing cooperation in blatantly abuse attempts. "While the executive branch's efforts to steer this treaty in a less-harmful direction are commendable, more must be done to keep the convention from being used to justify such actions," the Democrats' letter said. Unnamed officials told Bloomberg that the Biden Administration would not support any UN resolution if it did not implement proper safeguards in the new treaty. In brief: Japan is borrowing a page from the US government's playbook. In the wake of the US Chips and Science Act, the island nation has announced a $65 billion economic plan designed to boost local semiconductor production and help stabilize supply chains. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed the $65 billion plan this week. Reuters saw an early draft of the proposal, which is scheduled to be submitted during the country's next parliament session, and notes its support of domestic chipmaker Rapidus among others. The homegrown semiconductor manufacturer was founded in 2022 with support from several major Japanese tech companies including Sony and Kioxia, and entered into a strategic partnership with IBM in December 2022. The outfit expects to start mass production of advanced chips built on a 2nm process by 2027. It is an ambitious goal, but one that could be helped along with a significant infusion of cash. Ishiba said the plan would not be backed by deficit-covering bonds, but stopped short in a press conference of detailing where funding would come from. According to the draft, the Japanese government expects the plan to generate more than a trillion dollars in economic impact. Success is no guarantee for Rapidus or any other recipients of money from the program. As Tom's Hardware highlights, it took many years for established players like TSMC to get to where they are today. The publication questions whether or not Japan has enough workers with the skills necessary to achieve their goals. As we have seen both domestically and abroad, finding workers with the smarts to get the job done can be a real challenge. Even China, with its heavy investments and accusations of IP theft, hasn't been able to compete toe to toe with leading chipmakers. It remains to be seen whether or not Japan's investment will pay off, but it is hard not to think that increased competition will benefit the masses via lower prices and a more robust supply chain. Image credit: Getty Images An unusual offer to women for fertility treatment has been presented by a Moscow-based IVF clinic. The bizarre part? It's absolutely free in-vitro fertilization process, but on one condition: participants will have to use the sperm of Pavel Durov, Telegram CEO. Women interested in this program must be younger than 37, and the clinic reportedly revealed that this offer's vacancies are few. AltraVita's Exclusivity in Biomaterial Usage of Durov The AltraVita clinic website claims that it has an exclusive privilege over the preservation and usage of Pavel Durov's biomaterial. This has been an open source of public interest and amazement because Durov is a prominent figure in the world of IT technology. The campaigning materials for the clinic revolved around his success and great aspect as the main attraction for female individuals who may want their prospective children to share Durov's DNA characteristics. In fact, one of the stock photos on the clinic website pictures a woman who appears excited about the prospect of going through the treatment with Durov's DNA in place. Durov's Earlier Comments on Making DNA 'Open Source' The offer fits very well with Pavel Durov's earlier announcements on expanding his offspring. The Russian mogul has already acknowledged fathering more than 100 children worldwide through such sperm donations and has announced in the future that he would "open-source" his DNA so all his offspring could find him. While his vision is eccentric, it characterizes a growing trend from the new rich technocrats to undertake unconventional measures toward safeguarding their genetic legacy. Financially Attractive But Personally Complex For any intending parents, the financial advantage of this offer is enormous. Treatment for in vitro fertilization is a highly expensive treatment which costs thousands and presents no prospect of success. AltraVita has stated that Durov will pay the full bill of any IVF protocol expenses to someone using his sperm so that the dream of one or more kids becomes achievable for some. However, psychologically, it is significant. Coming into this program means carrying and raising a child directly linked to a high-profile, sometimes controversial public figure. Durov's Complex Reputation and Telegram Scandal Durov is welcomed as the tech visionary; however, on the other hand, there has also been extreme criticism for how he manages Telegram. Accusing the platform of being a home for criminal activities and extremist content and the lack of effective moderation has also surfaced. Gizmodo reports that the "Russian Elon Musk" was recently arrested in Paris for not doing anything to address these concerns. He is out on bail, but an investigation into his implication is still open, which makes things a little more complicated for those women who would be interested in the genetic makeup of Durov for their offspring. Increasing Interest of the Silicon Valley to Legacy of Genes Durov's fascination with spreading his DNA fits the bill as Silicon Valley's latest trend: tech moguls increasingly embrace oddball ways to expand their impact and even their genetic heritage. From investing in anti-aging science and even having as many children as possible, it seems Elon Musk and others throughout the tech world are out there striving for a legacy that endures. It's this kind of cultural obsession with making sure one's genes survive and thrive well beyond their own death, doing so at times in unorthodox fashions, which has become Durov's main concern in spreading his DNA everywhere. Surely, the IVF offer that AltraVita presents comes as rather attractive and comparatively inexpensive to the women who qualify and are interested. Comparatively speaking, bringing up a child with the genetic contributions made by someone like Durova public figureis a much more serious step. To those who are ready to take on this challenge, the offer will bring financial relief and access to IVF in general, but this unique proposition is not for everyone. Bluesky has really skyrocketed. The social media app, which is said to be one of Twitter's rival apps, saw a surge in its users a week after the US presidential election, where it shot up to 700,000 new users. Although founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, this rise is credited to users who go to Bluesky as an escape from Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter. Therefore, membership has risen from 9 million in September to 14.5 million by Nov. 12. Musk's Controversial Influence Over X According to The Guardian, the recent departures from X are largely because of Elon Musk's public endorsement of president-elect Donald Trump, who declared a decisive victory on Nov. 5. Increasingly under siege since Elon Musk's $44 billion acquisition of X in 2022, the platform suffers from rising criticism. Users report an increase in misinformation, offensive content, and difficulties managing unwanted interactions. Many view Bluesky as the safer, more community-minded alternativein short, a safe space for every user. Public Personalities Dive into Frenzy for Bluesky US Congress Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez returned to Bluesky this week. "Thrilled to be in a 'digital space with real human beings," she said. In August, UK activity in Bluesky surged upward by 60 percent amid growing discontent over the contents of X's, as well as about the electoral politics said by Musk. Moreover, recent criticism by Musk against UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ignited the shift, as influential members like Home Office minister Jess Philips and Labour MP Lewis Atkinson declared to switch to Bluesky. According to Axel Bruns, a social media researcher, people have sought refuge in Bluesky without bots, hate speech, far-right activism, and other form of negativities. Bluesky's Increasing Popularity Amidst Hardship for X This is the second instance Bluesky is raking money from X's woes. After X rebranded from Twitter, it lost nearly a fifth of its users, most of whom had decided to join Bluesky, Sky News reports. Similarly, after X was banned in Brazil, Bluesky announced three million more users. British comedian Greg Davies also announced his exit from X, asking his followers to "keep in touch through other channels," further evidence of the increasing allure of Bluesky. What Sets Bluesky Apart? Bluesky was launched independently in 2021 by Jay Graber and is a decentralized social media experience that looks very different from any other mainstream platform, be it Twitter or Facebook. Images of Bluesky more closely resemble those of X, as it focuses on a network of interoperable communities, which allows users to cross-post across platforms. Currently, Bluesky ranks second, behind Meta's Threads, on the US Apple App Store. With its unconventional appeal and user-first take on social networking, Bluesky has quickly gained much ground. Bluesky's recent rise in popularity gives some people hope that a social media platform can be as clean and safe as before. Since it's now at the forefront with Musk's X, it should be ready anytime when Elon's minions attack it. We could remember that Bluesky reversed the ban on state heads. This means that world leaders can use it nowand politics inside its sphere will be unavoidable. CRI: China announced last week that President Xi Jinping will visit Latin America. This year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinpings proposal of China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) building a China-LAC community with a shared future and common progress. What progress has been made in building a China-LAC community with a shared future over the past decade? Lin Jian: Over the past decade, President Xi Jinpings proposal of building a China-LAC community with a shared future has been translated from a vision to action and from a blueprint to reality. The proposal has generated fruitful outcomes, benefited the two peoples and is widely welcomed by LAC countries. China and LAC hold high the banner of peaceful development and cooperation, forge stronger synergy between each others development strategies, upgrade and accelerate cooperation and share the outcomes of cooperation. Both sides uphold true multilateralism and work for more just and equitable global governance. China and Brazil jointly issued six common understandings on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and launched the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis together with other like-minded Global South countries to build global synergy on deescalating the situation. China is the second largest trading partner for the region and the largest trading partner for many countries in the region. China has signed free trade agreement with five countries and engaged in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with 22 countries in this region. The cooperation between the two sides has been expanded from traditional areas including economy and trade, finance and infrastructure to such emerging areas as energy, digital economy and aerospace. The direct flights between China and LAC have become an Air Silk Road. China has actively provided human resources training programs to LAC, sent medical and agricultural experts there and promoted small yet smart livelihood programs on growing bamboos and Juncao to boost development and revitalization in the region. China is always a trustworthy friend and partner to LAC countries and their peoples. The China-LAC relationship has entered a new era characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and more benefits for the people. President Xi Jinping will soon pay another visit to Latin America, which will be his sixth visit to the region since 2013. We believe under the guidance of heads-of-state diplomacy, the China-LAC community with a shared future will enjoy more promising prospects in the next decade. Dragon TV: The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) concluded in Shanghai a few days ago. The CIIE produced fruitful results, reaching US$80.01 billion worth of tentative deals for one-year purchases, up by 2 percent from the previous CIIE. Whats your comment on the achievements and significance of the seventh CIIE? Lin Jian: The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is a fine example of China expanding high-standard opening up and sharing its development dividends with the rest of the world. Within six days, 77 countries and international organizations participated in the country exhibition and exhibitors from 129 countries and regions took part in the business exhibition. The number of participating Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders reached 297. Over 450 new products, new technologies and new services were unveiled. The CIIE provided over 120 free booths for 37 least developed countries, including those from Africa, as part of the concrete actions to help more developing countries board the express train of Chinas development and engage in the process of economic globalization. China is firmly resolved and confident in driving the opening up and common development of the world through its high-standard opening up and high-quality development. We stand ready to work with other parties to build an open global economy, make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial for all, and deliver more benefits of development to the people across the world in a more equitable way. CCTV: Its reported that President Xi Jinping sent a reply letter to friendly personages in Brazil, which received warm response. Those committed to China-Brazil friendship in Brazil said that President Xi Jinpings letter injected new impetus for Brazil-China friendship and the growth of bilateral ties. Can you share more details on that? Lin Jian: President Xi Jinping recently replied to letters from over 100 friendly personages from Brazil, including Enrique Teixeira, former deputy mayor of Campinas, Sao Paulo State, the Brazil-China Friendship Association, teachers and students from the University of Sao Paulo and Sao Paulo State University, and the Copacabana Fort Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro, encouraging them to continue to contribute to China-Brazil friendship. The letter received extensive and positive response. People from all walks of life committed to China-Brazil friendship in Brazil said that they are deeply inspired by the letter, look forward to President Xi Jinpings visit to Brazil and stand ready to make further contribution to deepening Brazil-China friendship. China and Brazil enjoy time-honored friendship that is ever-flowing like the Yangtze River and the Amazon River and that has brought the two countries close together despite being thousands of miles apart geographically. About 200 years ago, the first group of Chinese tea farmers traveled across the ocean to grow and teach the art of tea in Brazil. The seed of friendship they sowed back then has grown tall and borne fruit. The friendship between the people has always been a source of driving forces for the growth of China-Brazil relations. We believe that President Xi Jinpings upcoming state visit to Brazil will further strengthen the bond of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and write a new chapter of China-Brazil friendship that surmounts mountains and oceans. We welcome more Brazilian friends to visit China and experience the vibrancy of Chinese modernization. Reuters: Regarding Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro, he said today that China is putting ever greater pressure on the Philippines to concede sovereign rights in the South China Sea, adding that the Philippines was, in his words, a victim of Chinese aggression. Does China have a response to this? Lin Jian: You mentioned the remarks of the relevant person in the Philippines. Let me point out that every escalation of maritime disputes between China and the Philippines was triggered by the infringement activities and provocations of the Philippines. It was the Philippines who took infringement activities first and China had to take necessary measures in accordance with law to safeguard our lawful rights and interests. If the Philippines stops infringement activities and provocations, there will be no trouble at sea. Xinhua News Agency: Yesterday the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre and China Institute of International Studies held an event to release the Report on the True Multilateralism. The report pointed out that in a world fraught with transformation and instability, true multilateralism is a must choice for mankind to address global challenges and improve the global governance system. Can you share more details with us? Lin Jian: Yesterday afternoon, the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre and China Institute of International Studies held an event to release the Report on the True Multilateralism: Conceptual Development, Core Essence and Chinas Practice. In April 2021, President Xi Jinping advocated the vision of true multilateralism in his keynote speech at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference. Over the past three years and more, this vision has received increasing and extensive support from various countries, effectively boosted solidarity and cooperation of the international community, and proved to be highly relevant to our times and important for our practice. The report took stock of the essence of the important vision and its practice, and provides useful references for us to continue upholding and practicing true multilateralism. To advance the implementation of the vision of true multilateralism, we need to extensively pool wisdom and strength of all sides. We support think tanks in China in making greater contribution in this regard. China also stands ready to work with countries around the world to hold high the banner of true multilateralism, advocate fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness, act on the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and make new contribution to building an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity. Beijing Daily: According to media reports, Pravind Jugnauth, the incumbent Prime Minister of Mauritius, has conceded defeat in the parliamentary election in an interview on November 11. Navin Ramgoolam, the leader of the Alliance for Change, will take over the post of prime minister for a fourth time. Do you have any comment? Lin Jian: We noted relevant reports. We congratulate Mr. Navin Ramgoolam on his election as the Prime Minister of Mauritius and believe that under his leadership, Mauritius will achieve greater success on the path of its national development. China and Mauritius share profound traditional friendship and fruitful outcomes of practical cooperation, which brings huge benefits to the two peoples. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam is an old friend of the Chinese people who has paid several visits to China. China stands ready to work with the new administration of Mauritius and take the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit as an opportunity to strive for greater development of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Bloomberg: A deputy German economy minister is in Taiwan this week for talks with officials there and executives. Hell also visit TSMC. Does the Foreign Ministry want to comment on this visit? Lin Jian: There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. The one-China principle is a universally recognized norm in international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community as well as the political foundation of China-Germany relations. We urge Germany to abide by the one-China principle, stop official exchange with Taiwan authorities in whatever form, and stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces for Taiwan independence. Reuters: What is Chinas expectation for the APEC summit this week? Is President Xi Jinping planning to meet President Biden on the sidelines of the summit? Lin Jian: On your first question, President Xi Jinpings attendance at this years APEC Economic Leaders Meeting is an important action of Chinas heads-of-state diplomacy facing the Asia-Pacific, which fully shows the high importance China attaches to Asia-Pacific economic cooperation. In a world struggling to find drivers for growth, regional economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific faces new challenges. APEC is an important platform for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, and this region is expected to continue to play its role as a dynamic engine for world economic growth. President Xi Jinping will deliver an important speech at the meeting to elaborate on Chinas important measures to deepen reform and opening up and propositions on advancing Asia-Pacific cooperation. China stands ready to work with other parties to deliver on the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 in an all-round and balanced way, strive for positive outcomes of this meeting, provide new impetus for advancing regional economic integration and promoting the growth of Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world, and jointly build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future. On your second question, I have no information to share. AFP: Earlier today, Wang Yi met with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. Can the Foreign Ministry provide details on what was discussed at that meeting? Lin Jian: We will release information in due course. Please check back for updates. AFP: North Korea and Russia have ratified their defense treaty, requiring both sides to provide military assistance without delay. Does China have any comment on the cementing of military cooperation between the two sides? Lin Jian: On the bilateral exchange and cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, we have made clear our position more than once. The DPRK and Russia are two independent sovereign states. How to develop their bilateral relations is a matter for themselves. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The ceremony of signing an investment agreement on the project of a solar power plant with a capacity of 240 MW in Jabrayil - Shafag between the Government of Azerbaijan and Shafag (Jabrayil) Solar Limited was held within the framework of COP29, Trend reports. According to the information, the ceremony of signing the lease agreement of the land plot for the construction of the Shafag solar power plant was held next. To note, the agreement was signed by Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and bp CEO Murray Auchincloss. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel On Monday, e-commerce giant Amazon confirmed that some of its employee data was compromised following a security event at one of its third-party property management vendors (via TechCrunch). Despite the severity of the security incident, the company has assured that its own systems, including those of Amazon Web Services (AWS), remain secure. It also added that the security breach at the vendor was limited to work-related contact details, like employee work emails, desk phone numbers, and building locations, and no sensitive information, like Social Security numbers or financial data, was compromised. Amazon and AWS systems remain secure, and we have not experienced a security event, said Adam Montgomery, an Amazon spokesperson, in a statement to TechCrunch. We were notified about a security event at one of our property management vendors that impacted several of its customers, including Amazon. The only Amazon information involved was employee work contact information, for example, work email addresses, desk phone numbers, and building locations. While Amazon didnt disclose the number of employees affected, it did mention that the security vulnerability responsible for the data breach has since been resolved at the vendors end. Amazons confirmation follows a report from cybersecurity vendor Hudson Rock, who spotted the stolen information published on the hacking forum by a threat actor using the alias Nam3L3ss. It said that the stolen information posted on BreachForums, a notorious site in the hacking community, included data from Amazon and 24 other major organizations, including MetLife, HP, HSBC, and Canada Post. According to Hudson Rock, the threat actor claims to possess over 2.8 million lines of individual Amazon employee contact information, including their full names. The firm also reported that the threat actor claimed to have leaked only less than .001% of the total stolen data, promising more releases in the future. The cybersecurity firm says the stolen information dates back to May 2023, when a zero-day critical vulnerability in MOVEIt, a popular file transfer platform used by many companies, was exploited. This flaw allowed an unauthenticated attacker to bypass authentication protocols through an SQL injection, potentially granting unauthorized access to the MOVEit Transfer database and gaining access to sensitive data. The notorious Clop ransomware and extortion gang were claimed to be behind the MOVEit breach, which was the biggest hack of 2023. For example, the Oregon Department of Transportation in the U.S. had 3.5 million records stolen. In contrast, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and a U.S. government contractor, Maximus, had 4 million and 11 million records stolen, respectively. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Within the COP29, a groundbreaking ceremony of the Shafag Solar Power Plant with a capacity of 240 MW was held in Jabrayil, Trend reports. This station is the first utulity-scale solar energy and the largest foreign direct investment project implemented in the liberated territories. The project is being implemented on the basis of an Implementation Agreement signed between the Ministry of Energy and bp on 3 June 2021. At the groundbreaking ceremony, an Investment Agreement was signed between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Shafag (Jabrayil) Solar Limited and a Land Lease Agreement between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Shafag (Jabrayil) Solar Limited. And then, symbolically, the first solar panel of the station was signed. SOCAR and Azerbaijan Investment Company also attended the signing. The annual average production of Shafag SPP is estimated to be around 500 million kWh. It means that 120-150 million cubic meters of natural gas will be saved annually, and 260-330 thousand tons of CO2 emissions will be reduced. Within the Virtual Power Transfer Arrangement (VPTA) Mechanism, electricity generated by the plant will be supplied to the existing power grid, which in turn will supply the same amount of electricity back into the Sangachal Terminal. As a result, renewable energy will be used to meet the terminal's energy needs and support bp's reduction in operational waste in the Caspian region. Thus, the implementation of the project will make a significant contribution to both the national economy and the decarbonization efforts of the consortium members, including SOCAR. Required investment for Shafag SPP, the shareholders of which are bp, SOCAR and the Azerbaijan Investment Company, is estimated to be around $200 million. Bees help tackle elephant-human conflict in Kenya Voi, Kenya, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 "We used to hate elephants a lot," Kenyan farmer Charity Mwangome says, pausing from her work under the shade of a baobab tree. The bees humming in the background are part of the reason why her hatred has dimmed. The diminutive 58-year-old said rapacious elephants would often destroy months of work in her farmland that sits between two parts of Kenya's world-renowned Tsavo National Park. Beloved by tourists -- who contribute around 10 percent of Kenya's GDP -- the animals are loathed by most local farmers, who form the backbone of the nation's economy. Elephant conservation has been a roaring success: numbers in Tsavo rose from around 6,000 in the mid-1990s to almost 15,000 elephants in 2021, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). But the human population also expanded, encroaching on grazing and migration routes for the herds. Resulting clashes are becoming the number one cause of elephant deaths, says KWS. Refused compensation when she lost her crops, Mwangome admits she was mad with the conservationists. But a long-running project by charity Save the Elephants offered her an unlikely solution -- deterring some of nature's biggest animals with some of its smallest: African honeybees. Cheery yellow beehive fences now protect several local plots, including Mwangome's. A nine-year study published last month found that elephants avoided farms with the ferocious bees 86 percent of the time. "The beehive fences came to our rescue," said Mwangome. - Hacking nature - The deep humming of 70,000 bees is enough to make many flee, including a six-tonne elephant, but Loise Kawira calmly removes a tray in her apiary to demonstrate the intricate combs of wax and honey. Kawira, who joined Save the Elephants in 2021 as their consultant beekeeper, trains and monitors farmers in the delicate art. The project supports 49 farmers, whose plots are surrounded by 15 connected hives. Each is strung on greased wire a few metres off the ground, which protects them from badgers and insects, but also means they shake when disturbed by a hungry elephant. "Once the elephants hear the sound of the bees and the smell, they run away," Kawira told AFP. "It hacks the interaction between elephants and bees," added Ewan Brennan, local project coordinator. It has been effective, but recent droughts, exacerbated by climate change, have raised challenges. "(In) the total heat, the dryness, bees have absconded," said Kawira. It is also expensive -- about 150,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,100) to install hives -- well beyond the means of subsistence farmers, though the project organisers say it is still cheaper than electric fences. - 'I was going to die' - Just moments after AFP arrived at Mwanajuma Kibula's farm, which abuts one of the Tsavo parks, her beehive fence had seen off an elephant. The five-tonne animal, its skin caked in red mud, rumbled into the area and then did an abrupt about-face. "I know my crops are protected," Kibula said with palpable relief. Kibula, 48, also harvests honey twice a year from her hives, making 450 shillings per jar -- enough to pay school fees for her children. She is fortunate to have protection from the biggest land mammals on Earth. "An elephant ripped off my roof, I had to hide under the bed because I knew I was going to die," said a less-fortunate neighbour, Hendrita Mwalada, 67. For those who can't afford bees, Save the Elephants offers other solutions, such as metal-sheet fences that clatter when shaken by approaching elephants, and diesel- or chilli-soaked rags that deter them. It is not always enough. "I have tried planting but every time the crops are ready, the elephants come and destroy the crops," Mwalada told AFP. "That has been the story of my life, a life full of too much struggling." Climate crisis worsening already 'hellish' refugee situation: UN Geneva, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Climate change is contributing to record numbers of people being uprooted from their homes globally, while worsening the often already "hellish" conditions of displacement, the United Nations said Tuesday. With international climate talks under way in Baku, the UN refugee agency highlighted how soaring global temperatures and extreme weather events are impacting displacement numbers and conditions, as it called for more and better investment in mitigating the risks. In a fresh report, UNHCR pointed to how climate shocks in places like Sudan, Somalia and Myanmar were interacting with conflict to push those already in danger into even more dire situations. "Across our warming world, drought, floods, life-threatening heat and other extreme weather events are creating emergencies with alarming frequency," UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said in the foreword to the report. "People forced to flee their homes are on the front lines of this crisis," he said, pointing out that 75 percent of displaced people live in countries with high-to-extreme exposure to climate-related hazards. "As the speed and scale of climate change increase, this figure will only continue to rise." - 120 million displaced - A record 120 million people already live forcibly displaced by war, violence and persecution -- most of them inside their own countries, UNHCR figures from June showed. "Globally, the number of people that have been displaced by conflict has doubled over the last 10 years," Andrew Harper, UNHCR's special advisor on climate action, pointed out to AFP. At the same time, UNHCR pointed to recent data from the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre indicating that weather-related disasters have displaced some 220 million people inside their countries over the past decade alone -- equivalent to approximately 60,000 displacements per day. "We're just seeing more and more and more people being displaced," Harper said, lamenting a dire lack of the funds needed to support those who flee and the communities that host them. "We are seeing across the board, a hellish situation become even tougher." Most refugee settlement areas, he pointed out, are found in lower-income countries, frequently "in the desert, in areas which are prone to flooding, in places without necessary infrastructure to deal with the increasing impacts of climate change". This is set to get worse. By 2040, the number of countries in the world facing extreme climate-related hazards is expected to rise from three to 65, UNHCR said, with the vast majority of them hosting displaced populations. - Dangerous heat - And by 2050, most refugee settlements and camps are projected to experience twice as many days of dangerous heat as they do today, the report cautioned. That could not only be uncomfortable and a health hazard to the people living there, but could also lead to crop failures and livestock dying off, Harper warned. "We're seeing increasing loss of arable land in places exposed to climate extremes, like Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Afghanistan, but at the same time we've got the massive increase in populations," he said. UNHCR is urging decision-makers gathered for the COP29 in Baku to ensure that far more of international climate financing reaches refugees and host communities most in need. Currently, UNHCR pointed out, extremely fragile states receive only around $2 per person in annual adaptation funding, compared to $161 per person in non-fragile states. Without more investment in building climate resilience and adaptation in such communities, more displacement towards countries less impacted by climate change will be inevitable, Harper said. "If we don't invest in peace, if we don't invest in climate adaptation in these areas, then people will move," he said. "It's illogical to expect them to do anything different." Spain royals to return to flood epicentre after chaotic visit Madrid, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Spain's king and queen will next week visit the epicentre of the country's catastrophic floods where survivors heckled and hurled mud at them during their last trip, palace sources said on Tuesday. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will travel "early next week" to the eastern Valencia region, which has suffered almost all the destruction and 222 deaths, palace sources told AFP. Furious residents chanting "murderers" in the ruined Valencia region town of Paiporta pelted the couple and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez with projectiles and mud on November 3. While Sanchez and the Valencia region's leader Carlos Mazon were swiftly escorted away, the royals braved the chaos to speak with flood victims. They have promised to travel to the town of Chiva where their planned visit on the same day was cancelled. Felipe is due to return to the Valencia region on Tuesday to meet some of the thousands of soldiers taking part in the relief work following the October 29 disaster. The unrest in Paiporta expressed widespread anger at political leaders for their perceived failure to adequately prepare for and respond to Spain's worst floods in a generation. Court challenge begins against UK oil and gas field approvals Edinburgh, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Two environmental groups kick off a legal challenge in Scotland on Tuesday to block the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields in the North Sea, with activists optimistic of success. "We're more confident than ever we can win," said environmental lawyer Tessa Khan before the case opened at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Her optimism was shared by hundreds of people who demonstrated outside the court off the city's Royal Mile, given recent rulings that have put the future of the fields in doubt. Campaign groups Uplift and Greenpeace argue that the UK government granted permissions unlawfully by failing to take into account all emissions from burning oil and gas. A win for the campaigners would mean operators would have to resubmit environmental assessments for approval before drilling can start. Former Scottish National Party lawmaker Tommy Shepherd said the case's impact will be felt across the sector. "This is the granddaddy because it is so big, but the case will be applied to the decision-making process in general," he told AFP. "There were 100 licences granted by the last Conservative government in its final dying months. All of them will now be under question." Regulatory approval for drilling at the Rosebank oil field, 145 kilometres (90 miles) off the Shetland Islands in Scotland's far north, was granted last year. It is the UK's largest untapped oil field, estimated to contain up to 300 million barrels. Drilling had been due to begin between 2026 and 2030. The Jackdaw gas condensate field, approved in 2022, is being developed 155 miles east of the Scottish city of Aberdeen and was expected to start production next year. Rosebank is owned by Norwegian energy giant Equinor and the UK's Ithaca Energy. Jackdaw is owned by Shell. jwp/phz/jj/gv Equinor Ithaca Energy Spain PM accused of 'blackmail' by tying budget to flood aid Madrid, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Spain's minority left-wing government wants to galvanise its deadlocked 2025 draft budget by linking it to urgent reconstruction funds following devastating floods, sparking "blackmail" accusations from the conservative opposition. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government unveiled its spending plans for next year in September, forecasting a public deficit reaching 2.5 percent of annual economic output. But the text has been on the backburner as the fragile coalition grapples with fiendishly difficult parliamentary arithmetic. Several Spanish governments have failed to pass their budgets since the European country returned to democracy after the 1975 death of right-wing dictator Francisco Franco, including last year. They can avoid paralysis thanks to a constitutional mechanism that extends spending limits from the previous budget but constrains action to small adjustments. "No one would understand" why Spain would settle for tinkering after its worst floods in decades, Budget Minister Maria Jesus Montero said in Sunday's El Pais daily. The torrents of muddy water have killed 222 people, wrecked infrastructure, destroyed businesses and submerged fields, with the final bill expected to soar to tens of billions of euros. The government has already announced economic recovery measures collectively worth more than 14 billion euros, but they will affect Spain's budgetary outlook and require major adjustments. The government insists fresh public accounts for 2025 can accelerate the desperately needed aid. "To rebuild, a budget is necessary... the emergency requires it," Montero said. - Aid 'cannot wait' - Montero urged "unity" from Spain's polarised political class, but the main opposition conservative party swiftly dashed any hopes the catastrophe would lay the ground for a new budget. The flood victims "must not be used as bargaining chips in the budget negotiations", the Popular Party said in a statement, condemning Sanchez's "blackmail". Consultancy firm Teneo suggested the government could use the "extraordinary circumstances" to convince potential allies to "moderate their stances" but warned it would be difficult after the floods became politicised. Junts per Catalunya, a Catalan separatist party whose support is essential for government proposals to pass, expressed doubts about the budget if it is linked to flood recovery spending. Releasing the aid "cannot wait for the long scrutiny of a theoretical budget" and amendments to the current one can instead be adopted, Junts said. The government's "political use" of the tragedy is "unacceptable" because it can already request EU funds and approve emergency loans and grants without a budget, business daily El Economista said. Climate 'financing gap' is widening: ECB chief Frankfurt, Germany, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned Tuesday of a widening gap between the amount of funding necessary to adapt to the climate crisis and what has so far been pledged. As delegates at the COP29 climate conference in Baku try to land a hard-fought deal to boost funding for climate action in developing countries, Lagarde said "the 'financing gap' is widening". She pointed to figures that suggest that financing needs are "50 percent higher than previously estimated and up to 18 times greater than current commitments". "The energy transition alone requires investment in clean energy to triple by 2030," she said in a column published by the Financial Times and on the ECB's website. She cited estimates by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), according to which up to $11.7 trillion has to be spent on climate change mitigation annually by 2035 in order to meet the Paris agreement target to keep warming "well below" two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. This represents around ten percent of global economic output. Lagarde, who has made climate protection a central goal of her tenure at the head of the ECB, said that events including the "horrific" recent floods in Spain and storms in North America showed that "the steep price of our inaction... is rising by the day". Such extreme weather events are "ruining the foundations of our economies and, ultimately, the basis of our economic survival," she wrote. Also on Tuesday UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the nearly 200 countries taking part in the COP29 talks to reach a deal on funding from richer nations to developing economies to help them adapt to climate change. Developing nations "must not leave Baku empty-handed" at the end of the conference on November 22, he said, adding: "A deal is a must." Court challenge begins against UK oil and gas field approvals Edinburgh, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Two environmental groups kicked off a legal challenge in Scotland on Tuesday to block the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields in the North Sea, with activists optimistic of success after other favourable court rulings. Campaign groups Uplift and Greenpeace have brought judicial reviews at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, arguing that the government illegally granted operators permission to exploit the fields. Lawyer Ruth Crawford, representing Greenpeace, said it was "agreed by all that decisions made on Jackdaw and Rosebank were unlawful because Scope 3/downstream greenhouse gas emissions were not assessed in environmental statements submitted by interested parties". Scope 3 emissions are essentially all carbon emissions indirectly generated by a business. Crawford urged judge Andrew Stewart to ignore arguments from energy firms behind the schemes about the cost of pausing development. Shell, which owns the Jackdaw gas condensate field 155 miles (250 kilometres) east of the Scottish city of Aberdeen, has said stopping work was "a highly complex process, with significant technical and operational issues now that infrastructure is in place and drilling has started". Production had been due to start next year, with Shell saying it would provide enough fuel to heat 1.4 million UK homes. Equinor, the majority owner of Rosebank oil field, 145 kilometres off the Shetland Islands in Scotland's far north, has said the development would create jobs and be vital for UK energy security. Rosebank is the UK's largest untapped oil field, estimated to contain up to 300 million barrels. Drilling had been due to begin between 2026 and 2030. - 'Narrow window' - Before the case, which is due to last four days, hundreds turned out to demonstrate outside the court, in a celebratory mood given recent rulings that the UK government had granted permissions unlawfully by failing to take into account all emissions from burning oil and gas. A ruling in favour of the campaigners would mean that operators would have to resubmit environmental assessments for approval before drilling can start. Former Scottish National Party lawmaker Tommy Sheppard called the case "the granddaddy because it is so big". "The case will be applied to the decision-making process in general," he told AFP. "There were 100 licences granted by the last Conservative government in its final dying months. All of them will now be under question." The campaigners' confidence comes from a UK Supreme Court ruling in July that the previous Conservative government should have considered the carbon emissions of burning extracted oil and gas, not just of extracting it. The incoming Labour government then announced it would not contest the Rosebank and Jackdaw case, leaving the oil companies alone to fight the legal challenges. "We are on the precipice of a massive victory for the climate," said Uplift campaigner Lauren MacDonald. The group's executive director Tessa Khan said it sent a message to the energy industry and that the "window for approval has really, really narrowed". - Renewables - Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in Baku, Azerbaijan for the UN climate change summit, on Tuesday said the UK would aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 81 percent on 1990 levels by 2035, as part of government plans to reach net-zero by 2050. Sheppard said the increased economic costs would force energy companies to look towards developing the renewables sector, provided the government gives the necessary investment and incentives. At the same time, governments in oil-generating countries like Scotland must tread a fine line in balancing the longer term threats of rising temperatures with the shorter term risks of job losses in the sector. Energy historian Ewan Gibbs, from the University of Glasgow, pointed to potential parallels with the breakdown of social cohesion caused by the closure of the UK's coal mines in the 1980s without a plan for those made redundant. Sheppard said it was important that those affected by net-zero transition plans be reskilled and retrained to enable them to benefit from new jobs being created by clean energy technologies. jwp-phz/yad Equinor Ithaca Energy Drinking water outage hits half of France's Mayotte Mamoudzou, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Around half the people in the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte were without potable water Tuesday after a "technical incident" at a treatment plant, a local authority said in a statement. The "event of electrical origin" at the Ouroveni plant overnight from Monday to Tuesday "is leading to water cuts mostly located in the centre and south" of Mayotte's main island Grande Terre, the prefecture said. Around half of Mayotte's population of 320,000 depends on Ouroveni's daily output of up to 20,000 cubic metres (700,000 cubic feet) of drinking water. The island territory has for years been battling water shortages. Low rainfall and numerous leaks in the distribution system prompted authorities to cut water supplies for as much as two out of every three days between August 2023 and January this year. Cuts are still in force for one in every three days as "daily consumption is estimated at 45,000 cubic metres, but the territory can only produce a maximum of 40,000," said Jerome Josserand, head of the territory's DEALM environment, planning, housing and maritime authority. Several schools -- usually continuously supplied with water -- were forced to send pupils home on Tuesday, with the education authority counting three middle schools and two high schools. Mayotte's SMAE water company was "working to evaluate the consequences of the incident and the time it will take to get back to normal," the prefecture said. In the meantime, potable water tanks have been set up in affected municipalities, the company said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The installed capacity of renewable sources in Brazil will increase by 30 gigawatts by 2030, the special advisor to Brazil's Minister of Mines and Energy, Mariana Especie said during a ministerial dialog on Scaling up Investment for Tripling Renewables and Doubling Energy Efficiency, Trend reports. Brazil is an example that it is possible to aim for greater ambition in scaling up investments in renewable energy. From Brazil's perspective, in 2023, 89.2 percent of our electricity mix was renewable. So far, Brazil has successfully implemented national policies aimed at developing renewable energy at scale. This has been possible thanks to the medium- and long-term energy planning that underpins our strategy. Hydropower plays a key role in our country, she said. According to her, Brazil is weaving a tapestry of progress through the successful orchestration of auctions for the construction of transmission lines, each thread contributing to the grand expansion of the national interconnected grid. Brazil views the energy transition as an opportunity for investment and social development. In this sense, we are working closely with Brazil's National Development Bank to attract private investment into the country and support the implementation of onshore wind power projects as well as solar PV systems throughout the country. This is also helping to make these technologies the most affordable in Brazil. By 2030, Brazil's installed renewable capacity will increase by 30 gigawatts, Especie added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Spain royals to return to flood epicentre after chaotic visit Betera, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Spain's King Felipe VI said Tuesday he and his wife Queen Letizia will next week return to the epicentre of the country's catastrophic floods, where survivors heckled and hurled mud at them during their last visit. "We do not yet have the date or the itinerary, but yes it will take place," the king told reporters during a visit to Betera in the eastern Valencia region where he met with soldiers taking part in the relief work following the October 29 disaster. "From the outset, we wanted to show our willingness to be present in various ways in all the places affected," added Felipe, dressed in military fatigues. Palace sources had told AFP earlier on Tuesday that the royal couple will travel "early next week" to the Valencia region, which has suffered almost all the destruction and 222 deaths. Furious residents chanting "murderers" in the ruined Valencia region town of Paiporta pelted the couple and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez with projectiles and mud on November 3. While Sanchez and the Valencia region's leader Carlos Mazon were swiftly escorted away, the royals braved the chaos to speak with flood victims. They have promised to travel to the town of Chiva where their planned visit on the same day was cancelled. The unrest in Paiporta expressed widespread anger at political leaders for their perceived failure to adequately prepare for and respond to Spain's worst floods in a generation. The king said he wants to approach his next visit to the affected area "taking into account the circumstances we are living through here, and aware that each of us must be in our place". Climate cash should also go to nuclear, says UN atomic chief Baku, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Tuesday that atomic power should also be allowed to tap into climate change funds. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said he wanted countries from Kenya to Malaysia to go for nuclear, while denying he was pushing for an "irresponsible race" towards civil atomic power. Should nuclear get climate financing? "It should. Already at COP28 in Dubai the international community -- not just nuclear countries -- agreed that nuclear energy needs to be accelerated. We need to give ourselves the means to make things happen. The dialogue with international financial institutions has started in a very positive way. I was at the World Bank this summer, and tomorrow we will meet with the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), as well as the Development Bank of Latin America. Various financing bodies are beginning to see that markets are pushing in this direction. We are obviously not a commercial lobby (but) a regulatory agency for everything related to nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation. We are here to provide assurances and to oversee projects." But banks don't directly back atomic projects? "There are cultural, political and ideological barriers. We are coming out of decades of a negative narrative about nuclear, but it has to happen. I am the first to want to see results straight away." Can nuclear help poorer nations decarbonise? "That would be a very good thing. There are many countries -- such as Ghana, Kenya and Morocco -- that are interested in small modular reactors, for example, and they approach us saying, 'For us, this would be a good solution.' Others, like those in Eastern Europe, could benefit from European funding and for whom energy security is crucial in reducing dependency on certain suppliers. So it depends on the model. In Asia, we have Malaysia, the Philippines... countries that genuinely need this." But how many have safety authorities up to the job? "Obviously, the agency does not endorse or promote programmes or projects that lack the institutional and technological fabric needed. We have development models. The United Arab Emirates is a very, very interesting case. It's a country with financial resources but that initially had absolutely no infrastructure, nuclear regulations etc. We have established programmes for newcomers to guide them step-by-step, through 19 chapters, until they establish nuclear capability." That's what we have done. We are not going crazy, in an irresponsible race toward civil nuclear power. But there are a lot of things we can do." BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has updated its energy strategy until 2050 and plans to increase energy efficiency to 45 percent, the assistant to UAE Foreign Minister Abdulla Balalaa said during a ministerial dialogue on ''Scaling up Investment for Tripling Renewables and Doubling Energy Efficiency," Trend reports. The UAE has made significant progress towards achieving the goal of zero emissions in the energy sector. We are also on track to further reduce our grid emission factor, making the UAE one of the lowest emitting countries. As the UAE, we aim to be an example of an ambitious but pragmatic transition to clean energy. The UAE has updated its energy strategy to 2050 and plans to improve energy efficiency by up to 45 percent, Balalaa said. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. A press conference themed "Oil and recent changes in the world" within COP29 in Baku has discussed the changing tendency of oil extraction's environmental impact, Trend reports. The press conference showcased dynamic opening statements from key representatives of global environmental initiatives: Cindra Sharma and Bronwen Tucker from the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), Bronwen Taker from Oil Change International, and Diin Bebe from Power Shift Africa. Subsequently, insights were delivered in response to the inquiries posed by the media representatives. The press conference also touched upon the further production of petroleum products in the third decade of the 21st century, the role of oil corporations in climate protection, and the financing of NGO programs dedicated to this field. Additionally, the speakers emphasized the important role of this COP in finding solutions to the identified issues. The opening ceremony of the much-anticipated COP29 conference has kicked off on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Representatives, leaders, and climate experts from around the globe gathered to mark the beginning of what is set to be one of the largest climate events of the year. The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was made at the COP28 plenary session held in Dubai on December 11 of last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest governing body responsible for overseeing the conventions implementation. A total of 198 countries participate in the convention. Unless otherwise agreed, COP is held annually. The first COP took place in Berlin in March 1995, with its secretariat headquartered in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Bad Sisters Apple TV+ The second season of Apples hit Irish family-murder-drama-comedy (famurdramedy?) opens with a literal cliffhanger: four of the five Garvey sisters are in a car teetering on the edge of a seaside precipice. But the way they screech in panic, and in unison, as the boot pops open of its own accord is oddly reassuring: we may be dealing with matters of life and death here, but nothing should be taken too seriously. The Garvey clan returns for a second season of Bad Sisters. Credit: Apple TV+ It takes until the last of its eight episodes for Bad Sisters to reveal what is in that boot and how it got there. Along the way you might occasionally wonder why were even here at all; season one was just so perfectly formed and complete in itself that any more is surely superfluous. But by the end of its arc, Bad Sisters Mk II has just about earned its right to exist. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. This all-day Greek cafe and no-bookings wine bar in Yarraville exudes cool. It helps, of course, that the food is fantastic As featured in the Melbourne hit list for December 2024. See all stories . 1 / 8 Chewy, crispy rounds of flatbread with tyrokafteri butter, flavoured with Greek feta and roasted red peppers. Eddie Jim 2 / 8 Taramasalata with cucumber, dill and lime. Eddie Jim 3 / 8 Molten cheese saganaki is served with jammy peppered figs. Eddie Jim 4 / 8 Chickpeas a la Diporto are slow-cooked in vegetable stock and finished with olive oil and lemon juice. Eddie Jim 5 / 8 An open kitchen and an L-shaped bench fill the single Yarraville shopfront. Eddie Jim 6 / 8 Loukaniko sausage arrives on a sizzling platter drizzled with hot honey and walnuts. Eddie Jim 7 / 8 Theres always one larger dish on the menu, such as beef dressed with a tangy mustard sauce and garnished with a fistful of parsley. Eddie Jim 8 / 8 The feta cheesecake is cooked to order in the wood oven. Eddie Jim Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Greek$$$$ Sometimes, you dont know you need something until you have it. What could we possibly be missing in Melbourne when it comes to Greek food? We have gyros shops, the family-style restaurants, the delis. Weve had Greek fine dining, Greek street food and everything in between. What we havent had, until now, is a place that feels as though it might exist in the trendy Athens of today, somewhere that exudes cool and freshness. Thats exactly what Tzaki is bringing to Yarraville an all-day cafe and no-bookings wine bar that thrums with youthful energy. In the mornings, there are pastries and coffee, and in the evenings a menu of affordable mezze makes for a charming casual dinner. Tzaki is a tiny slip of a venue, a shopfront wholly taken up with its kitchen/bar and the L-shaped counter that surrounds it. Central to that kitchen is the restaurants only cooking method a large wood-fired oven that pumps out everything from chewy crispy rounds of flatbread ($10) to beautifully charred octopus ($19) and individual feta cheesecakes ($16) yes, even the delicious cheesecakes are baked to order in the belly of this furnace. But Im getting ahead of myself. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The 9th Ministerial Meeting/Steering Committee Meeting pursuant to the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary was held within COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Levan Davitashvili said that COP29 will be an important step to increase the prominence of not only Azerbaijan but also the entire South Caucasus. This Ministerial Meeting serves as an exceptional forum to showcase our project at COP29. I find it significant that we are deliberating the largest green energy initiative for our region at COP29. I extend my congratulations to Azerbaijan for the excellent organization of this event, convey my appreciation for the gracious hospitality, and wish for a fruitful conference. I am assured that this will significantly enhance the recognition of Azerbaijan, Baku, and the entire South Caucasus, he said. Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Ioan Burduja noted that it is absolutely critical for Romania to develop a green corridor. If you look at a map of energy prices in the EU today, you see something quite interesting. The average price of a megawatt hour today is 268 euro in Romania, 306 euro in Hungary, 104 euro in France, 76 euro in Spain, and so on. This underscores the fact that the transition to clean energy is not possible without transmission. We feel the lack of interconnections in Europe - Bulgaria is in the same situation as Greece and sometimes Poland. That is why it is absolutely critical for us to develop these routes, the green corridor, not only for energy security but also for competitiveness in energy, he said. Minister of State for Security Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Sztaray said that the Green Energy Corridor project aligns with the key objectives of COP29. "I believe that organizing a meeting on the Green Energy Corridor project in conjunction with COP29 is an outstanding initiative. This connection is not only symbolic but also strategically significant, as both events address interconnected priorities. The Green Energy Corridor project aligns seamlessly with COP29s primary objectives of promoting sustainable development. Currently, our emphasis is on establishing robust infrastructure links, which are critical and supported by substantial evidence and research. However, it is essential that we thoroughly assess the project's feasibility before progressing further," Sztaray added. Advertisement Eating outGood Food Guide 2025 Bill Granger honoured with SMH Good Food Guide Legend Award Australias sunniest culinary ambassador has been recognised for his outstanding long-term contribution to the hospitality industry. And for avocado on toast. Jill Dupleix November 12, 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 This story appears in the SMH Good Food Guide Awards collection. See all stories . When Bill Granger opened his first cafe in Japan in 2008, he flew his entire Japanese senior team to Sydney. Driving them around in a little van, he tried to explain what bills was about, and where it had come from. The experience made him realise, he said, that Australian food is not just something formed by our cultural mix and migration patterns, but is more of an attitude. And it isnt stuck, he said. It changes. Thats the magic. 1 / 6 The late Bill Granger pictured at his bills cafe. 2 / 6 Bill Granger at bills in Bondi. Anson Smart 3 / 6 2014: Bill Granger in his Notting Hill kitchen. Gary Moyes 4 / 6 2006: Bill Granger at his favourite place in Sydney, Wylies Baths, Coogee. Jacky Ghossein 5 / 6 2002: Bill Granger at home with his daughter Edie. Steve Baccon 6 / 6 2000: Kylie Kwong and Bill Granger at the opening of their joint venture, Billy Kwong in Surry Hills. Jennifer Soo Previous Slide Next Slide The irony is that as soon as anyone takes their first bite of Bill Grangers avocado on toast, silky scrambled eggs or ricotta hotcakes, theyre not going to let them change at all. Whether your first bills experience was at the original corner cottage in Darlinghurst, or at any one of the other 18 restaurants across Sydney, London, Korea and Japan that he built with his wife Natalie, we wanted what he was cooking. Advertisement Bill Granger was Australias sunniest culinary ambassador, feeding his vision of Australian home cooking to the world. He wrote 14 cookbooks, made five television series and was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in January 2023. He died in December, 2023. Loading Veteran chef and restaurateur Neil Perry remembers walking into bills in Darlinghurst in the early 1990s. It was always just about the beautiful, simple things that Bill did really, really well, he says. There was a simplicity to it, but also sophistication. He always made sure that sunny Australian nature came through. Award-winning chef Kylie Kwong opened Billy Kwong in Surry Hills with Granger in the year 2000, helping inspire her uniquely Chinese-Australian culinary path. We had this instant creative connection that Id never had with anyone before, says Kwong of their time together. He taught me so much. There was a simplicity to it, but also sophistication. He always made sure that sunny Australian nature came through. Neil Perry Advertisement Bills influence goes beyond the fact that his fresh-faced dishes and large communal table have been copied across the world. He had a way of defining who we are as Australians, or who we wanted to be: sunny, fresh, easy-going, generous, design-conscious, food-loving people who like to gather around a big table to eat, drink and commune. He packaged us up, put us on toast, and spread us around the world. Bill Grangers famous avocado on toast. Jonathan Gregson The Vittoria Coffee Legend Award is one of the most enduring awards in Australian hospitality, honouring the great and the good since 2003. Its fitting that in the same year Bill Granger is announced as the 2025 Legend, The Good Food Guide launches a new award, in partnership with his family. Named The Bill Granger Trailblazer, its in honour of Bills hospitality, warmth, integrity and free-spirited entrepreneurial attitude. May the winners now and into the future create and craft new expressions of hospitality that move us forward as Australians, and pay their respects to his legacy. Thanks, Bill. Youre a legend. Advertisement Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Warning: Graphic content Family members of great-grandmother Clare Nowland gasped as a court was shown video of the moment the 95-year-old was Tasered by a police officer, having been repeatedly told to drop a knife and warned you keep coming, youre going to get Tased. Senior Constable Kristian James Samuel White has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Nowland, who was Tasered while standing with her walking frame inside the Yallambee Lodge nursing home in Cooma on May 17, 2023. Nowland died in hospital seven days later. Kristian James Samuel White (left) is on trial after pleading not guilty to the manslaughter of Clare Nowland. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer The defence argues White had a duty as a police officer to protect people from injury and prevent a breach of the peace, and that his response was not disproportionate to the risk posed. Everyone has a Gough (C8) story, right? Like Ann Madsen of Mount Annan: In the 1980s, I was living in a remote Northern Territory town. At election time, word spread that Gough Whitlam would be visiting with the local Labor candidate. We gathered outside the council office and my friend Steve, a huge fan of the ex-PM, managed to speak with him. Steve wasnt a tall man and Mr Whitlam was leaning in as they chatted. Out of the corner of his eye, Mr Whitlam noticed Steves wife, on the edge of the crowd, aiming a camera towards them. Mr Whitlam straightened his back, puffed out his chest and rose to full height. The photo shows Mr Whitlam a head taller than Steve, looking very statuesque and Steve looking up at him, somewhat confused about what had just occurred. Sarah Hammond of Surf Beach recalls a theatre review in one of the Sydney papers which referred to the Whitlam family at interval sitting around a table looking like Stonehenge. Mention of The Best of Column 8 (C8) prompted me to dust off my copies and re-read the introduction, which notes: The management once or twice used its columns to attack unions and left-wing parties, leading to the Communist newspaper Tribune dubbing it Column Hate. We thank Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook (who doesnt feature in either book). In our area, the channel-billed cuckoos are very noisy about secreting their eggs into the nests of other birds, says Ian Dance of Wollstonecraft. I think they originated Airbnb. While the Gold Coast V8 Supercar event was on, I took refuge in Brisbane to escape the ear-shattering noise, writes Michael Dunlop of Surfers Paradise (Qld). I left my apartment overlooking the fastest part of the circuit for four days. On my return, I discovered that the glass canopy over my cooktop had exploded, with pieces being flung over six metres. I believe for sound to break glass it needs to be of a high intensity, 105 decibels or more. Could the noise of the supercars have caused the tempered glass to explode, or was it a manufacturers fault, just waiting for a loud V8 to race by? No other glassware suffered this fate. We bring you the stories of womens lives lost in Australia in recent years. Some of the cases featured are still before the courts. A third person has been charged as police investigate the death of Rosemary Franzidis, who was killed when an allegedly stolen Audi driven by a teenager smashed into her car. The death of 69-year-old Franzidis at Murrumba Downs on Thursday morning came after a series of car thefts and attempted robberies at gunpoint in the hours before the crash. Three people have been arrested and charged with offences over those incidents, including a 21-year-old Annerley man, who was arrested on Monday. Rosemary Franzidis was remembered by her family for her kindness and devotion. Police alleged the group first stole a Holden Barina from Northgate, then drove it through suburbs north of Brisbane, threatening women at gunpoint, before stealing the blue Audi from Dohles Rocks Road at Griffin. A violent and controlling husband who concocted a scheme to get rid of his wife by abandoning her overseas has been jailed for more than four years, but will be eligible for parole in less than three. Mohamed Ahmed Omer the first person in Victoria to be prosecuted for the Commonwealth offence of exit-trafficking deceived his wife into believing the couple and their two young children were travelling back to Sudan for a one-month holiday to see their families in 2014. Mohamed Ahmed Omer the first person in Victoria to be prosecuted for the Commonwealth offence of exit-trafficking was found guilty in the County Court in April. Credit: Darrian Traynor However, after arriving, he changed the four flights home to three, secretly withdrew support for his wifes Australian visa and took possession of her passport and identity documents. Then, in September 2014 while his wife was at her parents place cooking, he took their six-month and two-year-old with him and boarded a plane to Australia without her. A siege at a suburban home has ended after armed police arrested a man who allegedly shot at officers in Melbournes outer west, before barricading himself in a strangers house with a man and a toddler. Images from the scene in Weir Views, south of Melton, show police surrounding a house on Leon Drive on Tuesday afternoon. Police said a vehicle, believed to have been stolen in a carjacking in Snake Gully earlier on Tuesday, was observed around the Melton area about 3.40pm. The vehicle was followed by Police Air Wing to Leon Drive, where the man got out of the car and fired shots at police. The armed male then entered a house on Leon Drive where two occupants, a man and a toddler, were inside at the time. The development was tipped to be the most significant of its kind in the Town of Port Hedland, which is home to the countrys largest bulk export port and known as Australias epicentre for iron ore export. It is estimated up to $90 billion worth of iron ore made its way through the port last financial year, with the commodity representing almost 99 per cent of all exports. Its progression had hinged on the parties inking a tripartite lease that would see the state lease the land to the town, which would then sublease the land to Pacific Partnerships for the next two decades. The proposed lease agreement is currently being reviewed by the towns lawyers, but WAtoday understands the land tenure deal is expected to be finalised in early 2025. The bid comes just three years after the town endorsed a new planning policy identifying land for development to respond to fluctuations in the economy, population change and the need for diverse housing in the nexus of Australias iron-ore industry. The export hub was deemed to have created 3581 full-time direct and indirect jobs in Port Hedland. Credit: Bloomberg Forever a FIFO town? The lucrative salaries for work in the resources-rich region draw in thousands of workers from across the country each fortnight. Port Hedland has a population of around 16,000, including the satellite town of South Hedland. But it swells to more than 20,000 when you account for its 5000-strong contingent of fly-in, fly-out workers. Treasury estimates that more than 70 per cent of the Pilbaras local economy is reliant on the mining industry, and mining companies spend big on accommodation perks in the battle to attract and retain staff. Meanwhile, local governments in the region, including the Town of Port Hedland, have been battling to persuade mining operators and workers to permanently relocate to the towns, but with limited success. Loading A social impact survey penned by consultancy Creating Communities for the Pacific Partnerships project pointed out the delicate balance in the proportion of residents and non-residents in the Town of Port Hedland and said it had long-term implications for its housing, liveability, economy, and identity. If increases to the transient workforce werent countered by residential population growth and economic diversification, the survey warned there may be no reversing the reputational impact. Without the appropriate measures in place, the Town of Port Hedland risks approaching a tipping point at which the town becomes perceived as a FIFO hub rather than an attractive place to live permanently, it found. But it also concluded the constrained housing market, coupled with the sky-high cost of materials and labour and the difficulties financing residential construction in the Pilbara, meant the likelihood of increasing the housing supply was low and transient worker accommodation was needed. Town of Port Hedland Planning and Economic Development manager Chaz Roberts told WAtoday the plan came after it uncovered the lengthy pipeline of industrial expansion projects in the region had not adequately considered the need for accommodation. The site was selected for its proximity to the town centre and the likelihood of flow-on benefits for South Hedland businesses, which Roberts said were not served by workforce hubs on isolated mining tenements. But the town hasnt abandoned its hopes of leveraging the burgeoning industry to grow its residential population. Town officers have partnered with the Pilbara Development Commission to develop a local housing strategy, with residential first listed as the towns ultimate preference. Roberts said the town had issued fewer than 40 approvals for residential dwellings in the past two years, well below the 100 dwellings required annually to keep pace with the forecasted residential population growth. He said the cost of construction in an economy dominated by the resources sector was a key factor, as were the state governments planning laws. The legislative framework for mining and planning that is set by the state government does not allow for a local government to stop workforce accommodation projects altogether, he said. A local government can only influence the location, design standard, social integration and time limit on a planning approval, if the proposal is not located on a mining tenement or part of a State Agreement. Nearly 50,000 dwellings across Greater Sydney approved in 2021 and 2022 have not commenced construction, raising questions about whether Labors planning reforms can address housing supply. The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure forecasts that 151,670 new homes will be built in Greater Sydney by July 2029, below the 263,000 needed to meet the targets under the National Housing Accord. As the Minns government tries to address declining approvals through the planning system, data analysed by University of Sydney Emeritus Professor Peter Phibbs showed that large-scale approved projects were not progressing to construction. New planning data reveals that construction has not started on tens of thousands of approved dwellings. Credit: Nick Moir Only 45 per cent of the 895 development applications for Sydney projects with at least 19 new dwellings approved in 2021 and 2022 had received a construction certificate the final regulatory hurdle before building commences by March 10 this year, Phibbs found. This left projects for 47,536 dwellings without a certificate. The new laws do not cover the regulation of vapes, which are governed by federal authorities. However, police will be able to seize illegal vaping products under expanded powers. Deakin University criminologist James Martin believes the changes would do little to address the supply and demand of nicotine. Our focus on enforcement and penalties is insufficient because it doesnt deal with that supply and demand, Martin said. A lot of it is really just reactive, Band-Aid solutions that are creating more harm. While Martin agreed tobacco should be licensed alongside any addictive product he was concerned the proposal did nothing to decrease the demand and wouldnt help police pursue organised crime groups responsible. He argued those copping the penalties could be business owners who were pressured into the black market. What happens when we start locking up family-owned business owners? Premier Jacinta Allan and Casino, Gambling and Liquor Regulation Minister Melissa Horne. Credit: Joe Armao Horne said it would be guesswork to estimate how many tobacco retailers there were in Victoria and couldnt say how many inspectors the regulator would need. The inspectors would have search and seize powers and issue penalties. While acknowledging inspectors work could involve interacting with dangerous individuals, Horne suggested they would operate similarly to liquor licence inspectors, who work in pairs. The tobacco retail industry has been infiltrated by organised crime gangs that have for more than 18 months waged a battle for control of the market using arson attacks against rival-controlled shops, and extorting independent operators. Several unsolved shootings and murders have also been linked to the violence. The government was advised to introduce a licensing scheme more than two years ago by Better Regulation Victoria. Police at the scene of an arson attack on a tobacco store in Hadfield last year. Credit: Chris Hopkins It took until March this year for the premier to announce the Victorian government would adopt the recommendation. Police Minister Anthony Carbines said police could present their intelligence to the new regulator to refuse an operating licence. We can strike out and keep out those in organised crime that try to profit from this activity. This is about destructing their business model, Carbines said. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told ABC radio the new authorised officers would perform the daily regulatory work while police would be involved where operations intersected with organised crime. He said more than 200 warrants had been executed, and 95 people had been arrested since Taskforce Lunar was established. Were doing everything we can. Can I guarantee it will stop overnight? No. But what I can guarantee is were still going to be holding people to account, Patton said. I am hopeful it will get better, yes I am. How long that will take? I dont know. Loading The premier acknowledged anecdotal evidence that taxation which helps counter the public health cost of smoking and aims to discourage smoking might have actually pushed people towards the illegal market. But Allan said this was a matter for the federal government, as was the enforcement of imported products. Youve got to stop this product at the border, she said. Australias tobacco tax one of the most expensive in the world has driven the price of cigarettes to at least $50 a packet. On the black market, The Age found some tobacconists selling packs of illegal cigarettes for as little as $13. Australian Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Theo Foukkare welcomed the new scheme and said community safety depended on it. Up until now, anyone could sell tobacco in Victoria without a licence and not be held accountable for it, which we believe is a big contributing factor to the out-of-control tobacco turf war in Victoria, Foukkare said. Opposition consumer affairs spokesman Tim McCurdy slammed the government for taking so long and questioned when Victorians could expect the final product. We want boots on the ground [by the] middle of next year because theres more tobacco shops that are going to burn week in, week out, McCurdy said. Travellers remain stranded in Australia and Indonesia after severe volcanic eruptions about 800 kilometres from Bali forced the cancellation of dozens of flights. Drifting ash clouds from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia have made the flight routes between Australia and Denpasar unsafe for travel, spoiling Bali holiday plans or hopes to get home. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted earlier this month, killing nine people. Credit: AP Qantas, Jetstar, Air Asia and Virgin halted flights to and from Bali on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday after a series of deadly eruptions that have killed at least nine people since early this month and forced thousands of Indonesians to evacuate. Airlines hoped flights could resume by Thursday afternoon, but they were also making plans for several days of disruptions. Thousands of Australian schoolies hope to travel to Bali starting next week. Washington: Elon Musk has sought to influence the battle to replace Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, using his newfound clout in Donald Trumps orbit to try to install a MAGA loyalist to the job. Ahead of McConnells long-awaited retirement when the new US Congress begins in January, Republicans are set to choose a new Senate leader on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) from three contenders: South Dakota senator John Thune, Texas senator John Cornyn and Florida senator Rick Scott. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (centre) joined by Senator John Thune (left) and majority whip John Cornyn at a news conference at the Capitol in 2017. Credit: J Scott Applewhite Trump has yet to publicly declare his preference, as backing a candidate who could end up losing would be an embarrassment for the president-elect. The wait comes as the House of Representatives is projected to remain in Republican hands, giving Trumps party control of both houses of Congress. Musk, who spent tens of millions of dollars to help elect Trump, put his weight behind Scott, endorsing the Florida Republican and declaring that the next majority leader must respond to the will of the people to implement Trumps agenda. Carvana and Jimmie Johnson Redefine Fast In Same Day Delivery Ad Campaign PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, today launched a new broadcast campaign starring seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. The commercial highlights Carvanas same day vehicle delivery service, allowing customers to receive their car in less than 24 hours after placing an order on carvana.com. After several successful seasons with Jimmie, we couldnt be more excited to have him star in a Same Day Delivery campaign, said Ryan Keeton, Carvanas co-founder and Chief Brand Officer. His proven record on the race track makes him a natural choice for a commercial highlighting the speed of Carvanas Same Day Delivery. Produced by Carvana's in-house creative team, the ad showcases Johnson's humor as he experiences a day in the life' of a Carvana customer advocate. His famous precision on the racetrack seamlessly translates to the speed and ease of Carvanas same day delivery service as he takes on the challenge of delivering cars to excited customers in just hours. The campaign will air across multiple platforms, including television, digital, and social media channels in the coming weeks. When I learned Carvana could deliver a car in less than two hours, I was blown away, said Jimmie Johnson. The Carvana team truly makes every minute count. Their same day delivery isnt just fastits a game changer, combining speed with reliability in a way that redefines car buying. Carvana offers an easy, transparent process that allows customers to purchase a car entirely online. With just a few clicks, buyers can choose their dream car from an extensive online inventory, complete the purchase process, and schedule a delivery time that works for themin some cases, as soon as the very same day. For more information about Carvanas same day delivery service, visit carvana.com. About Carvana Carvanas mission is to change the way people buy and sell cars. Over the past decade, Carvana has revolutionized automotive retail and delighted millions of customers with an offering that is fun, fast, and fair. With Carvana, customers can choose from tens of thousands of vehicles, get financing, trade-in, and complete a purchase entirely online with the convenience of home delivery or local pick up in over 300 U.S. markets. Carvanas vertically integrated platform is powered by its passionate team, unique national infrastructure, and purpose-built technology. Carvana is a Fortune 500 company and is proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of Americas Best Employers. For more information, please visit www.carvana.com. NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2024 -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global green hydrogen market size is estimated to grow by USD 46.25 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 66.83% during the forecast period. Growing adoption of clean fuel is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing focus on using clean hydrogen in refineries. However, high initial cost poses a challenge.Key market players include ACWA Power International, Air Liquide SA, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Ballard Power Systems Inc., Bloom Energy Corp., Ceres Power Holdings plc, Cummins Inc., ERGOSUP, Green Hydrogen Systems, Guangdong Nation Synergy Hydrogen Power Technologies Co Ltd., Indian Oil Corp. Ltd., Jindal Steel and Power Ltd., Larsen and Toubro Ltd., Linde Plc, Loop Energy Inc., Nel ASA, Nikola Corp., Plug Power Inc., Siemens Energy AG, and Solena Group. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Green Hydrogen Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 66.83% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 46249.8 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 50.43 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 57% Key countries China, Germany, US, Japan, and France Key companies profiled ACWA Power International, Air Liquide SA, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Ballard Power Systems Inc., Bloom Energy Corp., Ceres Power Holdings plc, Cummins Inc., ERGOSUP, Green Hydrogen Systems, Guangdong Nation Synergy Hydrogen Power Technologies Co Ltd., Indian Oil Corp. Ltd., Jindal Steel and Power Ltd., Larsen and Toubro Ltd., Linde Plc, Loop Energy Inc., Nel ASA, Nikola Corp., Plug Power Inc., Siemens Energy AG, and Solena Group Market Driver The Green Hydrogen market is surging as businesses and governments seek clean energy solutions for their energy needs. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are driving the production of hydrogen through electrolysis. Electrolysis uses alkaline or Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers to separate hydrogen from water. Major players like Air Liquide are investing in renewable liquid hydrogen, produced from excess renewable energy. Supportive policies in regions like California, with de-carbonization targets, are boosting demand. Hydrogen can be used as a fuel in fuel cells for transportation, power generation, and even in internal combustion engines. It's also being explored for heating applications, aircraft fuel, and space applications. The International Energy Agency predicts a significant increase in hydrogen production as part of the energy transition to a carbon-free economy. Companies like Engie and Hydrogenics are leading strategic initiatives in hydrogen production and infrastructure development. The challenge lies in efficiency and environmental issues, but alternative energy sources like natural gas-hydrogen fuel mixtures offer a potential solution. Investment plans are on the rise as the world moves towards a low-carbon economy and combats climate change. Offshore wind is a promising source for hydrogen production at commercial scale. The future of the hydrogen economy looks bright, with opportunities in various sectors and applications. The refining industry is a significant consumer of hydrogen, utilizing it for various purposes such as refining crude oil into refined fuels and removing impurities like sulfur. According to the US Energy Information Administration (US EIA), this demand is increasing due to stricter regulations on sulfur content in distillate fuel oil. One notable initiative promoting the use of clean hydrogen in refineries is the REFHYNE project, which commenced in January 2018 and concluded in December 2022. This European Union-funded project aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using renewable hydrogen in refineries, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The Green Hydrogen market is gaining momentum as businesses and governments seek clean energy solutions for their energy needs. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are key to producing hydrogen through electrolysis. However, challenges exist in scaling up production using alkaline electrolyzers and PEM electrolyzers with proton exchange membranes. Commercial-scale production and transportation via pipelines require significant investment. Fuel cells, used in transportation and power generation, offer efficiency and low carbon emissions. Hydrogen can also replace natural gas in internal combustion engines, power aircraft, and serve various domestic and space applications. Supportive policies in regions like California , driven by de-carbonization targets, are crucial. Companies like Air Liquide, Engie, and Hydrogenics are leading the way in renewable liquid hydrogen production. The International Energy Agency encourages the transition from fossil fuels to a hydrogen economy, addressing environmental issues and greenhouse gas emissions. Solid oxide electrolyzers and heating applications are also strategic initiatives. Offshore wind is a promising source for hydrogen production in a carbon-free economy. , driven by de-carbonization targets, are crucial. Companies like Air Liquide, Engie, and Hydrogenics are leading the way in renewable liquid hydrogen production. The International Energy Agency encourages the transition from fossil fuels to a hydrogen economy, addressing environmental issues and greenhouse gas emissions. Solid oxide electrolyzers and heating applications are also strategic initiatives. Offshore wind is a promising source for hydrogen production in a carbon-free economy. Green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis using renewable energy, carries a higher initial cost compared to grey hydrogen derived from natural gas. The setup cost for a green hydrogen production plant is substantial. On average, green hydrogen costs around 2-3 times more than grey hydrogen. Fuel cells used for green hydrogen power are priced 1.5 to 2 times higher than their fossil fuel counterparts. As a synthetic fuel, green hydrogen's cost is nearly 5-7 times more than fossil jet fuel. According to The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the production cost of green hydrogen is approximately USD5 - USD6 per kg. This rate makes it economically unfeasible for industries such as steel, fertilizer, and long-range shipping to adopt green hydrogen as a fuel source. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This green hydrogen market report extensively covers market segmentation by End-user 1.1 Chemical 1.2 Power 1.3 Industrial 1.4 Others Technology 2.1 Alkaline electrolyzer 2.2 Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 Middle East and Africa and 3.5 South America 1.1 Chemical- Green hydrogen is a crucial supply in the chemical industry, primarily used for synthesizing methanol and ammonia. These chemicals are essential ingredients in manufacturing methanol, polymers, and ammonia, significantly contributing to the fertilizer sector. Green hydrogen also finds application in producing chemical compounds such as paints, synthetic fibers, nylon, polyurethane elastomers, and plasticizing plastics. The chemical industry's rising demand for green feedstock or precursor molecules, like ammonia and methanol, produced using low-CO2 hydrogen and green hydrogen, is a significant growth driver. These green chemicals are further converted into high-value end-products for various sectors, including automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, methanol derived from green hydrogen is used as a direct fuel or blended fuel, such as gasoline, and in LPG streams, increasing its demand in the transportation sector. China is a notable consumer of methanol and its derivatives, blending it into gasoline pools or LPG streams as a cost-effective substitute. Consequently, the expanding demand for fertilizers, direct fuels, and domestic fuel products will propel the growth of the global green hydrogen market during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Green Hydrogen market is a rapidly growing sector in the renewable energy industry, focused on producing hydrogen through electrolysis using only renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. This process is key to the Hydrogen Economy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuels with clean energy solutions. Electrolysis involves passing an electric current through water to split it into hydrogen and oxygen. Alkaline electrolyzers and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers are the two main types. Renewable liquid hydrogen produced at commercial scale is transported through pipelines for use in various sectors, including transportation via fuel cells in cars, buses, and trucks, as well as in power generation, aviation, and industrial processes. Supportive policies and advancements in technology are driving the growth of this market, as the world seeks to address energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency projects that hydrogen could meet up to 24% of global energy demand by 2050. However, challenges remain, including efficiency concerns and environmental issues related to hydrogen production and transportation. Alternative energy sources, such as natural gas-hydrogen fuel mixtures, are also being explored to improve the economic viability and reduce the carbon footprint of hydrogen production. Market Research Overview The Green Hydrogen market is a rapidly growing sector in the renewable energy industry, focused on producing hydrogen through electrolysis using only renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. This clean energy solution is a key component of the hydrogen economy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions and transition to low-carbon sources for various energy needs. Electrolysis involves passing an electric current through water to split it into hydrogen and oxygen. There are two main types of electrolyzers: alkaline and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM). At commercial scale, hydrogen can be used as a fuel for transportation, fuel cells, internal combustion engines, hydrogen-powered aircraft, and power generation. It also has applications in heating, domestic use, and even in space. Supportive policies and investment plans, especially in regions like California with de-carbonization targets, are driving the growth of the green hydrogen market. The International Energy Agency has identified hydrogen as a crucial alternative energy source in the fight against fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. Companies are also exploring strategic initiatives, such as natural gas-hydrogen fuel mixtures, to make the transition more feasible. The hydrogen production process itself is undergoing innovation, with the development of solid oxide electrolyzers and offshore wind integration. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation End-user Chemical Power Industrial Others Technology Alkaline Electrolyzer Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer Geography APAC Europe North America Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. COP29 will be an important step to increase the prominence of not only Azerbaijan but also the entire South Caucasus, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Levan Davitashvili said during the 9th Ministerial Meeting, a steering committee meeting under the Strategic Partnership Agreement on Green Energy Development and Transmission between the governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, Trend reports. This Ministerial Meeting serves as an exceptional forum to showcase our project at COP29. I find it significant that we are deliberating the largest green energy initiative for our region at COP29. I extend my congratulations to Azerbaijan for the excellent organization of this event, convey my appreciation for the gracious hospitality, and wish for a fruitful conference. I am assured that this will significantly enhance the recognition of Azerbaijan, Baku, and the entire South Caucasus, he said. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Georgia advocates for the integration of data transfer within the green corridor project, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Levan Davitashvili said at the 9th Ministerial Meeting, a meeting of the steering committee held in accordance with the agreement on strategic partnership on green energy development and transfer between the governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary within COP29, Trend reports. "Data transport is a key concern for Georgia as we actively invest in digital transformation. We unequivocally support the incorporation of data transfer into this initiative [green corridor and green hydrogen]. Exploring various connectivity possibilities that connect the South Caucasus with Central Asia and Europe is crucial, particularly due to the rising demand for data interchange. As stated in our September discussion, I am keen to provide the data accessible to the Ministry to aid this research. Collaborating on this material will certainly expedite the feasibility study, enabling a rapid transition into the project's implementation phase," the minister said. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened today at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. It is absolutely critical for Romania to develop a green corridor, Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Ioan Burduja said during the 9th Ministerial Meeting/Steering Committee Meeting pursuant to the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, Trend reports. If you look at a map of energy prices in the EU today, you see something quite interesting. The average price of a megawatt hour today is 268 euro in Romania, 306 euro in Hungary, 104 euro in France, 76 euro in Spain, and so on. This underscores the fact that the transition to clean energy is not possible without transmission. We feel the lack of interconnections in Europe - Bulgaria is in the same situation as Greece and sometimes Poland. That is why it is absolutely critical for us to develop these routes, the green corridor, not only for energy security but also for competitiveness in energy, he said. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel THE WORLD VODKA AWARDS HAS ANNOUNCED THE COUNTRY WINNERS AND MEDALLISTS IN ITS 2024 COMPETITION. 11 militants killed in Manipurs Jiribam IMPHAL : ELEVEN suspected militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Manipurs Jiribam district on Monday, officials said. Two CRPF personnel also sustained injuries during the heavy exchange of fire that happened at Jakurador Karong in the Borobekra sub-division. The condition of one of them was stated to be critical. Militants in camouflage uniforms, armed with sophisticated weapons, fired indiscriminately at the Borobekra police station, and the CRPF camp located alongside it around 2.30 pm, officials said. A few of the militants broke out and went to the Jakurador Karong market, around 100 metres away, and torched several shops, besides attacking some houses, they said. As the security forces retaliated, a heavy exchange of fire began and 11 suspected militants were killed, they added. The gunfight lasted a little over an hour, officials said. A relief camp was also located within the premises of the police station, and five people living there went missing, they said. It was not clear whether these civilians were kidnapped by the retreating militants or went into hiding after the attack began, they said, adding that a search was underway for them. The bodies of those killed werebrought to theBorobekra police station, officials said. Following the incident, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS were imposed inthe area, according toanotification. There is apprehension of widespread disturbance to peace and public tranquillity ora riotor any affrayin the area and grave danger to human lives andpropertiesbecauseof unlawfulactivitiesofsomeanti social elements,said thenotification,prohibiting assembly of five or more persons. Borobekra sub-division has witnessedmultipleincidentsof violence since June. It is one of the worst-affected areas of the district. More than 200 people have beenkilledand thousandsrendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valleybased Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year. SECURITY FORCES SEIZE ARMS, AMMUNITION IN MANIPUR: SECURITY forces seized several arms, ammunition and IEDs during search operations in hill and valley districtsofManipurduring the last three days,astatement issued by Assam Rifles said on Monday Akruti offerscustomisedkitchens,wardrobes A LEADING name in modular kitchens, Akruti has captured large market share in modular kitchens and furniture with its unique customised kitchens and wardrobes, best in class accessories and prompt after sales service. It has introduced modular kitchens and wardrobes with Acrylic Hdhmr Shutters with glossy / matt colours to add to the elegance and functionality. For further details, customers may visit the showroom at 51, Bajaj Nagar, Central Bazar Road, Nagpur or call on following mobile number 9422511300. COP29 begins: Fight delays climate talks By Gaurav Saini NEW DELHI, DEVELOPING countries, including China and India, sparred with rich nations over including unilateral trade measures, such as the European Unions carbon border tax, in the agenda of the UN climate talks, delaying the formal start of the conference on Monday. Agenda disputes are common at UN climate conferences but this one is especially significant as countries have limited time to agree on a new climate finance goal to help developing countries adapt to and fight climate change, the central issue this year. The conference opened with Azerbaijan, the host of this years UN climate conference, calling on all countries to urgently resolve outstanding issues to agree on a new climate finance goal, which UN climate chief Simon Stiell said is in the self-interest of every nation. The proceedings were then suspended so delegates could negotiate on the agenda. The opening plenary got significantly delayed as developed and developing countries debated whether to make unilateral trade measures, such as the European Unions Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), an agenda item at COP29. China, on behalf of the BASIC groupofcountries,submitted a proposal to the UN climate body last month requesting that thisyearsCOP address the issue of unilateral trade measures. The CBAM is the EUs proposed tax on energy intensive products, such as iron, steel, cement, fertilisers and aluminium,imported fromcountries like India and China. The tax is based on carbon emissionsgeneratedduring theproduction of these goods. The EU has earlier argued that this mechanism creates a level playing field for domestically manufactured goods, which must adhere to stricter environmental standards and helps curb emissions from imports. However,othernations,particularlydevelopingcountries, have pointed out that such a tax could harm their economies and make trade with the EU expensive. They have contended that under the UN climate rules,nonationshouldimpose emission reduction strategies on others. The BASIC groupsproposal reflects the deep concerns ofmanydevelopingcountries, particularly China. Its important to note that this proposal is not only directed against the CBAM, it reflects broader anxieties about the overall direction ofindustrial policies in theEUanddevelopedcountries like the US. India to push for fair financing, green credit: Delegates BAKU, Nov 11 (PTI) INDIAS approach at COP29 focuses on accountability, green credit, fair financing, and incremental goals for its developing economy, multiple delegates said on Monday as the latest edition of the worlds most important meeting on climate change kick-started here. The 29th session of the climate change conference of parties (COP29) is being held fromNovember 11-22inBaku, the capital of Azerbaijan. While moderate in terms of attendance and scale, Indias primary priorities at the conferenceare expected toinclude holding developed nations accountable for climate finance, enhancing resilience for vulnerable communities, and advancing an equitable energy transition, a delegate said. Another focus area for India would be to promote green credit and the LiFe (Lifestyle for Environment) philosophy towards sustainability, another delegate said. A member of the delegation said that Indias COP29 strategy is expected to challenge developed nations on the gaps in fulfillingclimatepledgesand drive conversations toward more transparent, reliable climate finance. Inadeparture frompastconferences, India will not host a pavilion at COP29. This absencecomes as India balances its role as a developing nation with rising energy demands and a focus on economic growth, particularly as the world looks to emerging economies for leadership in reducing emissions. Gwalior murder Foreign pistols, phones seized from twoaides of Khalistani terrorist Arsh Dalla GWALIOR : TWO firearms made in Australia and China as well as mobile phones with foreign IMEI numbers have been seized from Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gills two aides who allegedly shot dead a man in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior last week, a police official said on Monday. The two accused, identified as Navjot Singh alias Neetu and Anmolpreet Singh alias Vishal, were arrested in Punjab on Sunday in connection with the murder of a Youtuber there, as per police. They had allegedly shot dead Jaswant Singh Gill on November 7 outside his house in Dabra area in Gwalior, the official said. Gill was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his wifes cousin Sukhvinder in 2016 and was out on parole since October 28. The official said Sukhvindersbrother Satpal possibly transferred Rs 2.50 lakh from Canadato his cousin Jitu Singh alias Jitahere to facilitate the November7 killing. The two firearms, anAustralian Glock and Chinesemade pistol, are worth Rs 15 lakheach. One of these pistols and the high-end mobilephones with foreign IMEI (International MobileEquipment Identity) were used in the November7 murder here. Our probe has found Navjot andAnmolpreet, after the killing, fled from here lateThursday night to Chandigarh in a taxi booked bySatpal, the official said. After MP police got information about the duo through an identity card used at the hotel they had stayed in Gwalior, Punjab police was contacted, he said. We sent our Punjab counterparts their photos. The duo was arrested on Sunday and Punjab police are questioning them at present. Later, we will bring them here on transit remand. They had come to thehotelonNovember 7 itself. Jita gave them local inputs, he said. TheofficialsaidSatpal transferred Rs 1 lakh to Jita when victimGill came out on parole, and the remaining Rs 1.50lakh was sent online after the November 7 murder. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. COP29 may open limitless opportunities and prospects for Azerbaijan, Emin Agalarov told reporters on the sidelines of the conference, Trend reports. "I'm absolutely thrilled by COP29. The organization of the event is at a fantastic level. More than 120 world leaders have gathered here today in Baku. This fills me with a sense of pride. I understand the kind of opportunities Azerbaijan can gain from such a major event," said Agalarov. According to him, meetings of heads of state in one country create the possibility not only for political discussions but also for business exchanges between countries. "As President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said today, we are a multifunctional bridge between the whole world, and natural resources are a gift from God. This fills me with admiration, joy, and pride for our country, for our leader, and for the big positive prospects awaiting Azerbaijan in the coming years for the benefit of our people," Agalarov added. The opening ceremony of the much-anticipated COP29 conference has kicked off on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Representatives, leaders, and climate experts from around the globe gathered to mark the beginning of what is set to be one of the largest climate events of the year. The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was made at the COP28 plenary session held in Dubai on December 11 of last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest governing body responsible for overseeing the conventions implementation. A total of 198 countries participate in the convention. Unless otherwise agreed, COP is held annually. The first COP took place in Berlin in March 1995, with its secretariat headquartered in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Kamal Haasan tells people, notto address him Ulaga Nayagan CHENNAI : ASSERTING that cinema is bigger than any individual and that he remained a student, renowned actor Kamal Haasan on Monday announced his decision to renounce titlessuchasUlagaNayagan (universalhero)bestowedonhimand saidhemaybe addressedbyhisname, or simply. Haasan,also thepresidentofMakkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), a party he founded in 2018, said he had always felt a deep sense of gratitude over being bestowed with endearing titles. Such accolades, givenby the people andrecognised by esteemed colleagues and admirers, has always been humbling and I have been genuinely moved by your love in conferring it upon me, the actor said in a statement. The top actor said it was his humble belief that artists must not be elevated above the art. I prefer to remain grounded, constantly aware of my imperfections and my duty to improve. Hence, after considerable reflection, I feel compelled to respectfully decline all such titles or prefixes. Parties working on IMPROVINGprevious polls slender margin By Vikas Vaidya : THE Maharashtra Assembly election 2024 has become the most unpredictable one with all parties resorting to micro-planning to rule out mistakes committed in the previous elections. Some constituencies in the district, in last polls, registered slender victory margins and losing parties are working hard to avoid a repeat of another close call. In previous two polls, in six constituencies, the district recorded tough contest with many candidates registering thin victory margins. In 2019, in Nagpur South constituency, BJPs Mohan Mate emerged victorious with a victory margin of mere 4,013 votes defeating his nearest rival Girish Pandav of Congress. Similarly, Bunty Shelke of Congress had to face defeat by a margin of 4,008 votes in Nagpur Central in the same election. Mate could garner 84,339 votes while Pandav secured 80,326 votes. Mate not only faced tough contest from Congress but also feud within BJP then. Several candidates considered allies of BJP also were in the fray. Sudhakar Kohale, who won the elections in 2014, was denied ticket in 2019. His resentment affected Mates vote share. Similarly, candidates like Pramod Manmode, Kishor Kumeria, Satish Holay also had filed nominations. Overcoming these adverse circumstances, Mate did emerge winner. Post defeat, optimistic Pandav rebuilt his reputation in the constituency by establishing public-connect. This may come as a fresh challenge for Mate in upcomming Assembly polls as Pandav has an edge while there is no rebellion as Kohale has been compensated by BJP by giving him ticket from Nagpur West Assembly constituency. Similar was the outcome in Nagpur Central Assembly constituency in 2019 elections. Bunty Shelke had to face defeat at the hands of Vikas Kumbhare of BJP by a margin of 4,013 votes. Shelke was then a novice as far as Assembly polls are concerned. Kumbhare had secured 75,692 votes while Shelke could garner 71,684 votes. Shelkes vote share surprised everyone. In 2019, None of The Above (NOTA) option came into play. It did make surprising impact on the poll outcome in Nagpur city. In Nagpur Central, 2,149 voters had opeted NOTA. One more constituency Nagpur West was missed by political pundits. They were hopeful of Vikas Thakre taking advantage over Sudhakar Kohale. According to the citizens, upcoming Assembly polls will again witness close calls in some of the constituencies. It is assumed that Narendra Jichkar factor is likely to work. and if it works, Kohale will have an advantage. In 2019, Thakre won the polls by only 6,367 votes. He had polled 83,252 votes while his nearest rival Sudhakar Deshmukh secured 76,885 votes. Then there was antiincumbency. This elections, BJP is trying to reduce the margin to score a victory. In 2014, in Katol Anil Deshmukh of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had to face defeat at the hands of his elder paternal brother Ashish Deshmukh of BJP by only 5,557 votes. Ashish had secured 70,344 votes while Anil Deshmukh could garner 64,787 votes. Ashish Deshmukh rode on Modi wave in that election which was evident as in 2019 Anil Deshmukh defeated BJPs Charan Singh Thakur by over 17,000 votes. In Saoner which is the stronghold of Sunil Kedar had to face tough fight from Shiv Senas Vinod Jivtode in 2014 when Kedar could secure a victory margin of 9,000 votes. Kedar won that polls but not in his own style. In North Nagpur in 2014 Dr Milind Mane of BJP scored victory but the margin was not very impressive. Shockingly, the formidable candidate like Dr Nitin Raut had to remain satisfied at 3rd spot. Kishor Gajbhiye, a former IAS officer secured 5,000 plus more votes than what Dr Raut scored. In Ramtek also Mallikarjun Reddy of BJP had to face tough fight with Ashish Jaiswal and Subodh Mohite in 2014. Reddy won that election. Subodh Mohite, a two-time MP of Ramtek secured third spot in assembly polls. Still elusive, problem tigerkilled 35 baits in 4 months By Kaushik Bhattacharya : As per NTCA SOP, no tranquillisation process can be initiated after 6 pm. However, the tiger is on the killing spree post dusk THE sub-adult problem tiger that killed around six persons in territorial forest of Deolapar and Paoni Forest Ranges remains elusive even after four months since launch of the search operation in the area. The Forest Department team is making all efforts to capture the elusive tiger for last four months but remains unsuccessful, so far. Foresters have installed cages, laid camera traps, deployed teams and taken other necessary measures to trap the problem tiger. In last four months, the big cat hunted around 35 baits. As per the SOP of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), we can tranquillise big cats till 6 pm. We are placing baits to capture the tiger accordingly, but the elusive tiger is hunting the baits during night time mainly between 9 pm and midnight, Dr Bharat Singh Hada, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Nagpur, told The Hitavada. This big cat is completely dependent on the baits now. Earlier, it was hunting cattle. If we stop placing baits, the tiger is likely to move towards forest fringes to hunt cattle. Therefore, we are planning to capture the tiger and release it in tiger reserves where population of such big cats is thin, said Dr Hada. There are many tigers residing in the territorial forests of Parseoni, Deolapar, Umred Karhandla forest areas.They can be called territorial tigers as we are noticing these looking for new habit and are dependent on preying cattle leading to mananimal conflict, added the DCF. The sub-adult tiger which is still elusive and yet to be identified while the Forest Departments of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have no details about this problem tiger. We are continuously monitoring movement of this tiger which was first settled in Deolapar range then shifted to Madhya Pradesh side and now venturing in Paoni range in Maharashtra side, said the senior Forest Officer. The cases of man-animal conflict have increased drastically in Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) and territorial forest of Nagpur district in last one year. In such encounters many human deaths took place and most of the cases happened in territorial forests. Keeping the increasing encounters in mind, the forest department has increased tiger monitoring in territorial forest area. For this operation, the Forest Department has already spent around Rs 10 lakh but still the tiger is out of their reach. For this operation, teams from Bhandara, Chandrapur and Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) were involved and more than 50 forestmen from Nagpur are also working day an night to capture this elusive tiger Trump, Putin speak over phone, discuss endingwar in Ukraine: Media report; Kremlin denies By Lalit K Jha : WASHINGTON US PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone and discussed ending the war in Ukraine amongst many other important topics, according to a media report. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied the media report of the phone call between Putin and Trump. After winning the recent presidential elections, Trump has spoken to over 70 world leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were among the firsts. The two men discussed the goal of peace on the European continent and Trump expressed an interest in follow-up conversations to discuss the resolution of Ukraines war soon, oneof thepeople said, The Washington Post said in an exclusive report published on Sunday. One former US official who was familiarwith thePutincall said thatTrumplikelydoesnot want toenterofficewitha fresh crisis inUkraine prompted by Russianescalation,givinghim the incentive to want to keep the war from worsening, the daily said.Trumpis scheduled to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025. Ukraine has been informed about the Trump-Putin call. During the call, which Trump took from his resort in Florida,headvised theRussian President not to escalate the war in Ukraine and reminded him of Washingtons sizable military presence in Europe, saida person familiarwith the call, who, like others interviewed for this story, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discussasensitivematter,The Washington Post reported. However, Kremlin spokesmanPeskovinMoscow said theWesternmediareports of the phone call between Putin andTrump areuntrue, TASS reported. There was noconversation...Thisiscompletely untrue; its pure fiction,Peskovsaid.Meanwhile, StevenCheung,Trumpscommunicationsdirector, toldPTI hewouldnotcomment on the private calls between President-elect Trump and other world leaders. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The world's leading media outlets have written about the first major success achieved on the first day of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku - reaching consensus on standards for creating carbon dioxide emission credits, the article of the Financial Times said, Trend reports. The COP29 climate summit agreed to launch multi-billion-dollar carbon markets governed by UN emissions rules. Despite the election of Donald Trump last week, countries are trying to demonstrate that the fight against climate change will continue. Progress in the first negotiations has prompted COP29 to adopt rules in global markets for trading instruments that reflect carbon emissions levels. Carbon trading will be a victory for Azerbaijan, which is pursuing COP29 ahead of tough negotiations on other forms of finance. It can help big polluters reduce their emissions and raise some of the money that developing countries will need to adapt to the effects of climate change. This was "a rare bright moment of cooperation and progress at COP29," the influential British publication quoted Fitri Woolandry, an analyst at carbon data provider Waite, as saying. At the two-week COP29 climate summit, countries on Monday authorized carbon quality standards needed to launch a U.N.-backed global carbon market that will finance projects to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the article by Reuters journalists Virginia Furness and Kate Abnett noted. The green light was given by an early agreement on the first day of the UN conference in Baku. Although Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. election has lowered expectations, governments are committed to signing a climate finance agreement. The article, citing Mexican climate scientist Juan Carlos Bruno, now a consultant to Abatable, notes that carbon credits theoretically allow countries or companies anywhere on the planet to pay for projects that reduce CO2 emissions or remove them from the atmosphere and use the credits generated from those projects to offset their own emissions. Reuters notes that the International Emissions Trading Association, a working group that supports global carbon markets, has stressed that total trading in the U.N.-backed market could generate $250 billion a year by 2030 and reduce production by 5 billion metric tons of carbon each year. According to Bloomberg correspondent John Ainger, climate negotiators made progress on the first day of the COP29 climate summit by agreeing on rules for a global carbon market run by the United Nations. The article emphasizes: Supporters argue that the new market will be the gold standard for emissions trading, paving the way for billions of dollars in financing for emissions reduction projects in the developing world. The purchasers, mostly from wealthy countries, will be able to meet their climate goals with credits from projects that reduce pollution. The rules, dubbed Article 6.4 after initial proposals under the 2015 Paris Agreement, dictate how countries trade carbon credits through a UN-administered market. The Guardian quotes COP29 president Mukhtar Babayev in a published article about this important agreement: "We welcome this positive moment. It is a spirit of compromise for the success of all our discussions in Baku. The article says, "Carbon markets are a polarizing force in climate policy. Advocates of this consensus say it will help channel critical funds to save the planet. Efforts to harmonize carbon market rules, known in the language of the COP as Article 6." To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges. In an exclusive interview with Trend News Agency, a representative of the Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North arrived from Russia - Radun Sulen Zigua said that COP29 is the best international event he has attended. Zigua also said that he has already participated in more than 10 high-level international conferences. "I believe COP29 is the best of them all," he pointed out. Expressing satisfaction with his stay in Baku, Zigua highlighted his high expectations for COP29. "This COP can also be referred to as an event of financing. Finance is just a tool. We must use it effectively in line with the principles and rights of humanity," he said. Zigua emphasized the need for global efforts to protect nature and the environment. "All the commitments made by countries to prevent and combat climate change must be upheld. But of course, we need the full political will of the member states," he stressed. He also noted that, due to the importance of the ongoing events at COP29, he had not yet had the chance to explore Baku's landmarks. "I haven't had the opportunity to stroll around Baku because of the limited time, but I especially wanted to visit the historical places of this city," he added. The opening ceremony of the much-anticipated COP29 conference has kicked off on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Representatives, leaders, and climate experts from around the globe gathered to mark the beginning of what is set to be one of the largest climate events of the year. The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was made at the COP28 plenary session held in Dubai on December 11 of last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest governing body responsible for overseeing the conventions implementation. A total of 198 countries participate in the convention. Unless otherwise agreed, COP is held annually. The first COP took place in Berlin in March 1995, with its secretariat headquartered in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. We have witnessed in a very short period that COP29 has been organized in a really important way, facilitating dialogue, the Assistant to the President of the US and National Climate Advisor of the White House Ali Zaidi said at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports. He expressed hope that COP29 will be a platform to further build on the confidence built in Dubai and reflected in the UAE's consensus to openly talk about the need to start moving away from fossil fuels. I hope that this will be a COP event where progress will be made on the Dubai goals of tripling the use of renewable energy. I am confident that the world can move forward by rallying around important ambitions," the US President's aide emphasized. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will last until November 22, was opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. The highest-level event, the summit of world leaders on climate action, will be held within the framework of COP29 on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. In addition to making climate finance a top priority and setting the stage for action, this will also contribute to meeting the 1.5C commitment by bringing everyone together. 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. COP29 is a very important summit, we need to speak each other, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic told reporters on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. Azerbaijan is becoming more and more important. I'm not speaking about one corridor, I'm speaking about railroad corridors, and gas corridors. The Middle Corridor is also of utmost importance for us. We started negotiating process on constructing a big gas power plant in Serbia in which both countries will become stakeholders, he said. Further Serbias president noted that he was amazed with the progress that he has seen recently here in Azerbaijan. I was here two years ago, if I'm not mistaken. It's amazing. What you do with your country is really hats off. We would like to work together with Azerbaijan furthermore and to find more common denominators for our joint work, and we will do so, he added. The opening ceremony of the much-anticipated COP29 conference has kicked off on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Representatives, leaders, and climate experts from around the globe gathered to mark the beginning of what is set to be one of the largest climate events of the year. The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was made at the COP28 plenary session held in Dubai on December 11 of last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the highest governing body responsible for overseeing the conventions implementation. A total of 198 countries participate in the convention. Unless otherwise agreed, COP is held annually. The first COP took place in Berlin in March 1995, with its secretariat headquartered in Bonn. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The opening ceremony of COP29 made a strong impression, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, Trend reports. "I arrived this morning, and I am already deeply impressed by what Ive seena magnificent opening ceremony, and now world leaders are addressing the gathering. I am pleased to see that health issues are receiving more attention this year. After all, as we have always emphasized, the climate crisis is also a health crisis," he said. In discussing the trajectory of healthcare innovation, Ghebreyesus emphasized the critical need for strategic, forward-thinking initiatives. "The conclusion is clear: everything is in our hands. If we prepare and take all possible preventive measures, there is much we can do. It is within our power, and if we act, prepare, and prevent, we can avoid this crisis," the Director-General added Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges. Today, we spoke with Musalia Mudavadi, Kenyan Prime Minister. He commended Azerbaijans efforts in organizing the COP29 conference. "The country has done an excellent job organizing COP29. Heads of state and ministers are participating, and we expect that our nations will move beyond what might seem like mere rhetoric. The fight against climate change requires patience, and the issue of financing should also be addressed pragmatically. I hope we will achieve progress on this front," he said. The Kenyan Prime Minister further highlighted the potential for collaboration between Kenya and Azerbaijan in the fields of wind and solar energy. "We are happy to be partners with Azerbaijan. I believe we can work together on wind and solar energy systems. Azerbaijan is at a very advanced technological stage, and together, we can make a new contribution to this area," he added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan are set to sign an intergovernmental agreement tomorrow to implement the "Green Corridor" project, Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Energy, Orkhan Zeynalov said at a panel discussion titled "Powering the future: The Mediterraneans initiative towards 1TW renewable energy by 2030," Trend reports. "I believe Central Asia has tremendous potential. We are also discussing the need to connect these corridors while aligning them to a single framework in terms of feasibility studies and the development phases. This is all part of harmonizing the development of green corridors globally," he said. Zeynalov also spoke about Azerbaijans renewable energy goals, stating that the target of achieving 1 terawatt of renewable energy by 2030 is ambitious but achievable. "From Azerbaijans national strategy perspective, we are focused on how to achieve the energy transition. At the same time, we are focused on how COP29 will implement global climate commitments," he added. The deputy minister stated that Azerbaijan is targeting a 30 percent share of renewable energy by 2030. With the current pace of progress, the transition to renewable sources is accelerating, and the country is on track to reach this goal well ahead of schedule. "We are also planning $2.5 billion in investments in renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind. Just this morning, together with bp, we laid the foundation for a 240-megawatt solar project in Jabrayil, which will be used to decarbonize the worlds largest oil and gas terminal, Sangachal. Renewable energy is already contributing to the decarbonization of the energy sector, which is a positive step forward," Zeynalov added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. 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 and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Today the United States has launched the "Super Emitter" program portal, said John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the US President on International Climate Policy, at a COP29 summit on methane and non-CO2 greenhouse gases, Trend reports. "Today we are launching the portal for our 'Super-Emitter' program, which utilizes satellite data and other tools to detect leaks, enabling oil and gas companies to receive notifications. The program mandates that companies investigate and respond to these incidents in line with methane regulations set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Just a month ago, we announced $150 million in funding to help farmers adopt a new feed additive that reduces methane emissions from livestock. This solution, which is already in use in 55 countries and has garnered support from both farmers and consumers, can cut emissions by 30 percent. And with new technologies on the horizon, we expect these reductions to reach up to two-thirds," Podesta added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest-level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be held on November 1213. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The Mediterranean is ready to take on the ambitious goal of achieving 1TW of renewable energy by 2030, which will significantly contribute to global targets, Jauad El Kharraz, co-chair of the Mediterranean Clean Energy Network and senior fellow at the ECCO think tank, said this at a panel discussion titled Mediterranean Pulse: Accelerating Towards 1TW of Renewable Energy by 2030, Trend reports. In every crisis lies a unique opportunity - a chance to embrace a new era of clean and sustainable energy. At COP28, as you know, more than 130 countries committed to tripling renewable energy capacity to 11 terawatts, he said. According to him, immediately afterward, regional organizations, industrial companies, think tanks, and civil societies on both sides of the Mediterranean came together to translate this aspiration into concrete regional efforts called Teramed. We first announced Teramed in Istanbul at the UFM Green Week last May and promoted it at many other significant events, such as the Mini-Europe Future Energy Dialogue in Munich in September, the Mediterranean Decarbonization Forum, events in Tunisia, and officially launched at the Sustainable Energy Week in Cairo last month, he said. He added that the Mediterranean's transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is important for regions with abundant solar and wind resources. Baku is hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the official opening ceremony of which was held on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The Summit of World Leaders on Climate Action will be held on November 1213. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was made on December 11 last year at the plenary session of COP28 in Dubai. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in June 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit to prevent dangerous anthropogenic influences on the climate system. The first session was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and the conference secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Emerging pattern behind fresh offensives Since evening of November 7 | The design behind the series of renewed offensives in the last few days should be clear by following the thread from the evening of November 7 when heavily armed Kuki militants attacked Mongbung village in Jiribam district at about 8.30 pm. The Sangai Express carried a very brief report on the Jiribam offensive with the addition that the attack came from the side of Jarolpokpi, a Hmar village. At the time, that is late in the night of November 7 when The Sangai Express had to wind up for the day and send the reports of the day to the printing press, the fighting was still on. Just one day after the November 7 attack the retaliation came with all its ferocity wherein six houses were torched at Zairon Hmar village in Jiribam district and one woman was killed. The theatre of conflict then shifted to Bishnupur district when one Meitei woman farmer was shot dead while working in a paddy field at Wathalambi Loukol in Bishnupur district on November 8. In just 24 hours the theatre of war shifted from Jiribam to Bishnupur and this was topped off by the series of attacks launched on Meitei settlements at Saiton in Bishnupur district, Imphal East district under Yaingangpokpi police station and Jiribam again. This was on November 10. Then on November 11, Manipur woke up to the news of a farmer being shot when Kuki militants rained bullets while working at a paddy field at Shanti Khongbal near Yaingangpokpi. Incidentally the injured farmer is not a Meitei but a Tangkhul, a community which has remained neutral in the ongoing clash between the Meiteis and the Kukis since May 3, 2023. And if Manipur woke up to the news of Kuki militants raining bullets on a group of people working in the paddy field at Shanti Khongbal, this was rounded off by information coming in that at least 10 Kuki militants have been shot dead by CRPF personnel at Jiribam. There are also reports that many others have been injured in the shoot out between the Kuki militants and the CRPF personnel. So in a span of five days, 12 people, including the 10 Kuki militants have been killed in renewed clash while scores of others have been injured and one can certainly see a pattern emerging out of the series of attacks launched by the Kuki militants in the last five days. Logic says and this is sound logic-this is the ideal time to launch offensives against the Meiteis as the harvest season is on and unarmed farmers would be the best and softest target. To trigger the spate of renewed offensives, the formula was simple enough. Attack a village, which happened to be a place at Jiribam district and then activate the cadres placed in other places such as at Bishnupur and at Imphal East near Yaingangpokpi. The attack that unfortunately killed a woman at Zairon Hmar village on November was a retaliatory offensive launched against the attack at Mongbung the earlier night, that is on November 7 evening. In all these instances of offensives launched by the Kuki militants from the hill sides, accusations against the Central forces have been flying thick and fast. In the first instance at Wathalambi Loukol in Bishnupur district on November 9, the BSF has been accused of remaining a mute spectator despite the presence of a company stationed at Wathalambi Primary School. It is the same with the other Central forces, an accusation which has stuck since violence erupted in all its ugliness on May 3, 2023 and which has been given credence by the run ins reported between Central forces and State police commandos on more than one occasion. The politics at work here cannot be more ugly than this and as The Sangai Express has been repeatedly pointing out, Union Home Minister Amit Shah did take note of the arms looted from the police armouries but never has once Delhi deemed it fit to openly question from where the guns used by the Kuki militants have come. Maybe it is a reflection of this observation that one sees in the refusal of the Central forces to act when the Meitei settlements come under heavy attack from the well armed Kuki militants. Rogue elements can be cultivated similarly to the K-Pop "idol incubation system" | Laimayum Bashanta Sharma Contd from previous issue The influential ideological indoctrination of Cultural Marxism is spread by urban naxals via various mediums such as movies, web series, television shows, books, articles, stand-up performances, rock bands, hip hop, and celebrities in the music industry, primarily focusing on students and younger generations. If those associated with the deep State were to secure positions of authority, one could contemplate the remarkable degree of chaos and upheaval they might provoke in the future by exploiting the disenchanted and marginalized groups within society. These groups, already hostile towards the perceived oppressors (capitalists), could be directed against the State, which they see as merely a tool serving the interests of the ruling class. Their state could encounter a financial collapse as a result of a deliberate neglect of fiscal discipline. A scenario resembling a civil war could emerge when people encounter significant economic hardships, resulting in violent confrontations with local law enforcement, federal security forces, and authorities, all in the name of freedom and justice. Check out what the Chinese have been doing in Sri Lanka and see what they have been doing. It is impossible to engage in debt trap diplomacy in Sri Lanka if it were not for the assistance of corrupt politicians who enjoyed commission from mega loans with hidden conditions at inflated interest from China. Without their assistance, debt trap diplomacy would be incapable of being carried out. Both Nepal and Pakistan are experiencing the same situation at the moment. The Pakistani Army and the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) maintain a strong grip on their Nation, prioritizing their own interests over those of the Pakistani people. This includes exercising a severe control over the country. Because of the circumstances that currently exist, they act as if they are a vassal state of either China or the United States. The Communist factions in Nepal are engaged in a power struggle, which is being supported by funding from outside sources. The Hindu majority in Nepal is suffering the consequences of this struggle. The violent unrest in Bangladesh was carried out by the US deep state aides in collaboration with Pakistan's ISI and its radical organisation like the Jamaat. If Sheikh Hasina had agreed to American deep state diktat to hand over St Martin island to the US to establish an airbase that decision would have impacted the entire Northeastern India, Chittagong of Bangladesh and Chin state of Myanmar. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who was dethroned by force, has publicly admitted that the administration of outgoing President Joe Biden of the United States, acting at the behest of the nefarious deep state, had the intention of carving out an independent Christian nation from India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The tug of war between the Military Junta and the various anti junta rebel groups in the ongoing conflict in Myanmar have stakeholders including China and the US that are not only funding the conflict, they have utilised their mercenaries and war weapons to serve their own interest. The role of India is limited to protecting the northeast, and more specifically Manipur, which is currently experiencing a violent conflict as a result of the involvement of non-state actors who infiltrated Manipur from Myanmar. The primary objective of India is to put an end to the conflict and establish peace in the region. It is possible that the appearance of these human assets that have been carefully groomed and funded by the evil deep state may give the impression that they are not harmful. Some of them are currently serving in positions of authority, such as being representatives of the house or mayors of cities. Others are celebrity climate activists who are also performing the dual role of fighting for free immigration from conflict regions to the European Union and North America. As a direct consequence of the excessive and unchecked large-scale migration that is taking place in Europe, numerous regions of the United States and the United Kingdom are currently experiencing an increase in the number of violent crimes that have never been seen before. For the purpose of advancing the cause of a particular community that is notorious for playing the victim card and always justifying acts of terror as self-defense, political parties that lean to the left made use of celebrity activists in order to advance their cause. A motive is what drives radicalized activists to take action. It is the most powerful elite deep state that they represent. If a nation were to be flooded with unchecked immigrants and refugees, there would inevitably be anarchy and chaos in that nation. This is true regardless of how powerful and wealthy the nation may be. Imagine that the celebrity activist ended up serving as the head of state, or that her like-minded people were elected as chief ministers of a dozen or so states in India. If all of these states were to bleed the economy and spend the money that taxpayers pay on demographic expansion of their core vote bank and freebies, the nation of Bharat, which aspires to become Vikshit Bharat (Developed Bharat) by the year 2047, could end up becoming Venezuela or Somalia, or it could disintegrate into a number of states similar to the former Soviet Union. It is possible that the western deep state will use their assets as a Trojan horse in order to undermine or destroy Bharat from within. The writer is Spokesperson, BJP Manipur Pradesh Foreign journalists serve as ambassadors for telling China's stories in Inner Mongolia 09:06, November 12, 2024 By Yuan Meng ( People's Daily Online The Belt and Road Youth Friendship Exchange Program brought a foreign media group to Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in late October, showcasing the city's modern development and rich cultural heritage. The five-day event welcomed 30 journalists from 19 countries across Eurasia and the Arab world, who shared China's stories with their firsthand experiences and observations. Russian journalist: Capturing China's beauty through photos For Ivan Shapkin, a first-time visitor to China, everything sparked his curiosity. Shapkin revealed that he only knew China as a country with a long history and rich culture before visiting the country. "But I found that the food, architecture, natural landscapes and traditions here all opened my eyes. I found out what a modern country China is," he said. Shapkin was particularly impressed by emerging industries in the Hohhot Economic and Technological Development Zone and Horinger New Area. He said foreign journalists were wowed by manufacturers of new energy vehicles for commercial use and drones during their visit. Photo shows Ivan Shapkin, a Russian journalist, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Yuan Meng) Shapkin recorded what he saw in China with his pen and camera. He has published many newspaper articles and photographs about China, including tai chi, Chinese calligraphy, and the beauty of Beihai Park. "This time in Hohhot, I took many photos, such as Laoniu Bay, a beautiful canyon located at the intersection of the Yellow River and the Great Wall, two landmarks in China," Shapkin said. Ivan Shapkin, a Russian journalist, takes photo of Laoniu Bay in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Yuan Meng) Egyptian journalist: China's development model is more suitable for Egypt Mazen Eslam Afify Ahmed, an Egyptian journalist and a China hand on his third visit to the country, has been studying Chinese since 2019 at Egypt's Ain Shams University. "Egyptians really love China and its people. Just as Egypt has its pyramids, China has the Great Wall - we're both ancient civilizations," Ahmed said. Mazen Eslam Afify Ahmed, an Egyptian journalist, tries to play horse-head fiddle, a representative musical instrument of the Mongolian ethnic group, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Yuan Meng) During the tour of a smart ranch, Ahmed and other journalists were fascinated by the automated dairy production line. He was amazed that 80 cows can be milked in just eight minutes, noting that Arab countries, especially Egypt, are keeping a close eye on agricultural developments. "Every time I come to China, I can feel the new development and changes in China and see the new path towards modernization for developing countries," he said. Noting that Egypt was one of the first countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Ahmed said China and Egypt have engaged in many cooperation projects under the BRI framework. "China has given Egypt a lot of help," he added. Mazen Eslam Afify Ahmed, an Egyptian journalist, poses for photos in the Hohhot Sculpture Museum in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Yuan Meng) Beyond reporting: Building bridges through language The Hohhot trip brought together journalists from diverse backgrounds. As Ahmed puts it, "We have become good friends despite our different cultural backgrounds thanks to Inner Mongolia." Shapkin, who affectionately refers to Ahmed as "the Egyptian guy who speaks fluent Chinese," was inspired to start learning Chinese himself. Ahmed became the media group's unofficial Chinese interpreter. "With China being an economic powerhouse, mastering Chinese opens doors for employment and investment," he said, adding that there's a growing interest in learning Chinese across Egypt and other Arab countries. "As a journalist and someone who has learned Chinese, I see myself as an ambassador. It's my duty to show the real China to more people," Ahmed said. (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) "Georgia needs radical changes in order to even remain an EU candidate," said EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, who is currently visiting Kyiv, in an interview with the Ukrainian edition of European Truth. He added that Georgia is "moving away from the European path." This is yet another example of an elderly official, nearing the end of his tenure, finally speaking from a pre-prepared script. The most revolting aspect of this whole story is that Borrell's words were uttered in the capital of Ukraine, a country that still cannot get a clear answer to the simple question of when, or even if, it will be accepted into the EU and NATO. And the persona of the speaker is even more shameful. After all, Borrell is the same person who, over all the years of Armenia's occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani territory, never once condemned it. At the same time, he voiced support for the Karabakh separatists and the Armenian occupiers following Azerbaijan's historic victory in the 44-day war. So, we are dealing with cynical individuals who lack their own opinions and are ready to spread any lies and nonsense. But I should note that figures like him and other cynical officials of the older generation are already being replaced by more audacious individuals. In this context, its no surprise that one of these characters, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the German Bundestag, Michael Roth, decided to speak out about Georgia. "We had a wonderful meeting with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, a brave leader and a devoted European. Our joint visit is driven by deep concern over the recent elections and the anti-democratic policies of the current government of Georgia. The elections were not free and fair," he said. Here is another example of how Herr Roths words are used to spread lies about a sovereign state that has chosen to pursue policies based on respect for its national traditions and interests. We all remember well that the European Parliament, even before Georgia's parliamentary elections, stated that the countrys leadership should prepare for a peaceful transfer of power. When that didnt happen, Herr Roth became an even more active instrument of spreading lies and blackmail against the official authorities of Tbilisi. In fact, Borrell and Roth demonstrate clear disrespect for the will of the majority of Georgian citizens, insisting instead on the victory of the minority. Yes, we know how much attention is paid to different minorities in the EU, but this is a different matter. The chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, is absolutely right in this regard. He refused to meet with the European parliamentarians who came to Tbilisi, informing them in writing of his reasons. "The unfriendly rhetoric and actions of some members of the delegation towards Georgia and its authorities, which we have witnessed over the past two and a half years, are incompatible with the values of Europe as a peace project," Papuashvili wrote. He is right, and his position is just. They should be thankful they were even allowed to visit Georgia. On the other hand, the same Herr Roth is banned from entering Baku, which doesnt stop him from continuing to defame Azerbaijan from abroad. He has already received an award from the Armenian side for his efforts. Recently, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian awarded Michael Roth the Order of Friendship for "significant contribution to the strengthening and development of friendly relations between Armenia and Germany, as well as the protection of universal values." The man has long been on the path to "success" and clearly earned himself a large barrel of Armenian brandy as a gift, or perhaps as a supplement to the state award of a country that has occupied 20% of Azerbaijans territory for more than a quarter of a century, ignoring four resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly. Of course, Roth has never spoken out about Armenia's crimes. I also remember clearly that in April 2021, Roth responded with lies and manipulations to a question from Azerbaijani MP Rafael Huseynov about the deaths in mined areas and the need to transfer maps of landmines. Our deputy raised the right question because citizens of Azerbaijan continued to die and be maimed in the territories liberated from occupation. From November 10, 2020 to November 11, 2024, 382 Azerbaijani citizens became victims of mines planted by Armenia during the military occupation. This was reported by the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that the number of mine victims is growing, and Azerbaijan is still suffering from the consequences of Armenias 30-year occupation. "The number of mine victims in Azerbaijan continues to grow. Azerbaijan is suffering from the consequences of the 30-year Armenian military occupation," Hikmet Hajiyev added. But Herr Roths mouth is not meant to speak the truth. That has always been the case. He was one of those who called for a boycott of COP29 in Baku. And what was the result? His calls were ignored even in Germany. As you know, Germany will be represented at the forum by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy Robert Habeck, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze, as well as Minister of Environment Steffi Lemke. So, he will remain an observer, watching from the sidelines as a grand event unfolds in Baku. And if before he was despised only in Azerbaijan, now he has achieved the same in Georgia. In a little while, he will be able to visit only Armenia in the South Caucasus. And even then, maybe not always. We see how easily people in Europe become enraged when someone dares to choose a different path of development from the one they want to see in Brussels and Paris. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The UK has allocated five million pounds sterling for a program to regulate emissions in the fossil fuel sector as part of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, Secretary of State for Energy Security and the UK's Clean Zero Ed Miliband said at the COP29 summit on Methane and Greenhouse Gases, Trend reports. The UK is dedicated to setting a precedent domestically by diminishing methane emissions. We must enhance our methane emissions data and assist other nations in their endeavors to mitigate methane emissions. We are glad to announce a funding allocation of five million pounds for a fossil fuel industry emissions management initiative as part of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. However, we acknowledge the necessity to act with more speed and decisiveness. All oil and gas firms must adhere to stringent global regulations. The reality is that we have considerable progress to make. We advocate for decisive measures and express gratitude to the United States and China for their initiatives. The UK Government is dedicated to addressing this pressing issue, he emphasized. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Veer Gatha 2024, a joint initiative by the ministry of defence (MoD) and ministry of education (MoE), concluded today at the Dhono Dhanno Auditorium, Kolkata. Organised by HQ Bengal Sub Area under the aegis of Eastern Command, the event served as a platform to inspire and motivate the youth through the valorous stories of Indias Armed Forces. The event witnessed participation from all three services, Army, Navy, and Air Force, underscoring the collective strength and unity of Indias defense forces. Maj Gen Rajesh Arun Moghe, General Officer Commanding, Bengal Sub Area, graced the event as the chief guest. Advertisement Over 2,000 school students, NCC cadets and dignitaries from civil and military circles attended the event. The day featured an enthralling display of advanced weaponry and military equipment, giving attendees a glimpse into the cutting-edge capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. Advertisement Distinguished Speakers were Col. Mahesh Kumar, Kirti Chakra, SM. A decorated infantry officer, he shared his leadership experiences in counter-terrorism operations that earned him the Kirti Chakra in 2013. Col. Mitali Madhumita, SM (gallantry), was first woman officer to receive the Sena Medal (gallantry), she recounted her heroic actions during the 2010 terrorist attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul. Lt. Col. Anila Khatri was the first woman paratrooper of the Indian Armys Air Defence Regiment, she spoke about breaking barriers and her leadership in an all-women motorbike rally in Ladakh. Subedar Solairaj Dharmarajan, an inspiration as a soldier-turned-paralympian, shared his journey from the Siachen Glacier to winning medals at the Asian Para Games. Lt. Cdr. Mrityunjay Kumar, Shaurya Chakra is a naval officer, who shared his experiences in leading anti-terror operations in Kashmir, which earned him the Shaurya Chakra in 2022. Wing Cdr. Vishal Lakhesh, Vayu Sena Medal (gallantry), an IAF test parachute jumper and skydiving expert with over 2,000 jumps, highlighted his operational excellence and leadership in critical missions. The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where the audience interacted directly with the speakers, gaining firsthand insights into the challenges and triumphs of life in the armed forces. Veer Gatha 2024 had the objective of fostering patriotism and inspiring the next generation. By sharing real-life stories of courage and resilience, the event highlighted the dedication of the Indian Armed Forces and their unwavering commitment to the nation. Civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, who is so far the sole prime accused in the ghastly rape and murder of a lady junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, on Monday, claimed that the former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal was the main conspirator in framing him in the case. While Ray was brought out of a special court in Kolkata at the end of the first day of the trial process, Roy shouted towards the waiting media persons and claimed the former police commission was plotting a conspiracy to frame him. Advertisement Vineet Goyal is behind all the conspiracy to frame me falsely in this case. The deputy commissioner of the detective department was also involved in the conspiracy. Our government also backed them. I was not allowed to speak so far. But today I am taking the names, he said. Advertisement This is not the first time that Roy had made such an allegation outside the court. On October 4, the day on which the process of framing of charge was completed at the special court, he made a similar allegation outside the court while interacting with the media persons from inside the prison van. However, on that day he did not name anyone in particular and said that his colleagues in his own department, Kolkata Police, were responsible for framing him. On that day, he also claimed that he was innocent in the case and he neither committed the rape not the murder. The hearings on the trial process will continue on a fast-track and daily basis and in all probability, the entire trial process proceedings will be in-camera in nature. Besides the counsels of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is carrying out a probe in the matter and Roy, the counsel of the victims parents, Vrinda Grover was also present at the court. As per information available, the trial process started with the statements by the victims father first followed by that of the victims mother. There are a total of 128 witnesses in the case, which include the victims parents, some of the colleagues of the victims, investigating officials of Kolkata Police who carried out the initial investigation and forensic experts, among others. The shunt men of Sealdah division of the Eastern Railway have got a new gear Focus to keep them focused and safe at work. The new gear, which has a camera, has been provided by the divisional railway for the surveillance of shunt men and their activities at crucial stations for ensuring the safety and efficiency of operations. According to sources in the divisional railway office, the team under Senior DOM of Sealdah, Akshat Malik recently rolled out a project named Focus or Field Observation for Counselling and Upholding Safety. The project includes installation of state-of-the-art cameras that have advanced features like infrared night vision and talkback system. According to the divisional railway manager of Sealdah, Deepak Nigam, the most highlighting aspect of the Focus project is that it facilitates a real-time footage to the divisional control room enabling the Railways to monitor shunting operations o real-time basis, identify potential risks and intervene swiftly in case of emergencies. The cameras costing around Rs 20,000 each provide a real-time communication channel between the control room and on-site staff enabling swift response during any untoward situations. As elaborated, the remote monitoring system also helps in enhancing safety and boosts the morale of shunt men by providing constant surveillance, the system instills a sense of security and accountability, encouraging adherence to safety protocols. Advertisement According to sources in the division, presently the cameras with the upgraded technology are being used at 10 stations in the form of a pilot project. The Sealdah division is aiming to expand the project to other stations at the earliest. The results of the project have been very effective. With the help of the cameras, a huge amount of data is being collected and stored that could also be used in future, pointed out an official source. With huge data getting documented, the division is mulling over plans of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the system to further enhance its efficiency and effectiveness. By harnessing the power of AI, the system can analyse vast amounts of data to identify patterns, predict potential risks, and optimize operations. Advertisement The Trinamul Congress today alleged that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS are attempting to turn the upcoming Maha Kumbh mela at Prayagraj into part of their saffron political agenda. The Congress has also voiced support for this stance. The Congress claims that Narendra Modi has no option but to engage in religious politics to stay in power. A political slugfest started following a demand from one of the Kumbh Mela organisers, Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, general secretary of the All India Sant Samaj, that only Hindu vendors be allowed to sell items at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The BJP has supported this demand by the Sant Samaj and urged the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh to take steps in this regard. Advertisement Senior Trinamul Congress leader and spokesperson Jayprakash Majumdar said that the BJP has long been determined to turn India into a Hindu nation rather than a secular one. This is a reflection of their policy, as seen in the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela, with Yogi on one side and Modi on the other, both supported by the RSS. They are determined to exploit this opportunity to divide society, disregarding the constitutional framework of a secular country, said Mr Majumdar. Advertisement Swami Paramatmananda, a senior member of the Samiti and head of the West Bengal Dashnami Naga monks organisation Panchayeti Mahanirbani Akhada, added that the ban should also apply to other Hindu festivals, arguing that these measures are necessary to maintain the sanctity and purity of the Kumbh and other Hindu fairs in line with Vedic traditions. We cannot allow what we call the spit policy gang to disrupt the sacredness of the event. The term spit policy gang has been used by some monks to describe communal practices they see as inappropriate for Hindu events. The senior Samiti member Swami Paramatmananda has also demanded that no new vendors be permitted within a 50-kilometer radius of the Kumbh Mela site in Prayagraj. Suman Ganguly, spokesperson for the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, said that barring non-Hindus from setting up food shops or other stalls in the Mela area during the Maha Kumbh would create rifts in society. This decision promotes purposeful communalism as part of the RSS-BJP agenda and spreads hatred in society. The fair should be conducted with peace and tranquility. I urge the UP government to initiate legal action against such people, said Mr Ganguly. The BJP MP and member of the Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs, Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, defended the monks right to impose such restrictions on non-Hindu vendors, arguing that no political party should intervene in religious matters if they are intended to protect faith and tradition. Why are Hindus not allowed to visit Muslim holy sites such as Mecca and Medina? Our monks belong to the culture of Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Ishwar Allah Tere Naam. If Muslims set up shops at their fairs, Hindus should also be allowed to visit their holy places, said Mr Mahato. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday exhorted graduates of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) to stay informed about new trade agreements, and use these as avenues to create fresh business opportunities and access new markets. In his virtual address during the 57th IIFT Convocation here, the minister noted that this knowledge would contribute to the ambitious target of a Viksit Bharat, including the goal of reaching $2 trillion in trade. Highlighting sectors such as telecom, semiconductors, deep-sea exploration, and space technology, he urged them to contribute to these fields with a forward-thinking mindset. Advertisement Goyal urged the graduates to embrace their roles as socially responsible professionals. He emphasised the critical importance of ethical business practices, underscoring how todays organisations are expected to uphold Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles. Advertisement The minister advised the young graduates to chart their paths to success through innovation, especially by engaging with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). He complimented the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, faculty and the students in making IIFT a centre for academic excellence. He also mentioned about the IIFTs first overseas Campus in Dubai, thus thereby spreading its wings in the international business community. During the convocation, degrees were conferred to more than 650 students from various programmes, including the flagship MBA (International Business), MA (Economics) with specialisation in International Trade and Finance, Ph.D. in Management and Economics, and Executive Programmes, underscoring IIFTs commitment to train students in the fields of International Business, Economics and Trade. Sunil Barthwal, Chancellor, IIFT and Secretary, Department of Commerce, Central Government, commended the graduating students for their determination and hard work in reaching this pivotal stage in their lives and encouraged them to apply their learnings from IIFT in their professional careers. Barthwal highlighted IIFTs recent achievements in research and consulting, noting that the institution has developed substantial expertise in analysing international business environments and creating strategic solutions for corporates. He lauded IIFTs stellar performance in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) by the Ministry of Education, where it ranks among the top 15 B-schools in India. Reflecting on the need for skilled professionals in international trade, Barthwal shared details about the newly established Centre for International Negotiations at IIFT, which will provide a platform for students, government officials, and corporate negotiators to learn from each others expertise. He also discussed the future initiatives and the establishment of IIFT Case Centre. He hoped that the Case Centre would enhance the learning experience at IIFT by developing high-quality, India-focused business cases, and enriching students exposure to real-world problem-solving within the context of global business challenges. The Chief Guest, Managing Director of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd, (Amul), Dr. Jayen Mehta, highlighted the remarkable achievements of Indian companies in reaching new global markets and underscored how international business expertise could position students to be at the forefront of Indias expanding global footprint. He shared insights into how Amul and other leading Indian brands are strengthening Indias presence on the world stage, creating opportunities for talented professionals in trade and commerce. A delegation of the Delhi BJP met Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum calling for an inquiry into an alleged scam involving the operations of two power distribution companies (DISCOMs). After presenting the memorandum, Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva stated: Three power DISCOMs purchase and sell electricity under similar terms, yet one turns a profit while the other two incur losses. Advertisement He added that one of the DISCOMs is failing to pay its dues to two Delhi government-owned power generation companies, Pragati Power and Indraprastha Power, an issue that warrants investigation. Advertisement Sachdeva further alleged that the Delhi governments silence regarding the retention of regulatory assets and the non-payment of dues by BSES DISCOMs raises suspicions of possible collusion with the Delhi government, hinting at potential kickbacks benefiting the ruling party. Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, said, The evidence we presented today to the LG clearly suggests a nefarious role of the AAP government in this matter. He alleged that the Kejriwal government appears complicit in enabling private partners in the power DISCOMs to misuse public funds. Senior AAP Leader and former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia hosted the Shiksha Par Baat, Mata-Pita Ke Saath initiative at Sunlight colony in Jangpura on Tuesday and interacted with the parents of the government school children. According to AAP, parents shared their views and experiences with Sisodia, and also what they feel about the future of their children with the technological advancements. He sought suggestions on what the government should do over the next five years for childrens education, and what facilities must be provided in schools. At the session, over 150 parents gathered to interact and thanked Sisodia for his transformative work in revolutionizing the Delhi governments schools. The parents also unequivocally supported the reforms brought in by the AAP Government in the education sector over the last year. Advertisement Keeping in mind the role of quality education in eradicating poverty, he reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to improving education for all children in Delhi, stating that he is ready to fight and plead with anyone to ensure the children of the city receive the best learning. Advertisement It was learnt that almost 40 per cent of parents who attended the event here had studied in the Delhi government schools. According to the AAP, they expressed that by comparing their experience from the past, they now feel that the government schools at present can be compared to private schools with the transformation they underwent. The Shiksha Par Baat, Mata-Pita Ke Saath is an ongoing initiative designed to be a collaborative dialogue between policymakers and the community. Sessions of the Shiksha Par Baat will be held in constituencies across Delhi, ensuring that every parent has a voice in shaping the policies that will guide the future of education in the city. Kolkata mourns the loss of one of its cherished stars, veteran actor and playwright Manoj Mitra, who passed away on Tuesday at a Salt Lake hospital. He was in his 80s and had been grappling with age-related health issues. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sorrow, taking to social media to honor Mitras legacy. She wrote, Saddened by the demise of the famous actor, director, and playwright, Banga Bibhushan Manoj Mitra. He had been a leading figure in our theatre and film circles. My condolences to his family, friends, and admirers. Advertisement Saddened by the demise of the famous actor, director and playwright, Banga Bibhushan Manoj Mitra today morning. Advertisement He had been a leading personality in our theatre and film worlds and his contributions have been immense. I convey my condolences to his family, friends and Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 12, 2024 Mitra leaves behind an indelible mark on Bengali cinema and theatre, celebrated for his work in iconic films like Banchharamer Bagan, an adaptation of his own play Sajano Bagaan, directed by Tapan Sinha. His collaborations with Satyajit Ray in Ghare Baire and Ganashatru remain revered. Mitras versatility shone through in a variety of roles, from comic to villainous characters, across films by notable directors like Basu Chatterjee, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, and Tarun Majumdar. West Bengals Education Minister and actor Bratya Basu shared heartfelt words, acknowledging Mitras exceptional contributions to the Bengali stage and screen. Veteran actor Arun Mukhopadhyay remembered him as a beacon of Bengali theatre, skilled in entertaining audiences while delivering profound social messages. Mukhopadhyay added, Manoj was irreplaceable; his departure is a great loss to our cultural landscape. Younger theatre artists also joined in mourning. Actress Sohini Sengupta recalled fond memories of Mitra. She mentioned his lively discussions with her father, Rudraprasad Sengupta, despite their occasional creative differences. Manoj-kakus passing feels like a personal loss, even though we knew he was ailing, she shared. A recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Best Playwright in 1985, Mitras creative impact is monumental. His works, which blend humor with social commentary, have influenced generations of audiences and fellow artists. Pankaj Tripathi, popular for his roles in films like Stree, Oh My God 2, and Ludo, is now the face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism. The actor, who has spent considerable time filming in the state, expressed his deep gratitude and excitement about the new role. I am deeply honoured to be chosen as the face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Pankaj Tripathi said on Tuesday. Madhya Pradesh is not just a destination for meits a place that holds countless memories and connections, both personally and professionally. Advertisement From the vibrant wildlife in reserves like Kanha and Bandhavgarh to the historic temples of Khajuraho and the grand forts of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh offers a rich and diverse travel experience. Advertisement Tripathi shared his admiration for the states many facets, describing it as a place that stands out as one of Indias most remarkable travel destinations. Ive always preferred exploring Indias own treasures over travelling abroad, and Madhya Pradesh truly stands out, he said. As the face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Tripathi will play a key role in promoting the states diverse offerings through a series of campaigns aimed at attracting both Indian and international tourists. His involvement will highlight the states natural wonders, architectural marvels, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and spiritual landmarks. Madhya Pradesh Tourism hopes that Tripathis widespread appeal, particularly his connection to the state through his work, will inspire more travelers to explore its rich history and culture. The collaboration will focus on encouraging tourism to the state, known for its stunning landscapes and wildlife. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Three important documents were signed within COP29, President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev said at the event "From Pledges to Action: Full Operationalization of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage," Trend reports. He pointed out that COP29 member countries shouldn't beat around the bush when it comes to shelling out funds to put the agreements into action, as well as saving lives in the process. COP29 will be key for us to achieve the goals of solidarity for a green world. If we do not take action today to save nature and humanity, the consequences of this indecision will create very serious problems in the future, he said. Executive Director of the Loss and Damage Response Fund, Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, noted that COP29 should focus on mitigation measures. We expect these measures to revolutionize innovations in the field of combating climate change. I hope certain decisions will be taken in Baku, he noted. According to co-chair of the Board of Directors of the Loss and Damage Response Fund, Jean-Christophe Donnellier, the parties' conduct of constructive discussions at COP29 will facilitate comprehensive progress on climate finance. I want to thank the entire global community for the attention shown to this prestigious event. Every country should realize that providing climate finance, even if it is not an easy task, is bound to find a solution, he said. After all was said and done, a handshake deal was struck between the Loss and Damage Response Fund and the World Bank. The next document signed was the partnership agreement between the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Loss and Damage Response Fund. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines, Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, pointed out that she believes it is important for every nation to participate in climate change activities. We had very productive discussions in meetings with the UNFCCC secretariat. We came to Baku with high hopes. We believe that achieving mitigation goals is not just a matter for the Philippines or any other country. Every country should be active here. The organization of the COP29 event opens important perspectives for the participating states, she said. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is taking place in Baku. The official opening ceremony was held on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The Summit of World Leaders on Climate Action will be held on November 12-13. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was made on December 11 last year at the plenary session of COP28 in Dubai. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to prevent dangerous anthropogenic impacts on the climate system. The first session was held in March 1995 in Berlin and the conference secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Actress Sanjana Sanghi recently shared a heartfelt reflection as the iconic Bollywood film Rockstar marked its 13th anniversary. For Sanghi, who played the character Mandy, the film was more than a roleit was a pivotal moment that transformed her life and career. In an Instagram post on Monday, Sanjana Sanghi looked back on her memories of working on Rockstar. She shared a nostalgic image of the films first print poster, now displayed proudly in her Mumbai home. Advertisement Her caption revealed just how much this film meant to her: our 111111 anniversary | The day that changed the course of my life, forever. 13 years later, sitting here having my morning chai in my home in Mumbai Little Mandy may never have been able to visualize this for herself. To Rockstar, and the most precious people & memories it has given me, forever & ever. Advertisement Directed by Imtiaz Ali and released in 2011, Rockstar starred Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri in lead roles. The film follows the story of Janardhan Jakhar, portrayed by Kapoor, a young man from Delhi with dreams of becoming a rockstar inspired by Jim Morrison. His journey to fame is intense and complicated, marked by a passionate, often painful relationship with Heer Kaul, played by Fakhri. As Janardhan transforms into Jordan, he navigates the highs and lows of love, heartbreak, and the challenges that fame brings. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjana Sanghi (@sanjanasanghi96) Rockstar struck a chord with audiences for its raw portrayal of ambition, self-discovery, and the sacrifices made in pursuit of artistic passion. The films powerful narrative, coupled with A.R. Rahmans unforgettable soundtrack, set it apart as a classic. Songs like Sadda Haq and Nadaan Parindey became chart-toppers and are still cherished by fans today. Over the years, Rockstar has earned widespread acclaim for its music, direction, and performances. Ranbir Kapoors portrayal of Jordan garnered praise, and the films impactful storytelling led to numerous awards and nominations. Its raining cameos in Bollywood like nothing else! With every filmmaker teasing fans with the cameos of their beloved stars, the anticipation around the titles hit a new high. Following his awaited cameo in Singham Again as Chulbul Pandey, Bhai fans have another riveting cameo to look forward to! Varun Dhawan drops tantalising details about Salman Khans cameo in his upcoming actioner, Baby John. Previously, the reports of Salmans cameo set social media ablaze as fans brimmed with curiosity. Keeping the anticipation quotient high, Varum promises a high-voltage cameo by the superstar. Backed by Jawan director, Atlee, the film is one the most highly-anticipated releases of the year. Advertisement During an ask me session on social media, a fan enquired about the Dabangg stars cameo duration. To this, Varun replied, Minutes Nahi bolunga impact bahut zyaada kaafi mahino ka milega #babyjohn #varunsays. The tease was enough to send the fans into a frenzy who soon flooded the comments section wanting to know more. Several users wrote along the lines, Mass cant wait for Megastar #SalmanKhans cameo in #BabyJohn. Advertisement Minutes Nahi bolunga impact bahut zyaada kaafi mahino ka milega #babyjohn #varunsays https://t.co/J3T4RFtPDh VarunDhawan (@Varun_dvn) November 11, 2024 Varuns confirmation comes after reports emerged stating that Salman Khan will make a cameo appearance in the high-octane film. Previously, trade analyst and film critic Taran Adarsh confirmed the information on Instagram. BABY JOHN GLIMPSE: MASS CINEMA AT ITS BEST SALMAN KHAN SHOOTS HIS CAMEO *THIS WEEKEND* Was keen to watch Varun Dhawan in an out-and-out mass avatar and the over 5-minute glimpse of Baby John that I saw is simply OUTSTANDING. After all, who can doubt Atlees sharp skills after Jawan? Also Read: Baby John taster cut: Varun Dhawan promises a high-octane massy entertainer Recently, the makers dropped the anticipated taster cut of the awaited release and fans cant have enough of it. Varun Dhawans chiselled physique and grunge avatar in his first all-out actioner has piqued curiosities. With an electric background score, the high-stakes cut has already captured fans. In the film, Varun wears several hats- that of a cop, a girl dad, an action star, and a cook. Heightening anticipations, the teaser promises a pulse-pounding and entertaining actioner. The teaser also presents glimpses of Wamiqa Gabbi, Keerthy Suresh and the menacing lead antagonist, Jackie Shroff. The upcoming title is the official remake of Atlees Tamil film Theri (2016). Helmed by Kalees, Baby John will hit the screens on Christmas, December 25. The actioner is produced by Atlee and his wife Priya, Jyoti Deshpande, and Murad Khetani. Meanwhile, the production is under the banners of Jio Studios, Cine 1 Studios and Apple Studios. The Delhi Congress has completed the first phase of the Nyay Yatra it launched on November 8. Speaking on the occasion, Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav said the yatra proved an eye-opener for the party as they got first-hand experience of peoples plight during their interaction with tailors, cobblers, street vendors, fruit and vegetable sellers, small shopkeepers, traders, and other people. Advertisement He appealed to the people of Delhi to join the Congress struggle to get them justice, as the party will not rest until they get justice. Advertisement Saath Aaye-Badlav Laye (Come Together-Bring Change) is Congress call as it will listen to peoples problems and solve them, he added. On the fifth and final day on Tuesday, the Yatra started from Rawalpindi School, Malka Ganj, North Delhi in the morning and concluded at Burari, in the evening, with thousands of local residents, including youth, women, and school children (after school hours) joining the Yatra. During this, it covered the assembly segments of Model Town, Timarpur, Burari, Shalimar Bagh, Adarsh Nagar, Badli, and Model Town. Commenting on the politics in the capital city, Yadav claimed that common people had only tales of struggles and sacrifices to narrate under ten years of corruption and misrule by the AAP and BJP, who only indulged in petty politics to further their own interests without doing anything for the people. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated at a rally in Gondia on Tuesday that the BJP and RSS are working round the clock to destroy the Constitution of India. He said that he can guarantee that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never read the Constitution, or else he would have respected what is written in it. He was speaking at a rally at Gondia in eastern Maharashtra. Advertisement Hate cannot beat hate. If anybody hates you and you show love and affection to him, his hate disappears. This book is the Constitution of India. This Constitution has the thoughts of Mahatma Phule, Dr Ambedkar, Sree Narayana Guru and the Buddha. Has it been written in the Constitution that people must be oppressed? I can guarantee you that our PM has never read the Constitution of India. If he had read it, he would have respected what is mentioned in this Constitution. All our institutions exist due to this book called the Constitution. But 24 hours, Modi and the RSS keep attacking the Constitution in order to destroy it, he said. Advertisement Gandhi asked, Has it been written in the Constitution that governments should be toppled by purchasing representatives and bribing them with crores of rupees? Where in the Constitution does it say that Adani should be favoured? Where does it say that enterprises should be shifted from Maharashtra to Gujarat? They cannot attack the Constitution directly because they know that the people will oppose it. When your representatives were purchased, did they do it in front of you or behind closed doors? Modi enacted three laws and all the farmers opposed him. If he had enacted the laws to benefit farmers, why did the farmers oppose him? How many times did the Modi government waive off the loans of farmers? Today, you will see that the media will show me for just ten minutes, after which only the PMs face will be shown. Rahul Gandhi listed how the BJP government is not paying appropriate remuneration for soybean, cotton, and paddy farmers in Maharashtra, adding to the growing distress among Maharashtras farming community, while the PM hobnobbed with industrialists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi often claims that the farm laws were introduced for the benefit of farmers. But if those black laws were indeed in the favour of farmers, why did they have to take to the streets? The BJP government fails to provide fair prices for rice, soybeans, and cotton in Maharashtra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who waived Rs 16 lakh crore in loans for a handful of industrialists, has not waived the loans of a single farmer in 11 years, he said, assuring that the Congress government would give as much money to the poor as Modi gives to a handful of billionaires. He alluded to the MVA-INDIA alliance manifesto released last Saturday and assured that it would find a way to give suitable minimum support price (MSP) to soybean, cotton, and paddy farmers. He also attacked the privatisation of companies and how there are virtually no Dalits or OBCs among top management cadres of private companies, as well as how these communities are absent in the media and the judiciary. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said, Modi belongs to Adani and Ambani. He attended Ambanis wedding, but I didnt go to Ambanis wedding because I belong to you. Prime Minister Narendra Modi often claims he belongs to the OBC community, yet he continuously disrespects them. Despite OBCs constituting 50% of the population, the Modi government allocates only 5% of funds to them, which is a true insult to the community. This is why Congress is determined to conduct a caste-based census and remove the 50% cap on reservations, he said. He said that Congress has fulfilled the promises it made to the public. In Chhattisgarh, it has delivered the promised price of 3,000 rupees for rice, while in Karnataka, free bus travel for women has started, along with the Mahalakshmi Scheme, he said. If an MVA government comes to power in Maharashtra, Rs 3,000 will be regularly deposited in womens bank accounts every month, efforts will be made to ensure fair prices for soybean, cotton, and rice, a 25 lakh health insurance plan will be introduced, youth will receive a stipend of Rs 4,000, and 2.5 lakh government jobs will be created, he said. The Centre on Tuesday underlined its commitment to empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through unified, multi portal solutions that make it easier for rural citizens to access essential services. By integrating various service delivery portals, PRIs can simplify access, increase efficiency, and foster a modern, responsive rural governance framework, said Mr Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Advertisement He underscored the significant role of digital integration in streamlining rural service delivery at a special webinar on Citizen-Centric Services provided by Panchayati Raj Institutions held under the National e-Governance Webinar Series (NeGW 202324). Advertisement The webinar served as a vital platform for discussing the transformative impact of digital solutions in enhancing service delivery in rural India, with special emphasis on creating an inclusive, accessible and citizen centered governance model for rural communities. It saw widespread participation from Gram Panchayats and PRI representatives from across the country. Mr V. Srinivas, Secretary in the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), opened the special webinar by emphasising the importance of citizen-centric governance as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system. He commended the pivotal role of PRIs in bringing essential services to the rural populace and recognised state-led initiatives, including Karnatakas Panchamitra, Gujarats eSeva, and Keralas ILGMS, as benchmarks for effective digital governance. These models, he noted, showcase how PRIs can enhance transparency, accessibility, and direct service provision to citizens, serving as a template for digital governance across rural India. Mr Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary (Governance), Ministry of Panchayati Raj, further elaborated on the ministrys recent digital advancements, including the Citizen Charter Campaign of 2021, aimed at ensuring that rural citizens have seamless access to essential services such as certifications and MGNREGA benefits. He stressed the importance of digital interventions, combined with robust Panchayat-centered strategies in building a responsive, people-focused rural administration that addresses the unique needs of rural citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned people at an election rally in Solapur on Tuesday that the Congress is conspiring to destroy the job reservation policy which is based on the Constitution. The crown prince goes abroad and says openly that reservations will be stopped. The intention of Congress to destroy reservations is not new. There used to be a time when Congress openly issued huge advertisements against reservations in newspapers along with its party symbol. The party also used bad language against the SCs, STs, and OBCs. Today, as Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis unite, the Congress is unhappy. They know that if they all unite, the royal family of the Congress will never be able to rule. I wish to warn you that the Congress wishes to watch Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis fight among themselves, Modi said. Advertisement Will you allow this conspiracy of the Congress to succeed? To ensure that Congress never succeeds in its conspiracy, we must remain united. Hum Ek Hain, Toh Safe Hai. You can compare the Mahayutis track record of development to the track record of the Congress. So I appeal to you to elect the candidates of the BJP-backed Mahayuti in Maharashtra, he said. Advertisement The PM said, You have to remember that the vehicle in which the Maha Vikas Aghadi is travelling has no wheels or brakes. They are also fighting with each other about who will drive the vehicle. The Aghadi is the most unstable vehicle because these people are wasting time in fighting among themselves. Already there is a fight to become the Chief Minister. If this is their condition before the election, it is clear that the MVA will never be able to give Maharashtra a stable government. Modi said the people of Solapur have witnessed the BJP-backed Mahayuti governments development work. The progress of Solapur which was stalled for decades was completed by the Mahayuti government, he said. A few days ago, I dedicated the expansion of the Solapur airport to the people of Solapur. I have visited here more than any other PM, he added. He said that it is the BJP-backed Mahayuti government that created the Palkhi Mahamarg in Solapur. Today, Solapur has 4-lane highways, and Vande Bharat trains run from the city. All of this has been made possible by the Mahayuti government. We are heading from Viksit Maharashtra to Viksit Bharat. For the next five years, Maharashtra needs a stable government focused solely on the development of this state, he added. He said that the Congress ruled India for decades, but their only intention was to keep problems alive and trap people in them. They actually enjoyed watching you suffer, Modi said. Due to such policies, the people will never forgive the Congress and its associates for ensuring that this area remained without irrigation for such a long time, he added. We have focused on providing irrigation facilities in Solapur, and as a result, the water table is rising in Solapur. We have waived off the electricity bills of farmers and are working towards ensuring that they never have to pay for electricity. We plan to ensure that irrigation pumps are solar-powered in all farms. We have also focused on increasing the income of farmers. We have increased the sugarcane price to Rs 3,150. Besides, through the ethanol blending policy, we are creating new revenue opportunities for farmers, he said. During the Congress governments years in power, only 2 to 3 per cent of ethanol was blended into motor fuel. After the BJP formed the government in 2014, we increased ethanol blending to 15 per cent, and we aim to raise it to 20%. Due to this policy, sugarcane farmers are currently receiving around Rs 80,000 crore, he said. He said that farmers in Maharashtra benefit from both the central governments PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and the Mahayuti state governments Namo Shetkari Yojana. In the coming five years, their profits will go up and they will also get new earning opportunities, he said. Today, if anybody can take Maharashtra forward, its the women. Our Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is being discussed widely. After the money began reaching women, the MVA even went to court to stop this scheme. The BJPs vision is to focus on women-centric development. The biggest beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojana are women, with residences registered in their names. We plan to turn 3 crore women into Lakhpati Didis who will earn more than Rs 1 lakh every year, he said. Expressing serious concern over the increasedTamil frequency of the Sri Lankan Navy apprehending fishermen and imprisoning them on the charge of poaching in the island nations waters, Nadu Chief Minister on Tuesday requested External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take immediate diplomatic steps to prevent further arrests and secure the release of 35 fishermen arrested in the last three days. In a Demi Official letter, the Chief Minister said I want to draw your attention to the increased frequency of arrest of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities. These arrests not only disrupt their livelihoods but also cause immense distress to their families. While on November 9, a total 23 fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested along with their two mechanised boats and an unregistered boat, on November 12, as many as12 more fishermen were detained and their boat impounded, he added. Advertisement Notably, the Sri Lankan Navys apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen in 2024 is the highest in the last seven years, Stalin pointed out and requested the External Affairs Minister to take immediate diplomatic steps to secure the release of the fishermen and their boats. Advertisement While the fishermen issue begs for a resolution, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had vowed to put an end to Indian fishermen exploiting the island nations marine resources in the north and east. Addressing a well-attended campaign rally in Jaffna, the first after assuming office, he assured to protect the rights of Sri Lankan fishermen. Interestingly, his firm stance against illegal fishing by India fishermen came on Sunday in the backdrop of the island navy arresting 23 fishermen from Rameswaram and impounding their trawlers. The Tamil fishermen in the north and east of Sri Lanka have returned to fishing after the end of the three-decade-old civil war. While their counterparts across the Palk Strait use trawlers, they are still fishing with country boats and complain about bottom trawling by Indian fishermen, detrimental to marine resources and outlawed by Colombo. The Indian fishermen continue to fish along the Lankan coast and get arrested. The Madhya Pradesh BJP government has granted Habitat Right to 21 Baiga tribal settlements and 12 of the Bhariya tribes in the state, paving the way for the tribals to gain rights on their land and forest produce. The state Tribal Welfare minister Vijay Shah said on Tuesday that the habitat right has been granted to seven Baiga settlements in Dindori district and 14 in Mandla district of the state. Similarly, 12 Bhariya tribal villages in Chhindwara district have also been given the right to habitat. Advertisement The minister expressed hope that these Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) would now be able to conserve their traditional practices and pass them on to their next generations too. They would also get the freedom to utilize their land, forest, water bodies, traditional medicinal plants and farming styles as per their age-old practices. Advertisement Shah pointed out that earlier, such PVTGs neither had any right on their land nor any control on their forests and its produce. The minister asserted that the habitat right would go a long way in conserving the age-old traditions, culture and practices of such tribal groups in the state. The minister said that the habitat right is not only a legal guarantee but also a crucial step for conserving the identity and natural culture of these PVTGs. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) was creating hurdles in tapping the hydroelectric potential of Jammu and Kashmir as the treaty between India and Pakistan restricts its ability to harness its huge hydel power potential primarily due to storage constraints. As a fallout of the treaty barriers, the Chief Minister said J&K pays a heavy price in peak winter months when power generation hits low, creating hardships for its people. Advertisement The Chief Minister, who also holds the charge of Power portfolio, was speaking during the Conference of Power Ministers of States and UTs. Advertisement Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal Khattar, chaired the conference, which was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister, Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Power, J&K, H. Rajesh Prasad and MDs of J&K Discoms as part of J&K delegation. Omar highlighted the limiting clauses in the Indus Water Treaty that restrict Jammu & Kashmir from realising its full hydel potential by only permitting run-of-the-river projects. Hydel power is J&Ks only viable energy source. The region is compelled to rely on power imports from other States, which adversely impacts its economy. To address this, J&K would require special compensation from the Government of India, including viability gap funding and equity assistance, to harness its untapped hydro-energy potential, he said, adding the support would not only help in meeting the regions energy needs but also contribute to national clean energy goals. The Chief Minister also sought Centres intervention in holding Central Public Sector Undertakings like PESL and National Thermal Power Corporation accountable in fast tracking loss reduction works under the premier Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme in J&K. The Chief Minister also requested the Power Ministry to consider gap funding for implementation of electric infra works under RDSS. During the session on solar power potential and green energy, the Chief Minister dwelled upon the solar power energy being generated in Ladakh and said that J&K would like to procure extra energy the UT is able to generate. In a scathing attack at the saffron party amid the ongoing campaigns for the Jharkhand and Maharashtra polls, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday accused BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of resorting to social polarisation to win votes. Speaking to a news agency, the Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications said the BJPs approach towards both states shows their desperation following setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha election where they used buffaloes and mangalsutra to seek votes. Advertisement The election campaigning of our non-biological PM, HM and others in BJP in Jharkhand clearly shows that they are baffled and scared. They have not been able to recover from the results of the 2024 elections, he said, claiming that BJP leaders lack substantial issues to engage with voters. Advertisement The only agenda of PM Modi, Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, and Assam CM is social polarisation. Massive polarisation. Spread enmity, create communal tension, and spread communal venom. They have no agenda besides polarisation, he added. Ramesh claimed that while the Congress and its Maha Vikas Aghadi allies in Maharashtra have campaigned on issues of farmers, women, youth and social justice, the BJPs strategy is polarisation. In Maharashtra, the Congress, NCP-SCP, and Shiv Sena (UBT)s Maha Vikas Aghadi have campaigned on issues of farmers, women, youth, issues of social justice. But they (BJP) do polarisation in Maharashtra, he stated. Similarly, he highlighted that in Jharkhand, the Congress and its allies, including Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), are focusing on its governments accomplishments and social issues. Go to Jharkhand what are we, JMM and the Congress campaigning about? Our work in five years and our roadmap for the next five years, the work for tribals, SCs, STs, OBCs, every section of society, issues of jungle and forestthese are our issues, he added. The senior Congress leader went on to question the BJPs reluctance regarding a caste-based census, asserting that social justice could be delivered only after the caste census. I would like to tell the PM that when you have the census, only then will you be able to go forward. What is the basis of social justice? Census. Why are they backtracking on the census?If you dont have caste survey, caste census, how would you deliver social justice? On the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators that the BJP has raised in Jharkhand, Ramesh dismissed it as a tactic to divert attention from pressing local issues. This is being made an issue. Why do they not speak about jal, zameen, jungle? Criticise the achievement of our government in 5 years. Speak about numbers. What would you do if you get elected to power? They wont get the mandate, it is clearIn Maharashtra and Jharkhand, people will reject the politics of the spread of communal poison, he said. On BJPs slogans ofBatenge toh katenge and Ek rahenge toh safe rahenge, the Congress leader said the saffron party relies on divisive rhetoric instead of discussing welfare of farmers, women, and youth. They have just one agenda. What did they do in 2024 elections? Mangalsutra, buffaloes, what all did they not say?They know just one thing. When elections come and campaigning begins, they know only to polarise. They try to spread massive communal poison, he said, adding that the BJPs focus on communal polarisation overshadows other key issues. While election to the 288-member strong Maharashtra Legislative Assembly will be held on November 20, Jharkhand will go to polls in two phases on November 13 and November 20. Counting of votes in both the states will take place on November 23. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The cooperation agreement was signed between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Italian company Italgas within COP29, Trend reports. According to the information, the agreement was signed by SOCAR Vice President Elshad Nasirov and CEO of Italgas Paolo Gallo. The companies will cooperate on sharing best practices and technologies to accelerate energy transition and digitalization, decarbonization of infrastructure through gas leak detection using Picarro technology, as well as digitization of processes using existing flexible methodology. The document serves to strengthen the strategic partnership to promote innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in gas distribution between the parties. To note, Baku is hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The official opening ceremony was held on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The Summit of World Leaders on Climate Action will be held on November 1213. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was made on December 11 last year at the plenary session of COP28 in Dubai. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to prevent dangerous anthropogenic impacts on the climate system. The first session was held in March 1995 in Berlin and the conference secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) during an election rally in Jharkhands Baghmara Assembly constituency, promising development and welfare initiatives under the BJP, while criticizing the opposition for its anti-tribal and anti-reservation policies. Amid debates over the implementation of uniform civil code (UCC), he asserted that the policy would indeed be implemented in Jharkhand but it wont effect the tribals as being claimed by the Congress and its allies. Advertisement These people (JMM, Congress, RJD) are spreading the lie that if UCC comes, tribals will face problems, he said. We have decided that UCC will definitely come to Jharkhand and it will come to stop infiltration, but our tribals will be kept out of the ambit of UCC. Advertisement Shah also criticized Congress, calling it an anti-reservation party, adding that it seeks to redirect backward class and Dalit reservations to Muslims. You dont worry as long as Modijis government is in power, we will not let this happen, he asserted. The home minister also accused the Congress of consistently sidelining the backward classes, citing Nehrus and Indira Gandhis alleged dismissal of Kaka Kalelkar and Mandal Commission recommendations. The Congress is an anti-backward class party. In 1955, Kaka Kalelkar Commission was formed, which recommended reservation for backward classes, but Nehru ji did not agree. Later Mandal Commission was formed but Indira ji did not accept its recommendations also, Shah said. However, Shah added, when Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country, the Backward Classes Commission was given constitutional status and the backward classes got 27 percent reservation. Shah took a dig at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who, Shah claimed, advised Congress to make only those promises that can be fulfilled. The BJP fulfils the promises it makes. Recently, Congress national president Kharge ji had to say that promises should be made which can be fulfilled. In Karnataka, Himachal and Telangana, Congress made promises which could not be fulfilled, claimed the minister. Accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of dividing the nation into castes, Shah underscored Modis priority to poor, women, youth and farmers the only four castes he recognises. JMM and Rahul Baba have worked to divide the country into castes. Whereas Modi ji has given priority to only four castes of the country poor, women, youth and farmers, he said. Shah further highlighted the development initiatives launched from Jharkhand under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, including the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Mudra Yojana, and PM Janman Yojana. For 10 years, PM Narendra Modi made the land of Jharkhand a medium for poor welfare along with this, lakhs and crores of rupees were given for the development of Jharkhand, he stated. Urging Jharkhands people to vote on November 20, Shah drew a contrast between JMMs wealth-centric policies and the BJPs focus on uplifting the underprivileged. Your one vote will decide whether you want JMM, which works on making itself a millionaire-billionaire, or the Narendra Modis government which talks about making poor mothers Lakhpati Didis, Shah declared, promising prosperity under the BJP governance. In the aftermath of a militant assault on Borobekra Police Station and a nearby CRPF post in Manipurs Jiribam district, security forces have initiated an extensive search operation to locate six missing civilians, including three women and three children, who disappeared during the violent incident. The attack unfolded around 3 pm on Sunday, with heavily armed militants firing on both the CRPF post at Jakuradhor and the police station. Advertisement Inspector General of Police (Operations), IK Muivah, described the attack as unfortunate, noting that security forces responded after repeated warnings to the attackers went unheeded, leading to an intense 45-minute gunfight. Advertisement Tragically, two civilians, who had been sheltering in a relief camp at Borobekra Police Station, lost their lives, and a CRPF officer sustained injuries. Ten militants were killed during the confrontation, though claims later emerged from Kuki-based organizations suggesting that those killed were civilians. Muivah refuted these claims, stating that recovered weapons and attire confirmed their militant identities. The missing individuals, including Yurembam Rani (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31) and her daughter Telem Thajamanbi Devi (8), as well as Laishram Heitombi Devi (35) and her two young sons, were all residents at the relief camp when the assault occurred. Out of thirteen people taking shelter there, six went missing, five were rescued, and two lost their lives. Reinforcements have since been deployed to the area as the search for the missing continues, with authorities determined to restore security. During subsequent search operations, the bodies of two elderly men, Laishram Balen and Maibam Kesho, were found among the debris of burnt shops in the Jakuradhor Karong area, which militants had reportedly set ablaze on Monday. The Jiribam district administration has since imposed prohibitory orders to maintain calm in the area. In response to the incident, the Kuki-Zo Council announced a shutdown from 5 am to 6 pm on Tuesday in the hill regions, protesting the deaths of suspected militants in the gunfight. Tensions spread to other areas, with fresh outbreaks of violence reported in Imphal Valley, where exchanges of fire between rival groups occurred. Security forces, including teams from the Assam Rifles and CRPF, are on high alert, patrolling vulnerable points and working to stabilize the situation as operations to clear remaining militant elements continue. In an ongoing operation targeting suspected links to the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has executed a coordinated series of raids across Tripura and Assam. The multi-state operation, which seeks to dismantle the infrastructure of Al-Qaeda affiliates in India, has focused particularly on disrupting terror funding channels and apprehending individuals linked to the extremist organisation. Advertisement The NIAs recent investigations suggest that the targeted individuals are linked to a conspiracy orchestrated by Bangladesh-based Al-Qaeda operatives aimed at destabilising India. Advertisement In Assam, Samaguri district has emerged as a critical focal point of the probe. Based on specific intelligence, NIA teams are actively pursuing leads in the region to identify and detain individuals believed to be aiding or affiliating with Al-Qaeda. Meanwhile, in Tripuras Sepahijala District, the NIA has intensified its search, with raids conducted in Tetaiya Mura under the Sonamura sub-division. An individual named Kauchar Ahamed, linked to the investigation, was served a notice to appear before the NIA in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, by November 21. Ahameds residence was searched by NIA officials; when he was found to be absent, they proceeded to Jatrapur Police Station. Ahamed later reported to authorities with relatives, where he was questioned and issued the summons. A statement from the NIA on Monday confirmed that the agency had conducted extensive searches at nine locations in connection with Al-Qaedas terror funding activities. During the searches, officials recovered incriminating documents detailing banking transactions, digital devices, and other evidence linked to terror funding. NIA investigations indicate that these suspects are connected to a Bangladesh-based Al-Qaeda network and are actively involved in radicalizing and recruiting Indian youth to support Al-Qaedas ideology. This operation follows a previous NIA crackdown in November 2023, when a charge sheet was filed against five individuals, including four Bangladeshi nationals and one Indian, for their involvement in procuring forged documents and supporting Al-Qaedas activities in India. According to NIA findings, these suspects were instrumental in radicalising vulnerable Muslim youth, spreading violent extremist propaganda, and transferring funds to support terrorist operations. The recent raids are targeted towards thwarting Al-Qaedas attempts to establish a terror network within North East India and to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies that threaten national security. As the investigation progresses, the agency aims to bring more suspects to justice, disrupting terror financing and recruitment activities nationwide. Underscoring the urgent need for effective strategies to address risks associated with glacial lakes, Prime Minister Narendra Modis Principal Secretary P K Mishra on Tuesday suggested that states and Union Territories must continue to lead monitoring and mitigation efforts concerning glaciers and glacial lakes, with sustained support from central scientific institutions. He said strengthening State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) will be vital in enhancing our capacity to respond effectively. Advertisement Mr Mishra was speaking on the occasion of the 4th Workshop of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR) on Strategies for GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) Risk Reduction here. Advertisement He highlighted mitigating risks associated with glacial lakes in order to ensure a safer future for our communities. Complimenting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Department of Water Resources for organising the workshop, he focused on international perspectives and experiences, pertinently Indias experiences, gaps and challenges in mitigating the risks and related aspects. He said the discussions on Sikkim glacial lake outburst flood disaster has brought to focus the enormity of the challenge. Indeed, the South Lhonak GLOF was a wake-up call for all of us, he cautioned. Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modis words, Disaster risk reduction is not just about responding to disasters but also about building resilience. he reiterated the PMs emphasis that the best way to deal with disasters is to prevent them, reminding us that proactive measures are essential in safeguarding our communities. On the International Cooperation side, Dr. Mishra emphasised that Indias commitment extends beyond national borders; hence the vital aspect of engaging with GLOF experts from countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Peru, Switzerland and Tajikistan. He iterated that such collaboration is vital to enhancing our understanding of response strategies. He underlined the key contributions from experts from the country and abroad, who have enriched our understanding of the critical issues. Structuring his deliberation, he mentioned the challenges including the confusion over the quantum of the problem defined in terms of the number of glacial lakes and their risk factors. He said earlier attempts to mitigate risks from the South Lhonak lake were not successful and plans were primarily restricted to scientific hazard assessments and geo-spatial monitoring of lake size increases, while there was diffused responsibility among states and central agencies, causing confusion regarding roles. In response to these challenges, Dr. Mishra stressed that the Government of India initiated a coordinating platform named the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR). He said our coordinated efforts have resulted in the compilation of a dynamic list of about 200 high-risk glacial lakes from a total of 7,500 surveyed. Dr. Mishra further added that this iterative process has allowed us to categorize these lakes based on risk levels effectively. He mentioned that states were encouraged to conduct expeditions to assess all A-category lakes in summer 2024, leading to significant engagement from local authorities. He particularly mentioned about Sikkim teams, who visited 18 out of 40 designated lakes with representation from various agencies such as CWC, GSI, CDAC, Army, ITBP, and local academic institutions. He said the plans for mitigation measures have been initiated at five lakes in Sikkim. This will be backed by the Government of Indias approval for the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme with an allocation of Rs 150 crore for four states. Present on the occasion were dignitaries including members of NDMA besides other eminent panelists and speakers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a six-day three-nation tour of Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana from November 16, a statement said on Tuesday. At the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the PM will visit Nigeria from 16-17 November. This will be the first visit by an Indian PM to Nigeria in 17 years. Advertisement During the visit, he will hold talks to review the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and discuss further avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship. Advertisement The PM will then travel to Rio De Janeiro during 18-19 November to attend the G20 Summit hosted by Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva. India is part of the G20 Troika along with Brazil and South Africa and has been actively contributing to the ongoing G20 Summit discussions. During the summit, the PM will put forward Indias positions on various issues of global importance and build on the outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration and Voice of the Global South Summits which were hosted by India in the past two years. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, he is expected to meet several leaders. At the invitation of Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the PM will undertake a state visit to Guyana from 19-21 November. The visit to Guyana will be the first by an Indian PM since 1968. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhis public rally in Maharashtras Chikhli was cancelled on Tuesday due to a technical glitch in the aircraft he was on board. Gandhi, who has been extensively campaigning for candidates from Congress and other INDIA bloc parties, was scheduled to address the rally at 11.30 am in Chikhli. Advertisement The Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House, however, issued a video message to inform supporters about the technical glitch in the aircraft. Advertisement I apologise to all of you. I was scheduled to come to Chikhli today to interact with soybean farmers and address a public meeting, but I could not due to a technical glitch in the aircraft, he said in the video. Asserting that the farmers in Maharashtra are facing many issues under the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government, Gandhi said, The BJP (alliance) government does not give fair prices to soybean and cotton farmers. Once the INDIA alliance comes to power, we will address your concerns and work to resolve your problems immediately. Earlier, the Congress posted on X, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi left for Chikhli, Maharashtra, from Delhi today. Due to a technical glitch in the landing gear of the aircraft, the pilot decided to return to Delhi. Elections for the 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra will be held in a single phase on 20th November. The counting of votes will take place on 23rd November along with Jharkhand. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, NCP 54, and Congress 44 Assembly constituencies. Continuing the war of words with opposition AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) for questioning the naming spree of his government after the late DMK patriarch Karunanidhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday termed the criticism as malicious and borne out of vengefulness. Living in self-denial, Leader of the Opposition Edappadi Palaniswami is speaking like a few leaders of political parties throwing to the wind decorum and decency. The very thought of having to discuss with him in the legislature with a legacy of democracy greatly pains me. But, I am used to moving on as it is prudent instead of responding to such attacks with rancor and malice, the CM said in a letter to the party cadre on his return from a two-day field visit of Virudhunagar district. Advertisement Unable to digest the successful implementation of welfare programmes and development projects, those in the opposition camp are spreading canards out of animosity. And, EPS could not stomach the schemes named after Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) greatly benefitting the people, read the epistle listing out the various other measures christened after other great leaders, including Dravidian icon Periyar EV Ramasamy, architect of the Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar, father of Tamil modernity Ayothee Dass Pandit and Saint-poet Vallalar, epitome of compassion who preached equality. Advertisement Justifying the DMK government naming several projects after Karunanidhi, the CM said Kalaignar, the architect of modern Tamil Nadu, who lived up to 95 years, had dedicated 80 years of his life for the development of the state. It was to recognise his services as a great leader who was Chief Minister for five times, that a multi-super-speciality government hospital in Chennai, an ultra-modern library in Madurai and the modern bull taming sport complex near Madurai were named after him. Further, he drew attention to the Amma Canteens, launched by the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to provide food at highly subsidised rates, are being continued. The last flight of Vistara Airlines from Odisha took off for Delhi on Monday night. This marked the end of the airlines operations from the state ahead of its merger with Air India. Vistaras UK 782 departed from Odishas Biju Patnaik International Airport at 8.30 pm, and landed at Delhis Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport at 10.55 pm. Advertisement In a post on social media platform X, Vistara thanked passengers for their continued support. Advertisement Thank you for being part of this unforgettable journey and showering us with your #VistaraLove. We will forever cherish these memories. Please follow @airindia for all the latest updates, it said. To ensure a seamless transition for customers, the airlines have made comprehensive arrangements on the ground. Post this merger, Vistara flights will be operated by Air India and identified by a special four-digit Air India code starting with the digit 2. Vistaras routes and schedules will remain unchanged, and the in-flight experience, including products and services, will continue to be offered by the same crew. In order to facilitate the transition, Air India has allocated additional resources across various touchpoints in India. The airline is also collaborating with partner airports to facilitate the transition. Measures include help desk kiosks at curbside areas before terminal entry in hub and metro city airports. Among other measures, Vistaras airport ticketing offices and check-in terminals will progressively transition to Air India. Further, advisory notices will be displayed on self-service kiosks, guiding passengers to select Air India for check-in for Vistara flights under the AI2 code starting November 12. At international airports, customer support staff in branded T-shirts will be available, and signage will be posted near check-in desks to assist customers. The customers contacting the Vistara call centre will be automatically redirected to Air India representatives to ensure a seamless experience during the transition. In a separate development, Singapore Airlines is set to make an additional investment of Rs 3,194.5 crore in Tata Group-owned Air India post-merger of Vistara in November. Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group said its consideration for the merger comprises the 49 per cent interest in Vistara and Rs 2,058.5 crore in cash in exchange for a 25.1 per cent equity interest in the enlarged Air India. The Nobel Prize winning Columbia University economist Edward Phelps maintains that innovation is the key to economic growth, prosperity and human happiness. He has argued that China has out-innovated the West. What may shock many is his view that the West has ceased to be a land of innovation. Europes political, economic, military and technological power may have diminished, its soft power remains formidable. However, it is also true that the old continent has been largely basking in reflected glory by transferring technology from the US. The Economist magazine goes a step further arguing that the values that made the West great have been sold on to the rest of the world. From the early 19th century to the early decades of the 20th century, the Western world benefited from discoveries of scientists and navigators. The decline in the pace of innovation, Phelps maintains, threatens prosperity in the West. He attributes the main cause of the decline to corporatism and the tendency of businesses to band together what they have. Advertisement The Columbia economist says that France lost almost all its innovation by 1980, Italy by 1990, Germany by the 1970s and the UK by the 1980s and 1990s. Lithuaniaborn economist Zvi Griliches of Harvard University explains how Europe escapes the costs of its indigenous innovation. They let the Americans take the risks of innovation, then they copy each year the new products that were successful. This is not to say, the US is not without problems. Wealth inequality is widening by the day. Advertisement Many experts contend that the 2020s mark the Second Gilded Age. Like the first Gilded Age, the second Gilded Age has similar features: more prosperity and growth but also the rise of corrupt and greedy industrialists, bankers and politicians. The US is a declining country, facing deindustrialization and the emergence of the gig economy. Should we be surprised if the US is retreating into ignorance, culture wars, and performative outrage, the typical constituencies of Donald Trump? As the Guardian put it editorially during Trumps first term, America is already split Trump Nation has seceded. The US is a land of extreme corporate concentration. Global industries are controlled by just a few giant firms ~ big banks, big pharma, and big tech. Americas decline is the curse of bigness. Gone are the days when Harry S Truman boasted in 1945, we must relentlessly preserve our superiority on land, sea and in the air. American writer Walter Lippmann claimed in 1939, what Rome was to the ancient world, what Great Britain has been to the modern world, America is to the world of tomorrow. Today, Trump may boast of making America great again, but he prefers to praise Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jung Un. American political scientist Joseph Nye believes there will be no second American century though the US will remain a preeminent country for a long time to come. He says Trump will destroy its soft power. The world is no longer what Samuel Huntington called a unimultipolar world in which resolution of key international issues required action by the single superpower plus some combination of other major states. Zbigniew Brezezinski explains in his book, The Grand Chessboard, how the US acquired that power to dominate the world for that long. No other nation still possesses comparable military and economic power or has interests that bestride the globe. That enabled the US to become the sole political arbiter in Eurasian lands and to prevent the emergence of any rival power threatening its material and diplomatic interests, Brezezinski said. The American advantages were, and to some extent still continue to be, its economic dynamism, global military reach, lead in cutting-edge technologies and appeal of its mass culture. Europe benefited from US unchallenged global power and technological advantage and military protection. Europe has its own advantages but also limitations. It projects itself as a normative power whose influence emanates not from its military strength but its capacity to set behavioural norms that have an international outreach. However, the old continent is losing some of its traditional strengths. As Kamil Zwolski of University of Southampton argues, Europe has clearly reached its limits. Some scholars view Europe as an efficient global actor following a model worth emulating, others view it as a self-serving hypocrite. British political scientist Mark Leonard has advice for Europe. He contends that Europe needs to embrace a sovereignty-friendly idea of soft power. Europes internal culture war has undermined its soft power. The EU projects itself as a great champion of democracy. However, the worlds largest democracies ~ India, Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa ~ are not on the same page on Ukraine. As Judy Dempsey of Carnegie Europe argues, Europes record in making soft power the cornerstone of its security strategy has been patchy. It has been working incredibly well in Eastern Europe. Its influence in spheres like business and trade, governance, culture, education, media is also considerable. The test of a great powers status and influence depends on what it does rather than what it is. Undeniably, Europe is a cosmopolitan power with global influence. The EU won the Nobel Prize in 2012 for the promotion of peaceful relations between its member states. Individual member states too have been successful in projecting a positive image through public diplomacy. Norways diplomacy of peace has been a global exemplar. Its foreign policy is based on negotiation and has been involved in the resolution of 40 countries across the world. The only instance to date where Norways impartiality has proven chimerical is with Ukraine. Norwegian diplomats admit that they cant facilitate talks because Norway has a border with Russia. Spanish diplomats too are known for their quiet initiatives and behind-the-scenes diplomatic brinkmanship. They are good at nurturing closed personal relationships with key stakeholders. Europeans have long believed that soft power is their best instrument to promote their values and their security. But their strong sense of moral superiority is questionable. The rise of the ultra -right and the treatment of the migrants have created a gulf between Europes self-perception and external perception. Is Europe too soft and not enough power? (The writer is director, Institute of Social sciences,New Delhi) Indias economic growth, celebrated in aggregate terms, hides an uncomfortable truth: much of this progress has bypassed the majority of the population, particularly in rural areas. Despite being one of the worlds largest economies, India ranks poorly in per capita income, a stark reminder that GDP growth alone does not equate to widespread prosperity. This widening economic gap has real implications, most notably in terms of demand ~ the very engine of sustainable growth. Recent analyses point to stagnant rural wages, a persisting issue that has kept the purchasing power of millions at a minimum. Surveys show that the average income for a rural earning person is less than Rs 35,000 a year, or about Rs 2,886 per month. This is barely enough to cover basic needs for an earning persons family, leaving little room for discretionary spending that could stimulate demand in other sectors of the economy. In fact, a large part of household expenditure in rural India goes towards food ~ nearly 40 per cent ~ reflecting the immense burden of basic costs. Even as the urban middle class begins to feel the strain of stagnant wages, the situation in rural areas is far more concerning. This demand deficit is now reverberating across the broader economy. Advertisement Consumption data reveals that rural and low-income urban households spend less than Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 per capita monthly, respectively, underscoring a sharp divide in consumer power. Even among salaried urban workers, incomes are modest, with casual labourers faring far worse. Without income growth to support rising aspirations, spending power remains subdued, creating a cycle of low demand that impacts businesses and, ultimately, economic growth. Indias challenge, therefore, is not just about growth, but about inclusive growth. Job creation, particularly in rural areas, is essential. The current trend toward increased informalisation ~ with more people in unstable jobs or self-employment ~ further erodes income stability and social mobility. Advertisement A reverse shift toward agriculture for many rural workers points to a structural imbalance, where opportunities outside traditional sectors are insufficient to absorb the workforce. Quality employment must be at the heart of economic policy if India is to break this cycle. While social protection programmes like the Public Distribution System (PDS) offer temporary relief, they are not enough. Expanding welfare support or increasing investments in rural employment schemes could be a start. However, true change will come from policies that promote equitable wealth distribution and build an economy where quality jobs are accessible to all. Indias trajectory toward becoming a global economic powerhouse is promising, but it must also address internal inequalities that threaten long-term stability. By focusing on income growth and job quality, the country can create a sustainable foundation for demand-driven growth that benefits every segment of society. Only through this shift toward an inclusive and employment-centred policy can India ensure that its economic gains translate into real progress for all people. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The organization of COP29 is really impressive, Brazil's Minister of Indigenous Affairs Sonia Guajajara told reporters, Trend reports. We are attending COP29 to advocate for the safeguarding of our lands, to expedite the delineation of indigenous areas, and to prepare for COP30 in Brazil. We are now confronting difficulties including wildfires, illicit mining, deforestation, and the appropriation of indigenous territories; nevertheless, we require further support. We are vigorously advocating for legislation that safeguards our lands, Guajajara emphasized. The minister also mentioned that she was over the moon with how this year's conference was put together. The organization of COP29 has made a good impression on us. We are closely following the events in order to honorably host COP30 in Brazil in 2025, she added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) kicked off in Baku on November 11. The UN 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 in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Australias proposed social media ban for those under 16, led by its government, is a bold step aimed at addressing growing concerns around childrens mental health. Advocates see this as a muchneeded intervention, suggesting that social media platforms pose risks that young minds arent equipped to handle. On the other hand, critics argue the plan might not only be impractical but could also miss a critical opportunity to prepare young people for an online world that is not going away. The motivations behind the ban are understandable. Social media is known to expose users to harmful content, bullying, and addictive algorithms. These platforms often present a curated, idealised view of life, leading to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression, especially among young users who lack the maturity to see through the illusion. Recent research also points to the way excessive screen time can reshape young brains during critical development stages, heightening the risk of mental health issues. Those who favour the ban argue that shielding children from social media could help mitigate these risks, giving them time to develop emotionally before being thrust into the complexities of online interaction. Advertisement However, a blanket ban may oversimplify the issue. Opponents, including child rights advocates and digital safety experts, believe that this all-or-nothing approach sidesteps the need for digital literacy and resilience. In todays digital age, completely denying young people access to online spaces may ultimately be less productive than equipping them with the skills to navigate those spaces responsibly. Learning how to recognise harmful content, avoid online pitfalls, and engage with social media safely are essential skills for children as they mature. Without these skills, they may be even more vulnerable once they inevitably gain access. Another critical issue is the bans enforceability. Age verification methods on social media platforms are far from foolproof. Advertisement Tech-savvy adolescents often find ways around such restrictions, and placing the responsibility solely on platforms to block underage users could prove an uphill battle. The risk, then, is that this ban could encourage children to bypass regulations and go underground in their social media usage, creating an environment with even fewer protections. A balanced approach could yield better outcomes. Setting age limits is just one tool; another would be imposing higher safety standards on platforms, requiring them to reduce harmful content exposure and implement features that promote digital well-being. Educating children about the realities of social media, supported by parental and educational involvement, might offer a more sustainable solution. This approach acknowledges that while social media does pose risks, it is also an integral part of modern life that young people will ultimately need to engage with. Australias ban highlights a broader, urgent question: how can societies protect children from the harms of social media without hindering their ability to thrive in a digital world? A combination of safety standards, digital literacy, and age restrictions might strike the right balance. But that is easier said than done. In 2015, the United Nations outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at eradicating poverty, protecting our planet, and ensuring equality for all. These goals address a wide range of global challenges, including climate change, the biodiversity crisis, and pressing health issues like antibiotic resistance and cancer. Biological scientists play a crucial role in tackling these challenges and can also benefit from the diverse career opportunities available to them. Biological sciences and the sustainable development goals Advertisement A Bachelor of Science (BSc) in biological sciences typically offers students a broad foundation across the discipline, covering topics from molecular biology to ecology. These programmes teach foundational knowledge about life on Earth including the origins and diversity of life, the function and behaviour of living organisms, and the interactions between animals and their environment. In later years of study, students have the opportunity to choose subjects that align with their interests, enabling them to tailor their programme to their personal and professional goals. Regardless of the exact subjects studied, a biological science degree will equip students with the knowledge and skills to tackle many of the SDGs, particularly those focused on health, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity. Advertisement SDG 3: Good health and well-being focuses on the importance of having effective global healthcare systems, coupled with the advancement of medications. Targets include the eradication of the AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis epidemics, as well as the identification of treatments for rare tropical diseases. Biological scientists have a key role to play through their understanding of human responses to infectious diseases and their work on vaccines, as demonstrated during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. SDG 13: Climate action outlines the importance of increasing our resilience to a changing climate whilst doing all we can to slow down global heating. Again, biological scientists are key to realising these goals through the study of the impacts of climate change, the development of sustainable crops, and ecological work to restore habitats and protect endangered species. This work also relates to SDG 15 which is life below water and SDG 14 which is life on land. By studying species interactions and ecosystem dynamics, biologists can contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural and fishing practices as well as improving conservation initiatives. Skill development and industry demand Biological Science graduates are highly employable; companies recognise the diverse skill set that students develop through their course of study. Skills in research, data analysis, and problem-solving are essential across various sectors, including healthcare, biotechnology, and conservation. Biological science programmes have a strong focus on technical skills development through laboratory and fieldwork, thus generating work-ready graduates who are able to apply their skills to real-world problems. Many degree programmes offer an additional industrial placement year where students can develop advanced technical and communication skills, making them even more employable. Diverse career opportunities for graduates The career opportunities for graduates in biological sciences are diverse and plentiful. Many are recruited by top employers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including renowned companies like Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Reckitt. Biologists in these fields might work on genetic engineering, drug development, or the production of biofuels. The healthcare sector also offers many interesting opportunities, with graduates working in public or private healthcare, or with charitable organisations focused on improving health outcomes. Biologists in public health focus on epidemiology, disease prevention, and health education, working for organisations such as the WHO. Those biological science graduates with an interest in biodiversity or ecology can find fulfilling roles in conservation organisations, where they contribute to initiatives aimed at protecting endangered species and restoring ecosystems. Students interested in continuing their education and understanding a particular field more deeply can engage in advanced research through a PhD. Beyond this, doctoral graduates will be able to direct their own research in areas they are passionate about. Academic institutions often collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organisations, aligning research objectives with the SDGs. This not only enhances the relevance of their work but also fosters a new generation of scientists committed to sustainable practices. A career in biological sciences is not only intellectually rewarding but also socially impactful. By addressing some of the most pressing global challenges through research and application, biologists play a crucial role in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As society tackles issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and health crises, the contributions of biological scientists will be essential in ensuring a sustainable future. Choosing a degree in biological sciences offers a unique opportunity for students to make a difference while building a successful and fulfilling career, making this an ideal choice for those looking to impact the world positively. The writer is the programme lead for biological sciences at the University of Sheffield, UK The Israeli military has said it struck a rocket launcher in southern Lebanon after a barrage of 90 rockets crossed into the country from Lebanon, injuring three people. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that Hezbollah militants in Lebanon fired approximately 80 projectiles within five minutes at the Krayot, a cluster of towns north of Haifa, and the Galilee region, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement Most of the projectiles were intercepted, and fallen projectiles were identified in the area, the military said, adding that two explosive drones from Lebanon were also intercepted in the Galilee area. Advertisement A few minutes later, another barrage of 10 rockets targeted the Western Galilee and Krayot, with some landing in open fields, the IDF noted. Israels Magen David Adom rescue service reported that strikes were identified in at least nine locations, injuring a 17-year-old boy, a 52-year-old man, and a 75-year-old man. Another man sustained injuries while rushing to a shelter. Israels National Fire and Rescue Authority reported that rockets set fire to several vehicles, with one projectile striking an apartment and another hitting a bus stop, causing damage. Throughout Monday, a total of about 175 rockets have been fired by Hezbollah forces at northern Israel, according to the IDF. Amid India-Canada tensions in the wake of an attack on a Hindu temple by Khalistan supporters recently, the Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre has cancelled a Life Certificate Event which was scheduled for November 17. The consular camp was to be held to enable Indian-origin Hindus and Sikhs to renew their mandatory life certificates. Advertisement The temple administration, in a statement on Monday, said, Please be advised that the Life Certificate Event scheduled at Brampton Triveni Mandir by the Indian Consulate on November 17, 2024, has been cancelled. This is due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests. Advertisement The authorities said, We apologise to all community members who were depending on the event. We are deeply saddened that Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu Temples in Canada. We call on Peel Police to address the threats being circulated against Brampton Triveni Mandir and provide security guarantees to the Canadian Hindu Community and the general public, the temple administration added. The Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre is a spiritual place where the Hindus and other like-minded people gather for religious and community events. On November 3, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, near Toronto, witnessed a violent disruption. The incident sparked widespread criticism in and outside Canada. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the deliberate attack on Hindu temples and said that cowardly attempts to intimidate Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold rule of law. Relations between India and Canada have gone from bad to worse in recent months after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian agents in the mruder of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June last year. India termed his charge as absurd and beseless, saying Ottawa has not provided any evidence about the involvement of Indian agencies in the murder. New Delhi has also accused the Trudeau government of interfering in Indias internal affairs and virtually taking no action against the Khalistan supporters working against the unity of integrity of India from Canadian territory. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday announced fierce critic of the world organisation, Elise Stefanik, as the US permanent representative, a cabinet-level position. The appointment of Stefanik, whom he called an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter, sets the stage for a resurrection of the confrontation with the UN, which marked his first term. Advertisement She is the second nominee to his cabinet after Susie Wiles, whom he named his chief of staff. Advertisement On Sunday night, he announced that he was appointing Tom Holman as his Border Czar to oversee the mass deportation of illegal migrants and the tightening of border security. Stefaniks position has to be approved by the Senate, while the chief of staff does not need it and it is not clear if Holman will have to be confirmed by the Senate as the post of Border Czar is not currently an official position. Stefanik, who represents a constituency in New York State, is the chair of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives. She is one of the staunchest supporters of Trump in Congress and voted in 2021 against certifying the election of Joe Biden as president, endorsing Trumps claim that it was he who had won the election. During Trumps impeachment hearings, Stefanik was among the most vocal opponents of the Democratic move. She shares Trumps criticism of the UN and other international organisations. Trump pulled the US out of the UNESCO and the Paris Climate Accord reached under the auspices of the UN. The US is the largest contributor to the UN, accounting for 22 per cent of the budget, and Stefanik has said that Washington should reconsider funding the organisation. Stefanik has accused the UN of anti-Semitism because of its criticism of Israel, particularly during the Gaza War. Accusing the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRA), which provides a range of humanitarian services to Palestinians, of harbouring Hamas operatives, she supported cutting off funding for it. The UN is already forced into inaction on Gaza and Ukraine wars because of the standoff between the Western countries in the UN Security Council and Russia, backed by China. Stefanik will add to the polarisation, although on Ukraine it is not clear what Trumps policy would be. He has said that he would end the war and he has been lukewarm on financing Ukraine, while many in the Republican right have called for cutting back. On Saturday, Trump said that he would not be inviting Nikki Haley, a permanent representative to the UN during his first term, to join his administration. Haley came to the UN with a stern America First agenda and attacked the critics of the US, threatening retaliation. Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy early with showers for the afternoon hours. High 57F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional rain...mainly in the evening. Low around 40F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. Azerbaijan is accepting participants from all over the world at the COP29 conference to discuss key climate change issues, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan Meder Mashiev told reporters, Trend reports. We arrived at COP29 in Baku with an impressive delegation and opened our first national pavilion. I am pleased to be personally present at such a significant event. The organization of the event is at the highest level, and it is pleasant that such an important event is held on the brotherly Azerbaijani land. We are very pleased that Azerbaijan is hosting participants from all over the world to discuss key climate change issues at the COP29 conference, the minister said. Mashiev pointed out that the issues tied to climate change are snowballing year after year. Today it is clear to everyone that climate change is not an abstract threat but a real problem. We need to actively combat the consequences of these changes, and we are glad that this topic is being discussed here in Azerbaijan, he added. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) kicked off in Baku on November 11. The UN 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 in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Job Title: East Africa Head of Programmes Organisation: Hope Health Action (HHA) Duty Station: Uganda, with travel between various project locations including Northern Uganda, South Sudan and Kampala Reports to: HHA EA Director About Organisation: Hope Health Action (HHA) is a Christian NGO passionate about providing life-saving health and disability care to the worlds most vulnerable without any discrimination. Founded in 2007, HHA now operates in Haiti, South Sudan and Uganda (the latter two under the umbrella of HHA East Africa). Our work includes responding to the refugee crisis in Uganda through disability, health, nutrition and education services and initiating a growing range of health and disability projects in South Sudan. This has included establishing one of the leading outpatient rehabilitation centres in Uganda, a new health clinic in the Kajo Keji county (SS) in 2023, extensive livelihood projections for 1,100+ households and working with the UNHCR providing a life-saving therapeutic food to all refugee settlements to tackle severe and acute malnutrition. HHA EA currently has a passionate team of over 60 Ugandan and South Sudanese staff, with its operations continuing to grow significantly. In 2023 HHA EA won the prestigious Ockenden Prize, an international award that recognises excellent projects globally working with refugees. We are a dynamic and fast-growing organization. We are committed to creating a nurturing working environment for our employees, supporting their growth and working to the highest standards so we can provide the best support to the people we serve. Job Summary: HHA is therefore looking for a highly motivated and experienced Head of Programmes (HoP) to provide leadership and give oversight to its operations in East Africa. HHA-East Africa Head of Program (HHA-EA HoP) will be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and management of all programs or projects under their purview. This leadership role involves a combination of strategic oversight, team management, and program development to ensure alignment with organizational goals and successful outcomes. He/she will provide regular updates and insights to senior management including the board on program performance. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Strategic Planning and Program Design Develop and implement a comprehensive program strategy that aligns with HHA vision, mission and goals. Identify program objectives, outcomes, and KPIs to measure success. Design programs that meet the needs of stakeholders and fit within budget and resource constraints. Program Management and Execution HHA EA has a number of existing regional project managers who manage specific projects in different locations. The Head of Programmes will need to, Oversee the implementation of multiple projects or programs, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met. Coordinate with various departments to ensure alignment and resource availability. Track and manage budgets, monitoring expenditures to stay within financial limits. Develop and implement effective regional partnerships and fundraising/income generation plans & activities (With the aid of HHA UK Fundraising team) to aid self-sustainability and financial robustness of HHA EA operations Ensuring HHA EA provides relevant donor reports and communications to HHA UK and international donors and partners in a timely, professional and effective manner Leadership and Team Management The Head of Programmes will provide regional leadership for our EA operations, as he/she works closely with the East Africa Director to; Lead, mentor, and manage program staff, including project managers, coordinators, and other team members. Foster a collaborative and productive work environment to drive high performance. Set clear performance expectations and provide regular feedback. Representing HHA EA in national coordination meetings and with significant partners, including UNHCR, OPM etc. Representing HHA EA with international donor visits, ensuring visits are managed effectively Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Serve as the primary point of contact for program-related inquiries from internal and external stakeholders. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, and beneficiaries. Communicate program progress, successes, and challenges to stakeholders through regular reports and presentations. Risk Management and Problem-Solving Identify potential risks to program success, including financial, operational, and reputational risks. Develop risk mitigation strategies to address challenges proactively. Resolve issues as they arise, collaborating with stakeholders and team members to find solutions. Compliance and Quality Assurance Ensure compliance with HHA policies. Ensure programs comply with relevant regulations, standards, and organizational policies. Conduct regular quality assurance checks to maintain high standards across all program activities. Reporting to Senior Management and Board Provide regular updates and insights to senior management on program performance. Prepare and present reports to the board or executive team as required. Preparing and collating regular project reports and financial reports for HHA UK and maintaining regular update meetings with the East Africa Director Budget Management Oversee program budgets, ensuring funds are used efficiently and according to the organizations financial policies. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Education: Bachelors degree in international relations, public health, Public Administration and Management, Business Administration, Social works and Administration, or related field. Masters in management and a post graduate diploma in Project planning is an added advantage Experience: Equivalent experience managing projects, min. of 5 years experience. Demonstrated experience in organizational or individual capacity building and/or training Relevant experience working for/with international NGOs Relevant experience with health or disability related projects (Desirable) Skills: Computer Literate with excellent capacity of Excel, Word and other IT programmes Strong interpersonal and communication skills (including strong spoken and written English) High proficiency in Project Management requirements (for instance, ability to develop and monitor financial budgets, appropriate project targets) Personal Attributes: Willingness and availability to travel and visit different regions regularly Self-confident, motivated and able to problem solve and implement solutions Meticulous and well organised Excellent administration skills with a high awareness of detail HHA is a Christian NGO and applicants should feel comfortable working and leading within a Christian environment How to Apply: Handwritten applications should be addressed to; East Africa Human Resource Manager, Hope Health Action, New Hope Disability Centre, Health Centre III, Bidi-Bidi Base Camp, Zone 1, Uganda. Online applications to: [email protected] with the requirements as below. Application Letter with a clear salary expectation A valid National ID. CV, copies of academic documents. A letter of appointment from your pervious employment. Recommendation letter from (professional reference, faith, and a community leader). Valid passport Vaid work permit for non-nationals Deadline: 22nd November 2024. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted NOTE: Hope Health Action (HHA) is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate and therefore, all women who meet the minimum requirements for the job are encouraged to apply. The Organization does not charge any money at any stage of recruitment and does not act through recruitment agents. Any form of Canvasing will lead to automatic disqualification. For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Date Posted 2024-11-12T09:17 Valid Through 2024-11-23T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization Hope Health Action Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda Related Jobs Job Title: Machine Operator Organisation: Ibero Uganda Limited Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About Organisation: Ibero Uganda Limited (Ibero) is a company of the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) and one of the leading exporters of high-quality coffee, with warehouses and processing facilities in Kampala and out-stations in all coffee-growing regions of Uganda. Ibero Uganda has been working towards better integration in the local market and has become a professional, long-term, and trusted business partner towards its suppliers and customers. Our commitment to developing the Ugandan coffee industry is unwavering, and we are proud of our positive contribution to the industry. Job Summary: To support Iberos ambitious growth plans, we are looking for a: Machine Operator Ibero Uganda Limited (f/m/d). The position will be based in our Kampala Uganda office and will report directly to the Factory Manager of Ibero Uganda Limited. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Machine Operation: Safely and efficiently operate machinery involved in coffee production, ensuring optimal performance. Monitoring Performance: Regularly assess machine performance and adjust maintain quality and efficiency. Quality Control: Ensure that the coffee produced meets quality standards, monitoring for consistency in taste and appearance. Maintenance: Perform routine preventive maintenance and address any breakdowns promptly to minimize downtime. Reporting: Communicate regularly with management about production metrics, machine performance, and any issues that arise. Safety Compliance: Follow safety protocols to maintain a safe working environment, addressing hazards and ensuring equipment is used properly. Documentation: Maintain accurate records of production, maintenance, and any incidents or breakdowns, ensuring all checklists are completed. Cleaning: Ensure all machinery is thoroughly cleaned before and after use to prevent contamination and maintain operational efficiency. Team Collaboration: Work closely with other team members and departments to ensure smooth production processes and address any challenges that arise. Any other duties as allocated from time to time. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or related fields Minimum of 3years work experience, preferably in a coffee processing plant. Good communication, work planning and reporting skills. Problem solving skills Interpersonal skills and good time management are key. Computer skills Fluency in English How to Apply: All candidates who wish to join the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) should apply online at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 23rd November 2024 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 2024-11-12T10:12 Valid Through 2024-11-24T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization Ibero Uganda Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda Related Jobs The Indian Army's motorcycle expedition team completed a three-day journey, covering 550 km across eastern Arunachal Pradesh to commemorate the Battle of Walong. The expedition was flagged in at the Walong War Memorial on Monday, where riders paid tribute to the soldiers who fought in the 1962 Battle of Walong, a defence spokesperson said. It is part of the month-long celebrations that started on October 17 to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Walong fought during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. READ MORE: India's first war game for space defence begins; Antariksha Abhyas' seeks to protect space assets amid growing threats The expedition, including 20 riders from the Indian Army and local adventure enthusiasts, began from Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday and passed through Roing, Tezu, Hayuliang, and finally reached the destination at Walong in Anjaw district. The Battle of Walong unfolded in Kibithu, Namti Tri Junction (famously known as Tiger's Mouth), Walong and adjoining features in the easternmost parts of Arunachal Pradesh, the Army spokesperson said. The route, tracing a historic path through the beautiful landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh, symbolises the Indian Army's commitment to fostering unity and promoting adventure tourism in border areas, the spokesperson added. Each halt was an opportunity for the riders to connect with the local communities, highlighting the strength, resilience, and solidarity that define the spirit of the region, and promote national integration, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. As part of COP29 in Baku, Trend News Agency proudly presents COP for Hope, a special project offering an unparalleled platform to hear from world leaders and trailblazers in politics, economics, science, and ecology, all united by a shared commitment to addressing todays pressing climate challenges. The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan Yerlan Nyssanbayev became our next interviewee. The minister told Trend that Azerbaijan has organized COP29 at a high level, and all necessary infrastructure for fruitful activity has been created. Numerous climate priority problems are being addressed during COP29 in Baku. The primary concern is well articulatedobjectives and financial amounts. Numerous controversies surround this issue. Absence of funds results in stagnation. COP29 has initiated progress in addressing the established objectives, and the financial benchmarks will be determined. Due to the existence of several ideas, it is essential to reach a unified, consolidated conclusion that would enable developing nations to get financing beyond their financial allocations. Today, we require external financial support for the implementation of critical climate initiatives, the minister said. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) kicked off in Baku on November 11. The UN 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 in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties and 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 otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In what has been billed as a "historic milestone" for the Indian Army, the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) HAL Prachand of the Army successfully conducted high-altitude firing. Designed for precision in extreme terrains, Prachands performance reinforces India's capability in high-altitude operations, the IV Corps, or the Gajraj Corps, of the Indian Army said in a tweet. #High_Alttitude_Warriors In a historic milestone, the Indian Armys #Prachand #LightCombatHelicopter successfully conducted high-altitude firing. Designed for precision in extreme terrains, Prachands performance reinforces India's capability in high-altitude operations. This pic.twitter.com/bomgJbmC2v Gajraj Corps (@GajrajCorps_IA) November 12, 2024 Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Prachand light combat helicopter is an attack helicopter that can track slow-moving aerial targets and conduct search and rescue missions. This LCH can also perform anti-tank operations, and counter-insurgency operations and provide close air support apart from engaging in high-altitude warfare. ALSO READ: India's first war game for space defence begins; Antariksha Abhyas' seeks to protect space assets amid growing threats The LCH was developed with a primary focus on engaging slow-moving aerial threats, including enemy helicopters and drones, and incorporates a Low Observable (LO) design, which minimises its visual, aural, radar, and infrared signatures. The two-seater aircraft, equipped with advanced weapons systems70 mm rockets, a 20 mm turret gun, and helicopter-launched anti-tank guided missilesand fitted with radar and laser warning receivers, can operate both as anti-infantry and anti-armour helicopter. Nearly 45 per cent of the LCH's components are indigenously sourced, and plans are on to increase this to 55 per cent in future models. The aircraft was officially inducted into the Indian Air Force in October 2022. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the government's unwavering resolve to create an Adaptive Defence in the country to counter the challenges and threats posed by a fast-changing world. Addressing the inaugural Delhi Defence Dialogue (DDD), organised by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), on Tuesday, he said Adaptive Defence is a strategic approach wherein the country's military and defence mechanisms constantly and continuously evolve to effectively counter emerging threats. Observing that Adaptive Defence is not merely a strategic choice but a necessity, he said it is not about merely responding to what has happened but anticipating what could happen, and preparing for it proactively. In essence, it involves cultivating a mindset and capability to adapt, innovate, and thrive, even in the face of unpredictable and evolving circumstances. Situational awareness, flexibility at strategic and tactical levels, resilience, agility, and integration with the futuristic technologies are the keys to understanding and creating adaptive defence, Singh added. ALSO READ: India's first war game for space defence begins; Antariksha Abhyas' seeks to protect space assets amid growing threats The minister highlighted the need to evolve India's defence systems and strategies in line with the evolving threats and said India should be prepared for all future contingencies. It is more than just protecting our borders; it is about securing our future. He said traditional notions of war are being reshaped by emerging technologies and evolving strategic partnerships and termed the present age as 'Grey Zone' and 'hybrid warfare' where traditional ways to defend have been challenged. Singh shed light on the wide range of security challenges faced by India, from the traditional border-related threats to unconventional issues such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, and hybrid warfare, and said the government recognised the need for an adaptive defence strategy in a changing geopolitical and technological scenario and has taken several initiatives to build a robust and self-reliant ecosystem. He reiterated the governments commitment to keeping India among the leading countries working on emerging technologies in cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and added that India has to have the capability and wherewithal to deal with the imminent global innovations of AI in defence, he said. READ MORE: From Kurukshetra to Kargil: Military to identify, develop, historical battle spots Observing that drones and swarm technologies are bringing fundamental changes in the ways and means of warfare, he said, India is aiming to become a drone hub of the world. Several initiatives have been taken in this regard. This would not only help the Indian economy but also significantly contribute to our 'Make in India' and the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' programme. We are already working to improve research & development through reliable certification mechanisms, and facilitate Indian Intellectual Property creation in this sector. He called for adopting a collaborative approach to deal with contemporary problems of defence and security, saying the current geopolitical dynamics and cross-border issues make a collaborative approach to defence essential. The ambiguities of cyberspace, AI and the vast potential of quantum and nanotechnologies further demand collaboration and sharing of knowledge, perspectives, information, and strategies, if possible. Singh expressed confidence that by bringing together policymakers, military experts, and scholars, DDD will come up with innovative ideas and collaborative strategies to enhance the countrys defence posture. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently gave the go-ahead for the next-generation Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) to produce the world's most advanced sixth-generation fighter jets, known as Tempest in the UK. The approval for the project, which is being co-developed by the UK, Italy, and Japan, was given last week, according to media reports. However, an official announcement regarding this is still awaited. It is also not known how much this multi-billion dollar project would cost. ALSO READ: India strikes major defence deal with Russia for lethal Pantsir air defence system Although a treaty regarding this was signed between Italy, Japan, and the UK in December, the programme ran into uncertainty after the UK government refused to commit to it in July. However, according to a Financial Times report, the prime minister had given the green signal for the fighter jet at a meeting held with some of his ministers on November 5. GCAP merges two military programmes: the UK's Tempesta proposed sixth-generation fighter aircraft currently under development in the United Kingdom for the Royal Air Force and Japan's F-X, a sixth-generation stealth fighter currently under development for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The programme is being developed as part of the efforts to enhance military capabilities against rising threats from China and Russia and is expected to be commissioned by 2035. READ MORE: From Su-57 stealth fighter of Russia to J-35A and 'Killer Whale' what to look out for at 15th Airshow of China The combat aircraft is expected to be one of the worlds most advanced, interoperable, adaptable, and connected fighter jets. It will be equipped with an intelligent weapons system, a software-driven interactive cockpit, and integrated sensors, and will also have a powerful next-generation radar, capable of providing much more data than current systems, giving it the much-needed competitive edge. "UK is a proud member of the Global Combat Air Programme, working together with our partners Japan and Italy, we are fully focused on delivering a next-generation combat aircraft for 2035," the UK defence ministry had said, according to NDTV. The Supreme Court granted temporary relief to Malayalam actor Siddique and extended his interim anticipatory bail by another week on Tuesday. The hearing on the actors bail petition was adjourned after his counsel complained of ill-health. Hearing the anticipatory bail plea of the actor in a rape case, a bench comprising Justices Bela Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma enquired whether the actor was appearing before investigators for probe. The state government informed the apex court that though the actor appeared for interrogation, he was not cooperative and his responses were evasive. The actor informed the bench that the Kerala police was asking him to hand over his personal devices used in 2016 despite informing the police of his inability to do so. Justice Sharma asked the state government how could a person hand over a device used in 2016. Material and question are two different things. He is saying you want the 2016 iPhone. As per my personal experience, I bought an iPhone 16 giving my iPhone 15 back in the shop," Live Law reported quoting the bench. Actor Siddique is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a young actress in the Malayalam industry. The apex court granted Siddique interim protection from arrest after the Kerala High Court dismissed his bail pleas saying prima facie, there was evidence for his involvement. The actress levelled the allegations soon after the Kerala government released the Hema Committee report in August this year. The charges forced Siddique to resign from the post of general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). The Kerala police have registered a case against the actor under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation). The Kerala police has formed a Special Investigation Team to probe allegations of sexual harassment which came to light after the release of the Hema Committee report. Police have so far registered 17 cases against various artists and technicians from the Malayalam film industry, including Siddique. Days after actor Shah Rukh Khan received a death threat, police have arrested the accused. Identified as Mohammad Faizan Khan, the man was arrested from his home in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Police said he is a lawyer. Im 25?!? I thought I was younger. Ha ha thank you GG for being such an inspiration. And the honesty u bring to life. My Captain forever and more. Love u https://t.co/YepHV122f5 Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) November 5, 2024 Faizan Khan called the actor and threatened to kill him if he did not pay Rs 50 lakh. He had earlier told the Bandra police that he will appear before them on November 14, according to TV reports. However later he wrote to the city police commissioner, requesting his statement should be recorded virtually as he could not travel due to threats to himself. Faizan Khan earlier said his mobile phone was stolen and that he lodged a police complaint regarding the same on November 2. Mumbai police have registered an extortion case. This comes after Salman Khan has received multiple death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang over the blackbuck poaching case in 1998. Bishnoi gang is reportedly behind the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique over helping Salman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attacked the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra, accusing it of being the biggest players pf corruption. He also accused the MVA parties of stalling development in the state. "Maharashtra's rapid development is beyond the reach of the Aghadi. They have done a PhD in putting a brake on developmental works. The Congress has a double PhD in it, he said. Aghadi yani bhrastrachar ke sab se bade khiladi (Aghadi means the biggest players of corruption), the prime minister said, addressing a rally at Chimur in Chandrapur district. The state goes to assembly polls on November 20 and Modi is leading the BJPs campaign in its prestige battle. The saffron party is part of the ruling alliance that also included Chief Minister Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. In his rally, the prime minister ripped into the Congress party and the Gandhi family, saying it has always been the mentality of the 'shahi parivar' that it was born to rule the country. This is the reason that after Independence, the Congress never allowed Dalits, backward classes and Adivasis to progress, he said. He further targeted the opposition party over the issue of reservation and accused it of trying to break the unity of the people. The Congress gets irritated with (the issue of) reservation. In the 1980s, when Rajiv Gandhi led the party, it published an advertisement raising questions over the special rights enjoyed by Dalits, backward classes and Adivasis, Modi said, adding that this old advertisement, widely shared on social media, reflected that party's anti-reservation attitude. In Chimur, too, Modi reiterated the unity mantra that he has been raising throughout his campaign in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. If we stay united, we will be safe. If you do not remain united, then the Congress will snatch away your reservation, the prime minister cautioned the voters. Shivkumar Gautham, the main shooter involved in the murder of veteran Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique told police that Lawrence Bishnoi gang wanted either the leader or his son Zeeshan killed. Police arrested Gautam and four others on Sunday and they have been remanded to police custody for a week. Gautam reportedly told Mumbai police that his assignment was to gun down whomever he came across first, News 18 reported. During interrogation, the main shooter said Lawrence Bishnois brother Anmol assigned him the task. The Mumbai police along with Uttar Pradesh polices special task force nabbed Gautam on Sunday while he was plotting to escape to neighbouring Nepal. Police also arrested Anurag Kashyap, Gyan Prakash Tripathi, Akash Srivastava and Akhilendra Pratap Singh for providing shelter to Gautam. Police on Monday sought custody of all five accused and a Mumbai court granted their custody till November 19. Police are reportedly probing how the accused managed to procure arms for the crime and financial transactions. Mumbai police have so far arrested 23 accused in connection with the murder of the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) leader. According to Uttar Pradesh police, Gautam had no criminal history. Baba Siddique, a veteran in Maharashtra politics, was gunned down by assailants near his sons office in Mumbai on October 12. As people were bursting firecrackers to celebrate Dussehra, three assailants emerged from the crowd, neutralised the three-time former MLAs personal security officer and opened fire from close range. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has allegedly claimed responsibility for the murder. He was killed allegedly for his close ties with Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The Bishnoi gang has been targeting Khan ever since he was convicted in the blackbuck hunting case. The Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at multiple locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection with a probe into alleged illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals. The searches come close to the heels of polling for the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly election and West Bengal bypolls. VIDEO | The Enforcement Directorate is raiding multiple locations in poll-bound Jharkhand apart from West Bengal in a money laundering investigation linked to alleged illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals. Visuals from #Ranchi.#JharkhandAssemblyElections2024 pic.twitter.com/ewo6huGG30 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 12, 2024 According to officials, the raids are being conducted at 17 locations in West Bengal and Jharkhand. The money laundering case being probed by the central agency pertains to the alleged trafficking and infiltration of Bangladeshi women into Jharkhand, leading to the generation of alleged slush funds. The ED case stems from a case registered by Jharkhand police based on the complaint of a woman who illegally migrated to India from the neighbouring country. #WATCH | The Enforcement Directorate is carrying out raids at more than a dozen locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection with a money laundering case linked to Bangladeshi infiltration (Visuals from Ranchi) pic.twitter.com/SFnRvWR2NR ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2024 The woman alleged she was trafficked along with six other women into the country by touts promising work at beauty salons in India. Allegedly, they were trafficked into the country for prostitution. Police have registered the case under multiple sections including 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 34 (common intention). Jharkhand police have also slapped section 12 of the Passport Act (knowingly furnishing any false information or suppressing any material information with a view to obtaining a passport or travel document) and 14A of the Foreigners Act (penalty for entry in restricted area) in the complaint, PTI reported. Infiltration was one of the major issues the Bharatiya Janata Party raised during campaigning for assembly polls in Jharkhand. Recently, during a poll campaign in the state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said they will set up a separate panel to identify infiltrators in the state. Tribal population is declining in Jharkhand. Infiltrators are grabbing land by marrying our daughters. We will bring legislation to prevent the transfer of land to infiltrators if they marry tribal women. We will also form a committee to identify infiltrators to drive them out and reclaim land grabbed by them," PTI reported quoting Shah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also accused the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in the state of turning a blind eye towards illegal infiltration in the state. Modi said infiltration is altering the demographic landscape of the tribal-dominated areas of Santhal Pargana and Kolhan regions. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also accused the state government of turning Jharkhand into a 'dharmashala' for Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators. Polling will be conducted in 43 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand on Wednesday. Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti has asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to form a high-level committee to reassess the dismissal of government employees over the past five years. In recent years, the J&K government has dismissed more than 60 employees, citing them as a threat to state security. These dismissals were carried out under Article 311 (2)(c) of the Indian Constitution, which allows the government to terminate employees without giving any reason or conducting an inquiry. Mufti shared her letter on social media, expressing concern for the families affected by these dismissals, which she described as arbitrary and based on flimsy grounds without a fair investigation or trial. Hope Omar Sb takes a humanitarian view to alleviate the sufferings of these families, she posted on X. Have written to honourable CM about the sad plight of the families whose members have been arbitrarily dismissed from government services on flimsy grounds without a thorough investigation and fair trial. Hope Omer Sb takes a humanitarian view to alleviate the sufferings of pic.twitter.com/L22d2gmCfi Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 11, 2024 In her letter, Mufti emphasized the impact of these dismissals across the region. The abrupt dismissal of government employees without due processa pattern that began in 2019has left many families devastated and, in some cases, destitute, she wrote. Mufti recalled a recent visit to the family of Nazir Ahmad Wani in Bellow, Pulwama. Wani, a Tehsildar, was dismissed under Article 311, arrested under UAPA, and spent years in jail before being acquitted of all charges. He later developed serious health issues and died of a cardiac arrest on October 27, 2024. His family, including his wife and five children, now faces financial struggles due to bureaucratic delays in accessing his pension and entitlements. The dismissal of individuals like Mr Wani, without inquiry or opportunity for defense, impacts families and creates uncertainty for all government employees in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing these injustices is urgent, she wrote. Mufti proposed a committee to reexamine such cases fairly, allowing affected individuals or their families to present their case. She also called for immediate assistance for families in distress, like Wanis, to ensure they receive financial relief and prompt processing of entitlements. She recommended policy reforms to require a full inquiry and legal oversight before any dismissal. Mr. Nazir Ahmad Wanis case serves as a somber reminder of the impact of administrative overreach. I urge prompt action to correct these wrongs, bringing both relief and justice to those enduring such hardship, she concluded. A gradual consolidation of the NSCN(IM) in Myanmarese territory adjoining Manipur and Nagaland has given the biggest insurgent group a hold over various armed militants groups stoking unrest in the Northeastern states. According to intelligence reports, the movement of several valley based insurgent groups in Sagaing region has been lent logistical support by the NSCN(IM) cadres who are menacingly sitting across the border. While the Valley based insurgent groups are said to have consolidated in Myothit in Myanmar and were used as mercenaries by the military junta after they crossed over during the ethnic strife in Manipur in May last year, the Kuki militant groups rallied in support of the Peoples Defence Force, sources said. The dynamics of engagements of these combined forces continued to change under the surface. What grew as a major concern for security forces were the activities of the NSCN(IM) which started holding control over existing routes and building new routes for movement of militants between the Valley and the Myanmarese territory. This led to a revival of the outfits depleting strength and sway in the lawless lands with a set of leaders who were tapping into the Chinese territory to make the base stronger with arms and ammunition. Top security officials admit it is no surprise that the outfit is once again demanding a separate flag and Constitution as its strength swells, but what is more worrisome is the fate of the large Naga population living across the border in the self administered zone in the face of renewal of an armed struggle. While the conflict in Manipur is not linked to the NSCN(IM) ,the developing situation in adjoining Nagaland has the potential of spreading unrest in other parts of the northeast, a security official said. There is significant Naga population spread across Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. An unresolved strife in Manipur coupled with the growing threat of unrest in Nagaland with an emboldened NSCN(IM) can prove a headache for security forces guarding the porous Indo - Myanmar border. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held discussions on Decarbonization, Adaptation of Food Systems and Restoration of Nature on the Way to 1.5C." Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture. The discussions, moderated by the Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Amina Al Dahak and Director General of the World Resources Institute Ani Dasgupta, featured speeches by Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, President of Ethiopia Taye Atske Selassie, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Fiji Biman Prasad, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, and noted that the proper use of land and water resources is one of the key factors in combating climate change. Speaking at the discussions, Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov informed the participants about the initiatives of the Azerbaijani government to develop climate-resilient agriculture and transform food systems. Noting that climate change also hurts the agricultural sector, the Minister spoke about sustainable agriculture, water management, and climate adaptation strategies being implemented to overcome the problems of water scarcity and land salinization. Informing the participants about the Baku Climate Initiative for Farmers, Minister Majnun Mammadov noted that the initiative aims to bring together global partners, promote investments in climate-positive food systems, and provide stronger support, especially for women and youth. Stressing the importance of global cooperation in the climate-resilient development of Azerbaijan's agricultural sector, the Minister noted that our country, cooperating with international partners, adheres to the principles of developing sustainable agricultural practices. The participants of the event exchanged views on the transformation of food systems, innovative models and policies to mitigate the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector and increase yields, decarbonization and restoration of nature, strategies to achieve sustainable land use transitions, financing of sustainable land use, financial models for the transformation of agriculture and food systems and other relevant topics. It was noted that this COP29 event will yield positive results in terms of enhancing cooperation among countries in food security, sustainability, and nature conservation, as well as advancing global action on climate change. Baku hosts the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the official opening ceremony of which was held on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The Summit of World Leaders on Climate Action will be held on November 12-13. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was made on December 11 last year at the plenary session of COP28 in Dubai. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to prevent dangerous anthropogenic impacts on the climate system. The first session was held in March 1995 in Berlin and the conference secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Kerala goverment has suspended two IAS officers over indiscipline. This comes following a report submitted by state Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan. Agriculture Development and Farmers' Welfare Department Special Secretary N Prasanth, who is popularly known as Collector bro in Kerala media and social networks, was one of the suspended officials. The other officer was identified as Industries and Commerce Director K Gopalakrishnan, who is a 2013 batch officer. Who is Kerala's' Collector bro'? Social media savvy N Prasanth got his moniker 'Collector bro' during his stint as Kozhikode District Collector. He was instrumental in creating programs like Compassionate Kozhikode, a mental health initiative with the help of volunteers. Another initiative, Operation Sulaimani, brought the hotels and restaurants in Kozhikode together to provide meals to hungry people. During the 2018 floods, when he was the deputy secretary in the Union ministry of new and renewable energy, he set up a Facebook group called 'Flood Technology Support Kerala 2018' and several WhatsApp groups with the help of techies to rescue stranded people. Why was 'Collector bro' suspended? Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan suspended Prasanth for criticising a senior IAS officer on social media following the report submitted by the chief secretary. The officer recently alleged that Additional Chief Secretary A Jayathilak has become a "special reporter" and have been "orchestrating baseless" news reports to defame him. Pointing out that he is compelled to share some important facts about Jayathilak, Prasanth said he generally avoids discussing government matters in public. He added that his intention was to reveal only issues that the public should know as per the Right to Information. This came after a media report claimed that several files from SC/ST welfare scheme Unnathi went missing during his tenure as its CEO. On the other hand, Gopalakrishnan was suspended over creation of religion-based WhatsApp groups. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, stepped down after facing mounting pressure to quit over handling of the abuse scandal in the church. Welby said that he failed to ensure a proper investigation into the allegations of abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps decades ago. In his resignation letter, Welby said he must take "personal and institutional responsibility" for lack of action on the "heinous abuses". "The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England," Welby said. "I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse." Reacting to Welbys resignation, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the Church's second-ranking cleric, said it was "the right and honourable thing to do". His resignation comes days after the independent Makin Report criticised him for his handling of abuse allegations dating back to the 1970s. The published report said John Smyth, a British lawyer, had subjected more than 100 boys and young men to "brutal and horrific" physical and sexual abuse over a 40-year period. Smyth was also the chair of the Iwerne Trust which funded the Christian camps in Dorset in England. Before being ordained as a priest, Welby worked with the Trust as a dormitory officer. The report also added that Smyth moved to Africa in 1984 and continued the abuse till his death in 2018. The Church of England knew at the highest level about these sexual abuse claims at the camps in 2013. The report clearly said that Welby knew about the abuse and about the accusations after he became archbishop. He was criticised for not handling the situation appropriately. As Welby steps down, Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich, and Guli Francis-Dehqani, the Bishop of Chelmsford have been tipped to succeed him. The procedures for the appointment of a new archbishop of Canterbury require a body of clerics and a chair, nominated by the British prime minister, to put two names forward to him. Usher is considered the one in favour of gay rights and has been outspoken on the need to tackle climate change. While, Francis-Dehqani, was born in Iran, and has spoken about how her brother was murdered in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. If she succeeds, then she would be the first woman to occupy the post. US president-elect Donald Trump has announced that Florida Congressman Mike Waltz will be his pick for National Security Adviser. ALSO READ: Why did Trump snub Nikki Haley? GOP Rep Elise Stefanik is new pick for US envoy to UN But how does the war veteran's appointment could benefit India? Waltz is the co-chair of the 40-member India Caucus, the largest bipartisan country-based group in Congress. My time as a Green Beret showed me that Americas strength comes from the sacrifice of our veterans. To my fellow veterans, THANK YOU for stepping up to defend the freedoms we enjoy as Americans pic.twitter.com/jWKOnrMEge Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) November 11, 2024 Waltz is also known for his warm relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was instrumental in coordinating the PM's Capitol Hill address during his 2023 visit. He is a staunch proponent of improving security and defence ties with India to counter China. He serves on the GOP China taskforce and has maintained that the US is not ready for a conflict in the Indo-Pacific. ALSO READ: Who will be the next Senate majority leader? Trump says vying GOP senators must agree to his recess appointment Who is Mike Waltz? Mike Waltz, 50, is a retired Army colonel who was part of the special forces unit Green Beret. The three-term GOP Rep was elected a member of the US House of Representatives for the first time in 2019 and was re-elected last week. Why has Iran been trying to kill President Trump? Because they think they can get away with it. The Biden administrations weakness over the last 4 years has emboldened our adversaries THAT MUCH. We need strong assurances from Biden RIGHT NOW to deter these Iranian threats AND pic.twitter.com/kHNHxVTPXf Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) November 8, 2024 He is also serving in the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness. Waltz is known for being a vocal critic of Joe Biden administration's move to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in 2021. US president-elect Donald Trump is set to pick Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State, according to reports in local media. Reports suggest that Rubio has more chances than his rival contender and Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy. The former GOP presidential candidate has backed Trump's mass deportation plan, calling it a "pragmatic" approach that Americans agree with. The Republican Party is now a multi-ethnic, multi-racial coalition of hard-working Americans who love their country. My full statement on last nights historic presidential election: pic.twitter.com/mzDEBWYe9o Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) November 6, 2024 The reports about Rubio's likely selection comes after Trump picked Mike Waltz as his National Security Adviser, Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to the UN, border czar Tom Homan and Susie Wiles as White House Chief of Staff. ALSO READ: Who is Mike Waltz? How Trump pick for national security adviser could benefit India The likely inclusion of Rubio would be seen as Trump's attempt to increase Latino representation in his new administration, especially after the community voted for him in some of the key swing states recently. Born in Miami, Florida, Rubio's parents are Cuban immigrants who came to the US in 1956. They later moved to Las Vegas. He was raised a Catholic and later got baptised as a Mormon. ALSO READ: Why did Trump snub Nikki Haley? GOP Rep Elise Stefanik is new pick for US envoy to UN However, he returned to his original faith later. After the family returned to Florida in 1985, Rubio completed his law degree from the University of Miami. His career in politics began with a stint with GOP Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and later joined the West Miami City Commission. He was elected as Florida Rep in 1999 and continued in the post until 2008. ALSO READ: Who will be the next Senate majority leader? Trump says vying GOP senators must agree to his recess appointment Rubio then won the US Senate election in 2010 and aligned himself as a conservative, opposing gun control, climate change law etc. In 2016, he challenged Donald Trump in the primaries when he called Trump a "con artist" and "the most vulgar person to ever seek the presidency" but later supported the former rival. The fascination with the east is apparent for millennia, from the time of the Silk Roads. The journey grew in leaps and bounds with better connectivity and a deep interconnectedness of communities. In more recent times, the Orientalists travelled the length and breadth of the east, writing and painting along their journey. These traveller accounts became important historical narratives and the cultural exchanges are an interesting way to understand and unravel global heritage. The year 2024 has seen museums and historic institutions of the west tap into their collections as well as borrow works from other institutions to celebrate cultural crossovers and bring communities together. The east remains a topic of fascination and intrigue. The Wallace Collection in London recently concluded a six-month long exhibition titled, Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King. The exhibition explored the life of the Sikh leader Maharaja Ranjit Singh whose conquests and leadership led to a flourishing empire. Almost hundred works of art from 1780 till 1839, bring to life and are testimony of the great, highly influential Sikh Empire. His ornate, decorative sword for example, gold mounted and detailed with pearls and rubies was one of the striking artefacts on display. While attributed to have been made in Lucknow, it is interesting to see the Damascus steel sword now placed at an exhibition in the United Kingdom. Objects travel near and far, shedding light on people, politics, and culture of a bygone era. The sheer sea of humanity coming to witness this exhibition is not only testimony to the interest in the Maharaja who was a hero for many Sikhs but also an indication to the continuing interest in the east. Parallel to the Ranjit Singh exhibition, Silk Roads at the British Museum takes you back in time to AD500 to 1000 where overlapping networks from East Asia to Britain and Scandinavia to Madagascar connected communities across continents. The exhibition, which is on display till February 2025 is a thought-provoking show to understand the rise of universal religions and the trade networks that contributed to art, design, culture, community. The exhibition also makes one rethink the period which from a western context is popularly known as the Dark Ages. The web of routes that connected people and goods across land and sea, led to the flourishing of new ideas, artistic styles and technological advancements. In which case, was it really the dark ages? A wooden panel, from a Buddhist shrine in Khotan, describes the legend of the Chinese princess who smuggled the secret of how silk was made in her elaborate headdress. She concealed cocoons of silk as well as seeds of the mulberry tree across the border to her marital home in Khotan. With this knowledge and technology, production of silk travelled from China via the Silk Road to Byzantium and further to northern Europe. If it was not for objects such as these, our knowledge on the past would be limited with many gaps and uncertainties. To solidify research and successfully present elaborate exhibitions such as these, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum launched the Asian Art Initiative in 2006. Dedicated to integrating Asian art into its larger collection and education programme, the initiative has led to exemplary exhibitions, retrospectives and acquisitions. Landmark exhibitions such as Silk Roads as well as Asian Bronze: 4000 Years of Beauty at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam are great examples of how museums of the west are evaluating their collections as well as rethinking global art history. Asian Bronze explores the connectivity within Asia through centuries, examining beautiful bronze works of art. One of the many artefacts displayed at the exhibitions which is open until 12th January 2025, is a bronze work of Buddha under Nagas hood from the National Museum, Bangkok, Thailand. The object is an example of exquisite craftsmanship and intricate detailing. This week, a new exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London commences on the Mughals. The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence, celebrates the contributions of the Mughal Empire during its golden period from 1560 to 1660, during the reign of Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. A time when patronage was at its prime and ornate, opulent art and architecture was commissioned. England's earliest official encounters with India have been documented in 1616 by the first ambassador to the Mughal Court, Sir Thomas Roe. In a letter, Roe writes about Emperor Jehangir's kingdom being a treasury of the world. The exhibition celebrates the culture of cosmopolitanism that prevailed, the rational discourse, religious diversity, scholarly enquiry and intellectual tolerance which was encouraged. These artefacts are a symbol of the aesthetic achievements of a great empire. Amongst the many captivating objects, artefacts, textiles presented is an exquisite hunting coat embroidered with satin and silk. The embroidery termed as fine chain stitch was done by male embroiderers of Gujarat who were patronised by the Mughal court to create garments for not just royalty and aristocracy but also to be exported to the west. Narratives such as these help in understanding colonial influences as well as the socio-political relations of the time. Cultural exchange and global travel are far easier now. Museums have understood the power of art in bringing together communities and building networks. Today, people are visiting these storehouses of wealth from across the globe to understand world history and the cultural exchanges that took place. The fascination for the exotic east prevails. Mumbai, Nov 12 (PTI) The Reserve Bank on Tuesday cancelled the licence of Vijayawada-based The Durga Co-operative Urban Bank as the lender does not have adequate capital and earning prospects. The bank ceases to carry banking business, with effect from the close of business on November 12, 2024, the RBI said, adding that the Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Andhra Pradesh, has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator. On liquidation, every depositor would be entitled to receive a deposit insurance claim amount of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5 lakh from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). "As per the data submitted by the bank, 95.8 per cent of the depositors are entitled to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC," the RBI said. As of August 31, 2024, DICGC has already paid Rs 9.84 crore of the total insured deposits. Giving details behind the cancellation of the licence of The Durga Co-operative Urban Bank, the RBI said the bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects. It has also failed to comply with the requirements of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. "The continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors. The bank, with its present financial position, would be unable to pay its present depositors in full," it said. Emphasising that public interest would be adversely affected if the bank is allowed to carry on its banking business any further, RBI said consequent to the cancellation of its licence, 'The Durga Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd, Vijayawada' is prohibited from conducting the business of banking with immediate effect. Banking includes, among other things, acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Tuesday said certain states have proposed to list power utilities to raise funds as Rs 42 lakh crore investment would be needed by 2030. Addressing a conference of state power ministers, Lal said a large amount of funds would be needed to meet the rising power demand in the country. India, he added, has met an all-time high demand of 250 GW in May this year which will rise further. Out of 250 GW of power demand, fossil fuels-based power accounted for 200 GW in May while the remaining came from renewable sources. The minister said the power sector would need an investment of Rs 42 lakh crore by 2030 to meet the growing electricity demand. Further, he stated that Gujarat and Haryana have proposed to get their power utilities listed on bourses to raise funds. The transmission and generation firms can be listed but discoms would need to improve their rankings before taking such steps, he said. The minister also said that some states are proposing to segregate Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses into two categories -- technical and commercial -- to find ways to reduce them. The AT&C losses in 2023-24 have increased to 17.6 per cent from 15.4 per cent in 2022-23, Lal said. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) Market infrastructure institutions (MIIs), including clearing corporations and depositories, on Tuesday decided to put on hold the direct payout of securities to clients' demat accounts after encountering "certain delays" during the initial beta phase. In the new direct-payout system, clearing corporations will transfer securities directly to investors' accounts, unlike the current system where brokers first hold securities in a pooled account before passing them on to clients. The initial beta phase of the direct pay-out settlement was launched on Monday, November 11 to improve the settlement process for investors. While the new system has largely been successful, "certain delays" were observed in some cases during the beta phase, MIIs said in a statement. "In light of the above, it has been decided to temporarily move the direct pay-out settlement to the erstwhile clearing member pool settlement mechanism effective Tuesday, November 12, 2024," they added. This will remain in place until further notice, and the revised launch date for the direct pay-out settlement will be announced soon. The MIIs remain committed to a smooth transition towards a fully optimised direct pay-out settlement mechanism. Last month, Sebi extended the deadline to implement guidelines mandating the direct payout of securities to clients' demat accounts to November 11 from October 14 scheduled earlier. Mumbai, Nov 12 (PTI) Tata Chemicals on Tuesday said its wholly-owned subsidiary Tata Chemicals Europe (TCEL) is planning an investment of 60 million Euro (Rs 655 crore) to build a 1,80,000 tonnes per annum pharmaceutical grade sodium bicarbonate plant in Northwich in the UK. This new plant will triple TCEL's production capacity of pharmaceutical grade sodium bicarbonate in the UK, Tata Chemicals aid in a regulatory filing. The construction of the plant is expected to commence in 2025, with first production likely to begin in 2027. The new plant, using a patented process, will use carbon dioxide captured from energy generation emissions as a key raw material and will meet growing demand for high grade sodium bicarbonate from pharmaceutical manufacturers for use in medicines and hemodialysis. Further, Tata Chemicals said that as part of the restructuring operations to facilitate this investment, the Board of TCEL has approved the proposal to cease chemical production at its loss-making Lostock plant by the end of January 2025, subject to completion of employee consultation as required under local law. Tata Chemicals shares on Tuesday closed at Rs 1,071.60, down 2.27 per cent on BSE. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) Amid geopolitical shifts and mega trends such as AI redefining tech landscape, the year 2025 is likely to see greater appetite and adoption of technology and forging of strategic partnerships, according to Nasscom chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan. Weighing-in on global debate on whether AI will lead to major layoffs, she said Artificial Intelligence needs to be seen as an enabler that can help amplify skills and boost productivity. "Just look around, we are living in a world where there is so much change... The year 2025, for me, is definitely going to be a lot more about technology adoption and more of strategic partnerships," Gangadharan - who is the managing director of SAP Labs India told PTI. She said that in order to stay relevant, businesses will need to embrace technology, irrespective of the size and scale of their operations. "I think it is super important in today's world that we build very strong partnerships, because it is only together that we can drive the bigger changes, and bigger challenges that the world is grappling with," Gangadharan said. Terming AI as a phenomenal, transformative technology, she said that it needs to be embraced as an enabler. "It is very important that people understand this is a phenomenal, transformational technology, ... now you have the power to use (it) in a very safe, regulated, governed way. So really, leveraging that technology to help amplify your skills is how I would look at it," she said. She believes the issue is less about displacement of jobs, and more to do with leveraging technology to derive greater productivity and benefits. When it comes to tech spends, there is now a realisation that embracing technology is the only way forward, she asserted. "Everybody understands there's no way around it. The faster you do it, the better it is for business," he said. She said that amid technology shifts, partnerships and collaborations would clearly be in focus. "The whole topic of partnerships definitely plays out today when we look at some of the large language models that are pervasive all through, many of them come from the United States. So it would be very important that we understand better how these models are being put into action in the various use cases that we have here in India as well " she said. In India, AI mission and skilling would be among the key areas of priority. Gangadharan, who is leading SAP Labs in India said the company's headcount here has been growing at an average 2,500-3,000 net new hires every year, and that number may just accelerate. "We see the growth happening at that pace, or even more, because if you just look at the portfolio growth in the location... We are, of course, in Bengaluru, but we are also in four other locations, in Gurgaon, Pune, Mumbai, as well as in Hyderabad. For us it is important that we are able to tap into the best-in-class talent " she said. The growth is also in sync with market opportunities and ecosystem potential that exists, she said, pointing to rapid pace of innovation, the wide network of partners, and deep research with academia as driving factors. India is among the fastest-growing markets for SAP and poised to become one of the largest markets in future, CEO Christian Klein had said recently adding that the German software maker plans to "over proportionally" invest and hire here. SAP is betting big on the country's engineering talent and digitisation push and given its thrust on "overproportional growth" Klein said it is only a matter of time before India becomes the largest base for SAP Labs in terms of sheer number of people. On the sales and revenue side, India is among top 10 markets for SAP globally, and the company expects the market here to grow "heavily and faster" than some of its top markets. The India market is set to climb further up the chart for SAP, according to the company. "Our focus will also be on building up AI skills in our teams because the work we will be doing will be about infusing AI into the core of our portfolio," Gangadharan said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. There is a possibility of innovation center branches to be opened in Azerbaijan's Lankaran, Mingachevir, and Nakhchivan cities, Inara Valiyeva, Chairperson of the Board of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IRIA) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan told Trend. "The innovation center in Baku is now officially operational, marking a significant step forward in our mission to foster technological advancement and collaboration. Our upcoming plans include establishing additional centers in Sumgait and Ganja, with potential expansions into other cities as well. Our strategy emphasizes strong partnerships with local businesses. Recently, representatives from Lankaran and Mingachevir reached out to us to explore collaborative opportunities, and we are eager to pursue these partnerships. While we have confirmed plans for centers in Sumgait and Ganja, we are also actively considering options in Nakhchivan, Lankaran, Mingachevir, and other regions," she said. To note, the Innovation and Digital Development Agency was founded as a public legal organization under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport by a decree issued by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on October 11, 2021. The agency is dedicated to organizing digital transformation efforts around the country, cultivating a local innovation environment, and strengthening the entire ecosystem. The agency's primary focus areas include conducting nuclear science and technology tests, assisting individuals and entities in innovation-driven scientific research and startups, facilitating the adoption of modern technologies, ensuring accessible educational and career opportunities in the ICT sector, and establishing and managing the digital government and society. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday reported a 16 per cent decline in consolidated profit after tax at Rs 1,375 crore for the second quarter ended September 2024, hit by weak market sentiments and geopolitical factors. The automaker had reported a consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 1,628 crore in the July-September quarter of the last fiscal. Its total revenue from operations stood at Rs 17,260 crore for the second quarter compared to Rs 18,660 crore in the year-ago period, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) said in a regulatory filing. The company said it has sold a total of 1,91,939 units of passenger vehicles during the September quarter. This includes 1,49,639 units in the domestic market, with a strong contribution from the SUV segment, it added. The export volume stood at 42,300 units, HMIL said. "Despite the sluggish market conditions, we have successfully maintained profitability in H1 FY 2024-25, largely due to our proactive and continuous cost control measures," HMIL Managing Director Unsoo Kim stated. "We will be launching the Creta EV for the mass market in the coming months, and we expect it will be a game changer in the EV market." The company said that in the mid to long term, it expects a sustained demand momentum in the industry and will continue to focus on the quality of growth by maintaining an optimum balance between volume, market share and margins. Shares of the company were trading 0.85 per cent down at Rs 1,806.75 apiece on BSE. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) Media insights firm Kanalytics announced that it has deployed a specialised dashboard called 'Krumour' that offers advanced tools to help listed entities track and manage market rumours following regulator Sebi's enhanced regulatory compliance for the large listed firms. This came after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), in May, notified an amendment to the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) rules requiring large listed companies to confirm or deny any market rumour reported in the mainstream media within 24 hours of the reporting. The framework is aimed at protecting retail investors, who often suffer losses due to share price volatility. Following this, the top 100 listed entities began verifying market rumours from June 1 this year, while an additional 150 (or top 250) listed entities will follow suit from December 1 onwards. The new Sebi framework requires companies to integrate tech-based solutions and engage external agencies to track and identify news reported in mainstream media and digital news sources. Market analysts believe that consistently monitoring stock price movements to determine if a "material price movement" (MPM) has occurred, and to scan all mediums, including global sources, has to be a professional job. In response, Kanalytics developed solutions to help listed entities track and manage market rumours. It has deployed a specialised dashboard called Krumour for this purpose. Krumour has algorithms correlating live stock prices, triggering notifications for the compliance teams on stock market movement with material price movements, and curating news almost live across the entire media universe. Its ability to share insights almost live across mediums helps clients react on time, while unlimited archives that record all MPM triggers help the corporates. "This product needs a deep understanding of the domain to help empower the compliance teams. It is not about pushing large amounts of monitoring data, usual amongst monitoring companies. We are the only company which has in-house monitoring and analysing capabilities for all mediums, viz. print, TV, web, YouTube, X, Instagram, Facebook and the world media. "In fact, we even have Mandarin specialists in house to scan trends in the world's second-largest market. We act like the clients' backend single source of news data research across mediums, languages and countries for their marketing, reputation, strategy, CSR etc," Ashutosh, CEO of Kanalytics, said in a statement. Kanalytics is a pioneer in the media insights business in India and boasts the largest media universe amongst players in this industry. It works with the biggest B2B, B2C and G2C brands as well as government departments at the central and state levels. Recently, it launched Kommune, a GIS-based citizen/ customer response platform, where a customer's complaint is routed to the responsible district official to respond. A forecasted 14,608% price surge in the bustling crypto market could position Rexas Finance (RXS) at the forefront of the next rally, potentially rising to $29.10 per token. With a vision extending far beyond the typical crypto assets, RXS is harnessing blockchain to make high-value investments like real estate and commodities accessible worldwide. While Dogecoin and Shiba Inu focus on community-driven, meme-based value, Rexas aims for real-world applications, setting a new standard in asset tokenization. Real-World Asset Tokenization Rexas Finance has emerged as a game-changer in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, bridging physical assets with blockchain. Tokenizing major markets, from real estate to precious metals, RXS enables global, accessible investments. An investor in Asia, for example, can now own a fraction of a high-value apartment in New York or a share in a Swiss gold reserveall through Rexass streamlined system. This breakthrough in tokenization, backed by blockchain, empowers users to hold full or partial ownership of assets at a fraction of traditional costs. Notably, Rexas Finance has developed essential tools to simplify the process of tokenization and asset management. The Rexas Token Builder lets users tokenize assets like real estate, commodities, or financial holdings. This platform's capabilities redefine market participation from fractionalizing ownership to broadening asset liquidity. Another key feature is the Rexas QuickMint Bot, which offers users seamless token minting via platforms like Telegram and Discord. This bot, compatible with multiple Ethereum-based blockchains, ensures that even newcomers can engage with RXSs token ecosystem. For projects looking to fundraise, Rexas Finance provides a Launchpad that connects innovators with investors, fostering a dynamic platform for token offerings. Expanding Use Cases and Strategic Presale Success Rexas Finance is tackling long-standing barriers in various sectors, with immediate applications in real estate, commodities, and collectibles. Tokenized real estate, for instance, allows fractional ownership, enabling investors to benefit from rental yields and asset appreciation without requiring full ownership. This democratization of income generation in real estate creates new opportunities for individual and institutional investors alike. The Rexas presale, now in its fifth stage, has generated significant traction. Raising $5.87 million to date, RXS offers investors the chance to join at $0.07 per token, promising a 2.8x increase upon launch. The swift sellout of stages one to four reflects growing investor confidence, as the presale price has already multiplied 2.3x since inception. Notably, Rexas chose a public presale model over venture capital funding, allowing broader participation in what it describes as a financial revolution. Rexas Finances listing on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko provides a substantial boost in visibility, reaching millions of crypto investors and traders. These listings enhance RXSs credibility and position it among established cryptocurrencies, while its listing status attracts wider community engagement and liquidity. This enhanced visibility, combined with plans to list on three of the top 10 tier-one exchanges, puts Rexas on a fast track toward broader adoption. With the current Millionaire Giveaway, offering $50,000 USDT prizes to 20 winners, the excitement around Rexas is only increasing. Conclusion: RXS Primed for a New Era in Crypto As the crypto market braces for its next big rally, Rexas Finance (RXS) stands out with its goal of making real-world assets accessible and manageable on a global scale. By bridging the gap between physical assets and blockchain technology, RXS is poised for a major role in the decentralized investment landscape. With a potential 14,608% price surge on the horizon, RXS may not only compete with, but potentially surpass, the likes of Dogecoin and Shiba Inu in real-world utility and investor appeal. For those seeking an innovative investment path, now may be the time to explore what RXS has to offer. For more information about Rexas Finance (RXS) visit the links below: Website: https://rexas.com Whitepaper: https://rexas.com/rexas-whitepaper.pdf Twitter/X: https://x.com/rexasfinance Telegram: https://t.me/rexasfinance (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) The first flight of the integrated Air India-Vistara entity took off for Mumbai from Doha on Monday night. The flight operating with the code 'AI2286' departed Doha at around 10.07 pm local time and is expected to land in Mumbai early on Tuesday morning. The code 'AI2XXX' is being used for Vistara flights that are being operated by Air India post the merger to help passengers identify Vistara flights at the time of booking. Earlier, a source said AI2286 from Doha to Mumbai will be the first flight to be operated by the merged entity on the international segment. According to information from flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, the flight, being operated with an A321 aircraft, departed from Doha at around 10.07 pm local time. The duration of the flight is nearly three hours. On the domestic segment, the combined entity's first scheduled flight AI2984 from Mumbai to Delhi is to take off early Tuesday morning, the source said. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) G77 and China, the largest bloc representing around 130 countries at the UN climate talks, has rejected the framework for a draft negotiating text on a new climate finance goal -- the central issue at this year's climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The substantive framework for a draft negotiating text, prepared by the co-chairs of the Ad Hoc Work Programme on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and published in October, is the first item for countries to deliberate on. However, on Tuesday, G77 and China rejected the framework, arguing it does not accurately reflect the suggestions that developing countries have made for the new climate finance goal. Other groups of developing countries, including the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs), Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and the Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC), backed G77 and China in this rejection. According to the Loss and Damage Collaboration, an international coalition of climate researchers and activists, G77 and China have requested that the co-chairs prepare a new draft text before the next negotiating session. G77 and China demanded that the new climate finance package meet their needs and priorities, with a minimum quantum of USD 1.3 trillion. The group said that this amount should support mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage initiatives, and should be exclusively allocated to developing countries. Developing countries also insist that the new climate finance goal, or NCQG, should prioritize public, grant-based, and concessional finance, as these types of funding are less burdensome for nations already facing financial challenges. Public finance provides a stable support source, while grants and concessional loans (with very low or zero interest) are easier for developing countries to manage. According to the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment, developing countries are also calling for developed countries to provide arrears for the USD 100 billion climate finance goal agreed to in 2009. At COP15 in 2009, developed countries pledged to mobilize USD 100 billion per year to help developing nations adapt to and combat climate change by 2020. However, this target was only met in 2022, with loans accounting for around 70 percent of the total climate finance provided. Developing countries are also asking that the NCQG impose no conditions on access to climate finance. They say resources provided under the new goal must be predictable, new and additional, adequate, grant-based, and concessional, and must not create fiscal constraints or debt burdens. Among developed countries, the European Union has said that the amount of public finance depends on several factors, such as funding sources, contributor base, and the timeframe of the finance goal. The United States said that the NCQG should be a multilayered global investment goal applicable to all countries. It also argued that developing countries already providing substantial climate finance bilaterally should also contribute. Islamabad, Nov 12 (PTI) An overseas Pakistani group has proposed to acquire Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for over Rs 130 billion, including a pledge to settle the airline's Rs 250 billion debt, a media report said on Tuesday. The group initially proposed a Rs 125 billion bid and later raised the proposed amount to Rs 130 billion, The Express Tribune newspaper reported. The group, Al Nahang, had reportedly sent a formal offer via email to the ministers of privatisation, aviation and defence, outlining its vision to revitalise PIA. In addition to debt repayment, Al Nahangs proposal promises not to lay off PIA employees and offers a phased plan to double salaries across 30 pay periods. The group also presented a comprehensive business plan, which includes adding modern aircraft to the PIAs fleet and developing the airline into a maintenance hub for other carriers. The development comes after a local Pakistan group offered just Rs 10 billion to buy the airline, which was far below the minimum Rs 85 billion price tag set by the government to sell the national flag carrier. Consequently, the process was halted as aviation minister Aleem Khan said at a press conference that the national asset would not be offloaded at a throwaway price. Citing sources, the paper reported that Pakistan's Civil Aviation officials have finalised a plan for the restoration of Pakistani airlines' operations in European countries. The proposal, which aims to address the concerns that led to the initial restrictions, will be presented to European authorities. In July 2020, a scandal involving suspicious pilot licenses led to a ban on all Pakistani airlines, including PIA, in Europe and the UK. A meeting of the European Aviation Safety Committee is scheduled to begin in Brussels on November 19, 2024, where the potential resumption of Pakistani airlines, including national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), in European airspace is expected to be discussed. The meeting will bring together representatives from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), aviation officials from various European nations, and a delegation from Pakistans Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Express News reported. Earlier in September, the CAA informed the EASA that it fulfilled all conditions related to aviation safety and has requested permission for the national flag carrier PIA to resume flights to the European Union and the United Kingdom. According to sources, several online technical sessions have taken place between the CAA and EASA officials. During these extensive sessions, discussions focused on the restoration of PIA flights to Europe and the UK. In these sessions, which lasted several hours, the CAA team briefed European officials on the safety measures taken by Pakistan. It informed EASA that it had completed all the required conditions set by the agency. The CAA also requested that the EU authority grant immediate permission for the restoration of Pakistani airlines. According to sources, the government wants PIA flights to Europe and the UK to resume before the privatisation process of PIA is completed, according to the newspaper. Chennai, Nov 12 (PTI) TVS Supply Chain Solutions Ltd, part of the TVS Mobility Group, reported a consolidated profit after tax of Rs 10.6 crore for the July-September 2024 quarter, the company said on Tuesday. The city-based company had posted a net loss of Rs 21.9 crore during the same quarter of the previous financial year. For the six-month period ending September 30, 2024, the profit after tax stood at Rs 18.1 crore, compared to a net loss of Rs 73.1 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Commenting on the financial performance, managing director Ravi Viswanathan said, "Q2 results demonstrate our ability to sustain growth momentum in both revenue and profit, amid ongoing macroeconomic challenges. New business wins have contributed Rs 280 crore to revenue for the quarter." "Our global account management strategy has helped us close large deals, which gives us confidence in sustaining growth momentum. Overall, the results reflect our resilience in navigating a complex environment, and we remain confident about our profitable growth in the coming quarters," he added. The consolidated revenue from operations for the quarter increased to Rs 2,512.9 crore, compared to Rs 2,262.9 crore in the same period of the previous year. For the half-year period ending September 30, 2024, revenue from operations rose to Rs 5,052.3 crore, up from Rs 4,551.8 crore in the same period last year. "Our Q2 results reflect sustained revenue growth, along with continued improvement in profitability, driven by our focus on operational efficiency and cost management," said Global CFO Ravi Prakash Bhagavathula. "Our ability to fund growth through internal resources has enabled us to effectively manage borrowings, driving profit before tax (PBT)," he added. During the quarter, the company's Integrated Supply Chain Solutions (ISCS) segment saw a marginal expansion of 90 basis points year-on-year, due to continued focus on operational efficiency and a disciplined approach to cost management. Revenue from the ISCS segment grew to Rs 1,348.5 crore during the quarter, compared to Rs 1,269.5 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. The Network Solutions (NS) segment reported revenue of Rs 1,164.4 crore during the July-September 2024 quarter, compared to Rs 993.4 crore in the year-ago period. "This segment has shown sequential revenue growth for four consecutive quarters since the third quarter of the previous financial year," the company added. Chennai, Nov 12 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Petroproducts Ltd has reported a standalone profit after tax for the quarter ending September 2024 at Rs 2.83 crore, the city-based company said on Tuesday. The petrochemical manufacturing company had registered a profit after tax of Rs 15.79 crore during the corresponding quarter of last financial year. In a statement on Tuesday, the company said it had incurred Rs 1.62 crore during the quarter towards taking up material damage and plant restoration activities on account of the damage caused by Cyclone Mchaung which crossed Chennai coast in December 2023. Revenues during the quarter under review stood at Rs 455.66 crore, as against Rs 441.35 crore registered in the year ago period. The operating performance reflects stable demand and reduced realisations in the context of higher energy and input costs, the company said. "Despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges, Tamilnadu Petroproducts Ltd has achieved revenue growth compared to the same period last year. Our focus on operational efficiency and cost management has been a key highlight," company Vice Chairman Ashwin Muthiah said. "We remain committed to fostering long-term customer relationships while prioritising environmentally friendly products and solutions," he added. Raipur, Nov 12 (PTI) A lawyer from Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur was arrested by the Mumbai police on Tuesday over allegations of threatening to kill Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and demanding Rs 50 lakh last week, an official said. The lawyer was produced in a Raipur court, which granted his three-day transit remand to Mumbai police, allowing it to take the accused to Mumbai for further investigation. On November 7, a Mumbai police team visited Raipur as part of its investigation into the case and summoned the lawyer, Faizan Khan, for questioning after it emerged that the death threat call was made to a police station in the financial capital using a phone number registered in his name. The Mumbai police on Tuesday morning informed their counterparts in the Chhattisgarh capital that they have arrested Faizan Khan from the Pandri police station area as part of their probe into the threat call to the actor, Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Santosh Singh told PTI. Citing preliminary information, the SSP said the threat and extortion call was made using a phone registered in the name of Faizan Khan. During questioning, the lawyer told the investigators he had lost his mobile phone and lodged a complaint in this connection at the Khamardih police station in Raipur on November 2, he said. The Mumbai police must have found Faizan Khan's link with the threat call and therefore, they have rounded him up. They are carrying out further investigation, Singh said. The Mumbai police produced Faizan Khan in the court of V Civil Judge Junior Division Dharini Rana. The court granted his transit remand to Mumbai police till November 15, another police official here said. Faizan's lawyer sought his re-medical examination which was denied by the court, he said. The Bandra police station in Mumbai had received a call on November 5 with the person on the other side threatening to kill Shah Rukh Khan and demanding Rs 50 lakh. The actor's home is located in Bandra. Subsequently, an case was registered against the unidentified caller. The case was filed by the Bandra police under sections 308(4) (extortion involving threats of death or serious injury) and 351(3)(4) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the caller, the official said. The threat to the 59-year-old superstar follows a series of such phone calls targeting fellow actor Salman Khan, allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Talking to reporters in Raipur last week, Faizan Khan had claimed his phone was stolen and termed the threat call made from his communication device a conspiracy against him. "My phone was stolen on November 2 and I lodged a complaint. I told the Mumbai police about it. They interrogated me for about two hours," he had said. The lawyer, however, added he had earlier complained to the Mumbai police against Shah Rukh Khan over a dialogue in his movie 'Anjaam' (1994) referring to deer hunting. "I hail from Rajasthan. The Bishnoi community (whose members mainly reside in Rajasthan) is my friend. It is in their religion to protect deer. So, if a Muslim says something like this about deer, it is condemnable. Therefore, I raised an objection," he had said. Mumbai, Nov 12 (PTI) Mumbai Police on Tuesday arrested a budding song writer for allegedly sending threat messages to Bollywood actor Salman Khan and demanding Rs 5 crore from him in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, an official said. Sohail Pasha, held from Raichur in Karnataka, wanted a song written by him to become famous and used this ploy for the purpose, police claimed. The WhatsApp helpline of Mumbai traffic police on November 7 received multiple messages stating that the sender was a member of the Bishnoi gang, and Salman Khan would be killed if he did not pay Rs 5 crore. They would also kill the writer of the song "Main Sikandar Hun", the sender warned. The crime branch of Mumbai Police tracked down the mobile number from which the messages had come to Raichur. Accordingly, a team was sent to Karnataka and Vyankatesh Narayan, who owned the number, was interrogated, the official said. But Narayan's mobile phone had no Internet facility, he said. Police then found that his phone had received a WhatsApp installation OTP. Narayan told police that on November 3, a stranger approached him in a marketplace and asked if he could have Narayan's phone for making a call. Probe revealed that the man had installed WhatsApp on his own mobile by using Narayan's mobile number to obtain an OTP, the official said. The crime branch team then zeroed in on Pasha at Manavi village near Raichur. He turned out to be the writer of "Main Sikandar Hun" song mentioned in the threat, the official said, adding that he wanted to make the song famous and hence used this ploy of including it in a threat message to a famous person. Pasha was brought to Mumbai and handed over to Worli police for further probe, the official said. The traffic police helpline has received at least four threat messages for Salman Khan in the recent months. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The approval of the digitalization concept in Azerbaijan is expected in the near future, Chairperson of the Board of Azerbaijan's Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) Inara Valiyeva told Trend. "Ideas for roadmaps are being developed across various sectors. For example, we are working with the private sector, covering not only individual ministries but the entire range of areas as a whole. We are creating a roadmap for this area, and work on it is currently ongoing. Similar work is being done for other sectors, including education. A complete concept for digitalization is being developed, including key performance indicators that we will use to measure the success of digitalization in the country and in government agencies. This concept is currently awaiting approval by the government. We expect approval to happen in the near future," she said. Previously, IDDA, together with state institutions, developed a roadmap to determine which services and in what order will be digitized. The agency was founded as a public legal organization under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport by a decree issued by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on October 11, 2021. IDDA is committed to coordinating digital transformation activities across the country, developing a local innovation environment, and enhancing the overall ecosystem. The agency's primary focus areas include nuclear science and technology testing, assisting individuals and entities with innovation-driven scientific research and startups, facilitating the adoption of modern technologies, ensuring accessible educational and career opportunities in the ICT sector, and establishing and managing the digital government and society. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) "Tiku Weds Sheru" actor Avneet Kaur says she is still "pinching herself" after she got a chance to meet Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise on the sets of his upcoming film "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning". The 23-year-old actor shared a series of posts from her interaction with the action icon on her Instagram handle on Monday. While Kaur didn't specify where she met Cruise, she said it was "awe inspiring" to witness the magic of filmmaking firsthand. "I'm still pinching myself! I had the incredible opportunity to visit the set of the next #MissionImpossible film, starring the one and only Tom Cruise!" she wrote. "Tom's dedication to performing real, practical stunts continues to raise the bar. Can't wait to share more about my experience! Stay tuned for updates closer to the release date, May 23, 2025! #MI8 #MissionImpossible @paramountpicsin," she added. An excited Kaur also shared pictures with Cruise, 62, on her Instagram Stories. The actor, also known for dance reality show "DID Little Masters" and TV serial "Aladdin - Naam Toh Suna Hoga", thanked Cruise for making her feel so welcome. "... to remind me to always learn new things and keep growing! I was shook to see you perform all those dangerously difficult stunts all by yourself!! You create magic in cinema and in real life too! I'll always remember your kind words and the way you see this world!" she wrote. Kaur praised Cruise, who enjoys a massive fan following in India, for his humility. "I'm so blessed I got a chance to get to know you in my life! The dedication and hardwork I've seen you do is unreal. Thank you for being an inspiration to so many young actors out there like me to truly believe in your passion and never give up. "You continue to inspire and create history everyday! Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your world and letting me experience the the magic you create on sets in real life!" "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning", the eighth installment in the spy action franchise, will see Cruise reprise his fan-favourite character of Agent Ethan Hunt. The first "Mission Impossible" film released in 1996. Los Angeles, Nov 12 (PTI) Actor Timothee Chalamet, who made inroads in Hollywood starring in indie movies like "Lady Bird" and "Beautiful Boy", says an agent once asked him to gain weight to help book blockbuster roles. Chalamet then tasted success with Luca Guadagnino's "Call Me By Your Name", which also earned him a best actor Academy Award. He went on to star in studio tentpoles "Little Women" and the "Dune" franchise. The actor is now looking forward to the release of "A Complete Unknown", a biographical drama film on singing legend Bob Dylan. If I auditioned for The Maze Runner or Divergent, things of that variety that were popping when I was coming up, the feedback was always, Oh, you dont have the right body. I had an agent that called me and said, You got to put on weight, basically, not aggressively, but you know, Chalamet told Zane Lowe in an interview. This experience eventually helped him prepare for "A Complete Unknown", he said. I wont say its weird, but I can relate to some of these things (Dylan) went through. Bob wanted to be a rock n roll star Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Elvis Presley that was the sort of, depending on your point of view, the sort of rice crispy pop, rock & roll music that was saturated, you know, marketed to kids in the late 50s. Equally, I wanted to be a big movie actor, Chalamet added. He said he found "a very personal style movie" by working in smaller films like "Call Me By Your Name", "Beautiful Boy", "Lady Bird", "Little Women", "Miss Stevens", and "Hot Summer Nights". "Those were smaller budget (films) but very I dont know how else to put it. personable movies that started in this theatre space. This is where I found my rhythm, my confidence, my flow, whatever you want to call it." "A Complete Unknown", directed by James Mangold, will hit the screens on Christmas. Los Angeles, Nov 12 (PTI) Oscar-winner Mark Rylance, known for his roles in "Bridge of Spies", "The BFG" and "Dunkirk", is reportedly at the top of the casting wishlist to play Dumbledore for HBO's new adaptation of "Harry Potter". Rylance, who is starring as Thomas Cromwell in the highly-anticipated BBC period drama Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light (based on Hilary Mantels third novel in Cromwell series), is being circled for the role, Variety reported quoting sources. The publication said that while Warner Bros. Television hasnt yet entered into negotiations with the actor, the studio has reached out to gauge interest and availability of the actor for the series. A rep for HBO told Variety: We appreciate that such a high profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals. Warner Bros had launched an open casting call for the leads Harry, Hermoine and Ron, who were played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in the eight-part movie franchise. The series will most likely go ahead with newcomers for the top three characters and mix it with veterans for the adult cast like the movie franchise, which featured Richard Harris as Dumbledore and roped in Michael Gambon after his death. Late star Maggie Smith played Professor McGonagall and Alan Rickman starred as Professor Snape. Rylance, 64, won an Academy Award for best supporting actor in 2016 for his work in Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies. New York, Nov 12 (AP) A judge is due to decide Tuesday whether to undo President-elect Donald Trump's conviction in his hush money case because of a US Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. New York Judge Juan M Merchan, who presided over Trump's historic trial, is now tasked with deciding whether to toss out the jury verdict and order a new trial or even dismiss the charges altogether. The judge's ruling also could speak to whether the former and now future commander-in-chief will be sentenced as scheduled November 26. The Republican won back the White House a week ago but the legal question concerns his status as a past president, not an impending one. A jury convicted Trump in May of falsifying business records related to a USD 1,30,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. The payout was to buy her silence about claims that she had sex with Trump. He says they didn't, denies any wrongdoing and maintains the prosecution was a political tactic meant to harm his latest campaign. Just over a month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can't be prosecuted for actions they took in the course of running the country, and prosecutors can't cite those actions even to bolster a case centred on purely personal conduct. Trump's lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some evidence it shouldn't have, such as Trump's presidential financial disclosure form and testimony from some White House aides. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only a sliver of their case. Trump's criminal conviction was a first for any ex-president. It left the 78-year-old facing the possibility of punishment ranging from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison. The case centred on how Trump accounted for reimbursing his personal attorney for the Daniels payment. The lawyer, Michael Cohen, fronted the money. He later recouped it through a series of payments that Trump's company logged as legal expenses. Trump, by then in the White House, signed most of the checks himself. Prosecutors said the designation was meant to cloak the true purpose of the payments and help cover up a broader effort to keep voters from hearing unflattering claims about the Republican during his first campaign. Trump said that Cohen was legitimately paid for legal services, and that Daniels' story was suppressed to avoid embarrassing Trump's family, not to influence the electorate. Trump was a private citizen campaigning for president, but neither elected nor sworn in when Cohen paid Daniels in October 2016. He was president when Cohen was reimbursed, and Cohen testified that they discussed the repayment arrangement in the Oval Office. Trump has been fighting for months to overturn the verdict and could now seek to leverage his status as president-elect. Although he was tried as a private citizen, his forthcoming return to the White House could propel a court to step in and avoid the unprecedented spectacle of sentencing a former and future president. While urging Merchan to nix the conviction, Trump also has been trying to move the case to federal court. Before the election, a federal judge repeatedly said no to the move, but Trump has appealed. (AP) NPK NPK Islamabad, Nov 12 (PTI) The IMF is concerned over Pakistan's strategy to address the challenges of declining electricity demand due to increased solarisation and surplus imported gas owing to weakened economic demand, according to a media report. Led by Washington-based mission chief Nathan Porter, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team arrived in Pakistan for a week to scrutinise the implementation of the three-year USD 7 billion bailout package soon after its approval by the board in September. On the first day of meetings on Monday, the IMF raised questions about the power sector, focused on plans to manage the solarisation challenge and the surplus imported gas, The Express Tribune newspaper reported, quoting sources. The meeting was attended by Pakistan's Minister for Power Awais Laghari, Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik, the secretaries of Finance, Power, and Petroleum, and the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue. During the meeting, the IMF also raised the issue of reducing electricity demand due to an increasing trend of installing rooftop solar panels as an alternative to highly expensive electricity. However, the global lender did not get a satisfactory reply to its questions on solar use and urged the energy ministry to take the lead on the matter. The IMF also asked about the impact of the Punjab government's policy to incentivise solar use, which is contrary to the federal government's policies. During programme talks in May last year, Pakistan briefed the IMF about soon ending the net metering policy for rooftop solar panels and replacing it with gross metering aimed at selling highly expensive and unaffordable grid electricity to consumers. Pakistan's middle-class to rich people are converting to solar-based in-house power generation after the cost of electricity has become unaffordable due to highly expensive seller-favoured power purchase agreements, inefficiency of the power system, and uncontrolled theft and leakages. The issue of about 1000 mmcfd (million standard cubic feet per day) surplus imported gas and Pakistan's commitment to disconnect the gas connection to the in-house power generation plans of the industries also came up for discussions, said the sources. Under a condition by the IMF, Pakistan is required to disconnect the gas for the in-house power generation plants of the industries by January 2025. There is a strong resentment within the industry about its adverse impact on the cost of doing business. Pakistan proposed that industries may be allowed to run on imported gas on a full-cost recovery basis. Currently, the government charges about Rs 2,950 per MMBtu (Metric Million British Thermal Unit) for the use of imported gas in captive power plants, which is about Rs 700 less than the market price. The assessment by the IMF is important for the success of the loan and the economic recovery of Pakistan, which narrowly avoided a default last year with the timely help of the lender. Moscow, Nov 12 (AP) Russia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed final reading of a bill to ban adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal. The measure, which now goes to the upper house of parliament and then to President Vladimir Putin for signing into law, follows an array of measures in recent years suppressing non-traditional sexuality. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who authored the bill, said on the Telegram messaging app that it is extremely important to eliminate possible dangers in the form of gender reassignment that adopted children may face in these countries. He listed at least 15 countries that the law would apply to, most of them in Europe but including Australia, Argentina and Canada. Adoption of Russian children by US citizens was banned in 2012. Putin and other top officials in recent years have increasingly called for observing so-called traditional values as a counter to Western liberalism characterised as degenerate. Russia last year banned gender-transition medical procedures and its Supreme Court declared the LGBTQ+ movement to be extremist. In 2022, Putin signed a law prohibiting the distribution of LGBTQ+ information to people of all ages, expanding a ban issued in 2013 on disseminating the material to minors. The parliament is also considering a measure that would criminalise "propaganda that discourages people from having children. (AP) GRS GRS Tallinn, Nov 12 (AP) A doctor accused of criticising the war in Ukraine in front of a patient was convicted Tuesday of spreading false information about the Russian military and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison, part of an unrelenting Kremlin crackdown on dissent. Dr. Nadezhda Buyanova, 68, was arrested in February after Anastasia Akinshina, the mother of one of her patients, reported the pediatrician to authorities. Akinshina alleged that Buyanova told her and her son that his father, a Russian soldier who was killed in Ukraine, was a legitimate target for Kyiv's troops and had blamed Moscow for the war. A video of the outraged Akinshina complaining about Buyanova was widely publicised, and chief of Russia's Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin personally demanded a criminal case be brought against the doctor. Buyanova, who was born in western Ukraine, denied the accusation, insisting she never said what she was accused of saying. In a tearful closing statement to the court last week, she had urged it to acquit her. Her defence argued that the prosecution failed to present evidence that the purported conversation took place, including any recordings of it, and alleged that her accuser fabricated the story out of animosity toward Ukrainians, according to the independent news site Mediazona, which reported all of the hearings in the trial. In her closing statement to the court, Buyanova said it was painful to read the accusations in the indictment, and broke down. A doctor, especially a pediatrician, is not capable of wishing harm to a child, his mother, or traumatising the child's psyche. Only a monster is capable of this -- and of the words that I allegedly said to them, Mediazona quoted her as saying. Spreading false information about the army has been a criminal offense since March 2022, when Russia adopted a series of laws prohibiting any public expression about the invasion that deviated from the official narrative. Authorities started actively using them against critics and protesters. According to OVD-Info, one of Russia's leading rights groups that tracks political arrests, more than 1,000 people have been implicated in criminal cases on charges related to speaking or acting out against the war. (AP) GRS GRS Lahore, Nov 12 (PTI) A non-profit foundation in Lahore on Tuesday slammed the government for scrapping a plan to rename Shadman Chowk after freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and install his statue there on the recommendation of a retired Pakistani military official. The Metropolitan Corporation of Lahore on Friday in a reply to a contempt petition filed by Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation Pakistan Chairman Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi in the Lahore High Court said that a proposed plan to name Shadman Chowk after Bhagat Singh and place his statue there has been scrapped in light of an observation submitted by Commodore (retd.) Tariq Majeed. It said that Majeed, engaged by the government in a committee to rename Shadman Chowk after Singh, in his observations claimed that Singh "was not a revolutionary but a criminal, in todays terms he was a terrorist, he killed a British police officer, and for this crime, he was hanged along with two accomplices." Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the foundation chairman Qureshi said Majeed should remember the speech of Pakistan's founder M A Jinnah for the praise of revolutionary Bhagat Singh in the Central Assembly before calling him a "criminal and terrorist". "Jinnah not only praised the sacrificial personality of Bhagat Singh and his comrades but also stood in their support with the strongest possible intention and questioned British law and order and principles," Qureshi said. "We cannot deny the fact that the sacrifices of the revolutionaries in the freedom movement gave a tough challenge to British rule, among whom the whole world knows the name of Bhagat Singh, born in today's Pakistan, and considers his ideas important for the welfare of humanity," Qureshi said. He termed the government report about Singh "ridiculous, a tampering with history" and presented the Islamic point of view in a distorted manner. "Bhagat Singh is a revolutionary son born on the soil of Pakistan and we cannot let the history of our country be destroyed for pseudo-political purposes," he said. "Here it also becomes clear that in reality the view that the colonial British government once had about Bhagat Singh, is almost the same view that the representatives of the current Punjab government of Maryam Nawaz are holding that he was a criminal, murderer, terrorist," he said. Qureshi also said his organisation is open to any government scrutiny on allegations of foreign funding. Colombo, Nov 12 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday scheduled the inaugural session of the newly elected parliament for next week, following last Thursday's parliamentary election. As per tradition, the initial session will focus on electing the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and the Deputy Chairman of Committees. I, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, do by this proclamation summon parliament to meet at the chamber of parliament, on the twenty first day of November 2024 at 10.00 am, a government gazette stated. The recent parliamentary election has resulted in a new parliament of 225 members -- 196 representatives elected from 22 electoral districts and an additional 29 selected from a national list based on each partys overall vote share. Dissanayake in September dissolved parliament, almost a year ahead of the scheduled closure in August 2025. The National People's Power (NPP) coalition led by Dissanayake is seeking parliamentary support for sweeping social reforms, positioning itself as a break from the governance model that has dominated Sri Lanka since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. Dissanayakes victory in the September presidential election marked a historic achievement for the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the founding party of the NPP, as it became the first electoral win for the party since its establishment in 1965. Known for leading uprisings in 1971 and 1987, the JVP shifted to a democratic platform in 1994 and has since pursued political reform within Sri Lanka's democratic framework, despite multiple electoral challenges. Washington, Nov 12 (PTI) US President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State and Congressman Mike Waltz as his National Security Advisor. Rubio, 53, is considered to be a friend of India and has been an advocate of the India-US relationship, while Waltz, 50, is an old-India hand and has been co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for India and Indian Americans for years. By picking Rubio and Waltz as his top diplomat and NSA guarantees a continuation of bi-partisan support and further strengthening of India-US relationship under the second Trump administration. The news of these two major appointments came as the Republican party won a majority in the House of Representatives, thus giving Trump control over both the wings of the US Congress. The role of NSA does not require Senate confirmation. There has been no official statement from the Trump Transition Team. Im thrilled for my friend, Florida colleague, and our next Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He will restore American leadership around the world, especially in Latin America, as he represents the United States with dignity and courage! Florida Senator Rick Scott said. Scott is seeking to be the Senate Majority Leader, which is currently being held by Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer. I am thrilled that President Trump has chosen Rep. Mike Waltz to serve as his National Security Adviser. There is no one more capable or qualified for this crucial role, said Congressman Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, As a Green Beret, Rep. Waltz bravely fought to defend our nation. As a leader on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Waltz has continued to work around the clock to bolster US national security. Our national security is in good hands with Rep. Waltz at the helm, Rogers said. Waltz, a Trump loyalist, is a combat-decorated Green Beret who served in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa. He would be the first former Green Beret to hold the role. Waltz has served in Congress since 2019. He has called for Europe to do more to support Ukraine and for the US to be more stringent with its support, aligning with a key foreign policy goal of the president-elect. He has also been a staunch critic of the Biden administrations 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, The Hill reported. Earlier in the day, Trump announced the nomination of former Congressman from New York, Lee Zeldin, as The Administrator of The United States Environmental Protective Agency (EPA). Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet. He will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way, Trump said. He earlier nominated Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to serve in his Cabinet as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is a strong and very smart America First fighter. She graduated from Harvard University, with honours, was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, and is the highest ranking woman in Congress, as the House Republican Conference Chair, Trump said. She was the first Member of Congress to endorse me and has always been a staunch advocate. Elise is a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Intelligence Committee, and led the charge against antisemitism on college campuses. She will be an incredible Ambassador to the United Nations, delivering Peace through Strength and America First National Security policies! said the president-elect. As the GPHG 2024 awards ceremony approaches, WorldTempus dives into the nominees for the coveted Mens Watch Prize. From daring innovations to classic refinement, this years selection brings together the best in horology. Which timepiece will capture the heart of the GPHG academy? The Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve (GPHG) prize-giving ceremony takes place this coming Wednesday. Often heralded as the Oscars of watchmaking, the red-carpet gala celebrates excellence in horology across numerous categories, with one of its most coveted awards being the Mens Watch Prize. Over the past decade, this category has showcased a fascinating mix of traditional craftsmanship, cutting-edge innovation and daring design. From the elegance of Akrivias Chronometre Contemporain to the pioneering spirit of Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthouds FB 1 and the sleek technicity of Bulgaris Octo Finissimo Automatic, the GPHG Men's Watch Prize has come to represent the very best in modern watchmaking aimed, primarily, towards men. As with last year, we took a poll in the office to see who could steal the spotlight and take home the award this time around. Lets dive into the nominated watches and explore what makes each a strong contender! Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Platinum Bulgaris Octo Finissimo series has cemented itself as a tour de force in ultra-thin watchmaking, racking up numerous awards and records. This year at the GPHG, the Octo Finissimo Ultra Platinum builds on that legacy, bringing together avant-garde design and a feat of engineering in one ultra-slim offering. The Octo Finissimo Ultra achieved the title of the thinnest mechanical watch in the world at the time of its release and, with a thickness of just 1.80mm, its almost unfathomable how much Bulgari has packed into such a slender package. The watchs 40mm platinum case is satin-polished and sandblasted, creating a textured, monochromatic effect thats sleek and sophisticated. The skeletonised dial and tungsten carbide mainplate offer an intimate look at the inner workings though not that inner given the thinness of this manual-winding marvel. Bulgaris CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin, may very well find himself back on the GPHG stage with this one, further solidifying the brand's reputation as an innovator in modern watchmaking. Octo Finissimo Ultra Platinum Bulgari Garrick S3 MK2 A celebration of British craftsmanship, Garricks S3 MK2 is a nod to traditional watchmaking with a distinctly contemporary edge. This iteration features a skeletonised dial that reveals the UT-G04 calibre, a movement with a number of in-house made components that have been painstakingly decorated and polished by hand. The S3 MK2 stands out for its refined aesthetics and attention to detail from its printed openwork dial with neatly grained wheels to its prominent Trinity free-sprung balance. This 42mm steel and gold watch exudes a sense of English sophistication while displaying Garrick's commitment to artisanal details. Following the nomination of its S4 model in 2021s Petite Aiguille category, Garrick is now setting its sights on the Mens Prize, hoping to bring some of Norfolks horological splendour to Geneva. S3 MK2 Garrick Grand Seiko Manual-Winding Hi-Beat 36000 Grand Seikos commitment to chronometric excellence and finely tuned mechanics finds a worthy expression in its nature-inspired Manual-Winding Hi-Beat 36000. After clinching the Mens Watch Prize in 2021, the Japanese company returns with yet another Hi-Beat marvel, featuring the Evolution 9 Collections latest manual-wound Calibre 9SA4. The 38.6mm titanium case, with Zaratsu polishing, radiates an almost ethereal glow, while the textured dial subtly mimics the beauty of birch trees. The click of the winding mechanism, inspired by Japan's wagtail bird, adds a satisfying, sensory dimension to the ritual of winding. Manual-Winding Hi-Beat 36000 Grand Seiko Hajime Asaoka Tsunami "Art Deco" Grand Seiko is not the only representative from Japan in the Mens Watch category: From revered independent watchmaker, Hajime Asaoka, comes the Tsunami "Art Deco," a testament to his flair for detail and commitment to traditional craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from 1930s Art Deco and the automotive designs of Delage and Delahaye, this 37mm steel watch is a fusion of vintage and modern elegance. The enamelled dial with vertically contrasting colours is intricate yet bold, while Asaoka's hand-finished 'Tako' wheel in gold stands as a signature of his expertise. The Tsunami "Art Deco" is sure to draw the eye and perhaps the votes of those with a taste for handcrafted beauty paired with retro styling. Tsunami "Art Deco" Hajime Asaoka Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Petite Seconde Platinum Following its stunning revival at this years Watches & Wonders salon, the Toric Petite Seconde from Parmigiani Fleurier is a nod to the brand's classical roots, blended seamlessly with modern elegance. Housed in a 40.6mm platinum case with an 8.8mm height, the Toric Petite Seconde showcases Parmigianis iconic knurled bezel, reminiscent of ancient Doric columns. The hand-grained dial in celadon grey gives a refined, matte finish that is at once minimalist and rich. Inside, the in-house manually-wound Caliber PF780 operates with fine efficiency, offering a 60-hour power reserve. Through the sapphire crystal case back, Parmigianis dedication to craftsmanship is on full display, with Cotes de Fleurier-decorated bridges that further elevate this piece. Toric Petite Seconde Platinum Parmigiani Fleurier Voutilainen KV20i Reversed No GPHG would be complete without an entry from Kari Voutilainen. This year, the Val-de-Travers-based Finn returns with the KV20i Reversed, a watch that, at first glance, recalls his 28ti model that triumphed in the Mens Prize in 2019 with its inverted movement. Similarly, the KV20i Reversed offers a cool twist: its back-to-front construction provides a neat way to appreciate Voutilainens mesmerising movement construction and legendary hand-finishing, with the watchs single-arm balance wheel stealing the show. This 39mm platinum watch has an overall alluring blue-and-grey colour scheme that looks sober yet contemporary. As usual, each component has been crafted, decorated and assembled in-house, reflecting the brands dedication to high-quality, low-volume watchmaking. With six GPHG Mens Prize wins already under his belt, Voutilainen is once again a formidable contender. KV20i Reversed Voutilainen The WorldTempus Votes Are In! After an exciting round of anonymous voting in our office, two names have surfaced as clear favourites, both receiving an equal number of votes: Parmigiani Fleuriers refined Toric Petite Seconde Platinum and Bulgaris innovative Octo Finissimo Ultra Platinum. Each represents a different facet of what makes the Mens Watch category so compelling. Parmigianis piece exudes classic elegance with every detail designed to perfection, while Bulgaris creation speaks to modern minimalism and ultra-technical prowess. Will it be the timeless charm of the Toric, the groundbreaking slimness of the Octo Finissimo or perhaps one of the other four fine contenders that sways the GPHG academy? We cant wait to find out! Join us on WorldTempus for the official live feed of the 2024 GPHG Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 13 November at 6:15 pm CET, and witness the crowning of this years finest in watchmaking. Dont miss it! Watch the GPHG ceremony live Baku, Nov 12 (PTI) In a landmark decision at the first day of the global climate talks here, COP29 have officially adopted the new operational standards for a mechanism of the Paris Agreement under Article 6, setting the stage for a global carbon market. This adoption of article 6.4, achieved during the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA), sets the stage for operationalising Article 6, which has faced years of deadlock. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement facilitates international collaboration to lower carbon emissions. It offers two pathways for countries and companies to trade carbon offsets, supporting the achievement of emission reduction targets set in their climate action plans, or nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The first option, known as Article 6.2, allows two countries to establish a bilateral carbon trading agreement under their own terms. The second, Article 6.4, seeks to develop a centralised, UN-managed system to enable both countries and companies to offset and trade carbon emissions. The Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, tasked with creating a United Nations-governed carbon market, finalised essential standards covering carbon removal projects and methodology guidance. These include guidelines on the development and assessment of methodologies and requirements for carbon removal activities. While previously delayed by conflicting views over transparency and quality, the early adoption of these standards is intended to streamline carbon market operations. Despite the historic agreement, concerns arose over the process. Some delegates questioned whether the Presidencys swift push to adopt these standards at the start of COP29 undermined traditional governance procedures. Negotiations had previously faltered due to divergent views on how permanent and reliable carbon credits should be. At COP28, disputes over forest credits and deforestation risks hindered progress, leading some stakeholders to worry that the expedited adoption at COP29 could set a precedent for sidestepping scrutiny. Environmental organisations expressed cautious optimism. John Verdieck, Global Climate Policy Lead at The Nature Conservancy, noted, The Art 6.4 decision is a helpful start to COP29. We need every financial mechanism we can get to solve the climate crisis. Florence Laloe, Senior Director of Climate Policy at Conservation International, added that the adoption of standards under Article 6.4 moves the market closer to full operationalization, helping overcome a procedural hurdle and enabling countries to address other critical issues at COP. Experts also emphasised the need for continuous improvement. Dhruba Purkayastha from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) praised the methodological standards, especially the provisions for downward adjustment to ensure credible baselines. However, he flagged remaining issues, such as the lack of clear standards for post-crediting monitoring periods and reversal risk assessments, which he noted are essential for long-term market reliability. The Article 6.4 mechanism is seen as an important tool in bridging the climate finance gap. As Laloe noted, "Science shows that it is mathematically impossible to meet global climate goals without nature. The mechanism aims to enhance climate finance flows to countries with carbon-rich ecosystems, supporting both environmental integrity and equitable access to funding. Despite this achievement, significant elements under Article 6 remain unresolved, especially Article 6.2, which governs bilateral trades between countries. The EU and the US remain divided over transparency requirements, and these talks will continue throughout COP29. For Article 6.4, additional standards on insurance policies, stress testing of the Reversal Risk Buffer Pool, and monitoring frameworks are still needed to ensure rigor and investor confidence. As negotiations advance, stakeholders urge continued commitment to a transparent, equitable, and functional global carbon market, stressing that the urgency of the climate crisis demands both ambitious action and robust oversight. London, Nov 12 (PTI) The UK has reiterated its support for permanent membership for India in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as part of an expansion of the international panel to ensure it can continue to rise to the pressing challenges faced by the world. In an address to a UN General Assembly plenary in New York on Monday, UK Ambassador to the General Assembly Archie Young reflected upon Prime Minister Keir Starmers statement at the UNGA back in September calling for UNSC reforms to ensure the global multilateral system is more representative and more responsive. Besides India, Young stressed that the UK wants permanent representation for Africa, Brazil, Germany and Japan. The UK believes that a reformed Council, coupled with a collective, renewed commitment to the UN Charter, would strengthen the Council, so it can continue to rise to the challenges the world is facing; that is why we remain a strong supporter of UN Security Council Reform. The Council must be expanded, to better reflect the world today, said Young. We continue to support an expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership to a total in the mid-twenties. We want to see permanent African representation, and permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, he said. Reflecting on the 2023 Security Council reform agenda at the UN General Assembly, Britains UN representative recalled the perilous and dangerous state of the world at the time and the challenge this posed to the multilateral system. He noted: A year later, the situation is even more acute, and the need to strengthen our multilateral system through reform, ever more pressing." "During his address to the UN General Assembly in September, my Prime Minister reflected on the increasingly complex and interconnected challenges the world, and our multilateral system, are facing," he said. Conflict touches more countries now than at any time in the history of the United Nations, exacting a terrible human toll in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and elsewhere in the world. The Security Councils role and its responsibility for international peace and security is as important now as it has ever been, he added. Young admitted that agreeing on a model of reform for the Security Council will be difficult but asserted the importance of tackling the issue. It is incumbent on all of us to work together, in the spirit of compromise, to deliver the change we know is needed. The UK is committed to doing just that, and we look forward to detailed and constructive discussions in the intergovernmental negotiations, which we hope will move us forward towards text-based negotiations, he added. The UK's intervention came as India's Permanent Representative to the UN Parvathaneni Harish also focussed his address at the plenary session on urgent UNSC reform. "As we begin this year's deliberations, we note that the reform of the UN Security Council was once again identified as a critical and immediate priority at the summit of the future discussions by our leaders. However, in spite of several decades of collective reiteration of this sentiment, it is disheartening that we have had no results to show in this regard since 1965 when the Council was last expanded in the non-permanent category alone," he said. Deir Al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Nov 12 (AP) Israeli airstrikes hit a cafeteria and a home in Gaza, killing at least 14 people, medical officials said. In Lebanon, warplanes struck the capital Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday after the military ordered a number of houses there to evacuate. The new bombardment on both fronts comes on the verge of a deadline set by the United States for Israel to dramatically ramp up humanitarian aid allowed in Gaza or risk possible restrictions on US military funding. A group of eight international aid agencies said in a report on Tuesday that Israel has failed to meet the US demands. In Lebanon, large explosions shook Beirut's southern suburbs an area known as Dahiyeh where Hezbollah has a significant presence soon after the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 11 houses there. There was no immediate word on casualties. The military said the houses contained Hezbollah installations, but the claim could not be independently confirmed. Late Monday night, a strike hit the village of Ain Yaacoub in northern Lebanon, killing at least 16 people, the Lebanese civil defence said. Four of the killed were Syrian refugees, and there were another 10 people wounded. There was no immediate Israeli military comment on the strike. Israel has been carrying out intensified bombardment of Lebanon since late September, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and put a stop to more than year of cross-border fire by the Lebanese militant group onto northern Israel. At the same time, Israel has continued its campaign in Gaza, now more than 13 months old, triggered by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. An Israeli strike late Monday hit a makeshift cafeteria used by displaced people in Muwasi, the centre of a humanitarian zone that Israel's military declared earlier in the war. At least 11 people were killed, including two children, according to officials at Nasser Hospital, where the casualties were taken. Video from the scene showed men pulling bloodied wounded from among tables and chairs set up in the sand in an enclosure made of corrugated metal sheets. Another strike early Tuesday hit a house in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing three people including a woman, according to al-Awda Hospital, which received the casualties. The strike also wounded 11 others, it said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes. Hours earlier, the Israeli military announced a small expansion of the humanitarian zone, where it has told Palestinians evacuating from other parts of Gaza to take refuge. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are sheltering in sprawling tent camps in and around Muwasi, a largely desolate area of dunes and agricultural fields with few facilities or services along the Mediterranean coast of southern Gaza. Israeli forces have also been besieging the northernmost part of Gaza since the beginning of October, battling Hamas fighters it says regrouped there. With virtually no food or aid allowed in for more than a month, the siege has raised fears of famine among the tens of thousands of Palestinians believed still sheltering there. An October 13 letter signed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin gave Israeli 30 days to, among other things, allow a minimum of 350 truckloads of goods to enter Gaza each day. So far, Israel has fallen short. In October, 57 trucks a day entered Gaza on average, and 70 a day in the 10 days of November, according to Israeli figures. The UN puts the number lower, at 37 trucks daily since the beginning of October. Israel has announced a flurry of measures in recent days to increase aid, including opening a new crossing into central Gaza. But so far the impact is unclear. The military said Tuesday it had allowed hundreds of packages of food and water into Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun, two areas under siege in the far north of Gaza. The Palestinian civil defence agency said three trucks carrying flour, canned food and water reached Beit Hanoun. It was only the second delivery allowed into the area since the beginning of October; a smaller cargo was let in last week, though not all of it reached shelters in the north, according to the UN. The military announced Tuesday that four soldiers were killed in Jabaliya, bringing to 24 the number of soldiers killed in the assault there since it began. Palestinian health officials say hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, though the true numbers are unknown as rescue workers are unable to reach buildings destroyed in strikes. Israel has ordered residents in the area to evacuate. But the UN has estimated some 70,000 people remain. Many Palestinians there fear Israel aims to permanently depopulate the area to more easily keep control of it. On Tuesday, witnesses told The Associated Press that Israeli troops had encircled at least three schools in Beit Hanoun, forcing hundreds of displaced people sheltering inside to leave. Drones blared announcements demanding people move south to Gaza City, said Mahmoud al-Kafarnah, speaking from one of the schools as sounds of gunfire could be heard. The tanks are outside, he said. We don't know where to go. Hashim Afanah, sheltering with at least 20 other people in his family home, said the forces were evicting people from houses and shelters. Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities that do not distinguish between civilians and militants in their count but say more than half the dead are women and children. Israel says it targets Hamas militants and blames the militant group for civilian deaths, saying it operates in residential areas and infrastructure, and among displaced people. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250 as hostages. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, about a third of them believed to be dead. (AP) GRS GRS Peshawar, Nov 12 (PTI) A Pakistani policeman has been arrested for facilitating a lethal suicide bombing in the country's restive northwestern Peshawar city in 2023, which killed over 100 people, mostly policemen. Inspector General of Police Akhat Hayat Khan Gandapur on Tuesday confirmed that Muhammad Wali alias Umar, a police constable from Peshawar, was the "main facilitator and target killer" of the January 30, 2023, attack in in a high-security Police Lines area. More than 100 people, including 86 policemen were killed in the attack while 223 others were injured. The provincial police chief said Wali was arrested in an intelligence-based operation from Jamil Chowk on Ring Road, Peshawar district. Wali, who confessed to facilitating the bombing, escorted the bomber, an Afghan national, into the Peshawar Police Lines area. He joined the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar in 2019 and was recruited via Facebook, Gandapur said, adding that Wali received Rs 2 lakh for the attack. In 2021, Wali visited Afghanistan and met the leadership of the group. The blast occurred when the suicide bomber blew himself up inside the mosque in the Police Lines area when worshippers, including personnel of the police, army and bomb disposal squad, were offering the Zuhr (afternoon) prayers. Peshawar, Nov 12 (PTI) At least 16 people were killed and one woman was injured Tuesday when a bus carrying wedding guests fell into the Indus river in Pakistan's mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region, police said. The incident took place at the Diamer district. The bus was travelling from Astore to Punjabs Chakwal district when it fell from the Telchi bridge into the river, the Dawn newspaper reported. Diamer Senior Superintendent of Police Sher Khan confirmed that 16 bodies have been recovered, with search efforts ongoing for the remaining victims. Sixteen dead bodies have been recovered from the river, while the search for the remaining persons continues, Khan was quoted as saying by the newspaper. He added that a woman, who was the bride, sustained injuries and was receiving treatment at a hospital. However, rescue officials said that 22 people drowned, while one person was saved. Sharing details of the accident earlier, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Shaukat Riaz said the bus coming from Astore fell into the Indus River from Telchi bridge in the limits of Diamer district in the afternoon. The vehicle was part of a wedding procession heading towards Punjabs Chakwal district, he said. He said the passengers who were on board the bus have been identified. Nineteen of them belonged to Astore, while four were from the Chakwal district of Punjab, Riaz said. President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his grief and conveyed his condolences to the victims relatives. Road accidents are frequent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, exacerbated by harsh weather, rugged terrain, poorly maintained roads, overloaded vehicles, and minimal traffic regulations, the Dawn report said. The narrow, winding routes and driver fatigue further elevate risk, making these regions especially accident-prone. In October, two people were killed and 36 others were injured when a Rawalpindi-bound passenger bus fell into a ravine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Upper Kohistan area. Atlanta, Nov 12 (AP) A man on Tuesday waived his right to a jury trial in the killing of a Georgia nursing student, a case that became a flashpoint in the national immigration debate. Jose Ibarra was charged in the February killing of Laken Hope Riley, whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus. A 10-count indictment accused Ibarra of hitting the 22-year-old Augusta University College of Nursing student in the head, asphyxiating her and intending to sexually assault her. Prosecutor Sheila Ross told the judge that Ibarra's attorneys contacted her last week to say that he wanted to waive his right to a jury trial, meaning it would be heard only by the judge. Then Ibarra's attorney Kaitlyn Beck presented the judge with a signed waiver. After questioning Ibarra with the aid of a translator, Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H Patrick Haggard said he found that Ibarra had made the decision to waive a jury trial willingly. Prosecutors had chosen not to seek the death penalty but said in a court filing that they intended to seek a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jury selection had been expected to begin on Wednesday, but after discussion with the lawyers the judge said the bench trial would begin Friday. Shortly after his arrest, federal immigration officials said Ibarra, a Venezuelan citizen, illegally entered the US in 2022 and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case. Immigration was already a major issue in the presidential campaign, and Republicans seized on Riley's killing, with now-President-elect Donald Trump blaming Democratic President Joe Biden's border policies for her death. As he spoke about border security during his State of the Union address just weeks after Riley's killing, Biden mentioned Riley by name. Riley's body was found on Feb 22 near running trails after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run. Police have said her killing appeared to be a random attack. Ibarra was arrested the next day and is being held in the Athens-Clarke County Jail without bond. The indictment charged Ibarra with one count of malice murder, three counts of felony murder and one count each of kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, hindering an emergency telephone call, tampering with evidence and peeping Tom. The indictment said that on the day of Riley's killing, Ibarra peered into the window of an apartment in a university housing building, which is the basis for the peeping Tom charge. Defence attorneys had tried unsuccessfully to have the trial moved out of Athens, to have the peeping Tom charge handled separately and to exclude some evidence and expert testimony. (AP) SCY SCY Jerusalem, Nov 12 (AP) Israel has failed to meet US demands to allow greater humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, where conditions are worse than at any point in the 13-month-old war, international aid organisations said Tuesday. The obstacles facing aid distribution were on this display this week. Even after the military gave permission for a delivery to the northernmost part of Gaza virtually cut off from food for more than a month by an Israeli siege the United Nations said it couldn't deliver most of it because of turmoil and restrictions from Israeli troops on the ground. Hunger experts have warned the north may already be experiencing famine. Meanwhile, in the south, hundreds of truckloads of aid are sitting on the Gaza side of the border because the UN says it cannot reach them to distribute again because of the threat of lawlessness, theft and Israeli military restrictions. The Biden administration last month set a deadline expiring Tuesday for Israel to surge more food and other emergency aid into the Palestinian territory. The administration warned that failure to comply could trigger US laws requiring it to scale back military support as Israel wages offensives against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has announced a series of steps though their effect was unclear. On Tuesday, it opened a new crossing in central Gaza, outside the city of Deir al-Balah for aid to enter. It also announced a small expansion of its coastal humanitarian zone, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering in tent camps. It connected electricity for a desalination plant in Deir al Balah. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said last week that Israel had made some progress but needs to do more. Still US officials haven't said whether they will take any action. Israel's new foreign minister, Gideon Saar, appeared to downplay the deadline, telling reporters Monday that he was confident the issue would be solved. The Biden administration may have less leverage after the reelection of Donald Trump, who was a staunch supporter of Israel in his first term. Eight international aid organisation said in their report Tuesday that Israel not only failed to meet the US criteria but also took actions that dramatically worsened the situation on the ground, particularly in Northern Gaza. That situation is in an even more dire state today than a month ago. The report listed 19 measures of compliance with the US demands. It said that Israel had failed to comply with 15 and only partially complied with four. The report was co-signed by Anera, Care, MedGlobal, Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, Refugees International and Save the Children. In an Oct. 13 letter, the US gave Israel 30 days to, among other things, allow a minimum of 350 truckloads of goods into Gaza each day; open a fifth crossing; allow people in coastal tent camps to move inland before the winter; and ensure access for aid groups to northern Gaza. It also called on Israel to halt legislation that would hinder operations of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. Aid levels remain far below the US benchmarks. Access to northern Gaza remains restricted, and Israel has pressed ahead with its laws against UNRWA. Israel launched a major offensive last month in the north, where it says Hamas militants had regrouped. The operation has killed hundreds of people and displaced tens of thousands. Through October and the first days of November, Israel allowed no food to enter the area, where tens of thousands of civilians have stayed despite evacuation orders. Last week, Israel allowed 11 trucks to go to Beit Hanoun, one of the north's hardest-hit towns. But the World Food Organization said troops at a checkpoint forced its trucks to unload their cargo before reaching shelters in the town. On Tuesday, COGAT the Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza announced it allowed a new delivery of food and water to Beit Hanoun a day earlier. Again, the WFP said that while it tried to send 14 trucks, only three made it to the town due to delays in receiving authorization for movement and crowds along the route. When it tried to deliver the rest on Tuesday, Israel denied it permission, it said. Aid into all of Gaza plummeted in October, when just 34,000 tons of food entered, only a third of the previous month, according to Israeli data. UN agencies say even less actually gets through because of Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and lawlessness that makes it difficult to collect and distribute aid on the Gaza side. In October, 57 trucks a day entered Gaza on average, and 75 a day so far in November, according to Israel's official figures. The UN says it only received 39 trucks daily since the beginning of October. COGAT said 900 truckloads of aid are sitting uncollected on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south. "Before the organizations give out grades, they should focus on distributing the aid that awaits them, COGAT said in response to the aid groups' report. Louise Wateridge, a spokeswoman for UNRWA, said the miliary was not coordinating movements for aid trucks to reach the stacked-up cargos. If we are not provided a safe passage to go and collect it ... it will not reach the people who need it, she said. (AP) ZH ZH London, Nov 12 (PTI) The Archbishop of Canterbury, the principal leader of the Church of England, resigned on Tuesday after a report into a child abuse scandal involving a barrister associated with the church. Reverend Justin Welby said he had sought the permission of King Charles III, the titular head and supreme governor of the Church of England, to step down after a review found barrister John Smyth's abuse of boys and young men had been covered up. Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while still under investigation by Hampshire Police in the UK. "The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuse of John Smyth, said Welby in his resignation statement. "When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and re-traumatising period between 2013 and 2024, he said. "The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly 12 years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done, he added. The bishop said he would meet victims as previously agreed as he delegates all other responsibilities until a successor is in place. The controversy has been brewing for some time, with pressure mounting on Welby to resign from the influential post. The Makin Review concluded last week that Smyth "could and should" have been reported to the police in 2013 when church leaders, including Welby, were presented with details of his abuse. Inaction from the church represented a missed opportunity to bring him to justice, the report said. Dr Joanne Grenfell, the Bishop of Stepney and Church of England's lead safeguarding bishop, said the failings identified in the report meant it was "now necessary for others to take up the baton". "With sadness, I fully respect and understand Archbishop Justin's decision today to resign," she said. Smyth was a prominent barrister as well as an unordained preacher who ran summer camps for young Christians. The review accused him of attacking up to 30 boys he had met at the camps during the 1970s and 1980s. The Archbishop of Canterbury leads 85 million Anglicans across 165 countries around the world and Justin Welbys replacement will now be found following a UK-wide consultation asking people in and outside the Church of England what they want from the next Archbishop. The process is expected to run into several months. The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a committee of 17 people, with a chair appointed by the Prime Minister and members including representatives from around the global Anglican Communion, the General Synod as well as at least one bishop. Palghar, Nov 12 (PTI) The CPI (M) is pulling out all the stops to retain the Dahanu (ST) assembly constituency, its lone bastion in Maharashtra, in the November 20 assembly elections by organising several rallies and women-centric events. These rallies will be addressed by CPI (M) veterans Brinda Karat and other leaders besides Maha Vikas Aghadi politicians. The CPI (M) has renominated the party MLA, Vinod Nikole, from the tribal-dominated Dahanu constituency in Palghar district. The CPI (M) stated that 21 public meetings will be held in Dahanu between November 10 and 17. The CPI(M) has historically dominated the Dahanu (formerly Jawhar) seat, winning it nine out of ten times since 1978 with five different CPI (M) candidates. This legacy is rooted in the region's history as the epicentre of the Warli Adivasi Revolt (1945-1948) which continues to inspire the local population, a CPI (M) release stated. The CPI (M) campaign includes 14 public meetings in the Zilla Parishad (ZP) regions of Talasari and Dahanu tehsils, supplemented by seven women-centric events being organised by the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA). Additionally, village meetings are also scheduled across the Dahanu constituency. Prominent leaders lined up by CPI (M) comprise polit bureau member Brinda Karat, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) president Ashok Dhawale and other senior members of the party. Leftist organisations, including the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), are also roped in for canvassing. The CPI(M) is contesting three seats- Dahanu, Kalwan (both reserved for ST candidates) and Solapur City Central- across Maharashtra in the forthcoming elections. Mumbai, Nov 12 (PTI) BJP leader Anurag Thakur on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, alleging that the party's history was littered with broken promises and people of Himachal Pradesh were paying a price by voting it to power. Thakur, who is in Maharashtra amid the BJP's campaign for the November 20 assembly polls, urged people to vote for the Mahayuti if they wanted to save the state. Talking to reporters, the BJP leader highlighted Mahayuti's track record on development, asserting that it is the only choice for those seeking honest governance and sustained progress. He said the Congress came to power in Himachal Pradesh with a "laundry list of guarantees" about uplifting citizens, and months into its rule, people are left wondering about these promises. There was not a single party that the Congress never cheated, he said. "The party's history is littered with broken promises and false assurances, and this time, Himachal Pradesh is paying the price," the former Union minister said. He said the Congress came to power in Himachal Pradesh promising subsidised power, financial aid for women, affordable milk, and job creation. But months into the Congress rule, Himachal residents were wondering where these promises had gone. Thakur said the Congress had assured 300 units of free electricity in Himachal Pradesh, but its government has instead imposed a cess on electricity consumption and stopped the BJP's scheme of providing 125 units of power for free. The Congress manifesto also included a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 for women, claiming this would benefit 23 lakh women across the state. But on the ground, Thakur claimed not a single rupee has materialised. "This is nothing but a cruel joke on women who placed their trust in them," he said. He further alleged that the grand old party's pledge to create five lakh jobs in the northern state remains unfulfilled and is just words on paper. He said the Congress government introduced new milk prices, increased petrol and diesel VAT, and failed to deliver on its 10 "guarantees", including the widely promoted cow dung procurement scheme to pay Rs 2 per kg of cow dung. "They haven't even managed to procure cow dung from two people. The whole scheme is laughable," Thakur said. By Alimat Aliyeva The DPRK has ratified the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with Russia, which was signed on June 19 in Pyongyang, Azernews reports. It is noted that the leader of the DPRK, Kim Jong-un, signed a corresponding decree on November 11. On November 9, the law on ratification of the treaty was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In accordance with the document, the parties on an ongoing basis maintain and develop, taking into account the legislation of their States and their international obligations, relations of universal strategic partnership based on the principles of mutual respect for State sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and other principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation between States. In particular, the Treaty provides for the immediate provision of military and other assistance if one of the parties is subjected to an armed attack in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. In addition, they undertake not to conclude agreements with third States directed against the sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, the right to free choice and the development of the political, social, economic and cultural systems of the other party. The document consists of 23 paragraphs. Despite the fact that earlier the agreement on the "comprehensive strategic partnership" between the Russian Federation and the DPRK was not officially valid, for a long time a number of different sources have reported that there are already military personnel from North Korea in the Russian Federation who will be sent to war against Ukraine. Senior officials from the United States, South Korea and Ukraine are close in their estimates, according to which the number of these soldiers in the Russian Federation reaches at least 10,000 people. According to media reports, they are being trained at military facilities in the Far Eastern regions of Russia. Kiev claims that some of the North Korean soldiers, after training, were sent to the Kursk region, where the military operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continues, and losses are already being observed among the DPRK forces. In addition, according to Kiev, North Korean officers are already at the front, who are helping the Russian forces use weapons previously transferred by Pyongyang to Moscow for attacks on Ukraine. The wife of US President-elect Donald Trump has broken an important tradition that has been followed by first ladies for many years. Melania Trump will not attend the White House tea party, having blatantly ignored Jill Biden's invitation. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Daily Mail, it is a long-standing custom for the outgoing president to meet with his successor in the Oval Office. For their part, politicians' wives hold a symbolic tea party at the residence. Melania Trump decided to skip this event, despite the fact that her husband accepted an invitation from Joe Biden. According to insiders, since Kamala Harris's defeat in the presidential election, the first ladies have never communicated. Their last meeting was at Rosalyn Carter's funeral in 2023. "Mrs. Trump has no plans to go, and they haven't spoken yet," said a source close to the statesmen. For their part, the Bidens promised that the transfer of power to Donald Trump would be peaceful and orderly. They invited their successors to a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, November 13, and said they would attend the inauguration of the newly elected president in 2025. Four years ago, Donald Trump showed similar disdain for Joe Biden, who won the election at the time. The 78-year-old statesman did not invite his opponent to a meeting in the Oval Room, breaking the tradition of the transition of power. Then Joe Biden went to the inauguration from his hotel. At that time, the Trumps packed their things and left the White House. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Imphal, Nov 12 (PTI) Bodies of two elderly men were recovered on Tuesday morning in Manipur's Jiribam district where a gunfight between suspected militants and security forces broke out a day before, police said. During a search operation for missing persons, the bodies of Laishram Balen and Maibam Kesho were detected in debris in Jakuradhor Karong area where a few shops were set on fire by suspected militants on Monday, a senior officer said. "The two elderly men died after the insurgents torched a few shops in Jakuradhor Karong area," he said. The search operation has been launched as five individuals have been reported missing, the police said. The Jiribam district administration imposed prohibitory orders to avoid any untoward incident in the area, the officer said. A shutdown has been observed since 5 am on Tuesday in Kuki-Zo majority areas in the hills to protest against killing of suspected insurgents in the gunfight with security personnel, another police officer said. The Kuki-Zo Council called for a total shutdown in the hill areas of the state from 5 am to 6 pm on Tuesday to express their "collective grief and solidarity who were brutally shot dead". Eleven suspected militants were killed in the fierce gunfight with security forces on Monday after insurgents in camouflage uniforms, armed with sophisticated weapons, fired indiscriminately at a police station and an adjacent CRPF camp in Jiribam district. Two CRPF personnel also sustained injuries during the heavy exchange of fire at Borobekra, and the condition of one of them was stated to be critical, another officer said. The situation in Jiribam remained calm but tense on Tuesday morning with policemen patrolling at vulnerable points, he said. Following the incident, fresh violence was reported from multiple places in Imphal Valley where armed groups from the two warring sides engaged in exchanges of fire, the state police said. Locals and security forces recovered several improvised mortar shells in two villages of Imphal West district this morning, another official said. Operations were continuing to flush out militants, and reinforcement teams consisting of Assam Rifles, CRPF have been deployed in disturbed areas, the officer added. Bhubaneswar, Nov 12 (PTI) The ruling BJP on Tuesday claimed that the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) headed by former chief minister Naveen Patnaik has been disintegrating on its own and it does not require any "outside help" from the saffron party. BJP Odisha in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar made this assertion after a section of senior BJD leaders propagated the idea the regional party forming the government in the state with Congress help. The BJD lost power to the BJP five months ago after ruling the state since 2000. There is chaos in the BJD, people are quitting the party and joining the BJP. They (BJD) are disintegrating. Two Rajya Sabha MPs recently joined the BJP and some others are in touch with us, Tomar told reporters. BJD leaders are creating a drama of forming the government only to keep their folks together, he claimed. Tomar also asserted that many BJD MLAs want to join the BJP which came to power in Odisha in June. However, now we do not want to take any step from which it would appear that BJP is trying to break them (BJD). As such, the BJP has absolute majority in the state, he said. Senior BJP leader Jaynarayan Mishra also came down heavily on the BJD, claiming that the days are numbered for the regional party. The BJD is currently in ICU and there are doubts on whether it can survive the infighting, the Sambalpur MLA told reporters. Mishras comment was rejected by BJD MLA Dhruba Charan Sahoo who said people will decide who is in the ICU. He described the BJP government as insensitive over the death of two tribal women after eating mango kernel gruel in Kandhamal district. BJDs four-time MLA and former minister Atanu S Nayak recently said in a party workers meeting in Kendrapara district that going by the number of MLAs, it is possible that the BJD could return to power after toppling the BJP government. The BJD has 51 MLAs in the Assembly, Congress has 14 and three are independent legislators. Taking these together, the total number of non-BJP MLAs stand at 68 against the requirement of 74 members to form government in the 147-member Assembly, said Nayak Nayak who is one of the BJD leaders who share this idea. Removing the BJP from power is not impossible since only 10 more MLAs are required, he had said. Senior Congress leader Md Moquim, however, said: The Congress may form government in Odisha on its own, not with the BJD which had joined hands with the BJP earlier. A coalition of BJD and BJP ruled Odisha from 2000 to 2009. The saffron party mocked Nayak, saying he was day dreaming. Tinsukia, Nov 12 (PTI) At least four people, including a five-year-old child were killed when the car they were travelling fell from an under-construction culvert in Assam's Tinsukia district on Tuesday, police said. The car carrying six members of a family fell from the under-construction culvert near Dihingia Gaon on the Tinsukia-Dibrugarh bypass at around 4 am, an official told PTI. "Four of the six passengers, including a 5-year-old child, died on the spot. The two others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh for immediate treatment," he added. The family, hailing from Bihar, was coming from Dibrugarh to attend a wedding in Tinsukia when the accident occurred. The deceased has been identified as Mohan Shah, Rajesh Gupta, Montu Shah and child Arthav Gupta. "We believe that the incident took place due to poor visibility of the road on account of dense fog and absence of proper signage," the police officer said. Local residents have expressed concern about the incomplete state of the bypass, particularly the unfinished culvert. Puri, Nov 12 (PTI) Thousands of devotees on Tuesday visited the Shree Jagannath temple here on the occasion of 'Panchuka', the last five days of the holy month of Kartik, amidst tight security measures, officials said. While at least 30 platoons (1 platoon comprise 30 personnel) of security forces were deployed to man the crowd, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration was allowing the devotees the enter the 12th-century shrine only through the 'Singhadwar' (Lion's) Gate, they said. "As there is a huge rush of devotees on the occasion of Panchuka, the last five days of the holy month of Kartik, the administration allowed entry into the shrine only through the Singhadwar and exit by three other gates. We seek the cooperation of servitors and devotees for smooth conduct of Panchuka," SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee said. Puri Collector Sidharth Shankar Swain said that the administration has also raised barricades and 'Bada Danda' (grand road in front of the temple) has been declared a no-vehicle zone from municipal market square. The collector said lifeguards and fire services personnel have been deployed on the five km stretch of sea from Chakratirtha to Swargadwar to prevent any drowning incident on the beach as a large number of devotees take holy dip in the sea on the occasion of Panchuka. Though Panchuka is celebrated for five days every year, this time it is confined to four days as per the almanac. The people of Odisha usually refrain from eating non-vegetarian food during Kartik month. During the Panchuka, the devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayan. Married women also worship Goddess Vrundavati, the wife of the demon Jalandhara, in the form of the sacred tulsi plant, praying for the long life of their husbands. During the Panchuka, Lord Jagannath is adorned in different Beshas (attires). Lord Jagannath is adorned in Laxmi-Narayan Bhesa on the first day of the Panchuka (Tuesday). Laxmi-Narayan Bhesa will be followed by Bankachuda Beshas, Tribikrama Beshas and Laxminrusingha Beshas. On the last day of Panchuka the Lord gives darshan to devotees in Rajarajeswar Beshas (Golden attire). New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) The Congress on Tuesday claimed that its government in Karnataka has delivered on its promises and brought unprecedented prosperity to its people, exuding confidence that they would vote for the party in the upcoming bypolls. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that in May 2023, the party went to the people of Karnataka with five guarantees that would help the people of the state achieve prosperity, equity, and justice. Eighteen months into its tenure, the Congress government has delivered on an unprecedented scale, he claimed. Listing the guarantees, Ramesh said that under 'Gruha Lakshmi' an annual transfer of Rs 25,407 crore has been made to bank accounts of 1.22 crore women in Karnataka "Anna Bhagya - Annual transfer of '8,433 crores in bank accounts of 4.08 crores citizen, as the non-biological PM's Government refused to allow the Food Corporation of India to sell rice to the Karnataka Government," he said in his post on X. Under Gruha Jyothi, an annual transfer of Rs 9,455 crores for 200 Units of free electricity to 1.64 crore households has been made, he said. Under Shakti Free Bus Travel, Ramesh said, Karnataka's women have taken 320 crore plus free bus trips since May 2023, at a cost of Rs 7,310 crore. "Under Yuvanidhi, five lakh youth (graduate and diploma holders) get Rs 3,000/Rs 1,500 per month for a period of two years post passing of graduation/diploma," he pointed out. This is a government that has delivered on its promises and brought unprecedented prosperity to its people, Ramesh said. "The people of Karnataka will vote for guarantee and vote for Congress in the upcoming bypolls," he said. Byelections to the assembly constituencies of Channapatna, Sandur, and Shiggaon constituencies are set to be held on November 13. The results will be out on November 23. New Delhi/Ranchi, Nov 12 (PTI) Exuding confidence of a strong performance by the Congress in the assembly polls, AICC Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Tuesday asserted that unlike Haryana, there was no factionalism in the state unit and all decisions in the run up to the elections were taken by consensus among senior leaders. He said Haryana is not comparable with any other stated and also pointed to the complaints filed by the Congress with the Election Commission on the polls process there. In an interview with PTI, the Congress general secretary also claimed that there was a "pro-incumbency" in favour of Jharkhand's INDIA bloc government which was moving forward under the leadership of Hemant Soren, while the BJP had "headless voices" with no one projected to lead the state. Mir exuded confidence that the JMM-Congress-RJD-CPI(ML) alliance would do better than the last polls and could go beyond the 50-seat mark in the 81-member assembly. While Jharkhand had won 30 seats, the Congress had won 16 and the RJD had emerged victorious on one seat in the 2019 assembly polls in Jharkhand. The CPI(ML), which had contested separately, had won just one seat. The Congress general secretary also hit out at the prime minister for his 'ek rahoge toh safe rahoge (united we remain safe)' remarks, saying, "no one would have thought that the PM of the country would stoop to such levels". "There is also a dispute among them, while (Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister) Yogi Adityanath says 'batoge toh katoge', PM says 'ek rahoge toh safe rahoge', first they should decide whose slogan they want to proceed with," Mir told PTI. Asked if the shock defeat in Haryana could have a negative impact on Jharkhand polls, the Congress leader said Haryana has a politics of its own which cannot be compared with any other state in the country. "Various factions existed within the party in Haryana and there was an impact of factionalism there, hence consensus could not be reached on choice of candidates and there were also fingers raised (and matters taken up) with the EC.but in Jharkhand, there is no factionalism within the Congress," Mir said. The process of electioneering was built on consensus right from block, district to the Pradesh Congress Committee level, he said. "In all decisions, we moved forward with the consensus of senior leaders. Therefore you would not have heard in Jharkhand that 'their people got more, our people got less'...there are no candidates of leaders but only of the Congress. That is the first difference," he asserted. "There (Haryana) we were in the opposition and here we have been in the alliance government for five years. The alliance had delivered on schemes and the impact is being felt on the ground which can be seen in the people's response," he said. In the Haryana polls last month, the BJP, with 48 seats, halted the Congress' comeback attempt and proved several exit polls wrong, which had predicted a comfortable win for the grand old party. The Congress managed to muster 37 seats in the 90-member assembly. Mir said governments usually face anti-incumbency but in Jharkhand there is pro-incumbency. On one hand, the alliance is moving forward under the leadership of Hemant Soren and on the other side, there are "headless voices", he said. "They (BJP) have not projected anyone, they don't have trust in their leaders. They have not projected anyone who will lead Jharkhand for five years. While we have a progressive agenda and guarantees, the BJP has jumlas," he alleged. On the BJP's promise of implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Jharkhand while keeping tribals out of its ambit, the Congress leader dismissed it as a bid at polarisation. "In so many states where they had talked about UCC, have they implemented it there? Himanta Biswa Sarma had talked about it in Assam, have they implemented it there? If they have such a desire then they are attacking the culture here. They want to attack the tribal culture here and tribals understand that," Mir said He accused the BJP of only working on polarisation and not have a progressive plan. On Home Minister Amit Shah raising the issue of infiltration, Mir said the country had given the BJP responsibility for 10 years and it was his job to prevent infiltration, keep the border safe and secure people. "By saying all this he is accepting that 'I am a failed ruler'," Mir said. "These are all jumlas. After polling they will say these are all jumlas. They are never serious about people's causes," he said. He also dismissed talk of cracks in the alliance in Jharkhand over seat sharing, saying there were no issues and everything was finalised amicably. "Alliance is united, there is no bickering among alliance partners and everyone is campaigning for each other. The JMM is campaigning for the Congress and other alliance partners. The chief minister's wife is reaching all parts of Jharkhand. RJD's Tejashwi (Yadav) is campaigning for JMM and in other seats. The Congress is also campaigning for all," Mir said. According to the INDIA bloc seat sharing, Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is contesting on 43 seats, while the Congress has field candidates on 30 seats. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is contesting six seats, and CPI (ML) has fielded candidates on four seats. There are some seats on which there would be friendly fights among the alliance partners. Jharkhand goes to polls on November 13 and 20 in two phases. The results would be announced on June 23. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) A first-ever all-women CISF reserve battalion comprising more than 1,000 personnel has been sanctioned by the Union government keeping in mind the burgeoning duties of the force at airports and other vital installations. Officials told PTI that the unit will be raised from within the sanctioned manpower of the force of about two lakh personnel. The Union home ministry issued a sanction order this week approving an exclusive women reserve unit in the force with a total strength of 1,025 personnel led by a senior commandant-rank officer, they said. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has 12 reserve battalions under its establishment at present. As the name suggests, these units are kept in reserve and used as reinforcement when the force gets a new job like temporary duties of conducting elections and permanent tasks of guarding an installation like the Parliament House complex that came under CISF cover this year, an official said. The force has a huge women interface at facilities like the 68 civil airports that it guards, the Delhi Metro and historical monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The force had projected a requirement of having an all-women reserve battalion which has been recently sanctioned, a home ministry official said. Apart from these installations, the 1969-raised CISF provides a counter-terrorist security cover to a number of facilities in the nuclear and aerospace domain apart from those in the private sector like the Infosys offices in Bengaluru and Pune, Reliance refinery in Jamnagar (Gujarat), among others. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) India and Bangladesh on Tuesday decided to enhance cooperation in building infrastructure and operational efficiency at the various land ports and check-posts located along the 4,096-km long shared international border. The commitment was made during the 6th Subgroup meeting of the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) with the Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) here. The LPAI functions under the Union home ministry. The bilateral meeting aims to strengthen ties and discuss issues related to cross-border infrastructure, connectivity and facilitation of trade between the two nations. The Indian delegation was led by LPAI Member (Planning and Development) Sanjeev Gupta with officials drawn from the border management division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Border Security Force (BSF), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Customs, among others. The Bangladeshi side was led by BLPA Joint Secretary and Member (Development) Tahmina Yeasmin along with officials from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and ministries of industries and shipping, among others. "Building on the discussions held at the last subgroup meeting in Dhaka in November 2023, the meeting reviewed the progress made on the previous initiatives and identified new areas for cooperation to enhance infrastructure and operational efficiency at the land ports," an official statement said. The major agenda items discussed included developing port facilities at Gede (Darshna in West Bengal) and Bholaganj (Meghalaya), expediting clearance of Bangladesh's export cargo at Petrapole (West Bengal) and Agartala, prioritising the development of land ports and integrated check-posts (ICPs), and considering a common cargo gate at Bhomra (Ghojadanga in West Bengal), the statement said. The meeting also discussed facilitating the movement of Bangladeshi trucks carrying exports to Nepal and Bhutan through Burimari and Banglabandha ports in that country, operationalising the land port at Sabroom (Tripura), developing the Tegamukh (Bangladesh)-Kawrpuichhuah (Mizoram) port, and establishing certain ports operational 24x7, it added. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to "deepen" India-Bangladesh relations, enhance bilateral trade, and advance shared goals for regional connectivity and economic growth through "collaborative" border management, the statement said. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) P K Mishra, principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday stressed the need for mitigating risks associated with glacial lakes to ensure a safer future for communities. Mishra asserted that through the tri-focal lens of assessment, monitoring and mitigation, India has made substantial progress in this area. He made the remarks at the 4th Workshop of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR) on Strategies for GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) Risk Reduction here. Complimenting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Department of Water Resources for organising the workshop, he focused on international perspectives and experiences, pertinently India's experiences, gaps and challenges in mitigating the risks and related aspects. Mishra said the discussions on Sikkim glacial lake outburst flood disaster has brought to focus the enormity of the challenge. Indeed, the South Lhonak GLOF was a wake-up call for all of us, he said. Mishra underscored the urgent need for effective strategies to address risks associated with glacial lakes. Quoting Prime Minister Modi's words, he said, "Disaster risk reduction is not just about responding to disasters but also about building resilience." Mishra reiterated PM's emphasis that "the best way to deal with disasters is to prevent them". "We must work together across borders and disciplines to create a safer world," he said, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges like GLOF risks. On international cooperation, Mishra emphasised that India's commitment extends beyond national borders and highlighted the vital aspect of engaging with GLOF experts from countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Peru, Switzerland and Tajikistan. He iterated that such collaboration is vital to enhancing our understanding of response strategies. Mishra underlined the key contributions from experts from the country and abroad who have enriched understanding of the critical issues. He also talked about the challenges including the confusion over the quantum of the problem defined in terms of the number of glacial lakes and their risk factors. He said earlier attempts to mitigate risks from the South Lhonak Lake were not successful and plans were primarily restricted to scientific hazard assessments and geo-spatial monitoring of lake size increases, while there was diffused responsibility among states and central agencies, causing confusion regarding roles. In response to these challenges, Mishra stressed that the government of India initiated a coordinating platform named the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR). He said this platform has enabled the country to host a series of meetings followed by regular feedback, renewed communication between central scientific agencies and states on this critical subject, and clearly delegate primary responsibility to states, while ensuring adequate support from central agencies. He asserted that through the tri-focal lens of assessment, monitoring and mitigation, India has made substantial progress. "Our coordinated efforts have resulted in the compilation of a dynamic list of approximately 200 high-risk glacial lakes from a total of 7,500 surveyed," Mishra said. He further added that this iterative process has allowed the country to categorise these lakes based on risk levels effectively. Mishra also talked about Sikkim teams, which visited 18 out of 40 designated lakes with representation from various agencies such as CWC, GSI, CDAC, Army, ITBP and local academic institutions. He said the plans for mitigation measures have been initiated at five lakes in Sikkim. This will be backed by the government of India's approval for the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme with an allocation of Rs 150 crore for four states, he said. Looking ahead, Mishra suggested that states and Union Territories must continue to lead monitoring and mitigation efforts concerning glaciers and glacial lakes with sustained support from central scientific institutions. He said strengthening State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) will be vital in enhancing our capacity to respond effectively. Highlighting the need to think of innovative ways to have a dedicated financial window for GLOF risk reduction across these affected states and UTs, he said this initiative would contribute to safeguarding our water security because the health of our glaciers is indeed at the heart of it. Ludhiana, Nov 12 (PTI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar could not attend a conference here as his plane could not land at the Halwara airport here because of poor visibility on Tuesday, said officials. Dhankhar was to attend the international conference on 'Transforming Agrifood Systems in the Face of Climate Changes and Energy Transitions' at the Punjab Agricultural University, here. His aircraft landed at the Amritsar airport before he headed to Madhya Pradesh to take part in another event. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahwney said the vice president's plane landed at the Amritsar airport where he stayed for 40 minutes. A thick layer of smog has engulfed many parts of Punjab with the air quality index at many places remaining in the "poor" category. The conference here was, however, attended by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Meanwhile, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called upon Chief Minister Mann to set aside party differences and engage in a dialogue with the Union government to devise a comprehensive strategy to tackle the smog problem affecting the region. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Bittu pointed out that due to the severe smog, Vice President Dhankhar, who was scheduled to address a conference at the PAU, was unable to land. Britain's oldest satellite, Skynet-1A, is now 36,000 kilometers above America. It was launched in 1969, just a few months after humans first set foot on the moon. ADVERTISIMENT Skynet-1A was deployed high above the east coast of Africa to transmit communications for British troops. When the spacecraft ceased operations a few years later, gravity might have been expected to pull it even further east, over the Indian Ocean. But the half-ton military spacecraft could not have simply drifted to its current location, the BBC writes. That is, most likely, in the mid-1970s, it was ordered to start the engines to move the satellite to the west. The question is, who was it and for what purpose was it done? "Right now Skynet-1A is in what we call a 'gravity well' at 105 degrees West, wandering back and forth like marble at the bottom of a bowl. And unfortunately, this brings it close to other satellite traffic on a regular basis. Since it's dead, the risk is that it might bump into something. And it's still 'our' satellite, and we're still responsible for it," says space consultant Dr. Stuart Ives. ADVERTISIMENT Dr. Eaves has looked through old satellite catalogs, the National Archives and spoken to satellite experts around the world, but he can find no clues as to the end-of-life behavior of Britain's oldest spacecraft. Skynet-1A was manufactured in the United States by the now-defunct Philco Ford aerospace company and sent into space by a US Air Force Delta rocket. "The first Skynet satellite revolutionized the UK's telecommunications capabilities, allowing London to securely communicate with British troops even in Singapore. From a technological standpoint, however, Skynet-1A was more American than British, as the United States both built and launched it," noted Dr. Aaron Bateman in a recent article on the history of the Skynet program, now in its fifth generation. ADVERTISIMENT This view is confirmed by Graham Davison, who flew Skynet-1A in the early 70s from his British operations center at RAF Oakhanger in Hampshire: "Initially, the Americans controlled the satellite in orbit. They tested all of our software with their own before eventually handing control over to the RAF," said the engineer, who is now long retired. "Essentially there was dual control, but when and why Skynet-1A might have been returned to the Americans, which seems likely, I'm afraid I don't remember," adds Davison, now in his 80s. Rachel Hill, a doctoral student at University College London, has also been digging through the National Archives. Her readings led her to one very clever possibility. "The Skynet team from Ockhenger went to the US Air Force satellite complex in Sunnyvale and ran Skynet during the Oakout. This was when control was temporarily transferred to the US while Ockhenger was shut down for necessary maintenance. Perhaps the move could have taken place then?" Rachel Hill suggested. ADVERTISIMENT The official, albeit incomplete, Skynet-1A status logs indicate that final command was left in American hands when Ockhanger lost sight of the satellite in June 1977. But despite the fact that the satellite was then moved to its current position, it was eventually allowed to die in an inconvenient location, when in fact it should have been placed in an "orbital cemetery." Where Skynet-1A is currently located, at 105 degrees West, an active satellite can see a piece of debris 50 kilometers away from its location up to four times a day. It may seem as if they are far apart, but at the speed at which these objects are traveling, they begin to get too close together. The Ministry of Defense said that Skynet-1A is constantly monitored by the UK's National Space Operations Center. Other satellite operators are informed of the likelihood of a particularly close conjunction in case they need to take evasive action. However, in the end, the British government may have to consider moving the old satellite to a safer location. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Lucknow, Nov 12 (PTI) Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said the BJP kept people preoccupied with the struggle for livelihood so it could carry out its communal politics. He said that jobs will only be created when the BJP is ousted. "If the BJP had governed with the same intensity with which it is running the bulldozer of injustice, today its members wouldn't have to hide in their homes, fearing the anger of students," he said. Yadav's remarks come amid ongoing protests by aspirants in Prayagraj over the decision of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) to conduct the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) and Provincial Civil Service (PCS) preliminary exams on different dates. "For years, either vacancies are not released, or the examination process is delayed. The BJP has distracted students from their studies and forced them to protest in the streets," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister wrote in a post on X. "Today, the atmosphere has become Yogi vs. Contestant students!'" his post read. The SP leader said jobs for youths were not in BJP's agenda, and the people had realised this. "They got lathi charged, and jobs are still not in their agenda. We don't want a useless government." Yadav also claimed that the educated, employed middle class was no longer swayed "emotionally by the BJP." "Now even the parents, who were once victims of the BJP's false propaganda on WhatsApp groups, have realised how the BJP exploited them emotionally to gain and maintain its power," he said in the post. "Now these people are also rejecting the BJP's divisive communal politics and embracing 'positive politics that unites.' No one is willing to remain a mental slave of the BJP anymore," he asserted. "Jobs will come only when the BJP goes," he added. The politician allied with the INDIA bloc also decried the Yogi Adityanath government's "bulldozer politics," saying the backlash it caused has made BJP leaders cower in their homes. BJP flags have been removed from the houses, shops, establishments, and vehicles of its members, he claimed. "The time for BJP's negative politics and false narratives is over," he added. Shimla, Nov 12 (PTI) Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the Himachal Pradesh government will strongly advocate for the Hatti community in the court. Addressing people on the first cultural night of five-day long International Renuka Ji Fair in Sirmaur district on Monday late evening, Sukhu said his government issued a notification granting reservation to the Hatti community within 12 hours after fulfilling all codal formalities. The Himachal Pradesh government on January 1 issued a notification granting Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to the Hatti community. CM emphasised that the government stands firmly with the community and the state government is committed to ensure all-round development of Sirmaur district. The Himachal government has organised Revenue Lok Adalats to provide relief to the people, through which over 2,00,000 mutation cases have been resolved across the state, including more than 13,000 cases in Sirmaur district alone. Criticising the BJP, he alleged that the previous Jai Ram Thakur government misused public funds for political advantage, distributing Rs 5,000 crore in 'freebies' to influence elections. He said that institutions were opened without any budgetary provisions and subsidies were extended to affluent groups. "Public funds cannot be wasted for political gain. Sukhu said his priority is to make decisions that benefit the underprivileged today, without worrying about tomorrow. Talking about the fair, CM said that the International Shri Renuka Ji Fair holds not only religious importance but also represents the rich cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) Days after a 26-year-old man was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants in outer Delhi's Mundka area, a social media post surfaced on Tuesday, in which a gang purportedly took responsibility of the killing. Amit Lakra, who recently got bail in a case of robbery, was shot six times at a crowded market of Mundka in the night of November 9. According to a Delhi Police officer, initial investigations suggested that Lakra was a member of the Gogi gang and was targeted by the members of its rival, Tillu gang. The social media post also suggested the same but it is yet to be verified, the officer said. The message was posted from the account of one Chiku Pehalwan. It carries the names of gangsters, such as Tillu Tajpuria, Neeraj Bawana, Koushal Choudhary and Davinder Bambiha. "Cheeku Dhankar and Amit Dabangg take responsibility for the killing of Amit Lakra in Mundka. We eliminated Lakra as he was providing logistical support to our rival gang members lodged in Tihar Jail," the post in Hindi said. "Anyone who helps our rivals in any way will face the same fate. False cases are a different matter, but the Tillu gang has never harmed an innocent person or forcibly taken money from any trader, whether in good or bad times," it added. "I request all traders and brothers in Delhi not to give a single rupee to these thieves or anyone else representing them. If any trader is troubled by them, we are here to stand with you," the post said. Another officer said a case of murder was registered on Saturday and investigations are underway. "We have got some leads about the accused. They will be arrested soon," the officer said. Several teams of the Crime Branch and the Special Cell of the Delhi Police are working to nab the culprits. Chandigarh, Nov 12 (PTI) Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Tuesday said the state government and the Centre have reached a consensus on co-branding of 'aam aadmi clinics' set up in buildings funded by both the Centre and the state government. The development comes amid both the Centre and the Punjab government being at loggerheads over the issue of branding of the primary health centres and health wellness centres as 'aam aadmi clinics'. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had even accused the Centre of withholding Punjab's share of funds under the National Health Mission. The minister on Tuesday said the Centre had reservations over the name and photo of clinics while the state government had reservations over the name proposed by the Union government. "We have reached a consensus," he told reporters here. He said the 'aam aadmi clinics' have been set up at the community health centres, primary health centres and rural and urban dispensaries. "It (co-branding) will not be applicable on buildings which are not owned by the health department," he said, while referring to the consensus reached between the state government and the Centre. "Where there is funding by the Centre and the state government in the ratio of 60:40, there will be co-branding (of clinics). Where there is co-funding, there will be co-branding (of clinics) but where there is state funding, there will be state branding," said Singh. The Union Health Ministry had earlier accused the Punjab government of converting Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres into 'aam aadmi clinics', a pet project of the ruling AAP. The Centre had claimed that Punjab had not adhered to the branding guidelines for Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre, now known as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, violating guidelines on the scheme for special assistance to the states for capital investment 2023-24. It had also said the Punjab government violated the certain provisions of the memorandum of understanding, signed between the Union Ministry of Health and the state, by not following the branding guidelines and branding "Primary Health Centres-Health and Wellness Centre (PHC-HWCs) as Aam Aadmi Clinics and not as Ayushman Arogya Mandir". The state had also not followed the colour scheme nor displayed the six logos, it had said. The AAP government has set up more than 850 aam aadmi clinics, providing free medical treatment and medical tests. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) A Delhi court on Tuesday concluded recording the statement of the wife of a victim in north Delhi's Pul Bangash Gurdwara case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. Special Judge Jitendra Singh recorded the statement of Lakhwinder Kaur, wife of Badal Singh, who was one of the three men killed by a mob that torched the Gurdwara during the riots. In her statement, Kaur said an eyewitness told her that Tytler had come to the place of the incident in a vehicle and incited a mob. Kaur told the court that she met Surender Singh, who worked as a Granthi in the Gurdwara in 2008, who described the incident to her. "Surender Singh told me that he saw the incident from the roof of the Gurdwara. He told me that he saw my husband Badal Singh exiting from the Gurdwara and saw him being attacked by a mob who took out the kirpan of my husband and stabbed him to death using the same. "He also told me that Tytler had come to the place of the incident in a vehicle and he had gathered everyone," she told the court. She added that Surender Singh told her that the mob engaged in violence upon the incitement of Tytler and her husband's body was put in a cart after he was killed and burnt by placing burning tyres on top of him. She, thereafter, approached the court for investigation, Kaur said. The judge will resume the hearing on November 23, when he is likely to record the statement of another victim, Manmohan Kaur. Tytler, who was not arrested in the case, is currently on bail. A sessions court had in August last year granted him anticipatory bail in the case. On August 30 this year, the court ordered the framing of charges against Tytler (80) under sections 302 (murder), 109 (abetment), 147 (rioting), 153A (promoting enmity between groups) and 143 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in relation to the case, saying there was sufficient ground to proceed against the accused. The judge framed the charges on September 13 after Tytler pleaded not guilty to the offences. The CBI filed the chargesheet against Tytler in the case on May 20, 2023. It alleged that Tytler "incited, instigated and provoked the mob assembled at Pul Bangash Gurudwara Azad Market" on November 1, 1984, that resulted in the burning down of the gurdwara and the killing of three Sikhs -- Thakur Singh, Badal Singh and Gurcharan Singh. The CBI also said in its chargesheet that Tytler came out of a white Ambassador car in front of the gurdwara on November 1, 1984, and instigated a mob by shouting, "Kill the Sikhs, they have killed our mother." Anti-Sikh riots erupted in several parts of the country in the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Chennai, Nov 12 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Tuesday lamented that the syllabus of state universities glorified the British but had nothing on the contribution of great freedom fighters like Kattabomman or Marudhu brothers who sacrificed their lives for the country. He claimed that conscious attempts were being made to "erase the history of freedom fighters from public memory," and called for efforts to write our history or national freedom movement more diligently "bringing up all those who are now forgotten." Ravi was speaking after releasing a book titled: The Battles of Panchalankurichi in Tamil, Hindi, and English, authored by P Senthilkumar at the Raj Bhavan. "As Governor and Chancellor of state universities, I had sought for the syllabus on history, political science, and literature for BA and MA. I found that the 19th Century history of Tamil Nadu is full of praise for the British. There's no mention of Kattabomman, Marudhu brothers, or any of our freedom fighters," Ravi said. The students were being taught that the British were great. "This is something shameful... a nation that forgets its heroes and martyrs has no future. We will be ungrateful to them," he said. He also claimed that the impression was given that India got freedom through the hunger strike. The battle of Panchalankurichi was the first war of Indian independence in 1801, he said. He was "pained" at some intellectuals writing books equating Shakespeare with Thiruvalluvar. They were talking about Dravidian history but forgot to think about our freedom fighters, he said. Chennai, Nov 12 (PTI) Twelve fishermen from Tamil Nadus Nagapattinam district were apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy on November 11, allegedly for trespassing and fishing in the island waters, a fisheries department official said on Tuesday. Their counterparts in Rameswaram staged a protest in Pamban demanding the Central governments immediate intervention to secure the release of the Nagapattinam fishermen and also others from the state arrested by the Lankan navy. They also demanded an early end to the frequent arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen and also the seizure of their fishing vessels. Traffic at Pamban came to a standstill when a large number of the mechanised boatmen and country boat fishers along with their families staged protest. According to an official from the state fisheries department, the Nagapattinam fishermen set sail on a mechanised craft from Akkaraipettai fishing harbour on November 10 night. They were fishing near south-east of Kodiyakarai when the Sri Lankan navy arrested them on November 11 evening. New Delhi, Nov 12 (PTI) The vigilance department has apprehended a Delhi Police sub-inspector for taking a bribe of Rs 10,000 to issue notice to accused persons in a fraud case, an official said on Tuesday. The accused SI, Shripal, was posted at Laxmi Nagar police station. The vigilance unit received a complaint from a Laxmi Nagar resident who runs a business of agricultural products alleging that he was defrauded in July by some persons based in Karnataka and Bengal, an officer said. "He lodged a complaint in the matter at Laxmi Nagar police station and the matter was transferred to SI Shripal. When no action was taken on his complaint, the complainant approached Shripal and requested him to initiate action. But Shripal demanded Rs 20,000 for issuing notice to the accused persons," the officer said. On November 11, Shripal asked the complainant to pay the first instalment of Rs 10,000. A raid was conducted by the vigilance department and Shripal was apprehended, the officer said. The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Sunday he will travel to Iran in the coming days to hold talks regarding the countrys nuclear program. The visit comes amid wider tensions gripping the Mideast over the Israel-Hamas war and uncertainty over how U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will approach Iran after his inauguration in January. Specifically, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mariano Grossi, will have high level meetings with the Iranian government and will hold technical discussions on all aspects related to the joint statement agreed with Iran in March 2023. It is intended as a path forward for cooperation between the IAEA and Iran on how to expand inspections of the Islamic Republics rapidly advancing atomic program. The 2023 statement included a pledge by Iran to resolve issues around sites where inspectors have questions about possible undeclared nuclear activity, and to allow the IAEA to implement further appropriate verification and monitoring activities. The meetings in Tehran will build on Grossis discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September, a statement by the IAEA said. It is essential that we make substantive progress in the implementation of the joint statement agreed with Iran in March 2023, Grossi said. My visit to Tehran will be very important in that regard. Iran is rapidly advancing its atomic program and continues to increase its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels in defiance of international demands, according to recent reports by the IAEA. Grossi, has warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make several nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. He has acknowledged the U.N. agency cannot guarantee that none of Irans centrifuges may have been peeled away for clandestine enrichment. Irans 2015 landmark nuclear deal with world powers had put limits on its nuclear program which the West fears could be used for making nuclear weapons although Tehran insists is only for peaceful purposes while lifting punitive economic sanctions imposed on Iran. But the deal collapsed after the Trump administration in 2018 pulled the United States out of the agreement, leading Iran to abandon all limits the deal had put on its program and enrich uranium to up to 60% purity. That is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. By IAEAs definition, around 42 kilograms (92.5 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% is the amount at which creating one atomic weapon is theoretically possible. As Trump is to take office again in a few weeks, Iranians are divided on what his next presidency will bring. Some foresee an all-out war between Tehran and Washington, particularly as other conflicts rage in the region. Others hold out hope that Americas 47th president might engage in unexpected diplomacy as he did with North Korea. (AP) Today, a Skoda crossover is a dream for many, and the company offers many such models. But everyone has long since forgotten about the Yeti, although this car influenced the Czech brand. The crossover was shown with a stylish appearance. ADVERTISIMENT The inexpensive Skoda Yeti crossover was a very popular car and the first model of the brand in the urban SUV segment. TALK WHEELS prepared a new, more modern design for the Yeti. It turned out to be stylish and effective. Although the Czech manufacturer does not plan to return this name to the model line. At one time, the Skoda Yeti was succeeded by the Skoda Karoq crossover. Meanwhile, the inexpensive Skoda Elroq 2025 crossover has already been fully declassified - the electric model has replaced the Skoda Karoq. These are the changes in the model lineup, where there seems to be no room for the Yeti. The Elroq electric car is about 4.5 meters long and has a spacious interior and wide functionality. There are several variants: with power from 170 to 299 hp and a range of up to 560 km. The car will offer a very practical and spacious interior. Earlier it was reported that the interior of Skoda Elroq will have a special decoration made of recycled bottles and used clothes. President-elect Donald Trumps choice for defense secretary is still up in the air, but it is a sure bet he will look to reshape the Pentagon and pick a loyalist following his tumultuous first term. Five men held the job as Pentagon chief only to resign, be fired or serve briefly as a stopgap. While he has yet to announce a decision, the names of potential Pentagon chiefs stretch from the well known such as Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida to an array of former administration loyalists, including retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who held national security posts during Trumps first term. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been floated, but Trump said on social media Saturday that Pompeo would not be joining the new administration. Some decisions may linger for days as candidates jostle for attention and officials wait for the final results from House races, weighing whether Republican lawmakers can be tapped or if others are a safer pick to avoid a new election for an empty congressional seat. The choice is going to tell us a lot about how he will deal with the Pentagon, said Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a retired Marine colonel. He said someone like Waltz a former Army officer and Green Beret with a deep military background may not be as dramatic of a change as others who may be viewed as stronger Trump loyalists. With a number of top jobs at the State Department, National Security Council and Defense Department up for grabs, Trump is expected to lean toward those who back his desire to end U.S. involvement in any wars, use the military to control the U.S.-Mexico border and take a hard line on Iran. The key test, however, will be loyalty and a willingness to do whatever Trump wants, as he seeks to avoid the pushback he got from the Pentagon the first time around. Trumps relationship with his civilian and military leaders during those years was fraught with tension, confusion and frustration, as they struggled to temper or even simply interpret presidential tweets and pronouncements that blindsided them with abrupt policy decisions they werent prepared to explain or defend. Time after time, senior Pentagon officials both in and out of uniform worked to dissuade, delay or derail Trump, on issues ranging from his early demand to prohibit transgender troops from serving in the military and his announcements that he was pulling troops out of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan to his push to use troops to police the border and stem civil unrest on the streets of Washington. In his first administration, Trump hewed toward what he considered strong military men and defense industry executives. Initially enamored with generals, Trump over time found them to be not loyal enough. He soured on them, Cancian said. They were not as pliable as he had thought. Ive heard people speculate that maybe the chairman would be fired. So thats something to watch. Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, took over as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in October 2023 for a four-year term, but military leaders serve at the pleasure of the president. Brown, a combat pilot and just the second Black officer to serve as chairman, spoke out after the police killing of George Floyd, describing the bias he faced in his life and career. Trump also is expected to choose someone as defense secretary with disdain for equity and diversity programs and less likely to counter his plans based on limits laid out in the Constitution and rule of law. But he also may well push for increased defense spending, at least initially, including on U.S. missile defense. A key overriding concern is that Trump will select someone who wont push back against potentially unlawful or dangerous orders or protect the militarys longstanding apolitical status. On Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin raised that red flag. In a message to the force, he said the U.S. military stands ready to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command, adding that troops swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. He echoed retired Army Gen. Mark Milleys pronouncement during a speech as he closed out four years as chairman of the Joint Chiefs. We dont take an oath to a king or a queen or to a tyrant or a dictator. And we dont take an oath to a wannabe dictator, Milley said. We dont take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and were willing to die to protect it. Trumps first defense chief, retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis, learned quickly to stay off his boss radar by largely eliminating press conferences that Trump could see. Mattis and Milley, along with Trumps chief of staff John Kelly, a retired Marine general, and retired Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, who also served as Joint Chiefs chairman, all worked quietly behind the scenes to temper some of Trumps decisions. They stalled his demands that troops be quickly and completely withdrawn from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and managed to prevent the use of active-duty troops to quell civil unrest in Washington. Two years in, Mattis abruptly resigned in December 2018 in frustration over Trumps national security policies, including a perceived disdain for allies and his demands to pull all troops out of Syria. Patrick Shanahan, the deputy defense secretary, took over as acting Pentagon chief but withdrew as the nominee six months later due to personal family problems that were made public. Then-Army Secretary Mark Esper took over in an acting role, but he had to step aside briefly when nominated, so Navy Secretary Richard Spencer served as the acting chief until Esper was confirmed. Esper was fired days after Trump lost the 2020 election, largely because the president did not believe him to be loyal enough. Trump was especially angry over Espers public opposition to invoking the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty troops in the District of Columbia during unrest following the police killing of George Floyd. Trump named Christopher Miller, a retired Army officer who has been director of the National Counterterrorism Center, to serve as acting secretary and surrounded him with staunch loyalists. That is the Pentagon that officials quietly say they expect to see in Trumps new administration. (AP) The Kremlin on Monday rejected reports that President Vladimir Putin spoke last week with President-elect Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine, and a spokesman for Trump refused to comment on what he called his private calls with world leaders. The Washington Post first reported on Sunday, citing anonymous sources, that the two spoke on Thursday, with Trump advising Putin not to escalate the war in Ukraine and cited the sizable U.S. military presence in Europe. In a conference call Monday with journalists, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said there was no conversation and the report was completely untrue, it is pure fiction. Asked about the report, Trumps communications director Steven Cheung said, We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders. Speaking at a foreign policy forum Thursday in Russias Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin offered congratulations to Trump on his election victory and praised him for what he said was brave behavior during an assassination attempt on him in July. Peskov said there are no specific plans yet for a conversation between Putin and Trump. He said previously that contacts between the two before Trumps inauguration are not ruled out and pointed to Trump saying that he would call Putin before the inauguration. He denied, however, that Russias presidential administration or Foreign Ministry had any contacts with Trumps campaign after the election. During his campaign, Trump repeatedly said he could quickly end the fighting in Ukraine but did not offer details of how he would accomplish that. Russia has intensified strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine as the war approaches its 1,000-day mark. For its part, Ukraine over the weekend sent a massive wave of drones that rattled Moscow and its suburbs. (AP) President-elect Donald Trump is starting to fill key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign. Heres a look at who hes selected so far. Susie Wiles, chief of staff Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trumps 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Wiles has a background in Florida politics. She helped Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trumps defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary. Wiles hire was Trumps first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with the president-elect. Wiles is said to have earned Trumps trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trumps three presidential campaigns. Wiles was able to help keep Trump on track as few others have, not by criticizing his impulses, but by winning his respect by demonstrating his success after taking her advice. Tom Homan, border czar Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trumps top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nations history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trumps policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to run the biggest deportation operation this countrys ever seen. Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trumps zero tolerance policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Elise Stefanik, United Nations ambassador Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trumps staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefaniks questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy Miller, an immigration hardliner, was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trumps priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trumps first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trumps policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nations economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. (AP) In the wake of President-elect Donald Trumps election victory, the Biden-Harris State Department has reportedly gone into emotional triage mode, hosting a therapy session for staff to cope with the election outcome. According to sources familiar with the session who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon, an internal email sent across the department invited employees to Managing Stress During Changea one-hour gathering where they could process their feelings about Trumps win. The Employee Consultation Services in the Bureau of Medical Services organized the session, promising participants tips and practical strategies for managing stress. A licensed therapist led the session, and a second one is already lined up for next week. The email encouraged employees to brace for the new political climate with effective stress management techniques. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs held its own cry session, led by Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf and Acting Undersecretary for Political Affairs John Bass, where staff reportedly vented their concerns over the changes Trumps victory might bring to U.S. policy in the Middle East. According to a source, these discussions included laments about anticipated shifts in U.S. support for Israel, a far cry from the prior administrations policies. One official summed up the gathering as a final cry session for the era of hyper-focus on feelings over American interests, suggesting that employees in some quarters may struggle to adjust to a new mandate at Foggy Bottom. There is a lot to untangle after four years of Bidens DEI-heavy focus, the official added, hinting at a culture shift to come in the State Department under Trumps leadership. The State Department, under Secretary Antony Blinkens tenure, has made diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives a centerpiece of its agenda, even establishing an Office of Diversity and Inclusion in 2021. While DEIs champions were well-compensated for their efforts, recent election outcomes indicate that some of these priorities may be taking a backseat. This isnt the first time the State Department has turned to its mental health services for internal crises. Last spring, the agency offered emotional support after an email glitch misassigned pronouns, with officials advising affected employees to seek assistance if hurt or upset by the incident. As employees brace for new leadership, it seems Foggy Bottom may have seen its last DEI-fueled therapy session for some time. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Revered abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who was the first woman to oversee an American military action during a time of war, was posthumously awarded the rank of general on Monday. Dozens gathered on Veterans Day at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Marylands Dorcester County for a formal ceremony making Tubman a one-star brigadier general in the states National Guard. Gov. Wes Moore called the occasion not just a great day for Tubmans home state but for all of the U.S. Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran, Moore said. Today we celebrate one of the greatest authors of the American story. Tubman escaped slavery herself in 1849 and settled in Philadelphia. Intent on helping others achieve freedom, she established the Underground Railroad network and led other enslaved Black women and men to freedom. She then channeled those experiences as a scout, spy and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War, helping guide 150 Black soldiers on a gunboat raid in South Carolina. Nobody would have judged Tubman had she chosen to remain in Philadelphia and coordinate abolitionist efforts from there, Moore said. She knew that in order to do the work, that meant that she had to go into the lions den, Moore siad. She knew that leadership means you have to be willing to do what you are asking others to do. The reading of the official order was followed by a symbolic pinning ceremony with Tubmans great-great-great-grandniece, Tina Wyatt. Wyatt hailed her aunts legacy of tenacity, generosity and faith and agreed Veterans Day applied to her as much as any other servicemember. Aunt Harriet was one of those veterans informally, she gave up any rights that she had obtained for herself to be able to fight for others, Wyatt said. She is a selfless person. Tubmans status as an icon of history has only been further elevated within the last few years. The city of Philadelphia chose a Black artist to make a 14-foot (4.3-meter) bronze statue to go on display next year. In 2022, a Chicago elementary school was renamed for Tubman, replacing the previous namesake, who had racist views. However, plans to put Tubman on the $20 bill have continued to stall. (AP) The Supreme Court refused Tuesday to let former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows move the election interference case against him in Georgia to federal court, where he would have argued he was immune from prosecution. The justices did not detail their reasoning in a brief order, as is typical. There were no publicly noted dissents. Meadows was one of 19 people indicted in Georgia and accused of participating in an illegal scheme to keep then-president Donald Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump was also charged, though after he won reelection last week to a second term any trial appears unlikely, at least while he holds office. Both men have denied wrongdoing. Its unclear what effect the election results could have on others charged in the case, which is largely on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Meadows had gone to the Supreme Court in an effort to move the charges out of Georgia courts. He argues the case belongs in federal court because it relates to his duties as a federal official. He pointed to the Supreme Court ruling giving Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution to support his argument. A White House chief of staff facing criminal charges based on actions relating to his work for the president of the United States should not be a close call especially now that this court has recognized that federal immunity impacts what evidence can be considered, not just what conduct can form the basis for liability, his attorneys wrote. But prosecutors said that Meadows failed to show he was carrying out official duties during the alleged scheme, including participating in a phone call where Trump suggested Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger could help find votes he needed to win the state. They argued the case should stay with Georgia courts, and Meadows can raise federal defenses there. Prosecutors also pushed back against the contention that the charges could have ripple effects on other federal officials. His references to the overheated words of opinion editorials cannot suffice to demonstrate that a new era of ubiquitous prosecution of former federal officials is at hand, government attorneys wrote. A U.S. district judge and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals both ruled that the case against Meadows and some of his co-defendants should remain in state court. A federal judge has also refused to move an Arizona fake elector case against him there to federal court. Four people have already pleaded guilty in the Georgia election case after reaching deals with prosecutors. The remaining 15, including Trump and Meadows, have pleaded not guilty. (AP) A doctor accused of criticizing the war in Ukraine in front of a patient was convicted Tuesday of spreading false information about the Russian military and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison, part of an unrelenting Kremlin crackdown on dissent. Dr. Nadezhda Buyanova, 68, was arrested in February after Anastasia Akinshina, the mother of one of her patients, reported the pediatrician to authorities. Akinshina alleged that Buyanova told her and her son that his father, a Russian soldier who apparently was killed in Ukraine, was a legitimate target for Kyivs troops and had blamed Moscow for the war. A video of the outraged Akinshina complaining about Buyanova was widely publicized, and chief of Russias Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin personally demanded a criminal case be brought against the doctor. Buyanova, who was born in western Ukraine, denied the accusation, insisting she never said what she was accused of saying. In a tearful closing statement to the court last week, she had urged it to acquit her. Her defense argued the prosecution failed to present evidence that the purported conversation took place, including any recordings of it, and alleged that her accuser fabricated the story out of animosity toward Ukrainians, according to the independent news site Mediazona, which reported all of the hearings in the trial. In her closing statement to the court, Buyanova said it was painful to read the accusations in the indictment, and broke down. A doctor, especially a pediatrician, is not capable of wishing harm to a child, his mother, or traumatizing the childs psyche. Only a monster is capable of this and of the words that I allegedly said to them, Mediazona quoted her as saying. Buyanovas case drew national attention, with more than 6,500 people signing an online petition demanding her freedom and supporters regularly attending court hearings. As the judge read out the verdict, they shouted, Disgrace! before bailiffs escorted everyone from the courtroom. Her lawyer, Oscar Cherdzhyev, told reporters afterward that the verdict was unexpectedly harsh and monstrously cruel. We didnt expect this, he said. Spreading false information about the army has been a criminal offense since March 2022, when Russia adopted a series of laws prohibiting any public expression about the invasion that deviated from the official narrative. Authorities started actively using them against critics and protesters. According to OVD-Info, one of Russias leading rights groups that tracks political arrests, more than 1,000 people have been implicated in criminal cases on charges related to speaking or acting out against the war. (AP) NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called on Western allies to provide Ukraine with further support to change the trajectory of the conflict with Russia. Speaking ahead of a meeting Tuesday in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, Rutte said: We must do more than just keep Ukraine in the fight. He added: We need to raise the cost for Putin and his enabling authoritarian friends by providing Ukraine with the support it needs to change the trajectory of the conflict. Rutte, who did not provided details about the military equipment and weapons needed for that purpose, said it was very concerning that Russia was getting closer to its allies, China, Iran and North Korea. The comments come as the U.S., South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Russia, working together with North Korea, Iran and China, is not only threatening Europe but also the Indo-Pacific and North America. So we must stand together, Rutte said. Macron reiterated his call for a strong Europe as being key to NATO but also as a response to what the U.S. administration rightly expects in an apparent reference to the election of Donald Trump for a second term. During his first in the White House, Trump pushed the European NATO allies to spend more on defense, up to and beyond 2% of gross domestic product, and to be less reliant on U.S. military cover. For too long, Europe has avoided bearing the burden of its own security, believing that it could, in a way, receive the dividends of peace without any time limit, Macron said. (AP) The IDF signed agreements with yeshivah bochurim behind the backs of their Roshei Yeshivos and Rabbanim, Army Radio reported on Monday. The yeshivah in question is Itri, which is a Chareidi yeshivah in Jerusalem but is a bit more open and offers secular studies, a yeshivah high school [ ] similar to those in the US. As mentioned, the IDF went behind the backs of the Roshei Yeshivos and Rabbanim to sign the deal with the bochurim. The bochurim signed that they would enlist in the IDF within 20 months of ending their limudim in yeshivah gedola in exchange for the removal of personal sanctions. The yeshivah ended up finding about the agreement the bochurim signed because they began receiving funds for those bochurim since they were no longer defined as draft dodgers. The Rosh Yeshivah promptly expelled the bochurim, not wanting to legitimize enlistment in the IDF. According to the report, the new procedure is called Talmid LTamid. The IDF claims that Chareidi students from various yeshivos have signed the agreement. In September, the Gedolei Yisrael published a letter instructing bochurim of all yeshivos not to respond to draft orders, including yeshivah high schools such as Itri. The letter also reassured bochurim of yeshivah high schools that if any of them are harassed by the police or IDF, the entire yeshivah world will unite and fight for them. The letter was signed by HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, HaGaon HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein, HaGaon HaRav Baruch Dov Povarsky, Rosh Yeshivas Kol Torah HaGaon HaRav Moshe Yehuda Schlesinger, and Rosh Yeshivas Grodna Beer Yaakov, HaGaon HaRav Tzvi Drabkin. The letter states: Since the armys harassment of bnei yeshivos worsened and they launched a war against the Olam HaTorah, no bnei yeshivos should show up at draft centers at all. Recently, there are bochurim who received draft orders and a large number of them are graduates of yeshivah high schools [ ] who bSiyata Dishmaya are currently learning in yeshivos al taharas hakodesh and, understandably, these bochurim are worried, and their dear parents who want the best for their sons are worried about the situation in which their sons are not obeying orders. Therefore we want to be mechazeik those bochurim and their dear parents, that they shouldnt enlist, chalilah, because every breach could end in a disaster for them [and a result, also for the Olam HaYeshivos] chalilah. Chalilah to enlist or respond to any of any their orders: . If chas vchalilah, they actualize their evil plans and arrest even one of you, the Olam HaYeshivos will unite and fight for you like any other Ben Yeshivah. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israel has officially confirmed its responsibility for a series of lethal pager attacks that struck Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon this September, in an unprecedented operation against the Iran-backed militant group. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the assault, said Omer Dostri, spokesperson for Netanyahus office, marking Israels first open acknowledgment of involvement in the attack. The incident, which took place on September 17, saw thousands of pagers explode in Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut and surrounding regions. In a coordinated wave, the pagers emitted a beep as if receiving a message before detonating, causing extensive casualties. Among those injured, many suffered severe injuries, including eye damage, lost fingers, and abdominal wounds. Hezbollah officials described the attack as the biggest security breach faced by the terrorist group amid the ongoing conflict with Israel. A follow-up attack the day after the pager explosions involved sabotaged walkie-talkies, bringing the total death toll to 39 and injuring over 3,400 others. Israeli media later reported that Netanyahu acknowledged his role in approving the operation during a closed cabinet session, stating that he had overruled senior defense and political advisors opposed to the pager detonations. As a low-tech means of communication to evade Israeli tracking, Hezbollah has increasingly relied on pagers instead of mobile phones. This reliance made the devices particularly susceptible to the attack, which targeted Hezbollah operatives directly. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Almost half of the Ukrainians who took part in the survey have a negative attitude toward 12-year education, and only 27.5% have a positive attitude. Instead, school profiling was supported by 74.2% of respondents, while 4.2% opposed it. ADVERTISIMENT Such data were provided by the Institute of Social and Political Psychology of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine and the Association of Political Psychologists of Ukraine during a presentation at the Interfax-Ukraine press center. 10 years ago, 69.3% opposed such changes, while 12.4% supported them. It also became known that 69% of Ukrainians believe that education needs to be reformed. Thus, 31.2% of respondents are positive about the reform, and 27.3% are negative. At the same time, 5.9% strongly disagree or rather disagree, 23% could not answer the question, and 2.1% indicated that they did not care. ADVERTISIMENT 49.1% of Ukrainians have a negative attitude towards the reduction of state-funded places at universities, while 37.5% support such changes. At the same time, 81.5% of respondents approved of tuition grants, while only 4.8% did not support it. 27.4% of respondents said that the 2024 admission campaign was free of corruption, and 41.7% disagreed. The survey was conducted on October 14-23, 2024. It was attended by 1513 respondents aged 18 and older. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In a historic political shift, Daniel Norber, a 45-year-old former IDF officer and dual US-Israeli citizen, has become the first Republican elected to a state assembly seat in northern Hempstead, Long Island, in over half a century. Norber narrowly defeated two-term Democratic incumbent Gina Silitti in the Nassau County district that includes Great Neck, Manhasset, Port Washington, and several other communities bordering Queens. The district, which has a significant Jewish population, leaned Republican in this election cycle, partly due to President-elect Donald Trumps success at the top of the ticket. Trump carried the 16th Assembly District by more than 2,000 votes, giving Norber a boost in his campaign. Norber said he was motivated to run by growing antisemitisma key issue for him and many of his constituents. Norbers personal experiences in Israel shaped his commitment to public service. He was in Israel during the October 7 Hamas attack last year, sheltering with his wife, Inbal, and their four children. It was the worst atrocity to Jews since the Holocaust. Israel is not the same anymore, Norber said, recalling his determination to take action to prevent similar threats domestically. The campaign grew tense as incidents of antisemitism emerged in the district. On August 30, vandals threw red paint over a pro-Israel banner at the Shelter Rock Jewish Center in Searingtown. Norber also criticized Silitti over an incident in which a staffer attacked Israel on social media, saying it demonstrated a disconnect with the communitys concerns. Norber, born in the United States and raised in Israel, was drafted into the IDF at age 17 and served as a staff sergeant in the military police. His family history of Holocaust survival and Soviet oppression instilled in him a deep sense of duty. I was raised to understand service, sacrifice, and the importance of freedom, he said. In addition to fighting antisemitism, Norber campaigned on issues including a repeal of cashless bail, tax cuts, and a statewide ban on masks in public settings, which he argues is essential for community safety. Nassau County recently enacted a similar mask ban, and Norber hopes to see it extended statewide. Its about keeping minorities safe, he explained, referring to the original Ku Klux Klan-targeted mask bans. Despite the Republican minority in the 150-seat state Assembly, where Democrats hold a 2-to-1 advantage, Norber believes he can foster bipartisan cooperation. I can cross party lines for the good of the people, he said, confident that his unique perspective and dedication will help him bridge divides. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Countless incredible nissim have occurred daily in Israel amid potentially deadly heavy barrages of rockets, drones, and missiles fired by Hezbollah in Lebanon for over a year. An especially astounding neis occurred on Tuesday morning when an explosive drone fired by Hezbollah scored a direct hit in the yard of a kindergarten in Nesher, a city near Haifa, causing damage and shattering windows. No siren sounded beforehand. Nevertheless, no one was injured as the staff and children were in the bomb shelter as the staff had prudently moved the children there upon hearing the sirens from afar. Before the drone hit, sirens sounded in areas near Haifa, Akko, and the Galil but no siren sounded in Nesher itself. The IDF said afterward it is investigating why the siren wasnt activated in Nesher. Photos and videos show how the drones shattered the kindergartens windows and damaged the kindergartens yard: The Israel Fire and Rescue Authority stated: After searches, the drone was located in the yard of a kindergarten. There are no casualties at the scene and no fires. The fact that the kindergarten staff rushed and moved all the children to a protected space resulted in no injuries. The drone was seen flying over the area for a full 14 minutes as the IDF repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempted to down it. One of the kindergarten teachers, Sora Yasour, later told Israeli media that they experienced a miracle of miracles, adding that when the staff heard distant sirens and saw that there was a drone warning, they decided to act with caution and rushed the children into the bomb shelter. The drone hit exactly where we were sitting. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In the wake of the Biden administrations threats to tighten its arms embargo on Israel if it doesnt increase the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, Israelis security cabinet approved a series of steps to facilitate the transfer of aid to those oh-so-innocent civilians in Gaza. The move follows the latest threat made by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday in his first phone call with newly appointed Defense Minister Yisrael Katz. The Biden administration has continually and aggressively strong-armed Israel into increasing aid to Gaza despite being well aware that Hamas steals most of the aid and convoys are often used to slip weapons, ammunition, and money into the Strip for terror purposes. Biden officials ignore the facts that their own efforts to send aid into Gaza was a colossal failure as well as the efforts of the UN and other international organizations. In fact, Israeli forces on Sunday stopped a convoy coordinated with international organizations and discovered ammunition disguised as aid on one of the trucks. Additionally, there are currently about 900 trucks on the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom crossing waiting to be picked up by aid organizations, with some waiting there for months. Israels COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) published a video of the hundreds of trucks on Monday, stating: This is what the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing looks like RIGHT NOW. Approximately 900 trucks worth of aid are waiting to be picked up by aid organizations. Some of the aid is waiting there for months! We continuously urge the UN aid agencies pick up the aid so more aid can get into Gaza. Nonetheless, left with no choice, COGAT announced on Tuesday that the newly rebuilt Kissufim Crossing between Israel and the southern Gaza Strip has been opened for the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Ironically, the Kissufim Crossing, named for the kibbutz next to it, was destroyed by Hamas terrorists. The terrorists ravaged Kibbutz Kissufim, murdering 22 people on the kibbutz, including eight residents, six Thai workers, and eight IDF soldiers,, wounding numerous thers, and abducting four people into Gaza. Now President Biden, who promised immediately after the massacre that We Stand for Israel, is forcing Israel to use that very crossing to deliver aid to Gaza, much of which ends up in the hands of Hamas which promptly resells it for sky-high prices to fund its terror activities against Israel. The IDF was forced to divert its resources to rebuild the crossing, including carrying out engineering work, building inspection facilities and protective infrastructure, and paving roads in Israel and Gaza in order to ensure the safety of the Israeli communities near Gaza. COGAT also stated on Tuesday: A convoy of trucks delivered hundreds of food and water packages to the Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun areas in northern Gaza during a tactical coordination operation. The food packages were delivered to distribution centers for the civilian population remaining in the Beit Hanoun area in coordination with international organizations. We will continue to operate in accordance with international law to facilitate and ease the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, one of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahus closest confidants, met President-elect Trump in Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, two Israeli officials and two U.S. officials told Axios. According to the report, the meeting focused on briefing Trump on Israels plan regarding Gaza, Lebanon and Iran in the next two months. One of the things the Israelis wanted to sort out with Trump is what are the issues he prefers to see solved before January 20 and what are the issues he prefers the Israelis to wait for him, a U.S. official said. The US officials mentioned several issues that Israel wanted Trumps take on: efforts toward a possible Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, a post-war Gaza plan, and an Israeli-Saudi normalization deal. A source added Dermer also met with Jared Kushner. The US officials said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu informed the Biden administration ahead of Dermers meeting with Trump. It should be noted that despite reports about an Israeli-Lebanon diplomatic arrangement, Israel had denied that it agreed to a ceasefire. Newly appointed Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated on Tuesday: There wont be any ceasefire or lull in battle in Lebanon. Following his meeting with Trump, Dermer flew to Washington on Monday, where he met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and is expected to meet with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Bidens advisers Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) This morning (Tuesday), the emergency aviation drill of the Israel Airports Authority and Israels emergency response system took place, with the participation of the Israel Airports Authority, Magen David Adom, the Israel Police, Fire and Rescue Services, the IDF, and other agencies. The Phoenix emergency drill simulated a scenario of a plane crash involving 290 passengers. The Magen David Adom objective in the drill was to assess the activation of emergency protocols and the coordination between all the participating agencies, including the Israel Airports Authority, Israel Police, firefighters, and the IDF, to assess the mobilization of forces, rapid response to the scene, deployment of MDA staff and volunteers on-site, handling and rapid evacuation of casualties, and more. The drill simulated a situation in which the MDA national dispatch center received a report from the control tower of a malfunction on a plane, which then crashed on the runway. As a result, Magen David Adom forces from the Yarkon, Ayalon, Dan, Sharon, Jerusalem, and Lachish regions were required to quickly reach Ben Gurion Airport to provide medical assistance and treatment to 290 simulated casualties from the plane. The drill involved dozens of Magen David Adom emergency vehicles, including 8 mobile intensive care units, 20 life-support ambulances, 4 mass casualty incident stations, 2 jeep ambulances, medicycles, 2 regional command posts, the national command vehicle, a Unimog, an intensive care bus, and hundreds of paramedics, EMTs, and first aid providers. The significance of Britains trade with the US cannot be underestimated. A long sought after free-trade deal is elusive despite the best efforts of former Business Secretary, now Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch. The debate in Britain foolishly has focused on minor issues such as American chlorinated chicken. This misses the point totally. The US, it should never be forgotten, is Britains biggest single trading partner. Trade with the 27 nations of the EU is larger in volume. Less recognised is the data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis which shows that the UK has been and remains the largest trading partner of the US for exports and imports of services. The UK also leads in digital services and those supplied by multi-national enterprises. Shake-up: Donald Trump has said he wants to impose tariffs of between 10% and 20% on the rest of the world outside China. The president-elect aims for a 60% tariff on China UK Trade & Investments says that the US is not only Britains biggest trading partner but is among the countries of the world with which we have a trade surplus. It jumped from 35.6billion in 2014 to 41.4billion in 2016, the year of the Brexit referendum, to 71.4billion in 2023. Washington also curiously claims a surplus explained by measurement, timing and currency differences. The special relationship is often disparaged as a political construct. It is indisputable that when it comes to economic ties, those between the UK and US and the City and Wall Street could not be any closer. The major US investment banks Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley run their European and some global operations from London. Britain has more to lose or gain should Donald Trump succeed in his effort to impose tariffs of between 10 per cent and 20 per cent on the rest of the world outside China. The president-elect aims for a 60 per cent tariff on China. Given the importance of the US market to British commerce and vice-versa, it makes little sense for Keir Starmer to throw in his lot with Emmanuel Macron and Brussels in negotiating a tariff deal with Washington. This is especially true as the fate of most commerce in services, where the UK dominates, falls outside normal trade deals. The Government, with overt support for Kamala Harris in the US elections and disparagement of Trump, has not helped itself in seeking a derogation from the next White House. Britain can take comfort from other truths. What is said in a campaign think Labours national insurance tax rise and business friendly agenda doesnt necessarily stay intact in government. Moreover, Congress may be less than enthusiastic about trade barriers, which mean higher consumer prices. Here is hoping for small mercies. Trenchant defence Takeover speculation has done wonders for Burberrys beaten up shares over the last month. They were up 17 per cent but still down 45 per cent this year. Would-be buyer Moncler, a distant cousin of luxury behemoth LVMH, dismisses the bid speculation and, given the scale of the share price movement, Burberry would be obliged to tell shareholders if there had been an approach. Much depends on chief executive Joshua Schulman when he unveils first half results on Thursday. Revenues are projected to have slumped by 20 per cent and losses are estimated at 45million. Schulman needs to be given time. It is unthinkable that a brand so associated with Britain and its distinctive country life culture should vanish into the hands of an overpriced Italian puffer jacket maker. As TV fashion guru Patrick Grant notes, Burberry used to make absolutely brilliant coats which it developed year after year focusing on waterproofing and design qualities. Under no circumstances should such a British heritage company which still manufactures at Keighley in Yorkshire allow itself to be snaffled by a Continental luxury behemoth which would bury it alive. Research neglect Amid all the Labour Governments misfiring talk about growth, it is doing precious little to back UK science excellence. Cambridge University, which this year added a couple more Nobel prize laureates, bringing its proud haul up to 125, is launching a 50million drive to recruit the best and brightest PhD students from around the world. The goal is to raise the cash over ten years. Given the pay-off, in the shape of companies such as Deep Mind, a government sinking billions into the public sector needs to fast track PhD scholars at our great research institutions now. Delay is R&D suicide. Bitcoin surged beyond $89,000 for the first time as the cryptocurrency is buoyed by the effects of Donald Trump's victory in the US election and the resulting 'Trump Trade'. It was trading at $87,040 at midday on Tuesday, as it fell back from Monday's record high. The rest of the crypto market has also seen a boost, with coins such as cardano, solana and dogecoin also jumping on the back of the rises. With a large number of cryptos increasing in value - and plenty of speculators having gone into hodl (holding on for dear life) mode in recent years - it's likely many will be keen to cash out their gains. Crypto surge: Bitcoin isn't the only digital currency on the rise, with countless others reporting massive gains since the election However, these investors may also be concerned about what tax they may need to pay if they cash out their holdings - or haven't considered it whatsoever, believing crypto is 'secretive' and therefore shielded from the taxman. James Carn, of Evelyn Partners, says: 'The surging price of bitcoin will see many crypto-investors in the UK take some profits but how many will be aware that, in certain circumstances, they should be declaring the sale to HMRC on a self-assessment tax return?' You will be liable for paying capital gains on your crypto assets at various different times, such as when you sell crypto for real currency, exchange one crypto for another, use crypto to pay for something or even if you give them away, including to charity. Transfers to a spouse or civil partner are expempt from capital gains tax. How do I calculate capital gains on crypto assets? CGT applies in these circumstances when your net gains across all of your invested assets exceed your annual allowance. This means you need to calculate your gain for each transaction you make, generally the difference between what you paid for them, including transaction costs, and what you sold the assets for. You need to do this for every crypto disposal during the tax year to calculate your net gain or loss. Any losses you make can be offset against your gains. Gains in your crypto assets should be calculated in pounds sterling, rather than in US dollars and subsequently converted. On the most basic level, your CGT liability will be affected by your annual salary. Following the Budget, higher rate taxpayers pay 24 per cent on gains from assets, including investments. Additional rate taxpayers, that is those earning more than 125,140, also pay 24 per cent. Meanwhile, Basic rate taxpayers, those earning less than 50,271 per year, pay 18 per cent in capital gains. This is charged over your capital gains allowance of 3,000. If you jointly own assets with another person, you can make double the profit between you without being charged. Generally, most investors will make use of their 20,000 Isa allowance in order to protect their investments. However, cryptocurrencies cannot be held within an Isa wrapper, meaning this option is not available to crypto investors. Fallen into a crypto CGT trap? Let us know your story: harvey.dorset@thisismoney.co.uk How does HMRC track crypto holdings? Some crypto holders may have recently received a 'nudge' letter from HMRC, indicating you need to check if you are underreporting your tax liability. These letters form part of HMRC's crackdown on crypto asset tax evasion, with the taxman able to track crypto transactions through data-sharing agreements and the international Crypto Asset Reporting Framework. Crypto is by no means a hidden class of assets. Blockchains exist as public ledgers, with all transactions recorded. These records but can be traced back to the asset holders themselves. Crypto exchanges use the personal information of users to link their identities with their crypto transactions, allowing HMRC to track crypto holdings. HMRC can request this information from exchanges, with the exchanges legally obliged to provide it. Mr Carn says: 'Crypto's rapid appreciation coincides with a tighter tax environment for investors in the UK, so if holders of bitcoin and other digital currencies decide to cash in or take profits, they need to watch out for a potential tax liability, or they could fall foul of HMRC. 'HMRC has been closing in on crypto profits, where it estimates there are high rates of non-compliance, in terms of gains not being declared. 'The tax treatment of crypto assets can be complex. However, in simple terms HMRC sees the profit or loss made on buying and selling of exchange tokens as within the scope of CGT. 'Its guidance says that only in exceptional circumstances will HMRC accept that buying and selling of crypto amounts to a trade for tax purposes and would therefore be included in income tax liabilities instead.' Can a crypto wallet protect me from CGT? The private nature of crypto wallets may lead investors to believe that their transactions will not be reported to HMRC. This is not the case. Crypto wallets are subject to the same data sharing agreements as crypto exchanges. This means that information on your transactions, such as transferring your holdings to a different cryptocurrency, will be shared with HMRC and you will be liable to pay tax on any gains. Again, despite private wallets being pseudonymous, giving many crypto investors the illusion of anonymity, the transaction history is public and available for all to see. Blockchain analysis can generally match transaction data with known addresses, allowing HMRC access to personal information and transaction data, meaning that they can track your gains. Mr Carn adds: 'For individuals, the basic message is that, if you have sold crypto for a profit during the tax year, you may have to report it by filing a tax return and you may owe tax. 'This is all the more pertinent now that the CGT regime in the UK has become more restrictive.' HMRC warns that failure to declare gains can result in additional interest and penalties. Shell has won an appeal against a major climate ruling ordering the oil supermajor to slash its carbon emissions. A Court of Appeal in The Hague overturned a May 2021 ruling demanding Shell cut its CO2 emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 from 2019 levels, instead of the 20 per cent reduction planned by the firm. Seven activist groups, including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth Netherlands [also known as Milieudefensie], brought the case on behalf of 17,200 Dutch people. Decision: A Court of Appeal in The Hague overturned a May 2021 ruling demanding Shell cut its CO2 emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 from 2019 levels (Pictured bottom right: Donald Pols, director of Milieudefensie) The landmark verdict said Shell was accountable for emissions right across its value chain, including Scope 3 emissions, which cover those caused by the purchase, use and disposal of its products. In its appeal, Shell argued that setting emissions goals should be the preserve of national governments and that the target would not work because other suppliers would step in to provide oil and gas. The FTSE 100 business also warned that the requirement to lower Scope 3 emissions could result in customers switching to using coal rather than Shell's gas. Wael Sawan, chief executive of Shell, welcomed the appeal's verdict, saying it was 'the right one for the global energy transition, the Netherlands and our company'. He added that the firm's ambition to have net zero emissions by 2050 'remains at the heart' of its strategy, which was 'making good progress...to deliver more value with less emissions'. Donald Pols, the director of Milieudefensie, said that despite the decision, the 'case has ensured that major polluters are not immune and has further fuelled the debate about their responsibility in combating dangerous climate change'. Climate organisations can appeal the judgement to the Dutch Supreme Court, although they have yet to confirm their intention to do so. The ruling comes as Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, whose economy relies heavily on fossil fuels, hosts the COP29 climate change conference. Under Sawan's leadership, Shell axed plans to cut oil production each year for the remainder of this decade, bringing ire from environmental activists. Oil and gas prices have soared in the past three years due partly to the loosening of Covid-related restrictions and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While they have come down somewhat this year, the fossil fuel sector has continued to post strong results while delivering significant shareholder returns. Shell posted $6billion in adjusted earnings for the three months ending September, compared to analysts' average forecasts of $5.4billion. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'Sawan is trying to get Shell to play catch up with US counterparts, which have streaked ahead in valuation terms. 'The company's long-term strategy of expanding in natural gas is paying off, with gas seen as a bridge between more polluting fossil fuels like coal and oil and renewables. Shell shares were 0.4 per cent lower at 25.40 just before midday on Tuesday. Life is a journey full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows. Sometimes we get so caught up in everyday worries that we forget about the really important things: love, friendship, the value of every moment. ADVERTISIMENT Cinema has a unique ability to touch the deepest strings of the soul, to make us think about the meaning of life and enjoy the beauty of being. OBOZ.UA offers a selection of films that will help you find new meanings and rethink everyday life. La grande bellezza, 2013 An Italian drama film directed by Paolo Sorrentino, which has won numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. The protagonist, Jep Gambardella (Tony Servillo), is a successful journalist and writer who is disillusioned with the social life of Rome. At the age of 65, he is reflecting on his own life, remembering his youth, his lost love and his dream of writing a great novel. Jep travels around the city, observing the eccentric characters and lavish parties that symbolize the superficiality and emptiness of society. ADVERTISIMENT The film captivates with exquisite cinematography and shows Rome in all its grandeur and decadence. Through stylish visuals and philosophical reflections, The Great Beauty raises questions about the meaning of life, art and true beauty. Awakenings (1990) A drama film directed by Penny Marshall, based on real events and the book of the same name by British neurologist Oliver Sacks. The plot centers on the story of a doctor, Malcolm Sayer (played by Robin Williams), who discovers an experimental treatment for patients who have been in a catatonic state for many years. One of these patients is Leonard Lowe (played by Robert De Niro), who, after being administered the drug, begins to live a full life, experiencing emotions he had forgotten about. The film deeply explores the themes of human consciousness, the value of time, and the short-lived nature of "awakening" as the effect of treatment gradually weakens. ADVERTISIMENT Youth (2015) A dramatic film by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino that tells the story of the life reflections of two friends who meet in a Swiss alpine hotel. The main characters are Fred Ballinger (played by Michael Caine), a retired composer and conductor, and his friend Mick Boyle (played by Harvey Keitel), a filmmaker working on his latest movie. In their conversations, they reflect on youth, creativity, time and loss, remembering the past and pondering the meaning of life. Fred is offered a chance to return to music and perform for the Queen, but he hesitates, as he has given up his career forever. The landscapes of the Alps and the director's visual skill create an atmosphere of beauty and melancholy that reinforces the deep themes of the film. ADVERTISIMENT Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) The cult American science fiction romantic film of 2004, directed by Michel Gondry. The film explores the nature of love, memory and loss. The plot revolves around two lovers, Joel and Clementine, who decide to undergo a radical procedure to erase all memories of each other. However, during this procedure, Joel begins to realize how much he loves Clementine and tries to save at least some of their memories. ADVERTISIMENT The film is characterized by an unconventional storyline, philosophical reflections on love and loss, and an original visual style. The film stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, who convincingly conveyed the complex emotions of their characters. Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014) A 2014 British comedy-drama film based on the novel of the same name by Francois Lelord. The film tells the story of Hector, an experienced London psychiatrist who, despite his successful career, feels that he lacks true happiness. In search of answers to the eternal questions about the meaning of life, Hector challenges the mundane and embarks on a fascinating journey around the world. During his travels, he meets different people, each with their own idea of happiness. Hector visits exotic countries, encounters different cultures and has incredible adventures. ADVERTISIMENT The film is a kind of philosophical reflection on happiness, the meaning of life and the search for oneself. It encourages the viewer to reflect on their own values and priorities. Click, 2006 A comedy drama directed by Frank Coracci and starring Adam Sandler. The plot tells the story of Michael Newman, an overworked architect trying to balance his career and personal life. Tired of his many responsibilities, he receives a universal remote control that allows him to rewind, stop, and change the events of his life. At first, it seems like the perfect solution, but gradually Michael loses control of the remote, which leads to unpredictable consequences. The film combines elements of comedy and dramatic moments, touching on the themes of time, priorities and the importance of family. ADVERTISIMENT Eat Pray Love (2010) An American romantic drama directed by Ryan Murphy. The film is an adaptation of the bestselling book of the same name by Elizabeth Gilbert. The main character, Liz, is going through a difficult period in her life after a divorce. In search of herself and happiness, she embarks on an exciting journey around the world. The first point of her route is Italy, where she enjoys delicious food and learns to enjoy life. Next, she travels to India, where she immerses herself in spiritual practices and meditation. And finally, she finds love in Bali. The movie is not only about a journey, but also about self-discovery, spiritual growth and the search for happiness. It shows how the main character changes and develops throughout her journey, gaining strength and wisdom to overcome life's difficulties. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. A satellite image has appeared online showing the process of equipping and preparing the Russian intercontinental ballistic missile R-30 Bulava. It is one of the elements of the Russian nuclear triad and is deployed on Project 955 Borey nuclear submarines. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Ukrainian military portal Defence Express, Russian resources were the first to draw attention to the image. They claim that the image shows the work of the 12th Main Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense, which is responsible for the maintenance of nuclear weapons. Until now, satellite images showing preparatory work on Russian missiles that could be nuclear weapons have not been released to the public. The time and place of the events in the image are not known for certain. Probably, the transport and launch container with the R-30 Bulava (gray) is located in the lower left corner of the image, and several vehicles for various purposes can also be seen. ADVERTISIMENT "It is quite telling that the Russians themselves are not even trying to disguise themselves in any way, that is, they are even demonstratively preparing an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile - Ed.), which is likely to be loaded onto one of the Project 955 nuclear submarines," the article says. This shows that Western countries are able to constantly monitor the processes related to the Russian nuclear arsenal using satellites. The Russians are demonstratively conducting such operations, apparently for the purpose of psychological influence. "Here we were talking about strategic nuclear weapons, but it is quite logical to assume that similar work at the airfields of the Russian strategic aviation is also taking place under the close supervision of Western satellites," Defence Express added. As reported by OBOZ.UA, earlier Russian dictator Vladimir Putin conducted a training of the strategic nuclear deterrent forces. During the exercise, three types of missiles were launched - the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, as well as the Sineva and Bulava ballistic missiles. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! An image circulating online appears to show a homeless person sleeping next to an election poster for Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Simon Harris. As well as being shared by individuals, the image has been posted by critics of the Harris-led Government, including an election candidate in Kilkenny and the socialist party People Before Profit. Evaluation The image has been manipulated with photo-editing software to add the Fine Gael election poster. The facts A reverse image search of the part of the picture showing the homeless person produces results including a page on the stock image website Shutterstock. The full version of the original image shows a chocolate bar advertisement instead of the Fine Gael poster. The positioning of the sleeping bag, flattened cardboard boxes and a water bottle are identical in both images, as is graffiti on the wall and stains on the pavement. Shutterstock caption information says the photo was uploaded on July 11 2019 and was taken in Dublin city centre a week earlier on July 4 2019. A satirical website published the manipulated picture on November 7 2024, as indicated in the URL of the page link. The website used the image under the satirical headline: Homeless asked not to sleep directly in front of Fine Gael election posters. No earlier versions of the edited image can be found. The three X posts found to be sharing the manipulated image were all made on either November 7 or 8. Links First post on X (archived) Post by independent candidate on X (archived) Post by People Before Profit on X (archived) Google Lens search (archived) Sleeping bag on street royalty-free images, stock photos & pictures | Shutterstock (archived) 4th July 2019 Dublin Ireland image stock photo 1447944308 | Shutterstock (archived) Homeless asked not to sleep directly in front of Fine Gael election posters Waterford Whispers News (archived) Scientists from the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago were able to look into Lady Chenet-aa's sarcophagus for the first time to finally understand how she was embalmed 3000 years ago. The mystery was solved with the help of an X-ray scan. ADVERTISIMENT For many years, researchers had been looking for an opening in the cavity, finding only a tiny slit at her feet. But this was clearly not enough to fit the woman's body inside. The new computed tomography (CT) scans have resolved some of the questions that have plagued scientists for decades, MailOnline reports. When the team put the coffin through a CT scanner, they were able to take a closer look at the bottom, where they found a seam running down the back and some lacing. Researchers at the Field Museum in Chicago estimate that the woman was in her late 30s or early 40s when she died, and detailed attempts to prepare her for the afterlife confirmed that she had a high social status. ADVERTISIMENT The most unusual aspect of Lady Chenet-aa's coffin was the fact that it had no seams or openings that would have allowed the embalmers to place her body inside. However, the 3D scan revealed that instead of cardboard being built around the body, as was common for the ancient Egyptians, the coffin was first created and then softened with humidity so that it was flexible and could be molded around the woman. According to Stacey Drake, manager of human remains collections at the Field Museum, filler was placed in Lady Chenet-aa's trachea to ensure that her neck would not collapse, and artificial eyes were placed in her eye sockets to ensure that she would have them in the afterlife. ADVERTISIMENT "The additions are very literal. To have eyes, they have to be physical, or at least some physical hint of eyes. They installed the prosthesis to make sure she has everything she needs when you go to the afterlife," CNN quoted J.P. Brown, the museum's senior conservator of anthropology, as saying. The slit through which the body was placed in the coffin was cut from the top to the bottom of the coffin. After they laced up the back of the coffin, they placed a wooden panel at her feet and tacked it in place to keep her from moving while they formed the coffin. "From an archaeological point of view, it's incredibly rare that scientists have the opportunity to study or look at history from the perspective of one person. It's a really great way for us to see who these people were-not just what they created and the stories we've made up about them, but the actual individuals who lived at the time," Drake said. ADVERTISIMENT According to Brown, the ancient Egyptians looked at the afterlife in a similar way to how modern people think about retirement savings. Not every ancient Egyptian was mummified, but the limited practice was apparently common among the upper middle class and people of high status. "It's something they prepared for, saving money throughout their lives and hoping they would have enough at the end to really enjoy. To live their best life after death," he said. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The British authorities intend to urge US President Joe Biden to provide Ukraine with a $20 billion loan before President-elect Donald Trump takes over the Oval Office in the White House, that is, by January 20, 2025. The British government fears that the future administration may drastically limit its assistance to Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT According to The Telegraph, the British prime minister will address the American leader with a request to this effect while he is attending the G20 summit to be held on November 18-19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The second issue Starmer is going to raise is restrictions on the use of Western weapons provided to Ukraine. Journalists write that the prime minister will insist that it is time for Ukraine to be allowed to fire long-range Storm Shadow missiles at military targets deep in Russia's rear. So far, the Joe Biden administration has opposed this for fear of escalation. First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Tax Committee Yaroslav Zhelezniak (Holos) explained that the money in question is money that has already been approved by the United States. This is part of the loan provided for by the G7 decision on $50 billion for Ukraine, which is to be accumulated through the proceeds of the frozen assets of the Russian Federation. ADVERTISIMENT The MP reminded that $20 billion from the United States should go to the World Bank's FIF special fund. In total, the fund should accumulate $30 billion, with the rest coming from Canada and Japan. "If a country has already transferred money there, then the World Bank will decide on their further fate. Conventionally, these are their funds and it is very difficult to withdraw them. This mechanism was designed to avoid "political turbulence" in donor countries. That is why they are asking to transfer the money from the US to the World Bank fund by January 20," Zhelezniak explained. The fact that Ukraine may be left without American support after Trump's inauguration was hinted at by his son Donald Trump Jr. who was his adviser during the previous cadence in 2017-2021. On his social media page, he shared a video with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, which he signed: "You will lose your aid in 38 days." As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the leaders of the G7 countries agreed to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan at the October summit. Although the money will come in the form of a loan, it will be repaid at the expense of income from Russia's assets, which were frozen abroad due to sanctions after the start of a full-scale war against Ukraine. In total, this amount reaches about 260 billion euros, which are mostly stored in the Belgian securities depository Euroclear. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The main topics of this year's Kyiv Jewish Forum, which will take place on Wednesday, November 13, will be confronting the modern axis of evil and combating anti-Semitism. ADVERTISIMENT KJF-2024 is organized by the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine, headed by Boris Lozhkin, and by The Jerusalem Post, a leading Israeli media outlet. Kyiv Jewish Forum is an annual event that brings together world leaders to exchange views and suggestions on the most pressing issues facing Jewish communities around the world. This year the event will take place for the fifth time and will be held online with the main venue in Washington, D.C. "The speakers and guests of the forum will try to find answers to the question of how to counter the modern axis of evil formed by Russia, Iran, and North Korea. They will also be looking for answers on how to eliminate the threat of anti-Semitism rising around the world and how to preserve the unity of the Jewish diaspora. The role of the United States in addressing all these issues is crucial," said Boris Lozhkin, President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine, Vice President of the World Jewish Congress. ADVERTISIMENT The main goal of KJF-2024 is to emphasize the importance of trilateral relations between the United States, Ukraine, and Israel in ending the two most large-scale wars of our time. Among the participants of KJF-2024 are Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova; Ambassador of the State of Israel to Ukraine Michael Brodsky; CEO of the American Jewish Committee Ted Deutch; Speaker of the Knesset (2013-2020) Yuli Yoel Edelstein; Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak; Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center John Herbst; Soviet dissident, Israeli politician and human rights activist Natan Sharansky, and others. The live broadcast will be available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/DUb9vPEu3rU or on the Kyiv Jewish Forum website. The event will begin on November 13 at 9:00 a.m. (Washington time) and at 4:00 p.m. (16:00) (Kyiv time). The media partners of KJF-2024 are NV, Oboz.ua, RBC-Ukraine, Telegraf.ua, Inter. Fierce fighting continues along the frontline in Ukraine: over a hundred combat engagements with the enemy were recorded in less than a day. The invaders are most actively attacking the Pokrovske and Kurakhove directions: they accounted for more than half of the Russian attacks on November 12. ADVERTISIMENT The battles in the Kursk region are also ongoing. The situation as of 4 p.m. was described in an operational summary by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At night and since early morning, Russian artillery and mortars have been firing at Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions. In particular, the communities of Pavlivka, Zhuravka, Volfine, Vysoke, Basivka, Novenke, Bachivsk, Budky, Khrinivka, Tymofiivka, Studenok and Vodolahy were hit. The enemy also used aviation: Basivka and Yunakivka were hit by terrorists' air strikes. Between the beginning of the day and 16:00 on November 12, 110 combat engagements took place on the frontline, more than 60 of them in the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk sectors. In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy stormed the positions of our units four times. There is fighting in the area of Vovchansk. The enemy also launched air strikes with drones on Lypky and the Vilcha area. ADVERTISIMENT In the Kupyansk sector, Russian occupants have been conducting offensives near Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove, Kruhliakivka, and Lozova since the beginning of the day. Five firefights are ongoing. In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked twice near Novomykhailivka and Torske. They carried out air strikes on Terny. ADVERTISIMENT In the Toretsk sector, the occupants, supported by bombers, tried to force our units out of their positions five times in the areas of Toretsk and Shcherbynivka, one battle is currently ongoing. In the Pokrovsk sector, the enemy carried out 24 assault operations in the areas of Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Hryhorivka, Pustynka, and Novooleksiyivka. The Ukrainian defense forces are holding back the Russian offensive and repelled 13 attacks, with nine more battles still underway. ADVERTISIMENT In the Kurakhove sector, the invaders attacked 41 times near Illinka, Novoselydivka, Voznesenka, Novodmytrivka, Dalne, and Antonivka. 17 occupants' attempts to advance have already been repelled. The fighting continues, with the hottest spots near Illinka and Novoselidivka. Enemy aircraft struck at Kurakhove, Dalne, and Andriivka, dropping ten unmanned aerial vehicles. In the Vremivsk sector, the enemy made nine attempts to storm the positions of our defenders near Rivnopil, Novodarivka, and Trudove. Six firefights are ongoing, and Temyrivka, Zelene Pole, Velyka Novosilka, and Rozdolne came under attack by enemy bombers and attack aircraft. ADVERTISIMENT In the Orikhivsk sector, enemy aircraft are active, and shelling of localities and positions of our troops continues. Zaporizhzhia, Kamianske, Mala Tokmachka and Stepnohirsk were hit. In the Prydniprovskyi sector, Ukrainian troops repelled two enemy attacks, and another firefight is ongoing. In Kursk region, the Defense Forces repelled seven enemy attacks, seven engagements are ongoing, the enemy conducted eight air strikes today, dropping 11 guided aerial bombs on its territory. The situation in other sectors has not changed significantly. As a reminder, on November 11, Ukrainian soldiers eliminated almost 2,000 occupants. They also neutralized 23 tanks, 81 armored combat vehicles, 38 artillery systems, four MLRS, 61 tactical UAVs, 68 vehicles, and 6 units of special equipment of Putin's troops. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! By Alimat Aliyeva The capabilities of the United Kingdom and other European NATO members in the field of air and missile defense should include an attacking capability, Azernews reports. This was stated by the Chief of Staff of the United Kingdom Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, speaking at the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies (RUSI). "We should remember the old wisdom that the best defense is an attack," he said, citing as an example the situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which cannot defend themselves from all the planning aerial bombs used by the Russian Aerospace Forces. "Instead, both they and we need the ability to strike aircraft on the ground that launch such bombs," Knighton added, stressing that any air defense system "must include an attacking element." The Times notes that Knighton's statements can be interpreted as a call to allow strikes deep into Russian territory with long-range Western weapons. According to a source in the Royal Air Force, British Storm Shadow missiles "may be part of a combination" necessary to "prevent the enemy from taking to the air." Knighton also drew particular attention to the fact that in potential military conflicts of the future, the United Kingdom and its allies will no longer have an overwhelming advantage in the air. Poland will not shoot down missiles or drones flying over the territory of Ukraine. The country's position on this issue remains unchanged, as does that of its allies. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated on Tuesday by Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Wieslaw Kukula, Rzeczpospolita reports. He also noted that Poland is "under the threat" of war. "Our position and the position of our allies is clear. We will not do this. Today, our responsibility for protecting the skies of our allies is determined by our borders," said the head of the Polish General Staff. He noted that the possibility of a war between Poland and Russia depends on the Poles themselves. As Russia will run a risk if it tries to attack a country that is well prepared for defense and has a society capable of resisting. "This is a real threat. For me, the most important question is different. Will we be able to build the resilience of the state system and the ability of the armed forces to eliminate this threat in the long run and when?" Kukula said. ADVERTISIMENT "Aggression always feeds on weaknesses," he added. Earlier, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski did not rule out that NATO could discuss the issue of intercepting Russian missiles in the airspace over Ukraine. According to him, this is a complex issue that raises important aspects of the right to self-defense and requires agreement among the Alliance members. As OBOZ.UA reported, in July, Ukraine and Poland signed a so-called security agreement. The document, among other things, referred to the possibility of intercepting missiles and drones in Ukrainian airspace fired in the direction of Poland. Later, however, Polish government officials began to say that this was a possibility that was being discussed, and that other NATO countries were allegedly against it (of the latter, only the United States openly stated this). Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Polish President Andrzej Duda will speak at the UN climate summit (COP-29) in Baku, despite the fact that he deliberately did not take part in a group photo with other leaders. He did not want to be photographed because of the presence of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by RAR. For the same reason, Duda also did not appear in a group photo of the participants of the COP28 climate summit in Dubai last year. At the previous summit, the presidents of Lithuania and Latvia also refused to be photographed with Lukashenko. "The President of Poland took part in the official greeting ceremony but did not appear in the joint photo with other leaders. The president (Andrzej Duda Ed.), as PAP has unofficially learned, did not want to be in a joint photo with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko," the statement said. This year's summit is called the "financial COP" because for the first time in 15 years, the amount and structure of financing for developing countries to support measures to combat climate change will be considered. Earlier it was reported that Polish President Andrzej Duda insists that Western partners provide Ukraine with everything it needs to achieve a complete victory in the war against Russia. According to him, success in the fight against the aggressor is important not only for Ukraine but also for the whole of Europe. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The scene of 'The Flood' from the Sistine Chapel frescoes. The woman with the presumed cancer is the one sitting in the lower left corner To achieve the level of anatomical perfection that Michelangelo Buonarroti achieved in his works, such as the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, great artistic talent is required. But even this is not enough if it is not supported by a deep knowledge of anatomy. And in addition to using models, which is common for artists, Michelangelo had another, more unusual source of anatomical information: his dissections of corpses. Although he did not publish the anatomy treatise that he had in mind, perhaps in a way he did: several studies claim that his works contain the representation of diseases and undercover anatomy lessons, all of it with a supposed symbolism. In a recent study, a team of European researchers led by Rafaella Bianucci of the University of Paris-Saclay proposes that the scene from The Flood in the Sistine Chapel frescoes shows a woman with signs of cancer on her right breast: a deformed and retracted nipple, a misshapen areola, a bulging area, and possible nodules in the armpit. These are features consistent with breast carcinoma, Bianucci and colleagues write. This image shows the alleged breast cancer depicted in 'The Flood." In Image 1F, there is an older woman with healthy breasts represented in the upper right corner of 'The Final Judgment' in the Sistine Chapel. The team led by Bianucci includes experts in art history, medicine, genetics and pathology who have specialized in so-called iconodiagnosis, the diagnosis of diseases in figures represented in works of art. The researchers previously published a series of guidelines and recommendations to establish a rigorous methodology when seeking evidence for these diagnoses: from IV, impossible, to I, certain or almost certain. According to Andreas Nerlich, a pathologist at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich and first author of the new study, the essential point is that external influences on the image are excluded, and historical and artistic influences are clearly included and identified in the interpretation. The latter implies that it is not just a matter of appreciating the signs of the disease, but that the level of evidence grows when they are placed in a significant symbolic context. Michelangelo painted a group of people condemned to die in the biblical flood depicted in the Book of Genesis as punishment for their sins. The Separation of the Earth from the Waters, by Michelangelo. Carlo Bollo (Alamy Stock Photo) 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 write; the fresco depicts the capital sins and, for Michelangelos strict religious mentality and the prejudices of the time, perhaps breast cancer may represent a personal punishment for lust (?). The woman is pointing to the ground, which the authors link to a quote from Genesis: For dust you are and to dust you shall return. Nerlich points out that this is not the only occasion on which the artist may have represented this disease: In a previous work on Michelangelos sculptures in the Medici chapels in Florence, evidence of the representation of breast cancer was identified in the figure of Night, something that in that statue could allude to inevitable mortality. Easter eggs with symbolic content Michelangelos work has been associated with the intricacies of human anatomy and its diseases since 1990, when the doctor and amateur artist Frank Meshberger described the surprising resemblance of Gods cloak in the scene of the creation of Adam, perhaps the best known and most reproduced in the Sistine Chapel, to a human brain. It is not a question of diagnosing a character, but of a hidden drawing, in the style of what in todays audiovisual media jargon we would call an Easter Egg. But as in the case of illness, what provides credibility is also the symbolism: Meshberger believed that Michelangelo encoded a special message. It is a message consistent with thoughts he expressed in his sonnets; He believed that the divine part we receive from God is the intellect. However, there are alternative theories: in the same drawing, a group of Italian researchers saw something different, a postpartum uterus, which for these authors symbolizes the birth of humanity. Another case of dissenting visions is the strange volumes of the neck of the figure of God in another scene, The Separation of Light from Darkness. Here the doctors Lennart Bondeson and Anne-Greth Bondeson visualized a goiter, a thyroid disease that could have affected Michelangelo himself, who according to the Bondesons in this way signed his massive achievement a backbreaking fresco of nearly six thousand square feet by incorporating himself as an embodiment of the Supreme Creator in the final panel to be painted, the Separation of Light from Darkness. It would not be the only time that the artist was able to capture his own ailments: the nephrologist Garabed Eknoyan saw in the mantle of God in another scene, the Separation of the Earth from the Waters, the image of a kidney, which could refer to the kidney stones that the artist suffered from and, in addition, would symbolize the separation of solids and liquids attributed at that time to this organ. But in the alleged goiter described by the Bondesons, Ian Suk and Rafael Tamargo saw something quite different: a sketch of the brain stem, with its spinal cord and optic nerve. The Separation of Light and Darkness, by Michelangelo. Carlo Bollo (Alamy Stock Photo) But did Michelangelo really intend to depict everything that todays researchers see in his work? Its a difficult question, Eknoyan answers. What is certain is that he had advanced anatomical erudition born from his dissections, which he began to practice at a very young age in the convent of Santo Spirito, after the death in 1492 of his patron, Lorenzo de Medici. His disciple and biographer Ascanio Condivi wrote about his masters passion for this practice, which he pursued until an advanced age. According to Condivi, Michelangelo knew details that the doctors of his time did not. But his project to illustrate an anatomical treatise by his friend and doctor, Realdo Colombo, never came to fruition. As Eknoyan admits, the interpretation of any painting by a viewer is relatively speculative. The nephrologist says he had visited the Sistine Chapel at least three times without ever seeing the shape of a kidney. The image came to him at home when he saw an illustration of the scene. When I suddenly perceived the shape of the kidney, I couldnt get it out of my head. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The British royal family has amassed one of the largest fortunes in the country. That is an undisputed fact. But the sources from which the Windsors generate millions in income each year have been largely opaque, obscured by complex financial structures and favorable tax deals agreed between the British state and Buckingham Palace. Now, however, a thorough investigation by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times has finally managed to reveal the source of the annual fortune that both King Charles and his son and heir William earn through their real estate properties and the exploitation rights of their Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall. The King and Prince William pocketed profits of 60 million for their personal use generated from leasing land to public hospitals, schools, prisons, military facilities, ports and riverbanks for mooring and unloading, as well as land for electricity cables and pipes for fuel. It is an exorbitant sum in part due to a situation of fiscal privilege that exempts them from capital gains and corporate taxes, not to mention being completely shielded from hypothetical expropriations for public works. Royal land for 10 centuries Many tourists strolling through the upmarket Regent Street in central London are unaware that much of the land they walk on belongs to the British royal family or to some other aristocratic family that continues to obtain substantial profits from their real estate holdings. The Crown handed over a large part of its possessions to the government almost three centuries ago. The British Treasury manages the Crown Estate, which consists of thousands of hectares of urban and rural land throughout the country. The Treasury gives a percentage of this income each year to the royal household to cover official expenses for state events, receptions, visits, public events and staff maintenance. The amount generated for 2025 will be around 157 million. This contrasts somewhat with European royal families official expenses which in the case of Spain amount to less than 8.5 million. The British Parliament allowed the royal family to retain ownership and management of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall. The first covers the private expenses of the monarch: those of Elizabeth II before her death and now those of King Charles; the Duchy of Cornwall covers the private expenses of the heir to the crown, the Prince of Wales. When this decision was taken, the income generated by their real estate was not excessive. In 1960, each of the Duchies would bring in around 6 million a year, a sum that has risen to close to 30 million. Between them, they cover around 728 square kilometers, spread over England and Wales. They are lands conquered and retained by the different monarchs since the Norman conquest in 1066. Over five months, The Sunday Times and Channel Four investigated public documents, checked business addresses and commercial registry data, and requested information from dozens of tenants or companies leasing land. The results were then put through a computer program that compiled details on the 5,410 real estate assets of the two Duchies. The data, which Buckingham Palace has refused to release for decades, show a huge real estate fortune. According to the list of UK millionaires that The Sunday Times prepares every year, King Charles fortune stands at more than 720 million. A hospital, a prison and at least four schools No public institution escapes the financial tentacles of the Crown, according to the investigation. The Windsors generate income from real estate, charging either the central government, its various ministries, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and private companies: Tolls for crossing bridges, for navigating boats, for electricity cables or gas pipes, or the installation of wind farms. Dartmoor prison pays the Crown about 1.8 million a year in rent to house 640 low-risk offenders. Guys and St Thomass Hospital in London pays the Windsors almost 1 million each year for the use of the land used to park their ambulances. Devon pays the Duchy of Cornwall almost 380,000 each year for renting the land where Princetown Community Primary School is located. Other schools, such as Farrington Gurney in Bath (71,000) or Welton Primary School (4,500) also pay a yearly rent. The British Ministry of Defense pays millions for the use of the Royal Navy Britannia Schools facilities in Dartmouth, where both King Charles and William were cadets (1 million a year). A few miles away, on the same coast, the government pays 12,000 a year for the right to refuel the nuclear submarine fleet at Plymouth. Both Charles and William voluntarily pay income tax at the maximum rate of 45%. They are not forthcoming, however, when it comes to providing data. The last details provided are from 2022 when the King paid 7 million; that is barely 25% of the income generated that year by the Duchy of Lancaster, after applying the legal deductions and exemptions. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Haitis Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) has dismissed Prime Minister Garry Conille, who had been in office since last May, when he was appointed by the same body that is now removing him to stabilize a country that continues to be mired in a wave of violence. His replacement is the businessman and former Senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime, whose appointment comes amid accusations of corruption, disputes over the legality of the process, and questions by Conille about the legitimacy of the decision, which he believes violates the Constitution. The armed gangs that have been sowing instability in the country have been quick to react. The battle will begin again, predicted guerrilla leader Jimmy barbecue Cherizier. As he was sworn in, Fils-Aime said his top priorities were to restore peace to the crisis-stricken nation and call elections, which havent been held in Haiti since 2016, the Associated Press reported. There is a lot to be done to bring back hope he said before a room of suit-clad diplomats and security officials. Im deeply sorry for the people that have been victimized, forced to leave everything they own. The move is the latest blow to Haitis political stability. Armed gangs have taken control of most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and nearby regions, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes and exacerbating food insecurity for those who remain. Promised international aid to stabilize the country and support the population is still lagging. On Monday, a Spirit Airlines flight landing at the international airport in Port-au-Prince was shot at by armed gangs, according to the airline and the U.S. State Department. A flight attendant sustained minor injuries and the airport was temporarily shut down as the country prepared to swear in its new leader. The decision to remove Conille, considered by some political sectors as illegal, was announced on Sunday through a leaked executive order before its official publication. Eight of the nine members of the transition council signed the resolution; former senator Edgard Leblanc Fils, who previously led this body, refused. Garry Conille addresses the media at a local hospital in Port-au-Prince, on August 28, 2024. Ralph Tedy Erol (REUTERS) Conille, who in recent weeks, faced with the magnitude of the security crisis in the country, had embarked on trips abroad in search of assistance, responded to the announcement in a letter to Ronald Saint-Jean, editor of the national press, in which he requested that the resolution not be published in the official newspaper Le Moniteur. The former prime minister argued that the Haitian Constitution grants exclusively to parliament the power to dismiss a prime minister and not to the Presidential Council. In his brief, Conille called the CPTs action an abuse of power and asserted that the government has a responsibility to manage the publication of official acts. The situation in Haiti has not improved substantially in recent months and remains extremely critical. Without a parliament and without an elected president, the country is going through an unprecedented institutional crisis. Conille, who took office in May after a selection process among several candidates, had difficulty collaborating with members of the council, who represent political parties preparing for the elections. Children play on a field set up at a school for people displaced by gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, on October 31, 2024. Ralph Tedy Erol (REUTERS) Barbecue: The battle will begin again In a video posted on social media Sunday, the leader of the armed coalition known as Viv Ansanm (Living Together), Barbecue, said that the battle will begin again and called on the population not to go out on the streets unless absolutely necessary. In his message, he claimed that the authorities are not looking out for the interests of the Haitian people, that the time for the Viv Ansanm gangs to observe the situation has come to an end and that the time has come, as you are accustomed to doing, to take the destiny of this country into your own hands. Political instability has been compounded by a growing wave of gang violence that has displaced thousands of Haitians and generated food insecurity. More and more neighborhoods are controlled by gangs, and more people are going hungry despite the presence of the Kenyan-led, UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission. In recent weeks, as the situation has worsened, Conille has embarked on trips abroad to the United Arab Emirates and Kenya seeking security assistance following a gang attack that left at least 70 people dead. Between July and September alone, at least 1,223 people were killed and 522 injured in Haiti as a result of violence and the fight against gangs, according to the United Nations Integrated Office in the Caribbean country. Added to this are the 3,900 victims between deaths and injuries in the first half of the year, after 2023 closed with some 8,000 victims. The transitional council, appointed in April, was tasked with electing a prime minister and assuming certain presidential powers until conditions are deemed safe enough to hold new elections. Despite the presence since June of troops from the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission with the backing of the UN, violence has not ceased in Haiti. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A Sunflower state shooting spree has garnered local coverage and reminds us that American gun violence is endemic and not always confined to the urban core . . . Check-it: "Wichita police believe that all the victims knew one another and that one of them was the shooter." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Nearly half a BILLION bucks is a lot of cash that WON'T help classrooms one bit. Here's how the sales pitch is shaping up . . . The district wants the $474 million general obligation bond (GO bond) to fund improvements to aging buildings and open a new middle school. It also has plans to build new schools. One would be funded with different bonds that dont increase taxes. Monday night at the final open house on the proposal before taking a final plan to the school board, the hallway and auditorium on the lower level of the Plaza Branch Library buzzed with people peering at the presentation boards jam-packed with dollar amounts, addresses and photos It was the first of the forums to outline the latest set of options for a new middle school. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . KCPS reveals four options for new middle school in GO bond package The district said passage of the bond would cost an extra $232 per year or 64 cents per day until the bond is paid off, which typically takes about 20 years. An old television set sits in the corner of the room where a group of retired soldiers meet in Akkar al-Atiqa to discuss how to organize the aid they are distributing to those displaced by the war in Lebanon, since the intensification of Israeli bombing in September. The north of the country, where this town of 17,000 inhabitants is located, is a remote place from Beirut. Not because of the distance just over 80 miles but because of the battered asphalt, flanked by trash, which speaks of a country in ruins. The forgotten region of Akkar is, however, the breeding ground for what is considered the only popular institution of this absent government: the Lebanese Armed Forces and its approximately 80,000 soldiers. Fifty percent of them come from this area, says non-commissioned officer Haytham Khalil, 55. Honor, sacrifice, loyalty. This is the motto of an army that is powerless to intervene in the war, faced with the military might of the Israeli Goliath and with its hands tied in subjecting Hezbollah the Shia militia that is also the dominant political party in Lebanon and whose arsenal is superior to that of the Armed Forces to its authority. Relegated to the role of uninvited guests in the war, the countrys government now intends to turn its fragile army into the guarantor of a ceasefire proposal that Israel has already rejected. The countrys acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on Monday at the summit of Arab countries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the international community to press for an immediate cessation of hostilities. He then pointed out his governments commitment to UN Resolution 1701 which includes the withdrawal of the militia from Lebanons southern border the strengthening of the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south in cooperation with the UN peacekeepers of UNIFIL, and the extension of the states authority to all its internationally recognized borders. Mikati announced on November 6 that he would recruit 1,500 soldiers to send 5,000 additional troops to join the 4,500 already deployed on the countrys southern border if the ceasefire were to be signed, something that would require the unlikely prior approval of Hezbollah, without which any agreement would be a worthless scrap of paper. UN Resolution 1701, which ended the last war with Israel in 2006, obliges both the Israeli army and the militia to withdraw troops and weapons from the territory south of the Litani River. The truce document foresees that UNIFIL and the Lebanese army guarantee this withdrawal and are the only forces deployed along the dividing line between the two countries, but that offer is not enough for Israel, which wants its soldiers, and also its warplanes, to have carte blanche to enter Lebanese territory, according to the American media Axios. In the 18 years since Resolution 1701 was passed, Israel has violated Lebanese air and naval space 36,000 times, while Hezbollah has reinforced its positions and built tunnels and missile ramps along the countrys southern border, says retired general Khalil Helou. Since October 2023, when the party-militia resumed firing rockets at Israel in solidarity with Gaza, Lebanon has recorded 3,243 dead and more than 14,100 wounded. Following the ground offensive that began on October 1, at least 37 towns and 40,000 homes have been destroyed by Israeli strikes. The only ones who have so far withdrawn from the southern border are the 4,500 Lebanese soldiers referred to by Mikati on Monday. Ten Lebanese soldiers have been killed in the war and only on one occasion has the Lebanese army defended itself. That was on October 3, when its soldiers opened fire after Israeli troops killed one of their own in the southern town of Bint Jbeil. The Lebanese Armed Forces have so far lacked a mandate from the government to take over the defense of the country, says Sergeant Medyen Mohamed Al Assaad at the headquarters of the Akkar al-Atiqa Retired Military Movement. If they told us to put on our uniforms and go fight, we would go right now, he says, while his colleagues nod in agreement. And they would do so even with our bare hands. Without weapons This is hardly a metaphor. Lebanons military expenditure in 2023 was around $240 million; Israels reached almost $28 billion, according to estimates by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The Lebanese Armed Forces lack anti-aircraft defenses and fighter jets. Their weapons, which are outdated, are often donated by other countries. Far from being comparable to Israel and its latest-generation F-35s, their arsenal is also not as strong as that of Hezbollah, which is believed to have accumulated between 120,000 and 200,000 projectiles before Israeli bombing decimated its leadership and probably also its stockpiles. If Hezbollah refuses to disarm, the Lebanese army will be powerless to force the militia to do so. Not only because of its political power or the under-equipped regular military, but because part of the Lebanese population would see it as a betrayal in the face of Israel. Also because it would undermine its reputation for neutrality within the confessional system in place in Lebanon, and would lead to the desertion of many Shia soldiers, the community from which the party-militia draws its strength. Such a decision could revive the ghost that haunts the Lebanese; that of the civil war that ended in 1990 and its more than 100,000 dead. The Lebanese Armed Forces are even less able to fight Israel. Even without considering the Lebanese states lack of mandate in this regard, nor Israels overwhelming military superiority, Israel also has the unwavering support of the United States. Additionally, if the Lebanese army has remained afloat in recent years, it is in part thanks to the approximately $3 billion in military aid granted by Washington since 2006. Retired Lebanese General Hisham Jaber in his office in Beirut, November 2, 2024. Trinidad Deiros The fragility of the Lebanese army is not a coincidence, adds retired General Hisham Jaber in his office in Beirut. In 2008, the U.S. threatened [President Michel] Sleiman with punishment if he accepted the donation of an anti-aircraft defense system and several helicopters from Russia. This threat came from Israel, says the former military commander of the Lebanese capital. Social work During the war, retired soldiers from Akkar al-Atiqa have been busy in the social work that also underpins the popularity of the army. The trunks of their cars, parked in front of the headquarters of their movement, are full of pasta, biscuits, and blankets for the displaced people to whom they have given shelter. The absence of the Armed Forces on the front is as noticeable as their presence on the streets. In the towns that host many of the 1.2 million displaced by the war, there has been friction between Shias, Sunnis and Christians that, without the presence of the military, could have degenerated, believes the analyst Khalil Helou. Imad Salman, 62, another retired soldier who was displaced with his family from Aabbassiyeh in the south, says that Akkar al-Atiqa has welcomed his family as guests, not as displaced persons. This former officer, who is staying in a house provided by a fellow soldier, states: I am Shia, but above all, I am Lebanese and a soldier. The army is the backbone of national unity. Imad Salman, a retired military officer, in Akkar al-Atiqa on November 9, 2024. Trinidad Deiros A 2019 Arab Barometer survey found that 91% of Lebanese considered their army to be immune to the corruption that prevails in the country, despite the fact that their economic situation is miserable, says Sergeant Al Assaad. In 2018, a soldier earned the equivalent of about $1,000. In 2019, the Lebanese currency was devalued by 90% and that salary plummeted in some cases to $34. The current salary of a private soldier is about $200; that of an officer, about $595, estimates Al Assaad. In 2020, the Lebanese government authorized members of its Armed Forces to take on multiple jobs and many work in their free time as cab drivers, mechanics, or bus drivers. Lebanon has excellent soldiers and officers, says General Jaber, who estimates that at least $5 billion in weapons would be needed for the Lebanese army to be able to take over the defense of the country. The $200 million pledged at the conference to support Lebanon in Paris on October 24 is a drop in the ocean. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition It was a normal day. Diana, 30, woke up early to go to work, leaving her phone on airplane mode, unaware that nothing would be the same after that September 9 in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa, in northwestern Mexico. Things had gotten so bad that even conversations at home revolved around it. Its ugly out there, what do you think? Its probably another culiacanazo, they said, in reference to the outbreak of violence following two attempts to arrest Ovidio Guzman the son of the notorious drug trafficker, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman in 2019 and 2023. When Diana finally checked her phone, it was flooded with messages from work. They told me not to come in, that work was canceled because there were explosions all over the city, she recalls. After a month and a half of rising tension over the capture of Ismael El Mayo Zambada in the United States, what everyone had feared came true: the war between El Mayo and Los Chapitos, the two families that have controlled the Sinaloa Cartel for decades. Two months The bloody battle for control of Culiacan, the cartels historic stronghold, has resulted in nearly 320 murders, along with hundreds of forced disappearances, kidnappings, and robberies, according to official records. But these are not the only consequences of two months of relentless violence. EL PAIS has collected multiple written testimonies about the other war in Sinaloa: the anguish of not being able to find a family member or friend, the night terrors from witnessing a neighbors house being blown up, the constant anxiety of not knowing whether youll return home safely. Two months, writes Diana, who asks that her real name not be revealed. Two months of uncertainty, two months in which anguish has taken hold of me, two months in which things have not calmed down. Diana says she struggled to sleep during the first days of the war after learning that an acquaintance had been kidnapped. His car was found abandoned hours later, but she heard nothing from him for days. He was mistaken for a hitman and eventually released. Culiacan is calm, Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha said during his morning press conference on September 9. But after noon, reports of armed clashes, narco-blockades, and daylight murders started pouring in. The state capital stretching from its busiest avenues to its most remote neighborhoods quickly transformed into a war zone, and daily routines gave way to a new, unnerving reality. Most of us culichis [Culiacan residents] are on edge all the time, says Diana. The first thing we do when we wake up is check what happened while we were asleep and decide whether its safe to go out, or not. She adds: Something happens every day, even if they say it isnt, and the government tries to sell us another story. But those of us who live here know whats happening. Every day, before 6 p.m., the city goes dark and becomes deserted. How can we return to a hidden normality? she asks. IDALIA CANDELAS Less than a week after Mexicos Independence Day celebrations were canceled and the state reached one of its highest peaks of violence, a shooting on September 21 spread fear in the commercial area of Cuatro Rios. I heard the shots and saw people running, scared, fearful, in panic, says Diana. That weekend, uncertainty gave way to outrage when the family and friends of Juan Carlos Sanchez, a 34-year-old father, reported that he had been mistaken for someone else and shot dead during the clashes. While authorities and the media spoke of a cartel war, the idea that it could happen to anyone and that no one was safe quickly spread across many sectors of society. Just a month after the Cuatro Rios shooting, the largest massacre to date was recorded: on October 21, 19 armed civilians were killed in a confrontation with the military. Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress The impacts of violence on mental health are very well documented, as is the impact of collective violence, which is the context for narco-violence fits and what is happening in Sinaloa, Guanajuato, and other states, explains Rogelio Flores, an academic at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Flores emphasizes that the effects are not limited to direct victims but also affect those who witness the violence, those who hear about it through family and friends, and those who are subject to repeated exposure. The problem in Sinaloa is not due to this administration, the past or the one before that, its been happening for a long time, its deeply ingrained, says Flores. The war on drugs has been ongoing in Mexico for over 20 years, affecting millions of young people who have only known this reality. In Sinaloa, where the violence has persisted for several decades, entire generations have grown up amid it. When news started spreading about the disappearances and murders of innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, that made me very anxious, confesses Valeria. Every time I drive, I get so scared. I always think theyre going to kill me or steal my car, says the 22-year-old. Even though Im medicated, sometimes I feel like I cant control what I feel. She compares her current anxiety to what she felt in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, a comparison that resonates with many in Culiacan due to the ongoing fear and isolation. Monday marked nine weeks of war and criminal siege. I feel like the world is on pause, laments Victor, 25. But life around the world does go on, except for the narco-pandemic in Culiacan. IDALIA CANDELAS Flores speaks of an individual dimension (psycho-emotional effects) and a collective dimension (psychosocial effects) to distinguish how and who violence affects. The psychologist highlights three distinct impacts: first, anxiety disorders, characterized by fear, mistrust, and constant worry; second, depressive disorders, where individuals experience paralyzing sadness, withdraw from their social circles, and stop engaging with their communities; and third, post-traumatic stress, which often follows traumatic events such as violent deaths, assaults, or shootings. According to Mexicos National Health and Nutrition Survey, nearly one in five Sinaloans over the age of 20 (19%) showed symptoms of depression by the end of 2023, before the war began. Ive never felt so sad, lost, and hopeless in my life as I have since this war started, says Daniela, 20. She shares that her depression resurfaced, and there were days when she couldnt even get out of bed. The wars escalation, sparked by the split within the Sinaloa Cartel, revived the haunting memories of the Culiacanazos: violent retaliations by the criminal group following the attempts to capture Ovidio Guzman. However, the current war has lasted far longer more than 60 days compared to the Culiacanazos, which were confined to a single day. Daniela recalls that witnessing the first Culiacanazo left her with lasting post-traumatic stress. The lesson from all this is that the most important thing now is that my mother comes home safely from work, and that I can make it back from school, she says. A neighbors house was broken into, and it was one of the most terrifying things Ive ever experienced, says Leon, 26. I had night terrors, I couldnt sleep, I was constantly on edge, very scared, panicked, always alert, waiting for something bad to happen at any moment, he explains. Leon is undergoing therapy to address his fears regarding his family, friends, and his own safety. He also feels anger and frustration toward the criminal groups. A problem between two people has deprived us all of many things. We live in constant insecurity and anxiety, he laments. Others, like Oscar, a 20-year-old student, describe how the line between everyday problems and the extreme violence around them has blurred. Its a constant, daily reality. Every time I go to Culiacan, it feels like a coin toss: a mugging, a crash, a shooting, the heat, the traffic I spend two hours at the university, he says. Oscar describes the feeling of losing something fundamental amid the chaos, explaining that not being able to go out and enjoy life and being young has affected his self-esteem and academic performance. Over time, the growing sense of helplessness and frustration with the violence has turned into exhaustion, pushing him to consider leaving Sinaloa in search of a life where he doesnt feel in constant danger. IDALIA CANDELAS Violence has a different impact, says Flores, explaining that there is an ongoing debate about what factors lead to varying responses. He cautions against pathologizing violent events or entire societies, warning against assuming that everyone is affected in the same way. We react based on our history, the context in which we grew up, the character and personality traits we have, and all of that shapes one response or another, he continues. Some people never develop symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress, he adds. Talking about collective psychosis is excessive; it needs to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. Turning a blind eye In the face of chronic violence, when exposed repeatedly, something paradoxical happens: the process of desensitization, explains Flores, referring to the phenomenon known as the normalization of violence. Mauricio Meschoulam, an international relations expert who has studied criminal group tactics for almost 15 years, told EL PAIS that this desensitization also affects the perpetrators, leading to a more sophisticated and cruel method of exercising violence. There is a communication strategy; its not just about committing violence, but using it to generate psychosocial effects: hopelessness, frustration, doubts about who the government really is, and the message that they are the ones in charge in certain areas, he comments. Over the past two months, Sinaloa has witnessed increasingly disturbing tactics. Corpses have been found with hats, childrens toys, or messages placed on them to intimidate rivals and authorities. Plastic guns have been left outside El Debate, one of the most well-known local media outlets. While the debate over whether the term narcoterrorism is appropriate continues, experts agree that these acts are strategies meant to instill fear in a population that thought they had seen it all, but now witness how violence has spiraled even further, with no consequences. According to the think tank Mexico Evalua, 99 out of every 100 murders in Sinaloa go unpunished. Impunity means the costs of frightening the population is relatively low, while the costs of confronting or reporting violence remain extremely high. In these situations, people often choose to turn a blind eye to move forward. It is very distressing to see the news of whats happening in the streets, says 19-year-old Jazmin. I really try not to look at it, but there are times when you cant avoid seeing it on social media. Every time I read a news story, it makes me feel very insecure. IDALIA CANDELAS Given the prevailing stigmas, many people lack access to effective resources for dealing with their problems and are instead confronted with textbook answers or easy solutions. They tell you: Relax, breathe, approach things differently, says Flores. What good will that do you if the objective conditions dont change and are hostile? We are facing a structural problem. We need to talk about inequalities, the root causes of violence, and the need to improve police forces, he explains. There can be no mental health without social justice. Most people who spoke to EL PAIS said that what they wanted most was to return to normality. Caught in the crossfire, the population wonders when the conflict will end and whether it will ever truly be resolved. In the meantime, another war is spreading across Sinaloa: one marked by uncertainty, fear, and hopelessness. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Articles Sorry, there are no recent results for popular articles. Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data Donald Trumps second presidency has the potential to provoke a true geopolitical revolution. There is no certainty about what he will do given the unpredictability of his character and the ambiguity of his campaign in certain aspects but the available indications point to a probable profound impact on international relations. This may occur at different levels, including, clearly, trade. In addition, there are four conflicts through which this impact may be transcendental and long-lasting. Two are wars in full development (Ukraine and the Middle East), while the other two are potential (Taiwan and Korea). Below is an attempt to offer an analytical reading of the available elements. Ukraine During his campaign, Trump repeatedly insisted on two concepts: his willingness to force a peace deal and his unwillingness to continue funding Kyivs war effort. At no point has he defined the conceptual outlines of the former or the timetable for the latter. It is likely that even he is not clear on exactly what he wants to do. Ukraine and its partners hope that the Pompeo doctrine will prevail, in which Trumps former secretary of state proposes to force Vladimir Putin to at least a relatively reasonable agreement through a series of measures that will lead him to believe that it is not in his interest to continue fighting. These measures would include an increase in energy production (by the U.S. and, ideally, Saudi Arabia) that would lower prices, an increase in military spending by NATO countries, a strengthening of the U.S. defense industry and a large loan not a grant to Ukraine. But, within the Trump universe, Pompeo is part of a minority traditionalist segment, which will not necessarily succeed in imposing its theses. Another segment, the isolationist, will push for a very different policy. Trump, for his part, has said that he will stop the war immediately, and he abhors the idea of disbursing more money. During the last term, Republicans blocked the passage of a new aid package for months, under the influence of the Trumpist theory that spending so much American money on Ukraine was absurd. They finally gave the green light, most likely because Trump understood that without this aid, the presidential election in November would have been held with Ukraine defeated and the Republican candidate universally regarded as responsible for this debacle. Trump will certainly not want to go down in history as the leader who presided over Ukraines complete collapse. But the balance between that and his America First policy is extremely complex at a time when current aid is already insufficient and Kyiv is losing. Total defeat may well happen without the political will to do so. The context is that European countries have made a considerable effort to sustain Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion, but U.S. support is irreplaceable. Not only is Washington by far Ukraines leading military supporter (around $60 billion from 2022, compared to around $10.65 billion each from Germany and the UK, according to data from the Kiel Institute), but it is the only power capable of providing essential intelligence support and special capabilities. The EU is far from having managed to increase its productive fabric enough to compensate for the absence of Ukraines primary support. U.S. support, although also limited, is an indispensable pillar. On the other hand, Putin has just received a major boost in strength with the arrival of North Korean soldiers. At the same time, he is no doubt sensing the hesitation and fatigue of his opponents. He will persist. An outright Russian victory would be a historic turning point. But even an agreement sanctioning a significant territorial loss and the inhibition of the freedom of foreign policy of what remained of Ukraine would be a geostrategic success for Russia that would not only have an impact on the region, but would change global relations, with the understanding that Western democracies can be defeated on matters of utmost importance by sheer superiority of willpower. It would be a message of immeasurable effect on a global scale: both for European allies, who would be touched by the reality of American detachment from the region, as well as for the entire galaxy of authoritarian regimes dissatisfied with Western primacy, who would see its weakening and the disintegration of the bond between its main representatives. Middle East Trumps first presidency made clear his absolute support for Israel and its colonizing plan, and also his determination to redraw the map of the region, fostering an alliance with the Sunni monarchies that would corner the Shia axis. The Biden administration has given Israel immense military support. The Trump administration can give it even greater political support. A study by Brown University in the U.S. estimates that Washington provided military aid worth around $18 billion to Israel between October 7, 2023 the day of the Hamas attack and September 30, 2024. This is in addition to the approximately $4 billion provided annually in recent decades. Israels brutally disproportionate response, an intolerable collective punishment, would not have been possible without all this. Nevertheless, albeit insufficiently and ineffectively, the Biden presidency attempted to draw some boundaries and maintained its attachment, at least rhetorically, to the two-state solution. Now the scenario may get worse. For starters, until the new president is sworn in on January 20, Benjamin Netanyahu can count on more than two months of absolute freedom from an outgoing and delegitimized U.S. administration. He will probably continue his campaign, under the logic that an intense conflict is his best guarantee of staying in power. Afterwards, he will have a president who is happy to turn a blind eye to illegal colonization and who broke the nuclear agreement with Iran that Barack Obama had sealed and that Europe wanted to maintain. It is worth remembering that the Israeli prime minister recently made thinly veiled threats of regime change in Iran. It is possible that Trump will pressure him to end the war and take credit for it. If this is the case, it is possible to foresee a great willingness to make concessions on the part of Trumps White House in the face of Israels colonizing abuses and a transactional relationship with Saudi Arabia and other Sunni regimes that will allow them a wide range of action if they are involved in large arms purchase contracts in parallel a scheme that was already seen to emerge in his first term. This would have multiple consequences. Not only would it likely put a final nail in the coffin of Palestinian aspirations and rights but it would also drive Iran even further into the arms of Russia and China, consolidating the nascent Asian authoritarian axis alongside North Korea. Taiwan Although the new Trump presidencys relationship with China will be marked from the start by the tariffs that the U.S. may impose, or new restrictions on access to sensitive technologies, an essential strategic point in the medium and long term will be the signals that the new president sends about Taiwan. It should be remembered that Xi Jinping has repeatedly pointed out that the rejuvenation of China that he seeks necessarily entails the assertion of Beijings control over the island. Biden has been the most explicit of American presidents in his promises to defend Taiwan if it were unjustifiably attacked. While the desire to maintain U.S. primacy over China is a central part of Trumps discourse and is, incidentally, the only bipartisan consensus in Washington the isolationist instinct and the reluctance to get involved in military operations are an essential part of his policy. If Beijing were to interpret that Trump is not willing to act to defend Taiwan, this could change calculations about the opportunity of military action to subjugate the island. North Korea The strengthening of ties between Pyongyang and Moscow raises many concerns. The first reason is obvious: through military support to Russia, North Korea seeks in return aid from the Kremlin military technology, food, energy and in general the possibility of not depending only on China, to expand its options, to have a triangular capacity instead of merely bilateral. But some wonder if the activation of this clause of mutual military support is a step to strengthen Pyongyangs options for attacking South Korea. This is unlikely, but it is inadvisable to rule anything out, especially if the isolationist branch ends up prevailing in the new Trump administration. There is no certainty about what Trump will do. It is possible that none of the worst-case scenarios will materialize. But the track record of his first presidency, and of his recent campaign, gives the impression that, unlike in 2016, he will not surround himself with figures from the Republican establishment who curbed his instincts. Back then, he did not think he would win, he did not really have a program or a prepared team. This time it is different. This time a deep break in the network of alliances built by the U.S. after 1945 and a substantial alteration of the geopolitical landscape seem more likely. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Welcome Guest! You are here: Home 2024 Maharashtra Elections: Where Muslims Stand? Increased Muslim representation on both sides - within the government and the opposition, could open new doors for substantial influence in shaping Maharashtras political future Tuesday November 12, 2024 8:12 PM , Mohd Ziyauallah Khan [Akbaruddin Owaisi addressing a rally in Maharashtra: The AIMIMs selective contesting of 16 seats, avoiding competition with Muslim candidates from Congress or NCP, indicates a strategic approach aimed at strengthening its base without diluting secular votes.] In Maharashtra, all we can see is ambiguity, confusion and too much incumbency leading to chaos making it a Maha Mess at the moment. The struggle extends beyond mere control of governance; its a contest of proving political inheritance. With the main power struggle witnessed between the Congress and the BJP, and both the parties rely heavily on alliances. Congress has allied with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), while the BJP has teamed up with the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). This election is not only about political control but also about survival for each faction. However, amidst all this, where do the Muslim or M Factor stands is interesting to explore in the pretext of the upcoming Maha assembly elections. Hindutva Factor Despite past setbacks, the BJP is now approaching the Maharashtra election with renewed strength, emphasising Hindutva as a unifying issue. The slogan Batenge to Katenge (If divided, we will be cut down) targets Hindu unity against Muslims. However, the Maratha reservation movement remains a key obstacle, complicating the BJPs strategy even with a strong Hindutva wave. This has even added an impact on the other secular parties including the Congress when they too are following the soft-Hindutva stance to keep the Muslims away from contesting on their tickets in the state. Engaging Muslim Voters Although it is clear that the BJP has not given a single seat to the Muslim candidates, we can only find them in their allies with few names, including the late Baba Siddiqui, we can woo the Muslim voters to some extent. Thanks to the dwindling Maratha support, the BJP is appealing Muslim voters through initiatives like scholarships for Muslim students and increased funding for Maulana Azad Minority Corporation. Unlike its stance in other states, the Maharashtra BJP has softened policies on madrassas, even tripling madrasa teacher salaries, diverging from the stricter approaches seen in states like Assam and Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, Muslims allege that the Congress seems to have taken the Muslim community for granted (giving a handful of seats to contest), which has somewhat hampered their enthusiasm in the upcoming state election unlike seen during the general elections. Ladli Behna Yojana" In a bid to attract women voters, including Muslims, the BJP introduced the Ladli Behna scheme, offering 1,500 per month to them. The scheme has gained attention, particularly among lower-income Muslim women, as approximately 13.5 million women are eligible, many of them Muslims. Congress and Internal Challenges Facing a cautious outlook after mixed results, Congress has fielded few Muslim candidates out of the 105 it has fielded. However, internal discord, and sidelining of some prominent Muslim leaders by senior leadership, remain challenges in maintaining cohesion within the party. Role of NCP and Factional Influence Sharad Pawars NCP, contesting 87 seats with 02 Muslim candidates, holds significant sway over the MVA coalition. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawars NCP , aligned with the BJP, has fielded 05 Muslim candidates in 51 seats, showcasing a meritocratic approach that includes Muslim representation. Shiv Sena Factions and Muslim Appeal Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena, despite its alliance with the BJP, has limited independent influence. In contrast, Uddhav Thackerays faction has gained Maratha and Muslim sympathy, particularly due to its handling of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and its governance during the pandemic. AIMIMs Focused Strategy and Minor Parties The AIMIMs selective contesting of 16 seats , avoiding competition with Muslim candidates from Congress or NCP, indicates a strategic approach aimed at strengthening its base without diluting secular votes. Smaller parties like the Samajwadi Party and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi also focus on competing against AIMIMs candidates rather than directly challenging the BJP. Final thoughts While Hindutva remains a central theme for the BJP, economic concerns - such as the relocation of major projects to Gujarat, impacting local employment, pose challenges. Frustration among voters over limited economic progress could impact the election outcome, adding complexity to the BJPs anticipated dominance. Thus for Maharashtras Muslims, this election offers a unique chance to transcend traditional communal and secular politics. Increased Muslim representation on both sides - within the government and the opposition, could open new doors for substantial influence in shaping Maharashtras political future. [Mohd Ziyauallah Khan is a freelance content writer based in Nagpur. He is also an activist and social entrepreneur, co-founder of the group TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media.] 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 AIMIM MLA from Malegaon, Mufti Ismail, referred to Mumbai after cardiac arrest Mufti Ismail Qasmi, sitting MLA and AIMIM candidate from Malegaon Central Assembly Constituency has been referred to Mumbai after cardiac arrest Tuesday November 12, 2024 12:04 PM , ummid.com Staff Reporter [Mufti Ismail was seen offering Maghrib salah in the hospital on Monday Nov 11, 2024.] Malegaon: Mufti Ismail Qasmi, sitting MLA and AIMIM candidate from Malegaon Central Assembly Constituency, has been referred to Mumbai after cardiac arrest. Mufti Ismail, on campaign trail, was admitted to Indu Memorial Hospital in Malegaon on Monday Nov 11, 2024 after he complained of chest pain. His condition deteriorated at around 04:00 AM Tuesday November 12, 2024 following which he has been referred to Mumbai, Dr Gaurav Thakre of Indu Memorial Hospital, told ummid.com. Mufti Ismail was brought to my hospital on Monday and it was found that he had a mild heart attack. The necessary treatment was given and he was recovering. But, at around 04:00 AM today, he had another heart attack following which we decided to refer him to senior doctors in Mumbai for bypass surgery, Dr Thakre said. Dr Thakre said he was in the hospital for a routine round visit when he saw "uneasy Mufti Isamil on his bed in the ICU". Immediate medical assistance was provided to him. After consultation with his sons, it was decided that he should be immediately referred to Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay in Mumbai, Dr Thakre said. Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay, a renowned heart surgeon, is attached with multiple hospitals in Mumbai. He is likely to operate on Mufti Ismail either at Masina Hospital in Byculla or Saifee Hospital in Marine Lines, Mumbai. Show of Solidarity Mufti Ismail Qasmi is the sitting MLA from Malegaon Central assembly seat and is contesting the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections in an attempt to repeat his 2019 success from the same seat. Soon after the report that Mufti Ismail has fallen ill went viral, a huge crowd of his supporters rushed to Indu Memorial Hospital for the latest update on the AIMIM MLAs health. In a humanitarian gesture, Mufti Ismails political rivals and those who are contesting the elections against him went to the hospital to enquire about Mufti Ismaels health condition. The first to call on Mufti Ismael in the hospital was Asif Shaikh Rashid, ex Congress MLA who is contesting the 2024 elections as independent. Soon later, Congress candidate Ejaz Beg and Samajwadi Party candidate Shan e Hind also went to the hospital for the ayadat of Mufti Ismail. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party cancelled its rally in Nayapura in a show of solidarity with the ailing AIMIM leader. Malegaon - along with the 287 seats of the Maharashtra assembly, is set to vote to elect a new MLA on Nov 20, 2024. Counting of votes and announcement of results will be on Nov 23, 2024. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Sam Brown was, on paper, a perfect candidate for the Republicans. The retired Army captain, a war hero who failed in his 2022 bid for the Senate from Nevada, tried again in the November 5 elections, hoping that Donald Trumps presidential campaign would boost him to defeat Democrat Jacky Rosen, whose Senate seat the Republican Party wanted to challenge her for. Brown served in Afghanistan and was awarded the Purple Heart after being disfigured in 2008 by a Taliban bomb. But his campaign, centered on his dedication to the country and conservative values, was not enough. Rosen retains that Democratic Senate seat. In addition, Brown ultimately received 69,000 fewer votes than Trump, who did triumph in that key Western state. This is not the only case of a dual vote: voters who voted overwhelmingly for the Republican candidate on the presidential ballot, but who opted for representatives of Kamala Harris party for the Senate. In the elections of November 5, the upper house renewed a third of its members. Trump won in all seven key states (Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona), but Democratic candidates defeated their Republican opponents in four of the six swing states where Senate seats were up for grabs. This highlights the weakness of presidential candidate Harris, who was defeated in those same states. Only in Pennsylvania did the president-elects victory coincide with that of Republican Senate candidate David McCormick. The former president of Bridgewater, one of the largest investment funds in the United States, snatched the seat from Bob Casey, who has been in the upper house since 2007. In Georgia and North Carolina, there were no Senate seats up for grabs. In the latter, however, a Democrat was elected governor after a scandal sank his Republican rival. Republicans will control the Senate from January 2025 and have a very high chance of retaining the House of Representatives, pending the end of the vote count. Voters chose Trump in an election marked by disillusionment with the economy and a desire to punish Joe Bidens administration for its handling of migration, but in key territories they refused to give the Republican candidate a blank check and opted to balance the ballots on both sides with the Senate option. Thom Reilly, a professor at the University of Arizona School of Public Affairs, explains that this is due to the weight of voters considered independent. Traditionally, they cast ballots and respond more to the candidates and issues that concern them most, unlike partisan voters, who will always opt for the candidates of their organization, says the academic. Registered independent voters supported Harris by 50% to Trumps 45%, according to an Edison/Reuters exit poll. It was a completely different story in the key states, Reilly said. The Republican won over independents in Arizona, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, where they gave him victory. Biden won independents by 13 points four years ago. The academic points out that this crossover vote can also be seen in the local referendums held that same day in several states. In Arizona, for example, nearly 1.7 million people considered that the right to abortion should be elevated to the local Constitution. Harris received 350,000 fewer votes in that same state than the initiative, despite the fact that her campaign focused heavily on womens rights. Many of these voters do not support Trump, but the Democrats were unable to convince them that her message was better on several issues, including the economy, says Reilly. This dual vote reflects Trump's power as a political brand. The Republican phenomenon, however, did not spread to many of the Republican candidates in the territories that were in play. Mike Rogers had the difficult mission of becoming the first conservative candidate to win in the Senate race in Michigan, the only one of the decisive states where Harris triumphed among independents. The former congressman, however, was defeated by Elissa Slotkin, considered one of the rising stars within the Democratic Party. Slotkin took the seat of a senator who retired after three legislative terms. Rogers is no stranger to Michigan. He served as a federal legislator from 2001 to 2015. Yet he received 116,000 fewer votes than Trump in Michigan. It is the largest gap between the president-elect and a Republican candidate. In Wisconsin, banker and financier Eric Hovde received 53,000 fewer votes than the president-elect and lost the Senate race after spending the final stretch of his campaign attacking his rival, Tammy Baldwin, and her girlfriend. In 2012, she became the first openly gay senator on Capitol Hill. Baldwin is one of the most influential politicians in the Midwestern state and one of the Democrats who performed better in the elections than Harris. The senator was re-elected with 4,500 more votes than the vice president. Adam Kunz, a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin, explained last week on public radio that Baldwin achieved better results in 70 of the 72 counties in Wisconsin. The senator appeals to a group of rural people and in the suburbs outside Milwaukee, Madison, and Eau Claire. Harris did not manage to be a sufficiently attractive candidate in these marginal areas, said Kunz. Harris was outperformed by several Democratic candidates. Slotkin in Michigan outpaced her by nearly 16,000 votes. The biggest gap in a swing state was in Arizona. Congressman Ruben Gallego will replace Kyrsten Sinema, who left the Democratic camp to declare herself an independent and ultimately refused to seek re-election. Democrat Elissa Slotkin wins Michigan Senate race. Mariam Zuhaib (AP) His opponent is the controversial Kari Lake, a former television star who joined the Trump camp and is one of the most active spokespeople in defense of the non-existent election fraud of four years ago. She alienated many Republicans, supporters of John McCain and moderates. She also failed to secure the support of former governor Jan Brewer, who is important among Republicans. That hurt her chances, says professor Reilly. Harris, however, performed strongly in several Democratic strongholds, where she outperformed established names in American politics. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders received 5,000 fewer votes than Harris in Vermont, the state he has represented for 17 years and from which he won re-election to the Senate. He won 63.3% of the vote (Harris got 64.4%). Last Wednesday, Sanders harshly criticized the Democratic Party, saying that no one should be surprised by the result, since the organization has distanced itself from the working class. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Development or Dispossession? Reality of Kashmirs Struggle Kashmir today is not the thriving land of development we were promised. Its a place where promises are unfulfilled, and real progress remains elusive Wednesday November 13, 2024 0:06 AM , Ishfaq Qadir Bhat [Security Forces in Kashmir (File image/Social Media)] Let's cut the nonsense and get straight to the point. Kashmir isnt just some beautiful paradise people babble about, and it's definitely not an experiment for clueless outsiders to throw around their half- baked theories. These outsiders sitting comfortably behind their screens have no idea what Kashmiris endure every day. They mindlessly simplify and distort our reality, and Im fed up with it. Now, dont even get me started on those idiots who think they can fix Kashmir with their grand ideas on development. Do they even know anything about our actual issues? These government policies arent helping us; theyre suffocating us. Kashmir doesnt need a bunch of clueless "urbanization experts" to tell us whats best. Our economy is built on hard work in agriculture, the apple and walnut trade, and tourism. Not on fancy urban projects that only distract from the real issues. Let me shake you with some facts: Kashmir produces 2.5 to 2.8 million metric tons of apples each year, making up 75% of India's apples. Yet, thanks to India's pathetic infrastructure, nearly 59% of that crop goes to waste due to transport delays and broken roads. In 2023, over 8,000 trucks were stranded on the national highway for four weeks. Fayaz Bukhari, a local Journalist, called it an "apocalypse". And then there is Indias G20 show-off, a whopping 416 crores thrown at a two-day cleanup. But lets be real: Those newly renovated roads are already back to looking like garbage. I know 13 villages in North Kashmir where road connectivity is a bad joke. Im not just quoting articles; Ive lived this reality. Since the abrogation of Article 370 , we were promised opportunities, with special budgets in lakh crores for development. But lets talk about what so-called development truly means in Kashmir. To some, it might mean new infrastructure or job creation, but for Kashmiris, development means something else entirely. Here, A stands for Arrest, B for Bullet, C for Custodial death, and D for Decomposed bodies in unmarked graves. These arent just letters; theyre the reality we live with. Outsiders may view the Jhelum River as a symbol of beauty and peace. But for us, its an eyewitness to the decades of suffering that Kashmiris have endured. Films like Haider offer only a glimpse of what its really like here, barely scratching the surface of the truth. When Article 370 was abrogated, we were promised a new era of opportunities. The Home Minister delivered a rousing speech, claiming that this historic decision would open doors for development in education, infrastructure, and employment, with special budgets worth lakhs of crores allocated for Jammu and Kashmir. According to the speech, Article 370 was the reason for Kashmirs underdevelopment and supposed low literacy rate. But lets clear up the facts here. Jammu and Kashmir already had a higher literacy rate than many other Indian states, including Jharkhand, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. According to the NSO census of 2017, our literacy rate stands at 77.3%. Yet, this misinformation was confidently delivered to the nation and even on the floor of the house. And when it comes to infrastructurehas any significant structure come up since 2019? Weve seen approvals and announcements, but has anything actually materialized? If there are concrete examples, please, Id love to hear them. Real development means more than ribbon-cuttings and paint jobs. We have yet to see the establishment of a single new university, dental college, or agricultural institution, let alone any new degree colleges. Then, lets talk about job security. The selection lists for government positions reveal a troubling trend: jobs that were once secure for locals are increasingly being filled by people from other states. Some argue that unemployment is a national issue, but states in North India have protections through Article 371 that reserve jobs for locals. If they enjoy this privilege, why not us? Law and order challenges exist in Naxal-affected regions, in Nagaland, and in Manipur, yet none of these states have faced the same restrictions and treatment as Jammu and Kashmir. Are we reshaping Indias federal structure, starting with Kashmir? That, perhaps, is a debate for another day. The Lieutenant Governor promised two lakh jobs. Where are they? No one has the data to prove that these jobs have been created. I do, however, have figures that show Ph.D. holders here applying for Class IV jobs only to be rejected, labeled overqualified. With no options, many of these Ph.D. graduates are now selling fruits and dry fruits. This is the reality for Kashmirs most educated people. Kashmir today is not the thriving land of development we were promised. Its a place where promises are unfulfilled, and real progress remains elusive. Lies may sound convincing in speeches, but reality lays bare a grim truth. Our agriculture, the backbone of our economy, has been largely ignored. The fertile valleys of Kashmir provide a livelihood for thousands, yet government policies blatantly disregard this sector. India, supposedly an agricultural country, continues to push industrialization at the expense of farmers, treating us with the same colonial mindset the British imposed. Meanwhile, the power generated in Kashmir is siphoned off to other regions. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) profits immensely while Kashmiris pay inflated rates to buy back their own electricity. This isnt just unfair; its exploitation. As Farooq Abdullah admitted, all the benefits of the mega projects of the state are taken away by New Delhi. Most items of daily consumption here are imported, with local production neglected. Our imports exceed exports by a factor of four, making us dependent on tourism and handicrafts. But tourism is hardly a stable economic foundation, and handicrafts, which once employed thousands, are sidelined. The millions spent on infrastructure improvements arent for us; they serve only to facilitate military access and tighten the governments control. These so-called Smart City projects in Srinagar and Jammu are another tragic joke. Footpaths are widened while roads shrink, and "smart" electricity meters do nothing to address frequent outages. This is not progress; its a scheme to show development for the cameras, while locals remain in the dark literally and figuratively. Meanwhile, Indias normalcy narrative falls apart under scrutiny. A recent order from the Jammu and Kashmir administration virtually criminalizes complaints against government officials. If any allegations are deemed fraudulent, officials are encouraged to prosecute the whistleblower rather than address the corruption. Journalists are silenced, their voices drowned by government propaganda, with social media heavily monitored to suppress dissent. Even the rising crime ratesmurders up by 25% in 2020, crimes against children up by 29%tell a story of worsening conditions. Adding to this bleak picture is the drug abuse crisis that has escalated dramatically, with around 60% of Kashmirs youth now involved in some form of drug abuse. This fuels violence, social instability, and a vicious cycle that law enforcement struggles to contain. The governments approach doesnt just fail Kashmiris; it jeopardizes the entire region. Rising militancy, flawed counter-insurgency measures, and strained diplomatic relations lead to civilian and security force casualties alike. This isnt integration or unity; its forced assimilation, designed to silence, control, and erase Kashmir. You talk about development and progress? Thats a joke. What good is development when our people are trapped in a cycle of violence, poverty, and broken promises? You want to understand Kashmir? Dont just parrot what you hear from news outlets or government reports. Come here. See it for yourself. Only then can you even begin to think about having a say. But even then, youll never truly get it. So until then, keep your opinions to yourselfthey mean nothing. When the veil of propaganda is lifted, what remains is not progress, but a policy of exploitation, control, and disenfranchisement. Kashmiris dont need empty gestures; they need a voice, their rights, and the respect theyve long been denied. Until then, development in Kashmir remains an illusiona promise unfulfilled and a land robbed of its soul. [The writer, Ishfaq Qadir Bhat, is a student. He has authored Wolverine in City of Vampires and co-authored The Creative Minds. Views are personal.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Donald Trump is beginning to shape his team. With his first appointments and his discarded options the president-elect is signalling that personal loyalty is a necessary condition for being part of the new U.S. administration. He began by appointing Susie Wiles, the discreet director of his presidential campaign, as his future chief of staff, a kind of shadow president. After that, he selected Tom Homan as his border czar; Homan is a veteran immigration official who already applied Trumps immigration policies with a heavy hand during the latters first term. Stephen Miller, another anti-immigration hawk, will be deputy chief of staff at the White House. In addition, Trump has already settled on the top members of his foreign policy team. Senator Marco Rubio is expected to be secretary of state, which will make him the first Latino to head American diplomacy. He has also chosen Elise Stefanik, who considers the United Nations an anti-Semitic institution, to be his ambassador to the UN, and offered Mike Waltz the post of national security adviser. The appointments also include Lee Zeldin, who voted against certifying Joe Bidens victory in 2020; he will lead the environmental agency with the mission of eliminating regulations. Curiously, before announcing the appointments, the first thing Trump did was to say that he was not counting on Nikki Haley, who was his first ambassador to the UN and, more recently, his rival in the Republican primaries, nor on Mike Pompeo, whom he appointed as secretary of state in his first term. This was interpreted as a warning that those who have criticized him in the past will have no place at his table. Those chosen to stand with Trump have demonstrated their loyalty over the years. Some joined in the hoax that the 2020 election was stolen, others defended him in the impeachment process for his role in the assault on the Capitol. Others marched to support him when he was on trial in New York for the hush money case. With his first appointments, Trump has filled prominent positions in two of his priority areas: immigration and foreign policy. What he has not yet outlined, or has not been revealed, is his economic team. Foreign policy Rubio, 53, was elected as a senator in 2010, becoming the first son of Cuban immigrants to serve in the Senate, where he has stood out as a foreign policy hawk, taking tough stances on China and Iran in particular. He has also supported sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. He is additionally a staunch defender of Israel. Rubio faced Trump in the 2016 primaries, but they later made peace. His name was mentioned among the possible vice presidential candidates, and he has campaigned alongside Trump in the presidential election race. Although he was initially a leading supporter of Ukraine, he voted against legislation last year that allocated some $61 billion in aid to the country, saying he rejected the measure because he did not believe it addressed immigration concerns. Im not on Russias side, but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement, Rubio said in an interview in late September on NBCs Meet the Press. We hope that when that time comes, there is more leverage on the Ukrainian side than on the Russian side. That really is the goal here, in my mind. And I think thats what Donald Trump is trying to say. Stefanik, 40, has remained loyal to Trump, and was his ally in the impeachment process against the former president for his role in the assault on the Capitol. She replaced Liz Cheney as the fourth-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, which she joined in 2014 as the youngest congresswoman in the history of the United States. The New York native embraced Trump and Republican conspiracy theories. Last term, Stefanik became the scourge of female university presidents, accusing them of anti-Semitism during the Gaza war protests. Her line of questioning a year ago in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce ended up costing the University of Pennsylvanias Liz Magill and Harvards Claudine Gay their seats. The congresswoman has portrayed herself as a staunch defender of Israel. However, she has little experience in foreign policy and national security. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter, Trump said in a statement on Monday announcing his choice. Mike Waltz sits on the House China Task Force, which coordinates policy on how the United States should compete with the Asian superpower. He is one of the most hawkish congressmen on China, and called for the U.S. to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing over its involvement in the origin of Covid and its mistreatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority. He has been highly critical of aid to Ukraine. The era of Ukraines blank check from Congress is over, he wrote in an article for Fox News. Stopping Russia before it draws NATO and therefore the U.S. into war is the right thing to do. But the burden cannot continue to be solely on the shoulders of the American people, especially while Western Europe gets a pass. Immigration Trump also announced on Sunday night via his social media site, Truth Social, that he had appointed Tom Homan as the new border czar, as he called him. Homan was already in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trumps first term and has remained loyal to him. He campaigned for Trump in the primaries and also spoke at the Republican National Convention in July in Milwaukee. I got a message to the millions of illegal aliens that Joe Bidens released in our country. You better start packing now, he said. Homan will be responsible not only for fighting illegal immigration, but also for handling the mass deportation of immigrants, one of the president-elects signature campaign promises. I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nations Borders, Trump wrote. Homan collaborated on Project 2025, the conservatives flagship program that Trump distanced himself from during his campaign. In the Republicans first presidency, Homan embodied the governments hardline policy against immigration. He defended mass deportations in a recent interview on CBSs 60 Minutes program. I hear a lot of people say, you know, the talk of a mass deportation is racist. [That] its threatening to the immigrant community. Its not threatening to the immigrant community. It should be threatening to the illegal immigrant community. But on the heels of [a] historic illegal immigration crisis. That has to be done, he said. Its not gonna be a mass sweep of neighborhoods. Its not gonna be building concentration camps. Ive read it all. Its ridiculous, he said in that interview. Theyll be targeted arrests. Well know who were going to arrest, where were most likely to find em based on numerous investigative processes. He said he favored workplace raids, intended to prevent undocumented workers from competing with U.S. citizens and to combat human trafficking. He also said its possible to carry out such deportations without separating children from their families. Families can be deported together, he said. Homans appointment is joined by that of Stephen Miller, another immigration hawk, as deputy chief of staff for policy. The appointment was announced by CNN. This is another fantastic pick by the president. Congrats Stephen M, tweeted vice president-elect J. D. Vance. Miller was a senior adviser in Trumps first term and one of the driving forces behind his measure to separate thousands of immigrant families as a deterrent program in 2018. The first measures Trump wants to have a battery of executive orders ready to approve on the day of his inauguration, the day he once said he would act like a dictator to close the border, meaning to illegal immigration, and to drill, drill, drill, that is, to relax regulations for oil extraction. Asked this Sunday on Fox News how many executive orders could be expected in the first week, Trumps national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, answered: There will be dozens of them. I can assure you of that. There are matters that can be regulated by decree, but others are reserved for Congress. Often, the red line ends up being drawn by the courts. It is assumed that among those measures on the first day there will be some dealing with immigration. Trump wants to reinstate his Remain in Mexico policy, under which asylum seekers have to remain on the other side of the border while their applications are being processed. He also wants to eliminate automatic citizenship for babies born in the United States to undocumented immigrants, although it is not clear that he has the power to do so by executive order. Imposing tariffs, at least temporarily, is also within the presidents powers if he claims national security is at stake. Although the president-elect has said that tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary and it is taken for granted that he will impose them across the board, he has put less emphasis on doing so on day one. He did say that he would impose a 25% tax on all imports from Mexico immediately if Mexicos president, Claudia Sheinbaum, does not stop the flow of immigrants and drug trafficking. Trumps priorities include firing Special Counsel Jack Smith (in two seconds, he said), who managed to get him charged with dozens of crimes for illegally retaining classified documents containing secrets about the United States defense and for attempts to subvert the outcome of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden. In addition, he can approve clemency measures for all the people who were prosecuted for the assault on the Capitol, whom he has called hostages, political prisoners and patriots and whom he promised to help on the first day in office. I am inclined to pardon many of them. I cant say for every single one because a couple of them, probably, they got out of control, he said in May in an interview on CNN. According to the media, Trump has already prepared a draft decree to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, the international treaty sponsored by the United Nations to combat climate change. The new president can by decree eliminate environmental protections, stop wind projects and eliminate incentives for green energy and bet on drilling, drilling, drilling in search of oil and gas. The announcement of the appointment of Lee Zeldin, another of his faithful followers, as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) already expressly indicates that his mission is to eliminate regulations that hinder the operation of companies. The president-elect has also campaigned against trans rights protections, a battleground of the culture war. When current President Joe Biden announced measures to prevent discrimination against them, Trump retorted in May: Were going to end it on Day 1. Dont forget, that was done as an order from the president. That came down as an executive order. And were going to change it. On Day 1 its going to be changed. Trump also said that the first thing he would do upon taking office would be to exempt tips from taxes for hospitality workers. That, in reality, is up to Congress. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition KYODO NEWS - Nov 12, 2024 - 16:36 | All, Japan The Japanese health ministry on Tuesday called for seniors to take routine coronavirus vaccinations ahead of the winter, when infections are expected to rise, with data signaling sluggish progress in getting the shots. It is the first winter since the government ended in March its free COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone aged 6 months or older. Those aged 65 years or older and others at risk, however, are eligible for shots at a reduced fee. As of Friday, however, only about 4.57 million doses had been delivered to medical institutions out of a total of 32.24 million doses estimated to have been supplied for the winter season, according to Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Takamaro Fukuoka. "We usually see the spread (of COVID-19) in the winter," the minister said as he called on more people to be inoculated. The vaccination period has been set between Oct. 1 and March 31, targeting individuals aged 65 and above, and people aged between 60 and 64 with an underlying disease. Five vaccine products are available. In Japan, around 32,500 people died of COVID-19 in the first year after most coronavirus-related guidelines were lifted in May 2023, with people aged 65 or older accounting for 97 percent of the total, according to statistics compiled by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. In May 2023, the government downgraded the legal status of COVID-19 to the same category as seasonal influenza. Related coverage: Japan COVID deaths 14 times that of flu after guidelines lifted The Colorado Mesa University has received an honorable award from the Colorado Department of Higher Education for its support toward first-generation students. With a new title as the First Generation-Serving Institution, the CDHE acknowledged CMU's commitment to supporting students who are the first in their families to attend college. Currently, nearly 50% of CMU's student body consists of these first-gen learners compared to 2021's 37%, per the University report itself. With their commitment, they not only let students access college but also help them thrive. It's one of the only five institutions that received this enrollment distinction. CMU's Programs for First Gen Learners To guide first-gen students to their own success, there are programs that ensures they have the tools to succeed, such as targeted scholarships and peer mentoring. In fact, several faculty and staff were also the first in their families to attend college as well and have now been mentoring students in the same distinction. Beyond academics, CMU also promotes an innovative approach that helps them focus on critical thinking and problem-solving. This way, students aren't just learning facts, they're also learning how to think independently so they can address real-world challenges, which is valuable for first-gen students who often face unique challenges in their academic journey. For this approach, CMU is on a mission to include and prepare students for meaningful careers and civic engagement. Through personal growth that is sustained by specific programs, and intellectual development, Colorado Mesa University hopes that these students can also create new opportunities for themselves, their families, and their future generations. With this recognition, CMU reinforces its goal of providing quality education for all, regardless of their background. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2024) The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) is set to auction a variety of commercial plots in Islamabads G-13 and G-14 sectors on November 13 (Thursday), at the Citizen Club in F-9 Park. An official from FGEHA told APP that the auction will feature several commercial plots in G-14, multiple Class-III commercial plots in G-13, G-14/2, and G-14/3, as well as a petrol pump plot in the Mauve area on Sri Nagar Highway in G-13. Mixed-use plots and apartments in front of G-13 Markaz will also be available for bidding. The winning bidders can complete payments in convenient installments over two years. Those who pay the full amount upfront will receive a 10% discount, with an additional 5% rebate available for full payments made in U. S. Dollars through official banking channels. FGEHA has announced that 25% of the plot price must be paid for building plan approval, while plot possession will be granted upon payment of 75% of the total amount. A Ministry of Housing and Works official mentioned that the Authority has advertised the auction in major newspapers, encouraging interested parties to collect brochures from the FGEHA office. The prime locations of these plots make them ideal for multi-use businesses, shopping centers, corporate offices, and banks. The official said that interested individuals can contact FGEHA at 051-9106466 for more information. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2024) Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday expressed profound sorrow over a tragic bus accident near Astore, which claimed multiple lives. In his message he extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, affirming his solidarity with them in this time of grief. He offered prayers for the forgiveness and elevated ranks of those who lost their lives, patience for the bereaved families, and a swift recovery for the injured. Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan, leader of the House Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and leader of the opposition Senator Syed Shibli Faraz also issued separate condolence messages, expressing deep sadness over the incident and offering their sympathies to the affected families. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2024) Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday visited the residence of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Gulberg. Provincial Minister Shafay Hussain was also present at the meeting, where leaders expressed their deep sympathy for the martyrs families and expressed solidarity following the recent blast at Quetta Railway Station. Chaudhry Shujaat condemned the tragic attack and urged the federal government to honor the fallen by naming newly constructed roads after them. Responding to this, Minister Naqvi announced that new roads in Islamabad would indeed be named in memory of the martyrs and that discussions would be held with other provincial leaders to extend this initiative nationwide. This will be a lasting gesture of solidarity from the government, showing honor for the sacrifices of our martyrs and their families, stated Shujaat. Naqvi expressed Pakistans unmatched commitment in the fight against terrorism, acknowledging that thousands of Pakistanis have given their lives for peace. We are eternally indebted to the martyrs and stand united with their families, he said. In a lighter moment during the meeting, Shujaat and Shafay Hussain congratulated Naqvi on Pakistans recent historic one-day series win over Australia, noting the dedication and skill shown by the players. This victory was a long-awaited triumph for both the team and the nation, said Shujaat, expressing hope that Pakistan would continue to perform well in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Bharath on Tuesday appreciated the UK government for its enduring support through the UK-PAK Health Partnership ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2024) Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Bharath on Tuesday appreciated the UK government for its enduring support through the UK-PAK Health Partnership. He was talking to the British High Commission's Development Director, Ms Jo Moir who met him to advance the UK-Pakistan partnership and ongoing support in strengthening healthcare in Pakistan. Dr Bharath highlighted the transformative role of technical assistance in advancing Pakistan's health and population goals. "The UK government's support has been invaluable in achieving key milestones in our health sector," he noted, underscoring the positive impact of the partnership on health system resilience and service delivery. Ms Jo Moir commended the strong partnership between the UK and Pakistan and reaffirmed the UK's commitment to support Pakistan's healthcare systems. Through initiatives such as the Evidence for Health (E4H) program, GAVI, GFATM, and sustained support for polio eradication, we are dedicated to strengthening healthcare delivery in Pakistan and ensuring essential services reach those in need," she remarked. As part of this ongoing commitment, a high-level UK delegation is scheduled to visit Pakistan shortly to review the UK-Pakistan Health Partnership Agreement signed in 2023. This review will focus on key areas including health systems strengthening, health security, and continued collaboration under the UK-Pakistan health agenda. Addressing population growth and its impact on sustainable development remains a top priority. The President's Task Force on Population is set to convene a strategic meeting in November 2024, with a focus on integrating population strategies with health to enhance healthcare delivery. DG Health and Population said that the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been granted membership in the task force, underscoring the UK's commitment to supporting Pakistan in achieving its population and health objectives. Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala on Tuesday explored opportunities for enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of economic development and addressing shared regional and global challenges BAKU, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala on Tuesday explored opportunities for enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of economic development and addressing shared regional and global challenges. During a meeting on the margins of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the longstanding multifaceted relations between Pakistan and the Czech Republic, spanning both bilateral and multilateral spheres. Both leaders underscored the importance of expanding trade and investment ties to benefit the economic growth and prosperity of both countries, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also highlighted Pakistans strategic location and its potential as a gateway to Central Asia, inviting Czech businesses to explore investment opportunities in various sectors, including energy, technology, and manufacturing. Regional and global issues of mutual interest were also discussed, with both leaders agreeing on the need for sustained efforts to address challenges such as regional security and sustainable development. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that climate change was one of the most pressing issues of their time, requiring a collective global response. He reiterated that Pakistan, despite being one of the countries most affected by climate change, remained committed to advancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience initiatives. The prime minister stressed that collaboration with international partners, including the Czech Republic, is essential to effectively combat the impacts of climate change, promote green energy, and support sustainable development goals. (@Abdulla99267510) United Nations Climate Change Conference 2024, COP29, has started and will continue till 22nd of this month in Baku ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Nov 12nd, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will attend the opening session of the 29th Climate Action Summit (COP-29) in Baku, Azerbaijan on Tuesday. The Prime Minister will host the Climate Finance Roundtable Conference, which will be attended by several global leaders. He will highlight the challenges faced by developing countries, particularly Pakistan, which contribute the least to the emission of harmful and polluting gases yet are severely affected by the adverse impacts of climate change. The Prime Minister will also participate in a high-level event Glaciers 2025: Actions for Glaciers organized by the President of Tajikistan to protect glaciers. Shehbaz Sharif will also hold separate meetings with the Prime Ministers of Denmark and the Czech Republic, who are attending COP-29. In these meetings, discussions will focus on the promotion of bilateral relations. The Prime Minister will also shed light on the climate change-related risks faced by Pakistan. The latest reports suggest that the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2024, COP29, has started and will continue till 22nd of this month in Baku. During the opening plenary session of the COP-29, Pakistan emphasized the critical importance of access to climate finance for developing countries. The Pakistan delegation also stressed the necessity of reaching an agreement on the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance at the COP29. Pakistan also called for strengthening multilateral cooperation, particularly in the face of heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties. Political tensions within the European Parliament bubbled up on Tuesday, causing lawmakers to push back a vote on confirming top members of the EU's new executive team Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2024) Political tensions within the European Parliament bubbled up on Tuesday, causing lawmakers to push back a vote on confirming top members of the EU's new executive team. The European Union's designated foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, made her pitch calling for the 27-member union to pull its weight with a united front on the global stage. "The world is on fire, so we have to stick together," the 47-year-old former Estonian prime minister told her confirmation hearing, adding that the bloc needed to toughen its stance on China over its support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Her approval for the post is in little doubt since she was tapped directly by EU leaders in June. But lawmakers who have to greenlight it have postponed a decision, bundling her together with other more controversial nominees. Kallas is among six vice-presidents chosen to lead EU chief Ursula von der Leyen's new European Commission who faced parliamentary scrutiny in Brussels on Tuesday before starting in their post. Kallas was first up, along with Italy's Raffaele Fitto, of Giorgia Meloni's hard-right Brothers of Italy party, one of the most divisive Names. Lawmakers on the centre and left are unhappy that Fitto was handed a vice presidency with the cohesion and reforms brief despite his hard-right affiliation. "I want to be clear, I am not here to represent a political party. I am not here to represent a member state. I am here today to affirm my commitment to Europe," Fitto said. During an at times tense three-hour questioning, the 55-year-old declined to delve into his politics besides stressing his Christian democratic past, and repeatedly said he was open to dialogue and cooperation. But many were not persuaded. "Fitto fails fitness test," headlined a statement from the Greens group, with lawmaker Bas Eickhout further accusing the Italian of not having "the best interest of the European Union and its citizens at heart". - 'Accelerate or fall behind' - Some see Fitto's high-profile role, which von der Leyen has said reflected Rome's importance within the bloc, as a betrayal of a deal that got her re-elected in July. Meloni's European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), which espouses a brand of politics disliked by progressive EU parliamentarians, did not support the German politician's bid for a second term. Opponents argue it should thus be excluded from the inner sanctum of the new leadership, with Fitto stripped of the vice-presidency. Fitto has the backing of the centre-right EPP, the largest group in parliament. But that's not enough as approval requires a two-thirds majority. "Our proposal is to do a coordinated evaluation of the VPs on Wednesday," said Pascal Canfin of the centrist Renew. The group opposed Fitto but its vote depended "on the final agreement," he added. France's Stephane Sejourne, 39, Spain's Teresa Ribera, Romania's Roxana Minzatu and Finland's Henna Virkkunen -- the other four to be grilled -- are also likely to see their confirmation delayed. "Europe must accelerate or it will fall behind," Sejourne, France's centrist ex-foreign minister, who is to take charge of industrial strategy, said in his opening remarks. Ribera was given what is arguably the commission's most influential role, as competition chief with responsibility over a vast environmental portfolio. A close ally of Spain's socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the 55-year-old might have to fend off attacks on her anti-nuclear views and commitment to pair climate goals with growth. She could also be questioned about her government's response to the devastating floods that have hit the Valencia region. Each EU state has nominated one member to serve on the commission. Vice presidents have specific purviews but are also tasked with coordinating the work of other commissioners on related matters. Von der Leyen, who counts as Germany's representative, allocated portfolios based on personal experience as well as political and national clout. The hearings offer the European Parliament a rare chance to flex its muscles against the bloc's powerful executive -- and at least one candidate has been canned during the five-yearly exercise since 2004. All but one of the 20 questioned last week have been given the green light. The outlier is Hungary's Oliver Varhelyi, an ally of nationalist leader and Brussels rebel Viktor Orban, whose fate is still in the balance, a decision having also been postponed to Wednesday. The team is to start a five-year term in early December. (@FahadShabbir) Muslim World League (MWL) has voiced strong support for the outcomes of the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit held in Riyadh, where member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States convened to address the escalating situation in Palestine RIYADH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2024) The Muslim World League (MWL) has voiced strong support for the outcomes of the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit held in Riyadh, where member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States convened to address the escalating situation in Palestine. The summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia, aimed to consolidate the stance of the Arab and Islamic world on Palestinian rights amid ongoing tensions and challenges. MWL Secretary-General, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa welcomed the resolutions passed at the summit, commending the unified condemnation of Israeli aggression. He underscored the League's steadfast commitment to the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital. Dr. Al-Issa highlighted the summits unanimous denunciation of the Israeli government's actions, which the summit's participants deemed responsible for thwarting ceasefire efforts and further destabilizing the region. Dr. Al-Issa also extended his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their leadership in hosting this pivotal summit. He praised Saudi Arabias ongoing dedication to the Palestinian cause and its proactive role in fostering unity among Islamic nations in support of Palestinian rights and aspirations. The Riyadh summit brought together high-level representatives from across the Arab and Islamic world, emphasizing the need for international accountability, humanitarian support, and renewed efforts to address the longstanding conflict. The gathering concluded with a call for peace, justice, and a sustainable solution to safeguard the Palestinian people's rights and uphold stability across the region. The MWLs endorsement of the summit's resolution signals a commitment to fostering regional unity on the Palestinian issue, reinforcing the League's long-standing stance on justice and freedom for all people in the region. KYODO NEWS - Nov 12, 2024 - 13:03 | All, World North Korea has ratified its defense cooperation treaty with Russia, state-run media reported Tuesday, amid allegations Pyongyang has sent a significant number of troops to support Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty, which includes a provision for mutual assistance if either country comes under attack, was signed in June by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The treaty will take effect from the day when both sides exchanged the ratification instruments," the Korean Central News Agency said, adding Kim signed a decree to ratify the treaty on Monday. Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has already ratified the treaty, sparking concern that the dynamics of the war could shift if North Korea accelerates its military support. The pact stipulates, "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," KCNA reported in June. It effectively revives the countries' mutual defense obligation under a 1961 accord that became invalid following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. The treaty, which will be in "indefinite effect," covers bilateral cooperation on trade, the economy, energy and technology, and other areas, KCNA said. Related coverage: North Korea troops enter Ukraine fight for 1st time, many killed: NYT Ukraine confirms 1st engagement with N. Korea troops: S. Korea media Sending troops to Russia a "gamble" for N. Korea leader: ex-Japan diplomat Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2024) Ukraine said Tuesday that the toll from a Russian strike on the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky had killed four people: a 32-year-old and her three children, including a newborn. The strike on Kryvyi Rig a day earlier ripped into the upper storeys of a Soviet-era residential building in the industrial town, burying victims beneath debris. Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said Tuesday morning that rescue operations at the scene were completed and announced the death toll, adding that 14 people had been wounded in the strike. "The youngest victim of the Russian strike was just two months old. The missile attack killed four people: a mother with three children," he said in a statement on social media. The office of the prosecutor general said the bodies of a 32-year-old woman, a two-month-old baby and children aged two and 10 had been retrieved from the rubble. In a separate post, they said a total of 589 children had been killed and 1,681 wounded since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets wrote on social media that the children's father was the sole survivor in the family of the attack, describing his response to the attack as "indescribable grief". Ukrainian emergency services distributed images showing municipal workers in helmets carrying one of the dead in a white body bag over mounds of brick and bent metal. Separately, authorities in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia said two people were wounded by Russian strikes in the large civilian hub that has come under increasing fatal bombardments. Russia claimed to have annexed the wider Zaporizhzhia region in late 2022 alongside three other regions despite not having full military control over them. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Tuesday called for vengeance following what he described as attacks against supporters of his Pastef party by the opposition during the campaign for parliamentary elections Dakar, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Nov, 2024) Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Tuesday called for vengeance following what he described as attacks against supporters of his Pastef party by the opposition during the campaign for parliamentary elections. Sonko, who has been head of the government since it took office in April, spoke of clashes in the capital Dakar, the northern city of Saint-Louis and the central town of Koungheul. He blamed the attacks on supporters of Dakar mayor Barthelemy Dias, who heads a rival coalition and was convicted of homicide in 2011 during a period of political violence. "Let every aggression suffered by Pastef on their part since the start of the campaign, let every patriot they have attacked and injured be proportionally avenged," Sonko wrote in a Facebook post. "We will exercise our legitimate right to retaliate." "Barthelemy Dias and his coalition should no longer campaign in this country," he said. Senegal is due to elect a new parliament on Sunday after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved the opposition-dominated chamber in September. The ruling Pastef party aims to secure a legislative majority to implement its promises of social justice, economic transformation and efforts to fight against corruption. In a video published by a local tv station showing a rally on Monday, Sonko said he had "called the interior and justice ministers as a candidate" at the start of the campaign. "Three attacks, zero arrests. It's the bankruptcy of the state," Sonko said. He was speaking after the incidents in Saint-Louis, where he accused opposition supporters of having "violently attacked and injured" Pastef backers with "knives, sabres and tear gas grenades". "I once again call on the state of Senegal. A state must not be weak. I have called on the president of the republic several times," Sonko said. "If the state does not resolve this problem, we will do it ourselves and we have the means to do so." The governor of Saint-Louis said in a statement on Tuesday that "incidents had resulted in stab wounds and robberies". Police have opened an inquiry and made 81 arrests, he added. Pastef party supporters held a meeting in Dakar later in the day under the watchful eye of security forces, who blocked access to an exit leading to the area near Dias's home, an AFP journalist saw. If you are not automatically redirected, please navigate to this page. 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. KYODO NEWS - Nov 12, 2024 - 09:33 | Japan, World, All, 3/11 Fukushima China is expected to conduct a sampling of treated radioactive water on the premises of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant early next year, another step toward the removal of its ban on imports of Japanese seafood, Japan's industry ministry said Monday. Following last month's collection of marine samples near the complex, China will carry out its first treated water sampling under a review scheme that Japan agreed on in September for safety checks, enabling a decision on the lifting of the import ban. A group of Chinese researchers and officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency will take samples of treated radioactive water before discharge into the sea under the new scheme, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said at a meeting in Fukushima Prefecture on the decommissioning of the plant. China has said that after confirming the safety of the water in sampling tests, it will gradually ease the import ban that it imposed in August 2023 right after the release began. In October, China joined the IAEA's sampling of seawater around the Fukushima plant conducted according to the U.N. nuclear watchdog's review program. But it has insisted on "independent sampling" of seawater near the plant in addition to the IAEA's reviews of the discharge, and Japan ultimately agreed to this, provided the IAEA was involved so as to ensure fairness and objectivity. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station was damaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Since then, water pumped into the ruined reactors at the plant to cool the melted fuel has accumulated, mixed with rain and groundwater. The water is being treated using an advanced liquid processing system, or ALPS to remove most contaminants, except for the relatively nontoxic tritium. The Japanese government and the plant owner, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., decided in 2021 to discharge the water stored in tanks into the sea under global safety standards. Still, China and Russia called on Japan to halt the plan. China introduced a blanket ban, calling the released water "nuclear-contaminated." But it agreed in September to lift the ban, contingent on its participation in additional monitoring activities. Related coverage: Waves for days fuel surf tourism at Fukushima beach town China's Wang, Japan security adviser agree to keep bilateral dialogue President-elect Donald Trump talked tough on China during his campaign, vowing to impose higher and sweeping tariffs on imports from the Asian giant. Beijing will now also be closely watching the incoming administrations movements further afield, in Africa, where U.S.-China rivalry is high. Experts disagree on what a second Trump term will mean for Beijings ambitions on the continent, with some saying it could be a boon for China Africas biggest trade partner if the U.S. pursues an isolationist, America First agenda that mostly ignores the region. But Tibor Nagy, who served as Trumps Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2018 to 2021 has a different perspective. He said Trump grasped how powerful a player China had become on the continent. It was the Trump administration that was the first to kind of recognize the existential threat that China poses, Nagy told VOA. We were on the front lines of that in Africa, and we saw what the Chinese were doing, said Nagy, who also served as the U.S. ambassador to Guinea and Ethiopia during the administrations of presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Nagy told VOA he does not think the incoming Republican administration will neglect Africa because it sees China as a threat to U.S interests there. He also said the continent is a major source of critical minerals attractive to both superpowers. Nagy credits the first Trump administration with introducing policies on the continent intended to counter China's influence. We had the right focus because we made it about the youth. You know, our premise was that Africa is going to be undergoing a youth tsunami with the population doubling by 2050. And that more than anything, what the youth really wanted was jobs, he said. To this end, Nagy says, the first Trump administration set up Prosper Africa in 2018, an initiative designed to assist American companies doing business in Africa, and he expects the incoming administration will remain engaged there. Africa remains very much the front lines, he said. The United States is extremely concerned about our strategic minerals, and when a hostile power has a lock on strategic minerals, that's really not very good when you need the strategic minerals for your top-end technology and for weapon systems. But Christian-Geraud Neema, Africa editor for the China-Global South Project, is skeptical and said a second term for Trump could be an opportunity for Beijing. Looking at his first term, Trump didn't show much interest in Africa, which is likely to be the case still now, he told VOA. Only a few countries will matter countries whose resources or position matter to the U.S. national security interests. China will have room to maneuver and increase its influence in so many ways, he added. Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, echoed this. I doubt that Africa will be a featured priority for Trump, she told VOA in an emailed response, adding that the United States absence on the continent will boost the prominence of the Chinese position by its presence. Lobito corridor future Views on how successfully President Joe Bidens administration has engaged with Africa are also mixed. Many analysts said regardless of whether the Democrats or the Republicans are in office, the continent is usually an afterthought in U.S. foreign policy, which does not differ much from one administration to the next. The current administration said it was all in on Africa, when Biden hosted dozens of heads of state at his first African Leaders Summit in 2022, an event seen as an attempt at reasserting U.S. influence in the face of a rising China. Yet, African leaders or the African Union were not consulted about the agenda of the 2022 US-Africa Leaders Summit. This was also the case with the USs Africa strategy, wrote Christopher Isike, the director of African Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of Pretoria, in an article co-signed by Samuel Oyewole, political science postdoctoral research fellow at the university While Trump never traveled to Africa as president, top Biden administration officials did visit the continent, including the vice president. Biden is also expected to travel to Angola before the end of his term in December. Under Biden, the U.S. agreed to develop the Lobito Corridor and Zambia-Lobito rail line, a project described by the State Department as the most significant transport infrastructure that the United States has helped develop on the African continent in a generation. The rail line is seen as part of a transcontinental vision connecting the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The undertaking is to be financed through a joint agreement calling for the U.S., African Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the European Union to support Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. Observers see it as an attempt to compete with Chinese President Xi Jinpings global infrastructure project the Belt and Road Initiative, which has built railways, ports and roads across Africa. There is concern among some analysts that Trump could pull back from this. Existing bilateral and multilateral business partnerships such as the Lobito Corridor might wane significantly during the next Trump administration, said Oluwole Ojewale, a Nigerian analyst with the Institute for Security Studies, in an email to VOA. When that happens China will gain significant mileage in areas where the US Governments exit creates a vacuum on the continent, he added. But Nagy disagreed, saying the Lobito Corridor is the kind of project which would have come right out of the Trump administration. Therefore, theres likely to be continuity, he added, noting: The deal is done. Again, I can't speak for President Trump, or the people who are going to be coming in but it's logical. Other Friends When asked how African leaders will navigate the next Trump administration, Sun said they could play the U.S. and China against each other. Africa could highlight its role in the US-China great power competition in order to strengthen its position in the US grand strategy, she said in an email to VOA. But she is doubtful African leaders will take that route because it will carry the effect of being forced to choose, which I doubt that Africa will want to do. However, at least one African politician has already alluded to this option. Kenyas Raila Odinga, who is in the running to take over as chair of the African Union Commission next year, was blunt in his assessment of how African governments would handle a more isolationist U.S. under Trump. If he does not want to work with Africa, Odinga told Agence France-Presse last week, Africa has got other friends. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday as Washington looks for ways to surge military aid to Ukraine in the final days of President Joe Bidens term. After Brussels, Blinken will proceed to Lima, Peru, for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, followed by stops in Manaus and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a summit of the 20 largest economies, the G20. He will join Biden in Peru and Brazil. President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to hold face-to-face talks on Saturday on the sidelines of the APEC summit, a meeting anticipated to last about one-and-a-half hours, according to sources familiar with the plans who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity. On Wednesday, Blinken will engage in discussions with his NATO and European Union counterparts to coordinate continued support for Ukraine, while President Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump at the White House. Officials said Biden will ask Trump not to walk away from Ukraine. North Koreas direct support for Russias war in Ukraine is expected to be a focal point during Blinkens discussions with European counterparts and will likely feature on the agenda in talks between U.S. officials and their counterparts at APEC. Ukraine has reported that North Korean troops are actively engaged in combat operations in Russias Kursk region, prompting condemnation from several European nations over the increasing military collaboration between Russia and North Korea. Meanwhile, Ukraine remained on high alert for air attacks on Monday, with the countrys top military commander reporting that tens of thousands of Russian troops were prepared to advance on Russias Kursk region, where Ukraine seized territory in August this year. Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, told VOA that Trump might attempt to broker a cease-fire in Ukraine, a prominent foreign policy pledge he made during his campaign. Kupchan, however, noted, It will not be as easy as he promised... It will take a long time to bring [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to common ground, as the conflict has stretched on for more than two-and-a-half years. Trumps political allies have indicated that the incoming administration will prioritize achieving peace in Ukraine over enabling the country to reclaim Crimea and other territories occupied by Russia. After the U.S. presidential election, the State Department said that Blinken spoke with his European counterparts. They included the French minister for Europe and foreign affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and the United Kingdoms foreign secretary, David Lammy, among others. Officials say talks covered the situation in Ukraine and the implications and threats posed by Russias decision to introduce North Korean troops into the war on Ukraine. Blinkens coming meetings in Brussels also follow a gathering of European leaders Thursday in Budapest, where they addressed transatlantic relations, support for Ukraine, and other pressing issues in light of Trumps victory in last weeks U.S. presidential election. The government of Chad said Tuesday that hundreds of Boko Haram fighters are fleeing the central African states territory and crossing over into Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. State TV reports the fighters fled after clashes with Chadian forces over the weekend that killed more than 100 Boko Haram fighters as well as close to 20 Chadian soldiers. Chad state TV reports that assaults have continued against Boko Haram strongholds after the central African states military saw almost 20 soldiers killed and 32 others injured in a Saturday battle with Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad basin. A government statement said about 100 Boko Haram fighters were killed and a dozen others injured during the clashes, and that Boko Haram fighters are now fleeing to Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger. Earlier this month, Chad's military launched an operation aimed at dislodging Boko Haram terrorists from areas around Lake Chad, according to the central African states president, General Mahamat Idriss Deby. Deby said the operation named Haskanite -- is to avenge the killing of 40 government troops in October and to improve security for civilians in the area. The offensive hit a complication last week, when Deby said the fighting forces of Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger, who all contribute troops to a regional anti-terrorism joint task force, had decided to not collaborate with the Chadian offensive. Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger have made no public statements confirming or denying Debys claim, and VOA could not independently verify if the three countries have chosen not to participate in the Chadian operation. Cameroons military said it is securing the countrys borders and protecting its civilians. Deby has said he planned to withdraw his troops from the multi-national force, which has about 11,000 troops, because of the absence of what he calls coordinated efforts among member states to fight Boko Haram terrorism. Remadji Hoinathy is a lecturer at the University of N'Djamena in Chad and a researcher on strategic development in central Africa and the Lake Chad Basin Commission. He said it is imperative for neighboring states to strategize and join Chad in fighting Boko Haram because the terrorist group has a high capacity to infiltrate communities in Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger when attacked by forces from Chad. Remadji says fighters that survive onslaughts from Chad government forces will escape to safety areas in Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria and return to Chad to commit more atrocities when Operation Haskanite ends. Chad has not said when it might withdraw its troops from the U.N.-assisted joint fighting force. Chad civil society groups and political parties say they are surprised that officials of the joint task force have neither reacted to Chad's threat to withdraw nor announced plans to cooperate with the offensive against Boko Haram. Hisseine Abdoulaye is spokesperson of The Patriots, one of Chads political parties. He spoke to VOA via a messaging app from Chad's capital N'djamena. Abdoulaye said although it is the right of any state or party to pull out of an organization if its interests are not protected and respected, he disagrees with Chad's announced plan to withdraw its troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. He saif Chad's military alone cannot stop militants from attacking government troops and communities. Boko Haram launched an armed rebellion against the Nigerian government in 2009 to establish an Islamic state. Fighting has since spread to neighboring countries and has killed more than 40,000 people, displacing over 3 million according to the United Nations. Stealth fighter jets and attack drones took center stage as China's largest air show officially opened on Tuesday, an opportunity for Beijing to showcase its growing military might to potential customers and rivals alike. China has poured resources into modernizing and expanding its aviation capabilities as it faces off against the United States and others around regional flashpoints like Taiwan. Record numbers of Chinese warplanes have been sent around the self-ruled democratic island, which Beijing claims as its territory, over the past few years. The star of Airshow China, which showcases Beijing's civil and military aerospace sector every two years in the southern city of Zhuhai, is the new J-35A stealth fighter jet. Its inclusion in the airshow suggests it is nearly ready to enter operation, which would make China the only country other than the United States to have two stealth fighters in action, experts said. The J-35A is lighter than China's existing model, the J20, and looks more similar in design to a US F-35. A group of J20s performed a display flight on Tuesday morning, flying in a diamond formation across a grey sky. State news agency Xinhua quoted military expert Wang Mingzhi as saying the combination of the two models greatly enhances the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)'s "ability to conduct offensive operations in high-threat and contested environments." Attack drones The airshow will feature a dedicated drone zone for the first time, reflecting their increased prominence in warzones, including Ukraine. The SS-UAV -- a massive mothership that can rapidly release swarms of smaller drones for intelligence gathering, as well as strikes -- will be on display in Zhuhai, according to the South China Morning Post. In October the United States unveiled sanctions targeting China-based companies linked to the production of drones that Russia has deployed in Ukraine. Moscow and Beijing have deepened military and defense ties since Russia's invasion of its neighbor three years ago, and the secretary of its Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, is due to visit Zhuhai. This year the show's focus is squarely on the military sector, as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the PLAAF, but China's burgeoning space industry will also be showcasing developments. A model of a homegrown reusable space cargo shuttle will debut at the show, Xinhua reported on Monday. Named Haoloong, the shuttle is designed to be launched on a commercial rocket, and then dock with China's space station Tiangong. "It can re-enter the atmosphere, fly and land horizontally at a designated airport, allowing for recovery and reuse," Xinhua said. Beijing has poured huge resources into its space program over the past decade in an effort to catch up to traditional space powers the United States and Russia. The head of the Church of England, spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, is under pressure to resign after an investigation found that he failed to inform police about serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it. Some members of the General Synod, the church's national assembly, have started a petition calling on Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to step down, saying he had "lost the confidence of his clergy." The petition had garnered more than 1,800 signatures on Change.org by late morning London time on Monday. Compounding the pressure, a senior cleric added her voice to those who believe he should resign. Helen-Ann Hartley, the bishop of Newcastle, told the BBC that Welby's position is "untenable.'' Calls for Welby's resignation have grown since Thursday, when the church released the results of an independent review into John Smyth, who sexually, psychologically and physically abused about 30 boys and young men in the United Kingdom and 85 in Africa over five decades. The 251-page report concluded that Welby failed to report Smyth to authorities when he was informed of the abuse in August 2013, soon after he became Archbishop of Canterbury. Welby last week took responsibility for not ensuring that the allegations were pursued as "energetically" as they should have been after he learned of the abuse but said he had decided not to resign. On Monday, his office issued a statement reiterating Welby's "horror at the scale of John Smyth's egregious abuse." "As he has said, he had no awareness or suspicion of the allegations before he was told in 2013 and therefore, having reflected, he does not intend to resign," the statement said. "He hopes the Makin Review supports the ongoing work of building a safer church here and around the world." Church officials were first made aware of the abuse in 1982, when they received the results of an internal investigation into Smyth. The recipients of that report "participated in an active cover-up" to prevent its findings from coming to light, the Makin Review found. Between 1984 and 2001, Smyth moved to Zimbabwe and subsequently relocated to South Africa. He continued to abuse boys and young men in Zimbabwe and there is evidence that the abuse continued in South Africa until he died in August 2018. Smyth's abuse wasn't made public until a 2017 investigation by Britain's Channel 4 television, which led Hampshire Police to start an investigation. Police were planning to question Smyth at the time of his death and had been preparing to extradite him. The Makin Review found that if Smyth had been reported to police in 2013, it could have helped to uncover the truth, prevented further abuse and led to a possible criminal conviction. "In effect, three and a half years was lost, a time within which John Smyth could have been brought to justice and any abuse he was committing in South Africa discovered and stopped," the review found. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Church of England and is seen as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, which has more than 85 million members in 165 countries. He is considered first among equals with respect to the communion's other primates. The Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday that it will prohibit U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot a Spirit Airlines flight. The United Nations also said it will suspend flights, "obviously limiting the flow of humanitarian aid and humanitarian personnel into the country." The bullets hit the plane when it was about to land Monday in the country's capital, Port-au-Prince, injuring a flight attendant. It was part of a wave of violence that erupted in Haiti as the country swore in its new prime minister after a politically tumultuous process. Life in much of Haiti's capital was frozen after the wave of violence, which came to a head when gangs shot the Spirit Airlines airplane Monday, forcing the airport to shut down. Photos and videos obtained by The Associated Press show bullet holes dotting the interior of a plane. A number of airlines suspended flights to Haiti through Thursday, but it was unclear how long closures could drag on. Neither the former interim prime minister, Garry Conille, nor the newly inaugurated Alix Didier Fils-Aime commented on the violence. But Luis Abinader, who as president of the neighboring Dominican Republic has cracked down on Haitian migration, called firing on the airplane terrorism. "This was a terrorist act; the countries that are following and helping Haiti should declare these armed gangs as terrorist groups," Abinader said in a news conference. On Tuesday, heavily armed police in armored cars outside the airport checked trucks used for public transportation passing by. Schools were closed, as were banks and government offices. The streets, where just a day before gangs and police were locked in a fierce firefight, were eerily empty. The sound of heavy gunfire was heard in the streets in the afternoon a reminder that despite political maneuvering by Haiti's elites and a strong push by the international community to restore peace, the country's toxic slate of gangs kept its firm hold on much of the Caribbean nation. The United Nations estimates that gangs control 85% of the capital. A U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police to quell gang violence struggles with a lack of funding and personnel, prompting calls for a U.N. peacekeeping mission. The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog said Tuesday he's hopeful that meetings this week with Iranian officials, including the country's new president, can lead to a breakthrough in monitoring the country's nuclear program, a longstanding issue that has gained new urgency as Israel has twice struck Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, will travel to Iran on Wednesday to meet for the first time with President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was elected in July. Grossi said he hopes to build on positive discussions he had with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during the U.N. General Assembly in September. "We have a problem that we need to solve," Grossi said in an interview at the U.N. climate conference in Azerbaijan. "That is this gap, this lack of confidence, which we should not allow to grow into a self-fulfilling prophecy of using nuclear facilities as targets." He added: "There has been a bit of a dire straits dynamic with Iran that we want to go beyond." Iran is rapidly advancing its atomic program while increasing stockpiles of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, all in defiance of international demands, according to the IAEA. Iran says its program is for energy purposes, not to build weapons. Grossi's visit comes as Israel and Iran have traded missile attacks in recent months after more than a year of war in Gaza, which is governed by Hamas, a group supported by Iran. Grossi noted that international law prohibits the attack of nuclear facilities and "it's obvious that is something that can have radiological consequences." The Biden administration said last month that it had won assurances from Israel that it would not attack nuclear or oil sites. A 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers put limits on Iran's nuclear program, which the West fears could be used to make nuclear weapons. The deal included the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran. But that deal collapsed after Donald Trump's administration in 2018 pulled the United States from it. That led Iran to abandon all limits put on its program and enrich uranium to up to 60% purity. When asked if the IAEA feared Iran may be developing a bomb, Grossi said he didn't "have any information that would sustain that." He added that inspectors' job was not to "judge intentions," but rather verify that what Iran says about its nuclear program was true. Trump's reelection last week raises questions about whether and how the incoming administration and Iran may engage. Grossi said he had worked with the first Trump administration, which he said engaged in "seamless, professional work," and looked forward to looking with Trump's second administration. "Circumstances have changed in that the problem has grown bigger than it was," said Grossi. "The problem of not finding a solution." A U.S. jury on Tuesday awarded $42 million to three former detainees of Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison, holding a Virginia-based military contractor responsible for contributing to their torture and mistreatment two decades ago. The decision from the eight-person jury came after a different jury earlier this year couldn't agree on whether Reston, Virginia-based CACI should be held liable for the work of its civilian interrogators who worked alongside the U.S. Army at Abu Ghraib in 2003 and 2004. The jury awarded plaintiffs Suhail Al Shimari, Salah Al-Ejaili and Asa'ad Al-Zubae $3 million each in compensatory damages and $11 million each in punitive damages. The three testified that they were subjected to beatings, sexual abuse, forced nudity and other cruel treatment at the prison. They did not allege that CACI's interrogators explicitly inflicted the abuse themselves, but argued CACI was complicit because its interrogators conspired with military police to "soften up" detainees for questioning with harsh treatment. CACI's lawyer, John O'Connor, did not comment after Tuesday's verdict on whether the company would appeal. Baher Azmy, a lawyer for the Center for Constitutional Rights, which filed the lawsuit on the plaintiffs' behalf, called the verdict "an important measure of Justice and accountability" and praised the three plaintiffs for their resilience, "especially in the face of all the obstacles CACI threw their way." The $42 million fully matches the amount sought by the plaintiffs, Azmy said. "Today is a big day for me and for justice," said Al-Ejaili, a journalist, in a written statement. "I've waited a long time for this day. This victory isn't only for the three plaintiffs in this case against a corporation. This victory is a shining light for everyone who has been oppressed and a strong warning to any company or contractor practicing different forms of torture and abuse." Al-Ejaili traveled to the U.S. for both trials to testify in person. The other two plaintiffs testified by video from Iraq. The trial and subsequent retrial were 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. None of the three plaintiffs were in any of the notorious photos shown in news reports around the world, but they described treatment very similar to what was depicted. Al Shimari described sexual assaults and beatings during his two months at the prison. He also said he was electrically shocked and dragged around the prison by a rope tied around his neck. Al-Ejaili said he was subjected to stress positions that caused him to vomit black liquid. He was also deprived of sleep, forced to wear women's underwear and threatened with dogs. CACI had argued it wasn't complicit in the detainees' abuse. It said its employees had minimal interaction with the three plaintiffs in the case, and CACI questioned parts of the plaintiffs' stories, saying that military records contradict some of their claims and suggesting they shaded their stories to support a case against the contractor. Fundamentally, though, CACI argued that any liability for their mistreatment belonged to the government. As in the first trial, the jury struggled to decide whether CACI or the Army should be held responsible for any misconduct by CACI interrogators. The jury asked questions in its deliberations about whether the contractor or the Army bore liability. CACI, as one of its defenses, argued it shouldn't be liable for any misdeeds by its employees if they were under the control and direction of the Army, under a legal principle known as the "borrowed servants" doctrine. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that CACI was responsible for its own employees' misdeeds. They said provisions in CACI's contract with the Army, as well as the Army Field Manual, make clear that CACI is responsible for overseeing its own workers. The lawsuit was first filed in 2008 but was delayed by 15 years of legal wrangling and multiple attempts by CACI to have the case dismissed. Lawyers for the three plaintiffs argued that CACI was liable for their mistreatment even if they couldn't prove that CACI's interrogators were the ones who directly inflicted the abuse. The evidence included reports from two retired Army generals, who documented the abuse and concluded that multiple CACI interrogators were complicit in the abuse. Those reports concluded that one of the interrogators, Steven Stefanowicz, lied to investigators about his conduct and that he likely instructed soldiers to mistreat detainees and used dogs to intimidate detainees during interrogations. Stefanowicz testified for CACI at trial through a recorded video deposition and denied mistreating detainees. New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made a formal and unreserved apology in Parliament on Tuesday for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care. It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened, Luxon said, as he spoke to lawmakers and a public gallery packed with survivors of the abuse. An estimated 200,000 people in state, foster and faith-based care suffered unimaginable abuse over a period of seven decades, a blistering report released in July said at the end of the largest inquiry ever undertaken in New Zealand. They were disproportionately Maori, New Zealands Indigenous people. For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility, Luxon said. He said he was apologizing for previous governments too. In foster and church care as well as in state-run institutions, including hospitals and residential schools vulnerable people should have been safe and treated with respect, dignity and compassion," he added. But instead, you were subjected to horrific abuse and neglect and, in some cases, torture. The findings of the six-year investigation believed to be the widest-ranging of comparable probes worldwide were a national disgrace, the inquiry's report said. New Zealand's investigation followed two decades of such inquiries around the globe as nations struggle to reckon with authorities transgressions against children removed from their families and placed in care. Of 650,000 children and vulnerable adults in New Zealand's state, foster, and church care between 1950 and 2019 in a country that today has a population of 5 million nearly a third endured physical, sexual, verbal or psychological abuse. Many more were exploited or neglected. We will never know that true number, Chris Hipkins, the leader of the opposition, told Parliament. Many people entering into state and faith-based institutions were undocumented. Records were incomplete, they've gone missing, and in some cases, yes, they were deliberately destroyed. In response to the findings, New Zealands government agreed for the first time that historical treatment of some children in a notorious state-run hospital amounted to torture a claim successive administrations had rejected. I am deeply sorry that New Zealand did not do better by you. I am sorry you were not believed when you came forward to report your abuse, Luxon said. I am sorry that many abusers were not made to face justice which meant that other people experienced abuse that could have been prevented. His government was working on 28 of the inquiry's 138 recommendations, Luxon said, although he did not yet have concrete details on financial redress, which the inquiry had exhorted since 2021 and said could run to billions of dollars. Luxon was decried by some survivors and advocates earlier Tuesday for not divulging compensation plans alongside the apology. He told Parliament a single redress system would be established in 2025. He did not, however, suggest a figure for the amount the government expected to pay. There will be a big bill, but it's nothing compared to the debt we owe those survivors and it must not be the reason for any further delay, said Hipkins, the opposition leader. Survivors began to arrive at Parliament hours before the apology, having won spots in the public gallery which only seats about 200 people by ballot. Some were reluctant to accept the state's words, because they said the scale of the horror was not yet fully understood by lawmakers and public servants. Jeering was so loud during an apology from the country's solicitor-general that her speech was inaudible. Others called out or left the room in tears while senior public servants from relevant health and welfare agencies spoke before Luxon's remarks. Survivors invited to give speeches were required to do so before Luxon's apology rather than in response to it, said Tu Chapman, one of those asked to speak. Right now I feel alone and in utter despair at the way in which this government has undertaken the task of acknowledging all survivors, she told a crowd at Parliament. The abuse "ripped families and communities apart, trapping many into a life of prison, incarceration, leaving many uneducated, said Keith Wiffin a survivor of abuse in a notorious state-run boys' home. It has tarred our international reputation as an upholder of human rights, something this nation likes to dine out on. The inquiry's recommendations included seeking apologies from state and church leaders, among them Pope Francis. It also endorsed creating offices to prosecute abusers and enact redress, renaming streets and monuments dedicated to abusers, reforming civil and criminal law, rewriting the child welfare system and searching for unmarked graves at psychiatric facilities. Its writers were scathing about how widely the abuse and the identities of many abusers were known about for years, with nothing done to stop it. This has meant you have had to re-live your trauma over and over again, said Luxon. Agencies should have done better and must commit to doing so in the future. He did not concede that public servants or ministers in his government who had denied state abuse was widespread when they served in previous administrations should lose their jobs. Luxon has also rejected suggestions by survivors that policies he has enacted which disproportionately target Maori such as crackdowns on gangs and the establishment of military-style boot camps for young offenders undermine his government's regret about the abuse. Maori are over-represented in prisons and gangs. In 2023, 68% of children in state care were Maori, although they are less than 20% of New Zealand's population. It's not enough to say sorry, said Faafete Taito, a survivor of violent abuse at another state-run home, and a former gang member. It's what you do to heal the wounds of your actions and make sure it never happens again that really counts. Nine members of an armed rebel movement seeking the release of Niger's ousted president surrendered Monday, officials in the north of the military-ruled country said. The rebel Patriotic Liberation Front (FPL) was set up in August 2023, a month after Niger's democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was overthrown in a military coup. Since then, Bazoum has been imprisoned with his wife, Hadiza, at the presidential palace in Niamey. An official from Agadez governorate told AFP, "Nine FPL fighters repented and handed over their weapons and ammunition on Monday during a ceremony in the presence of General Ibra Boulama," who is the governor of the region. FPL members began surrendering at the start of the month after discreet negotiations by "influential local personalities," the Air-Info media outlet reported. On November 1, FPL spokesman Idrissa Madaki and three other members turned themselves in separately in two towns near the Libyan border, according to Niger's army and national television. Last week, FPL leader Mahmoud Sallah was "provisionally stripped" of his nationality as were seven members of the Bazoum regime who were suspected of "terrorist bomb attacks." Sallah had claimed responsibility for attacking the army in the north and disabling part of a crucial pipeline carrying crude oil to Benin in June. He had also threatened to attack strategic sites. Another rebel movement also demanding Bazoum's release, the Patriotic Front for Justice (FPJ), has held since June the military prefect of northeastern Bilma and four of his security team, who were kidnapped after an ambush. Authorities in Niger, which is also battling attacks by jihadist groups, have stepped up security in recent weeks, with military patrols, checks and searches of vehicles. KYODO NEWS - Nov 12, 2024 - 20:13 | All, World, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to hold their first summit on Friday in Peru, a government source said Tuesday. The two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum gatherings and confirm that they will seek "strategic and mutually beneficial" relations, more than a month after Ishiba became prime minister in October, the source added. Ishiba is scheduled to visit Peru for the APEC meetings from Thursday and travel to Brazil for a summit of the Group of 20 economies. Xi sent Ishiba a message congratulating him on his election as Japanese prime minister on Oct. 1, which Japan's top government spokesman described at the time as "positive" for bilateral relations. Ishiba is expected to express concern about China's increasing military activity around Japan after it breached Japanese airspace in August for the first time. The two leaders may also discuss efforts toward China's resumption of Japanese seafood imports, the source said, as Beijing has agreed to gradually lift a ban that has been in place since the release of treated radioactive water into the ocean began at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2023. Ishiba met Chinese Premier Li Qiang for the first time on Oct. 10 during his diplomatic debut as Japan's leader in Laos. Bilateral relations have frayed over wartime history and territory, with China continuing to send patrol ships to waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The uninhabited islets are administered by Japan but claimed by China. Arrangements are also being made for Ishiba, U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to meet in Peru, a government source said earlier. In a related move, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said later on Tuesday that he will visit Lima for three days from Wednesday to attend an APEC ministerial meeting slated for Thursday, in his first foreign visit since taking up the position last month. Iwaya told a press conference that he also hopes to hold "as many as possible" bilateral meetings with his counterparts in the Peruvian capital. Related coverage: China to conduct sampling of treated water at Fukushima nuclear plant Ishiba formally reelected as Japan PM, eyes minority gov't U.S., Chinese military officers discuss operational safety The Nigerian military welcomed a report by a human rights group that found no evidence the military secretly carried out thousands of illegal abortions as part of its fight against Islamist insurgency. The Reuters news agency says it stands by its three reports in 2022 which lodged the allegations. In a statement over the weekend, Nigerian Defense Chief General Christopher Musa praised the report by the seven-member investigative panel set up by the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria. Musa said no amount of false accusations will distract the armed forces from defending Nigeria's integrity. On Friday, the Nigerian investigative panel said it found no evidence that the Nigerian military secretly carried out illegal abortions or had such a policy in its operations against terror groups. The panel's probe lasted 18 months and was based on 199 testimonies from witnesses including Musa, who was leading the counterinsurgency campaign at the time. In December 2022, Reuters news agency published three reports alleging that the Nigerian military ran a mass abortion program for victims of the long-running Boko Haram insurgency and massacred children in the northeast. The report alleged that the military had carried out more than 10,000 abortions since 2013. "The panel made its findings meticulously on each of the issues," said Hillary Ogbonna, secretary to the investigative panel. "For the abortion assault, the panel did not find evidence that the Nigerian armed forces committed a systematic, secret or policy-driven abortion in the northeast to the tune of 10,000 abortions." The committee, however, agreed with a Reuters report alleging the military committed human rights violations, including infanticide, during a military operation in June 2016. "The panel found the military culpable of infanticide and the killing of community members in the village of Abisare in Borno State. We've received witness testimonies including those of the survivors and relations of the deceased," Ogbonna said. Responding to the panel's report, Reuters said it stands by its investigation, stating that it satisfied their standards for independence, accuracy and impartiality. On Monday, a Nigerian human rights group, Women Concerns, called on Reuters to withdraw the report and apologize to the Nigerian military. But security analyst Chidi Omeje said when there's disagreement between two parties, an independent committee can be set up to review the reports. "I don't know how the human rights commission went about the investigation. I really cannot say whether it was a thorough job done or whether there was some influence somewhere. Maybe some other independent organizations should be able to wade in," Omeje said. "I know that [the] human rights commission, even though I'm not trying to doubt their integrity, it has some allegiance to the government because it's a government agency." Years of military offensives against terror groups in Nigeria have been embroiled in allegations of human rights violations. Soldiers have been accused of mistreating civilians and carrying out extrajudicial killings. "It tells you how it is very difficult to maintain or stick to that professionalism if you're dealing with this kind of asymmetric warfare. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish who the adversaries are," Omeje said. Recently, the military launched a public relations campaign, seeking to repair its reputation. Polish President Andrzej Duda marked Independence Day on Monday with a call for sustained U.S. commitment to Europe's security in view of Russian aggression in the region and argued that Ukraine's pre-2014 borders should be restored. Weighing on the minds of many is the war across Poland's border in Ukraine, and an expectation that Donald Trump's return to the White House will bring a change in the security situation in the region. Some fear Trump could end the U.S. commitment to NATO or make a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin that could result in a permanent loss of territory for Ukraine and encourage Russia to attack other nations. Others believe Trump could persuade Putin to stop the fighting. Duda, who has had friendly relations with Trump, said in a speech in Warsaw that Europe will continue to need U.S. protection. It is a pipe dream as some people think that Europe can ensure its own security today, Duda said. He emphasized that the security guarantees of successive U.S. presidents are extremely important in times of resurgent Russian imperialism. Today we have no doubts that for the security of Europe and the world, it is necessary to strengthen Euro-Atlantic ties, Duda said. He said the territorial integrity of all countries, especially Ukraine, should be respected and it must return to its borders from before the Russian attack, not only the one in 2022 but also the first one, in 2014." Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Later in a news conference, Duda said he had spoken to Trump and that they would meet before the inauguration in January. Duda spoke as Poland marked the 106th anniversary of its restored independence at the end of World War I after more than a century of being partitioned and ruled by Russia, Germany and Austro-Hungary. The date of Nov. 11 carries powerful weight for a nation where the trauma of losing national sovereignty endures. In Warsaw, tens of thousands of people took part in a march organized by nationalist groups that has sometimes seen violent clashes in past years but passed without major incident Monday. Organizers estimated turnout at 250,000 while city hall put it at 90,000. Police said they detained 75 people and seized banned items from participants, including pyrotechnic materials, knives, telescopic batons and brass knuckles. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of the conservative Law and Justice party, which governed Poland from 2015-2023 and is seeking a comeback, joined the march with other party members. North Korea troops have begun fighting alongside Russians, a U.S. State Department spokesman said during a briefing on Tuesday. "Over 10,000 DPRK (North Korean) soldiers have been sent to eastern Russia, and most of them have moved to the far western Kursk Oblast, where they have begun engaging in combat operations with Russian forces," spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters. A day earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian troops were facing 50,000 troops, including 11,000 North Korean troops deployed by Russia to its Kursk region, although Moscow will neither confirm nor deny their involvement. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke Tuesday with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov to discuss battlefield dynamics and provide an update on U.S. security assistance for the Eastern European country, according to Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder. Ryder said, "the secretary reaffirmed President [Joe] Biden's commitment to surge security assistance to Ukraine." The Pentagon also clarified the amount of money that remains available for Ukraine's military assistance. There is about $7.1 billion left in the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which includes $4.3 billion approved by Congress in April, plus $2.8 billion that became available after recalculations. Additionally, there is about $2.2 billion available under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative program. Ryder again underscored that the U.S. would rush aid to Ukraine and use all available funds. Ryder said the two defense leaders also talked about the implications of the thousands of North Korean troops now assessed to be mostly in western Kursk Oblast. Airstrike kills mother, children A Russia airstrike on Ukrainian President Zelenskyys hometown killed a mother and her three children and left 14 people wounded, officials said Tuesday. Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said rescue and recovery operations were complete after the residential building in Kryvyi Rig was hit a day earlier. The office of the prosecutor general said a 32-year-old woman and children who were 10 years, 2 years and 2 months old were killed. In Russias Belgorod region, a Ukrainian drone attack started a fire at an oil depot, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov posted on the Telegram messaging app. He said a tank caught fire and 10 fire crews responded in the Starkooskolsky District near the Ukrainian border. The Russian defense ministry also said 13 Ukrainian drones were destroyed overnight, all in regions bordering Ukraine. Ukraines air force said it shot down 46 Russian drones overnight. In addition, Ukrainians military was holding back a fairly large grouping of Russian troops 50,000 of the occupiers army personnel, in the Kursk region, Zelenskyy said in his address to the nation Monday. Our forces' strikes on Russian arsenals have reduced the amount of artillery used by the occupier, and this is noticeable at the front. That is why we need decisions from our partners America, Britain, Germany on long-range capabilities, Zelenskyy said. This is vital. The further our missiles and drones can hit, the less real combat capability Russia will have. North Korea defense pact The forces in Kursk include 11,000 North Korean troops deployed by Russia to Kursk, Zelenskyy has said, although Moscow will neither confirm nor deny their involvement. State media in North Korea reported that country ratified a defense agreement with Russia on Tuesday, formalizing months of deepening security ties. The deal "was ratified as a decree" of leader Kim Jong Un, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Tuesday. The notice comes after Russian lawmakers voted unanimously last week to ratify the deal, which President Vladimir Putin later signed. "The treaty will take effect from the day when both sides exchanged the ratification instruments," KCNA said. Putin and Kim signed the strategic pact in June, during Putins visit to North Korea. Material from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse was used in this report. According to the Somaliland National Electoral Commission, more than 1 million registered and eligible voters head to the polls Wednesday to elect their president for the next five years. Three candidates, including incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi, seek to consolidate the regions fragile democracy, boost economic growth and gain international recognition that the Somali enclave has struggled to secure for 33 years. Abdi, of the ruling Peace, Unity and Development Party, also known simply as Kulmiye, seeks a second term in Wednesdays polls. He is running against Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as "Irro, of the Waddani party and Faisal Ali Warabe of the Justice and Development Party, or UCID. Promises In an interview with VOA Somali, each of the three candidates promised to strengthen democracy, boost economic growth and seek international recognition for the breakaway region. Abdi, 76, who was elected head of the region in 2017, has pledged there will be progress on a controversial maritime deal that Ethiopia signed with Somaliland earlier this year. On our side, we [Somaliland] are free, we are ready to implement the MOU [Memorandum of Understanding], and we are waiting from the Ethiopian side so that we can go ahead with it, Abdi said. Ethiopia needs access to sea, and we need recognition, and this MOU is about these needs. This is the fourth presidential election since the region on the northwestern tip of Somalia broke away from the rest of the country, following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991. The territory declared independence that year but has never achieved international recognition. Despite this, Somaliland has a functioning government and institutions, a political system that has allowed democratic transfers of power between rival parties, its own currency, passport and armed forces. According to Freedom House's 2024 flagship annual report, which assesses the condition of political rights and civil liberties around the world, Somaliland experienced an erosion of political rights in the past several years. The report said, Journalists and public figures face pressure from authorities. Minority clans are subject to political and economic marginalization, and violence against women remains a serious problem. Talks between Somaliland, which is seeking full statehood, and Mogadishu, which fiercely opposes the move, have been held on and off between 2012 and 2020 but failed to bear fruit. Irro, of the Waddani party, who also served as speaker of the House of Representatives of Somalilands lower chamber of parliament for more than 11 years, said he would resume talks with Somalia. It was not our choice to talk to Somalia because our goal has always been getting recognition, but the international community urged us to talk. If I am elected, I will resume the talks if the Somaliland interest lies there, and [at] the same time we will review the previous failed talks, said Irro. Warabe, of the Justice and Development Party, said that if elected, he would seek recognition through the establishment of a national unity government in Somaliland. The return of Bihi [Abdi], who has been for seven years in power, and his party, which has been in power since 2010, is not [an] option for Somaliland voters, Warabe said. If I am elected, I will lead Somaliland to recognition and [a] more prosperous road. Regional tension Somalilands Wednesday vote comes at a time when tensions remain high between Somalia and Ethiopia over the controversial Memorandum of Understanding that Ethiopia signed with Somaliland. The deal would grant Ethiopia a 50-year lease of access to 20 kilometers of the Red Sea coastline in exchange for the potential recognition of Somaliland's independence, which Somalia views as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The deal signed on January 1 in Addis Ababa by Abdi and Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sparked anger in Mogadishu, which considers Somaliland as part of its national territory. The opposition to the deal plunged the two neighboring countries into a deadlocked situation. In April, Somalia expelled Ethiopian Ambassador Muktar Mohamed Ware, alleging "internal interference" by Ethiopia. Somalia also ordered the closure of Ethiopia's consulates in Somaliland and Puntland, although they remained open. Last month, Somalia expelled Mogadishu-based Ethiopian diplomat Ali Mohamed Adan, who was a counselor at Ethiopia's embassy in Mogadishu. In July and August 2024, two rounds of talks between Ethiopia and Somalia, mediated by Turkey, failed to solve the dispute, with Somalia demanding Ethiopia withdraw from the deal and Ethiopia insisting that it does not infringe on Somalias sovereignty. On Saturday, Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur repeated the Somali government position against Ethiopian troop involvement in a new African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia starting in January. I can say that Ethiopia is the only government we know of so far that will not participate in the new AU mission because it has violated our sovereignty and national unity," Nur said Saturday in a government-run television interview. Somalilands last presidential elections were held in 2017. The current presidential election was originally set to take place in 2022 but was postponed until 2023 and then again pushed back to November 2024, following a controversial extension of Abdis mandate by the parliaments upper house. The Somaliland National Election Commission, or NEC, said at the time that the delays were due to time, technical and financial constraints. Opposition parties vehemently denounced the delays. The president is directly elected for a maximum of two five-year terms and appoints the Cabinet. Sahra Eidle Nur and Harun Maruf contributed to this report. Thousands of students in Spain's eastern Valencia region returned to classes on Monday, two weeks after floods killed over 200 people and devastated towns in the area. Controversy over the regional government's handling of the floods still rages, and a teachers' union accused it of exaggerating the number returning and leaving the clean-up to teachers and pupils. Twenty-three people remain missing in the Valencia region after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, sending tides of muddy water through densely populated city suburbs, drowning people in cars and underground car parks, and collapsing homes. A total of 47 schools in 14 affected municipalities reopened to more than 22,000 children on Monday, the region's education department said. Last week, it said it expected around 70% of students in the worst-affected areas to return this week. "The schools that have opened their doors today have followed cleaning and disinfection protocols to ensure maximum safety for students, teachers and staff," it added. But the regional teachers' union STEPV said it believed that the numbers returning on Monday were lower, without providing an alternative figure. Spokesperson Marc Candela said many schools were not ready to resume lessons, adding: "Teachers and parents are cleaning the schools with their own materials such as brooms." Educators wanted professional cleaning crews to sanitize facilities, as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Parents are also worried about their children's emotional states, said Ruben Pacheco, head of the regional federation of parents' associations, FAMPA: "Families are exhausted, suffering psychologically, and nothing should be decided without consulting them so as not to generate more discomfort than they've already suffered." Candela said the department had held an online course for teachers last week with recommendations for psychological care, but had not dispatched additional counselors. Carolina Marti, head teacher at a school in Castellar-Oliveral, said it had received 60 children from neighboring towns, while five teachers were on medical leave. She said children and teachers were struggling to reach the school as many roads remained impassable. Sri Lanka will choose a new parliament Thursday in an election that is seen as crucial for the countrys new left-leaning president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who swept to power in September on an anti-corruption platform amid a wave of dissatisfaction with established political parties. Dissanayakes National People's Power (NPP) coalition currently has only three seats in the 225-member parliament, constraining his ability to usher in the systemic changes he says are necessary to tackle corruption and improve economic conditions for the working class. Aiming to boost the NPPs representation, Dissanayake dissolved parliament soon after he was voted into power and called for snap polls a year ahead of schedule. Analysts say the strong support that Dissanayake secured in the presidential election seven weeks ago will likely stay with his party in Thursdays election. He got 42 percent of the vote, which is a dramatic leap for a representative of a fringe party which had only secured three to four per cent vote share in any election in the past, Kusal Perera, political analyst in Colombo told VOA. That vote will come back in the parliamentary elections, though it may be slightly lesser this time. Current cabinet: 3 The 55-year-old president, popularly known as AKD, is seeking a two-thirds parliamentary majority so he can push through his promised reforms. Currently, the Sri Lankan leader has the smallest cabinet in the countrys history Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and two ministers. In Sri Lanka, only lawmakers can be appointed as ministers. His hopes of gaining a much bigger share of parliamentary seats for his coalition rest on voters rejecting parties that governed the country for decades but are blamed by many people for misgovernance and corruption. The country is still grappling with a severe economic downturn two years ago. Although former president Ranil Wickremesinghe is credited with stabilizing the economy after securing a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, the austerity measures he introduced mainly an end to public subsidies led to sharp price hikes in food and fuel that have caused hardship for millions of Sri Lankans. Dissanayake has said he will renegotiate the terms of the IMF bailout package to ease the austerity measures that were imposed to secure the loan. Ahead of Thursdays elections, the new president has sounded an optimistic note. "In past elections, people did not have confidence in us but in September people gave us victory and proved that we are a winning party and we can form a government," he said during a campaign rally on Sunday. "The next task is to unite people from the four corners of this country and build a powerful people's movement." The NPPs main challengers are the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, led by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and the New Democratic Front (NDF), which is backed by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe. But the opposition has run a lackluster campaign. There has been no focus on what they want or the program that they want to push, said Perera. The countrys powerful Rajapaksa political dynasty, which played a key role in Sri Lanka over the last two decades, has not fielded a candidate in the parliamentary polls. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was the president when the economy collapsed, was ousted by a massive popular protest movement in the country that demanded, among other things, that people guilty of corruption be punished. Just like the presidential polls, the parliamentary election is seen as a referendum on peoples desire for change in the political landscape. However, there is less enthusiasm this time around, according to some residents. Nobody is very excited about the election partly because most people think that it is a given that Dissanayakes NPP is going to win, says Chameera Dedduwage, a professional based in Colombo who took part in the protest movement against Rajapaksa. They feel that they deserve to be given a chance to prove themselves and bring about the system change they have promised. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is moving quickly to fill his nascent administration with Republican officials who have been the most politically loyal to him in the four years he was out of office. Trump, according to various U.S. news accounts, intends to nominate Florida Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state, the countrys top diplomat, but that announcement has yet to be made. On Tuesday night, he announced South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as his choice for Homeland Security chief. Other Cabinet-level picks announced Tuesday night include Pete Hegseth as the head of the Department of Defense, and John Ratcliffe as the director of the CIA. Both Rubio and Noem were on Trumps short list of possible vice presidential running mates several months ago. While Trump later picked first-term Ohio Senator JD Vance, now the vice president-elect, to join him on the Republican national ticket, both Rubio and Noem remained Trump stalwarts as he easily won the election last week over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Ratcliffe was the nations sixth Director of National Intelligence, serving for the last eight months of the Trump administration after a rocky confirmation process. Hegseth is a veteran and a Fox News host. Trump also announced that billionaire businessman Elon Musk and entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead what he called the Department of Government Efficiency. The announcement said they would provide advice and guidance to drive large-scale structural reform of the federal government. Trump also announced on Tuesday that he has chosen William McGinley as White House counsel. Trump also has settled on Michael Waltz, a Florida congressman, as his national security adviser. Waltz earlier this year supported a long-shot Republican legislative effort to rename Washington's international airport for Trump. Trump on Monday also named Thomas Homan, his former acting immigration chief, to be his "border czar" to head efforts to deport undocumented migrants living in the U.S., possibly millions, back to their home countries. News accounts reported that Stephen Miller, another vocal anti-migrant adviser who served in Trump's first term, would be named as Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy. The president-elect picked another ardent supporter, Elise Stefanik, a New York congresswoman, as the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He nominated former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Just ahead of the election, Trump, who only rarely publicly admits making any mistakes, told podcaster Joe Rogan that his biggest error during his term from 2017 to 2021 was hiring "bad people, or disloyal people." "I picked some people that I shouldn't have picked," he said. Some of the top officials Trump chose then, including former chief of staff John Kelly and national security adviser John Bolton, became sharp public Trump critics after he ousted them. Kelly said during this year's campaign that Trump met the definition of a fascist ruler. Trump attacked both former officials, calling Kelly "a bully but a weak person" and disparaging Bolton as "an idiot." Ahead of the election, Bolton said, "What Trump will look for in senior nominees in a second term is fealty. He wants 'yes men' and 'yes women.'" Rubio sparred sharply with Trump during their 2016 run for the Republican presidential nomination, which Trump captured enroute to his first term as president. Rubio mocked Trump as having small hands and sporting an orange spray tan, while Trump derided Rubio as "little Marco." But Rubio, like numerous other one-time Trump critics, was a staunch Trump supporter in this year's campaign. In recent years, Rubio has proved to be an outspoken foreign policy hawk, taking hard lines on U.S. relations with China, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. He has at times been at odds with Republicans who were skeptical about U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts, such as helping to fund Ukraine's fight against Russia's 2022 invasion. But more recently, he voted against sending more U.S. military aid to Ukraine, while Trump has also voiced skepticism about the extent of U.S. assistance to Kyiv. Rubio told NBC News in September, "I think the Ukrainians have been, such incredibly brave and strong in standing up to Russia. But at the end of the day, what we are funding here is a stalemate war, and it needs to be brought to a conclusion, or that country is going to be set back 100 years." "I'm not on Russia's side but unfortunately, the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement," Rubio said. Noem rose to national prominence and won conservative plaudits after refusing to impose a statewide mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Trump was reportedly considering her as his vice-presidential running mate. But she faced widespread criticism and fell in the stakes to be Trump's No. 2 in April when she wrote in a memoir that she shot to death an "untrainable" dog that she "hated" on her family farm. Waltz is a former Army Green Beret who shares Trump's views on illegal immigration and skepticism of America's continued support for Ukraine. Waltz, who also has served in the National Guard as a colonel, has criticized Chinese activity in the Asia-Pacific and said the United States needs to be ready for a potential conflict in the region. Just as notable as Trump's initial selections are two former officials he has rejected for top jobs in his new administration: Nikki Haley, his former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Haley ran against Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and Pompeo considered opposing Trump before backing off. Trump is heading to Washington on Wednesday to meet with President Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in the 2020 election, about the transfer of power when Trump is inaugurated on January 20. Trump is also planning to meet with Republicans in the House of Representatives. Beyond promising a return to the America First doctrine, President-elect Donald Trump has not provided details on what U.S. foreign policy will look like under his incoming administration. But his early conversations with leaders following his election victory indicate he aims to fulfill his promises to quickly end the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara reports. The United Nations renewed its appeal for an immediate cease-fire in Sudan on Tuesday, with officials warning that civilians are paying a high price for the fighting, as external parties fuel the conflict by supplying weapons. It is long past time for the warring parties to come to the negotiating table, said U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo. The only path out of this conflict is a negotiated political solution. DiCarlo said that in the absence of a nationwide cease-fire, local ones could give civilians some respite and create openings for dialogue for a more comprehensive agreement. She told a meeting of the U.N. Security Council that the rival leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) appear convinced that they can each win on the battlefield and have escalated their military operations and attacks. This is possible thanks to considerable external support, including a steady flow of weapons into the country, she said. To put it bluntly, certain purported allies of the parties are enabling the slaughter in Sudan. This is unconscionable, it is illegal, and it must end. Russia and Egypt are reported to be among the countries providing the SAF with arms and equipment. Meanwhile, Sudanese officials have publicly accused the United Arab Emirates of funneling weapons to the RSF militia through neighboring Chad. The UAE vehemently denies the accusation, but a U.N. panel of experts said earlier this year there was substance to media reports that cargo planes originating in the UAE capital had landed in eastern Chad with arms, ammunition and medical equipment destined for the paramilitary group. Sudans ambassador stood by the claim on Tuesday, telling the council that the RSF is using humanitarian convoys to smuggle both weapons and foreign mercenaries through the Adre border crossing with Chad. Sudans authorization for that crossing is about to expire and humanitarians and most council members want it to remain open. We commend the Sudanese authorities for opening the Adre border crossing in mid-August, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said. This single route allowed aid organizations to bring enough food, health and nutrition supplies to serve more than 1.9 million people. Now, Sudanese authorities must keep Adre border crossing open indefinitely. Millions of lives depend on it. Eleven million people have been displaced and half of Sudans population, an estimated 25 million people, are struggling with crisis-level food insecurity, according to the U.N. Famine was confirmed in August in the northern part of Sudans Darfur region. In North Darfur, fighting in and around El Fasher continues to intensify and block the movement of aid supplies into the area, said Ramesh Rajasingham, director of the coordination division of the U.N. office on humanitarian affairs. El Fasher is the capital of North Darfur and has been the epicenter of a battle for the last seven months between the RSF, who are poised to capture the city, and the SAF, which are trying to hold on to it. More than 1.5 million civilians in El Fasher, many of them displaced from other parts of Sudan, are caught in the crossfire. Humanitarians have confirmed famine conditions in parts of El Fasher, including at the Zamzam camp for displaced persons, which houses more than 400,000 people. Rajasingham said about a third of the children in the camp are malnourished, including 10% who are severely malnourished. Since Oct. 20, tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced from eastern Al Jazirah state, following a wave of RSF attacks on villages there that reportedly killed more than 120 civilians. Women and girls were raped, markets looted, and homes and farms were burned to the ground. The international community must take whats happening in Sudan seriously and must take urgent action to address it, Rajasingham said of the spreading conflict. On Friday, the U.N. Security Councils sanctions committee for Sudan designated RSF commanders Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed for sanctions for their roles in the violence in Darfur. The United States said Tuesday that it is adding Barkalla to its own sanctions list and noted it had already designated Hamid in May 2024. The U.N. Security Council is working on a draft resolution focused on the protection of civilians through the implementation of commitments both parties made last year in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as well as supporting mediation that would lead to a cease-fire. No date for a vote has been announced. The U.S. military said Monday that it had carried out strikes against nine targets associated with Iranian groups in Syria. In a statement, the U.S. military said the strikes were made against two locations in Syria and were a response to several attacks on U.S. personnel in Syria in the past 24 hours. The U.S. has occasionally carried out strikes against targets linked to Iran in both Iraq and Syria. In February, the U.S. launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and militias it backs, in retaliation for a deadly attack on U.S. troops. "These strikes will degrade the Iranian backed groups' ability to plan and launch future attacks on U.S. and coalition forces," the U.S. military said after the most recent strikes. The U.S. has 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in neighboring Iraq, on a mission to advise and assist local forces trying to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State, which in 2014 seized large swaths of both countries but was later defeated. The U.S. has sent warships and fighter aircraft to the region since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, to try to deter Iran and Iran-backed groups from getting involved in the conflict. U.S. forces have also helped shoot down projectiles that Iran launched toward Israel this year. KYODO NEWS - Nov 12, 2024 - 23:00 | All, Japan, World The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Osaka gov. says to run for head of Japan No. 2 opposition party OSAKA - Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said Tuesday he will run in the leadership race of Japan's second-largest opposition party early next month, following its setback in the Oct. 27 general election. With the Japan Innovation Party seeking to bolster its support base beyond the Kansai region centered on Osaka, many members have urged Yoshimura, who is nationally recognized, to take the lead in rebuilding the party, which suffered a significant loss of seats. ---------- Over 10 dead, 100 injured as car rams into people in southern China ZHUHAI, China - A car rammed into pedestrians at a sports center in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai, leaving more than 10 dead and injuring nearly 100, with the driver detained at the scene, Hong Kong's Ming Pao newspaper reported Tuesday. Local police said investigations are underway for the incident that happened Monday evening, in which the 62-year-old driver, surnamed Fan, was arrested. The incident occurred a day before a major airshow opened in the city. ---------- Baseball: Ohtani named finalist for National League MVP NEW YORK - Shohei Ohtani was named among the finalists for the National League MVP Award on Monday following a historic season in which he became the founding member of Major League Baseball's "50-50" club and won his first World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The nomination is Ohtani's first for the NL MVP after being the unanimous American League MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. ---------- Seven & i shuts all 8 Israel stores amid Middle East tensions TOKYO - Japanese retail giant Seven & i Holdings Co. has closed all eight of its convenience stores in Israel, as the tensions in the Middle East raised risks of continuing business, a source close to the matter said Tuesday. The retailer is the first known Japanese company to conduct a large-scale closure of stores or withdraw from Israel since the latest Israel-Hamas conflict erupted in October last year, according to credit research company Teikoku Databank Ltd. ---------- Russia official urges China to jointly counter U.S. containment BEIJING - Russia's top security official urged Beijing on Tuesday to jointly counter "the policy of containment" pursued by the United States and its allies in his meeting with the top Chinese diplomat in the Chinese capital, Tass news agency reported. In his talks with China's Wang Yi, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, who is on a five-day visit to China through Friday, also stressed the need for the two countries to further expand foreign policy coordination, Tass said. ---------- Japan gov't urges COVID shots for seniors amid sluggish vaccinations TOKYO - The Japanese health ministry on Tuesday called for seniors to take routine coronavirus vaccinations ahead of the winter, when infections are expected to rise, with data signaling sluggish progress in getting the shots. It is the first winter since the government ended in March its free COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone aged 6 months or older. Those aged 65 years or older and others at risk, however, are eligible for shots at a reduced fee. ---------- Chinese man arrested after woman scammed record 809 mil. yen MITO, Japan - A Chinese national was arrested Tuesday for allegedly scamming a 71-year-old woman in eastern Japan out of 809 million yen ($5.3 million), in what marks the largest reported loss in a social media-based investment scam in Japan, police said Tuesday. The woman, a company executive from Ibaraki Prefecture, was lured into an investment scheme through a fake Line messaging app account impersonating Japanese economic analyst Takuro Morinaga, according to the police, who have arrested 34-year-old Wen Zhuolin on suspicion of fraud. ---------- Universal Studios Japan to open Donkey Kong-themed area on Dec. 11 OSAKA - The operator of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka said Tuesday it will open a new attraction area based on Nintendo Co.'s popular Donkey Kong game series on Dec. 11 after postponing it from this spring. In a world first, the Donkey Kong Country area will replicate the jungle home of the ape-like character Donkey Kong and his friends and expand by 70 percent the park's Super Nintendo World area featuring augmented reality attractions of iconic characters such as Mario. Video: Freshman lawmakers enter parliament complex The United States sanctioned a senior Sudanese paramilitary official on Tuesday, accusing him of overseeing human rights abuses in his country's West Darfur region. The Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Abdel Rahman Joma'a Barakallah, a commander with Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which it accused of being "a primary party responsible for the ongoing violence against civilians in Sudan." Sudan has been gripped by a deadly conflict since April 2023 between the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by his former deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who is also known as Hemedti. In a statement, the Treasury said the RSF's campaign in West Darfur "was marked by credible claims of serious human rights abuses, including targeting of civilians, conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and ethnically motivated violence." U.N. experts have estimated that the RSF, with the support of Arab militias, have killed between 10,000 and 15,000 people in the West Darfur town of El-Geneina alone. "Today's action underscores our commitment to hold accountable those who seek to facilitate these horrific acts of violence against vulnerable civilian populations in Sudan," Treasury acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Bradley Smith said in a statement. "The United States remains focused on supporting an end to this conflict and calls on both sides to participate in peace talks and ensure the basic human rights of all Sudanese civilians," he added. he United States is set to decide whether Israel has made progress toward improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza, just days after global food security experts warned there was a "strong likelihood" famine was imminent. A prominent human rights group is calling for the deployment of peacekeepers in Sudan. Emergency power outages were imposed in a number of Ukrainian regions due to the threat of Russian strikes on the energy system on Monday. Donald Trumps supporters in California have been celebrating Trumps presidential election victory. Haitis transitional presidential council has appointed entrepreneur and former senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime to replace Garry Conille as the countrys new prime minister. The annual U.N. climate summit kicked off Monday with countries readying for tough talks on finance and trade, following a year of weather disasters that have emboldened developing countries in their demands for climate cash. We talk with Meg Mills-Novoa, an assistant professor and director of the Climate Futures Lab at the University of California Berkeley. By Kate Bartlett Johannesburg President-elect Donald Trump talked tough on China during his campaign, vowing to impose higher and sweeping tariffs on imports from the Asian giant. Beijing will now also be closely watching the incoming administrations movements further afield, in Africa, where U.S.-China rivalry is high. Experts disagree on what a second Trump term will mean for Beijings ambitions on the continent, with some saying it could be a boon for China Africas biggest trade partner if the U.S. pursues an isolationist, America First agenda that mostly ignores the region. But Tibor Nagy, who served as Trumps Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2018 to 2021 has a different perspective. He said Trump grasped how powerful a player China had become on the continent. It was the Trump administration that was the first to kind of recognize the existential threat that China poses, Nagy told VOA. We were on the front lines of that in Africa, and we saw what the Chinese were doing, said Nagy, who also served as the U.S. ambassador to Guinea and Ethiopia during the administrations of presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Nagy told VOA he does not think the incoming Republican administration will neglect Africa because it sees China as a threat to U.S interests there. He also said the continent is a major source of critical minerals attractive to both superpowers. Nagy credits the first Trump administration with introducing policies on the continent intended to counter China's influence. We had the right focus because we made it about the youth. You know, our premise was that Africa is going to be undergoing a youth tsunami with the population doubling by 2050. And that more than anything, what the youth really wanted was jobs, he said. To this end, Nagy says, the first Trump administration set up Prosper Africa in 2018, an initiative designed to assist American companies doing business in Africa, and he expects the incoming administration will remain engaged there. Africa remains very much the front lines, he said. The United States is extremely concerned about our strategic minerals, and when a hostile power has a lock on strategic minerals, that's really not very good when you need the strategic minerals for your top-end technology and for weapon systems. But Christian-Geraud Neema, Africa editor for the China-Global South Project, is skeptical and said a second term for Trump could be an opportunity for Beijing. Looking at his first term, Trump didn't show much interest in Africa, which is likely to be the case still now, he told VOA. Only a few countries will matter countries whose resources or position matter to the U.S. national security interests. China will have room to maneuver and increase its influence in so many ways, he added. Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, echoed this. I doubt that Africa will be a featured priority for Trump, she told VOA in an emailed response, adding that the United States absence on the continent will boost the prominence of the Chinese position by its presence. Lobito corridor future Views on how successfully President Joe Bidens administration has engaged with Africa are also mixed. Many analysts said regardless of whether the Democrats or the Republicans are in office, the continent is usually an afterthought in U.S. foreign policy, which does not differ much from one administration to the next. The current administration said it was all in on Africa, when Biden hosted dozens of heads of state at his first African Leaders Summit in 2022, an event seen as an attempt at reasserting U.S. influence in the face of a rising China. Yet, African leaders or the African Union were not consulted about the agenda of the 2022 US-Africa Leaders Summit. This was also the case with the USs Africa strategy, wrote Christopher Isike, the director of African Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of Pretoria, in an article co-signed by Samuel Oyewole, political science postdoctoral research fellow at the university While Trump never traveled to Africa as president, top Biden administration officials did visit the continent, including the vice president. Biden is also expected to travel to Angola before the end of his term in December. Under Biden, the U.S. agreed to develop the Lobito Corridor and Zambia-Lobito rail line, a project described by the State Department as the most significant transport infrastructure that the United States has helped develop on the African continent in a generation. The rail line is seen as part of a transcontinental vision connecting the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The undertaking is to be financed through a joint agreement calling for the U.S., African Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the European Union to support Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. Observers see it as an attempt to compete with Chinese President Xi Jinpings global infrastructure project the Belt and Road Initiative, which has built railways, ports and roads across Africa. There is concern among some analysts that Trump could pull back from this. Existing bilateral and multilateral business partnerships such as the Lobito Corridor might wane significantly during the next Trump administration, said Oluwole Ojewale, a Nigerian analyst with the Institute for Security Studies, in an email to VOA. When that happens China will gain significant mileage in areas where the US Governments exit creates a vacuum on the continent, he added. But Nagy disagreed, saying the Lobito Corridor is the kind of project which would have come right out of the Trump administration. Therefore, theres likely to be continuity, he added, noting: The deal is done. Again, I can't speak for President Trump, or the people who are going to be coming in but it's logical. Other Friends When asked how African leaders will navigate the next Trump administration, Sun said they could play the U.S. and China against each other. Africa could highlight its role in the US-China great power competition in order to strengthen its position in the US grand strategy, she said in an email to VOA. But she is doubtful African leaders will take that route because it will carry the effect of being forced to choose, which I doubt that Africa will want to do. However, at least one African politician has already alluded to this option. Kenyas Raila Odinga, who is in the running to take over as chair of the African Union Commission next year, was blunt in his assessment of how African governments would handle a more isolationist U.S. under Trump. If he does not want to work with Africa, Odinga told Agence France-Presse last week, Africa has got other friends. KYODO NEWS - Nov 12, 2024 - 21:43 | All, Japan A Chinese national was arrested Tuesday for allegedly scamming a 71-year-old woman in eastern Japan out of 809 million yen ($5.3 million), in what marks the largest reported loss in a social media-based investment scam in Japan, police said Tuesday. The woman, a company executive from Ibaraki Prefecture, was lured into an investment scheme through a fake Line messaging app account impersonating Japanese economic analyst Takuro Morinaga, according to the police, who have arrested 34-year-old Wen Zhuolin on suspicion of fraud. Police believe Wen, a self-professed company executive residing in Tokyo's Sumida Ward, coordinated the cash couriers. According to the police, the woman first encountered the investment ad on Instagram in October 2023 and added an account that claimed to be Morinaga. She transferred 10 million yen in November after an individual claiming to be Morinaga's assistant persuaded her to invest. After the scammers made it appear via an app that she was generating profits, the woman ended up transferring or handing over a total of 799 million yen over 47 transactions. Wen is suspected of conspiring with unidentified accomplices between Oct. 24, 2023, and April 12, 2024, to deceive the woman with false investment promises, as well as directing cash couriers to collect a total of 83 million yen from her at a train station in southern Ibaraki Prefecture on Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, 2023. Related coverage: Man sentenced to life in jail over fatal robbery linked to "Luffy" Japan woman likely swindled out of 100 million yen in marriage scam Japan police arrest 12 men deported from Cambodia over phone scams Photo: Jefferson Siegel/NY Daily News via Getty Images Tekashi 6ix9ine was hit with a 45-day jail sentence on November 12 after admitting to violating his probation by skipping drug treatment, taking bootleg Adderall, and leaving South Florida without permission. The Gummo rapper, whose legal name is Daniel Hernandez, will spend slightly less time behind bars, however, as Judge Paul Engelmayer is applying time served since his October 29 arrest to this punishment. Hernandez was also sentenced to an additional year of supervised release. He is being ordered to spend his first two months out of jail largely at home, so nobody will be subjected to a live performance anytime soon. Hell also be on a curfew for one month after his stint at home wraps. Before Engelmayer handed down his sentence, Hernandez asked for leniency, pointing to how he has been stuck in solitary confinement since his arrest. In Brooklyn federal jail, the warden told him that he would be in special housing throughout his time there. Both the Manhattan federal prosecutor and Hernandezs attorney, Lance Lazzaro, told Engelmayer about the Bloods gang members currently incarcerated there. Prosecutors had recommended 30 days of incarceration for the probation violations in addition to the home confinement and year of probation post-release. Hernandez asked for the judges mercy, saying he felt disappointed in himself for returning to jail. I did four years and seven months faithfully under supervision, no problem, and Im not minimizing my actions. I fully take responsibility, he continued. Hernandez admitted that he let himself and his family down and reflected on his past bad judgment. He didnt want Engelmayer to get the wrong impression and think of him as ill-mannered. I dont want to go back to the box, and I know that I have no choice [but] to go back to the box, he said, saying shortly thereafter, Please have mercy on my sentence, and Im sorry. Hernandez, who appeared in dark-colored jail scrubs, appeared to show little emotion as he made his pitch for a lesser sentence. As Engelmayer handed down his sentence, the judge said that he had planned on issuing a sentence that was longer than prosecutors recommendation. In his view, Hernandez just kept messing up. You told me that youd grown up; you told me that you had matured, Engelmayer said, referring to Hernandezs sentencing proceeding more than five years ago. The bottom line is that I see a pattern here, he said, adding that despite Hernandez being a famous rapper, the same rules apply to him as anyone else. In February 2019, Hernandez copped to nine federal counts after his racketeering arrest in November 2018 stemming from his involvement in the Nine Trey Bloods gang. Hernandez, who had been facing 47 years to life behind bars, brokered a plea deal and prosecutors agreed to request a sentence below any mandatory minimum if he cooperated with them. And cooperate he did: Hernandez testified against two ex-associates in September 2019 in the racketeering trial against Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods members Anthony Harv Ellison and Aljermiah Nuke Mack. While Hernandez was on the stand, he dropped so many dimes that the #HernandezSnitch9 hashtag started trending. He snitched on members from street-level gangsters to high-profile musicians, going so far as to claim that Cardi B and Jim Jones were in the Bloods and Nine Trey, respectively. He was ultimately sentenced to 24 months in prison and five years of supervised release in December 2019 with the caveat that he would be released late in 2020 with time served. Hernandez was released in the spring of 2020, however, as the COVID-19 pandemic enabled some inmates with health issues to leave prison early under compassionate release. Hernandezs probation was supposed to be up this December. So had he just followed the rules for less than two more months, he would have been free to terrorize everyone with his music. Alas, its hard to teach a middling rapper new tricks. By Kazutaka Hinata, KYODO NEWS - Nov 12, 2024 - 14:01 | Feature, All, Japan A Buddhist priest who was drafted by the Japanese military and endured horrendous conditions, including witnessing the deaths of many compatriots, while detained in a Soviet internment camp near the end of World War II died recently at 99 years of age. After being repatriated following the war, Shudo Yokoyama did not speak about this dark period of his life for several decades before deciding to open up when he saw the anguish of a Japanese woman who had lost her detainee husband in the war. But he was later stunned to learn what had happened in an earlier conflict -- a "forgotten war" that ran from 1918-1922, in which the Japanese military occupied Siberian cities and towns in support of forces resisting communist Red Army combatants in the Russian Civil War. Yokoyama, who spent more than 35 years traveling to mourn the victims of both incidents and keep their memories alive, died in August, having remained faithful to his cause. Born in the town of Ibigawa in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, Yokoyama went to Manchuria in 1943, a region in present-day northeast China, when he was 18 years old. He worked as a Buddhist monk in the province of Jilin before being conscripted at the age of 20. He was sent to a forced labor camp in Komsomolsk, deep in Siberia, after being captured by the Soviets who launched a massive invasion of Manchuria toward the end of the war. "Sometimes the temperature would drop to minus 60 C. Even though my body would become as hard as rock, I had no choice but to work," Yokoyama said before his death. Food in the camp was substandard and always scarce, and many of his friends died. Close to 600,000 Japanese soldiers are believed to have been held in Soviet labor camps in the wake of Japan's defeat in the war. They were interned for up to 11 years, with about 55,000 dying as a result of the work they were forced to do, the severe living conditions and malnutrition. Yokoyama returned to his hometown in 1947 after about two years of internment. He taught at a middle school and elsewhere but never spoke of his internment. Being a time of rapid change and high economic growth, Yokoyama said, "My internment experiences were so far removed from everyday life, I had no desire to reveal them." But in 1983, after ending his teaching career, he returned to Siberia at the age of 58 as a member of a now-defunct national council working for the compensation of Japanese detainees. When a memorial service was conducted at a Japanese cemetery in Khabarovsk, the largest city in Russia's Far East, he was heartbroken by the sight of the wife of a dead Japanese detainee crying while clinging to her husband's grave. From then on, while recalling the faces of his fallen comrades, Yokoyama determined he would do everything in his power as a priest to mourn the victims of the war. Then in 1991, he visited the Russian village of Ivanovka on part of a trip to search for burial sites of detainees. There, for the first time, he learned of the tragedy of the Imperial Japanese Army's destruction of the village that killed some 300 residents in March 1919 during what was termed the Siberian intervention. After the October Revolution of 1917 brought the Soviet regime to power, Japan, as part of a coalition of Allied powers, intervened militarily the following year by dispatching an expeditionary force to Siberia, ostensibly to support groups fighting against the Bolsheviks. The Japanese soldiers advanced to as far as Irkutsk on the western shore of Lake Baikal, but it was unable to extend control outside railroad lines and cities, and it faced guerrilla attacks launched by resistance forces. After receiving criticism for continuing to station troops in Siberia after other countries, including the United States, withdrew, Japan left Siberia in 1922 but remained in northern Sakhalin until 1925, targeting oil and coal resources. Although it is estimated that more than 70,000 Japanese troops were deployed -- by far the most among the Allied contingent -- with more than 3,000 killed during a roughly seven-year stretch, the actual situation is murkier and not well explored even today. "I was embarrassed that I knew nothing about this tragedy," Yokoyama said, referring to the Ivanovka village slaughter. The council collected donations to build monuments dedicated to the victims of both sides of the Siberian conflict. After the dissolution of the council, Yokoyama established a now defunct nonprofit association for promoting friendship and goodwill with Russia and continued grassroots exchanges. In 2018, on the 100th anniversary of the Siberian intervention, a joint Japan-Russia memorial service was held with the Russian Orthodox Church, offering sutra readings and a pledge to pass on the memories of those lost. Not all locals appreciated the presence of Japanese cemeteries in their homeland. Nonetheless, residents welcomed Yokoyama with cookies and other homemade baked treats. Due to old age, 2019 was his final Siberia visit. He always cherished the words of the locals who once told him, "We breathe the same air under the same sky and live on the same Earth. I hope more people in Russia and Japan will interact with each other." In June, three months ahead of his 100th birthday, a celebration was held at Shozenji Temple in Ibigawa where Yokoyama had served as chief priest. There, once again, he spoke of the origins of his peace activities. "I am here today because of my experience of Soviet internment," he said. A stone monument inscribed with the words, "A gravestone: remembering the tragedies of Siberia" stands in the temple precinct to convey this spirit. Related coverage: FEATURE: Ex-Japan soldier held in Soviet labor camp gives talks to children Rome charity earns almost 5,000 in tossed coins. More than 14,000 people crossed the new temporary footbridge over the Trevi Fountain on the first weekend after it was opened by Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri on Saturday morning. The raised walkway is in place for the duration of maintenance works which are scheduled to finish in December, in time for the Vatican's Jubilee 2025. Despite bad press from international media, the capital's culture department hailed the "great success" of the steel footbridge which welcomed more than 6,000 tourists on Saturday and just under 8,000 on Sunday. Crowds of tourists queue up to cross the new elevated walkway over the Trevi Fountain, inaugurated today by the mayor of Rome. pic.twitter.com/JdMAdolEvL Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) November 9, 2024 The city also announced that the coins tossed into the makeshift pool in front of the Baroque monument over the weekend amounted to around 4,600, excluding coins in foreign currency, all of which goes to the Caritas charity in Rome. The walkway can take up to 130 people at a time and is open daily from 09.00 to 21.00, with last entry at 20.30. On Mondays and Fridays it opens later, at 11.00, to allow for coins to be swept up. Tourists are warned not to toss coins into the Trevi Fountain, which is currently drained, but to throw them into the temporary tub in front of the iconic landmark. Those who toss coins into the empty fountain basin risk a fine of 50. Photo Wanted in Rome, 10 November 2024. High Court Reporters A High Court judge will make orders providing for An Bord Pleanala to reconsider Johnny Ronans previously-rejected application for permission to build 1,000 homes and what would be Dublins tallest building in the docklands. The Waterfront South Central plan for three residential blocks ranging from eight to 45 storeys near the 3Arena was submitted to the board in January 2021. Mr Ronans group subsequently applied for separate, alternative permission for 550 homes in three blocks, including a 25-storey tower, on the same site. The boards rejection of the higher and more dense project was based on the High Court having determined, in a decision concerning Mr Ronans nearby Spencer Place scheme, that permission could not be granted for a development that breaches height and density limits set out in Dublin City Councils strategic development zone scheme for the docklands area. The Court of Appeal later overturned the High Courts decision, holding that An Bord Pleanala was entitled, under a now-extinct provision for strategic developments, to allow a strategic build that defies the councils North Lotts/Grand Canal Zone schemes 10-floor limit for residential buildings. Based on this Court of Appeal decision, An Bord Pleanala conceded in a High Court challenge brought by a Ronan Group company over the decision to refuse permission for the 1,005-home project and 45-storey tower. In a judgement published on Tuesday, Mr Justice David Nolan said the parties in this case agreed the boards decision should be overturned and that the developers application should be reconsidered. However, they disagreed over how much of the planning process should be rerun. The developer, represented by Eamon Galligan SC, wanted the application to be returned to the point immediately prior to the decision to refuse permission. An Bord Pleanala contended the court should refrain from micromanaging its internal processes and should simply send the application back with no more specific directions. Mr Justice Nolan noted the board refused permission by specifically referencing the High Court decision. However, he said, it had been otherwise satisfied that the proposed development met the Planning and Development Act requirements for permission in breach of a local plan as it was considered to be of strategic and national importance and within an area earmarked for urban regeneration. This finding was important, the judge said. Mr Justice Nolan was persuaded by the principle that the court should do its best to ensure that parties do not inappropriately suffer, or indeed gain, by reason of invalid decision-making. He said it was appropriate to go back to the place where the mistake occurred and make the orders sought by the developer. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with a delegation led by Phan Dinh Trac, a member of the Political Bureau, secretary of the Secretariat and chairman of the Commission for Internal Affairs of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese official Li Xi met with a delegation led by Phan Dinh Trac, a member of the Political Bureau, secretary of the Secretariat and chairman of the Commission for Internal Affairs of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, here on Tuesday. Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said China and Vietnam are good neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and the top leaders of the two parties have drawn a strategic blueprint to promote the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. China is ready to work with Vietnam to act on the consensus reached by the two parties' top leaders, strengthen political guidance at a high level, deepen the exchange of party and state governance experience, upgrade pragmatic cooperation, maintain close coordination on regional and international issues, and promote the construction of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, Li said. Trac said that Vietnam is willing to work with China to enhance exchange and mutual learning in areas such as anti-corruption work and the development of the socialist rule of law. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with a delegation led by Phan Dinh Trac, a member of the Political Bureau, secretary of the Secretariat and chairman of the Commission for Internal Affairs of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) When it comes to Waterford Airport, William Bolster wears multiple hats; the largest shareholder of the airport and a member of the board, one of the investors to deliver the runway extension project and the owner of the Bolster Group. It has been a busy year preparing the business case and communicating back and forth with the Department of Transport, he said, but in the last month, the subject has built up to a fever pitch in the Dail and in public. William Bolster sat down with the Waterford News & Star to discuss the last month and gave a "glass half-full" forecast for the airport's future. Hopes were buoyed last year when the airport secured 12million in private funding to fund the extension of the airport's runway to accommodate jet-engine planes as part of a public-private partnership agreement to fund the project. The only stepping stone was the government approving the business case they submitted in December last year, but as time has dragged on worries have built up. Why should the government fund the runway extension? "I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel," he says, "if you look at any airport in any country, no matter what size, and you just look at what goes on around it, that will answer the question. You have industry, you have tourism, you have many jobs that come from the airport." He points to Kerry airport, "If you look at Kerry Airport there was a study done where they reckon it's worth 850 million a year to the local economy. So why can't we be the same?" The overall cost of the runway extension project is 27 million with the investors asking for around half of that from the government. "It's almost a unique setup in the South East," he said. "We have a group of investors that are willing to put up pretty much 50% of the money and we are asking for government support for the balance now. The project comes with local authority support from Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford, which I think is crucial to the project because it shows it's a regional project. "This is about the South East, it's not about Waterford. It's about the 650,000 people we have living within an hour's drive. "There have been all sorts of comments coming out of the government - some valid and some not so informed comments - that the M9 motorway brings us closer to Dublin, but I would say that in reverse; it actually brings that 650,000 people closer to Waterford. "The whole idea is to avoid pushing up all the traffic into Dublin but to try and free it up to the regions. It's not just about the South East or Waterford, this should be happening in all regions across the country." Mr Bolster said he is not disappointed by the statements coming out of the government, but said he was surprised that many of the people speaking on the topic were "ill-informed or not up to date". "There would also be a bit of annoyance on people hanging their hat on saying that the business case is not strong enough. That for me, I just cannot understand. We got one of the top four accountancy companies in the whole country, Grant Thornton, to do the business case. They spent many weeks and months doing that. Just to make sure that they had it right [...] they got an aviation expert in England Tim Jeans - who is quite famous in aviation circles - to look at it to sign off on the figures. "The people coming out and making comments saying the business plan is not strong enough are, in one fell swoop, saying that three different councils and councillors that have to sign off on it did not know what they were talking about; the investors didn't know what they're talking about and the Airport doesn't know what they are talking about." A glass half-full man, the primary investor laughed when recalling Minister of State James Lawless' recent controversial description of the airport as "a pig in a poke"; "speaking about that famous 'pig in a poke', I think it'll go down in history in the local area but in some ways, it was a catalyst to opening up the whole conversation." Mr Bolster credits the public reaction to the comments with the optimistic upside from the controversy, "In fairness to Minister Lawless, it would be unusual at the best of times for a Minister to ring an investor. He rang me on a Saturday morning and we had a long chat about it. It was the power of the people in the media, and what got behind that comment and the annoyance from people there, that drove them to contact me and opened up the whole dialogue." The discussions had begun to look positive again, William Bolster said. They had addressed the queries around land rights and passenger number forecasts privately and publicly with the Department, "Minister Lawless would now have a full understanding of the issue," William Bolster says following the discussions with the Department, "but the Senior Minister [Eamon Ryan] has no interest." Then last week the General Election was called. Politicians from across the aisle have met and spoken with the Airport to pledge their support for the runway extension and he feels it has "cross-party support". "I'm a bit of a glass-half-full person anyway," William says, "so I take the positive side rather than the negative." He says he was "amazed and delighted as well with the way people in the South East area got in behind the airport." "It's very unusual to have such positivity about one item; now it's becoming a local election issue and a national election issue in the South East in a big way. Number one, I'm calling on the government to include Waterford Airport in their programme for government. Number two, I'd be delighted if the public would keep supporting me, the airport, and the investors." Mr Bolster is optimistic for the future with such fervent support from the South East and urged people to keep bringing up the airport on the doorstep with politicians. "I used to say I was a very impatient person," Mr Bolster concludes, "But I actually believe I'm the most patient person ever now! But all joking aside, I have one goal, that's to deliver the airport." "I'm going to pursue this to the very end." Weekend cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford remains unavailable despite Minister of State Mary Butlers recent statement that it was her expectation that it would begin by the start of November as the latest development in the eight-year saga. "Our expectation was that we would see weekend coverage in place by the start of next month, but I am hesitant to give out timelines, Minister Butler said in a Dail debate at the start of October. Sometimes issues can arise which are no ones fault, they are just issues which can occur as part of any recruitment process. The Minister said that the commencement of 8-to-8 cardiac care seven days a week would amount to 90-95% coverage of all cases. From there, it will take another final push at the Department of Health to reach the magic number of 100%. She said weekend coverage is due shortly. A statement from the Regional Health Forum, South, of the HSE confirmed that cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford, which is operated from two catheterisation laboratories, operates on weekdays, excluding bank holidays, from 8.00am 8.00pm and 8.00am 6.00pm for the existing and new labs respectively. They confirmed that UHW has recently received approval to progress staffing for a 7-day 8am to 8pm service, recruitment is currently underway. Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler said, As I stated previously, timelines in relation to recruitment can be unpredictable, due to difficulties which inevitably arise. Recruitment for the staff required to open the weekend service commenced in September and I am advised by hospital management that it has been very successful to date. However, a small number of the outstanding posts remaining required a derogation from the HSE, as they were being filled by existing staff, who essentially secured promotional roles. The posts they would vacate have to be backfilled before they are permitted to take up their new positions. The Minister said she had worked closely with UHW General Manager Ben O'Sullivan and the various stakeholders in the project from the HSE to receive the nod from the government to allow the sanctioned posts to be backfilled. The posts, which include a Senior Cardiac Physiologist and Senior Radiographer, require permission via the HSEs pay and numbers strategy, from funded posts within the 2024 budget. Minister Butler said that approval was granted on 16th of October and recruitment begun shortly thereafter. Having engaged consistently behind the scenes, to secure the staff required to expand cardiac care and provide weekend coverage for the first time, I now await a date from hospital management as to when services will go live. The Minister said: I expect the service to be in place very shortly after being really encouraged by the recent feedback from key people. The provision of cardiac care was of recent controversy in Dail Eireann when Independent Waterford TD Matt Shanahan challenged the Tanaiste Micheal Martin on his track record on the issue of cardiac care in UHW in a fractious Dail debate. Deputy Shanahan said the Tanaiste had "renege[d] on his promise to deliver 24/7 cardiac care to University Hospital Waterford, UHW, and to the people of the South East." "The Tanaiste first met me when I was a protestor campaigning for this vital service. His fully broken promise restored a seat to his party in Waterford." The Tanaiste argued that a second Cath lab is open" and said that the need for "18 new staff for weekend cover is to be completed", which would amount to "90% coverage, which is enormous progress during the term of this Government." He paid tribute to Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler for her "very impactful work" on the issue. The General Election has been announced for Friday, November 29 and prospective candidates across Waterford will be anxiously preparing their nominations papers in the hopes of making it onto the ballot. So, who is running for election in Waterford? So far, there are eleven politicians who have announced themselves as candidates in the General Election including all four encumbent TDs - with more expected before the cutoff date, midday on the seventh day after the election is officially called. In the 2020 General Election, Sinn Fein's David Cullinane topped the poll by a colossal margin of nearly 14,000 votes. Deputy Cullinane was first elected to the Dail in 2016 after beginning his political career as a local councillor in the now-defunct Waterford City constituency. He then spent five years in the Seanad before rising to the higher parliament on his fourth attempt. Deputy Cullinane's rousing success four years ago has prompted Sinn Fein to run a second candidate in Waterford. Conor McGuiness is that second candidate, a Councillor in the Dungarvan-Lismore ward, he is differentiating himself from his party colleague by positioning as a TD for west Waterford. Cllr McGuinness, who initially joined the party through Ogra Shinn Fein in 2001, has been one of the most vocal local councillors since getting the position. Minister of State Mary Butler will be the only Fianna Fail candidate this year, after receiving the second most first-preference votes in 2020. A cancer survivor, she was appointed as a Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People. Minister Butler recently said she "would not be deterred" from running in the election after her constituency office was vandalised. Deputy Matt Shanahan, part of the Independent Regional Group of TDs, received the third most first preference votes in 2020. Deputy Shanahan was seen as a single-issue candidate - the hospital candidate - due to his focus on political issues surrounding University Hospital Waterford. During his term, the TD has also worked on issues of Waterford Airport and expanding SETU. The Green Party's Marc O Cathasaigh was the final candidate to be elected in 2020 after he received a surge of transfers from the People Before Profit candidate on the 6th count. Deputy O Cathasaigh was made the Green Party whip in 2020. Senator John Cummins is the sole Fine Gael candidate running in the election after the party narrowly lost out in 2020 after running two candidates. Like most politicians, the Senator started his career in local politics, he was elected to Waterford City Council in 2009, before becoming the youngest-ever Mayor of Waterford in 2013; at the age of 25. The son of former Senator Maurice Cummins, he is seeking to go one step further and get elected to the Dail. Councillor Mary Roche will be the candidate of the Social Democrats. She is the former Mayor of Waterford City and is currently a Councillor for Waterford City East. She joined the Social Democrats in 2020 after spending nearly 20 years as an independent member of Waterford City and County Council. She only joined the party recently and credited Roisin Shorthall and Catherine Murphy as her inspirations to join. The Labour Party candidate is Sadhbh O'Neill, an environmental activist and former Irish Times columnist. The former Green Party Councillor was first elected to a public position in 1991 while she was a student in Trinity College Dublin. She was elected to Dublin City Council and held the position until 1996. Since then, ONeill has been a regular contributor to the Irish Times opinion and science pages, while working in climate policy at DCU and engaging in environmental activism. ONeill most recently ran for election in the 2022 Seanad Bye-election when she was eliminated on the 11th count after receiving 6.5 per cent of first preference votes. Patrick Curtin will represent People Before Profit in the general election. He was the first-ever President of SETUSU for the Waterford Campus, and the former Chair of WIT Ogra Shinn Fein. Mr Curtin ran unsuccessfully in the recent local elections in the Waterford City South constituency receiving 133 first preference votes, 1.8% of the vote. Housing and anti-racism activist Killian Mangan is running as an in Independent, having previously represented Rabharta in local elections earlier this year. He is best-known for his work as a communications officer for CATU Waterford and in anti-racist coalition 'Waterford For All'. Portlaw native Frank Conway unsuccessfully ran in the local elections as an Independent candidate this year. He has worked as a lecturer of economics and finance at SETU Waterford since 2002. Raised in Tramore, John D Walsh is running with the Irish People Party. He previously ran in the 2016 General Election and has a Masters Degree in Politics from UCC. Independent candidate Melissa ONeill is a former Sinn Fein councillor who served in the Piltown LEA of Kilkenny County Council. She was expelled from the party in 2019 and subsequently ran for the Dail with the Irish Freedom Party in 2020. Born in London, Dr Ronan Cleary has worked his entire adult life in Ireland as a GP and is Chair of Doctors for Life. He previously ran in the 2020 general election and 2024 local elections. If you ever hear a corporate executive say they love competition, look for the forked tongue even though we welcome competition is one of the most regularly used phrases in business. Cam Wallace, the head of Qantas international division, used it in his opening remarks of the airlines submission to the competition regulator in response to an application by its rival Virgin for an alliance with Middle Eastern carrier Qatar. He then went on to outline all the reasons why this particular tie-up was bad for Australian travellers. Airfares jumped after collapsed carrier Rexs departure from intercity routes Credit: Kate Geraghty This shouldnt be taken as singling out Wallace or Qantas. Australia is packed with industries dominated by a small number of large companies, be it in aviation, telecommunications, supermarkets or banks. All of them say competition is a good thing. Consumers tend to view such comments with a degree of scepticism. On Tuesday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission highlighted just how justified that scepticism is. Its no secret the Eurovision Song Contest loves a wild card. Take monster-masked death-metal rockers and off-key turkey puppets winning over audiences. Or US rapper Flo Rida co-representing the tiny nation of San Marino. We have even seen a tie for victory between not two, not three, but four countries. Its most perplexing wild card to date, however, was arguably the decision to bring Australia, from 14,000km away, into the mix. Now, it is touring here. Australia has been competing in the contest for nearly a decade, first appearing as a special guest in 2014 and as a permanent competitor since 2015. Its part of the competition that some cant wrap their heads around, but for long-time fans, its a no-brainer. Australia competing in a European song contest? Eurovision superfans Matt Merlino (right) and partner Owen Lambourn are certain it makes sense. Credit: Wayne Taylor Its just like, why not? says Marcus Davey, a 46-year-old Melburnian who has seen Eurovision live several times since 2013. We have such an ensconced history with Eurovision. SBS has been covering it for over 40 years, so it has built such a strong following all the way across the world. Glossy hair, perfectly pressed trench coats and unassuming yet oh-so-elegant leather bags and shoes. Tailored pants, pristine white sneakers, manicured nails and eyebrows. Not a tracksuit, hoodie or athleisure outfit in sight. Welcome to Denmark on a Sunday morning. Or any morning, really. Having recently returned from living there for seven months, I can confirm that our far-flung Nordic friends do, in fact, dress a million times better than us Aussies no matter the weather, event or circumstance. Australians leave a lot to be desired when it comes to fashion. Credit: Luis Ascui As someone who has always been obsessed with clothes something I share with my very stylish Polish mother moving to a country where people treat clothing as more than just something to cover a naked body was a surreal experience. But it wasnt just Denmark. In Milan, locals donned fabulous bling, Chanel gumboots, polished loafers and leopard print. Bordeaux was a sea of floaty, floral dresses, dainty gold sandals and artfully crushed linens. Barcelona, home to Zara, Massimo Dutti and some of the most beautiful espadrilles I have ever encountered, was the motherland of off-duty street style. That gives each partner a chance to describe the exact scenarios they envision, she explains. If they start a conversation with this question in their mind, it gives them a chance to exit an endless rehash of existing problems and instead look toward the future with a practical mindset. Discuss with other listening partners first Loading Its a common problem among couples to withhold bad financial news from each other, such as large credit card debt or a bonus that didnt come through, says Matt Lundquist, a licensed clinical social worker at Tribeca Therapy in New York. One way to get around that reluctance is to talk with others in your social circle before sharing your news with the person youre avoiding telling, he recommends. Theres a tendency for people to assume that their struggle is a bigger deal, more rare, more unusual, he says. And those kinds of conditionalities evoke more shame. He refers to this tactic as using an aggregated set of others that can help you gauge more objectively how severe the situation is. You might find that saying the problem out loud to several people helps prepare you for the real conversation. Or you might find that those you share it with have faced similar pressures and can offer some advice. By talking to others in your circle, however, you can get a more realistic sense of what other couples do when there isnt a presumed expert. That way, you can figure out ways that money can be talked about when theres not an even playing field around competence, or perceived competence, he says. Using pen, paper and written lists can be helpful when having tough conversations. Credit: Getty Images Dont just rely on words Another tactic is to use pen and paper to create a graphical representation of common topics of disagreement, such as paid vs. unpaid labor within a household, Lundquist says. While many of his patients are working parents grappling with those challenges, this same advice can apply to other situations, like adult siblings divvying up the care and expenses for ageing parents or workplaces where a higher burden of work falls to some staff members. Allowing it to have a graphic weight can bring that into clarity, Lundquist says. At the same time, he recommends not sticking too closely to the numbers alone lest they serve as an escape route if one person is uncomfortable. Rather, you should deal with the discomfort of the unresolved so you can get to the underlying issues and avoid such crutches again. Focus on values and goals Fraught money conversations can too easily become mired in finger-pointing and blame. One way to sidestep this pitfall is to discuss the disagreement in terms of how it lines up with a persons values, Gray says. For example, gently asking the other person to describe the values they want to live by, or what types of money habits they want to impart to their kids, can reduce the judgmental tone of a conversation. Another way people can avoid being judgmental is to look at the overall financial repercussions of the topic in dispute, Gray says. Once, she recounts, she was in contact with producers of an early season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. They asked her to comment on one of the Kardashian sisters overspending habits - and she declined. As Gray explains, those habits didnt hurt anyone financially, so she felt there was no need for her to comment. Reverse Garbage CEO Kirsten Junor, IT manager Steve Junor, and children Henry, Pearl and Lucy. An 1880s, double-fronted Italianate home, listed as being of heritage importance because of its original, ornate features and slate roof, in Sydneys inner west. It became a boarding house during the Depression and then a share-house featuring poky rear extensions. The Junor family purchased it in 2010. This story is part of the November 10 edition of Sunday Life. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. There were five spacious bedrooms but no communal living spaces, says Steve. So we knocked down the 1950s lean-to bathroom and kitchen extensions and added 100 square metres of communal living space, bathrooms and a shed. Favourite room The new kitchen dining space, says Kirsten. Its light and spacious and looks out over the backyard. The hood We moved to Marrickville in 1996 for the vibrant mix of cultures and the high street with lots of little shops and restaurants, says Steve. Future plans Were repurposing a couple of bedrooms to accommodate creative interests such as sewing and jewellery making, says Kirsten. After receiving a payout from a head-on collision, Queensland-based businessman Doug Wright wanted to invest the money. He came across an advertisement from a firm on Facebook, looking for investors and promising high returns on their investment. Wright filled out the online form and included his contact details. That simple interaction would end up costing him $1 million. Over five months, Doug Wright received returns on his initial investments until communication suddenly stopped. Credit: Ben Shipway After receiving a call from an individual claiming to work for the firm, Wright was told his colleague would soon contact him to set up an account. Wright checked the company and tracked its investment returns before investing. After I saw how much the fund was returning, I asked them for a contract in writing, he says. SHENYANG, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A new air route between Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning Province in northeast China, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will open on Dec. 28, China Southern Airlines said Tuesday. The flight, operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft, departs Shenyang Taoxian International Airport each Saturday at 8:10 a.m. (Beijing Time) and arrives in Dubai at 7:20 p.m. local time. The flight stops over in Guangzhou for two hours. The return flight departs at 9:20 p.m. local time on the same day and arrives in Shenyang at 1:45 p.m. Beijing Time on Sunday, said the airlines. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the UAE, and the two countries have adopted visa-free policies for each other's citizens. For years, China has been the largest trading partner of the UAE. Northeast China cooperates with the Middle East in various areas such as commodity trade, oil and gas, science and technology, which has led to an increase in the number of travelers between the two areas. As a surfer and shark expert, Laura Ryan has spent much of her career pondering how to safely keep her two great passions apart. Most shark-fighting strategies involve stopping the animal with nets or electric currents. What if she could work out a way to stop them from taking an interest in humans in the first place? To find that solution, shed have to climb into the mind of a hungry great white. The Macquarie University biologist studied the behaviour of white sharks towards their prey and found evidence to support the theory that they attack because they confuse surfers with seals. A sharks eyesight is too poor to determine colours or detail; all it sees is grey, blurry silhouettes. If surfers could use light to change the shape of their silhouette from below, she figured, the sharks might just swim away. Then there may be less need for drum lines, which can be destructive to other marine life, or intensive patrols over long stretches of beaches. At the time, China was one of the most exciting and fastest growing wine markets in the world. Alongside explosive demand for French luxury brands Dior, Hermes, Louis Vuitton prestigious bottles of Bordeaux had become the latest status maker for Chinas wealthy elite, who offered them as luxury gifts and displayed them in their homes like trophies. Loading Bordeauxs wine-growing region has long been accustomed to foreign ownership, but the rush of Chinese investors was remarkable: they snapped up about 200 vineyards within just a few years to meet what promised to be an unquenchable demand for French wine back home. Fast-forward a decade, and many of the properties are now listed for a fraction of their purchase price. Chateau Latour-Laguens, in the wine-growing region of Entre-Deux-Mers, made headlines as one of the first vineyards to be bought when it was acquired by Chinese real estate firm Longhai Investment Group in 2008. Though the original sale price was not officially disclosed, Le Figaro reported that the buyers paid 2 million for the entire lot at the time. It is now back on the auction block by judicial order for 150,000, without the vines. It wasnt supposed to go this way. Between 2007 and 2011, wine consumption in China soared by 142 per cent. By the end of 2013, China and Hong Kong had overtaken France and Italy to become the worlds largest consumer of red wine, with a particular penchant for Bordeaux. Bottles of wine are displayed at one of the worlds biggest wine fair, Vinexpo, in Bordeaux, south-western France, in 2015. Credit: AP Chinese investors keen to seize a new business opportunity bought up vineyards and gave them new names like Imperial Rabbit or Gold Rabbit. The wines were destined for consumers back in China with outrageous profit margins: bottles of red wine that would normally sell for 3 or 4 in France were being marked up to 20 to 30. But the excitement was premature. Chinas wine consumption peaked in 2012. In 2013, almost as soon as many Chinese millionaires signed ownership papers, President Xi Jinping, launched an austerity drive cracking down on lavish, ostentatious public spending. The move followed a string of corruption scandals that often involved expensive gifts or bribery in the form of a luxury handbag or a prestigious bottle of red wine. A few years later, in 2017, Beijing introduced new capital controls that tightened the transfer of money outside China, dealing another blow to investors. It was catastrophic for business, Li said. The UNESCO World Heritage town of Saint-Emilion in south-west France. In the early 2010s, wealthy Chinese investors were keen to get in on the Bordeaux wine rush. Credit: iStock After peaking in around 2012, Chinas wine consumption has been falling steadily, averaging a loss of 2 million hectolitres a year since 2018, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. In 2023, amid an ever-shrinking economy, the countrys wine consumption plummeted 25 per cent compared to the year before. Its a trend that Jerome Baudouin, editor-in-chief of the wine magazine La Revue du Vin, had predicted a long time ago. Loading For one thing, wine cannot stand up to the traditional Chinese meal, in which savoury and sweet fish, meat and vegetable dishes are often presented at the centre of the table at the same time, he points out. This could explain a major discrepancy between wine sales and actual wine consumption in China: bottles are collected for show, he said, but not actually consumed. For me, it was a mirage. People were wrong on both sides, he said. Producers in Bordeaux thought a new market was opening up for them, like the US and UK and that this would last. It was the same for the Chinese who came over to Bordeaux. They thought it would be easy to make wine and that it would make them a lot of money. Stuck in the middle were the workers in the vineyards and on the estates, many of whom complained of absentee owners, clashing work cultures, and, in the worst-case scenario, no pay. For nearly five months, Helene Pauly and her five colleagues went without pay from their Chinese bosses at Chateau de Pic in 2020. Pauly, the estates administrative manager, had to dip into her savings and request overdraft protection. Her other colleagues had to get a loan from the bank and were forced to use food banks. She led a battle against her employer, Xu Min, that ended with the Bordeaux tribunal siding with employees and ordering back pay. There was never any sincerity or honesty in their explanations, and it was like this all the time, Pauly told The Telegraph. She described a stressful environment in which her work was micromanaged from China, and employers with little understanding of the inner workings of a vineyard making unreasonable demands, such as harvesting in June instead of September. At the lowest point, Pauly began to worry for her safety. I didnt know how far they could go they knew my address, my habits, they could easily have done something to send me a message. Loading The experience was exhausting and pushed her into early retirement. There are Chinese owners who just disappear Corinne Lantheaume, a union rep for the local CFDT Gironde who helped Paulys case, points out that the biggest obstacle is trying to deal with absentee owners. Loading There are Chinese owners who just completely disappear, she said. Our problem every time is that when there is an issue at some point, in France we dont know who to contact because everything is in China. If we do succeed, its because the new owner who buys the property pays the back salary on their behalf. Another trend among Chinese employers is a mistrust of their French workers, Lantheaume said. So they hire Chinese employees with little to no experience working in the vineyards or in the wine industry. Theres a great mistrust of French employees. And it becomes complicated when you dont trust people who know the work. Lantheaume is quick to point out, however, that one of the regions most exemplary employers is Peter Kwok, a Hong Kong businessman who owns Maison Vignobles K and is well respected among his staff and fellow winemakers. And there is no shortage of labour disputes at French-owned chateaux. Meanwhile, Li says that distrust, earned or not, can work both ways. She recounts how she once witnessed a Chinese employer pay his workers in cash to bypass the problem of blocked funds. But to her dismay, the lack of paper trail allowed the couple to take their employer to court falsely claiming that they hadnt been paid. In recent weeks, Li says news of Chinese investors trying to offload their chateaux has drawn interest from a new emerging market: affluent Chinese who live outside China in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. At this moment, Im getting about four to five people contacting me every week. The Telegraph, London In collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the WCO held a follow-up mission in Abuja, Nigeria on implementing Gender Equality and Diversity in Customs from 28 October to 1 November 2024. The follow-up mission was part of the West Africa Security Project (WASP) gender equality and diversity (GED) component. This project, funded by Germanys Federal Foreign Office, is a collaboration between the WCO and the German Central Customs Authority. This project aims to promote a work environment that respects diversity and promotes equal treatment and equal opportunities. This project component particularly aims to support the partner Customs administrations in developing and implementing dedicated GED action plans. The WCO team, comprising one expert from Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) and one expert from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), held meetings with various units within the NCS, including the NCS GED Committee and NCS management, to discuss the objectives and activities of the draft NCS GED action plan developed as a result of NCS participation in the advanced sub-regional workshop organized by WCO in April 2024. As a result of the discussions, updates were made to the GED action plan to further incorporate identified needs. The mission also included a training session on GED to raise further awareness of the topic among NCS staff. Around 70 Customs officers (officials of all grades) participated in the GED training, which provided them with a comprehensive understanding of key GED concepts and the importance of mainstreaming gender in NCS policies and activities. Based on the discussions, recommendations were made to disseminate GED information to all NCS officers, including encouraging them to complete CliKC! GED e-learning modules to further increase awareness of GED issues in Customs. The WCO looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service to implement the recommendations resulting from the GED follow-up mission. For further information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org SHIBIRGAN, Afghanistan, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Three commuters including a woman were killed, and two others sustained injuries as a car diverted from a road in northern Afghanistan's Jawzjan province on Monday, provincial director for Traffic Police Mullah Shabir Ahmadi said Tuesday. Blaming reckless driving for the deadly accident, the official added that both the injured travelers, including a child, were in critical condition. A similar accident left five commuters injured in the Shibar district of the central Bamiyan province on the same day Monday. SHANGHAI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- As the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) neared its close on Sunday, a booth featuring coffee from Timor-Leste remained bustling with visitors despite the crowds at the expo venue thinning out. Kept busy by a steady supply of coffee enthusiasts, Su Lei, one of the founders of Maodian Coffee and general manager for China market, Timor-Leste's coffee company CHISHATIL, skillfully prepared pour-over coffee while introducing both the brand and the country. "Timor-Leste is an island nation in Southeast Asia and a country participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Coffee beans are one of its popular specialties," Su touted loudly, while brimming with visible excitement. Renowned for purely organic and tasty Kopi Luwak, Timor-Leste's coffee -- featured in the CIIE for seven consecutive years -- has evolved from a humble exhibit to a sought-after specialty in the Chinese market. "Starting from a small display stand, by the seventh expo, we've built a full coffee industry chain," said Bei Lei, Su's partner. For an increased number of businesspeople and farmers in Timor-Leste, the aroma of coffee has further evolved into a "bridge" connecting the agricultural technology and promising market in China with their premium agricultural products. From Egyptian spices to Syrian rose essential oil and Tanzanian honey, the just-concluded seventh CIIE was packed with a dazzling array of specialty products from BRI countries. Since its inception in 2018, this expo has been held annually in China's commercial hub of Shanghai, and has witnessed numerous "small but beautiful" trade and development projects of BRI countries evolve from concept to reality. As a public good for the whole world, the expo is continually boosting the benefits of the BRI. Through years of participation in the CIIE, Su and Bei, have managed to transition from regular exhibitors to key traders, tirelessly promoting Timor-Leste's coffee and pushing for the establishment of a Timor-Leste pavilion in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. "Over time, we realized that beyond expanding production, we needed to strengthen the industry and supply chains," said Su. "By this seventh CIIE, we've successfully established a dedicated roasting facility for Timor-Leste's coffee in Kunshan, east China's Jiangsu Province, and launched a new brand." Kunshan, a county-level city near Shanghai and China's largest coffee hub, was named the "Capital of the International Coffee Industry" by the International Institute of Coffee Tasters in May. The city has drawn investments from global coffee giants, including Starbucks, Luckin Coffee, and Louis Dreyfus. "To further establish a presence in the Chinese market and to prepare for this year's CIIE, we recently launched an online store on Alibaba's Taobao platform, where we introduced our products in sync with the expo," said Bei. "During this year's CIIE, many customers discovered and began following our online store." Seizing the opportunity created by the import expo, coffee beans from Timor-Leste are boarding the fast trains of China's high-quality development. The coffee industry is an economic pillar of Timor-Leste. As a major export destination for Timorese coffee, China has supplied funds, personnel and technologies in recent years to help the country restore coffee trees and improve the quality of its raw beans. Similar stories also unfolded at the CIIE booths of businesses from other BRI countries. Jeweler, Aranya Lohakitthawurn, and her husband exhibited at the CIIE for the first time this year. Based in Bangkok, they own and operate Sphere, a jewelry manufacturing and retail business. Previously, they had only participated in jewelry trade shows in China, making this their debut at a major and comprehensive expo. Every day brings new clients and fresh surprises. Shanghai is the perfect place to expand our business, the CIIE newcomer told Xinhua. This jewelry business now has ambitious plans to enter China's vast market. Sphere brought over a hundred jewelry pieces including necklaces, bracelets, rings and pendants adorned with the likes of rubies, emeralds and tourmalines to the 2024 CIIE -- grabbing the attention of many potential buyers. "Many BRI countries are renowned as sources of gems and jades, while others are leaders in cutting-edge processing techniques," said Chen Yu, CEO of China Gems and Jade Exchange. According to Chen, over the seven years of the CIIE, an exhibition mechanism has been established, benefiting from the support of industry associations in many BRI countries. "The gem and jade sector has seen robust trading, with some unique small and medium-sized businesses among returning exhibitors experiencing growth in their operations in China," Chen added. According to Bei Lei, China-Timor-Leste cooperation has created more opportunities for local farmers to change their own destinies, allowing them to sell coffee and other agricultural products globally at better prices. "On the other hand, we are also contributing to BRI," she added. "Timor-Leste's coffee itself is a successful example over the seven years of the CIIE, with China and the world sharing a higher-quality, better future." If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Rescue workers searching for two swimmers missing in Co Galway have recovered a body in the water. The Irish Coast Guard confirmed that a body of a man, believed to be in his 70s, was recovered at 1.30pm on Tuesday. The man was reported missing after he failed to return from a morning swim at Silverstrand beach, on the outskirts of Galway city. It later emerged that another swimmer, a woman in her 30s, was also missing from the area. The search is continuing for the woman, but poor visibility is hampering efforts. The Coast Guard said its Cleggan Unit is on scene "assessing conditions for a drone search". Rescuers were not able to task the Coast Guard helicopter because of the dense fog. Fiona Magennis A murder accused who killed his daughters neighbour after he was pushed out of an apartment initially told a garda that he was a peacemaker and didnt know who had stabbed the deceased, a prosecution barrister has told a murder trial. Senior Counsel Patrick Gageby, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the jury in his opening address that the accused admits that he unlawfully killed Joseph Brosnan. What the 12 jurors will be obliged to look at in this case, counsel said, is the accuseds intent at the time that he committed the act that caused Mr Brosnans death. Patrick Murphy (52), of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Brosnan, at Abbey Court, Tralee, on May 22nd, 2022. Opening the case for the prosecution on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Gageby said the events in question occurred in the late afternoon at about 6.30pm on the date in question in Tralee, Co Kerry. The deceased man, Joseph Brosnan, lived in an apartment at Abbey Court in Tralee. He had previously worked in a direct provision centre on the outskirts of town and there he met and befriended a Polish national called Kamil Lisowski. Mr Brosnan helped Mr Lisowski settle in and move from apartment to apartment, and they became good friends, counsel said. In the years prior to Mr Brosnans death, it was very common for these two men to meet, chat and have some drinks together. Mr Brosnan hadnt been working for about five years prior to 2022, Mr Gageby said, as he had some health difficulties including high blood pressure and was on disability benefit at the time. On the date in question, Mr Lisowski finished work at about a quarter to eight in the morning and called on his friend Mr Brosnan. Mr Gageby said drink was taken, and the pair sat and watched television together. He told the jury that a man called Shane Fitzgerald resided in an apartment located across from Mr Brosnans. Mr Fitzgerald lived there with a young woman called Danielle OSullivan, he said, adding Ms OSullivan is the daughter of the accused man, Patrick Murphy. At around 3pm that afternoon, Mr Murphy called over to Mr Brosnans home with Shane Fitzgerald. Further drinking took place in the house which resulted in some insult passing between Mr Lisowski and Mr Murphy, counsel told the jury. It fizzled out but not before Mr Lisowski had slapped Mr Murphy in the face, said Mr Gageby. Things calmed down and people shook hands but the matter welled up again and Patrick Murphy was asked to leave. As he left, he was somewhat cross or vexed, counsel said. The barrister said at around a quarter to seven that evening, Patrick Murphy returned and apologised. He said the jury will hear that Mr Murphy was pushed out vigorously of the apartment and fell to the ground outside. A short time later Mr Brosnan opened the door to Mr Murphy again and told the accused to go. Counsel said Mr Murphy seemed to be armed with quite a large kitchen knife and used it to stab Mr Brosnan. The deceased was stabbed once in the hand, which was not serious, counsel said, and once in the back, which was not life-threatening. Mr Gageby said a second stab wound to Mr Brosnans back was fatal because it penetrated the pericardial sac around the deceaseds heart, which caused massive bleeding and resulted in death occurring fairly rapidly. Counsel said Mr Brosnan was well aware that he was seriously injured and announced to Mr Lisowski: Im dying. Ambulance and gardai were called but unfortunately he [Mr Brosnan] died in his apartment lying on his sofa, said Mr Gageby. Mr Gageby said the prosecution case will be that there was a clear intention to kill or cause serious injury. Mr Brosnan was entitled to refuse entry and if that involved pushing him [Mr Murphy] out, so be it, he said. Mr Gageby said the prosecution contends there was no reason for the accused to bring a knife to the apartment. He told the jury they will hear from a number of gardai, including Garda James Fairbrother who spoke to Mr Murphy at the scene. He said a conversation between the two took place and the jury will hear evidence that the accused told the garda he was a peacemaker, and he didnt know who had stabbed the deceased. Counsel said Mr Murphy was arrested and, when interviewed, suggested that the deceased had possibly suffered a seizure before eventually admitting that he had brought a knife to the scene and that he had stabbed Mr Brosnan. Mr Gageby said the entire context of the case boils down to whether the prosecution can convince the jury that the accused did intend to kill or cause serious injury when he stabbed Mr Brosnan. The trial continues on Wednesday before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of eight men and four women. Mayo businesses were honoured last night at the Good Food Ireland Awards. Artisan butchers Kelly's of Newport was named Overall Producer of the Year and Meat Producer of the Year. In addition, Westport restaurant An Port Mor won the Restaurant of the Year award. The winners of the Good Food Ireland Awards were announced during a distinguished dinner at The K Club. A total of seven Mayo businesses were shortlisted across various categories. The Good Food Ireland Awards celebrates businesses that prioritise fresh, local produce. The ultimate goal of the event is to encourage and support local economies and communities. Pupils, parents and staff of Castlebar Educate Together National School made the journey to Dublin last Wednesday to further impress on politicians the dire conditions within the schools three-building configuration. Their protest in front of Dail Eireann was the schools latest attempt to progress a new school building committed to by Minister for Education Norma Foley in September 2022. Local Oireachtas members joined the children throughout the day and again pledged their support to see the new school advanced. Minister Alan Dillon met with principal Sarah Calvey and students and reiterated his commitment to advancing the acquisition of a new school building at the former Hat Factory site in Castlebar. Minister Dillon said: "Despite delays and limited engagement from the Department of Education, along with a need for stronger support from Educate Together patrons, I remain determined and focused on moving this project forward." Sinn Fein TDs Rose Conway-Walsh and Sorca Clarke spoke with the children about their experiences of being separated from siblings and friends across three inadequate buildings. Deputy Conway-Walsh had raised the schools issues with the Minister for Public Expenditure in the Dail earlier that day and asked him to urgently address this matter. Senator Lisa Chambers heard from school staff how there are other challenges that the school is dealing with day to day, including operating on a budget for just one site when the school is spread across three. Senator Chambers spoke with Minister Foley about the Castlebar school but admitted that progress is moving way too slow. Among other politicians that spoke with pupils, parents and staff at the protest were Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, Michael Ring, Paul Murphy and Senator Paddy Burke. Castlebar Educate Together principal Sarah Calvey said: "The protest was a great opportunity to have in-person conversations with the CEO of Educate Together, Emer Nowlan, and Oireachtas members from all parties. I had frank discussions with our patron and elected members. No one had the opportunity to blame the other, instead the pupils brought it all back to it being everyones responsibility to raise these issues further with the Department of Education." GUANGZHOU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- In an impressive display of air-sea combat capability, China's aircraft carrier-based fighter jets captivated onlookers at the Airshow China on Tuesday with buddy refueling techniques lauded by military experts as a significant naval aviation achievement. The display at the ongoing event's opening ceremony, which was conducted by China's J-15D and J-15T, both affiliated with the Chinese Navy, marked an improvement in the far-sea combat capability of China's aircraft carrier. The two fighter jets, debuting at the airshow, are the core weapon system of China's aircraft carrier battle group and serve as a vital force for naval aviation. "The buddy refueling capability is of great operational importance to carrier-based aviation, acting as a force multiplier for carrier-based aircraft," said Cao Weidong, a military expert, adding that the refueling technique enables carrier-based aircraft to carry a larger weapon load during takeoff and then replenish fuel in the air. The term "buddy refueling" means both the feeding aircraft and receiving aircraft in air-to-air refueling are the same or similar type of warplane. The capability can effectively address the limitation of large tanker aircraft that are unable to take off from aircraft carriers, making it an essential operational skill for carrier-based fighter jets. As one of the most challenging tactical maneuvers performed by carrier-based fighter jets, buddy refueling is a skill possessed by only a select few nations, according to experts. Liang Libin, a pilot instructor with the Naval Aviation University, told Xinhua that another vital function of buddy refueling is improving the safe landing rate of carrier-based aircraft during operations. For instance, carrier-based aircraft may face hazardous weather conditions that temporarily prevent landing or result in unsuccessful landing attempts, while fuel shortages can occur during return flights from missions in distant seas. In such situations, buddy refueling can increase the endurance time of the aircraft awaiting landing and ensure flight safety, Liang added. However, due to the small size of carrier-based fighters, the close distance between the two aircraft during refueling, and the high flight speed, accidents can easily occur. "Technically speaking, the difficulty of buddy refueling is greater than refueling with a large tanker aircraft," Liang said. Officially known as the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the airshow is scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai. 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. GUANGZHOU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Air Force has advocated for global collaboration across military and civilian sectors to deepen cooperation in unmanned intelligence. The revolution in unmanned intelligence has emerged as a pivotal force driving global transformation, said a Chinese Air Force representative at a seminar hosted by the Air Force Monday on the sidelines of the 15th Airshow China. Unmanned equipment is experiencing explosive growth, with an expanding range of models and applications, said a senior officer with the Air Force. Low-cost, adaptable and expendable unmanned intelligent technology is driving profound shifts in the military sector, presenting unprecedented opportunities and challenges, the senior officer said, urging more consensus and cooperation in this field. The seminar attracted air force leaders, representatives from over 30 countries, and domestic experts in unmanned intelligence. Attendees engaged in in-depth discussions on innovation, applications, and challenges in unmanned intelligence while sharing insights on swarm control, intelligent sensing, and cost-effective development. Officially known as the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the airshow is scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai. HANGZHOU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese courts have witnessed a decline in the number of trials of first-instance cases concerning environment and resources since 2021, with the number of criminal cases involving environmental pollution dropping significantly. The change signals positive results in the country's environmental governance, as revealed during a national conference on environment and resources case trials held on Tuesday in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, east China. Since June 2014 to September this year, Chinese courts have handled about 2.16 million cases concerning environment and resources, according to the conference. Since 2014, the number of specialized judicial bodies for ecological environment and resources has increased from 134 to more than 2,400, with more than 10,700 professional judges. In addition, the Supreme People's Court has formulated and revised 21 judicial interpretations in the area over the past decade, with 22 normative documents issued, as per the conference. Seeing stars in a whole new light After 64 years, the Johannesburg Planetarium has been upgraded featuring new cutting-edge digital projectors that will enhance its role in science education. The new Wits Anglo American Digital Dome will open to the public in February 2025. Over the past two years, the Johannesburg Planetarium has undergone extensive refurbishment, and the old analogue Zeiss projector has been replaced by 10 high-resolution digital projectors that will transform how the people of Joburg and South Africa will be able to experience research and science in this heritage landmark. The old planetarium has over the past 60 years attracted between 60,000 and 80,000 school children every year, who are introduced to the fascinating world of our solar system. Wits University, in partnership with Anglo American, is launching the new Wits Anglo American Digital Dome on Tuesday, 12 November. The Digital Dome offers a completely new, interactive and innovative way for visitors to engage with various disciplines of science and research. Since its inauguration in 1960, the Johannesburg Planetarium has been a beacon of astronomical education and wonder in South Africa. For more than six decades, this institution, as the first fully sized planetarium in Africa and the second in the southern hemisphere, has played a pivotal role in inspiring countless individuals, from young students to seasoned scientists, fostering a deep appreciation of the cosmos and its mysteries. The experience of visiting the planetarium has been a rite of passage for many South African children. For most, it represents their first encounter with astronomy on such a grand scale. The awe-inspiring presentations under the planetariums dome have sparked curiosity and wonder, potentially influencing future career choices and fostering a lifelong interest in science. I myself was inspired by my own visit to the planetarium in 1981, at the height of apartheid, in which they also showed us scenes of the 1969 moon landing. This visit left a huge and indelible mark on me, and I believe that it played a key role in igniting a scientific spark that led me to the career that I pursued. The screening of the moon landing in 1969 was a defining moment in the planetariums history when it became the first venue in South Africa to screen footage of Apollo 11 touching down on the surface of the moon. This historic event brought the global space race right to the heart of Johannesburg, allowing local residents to witness one of humanitys greatest achievements. The screening created a sense of connection to the broader world of space exploration and ignited imaginations across generations. The success of the planetarium can in no small measure be attributed to the late Professor Arthur Bleksley, a professor in applied mathematics and astronomer at Wits from 1932 to 1968. Prof Bleksley served as the first director of the planetarium, when it opened its doors in 1960 until just before his retirement. Prof Bleksley was indeed a man ahead of his time when it came to science communication and education, focusing a lot of his attention on teaching and explaining science to the public, often raising the ire of his colleagues when appearing in popular media to explain scientific concepts in easy-to-understand terms. The planetariums educational impact extends beyond mere numbers and singular events. The quality of the experience has been consistently high, thanks to the facilitys commitment to staying current with technological advancements. From its early days with the Zeiss projector to more recent digital systems, the planetarium has continually evolved to provide the most engaging and informative shows possible. Its worth noting that the Zeiss projector, a centrepiece of many planetariums worldwide, including Johannesburgs, has a rich history. These projectors were not only used for public education but also played a role in practical applications. During World War 2, for instance, projectors such as these, including our own projector, were used to train navigators in celestial navigation, highlighting the practical importance of astronomical knowledge. The Johannesburg Planetariums influence reaches far beyond school visits. It has been a valuable resource for amateur astronomers, providing a space for enthusiasts to gather, learn and share their passion for the night sky. Regular events, such as viewings of celestial phenomena like eclipses or meteor showers, have helped build a community of stargazers in the region. For the scientific community, particularly astrophysicists, such as our own Professor Roger Deane, the planetarium has served as a crucial link between academic research and public understanding. By hosting lectures, facilitating research projects and providing a platform for experts to engage with the public, the planetarium has played a vital role in promoting scientific literacy. One unique aspect of the Johannesburg Planetarium is its efforts to incorporate indigenous astronomical knowledge into its programmes. This approach not only enriches the planetariums offerings, but also helps preserve important cultural heritage, demonstrating how scientific understanding can complement traditional knowledge systems. As we look to the future, the Johannesburg Planetarium faces both challenges and opportunities. In an age of rapid technological advancement, the planetarium must continue to innovate to remain relevant. This might include embracing new technologies like virtual and augmented reality, while still maintaining the communal, immersive experience that has been its hallmark. The heritage value of the Johannesburg Planetarium is immeasurable. It lies not just in its physical structure or technological capabilities, but in the countless moments of inspiration it has provided. From the child who discovers a passion for astronomy to the adult who finds perspective in the vastness of the cosmos, the planetarium has touched many lives. The Johannesburg Planetarium stands as a testament to the enduring human fascination with the stars. Its legacy, built over more than 60 years, is one of education, inspiration and community engagement. As it continues to adapt and evolve, the planetarium remains a vital institution, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and public understanding, and inspiring new generations to look up and wonder. It is a really proud moment for Wits that in its centenary period, Wits is again taking an incredible lead in renewing and reimagining the Digital Dome to inspire future generations, and open up the infinite possibilities that our world has to offer them. Timeline of key events: 1960: Opening of the Johannesburg Planetarium; 1969: First venue in South Africa to screen footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing; 1974: Introduces the annual Star of Bethlehem show; 1985: Implements computer-aided shows; 1990: Introduces laser shows; 2000: Millennium celebrations; 2005: Major technology upgrade; 2009: 50th anniversary celebrations; 2015: Launches mobile outreach programme; 2020: 60th anniversary (modified celebrations due to global pandemic); and 2022: Reimagining of the Johannesburg Planetarium into the new Wits Anglo American Digital Dome. Professor Zeblon Vilakazi is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand. This article was first published in the Daily Maverick. Workshop explores sustainable design in the age of AI The workshop gave scholars insights that empowered them to create AI-powered solutions for Africas most pressing challenges. Wits University recently hosted an innovative workshop titled Design Science in the Age of AI: Sustainable Development and the Digital Transformation, in October. More than 50 participants from across Africa attended the opening of the workshop, which was sponsored by the Afretec consortium, the SA-CERN program, and the AI4PEP program of the Canadian IDRC, and endorsed by the US National Academy of Engineering. The event was opened by prominent academic and governmental figures, including Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at Wits; Dr Glaudina Loots, Director at the Department of Science and Innovation; Professor Thokozani Majozi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment; and Professor Conrad Tucker from Carnegie Mellon University. This hands-on event gathered 25 carefully selected participants, primarily young to mid-career academics, to explore the intersection of engineering, technology, and social responsibility in the context of AI. The goal was to develop sustainable solutions that can drive economic and environmental progress, with a specific focus on Africas unique challenges and opportunities in the digital age. "The workshop was an impressive showcase of methodologies that need to be followed for the design and implementation of AI tools, said Professor Bruce Mellado from the Wits School of Physics. A focus on sustainable, AI-driven design The workshop highlighted design science, which involves the creation of artefacts and systems embedded within social, economic, and environmental contexts. Participants were guided through the entire design process, from identifying pressing issues to creating prototypes and business models that emphasise sustainability and equity. According to lead organiser Professor Emeritus Panos Y. Papalambros from the University of Michigan, This workshop goes beyond traditional design thinking. Its about building real-world solutions that are both innovative and sustainable, ensuring that technology contributes to a more equitable society. Over the two-day event, attendees engaged in collaborative team activities, working to define design problems, develop conceptual solutions, and prototype those ideas. The sessions were divided into four parts, covering education and innovation in an African context, an overview of the design process, business planning, and the integration of AI tools to optimise design activities. The projects focused on how AI can drive sustainable development and solve real-world challenges, particularly in areas like infrastructure, health, and business. Empowering the next generation of innovators This workshop is part of a broader series of the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec) initiatives aimed at linking technology with social considerations to foster entrepreneurship and academic collaboration. It builds on the momentum of a previous workshop held at Carnegie Mellon University Africa in Kigali earlier this year. That event, endorsed by the US National Academy of Engineering, set the stage for continued exploration of how digital transformation can be leveraged to achieve sustainable development goals. The Wits workshop aimed to leave a lasting impact on its participants, helping them develop practical skills that can be applied in their academic institutions, research, and start-up ventures. The emphasis on AI tools in design highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of global industries, with participants encouraged to consider both qualitative and quantitative methods in their projects. Local and international collaboration A hallmark of the workshop was its emphasis on collaboration among the participants and with leading academics and innovators worldwide The presence of experts from prestigious institutions like Wits, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Michigan underscores the importance of cross-continental cooperation in addressing global challenges. The workshops sponsors, including the Afretec consortium, SA-CERN program, and AI4PEP program of the Canadian IDRC, further highlighted the international support for this initiative. These partnerships are crucial in driving innovations that are not only technologically advanced but also rooted in sustainable and equitable business models. Looking to the future During the workshop, participants also participated in interactive sessions designed to push their understanding of how AI can be integrated into the design process. These included exploring how to build business models that support long-term sustainability, considering environmental and social factors. By the end of the two days, the participants were expected to leave with new insights and potential collaborations, equipped to apply their learning to create AI-powered solutions that address Africas most urgent challenges. The workshops focus on Africa ensured that the continent is at the forefront of digital innovation, positioning it to leapfrog outdated practices and contribute meaningfully to global sustainability efforts. This workshop represented a unique opportunity for the next generation of academics, engineers, and innovators to engage with the challenges of our time while shaping a future that is both digitally advanced and socially responsible. Tuesdays are for Zulu Therapy Ingoma Keeping heritage alive through ingoma provides a sense of community, cultural pride and resilience to students. Every Tuesday evening, West Campus becomes a haven where students gather for a special kind of release from the stresses of academic life. Rhythmic voices fill the air as traditional songs and dance are performed providing a therapeutic outlet. The weekly session, known as Ingoma, organised by the Zulu Students Cultural Society, are a highlight and attract students keen to connect and preserve heritage. Ingoma refers to music, song and dance in isiZulu. The weekly social-cultural expression serves as a vehicle for artistic traditions and indigenous knowledge, helping those from urban settings to discover the beauty of heritage. It is no wonder that the Society was named the winner of the Most Outstanding Student Society at the Vice-Chancellors Student Leadership Awards. The winners of this award have significantly contributed to both cultural preservation and student well-being, said the masters of ceremony. For Public Good Culture has been recognised as a public good by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The October 2024 meeting of the G20 Culture Ministers concluded with a commitment to prioritise culture in policymaking. Culture is a pillar in the construction of prosperous and peaceful societies. This is why UNESCO has advocated for this sector to be better recognised in multilateral fora and public policies, said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General. The cultural society also advances Goal 3 [good health and wellbeing] of the sustainable development goals. 3rd year BSc Urban and Regional Planning student and Chair of the Society, Ntombiyenhlanhla Mkhize, says they are thrilled at receiving the award. The Societys main purpose is to create unity, an inclusive environment, a platform for everyone to learn, embrace Zulu culture and share experiences with fellow students, it is not only open to Zulu people but everyone who love Zulu culture. We encourage diversity, inclusivity and cultural exchange. The Zulu society programmes (Ingoma Tuesdays and Indaba Fridays) have been used by students as a way of taking time off books and destressed, these social programmes have played a vital role in students lives. The Clubs efforts have also gained national recognition through social media, where they have amassed over 170 000 followers. The society was nominated under the category of Best Traditional Group/Artist of an Institution of Higher Learning at the 2024 South African Traditional Music Awards. Mkhize who hails from Greytown attributes the Societys success to past and present committee members stressing that active membership participation and engagement has also played an important role in the success of the society, without members the is no society. Sustainability Dreams Realising that students need a diversity of activities that promote social cohesion, the Society has expanded its offer to members by introducing sport teams competing against other student residences, further enhancing the vibrant campus atmosphere. The Club with over 400 members has big dreams for the future and hopes with the sponsorship will help realise even bigger projects in the future. In 2024 the Society implemented impactful outreach programmes, including a Sanitary Pads Drive and an Academic Help Desk, addressing important student needs and creating lasting positive change within the university community. Congratulating the Society on their success, the Dean of Students Jerome September said: Their leadership and dedication have fostered inclusivity, unity, and cultural pride, ensuring the meaningful preservation and promotion of African heritage in modern society. Runner-ups were the Black Lawyers Association Wits Chapter and the South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners Wits Chapter. Wits University has 95 active student clubs, societies and organisations catering to a range of interests in the Academic Cluster, Cultural Cluster, Political Cluster, Religious Cluster and Social Cluster. BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Under the guidance of heads-of-state diplomacy, the China-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) community with a shared future will enjoy more promising prospects in the next decade, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. Spokesperson Lin Jian told a press briefing that over the past decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal of building a China-LAC community with a shared future has been translated from a vision to action and from a blueprint to reality. "The proposal has generated fruitful outcomes, benefited the two peoples and is widely welcomed by LAC countries," he said. China and LAC countries hold high the banner of peaceful development and cooperation, forge stronger synergy between each other's development strategies, upgrade and accelerate cooperation and share the outcomes of cooperation, Lin said, adding that both sides uphold true multilateralism and work for more just and equitable global governance. Noting that China is the largest trading partner for many countries in the region, Lin said the cooperation between the two sides has expanded from traditional areas including economy and trade, finance and infrastructure to such emerging areas as energy, digital economy and aerospace. China has actively provided human resources training programs to LAC countries, sent medical and agricultural experts there and promoted "small yet smart" livelihood programs on growing bamboos and Juncao to boost development and revitalization in the region, Lin added. Noting that China is always a trustworthy friend and partner to LAC countries and their peoples, Lin said that the China-LAC relationship has entered a new era characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and more benefits for the people. "President Xi will soon pay another visit to Latin America, which will be his sixth visit to the continent since 2013. We believe under the guidance of heads-of-state diplomacy, the China-LAC community with a shared future will enjoy more promising prospects in the next decade," the spokesperson said. JUBA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Tuesday expressed concern over the rising number of new HIV/AIDS infections, attributing the annual figure, which stands at 8,100, to limited funding for the health sector, political instability, and inadequate infrastructure. South Sudan's Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol said that around 140,000 people in the country are living with HIV. "South Sudan faces unique challenges that require tailored solutions. It's crucial that we strengthen political leadership and ensure that HIV programs are fully integrated into national health initiatives," Akol said during the dialogue on HIV Prevention Response in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Akol emphasized that more work is needed to address gaps in the HIV response, particularly in terms of leadership engagement, coordination, and creating a supportive legal and social environment. He also called for concerted efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination, improve access to HIV testing and treatment, and put in place a holistic community-based approach to prevention. Minister of Health Yolanda Awel Deng said that the northern and central regions of the country have the highest rate of HIV infections due to a lack of proper screening and treatment facilities. "This disparity is partly due to outdated policies and inadequate infrastructure, which were designed to address HIV prevention in more populated southern areas but fail to meet the needs of the rest of the country," Awel said. Awel also said that annual budgetary allocations to the ministry need to be increased to effectively work to reduce and prevent HIV/AIDS infections in the country. She called on the government and international partners to prioritize healthcare investment and increase both domestic and foreign funding to combat HIV, infant and maternal deaths, and diseases linked to climate change. Esterina Novella, chairperson of the South Sudan AIDS Commission, said the HIV epidemic has persisted for far too long since the independence of the country in 2011. Novella said that they require 360 million U.S. dollars to implement the 2024/2025 South Sudan National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS, which aims to reduce HIV infections by 2030. South Sudan's HIV response is heavily reliant on donor funding, with international donors contributing 91.7 percent of the HIV-related budget, according to Novella. COLOMBO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's navy said that it seized an Indian fishing vessel and arrested 12 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka on Tuesday. The navy said in a press release that it continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign fishing boats, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen. The seized boat and the Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbor and would be handed over to the local fisheries inspector for onward legal proceedings, the navy said. With this seizure, the Sri Lankan navy has held 66 Indian fishing boats and 497 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters in 2024, and handed them over to authorities for legal action, the navy said. BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Liang Guanglie, a former Chinese defense minister, died of illness in Beijing at 2:43 a.m. Tuesday. He was 84. Liang was hailed as an excellent member of the Communist Party of China, a time-tested and loyal communist soldier, and an outstanding leader of China's national defense and military affairs, according to an official statement. Liang joined the Chinese army in 1958 and became a Party member in 1959. In May 2002, Liang was promoted to the rank of general. He once served as a member of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor. Mohadeseh Barzegar Bafrouei, from Iran, is a Persian-language teacher with University of International Business and Economics, in Beijing. She began her undergraduate studies, in Business Chinese, at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) in 2011, and she obtained her Ph.D., in 2022, in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, from BLCU. Bafrouei and her husband, Mohammad Reza Lotfollahi Ghaffari, arrived in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province, in 2005, to study Chinese. Since 2010, the Iranian couple has been living in Beijing with their children. The family loves Chinese culture. Bafrouei and Ghaffari speak fluent Mandarin. They have helped advance cultural exchanges between China and Iran both countries with great civilizations. When asked for her understanding of Chinese culture, Bafrouei says, "China has abundant folk customs, which closely connect with local culture and history. The customs reflect how Chinese highlight family and group values, and how they respect their own culture. Chinese are willing to share their customs with foreigners, and that helps promote their understanding of each other." She adds it is praiseworthy many cities in China have tourist service centers for foreigners, and that there are special shows of traditional Chinese arts during important events and festivals. Bafrouei is impressed by the high degree of gender equality in China. "Many Chinese women are capable in the workplace, and they are senior executives in their companies," she says. Their strong awareness of obeying rules is another impression Bafrouei has of Chinese. "In China, people keep quiet during public occasions, and they follow the traffic lights. This helps maintain social order, and it lays the foundation for civilized development of cities. I feel safe here," she says. When asked for her expectations of China's development, Bafrouei says, "If procedures for applications of visas and work/residence permits can be simplified, China will attract more foreign talents. Special legal consultation centers for foreigners will also help them learn about and adapt to local laws and regulations." Bafrouei expects China will implement more family friendly policies. "The reform of systems relevant to paid vacations and caring for children and the elderly will enable family members to better take care of one another. This will help create a harmonious social environment, which is favorable for China's sustainable development." Photos from Interviewee (Women of China English Monthly October 2024) Editor: Wang Shasha Sanya Yipsy Ballet Art Center (Yipsy Balletto) is a special ballet school in Sanya, in South China's Hainan Province. Why? All of the ballet teachers are from Cuba. Yipsy Trujillo Gonzalez, the center's founder and art director, moved to Sanya 11 years ago. Yipsy, who began studying ballet at the age of 8, was once a member of the National Ballet of Cuba, one of the world's most prestigious ballet troupes. Given her expertise and effective teaching approach, Yipsy and her center have won the trust of Chinese parents, and the locals are willing to send their children to learn ballet at the center. The art center has a total of five Cuban ballet teachers. "I think we are like a bridge that connects China and Cuba, and we help the locals have a better understanding of Cuba, and its culture," Yipsy says. In 2020, China unveiled a master plan to transform Hainan Island into a globally influential and high-level free trade port (FTP) by the middle of this century. Currently, Hainan Province is accelerating preparations for independent customs operations in 2025, and the province is taking steps to promote socioeconomic development, and to position itself at the forefront of China's high-level opening up. "In this context, Hainan has implemented a series of policies and measures to better serve foreign talents, and to let us share China's development opportunities. Working and living in Sanya is now becoming more convenient for foreigners. Hainan's international cultural atmosphere is becoming increasingly strong, and there are more opportunities for foreigners to show their talents and excel in life," Yipsy says. During the past 11 years, Yipsy has not only enjoyed her life and established her career in Sanya, but she has also played a role in promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Cuba. "I am impressed by China's cultural diversity and development vitality. I would like to visit more areas of China in the future, to gain a deeper understanding of the country, share my thoughts and experiences with more people, and do my part to promote friendship between the peoples of the two countries," Yipsy says. "China is a country with a vast territory and abundant resources. The greatest thing about living in China is the convenience and the sense of security. I believe China will enjoy better development in the future, and China will also create more development opportunities for the world," she adds. Photos from Interviewee (Women of China English Monthly October 2024) Editor: Wang Shasha Click the photo and watch the video. * This year's "Double 11" shopping festival is the longest ever. A heady, instant extravaganza has evolved into a month-long affair. * The "Double 11" shopping spree has long passed the phase when it is all about the thrill of a midnight shopping rush. This year's extended shopping festival is being enjoyed as a quality experience by shoppers, shippers and sellers alike. * Despite all the changes, one constant is that it remains an optimal source of insights into the country's vibrant online consumption dynamics. HANGZHOU, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) China's annual "Double 11" shopping festival kicked off especially early this year. When celebrated in the first years after its creation in 2009, it was a frenzied orgy of consumption buyers anxiously clicked the checkout button, and online retailers cheered for astronomical sales figures at the exact moment when the clock struck 00:00 on Nov. 11. Customers walk past a banner promoting "Double 11" shopping festival at a store in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 11, 2024. [Xinhua/Han Chuanhao] Over time, the festival has been extended, especially this year, when e-commerce platforms rolled out their respective "Double 11" programs significantly earlier. Douyin, for example, started a preliminary sales campaign on Oct. 8. Taobao and Tmall, under China's e-commerce giant Alibaba who created the festival, started on the 14th 10 days earlier than last year. That makes this year's Double Eleven the longest ever. A heady, instant extravaganza has evolved into a month-long affair. With each edition over the past years, the annual shopping spree changed in various ways. However, one constant is that it remains an optimal source of insights into the country's vibrant online consumption dynamics. Newer and Greener: A Trade-In Magic In the early stages of this year's "Double 11" shopping fiesta, Mr. Liu, a Gen-Z Hangzhou resident in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, purchased a Xiaomi TV he had long had his eye on. "It would have cost 4,599 yuan (about 640 U.S. dollars). But I only paid 2,799 yuan, with Tmall's "Double 11" discount and the 699 yuan trade-in subsidy from the government," he said. "It's a real bargain." This year, China has been promoting large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-in programs for consumer goods, aiming to boost domestic demand and support continuous economic growth. As of early November, the trade-in programs had seen over 30 million consumers participating and brought more than 400 billion yuan in sales, according to the country's Ministry of Commerce. Customers apply for trade-in subsidy from the government at a cashier in Fuyang, Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 31, 2024. [Xinhua/Xu Yu] During the ongoing "Double 11" shopping festival, the state's trade-in subsidy has been added to the festival discounts provided by e-commerce platforms for the first time, creating combined offers that drive consumption. "As the trade-in policy provides more subsidy to energy-efficient products, it effectively pushes forward the replacement of energy-consuming equipment," said Wang Kui, a manager with the trade-in program at Taobao and Tmall Group. "A 'green consumption' is now becoming mainstream." Statistics show over 92 percent of home appliances sold on Tmall have been the most energy-efficient during this year's "Double 11." The trade-in policy reduces pollution and boosts resource reuse, helping to build a greener, low-carbon society, said Hong Yong, an associate researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation. Improved Experience for All The "Double 11" shopping spree has long passed the phase when it is all about the thrill of a midnight shopping rush. This year's extended shopping festival is being enjoyed as a quality experience by shoppers, shippers and sellers alike. Ms. Chen, a dog owner based in Beijing, said she had a better online shopping experience in the prolonged "Double 11." "I can still remember a few years ago when I had to load up merchandise several days in advance and check out at 00:00 sharp. That gave me anxiety," she said. "Now I have time to make more rational purchasing and make purchases at different stages throughout the month." Shippers are allowed to take their time, too. In a month-long time period, they face several smaller delivery peaks instead of one delivery boom they found themselves struggling to cope with. This photo taken on Nov. 1, 2024 shows an outdoor installation featuring "Double 11" shopping festival at Alibaba Group's Xixi Park in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. [Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi] An extended shopping festival helps alleviate a backlog in logistics storehouses, said Tan Meng, a manager working at a delivery service point in Hangzhou, adding that while parcels increase this year, the logistics is smoother and more organized. With the buildout of AI, online retailers view this year as the start of applying this cutting-edge technology to their business. Graphic design, virtual presentations, and customer services based on AI made their job easier and faster and helped reduce costs. "With Taobao's AI tools to generate scenes, I no longer need to tote the products around in photo studios," said a lighting products retailer in Guangdong, talking about product photography. "Using the AI software costs only one tenth of renting a studio." About 80 percent of the retailers on Taobao and Tmall now use the platform's AI functions, according to the group. Among them are individual sellers, major brands such as the Denmark footwear brand ECCO, French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif, Japanese retail company MUJI, and the skincare brand NIVEA. A Global Celebration Mr. Huo, a Chinese national now living in Osaka, Japan, found himself relying on Chinese e-commerce platforms for books and stationery. He has been able to join the Chinese shopping spree this year by buying more books and taking advantage of the free cross-border delivery services. "I still prefer buying on Chinese e-commerce platforms for commodities like phone cases or clothing, as I have a dizzying array of choices at much cheaper prices there," he said. As this year's "Double 11" began in mid-October, Taobao and Tmall added four countries Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia to their brand-new global free shipping program. The program, initiated in July, covers various countries and regions, including Singapore, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea. The program waives the shipping fees for orders over a certain amount. In Huo's case, the threshold is 199 yuan. JD.com, another e-commerce giant, recently included Malaysia and Thailand in its global free shipping zone. Free shipping services overseas by China's e-commerce platforms reflect their improving capacity in overseas sales, customer service, logistics and payment, said Pan Helin, a member of an expert committee under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Advertisements of "Double 11" shopping festival are displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 28, 2024. [Xinhua] According to data by Taobao and Tmall, almost 70,000 retailers who joined their global free shipping program have seen sales double in the early stages of this year's shopping festival. Sales of tank tops to Thailand grew by 68 percent, while sales of ballet shoes to Japan jumped by a staggering 277 percent from the previous edition. "Made-in-China products are very competitive globally for their good quality offered at better rates, and that comes from China's mature and efficient supply chain system," said Pan. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for climate change, speaks at a side meeting marking the opening of the China Pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11, 2024. The China Pavilion at COP29 was launched on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. The China Pavilion will host 10 themed days featuring various side activities during COP29, scheduled to run from Nov. 11 to 22. [Xinhua/Meng Jing] BAKU, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) The China Pavilion at COP29 was launched on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. The China Pavilion will host 10 themed days featuring various side activities during COP29, or the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled to run from Nov. 11 to 22. Speaking at a side meeting that marks the opening of the pavilion, Zhao Yingmin, head of the Chinese delegation to COP29 and vice minister of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said China has become an essential participant, contributor, and leader in global ecological civilization in recent years. China is willing to work with the international community to strengthen political mutual trust, practice multilateralism, enhance global cooperation, and build a prosperous, clean, and beautiful world, he added. Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for climate change, said China has always prioritized addressing climate change and views it as a crucial national strategy. Low-carbon development is a vital part of building a beautiful China, he said. China's dedication to promoting green and low-carbon development has shown remarkable results and earned widespread international recognition, he added. Liu expressed optimism that COP29 would enhance confidence within the global community, stressing the importance of upholding the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and diligently enforcing legal agreements. He urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments by providing financial support to help developing countries enhance their capacity to respond to climate challenges. China stands ready to work with the international community to uphold multilateralism, ensure fairness and justice in climate governance, respect market rules and trade freedom, and contribute to the success of COP29 to provide greater stability and certainty in global climate governance, Liu noted. People attend a side meeting marking the opening of the China Pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11, 2024. The China Pavilion at COP29 was launched on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. The China Pavilion will host 10 themed days featuring various side activities during COP29, scheduled to run from Nov. 11 to 22. [Xinhua/Meng Jing] People attend a side meeting marking the opening of the China Pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11, 2024. [Xinhua/Meng Jing] Staff members brief a pamphlet to a guest during a side meeting marking the opening of the China Pavilion at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11, 2024. [Xinhua/Meng Jing] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to letters from friendly personages from all walks of life in Brazil recently, encouraging them to continuously contribute to the China-Brazil friendship. In his reply, Xi said that he is glad to see that the China-Brazil friendship has been passed on from generation to generation, adding that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Brazil have marched forward hand in hand, sharing weal and woe, and have forged a friendship spanning mountains and oceans. China is willing to work with Brazil to enrich the friendship between the two countries in the new era, make China-Brazil relations a good example of solidarity, coordination, common development and mutual benefit among major developing countries, and make greater contributions to the cause of peace and progress of mankind, Xi said. He said Brazilian friends are welcome to visit China more often and experience for themselves the myriad sights of Chinese modernization. He voiced hope that people from all walks of life in the two countries will play a positive role in promoting the continuous development of China-Brazil relations and making the China-Brazil friendship flow unceasingly like the Yangtze River and the Amazon River, Xi added. Recently, Enrique Teixeira, former deputy mayor of Campinas, Sao Paulo State, and more than 100 friendly personages from the Brazil-China Friendship Association, Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo State University, and the Copacabana Fort Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro wrote to Xi respectively, thanking the Chinese government, enterprises and universities for their contributions to China-Brazil friendly exchanges and the improvement of local people's livelihood. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha A boy grieves over a victim in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Nov. 12, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,665, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 21 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday in Israeli attacks in northern and central Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said. Israeli jets bombed two houses in the town of Beit Hanoun, far north of the Strip, the Palestinian Civil Defense Authority in Gaza said in a brief statement. Medics told Xinhua that the attack killed at least 15 people, including women and children, and wounded some others with varying degrees of injury. An Israeli drone also bombed a gathering of Palestinians near a clinic affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) west of Deir al-Balah city in the central Gaza Strip, according to sources. Medical sources at the Al-Aqsa Hospital in the city told Xinhua that six people were killed and several others injured, some seriously. In addition, the Israeli army besieged about 130 families inside three shelters turned from schools in Beit Hanoun and forced those inside to leave the town, according to local sources and eyewitnesses. The sources and witnesses told Xinhua that the displaced people left shelters under heavy gunfire. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Tuesday that the army is continuing the operation in the area of Jabalia. Over the past week, troops have been conducting raids to "neutralize the threat" in the area of Beit Lahia, it said. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,665, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. A woman grieves over victims in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Nov. 12, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,665, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A woman grieves over victims in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Nov. 12, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,665, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) The latest United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, opened Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan. It is the third year in a row that the ostensibly highest political meeting to fight climate change is being held in a country that has non-renewable fossil fuels as its main export, following summits in the United Arab Emirates in 2023 and Egypt in 2022. [Photo: World Meteorological Organization] The past two centuries of anarchic capitalist development have consumed coal, oil, and natural gas at an unprecedented rate, causing the global average temperature to rise an estimated 1.3 C (2.3 F) since the pre-industrial era. The rate of warming since 1982 is more than three times the rate of previous decades. And 2024 is on track to be the hottest in human history. Global warming is expected to spike to 1.5 C (2.7 F) this year, a temperature rise considered one of the critical limits to stop the worst effects of climate change. The result of this warming has been extreme weather events that have caused enormous damage and loss of life. A report from the International Chamber of Commerce published the same day COP29 opened shows that almost 4,000 such events from 2014 to 2023 have caused an estimated $2 trillion in economic damages. In the last two years alone, more powerful hurricanes, longer droughts, raging wildfires, heat domes, polar vortexes and more have caused at least $451 billion in damages. The human impact has been even more stark, with 1.6 billion people having been affected by these events, from the millions whose homes were flooded during hurricanes Helene and Milton over the past two months, to the tens of thousands who die in heat waves every year. An average of 21.5 million people are forcibly displaced every year, known as climate refugees, and the Zurich Insurance Group estimates that there could be 1.2 billion climate refugees by 2050. Such figures are not new to the worlds governments and are updated every year. However, they were all but ignored by the attendees of COP29. The remarks by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell instead focused on climate finance, including efforts to reform the global financial system so that ruling elites can get international carbon markets up and running. In other words, the climate crisis has become yet another opportunity for Wall Street speculation and corporate profits. The pretense that these meetings were designed to solve global warming was largely dispensed with in 2022, when the most that could be agreed upon was to phase out ... inefficient fossil fuel subsidies related to coal power plants. That event was overshadowed by the US-NATO-led war against Russia in Ukraine, which had begun just months earlier and had greatly intensified the pressure on Europe, particularly Germany, to shift Europes dependence on liquefied natural gas from Russia to the United States. Moreover, that year saw a surge of lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry, with more than 600 in attendance, more than all the delegates from the Pacific island nations combined. During the 2023 summit in the UAE, at least 2,456 oil and gas lobbyists attended, amounting not to a discussion on climate change, but on a way for fossil fuel executives to further their business interests. There are no doubt similar meetings happening at COP29. The president of the summit, Mukhtar Babayev, is the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan. He is also a former executive of SOCAR, the Azerbaijan state-owned oil company. The company is a dominant force in Azerbaijans economy, with gas and oil making up 90 percent of the countrys exports and two-thirds of its gross domestic product. One meeting was recorded by the activist group Global Witness, which caught Elnur Soltanov, Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Energy and one of the officials working with Babayev during COP29, stating that we have a lot of gas fields that are to be developed. These likely include drilling in the Caspian Sea, which Azerbaijan borders and which is known to have at least 15.31 billion barrels of oil and up to 360 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Soltanov then told the undercover team that they should incorporate your activities with SOCARs activity during COP so that you can ... talk business to them and also participate in the COP29 process. Last year, the president of COP28 was Sultan al-Jaber, the CEO of the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Under his leadership, ADNOC sought to secure $100 billion in new fossil fuel contracts. That the UN climate conferences have taken the form of business mixers for the worlds fossil fuel magnates is not an aberration but the logical outcome of attempting to resolve the ecological crisis under capitalism. Coal, oil and natural gas have been and remain enormously profitable industries. During the first half of 2024, Shell reported a profit of $14 billion, despite a drop in global energy prices. In the third quarter of 2024 alone, Saudi Aramco reported $27 billion in profits. The International Energy Agency expects that investment in fossil fuels will exceed $1 trillion this year. Moreover, how could there be a globally coordinated effort to fight climate change if the worlds ruling elites were incapable of coming together to stop a deadly pandemic? When President Joe Biden took office, it was in part due to campaign promises to end the COVID-19 pandemic and to fight climate change. Those were almost immediately dropped after Biden took office in favor of the war in Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. And now, as the Earth continues to catch on fire, the US and Russia are closer than ever before to direct conflict, up to and including nuclear exchanges that would end human civilization. Like all the great social problems facing society, the two main barriers to their resolution are the divisive nation-state system and the capitalist profit motive. On November 10, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) hosted a live-streamed meeting, The Election Debacle and the Fight Against Dictatorship, analyzing the causes and consequences of the Trump victory and elaborating a political strategy for the working class to fight back against an incoming Trump administration. The event featured SEP National Chairman David North, SEP National Secretary and presidential candidate Joseph Kishore, SEP National Committee members Eric London and Tom Carter and SEP vice presidential candidate Jerry White. The meeting was essential in providing a political orientation for workers and youth, in the United States and throughout the world. It was held only five days after the election and less than two months before Trumps return to power, with an agenda of establishing a political dictatorship and implementing a massive social counterrevolution. Under these conditions, the most critical question is the development of an orientation and perspective to prepare the coming struggles. Amidst the endless coverage in the media in the aftermath of November 5, there is virtually nothing that seriously analyzes the political, economic and social causes of the election outcome, including the complicity of the Democratic Party, let alone elaborates a viable strategy for countering Trumps far-reaching plans for dictatorship and mass repression. There is clearly an audience for a more serious response. The live event was watched by over 2,000 people globally and, as of this writing, views of the recording on different platforms are approaching 10,000. The two-and-a-half-hour meeting and the reports that were delivered need to be studied. Below is a summary of some of the essential issues addressed, but this cannot replace listening to and carefully considering the contributions. In opening the meeting, North stated, The election of Donald Trump, the first fascist president of the United States, is the culmination of the protracted crisis of American democracy. This had to be understood, North emphasized, as an expression of deeper social and political processes. The focus of the meeting, he said, would be a Marxist analysis, centered not on Trump as an individual but on the class forces and interests that have found expression in this election. The essential premise of our analysis is that the coming to power of the second Trump administration signifies a fundamental realignment of the American political superstructure, long in preparation, corresponding to the real social relations that exist in the United States. The emphasis on the objective sources of Trumps victory does not in any way lessen the political responsibility of the Democratic Party for the debacle. Rather, it is the essential basis upon which the response of the Democrats itself must be understood. In his introduction, North stressed that, in contrast to the SEP, which is issuing severe warnings about the plans of a second Trump administration, the Democrats are doing everything to cover them up. Prior to the election, he noted, Biden and Kamala Harris repeatedly warned that Trump represented an existential threat to American democracy. The f word, fascism, featured prominently in the pre-election discourse. What a difference five days makes. The f word has been preemptively sent back into political exile now that Trump has won the election. Forgive and forget is the new motto of the Democratic Party. North referred to the brief statement by Biden following Trumps electoral victory. He noted that Biden proclaimed no political ceremony more sacred than the peaceful transfer of power, even when the recipient is a fascist who had been preparing a second and more violent coup in the event that he lost the election. North added: It should be recalled that Hitlers elevation to the office of German Chancellor on January 30, 1933 was also a peaceful transfer of power. The violence came afterwards. Now, it is not the position of the SEP and the WSWS that the accession of Trump to the presidency is the equivalent of Hitlers 1933 victory. The United States is not Weimar Germany, and the transformation of the United States into a police state dictatorship backed by a mass fascist movement will not, whatever Trumps intentions, be achieved overnight. There will be struggle, enormous struggle, but it would be politically irresponsible, and actually contribute to the success of Trumps aims, not to recognize the dangerous implications and real consequences of last Tuesdays election. At the very least, it is necessary to take Trump at his word. The working class must and will fight against the Trump administration, North said, but that fight must be prepared. It requires analysis. It requires a sober and careful approach to political events. The last thing it needs is panic and hysteria. The time for serious politics has begun. Joseph Kishores report elaborated on these themes and provided an overview of the causes and implications of Trumps victory. He focused on the staggering concentration of wealth in the hands of a capitalist oligarchy, including figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. This is the defining feature of American capitalism, he said, with 800 billionaires now possessing a combined wealth of more than $6.2 trillion. Kishore also emphasized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the deaths of 1.5 million people in the United States, and the beginning of a period of total war, as described by leading foreign policy journals, which includes the genocide in Gaza and the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukrainethe central focus of the Biden-Harris administration. Global war is incompatible with democratic forms of rule, Kishore explained. Social spending must be slashed to pay for war. The working class must be disciplined behind war. The class struggle must be suppressed in the interests of war. Opposition to war must be crushed and criminalized. The domestic corollary to total war is political dictatorship. In discussing the Democrats complicity in and response to the election of Trump, Kishore stressed the reactionary role of identity politics and the Democrats fixation on issues of race and gender, used to advance the interests of privileged layers of the upper-middle class. The Democrats could not and were opposed to making any appeal based on the interests of the working class, he said, instead, haranguing voters for not turning out for Harris, allegedly due to racism and hatred of women. Eric Londons report was focused on a detailed analysis of the election data, accompanied by charts, emphasizing the political shifts within the working class, with Trump able to demagogically exploit social anger. The Democratic Party lost about 10 million votes from the last election to this election, he explained, a massive historic collapse in support. London highlighted the dramatic decline in support for Harris among workers of all races, while noting increased Democratic support only among the affluent. The Democratic Party ran a campaign based on a combination of right-wing economic policies, imperialism, and identity politics... Black men, Latino men, and young people all shifted significantly away from the Democrats. Reviewing exit polls and other data, London explained, Only a quarter of the population says they are suffering from no hardship. ... Harris did very well among these voters, among voters who have nothing really to worry about financially. London also reviewed recent literature documenting the anti-democratic character of the political institutions of American capitalism. This is an oligarchic system in which 90 percent of the population has absolutely no say in having any of the policies which they largely support be enforced by either party. Tom Carters report provided a detailed and chilling review of the plans of the second Trump administration and the political forces conspiring to impose a dictatorship in the United States. He noted that Bidens declaration, in response to Trumps victory, that were going to be okay is aimed at covering up the extent of the danger and preventing the development of a mass movement against Trump and the Republicans. Trump is planning a massive deportation operation, Carter explained, that would require the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of police and soldiers, together with the construction of internment camps. He also reviewed Trumps plans to target political opponents, including Marxists and socialists, for arrest and deportation. Carter pointed to the Republicans Project 2025, which includes efforts to subordinate the entire state apparatus to the will of the president. Trump and his wing are saying, Your loyalty is not, in fact, to the Constitution, but to Trump, because he won the popular vote and therefore supposedly represents the will of the people... Thats just a translation into English of the leader principle, the [Nazi] Fuhrer principle. Every basic democratic right is under assault, Carter said, and Trump is backed by a Supreme Court that has declared the president immune from criminal prosecution for official acts. Among the many authoritarian measures on the agenda of the incoming administration, Carter noted, Trump has said teachers will be required to teach students to love their country, not to hate their country, and any teacher who resists this will be fired. Jerry Whites report addressed the basic and fundamental question, summed up by North in introducing him: Is there a force capable of overcoming these dangers, of resisting these attacks? Is there a force which has an interest in doing so? The answer to this question is yes: The American and international working class. North cited a passage from The Holy Family, written by Marx and Engels in 1844, which established the revolutionary role of the working class due to its position in capitalist society: It is not a question of what this or that proletarian, or even the whole proletariat, at the moment regards as its aim. It is a question of what the proletariat is, and what, in accordance with this being, it will historically be compelled to do. Its aim and historical action is visibly and irrevocably foreshadowed in its own life situation as well as in the whole organization of bourgeois society today. There is enormous confusion among workers, North noted. How could there not be given that they are lied to relentlessly. However, the objective possibility for overcoming the problems in consciousness lies in the contradictions of capitalism itself, in the reality of the class struggle. Jerry White documented these conditions through a detailed review of the social reality of American capitalism. This is characterized by massive inequality and the intensifying social crisis produced by declining living standards, soaring prices and increased exploitation. Labors share of income fell from about two-thirds, or 64 percent, in the first quarter of 2001, to 55.8 percent in the first quarter of 2024, he noted, with social inequality directly corresponding to the artificial suppression of the class struggle by the trade union bureaucracy of the AFL-CIO. But there are many expressions of growing opposition in the working class, including at least 24 major strikes involving 220,000 workers in 2024. The social counterrevolution being prepared by the Trump administration is going to escalate the class conflict, White explained, as the naked class interests of the Trump presidency are revealed to millions and millions of workers, including those who voted for Trump. In ending the meeting, North stressed the central conclusion that must be drawn from the election of Trump: the building of a revolutionary movement, the International Committee of the Fourth International, in the United States and throughout the world. The election, North said, is a global event. The crisis in the United States is one that reverberates throughout the world. And the conditions that have produced Trump are evident everywhere. The growth of right-wing fascistic movements is not an exclusively American phenomenon. This is an international process because capitalism is international. The building of an international socialist leadership is both urgently necessary and possible. The same contradictions that produce fascism, dictatorship and world war also produce the basis for overthrowing capitalism through the development of a revolutionary movement in the working class. But this is not automatic. There is an objective need for a revolutionary socialist movement, North said, but the building of such a movement is the product of the decisions that people make to intervene in the historical process. *** The election of Trump will produce immense political shocks, and the American Earthquake will reverberate throughout the world. There will be countless efforts, on the part of the ruling class and its political agents to divert the development of a revolutionary movement against capitalism, to create new political traps. The central message of the Socialist Equality Party meeting is that the working class can only orient itself through the revival of genuine socialist politics, revolutionary politics, the politics defended through the entire history of the Trotskyist movement. As David North put it in beginning of the meeting, The time for serious politics has begun. The political orientation of the working class requires the development of an understanding, of a political perspective, rooted in historical experience. Only on this basis will it be possible to carry out a fight against the Trump administration, against the turn of the ruling class to fascism and dictatorship, and against the capitalist system that is the root cause of fascism. The World Socialist Web Site urges all of our readers to watch the full meeting of the SEP, The election debacle and the fight against dictatorship, share the reports above as broadly as possible on social media, and make the decision to join the Socialist Equality Party and build the International Committee of the Fourth International. A strike by South Korean auto parts workers at Hyundai Transys, which has lasted more than a month, is having a growing impact on the countrys car industry. The workers are fighting for the improvement of wages and their overall economic conditions, but also confront a growing attack on jobs taking place throughout the auto industry internationally. Hyundai Transys [Photo: Facebook/tdptrending] Hyundai Transys supplies transmissions and other parts to Hyundai Motors, the third largest automaker in the world, as well as to Kia. All are part of the Hyundai Motors Group, one of the massive, family-led conglomerates in South Korea known as chaebol. As of last week, the strike has impacted the production of around 150,000 transmissions. Hyundai Motors announced on November 4 that as a result of the strike it would shut down production lines at its Ulsan plant. From November 5 to 8, the company stopped its line 1, which produces the Kona compact SUV. Hyundai also used the strike as an opportunity to shut down line 2, which produces the electric vehicle Ioniq 5, until November 18 as a result of reduced demand. Hyundais Asan plant in South Chungcheong Province, which produces the Sonata and Grandeur sedans, is also experiencing a slowdown, which is expected to last until Wednesday. Kias plants 1 and 2 in the city of Gwangju have been similarly affected. The strike is also having an impact on other companies, including Tranix Corporation, a subsidiary of Hyundai Transys, which experienced a shutdown beginning on November 6. Hyundai Transys workforce of approximately 2,800 initially went on strike on October 8 at the companys Jigok plant in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province. The Korean Metal Workers Union (KMWU) initially tried to limit the walkout to partial strikes. However, it was forced to call a broader strike on October 11. The use of partial strikes is a common tactic used by the South Korean unions to limit the impact of industrial actions on big business while providing a safety valve for workers anger. The KMWU represents workers in the auto industry throughout the country. It is one of the most influential unions in the so-called militant Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which operates in the orbit of and supports the pro-capitalist Democratic Party. Negotiations between Hyundai Transys and the KMWU began in June. The union is requesting a 159,800 won ($US115) increase in base salary and so-called performance-based bonuses of 2 percent of last years sales. In 2023, Hyundai Transys recorded 11.7 trillion won ($US8.36 billion) in sales and 116.9 billion won ($US83.7 million) in operating profits. The company rejected the unions requests. Hyundai Motors operating profits grew 54 percent from the previous year. It is the first time in six years that Hyundai Motors has been forced to stop production. In this time period, the KMWU has forced workers to stay on the job during the COVID-19 pandemic and imposed wage freezes on workers throughout the industry while signalling their support for massive job cuts. The current strike at Hyundai Motors and other companies, however, demonstrates that workers can fight back against these attacks on their job and social conditions. Any genuine struggle can only take place outside the stranglehold of the KMWU, which is working to confine the current strike to negotiations over wages and will ultimately sell it out. However, the strike is about far more than wages. Workers are no doubt acutely aware of the broader issues as the auto industry around the world slashes jobs as part of the transition to the production of electric vehicles (EV). The ruling class portrays this change as a just transition to make more environmentally friendly vehicles that cut carbon emissions. EVs are produced with fewer parts than vehicles with combustion engines and therefore require less labor power. Tens of thousands of jobs are on the chopping block in South Korea alone. Estimates in recent years have predicted that Hyundai Motors alone could cut 60 percent of its workforce by 2030. In addition to Hyundai and Kia, GM Korea, Renault Korea, and KG Mobility (formerly Ssangyong Motor) all have a significant presence. The just transition entails slashing jobs around the world, not just in South Korea. In Germany, Volkswagen plans to close at least three plants, cutting tens of thousands of jobs. In the United States, Stellantis and General Motors are also sacking thousands of workers. In Asia, Beijing Hyundai in China is rumored to be preparing to slash 30 percent of jobs by February 2025, though the company has denied this. In Thailand, the tenth largest auto producing country in the world, Japanese companies Subaru and Suzuki have announced they would close their factories by the end of 2024 and 2025 respectively. The KMWU supports this so-called just transition and the attack on autoworkers that comes with it. In an interview with Bloomberg published in July, the KMWUs policy director Kim Sang-min and its international outreach director Jeong Hyewon admitted the union has no intention of a waging a struggle on behalf of workers. They acknowledged that the development of EV and heavily automated plants in South Korea and other countries like Singapore made us realize that it will be hard to keep our jobs. So were trying to demand that companies create new jobs related to green industries. Its something we really think about deeply and study what kind of demands will really make a difference. We need to confess we dont have a magic bullet. In other words, the KMWU has no plan for fighting the job cuts. The union, the KCTU and the Democratic Party, in whose orbit the unions operate, all support capitalism. Their goal is not to defend the working class, but to ensure that the South Korean capitalist class is best positioned in relation to those of other countries. This means pitting workers against one another, not only against those abroad, but within South Korea in a race to the bottom. Kim and Jeong continued in their Bloomberg interview: We signed an agreement on industrial transformation with Korean metal industry employers in 2021. This year were focusing on supply chains, a plan called just transition, where automakers are taking overall responsibility for realizing carbon neutrality in their supply chains. The KMWU backs this campaign and asks workers to place their faith in the auto companies to take responsibility for this transition. While developing measures to protect the environment is vital, the current transition takes place under capitalism. The auto companies are not carrying out the transition for the benefit of the environment, but to boost profits. People shelter themselves close to a building as the siren goes off in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 12, 2024. Two men were killed in Israel's northern city of Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. According to the Israeli military, Hezbollah forces launched two barrages in the afternoon, the first of around 10 rockets targeting the north that led to the casualties, and the second of three rockets targeting the Tel Aviv area, which was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Two men were killed in Israel's northern city of Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. According to the Israeli military, Hezbollah forces launched two barrages in the afternoon, the first of around 10 rockets targeting the north that led to the casualties, and the second of three rockets targeting the Tel Aviv area, which was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force. Eli Bin, director-general of the Magen David Adom rescue service, reported that the two men were hit by a rocket while working in an agricultural field in the Nahariya area of the Galilee, and were pronounced dead at the scene despite resuscitation efforts. Israeli emergency team members work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Nahariya, northern Israel, on Nov. 12, 2024. Two men were killed in Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. (JINI via Xinhua) Israeli emergency team members work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Nahariya, northern Israel, on Nov. 12, 2024. Two men were killed in Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. (JINI via Xinhua) Israeli emergency team members work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Nahariya, northern Israel, on Nov. 12, 2024. Two men were killed in Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. (JINI via Xinhua) Israeli emergency team members work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Nahariya, northern Israel, on Nov. 12, 2024. Two men were killed in Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. (JINI via Xinhua) Israeli emergency team members work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Nahariya, northern Israel, on Nov. 12, 2024. Two men were killed in Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. (JINI via Xinhua) ZAKA volunteers work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Nahariya, northern Israel, on Nov. 12, 2024. Two men were killed in Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. (JINI via Xinhua) People shelter themselves as the siren goes off in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 12, 2024. Two men were killed in Israel's northern city of Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. According to the Israeli military, Hezbollah forces launched two barrages in the afternoon, the first of around 10 rockets targeting the north that led to the casualties, and the second of three rockets targeting the Tel Aviv area, which was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) People take cover inside a building as the siren goes off in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 12, 2024. Two men were killed in Israel's northern city of Nahariya on Tuesday in a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. According to the Israeli military, Hezbollah forces launched two barrages in the afternoon, the first of around 10 rockets targeting the north that led to the casualties, and the second of three rockets targeting the Tel Aviv area, which was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) More than 100 of the British Broadcasting Corporations (BBC) staff have accused the state broadcaster of pro-Israel bias in its coverage of the Gaza war, in an open letter first seen by the Independent newspaper. The letter, signed by more than 230 figures in the UKs media industry, writers and academia, said the public broadcaster had failed to provide fair and accurate coverage of the conflict and demanded it recommit to fairness, accuracy and impartiality. It was sent to the BBCs director general, Tim Davie. A Palestinian kisses a relative murdered in Israeli airstrikes, in a morgue in the city of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, October 25, 2024. [AP Photo/File] The 101 BBC staff who signed the letter did so anonymously, with one telling the Independent that so many of us feel paralysed by levels of fear. They added: Colleagues have left the BBC in recent months because they just dont believe our reporting on Israel and Palestine is honest. Signatories included Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a Muslim member of the House of Lords and member of the Conservative Party; historian William Dalrymple; actress Juliet Stevenson; Dr. Catherine Happer, a senior lecturer in sociology and director of media at the University of Glasgow; Rizwana Hamid, director at the Centre for Media Monitoring; broadcaster John Nicolson; and Guardian columnist Owen Jones. They said that the BBC must robustly challenge Israeli government and military representatives in all interviews, called on the BBC to report without fear or favour and to make new editorial commitments, including reiterating that Israel does not give external journalists access to Gaza; making it clear when there is insufficient evidence to back up Israeli claims; making clear where Israel is the perpetrator in article headlines; and including regular historical context predating October 2023. The consequences of inadequate coverage are significant. Every television report, article and radio interview that has failed to robustly challenge Israeli claims has systematically dehumanised Palestinians, they said. The signatories gave the example of a dehumanizing and misleading headline relating to Israels killing of 6-year-old Hind Rajab last January. The BBC headline read, Hind Rajab, 6, found dead in Gaza days after phone calls for help. But as the letter explained, This was not an act of God. The perpetrator, Israel, should have been in the headline, and it should have been clear that she was killed. Another anonymous BBC staff member told the Independent, Palestinians are always treated as an unreliable source and we constantly give Israels version of events primacy despite the IDFs (Israel Defense Forces) well-documented track record of lying. We often seem to prefer to leave Israel out of the headline if at all possible or cast doubt on who could be to blame for airstrikes. The verification level expected for anything related to Gaza hugely outweighs what is the norm for other countries. The newspaper cited another as saying they were losing faith in the organisation [they] work for, having seen a huge disparity in the BBCs approach towards Israel. They added: I genuinely care about the future of the BBC, and every day I see that we are losing the trust of audiences across the world. People are going elsewhere to find the reality of what is happening because we are simply not giving it to them. Staff pointed the BBCs failure to live broadcast South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice on January 11, while live broadcasting Israels defence the following day. The journalists stressed the BBCs high level of trust as a taxpayer-funded public broadcaster, warning that its Gaza war coverage could undermine its impartiality and puts its independence at serious risk. While the letter focused on the BBC, it also drew attention to shortcomings in other media outlets including ITV and Sky. The corporate media consistently plays down Israels perpetration of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Their journalists refer to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza without laying responsibility for it at Israels feet. At the same time, they constantly refer to the Hamas-led October 7 attack that led to the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, as though that justified the killing of more than 43,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children killed in their homes and places of shelter from Israeli bombing. They never reference the Zionist states 75 years of brutal suppression of the Palestinians as the context for the attack. Insofar as the mainstream media and the BBC mention the words genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity, they do so in relation to Hamas rather than Israel. This is not the first time the BBCs coverage of Israels US-financed and directed war of annihilation of the Palestinians in Gaza has been criticized. In November last year, just weeks after the start of the war, eight of the BBCs UK-based journalists wrote to Al Jazeera, saying the BBC was guilty of a double standard in how civilians are seen. Israels war crimes went unreported while the BBC was unflinching in its reporting of alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine. This organisation doesnt represent us, one of the co-writers told Al Jazeera. For me, and definitely for other people of colour, we can see blatantly that certain civilian lives are considered more worthy than othersthat there is some sort of hierarchy at play. In September, the Guardian alleged that some insiders at the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC)an umbrella organisation made up of 15 leading aid charities including Save the Children, ActionAid and Tearfundas well as the BBC and aid agencies had accused the BBC of blocking DECs request to air a major fundraising appeal for humanitarian aid for Gaza because it feared a backlash from supporters of Israels war against the Palestinians. In the event, the BBC did agree to broadcast the appeal. In 2009, the BBC was the only terrestrial (over-the-air-US) broadcaster in the United Kingdom to refuse to air DECs appeal for humanitarian aid for the Palestinians in Gaza. The BBCs then Director General Mark Thompson claimed that airing the DEC appeal would put the corporations impartiality at risk by giving the impression the BBC was backing one side over the other. In 2006, the corporation used the same pretext of maintaining impartiality in relation to an appeal for aid to Lebanon following the Israeli war against Hezbollah in which hundreds of civilians died and much of the countrys infrastructure was destroyed. BBC New Broadcasting House in Central London [Photo: Michael] That the state broadcaster supports Israels barbarity should come as no surprise. The British government is complicit in Israels genocidal war against the Palestinians, supplying the Zionist state with the weaponry and intelligence to carry out its attacks and stacks the BBCs board with its supporters. In 2021, Boris Johnsons Conservative government appointed Sir Robbie Gibb, a journalist, political advisor and a self-declared Thatcherite Conservative, to serve as a non-executive director on the BBCs board because of his implacable opposition to the public broadcaster and its supposed liberal bias. In 2020, Gibb headed a consortium to buy out the Jewish Chronicle (JC) when the loss-making paper was at risk of closing. As the sole director and owner of Jewish Chronicle Media, now turned into a charitable trust, he refused to say where the 3.5 million loannow written offfor the takeover came from. He sits on the key committee looking at editorial standards at the BBC, whose coverage of Israel/Palestine he lambasts as biased against Israel. His editor at the JC, Jake Wallis Simons, is a bitter critic from a Zionist standpoint of the BBCs reporting of the war . Two months ago, the paper was exposed as a mouthpiece for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, publishing fake news by a fake journalist that formed the basis for his attempts to massage the news in his favour that are now the subject of scandals within Israel. In an extraordinary intervention even before the start of Israels October war on Gaza, Gibb tried to impose an impartiality review in relation to BBCs coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Despite calls for him to resign his position, Gibb has refused to stand down. In April last year, Richard Sharp, a banker and Tory donor, resigned as BBC chair after he was found to have breached the rules on public appointments by failing to declare his role in securing a secret 800,000 loan for Boris Johnson, creating a potential perceived conflict of interest. Johnson, when he was prime minister, had personally approved Sharps appointment as BBC chair, with the recruitment panel informed that Sharp was the only candidate whom the government would support. Israeli air strikes across Gaza and Lebanon killed dozens of people on Sunday, including at least 20 children, as the Israeli regime intensified its genocide of Palestinians and expanded its wider war in the Middle East. Day 402 of Genocide in Gaza [Photo: @MuhammadSmiry] Health officials reported at least 30 people were killed in northern and central Gaza as tanks entered the refugee camp at Nuseirat in a new incursion. A report by Al Jazeera said, Health officials at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, said 20 people were killed in a series of air and ground attacks overnight and into Monday, including one that hit a tent encampment. In a message sent to Reuters via a chat app, 25-year-old resident Zaik Mohammad said tanks opened fire on the Nuseirat camp without warning and caught residents by surprise. The residents and displaced families were sent into a panic. Some people couldnt leave and remained trapped inside their homes, appealing to be allowed out, while others rushed out with whatever they could carry as they fled. Al Jazeera also reported four people were killed in an Israeli air attack in the northern town of Beit Lahiya, which Israeli forces have besieged from the air and with tanks since the beginning of October. Others were killed in an air attack in Gaza City. An Israeli drone fired upon Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiyathe only medical facility operating in northern Gazainjuring three medical workers. Another 10 people were killed in an air strike late Monday in a cafe in Al-Mawasian area designated a humanitarian safe zone by Israelnear the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Health Ministry officials reported that at least 43,604 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military since October 2023, with 102,929 injured. The strikes in Lebanon on Sunday killed nearly 40 people, with the Israeli air assault moving into the north of the country. At least 14 people were killed in a missile attack on the northern town of Ain Yaaqoub, which is approximately 6.2 miles from the border with Syria. Al Jazeera reported that there may well have been Syrian casualties in this strike because there are so many refugees in the north of Lebanon who have been sheltering there for years. There were also Lebanese people in Ain Yaaqoub who had fled there for safety from the suburbs of Beirut and areas in the Bekaa Valley that have been hit by Israeli bombings. At least 23 people were killed in another strike about nine miles from the capital Beirut. The Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Monday that at least 3,243 people had been killed in the recent escalation by Israel, including at least 200 children. There have been numerous indications that the Israeli governmentwhich has been provided with arms and funding by the Biden administration to carry out its ethnic cleansing of Gazahas been further emboldened to intensify its criminal military operations by the victory of Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed in a recorded message on Sunday that he has spoken to the fascist president-elect three times in recent days. Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly told Netanyahu to do what you have to do in Gaza and Lebanon, while simultaneously telling the electorate he would bring both conflicts to an end. There can be no question that the election of Donald Trump has given the Israeli leaders encouragement to completely drop any pretense of ceasefire negotiations and move forward with the Zionist project to permanently remove Palestinians from Gaza and the so-called Generals Plan. In his first meeting with Israeli military officials, new Defense Minister Israel Katz said that there will be no ceasefire and no break in the strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Katz also posted a statement on X that said, Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities. We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goalto thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, speaking to the press on Monday before his Religious Zionism partys weekly faction meeting in the Knesset, welcomed Trumps victory and said it presents an important opportunity to apply Israeli sovereignty to the settlements in Judea and Samaria, referring to areas of the West Bank by their biblical names. Smotrich, who is also a minister in the Israeli Defense Ministry, complained that the Biden administration had unfortunately chosen to intervene in Israeli democracy and personally not to cooperate with me. He referred to actions taken by the Trump administration of 2017-2021, such as the transfer of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, the recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, and the decision to declare that Israels West Bank settlements are legal under international law, as being in line with his own fascist political agenda. On Monday, Donald Trump selected Senator Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York, to be US Ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik has been a rapid supporter of Zionism and a defender of the Gaza genocide. She was a leading figure in Congress who labeled pro-Palestinian protesters at college campuses across the country as antisemitic. Stefaniks witch-hunting of protesters against the Gaza genocide aligns with her echoing of the Great Replacement Theory of actual antisemitism, which claims that wealthy Jewish people are engineering and financing a mass migration to the United States from Asia, Africa and Latin America to replace the white American population. Fascist president-elect Donald Trump has named loyalists strongly identified with the persecution of immigrants and plans for military confrontation with China to leading positions in his administration, indicating the broad contours of the policy that the US government will pursue as soon as he returns to the White House next January. President-elect Donald Trump with Florida Senator Marco Rubio [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] For the top foreign policy position, Secretary of State, Trump will nominate Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, it was reported Monday night. Rubio, son of Cuban immigrants, is a ferocious anti-communist and advocate of confrontational policies against China, Cuba, Iran and other targets of American imperialism. He has also been a supporter of the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, although Trump himself has boasted he will end that war as soon as he takes office. CNN and the Wall Street Journal reported Monday night that Trump has asked Florida Republican Congressman Mike Waltz to become his national security adviser. Waltz is a serving Army colonel, former Green Beret, veteran of special operations in Afghanistan and other countries. He is an anti-China hawk who is expected to spearhead an even more confrontational and belligerent policy towards Beijing than that pursued by the Biden-Harris administration. Waltz replaced Ron DeSantis as the representative from Floridas sixth Congressional District, which includes Daytona Beach, in 2018, when DeSantis gave up the seat to run for governor of the state. He defeated Democrat Nancy Soderberg, a career State Department official, in the general election, and has been reelected three times. His congressional career has been entirely bound up with the planning and funding of US imperialist provocations overseas, as he served on the House Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees. Earlier Monday, Trump announced via social media that he was nominating Representative Elise Stefanik of New York to be US Ambassador to the United Nations, considered the third-highest foreign policy position. Stefanik is a former White House aide in the George W. Bush administration, identified with rabid support for the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. A supposedly moderate Republican, she worked as a congressional aide and then for the 2012 Republican presidential ticket of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, before winning a safe Republican seat in the northernmost portion of New York state, a largely rural area that includes the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain. In Congress, she moved steadily to the right, embracing the Trump campaign in 2016, then replacing Liz Cheney as the Republican caucus chair, the number three position in leadership, when Cheney publicly denounced Trump and supported his impeachment after the attempted coup of January 6, 2021. Most recently, Stefanik spearheaded the witch-hunt of college students protesting the Israeli genocide in Gaza and helped force the resignation of several university presidents for their failure to crack down sufficiently on supposed antisemitism. In domestic policy, Trump signaled that his number one priority will be the use of mass repression and police violence against immigrants by appointing two of his most odious loyalists to launch the police-state effort. Stephen Miller, the fascist ideologue responsible for the separation of thousands of immigrant children from their families during Trumps first term, will be deputy White House chief of staff for policy, a position that will put him in charge not only of immigration but of virtually all domestic policy. While Miller will drive the setting of policy, the actual round-up and mass deportation will be the responsibility of Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the first Trump administration. Trump has confirmed on social media he would name Homan as border czar, responsible for stepping up military-police repression both at the US-Mexico border and more generally in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Trump has threatened to invoke a 1798 law, the Alien Enemies Act, claiming it gives him the authority to deport anyone from a country which is engaged in an invasion or predatory incursion into the United States. He would apply this definition to the home countries of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border, which includes virtually all of Latin America, Africa and Asia. Miller has suggested that to enforce Trumps orders, National Guard units from Republican-controlled states like Texas, Florida or Tennessee could be sent into states with Democratic governors, like New Mexico, Arizona and California. Homan told the CBS News program 60 Minutes last month the US government would resume large-scale raids on worksites to arrest undocumented workers by the dozens and even hundreds. Such raids were a feature of the first Trump administration but largely abandoned during the Biden administration. A former Border Patrol agent and special agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the predecessor of ICE, Homan claimed there would not be concentration camps for migrants detained in mass round-ups, but did not explain how they could be detained otherwise. In response to a question whether mass deportations could be carried out without separating immigrant parents from American citizen children born in the United States, Homan said, families could be deported together. Trumps national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News that Trumps day one agenda could include revoking Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of migrants from Haiti, Central America and other countries, which could be done by executive order and does not require legislation. This would affect long-settled migrants like the Haitian factory and service workers living in Springfield, Ohio, who were witch-hunted by Trump and his running mate JD Vance with bogus claims that they were eating pet cats and dogs. Homan said that the mass deportation campaign would initially target 1.3 million criminal immigrants. This term does not refer to migrants who have actually committed crimes, but to the 1.3 million who have received final orders of deportation from an immigration court. Most of these immigrants are living and working without incident, let alone hurting anyone, but evading arrest and deportation. According to the Wall Street Journal, As a first step, Trumps advisers are discussing issuing a national emergency declaration at the border on his first day in office, which his team thinks would allow him to move money from the Pentagon to pay for wall construction and to assist with immigrant detention and deportation. But the legality of such a move is unclear. A national emergency, Trumps advisers think, also would unlock the ability to use military bases for immigrant detention and military planes to help carry out deportations. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (Republican-Louisiana) said in a letter circulated to Republican lawmakers this week that the top priority for the next Congress would be passage of legislation that would surge resources to the southern border to build the Trump Border Wall, acquire new detection technologies, bolster our Border Patrol, and stop the flow of illegal immigration. This bill would be introduced through the reconciliation process which requires only a simple majority in the Senate. The Republicans have not yet secured a majority in the House of Representatives, holding a lead of 214-204 over the Democrats, with 17 seats still undecided. With 218 required for a majority, and Republicans currently leading in nine of the undecided seats, it is virtually a foregone conclusion that there will a narrow Republican majority, roughly the same as the 222-213 majority before the November 5 election. Grounded, the new opera depicting the impact of drone warfare on a female fighter pilot, premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in late September. The opera, with its theme of long-distance killing based on the experience of the US war in Afghanistan, is especially timely given the ongoing bloodbath in Ukraine and genocide in Gaza. The creators of Grounded are composer Jeanine Tesori, known until now primarily for her Broadway musicals, including Tony Awards for both Fun Home and Kimberly Akimbo, and playwright George Brant, who wrote the 2013 one-woman play upon which the opera is based. The opera is a co-production of the Washington National Opera, where it received its world premiere last year. Grounded (metopera.org) Grounded follows Jess (mezzo-soprano Emily DAngelo), a decorated Air Force fighter pilot in Iraq during the US invasion, committed to aerial warfare as her lifes calling. Jess comes to a crossroads when she finds herself pregnant. Though her condition is unplanned, she is in love and ready to start her family. Eric (tenor Ben Bliss), the father of her child, is a compassionate partner over the course of the story, which spans some five years. Jess turns to her superior with the news. The Commander, (bass Greer Grimsley) callously berates her for a waste of training and taxpayer money, and urges her to abort the pregnancy. Disregarding The Commanders advice, Jess returns home. Sometime later, she is asked to join a new division, based in Las Vegas. There she will wage war in Afghanistan with unmanned Reaper drones, remote-controlled killing machines that operate against their targets many thousands of miles away. At first conflicted over the offer, concerned about her pride and her reputation as a pilot, she comes to terms with it as the best possible outcome for her family. Each night you will go home. think about that, she consoles herself. The chorus resounds that the threat of death has been eliminated [from war]. Jess begins to accept her new surroundings in Las Vegas, which include a killing partner, a 19-year-old Sensor (baritone Kyle Miller). The Sensor has been recruited by the military because of his video-gaming skills. The plot develops through Jesss intensifying psychological and emotional pain as she engages in long-distance killing. Soprano Kirsten MacKinnon plays Also Jess, a voice in Jesss mind as she psychologically dissociates, in the operas second act. Also Jess, the device meant to depict the deep alienation and turmoil Jess is undergoing, her anxiety and even paranoia, is of limited effectiveness. The more intimate scenes of Jess and Eric with their daughter Sam, now five years old, provide a warmth and tenderness contrasting strongly with the business of war, and these are affecting. The sometime humorous antics of the Sensor also stand out against the carnage being inflicted on their targets. These emotional exchanges are ultimately more convincing than those between Jess and her psyche. The opera climaxes with a mission for Jess to eliminate a longstanding target, known as The Serpent. She is at first honored by this assignment, but the internal conflict is not resolved. This leads to a powerful conclusion, when Jess sees her target accompanied by a little girl around the same age as her daughter. Jess sees her role as judge, jury and executioner of an innocent young victim. She snaps, and instead of pulling the trigger, propels the drone into the side of a mountain. The opera concludes with Jess, having been court-martialed, in solitary confinement in a military prison. Her conscience is unburdened, however, and her personality is whole again. The score of Grounded, conducted by Met music director Yannick Nezet-Seguin, employs a prominent brass section as well as an atypical batterie percussion section, with unusually-sized bass and snare drums to bend and manipulate military themes into slightly disfigured versions of themselves. This adds a sinister tint to musical motifs that are usually treated in a straightforward and even reverent fashion. The orchestras bombastic moments, particularly during the scenes of wartime chaos, have a time-shifted and underplayed character, emphasizing the eerie disconnect between the faraway destruction and its image depicted on a computer screen. The imposing LED backlit set spans the entire width of the stage, and powerfully conveys the sense that all is being monitored inside a digital dystopia. The costumes are also effective, carefully crafted to place the viewer firmly in the 21st century, with the use of detailed military garb and ornamentation. The choreography and staging, particularly in the moments that utilize the full ensemble, also help to bring out the dramas most dynamic moments. The subject matter and the theme of Grounded are what set the opera apart from much of what is usually presented, and are worthy of somewhat extended discussion. Brant has cited a longstanding interest in the subject of drone warfare, dating back to the time when the technology was kept strictly secret from the US public. We knew [drones] were being used overseas, but we didnt know quite what we were doing with them, he told an interviewer. It felt like the attitude toward the public was: Dont worry about this. These are great. They dont put our pilots in harms way, and they get the job done. Tesori wrote, [A]t the heart of this piece is considering what we are asking of [military service] people when the goal is unclear but the expectation when you receive an order is still: Dont think, just do. What is the psychic effect of being the person who has to push the button? Jeanine Tesori at the 76th Tony Awards in June 2023 [Photo by The Tony Awards / CC BY 3.0 It should be obvious that this theme is of genuine contemporary relevance. One of the lessons drawn by the US ruling class from its debacle in Vietnam 50 years ago was the need to shield the population from knowledge about the crimes committed in its name, and also to use technology to inflict maximum suffering on the enemy while minimizing US casualties. In part, drone warfare is one of the products of this situation. Technology has been used to carry out the mass murder of innocent civilians. The Zionist regime in Israel has, with the crucial help of its American military suppliers, carried out crimes of genocide in Gaza, while extending these to its asymmetrical smart phone bomb attacks in Lebanon. However, modern technology has also been used to expose war crimes. Among the most famous of these exposures was the WikiLeaks publication of the Collateral Murder video in 2010. An innocent family can be seen on a digital screen being gunned down near Baghdad by a US Apache helicopter team. The killers can be heard justifying their action with the words, Well, its their fault [for] bringing their kids to a battle. The subsequent publication by WikiLeaks of the Iraq War Logs and Afghan War Diary exposed the daily war crimes committed by the American military. The US authorities waged a nearly 15-year campaign to silence and punish WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for his crime of exposing their actions. In a notorious tape leaked in 2010, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calls for Assanges assassination, asking, Cant we just drone this guy? Assange was finally freed from Londons Belmarsh prison several months ago, after five years described by experts as torture. Grounded has weaknesses. One of the most obvious is the gratuitous use of profanity. The repeated use of such language is not offensive in and of itself, but it seems a misguided, unnecessary effort to reach a younger or hipper audience. More seriously, Groundeds creators have focused to some extent on the gender of the protagonist as central to the operas weight and importance. Similarly, considerable emphasis has been placed on the fact that Tesori is only the second female composer to have her work premiered in the history of the Met Opera. While these facts are not devoid of significance, the works focus on them is related to the identity-obsessed outlook of a certain milieu. One is entitled to ask, if the composer had not been a woman and the leading character had been a male, would an opera on this theme still have been mounted? (See Andrew Niccols 2015 film Good Kill, for example, about a male drone operator, also in Nevada.) To the extent that Tesoris work treats the unequal treatment of women in the US military as a compelling problem in the face of the monstrous, world-historical crimes carried out by Americas armed forces, it is seriously off the mark. Moreover, the implication that women are less warlike than men is particularly backward and false. Almost 50 years after the coming to power of Margaret Thatcher in Britain, and after such US Secretaries of State as Madeleine Albright, Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton, all of them dripping in the blood of their victims, any suggestion that imperialist war would be less likely or less brutal under female leaders is simply ludicrous. Notwithstanding these and other limitations, Grounded stands out above all because of its theme, which receives serious treatment. It has been well received by audiences, and this testifies to growing opposition to war. With the US militarys advanced preparations for world war and an American oligarchy increasingly unrestrained in its global conspiracies, Grounded is to be welcomed. An exhibit is pictured in the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) TAIYUAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. Visitors can interact with a sand table to view the map of the city covering over 2.8 million square meters. Social hierarchies emerged from the artifacts. While the common folk resided in semi-underground single-room dwellings, the nobles occupied grand palatial structures adorned with intricate decorations and lime-plastered surfaces. In the ancient city, findings show that Taosi people cultivated millet, raised livestock, and developed crafts such as pottery, jadeware, and lacquerware, forming a vibrant urban culture. The ruins of the city include foundations of palace buildings spreading 6,500 square meters, the largest rammed-earth structure of prehistoric times ever found, said Gao Jiangtao, leader of the Taosi archaeological team under the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In the museum's ritual and music section, restored scenes of ancient banquets, complete with drums, bells and stone chimes, transports visitors back to ancient feasts accompanied by live performances. Interactive media stations allow guests to hear sounds reconstructed from these ancient instruments, immersing them in a 4,000-year-old soundscape. According to experts, drums and chimes were found in fixed combinations with numbers and positions, indicating that a ritual music system took place during the period. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. The museum also exhibits relics that some scholars speculate may be related to astronomical observation and timekeeping. "These findings illustrate a new important phase in Chinese civilization's formation and development," said Yan Yalin, director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration archaeology department. Experts said that Taosi reflects the early characteristics of a state society, foreshadowing later dynastic structures. Gao said that the fusion of cultures in different regions across China contributed to the formation of the city in the Taosi site, and the civilization of Taosi was inherited and developed by dynasties including Xia, Shang and Zhou. An aerial drone photo shows the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) People visit the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) An exhibit is pictured in the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) An exhibit is pictured in the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) A visitor looks at an exhibit in the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) A performance is staged during the opening ceremony of the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) People visit the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) A performance is staged during the opening ceremony of the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) An aerial drone photo shows the Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2024. A museum showing cultural relics dating back 3,900 to 4,300 years opened to the public Tuesday in north China's Shanxi Province, offering a look at early Chinese state formation and societal complexity. The Taosi Site Museum in Xiangfen County has been built on the northwestern edge of the Taosi relics site following 46 years of archaeological work. The Taosi site is believed to be most likely the ruins of the capital city during the period of Yao and Shun -- two sage emperors dating back more than 4,100 years. A total of 230 pieces or sets of cultural relics showing the culture and life of ancient inhabitants are on display, including painted pottery, turquoise-inlaid bracelets, bronze bells and jade axes. (Xinhua/Yang Chenguang) Fu Hua, executive chairman of the forum and president of Xinhua News Agency, delivers a keynote speech during the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2024. Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) SAO PAULO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. The organizers of the forum said both President Xi and President Lula issued new important guidelines on the development of the Global South. The Global South is gaining momentum and becoming an indispensable and constructive force in the international community. The forum is being held against the backdrop of the upcoming 19th G20 Summit in Brazil this month. Various media outlets and think tanks are expected to jointly amplify the voice of the Global South regarding upholding peace, opening up and development, global governance, and mutual learning among civilizations. They should demonstrate the responsibilities of the Global South, unite efforts for modernization of Global South nations, and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Among the guests of the forum are Dima Al-Khatib, director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, Yeidckol Polevnsky Gurwitz, chair of the Asia-Pacific Foreign Relations Committee of the Mexican Senate and Muhammad Ali Ali, managing director of News Agency of Nigeria. The guests asserted that the Global South is experiencing significant development, greatly impacting the trajectory of world history. They hoped that the media and think tanks of the Global South will prioritize development and cooperation and promote global governance reform guided by the principles of fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness. The guests called for all parties involved to collaborate to boost the new development of the Global South, create a new chapter of mutual learning among civilizations, and meet the new challenges of the all-media era. During the opening ceremony, the Global South Media News Network was launched. The Sao Paulo Declaration of the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum, the think tank report "A New Model for Human Advancement and Its Global Significance" and multilingual versions of the report "Awakening of the Global South" were also released. Guided by China's State Council Information Office and jointly organized by Xinhua News Agency and Brazil Communication Company, the forum drew around 350 representatives from 170 media organizations, think tanks, government agencies, and enterprises from more than 70 countries and regions. The congratulatory message from Chinese President Xi Jinping is read out at the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2024. Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Jean Lima, executive chairman of the forum and president of Brazil Communication Company, delivers a keynote speech during the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2024. Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong) Martha Isabel Andres Roman, editor-in-chief of Cuba's Latin American News Agency, addresses the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2024. Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong) Mikhail Gusman, first deputy director-general of TASS Russian News Agency, addresses the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2024. Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong) Participants attend the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2024. Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong) Participants attend the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2024. Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong) The inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum is held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2024. Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong) The inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum is held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2024. Themed "Development and Revitalization: A New Journey for the Global South," the inaugural Global South Media and Think Tank Forum was held here from Monday to Tuesday. Congratulatory messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were read out at the forum. (Xinhua/Wang Tiancong) Farmers work in the field in Xiaba Village of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 6, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. Every day, a large number of farmers take the special line to the city to sell their home-grown produce. Shelves and leather ropes were also installed on the bus to help fix farmers' vegetable baskets. With the opening of the special line, the time for fresh fruits and vegetables to reach the city has been reduced from more than one hour to about 40 minutes, and the travel experience has also been greatly improved. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2024 shows people shopping for fresh vegetables transported here by Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer picks vegetable for sale in the city the next day in Xiaba Village of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 6, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer is pictured with vegetables for sale on Bus No. 252 at Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2024 shows Bus No. 252 running in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer prepares to sell vegetables after getting off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer sorts vegetable before taking Bus No. 252 in Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers talk with the bus driver after getting off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer gets off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers, who took Bus No. 252 to the city, sell vegetables in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2024 shows people shopping for fresh vegetables transported here by Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers wait for Bus No. 252 at Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2024 shows Bus No. 252 running in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Bus driver Zhang Guilin is seen at work on Bus No. 252 in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers get on Bus No. 252 at Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2024 shows Bus No. 252 running in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers prepare to sell vegetables after getting off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2024 shows people shopping for fresh vegetables transported here by Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers take Bus No. 252 to sell vegetables in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products.(Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Bus driver Zhang Guilin cleans a shelve on Bus No. 252 at the terminal station in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2024 shows Bus No. 252 running in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers take Bus No. 252 to sell vegetables in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer prepares to sell vegetables after getting off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers, who took Bus No. 252 to the city, sell vegetables in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A citizen shops for fresh vegetables transported here by Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District of Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Farmers get on Bus No. 252 at Dingba Village in Shuitian Town of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer picks vegetable for sale in the city the next day in Xiaba Village of Wudang District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 6, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A farmer carrying vegetables gets off at the terminal station of Bus No. 252 in Yunyan District in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 7, 2024. Bus No. 252, running between a rural area and urban district of Guiyang City, opened a special line in June this year to facilitate villagers along the line to sell their agricultural products. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Li Ganjie, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, meets with a visiting delegation of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, led by Russian presidential aide Dmitry Mironov, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Li Ganjie, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with a visiting delegation of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, led by Russian presidential aide Dmitry Mironov, in Beijing on Tuesday. Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia. China is ready to work with Russia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, further deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including work on cadres, and make greater contributions to consolidating China-Russia friendship from generation to generation, Li said. Mironov expressed a willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields and continuously promote the sustained and high-level development of Russia-China relations in the new era. NEW YORK (AP) Nearly two decades ago, My Chemical Romance released their career-defining rock opera, The Black Parade, cementing their shift from mainstays of the emo scene to mainstream recognition and becoming one of the most inventive bands of the 21st century. In 2025, fans will get to experience the 2006 album once again: The band will embark on a 10-date North American stadium tour, where they will perform The Black Parade in full, on the heels of their headlining performance last month at Las Vegas' When We Were Young Festival. The tour, announced Tuesday, kicks off July 11 in Seattle, concluding on Sept. 13 in Tampa, Florida. It hits San Francisco; Los Angeles; Arlington, Texas; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Philadelphia; Toronto; Chicago and Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each date will feature a different opener, from veterans like Alice Cooper and Devo to alternative rock contemporaries like Evanescence and Thursday as well as newer talent, like 100 Gecs and Wallows. My Chemical Romance formed in 2001 and released four studio albums across their career, first breaking through with 2004's Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. They announced their breakup in 2013; a year later, they released a greatest hits collection titled May Death Never Stop You. In 2019, they announced a reunion, later revealing they'd privately reunited two years earlier. A reunion tour was scheduled for 2020, rescheduled for the pandemic, and postponed until 2022. That year, they released their first new song since 2014: The Foundations of Decay. Tickets will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. local time. Karol G gave a lengthy response Monday (Nov. 11) to the criticism her new song +57 featuring J Balvin, Feid, Maluma and other Colombian acts as it faces backlash over lyrics that some have construed as sexualizing minors. Her post comes four days after dropping the reggaeton track, which brought together Colombias biggest hitmakers, also including Ryan Castro, Blessd and newcomer DFZM. Produced by Ovy on the Drums Karols longtime producer and co-written by Keityn, the song, even before it dropped, was being labeled as a new anthem for Colombia. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But shortly after it was released on Thursday (Nov. 7), the songs lyrics received criticism online, with some people pointing out its over sexualization of minors. (In one line, they mention a woman whos been a mamacita, or hot mama, since she was 14 years old.) Rolling Stone En Espanol published a column titled The Disaster of +57 and the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) issued a statement saying that the song reinforces the sexualization of children in our country and that it does not contribute to our fight against commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. Karol wrote in her Instagram Stories that as artists, they are exposed to public opinion and that the songs lyrics were taken out of context. She began her message by pointing out that she has always been grateful for her fans support and those who know my project, the intentions of my work and the causes close to my heart, those that move me, that I am passionate about and for which I work every day with love and responsibility, she continued. I do care about my people and I am a person that every day I look for ways to get involved in projects where I myself can extend my blessing and impact in a positive way the lives of many people. As artists, we are exposed to public opinion, and to the individual interpretations of people who like us and people who differ with what we do. I feel a lot of frustration for the misinformation that has been given, about the false posts that I have supposedly made and deleted from twitter, an account that I have not used for more than six months. In this case, unfortunately, the lyrics of a song, with which I sought to celebrate the union between artists and put to shine my people were taken out of context. None of the things said in the song have the direction they have been given, nor was it said from that perspective but I listen, I take responsibility and I realize that I still have a lot to learn. I feel very affected and I apologize from the bottom of my heart, she added. Its worth noting that Karol doesnt sing the line about the 14 year old, but rather some of the men on the track, yet shes the one apologizing. Feid, Balvin and Ovy on the Drums have all reposted Karols post in solidarity. Queen, we are with you, Balvin wrote. You have given us so many wins that this doesnt take away from your greatness, were here unconditionally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karol ended her post once again thanking her fans for their unconditional love and support. She concluded, I value it very much, and the artists who participated with me in the song, I keep in my heart the beautiful energy with which we worked that day. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They dropped a bombshell. Miss Universe contestant Italy Mora has been expelled from the renowned beauty pageant after she allegedly made an unauthorized visit to her boyfriends hotel room. Miss Universe contestant Italy Mora has been expelled from the renowned beauty pageant over a personal matter with some accusing her of making an unauthorized visit to her boyfriends hotel room. Jam Press The 19-year-old delegate was slated to represent Panama in the upcoming competition, which will take place on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Mexico City, Mexico, and feature 130 contestants from around the globe. However, Moras aspirations were dashed after the Miss Universe organization announced that she would be dropping out of the competition, local media reported. Theres a lot of speculation that needs to be cleared up because its impacting my reputation, and emotionally, its been difficult, said Mora (pictured). Jam Press The pageant powers-that-be said she had been subjected to an exhaustive evaluation by our disciplinary commission over the purported personal error, but neglected to specify the exact reason for her departure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, rumors started swirling that Mora who was staying at a hotel in Mexico had joined her boyfriend, Juan Abadia, in his hotel room, without permission from organizers, Jam Press reported. The Panamian pageant contestant has addressed the allegations, claiming that her exit stemmed from a heated argument with Miss Universe Panama Director Cesar Anel Rodriguez. Moras boyfriend, Juan Abadia, reportedly floated her food, hotel and clothing expenses. Jam Press She claimed she had gotten into it with the pageant boss over the events lack of organization. In fact, Abadia, who was present during the tiff, reportedly said he was in Mexico to help assist Mora with needs the organization allegedly didnt provide. The Miss Universe organization claimed that Mora was disqualified following an exhaustive evaluation by our disciplinary commission. Jam Press Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those included food, hotel fees and clothing most notably a $7,000 Carolina Herrera dress, per her boyfriend, who is a businessman and trainer. The fallout from the dispute ultimately resulted in the bombshell getting the boot, according to Jam Press. The matter was not helped after pageant staffers spotted her along with Abadia, leading to allegations that shed made an unauthorized visit to his room. Theres a lot of speculation that needs to be cleared up because its impacting my reputation, and emotionally, its been difficult, said Mora. If I werent with my boyfriend, Id be struggling even more. She attempted to convince the pageant brass to overturn the ruling, but they declined. Ultimately, Mora said she agreed to take responsibility for my actions and accept the consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miss Universe representatives addressed her dismissal in a statement. It is important to note that we made this decision with the utmost respect for all parties involved, they wrote. Our No. 1 priority remains the welfare and transparency for all of our candidates, who exemplify diversity, talent and dedication. Despite Moras abrupt departure, a new contestant will not be sent to represent Panama in her stead, and the organization will focus on finding a delegate for next years competition. Throngs of revelers in costumes took to the streets of Germanys Carnival strongholds to celebrate the start of carnival season. Carnival celebrations in the Rhineland traditionally begin on the 11th of November at 11:11 in the morning and last until Ash Wednesday the following year. ____ Follow AP visual journalism: AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews AP Images on X: http://twitter.com/AP_Images Seeing the Northern Lights in Lapland has been at the top of my travel bucket list ever since childhood. When it comes to experiencing a slice of real-life, worldly magic, not a lot comes close to being surrounded by blankets of fluffy, white snow while the aurora borealis streaks across a star-filled night sky. But while the Northern Lights are of course a highlight of any trip to Finland, theres also so much more to enjoy on your visit. From the best activities to the top hotels for hopping from sightseeing straight to the sauna, heres your Cosmopolitan guide to Ivalo. Where we stayed Wilderness Hotel Juutua The cosy hotel is the perfect place to bed down after a busy day of hunting for the Northern Lights. Surrounded by a spectacular backdrop of towering trees and a gentle, calming stretch of the River Juutua, it recently underwent a refurb with brand new rooms being added. Accommodation starts with the Wilderness Rooms located in the main building, then theres the Juutua Suites which come with a personal sauna, and the newer Arctic Rooms which are located in a separate building and are really spacious, plus they have huge windows so you can fully soak up the stunning views. I stayed in the Arctic Room, so I didnt have access to my own sauna but it was just a short stroll to the hotel's hot tub and sauna outhouse to unwind and relax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another real highlight of the Wilderness Hotel is the fine dining Aanaar restaurant. With a menu filled with the freshest local food, we enjoyed grilled white fish farmed from Lake Inari and a birch leaf sorbet with tar bavaroise and liquorice stones for dessert. The restaurant is a must try even if youre not staying at the hotel. Room rates start at around 100 per night. For more information and to book, head here. Wilderness Hotel Juutua Northern Lights Village Saariselka With glass roof cabins all facing the direction of the Northern Lights, you wont even need to leave your bed to get a glimpse of them - so it helps that the beds are incredibly comfortable and the cabins are super snug. Need to get the snow off your roof? No problem. Each cabin has a button you can press which will heat the roof and melt the snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While all the cabins are spread out and very private, theres a warm, buzzy vibe to the main resort base which houses the reception, the buffet style restaurant, a small bar and a cosy fire place. When it comes to the food, there are plenty of hearty options to choose from to ensure youre full up after a busy day outdoors. You can book a huge range of activities via reception, including fat biking, husky sledding, visits to a variety of remote Aurora camps, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and so much more. The resort also boasts a sauna, ice pool and a hot tub which are all bookable at reception. Room rates start at around 115 per night. For more information and to book, head here. Cosmopolitan UK What we did The Janiskoski Rapids There were so many magical moments on the trip and my visit to the Janiskoski Rapids was one of them. The rapids and the surrounding, dramatic scenery are a breathtaking Instagram grid-friendly beauty spot where we stopped for lunch (and lots of photos). To get to the campsite you have to cross the bubbling rapids of the Juutua river via a suspension bridge. Once across, our friendly guides chucked lots of extra logs on the fire and warmed up some salmon and potato soup, followed by cookies and hot chocolate. Cosmopolitan UK Aurora Camps No trip to Finland is complete without a camp visit. I visited two Aurora Camps and both were extraordinary experiences. The first was just after Id seen the Northern Lights for the first time while at the Wilderness Hotel Juutua. Green light was lingering in the clear night sky, but while I didnt get to see the lights again despite the clear conditions, the star gazing was truly unbelievable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While everyone headed inside the cabin to warm themselves by the campfire and toast marshmallows and Finnish cinnamon buns, I stayed outside to try and identify as many constellations as I could because I'm honestly not sure I'll ever get a clearer view anywhere else in the world. The second camp I visited was located just by the Russian border, nestled alongside the stunning Paatsjoki River. There, we toasted more marshmallows and drank warm blueberry juice. Id highly recommend both! Hunk de Kock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sami Siida Museum Yes, a little different to wading through the snow on the hunt for the Northern Lights, but nevertheless a must-do if youre in Inari. The museum offers a really interesting insight into the culture of the Sami people, as well as showcasing the beauty of the Finnish wilderness. On top of the indoor exhibitions, the museum also takes you outside to experience how the Sami people lived in self-made huts and cabins. Aurora hunting by Fat Bike Another exciting way to see the lights is by fat bike with a trail you can follow from the Northern Lights Village. With just headlamps to guide the way in the dark, ours was a three-hour trip with a stop for refreshments before heading back to the resort. JOUNI MANNISTO How to get there Launching 3rd December 2024, British Airways will operate the only direct London to Ivalo service, which means no inconvenient layovers - or mad dashes for connecting flights - at Finland airport. For more details, and to book, visit www.britishairways.com . Education Images - Getty Images Our tour guide for the trip We travelled with The Aurora Zone. For a similar, longer package the eight-day Inari and Saariselka An Exclusive Bucket List Northern Lights Holiday package is priced from 3,635 per person and includes return flights from London to Ivalo with British Airways, airport and activity transfers, all activities, accommodation as listed, plus meals. For more information visit www.theaurorazone.com . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Zoe on Instagram You Might Also Like BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- People from all walks of life committed to China-Brazil friendship in Brazil look forward to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the country and stand ready to make further contribution to deepening Brazil-China friendship, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked to share more details about Xi's reply to letters from friendly personages in Brazil, which received extensive and positive response. President Xi recently replied to letters from over 100 friendly personages from Brazil, including Enrique Teixeira, former deputy mayor of Campinas, Sao Paulo State, the Brazil-China Friendship Association, teachers and students from the University of Sao Paulo and Sao Paulo State University, and the Copacabana Fort Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro, encouraging them to continue to contribute to China-Brazil friendship, Lin said. "People from all walks of life committed to China-Brazil friendship in Brazil said that they are deeply inspired by the letter," he added. Lin said that China and Brazil enjoy time-honored friendship that is ever-flowing like the Yangtze River and the Amazon River, and that has brought the two countries close together despite being thousands of miles apart geographically. About 200 years ago, the first group of Chinese tea farmers traveled across the ocean to grow and teach the art of tea in Brazil. The seed of friendship they sowed back then has grown tall and borne fruit. The friendship between the people has always been a source of driving forces for the growth of China-Brazil relations, he added. We believe that Xi's upcoming state visit to Brazil will further strengthen the bond of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and write a new chapter of China-Brazil friendship that surmounts mountains and oceans, Lin said. "We welcome more Brazilian friends to visit China and experience the vibrancy of Chinese modernization," Lin said. A meeting in Washington this week will address a national shortage of special education teachers. Nearly one-in-five public schools are struggling to fill positions for special education and the need for them is greater than ever before. Last year alone, over 7.5 million students required special education services, pushing schools to seek urgent solutions. Read: USDA to ban junk fees for some student school lunch accounts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who are really struggling are our kids with special needs, said Jordan Wright with Parallel Learning. We need to be pouring more resources into giving them the individualized differentiated learning that theyve been promised. Since before the pandemic. This week, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will gather input from educators and experts before reporting to President Joe Biden and Congress. Watch: Dual language learning program making a big impact at Volusia County Schools Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Thou shalt not overlook this upcoming Sothebys sale. Next month, the auction house will offer the oldest inscribed stone tablet of the Ten Commandments, dating back to 300 to 800 C.E. The 1,500-year-old artifact is expected to fetch up to $2 million during the single-lot sale on December 18. More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tablet is the only complete, surviving example of the Ten Commandments from the Late Byzantine period. It weighs in at a hefty 115 pounds and measures about two feet tall. Inscribed in Paleo-Hebrew script, the 20 lines of text hew closely to the biblical verses people may be familiar with, but just nine of the commandments found in the Book of Exodus are present. Instead of including Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain, the tablet has a directive to worship on Mount Gerizim, a Samaritan holy site. The Ten Commandments tablet Discovered in 1913, the artifact has a rather interesting history, too. It was uncovered during railway excavations along the southern coast of Israel, close to where early synagogues, mosques, and churches would have been. Those who found it, though, werent aware of its importance: For 30 years, it sat as a paving stone outside someones home, with the inscription facing upwards, allowing it to be stepped on. In 1943, it was sold to a scholar who realized its significance. This remarkable tablet is not only a vastly important historic artifact, but a tangible link to the beliefs that helped shape Western civilization, Richard Austin, Sothebys global head of books and manuscripts, said in a statement. To encounter this shared piece of cultural heritage is to journey through millennia and connect with cultures and faiths told through one of humanitys earliest and most enduring moral codes. Before hitting the auction block, the tablet will go on public display at Sothebys New York starting on December 5. And while the $2 million high estimate is quite impressive, its nowhere near what Sothebys has commanded in the past for similarly ancient artifacts. In May 2023, the auction house sold the Codex Sassoon, a 1,100-year-old Hebrew Bible, for an eye-popping $38.1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ten Commandments tablet might not achieve that sum, but its a piece of history that collectors may jump at the chance to own. 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. FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) One person was taken to the hospital after an overnight shooting just outside the Florence city limits, according to deputies. It happened on Yvonne Street. The victims condition was not immediately available. Deputies also have not released any details about the incident, which remains under investigation. Count on News13 for updates. * * * 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. 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 WBTW. 102-year-old WWII Marine Womens Corps Pennsylvania veteran says she needed to do something for her country (WHTM) Every veterans story is remarkable in its own way, and that is certainly true for one 102-year-old WWII Marine vet in Pennsylvania. All WWII Veteran Bess Gorelick wanted was To do something to be helpful to my country, she said. And I thought that that would be the best thing to do for me. She certainly did not take the easy way out, joining the Marines, based in Arlington, Virginia, where they had barracks. She was doing the jobs men usually did so they could go fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was not a civilian, Gorelick said. I was a marine, and I thats what I had to do. Whatever the rules were. Our troop learned how to march, she said while showing a photo of her troop. Everything had to be exact. Couldnt make a misstep. it would spoil it for everybody. They were her family during the war which meant holidays together. Youre looking at the Jewish center, Gorelick said while holding another photo. They had a Seder for service people. For Passover. Her faith as important then as later. She learned how to read the Torah when she was 95. Most people who ever learned to read from the Torah learn before theyre 12 or 13 years old, but she learned at 95. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No combat for women back then didnt mean no danger. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter We were practicing using a gas mask, Gorelick said. And they turned the gas on. And I have a gas mask that had a leak. And I started to cry the tears out. It was burning. She remembers telling her friends and family when she first decided to enlist. Very surprised, she said. I told my mother. She didnt believe me. And even if she doesnt look it, Gorelick is now 102 years old. And I will be 103 in two more months, she said. This was a telegram my husband sent when he got back from overseas to let me know he was back, Gorelick said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With children and grandchildren as proud of her as Gorelicks mom once was. We have a very close, loving family, Gorelick said. Still benefiting from her service all those years ago, saying This experience gave me so much confidence in myself. Gorelick thanking the county she served. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 13-year-old boy survived a boating accident that killed his father and several other family members by taking refuge inside a cooler. Juladi Jude Khammoungkhoune was crabbing with his relatives near Bodega Bay, off the central California coast, on the evening of November 2, when their boat capsized and they were thrown into the water. The youngster, who was wearing a life jacket, was ordered to crawl inside a cooler by his father, Prasong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man hung on to the box but later let go so that his son could get to safety more quickly, the teenager has revealed. It was pretty terrifying to see my dad go too soon, Jude told KGO, adding: I was crying and yelling out for my dad, so I could hear him say something again. Arriving on shore in the pitch darkness, Khammoungkhoune slept on the beach where he was found by first responders the following morning and taken to hospital. I prayed to Jesus Christ and all of my family members that I can make it out alive and get to see my family and everybody that I know, Khammoungkhoune told KGO. 13-year-old Juladi Jude Khammoungkhoune was the sole survivor of a deadly boat trip (Juladi Khammoungkhoune/KGO via CNN) He later learned that he was the sole survivor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after the boy was found, searchers found the body of Judes 17-year-old cousin Johnny Phommathep II in the water, according to US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Levi Read. The five family members and a friend had set out on their trip from Bodega Bay at around 3pm that day the first day of the recreational Dungeness crab season. The group from Corning, a city about 170 miles north of San Francisco, was fishing for crab and was expected to return to shore by 7pm, Read said. When they didnt show up, a family member contacted the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office, which in turn contacted the Coast Guard. A Sonoma County Sheriffs Office vehicle and a helicopter seen by Californias Bodega Bay during the search (Sonoma County Sheriffs Office) The search effort involving crews from eight local, state and federal agencies was suspended on Sunday evening but could resume if new information emerges that could help officials narrow the search, which covered more than 2,100 square miles, Read added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to suspend a search is always difficult to make and never done lightly, said US Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Zapawa, who also coordinated the search and rescue, said in a statement. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the missing boaters during this incredibly difficult time. The teenagers father, Prasong, (pictured) told his son to get into a cooler in order to reach the shore (Juladi Khammoungkhoune/KGO via CNN) Since the ordeal, Jude has been recovering at home in San Jose surrounded by family. It was like a good dream because I actually wanted to see my family again, he said. Its a really good thing Im back with my family because Im happy to see my family, and every one of my family members are supporting me throughout this journey without my father... I at least get to live a longer life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A GoFundMe page, set up by two of his cousins to support him, his two siblings and his mother, has topped almost $55,000 as of Tuesday morning. Song filled his familys life with joy, strength, and boundless love, bringing home his daily catch to share around the dinner table. It brings a small comfort to know he was taken doing what he loved most, but his absence leaves a vast emptiness, it reads. Thirteen research monkeys were on the loose Monday after five more of the 43 that escaped from a research lab in South Carolina last week were captured unharmed, authorities said. The discoveries Monday first there were three, then two more mean 13 of the Rhesus macaques remain outside the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in the town of Yemassee. In a statement, Yemassee police cited Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard for news of the day's discoveries. "Additional primates have been successfully recovered today, all appearing to be in good health," the police department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, police said, 25 of the escaped monkeys had been captured safely. A group of the monkeys had amassed along the facility's fence line, where many had bedded down for sleep overnight, the police department said Sunday. Police in the town, about 60 miles west of Charleston, have urged neighbors to be vigilant and keep doors and windows closed and secured. "Efforts to safely capture the remaining primates will continue throughout the evening and as long as necessary," they said Monday. They added, "We cannot stress enough the importance of the public avoiding the area, and under no circumstances should drones be operated near the facility, as they can startle the animals and cause further stress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Westergaard said a caretaker failed to lock two of a new enclosures doors during feeding and cleaning, leading to the escape Wednesday. Alpha Genesis provides nonhuman primate products and bio-research services, according to its website. Westergaard has said it used a macaque to aid research into brain disease disorder treatments. Last week's escapees were described as very young Rhesus macaque females weighing just 6 to 7 pounds and, as yet, unexposed to research. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Florida teen was charged with sexual assault and burglary in June Marion County Sheriff's Office Jesse Stone Jesse Stone A 14-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 91-year-old woman. Jesse Stone, who was charged with sexual assault and burglary, entered the plea on Thursday, Nov. 7, according to court records, per WCJB. Stone was arrested in June after the woman called police to report that she was sexually assaulted in her Florida home near the town of Reddick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said the woman awoke around midnight on Sunday, June 9, to find Stone sneaking through her home, according to a Marion County Sheriffs Office press release. Related: Richard Allen Found Guilty of Murdering Libby German and Abby Williams in Delphi Murders Trial In a cruel act of violence, she was beaten and sexually battered by the suspect," the press release states. In the days following the attack, police said they spoke to the 14-year-old who told them that a neighbor captured a video of a person wearing a dark T-shirt and shorts jogging in the area the night before, per the Ocala Star-Banner, citing a police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the teen denied that it was him in the video, a detective noted that he was wearing similar clothes to the person in the footage, according to the Star-Banner. 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. Stone was later identified through the collection of DNA evidence, according to the release from the sheriff's office. Stone confessed to the attack, telling investigators he entered the home through the living room door and had watched pornography on her iPad, according to the Star-Banner, citing the police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman said she had spoken to the teen in the past and considered him "a good boy, the police report added, per the Star-Banner. Related: Lucy Letby Offered Friend 'Tips' on How to Get Away with Murder Years Before Guilty Verdicts, Inquiry Hears This type of unimaginable violence is still shocking to me after all of my years in law enforcement, Sheriff Billy Woods said after the arrest. "It came as a shock that any individual would commit such an act on a 91-year-old, but it is truly disturbing when we see the young age of the arrestee. Stone is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 19, per WESH. A Dunbar High School student injured in a shooting after school dismissal Monday has been upgraded from critical condition to stable. The victim is out of surgery and in stable condition, Baltimore Police spokesperson Freddie Talbert said around 9 p.m. The teen was still in stable condition as of Tuesday morning. Talbert added that homicide detectives were still investigating the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers responded around 3:20 p.m. to the 400 block of North Caroline Street in East Baltimores Dunbar-Broadway neighborhood and found the victim, a 15-year-old boy, with gunshot wounds, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said by the scene Monday. Medics took the victim to a hospital, Worley said, and nobody else was injured. Worley said the teen was fighting for his life. He is listed in critical condition and fighting for his life, Worley said. Baltimore Police and Baltimore City School Police were both canvassing the scene Monday afternoon. Officers searched dumpsters and bushes outside Dunbar High School. Baltimore Police spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge said police have not identified a suspect. Baltimore City Schools spokesperson Sherry Christian said while the victim is a Dunbar High student, the shooting scene was closer to the National Academy Foundation. Both schools will not hold class on Tuesday but will be open to offer counseling services. The shooting did not take place on school property, Christian said. Baltimore Sun reporter Dan Belson contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Dillon Mullan at dmullan@baltsun.com, 302-842-3818 or @DillonMullan on X. MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) A 16-year-old was arrested on Thursday for allegedly making a bomb threat to a high school in Meriden, according to police. Suspect apprehended after pipe bomb threat evacuates several buildings at Quinnipiac University Police said that a bomb threat was made to Platt High School via social media. After an investigation, they arrested the juvenile and charged them with threatening in the first degree and breach of peace in the second degree. 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. Russian forces have attacked the village of Bilenke in Donetsk Oblast, injuring a 16-year-old boy. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Telegram Quote: "A 16-year-old boy was injured in Donetsk Oblast as a result of an airstrike on the village of Bilenke. A fire caused by the Russian attack. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Fires broke out at three different sites. Firefighters extinguished fires that spread over a total area of 470 square metres and consumed a house, three outbuildings and a car." A fire caused by the Russian attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Details: The State Emergency Service also said that Russian forces damaged houses, an administrative building and an infrastructure facility. Support UP or become our patron! BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has unveiled new measures to prevent and curb the rate of myopia among children, as nearsightedness remains a social concern in the country. Efforts should be made to ensure that children in kindergarten get over 10 hours of sleep each day, and that primary school students get a full 10 hours of sleep daily, according to a document issued by the Ministry of Education, the National Health Commission and the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration in October. Children in kindergartens should engage in outdoor activities for at least two hours every day, and primary schools should organize students to go out of classrooms during recess, the document says. It stipulates that primary schools should ensure they follow a "double reduction" policy that aims to reduce excessive homework and after-school tutoring hours for students. Online lessons should be limited to 30 minutes per class, and there should be a break of at least 10 minutes between classes, per the document. Qu Jia, president of the Eye Hospitals Group of Wenzhou Medical University, said the document demonstrates the determination and actions of China's education authorities in promoting the comprehensive development of students, and reflects a strong commitment to the healthy growth of children. The latest official statistics show that 51.9 percent of Chinese children and adolescents are nearsighted, despite a slight decline in recent years. China is stepping up efforts to address the prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents, aiming to achieve a set of targets by 2030. These targets include maintaining the myopia rate among 6-year-old children at approximately 3 percent, and ensuring the myopia rate among primary school students remains below 38 percent. In recent years, the country has released and updated guidelines aimed at reducing myopia among children, while also launching campaigns to raise awareness of the issue. The new measures emphasize the importance of prevention, calling for concerted efforts among authorities, schools, health institutions and parents. Primary schools should purchases desks and chairs that can be adjusted to students' needs, and classrooms, dormitories and libraries should be equipped with lighting facilities that are beneficial to eye health, the document says. Kindergartens should conduct vision tests for children every six months, and primary schools should monitor students' vision twice per semester, according to the document. Efforts should also be made to guide children to minimize their use of electronic devices, and to encourage primary school students to use electronic products in a scientific, regulated manner, it adds. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. We remember and honor those 168 who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, when a bomb went off in front of the Murrah building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 Days to remember those lost in the OKC bombing: Peter R. Avillanoza. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Peter R. Avillanoza, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PERQUIMANS COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) An 18-year-old in North Carolina was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, deputies said. On Sunday, around 9:15 p.m., Perquimans County Communications received multiple calls for shots fired with property damage in the area of Stoke Street and King Street. A deputy located a vehicle matching the description heading toward the Meads area. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle and led to a high-speed chase. The pursuit brought deputies through Hertford and Bethel communities and during the pursuit the occupants discharged a firearm at the deputy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pursuit ended at Poplar Neck Road in Chowan County where the occupants abandoned the vehicle and ran into the woods. K9 units, law enforcement and UAVs with infrared were deployed in searching the area. 18-year-old Jonathan Arnold was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder. 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. Editors note: The video above aired on Nov. 11, 2024. HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) Two people were charged in the shooting of a 7-year-old girl in Harlem on Monday, according to the NYPD. Daniel Idowu, 19, was charged with attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon. A 17-year-old boy was also charged with attempted murder, police said. More Local News It happened on West 145th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard around 3 p.m. The child was shot in the abdomen before she was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two suspects fired shots after hiding behind a parked car on the corner of West 145th Street, according to NYPD Deputy Chief Brian Gill. Police believe the shooting was gang-related. There were two intended people they were firing at mid-block on West 145th Street, Gill said. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Our country enjoys many freedoms and liberties, which we owe to the brave individuals who chose to defend them. Some of these heroes made the ultimate sacrifice. Today, residents of Abilene are honoring their legacy by placing flags on the graves of Veterans in observance of Veterans Day. GALLERY: Abilene celebrates Veterans Day For Jacinto Aguero and his family, visiting the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene has become a yearly tradition. They always place a flag on the grave of his grandfather, Pedro Morales Aguero, a World War II veteran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, my grandfather and grandmother are both buried here. They lived a long life, and they were always happy together, and they did pretty much everything together. They raised a big family, said Aguero. Jacinto describes his grandfather as a memorable character, well-known by many in Abilene, where he spent most of his life. Veterans Day is particularly significant for Jacinto, as he is a veteran himself, having joined the Army right after 9/11. The day serves as a reminder of all his loved ones who are currently on active duty or have retired. My family is all military, so my son is military. I have a son-in-law that joined the Marine Corps, two sons in the army, my grandfather, of course, a World War II veteran, and an uncle who was a ranger in Vietnam, explained Aguero. Freedom Veteran Parade brings changes in Abilene Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greg Gilbreath and his family celebrate Veterans Day by honoring his dad. They are happy to see people from all walks of life participating and learning the importance of the holiday. My father was a Vietnam war vet from 1967 to 1968, and like a lot of other folks, we show up in great support for the Big Country community. History will be erased if we dont keep reliving it sometimes, and so its great to bring the kiddos out here and see what others do, added Gilbreath. Wylie High joins Wylie West school choir on their annual Veterans Day program Cemetery representative Craig Wooten emphasizes that this holiday serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Veterans. The cemetery is home to approximately 2,800 headstones, many of which belong to Veterans and their loved ones who have since passed away. Wooten notes that volunteering to place flags on these graves makes a significant difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have a special day aside to honor those who sacrificed so much. They may not have sacrificed their lives. They may have gotten out, retired, but they still sacrificed time away from home, time away from loved ones, birthdays, and holidays to serve their country. The state of Texas and the Veterans administration treat their Veterans very well, and Id like the public to see how respected these Veterans are, even in death, shared Wooten. As every headstone receives its flag, Air Force veteran Bill Butler is reminded of the friendships made over the years, visiting the headstones of friends. Very thankful for the Lord in Heaven that I get to see the people Ive known over the years. All of them are Veterans. All the wives and children are Veterans, and this is an awesome place. I love each and every single person I see out here because they gave their time for those people who gave their all, said Butler. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities have charged two people in connection to a Clarksville mans murder after he was lured and killed at a home in Donelson, officials said. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said the incident took place on Aug. 19 at a short-term rental on Maplecrest Drive in Donelson. PREVIOUS | Man dead after being lured to Donelson home: Police Police initially reported that 20-year-old Xavier Johnson, of Clarksville, was lured to the home and arrived just before 1 a.m. with an unidentified woman believed to Markaisha Kealwho led him to the back of the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say a gunmanbelieved to be Jeremiah Henderson was hiding nearby, approached Johnson and shot him multiple times. He and Keal then allegedly went through Johnsons pockets and took his belongings. According to officials, the gunman and woman left together. Meanwhile, Johnson died at the scene. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Amid further investigation, investigators said they learned that Johnson and Keal had been communicating via Instagram before the shooting occurred. On Monday, Nov. 11, MNPD announced that 20-year-old Markaisha Keal and 18-year-old Jeremiah Henderson were taken into custody for the brutal murder of Xavier Johnson. Markaisha Keal (Courtesy: MNPD) Jeremiah Henderson (Courtesy: MNPD) Keal and Henderson were reportedly arrested Sunday night by the Clarksville Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clarksville police added that they took both suspects into custody during a domestic violence call and noticed that they were wanted in Nashville on outstanding criminal homicide charges. The duo left Nashville a day after the shooting on a Greyhound bus that was bound for Biloxi, Mississippi, MNPD said. Criminal homicide warrants were issued for the suspects on Oct. 31 and entered into a national law enforcement database. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Keal was returned to Nashville Monday and booked in Metro Jail where she is being held without bond. Meanwhile, Henderson remains jailed in Montgomery County and will be returned to Nashville after his issues in Clarksville are resolved, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other information was immediately released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Two people who relatives say are the victims cousins have been charged in connection with the murder in Connecticut of an 18-year-old whose body was found wrapped in a comforter on a highway. Edgar Josue Chiche Martinezs body was found on Pope Park Highway in Hartford on Saturday morning. He was just days away from his 19th birthday, relatives told NBC Connecticut. The body was taken to the state chief medical examiners office, where it was determined the victim suffered from apparent gunshot wounds, Hartford police said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation found that Martinez had been shot inside an apartment on Magnolia Street the previous day and that his body was placed on the highway about a day before he was discovered. Edgar Josue Chiche Martinez. On Sunday, two suspects, Sender Soto-Veliz, 21, and a 17-year-old, were arrested, police said. The teenager was charged with murder and tampering with evidence, and Soto-Veliz was charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence. Martinezs family said that his parents live in Guatemala and that he lived at the apartment on Magnolia Street with his cousins, who are now charged in connection with his slaying. Hartford police also confirmed that the suspects are cousins of the victim. It was not immediately clear whether the suspects have attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we do want is for earthly justice to be made, because Gods justice is on the other side, Veronica Imelda Martinez Mayen, the victims aunt, told NBC Connecticut. She said that Martinez did not show up for work on Thursday and Friday and that she knew something was wrong. Although police did not disclose a potential motive, Martinez Mayen said the family believes the slaying was over money. She described Martinez as a friendly and a good kid who stayed away from parties and had graduated from Hartford High School in the spring. Nimsa Martinez, his sister, said: He was the person who always took care of me, despite him not being OK. Im going to remember him as the most beautiful person I couldve ever known. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The South Dakota Game Fish & Parks is investigating a hunting violation that happened in Hamlin and Kingsbury County. The Hamlin County Sheriffs Office says within a week from Nov. 3 through the 9th, two whitetail bucks were shot during the night within 8 miles of one another along the Hamlin/Kingsbury County line. CNN and Fox: Noem for Homeland Security The first buck was shot on Nov. 3 near 196th St and 441st Ave. The second buck was shot on Nov. 9 near 199th St and 447th Ave. Both deer were shot off the road out onto private property with rifles and were left to lay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you see something out of the ordinary, or hear gunshots well beyond dark, reach out to your local conservation officer and help protect our states wildlife. Any information that leads to the arrest of these individuals is eligible for a reward, the post from the sheriffs office said. If you have any information regarding these two incidents, youre asked to call 1-888-OVERBAG or submit an online report. You can also reach out to Hamlin County Conservation Officer Logan Hammer (1-605-881-0018) or Kingsbury County Conservation Officer Christopher Schiera (1-605-370-0980). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Two men from Savannah along with two other individuals have been indicted on federal firearm charges. According to a newly returned indictment in the Southern District of Georgia, Lemar Neil Robinson, 35, of Savannah, and Charlie Sapp, 57, of Savannah were charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. As we continue to see the proliferation of illegal guns converted to fully automatic fire, we commend our law enforcement partners for acting to contain this threat to our neighborhoods, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Keeping firearms out of the hands of felons remains a priority for our office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two other individuals charged in the indictment are: Antonio Rodriquez Holmes III, 30, of Augusta, was charged with Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun, Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Luke Bunyun Jr., 46, of Waynesboro, Ga., was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and, The cases are a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. The project is a collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns. For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, 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 WSAV-TV. After 20 months on the run, a 33-year-old woman wanted in Portsmouth has been taken into custody in Jackson, Mississippi. Akea Faison was wanted in connection to the Portsmouth shooting of two men March 5, 2023. Both men died. Portsmouth police worked with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and arrest Faison, according to a news release from the Marshals Service. She was wanted on two counts of 1st degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, and other charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another man, Brian A. Johnson, was charged with two counts of aggravated murder. Faison was arrested, without incident, by the Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. She had been working under an assumed identity at a business in the 100 block of West Northside Drive, the Marshals said in the news release. Faison was being held at the Madison County Detention Center in Mississippi awaiting extradition to Virginia. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson held a ceremony on Friday to honor veterans throughout the nations history. 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. KIGALI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Policymakers and educationists gathered at an education forum in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, Monday to discuss pathways to end learning poverty, a major threat to Africa's future workforce. "Learning poverty" is the inability of children to meet basic literacy and numeracy milestones. The meeting drew about 500 delegates, including ministers of education, development partners, and experts from across sub-Saharan Africa, seeking to scale successful education initiatives that enhance foundational learning. "Learning poverty is unacceptable and a fundamental threat to the continent. Foundational learning is the cornerstone of all future learning. Prioritizing it is not an option," Obiageli Ezekwesi, chief executive of Human Capital Africa, an advocacy organization, said at the opening of the forum. Ezekwesi, former Nigerian education minister, said action without accountability is not enough, adding that there must be a capacity to track progress on foundational learning. Rwandan Education Minister Joseph Nsengimana said the forum offers an opportunity for Africa to unite for collective growth and equip every child with the skills necessary to contribute to socioeconomic development. Wongani Taulo, education adviser at UNICEF Africa, said the continent "is running out of time to shape a generation of critical thinkers." She argued that governments need to invest more in foundational learning to unlock the potential of millions of children across Africa. "The solutions lie with all of us, we must dedicate more resources to foundational learning and not forget pre-primary so that children are ready to enter school," she said. Victoria Kwakwa, vice president for Eastern and Southern Africa at the World Bank, noted that education today builds the Africa of tomorrow, and to truly transform the continent, there is a need to invest in the next generation of learners. Underlining the need to strengthen partnerships with the private sector to boost foundational learning, participants said aligning resources, expertise, and innovation from both sectors would expand educational access, improve quality, and drive sustainable impact across communities. The forum, which will run through Wednesday, offers a platform for countries to exchange progress made on commitments in foundational learning at previous forums. Through a series of presentations, panels, round table discussions, and formal and informal dialogue, participants will share knowledge derived from foundational learning efforts on the continent and jointly plan the way forward toward meeting targets. The learning poverty rate in sub-Saharan Africa stands at around 90 percent, according to the latest UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, which could affect the continent's future workforce. Russian forces suffered their deadliest day since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine for the second day in a row, according to figures released by Kyiv on Nov. 12 According to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, Moscow's troops lost 1,950 men over the preceding day. This surpasses the previous record of 1,770 set just the day before. The total figure stands at 712,610. The figures do not specify killed or wounded, though the overall consensus is that it includes dead, wounded, missing, and captured. They are broadly in line with estimates from Western nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The surge in losses comes as Russian forces step up pressure across the front lines. NATO allies believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aiming to recapture territory lost to Ukraine in Kursk Oblast before Donald Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20. A British defense intelligence assessment, seen by The Telegraph, warns that Russia is likely to intensify kamikaze drone attacks on Ukrainian positions, using new launch sites near the border. Read also: Russian state TV airs explicit photos of Melania Trump as they congratulate her husband on election victory In a bid to regain control, Russia has deployed 50,000 troops, including soldiers from North Korea, to the Kursk region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that as"tens of thousands of enemy soldiers from the best Russian shock units" are aiming to push Ukrainian forces out of the Russian enclave, raising concerns of a significant escalation in the war. A Ukrainian tank crew gets battle-ready, conducting final checks and adjustments on their T-64 tank before heading into the fray as Russia-Ukraine war continues on November 05, 2024 in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Fermin Torrano/Anadolu via Getty Images) In the south of Ukraine, Vladyslav Voloshyn, Ukrainian military's Southern Command spokesperson, told Reuters on Nov. 11 that Russian assaults in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could begin "any day." In early October, Russian troops reportedly renewed their attack in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Kyiv warned of a potential Russian push in the southern region, just as Moscow's troops continue advancing in Ukraine's east. According to Voloshyn, Russia is also deploying trained assault groups to advance in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. They are preparing to attack, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(The assaults) could begin in the near future, we're not even talking about weeks, we're expecting it to happen any day," the spokesperson said. Ukraine's military intelligence said that Russia was planning to use armored vehicles and a significant number of drones, Voloshyn said, although it is not yet clear whether this will be a single offensive push or separate attacks. "They are preparing both armored groups and light vehicles buggies, motorcycles to conduct these assault operations," he added. And in the east of Ukraine, Russia's grinding advances continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over autumn, large chunks of Ukrainian territory, sometimes including entire cities, have been lost on a near-daily basis in southern Donetsk Oblast, while Russian forces have also made operationally significant gains near Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, Kupiansk, as well as on their own soil in Kursk Oblast. Russia's increasing pressure on Ukrainian positions is coming at a huge cost the number of Russian troops injured and killed last month averaged 1,500 "every single day," U.K. Defence Staff Chief Admiral Anthony Radakin told the BBC on Nov. 10. This is higher than the previous figure presented by the U.K. Defense Minister John Healey, who told The Telegraph on Nov. 8 that Russia suffered 41,980 killed and wounded during October- a daily average of 1,354. Russia is sacrificing high numbers of troops for tiny increments of land, Radakin told the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he added that Russia is making tactical, territorial gains, and putting pressure on Ukraine" amid a heavy offensive. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russian forces damage Kurakhove Reservoir dam in Donetsk Oblast, Kyiv says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The founder of St. Pauls Penumbra Theatre has reached a $3.4 million settlement over his 41-year-old sons death in the Hennepin County jail. Its believed to be one of the largest settlements ever reached in Minnesota for a death occurring in a jail, according a court document filed Monday regarding the lawsuit. Lucas John Bellamy died from an infection in 2022 because there was a hole in his small intestine, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This settlement cannot remotely fill the void left by Lucass loss, said Jeff Storms, the Bellamy family attorney. However, it is an important step with respect to accountability and responsibility. Our hope is that Lucass senseless death has served and will serve to inspire badly needed improvements to correctional care in Minnesota and nationwide. Lucas Bellamys father, Lou Bellamy a director, actor, producer and educator founded Penumbra Theatre in 1976 in St. Pauls Rondo neighborhood. The theater is nationally recognized for its work with Black artists, including Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. His daughter, Sarah Bellamy, became Penumbras president. Lucas Bellamy was a father, a son, a brother, an actor, and a loved member of his community, the lawsuit said. Settlements focus is supporting son The lawsuit alleged Hennepin County and Hennepin Healthcare wrongfully caused Bellamys death, and they and three nurses and a then-sheriffs office employee violated Bellamys constitutional rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucas spent the last day of his life detained at the jail desperately begging nurses and Jail guards to see a doctor, his fathers lawsuit said. His pleas went ignored even though a Hennepin Healthcare provider had ordered that Lucas [r]eturn to the ED [Emergency Department] for any new concerning symptoms.' He couldnt return himself because he was in Hennepin Countys custody. Instead of receiving the medical treatment that was ordered and that Lucas desperately needed, Hennepin Healthcare and County employees left Lucas to crawl around on the Jail floor like he was subhuman, like he was an animal, while he slowly and painfully died from the effects of a hole in his intestine, the lawsuit continued. Lucas could have been easily saved with proper treatment. Instead, he endured a real-life nightmare and died on July 21, 2022. The settlement was reached through mediation and negotiations, according to a court document filed Monday. After attorneys fees and funeral expenses, about $2 million is available to Lucas Bellamys next of kin with the primary focus on supporting his 11-year-old son, according to a court document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hennepin County and Hennepin Healthcare, which runs Hennepin County Medical Center and also provides medical care at the county jail, both expressed condolences to Bellamys family in statements this week. The death of Mr. Bellamy was a tragedy, said Hennepin County spokeswoman Carolyn Marinan. While this litigation has reached a resolution, we remain committed to serving all people under our care with dignity and respect. Hennepin Healthcare holds steadfast in our commitment to delivering high quality care, creating a safe and healing environment for everyone, said spokesperson Christine Hill. Lawsuit says he wasnt sent back to hospital Lucas Bellamy was arrested early July 18, 2022, and brought to the Hennepin County jail, where he disclosed hed ingested a bag of drugs. He was taken to the HCMC emergency department at 5:53 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like millions of Americans, Lucas suffered from drug addiction, the lawsuit said, which added that he was much more than his drug addiction. Bellamy went back to the jail after he was in the emergency room. Shortly after midnight on July 20, 2022, he became ill and started vomiting. He stopped eating. At 9:40 p.m. that day, a nurse wrote he was complaining of stomach pains. He was in such severe and obvious pain that he crawled, the lawsuit said. Nurses did not send him back to the emergency room as had been noted in his initial hospital visit, or put him on a special watch at the jail for more frequent well-being checks, the lawsuit said. Early on the morning of July 21, 2022, Bellamy continued to ask for help. A nurse gave him Maalox, which is generally used to treat heartburn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overt abdominal pain is also not a typical symptom of opioid withdrawal, the lawsuit said, adding that three nurses at the jail didnt examine his abdomen. Also, infections often reveal themselves through fever and providers at the jail didnt take Bellamys temperature, the lawsuit said. A nurse visited Bellamys cell about 8:40 a.m. on July 21, 2022, for standard medication rounds, and he crawled out of his cell in extreme pain. She gave him Maalox, but he was so weak and unsteady that he spilled much if not most of the dose on the floor, the lawsuit said. Bellamy was found face-down in his cell about 12:40 p.m. on July 21, 2022, and he was pronounced dead soon after. Jail under DOC scrutiny The Minnesota Department of Corrections, which licenses and inspects local adult detention facilities, recently ordered the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center to reduce its capacity to 600 to correct deficiencies. The agency said the jail violated minimum standards for ratio of custody staff to inmates, emergencies and well-being checks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since a biennial inspection on September 7, 2022, seven inmates have died either at Hennepin County ADC or while receiving care at a medical facility after being transported from Hennepin County ADC for treatment, the DOC wrote in an Oct. 31 order. Though the circumstances of each death differ, after each death review, the DOC found that Hennepin County ADC had violated the rule governing well-being checks. Related Articles The jails average population from the beginning of the year through the end of September was 761; there are now more than 938 people in custody with 139 of them annexed to other jails, according to the Hennepin County Sheriffs Office. Before the DOC order, the jail was actively working to move about 180 people to other jails to help with the population. The sheriffs office plans to appeal the DOCs order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were surprised and disappointed to receive this order, Sheriff Dawanna Witt said in a statement. We have worked extensively with the DOC for the past several months to address some of the concerns that are raised in this order. Some aspects of this order contradict both Minnesota law and the DOCs own standards and training materials. We have raised these concerns repeatedly with the DOC and have offered to meet, but they have not responded to these offers. The sheriffs office is continuing to do everything in our power to increase our staff in the jail, Witt added. Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix were named among the best college cities in the nation in a recent WalletHub study. The ranking aimed to pinpoint which U.S. cities offer college students the most affordable cost of living, good academic and work opportunities, and a fun social environment. WalletHub analysts compared more than 400 U.S. cities of varying sizes based on 31 key indicators, ranging from housing costs and crime rates to the quality of higher education in the city. Here's why these three Arizona cities made it to the top of the list, along with a roundup of the best and worst college cities in the U.S. to help prospective college students narrow down their school choices for the upcoming academic year. The 15 best college cities in the US for 2025 These are the 15 best cities and towns for college students in the nation, according to WalletHub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin, Texas Ann Arbor, Michigan Orlando, Florida Tampa, Florida Raleigh, North Carolina Scottsdale Charlottesville, Virginia Tempe Gainesville, Florida Atlanta Phoenix Miami Sacramento Boise, Idaho Charleston, South Carolina More: This is the top university in Arizona, according to new rankings from Forbes Why were Arizona cities named among the best for college students? Scottdale ranked as the sixth-best college city in the nation, Tempe ranked eighth, and Phoenix landed in the 11th spot. In a breakdown by city size, Scottsdale and Tempe nailed the first two spots for midsize college towns and Phoenix obtained the sixth place for large college cities. Although the three cities ranked poorly for student living costs, they rated particularly high for academic and economic opportunities and social environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scottsdale received the lowest rank among the three cities for the wallet friendliness category, at spot No. 310 out of the 415 cities evaluated. Tempe and Phoenix barely made it to the top half at spots No. 206 and 204, respectively. According to the College Board's budget estimates for the 2025-2026 academic year, off-campus students in metro Phoenix can expect to spend anywhere from $24,725 to $36,904 in living expenses for a 12-month period, which is higher than the U.S. average budget range of $24,240-$36,180. However, the three cities shined for the opportunities they offer academically and professionally. Scottsdale ranked in second place for that category, while Phoenix ranked at No. 45 and Tempe at No. 61. The quality of higher education was the most significant factor for the opportunities ranking, but the study category also took into account other factors, such as the share of part-time jobs and the earning potential for college graduates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cities' social environment was also a significant factor in pushing the three to the top. Scottsdale ranked 44th in that study category, Tempe ranked 39th and Phoenix ranked 76th. The social environment category ranks were calculated based on factors like the share of people aged 18 to 35, the number of students in proportion to the population and the number of shopping centers, coffee shops and other establishments per person. How did other Arizona cities perform? Here's where other Arizona cities landed in the ranking: Chandler: No. 53 Tuscon: No. 56 Mesa: No. 60 Flagstaff: 71 Gilbert: 103 Glendale: No. 108 Peoria: No. 129 15 worst college cities in the US for 2025 These are the 15 worst cities and towns for college students in the nation, according to WalletHub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East Los Angeles, California Germantown, Maryland Isla Vista, California Compton, California New Rochelle, New York Kendall, Florida Carson, California Newton, Massachusetts Pueblo, Colorado Norwalk, California Daly City, California Inglewood, California Augusta, Georgia Macon-Bibb County, Georgia Richmond, California This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 3 Arizona cities are top college towns in the US. Here's why Jarrell Thornton, 27, was shot to death on Oct. 13 as he was driving through the parking lot of an Arlington apartment complex. Now three people have been arrested in connection with his killing, police said on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Police obtained warrants for the arrests of Keontay Martin, 20, and Jaden Davidson and Armontay Valencia, both 21, on one count of murder each. Valencia was arrested in Mesquite by the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force on Oct. 25. The U.S. Marshals also arrested Martin in Dallas on Oct. 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arlington police took Davidson into custody during a traffic stop on Monday, Nov 11. Police received a tip from a witness who provided information that they had been with Martin the night of the shooting at a location near the crime scene and heard him mention that he had just killed someone. The witness stated that Martin was armed and Valencia was also with them that night, police said. More top stories from our newsroom: Fatal wrong-way crashes double in Fort Worth Restaurants win honors in first Michelin Star awards for Texas Mom battling cancer shares memories of teen son killed in shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Get our breaking news alerts.] A second witness detectives spoke to confirmed that Valencia, Martin and a third person were present at the crime scene. Homicide detectives identified the third person as Davidson, police said. The night of the shooting, the three traveled to an apartment complex in the 2100 block of Wilcrest Drive to buy drugs from Thornton, police said. Martin reportedly pulled out a gun after the transaction and began shooting at Thornton, police said. Thornton was in his vehicle at the time and tried to drive away, but lost consciousness behind the wheel and ultimately collided with several parked vehicles, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police are still analyzing ballistic and forensic evidence in the case. Valencia and Martin have been transferred to the Tarrant County Jail, while Davidson is being held at the Arlington City Jail, police said. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) Over a span of years, the New Orleans Police Department has been working multiple murders that all occurred on November 11 and remain unsolved. Those cases are the latest ones to roll on the Wheel of Justice. NOPD: Thieves stole Delgado tools to steal ATM On Nov. 11 of 2017, JeRyan Edwards was one of six people shot at the corner of Forstall and Burgundy Streets. He was the only victim there who died. On that same day in 2017, Louis Henry was shot and killed in the 1400 block of Flanders Street. Then on November 11 of 2020, Curlie Thomas was found shot to death inside of a car in the 6800 block of Cindy Place in New Orleans East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Years later, all 3 murders remain unsolved. NOPD searches for Maple Street business burglary suspect But theres another unsolved murder that happened on November 11, 2020, but not in New Orleans. The Saint James Parish Sheriffs Office says JaNaries Gaudia was found shot to death in Vacherie. If you can help solve any of the unsolved November 11 homicide cases, call CrimeStoppers. So far, more than 470 people have been booked after their cases rolled on the Wheel of Justice. So far, more than 470 people have been booked after their cases rolled on the Wheel of Justice 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 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 WGNO. Among the first world leaders to speak with Donald Trump following his election victory on Nov. 5, 2024 was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Congratulating the U.S. president-elect, Zelenskyy expressed confidence in the potential for stronger cooperation between the two nations. Others are less sure. For many foreign policy observers, Trumps victory together with his lukewarm attitude toward NATO, criticism of the amount of U.S. aid being sent to Ukraine and vows to reach a deal to end the ongoing war in Eastern Europe has stoked uncertainty over Washingtons commitment to doing everything it can to support Ukraine repel Russian invaders. As a scholar on Eastern Europe, I understand where these concerns come from. But I also offer a counter view: that a Trump White House may not necessarily be bad news for Kyiv. NATOs mission to counter Russia remains unchanged It is common to hear Trump described as isolationist, nationalistic and an anti-interventionist on the world stage. He has encouraged such a view through claims, for example, that the U.S. would shirk its responsibility to come to the defense of a NATO member against a Russian attack if that country was not meeting its defense spending targets in line with the alliances commitments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But such rhetoric is undercut by established facts and prior Republican positions. In December 2023, the U.S. Congress passed bipartisan legislation prohibiting a president from unilaterally withdrawing the U.S. from NATO, maintaining the overarching security and stability of Europe is in the U.S.s interests. The Republican co-sponsor of that bill, Sen. Marco Rubio, has in recent months emerged as a key Trump surrogate and is expected to be named as Trumps secretary of state, according to reports. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Dec. 3, 2019. Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images The U.S. and Europe remain each others most important markets. As such, the United States will be highly motivated to maintain a role in European security so long as instability in Europe can influence the global and U.S. economy. Moreover, there is nothing to suggest that the incoming administration will deviate from those of Obama, Biden and indeed Trumps first term in seeing China as the primary threat to the U.S. And Beijing has thrown its support behind Russian President Vladimir Putin during his military efforts in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continued U.S. cooperation with allies in Europe will also strengthen Washington in Asia. Direct military cooperation, such as coordinating with the British to produce submarines for Australia, helps the U.S. strategy to counter and contain Chinas threat in the Pacific. It would also signal to U.S. allies in Asia such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan that Washington is a dependable security partner in times of crisis. Trump isnt as cozy with Putin as often portrayed Much has been made of Trumps perceived cozy relationship with Putin. In the run-up to the election, Trump insisted that, should he win, he would bring peace to Ukraine even before he was inaugurated and called Putin genius and savvy for the Ukrainian invasion. On his part, Putin congratulated Trump on his victory, praising him for being courageous when a gunman tried to assassinate him. Moscow has also indicated that it is ready for dialogue with the Republican president-elect. Trumps actual policy toward Russia during his first term was notably more hawkish than these words may suggest. Indeed, there is a good argument that the Trump administration was more hawkish on Putin than the Obama one it replaced. For example, Trump provided the Ukrainians with anti-tank missiles after the Obama administration had refused to give them such weapons. Also, in 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, citing the previous violations of the treaty by Russia. In contrast, in 2014, then President Barack Obama accused Russia of breaching the INF treaty after it allegedly tested a ground-launched cruise missile but chose not to withdraw from the treaty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, referred to that move as a very dangerous step. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty constrained the U.S. from developing new weapons and tied Washingtons hands in its strategic rivalry with China in the Pacific. Then, in 2019, Trump signed the Protecting Europes Energy Security Act, which included sanctions halting the construction of the Russian-backed Nord Stream 2 pipeline directly connecting Russia to Germany, via the Baltic Sea. The pipeline, which has since been rendered inoperable by a sabotage attack in 2022, would have bypassed Ukraine, prompting the Ukrainian government to label it an economic and energy blockade. It was one of 52 policy actions undertaken by the first Trump administration to restrict Russia. In contrast, the Biden administration waived Nord Stream 2 pipeline sanctions in 2021, only to reimpose them on Feb. 23, 2022 one day before Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. How close are Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump really? Misha Friedman/Getty Images Drill, baby, drill will hurt Russian oil Almost three years into Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlins war machine still runs on energy revenues. Despite unprecedented Western sanctions aimed at restricting sales of Russian oil, countries continue to purchase from Russia. For example, India has become the biggest buyer of Russian seaborne crude oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And here a Trump policy not aimed directly at Russia may, in fact, harm Russian interests. Trump has made repeated promises to introduce a new wave of drilling for oil and gas on American soil. And while it might take time for this to filter through to lower prices globally, increased production from the U.S. already the worlds top crude oil producer has the capacity to make an impact. Trumps return to the White House could mean tougher enforcement of U.S. oil sanctions against Iran, reducing Tehrans capacity to sell weapons to Russia. Iran has supported Russia both diplomatically and militarily since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. And since 2020, Irans revenue from oil exports nearly quadrupled, from US$16 billion to $53 billion in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Predicting what Trump, a notably unpredictable leader, will do in power is difficult. And U.S. foreign policy can be a slow-moving beast, so one should not expect immediate breakthroughs or major surprises. But his record serves as a counter to the views of observers who have suggested that his victory does not bode well for Ukraine. 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: Tatsiana Kulakevich, University of South Florida Read more: Tatsiana Kulakevich 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. Teachers greet students stepping off their bus at a Louisville, Ky., public elementary school in 2022. A proposed constitutional amendment to allow public funding support for private school education in the state was soundly defeated in last week's election by nearly two-thirds of the vote. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images) Voters in Colorado, Kentucky and Nebraska put the brakes on the school choice movement last week, rejecting ballot measures that would have instituted or expanded state support for parents to send their kids to private schools or protected other school choice options. There are at least 75 private school choice programs available across 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to EdChoice, a group that supports such programs. And the movement had been gaining momentum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public school systems and teachers unions largely oppose voucher programs that use tax dollars to support private school education, saying the programs take needed money from public schools. Many opponents also note that private schools may not have the same accreditation requirements and course curriculum as public schools. EdChoice blamed the influence of teachers unions on the vote outcome, calling the union opposition a juggernaut with money to burn, in a Nov. 6 statement. Nebraska In Nebraska, voters partially repealed a state-funded private school scholarship program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2024 law, an update of a similar law passed in 2023, had allocated $10 million a year for the program. Supporters of the allocation argued that parents unhappy with their public schools needed state dollars to help pay for private education. But opposition came from both rural and urban supporters of public schools, the Nebraska Examiner reported. The repeal passed with 57% of the vote. Nebraska state Sen. Dave Murman, a proponent of school choice who identifies as a Republican in the nonpartisan legislature, said he was disappointed in the outcome, but not surprised. He acknowledged that public schools are popular in Nebraska. Because of that, we had advocates for public schools spread all across the state, he said. But he argued that students would benefit from private school options and said he plans to continue the fight. Kentucky In Kentucky, the ballot measure would have amended the constitution to allow public funding support for private education. Some 65% of the voters rejected the attempt to amend the state constitution to allow it; it went down in every county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure was supported by Republican lawmakers and heavily opposed by public school proponents and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. He said that the outcome is a message from voters to increase funding for the states public schools. Previous GOP-led efforts to legalize school choice hadnt panned out, with courts striking down a 2021 law to award tax credits for donations to private school scholarship funds, and a 2022 law that would have created public funding for charter schools. The ballot initiatives language, according to state Sen. Damon Thayer, a Republican and a strong supporter of the referendum, would have given the legislature the authority to pass laws similar to the ones that were thrown out, he told Stateline. He said arguments that the amendment would have hurt public and especially rural schools were just flat-out wrong. These calamities the doubters foster have not come to fruition [in other states], he said. Colorado Colorados ballot measure would have enshrined a school choice option in the state constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed amendment, which was rejected 52%-48%, would have added language saying that each K-12 child has the right to school choice and that parents have the right to direct the education of their children. School choice would explicitly include neighborhood schools, charter schools, private schools, homeschools, open enrollment options and future innovations in education, the measure said. Conservative advocacy group Advance Colorado championed the amendment. Colorado already allows students to attend any public school even outside their district for free and has long had charter school options. Critics of the ballot measure said it would have opened the door to private school vouchers, though backers said that wasnt their intent and that the ballot measure was simply meant to protect charter schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charter schools, however, largely sat out the election. The Christian Home Educators of Colorado opposed the measure in part because it would have guaranteed a quality education without defining what that meant. Texas In Texas, GOP Gov. Greg Abbott, a longtime supporter of school vouchers, cheered the elections of similar-thinking state Republicans whom he had supported in the primary. Abbott said during a recent visit to a Christian school that those new members would give him enough votes to pass a school voucher program when the legislature reconvenes in January. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) A Pennington County man has been sentenced five years in prison for assaulting his girlfriend in an incidence of domestic violence, according to the Pennington County States Attorney. Group speaks out against Noem DHS appointment Jason Fees, 35, was sentenced to five years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary, with two years suspended. The sentence follows Fees guilty plea to an amended charge of attempted aggravated assault (domestic violence), according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During sentencing, Judge Jeffrey Connolly expressed regret over the sentencing limitations, noting he would likely have imposed a longer prison term had he not been bound by the plea agreement, especially after considering input from the victim. The assault occurred in October last year, when Fees strangled his girlfriend. The victim testified that she had to tear her hooded sweatshirt to escape. This conviction adds to Fees history of violent offenses; he was previously convicted of attempted aggravated assault (domestic violence) involving a different victim, the release said. The maximum sentence for attempted aggravated assault (domestic violence) in South Dakota is 7.5 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine. 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. HACKETT, Wis. (WFRV) A 38-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection with the death of 28-year-old Blanca J. Hernandez-Portocarrero, whose body was found on Nov. 3 along State Highway 13 in Hackett. According to the Price County Sheriffs Office, Hernandez-Portocarrero, of Marshfield, was identified after an autopsy, and her death is being investigated as a domestic violence incident believed to have occurred in Marshfield. Manitowoc Police Department searching for suspect who stole vehicle, offering $500 reward Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 11, Marshfield police arrested a male suspect on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide. His name has not yet been released. The investigation remains active, with more details to follow as the case progresses. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WATE) An apartment fire in Morristown has left 39 people displaced, including a couple who recently lost their home due to flooding caused by Helene. The fire broke out at the Trent Apartments, located at 2126 Morningside Drive, at around 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, November 9 according to the Morristown Fire Department. Firefighters at the scene said flames could be seen shooting through the roof. UPDATE Residents sifting through damage after Morristown apartment fire Fire at Trent Apartments in Morristown (Photo via Danny Case) Fire at Trent Apartments in Morristown (Photo via Danny Case) Fire at Trent Apartments in Morristown (Photo via Danny Case) Fire at Trent Apartments in Morristown (Photo via Danny Case) Fire at Trent Apartments in Morristown (Photo via Danny Case) Fire at Trent Apartments in Morristown (Photo via Danny Case) According to MFD officials, eight of the 33 apartment units were deemed a total loss, while another 14 units suffered significant water and smoke damage. The remaining units experienced light water and smoke damage, but the overall impact on the community was severe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rocky Top family steadily recovering after deadly car fire There were no reported injuries; however, the aftermath left 39 residents displaced from their homes. Danny Case, a spokesperson for the Morristown Fire Department, shared that the Red Cross is assisting those impacted by the fire. He added that one couple, who lost their home in the Cocke County flooding, also lost their apartment in the fire. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Analysts have foreseen higher crude palm oil (CPO) prices moving forward amid tight supply in the region. Maybank Investment Bank said in a note on Tuesday that it has raised 2024/2025 CPO average selling price (ASP) forecasts to 4,200 ringgit (948 U.S. dollars) per ton (+9 percent) and 4,000 ringgit per ton (+8 percent) given the year-to-date strength of CPO price. According to the research house, the CPO price strength has caught the market by surprise over the past month, rapidly rising to above 5,000 ringgit per ton, due to tight CPO supply in the region, especially in Indonesia. It noted that Indonesia's crop was unexpectedly poor in the third quarter due to biological tree rest and lagged impact of mild El Nino. Meanwhile, Malaysia's CPO output appeared to have peaked in August, and is heading lower towards a low cycle period of the first quarter of 2025. "The inverted CPO futures price curve suggests the present tightness in supply would last till early 2025," said Maybank. CPO price is now at a premium over soybean, sunflower, rapeseed oils, and over gas oil, according to Maybank. It said a sharp price correction will only happen when supply normalizes. MIDF Research said that the current CPO price movement is well supported by flattish supply in local production. On the Indonesia side, it noted the production is still slower due to mixed weather effects, exacerbated by the implementation of B40 biodiesel starting in January 2025. Besides, with Thailand suspending its exports until December to stabilize local cooking oil market, the research house said the palm oil supply dynamics now appear imbalanced. MIDF also believes potential intensification of the Russia-Ukraine conflict will play a pivotal part in CPO price movements, citing its impact on sunflower oil production. Meanwhile, analysts have foreseen palm oil stockpiles to stay low in the near term. Hong Leong Investment Bank said in a note on Tuesday that it foresees Malaysia's palm oil stock level to stay below 2 million tons for the rest of 2024. AmInvestment Bank believes that palm stockpiles in Malaysia would continue weakening until the second quarter of 2025 as the oil palm trees enter the low production period. It is noted that Malaysia's palm inventory slid by 6.4 percent to 1.9 million tons in October from 2 million tons in September. According to the research house, the monthly drop in inventory in October can be attributed to weaker production and higher exports. It noted Malaysia's CPO production dipped by 1.3 percent month on month to 1.8 million tons in October due to seasonality factors. (1 Malaysian ringgit equals 0.23 U.S. dollar) BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)Authorities announced Monday that five additional monkeys had been recovered after nearly four dozen escaped from a South Carolina research facility. Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard told Yemassee police that 30 of the 43 escaped rhesus macaques have returned to the Yemassee facility. Thirteen female primates remain on the loose. Search underway after 40 primates escape South Carolina research facility Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Westergaard said all the returned monkeys appeared to be in good health. They all weigh between 6 and 7 pounds and were never used for testing due to their age and weight. Veterinarians have been diligently conducting thorough wellness exams throughout the day. Initial reports from the veterinary team indicate that all recovered animals are in good health, said the Yemassee Police Department in a previous update. Recovery efforts will continue until all the animals are returned. Law enforcement reinforced the call for the public to avoid the area. They also said drones are not allowed near the facility as they can stress the animals further. After recapturing 24 on Sunday, officials said the monkeys were staying near the fence line of the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 24 monkeys returned to Beaufort County research facility; 18 still on the loose Anyone who sees an escaped monkey is asked to call 911 and report the sighting. Do not interact with the animal. The young primates escaped on Nov. 6 after an employee did not fully shut an enclosure. Soon after, a land surveyor spotted monkeys running through nearby woods during his lunch break. He said he called Alpha Genesis to report what he saw immediately. A facility spokesperson confirmed after the escape that the animals did not carry disease. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President-elect Trump nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on Monday, further elevating her seismic rise in the Republican Party. It is a major nod to the chair of the House Republican Conference and the highest-ranking GOP woman in the lower chamber who has been one of Trumps fiercest defenders and supporters in recent years. But Stefanik, a Harvard University graduate who was also considered in the running to be Trumps running mate, has also been intensely scrutinized as her star power has grown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are five things to know about Stefanik: Underwent pro-Trump transformation Like many other Republicans when Trump rose to power, Stefanik initially kept her distance from him, even publicly breaking with him on policies like Trumps 2017 executive order to ban citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the U.S. But that rapidly changed during Trumps first term, surprising some political observers. By Trumps first impeachment proceedings in 2019, Stefanik was one of Trumps top defenders on Capitol Hill. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, she took a combative approach and challenged its then-Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) during impeachment hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That led Trump to post on social media of Stefanik: A new Republican Star is born. Her posture stayed strong throughout the years, with Stefanik not only being among Trumps sharpest defenders as he faced numerous legal troubles, but also taking actions such as filing an ethics complaint against special counsel Jack Smith. Stefanik was the first member of GOP leadership in Congress to endorse Trumps presidential bid in 2022. Replaced Liz Cheney as conference chair House Republicans removed former Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.), one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, as the chair of their conference in May 2021 amid her continued criticism of the former president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stefanik had the reputation of being a strong Trump defender by that point and quickly earned the endorsement of then-Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Trump. She easily won the position over Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who also ran. At the time, conference chair a position tasked with leading the partys messaging was the No. 3 position in the House GOP. When Republicans took the majority after the 2022 midterms, Stefanik remained in the role instead of seeking to move up to House majority whip, and she became the No. 4 Republican in the House. Went viral for taking on university presidents on antisemitism While Stefanik has had a spot on the national stage for years, her prominence shot up last year after she, at a congressional hearing, pressed three university presidents about antisemitism on college campuses following Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel a line of questioning that went viral. Two out of three of the university presidents testifying resigned after the hearing amid blowback from their appearances, a development that Stefanik celebrated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TWO DOWN, she wrote on the social platform X after Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned. The hearing which took place before the House Education and Workforce Committee earned Stefanik approval from both sides of the aisle, with Democrats and Republicans backing her push to have the university presidents removed from their positions. Stefanik has since emerged as the face of the House GOPs efforts to combat antisemitism and defend Israel against Hamas. In May, she gave a speech before the Israeli Knesset, making her the highest-ranking member of the House to visit Israel since Hamass terrorist attack on Israel. Stefanik has also used that position to go after the United Nations. In October, for example, she wrote in a statement that the organization had been allowed to rot with antisemitism and appeared to threaten future funding for the group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American taxpayers have no interest in continuing to fund an organization that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have allowed to rot with antisemitism, she said. Focused on lifting up female House GOP candidates Stefanik put significant energy into supporting female candidates for Congress, starting a political action committee Elevate PAC to recruit and support Republican women running for the House. She started the efforts after the number of Republican women in the House dwindled to just 13 in the 116th Congress, after the 2018 Blue wave. That rose to 23 Republican women in the next session, starting in 2021. Stefaniks efforts included making plays in GOP primaries to support the female candidates, which at times put her at odds with others in House GOP leadership. After then-National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said it would be a mistake for Stefanik to intervene in GOP primaries, Stefanik fired back: NEWSFLASH I wasnt asking for permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One former candidate supported by Stefanik: Karoline Leavitt, the national press secretary for Trumps 2024 campaign, who ran for a House seat in New Hampshire in 2022. Youngest woman in House when elected Stefanik made history when she won her seat in the House in 2014, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at age 30. Now 40, Stefanik could become one of the youngest individuals to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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-elect Trump has announced Tom Homan as his new administrations border czar, putting a 30-plus-year immigration enforcement veteran at the head of his mass deportation pledge. Homan, the second Trump appointee announced after White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, ran Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an acting capacity in 2017 and 2018 before announcing his retirement. Here are five things to know about him: This is his second time coming out of retirement for Trump Homan led ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) component from 2013 onward under former President Obama, and had planned to retire from public service to a consulting job at PriceWaterhouseCoopers in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on the way out of his retirement party, Homan received a call from then-White House chief of staff John Kelly offering him the top job at ICE. He has since been a vocal cheerleader for the incoming president, joking with reporters in 2017 that Trump, like him or love him, is doing the right thing. With Trumps announcement Sunday, Homan left his job at Fox News as a contributor and will become one of Trump 2.0s chief immigration architects along with hardliner Stephen Miller, who will occupy a White House position as a deputy to Wiles. Though Trump sent a nomination to the Senate for Homan to formally lead ICE in 2018, Homan called it quits rather than face a potentially bruising Senate process. Hes a 30-plus year veteran of immigration enforcement Homan kicked off his law enforcement career as a police officer in West Carthage, N.Y., his hometown, before moving on to the Border Patrol, the defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service and then ICE, rising through the ranks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His tenure at the top of ICE was seen as a boon for the agencys chronic employee morale problem. Homans demeanor as a cops cop helped him impress his bosses, too; in 2017, Trump praised Homan in a speech as someone who looks very nasty, he looks very mean. Thats what Im looking for, Trump said. But Homan had a reputation as a moderate in the Obama administration, drawing criticism from some hardliners early in the first Trump administration. Homan, however, became the face of the Trump administrations most hawkish immigration policies. He was an early proponent of family separations He reportedly proposed family separations as an immigration deterrent even before Trump became president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A veteran of Operation Streamline from his days along the border, Homan had seen first-hand the effects of criminalizing unauthorized border crossings. Operation Streamline was a joint Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security initiative that sought to bring criminal charges against people caught crossing the border in an attempt to raise the stakes for first-time crossers. According to The Atlantic, in 2014, Homan proposed family separations as a deterrent to Obama Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who shot the idea down as heartless and impractical. But Homans idea gained traction in 2017 under Trump, leading to the separation of more than 4,000 children from their parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, Homan skirted questions about whether the policy was humane, telling CNN he enforced it because I think its the law and Im in law enforcement and I must follow the law. He did not respond Monday to a request for comment by The Hill. Hes a Project 2025 co-author Homan is listed as a contributor to the Heritage Foundations Project 2025, a blueprint of that organizations vision of a conservative government. Since 2022, Homan has been a visiting fellow at Heritage. Hes also developed close ties with immigration restrictionist groups such as the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), an organization that helped staff the top echelons of ICE when Homan was in charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homans tenure as an advocate for tighter immigration enforcement has drawn accolades from the right and recrimination from the left. In 2019, he faced off against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in a congressional hearing on the zero tolerance program, where he admitted to recommending the policy to former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, but denied that family separations were the end goal. Homans encounter with Ocasio-Cortez was far from the first time he upset progressives or members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). In 2017, he angered immigrant advocates by putting together his ICE office with top appointments for operatives from groups like CIS and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relationship had been soured months before, when Homan canceled a meeting with Democrats, including CHC and immigration policy leaders, following a series of ICE raids ordered to capture dangerous criminal aliens. Those raids rounded up hundreds of undocumented immigrants who immigrant rights groups said were otherwise law-abiding, setting off the confrontation. Homan on Monday pledged to conduct workplace raids in a second Trump administration. He will embrace the title border czar Though border czar is not an official government title, Homan is expected to oversee day-to-day operations and strategy on both border security enforcement and interior enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike Vice President Harris, who was given the same title by Republicans but not the White House, Homan will seek to highlight his border czar role and use it to rally the immigration enforcement troops. Harris was never appointed as border czar, an informal position held in the Clinton and Obama administrations by Alan Bersin and early in the Biden administration by former Ambassador to Mexico Roberta Jacobson. In 2019, Trump announced Homan would be his border czar, a decision that apparently caught Homan by surprise, but that assignment was overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic. Harris was attacked by Republicans as a failed border czar, though she denied having that role, instead acting as a bridge between the Biden White House and Central American countries that are both a source of origin and transit for migrants on their way to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris largely avoided visiting the border, opening another line of attack from Republicans. Homan, conversely, is likely to visit the border early and often, and to focus his czar role inwardly, rather than internationally. His role in directing workplace raids, potential family separations and deportations of immediate family members of U.S. citizens an issue hes said would be solved by deporting entire families will make him a target of immigrant advocacy critics. Frankly, I dont care what people think about me, especially in the left, Homan told Fox & Friends on Monday. 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. A famed marble bust by French sculptor Edme Bouchardon has gone through quite a journey since its carving in the early 18th century. Now, after changing hands several times over the years, it seemingly has found a new homethough it won't be going there for free. According to CNN, the sculpture was bought for 5 ($6) and used as a doorstop in Scotland for years before officials realized its real value. Acquired by the Invergordon Town Council in 1930, the piece depicts the landowner and politician Sir John Gordon, who was "said to be the founder of Invergordon," per local officials. Originally intended to be put on display in the town hall, the bust was soon lost, though it was eventually found in 1998 being used to hold open a shed door in an industrial park. Last week, a local government that owns the bust received approval from the Scottish Highlands' Tain Sheriff Court to sell it, a spokeswoman for the region's Highland Council told CNN. Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee recommend sale of Bouchardon Bust to full council - full story here - https://t.co/gO5KLv9yHa pic.twitter.com/bHPtIuTpmN The Highland Council (@HighlandCouncil) May 13, 2024 The Highland Council outlined the details of a proposed sale in a report published back in May. A private overseas buyer contacted Sotheby's auction house and offered to pay more than 2.5 million ($3.2 million) for the priceless piece of artwork. On top of that, the anonymous buyer offered to foot the bill for a museum-quality replica of the bust for display in the area. The council agreed to sell it back in June. The artwork has spent most of its life in Scotland, but it has traveled a bit in recent years. It was loaned to the Louvre in Paris in 2016 and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles the following year. KNOXVILLE. Tenn. (WATE) 6 News Veterans Voices special offers a tribute to the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Hosted by WATEs Don Dare, the program focuses on the stories of East Tennessee veterans who made significant sacrifices for their country. Through their experiences, viewers are given a deeper understanding of their challenges and achievements, shedding light on their stories of bravery, struggle, and resilience. It put tears in my eyes East TN group helps bring recognition to women veterans Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The veterans highlighted include Bill Robinson, Steve Smith, Joe Balint, David Hodson, Andre Harrel, Leslie Purser and Ed Roenicke. Robinson is the longest-held enlisted prisoner of war. Smith flew over 800 missions while serving in Vietnam. Balint and Hodson served in multiple wars, with Balint serving being Vietnam, Korea, and WWII, and Hodson in Vietnam and the first Gulf War. Harrell is a highly-decorated Iraq veteran who now gives back to the community through JROTC. Purser also helps others grow their military career as a retired major general. Finally, Roenicke had a unique role in World War II, he kept the armys wheels rolling. Thank you Gatlinburg honors those who served at annual Veterans Day celebration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch Veterans Voices, Monday, Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. on WATE 6 News. The full special can also be watched in the 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Over 140 flags lined Galway Park on Veterans Day. It was part of eight-year-old Lorelei Aughenbaughs birthday wish to raise money for the Disabled American Veterans charity organization. Aughenbaughs Field of Flags fundraiser raised more than $1,500 for the DAV. For every $250 donated, she received 24 flags. South Dakota bridge named for fallen Beresford veteran Its just because I like making people happy, Aughenbaugh said when KELOLAND News first spoke with her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Aughenbaugh and her family set up 144 flags to honor veterans, including her late grandpa. As an eight-year-old girl, I mean, thats just amazing, South Dakota State Commander Kim Hubers said. The work that her family has done, the legacy theyve left for her grandpa is amazing. I mean, hes living on through this and through Lorelei today, which is just incredible. Aughenbaugh placed the flags in even rows, until most of the grassy area of the park was covered in red, white and blue. One of them, actually, part of it broke off. So, we used that to make a hole. Then we would just put the flags in the hole it made and tap them down in the ground, Aughenbaugh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her recognition of others is receiving some recognition of its own. State commander Hubers presented two challenge coins to Aughenbaugh for her dedication to recognizing and honoring veterans. One was from the national DAV office, and the other was from the South Dakota State Commanders office. We generally give out in the military for a very, very exceptional performance. A very good job done, Hubers said. Aughenbaughs late grandpa also received two challenge coins during his military service. The reason I wanted to make sure she had, too, was because Grandpa had two coins, and she thought it was really neat that Grandpa had two. Now she has two, Hubers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was excited, Aughenbaugh said. Aughenbaugh hopes her Field of Flags will inspire others to support veterans across the country, no matter how young or how old you may be. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A woman with a broken foot says she had to take the stairs because an elevator wasnt working at Charlotte Douglas Airport. Channel 9s Gina Esposito has been digging into those elevator issues and uncovered a common problem with a number of them. Espositos investigation began in July when she witnessed a woman wheelchair wait 30 minutes for an elevator. It was a busy evening, and it was the only one working, while the other one was out of service. Esposito then began investigating how often elevators close at Charlotte Douglas and why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between suitcases, strollers, and wheelchairs, elevators at Charlotte Douglas get a lot of use, with between 6,000 travelers a day. Michael Starr said last summer he and his daughter encountered one that wasnt working. We noticed there was a line at the elevator. Folks were pressing the button. The elevator wasnt moving at all, Starr said. Starr said he didnt see any closure signs or airport staff there to help out, so he emailed a complaint to the airport. He received a response from someone saying they would talk with the operations manager. ALSO READ: Where does Charlotte Douglas rank amongst busiest airports in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was feeling very bad for those folksthere were no carts or anything to bring those disabled folks. And having disabled folks in my family, my elderly parents, just thinking of them making that walk. It really had me worried for them, Starr elaborated. Starr went on to say that because the elevator wasnt working, everyone had to work to the next closest elevator, which was a long trip. That same month, a woman emailed Charlotte Douglas about elevators in the parking structure not working. She said she had a broken foot and was forced to climb the stairs to the fourth floor. Last month, when an elevator near one of the terminals was roped off, the airport said it needed a new control board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlotte Douglas explained that it contracts with a company to maintain and repair its elevators, escalators, and walkways 24/7. The more units you have, the more likelihood you will have units shut down, said Joey Hazelrigg with the North Carolina Department of Labor. Hazelrigg said the elevators go in and out of service for a number of reasons. But they are inspected and re-permitted once a year. If we find an elevator that is causing an unsafe condition to the public, we are removing that elevator from service and issuing a shutdown order, said Hazelrigg. I pulled state inspection reports and found 8 elevators at Charlotte Douglas were shut down in 2022 and 2023 for not having working emergency phones. Several others were issued violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Charlotte airports $241M Concourse A expansion officially opens Charlotte Douglas said it was a temporary issue over a year ago as the airport transitioned some of its systems. When asked if he was aware of instances where they received delays in emergency care because of non-working phones at the airport, Hazelrigg responded, I did hear of an instance where this happened. It took emergency personnel longer than it should have because they were unable to determine where they were, and I think it may be the reason these shutdown orders were issued. Starr said he doesnt need all the answers; he just wants better communication with travelers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make accessibility a priority, and thats going to be demonstrated in actual action, Starr explained. The airport told Channel 9 that it is working on a plan to better communicate when an elevator is shut down. It also addressed the fact that the elevator by the parking garage, which was closed in July, was shut down due to water damage. If you want to report an elevator concern, you do so here. You can also report an issue by calling the number inside the elevator to reach the Department of Labor. VIDEO: Where does Charlotte Douglas rank amongst busiest airports in the U.S. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) An Abilene man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a child sex crime. Manuel Rodriguez received his 20 year prison sentence Friday after he was convicted for Indecency With a Child during a trial in Taylor county. Rodriguez is accused of touching a child under the age of 16 inappropriately in April 2021, according to court documents. This child came forward and made an outcry, leading to Rodriguezs arrest and conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor County Jail records show Rodriguez is also facing a child sex crime charge in Montgomery county. No further information is available at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist who helped thousands escape the bonds of enslavement, has been posthumously awarded the rank of general. In a ceremony at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in the abolitionists home of Dorchester, Md., Gov. Wes Moore (D) made Tubman a one-star brigadier general in the states National Guard. Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran, Moore said during Mondays ceremony. Today we celebrate one of the greatest authors of the American story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She knew that in order to do the work, that meant that she had to go into the lions den, he added. She knew that leadership means you have to be willing to do what you are asking others to do. Tubman was born into slavery in 1822, but escaped in 1849 after learning she and her brothers were to be sold. She settled in Philadelphia but returned to Maryland in 1850 to rescue her family. I was a stranger in a strange land; and my home, after all, was down in Maryland, because my father, my mother, my brothers, and sisters, and friends were there, Tubman said, according to the National Park Service. But I was free, and they should be free, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tubman became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping lead other enslaved Black Americans to freedom. She risked her own freedom and life numerous times as she rescued approximately 70 enslaved African Americans. I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors cant say I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger, Tubman said at a womens suffrage convention in 1896. But Tubmans commitment to freedom didnt stop with the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, she served as a scout, spy and nurse for the Union Army and led 150 Black soldiers on a raid in South Carolina. Her service for the Union made her the first woman to oversee American military action during a time of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She raised her hand to join the Union Army as both a soldier and a spy because she believed that if you want to change a flawed system, you have to be willing to fight for it, Moore said. Tubmans great-great-great-grandniece, Tina Wyatt, spoke at Mondays ceremony, saying the abolitionist deserved just as much recognition on Veterans Day as any other service member. Aunt Harriet was one of those veterans informally, she gave up any rights that she had obtained for herself to be able to fight for others, Wyatt said. She is a selfless person. Recognition for Tubman has grown over the last few years. In 2021, the Biden Administration revived an Obama-era effort to place Tubman on the $20 bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the effort has stalled, commitment to honoring Tubman has continued. In 2022, a Chicago elementary school was stripped of its previous namesake and renamed after Tubman. Meanwhile, the city if Philadelphia plans to unveil a 14-foot bronze statue, created by a Black artist, of the icon next year. A monument honoring her was also placed in a Newark, N.J., space that once held a statue of Christopher Columbus last year. Major Gen. Janeen Birckhead on Monday said recognition of Tubmans sacrifices were long overdue. Harriet Tubman should be revered always for risking her life and her own freedom and the cause of justice for the enslaved, Birckhead said. Now we make the grassroots honor, in a formal way, to proclaim that Harriet Tubman was courageous, she sacrificed, shes a skillful leader and she advanced the survival of a nation. 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 Hill) Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist who helped thousands escape the bonds of enslavement, has been posthumously awarded the rank of general. In a ceremony at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in the abolitionists home of Dorchester, Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore (D) made Tubman a one-star brigadier general in the states National Guard. Today, we celebrate a soldier and a person who earned the title of veteran, Moore said during Mondays ceremony. Today we celebrate one of the greatest authors of the American story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She knew that in order to do the work, that meant that she had to go into the lions den, he added. She knew that leadership means you have to be willing to do what you are asking others to do. Tubman was born into slavery in 1822 but escaped in 1849 after learning she and her brothers were to be sold. She settled in Philadelphia but returned to Maryland in 1850 to rescue her family. I was a stranger in a strange land; and my home, after all, was down in Maryland, because my father, my mother, my brothers, and sisters, and friends were there, Tubman said, according to the National Park Service. But I was free, and they should be free, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tubman became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping lead other enslaved Black Americans to freedom. She risked her own freedom and life numerous times as she rescued approximately 70 enslaved African Americans. Federal judge temporarily blocks Louisianas Ten Commandments in public schools law I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors cant say I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger, Tubman said at a womens suffrage convention in 1896. But Tubmans commitment to freedom didnt stop with the Underground Railroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Civil War, she served as a scout, spy and nurse for the Union Army and led 150 Black soldiers on a raid in South Carolina. Her service for the Union made her the first woman to oversee American military action during a time of war. She raised her hand to join the Union Army as both a soldier and a spy because she believed that if you want to change a flawed system, you have to be willing to fight for it, Moore said. Tubmans great-great-great-grandniece, Tina Wyatt, spoke at Mondays ceremony, saying the abolitionist deserved just as much recognition on Veterans Day as any other service member. Aunt Harriet was one of those veterans informally; she gave up any rights that she had obtained for herself to be able to fight for others, Wyatt said. She is a selfless person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recognition for Tubman has grown over the last few years. In 2021, the Biden Administration revived an Obama-era effort to place Tubman on the $20 bill. Though the effort has stalled, commitment to honoring Tubman has continued. In 2022, a Chicago elementary school was stripped of its previous namesake and renamed after Tubman. Meanwhile, the city of Philadelphia plans to unveil a 14-foot bronze statue, created by a Black artist, of the icon next year. A monument honoring her was also placed in a Newark, New Jersey, space that once held a statue of Christopher Columbus last year. Major Gen. Janeen Birckhead on Monday said recognition of Tubmans sacrifices was long overdue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harriet Tubman should be revered always for risking her life and her own freedom and the cause of justice for the enslaved, Birckhead said. Now we make the grassroots honor, in a formal way, to proclaim that Harriet Tubman was courageous, she sacrificed, shes a skillful leader and she advanced the survival of a nation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. TEHRAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran's First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud have expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations. During a meeting held Monday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on the sidelines of a summit with leaders from the Arab and Islamic world, the two sides discussed prospects for future cooperation, steps to halt Israel's "brutal aggressions" against the Palestinian and Lebanese people, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to war-affected regions, according to the Iranian state news agency IRNA. Aref emphasized the influential roles of Iran and Saudi Arabia in West Asia and the broader Muslim world, stating that strengthening political relations is on a positive and "irreversible" path. He said this development would benefit not only the two countries but also other regional and Islamic states. Aref added that, alongside political ties, Iran and Saudi Arabia aim to deepen cooperation in economic, cultural, scientific, and technological fields. Aref also highlighted the two countries' significant roles in resolving regional conflicts, calling for solidarity within the Muslim world to counter Israel's "brutal aggression." The Saudi crown prince, for his part, stated that his country viewed the expansion and deepening of bilateral ties with Iran as "favorable" and that Saudi Arabia was committed to pursuing these developments, particularly in economic and cultural areas. He noted that the events and developments in the West Asia region over the past year have not hindered the momentum of relations between the two countries. The crown prince further condemned Israel's "aggressions" against regional countries and criticized its disregard for international law, assuring that Saudi Arabia would not permit its territory or airspace to be used for attacks against Iran. Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed diplomatic relations in April 2023 with China's mediation, ending a seven-year diplomatic freeze. Lauren Brenzel with Planned Parenthood speaks at the Florida Historic Capitol building following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned abortion protections under Roe v. Wade. June 24, 2022. Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Florida Phoenix Widespread support for abortion rights continued to defy partisan labels in last weeks elections, but several of the ballot measures that voters approved may face legal and legislative challenges in the coming months. And supporters worry that federal efforts could eventually override the state measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters in seven states including deep-red Missouri and Montana chose to protect or expand access to abortion through ballot initiatives. This wont be the last time Missourians vote on so-called reproductive rights, Missouri Republican state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, who opposed the ballot measure, wrote in a press release. I will do everything in my power to ensure that vote happens. In Missouri and Arizona, the ballot measures will expand abortion access beyond what state laws now allow. Though those constitutional amendments are set to go into effect in the coming weeks, abortion is unlikely to become immediately accessible in those states because abortion-rights advocates will have to go to court to overturn existing laws. In addition, anti-abortion groups and their legislative allies in recent years have worked to undermine abortion protections through laws and court challenges based on concepts such as fetal personhood, parental rights, and fetal viability. Those efforts could limit the reach of the new ballot measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the Missouri measure anticipate continued opposition. Mallory Schwartz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, told a crowd celebrating on Tuesday night that anti-abortion, anti-democracy politicians are going to try to stomp us out, according to the Missouri Independent. Theyre going to try to fight us in court, and theyre going to file new attacks in Jefferson City, Schwartz said. Some abortion-rights supporters worry that without a federal constitutional right to abortion, which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in its 2022 Dobbs ruling, the new state-level protections are vulnerable to federal moves that could override them. After the Dobbs decision, the Biden administration took several steps to protect access to birth control, abortion medication and emergency abortion care at hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Nourbese Flint, president of the abortion-rights group All* In Action Fund, said the incoming Trump administration could restrict access even in states that have abortion-rights measures on the books. Attendees cheer during a Missourians for Constitutional Freedom rally after the campaign turned in more than 380,000 signatures for its initiative petition to enshrine abortion rights in Missouris constitution. Voters in seven states, including Missouri, chose to protect or expand access to abortion through ballot initiatives in Tuesdays election. (Photo by Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent) President-elect Donald Trump has flip-flopped on abortion and other reproductive rights, bragging for years that his U.S. Supreme Court nominations led to the Dobbs decision then telling Fox News viewers last month that some state abortion laws were too tough and would be redone. Unfortunately, we are in a position where even if your state has passed great legislation, the actual, tangible access to medication abortion might be harder in the future, Flint said. Some anti-abortion groups want the Trump administration to enforce the Comstock Act, a long-dormant 1873 law they believe could be used to make it a federal crime to send or receive abortion pills in the mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration also could reverse a policy under the federal Food and Drug Administration that allows the mailing of abortion medication. And when the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a case earlier this year involving FDA regulation of the abortion medication mifepristone, it left the door open for future challenges. Meanwhile, some states have laws limiting access, such as requiring in-person physician visits for abortion medication, effectively barring patients from accessing it via telemedicine. I dont want people to think just because they voted yes to protect reproductive rights there is going to be a magic wand to restore those rights, said Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, which supports progressive ballot initiatives nationwide. Theyre going to have to double down and fight to make sure people are going to receive the reproductive care they need and deserve. In addition to reliably red Missouri and Montana, voters on Tuesday approved abortion-rights measures in presidential battlegrounds Arizona and Nevada and solidly blue Colorado, Maryland and New York. In Nevada, voters will have to approve the amendment again in 2026 for it to go into effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before last week, voters in six states including conservative Kansas and Kentucky had endorsed abortion rights when presented with abortion-related ballot questions. But Tuesdays election marked the first time since the fall of Roe v. Wade that abortion-rights ballot measures failed: Voters defeated proposed amendments in Nebraska and South Dakota. And in Florida, 57% of voters supported an abortion-rights amendment, but it fell short of the 60% supermajority required for passage. Questioning viability The ballot measures in Arizona, Missouri, and Montana establish the right to abortion up to fetal viability. Its a term that lacks an exact medical or legal definition and, thanks to medical advances over the years, viability has moved earlier in pregnancy. Today, its generally considered to be around 23 or 24 weeks of pregnancy. Fetal viability is not a legal term, said Dale Margolin Cecka, director of the Family Violence Litigation Clinic at Albany Law School and a former Georgia assistant attorney general. Even in states that now have amended their constitutions [to permit abortion], I can foresee challenges to the fetal viability aspect of those amendments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, she said, state legislators could attempt to restrict abortions by defining fetal viability in state law in such a way that might create doubt in the minds of providers about whether a patients pregnancy meets state requirements for a legal abortion. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. (Office of Attorney General) In the days leading up to the election, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, a Republican, used the vagueness of the viability standard in Floridas proposed abortion amendment to ask the states highest court to keep the measure off the ballot, though the court declined to do so. In Montana, where abortion was already legal until fetal viability under a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling, the new constitutional amendment shores up that protection by defining fetal viability. The amendment says viability should be based on the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional and based on the particular facts of the case. Personhood and parental rights The concept of fetal personhood also could be used to circumvent state constitutional amendments on abortion. Long a cornerstone of the anti-abortion movement, fetal personhood is the idea that a fetus, embryo, or fertilized egg has the same legal rights as a person who has been born. If state law considers fetuses to be people, the thinking goes, the abortion would be considered murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri state Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican, told Stateline in July that he plans to introduce a fetal personhood bill in the coming legislative session that would grant unborn children the same rights as newborns. His hope was that the bill could protect embryos and fetuses regardless of whether Missourians passed a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to abortion. Cecka also expects to see state legislators continue testing abortion protections with so-called parental rights laws. Since Dobbs, conservative legislators in several states have filed parental consent bills to restrict access to abortion, birth control, and other reproductive health care for people under age 18. Proponents argue such laws are needed to protect the rights of parents and to prevent other adults from persuading adolescents to get abortions. The lawsuit filed last week by Missouri reproductive care providers to strike down several of Missouris abortion restriction laws after passage of the constitutional amendment does not challenge the states parental consent law. In Ceckas view, abortion access remains at risk, even in states that have passed protective laws, unless federal protections are put in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In red states where theres a strong enough push, the anti-reproductive freedom movement is a big machine with a deep bench, and theyre ready to fight, she said. This story first appeared in Stateline, 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. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) Veterans, students, and staff gathered Monday for a veteran school walk-through and staff speeches before veterans made their way to be seated for an academy Veterans Day luncheon. Principal, Dr. Andrea Pridgen, said it was an honor to be able to host local veterans this Veterans Day with a meal made by the culinary students. Were here today to honor our heroes, to remember their achievements, their courage and their dedication, and to say thank you for your sacrifices, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The luncheon students served various pasta dishes with Veterans Day-themed desserts including red, white, and blue sprinkled cannoli as well as festive icing piped cookies. Vietnam Army veteran Jean McCullough said she was excited to be invited back for the Academys third Veterans Day luncheon. Im so glad Ive been invited every year. I love the students here. They are so kind and helpful, she said. The love I felt, the love from everybody, especially the students who were clapping and, you know, yelling for us. I felt the love. Senior culinary students Andi Turner and Maybeth Melendez said they are blessed to be able to serve local veterans for the past three years. Turner says she has loved cooking ever since she was little and that being with her mother and father in the kitchen was her happy place. She said being able to do something she loves for the community is a really special experience. Melendez said shes honored to serve the men and women who fought for the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All I can say is thank you for the veterans and everything that they could do, Melendez said. Thank you for their service, Turner said. Serving from 1987-2002, Ray Carmichael said it was at Gracie Floyds High School, a small school in Buford of Horry County where he fell in love with the ROTC that spoke with him. He said it was then when he knew he wanted to join the Army and become a combat medic where he later went on to earn several awards for her service and took the opportunity to be one of the first lieutenant colonels, battalion commanders for the program. I end up getting the first art ROTC scholarship from Gracie Floyds, he said. He said being at Mondays luncheon, his emotions were on a high with his son having graduated from the Academy last year, and to have students, staff, and fellow veterans thank him for her service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We go through a lot, being a combat medic, I mean, theres a lot of things that goes on there, but the opportunity to know that people care about you, it can make a difference in a veterans life like myself, he said. Personally, I have some military injuries. One of those injuries being partially visually impaired. But he said although his vision has worsened over the years, he didnt need to see the students, staff, or other veterans clearly to feel the support and love they gave him this Veterans Day. When somebody, you know, you go down to the hallway and everybody is saying, thank you. That feeling from other veterans, its contagious. Make you feel better, you know, make you feel wanted, he said. It makes you feel like you are going you come into a parade. I mean, its a great feeling. And I want to thank, you know, the staff and the school for taking care of the veterans and doing these types of things. * * * Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Nicholas Wayne Hamlett was arrested in South Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 10, in connection with the Oct. 18 murder of Steven Douglas Lloyd in a complex case of identity theft Monroe County Sheriff's Office (2) Nicholas Wayne Hamlett (right) has been arrested on the charge of first-degree murder in the death of Steven Douglas Lloyd (left). Nicholas Wayne Hamlett (right) has been arrested on the charge of first-degree murder in the death of Steven Douglas Lloyd (left). The man police believe killed Steven Douglas Lloyd allegedly called 911 with a fake name late on the night of Oct. 18, claiming that he was an injured hiker who had fallen off a cliff while running from a bear, per a series of sheriff's press releases Police found a dead man with identification matching the name provided by the caller That identification card which belonged to neither the caller nor the dead man led police on a murder investigation that crossed state lines A man allegedly befriended another, lured him into a wooded area in Tennessee, killed him, stole his identity and then, calling 911 with a fake name Brandon Andrade told police he was an injured hiker who had fallen off a cliff while running from a bear, per a series of sheriff's office press releases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement dashed to the location of the supposedly injured hiker and found a dead man. But the police later discovered that neither the dead man nor the 911 caller was Andrade, according to Monroe County Sheriff Tommy J. Jones II. Nicholas Wayne Hamlett used a false name when speaking with law enforcement, according to a Monroe County Sheriffs Office press release. Monroe County Sheriff Nicholas Wayne Hamlett. Nicholas Wayne Hamlett. The 45-year-old Hamlett was arrested in Columbia, S.C., on Sunday, Nov. 10, after being recognized at a hospital there, according to the sheriff. Hamlett is charged with first-degree murder in Monroe County, Tenn., and a parole violation in Alabama, per the Monroe County Sheriffs Office. Hamletts true identity was verified through his fingerprints, according to law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With court closures for Veterans Day, it was not immediately clear if Hamlett had entered a plea or retained a lawyer. The Monroe County E-911 Center in Tennessee received the 911 call from the a man claiming to be Andrade at 11:34 p.m. Oct. 18, per the sheriffs office. The caller claimed that he was injured and partially submerged in water. Law enforcement traced the call to the Charles Hall bridge on the Cherahola Skyway in Tellico Plains, Tenn. There, they found a dead man with an ID in the name of Brandon Kristopher Andrade. The body was taken to Knox County Regional Forensic Center. 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. But over the course of their investigation, Monroe County law enforcement determined that the dead man was not Andrade and that the identification found on his corpse had been stolen and used repeatedly, per the sheriffs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tracing back the use of that identification, law enforcement put out a wanted poster for Hamlett, whom they had determined had already fled from his Tennessee residence. Hamlett, whose list of aliases also included Nic Hamlett, had previously been charged in Alabama on allegations of attempted murder and parole violation, according to a wanted poster issued by the U.S. Marshals. (It was not immediately clear the disposition of that previous case.) He was described to have ties to Tennessee, Montana, Alaska, Kentucky, North Carolina and Florida and to travel under aliases, per the wanted poster. Monroe County Sheriff's Office Steven Douglas Lloyd. Steven Douglas Lloyd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The corpse was later identified as that of 34-year-old Steven Douglas Lloyd of Knoxville, Tenn. Lloyd grew up as a foster child who had later been adopted, according to Monroe County Sheriff Jones. He suffered from trust issues and had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder known as Reactive Attachment Disorder, said Sheriff Jones in a press release. The disorder is a rare but serious condition in which an infant or young child doesn't establish healthy attachments with parents or caregivers, according to the Mayo Clinic, which identifies among its symptoms unexplained withdrawal, fear, sadness or irritability, not seeking comfort or showing no response when comfort is given, and failing to seek support or assistance. The disorder can continue into adulthood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lloyd periodically left home to live on the streets, while still staying in touch with family, according to Sheriff Jones, who described him as a man who loved the outdoors and was so helpful when it came to others. Sheriff Jones said that Lloyd had trusted Hamlett, that the two had become friends and that he had been lured into the woods before Hamlett took Steven's life and his identity. (PUEBLO, Colo.) Three people have been released from the Pueblo County Jail after a judge ruled they were being held unconstitutionally. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claims when a person misses a court date in Pueblo, non-jail charges could turn into sentences for months or even years, and they said thats exactly what happened to the three people they are representing. On Friday, Nov. 1, a Pueblo District Court determined that the City of Pueblo had violated a basic constitutional requirement and had failed to issue charging documents that would have allowed the petitioners to prepare a defense, and would have protected the three against future charges for the same offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They [the City of Pueblo] didnt comply with the Constitution; they flagrantly violated the Constitution. So, we represented three individuals, said Tim McDonald, Director of the ACLU in Colorado. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Court rules against Pueblo for illegally imprisoning three The ACLU said Dean Lopez, Lyrcis Martinez, and Michael Tafoya were all unlawfully put in the Pueblo County Jail for missing court dates under an ordinance that allows the City to place people in jail for up to 364 days even when their alleged offense carries no jail time. They had been charged largely with petty offenses like loitering, standing in the median, or a trespass under state law, said McDonald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU claims that Martinez and Lopezs contempt charges resulted in them spending hundreds of days in jail. The Constitution requires to tell someone what the charges are against them. The City of Pueblo dispensed with that entirely as a matter of its own policy, and thats what the judge in our case said was a violation, a flagrant violation of the constitutional rights of our clients, said McDonald. The judge determined the City of Pueblo neglected to provide charging documents that would have allowed time to prepare a defense and protect all three against future charges. They were systematically and intentionally violating their own citizens constitutional rights, said McDonald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Heather Graham disagrees. In a statement on Facebook she said in part; These individuals skipped court and failed to appear for years at a time, wasting city time, taxes, and resources, when they finally did appear in court after being arrested again, they were given a verbal advisement, copies of their warrants and were represented by counsel. McDonald responded saying; What the mayor calls a technicality, we say is the root of our liberty. Its called the Constitution that the constitution is not a technicality. It is what prevents cities, other governments from running roughshod over the civil rights and civil liberties of our citizens. The mayors full statement can be found below: I am saddened that in my city, a criminal who has broken the law more than 20 times receives more empathy than every day law abiding citizens of Pueblo who are plagued day in and day out by criminal acts all over our community. These criminal acts include trespassing, theft, loitering, unwanted party and more yet the criminals receive more favor and outreach from anti-jail advocates rather than acknowledging the reckless behavior affecting every area of Pueblo. Every day, citizens call the Mayors Office and ask what is being done to address crime or if we have a plan to assist with recidivism. Then when Municipal Court, the Pueblo Police Department or another arm of the City works within its powers to address these issues, we are met with criticism. Today Judge Chostner ruled in the ACLU cases v. the City of Pueblo, that these criminals should be released on a technicality because they presumably did not receive a proper citation or notice for their contempt charges on a piece of paper. Yet, these individuals skipped court and failed to appear for years at a time, wasting City time, taxes and resources. When they finally did appear after being arrested again, they were given a verbal advisement, copies of their warrants and were represented by counsel. Then they waived their rights to trial and voluntarily plead to charges. None of that matter[s] though because they did not receive a piece of paper. Now the ACLU has come to advocate for criminals who plague this City and expects to receive support for their advocacy. Instead, Puebloans should be asking why the ACLU would be complicit with criminal behavior? Why should criminals not be held accountable and be able to continue to reoffend in our city? Does the ACLU not realize that homelessness does not equate to helplessness. Now the greater Pueblo community is left helpless with opinions and rulings like what was given [Friday]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LONDON (Reuters) - Refugees should be included in climate policy, actor and UNHCR goodwill ambassador Theo James has said as he heads to COP29 to call for greater support for those affected by the impact of climate change. James, whose grandfather was a refugee who fled Greece for Syria during World War Two, will join the U.N. refugee agency and refugee advocates at the climate summit in Baku. "The Gentlemen" and "Divergent" actor travelled to Mauritania's southeastern Hodh Chargui region last month, meeting refugees who had fled conflict in Mali for an area already facing poverty, limited access to basic services and climate shocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The semi-arid Sahel has been hit by increasing weather extremes including higher temperatures and drought. "Refugees do not contribute to the vast majority of rising global temperatures and carbon emissions but they are on the frontline of suffering," James told Reuters. In its first climate report released on Tuesday, the UNHCR said three out of four forcibly displaced people worldwide - 90 million out of 120 million - lived in countries exposed to high to extreme climate change impacts. Now the UNHCR has ... specific data which links the climate crisis to forcibly displaced people and the refugee crisis, we need to amplify the message that those two things are intimately interlinked," James said. "They will forever be hand in hand and more so in the future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summit has been dubbed the "climate finance COP" for its central goal: to agree on how much money should go each year to helping developing countries cope with climate-related costs. (Reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Alison Williams) (COLORADO SPRINGS) The City of Colorado Springs is updating its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance to comply with recent state legislation but before it does, it wants to inform the community. Earlier in May, Governor Jared Polis signed a law that legalized ADUs, a secondary residential unit on a property that contains a separate home in Colorado. On Wednesday, Nov, 20, the City will hold a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the National Cybersecurity Center located at 3650 North Nevada Avenue where individuals will have the chance to learn more about the proposed changes and provide feedback. New law legalizes ADUs, aims to lower housing costs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law, HB24-1152, allows homeowners in certain jurisdictions to build a second independent housing unit with fewer obstacles. However, the new law would make updates to the Colorado Springs code that would be based on the law, as well as support citywide strategic priorities of housing availability and community members. In response to new state legislation and market conditions we are looking to make updates to the ADU ordinance, but this also provides us with an opportunity to make changes in response to feedback from residents that could create more housing flexibility, said City Planning Director Kevin Walker. We know that there is demand for ADUs, but we know the current code can make it complicated to build them. Over the next several months residents will be able to provide us feedback on our proposed changes to help ensure we have the best updates possible. So, what would that mean for Colorado Springs residents? The new law would allow ADUs in all zone districts where single-family detached dwellings are permitted, update to use specific standards of ADUs, and remove owner occupancy requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, HOAs or other associations would not be allowed to unreasonably restrict the construction of ADUS. All updates regarding HB24-1152 are expected to be finalized and adopted in early 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 FOX21 News Colorado. NEW YORK (PIX11) A pressure campaign since the Presidential Election to bring back congestion pricing as quickly as possible appears to be paying off. Lawmakers say Governor Kathy Hochuls office is floating the idea of bringing back the plan to toll drivers heading into Manhattan below 60th Street with a 40% discount. That would lower the maximum toll from $15 to $9. More Local News The MTA has a looming budget deficit and large capital needs and President-Elect Donald Trump has pledged to kill congestion pricing, which would funnel billions to the MTA and advocates say would improve traffic and air quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means it needs to be up and running before he takes his oath of office and time is running out, said Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. However, the program was paused over the summer not just because it would be costly to some commuters, but politically costly to tri-state-area Democrats as they fought tough battles for control of Congress across Long Island and in the Hudson Valley. The three newly elected New York representatives will now join New Jerseys Josh Gottheimer in Congress a long-time critic of the plan. A train subway service to be suspended for 4 months: What to know This would devastating to hard-working families who I think made a pretty clear in this last election they do not want a congestion tax, Gottheimer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, supporters of the plan remain hopeful and are keeping up the pressure with an ad campaign targeting the Governor. Lisa Daglian was just with many top New York decision-makers at the annual Somos conference in Puerto Rico. She left those meetings hopeful. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Haiti swore in a new prime minister on Monday after a Spirit Airlines plane was hit by gunfire over the countrys capital Port-au-Prince, according to a diplomatic source in the country. The incident resulted in what the airline described as minor injuries to one of its crew members. All flights to Port-au-Princes Toussaint Louverture International Airport have been suspended until Nov. 18, according to Haitis civil aviation authority. Spirit said Monday that its flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale in Florida to Port-au-Prince was diverted and landed in Santiago in the Dominican Republic, where an inspection revealed evidence of damage to the aircraft consistent with gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airline said one of its flight attendants reported minor injuries and was being evaluated by medical personnel and that no other injuries were reported. It added that the aircraft has been taken out of service, and Spirit services to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien have been suspended. Data reviewed by CNN from FlightRadar24 showed the plane descending to an altitude of 550 feet over Port-au-Princes Tabarre neighborhood, just east of the airport, before pulling up quickly and bypassing the runway. The Haitian civil aviation authority shared a warning to flight personnel later on Monday saying air traffic operations are temporarily suspended at the airport. The notice, known as a notice to airmen (NOTAM), went into effect at 2:00 p.m. local time Monday and is expected to end next Monday. An image taken from social media shows damage to the interior of the plane - From Social Media The Haitian-based commercial airline Sunrise Airways told CNN that it has suspended flights until further notice. US-based carriers JetBlue and American Airlines have also cancelled flights to and from Haiti until Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haiti has been ridden with widespread gang activity and political chaos for nearly a year, with international actors also impacted by direct violence in recent weeks. Last month, a United Nations helicopter was also hit by bullets while flying over Port-au-Prince. And in a separate incident in October, gangs targeted US embassy vehicles with gunfire, later prompting the evacuation of 20 embassy staffers. In late February and early March, coordinated gang attacks forced the closure of both the airport and main seaport in the Haitian capital, choking off vital supplies of food and humanitarian aid to the Caribbean nation. New prime minister The latest incident comes amid escalating political turmoil, following a vote by Haitis Transitional Presidential Council to replace Prime Minister Garry Conille after less than half a year in office. Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime was formally sworn in as Haitis new prime minister on Monday at a ceremony attended by various government officials in Port-au-Prince. An image taken from social media shows damage to the exterior of the plane - From Social Media He pledged to restore democracy and security across the country, which has been plagued by deadly gang violence for years. We are in a transition, an immense project. Of course, the essential first project and one necessary to the success of the transition is the reestablishment of security! he declared, drawing applause from those in attendance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transitional council tapped Didier Fils-Aime for the job after eight of its nine voting members signed a declaration on November 8 to replace Conille, who had been in office for less than a year. Copies of the signed declaration were leaked over the weekend and published on the countrys official gazette early Monday. In a statement shared with CNN on Sunday, council member Fritz Jean said the council reached its decision after considering several issues with Conilles tenure as prime minister. Among them, Jean said Conille had made decisions without informing the council and took on the duties of the president, such as engaging in diplomatic affairs. Conille has not yet publicly commented on the resolution. CNN has reached out to the prime ministers office for comment. Conilles predecessor Ariel Henry stepped down earlier this year amid spiraling gang violence. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 12, 2024. Israeli warplanes launched 13 violent raids on Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday that lasted almost three hours, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency. The agency said the raids targeted the areas of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, and nearby areas, with violent sounds of missiles heard throughout Beirut and Mount Lebanon. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes launched 13 violent raids on Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday that lasted almost three hours, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency. The agency said the raids targeted the areas of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, and nearby areas, with violent sounds of missiles heard throughout Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Scenes captured by Lebanese channels showed columns of smoke rising from areas targeted in the raid, sparking fires and leveling several buildings. Prior to the strikes, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings on X for neighborhoods in Haret Hreik, Bir al-Abed, Sfeir, Mreijeh, and Laylaki, urging residents to keep a 500-meter distance from Hezbollah-affiliated sites. Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel further initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October. According to the health ministry, the death toll from Israeli airstrikes since the beginning of the conflict in October last year reached 3,243, and injuries went up to 14,134. This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 12, 2024. Israeli warplanes launched 13 violent raids on Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday that lasted almost three hours, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency. The agency said the raids targeted the areas of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, and nearby areas, with violent sounds of missiles heard throughout Beirut and Mount Lebanon. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 12, 2024. Israeli warplanes launched 13 violent raids on Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday that lasted almost three hours, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency. The agency said the raids targeted the areas of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, and nearby areas, with violent sounds of missiles heard throughout Beirut and Mount Lebanon. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 12, 2024. Israeli warplanes launched 13 violent raids on Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday that lasted almost three hours, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency. The agency said the raids targeted the areas of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, and nearby areas, with violent sounds of missiles heard throughout Beirut and Mount Lebanon. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 12, 2024. Israeli warplanes launched 13 violent raids on Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday that lasted almost three hours, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency. The agency said the raids targeted the areas of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, and nearby areas, with violent sounds of missiles heard throughout Beirut and Mount Lebanon. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) (The Hill) JetBlue, Spirit Airlines and American Airlines have paused flights to Haiti after two planes were struck by bullets amid escalating gang violence in the country. JetBlue cited the ongoing civil unrest in announcing its decision to suspend flights through Dec. 2. Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our customers and crewmembers, its statement read. Due to the ongoing civil unrest in Haiti, we have made the decision to suspend all flights to and from the country through December 2. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and update our plans as necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Airlines wrote that our daily service from Miami International Airport (MIA) has been suspended until Monday, Nov. 18 as a result of the Port-au-Prince airports closure. We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed, American Airlines added. After a JetBlue flight from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, landed safely at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Monday, an inspection discovered the aircraft had been struck by a bullet, the airline said in a statement. While no issues were initially reported by the operating crew, a post-flight inspection later identified that the aircrafts exterior had been struck by a bullet, the JetBlue statement read. We are actively investigating this incident in collaboration with relevant authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident was reported shortly after a separate flight, Spirit Airlines Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was shot at on Monday as it was arriving in Haiti. The flight diverted and landed safely in Santiago, Dominican Republic. One flight attendant reported minor injuries, but no guest was injured. The FAA said two other flights bound for the same airport were diverted as a precaution. The Toussaint Louverture airport in Port-au-Prince temporarily suspended operations as of Monday. FAA opening Boeing safety review The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince warned Americans not to travel to the country following the Spirit Airlines incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports, the statement Monday read. The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel, the embassy added. The embassy also offered additional guidance to Americans currently in Haiti. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The FAA has told US airlines not to fly to Haiti for the next month after three planes were hit by bullets. A Spirit Airlines flight was first reported to have been hit by gunfire Monday. Later, planes from JetBlue and American Airlines were also hit near Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. Flights to and from Haiti have been suspended after bullets hit planes operated by three US airlines: Spirit, JetBlue, and American. Following reports of planes being hit by bullets, the Federal Aviation Authority on Tuesday issued an order to US airlines prohibiting them from flying below 10,000 feet over Haitian airspace for the next month. The order effectively bans flights to and from the island nation by US carriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FAA's notice did not explicitly mention the gunfire incidents but said the prohibition was due to "safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing security instability." Monday's Spirit Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale was on approach to Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, before diverting to the neighboring Dominican Republic, according to data from FlightAware. Images circulating on social media appeared to show bullet holes in the interior and exterior of the Airbus A320neo. The BBC reported that a flight attendant suffered minor injuries, but no passengers were hurt. "An inspection revealed evidence of damage to the aircraft consistent with gunfire," Spirit said in a statement shared with The Guardian. It added that the flight landed safely and was taken out of service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, on Monday, a JetBlue flight leaving Port-au-Prince was shot. In a statement shared with Business Insider, the airline said Flight 935 landed safely in New York, but an inspection "later identified that the plane's exterior had been struck by a bullet." JetBlue said it was investigating the incident in collaboration with authorities. Prior to the FAA's order, it said it had suspended all flights to and from Haiti through December 2. "Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our customers and crewmembers," it added. On Tuesday, American Airlines said it was pausing its daily flight from Miami to Port-au-Prince until February 2025 after discovering that a bullet had struck the plane during its Monday flight. "We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed," American told Business Insider in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to the FAA's 30-day ban on US airlines operating in Haiti, it said that all flights to and from Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince had been suspended for a week. Spirit did not respond to a request for comment from BI. The US Embassy in Haiti issued a security alert on Monday warning people not to travel to the country. It said it was "aware of gang-led efforts" to block travel to and from the capital. Read the original article on Business Insider Randy Ruaro, executive director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, speaks at a July 31, 2024, signing ceremony for three energy bills. Behind him are Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Alaskas state-owned development corporation is advancing plans to explore for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and to build a 300-mile road to a mining district in Northwest Alaska. The board of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority voted unanimously Thursday to spend up to $750,000 on outside legal help related to both projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration rejected the proposed Ambler Road earlier this year, a decision that AIDEA is challenging in court. AIDEA is also challenging the administrations decision to cancel the results of a 2020 oil lease sale in ANWR and is preparing for a new sale to be held later this year. AIDEA Executive Director Randy Ruaro noted that the results of the November election, sending former President Donald Trump back to the White House, may change the federal governments policies on both projects, but until that change occurs, the corporation needs to prepare. Based on what occurs here coming up in the next few months, there may be little to no need to use those funds, Ruaro said. Board members agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just applaud you, because I think when history looks back, this will be a definitive moment that we have fought back against federal overreach. So thank you, said board member Albert Fogle, praising Ruaro and AIDEA staff. Public testimony before Thursdays vote was unanimously against both the new legal spending and the projects themselves. Several commenters said they were angry about the inability to testify verbally in October before an AIDEA board vote that authorized $20 million to prepare bids for an upcoming ANWR oil lease sale. During that meeting, the public testimony system appeared to malfunction and did not show anyone signed up to testify by phone, though many people later said they were present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its troubling that AIDEA continues to ignore overwhelming public opposition to their projects like Ambler Road and the refuge oil and gas leasing, said Sean McDermott, Arctic program coordinator for the Northern Alaska Environmental Center, which is opposing both projects. Andrea Feniger, Alaska program director for the Sierra Club, joined McDermott in testifying against the legal measure. It seems like weve wasted enough time and money on a fruitless venture that other people arent interested in for a reason. Its a bad investment, and I just think its time for us to turn the page on that fruitless venture, Feniger said. Julie Sande, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce and Community Development, sits on the AIDEA board and noted that public commenters oppose both projects. She asked Ruaro to explain why AIDEA is pursuing them anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether to develop Alaskas natural resources, including developing access to those resources, is an issue that was decided back at statehood. Its embedded in our constitution. Its not up for popular vote or revisiting now, Ruaro said. He referred to Article VIII of the state constitution, which says that it is state policy to encourage the settlement of its land and the development of its resources by making them available for maximum use consistent with the public interest. Individuals may think its the weight of public comment on one side or the other that should prevail, but the issue of whether to develop resources was made back at statehood, Ruaro said. So we have that mandate. Individuals are certainly able to comment one way or the other. But the mandate is there until its not there. We should pursue it aggressively. AIDEAs board is scheduled to meet Dec. 11 to make the final decision on whether or not to bid on new oil leases in ANWR during a planned December sale hosted by the federal government. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the credentials of the newly appointed ambassadors of Albania and Greece, which marked the start of their diplomatic missions in Ukraine on 12 November. Source: Office of the President of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: During his meeting with the Greek Ambassador, Pantelis Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos, Zelenskyy highlighted the high level of bilateral relations, expressed gratitude for defence support and outlined Ukraine's key needs in military assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We have very good relations between our countries. Cooperation between our nations is very important to us. I know that your colleagues visited Odesa with an initiative for restoration. Perhaps Greece can join other countries and take one of the regions under its patronage." Details: In his conversation with the Albanian Ambassador, Ernal Filo, the President discussed opening of the Albanian embassy in Ukraine, calling it a testament to the dynamic development of bilateral relations. Zelenskyy also thanked the government and people of Albania for their ongoing support since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion and stressed the importance of signing a bilateral security agreement as soon as possible. Additionally, new ambassadors from Japan, Masashi Nakagome, and Egypt, Barakat Ali Elleiti, have commenced their missions in Ukraine. Background: In August, Zelenskyy received the credentials of newly appointed ambassadors from four EU member countries Belgium, Slovakia, Italy and the Netherlands. In October, the Ukrainian leader accepted the credentials from the ambassadors of five European countries: Ireland, Iceland, Lithuania, Finland and Montenegro. Support UP or become our patron! PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Although negotiations on a new contract continue, Albany schools will be closed on Tuesday as teachers turned in their keys and personal items last Friday in case a strike occurred. The Albany teachers union authorized the strike earlier this month, which would be the first school strike in the district since 1987. But district officials and the teachers union plan to work through the night to try and iron out the details on a series of demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillsboro voters turn down ballot measure to fluoridate water supply The union is demanding better pay, school safety, smaller classes and more resources, among other things. The districts latest offer includes bigger raises for experienced teachers, a 5% increase for cost of living and higher pay for extra duties. However the union is calling out the district for ignoring basic needs, like updating bathroom break coverage. The fact that the teachers are begging for covered guaranteed bathroom breaks, Im running out of words to explain how upsetting I find that, parent Kat Martinez said. We love our teachers. I hope my kids get to go back to school real real soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers are frustrated and feel they dont have enough support regarding pay, resources or safety measures for students. That trend is something the Oregon Education Association said its seeing across the state. The most common theme is that people feel like they dont have enough support to be able to do their job, said OEA President Reed Scott-Schwalbach. Our last resort: OSU graduate student employees vote to strike The OEA is helping to negotiate Albanys contract along with 33 others statewide including Beaverton, which recently called for state mediation. The organization will help negotiate another 93 education contracts next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a year ago, Portland teachers went on strike over class sizes, workload and safety. Both sides in Albany said they want to avoid a repeat. District leaders said they value teachers and are negotiating in good faith. The question is, Scott-Schwalbach said, how long will it take and what will the school district be willing to do? Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Alberta Jones remembered her son Fredrick as a man with a strong will and desire to help. Every time he got paid. Hed always take out a homeless person. Buy them lunch, dinner, breakfast.he just had a heart of gold, said Jones. But his life was cut short seven years ago after a car accident. Its hard to believe that its been 7 years. And to me, seems like just yesterday, said Jones. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frederick signed up to be an organ donor after his sister had trouble finding one herself. So when I received mine, I was so thankful and grateful I got my life backI could see a future again for myself, said Miceale Jones, Fredericks sister. That went against their Dine culture in which donating organs and getting cremated are forbidden. And because of that, those two wishes that I honored, my tribe families, both mothers side and fathers side and siblings, did about-face on us, said Jones. They cut off communication with them but Fredericks mom is proud of her son whose heart, kidneys, and liver went on to save four lives. Fredericks floragraph was on the Donate Life float at the Rose Parade last year and returned to his family on Monday night. He was there representing Native Americans and Puerto Ricans letting them know, you can give and restore someoneshozho, someones beauty, said Miceale Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They hope it will encourage more people to sign up to donate. Right now, there are 400 New Mexicans waiting for a life-saving 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones begged supporters for donations after revealing that the inventory of his media platform InfoWars will soon be sold to pay back nearly $1.5bn to the families of the Sandy Hook massacre. Jones made the announcement ahead of a court-ordered federal auction on Wednesday, telling viewers that auctioneers had already visited his headquarters to make sure all the stuffs here. During the broadcast he bemoaned the outcome of his legal proceedings, blasting the fake judgments and rigged trials and comparing them to those of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as Jones struggles to come up with the cash to pay the massive defamation judgment he owes families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. The victims families were awarded the damages in 2022 in defamation and emotional distress lawsuits against Jones for repeatedly calling the 2012 school shooting a hoax staged by crisis actors to get more gun control legislation passed. Twenty first-graders and six educators were killed in the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting. Alex Jones tells supporters that inventory from InfoWars will be sold off at a federal auction on Wednesday (Infowars) In an online broadcast, Jones said: Wednesday afternoon, Infowars the equipment InfoWars.com, InfoWarsStore.com and a whole bunch of other stuff is at a federal bankruptcy auction from the fake judgments and the rigged trials where I was found guilty beforehand, and they had literal show trials out of the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany. I walked in here during the break after getting a glass of water and saw the auctioneers inside the building going around surveying from the last time they were here to make sure all the stuffs here. Everything tagged, everything marked, this desk, these tables, this microphone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones has previously expressed confidence that supporters whom he has not named will buy the assets of InfoWars and its parent company, Free Speech Systems, allowing him to continue using its platforms. (InfoWars) Theres a lot of buyers, people that are patriots that want it and will come in, Jones said on his show in August. If not ... well work with somebody else, fire something up. And itll be a little bit of a hiccup for the crew, and things. But that will just make us bigger. In his Wednesday broadcast, he reiterated the sentiment, saying he hoped good guys would buy the platform. But, he added that if bad guys did then he would stay on the air broadcasting right until the last minute until it was shut down. He then made a plea to his supporters. Then Im going to get into the new ship and continue on. But, the ship is not properly fueled, it does not have everything it needs, he said. I need funds, right now. If we had enough Id tell you that. We dont have barely enough. But Jones has vowed to continue with his cause, directing supporters to the account of his AJN network on X which has not been shut down where he said the second American revolution would be continuing. The politics of AOC, aka Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and President-elect Donald Trump are far apart. So it was surprising that New York Citys 14th Congressional District which sent liberal AOC back to Congress on Nov. 5 by a vote of 123,269 to 55,580 over Republican challenger Tina Forte majorly boosted its votes this year for conservative Trump when it came time to select a president. In 2020, 77% of the district voted for Joe Biden and 22% for Trump. That Trump total changed in 2024, as 33% of voters cast a ballot for the red team. In a heavily blue district, that rise is startling. AOC decided to ask her vast collection of social media followers to explain themselves on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets do this right now. If you voted for Donald Trump and me, or if you voted for Donald Trump and voted Democratic down-ballot, I would really love to hear from you, Ocasio-Cortez said on her Instagram story. This is not a place of judgment. Im not going to put your stuff on blast or anything like that, or dunk on it. Thats genuinely not the intent here. I actually want to learn from you. I want to hear what you were thinking. She closed her caption, Im listening. The respondents gist is that they believe Trump and AOC are both real, as one reaction summed up. Other notable posts along those lines included: I feel that you both are outsiders compared to the rest of D.C., and less establishment. Its real simple Trump and you care for the working class. Trump is going to get us the money and lets [sic] men have a voice. Youre brilliant and have amazing passion! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not everyone joined hands on that premise, though. One user posted that the responses you got make me want to barf. AOC laughed at the reply with an emoji. Sometimes youve got to dig in and see it to understand and adapt she said. Even if it makes you want to barf. She also noted that social media owned and influenced by billionaires, she contended is not to be taken as gospel. If youre only tuning in to those mediums, you will think that most people fall along this spectrum, Ocasio-Cortez concluded. And a lot of people dont, and thats why its important to be at the doors, and thats why its important to be on the phones, and thats why its never just like a little junior thing that you grow out of, but that we always need to be listening, because you will learn a lot. The post Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says Shes Listening to Her Supporters Who Also Voted for Trump appeared first on TheWrap. (Bloomberg) -- Chinas biggest e-commerce platforms issued a raft of numbers showing robust sales growth during the countrys biggest annual online shopping gala, belying concerns about the malaise dogging the worlds No. 2 economy. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., JD.com Inc. and smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp. on Tuesday presented a plethora of statistics to drive home how this years Singles Day haul was one of the biggest yet. Alibaba said the number of paid 88VIP members who placed orders grew by 50%. Smaller rival JD reported customers increased by more than 20%. And Xiaomi co-founder Lei Jun said sales over the four-week promotional period hit a record 31.9 billion yuan ($4.4 billion). Investors for years have scrutinized business during Singles Day a festival of online bargains that dwarfs Cyber Monday and Black Friday in scale for clues on domestic consumption. But selective disclosures from tech leaders this year paint an incomplete picture of whether Beijings trillion-dollar-plus effort to rejuvenate the economy is taking hold. Neither of Chinas two biggest e-commerce players disclosed gross merchandise value, or the sum total of transactions. Independent tracker Syntun estimates transactions across all platforms in the weeks running up to Nov. 11 rose 27% to 1.44 trillion yuan. But many began promotions much earlier than usual, meaning that spending is spread over as many as 29 days, versus 19 days in 2023. Thats the longest Singles Day festival on record. Alibabas shares slid 3.8% while JDs stock dived 5% in Hong Kong, mirroring a broader market decline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Singles Day, once a very significant event where brands sold about a third of annual sales, is losing significance as discounts have become common year-round, leading to discount fatigue among consumers, said Sharon Gai, an industry consultant author of Ecommerce Reimagined. While some segments, like travel, are showing signs of recovery, overall spending remains moderated, reflecting a long-term shift toward more mindful consumption. Chinese consumers are expected to stay cautious this year amid the uncertainty of a flagging property market and potential global economic ructions, according to Jeffrey Towson, partner at TechMoat Consulting. Anecdotal evidence and local media reports suggest some of the purchases on platforms like Tmall were designed to take advantage of spending incentives. Some shoppers put in orders fully intending to cancel and return items, after earning credit for spending that entitles them to discounts on other purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Instagram-like Xiaohongshu, many users offered advice on how shoppers can earn vouchers through targeted spending on brands such as Ralph Lauren Corp., Burberry Group Plc or Valentino Fashion Group SpA. For example, 7,000 yuan ($970) in spending entitled shoppers to a 560 yuan discount on goods bought on Tmall. The trend, which makes quantifying consumer spending in the country more challenging, is reminiscent of what luxury labels including Cie Financiere Richemont SAs Net-A-Porter experienced a year earlier. Even in the first quarter of this year, returns have surged abnormally, masking underlying trends. Several merchants described dwindling spending and profits. Sandy Fang, who sells scented air fresheners on ByteDance Ltd.s Douyin, said her profits have shrunk sharply compared with previous years. Theres nothing else we can do to survive, other than working non-stop, she said. Our livestreaming is almost 24-7 now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Bloomberg Intelligence Says Alibaba reported gross merchandise-value growth from the lengthier 2024 Singles Day promotional campaign vs. a year earlier, and we think, based on industry reports, that Taobao-Tmall gained market share from JD.coms rival platform during the festival. But Alibaba probably ceded more profits than JD.com to boost sales and retain its enlarged pool of merchants. JD.com said it attracted 20% more users but didnt give GMV data. - Catherine Lim and Trini Tan, analysts Click here for the research. There were bright spots, however. As in years past, new formats outperformed traditional outlets: transactions across livestreaming shopping platforms climbed 55%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alibaba highlighted how artificial intelligence enhancements were helping merchants reduce marketing costs. JD said sales of AI-enhanced electronics jumped, with so-called smart glasses orders tripling and sales of devices such as phones and PCs doubling. Edison Zheng, who works for a state-run firm in southern Guangdong province, bought a single Huawei wristband hes eyed for a while. The 23-year old used to cram his shopping cart with electronics. Im really tightening my belt. Our company is having a hard time and lowered my pay. I have no desire to spend any money right now, he said, echoing a sentiment voiced by many consumers across the country. (Updates with third-party data from the third paragraph) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Donald Trumps firebrand lawyer, Alina Habba, has emerged as a frontrunner to be his White House press secretary, it was reported Tuesdaythe latest proof his second administration will be stuffed with MAGA loyalists. The 40-year-old Habba is the favorite for the role, Mediaite reported, citing a quartet of apparently supportive sourcesalthough there was no official word Tuesday evening. The report suggested the biggest roadblock between Habba and the White House press briefing room might be convincing the high-profile lawyerand mother of threeto accept the gig. Alina Habba speaks next to Eric Trump during a Florida campaign rally. Shes reportedly become close with the Trump family. Shes expected to be at Mar-a-Lago this week for conversations regarding a potential role, a source told the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later on Tuesday night, Fox News host Sean Hannity asked Habba if there was any truth to the rumors circulating about the position. I leave it to the president and three people who are on my board of directorsthats Luke, Chloe, and Parker, my children," Habba said. Everybody will know in time. Habba refused to say if she was having discussions about taking on the role, but did say she would consider it if offered. I am very loyal to President Trump, I would think about it, she told Hannity. Hannity: If you were asked to serve as Press Secretary or any other role, would you? Habba: I would think about it very seriously pic.twitter.com/ebrr7aiKl7 Acyn (@Acyn) November 13, 2024 Habbas very public defense of Trump in court and outincluding a protracted fight over a lawsuit filed by his ex-fixer Michael Cohenmakes her, in Trumps eyes, a camera-ready candidate for the role, Mediaite reported. Also upping her stock, sources who appeared exceptionally pro-Habba, said, is that Alina is camera-ready and tested on day one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habba, however, does not have a winning track record in court for Trump. She represented him against E. Jean Carroll . But she has been a regular on the campaign trail, including an eyebrow-raising appearance at his Madison Square Garden, New York, rally where she ran onto stage wearing a red bodysuit and glittering jacket emblazoned MAGA and 45, before loudly proclaiming her loyalty to her client. The New Jersey native was at Mar-a-Lago on election night, with a clip capturing her singing and celebrating the imminent victory while seated next to Trump. Her place atop the press secretary shortlist is the latest suggestion that Trumps second White House stint will include friends of the Trump family. It also confirms the aggressive lobbying and auditioning for top roles happening in Trumps inner circle, with many flocking to Mar-a-Lago to personally push their case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also reportedly angling for a top White House gig is the former Democratic lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard, who ditched her old party two years ago and spent the summer throwing her full support behind returning Trump to the White House. Donald Trump called it a surprise that Tulsi Gabbard left the Democratic Party, but has since embraced her as a figure in the world MAGA world. The New York Post reported Tuesday that Gabbard, 43, is rearing to join Trumps cabinet as defense secretary. She wants the gig so bad, the Post reports she even planned to petition Trump for it. The Pentagon post is at the top of Gabbards wish list, the Post reported, citing sources. If shes unable to snag her first choice, the Post reports Gabbard has also shown interest in becoming the director of the CIA. These appointments would come in addition to the top posts already being filled by MAGA world insiders. That includes Trump calling on South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to be his Homeland Security Secretary, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) to be his National Security Advisor, and Stephen Miller as his deputy chief of staff for policy. He also tapped his campaign co-chair Susie Wiles to be his chief of staff. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Andrew Schlossberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Invesco, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China is promoting high-level opening-up in the financial sector and welcomes foreign-invested enterprises to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation, Vice Premier He Lifeng said in Beijing on Tuesday. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Andrew Schlossberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Invesco. Noting that China is continuing to deepen the reform of the capital market, steadily expanding the institutional opening up of the financial sector, and striving to provide high-quality financial services for economic and social development, He said that companies from all countries are welcome to continue deepening investment cooperation with China for mutual benefit and win-win results. Schlossberg expressed his optimism about the development prospects of China's financial market, saying his company is willing to take China's further comprehensive deepening of reform as an opportunity to continue expanding cooperation with China. Three men were taken into custody by police after a dangerous high-speed pursuit on surface streets in South Los Angeles Monday night. Its unclear where exactly the pursuit, which was initiated around 9 p.m., started, but the trio were reportedly wanted for an alleged shooting, though authorities have yet to confirm that detail or provide any additional information. Aerial footage of the chase captured by Sky5 showed the suspect behind the wheel speeding around turns, narrowly missing other motorists as he drove around them while sparks shot out from beneath the vehicle. Three people were taken into custody after a high-speed police pursuit in South L.A. on Nov. 11, 2024. (KTLA) Three people were taken into custody after a high-speed police pursuit in South L.A. on Nov. 11, 2024. (KTLA) Three people were taken into custody after a high-speed police pursuit in South L.A. on Nov. 11, 2024. (KTLA) Three people were taken into custody after a high-speed police pursuit in South L.A. on Nov. 11, 2024. (KTLA) Three people were taken into custody after a high-speed police pursuit in South L.A. on Nov. 11, 2024. (KTLA) Three people were taken into custody after a high-speed police pursuit in South L.A. on Nov. 11, 2024. (KTLA) At least one patrol cruiser may have been involved in an accident around the area of 75th Street and Central Avenue, prompting authorities to call for two rescue ambulances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police giving chase to the suspects also reportedly located an item thrown from the vehicle around Gage Avenue and Hoover Street. Family searching for at-risk missing man, 28, in Southern California As the driver continued the chase, he made a right turn onto Manhattan Place and 52nd Street, a dead end, and came to a quick stop with smoke pouring out of the hood of the vehicle. The driver immediately opened the door, stepped out and raised his hands in surrender as police surrounded the vehicle with guns drawn. Two other suspects were ordered out of the car one by one and all three were taken into custody. 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. MIDTOWN MANHATTAN (PIX11) Veterans Day in New York features a variety of events throughout the region, the centerpiece of which is the Veterans Day Parade, up Fifth Avenue. While its the countrys largest, its 20,000 participants dont step off onto this celebration of veterans service without first acknowledging those veterans sacrifices at a wreath-laying ceremony. More Local News Its held at Madison Square Park, next to the starting point of the parade, about an hour before the parade begins. This years ceremony featured some two dozen wreaths, acknowledging every branch of the U.S. military, as well as NATO and other foreign nations military forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wreaths also paid tribute to living members of the military, from active duty service members now, back to military members from World War II. Walter Rybarczik represented the men and women in uniform from that period, called The Greatest Generation. One of my best days Ive had in 103 years, he said about his status as the ceremonial World War II representative at Mondays events. He referenced 103 years because thats his age. It was written out on the sign on the side of his parade car, as well. His convertible covered in a flag motif was part of one of 300 different units that made up the parade. It kicked off at noon, with 20,000 participants, representing every branch of the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement World War II veteran hopes to inspire everyone to lead with kindness Tens of thousands more people lined Fifth Avenue to watch the parade. Many of them said that being on scene was the best way to convey a simple, but very important message: a thank you to veterans. Were here for all of them, said Jasmine Griffin, a military wife from Staten Island who said shed come to support her husband, as well as every other servicemember in the parade. To thank them for their service, and [for] defend[ing] our country, she said. Also on the sidewalk along the Fifth Avenue route was 21-year Navy veteran Diane Robertson and her mother, Juanita Daymon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robertson had picked up her mom from hand surgery on Monday morning and knew that the medical office wasnt far from the parade. I figure, Hey, mom, lets take this opportunity to watch the parade,' Robertson said. As a New Yorker, Ive never attended a parade, she continued, and decided to take the opportunity to support my fellow veterans. Responding heartily to that kind of support was Parade Grand Marshal Dakota Meyer, a Medal of Honor recipient and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Veterans turn military skills into small business success stories The Marine Corps was the service being specially acknowledged in this years parade. Meyer said that all uniformed services are vital, and he thanked the tens of thousands of people who came out to affirm that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope that when they leave today, they understand that democracy is protected and its still alive and well, he said in an interview from the perch of the convertible that was his official parade vehicle. Their freedoms, ideals, and beliefs will always be protected, he continued, as long as we have men and women like this. Mondays parade was the 105th annual event. Next years parade will be held one day after the Marine Corps 250th anniversary. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A voter drops off their ballot at a ballot drop box outside of the La Familia Recreation Center in Denver on Nov. 5, 2024. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) The leaders of the Virginia-based American Federation for Children must have done a jig election night after spending a half million dollars to successfully defeat anti-voucher legislators and elect candidates who will do their bidding in next years Idaho Legislature. But their dancing no doubt turned into a funeral march when they realized voters in three states two of them ruby red Kentucky and Nebraska rejected laws and efforts to provide taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kentucky, 65 percent of voters killed a proposed constitutional amendment which would have allowed the states Legislature to fund private and religious schools. In Nebraska, voters in rural and urban counties repealed a voucher scholarship program passed by the Legislature earlier this year that would steer taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools. In Colorado, voters rejected a proposed constitutional amendment which would have enshrined school choice into the states Constitution and laid the foundation for the state to adopt its first ever law to send taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools. As usual sponsors of the amendment tried to hide the measures true intent. At first that fooled Colorado voters like Kyle Slusher who planned to vote for it. But then he realized it would lead to diverting taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools and voted no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not surprising that voters in these three states voted against the idea of sending taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools, especially when such laws in other states have benefited more than two thirds of families that never sent their kids to public schools and have strained state budgets like in Arizona which faces a huge budget deficit. Yet, in Idaho, the American Federation of Children was successful in defeating anti-privatization Republicans in the May primary and anti-privatization Democrats in this weeks general election. Key to the AFCs success is never using the word voucher in their messaging to voters or explicitly saying they want to tap taxpayer dollars to support private/religious-school tuition. Instead of telling voters that they support voucher-like legislation, AFC accuses its targeted lawmakers of supporting open borders, gun control laws, union bosses, or worse of all, Joe Biden. They have defeated several conservative Republicans in other states through this misleading messaging, even legislators who support expansive gun rights laws and tough border control efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AFC knows that it cant tell voters the truth because, if they did, the voters would reject voucher-like efforts as they did in Nebraska, Kentucky, and Colorado, and nearly every time the issue is on the ballot. Its easier to buy legislative seats with lies than to convince voters that diverting tax dollars for private/religious school tuition is a good thing. The odds of the Idaho Legislature passing a form of vouchers in 2025 is good, thanks to the AFCs success in defeating so many anti-privatization lawmakers and because it appears that Superintendent of Public Schools Debbie Critchfield and Gov. Brad Little may back some form of voucher-like legislation next year. But they will have a tough time convincing Idahoans that voucher-like legislation is a positive thing, or good for the 300,000 public school students in Idaho. You see it was clear from Tuesdays election that Idahoans support for their public schools is wide and deep. Voters across the state approved more than two dozen levies worth $259 million, most by margins of 60 percent and even 70 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, by so doing, Idahoans demonstrated their authentic home-grown support for public education, unlike the American Federation for Children which impersonates a real federation of people, but really is funded by out-of-state billionaires who would have trouble finding Challis, Oakley, or Bonners Ferry on a map. Even if the 2025 Legislature passes a voucher-like law, it is likely that Idahoans will join the chorus of voters in states like Nebraska, Kentucky, and Colorado who reject diverting taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools. Then the jig will really be up. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Mackenzie Michalski, a nurse and New York native who went missing while vacationing in Hungary last week, was killed during an intimate encounter by an Irish man she met during a night out in the nations capital city, according to local police. Michalski was last seen at a nightclub in Budapest in the early hours of Nov. 5, law enforcement said. Her friends had become concerned when they were unable to get in touch, so they alerted Budapest police to her disappearance later that day. Amid their search for missing Michalski, investigators combed through security footage from local nightclubs where they observed the 31-year-old nurse with a man, who has since been arrested for her murder. His name has not been released, but he was identified in court documents by initials LTM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LTM, a 38-year-old Irish citizen, was arrested on Nov. 7. He allegedly confessed to killing Michalski shortly thereafter, but claimed it was an accident. Police said he and Michalski met at a club and danced before leaving for LTMs rented apartment, where he allegedly killed her during a romantic tryst. In the immediate aftermath, he stashed her body in a wardrobe and scrubbed his apartment clean before purchasing a suitcase and stuffing her remains inside. He then rented a car and drove to Lake Balaton, around 100 miles southwest of Budapest, where he disposed of the body in a wooden area outside the town of Szigliget. Police said the suspect eventually led them to the spot. At present, it is not possible to establish exactly how the victim was killed and this is the subject of the ongoing investigation, authorities said in a statement earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a candlelit vigil over the weekend, the victims father, Bill Michalski, said he was still overcome with emotion and that hes working to process his daughters tragic death. There was no reason for this to happen, he said. Im still trying to wrap my arms around what happened I dont know that I ever will. A Fredonia, N.Y. native, Michalski worked for several years at Buffalo General before relocating to Portland, Ore., where she worked as a neurosurgery nurse practitioner at Providence St. Vincent. Those who worked with her and knew her best say Kenzie was kind and loving a great friend and a valued caregiver who lived out our Providence mission and values in her daily life, the medical center said in a statement. The U.S. State Department confirmed theyre working with the U.S. Embassy in Budapest and local police to bring the suspect to justice. With News Wire Services (WTAJ) This November, the American Red Cross is encouraging blood and platelet donors to bring a friend to help support patients in need. In honor of the 30th anniversary of FRIENDS, the Red Cross is offering an exclusive gift: custom FRIENDS + Red Cross socks for all donors who give from Nov. 18 to Dec. 8. UPMC announces more layoffs could be on the horizon The campaign, launched with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, aims to boost donations during the busy holiday season, when blood shortages often arise. This campaign emphasizes the importance of keeping donations steady, especially among type O and platelet donors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who donate through Nov. 17 will receive a $10 e-gift card and a chance to win on of two $7,000 gift cards. From Nov. 19 to Dec. 8, donors will receive two pairs of exclusive socks inspired by FRIENDS, allowing them to keep one pair and gift another. In the spirit of FRIENDSgiving, the Red Cross is asking donors to give with meaning by booking an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. The Red Cross reminds donors to complete a RapidPass on the day of donation to expedite the check-in process. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. As on of the leading blood suppliers, providing roughly 40% of the U.S. blood supply, the Red Cross stresses the importance of consistent donations to meet ongoing patient needs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Amid questions about whether Massachusetts State Police will support mass deportations under the incoming Trump administration, the agencys written policy spells out troopers responsibilities. The policy, last updated in December 2023, begins: Investigating and enforcing violations of federal immigration law is not a mission of the Massachusetts State Police. Accordingly, it is not appropriate for a member of the State Police to inquire about an individuals immigration or travel status for the sole purpose of facilitating that persons potential detention or deportation by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). The policy was shared with Boston 25 News on Monday following comments from Gov. Maura Healey on MSNBC over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healey was interviewed by anchor Lawrence ODonnell about President-elect Trump, who has said he will order the deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants after he is sworn into office. Would the Massachusetts State Police assist in mass deportations? ODonnell asked Healey. No, absolutely not, Healey responded, adding many states would be under pressure in the coming months. Healey said the state would use every tool to protect Massachusetts residents. A spokesperson for MSP declined to offer comment on the governors answer. However, the agencys policy sheds some light on the potential battle ahead between federal and state authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department members are NOT authorized to stop, arrest, and/or take an individual into custody based solely on an ICE detainer, MSPs policy says. It continues: If an individual is in Department custody pursuant to an arrest on criminal charges or a warrant, or for any other reason, the existence of an ICE detainer for that individual does NOT grant members of the Department authority to detain the individual for any period longer than they would otherwise be held in Department custody. In certain instances, troopers may be required to notify Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they arrest an individual with an existing immigration detainer. Likewise, troopers may need to notify ICE ahead of an individuals release, according to the policy. Gov. Healey declared the states migrant crisis a State of Emergency in 2023. Earlier this year, the number of migrants entering the state maxed out shelter space, leading to sweeping changes to the states emergency shelter system. Logan Airports Terminal E became a temporary shelter for dozens of people, including mothers and children. The Bay State Correctional Center, a former prison in Norfolk, was also converted to house the overflow of families in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to potential deportation orders from the incoming Trump administration, a spokesperson for the City of Boston said the following: The City of Boston has clearly defined ordinances that prevent local law enforcement from being deployed in enforcing federal immigration matters. Boston passed the Trust Act in 2014 with support of local leaders in government and law enforcement, codifying the Citys commitment to safety through trust and coordination between public safety agencies and all members of the community. Our city is a place where we value our many immigrant communities cultures and contributions to Bostons vibrancy and success. Massachusetts is far from alone. Many states report an increase in migrants, and some southern states such as Texas and Florida have purposefully sent migrants to northern states, including Massachusetts. The American Immigration Council estimates more than 1.26 million people in Massachusetts are foreign-born, accounting for 18% of the total population and 21% of the states labor force. The AIC says immigrants contribute financially to the state through billions in economic spending and taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the 1.26 million immigrants in the state, AIC estimates approximately 10%, or 130,000, are undocumented. However, the Center for Immigration Studies says the number may be as high as 355,000. 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 Faisals view Donald Trumps second term is raising expectations of more engaged US leadership in the Middle East. Unlike his 2016 campaign, marred by talks of Muslim bans, Trump 2.0 has emerged as a favorite among Arab-Americans. His message of bringing his art of the deal to ending conflicts resonated at home and in the region, with many here expecting bold steps. Of course, the reality television star in him led to exaggerations nobody really expects him to end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine in a day. But theres a belief in the region that Abu Ivanka holds more cards, stamina, and the guts to do what his predecessor couldnt. Trump 2.0 has little to lose but much to gain by brokering peace, and potentially reshaping his image from undertaker to peacemaker. Apart from the security and economic interests, theres also personal gain for Trump. This is his last chance to prove that he can achieve what no previous president could and that is a powerful motivator. His success in brokering a deal of the century and bringing lasting peace and stability to the region depends on expanding the Abraham Accords and establishing a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jared Kushner-led plan of the first term, though highly criticized, included a two-state solution component. Palestinians, rightly or wrongly, rejected it. I predict an updated version that reflects the new realities since Oct. 7 will be proposed because the region and the worlds vital oil supplies cant be on the brink of all out war for much much longer. The main obstacles: A viable Palestinian state, Israel, and Iran. Saudi Arabia has been unequivocal in condemning Israels action. Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called it a genocide at the recently concluded Arab and Islamic summit in Riyadh, and reiterated the summit consensus for a Palestinian State within the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Therefore setting the expectation that this time around, there will be no further expansion of the Abraham Accords without Palestinian recognition. Trumps team may see an opportunity to align with Saudi Arabias efforts leading a coalition for a two-state solution, which also gels with shifting global sentiments toward the conflict. The weakening of Hamas and Hezbollah, and possibly a more pragmatic Iran, reduce the odds of spoilers. The Palestinian Authority has limited options the quicker they accept a reasonable plan, the quicker they will secure US-backed statehood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Israeli side, Netanyahus hard-right coalition and battlefield successes are hindering compromise. Theres little appetite for a two-state solution, and theres no threat of losing US aid and arms under Trump, or any US president. Given that a much needed stick seems unlikely, its up to Trump and his advisor to find the carrot to incentivize Netanyahu to reach a deal. Iran remains a wildcard. Tehrans response to Trumps return and the reintroduction of the Maximum Pressure campaign is unclear. Reports of an Iranian assassination plot against Trump adds uncertainty. Although the president-elect ran on a track record and promise not to involve the US in more wars, only time will tell if further direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran changes this position. For Gulf states, the hope for a reengaged US that can curb Israel, recognize Palestine, and contain Iran is fueling optimism of Trump 2.0. The fear, however, is that all out war could erupt, with costly global consequences from the strait of Hormuz to the streets of Harlem. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Monday marked the 70th observation of Nov. 11 as Veterans Day honoring all of Americas vets. At the annual Veterans Breakfast at Harman School in Oakwood Monday, those who served get served as a way to thank them for their bravery, sacrifice and dedication. We have veterans and their families outside and theyre getting breakfast right now, said 5th-grader Meera Thomas, but its just a chance to them to get a breakfast that they deserve. Students said this is more than just a meal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its very special that they get to have a special meal altogether, and we all get to honor them, said Millicent Ross, another 5th-grader. Her brother Patrick enjoyed every bit of it. Being here is a kind of like getting invitation from a kid and show and try to explain what you do, said Patrick. Its kind of incredible. Meera thought of her grandfather, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Thank you so much for your service and I love you so much, she said. Its hard to be away from your families and it is sad when they get deployed and theyre like, really far away, said Millicent. So thank you for doing what you do. 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. On Wednesday morning, after the news of Donald Trumps election victory broke, Libby Louwagie, 37, was in a state of shock as she dropped her daughter off at pre-school. As she took her daughter to her classroom, she felt conflicted. I was walking through the hallways with my sunglasses on, wanting to engage with anybody and feeling a lot of anger, Louwagie tells Rolling Stone. I started to look around and be like, Whos happy right now? Whos sad right now? Who can I cry with? I didnt want to go about life as normal, I wanted to breathe for a minute with the right people. Unable to find immediate relief, Louwagie, a self-proclaimed Swiftie who lives in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota, retreated to her car where she made a 22-second TikTok calling her demographic out. Fellow white women, how are we signaling to each other now which side we are on? she said, visibly tired and physically drained after crying most of the morning. I just did school drop off and I dont trust any of these bitches anymore. Are we gonna [do] like blue friendship bracelets, are we keeping that up? Louwagie posed semi-jokingly, referencing the friendship bracelets Taylor Swift fans created in preparation for her Eras Tour to create distance and distinction from the 53 percent of white women who voted for Trump. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the days since, TikTok discourse took off around blue bracelets, and Etsy shops have exploded with merchandise, many to the sound of Paris Palomas viral song Labour a feminist chant that speaks to the ways women have been expected to show up in a patriarchal society as 24/7 baby machines. Now, white women are scrambling to purchase blue beads, charms, and ribbons, to signify their anti-Trump sentiments into wearable merch a MAGA hat, essentially, but in reverse. Meanwhile, many Black women feel that the call to craft in the midst of political and personal uncertainty is unnecessary and performative at best. Its a simple way of identifying when you are walking through the grocery store or through Wal-Mart, says Lauren Brockman, 35, from Charleston South Carolina. Brockman is one of the women with a TikTok Etsy shop, where she is selling blue bracelets. She says she has received well over 400 orders already. The election was personal for Brockman and her husband, who are looking to start a family and have been considering various fertility options. Although the city of Charleston is blue, the state of South Carolina was amongst the red states that contributed to Trumps win. If I were to see somebody wearing [a blue bracelet] I would feel more comfortable and a little less alone. Louwagies video received over 4.4 million views and 500,000 likes. She maintains that it wasnt necessarily for activist purposes, but just self expression paired with a joke that played off of her love for Taylor Swift who endorsed Kamala Harris in September whose Eras Tour called back to the nostalgic times of friendship bracelets amongst her fan base. I made a video that exploded, because I think the emotion resonated with a lot of people but it wasnt anything where I was starting a movement, she says. I wasnt trying to direct anything. My perspective was just a frustrated joke and it quickly turned into something that already feels so much bigger than me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What began as a symbol of solidarity is now being repurposed towards a movement. Over 500 miles south of Louwagie, in St. Louis, Missouri, is author and CEO of Black Girl Powerhouse, Brenda Hampton. Hampton, 57, found out the results of the election when her husband got home from his overnight shift. It hit really hard, she says, weeping. To avoid the news, she began scrolling through TikTok. I saw Libbys post and when I listened to her, I just felt that it was wrong to say screw you to that percentage of white women who actually voted with us, says Hampton. When I saw her post and then the blue bracelet movement, I felt for these women, because some of the comments were basically like Go to hell. Since then, shes been crafting and selling bracelets she calls Unitied, a play off the word united. The blue bracelets, in general, have mixed reviews. On one hand, people like Hampton and Brockman, who live in states where the majority of residents voted for Trump, dont necessarily feel their ideology is safe to flourish freely, which limits the people of like-mind with whom they can talk to and organize. Yet on the other hand, many Black women find the bracelets insulting, with notes of condescension. It felt like people were trivializing what just happened to say Lets wear friendship bracelets, says Tamara A. Marbury, a Brooklyn-based TikToker who spoke out about it. You wear your blue bracelet and then what? What happens next? Nothing. Wearing a blue friendship bracelet is not moving the needle. Its not changing the numbers. Its a very selfish act that has no significant impact on anything, its for the person whos wearing it to say It wasnt me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Black woman, Marburys concerns are justifiable. Out of all demographics, Black women had the highest percentage of votes for Kamala Harris at 89 percent. The blue bracelets to me arent about all women feeling safe, says Frances Ivy-Marie, the TikToker behind the Black maternal health account @sheshavingababy, who was also among the Black women to speak out against the trend. The blue bracelets to me are about white women being able to identify other white women who they are willing to be around based on a belief system. Its hard to participate or get excited about a trend or movement when your safety has been ignored for so long and when your opinion is rarely considered unless they want your stamp of approval, so when they get critiqued they can say, well Black women said this was a good idea. While Hampton feels the blue bracelets are well intended, she also had constructive feedback regarding the idea of bracelets equating to white women being safe spaces. The messaging to me was a little muddled, says Hampton. When it was mentioned the bracelets were to let you know that you were safe, I was just like Hm, maybe not that, maybe we can do something where all women can wear those bracelets, so when we see each other, we can show unity. As a result, Hampton and Louwagie have partnered up, to not only promote Black Girl Powerhouse, but to also host a national Zoom call on Nov. 17 at 6pm CST, a virtual meet-and-greet where they are inviting people to come have a conversation and begin to organize. I want to give everybody a chance to just get it out, says Hampton. I dont know if theyre going to be ready for it or not, but I really want to express what Im feeling. In addition to the bracelets, creators like Kalilah Wright are getting involved by way of shirts. Similarly to Hampton, Wright, who lives in Baltimore, learned of the election news by way of her boyfriends apologetic embrace at 3 a.m. that Wednesday, but she wouldnt process it until later on in the week. The next day it felt even more like a gut punch, says Wright, 40. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright learned of the blue bracelets from her white girlfriends, who saw the trend on TikTok. It wasnt just because I have a brand, but because they also understood my position, Wright explains. They saw how much I advocated for Kamala and they were like, Are you making blue bracelets? Because if you are, I want to support you and buy from you. When Wright began to look into the trend, she had mixed feelings. On one hand, it was white womens responsibility to have the tough conversations with those within their community as opposed to just looking for safety that isnt readily available for Black women. On the other, it wasnt just white women who voted Trump into office. For Wright, the blue bracelets didnt exactly appeal to her but she felt her business, Mess In A Bottle a T-shirt company of customized messages that are placed in recyclable bottles for packaging could make an impact. In replacement for the bracelets, Wright created shirts like a black crewneck which says, Part of the 92% to represent the exit poll percentage of Black women who voted for Kamala, according to the Washington Post. Other shirts are blue with white lettering that says Im one of the ones that voted on the right side of history, even if they got it wrong. The whole premise of my company is to give a voice to the voiceless or to people who dont know what to say, says Wright. I wanted people to feel empowered. Its for me to wear, its for the Black men who did the right thing, its for my white homegirl to wear, its for the Latino population that did the right thing. When I ask Hampton if shes taking on too much work as a Black woman, she maintains positivity. I believe that Trump is going to destroy this country and when that time happens, those women are going to be the ones looking for a safe space, and when they do, were going to be right here, she says. Although the city of St. Louis voted for Harris in the majority, the state of Missouri largely voted for Trump. Im going to be able to have those conversations with women in the neighborhood on why this was the wrong move to make. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But women like Marbury are tired. Im not searching for safe spaces amongst strangers, she says. Im not searching the crowd for blue bracelets when Im walking into the grocery store or getting on the train. I know who my allies are because the people I have relationships with, and who Im in community with, have shown that they are safe spaces. For this election Marbury, a Black woman, did her part by volunteering where she could and giving time to places like call centers, informing voters on how to cast their ballots. Maybe Im being too optimistic, admits Hampton. This is not the moment and time to push people away. This election or this blue bracelet movement is just another journey. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt. But you just cant give up. You cant throw your hands up in the air and say Fuck it. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for Climate Change, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Brussels, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xuxuan) While the EU has been relatively active in supporting climate finance for developing countries in the past decade, it now faces "some challenges and internal divisions," Liu said. BRUSSELS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Both developed and developing countries must work together to tackle climate change, China's special envoy for climate change Liu Zhenmin has said, noting that China will work with the European Union (EU) and other parties to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Liu made the remarks here in a recent interview with Xinhua before departing for Baku, Azerbaijan, to attend the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). Developed countries should take the lead to provide financial support to developing nations in addressing challenges brought about by climate change, Liu said, adding that it is their obligation outlined in the Paris Agreement. At the 2009 UN climate conference in Copenhagen, developed countries pledged to provide 100 billion U.S. dollars annually in climate finance to support developing countries in their energy transition; however, this promise has yet to be fully fulfilled. A huge poster promoting the UN Climate Conference is seen at the street in Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, December 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Xie Xiudong) "This funding is modest compared to the vast resources needed for the global energy transition, but it has served as a demonstration of effective global cooperation," Liu said. It can also play an active role in leveraging international market funds and encouraging private investment, he added. As COP29 will make arrangements for global climate finance targets beyond 2025, Liu believed that it will not be easy for relevant finance negotiations to move forward smoothly. In a statement issued in October, the Council of the EU announced that the bloc had reached a consensus on its negotiating position for COP29, supporting a new collective quantified goal in global climate finance. However, the statement did not specify the EU's own responsibilities. Instead, it more than ever urged all countries, even including emerging economies, to shoulder more financial responsibilities. While the EU has been relatively active in supporting climate finance for developing countries in the past decade, it now faces "some challenges and internal divisions," Liu said, noting that the recent European Parliament elections as well as national elections have revealed that some political parties are less enthusiastic about climate action than before. People walk past the building of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, July 19, 2022. A heat wave hit Belgium recently, with the highest daily temperature on Tuesday reaching 39 or 40 degrees Celsius. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) "As a significant player in global climate governance, these challenges should not become reasons to shift responsibility," Liu said, urging the EU to continue actively fulfilling its international responsibilities in supporting climate action. China, as a developing country, has been actively fulfilling its commitment to green transition, Liu said. China is vigorously advancing electrification in the transportation sector, and high-speed railways have become a major mode of transportation for the public, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles are also rapidly gaining popularity, helping to cut emissions and reduce pollution. Regarding the COP29, Liu said China will work with the EU and other parties to constructively engage in all agenda items, striving to achieve significant outcomes and advance the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, and meanwhile, China will continue to support other developing countries through South-South cooperation, providing assistance within its capacity. An aerial drone photo shows a bullet train running on a bridge in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, May 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Li An) "Addressing climate change requires the joint efforts of both developed and developing countries, and China will remain a steadfast promoter of global climate cooperation," Liu said. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosted a postmortem of sorts on her Instagram account over the weekend, using the platform to connect with voters over Donald Trumps election victory and how to best prepare for the days and years ahead. At one point, in response to a question about Democratic infighting and the post-election rancor more generally, the New York Democrat denounced those who have been all too eager to engage in malicious finger-pointing after the election. Despite the fact that Trump ran a campaign steeped in white racial grievance and the fact that MAGA influencers were literally calling for white men specifically to get out to the polls, some commentators have resorted to tired takes about Kamala Harris losing because the party leaned too much into identity politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic ticket didnt actually lean into identity politics, but some in the party have settled on that line of thought as well such as Reps. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., and Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who suggested that Democrats support for trans peoples rights helped spell their doom this cycle. Without naming names, Ocasio-Cortez said on Instagram: This is a not insignificant problem. Its interesting that we are in a cultural moment where, on the left and the right and the center, theres just a certain cache and reward to being an a--hole. And yeah, weve seen it on the right we also see it on the left. And I actually think that we need to be paying more attention to how a person is, because a lot of people use righteous or popular causes as an excuse or a smokescreen to let out their worst impulses or the ways that they wish they could treat people. And I think we need to pay a lot more attention to that in terms of deciding how to trust and who to trust as we move forward. I think its a really big deal. I agree. I do think a lot of liberals are spending far too much time trying to score cheap political points when it would be far more productive for them to be girding their constituents and the country against the looming Trump presidency and all the illiberalism it could entail. That criticism actually extends to one of Ocasio-Cortezs top allies in the Senate Bernie Sanders as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AOC basically wanted to refocus peoples attention on what lies ahead, although she did take time to ask for feedback from people who voted for her and for Trump. She also spoke about how misconceptions among immigrant communities including documented citizens who voted helped benefit Trump. And she said some people still dont seem to grasp what a Trump presidency is likely to mean: I think a lot of people were finding out this week what a tariff meant, that a tariff is not what China or some other country pays its what you pay. What we pay. I think a lot of people arent ready for mass deportations and what that means. One in every 15 people in this country lives in a mixed-status family. So that means that were talking about one in every 15 people potentially having their families broken apart. I dont think were ready for that, including what that means for the economy. I dont think were ready for the censorship that is coming, and for a whole lot more. But our job right now is to get ready, and to prepare. What does that preparation look like? Ocasio-Cortez said shes still taking a moment to process her plan. But she said shell personally be doing a lot more direct communication i.e., methods other than social media, which can be overrun with unverified claims and outright propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Ill be planning on using my email list to give a lot more thorough and specific things about whats on my mind and how to prepare for things, she said. And she encouraged her followers to get out of their online bubbles: My recommendation is to join and enter community right now: whether it is church, or your knitting circle, or mosque or temple, or whether it is joining ... New York City DSA [Democratic Socialists of America], or Working Families Party, an interest group get into physical community. For those in despair, she talked about intentional joy being a radical act of defiance. I mean, listen: The fear is telling us something, but I also want to underscore how important it is during this time that it actually is important to be intentional about living, and living fully, and bringing joy into the day to day. And loving on the people who you love, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres like this scolding culture sometimes where its like, if someone dares to be happy in public, people want to, like, pounce on them. We are actually going to need that now more than ever not in some gauzy, you know, bubble-gum, kind of like deny how bad everything is kind of way, but that cultivating it is a tool of our survival. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Skyler Berry makes pre-rolled joints at the Robust Cannabis production facility in Cuba, Mo. on May 2, 2023 (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent). A panel of Missouri appellate judges ruled Tuesday that the constitutions plain, unambiguous language means cities and counties cannot stack marijuana sales taxes. The Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern Districts decision reversed a lower courts ruling in May that allowed both Florissant and St. Louis County to impose a 3% sales tax on marijuana products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That resulted in customers at the Florissant-based dispensary Robust Missouri 3 LLC paying a total sales tax of 20.988% a 14.988% sales tax rate plus the statewide 6% adult-use marijuana tax. The Missouri Department of Revenue broke down the total sales tax rate for adult-use marijuana products in Florissant currently. Another 6% state marijuana tax is added on, for a total of 20.98% (Source: Missouri Department of Revenue). The plain language of [the Constitution] is unambiguous, Judge John Torbitzky wrote in the unanimous opinion. Only one local government is authorized to impose an additional three percent sales tax. The constitutional amendment voters approved in 2022 legalizing recreational marijuana allowed local governments to impose additional sales tax on the products. The question before the three-judge panel was: what did voters intend by local government? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Constitution states that local government means, in the case of an incorporated area, a village, town, or city; and, in the case of an unincorporated area, a county. At a hearing in October, attorneys for St. Louis and St. Charles counties argued the word and is key in the definition. However, Robust argued voters intended for a county to be able to impose a sales tax only in unincorporated areas. The appellate judges agreed, saying an incorporated area like Florissant, the village, town, or city is the local government, not the county. According to Missouri Department of Revenues October data, 90 of the states 114 counties have enacted a 3% marijuana sales tax. Of those, 74 also include a municipality that has imposed the tax, meaning both city and county governments have been imposing a 3% tax at dispensaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays ruling helps put $3 million back into the pockets of Missouri customers each month, said Andrew Mullins, executive director for the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, and will allow the industry to continue to contribute hundreds of millions each year in sales tax revenue to the state and our local communities. The associations estimate of $3 million in excess taxation is based on Missouris monthly average of $105 million in adult-use cannabis sales. St. Louis and St. Charles counties have 30 days after the decision to request that the Missouri Supreme Court review the case. We are reviewing the ruling and determining next steps, said Doug Moore, spokesman for St. Louis County. It is unclear at this point what the financial impact would be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the judges decision, they wrote that the counties argument that the word and allows them to impose an additional tax, suffers from several serious defects. First, it wholly discounts the phrase in the case of an unincorporated area that appears immediately before the words the county, the decision states. Were this court to read [the constitution] as the counties urge, the phrase would be rendered superfluous. The judges also stated that the constitution lists the entities that can be a local government within an incorporated area. That list includes a village, town, or city, which, not coincidentally, are the three types of incorporated municipal entities recognized by the Revised Statutes of Missouri, the decision states. That list does not include a county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appellate judges also addressed the possibility of absurd outcomes that St. Louis County Circuit Judge Brian May wrote about in his ruling if the court accepted Robusts definition of local government. May wrote that if Robusts interpretation of the amendment were accepted, then a municipality or city would essentially be given carte blanche to ignore any county ordinance or regulation, including those related to public health and safety wholly unrelated to the taxing issue. May was largely talking about public health regulations particularly those that apply to marijuana dispensaries because public health in Florissant is regulated by St. Louis County. The appellate judges stated that those issues are not before this court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each such ordinance would need to be evaluated on its own merits, they said. A similar appeals case out of Buchanan County is also pending. St. Joseph dispensary Vertical Enterprises sued Buchanan County Collector Peggy Campbell, arguing that it, too, would be irreparably harmed if both taxes were imposed. Also in May, Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg ruled that the marijuana law does not limit the taxing power of counties within corporate limits of towns and cities. A date for oral arguments in the Buchanan County case has not yet been set. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse in Columbia on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA Three federal appeals judges will decide whether a civil rights group can publish interviews conducted with two South Carolina prison inmates, one of whom is on death row. A federal judge initially dismissed in September the American Civil Liberties Unions lawsuit challenging a South Carolina Department of Corrections policy that bars news media, legislators and others, from recording and publishing conversations with inmates, excluding interviews conducted for law enforcement purposes. The judge ruled that constitutional free speech doesnt extend to prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU appealed, and a federal appeals court heard arguments virtually Tuesday. Its a case that has taken on new urgency as the state resumed executions of death row inmates in September, breaking a 13-year hiatus after the state Supreme Court ruled the electric chair and firing squad are constitutional methods of capital punishment. This gives the ACLU limited time to record an interview with death row inmate Marion Bowman, who a jury convicted in 2002 of shooting a woman to death and burning her body. Publishing Bowmans story in his own voice could spur more conversations about the death penalty and potentially garner more support for his clemency petition, the ACLUs attorneys have argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the ACLU argues an interview is more persuasive than a letter, that might not be enough to get Bowman off death row. No governor in the state has commuted a death sentence since executions resumed nationally in 1976. Gov. Henry McMaster has denied clemency to the first two inmates to face execution, one of whom had support from the former head of the prison system, the trial judge who oversaw his case and three jurors who recommended his sentence. When the state might schedule Bowmans execution is still up in the air. The state Supreme Court had initially said it would set the 44-year-olds execution date Friday, but no death warrant came. Death row inmates attorneys are asking the high court to hold off on issuing any more warrants until January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless, Bowman is next in line, ACLU attorney Allen Chaney told judges Tuesday. Why the policy exists For its part, the state prison system argues its policy is in place to prevent inmates from divulging information that would create security risks, getting famous from an interview or directing conspirators outside prison to commit crimes on their behalf. It also keeps victims from having to see someone who harmed them or their loved one in the news, the department has said in legal filings. Many penal institutions have encountered severe disciplinary problems when unfettered media access to inmates has created virtual public figures within the prison society, attorneys for the corrections department wrote in a court filing. Inmates who gain celebrity status within the prison system garner a disproportionate degree of notoriety and influence among their fellow inmates. The only people who can talk to an inmate by phone are pre-approved friends, family members, spiritual leaders and attorneys, Hall said. None may record or publish the inmates conversations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policy prevents even the most innocuous recordings, Chaney said Tuesday. For example, a family member who recorded an inmate singing Happy Birthday and posted it on Facebook would violate it, the ACLU argued in court filings. The prison system allows inmates to write letters to whomever theyd like, a department spokeswoman has said previously, and news reporters have used letters from inmates to report on incidents inside the states prisons. The agency also sometimes gives tours of the states 21 prisons and allows reporters to interview inmates there. But discussions are limited to the reason for the tour, such as inmates participation in a work or study program. Inmates who violate the policy, whether by talking over the phone to members of the media or giving recorded interviews that are later used for publication, can lose certain privileges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Susan Smith lost access to her telephone, tablet and the prison canteen last month for talking to a filmmaker about killing her two young sons in 1994. Alex Murdaugh, who a jury convicted last year of killing his wife and son, also lost phone and computer access after reading aloud portions of his diary to his lawyer, who recorded the call for use in a documentary. The agency does release recordings of phone calls in response to Freedom of Information Act requests. Because that law includes an exemption for security breaches, that suggests at least some conversations dont pose a real threat, Chaney said. The policy furthers too little and suppresses too much, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prisons agency often reviews phone calls before releasing them under requests, said Kevin Hall, an attorney for the Department of Corrections. If anyone could record and broadcast any phone call, the department would have to hire staff to monitor each and every call inmates make while they are making it, he added. Imagine the demands on prison resources if that were the case, Hall said. Access versus publication While the First Amendments guarantees of free speech and free press give people a right to record audio in public, that does not extend to government-controlled places where the public does not have access, such as prisons, U.S. District Judge Jacquelyn Austin wrote in her September dismissal of the case. Past federal cases make clear that not even the media have a special right under the First Amendment to such access, Austin wrote. The ACLU has no constitutional entitlement to the access it demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU has said it already has access. Through the legal side of the organization, members can talk to Bowman and Sofia Cano, a transgender inmate the group is representing in a lawsuit claiming the prison system wont give her access to hormones. Austin ruled what the ACLU is seeking is a different type of access, one that extends beyond attorney-client privilege. The question the organization wants the Appeals Court to answer is whether non-attorney members of the organization can record those conversations and post them. The tug-of-war that we seem to be having is one of access versus publication, Hall said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLUs reasons for wanting an interview and the departments reasons for not granting one both seem legitimate, Fourth Circuit Appeals Judge Paul Niemeyer said at Tuesdays hearing. When the court might give its opinion is unclear. Your organization makes no bones about it. You want to address the capital punishment issue and increase the public debate, which is all very legitimate, Niemeyer said to Chaney. But the question is whether that interferes with the (prisons) penological interest. Using an AirTag to track luggage has been a popular tip from travel experts and influencers for years, but now some major airlines will work directly with Apple and use the geolocation technology to pinpoint missing items. More than 15 airlines including British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Qantas, United, Virgin Atlantic and more global carriers will "begin accepting Find My item locations as part of their customer service process for locating mishandled or delayed bags," Apple announced Monday. VIDEO: Airlines team up with Apple to track AirTags for lost luggage (ABCNews.com) Apple stated that "more airlines will be added over time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to ABC News, United said it "plan[s] to accept Find My item locations in select airports initially, with the goal of introducing the service system wide in early 2025." Delta Air Lines, meanwhile, said the company is "excited to support share item location beginning later this year." Additional airlines partnering with Apple to use the technology include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, and Vueling. How Apple AirTags work with airlines to track missing luggage The Points Guy founder and avid air traveler Brian Kelly, who regularly advises putting AirTags in luggage, explained that as things currently stand, without airline involvement, "you might know where your bag is, but the airline couldn't take that information, at least not in real time." PHOTO: In this undated stock photo, people are seen waiting for their luggage at an airport's baggage claim. (Adobe Stock) The airlines partnering with Apple will now be able to use GPS data to track down missing luggage using a passenger's secure Share Item Location link. Links are generated in the Find My app on a person's iPhone and are then used by the carrier's customer service team to see the AirTag location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Recipients of a link will be able to view a website that shows a location of the item on an interactive map," Apple explained in a press release. "The website will automatically update when a new location is available and will show a timestamp of the most recent update." The announcement comes as airlines like Delta are starting to offer more precise and real-time luggage updates directly in their apps. However, with existing tracking technology, Kelly said that "even if your bag gets to the airport, often the airlines are so understaffed that you may not know that your bag is there." PHOTO: In this undated stock photo, a woman is seen dropping off her luggage at the check-in counter of an airport. (Adobe Stock) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Knowing exactly where in the world your bag is [with Find My technology] can help reduce the amount of time it is until you're reunited with that bag," he added. Apple taps Delta, United, other major airlines to help track luggage with AirTags, Find My technology originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com In the November 2020 election, Joe Biden received 82% of the vote in the eastern part of Dearborn. In that same area, Vice President Kamala Harris received only 23%. The nearly 60-percentage point drop in four years was in an area where an estimated three-fourths of the residents are of Arab descent, mostly Muslim. Harris won the western part of the city, where residents generally have higher incomes and are more likely to be white, with 46% of the vote and Donald Trump receiving 42%. In 2020, Biden won west Dearborn with 61%, 16,057 votes. A Free Press analysis of individual precincts based on results provided Friday by Dearborn's city clerk reveal how much Harris lost support among areas with high concentrations of Arab American residents. In Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck and Melvindale, which have the highest percentage of residents of Middle Eastern ancestry in Wayne County, there were significant decreases in support for the Democratic nominee for president compared with 2020. Individual precinct results, which were not released until late last week, offer a more complete picture than the general citywide results available earlier. Arab American and Muslim voters interviewed by the Free Press mainly blamed the Biden administration's handling of foreign policy in the Middle East, but also sometimes cited economic and social issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're sending a message that they're tired of the Democrat agenda," Hassan Aoun, of Dearborn, who voted for Trump, said outside Salina Intermediate School on election day last week. People vote inside the McDonald Elementary School's polling place during Election Day in Dearborn on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. The Salina school, which sits near the Ford Rouge complex, is the voting site of two precincts for an area in Dearborn known as the south end, where more than 90% of its residents are estimated to be Arab American Muslim, a majority of them of Yemeni descent. A look at its results over the decades show that the Arab American community is not wedded to any particular party. In November 2000, George W. Bush, the Republican nominee for president, garnered 72% of the vote in the south end; in the March 2016 Democratic presidential primary, Bernie Sanders got 67% of the vote in the same area; four years later in the March 2020 Democratic presidential primary, Sanders did even better, getting 91%. Then in the November 2020 general election, Biden got 88% in the south end. But in last week's election, Harris got only 13% of the vote in the south end, a 75-point drop from Biden, while Trump got 55% and Jill Stein 31%. Several Yemeni American groups and clerics had endorsed Trump, expressing frustration with the Democratic Party in Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The south end is part of the eastern half of Dearborn, an area that includes all of the precincts east of the Southfield Freeway, according to the city's election precinct map. Biden received 82% of the vote in the eastern half of Dearborn. Trump got only 18% in eastern Dearborn in 2020, but that increased to 45% in this month's election while Stein came in second at 30%, followed by Harris at 23%. Trump won most of the precincts in east Dearborn except for a couple with senior citizen housing centers where most of the residents are not of Arab descent, and a precinct near the city hall building. Harris support in some of the east Dearborn precincts was between 13% to 17%. Eastern Dearborn election results, November 2024 Trump: 45% 7,449 votes Stein: 30% 4,966 votes Harris: 23% 3,758 votes Total votes for president in east Dearborn: 16,490 Eastern Dearborn election results, November 2020 Biden: 82%, 14,661 votes Trump: 18% 3,265 votes Total votes for president in east Dearborn: 18,161 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think it's a surprise to our community" that Harris lost east Dearborn, said Abed Ayoub, a Dearborn native who's the national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, a civil rights group. "It was about the genocide in Gaza, no question." Over the past year, Democrats and Harris campaign officials "have ignored our concerns, ignored our voices," Ayoub said. "We told them exactly what was going to happen and it happened." In west Dearborn in this month's election, Harris got 46%, Trump got 42% and Stein 11%. In contrast, Biden received 62% in November 2020, and Trump got 38%. Across all of Dearborn in this month's election, Trump got 43%, 17,796 votes; Harris got 37%, 15,189 votes; Stein got 17%, 7,697 votes. Voter turnout in Dearborn decreased from 64%, 44,997 votes, in 2020, compared with 54.72%, 42,923 votes, in 2024, partly due to frustration with the two main parties. Trump reached out to Arab Americans The increase in support for the Republican nominee came after a few weeks of intense outreach by the Trump campaign and Republican leaders to Arab American and Muslim communities in Wayne County. Trump visited Hamtramck in October and Dearborn on Nov. 1, the Friday before Election Day. Over the weekend before Election Day, Richard Grenell, Trump's former director of national intelligence, and some mixed martial arts fighters hosted an MMA watch party at Sheeba restaurant in Dearborn, whose owner's son said he endorsed Trump. That same weekend, Grenell visited Aladdin Sweets & Cafe, a Bangladeshi American restaurant, to campaign with Muslims. Yemeni-American leaders gifted Grenell a traditional Yemeni dagger, jambiya, placing it around his waist at a gathering recently to show their appreciation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and his campaign pushed a message that they would bring peace to the Middle East, which seemed to resonate with many Arab American voters, though others are skeptical Trump will end U.S. support for Israel's attacks in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen. The backlash against Biden could be seen in the February presidential primary, when Biden got only 4% of the vote in Dearborn's south end while "Uncommitted" got 91%. In the same area, Biden got 88% of the vote in 2020. A retired professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn who has studied Arab American communities for decades, Ron Stockton, said the Trump campaign may have pushed anti-war messaging in the final weeks to gain votes. "When Trump visited Dearborn, he was told that if he didn't call for an end to the war, he would not get the votes he hoped to get," Stockton said. "He said the words he was told to say, but one has to wonder what will come next. Will he do anything that will benefit the Palestinians as a people? Or will he listen to David Friedman, his former ambassador to Israel, whose new book advocates Israeli annexation of the West Bank." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stockton said he wonders if the shift of Arab Americans to Trump "will be a permanent shift or just a one-election move. Over the past 25 years Arab Americans have shifted back and forth but many like Trump, for various reasons, and he has been successful at winning blocs of votes within the Hispanic and African-American community. If he is successful, and this shift becomes permanent, it will restructure the American party system." Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said the day after the election in a post on X that "votes are never promised to any party or candidate, especially from a community directly impacted by a genocide." Other cities show similar pattern A look at precincts in other cities show a similar pattern to the results in Dearborn, where 55% of the residents are of Middle Eastern descent, the highest percentage among all cities in the United States. In Dearborn Heights, where the population is 39% Middle Eastern, Trump won in precincts in the northern part of the city with higher percentages of Arab Americans, according to Wayne County election results. For example, in precinct No. 2, which includes the Islamic House of Wisdom, a mosque, Trump won with 343 votes, followed by Stein with 271 votes and Harris at 228 votes. Asm 'Kamal' Rahman, of Hamtramck, at a polling site at Hamtramck High School on election day, Nov. 5, 2024. He said he voted for Trump due to economic issues, manufacturing and Gaza. Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi, a Muslim immigrant from Lebanon, had endorsed Trump and appeared on stage with him at rallies in Novi and Grand Rapids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Harris won in precincts 20-22 in the southern part of Dearborn Heights, which has a smaller percentage of Arab Americans. Trump, though, still performed well in those precincts. For example, in Precinct 20 in the southwestern part of the city, Harris got 351 votes, Trump got 290 and Stein only 22. Overall, Trump was the highest vote getter in Dearborn Heights, garnering 44% while Harris got 38% and Stein got 15%. In Hamtramck, Trump won in two precincts in the southern part of the city, where Yemeni Americans are the largest ethnic group, according to Wayne County election results. Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, an immigrant from Yemen, endorsed Trump and spoke at his rallies in Hamtramck and Grand Rapids. But Trump lost to Harris in four of the five other precincts in the city. Hamtramck City Councilman Mohammed Hassan, an immigrant from Bangladesh, had endorsed Harris and campaigned for her, mobilizing Bangladeshi Americans, who are greater in numbers in the northern part of the city. In November 2020, Biden won Hamtramck, winning with 85% of the vote over Trump, who only got 13%. But in this month's election, Harris only got 46%, a 39-point drop from Biden four years ago. Trump got 43% and Stein was at 9%, according to results from the city clerk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also came close to winning Melvindale, a working-class suburb of Detroit with a growing immigrant population where 30% of the city is of Arab descent, many of them Yemeni, according to census data. In addition to the sizable Arab American population, 23% of the city is Latino. In November 2020, Biden defeated Trump 64% to 34% in Melvindale. Four years later, support for the Democratic nominee decreased 15 points, with Harris winning the city 49% to 47% over Trump. Stein got 3%. Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Arab American precincts show reduced support for Democrats in election "As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse," Justin Welby said in a statement Andrew Milligan - WPA Pool/Getty Justin Welby on King Charles' coronation day, May 6, 2023. Justin Welby on King Charles' coronation day, May 6, 2023. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who crowned King Charles and married Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has resigned amid criticism of how he handled a probe into "the most prolific serial abuser" linked to the Church of England. Welby, 68, announced his resignation in a statement on Nov. 12, following the release of an independent review led by Keith Makin, a former social services director. Commissioned by the Church of England, the report assessed the Churchs response to abuse allegations against the late John Smyth, a volunteer at Christian summer camps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his statement, Welby said he was stepping down "in sorrow" after seeking the "gracious permission of His Majesty The King." Calls for his resignation had intensified since the report was published last Thursday, which found that Welby had not ensured a thorough investigation into accusations of abuse involving over 100 boys and young men at Christian camps decades ago. Smyth was a British attorney who "attacked boys who he met at Christian summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s" and is "believed to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England," the BBC reported. Yui Mok - Pool/Getty King Charles and Justin Welby at Buckingham Palace on March 9, 2023. King Charles and Justin Welby at Buckingham Palace on March 9, 2023. Related: The Archbishop of Canterbury Addresses Royal Family Rift: 'We Must Not Judge Them' Welby referenced the King in his resignation statement and cited the findings of Makin's report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth," Welby said. "When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024," he continued. "It is my duty to honor my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion," he said. "I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse." Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Justin Welby crowns King Charles at the coronation on May 6, 2023. Justin Welby crowns King Charles at the coronation on May 6, 2023. Related: Queen Elizabeth Had 'No Fear of Death' and 'Hope in the Future,' Archbishop of Canterbury Says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done," he said. "In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete." Welby asked for prayers for his family at this time, and emphasized that he believed stepping aside was in the best interests of the Church at this time. Welby is the most senior bishop of the Church of England, of which King Charles is the ceremonial head. In May 2023, Welby was the one to place the St. Edward's Crown on King Charles' head at his coronation. He also spoke at Queen Elizabeth's state funeral in September 2022 and memorably married the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May 2018. Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Justin Welby conducts the wedding service for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018. Justin Welby conducts the wedding service for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welby was ordained in 1992 and was announced as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury in 2012. His high-profile post brought him into close proximity with the royal family, and he played a key role in many of their religious ceremonies. Welby officiated the christenings of Prince William and Kate Middleton's children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and baptized Meghan into the Church of England before she married Prince Harry. He also led the funeral of Prince Philip in April 2021, and met with Queen Elizabeth in June 2022, later reflecting he felt the monarch had "no fear" of death. He became a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in May 2024 for his pivotal role at the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, and appeared at the State Opening of Parliament over the summer. The Archbishop previously spoke about struggling with depression, and thanked Prince William for his work in highlighting mental health in an editorial for The Sunday Times in 2020. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. LONDON (AP) Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, resigned Tuesday amid the fallout from a long-running sexual abuse scandal. Welby stepped down after an independent investigation found that he had failed to inform police about serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it. Here are the answers to some questions about the Church of England, Welbys decision and its global significance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is the Church of England? The Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church, is a Christian denomination and the official church of England. It was created in the 16th century when the English church broke away from the Roman Catholic Church. The church is part of the global Anglican Communion, a family of churches that has over 85 million members in more than 165 countries. Britains monarch is the supreme governor of the Church of England and has the power to appoint bishops and other church leaders. What is the Archbishop of Canterbury? The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Church of England and is traditionally seen as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion. Each of the 46 churches that comprise the Anglican Communion has its own primate, but the Archbishop of Canterbury is considered first among equals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who is Justin Welby? Justin Welby, 68, was the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. He worked in the oil industry for 11 years before he left in 1989 to study for the priesthood. Welby was ordained in 1992 and worked extensively in Africa and the Middle East before he became Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013. Though a skilled mediator who has worked to resolve conflicts in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa he struggled to unite the global Anglican Communion. What are the splits in the Anglican Communion? Like many Christian denominations, the Anglicans are split by disagreements over the churchs teachings about homosexuality and the role of women. While churches in England and America have become more welcoming to the LGBT community and moved to ordain women priests and bishops, some more conservative churches in Africa and Asia have resisted those changes. Those divisions have weakened the Archbishop of Canterburys influence in the Anglican Communion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why did Welby resign? An independent investigation last week released its long-awaited report into the late John Smyth, who sexually, psychologically and physically abused more than 100 boys and young men at Christian summer camps in the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe and South Africa over five decades. The 251-page report concluded that Welby failed to report Smyth to authorities when he was informed of the abuse in August 2013, soon after he became Archbishop of Canterbury. Had he done so, Smyth could have been stopped sooner and many of his victims wouldnt have been abused, the report found. Welby initially refused to resign, saying he was wrongly informed that police had already been notified and he shouldnt do anything to interfere with their investigation. But his position became untenable after a growing number of church leaders and victims criticized him for failing to take responsibility for the scandal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024, Welby said, announcing his resignation. Has the church faced other abuse allegations? Yes. Like the Catholic Church, the Church of England has faced a long series of allegations that priests and others affiliated with the church used their positions to abuse young men and women. An independent inquiry established by the government found that 390 people associated with the church were convicted of child sexual abuse between the 1940s and 2018. Deference to the authority of priests, taboos surrounding the discussion of sexuality and a culture that gave more support to alleged perpetrators than their victims helped make the Church of England a place where abusers could hide, the inquiry found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welbys supporters said he was instrumental in changing the culture of the church and improving its safeguarding procedures after he became Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013. What happens next? The process of selecting Welbys successor will begin with the Crown Nominations Commission, which nominates candidates for Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishoprics in England. The commission will send the name of a preferred candidate and an alternate to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will then advise King Charles III on his selection. The commission has 16 members, including the Archbishop of York, representatives of the clergy and laypeople, a representative of the Anglican Communion and a chair appointed by the prime minister. The News The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned Tuesday amid criticism over his apparent failure to properly investigate decades-worth of allegations of child abuse by a Church volunteer in the UK and Africa. Welby, the head of the Church of England and the leader of the third-largest Christian communion in the world, said he was stepping down in sorrow for the victims, following widespread pressure from within the Church itself as well as from political figures, including from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Welby was made aware of the allegations after becoming archbishop in 2013, a report published last week found, but the abuse, which took place in the UK, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, did not come to light publicly until 2017. The new report follows a 2022 investigation that found the Church was a place where abusers could hide, The Associated Press reported, because of taboos around sexuality and widespread reverence toward priests. Welbys decision will likely be welcomed by conservative Anglican leaders in Africa, Reuters wrote, a group of whom issued a statement of no confidence in him in 2023: Since becoming head of the Church, Welby had had a fractious relationship with its more conservative wings for his liberal stance toward same-sex marriage which angered African church leaders who considered homosexuality taboo and toward allowing women to be ordained as bishops. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the most senior leader in the Church of England, has resigned over his handling of a child abuse case, according to his official account. Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby said in a statement on Tuesday. Pressure had been mounting on Welby in recent days, following an independent review into sickening abuse committed by John Smyth, a deceased British lawyer considered the worst serial abuser linked to the Church of England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incriminating report, commissioned by the church and released November 7, tracked a worrying pattern of deference to Smyth, concluding that a serious crime was covered up. In Welbys resignation statement, he said the review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow, Welby added. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. In his statement, the archbishop said the exact timings of when he officially leaves office were yet to be decided and would be established once a review of necessary obligations has been completed. It leaves open the possibility that the archbishop will remain in position over the Christmas period, while the process of finding his successor is expected to take many months. Welby, 68, will turn 70 on January 6, 2026, the retirement age for bishops in the Church of England, which meant he only had a little over a year left in post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it is custom for Archbishops of Canterbury to be elevated to the House of Lords, Britains upper parliamentary chamber, after they leave office, the circumstances of Welbys resignation will likely bring opposition against such a move. Welby, a former oil executive, took up his post in March 2013 and was chosen as a skilled manager alongside his ability to hold different groups in the church together and focus on evangelization. However, disagreements over same-sex relationships have fractured church unity and have tested his authority. On abuse, he described himself as ashamed of the church, although insisted he sought to improve the churchs response including dramatically boosting personnel numbers for its national safeguarding personnel. Nevertheless, problems persisted, and last year the chair of the churchs safeguarding office resigned. A resignation by the Archbishop of Canterbury is extremely rare in the churchs history, and a resignation over the handling of abuse is without precedent. Welbys decision to stand down underlines how the scourge of sexual abuse has damaged the credibility of the church, with accountability demanded of its leaders. Summer camps Smyth perpetrated traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks on as many as 130 boys and young men, with abuse spanning from the 1970s up until his death, in 2018 according to the Makin Review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was accused of abusing his own family members, as well as attendees of evangelical Christian summer camps he helped run for students from Britains prestigious private colleges in the 1970s and 1980s. From 1984 to 2001, when Smyth relocated to Zimbabwe and then South Africa, church officers knew of the abuse and failed to take the steps necessary to prevent further abuse occurring, the report added. Welby worked at the summer camps that Smyth helped run. The pair exchanged Christmas cards and Welby donated small sums of money to his missions in Zimbabwe. In 2017, Channel 4 News reported on Smyths abuse. After the publication of the independent review earlier this month, Welby told the network he did not ensure the allegations were pursued as energetically and remorselessly as they should have been, when he rose to the highest rank in the church, in 2013. He was first ordained as a priest in 1993. The churchs review found that there was a missed opportunity in 2012 and 2013 by the highest levels of the church to properly report him to law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The review said that it is not possible to establish whether Justin Welby knew of the severity of the abuses in the UK prior to 2013, adding: It is most probable that he would have had at least a level of knowledge that John Smyth was of some concern. The Bishop of Newcastle was the most high-ranking church official to call for Welbys resignation. On Monday, Helen-Ann Hartley told the BBC that it would be untenable for members of the clergy to have a moral voice when we cannot get our own house in order. Throughout his tenure, Welby has demanded accountability from those accused of mishandling abuse, including his predecessor, George Carey, and the former Bishop of Lincoln. Until now, theres been no historical precedent for an Archbishop of Canterbury resigning over child abuse. This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JERUSALEM, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Four Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion in the northern Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Tuesday. IDF said four members of the infantry Kfir Brigade's 92nd Battalion "fell during combat in the northern Gaza Strip." State-owned Kan TV reported that they were hit by an anti-tank missile in Jabalia. Israel's ground offensive in Jabalia, launched early last month, is ongoing and continues to prevent residents from returning home. The United Nations has described the humanitarian situation in the northern Gaza Strip as "catastrophic," citing limited aid access allowed by Israel. Official figures show that since the start of the conflict, 787 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives, including 373 in the Gaza Strip. It was an exchange of private words with the King that finally brought the Archbishop of Canterburys tenure to an end on Tuesday morning. Having come to the conclusion that he had no choice but to resign, the Most Rev Justin Welby made arrangements to inform the King of his unprecedented decision. The monarch and the leader of the Church of England did not meet face to face, or even speak on the telephone. Instead, the resignation came through correspondence via their aides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exchange was a mere formality, and the King is understood not to have expressed a view either way about the Archbishops decision. The official announcement itself came from Lambeth Palace at 2pm in the form of a brief one-sided A4 document distributed to waiting journalists. The statement arrived hours after the Prime Minister had piled yet more pressure on to the Archbishop when reporters asked him if the Church leader should step down. Speaking at Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sir Keir Starmer said: Let me be clear, what I know of the allegations are clearly horrific, both in their scale and their content, and my thoughts as they are with all of these issues are with the victims who have obviously been failed very, very badly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments came less than three hours before the resignation was announced but Lambeth Palace and Buckingham Palace are understood to have spoken before they were made. By then, the Archbishop had endured five full days of criticism over his handling of the John Smyth child sex abuse scandal. The Rev Dr Ian Paul, an evangelical vicar who was one of the Synod members behind a petition calling for the Archbishops resignation A report published last week found that Smyth, a former barrister and evangelical Christian, had subjected more than 100 boys and young men to abhorrent abuse over several decades and the Church had covered it up. The Archbishop himself could and should have reported the case to authorities when concerns about Smyth were presented to him in 2013, according to the Makin review, which was published last Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite ignoring calls for his own resignation for five days, it was actually the Archbishop himself who appeared to first raise the possibility. In an interview with Channel 4s Cathy Newman broadcast on 7pm last Thursday night three hours after the report was made public he said: I have given it [resigning] a lot of thought and have taken advice as recently as this morning from senior colleagues, and, no, I am not going to resign. Over the weekend, no senior Church of England figure spoke out to support him. The Right Rev Joanne Grenfell, the Churchs lead bishop on safeguarding, sidestepped the question when asked on the BBC if he should resign. Meanwhile, a petition was set up by three members of the General Synod, the churchs parliament, calling for his resignation, and quickly garnered thousands of signatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evangelical Rev Dr Ian Paul, the vicar of St Nics, Nottingham, told The Telegraph he had joined forces with an Anglo-Catholic rector and a radical liberal vicar to show that the petition is not a party political issue or a a witch hunt. But the Archbishop clung on, issuing a statement on Sunday night to insist that he did not intend to resign. Calls for his resignation intensified on Monday morning, however, fuelled by appeals from several of Smyths victims. Andrew Morse, 63, who was violently beaten by Smyth as a teenager, said the Archbishops failure to act in 2013 was a dereliction of duty and that he had prioritised his position and the reputation of his church above the plight of victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not long before other victims were to follow suit, while the Prime Minister refused to back him. It was the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, who dealt the fatal blow, telling the BBC that his position was untenable. In an interview on the World at One programme, the bishop said urgent action was needed to prevent the Church of England losing complete credibility. While the Archbishop slept upon the decision, the crisis was becoming increasingly unsalvageable. Late on Monday evening, the Dean of Chapel at Kings College Cambridge added to the calls. And by Tuesday morning, a number of senior bishops had privately expressed the view that the Archbishops position was untenable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The equivalent of the men in grey suits appeared to have made clear that the Archbishop had to go. In his resignation statement, he seemed to summarise the Churchs problem over the crisis. Addressing safeguarding a persistent issue for the Church he wrote: For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done. 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 Arctic creature spotted roaming around an Oregon city last month wont be sent back north, a nonprofit said. Instead, the white fox will be turned over to a facility when wildlife officials can find one, Bird Alliance of Oregon said in a Nov. 8 Facebook post. The Arctic fox with puppy-like features stole and broke hearts when people learned her story, the nonprofit said. She was discovered in southeastern Portland, near Sellwood Bridge, the groups spokesperson Ali Berman told McClatchy News by email in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arctic foxes dont naturally occur in Oregon, so this species is considered an exotic animal here, the nonprofit said in a previous Facebook post. The fox was taken in by the nonprofit, which determined she had likely been dumped by her owner. Since then, she is doing well, and is in great health, the wildlife group said. However, because the animal was held in captivity all of her life, she wouldnt survive in the wild on her own in the Arctic tundra, the nonprofit said. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is working to find an accredited facility where she can live permanently. In the meantime, this fox has proven to be smart and food-motivated, the nonprofit said. She found all 12 mice in a large enclosed area the first time she was put in it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also loves to climb and is very good at it, even with those tiny paws, the group said. Arctic foxes are typically found in areas north of the Arctic Circle, including Canada, Russia, Greenland and Iceland, according to Wisconsins Racine Zoo. Mysterious holes are now a common sight on Florida riverbanks. Whats causing it? Python found eating deer shows theyre going after bigger prey in Florida, study says Red-bellied river creature hidden among stones found in China. Its a new species A man was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the chest Monday after police said he exchanged gunfire with another man in the 1200 block of Kings Road. Jacksonville police were called to the area at about 6:55 p.m. in reference to the shooting. The initial investigation revealed there was a verbal altercation between two adult males. During the argument, both males pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots in the direction of each other, a JSO news release states. One of the males was struck once in the chest and the injury he sustained is considered non life threatening at this time. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The remains of an Arkansas veteran will soon return home. Lake City native Sergeant Charles Edwin Beaty died on Dec. 3, 1950, at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Beaty also served in World War II. A ceremony will be held Friday when Beatys body is expected to come to Little Rock, and officials with the Emerson Funeral Home said an honor guard will receive the veterans remains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pearl Harbor veterans remains laid to rest in North Little Rock His body is currently awaiting transport in Hawaii. A gravesite ceremony will be held at noon Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Lake City Cemetery. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. The National Cold War Center in Blytheville is now partnered with a prominent institution. Center officials announced Tuesday that the museum is now a partner of the Woodrow Wilson Center in a three-year agreement. The Smithsonian Institution is a parent company of the Wilson Center. National Cold War Center in Blytheville receives $400K grant from Division of Arkansas Heritage fund Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The D.C.-based Wilson Center was chartered in 1968 by Congress to provide research-based nonpartisan and independent solutions to policymakers on various global issues. It houses the Cold War International History Project. Officials said that as part of the agreement, Wilson Center History and Public Policy director Christian Ostermann will direct the National Cold War Center full-time, helping establish the museums presence, securing new funding sources and inspiring exhibit design. Ostermann also directs the Wilson Centers Cold War history project. There are so many lessons that can be learned from the Cold War, especially as it pertains to our worlds current geopolitical landscape, Ostermann said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson joins Blythevilles National Cold War Center advisory board Ostermann added that he looked forward to establishing the Blytheville museums role in history, education and as a tourism destination. National Cold War Center board of directors chair Mary Gay Shipley said its development has been a goal for Blytheville and Mississippi County since Blytheville Air Force Base closed in 1992. This partnership with the world-renowned Wilson Center gives our efforts even more credibility and will help us establish the National Cold War Center as Americas museum of the Cold War, Shipley said. We look forward to welcoming thousands of people to our community annually to learn more about this important time in our worlds history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first National Cold War Center exhibit opened in 2020, featuring history, memorabilia, and personal stories from those who served while Blytheville Air Force Base was active from 1942 to 1992. The base initially housed B-57 bombers but transitioned to a Strategic Air Command facility as the Cold War advanced. Boozman, Crawford, Cotton introduce bill to recognize Blytheville museum as National Cold War Center Officials set museum completion for late 2027, with over 50,000 visitors projected for 2028. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Seventeen Arkansas community organizations have signed on to a letter opposing construction of a new state prison in Franklin County. Elected officials and local residents said they were blindsided by the governors announcement on Oct. 31 that the state had purchased 815 acres near Charleston for $2.95 million with the intent of building a roughly 3,000-bed prison to help alleviate crowding in public jails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a public outcry about a lack of transparency surrounding the deal, the Arkansas Board of Corrections approved the states new land purchase Friday. DecARcerate Arkansas is one of 17 organizations that signed on to the letter, according to a Monday press release. Executive director Zachary Crow said Arkansas has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the world, but despite that, state lawmakers and prison officials have consistently turned to prison expansion in an attempt to lower crime rates, address overcrowding in prisons and jails, and as a political ploy to further their own tough on crime agendas. Their lack of imagination further entrenches Arkansas in an unsustainable and oppressive system of mass incarceration, which is incapable of addressing many of the underlying societal harms that lead to behavior lawmakers deemed criminal, Crow said in a statement. Prison does nothing to address poverty, the mental health crisis, addictions, and systemic trauma. Together we must demand better of our elected officials, in pursuit of a more just and equitable Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition also signed the letter, and executive director Sarah Moore said construction of whats expected to be a multimillion dollar facility is not a good use of taxpayer money. In a state where so many households cannot come up with $100 for an emergency incident, it is fiscally irresponsible for Arkansas leadership to continue to waste taxpayer funds to build more prison beds that Arkansas can neither afford to build or to maintain, Moore said. Families are challenged each day to commit to a budget to cover their bare essentials and the state should be managing to this same challenge and is currently not fulfilling its obligation. The state spends roughly $30 million a year to house inmates in county facilities because of a lack of space in state prisons, according to the governors office. The Department of Corrections fiscal 2025 budget is roughly $618 million. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A rule change in the Arkansas Senate is causing heavy pushback from the minority party. Last week, Senate Republicans voted to block any members of the minority party from being able to vice-chair a committee. That role becomes important when the chairperson is not present for the meetings, leaving it up to the vice chair to head a committee meeting. Arkansas Democrats speak on whats next following 2024 election results Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Democratic State Sen. Greg Leding (D-Fayetteville) told KARK 4 News that was going to be hard for them to do anyway, with only one Democrat having the seniority to vice-chair a committee, and only six members of the democratic party being in the Senate altogether. This does nothing to streamline anything, make anything more efficient, Leding said. This really is about further weakening an already very weak minority. Republicans maintain this reflects the will of voters, who voted to elect an overwhelming majority (approximately 70% Republicans) to the Arkansas Senate. They (Democrats) have a role in their membership role and to be an equal member in the senate, but as far as leadership, they should not lead according to the citizens of Arkansas, Senate Majority Leader Blake Johnson (R-Paragould) said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Little Rock mayor leads Arkansas delegation roll call at Democratic National Convention In that same meeting, Democratic State Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) testified that this rule change would make them a contender for the single pettiest chamber in the United States of America. The rule change passed 20-9, with three of those nine opposed being Republicans. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALINE COUNTY, Ark. Multiple Arkansas agencies completed a search warrant on Monday that led to the arrest of a Level-3 sex offender. Arkansas State Police announced that agents from the Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce with the assistance of the Saline County Sheriffs Office and the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections executed a search warrant in the 8200 block of Zuber Road in Salem where they arrested 36-year-old Mark Beagle Jr. Arkansas couple facing 112 counts of false imprisonment, accused of locking child in bathroom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said Beagle was booked into the Saline County Detention Center and is facing 152 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. ASP said the search warrant was the result of an investigation prompted by a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) tip originating from a social media platform. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Armed police arrested a man outside the Houses of Parliament after reports of a person carrying knives. Police cars could be seen parked in front of Carriage Gates one of the most prominent entrances to the Palace of Westminster following the incident on Tuesday afternoon. A man wearing a red hooded top could be seen handcuffed and surrounded by police. The area was cordoned off during the incident and the entrance was closed. Metropolitan Police say no injuries have been reported The Metropolitan Police said: Police were called at 2.01pm on Tuesday Nov 12 to reports of a man in possession of knives outside Parliament, SW1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers attended and a 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He will be taken to a police station. No injuries have been reported. A UK Parliament spokesman said: We are aware of an incident outside Carriage Gates. Parliamentary Security and the Metropolitan Police are present and managing the situation. For further information please contact the Metropolitan Police. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After sourcing all of its TNT from overseas allies, the U.S. Army has taken a step forward to begin producing the explosive material domestically by awarding a contract to REPKON USA-Defense LLC to design and build a new production facility in Graham, Kentucky. The contract has a ceiling of $425 million, according to a service statement, but does not provide a construction timeline. This award will reestablish TNT production swiftly and at scale on U.S. soil for the first time in decades, the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a major step forward in rebuilding our industrial base and ensuring we have the critical capabilities to support our warfighters, Doug Bush, Army acquisition chief, said in the statement. Reshoring TNT production gives us the ability to control and secure our supply chain for this vital component, especially in an era of increasing global challenges. The Army has spent several years since the start of the war in Ukraine working to diversify its supplier base for 155mm artillery shells. Production previously relied on critical components from single sources across the supply chain. Bush told Defense News earlier this fall that the service was racing toward a goal of shoring up all major single source that provide parts or materials for 155mm munitions by the end of 2025 and said to expect a a lot of ribbon cuttings between now and the end of the year. The U.S. has not produced TNT domestically for decades and was considering possible locations to produce it to include Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Virginia, Bush told Defense News in a previous interview. He said at the time that once a contract was in place, the plan was to build it in 48 months. This new state-of-the-art facility is essential to the [Joint Program Executive Office for [Armaments and Ammunition]s mission to develop, procure and field safe, reliable and lethal munitions to our joint warfighters and international partners, Maj. Gen. John Reim, head of JPEO A&A, said. This project will also further strengthen our defense industrial base, enabling munitions production at speed and scale. BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged all-out efforts to treat the people injured in a car ramming case on Monday in Zhuhai City in south China's Guangdong Province. Xi also demanded punishing the perpetrator in accordance with the law. Up to now, the case has led to the death of 35 people, with 43 severely injured. Nov. 12An arrest has been made in connection with an arson fire to a Headstart building in McDowell County. On Monday, November 11, Trooper E. C. Nunn of the West Virginia State Police Welch Detachment responded to a 911 call of a structure fire in the Elkhorn area of McDowell County with a suspicious individual seen leaving the scene. The suspect, later identified as 19 year old Anthony Bale Scott, address not provided, set fire to the Elkhorn Headstart building, according to Captain R.A. Maddy, deputy chief of staff for the West Virginia State Police Maddy said Scott left the area, but returned and set fire to a second building in the Elkhorn community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maddy said Nunn located Scott leaving the immediate area of the second fire. Further investigation confirmed Scott had set both fires, according to Maddy. Maddy said Scott was taken into custody and charged with two counts of second degree arson. Nunn determined Scott traveled to the area from Michigan by train-hopping. Maddy said the investigation continues. The Headstart building is located in the Elkhorn community, which is midway between the Maybeury and Northfork communities. PENNINGTON GAP, Va. (WJHL) The Virginia State Police (VSP) are looking into the cause of a fire that destroyed the horse stalls at Leeman Field Park in Pennington Gap. The Town of Pennington Gap announced in a social media post that the fire occurred around 11:30 p.m. Monday. Sean Williams offered plea deal ahead of child porn trial Town leaders said VSP is investigating the cause of the fire and video footage from the park is being reviewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennington Gap Police Chief Matt Lawson told News Channel 11 that state arson investigators will be on the scene of the fire Wednesday to determine the cause. Anyone who was in the area Monday night or who may have information is asked to contact the Pennington Gap Police Department at 276-546-1177 ext. 3. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma Citys Asian community said they have asked for changes to the Oklahoma City Police Department following the release of video showing use of force against a 71-year-old Vietnamese man. We were forewarned it would be significant, said Thuan Nguyen, president-elect for Vietnamese American Communities of Oklahoma. OKCPD said it was investigating the October 27 incident after an officer pulled over Lich Vu for a traffic stop. The officer said in body camera video that he pulled Vu over for an illegal U-turn on NW 39th Expressway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department released body camera video and store surveillance video on Friday. The officer, who has not been named, can be seen asking Vu to sign a ticket. When Vu refused, the officer told Vu, If you dont sign this, you go to jail. The officer then called Vu ridiculous. Minutes later, Vu can be seen placing his hand on the officers arm. In the video, Vu can be seen pointing a finger at the officer and telling him to shhh. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Bodycam reveals officer slamming elderly man to the ground The officer then threw Vu to the ground where his head hit the pavement. He was then handcuffed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like thats pretty excessive, said Nguyen. News 4 asked Nguyen if he had seen the video and his reaction to the Vu touching the officer. You shouldnt argue with the cop, but in certain cases, I feel like we should be able to give and be given an opportunity to hear our side of the story before a citation gets issued, said Nguyen. In the video, Vu can be heard trying to explain the incident to the officer multiple times. Nguyen said Vu can speak English but there was a language barrier and miscommunication during the traffic stop. For a police officer to think that a 71-year-old man could actually intentionally hurt him, said Nguyen. Our Asian community feels an implicit bias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OHP releases body camera footage of chase, shootout with armed robbery suspect on Turner Turnpike Vu has remained in the hospital since the incident. He suffered from a brain bleed and had surgery Friday. Family members told News 4 on Monday that Vu was in and out of consciousness, but stable. He was suffering from bone cancer at the time of the traffic stop. Nguyen said Vu and his wife had just left church when he was pulled over. He said Vu was an active member of the community, often times feeding and caring for the homeless in Oklahoma City. Asian leaders in the metro have met with Oklahoma City Police and the chief to ask for policy changes. They have had conversations about adding language translation equipment to officers uniforms. The department already has translators on staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre going to try to invest in language translation services for police officers when theyre approaching a person that has a language barrier, said Nguyen. The department said in a social media post about the incident that it wanted to be transparent and accountable. An investigation was immediately initiated, and the officer was placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation. The incident remains under investigation and will be presented to the Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office soon, said a social media post by the Oklahoma City Police 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Donald Trump won the 2024 election, but that has not stopped right-wing media outlets and social media users from making misleading claims about election integrity. Last Thursday, Newsmax host Carl Higbie aired a map showing the states that Vice President Kamala Harris won and highlighted that nearly all of them do not require voters to present identification. I find it funny that almost all the states that Harris won dont require photo ID, Higbie said. Wow, wow. Its almost like where its easier to cheat, the cheaters win. I never would have thought, Shawn Farash, a right-wing internet podcaster who joined Higbie on-air, reacted. I never would have thought. On Sunday, Elon Musk tweeted out an image of the Newsmax map. Must be a coincidence, he wrote, along with an eye-roll emoji. Dear President-elect Trump, Hollywood actor James Woods also tweeted with the image. We need government issued FREE photo ID required for all federal elections. This must be enacted, or we will be right back in the socialist hell you just saved us from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Newsmax map shows Harris winning two states that require photo ID, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. That has not stopped social media users from claiming that Harris won only states with no voter ID laws, nor from saying that she won every state with no photo ID. Neither claim is true. Harris won the states with no voter ID requirements, one X user, Dennis Michael Lyncha self-described unapologetic truth tellertweeted Sunday with the Newsmax map. Democrats won every NO ID REQUIRED state, another X user tweeted with the image. Democrats win the States without Voter ID, tweeted another X user, Publius, to his more than 60,000 followers. In reality, Harris won some states that do require photo ID, and Trump won some that did not. In total, 26 states do not require a photo ID in order to vote. Of those, 15 do not require any ID and 11 require some form of non-photo identification. Harris won 13 of the 15 states that have no ID requirement, and won four of the 11 states that require non-photo identification. Meanwhile, Trump won two of the 15 states that require no ID whatsoeverNevada and Pennsylvaniaand won seven of the 11 states that accept non-photo IDs, including Arizona, Iowa, and West Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Reports said an attempt early Tuesday to set a vacant South Side building on fire failed. Read next: Victim identified in fatal Howland fire; fire marshal investigating Police were called just after midnight to Glenwood and West Princeton avenues where a neighbor said they were putting their dog outside when they spotted someone at a building on the corner pouring liquid around the building before getting into a SUV and driving away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said a distinct odor was in the air around the building. The fire department was called, reports said. Police searched the area for the SUV but could not find 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 WKBN.com. The Indiana Statehouse. (Getty Images Plus) Eleven adult content companies and a trade organization say the state of Indianas discovery requests in an age verification lawsuit are invasive and harassing prompting Attorney General Todd Rokitas office to dismiss the allegations of overreach as outlandish. The dozen plaintiffs, which include Pornhubs parent company Aylo, want a federal judge to pause discovery until the U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on a similar case, or to extend deadlines several months. Rokitas team wants to keep moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana lawmakers approved Senate Enrolled Act 17, requiring pornography websites to verify user ages, in March. They hoped to keep children from accessing pornography, but the companies said it would be costly to implement and violate First Amendment and privacy rights. A federal judge blocked enforcement in June before its intended July effectiveness date, but an appeals court rolled back the preliminary injunction in August. The parties have already agreed to delay deadlines by two months. Magistrate Judge Mario Garcia approved that last month. Discovery spat Discovery, when the parties in a lawsuit exchange information, is set to close in late February after the two-month extension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an October filing, the plaintiffs said theyd proposed a timeline with the understanding that discovery would be narrow and simple. They accused Indiana of making 588 requests and interrogatories, and of asking each plaintiff for depositions on 115 topics. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The requests and topics, plaintiffs argued, are irrelevant, overly burdensome, disproportionate to the needs of the case, and harassing and chilling. The Attorney General is seeking to rummage through some of the most sensitive parts of their business as the price for protecting their First Amendment rights and those of adult Hoosiers, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs asked the judge to stay proceedings, positing that the Supreme Court could resolve the disputes over discovery, the pause would save both parties significant time and resources on discovery and that the break wouldnt hurt Indianas chances in court. States response Indiana struck back in a filing last week, countering that its discovery efforts were reasonable and relevant. Now that discovery is underway, the Pornographers cry foul and run to this Court to seek a discovery stay, the filing said. The state claimed the plaintiffs dubbed the Pornographers throughout the 19-page memorandum had inflated the number of requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State attorneys recounted issuing a set of 42 requests for production of documents to Aylo Premium and Aylo Freesites, noting that the two entities share one director and filed a single plaintiff-related declaration earlier in the case. The Pornographers now count these as 84 requests, simply because the requests were issued to two parties and the Pornographers have chosen to have those entities respond individually, they wrote. It added that the parties have only met once, and could still reach agreement on the discovery disputes, in contrast to the plaintiffs suggestion of impasse. The state said it was willing to narrow or otherwise negotiate the scope of responses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, the state argued that the plaintiffs hadnt established good cause to stay discovery because the Supreme Courts decision is unlikely to clarify things. The stay the Pornographers seek would simply mean that, eight months from now when the Supreme Court issues a decision in Paxton, the parties will pick up the discovery process where they left off, with none of their potential disputes narrowed and no progress made in this important case, the state said. Third, the state said a stay actually would hurt it. If noted that, after the Supreme Courts decision, the appeals court could let the preliminary injunction go back into effect until the Hoosier case is resolved. In that situation, it would matter a great deal to Indiana if the parties were eight months further along in discovery versus only beginning to meet and confer about outstanding discovery requests, the attorneys wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state said it cares because the lawsuit threatens enforcement of a duly enacted state law directed by a compelling interest in protecting children from online pornography. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) The appointed attorney for a man accused of terroristic threats to a Wichita Falls school has filed for a lower bond after his client was jailed on two $800,000 bonds. PREVIOUS STORY: School threat suspect indicted; remains jailed David Codd was arrested on September 18 for the alleged threats to Barwise Middle School, and his bond was set at $50,000. He posted the bond the next day, and a few days later, the district attorneys office filed a motion for a higher bond on the grounds that he posed an extreme risk to the community and stated the law allows higher bonds in such exceptional threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The emergency filing came after authorities said Codd ordered an assault-style rifle online the day after he was released from jail. The D.A.s motion included attachments with information and police statements that Codd is volatile. The motion was granted, and Codd was rejailed on the new bond on Sept. 27. A habeas corpus hearing for the lower bond is set for Thursday, November 14, 2024, in the 78th District Court. Codds attorney filed the motion on grounds the current bond is excessive, oppressive, and beyond his clients financial means. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. (WJBF) President Elect Donald Trump is promising to end the war in Ukraine. In the meantime, Russia continues to attack a country that is defending its democracy. A retired Augusta minister and his wife are just back from a mission trip to Ukraine. NewsChannel 6s Mary Morrison had a chance to talk with them before they left and after they returned home. Ukraine. Under siege by Russian forces for more than two years. Tens of thousands dead. Homes and businesses destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before this latest conflict a retired Augusta First Baptist Church Pastor and his wife went with groups on numerous mission trips to the region. This is their life. These people are suffering, dying, burying their young soldiers everyday, said Dr. Rodger Murchison. This time the brave couple decided to make the trip alone. Margaret Murchison, a retired Spanish teacher prepares for the trip, packing up her supplies. Ill actually be teaching ladies in the seminary how to do bible studies, said Margaret. Dr. Rodger Murchison double checks his itinerary. Hell lecture to seminar students. Ill be lecturing at the Lviv Theological Seminary. Ill give 18 lectures to 30 ministerial students there on the subject of pastoral care and grief ministry in a war zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no easy way to get from Augusta to Ukraine. From Atlanta its a seven hour flight to Amsterdam. Many hours later their arrive in Poland, where they are greeted by Aleksey Yuditsenko, a Ukrainian Chaplin. He is very savvy about how to go, where to go, when to go, and we know that well be taken care of, said Margaret. Their friend drives them six hours from Poland to Ukraine. Thankfully no problems at border checkpoints but this Augusta couple is aware of the dangers. Despite that. They go. When theres a war anywhere, it touches my heart because I think God doesnt want war, he wants his children to live together and thats what were trying to promoter by going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the living and sometimes dying in a war zone that we in America can only begin to imagine. In September in Lviv, at least seven people died and 60 people were injured when a Russian bomb fell on this apartment building. A few days later Dr. Murchison would lecture at the Lviv Theological Seminar. Not far from that deadly bombing. As in any war there are shortages. Their friend Aleksey shows them a warehouse full of merchandise. The couple would fill bags with good and then hand out to desperate survivors. They also visited the Equilibrium Ministry. Here children who have been traumatized by the war find help. Later in the month, the couple were in Khust, Ukrain where the air raid signal warned of a possible attack. They had to go down several flights of stairs to the basement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once home, they told me what that was like. Down there, we went with our students, and they lined up against the wall and they started playing guitars and the piano or keyboard, and they started singing songs of hope and that was just amazing to me. I really did not feel fear, said Margaret. The biggest fear of all is that Russia wins and Ukraine loses its freedom. And NATO countries fear they may be next. As for the Murchisons, their reason for venturing into a war zone is simple. We gain strength from them, said Dr. Murchison. We thought Mary, that we were going to just give a blessing to these people but how that works is it becomes a double blessing is they blessed us by allowing us to serve in ministry along with them. It was a wonderful experience. 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 WJBF. TEHRAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 42 others injured after a bus overturned Monday night on an intercity road in the western Iranian province of Kurdestan, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported early Tuesday. Forty-two others were injured in the accident, which occurred in Qorveh county at 20:40 local time (1710 GMT), the report said. There were 46 passengers on the bus when the accident occurred in Qorveh county at 20:40 local time (1710 GMT), Hossein Jafari, head of the emergency medical services of Kurdestan University of Medical Sciences, was quoted as saying. The injured have been rushed to medical centers in the province, he added. The official news agency IRNA said that slippery road and over-speeding might be factors behind the accident. DENVER (KDVR) Aurora Fire Rescue extinguished a blaze inside a two-story, single-family home on South Uvalda Street Monday night, but took the opportunity to caution residents about accidental electrical fires from home heating systems. At about 6:26 p.m., units arrived in the 400 block of South Uvalda Street and found light smoke within the home. Crews pulled down some ceiling drywall to assess the situation, the fire agency reported, and found an active fire in the attic space. Heavy accumulating snow causes Denver carport to collapse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No residents were injured two adults and two dogs were displaced by the fire, but they were able to safely evacuate before crews were on scene. The Red Cross has been contacted to help with temporary accommodations. Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and originated in the attic. Aurora Fire Rescue shared images of ceiling drywall that was pulled down to expose an accidental fire that started in the attic. Aurora Fire Rescue shared images of ceiling drywall that was pulled down to expose an accidental fire that started in the attic. Aurora Fire Rescue noted that as cold weather continues throughout the next few months, home heating systems will be used more. The agency urged residents to prevent similar fires in their own homes by following electrical safety tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Always plug major appliances directly into appropriate wall outlets. All major appliances, which could have a large electrical load, should not be plugged into extension cords or power strips Do not overload electrical outlets Overloaded outlets can overheat and become fire hazards Fully insert electrical plugs into sockets Loose connections can generate heat and cause a fire risk Never force a three-pronged plug into a two-slot outlet The third prong is for grounding. Compromising the grounding also compromises the safety of the plug If you have young children, install tamper-resistant electrical outlets to prevent accidental shocks Replace wall outlets where plugs do not fit snugly Loose outlets can lead to arcing, increasing the risk of fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The Aurora agency said that proactive steps and routine safety checks are key to keeping home environments safe. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. An award-winning university building that won a prestigious architecture prize is set to be demolished less than 30 years after it was built, sparking widespread criticism. The Centenary Building was built for Salford University in northern England and won the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize, which names Britains best new building, in 1996. However, the university has confirmed to CNN that it will be knocked down after sitting empty for several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Centenary Building has been part of our university estate for a number of decades, unfortunately its ageing infrastructure means it no longer meets modern standards and requirements, said the university in a statement sent to CNN on Tuesday. It has now been vacant for a third of its built life, says the statement, which adds that the demolition is part of the comprehensive redevelopment of the local area. Architect Stephen Hodder said in a statement sent to CNN on Tuesday that the announcement had filled him with great dismay. This is not borne out of nostalgia, it being the inaugural RIBA Stirling Prize winner, or indeed the importance of the building to the development of our practice, said Hodder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I simply cannot support the demolition of a building that is only thirty years old. Consideration really needs to be given to the carbon emissions from its demolition and replacement, he added. Ageing infrastructure is not a justification for demolition and can be upgraded or replaced, said Hodder. For a university that promotes its sustainability credentials, the intention to demolish surely undermines the credibility of its policy. We urge it to re-consider. In October, the Twentieth Century Society, a campaign group that works to protect 20th century buildings in the UK, submitted a listing application to Historic England to protect the building. Historic England is a public body that works to care for the countrys public environment. Of concrete cross-wall construction, the building is planned around an internal street, with teaching and administration spaces arranged to either side, connected by galleries and bridges, reads a statement announcing the bid published October 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Societys proactive listing application has been prompted by fears that rapidly encroaching re-development of the surrounding area could ultimately threaten the building, it said. In a statement sent to CNN on Tuesday, the society said that it was hugely disappointing that plans to turn the building into a school or community center had failed and it was now slated for demolition. That would be (a) wholly irresponsible and unnecessary outcome, and we urge the university to reconsider, reads the statement. This is a sophisticated piece of modern architecture, with clear opportunities for adaptive re-use. It acted as catalyst for previous regeneration in the area, and could do so again, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RIBA board chair Jack Pringle said that, although the organization could not comment on the Centenary Building specifically, the inventive re-use of buildings is critical to our net zero future. Secondly, there must be a case for all Stirling Prize winning buildings to be considered for listing, said Pringle in a statement to CNN Tuesday. By definition they are the best buildings of the year, and to list at least one modern building a year, after due consideration and maybe a little time, would not seem unreasonable. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com As representatives from nearly 200 countries, along with hundreds of journalists, arrived in Azerbaijan in November for the U.N. climate conference known this year as COP29, they bring with them a level of scrutiny the hosts aren't accustomed to and don't often tolerate. Azerbaijan has had a poor human rights record for many years and the government has regularly targeted journalists, activists and independent politicians. President Ilham Aliyev and his administration are accused by human rights organizations of spearheading an intensifying crackdown on freedom of speech ahead of the climate summit, including against climate activists and journalists. Aliyevs father, Haidar, ruled Azerbaijan from 1993 until he died in 2003 and Ilham took over. Both suppressed dissent as the country of almost 10 million people on the Caspian Sea basked in growing wealth from huge oil and natural gas reserves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elections since independence from the Soviet Union in the 1990s haven't been regarded as fully free or fair. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Azerbaijan's most recent parliamentary elections in September took place in a restrictive environment. They were marked by turnout of 37% and no opposition party won any seats. Human Rights Watch said the vicious crackdown against journalists and human rights activists has intensified over the last two years with phony criminal charges against critics and highly restrictive laws that make it hard for media and activists to work. Ahead of COP29, Azerbaijan's authorities have extended the pretrial detention of at least 11 journalists from Azerbaijan's remaining independent news outlets on currency smuggling charges related to alleged funding from Western donors. Azerbaijani government officials did not respond to numerous requests from The Associated Press for an interview or comment on their actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A look at just five of Baku's critics currently detained in Azerbaijan: Ulvi Hasanli and Sevinj Vagifgizi Hasalni and Vagifgizi are journalists and leaders of Abzas Media, an independent online outlet. Abzas Media has investigated reports of protests and pollution at a gold mine in western Azerbaijan, reconstruction in the Karabakh region and corruption allegations against high-ranking officials. Hasanli and Vagifgizi, along with four colleagues, were arrested in November 2023. Azerbaijani officials allege they conspired to smuggle money into Azerbaijan and claim they found more than $40,000 in Hasanlis office. The journalists deny the allegations and Hasanli said the money was planted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is why they decided to eliminate Ulvi and his team ... to make sure they would no longer be able to expose their wrongdoings, Rubaba Guliyeva, Hasanli's wife told the AP. Hasanli and Vagifgizi are imprisoned in Baku with no trial date. Guliyeva called conditions there extremely bad and said she had seen bruises on her husband and had been told that their meetings and phone calls are monitored. Hasanli is allowed brief visits with his 2-year-old daughter but struggles when she leaves, his wife said. Vagifgizi's mother Ophelya Maharramova said the prison has water shortages and that the water isn't drinkable. Prisoners suffer from hair loss and their teeth are rotting," she said. Despite being imprisoned, Vagifgizi still asks what investigations Abzas Media is publishing, her mother said: It's what makes her feel motivated." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guliyeva said states should boycott COP29 because of Azerbaijan's poor human rights record. Gubad Ibadoghlu Ibadoghlu is an academic and economist at the London School of Economics who was detained in Azerbaijan in July 2023. He was moved to house arrest in April after spending months in prison. He was accused by Azerbaijan of selling counterfeit money, but his children dispute the charges. They believe he was targeted because he investigated corruption in Azerbaijans oil and gas industry and because he is an opposition figure. Ibadoghlu's sons say he also set up a charitable organization in the United Kingdom to work with the UK Home Office to try to transfer money confiscated by the National Crime Agency from rich Azerbaijanis to the charity to serve the people of Azerbaijan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ibadoghlu is also the chairman of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Prosperity Movement, which has been denied registration as a political party in Azerbaijan. His son Emin Bayramov told AP his father was arrested by unidentified police officers who beat his mother when she questioned who they were. Ibadoghlu has heath issues including diabetes and his family say he is being denied medical care. Another son, Ibad Bayramov, told AP the International Committee of the Red Cross had tried to visit him four times but were not allowed to see him. Ibadoghlu also has no trial date. His sons have accused Azerbaijans government of delaying it until after the climate summit to avoid negative publicity. Azerbaijan hosting COP29 while carrying out a crackdown on freedom of speech brings shame on the international community, Emin Bayramov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anar Mammadli Mammadli is a human rights and climate activist who was detained by masked men and driven away while he was on his way to pick up his child from nursery in April in Baku. He has also been accused of smuggling and of trying to unlawfully bring money into Azerbaijan. He denies the charges. He heads an election monitoring and democracy group that joined others to co-found the Climate of Justice Initiative in Azerbaijan. In an open letter, the groups criticized Azerbaijan as one of the most problematic countries in Europe in terms of political and civil liberties. Azerbaijan, the groups said, has not implemented a systematic policy to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate emissions have continued to rise and oil production has polluted land, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human Rights Watch said Mammadli has been a key defender of human rights in Azerbaijan, highlighting violations of fundamental freedoms." He has called for freedom for political prisoners and an improved legal and political environment for human rights activists. In a previous case, Mammadli was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison in 2014 on charges of tax evasion, illegal business and abuse of office. Amnesty International said the charges were trumped up, and he was awarded the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize shortly after he was sentenced. He was pardoned in 2016. Like the others, Mammadli is imprisoned awaiting a trial date. Akif Gurbanov Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gurbanov is chairman of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, an independent organization that seeks to develop a more open society through democratic initiatives such as training young journalists, human rights defenders and economists. He was detained in March after police searched his home and raided the IDI's office. Later police accused him and others of currency smuggling. At the same time, authorities raided the offices of the online news platform Toplum TV and the civil society organization Platform III Republic both co-founded by Gurbanov. Toplum TV worked with the other organizations to train young journalists, Human Rights Watch said. Platform III Republic is an organization that promotes discussion about Azerbaijani politics, good governance and proposes development strategies for the country's future. Gurbanov's wife, Ayan Musayeva, told AP that he was arrested for his work defending human rights, providing alternative information, speaking the truth." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States attending COP29 in Baku, she said, should be calling for his immediate release along with all other political prisoners in Azerbaijan. ___ This story has been updated to correct the location where Azerbaijan officials claim to have found money in Ulvi Hasanli's case to his office, not his home. ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. The UN Climate Change Conference host, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, has accused Western "fake news media" and environmental organizations of a slander campaign against his country, in his address to fellow leaders. Calling Azerbaijan a "petro-state" shows a lack of knowledge, said the 62-year-old authoritarian leader, who has ruled the former Soviet republic for almost 20 years. Figures from the International Energy Agency show that oil and gas account for around 90% of the country's exports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aliyev repeated his controversial quote that Azerbaijan's oil and gas reserves are a "gift of the God [sic]." "Countries should not be blamed for having them and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market because the market needs them, the people need them," he said. Oil and gas are natural resources, just like gold, copper, wind or the sun. "To accuse us that we have oil is the same like [sic] to accuse us that we have more than 250 sunny days a year in Baku," he said. Negotiators at the last UN climate conference agreed to "transition away" from the use of fossil fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the COP29 meeting, representatives are to discuss how to contain the climate crisis and mitigate its consequences. The summit also aims to address new financial commitments to poor countries that are particularly affected by climate change. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A woman who pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of her estranged boyfriend was sentenced Tuesday to 21 years in prison. Cony Alvarado-Romero, 33, told police she fired a single shot at Jose Luis Hernandez Laureano after they fought in east Bakersfield. She claimed he assaulted her and she fired as he walked away. Suspect in fatal Marketplace shooting identified as 15-year-old boy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bullet struck Hernandez Laureano, 30, from behind near his left shoulder and exited through his chest. He was pronounced dead at Kern Medical. Alvarado-Romero had no injuries, police said in court documents. She was initially charged with murder and Hernandez Laureanos family says murder is what she committed. No one will ever convince us that this was a crime of passion or an act committed in the heat of the moment, Hernandez Laureanos sister-in-law said before sentencing, reading a statement prepared by her and Hernandez Laureanos brother. She said Alvarado-Romero planned the killing, calling her a woman without morals or values who feels no remorse. She said she hopes Alvarado-Romero is forever haunted by her actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no reason Hernandez Laureano had to die, she said. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage (Hernandez Laureano) was taken from us . . . in a manner that was both cruel and senseless, she said. Hernandez Laureano was shot Nov. 17, 2021, on Latham Street. When police arrived, Hernandez Laureano, lying bleeding in the street, pointed to Alvarado-Romero and said Ella me disparo (she shot me), according to court documents. Alvarado-Romero denied it. But later, confronted with what police learned from security camera footage and neighbors, she admitted to firing the shot saying she did so only after Hernandez Laureano assaulted her, according to the documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alvarado-Romero was released from custody shortly after the shooting after prosecutors sent the case back for further investigation. She was charged in October 2022. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. State elections officials said Maryland continues to count ballots in advance of local and state deadlines at the end of the week. Some counties with larger numbers of uncounted votes may have to extend their counts a few days something allowed by state law. File photo by Danielle E. Gaines. Election boards around the state are back at work counting the remaining votes from the 2024 election, following a series of bogus bomb threats made on Friday. The threats emailed to 15 local election boards in Maryland were similar to incidents reported in other states. They came in as many boards were wrapping up counting for the day and did not result in any disruptions or delays, Maryland Election Administrator Jared DeMarinis said during a call Monday with reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears that they (the threats) originated from overseas, and we are working with the FBI and our federal partners on that as well, he said. DeMarinis said he made the decision Friday to ask for a safety check of each local election facility. That was one of my calls once it started to look like more and more were getting bomb threats, said DeMarinis. We wanted to make sure that everyone is safe. Maryland Election Administrator Jared DeMarinis. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. According to the state office, the county boards that received threats Friday were: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Calvert, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Montgomery, Queen Annes, Somerset, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeMarinis said the threats were like those sent to other states including New York and Oregon. But he said election officials had prepared for potential disruptions and other emergencies and conducted tabletop drills in advance of the first ballots being cast. Despite the threats, DeMarinis said voting in Maryland was a relatively smooth during this election. He called the threats an outlier. I was very happy with the election, DeMarinis said. On Election Day, civility reigned supreme in Maryland. Final turnout for the 2024 election may ultimately be lower than expected. On Election Day, DeMarinis had expressed hopes that the state might exceed 3 million total voters and perhaps surpass 81% voter turnout. But currently, the state is on pace for as many a 2.7 million votes cast. Voter turnout stands at about 63% so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were still counting, DeMarinis said. It could be ticking up a little. About 42% of those votes were cast in person on Election Day. Slightly less than 37% voted during eight days of early voting, and about one in five votes were cast by mail or using one of the 280 drop boxes located around the state, DeMarinis said. The state also saw a record number of provisional ballots cast about 135,000 statewide. Local boards will begin counting those ballots on Wednesday. Were estimating it will be higher than 2020, DeMarinis said. He added that the state is doing a deeper dive into why there were more provisional ballots this year, including asking voters why they were voting provisionally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One potential cause is what DeMarinis, on Election Day, called convenience voters. The term was used in reference to delays at polling places in College Park and Burtonsville. Voters found longer wait times linked to some who had to vote provisionally because they did not go to their assigned polling place. Most of the state is expected to complete vote counting by Nov. 15. Some larger jurisdictions with more uncounted votes may need more time something allowed by law. The Board of State Canvassers is scheduled to certify the state elections on Dec. 5. I was very happy with the election. On Election Day, civility reigned supreme in Maryland. Maryland Election Administrator Jared DeMarinis It is not anything new, or anything that would be, I would say, untoward, or something thats outside of the bounds of election administration, he said of a potential extension for some local boards. They will count every ballot. They will make sure they work tirelessly at it. Theyll get it done so that the state will certify on the 5th without problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state board is also scheduled to conduct audits of the vote. One audit will include a digital review of every vote cast on Election Day or during early voting, as well as those delivered by mail or drop box. Its an automated tabulation, DeMarinis said. This tabulation verifies the accuracy of the voting system and provides confidence in the election results. A second audit a manual count of randomly selected precincts in each county will also be conducted. The states presidential electors are scheduled to meet on Dec. 17. The election is over, but election work is still ongoing, DeMarinis said. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) A special tribunal in Bangladesh on Tuesday asked the international police organization Interpol to issue a red notice for the arrest of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in connection with the deaths of hundreds of protesters during a mass uprising against her. Hasina fled to India on Aug. 5 with her close aides and former ministers, ending a 15-year rule. Nobel Peace laurate Muhammad Yunus took over as the interim leader of the South Asian nation on Aug. 8, and later reconstituted the tribunal that once handled charges of crimes against humanity during the countrys 1971 independence war against Pakistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement B.M. Sultan Mahmud, a prosecutor at the tribunal, told The Associated Press that they wrote to Interpol through the police chief seeking assistance from the France-based organization in the arrest of Hasina and others. The Yunus-led government has promised to try Hasina and said that it would seek her extradition from India. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Taylors Barber Shop in Huntsville is known for giving customers a nice haircut with great customer service. Ronnie Dent is a regular at Taylors and said he enjoys his conversations with his barber, Ollie Taylor Jr. I get words of wisdom from him Dent said with a chuckle. Trial date moved for Decatur chiropractor accused of poisoning wife Ollie Taylor Jr. giving a haircut to Ronnie Dent on Veterans Day. Image credit: WHNT. The other barbers werent surprised at all to see Dent walk through the door on Veterans Day. They all greeted him with a smile as he walked in with two dozen doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, which he wanted to share with the staff and any veteran customers to come in after him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he said free, I couldnt pass that by! Dent told News 19 from the barber chair. Taylors offered free haircuts for veterans from 9 a.m. to noon. Its the 5th year that Taylors has offered this service for veterans. Taylors Barber Shop located at 11309 Memorial Pkwy SE Ste G, Huntsville, AL, United States, Alabama. Image credit: WHNT Its more than a haircut, said Ollie Taylor Jr. Its a gesture showing respect for the great work that theyve done for our country, to just let them know that were truly thankful. Huntsville Police investigating after truck crashes into home That gesture goes a long way for veterans, like Dent. Along with many other Vietnam-era veterans, military service wasnt a choice. was drafted, Dent said. Two weeks after I finished college, I got my draft notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dent told News 19 that he served in the Vietnam War for five and a half years. He says that time changed the course of his life. The military straightened me out, and I was very fortunate I got chosen for leadership training school, Dent said. I think that was the big difference, and moving forward going to airborne school and then ranger academy, it just changed my life. About two years ago, Dent and his wife moved from New York City to Huntsville. He said he was pleasantly surprised with the veterans are treated in North Alabama. When we first came down, we were shocked, because everybody asked Are you a veteran? he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said hes been impressed with the veteran care and benefits offered in Alabama, including the Homestead Exemption offered for disabled veterans. They really put their hands out to veterans, theyre very welcoming to veterans, and thats why you have so many moving to Alabama, Dent told News 19. He said he encourages more young people to consider a career in the military. The military is a good experience for a lot of the people, Dent said. I think if they continue taking care of veterans, youll find therell be more people applying to get into the service. The book, The Empowered Veteran. Image credit: WHNT One of the bigger struggles for veterans when they leave military service is transitioning to a new career path. Thats something that local author and veteran Dwayne Paro knows well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paro is a third-generation military member who transitioned out of military service after 8 years. When he got out of the military, Paro started working as a government contractor. He told News 19 that the skills he learned in the military helped him succeed in his new career path. After several years as a civilian, Paro said he wanted to get back to his military roots and start supporting the veteran community. I wrote the book called The Empowered Veteran, which is which is more of a guide on how to transition successfully from the military, he told News 19. Paro said he wants more veterans to understand that they are very marketable in non-military jobs, and that the skills they learn in the military are transferable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take those strengths that you learned in the military and take them forward and use them in the civilian world, he said. A lot of veterans feel that those things dont apply anymore, but theyre actually what gives them a leg up on others that dont have that background. You know, theres a lot of opportunity to leverage those skills and that experience. Paro released the book in 2017, at a time when he says many Iran and Afghanistan vets were struggling to find their next move. There was a lot of negative narratives forming in our country again about whether they [veterans] were capable to, you know, do different things, Paro said. So I think, you know, businesses and citizens need to be aware that they [veterans] are the most capable people we have and with their life experience, that they can provide a lot of value in many ways. Paros book, The Empowered Veteran is available for purchase on Amazon, Walmart, and several other places where books are sold. Paro gave out signed copies for free to any veteran who went in for a free haircut at Taylors Barber Shop on Veterans Day. 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 WHNT.com. The BBCs royal correspondent has apologised for failing to declare outside earnings from corporate events. Jonny Dymond topped up his 200,000 salary in March by hosting the UK Sponsorship Awards, for which he was paid a four-figure sum. In the same month, he also hosted an in conversation event with financial journalist Martin Wolf for the media company Intelligence Squared. Under BBC rules, staff are required to disclose all paid appearances on a BBC register which is made public every quarter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Mr Dymond failed to do so. After the omissions were brought to the BBCs attention by blogger Dr Alex May, a spokesman said: We have spoken to Jonny to remind him of his responsibilities with regards to the external events register, and he has apologised for these errors. Mr Dymond also hosted the 2023 UK Sponsorship Awards and did add the event to the register on that occasion. Mr Dymond was previously a correspondent for the corporation in both Washington and Europe - BBC He was paid between 1,000 and 5,000. The exact figure he received has not been publicly disclosed, as such payments are reported in bands on the register. The former BBC Washington correspondent and Europe correspondent is one of the corporations highest-paid journalists. He declined to comment further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Dymond is not the only BBC name who has failed to correctly log corporate work on the events register. In September it was reported that Clive Myrie had not declared four corporate hosting events in the first six months of the year, including work for the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, Allen & Overy, a law firm, ING, an investment bank, and the Association of Insurance and Risk Managers in Industry and Commerce. The BBC said there had been some administrative errors. Clive Myrie reportedly did not declared four corporate hosting events - BBC Contacted by The Sunday Times, Mr Myrie, who is paid 310,000 for his BBC News work and a further undisclosed sum for presenting Mastermind, did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The events register was introduced in 2021 following criticism of stars including Fiona Bruce and Naga Munchetty, who were accused of moonlighting without declaring their extra earnings to the public. The BBC introduced a register of outside earnings following criticism of stars such as Fiona Bruce - WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe Sir Robbie Gibb, a BBC board member and former Downing Street communications chief, said at the time that the move would ensure BBC staff are not creating conflicts of interest as they cash in on their profile. The lists exposed how seemingly eager some of the BBCs best-paid stars were to boost their earnings. Huw Edwards, then the BBCs highest-earning news presenter, appeared at four events in the space of a month in 2022, making at least 25,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dan Walker, the then presenter of BBC Breakfast, earned up to 20,000 by carrying out two non-BBC engagements in a single day. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BISHKEK, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A storm warning has been issued in Kyrgyzstan for the coming days, according to a report from the Kyrgyz hydrometeorological service on Monday. Unstable weather is expected from Nov. 13 to 14, with occasional rain and snow anticipated in the foothill and mountainous areas of Kyrgyzstan. Fog is likely in some regions, and the west wind may reach speeds of 15 to 20 meters per second in certain areas. According to the report, packed snow and ice are expected on foothills and mountainous road sections. The report said such weather conditions would complicate motor transport operations and affect communication companies, energy services, public utilities, and livestock grazing and care on pastures. In the southern regions, temperatures are expected to drop to minus 1 to minus 3 degrees Celsius, posing risks to vegetable crops and uncovered potato tubers, the report noted. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A downtown Sioux Falls brewery is hosting a pair of fundraisers during No-Shave November to benefit students in the Sioux Falls School District. Remedy Brewing Company is preparing for its Beards for Box Lunches fundraiser. Remembering Watertown Stadiums football history It seems like beards and breweries go pretty much hand in hand, so its just a natural fit, Remedy Brewing Company co-founder Tyler Jepperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, No-Shave November is used to promote mens health, more specific, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, but we wanted to do something that we can see that would impact our community directly, event coordinator Aaron Nelson said. Aaron Nelson is the event coordinator, and thought Movember is an ideal time to host a fundraiser in support of the Sioux Falls School District lunch program. Its actually kind of sad how many kids either dont go with anything or that their lunch is the most nutritious meal of their whole entire day, Nelson said. We wanted to do something that everyone could get behind and kind of move the needle and try to help some kids and have a little fun doing it, Jepperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facial hair competition will be judged in a variety of styles, including full beard, styled mustache, and even Like Dad Like Dog. Maybe you have a schnauzer with some pretty epic stuff going on up front, and then style your face to look like your dog, things like that, Jepperson said. The day doesnt end with beards. Remedy is also hosting a Pickleball Tournament. People are looking for ways to give back and this is an awesome opportunity for them to do that, and to also play some Pickleball, Pickleball assistant Geneva Olson said. Major crimes down in Pennington County in 3rd quarter Geneva Olson is the Pickleball assistant at Remedy, and says the cost to play in the Round Robin event is $25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every dollar that gets poured in here for the tournament is going directly to the school lunch program, so were excited about that, Olson said. Meaning you have until Nov. 30 to grow your Pickleball skills or a beard to help a worthy cause. The Beards for Box Lunches fundraiser is 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 be at Remedy at 8th & Railroad. Registration for the beard competition is $10, while the Pickleball tournament runs $25. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. (WHTM) Before running for office and being elected as Pennsylvania Treasurer, Stacy Garrity served in the military for three decades. Garrity says serving was the honor of her lifetime and those army values continue to stay with her. I spent 30 years in the Army Reserve and had three combat deployments out to the Middle East, she said. Garrity tells abc27 News, how she got involved with the army is actually a funny story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always joke and say that my dad sort of tricked me into it, she said. So, when I was coming home from college one weekend, I come in the door, and he had a recruiter in the living room. And so, I started out by joining ROTC. Never thought that I would do 30 years, but then after 9/11, I could just never, ever bring myself to get out. I hit my mandatory retirement day in 2016, or I would have never ran for office. But she ultimately did. In 2020, Garrity beat democrat incumbent Joseph Torsella which many considered a major upset. In this election, she defeated democrat Erin McClelland. As for the dad who got her into the military, he passed away after a lengthy illness last Monday, the day before she got more votes than anyone in Pa. history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to thank the thousands of volunteers that helped me with my campaign, Garrity added. I mean, they were just totally amazing, I appreciate it. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter While in office, Garrity has made several accomplishments, including some highlighting members of the military and their service. A return more military decorations than any other Treasurer, she said. So, about 450 so far, including 11 purple hearts and three bronze stars. Garrity extends her gratitude and thanks to all who have or are currently serving in the military. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BELLEVILLE, Ill. Fifteen months after her death, a Belleville Marine Corps pilot is still touching peoples lives. Everybody said, I was her best friend, and thats how she made you feel. And thats how El was her whole life, Victoria LeBeau said of her daughter, Ellie. Captain Ellie LeBeau Cooke was one of three Marines who died when an Osprey crashed in Australia during a training exercise on Aug. 27, 2023, on Melville Island, approximately 50 miles north of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Twenty of the 23 Marines aboard the craft survived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Captain Cooke was 29. Corporal Spencer Collart and Major Tobin Lewis were also killed in the crash. This combination of photos provided by U.S. Marines Corps., shows Marine V-22B Osprey pilot Capt. Eleanor V. LeBeau, center, Cpl. Spencer R. Collart, left, and Maj. Tobin J. Lewis, right. (U.S. Marines Corps via AP) They said if any two people couldve saved those 20, it was them, Victoria said. Victoria remembers the day 15 months ago when she came home to family waiting to break the news. I looked at his face and I knew she was gone. It sounds so silly, but I relive that day so many times and its like a punch every time, she said. One of eight children, Ellie LeBeau was known for her smile. She loved horses and danced through high school at Althoff. Service was in her blood. Her dad was a pilot in the Navy, and several of her siblings have served as well. Her husband still currently serves. Ellie chose the United States Marine Corps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News She studied for a month and a half for the flight test and came home and jumped over the railing and said, Im going to be a badass pilot, Victoria said. Ellie graduated at the top of her class in flight school. She excelled as a pilot. Victoria LeBeau never worried about her daughter flying right up until the day of the crash. After a year of waiting, the LeBeaus got together when the Marine Corps released its findings on the crash. The report, released earlier this summer, said the crash was a result of a series of poor decisions and miscalculations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report noted that the aircraft commander did not take part in mission planning, the weight of the aircraft was 2,000 pounds heavier than planned, and that the lead aircrafts poorly flown approach likely oversaturated Cpt. LeBeau, who was flying in a different aircraft. Its investigation found several safety issues within the squadron, too, saying the former commanding officer permitted a culture that disregarded safety of flight procedures. It also highlighted concerning maintenance practices. Although those were not blamed for the crash, the report says, the aircraft should not have been certified as safe-for-flight. Was there fault, yes. Does it matter, no. It doesnt matter. It wont bring them back, Victoria said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ellies mother said the report brought closure, but she does not have an interest in placing blame. She and Maj. Lewis and Cpl. Collart, theyre heroes. 20 people literally walked off of that plane and it wouldnt have happened if it werent for their flying, she said. Exotic cat humanely euthanized following car accident injury She is especially astonished at Cpl. Collarts bravery. The Marine Corps investigation revealed his efforts to save the pilots, trapped in a burning cockpit. He walked out of that plane, 21-year-old kid, and went back in to save them. That was shocking, I think, to all of us, Victoria said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is putting the report behind her and is instead focused on keeping Ellies memory alive. Ellies accident was the most beautiful, awful thing thats ever happened to our family. Thereve been so many gifts for us that have come out of this and for other people and because we cant bring her back, thats what we focus on, Victoria said. An aboriginal group on an island in Australia, the Tiwi People, has welcomed the LeBeaus and other Marines into their family after the crash. They immediately, that was their family and started doing this year-long process of prayers and taking care of their souls, Victoria said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It culminated in a Pukumani ceremony (a term meaning the end of sorry business) just a couple of months ago. I dont think any of us could tell you how meaningful it was. Not that we have stopped grieving, Victoria said. But it is kind of like putting an end to the mourning part of it and letting them go. Capt. Ellie LeBeau Cooke will be remembered forever, even halfway around the world. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. WASHINGTON (WCBD) A Berkeley County man who pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement in the January 6, 2021, breach at the U.S. Capitol was sentenced to prison Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras sentenced 54-year-old Christopher George Rockey to 18 months in prison and 24 months of supervised release. In addition, Rockey was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. The Cross native traveled to Washington D.C. from South Carolina to attend former President Donald Trumps speech on the Ellipse, the Department of Justice explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents state Rockey entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Door around 2:23 p.m. on Jan. 6. He continued through the Rotunda and House Chamber before encountering a line of police officers with a group of rioters, according to the DOJ. The mob went through police, and Rockey eventually exited the building at 2:44 p.m. After leaving, Rockey joined another group of rioters on the Upper Terrace, which is the north side of the Capitol. Law enforcement attempted to clear the Upper Terrace area around 4:35 p.m. Rockey walked toward the officers, ignored commands, and grabbed a riot shield from one officer. Federal officials said two minutes later, he grabbed one officers baton before pulling anothers riot shield down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rockey, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, was arrested by the FBI on Dec. 13, 2023, in South Carolina. He plead guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer on June 12, 2024. he still suffers from the psychological wounds received in service of our Nation, said Brad Vannoy, Rockeys legal representative. He has always regretted his actions on 1/6/21, has taken full responsibility for his conduct, and has been sentenced accordingly. It has been a privilege to represent him. This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section. Since the Jan. 6 riots, more than 1,561 people have been charged for crimes related to the breach. Five people died as a result of the violent mobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The siege, which occurred when Congress met to certify the 2020 presidential election results proclaiming Joe Biden winner, saw over 140 police officers assaulted. In addition to the assaults, over $2.8 million in government property was stolen, damaged, or destroyed, federal officials estimate. FBI agents are still searching for suspects who took part in the breach. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT) Law enforcement officers with the Craven County Sheriffs Office arrested a New Bern man on child exploitation charges. Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Bureau at the sheriffs office executed a search warrant on November 7, as part of an ongoing child exploitation investigation. Multiple cyber tips were received by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tips reported that a man possessed Child Sexual Abuse Material. Joseph Thomas Smith, 26 years old, was arrested and charged with 2nd and 3rd degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He was given a $750,000 secured bond. 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 WNCT. The far-right streamer Nick Fuentes allegedly pepper-sprayed a west suburban woman as she went to ring his doorbell Sunday afternoon, the woman told the Tribune this week. Berwyn police Deputy Chief Michael Ochsner confirmed that the department had responded to Fuentes home but said he was unable to provide further details. Marla Rose, 57, a self-described progressive, said she approached Fuentes home Sunday after friends who knew she lived in Berwyn encouraged her to go see if rumors of prank deliveries to his home were true. Fuentes home address had been leaked online in response to his posts on social media where he boasted, Your body, my choice. Forever last week in an apparent reference to abortion rights after Donald Trump won the presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There had been chatter about people sending (Fuentes) boxes of dog poop or used menstrual products or whatever, Rose said. They were like, Youve got to go by and see if hes getting deliveries. Their messages piqued her curiosity, she said. The vegan lifestyle writer has lived in Berwyn for 11 years but had no idea that 26-year-old Fuentes lived in Illinois, much less 10 minutes from her. She said she found the house and was making a short video of herself on the sidewalk out front when another female onlooker pulled up in her car and suggested Rose ring the doorbell, which she hadnt planned to do but to which she agreed. She said Fuentes opened the door before she could ring the doorbell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same movement, he pepper-sprayed me in the face screamed an expletive at me, Rose said. She alleged that Fuentes then grabbed Roses phone and went back into his house. Rose said the woman who had encouraged her to ring Fuentes doorbell called police, and an officer came and took a report from her and Fuentes, retrieving her phone in the process. She added that her phone is now broken, allegedly because Fuentes stomped on it. The officer called an ambulance to look at Roses eyes and check her vitals, but she said emergency workers didnt seem concerned. The officer told her not to knock on the door again, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rose said Monday she was looking for a lawyer and was uncertain about whether to press charges against Fuentes out of concerns for her safety if she angers extremists. Fuentes didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from the Tribune. The 2016 graduate of west suburban Lyons Township High School is no stranger to controversy. While he has said he is not a white supremacist or white nationalist, the federal government labeled Fuentes a white supremacist in a court document. In 2017, Fuentes attended the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. A young woman named Heather Heyer was run over and killed by an avowed neo-Nazi at the rally. Fuentes also was an integral part of Trumps Stop the Steal rallies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 24 hours following his misogynistic post on X, there was a 4,600% increase in mentions of the phrases your body, my choice and get back in the kitchen on the social media site, according to an analysis from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. The phrase your body, my choice also appeared to have made its way into schools, the researchers said. Young girls and parents have used social media to share instances of offline harassment. They include the phrase being directed at them within schools or chanted by young boys in classes, the report said. Chicago Tribunes Rebecca Johnson contributed. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) laid out a framework Tuesday for Democrats to win back the trust of the American people, after election results handed Republicans control of the White House, Senate and House of Representatives. While Im deeply disappointed with the national result, I refuse to play the blame game, Beshear wrote in an op-ed, published in The New York Times. Campaigns are hard. Candidates and their families are put through hell. And all the candidates tried hard to win, even if they came up short. Beshear, who was not on the ballot in 2024, said Democrats need to focus on core issues that matter to people every day like jobs, housing and health care. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D), left, and his wife Britainy speak with reporters after casing their ballot during early voting at Yes Arts in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) Yes, there are a lot of big, important issues facing our country, but when families are struggling in these core areas, its hard to focus on or reach anything else, Beshear wrote. If you are staring at the cost of your childs prescription and wondering how you are going to pay for both it and your familys dinner, the offense of the day in Washington, D.C. or the latest crazy thing a politician said just isnt as important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So the way forward is not complicated, but it takes work and discipline, he continued. The focus of the Democratic Party must return to creating better jobs, more affordable and accessible health care, safer roads and bridges, the best education for our children and communities where people arent just safer but also feel safer. The Kentucky governor, once floated as a potential running mate for Vice President Harris, offered as a road map his reelection race, which he won last year by a 5-point margin in a state that supported President-elect Trump by 30 points in the 2024 race. He said he won because Kentuckians know I care about them personally and that I am focused on what matters most in their daily lives. Beshear added that he has produced tangible results that have changed peoples lives. The Democratic Party must show the American people that it cares about creating a better life for each and every American and re-earn the publics trust about its focus and its direction, he wrote in his essay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beshear said he is not urging Democrats to abandon important values and principles. He noted that he has vetoed anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ bills, yet I still beat Mr. Trumps handpicked candidate last fall. He said he did because voters trusted that his focus was on improving their lives. The Kentucky Democrat noted that its also important to speak like normal human beings and explain positions in a straightforward way. When he vetoed anti-LGBTQ bills, he explained to the public that his faith motivated his decision because I believe all children are children of God. And whether people agree with my decision, they know why Im making it, the governor added. They know where I am coming from. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Beta blockers are go-to meds for many people who've survived a heart attack, but might not be needed for patients whose hearts have retained a normal pumping ability. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News Beta blockers are go-to meds for many people who've survived a heart attack. However, new Swedish research has found that they might not be needed for heart attack survivors whose hearts have retained a normal pumping ability. Using them in this group might even raise patients' odds for depression, the data showed. "We found that beta blockers led to slightly higher levels of depression symptoms in patients who had had a heart attack but were not suffering from heart failure," said study lead author Philip Leissner, a doctoral student in cardiac psychology at Uppsala University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At the same time, beta blockers have no life-sustaining function for this group of patients," he said in a university news release. His team published its findings recently in the European Heart Journal. Heart doctors have for decades relied on beta blocker medications to help heart patients -- the drugs work by lowering the effects of adrenaline on the heart. But recent advances mean there are now more pharmaceutical options for cardiologists to pick from for people who've survived a heart attack, putting the use of beta-blockers into question. According to Leissner's team, that's especially true for folks who have survived a heart attack but whose cardiac pumping action has retained its efficacy. In a study published in April, the Swedish researchers found beta-blockers to be unnecessary for this type of patient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their newer study finds the drugs might even pose harm. They looked at data from more than 800 heart attack survivors without heart failure who had either been prescribed a beta-blocker or some other form of medication after their heart attack. The study ran from 2018 to 2023. "Beta blocker treatment led to a modest increase in depressive symptoms" for heart attack survivors who weren't in heart failure, the researchers reported. That's not a complete surprise, they said, since prior studies have found beta blocker use tied to heightened odds for depression, insomnia and even nightmares. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study also found that depression risks rose even higher among patients who'd already been taking a beta blocker before the study began, suggesting a dose-response relationship. "Most doctors used to give beta blockers even to patients without heart failure, but as the evidence in favor of doing so is no longer so strong, this should be reconsidered," Leissner suggested. "We could see that some of these patients appear to be more at risk of depression. If the drug doesn't make a difference to their heart, then they are taking it unnecessarily and at risk of becoming depressed." More information Find out more about heart failure at the American Heart Association. SOURCE: Uppsala University, news release, Nov. 11, 2024 Copyright 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved. BETHALTO, Ill. The dread Chris Galvan felt early Tuesday morning had nothing to do with the election. He woke up to a flooded basement in his Bethalto, Illinois, home. A plumber confirmed the source of the water. He says my pipes are fine, my water heaters fine, everything outside was fine. The water was coming specifically from my drain hole, Galvan said. Next door, Russell Walters teenage son provided the rude awakening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He woke me up screaming. I walked down and there was a foot-and-a-half of water in our basement, he said. Galvan and Walters are among nearly a dozen Bethalto residents who contacted us about their flooded homes. A homeowner on Georgia Street tells us childrens Christmas gifts and appliances were damaged by the flooding. Even in a newly constructed Bethalto neighborhood, we saw flood cleanup underway. Everything that touched water in here, Im just going to have to toss, Galvan said. I cant risk the possible bacteria and fungus and mold. Family pictures. Wedding stuff that me and my wife had. All gone, Walters said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walters says its not unusual to get a little water in his basement during a heavy rain, but nothing close to this. He says his wife contacted Bethalto Village Hall for answers. So did Galvan. They didnt specify any reasoning. They just claimed it wasnt their fault, Walters said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Just kind of said, Hey, we cant control the weather, and that was basically it. Put in the paperwork, but we dont know if were going to be able to help you out or not, Galvan said. FOX 2 paid a visit to Bethalto Village Hall to question officials about the flooding. Public Works Director Rod Cheatham said the community got nearly eight inches in less than 48 hours, overwhelming Bethaltos sewer system. He said the flooding couldve been worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheatham tells us Bethalto has spent $10.5 million since 2018, including $8.5 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to improve pipes and install backup generators at lift stations. He admits theres still work to be done and sympathizes with residents frustrated over their flooded homes. When it comes to this type of weather event, he says its hard for any sewer systems to process that much water. For residents like Galvan and Walters, further improvements cant happen fast enough. Something to go forward from this. If you dont adapt and this keeps happening, youre just going to keep seeing damage over time, Galvan 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 2. JERUSALEM, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday on X that the country will continue hitting Hezbollah in Lebanon "with full force" and that there will be no ceasefire. "In Lebanon, there will be no ceasefire and no respite," Katz said. "We will continue to strike Hezbollah with full force until the war's objectives are achieved," he added. Katz, who assumed office earlier this month, said Israel would reject any ceasefire deal that does not allow it to conduct attacks in Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from rearming. He added that the war's goals include "disarming Hezbollah, pushing them back beyond the Litani River, and ensuring the safe return of northern residents to their homes." Cross-border hostilities began last October following Hamas' attack on Israeli communities. In late September, Israel escalated the conflict after conducting a large-scale ground offensive in Lebanon, primarily targeting southern Lebanon, Beirut's southern suburb, and the Bekaa Valley. Joe Biden offered a bizarre response to an Israeli journalist who asked him if he thought he could make a deal to free the hostages held by Palestinian militant group Hamas before he leaves office in January. Do you think you can keep from getting hit in the head by that camera behind you? the president told Neria Kraus, a correspondent for Israels Channel 13 News, apparently referring to the equipment of the crew recording the meeting. He immediately launched into a different topic after the remark. Kraus, who asked the question at a press conference with Biden and Israeli President Isaac Herzog ahead of the pairs meeting on Tuesday, shared a video of the baffling exchange in an X post that has since gone viral. I asked President Biden if he thinks that he can get a hostage deal done by the end of his term. He answered, commenting on the number of cameramen in the room: do you think that you can get hit in the head by the camera behind you? pic.twitter.com/B3DCJoHdaw Neria Kraus (@NeriaKraus) November 12, 2024 Response to the clip on social media ranged from confusion to outrage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You asked a valid question about something which has both urgent humanitarian and geopolitical repercussions, wrote X user @_manishkapoor. Its inexplicable why he chose to answer in this unserious way. Flippant response from our President, wrote @kitty_jps1989. Unbelievable. Biden has been vocal about his desire to negotiate a hostage deal, and ultimately a ceasefire, before the end of his term. Of the approximately 250 hostages taken by Hamas when it attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, over 60 are still being held in Gaza, along with the bodies of 35 others. Seven of the remaining hostages hold American citizenship, according to The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early September, Biden said publicly that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to broker a deal to return the hostages or secure a ceasefire. Bidens odd rejoinder came at a press conference ahead of his meeting with Herzog. The public side of Bidens Tuesday conversation with Herzog, the Israeli president, touched on Americas ongoing efforts to bring the hostages home. I know, Mr. President, that you areday-in, day-outactively seeking their safe return home as they are going through hell in the dungeons of Gaza, Herzog said to Biden. Clearly, youre thinking and working about the day after as well, which perhaps should be a trajectory of hope to the people of the region and the ability to have our neighbors, as well as us, live in security and peace. But first and foremost, we have to get the hostages back home, Herzog added, to which Biden agreed. President Joe Biden hosted Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House on Tuesday as the outgoing administration seeks cease-fire progress in Gaza and Lebanon before President-elect Donald Trump takes power in January. "I know that you're working very hard to make sure that this war will end," Herzog told Biden as they met in the Oval Office. "And that there will be first and foremost security for the people of Israel, as well for the people of Lebanon." "Clearly, you're thinking and working about the day after as well, which perhaps should be a trajectory of hope to the people of the region and the ability to have our neighbors, as well as us, live in security and peace," Herzog added. "But first and foremost, we have to get the hostages back." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I agree," Biden said. While in Washington, Herzog's office said, the president will also meet with Rep. Elise Stefanik -- whom Trump has chosen to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations -- and Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime foreign policy adviser to Trump. Biden hosted Herzog amid international concerns that Israel is still failing to facilitate adequate humanitarian aid flows into Gaza. PHOTO: President Joe Biden and Israeli President Isaac Herzog shake hands after Herzog gave Biden an artifact from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Nov. 12, 2024. (Ben Curtis/AP) The Biden administration gave Israel a 30-day window to "surge" food and emergency aid into the devastated territory last month, warning that failure to address the issue may trigger U.S. laws requiring restrictions on military aid to Israel. The deadline for progress is Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A letter signed by several international aid agencies and published Tuesday said Israel has failed to address the concerns. The "situation is in an even more dire state today than a month ago," the groups wrote, per a report by The Associated Press. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar appeared to downplay the situation on Monday, telling reporters that "the issue would be solved." Herzog's visit comes as the Trump transition operation picks up steam, and shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touted his recent close contact with the president-elect. MORE: Why Trump's imminent return might scuttle Biden's last plays in foreign wars Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu said this week he had spoken with Trump three times since the Nov. 5 election, describing the conversations as "very good and important talks designed to further enhance the steadfast bond between Israel and the U.S." Axios reported that Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer -- long a close confidante of Netanyahu -- also met with Trump on Sunday at the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. PHOTO: President Joe Biden meets with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Nov. 12, 2024. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Trump is expected to loom large over Biden's last months of diplomacy in the Middle East, as his administration seeks an end to the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon, plus the release of dozens of hostages -- among them four Americans -- taken by Palestinian militants during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack into southern Israel. Trump's first term saw close U.S.-Israel alignment. The incoming president is expected to cement American backing for Netanyahu's government and revive his "maximum pressure" approach to Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have framed Tehran as the "head of the octopus" funding and directing attacks against their nation. Netanyahu said this week of his conversations with Trump, "We see eye to eye on the Iranian threat in all its aspects, and on the dangers they reflect." ABC News' Bruno Nota and Dana Savir contributed to this report. Biden hosts Israel's president at the White House amid peace push originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Nov. 12 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden and Israeli President Isaac Herzog met at the White House Tuesday afternoon to discuss the war against Hamas and Hezbollah and other Middle East matters. The Gaza discussion included the humanitarian situation in Gaza, how to end the wars with Hamas and Hezbollah, and address hostilities between Israel and Iran, the Times of Israel reported. The United States previously gave Israel 30 days to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or possibly face a partial embargo on arms shipments. The 30-day deadline expires Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herzog on Monday night referred to President-elect Donald Trump as a "champion of peace and cooperation" for Israel, and he spoke with Trump several days ago about the need to free all remaining hostages held by Hamas, the Jerusalem Post reported. Herzog also referred to Biden as a "dear friend," said he admires the president and is grateful for his help and a "lifetime of friendship with Israel" and the Jewish people. "The president's steadfast support from the very beginning of the war was a moving display of leadership and kinship that Israel will never forget," Herzog said. "I know that you're working very hard to make sure that this war will end," Herzog told Biden during the meeting in the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said while Biden works to end the wars in Gaza and along the Israel-Lebanon border, the security of the Israeli and the people of Lebanon is of the greatest importance. "But first and foremost, we have to get the hostages back," Herzog said. Herzog and Biden previously met in Tel Aviv in October 2023 and at the White House in July 2023. Officials from the United States, Qatar and Egypt have mediated cease-fire talks that have produced no end to the war in Gaza. Qatar has represented Hamas in the talks but on Saturday announced it no longer will negotiate on behalf of Hamas. Herzog also will meet with Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., whom Trump has appointed to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has been a Trump foreign policy adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he anticipates a resumption of efforts by Israel to formally make the West Bank a part of Israel when Trump becomes president. "We were just a step away from applying sovereignty over the settlements in Judea and Samaria," Smotrich said during a Religious Zionism party meeting. "And now the time has come to do it." Smotrich said the Biden administration interfered in Israeli elections and refused to cooperate with him despite him being Israel's finance minister. He doesn't anticipate similar issues with the incoming Trump administration and said it's time to punish anti-Semitic governments in the Middle East by taking land in Gaza and the West Bank. "The new Nazis need to pay a price through land that will be permanently taken from them," he said Monday. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The organizers of the Big Kahuna Wing Festival, run by Knoxville restaurant Big Kahuna Wings, distributed almost $55,000 to East Tennessee nonprofits on Monday, Nov. 11 following the 2024 festival. The check presentation took place at Visit Knoxville on Gay Street. The recipients were Covenant Health East Tennessee Childrens Hospital Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley Food4VOLS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Big Kahuna Wing Festival has occurred annually since 2013 with the 11th annual festival happening in September. Altogether, the event has donated more than $500,000 to local charities and causes, and thousands of people attend each year. WATCH: Knoxvilles 99th Veterans Day Parade Matt Beeler, owner and founder of Big Kahuna Wings, explained why he started the festival: I was always taught to give back to the community. My parents were always about giving back, and when I traveled to Memphis and saw a wing festival over there, I thought why not have one here? Its a great type of an event, and maybe we can give a few dollars back to charity. I never dreamed that wed be going on year 12. He said he felt very blessed for the people of this city and everyone thats helped out the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The festival also announced on their Facebook page that Covenant Health would be a naming sponsor for the next three years, beginning in 2025. Chip Bryant, Vice President of Philanthropy and Chief Philanthropy Officer for Covenant Health explained that they were proud to be a sponsor. Bryant who, ironically, prefers his wings plain said, Matt [Beeler] and his team have done an incredible job, again, opportunity to brand Covenant Health, but also to give back to the community. This festival is about giving back to the community. Proceeds from it support organizations like Covenant Health, like our foundations that we have. And so, were looking for opportunities that that can help the community, and this is this is one of the events that can that makes an impact on our East Tennessee community. Publix to open new store in Morristown as city continues to grow Beeler explained that he was excited to be partnering with Covenant Health, saying, Its always been about how do we continue to grow so that we can continue taking care of those in need in the community, and Covenant Health stepping up and becoming a partner with us, I think is just going to really help get us to that $1 million mark that we want to get to in giving back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The festival announced the dates for next years event which is scheduled to take place on August 31, 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. BIG SPRING, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The Big Spring Police Department and Crime Stoppers are looking to identify suspects involved in a burglary earlier this month. According to Crime Stoppers, at about 9:30 am on Saturday, November 9, the unknown suspects burglarized a residence in the 1700 block of Morrison Drive. Video showed the suspects and the truck before they drove from the scene. Big Spring man dead after fatal crash in Glasscock County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you recognize these suspects or the truck, or have any information, please contact Crime Stoppers at 432-263-TIPS or through the P3 Tips mobile app and reference case number 2-24-03279. The first tip that leads to an arrest or case closed may be eligible for a cash reward. Caller ID is never used and tippers remain 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 Yourbasin. Donald Trump is sending a message to anyone hoping to work with his second White House: Dissenters need not apply. In a rapid-fire series of edicts and late-night social media posts over the last 72 hours, Trump made clear to Washington he plans to stack his second administration with loyalists and expects Republicans on Capitol Hill and elsewhere to fall in line. The incoming president on Monday tapped three of his staunchest current and former congressional allies for key roles, naming Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as his next U.N. ambassador, former Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) to be his national security adviser, with a fourth, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), expected to be nominated as secretary of State. Hes also bringing immigration hard-liners Stephen Miller and Thomas Homan back to the White House in key policy roles. Those announcements come after Trump over the weekend publicly banished two pillars of his first administration former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley hawkish Republicans who had previously criticized Trump but ultimately embraced his candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the president-elect is attempting to exert influence over the contest for Republicans next Senate leader by demanding that Sen. Mitch McConnells successor support so-called recess appointments a call quickly backed by the person his allies are pushing for the job, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.). Taken together, the moves signal the extent to which the incoming president will both prioritize loyalty in his second administration and seek to leverage it across all branches of government to carry out his most ambitious and controversial plans. And it presents an early test of how willing fellow Republicans and other traditional GOP allies will be to accede to Trumps demands, or whether and how they might take a stand against parts of his agenda. "Political appointments require both competency and loyalty. You cannot have one or the other; you must have both, Mike Davis, a former GOP Senate aide and prominent conservative lawyer who had been floated as a possible Trump attorney general, told POLITICO. Trump clearly learned his lesson from his first term by picking highly competent loyalists in his second term." Trump is claiming a mandate to implement sweeping legal and regulatory changes after broadening the GOP voter base by making inroads in communities of color and other former Democratic strongholds. But his first wave of appointments and rejections show he has little interest in modeling his government on that expanded tent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And his chaotic weekend rollout with some appointments announced late Sunday night on Truth Social and others leaked and confirmed by various media outlets comes as the transition team continues to drag its feet on signing ethics and transparency agreements with the White House and General Services Administration that would enable its access to confidential information, facilities, cybersecurity support and other needed infrastructure. The Trump team now is expected to sign those agreements, after previously suggesting it might not, but has given no timeline for doing so. Still, Trump allies insist the current transition is running significantly smoother than the chaos of his 2016 transfer of power, with the president-elect more focused on hitting the ground running on his key policy agenda in 2025. He is less interested in bringing on those seeking to make headlines for themselves, said one person familiar with the transition conversations, and more interested in hiring doers. Unlike in the first transition, you really had to look hard to find folks who were both aligned with him on policy and had the requisite experience, said Matt Mowers, who served as a senior White House adviser at the State Department during Trumps first term. He now has an entire administration of people he can choose from who kind of cut their teeth building experience in the first term who are also aligned with him on policy. Some Senate Republicans and aides have privately bristled at Trumps demands that they cede power to the executive branch, from the GOP leadership race to recess appointments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would encourage him to work within the norms of the Senate, as frustrating as it can be, said one GOP Senate aide. If the Democrats object to the timely processing of his nominees, proving they learned nothing from the election, there are ways for the institution to deal with that. Trump appears to have acknowledged there are still some limits on his power, particularly in the upper chamber of Congress, where it may be a slog to confirm his most controversial picks, despite the GOP winning a majority. Take his decision to tap Homan a polarizing immigration hard-liner and former author of the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 manifesto as border czar rather than a Cabinet position that would require Senate confirmation. Trump on Monday praised Homan, whom he appointed as acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director shortly after taking office in 2017, as a stalwart on Border Control in a Truth Social post announcing the pick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a strong signal that despite his campaign-trail disavowals, Trump is willing to welcome those aligned with Project 2025 into his administration. But putting Homan in the White House, and not in charge of an agency, will limit his legal authority over border policy, and force him to work through people who have been confirmed by the Senate, or through those holding relevant posts as acting officials or through recess appointments. The appointment of Stefanik who fiercely defended Trump through two impeachments could bring its own challenges. Control of the lower chamber hinges on a handful of races in California and other states that are still counting ballots, and if Republicans do manage to hold their majority it will be a narrow one, giving a small handful of members the ability to tank votes on spending bills and policy priorities. Yet Trumps team appears to be more concerned with loyalty than all else. On Saturday, Trump jettisoned two people who have publicly criticized him, declaring on social media that he would not be inviting Haley or Pompeo to join his second administration even after they attempted to work their way back into his good graces. He added that he very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country. Haley ran against Trump despite pledging not to and grew highly critical of him as the primary whittled down to just the two of them. Even as she withdrew from the race and embraced his candidacy, Trump kept his former ambassador at a distance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pompeo flirted with a 2024 presidential bid but never followed through with it. Like Haley, he was late among Republicans in backing Trump. But unlike Haley, he joined Trump on the campaign trail in Pittsburgh on the eve of the election. It is unclear whether Haley was vying for a second turn in a Trump administration. She wrote on X on Saturday only that she was proud to work for Trump during his first term and wished him, and all who serve, great success going forward. But Pompeo was making a concerted effort to be named defense secretary, according to two people familiar with the deliberations and granted anonymity to discuss them. As Trump began casting aside those he has deemed to be lacking sufficient loyalty, Republican senators scrambled to curry favor with the incoming president ahead of Wednesdays leadership elections. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) quickly backed Trumps call for the Senate to push through recess appointments 100% agree, he posted on X. Tech billionaire and newly minted Trump whisperer Elon Musk took note, responding, Rick Scott for Majority Leader! Other Trump allies went online to highlight past criticism Scotts rivals, Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), once lobbed against Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elect, for his part, has thus far not endorsed anyone in the leadership race. While Thune and Cornyn did not explicitly embrace the idea of recess appointments, they did not rule it out, either. Cornyn noted in a social media post that the Constitution expressly confers the power on the President to make recess appointments. And Thune said all options are on the table for delivering Trumps agenda including recess appointments. Eric Bazail-Eimil and Daniel Lippman contributed to this report. Palm Beach County's School Board declared that it must treat its teachers, police and other staff unions equally as it denied several demands from the school police department's union during a hearing Wednesday, Nov. 6. The board rejected raises for school police officers that would have been 2.5% higher than those approved for teachers. Among the police union's priorities were a 7.5% raise for officers and securing the right for employees to roll over to the next year 60 hours of compensatory time, or time off instead of overtime pay. The school board, which was tasked with deciding on each area of disagreement between the district and the union, sided with Superintendent Mike Burke on all but two of the outstanding issues. Those two issues include higher hourly pay for "outside duty," when officers work events at school campuses not hosted by the district, and a small increase to supplements for some employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the school board decided to give school police a 5% raise along with a bonus of $1,500 or 3% of the officer's salary. The raises will be retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year. Board members argued that granting 7.5% raises or allowing the rollover of compensatory time would anger other unions, such as the Classroom Teachers Association, which represents teachers, and SEIU, which represents paraprofessionals, translators, custodial staff and maintenance workers in the district. "Based on the fact that the state of Florida seems to have every priority in the world other than funding education and giving us the money we need, we just can't take a chance that if we put this kind of increase in place that we're going to be able to pay it in the future," board member Frank Barbieri said. "Plus, once we do this, all the other unions are going to come forward and say, 'Well, what about us?' Last year we were generous with the police. This year was for the teachers," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, the board approved 4% raises for teachers and 4.1% raises for administrative staff, including Burke. Last year, teachers union members got 7% raises and school police officers got 7.5% raises, according to district records. Officers will get bump in pay when they work events for outside groups at Palm Beach County schools, plus 5% raise A school police officer watches students arrive for their first day of school at Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School in Palm Beach County, Florida on August 10, 2023. Bargaining teams from the school district and the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association, which represents the department's roughly 250 officers, reached a stalemate this year in their negotiations. After getting input from a special magistrate on their areas of disagreement in October, both teams made their cases to the school board in hopes of swaying their decision. "Its outrageous that some members of the School Board are playing politics with the safety of our kids and haggling over a 2.5% difference in proposed raises that are urgently needed in order to address the short staffing levels we are experiencing," PBA President John Kazanjian said in a written statement ahead of the hearing. A Palm Beach County School Police vehicle is parked outside the Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center on Aug. 17, 2022. The board rejected the carryover of compensatory time, supplementary pay for officers who train others and increased supplements for officers working in the Glades who generally travel farther to work each day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the board agreed to raise hourly pay to $52.50 per hour from $50 when an officer works an "outside detail" at an event put on by an outside organization such as a church or community group that takes place at a school. The organization that leases the school for the event pays the officer's salary. "The stalemate that the board will ultimately have to decide on falls on 'needs versus wants,' " V. Danielle Williams, a senior attorney for the school district, said Wednesday. "The district bargaining team has consistently negotiated based on the needs of the district and the union to ensure a competitive market position while the PBA has been operating on wants." The board also agreed to 5% raises in supplementary pay for detectives, officers on the crisis response team and those on the field training team. Currently, those employees get a $4,000 supplement. More on teacher pay: Palm Beach County teachers likely to see smaller raises than last year. Here's what to know Palm Beach County school police were once lowest paid department across the county. But wages are going up The 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County led to school safety reform across Florida. Now, all schools must have an armed guard on campus a requirement Palm Beach County fills by employing its own school police force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katie Mendoza, an attorney for the school police union, and school police Sgt. David Furtado underscored the importance of paying school police officers in order to meet state requirements. Mendoza referred to school police as the only "high-risk group" on a school's campus. "When we hire new hires, we let them know, 'Your job is to be that warrior,' " Furtado said. "I want, protecting my child, that warrior. I don't want the least money can buy. I don't want what average money can buy. I want the best. We should be the department that everybody is seeking to be at." Palm Beach County School police officer Mark Dakoski works on the first day of school at Grove Park Elementary School on August 12, 2024, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. As recently as 2022, figures from Florida's Department of Law Enforcement showed that the school police department was ranked last across Palm Beach County's 22 police departments in starting pay. It was $45,912. But school police pay has improved dramatically since 2022: Officers got 5% raises in 2022 and 7% last year, and the starting salary has increased to attract new employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minimum salary for a school police officer in 2023 averaged $64,160 per year, according to figures provided by FDLE, resulting in the school police department ranking 10th in the county last year. Chief of School Police Sarah Mooney, who is on the bargaining team on behalf of the school district, said Wednesday that the 5% raise will be enough to attract new officers and keep existing employees. "At this point, I think the 5% is adequate," she said. A 7.5% increase "is not mandatory to keep our heads above water." Now the school district and PBA's attorneys will draft an agreement using the school board's decisions. While Wednesday's hearing handled the union's 2024 agreement, members from both sides will have to return to the table soon to discuss the 2025 contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County school leaders approve 5% raise for school police A McDonald's restaurant on Southgate Drive in Billings, Montana on Nov. 12, 2024. This is one of the locations known to have served contaminated food which was part of a CDC investigation into E. Coli. (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan) A Billings woman has filed a suit in district court against a McDonalds fast-food restaurant that she said sickened her by selling a quarter-pound hamburger that contained the toxin E.coli, according to court documents. The woman is just one of 90 people across mostly the Rocky Mountain West, including 17 in Montana, who have been sickened by the outbreak, which has been linked to yellow onions used in the hamburgers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The McDonalds location sits several hundred feet away from Interstate 90 on Southgate Road and is operated by the franchisee Pasha Enterprises. The lawsuit, filed in Yellowstone County District Court, alleges that the fast-food giant sold tainted food and improperly oversaw training and cooking which led to Candida R. Craft going to the hospital after her illness turned to bloody diarrhea and abdominal distress. Doctors determined her illness was related to the E. coli outbreak. E. coli is both a common bacteria and has many different variants and strains. Doctors can determine a DNA fingerprint, so to speak, to identify which type it is, and where it likely originated. This particular strain identified in the outbreak linked to McDonalds franchises is E.coli O157:H7 and has been confirmed in 13 states. The bacteria causes dangerous effects in humans once it gets into the digestive system by obliterating red blood cells, and releasing iron which helps support the E.coli bacteria. This particular outbreak has been traced to yellow onions used in the quarter-pound hamburgers, but previous outbreaks of the same type of E. Coli have included unpasteurized juices, yogurt, dried salami, mayonnaise, raw milk, game meat and raw cookie dough. This particular strain of E.coli is more resistant to heat and freezing, and can grow at temperatures above 111 degrees, according to the lawsuit, making it harder to eradicate than other types of food borne illness. Montana cases The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that illness outbreak has affected 13 different states, mostly in the Rocky Mountain West. Montana has 17 confirmed cases, the second most behind Colorado, which has reported 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, the CDC reports that 90 people have been confirmed sickened, 27 were hospitalized, and one person died. A map provided by the CDC which shows state-by-state analysis of where people who were sickened by food at McDonalds ate. Montana is second in the nation (Source: CDC) Casey Page, the communications director for RiverStone Health, the county health department in Montanas largest population center, said that nine of those cases are from Yellowstone County. Since 2018, there has been an average of fewer than one E. coli outbreak reported in Montana per year. However, the McDonalds outbreak is the second outbreak of E. coli O157 reported in Montana in 2024. Earlier this summer, there was an outbreak of E. coli O157 linked to wagyu beef served at Flathead County restaurants that led to a recall of ground meat processed at a Flathead County processing facility. Prior to this year, Montana had an E. coli outbreak linked to a family reunion in 2021. In 2018 the state had nine cases of E. coli that were part of a multistate outbreak linked to romaine lettuce, and three cases of E. coli linked to a roping event. Even though the CDC reports just the confirmed cases which requires several layers of lab testing, the actual number of people sickened from foodborne illness is likely much larger because of those who did not seek medical attention, but still had symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time the cases were connected, we werent seeing anymore illness and the ingredients had been pulled, Page said. Most of the reports happened early in October, with Yellowstone County receiving its last report on Oct. 16. Page said that the danger passed soon after the contaminated yellow onions sold by Taylor Farms were pulled. Still, that hasnt necessarily stopped the concern. Page said that some are still calling RiverStone Health, wondering if theyve been sickened by the McDonalds E.coli. If anything happened now, wed be looking at a different scenario, Page said. Still, if you think youve got a foodborne illness, theres no need to call us, you need to go to your doctor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said that some have called, wondering if an illness they had around that time can be linked. Page said thats not something that can be answered. Theres no way to backtrack and see, Page said. Once youve recovered, its impossible to tell. The Centers For Disease Control report that foodborne cases of this particular E.coli variant result in more than 2,300 hospitalizations and 20 deaths annually. Most of the time, people who consume food contaminated with the E.coli can show symptoms in three to four days, although it may be as soon as 24 hours later. The fatality rate, according to the CDC, is between 0 and 2%, but may be much higher for elderly, children or other medically vulnerable populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craft reported consuming a Quarter Pounder meal from McDonalds on Southgate Drive in Billings on Sept. 29 and becoming ill on Oct. 1, with a loss of appetite and nausea and chest pain. She went to a hospital to seek treatment on Oct. 6, when a computer tomography (CT) scan showed colitis and swelling near the liver. A stool sample confirmed the E. coli. The lawsuit said that Craft is in the process of recovery, but she remains weak and hasnt regained her full appetite. (McDonalds) owed a duty of care to (Craft) to design, manufacture and/or sell food that was not adulterated, that was fit for human consumption, the lawsuit said. The defendants had a duty to properly supervise, train, and monitor their employeesengaged in the preparation and sale of their food products, to ensure compliance with the defendants operating standards and to ensure compliance with all applicable health regulations. Craft and her attorneys are asking for a jury trial, plus damages and attorneys fees. She is being represented by Michael A. Bliven and Avery L. Field of Bliven Law Firm of Kalispell and William D. Marler and R. Drew Falkenstein of Marler Clark, of Bainbridge Island, Washington. The Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for the Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.) The Ohio lawmakers have come back to the Statehouse for the start of lame duck, the period of time after the election before the end of the General Assembly. There are lots of bills that could see movement as the lawmakers work to get legislation across the finish line before the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio Senate is scheduled to be in session Wednesday, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. The Ohio House is scheduled to be in session Dec. 4, Dec. 10, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. There are two if needed sessions scheduled for Dec. 3 and Dec. 19. Bathroom bill Before the lawmakers went on break, Republican lawmakers in the Ohio House passed a bill that would ban transgender students from using the bathroom and locker rooms that match up with their gender identity. House Bill 183 (the bathroom ban bill) was woven into Senate Bill 104 as an amendment on the House floor and then S.B. 104 passed in the House. State Sen. Jerry Cirino introduced S.B. 104, which revises the College Credit Plus Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bathroom ban would require Ohio K-12 schools and colleges to mandate students can only use the bathroom or locker room that aligns with their gender assigned at birth. It would not prevent a school from having single-occupancy facilities and it would not apply to someone helping a person with a disability or a child younger than 10 years old being assisted by a parent, guardian or family member. The American Medical Association officially opposes policies preventing transgender individuals from accessing basic human services and public facilities consistent with gender identity. The amended S.B. 104 now heads back to the Senate to concur. If the Senate concurs, the bill will head to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWines desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to see any of the people of Ohio have their rights taken away by this lame duck session, said Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood. Senate Bill 83 The massive higher education bill known as Senate Bill 83 has been stalled in the Ohio House for nearly a year. The bill quickly moved through the Senate after it was introduced in March 2023 and passed in the House Higher Education Committee a couple weeks before Christmas, but it has never made its way on to a House session agenda. Before the lawmakers went on break over the summer, Cirino said he had no interest in talking to House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, about his bill anymore. Cirino told reporters he already had an hour-long meeting with Stephens about the bill last December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, thinks there are enough votes to pass S.B. 83 in the House. S.B. 83 has already gone through nearly a dozen revisions and Cirino previously said he would re-introduce the bill in the next General Assembly like he originally wrote it if the bill doesnt pass before the end of the year. What people need to consider is, isnt it better to come up with something that has some degree of compromise to it than to risk having the whole thing get introduced next year, sail through in a form that is less solicitous of the interests of the professors and folks at the universities would be my view, Seitz said. The bill would ban mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion training unless it is required to comply with state and federal law, professional licensure requirements or receiving accreditation or grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A retrenchment provision would prevent unions from negotiating on tenure and universities could fire tenured professors for a broad list of reasons including reduction in student population. However, faculty with 30-35 years of tenure would be protected. S.B. 83 defines controversial beliefs or policy as any belief or policy that is the subject of political controversy, including issues such as climate policies, electoral politics, foreign policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, immigration policy, marriage, or abortion. The bill would allow students to reach their own conclusions about all controversial beliefs or policies and shall not seek to indoctrinate any social, political or religious point of view. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Religious religious time A set of companion bills would require school districts to make a policy to let students be excused from school to go to released time religious instruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio law currently permits school district boards of education to make a policy to let students go to a released time course in religious instruction, so these bills aim to bolster the law by requiring such a policy. House Bill 445 was introduced earlier this year by state Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, and Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, who is now a state senator. The bill has a third hearing Tuesday afternoon. Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester, introduced Senate Bill 293 this summer. Earlier this fall, Westerville City Schools Board of Education voted to end their religious release time policy that allowed LifeWise Academy to take public school students off-campus for Bible classes during school hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Headquartered in Hilliard, LifeWise is a non-denominational program that teaches the Bible to students who have their parents permission under released time for religious instruction laws. Feral pigs A bill would declare open season for feral pigs, prohibit feeding garbage to pigs and ban bringing any hogs into Ohio that have been fed garbage. House Bill 503 passed unanimously in the House in June and has its first hearing in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday. Reps. Bob Peterson, R-Sabina, and Don Jones, R-Freeport, introduced the bill in April and say Ohios feral swine could cost the state millions in damages to crops, natural vegetation, water and soil. Parents Bill of Rights A bill would force educators to out a students sexuality to their parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Reps. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, and Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton, introduced H.B. 8 last year. It passed in the House and has had four hearings in the Senate Education Committee. The bill would also require public schools to inform parents about sexuality content materials ahead of time and give them the option to request alternative instructions. Its a misnomer, starting with its name, and is basically one more culture war bill, Antonio said. Well see if we want to keep fighting the culture wars or not. Hemp bills There are a few bills floating around the Statehouse related to hemp products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Kirk Schuring, R-Canton, and Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, introduced Senate Bill 278 which would ban selling adult-use hemp products to people under 21. Huffman recently introduced a bill that would ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products in Ohio. Senate Bill 326 has its first committee hearing Tuesday. Seitz said he has talked to Huffman about his bill. The bill that he introduced will not be the final bill that gets passed, he said. It should be age restricted, and it should be put behind the counter. To ban it all together, I think would be a hardship on those thousands and thousands of small businesses that sell this product. House Bill 642 introduced by State Rep. Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton would require the Ohio Director of Agriculture to issue recommendations for adult-use hemp products. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SYDNEY, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Three people have been hospitalized after a house fire in Sydney, capital city of Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW), that authorities believed was sparked by a battery of a charging e-scooter on Tuesday. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said in a statement on Tuesday morning that firefighters were called to the home in Woronora, a suburb approximately 20 km south of central Sydney, just before 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday. On arrival, firefighters found the garage of the home fully engulfed by fire, with flames starting to threaten the main residence, said FRNSW. Five people self-evacuated from the fire, however three were transported to hospital for smoke inhalation, with one also suffering serious burns. After initial inspections, FRNSW investigators believed that the battery of a charging e-scooter failed, causing it to go into "thermal runaway," sparking the blaze. FRNSW said it has responded to 81 micromobility accidents this year, which is an average rate of two per week. It's been almost one week since Donald Trump won re-election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black and Asian American woman ever to be nominated by a major political party. According to exit poll data, 78% of Black men and 92% of Black women voted for Kamala Harris. Andrew Harnik / Getty Images Since then, Black Americans have expressed various opinions and emotions online following the election outcome. Some Black Americans have expressed anger toward various demographics who predominately voted for Donald Trump. Twitter: @Purify_toast17 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While other Black Americans seemed to accept the election results and have decided to step back from the chaos. Black people we did our Black job by voting. Rest up and relax we deserve it treat yourself pic.twitter.com/TvIV66swnt 2RawTooReal (@2RawTooReal) November 7, 2024 ABC / Twitter: @2RawTooReal If you're a Black American, I would love to hear your opinions on the outcome of the 2024 election. How do you feel that the issues that impact Black Americans will be addressed by the Trump administration, if at all? For instance, for young Black Americans, are you worried about how Trump's dismantling of the Department of Education will impact the survival of HBCUs? arlutz73 / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Black men and women, are you worried about the Trump administration's promise to give police officers full immunity? Leo Patrizi / Getty Images Finally, as an older Black American, how are you feeling overall about the historical nature of Kamala Harris being on the ticket, her loss, and how the country voted overall? Black Americans, if any of the above resonates with you, please share your thoughts and emotions about the outcome of the 2024 election in the comments below or via this anonymous Google form. Your response could be featured in an upcoming post. ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) Thousands of people from all over Blair County honored the nations veterans Monday morning in Altoona. A parade honored those from Central Pennsylvania who fought for our freedom in all wars. Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and more recent conflicts in the Middle East were honored for their service. Many veterans said it was touching to see so many children and teenagers come to the parade and hope that their sacrifices will be remembered for generations to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They really appreciate the support many of them didnt get support, the support when they came back from war and its events like this that really lift their spirit and thank them. Thats why I think its important to come out and support the parade, said Senator Judy Ward (R-District 30). Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. The parade itself featured high school marching bands, local law enforcement officers and some community business leaders who all wanted to say, Thank you, to the nations heroes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Europe for urgent meetings on Ukraine with NATO and European Union officials following last weeks U.S. presidential election and the return of Donald Trump to the White House in January. The State Department will hold talks in Brussels on Wednesday on how to boost support for Ukraine as President-elect Trump has suggested U.S. military assistance to the country fighting off Russia's invasion could be severely curtailed after he takes office. After less than a day in Brussels, Blinken will fly to Peru and Brazil to join outgoing President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and a summit of leaders from the Group of 20 top economies. By Simon Lewis WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The outgoing Biden administration's top diplomat, Antony Blinken, heads to Brussels on Tuesday for talks with European allies concerned that President-elect Donald Trump could abandon Ukraine in its war with Russia. In his first overseas trip since Trump's Nov. 5 election victory, Secretary of State Blinken will stop in Brussels ahead of scheduled visits to Peru and Brazil later this week, according to an announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In meetings with NATO and European Union officials, Blinken will "discuss support for Ukraine in its defense against Russias aggression," the State Department announcement said, without elaborating on what message he will deliver. As well as providing billions of dollars in military aid for Ukraine, President Joe Biden worked to expand NATO and rallied countries around the world to isolate Russia in the wake of Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion. Trump has been critical of Biden's assistance for Ukraine, fueling concern about the future of support for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government under a Republican-controlled White House, Senate and possibly the House of Representatives. Ukraine's military is under increasing pressure from Russia along a more than 1,000-km front line stretching Ukraine's already outnumbered troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden officials have said they will push to deploy aid already appropriated for Ukraine before Trump takes office on Jan. 20, in hopes of helping Kyiv's forces push back Russian troops, who have been gaining territory. "We are working hard to leave Ukraine in as strong a position as possible, both by surging assistance between now and the end of the administration and coordinating with partners around the world to ensure they are ready to step into any breach," said a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity. That includes the European allies Blinken will meet in Brussels but also others like South Korea, which could play a critical role given its alarm over the deepening alliance between Russia and North Korea, the official said. Ukraine said last week it had clashed with some of an estimated 11,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia's Kursk region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The most important work that they can do ... is to essentially turn as much of this over to the Europeans as possible," said Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of the New America think tank and a former State Department official. European countries have been preparing for a possible second Trump presidency, but are keen to signal publicly that they will work with Trump, she said. "(Blinken) may be able to do some behind-the-scenes, low-profile stuff," Slaughter said, as well as "reminding Europeans that they still have a lot of friends in the United States, even if the government is going to take a very different view. POTENTIAL PEACE TALKS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's return is also likely to bring NATO-member defense spending back into focus. Most allies now spend above a required 2% of their GDP on defense but Trump has said he would insist on a commitment of 3% from allies. Trump has railed for years against NATO member countries that failed to meet agreed military spending targets and warned during the campaign that he would not only refuse to defend nations "delinquent" on funding but would also encourage Russia "to do whatever the hell they want" to them. While he has not outlined a clear plan for the conflict, Trump has said he would quickly end the war. Ukraine is battling to put itself in a strong position for potential peace talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has spoken to Zelenskiy and held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a source familiar with the conversation, in which the president-elect reportedly urged Putin not to escalate the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has denied the call took place. Since Trump's election victory, European leaders have sought to influence him to maintain support for Ukraine by publicly stressing Russia's links to North Korea, Iran and China. The outgoing Biden team has few options but to try to put Ukraine in the best possible position for potential peace talks, said Daniel Fried, a retired U.S. diplomat now at the Atlantic Council think tank. That could involve coordinating allies to impose new sanctions on Russia or tighten enforcement of existing ones, Fried said, although any actions taken now could be easily undone by Trump officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If the Biden people try to box them in or score points, the Trump people may just reject it out of hand," he said. (Reporting by Simon Lewis in Washington; additional reporting by Andrew Gray in Brussels; Editing by Don Durfee and Matthew Lewis) A voter fills out his ballot at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office in Orlando, Florida. - Credit: Paul Hennessy/Anadolu/Getty Images In the years since the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Donald Trump never once backed down from the lie that caused it: That the 2020 election had been stolen from him, and Joe Bidens presidency was illegitimate. Running a comeback campaign to secure a second term in 2024, he primed his supporters to once again challenge the democratic process in the event of another loss, all while spewing more misinformation about everything from post-birth abortions to pet-eating immigrants, none of which had any basis in reality. But now that Trump has defeated Vice President Kamala Harris and started appointing a Cabinet, some disappointed Democrats are turning to the kind of conspiracies they had long condemned from MAGA influencers. Most strikingly, some have pushed the unfounded claim that Trump or the GOP may have stolen votes from Harris, beginning to solidify a BlueAnon truther movement with parallels to the far-right QAnon extremism that Trump has routinely elevated from within his base. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These rumblings began last Tuesday as election night results moved steadily in favor of Trump, who for the first time in three national contests was on track to win not just the electoral college but the popular vote. (His past underperformance of Biden and Hillary Clinton by this metric inspired many of his false accusations of fraud and voting by undocumented migrants.) Because many ballots had yet to be counted, particularly in blue west coast states with mail-in voting, and Harris trailed Bidens totals, highly visible social media users began to raise questions about 15 or 20 million missing votes, and called on Harris not to concede. These misleading posts were viewed millions of times. Even as Harris continued to receive more votes through the following week, closing the popular vote gap with Trump, the depressed Democratic turnout saw thousands of Dems signing a Change.org petition demanding an investigation and recount of the 2024 election, citing the erroneous 15-20 million figure and arguing, The election results DO NOT add up, and it seems that they were somehow tampered with illegally. During the week in which the 2020 vote was tallied, Trump, his team, and Republican officials and members of Congress sowed doubt in the results as they went against him. The partys amplification of election misinformation was a critical factor in the violence that erupted on Jan. 6. Harris and the Democrats, by contrast, have not acknowledged the conspiracy theories brewing in the aftermath of the 2024 matchup though determined bad actors have made inroads with liberals anyway. By the weekend after the election, misinformation and engagement-farming social accounts were sharing false reports that the Harris campaign was presently engaged in efforts to force a recount. BREAKING: Kamalas campaign says They can Overturn Trumps Election Victory with a Recount, read one unsourced post on X, formerly Twitter, from a verified account with nearly 200,000 followers. Harris has in fact conceded the race and said nothing about a recount. But by Tuesday afternoon, according to X metrics, the bogus headline had been viewed 21 million times and received 84,000 likes. (It also has also received a Community Note marking it as false.) And while certain clickbait accounts used Harris diminished turnout compared to Bidens to suggest that Trump cheated this time around, right-wing misinformation peddlers used it to retroactively argue that 2020 must have been stolen from Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another strain of election denialism from liberals concerns Starlink, a satellite-based internet communications system owned and operated by the private aerospace company SpaceX whose CEO is billionaire Elon Musk, one of Trumps most important backers who is likely to have outsized power in the new administration. TikToks speculating that Musk could have used Starlink to alter vote totals and rig the election made the rounds, with a few influencers wondering if this was the mysterious little secret Trump teased at a rally in the closing days of the campaign. (Actor John Cusak was among those looking for information online as to whether Starlink is connected to voting.) There is no evidence that the satellites could interfere with voting machines, which are disconnected from the internet during the voting process to prevent hacking though Musk himself has misleadingly claimed that these highly secure machines are vulnerable to cyberattack. Suspicions were further raised by the fiery breakup of a decommissioned Starlink satellite as it reentered Earths atmosphere over the U.S. on Saturday night. Its almost like Elon Musk cheated in the election and destroyed the evidence, mused one popular X user the day after. Others saw a potential coded reference to Starlink in a line from Harris concession speech: Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars, she said in the address to her supporters and the nation on Wednesday afternoon, prompting one TikTok user to write, I dont think this is over yet. The Starlink conspiracy theories also proved to have traction on Threads, Metas alternative to X, which counts among its users plenty of Democrats outraged that Musk remade the latter platform into a premiere destination for Trump hype and MAGA propaganda. The whole Starlink thing isnt conspiracy theory, its actually real, wrote one self-identified liberal mom in a post sharing one of the conspiracist TikTok videos. The same user then sketched out a scenario in which a GOP election fraud scheme is uncovered: FBI raids and arrests Musk, she imagined. Trump plays dumb but will only walk away clean if offered a full pardon, which is granted. QAnon communities, too, often indulge in predictions of political enemies being charged and punished for crimes of corruption. While such implausible explanations of Trumps win (and fantasies of his downfall) are no doubt an expression of shock at Harris loss, a contingent of BlueAnon Democrats have flirted with alternate realities since July, when Trump was grazed in the ear by an assassins bullet at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In the wake of that attempt on his life, skeptical liberals produced elaborate but inaccurate analyses of the shooting as they sought to prove it had been a staged or false flag operation carried out by Trump allies in hopes of increasing his odds of election. When Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention two days later with a bandage on his wounded ear, conspiracists shared close-up images they falsely claimed as evidence that the injury wasnt real, including a video altered to make it seem as though Trump had worn the bandage on the wrong ear. (The rights own conspiracy theories around the incident tended to focus on the failures of the Secret Service to adequately protect Trump.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That more Democrats if not elected ones are now succumbing to the comforts of election denialism as Trump returns to the Oval Office indicates the potential realignment of an already polarized America: What if both sides are disconnected from the facts, and continue to move in opposite directions? Its an outcome that social media networks, swamped year after year by misinformation, seem ill-equipped to address. As it is, they may only serve to accelerate a national divorce. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Boeing secured its first order since the end of a seven-week strike. Avia Solutions Group, which leases planes to airlines, ordered 80 Boeing 737 Max jets. There's still a difficult road ahead for the embattled planemaker to up production and improve quality. Boeing has secured its first order since the end of a seven-week machinists' strike. Avia Solutions Group announced Tuesday that it ordered 80 Boeing 737 Max jets, evenly split between firm orders and purchase rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ASG describes itself as the world's largest aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance provider. It wet leases planes to airlines meaning it provides planes as well as crew and other services typically during peak travel periods. It has a fleet of 220 aircraft and carries around 35 million passengers a year for its clients. This is its first direct order from a planemaker. The news is a boon for Boeing as it works to turn things around amid an especially testing year that has seen its stock fall 40%. "ACMI providers such as Avia Solutions Group offer important, flexible capacity to meet the dynamic demand in our industry and we are honored Avia has selected Boeing airplanes to help meet that demand from its customers," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, rival Airbus won an order from Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air for 60 narrow-body jets. That came months after Bloomberg reported Boeing had been set to secure an order from the kingdom's ambitious startup instead. Even with the strike ending, there is a difficult road ahead for Boeing to work through its roughly $428 billion backlog of around 5,400 commercial aircraft. Airbus has delivered more planes and received more orders this year, while Boeing has faced intense scrutiny since January's Alaska Airlines blowout. The incident saw a 737 Max lose a door plug mid-flight after the plane left Boeing's factory missing key bolts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Federal Aviation Administration consequently limited Boeing's output of 737 Max aircraft to 38 a month until it implements a safety-and-quality plan. The planemaker has slowed below that as it overhauls its production processes, delivering around 30 per month in the last quarter. Delivery of ASG's Boeing jets is expected to start in 2030. Boeing must balance improving both its quality and production output to restore trust with customers and regulators. Credit rating agencies have warned that Boeing's bonds could be downgraded to junk status. Ben Tsocanos, S&P Global Ratings' aerospace director, said Boeing's equity raise provides a "cushion," but its rating still depends on its ability to increase both production and quality. Read the original article on Business Insider EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector and the Office of Field Operations is hosting the annual Veterans Resource Expo on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The event is held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the El Paso Community College Administrative Building A, 9050 Viscount. This event is to assist veterans and their families with any questions they might have regarding benefits, medical, or simply navigating the VA system. Come by and talk with local, city, county, and federal veteran assistance groups, reads a flyer announcing the event. 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 KTSM 9 News. Boris Johnson has warned that Britain may have to send troops to Ukraine if Donald Trump cuts funding when he takes over as President. The former prime minister told GB News that if Russia gains the upper hand in the conflict, the UK may have to do more to defend Kyiv. He warned that the US president-elect was listening to some pro-Putin figures in the Republican party with bonkers ideas on the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Johnson said the decision by the US and its allies to spend billions on helping Ukraine was an investment against future expansionism by Russia and China and could prevent the UK having to send ground troops. Mr Johnson says our collective security will be really degraded if Russia threatens more of Europe - Alexey Furman/Getty Images Europe If Ukraine goes down, then we face an even bigger threat on our borders, the borders of the European continent wherever the democracies butt up against Russia, he said. So, itll be the Baltic states. Itll be in Georgia. Youll see the impact of a Ukrainian defeat in the Pacific theatre. Youll see it in the South China Sea. What Im saying is for people watching, thinking why are we supporting the Ukrainians? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its because otherwise our collective security will be really degraded by a resurgent Russia threatening all sorts of parts of Europe, and we will then have to pay to send British troops to help defend Ukraine. Its wrong Mr Johnson said Mr Trump had lots of different voices in his ears over Ukraine. Theres a front of the Republican Party, quite a lot of them actually, who take the wrong line on Ukraine and who are, frankly, a bit entranced by Vladimir Putin and they have a kind of weird sort of fanboy thing about Putin, he said. You know, taking his shirt off. And its creepy, Its bonkers, its wrong. Hes listening to some of those people hes hearing all that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, this is the same Trump who made a huge difference to the fortunes of Ukraine when he authorised the supply of the Javelin shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons. If Trump hadnt done that, then the battle for Kyiv might have been very, very different. The former Conservative leader said Mr Trump won the election on the issue of the economy. A lot of people looked back to the time of Donald Trump and remembered that things were not only stable, but also quite prosperous and he had a clear and incredible economic message about growth, about tax cuts, about deregulation, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Johnson said Britain should emulate the Republicans plan to deport illegal immigrants, saying: I agree, and I looked at that and I thought we should. Well see how he gets on because, be in no doubt, the lawyers will be all over it, as they were all over our various projects. Its like I said in April 2022, when I launched the Rwanda scheme, youve got to get the legal ducks in a row. And I said to the people, I said to the country that when we launched, that it would only work if we could get the lawyers to back down. We live under the rule of law, and we try to protect human rights, but sometimes that protection of rights is done in such a way as to be, I think, unreasonable and against the clear manifesto commitments that the Government has. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: Weve got ourselves into a situation where it is very difficult to deport even people who patently should be deported. My party, the Conservative Party, did have a perfectly good agenda. The Rwanda plan was a good one. Rob Jenrick was making a very interesting point when he said that it might be time to review the ECHR, the European Convention on Human Rights, because I think sometimes it is being applied in a way that is anti-democratic, and that is stopping the removal of people who plainly need to be removed. So anyway, I look at some of the things that Trump is now saying about that issue, and I can understand why hes saying it. I think that in a democracy, we need to have a way of doing it. An unfair advantage Mr Johnson said: Im a mongrel made up of all sorts of immigrants. But the point about immigration is that people will wear it, theyll understand it, theyll accept it, if they feel its controlled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem with the illegals, particularly the people who come so visibly across the Channel in the dinghies, coracles, and so on, is that they undermine the people who are coming here legally, and they seem to be getting an unfair advantage. The former prime minister said Britains reputation for free speech has been put at risk by the Governments response to the recent riots, with a disproportionate number being put in prison. When youre locking someone up for quite a long time, some you know, mother, grandmother, whos never had a criminal record before, for something she said in the spur of the moment on Twitter, and youre simultaneously letting people out of prison who are really quite serious offenders, he said. There are people around the world who look up to Britain [as] a great beacon of free speech, right? And they do worry about that, because it does seem to be disproportionate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He dismissed a story about the late Queen being relieved after he resigned because he would not be organising her funeral and was an idiot. Mr Johnson said: I think its highly unlikely that she said that because, of course, no prime minister organises the monarchs funeral. Its done by the DCMS. I think its possible that theres malicious tittle-tattle. 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. GAZA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Tuesday claimed its militants killed and wounded ten Israeli soldiers in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. "Our members killed and wounded ten Israeli soldiers in a house bombing with a highly explosive device in Jabalia camp," al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said in a press statement without providing further details. Later, the Brigades reported in a separate statement that its members targeted a tank with a "commando" device and a D9 bulldozer with a "tandem" shell in Tel al-Zaatar, north of Gaza. Also on Tuesday, the Israeli army confirmed in a press statement the deaths of four soldiers during the fighting in Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, Monday night. On Oct. 5, the Israeli army began an unprecedented bombardment of areas in the northern Gaza Strip before launching a large-scale military operation there, especially in Jabalia. The Israeli army says that its operation in Jabalia aims to prevent Hamas fighters from reorganizing their ranks to launch more attacks. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,665, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson believes that British forces could be deployed in Ukraine if US President-elect Donald Trump reduces military aid to Kyiv. Source: European Pravda, citing Johnson's interview with GB News Details: Johnson explained that abandoning support for Ukraine would lead to far greater costs for the UK in the future. Quote: "What I'm saying is for people watching, thinking why are we supporting the Ukrainians? It's because otherwise our collective security will be really degraded by a resurgent Russia threatening all sorts of parts of Europe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former PM warned that such a scenario would compel the UK to send troops directly, stating, "We will then have to pay to send British troops to help defend Ukraine." Commenting on Trumps stance on Ukraine, Johnson highlighted the conflicting influences within the US Republican Party. Quote: "Donald Trump has lots of different voices in his ears and there's a front of the Republican Party, quite a lot of them actually, who take the wrong line on Ukraine." Johnson criticised some Republicans for what he described as "a kind of weird sort of fanboy thing about Putin". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, he praised Trump's support for Ukraine during his first term. "This is the same Trump who made a huge difference to the fortunes of Ukraine when he authorised the supply of the Javelin shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons," Johnson noted, adding that without this support from the 45th US president, "the battle for Kyiv might have been very, very different". Background: Last month, Boris Johnson stated that Trump's unpredictability might have been enough to deter Vladimir Putin from launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He also expressed confidence that Trump would not abandon Ukraine if he became president. Support UP or become our patron! BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Bossier Parish Community College had a powerful tribute on Veterans Day. For their Field of Flags & Veterans Day ceremony, seen outdoors on the schools quad were 1,000 American flags. The ceremonys special guest this year was Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs, Charlton J. Meginley. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds explains why red poppies are connected to Veterans Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have the best job in the state. I get to take care of the people who served and protected our country, who were willing to risk everything for the ideals of freedom and security. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to those people who took that oath to support and defend the constitution of the united states. For me, its the greatest honor Ive ever had in my career, Secretary Meginley told KTAL. After the ceremony, guests were invited to walk around the display to pay their personal respects. The flags were available for purchase during the month of October. All proceeds were donated to the Salvation Army of Northwest Louisiana for their Homeless Veteran 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 KTALnews.com. SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) An East Tennessee boy battling cancer got to make his dream a reality thanks to the generosity of a stranger. Nine-year-old Jesse James Pulley was diagnosed with cancer back in May. He enjoyed the experience of a lifetime as he along with his parents rode in a helicopter thanks to an anonymous donor. Seasonal road closures begin in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Jesse was diagnosed with stage three Burkitt lymphoma that, unfortunately, has not been cured yet, his mother Leann Pulley said. Chemo is not working so we are going to be trying T-cell therapy and tomorrow theyre going to be taking his old port out putting a new port in and then an exploratory laparotomy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was amazing. So they had called me and asked if there was something that Jesse would like to do and we were trying to wrap our brains and they were like, what about helicopter rides?' Leann said. I was like, Im not even lying, two days ago is whenever he said that.' Jesse James came with an idea after he saw a helicopter flyover his house. He was a little nervous at first. Fine but at takeoff, it was a little bit weird, Jesse James said. The family even flew over their own home. (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) The Beetlejuice movie, they looked like from that thing on the table where they were small, said Jesse James. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ride took place at Scenic Helicopter Tours. See more top stories on WATE.com The family told 6 News theyre grateful for the experience ahead of surgery on Wednesday. If you would like to help out the family has created a GoFundme to help pay for medical costs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Utah Sen.-elect John Curtis announced on Tuesday that former KSL News Radio host Boyd Matheson will join his office as a strategic adviser. Matheson previously served as Utah Sen. Mike Lees chief of staff from 2012 to 2016 and as Lees communications director during his 2010 campaign. Boyd is principled and policy-focused, Curtis said in a press release. His deep understanding of the United States Senate, his strategic communication abilities, and his experience in building high-performance organizations will complement every member of our talented team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with the Deseret News, Matheson praised Curtis and his staff, who have been recognized as some of the most responsive and productive in Congress, while explaining that his role will be to help Curtis team adapt to the unique environment of the Senate. I am excited for this season to amplify, magnify and extend the Sen.-elects message, principles and policies and help foster a team and a culture that can help transform the Senate and serve the country and the people of Utah at a critical time, said Matheson. Matheson described the position as his priority for the foreseeable future, likely constituting a new full time job, despite his original plan to return to consulting and government affairs after retiring from radio. On Nov. 8, Matheson wrapped up more than four years as the voice of Inside Sources, which was preceded by three years as opinion editor at Deseret News and two years as president of the conservative think tank Sutherland Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to entering politics and journalism, Matheson worked as the communications director for software company Symantec, founded Trillium Strategies, a strategic communications firm, and authored multiple books. Matheson said he was attracted to Curtis campaign by the congressmans unique strategic statesman quality, meaning that Curtis finds opportunities to influence his colleagues through meaningful conversations regardless of his official leadership position. Hes an extraordinary listener, Matheson said of Curtis. Hes a great convener. He can bring people together with really different points of view and different approaches, and its never about getting to some sort of squishy compromise. Conservative success in the Senate is about starting from principle, looking toward good policy and not allowing politics to get in the way, according to Matheson. This approach will be key to representing Utah on issues like climate, public lands, China and reforming Social Security and Medicare, Matheson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mathesons hope is that he can help Curtis restore the Senate as the worlds greatest deliberative body. Matheson foresees this as being a process that Curtis, and Mathesons former boss, Lee, Utahs senior senator, can work on together. I think between Senator Curtis and Senator Lee, they will be able to tag team in really unique ways, both for the state and for the country, in terms of how things actually do get done in the United States Senate, Matheson said. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) A Brandon man who tried to escape custody after being convicted of sex crimes has been sentenced. Madison and Rankin Counties District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said Franky Lee Lovern, Sr., 54, was found guilty of sexual battery and gratification of lust in October. Lovern was sentenced to 30 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) for the sexual battery charge and 15 years for the gratification of lust charge. The sentences will run concurrently. Lovern will be required to register as a sex offender once hes been released from prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two injured during attempted robbery at Burlington Coat Factory On January 31, 2024, a man reported to the Rankin County Sheriffs Office that Lovern had sexually abused him multiple times when he was a teenager. Investigators obtained search warrants for digital evidence. After Lovern was convicted in October, investigators said he tried to escape custody while at the Rankin County Courthouse. Surveillance video showed Lovern assaulting the deputy. Investigators said he tried to take the deputys firearm. Additional law enforcement responded to the courthouse, and Lovern was subdued. Video Courtesy: Rankin County Sheriffs Office Lovern was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, attempted escape, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, disobeying a police officer and resisting arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. War was near in November 1941. The men of the Second Battalion of the 131st Field Artillery of the Texas National Guard prepared for the worst as they sailed to Hawaii. These men had come together from North-Central Texas to serve their country, and hailed from Abilene, Decatur, Lubbock, and the Wichita Falls area. Their capture three months later and the fate of what became the Lost Battalion became one of the most harrowing stories of Texas troops during World War II. Their initial voyage in late 1941 proceeded with little incident. They docked briefly at Pearl Harbor in late November and were sent on to Australia to bolster Allied forces in anticipation of Japanese action. The troops heard the news of the attack on Hawaii while on the high seas. Army officials briefly considered recalling them to Hawaii, but the decision was made to send them onward. After spending Christmas 1941 in Australia, the men were then ordered to assist Australian, British, and Dutch troops in the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) against Japan. Though only a small contingent of troops, the Second Battalion prepared to defend the large island of Java. Japan invaded on February 27, 1942. Pressure from Japanese forces mounted, and the Allies fell back into smaller and steadily less defensible corners. The USS Houston was sunk, with the loss of 700 American sailors. More than 300 survivors reached Allied lines. Cohesion soon broke down, and it was every force for itself. The Americans were cut off in the mix, unable to rally and unable to communicate with other units. On March 8, Java fell to Japan, and the Texans were captured, along with more than 32,000 other Allied troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news stunned America, but the War Department had no idea what had happened to the troops of the Second Battalion or the Houston survivors. Communications simply ceased. Families and neighbors grieved, worried, and prayed, not knowing what fates awaited their loved ones half a world away. The 534 captured of the Second Battalion, along with the Houston, became known as the Lost Battalion and suffered in Japanese prison camps throughout the war. The Geneva Convention of 1929 specified that prisoners were to be given proper shelter and medical care and not to be tortured. Nations were also supposed to inform each other of captives. Japan refused to ratify the treaty, and during the war resorted to a medieval mentality that surrender was disgraceful and prisoners deserved the worst. And the worst they delivered, many later answering for their war crimes. One group separated during the battle for Java, Battery E, was eventually sent to Japan to work as slave labor in the shipyards and coal mines until they were freed in 1945. Eight of these 99 men died in captivity. Most of the remainder of the Lost Battalion were held for seven months in Java before put to work in their own slave labor camps building the Burma Railway for Japan. For nearly a year, more than 66,000 Allied prisoners along with more than 230,000 Southeast Asian civilians were forced to build a 258-mile rail line from Burma to Thailand across treacherous mountain passes and unrelenting jungles. The overworked men had little food or water, no medical care, and were beaten or murdered by guards. Seventy thousand men died building the railroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After completion of the Death Railway in 1943, the men were sent back to prison camps in the Dutch East Indies. Over the next two years, they were sent to various places across Southeast Asia to serve Japanese whims. They suffered from poor health, poor nutrition, and beatings. In all, 163 men from the Lost Battalion died in Japanese camps. In September 1944, American submarines on routine war patrols came across Japanese merchant ships carrying hundreds of Allied prisoners. Once safely back in Allied hands, the POWs began telling how they had worked with survivors of the Second Battalion in Burma. News that some of the men were still alive was relayed to waiting families. They now had renewed hope, but these hopes were tempered by the knowledge of what the prison camps were like. It would be nearly another year of hard fighting before the Lost Battalion could be rescued. In August 1945, Japan surrendered. By this time, most of the imprisoned Second Battalion were in camps in Java and Thailand. Two American C-54 transports were brought in to bring them to a hospital in Calcutta, India, before returning home. After some time back in Texas, families organized a welcome home celebration in October 1945. The men formed the Lost Battalion Association and met regularly in the ensuing years. In a brutal chapter from a war full of brutality, the men may have been lost for a time but were never forgotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. He holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas. Bridges can be reached by email at drkenbridges@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Bridges: The 'Lost Battalion' and the harrowing tale of Texans in WWII MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) Brindlee Mountain High Schools Veterans Day ceremony brought the community together in a tribute to honor the bravery and sacrifices of local veterans. The celebration was an expression of the communitys respect for veterans and the sacrifices they have made. Your Wellbeing: Simplifying a healthy lifestyle Here at Brindlee Mountain we find it very important to honor our veterans not only on Veterans Day but each and every day, said one of the students in a packed gymnasium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those in attendance is retired U.S. Army Sgt. Johnny Whisenant. Whisenant was among several at the event that served in the war in Iraq. There were 142 in my company, and 142 of us came home, Whisenant explained. A lot of them are here today only by the grace of God. Phil Campbell man killed in northwest Alabama crash Whisenant says if called upon, those soldiers would not hesitate to go back and fight for their country. You know really, most veterans all they want is a thank you. Im 73 years old now and the majority of the soldiers that went with me are retired, but if we were asked, we would go back to defend our country because we love it that much, Whisenant said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The veteran honors are the first ever to be held at the school. We would like to honor our veterans every day but if I can do it today here, we can do it anytime, said Steven Sims of Brindlee Mountain High School. Whisenant, who also served in Vietnam, told News 19 that he was moved by how Marshall County took a moment to reflect on the sacrifices he and fellow soldiers have made so that we can enjoy the freedoms we experience every day. Its not only for them but for their kids and their grandkids and their great-grandkids, said Whisenant. It didnt come for free, its been paid for in blood and they need to realize that. 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 WHNT.com. The Maldives is joining a growing list of countries where tourists will have their vapes confiscated upon arrival, following new rules taking effect on November 15. If a traveller arrives with a vape, they can deposit it at a special counter at the airport for a receipt and collect it again on departure, tourism officials in the popular Indian Ocean holiday destination have clarified. Australia, Turkey, Singapore, Mexico, India, Brazil and Thailand are among the other countries that do not allow travellers to bring vapes with them, largely due to health concerns over irreversible lung damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maldives import ban also applies to tobacco, smoking accessories, shishas and flavoured cigarettes, with one exception: travellers aged 18 and over with a tourist visa may import up to 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco. People who vape are generally advised to double check whether they are allowed to bring their device with them on holiday before getting on a flight. In Thailand, which has some of the world's strictest anti-vaping rules, anyone caught breaking the e-cigarette laws can be punished with a steep fine or even imprisonment for up to five years. In Australia, there has been a ban on the import of all types of vapes since March 2024, unless a special licence or permit has been obtained. While vapes have been shown to help smokers quit tobacco, health officials in many countries are concerned about the proven appeal of dessert flavours for vape liquids among younger people who have not yet taken up smoking. News that Britain now has the highest industrial energy prices in the world, has fallen out of the worlds top ten manufacturers, faces power rationing and is spending over 3bn a year to import electricity marks a damning indictment on a generation of flawed and misguided energy policies. As the worlds green A-listers gather this week in Azerbaijan for COP29, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is probably right to claim that the world increasingly looks at the British energy model; but I would argue it is more in bewilderment and curiosity rather than any desire to copy or follow it. Energy policies here have wreaked havoc on consumers and firms for a generation and there is no end in sight. No more stark example of this failure exists than our growing overreliance on buying electricity from Europe. This results in energy jobs, security and expertise being offshored to our competitors; a policy which ultimately relies on spare supplies of electricity being available through interconnector cables. But will these flows always be there as older power plants on the continent close? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to new data, net imports of electricity totalled 26.3 terrawatt hours (TWh) from January to September which is a new record for the UK. This easily surpassed the previous high of 24.6TWh reached three years ago, but Britain has closed yet more power plants since then so the hole will likely be filled with yet more foreign supplies. Last month, the countrys last big coal-fired power station closed and nuclear generation remains in consistent decline. The bill for these imports is now running at 250m a month and regularly represents 20 per cent of total electricity supply. Forecasts show imports could soon be supplying up to a third of our needs by 2030 and beyond. Beware ministers who boast of Britains falling emissions from the energy sector; they wont tell you about the overseas emissions connected with the electricity we now import but dont appear on UK statistics; they claim they cannot measure it, so they ignore it. Britain is offshoring its emissions, hiding them and hoping people wont notice. In order to provide a proper understanding and long overdue analysis of energy policy failure it is important to understand and consider how we got here. The failure of this most important national policy transcends governments since the turn of the century and represents one of the biggest failings in statecraft since World War Two. The consequences are stark, ranging from the loss of our competitiveness, rising fuel poverty, chronic economic underperformance and becoming dangerously vulnerable to future energy crises. And for what end? Facts are important. Between 2004 and 2021, before the war in Ukraine the industrial price of energy in Britain tripled in nominal terms (153%) or doubled relative to consumer prices. Electricity prices have doubled since 2019. This has led to a huge slice of Britains manufacturing base already choosing to relocate overseas in search of lower costs. Since 2010 over 200,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost; as a share of GDP, manufacturing has halved since the 1990s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The writing was on the wall years ago following the Blair, Brown, Cameron and May governments decision to slavishly follow EU diktat and start closing coal and oil-fired power stations without clear policies to build cleaner equivalent ones; weather dependent windmills and solar panels could never fill the gap, especially if they are built faster than they can be connected to the grid. The EUs various power station directives, first supported by the Blair government forced the UK to start shutting key plants from 2012 before new ones were ready. Coupled with this is the derisory ninety minutes Commons debate to enact the Net Zero 2050 law, arguably the most complex, far reaching and costly piece of legislation in post war history. Britains ability to generate its electricity needs has been in decline since the 1990s, when it last enjoyed a power surplus. Per capita electricity generation in the UK is now just two thirds of what it is in France and barely over a third of the US. We now mirror developing countries like South Africa (which endures rolling blackouts) more than key competitors like Germany. British businesses pay almost four times as much as American firms for each unit of power and households pay three times as much. Primarily we must wean Britain off interconnectors and instead prioritise reliable home grown generation. This means turbo charging new nuclear stations which are already fifteen years late. Britains last nuclear power plant at Sizewell B was completed nearly thirty years ago in 1995. Thirty five years will have passed before the next one starts generating at Hinkley Point C. Sixty years ago Britain had 21 nuclear reactors, compared to 19 in the rest of the world combined. Global leadership in this sector was picked up by France which now generates 70 per cent of its power from its nuclear stations and is decarbonising whilst retaining competitive power prices. France built no less than 40 nuclear plants between 1965 and 1985 and is now refurbishing and replacing older ones. Today, British firms pay on average sixty per cent more for electricity than French ones. Whitehalls mountain of environmental red tape has added layer after layer of bureaucracy, thus deterring the most determined developer of new power plants, particularly new small modular reactors (SMRs). Put simply, it is becoming harder and harder to build things in Britain particularly if you arent lucky enough to be a government owned or a subsidised company like HS2 Ltd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A failing energy policy inflicts huge pain on households, industry and the wider economy. It restricts energy investment and stunts job creation. We need to learn, understand and address how and why a generation of political leaders and civil servants have failed and continue to do so in this most critical area of policy. This winter will see Britain import vast amounts of power to keep the lights on at a record cost. The platitudes around energy security are cruelly exposed by this growing insecurity and panicked short termism. Crucially, ministers are never able to answer the key question, When will bills begin to fall? because they cant. But credible economic growth and productivity hangs on this key fact; without lower energy costs Britain will continue to stagnate and fall behind, meaning there is less money for key investment and public services. At COP29 Britain is a global case study in what not to do. Consequently, Ed Miliband is undoubtedly doing the rest of the world a huge favour, irrespective of the pain and costs he continues to pile on business, industry and households at home. Tony Lodge is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Studies 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. Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby on Tuesday resigned as head of the Church of England after a critical report over his handling of an abuse scandal. "Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury," Welby wrote in a letter explaining his departure. Pressure had been mounting for Welby to step aside following a damning publication last week which outlined the Church of England's role in the alleged cover-up of abuse of young boys at the hands of the now-dead John Smyth in the 1970s and 1980s and then later allegedly in South Africa and neighboring Zimbabwe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's alleged there could be up to 130 victims. A news report, wrote Welby, "has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth." The Makin Review, an independent publication, concluded that Smyth might have been brought to justice long ago had the archbishop sooner contacted police 10 years ago. "When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow," Welby claimed. It is "very clear," he added, that "I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With sadness, I fully respect and understand Archbishop Justin's decision today to resign," Dr. Joanne Grenfell, the Bishop of Stepney and lead safeguarding bishop of the Church of England, told the BBC. Grenfell says its "now necessary for others to take up the baton." Exactly when Welby, 68, intends to step-down from his role has yet to be announced. The "exact timing," he wrote in his letter, will be decided "once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion." According to Grenfell, Welby's choice "does not absolve any of us from bringing about the wholesale changes in culture and leadership that are essential in every part of the Church," she added. The Makin report outlined how Smyth -- an unordained church barrister and lay preacher -- ran summer camps and singled out dozens of younger boys there and at Winchester College before he would beat them with a cane in his shed after taking them to his home in what Keith Makin contends was a "clearly sexually motivated, sadistic regime." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smyth relocated to Africa in the 1980s where it's alleged a further 85 to 100 other "young male children aged 13 to 17" suffered abuse at the hands of Smyth. But he died in 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa at age 75 while under investigation by Hampshire authorities but was "never brought to justice for the abuse", Makin wrote last week Makin claims Smyth "could and should" have been been reported to authorities by Welby and the church "missed opportunity to bring him to justice." Welby, according to the Makin Review article, "may not have known of the extreme seriousness of the abuse," it said, but "it is most probable that he would have had at least a level of knowledge that John Smyth was of some concern," it said, adding "it is not possible to establish whether Welby knew of the severity of the abuses in the U.K. prior to 2013." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Helen-Ann Hartley, the Bishop of Newcastle, said Welby's position had become "untenable" after the report prior to his announced resignation. "I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church," Welby wrote Tuesday in part of his letter. "As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse." Hartley, meanwhile, said "it's very hard" for the Church of England "to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation, when we cannot get our own house in order with regard to something as critically important [as abuse]," she said. "I think rightly people are asking the question: 'Can we really trust the Church of England to keep us safe?' And I think the answer at the moment is 'no'," Hartley added. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, kicked off in Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku on Monday. #XinhuaNews Nov. 11 (UPI) -- A 55-year-old vaccine conspiracy theorist and COVID-19 denier convicted of encouraging violence over Britain's handling of the pandemic was sentenced Monday to five years' imprisonment. Patrick Ruane, of West London, was sentenced Monday at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, known as the Old Bailey. His sentence comes with a one-year extended license period. "This is a dangerous man who was prolific in encouraging violence because of his firmly held beliefs in a conspiracy theory," Bethan David, head of the Counter Terrorism Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, said Monday in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He posed a credible threat to the peace and safety of the public, and it is only right that he has been found guilty today." Ruane was convicted Sept. 13 following a two-week trial at the Old Bailey on two charges of encouraging terrorism. Prosecutors said that Ruane was a member of Telegram groups known for spreading the conspiracy theory that COVID-19 and vaccines were designed by the government as a form of population control. For 10 months, Ruane published statements online encouraging violence against the government, including its overthrow, the prosecution said. Devices seized from his West London residence upon his arrest in November 2021 contained what authorities called "a large number of messages" in which he "actively encouraged people to commit acts of violence due to his dislike of the government's policies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Detectives found posts where he was encouraging others to target staff linked to pharmaceutical companies producing the COVID-19 vaccinations," Metropolitan Police said in a statement. "Ruane also posted about targeting MPs and police, as well as bombing vaccine laboratories and 5G infrastructure." In handing down the sentence Monday, Judge Richard Marks KC explained to Ruane that he was entitled to share his views, but he had gone "much further" than simply that, the BBC reported. Ruane's crimes were "extremely dangerous," Marks said, especially given the "volatile and vulnerable" state society was in at the time he was advocating for violence. "You had developed a compulsive and obsessive mindset about the vaccine," he told Ruane. Editor's Note: The original article referred to the $20 billion as aid, without specifying that it was part of the $50 billion loan agreed by the Group of Seven (G7) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to press outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden to release a $20 billion loan for Ukraine during next weeks G20 summit in Brazil, the Telegraph reported on Nov. 12. The loan is part of the Group of Seven (G7) has reached an agreement to provide Ukraine with approximately $50 billion in loans backed by the revenue from foreign Russian assets, the G7 announced on Oct. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States will contribute the bulk of the loan with $20 billion in assistance. The U.S. is closely followed by European Union countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, with a combined $19.4 billion. The remaining approximately $10 billion will be divvied up with Canada providing $3.7 billion, Japan providing $3.07 billion, and the U.K. providing $2.9 billion in loan funding. This would be the latest part of European powers attempt to persuade Biden to step up help to Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office in January, including allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russias territory with Western-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. The U.K. prime minister will also press for a one-on-one discussion with Biden during the G20 summit, according to the Telegraph. Starmer also met and released a joint statement on Nov. 11. with French President Emmanuel Macron "stressing their determination to support Ukraine unwaveringly and for as long as necessary to thwart Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two leaders will meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk soon, as the trio attempts to Trump-proof the Western blocs aid to Ukraine in case the incoming U.S. president decides to radically cut aid for Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly promised to end the war "in 24 hours, and though he hasn't yet elaborated a plan, it is largely expected to involve Ukraine ceding land to Russia. Republican Senator Marco Rubio is expected to become the US next chief diplomat, who said on air shortly after Trumps victory that Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has reached a "stalemate" and "needs to be brought to a conclusion. He also voted against the U.S $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in April 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Marco Rubio likely to be Trumps secretary of state, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A British teen has been left with serious injuries after being hit by a paraglider while on a family holiday in Turkey. Lily Nichol, 15, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham was on the final day of her holiday with her mother and sister in the resort town of Oludueniz when the accident occurred. Lilys mother, Lyndsey Logan, said that they were out for one last family meal at 1pm on Friday 8 November before being due to head to the airport to go home when her daughter was wiped clean out by a man paragliding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oludeniz is often touted as one the top paragliding locations in the world, attracting many to the almost 2,000m Babadag mountain which has ideal conditions for the sport. The teenager was left with serious injuries, leading her to be rushed to hospital with a broken back, her tongue ripped apart, and damage to her chin, among other wounds. Logan told ITV Tyne Tees she was living every mams worst nightmare. The way he came, his feet have hit the back of my daughter and the tables gone over and she just face-planted the whole thing so his feet she took the most of his pressure from his feet, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They come down really fast. When I picked her up and put her on the floor we had to resuscitate her, she had a stroke and she was unconscious until she got to the hospital and she woke up and thought she was having a dream. Lily, who was sent to the intensive care unit, has had to have 7,200 worth of stitches on her eye, chin and tongue, but further operations on her broken back and jaw will cost the family 45,000. Logan said that while her daughter was in a really bad way, the silver lining was that she had no serious head injuries which the family described as brilliant news. With such a large bill for Lilys operations, Logan said that while she is doing her best to pull the funds together, they cannot afford the medical bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Lilys operations, which has already gained donations of over 40,000. Our lives have been ripped apart, our little girls lying in Turkey, Logan wrote on the fundraiser. I just want to get our girl home safe and well. Ill never get this day out of my head seeing her poor face thinking she was dead. The mother-of-two said she could not be more grateful for the incoming donations from strangers to help get Lily home. I cant thank anyone enough for the support. It means a lot. We couldnt have done it without you. But now Im just concentrating on getting her better and getting her home, she told ITV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside her medical bills, the money will be used to book a medical care plane from Turkey to the UK. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a statement to the BBC: "We are providing support to a British girl and her family following an accident in Turkey." For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast "They say that what you do for yourself is gone when you are gone," Dan Diaz tells PEOPLE. "But what you do for other people, that is what lives on" courtesy of Dan Diaz and TheBrittanyFund.org Brittany Maynard and Dan Diaz Brittany Maynard and Dan Diaz Brittany Maynard galvanized a national discussion about the "right to die with dignity" movement when she ended her life while dying of terminal cancer, pointing to the suffering she would endure after seeking available treatments A decade later, her widower, Dan Diaz, talks to PEOPLE about Maynard's impact on the world and how he has continued to advocate like she would have wanted "I miss her every day," he says Its been 10 years since Dan Diazs wife, Brittany Maynard, ended her life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, galvanizing a national debate about the right to die with dignity movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that decade, Diaz, 53, has been moving forward with their work together now looking back, he sounds surprised at how fast the time has passed. How has 10 years flown by so quickly? he tells PEOPLE in an interview from the San Francisco Bay Area. I mean, there are just moments from our lives together. This is the house that Brittany and I bought together, or our wedding day, and I think it's like, 'No, that just happened,' I remember very vividly. Maynard died at the age of 29 on Nov. 1, 2014, after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and sharing her story with the world. Diaz says that she "pursued every treatment option that offered her any glimmer of hope"; after that, the other options came with "few benefits" but "horrible side effects." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My [cancer] is going to kill me, and its a terrible, terrible way to die. So to be able to die with my family with me, to have control of my own mind, which I would stand to lose to go with dignity is less terrifying, Maynard told PEOPLE at the time. She and Diaz, however, had to first move from their Bay Area home to Oregon, one of the few states then providing legal access to medical aid in dying, in certain cases. Related: Brittany Maynard's Husband Imagines Holidays with the Kids They Wanted to Have Before Her Death Diaz can still easily recall his late wifes myriad doctor appointments and the day she had brain surgery, navigating the chaos that cancer brings into your world, he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And he is also choosing to remember the victories, small and large, that hes had on the legislative front, helping others to attain their own autonomy while sick with terminal illness. We passed California just a year after Brittany died, Diaz says, referring to the states End of Life Option Act. Gov. Jerry Brown signed our legislation in California in October of 2015. And then after that, introducing our bill, we got to pass in Colorado and then D.C. and New Jersey and Maine and New Mexico, Hawaii. 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. courtesy of Dan Diaz and TheBrittanyFund.org Dan Diaz Dan Diaz When I reflect on it, when I think about all the time, energy and effort that obviously not just me, but Compassion & Choices [the Colorado nonprofit Diaz works alongside] and all the volunteers and all the terminally ill individuals that show up, it's like, Yeah, of course it's been 10 years, Diaz says. I mean, look at all the stuff that we've worked on and accomplished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even when he comes across people who live in states where similar legislation will likely never pass, Diaz has forged a connection through Maynard. There's one guy from Texas and he remembers Brittany's story, and he's like, Oh my God, I'm so supportive of this, and what do you think? When can we pass this in Texas? And I'm like, Buddy, that's not happening. I'm sorry, but that's not happening, Diaz says. He says the man's options are not so dissimilar from the ones he and Maynard faced in 2014. He says, I'm going to have to move to Oregon or California or some other state. I'm like, Yeah, that's probably your reality. And he's just upset at that, Diaz says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: How Dan Diaz, Whose Wife Brittany Maynard Chose to End Her Life amid Cancer Battle, Keeps Her Memory Alive Medically-assisted dying for terminal patients remains controversial, with critics arguing it could be abused, although research has also shown it is supported by a majority of Americans. Since Maynard died, her widower and other advocates have worked to expand access to what they call end-of-life options: California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington now all allow it under select circumstances. Ten years on, Diaz pushes on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I miss her every day and I continue doing what I'm doing because this is the promise that I made to her, and for me, that is very important, he says. They say that what you do for yourself is gone when you are gone. But what you do for other people, that is what lives on in your legacy," he says. "And so Brittany's legacy is precisely that. Degen, whose art accompanied the beloved stories written by Joanna Cole, also authored and illustrated childrens classics like Jamberry Bruce Degen in 2012 Bruce Degen, best known for illustrating the Magic School Bus book series, has died. The author and artist died on Nov. 7 at his Newtown, Conn. home from pancreatic cancer, his family confirmed. Degen was 79. Degen was born on June 14, 1945 in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. He showed an inclination for art at an early age, and attended the High School of Art & Music, now known as LaGuardia High School, in New York City. Degen received his bachelors degree in art from Cooper Union in 1966 and his masters degree from Pratt Institute in 1975. He worked as an art teacher in New York City while continuing to do freelance illustration work. I was in art school doing very serious art, and I didn't know what I was going to do. I said to myself, 'Why did I do art in the first place?' It was fun, Degen told Science.org in 2020. And I realized that, in my heart of hearts, I wanted to do children's books because they could be funny and beautiful. DUANE BRALEY/Star Tribune via Getty Bruce Degen autographing a poster Bruce Degen autographing a poster Degen wrote and illustrated his first book, Aunt Possum and the Pumpkin Man, in 1977, and later illustrated books like Malcolm Halls Forecast (1977), Jane Yolens Commander Toad in Space (1980) and Nancy White Colstroms Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? (1986). In 1982, Degen wrote and illustrated the beloved childrens book Jamberry. In 1984, publisher Scholastic paired Degen with writer Joanna Cole to illustrate the books that would become the Magic School Bus series. The series, first published in 1986 with The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks, follows the eccentric teacher Ms. Frizzle, who takes her class on field trips to locations like outer space, the ocean and the human body. The books teaches lessons on topics like biology, physics and earth science for a young audience. Cole died in 2020 at 75. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Alice Munro, Nobel Prize-Winning Writer, Dies at 92 Truthfully, in the beginning, it was darn hard work. All that research, all that struggling to juggle the components, all that rewriting and resketching some book sketch dummies have five layers of rewrites and reillustrations, Degen told Science.org. But working all those years with Joanna, what we got to do together what more could you ask for? The cover of 'The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System' by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen The Magic School Bus books have sold more than 95 million copies, according to the New York Times, and are in print in 13 countries. The series was turned into a popular PBS animated show starring Lily Tomlin as the voice of Ms. Frizzle, which aired from 1994 to 1997, as well as the Netflix series The Magic School Bus Rides Again, which aired from 2017 to 2021. Related: Beverly Cleary, the Author of the Beloved 'Ramona Quimby' Books, Dies at 104 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bruce Degen was one-of-a-kind. We have lost a true pioneer of childrens bookmaking, VP and editor at large of Crown Books for Young Readers Phoebe Yeh, who worked with Degen at Scholastic, told Publishers Weekly. Thankfully we have his books and characters: Jamberry, Jesse Bear, Ms. Frizzle and Arnold, who will live on, forever. I will miss Bruces stories about the old days and how hed unfurl them over a long lunch, added Scholastic Press VP, Publisher and editorial director David Levithan. I will miss the twinkle in his eye as he road-tested a new joke for Arnold or planned a new outfit for Ms. Frizzle. But hopefully I wont miss the joy of it all, because thats what I plan to hold on to and what generation after generation of young readers will get to experience whenever they hop on board. Bruce Degen in 2012 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the Magic School Bus series, Degen wrote and illustrated the 2012 childrens book I Gotta Draw. You can do a painting, and it might end up being on somebodys wall, but if you do a book, it goes out into the world, Degen told Reading Rockets in 2008. Its in libraries. Its in homes. Theres nothing like that. Theres nothing like the fact that youve actually become part of somebodys family life. 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. Degen is survived by his wife, Christine, who he married in 1968, and their sons, Benjamin and Alex. Voters sign in at a polling place in Takoma Park, Md., on Election Day. Voter enthusiasm was high across the country. (Barbara Barrett/Stateline) Americas voting system was under siege for four years. Former President Donald Trumps false claims about fraud in the 2020 election exposed the people who operate our elections to threats and harassment in the run-up to this one. They fortified their offices against potential violence, adjusted to last-minute, politically driven changes in election laws, and fought a relentless stream of lies and disinformation. Going into Election Day, officials and pro-democracy advocates braced for the worst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What a difference a day and a result makes. Aside from a few hiccups, the U.S. voting process went smoothly this year. The winner of the presidential election was declared early the next morning, few people claimed widespread voter fraud, and the losing candidate conceded defeat. It was a triumph for democracy, said David Becker, founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, a nonpartisan organization that advises local election officials nationwide. But he wondered what would have happened had Trump, now president-elect, lost again. Its somewhat telling that weve seen fewer fraud claims in the aftermath of an election which former president and future President Trump won, he said. But if we can get to the point now where President Trump and his supporters believe in the integrity of our elections, believe in the reality of our integrity of the elections, I will take it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who study the election process say they have questions: With Trump heading back to the White House, will faith in American democracy rebound? Will Republican lawmakers continue to use the myth of widespread voter fraud to implement further restrictions on mail-in and early voting? And will the threats that have hounded state and local election officials continue? Theres a lot of uncertainty ahead for U.S. elections, said Kathy Boockvar, the former Democratic secretary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. But what is certain is that by fueling distrust in elections, Trump and his allies have done permanent damage in this country, she said. Will there be a bump, maybe, because some of these folks now saw their candidate that they wanted to win? Sure, she told Stateline. There may be a bump in trust, but its not going to erase years and years of intentional dividing American against American, and intentional fueling of distrust of institutions and media. What happened to the election fraud? In his victory speech on Tuesday night, Trump said his win was a massive victory for democracy. He made no mention of widespread voter fraud and gave no indication that there were any attempts to steal the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had struck a different tone just hours before. Earlier in the day, Trump falsely asserted in a Truth Social post that there was a heavy law enforcement presence in Philadelphia and Detroit. Officials in both cities debunked that claim. He also claimed without evidence that there was massive CHEATING in Philadelphia, which local officials, including Republicans, denied. Trump would go on to win the critical swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania in his landslide victory. Election officials faced some falsehoods and disruptions Tuesday. Michigan officials called out what they said was an inauthentic video, allegedly showing boxes of ballots being carried into Detroits election office late Tuesday evening. The FBI warned of fabricated videos circulating online and of noncredible bomb threats at polling places in several states, including Michigan, originating out of Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, told reporters at a news conference Wednesday morning those incidents of disinformation felt like things she saw in 2020, as Trump and his allies began to contest his loss. I worry and imagine that there was much more planned to drop, potentially, to create confusion and chaos in the hours following the election in an effort to potentially lay seeds to challenge results in the future, she said. Of course, we didnt see that play out. U.S. national security officials praised how elections were conducted nationwide this year, as they had in 2020. Jen Easterly, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said the election was peaceful and secure, and that malicious activity had no significant impact on the integrity of the process. Our election infrastructure has never been more secure and the election community never better prepared to deliver safe, secure, free, and fair elections for the American people, she said in a press release Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election officials did a heroic job this year, said Pamela Smith, president and CEO of Verified Voting, a nonprofit that works with state and local election officials to keep voting systems secure. Officials work was built on years of beefing up election procedures, audits and security, and coordinating with nonprofit advisers. Elections are resilient, Smith said. But she added: What will it take to get belief in the trustworthiness of elections to a point where its true for all of us, all the time? And maybe that is a lofty goal, but its worth having. There are some challenges that need to be addressed, including long lines on college campuses, how to decrease the number of absentee ballots rejected over incorrect signatures, and how to address the continued threats from foreign bad actors such as Russia. But the crisis of the past four years did force state and local election officials to be more prepared for all threats, said Boockvar, who is president of Athena Strategies and a member of the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections. The committees bipartisan group of election and law enforcement officials developed pocket-size guides to election laws for police officers to carry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The good news is we have much more cross-sector support, she said. A line of voters wrapped around a polling location in Huntsville, Ala., by midmorning on Nov. 5. (Anna Claire Vollers/Stateline) Future legislation After Trump cast his ballot on Election Day in Florida, he went to his campaign headquarters in Palm Beach and laid out what he wished the voting process looked like. They should do paper ballots, same-day voting, voter ID and be done, he said. One day, same day. The makeup of Congress is still unknown as local election offices continue to count ballots. But Republicans have shown a willingness to tackle federal voting legislation, as they did with their failed attempt to insert into a larger funding bill a ban on voting by noncitizens (which already is illegal). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some of Trumps ideas, especially moving the country to a system in which voters can only cast a ballot on Election Day, is unlikely, said Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. But other suggestions are possible, he added. There is broad, bipartisan support among voters for mail-in and early voting, along with other protections such as voter list maintenance and audits, Olson said. For example, Georgia is a Republican-run state with robust early and mail-in voting and high voter turnout, with paper ballots, post-election audits and voter ID requirements. Connecticut voters just approved a constitutional amendment that allows for no-excuse absentee voting. Nevada voters approved a ballot measure that now requires an ID to vote by mail and in person. Voters in eight states, including North Carolina and Wisconsin, also approved ballot measures to make noncitizen voting illegal under state law. Republican state lawmakers still seem keen to continue finding new ways to tighten procedures in the name of election integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This election ran smoothly because of the legislation and proactive lawsuits from the conservative movement, argued Arizona state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a Republican who was sanctioned by the State Bar of Arizona for his role in challenging the 2020 election. Look, there were a lot of vulnerabilities still, but it was a more secure election than the ones weve had in the past, he said in an interview. Kolodin introduced legislation this year to keep vote centers open longer and give voters more notice to fix signature or date errors on their absentee ballots, among other provisions. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed it in February. He expects Trump to keep election integrity in the public consciousness and continue to pressure conservatives to work on it. For his part, Kolodin will push to scrap Arizonas larger vote centers and opt for precinct-level polling places for better efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the election, Michigan state Rep. Luke Meerman, a Republican, told Stateline that he would love to see measures that require some sort of ID to vote in person and by mail. Something to prove that whoever filled that ballot out was the person that was supposed to be filling it out probably would be at the top of my list, he said. Despite Trumps win, the false narratives around the supposed insecurity of U.S. elections in which noncitizens and dead people are voting in droves will likely continue, said the Cato Institutes Olson; it is baked into the movement that brought the former president back into power. Given that so much of this was about Trumps desire for personal vindication, maybe its over, and maybe we wont face the same kind of systematic attempt to delegitimize the honesty of elections, Olson said. But thats the optimistic view. Stateline, a States Newsroom affiliate, produced this story. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told reporters Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, that city services may have to be cut to fund its public schools. (File photo/Rhode Island Current) The city of Providence has halted all discretionary spending and imposed a hiring freeze to comply with a court mandate to fund the citys public schools with the potential for cuts to municipal services and even a property tax hike, Mayor Brett Smiley told reporters gathered in his office Tuesday. The warning about tough choices ahead comes three days after a Providence Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), which is withholding millions in state aid to Providence until the city appropriates local dollars to fund its public schools, which have been under state control for the past five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision the court handed down put the citys finances at risk, Smiley said. And were going to have to make very difficult decisions in the days ahead. That could include cuts to all grant programs for the community libraries, housing support, and parks programs. Smiley said his office would also consider rolling back police patrols at PVDFest and other holiday celebrations. That will all have to stop, he said. Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Lanphear on Friday upheld a request from Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green to state Treasurer James Diossa to withhold $8.5 million in state car tax payments from the city, claiming Providence owed nearly $30 million to the district under the state statute that authorized RIDEs 2019 takeover of the Providence Public School Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decision on how much the city must pay was originally scheduled for Wednesday morning but was postponed to Nov. 20. The City Councils Committee on Finance was scheduled to meet to reallocate $1.5 million in federal COVID relief funds to help cover school budget shortfalls at its Tuesday meeting, but postponed that part of its agenda to Monday, Nov. 18. Michelle Moreno Silva, spokesperson for Diossas office, declined to comment on the Superior Courts ruling. Our role here is very minimal, she said in a phone interview. We just hold the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiley told reporters Tuesday that the city may have to conduct layoffs and furlough additional employees which he said would save the city $200,000 per day. Also possible, he said, the city could impose a mid-year tax hike, something it cant do without General Assembly approval. If legislation is introduced, it will be thoroughly reviewed through the public committee hearing process, Senate spokesperson Greg Pare said in an email. Last weeks Superior Court ruling intensified the battle over funding obligations to the district. The feud went public in early October after Smiley called a press conference to reveal an ultimatum made by Providence Superintendent Javier Montanez asking for $10.9 million for the district. Montanez warned Smiley that without the cash from the city, the district would have to cut winter and spring sports, along with revoking students Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus passes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiley responded with a $1 million offer the following day, promising to use money from a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement recently struck with Lifespan Corporation, plus a parking agreement with the Rhode Island School of Design. The City Council promised to repurpose $1.5 million from its share of federal pandemic relief money. But Smiley said the combined offer was not accepted as of Tuesday. All of this is in the context of irresponsible spending from the school department, he said Tuesday. We all know there was going to be a fiscal cliff when the federal COVID aid expired and they did nothing to plan for it other than to send us the bill and expect Providence taxpayers would foot that bill. Smiley blamed Infante-Greens administration at RIDE for a lack of collaboration, adding the city would help to instill discipline and oversight on state spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is clear the commissioner views her ability to run our schools as one without checks and balances, he said. Cooperation is a one-way street with her. Smiley and City Council President Rachel Miller called on the state to put the district back on local control something the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education declined to do in August, instead extending the takeover through 2027. Our city is not a bank for a state-controlled experiment, Miller said. After four years, it has become abundantly clear the state takeover is not working to promote the collaboration and the transparent decision making that our students need. RIDE spokesperson Victor Morente said it was a lack of city resources and underperformance that led the state to take over the school district in the first palace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City leaders have repeatedly stated they are ready to prove to the State that they are prepared to regain local control, but their budget priorities say otherwise, Morente said in a statement. The budget feud led high school students to rally outside of City Hall on Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The United States is dotted with abandoned boarding schools that tried to erase Native American culture. Instead of destroying the one on its land, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan is turning it into a resource. This story is part of our annual look at the state of American design. This year, were highlighting work that shines through an acrimonious momentand makes the case for optimism. The red brick buildings of the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School (MIIBS), in the heart of Michigan, appear sturdy and assertive, almost ageless, but times passing peeks through in crumbling brick, weathered roofs, and dots of graffiti. Set against fields of wildflowers and grasses, the historic site straddles a cruel past and a future that is beginning to blossom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MIIBS was one of more than 400 federal boarding schools built across the United States, enabled by the 1819 Civilization Fund Act: legislation enacted to prevent "the further decline and final extinction" of Indigenous peoplesa decline produced by the U.S. in decades of bloody wars and broken treaties that dispossessed Native tribes and continued long after the act was passed. Boarding schools, built and operated beginning in 1860 and mostly closed by the 1980s, would take a different approach: "The next Indian war would be ideological and psychological, and it would be waged against children," wrote historian David Wallace Adams in his book Education for Extinction. For 118 years, the U.S. federal government removed Native American children from their families in order to "save" them, housing the children within specialized boarding schools to assimilate them into Anglo-American ways of life. The U.S. government forced thousands of Native American children to attend boarding schools like the one in central Michigan. More than 200 students died at the school, whose hospital is shown above. Courtesy Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University But practices within the schools amounted to a form of cultural genocide. Anglo-American dress codes and haircuts were strictly enforced; students were compelled to speak only English and practice Christianity by religious groups that carried out many schools operations. According to the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, an organization that addresses boarding schools practices through public education and healing, 20,000 children attended boarding schools in 1900; the number of attendees more than tripled by 1926. Documented stories of forced labor, abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional), severe punishment, disease, unsanitary conditions, and malnutrition have surfaced publicly since closures began in the 1930s. The 2022 "Department of the Interior Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report" stated that at least 500 children died in boarding schools, but it notes that the count is likely incomplete because many unmarked grave sites have yet to be identified. (In a 2024 update, the report revised that figure to 973.) For more than two decades, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan (part of the Great Lakes Anishinaabe peoples) has been healing the wounds inflicted at MIIBS. With architect Christian Nakarado, the tribe is turning the abandoned boarding school buildings into a multifaceted memorial to help people remember what happened and the lives that were lost or profoundly altered there. Theyre also turning it into a place for cultural reconnection to ensure that the Anishinaabe language and the tribes crafts, stories, and ancestral bonds remain unbroken despite a decades-long attempt at decimation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nakarado first learned about the Saginaw Chippewa Tribes endeavors in 2020 after reading an article about them in Epicenter Mt. Pleasant, a local digital magazine. He reached out and met with tribal leaders and agreed to work on the project pro bono. When he first visited MIIBS, something stirred in him. He grew up in Colorado but is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe, whose lands are in the Great Lakes region. When Nakarado looked at the landscape enveloping the buildings, he felt connected to the place. Marcella Hadden, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribes historic preservation officer, interjects as Nakarado attempts to explain. "I think its your blood memory," she says. William Johnson, curator at the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture, a museum and cultural center dedicated to Saginaw Chippewa history, agrees. "Blood memory is a term thats not specific just to Anishinaabe people. Its the way that people respond to their culture, letting the culture affect themselves in ways that you dont even realize are possible," Johnson explains. "Its something that triggers your understanding of who you are and where you come from." Students classes at the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School were mostly vocational. Girls took cooking classes in a kitchen. They also worked as servants for little or no money. Courtesy Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University MIIBS primarily boarded children from across the Midwest. It opened in 1893, and children were brought to the facility from across the U.S., but primarily from Odawa/Ottawa, Ojibwe/Chippewa, and Bodewadmi/Potawatomi Great Lakes Tribes. Though official counts document only five student deaths at MIIBS, the tribe uncovered additional records and found that more than 200 children are known to have perished on the grounds, some of them buried in the nearby Mission Creek cemetery. MIIBS closed in 1933, when it became a state home for the developmentally disabled; those Indigenous children who could not return home remained there as orphans, says Hadden. After the state home closed in 2009, several of the buildings were demolished, and the site sat dormant until 2011. Then the tribe began to notice the campuss decay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Mission Creek cemetery was overrun with grass and weeds," says Johnson. "We contacted the State of Michigan, and we told them, Our tribal chief is buried there, and former boarding school students are buried there, and tribal family members are buried there. If you dont clean that cemetery up, then were going to clean it up ourselves." That prompted the state to divest from the property, and through a land conveyance, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe took ownership of the nearly 15 acres that include the cemetery, six original boarding school buildings, and another building added after MIIBS closed. In 2018, the National Register of Historic Places designated a 320-acre historic district surrounding the school. Hadden chaired a boarding school committee consisting of community members and tribal leaders. Its task: to decide the campuss future. But the members wanted to learn from the past before tackling the work ahead. Sarah Surface-Evans, now the senior archaeologist at Michigans historic preservation office, was a professor at Central Michigan University when the tribe acquired the 15 acres. She began attending boarding school committee meetings after being introduced to the group through her department. From 2012 to 2019, she conducted fieldwork and research in collaboration with the tribe, community members, and her students to put together a clearer story about daily life at the boarding school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many other boarding schools, MIIBS was segregated by sex: Girls buildings included dorms, plus the home economics building, laundry, and hospital (the latter two were demolished); the boys areas included a dorm, workshop, and barn. A gym and auditorium sat in between. "Boarding schools were very structured spaces that were run almost militaristically," says Surface-Evans. Though they were called schools, they didnt focus on education, and what instruction they did provide was mostly vocational. "[Students] only had a few hours of classes per day, and then spent most of their time doing physical labor," she says. On campus, they worked in fields, cared for livestock, washed laundry, mended clothes, and did much more. Surface-Evans found that many of the girls also worked for low or no pay as domestic servants in local households. She wrote in a 2016 paper that "girls were often treated poorly and physically or sexually abused in these contexts," and their labor was exploited. "In the 192223 academic year, a total of $2,684 worth of goods were produced by female students working in the Laundry." But her community archaeological team discovered objects that demonstrated students resistance. Surface-Evans recorded oral histories told by boarding school survivors and descendants of survivors to paint a more complete picture of these objects. Her team found beads that students had smuggled in to continue Indigenous practices. From the daughter of a survivor, she learned that older female students would "lose" beads for younger girls to "find" and start their own practices in secret. On the wall of the boys workshop they found words, names, initials, and dates carved into the brickwork. Referencing records, her co-researcher Sarah Jones was able to match 816 student names with their markings. Its the little things, Surface-Evans says, that allowed the children to create some agency. "Those initials and carvings are one of the most powerful memorials you could ever have in this space." The campus was segregated by sexthe boys dorm is shown above. Courtesy Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See the full story on Dwell.com: What to Do With a Building That Has a Traumatic Past? Related stories: ZURICH, Switzerland, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity among Swiss importers and consumers with their adaptable and affordable products. At Switzerland's largest motor show Auto Zurich 2024, which concluded Sunday, 70 brands showcased their latest models and technologies to over 64,000 visitors. Among them were Chinese automakers Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Leapmotor, MG and JAC Motors. "I will certainly take buying a Chinese EV into consideration as the products are so inviting," said local consumer Hans Affeltranger. He added that Chinese EVs provide outstanding quality at competitive prices, posing a strong alternative to European brands. ADAPTABLE, AFFORDABLE Patrick Von Bachelle, Swiss importer of Leapmotor, believes that Chinese electric vehicles are leading in the market, pushing the entire industry forward. "The technology and the affordability of the cars are two major advantages," he said, praising Chinese EVs' design, comfort, and battery range. Sergio Kaufmann, importer of Dongfeng Motor, echoed this sentiment, saying that Chinese EVs are "very well-built with exceptional batteries" and Chinese manufacturers are "very adaptable and professional." Kaufmann praised the adaptability of Dongfeng EVs to Switzerland's challenging climate, particularly their performance in winter. He credited China's complex geography for the comprehensive testing of these vehicles. "People in Switzerland have specific requirements for driving on icy mountain roads. ... Thanks to the diverse geography and climate in China, Chinese EVs have been well tested and proven in various extreme conditions." Dongfeng Motor started selling EVs in Switzerland more than a year ago, and now operating through 10 Swiss dealers, and the number will be increased to 25, according to Kaufmann. "Sales data for the past 23 months was quite strong," he said, noting that 40 cars were sold in the last few days. Leapmotor just launched its EVs in Switzerland on Friday and already has 20 local dealers. Bachelle said that the free trade agreement between China and Switzerland has fostered government support for Chinese EVs. The high quality of Leapmotor's products has appealed to Swiss consumers, who are "very curious, yet critical," said Bachelle. "The Swiss customers are very excited to test drive and try it out. And this is what's going to happen in the next couple of months." FACILITATING GREEN TRANSITION The entry of these brands will help Switzerland shift toward affordable sustainable mobility, said Bachelle. Kaufmann said Chinese EVs play an important role in achieving zero emissions and sustainable development, especially in protecting the environment and maintaining tourism resources. "In Switzerland, tourism is very important and we have to take care of the environment. Thus zero emission is very important," said Kaufmann. "I am looking forward to enhancing long-term cooperation with Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor," he said. "We will be very successful in selling these products." BURLINGTON, Vt. (myCV) A suspect in multiple bank robberies in Chittenden County is being held at Northwest Correctional Facility after pleading not guilty to the September 25 robbery of a South Burlington bank. Adam Champagne, 42, of Burlington, is accused of telling a teller at the Key Bank on Shelburne Road that he had a bomb, according to court records. He then allegedly fled the bank on a mountain bike with an unknown amount of money. Champagne was indicted by federal grand jury on one count of bank robbery on October 24. He was arrested November 7 on Riverside Avenue in Burlington after police departments searched a residence where Champagne was staying and found evidence linking him to the robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court records, Champagne is suspected of robbing three other banks in the Burlington area since last summer. On Tuesday, Essex police announced that Champagne is the suspect in the November 5 robbery of the Key Bank on Pearl Street in Essex Junction. Police say Champagne walked into the bank, told a teller he had an explosive device and demanded money. He then allegedly fled with an undisclosed amount of cash onto Pearl Street. There were no customers inside the bank at the time and no injuries were reported. If convicted, Champagne faces up to 20 years in prison, plus a fine of $250,000. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a statewide burn ban in New York as a massive fire burns across New York and New Jersey. New Yorkers are being asked not to burn any outdoor fires and use extreme caution when grilling outdoors, Hochul announced Tuesday. The use of grills has been completely banned in New York Citys parks. Map shows fire danger across NY today Campfires should never be left unattended and should not exceed three feet tall, officials said. Fire blankets, water or other fire safety materials should be on hand to put out campfires. State officials will start enforcing the burn ban immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conditions were facing are still pretty dire, Hochul said. We dont know how long this will last. Exceptions to the burn ban include on-site agricultural waste burning, regular fire training, and grills used outside New York City. Tuesday is expected to bring winds around 25 miles per hour, which could bring turmoil, chaos, and a lot of uncertainty, Hochul said. Much of New York, including New York City and the Hudson Valley, have been determined to have a high risk of fire Tuesday, according to the states Department of Environmental Conservation. Facing drought conditions, New Yorkers are also being asked to conserve water for the next few months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jennings Creek fire is still burning Tuesday after spreading to burn 5,000 acres across New York and New Jersey. One teenager, Dariel Vasquez, was killed while fighting the fire. 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. Amelia Schafer ICT + Rapid City Journal RAPID CITY, S.D. For over a year, Lloyd Big Crow, Oglala Lakota, had heard rumors that Pennington County was providing one-way tickets out of the city to homeless and recently incarcerated individuals. In late October, he finally got proof. Frustrated with the citys decision to fence off the Memorial Park bandshell and other actions he said have been taken against homeless individuals, on Nov. 3 Big Crow decided to post evidence of bus vouchers the county is allegedly giving to homeless and recently incarcerated individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vouchers from the Pennington County Department of Human Services allow individuals to choose their destination city on the basis that they cant return to Pennington County and are no longer eligible for services. A bus voucher form that Lloyd Big Crow received from an Indigenous community member. (Courtesy photo) The Pennington County Department of Human Services did not respond to requests for comment from ICT and the Rapid City Journal but later issued a press release. We recognize that the original wording may not have fully conveyed our commitment to compassion and support, the department said in a statement on Nov. 4. We have revised the form to better reflect our intent: to assist individuals lacking transportation options and to facilitate safe, supportive transitions to communities where they can access stability and additional resources. As of 2022, 76 percent of the homeless population in Rapid City was Native American. The Nov. 4 press release stated that Native, Black, white and multi-racial individuals have all used the bus voucher system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program meets a critical need in our service landscape, as transportation resources for such purposes remain limited, the press release said. Each individual receives careful attention, and an arrival plan tailored to ensure they connect with a support network upon reaching their destination. The department shared a new version of the bus voucher form that does not contain the unable to return wording. Big Crows post spread rapidly through social media, with over 1,100 shares and some online comparing the bus vouchers to the 1956 Indian Relocation Act, which incentivized Indigenous people to move from their reservations to cities with the promise of jobs and housing. How could we make the original occupants of this land feel more unwelcome? said Tom Whillock, an organizer with Oyate ki chatewastepi. To say, Were going to bus you out of here and you can never come back, and then were going to put a cage up around the shelter so you cant even have a meal and a little bit of shelter? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Big Crow said one individual who received the bus voucher decided to go to Arizona and is now homeless there and stranded with no way to make it home. Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun had not heard of the bus vouchers, he said during a Nov. 4 press conference, but thought that vouchers like these can be effective in getting homeless people back to their families. This story is co-published by the Rapid City Journal and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the South Dakota area. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn accepted an invitation to address county commissioners regarding a federal report on the county jail during a special called meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Waybourn in October presented a report from the National Institute of Corrections, an agency of the Department of Justice, on conditions in the county jail. Conducted over three days in May by a psychologist and a physician from the jail health care consultancy Falcon Inc., the report focused primarily on mental health and health care services in the jail. The report praised jail employees and administrators for the access, openness, and candor that was exhibited during this process, saying it reflects leadership within [Tarrant County Sheriffs Office] and a system that seeks to treat incarcerated individuals as well as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waybourn read that passage from the reports conclusions and added context about the reviewers comments during their final briefing with him. They looked at me and said, Sheriff, you have a Cadillac model of jail, Waybourn told commissioners. And I stand on that. I still believe its one of the best jails in the nation. He also highlighted the reports praise for progressive practices in the jail, such as its competency restoration efforts, by which inmates with mental health issues who are determined not to be fit to stand trial are restored to competency. Of the 750 inmates across Texas who were restored to competency last year, 430 were in Tarrant County, Waybourn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We led the way in that way, and our HHMR people are doing a great job, he said, referring to the staff from My Health My Resources, who provide mental health services in the jail. The report found that the jails suicide monitoring operations do not fully comply with national standards. It noted that a status called suicide watch does not exist, but that jail standard operating procedures state that inmates on a type of special precaution status are checked in on every 10 minutes, rather than the standard every 30 minutes. Waybourn said jailers had intervened and stopped 279 suicide attempts in 2023, and that number is already 350 this year. I think that spells that we are advocates for our people, he said. Were watching. Were doing our job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these achievements, the federal investigators recommended a formal suicide watch status be created within the jails existing statuses and that categories of suicide monitoring urgency be created. The report also recommended more mental health resources for inmates in single-cell confinement for 23 hours a day, as well as increased out-of-cell time and a reduction in the overall number of inmates under this type of confinement. Waybourn did not address this recommendation, but Tarrant County residents who spoke during the public comments section pointed it out. Many alternatives to solitary confinement are suggested, said Fort Worth resident Reed Bilz. I hope the sheriff takes the suggestions made by the NIC consultants. They are intended to improve the situation in our county jails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julie Griffin, also of Fort Worth, read directly from the report when she mentioned single-cell confinement: It is the TA review teams opinion that this level of confinement for any individual is detrimental to their mental and physical health. Precinct 2 Commissioner Alisa Simmons, who invited Waybourn to present the briefing, said it was incorrect to call the report a DOJ report, citing a disclaimer at the beginning of it: Points of view or opinions stated in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. I think we need to be transparent about what this was, and thats why I wanted you to come today, and I appreciate you attending today, she told Waybourn. Noting that the report did not address the issue of in-custody deaths Simmons repeated her call for an investigation by the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division to review the jail through the lens of jail deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County Judge Tim OHare noted that the NIC is an agency of the DOJ. Waybourn pointed out that the Civil Rights Division conducts criminal investigations and asked Simmons to clarify if that was what she was calling for. That is correct, she said. U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, a Fort Worth Democrat, has also called for a Justice Department investigation into the Tarrant County jail. Precinct 4 Commissioner Manny Ramirez thanked Waybourn for bringing in statistics and other numbers to compare to similar counties. Sometimes we get lost in the trees and we dont see forest, but the fact of the matter is, we perform, as far as keeping our inmates safe, better than our closest peer when it comes to population, which is Bexar, Ramirez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 65 people have died in Sheriffs Office custody since Waybourn took office in 2017. He presented jail death figures alongside the same stat for similarly sized counties in Texas from 2017 to 2023. With 58 deaths in those years, Tarrant County came in after Bexar, which has seen 85 jail in that time, according to his figures. Dallas County, which has over 2,500 more jail beds than Tarrant, saw 56 jail deaths in those years, while Harris, with more than double Tarrants jail capacity, saw 112. Speaking to reporters after the session, Simmons included the baby of Chasity Congious, who died 10 days after Congious gave birth to her in the county jail in 2020, in her count of jail deaths. After Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks mentioned an attempt in the 2023 legislative session to have a state mental health hospital in Tarrant County. That prompted OHare to announce that his office plans to present a resolution on the matter to the court in January. Ive spoken to multiple legislators, senators, House members, about this very issue, he said, adding that adding onto an existing location is a possibility as well. The morning after former President Trump won a second term on a promise to deport millions of immigrants, a line formed outside a Riverside County legal aid organization before it had even opened its doors. Legal permanent residents wanted help applying for citizenship. Asylum seekers who had given the federal government their home addresses wondered whether they should pack up and move. The TODEC Legal Center in Riverside County is helping immigrants prepare for another Trump presidency (Mark Boster/For The Times) A woman in the country illegally told the organization that her children had refused to go to school because they feared she would be detained while they were away. A man said he had stayed home from his landscaping job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's all hands on deck right now," said Luz Gallegos, executive director of the TODEC Legal Center. "We have to prepare for the worst." Trump has listed mass deportations and the curtailing of temporary legal status for millions of immigrants as among his top priorities. His newly announced "border czar," Tom Homan, said Monday that the Trump administration will prioritize deporting people who are living in the country illegally and pose a threat to public safety. He also said officials will increase workplace raids as part of a crackdown on labor and sex trafficking. "If sanctuary cities don't want to help us, then get out of the way, because we're coming," Homan said in an interview on "Fox & Friends." Read more: Trump says he'll undertake the 'largest deportation' in U.S. history. Can he do that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California leaders and immigrant rights organizations are responding with promises of legal action and assurances to protect immigrant residents from Trump policies. Gov. Gavin Newsom last week called a special session of the Legislature to safeguard the states progressive policies, including on immigration. California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta has vowed to defend the state's policies in court. Advocates are urging the Biden administration to bolster protections for immigrants ahead of Trumps inauguration by redesignating certain countries for temporary protected status and prioritizing pending work permit applications. In California, they hope to expand programs offering pro bono legal representation to immigrants facing deportation proceedings. They will also push local governments to enshrine sanctuary policies that go beyond the states sanctuary law. Luz Gallegos, executive director of the TODEC Legal Center in Riverside County, is helping immigrants prepare for Trump's promised deportations. (Mark Boster/For The Times) During Trumps previous term, advocates for immigrants held frequent "know your rights" sessions and encouraged families to establish contingency plans. Parents signed guardianship agreements allowing family members or friends to care for their children if they were detained. Immigrants carried business cards listing their rights (ask to see a warrant, request an attorney, remain silent) and the phone numbers for rapid-response networks that would go to the scene of an immigration arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now organizations across California are mobilizing the same tactics to prepare for another Trump administration. They are trying to walk a fine line between being realistic about possible federal actions and not adding to peoples fears. We take him at his word, said Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles. Members of immigrant rights organizations are completely clear-eyed about the fact that what is coming toward us is cruelty and manufactured pain for political outcomes. Salas said CHIRLA has received inquiries from schools, health clinics and labor unions to do on-site "know your rights" sessions. Advocacy organizations are also coordinating to maximize their reach. Last week CHIRLA joined hundreds of organizations in launching We Are California, " an effort that aims to, among other things, rebuild rapid-response networks. Nana Gyamfi, executive director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, who is based in L.A., said she particularly worries that Black immigrants will face heightened racism because the Trump campaign stoked lies that Haitian immigrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You can tell people are tired," she said, "because we know as Black people that the hammer comes down on us harder." Joao Morales moved to L.A. from Nicaragua under the Biden administration's program offering legal entry and temporary work permits to immigrants from certain countries who obtained financial sponsors. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) Joao Morales, 29, moved to Los Angeles from Nicaragua in August 2023 under the Biden administrations program offering legal entry and temporary work permits to immigrants from certain countries who obtained financial sponsors. Amid the uncertainty of what another Trump administration could mean for his ability to stay in the U.S., he has been attending meetings organized by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network to teach immigrants throughout the country to advocate for themselves. With everything he has been saying and everything he plans to do to the migrant community, its not looking good, Morales said. The most important thing is that we unite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, several organizations expressed concern about how much it will cost to inform immigrant residents, provide legal representation to those facing deportation, resist federal infringement and advance local policies that will bolster protections for immigrants. They also face a more limited landscape of legal options, as the judiciary is more conservative because of judges Trump appointed in his first term. We dont have the courts like we did last time, but we still have the Constitution, we still have civil rights, we still have local laws, Salas said. Read more: Jim McDonnell sworn in as LAPD chief amid concerns over immigration enforcement Advocates also plan to push back against efforts to expand immigrant detention facilities and ensure the state utilizes its watchdog powers. A new California law allows county health officers to inspect immigrant detention facilities. But GEO Group, which operates most of the states facilities, sued last month , saying the requirement significantly burdens federal immigration enforcement in violation of the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been here before, said Talia Inlender, deputy director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA. And we know how to fight back. People who came to the U.S. as children and now have temporary status under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the Obama-era program that protects them from deportation and allows them to work legally, are also concerned about their futures under a second Trump term. Born in Yugoslavia, Edvin Dapcevic has lived in the U.S. since he was 4. He is an executive who leads a sales team at a major tech company in Los Angeles, and asked that The Times not name the company publicly. Dapcevic said Trumps election has forced him to begin thinking about moving to another country, which would mean leaving behind his mother, a permanent resident, and brother, a U.S. citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that tech leaders such as Elon Musk and David Sacks , both South African immigrants who supported Trumps bid for reelection, have been vocal about the U.S. needing highly skilled immigrants. He said he wishes he could tell them and the president-elect about the hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients such as himself, who have already been vetted and could fill that gap. I don't have a concrete future in this country, Dapcevic said. I grew up here, pay taxes, have never been in trouble, never been arrested. Im forced to identify [what country] might give me a permanent home and it saddens me to say that America has not done that. Riverside residents Monica Gonzalez and Myra Diaz listen to representatives from the TODEC legal aid group. (Mark Boster/For The Times) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week at TODEC, the legal aid organization in Perris, one of the people who showed up seeking advice was another DACA recipient, Marta, who asked to be identified only by her first name. The 23-year-old from Mexico said she fears being laid off from her restaurant job. She worries even more about her parents, who are in the country illegally. During Trumps last presidency, when they were afraid immigration agents would show up at their door, the family put a tinted film over their windows that blocks people from seeing in but allows them to see out. The fear of deportation worries us the most, she said. He started off strong during his first term, and this time I feel like he might come stronger. 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. Californians voted down Proposition 6, a ballot measure that eliminates the states constitutional provision that allows involuntary servitude for incarcerated workers. The measure would not have ended the practice of incarcerated people working for little to no pay, but it would have banned California prisons from requiring that they do so. California is one of 16 states that still has a so-called slavery exemption in its state constitution. In recent years, several states, including Alabama, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont, have passed measures to remove the loophole. Proponents of the California measure predicted it would not have significantly impacted the availability of prison labor. Jobs provide incarcerated people with a chance to get out of their cells and earn a little bit of money to pay for the inflated costs of commissary goods and communication services. Many of the more desirable jobs in the states prisons have long waiting lists. The Prop. 6 campaign was largely led by formerly incarcerated people, who spoke about how forced labor jeopardized their health and safety, interfered with their ability to visit with family, and prevented them from taking educational and rehabilitative classes they were required to complete in order to be released on parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like most states, California assigns prisoners work assignments that pay little to no money. Incarcerated individuals often have no say in their schedule or the type of work they are assigned. Jobs include cleaning toilets, doing laundry, preparing meals, fighting wildfires, or even making furniture, clothing and food products to be sold on the outside at a significant profit. Some jobs pay as little as 8 cents an hour. Failing to show up for work even because of an illness or an injury can be punished with disciplinary write-ups. In the short term, these write-ups result in the loss of privileges or stints in solitary confinement. When individuals go up for parole, the write-ups can be used to deny release. When J. Vasquez first got to prison, he heard about a victim impact course with survivors of crime. When he finished his work as a porter, he asked his supervisor if he could leave work early to attend the class. His supervisor said he had to stay until the end of his shift. I thought about going, but I knew that if I put down that broom and went to the victim impact class to learn about the harm that I had caused, I would have gotten a write-up, Vasquez said in an interview. I knew that when I went to the parole board, that would for sure result in a denial. So its like I was being punished for wanting to learn about the ripple effects of the harm that I caused. Vasquez, who spent 25 years in prison, finally took the course years later and said it was a life-changing experience that helped him heal and take accountability for his actions. But the delay ended up lengthening his time in prison. When he was finally parole eligible, he was repeatedly denied, he said, in part because he hadnt completed enough rehabilitative programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prop 6 would have given incarcerated people the responsibility to choose what they want to do with their time whether its what jobs they want to do or if they want to do education, rehabilitation for substance use, domestic violence, whatever they want to do, Vasquez said. Its giving that person that ownership of taking accountability of the direction of their lives, which will carry over when they come home to the community. Related... Judges and court personnel will now be protected by armed constables in the Town of Cambria. The local law creating the posts was passed at Cambrias regular business meeting by a 3-2 vote last week, with council members Louise Brachmann and Ben Musall voting no after a public hearing. Supervisor Jon MacSwan said after the meeting that some concessions would be made to appease those against the law at the boards next meeting when a resolution restricting the constables duties to court security and town board meetings will be voted upon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opposition to the local law started in October when a decision to enact it was tabled to allow MacSwan to reach out to other townships in the area and ask what they did for courtroom security. According to MacSwan, every town uses constables. Those against the law were residents who cited a slippery slope with constables potentially becoming a regular police force in Cambria. MacSwan said that was not the intent of the law and he was going by the advice of Abraham Platt, town attorney, to make a local law allowing court security to be armed in the courtroom by making them peace officers or constables. Otherwise, the second option would be to contract with law enforcement agencies, like the Niagara County Sheriffs Office, and pay to provide armed court security, he indicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only intention of this whole thing is for judges protection, MacSwan said. Were not buying cars. Were not writing tickets. Thats not the purpose of this. Theres no other function for these constables unless there was an extreme emergency. Still, residents argued that while MacSwan has no such intentions, future administrations could use the new constables for any of those reasons. They noted that by New York State Law, the constables being created would have the same qualifications and rights of a police officer to perform arrests and write tickets. Eventually, Platt said that once the law was passed, restrictions on the constables duties could be drafted and voted on by the board. If subsequent to the creation the town board wants to make a resolution prescribing their duties, limiting them to this, thats one thing because youre not preemptively limiting. Youre taking action after its created, he said. Cambrias next town board meeting is on Dec. 12. Twin labor lockouts at Canadian ports in Montreal and British Columbia have been put on ice. Canadas Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon ruled that contract negotiation disputes across the gateways will go to binding arbitration, effectively requiring workers at the ports to go back to work. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order that all operations and duties at the ports resume and to assist the parties to settle their collective agreements by imposing final and binding arbitration, MacKinnon said during a press conference in Ottawa. The minister said the contract talks between the bi-coastal unions and their respective maritime employers was at a total impasse. MacKinnon also noted there was no perspective, no possibility realistically of a new agreement taking place under current circumstances. Canadas government had been under immense pressure from business associations to intervene during the twin lockouts due to the concerns about the countrys reputation as a reliable trade partner. Container shipments entering Montreal were at a standstill with all its terminals closed, while vessels piled up amid delays in the Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. As part of the decision, MacKinnon directed the board to extend the terms of the existing collective bargaining agreements until new deals are reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacKinnon invoked his authority under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. The minister previously used this measure in August to end a one-day work stoppage involving 9,300 union workers at Canadian railroads Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). Both railroads have agreed with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference on an arbitrator to set the terms of the next collective agreement. The Teamsters have challenged in court the governments ordering of the labor board to stop the railway disputes, arguing it set a dangerous precedent by violating workers constitutional rights. The union representing 1,200 dockworkers currently locked out of the Port of Montreal, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), denounced MacKinnons move. Its a dark day for workers rights. The right to bargain collectively is a constitutional right. This is not a negotiable right, said Patrick Gloutney, president of CUPE-Quebec, in a statement. In the case of the Port of Montreal, it is astonishing, because the employer declared a lockout last Sunday evening and immediately requested government intervention, without really negotiating. The citizens of this country should be very worried this morning. We must collectively wake up and denounce this decline in the rights of the middle class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sourcing Journal reached out to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represented the 730 port foremen who walked out on the job at several ports in British Columbia, including those in Vancouver, Prince Rupert and Surrey. The Maritime Employers Association (MEA), which locked out the Montreal dockworkers during their negotiations, welcomed the decision, The MEA said It will take the necessary steps to ensure that the ports activities resume as quickly as possible. The countrys West Coast port employer counterpart, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), said it intends to follow direction received from the CIRB and will inform member employers of operational updates as soon as possible. MacKinnons decision also ended a 26-month lockout at the Port of Quebec, which has been using replacement workers throughout the duration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, the Canadian government passed a law that prevents the use of replacement workers in labor disputes. That legislation does not take effect until June 2025. The anti-scab law should be in effect immediately, because if we already had it, the conflict at the port of Quebec would have been resolved a long time ago, said Gloutney. The employer would have been forced to negotiate. All solutions for all parties are at a negotiation table! Canadian commerce associations breathed a collective sigh of relief, given that the disruptions affected port activity that handled roughly $1.2 billion Canadian dollars ($860 million) of goods per day. The Minister of Labour must make decisions for the greater good of the country. Our supply chain needs to be protected, and so do our businesses and their employees, said Jasmin Guenette, vice president, national affairs of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. A lengthy work stoppage has harmful consequences for the whole economy that are disproportionate to the benefit any of the parties involved can obtain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade called for stability in the supply chain, citing the various labor disruptions in the country over the past year. Canadas West Coast ports endured a 13-day dockworker strike in summer 2023, while lock and bridge operators at the countrys St. Lawrence Seaway walked off the job for a week last October. We urge the federal government and the Industrial Inquiry Commission to examine the underlying structural issues behind these disruptions, evaluate the far-reaching economic harm that disruptions cause, and identify innovative tools to provide lasting certainty for our supply chains and the public interest, said Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. TEHRAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri on Monday discussed the latest developments in Lebanon, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, people, government and parliament support Lebanon, Qalibaf said in a phone call, briefing Berri on his efforts at the international and national levels to muster support for and send humanitarian aid to Lebanon. "The resistance axis and we will provide you with any necessary support, including political one," Qalibaf said, pledging to contribute to the achievement of a ceasefire in Lebanon. Describing Lebanon's situation as "very sensitive," Berri said that Israel had displaced over 1.2 million Lebanese people. He regretted that Israelis were perpetrating "crimes" in southern Lebanon much the way it did in Gaza. Lebanon would continue its fight against Israel with "faith and capabilities," he said. Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been launching intensive air attacks on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah. In early October, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) One of two special elections was announced Monday to replace Virginia state senators who were recently elected to the U.S. House, and candidates are already lining up to take over the seats. State Sens. John McGuire and Suhas Subramanyam landed the congressional wins on Election Day. That means there are vacant spots for their Statehouse positions. McGuire, a Republican, represented a rural district in central Virginia. Subramanyam, a Democrat, represented a Washington-area exurb. According to Virginia law, House and Senate leaders are tasked with calling such elections when the legislature is in a special session. The special session has been active since last May. The law also requires a special election to be set within 30 days of the vacancy or receipt of notification of the vacancy, whichever comes first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas said the election to replace Subramanyam will happen Jan. 7. Lucas has not yet called an election to replace McGuire's seat. Senate Democrats have a narrow 21-19 majority, making the special elections key to the party's efforts to preserve a majority in both chambers. Democrats in Loudoun County, home to Subramanyams district, said in a press release last Wednesday that local party members would vote for their candidate on Nov. 16. State Del. Kannan Srinivasan, who was elected last year to represent the district in the House of Delegates, and former Del. Ibraheem Samirah, said in statements to The Associated Press that they would seek the Democratic nomination to succeed Subramanyam. Former Loudoun County Commonwealths Attorney Buta Biberaj also informed the AP that she would run to be the party nominee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, multiple Republicans have announced their interest in McGuires seat, including former state Sen. Amanda Chase and her former staffer, Shayne Snavely. Duane Adams, a Louisa County board supervisor, and Jean Gannon, a longtime Republican activist, have also announced their candidacies. Virginia GOP Chairman Rich Anderson told the AP by email that the local legislative committee in each district will select the method of nomination, which will be run by the local Republican Party. The Virginia Democratic Party said in a statement that once Statehouse leaders call for the special election, party officials will determine internally how they will nominate candidates. Analysts say the winter races are unlikely to tip the balance of power. Its not impossible for the out party to win these districts, but a lot would have to go wrong for the dominant party to lose a contentious nomination struggle, an extremely low turnout special election or a really energized out party, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. You would basically need a perfect storm followed by another perfect storm ... Most of the time, perfect storms dont happen. Car bombs. Massacres. The slaying of a Roman Catholic priest. A cartel war that has engulfed a major city. A mayor of another large city beheaded after he dared to call for peace. Six weeks after taking office, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is contending with a nationwide wave of violence, and is facing increasingly urgent questions about what she plans to do about it. As a candidate, Sheinbaum vowed to continue the strategy of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who expanded the military's reach but sought to avoid direct confrontations with cartels, and insisted that the best path was to address the social conditions that allow violence to flourish. President Sheinbaum with her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. (Fernando Llano / Associated Press) A scientist by training, Sheinbaum also pledged to replicate at the national level the security policies she put into action as mayor of Mexico City, where she oversaw a dramatic drop in violent crime, including a 50% plunge in homicides. The strategy is built on professionalizing law enforcement and implementing the sorts of data-driven and community policing models used in many U.S. cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We already did it, she vowed on the campaign trail. Of course we will continue. Read more: She's likely to be Mexico's next president. Can she save the country from cartel violence? Extreme violence has vexed every leader of Mexico since 2006, when then-President Felipe Calderon sent soldiers into the streets to do battle with cartels. Homicides began soaring. Today, much of Mexico is contested by warring criminal groups that operate with near impunity and are often aligned with political leaders. Sheinbaum's challenge at the national level, where cartels are more embedded than in Mexico City, has been abundantly clear since she was sworn in Oct. 1. Last month, the country saw an average of 74 homicides a day, up from 69 a day in October 2023. . Every day seems to bring fresh headlines of another massacre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, 10 people were killed and 13 wounded when a gunman opened fire at a bar in Queretaro state. The next day, a similar attack at a bar in Mexico state killed five and wounded seven. Investigators examine a homicide scene in Acapulco, Mexico. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Two journalists have been slain in recent weeks, as well as a beloved Indigenous priest. A prominent feminist activist disappeared with her partner after reporting for years that she had been threatened with violence. In Guanajuato state, the explosion of two car bombs highlighted the escalation of cartel warfare, with some criminal groups now arming themselves with grenade launchers and drones rigged with explosives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Guerrero, a series of brazen violent acts emphasized the chaotic nature of the state's criminal topography, where a dense network of gangs competes for the right to sell drugs and extort money from business owners. In the mountains of the state, a family of 17 simply vanished last month. The remains of several of them were discovered this week. In the beach town of Acapulco, a family of five, including a child, was shot to death inside a home. And then there was the killing of Alejandro Arcos Catalan, the newly sworn-in mayor of the city of Chilpancingo. Political violence is common in Mexico, with dozens of candidates for office killed across the country during this year's election season alone. But the slaying of Arcos, who had vowed to pacify the region, was particularly grisly. A week after taking office, his body was discovered inside a pickup truck. His severed head was propped up outside. Read more: At the epicenter of the Mexican drug trade, a deadly power struggle shuts down a city Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexico often sees a surge of violence during elections and afterward, when newly elected leaders are taking power. That is in part because so many local governments are linked to organized crime. Sheinbaum, who has been questioned about the violence repeatedly at her daily news conferences, has vowed to stop it, saying that her administration will be focused on reducing killings and extortion, specifically. Eschewing the approach of multiple leaders before her, who formed new police or military forces to confront criminals, her strategy appears more focused on improving crime investigations. She recently announced the creation of a national intelligence center and says her administration will use statistics to identify high-impact perpetrators and work with local authorities to prosecute them. Then-Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, center, stands with military leaders during an Independence Day parade in 2019. (Marco Ugarte / Associated Press) It remains to be seen how she will use the nation's armed forces, including the National Guard, a 130,000-strong force that Lopez Obradror created in 2019 and later put under the control of the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, members of the military killed six migrants in southern Chiapas state whom they apparently mistook for gang members. Sheinbaum said that a situation like this cannot happen again" and opened an investigation. Later that month, three civilians were killed in confrontations between the military and gangs. Her administration recently deployed hundreds of troops to Sinaloa, in northern Mexico, amid a war between rival factions of the state's namesake cartel. One group is loyal to Ismael El Mayo Zambada, the 76-year-old cartel co-founder who was recently captured in the United States. The other faction pledges allegiance to the sons of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, Zambadas ex-partner, who is serving a life term in the U.S. Hundreds of people have been killed in Sinaloa state in recent months. This week, the state's livestock association announced that it was canceling its annual expo in Culiacan a major cultural event for the city after its president was killed and a series of cartel messages appeared threatening state Gov. Ruben Rocha Moya with death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the violence there, Sheinbaum said her government had a plan. "We have a security strategy that will work," she said. "What there will not be is a war against drugs." 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Nearly every public school district in Franklin County has some connection to LifeWise Academies, a Bible-based program that takes participating students off school grounds during the school day to teach them about Christianity. LifeWise operates under state-permitted Released Time for Religious Instruction policies, which allow public school students to be excused from school to attend religious education programs. The program is especially prominent in central Ohio, as it is headquartered in Hilliard and led by former Ohio State defensive lineman Joel Penton, LifeWises CEO. LifeWise began serving students in 2019, beginning in just two schools. The program has grown immensely in its five years of operation; in August, LifeWise announced it planned to serve 50,000 students this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baby boom among staff at Columbus maternity ward The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce lists 16 public school districts in Franklin County, all of which have had some involvement with LifeWise, according to LifeWises program locator. Neighboring Pickerington, Madison-Plains and Olentangy schools all also have some level of affiliation. The following districts have active LifeWise programs in at least one school: Columbus City Schools Dublin City Schools Hilliard City Schools Olentangy Local Schools New Albany-Plain Local Schools South-Western City School District Upper Arlington City Schools Whitehall City Schools Worthington City Schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are 10 steps to start a LifeWise program, and the remaining central Ohio districts are at various steps of the implementation process. According to the LifeWise district tracker, all central Ohio school districts are affiliated in some way with the program; however, some districts disagree with or completely deny LifeWises assertion. Bexley City Schools and Grandview Heights have both received district approval for a program and are working to recruit a team, according to LifeWises website. However, Bexley City Schools representatives said they have in no way approved LifeWise, and in fact do not have a policy regarding religious release. Canal Winchester, Gahanna-Jefferson, Groveport Madison, Hamilton Local, Madison-Plains, Pickerington and Reynoldsburg schools are all listed as awaiting district approval after submitting petitions to begin a program. However, Gahanna-Jefferson rescinded its RTRI policy in October 2022. Reynoldsburg also does not have an RTRI policy in place. Lawyer: Householder may seek clemency from Trump Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the process, organizers must raise $500 and at least 50 signatures, although many collect more. Reynoldsburg submitted 595 signatures and Gahanna Jefferson submitted 653 signatures in favor of beginning a chapter, and most central Ohio districts waiting for approval collected more than 200 signatures. Westerville City Schools formerly had 300 students participating in LifeWise but paused its religious release policy in September. On LifeWises website, the district is listed as currently on hold as LifeWise representatives work with the district to reach an agreement. However, the district previously said it thought the program was disrupting and distracting, with the Board of Education saying it was more open to after-school programming. Worthington City Schools began mulling over its release time policy in October, and discussions are set to continue at Wednesday evenings Board of Education meeting. We are hopeful that the Worthington school board will continue our program and are committed to working with them to address concerns they may have, Penton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hilliard to consider rejected plan for mosque While these districts consider their policies, Ohio state legislators resume discussions about religious release policies this week. House Bill 445, which would require public schools to establish release time policies, has its third hearing on Tuesday. If passed, the bill would change Ohio law from stating districts may establish a policy to districts shall establish one. There has been confusion in some school districts where such policies are not in place, and HB 445 would provide much-needed clarity to those districts, Penton said. We are hopeful that the legislature will understand the urgency of the situation and will expediently pass HB 445. During the third hearing, the Primary and Secondary Education Committee will hear testimonies for and against the legislation. In June, around 120 witnesses wrote testimonies in favor of the bill. The third hearing is expected to hear testimonies against the bill as well, according to local advocates planning to attend. 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. In what could be considered a strong message to China, France is planning to send its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort vessels to the Indo-Pacific region. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's extended mission could also see it visit Japan for the first time ever and make the first call to the Philippines. The French frigate Bretagne recently returned from a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific, and the country is planning to send more vessels to replace it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France is preparing an extended route map for its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier which will see it crossing the eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and possibly the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean. Incidentally, the French carrier needs to undergo a mandatory technical overhaul after two years, and this is the only window it has to go for extended deployments. The aircraft carrierthe only such active nuclear-powered vessel outside the United States fleetis of strategic importance, and its date of departure and route will be decided only after considering global events. France's Charles de Gaulle to be accompanied by several other vessels According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Charles de Gaulle will likely be accompanied by an air defense destroyer, two frigates, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, and a logistics vessel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to these, 24 Rafale Marine fighter jets, four helicopters, and an early-warning aircraft will accompany the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Once it sails, the French CSG is going to take part in the annual French and Indian navies bilateral exercise Varuna. It is then going to take part in another exercise with the Philippine Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Australian Navy, and others for the biennial exercise La Perouse in the Indian Ocean area south of Indonesia and northwest of Australias northwest coast. It marks the first time that South East Asian countries are taking part in the La Perouse war exercise. Following this, Charles de Gaulle is expected to conduct Exercise Pacific Steller in the waters near Guam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This could be followed by the CSG visiting Japan and the Philippines. However, the French Navy has not clarified whether this will be the case due to operational reasons. Response from China awaited China has made significant strides in the past few years in building, upgrading, and flexing its military muscles. In recent years, it has also been involved in heated contests with its neighbors, including Japan, the Philippines, and others, over the recognition of sea borders. If the French CSG carries out a visit to Japan and the Philippines, it will definitely serve as a warning sign to Beijing. As of today, the Chinese government has not issued a statement regarding reports of the nuclear-powered vessel coming to the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, reports surfaced that China has built a nuclear-powered propulsion system prototype for an aircraft carrier warship. If this turns out to be true, the country could become the third in the world to have one such large surface vessel in its fleet. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Habitat for Humanity Restore of Champaign County asks residents to be more mindful about what they are donating to the store. The nonprofit originally took to Facebook to address people dropping off mattresses and unusable furniture. The groups Executive Director, Chad Hoffman, said theyve been seeing items with mold or mildew on them. Theyre looking for goods that are free of rips, tears, and stains. Hoffman said if the items arent able to be resold, theyll have to throw it away which can cost the group a lot of money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salvation Army and Circle K team up to help veterans in Champaign The items that we recently had left behind for us would have cost us about $2,000 just to get rid of. So, we try to keep our bills down as much as possible and keep our expenses tight to fund that housing mission and build more houses. But when we get a huge dump like that, there are times where we have to expense that out and get an additional dumpster, Hoffman said. He said if you have questions on what you can and cant drop off, they have a sign outside next to the donation door. If youre someone who needs your furniture or appliances hauled, Habitat for Humanity will do a free pick for at least three large items. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A job-focused charter school has gotten initial state approval to open in fast-growing Chatham County in 2026. The N.C. Charter Schools Review Board on Tuesday unanimously approved the application for Granite Charter Academy to open in Pittsboro near the border with Orange County. The vote came after Granites leaders pitched how the proposed K-12 school would provide students with a rigorous education focused on career and technical education skills. Building trades, culinary arts, nursing and environmental systems and applied technology are some of the professional pathways that Granite shall develop to meet the need in the Silicon Valley of the East, said Jim Crawford, a member of Granites board and a former Chatham County commissioner. It will provide students with training opportunities without incurring debt or having to travel far from their hometown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Granite will now go through the planning process. If everything is in place, the Review Board will give final approval in 2026. Commitment to a diverse enrollment Granite would become Chatham Countys fourth charter school. There are more than 200 charter schools open in North Carolina this school year. Charter schools are exempt from some of the rules that traditional public schools must follow. But Granites leaders said they would strive to have a diverse school enrollment that reflects Chatham Countys population. Granite plans to offer a selection lottery that will give application priority to economically disadvantaged students. School leaders said theyre also marketing to Chathams growing Hispanic population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school also plans to offer bus service to students and participate in the federal school lunch program. I told them (Granite) is not going to look right when I look up and its 80% white people at this school, said Cheryl Littlejohn, a member of Granites board and an education consultant. Im that person thats going to make sure that we carry out what we intended to do. Support of business community The school plans to open in 2026 with 554 K-6 students and add a grade level each year. The plan is to eventually expand to 1,500 elementary, middle school and high school students. Crawford said Chatham County needs a career technical school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Granite has been backed by a number of business groups, including the Homebuilders Association of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties. School leaders said theyve already gotten financial commitments from some groups. I see It as particularly attractive that this is a school that will largely be birthed from a business community that sees a need and is willing to step in and help create the kind of school that can address that need, said Bartley Danielsen, a Review Board member. There are a lot of business people who want to get involved with education and they are very frustrated when they get involved with the typical public school system. Success after initial rejection Granite initially applied in 2022 as a K-8 charter school but was rejected. Granite leaders said they learned from the prior rejection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know they were discouraged, rightfully so, back in late 2022, said Bruce Friend, chair of the Review Board. But I think theyve taken the concerns that we raised then and the questions we had, and I think they are actually stronger now. Alex Quigley, a Review Board member, said the prior rejection showed the value of having a high bar for charter schools. The people who really want it will come back, Quigley said. If theres any hesitation, we should just step back and say No, you need to wait another year. Quigley also said its a plus that Granite plans to be locally run, as opposed to charter schools that are managed by for-profit companies. We need strong local boards that come together to create high-performing charters, Quigley said. Those are consistently the highest-performing charters in the state still, and Im happy to see a really strong board that I feel like has done the work. Carbon is a gregarious little atom, bending over backwards to link with a wide variety of elements in what is collectively referred to as organic chemistry. Life itself wouldn't be possible without carbon's knack for making connections. Yet even this friendly fellow has its limits. Take Bredt's rule for instance, which says stable two-laned connections known as covalent double bonds won't form adjacent to any V-shaped bridges that happen to form across 'bicyclic' molecules. Now a team of chemists from the University of California, Los Angeles has uncovered a solution that violates Bredt's century-old rule. This encourages future drug research to explore the use of molecules that we thought could not exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It might seem like a rather obscure bylaw of organic town planning, but ever since German chemist Julius Bredt argued the double bond's impossibility in his 1924 paper, there have only been a handful of successful experiments that seem to prove him wrong. As any assembler of DIY furniture knows all too well, geometry is key to making sure your flat-pack bookcase doesn't crumble into a pile of splinters. Organic chemistry isn't all that different while some joins permit a degree of twisting and turning, others stubbornly require the existing plan to be perfectly straight before clicking into place. Take an assembled bicyclic molecule, which in its simplest form, norbornene, might look like the number eight on a digital clock face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's possible to insert a carbon atom in the center of the molecule to intersect the middle bond, resulting in a peak known as a bridgehead. Meanwhile, the rest of the molecule is tugged into a new alignment, preventing the figure eight from lying flat on its back. Want to now add a second connection to one of the carbons at either end of your bridgehead to form an organic double bond known as an olefin? Bredt would have said sorry, you're out of luck. Bredt's rule forbids olefins next to bridgeheads in norbornene. ( Jeff Dahl/Wikimedia Commons/PD UCLA chemist Neil Garg is on team anti-Bredt. He says go for it. "People aren't exploring anti-Bredt olefins because they think they can't," says Garg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We shouldn't have rules like this or if we have them, they should only exist with the constant reminder that they're guidelines, not rules. It destroys creativity when we have rules that supposedly can't be overcome." Garg and his team started from a theoretical approach to developing an understanding of the arrangement of several different kinds of bicyclic rings with an anti-Bredt bond, before using a systemized method developed by the organic chemist Shu Kobayashi to plan a suitable set of precursor compounds and routes to encouraging the formation of a double bond. The successful plan combined silyl (pseudo)halide precursors with another fluoride-containing molecule, along with a selection of other chemicals that stabilized the bond and allowed the product to be sifted out. Breaking rules in chemistry is far more than an act of rebellion (though chemists are a rebellious bunch). It's an endeavor to unlock new methods of producing compounds that had been considered off limits, expanding on the range of synthetic compounds that could prove useful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's a big push in the pharmaceutical industry to develop chemical reactions that give three-dimensional structures like ours because they can be used to discover new medicines," says Garg. "What this study shows is that contrary to one hundred years of conventional wisdom, chemists can make and use anti-Bredt olefins to make value-added products." This research was published in Science. Related News MEXICO CITY, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Wu Weihua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), visited Trinidad and Tobago from Sunday to Monday at the invitation of the Caribbean country's parliament. During his two-day visit, Wu met with Nigel de Freitas, president of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives Brigid Annisette-George, and Foreign Minister Amery Browne. China attaches importance to developing comprehensive cooperative partnership with Trinidad and Tobago, Wu said, voicing China's readiness to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries to work with Trinidad and Tobago to consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and lift bilateral relations to a new level. The NPC also puts heavy emphasis on exchanges and cooperation with the parliament of Trinidad and Tobago and is willing to strengthen experience-sharing in governance, Wu added. For their part, the leaders of the Caribbean country said the government and the parliament of Trinidad and Tobago cherish the traditional friendship with China and expressed satisfaction with the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, especially the fruitful results of Belt and Road cooperation. Trinidad and Tobago will continue to uphold the one-China policy and make joint efforts with China to deepen bilateral friendly cooperation, they said. The Chinese delegation headed by Wu also made a field trip to the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, a BRI project jointly built by the two countries. MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) In a dramatic series of events that spanned multiple counties, a frantic search for a young girl abducted in southeast Ohio ended in a confrontation that left her father dead. North Ridgeville school employee jailed on stalking charge Authorities in Jefferson County issued a statewide Amber Alert early Monday morning, reporting that a 7-year-old girl had been abducted by her father, 43-year-old Charles Alexander. Lacking custody rights and deemed a potential danger to his daughter, Alexanders actions triggered an intense search that expanded quickly across Ohio. Charles Alexander (Ohio Amber Alert) The child was reportedly abducted in Empire, Jefferson County, according to the Ohio Amber Alert website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Medina Sheriff Terry Grice during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Alexander initially tried to go to his childs school to pick her up. The school was aware that he did not have custody and called the childs grandmother to pick her up. Alexander then forcibly abducted the child from her grandmothers house, police said. While leaving the area, Alexander hit a woman with his Ford F-150. Hours later, Brunswick police officers spotted Alexander driving a stolen U-Haul on a highway in the Fairlawn area. When they attempted to stop him, he refused, initiating a high-speed chase down Interstate 71. During the press conference, Brunswick Police Chief Robert Safran said Alexander threatened to shoot himself and his daughter if police did not stop pursuing him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dashcam footage shows the intensity of the pursuit, with Brunswick police and multiple other agencies joining forces as they followed Alexander. Stop sticks were deployed, and ultimately, they successfully disabled the vehicle. At least 2 shot in East Cleveland, police say Alexander continued driving briefly before finally coming to a stop in a parking lot along State Route 18 in Medina Township. Multiple agencies were called in to assist in the situation. After Alexander threatened harm to himself and his daughter multiple times, a member of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Response Team neutralized the threat, Sheriff Grice said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That decision is never made easy, but that act, alone, saved this little girl. Theres no doubt in my mind, Sheriff Grice said. Upon stopping, Alexander reportedly communicated with various dispatch centers, suggesting that he might be armed. Negotiations began as officers surrounded the area, urging Alexander to surrender. In 9-1-1 calls played during the press conference, Alexanders 7-year-old daughter is heard saying, Am I going to heaven today? I dont want to go to heaven today, while Alexander continues to ask to talk to her mother. The situation escalated, ending with gunshots and Alexander being pronounced dead at the scene by the Medina County Coroner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials did not immediately detail how long negotiations lasted or the moment that led up to the gunfire. According to Sheriff Grice during the press conference, gunshots heard in police video were aimed toward police out of the passenger side of the U-Haul. No police injuries were reported. Man upset about divorce rams car into crowd, killing 35: Police It remains unclear whether Alexanders daughter was inside the U-Haul during the shooting. However, law enforcement confirmed that she was unharmed and has since been returned to her family. According to Sheriff Grice, at a certain point during the pursuit, the child was on Alexanders lap as he put the gun up to her. The 7-year-old made it out of the situation safely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the Amber Alert canceled and the immediate crisis resolved, authorities have now shifted focus to investigating the tragic confrontation that led to Alexanders death. The Medina County Sheriffs Office, along with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is taking the lead on the case. Officials are requesting that anyone with additional information contact the Medina County Sheriffs Office. According to Sheriff Grice, Charles Alexander did have a history of mental illness. Grice also confirmed that this situation broke out on the childs birthday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Even in the midst of a court battle with the state to keep their license after they were accused of failing to report a teacher for sexually assaulting a student, a Forsyth County school and childcare center tells Channel 2 Action News that theyve sold the school. The first thing I think of is what is the safety for the children. Are the kids going to be under the same administration and the same guard rails that failed last time? are the questions Attorney John Bey has after learning that Cornerstone Schools has been sold. Bey represents two families suing Cornerstone Schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is going to protect the children from this happening again? Bey asked. Channel 2s Candace McCowan received a statement from the owners of Cornerstone Schools: Over the last three to four years, Cornerstone has been approached by numerous prospective buyers. Last year, the Martins determined because of their ages and desire to have some freedom, they would sell to an appropriate buyer. St. John Bosco Academy initiated due diligence about eight months ago, and the Martins ultimately agreed on terms, with the sale being consummated in October 2024. This all comes as the president of the school, Angela Martin, was arrested and charged with failure to report, after a teacher at the school Tulsi Patel was accused of sexually assaulting a preschooler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patel was let go from Cornerstone. RELATED STORIES: But months later, she went on to work at an Alpharetta childcare center, where shes charged with sexually assaulting several 4-year-olds. I think thats why its so important to ask those questions about who is going to be heading this up and who is going to be responsible, Bey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new owner of Cornerstone is St. John Bosco Academy. They will take over in May 2025 and Channel 2 Action News was told the Martins will not be involved with the property or school. But that still leaves months before new owners step in. And according to the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, they still want to revoke Cornerstones license for failing to report the sexual assault. Cornerstone will still have to fight an appeal before an administrative judge if they want to keep their license and keep operating their childcare center until the new owners take over. Cornerstone is still waiting to learn when they will appear before that judge and fight to keep their license. This leaves parents of students at Cornerstone in limbo. Theyll have to reapply for school next year or find somewhere else. Maybe even sooner, depending on what the judge decides about their license. (Bloomberg) -- Chinese stocks and the yuan slumped as fears of worsening Sino-American tensions further undermined investor confidence after a slew of disappointing economic developments. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index tumbled 3.1% to cap its biggest one-day loss in nearly a month. The onshore benchmark CSI 300 Index slid 1.1%. The offshore yuan fell as much as 0.4% to 7.2534 per dollar, the weakest in more than three months. Stock losses deepened in the afternoon following reports that US President-elect Donald Trump is poised to pick two men with track records of harshly criticizing China for key positions in his new administration. That bolstered concerns over geopolitical tensions. Sentiment had already been cooling with Chinas underwhelming fiscal stimulus announcement last week and a slower-than-expected credit expansion for October. Trumps preference to strengthen his negotiating positions with aggressive appointments like these should not be a surprise, but underscores the high likelihood of the president-elect following through on his campaign pledge to implement punitive tariffs on Chinas exports to the US, said Homin Lee, senior macro strategist at Lombard Odier. Senator Marco Rubio who has taken an aggressive stance on Chinas emergence as an economic power and twice been hit with sanctions by Beijing is expected to be named secretary of state, Bloomberg News reported. Representative Mike Waltz, who views China as a greater threat to the US than any other nation, is in line to be national security advisor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese equities have struggled to regain traction after peaking in early October, with the economic recovery remaining wobbly and the government reluctant to roll out large-scale fiscal stimulus to revive domestic demand. In a highly-anticipated legislative meeting last week, authorities focused on fixing local governments debt woes and stopped short of unleashing fresh policy to boost consumption. The outcome disappointed some investors who had hoped for stronger economic support, especially given the threat of higher tariffs under Trump. Some traders may also be taking money off the table as the markets outlook remains unclear. Major onshore benchmarks including the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite gauge are trading near overbought levels. Markets got little boost even as Bloomberg reported that China is planning to cut taxes for home purchases, part of the governments efforts to revive a moribund housing market. A Bloomberg Intelligence gauge of Chinese developer shares fell more than 4%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Peoples Bank of China refrained from providing support for the yuan, with its official fixing set at the weakest level since September on Tuesday morning. Concerns over Hong Kong stocks reflect more than just market reactions to Trumps cabinet picks, said Billy Leung, an investment strategist at Global X ETFs in Sydney. I also think there is a lingering impact from concerns of economic stimulus and a gap between market expectations and the level of support being provided. --With assistance from Wenjin Lv and April Ma. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. CNN anchor Chris Wallace is getting ready to leave the cable network. Wallace, who hosts an eponymous show on weekend mornings and the CNN Max interview series Whos Talking to Chris Wallace?, will depart when his three-year contract ends. The 77-year-old, whose TV career spans half a century and multiple news networks, says hell look to independent platforms like streaming or podcasting for his next stop, as thats where the action seems to be, he told The Daily Beast (which broke the news of his departure). More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming, CNN CEO and chairman Mark Thompson said in a statement. We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom hes brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for future. Wallace told The Daily Beast that he bears no ill will toward CNN: I have nothing but positive things to say. CNN has been very good to me, he said. He had discussed leaving when his contract ends with his wife, Lorraine, for several months before coming to the decision. Wallace was to be one of the faces of CNNs would-be streaming platform, CNN+, when he joined the network after 18 years at Fox News. CNN+, however, was scrapped after less than a month of existence, and Wallage segued into his current duties including the show on CNNs hub at streaming service Max. Wallace, the son of long-time CBS newsman and 60 Minutes mainstay Mike Wallace, began his TV career at NBC News in the mid-1970s, working as a White House correspondent, weekend Nightly News anchor and Meet the Press moderator. He moved to ABC in 1989 and was a senior correspondent for Primetime Live and sometime Nightline host before joining Fox News in 2003. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wallace told The Daily Beast that hes embracing the uncertainty of what might come next for him. Not knowing is part of the challenge, he said. Im waiting to see what comes over the transom. It might be something that I havent thought of at all. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A veteran TV journalist is leaving the cable news game: Chris Wallace is exiting CNN after spending three years there as a host and anchor, TVLine has confirmed. Wallace told The Daily Beast (who first reported the news) that hes looking to move to an independent platform via streaming or podcasting, since thats where the action seems to be these days. This is the first time in 55 years Ive been between jobs, he added. I am actually excited and liberated by that. More from TVLine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wallace joined CNN in 2021, hosting the interview show Whos Talking to Chris Wallace? and anchoring The Chris Wallace Show. He also offered political analysis and commentary during the networks other news shows, including coverage of last weeks presidential election. Starting his TV career as a teenager by working as an assistant to legendary newsman Walter Cronkite in 1964, Wallace later served as White House correspondent at NBC News as well as anchoring weekend editions of the NBC Nightly News and hosting Meet the Press in the 1980s. Wallace moved to ABC in 1989, hosting Nightline and Primetime Live. He joined Fox News in 2003, remaining there for nearly two decades as the host of Fox News Sunday. In 2016, he became the first Fox News journalist to moderate a presidential debate, with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton squaring off. He hosted another presidential debate in 2020, between Trump and Joe Biden. Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming, CNN CEO and chairman Mark Thompson said in a statement. We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom hes brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for the future. Best of TVLine Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Chris Wallace is quitting CNN after three years as one of its biggest stars, he exclusively told the Daily Beast Monday. The 77-year-old broadcaster said he will instead find a new home on an independent platform such as streaming or podcasting, which he described as where the action seems to be. He highlighted how podcasters including Joe Rogan and Charlamagne tha God had set the agenda during the presidential election, but added, I dont flatter myself to think I will have that sort of reach. The stunning decision by Wallace to walk away from CNN at the end of his three-year, seven-figure contract, rather than to renegotiate it, is a watershed moment for cable TV. It comes as other anchors face being fired or having salaries cut as declining ratings and cord-cutting hit the industrys bottom line. Wallace spent 12 hours on air on election night last week, making him one of the key faces of CNN's coverage. Wallace was one of the main faces of CNNs election night coverage last week, correctly forecasting that Kamala Harris would need a miracle to win as the first exit polls showed the depths of her electoral difficulty. He came to CNN in 2021 after 18 years at Fox News, where he had interviewed Donald Trump repeatedly and earned praise for his handling of the fiery 2020 presidential debate between Trump and Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he told the Daily Beast that his career in broadcast televisionwhich began on local TV in Chicago in 1973 and spanned NBCs The Today Show and Meet The Press, ABCs PrimeTime Live and Fox News Sunday before he joined CNNwill be over when his contract lapses at the end of the year, describing it as quite liberating. This is the first time in 55 years Ive been between jobs, he said. I am actually excited and liberated by that. Wallace is considering what streaming or podcast format would work for him, and added, Not knowing is part of the challenge. Im waiting to see what comes over the transom. It might be something that I havent thought of at all. CNN wanted to retain Wallace but his decision to quit ahead of contract talks will be seen as a sign of CNNs waning influence in the media landscape. Its ratings have been consistently down, with its election night coverage falling far behind Fox News. In relative terms, it has slid further and faster than its competitors, Fox and MSNBC, leading to pressure to cut costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wallace emphasized that his decision was not a criticism of his employers. I have nothing but positive things to say. CNN has been very good to me, he said. He joined to be one of the key faces of the CNN+ streaming network, only for it to be closed by the new CNN CEO, Chris Licht, a month after going live in March 2022. Wallace anchors The Chris Wallace Show on Saturday mornings and Whos Talking to Chris Wallace?, which streams on Max. Wallace joined CNN after 18 years at Fox News. That had included moderating the Trump-Biden debate in 2020 in which the then-president sparred with Wallace as well as his presidential rival. CNN CEO and Chairman Mark Thompson said in a statement: Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming. We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom hes brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for the future. His move out of conventional broadcasting, after a career which has seen him win every major award, including three Emmys, comes at what TV executives call an existential moment for the industry. In September, Hoda Kotb caused shockwaves by quitting NBCs Today Show, amid reports that she had refused to accept a contract lower than $20 million. Other network stars across TV are braced for cuts, while an NBC executive warned of a looming bloodbath after Kotbs departure. The crisis in conventional TV has been mirrored by a highly disrupted media landscape in which new stars are born on podcasts, streaming and social platforms and existing stars are looking to the same formats to reinvent themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most successful streamers or independent broadcasters to emerge from traditional television have so far been almost exclusively on the right. Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly have both turned a combination of polemic, conspiracies, lavish praise for Donald Trump and interviews with other MAGA figures into large online followings. Wallace has interviewed a series of presidents, including Barack Obama in 2013 for Fox News Sunday, as well as foreign leaders and Hollywood stars and won awards three Emmys, a DuPont-Columbia Silver Baton and the Peabody Award. In contrast Wallaces former CNN colleague Don Lemon has largely failed to find traction with his Don Lemon Show, which he launched as a tie-up up with Elon Musks X, featuring a splashy interview with the billionaire. But Musk took exception to the questions and ended the deal. The left-wing polemicist Mehdi Hassan has secured a large following on Substack after quitting MSNBC, meaning that Wallace would be unusual in not being a partisan warrior. I am clearly not going to become a hard-right or hard-left advocate. Its just absent from my DNA, he said. Instead, he said he will rely on his own brand, honed over decades of interviews, for clout. Ive interviewed presidents, princes, kings and one saint, Mother Teresa, he said. In 1985 Wallace interviewed then President Ronald Reagan and First lady Nancy Reagan at their California ranch. More recently he asked Vladimir Putin why his opponents die so frequently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has also, like other anchors, written popular histories. He is working on an addition to his bestselling Countdown series, which has so far covered the lead-up to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; the 1960 presidential election; and the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Wallace said he had decided to strike out in a new direction after talking in spring 2024 with his wife, Lorraine, about his future and resolving that he would stick around for the election then decline to renew his contract. The couple have six children and nine grandchildren. My family just want me to be happy and they want me to keep working, he said. They do not want to have to worry about entertaining me. Wallace follows in a family tradition by entering a sixth decade in broadcasting, or its modern equivalent. His father, Mike, worked into his 80s and last appeared on 60 Minutes shortly before his 90th birthday. I know I want to do something because Wallaces keep working, he said. The Chris Wallace Show will finish its run next month and Whos Talking to Chris Wallaces last episode will be on Friday as scheduled. LE MARS, Iowa (KCAU) The community of Le Mars is bringing the holiday cheer to life with the 5th annual Christmas in Hometown Le Mars on November 30. According to a release, the Ice Cream Capital of the World is inviting Siouxland to spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving, in Le Mars shopping, taking pictures with Santa, listening to live music, enjoying food, and a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Elk Point Chamber kicking off holiday season with Christmas Market Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone unable to attend can view a 30-minute abbreviated version of the event on Sunday, December 8 and 15 at 11:30 a.m. on KCAU 9. The release states that there will be three new events for 2024 including a holiday train ride around downtown between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Grinning with the Grinch at Habitue Coffeehouse from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a kids dash added to Santas Fun Run. Events offered include: Eating with the Elves at KC Hall from 8 to 11 a.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus at Habitue from 8:30 to 11 a.m. 2 Performances by the Browns at The Browns Century Theater. Purchase tickets here. Santas Fun Run 5k at 10 a.m. Register here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christmas shopping in downtown Le Mars starts at 9 a.m. 6 p.m. Tree Lighting, Live performance by the Browns, ballet dancers, and Le Mars Community High School and Gehlen High School choirs. Pony Rides, Petting Zoo from Pixies Pony Tales, and bunnies from Fuzzy Bunnies Rabbitary. Christmas Carnival with balloon stations, face painting, and temporary tattoos. Bingo with Blu and coloring at The Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor Smores Stations Find the Joy Scavenger Hunt through downtown Le Mars from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 30-minute sessions for $5 at the Skating rink from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Live nativity with the Holy Family and animals in a manger scene from 4 to 8 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a full list of events and activities, 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. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior Church of England bishop, spiritual leader of Anglicans, and a friend of King Charles III, resigned Tuesday over his handling of a sex abuse scandal. The Most Reverend Justin Welby had faced growing pressure to step down after the publication last week of a damning report on the cover-up by the church of a sadist who subjected private schoolboys attending evangelical Christian holiday camps in the 1970s and 80s to horrendous physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned. The perpetrator, John Smyth, was allowed by church officials to move to South Africa, where he died in 2018 at 75 without ever facing justice for his attacks on as many as 130 boys and young men. The review found Smyth may have faced charges a decade ago had the archbishop reported suspicions to the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby, who crowned King Charles at his coronation in Mary 2023, said in a statement. The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth, he added. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) An Arkansas man who pleaded on Jan. 6 charges is asking for a continuance in his sentencing after Trumps presidential win because he says there is a significant likelihood the President-Elect will pardon him for his crimes. A Nov. 8 motion by special counsel Jack Smith in the United States v. Trump asked the judge to vacate the remaining court dates and give his team a chance to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy. Nathan Earl Hughes, 34 (Courtesy of Washington County). As a result of this filing, the lawyer for Fayetteville native Nathan Earl Hughes now wants a continuance in his sentencing hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make criminal cases vanish Hughes pleaded guilty in August to charges of civil disorder, assault on a federal law enforcement officer, and impeding passage through the Capitol related to his actions in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Hughes had an upcoming sentencing hearing set for Dec. 16, 2024, but in his motion, he states that President-elect Donald Trump stated on multiple occasions throughout his presidential campaign in 2024 that, if elected, he intended to issues pardons, sentence commutations, order the dismissal of pending cases and in other ways bring an end to the Department of Justices prosecutorial endeavors regarding the events on January 6, 2021. The motion from Hughes said that it should be in the interest of justice that the court withhold any upcoming proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motion ends with an argument stating that before the court claims that the people have an interest in justice under the Speedy Trial Act, that Hughes would point out that the people on behalf of whom the Government purports to speak made themselves heard clearly on November 5 The Department of Justice said in an August 23, 2023 press release that Hughes pushed against police and aided other rioters in fighting against police. Hughes motion to continue requests a new sentencing date on the week of February 2, 2025 two weeks after Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's natural rubber production increased by 36.4 percent to 104,797 tons in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to 76,814 tons in the second quarter, official data showed Tuesday. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said in a statement that the annual performance of Malaysia's natural rubber production in the third quarter recorded an increase of 13.2 percent as compared to 92,599 tons a year ago. As for September, the country's natural rubber production decreased by 13.9 percent to 30,929 tons in September as compared to 35,908 tons in August. Exports of Malaysia's natural rubber also declined by 30.6 percent month-on-month to 39,915 tons in September. China remained the main destination for the natural rubber exports, accounting for 32.1 percent of the total exports in September. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates (15.6 percent), Germany (11.7 percent), the United States (6.6 percent) and Portugal (5.3 percent). The export performance was contributed by natural rubber-based products such as gloves, tyre, tube and rubber thread. Maine is currently among 15 states that does not require a voter to present identification while at the polls. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images) A citizen ballot initiative launched by a local conservative political action committee is aiming to put a voter identification law on Maines ballot next year, as the campaign said it has enough signatures after petitioning on Election Day. While the signatures still must be submitted to the Maine Department of the Secretary of State to be reviewed and certified, Alex Titcomb, the lead petitioner, said 631 volunteers collected more than 165,000 signatures from registered Maine voters, providing a large cushion for the 67,682 needed to get on the ballot (which is based on the states requirement of having 10% of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its what happens when you get passionate volunteers collecting signatures, Titcomb said. In April, The Dinner Table PAC founded by Titcomb along with state Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) in 2021, with a mission to create a conservative majority in the Maine House of Representatives launched Voter ID for ME. According to the campaign site, Voter ID for ME raised $26,340 to help with signature gathering, which started during the June presidential primary. The citizen-led ballot initiative seeks to require voters to show identification at the polls. Maine requires identification and proof of residency in order to register to vote but is among 15 states that do not require voters to present identification while at the polls. If the campaign meets the signature requirement after the certification process, the Maine Legislature will consider the proposal as legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers can enact the law directly. Or, the proposal will go to the voters if the Legislature offers a competing measure, the governor vetoes it, or the Legislature rejects or doesnt act on it . Republican lawmakers in Maine have previously tried to pass voter ID laws through the state Legislature but have been blocked by the Democratic majority. That majority remains after the Nov. 5 election, though with slimmer margins. These voter ID efforts in Maine follow a national trend from Republicans pushing for such requirements, amid conflicting research on their impact. Supporters of voter ID laws argue theyll decrease the risk of fraud and increase confidence in election results. Meanwhile, opponents argue voter ID requirements block legitimate voters from casting ballots, create anti-immigrant sentiment and feed an unfounded fear of widespread voter fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the lead up to the Nov. 5 election, the conservative website the Maine Wire posted unsubstantiated claims about non-citizen voting, and Maine Senate Republicans pointed to the accusations when reiterating their call for a state voter ID law. To suggest policy solutions for a problem that they refuse to provide evidence to substantiate is highly questionable, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told Maine Morning Star at the time. We cannot let unsubstantiated accusations deny eligible voters their freedom to cast a ballot. Bellows also previously told Maine Morning Star her office will always administer the constitutionally protected citizens initiative process fairly, but it has historically opposed proposals requiring voters to show certain documents to cast ballots. Voter ID requirements, she said, could disproportionately impact rural residents, seniors, people with disabilities, the unhoused, students and voters of color. Some Maine students raised concern about voter ID requirements restricting their voting rights after seeing Voter ID for ME volunteers collecting signatures this fall. University of Southern Maine senior Emilia Toth said she advised her peers not to sign the petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a really misleading campaign, because they make it seem like a no-brainer, like, Yeah, you should show ID to be able to vote, Toth said. But the issue is that it would make certain IDs invalid as a type of voter ID. Student IDs wouldnt be considered an acceptable form of identification. Despite these concerns, more than 165,000 Mainers are initially signaling they would support this type of law being considered by voters. With signature gathering complete, Titcomb said the groups efforts will turn to waging a campaign to get Mainers to vote yes. That will include some education, some persuasion, Titcomb said, but at the end of the day, with a popular issue like this, its just getting folks out to vote will be the key. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign plans to submit their signatures by the filing deadline for appearing on the November 2025 ballot, which is January 23, and Titcomb said aiming for next years ballot is a strategic choice. Getting a statewide ballot question on an off-year election will increase participation, hopefully, thats part of the goal, Titcomb said. Its also easier to accomplish victory in smaller turnout elections rather than doing it in 2026 that would increase the costs for the ballot campaign because youll be competing with a lot of other campaigns, the governors race for sure, and the U.S. Senate race is going to be massive. Another citizen ballot campaign for a gun control measure was also collecting signatures on Nov. 5. That law could also appear on next Novembers ballot, as that campaign is nearing the signature total needed, though they have yet to decide which ballot to aim for. Eesha Pendharkar contributed to this reporting. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) If you have an outstanding parking ticket in Binghamton, youll be able to avoid late penalties for a finite amount of time. Mayor Jared Kraham announced Tuesday morning that the City of Binghamton will waive late fees on unpaid parking tickets starting Friday, Nov. 15, and running through the end of the year. The Parking Ticket Amnesty Program allows for any parking ticket issued before Nov. 25, 2024, to be paid at the initial fine rate, avoiding late fees or penalties. New York State surcharges and fees for illegal parking in spaces reserved for those with disabilities are not forgiven, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For anyone with unpaid parking tickets in the City of Binghamton, this is a great chance to clean up outstanding fines and avoid paying extra in late penalties. Its also an opportunity for the City to bring in additional revenue by collecting more of whats owed in unpaid parking fines, Kraham said. According to Mayor Kraham, as of mid-October, over 3,400 parking tickets that equated to around $195,000 were unpaid. The mayor says the amnesty program is a good way to encourage those with unpaid tickets to wipe the slate clean without further penalty. Parking ticket fines can be paid through the City websites online portal. Payments can also be made in person at City Hall. Checks can be placed in the payment drop box located in the first-floor lobby. Cash, check, and money order payments are accepted in person at the Treasurers Office on the second floor of City Hall on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. 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. The Atlanta BeltLine will celebrate the completion of the Northeast Trail section at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday. The newly completed section is the latest addition to the BeltLines mainline loop along Piedmont Park and includes the 10th Street and Monroe Drive intersection in midtown. That intersection underwent a makeover in June, with the city raising it up to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project also included new crosswalks, pedestrian signals, traffic signals, and a plaza. A bicycle crossing now feeds into a new entrance to the Eastside Trail, allowing cyclists to travel from the bike lane on 10th Street to the trail. Several leaders from the city of Atlanta and Fulton County will be there. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Park Tavern on 10th Street. RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WSAV) The city of Richmond Hill continues to monitor low-lying areas seeing rising water levels. Officials are continuing to watch neighborhoods like Rushing Street Station being affected by the floodwaters, a result of recent heavy rainfall. Rising river levels are the greatest concern and are also causing street ponding. In their efforts, the city has water pumps ready to be activated as soon as the water level is high enough for them to operate effectively. There are also sandbags available for residents at the former Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) lot located on Timber Trail. Flooding in Rushing Street Station It just blows me away: Traveling Vietnam Wall draws crowd in Richmond Hill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sand is already on site, but residents are asked to provide a shovel. Richmond Hill urges residents to move vehicles to higher ground to avoid water and to be mindful of road conditions. Bryan County officials told News 3 they have been in contact with the city and are ready to help with any requests. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Cleary University has expanded its Cleary Direct Connect program and will now offer free automatic admission to all Michigan high school graduates. Students will be automatically admitted to the university, skipping the traditional application process. Students must live in Michigan and meet the universitys minimum academic requirements to waive the admission process. Students wont need to obtain letters of recommendation, write an essay or complete an application form. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are excited to expand this opportunity and offer it to all Michigan graduating high school seniors so they can continue their education and simplify the college admission process at the same time, said Jeremy Walker, senior vice president of Enrollment Management at Cleary in a news release sent to 6 News. Cleary reports that the university awards approximately $10 million in student scholarships each year. Nearly all full-time students receive student aid, averaging more than $10,500 per student. Our goal is to make the college experience enriching, rewarding, affordable and enjoyable, and with Cleary Direct Connect, we can make this happen for our students, said Walker. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji after a game against the Green Bay Packers in Cleveland on Aug. 10. Hakeem Adeniji, an offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, shared the heartbreaking loss of his child a week before the boy's due date. In a tearful video posted Nov. 4 on Instagram, Adeniji, 26, called the loss "the worst moment of my life." "I know everybody that knows me knows how bad I wanted to ... be a dad," he said. He said his wife, Kayla, went to the hospital when she couldn't feel their son moving. An ultrasound confirmed the stillbirth six days before the boys due date, Adeniji said. "We got to hold him. We got to spend some moments with him. ... Well never forget him. We love him. Hes going to live on in our hearts forever, he said. Kayla Adeniji said in an emotional post on Instagram that she was in love with her beautiful son from the moment she held him. Until I can hold your hand again son, I love you, she wrote. Adeniji said his wife became pregnant through a "long process" of in vitro fertilization. He said he and his wife will make it through this dark period. I know that hes watching over us, and he wants us to keep going, Adeniji said. Adeniji was drafted in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020 and was signed by the Browns as an unrestricted free agent in March, according to the team. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Environmentalists are raising concerns about the new ground rules for a global system for trading carbon offset credits endorsed at the UN Climate Change Conference. The agreement forged on Monday evening at the talks in Baku sets standards for a carbon credit market. The hope is that the rules will substantially support the reduction of climate-damaging gases by offering financial incentives to emitters. While negotiators have hailed the agreement, critics decry what they described as a loophole-filled backroom deal that was decided upon without broad debate by stakeholders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erika Lennon, a senior attorney with the Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL), described the way in which the deal was agreed as a "dangerous precedent" for the entire negotiation process at the talks, known as COP29, in Azerbaijan's capital. The decision relates to Article 6 of the 2015 Paris climate agreement, which sets out how countries can voluntarily collaborate to reach their climate protection goals. For instance, companies can buy or sell credits representing a reduction or removal of greenhouse gas emissions, allowing them to offset their carbon footprints and meet environmental goals. Companies are already utilizing such credits to become "CO2-neutral." Supporters say the measures outlined in Baku could usher in a more robust carbon offset market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scheme has long been seen as filled with lax standards and plagued by poor regulatory oversight, leading to claims of "greenwashing" - referring to strategies through which companies or governments falsely portray themselves as environmentally friendly. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev praised the agreement announced on day one of COP29, calling the years-in-the-making deal a "game-changing tool to direct resources to the developing world." According to him, the new technical and financial standards for the market ensure that the traded emission reductions are "real, additional, verified and measurable." In addition to complaints about how the rules were reached, environmental organizations said the entire scheme fundamentally does not work and is unfair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The failure of voluntary carbon markets have shown that carbon markets, offsets and removals do not work," said a joint statement by Friends of the Earth International, Oil Change International and 350.org. "Instead, they provide a smokescreen for big polluters to keep on emitting at the expense of people and nature. Time and again, these neocolonial schemes have resulted in land grabs, Indigenous Peoples rights and human rights violations, and the undermining of food sovereignty." (Bloomberg) -- Activists who dispute the severity of climate change enjoyed cachet in Donald Trumps first administration and salivated over the prospect of his return to the White House. Now that hes won, theyve delivered a wish list to his transition team. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the top of their agenda: Terminating federal science advisory boards, reviewing air-quality regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and repealing President Joe Bidens anti-coal regulatory actions, as well as promoting coal as a preferred means of electricity. Groups behind the memo include the Illinois-based Heartland Institute, an Illinois-based think tank that has argued global warming is beneficial; the Energy & Environment Legal Institute, a Virginia-based organization; and the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, which runs a website that promotes climate change skepticism. One of Energy & Environments leaders advised Trumps EPA transition team after his first election win, and Heartlands president has touted its ties with the incoming administration. The Trump transition team didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Scientists are near unanimous that the atmosphere has warmed more than 1C since the Industrial Revolution, due to human activity and especially burning fossil fuels. They agree that emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases must be reduced sharply to maintain a habitable planet. The US is the worlds second-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The skeptics to-do list, or parts of it, could find a welcome home in the incoming administration. The president-elect has mocked climate change as a hoax and a scam and employed a number of climate science critics in prominent roles during his first term. This is a tremendous opportunity, said James Taylor, the president of the Heartland Institute. Donald Trump has demonstrated during his first four years in office that he will not be misled by the climate crisis myth. On some points, the groups agenda already dovetails with Trumps stated aims. Trump is a vocal critic of wind energy and has said he will target the industry; the activists want him to delist areas designated for future offshore wind projects. They also want the next administration to prevent the grid from becoming reliant on variable wind and solar as a matter of national security. And if Trump pulls the US back out of the 2015 Paris climate accord, as hes vowed to, they want him to take that further by formally sending it the Senate for a vote a move that could prevent a future Democratic president from rejoining the agreement. The groups urge Trump to crack down on science in the EPA in particular. They want a repeal of the agencys 2009 endangerment finding, which found that the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere endangers public health, and which underpins many US environmental rules. They also hope to reinstate the secret science rule from Trumps first term. This limited the use of research to craft regulations unless the authors disclosed the data they used. Critics said the rule excluded important research such as public-health studies based on anonymized patient data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmentalists say adopting the agenda would reverse US progress in cutting emissions, after the outgoing Biden administration made tackling climate change a priority. The world has almost breached the 1.5C warming threshold that countries agreed on in the Paris accord. Earth is currently on track for 3.1C of warming, the United Nations recently said. The groups memo clearly reads like an oil and gas industry wish list, said Kalee Kreider, who formerly advised Al Gore on environmental issues and is now president of public affairs firm Ridgely Walsh. But, she added, it appears to underestimate the shift to clean energy that has already taken place, including in red-leaning parts of the country. It looks to me there is an overreach and almost even a misread from where we were in 2016 to where we are today, she said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is President-elect Donald Trumps choice to run the federal Department of Homeland Security in his new administration. Thats according to Fox News and CNN reports early Tuesday morning. The report was also confirmed by CBS. South Dakota bridge named for fallen Beresford veteran The Republican second-term governor has repeatedly sent South Dakota National Guard troops to assist with enforcement at the Texas border and has complained that gangs are using South Dakota Indian reservations as safety zones to distribute illegal drugs brought across the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KELOLAND News has requested confirmation from Noems communications director, Ian Fury. Trump announced on Sunday that Tom Homan, his former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will serve as border czar in his new administration. On Monday, he announced that Stephen Miller would be deputy of staff for policy. Noem had supported Trumps re-election in 2020 and vigorously campaigned for him this year. She appeared on stage with Trump at a Pennsylvania rally and attended the election-night results-watch party that Trump hosted in Florida. The CNN and Fox News reports come after the Wall Street Journal had mentioned Noem as a possible choice for Interior secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security had been a target of Republican members of Congress during the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden. The Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives impeached DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in February. The Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate voted in April that the impeachment was unconstitutional. Noem, 53, would become the second South Dakota governor during the past half-century to leave office for a federal appointment. Democratic Governor Dick Kneip stepped down in July 1978 during President Jimmy Carters administration for an appointment as U.S. ambassador to Singapore. Should Noem resign, her running mate and lieutenant governor, Larry Rhoden, would succeed her as governor. Rhoden, a 65-year-old rancher and welder, was a long-time legislator who helped mentor Noem when she was a new state lawmaker two decades ago. Noem went on to serve eight years as South Dakotas one member of the U.S. House of Representatives before successfully running for governor in 2018. Late in her first gubernatorial campaign, President Trump visited Sioux Falls and appeared at a Noem fundraising rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early in her administration, Noem constructed a TV studio in the Capitol basement so that she could appear on national news and political commentary programs. She became a frequent guest on Fox News and other networks. When Noem took office in 2019, she stopped releasing the weekly public-appearances schedule that previous governors had distributed. She later built a tall security fence around the governors mansion. More recently, at the start of the 2024 legislative session, Noem stopped doing the traditional weekly news conferences with statehouse reporters. Neither she nor anyone from her administration explained why. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CNNs Ana Navarro skewered Donald Trumps former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley for her politically convenient relationship with the president-elect who announced Saturday that Haley wont have a position in his administration. Navarro spoke out Monday on Anderson Cooper 360 after former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson speculated that Haley was forced to endorse Trump in the 2024 presidential elections so his MAGA base would support her own White House run in 2028. OK, Gretchen, Gretchen, Gretchen, Gretchen she was not forced to do anything, Navarro broke in, per Mediaite. Shes a grown-ass woman who chose to do this for her political ambitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump posted on Truth Social over the weekend that Haley would not be invited to join his administration. I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation, he wrote. I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously. Kamala Harris lost an election, Navarro said Monday. Nikki Haley has lost every modicum of dignity, because after first criticizing him, then she took it back, then she ran against him, then she endorsed him, then she practically begged him to let her campaign with him. And now hes saying, Bye, Felicia, she continued. It truly is, I find it incredibly embarrassing a woman who had such a bright future, was one of the rising stars in the Republican Party. Then-President Donald Trump and his U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley at the White House in 2017. Mark Wilson/Getty Images Haleys public stance on Trump has wavered repeatedly over the last eight years. She slammed his 2016 presidential campaign, only to accept an ambassadorship in his administration the following year. She resigned in 2018, only to praise Trumps presidency while promoting her memoir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former South Carolina governor then blamed Trump for the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, but later said, We need him in the Republican Party. She ran against Trump in the 2024 election, only to drop out and endorse him, presumably in hopes of a Cabinet position. Haley responded Saturday to Trumps Truth Social post by wishing him great success in building a stronger, safer America. While some people interpreted Trumps rejection of Haley and Pompeo as a statement that he was purposely leaving neoconservatives out of his administration, those hopes were quickly dashed on Monday. Trump chose Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as his U.N. ambassador and reportedly plans on naming Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) secretary of state. Bothlawmakers have voiced a desire to ramp up U.S. support for Israels bloody military campaigns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pompeo & Haley thing seems to have been just a gimmick to throw red meat to Trumps anti-NeoCon supporters, one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Rubio ... and Stefanik are all terrible choices, reminiscent of the awful picks Trump made in his first term. The post concluded: Cheney might as well have endorsed Trump. Related... BAGHDAD, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, on Tuesday claimed responsibility for three drone attacks on Israeli targets. According to its statements, the group's fighters launched two drone attacks in northern Israel and a third one on a "military" site in southern Israel. The statements did not provide further details about the targeted sites or report any casualties. The Iraqi militia group noted that the drone attacks were carried out "in solidarity with our people in Palestine and Lebanon," adding it would 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. HAWAII KAI, Hawaii (KHON2) Coast Guard officials confirmed they are investigating what happened to a group of divers who were lost at sea for about an hour and a half. The boat captain who helped in the rescue said its scary to think what could have happened. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Five divers were rescued about a mile off Hawaii Kai. They were found because of lucky timing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My husband started hearing sounds of screaming for help, said Camila Storchi, Holding Fast captain. I didnt hear the sounds, the screaming, and he asked me to turn off the music. And we start scanning the horizon and then we saw these little dots afar. 3 rescued after boat capsizes offshore of Lanai If we were 15 minutes far behind, we would probably not have seen them, said Strochi. And who knows when the captain would have put an alert out there. The incident happened last Wednesday afternoon. The divers said theyd drifted from their boat and had been lost for about an hour and a half. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kids, grab your pencils/tablets. Its Dear Santa Week! Storchi said there was no call for any missing divers at the time, so she thought the group came in from shore, not from a dive tour. They asked us to retrieve the one that was in the bad shape, said Storchi. He was gray and he had been thrown up and we tried to get him on board. And it was very hard. A Coast Guard helicopter spotted the group and the original tour boat picked up the divers. My husband, as a professional mariner, he got, like, his anxiety level really just thinking what could have happened, said Storchi. When aloha and conflict intersect: Kumu Brad Lum breaks it down for us Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tour was booked with Aarons Dive Shop in Kailua. In a statement, owner Warren Murray said they are grateful that all divers returned safely and without injury and thanked the Good Samaritans who assisted in finding the divers. Murray stated the boats captain and the dive leader made a last-minute change to the dive site but didnt follow the proper protocol. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Losing a diver, it happens, said Strochi. People make mistakes. Its ok. But whats not ok is not reporting the incident. Murray said the dive shop is reviewing its protocols with staff to prevent similar incidents from happening again. 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. Coast Guard and partners search for hours after a call comes in of a surfer separated from his surfboard kite near Edmonds. Around 3 p.m. on Monday, the US Coast Guard Command Center received a report of a kite surfer who was separated from their equipment in the waters near Edmonds. The call prompted the USCG to launch a search for a person who may have been in the water. The kite was later found near the Edmonds ferry terminal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not clear if there was anyone in need of assistance so they continued their search for over 8 hours and about 100 square nautical miles. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife along with King and Kitsap counties, provided the USCG assistance with the search. The USCG put up an image of the kite on social media and asked anyone who recognized the kite to reach out to their command center. As of approximately 5:30pm, the Coast Guard has suspended the active search and rescue efforts for the possible person... Posted by Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound on Monday, November 11, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 5:30 p.m., the USCG announced that they were suspending the search until they could gather more information. The USCG has not received any reports of a missing person. Anyone with information or who recognizes the kite is asked to contact the Coast Guard command center immediately at 206-217-6001. With flu season in full swing, finding effective medications to help with pesky symptoms is key in figuring out how to recover from the flu faster. There are plenty of cold and flu medications on the market, and it can be tricky to know what to pick up when youre sick. But the pool may be about to get smaller. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it plans to ban products containing phenylephrine, an ingredient found in many over-the-counter (OTC) oral cold and flu medications. The FDA announced a proposal to remove oral phenylephrine, found in many popular OTC decongestants, from shelves. The reason for the ban is that the ingredient just isnt effective, the FDA says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meet the experts: Jamie Alan, Ph.D., is an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University; Linda N. Lee, M.D., is an assistant professor of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery at Harvard Medical School and an otolaryngologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear It is the FDAs role to ensure that drugs are safe and effective, Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. Based on our review of available data, and consistent with the advice of the advisory committee, we are taking this next step in the process to propose removing oral phenylephrine because it is not effective as a nasal decongestant. This isnt out of nowhere: Last year, an FDA advisory committee determined that phenylephrine was ineffective. CVS announced afterward that it would no longer stock products that contained oral phenylephrine, but many other major pharmacies still sell the medications. The news raised a lot of questions about phenylephrine, as well as what products contain it. Heres what you need to know, including a list of products containing the ingredient. What is phenylephrine? Phenylephrine is a medication thats been used to relieve nasal congestion caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The medication is designed to constrict blood vessels, explains Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. In congestion, this will constrict blood vessels in the nose, and there will be less fluid leaking out, therefore alleviating congestion, Alan says. Phenylephrine is an OTC medication. What products contain phenylephrine? There are a lot. These are some of the most popular products that list oral phenylephrine: Sudafed PE Vicks DayQuil Mucinex Sinus-Max Theraflu Tylenol Sinus Advil Congestion NyQuil Severe Cold and Flu What does this mean if you have products that contain phenylephrine? As of this second, it doesnt mean anything. The proposed ban does not have to do with safety concerns, per se. And the FDAs ban wouldnt go into effect right awayif it happens. Instead, the proposal will launch a six-month public comment period. After that, the FDA will make a final decision on whether to remove products that contain phenylephrine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, based on what the FDA has said (and what the evidence suggests), the medication is unlikely to do anything for your nasal congestionat least, based on the phenylephrine alone. (Some of these products contain other ingredients like acetaminophen or ibuprofen that may help you to feel better, the FDA explains.) What does the evidence say about phenylephrine? Data has shown that phenylephrine doesnt work for congestion relief. One randomized, placebo-controlled study with 39 people exposed those sensitive to grass to grass pollen. They then gave them medications that contained either phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine (another decongestant), or a placebo. The researchers found that phenylephrine performed about the same as the placebo in relieving congestion. A scientific review of 33 clinical trials on phenylephrine also found that the drug didnt offer substantial relief when compared to a placebo. And there are plenty of others like it. Why was phenylephrine approved in the first place? Phenylephrine has been recognized as ineffective by many in the medical community for years. In fact, the American Chemical Society recently referred to it as a fake decongestant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phenylephrine was originally approved by the FDA in 1976 based on reports that suggested the medication helped reduce congestion. Worth noting: The overwhelming evidence to support this was from a drug company that made phenylephrine. But a large body of research conducted since then has found this medication doesnt do anything for congestion when taken orally. Things got a little stickier in 2006, when the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act was signed. This law banned the sale of over-the-counter medications that contain pseudoephedrine (a decongestant thats actually found to be effective) and the amount of pseudoephedrine a person can buy in a month. Its also why youll be asked to show an ID if you want to buy a medication that contains pseudoephedrine. Whats behind that law? People were buying pseudoephedrine and using it to make meth. Because of all of the restrictions, phenylephrine became a more popular decongestant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of using phenylephrine, consider the following for nasal congestion, per Linda N. Lee, M.D., an assistant professor of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery at Harvard Medical School and an otolaryngologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear: Zyrtec Nasocort nasal steroid spray Flonase nasal steroid spray Using saline sprays and elevating your head when you sleep can also help, Dr. Lee says. Elevating your head is a more natural way of reducing congestion by reducing the strong flow of blood to the nose, she explains. Of course, if congestion is a regular issue for you or if youre really uncomfortable, its a good idea to reach out to a doctor. Theyll likely want to give you an evaluation and offer personalized guidance from there. You Might Also Like POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. On Monday morning, people gathered at College of the Ozarks for the schools annual Sunrise Service for Veterans Day. Missouri Governor-elect Mike Kehoe was in attendance and thanked the brave men and women who have served our country. OzarksFirst spoke with an active-duty soldier who is also a student at College of the Ozarks about todays Sunrise Service. Today is very important to us. We as students are here, and we are privileged to be here, because of the sacrifices our veterans have made for us previously, said John Vollmann. My family has been all military and police. So, it felt like my duty to my family and my country to carry on that legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday at 2 p.m., the school will host a free patriotic play called Breaking the Silence: Stories of Vietnam Veterans. The play tells the stories of the five heroes, who all have connections to the college. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus police and Columbus fire came together Monday to uplift childrens spirits. Community liaison officer Wendell Tolber was driving through the East Hampton neighborhood on the citys east side and saw children having a great time playing on a trampoline. But it was next door to a house that had illegal activities going on. IN October, the Columbus narcotics unit did a drug bust at that address, taking drugs, guns, and cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That quieted things down a bit, but when Tolber drove through the neighborhood weeks later, he noticed the trampoline was broken. This sparked an idea of how first responders and the community could help, and this past Saturday, thats exactly what happened. It grew wings, Tobler said. It grew into a community effort with other organizations and other officers and CFD to not only donate the trampoline but also put it together. Seeing the smiles on the kids faces and the fact they wanted to help put their own trampoline together and everything, thats worth it in itself, Tobler added. Were hoping the long-term effect will be that Hey listen, somebody cares. Somebody hears us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first responders also gave away goodie bags and resources for every house on the street. In all, it took about an hour from start to finish. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 man previously arrested for public indecency for allegedly baring his buttocks and genitals in front of an elementary school has been arrested again on drug charges. According to court documents, Columbus police arrested Thomas Butts over the weekend and charged him with drug possession. Butts, 39, was taken into custody near the intersection of South High Street and East Castle Road in the Far South section of Columbus. Kroger announces plan to build new Powell storefront Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the circumstances surrounding Butts arrest were not made clear in court documents, it was reported that Franklin County Sheriffs deputies found suspected narcotics in Butts possession. Butts admitted to deputies that he was in possession of methamphetamine, which tested positive on a TruNarc device. Saturdays arrest location is around three miles west of where Butts was arrested and charged with three counts of indecent exposure and one count of obstruction of justice, when he was accused of exposing himself at an elementary school during off hours. That arrest occurred the evening of Aug. 24, when officers responded to reports of a man, possibly intoxicated, yelling racial slurs and threatening people in front of Watkins Elementary School in the Marion Franklin neighborhood. While police were en-route to the location, additional calls were made about a man exposing his buttocks while yelling racial slurs at the same location. Three adults flagged police across the street from the school and told officers that Butts allegedly pulled his pants down to all three of them before Butts continued walking towards Rhodes Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found Butts on Rhodes Ave. and ordered him to place his hands above his head so they could pat him down. Butts reportedly refused and when officers attempted to place him in handcuffs, he resisted before being taken to the ground and arrested. Child allegedly abducted from Columbus rescued in Nebraska after 70-mile pursuit In August, Butts was released without bond in Franklin County Municipal Court but failed to show up for an arraignment hearing four days later. A bench warrant was issued and continued in October before the case was reopened as a result of Saturdays arrest. On Tuesday, Butts was again released without bond and ordered to next appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 22. 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus officials are preparing to launch a program that aims to boost the economic well-being of qualifying residents through direct monthly payments of $500. During the two-year pilot initiative called the Economic Mobility Accelerator Program, the city plans to invest $2.5 million toward monthly cash payments of $500 for up to 200 households. Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin recently announced the program; however, the funding still needs to be approved by the Council. To qualify, Columbus citizens must be employed and make more than the poverty level but less than central Ohios cost of living this amounts to about more than $15,000 but less than $30,000 annually for a one-person household. Those in the program may spend the monthly payments at their discretion, with the cash intended to help with expenses such as housing, health care, childcare, or transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which central Ohio public school districts are now associated with LifeWise? Columbus residents are challenged to make ends meet, with 44% of the households in our city employed in jobs that do not pay enough to cover our regions cost of living, Ginther said. By directly investing in our neighbors, we are directly investing in their success, in higher wage opportunities and overall quality of life for our families. Recipients must participate and graduate from one of six programs that offer job training, career services or wealth-building guidance in order to remain eligible for the monthly payments. Local nonprofits will provide the programs, as well as administer the funding to participants. Those nonprofits and their programs include: Alvis Empowering Development By Gaining Employment program provides occupational training to Columbus residents who have reentered the community after incarceration. Columbus Urban Leagues Career Connect Hub program provides Wraparound education, job training and financial literacy services. Goodwill Columbus Commercial Drivers License Training program provides drivers license training and job placement assistance. New Directions Career Center, E3 (Educate, Empower, Elevate) program provides career services for women. RISE Center and CMHAs Ready, Set, RISE program provides career and life navigation and employment programs. United Way of Central Ohio, Tax Time Program provides financial resources, tax assistance and wealth-building programming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents interested in the program should reach out to the nonprofits directly, however, Ginther said the program is going to focus on existing clients of the six groups. The Financial Empowerment Center, established by the Columbus Womens Commission, will also provide each participant with financial literacy training and a $500 savings account. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Molly White is the model of an indefatigable and intrepid journalist. Through her website Web3 is Going Just Great and newsletter Citation Needed, she keeps tabs on the hacks, scams, failures, hype and assorted legal difficulties swirling about the cryptocurrency world. She's also independent, which means she's unprotected by the fortification of lawyers and resources erected by the owners of newspapers such as The Times to fend off legal threats, frivolous and otherwise, that are part of the arsenal of people and firms we write about. So she has some advice for journalists tempted by the burden of having bosses to "just go independent," enticed, say, by the siren call of freelancing: "Just do a substack! It's the future of journalism." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am the legal team. I am the fact-checking department. I am the editorial staff. I am the one responsible for triple-checking every single statement I make in the type of original reporting that I know carries a serious risk of baseless but ruinously expensive litigation regularly used to silence journalists, critics, and whistleblowers. Molly White White's warning is, in a nutshell: "It's not for everyone." Anyone who follows crypto scams is familiar with White's work. A software engineer by training, she is a longtime Wikipedia editor who got interested in the dark underbelly of crypto when she tried to write a Wikipedia article about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She doesn't find much if anything to like about the field, which she sees as a hive of people aiming to take advantage of the innocent and unwary the facetious subtitle of her Web3 website calls it "definitely not an enormous grift that's pouring lighter fluid on our already smoldering planet." But she does it all by herself. "As an independent writer and publisher," White wrote recently, "I am the legal team. I am the fact-checking department. I am the editorial staff. I am the one responsible for triple-checking every single statement I make in the type of original reporting that I know carries a serious risk of baseless but ruinously expensive litigation regularly used to silence journalists, critics, and whistleblowers.... I am the one who ultimately could be financially ruined by such a lawsuit. I am the one in charge of weighing whether I should spring for the type of insurance that is standard fare for big outlets to protect themselves and their staff, but often prohibitively expensive for independent writers." Read more: Column: Trump and his family jump into crypto, which the FBI calls a hive of 'pervasive' criminality Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, White has had to fend off a couple of fatuous legal threats stemming from her work one from a putative lawyer demanding that she take down a post for infringing a copyright under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (it wasn't an infringement), and some sinister legalistic-sounding noise from the crypto platform Coinbase. We'll return to both in a moment. Experts in the potholes and pitfalls facing writers especially investigation-minded or merely activist journalists say they've received a rising number of inquiries from those considering launching a freelance career. Lloyd Jassin, a New York lawyer specializing in publishing law including copyright and libel law, among other issues important to independent writers says he's referred several clients to brokers who represent insurance firms for writers in the last few months. Curiosity about the freelance life is rising for several reasons. Mass layoffs in the media industry have put thousands of journalists on the street, forcing them to ponder new ways to exercise their professional skills. Substack and other such platforms purport to offer writers a way to acquire followers of their own, building their personal brands. And the performance of established news media in the recent election, including the decision of the owners of The Times and the Washington Post not to endorse a presidential candidate, may have inspired established staffers to consider an exit from corporate media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Independent writers' works are protected, if theoretically, by U.S. libel laws, which discourage defamation lawsuits by public figures, and by so-called SLAPP laws, which discourage "strategic lawsuits against public participation" that is, lawsuits designed chiefly to intimidate or silence critics. But exercising one's rights under those laws can require hiring a lawyer, sometimes at considerable expense. Plaintiffs deemed to have filed a SLAPP lawsuit can be required to cover the defendant's legal costs, but that would happen only after motions in court. White is no stranger to efforts to intimidate her. The most concentrated pushback she has received recently has come from Coinbase. The crypto platform is irked at White's reporting that it may have violated federal law by making political contributions while negotiating for and subsequently holding a federal contract. Read more: Column: With Democratic assent, House votes to open loopholes in crypto regulation In conjunction with the watchdog group Public Citizen, White filed a formal complaint against Coinbase with the Federal Election Commission on Aug. 1. In her reporting, White has shown that some of its contributions to the crypto industry super PAC Fairshake were made within the period in which political contributions are barred, which extends from the start of a contributor's contract negotiations through the completion of the contract. The U.S. Marshals Service awarded Coinbase the $7-million, one-year contract to help manage the government's hoard of seized crypto assets in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coinbase hasn't responded directly to White. Its response to the accusation has come through a series of tweets by its chief legal officer, Paul Grewal. The gist of Grewal's argument is that the funding for Coinbase's contract comes from seized crypto assets in the Justice Department's Assets Forfeiture Fund, not from congressional appropriations. Therefore, he contends, Coinbase didn't violate the law prohibiting political contributions by contractors paid from "funds appropriated by the Congress." "Seized crypto assets are not Congressionally appropriated funds, period," Grewal wrote. As it happens, the legal question is far from being so cut and dried. In fact, the definition of "appropriated" was settled conclusively by the Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision handed down in May and written by Justice Clarence Thomas. The only dissenters were justices Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: A cryptocurrency billionaire implodes, showing that the whole field is built on quicksand In that case, the justices turned away a challenge to the funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which derives from the Federal Reserve System. (The plaintiffs made an elaborately legalistic argument that such funding violates the "appropriations clause" of the Constitution and therefore the CFPB is unconstitutional.) Thomas wrote that the plaintiffs had offered "no defensible argument" that the appropriations clause requires more than a congressional law authorizing "the disbursement of specified funds for identified purposes," as was the funding for the CFPB. By extension, so is the funding for the Coinbase contract. Indeed, the Congressional Research Service, in a close examination of the Assets Forfeiture Fund in 2015, found that for most purposes, the fund was the beneficiary of "a permanent appropriation" by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grewal went further. Noting that he had placed his interpretation of the law on the record, he wrote that "repeating misrepresentations of facts after previously being put on notice is . unwise." That sinister ellipsis is Grewal's. Grewal told me by email that no legal threat was implied by his tweet, and that Coinbase "certainly would make plain if it were our intent" to progress to a lawsuit. Read more: Column: Shame, suicide attempts, 'financial death' the devastating toll of a crypto firm's failure Still, White interpreted Grewal's tweet as "certainly a threat of something. I don't think Coinbase is going to come and break my kneecaps, so a legal threat is the most obvious interpretation. It seems like a pretty clear threat to stop writing about this, or else." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public Citizen is sanguine about Coinbase's swaggering. "Whenever corporate misconduct is pointed out, they always say 'We didn't really break the law, or the law doesn't apply to us the way you think it does,'" says Rick Claypool, a research director at Public Citizen who co-filed the complaint with White. "It would be surprising if they said, 'Oh, yeah, you're right, whoops.' Going up against a Goliath, they have a lot of strength to squish the Davids coming after them." Separately, White fielded a "takedown" notice from supposed representatives of Roman Ziemian, a co-founder of the alleged crypto pyramid scheme FutureNet. In an Aug. 19 post on Web3 is Going Just Great, White posted news reports that Ziemian had been arrested in Montenegro, and that he faces international warrants from authorities in Poland and South Korea. The representatives tried to bribe her $500 to take down the post. When she refused, they copied the post to a blogging website, backdated it, and then claimed she had plagiarized it in an example of copyright infringement. She posted the notice, which came from a purported lawyer named Michael Woods with a Los Angeles address that doesn't exist in Postal Service records. He didn't respond to a message I left at the telephone number he listed. How can independent journalists keep intimidation efforts like these at arm's length? The goal of those threatening legal action, no matter how frivolous, is "to suppress criticism," Jassin says. "Being a good journalist is the first defense," he adds, so getting the facts right is indispensable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White doesn't keep a lawyer on retainer, but she knows lawyers who are "willing to glance at something I've received in my email inbox and reach out to offer support should one of those threats escalate into something more tangible" which hasn't yet happened. "In a perfect world, reporting the facts would be enough to avoid frivolous lawsuits," she told me. "But obviously, companies and people with resources are willing to file frivolous lawsuits regardless. That is a risk I take on, with hopes that being cautious and being very careful about fact-checking will at least stave off the worst." She advises journalists thinking about going independent to "think through if it would be life-altering to be on the risky end of an actual lawsuit." There are ways, she notes, to "structure your business so you're not risking your personal assets," including finding insurance to cover one's legal defense. "Legal threats are only one component" of life as a freelancer. "There are a lot of other challenges you don't have employer-sponsored healthcare, or a 401k. A lot of readers think it's an easy decision to quit a job and go independent. But despite all the challenges, I really love being independent." Get the latest from Michael Hiltzik Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. We tell ourselves stories in order to live, Joan Didion famously wrote, and the one Democrats in California repeated for decades was Proposition 187. Californians of a certain age can recite it by heart: A 1994 ballot initiative sought to make life miserable for undocumented immigrants, with proponents claiming that unchecked migration was destroying the Golden State by burdening social services and changing the demographics of cities. It passed with nearly two-thirds of the vote, despite opponents denouncing it as racist and protests across the state that drew hundreds of thousands. That was the darkness before the light for Dems: While Republicans won the Prop. 187 battle, they ended up losing the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund sued to stop the proposition from becoming law, and a federal judge eventually ruled it unconstitutional in 1998, with then-California Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren withdrawing the state's appeal the following year. Read more: Prop. 187 timeline: The rise and fall of California's anti-immigrant law By then, Latinos who were the primary target of Proposition 187 and its noxious ads were running for office as Democrats in record numbers. Within a decade, the California GOP had largely withered away in Sacramento as the state became more diverse. By 2012, Democrats achieved a supermajority in the state legislature that they have rarely relinquished since. Proposition 187's lessons seemed so obvious that a 2013 Republican National Committee report concluded that the party needed to tone down its anti-immigrant language lest our Partys appeal continue to shrink to its core constituencies of angry, older gringos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the proposition's 25th anniversary in 2019, the California Latino Legislative Caucus recorded an ad that mockingly thanked former Gov. Pete Wilson who hitched his sagging campaign onto 187 to pull off a comeback victory for getting them into power. That year, I also hosted This is California: The Battle of 187, a one-hour podcast about the proposition's legacy. I was part of that generation of Latinos who forsook the Republican Party. I've talked about how that shift reshaped the California political landscape in dozens of lectures, articles and interviews over the last two decades. As I developed the podcast, though, I realized there was an important part that too many historians, politicians and activists rarely focused on: the fact that Proposition 187 overwhelmingly passed in the first place. They dismissed the measure's victory as the last gasp of a white electorate and reassured Latinos who lived in states that spawned dozens of copycat laws, measures and politicians by retelling the Democratic triumphalist part like it was gospel. Their prediction was that the blue wave that engulfed California would spread across the country if Republicans dared to campaign on anti-immigrant politics ever again. And here we are. More than 200 UCLA students march in protest of Prop. 187 in 1994, the ballot measure that sought to make life miserable for undocumented immigrants in California and passed with nearly two-thirds of the vote. (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times) Donald Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, staged the most anti-immigrant presidential campaign in modern times, spreading lies about Haitian refugees eating cats in Vance's home state of Ohio and complaining that recent arrivals were poisoning the blood of our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They nevertheless easily beat Kamala Harris and Tim Walz or rather, they won with the help of their hate. Exit polls showed that Trump who began his first run in 2015 by declaring that Mexicans coming over the border were "rapists and drug dealers" increased his share of the Latino vote for the second straight election, this time doing better than any GOP presidential candidate since the statistic has been tracked. While opponents predicted that Trump's vitriol would propel the Harris-Walz ticket to the White House, he learned well from the old Proposition 187 advocates he roped into his first campaign to speak about how unchecked migration had wreaked havoc on California. He understood that trashing immigrants tapped into the American primordial fear of newcomers, a phobia so potent that right now, the Democratic takeover of California after Proposition 187 looks more like an exception than a rule. We now live in a Prop. 187 America and in many ways, one that is even more receptive to anti-immigrant politics than 30 years ago. Latinos oppose open borders in far higher numbers now than they did then. As I wrote in a previous columna, 23% of Latinos and 63% of whites voted for Proposition 187, while a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll co-sponsored by The Times this year found that 63% of Latinos in California consider undocumented immigrants to be a burden, compared with 79% of whites. Even Harris had to swing rightward on immigration policy to try to keep up with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: California Latinos have become more skeptical of undocumented immigrants. What changed? The text of Proposition 187 said nothing about deporting undocumented immigrants, only that local law enforcement and public workers should alert immigration authorities if they suspected someone didnt have legal status. Trump, on the other hand, has vowed to deport every illegal immigrant, no matter the cost, while his immigration consigliere, Santa Monica native Stephen Miller, has previously explored banning birthright citizenship and deporting immigrants for their activism. Miller will no doubt pursue those measures and more, with news outlets reporting that he will be Trump's deputy chief of staff. There was even a son-of-187 on the ballot this year: Arizona's Proposition 314, which would have allowed local law enforcement to arrest immigrants who are in the country illegally. The state has become more purple over the last decade, a shift that pundits long attributed to the Latino backlash over SB 1070, a 2010 anti-immigrant bill. In a year where Trump won Arizona with just 52% of the vote and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego was just voted in as the state's first Latino U.S. senator, 63% of voters sided with Proposition 314. It even carried Arizona's two majority-Latino counties, Santa Cruz and Yuma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic circular firing squad is already in full effect, but one of the questions party leaders in California should ask themselves is if retelling their version of Proposition 187 ad nauseam has rendered its lessons ineffectual. The Proposition 187 narrative convinced party leaders nationwide that Latinos would become a bedrock voting bloc as the racism they encountered in other parts of the country drove them toward Democrats. It absolved Democratic leaders of trying to appeal to Latinos, beyond claiming to be less anti-Latino than Trump. Besides, assuming that Latinos would break the time-honored immigrant tradition of spitting on more recent arrivals was as foolish as thinking that Liz Cheney campaigning alongside Harris would do any good. As Jim McDonnell speaks to the Los Angeles City Council, protesters turn their backs and hold signs critical of his cooperation with ICE during his time as sheriff. McDonnell was confirmed 11-2 as the new L.A. police chief by the City Council and sworn in on Friday. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Protests are already happening across the country against Trump's deportation plans. The immigration activists I know are already preparing for things to get way worse before getting even a little bit better. On social media, Trump supporters are already posting the hotline for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to report unauthorized migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I would remind the incoming president and his followers is that history is ultimately not on their side. For all the claptrap over the decades about booting people out, this country's leaders quickly realize their error and bust out the proverbial welcome mat just as quickly. After the Hoover and FDR administrations forced over a million Mexican immigrants and their American-born children to repatriate to Mexico during the Great Depression, a labor shortage led to the bracero program, which legally brought in millions of Mexican workers. Dwight D. Eisenhower might have launched Operation Wetback in the 1950s to deport hundreds of thousands of Mexicans a program Trump praised in Time magazine as very proficient." But in 1965, Congress loosened immigration restrictions and remade the demographics of this country. While immigration agents staged highly publicized raids during the 1980s, Democrats and Republicans worked on an amnesty that President Reagan signed into law in 1986. And when Congress tried to pass an anti-immigrant bill in 2006, the largest protests in U.S. history up to that time galvanized a new generation of activists who won protections for so-called Dreamers in the following years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I would remind immigrant activists is that the Latino backlash against Proposition 187 was never the silver bullet against xenophobia that too many people made it out to be and it was frankly hijacked by Democrats. But it still offers this valuable lesson: The night is always supposedly darkest before the dawn and activists are now staring at a black hole seemingly larger than what they faced in 1994. But folks 30 years ago eventually found the light to move forward. Because light always shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never comprehend that. 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. Last month, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors known for their powerful global activism. These survivors, hibakusha in Japanese, have dedicated their lives to ridding the world of nuclear weapons. But to many Americans, the atomic bombs dropped on Japan are still a hazy part of history. One of the reasons for this is time; it has been nearly 80 years since the war ended. But another reason is education. In the 1940s and 50s, U.S. officials attempted to cover up the human impact of the bombs, keeping the footage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, including that taken by the U.S. government, suppressed. The effects of these efforts still linger in the American educational system today and even in the lack of imagery used in media reporting. The result is that for decades, Americans have been able to keep a comfortable distance from the disturbing visuals of the destruction caused by the atomic bombs. There are no commonly recognized images of the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as there are of the Holocaust. Students learn about the U.S. bomber the Enola Gay (and maybe now about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb), but little else. As Washington and Lee University professor Janet Ikeda explains it: The Enola Gay just flew away after dropping the bomb, and thats what I think Americans do sort of fly away with the pilot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We personally feel the extent of this cover-up. Victorias grandfather, Carmine Gerardi, was among the first American troops on the ground in Nagasaki, just weeks after the bomb was detonated. He brought home more than 100 photographs of his time in Japan during the U.S. occupation, but only one from Nagasaki a blurred image of the shoreline from his ship as it approached the port. Carmine suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism and died at age 42 from cirrhosis. He is one of many U.S. atomic veterans who came home but never fully recovered. In the decades since the bombs were dropped, much of the narrative around the bombs has been about peace. Thats what Nihon Hidankyos activists have dedicated their lives to. We know about this through family as well. Karins great-great-uncle, Morito Tatsuo, the first president of Hiroshima University in 1950, started a greening initiative asking American universities to send trees in the name of peace to replant Hiroshimas desolate earth. Teaching peace is incredibly important but we cant say never again and be forward-looking without looking back. Thats why Nihon Hidankyo has always used witness accounts in its activism and lobbying. But those witnesses are, at their youngest, in their 80s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant rely on the Japanese hibakusha only, and we dont have to. We can educate Americans with the imagery we long suppressed and with the memories of our own survivors the American atomic veterans. Over the past few months, we have interviewed several surviving atomic veterans those who were on the ground in Hiroshima and Nagasaki as part of a documentary about the generational toll of the atomic bomb. All share the same story: Taking photographs of the cities was forbidden, and what they saw was classified. When we asked 98-year-old New York veteran Seymour Schwartz if he talked about the experience when he came back to the U.S., he hesitated. I never talked about it, he said, and no one ever asked. No one wanted to know. Because no one wanted to know, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and the Atomic Veterans Compensation Program were not enacted until 1990, and this June, they expired. The Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal was created only in 2022, and NBC News reports that atomic veterans, including those exposed during testing, have been overwhelmingly denied benefits for illnesses related to radiation exposure. None of the veterans we interviewed has been issued benefits for tumors and other illnesses they believe are linked to their service. We are now using the resources we have unclassified imagery taken by the U.S. government and the firsthand accounts of American first responders to further educate America about the horrors of the bombs. This is why there isnt more of an outcry for justice for atomic veterans. And its also why were not using pictures of people who died from the horror when we report news such as the Nobel Peace Prize. Most Americans have never seen the deeply powerful image of a boy standing at a crematorium in Nagasaki, a picture taken by an American in October 1945. But we know American soldiers saw many crematoriums when they served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must show more, say more and do more. Its a disservice to the education of future generations of Americans and a disservice to the American veterans who served in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In order to change the trajectory of the future, we must bring both Japanese and American stories, and the visuals that go with them, to public attention. We must use images of the human suffering in 1945, not just destroyed buildings or a mushroom cloud, or those who were lucky enough to survive into old age. The Nobel Committees recognition of Nihon Hidankyo is a monumental step toward accomplishing this. But lets not let them do the work alone. ____ Karin Tanabe, a Japanese American nisei, is the author of seven fiction books. Victoria Kelly is the spouse of a Marine veteran and the author of three books of fiction and poetry, including Homefront and When the Men Go Off to War. _____ WELLINGTON, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon officially apologized on Tuesday to all New Zealanders who were abused in the care of state and faith-based institutions after a report in July set out in detail some of the most serious crimes ever committed in state care. "Today, I am apologizing on behalf of the government to everyone who suffered abuse, harm and neglect while in care," Luxon said in his speech at the parliament, where the apology was made in response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The public apology from state agencies and departments, as well as the prime minister, was watched live by survivors of abuse in state care who gathered in major cities, with some survivors saying the words from government agencies felt empty. Around 200,000 people were abused in care between 1950 and 2019, which underlines the unarguable reality that out-of-home care has been systemically injurious in New Zealand, said Associate Professor Stephen Winter of the University of Auckland. About 2,400 abuse survivors have told their stories to the Royal Commission. Since 2001, around 4,000 people have received payments of around 18,000 NZ dollars (10,727 U.S. dollars) on average in terms of financial redress. "This is a significant and sorrowful day in New Zealand," Luxon said, apologizing for survivors not believed when they came forward to report the abuse, and for the bystanders, including staff, volunteers and carers having turned a blind eye and failed to stop or report abuse. The prime minister expressed regret that the state's oversight of people in both state and faith-based care was so poor, adding, "I am sorry many abusers were not made to face justice, which meant other people experienced abuse that could have been prevented." While no apology can ever right the wrongs of the past, it might help some people with their healing, he said. The Royal Commission's final report tabled to the parliament made 138 recommendations to transform New Zealand's care system, address past injustices and compensate survivors. Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford said the government response is focused on acknowledging the abuse that took place, supporting survivors, and preventing abuse from happening in the future. The government has been working towards introducing a new streamlined redress system next year. A government investment of 32 million NZ dollars (19.07 million U.S. dollars) will be made into the current system to increase resources and help ensure it is more responsive to survivors' needs and has more capacity to process their claims. Also on Tuesday, an Omnibus Bill that includes a range of measures to improve safety in state care had its first reading in the parliament. A National Remembrance Day will be held on Nov. 12 next year. The Royal Commission of Inquiry was established in 2018 to investigate the abuse of children, young people and adults in state and faith-based care in New Zealand between the years of 1950-1999. A former East St. Louis police officer and his wife, a member of the housing board, filed a civil rights and defamation lawsuit in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois claiming they were wrongfully terminated by City Manager Robert Betts. In the four-count lawsuit, Shonte and Nicholas Mueller say they were fired in retaliation for reporting problems with the East St. Louis Housing Authority and its interim executive director. According to court records and previous reporting by the Belleville News-Democrat, the issues originated in 2023 when Shonte Mueller was appointed as a commissioner on the housing authority board. In October of that year, she reported to city officials that the interim director was not following federal regulations and procedures, which she felt would jeopardize its certification through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Mueller took her concerns to members of the upper level East St. Louis City government, she was told to leave it alone, the lawsuit states. She also reported the issues to HUD Director William Dawson and the East St. Louis housing authority attorney, who recommended the interim director be suspended while an investigation was conducted. During the investigation, and as a result of Shontes reports, a representative of Defendant (Betts) told Shonte that if she did not resign, she and her husband would suffer consequences, the lawsuit says. Michael Collins, identified in the suit as Betts agent, called Mueller to confirm that she had contacted the HUD director about the issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Shonte replied yes, Collins asked if Shonte would be resigning as a result, the lawsuit states. When Shonte replied no, Collins became irate and yelled you want to go to war? Ill tell the Mayor Nicks ready to go. On Oct. 24, the lawsuit says, Nicholas Mueller, a 31-year veteran and assistant chief of the East St. Louis Police Department, and another officer attended a meeting of the housing authority to ensure safety and that there was no breach of the peace. The board acted on its attorneys advice and suspended the interim director and authorized an investigation into Shonte Muellers concerns. On October 26, 2023, around 10 p.m., in blatant retaliation for reporting unlawful activity and misconduct, the Mayor of East St. Louis (Charles Powell III) held a meeting and terminated Shonte from her Board position, the complaint says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit says that on the same day, Betts told Nicholas Mueller that would be fired on the spot unless he retired. This is tantamount to termination, the lawsuit argues. Shonte Mueller was reinstated to her position on the housing board because it recognized the unlawfulness of the Mayors actions. But on Oct. 31, the lawsuit claims, Betts posted a Notice of Charges, accusing Mueller of incompetence and insinuating that she engaged in criminal activity. On Nov. 16, following a hearing, Mueller was again removed from the board. The first and fourth counts of the Muellers lawsuit alleges a breach of their First Amendment rights. The city violated Nicholas Muellers right to free speech by firing him for supporting his wife, the lawsuit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiff Nicholas Muellers termination was motivated by his marriage and was in retaliation for Shonte Mueller continue (sic) to escalate the report of this conduct to various levels of government despite being told by Defendant to leave it alone, the lawsuit alleges. The suit also alleges that the city withheld Nichlas Muellers wages for an extended period of time following his termination from the police department. The lawsuits second count alleges that both lost their positions with the city in retaliation for Shonte Muellers effort to bring her concerns about the housing authority to light, which would be in violation of the Illinois Whistleblowers Act. The third count alleges that Shonte Mueller was defamed by the distribution of the Notice of Charges portraying her as being incompetent and implying she has criminal history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to punitive damages, lost wages and other fees, the Muellers lawsuit is asking that city institute policies and trainings for managers to deter workplace retaliation. The lawsuit comes on the heels of previous BND reporting on the housing authority, which showed repeated turnover of the directors position among other troubles. East St. Louis could face a federal takeover of the appointed body, funding cuts or other penalties, if city officials dont adopt proper policies and procedures for appointing authority board members, according to a top U.S. housing official. The warning was part of an April 29 letter from Dawson, director of HUDs regional office in Chicago, to Powell and the East St. Louis City Council. According to the letter, HUD officials discovered in a review of the local housing authority that two of its board members did not live in the city, a violation of state law and HUD rules. One of the members has since resigned, and the city council has replaced her. The status of the other is not clear. We need to stop prioritizing logging revenue at the expense of ecological and social values, pitting rural livelihoods against conservation. Washingtons Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must start managing public lands to benefit all people, not just timber interests. The status quo leads to needless damage like this cautionary tale: Last year, DNR put up a timber sale next to the Merrill Lake Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) in Cowlitz County. The Merrill Lake NRCA included old growth forest and biodiversity, and was used by the local community and fly fishers. The adjacent Double Haul timber sale of 248 acres included 29 acres of steep, unstable slopes. Cascade Forest Conservancy, Washington Conservation Action (WCA) and several other organizations flagged significant landslide risk prior to the sales approval. To reduce risk, DNR could have allowed the 219 acres that werent unstable to be logged. But instead all 248 acres in the Double Haul tract were logged. DNR emails obtained by WCA through the state Public Records Act show that DNR staff did so to prioritize revenue generation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after logging, in fall 2023, two landslides on these unstable inclines damaged a forest road, a fish-bearing stream, culverts, and a lakeside campground. Repairs will cost more than the value of timber sold from the unstable areas. Cascade Forest Conservancy (CFC) expressed concerns about landslides threatening the area once the Double Haul sale came up. CFC keeps tabs on the conditions of the forests in southwest Washington and then advocates for sustainable management of them. In a letter about the Double Haul incident, DNR absolved itself, asserting that a strong storm was largely to blame for the slides. This overlooks the fact that the first landslide happened before that atmospheric river. It also ignores that stronger storms have, and will, become more common as climate change intensifies. Incidents like the Double Haul slide make it clear: It is time for change at DNR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNR must begin to incorporate climate change and carbon sequestration into all its operations. It must begin to consider the many other values our states forests provide: slope stabilization, of course, but also water filtration, carbon storage, wildlife habitat, cultural and recreational areas, and more. DNR also must engage more with communities. Its possible. CFC works on projects that involve both federal and state lands. Federal processes center collaboration with communities and response to feedback and formal comments. Theres no reason a state agency like DNR couldnt do the same, rather than offer public comment processes that last just a few weeks, with no meaningful response to input. DNR has the power to embrace a new way of doing things right now. Its new leadership simply has to make the decision to do so. A 2022 state Supreme Court ruling affirmed that DNR has the authority to manage state lands not just for timber revenue, but also for other public values. It has yet to integrate this authority into its policy or its practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cascade Forest Conservancys Conservation Guidebook for the Southern Washington Cascades devotes a whole chapter to forward-thinking, science-based steps that DNR and other land managers could take or encourage: designating new forest preserves and carbon storage areas on state lands, reducing logging of old forests, and lengthening harvest rotations. Washington Conservation Action has just released its ninth annual accountability report on DNR, which outlines how DNR could start to manage forests for all Washingtonians rather than only for timber profits. The report illustrates that Washington state is at a crossroads in how we manage our natural resources. Starting in 2025, we both hope to work with the new Commissioner of Public Lands to embrace the challenges and tough decisions inherent to the forest sector. We hope the commissioner will look at incidents like Double Haul and recognize that we urgently need a new direction on state trust lands and forest practices on unstable slopes. Ashley Short, Policy Manager for Cascade Forest Conservancy, has a bachelors degree in Environmental Policy and Planning and a Certificate in Environmental Law. Rachel Baker, Forest Program Director for Washington Conservation Action, holds masters degrees in Forestry and in Environmental Management from Duke Universitys Nicholas School of the Environment. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has urged Ukrainians "not to invent enemies" after activists played an air-raid warning signal as she was making a speech in Lisbon. Source: European Pravda, citing Navalnaya on Telegram Details: Navalnaya expressed surprise when "a group of Ukrainian participants at Web Summit" asked her if she supported the war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Seriously? Youre asking me that?.. I am fighting against Putin's regime and against the war. I believe these things are interconnected," she posted, referencing her late husbands anti-Putin and anti-war stance. Navalnaya also pointed out that "we [meaning both Navalnaya and Ukrainians ed.] have the same enemy". "And Ukrainians should not invent an enemy in the person of the Russian opposition," she concluded. Background: As reported by European Pravda, during the Web Summit 2024 conference in Lisbon, Ukrainian activists turned on the sound of an air-raid warning and chanted "Stop Russia" during a speech by Yulia Navalnaya. The organisers had invited her to the conference as a "powerful voice for democracy and human rights". Yulia Navalnaya announced her political ambitions in Russia following her husband's death in a Russian penal colony earlier this year and has since engaged in meetings with foreign leaders. Support UP or become our patron! There is a serious shortage of affordable housing for senior adults across metro Atlanta. But, administrators hope a new community that has opened in Douglasville will lead to options. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Angelo DePriest says she saw it first-hand. Her lifes work was in the medical field where she cared for many older patients who couldnt make ends meet. Its a whole lot harder now. Groceries are sky-high, medications. A lot of people cant afford their medicine, DePriest said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she says theres a place where they can. On Tuesday, the nonprofit National Church Residences officially opened a new senior housing community called Sweetwater Point in Douglasville. Its part of a U.S. Housing and Urban Development program and the first HUD affordable housing community for seniors built in Georgia in more than a decade. Theres a severe shortage of affordable housing for older adults in the United States, National Church Residences CEO Susan DiMickele said. DiMickele says for every 100 seniors who need affordable housing, only half can find it. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 96-unit, $20 million facility is filling up fast. Administrators say the affordable rents allow residents to retire with dignity. But DePriest says shes not exactly retired. Her work as a geriatric specialist will come in handy in the community. I get to be able to help the seniors here. We have a ladyseveral people actuallytotally blind. So, Ive adopted them., DePriest said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] (COLORADO SPRINGS) Some chapters of the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) are on the docket to be closed, though some community members refuse to let the library go without a fight. A community group is willing to fight for another chance at a continuation of the librarys services. On Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m., the Save Rockrimmon Library group will rally together at City Hall, located at 107 North Nevada Avenue, for a chance to save the library. Rockrimmon Library will close Dec. 1 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rumors of the library closing became known earlier this summer, with the Rockrimmon and Ruth Holly branch earmarked for possible closures. Many community members voiced their opinions over the proposed closure, taking their words online and in person. However, in a 5-2 vote, the Pikes Peak Library Districts (PPLD) Board of Trustees decided to not renew the lease of its Rockrimmon branch during a meeting on Oct. 16, choosing to close the location. There is no YMCA, there is no community center, the Rockrimmon library is it for the northwest side. That is all we have, it is the heart of the northwest side, said one community member who spoke at the October meeting. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: PPLD board votes to close Rockrimmon library branch Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in October, the board said the decision to not renew Rockrimmons lease was a difficult one but was made with a focus on helping the entire library district financially. According to the President of the Board of Trustees, Dora Gonzales, Rockrimmon was one of the costliest libraries. Rockrimmon has the most expensive lease, we currently pay $242,000 a year in the rent and then about $25,000 in utilities, Gonzales explained previously. We know that were going to be able to save money from not renewing this lease and as our preliminary budget sits right now, we have very little money. We have $0 set aside for anything that needs to be fixed in any of our facilities. Future of Pikes Peak Library District, preliminary report released Save Rockrimmon Library plans to call on City Council to use its power to hold the PPLD Board accountable and to ensure all other budgetary solutions are fully explored before libraries are closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With strong concerns about data transparency, budget priorities, and the future of public library access, the group will be urging City Council to allocate $200,000 to keep the Rockrimmon Library open for another year, providing time to explore sustainable solutions, a spokesperson with Save Rockrimmon Library said. Tomorrows rally is expected to draw a large crowd of community members with signs and neon colors to emphasize their unity in opposing the librarys closure. As for the fate of the Ruth Holly branch, there are currently no plans to get rid of it. The communitys last chance to visit the Rockrimmon branch is Saturday, Nov. 30. Individuals are invited to visit nearby locations like the Pikes Peak Library District East Library or 21c Library, which are further away but could still serve the community. 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 FOX21 News Colorado. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Vietnamese coffee shop is seeing business boom after being vandalized last week. The Kansas City community is turning up to show its support. Early Wednesday morning, Nov. 6, surveillance video shows a person getting out of a car and damaging the storefront of Cafe Ca Phe. Bety Le Shackelford with Cafe Ca Phe says the business is all about giving back to the community and providing a safe place for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KCPD using multiple strategies to stop property crimes in Westport Nothing was taken. It was just a show of force that made us all feel really threatened given the timing of everything with the election, Shackelford said. But over the weekend, it was the business that was getting support. By 10 there was already people waiting outside waiting to come in, Shackelford said. That really got me emotional, just to see how they showed up. A line outside the door. Sales doubling every day they were open. Extra baristas called in to help. All because of customers like Sara Armfield and Gabriel Nehrbass who stopped by the coffee shop after seeing what happened on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My jaw was on the floor I was shocked. I didnt even have words I knew we were localish and I wanted to support in whatever ways we could, Armfield said. I think theres a lot of challenges that those diverse communities are going to face in the coming days and years, we cant change everything but its important to play the parts that we can, Nehrbass said. That part, may just seem like a purchasing a cup of coffee, but to this business, its a sign that after the bad, comes the good. We love you so much and we appreciate everything you give back to us and we promise to give you everything back in tenfold, Shackelford said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android The business has plans for how they want to give back to the community. Its working on launching a nonprofit. Kansas City police have arrested one person in connection to the incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz greets a crowd of supporters at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A Congressional committee tasked with reviewing ethical quandaries opted not to take any action related to an Indiana representative carrying an unloaded firearm in one of the capitals busiest airports. In the summer of 2024, U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz was the subject of a misdemeanor charge for carrying a weapon in the Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. The charge related to the unloaded handgun was later dismissed, with Spartz telling a Congressional committee that she completed a gun safety course as part of the dismissal agreement. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. House Committee on Ethics initially sought to review the matter on July 29, just 18 days after Spartz was charged. However, the House was in recess at that time and delayed the requisite hearing which is supposed to be held within 30 days of such accusations. The House didnt convene again until September. The delay pushed the review into a general election blackout period, or the 60-day period before an election in which the subject in this case, Spartz was on the ballot. the Committee determined that, in the unique circumstances of this case, it would be unfair and contrary to the spirit of the rules to publish its Report prior to the general election, the reports footnote read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Considering the dismissal of the charge by Loudoun County authorities, the panel decided not to investigate further. Another footnote added that the Transportation Security Administration levied a federal civil penalty against Spartz for weapon possession and indicated that she had paid the required penalty. In a separate issue, Politico reported that the House Ethics Committee was looking into abuse claims by Spartz staffers. Spartz, a Republican, easily won reelection on Nov. 5 with 56.6% of the vote compared to Democrat Deborah Picketts 38%. The district sits north of Indianapolis, stretching to include Anderson, Muncie and Kokomo. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) While House Democrats figure out what went wrong after losing the White House and Senate, the Congressional Progressive Caucus is celebrating what they say went right. We should be doing that soul searching, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas.) said. And you find that soul in these new members of Congress. Texas Rep. Casar and Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced seven new members of their caucus Monday, many of them making history with their elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have our first trans member of Congress, Jayapal said. First Iranian American Democrat in Congress. The incoming lawmakers, spanning California, New Jersey, Delaware and Arizona, say voters sent them to Congress to address a number of issues. Californias Laura Friedman is taking the seat of now Senator-elect Adam Schiff. People care deeply about climate change because my state is literally on fire right now in some places, Friedman said. Delawares Sarah McBride is the first transgender member of Congress. What I was hearing was that we need to guarantee affordable health care, housing and child care, McBride said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Californias Luz Rivas is the first Latina to represent her district. I represent an immigrant community, one that would be devastated by the mass deportations, Rivas said. While the caucus celebrates its new members, its also trying to address the losses of last week. Im not really interested in blame, Rep. Jayapal said. Jayapal says the party has to do a better job of communicating its successes. People cant be in denial or question whether we are standing up for them, Jayapal said. The new members take their oaths of office Jan. 3. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere, a convicted killer, will come home. Its no longer a matter of if the disgraced officer will be freed from prison but only a matter of when, according to Missouri Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe. Kehoe would like Gov. Mike Parson to do his bidding for him before Parson leaves office. And the current governor has said on record he doesnt like where the ex-lawman is behind bars where he should be. But at a post-election news conference, Kehoe all but assured DeValkenaere would be a free man soon, The Star reported this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kehoe campaigned on a promise to grant clemency to the ex-detective who killed Cameron Lamb, an unarmed Black man and father of three from Kansas City. Not only does Kehoe intend to back up his pledge but he said the quiet part out loud: Kehoes friendship with DeValkenaere and his wife Sarah and their children was way more important than the rule of law. Im very sensitive to Erics case, Kehoe told reporters in the wake of his election-night victory. I would consider Sarah a good friend of my wife and Is. I met Sarah and Eric before he was imprisoned and I would say wrongly. I believe we need to have Erics back. And Ive been very vocal about saying should I succeed in running for governor, Eric DeValkenaere will be home with his family. Does the trauma experienced by Lambs three small children matter at all? Those kids lost their father unjustly, we might add. Shall we ignore the pain of his mother, Laurie Bey, whose child was killed in a senseless shooting that never should have happened? Nevermind any of that. DeValkenaere has friends in high places and apparently those connections are all you need to escape consequences for illegal acts committed under the color (not rule) of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kehoes comments about his friendship with the DeValkenaere family have angered Lambs family, The Star reported. How could any of us blame them for being upset? This tasteless and off-putting statement released by Kehoes transition team only adds insult to injury: Any action that may be taken by Kehoe in the Governors Office would be due to the unjust sentencing Eric received by a woke prosecutor, not their friendship. Reached Tuesday, Mike Mansur, a spokesman for Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker reminded us all that judges, not prosecutors, determine how much time is given to convicted criminals. Wed like to correct the spokesperson for the Gov.-elects office: prosecutors do not sentence defendants, Mansur wrote in a statement. Thats the role of the judge. Facts of the case Theres little doubt DeValkenaere fatally shot Lamb in the backyard of a home he rented in the 4100 block of College Avenue. DeValkenaere had no business on the property. We know this because during a 2021 bench trial, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Dale Youngs found DeValkenaere guilty of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in Lambs death almost five years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence presented at trial suggests a gun found near the scene was planted. Youngs sentenced DeValkenaere to six years in prison. A state appellate court affirmed the conviction and the Missouri Supreme Court rightfully declined to take up the matter. DeValkenaere has spent about a year behind bars. He should remain there to serve out his sentence, but he wont. In September, during an ongoing $10 million civil rights lawsuit filed by Lambs family, U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips ruled DeValkenaere violated Lambs civil rights when DeValkenaere fatally shot him on Dec. 3, 2019. Clemency on what basis? The cop had no business on the property where Lamb lived without probable cause that a crime had been committed or a warrant, Phillips ruled. So why is Kehoe so intent on allowing this convicted killer to leave prison early? We can count many instances in which high-ranking state officials such as Parson and Attorney General Andrew Bailey have denied freedom to wrongfully convicted individuals and have fought to keep them in prison for crimes evidence has shown many of them most likely didnt commit. Kevin Strickland comes to mind. Sandra Hemme does too. So does Marcellus Khaliifa Williams. The list goes on. In the DeValkenaere case, all Missourians should be sickened by this pending injustice. Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Billionaire financier John Paulson has declined a likely appointment as U.S Treasury secretary by President-elect Donald Trump, he announced on Tuesday. "Although various media outlets have mentioned me as a candidate for Secretary of the Treasury, my complex financial obligations would prevent me from holding an official position in President Trump's administration at this time," the chief of Paulson & Co. family office said. The Wall Street Journal first reported Paulson dropped out of consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tycoon was one of several Wall Street figures to rake in billions of dollars off American citizens who lost their homes in the midst of the 2008 financial collapse under the last Bush administration. There is no relation to former Bush Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. "However, I intend to remain actively involved with the president's economic team and helping in the implementation of President Trump's outstanding policy proposals," according to Paulson. "I intend to remain actively involved with the presidents economic team and helping in the implementation of President Trumps outstanding policy proposals, John Paulson (seen in 2019 with Trump at the New York Midtown Hilton in New York City) added on Tuesday. File Photo by Jason Szenes/UPI The Trump donor was famously known for shorting in 2007 the U.S. subprime mortgage market in 2007 a year before the housing market crashed. He was an early backer of Trump in his successful 2016 campaign. According to Forbes, Paulson has a net worth of $3.8 billion, which was down from $7.9 billion by 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, Paulson, a 1980 graduate of Harvard Business School, donated $400 million to Harvard University in Massachusetts, which was the largest gift in the Ivy League school's history and the biggest ever to a U.S. university at the time. He also had previously donated $100 million in 2012 to the Central Park Conservancy, the organization that manages the city's famous Central Park, which was believed to be largest financial gift it ever received But in September, Paulson claimed the U.S. stock market would crash if Vice President Kamala Harris won the election despite record highs under the Biden administration. But the hedge fund manager says nonetheless he's "ecstatic that President Trump will be back in office" and said the president-elect "is off to a fast start with his appointments." Among other names for the Treasury post are billionaire investor Scott Bessent, who has played a key role in advising Trump on the economy. SANAA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S.-British navy coalition warplanes launched three airstrikes on the southern Yemeni Red Sea port city of Hodeidah Tuesday morning, Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported. The airstrikes hit in the coastal area of Al-Fazah, west of Zabid district, reported Al-Masirah TV. The Houthis, who control the strategic port city and several other Yemeni northern provinces, rarely disclose their casualties or losses. Local residents said on social media that they heard explosions and saw a huge fire at the targeted site. They said the Houthis have cordoned off the area. It is the fourth consecutive day of the reported airstrikes on Houthi targets. The coalition has yet to comment on the strikes. In the past three days, the strikes targeted Houthi military sites in the capital city of Sanaa and the provinces of Amran and Saada, according to Houthi television and residents. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since the Houthi rebel group seized control of several northern provinces in late 2014, forcing the internationally recognized Yemeni government out of Sanaa. Since last November, the Houthi group has launched rocket and drone attacks on Israel and disrupted "Israeli-linked" shipping in the Red Sea, allegedly to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In response, the U.S.-led navy coalition stationed in the Red Sea has been conducting regular air raids and strikes against Houthi targets since January in a bid to deter the group from disrupting the international shipping lanes. ITHACA, N.Y. (WSYR) A Cornell University fraternity is on suspension after Cornell Police received a report of someone being allegedly sexually assaulted and forced into taking drugs in the City of Ithaca. The victim told Cornell Police they were sexually assaulted the weekend of October 25th on the 100 block of Edgemoor Lane. Two frats, Chi Phi and Lambda Chi Alpha, call that portion of the street home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ithaca Police told NewsChannel 9, that they are investigating a single report of sexual assault, the suspect and the victim know each other, and there is only one suspect. Students told NewsChannel 9 they do not want to speak about the allegations against the fraternity publicly. Still, some students said they feel unsafe as women on and off campus in Ithaca. Two years ago, fraternities went through a temporary suspension for parties after sexual assault and drugging reports. All of the instances at the time happened with registered fraternities. Following the most recent sexual assault report, Cornell Police are reminding students to walk in groups and alert someone on or near campus of suspicious activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ithaca District Attorney, Matthew Van Houten, told NewsChannel 9 that he will not be commenting on the matter. 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. SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) Costa Rica on Monday bestowed its highest diplomatic honor on El Salvador President Nayib Bukele for his success in lowering levels of violence during a more than two-year campaign against powerful street gangs. President Rodrigo Chaves lauded Bukeles efforts as his own country continues to struggle with historically high homicide numbers. Yet Bukeles recognition brought controversy in Costa Rica, long known as Central Americas most stable democracy. Bukele's success in combating violence is due in part to the suspension of a number of constitutional rights that push aside due process and give security forces and prosecutors far greater power to pursue suspects. Despite that, voters rewarded Bukele with an unprecedented second term earlier this year and he maintains stratospheric approval levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike Bukele, Chaves does not hold a majority in congress and has not remade Costa Ricas courts to remove opposition. Chaves has spoken in half jest about leaving the presidency to run for congress and then trying for the presidency again. Costa Rica does not allow consecutive presidential reelection. The country long applauded for a robust ecotourism industry, environmental conservation and relative peace has been wracked by violence in recent years, largely attributed to drug trafficking. Costa Rica has become a key way station for cocaine exports to Europe and the United States. Last year, Costa Rica hit a homicide record with 906, compared to 654 in 2022. This year is only slightly off last years pace, according to the government. On Tuesday, the two leaders were scheduled to visit one of Costa Ricas largest prisons. El Salvadors rescue from those nefarious claws is also helping the peace in our region, Chaves said Monday after giving Bukele the National Order of Juan Mora Fernandez, named after the countrys first president. The fight against organized crime in any part of Central America is welcome. The reach and influence and bad example of the gangs must be reduced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chaves, a conservative economist, ran an outsiders campaign in 2022 despite having briefly served as finance minister in the administration of outgoing President Carlos Alvarado. He has maintained high levels of approval, but covets the legislative majority ushered into office by Bukeles early popularity. President Bukele also understands what I have said a thousand times in this country, that for democracy to be worthwhile, it has to give results to society, to not be replaced by another political system that we Costa Ricans dont want to see. Bukele addressed criticism of his methods as he has before. He said first the right to life must be protected by addressing violence before other rights can be guaranteed. All the other rights arent worth it if theres no right to life. They cant be applied. Theres no right to (free) movement if Im dead, Bukele said. So the government must guarantee citizens right to life and to do so has to go after the criminals. Theres no other way. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) On Election Day, only 58.55% of registered voters in Alabama turned out to the polls, marking the lowest voter turnout statewide for a presidential election in over 30 years, according to data from the Alabama Secretary of States Office. During the election, where the majority of Alabamians overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump as president, over 2.2 million votes were cast in the state, shy of Alabamas nearly 3.9 million registered voters. The election marks a drop in the 63% of the state that turned out for the 2020 general election, as well as the lowest voter turnout for a presidential election statewide since 1988, when 56% of voters representing nearly 1.4 million votes went out to the polls to vote. That year, the majority of Alabama voters cast their ballots for George H.W. Bush as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 dead, 16 injured in Tuskegee University 100th homecoming celebration shooting The highest voter turnout in Alabama in the last 40 years was in 1992, when 76% of the state electorate turned out at the voting booths, representing nearly 1.7 million votes cast. That year, Alabamians again voted for Bush, even though Bill Clinton went on to ultimately win the race. Last Tuesday, Elmore County had the highest voter turnout statewide with nearly 65.6% of its 63,575 registered voters casting their ballots. The county with the lowest voter turnout was Russell County with only 44.5% of its 46,542 registered voters casting their choice for president and other offices. Vice President Kamala Harris won 12 counties in Alabama: Jefferson, Lowndes, Bullock, Dallas, Russell, Greene, Montgomery, Sumter, Hale, Perry, Wilcox and Macon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabamas deadline to certify all of its ballots will be Nov. 27. The full breakdown of voting data across Alabama counties for the 2024 election can be read below: Autauga Total Ballots Cast: 28,338 Total Registered Voters: 46,291 Voter Turnout: 61.22% Baldwin Total Ballots Cast: 121,694 Total Registered Voters: 207,667 Voter Turnout: 58.60% Barbour Total Ballots Cast: 9,848 Total Registered Voters: 17,665 Voter Turnout: 55.75% Bibb Total Ballots Cast: 9,267 Total Registered Voters: 15,154 Voter Turnout: 61.15% Blount Total Ballots Cast: 28,138 Total Registered Voters: 43,601 Voter Turnout: 64.54% Bullock Total Ballots Cast: 4,142 Total Registered Voters: 7,181 Voter Turnout: 57.68% Butler Total Ballots Cast: 8,503 Total Registered Voters: 14,529 Voter Turnout: 58.52% Calhoun Total Ballots Cast: 48,724 Total Registered Voters: 84,074 Voter Turnout: 57.95% Chambers Total Ballots Cast: 14,299 Total Registered Voters: 26,794 Voter Turnout: 53.37% Cherokee Total Ballots Cast: 13,030 Total Registered Voters: 21,383 Voter Turnout: 60.94% Chilton Total Ballots Cast: 19,804 Total Registered Voters: 31,677 Voter Turnout: 62.52% Choctaw Total Ballots Cast: 6,679 Total Registered Voters: 10,766 Voter Turnout: 62.04% Clarke Total Ballots Cast: 11,974 Total Registered Voters: 19,144 Voter Turnout: 62.55% Clay Total Ballots Cast: 6,739 Total Registered Voters: 10,603 Voter Turnout: 63.56% Cleburne Total Ballots Cast: 7,680 Total Registered Voters: 12,193 Voter Turnout: 62.99% Coffee Total Ballots Cast: 22,311 Total Registered Voters: 39,773 Voter Turnout: 56.10% Colbert Total Ballots Cast: 27,093 Total Registered Voters: 45,322 Voter Turnout: 59.78% Conecuh Total Ballots Cast: 6,105 Total Registered Voters: 9,820 Voter Turnout: 62.17% Coosa Total Ballots Cast: 5,265 Total Registered Voters: 8,354 Voter Turnout: 63.02% Covington Total Ballots Cast: 17,133 Total Registered Voters: 29,305 Voter Turnout: 58.46% Crenshaw Total Ballots Cast: 6,503 Total Registered Voters: 10,851 Voter Turnout: 59.93% Cullman Total Ballots Cast: 43,269 Total Registered Voters: 66,592 Voter Turnout: 64.98% Dale Total Ballots Cast: 19,198 Total Registered Voters: 37,100 Voter Turnout: 51.75% Dallas Total Ballots Cast: 15,631 Total Registered Voters: 29,534 Voter Turnout: 52.93% DeKalb Total Ballots Cast: 29,756 Total Registered Voters: 48,065 Voter Turnout: 61.91% Elmore Total Ballots Cast: 41,681 Total Registered Voters: 63,575 Voter Turnout: 65.56% Escambia Total Ballots Cast: 14,980 Total Registered Voters: 28,268 Voter Turnout: 52.99% Etowah Total Ballots Cast: 46,038 Total Registered Voters: 77,747 Voter Turnout: 59.22% Fayette Total Ballots Cast: 8,401 Total Registered Voters: 12,897 Voter Turnout: 65.14% Franklin Total Ballots Cast: 12,144 Total Registered Voters: 19,919 Voter Turnout: 60.97% Geneva Total Ballots Cast: 12,422 Total Registered Voters: 20,768 Voter Turnout: 59.81% Greene Total Ballots Cast: 4,054 Total Registered Voters: 6,572 Voter Turnout: 61.69% Hale Total Ballots Cast: 7,281 Total Registered Voters: 12,162 Voter Turnout: 59.87% Henry Total Ballots Cast: 9,345 Total Registered Voters: 14,762 Voter Turnout: 63.30% Houston Total Ballots Cast: 44,239 Total Registered Voters: 82,245 Voter Turnout: 53.79% Jackson Total Ballots Cast: 23,636 Total Registered Voters: 40,987 Voter Turnout: 57.67% Jefferson Total Ballots Cast: 299,443 Total Registered Voters: 501,885 Voter Turnout: 59.66% Lamar Total Ballots Cast: 6,917 Total Registered Voters: 11,087 Voter Turnout: 62.39% Lauderdale Total Ballots Cast: 43,693 Total Registered Voters: 70,858 Voter Turnout: 61.66% Lawrence Total Ballots Cast: 16,101 Total Registered Voters: 25,904 Voter Turnout: 62.16% Lee Total Ballots Cast: 73,085 Total Registered Voters: 134,149 Voter Turnout: 54.48% Limestone Total Ballots Cast: 53,001 Total Registered Voters: 82,644 Voter Turnout: 64.13% Lowndes Total Ballots Cast: 5,695 Total Registered Voters: 9,668 Voter Turnout: 58.91% Macon Total Ballots Cast: 7,860 Total Registered Voters: 16,972 Voter Turnout: 46.31% Madison Total Ballots Cast: 197,251 Total Registered Voters: 333,094 Voter Turnout: 59.22% Marengo Total Ballots Cast: 9,703 Total Registered Voters: 15,710 Voter Turnout: 61.76% Marion Total Ballots Cast: 13,587 Total Registered Voters: 22,675 Voter Turnout: 59.92% Marshall Total Ballots Cast: 40,396 Total Registered Voters: 67,826 Voter Turnout: 59.56% Mobile Total Ballots Cast: 174,424 Total Registered Voters: 322,535 Voter Turnout: 54.08% Monroe Total Ballots Cast: 9,860 Total Registered Voters: 16,351 Voter Turnout: 60.30% Montgomery Total Ballots Cast: 89,980 Total Registered Voters: 163,668 Voter Turnout: 54.98% Morgan Total Ballots Cast: 53,531 Total Registered Voters: 88,618 Voter Turnout: 60.41% Perry Total Ballots Cast: 4,477 Total Registered Voters: 7,630 Voter Turnout: 58.68% Pickens Total Ballots Cast: 8,929 Total Registered Voters: 14,037 Voter Turnout: 63.61% Pike Total Ballots Cast: 13,264 Total Registered Voters: 24,517 Voter Turnout: 54.10% Randolph Total Ballots Cast: 11,123 Total Registered Voters: 19,342 Voter Turnout: 57.51% Russell Total Ballots Cast: 20,718 Total Registered Voters: 46,542 Voter Turnout: 44.51% Shelby Total Ballots Cast: 114,806 Total Registered Voters: 178,383 Voter Turnout: 64.36% St. Clair Total Ballots Cast: 42,818 Total Registered Voters: 73,065 Voter Turnout: 58.60% Sumter Total Ballots Cast: 5,327 Total Registered Voters: 9,633 Voter Turnout: 55.30% Talladega Total Ballots Cast: 33,276 Total Registered Voters: 61,345 Voter Turnout: 54.24% Tallapoosa Total Ballots Cast: 20,106 Total Registered Voters: 32,576 Voter Turnout: 61.72% Tuscaloosa Total Ballots Cast: 85,322 Total Registered Voters: 154,594 Voter Turnout: 55.19% Walker Total Ballots Cast: 29,801 Total Registered Voters: 49,224 Voter Turnout: 60.54% Washington Total Ballots Cast: 8,477 Total Registered Voters: 13,788 Voter Turnout: 61.48% Wilcox Total Ballots Cast: 5,287 Total Registered Voters: 8,557 Voter Turnout: 61.79% Winston Total Ballots Cast: 11,178 Total Registered Voters: 17,826 Voter Turnout: 62.71% 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 CBS 42. kill kil KILL KILL Lawyers for Palm Beach County Clerk Joseph Abruzzo have called on a judge to dismiss an unprecedented lawsuit that seeks to block him from investing county money in Israeli bonds. Abruzzo lawyers filed a detailed response to the lawsuit Friday. They called the complaint politically charged and fatally flawed, adding that it improperly asks the court to adjudicate political issues related to the Gaza conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The plaintiffs are merely dissatisfied citizens who disagree with the governments actions for political reasons," Abruzzo said in his response to the lawsuit that was filed six months ago. The anonymously filed lawsuit seeks more than a $100 million in compensatory and punitive damages allegedly sustained by several Palm Beach County residents whose relatives live in Gaza. They claim that they have been traumatized by the investments that they say are being used to kill their friends and family members. "Allowing the case to move forward would open the floodgates a virtually endless stream of disgruntled citizen lawsuits for every type of governmental investment or expenditure," according to Abruzzo lawyers. It is expected to be several months before a Circuit Court judge rules on the county's move to have the lawsuit dismissed. County lawyers call the lawsuit "unprecedented." Abruzzo calls the lawsuit a political stunt that does not belong in the courts. He has thus far invested more than $700 million of county funds in Israeli bonds, the largest such investment of any county in the country. The plaintiffs call the investments speculative, noting bond rating companies have downgraded the bonds from A to Baa1, heightening the possibility of a default. Abruzzo disputes the argument that there is a possibility of a default. The county also calls on the court to deny the effort to allow the plaintiffs to remain anonymous. The pro-Palestinian plaintiffs say they fear for their lives if their identities are revealed. But the county notes that there is a strong presumption in Florida that "the public has a legitimate interest in knowing the identities of the parties and wholly ignores the Clerks due process rights in this case. The prejudice to Abruzzo far outweighs the unsupported assertions and alleged concerns stated by Plaintiffs counsel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Lawsuit seeks to stop county's purchase of Israeli bonds, saying it violates state law When the lawsuit was filed six months ago, those opposed to the Israeli incursion in Gaza held a demonstration outside the courthouse. Abruzzo, a Democrat, has acknowledged to The Post that he has has heard from the far left wing of his party about the purchase of the Israeli bonds. "But I would say to them, were not going to be deterred. They need to back off and we need to stand united with our greatest ally, Israel. The plaintiffs challenge the investments simply because they run counter to the Plaintiffs pro-Palestinian views, according to the county. The lawsuit is an effort to bootstrap their (the Palestinians) feelings about the Middle East conflict into a legal action against the Clerk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county also argues that the pro-Palestinian plaintiffs lack standing to bring the lawsuit and that Abruzzo has the discretion to invest county funds as he sees fit. David Pina, the attorney for the Palestinians, accused Abruzzo in a press release issued Friday of making poor financial decisions with taxpayer money based on his own political beliefs. The County and its Comptroller have a duty to Palm Beach taxpayers to make well-informed, profit-generating investments with their money, and when their fiduciaries fail to uphold that duty, taxpayers right to seek relief from a jury of their peers must be respected. The unnamed Plaintiffs argue that the Israeli bond investments come at a time when the county is struggling to cope with a housing crisis and a funding shortfall in Palm Beach Countys budget. The Plaintiffs say they have suffered various mental ailments such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression as a result of the bond investments but without knowing who they are, the county says it cannot verify those claims. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: County calls lawsuit challenging purchase of Israeli bonds a stunt Its a breach of contract Tara Anderson says has left her and her husband Alvin homeless. Nobody will rent to us. Nobody, Anderson said. She told Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincon that she entered into a settlement agreement after Invitation Homes took the Andersons to court after a Channel 2 Action News investigation in July. They ruined our lives. We came in here thinking this was a beautiful home and it was a home from hell, Anderson told Lincoln over the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tara Anderson told Lincoln that they had no choice but to move from their Sugar Hill home after her husbands leg had to be amputated. He received a mold infection from untreated mold inside the home. They were on state assistance at the time. However, conditions were so bad, that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs stopped all rent assistance payments because the property failed inspection. When they said were going to have to take your whole leg off, that broke my heart, Alvin Anderson said. The couple was forced to move out, then Invitation Homes took the couple to court for property abandonment and eviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Andersons said during the court proceedings, the company agreed to a settlement by offering the Andersons $6,000 and the removal of all eviction and abandonment actions. RELATED STORIES: But months later, they say the abandonment and eviction havent been removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now they say they cant get approved for any apartments. Were in a worse situation, a worse situation and theres nothing we can do, Anderson said. Channel 2 Action News reached out to Invitation Homes for a comment, but the company said it cant comment on pending litigation or settlements. We dont have anywhere to go, and then the hotels, we dont have that type of money, Anderson said. Invitation Homes dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice after the Andersons signed that settlement. In September, the Federal Trade Commission announced that Invitation Homes must pay nearly $50 million and make changes to its business practices after years of allegedly taking advantage of renters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FTC investigated Invitation Homes following numerous complaints from renters about wrongful evictions, withheld security deposits, and ignored maintenance requests. People would move in and see the unit in serious disrepair, FTC official Douglas Farrar said. Invitation Homes responded to the settlement, saying: Invitation Homes Inc. has reached an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission resolving the FTCs civil investigation into certain company business practices. As part of the resolution, Invitation Homes will pay the FTC $48 million in monetary relief, with no civil penalties. The agreement contains no admission of wrongdoing by Invitation Homes. Grizzly bear (Courtesy of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service). A federal judge on Nov. 7 told a government agency that while it can continue its practice of capturing and occasionally killing endangered grizzly bears in Montana, the agency must conduct a thorough analysis of how the program will impact the states bear population after finding it violated the National Environmental Policy Act. In a legal dispute that began in May 2021 when a coalition of environmental and wildlife groups sued the U.S. Department of Agricultures Wildlife Services over a decision reauthorizing a predator damage and conflict management program in Montana, U.S. federal judge Dana Christensen last week issued a 50-page order that favored the plaintiffs claims. The court order states that an environmental assessment prepared by Wildlife Services failed to include critical information about grizzly population connectivity and consider the impact of the program on the states grizzly bear population, a violation of NEPA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency is required to complete a full Environmental Impact Statement within a year. In sum, because critical information was omitted from the EA, and much of the evidence before the agency was too stale to carry the weight assigned to it, Wildlife Services could not have made a reasoned decision based on its evaluation of the evidence, Judge Christensen wrote. Ultimately, Plaintiffs are correct that the EA failed to take a hard look at the effects of Montanas predator damage and conflict management program on grizzly bears and an EIS is required. WildEarth Guardians, Western Watersheds Project and Trap Free Montana, who brought the lawsuit against Wildlife Services, argued that the agencys assessment lacked specific information about the sex and location of captured and killed bears, and failed to examine how killing grizzly bears could affect the animals connectivity between the states designated recovery zones. Wildlife Services, a division of the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, addresses conflicts between predators and livestock. Working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, problematic predators, including grizzly bears, can be removed from a location of conflict through nonlethal or lethal methods. For grizzly bears, which gained federal protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1975, this is an exception to the prohibition on taking protected species. Under a special rule developed by USFWS, grizzlies can be lethally removed for specific circumstances including self-defense, defense of others, or in response to significant livestock depredations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the environmental assessment supporting the predator conflict management program, Wildlife Services stated that the number of complaints related to problems between bears and livestock were increasing, jumping from 25 in 2013 to 157 in 2019. In that year, livestock conflicts resulted in the capture of 16 grizzlies, including one lethal removal. However, the environmental analysis relied on a 2012 biological opinion issued by USFWS, which the plaintiffs said contains outdated information, to determine that the program is not adversely impacting the population. In addition, the analysis lacked specific information about the number of bears killed, their sex and location of capture, which the plaintiffs argued is critical to understanding the impacts of the overall program on the recovering species. Recovery zones and current estimated distributions for the six ecosystems identified in the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. Graphic by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Montana is home to several regional ecosystems and recovery units that support populations of threatened grizzly bears. The largest populations of grizzlies exist in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, while a small population lives in the Cabinet-Yaak. An additional recovery area in the Selway-Bitterroot has no known resident bears, but grizzlies have been spotted in the ecosystem. A key part of the species recovery is predicated on having enough genetic diversity in a region, which is naturally maintained by bears traveling between recovery zones. The environmental assessment completed by Wildlife Services contained only minimal discussion about the effects of lethally removing grizzly bears due to conflicts outside of a recovery zone. Even the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the federal agency in charge of the grizzly recovery program, requested additional analysis for grizzlies taken anywhere in Montana, especially in between the identified recovery ecosystems, when the draft EA went out for public comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some ways, the most important bears are not the ones that stay in Yellowstone or Glacier, but theyre the ones that actually make the move and disperse between recovery zones, attorney Matthew Bishop, representing the plaintiffs, said during a hearing before Christensen on Aug. 2. Theres sort of this space where no ones really analyzing the effects of grizzly bear mortality once they leave these areas. And thats what this case is about. During the hearing, Bishop requested Christensen declare that Wildlife Services violated NEPA and call for a new analysis of the predator removal plan with a robust environmental impact statement. Arguing on behalf of the federal agency, Krystal-Rose Perez said the judge shouldnt put a stop to the killings because lethal removal only occurs after livestock managers have exhausted other methods of keeping animals safe, and tying the hands of the federal agency would make it more likely for livestock producers to take matter into their own hands. She also argued that under the federal management plan for the species, the critical habitat for grizzlies the recovery zones is clearly identified, and areas outside the recovery zones arent considered necessary for survival and recovery. However, in his order Christensen agreed with the plaintiffs that grizzly bears taken outside or in-between recovery zones particularly if they are female are arguably the most important bears because they are critical to establishing natural connectivity, an essential component to species recovery in certain ecosystems and necessary for long-term genetic viability in all isolated grizzly bear populations in the lower-48 states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christensens order does not vacate the existing decision by Wildlife Services and allows the agency to continue operating the predator damage and conflict management program as is. However, the agency is required to complete the NEPA process, including an environmental impact statement, by Nov. 1, 2026. In a statement to the Daily Montanan, WildEarth Guardians attorney Lizzy Pennock said while the organization is happy with the ruling, the fight for grizzly bear recovery isnt over. Grizzly bears need all the help they can get right now, not more tools in the toolbox for killing them, Pennock said. This decision recognizes that USDA Wildlife Services failed to adequately consider the impacts on grizzly bear recovery from their predator removal program. Our team is considering options for further relief for grizzlies while the agency complies with the law, Edgar Martinez was found dead on Saturday, Nov. 9 just days before he was due to celebrate his 19th birthday GoFundMe Edgar Josue Chiche Martinez Edgar Josue Chiche Martinez The cousins of a Connecticut teenager whose body was found wrapped in a comforter on the side of the highway have been charged following his death, PEOPLE can confirm. On Saturday, Nov. 9 at around 7:09 a.m. local time, Hartford Police Department responded to reports of a body found in the area of 80 Pope Park Highway, a release obtained by PEOPLE stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police identified the victim as Edgar Josue Chiche Martinez, of Hartford, who was days away from celebrating his 19th birthday on Nov. 14 when he died. "The Hartford Police Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions responded and began an investigation. The body was transported to The Chief Medical Examiners Office, where it was learned that the victim was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds," the police release said. Authorities added, "It is believed that the body had been placed on Pope Park Highway approximately 24 hours prior to the discovery. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the incident occurred approximately one day earlier, in an apartment inside 158 Magnolia Street." The victim's family told NBC Connecticut that the late teenager lived in the Magnolia Street property with his cousins, who have been charged following his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police confirmed Sender Soto-Veliz, 21, has been charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence, while a 17-year-old male who hasn't been identified was facing charges of murder and tampering with evidence. Soto-Veliz's bond has been set at $500,000, the release stated. He is suspected of helping the unnamed teenager dispose of the body, police lieutenant Aaron Boisvert confirmed to PEOPLE. Google Maps 158 Magnolia Street in Hartford, Connecticut 158 Magnolia Street in Hartford, Connecticut What we do want is for earthly justice to be made because Gods justice is on the other side, the victim's aunt, Veronica Imelda Martinez Mayen, told NBC Connecticut on Monday. He stayed away from parties, [he was] very friendly, she added, insisting Martinez wasn't one to get into trouble. Hartford Police Sender Soto-Veliz Sender Soto-Veliz Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim's sister, Nimsa Martinez, told the outlet, He was the person who always took care of me, despite him not being OK. Im going to remember him as the most beautiful person I couldve ever known. 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. WTNH News8/Youtube Hartford Police vehicle Hartford Police vehicle After the victim's body was found, the two suspects were located later on Saturday at around 7:35 p.m. driving along Park Terrace, police said in the release. The release stated, "At approximately 7:35 p.m., members of the Hartford Police Vice and Narcotics Division, Community Patrol Division and Southwest Community Service Officers located the suspect vehicle traveling on Park Terrace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The suspect vehicle was stopped and the suspects were taken into custody," it added. The teenager facing charges is expected to have his case transferred to adult court, Boisvert told PEOPLE. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE. The independent monitor assessing the citys compliance with a federal consent decree issued a dire warning Tuesday as proposed budget cuts once again loom over the Chicago Police Departments Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform. Cutting these positions permanently could be a devastating blow to the future of CPD reforms, Maggie Hickey, head of the independent monitoring team, told U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer during a consent decree status hearing Tuesday. The proposed budget cuts would be a step backward for the CPD reform process at a pivotal point, Hickey said, just when progress is starting to be felt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pallmeyer, overseeing the consent decrees progress, echoed Hickey, noting the progress made so far but recognizing the work that remains for CPD to reach full compliance. Every requirement needs to be implemented, and that means that its going to cost city funds in order for that to happen, to do the work and achieve the kind of change that were seeking, Pallmeyer added. There has been significant progress, and weve seen some, but theres a lot of work that still is left to do. We all recognize that. Hickeys and Pallmeyers comments came amid intense pushback from aldermen to Mayor Brandon Johnsons proposed 2025 city budget. Johnsons $17.3 billion spending plan for the city includes $2.1 billion for CPD, a $58.7 million increase from 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it also calls for 456 vacant positions to be cut 98 of them sworn and 358 civilian a move to trim more than $50 million in salary and other costs. Johnson did not address the situation in a news conference Tuesday, but did so last week. We understand that over the course of, unfortunately, decades in this city, that theres been a disconnect between the needs of the community and how law enforcement can respond to those needs, Johnson said. So this is an ongoing process, and as the superintendent indicated, as we continue to go through the budget discussion, all of that will come to light. The mayors budget recommendation would cut staffing for the Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform from 65 to 28. Established by interim Superintendent Charlie Beck in 2020, the office was meant to combine all of the functions tied to consent decree efforts under one office, including training, professional counseling and reform management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPDs training division, which trains new recruits for service and current employees for promotions, would shrink by some 27% under Johnsons proposal, taking it to 237 employees. The professional counseling division that provides mental health care and other assessments for CPD employees would drop by the same percentage, from 35 to 25 employees. The reform management group responsible for tracking reform efforts consistent with the consent decree would shrink from 19 to 17. The Office of Community Policing would see its staffing dip from 141 down to 55 employees, a decrease of 61%, under Johnsons proposal. That office coordinates with other city departments to create a more cohesive partnership between CPD and the neighborhoods they serve, according to the departments 2023 annual report. Addressing Pallmeyer, Hickey and the other parties to the consent decree, Superintendent Larry Snelling on Tuesday again said the department remains committed to consent decree compliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the very beginning when these cuts were presented to us, the number one thing we wanted to make sure is that we had people to continue to work toward the consent decree, Snelling said at the hearing. Those were the positions that we fought for first, Snelling said. Were going to continue to fight for them because this consent decree, the progress that I believe that we are making now, I dont want to break that momentum and I want to make sure that we keep going in the right direction. Personnel challenges have been a department issue for years, and despite the ongoing consent decree, the 2025 budget proposal does not represent the first time that CPDs Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform has been targeted in a budget pinch. In August 2022, under the leadership of former Superintendent David Brown, the department moved nearly four dozen officers from the reform office to the bureau of patrol. The former executive director of OCPR was fired by Brown after he protested the reassignments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staffing levels, along with data collection and retention, continue to plague the departments reform efforts, according to the monitoring team. Overall, the citys and the CPDs compliance efforts continue to lag and, after several reporting periods of minimal progress, bring into question the citys and the CPDs commitment to implementing reforms in community policing practices as required by the consent decree, the team wrote last year. Most recently, the monitoring team assessed CPDs compliance with each of the 552 consent decree paragraphs that apply to the department between January and June 2023. There are three levels of compliance: Preliminary, secondary and full. Preliminary compliance signifies CPD has developed a training curriculum; secondary compliance means training has been implemented; and full compliance means that the policy is fully part of the departments day-to-day operations. In the first half of 2023, the monitoring team found the department to be in preliminary compliance with 279 of the decrees 552 monitorable paragraphs. Secondary compliance was found in 160 paragraphs, while the CPD was in full compliance with 33 paragraphs. No compliance was reached in 74 paragraphs, while six more remain under assessment, according to the monitoring team. The next assessment report from the independent monitoring team is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin and A.D. Quig contributed. (TRINIDAD, Colo.) Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is inviting the public to a series of meetings to discuss future plans for managing Fishers Peak State Park. The 10-year management plan will build on the master plan for the park, approved in 2022, and it will implement that documents broad vision for visitor experience, recreation opportunities, protection of cultural and natural resources, and the development of park infrastructure, CPW said. At the meetings, CPW staff will share a brief history of the park, a summary of past planning, and an overview of the current management planning process. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with CPW staff and ask questions about the parks management plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPW said the management plan is important because just over 16 miles of trails and limited hunting opportunities are currently open to the public while the park continues to be designed and constructed. The first meeting, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, will be a virtual gathering on Zoom. It is scheduled 6-7:30 p.m. To attend the meeting, guests must register in advance. The second meeting is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Trinidad State College, 600 Prospect St., Trinidad, 81082 in the Pioneer Room inside the Sullivan Center. The public is invited to register in advance for this meeting, also. In addition to the meetings, CPW will also accept public input through Dec. 13. 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 FOX21 News Colorado. Election officials and a police officer carry a ballot box and other voting materials a day before Sri Lanka's parliamentary election in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov. 13, 2024. Sri Lanka is set to hold its parliamentary election on Nov. 14, with all necessary preparations in place to ensure a fair and transparent process, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake announced on Tuesday. Voting will take place at over 13,000 polling stations across the country, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time on Thursday. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua) COLOMBO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka is set to hold its parliamentary election on Nov. 14, with all necessary preparations in place to ensure a fair and transparent process, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake announced on Tuesday. Voting will take place at over 13,000 polling stations across the country, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time on Thursday. Over 8,000 candidates are contesting the election, with over 17 million eligible voters. The Gampaha district in the Western Province holds the largest share of voters, with around 1.9 million registered. To maintain security, around 90,000 police and security personnel have been deployed, according to police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa. Due to the election, the Ministry of Education announced that all schools nationwide would be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake dissolved parliament on Sept. 24 through an extraordinary gazette notice, shortly after being elected president. The election is seen as crucial for both Dissanayake's National People's Power (NPP) and his political rivals. Dissanayake has pledged a transformative agenda for Sri Lanka and requires a solid parliamentary majority to advance his goals. The Sri Lankan parliament consists of 225 seats, with 113 needed to form a majority government. Election officials and a police officer carry a ballot box and other voting materials a day before Sri Lanka's parliamentary election in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov. 13, 2024. Sri Lanka is set to hold its parliamentary election on Nov. 14, with all necessary preparations in place to ensure a fair and transparent process, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake announced on Tuesday. Voting will take place at over 13,000 polling stations across the country, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time on Thursday. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua) Election officials carry a ballot box and other voting materials a day before Sri Lanka's parliamentary election in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov. 13, 2024. Sri Lanka is set to hold its parliamentary election on Nov. 14, with all necessary preparations in place to ensure a fair and transparent process, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake announced on Tuesday. Voting will take place at over 13,000 polling stations across the country, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time on Thursday. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua) Electoral officials carry ballot boxes and other polling materials in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Nov. 13, 2024. Sri Lanka is set to hold its parliamentary election on Nov. 14, with all necessary preparations in place to ensure a fair and transparent process, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake announced on Tuesday. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua) A Cranford police officer is sparring with the town over allegations that he was retaliated against because his wife hosted a fundraiser for a GOP candidate running for council against the town's now-mayor. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor) A Cranford police officer is sparring with the town over allegations that he was retaliated against because his wife held a fundraiser at their home for a Republican candidate running against the former mayor of the town. Cranford Sgt. Timothy OBrien claims police Chief Ryan Greco denied his bid for promotion because of political favoritism, and he endured a hostile and harmful work environment afterward, according to a brief filed last week in state Superior Court. After OBrien complained of misconduct last year, Greco called him an obscene word and later passed him over for promotion again, OBrien charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is evident that the Township has adopted or acquiesced to a custom to punish those that are not loyal to the party in power, OBriens attorney Frank Capece wrote. OBrien filed an amended complaint in March, one year after filing an initial complaint. A hearing is scheduled Wednesday in Union County. OBrien, who started as a dispatcher in 1998 and became sergeant in 2018, applied for a promotion after the township announced a vacancy in October 2022, according to court filings. He was a finalist for the job, but the townships promotional policy is arbitrarily enforced by Greco, he argued. When a township administrator asked Greco about any potential issues, Greco cited the fundraiser for the GOP candidate running against the mayor at the time, OBrien said in the filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wants the court to deny the townships motion for summary judgment, accusing Cranford officials of violating the state Conscientious Employee Protection Act, Law Against Discrimination, and state and federal civil rights acts. The township claims OBrien sought his 2022 promotion after the selection process ended and has subsequently devised new theories as to why he failed to be promoted to lieutenant. His wifes fundraiser wasnt on the township committees radar, and Greco only knew about it because he was invited, the township said in an October filing. The township argues OBrien didnt suffer retaliatory employment actions because no vacancies for promotion existed at that point, nor was he fired. OBriens complaint is a scattershot everything-but-the-kitchen-sink style amalgam of conclusory allegations that could only be true if time travel were a reality, the township said. Not a single person has stated that politics came into play with either the promotional process itself or Grecos recommendation, the townships attorney Scott Salmon wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capece did not respond to a request for comment, and Salmon declined to comment. A former version of this story misstated who the mayor was at the time. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DARKE COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) Officials responded to a two-vehicle injury crash Monday afternoon. According to Darke County Sheriffs Office Dispatch, authorities received a call to respond to a school bus crash in the area of State Route 121 and Childrens Home-Bradford Road in Greenville Township at approximately 4:48 p.m. Preliminary investigation revealed a 2008 Honda was traveling east on Childrens Home Bradford Road and failed to stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection of SR-121. The driver of that vehicle struck a southbound school bus, which did not have children on it at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Honda was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Their passenger was flown by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital; their condition is currently unknown. The driver of the school bus was transported to Wayne Healthcare with minor injuries. The Darke County Sheriffs Office is investigating 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 WDTN.com. Some rogue insurance agents may already be finding ways around new protections the federal government put in place to prevent fraud on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, Channel 2 Action News has learned. My health insurance was canceled. I am very confused and concerned because I did not authorize the cancellation, wrote Georgia resident Veronica King in a signed legal declaration in October. That cancellation took place after the federal government made a series of new rules and restrictions designed to prevent incidents like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Channel 2 Action News investigation, we showed how hundreds of thousands of families are having their health insurance switched or changed without their knowledge or consent. All they need is a first name, last name, date of birth, and state, Georgia insurance agent Callie Navrides said. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has taken steps in recent months to address the fraud concerns. In a statement, CMS told Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray: From June 2024 through October 2024, CMS suspended 850 agents and brokers Marketplace agreements for reasonable suspicion of fraudulent or abusive conduct related to unauthorized enrollments or unauthorized plan switches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CMS said new security steps include blocking agents and brokers from making changes unless they are already associated with the consumers account and requiring new agents to have a three-way call with the marketplace and the consumer before allowing them to switch a plan. TRENDING STORIES: But King wrote in her declaration on Oct. 15, that agents she never heard of or communicated with canceled her insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are not my agents and have never been authorized to make changes to my health insurance, King said in the declaration. Navrides said she believes the criminal agents are having someone impersonate customers on the three-way calls to circumvent the new protections. Another potential way they could be getting around the new rules is that they are already associated fraudulently with the account. King said in her declaration that she has reason to believe the agents who canceled her insurance in October, Were involved in other previous unauthorized changes to my health insurance. Channel 2 Action News requested a comment from CMS about that potential loophole but has not heard back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Jason Doss filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of ACA customers and says what happened to King shows that some agents are already finding ways around the new CMS protections. Dont switch the policy. Just cancel it and sell a new policy later or just enroll them in a new one. And you can bypass the three-way call requirement that CMS is trying to put in place to stop it, Doss said. CMS said new proposed rules for 2026 would give it even more authority to suspend agents and brokers suspected of wrongdoing. Georgia is launching its own state-run marketplace for 2025, so Georgians will no longer use the federal marketplace where the rogue agents were primarily operating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insurance Commissioner John King told Gray that he has the power to go after bad agents criminally if they conduct fraud in the new Georgia marketplace. But there could be many Georgians who were already victims in the federal marketplace this year and wont know it until they get a surprise tax bill in January. Cubans have been grappling with several crises in rapid succession in the past three weeks after the islands eastern region was hit Sunday with a powerful earthquake even as the country was still reeling from two hurricanes that brought death and devastation. A 6.8 magnitude earthquake in the ocean 20 miles off Pilon, a town on the southern coast of the province of Granma in eastern Cuba, shook the region on Sunday minutes before noon, leaving no casualties but at least two children, among them a five-year-old, and two adults injured, Cuban state media said. The strong tremor followed a magnitude 5.9 earthquake earlier on Sunday morning that the United States Geological Survey said occurred 21 miles south of the nearby municipality of Bartolome Maso, also in Granma province. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cubas National Center for Seismological Research reported Monday morning that it had detected 885 tremors including the two biggest ones - in the area in the past 24 hours. Eastern Cuba is in an active seismic zone in the Caribbean that is responsible for most of the tremors felt on the island. In 2020, the Center reported a 7.7 magnitude earthquake west southwest of Cabo Cruz, in Granma province, but it happened at sea and did not cause damage. The countrys leader, Miguel Diaz-Canel, urged residents in Granma to remain in open areas and follow earthquake protocols. Videos circulating on social media show panicked residents in Pilon left their houses Sunday to take refuge in the nearby mountains. Cuban authorities have yet to provide a detailed assessment of the damage caused by the earthquakes However, images shared by state media and social media accounts show several collapsed homes, and houses, buildings and schools with cracks or crumbled walls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos and photos show extensive damage in Pilon and cracks in the 1871 lighthouse in Cabo Cruz. The earthquakes put additional strain on a population already dealing with multiple crises just days apart. On the eve of Oct. 18, the government declared an energy emergency, citing a lack of oil and the diminished generating capacity of its old energy infrastructure as culprits of daily extended blackouts that had paralyzed the economy. The following morning a failure at a major power plant caused the entire electrical grid to collapse. Islandwide blackout hits Cuba hours after government declares an energy emergency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Electricity had not been restored when Hurricane Oscar caused life-threatening flash flooding in the eastern province of Guantanamo, killing at least eight people on Oct. 20. Authorities have not said if two people declared missing have been found. Cuban authorities tried and failed for several days to get the power grid back on. Then, last Wednesday, Hurricane Rafael intensified to a Category 3 and knocked out the countrys electrical grid again, as it destroyed homes, hospitals, warehouses, critical infrastructure and crops in western Cuba. Hurricane left trail of collapsed homes, lost crops and damaged infrastructure in Cuba The series of disasters have taken a toll on Cubans who have had to live without electricity and other basic services for several days at a time, struggling to preserve what little food they can get in a country plagued with shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people in San Antonio del Sur and Imias, two of the towns hardest hit by Hurricane Oscar in Guantanamo, lost their homes and possessions to flash flooding and landslides, and blamed the government for the lack of warning and slow recovery response. There was no one: Cubans tell countrys leader government failed to help during hurricane The flooding damaged the aqueduct carrying water to Imias, and in rural areas, residents have only been able to get some water from easy access tanks or bottles provided by the government, said Yean Martinez Terrero, the vice president of the local defense council. Aerial images shared by the Cuban television of the western provinces of Artemisa and Mayabeque, ravaged by Hurricane Rafael, showed significantly more damage than previously reported to houses, government buildings, warehouses, crops and the electrical grid. Cuban state television also reported significant damage to some industrial facilities used in joint ventures between the Cuban government and foreign companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Havana, authorities almost doubled the initial count of homes affected to 850. Only 20% of the population has water service, the provinces civil defense president, Livan Izquierdo, said in a government meeting Sunday. In the westernmost province of Pinar del Rio, most residents have remained without power since Wednesday, after Rafael knocked down the pylons for six high-voltage lines that distributed electricity from nearby Artemisa. The official news outlet Cubadebate reported that attempts on Monday to connect the province to the national grid failed. In the province of Artemisa, only 17% of residents have water service, Gladys Martinez Verdecia, the provinces civil defense president, said in the government meeting on Sunday. A local education official said 229 schools in the province were affected by the hurricane and that classes have been suspended until conditions allow them to reopen. In Playa, a Havana neighborhood, residents cheered when power was restored on Sunday. A few minutes later, it was gone again, and residents spent the night in the dark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Nuevo Vedado, a leafy neighborhood where independent journalist Yoani Sanchez lives, residents had no electricity for more than 100 hours until it came back on Sunday, she said. The little that people had to eat has run out or spoiled, and inside each house, the drama is immense, Sanchez said. The government has responded to protests of the dire conditions with the arrest of at least 23 people who participated in demonstrations since Oct 18, when the power grid first collapsed. Eight were arrested after protesting in Encrucijada, a town in the central province of Villa Clara, according to Justicia 11J, an organization tracking detentions of anti-government protesters. Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar (D) said on Monday that he would sit down and work together with President-elect Trumps pick for border czar Tom Homan. Weve been on some shows together, weve done certain things together, Cuellar told NewsNations Blake Burman on The Hill of Homan. We agreed on a lotta things, but we just gotta make sure that we dont go extreme left or extreme right. And and I think people like Tom Homan and Ill say this, we can sit down and work together, because Ive been doing this for many years, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Sunday unveiled Homan, a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director, as his border czar in his next administration. In an announcement via Truth Social, the president-elect said Homans responsibilities would include the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security. Ive known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders, Trump posted. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job. Trump, for a while, has promised to carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. In his interview on NewsNation, Cuellar said there are some things I might not agree with Homan on, including dividing families, things like that. However, Cuellar also said he is very passionate about the work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late last month, in response to journalist Cecilia Vega asking him on CBSs 60 Minutes about the possibility of going forward with mass deportation without separating families, Homan said there is and that Families can be deported together. Homan also said on Monday in an interview on Fox Business that U.S. citizens and legal immigrants are perfectly safe, for Gods sakes. The Hill has reached out to Border911, an organization Homan is president and CEO of, and a spokesperson for Trump for comment. 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. A cutting-edge diagnostic test is helping some doctors find diagnoses for medical mysteries by analyzing DNA and RNA to detect a broad swath of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, according to a pair of studies published Tuesday. Traditional diagnostic tests are generally designed to measure specific substances such as proteins, hormones or trace amounts of genetic material. But the genomic test, developed at the University of California, San Francisco, instead extracts all the DNA and RNA present in a sample of blood, tissue or body fluid, then sequences that genetic material. It compares the sequences to a vast database of pathogens to see what matches up. The technology is not a replacement for existing tests used to diagnose common illnesses like those for Covid or strep throat since its slower to deliver results and more expensive. But it shows promise in a particular scenario: when a patient is in the hospital with severe symptoms, but initial tests come back negative and doctors cant figure out whats wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, the test has been effective at identifying the cause of neurological infections such as meningitis and encephalitis (swelling of the brain or its surrounding membranes), according to one of the new studies, published Tuesday in the journal Nature Medicine. Using samples of spinal fluid, it was able to diagnose 86% of the neurological infections it encountered out of more than 4,800 samples gathered at UCSF over a roughly seven-year period. In 2021 and 2022, the test was able to link cases of encephalitis among transplant recipients to yellow fever in their organ donor. And last year, it helped pinpoint the cause of a meningitis outbreak among patients who had undergone surgical procedures in Mexico. Our test was used to identify the cause of it as a specific fungus, Fusarium solani, from one of the early patients who had become symptomatic, said Dr. Charles Chiu, a professor of laboratory medicine and infectious diseases at UCSF and the senior author of the new study. Dr. Charles Chiu watches as a robot extracts DNA from a sample in a clinical microbiology lab at UCSF. The second study on the test, published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, suggests it could also be used to detect novel viruses, including those with the potential to start pandemics. The researchers ran a simulation to see whether the test could pick up on human viruses like the coronavirus that causes Covid, even if the researchers removed those viruses genetic sequences from the database on which the test relies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The test still identified the viruses based on related strains in animals, Chiu said. The Food and Drug Administration has granted the test a breakthrough device designation, which allows labs to use it based on its potential to help patients, even though the agency hasnt yet approved it. But the test is expensive: Running it costs $3,000 per sample and fewer than 10 labs use it routinely, Chiu said. Traditionally, its been used as a test of last resort, but thats primarily because of issues involving, for instance, the cost of the test, the fact that its only available in specialized reference laboratories, and it also is quite laborious to run, he said. Chiu added that the new research raises the possibility that we perhaps should be considering running this test earlier in the course of a persons infection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chiu and his fellow UCSF researchers developed the test 10 years ago. Shortly after, it detected a case of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection, in a 14-year-old boy who was in a medically induced coma. The diagnosis led doctors to prescribe penicillin, after which the boy recovered quickly. A researcher loads DNA samples into a biorobot at a UCSF lab. But the test comes with limitations, according to Susan Butler-Wu, an associate professor of clinical pathology at the University of Southern California. The technology is likely too complicated for the average community hospital to adopt in the foreseeable future, she said. And doctors could have a hard time interpreting the results, so they would need to consult with a laboratory director who has the appropriate expertise. This just is not something that a clinical lab will be doing until somebody commercially puts it in a box with an easy button, Butler-Wu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The test also misses some cases, she added, so it should be used alongside other diagnostic tests in hospitals. Its not a one-stop shop, Butler-Wu said. It just can be helpful as an additional tool. Nonetheless, Chiu said, he could envision the test being used widely in hospitals someday to diagnose all sorts of illnesses, such as the root causes of pneumonia or sepsis. We need to get the cost down and we need to get the turnaround times down as well, he said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Stop & Shop services may be impacted after a cybersecurity issue was detected within its parent companys U.S. network. On Friday, Stop & Shops parent company, Ahold Delhaize USA, announced that it had launched an investigation into the breach. The company is working with external cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to assess and mitigate the issue. While all Stop & Shop locations remain open, some services, including certain brands, pharmacy offerings, and e-commerce operations, may be affected as the company has taken some systems offline to protect them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue to take actions to further protect our systems. The security of our customers, associates and partners is a top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have caused customers and partners, Ahold Delhaize USA said in a statement. NEXT: Shoppers bid farewell as 3 local Stop & Shop locations close 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. Water continues to flow to settlements downstream of the Vovcha River as a result of damage dealt by the Russians to the dam of the Kurakhove reservoir in Donetsk Oblast, but no flooding has been reported so far. Source: Roman Padun, Head of Kurakhove City Military Administration, on air with Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster Quote: "As for the damage to the dam... we have not been able to go and inspect it. Water continues to arrive below the Terny dam. I have contacted my colleagues, and there is no critical situation, no flooded houses yet." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Padun said that the Russians had been trying to destroy the dam for three months, but it was built so that the entire surface of the reservoir could not merge. "There is a critical level of the reservoir that can be drained, and the minimum that remains," Padun added. Padun added that Kurakhove is under constant Russian fire, and the Russians use all available weapons artillery, MLRS, aerial bombs and drones. There is no possibility to bring water and humanitarian aid [last time it was delivered was a month ago ed.]. Approximately 800 people remain in the settlement. The evacuation road is under heavy attacks, but at the request of citizens, the police continue to take out two to four people a day on armoured vehicles. Support UP or become our patron! Incumbent Dan Newhouse declared victory in his re-election campaign against Trump-backed challenger Jerrod Sessler on Monday morning. Newhouse led with 127,559 votes, or 51.7%, to Sesslers 115,050 votes, or 46.6%, as of Monday morning. Newhouses lead has increased to more than 12,000 votes since election night, when he led by around 3,800. Im incredibly honored to have the support from the people of Central Washington. The results from this election show the people want a results-driven leader who understands the unique challenges facing Central Washington, Newhouse said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newhouse thanked the people in the 4th Congressional District, who he has represented in Congress since 2015. He said he would focus on protecting the Lower Snake River dams, cleaning up the Hanford Site and on foreign policy around China. I will not let you down, he said. Sessler said he was not conceding the election but acknowledged the elections results. He said he plans to run for the seat again in the future. Because of characters like Dan Newhouse, a vacuum for great leadership will continue to exist in the government long into the future. My resolve was concrete in the past. Now it is as tough as steel, Sessler said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a closely contested race between two Republican candidates in a historically conservative district. Sessler won an eight-candidate primary election and leaned into his endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump. Trump won almost 160,000 votes, or 60%, in counties in the district, but Sessler was not able to capture that momentum. In those same counties, Sessler had about 115,000 votes, or 47%. Newhouse pointed to his record and experience in his reelection campaign. The Seattle Times called the race in Newhouses favor Friday. The Associated Press has not called the race, estimating that around 84% of ballots have been counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Information from elections offices in counties across the district indicate that there could be around 45,000 ballots left to count. Sessler would need at least 64% of the estimated total remaining to edge ahead at this point. Yakima and Grant counties account for 35,000 of those uncounted ballots together. Yakima County will release more results Monday afternoon. Grant County is scheduled to release another round of results Tuesday evening. Yakima County had an estimated 20,000 ballots left to count as of Monday morning, according to the countys elections website, and turnout was at 51.5% with 68,416 ballots counted so far. SAYRE, Pa. (WETM) Two local companies raised more than $50,000 to help breast cancer patients in the Twin Tiers. According to Guthrie, representatives from Dandy Mini Marts and Williams Auto Group, which share an owner, presented Guthrie with a $53,475 check for the Breast Care Fund on Nov. 11. The companies raised the money during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During Dandys October Pink Cups for a Cure campaign, a portion of proceeds from large coffees purchased in a signature pink cup went to Guthries fund. All of Dandys 63 locations across the Twin Tiers participated in this campaign. Williams Auto Group ran a separate campaign in October; participating locations donated $50 for each car sold and $1 for each service appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WellNow Urgent Care now taking Excellus BlueCross/BlueShield insurance plans We are deeply grateful for this generous contribution from the Dandy and Williams Auto Group organizations, said Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, Guthrie president and CEO. Their support will significantly aid in our efforts to assist breast cancer patients within our local communities. The Guthrie Breast Care Fund provides people battling breast cancer with financial assistance. The money is used for medications, post-surgical supplies, diagnostic testing, and other things patients need that arent covered by insurance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. ZHUHAI, Guangdong, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's independently-developed AS700 civil manned airship has secured 10 more purchase orders, ready for commercial operations, according to its developer - the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) on Tuesday. The total number of booked orders for AS700 has reached 23, said the aircraft maker at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, in the port city of Zhuhai in Guangdong Province, south China. The airships are priced at 24.99 million yuan (about 3.47 million U.S. dollars) each. The signing ceremony on Tuesday also witnessed the signing of 164 intended orders for the aircraft. A type of single-capsule manned airship, AS700 boasts a maximum flight range of 700 km and endurance of 10 hours. Its designed maximum speed is 100 km per hour, and it can carry up to 10 people, including a pilot. The first AS700 airship was delivered in September this year. As a new type of low-altitude aviation equipment, the China-made manned airship will play a crucial role in the low-altitude economy in China, the AVIC said. According to the developer, passengers aboard the AS700 can enjoy aerial views through the large panoramic side windows. With its moderate speed, the airship will provide tourists with a flight experience similar to "floating on clouds." The development team envisages low-altitude sightseeing tourism to be their main focus going forward, with ample potential to expand into other areas such as aerial advertising, urban security, aviation exploration and emergency rescue. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Royal Caribbean cruise ship experienced bad weather near Spain that caused damage to the ship. Explorer of the Seas was on a 12-day journey from Barcelona, Spain to Miami, Florida a one-way trip, according to Cruise Mapper. During an unexpected wind gust near Tenerife, Spain, one of our sailings experienced sudden movement. One guest was injured and required additional medical care, resulting in the ship calling into Las Palmas, Spain for a medical disembarkation. We communicated these changes directly with our guests, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disney Cruise ship saves 4 boaters from sinking Catamaran The video shows images of tables, bottles, food, and merchandise on the floor that were taken by Jonathan Parrish who was on the ship. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Danish police said Tuesday that they were closing the investigation into the devastating fire that destroyed more than half of Copenhagens Old Stock Exchange, saying nothing points at the blaze being the result of a criminal act. Despite extensive forensic investigations, review of surveillance and the questioning of a large number of witnesses, it is not possible to determine the cause of the fire in the historic stock exchange building," said Brian Belling, the Copenhagen police officer in charge of the investigation. Our assessment is that we have explored all relevant investigative possibilities in the case, Belling told a press conference, adding that no one has been charged in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belling said the video material included hours of footage from inside the Stock Exchange that had not been damaged by the fire. He added that no inflammable liquid has been found. In the early morning of April 16, a violent fire tore through the 400-year-old building, a major tourist attraction. The blaze toppled its green copper roof and iconic dragon-tail spire. Two days later, a large section of the buildings outer wall collapsed inwards. As the fire raged, many, including ordinary people, ventured in to rescue artworks and around 90% of the cultural objects were rescued from the building. One of the hypotheses was that the fire started in connection with the renovation, Belling said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that the fire is believed to have started under the roof, which had been wrapped in scaffolding because of ongoing renovation work to be completed for its anniversary in 2024. There is guidance regarding listed buildings when renovating them. It is our opinion that they have been followed to the letter, Tim Ole Simonsen, a senior member of the Greater Copenhagen Fire Department, told the same news conference. Then you can discuss whether they are good enough. On Sept. 24, King Frederik X of Denmark laid the foundation stone within part of a red brick wall that survived the mid-April blaze, marking the commencing of a yearslong reconstruction plan. The owner of the downtown exchange, the Denmarks Chamber of Commerce, has said that they will rebuild the landmark, which is considered a leading example of Dutch Renaissance style in Denmark. Construction started in 1615 and it first opened in 1624. The fire was reminiscent of the April 2019 blaze at the 800-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The Davidson County Sheriffs Office has issued a warning about a new phone scam. According to a Monday media release, callers have claimed to be employees with the Davidson County Sheriffs Office and have requested money for inmate bonds using platforms like CashApp. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The Davidson County Sheriffs Office added that employees would not ask for any type of payment via phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you receive a call from the Davidson County Sheriffs Office, you can verify that call with the office or with the Metro Nashville Police Departments fraud unit by calling (615) 862-7594. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police are investigating two separate shootings that left two men hurt. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said the first shooting happened in the 5400 block of 4th St. in Northwest D.C. There, officers found a man who had been shot in the lower body. Nonprofit pays off mortgage of Virginia firefighter who died in Sterling house explosion He was taken to the hospital conscious and breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second shooting happened in Northeast D.C. at around 5:30 p.m. in the 2000 block of Benning Road. There, officers found a man who had been shot. He was taken to the hospital conscious and breathing. MPD said to look out for a man who fled the area in a black SUV. Anyone with information is asked to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police said Tuesday they found a 1-year-old girl who was missing since Halloween. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) posted on the X platform that Morgan Carter in good health. The post was a follow-up to one shared Monday in which MPD said Carter last was seen in the 5300 block of E St. SE on Oct. 31. Nonprofit pays off mortgage of Virginia firefighter who died in Sterling house explosion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives said they believed that the 1-year-old girl may have been with an associate of her parent. In the update stating that police found her, MPD did not say if she was, in fact, with the associated or where Carter had been found. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. (WETM) The union that represents officers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) shared information about the investigation that led to the seizure and euthanasia of Peanut the squirrel, and the union is asking the public to stop sending threats to DEC employees and offices. According to a Nov. 8 statement from the State Environmental Conservation Officers Union, people have been making threats against DEC officers, DEC staffers, an elected judge, DEC regional offices, and employees homes after Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon were seized and euthanized at the end of October. The union is asking the public to keep in mind that the people being threatened are their friends, families, and neighbors and do not deserve to be in fear of their own lives and their families lives for upholding the law. The union also stated that the members of the DEC who participated in executing the warrant to seize Peanut and Fred did not make the decision to euthanize the animals. Original story: Peanut the squirrel seized by DEC in Pine City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union says the Chemung County Health Department determined that Peanut and Fred needed to be humanely euthanized to be tested for rabies after Peanut bit a DEC civilian wildlife biologist through two pairs of protective gloves. The DEC was required to contact the health department and turn over Peanut and Fred alive due to the injury. According to the union, squirrels typically dont carry rabies, but raccoons are a species known to be a vector for rabies. Due to Peanut and Fred cohabitating, there was a chance for animal-to-animal transmission. The unions statement says the DEC began the investigation that led to the seizure in January 2024 after several New York State licensed wildlife rehabilitators filed complaints about Mark Longo, Peanut and Freds owner, operating an illegal wildlife sanctuary. According to the union, an Environmental Conservation Officer informed Longo that keeping a squirrel is illegal unless hes a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and preparing the animal to be released into nature. The union says Longo told investigators that he had released the squirrel into the wild. Related: Chemung County Sheriffs Office addresses Peanut the Squirrel situation amid influx of calls/emails According to the union, the DEC continued to receive complaints, and DEC management ordered an investigation. The union says an investigator reviewed Longos social media accounts and discovered that he had not released Peanut the squirrel into the wild. The investigator also saw that Longo had taken in a raccoon through social media as well. The search warrant that authorized officers to seize Peanut and Fred was issued by a judge based on Longos social media posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union also clarified that three uniformed Environmental Conservation Officers secured the 80-acre property, several plainclothes investigators conducted the search, and three DEC wildlife employees who were not police officers were involved in serving the warrant. The union says this investigation is still ongoing at this time, and it shared the information its currently able to. Those who would like to read the unions entire statement can do so by clicking on 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. In Reality Check stories, Star-Telegram journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? RealityCheck@star-telegram.com. Susana Nieto has lived in Fort Worth without authorization for over two decades. Maria Gabriela Cena was brought by her parents as a child 23 years ago. Fidencio Torres came a decade ago. All three recently spoke to the Star-Telegram to express their reactions to the election of Donald Trump in light of his pledge to carry out mass deportations. Nieto and Cena fear the prospect of being deported, while Torres said he does not believe Trump will make good on his promise, citing the economys dependence on undocumented labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Readers who responded to the story via email and on social media asked why people in such situations have spent so much time in the United States but havent become citizens yet. Why would they come here without the intention to become citizens, some asked. Texas has an estimated 1.6 million undocumented people living here. The Star-Telegram reached out to immigration experts and the undocumented themselves to answer that question. No line for lots of people to get into While undocumented immigrants and immigration advocates would love for there to be a path to citizenship for people in the country illegally, the reality is that it has not been for lack of trying. I would love for there to be a way for people who have been here for 20 years to just become citizens, but that isnt the law, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the nonpartisan American Immigration Council. In fact, Congress has over the last few decades made it harder for undocumented immigrants to ever get their papers fixed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The options that undocumented immigrants have to gain legal status are few and difficult to obtain. Nieto and her husband have been hoping to avail themselves of one of those options when their oldest son turns 21 next year. Having been born in the United States, he can sponsor them as a U.S. citizen. Thats one possibility, but that requires having a child and waiting 21 years, Reichlin-Melnick said. Even then, this option could force some to leave the country and wait another 10 years before being able to re-enter, per U.S. immigration law, since they entered illegally. Undocumented immigrants who have been the victims of a serious crime in the United States such as rape, kidnapping, assault and others can apply for U nonimmigrant status, or a U visa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the annual cap on U visas is 10,000, and the wait time is around 17 years, Reichlin-Melnick said. And that is after approval. The processing time for U visas is around 54 months, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. A third option is what is called cancellation of removal, by which a person in the country without authorization can get their deportable status changed to permanent residency if they can prove that their deportation would cause them or an immediate family member exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. Thats a very high standard to meet, Reichlin-Melnick said, adding that there are only 4,000 such cancellations available each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So many people think theres some sort of moral failing in still being undocumented after 20, 30 years, but that is the system Congress intentionally designed, he said. In recent decades, U.S. lawmakers narrowed the options people have for being in the country legally in hopes that it would deter others from coming. But what it did instead is trap people here so that now, if they ever leave, theyll never be allowed to come back in legally, or theyll have many fewer options for coming back in here legally, Reichlin-Melnick said. So weve actually created a system that incentivizes people to stay without status, because the other option is to risk never being allowed back in. Nieto and her husband have long hoped to see this system change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There hasnt been a law that would help us get work permits or fix our status, she said. They should give us an opportunity. Cena declined to comment, and Torres was unable to be reached. The idea that the folks who are living in our communities in undocumented status are not interested in obtaining green cards and then citizenship is completely misunderstanding the situation, said Denise Gilman, a law professor and director of the Immigration Clinic at UT Austin. Everybody who is here in undocumented status would love to be able to regularize their status, but unfortunately, those pathways just are not there for the undocumented population, she said. There is no line for lots of people to get into. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last major legalization program that allowed undocumented people to gain status was during the administration of President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, Gilman said. Congress has not acted on the issue since, prompting the executive branch to attempt workarounds like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which allows adult undocumented people who were brought to the country as children temporary legal status and work permits, but does not lead to citizenship. The Lone Star State has had a hand in opposing these executive actions in recent decades as well. When the executive branch has tried to create ways for people to move forward toward regularization, it gets challenged almost always by states like Texas, Gilman said. Do other countries tolerate undocumented immigrants? Many readers comments noted how all countries regulate illegal entry and do not tolerate non-citizens living within their borders without authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But one does not have to stray too far on the map to find a country that broadly tolerates foreign nationals residing in it illegally, Reichlin-Melnick pointed out. The State Department estimates 1.6 million American citizens live in Mexico, and a large number of those are believed to be doing so without going through the proper legal process. Mexican immigration authorities have estimated that more than 80% of those Americans are not living there legally. Mexico allows U.S. citizens to enter the country on tourist visas for as many as 180 days, and there are no restrictions on how many times someone can enter. (Mexican immigration authorities can deny a foreign national entry at their discretion if they feel someone has abused the system.) Plenty of Americans do it, Reichlin-Melnick said. There are many Americans who are living in Mexico right now as expats who havent filled out the proper visas, who are probably in violation of Mexican immigration law. Seizing on a tactic strengthened by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, defense attorneys in the Michael Madigan corruption trial began their cross-examination of a key witness Tuesday by trying to distinguish between exchanging jobs for official actions and simply currying favor with the then-formidable House speaker. Fidel Marquez, the onetime head of ComEds governmental affairs team, spent nearly 15 hours over four days of direct examination telling the jury about a scheme to hire Madigans allies as consulting subcontractors and doing myriad other favors to bring the utility back into the speakers good graces. At the outset of his questioning, however, defense attorney Patrick Cotter sought to paint the effort as legal lobbying, not bribes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are not testifying at this trial that, in your mind, the purpose of this conspiracy was to trade jobs at ComEd? asked Cotter, who represents Madigans co-defendant, former lobbyist Michael McClain. I said it was to consider ComEds legislative agenda (favorably), answered Marquez, who pleaded guilty to bribery in 2020 and is cooperating with the government. Not exchange jobs for actions, Cotter said. Looking at it favorably, to my mind, is an action, Marquez said. Having a positive favorable attitude toward ComEd legislation was the purpose of the conspiracy you were in? Cotter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, Marquez answered. That distinction between trying to influence Madigan and executing an explicit transaction could make all the difference for the defendants, at least when it comes to the ComEd allegations. A Supreme Court decision earlier this year made clear that a bribery conviction requires proving a premeditated exchange of benefits for official actions. Gratuities, or gifts given to politicians after the fact, are not illegal, the court ruled this summer. The jurys instructions in Madigans case likely will include new language laying out the exchange that prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction on the bribery counts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a legal hurdle that did not exist last year in the ComEd Four trial, where McClain and three others were convicted on all counts related to the same alleged conduct. Marquez was on the stand for the bulk of last week, during which jurors heard and saw McClains relentless requests allegedly on behalf of Madigan that ComEd hire Madigans favored associates. Over and over, Marquez testified that he and other ComEd insiders complied with the requests so that Madigan would look favorably upon ComEd-friendly legislation in Springfield. Marquez began working with the FBI in early 2019 after agents confronted him at his mothers home and played incriminating calls captured on a secret wiretap. He went on to make multiple undercover recordings of his own, both audio and video, that have been played for the jury laying out the stream of benefits the utility extended to Madigans allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House and the head of the state Democratic Party, faces racketeering charges alleging he ran his state and political operations like a criminal enterprise. Both Madigan and McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy, have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. Marquez pleaded guilty in 2020 to conspiracy to commit bribery. In exchange for his truthful testimony, prosecutors have said they will recommend a sentence of probation instead of prison time. Marquez will be back on the stand for a fifth day Wednesday, when he will face more cross examination by Cotter and Madigans legal team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Marquezs direct examination wrapped up Tuesday, prosecutors showed another slew of emails and recordings in which McClain pushed ComEd to hire people with political connections. Madigan seemed particularly interested in getting a job for Vanessa Berrios, daughter of then-Cook County Democratic boss Joseph Berrios. The speaker apparently first floated the idea to McClain in a December 2018 phone call, which was played for jurors. My thought was that there might be a place for her at ComEd, Madigan told McClain. In the ensuing months, McClain emailed Marquez at least twice about getting ComEd to hire Berrios, who had worked for her father when he headed the Cook County assessors office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berrios ultimately was offered an interview with ComEd, Marquez testified Tuesday, but declined. In spring 2019, ComEd insider John Hooker told Marquez they were considering hiring former Madigan chief of staff Tim Mapes, who was ousted from the speakers office in 2018 after being accused of sexual harassment. Former CEO Anne Pramaggiore had met with Mapes, Hooker said in an April 9 phone call secretly recorded by Marquez. Pramaggiore suggested that they hide (Mapes) contract in someone elses. I says, what you could do is put him in as a consultant with McClain, Hooker told Marquez on the phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madigan also had an interest in getting work for Jeffrey Rush, the son of longtime U.S. congressman Bobby Rush. Jeffrey Rush had worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections, but got in trouble for having a sexual relationship with a parolee. This is a guy that Im gonna want to help somewhere along the road, Madigan told McClain in an August 2018 phone call. When McClain floated the idea to Marquez in May 2019, Marquez told him that might be a bridge too far. I appreciate you being clear on his indiscretions, said Marquez, who by that point was cooperating with the government and had secretly recorded the meeting on video. That makes it hard for me to place him in good conscience within the company. Im just being honest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week after that call, the FBI raided McClains home and a series of other locations, taking the investigation overt. Near the end of Marquezs direct examination Tuesday, prosecutors played a lengthy wiretapped recording from Feb. 22, 2019, in which Pramaggiore, Marquez, and McClain discussed who was going to be the Madigan point person now that McClain was looking to step down. Were in a conundrum, McClain said on the call. McClain said, the speaker called me up and said, You know, Mike, um, we have this green set of bills that they want to do. Exelon Generation wants to do something. I always used you as the point person. But youre not here anymore, so whos the point person? Later in the call, McClain told Marquez whoever the new point person was, they have to have the speakers trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that persons gotta be very discreet, McClain said. And whoever that person is talking for the company, lets say its you. Uh, theres a code, right? At the end of the call, Pramaggiore told Marquez he should make a recommendation to new ComEd CEO Joseph Dominguez that the utility should consider making the point person McClain or Hooker. Theyre seasoned. They know what theyre doing. The speaker will accept them, Pramaggiore said. The day after the call, McClain sent a lengthy email to the group saying Hooker should be the point person for then-state Senate President John Cullerton, and that hed talk to lobbyist Will Cousineau, Madigans former political director, about playing that role with the speaker. Will has our Friends confidence right now, McClain wrote. Our Friend is very very cautious about letting people know and do what he needs done. Other than the new focus on the idea of an exchange, Cotters cross-examination of Marquez largely mirrored his questioning during the ComEd Four case. Throughout his cross-examination, Cotter sought to portray his client as a dedicated and valued asset to ComEd, whose unique access to Madigan may have given the company a leg up in its pursuit of legislation but in no way made Madigans support a done deal. Marquez agreed that at no time did McClain ever say he could get Madigan to vote one way or another on a bill. Instead, McClains style was to do the work getting stakeholders to come together and build consensus, then going to elected officials to present a proposal with an allied front. Cotter also highlighted a wiretapped recording that prosecutors had not presented during Marquezs direct examination, which revealed a behind-the-scenes discussion in 2018 to kill then-Attorney General Lisa Madigans bill to help low-income consumers. The legislation failed, following an all-out lobbying effort championed by McClain. Prosecutors have sought to use the defeat of the bill as an example of the scheme at work, pointing to evidence that McClain told Pramaggiore and other executives that a friend of ours had authorized him to go ahead and kill the legislation. The call played by Cotter, though, reinforced McClains role as a smart and valued strategist for ComEd, not just someone doing Madigans bidding. Cotter asked Marquez: At no point on this call does Mr. McClain ever say Well, why dont I go to the speaker and see if he can assist us with killing this bill?' He does not, Marquez agreed. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com CHICAGO Seizing on a tactic strengthened by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, defense attorneys in the Michael Madigan corruption trial began their cross-examination of a key witness Tuesday by trying to distinguish between exchanging jobs for official actions and simply currying favor with the formidable ex-House speaker. Fidel Marquez, the onetime head of ComEds governmental affairs team, spent nearly 15 hours over four days of direct examination telling the jury about a scheme to hire Madigans allies as consulting subcontractors and doing myriad other favors to bring the utility back into the speakers good graces. At the outset of his questioning, however, defense attorney Patrick Cotter sought to paint the effort as legal lobbying, not bribes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are not testifying at this trial that, in your mind, the purpose of this conspiracy was to trade jobs at ComEd? asked Cotter, who represents Madigans co-defendant, former lobbyist Michael McClain. I said it was to consider ComEds legislative agenda (favorably), answered Fidel Marquez, a former ComEd executive who pleaded guilty to bribery in 2020 and is cooperating with the government. Not exchange jobs for actions, Cotter said. Looking at it favorably, to my mind, is an action, Marquez said. Having a positive favorable attitude toward ComEd legislation was the purpose of the conspiracy you were in? Cotter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, Marquez answered. That distinction between trying to influence Madigan and executing an explicit transaction could make all the difference for the defendants, at least when it comes to the ComEd allegations. A Supreme Court decision earlier this year made clear that a bribery conviction requires proving a premeditated exchange of benefits for official actions. Gratuities, or gifts given to politicians after the fact, are not illegal, the court ruled this summer. The jurys instructions in Madigans case likely will include new language laying out the exchange that prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction on the bribery counts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a legal hurdle that did not exist last year in the ComEd Four case, where McClain and three others were convicted on all counts related to the same alleged conduct. Marquez was on the stand for the bulk of last week, during which jurors heard and saw McClains relentless requests allegedly on behalf of Madigan that ComEd hire Madigans favored associates. Over and over, Marquez testified that he and other ComEd insiders complied with the requests so that Madigan would look favorably upon ComEd-friendly legislation in Springfield. Marquez, one of the prosecutions star witnesses, is back on the stand for a fourth day. His cross-examination could be lengthy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former ComEd executive began working with the FBI in early 2019 after agents confronted him at his mothers home and played incriminating calls captured on a secret wiretap. He went on to make multiple undercover recordings of his own, both audio and video, that provided the backbone for the biggest single allegation in the indictment: that Madigan supported ComEd-friendly legislation in exchange for a stream of benefits from the utility. Marquez pleaded guilty in 2020 to conspiracy to commit bribery. In exchange for his truthful testimony, prosecutors have said they will recommend a sentence of probation instead of prison time. Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House and the head of the state Democratic Party, faces racketeering charges alleging he ran his state and political operations like a criminal enterprise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Madigan and McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy, have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. As Marquezs direct examination wrapped up Tuesday, prosecutors showed another slew of emails and recordings in which McClain pushed ComEd to hire people with political connections. Madigan seemed particularly interested in getting a job for Vanessa Berrios, daughter of then-Cook County Democratic boss Joseph Berrios. The speaker apparently first floated the idea to McClain in a December 2018 phone call, which was played for jurors. My thought was that there might be a place for her at ComEd, Madigan told McClain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the ensuing months, McClain emailed Marquez at least twice about getting ComEd to hire Berrios, who had worked for her father when he headed the Cook County Assessors Office. In one email with the subject line Our Friend a reference to Madigan McClain wrote to Marquez that I get asked about her every Monday. Jurors have previously heard that Madigan and McClain met regularly on Mondays. Can we get our people to move? McClain wrote in the email, which had Vanessa Berrios resume attached. Berrios ultimately was offered an interview with ComEd, Marquez testified Tuesday, but declined to take it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In spring 2019, ComEd insider John Hooker told Marquez they were considering hiring former Madigan chief of staff Tim Mapes, who was ousted from the Speakers office in 2018 after being accused of sexual harassment. Former CEO Anne Pramaggiore had met with Mapes, Hooker said in an April 9 phone call secretly recorded by Marquez. Pramaggiore suggested that they hide (Mapes) contract in someone elses. I says, what you could do is put him in as a consultant with McClain, Hooker told Marquez on the phone. Madigan also had an interest in getting work for Jeffrey Rush, the son of longtime U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush. Jeffrey Rush had worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections, but got in trouble for having a sexual relationship with a parolee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a guy that Im gonna want to help somewhere along the road, Madigan told McClain in an August 2018 phone call. When McClain floated the idea to Marquez in May 2019, Marquez told him that that might be a bridge too far. I appreciate you being clear on his indiscretions, said Marquez, who by that point was cooperating with the government and had secretly recorded the meeting on video. That makes it hard for me to place him in good conscience within the company Im just being honest. Near the end of Marquezs direct examination Tuesday, prosecutors played a lengthy wiretapped recording from Feb 22, 2019, where Pramaggiore, Marquez, and McClain discussed who was going to be the Madigan point-person now that McClain was looking to step down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in a conundrum, McClain said on the call. McClain said, the speaker called me up and said, You know, Mike, um, we have this green set of bills that they want to do. Exelon Generation wants to do something. I always used you as the point person. But youre not here anymore, so whos the point person? Later in the call, McClain told Marquez whoever the new point person was, they have to have the speakers trust. And that persons gotta be very discreet, McClain said. And whoever that person is talking for the company, lets say its you. Uh, theres a code, right? At the end of the call, Pramaggiore told Marquez he should make a recommendation to new ComEd CEO Joseph Dominguez that the utility should consider making the point person McClain or Hooker. Theyre seasoned. They know what theyre doing. The speaker will accept them, Pramaggiore said. The day after the call, McClain sent a lengthy email to the group saying Hooker should be the point person for then-state Senate President John Cullerton, and that hed talk to lobbyist Will Cousineau, Madigans former political director, about playing that role with the speaker. Will has our Friends confidence right now, McClain wrote. Our Friend is very very cautious about letting people know and do what he needs done. ____ U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17) speaks to reporters at an event highlighting the Biden Administration's investment in infrastructure at the Kingsley Center Pittsburgh's Larimer neighborhood on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (Steve Mellon/Pittsburgh Union Progress) Were analyzing the results of the 2024 election by taking a closer look at some of the pivotal or unexpected outcomes. First up is an interview with U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17th District) who held off a GOP challenger in a key swing district. Pennsylvanias U.S. House delegation lost two Democrats in last Tuesdays election, and promising Democratic challengers in two hard-fought House districts in the central and eastern part of the state failed to unseat longtime Republican incumbents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in western Pennsylvania, Democrats in the House fared better. Incumbent Reps. Summer Lee (12th District) and Chris Deluzio (17th District) both won reelection. After Lee won a contentious primary against challenger Bhavini Patel in April, she was widely expected to win the general election, which she did, beating GOP challenger James Hayes 56.1% to 43.9%, according to unofficial results. But Deluzios reelection to a second term representing the district that includes parts of blue Allegheny and red Beaver counties was much more uncertain. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) put the race on its list of seats to flip in 2024. His opponent, state Rep. Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny) received a key endorsement from the conservative Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Action super PAC. Even his own party considered it to be a swing district; the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) named Deluzio as one of the vulnerable incumbents it sought to protect this cycle, adding him to its Frontline list of candidates. Hes the only one of the three U.S. House candidates from Pennsylvania on the Frontline list who won reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im very proud of the win, Deluzio told the Capital-Star. Im really proud we increased the margin, and especially in Beaver County, which moved to the right at the top of the ticket, but we moved it towards me. Deluzio outran Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, by more than 2 points across the district. Harris lost to President-elect Donald Trump in Beaver County 60% to 39%, according to unofficial tallies. And while Deluzio lost to Mercuri in Beaver, it was by a smaller margin; Mercuri won 57% and Deluzio won 43%. In Allegheny County, Harris beat Trump 59% to 40%, but in the Allegheny County part of District 17, Harris received 56% to Trumps 43.9%, a difference of 12 points. Deluzio beat Mercuri in the Allegheny County portion of his district, 57% to 43%, a difference of 14 points. Deluzio also increased the margins from his first election in 2022, when he won by 6.8% over challenger Jeremy Shaffer. This election, he won by 7.4% over Mercuri. Deluzio refrained from the blame game going on within some parts of the Democratic Party reeling from Harris loss to Trump, but said as a representative of a Rust Belt district, he understands the frustration that many voters have with those in power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether its powerful folks or forces or companies who hurt people or who are making life worse, I think theres a tendency among some in my party to always look for win-win framing, he said. And you know what? Sometimes theres a bad guy and youve got to kick his ass. One of the biggest issues Deluzio took on during his first term was rail safety. His district includes Darlington Township, which is right over the Ohio border from East Palestine. The February 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train there affected his constituents, and prompted him to introduce the House version of the Railway Safety Act. The legislation would tighten safety requirements on railroads and strengthen the U.S. Department of Transportations oversight. It has not advanced in the House. I think pretty central to what I was doing here was always making it clear who I was fighting for and who I was fighting against, Deluzio said. I think that came through in the fight on rail safety, standing up to the railroads, having the clear economic message I had about corporate power and what it means for life being expensive, and small businesses struggling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he said it was larger than just pushback against the railroad that helped him connect with voters. I think that in a lot of these mill towns in Beaver County and beyond, I had a pretty clear idea about how we can, number one, never go back to Wall Street and the corporate leaders stripping us for parts and outsourcing jobs and factories, and, in fact, a positive vision for what we can do to grow manufacturing and grow jobs here and get folks a shot the American dream, which was always central to both his campaigns, he said. [Sen.] John Fetterman and I put out our Make Stuff Here agenda a few months back, and were going to keep working on it. That was a key part of winning an election in the Rust Belt, Deluzio said. Deluzio credited a multi-year effort from people across the district to build a mobilization effort and operation to turn out votes and talk to voters. The labor movement was crucial to that as well, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive always said, and I said it on election night both times that Ive won now, that you dont win in western Pennsylvania without union workers backing you, he added. And I never took that support for granted. That was central to my economic pitch to voters and having a strong and vibrant labor movement is not just good for our economy and for workers, its how we can elect candidates who stand up for those workers. Deluzio was among the western Pennsylvania lawmakers who pushed the Biden administration to reject Nippon Steels proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel, a position that Trump has said he also favors. While no fan of the president-elect, Deluzio said that may be an area where he can work with a Trump administration. If the president elect is going to do crazy stuff and attack peoples rights and freedoms, and do some of the things laid out in Project 2025, Im going to fight tooth and nail on those things, he said. If hes going to continue the Biden administration and his administrations efforts to get tougher on trade, particularly with China, I will be supportive of those efforts. We need that for domestic steel manufacturing and other manufacturing. Ill do the what I would have done in any administration, which is to stand up for my region and push back where I need to push back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether Democrats will take control of the U.S. House hinges on several races that remain too close to call as of publication time. And the race between Casey and his GOP challenger Dave McCormick is still up in the air the Associated Press called the race for McCormick but Casey has not conceded, citing the number of votes still to be counted. But Deluzio expressed optimism that rail safety would be a priority regardless of which party controls the House or the Senate; Vice President-elect J.D. Vance was among the co-sponsors along with Casey and Fetterman of the Senate version of the Railway Safety Act. And if McCormick beats Casey, Deluzio hopes to find ways to work with him as well. Im going to work with whoever I need to, he added. But the job of delivering resources and having our senator stand up for Pennsylvania should not be a partisan one. This article was updated Nov. 12, 2024 to correct the vote count numbers in Allegheny County. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE YINCHUAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Wang Li, who is from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, thought of the desert as a nuisance when she was a child. "At the time, I really disliked the desert," said Wang, a 34-year-old native of the city of Zhongwei, where part of the Tengger Desert, China's fourth-largest desert, is located. "When sandstorms came, dust would fill the air, making it difficult for me to breathe, and trash and tree branches would fly into the sky," she still remembers. Little did Wang know that one day, after she had moved away, she would return to her hometown to work in the desert. Located on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, Zhongwei used to be among China's areas most severely affected by sandstorms. The desert once expanded to just 5 km from the city, causing farmlands to be invaded by sand and irrigation canals to be buried. To ensure the safe operations of the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway, China's first desert railway, the people of Zhongwei began working to combat desertification in the 1950s by making straw checkerboards to contain the sand, among other efforts. Thanks to their innovative approach to afforestation, the Tengger Desert has been pushed back by 25 km, marking a historic shift. This achievement has ensured the stable operations of the railway to the present day. As the threat of the desert was gradually removed, Zhongwei began to explore ways to transition from sand control to sand utilization in its development. The Shapotou scenic area, named after its sand dunes that once towered more than 100 meters in height, is a place where desert, the Yellow River, mountain and oasis landscapes converge. The national 5A-level scenic area, which is the highest level for tourist attractions in China, now offers tourist activities such as sand surfing and desert racing, providing locals and tourists alike with unique experiences. In 2012, after earning a degree in hotel management, Wang worked in the regional capital city of Yinchuan before returning to Zhongwei. She then joined Shapotou as a tour guide. Over the past 12 years, Wang has continued working in the scenic area. She tells tourists stories of Zhongwei's desert control efforts and helps them immerse themselves in the joys of sand. She has also witnessed how the desert economy has been injecting impetus into the high-quality development of the city. "As I learned more about the desert, my love for it deepened," she said. As the city's tourism industry transitions from catering to sightseeing tourists to welcoming holidaymakers, it has developed a host of immersive vacation products, such as stargazing-themed desert hotels. "The boom in desert tourism has also given rise to new professions such as desert barista, stargazing guide and desert DJ, driving local employment and income growth for young people. To date, 70,000 people in Zhongwei have benefited financially from the tourism boom," said Lyu Yongjun, director of Zhongwei's tourism, culture, sports, broadcasting and TV bureau. By Oct. 7, Zhongwei had handled over 17 million tourist visits this year, with the total tourist expenditure exceeding 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars). "In the past, people used to feel anxious when talking about the desert. But now, the desert has become a desirable destination for many, turning into our golden bank," Wang said. The city has also improved the efficiency of its integrated utilization of various resources, including land and solar energy. And it has successfully coordinated the development of photovoltaic power generation and ecological restoration. Zhongwei is not alone in promoting the development of the clean energy industry by utilizing the advantages of the desert in northwest China. The city of Wuwei in Gansu Province, located near the Tengger Desert, was once plagued by sand hazards. After seeing success in its sand control work, the local government seized the advantages of long sunshine hours and abundant solar energy resources to develop a localized photovoltaic industry. In October 2021, Wuwei implemented a 500,000-kilowatt photovoltaic demonstration project in the desert. Generating power above and controlling desertification below, the project has multiple, simultaneous uses. "We have made technological innovations in traditional photovoltaic power generation, extending the span of photovoltaic panels to 33 meters and increasing the height to 4 meters. By using double-sided photovoltaic panels, power generation efficiency has increased by 8 percent to 15 percent," said Yin Heping, who works at Elion Resources Group, a leading green industry enterprise in China. Li Zhenhai, deputy director of the development and reform commission of Wuwei, said that each year, the project can save 270,000 tonnes of standard coal, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 710,000 tonnes, and treat over 1,333 hectares of desertified land. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- Democrat Ed Sutton is eager to get to work as one of Charlestons newest state senators. Sutton easily defeated Libertarian Kendal Ludden in the newly drawn District 20 during the Nov. 5 election, garnering 73% of the vote to Luddens 26%. There were 209 write-in votes. Im excited, very enthusiastic to represent this area, Sutton said. I was very deliberate. I wanted to run a campaign based on improving quality of lifeand of course, given the results of the election, I think that really reflected with people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025 legislative session does not officially start until January 14, but preparation is already underway for Sutton who will spend the next two months meeting with colleagues in Columbia and pre-filing legislation. The first piece of legislation he wants to pursue? His version of the Compassionate Care Act, a bill that would legalize the use of medical marijuana in South Carolina. Im a military veteran and one of the problems currently with my generation is were being overprescribed opoids for things like PTSD or pain, and I think theres much better options available, Sutton said. The proposal, long championed by Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort), has failed repeatedly over the past decade despite widespread public support, but Sutton hopes he can help push it across the finish line this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes in Columbia, it does take a couple of times going after it, he said. I think with some of the new, incoming folks, it sounds like the voters may be a little more favorable there so hopefully this is the year. If not, I look forward to joining that team and being part of the process of making sure that we finally get this passed for the veterans in our state. Map: How many veterans live in South Carolina? Sutton also campaigned on a promise to strengthen and modernize infrastructure within the district to keep up with rapid population growth, which he said leaders have failed to do thus far. He also said he would work to secure funding for climate resiliency projects, especially the citys plan to construct a sea wall around the peninsula to protect against rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downtown Charleston is the economic engine of this region, he said. Its where our jobs are, its where a lot of our tax revenue is generated so we gotta make sure downtown stays dry for the next generation. Maintaining and improving public education is another top priority for Sutton, who pointed specifically to his opposition to the states K-12 voucher program signed into law last year. The South Carolina Supreme Court struck down part of the law in September, deeming it violated the states constitutional prohibition against using government funds to benefit private educational institutions. But, Republicans are expected to move quickly this session on a similar law to reinstate the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats probably going to be one of the more contentious fights that we can expect coming up here this next year, Sutton said. Sutton is one of 13 new faces joining the state senate following an election that saw Republicans flip four seats to clinch a supermajority in the upper chamber. Fernandez, Holman flip seats to advance to SC Statehouse He acknowledged that the shift could present challenges but would not dissuade him from working for his constituents, stressing the importance of reaching across the aisle. Forming coalitions, and again working on ideas and deemphasizing that tribal aspect of politics, I think, is going to be key to getting things done, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 20 was moved from Richland to Charleston following the 2020 census to account for faster population growth and now encompasses parts of West Ashley, James Island, and the peninsula. Charleston differs from neighboring counties in that it is more politically-mixed, or purple. Kamala Harris won the county on November 5 and former Gov. Nikki Haley outperformed Donald Trump there during the February 24 GOP presidential primary. I think thats a reflection that Charleston County is not a hyperpartisan county, Sutton said. People from any party can win here and I think thats a good thing. Im excited to represent a county that is more focused on ideas and less so on partisanship, he added. 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. George Whitesides has defeated three-term GOP Rep. Mike Garcia, flipping a long-coveted Los Angeles area House seat to the Democrats column. Garcia who conceded the race Monday was a top target for multiple cycles, given the Democrats 10-point registration advantage in the district and his conservative votes in the House. But he had proven surprisingly durable in the blue-leaning seat, leaning on his fighter-jet pilot past to appeal to voters in a district dominated by aerospace. This time, Democrats were able to successfully use Garcias record against him, particularly as they hammered him on his past support for a national abortion ban. The party also fielded a stronger challenger to take on Garcia. Whitesides, the former CEO of Virgin Galactic, delivered his own aerospace bona fides and a strong fundraising performance. He was aided by millions of dollars in spending from Democratic outside groups, a stark contrast from 2022 when they pulled out of the pricey Los Angeles media market in the closing weeks of the campaign. Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego will win a closely watched US Senate seat in Arizona, CNN projects, defeating Republican Kari Lake to become the states first Latino senator. Gallego will succeed retiring independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democrat, as he joins the soon-to-be-GOP-controlled chamber in January. His win is a bright spot for Democrats, who lost the presidency and their Senate majority last week. CNN has not yet projected the race for control of the US House of Representatives. With Donald Trump winning Arizona, Gallego also becomes one of several Democrats who were able to win Senate seats this year while the president-elect was carrying their states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate election in Arizona pitted Gallego, a fifth-term congressman who rebranded himself as a moderate in the general election, against Lake, the 2022 GOP nominee for governor and a close Trump ally who pushed false conspiracies about the 2020 election and her own loss two years later. Gallego on Monday thanked Republicans who voted for him, saying, They took a chance on me. And were not going to agree all the time, and Im going to always seek the input, and were going to find middle ground where we can, he said at a news conference shortly after the race was called. But at the core, Im always going to defend the Constitution of the United States and the interests of everyday Arizonans. Asked what hed fight against with a Republican White House and Senate majority, Gallego said, When its time to fight we will fight the administration. When theres places that we can find common ground, well find common ground, but that hed ultimately do what is the best for Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The race was defined by issues such as the economy, high cost of housing, illegal immigration into the border state and abortion rights. Gallego, who would be the first Latino senator from Arizona, vowed to fight to fix a broken immigration system and security and to lower costs on everything, gas, groceries, rent and more. Preelection polling showed Lake struggling to match Trumps numbers, especially among independents. Gallego, a former member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, outraised and outspent Lake, who did not receive help from the main Senate GOP super PAC tied to Republican leader Mitch McConnell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born in Chicago, Gallego is of Colombian and Mexican heritage. He served in the US Marines and was deployed to Iraq. He has spoken about seeing some of the worst fighting there and has been open about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder. Gallego was first elected to Congress in 2014 to represent a deep-blue district in the Phoenix area. He previously served two terms in the Arizona House. This story has been updated with additional reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego is projected to beat Republican rabble-rouser Kari Lake in the race to become Arizonas next U.S. senator after Lake seemed to struggle to win over moderate and independent voters. Gallego, a congressman since 2015, succeeds Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democrat who became an independent and then opted not to run for reelection. Lakes loss marks the second time the former newscaster failed to clinch a statewide office in Arizona after she fell short in the 2022 governors race. She technically never conceded to Democrat Katie Hobbs two years ago and, following Trumps playbook, tried unsuccessfully to challenge her loss in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She will do anything and say anything to gain power, including lying, Gallego said during their debate last month. Both Gallego and Lake tried to modulate to the middle to win over Arizonas sizable contingent of unaffiliated voters. Gallego, a military veteran who left the House Progressive Caucus as he ramped up his campaign, leaned into border security a tough issue for Democrats. At their only scheduled debate, Lake blamed him for the dysfunction at the U.S.-Mexico border and accused him of conducting an extreme makeover of his progressive record. Gallego also angered progressives when he wrote to the Department of Justice opposing the proposed federal takeover of the Phoenix Police Department following the Arizona Police Associations endorsement of his campaign in August. Lake kicked off her campaign with a MAGA overhaul, vowing to welcome voters of all stripes into her coalition and forgoing divisive talk. It was short-lived. Lake blasted the fake news at the Republican convention over the summer and falsely claimed that Gallego voted to let millions of people who poured into our country illegally cast a ballot in this upcoming election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polls of Arizonas presidential and Senate races had shown Lake running behind Trump in the state which also meant that Gallego was running ahead of Harris. Its not immediately clear why so many voters decided to split tickets in this race, but the state and its politicians are known for their independent streak. The late Sen. John McCain (a Trump critic whom both Lake and Trump have derided) cast the tie-breaking vote in 2017 protecting the Affordable Care Act. Arizona is the site of one of the nations most expensive U.S. Senate contests, with both candidates and their allies spending a combined $92 million. See full results from the Arizona Senate election here. Correction: A previous headline on this article incorrectly described Kari Lakes former profession. (Bloomberg) -- Republican incumbent Mike Garcia conceded defeat to Democrat George Whitesides in the Californias 27th Congressional District election, according to his post on X. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitesides is the former chief executive officer of Virgin Galactic. He also previously served as the chief of staff for NASA. In Congress, you can count on me to fight to create more good local jobs, lower everyday costs, build safe communities, protect Social Security and Medicare, and protect reproductive freedom, he said in a statement. Garcia, a former executive at Raytheon Co., had held a seat in Congress since 2020. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. DENVER (KDVR) The Denver City Council voted on Mayor Mike Johnstons proposed budget for 2025 on Tuesday afternoon and passed it. The budget, in part, aims to combat an expected drop in federal funding for several projects, officials said. Leaders said housing and safety continue to be key funding priorities. According to officials, the citys general fund is estimated to be up 0.6% from 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More people moved to Colorado from Texas than any other state in 2023 Highlights from the funding proposal include: Denvers 2025 general fund: $1.76 billion Affordable housing: $215 million Safety: $39.7 million Vibrant Denver program (supports small businesses and local economy:) $37.9 million Transportation projects: $2.2 million Green energy: $16 million Affordable childcare and youth programs: $8.5 million Leaders said about $220 million would be in reserves. It also sets aside about $12.5 million for Denver to assist in migrant arrivals a drop of about $90 million budgeted for the current year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A breakdown of the budget can be found on the citys website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) Denver Public Schools will close seven schools and restructure three others at the end of the 2024-25 school year. DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero presented the list of schools to the Denver Public Schools Board of Education on Thursday. The schools recommended to close include: Columbian Elementary Castro Elementary Schmitt Elementary International Academy of Denver at Harrington Palmer Elementary West Middle School Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the grade-level restructures, impacted schools and grade levels include: Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy Removal of 1st through 5th grades Becomes 6th through 12th grades only Dora Moore ECE-8 School Removal of grades 6th through 8th Becomes ECE through 5th grade only Denver Center for International Studies Baker Middle School Removal of 9th through 12th grades Becomes 6th through 8th grades only Jefferson County parents raise money for American flags in classrooms Now, board members will visit each school and listen to public comments during the special sessions. During the week of Nov. 11-15, the DPS Board of Education will hold one special public comment session dedicated exclusively to each of the schools that have been recommended for closure. This allows students, staff, families and the community to inform the board of their views on the recommendation. Schedule for Denver Public Schools closure public comment. (DPS) Regular public comment will be held on Monday, Nov. 18 at the Emily Griffith Campus for students, staff, families and community members who do not have the opportunity to speak at the school-specific public comment sessions. People can sign up to speak online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DPS officials said a few factors went into the recommendations, including how much of the school buildings are utilized and sustainable enrollment. Since the 2018-19 school year, about 15 DPS schools have closed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) After a sunny and seasonal Veterans Day, more clouds move into the Denver weather forecast ahead of light rain and snow showers Tuesday night. The precipitation will be brief and snow totals will be minimal, if any at all, as the rain will cut into any possible accumulations. Pinpoint Weather: Winter weather advisory on Nov. 12 View the latest Weather Alerts in Denver and across Colorado on FOX31 There is a winter weather advisory for the Flat Tops and the Elkhead and Park Mountain ranges for areas above 9,000 feet in elevation. Five to 10 inches of snow is possible. Weather today: Mountain snow showers, increasing clouds in Denver Temperatures Tuesday morning will start in the 20s and 30s before rising into the middle 50s under partly cloudy skies. Pinpoint Weather: Forecast highs on Nov. 12 Winds will be out of the southwest anywhere from 5-15 mph. In the mountains, scattered snow showers will start Tuesday afternoon and continue through the evening. One to three inches of snow is possible. Pinpoint Weather: Snow forecast on Nov. 12 Weather tonight: Chance for rain and snow There is a chance of rain and snow showers Tuesday night after dinner time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The night will start as overcast to mostly cloudy, and then after midnight, look for the clouds to clear out. Overnight lows will be in the upper 20s and lower 30s. Pinpoint Weather: Overnight lows on Nov. 12 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking ahead: Sunshine returns midweek Sunshine and seasonally cool temperatures return on Wednesday. Then, above-normal temperatures move in on Thursday and Friday alongside plenty of sunshine. When will Coloradans receive their 2025 TABOR refund? Pinpoint Weather 7-day forecast for Denver on Nov. 12 More sunshine is in the forecast this weekend with high temperatures in the mid-50s on Saturday, then cooler and breezy on Sunday. The next chance for showers moves in by the start of next week. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WMBD) Droughts, floods and insects are a few disasters that affect farmers and other producers ability to grow crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking for public opinion on how to prepare farmers for these climate related occurrences. Terry Cosby of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Department feels the farmers and other agricultural leaders have the best idea of climate change, as they are on the front lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agricultural producers are on the front lines of climate change, and we want to hear from the public how we can improve our conservation practice standards to best serve our producers in climate mitigation and adaptation in the years to come, said Cosby. Perdue chicken nuggets, tenders recalled due to possible metal contamination One thing the USDA is wanting help with is what they call adaptation to help farmers adjust with the climate change, whether thats droughts, wildfires or invasive insects among other climate change affects, they said. The agency is mainly looking for input on the following categories: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waste Storage Facility; Brush Management; Herbaceous Weed Treatment; Soil Carbon Amendment; Prescribed Burning; Roofs and Covers; Fuel Break; Wildlife Habitat Planting; Drainage Water Management; Nutrient Management; Feed Management; Waste Separation Facility; Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural Communities; and Forest Stand Improvement. If you have comments, you can submit them by Dec. 23, 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 CIProud.com. Freight containers are stacked up at Centennial Container Terminal, a major container port in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Nov. 12, 2024. Canada's federal government on Tuesday stepped in to end the work stoppages and labor disputes at the country's major ports including the largest two, Vancouver and Montreal. (Photo by Liang Sen/ Xinhua) OTTAWA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Canada's federal government on Tuesday stepped in to end the work stoppages and labor disputes at the country's major ports including the largest two, Vancouver and Montreal. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced in a press conference the binding arbitration measure, directing the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order the resumption of all operations at the ports. MacKinnon said he has also directed the board to extend the terms of the existing collective agreements until new ones are reached. The work stoppages at the ports in British Columbia and Montreal are significantly impacting supply chains, thousands of jobs, and Canada's reputation as a reliable trading partner, the minister said. The Maritime Employers Association locked out 1,200 longshore workers at the Port of Montreal on Sunday night after workers voted to reject the contract offer. The strike action came after the B.C. Maritime Employers Association locked out more than 730 dock foremen across the west coast ports last week. These work stoppages followed the 13-day strike at the B.C. ports in July 2023, which disrupted the flow of goods into Canada, resulting in 10.7 billion Canadian dollars (7.7 billion U.S. dollars) worth of cargo being held up and diverted elsewhere. Freight containers are stacked up at Centennial Container Terminal, a major container port in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Nov. 12, 2024. Canada's federal government on Tuesday stepped in to end the work stoppages and labor disputes at the country's major ports including the largest two, Vancouver and Montreal. (Photo by Liang Sen/ Xinhua) A container ship loaded with stacks of containers is anchored in Vancouver Harbour outside Centennial Container Terminal, British Columbia, Canada, Nov. 12, 2024. Canada's federal government on Tuesday stepped in to end the work stoppages and labor disputes at the country's major ports including the largest two, Vancouver and Montreal. (Photo by Liang Sen/ Xinhua) Florida school boards removed more than 700 books from school libraries during the 2023-2024 school year, according to the Florida Department of Education. (Photo: Getty Images) During the 2023-2024 school year, Florida schools removed nearly twice as many books than the year before following challenges from parents and community members. Schools removed 732 titles during the 2023-2024 school year, on top of 386 removed the year before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-three districts contributed to the list, with Clay, Indian River, and Volusia counties making up significant portions. The removals stem from state laws requiring school boards to adopt protocols for screening books deemed to be pornographic or contain sexual content. Florida book removals have been the subject of lawsuits claiming censorship and limiting freedom of expression. There are no books banned in Florida, and sexually explicit materials do not belong in schools, Florida Department of Education Communications Director Sydney Booker said in an email to the Phoenix. She added that of the more than 700 books on the list, some of the same titles have been counted in multiple districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of book challenges may have been too high in the eyes of legislators. A law passed earlier this year, after the reporting period for the above data, could lower the number of challenges in the years to come. HB 1285 limits nonparents living in a school district to one book challenge per month. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PEN America report Less than two weeks ago, PEN America released its tally of books that had been removed from Florida school libraries during the 2023-2024 school year. By PEN Americas count, schools removed about 4,500 books from Florida libraries. The methodology between the freedom of expression advocacy organization and the state differs, though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PENs list includes books temporarily removed while awaiting a final decision from the school board, and administrative removals, another method to take books off shelves. The states count includes only books removed by school boards and does not include books removed pending challenges. By PENs tally, Florida removed more books than any other state during the previous school year. One lawsuit filed by major book publishers and several authors of removed books argues state definitions of pornographic and describes sexual content are unconstitutional and have resulted in censorship. The publishers argue that vagueness and ambiguity result in overbroad interpretations of [the laws] prohibition on content that describes sexual conduct and chill protected speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Department of Education stands by the limitations put on school libraries. Once again, far left activists are pushing the book ban hoax on Floridians, Booker said. The better question is why do these activists continue to fight to expose children to sexually explicit materials. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE GENEVA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) One person was killed and another seriously injured in a crash caused by a deer near Bangor Monday morning, authorities say. It happened around 5:15 a.m. on M-43 near 66th Street in Geneva Township. The Van Buren County Sheriffs Office says a deer ran into the road. An eastbound driver hit it and then lost control, causing his car to cross the centerline. The car hit a westbound SUV head-on. The driver of the eastbound car, a 28-year-old Bangor-area man, was pinned in his car. He died at the scene, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the SUV, a 26-year-old Lawrence-area woman, was also pinned in and had to be freed by firefighters. She was taken to the hospital with injuries that are considered serious but not life-threatening. Deputies say the Bangor-area man was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the SUV was wearing a seat belt. M-43 was shut down for several hours while the crash was investigated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) Deputies in Pitt County are still looking for suspects involved in a car theft that occurred two weeks ago. Multiple cars were stolen from the D&S Auto Source near Farmville. The owner of the dealership tells WNCT that the suspect broke through the back door of the business, stole the keys for seven cars and ripped a safe off the wall. A Dodge Charger was stolen but later found in Wayne County where one suspect was identified. Warrants are now out for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You feel frustrated and you feel angry and upset all at the same time and its a major deal, you know, its our life. Im not a millionaire, Im not making tons of money Im making enough to put food on the table and provide them a somewhat decent life and then this happens, said Spencer Beamon, owner of D&S Auto Source. The dealership started a GoFundMe to help cover their losses and improve security. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has an opportunity. With president-elect Donald Trump expected to name Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, DeSantis will soon have the power to temporarily appoint someone to fill Rubios seat in the U.S. Senate. Thats because Florida is one of 34 states in the country that authorize governors to fill a Senate vacancy by picking a replacement who will hold the seat until the next regularly scheduled general election is held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, legal questions swirl as to whether the Republican governor who is set to leave his post in January 2027 due to term limits could appoint himself to the U.S. Senate. What does Florida law allow? Florida law allows the governor to appoint a replacement for Rubio, and there is nothing in state law that would preclude DeSantis from appointing himself, said Mark Herron, a Tallahassee-based attorney who specializes in ethics and election laws. The more likely or cleaner scenario would be to have the lieutenant governor appoint him, Herron said. That would mean that DeSantis would resign as governor, allowing Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, of Miami, to take his post and appoint him directly to the Senate seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis office did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment on whether the governor was considering such a move. The appointment would last until 2026, when the next general election is scheduled to be held. Then, the appointee would have to win again in 2028 to secure a full term. By that time, the 2028 presidential race for the GOP nomination would be well underway. DeSantis who earlier this year campaigned for the GOP presidential nomination and bowed out of the race after one contest in Iowa is still seen as a potential GOP presidential contender. Are there political risks to a self-appointment? History shows that voters do not take kindly to governors who appoint themselves to the U.S. Senate or who resign and have their successors appoint them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2009, NPR found that of all the governors that had appointed themselves to the U.S. Senate, only one was able to win a subsequent election, showing that there is political risk to self-appointments. In Florida, no governor has ever appointed themselves to the U.S. Senate. Back in 2009, then-Republican Florida Gov. Charlie Crist had the chance to do so, but instead picked his chief of staff, George LeMieux to the post. Crist ran for the seat in 2010 and lost to Rubio. This time around, many political observers have pointed to DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier as a possible appointee. Uthmeier was the governors presidential campaign manager and is seen as a possible seat warmer in the Senate role until 2026. This would possibly give DeSantis the option to run for the Senate seat himself when his time is up as Florida governor. MIAMI - If President-elect Donald Trump selects Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Gov. Ron DeSantis would gain the power to appoint Rubio's temporary Senate replacement. Rubio, who was re-elected to his six-year term in 2022, would vacate a seat that doesn't end until 2028. The appointed replacement would serve until a 2026 special election to complete the final two years of Rubio's term meaning the appointee would have to win again in 2028 to secure a full term. CBS News Miami's Jim DeFede, citing conversations with multiple Republican sources, reports that several scenarios are being discussed for how DeSantis may proceed: Appointing chief of staff James Uthmeier Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uthmeier, who serves as DeSantis's chief of staff and was campaign manager for his presidential campaign, could act as a caretaker in the Senate role until 2026. This move would give DeSantis the option to run for the Senate seat himself in the 2026 special election, aligning with the end of his gubernatorial term. Appointing Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez Nunez, a Cuban-American from Miami, has been a loyal ally to DeSantis. Her appointment could provide continuity for Cuban-American representation, replacing Rubio, who shares the same background. DeSantis takes the Senate seat DeSantis could work with Nunez to resign as governor, allowing her to ascend to the governorship and appoint him directly to the Senate seat, bypassing the need to wait until 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other potential contenders for DeSantis's appointment include Attorney General Ashley Moody and former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva, who is also a Cuban-American from Miami. There's also speculation that DeSantis could appoint his wife, Casey DeSantis to the seat. Casey DeSantis has long been involved in state government and she enjoys wide popularity across the state. With several Republican leaders in the mix, DeSantis's decision could reshape Florida's political landscape, especially if he eyes the Senate seat himself as part of a longer-term strategy. Robots sculpt marble in Italy, sparking worries about future of art form | 60 Minutes Russian defectors, Putin critics suffer mysterious, violent deaths | 60 Minutes The factors that led to Donald Trump's victory World-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli is giving a private concert on Tuesday to an audience that includes Floridas Ron DeSantis, state agency heads and Italian businessmen and dignitaries as the Republican governor leads a week-long trade-mission in Italy. The private concert was planned at Palazzo Borghese in Florence, with an expected crowd of about 200 people, according to a source familiar with the event. Bocelli invited Florida delegation members and Italian business leaders to see him sing at no cost to the delegation, the source said. DeSantis trade-mission in Italy was announced on Friday, but the concert was not disclosed to the public as part of the itinerary. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment about the concert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor is leading an 85-person delegation in a trade mission that has so far included stops in Rome, Viareggio and Florence, and will continue the rest of the week in Turin and Milan. The trade mission comes on the heels of an election that was largely seen as a victory for Republicans in the state and for DeSantis, who defeated two ballot initiatives on abortion and marijuana that he staunchly opposed. While abroad, DeSantis has also learned that he will have the opportunity to appoint someone to the U.S. Senate as president-elect Trump is expected to name Marco Rubio as his secretary of state. What has the Florida delegation done in Italy? On Monday, the governor and members of the delegation met with shipbuilders and Italian chambers of commerce. The governors office also announced that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sapienza University of Rome have entered into a partnership to share research on the aerospace industry. On Tuesday, DeSantis met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, according to the governors office, which announced that Florida will have an expanded footprint in Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida is greatly expanding its Italian presence, and we are pleased to announce our newest international trade office will be in Italy, DeSantis said. Our brick-and-mortar presence here will continue the work of this trade mission in bringing more businesses, investment, and trade to Florida. Members of the delegation include Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Florida Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly, New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran and Florida State University President Richard McCullough, according to the governors office. A spokesperson for FloridaCommerce, which is helping coordinate the trade mission, did not directly address questions about the concert, but said on Tuesday that the trip is being privately funded through SelectFlorida, the states official international commerce organization. The mission will provide many cultural and business-to-business networking opportunities for both Floridian and Italian companies to expand relationships, commerce, and trade, the spokeswoman, Rose Hebert said. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On Nov. 12, 1954, Ellis Island officially closed as an immigration station and detention center. More than 12 million immigrants arrived in the United States via Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954. It has since become a tourist attraction for at least one big reason: family history. The federally owned island in New York Harbor, situated within the states of New Jersey and New York, it was once the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the U.S. Its estimated that as many as 12 million immigrants checked in through that location, including likely some of our ancestors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is estimated that 100 million Americans can claim an ancestor who went through Ellis Island, according to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. And thanks to a project began more than 20 years ago, Americans can trace their ancestors arrival in America, thanks to a new Ellis Island immigrants database compiled by volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The database was compiled and placed online through a partnership among the church, the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and the National Park Service. Computer searches will be available to the millions who visit the American Family Immigration Center at Ellis Island, plus innumerable more people who will be able to search the internet. A $100 million renovation of the historic island was announced earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about Ellis Island, the immigration story and the opportunity to learn more about ones ancestors: Ellis Island is abuzz again this time with museum visitors Post offices, Ellis Island join endangered list Relive your family history at Ellis Island Unveiling of a heritage This undated photo provided by Brown Brothers shows a mother and child at Ellis Island in New York. | Brown Brothers, Associated Press Ellis Island expands its story of U.S. immigration history Ellis Island immigrant extraction: project of mammoth dimensions Students learn compassion by getting a taste of being immigrants Ellis Island tales of history now online Ellis Island: Echoes from our past Hope, tears at Ellis Island Hospital Graffiti at Ellis Island mark the passing of immigrants on threshold of new land How the Ellis Island of the South is teaching Americans to care for immigrants People with both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease face a heart health double-whammy, a new study says. Men with both diabetes and kidney disease will develop heart health problems 28 years earlier than those without either condition, researchers reported Monday at an American Heart Association meeting in Chicago. Women with diabetes and kidney disease will develop heart problems 26 years earlier, results show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our findings help to interpret the combination of risk factors that will lead to a high predicted cardiovascular disease risk and at what age they have an impact on risk," lead study author Vaishnavi Krishnan, a researcher at Northwestern University in Chicago and a medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, said in a news release. "For example, if someone has borderline-elevated levels of blood pressure, glucose and/or impaired kidney function, but they don't yet have hypertension or diabetes or chronic kidney disease, their risk may not be recognized," Krishan said. For the study, researchers used federal health survey data from 2011 to 2020 to create heart risk profiles for people who have type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, or both. Kidney disease and type 2 diabetes are two of the four components of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, which the heart association defines as the overall health risk that arises from the interplay of heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes and obesity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Results show that adults with chronic kidney disease develop higher risk of heart disease eight years earlier than those with healthy kidneys. Likewise, people with type 2 diabetes have elevated heart disease risk about a decade sooner than those without diabetes. But when combined, the two conditions appear to work together to drive heart health risk even higher, researchers found. Adults with both type 2 diabetes and kidney disease have a higher heart risk starting at age 42 for women and 35 for men. That's 26 and 28 years earlier, respectively, compared to people without the two health problems, researchers found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, researchers warned that their findings are based on a simulated population. "This is an early step in the process of understanding how a risk model works," researcher Dr. Sadiya Khan said in a news release. Khan is a professor of cardiovascular epidemiology and an associate professor of cardiology, medical social sciences and preventive medicine at Northwestern School of Medicine. Because theses findings were presented at a medical meeting, they should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. More information The American Heart Association has more on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome. Copyright 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved. GHENT, WV (WVNS) Veterans Day is an annual celebration in which we give thanks to those who have served and continue to serve in any branch of the United States military. Serving ones country is an honorable thing, and to show our gratitude to those that either gave up so much of their lives to serve or laid down their lives in the line of duty, we honor them with parades, fanfare, memorials, and celebrations of all kinds. But how did Veterans Day come about in the United States? When did we begin to really acknowledge and celebrate the men and women that serve our nation? Lets (briefly) explore the fascinating history of Veterans Day and conclude with some interesting facts! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil War and West Virginia: Who is considered the first Union casualty? According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, it all started at the close of World War I. The conflict, known at the time as The Great War or The War to End All Wars, legally came to an end with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, but hostilities ended between the Allied forces and Germany on November 11, 1918. More precisely, fighting was to cease at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day on the eleventh month of the year. Celebration erupted across the world as the conflict came it an end, a conflict which left more than nine million soldiers dead. On November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared that the day was Armistice Day, in which parades were held, as were brief breaks in the work day beginning at 11 a.m. To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the countrys service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations President Woodrow Wilson, November 11, 1919 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1938, the day was declared Armistice Day annually and made a legal holiday, particularly to celebrate World War I veterans due to the horrific toll the war took on the world at large. However, as World War II began to explode into the public consciousness and the death toll skyrocketed, movements began to change the name of the holiday, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. World War II turned into the worst war in history due to the sheer scale of the death toll worldwide. To answer the growing movement, Congress chose to change the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954. Veteran returns to Vietnam in search of West Virginia comrades remains In 1971, legislation was signed by President Gerald Ford which made the observed date of Veterans Day on November 11 regardless of what day it fell on due to its significance to military members and their families, as well as the historical significance of the holiday. Fast Facts: The correct way to write Veterans Day according to the Department of Veterans Affairs is without the apostrophe. The day doesnt belong to veterans, but it is a day in which we honor them. The difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day is that, while they both celebrate our nations military men and women, Memorial Day is a remembrance of those that lost their lives or laid down their lives in battle. Veterans Day is a way to thank all of those who served in the U.S. military. Other countries celebrate Veterans Day throughout the world in their own way. In England and Canada, they honor their veterans and deceased military members by wearing a poppy flowers on their lapels during Remembrance Day activities. Many countries lay wreaths on the tombs of unknown soldiers throughout the world as well. The first American to be killed in World War I is believed to be Leon Thrasher of Massachusetts. The last American to be killed in World War II, and potentially the last soldier killed in World War II overall, is Henry Gunther who died less than one minute before the armistice was set to go into effect on November 11, 1918. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To our veteran viewers, thank you for your service, and have a wonderful Veterans Day. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. BEIRUT, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has "made intensive efforts with all parties" to achieve a ceasefire in Lebanon, a senior UN official said Tuesday. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, made the remarks in a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, according to a statement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers. During the meeting, Lacroix stressed that his visit to Lebanon aims to express solidarity with the country and its people. Meanwhile, the UN official highlighted the importance of implementing UN Resolution 1701, as well as the cooperation between the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese army to address the situation in southern Lebanon. For his part, Mikati thanked Lacroix for his visit and expressed his appreciation to UNIFIL forces for their insistence on their mission despite the current difficult circumstances. He added that the Lebanese government "is committed to implementing Resolution 1701 and supports full cooperation between the army and UNIFIL." Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been launching an intensive air attack on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah. In early October, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon. In recent weeks, Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon, resulting in injuries to peacekeepers and drawing international criticism. The Supreme Court of Texas on Friday removed its temporary block on the execution of Robert Roberson, saying that Texas legislators subpoenas cant be used to halt death row inmates scheduled executions. But the ruling came after Robersons execution, which was scheduled for Oct. 17, was delayed so the states highest civil court could settle a dispute over the separation of powers between the branches of state government. Fridays ruling did not wade into Robersons guilt or innocence. The court previously paused Robersons execution after the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee subpoenaed the death row inmate, calling on the 57-year-old East Texan convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter to testify about his criminal case at the Texas Capitol four days after his scheduled execution. We conclude that under these circumstances the committees authority to compel testimony does not include the power to override the scheduled legal process leading to an execution, the Friday court ruling stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [There are warring depictions of Robert Robersons murder case. Heres what to know.] That House committee subpoena triggered an unprecedented question about the state constitutions separation of powers does the legislative members subpoena take precedence over the executive branchs power to implement a death sentence, or is it the other way around? By requiring his testimony on a date after the scheduled execution, the subpoena created a conflict involving all three branches of government, justices wrote Friday. Robersons death sentence remains intact, but a new execution must be scheduled. The supreme court ruling noted theres time for Robersons testimony to be heard by the committee. Reference Supreme Court of Texas ruling that a subpoena from lawmakers cannot halt a scheduled execution. (195.6 KB) If the committee still wishes to obtain his testimony, we assume that the (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) department can reasonably accommodate a new subpoena, the court ruling stated. So long as a subpoena issues in a way that does not inevitably block a scheduled execution, nothing in our holding prevents the committee from pursuing judicial relief in the ordinary way to compel a witnesss testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Reps. Joe Moody, an El Paso Democrat, and Jeff Leach, a Plano Republican, said in a joint statement that while it was never their committees intent to use the subpoena to delay an execution, they were pleased the court confirmed the subpoena and their lawsuit were valid. The Supreme Court strongly reinforced our belief that our Committee can indeed obtain Mr. Roberson's testimony and made clear that it expects the Executive Branch of government to accommodate us in doing so, the two lawmakers stated. That has been our position all along, and we look forward to working with the Executive Branch to do just that." Heres what you need to know. The background: Roberson was convicted of murdering his chronically-ill, 2-year-old daughter Nikki Curtis, who Roberson said in 2002 had fallen off the bed at the family home in Palestine before he rushed her to the emergency room. A doctor diagnosed Nikki with shaken baby syndrome, which presumes abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robersons defense attorney did not dispute the diagnosis during trial, only arguing that Roberson did not intend to kill his daughter. But in the years since the trial, new scientific and medical evidence has emerged showing that the symptoms associated with shaken baby syndrome could also point to naturally occurring medical conditions. In multiple appeals over the past two decades, experts raised evidence that Nikki had undiagnosed pneumonia in the days before her fall and that it progressed to the point of sepsis and suppressed her breathing. She was also prescribed medications no longer given to infants. During an October 2024 legislative hearing, a juror in Robersons trial said she would not have convicted Roberson had she been presented with all of Nikkis medical records, including a CT scan and toxicology report. Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton meanwhile maintain that Roberson is guilty and that the case has already been properly adjudicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why the Texas House committee sued: Committee members say they called on Roberson to testify after hearing expert testimony about Texas 2013 junk science law, which allows courts to overturn a conviction when the scientific evidence at the center of the case has been discredited. Roberson has tried unsuccessfully to use the law to win a new trial. After the House committee issued the subpoena, they obtained a temporary restraining order from a Travis County civil court to halt Robersons execution. Paxton then filed a petition in the Criminal Court of Appeals on behalf of TDCJ, asking the states highest criminal court to vacate that decision because the civil court didnt have jurisdiction over the matter. The appeals court decided in Paxtons favor. But the House committee responded by filing an emergency motion with the Supreme Court of Texas, the states highest civil court. The House argued that the Court of Criminal Appeals did not have jurisdiction over the case because a subpoena is a civil matter. The Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction halting the execution and asked each side to supply legal briefs before issuing a final judgment. What the state argued: Paxton successfully asserted that the courts order forcing the state to halt a lawfully imposed criminal judgment flouts the separation of powers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relief sought by the House Committee here usurps the Governors exclusive prerogative to grant one thirty-day reprieve in a capital case, Paxtons office writes in a legal brief. The Constitutions specific grants of authority to the CCA and the Governor with respect to criminal judgments and temporary reprieves, respectively, thus necessarily trump any general subpoena power. What the House committee argued: Lawmakers, including committee Chair Joe Moody, D-El Paso, and committee member Jeff Leach, R-Plano, argued that Paxtons office prevented TDCJ from complying with the subpoena and blocked him Roberson from testifying. They said issuing the subpoena didnt assume the powers of another branch because Robersons execution was only temporarily halted and lawmakers are constitutionally allowed to hear testimony in order to inform policy making. Given the dispute over some facts in Robersons case, the Committee deemed it essential to hear from him personally to judge his credibility as a witness, House members argued in a legal brief. Broader impact: The state supreme courts decision in this case does not directly impact whether or not Roberson is awarded a new trial, as that decision would be made by a criminal court. But it has repercussions for the Legislatures subpoena power. And testimony by a death row inmate at the state Capitol about his case would be historic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January 2025, three of the five Criminal Court of Appeals judges who allowed Robersons execution to move forward will no longer be on the court. If Robersons case somehow makes it back before that court and any of the new judges take a different stance, the votes could shift in Robersons favor. The courts decision answered a novel legal question about whether a legislative subpoena or an execution order takes precedence. I think that what we are seeing is checks and balances of different branches of government, which is what the constitutional vision was in the United States and was largely replicated in Texas, said Marc Levin Chief Policy Counsel on the Council on Criminal Justice. Its healthy for that to occur. HOWELL "We are disgusted." That's the response of multiple organizations in response to a white supremacist gathering outside Howell's American Legion Post 141 on Saturday, Nov. 9, during a performance of "The Diary of Anne Frank." In specific, the quote is from the American Defamation League (Michigan), which wrote a statement Monday on X, formerly Twitter. More: 'We were hiding with Nazis outside': White supremacists protest play in Howell Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are disgusted by the far-right extremists who praised Hitler and waved Nazi flags outside of an American Legion hosting the play The Diary of Anne Frank, and we stand with American Legion 141 and @HowellTownship who know that hate doesn't belong in their community. According to video posted to social media by the American Legion, a group of five demonstrators holding Nazi flags and American flags with white supremacist symbols gathered outside the organization where the show was produced by Fowlerville Community Theatre. Multiple national organizations have condemned a white supremacist display in Howell on Saturday, Nov. 9. A member of the American Legion told WLNS the play was intended to be educational amid reports of rising antisemitism. The organization went live on Facebook on Saturday, filming the demonstrators being confronted by deputies from the Livingston County Sheriffs Office. One demonstrator can be heard telling deputies they're protecting their right to free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the group saw they were being recorded, they left the area. Another four demonstrators were seen waving Nazi flags in Fowlerville at the intersection of Grand River Avenue and Grand Street. It's unclear whether the protests shared members, as their faces were covered. More: Timeline: Livingston County's complicated history with race More: This isn't who we are right? 10 years later, I'm still writing about racism in Howell In a text to the Daily, Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy confirmed the protestors told deputies they were from Fowlerville, but since the protest was peaceful, he said, deputies had no grounds to request identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Michigan Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nations largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, also spoke out against the demonstration. We condemn this display of neo-Nazi hate and join all those speaking out against the rising bigotry and societal division we are witnessing nationwide, said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. All such attempts to promote racism, antisemitism or any other form of bigotry must be repudiated by local, state and national religious and political leaders. A protest against police brutality and racism held in Howell on Thursday, June 4, 2020. CAIRs mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. WLNS also quoted Jason Woolford, recently elected to represent the area in the Michigan House of Representatives, and Howell Mayor Robert Ellis both of whom are frustrated by Howell's continued reputation as a safe space for white supremacists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill say to those that are using our community and, in most cases dont even live here, to promote a message of hate, quit coming here, Woolford said. It was national news, Ellis said. And its very difficult to respond to that because we dont have a national voice. Fowlerville Community Theater released a statement describing the scene in the theater on Monday. "As a theater, we are storytellers," the release from FCT read. "We tell stories that transport audiences to different times and places some real, some fantastical. This production centers on real people who lost their lives in the Holocaust, and we have endeavored to tell their story with as much realism as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On Saturday things became more real than we expected; we were hiding with Nazis outside. As a theater, we want to make people feel and think. We hope that by presenting Annes story, we can help prevent the atrocities of the past from happening again." One member of the American Legion told outlets theatergoers were escorted to their vehicles for fear of exiting alone at the play's conclusion. "The Diary of Anne Frank" is based on the writings of the real Anne Frank, who kept a diary while her family hid from the Nazis during their occupation of the Netherlands. The family was arrested in 1944, and Frank later died of typhus in a concentration camp. Her diaries were retrieved and given to the family's only survivor, her father Otto Frank, after the war ended. It's since been published in more than 70 languages. It's far from the first white supremacist demonstration in Livingston County in 2024. In late July, a group gathered outside the Livingston County Historic Courthouse and then the Howell Carnegie District Library. They were heard chanting "Heil Hitler." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later that day, a second demonstration took place on the overpass at I-96 and Latson Road. In a video, the demonstrators could be heard chanting "We love Hitler. We love Trump." FlexTech High School students cover anti-LGBTQ and antisemitic messages with flowers and messages of love Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. In August, a similar demonstration took place in Brighton. Several local businesses publicly condemned the message. One local boutique, Forest and Follies, closed in response. In truth, Livingston County has never quite been able to shake the reputation of racism it earned on a farm in the 1970s when Robert Miles, once a Grand Dragon of the Michigan Ku Klux Klan, settled in Cohoctah Township. According to the Lansing State Journal, Miles was attention-seeking and had a violent reputation. He was among five people convicted in 1971 of planning the bombing of school buses slated for court-ordered desegregation in Pontiac. A few years later, he was convicted on a conspiracy charge related to the tarring and feathering of Dr. R. Wiley Brownlee, a high school principal in Ypsilanti who supported desegregation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miles died in 1992 at age 67 but after years of rallies and demonstrations at his farm, the damage was done. Over the years, various KKK rallies, demonstrations and a cross burning in the 1980s brought the county's reputation back to the surface. It's been further tarnished by national stories on racist tweets from high schoolers in 2014, racist flyers and antisemitic graffiti, vandalism, and allegations of racist behavior gone unchecked at Hartland Community Schools and Pinckney Community Schools. In response to these incidents, residents have organized events to "wash away" white supremacy and hate at the sites where protestors demonstrated, converted graffiti from hate to love, and created community nonprofits to fight against future discrimination. Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: ADL, Council on American-Islamic Relations condemn display in Howell (WFRV) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warns that hemlock woolly adelgid and balsam woolly adelgid are likely heading toward Wisconsin, threatening to infest the states hemlock and fir trees. A Facebook post from the Wisconsin DNR says what theyre calling tiny, little critters, hemlock woolly adelgid and balsam woolly adelgid have not yet been found in Wisconsin, they have been detected in Michigan and could soon spread west. DNR: Study reveals unique deer movement patterns that could benefit hunters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hemlock woolly adelgid is an insect that targets hemlock trees. Its white, cottony egg sacs are visible year-round on the undersides of hemlock branches, near the base of the needles. Images from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources As the adelgid feeds, it injects toxic saliva into the tree, causing the needles to drop, eventually leading to tree death. The DNR says this poses a threat to both forest and landscape hemlocks. The balsam woolly adelgid is also an insect and attacks true fir trees. Balsam and Fraser firs in Wisconsin are particularly vulnerable, according to the DNR. Paper machine catches fire on Green Bays east side, estimated $2,000 in damages Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs of infestation include stunted and swollen terminal branches from toxic substances from the balsam woolly adelgid. The feeding also causes needle discoloration and loss and can kill the tree. The DNR says this is a concern for forest trees, yard trees, and Christmas tree farms. The Wisconsin DNR encourages landowners to watch for potential sightings and report them to local forest health specialists. Reports can also be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection pest hotline at DATCPPestHotline@wisconsin.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. TALLINN, Estonia (AP) A doctor accused of criticizing the war in Ukraine in front of a patient was convicted Tuesday of spreading false information about the Russian military and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison, part of an unrelenting Kremlin crackdown on dissent. Dr. Nadezhda Buyanova, 68, was arrested in February after Anastasia Akinshina, the mother of one of her patients, reported the pediatrician to authorities. Akinshina alleged that Buyanova told her and her son that his father, a Russian soldier who apparently was killed in Ukraine, was a legitimate target for Kyivs troops and had blamed Moscow for the war. A video of the outraged Akinshina complaining about Buyanova was widely publicized, and chief of Russias Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin personally demanded a criminal case be brought against the doctor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buyanova, who was born in western Ukraine, denied the accusation, insisting she never said what she was accused of saying. In a tearful closing statement to the court last week, she had urged it to acquit her. Her defense argued the prosecution failed to present evidence that the purported conversation took place, including any recordings of it, and alleged that her accuser fabricated the story out of animosity toward Ukrainians, according to the independent news site Mediazona, which reported all of the hearings in the trial. In her closing statement to the court, Buyanova said it was painful to read the accusations in the indictment, and broke down. A doctor, especially a pediatrician, is not capable of wishing harm to a child, his mother, or traumatizing the childs psyche. Only a monster is capable of this -- and of the words that I allegedly said to them, Mediazona quoted her as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buyanova's case drew national attention, with more than 6,500 people signing an online petition demanding her freedom and supporters regularly attending court hearings. As the judge read out the verdict, they shouted, Disgrace! before bailiffs escorted everyone from the courtroom. Her lawyer, Oscar Cherdzhyev, told reporters afterward that the verdict was unexpectedly harsh and monstrously cruel. We didn't expect this, he said. Spreading false information about the army has been a criminal offense since March 2022, when Russia adopted a series of laws prohibiting any public expression about the invasion that deviated from the official narrative. Authorities started actively using them against critics and protesters. According to OVD-Info, one of Russias leading rights groups that tracks political arrests, more than 1,000 people have been implicated in criminal cases on charges related to speaking or acting out against the war. CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in identifying a womans body discovered at a local bridge last week. On Monday, Nov. 4, a woman was found deceased along US HWY 601 South at the Rocky River bridge. Investigators believe she was not killed at the bridge where she was discovered, but rather that unknown suspects dumped her body there. The case is being treated as a homicide, though the exact cause of death is still under investigation by the North Carolina Medical Examiners Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim is described as a Black female, approximately 54 tall, weighing around 150 pounds, dressed in a black top and white/grey sweatpants with a distinctive screen print on the leg. Authorities said the woman was wearing a distinctive necklace when she was found. The Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office said its collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to cross-reference missing persons reports throughout the region. Anyone with information is urged to call the Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office or submit a tip via Crime Stoppers at 704-932-7463. 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. The state and federal governments both have offered funding to local school districts to help offset the upfront costs of transitioning to electric buses, which supporters say are healthier and cheaper in the long run. Photo by TW Farlow/Getty Images. It is very unfortunate when our nations leaders put politics before public safety and the wellbeing of our children and in an election year, we see plenty of that. Case in point: claims by some in Congress that federal government support for electric school buses is a ploy to help the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While China does have an advantage when it comes to battery manufacturing, something Democrats and Republicans in Congress have sought to address, the majority of electric school bus components are made in the United States. Further, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Clean School Bus program authorized by it, both explicitly require compliance with the Build America, Buy America programs domestic content requirements. Unsubstantiated claims about e-buses somehow helping the CCP distract from the clear advantages of modernizing our school bus infrastructure and only serve as political theater for some lawmakers to energize a certain segment of their base. Focusing on commonsense policy solutions over politics , several school districts in Maryland have made commitments to transition aging diesel buses with cleaner, quieter electric buses. In fact, Maryland ranks third in the total number of electric buses ordered. Some are taking a cautious approach, with pilot programs and admirable, measured goals to transition fully to electric buses several years down the road. Others, like Montgomery County, have set more ambitious targets. The countys schools are already operating more than 220 electric buses the largest fleet in the country and have a goal to transition all 1,300 of buses to electric by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt take a rocket scientist to understand why these school administrators both Democrats and Republicans have expressed support for making this transition. First, its in our communities best interest to keep residents healthy. While its common knowledge that breathing in diesel puts even healthy people at greater risk of asthma and respiratory illnesses, its less known that the air quality inside a diesel bus is five times worse than that outside. Considering that nearly 1 in 13 Maryland kids suffer from asthma, and a disproportionately higher rate of Black children are hospitalized because of it, transitioning away from diesel engines is doing right by our kids. Second, its the right thing to do for the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Replacing one diesel bus can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 54,000 pounds annually. With climate change becoming a front-burner issue and the most significant challenge our children will face in their lifetimes, the least we can do is begin setting the right example for them in their schools. Third, its the fiscally conservative thing to do. Of course , there are some upfront costs associated with the transition to electric school buses. Recognizing that, the federal government and states like Maryland have made funds available to help cash-strapped districts pay for buses. And available data overwhelmingly demonstrates that electric buses will quickly save localities significant sums, because they have far lower fuel and maintenance costs. One study found that electric buses could save between $73,000 and $173,000 per unit over their lifetimes. A Department of Energy study similarly projected hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings for a city that invested in four electric buses and four charging stations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools receive cost-savings, too, with one study showing that replacing one diesel bus with an electric one reduces operation and maintenance costs a full 60 percent. People concerned about making the transition to electric-powered buses including some in Montgomery County, which held a hearing on this matter in late September may not have all the facts regarding the health and environmental benefits of making this transition (which are unimpeachable) but challenge point three, the economic advantages. Sometimes they are equipped with out-of-context statistics on vehicle delivery delays and repair issues thus making the case that our tax dollars would be better spent elsewhere. While its imperative to ensure todays limited public-school funds are used prudently, for people who argue that schools shouldnt make the transition to e-buses due to upfront costs, I would recommend they take a little more time to review all the facts. Imagine if the U.S. military refrained from ever upgrading its technology because of the start-up investments required? We would have lost every foreign conflict we faced, and our military would have never become the most professionalized and powerful force on the planet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With our country facing unprecedented budgetary and environmental crises, we should look at upgrading our vehicles the same way that we look at strengthening our military. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this one will yield us lower costs, cleaner communities and healthier kids. As I often say on television, take the win. The former governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, is to be appointed as the US ambassador to Israel, President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday. Trump described the 69-year-old Huckabee as "a great public servant." "He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him," Trump said. "Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appointment requires confirmation by the US Senate. Huckabee served as the governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. In 2008, he ran as a presidential candidate in the race for the Republican nomination but was unable to beat John McCain. In 2016, he made a second attempt but soon supported Trump. The former pastor is known as a vocal supporter of Israel. In the past, he has backed the Israeli government's settlements in the West Bank. During the election campaign, Trump hinted at a stronger alignment of US foreign policy with Israel's interests. Huckabee's daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as the White House spokeswoman under Trump from 2017 to 2019. Another nomination was also made official: Republican Representative Mike Waltz is to be his national security adviser, Trump announced. Previously, various US media had reported on the appointment. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump Jr. is joining 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in conservative-leaning companies, according to people familiar with his plans. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trumps eldest son has said he wont be joining his fathers administration in an official post, according to one of the people, who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations. A representative for Trumps transition team did not immediately respond to a request to comment. The younger Trump has played an active role in his fathers latest presidential campaign and White House transition, lobbying for Ohio Senator JD Vance to be selected as the Republican tickets vice presidential candidate, and helping vet future administration appointees for fidelity to the president-elect. The New York Times first reported the younger Trumps intentions to work for the venture capital firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His plans to join 1789 Capital come as Trump allies are jockeying for jobs in the next administration, following a decisive win in the presidential election last week. The president-elect has begun announcing plans to appoint people to top posts with more decisions expected in the coming days. Trump Jr.s move to investing means two close family members of the president-elect are involved in dealmaking. Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, founded private equity firm Affinity Partners after serving as a White House senior adviser during Trumps first term. 1789 Capital, the firm founded and led by Trump donor Omeed Malik, has eschewed ESG, or environmental, social and governance investing principles, amid a Wall Street backlash regarding woke investing strategies. It instead follows its own acronym: EIG, or entrepreneurship, innovation and growth. Trump Jr. has spent most of his professional career working for the Trump Organization. He has also recently dabbled in a cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial, alongside his father and brothers Eric and Barron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The News Rep. Mike Waltz, Donald Trumps pick for national security adviser, has called for ending the war in Ukraine and voted against Ukraine aid in Congress, as has Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trumps choice for United Nations ambassador. So too has Sen. Marco Rubio, who Trump is expected to name as secretary of state (although some Republicans have cautioned that nothing is set in stone until Trump makes an official announcement). Even so, these choices have not sparked too much alarm in Kyiv or among its supporters, many of whom had feared Trump would appoint people to top posts far more skeptical of Ukraine. SIGNALS Top Trump picks want a Ukraine deal Sources: The Atlantic Council, NPR Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz, who will be tasked with coordinating US foreign policy, has criticized the Biden administrations blank check approach to Ukraine, and called on European countries to carry more of the burden. Waltz has also defended the president-elects Russia record, arguing that Trump was much tougher toward Moscow than his critics in Washington would suggest. In an interview with NPR, Waltz said the US should ramp up the pressure on Moscow to force them to the negotiating table, and has proposed strengthening energy sanctions and taking the handcuffs off Ukraine and letting them use American weapons to strike deeper into Russia. Rubio, meanwhile, has struck a pragmatic tone, saying that he is not on Russias side, but that the reality of the wars progress means it will end in a negotiated settlement. Ukrainians hope Trump will be more decisive than Biden Sources: Financial Times, Foreign Policy, Vox Some Ukrainians hope the president-elect will prove more decisive than Joe Biden, whom many blame for delays in military aid and for limiting how Ukraine uses the weapons it receives. Kyiv was prepared for a Republican victory, crafting parts of Zelenskyys victory plan with Trump in mind, the Financial Times reported, and Ukraine has made various promises to beef up Europes defenses after the war is over in an appeal to Trump. Some experts believe it is unlikely Trump would want to be seen as weak by accepting a peace deal that overly debilitates Ukraine. The last thing that Trump is going to want there would be a chaotic collapse, a la Afghanistan 2.0, a former US official told Vox. Rubio goes from Ukraine defender to voting against aid packages Sources: Foreign Affairs, Al Jazeera Marco Rubio, who is widely tipped to be Trumps top diplomat, has transformed his views on Ukraine in recent years. During his unsuccessful presidential bid in 2016, Rubio called Russias illegal annexation of Crimea a historic affront to the post-World War II global order, and promised tougher sanctions and more military aid to Ukraine. Since then, the Florida senator has staked out a position closer to Trump, criticizing the US for funding a stalemate in Ukraine. Rubio is a flexible and pragmatic politician who has accommodated himself to the rise of President Trump, one expert told Al Jazeera. However, Rubio has been criticized for being too hawkish on foreign policy, and not fully embracing the America First restraint many other Trump supporters espouse. JERUSALEM, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A series of Israeli airstrikes over recent weeks have destroyed the majority of Hezbollah's weapons storage and missile manufacturing facilities situated under Beirut's southern suburbs, the Israeli military said Tuesday. The claim came hours after Israeli warplanes launched one of the heaviest daytime airstrikes on the area since the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict began, killing at least six people, according to Lebanese media. At least 13 airstrikes hit civilian buildings and two medical centers in the southern suburbs, sending up huge clouds of black smoke. The Israeli military said it continues carrying out attacks on Hezbollah sites in the area with intelligence guidance. So far Hezbollah has not commented on the Israeli claim or the attacks. The Israeli military has repeatedly claimed that Hezbollah has set up dozens of missile and rocket production and storage facilities within civilian buildings in densely populated areas of Beirut's southern suburbs over the past 20 years. President-elect Donald Trumps transition team has created a mock Situation Room at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in order to make staffing decisions, according to a report. The president-elects transition team is busy sifting through digital dossiers of candidates for about 40 Cabinet positions and agency leadership roles before Trump takes office in January, Axios reported. The team has once again turned his historic Florida resort into a sort of White House South for the process, mirroring the process that took place at Trump Tower after his 2016 win. The Palm Beach war room is reportedly filled with television monitors, where aides can bring up clips of individual candidates television appearancesa critical factor for the famously ratings-obsessed Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several close Trump allies have been in the room weighing in on hiring decisions, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, Trump transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick , and billionaire Elon Musk, who has been spotted at the Florida resort alongside Trump and his family consistently since the Election Night victory last week. Other Trump insiders, including recently named chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller , are also expected to weigh in on the hiring decisions, The New York Times reported on Monday. Trump has already announced some major hiring choices, the first being former co-campaign chair Susie Wiles as his chief of staff the first woman to ever serve in the role. On Monday, he announced that New York Rep. Elise Stefanik would serve as United Nations ambassadortapping a close ally in the House of Representatives and current chair of the House Republican Conference to represent the U.S. on the international stage. The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops. While Memorial Day honors those who have died in our foreign wars, Veterans Day honors the service of all those who have served this country in uniform. Bone spurs sufferers are not included. Usually, Veterans Day is an occasion for the Pentagon and the U.S. military to strut their stuff. I recall marching down Fifth Avenue in 1968 in a Veterans Day parade wearing my cadet dress uniform. Even though it was yet another grim year in the war in Vietnam, people lined the street and waved as we marched by. This year, Veterans Day falls on the one-week anniversary of Donald Trumps election, once again, to the presidency. Trust me, theyre not celebrating across the Potomac at the Pentagon. Here are just two headlines from the days immediately following Trumps victory last week: From the Washington Post: Pentagon anticipates major upheaval with Trumps return to the White House. From Politico: Pentagon officials anxious Trump might fire militarys top general. That would be Gen. C.Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, whom congressional Republicans have accused of being the Pentagons top woke general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets stop right here in our celebration of Veterans Day and discuss this wholly invented and utterly bogus issue of the woke military. First of all, among the veterans whose service is being honored today are hundreds of thousands of people who are not white straight males. About 16 percent of those serving across all branches of the military are Black; about 17 percent are female. A 2015 report by the Rand Corporation, put out four years after Barack Obama signed the Dont Ask, Dont Tell Repeal Act, found that about 6 percent, or 120,000 service members, identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Until then, identifying as any one of those sexual persuasions was illegal and punishable by expulsion from the service with a less than honorable discharge. To be woke in the military, according to Donald Trump and his MAGA adherents, is to support DEI programs and the enormously diverse military I have just described. The fact of the matter is this: Since the end of the draft under Richard Nixon, the U.S. military has been a wholly volunteer organization from top to bottom. That means, people walk into recruiting offices and sign on the dotted line to potentially serve in combat, risking their lives in the service of the country. There have been gay, lesbian and bisexual people serving in all the branches of the military for as long as we have had soldiers and sailors in uniform. Today the numbers of those serving who would come under the umbrella of what might be described as a "diverse" military are so enormous that we wouldnt have a military without those patriotic volunteers. So, if Gen. Brown is described as woke, its because he is the senior general in a military that demands officers and senior enlisted service members who can command a broad spectrum of troops who serve. Donald Trump and the Republicans concept of wokeness when it comes to the military is a fantasy born of ignorance and prejudice. The fact is, we wouldnt have an army, a navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps or the Coast Guard if we didnt have brave men and women of all races and sexual persuasions who are willing to serve to defend this country. They deserve to be led by commanders who are not bigots and misogynists. That is what being woke in the military means. If Donald Trump thinks hes going to fire all the woke commanders in the military and replace them with Republican loyalists who hew to the discriminatory party line of Trumpism, hes going to end up with a hollow military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe thats what Cadet Bone Spurs wants. He is said to have hated the generals who worked for him in his first administration, from Jim Mattis, the retired Marine general he first appointed as secretary of defense because he liked his nickname, Mad Dog, to former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley to retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, who was White House chief of staff, to retired Army Gen. H.R. McMaster, who was national security adviser. Trump was famously dismissive of those who served and died in this nations wars, calling the fallen in a cemetery in France losers and once asking Kelly, whose son is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Whats in it for them? Who knows what lies behind Trumps disdain for our nations military? Guilt that he dodged service? A secret knowledge that those in uniform are truly macho in a way that he will never be? Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Well probably never know, even when he becomes, once again, commander in chief and appoints his hand-picked loyalists to positions of power in the Pentagon and across the armed forces. And I guess well have to wait and see how his non-woke generals lead the most diverse organization in this country and the world, for that matter. There is probably only one thing thats for sure. If next year Trump has a Veterans Day parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, it will bristle with tanks and armored personnel carriers and missiles and cannons and machine guns, driven by service members who he thinks are losers, a good percentage of whom will be Black, female, gay, lesbian and bisexual. It will take a parade of irony to honor Commander Bone Spurs. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A Dothan Navy veteran received a special honor on Veterans Day to commemorate his years of service. American Legion rider Dothan Post 12 honored Navy veteran Herschel Bullard on Monday. Hes the first to be honored in the Riders event that started recently. Bullard served 26 years as a loadmaster on a naval aircraft. The post surprised Bullard, a former post member, as he was nominated by getting a group of riders to ride to his house and erect a flag pole. The post gave Bullard a certificate and a special token to show appreciation for his service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breathtaking. I do appreciate it so much, but it was a total surprise, a total surprise, Bullard told WDHN. Its good to acknowledge veterans as a kindred group, and we love honoring him, said American Legion Post 12 Member Troy Thomas. He is a good man. The post raises money throughout the year to provide a flag and accessories to veterans free of charge. Those wanting to donate to the post or nominate a veteran can contact their Facebook page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. A man has been arrested by a Douglas County deputy on Sunday after an investigation into a fatal hit-and-run in 2020 conducted by the Douglas County Sheriffs Office (DCSO). According to the DCSO, suspect Dustin Pippin is initially charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and leaving the scene of an accident. His bond is set at $100,000, cash only. Jury trial set for second of two teens charged with Marshfield mans killing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On December 20, 2020, 73-year-old Julia Christean Hicks was killed after being run over on N highway in Squires. In October 2024, after a four-year-long investigation, Sheriff Degase located the vehicle that hit Hicks. Sheriff Degase said in a Facebook post that cases like these are hard to work due to a lack of witnesses and a small amount of evidence. I met with the family last night and advised them of the charges and arrest, said Sheriff Degase. I hope this will bring a sense of closure and justice for the family. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A Downtown El Paso business is dealing with what it says is thousands of dollars of lost merchandise after a weekend fire. The El Paso Fire Department says it responded to a fire at about 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 in the alleyway near 511 S. Stanton St. Grace Hong, daughter of the owners of Grace Trading, said her parents have owned the store for over 20 years. Hong said that she and her family were not notified about the fire until they came into work on Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a huge detriment to the business as as were preparing for the holiday season. This is the busiest time of year for most businesses here in El Paso, and our employees worked really hard to prepare for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holiday, Hong said. Hong said a storage unit in the back of the store, full of new merchandise, was destroyed in the fire. All of this is over $50,000 worth of damages, merchandise that weve been storing and collecting over the past couple of months in preparation to sell, she said. The Fire Department said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but its believed to be electrical. In a statement to KTSM the El Paso Electric Company said in part: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are waiting for the report from the El Paso Fire Department regarding a fire that took place at 511 S. Stanton. They added that for safety reasons, they disconnected power to the business. The owners of Grace Trading said they are closing the store for a few days. KTSM also spoke to an employee of Grace Trading who told us in Spanish, that the fire not only impacts the owners but the employees as well. Its a loss for them, but its also a loss for us, the employees, because this is also how we make a living for our families, Sara Rodriguez said. The Hong family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money to help recover what they have lost. 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 KTSM 9 News. MEMPHIS, Tenn. After the 116th Holy Convocation for COGIC, the Saints are marching on after wrapping up another convention in Memphis. However, for some restaurants and businesses like Westys on North Main Street in the Pinch District, this felt more like divine intervention. Honestly, having the Church of God in Christ here at Westys was a blessing in disguise, Westys employee Maurshun Edwards said. Honestly, having so many (people) coming in rapid pace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As more than 30,000 COGIC members returned to Memphis for prayer, worship, fellowship and outreach, it meant business has been bustling at Westys. COGIC Holy Convocation makes way in Memphis Its so important for this city, Westys owner Jake Schorr said. The overnight stays, the additional food thats sold and the services that are rendered are critically important for this city. The COGIC convention also generates about $35 million for the local economy. Alcenias, another North Main Street restaurant, also was a benefactor of the convention. The owner, B.J. Chester-Tamayo, said the convocation is not just good for the souls of people, it also means visitors are spending their money on a hearty helping of her soulfood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 116th Holy Convocation that came this year, it was bigger than last year for me, Chester-Tamayo said. It affected my business. Thats why Im open today. Right now, the COGIC convention is scheduled to return to Memphis through at least next year. Thousands attend COGICs Christmas in November giveaway We are hopeful and indeed grateful that the city will continue to work with us so that we can continue a warm, hospitable working relationship, said COGIC Financial Secretary Frank White. In 2010, the COGIC Convocation was moved to St. Louis. It returned to Memphis in 2022. Business and restaurant owners hope their prayers of COGIC staying in the Bluff City long-term are answered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know theyre voting this year whether theyll continue to come to Memphis, Chester-Tamayo said. So, Im really hoping that they really do continue to come. They cause extra people to work, Schorr said. Thats what its about. Everybody wins. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Drake University announced two programs that will cover 100% of tuition for certain students seeking their degree. (Photo courtesy of Drake University) Drake University will offer two new financial aid options for certain students, with the hopes of expanding educational opportunities for those seeking associate or bachelors degrees. The university announced Monday in a news release that both the Bulldog Promise and Bright College Pathway scholarships will cover 100% of tuition for Iowa students who meet eligibility requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe that access to opportunity is a fundamental right, said Marty Martin, Drake University president, in the release. These programs provide the hardworking, talented students of Iowa access to a world-class education with aid that is equitable to their financial situation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Bulldog Promise provides first-year, in-state students with up to four years of full tuition coverage after other aid is factored in, according to the release. To qualify, students must have at least a 3.8 grade-point average at the time of admission, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by July 1 before the fall semester, and be Pell Grant eligible. The Bright College Pathway scholarship is meant for students pursuing an associate degree through the universitys Bright College. The college offers two-year programs in business, organization and professional studies and integrated arts, sciences and humanities, and students who complete a program will have guaranteed admission to four-year programs at Drake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students who are residents of Iowa and are Pell Grant eligible will receive full tuition coverage for up to two years through the scholarship, according to the release. Both scholarships will be available for students starting in Fall 2025. A Drake education unlocks a return on investment that ranks in the top 3% nationally, and we want to provide that opportunity to more students, while helping the state of Iowa retain the best and the brightest future leaders, Martin said in the release. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The North Carolina driver was airlifted to a Tennessee hospital but died Junaluska Fire Department/Facebook A driver died over the weekend after she bypassed a barricade enacted after Hurricane Helene damaged a North Carolina highway and crashed into a gorge, authorities said. Patricia Mahoney was near the Tennessee state line on Saturday, Nov. 9, when she made a wrong turn and drove off Interstate 40 from a large hole in the roadway, landing in the Pigeon River Gorge, ABC affiliate WLOS-TV, CBS affiliate WFMY and the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, the Junaluska Community Volunteer Fire Department said the vehicle went "off the roadway and down an embankment" before coming to a stop about 100 feet from the road. She drove through that cable and then right off the interstate, Junaluska Fire Chief Charles Wood told WLOS-TV. No skid marks, no nothing. It doesn't look like she hit the brakes or anything." Related: 11 Members of the Same Family Killed During Hurricane Helene: 'An Unimaginable Tragedy' Multiple agencies responded to the accident, including the North Carolina Highway Patrol, WLOS-TV reported. The woman was reportedly freed from her SUV through the sunroof and was flown to a nearby hospital in Tennessee, but died from her injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear at this time what caused the woman to go around the barricade. 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. Amid an investigation into the accident, police are urging other drivers to heed signage in the area, whose roadways were devastated by flooding from the hurricane in September. Related: 'Outpouring of Support After Helene Led to 'Safety Issues' in the Sky with About 30 Close Calls in 1 Day: Officials The traffic patterns down there are completely changed due to the storm, Wood said of the damaged roads. Two months after the storm, road closures continue throughout western North Carolina, WRAL News reported. Officials are warning residents to avoid travel through the affected areas. WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (AP) A driver has died after going around a barricade and driving off the edge of a hurricane-damaged North Carolina highway that became a symbol of Hurricane Helenes destruction. Photos of Interstate 40 with multiple lanes washed out by Helene near the Tennessee state line drew widespread attention after the storm as the region was largely cut off by numerous road closures. Emergency workers from Tennessee and North Carolina responded to a report that a vehicle had driven off eastbound I-40 and down an embankment on Saturday night, according to a news release from the Junaluska Community Volunteer Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews rappelled down the embankment to reach the vehicle, which landed on its side about 100 feet (30 meters) from the road, the fire department said. Images from the scene show a worker trying to reach the crumpled, white vehicle at the bottom of a steep, rubble-covered slope. The driver was alone inside. She was extricated and taken to a hospital. Patricia Mahoney, 63, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, died later that night, according to Sgt. Brandon Miller of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash. Mahoney headed westbound in eastbound lanes and went off the road around the 4-mile marker. An autopsy is scheduled. There's no indication of why she went around the barricade, Miller said. The highway has been closed since late September when flood waters from Helene washed away the eastbound lanes in four long swaths along the Pigeon River. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has said it expects to reopen one lane in each direction by the new year. ALGIERS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 27th edition of the Algiers International Book Fair (SILA 2024) is currently underway at the Pin Maritimes Exhibition Center in the Algerian capital Algiers, with Chinese books attracting a large number of young readers eager to explore Chinese culture and language. "The Chinese collection on display includes books on the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese culture and history, and contemporary China, as well as Chinese language learning materials, which are well-received by Algerian readers," said Liu Ziwei, a Chinese exhibitor. Liu, also a Ph.D. candidate in Arabic at Beijing Foreign Studies University, expressed to Xinhua enthusiasm about local people's interest in China, noting, "Some Algerians are learning Chinese independently and show strong interest in studying in China." Algerians' growing interest in Chinese culture reflects the strengthening ties between Algeria and China. The recent launch of a Chinese language department at the University of Algiers II has provided another opportunity for young Algerians to engage with Chinese studies. Issam Chouiref, a young Algerian teacher and student of Chinese, expressed pride in supporting the fair by exhibiting Chinese books at a booth. "The collection covers diverse fields beyond linguistics. I hope that by the next edition, we'll be able to sell books as there's high demand," the teacher said. Themed "Read to Triumph," the SILA 2024, running from Nov. 6 to Nov. 16, features 1,007 exhibitors from 40 countries, including seven African nations, and showcases 300,000 titles across an exhibition area of 23,000 square meters. A driver has been hospitalized after driving straight through the guardrail of a parking garage and landing their car upside down on the street below, police said. The incident happened on Monday at the Harlem Irving Plaza Mall in Norridge, Illinois -- some 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago -- when officers from the Norridge Police Department as well as the Norwood Park Fire Protection District were dispatched to the 4000 block of Octavia to reports of an overturned vehicle with the driver trapped inside, according to a statement from the Norridge Police Department. In a photo shared by authorities on social media, emergency response vehicles can be seen surrounding the upside-down vehicle with several responders on their hands and knees near the drivers side of the car as the parking garages guardrail can be seen torn from the side of the building, cascading down to the street below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Human remains found inside freezer of Michigan home PHOTO: A driver has been hospitalized after driving straight through the guardrail of a parking garage and landing their car upside down on the street below, police said. (Facebook / Norridge Police Department) MORE: Man randomly stabs teenage girl in Dollar Tree as she stood with her mother: Police It is currently unclear what might have caused the incident, and the driver has not yet been identified by authorities. Norwood Park Fire extricated the driver and transported them to Lutheran General Hospital for non-life threatening injuries, police said. The driver is expected to survive and the investigation into the accident is currently ongoing. Driver hurt after car plummets from edge of mall parking lot to the street below originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Russian authorities have started using new methods of recruitment for the war with Ukraine they plant drugs, deceive the unemployed and manipulate in every possible way to replace the thousands of people killed at the front, writes the Kholod news outlet. Source: Russian independent news outlet Kholod with reference to the human rights projects Get Lost (a project that helps Russians avoid being mobilised for the war against Ukraine) and Citizen. Army. Law Details: Human rights activists say that the Russian Ministry of Defence intimidates 18-year-old conscripts, deceives job applicants and forces people under investigation to sign military service contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One way to recruit people to the armed forces is through fake vacancies, the description of which does not indicate that it is military service. Men are fraudulently invited to military units by offering jobs that are allegedly unrelated to military operations, such as a vacancy for a drone assembly engineer. Quote from Ivan Chuviliaiev, a representative of the Get Lost project: "People are told: everything will be good and fine, don't worry. And then, instead of an employment contract, they slip in a contract with the Ministry of Defence. And if a person signs it, that's it, he is sent to the front line." The second method used by the Ministry of Defence is the recruitment of prisoners, people under criminal proceedings and those whose cases are being considered in court. These people are forced to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defence under the threat of a new criminal case being opened, or promised the removal of their criminal record. The third recruitment method is to lure residents of oblasts bordering Ukraine into The Combat Army Reserve (BARS) volunteer units. Formally and verbally, the BARS-Kursk, BARS-Belgorod and BARS-Bryansk units were created to help local authorities: to assist with evacuations, guard checkpoints, bridges and other facilities, and fight drones and sabotage and reconnaissance groups. But in fact, those willing to do so do not sign a separate employment contract but a standard contract with the Ministry of Defence, under which all those who sign it can be sent to the assault or to the area of the front line where it is most urgent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fourth way to increase the number of contract soldiers is through deception, pressure and intimidation of conscripts. Human rights activists and conscripts are threatened with being sent to the hottest spots or that they will be mobilised anyway and promised that if they sign contracts, they will be able to earn money and save their lives. Support UP or become our patron! DUNDEE, N.Y. (WETM) A Yates County man was arrested Monday after New York State Police said he was involved in a domestic incident where he threatened someone with scissors and tried to choke them. Michael Hoke, 40, of Dundee was arrested on Monday, Nov. 11, on numerous felony charges after an apparent domestic incident in the Village of Dundee, police said. Around 2:21 p.m. on Monday, state troopers responded to the call on Main Street in the village where an investigation began into the dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montour Falls granted more than $600k for fire department upgrades Police allege that Hoke threatened the victim with a pair of scissors and then removed his shirt and attempted to suffocate them during the dispute. Hoke was arrested on the charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree with previous convictions, a class D felony, unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, a class E felony, criminal contempt in the first degree, a class E felony, menacing in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor, and criminal obstruction of breathing, a class A misdemeanor. Hoke was taken to the state police barracks in Dundee for processing before he was moved to the Yates County Jail. 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. British oil and gas giant Shell does not have to drastically reduce its carbon dioxide emissions as previously ruled, an appeals court in The Hague announced on Tuesday, delivering a blow to environmental activists. In 2021, Shell had been ordered to reduce its net carbon dioxide emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, in what was seen as a landmark decision at the time. Back then, Shell had a headquarters in The Hague. Shell appealed the ruling, arguing that the Paris Climate Agreement imposes no obligation on companies to reduce pollutants. The company asserts that it should be for governments, not courts, to mandate such actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The civil court judges ruled on Tuesday that Shell does have a duty to contribute to international climate protection. However, they said the company cannot be subjected to a specific CO2 reduction percentage. A reduction in natural gas production could, for example, lead to a global increase in coal production, which would be significantly worse for the climate, they argued. Shell welcomed Tuesday's ruling, arguing that imposing mandatory emissions reductions on the company would not reduce customer demand. "It would do little to reduce emissions, as customers would take their business elsewhere," the company said in a statement, stressing the role of low-carbon technologies and "smart" government policies instead. Plaintiffs 'shocked' by ruling The court found that Shell was not required to reduce its direct emissions in the production and distribution of energy. Shell was already on the right path with its self-imposed aim of achieving a 50% reduction by 2030, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main plaintiff, the Milieudefensie environmental group, is expected to appeal before the highest Dutch court. "We are shocked by todays judgement," Milieudefensie director Donald Pols said in a statement, calling it a "setback" for millions of people around the world. "But if theres one thing to know about us, its that we dont give up. This setback will only help us grow stronger," he added. Milieudefensie considers Shell to be one of the world's largest climate polluters. The verdict may also have implications for other similar cases. There are already several similar cases worldwide brought by environmental activists. The previous ruling marked the first time a company had been forced by a judge to undertake such drastic climate measures. The obligation had applied not only to the company's own emissions but also to those of its suppliers and end users. Shell had argued that this went beyond its legal liability. ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD)- Voters on the Isle of Palms will head back to the polls next week for a runoff election to fill a vacant city council seat. Three candidates were vying for the seat on Election Day Rusty Streetman, Susan Hill Smith, and Josh Hooser. Unofficial results from the South Carolina Election Commission show Streetman received about 40.7% of the vote, Smith got 37.3%, and Josh Hooser got 21.5%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A candidate must win at least 50% of the votes plus one to avoid a runoff. No candidate met that threshold, triggering a runoff between the two candidates who received the most votes. That means voters will decide between Streetman and Smith in the November 19 runoff. Early voting is open Wednesday, November 13 through Friday, November 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Charleston County Board of Elections headquarters in North Charleston. Neither candidate is new to Isle of Palms residents as both previously served on the city council. Smith said her priorities include adding city staff for resiliency and natural resource management, tackling drainage issues throughout the island, and implementing proactive measures to protect against beach erosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have a very proactive solutions-driven approach around not just environmental issues but all the things that come before the council, Smith said. I am very collaborative, and Ive lived on the island for 30 years now raised three children here. I have great relationships with many people across the island. Streetmans top issue is stormwater drainage, but he also wants to address traffic, safety, and parking problems. The reason [residents] should vote for me is because I have a background in the private sector, I have been in business for over 40 years handling budgets, handling people, Streetman said. Ive got a good personality, good listening skills. Ive served four years on council [and] I think I did a very good job while I was on a council. Democrat Ed Sutton elected to Charlestons newest Senate seat. Here are his plans Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the candidates align in several areas, they disagree on perhaps the islands most salient issue short-term rentals. Voters defeated a referendum last year that would have capped the number of short-term rental licenses to 1,600 for non-primary residents. Smith wants to revisit the issue, but Streetman does not. Mr. Streetman doesnt even seem to want to have a conversation and acknowledge the residents concerns about issues involving short-term rentals, Smith said. Im open to having that conversation. I have not been aggressively talking about having a referendum or anything like that Im just saying that I am open to revisiting the issue. Our citizens spoke loudly and clearly by defeating that referendum by 10% last fall, and I see no reason in bringing that issue up again, Streetman said. We have a lot of other issues on city council we need to be dealing with next year, not the short-term rental situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of outgoing Councilwoman Elizabeth Campsens term. Campsen resigned from her post on Aug. 9 after announcing plans to move off the island in 2025. Polls will be open at Isle of Palms City Hall and the Isle of Palms Recreation Center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Any registered Isle of Palms voter can cast a ballot, including those who did not participate on November 5. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Police Department on Tuesday identified the victim of the citys 57th homicide of the year as a 33-year-old man. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | APD: One dead in east Austin homicide The man was shot and killed last Thursday evening, according to police. It happened shortly before 6 p.m. in the 6400 block of the East U.S. 290 service road. APD identified the man as Shelby Wayne Cody. Police have not yet made any arrests or identified a suspect in the shooting. APD responded to multiple 911 calls in the area reporting that someone had been shot. When officers arrived, they found Cody with gunshot wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers provided life-saving measures until Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene. Cody was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m., according to APD. MAP: Where have Austins homicides occurred in 2024? APD said Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists investigated and found that Cody had arrived for an appointment at the location and was shot by the suspect, who fled the area. Police did not provide details about the appointment or give any other information on the suspect. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477. A reward up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest. 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 KXAN Austin. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) An East Tennessee couple is working to help firefighters who have been diagnosed with cancer. While there is more and more information about preventing cancer for first responders, they believe more needs to be done to help once the battle begins. Kelley and Brent Seymour have a binder full of information and a lot of personal experiences they believe could help firefighters with cancer. Rocky Top family steadily recovering after deadly car fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brent, a firefighter for 30 years, was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. Brent said he noticed a knot under my arm one morning while I was getting ready for work. He said its not really bothering me, Kelley explained. I said you still got to get it checked out. Cause it can take off then it could be too late. Its a good thing she insisted. They learned shortly afterwards it was stage three synovial sarcoma. Kelley, a nurse with 29 years of experience, became Brents advocate through the process by doing research and asking a lot of questions. It put tears in my eyes East TN group helps bring recognition to women veterans Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have no doubt she has added years to my life, Brent said. Because I wouldnt have known to ask the questions that she asked when we went. Those questions lead them to a New York City hospital that had dealt with ground zero firefighters and this form of cancer, and that lead to successful treatments. Their experience has inspired them to put together a presentation to help firefighter who may find themselves in a similar situation. One of the things my wife and I want to do with my diagnosis is to bring awareness to firefighters and their families who have been diagnosed with cancer, he said. We want to start local with some talks and educational things for first responders, firefighters, and hopefully that will grow over time, Kelley added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Brent said there are plenty of firefighter programs about cancer prevention. Clean your gear. Clean your truck. Clean your cab. Clean your hood. Immediately shower when you get back to the firehouse, Brent urged. Kelley said they want to focus on guiding firefighters and their families after the fact. United Way of Greater Knoxville CEO resigns after five years of leading nonprofit Youve been diagnosed here are some steps you can take, she said. Here are some things we learned through trial and error. Things like always get a second opinion. Always do research. Brent knows he was blessed to have a knowledgeable nurse in his corner. Now, he is hoping to share Kelleys knowledge with fellow firefighters who find themselves in a similar cancer battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You got a lump. Youve got a symptom. You dont want to blow that off. You want to really investigate that, she said. Especially when you are in a career like this where you are exposed to things. Brents next scan is scheduled for mid-December. See more top stories on WATE.com Firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed than the general public and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer, so knowing what to do and where to turn after a diagnosis can be lifesaving 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Authorities are seeking help in identifying a suspect in an auto burglary investigation. According to Edmond police, the alleged suspect (shown below) has racked up over $1,600 in charges on a victims credit cards. Vehicle used in auto-burglary investigation, Image courtesy Edmond Police Department Individual sought by Edmond Police in auto-burglary investigation, Image courtesy Edmond Police Department Vehicle used in auto-burglary investigation, Image courtesy Edmond Police Department Individual sought by Edmond Police in auto-burglary investigation, Image courtesy Edmond Police Department Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individual was driving a grey sedan and has a tattoo on his right hand that looks to be a Route 66 sign, say police. Anyone with information should contact Detective Maguire at 405-359-4440. Other Headlines Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CAIRO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Egypt condemned "in the strongest terms" recent remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calling for the imposition of Israeli sovereignty and settlement expansion in the West Bank, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Egypt deemed Smotrich's remarks "a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and all relevant Security Council resolutions, in addition to the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories," according to the statement. The far-right Israeli minister made the comments on Monday, expressing hope that Israel would extend sovereignty over the occupied West Bank by 2025 with the support of the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump. Egypt stressed that such "irresponsible and extremist statements by a member of the Israeli government" clearly reflect Israel's stance of rejecting the path to peace. Cairo also warned that such remarks fuel extremism and violence, emphasizing the international community's responsibility to uphold the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. According to the Egyptian statement, Smotrich's comments contradict the international community's stance, which calls for an end to the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. (Bloomberg) -- El Salvador is offering to buy back dollar bonds for the third time this year as President Nayib Bukele gets a fresh lift from Bitcoins rally and the US election results. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government opened an offer to repurchase a series of notes due between 2027 and 2034. Those securites have a combined principal amount outstanding of more than $2.5 billion, according to a statement published Tuesday. The statement does not say how the transaction will be paid for. But a person familiar with the situation said the debt buyback is contingent on new financing. The person, who asked for anonymity because the information isnt public, said the details of the financing havent been released. El Salvadors debt has returned 4.7% since Donald Trump won the US presidency last week, outperforming all of its emerging-market peers except Ukraine, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Investors have long seen a second Trump term helping Bukele win support for a loan from the International Monetary Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El Salvador has been viewed by the market as a Trump trade, with expectations that a stronger personal relationship between presidents Bukele and Trump will provide benefits to El Salvador, said Katrina Butt, an economist at AllianceBernstein in New York. Its unlikely they have enough cash to do this type of buyback. They likely need to come to the market to finance the transaction. The IMF, which has been in talks with El Salvador for a potential deal since 2021, has repeatedly said the nations use of Bitcoin as legal tender is a sticking point. Bukele made El Salvador the first nation to adopt the cryptocurrency as legal tender in 2021. After Bitcoins Trump-fueled rally, El Salvadors holding have ballooned to $515 million, according to a government tally. Debt Buybacks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El Salvador recently completed a debt-for-nature swap in which it bought back $1 billion of bonds at a discount to par and said it will use the savings to fund the conservation of nations longest river. The government also bought back $487 million of bonds in April, after raising $1 billion in debt due in 2030 that included an additional interest-only security tied to the its credit score or reaching a deal with the IMF. The latest deal is being managed by Bank of America, according to the statement. The offer expires Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. in New York and the settlement is scheduled for Nov. 25. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Allan Lichtman, who incorrectly predicted that Kamala Harris would win the 2024 election, blamed Elon Musk and the explosion of disinformation during the campaign. The American political historian had been dubbed the Nostradamus of elections because until last week he successfully predicted the last nine out of 10 presidential races since 1984. He consistently backed his original prediction that Harris would win in 2024. But since Donald Trump claimed victory last week, the professor acknowledged he was wrong and would reassess his method. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reflecting on the result, Lichtman said he was sounding the alarm about Musk. Disinformation has exploded to an unprecedented degree, Lichtman told NewsNations Chris Cuomo on Monday night. Weve seen something brand new this time billionaire Elon Musk putting his thumb on the scales. Its been reported that his misinformation had had billions, literally billions of views and this has spread to every aspect of this election, Lichtman said. Allan Lichtman updates viewers one week before the election (Allan Lichtman/YouTube) When I was a kid, I read science fiction books, you know, the premise was a few mega rich people are able to control society. Were not all that far from it and I am sounding the alam and I dont think Im the only one, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to his claims about Musk, Lichtman listed misinformation about the economy, immigration, reproductive rights and foreign policy as reasons why his prediction about Harris turned out to be wrong. Lichtmans method for forecasting the race so accurately in previous election cycles is known as The Keys to the White House, a system he devised with the Russian academic Vladimir Keilis-Borok in 1981. The academic has defended his method, which looks at 13 factors from the presidents partys standing in the House of Representatives to the health of the domestic economy, any record of scandal, social unrest, or foreign policy disasters during their tenure, and the comparative charisma of the two candidates to decide the victor, applying true or false designations to each category. Elon Musk and Donald Trump on the campaign trail (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) He acknowledged that his method maybe needs to be changed in light of last weeks events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The premise of the keys is that a rational, pragmatic electorate decides whether the White House party has governed well enough to get four more years, Lichtman told Cuomo. But if the views of the White House party are controlled by disinformation, particularly driven by those who are so rich that they have extraordinary influence beyond anyone else, then maybe the premise of the keys need to be changed. Since the election result, Lichtman shared that his family has faced death threats. Weve faced death threats, doxxing, swatting and intimidation at our doorstep, he said in a post on X. We will not be bullied. Federal law enforcement is now alerted. The Rhode Island Board of Elections will review recount requests received in four state legislative races on Thursday. (Jocelyn Jackson/Rhode Island Current) The state elections board received recount requests from losing candidates in four state legislative races by its Tuesday afternoon deadline, one of which has already been disqualified, according to Christopher Hunter, a board spokesperson. The Rhode Island Board of Elections is slated to consider the requests at its meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday at its Cranston offices. The meeting will also be streamed via the boards YouTube page. Approved requests authorize the board to conduct a manual re-feeding of ballots into optical scan voting equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three legislative seats still in question are House Districts 15 and 21 and Senate District 29. The recounts wont change the power balance of the 113-seat Rhode Island General Assembly, which remains solidly under Democratic control. Based on preliminary results from the Nov. 5 election including leading candidates in the races in question Democrats hold 64 seats in the 75-seat House of Representatives, and 34 of 38 Senate seats. The closest legislative contest under recount request is for Cranstons House District 15, where Republican Chris Paplauskas leads Democrat Maria Bucci by 30 votes as of Nov. 7. The open seat was held by Republican Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, who declined to seek reelection to make her unsuccessful run for Cranston mayor. An open seat in Warwicks House District 21 ended with a 90-vote difference between Republican Marie Hopkins and Democrat James McElroy. Hopkins leads McElroy as of Nov, 7 in the race to replace outgoing Democrat Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only Senate contest in question, for Warwicks Senate District 29, features Republican Sen. Anthony DeLuca and Democratic challenger Peter Appollonio Jr. Appollonio leads DeLuca by 67 votes as of Nov. 7. The elections board also received a recount request for the House District 66 matchup between Democratic Rep. Jennifer Boylan and Republican challenger Janine Wolf, which has already been disqualified because the margin of victory falls outside the parameters for recounts. Boylan amassed nearly 65% of votes to Wolfs 35% in her reelection bid for the district straddling Barrington and East Providence. In races with 20,000 or fewer votes cast, the losing candidate must trail by 2% or 200 votes, whichever is less, to meet recount thresholds, according to state law. Wolf, who submitted the recount request, could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recount requests were also submitted for town or city council races in Barrington, Richmond, Warwick and Woonsocket, and for Pawtucket and Richmond School Committees. The requests pertaining to the Richmond Town Council, Richmond School Committee and Pawtucket School Committee have also been disqualified, according to Hunter. This story has been updated to reflect which recount requests have been disqualified by the Rhode Island Board of Elections. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WACO, Texas (FOX 44) The Electrolit company has revealed plans to construct a $400 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Waco. Electrolit makes hydration beverages crafted with pharmaceutical grade ingredients. The 600,000-square-foot facility is set to open in early 2026. The company says its decision to expand in Waco comes in part due to a partnership with Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. for sales and distribution, as well as a rapidly growing retail network. This decision also represents a regional economic development collaboration between the City of Waco, McLennan County, the Waco Industrial Foundation, and the Greater Waco Chamber with all entities partnering to provide support for the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through a collaboration with the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, Electrolit has acquired land in Wacos Texas Central Park. The comapny says this location represents a significant investment in the local community, creating opportunities and convenient access for the workforce. The company says this production and distribution facility will employ over 200 professionals and technicians. The development of the facility will be done in partnership with Stellar, a premier EPC firm which won Food Plant of the Year in 2022. (Courtesy: Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce) (Courtesy: Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce) Attracting a business like Electrolit meets the economic development objectives of our City by bringing in a quality business, a great management team, a significant financial commitment, and good jobs that help provide financial security to our Waco residents, said City of Waco Mayor Jim Holmes. Electrolit also has a track record of support and involvement in the local community, and we look forward to this business being a part of all the great things going on in Waco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This announcement substantiates our success in creating an inviting environment where a skilled workforce, strategic location, and an inviting community culture can provide McLennan County with a competitive advantage in recruiting great companies, such as Electrolit, said McLennan County Judge Scott Felton. We are so thrilled to have Electrolit make Waco and McLennan County its home. Electrolit says the Waco site will have the capacity to incorporate non-virgin and recycled packaging materials when available, as the company remains dedicated to complying with the states plastic usage regulations. Rail infrastructure will be utilized to distribute outbound finished products, significantly reducing carbon emissions and will be able to accommodate future expansion phases. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel) speaks at a house party in Severna Park during her successful congressional campaign. Photo by Josh Kurtz. State Sen. Sarah K. Elfreths election to Congress last week means a coveted seat in the Senate will be opening soon and the two Democratic delegates who represent the same district as Elfreth are expected to compete against each other to fill it. Elfreth told Maryland Matters that she plans to resign from the Senate on Jan. 2, a day before she is sworn in on Capitol Hill to replace U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D) in the 3rd District, and will write to Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) confirming that timetable after counties certify their election results this Friday. That will trigger the formal replacement process, beginning with the Anne Arundel Democratic Central Committee, though it isnt altogether clear what the timeline for filling the seat will be, though it is likely to be in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is clear is that Dels. Shaneka Henson (D) and Dana Jones (D), who both represent District 30A in the Annapolis area, appear headed for a showdown to replace Elfreth. The Democratic central committee is tasked with forwarding the name of a potential successor to Gov. Wes Moore (D), who has final say. With the election of Donald Trump, its more important than ever that we ensure access to reproductive care and to other rights and freedoms, Jones said in an interview Monday. States work is ever more important. Henson on Friday asked Maryland Matters to submit questions to her in writing about the scramble to replace Elfreth. She had not responded to those questions by Monday evening. The anticipated Jones-Henson competition for the support of the 20 members of the central committee is expected to be intense, and possibly contentious, and could expose racial tensions and other divides among Anne Arundel Democratic activists. Henson is Black; Jones is white, and the central committee is very diverse. Both lawmakers were initially appointed to their House seats Henson in 2019, Jones in 2020 though they won full four-year terms on a ticket headed by Elfreth in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assuming Henson or Jones is elevated to the Senate, that will trigger another appointment process to fill their seat in the House of Delegates. Elfreth said she hopes the central committee procedure for replacing her is transparent and maximizes community participation. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This is the third appointment in District 30 in six years, and we know that process is important for public trust, she said. In order for the public to have requisite faith in their next senator, I hope the central committee considers a robust opportunity for public input during the appointment process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dylan Behler, the outgoing chair of the Anne Arundel Democratic Central Committee who happens to be a former chief of staff to Elfreth in the Senate said the central committee will finalize a written procedure for the vacancy process later this week. The last time the central committee dealt with a vacancy was in 2020, when Jones was selected to replace former Del. Alice Johnson Cain (D-Anne Arundel), who resigned for family reasons. Most current members of the central committee werent in place then, Behler said. We recognize this solemn responsibility and we are going to do our best to make a really solid, transparent process that gets public buy-in at the end of the day, he said. However, by the time Elfreth resigns and the Democratic panel begins the job of filling her seat in earnest, someone else will be running the central committee, which is due to elect a new leader in early December though Behler will still be a rank-and-file member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abortion could be a point of contention in this race. Jones is a vocal and steadfast supporter of reproductive freedoms she once did political work for EMILYs List, the national Democratic fundraising group that recruits and aids Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights, and for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Ive spent years crisscrossing the country working to elect pro-choice women, she said. Del. Dana Jones (D-Anne Arundel) inside her office Feb. 12, 2024, talking about the Freedom to Read Act. Photo by William J. Ford. Jones, 48, is the chair of the legislative womens caucus and spent considerable time campaigning for the ballot initiative that passed overwhelmingly last week to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. She has also been a key supporter of Elfreths congressional bid and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Henson angered abortion rights supporters by opposing a measure in the House during the 2022 General Assembly session to expand the number of health care practitioners who can perform abortion procedures and then voting no when the House voted to override then-Gov. Larry Hogans veto of the bill. But Henson did support the bill that year and in 2023 co-sponsored the bill to put the abortion rights constitutional amendment on the ballot, and she also supported a measure last year to protect womens health care records. She appeared with Elfreth and Jones at a rally for abortion rights supporters in Annapolis on the night in 2022 that the U.S. Supreme Court issued its Dobbs decision, which ended the guarantee of safe and legal abortions in the U.S. Henson, 41, is a lawyer who spent a year and a half on the Annapolis City Council before being appointed to fill the legislative seat of the late House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D) in 2019. She backed Del. Mike Rogers (D-Anne Arundel) in the crowded Democratic congressional primary this year that Elfreth wound up winning. Hensons bid for the Senate could also be impacted by a scathing rebuke issued by the legislatures Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics this spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ethics panel called on Henson to apologize to the public, to the speaker of the House and other legislative leaders for her involvement in funding requests for a religious organization she belongs to, which sought more than $1 million in state bond money. The ethics panel concluded that Hensons relationship and actions created at minimum, the appearance of a conflict of interest. The panel also admonished the lawmaker for an improper use of her official title in an advertisement for her law firm. A year earlier, when the information first surfaced about Hensons ties to the religious organization and its quest for state funding, House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) forced Henson and Jones to switch committees, with Henson moving to Ways and Means and Jones transferred to Appropriations. In the wake of the ethics committee decision, Henson released a statement that took issue with some of the findings and chided her colleagues for failing to strike a more collaborative and constructive tone. Weighing Elfreths legacy While the race to replace Elfreth has been anticipated for months, it wont begin in earnest until Elfreth formally submits her resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones said she was looking forward to talking with central committee members about her record of sponsoring 27 bills that have become law, and of bringing more than $100 million into the district. She also plans to talk about Elfreths contribution to the district since being elected to the Senate in 2019 and the importance of installing a strong replacement. Sarah Elfreth wasnt just a skilled legislator, she was also a skilled campaigner, Jones said. So its important to talk about what we can do to keep the seat blue. While Elfreth won reelection easily in 2022, the 30th District Senate seat was on a Republican target list as recently as 2018 though the area in general has trended more Democratic since then. Jones intimated that she would run for the Senate seat in the 2026 Democratic primary even if she isnt appointed to the seat early next year. Del. Shaneka Henson at an Emerge Maryland fundraiser in May 2019. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines. Henson on her website describes herself as someone who gets things done. In a letter to constituents this spring, she touted, among other things passing a bill to clarify how students struggling with mental health issues can withdraw from public university programs and how they can receive refunds for doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each action Ive taken was driven by my heartfelt desire to extend a helping hand and uplift our community, she wrote. Whomever is named to the District 30 Senate seat, it will be the fifth Senate vacancy that has been filled by appointment since the 2022 election. Ten House seats have also been filled by appointment in that time. If Henson or Jones is elevated to the Senate, their replacement in the House will be the 11th House appointee since 2022. Right now, two names are mentioned most prominently as potential House successors: Behler, the outgoing county Democratic chair, and Brooks Schandelmeier, an Annapolis alderman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behler, director of legislative and constituent services at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said he did not want to comment on the potential vacancy until after Elfreths seat is filled. Schandelmeier, who has served on the city council since 2020, said hes seriously exploring the possibility. I was on the fence about it for a little while, he said. But the election results from the other night made me more certain. Maryland needs to bunker down. In July, tech billionaire Elon Musk said he hoped some states would consider criminal prosecutions of people participating in what he called an advertiser boycott of platforms like his social media app, X. In October, Musk turned his attention to a former State Department official, Victoria Nuland, saying she should be prosecuted after she went on television and criticized him as a tool of the Kremlin. And then last week, Musk revived a long-running feud with a group that monitors hatred online, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, saying that its members should be prosecuted for their many crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, the worlds richest person, has in the past two years called for several of his opponents to be prosecuted, and its something that free speech advocates say they could overlook if he were only an ordinary private citizen. But now that Musk is gaining political power as a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, his demands for criminal charges against critics are much more worrisome, according to scholars and groups devoted to the First Amendment. If Elon Musk is appointed to some position within the administration, he will continue to jawbone pressure others to be punished for their speech and that raises very serious free speech concerns, said Nadine Strossen, a past president of the American Civil Liberties Union and a professor of law emerita at New York Law School. In our system, the idea of holding somebody criminally liable for something they say is so antithetical to the concept of free speech, she said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the owner of X, has positioned himself as an intimate adviser of Trump after helping to propel the former president to a remarkable political comeback. Musk contributed at least $130 million of his own money and the megaphone of X, where he is listed as having 204 million followers. Strossen and other free speech advocates said theyre concerned that Musk could use his influence to strike out at his enemies, or make sweeping changes that would help him do so, such as suggesting personnel for the Justice Department. Trump has already said he wants Musk to advise him on federal spending and efficiency. Musks actions over the past few years call into question his stated commitment to free speech, Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said in an email. He cited Xs increasing compliance with foreign governments demands to censor content on the platform and the lawsuits against the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Media Matters. Any disputes Musk has with his critics should play out in the court of public opinion, not a court of law, Terr said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk and representatives at X did not respond to requests for comment on his calls for prosecution. According to NBC News' review of Musks public statements, theres an established pattern of him attacking nonprofit groups, journalists and others who produce information that he disagrees with or that may not be helpful to his goals or image a pattern that runs counter to frequent vows by him that hes a defender of the First Amendments guarantee of free speech. An NBC News review of Musks statements identified seven critics whom he has accused of criminal conduct: the three examples above, as well as the progressive news site Media Matters, lawyers who represent dissident Tesla shareholders, investors who have sold Tesla stock short and journalists who share details about where his private jet has traveled, which is publicly available information. Musk has also attempted to silence critics through civil lawsuits, suspensions on X, calls for ending donations and one call for unspecified general recrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the cases in which Musk pursued legal action, he has not won a court judgment against any of those critics or persuaded a prosecutor to bring criminal charges. X has a pending lawsuit against Media Matters and a pending appeal in a lawsuit that X lost against the Center for Countering Digital Hate. Musk and X have sometimes found allies among members of Congress or state attorneys general who have launched investigations. Media Matters and Nuland declined to comment. A Tesla shareholder lawyer did not respond to a request for comment. Now, some First Amendment scholars say Musks statements may chill speech further if they carry the weight of an implied threat from an incoming government official. Michael Gerhardt, a law professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, said that theres often a large power difference between Musk and his critics and that the difference is growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The First Amendment obviously protects both Musk and his critics in making public pronouncements about each other, he said in an email. Yet, Musk has the bigger bully pulpit, by virtue of his wealth and allies, and his relationship with Trump likely will allow him more leverage to drown out and if necessary to use his economic power to wear them down financially and to get Justice Department support in harassing and punishing them, he said. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Musk has for years buried certain critics under an avalanche of legal troubles. Sometimes courts have stood in the way. This year, when X lost its lawsuit against the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a federal judge called the suit an attempt by X to use the courts to silence a critic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case is about punishing the Defendants for their speech, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer wrote. The ACLU, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed an amicus brief in support of the Center for Countering Digital Hate. The feud between Musk and the Center for Countering Digital Hate has continued. A report last month from a conservative news site, Racket News, said it obtained internal CCDH documents that listed the groups annual priorities as including Kill Musks Twitter, referring to the app now known as X. Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, said in a phone interview that Musks accusation of many crimes was baseless. He said that the organization would not be intimidated into silence, and that he has faith in the ability of U.S. courts to protect his group and other critics of Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musk is an incredibly thin-skinned man whos incapable of taking honest criticism, even when based on verifiable facts, and has already weaponized courts to try and punish his perceived enemies, he said. We live in a country of checks and balances, and we have faith in our judicial system and in the freedoms afforded to us by the Constitution, Ahmed said. Ahmed did not dispute the authenticity of the documents published by Racket News, but he said the phrase Kill Musks Twitter appeared to be from an individuals meeting notes, not an official policy document. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, also criticized the Center for Countering Digital Hate on Thursday, sending the organization a demand for documents related to the Kill Musks Twitter language. Jordans House subcommittee, the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, posted the demand on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our censorship investigation isnt going anywhere, the subcommittees X account said. All gas. No brakes. Ahmed said the center had received Jordans letter and we intend to comply in a manner consistent with our legal obligations and constitutional rights, as we have in the past. The Center for Countering Digital Hate is only the latest in a long line of Musks targets. X has an ongoing lawsuit in federal court in Texas against Media Matters over its reporting about neo-Nazi content on the platform. Musks company alleges that Media Matters unlawfully interfered with Xs contracts with advertisers, something Media Matters denies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, X successfully sued one critic out of existence: The advertising industry group GARM closed its doors two days after X sued it alleging it organized an illegal ad boycott. I strongly encourage any company who has been systematically boycotted by advertisers to file a lawsuit, Musk posted in August. There may also be criminal liability via the RICO Act, he said, referring to an anti-racketeering law. A lawsuit by X against GARMs parent organization, the trade group World Federation of Advertisers, is ongoing in federal court in Texas. The federation declined to comment. X has suspended the accounts of some of Musks critics including Travis Brown, a researcher of far-right influencers who developed several research tools that gathered data from the Internet Archive, Xs API and other sources. X said Browns account was suspended for violating its rules around data usage, according to Wired. Brown later said he was suing X in a German court, though he said in an email last week that the court had dismissed his claim for lack of jurisdiction. X has not commented on the suit. Browns X account remains suspended. Also last year, X suspended the accounts of Aaron Greenspan and PlainSite, a website that Greenspan founded with a free database of hard-to-get public records. Greenspan, a critic of Musk, sued X and Musk and said in court papers that he was wrongly suspended for posting private information but not told any additional details. Lawyers for X said in court papers that the company had a right to suspend him under its terms of service. The accounts remain suspended, and Greenspans suit is pending in federal court in San Francisco. Greenspan declined to comment. In 2022, Musk said he planned to take unspecified legal action against Jack Sweeney, a college student who had set up social media accounts to track the private jets of celebrities including Musk using publicly available flight data. Musk accused Sweeney of enabling an alleged stalker and banned his account from X, although police found no link between the reported stalking incident and the jet-tracking account, The Washington Post reported. Sweeney, whose work has angered other private jet users such as Taylor Swift, said in an interview last week that Musk never sued and that hes not worried. If there was any grounds for these people to do so, they would have already, he said. Trump doesnt worry that I have an account for his. They are newsworthy people. It kind of just comes with the territory that people are interested in where you go. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Spade a Spade X-formerly-Twitter owner and xAI CEO Elon Musk isn't very concerned about the truth. The astonishingly gullible billionaire has a well-documented tendency to spread misinformation, an embarrassing and often dangerous quality that's undermined his standing in the world of science and technology. In fact, even his own AI company's chatbot Grok which Musk himself has branded as a brash truth-teller has a pretty good grasp on the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Yes, there is substantial evidence and analysis suggesting that Elon Musk has spread misinformation on various topics, including elections, to a very large audience through his social media platform, X," Grok responded when asked if "Elon Musk spread misinformation to billions of people." Busted Grok pointed to the wealth of misinformation Musk has shared in recent years, especially when it comes to the most recent presidential election. "Musk's posts related to elections, which have contained misleading or false claims, have amassed billions of views," Grok wrote. "Musk has shared manipulated videos and debunked claims about voting processes, including allegations about non-citizen voting, which are common themes in misinformation narratives." Case in point, less than a day after Musk cosigned a meme that called people who "still believe everything shown in [sic] news" dumb, he shared a video that purportedly showed "armed communist Maduro gangs... storming polling stations in Punta Cardon," Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As many users quickly pointed out, the video actually showed thieves attempting to steal air conditioners. Grok also helpfully points out that X's own Community Notes feature has often failed to point out when Musk spread malicious disinfo on the platform, "either due to its limitations or the rapid spread of the information before corrections can be applied." In other words, the platform's own solution to misinformation is woefully inadequate, allowing Musk's own fibs to proliferate widely. While largely giving a sober account of Musk's problematic behavior, the AI chatbot's answer does leave out some other notable details: that Musk isn't just using his platform to misinform voters, he's also using it to further racist ideologies and unhinged conspiracy theories, as well as to share hurtful and easily disproven fearmongering about vulnerable groups like trans people and immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grok has also been shown to spread misinformation ahead of the presidential election itself, for instance failing to tell whether a new candidate still had time to be added to ballots. It's far from the first time Grok has turned on its creator. Last year, Musk vowed to lobotomize the allegedly "woke" chatbot after finding that its political tendencies were leaning far too "left" and "libertarian." But given its level-headed assessment of Musk's misinformation machine, it seems like Grok still has the ability to get it right at least some of the time. More on Grok: Elon Musk Recommends Feeding Your Medical Scans Into His Grok AI Federal land, including army bases in Georgia such as Fort Moore near Columbus and Fort Stewart near Savannah, have played prominent roles in efforts to preserve and grow habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker. Courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife. The red-cockaded woodpeckers population had dwindled to around 1,470 clusters when federal officials decided to classify the bird as endangered back in 1970. But decades of efforts to preserve the species habitats have substantially increased the birds numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The repopulation effort was so successful, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that late last month the federal government changed the status of the bird from endangered to threatened. Some environmental groups, however, are worried that the federal governments decision might be premature. The red-cockaded woodpecker can be found in 11 southern states, from Georgia to Virginia to Texas. But thats a smaller footprint from their habitat reach when Europeans first settled in the United States and the birds could be found as far north as New Jersey. Decades of committed recovery work and collaboration drove this remarkable story of recovery, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a news release announcing the downlisting. The Service worked closely with the Departments of Agriculture and Defense, private landowners, Tribes, state agencies, businesses, utilities and conservation groups to reach todays announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But is the downlisting too much too soon? A downlisting that comes too early, thats not based on the scientific recovery goals that were set out for the species sends the wrong message, said Elizabeth Rasheed, an attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center that has been one of the leaders of opposition to the downlisting since the Fish and Wildlife Service first considered it in 2020. It gives a signal that this bird is doing fine, (that) its OK for us to no longer be on top of managing these populations, Rasheed said. Red-cockaded woodpeckers are described by U.S. Fish and Wildlife as a non-migratory bird species that lives in mature pine forests. They create homes by pecking a hole or cavity into longleaf pine trees that are preferably 60 years old or older, an age that is harder and harder to find because many pine trees are harvested at about age 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal land, including army bases in Georgia such as Fort Moore near Columbus and Fort Stewart near Savannah, have played prominent roles in efforts to preserve and grow habitat for the bird. The rare birds have lost habitat to increasing hurricanes and tropical storms sparked by climate change, human encroachment and too few older trees. Tim Lowrimore, president and CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association, sees the status change as worthy of praise. Its an example of what can happen when forest landowners are dedicated to wildlife conservation and land management, he said. This milestone shows how modern practices on private lands create resilient and healthy forest ecosystems while providing society with essential, renewable forest products we depend on every day, Lowrimore said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Georgia Forestry Association is grateful for our members commitment to initiatives like the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Forestry for Wildlife Partnership, which underscores the importance of science-based, collaborative conservation across Georgias 22 million acres of working forests, he said. But J.T. Pynne, a wildlife biologist, said a downlisting could lead to the elimination of critical funding for the protection of the species, especially federal money tied to its preservation on army bases. And because some endangered species are parts of large, shared ecosystems, a status change for one could impact the status of others, Pynne said. Im worried the downlisting may remove some of that critical funding for the conservation of the species as a whole, he said. That also could have a cascading effect on other endangered and declining species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Southern Environmental Law Centers Rasheed said many red-cockaded woodpecker populations are small and fragmented and while there has been population growth, it is tenuous and could be quickly reversed by the next hurricane or subdivision development. Rasheed said the Fish and Wildlife Service is bowing to pressure from forestry industry officials and the Defense Department, which is pushing back on land use limitations imposed on army bases to sustain the species. This species still depends on human intervention, she said. A lot of these populations are dependent on artificial cavities. Federal officials said while the downlisting removes the red-cockaded woodpecker from receiving the highest protections afforded endangered status, there will still be stringent safeguards in place. The woodpecker will get the same prohibitions it had as an endangered species, but with exceptions for routine law enforcement activities and beneficial management practices specific to the species, the Fish and Wildlife service said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rob Meyer, a biologist who studies the red-cockaded woodpecker for land trust Tall Timbers, said while progress has been made, there is still more to do. Artificial cavities have helped increase the population, but the species still has fallen short of overall population goals outlined by federal officials in a 2003 recovery plan. For instance, the species has not recovered in Tennessee and Kentucky, though that was a goal authorities said would need to be met before the red-cockaded woodpecker could be downlisted. It seems a little pre-emptive, he said of the downlisting. I hope people dont interpret this as, Oh, they are good so we can forget about them. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (NewsNation) An English womans vacation turned into a nightmare after she was arrested at the OHare Airport in Chicago. Kim Hall, 28, from the English city of Middlesbrough, was arrested on Aug. 18 before boarding her connecting flight back to England. According to The Sun, Hall was taken to jail after Homeland Security officials discovered 95 lbs of cocaine in two suitcases she was carrying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico Hall insists she had no intention to traffick drugs and was forced at gunpoint to transport the bags with her by two British men she met on a previous vacation in Portugal. The 28-year-old said she believed the men when they said only $250,000 cash was inside the two suitcases. For her efforts, the pair promised Hall a free trip to Mexico. It was just money and I didnt see anything wrong in it, Hall told The Sun. I had no suspicion that this was about drugs. One of them dragged me off the bed by my hair and held a handgun to my head, Hall said of being held at gunpoint. He said, Ill fing shoot you. It was the most frightening thing Ive ever experienced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was screaming at them to let me go. I thought Im going to end up dead if I dont carry this money.' Phoenix police dismantle international drug-trafficking network Hall is facing up to 60 years in prison and is currently under house arrest in the United States after being charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and intention to deliver. She has pleased not guilty. A British foreign office spokesperson told The Sun they are working with local authorities. Im not a bad person. Ive never been in trouble in my life and Im not guilty of what they are accusing me of, Hall said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not a drug trafficker and Im going to fight with every bone in my body to prove my innocence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Environmental Charter High School in Pittsburghs Morningside neighborhood was evacuated after a bomb threat Tuesday. Allegheny County dispatchers said units were called to Chislett Street just before 9 a.m. Pittsburgh police said the building was evacuated while Pittsburgh Police EOD and K-9 units investigated a bomb threat emailed to a school. There was nothing found during a sweep of the school, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW File photo of Russian defense minister Andrei Belousov. MOSCOW, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- In a bid to preserve its global dominance, the West is attempting to undermine regional stability, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said on Tuesday. "In order to preserve its role of the hegemon, the collective West is trying to undermine regional stability," Belousov said at a meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Moscow. He said that consequently, the participants of the expanded BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, focused on promoting a peaceful settlement of conflicts, and "the formation of a fair multipolar world order." The meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS kicked off in Moscow on Tuesday. According to Belousov, senior defense officials from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Russia attended the meeting. The participants will focus on the agenda concerning multilateral military cooperation within the CIS, said Belousov, adding that they will also discuss the preparations to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. A week after the election, Republican Eric Hovde has yet to concede to Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who declared victory. Additionally, the Associated Press called the race for her on Nov. 6. Hovde has also not requested a recount of votes, though he is eligible to do so. On Tuesday Nov. 12, officials start gathering in each Wisconsin county to begin certifying election results, meaning the window of time for Hovde to request a recount is approaching. Here's what to know about the recount deadline and process in Wisconsin. When is the deadline to request a recount in Wisconsin? For statewide elections, a candidate must wait until Wisconsin counties are done certifying their results to request a recount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county certification process kicks off at 9 a.m. on Nov. 12. Each county is required to assemble a board of canvassers often comprised of the county clerk and two qualified voters of the county to review and check all election results filed by municipal clerks by the Tuesday morning following the election. By Nov. 19, two weeks after Election Day, each county board must certify its general election results and deliver them to the Wisconsin Election Commission. The deadline to request a recount is 5 p.m. on the third business day after the Election Commission receives the last statement of results from county canvassers, according to the commission's recount manual. So, the window of time to request a recount in the U.S. Senate race is between Nov. 19 and 5 p.m. on Nov. 22 assuming all the county canvassers get their results in to the Election Commission by the deadline. When does a recount happen if it is requested? If a candidate successfully files a recount petition, then the recount must begin no later than 9 a.m. on the day following the deadline to request a recount. In this case, that's 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 though the Election Commission's manual does not specify if the process would be postponed to the next business day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recount also cannot begin before 9 a.m. the day after all candidates are notified a recount is happening. What is the margin required for a recount in Wisconsin? In an election with more than 4,000 votes which applies to Baldwin and Hovde's race the trailing candidate can demand a recount when the margin between the candidates is no more than one percent of the total votes cast. As of 6 p.m. on Nov. 8, with 99% of the vote counted, Baldwin had defeated Hovde by 0.9%. There is no automatic recount in Wisconsin, even if the unofficial results are extremely close. Does a candidate have to pay for a recount in Wisconsin? If the margin between the two candidates is 0.25% or less, the state pays for the recount. If the margin is above 0.25%, the campaign has to pay for the recount. Under the current margin, Hovde would have to pay for the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wisconsin Elections Commission would estimate the costs of the recount, such as personnel and travel costs and equipment rental fees, likely totaling a few million dollars. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When is the deadline for Eric Hovde to request recount in Wisconsin? Local veterans took time to commemorate Veterans Day at the Erie County Veterans Memorial Park. While ceremonies were held all throughout Erie County Monday and over the past several days, one in particular holds great meaning for several local veterans. Tom Ridge Environmental Center honors veterans at annual flag ceremony For veterans, the word service comes almost as naturally as breathing. But that service to our country is acknowledged as the sacrifice that it is, as all veterans know, freedom doesnt come free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a time for us to remember all Veterans that served whether in peacetime or war. . . those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, those that never returned, those whose families have sacrificed for us. We give this day to all veterans and their family with honor, dignity, and pride, said Dave Lesnieski, a Vietnam veteran. Local Vietnam veterans observed Veterans Day at the Erie County Veterans Memorial Park Monday morning. Many remembering their time serving our country with pride. All of us have wounds of some kind. Those who served on the ground have worse wounds than the rest of us. As a Navy man, I understand that because I was on a ship that backed up those guys in Vietnam, said Charles Lehr, a Navy veteran. Northwestern Senior Center Albion recognizes its veterans whove served Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The veterans presented wreaths to be displayed near the monument for all to see, rang a bell, and read a prayer. Veterans Day is even more special for those in Erie County. Nearly 20% of retired people in Erie County are veterans and despite a shared calling for service, some are still seeking for others to take time to learn about service and find appreciation for the freedoms we have in America. Its a solemn day, and its a special day for all of us. I just wish maybe sometimes people would understand the things that happened and the things a lot of us went through, said Dennis Newara, an Army veteran. Veterans Memorial Park is meant to be a home for all veterans. It includes monuments for World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War and stands as a symbol of our freedoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another year of giving back Veteran receives new roof thanks to local business It means a whole lot because this park, this Veterans Memorial Park, is for all Veterans. Its new, and its beautiful, and it has a lot of meaning. Its our home now, and were happy about it, Kenneth Kensill, president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 435 went on to say. Kensill hopes more people visit the park to pay their respects to 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The estate of a Portland security guard who was killed in the Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital shooting last year has hit the medical center with a wrongful death lawsuit. The complaint filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Tuesday claims the hospital systems failure to enforce security and safety rules led to the death of Bobby Smallwood. Son arrested after father found dead in Clackamas County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 44-year-old security guard was fatally shot on July 22, 2023, in an attempt to protect Legacy Good Samaritan staff and patients from an individual later identified as PoniaX Kane Calles. The 33-year-old suspect died in an officer-involved shooting in Gresham that same day. DAmore Law Group is seeking $35 million from Legacy Health. Walter Bob Smallwood and Tammy Smallwood, parents of the slain security guard, told the Portland-based law firm they have been profoundly impacted by their sons death. Every day we grieve the loss of our son and all the years ahead that should have been his to live, the Smallwoods said in a statement. We will never have the joy of seeing him get married, holding his children, or hearing his laugh again. Nothing can bring Bobby back, but we will not stop fighting until Legacy is held fully responsible for what they took from our family. According to court documents, the hospital systems policy states it has zero tolerance for willful acts of workplace violence and violators should be removed from the site immediately and excluded from entering the property going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillsboro voters turn down ballot measure to fluoridate water supply However, attorneys alleged that Calles was already hostile toward employees who attempted to treat his pregnant girlfriend at the Womens Services Department on July 19 the same week of the shooting. The following day, the complaint claimed three security guards de-escalated a situation involving the suspect who had become verbally aggressive and interfered with the treatment of his partner who was giving birth. On July 21, Calles was additionally accused of telling a nurse, If you guys keep acting like this, someone is going to get killed around here. Court documents alleged Smallwood was called from Legacy Emanuel to assist hospital personnel as they removed Calles from the facility on July 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DAmore Law Group asserted that Smallwood waited with the suspect for more than an hour as other guards found two firearms with ammunition in his partners hospital room. According to the law firm, she told staff Calles was likely to have a third gun in his possession. Smallwood was not aware the suspect could have had a gun. 600 Albany teachers go on strike following failed negotiations The complaint claims the hospitals security manager considered issuing a Cold Silver, or an alert that an active shooter was inside the building, but the lead security guard said they had never called one and didnt know how to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys wrote that other guards attempted to use hand gestures to inform Smallwood that the suspect could have a gun. When Smallwood told the suspect he needed to pat him down, Calles said he would leave the premises. However, documents allege that other staff stopped Smallwood as he escorted Calles off of the property just before the suspect shot him in the neck. The hospital called a Code Silver after Calles opened fire. According to court documents, employees across all Legacy facilities were assaulted almost 125 times from 2022 until July 2023, when Smallwood died. The medical center said it is unable to comment on pending litigation. 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. Estonia's Defense Minister, Hanno Pevkur, visited Kyiv on Nov. 11, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and announced a new aid package for Ukraine, Pevkur said on X. During the visit, Pevkur signed a new military aid package, providing clothing and small arms, reaffirming Estonias commitment to Ukraines defense by allocating 0.25% of its GDP to military support. Zelensky thanked Estonia for its leadership and emphasized effective cooperation to meet Ukraine's defense needs and equip new brigades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They discussed plans to finance the production of long-range drones in Ukraine and Estonias support for Ukraines aspirations to join the EU and NATO. The leaders also reviewed progress on a broader victory plan for Ukraine. Estonia has been among Kyiv's staunchest supporters since the start of the full-scale invasion began, offering humanitarian, developmental, and military assistance. Estonia and Ukraine signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on June 26. The deal stipulates that Estonia will supply Ukraine with defense aid worth more than 100 million euros ($107 million). Read also: Russian drone damages Estonian ambassadors apartment building in Kyiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Hurricane Helene brought devastating and deadly flooding across Appalachia in September. A project led by a researcher at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) hopes to change preparedness and response by using generative artificial intelligence. The Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Automated Climate Resilience Dashboards: A Case Study on Flood Monitoring in Central Appalachia project received $20,000 in funding from the Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) Lab. The project can potentially enhance flood preparedness and response efforts in Central Appalachia, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ETSU responds to fans disappointed by Darius Ruckers appearance Dr. Qian Huang from ETSUs Center for Rural Health and Research and Dr. Tao Hu from Oklahoma State University proposed the following approaches to create flood dashboards: Data Enhancement and Automation: Leveraging generative AI to optimize the collection, processing and integration of various data sources, thereby automating the dashboard interface. Community Engagement: Conducting a Community Engagement Studio to ensure the dashboards user-friendliness and replicability. Traditional dashboards rely on professional expertise and human analysis, the release said. Generative AI offers a potential solution to quicken and automate the process, improving awareness and preparedness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10-month project will reportedly create a flood monitoring dashboard for Central Appalachia (comprised of 82 counties in Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee). The dashboard will display historical flooding events, flood predictions, demographic data, social determinants of health and access to health care. The project hopes to expand to include 169 counties in the above states and Western North Carolina. Recent events have forcefully, and painfully reminded us of the devastating impacts of flooding in rural regions, including Appalachia, Dr. Randy Wykoff, dean of the ETSU College of Public Health, said in a news release. I am pleased that Dr. Qian Huang is using her expertise to develop this dashboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on the project, 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. The incoming EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, wants the European Union to take a tougher stance on China for supporting Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "Without China's support to Russia, Russia would not be able to continue its war with the same force," Kallas told a European Parliament hearing on Tuesday. The parliament is scrutinizing the EU's next top diplomat on multiple areas including relations with the United States, the Middle East, China and Ukraine, as part of the process to confirm Kallas's expected appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kallas said China must pay a "higher cost" for supplying materials to the Kremlin for making weapons and for helping Russia evade EU sanctions. Calling on EU member states to up defence spending, Kallas stressed the urgency of the task. By the time countries need to use such resources, it is too late to make the the decision to buy them, she argued. "We have to make the decisions now, when we are in peace time, in order to be ready when the situation comes," she told EU lawmakers. The former Estonian prime minister also said the bloc must not accept that North Korea, Iran and Russia can produce more ammunition for the Ukraine war than the US and the 27 EU member states are able to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a pointed message to the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump, Kallas said that Washington cannot afford to focus on China alone without considering Ukraine, as both issues are connected. "If the US is worried about China, or other actors, then they should also be worried about how we respond in Russia's war against Ukraine," she said, pointing to the growing ties between Moscow and Beijing. BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union must back Ukraine against Russia for as a long as it takes and persuade the United States that its strategic interests in China are tied up in the outcome of the war, the woman nominated as the blocs top diplomat for the next five years said Tuesday. Questions have been raised about whether the 27-nation EUs commitment to Ukraine would remain firm with Russia appearing to have an edge in the war, which began on Feb. 24, 2022, and following the reelection of Donald Trump, who has vowed to end the conflict as U.S. president. Ukraines victory is a priority for us all. The situation on the battlefield is very difficult, Estonia ex-Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told EU lawmakers during a hearing she must pass to be appointed as foreign policy chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is why we must keep on working every day. Today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes and with as much military, financial and humanitarian aid as needed, she said, and added that this must be underpinned by a clear path for Ukraine to join the European Union. Kallas underlined Chinas more covert role in the conflict. Without Chinas support to Russia, Russia would not be able to continue its war with the same force. China needs to also feel the higher cost, she said, suggesting that sanctions should be considered. Many EU leaders and representatives have long insisted that the bloc must wean itself off its security dependence on the United States, regardless of who is in power in Washington. The belief is that the U.S. is increasingly focused on its growing rivalry with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Kallas noted: If (the) U.S is worried about China, or other actors, then they should also be worried about how we respond in Russias war against Ukraine, because we see how Iran, North Korea, China, more covertly, and Russia are working together. The 47-year-old Estonian politician, who is set to take over the top EU post from Spains Josep Borrell, played down concerns about Trump, saying: we are not the ones who are electing the president for our partners. So we need to work with all the administrations. Kallas said that she has always met with U.S. representatives from both sides and has already been in contact with people close to Trump, notably Vice President-elect JD Vance. ABU DHABI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday strongly condemned recent remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who reportedly called for the imposition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank in the coming year. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its unequivocal rejection of "all provocative statements and measures" intended to alter the legal status of the occupied Palestinian territory. The ministry underscored that such actions contravene international resolutions and risk escalating tensions, destabilizing the region, and obstructing efforts toward peace. The ministry stressed the importance of supporting both regional and international initiatives to advance the peace process in the Middle East, reiterating that illegal practices undermining the two-state solution must be halted to enable the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. In addition, the ministry called on the international community to work swiftly towards an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and to avoid worsening the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, with the aim of achieving a comprehensive and just peace in the region. The European Parliament will hold an emergency session next Tuesday, 19 November to mark 1,000 days since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Source: Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda Details: Metsola said the extraordinary plenary session would mark "1,000 days of the bravery and courage of the people of Ukraine". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join us for a special address from Ukraine," she added. For as long as it takes Proud to announce a @Europarl_EN extraordinary Plenary Session on Tuesday 19 November, to mark 1000 days of the bravery and courage of the people of Ukraine. President @ZelenskyyUa will join us for a special address from Ukraine.#SlavaUkraini Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) November 12, 2024 The European Parliament and its president, Roberta Metsola, are among the most active supporters of Ukraine in the EU. Background: In September, MEPs demanded that EU countries lift current restrictions that prevent Ukraine from using Western weapons systems against legitimate military targets in Russia. In the summer, they condemned the "peacemaking" efforts of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Support UP or become our patron! The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine opened in Meridian in 2018. (Courtesy of ICOM) Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on November 12, 2024 Idaho State University is looking at the feasibility of buying a private medical school in Meridian. The review is in its early stages, Idaho State President Robert Wagner said Monday. Its unclear how much it would cost to acquire the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) or where the state or the university would get the money. Its not even clear that Idaho State would actually pursue a purchase of ICOM, which has been affiliated with Idaho State since it opened six years ago. And at this point, ICOM isnt even for sale. Idaho State University President Robert Wagner. (Idaho Education News) It is so early in any discussions, everything is on the table, Wagner told Idaho Education News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The discussions come as Idaho State looks to defend its preeminence in the field of health care professions a high-demand market that is drawing increased interest from other colleges and universities across the state. Wagner floated the idea of an ICOM purchase in an email to House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star. I will continue to work on assessing the feasibility of ISU partnering with the state to acquire ICOM in order to provide more medical professionals for Idaho, Wagner said in the July 22 email, received by EdNews through a public records request. This is a natural next step in the existing strong partnership between ISU and ICOM. A preliminary process but an ongoing issue An ICOM purchase is far from a done deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his July email to Moyle, Wagner said he hopes ICOMs owners will explore a sale over the next two years. Wagner said he has discussed the idea with ICOM President and CEO Tracy Farnsworth, and ICOM is willing to at least listen to our ideas. On Tuesday, Farnsworth said a sale could benefit Idahoans, and a state with a dire doctors shortage. But he said hes never discussed the idea of a sale with ICOMs staff or its board of trustees. ICOMs ownership group has never discussed the idea either. Theres no current, active interest in selling the college right now, Farnsworth told EdNews. In an interview Monday, Moyle also emphasized that ICOM is not for sale. However, he added, We ought to be in a position to take advantage if (ICOM) becomes available. Moyle said he has long supported the idea of pursuing an Idaho medical school. He said the process began years ago, with the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Health Sciences Center on Idaho States Meridian campus. The Skaggs familys charitable trust has contributed more than $10 million to Idaho State since 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho ought to keep moving to the ball to getting a medical school here, Moyle told EdNews. House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star There has been potential interest in an ICOM purchase for years, dating back to its opening, State Board of Education spokesman Mike Keckler said. But there has been no action or even discussions held by the board. If Idaho State pursues an ICOM purchase, the State Board, the Legislature and Idahos health care industry would certainly be involved in the discussions, Wagner said. It doesnt appear likely that the issue would come before the 2025 Legislature, which begins its next session in less than two months. The State Board and the Legislature have played prominent and conflicting roles in the debate over another proposed higher ed acquisition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2023, the State Board signed off on the University of Idahos bid to acquire the University of Phoenix, a massive for-profit online university serving some 70,000 students nationwide. The 2024 Legislature balked at the $685 million purchase, leaving the proposal on life support. ICOM, by contrast, is far smaller, with deep connections to Idaho State. About ICOM and its ties to Idaho State The states first medical school, ICOM was founded in partnership with Idaho State and opened in 2018. In July, the school welcomed its seventh group of first-year students a cohort of 162 students, scheduled to graduate in 2028. Thirty-five of these students are from Idaho. ICOM expects its enrollment to grow by 70 students next fall, Dean Kevin Wilson said recently, and is hiring 27 additional staffers to accommodate the growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICOM sits next to Idaho States Meridian campus. And the two affiliates are not just linked by physical proximity. Farnsworth is a former professor of health care management at Idaho State. Wagner sits on ICOMs board of trustees, as does Rex Force, Idaho States vice president for health science and senior vice provost. Idaho State and ICOM offer several dual degrees. In May, Idaho State and ICOM renewed a memorandum of understanding; at the time, Idaho State said the agreement solidifies the partnership between the two institutions and paves the way for further collaboration. (More about the partnership from the Idaho Capital Sun.) On Monday, Wagner said this agreement prompted the July 22 email to Moyle, updating him on a possible ICOM purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICOM is now owned by Rice University, a private university based in Houston, and TPG, an international private equity company. While the companys board has not yet discussed selling ICOM, it could be just a matter of time. Private equity firms like TPG generally look to sell their assets at some point, Farnsworth told EdNews in an interview. Thats expected. The health care professions niche ICOMs projected growth coincides with Idaho States plans to grow its Meridian campus and grow its statewide footprint in health care programs. Last week, the Meridian City Council approved a plan to annex 23 acres and rezone it for an expanded health science campus, the Idaho Press reported. Health care has been a centerpiece in Idaho States mission for decades. The university has added 700 students in health professions fields over the past five years, touting partnerships with ICOM, Lewis-Clark State College and the College of Southern Idaho, among others. But in recent years, other Idaho colleges and universities have scrambled to expand offerings in programs such as nursing. A response to a growing workplace demand, this expansion has also raised questions about competition and duplicated services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, Wagner says it will take partnership and collaboration to serve the states need for health care professionals. But he pointed out that Idaho States mission gives it a unique role in exploring new avenues. Were willing to be creative. We are willing to be innovative, he said. I, for one, am, not satisfied to just sit back and say, Hey, were doing a good job. Which we are. Medical education in Idaho Currently, Idaho funds two programs that allow Gem State students to attend out-of-state medical schools. The WWAMI program named for the member states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho partners with the University of Washingtons medical school. Idaho students begin their studies at the University of Idaho. The $7.5 million program, which serves 160 Idaho students at a time, has come under some scrutiny. In 2022, Moyle sponsored a bill requiring WWAMI grads to return to Idaho to practice medicine for four years, or pay back the money the state paid to subsidize their education. The bill became law after then- Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho has a second partnership with the University of Utah, which subsidizes 40 medical school students at a time, at a cost of close to $3 million. An ICOM purchase has long been a part of the conversation about medical education in Idaho, Keckler said. There is a need in Idaho for more doctors and various ideas have come up over the years about how to best address it, including this one. An ICOM purchase is only one possible approach. The state could purchase medical school seats at ICOM, as it now does through WWAMI and the University of Utah partnership. In other words, the state would spend tax dollars to subsidize Idaho students who want to attend ICOM. On Monday, Moyle said he was open to the idea of acquiring medical school seats at ICOM, or additional seats at the University of Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Either way, the objective is to address a looming problem: Idahos growing doctors shortage. Wagner and Farnsworth can cite a series of grim statistics. Idaho ranks 49th in the nation for primary medical care positions in Idaho, Wagner said. Even if Idaho added 1,400 doctors overnight, that massive influx would only bring its number of physicians to the national average, Farnsworth said. On top of that, he added, a third of Idahos doctors are over the age of 60. You have to look at every combination of solutions, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court refused to shift the Georgia election-interference prosecution of former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows into federal court, rejecting an appeal from the onetime top aide to Donald Trump. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices without comment left in place an appeals court decision that said Meadows cant invoke a law that lets federal officers have their cases transferred. The three-judge panel said Meadows is no longer a government employee and wasnt engaged in official business when he allegedly helped Trump try to overturn the 2020 results. Meadows and Trump were among 19 people charged by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis with taking part in a scheme to violate state racketeering law. Prosecutors say Meadows took a series of steps to help try to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 victory, including arranging a key phone call in which Trump urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find enough votes to flip the outcome there. Trials in the cases are on hold until a Georgia appeals court decides whether Willis should be removed because of a romantic relationship with one of the prosecutors. Four defendants have pleaded guilty. Willis won reelection on Nov. 5. Trumps election for a new term as president could add another complication. His lawyers are preparing to seek dismissal of the case against him on grounds that it would interfere with his constitutional duties. Because the prosecution is a state one, Trump as president wont have power to order Willis to drop the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving the case into federal court might have given Meadows a more sympathetic set of jurors by broadening the geographic area for the jury pool. Immunity Ruling At the Supreme Court, Meadows tried unsuccessfully to leverage the courts recent decision partially immunizing Trump from prosecution. Meadows said the July 1 ruling underscored the importance of ensuring that the president and top aides can do their jobs without fear of facing retaliatory prosecutions later. As both Congress and this court well understand, empowering state prosecutors to call open season on federal officers and then force them to defend on the states home turf would pose a very real threat to our republics stability regardless whether the officers are current or former, he argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A three-judge panel of the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Meadows, saying his position couldnt be squared with the language of the so-called federal officer removal law. Willis and her team urged the Supreme Court to reject the appeal without granting a hearing. She pointed to Trumps decision not to seek transfer of the case against him, saying his stance decision undercuts any suggestion that Meadows cant get a fair trial in Georgia state court. The 11th Circuit applied long-established principles of statutory interpretation to arrive at its holding, and review is neither necessary nor urgent, Willis argued. The case is Meadows v. Georgia, 24-97. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Beijing is pushing Pakistan to allow its own security staff to provide protection to thousands of Chinese citizens working in the South Asian nation, during talks after a car bombing in Karachi that was seen as a major security breach, sources said. Last month's airport bombing in the southern port city that killed two Chinese engineers returning to work on a project after a holiday in Thailand was the latest in a string of attacks on Beijing's interests in Pakistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attacks, and Islamabad's failure to deter them, have angered China, which has pushed Pakistan to begin formal negotiations for a joint security management system. Reuters spoke to five Pakistani security and government sources with direct knowledge of the previously unreported negotiations and demands on condition of anonymity, as the talks are sensitive, and reviewed a written proposal sent by Beijing to Islamabad. "They (Chinese) want to bring in their own security," said one official, who sat in on a recent meeting, adding that Pakistan had not so far agreed to such a step. A written proposal sent to Islamabad by Beijing, and forwarded to Pakistani security agencies for review, mentioned a clause allowing the dispatching of security agencies and military forces into each others' territory to assist in counter-terrorism missions and conduct joint strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dispatching would be done after discussions, but Pakistani agencies were averse to the proposal, one official said. Neither Beijing nor Islamabad confirmed the talks officially. The source, and two other officials, said there was a consensus on setting up a joint security management system, and that Pakistan was amenable to Chinese officials sitting in on security meetings and co-ordination. But there was no agreement on their participating in security arrangements on the ground. The first official said Pakistan had asked China for help in improving its intelligence and surveillance capabilities instead of direct involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for China's foreign ministry told Reuters it was not familiar with talks on a joint security scheme, but added, "China will continue to strengthen co-operation with Pakistan and make joint efforts to do its utmost to maintain the security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions." Inter-Services Public Relations, the information wing of the Pakistan army, declined to comment. The interior and planning ministries did not respond to repeated requests for comment. In a statement last week, Pakistan's interior ministry said both sides agreed to develop a joint strategy to prevent similar incidents in the future. 'GRAVE SECURITY BREACH' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nature of the Karachi bombing has angered Beijing, which is now pushing harder to achieve a long standing demand to control security arrangements for its citizens. A pick-up truck rigged with nearly 100 kg (220 lbs) of explosives waited unchecked for about 40 minutes near the outermost security cordon of the heavily guarded airport before its driver rammed it into a vehicle carrying Chinese engineers, officials said. "It was a grave security breach," admitted one of the officials investigating the bombing, which came just a week before Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Islamabad, the first such trip in a decade. The official said investigators believe the attackers had "inside help" in securing details of the itinerary and route of the engineers, who had returned from a month off in Thailand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were to be escorted back to a power plant set up as part of plans for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Longtime Pakistan ally China has thousands of nationals working on projects grouped under the CPEC, a $65-billion investment in President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to expand China's global reach by road, rail and sea. 'CHINESE FRUSTRATIONS' Publicly China has mostly backed Pakistan's arrangements, even as it calls for enhanced security. Privately, Beijing has expressed frustration. At one recent meeting, the Chinese side provided evidence that Pakistan had failed to follow security protocols agreed on twice in recent months, three officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such protocols usually feature high standards for deployment and movement of Chinese officials. Chinese nationals have been in the crosshairs of separatist militants who see Beijing as helping Pakistan exploit minerals in the underdeveloped southwestern province of Balochistan, where China has a strategic port and mining interests. Thousands of Pakistani security officers from the army, police and a dedicated force called the Special Protection Unit are posted to guard Chinese nationals. Only China's embassy in Islamabad and its consulates are allowed Chinese official security personnel, the Pakistani officials said. (Reporting by Asif Shahzad; Additional reporting by Joe Cash and Ethan Wang in Beijing; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Ed Osmond) The St. Johns County school board expelled seven students after what the district calls a brutal attack and full-out brawl at the bus loop of St. Augustine High School. The district said it happened in the afternoon of September 25. The school board voted today to remove another student, a 15-year-old girl, from the school because of the fight. We arent sharing the students name or showing her picture because of her age. She came before the school board Tuesday morning in a public expulsion hearing after the superintendent recommended she be expelled for one year. Most of these disciplinary hearings are private, but the family brought an attorney to fight her chance of being expelled and ensure the hearing would be public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teen said three students jumped her by the bus loop. It started with an argument, but, in less than 30 seconds, video we brought you only on Action News Jax shows the fight getting physical. The districts narrative of the fight said [another student] took the first swing, and [the 15-year-old] pushed back. Within just a moment, a student came in swinging and punching rapidly. It took the full strength of [two deputies] and [a dean] to separate the students. The district said 14 units with the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, three assistant principals, and four deans were among those who responded to the fight. Superintendent Tim Forson was in the room during the hearing. Describing the fight, he said, In all my experience, Ive not seen an incident that escalated and was as violent as this one, ever. The district said three school staffers, including a dean, were hurt trying to break up the fight. The districts report and school security camera video show that dean had tried pulling the 15-year-old away from the fight after she was hit. Security video shows the two make it back toward the side of the building and sit down. At that time, the district said the dean was hurt when the girl fought her in an attempt to go back in the direction of the fight. I was trying to get my shoes and my phone to call my sister and my dad, but nobody would give me my phone back, the teen said, describing her altercation with the dean. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The 15-year-old said the students who started the fight had harassed her multiple times in the weeks before. This is what she said during the hearing: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When [my sister and I] came [to St. Augustine High School,] I dont know what happened, but [the students] started messing with me and my sister. We reported it to the dean multiple times, but they didnt do anything about it. Both the teen and the district say the disputes between her and the other students carried over into high school from their middle school years. The dean who the 15-year-old said was told about the supposed harassment said he did receive the reports and tried handling the issue, but acknowledged more could have been done. All of those students, I want to make sure theyre in school and theyre taken care of, so I do acknowledge that, the dean said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] The students attorney advised her not to speak with Action News Jax. But her father hopes never again to see violence like this in schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you go to school, you go to learn. Youve got to keep all of this B.S. aside, said Courtney, the students father, whose last name we arent sharing to protect the teens identity. Kids need the chance to just live their lives and be kids. The 15-year-old will spend the next school year at the Gaines Alternative School in St. Augustine. The district said the school is meant for students whove broken significant school and district rules. The student will have access to mental health resources if the family decides to use them. 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. CHICAGO From ordinary blue collar workers to seasoned political hands to members of the clergy, many Americans are combing through the election results trying to make sense of the outcome. Republican Donald Trumps triumph was powered by working class voters, some of them minorities, most of them white. With Vice President Kamala Harris as Democrats standard-bearer, a gender gap emerged. Exit polling from 10 crucial states shows 53 percent of women voted for Harris, 45 percent for Trump. As for men, it was advantage Trump, with 55 percent voting for him and 42 percent giving the nod to Harris. I think that was a classic socio-religious move and I say that because it is straight out of the Bible, said Bishop Simon Gordon of Triedstone Church of Chicago, considered a strong voice among clergy. So you go get the young men. You get the ones who feel disenfranchised. You get the ones who feel like they have been left out. You get the ones who feel like nobodys paying attention to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kitchen table issues mattered. Trump beat Harris on trust to handle the economy 52 to 46. On immigration, Trump overwhelmingly won voters who said immigration was their top concern. And he made gains among Hispanic men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even immigrants of Mexican descent like myself, my family. We love immigrants and the Republican Party loves immigrants, but we love people that do it the right way. We need order in our country, said Chuck Hernandez, the chair of the Chicago Republican Party. The America first movement is more popular today than ever before. When it came to the income of voters, President-elect Trump won every family income group earning fewer than $100,000 a year. Harris won above that level. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. (WJET/WFXP) Hunters will be treated with expanded hunting permissions for a few upcoming Sundays, thanks to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). Sunday hunting has usually been allowed for fox, coyote and crow during open season but the PGC has expanded regulations for two Sundays in November and one in December. Lottery ticket worth over $1 million sold in Mercer County Below are the dates and what game is permitted (WMU = Wildlife Management Unit): Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement November 17 Deer (archery), bear (archery in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D only), squirrel, pheasant, rabbit, grouse, bobwhite quail, woodchuck, crow, raccoon, fox, coyote, opossum, striped skunk, weasel and porcupine November 24 Bear, deer (archery in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D only), squirrel, pheasant, rabbit, grouse, bobwhite quail, woodchuck, crow, raccoon, fox, coyote, opossum, striped skunk, weasel and porcupine December 1 Deer, bear (only in WMUs with extended season), raccoon, fox, coyote, opossum, striped skunk and weasel PGC notes that coyote hunters during any big-game season must follow big-game orange requirements. Raccoons, foxes, opossums, striped skunks and weasels may be hunted only after legal hunting hours for deer. Crows may not be hunted during the regular deer firearms season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PennDOT: Road closure scheduled for needed railroad work in City of Erie Turkeys and migratory game birds may not be hunted on any of the days. Other games that are in season may be hunted on these Sundays. For these days, any hunter wishing to go on private land will be required to carry a written permission slip from the landowner, which can be found on page 4 of PGCs Hunting & Trapping Digest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WGHP) A beautiful fall evening across the Piedmont Triad with temperatures falling into the low 50s after 7 pm. Skies remain clear this evening and overnight which will allow temperatures to drop significantly. Well wake up Wednesday morning with temperatures in the mid 30s and sunny skies. Mostly sunny skies remain into the afternoon but temperatures will also be even cooler with highs in the mid 50s. Clouds roll in Wednesday night into Thursday morning followed by increasing rain chances through the early morning hours. Widespread rain is expected throughout the day Thursday which will keep temperatures cold all day long. Rainfall totals look to be near an inch in some spots. This is our first significant rainfall in nearly a month and a half! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you think the mid 50s is cold Thursday is going to bring a shock to your system! Well start the day in the low 40s and afternoon temperatures will struggle to reach the upper 40s. Its also going to be breezy with east-northeast winds of 10 to 20 mph which means itll feel even colder than the actual temperatures. The sun comes back out Friday with mostly sunny skies and temperatures start to warm back up, returning to seasonable. Well start the day in the low 40s with highs reaching the low 60s. For the weekend, temperatures will be in the 40s in the mornings both days and afternoon temperatures reach the mid 60s. A mix of sun and clouds returns to start next week. Morning temperatures on Monday and Tuesday will be in the mid 40s with afternoon highs reaching the upper 60s. 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 FOX8 WGHP. By Gloria Dickie BAKU (Reuters) -This year's U.N. climate summit - COP29 - is being held during yet another record-breaking year of higher global temperatures, adding pressure to negotiations aimed at curbing climate change. The last global scientific consensus on climate change was released in 2021 through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, however scientists say that evidence shows global warming and its impacts are unfolding faster than expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is some of the latest climate research: 1.5C BREACHED? The world may already have hit 1.5 degree Celsius (2.7 F) of warming above the average pre-industrial temperature - a critical threshold beyond which it is at risk of irreversible and extreme climate change, scientists say. A group of researchers made the suggestion in a study released on Monday based on an analysis of 2,000 years of atmospheric gases trapped in Antarctic ice cores that extends the understanding of pre-industrial temperature trends. Scientists have typically measured today's temperatures against a baseline temperature average for 1850-1900. By that measure, the world is now at nearly 1.3 C (2.4 F) of warming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the new data suggests a longer pre-industrial baseline, based on temperature data spanning the year 13 to 1700, the study published in the journal Nature Geoscience said. Either way, 2024 is certain to be the warmest year on record. SUPERCHARGED HURRICANES Not only is ocean warming fuelling stronger Atlantic storms, it is also causing them to intensify more rapidly, for example, jumping from a Category 1 to a Category 3 storm in just hours. Growing evidence shows this is true of other ocean basins. Hurricane Milton needed only one day in the Gulf of Mexico in October to go from tropical storm to the Gulf's second-most powerful hurricane on record, slamming Florida's west coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warmer air can also hold more moisture, helping storms carry and eventually release more rain. As a result, hurricanes are delivering flooding even in mountain towns like Asheville, North Carolina, inundated in September by Hurricane Helene. WILDFIRE DEATHS Global warming is drying waterways and sapping moisture from forests, creating conditions for bigger and hotter wildfires from the U.S. West and Canada to southern Europe and Russia's Far East creating more damaging smoke. Research published last month in Nature Climate Change calculated that about 13% of deaths associated with toxic wildfire smoke, roughly 12,000 deaths, during the 2010s could be attributed to the climate effect on wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CORAL BLEACHING With the world in the throes of a fourth mass coral bleaching event the largest on record scientists fear the world's reefs have passed a point of no return. Scientists will be studying bleached reefs from Australia to Brazil for signs of recovery over the next few years if temperatures fall. AMAZON ALARM Brazil's Amazon is in the grips of its worst and most widespread drought since records began in 1950. River levels sank to all-time lows this year, while fires ravaged the rainforest. This adds concern to scientific findings earlier this year that between 10% and 47% of the Amazon will face combined stresses of heat and drought from climate change, as well as other threats, by 2050. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This could push the Amazon past a tipping point, with the jungle no longer able to produce enough moisture to quench its own trees, at which point the ecosystem could transition to degraded forests or sandy savannas. Globally, forests appear to be struggling. A July study found that forests overall last year failed to absorb as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as in the past, due largely to the Amazon drought and wildfires in Canada. That means a record amount of CO2 entered the atmosphere. VOLCANIC SURGE Scientists fear climate change could even boost volcanic eruptions. In Iceland, volcanoes appear to be responding to rapid glacier retreat. As ice melts, less pressure is exerted on the Earth's crust and mantle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volcanologists worry this could destabilize magma reservoirs and appears to be leading to more magma being created, building up pressure underground. Some 245 volcanoes across the world lie under or near ice and could be at risk. OCEAN SLOWDOWN The warming of the Atlantic could hasten the collapse of a key current system, which scientists warn could already be sputtering. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which transports warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic, has helped to keep European winters milder for centuries. Research in 2018 showed that AMOC has weakened by about 15% since 1950, while research published in February in the journal Science Advances, suggested that it could be closer to a critical slowdown than previously thought. (Reporting by Gloria Dickie; Editing by Katy Daigle and Alexander Smith) SANAA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said they launched rocket and drone attacks on Tuesday targeting U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea and two U.S. destroyers in the Red Sea. In a statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the attacks, both lasting eight hours, were carried out "in response to the British-American aggression on our country (Yemen), and in support to the Palestinian and Lebanese people." Sarea held the United States and Britain responsible for "turning the Red Sea region into a zone of military tension," warning that "repercussions on (commercial) maritime navigation" would be very bad. The Houthi group would not stop attacking ships until Israel ends its war against Gaza and southern Lebanon, he added. There has been no comment yet from the U.S. military over the Houthi attacks. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported earlier on Tuesday on social media platform X two explosions near a commercial vessel 70 nautical miles southwest of Houthi-controlled Yemeni Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, with all crew members remaining safe. The Houthis have yet to comment on the incident. Earlier in the day, a Yemeni government military source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that at least 10 Houthi members were killed in two separate U.S. drone strikes in Yemen's central Al-Bayda province. Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV also reported the two strikes by "U.S. drones," without providing further details. In a previous report, the Houthi television said "U.S.-British navy coalition warplanes" launched three airstrikes against the Al-Fazah area, a few kilometers south of Hodeidah. Also on Tuesday, U.S. Central Command posted on social media platform X, stating, "Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) support operations against Iran-backed Houthis in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility," along with a video showing warplanes taking off from the aircraft carrier. The Houthis and the U.S. military have been attacking each other since November last year, when the Houthis began launching anti-ship missiles and drone attacks on what they said were "Israeli-linked" cargo ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Since January, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the region has conducted regular air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group. The Houthi group seized several northern provinces in late 2014 when the civil war in Yemen broke out, forcing the internationally recognized Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa. All U.S. airlines and other commercial operators have been banned from flying into Haiti for at least 30 days, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday. The announcements came as a third U.S. carrier, American Airlines, confirmed on Tuesday that one of its aircraft had also been hit by gunfire on Monday while traveling over Haitian airspace. Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways on Monday confirmed separately that their aircraft had sustained gunshots. American has canceled all flights to Haiti until February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Airlines spokeswoman Amanda Maldonado said the gunfire that hit Flight 819 was discovered in Miami after the plane landed safely at Miami International Airport on Monday from Port-au-Princes Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Out of an abundance of caution, a post-flight inspection was completed, indicating the exterior of the aircraft had been impacted by a bullet, she said. We are working closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident. The airlines daily service between Miami and Port-au-Prince has been suspended through Feb. 12, she said. On Monday Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways flights were also hit by rounds over Port-au-Prince airspace. The Spirit flight was a mile east of Toussaint Louverture International Airport when it was fired on, and the JetBlue fight had just taken off and was bound for New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport. No passengers were injured, the airlines said, but a spokesperson for Spirit said that a flight attendant sustained minor injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the incident, JetBlue announced cancellation of flights until Dec. 2, while American Airlines said flights would be canceled until Thursday. Spirit, which canceled flights out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport into both Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien said flights were canceled pending an investigation of the shooting. The FAA issued the Notice to Airmen, known as a NOTAM, prohibiting U.S. civil aviation operations in the territory and airspace of Haiti below 10,000 feet after initially issuing the prohibition until Monday. The notice applies to all operators of civil aircraft registered in the U.S except when the operator of such an aircraft is a foreign air carrier. Exceptions are made for emergencies and flights authorized by the U.S. government or agency with approval of the FAA. Haitian-owned Sunrise Airways says neither the ban nor Mondays shootings have affected its flights. The airline, which flies to several Caribbean destinations, operates flights between Miami International Airport and Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marks the second time this year air travel in and out of Haiti has been disrupted by the countrys escalating gang violence. After gangs launched coordinated attacks in late February to force the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry the countrys airports were closed for nearly three months. Kesner Pharel, a Port-au-Prince economist, said that between the closure of the airport and the main seaport which recently stopped accepting cargo ships after two crew members were kidnapped and a snipers bullet injured a dock worker Haiti will see even more difficult days ahead. Fewer people coming in the country mean less money flowing through the economy, he said, which will contribute to extreme poverty and misery. Haitian leaders have not said anything about the shootings, which occurred during a day in which police and gangs were engaged in several firefights, and after members of a gang coalition threatened violence after the ruling presidential council ousted Prime Minister Garry Conille and tapped businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime, to replace him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader on Monday called the shooting at the airplanes an act of terrorism. Haiti has been on the U.S. State Departments highest travel warning, Level 4, even before the 2021 assassination of the countrys president, Jovenel Moise, plunged the country into a constitutional crisis and ramped-up violence by armed gangs. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a temporary ban on civil flights to Haiti after a plane coming from Florida got hit by gunfire. According to the Associated Press, a Spirit Airlines flight was headed to Port-au-Prince from Fort Lauderdale when gangs in the Haitian capital shot at the plane, injuring a flight attendant. Human head washes ashore at Florida beach; police investigating Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flight was then diverted to the Dominican Republic. Officials with the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince said they were aware of gang-led efforts to block travel in the capital. The United Nations estimated that gangs control 85% of the capital city. It was very intense, passenger Kevin Adair said. It was normal until there was a loud bang or crash sound when the bullets hit the fuselage. And then the plane which was cruising into regular landing hit the gas and took altitude and got the heck out of the Port-au-Prince area. In response, the FAA issued a prohibition on all civilian flights in the territory and airspace of Haiti below 10,000 feet for 30 days. This came after Spirit, Jet Blue, and American Airlines announced they would be suspending their flights to Haiti due to the violence. The FAAs prohibition applies to all U.S.-based air carriers and commercial flights and those operating U.S.-registered aircraft. However, those who are operating these aircraft for foreign air carriers are exempt from this ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the FAA, government flights are still allowed with the approval of the FAA. Flights can also divert to Haiti in case of emergency. The violence in Haiti spiked the day after the country swore in its new prime minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, who pledged to bring peace to the troubled island. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A Facebook group has led to another arrest in an animal cruelty case in Abilene involving two emaciated dogs. Brandi Jonas was arrested on a Cruelty to Animals warrant Saturday in connection to the allegations. Her partner Aaron Hartley was arrested for a Cruelty to animals warrant as well November 1. Court documents state a concerned citizen went to Jonas and 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 and Jonas, they learned from neighbors that he had 5 dogs total. Investigators believe that Hartley and Jonas did, fail unreasonably to provide necessary food for an animal. Jonas and Hartley were both released from the Taylor County Jail after posting a $1,000 bond each. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Claim: A map circulating on social media in early November 2024 depicted hypothetical 2024 U.S. presidential election results if only women had voted. Rating: Rating: Miscaptioned Context: The map was created before Election Day 2024 as a prediction of how women might vote. In early November 2024, a map spread on social media, allegedly depicting the results of the Nov. 5, 2024, U.S. presidential election if only women had voted. The map, which shows most states colored blue, indicates a strong Democratic preference in this scenario. According to the map, Vice President Kamala Harris would have received 413 electoral votes in this scenario, while former President Donald Trump would have gotten 122. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One popular post (archived) with the map, from Nov. 7, garnered more than 23.2 million views, 464,000 likes and 33,000 shares, captioned with, "someone on tiktok looked at the voting demographics, and this is a map of if only women voted." (X user @admirephil) "This what it should've looked like for Kamala," one X user commented, while another wrote, "This is why women weren't allowed to vote to begin with. Making dumb a** decisions based of emotional impulses." The map spread on various social media platforms, including Threads, Facebook and Imgur. However, the map was created and shared in mid-October 2024, representing election predictions rather than actual results. Therefore, we have rated this claim as miscaptioned. Origin of the Map The map was initially posted by the TikTok user @politicalens on Oct. 16, 2024, and had garnered 7.7 million views, 1.1 million likes and 101,000 shares, as of this writing. This means the map was shared well before Election Day on Nov. 5 and the release of election results. The description attached to the video indicated it was a prediction, not real election results, reading: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If ONLY WOMEN vote in the #2024Election How will YOUR state (likely) vote? We'll see in November! The video included a disclaimer informing "sources are listed in my Linktree bio. All data is drawn from the latest available polls, analyzed alongside historical trends, voter registration stats, turnout projections, and current demographic surveys. These predictions are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate and they never will be." TikTok user @politicalens later confirmed via direct message that they were the original creator of the map in question. "I used YAPms to make the visualization (and timed it to the music)," they explained, "It's not a tool, but based on my own model which used data from the most current polls at the time, current registration, and historical trends." They also emphasized: "My intent with these videos is never to mislead people with an agenda or statement. I simply interpret data and visualize it. I do make videos post-election with more accurate data, and I will include that data publicly as well." How Women Actually Voted According to AP VoteCast, Harris held an advantage among female voters nationally, winning 53% compared to Trump's 46%. However, as of this writing, The Associated Press had not released state-by-state voting data broken down by gender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exit poll data from the The Washington Post, shared on Nov. 6, offered additional insight into how men and women voted, both nationally and in key swing states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The Washington Post) According to the exit poll, nationally, 53% of women voted for Harris, compared with 45% for Trump. This pattern was reflected in several swing states, where Harris reportedly received more support from female voters. For example, in Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Harris' support among women ranged from 54% to 55%, while Trump's ranged from 43% to 45%. However, Arizona showed a nearly even split among female voters, with 49% for Harris and 50% for Trump. Similar 2016 and 2020 Maps Similar maps have circulated following previous U.S. presidential elections, particularly in 2016 and 2020, illustrating hypothetical outcomes if only women had voted. In 2016, author and statistician Nate Silver created the first viral map of this type, showing a hypothetical U.S. presidential election outcome if only women voted. He noted that the map was "based on the FiveThirtyEight polls-only forecast," which predicted that Hillary Clinton would win over Donald Trump in such a scenario. Here's what the map would look line if only women voted: https://t.co/sjVY67qouE pic.twitter.com/rrc3GuXmGl Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) October 11, 2016 To create the map, Silver adjusted Clinton's polling margins by adding 10 points to her performance in each state, based on her polling advantage among women compared to the overall electorate. This approach resulted in a projected landslide for Clinton, with 458 electoral votes to Trump's 80. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For further reading, we have investigated a map with red and blue coloring allegedly showing individual county results in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Sources: "How 5 Key Demographic Groups Voted in 2024: AP VoteCast." AP News, 7 Nov. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/election-harris-trump-women-latinos-black-voters-0f3fbda3362f3dcfe41aa6b858f22d12. "How We Survey American Voters with AP VoteCast." AP News, 4 Jan. 2024, https://apnews.com/ap-votecast-faq. Liles, Jordan. "Map Shows Trump's 2024 Reelection Victory with Red and Blue Counties?" Snopes, 9 Nov. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/map-trump-red-blue-counties-2024/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silver, Nate. "Election Update: Women Are Defeating Donald Trump." FiveThirtyEight, 11 Oct. 2016, https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/election-update-women-are-defeating-donald-trump/. Updates: Nov. 25, 2024: This article was updated to include a comment from the TikTok user who originally created the map. Claim: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in November 2024, "If Trump surrenders Ukraine to Putin, I will personally expel the United States from the alliance. Rating: Rating: False Days after President-elect Donald Trump's 2024 election win, a quote purportedly by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) chief Mark Rutte about America's position on Russia's war in Ukraine spread on social media. According to the posts, the secretary-general said in response to Trump's victory, "If Trump surrenders Ukraine to Putin, I will personally expel the United States from the alliance." (X user @JDunlap1974) The quote, which circulated without any credible sources to substantiate it, spread widely on X and Russian Telegram channels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there was no real evidence of Rutte making the statement, which would have generated news headlines if he had actually said it. The quote was fabricated. A NATO spokesperson said the claim was "bogus." As secretary-general, Rutte does not have the authority to "personally expel" a country from the alliance. While he leads the alliance, according to NATO's website, "authority for taking decisions is invested only in the member governments themselves." Furthermore, the alleged quote did not align with real public comments by Rutte about Trump's 2024 presidential win. On Nov. 6, Rutte released a statement congratulating him and Vice President-elect JD Vance and praising Trump's past leadership: I congratulate Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO. Through NATO, the US has 31 friends and Allies who help to advance US interests, multiply American power and keep Americans safe. Together, NATO Allies represent half of the world's economic might and half of the world's military might. We face a growing number of challenges globally, from a more aggressive Russia, to terrorism, to strategic competition with China, as well the increasing alignment of China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. Working together through NATO helps to deter aggression, protect our collective security, and support our economies. President-elect Trump demonstrated strong U.S. leadership throughout his first term in office a term that turned the tide on European defence spending, improved transatlantic burden sharing, and strengthened Alliance capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutte also posted on X that day, "I just congratulated @realDonaldTrump on his election as President of the United States. His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through #NATO." I just congratulated @realDonaldTrump on his election as President of the United States. His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through #NATO. Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) November 6, 2024 The next day, Nov. 7, Rutte discussed with journalists the future challenges for the alliance when it comes to Russia's war in Ukraine, such as North Korean soldiers being deployed in Russia. A portion of the conversation, which is available on the NATO website, reads: First of all, of course, I want to congratulate again, President Trump, upon his re-election. It was really a huge success for him, including capturing the House and the Senate. I look forward to work with him again. When he was president he was the one in NATO who stimulated us to move over the 2% and now also thanks to him, in NATO, if you take out the numbers of the US for a moment, is above the 2% and I think very much that is his doing, his success, and we need to do more. We know this today. Today on my mind in this meeting is what is happening now with North Koreans being deployed in Russia. And what we see more and more is that North Korea, Iran, China and of course, Russia are working together, working together against Ukraine, but at the same time, Russia has to pay for this, and one of the things they are doing is delivering technology to North Korea, which is now threatening the future the mainland of the US, continental Europe, but also our partners in Indo, Pacific, Japan, for example, and Republic of Korea. So these are really dangerous new developments, and we need to discuss that today. But I also look forward to sit down with President Trump and to navigate how collectively we'll make sure that we face this threat and that we keep our part of the world safe. In other words, Rutte said he looks forward to working with Trump, while drawing attention to what he perceives to be the danger of North Korean and Iranian military support for Russia. Rutte also underlined NATO's continued support for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly claimed he could quickly end the war in Ukraine but did not offer details on how, The Associated Press reported. He has also been critical of the amount of aid the United States has sent to the country, and at one point, he blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "I feel very badly for those people [in Ukraine]. But he should never have let that war start. That war is a loser," he said on a conservative podcast in October 2024. Trump has also repeatedly expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin during campaign rallies, speeches and interviews. Days after Trump's victory, The Washington Post cited anonymous sources to report that Trump had supposedly told Putin not to escalate the war in Ukraine. However, according to The Associated Press, the Kremlin called the Post's report "fiction," and Trump's representatives said, "We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders." Sources: Cillizza, Chris. "Analysis: Donald Trump Just Can't Stop Praising Vladimir Putin | CNN Politics." CNN, 28 Mar. 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/28/politics/trump-putin-ukraine-russia-smart/index.html." target="blank">https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/28/politics/trump-putin-ukraine-russia-smart/index.html.">https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/28/politics/trump-putin-ukraine-russia-smart/index.html. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. Contorno, Steve and Gabby Orr, Sara Murray. "Trump Defends Praise of Putin Even as He Calls Ukrainian President 'Brave' | CNN Politics." CNN, 27 Feb. 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/26/politics/trump-cpac-putin-ukraine/index.html." target="blank">https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/26/politics/trump-cpac-putin-ukraine/index.html.">https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/26/politics/trump-cpac-putin-ukraine/index.html. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gold, Michael. "In Rambling Interview, Trump Blames Zelensky, Not Putin, for Ukraine War." The New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/17/us/politics/trump-zelensky-putin-ukraine-war.html." target="blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/17/us/politics/trump-zelensky-putin-ukraine-war.html.">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/17/us/politics/trump-zelensky-putin-ukraine-war.html. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. Jakes, Lara. "Trump Should Not Let Putin Claim Victory in Ukraine, Says NATO Official." The New York Times, 9 Nov. 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/09/world/europe/trump-nato-putin-ukraine.html." target="blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/09/world/europe/trump-nato-putin-ukraine.html.">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/09/world/europe/trump-nato-putin-ukraine.html. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. "Kremlin Rejects Reports of a Conversation Last Week between Putin and Trump." AP News, 11 Nov. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/putin-trump-ukraine-russia-fbd7df1a924cb9c343d426370416086e." target="blank">https://apnews.com/article/putin-trump-ukraine-russia-fbd7df1a924cb9c343d426370416086e.">https://apnews.com/article/putin-trump-ukraine-russia-fbd7df1a924cb9c343d426370416086e. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. "NATO Secretary General Congratulates US President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance." NATO, 6 Nov. 2024, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_230277.htm." target="blank">https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_230277.htm.">https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_230277.htm. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "NATO's Rutte Congratulates Trump, Says Allies Spending More on Defence." Reuters, 6 Nov. 2024. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/natos-rutte-congratulates-trump-says-allies-spending-more-defence-2024-11-06/." target="blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/natos-rutte-congratulates-trump-says-allies-spending-more-defence-2024-11-06/.">https://www.reuters.com/world/natos-rutte-congratulates-trump-says-allies-spending-more-defence-2024-11-06/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. "NATO Secretary General." NATO, 1 Oct. 2024, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_50094.htm." target="blank">https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_50094.htm.">https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_50094.htm. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. Rutte, Mark. "Doorstep by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Ahead of the Meeting of the European Political Community." NATO, 7 Nov. 2024, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_230288.htm?selectedLocale=en." target="blank">https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_230288.htm?selectedLocale=en.">https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_230288.htm?selectedLocale=en. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. "Trump Says He Can End the Russia-Ukraine War in One Day. Russia's UN Ambassador Says He Can't." AP News, 1 July 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-un-election-a78ecb843af452b8dda1d52d137ca893." target="blank">https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-un-election-a78ecb843af452b8dda1d52d137ca893.">https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-un-election-a78ecb843af452b8dda1d52d137ca893. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024. By Muvija M LONDON (Reuters) - The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, resigned over an abuse cover-up scandal on Tuesday, marking an unprecedented moment for the Church of England. He becomes the first leader of the church, as well as the wider Anglican Communion of 85 million Christians worldwide, to be forced out in this manner, religious experts say. Announcing he is leaving "in sorrow," Welby said the timing of his departure would be decided once a review of his remaining obligations had been completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 68-year-old had been in the role since 2013, and would have been expected to retire around age 70. HOW IS THE LIST OF CANDIDATES WHITTLED DOWN? A period of consultation on the needs of the Church of England, as well as the Anglican Communion, will be followed by an appointment of a Crown Nominations Committee. The committee will consist of 17 voting members, including the archbishop of York who is the second-most-senior bishop in the institution, another bishop elected by the House of Bishops, and representatives from the Anglican Communion, the Diocese of Canterbury, and the church's governing body - the General Synod. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be chaired by an Anglican, ideally in public life, chosen by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Assembling the committee could take a couple of months, David Thompson, emeritus professor of modern church history at the University of Cambridge, told Reuters, adding that the whole process could take up to six months. WHAT DOES THE COMMITTEE DO? The committee will make a recommendation to Starmer. If the prime minister accepts it, he will put the name forward to King Charles, who is the supreme governor of the Church of England. WHO ARE POSSIBLE SUCCESSORS? Three bishops have been tipped to succeed Welby as the 106th archbishop of Canterbury: Martyn Snow, the bishop of Leicester, Graham Usher, the bishop of Norwich, and Guli Francis-Dehqani, the bishop of Chelmsford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow abstained in a church assembly vote on blessing for gay couples, while Usher is in favour of gay rights and has pushed for higher taxes on fossil-fuel companies. Francis-Dehqani, who was ordained in 2017, just three years after the first woman bishop was appointed, was born in Iran and has spoken about how her brother was murdered in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution. She would be the first woman to become archbishop if selected. Francis-Dehqani and Usher were among 44 bishops who signed a letter last year expressing regret that the authorisation of standalone services to bless same-sex couples had been delayed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHAT AWAITS THEM? The new archbishop will likely face the same persistent divisions on same-sex relationships that Welby tried to balance during his 11-year tenure. It has been a matter of contention not just in the wider Anglican Communion, which includes African churches where homosexuality is taboo, but also within the Church of England. "The principal problem for the archbishop of Canterbury ... is that he combines the role of the primate of all England, with being the head of the Anglican Communion," Thompson said. "This is effectively a relic of empire, because that was the context in which the Anglican Communion developed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It increasingly in the late 20th century and the early 21st century has revealed a conflict of role which hasn't been satisfactorily resolved during Archbishop Welby's tenure." In his resignation, Welby said his decision made it "clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change." "For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements," he wrote. "It is for others to judge what has been done." (This story has been corrected to clarify that only one name goes to the prime minister, not two, in paragraph 11) (Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Rod Nickel) Its starting to sound very Roger Ailes over at the Los Angeles Times. Weeks after the papers owner Patrick Soon-Shiong scuttled a planned and penned endorsement of Kamala Harris for president, the billionaire Abraxane creator is now putting a whole new editorial board in place. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pulling out Fox News old Fair and Balanced motto, Dr. Soon-Shiong took to social media over the weekend to praise a readers letter slamming LAT columnist LZ Granderson over reasons for Donald Trumps election win and then dropped the news of the new editorial board coming soon. He also noted in Sundays posting: I will work towards making our paper and media fair and balanced so that all voices are heard and we can respectfully exchange every Americans view from left to right to the center. Coming soon. A new Editorial Board. Trust in media is critical for a strong democracy. Proud that we posted this letter from one of our readers on X. When the President has won the vote of the majority of Americans then ALL voices must be heard. Opinions are just that. I will work towards making our paper and media fair and balanced so that all voices are heard Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong (@DrPatSoonShiong) November 11, 2024 On the night after Trumps admitted remarkable political comeback, the LAT owner didnt go quite full Fox News, but he was certainly already leaning in. The American people have spoken and @latimes will take the lead to provide factual and balanced coverage as the country heals its division. Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong (@DrPatSoonShiong) November 7, 2024 After a series of resignations at the paper that took place following the non-endorsement decision, there are now just a trio of LA Times Media Guild members still on the current board. Not exactly a massive leap of faith to presume they will not be joining the new board once it is seated in El Segundo at the LAT HQ, based Dr. Soon-Shiong own words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An individual close to events at the Times told Deadline on Monday that there is pervasive feeling of despair at the outlet that has deepened since Soon-Shiongs November 10 announcement. Its bad to worse, isnt it, like the whole country, the individual added in the aftermath of Trumps return to the White House. Deadline reached out to the LA Times Media Guild for comment on Soon-Shiongs pledge of bringing in a board. If and when it responds, this post will be updated. However, it is worth noting what the LA Times Media Guild did say on October 25. Our newspapers owner publicly blamed the members of the Editorial Board for his decision not to endorse, saying incorrectly that they chose to remain silent,' the Guild stated towards the end of longer statement (read it here). They did not. They planned an endorsement one that was rejected. The owners action unnecessarily made Editorial Board members vulnerable to harassment, impacting their ability to effectively perform their jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On another note, after the well compensated Ailes was canned from Fox in mid-2016 amidst allegations of sexual harassment and sexual abuse, Fox News ditched the Fair and Balanced motto. Maybe the LAT intends to resurrect it for the new Trump term. Katie Campione contributed to this report Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Fairview Heights police apprehended a violent, armed and dangerous felon in woods outside a local hotel on Tuesday, according to a post on the departments Facebook page. Officers had received information about a Missouri fugitive named Jared H. Combs, who was believed to be at the Super 8 hotel at 45 Ludwig Drive. He was described as a 39-year-old white male. Combs had felony warrants issued by Franklin County, Missouri, for sex assault (sodomy 2nd degree), kidnapping, domestic violence and possession of a controlled substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He frequently carried a firearm as a convicted felon, was suicidal, under the influence of narcotics, was known to make bombs and assault law enforcement, the post stated. According to the post; As officers closed in on Combs about 10 a.m., they saw an opportunity to arrest him while he was walking his pit bull in the hotel parking lot. He resisted arrest and fell backward into a deep ravine. Combs was Tased as he attempted to escape but made it to nearby woods. Officers set up a perimeter line and called for help from other agencies, K-9 units, drones and air support. About an hour after the search began, a drone spotted Combs. He was taken into custody without incident, just northwest of railroad tracks. Police found a loaded semi-automatic firearm where Combs had fallen in the ravine and a second gun in his hotel room. He was transported to the St. Clair County Jail. These officers risked their lives to bring the violent suspect into custody to keep others safe, Police Chief Steve Johnson stated. Using smart police work, law enforcement was successful. We thank all of the agencies that responded with police officers for the perimeter, K9s and fire department for the additional drones. DENVER (KDVR) The Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation announced the time and date of a memorial service for Golden Police Department Officer Evan Dunn, who was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 6. Dunn, 33, had served as an Army Aviation officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot before joining the Golden department. Dunn was also an active captain in the Army National Guard. Law enforcement encourages drivers to respect Move Over law Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunn and his police partner Bethany Grusing were responding to a car crash on Highway 58 after dark on Nov. 6. Another driver, who is suspected to have been impaired, crashed into the scene, pinning both Dunn and Grusing under the car theyd first responded to. Dunn was killed at the scene, while Grusing was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. A fundraiser to help support Grusing and her loved ones while she is recovering from the crash has been established through the MC-1 Foundation. Its a great honor to be a part of something like this, MC-1 Foundation President Mark Miller told FOX31s Greg Nieto. MC-1 Foundation helps first responders injured in the line of duty. That help extends to first-responder families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to honor the family, obviously. We want to honor the city of Golden. But most especially, we want to honor Officer Dunn, by providing the best memorial service we can, and thats what were gonna do, tomorrow, said Colorado Fallen Hero Foundations Danny Veith, a long-time Denver Police Officer, to Nieto. The Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation is organizing Wednesdays Line-of-Duty-Death memorial service. Private memorial planned, but public can still honor Dunn According to the Colorado Fallen Hero Fund, which has set up a fundraiser to assist Dunns family following his death, the family and the Golden Police Department said that while they greatly appreciate all of the outreach and condolences from the community, the memorial services will be private and not open to the public. However, a large turnout is still anticipated from members of the Golden community and law enforcement. On Monday, the Colorado Fallen Hero Fund announced that the memorial service for Dunn will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Mission Hills Church, 620 Southpark Drive, Littleton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A procession will transport Dunns body from C-470, northbound on Lucent Boulevard, to eastbound West County Line Road on Wednesday. Because of this, West County Line Road will be closed at about 10 a.m. from Lucent Boulevard to South Elati Street. Traffic will also be restricted around Mission Hills Church. There will be no view on West County Line Road between Santa Fe and Lucent. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather Members of the public who wish to show their support for Dunn can do so by staying on the sidewalks of Southpark Drive and Southpark Lane. Officials who are planning the memorial recommend arriving at the area no later than 11 a.m. to view the procession and said the best approach would be southbound from Mineral Avenue on Southpark Lane or Southpark Way, then proceeding to the observation area on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Black Hawk helicopter from the Colorado Army National Guard 2-135th Aviation Regiment will conduct a flyover and land near Mission Hills Church before the service begins. Because of this, the use of drones in the area is strongly discouraged. Donations for the Dunn family can be submitted through the Colorado Fallen Hero Fund. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- All UN flights to Haiti have been suspended after commercial jetliners were struck by gunfire and violence worsened in the country, a UN spokesperson said Tuesday. A commercial flight of U.S. Spirit Airlines was shot at by gunfire when it was approaching the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on Monday, which forced it to be diverted to the neighboring Dominican Republic. A flight attendant was injured. On the same day, a JetBlue Airways flight returning from Port-au-Prince was found with bullet damage after arriving in New York. According to the UN partners, armed groups took to the streets in the capital, with at least 20 armed clashes reported and several roadblocks erected, limiting movement across the city, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, told reporters. The Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince has been closed until Nov. 18. The port remains open from the sea, but road access to the port is currently not possible, he added. At a result, all UN flights have been suspended, limiting the flow of humanitarian staff and resources, the UN spokesperson said. The delivery of 20 trucks of food and medical supplies to the south was also postponed. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that escalating violence is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. The UN partners reported that all schools in the Haitian capital have been closed. Additionally, operations providing cash assistance to 1,000 people had to be canceled amid the ongoing violence. Dujarric called for an end to the escalating violence, to allow for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access, as well as the protection of people. The families of US hostages captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023, remain in agony, waiting for any sign that their loved ones might finally come home to them. Now, more than a year into the Israel-Hamas conflict and on the heels of last weeks US presidential election, some of those families are turning to one man with renewed hope: President-elect Donald Trump. Ruby Chen, whose son Itay was a 19-year-old soldier in the Israeli military when he was killed on October 7, is still waiting for the return of his sons remains. Chen, along with family members of a handful of other dual US-Israeli hostages some of whom have been confirmed dead plan to meet with President Joe Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan at the White House Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chen told CNN on Tuesday that with Trump now poised to return to the White House for a second term, he is not alone in hoping that the next US president who has famously marketed himself throughout his career as the ultimately dealmaker might be able to accomplish what Biden has failed to thus far: Secure the return of the American hostages. Hes always been America First, Chen said of Trump. He cares about the topic of American hostages and now its time to see his recommitment to the topic, and have American hostages come out before January 20. Chen added that he would be glad to see a social media post from Trump about the US hostages in Gaza, which he would take as a serious indication of the president-elects dedication to the issue. Speaking at the Republican National Convention over the summer, Trump said: To the entire world, I tell you this: We want our hostages back. And they better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration has been pushing for months for a ceasefire and hostages release deal in the Israel-Hamas war. Those talks are stalled. The families of the American hostages have had numerous meetings with top American officials Democrat and Republican throughout the course of the Gaza conflict, as they have periodically visited Washington, DC, to advocate for the release of their loved ones. Those families have yet to meet with Trump or his running mate, JD Vance, according to Chen. The meeting between the families and Sullivan comes as talks for a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas a top priority for Bidens remaining months in office - remain at a standstill. Qatar recently announced it had paused its role as a mediator for a ceasefire in Gaza due to a lack of willingness by the sides to reach an agreement. We continue to work to get a deal done as soon as possible to bring the hostages home to their families, a White House official said, adding Sullivan has met frequently with the families throughout the past year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of the election last week, the hostage families called on Trump to work with Biden to secure the immediate release of the hostages and end this nightmare for the hostage families, Israel, and the civilians of Gaza. The hostages cannot wait any longer, they said. They are depending on us and on Republican and Democratic leaders to seize this moment. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Families gathered at Miramar National Cemetery to honor their loved ones on Veterans Day. Im very proud. Dad was always proud. He always reminded us, said Victoria Felipe, whose father Arturo Felipe died this past August. Hes first generation to come from the Philippines to the U.S. and he served 22 years (in the Navy), she said. Arturo served on the U.S. Mercy after retiring, according to Victoria. He did humanitarian aid on the ship. She says he felt proud the U.S. flag was on the ship as they went to Australia, Philippines and Bangladesh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deals from restaurants, retailers for Veterans Day 2024 Karen and Sal Lopez drive to Miramar National Cemetery several times a month to remember and lay flowers down for their nephew, Sgt. Manuel Diaz, who passed away in January after a motorcycle accident. Diaz joined the Marines as soon as he graduated from high school at 17 years old and he was stationed in Yuma, according to the Lopez family. He was driven. He loved everything the Marine Corps stands for. He loved his country and the country loved him back, Karen Lopez said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) 8 On Your Side has investigated a St. Petersburg non-profit for the last nine months. Weve told you a federal judge has ordered the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, which lost millions of dollars meant to help disabled people be shut down for good. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 8 on Your Side As this case continues to play out in federal bankruptcy court, victims still question the timeline of events and how their money went missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danika Allison is only 12. She doesnt understand the magnitude of her situation, but her mom said tens of thousands of dollars of her daughters special needs trust vanished, and something just isnt adding up. Caribbean disturbance has potential path toward Florida, models show | Tracking the Tropics Danika is now in the sixth grade. She was born with a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia. When she was six weeks old, she had to have emergency spinal decompression surgery, said Patti Allison, Danikas mother. Allison said doctors needed to clean out the bottom of her daughters skull into her spinal column, but went too far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It caused her spine to collapse, Allison said. After a 10-year legal battle, the Allisons were awarded more than a half million dollars to provide for Danikas future care. Allison said most of the money was placed into an annuity, while about another $80k was put in a trust at the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in October of 2023. Four months later, the center filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. I was told that I couldnt touch any of it because the Center was going through an audit, she said. Court records show between 2009 and 2020, Center founder Leo Govoni loaned $100 million from the center to his own company, Boston Finance Group. But Danikas trust was set up three years after that alleged time frame, saying something is not adding up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why was her money that was newly put in there even compromised because it didnt make sense, Allison questioned. Allison still does not have any answers. When I fight for 10 years, almost 11, and not be able to utilize, use those funds where it was needed, she said. It was a really hard-cut punch to not be able to do that.> Govoni has not paid that money back. Late last month, a federal judge has ordered the center to permanently close, and the remaining funds will be moved into another trust administrator. Now, a Chapter 11 Trustee in the case is focusing on litigation and recovering $100 million, and it comes as the FBI also investigates. It just gives you a little bit of hope that maybe justice will be served, Allison said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the center closing, the remaining funds are being moved into a new trust administrator called CPT Institute. 8 On Your Side Investigator Brittany Muller is sitting down CPT Institute Executive Director, Will Lindahl, to find out about this transition and why vulnerable families can trust them for their services. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. INDEPENDENCE, Mo. Independence police havent said directly whether a baby was killed by police along with her mom Thursday, only saying an officer-involved shooting resulted in the deaths of a woman and child. Now the family is talking for the first time about the incident that Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman acknowledged in a Friday press conference has torn a family apart. Grandmother speaks after tree strikes Pleasant Hill boy at recess Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 11-week old babys grandmother says she called police for help, and now accuses them of killing a mother and child. According to family, Missouris Division of Family Services was notified about baby Destinys living situation shortly after she was born. Independence Police said they couldnt confirm any social service agencys involvement and the department says it can only release information about cases once the investigation is complete. My mom wanted to be there during the whole time to help take care of Destiny because she knew that they both had mental issues, Felisha Holder, Destinys aunt, said. Destinys grandmother Talisa Coombs went to Oval Spring Apartments Thursday to try to see her grandchild after talking with her son, but it led to a physical confrontation with the babys mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My mom called the cops. She called them to help her, and of course shes going to press charges, she just got beat up, Holder said of the initial call police described as a domestic disturbance with a possible assault. According to family, theyve been told by the babys father that the police officer was telling the mother not to move the babys head the way she was shortly before a shot, or shots, were fired. Police say she had a knife. Several witnesses have told FOX4 they saw the officer carry a bleeding lifeless baby from the apartment to a patrol car. Both the baby and mother died. Investigators have yet to release the womans name. Even if there was a knife, he shouldnt have shot. There was a baby in a mentally unstable womans arms, Holder said. That innocent child shouldnt have been killed like that and her mother shouldnt have been shot. They should have tased her, some other kind of way. That woman weighed, Im just guessing, probably 100 pounds, Coombs said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See Hot spots that Kansas City car thieves frequently target Four days later, the family says they havent heard anything since from Independence police. They also have no more answers from a team of Eastern Jackson County detectives who have taken over the investigation as to what exactly prompted the officer to shoot. Ive been crying so much. I just dont want to cry anymore, Holder said. But they are convinced one of the bullets struck the baby girl. A taser is right there on his belt, that would have been way better than shooting baby Destiny, Holder said. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX4 will continue to ask the team of detectives leading this investigation for things like the autopsy results and body camera video which might provide more details about exactly what happened inside that apartment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. God works in mysterious ways," said Mary Moss, whose family photos featuring her late son were found Asheville Police Department/Facebook A photo of the Moss brothers A photo of the Moss brothers A family in Asheville, N.C., who lost their home to Hurricane Helene was able to recover photographs featuring their late son, thanks to the work of a diligent police detective. As The New York Times reported on Saturday, Nov. 9, the Moss familys home floated down the Swannanoa River during the late September hurricane that had claimed the lives of 102 people in North Carolina as of Tuesday, Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just days after their home washed away, the Mosses returned to the site to search for their photos of son Tommy James Moss, who died in his youth from a genetic disorder. The family spent 10 days sifting through the muddy debris and came up with only a few items like a figurine from the film The Lion King. Related: More Than 100 Dead After Hurricane Helene Ravages the South and 600 Remain Missing in 1 N.C. County: Officials Mary Moss, Tommys mom, initially thought the rest of the photos and mementos that served as reminders of her late son had gone with the home. It was just defeating, Dallas Moss, Marys son and Tommys younger brother who took part in the search, told the paper. 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. But all was not lost. On Thursday, Oct. 17, the Asheville Police Department shared images on Facebook of dozens of family photos that were found following the storm. Though the water was strong enough to demolish buildings, uproot trees, and bend and tear steel, it could not wash away the memories contained within these photos. The Asheville Police Department would therefore like to see them returned to their rightful owners, the department wrote in the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the New York Times reported, someone alerted Dallas to the Asheville Police Departments Facebook post, which contained archival Moss family photos, including one of Dallas and Tommy when they were kids and another of the boys with a neighbor. The Moss family photos were among many that were found by Asheville Police Department Detective Sam DeGrave, who was involved in the evacuation and rescue of people on the day the hurricane struck Asheville. Over the course of days, as he went through the debris, DeGrave found pictures belonging to Asheville families in the mud as well as some on tree limbs. With the help of other officers, he collected about 300 photos. Related: There Are Still 4 People Missing in Asheville After Hurricane Helene, Authorities Say That was the point in which I realized it was about saving something for someone that lost everything rather than using them as a clue to find a missing person, DeGrave told the paper. Once you started looking for pictures, they were everywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the Mosses, other residents in Asheville had their once-lost family photos recovered through DeGraves efforts, as well. Related: 11 Members of the Same Family Killed During Hurricane Helene: 'An Unimaginable Tragedy' Its been bittersweet being able to focus on these photos and the fact that I even have any, Mary Moss also said to the outlet. God works in mysterious ways. PEOPLE reached out to DeGrave and Dallas Moss for comment. Family members of the dozens of people killed in the American Airlines Flight 587 tragedy gathered at the crash site in Queens on Tuesday to mark the 23rd anniversary of the disaster. Belkis Lora, whose brother, Jose Lora, was among the 265 people who perished in the 2001 tragedy, said during an anniversary ceremony near the crash site in Belle Harbor that many aspects of our life have changed since the accident. The children who lost their parents on the flight have since become adults. Sadly, we have also lost a loved one who has stood by us for many years, said Lora, whos the president of the Committee in Memory of Flight 587. Yet, one thing remains constant: Our commitment to remembering this day and honoring the memories. Even in our sadness and pain we take this time to honor the memory of our loved ones on this day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Airlines Flight 587 was bound for the Dominican Republic on Nov. 12, 2001 from Kennedy Airport. But shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into Belle Harbor, killing all 260 people onboard and five people on the ground. The incident set off panic in an already anxious city, reeling at the time from the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attack. Mayor Adams, who joined family members of the victims for Tuesdays ceremony, referenced the traumatic timing of the crash in remarks. Weeks after [the] Sept. 11th attack, we were still mourning the death and loss of so many people, and to find out right here in this community of Belle Harbor, a simple trip en route to the Dominican Republic, had to experience such a devastating loss to the Dominican community here in the city, but also to every New Yorker, he said. Authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department are asking for the publics help in locating an at-risk missing man who was last seen in the city of Cerritos. David Andrew Arellano, 28, was last seen on Nov. 10 at around 8 a.m. on the 13000 block of Cantrece Lane, according to an LASD missing persons bulletin. The 28-year-old is described as a Hispanic male standing 5 foot 10 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds with brown hair and eyes. He has a Saint Jude tattoo on his left arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and black shoes, officials said. Mr. Arellano suffers from schizophrenia and requires medication, the release noted. His family is concerned for his well-being and asking for the publics help. David Andrew Arellano, 28. (LASD) An at-risk missing or critical person includes, but is not limited to the following: The missing person is the victim of a crime or foul play. The missing person is in critical need of medical attention. The missing person has no pattern of running away or disappearing. The missing person is the victim of a kidnapping or parental abduction. The missing person is mentally impaired to the extent that such person is unable to care for him or herself or is an immediate danger to his or her own safety or the safety of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about Arellanos whereabouts or information about this investigation is asked to contact the LASDs Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.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. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The family of a security guard who was shot and killed at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, sued the facility for $35 million on Tuesday, accusing it of negligence and failing to respond to the dangers that the gunman posed to hospital staff over multiple days. In a wrongful death complaint filed Tuesday, the estate of Bobby Smallwood argued that Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center failed to enforce its policies against violence and weapons in the workplace by not barring the shooter from the facility, despite staff reporting threats and aggression toward them in the days before the shooting. The repeated failures of Legacy Good Samaritan to follow their own safety protocols directly led to the tragically preventable death of Bobby Smallwood, Tom DAmore, the attorney representing the family, said in a statement. Despite documented threats and abusive behavior that required immediate removal under hospital policy, Legacy allowed a dangerous individual to remain on the premises for three days until those threats escalated to violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email, Legacy Health said it was unable to comment on pending litigation. The shooting at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland was part of a wave of gun violence sweeping through U.S. hospitals and medical centers, which have struggled to adapt to the growing threats. Such attacks have helped make health care one of the nations most violent fields. Health care workers racked up 73% of all nonfatal workplace violence injuries in 2018, the most recent year for which figures are available, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The gunman at the Portland hospital, PoniaX Calles, first visited the facility on July 19, 2023, as his partner was about to give birth. On July 20 and July 21, nursing staff and security guards filed multiple incident reports describing outbursts, violent behavior and threats, but they weren't accessible or provided to workers who were interacting with him, according to the complaint. On July 22, nurse supervisors decided to remove Calles from his partner's room, and Smallwood accompanied him to the waiting room area outside the maternity ward. Other security guards searching the room found two loaded firearms in a duffel bag, and his partner told them he likely had a third gun on his person, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the complaint, over 40 minutes passed between the discovery of the duffel bag and Smallwood's death. Two minutes before he was shot, a security guard used hand gestures through glass doors to notify him that Calles was armed. Smallwood then told Calles he would pat him down, but Calles said he would leave instead. Smallwood began escorting him out of the hospital, and as other staff members approached them, Calles shot Smallwood in the neck. The hospital did not call a code silver, the emergency code for an active shooter, until after Smallwood had been shot, the complaint said. Smallwood's family said his death has profoundly impacted them. Every day we grieve the loss of our son and all the years ahead that should have been his to live, his parents, Walter Bob and Tammy Smallwood, said in the statement released by their attorney. Nothing can bring Bobby back, but we will not stop fighting until Legacy is held fully responsible for what they took from our family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the shooting, Legacy said it planned to install additional metal detectors; require bag searches at every hospital; equip more security officers with stun guns; and apply bullet-slowing film to some interior glass and at main entrances. Around 40 states have passed laws creating or increasing penalties for violence against health care workers, according to the American Nurses Association. Hospitals have armed security officers with batons, stun guns or handguns, while some states allow hospitals to create their own police forces. Israels far-right minister of finance said that Donald Trumps presidential election win means the time has come to annex the West Bank. During a meeting with his faction in parliament, Bezalel Smotrich said he intends to work with the new administration of President Trump and the international community to apply sovereignty and achieve American and international recognition for the move. He also added he has directed various Israeli agencies to begin preparations. Smotrich, a settler himself, said the Trump administration brings an important opportunity for the state of Israel, and that further extension of Israeli sovereignty over the region was the only way to remove the threat of a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said on Monday no formal plan to annex the West Bank has been decided, but if it will be relevant it will be discussed again with our friends in Washington. Israels minister of finance Bezalel Smotrich, left, with Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP/Getty) The Palestinian Authority, which maintains partial control over the West Bank, called the Smotrich statements a blatantly colonial and racist extension of the ongoing campaign of extermination and forced displacement against the Palestinian people. The West Bank was seized from Jordan during the 1967 Arab-Israel War. Since then, Israel has supported the settlement of some 700,000 Jews across roughly 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, a practice considered by most international observers to be illegal under international law governing occupied territories. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims the territories are part of the Jewish states present and ancestral territory. The first Trump administration helped secure many of the Netanyahu governments priorities: declining to oppose West Bank settlement; pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal; recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; affirming Israels claims to sovereignty over the Golan Heights, captured from Syria during the 1967 war; and brokering the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Middle Eastern states. Israels finance minister says hes going to seek further annexation of the West Bank during the Trump administration (AFP via Getty Images) The Biden administration left many of these moves in place, keeping the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and the new Iran policy, while continuing to pursue normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia and providing extensive military aid to Israel throughout its war with Hamas after the October 7 terror attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the campaign trail, Trump, promised to bring peace in the Middle East, while offering few details on how. He criticized the Harris campaign for prominently featuring former congresswoman Liz Cheney, daughter of former Bush administration vice president Dick Cheney, arguing the latter virtually destroyed the Middle East during his time presiding over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the ballot box, some Muslim voters moved away from the Democratic party, a surprise for observers who thought Trumps frequent, quasi-fascistic attacks on migrants and White House travel ban on largely Muslim-majority countries would harm his support. Donald Trump has claimed he can end the conflict, without explaining how (AFP via Getty Images) A majority of Muslim voters backed the Green Partys Dr. Jill Stein, with 21.4 percent supporting Trump and 20.3 percent for Harris, according to an exit poll from the Council on Americna-Islamic Relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rabiul Chowdhury, founder of Muslims for Trump, toldThe Guardian the shift was a protest vote against the Democrats from citizens upset with the Biden administration, which has continued to support Israel as the Gaza war turns into what some international observers have declared is a genocide. Everyones ultimate goal was to punish Harris and the best way to do this was to vote for Trump, Chowdhury said. Some argued that Muslim and Arab-American voters didnt believe Harris had done enough to stop the Israel-Hamas conflict. "All Kamala had to do was pick up the phone and stop Israel from continuing its genocide against the Palestinians, and she would have won. Ronald Regan did it. Instead of trying to win the Muslim/Arab vote she remained staunch in her support of white supremacy, apartheid, and genocide," Mariam Abu Tarboush, of Detroits American Muslims for Palestine, told Middle East Eye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the October 7 conflict began, violence in the West Bank has skyrocketed. Between October 7, 2023, and late September 2024, the Israel Defense Forces and settlers killed 693 Palestinians, a period in which Palestinians killed 23 Israelis, according to the United Nations. Even before the war, Israel was ramping up its influence over the area. In 2023, it established a new Settlements Administration with the power to expropriate Palestinian land and retroactively authorize Jewish settlements built without advanced government approval. Its part of a creeping de facto annexation of the region that will further diminish Palestinian hopes of using parts of the West Bank in a future state, Haaretz columnist David E. Rosenberg wrote in Foreign Policy in June. While the rest of Israel is preoccupied with the fighting in Gaza, the fate of the hostages held by Hamas, and Hezbollahs pummeling of the countrys north, Smotrich has been realizing his dream of creating the conditions that will bring about Israels annexation of the West Bank, Rosenberg continued. Indeed, the war has in many ways facilitated his plans. RAMALLAH, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian official said Tuesday that the Palestinian Authority is preparing to hold consultations with Arab countries to develop a strategy for dealing with the current and upcoming U.S. administrations. "We are set to hold consultations with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab countries to develop a vision and approach for two phases," said Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, in a statement to Palestine TV. During the first phase, until Jan. 20, 2025, when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to be sworn in and take office, the current U.S. administration "is expected to push strongly to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon and to recognize the Palestinian state," al-Sheikh said. As for the second phase, when the U.S. Republicans take power, Al-Sheikh noted, "With our Arab brothers, we seek to develop a comprehensive political approach regarding both the Gaza Strip and the future of the Palestinian cause." "We are working on formulating a joint position to present as an Arab initiative to the United States and the international community in general," he said, hoping this could be accomplished soon. Al-Sheikh added that the Palestinian Authority is in contact with the U.S. administration on multiple levels. The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office has identified the hiker found dead in the Mt. Hood National Forest on November 8, as 33-year-old James Robert MacDonald of Ridgefield. Following an extensive search operation, MacDonald was located near the Hidden Lake Trail by search teams from Portland Mountain Rescue. MacDonald, an experienced hiker, was reported missing by his family on the evening of November 6 after he failed to return from a planned day hike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members last heard from him around 2 p.m. on the day of his hike, but he was not equipped for an overnight stay in the challenging terrain. According to multiple verified GoFundMes, MacDonald left behind a beloved wife, young twins, and two little boys - aged four and six. KIRO 7 has independently verified each of these fundraisers, and GoFundMe has assured us all funds will be safely delivered to his wife: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the report, the Sheriffs Office quickly mobilized Clackamas County Search and Rescue teams. Volunteers, along with Portland Mountain Rescue, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, and the Hood River Crag Rats, conducted an extensive search of the Paradise Park area. The operation included air support from the Oregon National Guard and the Hood River County Sheriffs Office, as well as drones and communications assistance from Mountain Wave Emergency Communications. Searchers found tracks in the snow near the Paradise Park Trail, helping narrow down the search area. The effort continued into Friday morning when MacDonalds body was found near the Hidden Lake Trail around 10:30 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have stated there is no indication of foul play, and the Clackamas County Medical Examiners Office will investigate to determine the official cause of death. The Sheriffs Office expressed condolences to MacDonalds family as they cope with this loss. FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WVNS) The Fayette County Humane Society will hold a free adoption event due to being in Code Red once again. According to a post on the Fayette County Humane Societys Facebook page on Monday, November 11, 2024, since the last Code Red announcement, the shelter took in an additional 30 dogs, as well as mother dogs and puppies. Due to the Code Red status of the shelter, a free adoption event will be held to reduce the amount of animals at the Fayette County Humane Society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 14th Annual Christmas Barn Decorating Contest announced by the State Fair of West Virginia The free adoption event will run from Tuesday, November 12, 2024 to Saturday, November 16, 2024. Although the adoptions will be free, approved applications will be necessary. The Fayette County Humane Society encouraged the public to adopt if they ever thought about adopting a pet and giving a pet a fur-ever home. The Fayette County Humane Society is located at 513 Shelter Road in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking for the publics help in locating a 43-year-old man wanted for wire and mail fraud. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In Sept. 2023, Roscoe McMillan, 43, was charged with wire fraud and mail fraud in connection to an alleged plot to swindle seven life insurance companies. On Oct. 11, 2023, McMillan was granted pre-trial release but did not show up for his trial on Oct. 29, 2024. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Tuesday, a federal arrest warrant was issued for McMillan in the Northern District of Georgia court. The FBI said McMillan has ties to or may visit Atlanta, Las Vegas, South Carolina and New York, NY. He may also go by the name Ross McMillan. Anyone with information can call the FBIs Atlanta Field Office at 770-216-3000. Tipsters can also contact the nearest American Embassy or Consulate or submit a tip online. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Florida banned Medicaid from paying for gender-affirming care. (Photo illustration via Canva) Nearly 17 months after a federal judge struck down Floridas ban on Medicaid reimbursements for gender-affirming care, the case is going to be heard by a federal appeals court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit will hold oral arguments on Nov. 22 in Atlanta before a panel of three judges Barbara Lagoa, Kevin Newsom, and Jill Pryor. Lagoa, who once served on the Florida Supreme Court, and Newsom were appointed by former President Donald Trump while Pryor was appointed by former President Barack Obama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in June 2023 ruled against both a rule and a state law that barred Medicaid dollars being spent on care such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones as treatment for gender dysphoria. The lawsuit was brought against the state by a coalition of groups including Lambda Legal, Southern Legal Counsel, and Florida Health Project on behalf of four transgender people, two of whom are adolescents. The lawsuit contended the ban was unconstitutional and also violated federal health care laws including the Affordable Care Act. They pointed out Florida had previously been covering certain types of gender-affirming care. Complying with Medicaid requirements The case has attracted widespread attention from other states and an array of groups as well as the federal government. Even though Trump has won back the White House, attorneys representing the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services asked in late October to present arguments at next weeks court hearing on behalf of those who sued Florida. The United States has a strong interest in states compliance with Medicaids requirements, stated the Oct. 31 request, which the court granted. The United States believes that its participation at argument will be helpful in this court in correctly applying the requirements of the Medicaid statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In its November 2023 brief in the appeal, lawyers representing those who sued Florida wrote that these measures constitute a clear expression of governmental hostility toward transgender Floridians and establish an official policy of disapproval, with the goal of preventing transgender Floridians from participating openly or equally in civil society. No other state has enacted as many anti-transgender measures as Florida. The state, in its initial brief filed in October 2023, contended there was not overwhelming evidence in favor of types of gender-affirming care and it should be up to Florida to decide whether Medicaid covers the treatments. Its a health and welfare question, its a medical policy issue. Its an area where the state gets to draw the line between whats permissible and what isnt, said attorneys representing the Agency for Health Care Administration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Jubilee Hall at historically Black Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. The school reported Thursday students have been receiving concerning text messages. (Photo: John Partipilo) The FBI is investigating multiple racist text messages sent to students at Fisk University and campuses nationwide, TBI Director David Rausch said Tuesday. Fisk University safety officials went on high alert last week, the day after the presidential election, when disturbing and offensive messages were sent to people across campus targeting Black students and telling them to report to vans or other transportation that would deliver them to pick cotton at plantations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rausch was aware of the incidents and said the FBI is investigating them because they took place nationwide. We certainly support their investigations, but we are not specifically engaged at this point, Rausch said. There were a number of states that were hit with these, so theyre leading this investigation. Fisks campus alert said the messages suggest threats of violence and intimidation and are deeply unsettling. University officials also said they believe the texts are likely the work of an automated bot or malicious actors with no real intentions or credibility. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Louisiana law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms is on hold after a federal judge ruled Tuesday that it likely violates religious freedom protections. In granting a preliminary injunction, the judge said the law is unconstitutional on its face and plaintiffs are likely to win their case with claims that the law violates the First Amendment, per The Associated Press. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles ruling comes five months after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed the Ten Commandments law, which was meant to take effect in early 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law would have required the text of the Ten Commandments to be prominently displayed in public classrooms across the state, including at colleges and universities. Louisianas Ten Commandments law Opponents of Louisianas Ten Commandments law have been predicting Tuesdays ruling for months. They cited past Supreme Court rulings on religious freedom to explain their position, noting that the Supreme Court has raised concerns about requiring Ten Commandments displays on government property in multiple cases and, in the 1980s, overturned a Kentucky law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public schools. That ruling from the 1980s said that Ten Commandments displays were plainly religious in nature and therefore violated the First Amendments Establishment Clause, as the Deseret News previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of Louisianas Ten Commandments law, on the other hand, said that the policy would withstand legal challenges since the text is historically significant and relevant to secular education. If you want to respect the rule of law, youve got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses, Landry said in June, according to The Associated Press. Ten Commandments lawsuit The Tuesday ruling on Louisianas Ten Commandments law came in a case brought by parents of children in the states public school system. The parents lawsuit alleged that the policy violated federal religious freedom protections because it amounted to state support of Christian teachings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his ruling, Judge deGravelles wrote that the parents argument is likely to succeed. But the ruling does not resolve the case or overturn Louisianas Ten Commandments law it just puts it on hold as the case continues. The legal battle in Louisiana could hold implications for schools across the country since similar Ten Commandments laws have been introduced in multiple state legislatures in recent years. Earlier this year, Utah passed a law that added the Ten Commandments to a list of texts that teachers can use in history lessons, as the Deseret News previously reported. A coalition of Louisiana parents attempting to block a state law that would require the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms by next year have won a legal battle in federal court. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles issued an order Tuesday granting the plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction, which means the state can't begin its plan to promote and create rules surrounding the law as soon as Friday while the litigation plays out. The judge wrote that the law is "facially unconstitutional" and "in all applications," barring Louisiana from enforcing it and adopting rules around it that obligate all public K-12 schools and colleges to exhibit posters of the Ten Commandments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His order prompted Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill to say she would "immediately appeal." In the meantime, deGravelles, who heard arguments over the legislation on Oct. 21, ordered her office to "provide notice to all schools that the Act has been found unconstitutional." "Each of the Plaintiffs' minor children will be forced 'in every practical sense,' through Louisianas required attendance policy, to be a 'captive audience' and to participate in a religious exercise: reading and considering a specific version of the Ten Commandments, one posted in every single classroom, for the entire school year, regardless of the age of the student or subject matter of the course," the judge wrote. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs applauded the judge's decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This ruling should serve as a reality check for Louisiana lawmakers who want to use public schools to convert children to their preferred brand of Christianity," Heather Weaver, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU's Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, said in a statement. "Public schools are not Sunday schools, and today's decision ensures that our clients' classrooms will remain spaces where all students, regardless of their faith, feel welcomed." The law had dictated that schools have by Jan. 1 to comply. "We strongly disagree with the court's decision," Murrill said in a statement. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the GOP-backed legislation in June, part of his conservative agenda that has reshaped Louisiana's cultural landscape, from abortion rights to criminal justice to education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move prompted a coalition of parents Jewish, Christian, Unitarian Universalist and nonreligious to sue the state in federal court. They argued that the law "substantially interferes with and burdens" their First Amendment right to raise their children with whatever religious doctrine they want. The American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP have supported the suit. The Rev. Darcy Roake, who is a plaintiff in the case along with her husband, Adrian Van Young, said in a statement that she was "relieved" by the judge's order, adding: "We expect our children to receive their secular education in public school and their religious education at home and within our faith communities, not from government officials." Steven Green, a professor of law, history and religious studies at Willamette University in Oregon, testified against the law during the federal court hearing, arguing that the Ten Commandments are not at the core of the U.S. government and its founding, and if anything, the Founding Fathers believed in a separation of church and state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a news conference after the hearing, Murrill dismissed Green's testimony as not being relevant as to whether the posters themselves violate the First Amendment. "This law, I believe, is constitutional, and we've illustrated it in numerous ways that the law is constitutional. We've shown that in our briefs by creating a number of posters," Murrill told reporters. "Again, you don't have to like the posters. The point is you can make posters that comply with the Constitution." In August, Murrill and Landry presented examples of how posters of the Ten Commandments could be designed and hung up in classrooms for educational purposes. The displays included historical context for the commandments that the state believes makes its law constitutional. One poster compared Moses and Martin Luther King Jr., while another riffed off the song "Ten Duel Commandments" from the musical "Hamilton." Our Ten Commandments brief explains that a movie- and theater-themed H.B. 71 poster featuring Charlton Heston as Moses and Lin-Manuel Miranda as @HamiltonMusical is plainly constitutional. #lalege pic.twitter.com/oBmyctlaaw Attorney General Liz Murrill (@AGLizMurrill) August 5, 2024 Murrill said no public funds would be required to be spent on printing the posters and they can be supplied through private donations, but questions remained about what happens to educators that refuse to comply with the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state has anticipated that the case could go to the U.S. Supreme Court, which last weighed in on the issue in 1980, when the justices ruled 5-4 that Kentucky's posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools was unconstitutional. In his ruling, deGravelles acknowledged the Supreme Court precedent on the issue of whether it is constitutional to display religious text in public schools as Louisiana law would require. "The question is not whether the Biblical laws can ever be put on a poster; the issue is whether, as a matter of law, there is any constitutional way to display the Ten Commandments in accordance with the minimum requirements of the Act," he wrote. "In short, the Court finds that there is not." Another state, Oklahoma, is facing similar lawsuits over a requirement that the Bible be part of lesson plans in public school grades five through 12, and that the Bible be stocked in every classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked what he would tell parents concerned about having the Ten Commandments in public schools, Landry said in August: "Tell your child not to look at them." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A federal judge in Louisiana has temporarily blocked a state law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms, finding that the law is unconstitutional on its face and in all applications. In a ruling Tuesday, U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles issued a preliminary injunction against House Bill 71, which was set to go into effect in the new year. The law, deGravelles wrote, violates the First Amendments establishment clause, which says that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. He cited First Amendment concerns, given the impressionability of young students and the fact that they are captive audiences. H.B. 71, which Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed into law in June, requires a poster or framed document of the Ten Commandments in large, easily readable font to be displayed in all public classrooms from K-12 schools up through state-funded universities. The posters must also include a context statement describing the Ten Commandments as a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a bill-signing event, Landry said, If you want to respect the rule of law, youve got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses. A multifaith group of families with children in public schools subsequently sued the state, arguing that H.B. 71 violates a 1980 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned a similar law in Kentucky. DeGravelles sided with the plaintiffs, agreeing that the Louisiana law runs afoul of the precedent set by the high court. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said her office will appeal the decision. As my colleague Jordan Rubin has pointed out, should the lawsuit go to the U.S. Supreme Court, Louisiana officials are banking on the slate of conservative justices to overturn the precedent. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com MINSK, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-six students from 10 universities and 11 middle schools across Belarus were awarded the 2024 Chinese Ambassador's Scholarship on Tuesday. At a ceremony at the Belarusian State University of Physical Culture, Zhang Wenchuan, the Chinese ambassador to Belarus, said the scholarship was set up by the Chinese Embassy in Belarus in 2016, aiming to help Belarusian young people to learn the Chinese language and culture, better serve the national construction of Belarus, and promote the friendship between China and Belarus. He said that over the past nine years, 300 Belarusian students have been awarded the scholarship. According to the ambassador, in recent years, more and more Belarusian universities and schools have opened Chinese language courses, with over 50,000 people in the country having Chinese language learning experience so far. Alexander Kadlybai, the deputy minister of education of Belarus, said the relationship between Belarus and China has been developing vigorously and efficiently since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and there is great potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of education and youth activities. He said Belarus attaches great importance to the promotion of Chinese language teaching and learning, and expressed the hope the recipients of the scholarship will make significant contributions to the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, culture and economy in the future. A federal judge on Tuesday blocked a Louisiana law requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school classrooms. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles granted a preliminary injunction to a coalition of parents that sued the state, meaning Louisiana will not be allowed to require the Ten Commandments in classrooms while the case plays out in court. The group of parents, who come from different religious backgrounds and are supported by multiple civil rights groups, argued in court that the law infringes on their First Amendment rights to dictate their childs religious upbringing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his ruling, deGravelles said he believed the plaintiffs would be irreparably harmed by the law going into place due to it violating the First Amendment. Louisiana became the first state in the nation earlier this year to require the religious text to go up in all K-12 public schools in large, easily readable font. The posters would also include three paragraphs explaining why the Ten Commandments is relevant to American history. This ruling should serve as a reality check for Louisiana lawmakers who want to use public schools to convert children to their preferred brand of Christianity, said Heather L. Weaver, senior staff attorney for the Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief at the American Civil Liberties Union, one of the groups supporting the parents in their challenge. Public schools are not Sunday schools, and todays decision ensures that our clients classrooms will remain spaces where all students, regardless of their faith, feel welcomed. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) had said he expected the new law to cause a legal battle after he signed it in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, when the Supreme Court meets, the doors of the Supreme Court on the backside have the Ten Commandments. Moses faces the U.S. Speaker of the House in the House chamber. He is the original giver of law, Landry said. Most of our laws in this country are founded on the Ten Commandments, whats the big problem? And thats the part I dont understand. The state had sought to have posters of the Ten Commandments up by Jan. 1. The law has been supported by Republicans, including President-elect Trump, who has previously said he wants prayer back in school. I LOVE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND MANY OTHER PLACES, FOR THAT MATTER. READ IT HOW CAN WE, AS A NATION, GO WRONG??? Trump said in a social media post after the law was passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement THIS MAY BE, IN FACT, THE FIRST MAJOR STEP IN THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION, WHICH IS DESPERATELY NEEDED, IN OUR COUNTRY, he added. Experts have speculated this case could go as far as the Supreme Court as a pattern emerges of lawsuits fighting GOP attempts to inject more Christianity into public classrooms. Oklahoma officials are currently fighting to mandate a Bible in every classroom and lessons about how the Bible connects to different parts of American culture. Others in the Sooner State are also looking for the Supreme Court to intervene after Oklahomas highest court struck down the nations first openly religious charter school as unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 11:07 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. Federal officials urged religious groups in the Boston area to increase security this month after several houses of worship in the area were hit by suspected arson attacks. The warning from the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives came at the end of last week, as faith groups prepared to gather during the first weekend after Election Day. The ATFs Boston Field Division said there are no specific threats, but referred to an increase in incidents in the past six months, including in the Massachusetts communities of Franklin and Kingston, and in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, NBC Boston reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leader of one of the congregations affected by the uptick in arson spoke with CBS Boston about how the fire affected his community physically and spiritually. The Rev. Bob Poitras of St. Marys Church in Franklin, Massachusetts, said the fire, which was set inside the church in late October, led to extensive smoke damage that will cost around $1 million to repair. As the church works on cleanup efforts, it has adopted new procedures to keep potential attackers out of the building. We dont leave things open anymore throughout the week, the Rev. Poitras said. I think we took for granted in this parish, how comfortable our community is and how wonderful our community is. But it only takes that one issue, that one mistake and the next thing you know, youre hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to locking doors, the ATF has urged faith groups to install more security cameras and train church members on how to stay safe, per CBS Boston. Federal officials have also encouraged religious leaders to reach out to them with questions and work with local law enforcement to get extra patrols in the neighborhood. The ATF says any community leaders, clergy and managers of facilities can contact the bureau with questions and concerns, NBC Boston reported. Boston is far from the only community dealing with an uptick in faith-related violence right now. Federal officials issued similar safety guidance on a national scale last year after the Hamas attack on Israel, warning that Jews and Muslims, in particular, should take extra precautions, as the Deseret News previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in October 2021, Catholic leaders in the U.S. issued a report on vandalism and arson, noting that Catholic communities across the country were dealing with shocking attacks. There remains much we do not know about this phenomenon, but at a minimum, they underscore that our society is in sore need of Gods grace, the report said, as the Deseret News previously reported. W.M. Griffice died from injuries suffered in the explosion of his home above the Oak Grove mine in Alabama. (Courtesy of the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office) This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here. OAK GROVE Lisa Lindsay was surprised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For months, she had waited for federal authorities to do somethinganythingto mitigate the risks of the longwall coal mine expanding beneath her home. Those risks became all too tangible in March when Lindsay felt the shockwaves of an explosion surge through her body. The blast she felt had leveled her neighbors home, leaving a grandfather and his grandson in critical condition. W.M. Griffice would later die from his injuries. A lawsuit filed by his family blames the release of methane gas from Oak Grove Mine for his death. But since that explosion, Lindsay has lived in constant fear, worried that state and federal officials responsible for regulating mining have largely ignored her complaints about the risks shes still facingrisks that she believes could leave her family in the same position as the Griffices. On Wednesday, the surprise came. Federal inspectors, accompanied by state regulators and a lawyer representing the mine company, showed up at Lindsays home to conduct an inspection. An individual familiar with the details of the regulators visit confirmed that agency staffers also visited the mine itself, located in rural Alabama west of Birmingham, and the Griffice propertythe site of the March explosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inspection came just three days after the publication of an Inside Climate News investigation into the delayed response of federal regulators in mitigating risks associated with methane escape at Oak Grove and other gassy mines across the country. Representatives of Oak Grove Mine did not respond to a request for comment. The mines lawyers have denied responsibility for the home explosion and Griffices death. Security footage from the Lindsay home shows the arrival of federal and state regulatory staffers on Wednesday in Oak Grove. (Courtesy of Lisa Lindsay) A spokesperson for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement confirmed Thursday that agency staffers were on the ground to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations. Inspectors are obtaining additional relevant information about onsite conditions and operations at the Oak Grove Mineand the companys compliance with its permit, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), and federal regulationsto determine what, if any, oversight or enforcement actions are necessary, an agency spokesperson wrote in an email. If it is determined that the mining operation is creating an imminent danger to the public, OSMRE can immediately issue a cessation of mining operations order. OSMRE will take any appropriate action and work with [the Alabama Surface Mining Commission] to address identified problems to ensure the health and safety of the community surrounding Oak Grove Mine. It remains unclear how exactly the federal agency will go about determining whether there is an imminent danger from methane migration in the community from the mine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSMRE declined to answer a question about how many other sites it planned to visit as part of its investigation, or whether it took any methane measurements at or in wells at the Griffice property. Several other residents in the area have said they, too, worry their homes might be at risk. The Oak Grove Mine is considered one of the gassiest in the country. One Oak Grove family bought a low cost explosive gas detector to put in the room nearest a water well located inside their home. (Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News) Explosive levels of methane are occasionally a problem near or in homes, wells and other structures atop coal mines, according to a 2001 technical guidance document from OSMRE. The methane can be generated or liberated from active or abandoned underground mining that is occurring or has occurred underneath or adjacent to these structures, the document says. Kathy Love, director of the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, the state regulator with the primary authority to regulate surface impacts from underground mining activity in the state, confirmed that ASMCs regulatory staffers were on site for the federal inspection but that there is not other information to be shared at this time. OSMRE inspectors spent just over 20 minutes at Lindsays home, she said, briefly asking questions and observing the cracks in her homes foundationssigns of the subsidence caused by the expanding mine below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The longwall method of mining involves a large machine shearing coal to be removed from the mine, releasing methane gas and leaving vast underground caverns that collapse once mining has moved on. That collapse, experts say, causes subsidence, or the sinking of the land above, a process that often damages surface structures like the Lindsay home. Fissures in the land above the mined area can also provide a path of escape for the methane released during mining. Its that escaping methane that Griffices family claims was the cause of the explosion that left their loved one dead. For her part, Lindsay is skeptical that any good will come from Wednesdays inspection, which she called a dog and pony show. Lisa Lindsay addresses her neighbors in August during the first community meeting since the March explosion. (Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News) Federal regulators have had months to address what she believes is an imminent threat to residents, she said. Only now, after the former head of the agency urged decisive action, is OSMRE putting boots on the ground in the Oak Grove community in a way Lindsay believes they should have in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An individual familiar with regulators visit confirmed that OSMRE officials took methane measurements at least one well located on the Griffice property. Prior to the home explosion in March, mine officials had confirmed the presence of methane in a water well on the Griffice property and paid for the well to be plugged, according to court documents. Experts have told ICN that such wells should be vented, not plugged, because of the risks caused by methane finding new paths to the surface, such as through cracks created by subsidence. The Griffice familys home is one of well over a hundred that Oak Grove Mine operators have said could be impacted by subsidence. (Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside Climate News has filed records requests for any methane readings taken on site by federal regulators. An inspection report stemming from Wednesdays visit should be forthcoming, a federal records officer said Thursday. For Lindsay and other residents, help cant come soon enough. Every day, Lindsay said she worries that methane may make its way into her home. That, Lindsay said, is what keeps her up at night. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE An in-depth investigation has learned that if you fly with cash, law enforcement agencies can take the money from you without convicting you of a crime. More than $1 million has been seized at Dayton International Airport in the last five years. News Center 7s Mason Fletcher has been digging into this trend and has learned the steps you should take if your cash is taken from you. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Moore, Jr., was flying from Atlanta to Los Angeles to shoot a music video. He said, Ive never been in a situation to where I was being treated as a terrorist or a criminal. Along with his travel essentials, Moore had cash in his bags that he was planning to use to pay for the video. I had about $8,500 on me, he said. Shortly after entering the airport, his excitement for the trip was gone, and so was his cash. It was taken from him by law enforcement. They announced we were about to start boarding and I was approached by two women, Moore said. They were both DEA agents and started by asking if Moore was carrying drugs or weapons. When Moore told them he wasnt, they asked if he was carrying cash and asked how much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore explained the money was being used for the music video and he got it from the sale of his grandfathers car that he had inherited, but it didnt matter. They put my money in a big Ziplock bag, and they told me I was free to go. They were like, You might want to leave or youre going to miss your flight. Just like that, Moores money was gone without ever hearing about a potential crime. He said, I was never charged, never convicted, And, he never got his money back, Brian Joslyn is an attorney who said, The government is stealing from people. I dont see it any differently than that. Theres no legal basis for them to be taking this money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It happens every day at airports across the country. Joslyn is an attorney in Ohio and has fought against this action for decades. He said the seizures start way before a DEA agent contacts someone. From my experience, I believe that TSA in many cases, tips off a DEA agent that is onsite to indicate that theres potentially large sums of money in their bag just because they can see it when they go through the scanner, Joslyn said, He said that for most of the cases he sees, the seizures happen because the DEA is suspicious of the large sum of cash and thinks hit has something to do with illegal activity. However, in 2017, a Department of Justice Inspector General audit found that out of a sample of 100 DEA seizures, only 44 fit the bill, meaning more than half didnt relate to or create any investigations and never led to arrests or convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joslyn said agents are hoping to sweep it under the rug because most people dont know where to start to get it back. Occasionally they just give up the money. They dont even contact an attorney. Nobody even pursues. They dont even pursue their own money, Joslyn said, However, Moore went a different route. I thought I would at least find out what I did wrong. And, you know, to this day, I still havent found out what was suspicious about me or what I did that was suspicious, Moore said. He sued to get his money back and after a grueling process of lawsuits, only saw a percentage of what he lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Congress introduced the Fair Act, which would require police to prove the money is from a criminal activity and limits their ability to seize cash solely because of suspicion of a crime. Currently, it still sits in the House in D, C. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) In honor of Veterans Day, an event featuring the first female Army reservist to graduate Ranger School was held Monday at Grand Valley State Universitys downtown campus. The event at GVSUs Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies was designed as a tribute to the men and women who have served. No matter what we do, we can never thank the vets for what they have done. Theres less than 1% that serve today and the sacrifices they make for all of us to enjoy the great life that we do, Bob Hughes, co-chair of Grand Rapids-based Armed Forces Thanksgiving, said. Armed Forces Thanksgiving presents a $45,000 check to the West Michigan Veterans Coalition during a Nov. 11, 2024, event at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids. Armed Forces Thanksgiving presented a $45,000 check the West Michigan Veterans Coalition, which connects current service members, veterans and their families to various resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vets that theyre helping, you can actually see the results. Its not often you give money and actually see people do great things with it, Hughes said. The guest of honor at the event was U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Lisa Jaster, who said she first became interested in the military at age 7. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Lisa Jaster speaks with News 8 in Grand Rapids on Nov. 11, 2024. My paternal grandmother sent me a book written by one of the first women to graduate from the United States Military Academy, Jaster said. It was fantastic to see both what our soldiers were doing in Iraq in 1991 as well as read a book about women who were breaking barriers. Eventually, Jaster herself graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point herself. She was commissioned in 2000 and was on active duty until 2007. She joined the Army Reserve in 2012 after a five-year break. In 2014, Jaster received an email looking for women interested in Ranger School, a nine-week training course considered one of the toughest for soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next month I turned 37, which is very old. Ranger School is for 22-year-old males at the time on average, Jaster said. Encouraged by her senior enlisted advisor and her husband, Jaster entered Ranger School. On day zero, almost 400 people showed up to my iteration of Ranger School. Breakfast on day one, we had already lost about 25% of those people, Jaster said. A courtesy image of Lisa Jaster at Army Ranger School. Maj. Lisa Jaster holds her daughter Victoria, 3, and her son Zachary, 7, following Ranger School graduation ceremonies on October 16, 2015, at Victory Pond in Columbus, Ga. Jaster, who is the third woman to earn the Ranger Tab, entered Ranger training with Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver, who were the first two women to graduate from Ranger School during ceremonies on August 21. (Robin Trimarchi/Columbus Ledger-Enquirer/TNS) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jaster went on to graduate Ranger School, becoming the first female Army reservist to do so. She said being alongside younger men at the time was important. Seeing someone who was older than average, who was a mom, who did Army part-time succeed and be able to carry the weight right next to them changed how they looked at women in the military, Jaster said. As veterans are thanked for their service this Veterans Day, Jaster wants the community to keep a message in mind. Dont just think about our service time. Think about that it is ingrained in our spirit that we want to be part of improving our community and let us do that, Jaster 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 WOODTV.com. Fertility agencies offering embryo selection for IVF and surrogacy have been accused of promoting eugenics and misleading consumers about the power of genetic screening. Some American clinics claim they can rank embryos for IVF using Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Polygenic risk (PGT-P), a genetic screening system which is illegal in the UK. They claim this process can detect the likelihood of an embryo later developing conditions such as schizophrenia and breast cancer. An analysis published in Nature, the medical journal, found that this new method, used by the clinics to sell fertility services, is not sufficiently effective or robust for embryo selection. The study also warned that PGT-P may be used eugenically to sort out the value of embryos along with any desirable traits for consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PGT-P testing can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $6,000, on top of the price of IVF and associated costs, which can already run into the tens of thousands. The global fertility business is estimated to be worth more than $34 billion, and is set to almost double in value over the next decade. The industry is unregulated in many countries, opening the door to clinics offering testing services at great expense, backed by flimsy scientific evidence. Using slick marketing materials, they imply that parents can select the perfect child. One clinic, The Virginia Centre for Reproductive Medicine, claims it can test embryos for conditions as wide ranging as schizophrenia, coronary heart disease and various types of cancer. They even profess to be able to judge if the child born from the embryo will be more likely to have a heart attack in adulthood. All of the disease risks for each embryo are merged into a single number: the Embryo Health Score (EHS). The embryos are then ranked (lowest to highest risk), using this single EHS number, the centres website says. Using this number, embryos are prioritised in a clear order. The website asserts that PGT-P testing can reduce the incidence of diseases by over 70 per cent. Experts suggest such claims are hard to justify. PGT-P and Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) is an active area of research, and may hold future promise in assisting diagnosis and treatment decisions for patients. However, while it is yet to be proven, it has been seized upon and heavily marketed by IVF providers, according to a group of researchers from elite Japanese universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Japanese academics go on to say that PGT-P has multiple issues. First, the supposed health advantages of selected embryos can be too small to be validated or have clinical meaning. Additionally, the researchers found that the same embryo can receive a high or low score, depending on methodology used to judge test results. In other words, hypothetically, one clinic could say an embryo is a perfect choice for IVF, while another could say the same embryo should be discarded. Judging traits in a eugenicist manner The researchers views are echoed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the UK regulator of IVF treatment. The regulator states that PGT-P does not meet the criteria for genetic testing and is currently not backed by evidence from scientific studies. Explaining why its use is banned in the UK, it says risk scores can be interpreted too rigidly, and that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is likely to have a bigger impact on preventing disease. Importantly for couples seeking fertility treatment, use of PGT-P may actually reduce chances of having a baby, as viable embryos could be discarded, according to the regulator. These scores dont tell you anything concrete or reliable about the presence or absence of a specific gene variant, says Sarah Norcross, director of the Progress Educational Trust (PET), a charity for people affected by infertility and genetic conditions. The resulting data just doesnt give you the kind of certainty that you need [to] meaningfully select embryos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As embryos used for IVF typically share the same parents, genomes of the embryos are unlikely to differ substantially enough for tests to provide much information, she adds. These are just some of the reasons why PET along with many other organisations [...] thinks it is wrong to offer PGT-P to patients. Technical shortcomings are only one side of the issue. Besides the risk of arbitrarily discarding perfectly viable embryos, scientists fear this method could be used to judge traits in a eugenicist manner. Some clients of the international surrogacy and IVF market have already attempted to source sperm and eggs for tall, blond children, as reported in The Telegraph in August. The idea of PGT-P being used to similar ends does not seem to be far-fetched. Researchers also worry about the impact this testing could have on parent-child relationships. How might parents view a child born from a low-scoring embryo? How would a child feel knowing they were chosen out of set, based on a numerical value? These situations require careful consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PGT-P method is the newest among a variety of tests available for potential health defects in embryos, such as the more widely available PGT-A, which is used to determine whether embryos have the right number of chromosomes. An embryo with the incorrect number of chromosomes may fail to implant, result in miscarriage, or lead to a child with chromosomal disorders such as Downs Syndrome. While evidence as to the efficacy of PGT-A is mixed, studies suggest it can improve live birth rates in some age groups. PGT-P differs in that it analyses genes in greater detail, judging of risks of polygenic disorders; that is, medical problems associated with genetic variants across multiple genes. Clinics offering the test point to studies supporting its potential, and present a universally positive view of this technology. The wider medical and scientific community is, however, more sceptical. Ultimately, PGT-P has been used only since 2019, making it impossible to draw conclusions about the long-term health outcomes of anyone who has been born after undergoing this testing. It is a scientifically controversial process, and questions over technical shortcomings and ethical issues have yet to be conclusively answered. Despite this, clinics continue to charge patients undergoing IVF thousands for genetic testing, regardless of voices urging caution. The Virginia Centre for Reproductive Medicine was contacted for comment. 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. Having taken the presidency last week in convincing fashion and having long possessed House Republicans by the throat, the MAGA movement this week turns its eyes to the Senate. On Wednesday, the incoming Senate GOP majority will elect a new leader for the first time in 18 years. The race, between Sens. John Thune, John Cornyn, and Rick Scott, intensified over the weekend as President-elect Donald Trumps win reverberated through the caucusand Trumps most ardent MAGA supporters attempted to bully Republican senators into submission. At the risk of overgeneralizing, lets break the three senators into two camps. On one side we have the two Johns. (A third JohnSen. John Barrasso of Wyominghas the contest to be the next majority whip locked up.) We might describe both Thune and Cornyn as legacy GOP. Both have served under the current leader, Mitch McConnell, as his whip. Both are conservative, but neither is a tear-it-all-down guy. Theyre open to dealmaking with Democrats under the right conditions and arent recklessly gung-ho about threatening government shutdowns or debt defaults. Unlike McConnell, neither has been a regular critic of Donald Trump, but they have had their moments. And yes, Trump did take note of those moments. Scott, who just won his second term in the Senate after serving two terms as Floridas governor, represents what we might call the Senate Freedom Caucus. These are the minority of further-right members, like Sens. Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and others, whove rejected McConnells leadership as averse to the wishes of the Republican base and too accommodating to Democrats. (Yes, Mitch McConnell, who perfected obstructionism as a political strategy in the Obama years, is now criticized as spineless.) Scott and McConnell loathe each other, stemming back to Scotts tenure atop the National Republican Senatorial Committee in the 2022 midterm cycle. McConnell attributed the Senate GOPs poor performance that year to candidate recruitment and other mistakes Scott made, such as his genius idea to release a policy platform that, among other things, wouldve technically led to the expiration of Social Security and Medicare. Scott argued that McConnells leadership in that Congress, when a raft of bipartisan legislation was passed, muddled Republicans campaign messaging. Scott challenged McConnell for leader two years ago and was put in his place by a 37-to-10 vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scotts camp, in other words, is the smaller one, and hes not particularly popular among his Republican colleagues. Under neutral circumstances in a one-on-one vote with either Cornyn or Thune, hed probably lose. There was always a scenario, though, in which that could change: Trump would win the election and use his newfound capital to endorse Scott and impose his will on the chamber. Trump has not, as of this writing, endorsed Scott or either John. Well get into the why of that shortly. But Trump loyalists have certainly tried to spend Trumps newfound capital on Scott. In an apparently coordinated social media push beginning over the weekend, pro-Trump voices like Tucker Carlson, Elon Musk, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Vivek Ramaswamy, Charlie Kirk, and others rallied behind Scott as the only acceptable candidate willing to enact Trumps agenda. Clips of Thune and Cornyn giving off vaguely liberal vibes in the past began recirculating. Some Scott allies in the Senate, including Bill Hagerty, fellow Floridian Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul, began going public with their support, while right-wing influencers leaked supposed internal whip counts (that could be completely, entirely wrong). Since the leadership election is conducted by secret ballot, the play is to publicly expose and pressure those senators into supporting Scott. This bullying campaign is indicative of why most Republican senators havent wanted Scott to lead them in the past. It offends many senators sensibilities, and its a political misread from a guy whos asking colleagues to entrust their fates in his political instincts. The race is strictly a popularity contest. Even tacitly encouraging an army of social media trolls to round up the votes may have the opposite effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So farso farTrump has been obeying wise counsel to stay out of this. Perhaps he could get Scott elected as majority leader on Wednesday if he leaned into it. But if that effort fell short on a secret ballot, hed suffer an embarrassing setback to his stature just when its at a new peak. Besides, he can bend any of the three to his will later on. In fact: Why would he endorse when he can bend all three to his will right now? Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner, Trump posted on Sunday. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY! Recess appointmentsa constitutional power allowing presidents to temporarily fill vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senateare something that both parties in the Senate have prevented from happening in recent times by holding pro forma sessions every few days instead of actually adjourning for extended periods of time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Technical aspects aside, its notable that Trumps first instruction to the Senate since winning is that he doesnt want to deal with the confirmation process. To this orderthat the Senate get over its constitutional prerogative to advise on and consent to presidential appointmentswe heard from each candidate variations on a refrain we should get used to: Yes, sir, an excellent idea! 100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible. https://t.co/GlrHx2zJXh Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) November 10, 2024 It is unacceptable for Senate Ds to blockade President @realDonaldTrump s cabinet appointments. If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent. Additionally, the Constitution expressly confers the power on the President to make recess appointments. Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) November 10, 2024 We must act quickly and decisively to get the presidents nominees in place as soon as possible, & all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments. We cannot let Schumer and Senate Dems block the will of the American people.https://t.co/h6gDmjhbqn Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) November 10, 2024 Cornyn and Thune do, at least, attempt to hedge. Cornyn notes that the Constitution gives the president the right to make recess appointments but elides how the Senate doesnt properly recess to prevent presidents from doing so. Thune says its on the table. Well, good for the table. Scott is the only one who seems desperately eager to let Trump run riot over him and the chamber he would ostensibly lead for the next several years. Well find out Wednesday how many Republican senators share that appetite. As we honor the sacrifice and bravery of our veterans this National Veterans and Military Families Month, it is crucial to remember that the battles they face do not always end when they return home. While the visible scars of conflict are often recognized, the invisible woundsthose affecting the mental health of our service membersdemand our urgent attention and care. The Unseen Battle As a former Army doctor who served during Desert Storm and Bosnia conflicts, I found that the unique demands and stressors of military life were things I, too, shared with my patients. The stress of separation from family, engaging in combat, the demands of deployment, and the loss of comrades became part of our shared experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the psychological pressures our military personnel face dont end once the battle is over or with retirement. According to reports from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, significant percentages of veterans suffer from mental health issues such as PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, and anxiety. These conditions can be debilitating and, if left unmanaged, can lead to tragic outcomes including substance abuse and suicide. Editors note: If you or someone you love is struggling with your mental health, dial 988 today to get the help you deserve. Breaking the Stigma One of the most formidable barriers to addressing mental health concerns is the stigma attached to seeking help. In a culture that frequently values strength and stoicism, admitting psychological distress can be perceived as a sign of weakness. This misconception prevents many veterans from seeking the support they desperately need. My duty to serve as an Army doctor became more critical after Desert Storm when deployments to dangerous areas and physical injuries became a reality. The importance and need for behavioral health support skyrocketed, but many still did not seek help when they needed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Promoting open conversations about mental health is crucial for dismantling this stigma. Leadership within the military, policymakers, and community members all play an important role in fostering an environment where discussing mental health is normalized and encouraged. On a day dedicated to our veterans, we must amplify the message that seeking help is a sign of strength and resilience. The Need for Comprehensive Support Systems Maxwell AFB, Ala. SrA Devin A. Blazekovich is the Mental Health Non Commissioned Officer in Charge overseeing other technicians perform mental health intakes, Alcohol and Drug abuse intakes, and follow up care. In the clinic, Blazekovich provides the initial paperwork to patients, which include documents that pertain to confidentiality, Privacy Act, and Mental Health Clinic policies at the 42nd Medical Group on Maxwell AFB. (US Air Force photo by Cassandra Cornwell/Released) To truly honor our veterans, it is imperative to provide comprehensive support systems that address their mental health needs. This means: Enhanced Access to Mental Health Care: The importance of readily available mental health services cannot be overstated. Streamlining access to these services and ensuring they are inclusive and sensitive to the unique experiences of military personnel is key. This includes expanding telehealth options to reach those in remote locations. Training and Resources for Mental Health Providers: Medical professionals who serve veterans need specialized training to understand the military culture and the specific mental health challenges faced by service members. This equips them to offer more effective and nuanced care. Peer Support Programs: Veterans often find solace in speaking with those who truly understand their experiences. Establishing robust peer support programs can provide a platform for shared understanding and encouragement. Family and Community Engagement: The support of family and community is vital in the healing process. Programs aimed at educating and involving families in mental health care can significantly enhance recovery outcomes. Commitment to Our Veterans: Today and Every Day This National Veterans and Military Families Month, as we pay tribute to the courage and dedication of our military personnel, we must also recognize our ongoing responsibility to support their mental health. It is not enough to merely celebrate their heroic acts; we must also commit to ensuring their well-being long after their service has ended. By breaking down the stigma, providing accessible and comprehensive care, and fostering a culture of openness and understanding, we honor not only their past sacrifices but also their future health and happiness. The invisible wounds of war are as real as any physical injury, and addressing them is an essential part of our pledge to truly support our veterans. NAIROBI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Tuesday launched a new toolkit designed to offer a policy roadmap to boost its gig economy. Mary Kerema, secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy, said the new toolkit, titled "a policy guide for digital economy progress," offers a comprehensive roadmap to improve Kenya's gig economy and create a more equitable and sustainable sector for over one million workers and businesses alike. "The toolkit offers a detailed policy as a guide to propelling the digital economy in the country," Kerema said during the launch in Kenya's capital of Nairobi. She noted that the new toolkit will introduce new strategies aimed at expanding access to digital services and fostering sustainable growth in the digital economy. Additionally, it will address the key challenges faced by gig workers in digital sectors, with the goal of fostering growth and development. Developed by Mastercard Foundation, eMobilis Technology Institute and Africa Practice, the toolkit will help establish policies and guidelines to ensure timely payments for workers and prevent exploitation by employers. Ken Mwenda, managing director and co-founder of eMobilis Technology Institute, said the toolkit will help transform the power of Kenya's gig economy since it provides a clear pathway to create an environment where gig workers can access better opportunities, and where businesses can invest with confidence in this rapidly growing sector. Currently, 1.2 million workers, most of whom operate in the informal sector, are employed in the gig economy, he said, adding that with the sector's annual value estimated at 109 million U.S. dollars, gig work has become a cornerstone of Kenya's digital economy. However, he noted that despite this growth, gig workers face challenges such as algorithmic bias on global platforms and limited legal protections within Kenya. The toolkit adopts a systems-change approach to strengthen the connection between labor protection and a conducive environment for businesses, such as digital labor platforms and business-process outsourcing enterprises. It proposes five key interventions, including the creation of a tripartite forum to establish industry standards and a multipurpose gig worker registration platform. The guide also emphasizes the need for legal reforms to improve protections for gig workers under the Employment Act 2007 and other labor laws. (Bloomberg) -- Finlands President Alexander Stubb said a call he had with Donald Trump on Monday night made clear the president-elect needs to be taken seriously when he speaks about ending Russias war in Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We in Europe and the rest of the world need to understand that Donald Trump is very serious about getting a peace deal sooner rather than later, Stubb said in an interview on Bloomberg TV on Tuesday. Theres a window of opportunity for these negotiations between the election and inauguration day. Trump emerged victorious in the Nov. 5 election, beating Vice President Kamala Harris, and is set to be inaugurated Jan. 20 in Washington. Speaking from the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Stubb listed four prerequisites for peace in Ukraine. Those include territory and here we dont know where things are going to settle, he said. The second one is security guarantees, the third is justice and then the low-hanging fruit is actually number four, which is reconstruction. The Finnish president last month met Chinas President Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing, where Russias war also came up, as Xi has worked to maintain close bilateral ties with the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Finland, Russias full-scale aggression was a wake-up call that prompted a rapid move to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization last year. Its border with Russia exceeds 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) and now makes up more than half of NATOs eastern flank. The Nordic country has a history of wars with Moscow, and has provided Kyiv with military support including air defense and heavy ammunition. --With assistance from Federica Romaniello. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Fire Marshals Office provided an update Tuesday morning, Nov. 12, after a Downtown El Paso business caught fire this past weekend, saying the fire started inside a storage shed located behind the business. The El Paso Fire Department responded to the fire at about 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, in the alleyway near 511 S. Stanton St. The Fire Marshals Office says the cause of the fire was due to energized electric wires that were in contact with the roof of the shed, which caused the ignition of the roof. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The electricity to the business was cut off by El Paso Electric due to the electrical lines being damaged, according to the Fire Marshals Office. Investigators contacted the Building Permitting and Inspections Department, which will forward the information to the proper authorities regarding the status and safety of the structure, the Fire Marshals Office said. Downtown business deals with fire ahead of holiday season As we have previously reported, the business is dealing with what it says is thousands of dollars of lost merchandise, and Grace Hong, daughter of the owners of Grace Trading, says her parents have owned the store for over 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hong said that she and her family were not notified about the fire until they came to work on Monday morning. This is a huge detriment to the business as as were preparing for the holiday season. This is the busiest time of year for most businesses here in El Paso, and our employees worked really hard to prepare for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holiday, Hong said. Hong said the storage unit in the back of the store, full of new merchandise, was destroyed in the fire. All of this is over $50,000 worth of damages, merchandise that weve been storing and collecting over the past couple of months in preparation to sell, she said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owners of Grace Trading said they are closing the store for a few days. The Hong family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money to help recover what they have lost. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. GARFIELD COUNTY, Utah (KTVX) A Utah man, who was a firefighter and paramedic, died after falling several feet on a hiking trail on Saturday, according to authorities. Aaron White, 39, was hiking on the Big Horn Canyon trail in the Escalante area with two other people when he fell about 30 to 50 feet, the Garfield County Sheriffs Office told Nexstars KTVX. Wade Matthews, a public information officer for the sheriffs office, said another hiking group arrived at the scene after Whites friends called out for help. However, White succumbed to his injuries and was taken to the medical examiners office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Dog the Bounty Hunter expands search for Tennessee teen missing since February White was a member of the Provo Fire & Rescue Department, which announced his death on its official Facebook page, calling him a valuable member of our team. His positive attitude and infectious smile were a daily inspiration, the social media post read. His absence will be keenly felt. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time. White also worked part-time with the Mapleton City Fire Department for the past seven years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is survived by his wife and children, according to officials. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) The cause of a fire at a vacant house in Warren Monday night is still under investigation. Around 8:05 p.m., the Warren Fire Department was called to the 800 block of Tod Ave. SW for a fire at a vacant two-story house. Firefighters had the fire under control in 15 minutes and cleared the scene in an hour and 30 minutes, according to a Facebook post from the Warren Professional Fire Firefighters Local 204. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no injuries 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 WKBN.com. Around 25 people are displaced after crews from the Kansas City Fire Department put out a blaze at an apartment building Tuesday morning. Firefighters responded just before 6 a.m. to the 1000 block of East 9th Street. They discovered smoke and fire coming from the second floor of Perry Place Apartments. A caller initially reported that occupants were trapped inside. After a primary and secondary search, firefighters did not find anyone stuck in the building, said Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins, a spokesman with the KCFD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews were able to quickly put out the blaze and there were no injuries reported, Hopkins said. Were assuming the individuals were able to make it out prior to our arrival, Hopkins said. Thats typically what happens, theyll say were stuck (in the building) and then by the time we get there, they make their way out. Hopkins said the building was already in serious disrepair prior to the fire. Utilities have now been shut off and dangerous buildings inspectors determined the building to be untenantable. The Kansas City Fire Department responded to a fire just before 6 a.m. at Perry Place Apartments in the 1000 block of East 9th Street. The building has been determined untenable and 25 people have been displaced. They were actually in the process of evicting everyone because the building is going to be condemned, Hopkins said. The fire this morning is expediting that process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority provided a warming bus for residents while the KCFD assessed damage Tuesday morning. The American Red Cross is working to help residents of the building find temporary housing. Hopkins said firefighters will be escorting people in and out of the building so they can gather their belongings. An investigation is ongoing as the KCFD works to determine what caused the fire. Last week in South Carolina, people were searching for 43 monkeys. Now theyre searching for a loose emu. Residents of Loris and Green Sea shared photos of the large bird running around the countryside of Horry County. The emu has been surviving on its own since the beginning of summer, according to a Facebook post. Sam Morace posted on Facebook on June 4 that her fathers emu escaped its enclosure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the emu is spotted in Horry County, Morace has asked people to not kill it and to contact her. The bird has not been captured as of Nov. 11, said Morace in a Facebook message to The Sun News. Horry County Police are aware of the loose emu, spokesperson Mikayla Moskov said by text. They are working to help locate and capture the large bird. Multiple members of the Facebook group Whats Happening In Loris SC - Original said theyve seen the animal on S.C. 9, Fair Bluff Highway and Duford Road. First monkeys and now an emu! Greg Lucas, a spokesperson for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, said in a text to The Sun News. SC may be the new Florida! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emus are a flightless bird from Australia that can grow to over 5 feet tall, according to the Smithsonian. They can live in forests and woodlands and mostly feed on fruit, flowers, seeds and young tree shoots. Earlier this fall, there were reports of a monkey on the loose in North Myrtle Beach, The Sun News previously reported. There were also over 40 monkeys that broke out of a facility in Beaufort County last week, according to The Island Packet. Some of the monkeys have since been caught. Born in the 19th century and gone for a lifetime, Humphrey Bogart comes back to vital, immediate life in the new film Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes. The feature-length documentary coming to theaters on Nov. 15 from Universal Pictures Content Group combines artful reenactments, spectacularly restored clips from his classic films, vintage interviews and the klieg lights and glamour of old Hollywood. Kathryn Ferguson best known for 2022s Nothing Compares, her award-winning film on the life of the musician Sinead OConnor directed and co-wrote Bogart. She came up with an entirely new way of framing the actors life, telling it through the women around him (his mother and four wives). I told Kathryn, If youre going to do the same old, same old, I dont want any part of it, says Bogarts son Stephen Humphrey Bogart. When she came up with the idea, she didnt really tell me right away. I saw the rough cut and got an inkling of what she was doing, and I was blown away. It was so different than anything about my father that I had ever seen. While Bogarts rugged good looks, endless supply of trench coats and famous lines like, Heres looking at you, kid, have ensured him cinematic immortality, the actor struggled for decades to get his career off the ground until heeding advice from his four actress wives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broadway aimed to package him as a Valentino-esque lover boy with Vaselined hair. He faced the same problem in Hollywood, where he was most often cast as a doomed gangster or in racy pre-code sexcapades like A Devil with Women. False eyelashes, red lips and all, Bogart says in the film. I felt like a dummy. Newlyweds Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in 1945, playing chess at home Photo by Alamy By the time 20-year-old Lauren Bacall became the fourth Mrs. Bogart, he had already starred in Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon and was well on his way to becoming a film legend. He was the number-one movie star of the 20th century, Bogart and Bacalls son Stephen proclaims. His movies had the best directors, the best writers, the best co-stars Ingrid Bergman, Katharine Hepburn and the star turn of my mother. Hollywoods favorite power couple worked and played together, hanging out with friends Judy Garland, David Niven and Frank Sinatra, and partying at Romanoffs in Beverly Hills. Bacall came up with a pet name for their confederacy of clever revelers the Rat Pack. In order to qualify, one had to be addicted to non-conformity, staying up late, drinking, laughing, Bacall says in the film. And not caring what anyone said or thought about us. In 1947, Bogie, Bacall and more than 20 of their actor friends joined the Committee for the First Amendment in response to the House Un-American Activities Committee, which went on a hunt for communists in Hollywood. The group flew to D.C. to decry the questioning and defend free speech. This has nothing to do with communism, Bogart said at the time. Its none of my business whos a communist and who isnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair maintained their position at the center of Hollywood social life and continued entertaining at home even after Bogart received a cancer diagnosis and his health faded during the 1950s. The star died at age 56 at home in Holmby Hills. A few months later, the mansion was sold and the young widow and her two children moved to London. Bogies theory always was, when youre dead, thats it, Bacall tells an interviewer in the film. Youve got to press on because life is for the living. When asked to consider what kinds of movies his dad would be doing today, son Stephen is adamant. It wouldnt be a superhero movie. He would not be into the Marvel stuff. He would still be a star and pick out the right movies, he says. Maybe a Western like Kevin Costner. He would have loved Tom Cruise. He would have worked with people on the outs. Stephen Bogart isnt terribly impressed with the current state of the film industry. There arent a lot of movies youd go to theaters to see, he says from his home in Florida. I watch on my 75-inch TV which is probably sacrilege to you folks in L.A. LAHAINA, Hawaii (KHON2) In six weeks, one Lahaina family said theyll be ready to move back into their newly rebuilt home. They will be one of the first families moving back into the area, just in time for Christmas. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Gene Milnes home was still under construction on Aug. 8 when the fire swept through his neighborhood. He was living with his wife in a finished ohana unit in the back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shopping event on Maui supports local, Lahaina businesses impacted by wildfire Because it was brand new, they just reissued a permit, said Milne, Lahaina resident rebuilding his home in the impact zone. He submitted right-of-entry forms immediately and his property was one of the first cleared back in January. KHON2 met him this summer when his ohana unit was under construction. Four months later, its almost complete. Its come a long way and were on target for Christmas, Milne added. We start with my wifes sunshine front door, bringing in the sun of Maui. This will be the living room and kitchen there will be an island there. There will be a dining room over in that corner, and then back here weve got the bathroom. Ill have wood window frames with trim and yeah its pretty exciting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maui County said 128 permits have been issued in Kula and Lahaina with 183 under review. As of Oct. 31, there were 55 homes under construction. I love it, every day I drive by and I see a new house started, said Gene. The husband and wife, and kids and theyre pointing at things and theyre planning, theyre thinking about how life is going to be shortly. For now, Gene is living in his trailer with his wife and dogs with water and temporary power. I know for me, starting to rebuild was a healer. It helped me heal, I was not in a good place mentally prior to coming back. Once I was back on island, doing something and moving forward life changed. I felt better, I was more energized and it really does help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said contractors are getting busier, so residents should plan ahead for that and higher costs. Check out more news from around Hawaii He added hes planning on putting a Christmas tree outside his home to bring some joy to the neighborhood The silver lining in this whole fire is that our neighborhood is closer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LJUBLJANA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia's Foreign Ministry has condemned Israel's annexation plans in the West Bank, warning that they "threaten both regional stability and the viability of a two-state solution." Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the imposition of Israeli sovereignty and settlement expansion in the West Bank on Monday. "We condemn Minister Smotrich's push toward annexation plans in the West Bank," the Slovenian ministry said on social media platform X on Tuesday. "Such unilateral steps disregard international law and also endanger peace efforts and should be avoided at all costs," Slovenia's Foreign Ministry said. Slovenia is the incumbent member of the United Nations Security Council and officially recognized the State of Palestine in June. The first volunteers joining the Ukrainian Legion in Poland have signed contracts for military service, and the total number of applications has risen to 600. Source: European Pravda, citing Ukrinform The first group of volunteers signed contracts on 12 November at the recruitment centre of the Ukrainian Consulate General in Lublin. Photo: Ministry of defence of Ukraine Following the established procedure, the head of the recruitment centre called each volunteer to sign the contracts they had already reviewed. The exact size of the group has not been disclosed. Photo: Ministry of defence of Ukraine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier reports indicated that by the beginning of November, over 500 applications had been submitted to the Ukrainian Legion in Poland from 30 countries worldwide. In a media briefing, recruitment centre representative Petro Horkusha confirmed that the number of applications has now reached 600. Volunteer training is expected to begin in Poland by the end of 2024. Under the bilateral agreement, Ukraine will provide the legion volunteers with military uniforms and medical supplies, while Poland will supply the infrastructure, equipment, and weaponry needed for the training period. Support UP or become our patron! ROME (AP) The city of Florence took new measures Tuesday to crack down on overtourism, just as the Italian government hosts the Group of Seven tourism ministers in the Renaissance city and seeks to significantly boost the countrys place as a top visitor destination. Mayor Sara Funaros Cabinet approved a 10-point plan that, among other things, would ban key boxes on buildings in Florences historic center as well as the use there of loudspeakers by tour guides, a statement from City Hall said. The keyboxes small boxes with a digital pad that are used by owners of short-term rental apartments to easily leave keys for visitors have become something of the symbol of local Florentine anger at tourists, whose numbers have rebounded after COVID-19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a recent protest, Florentines taped red Xs over the keyboxes, outraged at the transformation of the city center and its magnificent palazzi and narrow streets into a collection of short-term vacation rentals that have displaced local residents and the long-standing businesses that served them. According to national statistics bureau ISTAT, 2023 saw the most visitors ever in Italy with 134 million arrivals and 451 million people staying in hotels or other registered lodgings. The number of visitors opting for non-hotel lodging grew nearly 17% compared to 2022, ISTAT said in a June report. Italy ranks fourth on the U.N. World Tourism Barometer of international tourist destinations, after France, Spain and the United States. The tourism industry contributed some 10.5% of Italys gross domestic product in 2023, according to Statista research. Florence, long run by the center-left, last year announced a ban on new short-term private rentals in the center in hopes of stemming the exodus of locals. It has repeatedly pressed for a special regulation from the national government, currently headed by right-wing Premier Giorgia Meloni, to cap the number of days a property can be rented out at 120. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, only Venice has been permitted to limit short-term rentals. The lagoon city has been drowning under overtourism for years and this year began imposing a day-tripper tax to try to regulate tourist flows. The right-left political divide over Florence and its tourism woes could come to a head precisely as Italy hosts the G7 tourism ministers starting Wednesday in Florence. At a warm-up event this weekend, Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche acknowledged some art cities were suffering from too many visitors. But she said that overall Italy is hardly taking advantage of its tourism potential and needed 50 million visitors more a year. Lamenting Italys fourth-place position on the list of the world's top destinations, she said Italy needed to sustainably grow its tourism potential with quality offerings. We can grow much more, we can develop much more and the industry of tourism can truly become the leading industry of our nation, she said. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Nearly 34.6 million people traveled to Florida from July through September shattering another tourism record for the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that preliminary estimates indicate a 1.8% increase in visitors over those three months, making it the highest visitation on record for a third quarter. Caribbean disturbance has potential path toward Florida, models show | Tracking the Tropics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The record-breaking tourism was fueled by 31.8 million visitors from within the United States, 2.3 million overseas travelers, and 582,000 Canadian visitors. It also marks the third consecutive quarter of record-setting visitation to the Sunshine State, with the first two quarters of 2024 showing an increase of nearly 2 million travelers compared to the same period last year. The Free State of Florida continues to break records for tourism, DeSantis said. It is a testament to our model, and we will continue to operate our state with common sense, fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and a penchant for freedom. In May, DeSantis office said Orlando and Miami were some of the most popular destinations, with a collective 15.1 million people taking flights at airports in those cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 25.6 million people boarded planes at Floridas 19 major airports in the third quarter. Officials said that number is up 1.3% from last year, with notable growth at airports in Pensacola and Palm Beach. The hard work and resilience of Floridians have been instrumental in keeping our tourism industry strong, showcasing the best of what our state has to offer, said Dana Young, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. Governor DeSantis leadership has positioned Florida as a top choice for travelers, and the continued record-breaking tourism numbers reflect 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 WFLA. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Two food delivery workers in Rochester were robbed at gunpoint Monday night, according to police. The robbery happened around 4:15 p.m. Police said officers arrived at the area of Hudson Avenue and Bernard Street where two men reported they were robbed by two other men. The suspects were accused of using guns to threaten the men, demanding they give up property and cash. Police confirmed the victims were in the area to deliver food when the robbery happened. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Girl, 14, critically hurt after being shot on Bartlett Street The suspects took off before officers arrived. Police ask anyone with information on this incident to call 911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher, who spent nine years as the sixth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville, died on Saturday. He was 93. Keleher served in Belleville from 1984 to 1993 before he was promoted to archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. He retired in 2005. Belleville Bishop Michael McGovern acknowledged Kelehers death in a Facebook post on Monday. A memorial Mass will be held at the Cathedral of St. Peter on a date to be determined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please pray for the repose of his soul and for Gods peace and comfort for his family, McGovern wrote. After Keleher retired, he frequently spoke by telephone with Monsignor John T. Myler, rector at Cathedral of St. Peter. Keleher always wanted to know what was happening in southern Illinois, Myler said, and he often inquired about the welfare of priests. He was interested and lucid and had a great memory until just recently, when he became very weak with his age, Myler said. He came from good stock. Myler noted that Kelehers mother also lived a long life. Keleher grew up on the south side of Chicago in a devout Irish-Catholic family, according to a 2018 story in The Leaven, the Kansas City archdiocesan newspaper. He attended Mundelein Seminary and served as a priest in the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago for more than 25 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story covered a 60th anniversary celebration of Kelehers 1958 ordination. Speakers included Monsignor Thomas Tank, who had recommended him for archbishop. He came in and really took the archdiocese by storm because of his love of people, not just some people, but everyone, Tank said. If you ever went out to dinner or lunch with (the) archbishop, hed always say to the waiters and waitresses, Whats your name? What do you do? Where do you go? There was an absolute concern for everyone that whole sense of hospitality. Believe me, its one of the greatest gifts Archbishop (Keleher) has given to our archdiocese that sense of warm hospitality, of welcome, of trying to reach out to individuals. Kelehers promotion to archbishop in 1993 came at a challenging time in Belleville, as the diocese was immersed in a sexual-abuse scandal that led to the removal of 15 priests and one deacon by 2002. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keleher was replaced in Belleville by Bishop Wilton Gregory, now a cardinal in the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Keleher never had a proper farewell in Belleville, Myler said, so he invited him back six years ago. He came to the cathedral and celebrated Sunday morning Mass, and he said, This was the farewell I never had, Myler recalled. After Keleher retired, his love of teaching prompted him to occasionally teach courses at Mundelein Seminary. He also volunteered with a prison ministry in Kansas City. Myler told a short story on Monday to illustrate Kelehers Irishmans charm. If a priest was seated next to him at an event, he would lean over and whisper, Who is that couple in the second row? And he would get an answer such as, Thats Bill and Mary Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within five minutes, Bishop Keleher would make his way over to them, Myler said. With a big smile, hed call out, Bill and Mary, how good to see you again! All smiles That was his Chicago way. Funeral arrangements for Keleher are pending in Kansas City. A former Biden White House official has torn into Nancy Pelosi, blaming her for pushing the president off the 2024 campaign. Symone Sanders Townsend, now a commentator for MSNBC, criticised the veteran Democrat as the party continues to pore over the reasons behind Kamala Harris devastating loss to Donald Trump. Nancy Pelosi, everybody talks about how the speaker emerita, you know, shes so strategic, she can count, she did all of that when she was the speaker in Congress, but my question is: Where is your calculator now? Sanders Townsend told panelists during an episode of The Weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She played in presidential politics this cycle, and she helped orchestrate the very public demise of the president, she added in the comments on Saturday. The Independent has contacted Pelosi for comment The comments came in response to recent remarks from Pelosi about Bidens decision to drop out of the 2024 race and endorse Kamala Harris. Pelosi told a New York Times podcast on Saturday that there was an expectation Biden would drop out sooner, opening the way for a more competitive process to choose his replacement that mightve sharpened the Democrats response to Trump. A former Biden administration aide blames Nancy Pelosi for the president dropping his 2024 campaign, setting in motion the Democrats loss to Donald Trump. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The anticipation was that, if the president were to step aside, that there would be an open primary, Pelosi said. And as I say, Kamala may have, I think she would have done well in that and been stronger going forward. But we dont know that. That didnt happen. We live with what happened. And because the president endorsed Kamala Harris immediately, that really made it almost impossible to have a primary at that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden announced his withdrawal from the campaign and endorsed Harris in July, following a growing chorus of Democrats who felt he wasnt fit to take on Trump after a disastrous debate performance and mounting concerns about his age. Behind the scenes, Pelosi was reportedly telling fellow Democrats and donors she interacted with to speak their conscience if they had concerns about Biden. A House Democrat told NBC News at the time that a recent wave of party members speaking out against Bidens campaign was all Nancys doing. Publicly, meanwhile, Pelosi was more measured, seeming to suggest Biden should drop out without actually saying the words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its up to the president to [decide] if hes going to run, she told an interviewer in July, even as Biden was already running. Were all encouraging him to make that decision because time is running short, she said. In the wake of their loss to Trump, the Democrats have engaged in a round of public debate and recrimination over whos responsible. Pelosi was involved in another notable intra-party fight, criticizing Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for his take that the Democrats hadnt done enough to appeal to working-class voters. CLARKE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A former bookkeeper for Quitman High School pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. Authorities said Memory Smith took cash from the schools activity fund and pocketed the money for her own personal use. Court officially declares Ole Miss student Jimmie Jay Lee dead Im thankful to the tireless efforts from the investigators and prosecutors for the joint work required to bring this case to a close, said State Auditor Shad White (R-Miss.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith was prosecuted in the 10th District Circuit Court. Smith was sentenced to seven years suspended, five years probation, and a $2,000 fine. 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. DALE COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) The work community at the Dothan Regional Airport is shaken after one of their longtime car rental employees was found dead inside her Dale County home. Im just at a total shock and loss as everyone else is right now, said Darryl Roberts. Over the weekend, 57-year-old Sherry Clark didnt show up to her job at Avis, a family-run car rental business at Dothan Regional Airport. This absence prompted a family member to call the police to go and check on her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum said when deputies arrived, they found her dead body inside her home on Dale County Road 79 in Midland City Darryl Roberts, a friend and former coworker of Clark, says that he was shocked when he heard the news of her death: When I heard the news this morning, I just couldnt believe it, Roberts said. Clarks body was sent to Montgomery for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. READ MORE: Arrest made in Dale County murder investigation, victim identified Nearly 12 hours after the alleged crime, authorities arrested and charged James Johnson with murder. Police say Johnson lived near Clark, but the motive in the case is still unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clarks family tells WDHN that their loved one will be remembered for her love of cats, plants, and family. Roberts says that love reached beyond just her family, as it stretched to the people she would come in contact with every day at Avis, A place she grew up working at with her siblings You talk to anyone that was around, and they will tell you that Sherry was a very nice, easy-going person,said Roberts. Not a person thats going to get upset with you and argue with you or fuss with you, but she would do whatever she could to help you. The Dale County Sheriffs Office is expected to release more information on the case on Tuesday morning. 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. Were one week past an election that would have been a surprise no matter who won. President-Elect Donald Trump and his team are busy organizing key appointments. Democrats are busy blaming each other for a hard-fought loss. Losers respond this way after close elections. Partly its jockeying for position four years later. Much will be written about how polling dominated much of every days news. By emphasizing that Trump was gaining, very close or ahead of Harris, polls conveyed subliminal approval that it was popular to vote for Trump. For two months voter preferences seemed frozen in time. Former Governor Jim Martin Both parties dumping a half billion dollars on just seven swing states surely stirred their bases but probably overloaded the minds of the small subset of undecided voters. Too many wild accusations may have strained belief. Swing states were confused by thousands of harsh ads accusing each other respectively of fascism or communism. Fear of Trump was offset by distrust of Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some acknowledge a major handicap for Vice President Kamala Harris. She had never won support in any state presidential primaries. The hot issue of abortion rights was her best major policy advantage, plus being the only candidate with no scandal or criminal record. Border control came too little, too late. Her campaign tried to appeal to moderate voters, hinting how she would work for everybody, whatever that meant, while assuring the base that her values havent changed. The only concession she personally promised consistently was to permit fracking in Pennsylvania. If she had a legitimate reason for that, she never let on. The celebrity class helped Harris raise money, but few voters are persuaded by opinions of elites. Her strong emphasis on identity politics to energize racial minorities and feminist voters likely backfired, driving substantial numbers of young adult males, white, Black and Latino, to Trump in hopes of job prospects and defense of their masculinity. James Carville, after predicting a Harris victory (nice try, James), lamented that her campaign was negated by woke era politics. Stephen A. Smith criticized that she was catering too much to people on the fringes. On the extreme left, Sen. Bernie Sanders chided her for not pushing socialism, even after she promised new free stuff. Harris was blamed for advancing progressive ideals too fast and too slow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Trump kept acting like Trump: vindictive, boastful, insulting, long-winded, scowling, even frightening, with a mass hypnotic effect. Television news filled its sound bites of Trump with his blatant bluster of name-calling, leaving little time to critique his policies. It was as if millions concluded that his criminal trial amounted to partisan persecution and January 6, 2021 was a patriotic celebration. It was still among the six closest elections in a hundred years, about the average margin of electors for the last seven elections in a deeply divided nation. Our immediate future depends on our leaders of both parties and all factions taking a calmer approach with each other, discussing differences with clarity and respect so decisions can be worked out for the good of all. As always, there will be mistakes, errors and false starts. There will also be many steps for our benefit. Whats ahead for America? Much depends on the attitude shown by the new leadership of the Trump administration. More respect and less revenge on former opponents will help rebuild a more united nation. This will be easier for them if Democrats continuing in office will rise above the tactic of opposing every Republican initiative just for spite. Then the rest of us can speak freely with confidence, lifting up bipartisan agreements that work while calling out partisan excesses that divide. Lets be courageous enough to lift up the positives before we call out the negatives. Jim Martin, a Republican, was N.C. governor from 1985-93. He is a regular contributor to our pages. SHANGHAI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- At this year's China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, Ghazaryan Koryun, commercial counselor at the Armenian Embassy in China, introduced in fluent Chinese the top-notch wine and fruit from his country to visitors. It was Koryun's second time to participate the CIIE, the seventh edition held from Nov. 5 to 10. Once a student in China's Jilin University and later a diplomat, Koryun described his return to the country as "like going from one home to another." This year's CIIE hosted 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions. A record-breaking 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders attended the event. Its total exhibition area at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) exceeded 420,000 square meters. Koryun said this year's event has been more fulfilling. "More companies are interested in participating and have a better understanding of China," he said. "We will participate again next year." Bernardo Munoz, counselor at Peru's Consulate General in Shanghai, said that Peru is also a regular CIIE client. "The idea is to learn from both sides. We want to understand more and have the opportunity to use this platform," Munoz said. "We can work together so our populations have a better quality of life." "I was here last year to celebrate the sixth CIIE and we had great results for U.S. agriculture. So we wanted to come back again this year and build upon that work," said Jason Hafemeister, acting deputy under-secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, adding that the CIIE is a great chance for U.S. agriculture to meet its customers in China, its largest market. "I also think we can share ideas around agriculture production. Both of us are very serious about improving the productivity of our farmers," Hafemeister told Xinhua. "We can provide new ideas and new technologies -- new ways of farming -- to our farmers, which will allow them to address these challenges of climate and other risks that farmers face." Maria Leota, who is from Samoa and owns a skincare brand, has attended the CIIE three times since 2018 to market her products such as antioxidant oil and lip balm. "For me, it was a more successful year. All my products were sold out the second day," Leota said, adding that she would bring more next year. Berlianto Situngkir, consul general of Indonesia in Shanghai, said he saw at the CIIE that all the participants were promoting the premium and top products from their countries. "Our presence in China is very strong, and hopefully it will be strengthened," he said, noting that Indonesia has been striving to diversify its offerings each year, opting to highlight Indonesian spices and coffee this year. African products have attracted a lot of attention at the import expo. Prudence Sebahizi, Rwanda's minister of trade and industry, told Xinhua that Rwanda has participated in the CIIE seven times and brought several products to this year's event, including chili, honey, coffee and handicraft products. "We have the opportunity to showcase what Africa produces -- and what Rwanda, in particular, produces. We have come here with business people from Rwanda to showcase what Rwanda can sell to the world," said the minister. L'Oreal Group Chairman Jean-Paul Agon told Xinhua that his company was among the first to sign up for the inaugural CIIE. No other country has created an exhibition like the CIIE, which has been a symbol and a way for China to follow its policy of opening to the world, he said. "I think it was a great idea, and that's also why we want to promote it as much as we can." "Every year, we see a certain message that's carrying this event forward. I think this year is the high-quality opening-up," said Frank Hammes, CEO of IQAir, a Swiss air purification technology company founded in 1963. "I think China realizes that the reciprocity is important, especially in terms of trade. It is both a competitive player in the international field, and a driving force," he said. The ease with which foreign CIIE participants are navigating China has also increased this year partly thanks to the changes brought about by the technological advancement in the country. During her stay in Shanghai, Leota from Samoa discovered that Alipay and WeChat could be linked to foreign credit cards, and she could even use her Samoan cards to take the metro and taxis. "I'm doing everything with my phone, something that was impossible in 2018." RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) The North Carolina commissioner of labor for almost the last four years is set to take over as the president and CEO of the chief advocacy group for hospitals across the state. Josh Dobson, who stepped down from office just one day following the 2024 election, accepted the position to spearhead the North Carolina Healthcare Association, according to a news release on Tuesday. North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson resigns from office just after election night Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NCHA Board of Trustees named Dobson as its new president and CEO following a nationwide search to replace Stephen Lawler, whos retiring after seven years in charge of the group. Dobson marks the fifth president and CEO of the associations history, which spans back to its inception in 1918. This position reflects Joshs lifelong dedication to creating healthy and safe North Carolina communities through effective public policy and collaborative partnerships, NCHA Board Chair Chris Peek said in a released statement. Throughout his service in three elected offices, Josh has developed strong relationships and deep policy expertise that will advance our association and our members in the years to come, added Peek, whos also the president and CEO of CaroMont Health. He is a proven collaborator who can bring people together to build the best solutions for ensuring North Carolina remains a top state for employers and residents to access high-quality healthcare close to where they live and work. This undated photo provided by the North Carolina Healthcare Association shows the associations new President and CEO Josh Dobson. (North Carolina Healthcare Association via AP) Dobson, a former state legislator and McDowell County Commissioner said nearly two years ago that he wasnt going to seek another term to lead the N.C. Department of Labor. On Friday, Gov. Roy Cooper appointed veteran department administrator Kevin OBarr to serve on an interim basis until Republican Luke Farley, who won the statewide race for labor commissioner, is sworn in early next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes slated to represent more than 135 association members, including massive, prominent hospital systems like Advocate Health, Novant Health, UNC Health and Duke Health. The group also has physician groups and other healthcare organizations as members. Dobson acquired vast experience in healthcare policy from serving in the General Assembly. During his final term in the N.C. House of Representatives, he sat as a chair of the House appropriations and health committees. He emerged as an early supporter of Medicaid expansion to provide government health insurance to more low-income adults. A 2023 state law initiating a form of expansion that now serves 569,000 people also enhanced Medicaid reimbursement payments for hospitals. I am deeply passionate about healthcare issues and health policy. NCHAs vision to bring equitable, accessible healthcare to all North Carolinians aligns perfectly with the work I started as McDowell County commissioner and as a member of the local public health board, Dobson said in a statement. Hospitals are essential to the well-being and vibrancy of our communities not just for care, but as economic anchors. It is crucial that we have policies in place to ensure their financial sustainability while continuing to deliver high-quality, high-value care, he added. I am honored to lead this effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his new role, Dobson will also oversee the associations charitable foundation and a subsidiary that offers healthcare providers access to products and services. Dobson officially began his tenure as the NCHA president and CEO on Tuesday. 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 CBS17.com. Jay Jones, a former Democratic state delegate from Norfolk, announced his plan to run again for Virginia attorney general. As your attorney general, I will protect Virginia families, our children, and the most vulnerable, Jones said Tuesday in the announcement. Well crack down on those who would do our kids harm by working with law enforcement to get illegal guns off our streets, shut down drug traffickers and hold to account gun manufacturers whose weapons of war are used to commit mass shootings and crimes. Jones confirmed the plans after he filed paperwork to run for the office in September. Then, Jones did not comment on whether he was planning to run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the announcement, Jones said he would take on social media companies he said were fueling a mental health crisis among young people, as well as corporations that pollute the air and water. In 2021, Jones ran for the office and lost to two-term incumbent Mark Herring in the Democratic primary, who later lost in the general election to Republican Jason Miyares. Miyares has not said whether he intends to run for reelection. Jones served in the House of Delegates from 2018-21. He won reelection in November 2021, but announced his resignation just a month later, saying he and his wife were expecting their first child. Henrico County Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor, another Democrat, also said she was running for attorney general in a June announcement. Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) After multiple law enforcement agencies started investigating how hundreds of thousands of dollars came up missing from the Potterville Public Schools general fund, Kevin Robydek, who was superintendent of Potterville Public Schools when the money went missing, has released a statement to the public. Robydek left the district in June 2024 when he was offered his current position as superintendent of Dewitt Public Schools. See Robydeks full statement below. As Superintendent, I am proud of my proven track record of fiscal stewardship, transparency and accountability to the taxpayers we serve. To date, I have not been contacted by authorities regarding the Potterville Public Schools investigation. If requested, I stand ready to support and cooperate in any way possible during the course of that investigation so a thorough and independent review can occur. Meanwhile, I will remain focused on working with our entire DeWitt Public Schools community to provide a world-class education to our students. Statement from DeWitt Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Robydek, recieved by 6 News via e-mail, Nov. 11, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An independent audit found the districts fund balance projected in June to be about $800,000 was less than $100,000. As a result, the district is at risk of state oversight and takeover as well as additional reporting and financial actions. The fund balance is the difference between how much money the district has and how much it has to spend. Michigan law requires districts to maintain more than 5% of unrestricted revenue in the fund balancethe audit put the Potterville Public School Districts fund balance at less than 1%. Officials from the district confirmed there are criminal investigations into the missing tax dollars. There are investigations being handled by law enforcement and the district is cooperating fully, Stacy Ann Sipes, president of the Potterville Public Schools Board of Educations, wrote in a statement released exclusively to 6 News last week. We are not able to comment on active investigations at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6 News attended the Potterville Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Nov. 11. The criminal probe was not discussed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jay Jones, a former state delegate from Norfolk, announced his renewed bid for attorney general during a gathering at the Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza in Richmond Tuesday. (Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury) Jay Jones, a Democratic former state delegate from Norfolk, on Tuesday announced his bid for Virginia attorney general at two separate events in Norfolk and Richmond. For Jones, who represented the 89th District in the House of Delegates from 2019 to 2021, it marks his second run for his partys nomination for attorney general. In 2021, he lost the Democratic primary to then-incumbent Mark Herring, despite an endorsement from former Gov. Ralph Northam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week we awoke to an uncertain future and a president-elect who openly flouts the rule of law, Jones said before a small crowd of supporters that had gathered at Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza in Richmond Tuesday afternoon. With an incoming administration, families now face the threat of higher healthcare costs as (Donald) Trump seeks to kick tens of thousands of working Virginians off Medicaid and end the protections of the Affordable Care Act, Jones said. He also accused Attorney General Jason Miyares, the Republican incumbent and his potential opponent, of using his office to attack Virginians freedoms, pander to the fringes of his own party and side with corporate price gougers and polluters at the cost of Virginia families. Hes used his office to advance his own radical, personal, partisan-political agenda, Jones said of Miyares. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Jones is one of two declared candidates in the 2025 attorney generals race, alongside Henrico County Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor. Miyares responded to Jones announcement Tuesday by calling out his potential opponents on social media. Both of the announced Democrat candidates for attorney general are far-left, anti-police, criminal rights progressives who will make Virginia less safe, Miyares wrote on X, formerly Twitter. They will support the same criminal first, victim last policies that lead to a surge in violent crime. Miyares has yet to declare whether he will run for reelection or seek his partys nomination for governor. During his Richmond appearance, Jones declined to comment on the attorney generals response to his announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to ask him why he said that, he said. Were focused on this campaign, whatever he says and whatever he tweets out, thats him, and his campaigns business. Joness pre-legislature career includes a stint at Goldman Sachs in New York, where he specialized in risk management and credit advisory for natural resources and tech companies. After two years, he returned to Virginia, earning his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2015. While in law school, Jones interned for Del. Algie Howell, who represented the 90th House District from 2004 until 2014. Jones was elected to the body himself in 2017 after winning a competitive Democratic primary and defeating Libertarian candidate Terry Hurst in the general election, succeeding then-Del. Daun Hester, D-Norfolk. Jones said on Tuesday that he is running because Virginians need an attorney general who is focused on keeping the commonwealth safe instead of following a partisan agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As your attorney general, I will protect Virginias families, our children, and our most vulnerable, he said. We will crack down on those who would do our kids harm by working with law enforcement to get illegal guns off our streets, shut down drug traffickers and hold to account the gun manufacturers whose weapons of war are used to commit mass shootings and crimes. Jones vowed to go after the criminals that prey on children and our families and put them where they belong behind bars, and he promised to take on social media companies fueling a mental health crisis among our young people and corporations that pollute air and water. And if the Trump administration again tries to raise the health care cost by taking apart the Affordable Care Act, Ill be the first to take him to court to stop it, Jones said, adding that he would always fight back against any attempt to undermine abortion rights in Virginia and use the full weight of the office to protect women and medical professionals. The House Privileges and Elections Committee is set to meet Wednesday to consider several proposed constitutional amendments, including one to guarantee access to abortion in Virginia and another to remove outdated language defining marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman. I will join the fight to enshrine these rights in our Constitution today, Jones said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE COFFEE COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A scammer claiming to be an animal control officer targeted a mother and her son after their dog went missing. Coffee County Animal Control and area humane societies have remained on high alert. Vincent is not your average dog. According to Veronica Jones, Vincent is her autistic sons best friend and companion. Humphreys County school bus involved in minor injury crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Vincent went missing early Sunday morning, Jones and her son were desperate to find him, posting a flier to social media. Thirty minutes later, they got a text from an unknown number saying, I found your dog. However, to return it to the family, Jones needed to click on a link to get a code to prove she was not fake. They called, and I said hello two or three times, but there was no one to ever answer, Jones said. And thats when they sent over the code. Jones, feeling suspicious, sent a screenshot of the text to Vera Lund with the Coffee County Humane Society. Lund called the scammers bluff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 charged after Clarksville man lured, killed at Donelson home It said J. Moore was the name and I knew that Animal Control had an officer that worked there by the name of Jeff, Lund explained. So I called Craig Boyd, who is the control officer there, [..] and asked him if Jeffs last name was Moore. He said no. So at that point, that is when I forwarded him the message, and he said, That is not us.' Jones told News 2 that she thinks the scammer was using her familys vulnerability to obtain her personal information. If you choose to stoop so low to use a missing animal or a person just to get money, then you have low standards, Jones told News 2. Just to put it nicely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vincent was found only a quarter of a mile from home about two hours later. Memaw was on the phone, and she heard him just screaming, Buddy, come here!' Jones described. That reunion was heart melting. It brings me to tears. Lund told News 2 that if you lose a pet, contact your area animal control, humane societies and animal rescues so they know to be on the lookout and verify possible scams. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Animals are important to the well-being of people, Lund expressed. The world is so crazy today. Trying to hurt people through their animals is a very vicious thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has been brought to our attention that scammers are impersonating animal control officers on lost pet posts., In a Facebook post, Coffee County Animal Control said. Sending codes to verify someone isnt fake, is not how we operate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A foundation formed in the wake of a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, canceled a grant it was planning to award a school in Kenosha. The One in Five Foundation For Kids originally awarded Roosevelt Elementary School a $5,000 grant for how it responded to a potential school shooter on Thursday. However, after law enforcement expressed concerns over unreported "red flags" known about by the school it canceled the grant. In response to the foundation rescinding the $5,000 grant, Tanya Ruder, Kenosha Unified School District's chief communications officer, said the district "was honored to have been selected for this award and is saddened to know it is being revoked due to inaccurate information." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Prior to the incident, concerns were raised with staff regarding images of airsoft guns, not threats or other concerning content, and these concerns were thoroughly investigated," she said. "Had any threats been made, district staff would have immediately involved law enforcement as part of our standard threat assessment process." A 13-year-old boy has been charged in juvenile court with making terrorist threats after attempting to enter Roosevelt Elementary School on Thursday with a "suspicious" bag. He then then fled the school after being approached by staff. Police found airsoft guns at the suspects home. The contents of the bag he brought to the school have yet to be made public. The Kenosha Police Department recovered several airsoft guns from the suspect's home. At a press conference Thursday following the teenager's arrest, Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton cited the internet searches and video suspect practicing tactics with what appeared to be a rifle as the red flags. This is something that shouldve been known. This is something that had been told to people of his growing intentions," Patton said. "We know there are internet searches and all the red flags we would look for and expect someone to report were there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the foundation, which was formed after 19 people were killed at Robb Elementary School in 2022, stood by its decision to pull back the grant. The foundation, according to a statement, plans to ask the court for an intervention on behalf of the student such as an education program for rehabilitation rather than punitive purposes, according to its statement. "We believe this individual is worth intervening on behalf of," Daniel Chapin, the foundation's national director, said in reference to the 13-year-old student. Ruder reiterated that the school's staff "demonstrated extraordinary bravery" on Thursday when they stepped up without hesitation to protect their students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Some placed themselves directly in harms way, while others worked swiftly to maintain a sense of calm and normalcy in the face of danger," Ruder said. "Their actions were heroic and are deserving of recognition." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Uvalde-based foundation pulls $5,000 grant from Kenosha school BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) Four inmates at the Dixon Correctional Institute were indicted on murder charges after another inmate was stabbed. According to the 20th Judicial District Court District Attorney Sam DAquilla, Joseph Constance, 29; Terrell Holmes, 32; Arsenio Wells, 34; and Taylor Williams, 29, were indicted on second-degree murder charges by a grand jury. The four are accused of being connected to the fatal stabbing of Cornelius Kelly, 39, according to the indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 5, deputies with the East Feliciana Sheriffs Office were notified that an inmate, later identified as Kelly, was stabbed at the Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson. No further details were shared at this time. Man pleads guilty after 2022 shooting in Baton Rouge leaves 1 dead 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 BRProud.com. Four separate storm systems are churning their way through the West Pacific simultaneously, a rare occurrence resulting from warmer oceans that threatens to bring more misery to the storm-weary Philippines. It is the first time that four named storms have existed at the same time in November since records began in 1951, Japans Meteorological Agency confirmed to CNN Tuesday. Its also the first time in seven years that it has happened in any month. Satellite images from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center show the four storms spanning the vast West Pacific basin, from Vietnam to Guam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are Typhoon Yinxing, Typhoon Toraji, Tropical Storm Usagi and Tropical Storm Man-Yi. The Philippines is struck by multiple storms annually, but the relentless pace of successive typhoons in the last month has complicated recovery efforts and thousands of people remain in evacuation shelters. Typhoon Yinxing hit the northeastern Philippines on Thursday, with winds equivalent to a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane. There were no casualties reported but the storm brought torrential rain, storm surges and landslides. Residents cross a bridge filled with debris due to heavy rains brought about by Tropical Storm Trami in Polangui town, Albay province South of Manila on October 23, 2024. - Charism Sayat/AFP/Getty Images After moving through the Philippines and into the South China Sea, Yinxing drifted west toward Chinas Hainan province before veering south to Vietnam, where it is unleashing heavy rains on the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited communities in Cagayan and Iloco Norte, which were impacted by Typhoon Yinxing. While were truly grateful that no lives were lost, the damage it left behind has affected homes, schools and livelihoods, Marcos told residents in Cagayan while handing out food and aid packages on Sunday. As we focus on recovery, were also preparing for another storm that may come our way. The next day, Typhoon Toraji slammed into the eastern coast of Luzons Aurora province with winds the equivalent of a Category 1 Atlantic hurricane, prompting the evacuation of thousands more people. Toraji, now a tropical storm, is expected to weaken as it moves through the South China Sea and could bring pockets of rainfall over 100 mm (4 inches) to parts of southeastern China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Philippines is bracing for yet another major storm, its third in five days. Tropical Storm Usagi is located about 720 kilometers (445 miles) off the countrys northeast coast and strengthened into a typhoon early Wednesday local time as it approaches the Philippines. The countrys weather agency has warned of gale-force winds and a risk of storm surges over the next 48 hours. The fourth storm on the heels of Usagi is Tropical Storm Man-Yi, which is located about 255 kilometers (155 miles) southwest of Guam. Man-Yi is expected to move west, reaching typhoon strength Friday morning, and could potentially hit the northeast Philippines by Sunday as the equivalent of a Category 3 Atlantic hurricane. It is unclear whether Usagi and Man-Yi will directly make landfall, but heavy rain, gusty winds and dangerous storm surges are expected. An aerial view shows a resident aboard a wooden boat maneuvering past flooded houses caused by Tropical Storm Trami in Bato town, Camarines Sur province South of Manila on October 23, 2024. - Charism Sayat/AFP/Getty Images Millions affected by successive storms The Philippines has borne the brunt of the typhoon activity in the Pacific with six named storms already making direct landfall this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tropical Storm Trami and Typhoon Kong-Rey brought severe flooding and landslides to the northern Philippines main island of Luzon in late October, killing 150 people. More than 9 million people were affected by the two storms, with almost 300,000 displaced, according to the Philippine disaster response center. But as authorities raced to deliver relief to remote communities, two more storms made landfall. A feeling of typhoon fatigue is taking its toll on affected residents and rescue teams, local media reported. Health officials have reportedly warned of burnout, depression and exhaustion among relief workers faced with continuous devastation and people forced to evacuate multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southeast Asia is already one of the most climate vulnerable regions of the world, experts warn, making it more susceptible to extreme weather like heat waves, storm surges and floods. Ocean temperatures have been historically warm this year, and hotter oceans provide a huge source of energy for storms to strengthen and grow. Warmer oceans are being supercharged by humans burning fossil fuels. They are also a major factor behind more significant storms appearing later in the year and scientists say this could become more commonplace in the future. So far this year, the Philippine capital Manila and parts of Luzon have seen devastating flooding from Typhoon Gaemi in July. In September, the country was also hit by powerful Typhoon Yagi, which left dozens dead after sweeping across southern China and Southeast Asia. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives to court for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30 in New York City (Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty Images). Donald Trumps first term as president brought sweeping change to environmental regulations, trade policy and a host of issues that impact Americas agriculture sector. After winning his return bid on Tuesday, Trumps second term is likely to once again have a sizable impact on the nations farms and ranches. Here are four ways Trumps next four years as president could impact the agriculture industry. Trump may reject sustainable food movement in response to climate change President Joe Bidens administration spent billions on agriculture practices meant to curtail greenhouse gas emissions, but some environmentalists worry Trump will reverse those investments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a possibility that $19 billion of historic generational climate investments in agriculture could be completely lost, said Ranjani Prabhakar, the legislative director of healthy communities for Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law center. The nations agriculture sector accounted for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data. The agency cites cattle production, rice crops and the application of chemical fertilizers as major sources of climate pollution. During his first term, Trump reversed more than 100 climate and environmentally-focused rules that originated under former president Barack Obamas administration. Under Trump, the USDA also stopped publishing government studies that mentioned climate change, according to a 2019 Politico investigation. He also pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Project 2025, the roadmap for a second term created by many Trump supporters and advisors, outlines that, under Trump, the USDA should remove the country from any schemes to produce sustainable food or provide funding for climate-smart practices for producers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the outset, the next Administration should: Denounce efforts to place ancillary issues like climate change ahead of food productivity and affordability when it comes to agriculture, the document states. Trumps push for mass deportation could harm farm labor During his campaign, Trump promised to deport upwards of 20 million undocumented people, many of them agricultural workers who perform the dangerous jobs most Americans dont want. Trumps close allies have recently proposed eliminating the H-2A program, which farmers said is necessary to fill labor shortages. In an interview with The New York Times, Stephen Miller, who led Trumps immigration efforts during his first term, said Trumps goal was to upend industries that rely on immigrant labor. Mass deportation will be a labor-market disruption celebrated by American workers, who will now be offered higher wages with better benefits to fill these jobs, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some research suggests deportations, especially at a large scale, could backfire on U.S. workers. In 2023, University of Colorado researchers estimated that, for every 1 million unauthorized workers deported, 88,000 native workers would lose jobs. When companies lose their labor forces, the researchers concluded, they find ways to use less labor, not replace their lost workers. A historical example is the end of the Bracero Program, which allowed Mexican workers into the U.S. for seasonal jobs. Instead of hiring more U.S. workers when their labor force was suddenly gone, farmers turned to heavy machinery, according to 2017 research. There was no corresponding increase in employment or wages for native workers. Temporary labor visa programs have exploded in popularity. In 2023, the government granted about 400,000 H-2A visas. But Americas farms still depend on an undocumented workforce. Out of about 2 million farmworkers in the U.S., government surveys show about 44% are undocumented. (Hundreds of thousands of other workers in the food supply chain meatpacking plants, grocery stores, restaurants are also undocumented.) If we lost half of the farmworker population in a short period of time, the agriculture sector would likely collapse, said Mary Jo Dudley, the director of the Cornell Farmworker Program. There are no available skilled workers to replace the current workforce should this policy be put into place. Trump has promised to be more aggressive on trade policy At the start of his second year in office, Trump, responding to what he said were unfair trade practices, enacted the most significant increase in U.S. tariffs since the Great Depression. Trump imposed higher taxes on imports from several countries, including China, Canada, the European Union, Mexico, India and Turkey. chart visualization In response, many of the affected countries imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports of agriculture and food products, leading to an estimated $27 billion decline in foreign sales between mid-2018 and the end of 2019, according to the USDAs Economic Research Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The losses were most pronounced in the Midwest, with Iowa, Illinois and Kansas states that collectively account for more than 50% of the regions total agricultural exports agriculture hardest hit. Soybeans were the most affected, but the corn and pork industries also suffered significant damage. Trump, during his latest campaign, promised to be even more aggressive, proposing tariffs up to 10% on most imports, more than 60% on Chinese goods, and a 100% tariff on nations that stop using the U.S. dollar. Trump recently told the Farm Bureau that tariffs along with tax cuts and other incentives would be part of his toolbox to relocate critical supply chains back to the United States, safeguard national security and economic stability, and expand international markets for U.S. agricultural products. However, many have warned that Trumps aggressive tariff policy could hurt farmers, especially those in the Midwest who rely on critical regional commodities, such as soybeans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issue is not just the short-run (monetary) losses, but whats really the problem is that you lose long-run market access, said Sandro Steinbach, director of the Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies at North Dakota State University. Trump sees deregulation of the agriculture industry as a response to consolidation The agriculture industry has undergone significant consolidation over the past several decades. From seeds to fertilizer, meat production to farming equipment, the agricultural supply chain is dominated today by roughly three dozen companies, according to an analysis from Farm Action, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting corporate monopolies in food and agriculture. Some blame consolidation for the rise in food prices, which many Americans have named as the most pressing financial problem facing families this election. Those corporations have the power to decide who gets to farm and how they farm, what food gets produced and sold in this country, and how much we all have to pay for it, said Basel Musharbash, an antitrust attorney and principal author of a consolidation report published by Farm Action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has not spoken much about consolidation and its impact on agriculture. But some Republicans said Trump, during a second term, would look to further deregulate the agriculture industry, which they believe could allow smaller meatpackers and independent farmers to better compete against large corporations. During Trumps first term, his administration gutted one of the USDA agencies responsible for enforcing contract transparency and fairness for poultry and swine farmers. That office, the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, was folded into the office responsible for marketing agricultural goods, the Agricultural Marketing Service. The move weakened the agencys ability to determine whether a meatpacker violated the Packers and Stockyards Act, which was established 100 years ago in response to the concentrated meatpacker market. In 2020, under Trump, the USDA further weakened the act by withdrawing Obama-era rules that would have made it easier for livestock farmers to prove that large companies like JBS Foods or Tyson Foods treated them unfairly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration also suspended fewer individuals and businesses for cheating farmers than during the Obama presidency. Trump also issued fewer fines during his four years in office than Biden did during his first two years, according to the most recent USDA data. Read more here about Trumps possible impact on consolidation in the agriculture industry. This article first appeared on Investigate Midwest and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Investigate Midwest reporters Sky Chadde, Monica Cordero , Jennifer Bamberg and John McCracken contributed to this report. ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) and Ethiopian officials have commended China's "unwavering support and role" in helping realize peace and security across Africa. China has been Africa's steadfast supporter through participating in conflict prevention, mediation and peace operations across the continent, Frederic Gateretse-Ngoga, a senior advisor at the AU Commission, told Xinhua in a recent interview. "China has been supporting peace operations in Africa in conflict prevention and mediation as well as advancing the continent's security agenda at the UN Security Council," said Ngoga, highlighting China's financial, logistic and equipment support for the AU-led peace operations in Africa. According to the official, the AU and the United Nations have recently endorsed a joint AU-UN roadmap on peace operations in Africa for which China has been one of the financers in line with its policy of supporting AU peacekeeping operations. Ngoga said that the AU is keen to collaborate with China in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber and climate security to deal with new and emerging threats based on principles such as mutual respect and shared accountability. According to Ngoga, China's support for Africa's peace and stability emanates from its shared common vision. For his part, Yonas Adaye, commissioner in the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, told Xinhua that China has significantly increased its personnel in UN peacekeeping operations in Africa over the past two decades. He said that the evolving geopolitical dynamic has become fragile, and there is need for China and Africa to expand their strategic cooperation and engagement in preventive actions to deal with emerging threats. The commissioner said China could help African countries protect and utilize their rich natural resources through applying advanced technologies such as cybersecurity and AI to avert possible attacks on computer systems. "Globally, China is well advanced in AI and cybersecurity, and its cooperation with Africa in this sector would be extremely important to bring about an inclusive and holistic development in Africa," Adaye said. China established or elevated its strategic partnerships with many African countries during the 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing. KANSAS CITY, Mo. In this special presentation, FOX4 is celebrating those whove served our country in Veterans Voices, stories of soldiers from the Kansas City area and across the nation, and some of the organizations that support them. FOX4s Lexy French features a national organization celebrating a big anniversary right here with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) commemorating 125 years. The Kansas origin of Veterans Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelli Peltier takes you to a pinning ceremony that acknowledged a veterans service and the service of their family. Jonathan Ketz shows how local organization, The Battle Within, is making sure first responders and veterans get the help they following traumatic events. Our sister station in Nashville shares the story of the unsung heroes of World War II, The Ghost Army, a mission that remained a secret for years and years. KDVR in Denver features a Navy veteran who is getting the recognition she deserves, 80 years after she served. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SURRY COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) The roots of winemaking in North Carolina go back to 1584 when the first grapevine was discovered. Those roots have taken hold and the vines flourished creating a thriving industry of more than 200 wineries across the Tarheel State. Its a labor of love, patience and a keen palate. FOX8s Madison Forsey traveled to Surry Community College for a crash course in this weeks edition of Teach Me Tuesday. 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 FOX8 WGHP. PARIS Thales will provide the French Navy with its first production version of an autonomous mine-hunting system by the end of the year as a first step to fully remote mine warfare, with the first system for the U.K.s Royal Navy following in early 2025, the company said. France and the U.K. are moving to stand-off mine countermeasures, a choice also made by the Netherlands and Belgium, while others including Italy and Germany are sticking with crewed minehunter vessels augmented by remote vehicles and drones, said Chris Cunnell. the Thales product line manager for autonomous mine countermeasures. Navies are going one of two routes, Cunnell told Defense News at the Euronaval industry show outside Paris last week. Theyre either going to complete standoff U.K., France, Belgium, Netherlands, the U.S. are all going a very similar route: They want to have crew outside of the minefield. Other navies have a philosophy that they continue to want to have a crewed mine-hunting capability, so thats a vessel that will go into the minefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fully remote option has only now become really possible, according to Cunnell. Thales spent nearly 10 years developing the system it is delivering to France and the U.K., and started sea trials towards the end of 2020. NATO taps Exail for mine-clearing underwater drones If you look at what the Italian Navy are doing, if you look at Germany, very different philosophies, Cunnell said. From a Thales perspective, we respect the fact that navies have different approaches, we can provide a toolbox and a system for both. Its up to them. The systems for France and the U.K. include a portable operations center, unmanned surface vehicles using detection methods including towed sonar, and a remotely-operated vehicle to neutralize mines. Autonomous functionality in the system includes deployment and operation of payloads, as well as navigation by the unmanned surface vehicles, according to Cunnell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The towed sonar provided by Thales uses multi-aspect synthetic aperture that is very operationally efficient at reducing false positives, which combined with system maturity and the open architecture makes the Thales system the best out there, according to Cunnell. Thales sees a lot of export opportunities for the system, CEO Patrice Caine said in an interview at Euronaval There are a lot of countries looking at it and saying, `We also want to keep our sailors safe, so to say. He told Defense News the company is in talks with potential customers, declining to provide further details. As part of the program, France is buying eight autonomous underwater drones from French firm Exail equipped with high-resolution sonar from Thales, with an option to acquire eight more, the Armed Forces said in a statement late Thursday. The first drones are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2028, with eight drones delivered to the Navy by mid-2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drones will have a length of 5 meters and a diameter of around 47 centimeters, weigh 500 kilograms, have 10 hours of mission autonomy and an ability to dive to 300 meters. The autonomous minehunting system is designed to replace all of Frances current mine warfare resources, including minehunters, sonar-towing vessels and diving vessels, the ministry said. Mine detection is also evolving, and Thales has been experimenting with light detection and ranging, lidar for short, for mine hunting, analogous to how radar uses electromagnetic waves and sonar uses sound propagation. The testing is linked to the Royal Navys Peregrine program, which has Thales working with helicopter-drone maker Schiebel to supply the U.K. with a naval surveillance UAV. The companies are looking at new payloads and capabilities to integrate, including lidar, James Dickie, product line architect for mine warfare systems at Thales in the U.K., told Defense News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest challenge for lidar lies in applying sufficient energy so theres enough light in the water column, and Thales for that reason is looking at applications for mine detection in relatively shallow waters of up to about 20 meters. Lidar will probably not replace sonar, and Thales for now sees the technology as complementary. One advantage is that light can be used for detection in the turbulent upper layers of the ocean, the bubble layer, where sonar is less dependable as it doesnt work in air, according to Dickie. Sonar finds its really hard to travel through bubbles, Dickie said. Thales is focused on using lidar for the layer of 3 to 5 meters where we do have the challenge with acoustic technology. One of the reasons why Thales has looked at lidar is the surface mine threat in the Black Sea, where mines have broken free from their tether and are floating around. Black Sea countries are going to need a solution for drifting mines, according to Dickie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre really difficult to manage, Dickie said. The solution today is a person with binoculars looking for them. Thats not very reliable. The company is looking at a range of sensors for mine detection, including electro-optical, thermal, long-wave infrared and millimeter radar, for use from airborne platforms such as drones, but also from unmanned surface vehicles. Dickie said he expects lidar to have underwater applications, complementary to other detection methods. Were not saying one is better than the other, its more about how we can use them for the given context, Dickie said. If its a poor-visibility day, camera is not going to work, but youre going to get some utility from lidar and youll get some utility from radar. So its about finding the right sensor for the job. Mines are starting to be designed with geometries and materials to make acoustic sensing less effective, and lidar may have a role to play there, as well as technologies such as quantum magnetometers, according to Dickie. BALTIMORE Sigma Alpha Epsilon expelled the students in their organization who are accused of being involved in a hate crime incident in October at Salisbury University in Wicomico, a spokesperson for the national organization said Monday. Sigma Alpha Epsilon was disappointed to learn about the events described in Salisbury Universitys recent communications, in which former members of our organization were involved in an incident on campus. These individuals actions do not align with the values of our organization or reflect the principles of our Fraternitys creed, The True Gentleman, David Pascarella, director of communications for the organization, said in a statement. Upon learning of the allegations, SAE acted swiftly, expelling the members involved, the statement said. We remain committed to fostering an environment of respect, integrity, and belonging values that are fundamental to both our chapter and SAE nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The action comes after 12 students from Salisbury were arrested and charged last week. Four of the 12 Salisbury University students who allegedly assaulted and called anti-gay slurs a man on Oct. 15 are from Anne Arundel County. Police said the incident took place in an off-campus apartment in the 1400 block of University Terrace, where the group used the LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr to lure the victim under false pretenses and then filmed the assault. The victim is not a student at Salisbury, said Jason Rhodes, spokesperson for the school, said previously. In response to the arrests, Salisbury placed the 12 students on interim suspension which is the most severe form of discipline possible until the outcome of the criminal investigation, Rhodes said in an email Nov 7. Under interim suspension, a student is no longer permitted in class, in-person or online, in their residence hall or on any university property. Carolyn Lepre, president of Salisbury, indicated in a statement posted to X last week that some of those arrested were members of a campus fraternity. The school placed Sigma Alpha Epsilon on suspension Nov. 7 after five more students were arrested in connection with the incident. It remains unclear how many students involved were members of the fraternity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sigma Alpha Epsilon condemns hate and violence in any form, and we are disappointed that members of our chapter were involved in such an act. The Fraternity Service Center has reviewed the circumstances surrounding the incident and has confirmed that it was isolated to the expelled individuals. The remaining members of our chapter are devoted to our mission and continue to uphold the high standards expected of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the fraternity said in their statement. _____ After nearly two years of waiting, Naperville is welcoming The Fresh Market to town. Wednesday marks the grand opening of the North Carolina-based grocers first Naperville store at 204 S. Route 59 in the northern end of the Westridge Court shopping center. To ring in the occasion, the store is celebrating with an opening event featuring live music and food samplings. Giveaways are also planned, with the first 500 people to visit the store Wednesday due to walk away with a free The Fresh Market Naperville reusable shopping bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were very excited, a Fresh Market spokesperson said. Naperville has been on our radar for some time. Napervilles 25,725-square-feet store has been in the works since early 2023. It replaces a Dicks Sporting Goods Warehouse that relocated to the Aurora side of Westridge Court. Both sides of the shopping center are owned by New York-based Brixmor Property Group. Rich Dippolito, vice president of redevelopment for Brixmor, said the property group is looking forward to store opening at Westridge. Theyll be a really good complement to the rest of the center. It just adds a new dimension to the shopping, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fresh Market advertises itself as a specialty grocery store offering easy meals and delicious fresh foods, according to its website. Started in 1982, the company currently operates 163 stores across the country. Including its Naperville store, the grocer has six locations in Illinois, with other stores are in Crystal Lake, Geneva, Lake Forest and Wimette. Last month, The Fresh Market also opened a location in Chicagos Lincoln Park, in what was formerly a Doms Kitchen & Market. Apart from groceries, customers visiting the Naperville location also will find a variety of made-to-order dishes and meals to go. Selections range from meats smoked in-house and artisan pizza to a salad and soup station. The store also offers full- and self-service coffee and smoothie stations as well as a bakery and a selection of craft beer that includes local brews. There are inside seating areas for customers who dont want to wait to enjoy their finds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fresh Market Naperville will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. In addition to its retail operation, the store also will be supplying the Northern Illinois Food Bank with ongoing food donations to eliminate local food insecurity. As part of its opening event Wednesday, the store is presenting the food bank with an initial $2,000 donation. tkenny@chicagotribune.com By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Steve Bannon, a former adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, returned to court on Tuesday ahead of his trial on criminal fraud charges over a push to fund Trump's signature border wall, weeks after he was released from prison on a separate conviction. Bannon, 70, is scheduled to stand trial starting on Dec. 9 in New York state court in Manhattan. Prosecutors say he deceived donors who contributed more than $15 million in 2019 to a private fundraising drive to build a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. He has pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the hearing, Bannon's defense lawyer John Carman urged Acting Justice April Newbauer to delay the trial until January due to additional evidence prosecutors were seeking to introduce. Newbauer did not rule on that request, but said she would hold a hearing on Monday to determine whether the evidence could be presented at trial. Construction of a border wall was a key element of Trump's immigration policies during his presidency, supported by his fellow Republicans but opposed by Democrats and immigrant advocacy groups. Trump again made cracking down on illegal immigration a centerpiece of his successful 2024 campaign. In the final hours of his first four-year term in January 2021, Trump pardoned Bannon on federal charges brought in 2020 over the same underlying conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following year, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, secured a four-count indictment of Bannon on charges including money laundering, conspiracy and scheme to defraud. Presidential pardons do not prohibit state prosecutions. If Bannon is convicted at trial, Trump would not be able to pardon him after returning to the White House on Jan. 20. According to Bragg's indictment, Bannon promised donors that all their money would go toward building Trump's wall, but he concealed his role in diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars to the drive's chief executive, Brian Kolfage, a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran who had promised to take no salary. Bannon's lawyers have argued that Bannon transferred some funds to entities Kolfage controlled to reimburse him for reasonable expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kolfage pleaded guilty in April 2022 to federal fraud and tax charges, and is serving a 4-1/4-year prison sentence. Neither he nor two other men indicted alongside Bannon were pardoned by Trump. Bannon was a key adviser to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, then served as his chief White House strategist in 2017 before a falling-out between them, which was later patched up. He also has played an instrumental role in right-wing media. In a separate federal case, Bannon was convicted at trial in 2022 of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress after refusing to turn over documents or testify to a Democratic-led House of Representatives committee that probed the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack. He was released on Oct. 29 from a low-security facility in Danbury, Connecticut, after serving a four-month sentence. He has called himself a "political prisoner" and resumed hosting his "War Room" podcast, known for its fierce criticism of Trump's opponents. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) As George Pappas Jr. goes over the aftermath of the Belleville house fire that killed his father, brother and a close family friend, he recalls how his dad was always the person who advised the family on how to handle an emergency. George Pappas Sr., 79, his son, Pioquinto PJ Pappas, 39, and Christopher D. Ellis, 21, all perished in the fire on Oct. 28 in the 100 block of South 13th Street. Belleville Fire Chief Stephanie Mills said Monday the cause of the fire remains under investigation. When we have a family emergency problem, my Dad is the one you asked, What do we do next? Or what do we need to do? He always handled all that stuff for my mom, George Jr. said of his father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes the man. Here is the funeral information for the three victims: The visitation for George Pappas Sr. and PJ Pappas will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Hoffen Funeral Home at 220 W. Washington St. in Millstadt with a funeral service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. A short service by the Knights of Columbus will follow the funeral service. A memorial service for Christopher Ellis will be held by his family at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at Redeeming Love of Christ Church at 621 South Belt West #617 in Belleville. George Pappas Jr. said his father had a lifetime membership to the Knights of Columbus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He used to volunteer a lot with the Knights of Columbus, George Jr. said. That was one of the biggest sources of pride he had. To honor his fathers memory, George Jr. said he wants to become more active in the Knights of Columbus because I know it was something important to him. George Sr. had turned 79 just four days before the fire. His son said that birthday party was one of the last real good memories we have My mom took all of her pictures with her phone, just like normal, George Jr. said. And the pictures from it are gone. George Jr. also shared memories of his brother and Ellis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anything you asked the guy to do, I mean he did it. He always helped, he said of his brother, PJ. He loved playing video games. Pioquinto was named after his maternal grandfather. George Jr. also said Ellis, like his brother, would help with the family. If you asked him for help with something, hed be the first one down there to help you, he said. George Jr. said Ellis was good to his niece and a good dad to his great-nephew. Thats the most important thing you could possibly be, Pappas said. How to help house fire survivors Along with George Jr., three others survived the fire: his mother, Josephine; his niece, Jazmine Jenkins and his great-nephew, 1-year-old Dante Ellis, who is the son of Jenkins and Christopher Ellis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenkins escaped the burning house by jumping out of a second-story window while holding onto Dante, George Jr. said. She landed on a car parked below the window. George Jr. said it was heartbreaking when he and his mother wanted to go back into the house to help the others escape the two-story, frame house but the fire and smoke was too intense. How do you tell your Mom not to do the thing youre wanting to do? he said. His mother turned 72 on Friday. Three GoFundMe accounts have been established to help the survivors of the fire: Support George Pappas Family After Devastating Loss Support for Pappas Family After Fatal House Fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Support for the Family of Christopher Ellis George Jr., 43, said his mother has been staying with his sister in Bunker Hill, which is about 45 miles north of Belleville in Macoupin County, and his niece has been living with her grandmother in Collinsville. They are still looking for a permanent home. George Jr., who is a manager in tire sales with Rowan Tire & Auto Service in Belleville, said the family has been overwhelmed by the support they have received from family members, friends and the general public. You dont ever expect anything like this to happen to you or your family, he said. Its really overwhelming. How do you convey the thanks and gratitude we have? he said. Im not going to be able to ever express that enough. (NewsNation) NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ has called the race for Colorados District 8 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of Gabe Evans. See the results of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate races across the country here. In one of a host of congressional races that could determine control of the U.S. House, Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo was looking to secure the seat against Evans. Caraveo entered the race seeking a second term after winning the seat in 2022 against Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evans, a former police officer and veteran of the U.S. Army and Colorado National Guard, was seeking the congressional seat after serving one term in the Colorado House of Representatives. Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here. Evans received endorsements from former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson given his chance to flip a seat for the Republicans. The race was pegged by the Cook Political Report as the lone toss-up in Colorados congressional representation. District 8, which is the states newest drawn district, covers a large swath of north Central Colorado and is heavily Hispanic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caraveo, a physician, was attacked from both sides during her push for a second term in Washington. See NewsNations election live blog with real-time analysis from our political experts and the latest race calls nationwide powered by Decision Desk HQ. Watch live results from the presidential election, important swing states and the balance of power in Congress. NewsNation will also be tracking your local state elections and impactful ballot initiatives around the country. Republican voters have criticized her record on addressing border security, crime and the fentanyl crisis, the Denver Post reported. Progressive Democrats accused her of veering away from her original stance to gain support from voters in what was always deemed to be a close race against Evans. The freshman representative has proven to be moderate in her voting record in Washington and occasionally broke with her fellow Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heading into Tuesdays election, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans control the chamber with a narrow majority of 220 seats, while the Democrats occupy 212 and three vacancies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) November 11 is a day for Americans to honor all of our Veterans and recognize the sacrifices they made to defend our freedom. In the Big Country, numerous events took place, including ceremonies, flag placements, parades, and citywide gatherings. Several activities were organized in the Key City, spanning from Downtown Abilene to the Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Freedom Veterans Car Show & Parade To kick off the festivities early, the Freedom Veterans Car Show & Parade took place on Saturday. Hundreds lined the streets to cheer for our servicemen and women as they passed by, accompanied by bands, floats, and more. This annual event in Abilene was organized for the first time by the Abilene Freedom Foundation. Approximately 80 floats and participants marched through downtown Abilene. Organizer Kelly Jay shared that entrants were encouraged to feature a Veteran or Veterans group as part of their float, which he noted was widely observed. Many participants, he said, helped amplify the true meaning of the holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was announcing to the people as they came by. Several of them had retirees and Veterans on the float and in the cars and in trucks, so I think they really took that to heart. Theyre celebrating the right thing, and thats the Veterans, Jay said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, entrants were eligible for cash prizes, with first place receiving $1,000, second place $500, and third place $250. Jay mentioned that all remaining funds from the sponsors and the car show will be donated to local veteran services. Texas State Veterans Cemetery At the Texas State Veterans Cemetery, a ceremony was held to unveil three new monuments dedicated to World War II, the Korean War, and the various conflicts in the Persian Gulf. Many attended the ceremony, including Stan Lambert and Judge Phil Crowley. A silent soldier who wished to remain unidentified was honored to speak at the event. I was honored to represent our greatest generation on this Veterans Day. They chose me to speak at the Veterans Memorial for World War II. Having served myself, it is a privilege to honor our brothers and sisters who are laid to rest here, he shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abilene Christian School Early Monday morning, staff members were seen placing U.S. flags in the ground at Abilene Christian School before the students arrived. Educators emphasized that the flags and the accompanying celebration highlight the significance of the time, energy, and sacrifices made by the men and women who have served in the military to defend our nation. The names of some Veterans are also displayed on the campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abilene Christian University This Veterans Day, ACU students read aloud the names of 344 World War I Veterans buried in the Abilene Municipal Cemetery. It was the idea of an ACU student who wanted to bring attention to the new World War I sculpture in Washington, D.C., titled A Soldiers Journey, which was unveiled this year. New sculpture unveiled at WWI memorial in DC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Student Bryson Frank shared that he served in his congressmans office, where he learned about the lack of support that Veterans receive. He researched to honor those who fought in World War I and aims to ensure that other students at ACU understand the sacrifices made by these individuals. Hey, maybe every year on Veterans Day, we could have something like this, but also just to spread awareness to students like myself or a new freshman coming into Abilene; you should honor your Veterans; you should have an event, Frank shared. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NAIROBI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The population of both savannah and forest elephant species has declined sharply in the past half a century across the sub-Saharan African region, according to a research report released in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. Published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the report, which was released Monday evening, was conducted by two conservation groups, Save the Elephants and Wildlife Conservation Society. The study analyzed hundreds of population surveys from 475 sites across 37 African countries between 1964 and 2016, focusing on the population dynamics of elephants in their natural habitats. Among key findings, it includes an average decline of 90 percent for the African elephant population, a 70 percent decline for the savannah elephant population and a combined average decline of 77 percent across both species in the continent. George Wittemyer, the senior author and elephant expert with Save the Elephants, said the study helped pinpoint regions where the population of the iconic land mammals increased and successful conservation efforts. "We must develop and implement a portfolio of effective solutions to address the diverse challenges elephants face across Africa," Wittemyer said. According to the study, the trends of the elephant population in the continent varied significantly. While some populations disappeared entirely, others recorded a dramatic growth. In southern Africa, the savannah elephant population saw an average increase of 42 percent, while only 10 percent of surveyed populations in eastern Africa showed growth. In contrast, northern savannahs recorded no population growth, with many elephant groups becoming extinct. These trends underline the severe threats facing these land mammals, including poaching, habitat loss and climate-related stresses. Boo Maisels, a conservation scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society and a contributing author of the study, said that if well protected and managed, the African elephants can still thrive in their natural habitats despite the myriad threats they face. A daily pill designed to help people give up smoking will soon be rolled out on the NHS as experts hope it could prevent thousands of smoking-related deaths a year. Called varenicline, the pill tackles nicotine cravings while also combatting withdrawal symptoms like irritability and sleeping issues. NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard called the drug a game-changer as she confirmed it will be brought to the health service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking the at NHS Annual Conference and Exhibition in Liverpool, Ms Pritchard will say: This simple, daily pill could be a game changer for people who want to quit smoking and is another vital step in shifting our NHS further towards prevention. Smoking remains one of the biggest public health issues facing the NHS and has devastating impacts on the body from the lungs, to the heart, blood and brain, while also increasing risk of cancer, diabetes and stroke. Smoking contributes to over 70,000 deaths a year in the UK (PA) According to NHS England, when the pill is used alongside behavioural support, it can help about one in four people stop smoking for at least six months. Officials estimate it could help more than 85,000 people give up smoking annually over the next five years, as well as prevent up to 9,500 smoking-related deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Made by pharmaceutical company Teva UK, the pill is a generic version of the branded pill Champix, which was withdrawn in 2021 after a potentially carcinogenic impurity was found in its formula. The relaunched version of varenicline has been approved as safe by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, side effects may include nausea or vomiting with full dose; sleep disturbances; constipation or flatulence; or changes in mood or behaviour, although this is rare. Another drug called cytisine, which tricks the brain into thinking someone has had a cigarette by attaching to the same receptors that nicotine does, is currently being reviewed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, said: Along with funding for cessation services, making tools like this available will help more people stop smoking. Around 160 cases of cancer are caused by tobacco every day in the UK, so its essential that action is taken to prevent people from smoking in the first place. GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCBD) Georgetown honored veterans with their annual Veterans Day parade on Monday. Organizers said it took about two months of planning to get all the participants and veterans together. The parade showcased those who served, high school bands, ROTC units, motorcycle clubs and more. Residents were lined up from its start at East Bay Park to downtown. Its a great honor for them to participate in the parade and today we have a lot of community people on Front Street, supporting us, Rodney Ward, commander of American Legion post 144, said. They are proud to support the veterans here in Georgetown County. And we wouldnt be where we are today without the veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the veterans, most served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the War on Terror. However, this year the parade hosted the only World War II veteran Jack Craig. Craig served for two years as a radar operator on a heavy bomber, and said being in the military changed his life. I always liked science, Craig said. Throughout high school, I always took all the science courses I could, but it was at a time when there was a depression and there wasnt much money around. So out of the war, out of my service time, I was able to go to college and its shaped my whole life really. Veterans Day holds a special place for Craig as he tries to continue educating the youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know whats important in my mind is to try and help the present generation understand what that all was about. It wouldnt be all that difficult to have the same conditions someday. So if you dont learn from the past, sometimes you make the same mistakes. Georgetown County continues to honor veterans and first responders with the 4th annual field of honor in partnership with International Paper and the Kiwanis Club of Pawleys Island. The charity event ends on Dec. 14. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Its been one week since the 2024 presidential election and its now time for Georgias counties to certify the results and send them to the Secretary of States Office. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is expected to hold a morning briefing ahead of the certification deadline, which will be at the close of business on Tuesday at 5 p.m. Raffensperger and members of the Elections Division of the Sec. of States Office will speak together, going over the process for how elections went in Georgia this year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the certifications are received by the Secretary, anyone seeking to request a recount of the election will have two days to do so, with the request cutoff at 5 p.m. on Thursday. At the same time, Georgia officials will conduct a statewide risk-limiting audit for the November election results on Thursday and Friday, according to an election calendar from the Secretary of States Office. A final vote certification for statewide and federal races is set for Nov. 22. The briefing from Raffensperger and elections officials is expected to start at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The battle over key election rules is still set to play out before the Georgia Supreme Court. John McCosh/Georgia Recorder The right wing of the Georgia State Election Board that champions rules favored by GOP supporters of President-elect Donald Trump is set to get back to its agenda after court decisions thwarted past attempts to implement the changes before November. The fight for voting rights in Georgia intensified after the 2020 presidential election, when Trump and his supporters falsely claimed that widespread voting fraud had cost him his reelection bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The debate over the sweeping changes to Georgias election rules continued last week with the conclusion of Tuesdays presidential election, which saw Trump defeat Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in battleground Georgia. The 5.3 million vote turnout for this years general election, including 4 million votes cast in person at polls early and absentee ballots, was highlighted by Republican lawmakers behind the 2021 election overhaul and subsequent election rules changes leading up to the Nov. 5 election. The most powerful Republicans in Georgia disputed the claims of voter suppression after Democratic nominee Joe Biden defeated President Trump in the 2020 election. A battle over election rules continues to play out this year before the Georgia State Election Board, which meets next on Nov. 18. Georgia has until Nov. 22 to certify the election results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump easily surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to become the next president, thanks in part to Georgias 16 electoral votes. In the Nov. 5 election, Trump defeated Harris by 2.7 million votes to 2.5 million, a sharp contrast to the 2020 election, when Trump famously lost by just under 12,000 votes to Joe Biden in Georgia. The battle over key election rules is still set to play out before the Georgia Supreme Court, which will hold hearings on the Republican National Committees appeal of a Fulton County judge invalidating new statewide procedures. Attorneys for the state and the Republican groups argued for the pressing need to have rules in place in time for the general election for daily reporting on absentee ballots, new ID requirements for dropping off absentee ballots, hand counting paper ballots and broader discretion for local election boards to investigate the way a county conducts an election before certification. Attorney Marc Elias, who challenged conservative election rules on behalf of progressive and Democratic groups, pledged to continue to do so following the Nov. 5 presidential election. Eliass law firm was hired this year to assist the Harris campaign with multiple aspects of the election program, including voter protection, recounts, and other litigation challenging state voting laws. Ellis wrote in an online blog that despite the chilling realization of Trumps impending victory, Harris speech reinforced their advocacy to protect democracy that began with Hillary Clintons concession speech to Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillarys concession speech helped guide me to a worldview that has served me well ever since, Elias wrote. I will always be an admirer of her tenacity and grit. But in her speech, Kamala spoke to what I value and who I am. We all owe Kamala a lot for her fight and perseverance. But I owe her much more. We will fight. And when we fight we win. The three GOP board members who have been publicly praised by Trump are expected to continue pushing for new rules such as requiring three poll workers at every precinct after polls close on election nights to individually count paper ballots to confirm whether the hand tally matches the number of machine-counted ballots. The State Election Board has also called for a highly controversial change giving local election boards new discretion over certifying election results. The three Republican state election officials are asking the court to clarify state law in order to give local election board officials the ability to examine election records and the right to cite any vote discrepancies or other election irregularities as a reason to refuse to certify the election results. The State Election Board has been forced to defend against a flurry of lawsuits since former GOP state Sen. Rick Jeffares and political media personality Janelle King were appointed earlier this year to the five-member board. The controversial rules were often approved by a 3-2 majority, with Fulton County Republican Janice Johnston joining Sandy Springs King and Henry Countys Jeffares in advancing the proposed changes until the rules were finalized several weeks later. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Georgias parliamentary elections late last month appeared to be a test of the countrys democracy and the viability of its longstanding Euro-Atlantic path. Amid credible allegations of irregularities, official results giving the incumbent Georgian Dream, or GD, party a commanding lead sparked protests at home and incredulity abroad. Whether GD can hold on, and how Washington and Brussels react, may determine the long-term direction of not only Georgia, but also the wider region. 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. When voting came to a close on Oct. 26, two exit polls from independent, international polling firms put the four opposition parties that cleared the 5 percent parliamentary threshold collectively ahead of GD, with one showing a margin of 52-41 percent and the other of 48-42 percent. Only hours later, however, the official results released by the Central Election Commission, or CEC, painted a very different picture, giving GD a 53-38 percent victory. That would improbably give GDwhose popularity has taken a hit over the past few yearsits best showing since it came to power in 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, protesters have taken to the streets claiming fraud and demanding new elections at the very least. However, despite some strong international reactions, the Georgian elections and their disputed results took a clear backstage to the run-up to and aftermath of the U.S. presidential election last week. If theres one thing that both GD and the opposition can agree on, it is that the return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House will have a significant impact on their own perceived fortunes. In the meantime, the countrys future continues to be contested domestically and may remain in limbo until momentumor inertiaaccrues to one side or the other. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Hidden Figures In response to the election, the joint observation mission led by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe issued a notably critical early assessment. [T]he campaign offered voters a wide choice in the run-up to Georgias parliamentary elections, said Eoghan Murphy, head of the OSCEs election mission, [but] that is not enough to bring an election in line with international democratic principles. In Tbilisi, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili rejected the results and accused GD of stealing the election. Internationally, a tidal wave of alarms flooded in from North America and Europe over the quality of the vote, with the European Union effectively freezing Georgias EU candidacy and suspending foreign aid in the elections aftermath. Discordant exit polls were hardly the only sign of election day issues. Historically, pre-election polls from Western firms had successfully predicted the results in Georgias previous elections, and their exit polls also tended to align with the final CEC numbers. In this case, however, the CEC figures represented a statistically unlikely 20-point swing between GDs 10-point average deficit in the exit polls and its 10-point advantage in the final tally. In subsequent analyses, Edison Research and HarrisX, the Western pollsters commissioned by opposition-leaning television channels, both concluded that such a discrepancy could not be accounted for through normal statistical variation, implying fraud. Separately, other vote analyses using CEC data showed major statistical anomalies in rural districts, the GDs heartland that tends to be less closely scrutinized by election observers, pointing to vote manipulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These signals are notable amid growing reports of widespread abuses of administrative resources, carousel voting, voter intimidation and voter surveillance on election day. Taken together, evidence is mounting that Georgias elections were neither free nor fair and that the CEC numbers do not accurately reflect the will of the Georgian electorate. However, protests and vocal outcry notwithstanding, the path for a near-term resolution of the growing standoff between the opposition and the ruling party is still unclear. New Alignments The Georgian elections have major implications for the country, which is divided between a population that largely leans toward a Euro-Atlantic alignment and an increasingly authoritarian government that has increasingly cozied up to Moscow and other authoritarian regimes in its bid to stay in power. Should GD manage to hold on, it has pledged to ban opposition parties, engage in mass repression and align with Moscow in exchange for a deal over its breakaway territories. Should that come to pass, Georgias role as a longstanding partner and aspiring member of the Euro-Atlantic coalition will be effectively ended, foreclosing any near-term prospects for Western integration at best and ushering in vassalage to Moscow and potentially the effective end of its independence at worst. In hard strategic terms, this is a serious dilemma but not necessarily a nightmare for Washington. U.S.-Georgia relations are primarily values-driven and not based on any particular material benefit that accrues to U.S. strategic interests. While Georgias security partnership with the U.S. and Europe during the 2010s made it a player on a number of issues, elevating it well beyond what its small size and relatively distant geography might seem to warrant, it is not itself a major producer of energy or natural resources, nor does it possess the kind of first-rate military or sizable economy that might make it a top strategic priority for U.S. policymakers. While a deep well of affection and residual goodwill for Tbilisi in Washington and European capitals has allowed it to enjoy access and some influence over the years, it is likely that a fully autocratic and Moscow-leaning Georgia will simply slip off the agenda. At the same time, the health of Georgias democracy itself has genuine strategic implications. Georgias role as a functioningif somewhat raucousdemocracy posed a fundamental challenge to neighboring Russia and, to a lesser extent, to authoritarian regimes in Azerbaijan and Iran, attracting a good deal of hostility as a result. That placed Georgia in a more delicate strategic position, given its remoteness and small size, but also brought Tbilisi an unusual level of attention as well as political and economic support from the U.S. and Europe. Should Tbilisi align more evidently with Moscow and its democracy be extinguished, so too would its principal means of international leverage. While GD leaders may hope that a post-election rapprochement with Russia might allow it to pursue a more multi-vectored foreign policy, an undemocratic, kleptocratic Georgia would have little independent value to attract Washington and balance Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the region, Georgias strategic diminution could have cascading effects. For one, it would further empower the ascendancy of Azerbaijan, which has instrumentalized an opportunistic alliance with Russia to achieve regional military superiority over Armenia. In turn, Baku dutifully worked to ensure GDs hold on power. As things stand, Azerbaijans bet on Moscow has been validated, further cementing Russian power in the region. This in turn will further isolate Armenia, which toppled its pro-Russian kleptocratic government in a 2018 revolution and has turned decidedly toward partnership with Washington and Europe since Azerbaijans decisive military victoryabetted by Moscows inactionin the decadeslong dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh two years ago. Other than Iran, Georgia is Armenias primary outlet to the world, making a pro-Moscow and antidemocratic Tbilisi a troubling development for Yerevans own stability and security. That helps explain Armenias quick congratulations to GD on its purported election victory. In effect, as goes Georgia, so goes the South Caucasus as a whole. Looking Ahead In the immediate term, both the opposition and GD alike will be looking for more forceful signals from the international community, and particularly the United States now that its election has been settled. A new Trump administration may be less broadly concerned with international human rights or democracy, as GD may be hoping. However, it will likely have little interest in Georgia altogether and could be happy to defer on policy to congressional Republicans, who if anything have been more hawkish toward Tbilisi for the most part. However, the most crucial factor is the Georgian people themselves and specifically the degree to which they either actively oppose the widespread vote manipulations or passively tolerate them. Either way, it is the popular response in Georgia that will determine the direction and tenor of Western efforts, and not the other way around. This makes the growing protests in Georgia an important determining factor. Through its obstinate passage of a Russian-style foreign agent law earlier this year, overriding historic protests throughout the country as well as vocal reprimands from Brussels and Washington, GD has shown that it is able and willing to weather mass demonstrations to achieve a desired outcome. At the same time, GDs strategy was specifically predicated on the idea that it could sap the energy of the political opposition and civil society activists ahead of the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More vociferous and extended protests would likely further undermine GDs already fragile basis for popular legitimacyand elicit a more robust Western response. Whether that will be enough to reverse Tbilisis slide toward a Russia-aligned authoritarianism is another story. Michael Hikari Cecire is an adjunct associate professor at Georgetown Universitys Center for Security Studies and a doctoral researcher at the University of St Andrews. Until recently, he served as a senior foreign policy adviser to Congress. The post Georgias Pro-Western Turn Is Officially on Life Support appeared first on World Politics Review. A 17-year-old German detained in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein is suspected of plotting an attack motivated by extremist Islamist beliefs, prosecutors confirmed on Tuesday. Prosecutors in the northern city of Flensburg said the teenager had been detained at home in Elmshorn, north of Hamburg, on November 6 after police uncovered concrete plans for an attack. The German-born youth, who is said to have become radicalized, has since been remanded in custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime. He is being investigated for preparing a serious act of violence to endanger the state, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to dpa information, the 17-year-old had previously come into contact with police this year, and was allegedly planning to use a truck to carry out an attack. Investigators in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein have not confirmed how they came across the suspect, nor details of the plot. Prosecutor Bernd Winterfeldt told dpa on Monday that the background for the arrest was "a scenario for an attack" that was "not clearly defined." The alleged plot has echoes of an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin in 2016, in which 13 people killed by a truck. The suspect, an Islamist terrorist, fled to Italy, where he was shot dead by police. (Bloomberg) -- Germanys new finance minister used his first public speech since taking office to voice sharp criticism of the tactics UniCredit SpA used in building a major stake in Commerzbank AG. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aggressively investing in a systemically important bank like Commerzbank using unfriendly methods and without cooperation is not an appropriate approach, Joerg Kukies, who was appointed last week after Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his predecessor, said Tuesday at an economic forum in Berlin. Hostile takeovers in Europe and Germany are not what we need for stable banks, added Kukies, a former Scholz adviser who was previously a co-head of Goldman Sachs in Germany. UniCredit has said its considering a takeover of its German rival after it acquired a significant holding, partly by using a government placement in September to buy the entire 4.5% on offer. That move came as a surprise to officials in Berlin, who had expected to sell the shares to various institutional investors instead. Scholz and other members of his government have denounced the way UniCredit built the stake and said they oppose an acquisition of Commerzbank by the Italian rival. Berlin has also paused further share sales. It currently still owns 12% in Commerzbank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UniCredit Chief Executive Officer Andrea Orcel has defended his approach, saying the bank flagged its interest in Commerzbank to Berlin ahead of time and its purchase of the governments stake shouldnt have come as a surprise. UniCredit officials were in touch with the German government after Berlin announced its intention to sell the stake on Sept. 3 and before the actual sale about a week later, Bloomberg has reported. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wants to quickly ban the use of nitrous oxide as a party drug, especially among young people. "The protection of our children and young people must be the concern of all responsible parties," Lauterbach told dpa on Tuesday. "That's why I assume that we will be able to ban laughing gas and so-called knockout drops before the end of this parliamentary term with the votes of a large majority." Lauterbach wants to submit a draft to the Cabinet this Wednesday, which the governing Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens could add to an existing bill due to be passed before early elections next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We can no longer accept the fact that nitrous oxide is easily available as a popular party drug and is sold in particular via vending machines or late-night shops," said the minister. "We must also resolutely combat the misuse of industrial chemicals as a date rape drug." The European Commission has given the green light to the plans, Lauterbach said. "That's why we should act immediately." Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been on the rise as a party drug for several years. Consumers inhale the euphoric substance via balloons. The chemicals gamma-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol are also in the spotlight. They are also known as knockout drops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a few minutes, victims become dizzy and may lose consciousness. Offenders can use this time for sexual offences or to rob victims. According to the draft, nitrous oxide and the other two substances will in future be subject to a legal "handling ban" for new psychoactive substances. In order to protect children and young people, there will also be a ban on the sale, purchase and possession of these substances by minors and general ban on dispensing via vending machines and mail order to end consumers. "Recognized uses" for commercial, industrial or scientific purposes and use as a medicinal product are to remain exempt from bans. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany must bolster its defences against cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns, particularly out of Russia, as it prepares for snap elections in the coming months, the interior minister warned on Tuesday. "We must also protect our democracy in the digital world," Nancy Faeser said in a statement upon publication of the Federal Office for Information Security's annual report. "We must arm ourselves against threats from hacker attacks, manipulation and disinformation. These hybrid threats come primarily from [President Vladimir] Putin's regime in Russia, but also from other actors," Faeser added, vowing to strengthen protective measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister's government is headed for elections early next year, after Social Democrat Olaf Scholz's three-way coalition collapsed at a time of economic slowdown and surging support for populist politicians. The agency's report said no significant cybersecurity incidents occurred when German voters went to the polls in 2024 for EU and state elections, but that the situation was being monitored "in an adapted and situation-specific manner" with a view towards the upcoming national elections. (Reporting by Alexander Ratz, Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Friederike Heine) PORT SUDAN, Sudan, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- More than 15 million children in Sudan are out of school due to the country's ongoing conflict, the National Council for Child Welfare said on Tuesday. "We have more than 15 million children out of school," said Abdul Qadir Abdullah Abu, the council's secretary-general, at a press conference in Port Sudan, the capital of Red Sea State. Abu accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of systematic violations against children, alleging that the "militia" has kidnapped over 2,500 children. He added that nearly 3,000 children have been killed during displacement, and the RSF has recruited over 8,000 children to fight in its ranks. Abu said that children are "the most vulnerable" group and need protection mechanisms. On Oct. 30, Save the Children reported that more than 2.8 million children under the age of five are facing dire humanitarian conditions as the conflict continues across Sudan. According to the report, children account for over half of the country's 11 million displaced people, with many living in camps, informal settlements, overcrowded schools, or public buildings. Sudan has been embroiled in conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since mid-April 2023. As of Oct. 14, more than 24,850 people have been killed, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, and the International Organization for Migration estimated that over 14 million people had been displaced within or outside Sudan as of Oct. 29. (Bloomberg) -- Investor confidence in Germanys economy unexpectedly worsened in November after a spate of bad news from the countrys industry, the collapse of the three-party government and the election of Donald Trump. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An expectations index by the ZEW institute fell to 7.4 from 13.1 the previous month. Economists had forecast an increase to 13.2. A measure of current conditions also saw a surprise downturn in the survey, which was conducted Nov. 4-11. Economic expectations for Germany are influenced by Trumps victory and the end of the coalition, ZEW President Achim Wambach said Tuesday in a statement. In the last few days of the survey period, however, more optimistic voices are also becoming increasingly vocal about the economic outlook for Germany due to the likelihood of early elections. The prospect for Europes biggest economy have darkened recently, with the manufacturing sector struggling to escape prolonged malaise and automakers in particular bracing for new threats including possible tariffs promised by US President-elect Trump. With Volkswagen AG even discussing unprecedented plant closures in its home country, such troubles are also already hurting its supply chain, with parts makers Schaeffler AG and ZF Friedrichshafen AG planning thousands of job cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germanys economy surprisingly dodged a recession by growing 0.2% in the third quarter, but the reading for the previous three months was revised down sharply and another full-year contraction still appears likely. Adding to the gloom is heightened political uncertainty, after Chancellor Olaf Scholzs shock dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner last week. The governing Social Democrats and opposition lawmakers reached an agreement to hold an early federal election on Feb. 23, according to government officials familiar with the talks. According to the Ifo Institute, German businesses are struggling to clinch orders. In October, 41.5% of companies reported that problem, up from 39.4% in July, it said on Monday. Thats the highest level since the global financial crisis in 2009. The lack of orders is continuing to hinder economic development in Germany, said Klaus Wohlrabe, head of surveys at Ifo. Hardly any industry has been spared. In manufacturing, nearly half of all companies reported insufficient demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some support for the economy is on the way from monetary policy, with the European Central Bank widely expected to lower borrowing costs for a fourth time this year at its rate meeting next month. --With assistance from Joel Rinneby and Kristian Siedenburg. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats agreed with opposition lawmakers to hold an early election in February, setting up a showdown between the SPD and the conservatives led by Friedrich Merz. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement means the national ballot is set to be held on Feb. 23, seven months earlier than scheduled, Merz and the head of the SPD caucus in the lower house of parliament, Rolf Muetzenich, told reporters in separate statements Tuesday. Europes largest economy was tipped into political crisis last week after Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party in a dispute over budget policy. That spelled the end of the three-party governing coalition, which included the Greens, and deprived it of a majority in the lower house of parliament. Scholz will submit to a confidence vote in the Bundestag on Dec. 16, Muetzenich confirmed. Once he loses that, he can ask the president to dissolve parliament and the election would then have to be held within 60 days. The government turmoil comes at a difficult moment for Germany. The countrys economic prospects have darkened amid weakness in its manufacturing sector and growing challenges for the key car industry. Berlin also has to contend with an incoming American president who has threatened European companies with tariffs and has had an antagonistic relationship with some US allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While opinion polls suggest Merz, leader of the centerright CDU/CSU alliance, is the frontrunner, Scholz on Sunday expressed confidence that he can win, noting that he defied bad polling numbers to come from behind to claim the chancellorship in 2021. However, a Forsa survey for RTL/ntv published Tuesday showed that if Germans could choose their chancellor directly, 32% would pick Merz and 20% would vote for Robert Habeck of the Greens, the current vice chancellor. Only 16% would choose Scholz. Its really time that the chancellor after those three years of the so-called progress coalition now paves the way for a new election, Merz said Tuesday at a conference in Berlin. Germany is a sleeping middle power and must become an active middle power. Ill guarantee a new leadership in Europe for Europe. Merzs alliance is leading with more than 30%, putting it in prime position to win back the chancellery after it lost to Scholzs SPD party three years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Backing for the SPD is at about 16% in third place, behind the far-right Alternative for Germany in second with around 18%. The Greens are at about 11% in fourth, while a new far-left party the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht is fifth with roughly 8%. The FDP is polling as low as 3%, down from 11.5% in the 2021 election, putting it in danger of missing the 5% threshold for getting into parliament. Scholz was reluctant to hold a confidence vote right away to give whats left of his government time to pass a number of outstanding bills, including on reducing the tax burden on workers and on measures to help manufacturers. On top of that, the 2025 federal budget needs to be approved by the end of the year and lawmakers also have to sign off on a supplementary budget for 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz said Tuesday his parliamentary group would be willing to cooperrate to get the 2024 finance plan passed. Lawmakers from Scholzs party and the Greens are also pushing for limited cooperation with opposition lawmakers to pass legislation, including some military procurement projects, which would guarantee planning security for defense contractors, according to people familiar with the planning. Coalition negotiations in Germany usually take several months which means that the next government may not be in place before April at the earliest. As things stand, a CDU/CSU-led grand coalition with the Social Democrats looks the likeliest outcome, with possibly the Greens as a junior partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German industry lobbies have echoed calls for a swift election, arguing that the country badly needs political stability given the current geopolitical upheaval. Germanys economy has failed to mount a sustained rebound from the pandemic and war in Ukraine, with some economists predicting 2024 output to shrink for a second year in a row. The main weakness is its important manufacturing sector, which is weighed down by soft foreign demand, high borrowing costs and a host of structural issues at home. Investor sentiment in Germany unexpectedly worsened in November, with an expectations index by the ZEW institute falling to 7.4 from 13.1 the previous month. Economists had expected an increase to 13.2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Kamil Kowalcze. (Updates with confirmation of timeline starting in first paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Following the collapse of Germany's centre-left coalition, the Bundestag's Committee on Electoral Review is due to meet on Tuesday morning for a special session to discuss a new election date. According to the administration of the German lower house of parliament, Federal Returning Officer Ruth Brand is expected to attend to report on the status of the election preparations. Brand caused a stir last week when she warned that an election date as early as January or February was too soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opposition CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz is demanding an election in the second half of January. A statement from the federal returning officer to Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "Overall, I see a high risk in this case that the cornerstone of democracy and trust in the integrity of the election could be compromised," referring to such an early date. The CDU/CSU bloc accuses Brand of allowing herself to be politically manipulated by Scholz. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit dismissed this accusation as absurd. The session of the Committee on Electoral Review is expected to be public and can be followed online on the Bundestag's website. Germany's ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, on Tuesday condemned a call by hardline Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for Israel to start preparations for extending sovereignty to the West Bank. "The demand by minister Smotrich to 'apply sovereignty' over the Westbank is an open call for annexation," Seibert posted on X. "Any preparation to implement this goal is in full breach of international law. We strongly condemn this announcement which threatens the stability of the entire region," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Israel's Jerusalem Post newspaper reported that Smotrich had instructed Israeli settlement authorities overseeing West Bank settlements to prepare the necessary infrastructure for extending sovereignty. It cited a statement from Smotrich's office. In addition, Smotrich posted on X: "2025 the year of Jewish sovereignty in Judea and Samaria," in reference to the territory of the West Bank. Smotrich was referencing plans outlined in 2020 for annexing Israeli settlement blocks covering 30% of the West Bank. The region has been occupied by Israel since 1967 but is claimed by the Palestinians claim as part of an independent state with its capital in East Jerusalem. These plans were not pursued on account of the Abraham Accords agreed with Arab countries when Donald Trump was serving his first term as US president. The accords, agreed in September 2020, concern the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab countries. (Bloomberg) -- Germanys new finance minister dismissed fears the political turmoil in Berlin will trigger a funding freeze, pledging the federal government will be fully capable of functioning in the weeks before Februarys early election. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joerg Kukies, appointed last week after Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his predecessor and brought a premature end to the ruling coalition, said its still unclear whether Scholzs minority government can get a supplementary budget for this year and the 2025 finance plan approved in parliament. To do so, theyll need the votes of opposition lawmakers. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the center-right CDU/CSU alliance, signaled earlier Tuesday the group may be willing to cooperate on this years budget, but Kukies said the situation remained very much in flux. He conceded that its not realistic that the 2025 budget will get approval by the end of the year, meaning the government will be forced to resort to a temporary finance planning process to keep funds flowing. While its not an ideal state of affairs and some new projects may face delays, Kukies said its not technically problematic and has happened multiple times before, including earlier this year after a constitutional court ruling upended the governments finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government can and will fulfill all of its commitments, he told delegates at a Sueddeutsche Zeitung forum in Berlin. Hes due to attend a meeting of the Bundestags budget committee on Wednesday. Germany was tipped into political crisis last week after Social Democrat Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party due to a dispute over how to fund aid for Ukraine. The shock move meant the three-party governing alliance, which included the Greens, lost its majority in the lower house of parliament, or Bundestag. Scholzs Social Democrats and Merzs conservatives agreed earlier Tuesday to bring the election forward by seven months to February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kukies said this years finance planning will be made easier as the government can redirect a 4 billion ($4.2 billion) slice of an unused subsidy worth around 10 billion earmarked for a planned Intel Corp. facility in eastern Germany. Intel announced in September it was postponing the new factory. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Germany is set to head to the polls on February 23 following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition, sources have told dpa. Parliamentary leaders from the country's largest political parties - Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - reached an agreement on Tuesday, sources from both sides told dpa. The decision follows a week of wrangling in Berlin after Scholz fired his finance minister Christian Lindner from the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), leading the party to withdraw from the three-way coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDP's departure left Scholz without a majority in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament. In order for the election to be held, Scholz is expected to call a vote of confidence in the Bundestag on December 16. Germany is set to head to the polls on February 23 following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition, sources told dpa on Tuesday. Parliamentary leaders from the country's largest political parties - Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - have reached an agreement on a timetable to call the election, sources from both sides told dpa. Scholz is expected to table a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, on December 16. If, as expected, he loses the vote, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier can call for elections to be held within 60 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement follows a week of wrangling in Berlin after Scholz fired his finance minister Christian Lindner from the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) on November 6, leading the party to withdraw from the unpopular three-way coalition with the SPD and Greens that came to power in 2021. The FDP's exit - a product of months of acrimonious negotiations over the government's proposed 2025 budget - left the chancellor without a majority in the Bundestag and effectively unable to govern. Scholz initially proposed holding a vote of confidence in January. However he faced huge pressure from opposition parties to bring the timetable forward amid demands by business leaders for a quick election to provide leadership and direction for the country's struggling economy. An ugly dispute then erupted after Germany's top election official, Federal Returning Officer Ruth Brand, warned that holding an immediate election would carry "unforeseeable risks," highlighting potential issues with the printing of ballot papers and the need to ensure the security of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), determined to press home their clear advantage in the polls, Brand faced criticism of interfering with the democratic process. Scholz favoured a delay in holding the election as he is determined to pass a number of bills still making their way through parliament. That includes a key reform to enshrine protections for the country's constitutional court amid the rise of populist parties such as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Germany is set to head to the polls on February 23 following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition. Parliamentary leaders from the country's largest political parties - including Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and the opposition conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) - reached an agreement on Tuesday on a timetable to call the election, sources from both sides told dpa. Scholz is expected to table a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, on December 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If, as expected, he loses the vote, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier can call for elections to be held within 60 days. The agreement follows a week of wrangling in Berlin after Scholz fired his finance minister, Christian Lindner from the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), leading the party to withdraw from the unpopular three-way coalition with the SPD and Greens that came to power in 2021. The FDP's exit - a product of months of acrimonious negotiations over the government's proposed 2025 budget - left the chancellor without a majority in the Bundestag and effectively unable to govern. Scholz has a mountain to climb if he is to retain his position, with his SPD polling on 15% and the Greens, who are likely to pick Economy Minister Robert Habeck as their candidate for chancellor later this week, currently on 10%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have a clear advantage in the polls, with 32% of voters signalling support for the centre-right bloc led by Friedrich Merz in the latest survey. Scholz bows to pressure The deal to hold elections on February 23 offers voters, politicians and business leaders much-needed clarity on Germany's path forward following a political crisis that coincided with Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election. Scholz initially proposed holding a vote of confidence in January ahead of a potential election date in late March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he faced huge pressure from opposition parties to bring the timetable forward amid demands for a quick election to provide leadership and direction for the country's struggling economy. An ugly dispute then erupted after Germany's top election official, Federal Returning Officer Ruth Brand, warned that holding an immediate election would carry "unforeseeable risks." She highlighted potential issues with the printing of ballot papers and the need to ensure the security of the vote, but received stinging criticism from the CDU and FDP of interfering with the democratic process. On Tuesday, Brand said a February 23 election would be "legally feasible" and "manageable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another reason for delaying the election, for Scholz, was that he is determined to pass a number of bills still making their way through parliament. Among them is a key reform to enshrine protections for the country's constitutional court, with lawmakers concerned about the rise of populist parties such as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the newly formed Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). The two parties performed very well in September's state elections in eastern Germany, and are aiming to shake up politics nationwide with their opposition to immigration and aid for Ukraine against Russia. Lindner kicks off campaigning While Scholz's shock announcement of Lindner's dismissal on November 6 may have been the starting gun for the electoral campaign, the decision on an election date could set the parties off in earnest in their race to attract voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDP leader made the first move on Tuesday, saying he believes the winner of February's election is a foregone conclusion and suggesting that only a good performance for his party can prevent the formation of another weak coalition. "In truth, I think the race for chancellor is already over," said Lindner. "The question is: with whom will chancellor Merz govern?" Lindner, who was speaking at an economic conference organized by German daily Suddeutsche Zeitung in Berlin, said potential coalitions between the CDU and SPD or with the Greens would be a "watered-down" version of the current administration. The former finance minister further described the CDU as a political chameleon: "It always takes on the colours of its coalition partners." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the FDP's poor position in the polls - it is currently at risk of missing the 5% threshold to enter the Bundestag - Lindner said his party is aiming to achieve double figures. Merz welcomes agreement Merz meanwhile welcomed Tuesday's agreement, calling February 23 a "good solution" after a meeting with lawmakers from his CDU/CSU bloc. Holding an election in January would have brought a whole host of difficulties, the 69-year-old acknowledged. Nevertheless, he argued that Germany was losing around a month of valuable time needed to form a new government. Merz said his conservative alliance could yet support Scholz's initiatives to pass remaining bills in the current parliament, but insisted that Scholz must first table the vote of confidence. The SPD also expressed relief at the agreement on Tuesday. "Now we can finally move away from this tiresome discussion about the election date and concentrate on what is ultimately good for our country," parliamentary leader Rolf Mutzenich said in Berlin. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) History enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see an original edition of the Gettysburg Address in Springfield beginning on Friday. The document will be on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) for 10 days from Nov. 15 until Nov. 24. After that, the speech, written in Abraham Lincolns own hand, will return to a climate-controlled vault. Purple Heart returned to daughter of WWII veteran in Decatur Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Admission to the museum will be free on Tuesday, Nov. 19, which is the 161st anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. During the 10 days the document is on display, visitors also have the option to pay $5 to see the address, without touring the rest of the museum. On the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, the museum will also see visitors from across the world. Students from Ashikaga, Springfields sister city in Japan, have a visit planned to the museum on Tuesday to see the document and say the address. Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on Nov. 19, 1863. Many historians argue that it is one of the most famous speeches ever given. In 272 powerful words, Abraham Lincoln captured the pain of the Civil War and the truth of what was at stake: a new birth of freedom, Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, said. This handwritten copy of his address is a national treasure. We hope offering free admission allows more people to appreciate it in person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The display will also include photos, information in Spanish and a survey about the meaning of the address. On Nov. 21 and 22 at 12:30 p.m., Lincoln Historian Christian McWhirter will be available to discuss the speech with visitors There are five handwritten copies of the Gettysburg Address that still exist. The ALPLM has a copy, one is in the White House, one is at Cornell University and two can be found at the Library of Congress. Most people know a few famous phrases from the Gettysburg Address, but they havent thought much about what the words mean or how they influenced the nations ideals. Seeing the document in person offers a rare chance to connect personally and reflect on what it asks of us as individuals and as a country, Brian Mitchell, the ALPLMs director of research and interpretation, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State of Illinois has owned the Everett Copy since 1944. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PHNOM PENH, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia is ready to deploy more than 16,000 security personnel during the water festival, to be celebrated on Nov. 14-16 in the capital Phnom Penh, the National Police said on Tuesday. General Sar Thet, Cambodia's national police chief, said tightening security will be the top priority as a large number of people will flock to the capital to enjoy the festival. "A security plan for the water festival has been thoroughly prepared with cooperation from local authorities and relevant ministries and institutions to ensure that this festival will be celebrated smoothly without any problems," he said during a security preparatory meeting. Boat races are the centerpiece of the three-day festival, which will see hundreds of thousands of rural people traveling to the capital to enjoy dragon boat races on the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace. Besides viewing the regatta in the daytime, festival-goers can enjoy the procession of illuminated floats and fireworks as well as concerts at night. According to the National Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals, a total of 348 boats with more than 20,000 oarsmen from across the Southeast Asian country will take part in the competition. (Bloomberg) -- Ghanas Supreme Court reinstated the governing partys majority in parliament, overruling a decision by the houses speaker to declare four seats vacant. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin made the declaration last month after two New Patriotic Party members filed with the elections agency to alter their party status before the Dec. 7 poll, reducing the ruling partys number of seats to 135 from 137 in 275-seat chamber. The seat of an independent lawmaker who votes with the NPP was also deemed vacant, as was that of a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress. The NPPs leader of government business, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, challenged the speakers decision by asking the court to provide an interpretation of the constitutional provision on the matter. By a majority decision of five against two, the plaintiff is right, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo said on Tuesday in the capital, Accra. The court will issue the full details of the ruling later, she said. The ruling means the balance of power in parliament will revert to what it was before the seats were declared vacant, Afenyo-Markin said in a broadcast on Accra-based Joy News television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two NPP members defected to run as independent candidates in the forthcoming election, while the NPP-leaning independent member plans to run as a candidate for the NPP. The member of the NDC defected from his party to run as an independent candidate. Ghanaians will vote to elect new members of parliament and a president next month. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia will face off with former president and flagbearer of the NDC John Dramani Mahama as President Nana Akufo-Addo steps down after his second and final four-year term. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ACCRA, Ghana (AP) Ghanas Supreme Court restored the ruling partys majority in the parliament on Tuesday ahead of the Dec. 7 election, with an order that the speaker's declaration of four seats as vacant was unconstitutional. Last month, two members of parliament from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and one from the biggest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) announced that they would run as independent candidates in the election, while an independent candidate joined the NPP. The Speaker of the Parliament Alban Bagbin declared their seats vacant, arguing that the constitution does not allow MPs to defect. The parliament was indefinitely adjourned after the declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bagbins decision had shifted the parliamentary majority to the NDC, giving it one seat more than the outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addos NPPs 135. The Supreme Court's ruling restores the ruling NPPs slim majority of 138 seats, including one independent who leans towards the NPP, against 137 for the opposition NDC. Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo announced the courts majority decision of 5:2 in a televised ruling, adding that it will file the reasons behind its decision later. The presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana will be held concurrently on Dec. 7. It will be the ninth consecutive general election since the countrys return to multi-party democracy in 1992. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ghana has held peaceful, free and fair elections for nearly two decades but allegations of voter roll irregularities this year have created concerns about a possible democratic backslide. In September, the NDC held nationwide protests demanding an audit of the voter roll, alleging it detected thousands of unauthorized transfers and erasures of voter names. President Akufo-Addo is stepping down this year after his second and final four-year term. Former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, who lost in the 2016 and 2020 elections, will face off with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP in this years election. Last month, tensions surrounding the elections led the U.S. State Department to issue a warning that it would restrict U.S. visas for people who undermine Ghanas democracy ahead of the vote. DES MOINES, Iowa Three separate Git N Go locations over the last seven days have been robbed in the morning, with the latest on Monday. The convenience store on 2140 E. Park Ave. was robbed just before 7 a.m. Des Moines Police classified it as an armed robbery with the suspect, a male, brandishing a knife. No one was injured, but the suspect stole cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot after. On November 8, the Git N Go location at 4164 Easton Blvd. was robbed around 6 a.m. This time there were two male suspects who assaulted the female clerk. Police say the clerk suffered a broken jaw in the robbery. The suspects ran off with an undisclosed amount of cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And last Monday, November 4, the location at 1240 Keo Way was robbed just after 10 a.m. No weapons were displayed in this robbery and the suspect again fled on foot. An employee at the Keo Way location was not at the store during the time of this robbery, but worked the shift after. WHO 13 News spoke with him a week after his store was robbed. He has seen the violence escalate in the ones on Nov. 8, which left an employee with a broken jaw and the one today with the suspect armed with a knife; and it makes him angry and concerned. New challenge trail dedicated to late Des Moines Veteran to open Tuesday Im always aware of my surroundings at all times, Ill make sure I know whos in the bathroom whos not, said Sebastian Rogelio, a part-time employee at Git N Go. You just got to be prepared for anything I guess, and just comply for what they want, you know? Cause at the end of the day its not worth it, its not worth your life. Its just sad what this generation has come down to, you know, people dont want to work they just want to come steal from other people that are actually working, you know? We have nothing to do with your problems but you want to come and start other problems over here. Like I go to work every day, I am not out here stealing. If I could do it they could do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogelio emphasized that he loves working his nights at the convenience store, his awareness has just been even more heightened because of the events over the last week. WHO 13 News reached out to Git N Go Convenience Store Headquarters in Des Moines with a request for comment about the robberies and any directives they are communicating to employees. A spokesperson with the company shared no comment about the crimes. The Des Moines Police Department is continuing to investigate all three robberies, and at this time there are no known connections between the three. The department is using security video footage in the investigation. Latest Metro 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 who13.com. The News Welcome to the Global Hot List, our subjective, dynamic ranking of the races and political developments you should be paying attention to right now, compiled by world elections expert Brad Glasser. This week: Trumps election is the big red elephant in the room, but governments from Germany to South Korea are finding themselves pushed to their limits. The List 1. USA What happened? Democrats are reeling from an election loss that, in hindsight, seemed predictable. Prescriptions for the party following its loss range from a focus on the influence of right-leaning podcasts, to tacking towards social conservatism in some areas, to re-emphasizing the partys pro-worker, pro-welfare principles as advocated by Bernie Sanders. Whatever the case, past experience suggests the road ahead for Democrats at least, for winning in 2028 may be as simple as just biding their time until the other side makes mistakes that give them an opening and new leaders emerge on their own. 2. Germany Lights out Germanys traffic light coalition is collapsing, suggesting new elections sooner than later. After Minister of Finance Christian Lindtner suggested new elections, Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired him, creating a crisis in the governing coalition that includes the Green Party, Lindtners FDP and Scholzs Social Democrats. Snap elections will be held on February 23rd, well ahead of a scheduled vote in the fall, and suggest a right-wing shift with the conservative CDU and hardcore nationalist AfD party polling first and second respectively. 3. Japan Internationalization Japans latest election results suggest the country is showing signs of political polarization seen elsewhere in the world. The left-wing populist Reiwa Shinsengumi managed to triple its seat share in Japans lower house election, positioning itself as a relevant force among the opposition. On the opposite end of the spectrum, two far-right parties entered parliament for the first time: the Conservative Party of Japan and Sanseito. While these are still small parties across the board, the flagging fortunes of the long-dominant LDP and other relatively centrist parties could see more ideological rivals eventually expand their footholds further. 4. Botswana New president Botswanas new president is pledging support for undocumented migrants, after taking over in the countrys first ever transition of power. Incoming president Duma Boko was congratulated by his predecessor, Mokgweetsi Masisi, who attended the inauguration and gave a speech marking the formal hand-off of power, the first in Botswanas history of independence. Boko has pledged to naturalize undocumented workers from Zimbabwe despite lingering hostility towards migrants, saying They do jobs that otherwise would not get done. 5. South Korea No apologies South Koreas president, more unpopular than ever, held a press conference to say hes sorry for whatever scandal has upset voters. Recent reports have implicated his wife in corruption, bringing about his worst-ever approval ratings since taking office. Whatever the case, I apologize, said President Yoon Suk Yeol in a recent press conference, in which he declined to give details on what he was apologizing for. South Korean observers were baffled by the remarks, with Yoon elaborating that If you tell me what specifically I did wrong, then I will apologize for that specific fact. 6. Ecuador Not Topic A surging contender for Ecuadors upcoming presidential election found himself disqualified over conflicts of interest. Jan Topic, a former military sniper who has expressed admiration for El Salvadors Nayib Bukele, polled as high as 15% in a recent CID Gallup poll. Topic will be excluded from Februarys presidential election following a court ruling that determined he improperly invested in companies holding state contracts, leaving two major competitors in the race: incumbent president Daniel Noboa and last elections runner-up, Luisa Gonzalez. 7. Spain Blame game Mass protests against a botched flood response in Spain are piling pressure on national and local governments. Residents of Valencia were not alerted to deadly floods in time, compounding unimaginable devastation for communities across the region. A blame game is now unfolding between the national government led by Socialist Party prime minister Pedro Sanchez, and Valencias regional administration, helmed by conservatives. The prime minister and regional governor were both pelted with mud during a visit to an affected area, and mass protests have erupted calling for the governors resignation. 8. Mauritius Total defeat The prime minister of Mauritius saw his snap election gamble dramatically backfire, as the opposition scored total victory despite a recent historic deal transferring Chagos sovereignty. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauths party won no seats in legislative elections, as his administration was rocked by phone-tapping scandal that stirred major campaign chaos and led to a botched social media ban by the government. As with elections all over the world, analysis of this vote placed an emphasis on dissatisfaction with cost-of-living issues. 9. Palau Two rivalries Palaus election featured both a geopolitical rivalry and a family rivalry. The pro-US incumbent, Surangel Whipps Jr. was re-elected in a contest that pitted him against his brother-in-law, Thomas Remengesau Jr., who preceded him as president. Palau recognizes Taiwan, and the election falls against a backdrop of ensuing great power rivalry between the US and China in the Pacific. JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) There have been Veterans Day celebrations all over Eastern North Carolina and Monday evening a local Golden Corral hosted hundreds of current and former veterans for a free meal. The Golden Corral partnered with the local DAV Chapter in Jacksonville for a night of serving free meals to veterans. While the lines were long to get inside and eat, there was plenty to do outside of the restaurant. On one side, we have a silouhette of a minuteman. Of course thats the farmer who dropped his plow and picked up his rifle and fought for out initial freedom in 1776. A little bit further down, youll see my highest medal Ive received which was the legion of merit. Also on the tailgate, I have a little message. A little eagle and a little flag and a message that to remind people that freedom isnt free, said retired Sgt. Major Ervin Steinly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others at the event were there to spread a positive message. We have different messages on our cards and it is just to remind everyone that love is the answer, and on a special day like today which is veterans day, we wanted to take time to pay our love and respect to those who have served or those currently serving! I really love the message of being able to respect those who have laid out their lives for us and to remember that this is all about love and reminding them that we love and care about them and truly appreciate them, said Tanyette McCoy, Random Acts of Kindness. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A toddler in Arizona was saved at the last moment by a bystander after running into speeding traffic. Dashcam footage obtained by Phoenix broadcaster KTVK shows the moment that the unnamed child was nearly struck by a passing SUV, before an unknown woman ran into the road to grab him. The woman who owned the dashcam can be heard screaming at the top of her lungs and honking her horn to try and get the child's attention. Video footage shows the child avoiding tragedy (KTVK) "When you look at the video, Im completely hysterical because I feel hopeless," the woman told KTVK. "I felt like I was mentally preparing myself to watch a child be crushed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Im feeling overwhelmed, but just happy that the kind woman was willing to sacrifice her life to go into the road and grab him." She added that her seven-year-old son was in her back seat, meaning that she didn't want to use her own car to block the traffic for fear of risking his life. KTVK did not name the child or his parents, but quoted the child's father as saying that he had been away at the time. His wife, he said, had been at home watching the children but had briefly left the house, and had forgotten to lock the door possibly due to her ongoing postpartum depression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the first he knew of his children leaving the house was when he got an alert from his Ring video doorbell showing a woman carrying his son to the door. The local sheriff's office said that it is investigating the incident and is likely to charge the woman with child endangerment. President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet appointments have incited job shuffling, with Republicans clamoring to climb up to higher roles. The latest to clinch a promotion could be Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. In an interview with Axios, Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt lobbied for Lara, who currently serves as RNC co-chair, to fill Marco Rubios soon-to-be vacant Senate seatif Trump does indeed select him as secretary of state in his administration. According to Britt, Lara understands the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She understands the America First agenda, she added. For me, I think she would be a tremendous pick, a voice for hard working families and another mom of school aged kids that understands what were up against, and thats to fight to protect the American dream. Adding to that, Lara just got off a historic win, said Britt, referring to Laras role in delivering more MAGA-leaning votes with the help of her BFF Scott Presler. Lara has not officially spoken about the public support. Yet as these things typically go, no one who wants it says that they want it. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is set to hold the 76th annual turkey pardoning at the Governors Mansion. RFK Jr., who dropped out of presidential race in August, received more votes in Alabama than Green Party, Libertarian Party combined On Iveys X account, the public can vote to name the Turkeys she will be pardoning this year ahead of Thanksgiving. The polls closes at 10 a.m. Thursday. Here are the following names: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gobbler & Cobbler Stars & Stripes Mr. Turkey & Ms. Feathers Drumstick & Potato Last year, Ivey pardoned Giblet and Puddin. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is planning visit University of South Carolina Aiken on Friday, Nov. 15 as part of the Farm and Forest Recovery Resource Days initiative. The event, which is scheduled to be held 2 p.m. 7 p.m. on USC Aikens campus, is aiming to offer support for farming and forestry communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Attending individuals can learn about available assistance and services. State and federal agencies are expected to have tables in the Student Activities Center Gymnasium to provide resources. A list of attending agencies can be found here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fridays event in Aiken is the first of three scheduled Farm and Forest Recover Resource Days offered in the 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 WJBF. California Gov. Gavin Newsom granted five pardons to veterans who served in Americas Armed Forces on Monday while also beginning one posthumous pardon process. The pardons come as America celebrates Veterans Day. Gubernatorial clemency documents identified the five pardoned service members as: Don Archibald: Archibald, who served in the Army and now lives in Georgia, was sentenced to five years in prison in L.A. County for robbery in Oct. 1964. The county Superior Court granted him a Certificate of Rehabilitation in 2010. Marcus Page: Page was sentenced to three years of probation and 240 days in jail in San Diego County for transport or sale of a controlled substance in April 1994. The former United States Marine was granted a Certificate of Rehabilitation in 2018 by the San Diego County Superior Court. Robert Teagle: Teagle was sentenced in San Bernardino County to three years of probation and 69 days in jail for transport or sale of a controlled substance in Sept. 1981 after serving in the U.S. Army. Now a resident of Utah, Teagle formally submitted an application for clemency and provided evidence that he is living an upright life and has demonstrated his fitness for restoration of civic rights. Brian Tinney: Tinney was sentenced in San Diego County to five years probation and 90 says in jail for grand theft of property in 1994; his probation was revoked two years later and he was sentenced to a concurrent two-year prison term for being a felon or addict in possession of a firearm. The Navy veteran was granted a Certificate of Rehabilitation in 2018, but due to having multiple felony convictions, he could not get pardoned unless approved by the Board of Parole Hearings, which he eventually was. Alex Zonn: Zonn was sentenced in Ventura County to three years probation and 60 days in jail for possessing marijuana for sale in Feb. 1970. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he was granted a Certificate of Rehabilitation in 2018 by the Kern County Superior Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A posthumous pardon process was initiated for Sgt. Richard Allen Penry, a recipient of the Medal of Honor. Sgt. Penry, a native of Petaluma in Sonoma County, served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was granted his Medal of Honor in 1971 by President Richard Nixon for extraordinary heroism at the risk of his own life, Newsoms office said. Sgt. Richard Allen Penry (Congressional Medal of Honor Society) According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Sgt. Penry, who went by the nickname Butch, went above and beyond by exhibiting conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His Medal of Honor action day was Jan. 31, 1970. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sgt. Penry returned from active duty at a time when there were few resources for veterans and little understanding of PTSD, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. He struggled with reentry to civilian life and self-medicated through substance use, which was the context for his drug-related convictions. Veterans Day: Service members celebrated with events, food deals around Southern California A New York Times article states that Penry whom NYT described as a war hero was arrested on Oct. 4, 1973, for selling $950 worth of cocaine to an undercover police officer. He had made two previous sales to the same undercover officer one month prior to his arrest, the New York Times reported. While it was not specified when Sgt. Penry died, reports from The Press Democrat indicate he died at a hospital in Sonoma County in 1994 at the age of 45. A cause of death was not mentioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, three decades after his death and more than half a century after he received his Medal of Honor, Sgt. Penry has a chance at clemency. Since he has more than one felony conviction, he cannot be automatically pardoned by the governor; the California Supreme Court must approve the pardon first. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TOKYO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held onto his position in a rare runoff vote on Monday, marking the first such election in the House of Representatives in three decades and underscoring the difficulties facing his leadership as he moves forward with a minority government amid mounting obstacles. The first round of lower house voting for the country's next prime minister saw Ishiba take the lead but fall short of a majority, prompting a runoff against Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda. Ishiba, 67, ultimately secured the position with 221 votes in the 465-seat lower house against Noda's 160, but political analysts highlighted that his government will now rely heavily on opposition cooperation to pass critical legislation, as the ruling coalition's minority status will necessitate support from other parties for the passage of laws and budget approvals. In the recent general election, Japan's ruling coalition, consisting of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Ishiba and its ally, Komeito, suffered a significant setback, losing its long-held majority and reducing its seats to 215, well below the 233-seat majority threshold required for smooth governance. After assuming premiership, Ishiba reshuffled his cabinet, replacing only the ministers who were not re-elected in the lower house. The foremost challenge for Ishiba's new cabinet is to establish fresh economic policies and a new budget. The LDP is actively seeking collaboration with the Democratic Party for the People, which has shown a relatively positive response. The two parties are in discussions regarding tax reform, aiming to establish a "partial alliance" for cooperation on specific policies. However, as per the latest inter-party negotiations, the opposition now holds seven out of the 17 committee chair positions in the House of Representatives, including the Budget Committee, which is crucial for budget deliberations. The last time the opposition chaired this committee was 30 years ago, signaling a significant shift in Japan's political landscape. Economists pointed out that the Ishiba cabinet will face limited fiscal flexibility. Hideo Kumano, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, emphasized that the cabinet's ability to maneuver financially is heavily restricted. Atsushi Koketsu, emeritus professor at Yamaguchi University, said that Japanese politics will now evolve through checks and balances between the ruling and opposition parties as the opposition chairing the Budget Committee marks a major shift in Japanese politics. Worse still, the LDP is still grappling with the slush funds scandal, which remains a potential liability. Shortly after the House of Representatives election, the LDP decided to reinstate former party officials who had previously run as independents after facing disciplinary actions, which once again stirred public dissatisfaction. The opposition parties are reportedly planning to demand a renewed investigation into the scandal, pushing for implicated lawmakers to testify before an ethics committee. It remains uncertain whether the LDP can overcome this scandal and regain voter confidence. LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) Gov. Jim Pillen is officially calling on Nebraska lawmakers to address inconsistencies in the states main school aid formula in the 2025 legislative session, the Nebraska Examiner reports. Pillen, in a Friday news release, pointed to a new report from his policy research office that compiled property tax data for new state senators. The governor noted that newly elected senators with 16 fresh faces set to join the body in January might not have a complete understanding of the states funding formula, or the impact of recent legislation. The report includes data from Nebraskas 244 school districts in the previous school year and indicates how decreases in state aid led to property tax increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This document helps illustrate the impact of those changes and, hopefully, [will] inform discussions as we embark on the next legislative session and resume efforts to provide additional property tax relief to Nebraskans, Pillen said in a statement. TEEOSA breakdown The conversation revolves around the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act, better known as TEEOSA, which has been perennially updated since its adoption in 1990. New chief justice named for Nebraska Supreme Court TEEOSA, also known as the equalization aid formula, determines funding aid based on the difference of about 18 needs minus six resources for each public school district. If resources outweigh needs, the district doesnt receive the aid and is classified as unequalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Needs include student growth, poverty and English as a second language. Resources include net option enrollment, allocated income tax funds and base aid per student. Another resource is based on possible property tax collections, assuming a $1 hypothetical tax rate across each school district. This is the amount the state assumes a district could raise if it had that high of a tax rate, based on annual valuations. This means when valuations go up, a districts equalization aid automatically goes down, possibly to the point they are unequalized and lose the extra funding. Finding stability For example, Lincoln Public Schools, the states second largest district, is likely to be unequalized in the coming years. LPS lost $31.85 million in state aid this year, a decrease of 30.4%, and raised property taxes by $31.57 million in response, a 9.6% increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three other school districts Millard Public Schools, Papillion-La Vista Public Schools and Gretna Public Schools also saw dramatic drops in state aid. Combined with LPS, the four districts lost $56.27 million in state aid and increased property taxes by $62.25 million. That accounts for 82% of the total increase in property taxes statewide for that period. Kenny Zoeller, director of the governors policy research office, said state aid decreased for 111 school districts for the 2024-25 school year. We need to find a way to better help districts budget for the aid they do get, thereby creating some predictability and, hopefully, further reduce what Nebraskans end up paying in property taxes year over year, Zoeller said in a statement. Pillen and Zoeller do not explain how to provide more stability. However, they state that initial research indicates newly placed soft caps on how much school districts can increase their property taxes slowed total increases to 2.5%, or about $75.82 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the smallest annual increase since 2018 and the smallest percentage increase this century. Theyre on pins and needles Multiple state lawmakers proposed addressing TEEOSA in the Pillen-led special session on property taxes this summer, including State Sens. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn and Jana Hughes of Seward. Linehan, the Legislatures outgoing Revenue Committee chair, called for eliminating the resources side of the funding formula, to better calculate each districts needs. She later proposed using TEEOSA to distribute increased sales and sin tax revenue to districts for property tax relief. Linehan is term-limited and wont return next year. Hughes, a former school board member in Seward, worked with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on a proposal to reform TEEOSA over 10 years, or sooner if possible. Her proposal would have decreased maximum school property tax rates gradually over 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pillen had proposed having the state take over nearly all local operational property taxes, which account for an average of 60% of Nebraskans property tax bills. However, when Linehan introduced Pillens core proposal, it did not include that component. Hughes said she agrees TEEOSA needs to be a focus but thinks it will take time and an in-depth look, such as what happened when TEEOSA was first created, with the Revenue and Education Committees collaborating on the proposal, and relying on years of research and design. I get this sense from schools right now, every year theyre on pins and needles of what is going to change or what is the legislative body going to do? Hughes said. The formula is inconsistent In 2023, the Legislature helped to increase aid to schools by doubling special education reimbursements from 40% of expenditures to 80% and set a baseline foundation aid, about $1,500 per student in each public school district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hughes said some school districts hunker down and ask residents to invest through property taxes to prevent budget cuts or to react to uncertainty of whether future funds will be available. Its just a little vicious cycle a bit when valuations go up, Hughes said. Wayne State College club honors sexual assault victims State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, vice chair of the Legislatures Revenue Committee, said he hadnt yet digested the report but agreed with its main findings. He said hes aware of people encouraging a reconsideration of TEEOSA and is supportive of a thoughtful and patient process that includes all stakeholders, to improve the state funding calculation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hughes said she and a team of lawmakers will return with a 2025 proposal that will be smaller but still take a little bite out of reforming TEEOSA. Pillen has requested that lawmakers consider similar legislation. The formula is inconsistent and hits taxpayers hard, the policy research office report states. It is not fair to them or the schools. Providing certainty to school districts will allow Nebraska to have sustained property tax reductions for the first time in history. Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and X. This story was republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 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. GRANBY, Mo. Granby residents can breathe a sigh of relief today after state officials say a proposed landfill is not going to happen. PREVIOUS: Newton County discusses proposed Granby landfill and risks In a post on social media, Missouri State Representative Ben Baker announced that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources denied an application for a proposed landfill just outside of Granby. CARDS, a waste management company, filed a request with the DNR to construct a landfill one mile east of the small southwest Missouri city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker says the DNR denied that preliminary site application. Last month, residents from the Granby area attended a public input session to discuss what it would mean to them if the landfill was allowed. Most expressed concern for their drinking water and the possibility of contamination from the waste seeping into the aquifers in that area. Baker says the company can appeal the ruling. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (NEBRAKSA EXAMINER) A paid petition circulator for Nebraskas two successful medical cannabis ballot measures pleaded guilty Friday to a misdemeanor and a $250 fine, down from an initial felony charge, the Nebraska Examiner reports. Michael K. Egbert, 66, was a paid circulator for the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign to legalize and regulate medical cannabis. Hall County Attorney Marty Klein, whose investigation was aided by the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, reduced Egberts charge from a Class IV felony to a Class I misdemeanor, for the attempt to falsely swear to a circulators affidavit. Egbert pleaded guilty for intentionally engaging in conduct that was a substantial step toward committing the Class IV felony crime between Feb. 9 and June 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Class I misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison or a $1,000 fine, or both. About 200 irregular signatures Gov. Pillen asks Nebraska lawmakers to overhaul school aid formula in 2025 Egbert consistently told local law enforcement and testified last week in a Lancaster County District Court trial against the petitions that he illegally used a phone book to add signatures to petitions he circulated in addition to legitimate signatures he gathered. Hall County Election Commissioner Tracy Overstreet said in mid-September, when Egbert was first charged, that approximately 200 irregular signatures were flagged as fraudulent and rejected and not counted toward those totals from the get-go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egbert has consistently said he never signed his circulators oath or got his pages notarized in the presence of a notary, which is required under state law, which led to 24 charges of official misconduct against notary Jacy Todd of York. Todd has denied those allegations and is seeking to have his case dismissed. At least one other notary, Crista Eggers, campaign manager for the efforts, notarized Egberts petitions. Court documents in Lancaster County state that Eggers has no memory of notarizing Egberts petitions and notarized them by mistake, likely because they were inadvertently mixed with petitions from valid circulators. Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong is reviewing evidence after the four-day trial seeking to throw out thousands of signatures on the petitions because of alleged circulator misconduct and notarial malfeasance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys seeking to throw out the signatures, including from the AGs Office, may submit post-trial briefs by Tuesday. The ballot sponsors can respond by Friday, and the attorneys against the petitions can file an additional response by Nov. 18. Over 70% voter support The petitions from the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign Initiative Measure 437 and Initiative Measure 438 received overwhelming support at the ballot box last week: 70.88% of voters supported Measure 437, while 67.11% of voters supported Measure 438. Initiative Measure 437, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act, would set an allowable amount of medical cannabis at 5 ounces; exempt patients and caregivers from penalty for using or assisting someone else in using the cannabis; and require a written recommendation from a health care practitioner before prescription. Initiative Measure 438, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act, would define cannabis; legalize possessing, manufacturing, distributing, delivering and dispensing cannabis for medical purposes; and create the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the new law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nebraskas constitutional officers will meet Dec. 2 to certify Tuesdays election results. Legal challenges can continue after that date. Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and X. This story was republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 View University in Des Moines will ensure that eligible Iowa students won't pay more than $11,000 in tuition after other aid has been applied. (Photo courtesy of Grand View University) Grand View University in Des Moines is joining other Iowa private universities in efforts to make a higher education more affordable for certain prospective students by ensuring they would pay no more in tuition than they would at a public college. The university announced Monday the launch of its Go Private. Pay Public. program, which will cap out-of-pocket tuition costs for high school seniors enrolling in Grand View at $11,000 the average tuition of Iowas public institutions, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe that cost shouldnt prevent students from choosing the school that is the best fit for them, said Grand View University President Rachelle Keck in the release. Our new Public Price Program ensures that every Iowa student, no matter their financial situation, has access to the personalized, high-quality education we offer. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Created with the goal to remove financial barriers and make a Grand View education a viable option for more students, according to the release, the new program guarantees that qualifying Iowa students wont pay more than $11,000 after scholarships, state and federal grants have been applied to the bill. The program will be available to students enrolling in fall 2025. To be eligible for the price cap, students must graduate from an Iowa high school with at least a 3.0 grade-point average, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by June 30, 2025, enroll as a first-year student, and live on campus, according to the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Go Private. Pay Public. program is the latest financial aid option announced by Grand View University, with a tuition-free option for students with the most financial need having launched for the spring 2024 semester. The GV Next program covers 100% of tuition for Iowa students who either receive the maximum Pell Grant amount or have a parent or guardian with an adjusted gross income of $70,000 or less, the release stated. Ian Roberts, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, said that both the new and established programs will undoubtedly have a profound and positive impact on students and the higher education options available to them. Students will benefit from Grand Views small class sizes, personal attention, market-relevant curricular and co-curricular programs, and its location in Des Moines, Roberts said in a written statement. We are grateful for our strong partnership, and I look forward to seeing more DMPS students achieve their goal of a college education at Grand View University. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE We're long past the time when a journalist like Walter Cronkite would be "the most trusted man in America." (CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images) Its easy to forget that while the first Watergate article appeared in the summer of 1972, Richard Nixon did not resign until 1974. Over the course of those two years, Nixon won reelection in a historic landslide, mocked journalism and threatened the Washington Post repeatedly. It wasnt until the Supreme Court ordered the release of tape recordings related to the scandal that Nixon acknowledged the reporting was true and resigned in shame. Something else happened during these two years as well: The Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch bought his first U.S. newspaper the San Antonio Express-News and he moved to New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Granderson: There's no mystery. White women handed Trump the election Fascinating timeline, isnt it? As the true power of journalism was emerging in the country, Murdoch came to America to pervert the field, just as he had done in other countries with a free press. Before Watergate, Nixon had often fantasized with his top aide Roger Ailes about running his own conservative television network. Murdoch was already known in his country and Europe for using his newspapers to push a conservative agenda using misinformation. Murdoch's impulses and Nixon's seemed almost destined to unite eventually, and indeed, decades later when the mogul made the former president's dream come true by creating the conservative network Fox News, Ailes was hired to run it. Read more: Editorial: Americans voted for Trump. Here's what they chose and the hope for all those who didn't Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A couple other pieces had to fall into place first though. President Reagan obliged. In the 80s, Reagan expedited Murdochs immigration status, so that as a U.S. citizen, he could buy more of Americas media companies. As he took power, Murdoch leaned on editors and producers to reflect his political views and not the truth that journalists found through reporting. Reagan also pushed to repeal the Fairness Doctrine, which had required holders of broadcast licenses to represent multiple sides when covering controversial issues. Freed from that, Murdochs television stations could say they were fair and balanced, but they were no longer required by law to actually be so. You know what came next, with the rise of Fox News and the decline of an informed public. Read more: Calmes: Donald Trump and the mystery of the disappearing checks and balances While the 1st Amendment clearly protects the free press, what it cannot do is preserve the publics trust in the free press. Thats up to the industry, and in short, we failed. Donald Trumps return to political power through last weeks election is just the latest byproduct of that failure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decline in trust of journalism was carefully orchestrated. One man who worked for the Heritage Foundation in the 80s and advocated for repeal of the Fairness Doctrine, James Gattuso, would go on to become a top official at the Federal Communications Commission under the first President Bush. That would be the same Heritage Foundation that is behind Project 2025, the conservative blueprint to reshape the federal government around Trump. Carl Bernstein, who with Bob Woodward had broken the story of the Watergate burglary and Nixons involvement, wrote in a magazine piece in 1992 titled The Idiot Culture: In retrospect, the Nixon administrations extraordinary campaign to undermine the credibility of the press succeeded to a remarkable extent, despite all the post-Watergate posturing in our profession. It succeeded in large part because of our own obvious shortcomings. The hard and simple fact is that our reporting has not been good enough. It was not good enough in the Nixon years, it got worse in the Reagan years, and it is no better now. We are arrogant. We have failed to open up our own institutions in the media to the same kind of scrutiny that we demand of other powerful institutions in the society. We are no more forthcoming or gracious in acknowledging error or misjudgment than the congressional miscreants and bureaucratic felons we spend so much time scrutinizing. The blurring of lines between hard news and opinion coupled with hot takes that have replaced a lot of reporting and informed analysis has brought billions into corporate media. The industry has more consumers now than ever before, in more media. However, journalism has been hurting in the process for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It all contributed to what we saw last week, when a majority of American voters backed Trump either because they hadnt heard of his worst failings which is hard to imagine or because they did not know whether to believe or how to interpret what they had heard about his failings. That sort of world of distrust and confusion is exactly what Gattuso/Reagan/Murdoch/Ailes had hoped to create, so that criminals like Trump could not be held accountable by a free press as the founders intended. The questions regarding what Democrats did wrong in this election are certainly worth asking. However, the industry of Woodward and Bernstein is in dire need of analysis as well. More than 70 million Americans apparently trusted the words of Trump, a serial liar, and embraced his fake news characterization of the industry. Theres no getting around it: The 2024 election did not just reflect a new high point for Trump, but also a new low for trust in American journalism. @LZGranderson If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The authors daughter, Rose Keller, during a recent inpatient stay at Boston Childrens Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Donald Kreis; image of Rose Keller used with her permission) My daughters annual pharmacy bill is routinely a multiple of my salary as a state employee whose family relies on the health benefits that come with my job. That grim fact is always top-of-mind, but especially now as I read a remarkable document: the latest annual report of New Hampshires Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). Cystic fibrosis a genetic, chronic condition that slowly ruins lungs and other organs is the reason my 23-year-old kid takes the prescription medication Trikafta. This breakthrough drug is the main reason that most people with CF can now expect to live well into adulthood and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alas, according to the PDAB annual report, Trikafta is also the most expensive drug in New Hampshire or, at least, the most expensive among those covered by health plans for state employees and retirees. The average total cost is $260,413 per year. What makes the PDAB annual report noteworthy, however, is not just that it offers up factoids like that as illustration of just how much the bloated cost of cutting edge prescription medications is driving the cost of health care to unsustainable levels. The PDAB report then goes on to explain exactly what the problem is, in blunt and unmistakable terms. Distinct from every other industrialized and wealthy nation, the U.S. allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to set launch prices and raise list prices at will, the report notes. These exorbitant costs exert upward pressure on premiums for all plan beneficiaries as health plans and employers struggle to balance the demand of these treatments and all other health care services. Maybe youve never heard of Trikafta. But also on the list of the most expensive prescription medications in New Hampshire are names that are more well-known: blockbuster weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, the blood thinner Eliquis, and Humira, which treats arthritis. In total dollar terms, Humira imposes the biggest bill of all (about $22 million for the public employee health plans covered by the report). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Hampshire is one of 11 states with a PDAB, and the latest annual report illustrates why we are lucky to have such a body. The pretext for having such a body is the need to help the state save money on the cost of insuring its employees, but there is great value to the light shed by the board on costs we all incur as consumers of health care and health coverage. Not all PDABs are alike. Unlike ours, the Colorado PDAB has explicit authority to set an upper price limit on highly expensive prescription medications. Trikafta happens to have been the first drug it considered for such action, with unsettling results. Owing to intense lobbying from patient groups and CF caregivers, who have succumbed to propaganda (and financial help) from the pharmaceutical industry, the Colorado PDAB actually declared Trikafta to be affordable a year ago despite a price similar to the one just publicly reported in New Hampshire. That one hit home, in part because my daughter was vilified by others in the CF community for testifying before the Colorado PDAB. She made her dad proud by arguing that no drug with a price tag of that magnitude could possibly be considered affordable. Keep in mind that many prescription drug plans include copays of 20 percent which, for a $260,000 medication, means $52,000 a year out of pocket. Though New Hampshires PDAB statute does not authorize the board to set upper price limits, there is enormous value in having a government agency describe this crisis so forthrightly and factually. The PDAB report notes that the pharmaceutical market is notoriously opaque, which is quite an understatement. What makes the report so powerful is its comprehensive disclosure of drug pricing data the industry usually succeeds in keeping secret. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore it should surprise no one that the pharmaceutical industry is constantly trying to kill off the PDAB, which is really still just gearing up after four budget-starved years. The boards new executive director, Kirk Williamson, deserves our thanks as the principal author of the report. So does the PDABs chair, Claremont Democratic Rep. Gary Merchant, a retired pharmacist who knows how important this work is. In just three years maybe sooner, if the Affordable Care Act goes down, as some fear my daughter will turn 26 and will no longer be covered by her dads state employee health plan. But even if she could stay on my plan forever, and even though my daughter means the world to me, I cannot simply expect my fellow taxpayers and premium payers to cover drug costs of that magnitude. Thats why I am so grateful for our Prescription Drug Affordability Board and urge my fellow citizens to give its latest annual report a read. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) A Greensboro pastor has stepped down after a guilty plea in federal court. Matthew Queen was the senior pastor of the Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro before resigning on Nov. 8, according to a statement from the church. While this has been a challenging season, we continue to trust in Gods sovereignty and remain focused on our mission. As we move forward, we encourage our congregation and the wider community to stay focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, the church said in their statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Queen pleaded guilty to felony making false statements to the government in connection to a case that stemmed from Queens time in Texas, where he was working as an interim provost at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. At the time of Queens guilty plea, Friendly Avenue Baptist Church said they were aware of the ongoing legal issues and released the following statement, reading in part: We stand firmly against any behavior that undermines trust and integrity. Our church leadership is reviewing these recent developments as it works to complete its investigation and submit a recommendation to the church membership concerning Dr. Queens status and relationship with Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, all in accordance with the churchs governing documents. Our primary concern remains the spiritual well-being and support of our congregation. We are dedicated to maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for all members and attendees. We ask for your prayers and understanding as we navigate this difficult season. Court documents allege that Queen falsified records related to an ongoing sexual misconduct investigation. According to the superseding indictment, Queen was present when two other employees at the seminary discussed a document that had evidence of their knowledge of sexual misconduct allegations. The two employees discussed making the document go away, and Queen initially denied to federal investigators any knowledge of this, eventually providing notes as evidence. However, these notes had been written months after the conversation, not contemporaneously as initially claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant, knowingly altered, destroyed, mutilated, concealed, covered up, falsified, and made a false entry in a record, document, and tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation and proper administration of a matter within the jurisdiction of a department and agency of the United States, and in relation to and in contemplation of such a matter, to wit, Queen prepared a false document, the Notes, and then provided, and caused to be provided, the Notes to the United States Attorneys Office, with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence an investigation by the United States Attorneys Office, the indictment states. Queens sentencing is scheduled for early 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 FOX8 WGHP. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) The City of Greenville has approved the first reading of an ordinance that would give more than $1.5 million dollars of Capital Projects Funds to two projects. The projects would serve the Southernside and Viola neighborhoods. According to residents, each community has a multiservice center that has now stood empty for years. When we first moved into the neighborhood, it seemed like it was being used as an afterschool program for neighborhood kids, said Southernside resident Robert Bonnano. Then the Covid pandemic started and since then I havent really seen it being used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bonnano, a father of three, lives right across from the Southernside multiservice center where signs reading Proposed Relocation Demolition have sat on its lawn for months. Sign outside of Southernside multiservice center reading: Proposed Relocation Demolition. (WSPA) Bonnano said if the center were open, hed try to take advantage of it. I think wed use it and wed like to spend time there as a family if possible, said Bonnano. Greenville City Council woman Lillian Brock Flemming represents District 2, the same district where Southernside and Viola are located, and said both buildings were too small. Violas was just too little, said Flemming. They couldnt invite everybody and they could only get a few people. Southernside, same thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blueprints for a future Southernside Multiservice Center show multiple office rooms, a kitchen and a large multipurpose room. Blueprint of a possibe future design for the new Southernside Multiservice Center. (City of Greenville) Blueprints for Violas multiservice center havent been made public but residents say future plans should make safety a priority. We want it to be a place for them to come and get information, said Osa Benson, Violas Homeowners Association President. We also want to make sure that during the summertime, that this is a safe and usable place for the kids. Benson said the Viola Multiservice Center and its parking lot as they are arent structurally sound, so its been closed for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other residents say they want change. A lot of times, there is not parking here so a lot of people have to park on the street, said Tasha Billup James, a Viola resident of 20 years. Right now, [the center is] not being utilized. Public documents project the total cost of the two projects combined is roughly $2.4 million. There has already been a combined $858,057 allocated for both projects. The ordinances second reading will be on November 25, 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. When the LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr told its staff last year that the days of fully remote work were over, more than 80 employees nearly half of the company said they wouldn't report to the company's West Hollywood headquarters or other newly established offices around the country. As a result, they were let go. Now, federal labor regulators say the company's back-to-office order was an unlawful ploy to retaliate against the workers' union organizing efforts. In a recent complaint, the National Labor Relations Board's regional office in Los Angeles accused Grindr of interfering with employees' right to organize and refusing to recognize the union workers had elected to join, calling the company's actions "serious and substantial unfair labor practice conduct." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 120 of the company's roughly 180 employees were poised to form a union bargaining unit represented by Communications Workers of America, according to the complaint. All of the terminated employees were part of that group. Read more: Grindr loses nearly half its staff to strict return-to-work rule The popular app, which uses a location-based model that allows users to browse potential dates in their area, has gone through several ownership changes in recent years but has continued to post solid profits from a dedicated user base in the tens of millions. "We hope this NLRB filing sends a clear message to Grindr that, with a union, we are committed to negotiating fair working conditions in good faith," the union, Grindr United-CWA, said in a statement Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grindr called the allegations "meritless," arguing it had alerted employees it would do away with its remote work culture before they went public with their union drive. "Grindr team members work from one of our offices just two days per week under our hybrid work model, and our decision to transition from fully remote to hybrid work in 2023 predated the union election petition. It was only after it was known that the transition back to in-office work was underway that some employees began signing union cards," Grindr spokesperson Emily Wright said in a statement. "Our focus continues to be on ensuring Grindr remains an exceptional place for our team to work, and an invaluable resource for the global LGBTQ+ community." The complaint is the NLRBs first step in litigating the case after investigating an unfair labor practice claim submitted by employees and finding merit to the allegations. If a settlement with Grindr is not reached, the case will be reviewed by an administrative law judge, who could order the company to take steps to address the issues in the complaint. In interviews, two former employees said workers began the union effort in late 2022. They pointed to employees who they said had been laid off without clear reasons and unsettling remarks by their then-incoming chief executive, George Arison, in support of conservative figures who had made bigoted remarks about transgender people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers went public with their campaign to join CWA in July 2023, and two weeks later the company delivered its return-to-office policy in an all-hands meeting conducted on a Zoom video call on Aug. 3, according to the NLRB complaint. Under the new rules, workers who had been living elsewhere were required to move to either the Los Angeles area, Chicago or San Francisco in order to be close to the Grindr office where their job was based. The company offered up to $15,000 to cover relocation expenses, or six months of severance pay for those who chose not to move. One of the former employees, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals as he continues to search for a new job, said that although his contract designated him as having a remote assignment, he was nonetheless included in the back-to-office mandate. Read more: Grindr employees launch union drive, fueled by tech layoffs and anti-LGBTQ threats The employee, who was a member of Grindr's customer experience team, said that the company was slow to provide information about the terms of the back-to-office order and that he was forced to decide in less than a day whether to agree to move. He and many others ultimately signed a severance agreement because they were unable to decide so quickly whether to uproot their lives, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second former employee, Leo Feldman, said he was not given an opportunity to commit to the hybrid work plan and alleges his involvement with the union was behind the decision to fire him from his job as product manager. The company's actions seemed intended to disrupt the union drive, he said, noting that some engineers living near the West Hollywood office, for example, were told they had to move to Chicago. Despite the turmoil, Grindr appears to have satisfied investors with strong growth even as the broader dating app industry has slowed. As one of three publicly traded dating app companies, Grindr dominates the dating app market along with Bumble and Match Group, which owns Tinder and Hinge. Bumble has seen its stock fall 46% so far this year after missing revenue estimates, but Grindr shares have risen nearly 70% this year, closing at $15.10 on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company recently reported $89 million in revenue in the third quarter, up 27% from the same period last year. Net income during the same period grew to $25 million, compared with a loss of $437,000 a year ago. Grindr also saw a 15% year-over-year increase in the average number of paying users, reaching 1.1 million. "Our product work starts with our users, their needs, their behaviors and their preferences," Arison said in a recent earnings call. "We are setting Grindr up for another great year of growth in 2025." The company, however, continues to face criticism about its privacy practices: Earlier this year, it was sued by hundreds of users in the United Kingdom for allegedly sharing personal information including HIV status and test dates, ethnicity and sexual orientation with advertising companies without users' consent. Grindr has denied the claims. Nick Jones, an equity research analyst at Citizens JMP, said Grindr is outpacing investor expectations and is not alone in requiring employees to return to in-person work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A lot of companies believe they can keep their employees more focused if they're in office," Jones said. "The market is indicating that this is not a problem for the company," he added of the NLRB complaint. Grindr Chief Product Officer AJ Balance said the app has set itself apart from others in the crowded online dating market and is working on new features. Grindr's unique user interface known as the grid allows for quick and abundant connections and avoids the swiping model that some users have grown tired of, he said. "This was built by the community, for the community, which is part of why it really meets the needs of its users in a unique way and why it's been differentiated as a product over time," Balance said. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The South Dakota Education Equity Coalition and South Dakota Democratic Party are speaking out against Gov. Kristi Noems appointment to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. CNN and Fox: Noem for Homeland Security Governor Noems appointment to Homeland Security is troubling for Indigenous communities not just in South Dakota, but across the nation, said Sarah White, Executive Director of the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (SDEEC) in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her record reflects a history of ignoring Indigenous voices, failing to meet the basic educational needs of Native students, and disregarding meaningful tribal collaboration and consultation, White said in a release. Indigenous communities deserve leaders who respect our sovereign rights and perspectives. We cannot afford to see this lack of accountability and dismissiveness scaled to the federal level, especially in a role as crucial as Homeland Security. Noem was tapped for the role by President-elect Donald Trump, reports said Tuesday. In a news release, the coalition cited multiple reasons for their disapproval, including Noems banishment from the nine reservations of South Dakota. The South Dakota Democratic Party said in a news release today that Noem lacks the qualifications to lead Homeland Security, which included her banishment from South Dakota tribal lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She used taxpayer money to send the National Guard to the US/Mexico border for publicity stunts, said party chair Shane Merrill in the release. Her administration has seen constant turnover and she has eroded government transparency. Our state government is also in the middle of corruption investigations involving former state employees. These scandals show that Gov. Noem does not have what it takes to lead a federal department. The Republican second-term governor has repeatedly sent South Dakota National Guard troops to assist with enforcement at the Texas border and has complained that gangs are using South Dakota Indian reservations as safety zones to distribute illegal drugs brought across the U.S.-Mexico border. The SDEEC advocates for educational environments that honor the identities and needs of Indigenous youth, according to its website. The group highlighted the states poor education numbers related to Native students. The 2023-2024 South Dakota State Report Card starkly highlights this trend: only 21% of Native students are proficient in English Language Arts, a decline from previous years, and a mere 13% meet proficiency standards in mathematics, far short of the states targets, the release 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 KELOLAND.com. SYDNEY, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring magnitude 4.1 struck north of Sydney in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) on Tuesday, causing power outages for thousands of properties. Geoscience Australia recorded the quake at about 12:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday near a BHP open-cut coal mine in the Upper Hunter region of NSW, approximately 170 kilometers north of Sydney. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that there have been no injuries or damage reported but that over 2,000 properties lost power. According to Geoscience Australia's monitoring website, the tremor occurred at a depth of three kilometers. Over 350 people reported feeling the earthquake. There have been over 50 tremors reported in the Upper Hunter, a major coal mining region, since a 4.7-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 23. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) A federal appeals court panel incorrectly interpreted federal and state laws when it ruled that Mississippi cannot count mail-in ballots that are cast and postmarked by Election Day but arrive a few days later, two groups argue as they seek a new hearing. Attorneys for Vet Voice Foundation and Mississippi Alliance for Retired Americans are asking the entire 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the ruling that a portion of the court issued Oct. 25. The ruling did not affect the counting of ballots for the Nov. 5 election because the three-judge panel noted that federal court precedents discourage court actions that change established procedures shortly before an election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the case could affect voting across the U.S. if the Supreme Court ultimately issues a ruling. The attorneys for Vet Voice Foundation and the Mississippi Alliance for Retired Americans argue in court papers filed Friday that the panel of judges incorrectly suggested that post-election day ballot receipt deadlines are a recent invention. In fact, the practice of counting ballots cast by election day but received afterward goes back to the Civil War, when many states permitted soldiers to vote in the field before sending their ballots to soldiers home precincts," attorneys for the two groups wrote. Many states have laws that allow counting of ballots that are cast by Election Day but received later, the attorneys wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far from making any attempt to preempt these laws, Congress has acknowledged and approved of them for more than five decades, they wrote. The three-judge panel of the conservative appeals court reversed a July decision by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr., who had dismissed challenges to Mississippis election law by the Republican National Committee, the Libertarian Party of Mississippi and others. Richard Hasen, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, wrote on his election law blog that the ruling by the appeals court panel was a bonkers opinion and noted that every other court to face these cases has rejected this argument. Republicans filed more than 100 lawsuits challenging various aspects of vote-casting after being chastised repeatedly by judges in 2020 for bringing complaints about how the election was run only after votes were tallied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list of states that allow mailed ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day includes swing states such as Nevada and states such as Colorado, Oregon and Utah that rely heavily on mail voting. In July, a federal judge dismissed a similar lawsuit over counting mailed ballots in Nevada. The Republican National Committee has asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to revive that case. Guirola wrote that Mississippis law does not conflict with federal election laws. The suit challenging the Mississippi law argued that the state improperly extends the federal election and that, as a result, timely, valid ballots are diluted by untimely, invalid ballots. Guirola disagreed, writing that no final selection is made after the federal election day under Mississippis law. All that occurs after election day is the delivery and counting of ballots cast on or before election day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the Mississippi challenge was led by Republicans and Libertarians, there is bipartisan support for the state's practice. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch is defending the states top election official, Secretary of State Michael Watson, in the lawsuit. Both are Republicans. ____ Associated Press reporters Kevin McGill in New Orleans and Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report. LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) Worsening air pollution sickened an estimated 1.8 million people in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province in the past month, health officials said Tuesday, as schools across the province were ordered to close for five days to protect children's health. Punjab with a population of 127 million has been struggling to combat smog since last month. Over 1.8 million people visited hospitals and private clinics in the smog-hit districts in Punjab in the past 30 days, and most of them had been suffering from respiratory-related diseases and burning of eyes, said Ahsan Riaz, a spokesman for the health department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, officials said that tens of thousands of people were treated at hospitals in recent weeks, but Riaz said Tuesday that the number of people affected by smog is much higher, and hospitals are flooded with such patients. The closure of schools in the entire province came more than a week after officials shut schools in 18 smog-hit districts there. Toxic smog has shrouded Pakistans cultural capital of Lahore and 17 other districts in Punjab since October. It forced the government last week to close all parks and museums for 10 days. Authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, as a record wave of smog is causing respiratory-related diseases and eye infections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest developments came a day after the U.N. childrens agency warned that the health of 11 million children in Pakistans Punjab province was in danger because of air pollution that experts say has become a fifth season in recent years. According to the Environmental Protection Department in Punjab, Multan a city in the province remained the most polluted city on Tuesday, with air quality index readings of about 700. Anything over 300 is considered hazardous to health. Authorities have ordered the mandatory wearing of face masks, but that has been widely disregarded. The government has also said that it is looking into methods to induce artificial rainfall to combat the pollution. Gov. Gavin Newsom is pleading with his Democratic friends in Washington to help the Golden State prepare its defenses for Trump 2.0. The governor is in D.C. today to lobby the outgoing Biden-Harris administration over a series of last-minute funding decisions and federal waiver extensions before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Trump has already lashed out at Newsom and California officials over the effort to Trump-proof the state, and the former president has a history of using the Oval Office to punish California by withholding or threatening to claw back funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Newsom has two months to build a firewall. The governor landed in the Beltway on Monday afternoon and was set to spend the next 36 hours meeting with White House officials and Californias congressional delegation. Izzy Gardon, a Newsom spokesperson whos traveling with the governor in Washington, said focus areas include disaster funding, the approval of state healthcare initiatives aimed at improving access to health and mental healthcare for Californians and crucial climate and clean-air efforts." Newsom has vowed to make California a leader of the resistance against Trumps second term especially when it comes to disagreements over the states voter-ID and climate laws, as well as protections for patients seeking abortions and LGBTQ+ rights. POLITICOs California team is tracking the policy areas where the outgoing administration could aid Newsom and state Democrats. Here are our reporters insights: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disaster aid: Its tough to parse which threats Trump may follow through on, but Newsom appears to be taking Trumps promise to withhold disaster relief funding from California seriously. The governor is pressing the Biden administration and its Federal Emergency Management Agency to fulfill several outstanding funding requests. They include reimbursements for $5.2 billion in emergency coronavirus relief spending by state and local governments that could be in jeopardy. Thats on top of the untold amount of Californias budget that Newsom wants to set aside to backfill any lost disaster aid a proposal he floated first to POLITICO last month. Blake Jones, education and budget reporter Electric cars: Newsom will advocate for the eight waivers that California still hasnt received from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to let it phase out fossil fuel-burning cars, trucks and trains. EPA has until President Joe Bidens last day in office, Jan. 19, to approve the waivers, which give California authority to enforce stronger-than-federal air standards. Trump whos consistently attacked Californias electric vehicle policies has promised to revoke Californias zero-emission rules once in office. Any waivers that havent already been approved, however, can simply be denied. Alex Nieves, climate reporter Land preservation: Newsom has thrown his weight behind campaigns led by environmental and tribal groups asking Biden to designate three new national monuments: the Kwtsan National Monument and the Chuckwalla National Monument in the Southern California desert, and the Sattitla National Monument in the Shasta-Trinity highlands in Northern California. The designations would forbid development, including renewable energy projects, from nearly 1 million acres total and further California's efforts to conserve 30 percent of its land and coast by 2030. Biden earlier this year expanded the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California's Coast Range and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument near Los Angeles. Camille von Kaenel, environment reporter Federal health waivers: California has several big health care programs pending federal approval, including efforts related to reproductive health, behavioral health and funding for Medicaid. The two programs Newsom is focusing on most for this trip are getting approval on a behavioral health program that uses Medicaid dollars to strengthen the broader system for mental health care so people have treatment options outside of institutional settings. Hes also gunning for approval of the states MCO tax, which could bring in billions at almost no cost. Voters just overwhelmingly said they wanted this tax to be renewed by approving the statewide ballot measure Proposition 35. Rachel Bluth, health care reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High-speed rail: Another big pot of money with a target on its back is Californias embattled high-speed rail project, which is relying on billions of dollars in federal funding to complete the Central Valley leg of the route that could eventually connect Los Angeles to San Francisco. Congressional Republicans have introduced multiple bills in recent years to block funding. But former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was instrumental in persuading the Biden administration to award California $6 billion for rail projects last year, including $3.1 billion for the Central Valley portion of the bullet train. Newsom and Democrats on the Hill will surely be looking for ways to get that funding out the door sooner than later. Alex and Dustin Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICOs California Playbook newsletter. CONAKRY (Reuters) - A committee of Guinean opposition groups, civil society organisations and activists known as the Forces Vives called on Tuesday for the West African country to establish civilian rule by Jan. 1. The junta that seized power in a 2021 coup proposed a two-year transition to elections from 2022 after negotiating with the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc, but it has shown little sign of moving to organise a vote, stoking public frustration. The top bauxite producer has witnessed sporadic protests against the authorities and military leader Mamady Doumbouya since he took office. Some have led to deadly clashes with security forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Guinea's transitional authorities presented the draft of a new constitution which would potentially allow Doumbouya to participate in the next presidential election. No date has yet been set for a promised referendum on the constitution, which they said would be a precursor to any election. "Faced with this gloomy picture, the Forces Vives of Guinea solemnly call for unity of action and the mobilisation of all the nation's living forces, both civilian and military, to demand the departure of the junta and the establishment of a civilian transition by January 1," the group said in a statement. (Reporting by Saliou Samb; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Alessandra Prentice, Alexandra Hudson) Haitis ruling presidential council welcomed a new prime minister, entrepreneur Alix Didier Fils-Aime, on Monday after ousting the current executive, longtime United Nations civil servant Garry Conille, after less than six months in office. The shakeup in the countrys months-old political transition came after weeks of tensions between Conille who did not attend the swearing-in ceremony for his replacement and was stripped of most of his security detail and the nine-member Transitional Presidential Council. After hailing the creation of the nine-member ruling council and Conilles installation in May with a new cabinet, the Biden administration and others in the international community remained silent as council members moved to oust Conille. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite protests from some of the sectors represented on the council that firing Conille would be illegal and the equivalent of a coup, council members moved ahead with the dismissal. On Sunday an executive order naming Fils-Aime as Conilles replacement leaked to the media. On Monday, as the sound of automatic gunfire blanketed some Port-au-Prince neighborhoods and major U.S. carriers suspended flights after a Spirit Airlines flight was shot at, Fils-Aime, 52, took over the reins of leadership. In an emotional speech, he called for unity among Haitians to confront the countrys myriad challenges and pledged his energy, competence and patriotism to the transition. A former candidate for the Haitian Senate and chamber of commerce president, Fils-Aime listed restoring security throughout the country as a top priority, along with elections. He is aware, he said, of the huge responsibility bestowed on him and the exceptional context in which hes being asked to lead. I have a special thought for all of the victims of the criminal acts of bandits who continue to sow sadness and mourning amid the population, Fils-Aime said. Women, young girls have been raped and have no choice but to leave their homes.... We cannot close our eyes to the mothers and children who flee, leaving all they have built and cant even send their children to school today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is happening in Haiti, he said, naming neighborhoods where gangs in recent weeks have massacred residents, is not acceptable. The United Nations Human Rights Office, which previously said that some 4,900 Haitians had been killed by gang violence between January and September of this year, said Monday the actual death toll is 3,893 killed and 1,802 injured. Members of the foreign diplomatic corps. in Haiti attend Mondays ceremony welcoming new Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime after Transitional Presidential Council fired Prime Minister fired Garry Conille after less than six months. Virginia Gamba, a special U.N. representative, said in a statement Monday that children are at the heart of the crisis in Haiti and particularly vulnerable to armed gangs. Her office estimates that between a third and a half of armed gang members are children under the age of 18. She added that the increase in sexual violence against children is deeply alarming, with verified U.N. figures showing an increase from 41 cases last year to over 400 in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms. Gamba urges all parties in Haiti to do everything they can to prevent grave violations against children, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said. She also calls on gangs to immediately release children from their ranks and hand them over to civilian child-protection groups. Organizing elections Fils-Aime said his governments other top priority will be to organize elections that are not contested. We are all Haitians and we all have to come together, he said. Everybody will take their responsibility in the country. The son of a well-known activist, Alix Boulon Fils-Aime, who was involved in efforts to disarm gangs as a member of late President Rene Prevals private cabinet, the younger Fils-Aime and the presidential council face significant challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Washington did not weigh in on the councils push to remove Conille, they remain steadfast in their push that the council must respect the timetable for a new president to take office by Feb. 7, 2026. The Biden administration also seeks a resolution to ongoing corruption allegations involving three members of the council who are under criminal investigation over a bank bribery scandal and so far have refused to step down. Mondays ceremony took place in the presence of several members of the foreign diplomatic corps, as well as most members of Conilles outgoing cabinet. This is a temporary victory. Nothing has been solved in terms of the massive problems facing the country, Robert Fatton, a Haiti-born political scientist, said about the transfer of power. The security situation is precarious at best, the economy is collapsing, the humanitarian crisis is alarming, and organizing elections as well as a referendum on a new constitution within a year is unlikely. Given all these problems the question is whether the [presidential council] will remain united for long. It looks like an unending crisis, but let us hope for a miracle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council head Leslie Voltaire, who led the charge to oust Conille, defended the transfer of power, saying it was necessary to save the political transition. The country, he said , is threatened with collapse and its institutions almost completely paralyzed. It is now [time] to correct what must be corrected so that we do not lose this transition, he said. We opted for changes at the government level based on the experience of the last months. There were only difficulties and obstacles. He saluted Conilles courage and determination, adding that Haiti had laid interesting foundations that will allow the new prime minister to move forward with the projects of the transition. Up until Sunday, Conille was still fighting his ouster, which he described as illegal. In a public letter, he said neither the Haitian Constitution nor the April 3 political agreement that established the transition allows the council to unilaterally terminate the functions of the prime minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conilles position is shared by several political parties, which took to the radio and labeled his ouster a coup detat. Line Balthazar, the head of the Haitian Tet Kale Party, told the Miami Herald that the way they fired Mr. Conille and replaced him doesnt respect anything in the April 3 political accord or the constitution.... They dont respect any rules and they do not respect the law. The partys representative on the council, former Sen. Edgard Leblanc Fils, was the only one among the nine members who did not agree to firing Conille. Balthazar said that although the council members were recommended by political parties and civic groups, they have broken with their respective sectors and today are deciding for themselves. The decisions they are taking are not necessarily to the benefit of the public, he said. The people dont feel like whats happening here is in their interest. They do not have security, there is no public security, no food security. We are practically at a point at which something could explode at any moment. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) The Federal Aviation Administration prohibited U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot three planes and the United Nations also Tuesday temporarily suspended flights to Port-au-Prince, limiting humanitarian aid coming into the country. Bullets hit a Spirit Airlines plane when it was about to land in the capital Monday, injuring a flight attendant and forcing the airport to shut down. Photos and videos obtained by The Associated Press show bullet holes dotting the interior of a plane. On Tuesday, JetBlue and American Airlines announced that postflight inspections found their planes also had been shot Monday while departing Port-au-Prince. American suspended flights to the capital until Feb. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shootings were part of a wave of violence that erupted as the country plagued by gang violence swore in its new prime minister after a politically tumultuous process. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the agency documented 20 armed clashes and more roadblocks affecting humanitarian operation during the violence Monday. The Port-au-Prince airport will remain closed until Nov. 18, and Dujarric said the U.N. will divert flights to the country's second airport in the northern, more peaceful, city of Cap Haitien. Slashed access to the epicenter of the violence, Port-au-Prince, is likely to be devastating as gangs choking the life out of the capital have pushed Haiti to the brink of famine. Dujarric warned that cutting off flights would mean "limiting the flow of humanitarian aid and humanitarian personnel into the country. Already, a convoy of 20 trucks filled with food and medical supplies in the south had been postponed and an operation providing cash assistance to a thousand people in the Carrefour area where violence broke out had to be canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are doing all we can to ensure the continuation of operations amidst this challenging environment, he said. We call for an end to the escalating violence, to allow for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access. On Tuesday, life in much of Haitis capital was frozen after the wave of violence. Heavily armed police in armored cars outside the airport checked trucks used for public transportation passing by. Schools were closed, as were banks and government offices. Streets, where just a day before gangs and police were locked in a fierce firefight, were eerily empty, with few driving by other than a motorcycle with a man who had been shot clinging to the back. The sounds of heavy gunfire still echoed through the streets in the afternoon a reminder that despite political maneuvering by Haiti's elites and a strong push by the international community to restore peace, the country's toxic slate of gangs kept its firm hold on much of the Caribbean nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations estimates that gangs control 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. A U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police to quell gang violence struggles with a lack of funding and personnel, prompting calls for a U.N. peacekeeping mission. President Luis Abinader in the Dominican Republic, which shares a border with Haiti, was the first leader on the island to condemn the violence, describing the shooting a terrorist act. On Tuesday, a transitional council established in April to restore democratic order to Haiti also condemned the violence. This cowardly crime, which threatens Haitis sovereignty and security, aims to isolate our country on the international stage. The perpetrators of these heinous acts will be hunted down and brought to justice, the council wrote in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council has taken sharp criticism from many in Haiti who contend that its political fights and corruption allegations against three members created the political instability, allowing gangs to make violent power grabs like the one seen Monday. That came to a head over the weekend, when it fired former interim Prime Minister Garry Conille long at odds with the council. They replaced him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime, who was inaugurated Monday surrounded by suit-clad officials and diplomats while gangs terrorized the capital around them. Neither Fils-Aime or Conille have commented on the wave of violence. Conille originally called the council's move illegal, but on Tuesday acknowledged Fils-Aime's appointment in a post on the social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (I) wish him success in fulfilling this mission. At this crucial moment, unity and solidarity are essential for our country. Long live Haiti!" he wrote. Fils-Aime promised to work with international partners to restore peace and hold long awaited elections, a vow also made by his predecessor. But many Haitians, like 43-year-old Martha Jean-Pierre, have little taste for the political fighting, which experts say only gives gangs more freedom to continue expanding their control. Jean-Pierre was among those to brave the streets of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday to sell the plantains, carrots, cabbage and potatoes she carried in a basket on her head. She had no choice, she said selling was the only way she could feed her children. What good is a new prime minister if there's no security, if I can't move freely and sell my goods? she said, nodding to her basket of vegetables. This is my bank account. This is what my family depend on." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a frustration that concerned international players like the U.N. and the U.S. that have pushed for a peaceful resolution in Haiti. On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department lamented that Conille and the council were unable to move forward in a constructive manner" and called on Fils-Aime and the council to provide a clear action plan outlining a joint vision on how to decrease violence and pave the path for elections to be held to prevent further gridlock. The acute and immediate needs of the Haitian people mandate that the transitional government prioritize governance over the competing personal interests of political actors, it wrote in a statement. ___ Associated Press journalist David Koenig contributed to this report from Dallas and Edith Lederer contributed from the United Nations. Hamilton County bailiffs are slated to shutter six Frisch's Big Boys restaurants on Tuesday nearly two weeks after a magistrate issued an eviction order, court officials told The Enquirer. The latest evicted Frisch's restaurants are: 4765 Montgomery Road in Norwood. 9070 Plainfield Road in Blue Ash. 9830 Colerain Ave. in Colerain Township. 4227 Bridgetown Road in Cheviot. 12150 Mason Montgomery in Symmes Township. 5202 Delhi Ave. in Delhi Township. Frisch's Big Boy in Delhi Township. The regional restaurant chain faces still more closings: last week a magistrate gave the company seven days to exit four locations in Anderson Township, Forest Park, Green Township and Harrison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The looming threat of closures comes as Frisch's Restaurants admitted Oct. 23 it faces an unspecified number of evictions from several locations due to "unforeseen circumstances." Court records reveal "more than 20" properties face eviction in Southwest Ohio or a quarter of Frisch's Restaurants' 78 total locations in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Records also show the landlord claims Frisch's owes more than $4.5 million in rent. For the latest on Cincinnati business, Kroger, P&G and Fifth Third Bank, follow @alexcoolidge on X (formerly Twitter). This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Six Frisch's Big Boy getting closed down Tuesday in Hamilton County WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President-elect Donald Trump won the White House while four criminal cases were pending against him. Two of them are state cases and the other two are federal. Georgetown Law Professor Erica Hashimoto said the federal cases will likely disappear, because Trump will install a new Attorney General who will have authority over them. I would be very surprised if the new attorney general was of the opinion that cases brought by the special counsel should move forward, Hashimoto said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state cases are more complicated, Hashimoto said. The New York Hush Money case was the only one to go to trial. A jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Sentencing is set for Nov. 26 in that case, but Hashimoto said Judge Juan Merchan could decide to put sentencing on hold. Hashimoto said Merchan will likely take the opinion of Trumps lawyers into consideration. He could definitely do it now and get it over with, Hashimoto said. He could just wait. Further complicating that case, Trumps lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss or retry the New York case because of the Supreme Courts ruling on presidential immunity. The court ruled presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts while in office. Even though the crime happened while Trump was a candidate, Hashimoto said Merchan will have to decide whether evidence presented during the trial is allowed under the Supreme Courts new guidelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Attorney Generals Office put in some evidence of texts and other things that Donald Trump posted after he became president, Hashimoto said. Whatever Merchan decides, Hashimoto said it will likely be appealed. I dont see a way the Supreme Court doesnt weigh in on that, Hashimoto said. In Georgia, Trump was charged with participating in a scheme to try to overturn the states election results. An appeals court put the case on hold while it considers whether a romantic relationship between District Attorney Fani Willis and a special prosecutor hired for the case created a conflict of interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Georgia case is a mess, Hashimoto said. I dont see it moving forward in the next four years. In a federal case in Florida, Trump was charged with illegally keeping classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed that case, arguing that Special Counsel Jack Smith was illegally appointed. The special counsel has filed an appeal, but Hashimoto said they may not continue the appeal. If theres an 11th circuit opinion saying that theres no power to appoint special counsels, thats more problematic for the Justice Department than a district court opinion, Hashimoto said. Judge Tanya Chutkan has paused all of the deadlines in the special counsels D.C. case. Trump is accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election. A person familiar with the special counsels two federal cases said he is evaluating how to wind down the cases against President-elect Trump before the inauguration in January. 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. Chinese EV makers invest in Africa to foster green growth, not avoid Western tariffs 09:44, November 12, 2024 By Wang Yi ( Global Times (Illustration: Tang Tengfei/GT) Africa is emerging as a key investment destination for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers seeking to go global. Egypt, in particular, is attracting significant interest due to its plan to localize automotive production, an expanding domestic market, competitive labor costs, and its key role as a transportation hub, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Chinese EV makers BAIC Group and Zeekr, Geely Auto's premium EV maker, have announced plans to enter Egypt - a key location for companies looking to tap into the Middle East and Africa, the SCMP reported on Sunday. The investment of Chinese EV makers in the African market is not a passive response to protectionist tariff barriers in Western countries as claimed by some Western media outlets; rather, it is a natural choice based on the increasingly close economic ties and cooperation trends among countries in the Global South. In particular, strengthening collaboration in the EV sector among Global South countries allows more developing countries to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation with China's booming EV industry and contributes to global efforts to tackle climate change challenges. Protectionist tariffs have been imposed by Western countries on Chinese EVs, which poses challenges to their overseas development. But for some Chinese EV makers, it is not those tariffs that have driven their investment plans in Africa, but rather their long-standing commitment to developing countries. Many Chinese EV makers launched investments in African countries according to their own plans and at their own pace. Chery, for instance, aims to open an assembly line in Kenya, a move that analysts said was likely planned well before the new additional EU tariffs on Chinese EVs. It's also unrelated to the recently announced delay in opening a Chery assembly plant in Spain, according to the SCMP. China-Africa cooperation in the EV sector offers promising prospects, with potential benefits for economic development, sustainability, and technological advancement. China has already invested greatly in infrastructure development in Africa, including transportation and new-energy facilities, creating a solid foundation for China and Africa to strengthen cooperation in the EV sector. The vast potential of the African market is undoubtedly an important factor attracting Chinese automotive companies. As the economies of African countries develop and the living standards of their people improve, the demand for vehicles will continue to grow. This provides more opportunities for collaboration for Chinese automotive enterprises. Moreover, the shift toward EVs can help meet expanding demand in Africa while balancing the need to reduce carbon emissions. With urbanization and population growth, the need for efficient and eco-friendly transportation is increasing. In 2023, China's exports of new-energy vehicles to Africa saw a significant year-on-year increase of 291 percent, and exports of lithium batteries were up 109 percent. The Egyptian market is witnessing remarkable growth in the number of EVs, with many Chinese-made EVs in the market. The number of EVs sold grew from the beginning of July 2021 until the end of June 2024, with BYD as the second most sold vehicle, according to data from the Egyptian Compulsory Motor Insurance Pool, according to Xinhua. African countries are actively promoting the process of industrialization, and collaborating with Chinese EV makers will also benefit local economies and industrial development. China possesses advanced technology and rich market experience in developing EVs, as well as strong manufacturing capabilities and advantages in the industrial chain. Chinese EV companies can assist African countries in achieving their visions of localizing production and boosting related industries. For instance, Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development Kamel al-Wazir, who is also the industry and transport minister, was quoted by the SCMP as saying that the investment of Chinese EV companies is in line with the North African country's aim to become a regional industrial center and localize the car industry. Cooperation between China and Africa in the field of EVs not only aligns with the long-term interests and economic development needs of both parties but also serves as an important measure to address climate change and achieve sustainable development. China-Africa cooperation is expected to inject new vitality into global green development and sustainable development. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) KABUL, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Counter-narcotics police in Afghanistan have seized illicit drugs and arrested 53 people on the charge of involvement in criminal activities, including drug smugglers and murders. Units of counter-narcotic police launched separate operations on the outskirts of southern Kandahar province, discovering 129 kg of illegal drugs, including heroin, opium and hashish, the office of provincial police said in a statement on Tuesday. Nine individuals were arrested in connection with the drug trafficking, purchase and sales. Their dossiers were referred to the judiciary for further investigation, the statement added. Additionally, police have taken into custody 44 suspects on the charge of involvement in criminal activities such as murder and theft in the provinces of Nangarhar, Balkh, Laghman, Farah, Baghlan, Herat, and Nangarhar, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Tuesday. The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to fight illicit drugs, drug production and trafficking, as well as crackdown on other criminal elements, to ensure law and order across the country. Ryan Borgwardt, a husband and father who has been accused of faking his own death after an apparent kayaking accident, is now in police custody. Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said at a Dec. 11 press conference that the Wisconsin native was back on U.S. soil after returning on his own and was booked into jail. In his first court appearance, Borgwardt was charged with obstructing an officer. A judge entered a not guilty plea and set bond at $500. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He faces up to a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail. Borgwardt's next court date is Jan. 13. Officials and family initially worried that Borgwardt had drowned after his kayak was found adrift on Green Lake in Wisconsin on Aug. 12. About two months later during a Nov. 8 press conference, Podoll revealed the investigation shifted based on evidence that suggested Borgwardt was alive and had run away. We know that hes not in our lake, Podoll said at the time, following a lengthy search effort that included canine searches and divers. During a Nov. 21 press conference, Podoll said that Borgwardt was alive after faking his own death. Podoll revealed that police got in contact with the 45-year-old on Nov. 11 and received video from him confirming he is safe and well. The video was shown during the press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read on for everything to know about Ryan Borgwardt, the Wisconsin father who is accused of faking his kayaking accident and fleeing the U.S. Who is Ryan Borgwardt? Ryan Borgwardt is a resident of Watertown, Wisconsin, who was believed to have gone missing on Aug. 12, 2024, after he failed to return from a kayaking trip on Green Lake. He is married and a father to high school and grade school-aged kids, according to Podoll. When did Ryan Borgwardt go missing? Ryan Borgwardt. During a Nov. 8 press conference, the sheriff said that Borgwardt was last seen the night of Aug. 12. Deputies responded to a missing persons call around 5:32 p.m. local time, with Borgwardt's car and trailer found in the Dodge Memorial Park area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Podoll noted that the sheriff's office had pinned Borgwardt's last known location to Green Lake. Deputies headed that way, checked areas around the lake and found Ryans vehicle, along with his trailer, parked in the area of Dodge Memorial Park, Podoll explained. Borgwardt's capsized kayak was first found in the western part of the lake, Podoll said. The following day, his fishing rod and tackle box, with his wallet, keys and license, were found. Three cadaver dogs and a dive team were also brought in to help with the search on Aug. 24. After an almost eight-week effort, they could not find him. What did officials think happened to Ryan Borgwardt? In the Nov. 8 press conference, officials said evidence suggested Borgwardt could have faked his own disappearance and left the country for Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Podoll said that on Oct. 7 they discovered Borgwardts passport was run on Aug. 13, a day after he went missing. As they continued their investigation, detectives discovered that law enforcement officials in Canada ran his name and that Borgwardt obtained a new passport, Green Lake County authorities said, per NBC News. Investigators then conducted a digital forensic analysis of Borgwardts laptop, which his wife gave them and concluded at the time that he was in some place in Europe. Podoll alleged that Borgwardt replaced the laptop's hard drive and cleared the browser on the day he went missing. We found out that he moved funds to a foreign bank, changing his email and communication with a woman from Uzbekistan, Podoll said, noting that Borgwardt took out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January and purchased airline cards. Due to these discoveries of the new evidence, we were sure that Ryan was not in our lake. Everything that we have found were in a really good position that we know he is someplace out there, Podoll continued. All we want to know is hes safe. How did Ryan Borgwardt stage his kayaking accident? At the Nov. 21 press conference, Podoll said Borgwardt told him how he staged his accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wisconsin resident left an electric bike near the boat launch and paddled his kayak out onto Green Lake, where he "overturned the kayak and dumped his phone in the lake," authorities said. Then in a "child-sized" inflatable boat, he paddled back to shore, grabbed the bike and rode to Madison. There, he boarded a bus to Detroit, crossed into Canada and got on a plane, officials said. His biggest concern is how the community is going to react" to him possibly coming home, Podoll said in the Nov. 21 press conference. I can see that, OK. He staged his death and unfortunately one of the things that he did say was he didnt expect us to go more than two weeks in searching for him. Well, I hate to tell you, he picked the wrong sheriff and the wrong department. What did Ryan Borgwardt say in his video? In the video shared Nov. 21, Borgwardt is seen inside a building and wearing an orange shirt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Good evening, its Ryan Borgwardt, he says in the video. Today is Nov. 11, its approximately 10 a.m. by you guys. Im in my apartment. I am safe, secure, no problem. What happened next? Officials pressed on with their investigation into Borgwardt, focusing their efforts on gathering further information about his motive and his exact whereabouts. The investigation involved multiple agencies like the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, with officials seeking to locate Borgwardt, have him return home and address any potential legal violations. We are expressing the importance of his decision to return home, clean up the mess that he has created, Podoll said in the Nov. 21 conference. He added, He needs to return home to his children. If he chooses not to return, its on his own free will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Podoll did not go into detail about why Borgwardt left the country, but noted that he was not being held against his will. Following the Green Lake County Sheriffs Nov. 21 conference, Borgwardts wife, Emily Borgwardt, told NBC News that she had, No comment at this time. Thanks. At the Dec. 11 press conference, Podoll confirmed that Borgwardt returned to the United States on his own. Will Ryan Borgwardt face charges? On Dec. 11, Borgwardt was charged with alleged obstruction of an officer. A judge entered a not guilty plea and bond is set at $500. He faces up to a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail for allegedly faking his own death and leaving the country. His next court date is set for Jan. 13, 2025. Additionally on Nov. 21, Podoll said the sheriff's department would pursue restitution for the expenses of the search. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Teacher departures and shortages are a persistent problem in schools. Nationwide, approximately 16% of teachers leave each year 8% move to other schools and the other 8% quit the profession entirely. Yet, these averages can mask a deeper staffing crisis at high-poverty schools, where turnover rates are even higher. Consider Newton High School, located in a large metropolitan area in Texas, where an alarming 39% of teachers left their positions between spring 2020 and fall 2021. The principal hired replacements, many of whom were new to teaching, and then worked to build trust and a collective vision among her staff. Yet, before the next school year, another 43% of Newtons teachers quit, restarting the cycle. Over four years, the high school lost and replaced 88% of its staff, leaving only 12% of the teachers who started teaching in the 2019-20 school year remaining by 2022-223. What happens to a school community when large numbers of teachers leave? High turnover negatively impacts student academic performance, in part because of the loss of human capital: When teachers leave, they take their knowledge and skills with them. This is especially damaging to schools when the replacement is less experienced, which is often the case in high-poverty schools. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Turnover can also erode the social capital the relationships and culture that holds a school together. We designed a four-year longitudinal study of four high schools to investigate how turnover influences how teams work together; what happens to reform efforts, which often take years to reach fruition; and, perhaps most importantly, what schools are doing, or could be doing, to cope with negative effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turnover weighs down schools. Strong relationships and shared culture are important if schools are to improve by engaging in ongoing inquiry and revising their practices from year to year. When teachers leave, these bonds weaken. Teachers lose close colleagues, making it harder to collaborate on curriculum or seek trusted advice and support. As one teacher at Newton said, Its building those relationships again, and then they leave. This can discourage teachers from investing in relationships, further accelerating turnover, and disrupts teamwork as well. Teachers spend valuable meeting time just getting on the same page, which limits their ability to learn from past lessons that were effective and to reflect on which instructional strategies worked, and why. One Newton teacher said her team cant build anything because we cant keep people here for more than one year. Youre constantly starting over from scratch. But schools can adopt strategies to mitigate these harmful effects. One strategy is to track team progress from year to year. For example, at Rivera High School, which had high turnover among English teachers, well-organized calendars and a shared bank of lesson plans gave educators an alternative to reinventing the wheel multiple times, as they had in the past. New teachers could draw from this resource rather than starting from scratch. This helped them improve instruction and overall student learning experiences. Another effective strategy is maintaining stability in teacher teams whenever possible. Principals can unintentionally make the problem worse by shifting teacher assignments frequently a form of within-school churn. Even a single teachers departure can have big ripple effects, eroding team progress from the prior year. The most stable teams we observed could build upon the previous years work to reach new heights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, schools can only do so much to mitigate the harmful effects of turnover the issue also requires action from policymakers. The problems caused by teacher turnover are not equally distributed across schools: turnover disproportionately impacts schools serving low-income students and children of color. Its a systemic problem that exacerbates and perpetuates inequality between schools. Schools that have high turnover rates should receive additional funding to help stabilize their teaching and administrative staff. Accountability measures must also be adjusted: Rather than punishing schools for turnover-related issues, policymakers should offer targeted support. Additional public transparency around turnover data is needed to reveal the depth of teacher losses which are obscured by the typically reported annual turnover rates. Our data were collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, which might have exacerbated turnover. In fact, today, a wider number of schools are experiencing high rates of turnover that was prior to the pandemic once unique to higher-poverty schools. But we believe our findings apply even when turnover is less severe because our study demonstrates that even the loss of one to two teachers can have a detrimental impact. To be sure, some turnover can be good for schools, as when new teachers bring fresh perspectives or disgruntled educators leave. However, we found few instances of this in our study. Instead, we saw high rates of turnover break up social networks, erode trust and diminish institutional knowledge. Turnover prevents schools and districts from implementing long-term improvements that engender hope and optimism in parents, policymakers and community members. You simply cannot build a house on shaky ground. It is past time to recognize and address this problem head-on and create stable, thriving learning environments that empower students and teachers to succeed. Jacob Greig, 32, was arrested and charged with murder after authorities allege he killed a 15-year-old boy Facebook Jacob Greig Jacob Greig An Australian man who nicknamed himself Harry Potter on social media has been accused by authorities of murdering a teenage boy who reportedly wanted a ride home, police say, according to multiple news outlets. Jacob Greig, 32, was arrested and charged with murder after arriving at the Narellan Police Station on Saturday, Nov. 9, following a public plea for information put out by authorities, The New Zealand Herald, News.com.au and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) report, citing authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said in a news release that officers were called to bushland off a road in Wilton, New South Wales, at about 7:25 a.m. on Nov. 9 after the body of a 15-year-old boy was found. According to court documents obtained by The Herald, police allege Grieg fatally stabbed the boy during a confrontation they believe occurred sometime between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. Grieg appeared in court virtually on Sunday, Nov. 10. Prosecutors said the boy, whose name is being withheld by authorities, tried to rip the handle off Griegs car, saying in video and audio played in court that he was trying to get home, ABC reports. Greig, who was in the area of Maldon Weir with a friend in the car, then got out of the vehicle and allegedly began chasing the teenager, according to News.com.au. Grieg can be heard in the footage allegedly telling the boy, Ill f------ get you good, per the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teen then allegedly knocked Griegs glasses off in a scuffle, during which Grieg allegedly said, Im going to chop your f------ hand off, prosecutors said in court, per News.com.au. Grieg claimed to police that he then slashed the boy with a knife before going back to the car, The Herald reports, citing authorities. The suspect further claimed to police that the teen was bleeding profusely, per the outlet. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Subsequently, the victim got onto the roof of Griegs moving car as it was fleeing the scene and fell off, prosecutors said in court, per ABC. Prosecutors alleged, per the outlet, that the teen was left to die, citing a long trail of blood left at the crime scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griegs attorney argued that its unclear whether the teens death was caused by the slash or injuries from the fall and said his client should be released to home detention. Its unclear if Grieg has entered a plea. Griegs Facebook profile states he works as a chef, has children, and goes by the nickname Harry Potter, a fictional character in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. Authorities said Grieg was denied bail and is expected back in court on Jan. 9, 2025, ABC reports. London The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, head of the Anglican Church, resigned Tuesday after a review found that he and other senior church leaders had covered up the "prolific and abhorrent" abuse of over 100 boys and young men in the United Kingdom and other countries by a British lawyer who helped lead Christian summer camps in the U.K. and other countries. John Smyth was accused of attacking boys and young men he met at Christian camps in the 1970s and 1980s. He died in South Africa in 2018 at the age of 77 without ever facing any legal proceedings. "The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England," Welby said in a statement announcing his resignation. "For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An independent Church of England review into the handling of complaints against Smyth found last week that, "despite the efforts of some individuals to bring the abuse to the attention of authorities, the responses by the Church of England and others were wholly ineffective and amounted to a coverup," the leader of the review said. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby speaks during the General Synod of the Church of England on February 15, 2016 in London. / Credit: Ben Pruchnie/Getty "I am so sorry that in places where these young men, and boys, should have felt safe and where they should have experienced God's love for them, they were subjected to physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse," Welby said in an initial statement responding to the review's findings. "I am sorry that concealment by many people who were fully aware of the abuse over many years meant that John Smyth was able to abuse overseas and died before he ever faced justice." Welby has said he was unaware of Smyth's abuse until 2013, the year he became the archbishop. "Nevertheless the review is clear that I personally failed to ensure that after disclosure in 2013 the awful tragedy was energetically investigated," Welby said. "Since that time the way in which the Church of England engages with victims and survivors has changed beyond recognition. Checks and balances introduced seek to ensure that the same could not happen today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior figure in the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church. The U.S.-based Episcopal Church, which has 1.6 million members, is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and there are over 7,000 Episcopal churches across the U.S. Welby has played a central role in many high-profile events, including officiating the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and delivering the sermon at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. "I think, rightly, people are asking the question: 'Can we really trust the Church of England to keep us safe?' And I think the answer at the moment is 'no,'" Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley told CBS News' partner network BBC News, calling on Welby to resign. Andrew Morse, who told the BBC he was abused for years by Smyth as a teenager, had also called for Welby to resign. He said Welby's "admission that in 2013, which is really modern day in comparison to the 1970s and 1980s, that he didn't do enough, that he wasn't rigorous is enough in my mind to confirm that Justin Welby, along with countless other Anglican churchmen, were part of a cover-up about the abuse." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morse said he was beaten several times by Smyth during his youth, and that further abuse could have been stopped if Welby had acted when he found out about Smyth's actions in 2013. "It is those African lives and those African victims that are very much on my conscience and I would hope on the archbishop's conscience too." Trump expected to pick Rubio for secretary of state, Kristi Noem for Homeland Security secretary Tom Homan on what mass deportation immigration plans may look like Robots sculpt marble in Italy, sparking worries about future of art form | 60 Minutes The Iredell County Health Department is warning about the increase in whooping cough cases. Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. ALSO READ: Child dies, another hospitalized as strep cases spike in Mecklenburg County It can cause serious coughing fits in infants and children. Health officials are urging parents to make sure their childrens vaccines are up-to-date. VIDEO: Child dies, another hospitalized from strep infections, officials say Gusty winds are back in SoCal after a bit of a break over the weekend. When describing the wind Tuesday morning in the San Fernando Valley, KTLA 5s Carlos Herrera stated simply: You can hear it, you can see it and you can feel it. In their area forecast discussion, the National Weather Service stated that gusty northerly winds will be felt throughout the region. Those gusts could reach up to 40 miles per hour in some places, the NWS said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KTLA 5 meteorologist Henry DiCarlo reiterated that wind speeds will likely be highest in Ventura County where the Mountain Fire is currently burning and western L.A. County. Other communities may experience cooler temperatures due to the shifting wind patterns. Car lands on balcony of Southern California home after wild crash Often times, we will have strong winds with wind advisories, fire concerns and then well get pockets that are shaded and protected by the winds where well get a freeze advisory, DiCarlo said. When the air is still, the cold air has a chance to settlewhen you factor in the wind, you may not feel a difference temperature wise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I point that out [because] sometimes, when we talk about windy conditions, we have cold pockets out there, and those cold pockets come from areas where the wind is not an influence, he added. And we do see that, as our winds are very isolated. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the Santa Clarita Valley, central Ventura County, the Malibu coast and the San Fernando Valley until at least noon Tuesday. Gusty winds blow in Porter Ranch on Nov. 12, 2024. (KNN) One Porter Ranch resident remarked that while it was a little cold on Tuesday morning, the winds, in his opinion, were light. This is not Porter Ranch wind although we had to dodge a few trash cans to get around, Pat Pope said. Today is trash day [the wind] always seems to blow on trash day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To top the cold weather and blustery winds off, the coffee shop he was trying to visit Tuesday morning was out of coffee. Deadly crash shuts down all lanes of northbound 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles On a more serious note, Pope told KTLA that the strong winds keep fire danger on his mind, and while he says his home is built to be fire-resistant, he knows that isnt necessarily a guarantee. As we saw last week in Ventura County, a whole neighborhood can go up [in flames] just like that, he said. Of course were worried. Click here to view the most up-to-date forecast for your 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 KTLA. One person is in custody while another remains on the run as police chased two suspects from Haverhill into Lawrence. According to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Haverhill officers were conducting an investigation at the McDonalds on Main Street around 11:38 a.m. involving two people in a car. As officers approached the vehicle, the DAs office says the driver backed into several police vehicles, struck an officer, then drove at other officers. During the incident, authorities say a Haverhill officer fired his gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police did not say whether or not the suspects were hit by the officers gunfire. The vehicle fled the area and was pursued by Haverhill Police into Lawrence. Many heavily armed officers and K9 teams swarmed the neighborhood in the area of Saunders Street. The Essex DAs office says the car was abandoned by both occupants and the driver was taken into custody a short time later. The driver was then transported to an area hospital with injuries. Their condition is unclear at this time. The second occupant in the car has not been apprehended by police. A description was not immediately available. Video from the scene showed rifle-wielding officers wearing body armor from Haverhill and Lawrence, as well as Massachusetts State Police troopers, knocking on doors during the initial investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Boston 25 photographer captured video of Lawrence officers speaking with at least one person who was placed in the back of a cruiser. Curious neighborhood residents were also seen mingling in the street. Dozens of emergency vehicles blocked off the area to traffic as the investigation unfolds. 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 By Richard Valdmanis BAKU (Reuters) - U.N. atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi appealed to Iran's leadership on Tuesday to take steps to resolve longstanding issues with his agency a day before he arrives in the Iranian capital for crunch talks over its nuclear programme. The International Atomic Energy Agency head has for months sought progress with Iran on issues including a push for more monitoring cooperation at nuclear sites and an explanation of uranium traces found at undeclared sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But little has come from Grossi's efforts and with the return of President-elect Donald Trump, who is widely expected to restore a maximum-pressure policy on Iran, Grossi's trip on Wednesday should provide indications of how Iran wants to proceed in the coming months. "I am far from being able to tell the international community ... what is happening. I would be in a very difficult position. So it's like they (Iran) have to help us, to help them to a certain extent," Grossi told Reuters on the sidelines of the COP29 climate summit in Baku. Iran has stepped up nuclear activity since 2019, after Trump during his first term abandoned a 2015 deal Iran had reached with world powers under which it curbed enrichment and restored tough U.S. sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Iran's work on enrichment has been seen by the West as a disguised effort to develop nuclear weapons capability. Tehran is now enriching uranium to up to 60% fissile purity, close to the roughly 90% required for a nuclear bomb. It has enough higher-enriched uranium to produce about four nuclear bombs, if refined further, according to an IAEA yardstick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran has long denied any nuclear-bomb ambitions, saying it is enriching uranium for civilian energy uses only. Grossi's trip comes a week before the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors meet in Vienna with the European parties to the 2015 accord - Britain, Germany and France - considering whether to raise pressure on Iran given its lack of cooperation. The agency's last report in June said it had lost continuity of knowledge to key parts of the programme due to being unable to perform verification and monitoring activities for more than three and a half years. "I think the situation continues to degrade itself. Their nuclear program grows, and we are not having the degree of visibility that we need in areas that are sensitive, like centrifuge production and others," Grossi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was "indispensable" to get results on monitoring and the unexplained activities, he said. Grossi said he had been disappointed that Tehran had not re-engaged more quickly despite receiving positive overtures on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in September, but that the worsening geopolitical situation in the Middle East and tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran may have been behind that. "To a certain degree, Iran must make an investment at this point in the agency by entrusting us with and allowing us to see more than they would strictly legally have to, because the deficit is huge," he said. (Additional reporting by Francois Murphy; writing by John Irish; Editing by Rod Nickel) by Burak Akinci SANLIURFA, Turkiye, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Turkish experts are showing interest in collaborating on archaeological research to reveal new insights at one of the world's oldest Neolithic sites, located in southeastern Turkiye. Archaeologists from both nations gathered at the first World Neolithic Congress, held in Sanliurfa from Nov. 4 to 8, to discuss various aspects of archaeological research on the Neolithic Age. The region, steeped in history, has long played a crucial role in uncovering the mysteries of the Neolithic period, a transformative era that laid the foundation for human civilization over the past 12,000 years. Nearly 1,000 scholars from 63 countries took part in the event, which took place in a region that harbors globally recognized Neolithic sites like Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe. The two sites are parts of the greater "Tas Tepeler" or "Stone Hills" region, where archaeologists have uncovered monumental statues and architectural elements, shedding light on the dawn of human civilization. "We are planning a new cooperation with Chinese colleagues in the future on the Tas Tepeler Project," Necmi Karul, the Turkish archaeologist leading excavations in the region, told Xinhua. He said that some 20 Chinese archaeologists participated in the congress and hailed the spirit of scientific cooperation showcased during the discussions. Topics explored included bioarchaeology, dating methods, physical anthropology, and geoarchaeology. One of the Chinese experts, Wang Fen, from Shandong University, said she was amazed by the Gobeklitepe site, which, she said, may "challenge our historical cognition." She emphasized the value of cross-cultural communication in archaeological research and highlighted the "great prospect and space for cooperation" between China and Turkiye in Neolithic archaeology. In recent decades, archaeologists working across this Turkish region have discovered over 20 sites from the pre-pottery Neolithic period. These sites often feature monumental architecture, including T-shaped or rounded pillars, large decorated stone benches, and intricate carvings of humans and animals. Liu Xinyi, associate professor and deputy director of the Department of Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis, emphasized that significant neolithic sites discovered in eastern Anatolia have consistently benefited from international collaboration. "The advantage of international cooperation is that, on the one hand, the methods are different, and everyone is good at different things," emphasizing the need for international interdisciplinary cooperation. "International cooperation can provide everyone with different perspectives," leading to better archaeological results, he said. In this scholar's view, scholars living and growing up in different cultural backgrounds can provide more diverse findings. "Gobeklitepe is a good example" in this regard, Liu said. Gobeklitepe, a UNESCO World Heritage site overlooking the Mesopotamian plateau, has intrigued researchers since its excavation in the 1990s. Though widely thought to be a ritual site built by hunter-gatherers, its exact purpose remains debated. In 2023, a painted wild boar statue was uncovered, revealing the use of pigments in prehistoric art and highlighting the artistic sophistication of Gobeklitepe's builders. How bad is it? This is very bad, and we are not nearly ready for whats coming our way. In May and June 2024, I helped lead the Democracy Futures Project, a series of role-play simulation exercises hosted by the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice. The exercises were designed to better understand how a second Trump administration might play outand which strategies might offer hope of countering the autocratic threats we knew were likely to come our way. The DFP simulations involved almost 200 players, many of them with senior-level experience in past presidential administrations, including Trumps first administration, along with former members of Congress, retired senior military officials, and civil society leaders from faith groups, nonprofits, universities, and grassroots organizations. The simulations began by assuming Trump had just been sworn in and proceeded from there. Participants were assigned roles that drew on their prior experience (former senators played senators, retired four-star generals played four-star generals, and so on). Some were assigned to play members of the incoming Trump administration, others to represent those likely to be in opposition, from Democratic political leaders to civil rights groups. In the simulations, Trump announced his agenda and initial actions (we asked players to draw solely from actions Trump himself has indicated he supports), and players took turns responding to one another as the games unfolded. War-gaming exercises like these can help test assumptions, forcing participants to respond to dynamic, changing conditions in real time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results were soberingmany strategies relied upon by pro-democracy actors proved largely ineffective in countering moves by the Trump players. Here are a few of the lessons that emerged. First, we should not imagine that litigation will be an effective tool for stopping egregious Trump administration actions. In recent decades, both political parties have cheerfully colluded in the steady expansion of executive power. The Insurrection Act and similar legislation grants the president extraordinary discretionary powers to declare emergencies. These would likely allow Trump to bypass the checks and balances that would normally constrain potentially norm-shattering executive actions, such as the possible deployment of active-duty military forces to the shutting down of protests in U.S. cities. Litigation is slow and uncertain at the best of times, even when the law is less friendly to the executive. But nowthanks to the Supreme Courtwe will have a president with substantial immunity from criminal prosecution. And even if courts rule against him, no one should feel confident about Trumps willingness to abide by court orders. This doesnt mean litigation will be a complete waste of time. Private citizens, state and local government officials, and lower-level federal officials dont have immunity from criminal prosecution, and the possibility of civil and criminal liability may deter some from engaging in acts of questionable legality. Litigation may at least slow or mitigate some Trumpian excesses. But our exercises suggested that the best means of pushing back against autocratic Trump administration actions lie in the realm of politics and culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another lesson: In our exercises, large-scale protests on the streets and on college campuses consistently backfired. We live in a world rife with disinformation, and peaceful protests were quickly mischaracterized by Trump players as violent riots, even insurrection attempts. Throw in some agents provocateurs and AI deepfake videos, and peaceful protests led to evidence purporting to show out-of-control threats to public safetywhich alienated the general public, triggered violent action by right-wing extremists, and was used by the Trump administration to justify draconian crackdowns on civil liberties, including mass arrests and the deployment of military personnel to restore order. Granted, even totalitarian regimes can only arrest and imprison so many people. But our simulations suggest that defenders of democracy will need to be intentional about finding careful, creative ways to express dissent, given the risk that marches and rallies will be used as excuses for violent crackdowns. We can learn a lot from the experiences of human rights and pro-democracy movements in other countries; we Americans have been fortunate, thus far, to avoid the challenges of living under a lawless autocratic regime, but around the world, there are many with deep experience of doing so and of developing tactics that are most effective under such circumstances. For instance, sometimes work stoppages or symbolic gestures are as effective, and less risky, than street protest. It may be helpful to think in terms of a harm reduction approach, at least at the federal level. Were not likely to entirely stymie potentially autocratic Trump administration actions; just say no to Trump is unlikely to fare better than campaigns urging people to just say no to drugs. Paradoxically, accepting the likely limits of what we can achieve may allow us to identify more effective ways of mitigating the damage a Trump presidency can inflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our exercises made it clear that mitigation is feasible. We can, for instance, find ways to throw sand in the gears whenever possible. Patriotic civil servants and military personnel faced with ethically problematic directives can raise questions, insist on legal reviews, demand greater clarity, ask for more process. Members of Congress can ask questions and (if the Democrats manage to capture the House) hold hearings. Everyone concerned about autocratic overreach can, and should, seek allies of convenience, wherever they can be found; there will surely be enough backbiting and competition within Trump worldnot to mention genuinely troubled moderatesfor alliances to form on an issue-by-issue basis. At the state and local level, governors, mayors, legislators, and other officials committed to rights and the rule of law can push back against federal overreach. They can ensure that state National Guard troops are used lawfully and responsibly, that state and local law enforcement protect peaceful protesters, and that state anti-militia and antiswatting and harassment laws are strictly enforced. They can pass and enforce legislation designed to protect the people and rights targeted by the Trump administration. They can go to court to challenge inappropriate federal actions. (The left needs to learn to love federalism. If Texas can insist on its sovereign prerogatives, so can New York and California.) We also urgently need a unified opposition leadership structure. In the five simulation exercises we conducted, pro-democracy actors consistently failed to coordinate effectively. The Trump administration had (and will have) a leader, a hierarchical structure, and all the powers of the executive branch, buttressed by a friendly Congress and sympathetic Supreme Court. In our exercises, the opposition was fragmented and discordant, unable to agree on tactics or messages. To get through the next four years, we need to do better than that. We need Democratic leaders in Congress to connect with Republicans driven away by Trump, with retired political leaders from both parties who understand the threat Trump poses, and with civil society leaders from faith groups, unions, nonprofits, and other sectors. We need to develop the kind of tight, coordinated messaging and planning operation the GOP has long excelled at. It wont come naturally to many. But to get through the next four years, we need to form disciplined opposition structures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can also do our best to protect the individuals and groups most likely to be targeted by a vindictive, lawless president. With the help of opposition leadership structures, we can establish and support protection networks that can quickly provide legal assistance, cybersecurity help, communications assistance, and even shelter or physical protection to those who find themselves under threat, whether the threat comes from politically motivated federal investigations or from violent private actors. Funders should ensure such protection networks are well financed, and ordinary people can help make sure their friends, colleagues, and neighbors know they will be there to help when needed. This is as critical as anything else: Autocrats succeed by sowing fear and mistrust, making people opt to stay silent when its most critical that they speak up and step up. We need to be ready to protect one another. When people are standing up for human rights, the rule of law, and democratic institutions, we need to stand by themeven if we disagree passionately with them about everything else. There is one issue now, and only one: keeping alive the vestiges of American democracy, with its commitment to meaningful checks and balances and to individual rights as well as majoritarian rule. American democracy has never been perfect, but its all weve got. When we have it, we can disagree peacefully and hope to remedy policy mistakes through discussion, legal action, and the ballot box. If we lose it, were done. So, whether youre a fan of Bernie Sanders and the Squad or an admirer of Liz Cheney, we all need to stand together against Trump. To have any hope of achieving the kind of disciplined unity that will be essential to countering Trump, we also need a rhetoric and politics of inclusion. The left needs to ease up on cancel culture, rigid purity tests, and petty identity politics. We cant give up on one another, and we cant waste time wallowing in self-pity, or make plans to emigrate to Canada. This is our country. Around the world, millions of brave people have pushed back against far more abusive and frightening leaders than Donald Trump. If they can stand up against truly horrific regimes in their own countries, Americans can handle Trump. Two suspects burst into a busy barbershop on Roosevelt Avenue and opened fire Friday evening prompting community leaders to call for continued police action on the crime-infested Corona block. The gang-related shooting rang out inside the Langumas El Cache Barbershop in Queens at around 5:45 p.m., surveillance footage showed. The video captured them running into the barbershop before a heroic barber intervened, holding back a suspect in a white hoodie, while his accomplice ran to the back of the store and fired off a few rounds at an unknown victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The barber, Rafael Abreu, 47, was praised by community leaders Hiram Monserrate, a former local pol, and Ramon Ramirez-Baez of the Lets Improve Roosevelt Avenue coalition, for disarming the gunman in a press conference from the barbershop Monday. Rafael Abreu was praised by community leaders for disarming the gunman who entered the busy barbershop on Roosevelt Avenue Friday evening. James Messerschmidt Abreu held back one suspect, while another ran to the back of the barbershop and fired off a few rounds. ElCache The bullet hole left by the gunman could still be seen at the back of the barbershop wall, leaving about an inch hole in the black tile. What we saw here was a display of gang activity, and all of them were armed with guns. This barber right here, Mr. Rafael Abreu, is a hero, Monserrate said. Monserrate told the barbershop to rename itself the Barber Shop of Heroes on Roosevelt Avenue. James Messerschmidt Monserrate even told the barbershop to rename itself the Barber Shop of Heroes on Roosevelt Avenue and formally called upon Mayor Eric Adams to give Abreu a key to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Monserrate and Ramirez-Baez successfully convinced Gov. Kathy Hochul to deploy New York State troopers in October to assist the NYPD with taking control of the sleazy stretch an area nicknamed the Market of Sweethearts. We are dealing with armed, dangerous elements, gangs and cartels. Thats what were confronting on Roosevelt Avenue. Thats what we have in Queens. Theres no place as dangerous as Roosevelt Avenue, so we need the initiative to stay here for 90 days and beyond until our community has peace and safety. Monserrate said, advocating for the state troopers to remain. The shooting was deemed gang-related and the barbers were protecting a man who sought cover in their store, local officials said. Abreu, who does not speak English, told his account of the shooting through a translator at the press conference. The bullet hole left by the gunman could still be seen at the back of the barbershop wall, which Abreu pointed to. James Messerschmidt Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was very emotional to me that I protected two peoples lives and that I defended my coworkers, who are my brothers, he said. Abreu described feeling unsafe at the barbershop for the past 6 years. Neighborhood activists have decried Roosevelt Avenue as a corridor that had become an urban crime zone and home to more brothels than bodegas. The Post has exposed the explosion of brothels and shoplifting along Roosevelt Avenue a main thoroughfare that runs through Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst and Woodside. Brothels were spotted across the street from two public schools while illegal migrant open-air markets where everything from women to stolen goods are sold have plagued the area. I have seven kids. Im a father of seven children. I dont want to be a victim of all this crime I was contemplating never coming back to work, Abreu said HARLEM, Ga. (WJBF) The Harlem Fire Department responding to a liquified propane gas leak on Monday afternoon. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARLEM FIRE DEPARTMENT ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARLEM FIRE DEPARTMENT ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARLEM FIRE DEPARTMENT ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARLEM FIRE DEPARTMENT According to the Harlem Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched to the area of Headwaters Drive at approximately 12:42 P.M., and when units arrived, they found a leak from a 120 gallon propane tank located adjacent to a residence. Authorities say that a propane company technician arrived shortly after the Harlem Fire Department, and it was determined that the leak could not be controlled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO ON WJBF: RCSO searching for missing 26-year-old pregnant woman last seen Nov. 8 According to units on the scene, the Columbia County Fire Rescue Hazardous Materials Response Team was requested to respond, and upon their arrival the Harlem Fire Department and the Columbia County Fire Rescue Hazardous Materials Response Team worked together to perform a flaring operation to safely burn off the remaining liquid propane gas. Authorities state that Once the tank was empty and no other hazards remained, the scene was turned over to the propane company and the property owner. According to the Harlem Fire Department, no injuries or property damage were reported, and the flaring operation was completed in approximately one hour. 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 WJBF. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A ballot measure that proposed adding fluoride to Hillsboros water supply failed during last weeks election marking the second time in over 70 years the city voted against a fluoridation measure. According to data posted Nov. 8 by the City of Hillsboro, more than 22,000 voters (or 57%) voted against the measure compared to more than 16,000 voters (42%) who voted for water fluoridation. The voters pamphlet explained that the measure was non-binding and was used to gauge voters interest in adding fluoride to the water supply. If passed, the city would have taken steps towards designing a fluoridation system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stalking victim claims accused arsonist threatened her online The measure received support from organizations such as the Oregon Pediatric Society, and elected officials including Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway whose office declined to comment on the failed measure along with state senators Janeen Sollman, Wlnsvey Campos, former State Sen. Chuck Riley, and Hillsboro School Board members. In June, Hillsboro City Council decided to put the proposal up for a community vote after a pro-fluoridation organization told the council in 2023 that they were pursuing a similar measure. This marked the first time a water fluoridation measure was placed on the Hillsboro ballot since 1952, when City Council passed a proposal to add fluoride. However, an initiative petition submitted by voters to hold a special election on fluoridation was rejected by the community the following year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two chonky cat brothers adopted from Oregon Humane Society While the 2024 measure failed, health officials including the Oregon Health Authority point to the benefits of fluoridated water, noting its an evidence-based practice recommended by organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Community water fluoridation adjusts fluoride levels in public water to optimally prevent cavities, providing a reliable layer of protection that benefits everyone. This approach ensures that all community members, including those who may not have regular access to dental care, receive protection against cavities. Its a way to support and promote oral health across the entire community. Just by fluoridating water, all members of a community benefit from protection against cavities, even populations hardest hit by health disparities, OHA told KOIN 6 News, noting the agency does not take a stance on ballot measures. While health experts have consensus on the benefits of fluoridated water, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends water should not contain more than 2.0 mg/L of fluoride to help children avoid dental fluorosis which can impact the appearance of teeth when they come in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bird Alliance of Oregon says Arctic fox found stranded in Portland is now in great health The ballot measure comes as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is a frontrunner to lead public health agencies under the upcoming Trump administration said Trump would push to remove fluoridated water, as reported by the Associated Press. This comes as 70% of the U.S. population on community water systems had access to fluoridated water in 2020, the City of Hillsboro previously told KOIN 6 News, citing the CDC. On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water, Kennedy wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, want to Make America Healthy Again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the potential policy move under the future Trump administration, and any concerns with information surrounding water fluoridation, OHA told KOIN 6 News the agency does not comment on the opinions of public figures. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Hundreds of survivors of abuse in state, foster and faith-based care arrived at New Zealand's Parliament in Wellington on Tuesday, each representing thousands more. They came to hear the government formally apologize for the unimaginable horrors they suffered as children and vulnerable adults, after a long-running inquiry made its final report about the scale of the abuse in July. You deserved so much better and I am deeply sorry that New Zealand did not do better by you, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told them in Parliament hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many had T-shirts specially printed. Some used canes or wheelchairs because of the abuse they suffered in hospitals, institutions and care homes after they were taken from their families. A few were familiar faces from decades of advocacy and campaigning, mostly ignored until recent years. The public gallery in New Zealands Parliament is small it seats fewer than 200 people and a total of 500 had been drawn from a ballot to attend. Many were disappointed that details of financial compensation for their suffering weren't divulged on Tuesday. Luxon promised that a redress system will be operating next year. Survivors spoke in their own words about the day: Tu Chapman, a survivor who advised the inquiry Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now I feel alone and in utter despair at the way in which this government has undertaken the task of acknowledging all survivors. Once again, like our decades of fight, we are having to validate our care experiences and our existence. We continue living with the decimation of our identities, the raping and pillaging of our cultures through incompetent decision-making and the intentional moves to invalidate our experiences. The clear and utter destruction of lives cannot be downplayed, nor can it be swept under the carpet, as the state, churches and faith-based organizations have done for decades. I think it was a hollow and limited apology. It feels like theyre just giving consideration to things they can continue tinkering around with. Stop tinkering around and just get on with it. Helen Beauchamp, who lived in 20 foster homes from age 4 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In my files, they wrote not intelligent enough at age 4. My mum was in a hospital institution at age 12, put there by her dad. So its been a generational thing. "Surviving has been a roller coaster and we still dont have a picture of the outcome. Its sad that our system is very slow. That makes it really hard for a lot of us, having the anticipation of just a little bit of closure, a little bit of light. This is a long, drawn-out timeline to continue to be put through. It takes a toll. 189 survivors were picked out of the ballot to sit in the public gallery today and I was one, so I was quite fortunate just in that. Coming here is a wider and significant way to apologize to our children, to our own families." Jazmine Te Hiwi, a survivor of two camps for troubled young people Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Being acknowledged is the hardest part of being here. How do you accept that after being denied for 40 years of your life? It almost feels like youre forced to accept the apology. "What gets me is that we have people in high places who still look down on us, they dont have any real understanding of why we are like this. Theres a reason why some of our youth are doing crimes. I see myself in that. We were just innocent kids that were taken advantage of. When I hear about these youth getting in trouble, all theyre looking for is some kind of attention, some kind of love. But nobody sees that and especially not these people. They think the way to fix them up is to send them to boot camp. But thats what they did to us. And thats why were here today. Its like it went in one ear and out the other side. BERRYTON, KS (KSNT) As we get closer to winter, it can be quite a struggle for beekeepers raising honeybees. The demand for honey increases around this time of year, and it also comes at a cost. According to a nationwide survey, nearly half of the honeybee colonies across the country died last year. KSNT 27 News spoke to local beekeeper Tim Urich, who said he loses at least 10% of his honeybees every fall. To help decrease that number, he uses an acid to prevent parasites like Varroa Mites from killing them. Ribbon cutting upcoming for Manhattan therapeutic center Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chemicals crystalize so that the mites fall off. But he said during this time, its best to cull the weaker bees. Losing a colony to the Varroa Mite or to a weak queen or just to starvation represents an economic loss to every beekeeper, Urich said. But I found that when colonies are weak its best to cull them this time of year and combine those bees with a healthy colony. He told 27 News when doing this, it will make predicting the spring harvest much easier. 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 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HONG KONG Hong Kongs top leader warned President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday not to interfere in the Chinese territorys internal affairs after he said he would 100% free the imprisoned pro-democracy activist and tycoon Jimmy Lai. Lai, 76, the founder of the defunct pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of sedition and collusion with foreign forces in a landmark national security trial that is widely seen as a test of Hong Kongs press freedom and judicial independence. He faces possible life imprisonment. Asked last month whether he could get Lai out of China, Trump told conservative podcast host Hugh Hewitt, 100%, Ill get him out and said it would be so easy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a news conference Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee did not directly answer a question about Trumps remarks but said he hoped for mutual respect between Hong Kong and the U.S., one of its top trading partners. We desire mutual respect with all countries, including the U.S., because trade is beneficial for both sides, he said. He said Hong Kong, whose government denies that judicial independence is under threat, also valued the rule of law. In these respects, I hope that all countries will respect the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and avoid political interference that could affect the judiciary and normal commercial activities in Hong Kong, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lais trial, which began in December, is expected to resume next week, with Lai taking the stand for the first time as defense arguments begin. Lai, a billionaire media tycoon who had long been a thorn in the side of Beijing, was arrested in August 2020, shortly after the central Chinese government imposed a national security law that criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Hong Kong and Chinese officials say the law was necessary to restore stability after sometimes-violent pro-democracy protests roiled the city for months in 2019. But critics say it has been used to crack down on dissent in Hong Kong, a former British colony that was promised its civil liberties would be preserved for 50 years when it returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Hong Kong also enacted its own national security legislation in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lai, a British national, is being tried by three national security judges handpicked by Lee. He is accused under the national security law of colluding with foreign governments to call for sanctions and other hostile actions against China and Hong Kong, as well as conspiring to publish seditious materials under a colonial-era law. He has been charged in multiple other cases and is already serving a prison sentence of almost six years after he was convicted of fraud in 2022. Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai being escorted out of court in Hong Kong in 2021. John Burns, an emeritus professor at the University of Hong Kong who specializes in the citys politics and governance, said Trumps comment was part of his magical realism foreign policy and a combination of boasting and simple solutions. Not everything in this world is amenable to a deal, Burns said in an interview. Authorities in Hong Kong would say that national security is not open for deals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lai is probably the most high-profile person out of the approximately 300 people arrested under the national security law, Burns said, adding that the central Chinese government cares a lot about his case. If Trump said he could free almost anyone else, thered be more credibility than saying he could free Jimmy Lai, he said. A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump was a popular figure among 2019 protesters, some of whom waved American flags and held up posters asking him to liberate Hong Kong. During his first administration, Trump revoked Hong Kongs special trade status and signed into law legislation authorizing sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials accused of rights abuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation was introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., whom Trump is expected to nominate for secretary of state. Lee, Hong Kongs former secretary for security, is among the officials sanctioned over their involvement in implementing the 2020 national security law. He also did not directly answer a question about the potential closing of Hong Kongs economic and trade offices in Washington, New York and San Francisco. In September, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill that would allow their closure if they are found not to be running with a high degree of autonomy from China. The legislation could also be passed by the new Republican-majority Senate and then signed into law by Trump, who could also use it as a negotiating tool with Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We welcome normal business exchanges, economic activities and people-to-people exchanges with different economies, including the U.S., Lee said, adding that there are more than 1,200 American companies with presences in Hong Kong. Last month, the international financial hub regained its ranking as the worlds freest economy in a report by the Fraser Institute, a think tank based in Vancouver, British Columbia, after it slipped below Singapore last year for the first time since the index began in 1970. The report said that while the rankings had been reversed, Hong Kongs rating continues to fall precipitously. We continue to sound the alarm bell about signs of declining economic and other freedoms in Hong Kong, it said. The Hong Kong government hailed the citys return atop the rankings, emphasizing that it protects the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in strict accordance with the law and that the interests of enterprises and investors are also fully safeguarded in accordance with the law. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A bridge in southeastern South Dakota will now carry the name of an Army first lieutenant who gave his life in the line of duty in Vietnam nearly sixty years ago. Today, we must remember Josefs legacy and make sure future generations will as well, Greg Whitlock, secretary of South Dakotas Department of Veterans Affairs, said before a gathered crowd Monday at Beresford High School for an event celebrating the dedication of a bridge in the veterans honor. South Dakota bridge named for fallen Beresford veteran Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Josef Thorne graduated from Beresford High School and South Dakota State University before he was killed in action at the age of 24 in Vietnam in 1965. On Veterans Day in 2024, his brother Tracy Thorne of Huron, S.D. marveled at the ceremony for Josef. Its an amazing gathering with the community, Tracy said in an interview with KELOLAND News. South Dakotas Fallen Hero bridge program dedicates state bridges to South Dakotans who were killed in or classified as missing in action, Whitlock said. In six years, we have dedicated 53 bridges to 59 service members who have sacrificed so much. And now, a bridge just west of Beresford will carry Josef Thornes name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its a great honor, Tracy said. I think its a great program to remember the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noems husband Bryon Noem spoke at Mondays ceremony as well, pointing out the symbolism and permanence of the honor. Bridges are strong, South Dakotas first gentleman said. They are structures that are intended to reconcile and hold things together. In the same way, Lieutenant Thorne and his fellow brothers- and sisters-in-arms possess uncommon strength. Whitlock says Thorne was the first South Dakotan to lose their life in action during the Vietnam War. 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. BERLIN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) has reached an agreement with opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) to hold a snap federal election on Feb. 23, 2025, German public broadcaster ZDF reported Tuesday. The decision advanced the election date from originally scheduled Sept. 28. Meanwhile, Rolf Muetzenich, head of SPD parliamentary group, also said Tuesday that Chancellor Olaf Scholz will face a confidence vote at the Bundestag on Dec. 16. The decisions came amid a political crisis within the ruling coalition. Earlier this month, the coalition of the SPD, the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) failed to agree on budgetary issues. As a result, Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who is also the FDP leader. In response, the FDP announced its withdrawal from the coalition government. Scholz has since proposed a Bundestag confidence vote for Jan. 15, 2025. However, opposition parties argue that the vote should be held sooner. In a recent interview with broadcaster ARD, Scholz indicated he would consider scheduling the confidence vote before Christmas if all parties involved could reach a consensus on the timing. Should Scholz fail the confidence vote, the president could dissolve the Bundestag, after which a new election should be held within 60 days. The UN Climate Change Conference host, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, on Tuesday launched into a defence of his country's fossil fuel resources, as the UN warned that time was running out to curb climate change. During his speech to the international annual gathering in Baku, Aliyev accused Western "fake news media" and environmental organizations of a slander campaign against his country. Calling Azerbaijan a "petro-state" shows a lack of knowledge, said the 62-year-old authoritarian leader, who has ruled the Caucasian republic for almost 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Figures from the International Energy Agency show that oil and gas account for around 90% of the country's exports. Aliyev repeated his controversial statement that Azerbaijan's oil and gas reserves are a "gift of the God [sic]," and challenged his critics to cite him. "Countries should not be blamed for having them and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market because the market needs them, the people need them," he said. Oil and gas are natural resources, just like gold, copper, wind or the sun. "To accuse us that we have oil is the same like [sic] to accuse us that we have more than 250 sunny days a year in Baku," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Negotiators at the last UN climate conference agreed to "transition away" from the use of fossil fuels. UN warning At the COP29 meeting this year, representatives are to discuss how to contain the climate crisis and mitigate its consequences. The summit also aims to address new financial commitments to poor countries that are particularly affected by climate change. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned world leaders that time is running out in the fight against climate change. "We are in the final countdown to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius," Guterres said during his speech in Baku. "And time is not on our side." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It currently looks unlikely that the world will meet the globally agreed target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels. This year the limit is expected to be exceeded for the first time, while the target is a multi-year average. Guterres described 2024 as "a masterclass in climate destruction." Families had fled from hurricanes, workers had collapsed in unbearable heat and children had gone to bed hungry due to crop failures, he noted. Such disasters "are being supercharged by human-made climate change," the UN chief said. "This is a story of avoidable injustice," Guterres went on. "The rich cause the problem, the poor pay the highest price." He called on countries worldwide to fulfil their promises and phase out fossil fuels which contribute to global warming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that countries must invest money to mitigate damages and losses and support the long-term financing of climate protection and adaptation in poorer countries, a key theme at the two-week meeting. "Developing countries must not leave Baku empty-handed. A deal is a must - and I'm confident about it," Guterres said. Refugee time-bomb The UN refugee agency on Tuesday warned of increasing refugee numbers from regions that are particularly affected by climate change if investments are not made to improve the environment. "As climate shocks hit harder, more often and in more places, displaced people are increasingly finding themselves forced to move again and again in search of somewhere safe and habitable," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His office, the UNHCR, said people flee in many regions due to violence and conflicts - but this is also fuelled by the struggle for resources that are dwindling due to climate change. Drinking water sources are drying up, land is becoming barren, sea levels are rising and people have to look for their livelihoods elsewhere. Most refugees flee to neighbouring countries that are themselves badly affected by climate change. According to the UNHCR, 75% of the 123 million people who had fled their homeland by the end of last year were in countries where the risk of climate change-related disasters was particularly high. Many leaders absent from COP Representatives from almost 200 states are attending the summit, which began on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several leaders have decided to miss the conference, however, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Brazilian President Lula da Silva, whose country is to take over the COP presidency in 2025, is also absent from the talks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meanwhile cancelled his trip to Baku due to the collapse of his governing coalition last week. Non-governmental organizations fear that the summit will be overshadowed by Donald Trump's election as US president last week. After his first election victory in 2016, Trump ordered the US to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. The UN Climate Change Conference host, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, on Tuesday launched into a defence of his country's fossil fuel resources, as the UN warned that time was running out to curb climate change. During his speech to the international annual gathering in Baku, Aliyev accused Western "fake news media" and environmental organizations of a slander campaign against his country. Calling Azerbaijan a "petro-state" shows a lack of knowledge, said the 62-year-old authoritarian leader, who has ruled the Caucasian republic for almost 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Figures from the International Energy Agency show that oil and gas account for around 90% of the country's exports. Aliyev repeated his controversial statement that Azerbaijan's oil and gas reserves are a "gift of the God [sic]," and challenged his critics to cite him. "Countries should not be blamed for having them and should not be blamed for bringing these resources to the market because the market needs them, the people need them," he said. Oil and gas are natural resources, just like gold, copper, wind or the sun. "To accuse us that we have oil is the same like [sic] to accuse us that we have more than 250 sunny days a year in Baku," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a clear consensus in the scientific community: If the most catastrophic consequences of global warming are to be avoided, no new projects for the extraction of coal, oil and gas should be allowed to come into existence. Negotiators at the last UN climate conference in Dubai agreed to "transition away" from the use of fossil fuels. Martin Kaiser, head of Greenpeace Germany, expressed shock at Aliyev's comments. "It is a slap in the face of all those people and countries that are already literally up to their necks in water," he said, highlighting the plight of Pacific island states and other countries. UN chief's warning At the COP29 meeting this year, representatives are to discuss how to contain the climate crisis and mitigate its consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summit also aims to address new financial commitments to poor countries that are particularly affected by climate change. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned world leaders that time is running out in the fight against climate change. "We are in the final countdown to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius," Guterres said during his speech in Baku. "And time is not on our side." It currently looks unlikely that the world will meet the globally agreed target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels. This year the limit is expected to be exceeded for the first time, while the target is a multi-year average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guterres described 2024 as "a masterclass in climate destruction." Families had fled from hurricanes, workers had collapsed in unbearable heat and children had gone to bed hungry due to crop failures, he noted. He also said that countries must invest money to mitigate damages and losses and support the long-term financing of climate protection and adaptation in poorer countries, a key theme at the two-week meeting. "Developing countries must not leave Baku empty-handed. A deal is a must - and I'm confident about it," Guterres said. Many leaders absent from COP Representatives from almost 200 states are attending the summit, which began on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several leaders have decided to miss the conference, however, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Brazilian President Lula da Silva, whose country is to take over the COP presidency in 2025, is also absent from the talks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meanwhile cancelled his trip to Baku due to the collapse of his governing coalition last week. Non-governmental organizations fear that the summit will be overshadowed by Donald Trump's election as US president last week. After his first election victory in 2016, Trump ordered the US to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko criticized the leaders of rich countries who are skipping the talks. "The people who are responsible for this are absent," admonished the strongman leader and close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a speech in Baku. Lukashenko singled out Macron, noting that the landmark agreement to pursue efforts to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 Celsius was forged in Paris in 20015. Sanchez: World on a path to "catastrophe" Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the global community must become more ambitious in reaching its climate targets, pointing to the recent floods in his country that left at least 220 people dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Baku, Sanchez called the warming planet an "existential threat" to humanity. He said all countries are contending with the impacts, from more violent storms to more intense wildfires. But many governments and businesses still continue to invest in climate-damaging energy sources such as oil and gas, Sanchez said, adding that this was leading to a global "catastrophe." Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Congress is voting on a bill Tuesday that will empower the executive branch to remove the tax-exempt status from any nonprofit it deems to be supporting terrorists. The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act gives this authority to the secretary of the Treasury. More than 120 nonprofit organizations have signed a letter urging Congress to reject the bill out of concern that it will be politicized and enforced in a discriminatory manner. The House will go into session at noon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "An investigation by our committee has also revealed that some of the same groups holding Americans hostage like Hamas may be receiving support from American tax-exempt organizations to help finance their terror," Rep. Jason Smith said in a statement. "The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act -- would prevent the IRS from charging penalties on back-due taxes owed by Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad and require the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization that provides financial support or resources to designated terrorist groups like Hamas." Chairman of House Committee on Ways and Means Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., is one of the co-sponsors of the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. The U.S. House of Representatives is voting on the bill on Tuesday. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI The coalition of organizations speaking out against the bill includes civil liberties, religious, reproductive health, immigrant, human rights, racial justice, LGBTQIA+, environmental and educational advocacy organizations. These organizations say the bill aims to skirt due process, allowing the executive branch to unilaterally squash nonprofit organizations and chill free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These efforts are part of a concerted attack on civil society that is targeted at more than just groups involved in the campus protests regarding Gaza. The executive branch could use this authority to target its political opponents and use the fear of crippling legal fees, the stigma of the designation, and donors fleeing controversy to stifle dissent and chill speech and advocacy," the letter reads. "And while the broadest applications of this authority may not ultimately hold up in court, the potential reputational and financial cost of fending off an investigation and litigating a wrongful designation could functionally mean the end of a targeted nonprofit before it ever has its day in court." It is already a federal crime to provide material support to terrorist organizations. The bill has several components to it, including some that the coalition of nonprofit organizations are not opposed to. One such aspect is it will forgive taxes accrued by individuals who are wrongfully detained or kept hostage abroad. This will also apply to spouses. Individuals that this applies to may also receive refunds and abatement for the fines and penalties they had received. [Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.] (WJW) Imprisoned former Republican Ohio House speaker Larry Householder plans to seek executive clemency from President-elect Donald Trump. Householder, 65, is now in the second year of his 20-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history in House Bill 6. Cash App settlement: Deadline to submit claim for up to $2,500 nears Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Householders attorney Scott Pullins on Monday told FOX 8 News via email his firm is aggressively pursuing all avenues to bring the former lawmaker home to his family, though he noted it is very early in the process. Householder has appealed his federal conviction to Ohios Sixth Circuit appellate court, which is now preparing to hear oral arguments in the case, Pullins said Monday. Attorneys are also planning to ask incoming president Trump for clemency, including pardons for Householders crimes and commutation of his sentence, closer to when Trump takes office on Jan. 20, 2025. House Bill 6 was a billion-dollar bailout for FirstEnergy-affiliated nuclear plants that funneled $60 million in dark money from the Ohio utility to the election campaigns of politicians in Householders camp between 2017 and 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also charged in the scheme was former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo, who died by suicide in April. FirstEnergy agreed to pay $20 million to avoid prosecution. Verdict reached in Delphi murders trial Householder was also indicted in Cuyahoga County in March on 10 more felony charges including aggravated theft, money laundering, telecommunications fraud and tampering with records, for allegedly using campaign funds to pay his defense attorneys in the federal case. A conviction in the state case would permanently bar him from running for public office. The case is due for a pretrial conference on Wednesday, Nov. 13, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Householder remains incarcerated at Federal Correction Institution Elkton in Lisbon and is currently set for release in 2040. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Human remains have been found inside a freezer after blood was found on the floor of a residence in Michigan, police said. The incident occurred on Thursday when authorities from the East Lansing Police Department in Michigan arrived at a residence at 12:08 p.m. in the 1500 block of Wintercrest Street to reports of a suspicious situation, according to a statement from the East Lansing Police Department. MORE: Man randomly stabs teenage girl in Dollar Tree as she stood with her mother: Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person who called 911 reported blood on the floor inside the residence which led ELPD officers to enter the home with the property management company. After thoroughly searching the residence, ELPD officers located a deceased individual inside a freezer, police said. Possible human remains of a second individual of unknown gender were also found inside the freezer. MORE: Murder suspect arrested last second at airport departure gates in attempt to flee to El Salvador The Michigan State Police took evidence from the scene and it is now being examined at a crime lab, authorities said. There have been no arrests made in this incident, but police did confirm that they believe there is no threat to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Hunter's remains found after suspected bear mauling in Alaska Anyone with information is asked to contact the ELPD immediately. The investigation is currently ongoing. Human remains found inside freezer of Michigan home originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Police were called in over a suspicious situation in East Lansing on Thursday, Nov. 7 East Lansing Police Department/Facebook East Lansing Police Department East Lansing Police Department Human remains have been located inside a freezer at a property in Michigan. The unidentified remains of two people were found by authorities in a freezer at a residence in the 1500 block of Wintercrest Street in East Lansing, Mich., at around 12:08 p.m. on Nov. 7, the East Lansing Police Department stated in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities were called in at the residence by an individual who indicated there was blood on the floor" inside the home, police said. After thoroughly searching the residence, ELPD officers located a deceased individual inside a freezer. Possible human remains of a second individual of unknown gender were also found inside the freezer. Larry W. Smith/Getty Police tape hangs across the street Police tape hangs across the street Related: Human Remains Found Near Hoover Dam in 2009 Identified as 'Nomadic' Man Last Seen by His Family in 1995 The Michigan State Police collected evidence from the residence to be examined at a crime lab. No arrests have been made in connection to the discovery of the human remains and the authorities believe there is no threat to the public, per the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is currently ongoing. 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. East Lansing Interim Police Chief, Chad Pride, told local news outlet WLNS that discovering how and why the remains wound up in the freezer may prove difficult. We dont believe this happened last night or within the last couple days. I believe this is something that happened further back, Pride said. My hope is we find something quickly that way the public can be at ease, family can be at ease, neighbors can be at ease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Missing Woman's Remains Found on Husbands Property More Than 3 Years After She Vanished: Police The Michigan residence has been marked with biohazard stickers since the discovery of the remains, WLNS reported. Shaken neighbor Andrew Whitney told the outlet, We were thinking last night, how many days have we been sleeping in bed near feet away from a corpse? Something violent and serious appears to have happened. The ELPD is urging members of the public who may have any information about the incident to contact them, directing tips to Detective Sgt. Nicole Mitchell at (517) 319-6876 or Detective Jason Cotton at (517) 319-6842. With Tuesday marking the end of the Biden administrations window for the Israeli government to materially improve the humanitarian response in war-torn Gaza, international aid organizations are condemning the countrys failure to meet U.S. demands and, in some cases, outright worsening the crisis that has devastated Palestinians for the last 13 months. Israel not only failed to meet the U.S. criteria that would indicate support to the humanitarian response, but concurrently took action that dramatically worsened the situation on the ground, particularly in Northern Gaza, eight aid organizations said in a report on Tuesday. That situation is in an even more dire state today than a month ago. The damning report by Oxfam, Save the Children, MedGlobal, Anera, CARE, Mercy Corps, Refugees International and the Norwegian Refugee Council rates Israels progress in complying with the U.S. letters humanitarian demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evaluating 19 measures of relief, the organizations scorecard found Israel to be noncompliant on 15, partially compliant on four and fully compliant on zero. The scorecard is further evidence that systemic impediments on the humanitarian system in Gaza are making a deadly conflict even deadlier, Save the Children President Janti Soeripto said in a statement. Our staff and humanitarian peers in Gaza risk their lives every day to help families survive unimaginable conditions. They need the support and serious commitment to protecting innocent lives that international humanitarian law requires. Today we @RefugeesIntl joined 7 other humanitarian agencies to publish a scorecard on Israel's compliance with US demands on humanitarian access. Across the board, the Israeli govt has failed to comply with US & intl law on relief in Gaza. It is past time to halt arms xfers. pic.twitter.com/X21MCIYkGZ Jeremy Konyndyk (@JeremyKonyndyk) November 12, 2024 In a letter released on Oct. 13, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had told Israel that it had to take tangible steps to reverse the humanitarian crisis in Gaza within 30 days, and that failure to do so would violate international and U.S. laws. The deadline is up, and the flow of aid into Gaza is the lowest its been in more than a year. But, consistent with its handling of Israels recent actions, the Biden administration says it will not follow through on its threat to halt arms transfers to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House on Tuesday to discuss, among other issues, the U.S. deadline for improved humanitarian access. We at this time have not made an assessment that the Israelis are in violation of U.S. law, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said, adding that the Biden administration believes the Israeli government has made good but limited progress. We are not giving Israel a pass, he continued. We want to see the totality of the humanitarian situation improve, and we think some of these steps will allow the conditions for that to continue to progress. The Israeli military with U.S. funding, weapons and diplomatic support launched its Gaza offensive in October 2023, after Hamas militants launched an attack in southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, roughly 100 of whom remain in captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli forces remain in Gaza more than a year later. Israel has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 100,000, flattened entire neighborhoods, displaced 1.9 million people, destroyed water and sewage infrastructure, caused the health care system to collapse, starved families, detained men in alleged torture camps, and bombed areas it had designated as so-called safe zones. Aid groups have also reported on Israeli forces attacking journalists, medical workers and humanitarian aid workers, especially if they are Palestinian. The Israeli military continues to block most aid from entering Gaza, resulting in the spread of famine and disease, a record number of child amputees, doctors operating on patients without anesthesia or medical tools, ongoing psychological trauma, and a breakdown of social order. In October, aid groups said they were only able to distribute 11% of the goods that reached warehouses due to looting and restrictions on movement. The entire region is on the edge of a precipice, the United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee said in a Nov. 1 joint statement. An immediate cessation of hostilities and a sustained, unconditional ceasefire are long overdue. Hundreds of volunteers gathered at the Charlotte Convention Center to help people impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. About 250 volunteers from Coca-Cola Consolidated joined forces with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. They packed 10,000 boxes of food to send to western North Carolina and South Carolina. ALSO READ: Gov. Roy Cooper discusses progress in Helene recovery efforts Second Harvest CEO Kay Carter said this is the kind of support she has come to expect from the people of Charlotte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were always wanting to help; we always want to be out there trying to support and try to help, feeding people in our own region but also trying to help when folks are hit by a disaster, Carter elaborated. Volunteers said it took about two hours to pack up all the food. Those boxes will be heading to Asheville this week. VIDEO: Gov. Roy Cooper discusses progress in Helene recovery efforts by Xinhua writers Xia Yuanyi, Zhang Kun WARSAW, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Milosz Manasterski, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Polish Information Agency, stressed the need for a more nuanced, objective understanding of China in European media and emphasized the importance of direct reporting to counter misinformation. He shared these insights in a recent interview with Xinhua after returning from an in-depth visit last month to China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. During his visit, he attended the 6th World Media Summit, engaged with global media leaders and also explored the region's rapidly developing infrastructure and unique cultural landscape. Recalling his travels in Xinjiang, Manasterski described a region that challenges Western narratives. "In mainstream Western media, there is very little factual information about China's provinces. What does appear often focuses narrowly on Beijing and economic matters," he said, noting that some Central European media outlets are heavily influenced by Western sources that may carry political biases. He highlighted Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, as a dynamic fusion of modernity and history. "It's a large city with impressive, modern architecture as well as historic areas," he said. Despite the region's arid climate and rugged landscape, Manasterski was impressed by the Chinese government's commitment to infrastructure development in Xinjiang. "Fast travel trains are absolutely revolutionary for Xinjiang," he said, referring to high-speed rail now connecting remote areas. "Journeys that previously took days now take only hours or minutes. It's transformative for both residents and visitors." Manasterski also visited Turpan, a desert oasis known for its hot climate, vineyards, and innovative green energy initiatives. There he noted how solar energy was being used not only for agriculture but also for large-scale power generation. "The most deserted places, seemingly unusable, are harnessed for solar and wind energy on a grand scale," he said, highlighting the advancements in green energy, transportation, and agriculture that have improved the region's quality of life. Reflecting on what he saw in Xinjiang, Manasterski emphaized the urgent need for improved accuracy regarding information about China in Europe, alongside the growing interest in economic and tourism connections. "Despite the growing economic cooperation of Poland and the European Union with China, there remains a lack of knowledge about what is happening in different regions of China," he said. "This makes partnership-based economic relations challenging, as it's difficult to work with a partner when your understanding is outdated or incomplete." He also discuss the need for up-to-date information dissemination: "Changes in China occur so quickly that even well-prepared publications may have only historical value after a few years." Noting that the rapid pace of change in China necessitates constant updates for an accurate picture, Manasterski emphasized the importance of "reliable information about China's regions -- about their cooperation opportunities, tourism, and culture." Manasterski is confident there is an eager audience in Poland and Europe keen to learn about the real China. "Many Poles and Europeans are interested in Chinese development and culture, from cuisine and traditional medicine to martial arts," he said. "There's a lot of work for us to do, and it's an exciting and inspiring task." Editors Note: CNNs 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day. Sign up here. Welcome to 5 Things PM! Standing desks exploded in popularity among people concerned about the effects of sitting all day, but it turns out they might not be so great after all. A new study found that prolonged standing may not improve heart health and could even increase the risk of certain circulatory problems. Heres what else you might have missed during your busy day: 5 things Victor Ramos 1 Built to last: With rapidly strengthening storms and skyrocketing insurance premiums, some homeowners are taking matters into their own hands by investing in circular houses designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. How fireproofing your house could save it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 Kayaking mystery: A missing man from Wisconsin was initially believed to have drowned during a fishing trip. Investigators now suspect that the married father of three children faked his death and fled to Europe. 3 Toilet time: First of all, leave your phone behind when you head to the bathroom. And No. 2, dont spend more than 10 minutes on the john because doctors say too much sitting can cause health problems. 4 Lost luggage: Apple wants to help you find your wayward suitcases. The tech company is rolling out a new Find My location feature that will be integrated into customer service at airlines including Delta and United. 5 Terror birds: Millions of years ago, the long-legged predators with big beaks ruled the Americas. Scientists in Colombia recently discovered one of the largest specimens ever unearthed. Watch this Caught on dashcam: A Brooklyn man has been charged with staging a crash after video of the incident went viral. A woman was driving on a New York highway, and footage shows a car pull in front of her, slam on the brakes and then back into her vehicle. Top headlines Trump wants to shut down the Department of Education. Heres what that could mean Federal judge temporarily blocks Louisiana law requiring classrooms to display Ten Commandments FAA grounds all US flights to Haiti after 2 planes were struck by gunfire Check this out Toxic haze: Record-breaking levels of thick smog are shrouding parts of eastern Pakistan and northern India. Authorities in some areas closed schools, and the pollution is so bad that its visible in satellite imagery. Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images Quotable Seeking closure: Four Alabama police officers killed a Black woman while searching for illegal whiskey in 1945. Her granddaughter is finally getting answers. Quiz time Mark Lennihan/AP Which mall brand is making a comeback with grown-up fans? It was the pinnacle of middle school cool for many American millennials. A. Justice B. Delias C. Gap D. Limited Too Scroll down for the answer. Celebrity corner Passed over: Timothee Chalamets experience makes it clear that women in Hollywood arent the only ones being judged for their physical appearances. Early in his career, the actor said, he was told he didnt have the right body for some big roles. Good vibes We like to wrap things up on a positive note: After nearly 160 years, renowned freedom fighter Harriet Tubman was honored for her military service on Veterans Day. She served in the Union Army during the Civil War and worked as a nurse and a spy to help free more than 700 slaves. Thanks for reading Well see you tomorrow. Quiz answer: D. Limited Too is launching its first foray into adult clothes. Check out all of CNNs newsletters. 5 Things PM is produced by CNNs Tricia Escobedo, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Rick Albrecht met up with some friends for Hy-Vees 25th annual Veterans Day breakfast buffet. This is this is pre-Thanksgiving, veteran Albrecht said. Noem responds to Trump question from News Nation Albrecht spent more than 20 years serving his country. I had three assignments over in Germany, so almost a total of 10 years in Germany, he said. I got to see a little bit of history in the making. I was on the East German border when the wall came down in 89, so I got to see the first refugees coming across in our sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albrecht and other veterans like him are the reason Hy-Vee puts on the annual breakfast. District store director Matt Heldenbrand knows the importance of honoring veterans because he is one himself. I served in the Iowa National Guard for about 13 1/2 years. In that time, I was also deployed to Iraq and I spent about a year in Iraq from 2003, 2004, and then came home and went back to work at Hy-Vee, Heldenbrand said. Heldenbrand understands some of the things that veterans go through, whether it was overseas, or here in the U.S. Theres just such a large portion of their lives they have to put on pause and start something completely different and then go back again, Heldenbrand said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it was a meal on Veterans Day, its important to remember and honor our veterans every day of the year. Those freedoms and privileges that we all have are essentially, they exist because of the veterans who go and serve on our behalf, Heldenbrand said. Hy-Vee and many other businesses are saying thank you for that sacrifice. Its absolutely amazing and its very humbling to have all the attention brought on you when in a lot of cases youre just doing your job, just doing whatever they asked you to do, Albrecht said. Along with breakfast, veterans received 15% off their groceries. Hy-Vee also has its program called Homefront that people can donate to, and Hy-Vee will match up to $100,000. The program helps benefit veterans and active military members. 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. The judge who was set to oversee the Moscow murder trial of Bryan Kohberger before he approved its move to Boise plans to retire. Judge John Judge, of Idahos 2nd Judicial District in Latah County, sent a signed letter last month notifying the state of his intent, a copy of which the Idaho Statesman obtained from the state court system. Judge submitted his retirement letter a month after he granted the venue change sought by Kohbergers defense in the University of Idaho student homicides case. After extensive contemplation, I have decided that it is time for me to retire, Judge wrote in the one-page letter dated Oct. 4. It has been a journey of hard work, challenges, life lessons, sacrifice, joy, satisfaction, and sometimes frustration and heartbreak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge, who will turn 69 years old next month, referenced in the letter his 40-year legal career, which included 24 years as a lawyer before working as a judge for 16 years. He has been in his current district judge role for the past six years, which included about 15 months spent handling Kohbergers case. Judge announced his last day as Jan. 17. The 2nd Judicial District opening from Judges departure will post to the Idaho Judicial Council vacancy page next week, Executive Director Jeff Brudie told the Statesman by phone Tuesday. I have done my best to follow the rule of law while never forgetting the importance of compassion and understanding of the people before me every day, their humanity and their struggles, Judge wrote. I will miss what judges can do for the people and the communities we serve. It has been a privilege and an honor to be a judge. Bryan Kohberger, left, is charged with killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. His capital murder case was handled by Judge John Judge before the Latah County judge approved a venue change out of Moscow for trial. Kohberger is accused of the November 2022 fatal stabbings of four U of I students at a house near campus in Moscow. The victims were Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls; and Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 in Pennsylvania and flown to Idaho in early January 2023 to face the charges. Judge took over Kohbergers case in May 2023 and played diplomat between the attorneys when he requested calm in his courtroom as well as offer occasional levity at hearings. Earlier this year, an expert witness for the defense said he just learned the judge in the case had a last name that sounded like he was born for the position. On cue, Judge interjected with a smirk: Coincidence. Time is precious and limited Judge first appeared in the national spotlight for Kohbergers arraignment at the Latah County Courthouse a week after a local grand jury indicted him. When Judge asked for Kohbergers plea to four counts of first-degree murder and a count of felony burglary, Kohberger remained silent. Judge entered a not guilty plea on Kohbergers behalf and scheduled his trial for October 2023. Judge later rescheduled Kohbergers trial to start in June 2025. In September, Judge granted the defenses request for a venue change out of Moscow based on its concerns over potential local juror bias because of the cases widespread publicity. At a hearing over the issue, Judge called the choice probably, professionally, the most difficult decision Ive ever had to make. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The small courthouse in Moscow presented safety and logistical challenges to hosting the trial, Judge wrote in his decision, on top of media coverage that has been sensationalized and prejudicial to Kohberger and threatened his right to a fair trial. Judges handling of the case, including his decision to move the trial, drew criticism from the family of at least one of the victims. On several occasions, the Goncalves family took issue with what they perceived as repeated delays to bringing the case to trial. The family has always felt that Judge Judge favored the defense, and it was a common theme that whatever the defense wanted or needed, they got, the Goncalveses said in a September statement through their attorney. If the judge knew Latah County could not handle this trial for safety reasons, not enough court clerks, logistics and lacking space, why did we waste over a year in a county he knew was not going to handle the trial? The only good thing about this decision is it will be Judge Judges last decision in this case, the Goncalves familys statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge also serves as the appointed resource judge, who reviews and approves spending of public funds, in the capital murder case against Skylar Meade, which also is being defended by Anne Taylor, Kohbergers lead attorney. Meades case is set for trial in February, which will likely require Judges support role to be reassigned with his retirement. In his Kohberger venue change ruling, Judge chose not to continue on with the case, and handed off selection of the trial location and judge reassignment to the Idaho Supreme Court. The justices selected Boise and Judge Steven Hippler, of Idahos 4th Judicial District in Ada County, for Kohbergers high-profile case. Hippler reset the trial for later next summer, starting with jury selection on July 30, 2025. Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District in Latah County oversaw Bryan Kohbergers capital murder case for 15 months. He approved a venue change out of Moscow for trial, and is set to retire in January 2025. In his retirement letter, Judge said he also chose not to apply to be a senior judge, which allows judges to stay on with a limited caseload or be assigned to cases that include a conflict of interest. Even though it was a difficult choice, time is precious and limited, he wrote. Whats most important now is being able to spend more time with my family, Judges letter read. I also hope to pursue some of my other interests, like time in the mountains and reading books that have nothing to do with the law. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams joins state officials and business leaders to announce the Idaho State Park Foster Family Passport at Lucky Peak State Park, as foster parents and families stand behind him. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) Idaho will stop temporarily placing foster children with complex needs in short-term rentals, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced Tuesday. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, in a news release, said it was able to halt the practice because there are relatively more foster families compared to foster children, and a new center in Payette has absorbed demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020 and 2021, more Idaho children entered foster care, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Youth Safety and Permanency Administrator Jean Fisher said in the release. To keep kids safe, she said the agency established the temporary housing program, which she said the agency always hoped to phase out as soon as possible. Temporary housing kept kids safe, but the immediate placement wasnt ideal because community-based options are always better, Fisher said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idaho has about 90 foster homes for every 100 children in need a 0.9 ratio as of Monday, Health and Welfare reported. In June, Health and Welfare made a goal to double the ratio from 0.75 to 1.5, by reducing the number of children entering the foster system and raising the number of foster homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, the department opened the new 16-bed Payette Assessment and Care Center. Were continuing to pursue creative and innovative ways to strengthen our child welfare system, Fisher said. We look forward to partnering with Idahoans as we make sure that this trend is sustainable, and that every child has a safe and loving home. In its budget request for the next fiscal year, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare asked for approval to funnel more resources toward preventing kids from being placed in foster care, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Another suspect connected to the ambush at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center has pleaded guilty, according to court records. In March, Skylar Meade, an Idaho man serving a minimum 10-year prison sentence at the states maximum security prison, and co-conspirator Nicholas Umphenour led what police called a brazen and violent attack at the Boise hospital to coordinate Meades escape from custody. The incident left three correctional officers injured. The men, who knew each other from prison, led law enforcement on a 36-hour statewide manhunt and allegedly killed two people in North Idaho before being apprehended in Twin Falls. Both Meade and Umphehour have been sentenced to prison for their crimes in Ada County and now face first-degree murder charges in Nez Perce County. Nicholas Umphenour, left, aided in the planned attack to free 31-year-old Skylar Meade, right, from custody after he was brought to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Two other people, Tia Garcia and Tonia Huber, were charged with felonies related to aiding in the mens escape. Garcia, of Twin Falls, has entered into a plea deal with the Ada County Prosecutors Office admitting to helping the men escape, according to a plea advisory obtained by the Idaho Statesman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shawn Kelly, a legal intern for the prosecutors office, previously said in court that Garcia picked up Umphenour from the Boise Airport three days before the incident and provided him with her vehicle to get away from police after the ambush. Kelley added that text messages between Garcia and Umphenour showed that Umphenour asked her to report her vehicle as stolen, which she did at around 3 a.m. March 20, an hour after the hospital shootout. This defendant is likely to be convicted given her admissions to knowing Meade and the video footage of Umphenour, along with the text messages between her and Umphenour less than 24 hours before the shooting that were indicating a plan to report the vehicle was stolen, Kelley said at the time. Nicholas Umphenour and Skylar Meade are under investigation for several crimes including the homicides of two men. Under the terms of the 27-year-olds agreement, Garcia has pleaded guilty to felony aiding and abetting escape and an additional persistent violator enhancement, a charge that can be tacked on by prosecutors when someone has been convicted of three felonies. It adds at least another five years of prison time, with a maximum of life in prison. While prosecutors plan to ask 4th District Judge Nancy Baskin to sentence Garcia to 25 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 10 years, Baskin isnt bound by the deal. She technically could sentence Garcia to the maximum of life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia has been in custody at the Ada County Jail on a $1 million bond since her arrest, according to online jail records. Her sentencing has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 20 at the Ada County Courthouse, online court records showed. The other woman, 53-year-old Huber, is facing two felonies related to the escape, along with a possession charge, in Twin Falls County. The Filer residents next hearing is Nov. 18, where she is expected to enter a plea, online court records showed. Several women took the stand in an Idaho courtroom on Tuesday to testify about their nonviable pregnancies as part of a lawsuit filed by women who were unable to receive abortions due to the state's total ban. Rebecca Vincen-Brown tearfully described delivering her pregnancy in the bathroom of a hotel room after she drove seven hours to receive abortion care in Portland, Oregon. She passed her pregnancy after the first day of her two-day abortion procedure, with her other child in the next room, she testified on the stand. Vincen-Brown, who was pregnant with her second child, discovered at a 16-week anatomy scan that her fetus had several fatal fetal conditions and was unlikely to survive. Doctors also told her that there were risks to her life and health -- including preeclampsia, hemorrhaging, high risk of miscarrying and risks to her fertility -- if she continued carrying the pregnancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Supreme Court allows emergency abortion access in Idaho for now Vincen-Brown began experiencing labor contractions in her hotel room and hours later delivered her pregnancy, but didn't go to an emergency room, she testified. "We didn't have insurance to cover it, because we were out of state. We didn't have a car because our car was locked down the street in valet with a hotel, and so it wasn't necessarily an option for us," Vincen-Brown said, testifying on why she did not go to an emergency room. "In the morning, a couple people from the clinic came to our hotel room, they collected the baby from the bathroom, and then I, they helped clean me up, and then walked over to the clinic and finished the procedure," Vincen-Brown testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on in trial, attorneys for the state made the argument that Idaho case law does not have protections for a right to fertility. Getting an abortion alone Jillaine St.Michel, also a plaintiff in the lawsuit, described making calls to over 20 clinics out of state to get abortion care after she received a fatal fetal diagnosis. "It was the worst four days of my life. I can't describe it any other way. Knowing that I was carrying a pregnancy that was doomed, it had no chance of survival. Each day was worse than the last. And I would say, during those four days, my mental health got progressively worse and worse," St.Michel said. PHOTO: In this June 26, 2024, file photo, Jillaine St. Michel speaks during a conversation with local patients and providers who have been impacted by Idaho's abortion restrictions held at the Linen Building in Boise, Idaho. (Kyle Green/AP, FILE) At her 20-week ultrasound, St.Michel was told her fetus had several severe developmental and chromosomal conditions affecting multiple organ systems, and was unlikely to survive. She traveled to Seattle, where she received a two-day abortion procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because we had to travel with my toddler, my husband had to stay back with her at the hotel and take care of her, so I had to attend both Friday's and Saturday's appointment by myself," St.Michel said. St.Michel, a 38-year-old chiropractor, and her family have since moved to Blaine, Minnesota. At the time the suit was filed the family was living in Meridian, Idaho. "Knowing what I went through, knowing what the state's representatives have decided is acceptable reproductive care for women. I can't imagine my daughter and son receiving that kind of messaging," St.Michel said. "I want them to have a belief that women can make decisions about their health care. I want my daughter to feel safe becoming pregnant someday, if she chooses to do so and I just don't feel like that would be the case if we were raising our kids here," St.Michel said. Leaving the state At a routine ultrasound appointment around 19 weeks of pregnancy, Kayla Smith discovered her fetus had several anomalies, including several heart defects. Specialists informed Smith and her husband that their son, at best, would need a heart transplant before the age of 4 or 5, but that would only be a temporary solution for around 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to some of the heart defects, his pulmonary veins were not flowing properly and that could directly impact his lungs, Smith testified. "If I were to continue the pregnancy, not only would I be risking my life of developing preeclampsia, but I was not willing to watch him suffer and essentially gasp for air," Smith said. PHOTO: In this March 7, 2024, file photo, Kayla Smith speaks to the media during a press conference called by Senate Demcrats to highlight Reproductive rights issues at the US Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. (Jemal Countess/UPI via Newscom, FILE) Smith and her husband drove over eight hours to the University of Washington Hospital to get an induction. They were given an estimate of $16,000 to $20,000 for the cost of the procedure. They took out a personal loan to cover the cost of the procedure, Smith testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith, her husband and two children moved their family to Washington. They plan to stay there if the abortion bans in Idaho remain in effect. Multiple fatal fetal conditions St.Michel took the stand after Jennifer Adkins, another Idaho woman who had to travel out of state to terminate a pregnancy that was unlikely to survive after it was diagnosed with multiple conditions. Adkins was one of 18 women interviewed by ABC News about the impact of abortion bans. PHOTO: Jennifer Adkins, a 31-year-old mother from Idaho with her husband John, was at a routine 12-week ultrasound when she learned that her fetus would not survive. She is now the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state over its ban. (Brandon Thibodeaux for ABC News) At a 12-week ultrasound, Adkins' doctors told her the scan revealed the fetus had excess fluid and skin edema -- signs of cystic hygroma -- and that her fetus likely had Turner syndrome -- a rare condition that results from one of the X chromosomes missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adkins was told her fetus would likely not survive and there was a high likelihood that she would develop Mirror syndrome, a condition where the pregnant person develops fluid buildup and can develop preeclampsia, which can result in stroke or death. MORE: Meet 18 women who shared heartbreaking pregnancy journeys in post-Roe world Four women and doctors filing a lawsuit against the state are testifying in court on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the ongoing lawsuit. The lawsuit is seeking to "clarify and expand the medical exceptions to Idaho's two abortion bans to ensure physicians can provide abortion care to preserve a pregnant person's health and safety, including in cases of fatal fetal diagnoses," according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs. The lawsuit was filed on Sept. 11, 2023, challenging Idaho's total abortion ban and its six-week ban. Idaho's total abortion ban only allows the procedure to prevent death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho is one of 13 states that has ceased nearly all abortion services since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Idaho women tearfully recount nonviable pregnancy diagnoses under total abortion ban originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A Salt Lake City Police Department cruiser is pictured on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) Utah lawmakers are looking to tackle what appears to be a growing problem in the Beehive State illicit massage businesses. Posing as legitimate massage or bodywork establishments, illicit massage businesses are fronts for prostitution, often engaging in human trafficking, money laundering and tax evasion. The numbers vary depending on the source, but officials believe Utah has more than 100 active, illicit massage businesses in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mick Spilker, a section chief with the Utah Attorney Generals Office, pointed to a subscriber-based website for people to find and review illegal massage operations according to the website, Utah had 363 massage parlors listed, with 199 of them currently active. Salt Lake County had the most, with 48. Spilker spoke to lawmakers last week during an Organized Crime Subcommittee meeting. Holy crap, 199 current listings for different parlors in the state? This is not a minor thing happening. This is right under your nose, this is right next to you, said Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, who chairs the committee. The Utah Department of Commerce had similar numbers, suggesting there are about 150 illicit massage businesses in the state. Nationwide, Utah ranked 22nd for the state with the most businesses high population states, like California, Texas and New York, had the most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But based on the number of illicit massage businesses per adult male resident (the most frequent patrons), Utah ranked 17th. That gives you a snippet of how many of these parlors were dealing with. Theyre always popping up, too, Spilker told the committee. Theyre popping up pretty much daily or weekly. According to data from the department, in 2020 there were 96 known illicit massage businesses in Utah; by 2021, there were 111; by 2022, there were 128; and by 2023, there were 147. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX And as the industry grows, so do its techniques for dodging law enforcement. Often, it can be hard to prosecute the owner of the business, as the women working there operate like contract employees, which can sometimes shield the proprietor from liability. Businesses ensure there are only two or three women working, making it harder for law enforcement to prove theyre being exploited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spilker said in one instance, an illicit massage business paid someone to file public record requests for police reports, and leave positive Google reviews, claiming there was no illegal activity. Straw buyers are also common, where someone with no connection to the business is listed as the owner in an attempt to circumvent authorities. Illicit massage businesses are typically part of a network, with different storefronts run by the same people. So while law enforcement can intervene and make arrests, it can be difficult to actually kill the business. Often the same owners will rebrand, find new workers and open new storefronts. These operations can be lucrative. It can usually cost around $60, sometimes as much as $100, to simply walk in the door, said Spilker. According to one investigation, the owner of an illicit massage business was making more than $700,000 each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for a legislative solution? Both Spilker and officials with the Department of Commerce said imposing stricter regulations on massage businesses could be a start, including requiring anyone who applies for a business license to interview with law enforcement, undergo background checks and sign an attestation that they will not engage in any illegal activity. That could curb the straw buyer problem, officials said. For a legitimate massage business, thats very easy to do. It requires very little, they would pay a bit in registration. The legit massage businesses we talked with said were happy to have you take our money if youre going to use it to shut down the illicit massage businesses, said Jeff Shumway, director of the states Office of Professional Licensure Review. Other solutions include creating a database to keep track of massage therapists, increasing penalties for Johns (slang for someone who solicits prostitution), and laws that make it easier to temporarily close down an illicit massage business so authorities can review its license. Shumway pointed to Aurora, Colorado, as a case study in how to push back against the industry. There, city officials created new hoops to obtain a massage business license, while also making it easier to revoke. Once the license has been revoked for illicit activity, the location cannot be leased for any kind of massage business. Youre essentially shutting down that location permanently, regardless of how they rename it or reincorporate, said Shumway. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CHICAGO Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is launching a unit to investigate cases in which new evidence could prove the innocence of people convicted of serious crimes. Wrongful convictions destroy lives. Wrongful convictions diminish faith in our criminal justice system, Raoul said Tuesday at a downtown news conference, flanked by states attorneys and members of the new unit. They put victims and public safety at risk by allowing the true perpetrators to escape unpunished. Raoul, who was sworn in as attorney general in 2019, said creating the Conviction Integrity Unit has long been on his agenda and that his office has spent years researching best practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raoul said his unit will supplement the efforts of states attorneys offices including Cook Countys, which has its own Conviction Review Unit to investigate claims of innocence. Under outgoing States Attorney Kim Foxx, the office has vacated more than 250 convictions. The office is not intended to supplant the work being done by the Cook County Conviction Review Unit or any other states attorneys offices reviewing claims of innocence, Raoul said. Cook County States Attorney-elect Eileen ONeill Burke signaled the county Conviction Review Units work would continue in vibrant fashion after she takes office. The attorney generals unit is partially funded by a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Raoul said. The grant has already been received, Raoul said, addressing concerns that President-elect Donald Trump could pull federal support from some state programs. After that, well figure things out, he said. Weve lived through the roller coaster ride of different views from different Departments of Justice, but our work does not stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to be considered for review by the unit, there must be new, credible evidence in cases that resulted in a conviction in Illinois state court on charges of a forcible felony such as murder, aggravated battery or criminal sexual assault, Raoul said. The person behind the claim must be incarcerated for the conviction in question at the time the claim is made. The unit wont consider pending petitions or appeals. The convicted person must also be claiming actual innocence that they did not commit the acts in question. After claims are investigated by the unit, it will make a recommendation to the attorney general. If the evidence points to innocence, the AG will work with local states attorneys to determine whether to seek relief from a conviction or sentence, Raoul said. The new office will include experienced prosecutors, people who have previously worked in states attorneys offices and a former FBI agent, Raoul said. In addition to reviewing cases, it will also collect data on wrongful convictions in order to prevent more from happening in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kane County States Attorney Jamie Mosser said the new state-level office would help counties like hers that dont have the resources to take on requests for reviews of convictions. To have a group of people who this is their expertise, who can say that yes, it was done right, or no, there was a miscarriage of justice, is exactly what we need in the criminal justice system, so that people believe in us and what weve done, she said at the news conference. James Soto, who with his cousin was longest-serving exoneree in Illinois history when he was released from prison last year, had some reservations but overall said he was happy to hear about about the the new conviction integrity office and the potential for collaboration between Raoul and Burke. This gives me hope and optimism that there will be another way in which people can present these claims, Soto, who wrongfully served 42 years in prison, said when reached by phone Tuesday. He said he believes the problem of wrongful convictions is widespread not just in Cook County but throughout Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook Countys wrongful conviction unit came under scrutiny last year when its leader, Assistant States Attorney Nancy Adduci, was demoted and then fired. Adduci, who is white, later filed a lawsuit against Foxx, alleging she was discriminated against because of her age and race. Adduci had come under scrutiny over her work in prosecuting defendants accused of killing Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis in 2011. Defense attorneys accused police and prosecutors who handled the case of misconduct. Her replacement as head of the unit, Michelle Mbekeani, stepped down after a short tenure to prepare for the birth of her child and because she didnt plan to stay after Foxxs tenure ended, the Tribune previously reported. Mbekeani had drawn criticism because of a business venture she launched as a law student, which some believed to be a conflict of interest with her position at the states attorneys office. ____ SANAA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 Houthi operatives were killed in two separate U.S. drone strikes in Yemen's central Al-Bayda province on Tuesday, a Yemeni government military source told Xinhua. The strikes targeted mobile rocket launchers in the As-Sawma'ah and Dhi-Na'im districts, the source said on condition of anonymity. Local residents reported on social media that Houthi forces cordoned off the targeted vehicles and blocked roads leading to the sites. Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV also reported the two strikes by "U.S. drones," without providing further details, as the Houthi group rarely discloses information about its casualties or losses. Earlier in the day, Houthi television reported three airstrikes by "U.S.-British navy coalition warplanes" against the Al-Fazah area, a few kilometers south of the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, but provided no further details on these strikes. Also on Tuesday, U.S. Central Command posted on social media platform X, stating, "Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) support operations against Iran-backed Houthis in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility," along with a video showing warplanes taking off from an aircraft carrier. Al-Masirah TV has reported multiple airstrikes by U.S.-British coalition warplanes in the capital Sanaa, as well as in the Amran and Saada provinces, over the past three days. Yemen has been engulfed in a civil war since the Houthi group seized control of several northern provinces in late 2014, forcing the internationally recognized Yemeni government out of Sanaa. Since last November, the Houthi group has launched rocket and drone attacks on Israel and disrupted "Israeli-linked" shipping in the Red Sea, reportedly in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In response, the U.S.-led navy coalition stationed in the Red Sea has conducted regular air raids and strikes against Houthi targets since January to deter the group from disrupting international shipping lanes. By Andrea Shalal (Reuters) -The heads of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund on Tuesday said they would work with the incoming U.S. president, Republican Donald Trump, underscoring the importance of private sector funding for developing countries hit by climate change. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva told a panel during the U.N. COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan that the global lender had worked with Trump during his previous term and looked forward to doing so again. "They have a mandate from the American people," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the impact of Trump's election on the IMF's climate work, Georgieva said she was confident that the U.S. private sector would continue to invest in green technologies. "It is the business proposition to stay ahead of the curve, and I have no doubt that this will continue," she said. The election of Trump, who is expected to pull the United States back from global efforts to fight climate change, has raised questions about the ability of the IMF and the World Bank - the U.S. is the largest shareholder in both - to ramp up funding for countries around climate-related issues. This year's COP29 summit is focused on raising hundreds of billions of dollars to fund a global transition to cleaner energy sources and limit the climate damage caused by carbon emissions by the world's largest countries, including the U.S. Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, said Trump's historical win, which demanded respect, highlighted the bank's work to become more efficient and effective, while encouraging increasing private investment in climate finance."He's going to have opinions. We're going to talk to him. That's our job," he said, noting that during his 17 months at the bank, political leadership had also changed in the bank's four other biggest donors - Germany, France, Japan and Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who shuns multilateralism, has promised massive tariff increases on Chinese goods and other imports as part of his "America First" agenda. The conservative Republican "Project 2025" agenda, from which Trump has distanced himself, calls for U.S. withdrawal from the IMF and World Bank to pursue only bilateral development and financial aid in line with U.S. interests. Trump has publicly taken aim at the United Nations and the World Health Organization and the New York Times reported last week that his transition team was preparing executive orders to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. He has not specifically targeted the IMF or World Bank thus far. Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of UAE green energy group Masdar, said the United States remained a key market, despite changes in political leadership, and the company would continue expanding its footprint there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A lot of red states in the U.S. ... deploy a lot of renewables. They are very supportive of energy, so we don't really see any impact, honestly," he said, referring to Republican-controlled states. (Reporting by Andrea ShalalEditing by Marguerita Choy) By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund's Pakistan mission chief Nathan Porter on Tuesday opened unusual talks with Pakistan over a $7 billion bailout approved by its board in September, the finance ministry and sources said. The unscheduled visit of the IMF mission and talks beginning with meeting the country's finance team are too early for first review of the IMF's Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which is due in the first quarter of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chiefs of Pakistan's central bank and federal board of revenue also attended the meeting besides other officials from both the sides, the statement said. The ministry and the IMF have not officially released details of the visit. Sources in the finance ministry said the Nov 11-15 visit will discuss recent developments and program performance to date, adding the mission was not part of the first review. The sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with the media. Pakistan has been struggling with boom-and-bust economic cycles for decades, leading to 23 IMF bailouts since 1958. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sources said the main agenda of the visit was to take a stock of the country's fiscal deficit, which included a nearly 190 billion rupees ($685 million) shortfall in the revenue collection in first quarter of the current fiscal year. They said external financing gap of $2.5 billion which the South Asian nation needs for the current fiscal year, which runs to June 30, 2025, will also be discussed by the mission. A failed attempt by Pakistan to sell its national airline, a major setback to plans to privatise all loss-making state-owned enterprises, will also be discussed along with power and gas sectors losses, they said. At a staff level agreement in July, Islamabad had given sureties to arrange for external financing through bilateral and multilateral funding lenders, on top of roll overs of loans from friendly countries including China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to a query about a fresh Pakistani request for Chinese loan extensions, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said in a WhatsApp text that, "All roll overs have been assured." ($1 = 277.7500 Pakistani rupees) (Reporting by Asif Shahzad; Additional Reporting by Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Writing by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by Kim Coghill, Shri Navaratnam and Lincoln Feast.) Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The Indiana man accused of killing two teenage girls in a wooded area near Delphi was found guilty on Monday and faces a mid-December sentencing date. "Regardless of what the verdict is," Special Judge Frances Gull stated as she requested the court to keep its composure prior to announcing the guilty verdict, "people will not be happy." On Monday, the Indiana jury of five men and seven women found Richard Allen, 52, guilty on all four charges in the 2017 murders of Abigail "Abby" Williams, 13, and Liberty "Libby" German, 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Delphi resident and ex-CVS clerk was convicted of two counts of murder and two murder while kidnapping counts. He's due in court for sentencing at 9 a.m. local time on Dec. 20. Allen is looking at a virtual life sentence of 90 and 130 years in prison. The verdict arrived after a four-week trial in Allen County. On Saturday, the 12-person Indiana jury concluded its second full day of deliberations without reaching a verdict. Jurors -- which include a nurse, a seminar professor, a school counselor, a stay-at-home mother and a transportation director -- heard from dozens of witnesses over 17 days of testimony after four days of deliberating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two teen girls and best friends vanished Feb. 13, 2017, along a trail near their hometown of Delphi, about 60 miles northwest of the state's capital, Indianapolis. Their bodies were found the next day in a wooded area. He had pleaded not guilty and was formally charged and taken into custody by Indiana State Police at the end of 2022, nearly five years after the 2017 slayings of the two middle school girls that rocked the small town. A gag order remained in effect after the verdict, according to local reports."This isn't over at all," Allen's wife said tearfully, WTHR reported. Steven Grattan Associated Press CALI, Colombia After two weeks of negotiations, delegates on Saturday agreed at the United Nations conference on biodiversity to establish a subsidiary body that will include Indigenous peoples in future decisions on nature conservation, a development that builds on a growing movement to recognize the role of the descendants of some regions' original inhabitants in protecting land and combating climate change. The delegates also agreed to oblige major corporations to share the financial benefits of research when using natural genetic resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indigenous delegations erupted into cheers and tears after the historic decision to create the subidiary body was annouced. It recognizes and protects the traditional knowledge systems of Indigenous peoples and local communities for the benefit of global and national biodiversity management, said Sushil Raj, Executive Director of the Rights and Communities Global Program at the Wildlife Conservation Society. It strengthens representation, coordination, inclusive decision making, and creates a space for dialogue with parties to the COP, Raj told The Associated Press, referring to the formal name of the gathering, Conference of Parties. Negotiators had struggled to find common ground on some key issues in the final week but came to a consensus after talks went late into Friday. The COP16 summit, hosted in Cali, Colombia, followed the historic 2022 accord in Montreal, which included 23 measuresto save Earths plant and animal life, including putting 30% of the planet and 30% of degraded ecosystems under protection by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A measure to recognize the importance of the role of people of African descent in the protection of nature was also adopted in Cali. The Indigenous body will be formed by two co-chairs elected by COP: one nominated by U.N. parties of the regional group, and the other nominated by representatives of Indigenous peoples and local communities, according to the final document, which was reviewed by the AP. At least one of the co-chairs will be selected from a developing country, taking into account gender balance, the document said. With this decision, the value of the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and local communities is recognized, and a 26-year-old historical debt in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is settled, Susana Muhamad, Colombias environment minister and COP16 president, posted on social media platform X shortly after the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who owns natures DNA was one of the most contentious and fiercely negotiated topics at the summit as tensions spiked between poorer and developed countries over digital sequence information on genetic resources (DSI). However, negotiators consented on Saturday morning to bind big companies to share benefits when using resources from animals, plants or microorganisms in biotechnologies. Many of the life-saving medicines we use today come from the rainforest. It is therefore right that a portion of the income companies generate from this information goes back to protect nature, said Toerris Jaeger, executive director of Rainforest Foundation Norway. This is the absolute highlight from COP16. Delegations agreed on a genetic information fee of 0.1% of companies revenues from products derived from such information. That money will be directed into a new fund, with 50% reaching Indigenous communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will enable these communities, including women and youth to finally share in the profits, said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president for wildlife at the World Wildlife Fund. Also adopted was an agreement to protect human health from Earths increasing biodiversity issues. Ecosystem degradation and loss of ecological integrity directly threaten human and animal health, environmental groups say. Many argued that the overall conference fell short, in particular when it came to financial commitments. Pledges made by countries during the two weeks were far short of the billions needed to tackle plummeting global biodiversity. Just $163 million in new pledges were made at COP16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pledges made ... were way off where they need to be," said Nicola Sorsby, a researcher at the International Institute for Environment and Development. This is only 0.5% of the target we need to reach within the next 6 years. The modest pledges don't bode well for the next U.N. climate talks, COP29, to take place in Azerbaijan beginning later this month. The focus of COP29 is expected to focus on how to generate trillions of dollars needed for the world to transition to clean energies like solar, wind and geothermal. Raising that money will require major committments by nations, companies and philanthropies. Unfortunately, too many countries and U.N. officials came to Cali without the urgency and level of ambition needed to secure outcomes at COP16 to address our species most urgent existential issue, said Brian ODonnell, director of Campaign for Nature. In Montreal's biodiversity summit, wealthy nations pledged to raise $20 billion in annual conservation financing for developing nations by 2025, with that number rising to $30 billion annually by 2030. Global wildlife populations have plunged on average by 73% in 50 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London biennial Living Planet report in October. By Stanley Widianto and Jeff Mason JAKARTA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday and offered his congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump by phone during an official visit to Washington. "I will work very hard to strengthen Indonesian-United States relationship, and I would like to work towards this end that we have a strong cooperation," said Prabowo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prabowo, who has said he will pursue a non-aligned foreign policy, met with Biden in the Oval Office after posting a video of his call to Trump. He arrived in Washington straight from China, where he had met with President Xi Jinping on his first overseas trip since taking office last month. Washington sees Indonesia, the most populous country in Southeast Asia, as an important partner in a region where its rival Beijing has deep trade and investment ties. Indonesia is also the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. While China is a key economic partner for Indonesia, Jakarta has also become a big buyer of U.S. arms, and it wants to sell the West more metals from its mines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the White House, Biden said the two leaders were discussing climate, conflict in the Middle East and the South China Sea. Indonesia said on Monday it does not recognize China's claims over the vast majority of the South China Sea, despite signing a maritime development deal with Beijing. "We continue to encourage Indonesia to work with their legal experts to make sure any agreement they make with (the People's Republic of China) is in accordance with international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea," said White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre at a press briefing. After the meeting, Biden and Prabowo pledged in a joint statement to expedite ongoing talks on critical minerals between the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, resource-rich Indonesia, who wants to become a major player in the manufacturing of electric vehicles and their batteries, asked the U.S. to begin talks on a trade deal for critical minerals so that exports from the Southeast Asian country can be covered under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. Prabowo and Biden also called for all parties in the conflict in army-ruled Myanmar to create conditions for dialogue as the country remains besieged by a conflict set off by a 2021 military coup. Both leaders expressed support for the development of a code of conduct between Southeast Asian countries and China in the tension-filled South China Sea. TRUMP CALL Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prabowo's office said he made the call to Trump on Monday after arriving in Washington. It did not immediately respond when asked if he is scheduled to meet Trump in person. "Wherever you are, I'm willing to fly to congratulate you personally, sir," Prabowo said in the video of the call posted on his social media accounts. "We'll do that, anytime you want," Trump replied. Trump described his own election victory as amazing, and said it gave him a big mandate. He also said the Indonesian president was "very respected," and praised his English, to which Prabowo, a former special forces commander, replied: "All my training is American, sir." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prabowo also met with several U.S. company representatives in Washington, his office said, including from Freeport McMoRan and energy company Chevron, and urged the companies to invest in Indonesia. (Reporting by Stanley Widianto in Jakarta and Jeff Mason in Washington; Writing by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by John Mair, David Gregorio, Rosalba O'Brien and Kim Coghill) LOUISVILLE Following a hazardous materials incident on Payne Street in Louisville on Tuesday, emergency crews called on people within a one-mile radius to shelter-in place for about an hour. As of 4:39 p.m., there was still an evacuation order in place for a two-block radius surrounding the 1800 block of Payne Street. TV station WLKY reported that at least 11 people were injured in the explosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UofL Hospital emergency department received at least seven of those injured, according to spokeswoman Heather Fountaine, and is prepared for any more that may come this way. We have activated the decontamination unit/procedures. (The) Louisville Fire Department is also at the hospital assisting with decontamination, Fountaine said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also investigating, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter. This story may be updated. (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday that insurance magnate Greg Lindberg had pleaded guilty to a $2 billion fraud and money laundering scheme operated through a network of companies based in North Carolina, Bermuda, Malta, and elsewhere. Lindberg, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the U.S. and one count of money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud insurance regulators and policyholders lasting from 2016 through 2019, the Justice Department said in a statement. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa) Description Join us on Tuesday, November 19, at 7:30 pm for a special presentation with former NASA astronaut Dr. Charles Camarda, where he will discuss his book Mission Out of Control: An Astronauts Journey to Fix High-Risk Organizations and Prevent Tragedy. A book signing by Dr. Camarda will follow the presentation. Dr. Camarda will only be signing his book. Please note: For the best experience for all attendees, video recording and flash photography are not permitted during the presentation. Order your book online now and pick it up on the night of Dr. Charles Camarda's presentation! (Photo courtesy of the Iowa Board of Nursing) The state of Iowa has sanctioned a Des Moines nurse accused of prescribing drugs in an unsafe manner. The Iowa Board of Nursing alleges that advanced registered nurse practitioner Cynthia Coenen was working at an unspecified clinic in 2023 when, on at least one occasion, she prescribed controlled substances in an unsafe manner. The board has not publicly disclosed the name of the clinic, the drugs prescribed, or the impact on any patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the board has alleged that in 2023, Coenens prescriptive practices may have caused harm to at least one patient, although no other details have been disclosed. After charging Coenen with prescribing or dispensing drugs in an unsafe manner and committing an act that may adversely affect a patient, the board recently agreed to dispose of the case through a settlement agreement. The agreement stipulates that Coenens license will be placed on probation for 12 months, during which time her practice will be subject to monitoring by a board-approved third party. Other Iowa nurses recently sanctioned by the board include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breanna Ganschow of North Liberty, who was charged by the board with violating patient privacy and engaging in behavior that is contradictory to professional decorum. According to the board, Ganschow was working at an unspecified Iowa hospital in 2022 when she took photos of herself with an infant patient and then shared them with others outside the hospital. Court records indicate Ganschow was working at the University of Iowa Hospitals in 2022 when she was arrested and charged with harassment, in part for falsely claiming to have been impregnated by the alleged victim. She was arrested again a year later for violating a no-contact order involving the same man. In both cases, Ganschow was awarded a deferred judgment. As part of a settlement agreement with the Board of Nursing, Ganschow has agreed to an indefinite suspension of her nurses license. Her license will be reinstated only after she submits to a mental health evaluation by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist who will indicate whether it is safe for her to resume practice as a nurse. Ganschows license will also be placed on probation for a period of two years, during which she will be required to attend mental health counseling twice per month. Kailee Morris of Atkins, who was charged by the board with failing to accurately document a patients status. The board alleged Morris was working in an unspecified nursing home in March 2024 when a resident she cared for was injured in a fall. Morris allegedly failed to perform the required periodic neurological checks on the resident, but falsely documented having completed the work. Morris recently agreed to settle the case by agreeing to submit to 30 hours of educational training on professional ethics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chase Hansen, who was working as a registered nurse in the emergency room at an unspecified hospital on Nov. 20, 2023, when, the board alleges, he was observed using excessive force with an emergency room patient and using profanity while speaking to the patient. The board charged Hansen with engaging in behavior that is contradictory to professional decorum and committing an act that may cause harm to a patient. Board records indicate Hansens employment at the hospital ended the next day. The board recently agreed to settle the case by placing Hansens license on probation for one year, during which time he will have to submit to mental health counseling with the goal of improving his level of insight regarding psychological matters, decrease anxious reactions, improve stress management, and improve behavioral regulation regarding anger reactions. Hansens license as an Iowa paramedic remains in good standing, with no public record of any disciplinary action. Sheldon Cowan of Florida, who in 2023 was charged by the board with committing an act that may cause harm to a patient. Board records indicate the case was resolved last month through a settlement, but the board has yet to make public the alleged conduct that led to the charge or the settlement agreement itself. Cowans Florida license is in good standing with no record of any disciplinary action. DES MOINES, Iowa The future of Steer N Stein at the Iowa State Fair remains unclear but the serious questions about its owners unpaid bills arent being ignored. The Iowa State Fair Board is meeting this week to discuss next steps for the food vendor, according to Iowa State Fair spokeswoman Mindy Williamson. In the November 13 agenda, Steer N Stein is listed under the Concessions Committee report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in October, several Steer N Stein employees told WHO 13 News they were not paid after working at the 2024 Iowa State Fair. The food vendor was under Michael Krantz co-ownership starting in 2023. A statement from Mark Weinhardt, the lawyer representing Michael Krantz, reads in part: The Steer N Stein ownership group, which includes Michael Krantz, is working diligently and quickly to assure that anyone owed money from this years State Fair is paid. They expect all outstanding obligations will be resolved very soon. The statement goes on to say Krantz and his team look forward to serving guests at Steer N Stein in 2025. The Iowa State Fair Board will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting is open to attend and will be held at the Administration Building at the fairgrounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full statement from attorneys for Krantz at The Weinhardt Law Firm reads: The Steer N Stein ownership group, which includes Michael Krantz, is working diligently and quickly to assure that anyone owed money from this years State Fair is paid. They expect all outstanding obligations will be resolved very soon. The Steer N Stein owners are committed to the future. They have, on a very short time frame, invested multiple millions of dollars to modernize the facility to greatly improve the experience for guests of the Steer N Stein and State Fair patrons. There have been new financial challenges this year. For example, a change in how the Fair collected funds from vendors this year resulted in confusion and unpredictable withdrawals from bank accounts. That caused temporary cash flow issues. The Steer N Stein has been working with its HVAC contractor this year on the same terms as it did in 2023 and this year, very unexpectedly, that contractor filed a lawsuit. That matter should be resolved shortly. The Steer N Stein is proud of its many employees and its good relationships with them. Unfortunately, problems resulted when a few employees waited weeks or even months to deposit paychecks delivered to them in the summer. Those employees are being made whole, and the Steer N Stein thanks them for their service. Any rumors that the Steer N Stein is for sale, or that Mr. Krantz and his family are considering bankruptcy, are simply nonsense. Mike Krantz and his team look forward to serving many thousands of State Fair guests at an even better Steer N Stein in 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 who13.com. Iran is building a defensive tunnel within Tehrans metro network over fears of further Israeli strikes on the capital. According to Jafar Tashakori, the head of Tehrans city council transport committee, this is the first time that a tunnel with defensive functionalities has been constructed in the city. Mr Tashakori said that the tunnel would run between two metro stations and provide direct underground access to a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This tunnel connects different parts of the city as part of a broader strategy, he told reporters in Tehran. The announcement provides few details about the purpose or nature of the defensive features. After Israels air strikes on military centres near Tehran and several other cities in Iran in October, some Iranian citizens on social media criticised the clerical regime for lack of safety facilities for civilians. They were frustrated by the paucity of information regarding the Israeli strikes, as well as the fact there were no air raid sirens and shelters in the capital. The Islamic Republic has so far refused to advise its citizens on what to do during a bombardment. Analysts say that by leaving the population vulnerable, the government is essentially using civilians as human shields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran left its airspace open when it fired dozens of missiles at American-led forces in Iraq in 2020. This led to the downing of a plane in which all 176 people on board were killed after Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) thought the aircraft was an incoming US missile. Iran also allowed civilian flights to continue when it launched missile barrages on Israel in April and October 2024. The planned metro tunnel is most likely be used as a civilian shelter in the event of future Israeli strikes. On Monday the Telegram channel Saberin, which has close ties with Irans regional allies, published a video of an underground city housing some of the IRGCs drones and missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iranian media has reported that a conference titled Defensive Tunnels will be held at the IRGCs officers academy on Nov 20. Iranian officials have also warned that they will carry out a retaliatory attack on Israel in response to Israels October strikes. Israel Katz, the newly appointed Israeli defence minister, said on Monday that Iran was more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities. He added: We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the state of Israel. 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. DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran will not be able to ignore its arch-foe the United States and needs to "handle its enemies with forbearance", state media reported on Tuesday, a week after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election. "Whether we like it or not, we will have to deal with the U.S. in the regional and international arenas, so it is better to manage this relation ourselves," Pezeshkian, who is viewed as relatively moderate, said. "We have to treat our friends with generosity and handle our enemies with forbearance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, then-President Trump ditched Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and re-imposed harsh sanctions as part of his "maximum pressure" policy against Iran. While there have been no reports that the Trump administration plans to hold talks with Tehran after it takes office in January, the President-elect said during his election campaign "I don't want to do damage to Iran but they cannot have nuclear weapons." Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran to revive the nuclear deal were initiated under the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, but failed. Iran is still formally part of the deal but has scaled back commitments to honour it due to U.S. sanctions re-imposed on the Islamic Republic. Earlier on Tuesday, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Iran will pursue whatever secures its interest, when asked if there could be direct talks with the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She cautioned that the final decision for talks rests with the top political figure Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council. "The maximum pressure campaign of Trump has failed, even if people have been burdened by it. What is important will be actions and not words, but we recommend Trump to take into account the failure of his past policies," Mohajerani added. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Sharon Singleton) At least twelve heavy airstrikes have hit areas known to be Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs, security sources and eyewitnesses said. The strikes came after an Israeli army spokesman sent a warning on the social media platform X to evacuate areas in Beirut's southern suburbs. They hit Haret Hreik, Ghobeiri, al Hadath, Beir al Abed and Lailaki. The airstrikes caused panic among the population, as many people usually go in the morning to check on their houses in the southern suburbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People were seen jumping on motorbikes and speeding away by car to leave the area when the warnings came in. Black plumes of smoke covered the targeted areas. According to Lebanese security sources, one building was levelled to the ground in the Beir al-Abed neighboorhood. The strikes also caused panic at schools near Beirut's southern suburbs, as parents rushed to get their children. Videos on social media showed pupils screaming inside a classroom while using their phones to film the black smoke, as Israeli planes raided the nearby southern suburbs. The sound of the airstrikes echoed throughout the Lebanese capital and the overlooking areas of Mount Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The southern suburbs had experienced a cautious calm for the past two days. Security sources said Tuesday's attack was the heaviest daytime airstrike on the area this month. It came after the Shiite militant Hezbollah organization claimed two attacks in northern Israel and Haifa. The Israeli army said that the drone attack had triggered air raid sirens in Haifa, Acre and other areas. One drone that crossed from Lebanon was identified as falling in the area of Nesher, the Israeli military said, adding that for now, no injuries have been reported. Since September, Israel's military has massively expanded its attacks in Lebanon, where it says it is fighting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. Fighter planes have bombed targets across the country and frequently in the suburbs south of Beirut. The Israeli government has failed to meet criteria set out by the US to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, a group of eight humanitarian aid organizations said in a joint scorecard released Tuesday. Israel not only failed to meet the U.S. criteria that would indicate support to the humanitarian response, but concurrently took actions that dramatically worsened the situation on the ground, particularly in northern Gaza, the organizations said. The release of the scorecard comes on the 30-day deadline for action set by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in a letter to the Israeli government last month. In that letter, the US officials said Israel must act on more than a dozen concrete measures to improve the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For weeks, aid organizations and UN agencies have sounded the alarm about the apocalyptic conditions in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces have been carrying out intensive military operations. On Friday, a group of independent experts warned that there is a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip. The scorecard itself notes that an estimated 100,000 people have been displaced from North Gaza to Gaza City and between 75,000 and 95,000 people remain besieged in North Gaza without medical or food supplies. Failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for US policy under a Biden administration national security memorandum as well as US law, they warned. Section 620i of the US Foreign Assistance Act requires the US to halt security assistance to governments who restrict US humanitarian aid. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said last week he would not speculate about what may or may not happen following the 30-day period. People are not just skipping meals anymore; theyre having a meal once every couple of days According to the aid organization scorecard, there was non-compliance, significant delays, or backtracking on 15 of the measures outlined in the letter. There was only partial or inconsistent implementation on four of them. None of the measures saw full or significant progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scorecard was compiled by Anera, CARE International, MedGlobal, Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, Refugees International, and Save the Children. It is based on the observations and experience of humanitarian organizations on the ground and on available public data and secondary sources. The measures that were completely unmet, according to the scorecard, included allowing a minimum of 350 trucks of humanitarian aid per day to enter Gaza and reinstating a minimum of 50-100 commercial trucks per day. Its the sort of lethal combo of no humanitarian assistance and no commercial assistance getting in that is, for the past 30 days, accelerating the deterioration, and thats a real problem, said Kate Phillips-Barrasso, the vice president of global policy and advocacy at Mercy Corps. If youre not having movement on one of those two, then it means that people are not going to have anything to eat. Its just a very basic equation, right? Nothing to buy, nothing being given, and theres obviously nothing being really grown or fished or anything locally, and not to mention it wouldnt ever sustain a population of 2 million, she told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are now receiving reports that people are not just skipping meals anymore; theyre having a meal once every couple of days, and its mostly canned stuff, she said. Theres no fresh food, Phillips-Barrasso said. The Israeli government also failed to institute adequate humanitarian pauses to allow for humanitarian activities, to rescind evacuation orders when there is no operational need, to ensure continuous humanitarian access to northern Gaza, or enhance security for humanitarian sites and movements, according to the scorecard. Israeli forces repeatedly attacked humanitarian sites and frontline responders during the 30-day period, the scorecard said. At least 14 aid workers have been killed since October 3, including at least four documented during the 30-day period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, despite US warnings in the letter and elsewhere, the Israeli parliament voted to ban UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The State Department spokesperson warned last month that the role UNRWA plays in Gaza cannot be filled by anyone else. At a press briefing last week, Miller said the US has made clear to the Israeli government that there are potential legal and policy considerations from failure to improve the humanitarian assistance situation in Gaza and implement a number of the steps that we outlined in the letter. We are in active discussion with them including in the past several days about steps that they have taken and what more that they need to do. And well make an assessment when we get to the end of the period, he said Thursday. The humanitarian scorecard noted that the effectiveness of international diplomatic efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza hinges on the willingness of the United States and other countries to push Israel to comply with these priorities. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Biden administration has not assessed that Israel is in violation of US law and will not change its policy at this time, a State Department spokesperson said Tuesday on the US-mandated 30-day deadline for the Netanyahu government to take specific steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The US statement comes in sharp contrast to the findings of humanitarian aid organizations, who say that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated to its worst point since the war began in October 2023. The situation in northern Gaza in particular has been described as apocalyptic, with areas at imminent risk of famine. Last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin set a 30-day deadline for the Israeli government to take action on more than a dozen concrete measures to improve the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, a group of eight humanitarian aid organizations jointly said the Israeli government not only failed to meet the U.S. criteria that would indicate support to the humanitarian response, but concurrently took actions that dramatically worsened the situation on the ground, particularly in northern Gaza. Blinken and Austin in their letter warned that a failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for US policy under a Biden administration national security memorandum as well as US law. Section 620I of the US Foreign Assistance Act requires the US to halt security assistance to governments who restrict US humanitarian aid. We, at this time, have not made an assessment that the Israelis are in violation of US law, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said Tuesday. Patel said that the Israeli government has taken some of the measures outlined in the letter, and argued that they may not have happened without US pressure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen some progress being made, he said at a press briefing. We would like to see some more changes happen. Most importantly, we are going to continue to watch how these steps that theyve taken, how they are being implemented, how they can be continued to be expanded on, and through that, were going to continue to assess their compliance with US law. An Israeli official told CNN earlier on Tuesday that the government has been working to provide humanitarian aid throughout the past year, and responded positively to most American requests, many of which were already underway regardless. Worst point since the war began However, according to the aid organizations, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated to its worst point since the war began in October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was non-compliance, significant delays, or backtracking on 15 of the measures outlined in the Blinken and Austin letter, according to the aid organizations joint scorecard released Tuesday. There was only partial or inconsistent implementation on four of them. None of the measures saw full or significant progress. The scorecard was compiled by Anera, CARE International, MedGlobal, Mercy Corps, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, Refugees International, and Save the Children. It is based on the observations and experience of humanitarian organizations on the ground and on available public data and secondary sources. The measures that were completely unmet, according to the scorecard, included allowing a minimum of 350 trucks of humanitarian aid per day to enter Gaza and reinstating a minimum of 50-100 commercial trucks per day. Its the sort of lethal combo of no humanitarian assistance and no commercial assistance getting in that is, for the past 30 days, accelerating the deterioration, and thats a real problem, said Kate Phillips-Barrasso, the vice president of global policy and advocacy at Mercy Corps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre not having movement on one of those two, then it means that people are not going to have anything to eat. Its just a very basic equation, right? Nothing to buy, nothing being given, and theres obviously nothing being really grown or fished or anything locally, and not to mention it wouldnt ever sustain a population of 2 million, she told CNN. They are now receiving reports that people are not just skipping meals anymore; theyre having a meal once every couple of days, and its mostly canned stuff, she said. Theres no fresh food, Phillips-Barrasso said. The Israeli government also failed to institute adequate humanitarian pauses to allow for humanitarian activities, to rescind evacuation orders when there is no operational need, to ensure continuous humanitarian access to northern Gaza, or enhance security for humanitarian sites and movements, according to the scorecard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Israeli authorities and local Palestinian journalists, some humanitarian aid has been delivered to northern Gazas Beit Hanoun area in recent days but many displaced Palestinians there were forced out of their shelters by airstrikes and warnings from the Israeli military to head south before they could receive the aid. Israeli forces repeatedly attacked humanitarian sites and frontline responders during the 30-day period, the scorecard said. At least 14 aid workers have been killed since October 3, including at least four documented during the 30-day period. Moreover, despite US warnings in the letter and elsewhere, the Israeli parliament voted to ban UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The State Department spokesperson warned last month that the role UNRWA plays in Gaza cannot be filled by anyone else. Calls to halt arms sales On Tuesday, a group of US officials who resigned in protest at the Biden administrations policy towards Israel and the war in Gaza called on the US government to halt weapons sales to Israel for violating laws on humanitarian aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are calling on President Biden to keep this 30-day promise. To uphold US law. To halt US weapons sales to Israel, to stop the spread of the conflict and look out for America, members of the group said in a video. There is no provision in US or international law that allows extra time to starve people, said former top State Department official Stacy Gilbert. The humanitarian scorecard noted that the effectiveness of international diplomatic efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza hinges on the willingness of the United States and other countries to push Israel to comply with these priorities. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Michael Conte, Mick Krever, MJ Lee, Kylie Atwood, Abeer Salman, Kareem Khadder and Irene Nasser contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israel's military plans to issue conscription orders for ultra-Orthodox men again this coming Sunday, according to Israeli media. Several Israeli newspapers reported on Tuesday that around 7,000 strictly religious men are to receive notices. The former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, had authorized the sending of the call-up orders before his dismissal, the Times of Israel reported. The military reportedly intends to send out the notices as planned. Israel Katz, the new defence minister, has not cancelled the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to media reports, around 3,000 ultra-Orthodox men already received conscription notices in the summer. However, it is said that only a fraction of them subsequently appeared at military conscription centres. For decades, the men in Israel were exempt from compulsory military service. However, an exemption expired several months ago. The Israeli government failed to pass a law to make the concessions for the ultra-Orthodox more permanent. Eventually, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in the summer that ultra-Orthodox men must be conscripted for military service. The ultra-religious parties of the ruling coalition were angered by the ruling. Many ultra-Orthodox men perceive military service as a threat to their pious lifestyle, partly because men and women serve together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conversely, many secular people in Israel feel it is unfair that ultra-Orthodox Jews have so far not had to perform military service and have been exempted from dangerous combat missions. In light of the wars against the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip and pro-Iranian Shiite Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, Israel's military has warned of a shortage of combat-ready soldiers. Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs were hit by multiple heavy airstrikes on Tuesday as Israel's newly appointed defence minister rejected any talk of a possible ceasefire. The Israeli military said it has now destroyed most of the weapons depots and rocket production facilities that have been built up in the suburbs - including under civilian buildings - over the past two decades. The strikes hit the areas of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, al-Hadath, Bir al-Abed and Lailaki. Earlier, an Israeli army spokesman sent a warning on the social media platform X to evacuate areas in Beirut's southern suburbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People in the area were seen jumping on motorbikes and speeding away by car when the warnings came in. Panicked parents also rushed to collect their children at schools. Videos circulating on social media showed pupils screaming in a classroom while filming the black smoke on their phones. The southern suburbs had been cautiously calm for the past two days. Security sources said Tuesday's attack was the heaviest daytime airstrike on the area this month. Deaths reported in Lebanon and Israel In Lebanon, at least 33 people were killed in Israeli attacks in various areas, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one attack in Joun, a village in in the south of the country, 15 people were killed, eight of them women and four minors. The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that a residential building in which displaced people had sought refuge was hit by Israel. On the other side of the border in northern Israel, two men were killed after a rocket hit in the area of the coastal city of Nahariya, the Israeli rescue service Magen David Adom and the Israeli police said. In Tel Aviv, there was an aid-raid alert in the late afternoon after an attack from Lebanon. Three missiles were intercepted, the military said. Earlier, the Israeli military said a drone attack had triggered air-raid sirens in Haifa, Acre and other areas. One drone reportedly struck the courtyard of kindergarten in Haifa. No one was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since September, Israel's military has massively expanded its attacks in Lebanon, where it says it is fighting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia. Fighter planes have bombed targets across the country, frequently also in the suburbs south of Beirut. No prospect of ceasefire New Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ruled out a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, contradicting media reports that a pause could be imminent after more than a year of fighting. "In Lebanon there will be no ceasefire and there will be no respite," Katz posted on social media platform X on Tuesday, following discussions with the Israeli general staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katz spoke of the "great and powerful activities" carried out by the Israeli military against Hezbollah, citing the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah among other things. These provided a "picture of victory" for Israel, he said, adding that the offensive activities had to continue. "We will continue to hit Hezbollah with full force until the goals of the war are achieved," added Katz, who was foreign minister until a reshuffle last week. He said Israel would only agree to a settlement if it granted Israel the right to continue combatting terrorism in Lebanon and enabled the disarmament of Hezbollah, as well as its withdrawal to the area north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres from the border to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has been fighting for more than a year on several fronts, against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip as well as Hezbollah to the north. The fighting began after the massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023 carried out by Hamas and other extremists from the Gaza Strip, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 kidnapped. Netanyahu delivers message to Iran Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again addressed the people of Iran directly in a video, saying their leadership is wasting money with attacks on Israel that could be invested in their future. Another Iranian attack would cost the country billions of dollars and cripple the economy, the Israeli prime minister said in a video message released on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I know that you don't want this war. I don't want this war either. The people of Israel don't want this war," he said. "There is one force putting your family in grave danger: The tyrants of Tehran. That's it," Netanyahu said, referring to the regime of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The regime obsesses "about destroying Israel, rather than about building Iran," the Israeli prime minister continued, adding, "What a shame." Pascal Soriots AstraZeneca said in March that it would invest 450m into a new green vaccine factory in Liverpool - Carlos Osorio/Reuters AstraZeneca has put a 450m investment in Britain under review in a stand-off with ministers over state aid. The drugs giant told The Telegraph that proposals to build a new vaccine factory in Liverpool had not yet been taken forward, amid ongoing conversations with the Government about incentives. The pharmaceutical giant said in March that it would invest 450m into a new green vaccine production factory in Speke, Liverpool. AstraZeneca had been in talks with the previous Conservative government about providing state aid to fund the development, with more than 90m of support expected. However, Labour has since come to power and has been seeking to reduce the amount of state aid to 40m, according to the Financial Times. Aradhana Sarin, chief financial officer, told The Telegraph: Were still in discussions with the Government to figure out what type of incentives there may be. So we dont have anything new to report at this time. Asked if the plans were on hold, Ms Sarin said: Thats correct. The company later sought to clarify that the investment was not paused but confirmed it was being reviewed. A spokesman said that talks were ongoing, adding: We are reviewing the incentives for investment in the UK. Plans to invest 200m in expanding AstraZenecas life sciences cluster in Cambridge are understood to be progressing The Government is seeking to reduce the amount of state support as ministers try to address what they claim is a 22bn black hole in the public finances inherited from the Tories. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 25bn tax raid on businesses in last months Budget in an effort to plug the gap. AstraZeneca did not immediately say whether any changes announced in the Budget influenced its negotiations with the Government. A Treasury spokesman said: We are committed to making the UK one of the best places in the world to develop and manufacture new and innovative medicines, and we are in active discussions with AstraZeneca to support the delivery of this planned investment in Speke. The decision to pause its investment in Britain came as AstraZeneca announced plans to spend $3.5bn (2.7bn) expanding its US business. The UK-headquartered drugmaker will invest in growing its US research and manufacturing operations by the end of 2026. That includes $2bn allocated to creating more than 1,000 jobs. Pascal Soriot, AstraZenecas chief executive, said the large commitment reflected the attractiveness of the business environment together with the quality of talent and innovation capabilities here in the US. Plans to invest 200m in expanding the companys life sciences cluster in Cambridge were also announced in March and are understood to be progressing. The company is building a new facility next to its existing research labs. Large quantities of food and water have been delivered to civilians in the north of the Gaza Strip as fighting continues, the Israeli authorities announced. "Hundreds of food and water packages were delivered to the Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun areas in northern Gaza," said Israel's COGAT agency, which coordinates activities in the occupied Palestinian areas. COGAT said the move followed a directive from the Israeli government and took place during a coordinated operation on Monday, in cooperation with international aid organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was in addition to last week's coordinated effort to send in 11 trucks of food, water and medical supplies to the Jabaliya refugee camp, according to COGAT. The agency said that since last month, 741 aid trucks had arrived in northern Gaza via the Erez West crossing, which lies close to Beit Hanoun. In addition, 244 patients and their companions had been evacuated from hospitals in northern Gaza over the past month. Some 50,000 litres of fuel, 180 blood units and hundreds of boxes of medical supplies and food had also been delivered to support hospital infrastructure in northern Gaza, it said. The Israeli authorities further announced the opening of another border crossing near Kissufim in the centre of the Gaza Strip. Food, water, medications and tents had been delivered to the southern and central sections of the region, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aid organizations have warned in recent days of starvation and catastrophic conditions in the Gaza Strip, particularly in the north, while Israel's Western allies have called for crossings to be opened to allow aid in. The Israeli authorities have accused Hamas of looting aid supplies, then selling them to the civilian population to entrench Hamas control in the region. A 30-day period set by the United States for Israel to improve the humanitarian situation ends this week. The US has warned that it will otherwise restrict military aid. Among the demands was that Israel allow the entry of around 350 trucks with aid every day. By Nidal al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Israeli military said on Tuesday it had delivered hundreds of packets of food to cut-off areas of northern Gaza as fighting raged ahead of a U.S. deadline for Israel to get more aid into the Palestinian enclave or face cuts in military assistance. Palestinian medics said at least 37 people had been killed in Israeli strikes in several parts of the Gaza Strip overnight and into Tuesday, including 10 people killed in a house in Beit Hanoun and two others in the nearby town of Beit Lahiya. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four Israeli soldiers were killed in northern Gaza, the military said. Later on Tuesday, an Israeli strike killed 11 Palestinians in Rafah, medics said. A strike on a house in the Gaza City suburb of Sabra killed a Hamas leader in the city, Waleed Aweida, and his granddaughter. Three other people including his wife were still under the rubble. For more than a month, Israeli troops have been laying siege to the northern end of Gaza in a push the military says is aimed at squeezing out Hamas militants reforming in the area around the town of Jabalia. The military says it has killed or captured hundreds of fighters but Israel has faced growing international pressure over the disastrous humanitarian situation facing civilians who have been largely cut off from aid for weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are witnessing alarming cases of malnutrition among both children and adults. We are struggling to provide even one meal a day for our hospital workers amidst severe food and medical supply shortages," said Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. "We are losing lives every day due to the lack of specialized care and resources," he added. This week, the outgoing U.S. administration is expected to judge whether Israel has done enough to meet a demand issued last month to get more aid flowing into Gaza. Last week, a committee of global food security experts warned of a strong likelihood that famine was imminent in certain areas of northern Gaza, a claim which Israel rejected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the 30-day deadline imposed by Washington has approached, Israeli authorities have been rushing to meet some of the U.S. demands but it remains unclear whether enough has been done to satisfy U.S. requirements. On Tuesday, the military said it had opened a fifth crossing into Gaza, one of the U.S. demands, which it said would help get food, water, medical supplies, and shelter equipment to central and southern Gaza. It said hundreds of food packages and thousands of litres of water had been delivered a day earlier to distribution centres for civilians in the area of Beit Hanoun, on Gaza's northern edge. It said 741 trucks of aid had been delivered into northern Gaza through the Erez crossing since October, while 244 patients had been evacuated for treatment. International aid groups said the effort falls short of what would be needed and Israel's military operation in northern Gaza has worsened the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FIGHTING CONTINUES Even as the military announced the deliveries, prospects of an agreement to halt the fighting appeared as distant as ever with the imminent return of Donald Trump as U.S. President giving a lift to hardliners in the Israeli government. Outgoing President Joe Biden has offered strong backing to Israel since Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israel last October, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. But as the toll from Israel's relentless campaign in Gaza has mounted, relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government have been increasingly fraught. More than 43,500 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza over the past year and Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland of wrecked buildings and piles of rubble where more than 2 million Gazans seek shelter as best they can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's campaign in the north of Gaza, and the evacuation of tens of thousands of Palestinians from the area, has fuelled accusations from Palestinians that it is clearing the area for use as a buffer zone and potentially for a return of Jewish settlers. On Tuesday, residents said Israeli tanks advanced deeper in Beit Hanoun and besieged four displaced families before ordering them to leave towards Gaza City. The Israeli military has denied any such intention, and Netanyahu has said he does not want to reverse the 2005 withdrawal of settlers from Gaza. Hardliners in his government have talked openly about going back. On Monday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that, with the backing of the next Trump administration, he hoped Israel could annex parts of the occupied West Bank as early as next year, although a decision has not yet been taken by the cabinet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The call was condemned by Qatar, which has said it will it halt its efforts to mediate a Gaza ceasefire and a hostage return until both sides show "willingness and seriousness". (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Peter Graff) (Bloomberg) -- Israel said headway was being made in US-mediated efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Lebanon, but that it still needed guarantees on resuming military operations if there are any infractions by Hezbollah. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a certain progress. We are working with the Americans on the issue, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters on Monday. Russia could help with the enforcement of such a deal, he added. Former US President Donald Trumps reelection last week has fueled speculation about the outlook for Israels more than year-old conflicts with Iranian proxies, including Hamas in Gaza even as the threat of further direct confrontation with Tehran remains. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that hes spoken to Trump three times in the past few days. Cross-border fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon has intensified in recent weeks. Hezbollah says it is reacting to Israels military operations in Gaza against Hamas, which attacked Israel more than a year ago. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are designated as terrorist groups by the US. A senior Israeli official, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, made a rare visit to Russia last week to sound out Moscow on a possible role in preventing arms smuggling from Syria to Hezbollah, Israels Army Radio reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dermer on Sunday met President-elect Trump in Florida, Axios reported, citing four Israeli and US officials. The conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza, as well as the potential for an improvement in Israeli-Saudi ties was part of the discussions, the report said, citing the US officials. Dermer then traveled to Washington to meet top Biden administration officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to the report. Saar declined to elaborate on Dermers travels, but made clear that Israel was open to a Russian role in curbing Hezbollah. The Russians, as you know, are present in Syria, he said. I think they can contribute to achieving effectively this objective. Saar, whos days into his role after his predecessor was named defense minister to replace Yoav Gallant, whom Netanyahu fired, stressed that having more relevant players involved was good for any potential deal. The Russian embassy in Israel declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed truce to end the conflict with Lebanon would require Hezbollah to pull back from the area near the border with Israel and a withdrawal of Israeli forces. The plan also envisions beefing up the United Nations peacekeeping presence already in Lebanon. The Israelis want guarantees that Hezbollah will be disarmed and that they will be empowered to launch renewed military strikes if the group is deemed a continued danger. Lebanese authorities have yet to receive a draft proposal for the cease-fire, according to Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to Hezbollah. Lebanon has voiced opposition to any deal that would allow Israels military to operate freely in its airspace or territory. We would like to wrap this episode up, Israels ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, told Tel Aviv radio station 103 FM on Monday. The most significant aspect is the guarantees regarding our ability to keep tackling threats. If agreed to, the deal would start with an initial 60-day test period long enough, potentially, to reach the handover to the Trump administration by outgoing US President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite losing many of its leaders and much of its arsenal to Israeli strikes, Hezbollah has kept up scores of missile and drone launches across the border. It has said any truce in Lebanon must come with a cessation of the Israeli offensive in Gaza. More than 43,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which doesnt differentiate between civilians and fighters in its figures. Still, Israel, which had to evacuate tens of thousands of residents from northern areas, has already claimed victory against Hezbollah. We have defeated Hezbollah, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a speech on Sunday. Now our job is to keep up the pressure and implement the fruits of this victory, by ensuring a change in the security situation in Lebanon. --With assistance from Omar Tamo and Zoe Ma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Adds report on Dermers meetings in the US in sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs were hit by at least 12 heavy airstrikes on Tuesday, security sources and eyewitnesses said, as Israel's newly appointed defence minister rejected any talk of a possible ceasefire. The strikes hit the areas of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiri, al Hadath, Beir al Abed and Lailaki. Earlier, an Israeli army spokesman sent a warning on the social media platform X to evacuate areas in Beirut's southern suburbs. The airstrikes caused panic among the population, as many people usually go in the morning to check on their houses in the southern suburbs. People in the area were seen jumping on motorbikes and speeding away by car when the warnings came in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black plumes of smoke covered the targeted areas. According to Lebanese security sources, one building was levelled to the ground in the Beir al-Abed neighboorhood. The strikes also caused panic at nearby schools, as parents rushed to collect their children. Videos circulating on social media showed pupils screaming in a classroom while filming the black smoke on their phones. The sound of the airstrikes echoed throughout the Lebanese capital and the overlooking areas of Mount Lebanon. The southern suburbs had been cautiously calm for the past two days. Security sources said Tuesday's attack was the heaviest daytime airstrike on the area this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came after the Shiite militant Hezbollah organization claimed two attacks in northern Israel and Haifa. Strikes on Israel The Israeli military said the drone attack had triggered air raid sirens in Haifa, Acre and other areas. One drone that crossed from Lebanon was identified as falling in the area of Nesher, the Israeli military said, adding that no casualties had been reported. Since September, Israel's military has massively expanded its attacks in Lebanon, where it says it is fighting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. Fighter planes have bombed targets across the country and frequently in the suburbs south of Beirut. No prospect of ceasefire New Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ruled out a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, contradicting media reports that a pause could be imminent after more than a year of fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Lebanon there will be no ceasefire and there will be no respite," Katz posted on social media platform X on Tuesday, following discussions with the Israeli general staff. Katz spoke of the "great and powerful activities" carried out by the Israeli military against Hezbollah, citing the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah among other things. These provided a "picture of victory" for Israel, he said, adding that the offensive activities had to continue. "We will continue to hit Hezbollah with full force until the goals of the war are achieved," added Katz, who was foreign minister until a reshuffle last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Israel would only agree to a settlement if it granted Israel the right to continue combatting terrorism in Lebanon and enabled the disarmament of Hezbollah, as well as its withdrawal to the area north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres from the border to Israel. Israel has been fighting for more than a year on several fronts, against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip as well as Hezbollah to the north. The fighting began after the massacre in Israel on 7 October 2023 carried out by Hamas and other extremists from the Gaza Strip, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 kidnapped. The News Israel struck Gaza Tuesday, as the country ramped up its assault on the territorys already decimated north, where Israeli officials have said Hamas has resurged. United Nations officials described the situation in northern Gaza as apocalyptic, and warned the entire population there is at risk of death. The strikes come as a US deadline set last month for Israel to surge food and emergency aid into Gaza is set to expire. Aid groups said Israel has failed to meet the US demands. The Biden administration had warned that failure to do so could lead to restrictions on weapons transfers to Israel, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said the US would determine this week whether Israel has made enough progress, before deciding on any potential action. SIGNALS Aid to Gaza reaches lowest level in almost a year Sources: The Guardian, The New York Times Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Guardians analysis of Israeli government data, aid deliveries to Gaza have fallen to their lowest level since last December, despite the US ultimatum. Just 25,000 tonnes of aid entered the territory in October, compared to 117,000 tonnes of food delivered in May. Even if you have money there is nothing to buy, one UN official told the newspaper. Everyone is going hungry again. On Monday, Israels military announced a small expansion to a south Gaza humanitarian zone, promising aid and shelter; however it is unclear if the expansion will make a meaningful difference in the significantly overcrowded area, The New York Times reported. Trump meets Netanyahu ally to discuss Israels plans in Gaza Sources: Axios, The Economists Gregg Carlstrom, Haaretz US President-elect Donald Trump met with a close adviser of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday, Axios reported, with Israel apparently keen to understand what are the issues [Trump] prefers to see solved before January 20 [Trumps inauguration] and what are the issues he prefers the Israelis to wait for him. The Economists Middle East correspondent noted on X that Israel is basically not even pretending that Biden is still the president. But some Israeli commentators suspect Trump may not offer the unconditional support Netanyahu hopes: Trump and his teams primary interest isnt to stand by Israel, but to ensure that Israel doesnt become a problem as they start their term, a left-leaning former Israeli official wrote in Haaretz. No pause in Lebanon until objectives are met, Israeli official says Sources: X, Al Joumhouria While Israeli officials have said Lebanon ceasefire talks are progressing, Defense Minister Israel Katz said there will be no ceasefire and no pause in Lebanon, until Israels objectives are accomplished, which include disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah a powerful political force in Lebanon and a paramilitary organization as well as the return of residents to Israels northern border and the right to enforce any peace deal unilaterally in Lebanon. Lebanese politicians have said they are unwilling to accept any deal that allows Israel to violate its sovereignty at will. The speaker of Lebanons parliament called instead for a return to the UN resolution that ended Israels 2006 invasion, which Israeli officials believe failed to prevent Hezbollahs resurgence. By Laila Bassam and Ari Rabinovitch BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli military pounded Beirut's southern suburbs with airstrikes on Tuesday, mounting one of its heaviest daytime attacks yet on the Hezbollah-controlled area, and struck the middle of the country where more than 20 people were killed. Smoke billowed over Beirut as around a dozen strikes hit the southern suburbs starting in midmorning. After posting warnings to civilians on social media, the Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah targets in Beirut's Dahiyeh area and later said it dismantled most of the group's weapons and missile facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel said it had taken steps to reduce harm to civilians and repeated its standing accusation that Hezbollah deliberately embeds itself into civilian areas to use residents as human shields, a charge Hezbollah rejects. In northern Israel, two people were killed in the city of Nahariya when a residential building was struck, Israeli police said. Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for a drone attack that it said was aimed at a military base east of Nahariya. Israelis were forced to take shelter from drone attacks across the north, the military said. One hit the yard of a kindergarten in a Haifa suburb, where the children had been rushed into a shelter, rescue workers said. None were hurt. In Mount Lebanon province in the middle of Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed eight people in the village of Baalchmay southeast of Beirut and 15 people in Joun village in the Chouf district, Lebanon's health ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the south, five people were killed in an Israeli strike on Tefahta, two in a raid on Nabatieh and one in the coastal city of Tyre. Another person was killed in a strike in Hermel in the northeast, the ministry said. Beirut residents have largely fled the southern suburbs since Israel began bombing there in September. Footage of one strike shared on social media showed two missiles slamming into a building of around 10 stories, demolishing it and sending up clouds of debris. Ignited by the Gaza war, the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah had been rumbling on for nearly a year before Israel went on the offensive in September, pounding Lebanon with airstrikes and sending troops into the south. Israel has dealt Hezbollah heavy blows, killing many of its leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, flattening large areas of the southern suburbs, destroying border villages in the south and striking more widely across Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi, visiting troops in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, said Israeli forces were "operating very strongly" in the country. Since hostilities erupted a year ago, Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,287 people in Lebanon, the majority in the last seven weeks, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Its figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Hezbollah attacks have killed about 100 civilians and soldiers in northern Israel, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and southern Lebanon over the last year, according to Israel. Hezbollah late on Tuesday said its forces had killed more than 100 Israeli soldiers since Oct. 1. In a statement, Hezbollah said that since that date it had forced an Israeli retreat from several towns in southern Lebanon, without naming them, and promised more strikes against Israeli military targets. Israel's military said that Hezbollah fired 55 projectiles into Israel on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WAR GOALS The United States has sought to broker a ceasefire in Lebanon, and the outgoing administration of Democratic President Joe Biden hasn't given up hope of reaching a deal in its final months. White House envoy Amos Hochstein told reporters that he thinks "there is a shot" at a truce in Lebanon soon, Axios reported on Tuesday, a contrast to peace efforts in Gaza where Qatar has suspended its mediation. Similarly, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday there had been "a certain progress" in ceasefire talks for Lebanon. But Israel's new Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Monday there would be no ceasefire in Lebanon until Israel achieves its goals there, including disarming Hezbollah and returning evacuated Israelis to their homes in northern Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday chose former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a staunchly pro-Israel conservative, to be ambassador to Israel. Potentially signaling that the U.S. under Trump will reduce pressure on Israel to restrain its warfare, Huckabee has opposed calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, and Saar on Tuesday praised his nomination. The Lebanese government, which includes Hezbollah, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire based on the full implementation of a U.N. Resolution that ended a war between the group and Israel in 2006. (Reporting by Laila Bassam and Riham Alkousaa in Beirut; Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Tala Ramadan, Jana Choukeir and Clauda Tanios in Dubai; Additional reporting by Adam Makarhy and Jaidaa Taha in Cairo; Writing by Tom Perry and Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Ros Russell and Jonathan Oatis) New Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ruled out a ceasefire deal with Lebanon's pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia, contradicting media reports that a pause in fighting could be imminent after more than a year. "In Lebanon there will be no ceasefire and there will be no respite," Katz posted on social media platform X on Tuesday, following discussions with the Israeli general staff. Katz spoke of the "great and powerful activities" carried out by the Israeli military against Hezbollah, citing the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These provided a "picture of victory" for Israel, he said, adding that the offensive activities had to continue. "We will continue to hit Hezbollah with full force until the goals of the war are achieved," added Katz, who was foreign minister until a reshuffle last week. He said Israel would only agree to a settlement if it granted Israel the right to continue combatting terrorism in Lebanon and enabled the disarmament of Hezbollah, as well as its withdrawal to the area north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres from the border to Israel. A man walks past buildings that were destroyed in Israeli air strikes Beirut's southern suburb. More than a dozen Israeli attacks hit Beirut's southern suburb, a stronghold of pro-Iranian Hezbollah, overnight. Marwan Naamani/dpa DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israeli airstrikes killed at least 46 people in the Gaza Strip in the past day, including 11 at a makeshift cafeteria in an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone, medics said. In Lebanon, warplanes struck Beiruts southern suburbs and killed 33 people elsewhere in the country on Tuesday. The latest bombardment came as the United States said it would not reduce its military support for Israel after a deadline passed for allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza. The State Department cited some progress, even as international aid groups said Israel had failed to meet the U.S. demands. In Lebanon, large explosions shook Beiruts southern suburbs an area known as Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah has a significant presence soon after the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for 11 houses there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no immediate word on casualties. The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, including command centers and weapons production sites, without providing evidence. Another Israeli strike on an apartment building east of Beirut killed at least six people. Wael Murtada said the destroyed home belonged to his uncle and that those inside had fled from the Dahiyeh last month. He said three children were among the dead and other people were missing. An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in central Lebanon killed 15 people, including eight women and four children, and wounded at least 12 others, Lebanons Health Ministry said. The strike came without warning, and state media said the building was sheltering displaced families. Israel has been carrying out intensified bombardment of Lebanon since late September, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and stop more than a year of cross-border fire by the Lebanese militant group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A rocket exploded in a storage building in the northern Israeli town of Nahariya on Tuesday, killing two people, first responders said. Another two people were wounded by shrapnel in a separate impact outside the town. A Hezbollah drone smashed into a nursery school near the northern Israeli city of Haifa on Tuesday morning, but the children were inside a bomb shelter and there were no injuries. The impact scattered debris across the playground. Israeli strikes across Gaza kill 46 At the same time, Israel has continued its 13-month campaign in Gaza set off by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Israeli strike late Monday hit a makeshift cafeteria used by displaced people in Muwasi, the center of a humanitarian zone that Israels military declared earlier in the war. At least 11 people were killed, including two children, according to officials at Nasser Hospital, where the casualties were taken. Video from the scene showed men pulling bloodied wounded from among tables and chairs set up in the sand in an enclosure made of corrugated metal sheets. A strike on a house in the northern town of Beit Hanoun killed 15 people on Tuesday, including relatives of Al Jazeera journalist Hossam Shabat, who has been reporting from the north. Mohamed Shabat and his wife Dima, both volunteer doctors at Kamal Adwan Hospital, were killed along with their daughter Eliaa, according to hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strikes in central and southern Gaza killed another 20 people, according to Palestinian medical officials. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes. Under US pressure, Israel allows more aid into Gaza Hours earlier, the Israeli military announced a small expansion of the humanitarian zone, where it has told Palestinians evacuating from other parts of Gaza to take refuge. Hundreds of thousands are sheltering in sprawling tent camps in and around Muwasi, a desolate area with few public services. Israeli forces have also been besieging the northernmost part of Gaza since the beginning of October, battling Hamas fighters it says regrouped there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With virtually no food or aid allowed in for more than a month, the siege has raised fears of famine among the tens of thousands of Palestinians believed to still be sheltering there. The United States gave Israel a 30-day deadline that expired this week to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling on it to allow at least 350 truckloads to enter each day, among other things. So far, Israel has fallen short. In October, 57 trucks a day entered Gaza on average, and 75 a day so far in November, according to Israels official figures. The United Nations puts the number lower, at 39 trucks daily since the beginning of October. Israel has announced a flurry of measures in recent days to increase aid, including opening a new crossing into central Gaza and some small deliveries of food and water to the north. But so far the impact is unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More forced evacuations in isolated northern Gaza The military announced Tuesday that four soldiers were killed in Jabaliya, bringing to 24 the number of soldiers killed in the assault there since it began. Palestinian health officials say hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, though the true numbers are unknown as rescue workers are unable to reach buildings destroyed in strikes. Israel has ordered residents in the area to evacuate. But the U.N. has estimated some 70,000 people remain. Many Palestinians there fear Israel aims to permanently depopulate the area to more easily keep control of it. On Tuesday, witnesses told The Associated Press that Israeli troops had encircled at least three schools in Beit Hanoun, forcing hundreds of displaced people sheltering inside to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drones blared announcements demanding people move south to Gaza City, said Mahmoud al-Kafarnah, speaking from one of the schools as sounds of gunfire could be heard. The tanks are outside, he said. We dont know where to go. Hashim Afanah, sheltering with at least 20 other people in his family home, said the forces were evicting people from houses and shelters. The U.N.s top humanitarian official, Joyce Msuya, told the Security Council on Tuesday that acts reminiscent of the gravest international crimes are being committed in Gaza. The daily cruelty we see in Gaza seems to have no limits, she said, pointing to recent developments in Beit Hanoun. Israels campaign in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities that do not distinguish between civilians and militants in their count but say more than half the dead are women and children. Israel says it targets Hamas militants who hide among civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250 as hostages. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, about a third of them believed to be dead. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem, Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Bassem Mroue and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the span of the war in Gaza is now 13 months, not 19 months, and that 75 aid trucks have entered per day in November, according to Israeli figures, not 87. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Indiana State Universitys Scott College of Business has announced the opening of the 2025-2026 Networks and Gongaware Scholarships. These scholarships are prestigious awards given to support students at ISU with business majors who are participating in the Networks Program. The Networks Program is an esteemed leadership and professional development program. Indiana State University encourages high school seniors to apply for the scholarship. Samuel Fox, a Presidential Scholar participating in the Networks program, shared his experience saying, Receiving the Networks Scholarship has provided me with incredible personal and professional opportunities, lifelong relationships, and elevated leadership skills. The Networks Program has grown both my business knowledge and professional network, opening the door to a successful career focused on consistent development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The awards include an annual $9,000 scholarship along with a $3,000 professional development account that students can use over their four years. Multiple of the awards will be given out and there will be an opportunity to renew for up to three more years totaling up to more than $39,000. The awards are open to both Indiana and out-of-state students. High school students who do want to apply must submit their application materials to the Office of Admissions by December 1 and are encouraged to get their scholarship applications by December 15. High school students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, a SAT score of at least 1140, an ACT score of at least 23, or a ranking in the top 15% of their senior class. Dr. Terry Daugherty, Dean of the Scott College of Business, expressed enthusiasm about the scholarships saying, The Networks and Gongaware Scholarships are unique because they support student development inside and outside the classroom. A great business education must be an all-encompassing experience, and these awards help us deliver a dynamic learning environment that prepares our business students for career success. For more information on the Networks and Gongaware Scholarships and eligibility can visit the links. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Bitcoins chartbusting rally took the digital asset to almost $90,000 for the first time and lifted the overall value of the crypto market above its pandemic-era peak as traders bet on a boom under President-elect Donald Trump. Most Read from Bloomberg The largest digital currency has jumped about 33% since the US election on Nov. 5, hitting an all-time high of $89,968.10 on Tuesday, based on a benchmark of composite prices tracked by Bloomberg. On some exchanges such as Coinbase, and broker platforms like Galaxy Digitals, the price did briefly exceed $90,000. Smaller tokens such as Dogecoin and shares of crypto-related companies like MicroStrategy Inc. also extended their record-breaking gains. Post-election, cryptocurrencies have seen gains as potential pro-investment economic policies and regulatory clarity bolster investor confidence and liquidity, said Brian Strugats, head of spot trading at the crypto prime broker FalconX. With institutional adoption accelerating and global markets eyeing crypto for diversification, the influx of capital is likely to grow. Trump has vowed friendlier crypto rules and his Republican Party is tightening its grip on Congress, boosting his odds of pushing through his agenda. Trumps other pledges include setting up a strategic Bitcoin stockpile and fostering domestic mining of the token to make the US the crypto capital of the planet. His stance is a sharp break from a Securities & Exchange Commission crackdown on the divisive industry under President Joe Biden. The change of tone has energized speculative buying of large and small tokens alike, raising the value of digital assets overall to about $3.1 trillion, CoinGecko data show. Red-Hot Play Bitcoin is in beast mode, Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group, wrote in a note. The question for traders not already set is whether there is still room to chase this red-hot play or wait for a slight retracement and for some of the heat to come out of the impulsive trend. Investors are lining up bets in the options market that Bitcoin will pass $100,000 as soon as the end of the year, according to data from the Deribit exchange. Open interest or outstanding contracts for CME Group Inc. futures for Bitcoin and second-ranked Ether scaled records on Monday, a sign of growing engagement by US institutional investors. ROME (Reuters) - Italian Sea Group is not liable in relation to the fatal sinking of Mike Lynch's superyacht, which killed the British tech billionaire and six others, its chief executive said on Tuesday. The Bayesian was built in 2008 by Perini Navi, an Italian luxury yacht maker that is now owned by the Milan-listed Italian Sea Group. The yacht sank in August after it was hit by a violent storm off the coast of Sicily. Italian Sea Group CEO Giovanni Costantino said in an analyst presentation that the 2021 acquisition of Perini Navi assets in a bankruptcy auction came "without any responsibility for the activities carried out by the previous management". An Italian prosecutor has opened a manslaughter investigation into a sinking that has puzzled industry experts. (Writing by Keith Weir; Editing by Alexander Smith) ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) The Ithaca Police Department has released the name of the suspect who was placed into custody on Monday morning in connection to a homicide investigation. Authorities state that Ahmed Abed, 43, was arrested on Monday, Nov. 11, on the charge of murder in the second degree, a class A-I felony. Ithaca Police Department seeks information in connection to homicide investigation Police say that Abed was arrested in connection to the death, which was reported on the 400 block of South Plain Street at 5:30 a.m. on Monday morning. As a result, Abed was charged and returned to the Tompkins County Jail with no bail by the Honorable Judge Peacock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation into the incident is still ongoing and no further information is being released at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. (Bloomberg) -- China has reduced its exposure to the US economy since Donald Trumps first administration, leaving it better placed to weather the punitive trade tariffs being pledged by the president-elect, according to Robert Friedland, the founder of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China still has a lot of cards to play, the co-chairman of the Canadian miner said Tuesday in an interview with Bloomberg TV from Sydney. Its exports to the US are much lower than they were in the first Trump administration. So they have a lot less sensitivity to tariffs in the US than seven or eight years ago. Trump has said he would impose duties of 60% on goods from China as part of his plan to build-up the manufacturing industry in the US. Friedland said Beijing was waiting to see whether Trump would follow through with his threat, and would come up with a policy response that may see the two countries making a deal. China is still taking a number of steps to stimulate consumer demand to sort of get rid of its problems with local government debt, and I think over a three- to five-year term China still looks very solid, he added. Some overseas investors are looking to get more exposure to China equity markets, which are more attractively priced than some US stocks, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps move to surround himself with people like Elon Musk and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs was a positive move, according to Friedland, who added that Trump was likely to run his second administration like a real executive CEO. Theres a lot of new people around Donald Trump, he said. If you get a lot of attractive young people from technology, I am optimistic about the future of the US. --With assistance from Haidi Lun. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Jack Teixeira, the former Massachusetts Air National Guardsman who prosecutors said "perpetrated one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history," was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Indira Talwani issued the sentence on Tuesday in Boston federal court. Teixeira pleaded guilty in March to six counts of willfully retaining and transmitting national defense information. PHOTO: Jack Teixeira seen in this undated photo from his instagram account. (Jack Teixeira seen in this undated photo from his instagram account.) Joshua S. Levy, the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts, whose office prosecuted the case, said the "significant sentence sends a powerful message to every individual who holds a top-secret clearance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I expect that starting tomorrow, Jack Teixeira's name will be mentioned when people are trained about the gravity of a top-secret clearance and the consequences if you leak information," Levy said at a press briefing following the sentencing. Levy said Teixeira "abused his position of trust" and put himself above his country when he exploited his top-secret clearance and "made the deliberate choice" for over a year to access hundreds of classified documents and share them on Discord. "Today, Mr. Teixeira has paid a very heavy price for the laws he broke and for the incredible damage that he caused," Levy said, noting that it could take several years to know the full extent of the damage. FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement that the sentence is a "stark warning to all those entrusted with protecting national defense information: betray that trust, and you will be held accountable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Lawyers for Jack Teixeira argue for reduced sentence in military data leak case Prosecutors had asked the judge to impose the maximum prison sentence of 200 months -- more than 16 years -- in prison. "The harm the defendant caused to the national security from his disclosures of national defense information is extraordinary," prosecutors said in a memorandum filed ahead of the sentencing hearing. "By posting intelligence products on the social media platform Discord to feed his own ego and impress his anonymous friends, Teixeira caused exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States. The scope of his betrayal is breathtaking." The defense sought the minimum sentence, citing Teixeira's autism and ADHD. They also argued he did not intend to harm the country, only to educate his online friends about world events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Jack is still essentially a child -- at the very least, a 'youthful offender' -- who has his whole life in front of him," defense attorneys Michael Bachrach and Brandan Kelley stated in a memorandum presented to the judge ahead of sentencing. "At 22 years old, a sentence of 132 months' imprisonment would provide more than enough time for him to grow and mature; informed by his behavior as well as from his punishment." "With the support of his family and mental health treatment providers, Jack should have little trouble living a productive life inside prison and upon his eventual release," the memorandum continued. Teixeira is also currently negotiating a disposition to his parallel, but related, military prosecution, the memo said. MORE: Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira agrees to accept 16-year prison sentence Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the signed plea agreement filed with the court, Teixeira agreed to plead guilty to all six counts charging him with willful retention and transmission of national defense information. In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to charge him with additional counts under the Espionage Act. Teixeira "accessed and printed hundreds of classified documents" and posted images of them on Discord prior to his arrest in April 2023, a prosecutor said during the plea hearing. As part of his plea agreement, Teixeira must sit for a debrief with the Defense Department and the Justice Department and give back any sensitive materials that might remain in his possession. PHOTO: Jack Teixeira seen in this undated photo from his instagram account. (Jack Teixeira seen in this undated photo from his instagram account.) Federal prosecutors have made clear Teixeira had no business peering at classified information because his low-level job did not require it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The defendants job was to troubleshoot computer workstations," Assistant United States Attorney Jason Casey said during a March hearing. Still, Casey said, Teixeira accessed "hundreds" of classified documents inside the secure facility where he worked and "purposefully removed classified documents and information despite admonishments from his superiors to stop." Teixeira has admitted in court to knowing the documents were marked classified. Without mentioning specifics, federal prosecutors said Teixeira exposed information about the compromise by a foreign adversary of certain accounts belonging to a U.S. company and information about equipment the U.S. was sending to Ukraine, how it would be transferred and how it would be used upon receipt. Prosecutors said he also posted material about troop movements in Ukraine, a plot by a foreign adversary to attack U.S. forces abroad, and Western deliveries of supplies to the Ukrainian battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Top US official warns of 'large uptick' in foreign spies targeting tech companies, threatening national security Teixeira enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2019, according to his service record, and had top secret security clearance beginning in 2021, according to the Department of Justice. The Justice Department said he began posting classified documents online in January 2022. Teixeira will also face a military court-martial on charges alleging he violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice, according to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. military reserves the right to separately prosecute a service member who has already been convicted in a federal court. Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years on federal charges originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office told is investigating a shooting that left one person injured. It happened at Tulsa Welding School on Southside Boulevard. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< According to police, 10 to 12 students were involved in an argument which escalated to a fight. Thats when guns were drawn. Two witnesses told Action News Jax Annette Gutierrez that they heard around eight gunshots. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] A man in his twenties was shot once in the stomach. He is currently at the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It happened around 2:30 p.m. Witnesses said the school was on lockdown for about 30 minutes. JSO says the suspect fled the scene. He is described as a 65 Black man in his mid to late twenties. He was last seen wearing a dark blue welding suit. Police say this was an isolate incident, and theres no threat to the public If you know anything, contact JSO. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. UPDATE 8:22 p.m.: Ferriter has been found safely. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is searching for 17-year-old Ronan Tai Ferriter on the Southside. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< According to police, Ferriter is diagnosed with autism and PTSD. He last seen by his caretakers at approximately 3:30 pm in the 3700 block of Belfort Road. The teenager was reported missing at approximately 4:30 pm after failing to return to the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was last seen in blue button-up shirt, black shorts, and white shoes. If you know anything, contact JSO. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. (Reuters) - Jailed Belarusian dissident Maria Kalesnikava, a key figure in the opposition movement to President Alexander Lukashenko, was permitted to meet her father on Tuesday, the first time any picture of her has been seen in well over a year. A picture of Kalesnikava with her father appeared on the Telegram messaging app, posted by Roman Protasevich, a former jailed dissident who now says he is acting as an intermediary between authorities and Belarusians living in exile abroad. A second photo showed a smiling Kalesnikava on her own. Associates of the dissident said the photos appeared to have been taken in a prison hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The regime showed Maria. She's alive and we are happy about that," Franak Viacorka, an aide to exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said in a text message sent to Reuters. "I think that's the result of the international campaign for Maria and international pressure and solidarity of course." Viacorka said he saw no sign that Kalesnikava or other leading opposition figures would soon be released. "It's rather an attempt of Lukashenko to show sort of humanity," he said. "It's crazy, you know, when such situations happen - we're happy that someone is alive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tsikhanouskaya ran against Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, which triggered unprecedented protests when Lukashenko was officially declared the winner. Tsikhanouskaya, posting on X on Tuesday, said she was "deeply relieved" to see pictures of Kalesnikava and her father after she was "kept incommunicado for more than 600 days". Kalesnikava first backed another subsequently jailed opposition candidate in 2020 and switched her support to Tsikhanouskaya. She was seized on the street after the election by masked officers and taken to the Ukrainian border, but thwarted an attempt to deport her by ripping up her passport. She was jailed for 11 years on charges including conspiracy to seize power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kalesnikava's sister, Tatsiana Khomich, told Reuters in September that Kalesnikava was ill while being held incommunicado and had lost a lot of weight. Lukashenko, a close ally of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, has been in power since 1994 and is running for a seventh term in January. He has pardoned small groups of inmates jailed on charges related to extremism, most on grounds of ill health. He told the BBC last month he might consider pardoning Kalesnikava if she were to petition him. (This story has been corrected to fix spellings to Protasevich, not Protosevich, in paragraph 2, and change Franak, to Viacek, in paragraph 4) (Reporting by Ron Popeski) The United States has almost 2 million people behind bars in prisons, jails and detention centers the largest such population in any country. Although incarcerated people are locked away from the outside world, they are even more vulnerable to the impacts of disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, than the rest of society. People who are incarcerated cant take protective actions, such as evacuating or securing their belongings. They have no say in decisions that the system makes for them. Instead, they must depend on staff and administrators to protect their health and safety. In September 2024, for example, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, triggering mandatory evacuations in 20 counties and emergency declarations in 61 counties along its path. Despite a mandatory evacuation in Wakulla County, the populations of two state prisons and a county jail were not evacuated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Helene traveled northward, 2,000 incarcerated people were evacuated from prisons in North Carolina, but only after the storm damaged local water and power sources. Just two weeks later, Hurricane Milton hit Florida. Two jails, in Manatee and Pinellas counties, were under mandatory evacuation orders but were not evacuated. There are no current reports of deaths or injuries among the incarcerated during either of these storms. However, such casualties often go unreported or under-reported. We study environmental exposures and hazards from the perspectives of public health, sociology and planning. In a recent study, we worked with our community research partner, the Lioness Justice Impacted Womens Alliance, to better understand how disasters affect incarcerated women and nonbinary and transgender people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants described how prison environments and policies created traumatic experiences for them during disasters. They emphasized how powerless they felt being unable to make decisions for themselves, or even to get information about what was happening outside the walls of their cells. Complexity of evacuation and sheltering Prisons and jails, and people who work inside them, often are figuratively and literally out of sight, out of mind. In past disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires, incarcerated people have suffered because prison systems did not prioritize their health and safety. Emergency plans and research studies often neglect incarcerated people and the facilities that house them. This problem was evident during Hurricane Helene. After running water systems failed at Mountain View Correctional Institution in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, the prison rationed bottled water, leaving individuals to decide whether to use it for drinking or hygiene. According to family members, some people held at the prison had to use plastic bags after their toilets failed and store bags of waste in their cells for up to five days. Planning for and conducting evacuations of prisons is complex. By design, these facilities make it difficult or impossible for a large number of people to rapidly leave the site. Prisons dont typically have enough vehicles to transport entire incarcerated populations at once, particularly if they need specialized vehicles due to security concerns or medical conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Orleans Parish Prison the New Orleans city jail was not evacuated, even though it was in a mandatory evacuation zone. Some incarcerated adults and youth were abandoned in chest-high floodwaters, without access to medical care, clean water or food. Deciding where to take incarcerated people is also a unique challenge for emergency management and correctional agencies. The prisons that incarcerated people are evacuated to must have sufficient resources to care for the influx of people, and must be at a comparable security level to the facilities from which the evacuees came. Incarcerated people cannot be placed in shelters with the general public. After Hurricane Katrina, some 1,100 incarcerated people were taken to the Broad Street overpass in central New Orleans to await transfers to other facilities. They were guarded there for several days by law enforcement officers, in harsh conditions, exposed to the weather and without food, water or proper sanitation. Being left behind during an evacuation is traumatic for incarcerated people. One participant in our study described being told that her unit would evacuate before a hurricane hit Texas, only to learn hours later that they would not be moving: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [The major] came in she said, Ladies, Im so sorry, they are not evacuating. I remember thinking, Ive been gone from my family for this long and we are fixing to get hit by a damn hurricane like were not leaving? They didnt have anywhere for us to go, and they wanted to evacuate us. It felt ugly. Disproportionate health impacts People who are incarcerated in the U.S. tend to be significantly less healthy than the overall population. This can be due to many factors, including lower education levels and a lack of access to safe, high-quality housing and supportive social networks. Incarcerated people have higher rates of chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma and substance use disorders. The incarcerated population is aging, and incarcerated people are living longer, resulting in higher rates of chronic health issues such as dementia, impaired mobility and hearing loss. Being incarcerated may not have caused these health problems, but it can worsen them. Overcrowding in prisons and jails can significantly limit access to health care, exacerbating existing health challenges. Compounded trauma Disasters increase the mental health challenges that incarcerated people experience day to day a toxic blend of feelings of helplessness, vulnerability and social isolation. Social networks that people develop in prison are important sources of emotional support, fostering connections and improving incarcerated peoples mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evacuations disrupt these social networks and support systems, inside and outside of prison. The effects persist long after people are released from prison, jail or detention, and can manifest as fear, anxiety, isolation and lack of trust. Police watch over prisoners from Orleans Parish Prison who were evacuated to an overpass due to flooding after Hurricane Katrina, Sept. 1, 2005, in New Orleans. Mario Tama/Getty Images Our research, as well as reports from recent events like Hurricane Helene, underscores the need for policy changes. In our view, jails, prisons and detention centers should have comprehensive emergency plans. These plans should address issues including communication, staffing and transportation needs, and the need for peer support and protective actions. We also see an urgent need for policies and programs that ensure incarcerated people will have access to support services during evacuations, including health care and safeguards against sexual violence. For incarcerated people with physical, cognitive or mental health conditions, facilities should provide information in ways that reflect those peoples needs, such as flashing lights or digital displays for deaf individuals, and alarms and audio messaging for blind individuals. In our view, these steps would make disaster response and recovery efforts more equitable and safer for everyone in harms way. 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: Benika Dixon, Texas A&M University; J. Carlee Purdum, University of Houston, and Tara Goddard, Texas A&M University Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Benika Dixon receives funding from the National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Natural Hazards Center. J. Carlee Purdum receives funding from the National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Natural Hazards Center. Tara Goddard receives funding from the National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Health, and the Natural Hazards Center. (Bloomberg) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged more than $65 billion of fresh support for the nations semiconductor and artificial intelligence sector as Tokyo looks to keep up with a global spending spree on cutting-edge tech. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ishiba said he hoped public aid of more than 10 trillion ($65 billion) for the sector by fiscal 2030 would serve as a catalyst to generate public and private investment of more than 50 trillion over the next 10 years. The new funding framework, separate from previously earmarked funds worth roughly 4 trillion, will be sketched out in an upcoming economic stimulus package with an aim to generate an economic impact of about 160 trillion, according to a draft of the package seen by Bloomberg. The additional funding will help Tokyo narrow the gap with global powers on chip support. The US and its allies are racing to keep ahead of China in artificial intelligence-powering semiconductor capabilities, a domain that policymakers now see as essential for economic security. President Joe Bidens 2022 Chips and Science Act promises a total of $39 billion in grants for chipmakers as well as loans and guarantees worth an additional $75 billion plus tax credits of up to 25%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing is likely pouring much more into its chip sector. China, which leads the world in the number of chip plants under construction, has been beefing up whats known as the Big Fund to oversee state investments in companies such as local chipmaking champions Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. and Huawei Technologies Co. Tokyos ramping up of support for the sector is also based on the need to fuel economic growth at the national and regional levels. Speaking at a press briefing Monday after winning a vote in parliament to stay on as premier, Ishiba said he wanted to spread positive examples of regional revitalization like TSMCs chip plant in Kumamoto across the nation. Global chip demand is expected to triple to 150 trillion over the next 10 years, and the framework aims to provide public aid of more than 10 trillion via methods including, outsourcing, financial support and legislative measures to boost predictability for private companies, according to the draft. A previous goal of reaching 10 trillion in chip-sector investment set by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida relied on private sector support in addition to public money. Under Kishida, Japan already earmarked about 4 trillion in extra budgets to revive its chip sector, including 920 billion for Rapidus Corp. in Hokkaido. Rapidus aims to mass produce advanced logic chips by 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new framework will be separate from the 4 trillion, Industry Minister Yoji Muto said Tuesday. Chips are not limited to Rapidus, Muto said. The process will be about considering how we will approach the next-generation semiconductor market from now on. The government wont raise taxes to fund the new framework, Muto said, adding that details are still being hammered out. Ishiba said he would discuss the funding of the plans with the various ministries, but he wouldnt pay for the measures through deficit-financing bonds. Earlier local media reports suggested the government was looking for a new way of providing funding for Japans semiconductor sector. Ishibas government is planning to issue bonds backed by assets it holds, including NTT shares, to provide subsidies to semiconductor companies, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Nov. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with more about stimulus package) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Honda and its rivals are facing a growing headache over sales in China, the world's largest car market. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Three of Japan's iconic car companies are struggling. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have seen sales in China slump, and now Nissan and Honda are considering merging. Japanese automakers, which have prioritized hybrids, are facing pressure from China's EV giants like BYD. Japan's iconic auto industry is going through a rough patch, and now two of its most important companies are considering merging as they fight for survival. Nissan and Honda are set to negotiate a possible merger, according to multiple reports on Tuesday, as they mull combining forces to stave off the growing threat of Tesla and China's electric vehicle makers. It comes after the two companies and major rival Toyota reported slumping profits in their most recent earnings, as they grapple with ferocious competition in China and a bumpy transition to electric vehicles. Nissan announced it would cut 9,000 workers amid falling sales, while Honda reported a 15% drop in operating profit in the second quarter. Toyota, the world's largest automaker, saw profits for the quarter ending in September drop to 573.7 billion yen ($3.7 billion), down from nearly 1.28 trillion yen ($8.3 billion) over the same period last year. All three companies face a similar problem; they are failing to sell enough cars in China. Toyota's sales in China were down just over 10% in the first nine months of the year, with the company blaming "severe market conditions" such as "intensifying price competition." Still, a Toyota spokesperson told Business Insider that its declining profits were not only attributable to China; it also saw weakness in Japan and North America. Honda flagged a decline in sales in China in its most recent quarter, dragging down its total group sales. While Nissan reported a drop of over 5% in retail sales in China in the first half of the fiscal year the largest drop of any of its regions. Like other foreign automakers, Japan's car giants are being squeezed in China by local rivals. These rivals have rapidly gained market share by offering a range of affordable but high-tech EVs and hybrids. BYD, Zeekr, and Nio have reported bumper sales recently, as European automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW are being squeezed in this region. Many of China's EV champions are now expanding overseas, something Felipe Munoz, auto analyst at JATO Dynamics, told BI was putting the likes of Toyota and Honda under growing pressure. "The real battle is happening in the emerging markets. And that's exactly where the Japanese car makers are suffering the most," said Munoz, pointing to the rapid expansion of the likes of BYD in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Boeing agreed to a 38pc pay rise for 33,000 assembly-line workers to end the dispute - Lindsey Wasson/AP Boeing has won a $10bn (7.8bn) order for 737 Max jets in the first deal secured by the US manufacturer since the end of a seven-week strike. Dublin-based aircraft leasing firm Avia has struck a deal with Boeing for 80 jets, coming as a boost for the US company following weeks of turmoil. Boeing has been grappling with a staff walkout which crippled production and led to an estimated $10bn in losses for the plane maker, its customers and suppliers, and the Seattle-area economy. Kelly Ortberg, chief executive of Boeing, was forced to agree to a 38pc pay rise for 33,000 assembly-line workers in order to end the dispute after two previous offers were voted down. The purchase will also be seen as a vote of confidence in the Max, which was grounded earlier this year. It followed an investigation into the near-disastrous door-panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines jet at 16,000 feet, which revealed a litany of quality control and safety issues. Gediminas Ziemelis, chairman of Avia, said he was confident that Boeing would bounce back from the crisis and that the 737 Max 8 model was the best option for his company. Its customers include British Airways, holiday giant TUI and discounters Wizz and Jet2. He said: We are big believers in Boeing. The Max is a flexible aircraft that is suited to operating across the world. Boeings 737 Max competes with the Airbus A320neo in the short-haul jet market - via REUTERS/Jennifer Buchanan Deliveries from the deal, which comprises 40 firm orders plus 40 options worth around $10bn at list prices, will commence in 2030. Mr Ziemelis said that no other lessors are due to be taking the Max 8 around that time which will give us an advantage in being able to offer these jets to our customers. Brad McMullen, Boeings senior vice president for commercial sales, said the agreement reflected the enthusiasm of Avias airline clients for the Max, which competes with the Airbus A320neo in the short-haul jet market. Still, the more than 6,400 orders that Boeing has won for the Max remain well short of the near-11,000 secured by its European rival for the A320neo family. For Avia, the worlds biggest provider of airliners for seasonal hire, the deal represents a first-ever purchase of new jets as it moves to meet burgeoning demand from carriers. Avias business model allows airlines in the UK and Europe to meet the surge in summer demand without being stuck with excess capacity as bookings wane in the winter. It offers them an alternative to buying planes outright or hiring them on traditional long-term leases. The company, which transports more than 35m passengers annually for clients double the number carried by Jet2, for example provides aircraft on so-called wet leases, complete with crew, maintenance and insurance. KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) Local residents gathered in Kettering over the weekend to support a good cause. On Saturday, Nov. 10, Dr. Candace McCoy, Dr. Kelly McCluskey-Erskine, Eric Rustad, Matt Eller, Moe from Moe Harrigans and Patsy Francis danced as stars in the Dancing with the Kettering Stars 2024 event. The event is held to raise money fort the Kettering Police Foundation (KPF), which supports the citys citizens and officers in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dancing with the Kettering Stars is a fundraiser that allows the Kettering Police Foundation to support local causes benefiting Kettering officers and citizens in need, said KPFs website. This event represents our community at its collaborative best. Storm Team 2 Meteorologist Jamie Jarosik had the opportunity to emcee the event. Well-known community leaders acted as judges for the event. Eric Rustad and Amanda were named winners of the popular vote. Matt Eller and Angelina were recognized as the winners of Judges Choice. The winners were awarded a mirror-ball trophy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 is an adapted excerpt from the Nov. 11 episode of Inside with Jen Psaki. Its only been one week since the election and President-elect Donald Trump is already in contact with his old buddy Vladimir Putin. Or is he? A new report in The Washington Post, citing several people familiar with the matter, says the two spoke last Thursday. According to the Post, during the call, Trump advised the Russian president not to escalate the war in Ukraine and reminded him of Washingtons sizable military presence in Europe. (Neither NBC News nor MSNBC has independently confirmed the report.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, thats not at all in line with what Trump has long said publicly about his position on Russias war with Ukraine a position that most experts expect would include cutting off aid to Ukraine and basically standing by while Russia holds onto its territory. Its also not in line with Trumps threat he could pull the U.S. out of NATO. But heres where the situation gets tricky: The Kremlin says that call never happened. Now, in a normal world, if things came down to a "he said, he said" with the Kremlin, we would know whom to believe, the president-elect of the United States, but we dont live in a normal world. And we know from Trumps first term that the man has a history of being, shall we say, less than forthcoming about his conversations with Putin. A Washington Post analysis from 2019 found at least 16 private conversations between the men from Trumps first three years in office and those are just the ones we know about. The relationship between the two leaders is still shrouded in mystery. There was, of course, that infamous two-hour closed-door meeting between them in Helsinki back in 2018. Despite efforts from lawmakers and reporters, we still know remarkably little about that conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats because Trump doesnt want us to know. In fact, you may remember that Trump even tried to obscure his conversations with Putin from his own administration. Again, according to reporting from the Post: Trump has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with Putin, including on at least one occasion taking possession of the notes of his own interpreter and instructing the linguist not to discuss what had transpired with other officials. Let me tell you, thats not normal behavior from a president of the United States. That particular controversy was after a meeting between the two men at a G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, in 2017 and it was not an isolated incident. Something similar happened after another G20 meeting in Buenos Aires the following year. As the Financial Times reported back then, Trump sat down with Putin for several minutes of conversation with no translator or note-taker from the U.S. side to record the dialogue between the leaders. And ahead of the 2019 G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, Trump told reporters that his conversations with Putin were none of your business. So yes, there is a pattern here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont need to believe in shadowy conspiracies about the Russian kompromat to understand that Trump is consistently obscuring the nature and extent of his relationship with Putin. This phone call that may or may not have happened is just the latest example. Trump has not even been sworn into his second term yet and there are already questions swirling about whether and why he is, once again, misleading the American public about his relationship with Russia and Putin. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com An update shows that the Jennings Creek wildfire has burned 5,000 acres of land on the New Jersey and New York border amid drought conditions. CBS News reported that officials have confirmed they have contained 20% of the flames spread across thousands of acres of land in NJ and NY. Other sources state that the National Interagency Fire Center is coordinating with NASA to dispense real-time maps of the New Jersey/New York wildfire. Additionally, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is posting constant wildfire updates on its official X (formerly Twitter). One of their latest posts confirmed that the Jennings Creek fire has affected areas in West Milford in New Jerseys Passaic County. Other sources confirmed that these flames have also spread across the Orange County region in New York. Moreover, the NJDEP is working with the NY Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Forest Protection and Fire Management to contain the flames. New Jersey wildfire map highlights affected areas According to Fox 5, a Jennings Creek wildfire map shows the deadly flames near the New Jersey and New York border. The map shows thousands of acres in the West Milford area of New Jersey and the adjoining Greenwood Lakes in New York ablaze. Authorities confirmed that drought near the NJ and NY border region fuelled the fire, destroying vast lands and causing the death of a teen firefighter who had joined the efforts to contain the flame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter working with the Wildland Fire Crew died on Saturday after a tree fell on him. Vasquez was assisting in containing the blazing wildfire on the New Jersey and New York border. Reportedly, the New York State Police are currently looking into his tragic demise. The raging flames also resulted in the hospitalization of a second firefighter due to heavy smoke inhalation. In another update, the New Jersey forest fire officials contained 75% of the wildfire over 175 acres in a highly populated neighborhood. The flames threatened at least 55 homes in the Pompton Lakes area of Passaic County. Nevertheless, authorities hadnt ordered any evacuation in the area. More good news came Monday morning with a little rainfall that helped firefighters in their efforts. Officials have also ordered an evacuation in high-risk areas and urged residents to brace themselves for the worst as the wildfire continues to spread between New Jersey and New York. Originally reported by Nikita Mahato on Mandatory. The post New Jersey Wildfire Map Shows Extent of Damage appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. An update shows that the Jennings Creek wildfire has burned 5,000 acres of land on the New Jersey and New York border amid drought conditions. CBS News reported that officials have confirmed they have contained 20% of the flames spread across thousands of acres of land in NJ and NY. Other sources state that the National Interagency Fire Center is coordinating with NASA to dispense real-time maps of the New Jersey/New York wildfire. Additionally, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is posting constant wildfire updates on its official X (formerly Twitter). One of their latest posts confirmed that the Jennings Creek fire has affected areas in West Milford in New Jerseys Passaic County. Other sources confirmed that these flames have also spread across the Orange County region in New York. Moreover, the NJDEP is working with the NY Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Forest Protection and Fire Management to contain the flames. New Jersey wildfire threats remain despite containment efforts According to Fox 5, a Jennings Creek wildfire map shows the deadly flames near the New Jersey and New York border. The map shows thousands of acres in the West Milford area of New Jersey and the adjoining Greenwood Lakes in New York ablaze. Authorities confirmed that drought near the NJ and NY border region fuelled the fire, destroying vast lands and causing the death of a teen firefighter who had joined the efforts to contain the flame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter working with the Wildland Fire Crew died on Saturday after a tree fell on him. Vasquez was assisting in containing the blazing wildfire on the New Jersey and New York border. Reportedly, the New York State Police are currently looking into his tragic demise. The raging flames also resulted in the hospitalization of a second firefighter due to heavy smoke inhalation. In another update, the New Jersey forest fire officials contained 75% of the wildfire over 175 acres in a highly populated neighborhood. The flames threatened at least 55 homes in the Pompton Lakes area of Passaic County. Nevertheless, authorities hadnt ordered any evacuation in the area. More good news came Monday morning with a little rainfall that helped firefighters in their efforts. Officials have also ordered an evacuation in high-risk areas and urged residents to brace themselves for the worst as the wildfire continues to spread between New Jersey and New York. The post New Jersey Wildfire Map Shows How Far the Flames Have Spread appeared first on Mandatory. By Brendan O'Brien and Rich McKay (Reuters) - Strengthening winds and bone-dry conditions were hindering firefighters working to gain control of a stubborn wildfire burning in a forested stretch along the New York-New Jersey state border about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of New York City. The Jennings Creek Fire, which straddles the border between Passaic County, New Jersey, and New York's Orange County, has torched some 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) of brush and thick woodland near Greenwood Lake and killed a park employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blaze, which started late last week, was 20% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said on Tuesday on Facebook. The cause of the fire was undetermined. The conditions will "create turmoil, chaos and lot of uncertainty that we don't need right now," New York Governor Kathy Hochul said during a news conference near the site of the fire. She said some 15 blazes were burning in her state in an unusually busy wildfire season. New York State Police and National Guard helicopters were dumping water on the blaze, while more than 375 firefighters established fire lines to protect homes and contain the blaze. No structures were being threatened on Tuesday, but some residents in the rural area had evacuated, Hochul said. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag warning that included parts of New York, New Jersey. Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It said wind gusts were expected to reach 45 miles (72 km) per hour with humidity levels around 20% in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The chances for more rain are not looking good for the next week or so," said William Churchill, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland. Conditions are only expected to get slightly better on Wednesday, he said, with winds expected to taper off. The region is in the middle of one of the driest autumns on record. It received its first measurable precipitation since mid-September on Monday, giving firefighters some, but brief, relief. "The conditions we're facing are still pretty dire," Hochul said, urging residents to avoid outdoor burning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire was responsible for one death. New York state forest ranger volunteer Dariel Vasquez, 18, was killed by a falling tree while battling the fire on Saturday, officials said. In New Jersey, 10 separate wildfires in different parts of the state burned over the past week, including one in Englewood Cliffs, across the Hudson River from uptown New York City, where haze was visible and the air smelled of smoke over the weekend. Other New Jersey blazes were much smaller than the Jennings Creek fire and were largely contained, according to fire officials. Northern New Jersey was upgraded to "extreme" fire danger on Tuesday. The southern third of the state was at "high," while Central New Jersey's danger was rated "very high," the state's forest service said on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wildfire outbreaks are a relatively common occurrence in the West, but the East Coast blazes are unusual. In California, firefighters have slowly gained on the 20,630-acre (8,350-hectare) Mountain Fire as it burned about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Los Angeles. As of Tuesday, it was 48% contained. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago, Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Frank McGurty and Jonathan Oatis) WILMORE, Ky. (FOX 56) Songs that tell the story of America filled the Wilmore Municipal Center tonight as the Jessamine Community Band honored Americas heroes through music. We owe so much to them. And I think a lot of times they get overlooked. And so, we wanted to make sure that we made an effort to let them know how much we appreciate their service to our country, said Alan Jacobus, co-conductor of the Jessamine Community Band. What better place to share the music than in Wilmore, an area that doesnt miss an opportunity to honor its veterans? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its sort of built into the DNA of our community. And we just have a great appreciation for what the veterans have done for us over the years, said Tim Johnson, the bands other co-conductor. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: While music filled the room, so did people. Veterans, their friends and families, and possibly future service members gathered to celebrate America and the people who fought to protect it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My father was a veteran of World War II, and my brother and my husband, our band, were veterans also. Theyre deceased, but to honor them is really appropriate, said audience member Patricia Bottom. Trumpets, drums, flutes, and saxophones are just some of the different instruments that make up one unified orchestra. A symbolic reminder that although the United States seems to be divided at times when it comes down to it, were all Americans. Read more of the latest Kentucky news You cant have any division in music or you dont have an ensemble, said Jacobus. Music is one thing that brings people together that helps us unite and feel like were one big family, Bottom added. 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. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Johnson City Schools Superintendent Steve Barnett will step down from his position in 2025. Barnett, who is in his eighth year as superintendent, intends to remain in the position and continue working until January 31. After that, he will step into a new role as the chief operating officer of the Niswonger Foundation. Barnett became the superintendent in 2017 after Richard Bales announced his retirement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tractor-trailer overturns after being hit by train in Greeneville He first started working for Johnson City Schools in 2005 as the principal at Towne Acres Elementary School, his fourth time serving as a school principal. Before that, he worked in Knox and Roane counties as a teacher, Oak Ridge as a teacher and principal, and Sullivan County as a principal. He told News Channel 11 on Monday that he had mulled the idea of working in the school districts central office while at Towne Acres. I thought maybe central office at some point [but] didnt really think a whole lot about the opportunity to become superintendent here, Barnett said. But the goal then was just to raise a family and do the very best job that I could do for the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnett led Towne Acres for 12 years while Bales held the role of Johnson City Schools superintendent. His decision to try his hand at being Johnson Citys chief educator was not one made lightly. I thought through that, prayed about it a lot, and decided we have an incredible culture in our school system [and] a wonderful community, Barnett said. I knew they had a lot of talent at the central office and the principal level and felt like I should apply for the job because I really wanted to make sure that we kept our culture and built on that culture that we have in Johnson City Schools of service of putting students first. And I know that will continue after I retire. That culture of service takes a great deal of commitment on the part of everyone working in Johnson City Schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just think that that service mindset [means] putting students first, and that means making it rigorous, he said. Its rigorous through school, and we really protect the calendar and make sure that students are at school but [also] have the necessary resources to be successful. What you see is incredible growth, not just academically, but socially and emotionally, hopefully. It comes from the top down, Barnett said, meaning the central office supports the teachers at all levels. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Top Stories Tonight Having a positive culture in an entire school system requires a lot from its superintendent, and Barnett said part of his role is tackling a multitude of outside challenges like federal pressures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats part of the job of the superintendent and the central office supervisor is to help filter out things like the noise that comes in. Sometimes that comes in from policies and laws that are passed because there are always good intent behind them. So how do we use that and make sure that our students continue to receive that fantastic education? Barnett credits a lot of his support to the school board. Dr. Barnett has made a tremendous impact on our schools, Kathy Hall, Johnson City School Board Chair said. Hes really led us even farther into success than we were before he came. He has focused us on high school. He has done a great job with our elementary, and hes been really instrumental in causing us to have two middle schools, which has been a good step for us. Hall also said Barnett makes sure each school in the district is doing the best they can academically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been a lot of changes legislatively and all around schools. And he has really navigated through all of those changes and made sure that we are looking at whats coming next. In some ways, Barnett believes filtering out challenges from Washington D.C. and Nashville has become more difficult since he became superintendent in 2017. But were up to the challenge and weve always had a supportive school board that is really focused on making sure we have high achievement but also safe schools and mental health services, Barnett said. And this whole community really sees education as that investment in their students and in their children, and I think thats just going to continue. Thats the difference that Ive always felt very honored and very thankful to be able to work in a system that views education as that investment in the future. Since his time at Towne Acres, Barnett said he has had the pleasure of watching countless young adults who are positively molded by Johnson City Schools to excel in their careers and service to others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had students that go on to military careers, through the academies or service, enlisting, Barnett said. Today, it being Veterans Day, its at the front of my mind. But students that leave our system go all over the country and go to colleges but also into careers. Its not just the academics as far as college readiness, but also career and technical skills that students are able to get when they go through Johnson City Schools. Its just amazing the number of students that come back and just talk about the fantastic education they received. When he stepped into the drivers seat, Barnett wanted to focus on advanced placement (AP) opportunities for students at Science Hill High School. We had an International Baccalaureate program, and we moved away from that to AP Capstone Project, and the opportunities that our students have had through advanced placement courses is amazing, Barnett said. When you look at the numbers, the number of students that took AP courses, advanced placement courses, before and when we made that shift and made that change in focus, how many students had benefited from that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His ability to lead was put to the test in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing online learning and creating new attendance challenges even after students returned to the classroom. I dont think staying focused on what was important was more difficult because we were able to work together, formulate a plan and make sure that if you needed it, we provided online instruction. The hardest part was the initial shutdown, communicating and making it work. After 32 years as a public educator, Barnett is looking at a change in his career with the Niswonger Foundation. Barnett said he is looking forward to his new role because of the foundations dedication to public education. I think my family and my wife in particular are ready for a change, and the opportunity came to me, he said. [I] didnt look for it, but it came to me and its an opportunity that during the next years of my life, I can still do a job that supports pre-K-12 education but in a different type of setting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its probably time for somebody else to come in and show leadership and enjoy this great job that Ive had since 2017. While hell miss Johnson City Schools, Barnett said he believes it is the right time for him to step aside. Ive told people before [being superintendent] I think has a shelf life. You want to leave while youre still effective, not before someone has to tell you youre not effective, he said. And Ive loved it. Its a hard job, but it is such a wonderful job. Being superintendent has given Barnett the chance to work with administrators and teachers he has come to love. I mean teachers are fantastic people. I get to work with them every day, and Ill still get to work within education in the field of education and support. And I look forward to that, and its exciting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As to who will replace him, Barnett offered no specific candidates but felt confident Johnson City Schools would be well looked after, and he looks forward to supporting the next superintendent. I know that whoever comes into this position is going to do a great job and continue the mission of Johnson City Schools. Hall said Barnett always makes sure to put the children first. His focus on children, his focus on achievement and his focus on doing whats best for our school system has really led us forward, Hall said. He has so much talent that hes brought to our system, and now its time for him to bring those talents to someplace else. This is a great step forward for him, and Im so excited for him. The school board will discuss the next steps for hiring a new superintendent. Hall said they would like to have a new superintendent in place before the next school year. Typically, we look at a July 1st start date for our new superintendent. That may or may not happen, thats just what we typically do. After Barnett officially leaves his role as superintendent on Jan. 31, an interim superintendent will take his place until the permanent position is filled. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LENEXA, Kan. American military veterans in Johnson County get their rightful recognition on Monday, the federal observance of Veterans Day. Johnson Countys annual public observance gathered veterans from across the county, highlighting the G.I. Bill, a program thats lead thousands of veterans to successful careers for 80 years. Whats open and closed on Veterans Day? To me, the most important thing is how we take care of them when they come home, Mike Kelly, Johnson Board of Commissioners chairman, told the audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Forever G.I. Bill, as its known in current times, has sent thousands of veterans to college and vocational educations after their service is complete. The program pays for all or most tuition costs for service members-turned-students. Retired U.S. Army Officer Joel Evans is still enjoying the benefits. Evans served 20 years in the U.S. Military, and thanks to the G.I. Bill, hes already completed a bachelors and masters degree. Evans is pursing his PhD in anthropology at the University of Kansas, in hopes of becoming a college professor. I think its a great benefit for anyone in the military to use once they get out. Its been beneficial because it grows and adapts to generations in changing times, Evans said. It remains a key benefit to service and useful as generations change and shift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023 alone, the Forever G.I. Bill awarded $11 billion to 825,000 recipients, according to Eric Rohleder, who works with the Kansas Office of Veterans Affairs. Rohleder used the program to complete his education after his 21 years in the U.S. Army were complete. Its out there if people want to use it. Like I said the other day in an interview the military is not for everybody, but if you want to join and feel a sense of accomplishment, my 21 years in the Air Force was the best 21 years of my life, Rohleder said. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Rohleder and others point out the GI Bill is often available to family members of military veterans, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre interested to learn more about joining the military and receiving these benefits, you can find the basics via this link to the U.S. Armys website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Speaker Mike Johnson and top House Republicans took a victory lap as they returned to Washington on Tuesday on the heels of last week's election, saying they are ready on Day 1 to work on President-elect Donald Trump's agenda. "It is a beautiful morning and it is a new day in America," Johnson said from the Capitol steps surrounded by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer and National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Rep. Richard Hudson. Lawmakers are back for a lame-duck session that will require them to pass another government funding measure before a shutdown deadline of Dec. 20 and pass the annual defense bill, among other legislative priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Election 2024 updates: With Arizona, Trump sweeps all 7 swing states All eyes are also on Trump's transition and what lies ahead with a potential Republican "trifecta" in the nation's capital. Republicans won the White House and the Senate and are three seats away from clinching the House, according to ABC News projections, though House control has not yet been called. Johnson said they were continuing to watch outstanding races, but expressed confidence that the chamber would remain in GOP control. PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, speaks during a news conference on the results of the 2024 election outside of the U.S. Capitol Building, Nov. 12, 2024, in Washington (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Republican leadership said their top priorities come January will be to lower costs, secure the border and project strength on the world stage in coordination with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Last week, the American people delivered a mandate down to Washington that they want to fix the problems that have been plaguing families all across this country for the last three and a half years," Scalise said. Johnson argued they are better equipped to act now than they were in 2016, when Republicans similarly controlled the White House and Congress after Trump's victory. "We are prepared this time as we wind down the 118th Congress," Johnson said. "We'll be ready to take the ball and run in the 119th Congress." Though when asked about Trump's pledge to eliminate the Department of Education, Johnson said he wasn't ready to get into specifics of plans to reform individual departments or agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump picks Rep. Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret, as national security adviser: Sources Trump's picks for his administration may cut into any GOP majority in the House and Senate. Sen. Marco Rubio is being considered for secretary of state, sources told ABC News. Rep. Elise Stefanik has been tapped for United Nations ambassador. Rep Mike Waltz has also been asked to be national security adviser, ABC News reported. Johnson said he doesn't anticipate more members leaving to join Trump's team and that "every vote will count" in the new Congress. "President Trump and I have talked about this, multiple times a day for the last several days," Johnson said. "We have an embarrassment of riches. We have a really talented Republican Congress ... Many of them can serve in a important positions in the new administration. But President Trump fully understands, appreciates the math here and it's just a numbers game." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson also confirmed reports that he is planning to spend the weekend at Mar-a-Lago with Trump to discuss Trumps Cabinet and the upcoming House agenda. PHOTO: House Republican Leadership Holds Press Conference On Capitol Steps Following Election (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) The speaker also said Trump expressed interest in coming to speak to Republicans on Capitol Hill on Wednesday when he is in Washington to meet with President Joe Biden. "That would be a great meeting and moment for us all," Johnson said. "There's a lot of excitement, a lot of energy here. We're really grateful for President Trump leaving it all on the field to get reelected." MORE: Senate leadership race heats up as Trump issues demands Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speaker declined to back anyone in the Senate leadership race, saying all the candidates are his "favorite." Senate Republicans are set to vote Wednesday, with three major contenders vying for the position: Sen. John Thune, Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Rick Scott. Trump has not endorsed a candidate, but made demands that whoever is chosen support recess appointments for federal vacancies. Johnson, GOP leaders take victory lap and say they're ready for Day 1 under Trump originally appeared on abcnews.go.com U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Tucson, in February 2024. Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep Juan Ciscomani is drawing closer to securing his reelection in a southern Arizona congressional district, as counting on Monday saw his lead more than double over former state lawmaker Kirsten Engel. The hotly contested battle to represent southern Arizonas competitive Congressional District 6, which includes the eastern half of Tucson and stretches to the states southern and eastern borders, has been one of the major priorities this year for Democrats hoping to flip the seat blue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Votes counted on Monday put Ciscomani narrowly ahead, with a nearly 4,900-vote lead. Before the days tally, Ciscomani led by about 1,200 votes. The race is a rematch of 2022, when Ciscomani defeated Engel by less than two percentage points. Throughout the week, as more ballots have been counted, the two have traded small leads sometimes within hours. The Tucson Sentinel reported that Engel focused her campaign on Ciscomanis votes to restrict abortion access and his links to a conservative organization whose leaders support restoring Biblical values in your neighborhood, state and nation and oppose abortion and LGBTQ rights. Ciscomani has served on the board of directors of the nonprofit that oversees the Texas-based Patriot Academy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ciscomani, meanwhile, boasted that he was ranked one of the most bipartisan lawmakers in the House of Representatives and he has brought federal dollars home to CD6, which includes precincts in Pima, Pinal, Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties. He also described Engel as out-of-touch and elite and said she was weak on border security and didnt support law enforcement. Republicans are poised to take control of the House and Senate and the race in CD6 is just one in Arizona that could have future implications for either party. While the Associated Press has not called the race in Ciscomanis favor, others are already projecting he will win, including Decision Desk HQ. About half of Pima County is in CD6, and there are nearly 63,000 ballots left to be counted in the county, though its impossible to know how many are from CD6 and how many are from neighboring Congressional District 7. And another almost 22,000 ballots have yet to be counted in Cochise County, nearly all of which is in CD6. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (NewsNation) With 49.3% of the vote, NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ has called the race for Arizonas District 6 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of Juan Ciscomani. See the results of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate races around the nation here. Ciscomani, the incumbent Republican Rep., sought a second term after being elected in 2022 as the first naturalized American citizen from Mexico ever to be elected to Congress from Arizona. Since being elected, Ciscomani has served on the House Appropriations Committee and has focused on fiscal responsibility. He was challenged by Democrat Kirsten Engel, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Engel lost the 2022 U.S. House race to Ciscomani by less than 5,300 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She previously served in the Arizona state legislature before resigning in 2021 to seek election to the U.S. House. Engel is also a professor at the University of Arizonas School of Law. Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here. During the lead to Tuesdays election, Ciscomani and Engel clashed on several issues, including abortion, which was among the ballot initiatives facing voters in Arizona. Engel supports a womans right to make decisions about her reproductive health and said that there should be no artificial time limits when it comes to ending a pregnancy. Arizonas law bans abortion after 15 weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ciscomani said that he supported the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade and agreed with former President Donald Trump that abortion should be an issue decided at the state level. He said that he rejects the idea of a federal abortion ban and that he trusts women, cherishes life and rejects the extremes when it comes to abortion. See NewsNations election live blog with real-time analysis from our political experts and the latest race calls nationwide powered by Decision Desk HQ. Watch live results from the presidential election, important swing states and the balance of power in Congress. NewsNation will also be tracking your local state elections and impactful ballot initiatives around the country. During debates, Ciscomani also chided Engel for not living within District 6, which includes most of suburban Tucson, all of Greenlee County and most of Cochise County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first term, Ciscomani focused largely on immigration and border security and supported building a border wall. Heading into Tuesdays election, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans control the chamber with a narrow majority of 220 seats, while the Democrats occupy 212 with three vacancies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Baton Rouge district court judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block the new ethics administrator from being hired. (Wesley Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) A Baton Rouge judge has temporarily prevented the Louisiana Board of Ethics from moving forward with replacing the boards top employee in response to a lawsuit brought by legislators. Judge Kelly Balfour of the 19th Judicial District Court issued a temporary restraining order Friday evening that blocks the state ethics board from picking a new administrator. The judge granted the stay at the request of Sens. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, and Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe. They are suing to halt the board from filling that position until Gov. Jeff Landry gains more control over the board in 2025. Landry and lawmakers in both parties have had a fraught relationship with the ethics board in recent years. The board has reprimanded Landry multiple times for campaign finance and ethical violations over the years. Legislators have also complained that the board is being too aggressive regarding investigations into political action committees that lawmakers run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Gray Sexton, who is representing the senators in the lawsuit, confirmed Monday that the court has issued the order. The stay is in place until Nov. 18, when Balfour has scheduled a hearing over the matter. Sexton said the ethics board asked Balfour to delay the hearing another week so its attorneys can prepare for the case. The senators would agree to an extension, as long as the restraining order stays in place until the court appearance, he added. Kathleen Allen, the current ethics board administrator, could not be reached Monday with state government offices closed for Veterans Day. Barrow and Cathey have not responded to several requests for comment since Friday. In January, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and conservative legislative leaders will take control over approximately half of the ethics board appointees. Until then, the board is made up entirely of members picked by former Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards and Republican lawmakers who are no longer in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current legislators balked at the existing board moving swiftly to put a new ethics administrator in place. Board members interviewed four candidates for the job last week, before the lawsuit was filed, and appeared on track to pick a new administrator in December. The lawsuit from Barrow and Cathey alleges the board has moved too quickly to hire a new administrator, having only publicly solicited applications for the job from Oct. 15-25. The senators also alleged the board violated government transparency laws by talking about the hiring process during private meetings, when such discussions should have been public. Allen said Friday she did not believe the board had violated the states open meetings law as the legislators alleged. In addition to the lawsuit, Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia, has requested Attorney General Liz Murrill investigate the ethics board for moving too quickly with its administrator hiring process. Louisiana's new law requiring all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments was temporarily blocked on Tuesday by a judge who called it "unconstitutional on its face and in all applications." A multi-faith group of Louisiana families with children in public schools sued the state to challenge the law, HB 71, which mandates that public schools -- from kindergarten to the collegiate level -- display the religious text in every classroom on "a poster or framed document that is at least 11 inches by 14 inches." PHOTO: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry speaks with reporters after justices heard oral arguments in Murthy v. Missouri, outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, DC Monday, March 18, 2024. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) The lawsuit argues that requiring poster-sized displays of religious doctrine in classrooms violates the plaintiffs' First Amendment rights and the separation of church and state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit further argues that the law violates a U.S. Supreme Court precedent, pointing to the Stone v. Graham case in which the court overturned a similar 1980 Kentucky law, holding that the separation of church and state bars public schools from posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms. PHOTO: Ten Commandments inside church of Saint James, Dunwich, Suffolk, England, UK. (Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) MORE: Some legislators lean into religion in public education as Supreme Court leans right Supporters of the law say the Ten Commandments have historical significance to the foundation of U.S. history and are not just a religious text. In July, both parties agreed that the Ten Commandments would not be posted in any public school classroom and that defendants -- including the state's Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education -- would not publicly move forward on the law's implementation until the court's decision in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation is one of several recent conservative-backed efforts to incorporate Christianity or religion into the classroom across the country. In June, Oklahoma's state superintendent ordered educators to incorporate the Bible into their lessons, an order that is also in the midst of a legal battle. Florida also recently passed a policy which allowed volunteer religious chaplains to serve as student counselors. The ACLU has expressed "grave concerns" over Florida's policy but legal challenges have yet to be filed in that matter. Judge blocks Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (NewsNation) A federal judge has temporarily halted a Louisiana law that mandates the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday which stops the state from enforcing the law until the issue is sorted in the courts. The judge wrote in the ruling that the law, also known as H.B. 71, had an overtly religious purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A coalition of civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit against the state after Gov. Jeff Landry signed a bill this summer requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school on easily readable posters in public school classrooms with three paragraphs about how the religious text has played an influential role in American history. Not in our name: Some clergy rebuke Ten Commandments law If you want to respect the rule of law, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said during his signing of the bill, youve got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses. The American Civil Liberties Union, its branch in Louisiana, Americans United for Separation of Church, State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP serving as pro bono counsel, filed the suit on behalf of a multi-faith group of Louisiana families with children in public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ten Commandments law has been widely shunned by civil liberty groups and faith leaders as being a gross infringement on the rights of students and a violation of the separation of church and state under the Constitution. H.B. 71 is a direct infringement of our religious-freedom rights, and were pleased and relieved that the court ruled in our favor, Rev. Darcy Roake, who filed the lawsuit along with her husband, said in a statement. As an interfaith family, we expect our children to receive their secular education in public school and their religious education at home and within our faith communities, not from government officials. Landrys administration pushed back against Tuesdays ruling. We strongly disagree with the courts decision and will immediately appeal, as H.B. 71s implementation deadline is approaching on January 1, 2025, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ten Commandments. Multiple variations. Why the Louisiana law raises preferential treatment concerns Shortly after the law was signed, several clergy joined a group of parents of Louisiana public school students in suing the state over the law. Rev. Marc J. Boswell, senior pastor at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, is part of the movement and says the law was deeply troubling but not surprising given the concerning rise of Christian nationalism in Louisiana. Dont do this in our name, he told NewsNation prior to Tuesdays ruling, referring to the Ten Commandments in schools. We are not backing this. We are a Christian-identifying people and we do not support this. 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 NewsNation. A New York judge has delayed ruling on whether Donald Trumps hush money conviction should be overturned in light of the Supreme Courts ruling on presidential immunity. Judge Juan Merchan granted a stay of the current deadlines until Nov. 19, when prosecutors will spell out what they see as the appropriate steps going forward given Trumps election victory. The judge had set today as the date when he would issue a ruling on whether to toss out Trumps conviction. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 26. Merchan had delayed sentencing until after the presidential election, but he also was reviewing a Supreme Court decision that presidents could not be held criminally liable for official acts while in office. Even though the hush money payments were made to Daniels before Trump took office, his legal team has argued that some of the key evidence in the case was covered by presidential immunity. Prosecutors pushed back on that notion, as Trumps efforts to conceal the hush money payments were related to his 2016 presidential campaign, not his presidency. RELATED: Jon Stewart Jokes Election Was Stolen By More People Voting For Trump: Oceans 74 Million Emil Bove, Trumps attorney, wrote in email to Merchan and prosecutors that a stay, and dismissal, are necessary to avoid constitutional impediments to President Trumps ability to govern, which is the broader argument that we made to [prosecutors] on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Colangelo, prosecutor in the case, wrote that careful consideration had to be made to appropriately balance the competing interests if (1) a jury verdict of guilt following trial that has the presumption of regularity; and (2) the Office of the President. Last week, Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing the federal cases against Trump, also requested a stay of deadlines in light of the election results. Smith brought two separate cases against Trump one for conspiring to remain in power after the 2020 election, the other for obstructing justice as he retained classified documents after leaving the White House. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Judge Juan Merchan was set to rule Tuesday on whether he would throw out Donald Trumps guilty verdicts in New York. Instead, the only criminal case in which Trump has gone to trial is delayed again, and now he might not be sentenced before he takes office or ever, if the president-elect has his way. As with the two federal cases inevitably headed for the legal trash heap, the reason for this latest delay is Trumps presidential victory. But the New York state case is in a different posture from not only the federal cases but also the Georgia state case, raising novel questions for what happens in the so-called hush money case in the coming weeks and, potentially, years. To recap the New York action, in May a trial jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, for covering up a scheme related to the 2016 presidential election. He was going to be sentenced July 11, but then the Supreme Courts Republican-appointed majority issued the immunity ruling July 1. Trumps lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the verdicts should be overturned and the indictment should be dismissed, contending that evidence introduced at trial and in the grand jury ran afoul of the high court ruling. Merchan delayed the sentencing until September and then to Nov. 26 because of the election, setting Tuesday as the date on which he would decide whether to overturn the verdicts or dismiss the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trumps lawyers asked Manhattan prosecutors to agree to pause the proceedings due to Trumps impending White House return. Prosecutors acknowledged the unprecedented circumstances and told Merchan that the matter requires careful consideration to ensure that any further steps in this proceeding appropriately balance the competing interests of (1) a jury verdict of guilt following trial that has the presumption of regularity; and (2) the Office of the President. They asked Merchan to give them until Nov. 19 (a week from today) to advise the judge on how they want to proceed. He agreed. So, what happens now? Its up to the parties and, if needed, the courts. Trumps lawyers want the case dismissed outright. Its unclear what District Attorney Alvin Braggs position will be. But theres no good reason for the Manhattan DA to drop the case simply because Trump will be president again. Its one thing to say that nothing further should happen in any of his cases during the presidential transition period and while hes in office. The federal cases havent gone to trial against Trump and never will; its just a question of when and how theyre buried whether by federal prosecutors dropping them, Trumps attorney general dismissing them, or Trump attempting a legally untested self-pardon. The Georgia state case also hasnt been tried, and its currently tied up on a pretrial appeal in the defense effort to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis; there are a bunch of Georgia co-defendants who could face trial while Trump is in office, but he wouldnt stand trial until after he leaves. Presidents cant issue pardons in state cases or get them dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York state case is different. Trump already went to trial. A jury found him guilty. Dismissing the case outright would disrespect the jurys verdict and generally would not make sense. Trump could argue that it would interfere with his duties to have a sentencing hanging over him, but thats his problem. He was convicted as a private citizen. Whats done is done. If he really wants to put the matter behind him, he should be pushing in the other direction to have it resolved as quickly as possible. But as this latest delay shows, Trump may succeed in pushing a decision on whether he can overturn the verdicts and what his sentence would be if Merchan rejects his attempt to do so. Its worth noting that incarceration is not mandatory in this case and that any imprisonment or other sentence, such as probation, could be delayed until Trump leaves office. Even if he had lost the election and been sentenced to some relatively slight amount of jail time, Trump would have likely remained free pending appeal. And if Merchan were to overturn the verdicts as Trump requested, then that could give prosecutors a chance to retry him after he leaves office. We dont know what the states position to Merchan will be. Lets assume, for arguments sake, that prosecutors will say they agree to pause further proceedings until Trump is out of office. That might be a relatively reasonable position at this point, all things considered. But if they agree to an outright dismissal, that would be giving away the case for free. 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 ZHUHAI, China (Reuters) -COMAC said on Tuesday that Air China was the first customer for the Chinese planemaker's C929 widebody aircraft under development that is designed to compete with twin-aisle models from Airbus and Boeing. COMAC's deputy director of marketing, Liu Yan, made the announcement at China's biggest air show in Zhuhai. Liu did not disclose the number of aircraft that Beijing-based Air China would purchase or planned delivery dates. The aircraft maker also announced that Hainan Airlines had placed a firm order for 60 C919 narrowbody and 40 C909 regional jets. Colorful Guizhou Airlines signed a purchase agreement for 30 C909 planes, it added, 20 of which are firm and the remainder provisional. COMAC has said the C929 will have 280 to 400 seats and a range of 12,000 km (7,500 miles), which is in the same category as Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. The C929 was renamed in 2023 from the CR929 after Russia left a China-Russia joint venture developing the aircraft. A report in April from the C929's fuselage manufacturer said it aimed to deliver the first fuselage section by September 2027. COMAC deputy general manager Tong Yu in May told a group of Hong Kong reporters in Shanghai that a C929 prototype will be seen in the near future and estimated the jet could "soon" take a test flight, according to Hong Kong newspaper Tai Kong Pao. (Reporting by Sophie Yu and David Kirton; Writing by Lisa Barrington and Brenda Goh; Editing by Jamie Freed and Gerry Doyle) CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The judge who oversaw a landmark civil trial over abuse at New Hampshires youth detention center has issued a preliminary order slashing the $38 million verdict against the state to $475,000. Rockingham County Superior Court Judge Andrew Schulman previously said reducing the amount awarded to plaintiff David Meehan by nearly 99% would be an unconscionable miscarriage of justice," He reiterated that belief in a Nov. 4 order, but reluctantly granted the state's request to the cap the award and said he would enter a final judgement to that effect on Friday barring any last-minute requests from attorneys. Meehan's allegations of horrific sexual and physical abuse at the Youth Development Center in 1990s led to a broad criminal investigation resulting in multiple arrests. His civil lawsuit seeking to hold the state accountable was the first of more than 1,100 to go to trial. Although jurors sided with him in May after a monthlong trial, confusion arose over how much money they could award in damages. The dispute involves part of the verdict form that asked jurors How many incidents does the jury unanimously find the plaintiff has proven by a preponderance of the evidence? Jurors were not informed that state law caps claims against the state at $475,000 per incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some jurors later said they wrote one on the verdict form to reflect that they believed Meehan suffered a single case of post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from more than 100 episodes of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The state has interpreted the verdict to mean that jurors found it liable for only one incident of abuse at the Manchester facility, now called the Sununu Youth Services Center. The judge has denied Meehans motions for a new trial focused only on determining the number of incidents or to set aside just the portion of the verdict in which jurors wrote one incident. He said an entirely new trial remains an option, but Meehan's attorneys have not requested one. This is one more skirmish in a long war for David Meehan and all the victims of state child abuse," attorneys Rus Rilee and David Vicinanzo said in a statement Tuesday. "This stain on the reputation of New Hampshire will remain until the state resolves these case fairly and apologizes. The pair said they have new motions to file this week and more trials coming next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant Attorney General Brandon Chase, representing the state, declined to comment on the rulings other than to answer a procedural question. Meehan, 42, went to police in 2017 and sued the state three years later. Since then, 11 former state workers have been arrested, though one has since died and charges against another were dropped after the man, now in his early 80s, was found incompetent to stand trial. The only criminal case to go to trial so far ended in a mistrial in September after jurors deadlocked on whether the defendant, Victor Malavet, raped a girl at a separate state-run facility in Concord. Bradley Asbury, who has pleaded not guilty to holding down a teenage boy while other staffers sexually assaulted him in Manchester, goes on trial next week. A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a Louisiana law that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in school classrooms by Jan. 1. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, who heard arguments for the case on Oct. 21, ruled that the law violates the free exercise of religion and is unconstitutional on its face." He granted a temporary injunction to the plaintiffs in the case, who are a coalition of parents with children in Louisianas public schools. H.B. 71 is a direct infringement of our religious-freedom rights, and were pleased and relieved that the court ruled in our favor, plaintiff Rev. Darcy Roake said in a statement following the ruling. As an interfaith family, we expect our children to receive their secular education in public school and their religious education at home and within our faith communities, not from government officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge also ordered the state attorney generals office to notify all schools that the law has been found unconstitutional, and that planning to implement it cannot begin until litigation is completed. The legislation has been touted by President-elect Donald Trump and was signed into law in June by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. Its just one of many culturally-conservative bills backed by Landry in his attempt to shift Louisiana further to the right. Landry has also made it legal to use nitrogen as a form of capital punishment, added medication to induce abortion on the states list of controlled dangerous substances and made it so judges can order surgical castration for child sex offenders. Louisiana would become the first state to require the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms since the requirement was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court nearly four decades ago. If you want to respect the rule of law, youve got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses, Landry said at the bill signing ceremony in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the bill signing, nine Louisiana families of various religions filed a lawsuit arguing that the law interferes with their rights to raise their children under the religion of their choosing. Permanently posting the Ten Commandments in every Louisiana public-school classroomrendering them unavoidableunconstitutionally pressures students into religious observance, veneration, and adoption of the states favored religious scripture, the parents wrote in their court filing. They added that displaying the Ten Commandments implies to students of other religions that they do not belong in their own school community. The lasuit is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and the Freedom from Religion Foundation. DELPHI, Ind. Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland told jurors in opening statements of Richard Allen's murder trial that this case boiled down to three things: "Bridge Guy"; a bullet; and the killings of Delphi teenagers Liberty "Libby" German and Abigail "Abby" Williams. Ultimately, the jury agreed with the prosecution, finding Allen guilty on two counts of murder and two counts of murder while kidnapping. Over days of deliberation, they had to wade through weeks of testimony. Here are a few of the complicated pieces of evidence they had to navigate to come to their verdict. 'Bridge Guy' Libby's video captured a grainy image of a man who ordered the girls to "go down the hill." Indiana State Police enhanced the video, but the enhancement could not improve the quality of the image. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's clear that 'Bridge Guy' was wearing light blue jeans and a blue jacket. But one witness testified she saw a man she believed to be Bridge Guy covered in mud and blood and wearing a tan jacket. Witnesses testified that they believed Bridge Guy to be as large as 6 feet tall, young, fit and with "poofy" hair. Allen's attorneys pointed out in closing that Allen is 5 feet, 5 inches tall. ISP Lt. Jerry Holeman testified that it would cost $10,000 to do an accurate height analysis of Bridge Guy from the video. They chose to put their resources elsewhere, according to testimony. The defense made an issue of this in closing arguments. At the time of Allen's arrest in October 2022, Allen was a middle-aged, portly man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delphi murders update: What's next for Richard Allen after his conviction? The unspent cartridge an expert linked to Richard Allen's gun Indiana State Police lab tests indicated that markings on the bullet found at the scene near the girls' bodies matched the ejector, extractor and breach markings of Allen's Sig Sauer 226. But those conclusions were made only by comparing the unfired bullet to shell casings later fired from Allen's pistol. But a defense firearm expert told jurors that comparing the unfired bullet cycled through a pistol to a fired bullet from a pistol will create different tool markings, skewing a conclusive result, calling it comparing apples to oranges. Richard Allen's prison confessions Allen started making confessions to killing the girls in early April 2023. He allegedly made 61 incriminating statements either verbally or in writing, according to reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors played at least seven recorded phone conversations during April 2023 in which he allegedly confessed. In his April 3, 2023, call to his wife, Allen says, "I did it. I killed Abby. I killed Abby and Libby." "You're not feeling well. There's something wrong. Why would you say that?" Allen's wife responded, also noting that his medication might be messed up or the guards were messing with his mind. "Because maybe I did it. I think I did it." At the time of the prison confessions, Allen was psychotic, according to both state and defense witnesses. A person in that state of mind is likely to make incriminating statements if in his mind, he's been persuaded to believe his involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen's confessions during his psychotic periods to his wife and mother often included "I think" or "I believe" as caveats to his admissions to killing Abby and Libby. Psychiatrists testified for both the state and the defense that a person in psychosis is prone to make statements based on a belief in their addled mind. Prosecutors pointed to Dr. Monica Wala's testimony that she believed he was feigning much of his behavior to manipulate prison guards, and Wala said his motive might be to get more calls to his wife. Two psychiatrists one state witness and one defense as well as a neuropsychologist testified Allen was not faking his psychosis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, Wala, a psychologist who treated Allen at Westville prison, was a true-crime fan and had followed the case of Libby and Abby's killings. She eventually was removed from her treatment of Allen and the Westville prison after it was learned that she used Indiana Department of Correction files to learn more about the case. Some of Allen's alleged confessions were made to Wala, according to prosecutors. In an April report, Wala noted that Allen killed them and believed the attack was sexual in nature. However, Allen couldn't remember whether he had sex with the girls. In May 2023, while still psychotic, Allen told Wala he ordered them "down the hill," according to Wala's report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also in May 2023, he told his wife he killed the girls, and he told his mother he killed them. "Mom, I wouldn't sit here and tell you I did it if I didn't," Allen said in a May 17 phone call from prison. "I think they're just messing with you," his mother said. "I just know you don't have it in you to do something like that." Two psychiatrists testified Allen was still psychotic and receiving antipsychotic medicine in the months in which he confessed. However, Allen's alleged confessions in Wala's DOC psychological reports were logical, linear and storylike with a beginning, a middle and an ending, defense witness and neuropsychologist Polly Westcott testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense witnesses suggest that in Allen's psychosis, he was not likely to be able to speak in a linear and storylike manner. The white van An August report Wala wrote indicated that Allen told her he planned to sexually assault the girls after he led them off the trails east of Delphi on the south side of the Monon High Bridge. But a van drove past him and the girls, which caused Allen to change plans, Wala's report indicated. It was then that Allen ordered the girls to ford the creek to the north banks, where he killed them, according to prosecutors and Wala's report. Prosecutors contend that the van was land owner Brad Weber coming home from work at SIA in Lafayette. He clocked out at 2:02 and it took him about 30 minutes to drive home. The girls were abducted off the High Bridge at 2:13 p.m., based on time stamps from Libby's video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense claimed that Weber initially told police he serviced ATMs after leaving work in Lafayette that day, but on the stand, Weber said he went straight home after work. Indiana State Police Master Trooper Brian Harshman noted to jurors that only the killer would know about the van on that obscure Carroll County road at that time of day on Feb. 13, 2017. Harshman also listened to all of Allen's 700-plus phone calls from prison. He said he recognizes Allen's voice, and the man on Libby's video who said, "Go down the hill" is Allen's voice. Jurors had to square the report of the van in Wala's report as either coming from a psychotic man, a genuine admission or an addition made by a true-crime fan who followed the case and knew of internet speculations about a van. The integrity of the case against Richard Allen The defense's closing argument highlighted the shortcomings of the prosecution, including last-minute inquiries by prosecutors to points brought up in the defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, a defense witness who performed an analysis of Libby's phone for the state was caught off guard when asked about the phone data indicating that the headphone jack had something plugged into it between 5:45 and 10:32 p.m. on the day the girls were killed. Based on prosecutors' timeline, the girls were killed after crossing the creek, sometime around 2:30 p.m. There is no explanation for the headphone jack being accessed, defense attorney Brad Rozzi said in closing, and pointed out that the state did not even know that the phone's jack had been accessed. How long did the jury deliberate in Delphi murders? Jurors received the case about 1:25 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, and they deliberated about two hours before stopping for the day. They resumed deliberations at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8. On Saturday, Nov. 9, the jury deliberated from 9 a.m. to about 2:45. They took Sunday off and returned to the courthouse Monday, Nov. 11, and reached a verdict in the early afternoon. In total, officials said, the jury spent about 18 hours deliberating over the course of four days. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Review the Delphi murders evidence, case against Richard Allen An Indiana man has been found guilty of murder in connection with the 2017 slayings of two teenage girls in Delphi, Indiana. The former drug store worker, Richard Allen, was convicted on two counts of murder, and two more counts of murder while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping. The killings of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, stunned the state and made national news after the girls disappeared during a hike in the small town. The girls were later found in a wooded area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the trial, which started in October, gruesome details of their murder were released. BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES - 2022/10/31: Carroll County Sheriff Tobias Leazenby speaks during a press conference after they arrested Richard Allen due to the 2017 murder of the two eighth-graders in Delphi. Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter announced at a press conference that they had arrested the Delphi, Indiana, man Richard Allen for the murders of the eight-graders, Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, in 2017. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland claimed that Allen, 52, admitted to committing the crimes to multiple people, including his wife, inmates and correctional officers, after he was arrested. According to reporting by the Associated Press, Dr. Monica Wala, Allens psychologist at the Westville Correctional Facility, said Allen shared details of the crime in some of the confessions, including telling her he slashed the girls throats and put tree branches over their bodies. Wala wrote in a report that Allen told her that he abandoned his plans to rape the teens when a van passed nearby. The trial was frequently delayed due to an evidence leak, the withdrawal of public defenders, among other disruptions. AP reported that Allen showed no reaction in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered. His sentencing date is next month, and he faces up to 130 years in prison. The jury deciding the fate of the man who killed Sacramento police rookie Tara OSullivan in 2019 was instructed by the judge Tuesday to continue deliberating after they said they could not agree on whether he should be condemned to death. The jury of seven women and five men told Judge James Arguelles that they were split on whether Adel Sambrano Ramos should be placed on Death Row or spend life in prison after he pleaded guilty to killing OSullivan during an ambush attack on her and other officers. OSullivan, who had graduated six months earlier from the Sacramento Police Departments academy was mortally wounded and lay on the ground nearly an hour before tactical officers were able to secure her rescue. After an hourslong standoff, Ramos surrendered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the jury returned to court, Arguelles landed on his instructions after telling lawyers he was not inclined to declare a mistrial so soon. The jury has been deliberating since Nov. 5 following the trial, a requirement for such a capital case despite his plea. Once seated, jurors were told they would have to continue deliberating. Arguelles offered several suggestions to the panel including that jurors should role-play to showcase different views of the case and their outcomes. He also encouraged the jury to allow different members to lead the discussions in the hopes of bringing about unanimity. The case has drawn intense interest from Sacramentos law enforcement community, with so many Sacramento police officers showing up Tuesday to support OSullivans family that there was not enough room for all of the visitors in the courtroom. Many had to stay out in the hall. California has not carried out an execution since 2006, and a moratorium on capital punishment has been in place since shortly after OSullivans murder. But the death penalty remains on the books, and prosecutors say a future governor could reverse the moratorium and re-open the states shuttered execution chamber. More than 600 inmates are under a sentence of death in California, the most in any state. Tara OSullivan, 26, was killed in the line of duty June 19, 2019. She had served on the force for six months. Ramos pleaded guilty on Aug. 30 to felony counts including murder with special circumstances for OSullivans slaying and attempted murder of another officer at the violent, bloody scene in Del Paso Heights in June 2019. He initially pleaded not guilty, but the trial was delayed as his attorneys argued that he was not mentally competent to stand trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSullivans murder sent shockwaves through the capital region, and led the city to rename the H Street Bridge over the American River among memorials. Prosecutor Jeffrey Hightower told jurors that OSullivan, who grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from a criminal justice program at Sacramento State, was a devoted young officer who even as a child displayed a keen sense of right and wrong. She was still in training when she urged her partner to respond to a call from Megan Jansa, who at the time lived with Ramos in the Redwood Avenue home she had inherited from her grandfather. Jansa had left the home amid erratic and threatening behavior by Ramos, and OSullivan and her partner and training officer Daniel Chipp decided to accompany her there to retrieve some clothing and her dogs. Ramos, Hightower said, was hiding at the residence behind a series of murder holes he had drilled into the walls of the house, enabling him to shoot at the officers while obscuring his location. The officers searched the property to see if anyone was there. Ramos did not respond to their calls, and Chipp even told other officers via radio that the house might be empty. But suddenly he began shooting, striking OSullivan and shouting epithets at her as she lay on the ground, bleeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He held the rest of the officers at bay for hours, shooting in several directions from his hiding place, making it impossible for them to rescue her. His lawyers argued that mental illness and a violent and unstable childhood should be considered mitigating factors in the case, and asked jurors not to sentence Ramos to die. California has spent $313 million on death penalty prosecutions and appeals in the five years since Newsom imposed a moratorium on executions, an analysis by The Sacramento Bee showed. The state has dismantled the execution chamber at San Quentin and moved nearly all of the inmates out of the old death row. But prosecutors continue to seek capital punishment in the state, saying it sends a message to defendants and can be a comfort to the families of murder victims. Justice Neil Gorsuch published a book over the summer in which he critiqued perceived government overreach, including in the nations enforcement of an expansive criminal code. Yet he just passed up a chance to address a federal criminal law that he previously called out when he was an appeals court judge. That law is known as the Analogue Act. It bans selling substances that are substantially similar to ones that have already been deemed illegal. The 1986 law was an attempt to combat so-called designer drugs that enter the underground market faster than the government can ban them. The law gives the authorities a wide net, one whose ambiguous shape raises the question of whether its too wide for the Constitution, which is supposed to guarantee notice of whats illegal. The vague and unscientific nature of the term substantially similar has prompted multiple federal judges to question its legality over the years; even chemists within the Drug Enforcement Administration have disagreed about its meaning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gorsuch himself wrote critically of the Analogue Act when he was on the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, before Donald Trump elevated him to the high court in 2017. In a 10th Circuit ruling, Gorsuch called the law a curious animal and said it was an open question, after all, what exactly it means for chemicals to have a substantially similar chemical structure or effect. He wondered whether terms like those will admit of fair application and afford citizens fair notice. So it was reasonable to think that, even if the Supreme Court declined to review a recent case challenging the law, Gorsuch might have offered a word in passing. After all, on top of performing legal criticism on his book tour, the justice has also spoken out in actual criminal case opinions when the high court has rejected appeals that he believed raised important issues. But he was nowhere to be found when the court declined to review an appeal Tuesday in the case of Charles Burton Ritchie and Benjamin Galecki. The federal trial judge who sentenced them said he was troubled that, while a typical drug dealer clearly knows he or she is selling an illegal substance, someone accused of selling alleged analogues may not know he or she is breaking the law until the jury decides it is in fact an analogue. Gorsuch, meanwhile, isnt troubled by the status quo. If he was, then he couldve said so in an opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe hell write about it in his next book. 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 Justice Samuel Alito reportedly has no intention of stepping down from the U.S. Supreme Court to make way for a younger Trump appointee. The 74-year-old judge has been at the center of speculation that he could be persuaded to resign to cement the courts right-wing supremacy. But insiders close to Alito told The Wall Street Journal: Despite what some people may think, this is a man who has never thought about this job from a political perspective. The idea that hes going to retire for political considerations is not consistent with who he is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have all but given up hope of replacing Justice Sonia Sotomayor, 70, with little time on their side for President Joe Biden to push through a like-for-like ideological switch and Sotomayor uninterested in sacrificing her position. But Republicans would have at least two years with a Trump White House and a GOP-controlled Congress to push through SCOTUS confirmations pretty much unopposed. The opportunity to further button down the 6-3 conservative majority on the nations highest court that Trump helped create with three appointments during his first term led some Republicans to target Alito and fellow septuagenarian Clarence Thomas, 76, for possible replacements. The two men are considered the most right-leaning on the panel. Alito, appointed by President George W. Bush in 2006, has already hired one law clerk for the next session and is planning for a full complement of four to carry on through the 2025-26 term, sources told the Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both parties are determined not to allow a repeat of 2020, when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died during Trumps first term after resisting calls to resign when Barack Obama could have selected a liberal nominee. Trump quickly picked Justice Amy Coney Barrett, whose vote allowed the court to overrule Roe v. Wade. Justices are lifetime appointments, and there are no age limits to the job. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Kaiser Permanentes striking mental health workers returned to the picket lines in San Diego County on Tuesday as negotiations over their latest union contract remain at a stalemate. The return to picketing at Kaisers San Diego Medical Center and other locations across Southern California comes as state health investigators have opened a probe into whether the system is complying with patient care standards four weeks in to the open-ended walkout. The union representing the striking mental health professionals, the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), confirmed the investigation by the California Department of Managed Health Care in a release on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long-awaited, $28M smart library opens in Pacific Highlands Ranch The investigation was in response to a plan proposed by Kaiser to maintain services for its clients amid the strike, which is calling for measures to reduce employee turnover and better patient care, that they argue lacked any detail and delays care access. According to NUHW, in the midst of a similar strike back in 2022, Kaiser officials produced a far more detailed plan for maintaining care during the strike in Northern California when it canceled over 111,000 therapy appointments. The 2022 strike contributed to state behavioral health regulators hitting Kaiser with a $50 million fine the largest-ever penalty issued by the department for failing to provide timely care to its patients as part of a wider $200 million settlement agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no way Kaiser is complying with state rules for maintaining access to care for its patients when it already had huge access issues before its health professionals went on strike, NUHW President Emeritus Sal Rosselli said in Mondays release. In a statement, a spokesperson for Kaiser said the network remains committed to reaching an agreement with NUHW and will be steadfast in our commitment to deliver high-quality mental health care and addiction medicine services to every single patient who comes to us for healing. During the strike, the system argued it was minimizing disruptions to patient care by giving them the opportunity to see other professionals in its care network. It added 60% of its patients were already receiving care from workers not involved in the strike. A statement issued Wednesday morning noted the hospital network is cooperating with state regulators as part of their oversight to ensure care continues as the strike carries on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NUHW called for the stoppage in October over demands Kaiser addresses issues in their next contract they say contribute to employee turnover and worsening patient care. For the more than 2,000 employees encompassing therapists, psychologists, social workers and psychiatric nurses, this includes below par wages and guaranteed benefits, as well as chronic understaffing that has made it difficult to balance client appointments with patient paperwork. Kaiser says all the right things when it comes to mental health care, but its actions tell a different story, Josh Garcia, a psychologist for Kaiser in San Diego, said in a press release when the strike began in late October. Unless we strike, our coworkers are going to keep leaving and our patients are going to keep struggling in an underfunded, understaffed system that doesnt meet their needs, Garcia continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, the Southern California Kaiser behavioral health care staff are looking for protections like guarantees of seven hours for therapists to complete their duties outside therapy sessions, a restoration of pensions, and pay comparable to non-mental health Kaiser employees. These measures were won by the behavioral health workers counterparts in Northern California following the 10-week strike back in 2022. New state law limiting parking near intersections to take effect Jan. 1 According to NUHW, no new bargaining sessions have been scheduled for this week. Kaiser places responsibility for two sides impasse on what it describes as unequitable bargaining by NUHW. However, they said they would not agree to a new contract that limits non-clinical care time and raises wages significantly above the market rate in Southern California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have made it clear that we are ready to resume bargaining with them when they are ready to come to the table with the same goal, Kaiser continued. We have put a strong offer on the table and are eager to do the hard work needed at the table to reach an agreement that benefits both our valued mental health workers and the patients we all serve. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors note: NewsNation spoke with a member of the DNC finance committee on the allegations. Read more here. (NewsNation) The Kamala Harris campaign is now $20 million in debt, and Lindy Li, a member of the DNC Finance Committee, said she and others were misled about the vice presidents chances of winning the election. Li said she helped raise millions for the campaign and is now left trying to explain to voters why Harris lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vendors and staff are also worried they may not get paid for their work. Donald Trumps new administration: Who has he chosen so far? The Harris campaign is trying to dig out of debt nearly a week after losing on Election Day, with much of the spending going toward digital media, advertising, polling and travel between states. According to reports, the campaign spent six figures building a set for Harris appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast with host Alex Cooper. A source familiar with the campaign confirmed to NewsNation that the campaign is $20 million in the hole after Nov. 5, even though the campaign took in at least $1 billion and reported $118 million in the bank as of Oct. 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another big-ticket item was $15 million spent on event production that went toward celebrity performances, like the election eve rally with Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. Harris also reportedly paid $1 million to Harpo Productions, which is owned by Oprah Winfrey, who did a town hall with Harris back in September and appeared at that election eve rally in Philadelphia. Biden, Harris appear together at Veterans Day ceremony It takes remarkable incompetence to spend $1 billion in 90 days, lose market share, allow Donald Trumps election and end up in debt, a Democratic source told NewsNation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some ways, the Harris campaign is still fundraising despite the loss, sending emails asking for donations. But those donations are partially being redirected toward a vote recount effort. When you click donate, that link takes you to Act Blue, and the fine print suggests the vice presidents campaign may be launching a recount effort. The fine print reads that the first $41,300/$15,000 from a person/multicandidate committee PAC will be donated to the Democratic National Committee, but the next $3,300/$5,000 would be donated to a recount account. What to know about Trumps inauguration President-elect Donald Trump won with 312 Electoral College votes, including votes from all seven battleground states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One GOP strategist put it this way: Damned if you do, damned if you dont, giving the example of John Kerry having been criticized for still having $14 million in the bank after his 2004 campaign. The strategist, though, called Harris debt egregious and suggested her team was panic spending. Trump also weighed in on the issue, suggesting on Truth Social that Republicans might help cover the Democrats debts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Apples latest iOS 18.1 software update introduced a series of Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools and notification summaries. However, some features were missing from the lineup, like Genmoji, which allows users to create emojis from written prompts. Now, with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 officially available, the highly anticipated AI-generated Bitmoji feature is finally here for users to try. It was previously only available as a public beta. Heres what you need to know about the Apple Intelligence feature that many people are excited about. What is a Genmoji? Genmoji initially debuted at WWDC 2024 back in June. Built into the iPhones emoji keyboard, the feature lets people generate original emojis with prompts. For example, A sloth wearing a suit and tie. It can also generate emojis of people using photos. Genmojis can be used not only in Messages but also in Stickers and Tapbacks. Its also possible to react to a message with a Genmoji or with Apples message effects. How to create a customized emoji with Apple Intelligence To use Genmoji, first make sure Apple Intelligence is enabled. Then launch the Messages app, start a new message (or go to an existing chat), and click on the emoji keyboard located in the bottom left corner. Next, type the prompt into the search bar and choose Create New Emoji just below it. After a few seconds, Apple Intelligence creates multiple versions of the AI-generated emoji based on that custom description. To save a favorite Genmoji, tap Add in the top-right corner to permanently include that new emoji to the keyboard. To save a Genmoji that someone else sends, long press on it and select "Emoji Details," which will display the prompt that was used to generate it. Theres also an option to download it. Image Credits:Apple When is the official launch of Genmoji? Genmoji is currently available with Apples iOS 18.2 update. What Apple devices support Genmoji? iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Max iPad mini with A17 Pro chip All iPads with an Apple silicon chip macOS Sequoia support coming soon Is Apple Intelligence supported in my country? The only regions where Apple Intelligence is not supported are China and the EU because of certain regulations. Regarding language support, its currently available in U.S. English and has started to roll out localized English support for users in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. By 2025, Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese will also become available. This story was updated after its initial publication. Democrats are looking at spending at least the first two years of Donald Trumps second presidency in the wilderness after losing the Senate. It looks increasingly likely they will fail to retake the House of Representatives, too. Now, many are questioning whether the party is truly going to learn anything of value from the second defeat of the Democratic standard-bearer to Trump and MAGA Republicanism. Centrist Democrats in particular are taking it from all sides, humiliated with a seven-swing-state sweep after successfully talking Harris into abandoning the progressive-ish agenda she championed in her 2020 bid for the White House. Those centrists spent the past few months stating plainly that she would not be a meaningful departure from the presidency of Joe Biden, with whom Harris could not identify a single issue on which she disagreed. Instead, she campaigned with Liz Cheney and sought out moderate Republican voters the Nikki Haley coalition in states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Analysts now agree with what the election results seemed to show last week: that strategy failed to move a significant number of voters to Harriss side in all but a few areas. Worse, it likely alienated the vice presidents base at a time when Democrats were already in dire straits with those same voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement J. Miles Coleman, executive editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball, explains that the so-called #NeverTrump Republicans of 2016 are now either standard Republicans or #Resist Libs. You did have some of the suburbs around Milwaukee shift a little to Harris compared tolast time, he noted. [But] fundamentally, you know, its Trumps party now You probably have a lot of Democrats now saying, We maybe, kind of should have focused more on turning out our base. Theres also reason to believe, he says, that fears about younger Black men leaving the Democratic Party may be real, yet still overblown. One fact remains to skew the numbers, which some Democrats are loath to admit: millions of voters, particularly younger ones, stayed home rather than turn out to vote for Democrats in 2024. Harriss vote total marked a sharp decrease from Joe Bidens in 2020, which was a year of higher voter turnout especially for younger voters. Joe Biden won millions more votes in 2020 than his running mate Kamala Harris did four years later, while voter turnout nationally dipped by 2% (AP) Even in states where Harris campaigned intensely, there are already signs that a failure to turn out voters who inherently lean Democratic and likely were not considering Donald Trump at all contributed to Harriss loss. Consider Detroit, a majority-Black city in one of the nations biggest battleground states. Despite turnout statewide remaining roughly unchanged from 2020 levels, there was a 3-percent drop in the share of eligible voters who cast ballots in the deep-blue city this year. And thats not even touching the vice presidents collapse in Dearborn, the hub of Arab American life in the state, where Democrats were swept to re-election easily in local races while Harriss support sank to unrecognizable depths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just about everyone agrees: a massive part of the Democrats inability to motivate their own base to turn out stemmed from the refusal of Joe Biden to consider stepping down before the 2024 primaries took place. The stink of a party lurching on for months bound by pride to nominate a candidate voters so clearly did not think was physically or mentally capable to serve another four years in office never washed off Harris, his former running mate especially as she declined to distance herself from those decisions at all. Pod Save America host and Obamaworld insider Jon Favreau revealed last week that internal Biden campaign polling had the incumbent president losing a 400-electoral-vote blowout before he withdrew from the race in July. We modeled that she would need about 83-84% of the Black male vote to have a chance of winning. She didnt get anywhere near that until our last October poll, said Dr Alvin Tillery, whose group tracked Black support for Biden-Harris for months. [By that point] shes at like 71% after being at like 59% for months. Tillery, a professor at Northwestern whose 2040 Strategy Group projected in late October that Harris was in striking distance of turning out the requisite percentage of Democratic-leaning Black men to actually win, told The Independent that Harriss campaign never made the sustained investment in turning out the Democratic base rather than swing voters which it needed to overcome Trumps consolidated dominance of the GOP. The craziest thing is that the Democrats just I dont know if its overconfidence, [but] they just didnt message to those groups, Tillery said. Kamala Harris became the first Democrat to lose the popular vote to Donald Trump (AFP via Getty Images) In an age of digital ads, where you can message to those groups and the white swing voters that you really prize wont even see those messages because theyre all on, like, YouTube? he continued. Yeah, just crazy to me that they didnt do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps biggest successes in the 2024 cycle were his gains among younger men of all races, but mainly white and Hispanic men. He also made slight inroads with Republican voters, further diminishing the already-tiny share of registered Republicans who voted Democratic in 2020. Thats a statistic which is notable for how un-notable it is in any other year, expected, but not after a sustained months-long effort by the Harris campaign to target white Republican women, moderate and conservative alike. The lack of a clearer backlash stemming from the overturning of Roe vs Wade stunned even some analysts. It was surprising to me that Harris lost the white womens vote by like six points, Coleman said in his interview. It wasnt even close. It wasan election for the Democrats where the kind of long-term trends that had been working in their favorbasically stopped. Reversed some. Whereas the trends that were working against them just kept going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tillery offered one clear diagnosis for why younger voters and Black voters turned out in such lower numbers. I wish somebody would come out and just be truthful about the fact thatIsraels war on Gaza probably cost them, like, 50,000 to 100,000 votes in all of these swing states, right? Like, look at Michigan! said Tillery. But if you dont want to own up to that stuff, then you know, you can tell your story about what a titan Donald Trump is. If thats the story, thats the story. But a lot of us gave them other pathways to follow. Donations to Kamala Harriss election campaign are being redirected towards a vote recount effort. The fine-print on the website ActBlue, a nonprofit fundraising platform for Democrats, suggests funding is being put aside to challenge the veracity of the Nov 5 election in which Donald Trump defeated Ms Harris by a landslide. The website tells potential donors: The first $41,300/$15,000 from a person/multicandidate committee (PAC) will be allocated to the DNC. The next $3,300/$5,000 from a person/PAC will be allocated to Harris for Presidents Recount Account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no further information given about who controls the recount account and whether the money donated to it is actively being spent on efforts to recount votes. In the lead up to the election, there was an expectation that Mr Trump and his supporters could demand recounts in the key battleground states if he lost, after spreading concerns over voter fraud. Decisive victory Half of states have automatic recount rules if the voting margin is too tight, but following the president-elects decisive victory, concerns about results have largely evaporated. Mr Trump won the election with 312 electoral college votes, including a clean sweep of all seven swing states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is extremely unlikely that Ms Harris would request a recount in the presidential race having already conceded to Mr Trump. Addressing her supporters at her alma mater, Howard University, the day after polls closed, Ms Harris admitted defeat in the election but promised to continue to fight for her vision of America. While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fuelled this campaign, she said. In 2020, recounts were carried out in multiple battleground states including Wisconsin and Arizona, where Trump supporters launched a series of legal challenges after he lost the sunbelt states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election was not officially called until four days after polling day when Joe Biden won Pennsylvania following a recount. Ms Harriss website is currently soliciting donations to ensure that all votes are counted in down ballot races that are yet to be called. With a handful of key Senate and House races still too close to call, we are keeping our organizers and volunteers on the ground in those states to see the election across the finish line, the website says. If you are able, please donate to the Harris Fight Fund today to ensure we have the resources to elect Democrats down the ticket ready to hold the Trump administration accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have won both the presidency and the Senate, and on Monday evening were projected to retain control of the House. ActBlue was 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. [Source] Ajay Jain Bhutoria, an Indian American fundraising official for the Harris-Walz campaign and the Democratic Party, has been the target of racist text messages demanding he leave the U.S. and return to India. Bhutoria, who serves as deputy national finance chair of the DNC and a former member of President Joe Biden's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, shared one of such messages he received with PTI on Sunday. You claim that you are doing whats best for Americans, but you arent doing anything for Americans and you dont care about America. You are Indian. You only care about Indians. You do whats best for India. Why are you here? Stop being a beggar in America and become a leader in India, the message read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding to the threats, Bhutoria said, Trump supporters asking me to go back to India to fight for green card backlog, emphasizing the hostile environment he faces while advocating for legal immigrant rights. Despite the offensive messages, Bhutoria is not backing down and vows to continue his work. Trending on NextShark: Kamala Harris fundraiser receives wave of racist texts, told to 'go back to India' Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a fatal shooting Friday. David Marcos, 25, is charged with second-degree murder in Wyandotte County District Court, according to online Wyandotte County Jail records. Officers were called around 5 p.m. Nov. 8 to the area of Sixth Street and Splitlog Avenue on reports of a shooting. They found a man with a gunshot wound who was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, police publicly identified the victim as Daniel Thurman, 21. Police have not yet said what they believe led up to the shooting. Marcos was taken into custody Nov. 8 as detectives continued to investigate. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-8477. All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward. Marcos is being held on a $200,000 bond. No court dates have been scheduled as of Tuesday afternoon. Much of the enrollment growth in Kansas City Public Schools came from the Northeast and from students who are learning English(Getty Images). After decades of plunging enrollment, Kansas City Public Schools is setting a new trend. The number of students is ticking upward. For the third year in a row, the districts enrollment count in late September ran higher than the previous year. Preliminary figures show KCPS added 570 K-12 students since the official count day last year, about a 4% increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That leaves it with more than 14,000 students for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic helped bring enrollment to a low point. Including pre-kindergarten students, it has more than 15,000. With growth come changes in whom the district serves. Black students, who made up about 58% of the district during the 2014-15 school year, dipped below the majority this year to about 46% of pre-K-to-12 enrollment. Hispanic students represent an increasing share of the district, more than a third this year. Much of the recent growth has been fueled by families moving into schools that feed into Northeast High School and students who need help learning English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But growth doesnt necessarily pause even after students are counted, and the year is in full swing. During the last school year, KCPS added 970 K-12 students between early September before the count day and mid-April. Thats happening again, said Deputy Superintendent Derald Davis. We continue to enroll new students each and every day. Where enrollment growth is happening Northeast area schools have led the way in increased enrollment, adding hundreds of students both this year and last year. This year, East High School feeder schools also added 150 students, and the Central High School region added almost 90. Only the Southeast High School area lost students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of those new students are still learning English. The 430 additional English language learners compared to last year account for about two-thirds of the total pre-K-to-12 enrollment growth. Overall, English language learners make up nearly a quarter of the district. The biggest group of them were born in the U.S., Davis said. They may have families that originated from elsewhere, he said. If English is not spoken in the home, we still could have many students who arrive at kindergarten with limited English proficiency. Hundreds of other students come from Honduras, Mexico and Tanzania. The growth comes as KCPS prepares to finalize a building plan meant to improve learning and address deferred maintenance issues in a district built for a higher number of students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A draft of the building plan involves opening, closing and moving schools to different buildings. It isnt as focused on paring down the number of schools as the plan the district unveiled in 2022. Enrollment growth makes it easier to justify keeping buildings open and helps bring in the state tax dollars needed to maintain them. But the plan hinges on voter approval of a bond in April 2025. A district strategic plan calls for KCPS to enroll at least 15,000 K-12 students by 2025, a goal it could hit with about 5.5% enrollment growth over the next year. By 2030, KCPS wants to have 17,000 students. This article first appeared on Beacon: Kansas City and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. A Kansas City woman was sentenced in federal court Tuesday to serve 45 years in prison for sexually exploiting two children. Both Jessica Ann Young, 34, and her husband, Houston Wade Young, 37, were sentenced this year to serve lengthy prison sentences for cases in U.S. District Court involving the sexual abuse of children. Houston Young was sentenced in July to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in January. Jessica Young pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in March. Her sentence was handed down Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Youngs court-appointed attorney declined to comment Tuesday. Houston Young was previously convicted of first-degree child molestation in Wright County in 2005 and of possession of child pornography in Jackson County in 2016, and was involuntarily committed into a state program for sex offenders in 2021, prosecutors said. The two were charged after authorities in Vernon County searched Houston Youngs jail cell in March 2020 while he was being detained there and found a phone that contained child pornography, according to court documents. At the time, he was being detained pending a civil proceeding to determine whether he would be civilly committed as a sexually violent predator, prosecutors said. The FBI analyzed the phone and allegedly found texts between the couple that discussed the sexual abuse of a child who authorities identified as a 7-year-old boy and two pornographic images Jessica Young had sent to Houston Young of that child. They also found Houston Young had sent images of child pornography to his wife and to a 16-year-old girl who later told police they had met through an online game. In interviews, the 7-year-old said Jessica Young had taken nude photos of him, and another child a 13-year-old boy and said she had sexually abused him, investigators said. In an interview with the FBI, Jessica Young allegedly admitted she had sent the images to her husband and said she had abused the two children on multiple occasions at a home in Clay County, according to court documents. TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansans punished for participating in the riot at the nations Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 may soon get some help from the next president of the U.S. Donald Trump won his bid for reelection in the November General Election, setting him up to become the 47th president of the nation next year. His controversial return to the Oval Office could begin with a series of pardons for some of his supporters who were arrested in connection to the riot at the Capitol in Washington. Trump has promised while on the campaign trail to pardon those involved with the riot which took place shortly after his 2020 reelection defeat to President Joe Biden. Many of the more than 1,500 people involved in the incident who have been arrested, charged and/or sentenced are looking to possibly being pardoned by Trump once he reenters the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Kansas counties did Trump, Harris win in the General Election? Nine people from Kansas were among those arrested in connection to the riot, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). These include the following: The DOJ has given prison sentences to some of the Kansans listed above, such as Chrestman and Eckerman, for their actions on Jan. 6, 2021. Chrestman received more than four years in prison while Eckerman received nearly two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope, a former Topeka City Council candidate who was arrested in connection to the Capitol riot, recently filed a document on Nov. 9 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia requesting his trial be delayed. He cited Trumps campaign promises of issuing pardons to those involved in the riot as his argument for why his trail should be postponed. What is fluffy popcorn and why is it dangerous to your health? For more Capitol Bureau 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 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 KSNT 27 News. The staffing shortage at Kansas psychiatric hospitals in Larned and Osawatomie prompted budget requests of more than $60 million to continue filling the health-care gap with private contract nurses. The states inability to hire a sustainable workforce of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse aides and patient care support staff at the two state hospitals has generated bipartisan frustration in the Kansas Legislature. The challenge has been most acute at Larned State Hospital, which would need $43 million annually to continue receiving the services of about 200 contract staff. The Osawatomie State Hospital requested $23 million for the same purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve tried everything, but you just cant force people to go there to work, said Rep. Will Carpenter, an El Dorado Republican on the Legislatures interim budget committee. Its a question I have no answer for. Democratic Rep. Henry Helgerson of Eastborough said: After four or five years of going down the same path, Ive lost my patience. We have to do something more radical. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, said it was time the Legislature to form a separate committee to look into alternatives to embedding tens of millions of dollars annually in the state budget for nurses provided by private agencies. Employing contract nurses costs the hospitals an estimated 2.5 times the cost of hiring a state worker to do the same job. The state has committed about $70 million to construction of a 50-bed psychiatric hospital in southwest Wichita that could be expanded to 100 beds. That decision has come under scrutiny after a lobbyists for owner of the former Riverside Hospital complex in Wichita suggested the state buy and renovate the old hospital for use as the psychiatric hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, the overall job vacancy rate at Larned stood at 45%, while the shortage at Osawatomie was 37%. However, vacancies among nursing staff at Larned reached 69%. Staffing problems have driven interest at the statehouse in outsourcing to private companies all responsibility for managing the state hospitals serving people in mental health crisis as well as sex offenders placed indefinitely in Larneds treatment program after serving prison sentences. The number of sexual predators at Larned has expanded to about 230. Its huge and growing by the year, Carpenter said. I dont want to be responsible for letting these folks out. The nursing shortage conversation occurred Friday during the first of five meetings by the newly formed 2024 Special Committee on Budget Process and Development. The GOP-inspired committee plans to depart from tradition by introducing its own draft of the state budget in January at opening of the annual legislative session. For many years, the Legislature has worked from blueprints offered by governors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has been working on her version of the budget. Its expected her spending priorities would differ from those of a Republican-dominated budget committee. Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, said the Legislature had to take the lead in sorting out state budget issues. She expressed disdain for tarnishing the process with horse trading behind closed doors at the Capitol. The executive branch is not in charge of the budget, Williams said. Tension is good when you have three branches of government. The 21-member committee plans to consider budget enhancement requests from 26 state agencies amounting to more than $1.2 billion in additional spending in the upcoming fiscal year. The roster included $272 million for the Kansas Board of Regents and $105 million for the Kansas State Department of Education. The list included $450 million to replace Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the initial meeting, the majority decided to sidestep the topic of state employee salary increases. The regular House and Senate budget committees will consider compensation issues as well as recommendations from the special budget committee during the 2025 session. The next meeting of the budget panel wont occur until after Nov. 20, when the state was scheduled to release an updated snapshot of the states revenue stream. This story first appeared on Kansas Reflector , a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization covering state government, politics and policy. Kansas' suicide and crisis hotline, 988, saw an uptick in calls the day after the Nov. 5 election. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline) TOPEKA The state suicide and crisis hotline received a record number of calls a day following the election, with LGBTQ+ and Spanish-speaking lines seeing especially high traffic. Vibrant, the mental health company that administers Kansas 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, reported a one-day call record of 169 calls on Nov. 6, said Cara Sloan-Ramos, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HOME to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential. The largest increases in call volumes occurred on the LGBTQ+ and Spanish lines, Sloan-Ramos said. President-elect Donald Trump has promised upon taking office a crackdown on immigration, especially undocumented Mexican and Latin and Central American immigrants, through mass deportation. Plus, GOP gains in the Kansas Legislature open up new opportunities for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the things we know about suicide and suicidal behavior is that it is rarely connected to one circumstance but instead is most often a result of multiple factors, so correlation doesnt exactly indicate causation, Sloan-Ramos said in an email. The statewide hotline received an average of 67 calls per day in November 2023 and about 53 calls daily in November 2022, according to data from Vibrant. The LGBTQ+ line, which launched in July 2023, received an average of six calls per day in its first eight months of operation. Average call volumes on the Spanish-speaking line are even lower, at about one call per day, according to 2023 metrics. Vibrant offers tips for coping with election stress on its website. When feelings of anxiety occur due to major national, regional, or community events like elections, it can exacerbate other anxieties people may be having that are not necessarily related to that event, said an Oct. 17 blog post from Vibrant. Memories of anxiety may also be triggered by such events, adding to current stress. Some tips include seeking social support, sticking to routines and balancing election-related media consumption. Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to revive a planned congestion toll in Manhattan before President-elect Donald Trump takes office but critics want to make sure the controversial plan stays dead. Hochul had planned to wait to revisit the $15 congestion toll to enter Midtown below 60th Street until after elections, which political insiders said was a move to prevent backlash against fellow Democrats running in hotly contested congressional seats in the Empire State. Hochul in June paused the plan which wouldve been the first of its kind in the nation but less than a week from the Nov. 5 election she is now mulling a $9 toll, legislative sources said. Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to revive a planned congestion toll in Manhattan before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Ron Adar/Shutterstock She plans to announce the modified plan very soon and is looking to have it implemented before Trump is sworn in for his second term on Jan. 20, the sources told The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bipartisan group of opponents is now saying, I told you so. Governor Hochuls sudden move to implement congestion pricing in New York City is a blatant bait-and-switch on hardworking New Yorkers, state Republican Party chairman Ed Cox said. Just months ago, she hit the brakes on this misguided plan clearly hoping to avoid political backlash during an election year. But now, with the election behind her, shes racing to burden New Yorkers with yet another tax. New York State Republican Committee Chairman Ed Cox speaking during the 2024 New York GOP Gala. Christopher Sadowski Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman called congestion pricing, a bad idea then. Its a bad idea now. Its a new tax. Its a real burden, said Blakeman, a Republican and close ally of Trump. Its a mistake governmentally and politically. I dont know anyone but people on the far left who support congestion pricing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bipartisan group of lawmakers are planning to hold a news conference Tuesday on Staten Island near the tolled Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to fight the recycled plan, which is aimed at raising funds for the MTAs capital program while curbing congestion and pollution during rush hours. Republican Reps. Nicole Malliotakis and Michael Lawler are planning to attend, along with Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella and other Democratic and GOP state lawmakers. Hochul in June paused the plan which wouldve been the first of its kind in the nation. Christopher Sadowski No, nay never, Malliotakis said of the revived congestion pricing plan. New Yorkers pay taxes to have a well run transit system not to house illegal immigrants wreaking havoc in our city. Drop the congestion tax. Close the migrant shelters. And put that $5B/year toward fixing our transportation system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Mike Lawler, who is weighing a run for governor, said, Governor Hochul has never met a tax she didnt like. Millions have headed for the exits on her watch, and if she gets her way with her $5,000-a-year congestion pricing cash grab, thatll only continue. It punishes hard-working, middle-class New Yorkers like cops, teachers, and firefighters simply for commuting to work. I will keep fighting alongside Democrats and Republicans to kill Kathys congestion pricing scheme once and for all, he said. Even suburban Democrats said its going to look bad for Hochul politically if she flips and revives the congestion toll. Shes validating the rightful skepticism that a lot of voters had about her pause back in June, state Sen. Jim Skoufis (D-Orange), an opponent to congestion pricing, told The Post,Monday. No, nay never, United States Representative Nicole Malliotakis said of the revived congestion pricing plan. Ron Sachs CNP for NY Post Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrat Laura Gillen, newly elected to the House of Representatives in Long Islands 4th Congressional District, said, We need a permanent end to congestion pricing efforts, full stop. Long Island commuters cannot afford another tax. Kathryn Wylde, who served on the MTAs Traffic Mobility Review Board that recommended a $15 toll, said a scaled-back plan has been in the works for months. Her office has been exploring alternate plans since June and she has always indicated she would reinstate the pricing district but possibly phasing in the size of the toll, Wylde said. Her office has been working to come up with a plan that will be consistent with the federal approvals that are in place and not require Trump to sign of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A legislator who spoke with the governors office confirmed Hochul making serious plans to reduce the toll to $9 from $15, the lowest she can set the price under the current approvals granted by the feds. The lawmaker also added that the governor is considering other means to make up the difference in the $15-16 billion in revenue shortfall for the MTAs most recent capital plan caused by the plan getting yanked over summer. Those possible alternatives include hiking the payroll mobility tax and internet sales tax, according to the source. Hochul plans to announce the modified plan very soon and is looking to have it implemented before Trump is sworn in for his second term on Jan. 20. Christopher Sadowski Several lawmakers who spoke with The Post say they expect those details to be hammered out when they return to Albany next year as part of state budget talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MTA already has toll readers in place for the congestion plan and wouldnt need further environmental study by the US Department of Transportation, sources claim. [Trump] cant block it [from happening]. Not clear if he can stop it later after taking office, one Albany insider said. Any form of congestion pricing is better than no form, Assemblyman Bobby Carrol (D-Brooklyn) said. Were not going to have a time to implement this in the next four years if we dont implement it in the next 60 days, Carrol said of the pressure to implement congestion pricing before Trump takes office. Trump has made it clear hes against congestion pricing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TERMINATE Congestion Pricing in my FIRST WEEK back in Office!!, Trump said back in May. A legislator who spoke with the governors office confirmed Hochul making serious plans to reduce the toll to $9 from $15, the lowest she can set the price under the current approvals granted by the feds. Matthew McDermott Trumps team declined comment. Hochuls office said the governor and Trump did not talk about congestion pricing during a phone call last week following the election. The governor and president-elect discussed Penn Station, the future of the MTA, and how investment and repairs are necessary to make the transit system something New Yorkers can be proud of. They did not specifically discuss the congestion pricing program, a Hochul spokesman said. A state law approved in 2019 authorized the MTA to impose congestion pricing before Hochuls turnaround. What Happened in Crypto Today: Biggest Bitcoin Critic Goes Crypto? 100K feels so close, yet so far. Bitcoin's been playing peek-a-boo with that stubborn 89.5K resistance level - touching it, breaking it briefly, then stepping back like it wasn't quite ready for the spotlight. And while everyone's busy refreshing their charts, something interesting is happening: Bitcoin gained more in 24 hours than most people make in a month ($7K, to be exact). The Fear and Greed Index? It's screaming "extreme greed" - but here's what's really making noise: this pump might not be all about Trump after all. Remember those post-halving supply crunches everyone was talking about? Turns out they might be the real story behind these green candles. Confused? Let's make sense of it all! Here is a quick rundown of the top headlines from the past 24 hours: Bitcoin teases $89.5K while whales quietly accumulate more. But what do technical indicators suggest? Trump's potential SEC picks include "Crypto Mom" Hester Peirce. Is Gensler really getting fired though? Peter Schiff launches Bitcoin Ordinals after years of crypto criticism. Did the biggest Bitcoin critic just FOMO in? Crypto trader loses $244K in Thailand hotel attack. How common are such crimes now? DOGS token on TON Network surges 40% as whales hold steady. Why are they going bullish on DOGS all of a sudden? Let's dive in! Bitcoin Takes Off The crypto world just witnessed something extraordinary. Bitcoin didn't just break its previous record - it shattered it, soaring to an unprecedented $89,956 after Trump's victory announcement. Bitcoin's market cap has swelled beyond $1.74 trillion, officially surpassing silver as a store of value. The ripple effects are fascinating. MicroStrategy's stock just hit a 24-year peak at $351.73. Coinbase shares? They're back to late 2021 levels at $334.86. The entire crypto ecosystem is feeling the Trump effect. But what about technical indicators? Is this surge legit? Read the full story! Trump's SEC Pick Could Flip the Crypto Game Donald Trump's team is eyeing potential replacements for Gary Gensler as SEC chair, and their shortlist reads like a who's who of crypto-friendly regulators. One name that keeps popping up is Hester Peirce - you might know her as "Crypto Mom" - alongside Mark Uyeda. Both have been pretty vocal about disagreeing with how crypto's been handled lately. The market seems pretty excited about the possibility. Is Gensler really getting fired though? Read the full story! Peter Schiff Goes Bitcoin (Sort Of) Bitcoin's most famous critic just pulled the most unexpected move of 2024. Kazakhstans Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve is a different place now than it was a decade ago. The delta ecosystem, which occupies around 4,151 square kilometers (1,603 square miles) across the countrys Almaty and Balkhash region, was devoid of large mammals, and its scrub, marshland, and woodland were degraded. Fast-forward to 2024. Rare mammals like the Bukhara deer and the Kulan, a type of wild ass, graze on vegetation, surrounded by over 50 hectares of restored forest. Now, the region is about to welcome back an animal that hasnt been seen in the wild there for over 70 years: the tiger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The apex predators once roamed across Central Asia, part of their historic range an area that once extended from Turkey in the west to the Korean peninsula in the east, and from the northern Siberian territories of Russia to the equatorial tropical islands of Indonesia. Tigers now occupy less than 7% of the range they used to, and in Kazakhstan, systematic hunting and a reduction of tiger prey saw the big cats declared extinct in the Caspian region in the 1950s. An aerial shot of the Ile-Balkhash Reserve in Kazakhstan. - WWF Central Asia In September, two captive Amur tigers were translocated from Stichting Leeuw, a big cat sanctuary in the Netherlands, and are now settling into a semi-natural three-hectare enclosure within the reserve with the hope that their offspring will be among the first wild tigers in the country in decades. These tigers were selected because theyre very similar to what would have been found in the Caspian region (before their extinction), says Stuart Chapman, lead of the Tigers Alive Initiative, WWFs coordinated network of tiger range offices, government bodies, partners and communities. Amur tigers, typically found in Russias Far East, have to survive hot summers and freezing cold winters, which is a similar climate to the Balkhash region. The two tigers, called Bodhana and Kuma, were transported on land from the Netherlands to Germany, from where they took a six-hour flight in the hold of a commercial plane to Kazakhstan, and then a 20-minute helicopter ride to the reserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chapman describes the event as a landmark moment for conservation and says it gives hope to the future of tigers not just in the region, but globally. Tigers have been translocated within country boundaries, and zoo tigers cross international borders all the time, but thats for them to remain in captivity, says Chapman. This is the first time that tigers have crossed international borders to reintroduce them into the wild. The tigers were relocated from Stichting Leeuw Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands (pictured). - Tessel in t Veld As previously captive tigers, the big cats will live in a semi-natural enclosure in Kazakhstan. - Tessel in t Veld This is where the magic happens While the tigers journey from the Netherlands to Kazakhstan was relatively quick, this trip has been decades in the making. Kazakhstan first announced its intention to bring back tigers in 2010, and the government established the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve back in 2018 when it began rewilding efforts in earnest. The efforts, supported by WWF and the United Nations Development Program, included large release programs of tiger prey such as the endangered Bukhara deer and Kulan some of which hadnt been seen in the region in a century. Strict hunting regulations were also put in place, which allowed the wild pig population to bounce back, too, Chapman adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chapman says the political will, well-managed protected area, and local adherence to hunting regulations have enabled the success of the project. When you get a positive alignment of all those things, this is where the magic happens, he says. Bodhana and Kuma were prepared in the months before the journey, including getting used to their transport crate and learning to hunt within their enclosure to ready them for the semi-wild environment of the reserve. Wild donkeys, called kulan, were also reintroduced to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve. - WWF Central Asia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After more than a century, endangered Bukhara deer were brought back to the region, too. - WWF Central Asia The tigers remained in a quarantine enclosure for the first 30 days to allow for veterinary checks, and earlier this month, Bodhana and Kuma were released into the semi-wild area together, where conservationists hope they will breed. Any cubs produced will stay with the mother. The male will be removed from the enclosure once the female gives birth and then they will undertake a program of rewilding where there will be no human contact, says Chapman. In the wild, cubs typically leave their mother after two years, but Chapman says they have estimated a slightly longer time frame, as the animals may need longer to adapt to their environment. When the cubs are released into the wider reserve, theyll be radio-collared and monitored continuously by researchers. A second chance Bodhana and Kuma are just the beginning. At least eight more tigers are expected to join the pair in the coming years, with the aim of having 50 wild big cats roaming the reserve by 2035. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work wont end there, though: conservationists will have to manage human-wildlife conflict in the area. While there are no communities inside the reserve area, four villages are on the outskirts housing around 6,000 people. Education programs and compensation schemes have already been set up well in advance of the tiger release, and Chapman adds that by radio-collaring the tigers, they will be able to set up an early warning system for the villages that has proved successful in populated areas of India. The tigers finished their international journey with a 20-minute helicopter ride. - Living Image/WWF While the overall global tiger population increased from around 3,200 in 2010 to an estimated 5,573 in 2023, not all conservation efforts in the past few decades have been equal. At the same time as Nepal tripled its population of tigers, they went extinct in Laos, and numbers continued to decline in Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia. Tigers have lost an estimated 93% of their range according to the IUCN, and while some populations are strong, fragmentation of habitats and protected areas is still a threat to the species. But the concerted and successful rewilding efforts in Kazakhstan give Chapman hope that this could be the first of many reintroduction initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not often, in conservation terms, the wildlife gets a second chance, he says, adding: Bringing back tigers to Kazakhstan is so significant in conservation terms, I have to pinch myself that this is happening. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com VERNON COUNTY, Mo. A Kansas City woman was sentenced in court today for the sexual exploitation of two children. According to the Department of Justice, Jessica Ann Young, 34, was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison without parole. On March 5, 2020, Houston Young, age 37 and husband of Jessica, was an inmate at the Vernon County Jail when he was found in possession of a cell phone that had images of child pornography on it. He was detained pending a civil proceeding to determine whether he should be civilly committed as a sexually violent predator for his prior sex offense convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement discovered it was Jessica Young who had sent multiple child pornographic images including those of a seven-year-old victim (identified in court documents as John Doe 1) to Houston Youngs cell phone. Text messages were found between the couple discussing sexually abusing the victim. Jessica Young admitted she had sexually abused two child victims, John Doe 1 and 13-year-old John Doe 2, on multiple occasions. Jessica Young also admitted that she had recorded a video of herself sexually abusing John Doe 2. The cell phone also held text messages and images of Houston Young and a 16-year-old female victim (identified as Jane Doe). Houston shared images of himself and of Jane Doe with Jessica Young. Jane Doe told investigators she met Houston Young on a video game room chat. Houston Young was sentenced on July 30, 2024, to life in federal prison without parole. He pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor on Jan. 30, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has two prior felony convictions related to the sexual exploitation of children. He was convicted of child molestation in Wright County, Mo., in 2005 and of possessing child pornography in Jackson County, Mo., in 2016. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WALKER, Mich. (WOOD) Its a special salute to veterans and their families thanking them for their service. Since 1982, the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard has delivered more than 22,000 military salutes to fellow veterans at their funerals. The team of 85 men and women are all veterans. They volunteer to make sure those who have served are honored the way they deserve. Its at no cost to the families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill Peless, the guards commander, served in Vietnam with the Marine Corps. I knew when I retired that I wanted to do this, he said. I felt a calling to do this, like most of the guys. The honor guard and the military branches are considered to be like brothers and sisters. Military family lays to rest seven unaccompanied veterans They begin the service with a prayer and a eulogy. They then unfold the flag and hold it over the casket. After that, they deliver three rifle volleys, followed by the ceremonial taps. They finish by folding the flag and presenting it to the family, along with the spent shell casings. The Kent County Veterans Honor Guard at a recent funeral at Rosedale Memorial Park Cemetery in Walker. The Kent County Veterans Honor Guard at a Nov. 2, 2024, funeral at Rosedale Memorial Park Cemetery in Walker. The Kent County Veterans Honor Guard at a Nov. 2, 2024, funeral at Rosedale Memorial Park Cemetery in Walker. Peless says the group offers tribute at about 500 services each year across Kent County. They hope to do even more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though we do a lot of services, we dont do nearly as much as we could, he said. A lot of people dont know about it. Veterans grave gets headstone 113 years after his death If youre a veteran and would like to volunteer with the group, check its website, where you can also donate to the honor guard. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Part of the new state marketing initiative. (Source: newkentuckyhome.ky.gov) New Kentucky Home is the brand for a state marketing initiative that Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday to tourism and economic development officials gathered from around the state at Keeneland in Lexington. Watch the New Kentucky Home video. Now is our time to reintroduce ourselves to the world and invite folks to come and experience our New Kentucky Home, said Beshear, and this initiative will help us showcase Kentucky as a place of incredible promise and potential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unveiling new graphics, marketing materials, a hashtag and website, Beshear also said, here in Kentucky, business is fast, but the pace of life is just right and that is something a lot of companies and families are looking for when choosing their new home. Mary Quinn Ramer, president and CEO of VisitLex, said, The intersection of tourism and economic development is clear. Todays traveler could be tomorrows talent, and we know that attracting that new talent to Kentucky is key to our future successes as a state. To increase awareness of the initiative, Beshear invited Kentuckians to post positive photos, videos and testimonials from our New Kentucky Home on social media using #NewKyHome. Those who use #NewKyHome will have a chance to win a two-night stay at a Kentucky state park from December 2024 to April 2025, with the governor announcing a winner once a month. Framed out in Letcher County last month is a four-bedroom, solar-powered home under construction by nonprofit Homes Inc. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer) FRANKFORT Kentucky state lawmakers have been examining a nationwide problem thats also growing in Kentucky: Theres not enough housing. A task force established by the GOP-dominated legislature to better understand the states housing needs released a final report Tuesday. It details how local elected officials are confronting a problem exacerbated by a boom of jobs in some communities or natural disasters in others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wendy Smith, deputy executive director of the Kentucky Housing Corp., a self-supporting quasi-governmental agency that invests in housing projects, previously told the task force that Kentucky lacks 206,000 housing units statewide and that new research this summer shows the housing shortage could grow by over 80,000 units in five years if no action is taken. The shortage includes housing across the income spectrum, though lower-income Kentuckians in need of affordable housing could face the most acute pressure in the years ahead. Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson (LRC Public Information) A consultant who led the research said the growing housing shortage could leave more Kentuckians burdened by high housing costs, forced to move in with family members or become homeless. On Tuesday, Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, a co-chair of the task force, said, We do need to incentivize infrastructure. And building sites ready for folks to develop. Weve got to have places for people to live if were going to grow, and one of our biggest hurdles of growing our economy is housing. Among actions the legislature could consider to incentivize more home construction are tax credits, grants and revolving loans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills pointed to nearby Republican-controlled states that are leveraging tax credit programs to encourage housing builders to build, while also noting that the chairs of the Kentucky legislatures budget committees arent big fans of tax credits. Ohio last year launched a $100 million tax credit program to incentivize construction of thousands of affordable housing units. In Indiana, lawmakers put tens of millions of dollars into a new loan program for local governments to fund infrastructure for residential housing. Rep. Susan Witten, R-Louisville (LRC Public Information) Rep. Susan Witten, R-Louisville, the other co-chair, said part of the task forces job going into next years legislative session would be to convince Republican colleagues that there is a ROI or return on investment for housing incentive programs. When asked how to incentivize housing development in parts of the state that are economically challenged, Mills said he didnt believe it was the governments role to force housing developers to build in a particular part of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Housing is going to happen where it needs to happen, Mills said. I wouldnt be interested in just trying to start a neighborhood in Ballard County or somewhere where people may not be at. The recommendations offered by various interest groups summarized in the report ranged from cutting down on zoning and planning regulations to providing more funding for the state housing trust funds, increases that housing advocacy groups have urged lawmakers to approve in recent years. Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington (LRC Public Information) Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington, a member of the task force, told the Lantern she was pleased overall with the report and its findings. But she wondered if the Republican supermajorities would have the political will to enact some of the more costly proposals presented by the report, especially with a competing Republican priority of continuing to lower the states income tax. I dont know how we can possibly offer tax incentives to builders while were cutting our taxes, Burke said. There just simply wont be enough money to do the work of government if were cutting at all sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burke said the Democratic caucus would be putting forth its own proposals to tackle the housing shortage. She said she was interested in offering down payment assistance for first-time homeowners, finding alternative funding sources for the states housing trust funds and strengthening laws regarding tenants and landlords to improve the housing stock. She worries that, instead, there will be more appetite in the legislature to deregulate and force jurisdictions to have fewer safety protocols in place in a race to the bottom that would harm Kentuckians. She said she prefers providing state funding to match federal dollars already offered to housing nonprofits as a better approach. Im thinking about what do struggling Kentuckians need, Burke said. If we could make those kinds of investments, that would be very appealing to me to amplify the work that nonprofits are doing to make our communities safer and more livable. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Judicial Conduct Commission issued an unpaid suspension against a Kentucky judge. (Getty Images) A Kentucky judge has been suspended without pay for two weeks over judicial misconduct allegations. Circuit Judge Judy Vance Murphy Allegations against Circuit Judge Judy Vance Murphy include using her position in personal situations, talking about cases with parties not involved, using a cell phone from the bench and leveraging her influence, which the Judicial Conduct Commission found violated several code of conduct rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphy, whose 29th Judicial Circuit includes Casey and Adair counties, acknowledges all of the alleged conduct to be true and accurate and waived proceedings on the matter, according to her agreed-upon order of suspension. According to that document, the Judicial Conduct Commission found Murphy leveraged her influence as a member of the judiciary in handling a personal matter that involved her daughters boyfriend and his mother in September 2023. Also, between Aug. 28, 2017 and March 8, 2021, Murphy inappropriately engaged in discussions about ongoing cases with individuals not involved in those cases, thereby threatening the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary, according to the suspension order. She also used her smartphone from the bench during court proceedings for non-court related matters, the document says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, Murphy inappropriately leveraged her judicial influence for personal gain by requesting that a suspended attorney sign an affidavit stating the attorney did not view Judge Murphy as vindictive. All these actions violated four judicial conduct rules, the suspension order says, including those requiring judges to be dignified and act in ways that promote confidence in the judiciary. Murphys suspension began at midnight on Nov. 11 and ends Nov. 25 at midnight. During the time of suspension, she is not allowed to access her Casey County Judicial Center office. She must also turn in security passes and/or keys. She will also not be able to be involved in any proceeding involving the suspended lawyer, according to her suspension order. Adair and Casey Counties are in south-central Kentucky. Read the agreed suspension order 2024_agreedorderMurphy11092024 A circuit judge in Kentucky has been suspended for two weeks without pay after the states judicial conduct commission found she violated several codes of conduct, including using her position to influence cases. According to the order of suspension, Judy Vance Murphy, the judge presiding over the states 29th Judicial Circuit, in Casey and Adair counties, inappropriately discussed ongoing cases with people not involved in the cases between 2017 and 2021, threatening the independence, integrity and impartiality of her judgeship. In September 2023, according to the order, Murphy also used her influence as a judge to handle a personal matter involving her daughters boyfriend and his mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Murphy was cited for using her personal phone while on the judges bench, resulting in complaints that she was inattentive to proceedings in her court. In all, Murphy is accused of violating four different rules of the judicial code of conduct. She admitted the allegations were true, and waived further hearings. Murphys lawyer, Janet Stumbo, said Tuesday she had no further comment about the suspension. The opinion issued by the judicial conduct commission speaks for itself, she said. We make no other comments other than what is in there. Along with her unpaid suspension, Murphy is not allowed to enter her judicial office at the Casey County Judicial Center, or any offices at other locations. Her suspension began Monday, according to the order, and will last until Nov. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of the code of conduct violations, Murphy admitted that she had asked a suspended attorney to sign an affidavit stating that Murphy was not vindictive. Murphy must now recuse herself from all proceedings involving the unnamed, suspended attorney. She can not preside over, issue rulings, or participate in any capacity in matters with the attorney. Murphy was sworn in as circuit judge in January 2023. The Judicial Conduct Commission is the only entity authorized under the Kentucky Constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting Kentucky judge. LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) Social media has become a normal part of everyday life, around long enough that researchers are finding out more about the long-term impact on youth. Kentucky lawmakers are taking a closer look too, as some schools move to get phones out of the classroom. We believe that this has really been a catastrophic failure, and we need to bring an end to this phone-based childhood and try to restore to play-based childhood. And one of the best ways to do this is at an institutional level, especially in schools, Zack Rausch told lawmakers on the Interim Joint Committee on Education Friday. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Kentucky lawmakers look ahead to 2025, stagnating school performance is a one of the top problems they want to tackle. Sure, the COVID-19 pandemic is one easy thing to blame, but Rausch, an associate research scientist at New York Universitys Stern School of Business, said declining trends nationwide can be traced as far back as 2012, just as social media was taking off. We can see this here with math scores just starting to decline reading as well, and then even further declines. So now we are mostly back to where we were in 1971, Rausch said. Rausch, the lead researcher on 2024s The Anxious Generation, broke down some of the books findings for lawmakers. In a Harris Poll survey of one thousand members of Generation Z, ages 18 to 27, more than half spend 4 hours a day on social media, and about one in four spend 7 hours a day or more. Rausch said that with only a finite number of hours in a day, all the time in front of a screen is pushing out almost everything else. So, weve seen large declines in time spent outdoors, physical exercise, sleeping, getting sunlight, being with friends, reading books, doing hobbies, going on dates, even having the opportunity to think deeply for an extended period of time, Rausch said. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the back end, the statistics are just as concerning. The National Survey of Drug Use and Health reported a 160% increase since 2010 in anxiety among Generation Z. Rausch also showed lawmakers data showing an approximate 280% increase since 2010 in emergency room visits for non-fatal self-harm amongst girls ages 10 to 14, and a rise in suicides in the same age group among boys and girls, although he noted the latter is rarer. Rausch said parents and teens are stuck in a cycle. Teens continue to use social media because everybody else is on it, and if they dont use it, they feel left out disconnected. No parent wants to be the only one to say, Well, no, you cant have a phone until youre 16, but then everybody else has it, he said. Rausch encouraged lawmakers to consider going beyond banning phones just during class, but perhaps even the whole school day. This year Bourbon County Schools banned them just from classes, and administrators there believe they have seen engagement improve. Superintendent Dr. Larry Begley said the source of much hesitancy for his district and likely many others is the anticipated pushback from parents who wouldnt be able to communicate with their children during the day. However, he said most of the reception has been positive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would encourage you to understand that the opposition is not as many as you think it is, Dr. Begley said. Latest central Kentucky weather forecast Committee Co-Chair Rep. James Tipton noted that by directing school boards to implement a phoneless policy it may result in taking some of the heat off of local superintendents, but that there will have to be further discussion about banning phones entirely or just between classes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Kentuckys political landscape has been featured in national media twice in recent days as Democrats have searched for a path forward following Republican Donald Trumps election to a second presidential term. First, on Sunday, new Lexington Councilwoman-elect Emma Curtis was featured on the satirical political show Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. About a half-hour into the 36-minute show on HBO, Oliver highlighted several transgender political candidates who were elected around the country last week. Among them was Curtis, 28, who will serve as Lexingtons first openly transgender councilwoman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curtis, an independent filmmaker and organizer for Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, received 52% of votes in her race to beat out incumbent Brenda Monarrez. Curtis had called for her opponent to step down after a judge last month issued a three-year restraining order that prohibited Monarrez from entering city hall amid accusations that she sexually harassed a fellow councilwoman. Monarrez has denied the claims. Curtis is believed to be the first transgender person elected to a city office anywhere in Kentucky, and Oliver said her election is his new favorite fact about Kentucky. It is a powerful thing to have one group saying, I dont think you should exist, and to be able to respond with, I am literally an elected official, Oliver said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olivers show, on air since 2014, is described as a satirical program that focuses on national and international current events. Oliver got his start on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart on Comedy Central. Both shows analyze shows from a comedic, left-wing perspective. Gov. Andy Beshears guest essay On Tuesday, the New York Times published a guest essay by Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat elected, and reelected, in a solidly Republican state. In the essay, titled Im the Governor of Kentucky. Heres How Democrats Can Win Again, Beshear offers advice for how Democrats can perform better in future elections. The way forward is not complicated, but it takes work and discipline. The focus of the Democratic Party must return to creating better jobs, more affordable and accessible health care, safer roads and bridges, the best education for our children and communities where people arent just safer but also feel safer, Beshear wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won a second term in the White House last week with a decisive win over Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump swept swing states including Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and he was the first Republican candidate in 20 years to win the nationwide popular vote. Trump received 65% of Kentuckys votes, beating Harris by 31 points and capturing his largest win yet in the commonwealth. He carried Kentucky by 30 points in 2016, and when he was lost his bid for reelection in 2020, he beat current President Joe Biden by 26 points in Kentucky. Beshear, the son of two-term former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, was narrowly elected to office in 2019 over Republican incumbent Matt Bevin, and he beat Republican Daniel Cameron by 5 points last year to win reelection. In the guest essay, Beshear said fellow Democrats need to prove they care about providing constituents with a better quality of life and re-earn the publics trust. He also noted that hed maintained Democratic priorities along the way, including the veto of several anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I ... beat Mr. Trumps handpicked candidate last fall. That happened because even if some voters might have disagreed with the vetoes, they knew the next day I would be announcing new jobs, opening a new health clinic or finishing a new road that would cut 20 minutes off their commute, Beshear said in the op-ed. They knew my focus and effort was on their daily needs and that our gains as a commonwealth would help every single one of our families. Property owners in Kentucky will receive notices if they have lead or galvanized water lines or if the material in a water line is not known. (Getty Images) Kentuckians will soon get notices from their water utilities as part of a national plan to eliminate water lines made of the neurotoxin lead along with a chance to replace suspect pipes at no cost to themselves. The notices will tell property owners if they have lead or galvanized water lines on their property and if there are utility-owned lead lines going to the property that need to be replaced. Property owners will also get a notice if the material in a water line is not known. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utilities are mailing the notices as part of new regulations finalized last month by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that seek to remove lead water lines across the country over the next 10 years. But environmental protection officials and water utilities first need to know where lead water lines are. Lead is a harmful neurotoxin, especially to children, that can leach into drinking water through aging lead water lines that were primarily installed from the late 1800s to the 1940s. No amount of lead is considered safe in a childs blood. Congress banned the installation of lead water lines in 1986. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure law is providing $15 billion to pay for new lines. Local utilities, including in Louisville, have developed programs to cover the costs of replacing lead and galvanized pipes for property owners. An EPA report from September 2023 projected fewer than 1% of service lines, or roughly 40,000, in Kentucky contain lead. Service lines connect a utilitys water main to a building.The estimate is based on the number of lead lines found in other states that have conducted full inventories. Its unknown what 265,000 service lines in Kentucky are made of, according to the September 2023 report. The status of more than 500,000 lines had not yet been reported by water utilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Burns, the director of operations and management for the utility group Kentucky Rural Water Association, told the Lantern decades-old records, especially for Kentuckys older cities, make it hard to determine the composition of some water lines. Records are spotty even in smaller communities where water systems were developed in the 1950s, Burns said. Were talking 70 years ago and paper plans much of that doesnt exist. Determining a water lines status is further complicated because lines on a homeowners property are the responsibility of the homeowner, Burns said, and utilities often dont have information about the status of lines on private property. Notices will be sent to property owners if the water line is known to be lead or if the status is unknown, says a release from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Property owners with known galvanized water lines will also receive notices advising them to replace those lines because lead from pipes elsewhere in a water system can also leach into the galvanized pipe. Utilities are required to replace lead and galvanized water lines owned and managed by the utility within 10 years under the regulations. Such replacements would also include lead or galvanized water lines extending on to a private property to comply with the regulation, though utilities would need a property owners consent to replace such a line on their property. State officials are encouraging Kentuckians to respond to the mailed notices to have the water utility verify the material of the water line or have the property owner verify the line themselves. The new regulations prohibit the partial replacement of lead water lines when possible, with an EPA advisory board previously finding the partial replacement of such lines can create elevated levels of lead in water systems compared to the complete replacement of such lines. The EPA is investing $15 billion funneled through state revolving loan programs along with other federal loan and grant opportunities. The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority handles the revolving loan programs in Kentucky. Burns said he thinks the issue of lead lines is much more prominent in Kentuckys older cities such as Paducah, Owensboro and Louisville compared to rural water districts across the state that were established in the 1960s when lead line use, while not banned, was not favored by water utilities. Burns said the Louisville Water Co., which is responsible for drinking water infrastructure in the city, is an example of a utility thats been proactive in removing lead water lines even before new federal regulations went into effect. The Louisville Courier Journal reported that the utility has spent $50 million to replace approximately 74,000 lead water lines in past decades. A Kewanee man has been charged in connection with what a news release calls disturbing acts of violence against his girlfriend and an eight-week-old puppy. According to the release, Kewanee Police officers responded to a call about animal cruelty at an apartment in the Lakeland Terrace complex on Monday, November 11. Officers met with the complainant, who gave them video evidence of disturbing acts of violence by Brandon Adams, age 26, who lives in the apartment. The videos showed Adams grabbing an eight-week-old puppy by the throat, appearing to choke it and then handling it violently by its legs before dropping it to the floor. He was seen picking up the puppy by its head or neck and forcefully throwing it onto a couch. Brandon Adams (Kewanee Police Department) Further review of the video showed Adams assaulting his girlfriend earlier in the day, the release said. The video showed Adams hitting, kicking and throwing the woman to the ground. Officers discovered that Adams was also in possession of methamphetamine at the time of the arrest. He was taken into custody and transported to the Henry County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Henry County States Attorneys Office formally charged Adams on Tuesday, November 12 with animal cruelty, a class A misdemeanor, domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor and possession of methamphetamine, a class 3 felony. The felony charge carries a potential sentence of two to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The Kewanee Police Department encourages anyone who suspects animal cruelty or domestic violence to report it. Call 911 in emergencies or call Kewanee Police at the nonemergency number, (309) 853-1911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Bidens last appointment to the National Labor Relations Board has not yet been confirmed by the Senate, and Democrats only have a small window of time until Republicans take control of Congress. Two of the boards five members are Republicans, and two are Democrats, with its chairperson being chosen by the sitting president. In June, Biden nominated the current chair, Democrat Lauren McFerran, to a third term and Joseph Ditelberg to fill a vacant Republican seat. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not yet brought either nomination up for a vote. Twitter screenshot Eric Blanc @_ericblanc: FYI the Dems haven't yet confirmed Biden's last NLRB nomination even though this would maintain a Democratic Board through late 2026 (with screenshot of article) The NLRB protects the right to form a union and enforces labor law, and McFerrans confirmation in particular would ensure a Democratic board until late 2026. This would allow for more pro-labor decisions and policies and protect against right-wing attacks on unions and workers rights. But Schumer and Senate Democrats have to act quickly before January, when a new Republican Senate majority is sworn in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NLRB is a frequent target of conservatives and powerful executives, who are seeking to cripple and even dissolve the labor body. In September, a judge appointed by Donald Trump granted a request in a legal case seeking to demolish the National Labor Relations Board. Tech CEO and close Trump ally Elon Musk is working with Amazon, Starbucks, and Trader Joes in another legal challenge seeking to destroy the agency on constitutional grounds. Unions have praised Bidens record on labor, calling him the best president on workers rights since Franklin D. Roosevelt. But he was unable to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize, or PRO, Act and he was criticized for breaking a railroad strike in 2022. Filling this appointment may protect the gains he has made for working people at least in the short term while Democrats regroup for the 2026 midterm elections. But Schumer and the rest of the Democrats have to act soon, or it will be too late. The Archbishop of Canterburys position is becoming increasingly untenable after Sir Keir Starmer piled on pressure for him to resign. The Prime Minister said that victims of a historic abuse scandal had been let down very, very badly, after an independent review found that the Most Rev Justin Welby had failed to act on their behalf. The archbishop is also facing a growing rebellion from his own bishops, The Telegraph can disclose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir was asked about calls for the archbishop to step down while attending Cop29 in Baku, Azerbaijan on Tuesday. In response, the Prime Minister said: Let me be clear. Of what I know of the allegations, they are clearly horrific in relation to this particular case and both in their scale and their content and my thoughts, as they are with all of these issues, are with the victims here who have obviously been failed very, very badly. It is a matter in the end for the Church but I am not going to shy away from the fact saying these are horrific allegations and my thoughts are with the victims in relation to it and I think that is very important. It comes amid deep concern at the highest ranks of the church over the archbishops handling of the scandal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is understood that a number of senior bishops have privately expressed the view the archbishops position is untenable. Utterly unprecedented The bishops are echoing concerns made publicly yesterday by the Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, the only diocesan bishop to have so far openly called for his resignation. A source close to the matter described the situation as utterly unprecedented and suggested there is little prospect of the archbishop weathering the crisis and remaining in post. They suggested it was only a question of whether he would be forced to step down immediately, or remain in post for a few more weeks, resigning in the new year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said: This is utterly unprecedented. It would take a degree of organisation among the bishops to act against Justin - they are divided and unlikely to do so. And there is every chance that we limp on with a lame duck ABC for a few weeks - he announces a retirement in the New Year. The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, is the only diocesan bishop to have spoken out publicly to call for the resignation of the archbishop. A further two bishops feel the same way, The Telegraph understands, but have not voiced their concerns to the archbishop. Behind closed doors the senior Church leaders are understood to have said they feel his resignation is inevitable, and that he has no choice now but to hand in his notice to the King. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The calls follow the publication of the Makin Review last Thursday, which revealed the abhorrent abuse of John Smyth could have been exposed in 2013 four years before it was made public if the archbishop followed up to ensure the police investigated concerns. In a statement Lambeth Palace said: The archbishop reiterates his horror at the scale of John Smyths egregious abuse, as reflected in his public apology. He has apologised profoundly both for his own failures and omissions, and for the wickedness, concealment, and abuse by the church more widely. As he has said, he had no awareness or suspicion of the allegations before he was told in 2013 and therefore having reflected, he does not intend to resign. He hopes the Makin Review supports the ongoing work of building a safer church here and around the world. Cambridge dean calls for resignation It comes after the dean of chapel at Kings College Cambridge called for the archbishop to resign amid growing demands for him to quit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Stephen Cherry, the former canon of Durham Cathedral, said the archbishop had lost the trust and confidence of the Church of England in his handling of a child abuse scandal. It follows a flurry of demands from clergy for the archbishops resignation, spearheaded by the Bishop of Newcastle. Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, he said: I think he really needs to now tender his resignation and allow there to be significant change. There are circumstances in which something happens whereby a person in a position of prominent leadership essentially loses the trust and the confidence and the capacity to do that really wonderful thing that someone like an archbishop does, which is represent everyone at a certain moment, publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the pain in the victim community and the pain of not listening to people and not responding to people who are profoundly hurt by those in positions of power means that this is no longer a person who can carry the representative role of that office. Thats my strongest thought today. Dr Stephen Cherry said the Archbishop really needs to now tender his resignation His comments came as Ed Miliband followed Sir Keir in failing to back the archbishop. The Energy Secretary said the abuse, by the Christian summer camp leader Smyth, was horrifying but stopped short of saying he should resign. He said: Im not going to second-guess decisions that are the Church of Englands decisions and decisions for Justin Welby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously, the catalogue of abuse that has been uncovered is deeply, deeply disturbing, but the Church of England makes its own decisions on these matters, and I think its right that I, as a politician, dont intervene in those. Mr Miliband told ITVs Good Morning Britain: My personal opinion is that the catalogue of abuse is horrifying and appalling, but Im a government minister and I dont think its my job, and Im not going to second-guess decisions for the Church of England. His comments come after an independent report released last week concluded that the archbishops failure to act on concerns about Smyth meant he was never brought to justice. Smyth, a barrister who is thought to have been the Churchs most prolific serial child abuser, is said to have subjected as many as 130 victims to appalling sexual violence. He died in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the report found that his crimes could have been exposed in 2013 if the archbishop, who had become aware of concerns that year, had followed up to ensure the police investigated. Since then, pressure has mounted on the archbishop, with the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, having been the first to call his position untenable. More than 7,000 people have also signed a petition started by senior clergy calling for the archbishops resignation. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage said the archbishop was bound to be the subject of police complaints over his handling of the abuse scandal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Clacton MP described the archbishops tenure as a complete catastrophe and said attendance at Anglican churches would continue to decline if he refuses to step down. Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Farage said: I think at some point in time there are bound to be complaints to the police [about how the archbishop handled the scandal] and they will be duty bound to at least have a look at it. If you know of serious abuse and dont report it to the police well, its not exactly a great place to be in, is it? If I had a member of staff in my parliament who I knew was committing sexual crimes and I chose to turn a blind eye to it, then I think the [Commons] standards committee would suspend me within a week and thered be a by-election. Id be forced to resign. Channel 4 News Reflecting on Most Rev Welbys time as archbishop, Mr Farage said: I mean I think his whole tenure of the church has been a complete catastrophe. [If he remains in post] the trend that weve had since 2013 of decline will just speed up. On Tuesday, Christians Against Poverty, a charity of which the archbishop is patron, said it was monitoring the situation very closely when asked if he would remain in his role. A spokesman for the charity said: We are deeply saddened by the findings in the Makin Report and the devastating issues around historic child abuse that have been highlighted through the Church of England commissioned review. Our prayers are with all the victims who have been affected. The Archbishop of Canterbury has been an advocate for those facing poverty for many years. They added: We are monitoring the situation very closely. The review found that although the archbishop may not have known the most extreme details of the abuse, it was likely hew was aware of concerns about Smyth and he had a personal and moral responsibility to pursue this further. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a frequent critic of President-elect Trump, praised the reported nomination of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to serve as the next secretary of State. You know, Marco Rubio has been obviously kind of changing. I think he even voted against Ukraine aid, which was very surprising, when I learned that, Kinzinger said during his Monday evening appearance on CNNs The Source. But hes not a, you know, by no means is he like a neocon, so obviously that was important for Donald Trump, but hes somebody that understands foreign policy. And thats going to be important, he told host Kaitlan Collins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former lawmaker, also one of the Republicans who voted to impeach Trump during his first term in office, added, So as far as picks go, I think compared to some of the other names that were floating around, people who really dont have any experience in foreign policy, I think this is a pretty good one. His remarks came hours after news broke about the president-elects rumored decision to elevate Rubio and other allies to key Cabinet positions. The Florida senator has been seen as a foreign policy hawk, primarily on Iran and China. Kinzinger, who served on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said he was not sure what Rubios nomination means for the second Trump administrations foreign policy agenda. Again, and Im willing to give as much leeway as possible, but you know, Marco has shown his ability to kind of change for whatever Donald Trump demands, so it really comes down to, What does Donald Trump demand? Kinzinger said in the interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Russia issue, you just gotta take Donald Trump at his word that he thinks he can solve this in 24 hours, and his vice president said, I dont care what happens in Ukraine. I hope though that in this process, theyre actually going to be able to if theyre going to cut a deal with Russia, to cut a good deal, he continued. Whatever that looks like, but one that makes sure that Ukraine is able to defend itself in the future. He also suggested the next administration will put less constraints on Israel and be likely be more aggressive at confronting Iran. In terms of Israel, look, this is continuing to be just a really complicated issue. Theres no doubt that I think there will be they will put less constraints on Israel from this administration, The Illinois Republican said. I dont think thats a question, and probably will be much more aggressive at confronting Iran. After winning the presidential election over Vice President Harris last week, Trump has swiftly filled out key posts for his national security team. The president-elect picked Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as his ambassador to the United Nations and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) as his national security adviser. It has also been floated that he will tap South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) as Secretary of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubios departure from the Senate will downsize the Republicans majority in the upper chamber; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) will appoint a replacement to fill the seat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The Knoxville Police Department released the identity of the man who was shot by officers while wielding a small ax or hatchet on Tuesday. The man was identified on Wednesday as 52-year-old Christopher Arons of Knoxville. A KPD spokesperson said that he remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. He had two outstanding Knox County warrants at the time of the incident. Arons now faces two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of vandalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The circumstances leading up to the shooting are being investigated by the agents with Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at the request of Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen. Knoxville Police: Man shot in the leg during robbery The Knoxville Police Department reported at 1:53 p.m. that an officer involved shooting investigation was underway in the 2600 block of Fairview Street. KPD said officers initially responded to the area because of a report of a man armed with an ax. The department shared that the man was reportedly drunk and had smashed the window of a car parked on the road. When officers responded to the scene around 1:20 p.m., the man approached officers while armed with an ax, KPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department explained that officers asked the man to drop the ax as they attempted to retreat, but he did not and continued to approach the officers. Then the officers fired and the man was struck at least one time. According to the TBI, two Knoxville police officers fired shots. In a press conference around 2:30 p.m., KPD shared that the situation was believed to have started as a domestic incident around 1:15 p.m. KPD spokesperson Scott Erland the man was reportedly acting both belligerent and violent. KPD on scene after a man was shot by officers (WATE) KPD on scene after a man was shot by officers (WATE) KPD on scene after a man was shot by officers (WATE) KPD on scene after a man was shot by officers (WATE) KPD on scene after a man was shot by officers (WATE) KPD on scene after a man was shot by officers (WATE) KPD on scene after a man was shot by officers (WATE) KPD on scene after a man was shot by officers (WATE) A photo of the scene along Fairview Avenye where a man who reportedly had an axe was shot by officers (Knoxville Police) The man was taken to an area hospital. At the time he was taken from the scene, Knoxville Police said he was alert and conscious. Tuesday afternoon, KPD shared that the man was hospitalized in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Driver dead after driving off I-40 in NC The scene of the shooting is around a quarter of a mile from Belle Morris Elementary School. A spokesperson for Knox County Schools shared that the school was placed on lockdown as a precaution due to law enforcement area in the activity, but the lockdown was lifted before dismissal. Knoxville Police shared that the incident will also undergo an internal administrative review to determine if the officers response was in compliance with KPD policy and procedures. Additionally, per department policy, the relevant body camera video will be released in the coming weeks, Erland shared. The officers involved in the incident were placed on routine administrative leave. This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates. The TBIs investigative findings will then be shared with the District Attorney General for her consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EDITORS NOTE: This story has been 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. Kraft Heinz is pulling Lunchables prepackaged boxes of deli meat, cheese and crackers from the program that provides free and discounted meals to about 30 million low-income school children, the food conglomerate said on Tuesday. Consumer Reports applauded the move, months after the advocacy group sounded alarms about the product popular with kids, saying its tests found troubling levels of lead and sodium in them. "Lunchables and other lunch kits with concerning levels of sodium and harmful chemicals have no place on the school lunch menu," Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, stated on Tuesday. "We're pleased that Heinz Kraft has pulled Lunchables from the school lunch program after lower than expected demand from school districts across the country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an Oct. 30 earnings call, Kraft Heinz CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera called Lunchables a "very important" part of the company's business, while noting what he described as "misleading" negative publicity regarding the product. Kraft Heinz changed two of its Lunchables Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Stackers and Extra Cheesy Pizza Lunchables to qualify for the USDA-run program. Sales of those two products were less than 1% of overall Lunchables sales, so the business impact is negligible, according to the company. In a statement emailed to CBS MoneyWatch, Kraft Heinz said demand for Lunchables from school districts across the country did not meet its targets. "Lunchables products are not available in schools this year, and we hope to revisit at a future date," the company said. Sneak peek: The Suspicious Death of Megan Parra Trump expected to pick Rubio for secretary of state, Kristi Noem for Homeland Security secretary Democrats play blame game after Kamala Harris' defeat Republicans in Kentuckys House of Representatives will return to session this January with the same slate of leaders, a caucus vote on has determined. House Speaker David Osborne of Prospect was nominated without opposition by a majority of his Republican peers to take up the gavel for a fourth term during a House Majority Caucus vote in the Capitol Annex on Tuesday. A Republican serving four terms as speaker is historic and has never happened in Kentuckys 232-year-history, GOP leadership spokesperson Laura Leigh Goins said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Osborne was first elected leader in 2018, succeeding former embattled Speaker Jeff Hoover who resigned from leadership following a sexual harassment scandal. He previously served as Speaker Pro Tempore and has served in the House since 2005. Osborne in a statement said he was humbled by the support of this caucus and look forward to continuing in my role. Each of our 80 members represents a district of more than 45,000 Kentuckians, Osborne continued. While their needs and priorities may differ from district to district, we are all committed to passing policies that reflect our states values and priorities, he said. Those priorities include creating jobs and driving economic investment in Kentucky. A priority for the next legislative session, he said, is to continue to work toward eliminating the state income tax by lowering it to 3.5% in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade, R-Stanford, was also reelected for a fourth term. Meade was first elected in 2013 and previously served as Majority Caucus Chair. Both are constitutional roles and will be voted on by all members of the House once the General Assembly convenes Jan. 7. This step is largely a formality, since Republicans maintain the majority in both chambers. House Republicans also reelected Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy of Paducah, House Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles of Owensboro, and Majority Whip Jason Nemes. Rudy was first elected floor leader in 2021, Miles has been caucus chair since 2018, and Nemes was named majority whip in 2022. The deliberation and voting process of choosing internal leadership is private, as is the nomination process. Unless sitting lawmakers publicly disclose that they are vying for a leadership role, that information is confidential. Only the results of the nomination votes are public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Josh Calloway, R-Irvington, announced Nov. 9 his candidacy for Speaker Pro Tempore to replace Meade. His goal, Calloway posted to X, wouldve been to bring a strong conservative perspective to the direction of our caucus, reform our rules to empower members, and ensure each voice is heard in representing their districts. This story may be updated. Ukraines supporters are daring to hope: Kyiv might just be alright in the Trump era. The latest sighs of (still cautious) relief came after news that President-elect Donald Trump tapped Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) to be his national security adviser and is planning to select Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for secretary of State. Both lawmakers have hewed to the Trump-era America First foreign policy doctrine but are still ardent hawks when it comes to the U.S. approach to adversaries like China, Iran and Russia far from the isolationist wing of the Republican party that would seek to abandon Ukraine or NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio and Waltz have questioned or voted against past U.S. aid packages for Ukraine not for lack of support for Ukraine in its fight to defeat Russia but because they felt the U.S. wasnt spending enough on securing the U.S. southern border. Waltz has even suggested lifting U.S. restrictions on how Ukraine could use its long-range weapons to strike at Russia a step the Biden administration hasnt taken despite its full-throated support of Ukraine. Kyiv is quite calm and quite comfortable with the national security officials announced so far, said Daniel Vajdich, a Republican foreign policy expert and president of Yorktown Solutions, which advises Ukrainian state entities and engages with officials in Kyiv. Those pushing a narrative of anxiety in Kyiv are doing this for their own purposes and are doing Ukraine a disservice. That was echoed by three former Trump administration officials who are supportive of U.S. efforts to aid Ukraine. For people who are concerned that Trump is going to sell Ukraine down the river, I think his main priority is going to try and find some kind of equitable peace, said a former Trump administration official in contact with the campaign and transition teams. The person, like others, was granted anonymity to discuss internal transition matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps latest Cabinet picks have signaled they would back sharper crackdowns on Russias energy exports that bankroll its war machine and fund its deepening partnerships with other U.S. adversaries like Iran and China. Waltz has hammered the Biden administration for not doing enough to close loopholes in Russias oil and gas exports in recent interviews, which would align with the first Trump administrations approach to tightening Russian energy sanctions to empower domestic U.S. energy exports. I think they'll try to shut it down as much as they can, James Carafano, a foreign policy expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, said of the incoming Trump administrations likely approach to Russias oil and gas sectors. Some Ukrainian lawmakers are hopeful that the picks of Rubio and Waltz signal the incoming Trump administration is sympathetic to Ukraines cause, even as they acknowledge it will still be an uphill battle convincing the U.S. to shell out more military and economic aid. Rubio has repeatedly visited Ukraine and even publicly criticized Republicans who doubted the need to help Ukraine, Iryna Gerashchenko, a Ukrainian member of parliament from the opposition European Solidarity party, said in a post on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then theres Trump himself. Current and former senior European officials say Trump the dealmaker setting his sights on the Russia-Ukraine war isnt all good news for Russian President Vladimir Putin. I think we could use a combination of Trump's unpredictability with his desire to be a winner and make that a strong formula, for promoting a peace process, in Ukraine, said Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a former Danish prime minister and NATO secretary general, in a recent interview. Still, theres a palpable sense of unease among some senior European officials. If Putin is nervous about Trumps unpredictability, so is Ukraine and other NATO allies. Trump has vowed he could end the war in Ukraine in one day without giving any details on how it would be done. If virtually everyone in NATO is skeptical of that claim, many also fear it could push Ukraine into a bad deal that empowers Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be pressure to negotiate with Russia for the sake of peace, strict conditions for receiving aid will be imposed, and the level of aid may be significantly reduced, and in return the U.S. will demand a greater participation from Europe in supporting Ukraine, Tymofiy Mylovanov, the president of the Kyiv School of Economics and former Ukrainian economy minister predicted in a social media post reacting to news of Trumps election. And Trump in his first term hammered important U.S. allies like Germany for not spending enough on defense. On the campaign trail Trump suggested he would encourage Russia to attack NATO allies that didnt spend the requisite 2 percent of GDP on defense. Influential conservative figures deeply skeptical of U.S. support for Ukraine still have close access to the president-elect. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., taunted Ukraine on social media over the weekend by sharing a clip referring to his fathers election as a time when Ukraine would be losing your allowance. Other Trump supporters are angry that Trump would tap Rubio for secretary of State over other MAGA acolytes like former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who may be more skeptical of sending further aid to Ukraine. And Ukrainians and other NATO officials fear that any peace deal Trump may broker over Ukraine wont end the war but only delay it to give Russia time to regroup for more fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many times in the past, we have seen partners ignoring Ukraines warnings. In the end, we have been proven right, said Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. A version of this story previously appeared in POLITICOs National Security Daily newsletter. Like this content? Sign up below! Chancellor Rachel Reeves increased employer National Insurance contributions in her maiden Budget last month - Chris J Ratcliffe/REUTERS Rachel Reevess tax raid risks turning high streets into ghost towns for much of the week, as pubs, restaurants and shops prepare to shut earlier and open on fewer days. Retail and hospitality chiefs said they were actively looking at reducing opening hours in response to Ms Reevess decision to raise employers National Insurance contributions. It raises fears that the Budget will worsen problems for Britains high streets and leave town centres largely shuttered outside the busiest shopping days of the week. Luke Johnson, the chairman of bakery chain Gails, said Ms Reevess decision to raise the cost of doing business only adds to the decline of town and city centres. The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), which represents bars and clubs, warned that four in 10 of its members were at risk of closing down within six months. Michael Kill, the industry groups chief executive, said: The autumn Budget has effectively signed a death sentence for many night-time economy businesses across the UK. This sector is being pushed to the brink. Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, which collectively represents 8,500 shops across the country, said: Our members have already told us they will be forced to reduce staff hours, reduce the number of employees and reduce the trading hours. In short, the Budget has made the revitalisation of high streets, a key mission for this government, very much harder. Labour promised to breathe life back into the high street in its manifesto, suggesting it would shake up the property tax system to help support small retailers. However, Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, said: Having spent the summer trash-talking down consumer confidence, Labours tax rise Budget means the only way hospitality businesses can balance their books is with fewer hours, fewer staff or both. Thats going to leave our high streets like ghost towns many nights of the week. Its only been a few months yet under Labour the lights are literally going out. The Chancellor last month announced an increase in the rate of National Insurance contributions paid by employers, from 13.8pc to 15pc, and also lowered the threshold at which companies become liable to pay the tax. Ms Reeves separately increased the national minimum wage from 11.44 to 12.21 an hour. All changes are due to come into force next April. Hospitality and retail chiefs have argued that the changes disproportionately affect their businesses, which employ large numbers of people on low wages. Bosses argue that these roles are often many peoples first jobs and offer valuable experience in work. Days after the general election that marked the midway point of his term as Los Angeles County sheriff, Robert Luna says he absolutely plans to run for office again in 2026. Luna issued a short statement Sunday amid rumors that he planned to step down due to alleged medical issues. Not true, he told The Times. No health issues. I will absolutely be running for reelection. The little-known former Long Beach police chief came out of retirement to run for sheriff two years ago, positioning himself as the calm antidote to what he once described as the dysfunction and chaos of his predecessor, Alex Villanueva. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After winning more than 60% of the vote, Luna was sworn in as the countys 34th sheriff in December 2022. Since taking office, hes grappled with many of the same problems that bedeviled prior sheriffs: poor jail conditions, sprawling consent decrees, allegations about deputy gangs and persistent staffing woes. But hes also made good on promises to provide more even-keeled leadership and repair fractured relationships with other county leaders. Read more: 14 sent to hospital after suspected overdoses at Men's Central Jail In recent weeks, Luna became the target of widespread speculation from both outsiders and those within the department about the possibility that he might leave office prematurely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Malibu community activist and blogger Cece Woods wrote in a post on the social platform X that rumors had been heavily circulating that Luna could potentially step down as the head of the largest sheriffs department in the country due to health concerns, adding that multiple sources say Parkinsons disease. Jeff Millman, who served as an advisor to Luna's 2022 campaign, pushed back online in response to Woods' post, calling it "untrue" and confirming that the sheriff will run again. "Full speed ahead," he wrote. Late Sunday afternoon, Luna told The Times the rumors were not true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union representing rank-and-file deputies the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs stepped in to speak in Luna's defense, telling The Times that union leaders had been peppered with these horrible rumors for a week or more. Our approach was simple: We asked Sheriff Luna himself if he had Parkinsons he said he did not and was in great shape, the union's executive director, Derek Hsieh, wrote in a statement. It is disappointing that some would make up and circulate a rumor about him. The statement continued: Its surprising that some appear to be working to specifically undermine the sheriff at this critical time. Typically, county sheriffs in California hold four-year terms. But in 2022, the Legislature approved a little-known measure aimed at increasing voter turnout for countywide elections by holding all of the state's sheriff and district attorney races in presidential election years. As a result, the law said those officials elected in 2022 would remain in office until 2028 with a few exceptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any counties that already expressly specified in the county charter when sheriff and district attorney elections should occur as of the start of 2021 did not have to follow the new election schedule. According to the Sheriff's Department, that means Los Angeles is exempt from the provisions of the bill. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Los Angeles Unified School District teacher became so obsessed with a middle school student she's accused of sexually abusing that she left her husband, described the boy as her "crystal meth" and said she was willing to "go to jail for him," a prosecutor said in court Tuesday. Colleen Jo Matarico, 43, was arrested last week and charged with seven counts of committing lewd acts on a boy she met when he was 12, authorities said. The alleged sexual abuse lasted more than a year, according to a criminal complaint. Matarico is also accused of giving cannabis to the boy. Last week, Los Angeles police said the teacher "groomed" him. "The accusations against Ms. Matarico are deeply disturbing and violate the trust that was placed in her by the students, their families, and the entire community, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon said in a statement last week. I want to acknowledge the courage of the young victim and his decision to report the abuse." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matarico pleaded not guilty during a downtown L.A. court appearance Tuesday. After her attorney asked a judge to free her without bail, Deputy Dist. Atty. Ariel Anson spoke in detail about the alleged abuse, claiming to have text messages showing Matarico had no intentions of stopping the relationship if released. Anson said Matarico began engaging in an inappropriate relationship with the student when he turned 13. Much of the alleged abuse took place between August and November of 2023, according to the complaint. Staff at John Burroughs Middle School first received concerning reports about Mataricio last October and immediately contacted Los Angeles police, according to a statement issued by the school's principal and provided to The Times by an LAUSD spokesman. Anson said the initial investigation did not turn up enough evidence to corroborate the alleged victim's claims, but court records show two of the eight counts against Matarico describe more recent conduct. After she learned police were investigating, Matarico's conduct toward the boy became "more severe," Anson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, Anson said, Matarico drove to the student's new high school and waited for him in her car, where they allegedly had another sexual interaction. Anson also accused Matarico of contacting a third party, one of the student's friends, via direct message on Instagram in order to continue communicating with the boy. In text messages described by Anson, Matarico allegedly said she was in love with the teen, that she had left her husband because of the relationship, and that he was "the only person she would go to jail for." "He is her crystal meth," Anson said, referring to the purported text messages she had sent using that language. Anson argued the boy would not be safe if Matarico was released from jail. Anson described Matarico as "separated" from her husband. The teacher was arrested on Nov. 7, according to the LAUSD statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Multiple people in her family have pleaded with her, asked for her to stop the relationship [with the boy]," Anson said in court. Anson did not directly present evidence of the texts in court on Tuesday. L.A. County Public Defender Carlos Bido, argued that the teacher should be released on house arrest with electronic monitoring. Matarico has no prior criminal record, according to Bido. She has two children and grandchildren she takes care of, and has served as a teacher in the area for 24 years, Bido said. "Ms. Matarico is cooperating fully with the legal process and is prepared to address these serious allegations in court," Bido told The Times in a statement. "We ask the public to respect the presumption of innocence and to refrain from speculation as we work to gather all relevant facts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement L.A. County Superior Court Judge Susan J. De Witt declined to release Matarico, who remains jailed in lieu of $590,000. She is due back in court in late November. In a news release issued last week, the Los Angeles Police Department said it was searching for additional victims. Anson said she could not comment on whether anyone else had made accusations against Matarico. An LAUSD spokesman did not disclose Matarico's employment status since the arrest, though Bido described her as "on leave" in court. De Witt also granted a request for a protective order barring Matarico from speaking to the teen or going near his home or new school, which the judge did not identify in open court to protect the student's identity. 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. Los Angeles Times is slated to create a new editorial board, billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong announced Sunday a directive that has been met with hostility with current editorial staffers. Following Soon-Shiongs Sunday announcement, an L.A. Times insider told TheWrap Monday that the newsroom is pissed, as it seems likely the three remaining L.A. Times Guild members on the editorial board will soon be ousted. The billionaire newspaper owner emphasized in his tweet over the weekend the importance of fair and balanced journalism in light of President-elect Donald Trumps win over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. When the president has won the vote of the majority of Americans, then all voices must be heard, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He further indicated his newspaper will monitor coverage that appears slanted left. Proud that we posted this letter from one of our readers on X, he wrote after retweeting a letter to the editor from a white woman in Oxnard, who did not vote for Trump, but objected to LZ Grandersons column, Theres no mystery. White women handed Trump the election. Read the full tweet below: Proud that we posted this letter from one of our readers on X. When the President has won the vote of the majority of Americans then ALL voices must be heard. Opinions are just that. I will work towards making our paper and media fair and balanced so that all voices are heard Dr. Pat Soon-Shiong (@DrPatSoonShiong) November 11, 2024 The owner continued, I will work towards making our paper and media fair and balanced so that all voices are heard and we can respectfully exchange every Americans view from left to right to the center. Coming soon. A new Editorial Board. Trust in media is critical for a strong democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon-Shiongs decision to pull the papers traditional presidential endorsement this year rather than back Harris already angered staffers, leading to the resignations of editorial page editor Mariel Garza, Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Greene and Karin Klein, a board member who wrote about education, environment, food and science. The L.A. Times Guild did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment, but had previously expressed concern that the papers owner was unfairly assigning blame to Editorial Board members for his decision not to endorse. Another Guild statement issued on Oct. 25 cited their ethics policy, which called into question the papers credibility after the canceled endorsement: Credibility, a news organizations most precious asset, is arduously acquired and easily squandered. It can be maintained only if each of us accepts responsibility for it, the statement read in part, indicating that Soon-Shiong was not keeping up his end to keep the paper credible. In the aftermath of the non-endorsement, Soon-Shiong tweeted, The Editorial Board chose to remain silent and I accepted their decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although he has donated to Democrats in the past, including $50,000 in donations to Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign, Soon-Shiong was quick to congratulate Trump on his first presidential win, tweeting, Incredible honor dining w/Pres-elect @realDonaldTrump last night. He truly wants to advance #healthcare for all. On Election Night 2024, his reaction to Trumps win wasnt as jubilant as that of Amazon and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos. The American people have spoken and L.A. Times will take the lead to provide factual and balanced coverage as the country heals its division, he said. The post LA Times Owner to Create a New Editorial Board in Light of Trump Presidency and The Newsroom Is Pissed appeared first on TheWrap. A Labour-led council has been accused of carrying out a stealth raid on motorists through a change in visitor parking rules that is set to more than triple daily charges in some areas. Haringey Council in North London plans to scrap its existing 5 visitor permits and force drivers to pay 1.20 an hour, which will see the daily charge jump from 5 to 17 in some parts of the borough. The council, which oversees areas such as Highgate, Muswell Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green, said the change was necessary because permits were being misused by commuters to park near stations and by locals who arent entitled to separate resident permits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, more than 3,600 people have signed a petition seeking to block the overhaul, which campaigners say will hit the poorest parts of Haringey disproportionately hard. The petition, organised by Tom Leanse, a patent lawyer, said the parking proposals were grossly unfair. He has disputed Haringeys rationale for the changes, saying that the Labour council itself has described the evidence of illegal permit use as circumstantial. Caitlin Clunie-OConnor, who is campaigning to save the daily fee, claimed the council failed to produce evidence to back up its claims that the current scheme was being misused following a Freedom of Information request. Ms Clunie-OConnor said she suspected the scheme was as much about generating funds for the council as it was about the policing of parking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: My suspicion is that this is really about raising more money for Haringey and that they have chosen the motorists as an easy target. Everyone agrees that there is too much traffic in Haringey, but these charges wont do anything about that. They will just raise more money for the council in an unfair way. People who have friends or relatives staying or have contractors working on their house for weeks or months are going to face a humongous bill. Like other councils, Haringey has come under intense financial stress as a result of surging demand for social care and special educational needs. The Standard reported in September that councillor Dana Carlin, cabinet member for finance and corporate services, had told councillors that Haringey faced a 20m budget deficit for the 2024/25 financial year. She blamed unprecedented pressures beyond our control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Clunie-OConnor said that poorer areas in the east, such as Tottenham, would see by far the biggest jump in charges as a result of the proposed parking changes. She cited an analysis of the distribution of controlled parking zones mapped over deprivation data for the borough. For example, controls in the Inner Wood Green area apply for 14 hours a day, so that parking would cost as much as 17 under the proposed new regime. Those in the west, around the more affluent areas of Highgate and Alexandra Palace, will see little or no change in pricing as parking restrictions typically apply for just two hours. The petition says: In any controlled parking zone which is operational more than four hours a day, the proposals will make it more expensive to buy a days parking for a visitor. Ms Clunie-OConnor, who was brought up in the borough and currently lives in the so-called Harringay Ladder area of streets, said the charges would serve to amplify existing inequalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the petition, councillor Seema Chandwani, cabinet member for resident service and inequality, said no decision had yet been taken, with a consultation set to run until Nov 20. She said: I would strongly urge residents and businesses to continue their involvement in this collaborative exercise. Ms Chandwani added: Parking spaces in high-density areas like Haringey are in short supply and its crucial that we understand the needs of our residents and businesses. I would strongly urge residents and businesses to continue their involvement in this collaborative exercise. 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. LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY) A 28-year-old Lake Charles man was arrested Friday in an undercover operation in which law enforcement agents pretended to be a 16-year-old girl, authorities announced. According to a news release from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office, Wilson J. Washington III was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and faces charges of indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation of a minor. The sheriffs office said the arrest is the result of a joint undercover operation with the FBI and Louisiana State Police that targets online offenders attempting to solicit minors for sexual acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Washington was chatting with what he thought to be a 16-year-old girl and messaging her about committing sexual acts. Detectives made contact with Wilson at a local park in Lake Charles, where he thought he was meeting up with the girl, the sheriffs office said. Washingtons bond was set at $150,000. CPSO Special Victims Unit Det. Alexander Vincent is the lead investigator on this case. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two reservoirs in Northern Nevada and a cove at Lake Mohave in Clark County remain under Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Warning alerts, but threat levels have been reduced at seven other sites around the state. The remaining HAB Warning alerts apply to: Lahontan Reservoir in Lyon County Lake Mohaves Morning Star Cove in Clark County Sheep Creek Reservoir in Elko County A dog that died on Oct. 21 became sick after drinking water at Willow Beach, according to a National Park Service spokesperson. Pets are especially susceptible to toxins produced by cyanobacteria associated with the blooms. Toxins are released with the mats are disturbed. No additional information about the dogs death has been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services maintains a dashboard that reports on the problem at waterbodies around the state. An explanation of the different alert levels shows they range from HAB Watch (least serious) to HAB Danger (the most severe). A HAB Watch signifies that hazardous conditions are likely present. A HAB Warning means the waterbody isnt safe. A HAB Danger alert is used when the water is extremely unsafe for human and/or animal exposure. Health officials advise avoiding contact with algae mats, scum, or water that is discolored or stagnant. Blue-green algae are not actually algae, according to the dashboard. They are single-celled aquatic organisms called cyanobacteria that are closely related to bacteria and can photosynthesize like algae. The blooms occur most often in late summer and early fall in freshwater lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. Although most algal blooms are not toxic, some types of cyanobacteria produce nerve or liver toxins. Toxicity can be hard to predict because a single species of algae can have both toxic and non-toxic strains, and a bloom that tests non-toxic one day can be toxic the next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sites where the alert levels have been reduced over the past week: Chimney Reservoir in Humboldt County: Waterbody clear (Nov. 5) Lake Mohave Cottonwood Cove , Clark County, reduced from a HAB Warning to a HAB Watch (Nov. 5) Lake Mohave Eagle Wash Cove , Clark County, reduced from a HAB Warning to a HAB Watch (Nov. 5) Lake Mohave Placer Cove , Clark County, reduced from a HAB Warning to a HAB Watch (Nov. 5) Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge , Churchill County, Waterbody clear (Nov. 5) Virginia Lake , Washoe County, Waterbody clear (Nov. 7) Weber Reservoir, Lyon County, Waterbody clear (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 KLAS. (NewsNation) Jose Ibarra, accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, has waived his right to a jury trial and will have his case heard by a judge. The bench trial is now set to begin Friday with opening statements. Riley, 22, was killed while out for a morning run. Her body was found near a popular trail, and her running route would have taken her past the apartments where Ibarra was living. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laken Riley Act sees renewed push ahead of trial Her death prompted outrage after Ibarra was arrested, and it was found he had entered the country illegally. Ibarra, originally from Venezuela, is facing multiple charges. Prosecutors say he attempted to rape Riley before asphyxiating her and hitting her in the head with a rock. In response to Rileys death, lawmakers introduced legislation that would mandate people without documents who are accused of certain crimes be detained and would allow states to sue the government for releasing migrants from custody. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. By David Shepardson, Allison Lampert and Tim Hepher (Reuters) -Spirit AeroSystems said on Tuesday it would receive up to $350 million in advance payments from its largest customer Boeing and up to $107 million from Airbus, giving the struggling supplier a lifeline as it burns cash after four consecutive years of losses. Plans for a funding agreement with Boeing, first reported last week by Reuters, came days after Spirit issued a "going concern" warning - effectively putting investors on notice that it may be unable to pay its bills within the next 12 months. A key supplier to both Boeing and Airbus, as well as smaller jetmakers like Bombardier, Spirit Aero has seen inventory pile up and deliveries slump in recent weeks following a recently settled strike at Boeing. Airbus agreed to give Spirit up to $107 million in advanced payments in connection with deliveries of parts for the European planemaker. Boeing, which plans to buy back its one-time subsidiary, needs Spirit Aero to remain on its feet as it seeks to revive jet production following the 53-day strike by most of its machinists, who are set to return to their jobs Tuesday. Airbus also depends on Spirit Aero for important parts for its A350 and A220 jets and has warned that delays in receiving parts from Spirit could hurt A350 deliveries in 2025. The supplier of fuselages for the Boeing 737 MAX and significant parts of the 787 and other models has said it expects to burn around $450 million to $500 million over the last three months of 2024 and first half of 2025. "This agreement helps improve our liquidity. We continue to pursue a range of options to address our financial and spacing storage constraints and are working with our customers on these matters," Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino said. Boeing said it continued to work closely with Spirit to "stabilize our production system and help us deliver for our customers". Spirit Aero's finances suffered when Boeing MAX production slumped after a Jan. 5 mid-air blowout on a new model. A new process for vetting fuselages for flaws introduced in March further delayed Spirit's deliveries, leading to a pile-up of fuselages inside and outside the supplier's sprawling Kansas factory. BOEING SHARES FALL Spirit said the advances from Boeing would help it produce at rates required by the planemaker and tackle excess inventories and lower cash flows. It also cited "lingering effects brought on by the recent strike by Boeing employees". It must technically repay the $350 million in 2026, though the takeover by former parent Boeing is tentatively expected to happen well before then, in mid-2025. LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) An Adamstown man will spend 35 to 85 years in prison after pleading guilty to strangling his mother to death in March 2023, according to the district attorneys office. The DAs office said Zachary Gift, 28, strangled his mother to death in their home in the 300 block of Grant Road at 11:00 p.m. on March 19, 2023. Gift then stole his mothers purse, wallet, car keys, and vehicle and proceeded to drive until crashing into an embankment in Millcreek Township. The DAs office said Gift was arrested following the crash and told police he pushed his mother and drove away because she was trying to kill and eat him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police discovered Gifts mothers body in the basement of the residence while conducting a wellness check on March 20 after receiving multiple concerned reports from her friends. Gift later admitted to police that he strangled his mother in her bed and then covered her with a bedsheet, per the DAs office. During the trial, Gift claimed he chose drugs over everything and that he was remorseful. Family and friends of Gift and his mother also testified in court, claiming that his mother was hardworking and sacrificed everything to support her son through his addiction. Gift had pled guilty to third-degree murder, robbery, strangulation, and theft by unlawful taking. 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. TEXAS (KMID/KPEJ) State Representative Brooks Landgraf recently filed House Bill 219, or the Verified Citizen Voting Act, which would require proof of US citizenship when registering to vote in Texas. While US citizenship has been a requirement to vote in Texas for some time now, it has primarily been on the honor system. Langraf said this bill would simply make documented proof of citizenship part of the states voter registration process on a go-forward basis. Voting is one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, and it must be protected, Landgraf said. The Verified Citizen Voting Act will give Texans peace of mind that their votes are not being diluted by ineligible voters, protecting our elections from potential abuse and preserving the integrity of every ballot cast. HB 219 requires individuals registering to vote to present simple proof of citizenship as part of the application process. Landgraf said this will make it easy for voters to prove citizenship by providing a Texas REAL ID-compliant drivers license, a US passport, a naturalization document, or a birth certificate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Landgraf speaks out against efforts to overturn radioactive waste ruling Election integrity depends on the trust we place in our voting system, and ensuring only eligible voters can register is essential to that trust, Landgraf said. If U.S. citizenship is a requirement to vote, it makes perfect sense to require proof that they comply with the requirement. The Texas legislature is set to convene for the 89th Texas Legislative Session on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Members of the Texas House and Texas Senate may file bills for the 2025 legislative session as early as Sunday, November 12, 2024. The Texas legislature meets at the Texas Capitol building for a 140-day regular session beginning the second Tuesday in January every odd-numbered year to vote on proposed legislation and pass a balanced state budget. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Angela Rayner could hand councils powers to allow inspections of rental properties without informing the landlord. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has urged MPs to scrap the 24-hour notice requirement that councils must give to landlords before entering a property. The recommendation was made in consultation on the Renters Rights Bill, which will ban Section 21 evictions and make it illegal to discriminate against tenants on benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter, which was sent to the Renters Rights Bill Committee of MPs, said: It gives the landlord 24 hours notice that the tenant has complained. The landlord can then appear at the inspection, which can be an intimidating experience for a tenant. The committee is now considering responses and is expected to report by the end of the month. However, Megan Eighteen, president elect at landlord trade body Propertymark, said it was only fair that property owners were allowed to attend inspections especially as they are responsible for any works. She said: Often when we talk about rogue landlords, or landlords who are behaving in an unacceptable way, we are talking about the exception, not the rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem we have at the moment is that legislation is being continuously written for the exception, the unusual case, not for your day-to-day landlords. The Renters Rights Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, is set to abolish so-called no fault evictions, introduce a new ombudsman for the private rental sector and make enforcement against rogue landlords stronger. Tenants will be able to demand to have pets, and will be able to challenge unreasonable rent increases. Rent repayment orders will be doubled from one years rent to two, and repeat offenders will have to pay the maximum, government guidance issued in September states. But landlords will have to wait three months to take action against non-paying tenants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Housing experts have warned that the changes could exacerbate the ongoing rental crisis in the UK, pushing landlords out of the sector and making prices higher for tenants. Landlords have sold 300,000 more properties than they have bought since 2016, and the average rent for new lets has jumped to 1,369 a month, up 5pc over the last year. A Ministry for Housing spokesman said: As our landmark Renters Rights Bill progresses through Parliament we will carefully consider representations from a range of stakeholders. From the outset we have been clear that good landlords have nothing to fear from our Bill. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WDTN) Motorists on I-70 eastbound were cautioned to avoid the right lane on I-70 this morning after an unspecified police incident. According to OHGO, the right lane of I-70 East beyond SR-235/SR-4 was closed. 2 News will update this story as we learn 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 WDTN.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Graduate employees working at Oregon State University declared their intent to strike if they dont reach a deal by Tuesday. According to the Coalition of Graduate Employees in a letter posted to their website, this potential strike comes after multiple years of negotiations with OSU. Citing the rising cost of living in Corvallis and low wages for the student employees, the union said they voted to authorize a strike with a 93% approval rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King tides, 28-foot waves to swamp the Oregon Coast this week The union also claimed that the university is seeking to extend the employees contracts for five years, barring future employees from having any say in the bargaining process. The letter ends by saying that the strike is imminent, but not inevitable, asking for better wages, healthcare and more, calling it the bare minimum. This is our last resort, coming after a year of openly combative negotiations with OSU. The university has made it abundantly clear that their priority is not the pursuit of knowledge, but rather the pursuit of money, even at the expense of their own dedicated, hard-working, and talented graduate employees. Make no mistake: this strike is no surprise to the university. They have made the decision that it is perfectly acceptable to critically compromise the quality of education that undergraduates receive at OSU, all so they can avoid a less-than 2% increase to their operating budget, the letter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the full letter here. A representative from OSU provided a comment to KOIN 6 on Monday afternoon about the negotiations. Oregon State University continues to work hard to address issues raised by the Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE) through continuing discussions and remains committed to work toward a contract that is sustainable and honors the important work of graduate employees. OSU has an additional mediation session set for today, November 11. In the event that the CGE chooses to strike, the university will be prepared to provide continuity to the educational mission of the institution. The university is hopeful that we can reach agreement on the contract prior to a time when the CGE feels it may be necessary to strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional information can be found on our bargaining updates website at: Graduate Assistants Bargaining | Office of University Human Resources | Oregon State 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 KOIN.com. By Fabian Cambero SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Latin American poverty levels in 2023 fell to a 33-year low, led by progress in Brazil, the United Nations' Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) said in a report on Tuesday, even as severe inequality persists in the region. ECLAC said Latin America is marked by high inequality, limited social mobility, and weak social cohesion, underpinned by inadequate social policies and weak protection systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ECLAC defines poverty as affecting those who do not have sufficient income to cover their basic needs, while extreme poverty includes people who do not have enough income to buy a basic food basket. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT More than 170 million people in the region are affected by poverty, particularly in Haiti, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Despite declining poverty rates, income inequality is high, according to the ECLAC report. BY THE NUMBERS Poverty in Latin America decreased in 2023 to affect 27.3% of the population, down 1.5 percentage points from the year before and more than a 5-point drop from 2020, when economies were severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, ECLAC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme poverty in the region still affected 10.6% of the region's population. Excluding Brazil, Latam's poverty ratio would have stood at 28.4%, closer to the 2022 figure. KEY QUOTES "The decrease in poverty at a regional level in 2023 is mainly explained by its incidence in Brazil, a country that contributed to about 80% of the observed reduction in the regional average," the report stated. Strengthening social protection systems is the key to adopting an integrated approach that can help reduce poverty and the various causes of inequality, and boost social cohesion, the report concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CONTEXT Counterbalancing the progress made in Brazil, poverty increased in Honduras and Peru, which faced lack of financing, higher instability and civil unrest in 2023. FUTURE The International Monetary Fund forecasts a 2.1% GDP increase for Latin American economies in 2024, which could potentially aid in further reducing poverty. ECLAC expects poverty to continue falling to 26.8% this year, while extreme poverty will be at 10.4%. Specifically in Brazil, which is leading in poverty reduction, the government forecasts a 3.2% GDP growth for this year. (Reporting by Fabian Andres Cambero; Writing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; Editing by Nicholas Yong) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will head the Russian delegation to the Group of Twenty (G20) summit instead of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian state news agency TASS reported on Nov. 12, citing Russian Ambassador Marat Berdyev. The International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2023 issued a warrant for Putin's arrest due to his role in the deportation of Ukrainian children. Brazil is a party to the ICC's Rome Statute and, therefore, is required to detain Putin if he enters the country. Brazil previously issued a standard invitation to Putin for the summit, which will convene heads of state of G20 nations in Rio de Janeiro Nov. 18-19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Putin said he would not attend the Rio de Janeiro summit, claiming he did not want to "disrupt the normal work of the forum." Lavrov has repeatedly represented Putin at events involving world leaders, including sessions of the U.N. General Assembly and last year's G20 summit in India. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in September 2023 that the decision to detain Putin at the G20 would be left to his country's judiciary. Putin visited Mongolia, an ICC member state, in September of this year, his first such visit since his arrest warrant was made public. Despite Mongolia's obligation under international law to arrest Putin, the Russian president received a warm welcome in Ulaanbaatar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian lawmakers described Putin's Mongolia visit as "a well-planned provocation" meant to show his indifference to the rule of law. Read also: Explainer: Why Zelensky slammed the China-Brazil peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Sen. Rusty Crowe, a Johnson City Republican, wants to tap Tennnessee's rainy day fund to aid East Tennessee's flood-ravaged counties. (Photo: John Partipilo) An East Tennessee lawmaker wants to tap the states rainy day fund to bolster flood-ravaged counties, despite hesitation by the governor to use anything other than a TennCare loan program to jump-start the regions recovery. Republican Sen. Rusty Crowe of Johnson City favors grants from the states $2.15 billion rainy day fund not loans to provide a long-term boost for 13 mountainous counties rebounding from cataclysmic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $100 million the governors cabinet is taking from TennCare to provide loans to help affected counties remove rubble and repair water and sewer systems is only the tip of the iceberg, Crowe told the Tennessee Lookout. Carter County, for instance, needs up to $9 million of the loan fund to deal with debris cleanup. Yet the county faces another $180 million in damage costs and has a rainy day fund of only $20 million, Crowe said. I do think we have had a disastrous rainy day event we are going to have to help these counties as the cost is beyond their capabilities, Crowe said in a statement to the Tennessee Lookout. The veteran senator said he will push to use the states rainy day fund, which will require a legislative appropriation either in early January when the 114th General Assembly convenes or in a potential special session in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Bill Lee is declining to endorse use of the rainy day fund or extra funding, only saying, Id be interested in knowing their ideas about it. Most importantly, I want to make sure the counties are made whole. In addition to tapping the rainy day fund, the state needs to enact a property tax rebate for lost and damaged homes in the affected counties, Crowe said. Residents in the region also are likely to need counseling and years of services to recover from the floods effects, he said. I do think we have had a disastrous rainy day event we are going to have to help these counties as the cost is beyond their capabilities. Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City Talk surfaced this fall about the governor calling a special session in January to consider a private-school voucher bill, though several key lawmakers call that pure speculation. Still, such a move is drawing criticism from those who believe increased funding should be considered first for flood victims in East Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said last week his staff opted for the loan program because it anticipates all the money will be reimbursed by the federal government. The state loans are designed to enable counties to move forward with work and then repay them with federal funds. If there are decisions that the General Assembly wants to consider for additional relief to counties, I suspect thatll come up in the session, Lee said. The deadline is this week for flood-damaged counties to apply for loans through the recently-enacted program using money derived from a shared-savings program between the state and federal government within TennCare. Lees cabinet decided to make that money available until counties receive funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which they can use to pay back the state. The state has committed nearly $70 million of the $100 million to those damaged counties, and the money is to be distributed this week, according to Lee. He said TennCare still has about $200 million remaining in the shared-savings program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state is considering multiple avenues of relief for businesses and individuals through FEMA to extend the time frame for receiving help and larger federal matching funds than are usually made, he said. FEMA also is offering a new housing assistance program for this disaster that the state hasnt used, Lee said. The Tennessee Department of Human Services is providing food assistance to flood victims who normally wouldnt qualify, and the Department of Workforce and Labor Development is offering unemployment payments for flood victims whose homes were destroyed, according to Crowe. The Department of Revenue is providing up to $2,500 in sales tax rebates for appliances and other possessions lost in the flood, Crowe said. Anita Wadhwani contributed to this story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Del. Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, presents on the foster care system to the Joint Standing Committee on Health during legislative interims on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 in Charleston, W.Va. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography) West Virginias foster care system needs money and mandated changes to improve its outcomes for children, according to Republican lawmakers who on Monday laid out grim realities of the overburdened system. The state leads the nation in the rate of children coming into foster care, and the child welfare system has struggled to keep up with the crisis. Del. Jonathan Pinson, R-Mason, deputy majority whip Its almost four times higher than any other state, said Del. Jonathan Pinson, R-Mason, who is a foster parent. That ought to get our attention as the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are 6,008 children in state foster care; many are teenagers. There arent enough Child Protective Services workers, foster homes or services for kids. The system is much larger than that when you take in the consideration the families who need help to keep CPS from taking the child, kids aging out and kids who are adopted, said Del. Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis. He is also a foster parent. Youre looking at a bigger need than 6,000. Department of Human Services leaders say theyve made improvements to the foster care system, but lawmakers said theres more that must be done for children. Republicans in the House and Senate have a laundry list of needs, and Burkhammer stressed that the state must prioritize beefing up prevention programs to keep additional kids from needing the system. There are federal funds being left on the table that the DoHS hasnt utilized, he noted. But, services for children like substance use treatment for parents and behavioral therapy will still need state funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding never scares me, said Senate Finance Chairman Eric Tarr, R-Putnam. Its just a matter of when we appropriate the money, that we know it gets to what its supposed to. Thats always been a challenge with DoHS. He continued, If its a caucus priority, then it will be in the budget. Nearly one in eight infants born in West Virginia between 2020 and 2022 had in utero exposure to opioids, stimulants and/or cannabis. Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, noted that many of those babies could end up in the foster care system without early intervention services. If we really dont address preventative services, were going to keep beating our heads against the wall, he said. We need to address that in the budget bill when were prioritizing what needs to be cut and what needs to be funded Its going to keep getting worse. DoHS says theyve improved foster care, lawmakers call for more A 2019 class-action lawsuit alleged widespread problems in the system, including a lack of permanent homes for children, kids sent to unsafe institutions and overburdened CPS workers who couldnt keep up with caseloads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, DoHS requested a summary judgment in the lawsuit, saying theyd hired more CPS workers and recruited more foster families. Senate and House Republicans in a work group focused on foster care reform said months of looking at the system showed continued inadequacies. Their findings showed a lack of urgency in serving children and that DoHS needed to be more transparent about how theyve handled child abuse and neglect cases. There still arent enough CPS workers, they said. There are 79 openings out of 390 CPS workers, Burkhammer said. That leads to high caseloads I believe it, ultimately, leads to poor quality and attention to our children. Funding continues to be a struggle, Burkhammer added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes the money is there and the bills are not being paid in a timely manner, he said. Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier Burkhammer, Pinson and Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, presented foster care legislation they hope lawmakers will consider during the 2025 legislative session. Their ideas included improvements to a voucher program for foster parents that would ensure kids have enough clothes. Another bill would increase the pay rate for guardian ad litems, which are court-appointed attorneys who represent the best interests of the child. Every guardian ad litem has at least 41 active cases on top of their other legal work, Pinson said. If were going to retain excellent attorneys for the children we take custody of, were going to have to pay them. Lawmakers also drafted legislation focused on improving DoHS transparency in how it responds to abuse and neglect referrals. There would be new and more timely data requirements, including that audio files connected to referrals be kept for a year. The department would be required to quickly and publicly share some information in cases involving a childs death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DoHS faced backlash earlier this year for how it handled the apparent starvation death of 14 year old Kyneddi Miller. Reporters were denied records, and state leaders had conflicting, limited, and combative responses to questions about whether the state knew about Miller prior to her death. Everyone wants the best for our children, and I believe this bill will help us do that, Deeds said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Thinking About Leaving The U.S. After Trump's Win? Here Are The Top Expat Destinations Immigration attorneys report a surge in relocation inquiries following Donald Trumps presidential victory as Americans explore international living options. The trend has prompted renewed attention to global housing markets and expatriate communities worldwide. We received a rush of applications in the middle of the year, a sort of slowdown period from July to mid-October as many were traveling in the summer and others wanted to wait to see how things turned out with the election, Steve Corbin, senior associate at Harvey Law Group, told Realtor.com. Since the results, weve seen a flurry of inquiries. Don't Miss: Panama leads the list of preferred destinations for those looking to leave the U.S., according to an InterNations survey of 12,543 expats representing 175 nationalities cited by Realtor. The Central American nation garnered an 82% satisfaction rate among expatriates, above the global average of 68%. Panama is an appealing choice for expats due to its proximity to the U.S. and generally safe environment, Corbin said. However, the location should be chosen carefully. Panama City, for example, is quite safe, though the health care system isnt as robust as in European countries. Trending: Beating the market through ethical real estate investing' this platform aims to give tenants equity in the homes they live in while scoring 17.38% average annual returns for investors heres how to join with just $100 Mexico ranks high for affordability and ease of cultural adjustment, with 89% of expats reporting satisfaction with their relocation. The countrys appeal centers on its work-life balance, with 43% of respondents completely satisfied compared to 25% globally. Spain was Europe's standout option, particularly for real estate investors. I can get you a visa for Spain in a few weeks, said Jean-Francois Harvey, founder of Harvey Law Group. According to the report, Spain is a country where real estate is more affordable than in the U.S. Southeast Asian nations like Thailand also offer notable financial benefits. Thailands health care system is tremendously superior to the U.S. Also, no property tax. Quality of life is exceptional, Aaron Henry, owner of Bangkok marketing firm Foundeast.com, told Realtor. Getty Images Sign up for The Agenda Them's news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Its no secret that the damage of Donald Trumps looming second presidential term stands to be particularly acute for queer and trans Americans. The accused rapist and his party ran in vocal opposition to trans rights according to data released by Ad Impact and cited by Washington Post reporter Casey Parks on November 5, Republicans spent nearly $215 million on anti-trans network ads during the 2024 election cycle. On Trumps 2024 campaign website, he vowed to redefine gender at a federal level so that male and female as assigned at birth are the only recognized genders within the United States and also pass a federal ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To make matters worse, Democrats like New York Rep. Tom Suozzi and Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton chose to simply blame trans people for their partys failure to win the presidency, House, or Senate. However, despite the dark implications of the 2024 elections, a number of Democratic politicians have made it a priority over the past week to voice their vocal support for the trans community, no matter what the next four years bring. From rebuking fellow Democrats transphobia to working to enshrine LGBTQ+ protections within their states, these politicians are standing up for the trans community. Gov. JB Pritzker and State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (Illinois) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker included LGBTQ+ Americans in his tweet pledging that the state would remain a refuge for those whose rights are denied elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker went on to name the communities he had alluded to, including those seeking reproductive healthcare, immigrants working hard for a better life, LGBTQ+ Americans looking for protection, and people with disabilities whose civil and human rights are under attack. Meanwhile, Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy recently told the Chicago Sun-Times that there has been a coalition effort of state lawmakers to protect trans and reproductive healthcare access within the state since the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade leaked in 2022. Now, the coalition is examining Project 2025 to determine what further protections they can implement in the near future. Cassidy said that one issue the coalition hopes to fix before the fall legislative session ends is the use of geolocators to track people who use healthcare facilities. Gov. Gavin Newsom (California) On November 7, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation convening a special session of the California Legislature beginning December 2, which will focus on bolstering California legal resources to protect climate action, civil rights, immigrant families, and reproductive freedom in the wake of Trumps reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a news release from Newsoms office notes, this special session responds to the public statements and proposals put forward by President-elect Trump and his advisors, and actions taken during his first term in office an agenda that could erode essential freedoms and individual rights, including womens rights and LGBTQ+ rights. In 2023, Newsom signed nine LGBTQ+ rights bills into law within a matter of days, despite vetoing a bill that would have established strong protections for trans children in custody and visitation decisions. Earlier this year, he signed the Support Academic Future and Educators for Todays Youth Act (SAFETY Act) into law. The legislation bans schools from implementing policies requiring staff to out students to their parents and states that the California Department of Education will develop resources for LGBTQ+ students and their families. Salem City Councilor Kyle Davis (Massachusetts) Salem, Massachusetts City Councilor Kyle Davis called out Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton in a series of X posts following Moultons recent transphobic remarks to the New York Times. I have two little girls, I dont want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, Moulton told the Times on November 7. But as a Democrat, Im supposed to be afraid to say that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis didnt mince words on X the following day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resign @sethmoulton, he tweeted on November 8. Soon afterward, he followed up on his previous post, writing, Im not looking for an apology from @sethmoulton Im looking for a resignation. On November 11, Davis shared a gif of a woman named Jenn holding the progress Pride flag with the caption, @Sethmoulton represents this district. He does not represent me. The city councilor went on to question the timing of Moultons remarks while speaking to the Boston Globe last week. With all the things Trump has said about trans people, this is a time when the trans community is feeling a lot of fear, Davis explained. State Senator Jamie Eldridge (Massachusetts) Massachusetts Senator Jamie Eldridge also pushed back against Moultons transphobic comments to the Times. On November 8, Eldridge took to X to share a link to a Boston Globe article about local Democrats criticizing Moultons transphobic remarks. As a legislator fighting for #LGBTQ rights from marriage equality to #transgender rights to #ParentageAct, w/pride in Massachusetts being a welcoming state, I condemn Cong. Moultons comments on transgender athletes, Eldridge wrote. @MassDems do not abandon our values. Rep. Becca Balint (Vermont) Vermont Rep. Becca Balint summed things up perfectly in a November 9 X post, simply writing, Leave trans kids alone. When Balint was elected in 2022, she became the first out LGBTQ+ person and the first woman elected to Congress in Vermont. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (Massachusetts) Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley reaffirmed her support for the trans community and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole in a November 10 X post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This election wasnt the first time we saw the trans community scapegoated and dehumanized, but know this: I will always stand with trans people and the entire LGBTQ+ community, she wrote. This Congresswoman sees you and loves you. LGBTQ\+ Advocates Share Messages of Resistance, Solidarity, and Hope in Response to the Election "Youre human, and these are unparalleled times. Take care of yourself. The world needs you for the fight ahead." Attorney General Rob Bonta (California) On November 5, California Attorney General Rob Bonta who last year sued a school district in his state to stop a policy that would require teachers to out trans students to their parents told the news outlet Cal Matters that his office is already preparing legal challenges to the incoming Trump administration. Bontas team has preemptively written briefs and tested arguments to challenge policies they expect Trump to pursue during his second term, including eroding civil rights for trans youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, its a long list [of issues], the attorney general said. We are and have been for months developing strategies for all of those things. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. Read More on the 2024 U.S. Election Even though the election is over, Republican lawmakers still want answers from Department of Veterans Affairs officials on how they plan to better secure candidates veterans medical and benefits records ahead of future campaigns. Earlier this fall, VA officials confirmed that the Department of Justice is investigating several federal staffers for improperly accessing the veterans records of vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance amid the contentious summer campaign. In a statement Friday, VA press secretary Terrence Hayes said that department leaders are continuing to work with investigators on the matter and will take swift and appropriate action to discipline any VA employees who sought to improperly access veteran records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VA employees improperly viewed health records of both VP candidates But in a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough earlier this month, a group of eight Republican senators led by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz expressed concern that the matter remains unsettled, even after votes were counted in the presidential contest. The repeated, unauthorized access of veterans medical records by VA employees is a serious breach of trust that demands swift and decisive action, the group wrote. We urge you to act immediately to safeguard the medical privacy of every veteran in the VA system and to prevent such activity in the future. The senators asked for more information on safeguards and policy changes put in place following the security breach, to ensure similar intrusions dont occur again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayes said that following notification of the allegations of improper accessing of the records, VA leaders limited access to all records regarding Walz and Vances use of department services. They also stepped up monitoring on those files and distributed a staff-wide message warning about improper viewing of veterans private information. Every VA employee is required to take extensive yearly training on when and how they are allowed to access veteran medical records, if at all, Hayes said. These trainings also make clear the stark consequences of failure to properly use these records, including discipline that could include firing and reporting to law enforcement authorities. Vance, now the vice president-elect, spoke on the campaign trail about using VA health care after leaving the active-duty ranks. He served in the Marine Corps for four years. Walz, the current governor of Minnesota, served for 24 years in the Army National Guard. Federal officials did not say how many employees accessed the vice presidential candidates records. The senators in their letter suggested as many as a dozen VA employees may have viewed them without proper justification. JUNCTION CITY, Ky. (FOX 56) Over a month after a crash at Ponderosa Speedway, a mother and son have filed a lawsuit following the Oct. 4 incident that sent a car careening into the stands, injuring both spectators. The lawsuit aims to seek justice for the injuries sustained and to raise concerns over the safety measures at the track. The crash, which occurred during a race in October, caused a frenzy as one of the cars launched toward the barrier wall. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Minner, attorney for the injured parties, described the scene as chaotic. As a result of the collision, one of the cars is launched toward the barrier wall, or the fencing, which happens in races quite frequently. But this barrier didnt hold, and the fencing didnt hold. The next thing she realizes, she is being cut partially out of the vehicle and is in quite a panic looking for her son, as any parent would be wondering, Wheres my son? Is he okay? as the first responders are tending to her, Minner said. Minner describes the victims injuries as life-changing. They were both rushed emergently to different hospitals. She spent quite a bit of time at the University of Kentucky Hospital and is still being treated today, Minner added. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minner also expressed concerns about the safety protocols at the raceway. Safety is certainly not an option in a situation like this or anything similar, he said. When a family goes to the zoo, they expect that the elephants arent going to be able to get through the barrier wall in the fencing, or the tigers arent going to be able to jump over the fencing. Following the crash, the driver of the car that was launched into the stands, Shane Irvin, shared his own thoughts. I said, Dont worry about me. Im focused on you taking care of everybody else,' Irvin recalled. And I just started praying for the people that were possibly injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brad Ferguson, race director at Ponderosa Speedway, previously spoke about the rarity of such an accident. Read more of the latest Kentucky news This is a freak accident. This isnt just something that happens at racetracks everywhere, all the time. This one [is] a once-in-a-lifetime thing, probably forever here, Ferguson said. The lawsuits primary goal is to ensure that no other family has to go through what this one has endured. We are far too advanced in terms of design and construction and maintenance at racing events like this to have something like this occur, Minner explained. So the goal of the family really is to make sure this doesnt happen to anyone else, to prevent future injuries or incidents like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law firm representing the family is urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information to come 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 FOX 56 News. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder will ask President-elect Donald Trump to release him from a 20-year prison sentence, his attorney said. Householder was convicted of participating in a $60 million pay-to-play scandal involving Akron-based FirstEnergy. The utility helped him return to power and in exchange, Householder gave FirstEnergy a $1 billion bailout for two nuclear plants. Householder was sentenced to 20 years in prison the maximum penalty for his crimes. Householder's attorneys are appealing the conviction. But a new, Republican president might offer another alternative: a pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is early in the process, but we are pursuing all measures to bring Speaker Householder home," Householder attorney Scott Pullins said in a message. The Rooster, a Capital Square blog, and Cleveland.com first reported the news. The U.S. Constitution gives presidents the power to grant pardons, commutations and reprieves and eliminate fines and other penalties. Trump granted clemency to more than 200 people during his first term, including his former national security adviser Michael Flynn. On the campaign trail, Trump promised to pardon those who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. "My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!" Trump said on his Truth Social website. But will Trump pardon Householder? It's too soon to tell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Householder was an early Trump supporter in the Buckeye State and spoke at Trump's Republican National Convention in Cleveland in 2016. Householder flew on FirstEnergy's jet to Trump's inauguration. And FirstEnergy encouraged Householder to speak with Trump about the importance of nuclear energy. FirstEnergy sought either a state or a federal solution for its financially struggling nuclear plants, which were later owned by a subsidiary. The company donated to pro-Trump groups and worked with well-connected operatives, including then-Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Paduchik and ex-Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Ultimately, FirstEnergy did not convince the Department of Energy to give it a bailout, but the Ohio Legislature did. Pullins did not give a timeline for Householder's clemency request. Householder's federal criminal attorney did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the federal charges, Householder faces state charges brought by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, also a Republican. If convicted, Householder would not be allowed to run for office again. The former House speaker is accused of stealing about $1.2 million from his campaign account to pay for his criminal defense in the federal case. He has pleaded not guilty. Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lawyer: Ex-Ohio Speaker Larry Householder seeks pardon from Trump At least 15 people have been killed and 14 injured in clashes between inmates at one of Ecuadors largest and most notorious prisons, local authorities say. The violence broke out early Tuesday in one of the pavilions at Litoral Penitentiary in the coastal city of Guayaquil, according to national prison agency SNAI. Both Guayaquil, Ecuadors largest city, and the prison itself are notorious for violent confrontations between rival gangs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Tuesday afternoon, authorities said they had managed to regain control of the prison and carried out a large-scale search. Murder charges will be filed against at least nine inmates, the Attorney Generals Office said. Inmates' relatives embrace outside the Litoral Penitentiary in the coastal city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Nov. 12, 2024, after a fight among inmates left more than a dozen dead. - Cesar Munoz/AP Ecuadors prison system has long been the main theater of violence in the country, with hundreds of inmates killed in recent years as members of competing criminal organizations square off. Security forces have often struggled to confront the gangs inside the overcrowded facilities, where inmates have been known to take control of branches of the penitentiaries and run criminal networks from behind bars, according to Ecuadorian authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is just the latest violent episode at Litoral Penitentiary, which has seen riots and massacres in recent years and is widely considered the countrys most dangerous prison. Last year, more than 30 people were killed, some of them beheaded, during a multi-day uprising at the prison, while in September 2021, clashes between rival gangs left more than 100 people dead. Two months ago, the penitentiarys director Maria Daniela Icaza was killed in an armed attack while she was driving home. Litoral Penitentiary is among five facilities that make up a major prison complex in Guayaquil. In January, notorious gang leader Jose Adolfo Fito Macias escaped from one of those facilities, in a jailbreak that kicked off a wave of violence across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the escape, President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency, deploying the armed forces across the country to crack down on gangs and criminal groups. CNNs Abel Alvarado and Michael Rios contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Kuba Stezycki and Riham Alkousaa BEIRUT (Reuters) - In the quiet seaside town of Amchit, 45 minutes north of Beirut, public schools are finally in session again, alongside tens of thousands of internally displaced people who have made some of them a makeshift shelter. As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in September, hundreds of schools in Lebanon were either destroyed or closed due to damage or security concerns, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of around 1,250 public schools in Lebanon, 505 schools have also been turned into temporary shelters for some of the 840,000 people internally displaced by the conflict, according to the Lebanese education ministry. Last month, the ministry started a phased reopening, allowing 175,000 students - 38,000 of whom are displaced - to return to a learning environment that is still far from normal. At Amchit Secondary Public School, which now has 300 enrolled students and expects more as displaced families keep arriving, the once-familiar spaces have transformed to accommodate new realities. Two-and-a-half months ago, the school was chosen as a shelter, school director Antoine Abdallah Zakhia said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, laundry hangs from classroom windows, cars fill the playground that was once a bustling area, and hallways that used to echo with laughter now serve as resting areas for families seeking refuge. Fadia Yahfoufi, a displaced woman living temporarily at the school, expressed gratitude mixed with longing. "Of course, we wish to go back to our homes. No one feels comfortable except at home," she said. Zeina Shukr, another displaced mother, voiced her concerns for her children's education. "This year has been unfair. Some children are studying while others aren't. Either everyone studies, or the school year should be postponed," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EDUCATION WON'T STOP OCHA said the phased plan to resume classes will enrol 175,000 students, including 38,000 displaced children, across 350 public schools not used as shelters. "The educational process is one of the aspects of resistance to the aggression Lebanon is facing," Education Minister Abbas Halabi told Reuters Halabi said the decision to resume the academic year was difficult as many displaced students and teachers were not psychologically prepared to return to school. In an adjacent building at Amchit Secondary Public School, teachers and students are adjusting to a compressed three-day week, with seven class periods each day to maximize learning time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nour Kozhaya, a 16-year-old Amchit resident, remains optimistic. "Lebanon is at war, but education won't stop. We will continue to pursue our dreams," she said. Teachers are adapting to the challenging conditions. "Everyone is mentally exhausted ... after all this war is on all of us," Patrick Sakr, a 38-year-old physics teacher, said. For Ahmad Ali Hajj Hassan, a displaced 17-year-old from the Bekaa region, the three-day school week presents a challenge, but not a deterrent. "These are the conditions. We can study despite them," he said. (Reporting by Kuba Stezycki, Ghassan Kadouh and Riham Alkousaa, Editing by Angus MacSwan) PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) South Dakota legislators soon wont feel so frustrated when they cant remember the passwords to their state-issued laptops and tablets while away from the Capitol. Thats because the state Legislative Research Council is putting the devices on a cloud-based data system, so that LRC technology staff can remotely assist, no matter where a lawmaker might be. Who is Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, their devices had to be brought back to the LRC office in the Capitol for help. The LRCs chief IT officer, Elijah Rodriguez, briefed the Legislatures Executive Board about the change on Tuesday. It comes as lawmakers get new devices in the coming weeks ahead of the 2025 legislative session that starts January 14. One of those whos gone through some of those password struggles is Republican Rep. Chris Karr, who won election to the Senate last week. Karr praised the change. By the time I get home, I cant remember what I put it as, he said. The Legislature in 2016 separated its technology and data system from the state governments executive branch and stopped receiving service from the state Bureau of Information and Telecommunications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Mike Weisgram, who serves on the Executive Boards technology subcommittee, asked for approval on Tuesday for the latest package of security policy changes, including training guidelines. Republican Sen. Casey Crabtree, another subcommittee member, spoke in support of the additional requirements. You cant just train one time and be good. Its an ongoing effort, he said. Republican Sen. Lee Schoenbeck, the boards chair this year, agreed. Its critically important, and I think the Legislature is finding out more and more how important it is to what youre doing, Schoenbeck 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 KELOLAND.com. By Olena Harmash KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine is close to setting up three new joint ventures with European weapons producers in its effort to boost arms output during the war with Russia, the first deputy prime minister said. Yulia Svyrydenko, who is also the economy minister, said five joint ventures with Western weapon producers had already been set up, including with German and Lithuanian companies. Several arms producers have opened offices in Ukraine. "We have three more agreements with European companies in the final stages to set up joint ventures," Svyrydenko told Reuters in an interview in the government headquarters in central Kyiv. She gave no details about the planned new ventures or the scale of the investments. Ukraine's military industrial production has exploded in size with state and private companies rapidly increasing their production and innovating, as the government has scrambled to respond to Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The authorities are still tight-lipped about details of the defence industry, but President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in October that Ukraine could produce four million drones annually and was ramping up its military production, including missiles, a "drone missile" and transport vehicles. To maintain momentum, the government has lured foreign funds and technology to transform domestic weapon production, boosting ammunition and equipment supplies to the battlefield against a better-equipped and larger enemy. Germany's weapons giant Rheinmetall has already launched its first defence factory in Ukraine, specializing in the maintenance of combat vehicles, with plans to start manufacturing Lynx infantry fighting vehicles by the year's end. Britain-based BAE Systems, Franco-German KDNS, the Babcock defence and aerospace company and MyDefence, which specializes in counter-drone technology, have teamed up with Ukrainian producers and set up local offices. German weapons producer Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft is building a service centre in Ukraine jointly with a private Ukrainian weapons producer, Svyrydenko said. Developing domestic defence production was a boost to the broader economy, which is still smaller than prior to the war despite two years of economic growth, she said. The weapons production sector accounted for 1.8% of the country's gross domestic product in the first half of 2024, compared with just 0.3% in 2021, she said. (Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Tom Balmforth and Peter Graff) It may seem like the worst punishment for losing, but the reality is that it comes with the job. So, when Kamala Harris, of all people, stands before a joint session of Congress and bangs the gavel certifying the electoral votes that will make Donald Trump president again shell be fulfilling a constitutional obligation. It wasnt what she had in mind. We must accept the results of this election, Harris told supporters at her alma mater, Howard University, on Wednesday, a day after her painful, resounding defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition. And we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power. Being the one to make Trumps comeback official has to be the ultimate indignity for Harris after she endured months of lies, insults and racist barbs on the campaign. But as vice president, Harris is also president of the Senate, and her obligations as such could not be made clearer in the Constitution. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, reads the 12th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As cruel as it seems, Harris wont be setting any kind of precedent. On Jan. 6, 1961, Vice President Richard Nixon had to certify the election of John F. Kennedy, who had defeated him months earlier. And in 2001, former Vice President Al Gore had the unenviable task of certifying the win of George W. Bush, the candidate who beat him by the thinnest of margins in one of the most contested elections in American history. It was the last time an incumbent vice president ran for president. That year, Gore won the popular vote, but the electoral vote count dragged on for more than two months and wasnt decided until the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, stepped in and awarded Floridas 25 electoral votes to Bush. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Candidates need 270 votes to claim victory. Bush got 271. Gore conceded the election on December 13. Gore had to certify Bushs win. The whole number of the electors appointed to vote for president of the United States is 538, Gore said from the rostrum, going on to read off his own loss to Congress. George W. Bush of the state of Texas has received for president of the United States 271 votes. Al Gore of the state of Tennessee has received 266 votes. May God bless our new president and new vice president, and may God bless the United States of America. But the certification did not go on without a hitch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ceremony was disrupted by a symbolic protest organized by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who complained that the Florida outcome was unfair. One by one, 16 representatives, most of them African American, stood up to voice their objections. They were quickly, and respectfully, gaveled to order by the man whose cause they were advocating Al Gore. As protests go, their demonstration barely made a blip on the radar when compared to what would happen on Jan. 6, 2021, when sore loser Trump sicced his MAGA mob on the U.S. Capitol in a bid to disrupt the certification process after Joe Biden dethroned him months earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris was hoping to do what Bushs father, George H.W. Bush, had done in 1989 and certify his own election win. Instead, Harris will be another footnote, an insult-on-top-of-injury answer to the most ironic of trivia questions. _____ BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Tuesday marks one-week since Election Day and the Kern County Elections Office is still tabulating votes. Elections officials said there are still about 50,000 ballots from Kern County voters left to process. Kern County officials are expected to provide another update by Tuesday evening. Brooks & Dunn to headline Boots in the Park in March Voters were able to return their signed ballots up to Election Day. If ballots were sent back through the U.S. Postal Service, they had to be postmarked Nov. 5. The elections office can receive ballots up to seven days after Election Day. 22nd Congressional District In the closely-watched 22nd Congressional District race, Democrat Rudy Salas looks to unseat incumbent David Valadao. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valadao holds the lead with around 54% of the vote, while Salas trails by less than 10,000 votes. With thousands of votes left to be tallied, election experts say this race is too close to call. District 5 Supervisor The 5th supervisorial district race is nearly even, according to the latest vote count from elections officials. Incumbent Leticia Perez and Kimberly Salas are separated by only 200 votes with Perez in the lead. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage Bakersfield City Council Ward 6 seat Zachary Bashirtash maintains his lead over the other three other candidates for the Bakersfield City Council Ward 6 seat. Bashirtash was backed by the Kern County GOP, while Kern County Democrats split the vote between the two Democratic candidates, Imelda Ceja and Tom Webster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some voters may also be contacted by the elections office about curing their ballot. Voters have until Dec. 1 to cure their ballot. Kern County officials have until Dec. 5 to verify the countys results. The California Secretary of State will certify all elections by Dec. 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 KGET 17. LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) The streets of Lexington were packed with people as the town gathered for the annual Veterans Day Parade. People waved their American flags and yelled, Thank you for your service as veterans walked past in their military uniforms. Some veterans made a career out of serving in the military, while others found a different passion along the way. No matter how many years of service, these men and women all shared a common goal to protect and serve our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grand Marshal of the Parade Bob Huntis is from Davidson County is a Purple Heart recipient. He served in Vietnam and shared what his time was like in the Army. We flew over, and there were 232 of us on the plane When we came back, there were 87. The rest didnt make it. We ran that APC through the jungle and wherever else we were going. Went through several firefights, Hunt said. Davidson County Veterans Council Commander David Doherty discussed what he hopes people take away even after the parade. To be honest, a lot of veterans arent in the Veterans Day parades. This is a fraction of this countys veterans. We have a high veteran population. Why? Because they can come here and live, Doherty said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doherty said he hopes even after the Veterans Day Parade, people will tell veterans Thank you even in public. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. A $6.8 million expansion of Lexingtons Hope Center that will house homeless veterans is to open in mid-February, Hope Center officials said Tuesday. The two-story building will have 72 transitional beds for people moving from homelessness to permanent housing, said Jeff Crook, chief executive officer of the center, Lexingtons main homeless shelter for men. Of those 72 units, 24 will be designated for veterans, Crook told the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council Social Services and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are 80% complete, Crook said. We expect to be done in early to mid-February. Construction on the new building, which is in front of the emergency shelter on Loudon Avenue, began in June. Its paid for through a combination of American Rescue Plan Act, or federal coronavirus relief funding, veterans funding and private donations. Crook said they are still raising $1.2 million for the building. The 24 units on the first floor dedicated to veterans will be single units with kitchenettes. The remaining units will be pods that will have a central living area and two bedrooms with four people in each bedroom or an 8-person living unit, Crook said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city allocated $2 million from American Rescue Plan Act funding. But some council members said they thought the money was also going to renovations and expansion of the Hope Centers emergency shelter, which provides overnight shelter. Crook said they have spent approximately $500,000 in other funding for updates to the emergency shelter. Federal coronavirus relief money cannot be used to expand emergency shelters, he said. David Shadd, director of programs for the Hope Center, said the new transitional housing will free up emergency shelter beds by moving people into the new transitional housing complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilwoman Denise Gray encouraged the Hope Center to do more to address female veteran homelessness. Crook said the center has slots and funding available for women veterans, but no female veteran has qualified for those services in the years the center has had the funding. The Hope Center has a recovery program for women on Versailles Road but does not have an emergency shelter program for women. The main womens shelter is the Salvation Army on Main Street. We know there is a need, Gray said and encouraged the Hope Center to do more to reach homeless women veterans. The Hope Center has multiple programs in addition to its emergency shelter for men including mental health and substance abuse services. According to its 2023 annual report, it provided more than 178,000 nights of lodging and served more than 290,000 meals. WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WWLP) Lia Toyota and the community partnered together to join the fight against breast cancer and raise money for a good cause. Lia Toyota participated in the American Cancer Societys Real Men Wear Pink campaign working with local partners and their customers to raise money throughout October. They were able to raise a total of $7,500 to support the fight against breast cancer and support ASC programs for cancer research, patient services, and education. Ways to stay safe while baking your turkey this Thanksgiving Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lia Toyota General Manager Riley Campbell presented a check to the Cancer Society. The dealership says its important to raise money for a cause like this that will help those in the community who are battling the disease. Stephen Morelli told 22News why its important to raise money for a cause like this, Unfortunately, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. This is for those 300,000 diagnoses that will happen in this year alone so it is very important to raise awareness, and have the conversations. Lia Toyota says these efforts were all about giving back to the community. These funds will help the cancer society to continue to provide support for patients with the disease and help to prevent future cancer diagnoses. 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. MANHATTAN (KSNT) Police in Manhattan say a local man is in custody following an overnight crime spree in the Little Apple involving two businesses and a home. Ashley Tokoi with the Riley County Police Department (RCPD) said in a press release that officers were called to a report of a business alarm at a business in the 400 block of Third Place in Manhattan. Officers responding to the call found a broken window at the business. Police a short while later received a report of criminal damage to another business in the 100 block of Bluemont Avenue. The RCPD said a person entered the business, stealing shotgun shells before leaving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tokoi said the RCPD then received a third call around 12:40 a.m. on Nov. 8 from a 71-year-old woman who said a man had stolen her car, cellphone and a handgun. Police determined the man, later identified as a 23-year-old from Manhattan, was the same individual who broke into the other two businesses. Manhattan murder suspect connected to killing in North Carolina The RCPD worked together with officers and deputies with the Pottawatomie County Sheriffs Department, Marshall County Sheriffs Department and Marysville Police Department to find an arrest the 23-year-old. Law enforcement found and arrested the man around 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 8 in the 6200 block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard on charges of burglary, criminal damage to property, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. 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. 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. Trump administration taking shape: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio will most likely be picked as secretary of state; former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Republican who ran for governor against Kathy Hochul and lost, will helm the Environmental Protection Agency; Florida Rep. Mike Waltz will serve as national security adviser; and Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents New York in the House, has been picked by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as ambassador to the United Nations. Rubio is, unfortunately for libertarians, quite hawkish. He seems most interested in China affairs, taking a hard-line stance on curbing human rights abuses via government pressure, and he advocates shifting manufacturing back to America as a means of reducing reliance on Chinese imports. He has long supported Venezuelan sanctions, and he is a staunch supporter of Israel, calling Hamas "100 percent to blame" in response to a question about civilian deaths in Gaza. Trump often deviated from the views of his top advisers. And I know @DonaldJTrumpJr and others are doing what he said below. But Trump's last 3 appointees - Elise Stefanik, Mike Weltz, and Rubio - are war hawks fully aligned with the worst prongs of bipartisan DC consensus. pic.twitter.com/LLW0YuDu85 Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) November 12, 2024 "Despite speaking in hard-line terms about Russia in the past, Mr. Rubio would likely go along with Mr. Trump's expected plans to press Ukraine to find a way to come to a settlement with Russia and remain outside of NATO," reports The New York Times. "It is unclear whether the leaders of Ukraine or Russia would be prepared to enter into talks at Mr. Trump's urging." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeldin is probably a better pick for his post, at least in terms of libertarian priorities, than Rubio. "As president, Biden paused export permits for liquified natural gas, scrapped or stalled new oil and gas pipelines and attempted to bar new permits for drilling on federal land," reports the New York Post. Zeldin is expected to roll back most of those policies and be broadly focused on deregulation. Zeldin "will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet," said President-elect Donald Trump in a statement. La Leche League founder resigns: The nonprofit organization devoted to breastfeeding training and support, which has been around since the 1950s, is being dealt a sharp rebuke from one of its original founders (and current board members). Marian Tompson, now 94, writes that the "organization that has become a travesty of my original intent" and that its "focus has subtly shifted to include men who, for whatever reason, want to have the experience of breastfeeding despite no careful long-term research on male lactation and how that may affect the baby." Tompson is probably referring to a series of changes the organization has made over the last decade that let transgender people and other so-called "chestfeeders" in, detailed here by Bethany Mandel for The Free Press. The issue first cropped up in 2012, when trans-identifying Trevor McDonaldwho was born a woman but identified as a man following giving birth, and had an elective mastectomy as a resultwas successful in getting the organization to bend its rules for the sake of inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To some, the erosion of La Leche League's boundaries may seem like no big deal, or even like progress. But to women who care about maintaining some access to female-only spaces for the sake of learning how to best nurture their children, it feels like a betrayal of the organization's longstanding and quite sacred purpose. Scenes from New York: The case isn't looking great for Daniel Penny, the 26-year-old Long Islander who is on trial for manslaughter for his role in the subway killing of erratic homeless man Jordan Neely, 30. On Thursday, the defense asked the judge to rule it a mistrial, claiming that the prosecution was permitted to portray Penny as a "white vigilante" and that they were wrongly allowed a homeless witness, Johnny Grima, to call Penny a "murderer" from the witness stand (when that is not something for which Penny stands legally accused). Judge Maxwell Wiley denied the request but told Penny's lawyers, "I see what you're getting at." QUICK HITS Today, Zach Weissmueller and I are interviewing Lee Fang for our show, Just Asking Questions, which has its own channel now. We are just over 1,000 subscribers, which I attribute to the goodness of you, dear readers and X followers and all the others I've lovingly harassed for the last few days. If you HAVE NOT YET SUBSCRIBED and want to EARN MY UNDYING AFFECTION , well, you know what to do. "Without a single law passed by Congress, without a dollar of federal funding appropriated, a sweeping regulatory regime for AI is being quietly assembled, going as far as to create from scratch a quasi-regulator for both the development and use of AI," writes Dean Ball for Pirate Wires. "Trump has vowed to ease the regulatory burden on crypto and create a reserve to hold the nation's bitcoin supply. Congress will soon be full of lawmakersyoung and oldwho believe cryptocurrency is a unique asset class that shouldn't be regulated like stocks and bonds," reports the Wall Street Journal. Stunning: Fun fact: "la sombrita" and starship took about the same amount of time. https://t.co/7zaJcGYxLS pic.twitter.com/L1Slrf1Dv5 Sam D'Amico (@sdamico) November 11, 2024 The United Nations has thrown its weight behind Hamas' claim that 70 percent of the dead in Gaza are women and children, not militants. "The high number was largely due to Israel's use of weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated areas, although some deaths may have been the result of errant projectiles by Palestinian armed groups," reports the BBC. The U.N. report claims the Israeli military has "an apparent indifference to the death of civilians and the impact of the means and methods of warfare." But many claim the U.N. and their boosters are not telling the truth, and that there are issues with their methodology and analysis. For anyone worried about misinformation and social media, here is the BBC giving themsleves 14.5 million views on what we call A LIE. Let's start with the 70% being from a sample of 8,000, 1/5th of the (widely inflated) number that even Hxmxs uses. More details below. https://t.co/B3eXDbQLwc Yael Bar tur ???? (@yaelbt) November 11, 2024 The more you know, Niihau edition: My favorite part of Niihau's electoral history: "In 2004 President George W. Bush received all but one of the 40 votes cast on the island. The remaining vote was cast for Green Party nominee David Cobb." https://t.co/8WYSxexwho https://t.co/qITHqkFPrP Jesse Walker (@notjessewalker) November 11, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are angrily tweeting at me for this, but I maintain that it's an interesting question. How exactly you would build a "Rogan, but for the left"? Who would it be, how would they get big? Does such irreverence, such looseness, even exist among any lefty dude-whisperer? What are the left-coded dude hobbies and obsessions? I can think of a million right-coded onesweed and DMT and UFC and weightlifting and comedy and nutrition and weird supplements and paranormal shitbut what are the equivalents on the left? https://t.co/0ch1aglWIR Liz Wolfe (@LizWolfeReason) November 12, 2024 The post Little Marco Goes Global appeared first on Reason.com. By Olena Harmash KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's wartime government will boost domestic value-added production to reshape its commodities-driven economy, increase revenue, boost growth and return millions of Ukrainians home, the first deputy prime minister said. Yulia Svyrydenko, who is also the economy minister, told Reuters in an interview that the changes were needed for the country to recover, to rebuild after colossal damage from the war and to bring the economy closer to the European Union. "Our task is to support more Ukrainian production and also support the consumption of Ukrainian-produced goods," the 38-year-old said in an interview. The government has already introduced a number of programmes offering grants and loans to small and medium-sized businesses, also to help companies relocate to safer areas and created dozens of industrial parks with specialized fiscal measures. "The task is to move away from the economy of raw materials and to build the economy that produces goods with added value. We face challenges to accelerate growth because we need to rebuild and also integrate into the European Union." The government has raised its forecast for economic growth this year to 4% from the previous target of 3.5% due to better preparedness for energy sector challenges, Svyrydenko said. The government's conservative scenario for 2025 envisages a 2.7% increase in GDP as the war, security risks, expected energy deficit and staff shortages will limit growth, she said. The central bank is more optimistic about 2025 economic prospects and forecasts 4.3-4.6% growth in 2025 and 2026. LOSSES MOUNT As the war with Russia approaches its 1,000-day mark, human, social, and economic losses mount. Svyrydenko said the government, the World Bank, and other partners were working on a new assessment of economic losses caused by the war. The latest available estimate showed that direct damage in Ukraine reached $152 billion as of December 2023, with housing, transport, commerce and industry, energy and agriculture as the most affected sectors. The total cost of reconstruction and recovery was estimated at $486 billion. "It is 2.8 times higher than our nominal GDP in 2023," Svyrydenko said. Despite economic growth in 2023 and so far in 2024, the Ukrainian economy was still only at 78% of its size before the invasion in February 2022, Svyrydenko said. The key objective was to make the Ukrainian economy more self-sufficient. "From every hryvnia consumed in Ukraine, 40% is returning to the budget... and it is the issue not only of economic self-sufficiency but also our defence capacity," she said. AUTHORS NOTE: This story contains graphic details from proceedings in the trial of Anthony Patterson that involve alleged sex crimes against child victims. Discretion is advised before reading. If you know or suspect that any child under the age of 18 is being abused sexually, please call the Texas Child Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 252-5400. TARRANT COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) Now that the prosecution has rested its case against Anthony Patterson, his defense team began presenting its witnesses and evidence to the Tarrant County jury of eight men and four women on Tuesday morning. TIMELINE: The trafficking, child sex crimes case against Anthony Patterson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former president of the Patterson Auto Group, Patterson, 48, of Wichita Falls, stands accused of multiple counts of human trafficking and child sex crimes. Testimony began on Monday afternoon, November 4, 2024, in Auxiliary Trial Room A in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth. A recap of prior proceedings can be found below: READ MORE: The latest in the case against Anthony Patterson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proceedings resumed on Tuesday morning, November 12, 2024, with Pattersons defense team beginning to present its evidence to the jury after the prosecution rested its case just after 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11. Below is a running live blog of opening arguments and testimony in Anthony Pattersons trial from Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Refresh this story often for updates. Grona-Robb passed the witness back to Shook, who had no further questions. Sells was released from the witness stand but is subject to recall. Judge Kennedy released the jury for the day. Proceedings will resume at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. 4:46 p.m. Grona-Robb asked Sells if she and Anthony Patterson are good friends. He testified that they were. He testified that the alleged date Patterson had with his future wife was on November 18, 2017, but he did not go on the date and saw no pictures of the date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4:43 p.m. Grona-Robb asked Sells if Patterson told him about the prostitute hed hired to come to his house or the two girls she brought with her to his house. Sells testified he wasnt aware of any of this. 4:40 p.m. Sells testified that in the family pictures, Patterson had a beard. He testified he was known to carry a beard at times. Grona-Robb stated that this means Patterson had a beard on November 18, 2017. Shook passed the witness to Brooke Grona-Robb for cross-examination. 4:38 p.m. Sells testified that Anthony Patterson came in on November 18, 2017, because he had a date that night. He testified that he came to know the person Patterson was on a date with because it was his first date with the woman who would later become his wife for a short period of time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4:36 p.m. Sells testified that the Patterson family had a tradition of taking pictures in November. He testified that in 2017, the family pictures were scheduled for November 19, 2017. He testified that Anthony Patterson asked to stay the night on November 18, 2017, the night before the pictures. 4:34 p.m. Sells testified that he is married to Ashley Sells, formerly Ashley Patterson, Anthony Pattersons sister. He testified that hes known Patterson for a number of years, since preschool. Judge Kennedy notified the defense they may call its next witness. Toby Shook, lead defense attorney for Patterson, called Chad Sells to the stand. Gillespie passed the witness back to Mowla, who had no further questions. Dr. Ambers was released from the witness stand. Counsel for both sides approached the bench for a conference with Judge Kennedy. 4:23 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that in this case, the focus of the MVAC DNA collection was the stains. Gillespie asserted that if she wanted to argue the existence of touch DNA, she shouldve recommended having the entire garment tested for DNA. Dr. Ambers seemed to be confused by this question. Mowla passed the witness back to Gillespie for further cross-examination. 4:20 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that the science and testimony in this case led her to her determinations regarding the potential for DNA transfer from Patterson to the alleged child victims in this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4:17 p.m. After a brief back and forth, with both Gillespie and Mowla objecting to the other, Judge Kennedy halted proceedings and called counsel to the bench for a conference. Gillespie passed the witness back to Mowla for re-direct examination. 4:13 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that the scope and value of DNA testing results in criminal investigations varies from case to case. She testified that DNA is one part of the puzzle. 4:11 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified there arent any tests for the presence of touch DNA. She also testified that shes not aware of any type of laboratory testing to determine how much DNA a person sheds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4:08 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified she has no training regarding child sexual trauma and how they may respond to traumatic events. Im a DNA scientist, so no, Dr. Ambers testified. 4:05 p.m. Gillespie asserted that based on the study Dr. Ambers provided, there would only be a 3-5 percent chance of DNA transfer when the clothing articles were removed at Pattersons home. She testified this to be the case. Gillespie then asked Dr. Ambers if shed ever seen Dumb and Dumber. 4:00 p.m. Gillespie questioned Dr. Ambers, regarding potential DNA transfer experiments and literature based on a study provided by Dr. Ambers. She testified that this is one study with one set of data, so assigning statistical probabilities isnt appropriate. 3:53 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that her understanding was there wasnt a debate as to whether or not the children were in Pattersons home, and thats why she didnt recommend testing for touch DNA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3:50 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that touch DNA transfer is highly variable. 3:47 p.m. Gillespie asked Dr. Ambers if she was aware that the prosecution received the Cybergenetics report on Friday of last week. Dr. Ambers testified she was not. During the course of Gillespies questioning, members of Pattersons family in the courtroom were heard scoffing, laughing, or sighing. 3:44 p.m. Gillespie asked Dr. Ambers why she referred to herself as we, asking if she felt she was part of the defense team. She testified that she was hired as a consultant for the defense. She testified that for sitting through testimony last week, she will be billing $12,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3:42 p.m. Gillespie asked Dr. Ambers whether or not shed heard anyone in the prosecution bring any evidence of the selective degradation. Dr. Ambers testified that she was simply answering the question asked by Mowla. Mowla passed the witness to Wichita County District Attorney John Gillespie for cross-examination. 3:40 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that it would not be scientifically sound to conclude that only Pattersons DNA was degraded from the articles of clothing when other DNA profiles were able to be taken from the articles of clothing. 3:38 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that there were numerous opportunities for Pattersons DNA to be transferred to Child Victim 2, but Pattersons DNA is missing from the articles of clothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3:32 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that based on the testimony of Child Victims 1 & 2 in this case, there were at least five opportunities for Pattersons DNA to transfer to the clothing: When the victim went into the bedroom and removed her clothes When the victim got on Pattersons bed During the alleged sex act When Patterson taught the victim how to kiss When the victim got dressed and went into the living room 3:30 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that it would be possible for some type of fabric to absorb more DNA evidence than a smooth surface. 3:24 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that there are a variety of different ways that DNA transfer can occur, but we dont yet have the statistical capability to determine the probability of transfer in given situations. She testified there are many variables regarding DNA transfer. She testified that factors that can affect DNA transfer include: Manner of contact (passive, pressure, friction) Duration of contact (time) Moisture level (dry vs. wet) Shedder status Type of surface (rough vs. smooth) Type of surface (porous vs. non-porous) 3:22 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that in the cases of sexual assaults, DNA can be transferred from person to person. She testified that direct DNA transfer, such as when two people shake hands, as well as indirect transfer, such as when those people shake another persons hand, can occur in cases of sexual assault. 3:18 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that Pattersons DNA was not found on the clothes based on the results of the forensic testing conducted on the clothes at Intermountain Forensics. 3:13 p.m. Mowla and Dr. Ambers continued discussing the results of the forensic testing conducted by Intermountain Forensics, which were testified to earlier in proceedings. 3:11 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that she recommended additional testing be conducted, recommending the RSID and MVAC methods of testing. She testified she also recommended the testing be conducted by Intermountain Forensics. 3:07 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that after she reviewed the DNA testing results from the DPS Crime Lab, she recommended additional testing be done on the three articles of clothing. She testified that DNA can be important to a case, and its important to explore further if the result could potentially exonerate a defendant. 3:05 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that the DPS analyst missed an opportunity to extract the sperm heads from the slide. Wichita County District Attorney John Gillespie objected because the witness told a narrative and was non-responsive. Judge Kennedy sustained the objection. 3:03 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that the sperm heads that are allegedly identified on a microscope slide would be considered a representative sample. She testified that while hypothetically, DNA can be extracted from a single sperm head, only five sperm cells would be on the lower limit of what could return robust quality data. 2:59 p.m. The jury is shown a photograph of skin cells, called epithelial cells. Dr. Ambers testified that epithelial cells are often mixed with sperm cells in sexual assault cases. 2:56 p.m. Dr. Amber testified that when she saw that DPS reported finding five sperm heads, she requested to see the photograph of the sperm heads, but there was none. She testified that determining whether or not semen was actually present is important in a case with allegations of sexual assault. 2:52 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified she asked why confirmatory testing for suspected semen was not conducted on the leggings or underwear and was told that they did not yield a high enough return on the presumptive testing. She testified that in her experience, older stains may react differently, with a color change taking longer than if the stains were new. 2:48 p.m. After walking through the testing process with the jury, Dr. Ambers testified that, according to the DPS Standards of Procedures, suspected sperm heads may be photographed, but its not required. She testified that the DPS worksheet in the case of Patterson documented five blots, and the suspected sperm heads were not photographed. 2:35 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that the DPS Standards of Procedures Manual states that semen will fluoresce when using certain presumptive testing, but other bodily fluids, like saliva or urine, also do, leading to potentially false positive presumptive tests. 2:30 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that presumptive tests are conducted to determine whether or not semen is on an item to save costs since DNA testing is expensive. She testified that after a presumptive test returns a positive result, a confirmatory test is then conducted to identify an unknown stain as semen conclusively. 2:27 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that she prepared several presentations for the jury to demonstrate what happens to DNA over time. Mowla moved to admit those presentations as demonstrative evidence only, with no objection. 2:25 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that she was brought into the Patterson case as a consultant. She testified that she knew beforehand that the evidence, three articles of clothing, sat in storage for six years, and that could have caused degradation of the DNA evidence. She testified that in alleged sexual assault cases, identifying DNA from suspected semen is critical. 2:22 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that she worked primarily with difficult DNA samples. She testified she has worked with both criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors alike. She testified that her work has helped solve several cold case homicides, including skeletal remains that were later identified to be a victim of famous American serial killer John Wayne Gacy. 2:20 p.m. Dr. Ambers testified that she is a Forensic Geneticist and a DNA expert and consultant for the defense. Mowla asked her if shes been hired by the defense. Dr. Ambers confirmed, testifying her hourly rate is $300 per hour. Judge Kennedy called the jury back into the courtroom. Testimony resumed at around 2:15 p.m., with Michael Mowla, defense attorney for Anthony Patterson, calling Dr. Angie Ambers to the witness stand. Judge Kennedy released the jury for lunch, as there were matters that needed to be taken up outside the jurys presence. The Court will be in recess until around 2 p.m., at which point testimony is set to resume. Gillespie passed the witness back to Mowla, who had no further questions. Judge Kennedy released the witness from the stand. Counsel for both the prosecution and the defense approached the bench for a brief conference. 11:33 a.m. Bracamontes testified that clarification is important regarding what Pattersons DNA was excluded from. Mowla passed the witness back to Gillespie for further cross-examination. 11:33 a.m. Bracamontes testified that Patterson was only excluded from the DNA mixture that was found on the small areas of the articles of clothing. Gillespie passed the witness back to Mowla for re-direct examination. 11:30 a.m. Bracamontes testified that shes not here to testify regarding whether or not Pattersons DNA should be in the mixtures on the clothing items. She testified that its possible for DNA to be lost in the noise in items that are tested. 11:29 a.m. Bracamontes testified that the cost of running TrueAllele software is tens of thousands of dollars, and that for her time in court, Cybergenetics bills $400 an hour, and she estimated about 15-20 hours for preparation, travel, and testimony. 11:28 a.m. Bracamontes testified that precision is important in scientific analysis. Gillespie asked Bracamontes if she was aware that only limited areas of the articles of clothing tested by Intermountain Forensics, which she confirmed. Gillespie suggested it was inaccurate to say Patterson was excluded from the clothing items, but rather he was excluded from the areas that were tested, and Bracamontes testified that she agreed. Mowla passed the witness to Gillespie for cross-examination. 11:25 a.m. Bracamontes testified that Patterson was statistically excluded as a DNA contributor on all articles of clothing based on data from both testing facilities. She testified that its not her place to testify regarding how DNA got on an item or how long ago the DNA got on the item. 11:22 a.m. Bracamontes testified that TrueAllele is objective and unbiased, meaning it will determine accurate results regardless of where the data came from. 11:19 a.m. Bracamontes testified that a match between the leggings and Anthony Pattersons DNA is 45.4 thousand times less likely than coincidental. She testified that Pattersons DNA was statistically excluded from the shirt and the leggings tested by DPS, as well as the shirt, leggings, and underwear tested by Intermountain Forensics. 11:15 a.m. Bracamontes continued explaining the process by which TrueAllele analyzes data from DNA testing. 11:07 a.m. Bracamontes, using a slideshow she prepared, explained to the jury what DNA is, how it works, and how scientists can identify unique DNA in individuals. 11:02 a.m. Bracamontes testified that she prepared a seven-page report of Cybergenetics findings from using the TrueAllele analysis software on both the DPS Crime Labs results and the Intermountain Forensics results of DNA testing on the three articles of clothing from the alleged victim. 11:00 a.m. Bracamontes testified that based on TrueAllele analysis of the results from the DPS Crime Lab, Pattersons DNA was not found on the shirt or the leggings. 10:58 a.m. Bracamontes testified that she was contacted in April 2024 by the defense to use the TrueAllele program regarding Pattersons DNA and the articles of clothing sent to the DPS Crime Lab for testing. She testified that TrueAllele would be able to analyze the data and interpret it even if other laboratories are not able to. 10:55 a.m. Bracamontes testified that the TrueAllele program has been used to exhonerate defendants, but was also used to identify previously unidentifiable remains, including DNA from the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. 10:53 a.m. Bracamontes testified that the TrueAllele program can analyze DNA samples to streamline analysis. She testified that shes been qualified to give expert testimony about 50 times. She testified that her company is typically requested by law enforcement agencies roughly 75 percent of the time, compared to 25 percent by the defense. Judge Kennedy returned the jury to the courtroom. Mowla, on behalf of Patterson, called the defenses next witness, Jennifer Bracamontes, a casework manager for Cybergenetics in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cutler was released from the witness stand. Judge Kennedy released the jury for a morning break. The Court will be in recess for about 15 minutes, at which point, testimony is set to resume with the defense calling its next witness. 10:30 a.m. Cutler testified that any male could be Unknown Male 1, and he would need a buccal swab of a subjects DNA to compare. He again testified that he was unable to confirm Pattersons DNA was on any of the articles of clothing. 10:27 a.m. Cutler testified that most of the DNA testing conducted by himself and his laboratory is done for government and law enforcement agencies. He testified that isnt common for entire garments to be tested using MVAC testing because the larger the area of testing, the more contributors may be found. Gillespie passed the witness back to Mowla for re-direct examination. 10:25 a.m. Cutler testified that his job is to determine whether DNA is on an item or not, but the context of the case determines what weight that evidence carries. Context gives meaning to DNA testing, Cutler said from the stand. Just because DNA is present doesnt give any details about what did or did not happen. 10:22 a.m. Cutler testified that he has no way to determine when DNA was left on an item. He testified that if two samples are collected from the same item, theres no way to determine if the DNA samples were deposited at the same time. 10:20 a.m. Gillespie questioned Cutler regarding touch DNA. Cutler testified that any contact has a potential to transfer touch DNA. 10:16 a.m. Gillespie presented the jury photos of the articles of clothing that were tested. Cutler pointed out areas of the clothing articles that were tested. Gillespie questioned Cutler regarding whether or not large areas of the clothing remained untested. Cutler testified this was the case. 10:08 a.m. Gillespie questioned Cutler regarding the types of testing that was conducted by Intermountain Forensics. Cutler testified that he met with the defense team prior to testing. He testified that the client determines the type of testing that is conducting. He testified that based upon the direction of the defense team, he did not perform testing on the entire shirt, leggings, or underwear. Mowla passed the witness to John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney, for cross-examination. 10:06 a.m. Cutler testified that Intermountain Forensics conducted RSID testing for the presence of human semen on the clothing articles. Cutler testified that confirmatory testing on the three articles of clothing produced a negative result for the presence of semen. 10:03 a.m. Cutler testified that a partial male profile was established from the articles of clothing, which was referred to as Unknown Male 1. He testified that Unknown Male 1s profile did not match Pattersons DNA profile. 9:54 a.m. Cutler testified that as a result of his testing of the leggings, he was able to find a mixture of DNA from four individuals, with at least one being male. He testified that a mixture of DNA from three individuals were found on the underwear, and only one profile was able to be compared to Pattersons DNA profile, and they were not a match. He testified that a mixture of DNA from three individuals were found on the shirt, but no conclusions could be made. 9:51 a.m. Cutlers six-page report with the analysis of his findings from the testing is admitted into evidence without objection. RELATED: Forensic testing further delays Anthony Pattersons trial 9:48 a.m. Cutler testified that he became aware that the three articles of clothing tested for DNA at Intermountain had sat in storage for six years before they were initially tested. He testified that MVAC testing and autosomal SDR testing was conducted on the articles of clothing. AUTHORS NOTE: In November 2023, three articles of clothing that were allegedly worn by Child Victim 2 during one of the alleged incidents at Pattersons house were sent for forensic testing. The articles of clothing (a shirt, a pair of leggings, and a pair of underwear) had sat in evidence at the Vernon Police Department since 2017. 9:42 a.m. Cutler testified that testing was conducted at Intermountain Forensics, now owned by DNA Labs International, with advanced testing methods not utilized at the DPS Crime Lab in Lubbock. Michael Mowla, on behalf of Anthony Patterson, called the defenses first witness to the stand, Derek Cutler, a DNA forensic analyst with DNA Labs International, formerly Intermountain Forensics, where the defense sent items of clothing allegedly worn by Child Victim 2 to test for Pattersons DNA. 9:35 a.m. After a few matters are taken care of outside of the presence of the jury, 78th District Court Judge Meredith Kennedy called the jury into the courtroom. Pattersons defense team indicated they were ready to proceed. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. CHICAGO Following strong opposition from City Council, Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday publicly backed away from his $300 million property tax proposal. Sometimes we do things to get peoples attention. And so now that we have the attention of everyone, Ive said from the very beginning: this is a proposal, the mayor told reporters gathered at City Hall on Tuesday. Im a collaborative mayor. For the first time in the history of Chicago, youre actually seeing that type of collaborative approach, and we will continue to engage with City Council. What continues to be off the table, according to the mayor: Were not laying people off. $300M property tax hike in Chicago mayors 2025 budget proposal, but no layoffs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 7 demands Chicago alders have for mayors 2025 budget 29 alders call for meeting to reject Mayor Johnsons $300M property tax hike Johnson wont predict whether the final budget will include a property tax increase, and if it does, how much it will be. For now, all Johnson will say is that he and City Council are considering other revenue options. Those include raising the garbage collecting fee, the amusement tax, and increasing taxes on cigarettes, parking and liquor. Also on the table is using federal COVID relief funds. This is the most robust conversation weve ever had, said Johnson, at one point referring to himself as Collaborator in Chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remember when two administrations ago where property taxes were raised over $500 million three consecutive years? Do you all remember a robust conversation like this? Probably not, because it didnt happen, he said. How we balance this budget, ultimately, has to be committed to investing in people. Those investments, he said, align with his values: further enhancing the citys summer youth jobs program, constructing affordable homes and addressing the citys unhoused crisis, making critical investments in community safety and expanding access to behavioral and mental health care. Over the weekend, nearly half of the citys 50 alders met with Johnsons budget team to negotiate an end-around the property tax hike. Not every alder was briefed, but the mayor said everyone will get a chance to weigh in. Johnsons team does not plan to fight against City Councils meeting, now scheduled for Thursday afternoon, to reject the property tax plan. They see it as the political process playing out. Johnson said Tuesdays briefing was the start of a weekly meeting hell hold throughout the budget process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the progressive mayor is bracing for President-elect Donald Trumps return to the White House. With Trump promising mass deportations, Johnson is preparing to fight. Were going to defend the people of this city, he said. The city of Chicago will be better, stronger and safer despite who is in the White House. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A West Virginia man is facing criminal charges after police say he brought a live flash-bang grenade to the Pittsburgh International Airport. The Allegheny County Police Department says the flash-bang grenade was found in the bag of Zachary Velling, 25, of Morgantown, W.Va., at the airports main security checkpoint at 9:35 a.m. Tuesday. A bomb squad technician responded to the airport and confirmed the grenade was live. It was safely removed from the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI has also been notified of this incident. Police say Velling faces two misdemeanor charges for prohibitive offensive weapons and criminal attempt carrying explosives on conveyances. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW STONEBORO, Pa. (WKBN) Local schools were honored in Washington, D.C. last week as part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Recognition Ceremony. Among the local schools receiving an honor was Oakview Elementary School in Stoneboro, Pa., and Mercer Area High School in Mercer, Pa. According to the Lakeview School District, which sent representatives to the event in Washington, D.C., Mercer County was one of only three counties among Pennsylvanias 67 to have more than one school recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also receiving an award locally was Columbiana South Side Middle School in Columbiana, Ohio. The Department of Education honors schools across the U.S. as a Blue Ribbon School based on high performance on state assessments or national standardized testing, as well as schools that excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body. Schools that receive an honor are given a Blue Ribbon School flag, which can be displayed in a schools entryway or flagpole. Overall, there were 356 winners across the U.S. this year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. GIRARD, Ohio (WKBN) The annual Veterans Day service in Girard began with a wreath-laying ceremony on the Girard Viaduct. They then proceeded to Girard City Hall where 75 people watched as the Boy Scouts raised the American flag and the Girard High School marching band played the national anthem. Kim Burin of Liberty, who served in the Air Force in the mid-70s, laid a wreath at the War Memorial. The event sponsored by the Girard Veterans Council has been going on for many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important not only today but every day so we can thank our veterans for the freedoms that we enjoy every day of our lives here in the great United States of America, said veteran Bob Stanton. Girard Senior trumpet player Zachary Fiedler highlighted one of the final events of the ceremony with the playing of Taps. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. A Lockwood, Missouri man has been arrested after allegedly molesting a child less than 12 years old. Eric D. Hankins, courtesy of the Lawrence County Jail. Online court records show 46-year-old Eric D. Hankins has been charged with statutory sodomy and two counts of first-degree child molestation. A probable cause statement from the Lawrence County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) says the victim first reported the abuse to her mother in June 2024. According to the victims mother, Hankins was a lifelong friend and had babysat the victim on occasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evidence is already against me: Marionville man accused of exchanging explicit messages with teen When deputies interviewed the victim in September, the child told them Hankins had touched her inappropriately and was a weirdo. The victim described more than one instance where Hankins had touched the childs genitals. Hankins is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail without bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Attorneys for an NYPD lieutenant facing possible termination over fatally shooting a motorist during a Bronx car stop five years ago raised the dead mans criminal past during an internal disciplinary trial Tuesday, sparking anger from departmental critics who are pressing for the officers dismissal. The fatal encounter unfolded on Oct. 17, 2019, when Lt. Jonathan Rivera pulled over Allan Feliz for not wearing a seat belt. Feliz, 31, gave the officers his brothers identification before trying to drive off and escape. Rivera then leaped through the passenger-side window and tased, beat and finally shot Feliz in the chest at E. 211th St. and Bainbridge Ave. As the long-delayed trial got underway, attorneys James Moschella and Philip Karasyk brought up Felizs criminal past, saying the man was on methamphetamines, had drugs on his person and was on federal parole for selling drugs. The lawyers said they wanted to help establish the dead mans state of mind when he tried to escape Rivera, who was a sergeant at the time, and Police Officers Edward Barrett and Michelle Almanzar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move drew an immediate objection from Civilian Complaint Review Board prosecutor Amanda Rodriguez. [Felizs] state of mind is not relevant here, Rodriguez told NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Trials Rosemarie Maldonado on Tuesday. Its also more prejudicial than probative. The actions we are concerned with are those of the lieutenant. But Maldonado allowed the info to come in, noting its limited weight on the case before them. The three officers had pulled Feliz over believing that he was driving without a seat belt. When they finally stopped him, they realized he did have his seat belt on, but ran the name he gave them, Samy Feliz, through their computer. When cops found several open warrants in Samy Felizs name, they tried to take Feliz into custody, sparking the deadly confrontation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yo! If I have to end up fg shooting you, Bro! Lt. Rivera is heard screaming as Feliz wails in pain from repeated Taser shocks. Yo, Bro! Im going to fg shoot you. A minute later, Rivera did so. Felizs stunned passenger is seen screaming, Dont shoot me! as Rivera and Barrett repeatedly strike the driver on the head trying to get him to surrender. Dr. Marc Edward Brown, a police tactics expert from South Carolina testifying for the CCRB, said Tuesday that Riveras use of deadly force was not justified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rivera, he said, put himself in danger by vaulting through the window and getting into a close-quarters fight with Feliz. I dont believe deadly force should have been used at that point, he said. [Rivera] put himself in jeopardy, and you shouldnt escalate the force over the jeopardy you created. Moschella and Karasyk said Rivera shot Feliz because the lieutenant believed Barrett, who was on the other side of the car, had fallen to the ground and was about to be run over by Felizs SUV. Rivera has previously been cleared of any wrongdoing by both the NYPD and state Attorney General Letitia James office. At the end of the trial, Maldonado will not be determining if Rivera had followed NYPD patrol guidelines and tactics. Rather, much like in the departmental trial of the cops who fatally shot Kawaski Trawick in 2019, the CCRB has a higher evidence threshold and must prove Rivera violated state penal law for assault and menacing, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public Advocate Jumaane Williams speaks during a press conference outside NYPD Headquarters Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News)The CCRB was left in this bind because the NYPD took more than 2 years to provide the police watchdog agency with body-worn camera footage and Force Investigation Division findings, forcing the 18-month statute of limitations to run out, said Loyda Colon, the executive director of the Justice Committee, an advocacy group, which has been demanding that Mayor Adams and Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon fire Rivera. After constantly rewatching footage of Felizs death taking quick breaks so his 5-year-old son, Eli, could leave the courtroom before the violent videos were shown the one thing that truly upset the dead mans family at Tuesdays departmental trial was what Rivera wore when he walked into the trial room. The biggest slap in the face to the family was having to see Lt. Rivera walking in with his gun, said Felizs sister Ashley Verdeja at a news conference and demonstration outside the courtroom. To see him carrying a weapon after what he did to my brother. Colon criticized Riveras lawyers bringing up Felizs criminal past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today in true NYPD fashion in the very first 15 minutes of the discipline proceedings, they immediately began to blame Allan Feliz for his own death, they said, This is beyond ridiculous. Body camera footage repeatedly shown during the first day of trial shows Rivera jumping through the passenger-side window and laying across the passenger as he tried to subdue Feliz with a Taser in one hand and a gun in the other like a cowboy, Colon said. LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) The Longview Police Department is seeking the publics help to locate a missing 59-year-old man. Christopher Onley, courtesy of the Longview Police Department. Marine Corps veteran, band director speaks at Chapel Hill ISD Veterans Day event Authorities said Christopher Onley, who is about 510 tall, 132 pounds with brown hair and eyes, was last seen near the 3100 block of Estes Parkway. Longview PD said anyone with information on Onleys whereabouts is urged to contact them at 903-237-1199. 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. John Hult South Dakota Searchlight Some of South Dakotas tribal areas have long been considered Democratic strongholds so reliable that some GOP political observers had written some seats off as all but unwinnable. But Democratic seats in those communities are no longer a given. District 26, which includes parts of the Lower Brule, Crow Creek and Rosebud Sioux reservations, voted Tuesday to send a Republican to the state Senate for the first time in more than a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tamara Grove of Lower Brule beat incumbent Democratic Sen. Shawn Bordeaux of Mission on Tuesday night, with an unofficial tally of 57%-43%. Bordeaux has been a lawmaker for 10 years. The last Republican senator to serve in District 26 was John Koskan, who served as Assistant Majority Leader in his final term in 2006. Grove, who grew up in Miller, moved to Lower Brule with her husband a few years ago from the Sioux Falls area to found a church called The Hope Center. The couple has since worked with community members on issues like food sovereignty, Grove said, having planted a large community garden on the church grounds. We connected with leadership in some of the biggest communities in Todd County, Grove said. Thats really what it was about: building those relationships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she worked to meet as many people as possible and helped get voters registered in the runup to the election. Grove said she has disagreements on policy with constituents in the majority-Democrat district but found common ground on others. She found harmony on the issue of abortion with many tribal elders, she said, who shared her opposition to Amendment G. Voters rejected that abortion rights measure on Tuesday. Perhaps there may be younger members, but more traditional (people) and elders do not agree with abortion, Grove said. Shawn Bordeaux, state representative in the South Dakota state legislature and a member of the states democratic delegation. Shawn Bordeaux. (File photo) Groves ascension signals shifting political winds in the district, Bordeaux told South Dakota Searchlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrat bested a Republican candidate named Joel Koskan in 2022, who was indicted on child abuse charges just days before that years general election. Republican leadership quickly distanced itself from Koskan, but the indictment came too late for Koskans name to be removed from the ballot. Koskan, whos serving a five-year sentence for incest, pulled 42% of the vote. Grove may not have generational roots in District 26, but she carried no such baggage with her into the 2024 general election contest. Its that red wave they were predicting over the past few years, Bordeaux said of his loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, including 2022, it wasnt uncommon for Bordeaux or his predecessor in the Senate, former Sen. Troy Heinert, to go to bed on election night behind as votes from tribal areas trickled in. He would be behind, and hed have to catch up, Bordeaux said. I had hoped to have that same experience. That pattern held true for Bordeaux in 2022. He was losing to Koskan early in the evening on election night in 2022, but came back when tallies from Democrat-friendly precincts were added to the vote totals. Pat Powers, a longtime GOP blogger in South Dakota, had predicted that Bordeaux would return to the legislature in 2025. The senator has a long history of public service in the area and had the advantage of incumbency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reservation areas have been so solidly Democratic for so long, Powers said, that Tuesdays results in District 26 shocked the bejesus out of me. The results on Tuesday show that Democrats can no longer take state legislative seats in tribal communities as a given, he said. Its been exclusively Democrat for so many years, so for Republicans to make inroads like that, they had to have completely abandoned their get out the vote effort, he said. Republicans gained strength in the state legislature in this years general election, with the total number of Democrats in either chamber falling to nine compared to 11 who served in 2023 and 2024. Two Democrats lost seats. Democrats lost a third seat to a Republican who ran for a seat left open by a term-limited Democrat. Democrats did turn a longtime Republican seat in the House, however. Nicole Uhre-Balk is the first Democrat elected in Rapid Citys District 32 in 18 years. CHICAGO (WGN) President-Elect Donald Trump is a little more than two months away from inauguration, but hes already started preparing for day one by naming his border czar and deputy chief of policy, who will both be in charge of carrying out his plans to close the border and conduct a mass deportation operation. Trump named Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, as border czar in his incoming administration, while longtime Trump advisor Stephen Miller, an immigration hard-liner, was named as Trumps deputy chief of policy. As it relates to Chicagoland, a number of local immigration attorneys said they have experienced a rise in calls from people across Illinois who fear being separated from their families and losing the lives theyve built stateside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jose Vera, Executive Director of the Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project (SSIP), said his organization is taking a worst case scenario approach to preparing for Trumps presidency, hoping that isnt the case once hes in office. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time, Vera said. We are preparing. We are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst Theres a lot of fear and anxiety with family separation and a fear of workplace raids. What exit polls tell us about Trumps victory over Harris Immigration attorney Fiona McEntee said her office has received calls with similar sentiments for months leading up to the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From our experience, we could feel the fear in the community well in advance of the election results, McEntee said. Homan spoke about joining the Trump Administration during the Republican National Convention back in July. As a guy who spent 34 years deporting illegal aliens, Ive got a message to the millions of illegal alients that Joe Bidens released in our country, Homan said. You better start packing now because youre going home. Homan is a tough-talking former Border Patrol agent who worked his way up to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2017 and 2018 as the acting director. He was never confirmed by the Senate, and his new role does not require it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bringing him on shows the lengths that the Trump administration is likely to go to carry out the hardline immigration pledges that were a hallmark of the campaign. However, Homan has also pushed back on rhetoric suggesting massive roundups. At the National Conservatism Conference in Washington earlier this year, Homan said that while he thinks the government needed to prioritize national security threats, no ones off the table. If youre here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder. He also said: Youve got my word. Trump comes back in January, Ill be in his heels coming back, and I will run the biggest deportation operation this countrys ever seen. He said in recent interviews, however, that those targeted at least initially would be people posing a risk to public safety and pushed back on suggestions that the U.S. military would be assisting in finding and deporting immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago honors veterans with ceremony and recognition as Purple Heart City McEntee expressed more concern over Miller, who lacks the familiarity of the US immigration that Homan has, but is just as much of an ardent supporter of President-Elect Trumps stance on immigration. Stephen Miller, who orchestrated the family separation policy, cruelty was absolutely the point, McEntee said. That wont be a surprise if that happens again. That happened before and the campaign ran on this anti-immigrant hatred that was most likely directed towards Black and Brown immigrants. Organizations like SSIP and attorneys like McEntee said theyre advising people through Know Your Rights workshops and offering expertise by looking into individual cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to immigration rights organizations and attorneys, something that has brought some level of peace when it comes to the uncertainty surrounding Trumps day one plans for immigration is living in a state like Illinois where leading politicians have shown support for immigrants. As a DACA recipient, I am glad to live here in the State of Illinois, Vera said. For more information about the Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project and those looking for immigrations resources, visit the organizations website: https://www.ssipchicago.org/our-story/ For those who may need help with immigration law, McEntees firm can be found online here: https://mcenteelaw.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 WGN-TV. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into 1.4 million Honda vehicles due to serious engine issues. The NHTSA is conducting a probe to assess the severity of engine problems reported in various Honda and Acura vehicles from the 2016-2020 model years. This follows Honda's recall of 249,000 vehicles in the US in November 2023, which was prompted by a manufacturing defect in the 3.5-liter V6 engine's crankshaft. Honda has acknowledged the investigation, stating that it "has already been in communication with the agency on this topic and will continue to cooperate with the NHTSA through the query process." The automaker had first begun looking into the issue in 2020 and, after several years of investigation, issued a recall. Under the recall, dealers are tasked with inspecting the vehicles and will repair or replace the engine as necessary. Honda, last year, reported that it had received 1,450 warranty claims related to the recall. The NHTSA's current investigation is based on 173 reports of engine failures that are consistent with the issues addressed in the 2023 recall but involve vehicles that were not included. The probe covers several models, including the Acura MDX, Acura TLX, Honda Pilot, Honda Ridgeline, and Honda Odyssey. Last month, Honda Motor announced a voluntary recall of approximately 720,000 vehicles due to potential fuel pump leaks. The US division of the Japanese automaker confirmed that owners of specific 2023-2025 Honda Accord, CR-V Hybrid, and Honda Civic models will be invited for a free inspection. If any defects are identified, the company will replace fuel pump at no charge. "US launches investigation into 1.4 million Honda vehicles" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. A federal judge has struck down a Louisiana law that required every public school and university classroom to display the Ten Commandments, drawing legal challenges from civil rights groups anticipating a Supreme Court battle with the states Republican governor. The law violates the First Amendments provisions against the government from establishing or favoring one religion over another, and from interfering with a right to practice a religion without government interference, according to the ruling. There is a real and substantial likelihood of coercion if Louisiana students are forced to be a captive audience for a specific version of the Ten Commandments, one posted in every single classroom, District Judge John Wheadon deGravelles wrote on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana officials are blocked from enforcing the law under a temporary injunction that the state will now try to appeal. The law signed by Governor Jeff Landry earlier this year the first of its kind in the US appears to be designed to invite a federal court battle that will work its way to the Supreme Court. Conservative Christian legal groups have been angling for another shot at reversing Supreme Court rulings protecting the separation of church and state for decades. We strongly disagree with the courts decision and will immediately appeal, Louisiana attorney general Liz Murrill said in a statement. This decision only binds five of Louisianas many school boards. This is far from over. A copy of the Ten Commandments is posted along with other historical documents in a hallway of Georgias state capitol. A federal judge has blocked Louisianas law requiring similar posters in public school classrooms (AP) The plaintiffs had argued that the law not only flies in the face of First Amendment protections but also sends the harmful and religiously divisive message that students who do not subscribe to the Ten Commandments or, more precisely, to the specific version of the Ten Commandments [the law] requires schools to display do not belong in their own school community and should refrain from expressing any faith practices or beliefs that are not aligned with the states religious preferences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry signed the legislation from a Catholic school auditorium after announcing that he cant wait to be sued by turning Louisiana into the first state to mandate the Ten Commandments in schools. The law, set to take effect on January 1, requires all schools to display the text exactly as written in the bill, and in a poster or framed document that is at least eleven inches by fourteen inches at minimum and in a large, easily readable font. It also requires a 200-word context statement arguing that the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries up to 50 years ago. Last year, Louisianas GOP-controlled state legislature passed a similar measure that requires In God We Trust to be displayed in all public school classrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmakers in several other states have also tried to pass similar legislation that would put the Ten Commandments in public classrooms. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry speaks alongside Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill during an August press conference on state law requiring the Ten Commandments in schools (AP) In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that the public display of the Ten Commandments in two Kentucky county courthouses was similarly unconstitutional. But a Supreme Court ruling in 2022 loosened interpretations of the First Amendments establishment clause to allow a high school football coach to pray with his team on the 50-yard line. Joseph Kennedy claimed that Washington states Bremerton School District violated his religious freedom after staff repeatedly asked him to move his prayer to somewhere less conspicuous, as to avoid the appearance of the schools endorsement of a religious view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her dissent in that case, Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the Supreme Court continues to dismantle the wall of separation between church and state that the Framers fought to build. A ruling that blocks Louisianas law will ensure that Louisiana families not politicians or public school officials get to decide if, when and how their children engage with religion, according to Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which joined plaintiffs in the lawsuit. It should send a strong message to Christian Nationalists across the country that they cannot impose their beliefs on our nations public school children, she added. Not on our watch. The law is a direct infringement of our religious-freedom rights, and were pleased and relieved that the court ruled in our favor, according to Unitarian Universalist Minister Darcy Roake, the lead plaintiff in the case. As an interfaith family, we expect our children to receive their secular education in public school and their religious education at home and within our faith communities, not from government officials, she said. Two pieces of legislation aimed at making a temporary teacher pay raise permanent advanced Tuesday in the Louisiana Legislature. (Allison Allsop/Louisiana Illuminator) Two pieces of legislation aimed at making a temporary teacher pay raise permanent advanced Tuesday in the Louisiana Legislature. Together, House Bill 5 by Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, and House Bill 7 by Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, would use constitutionally protected funds to pay down approximately $2 billion dollars in teacher retirement system debt and require local school districts to use money they would have put toward that debt to make a $2,000 stipend the Legislature provided on a temporary basis for two years a permanent part of teachers salaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A $1,000 stipend for support workers would also be made permanent. Emersons bill is a constitutional amendment that requires voter approval and also contains several other constitutional changes required to make Republican Gov. Jeff Landrys tax package complete. Tying in the teacher pay aspect could play a crucial role in turning out voters to support the amendment. Making the teacher pay raise permanent is one portion of the ambitious plan that has near-total bipartisan support from a Legislature with a supermajority of Republicans. Landry has faced pushback from Democrats on portions of the proposal that could increase the tax burden of low and middle income individuals, and business interests object to the elimination of certain tax exemptions aimed at drawing jobs and investment to the state. Bacalas bill, which requires districts to use the savings created by the retirement debt payment in Emersons bill, unanimously passed the House Education Committee and will next be debated by the House Appropriations Committee. Emersons bill passed the House on an 81-15 vote and will next be discussed in a Senate committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The three funds Emerson is seeking to use to pay down the debt the Louisiana Quality Education Trust Fund, the Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund and the Education Excellence Fund currently support various educational programs. Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, a former teacher, said using those funds will lead to the elimination of 1,500 seats in early childhood education programs. The money also pays for certain higher education needs, including research and matching endowments. Using the money to pay down the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL), which presently totals about $9 billion, would free up about $287 million annually for local school districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The debt payment wouldnt make enough money available to fund making the raise permanent for every school district, but Bacala said he believed it would cost the state less than $1 million to make up the difference, a small drop in the bucket of the entire state budget. An analysis of the bill by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Office said the amount the state would need to provide could be anywhere between $70,000 and $6.2 million. The proposal does not require the Legislature to take this step, however. If they declined, teachers in those districts would actually see a pay cut from previous years. For any school district that actually sees an excess in savings, Bacalas bill requires that money to go toward additional pay increases. Bacalas bill does not explicitly address charter schools, whose teachers are largely not in the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana. Orleans Parish, where nearly all schools operate under charters, would see the least benefit from the bill, but lawmakers are looking at alternatives to fund raises so charter teachers do not see a pay cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its my intention to treat everyone equally and make everyone whole, House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, said in an interview. The retirement debt payment would also free up about $75 million annually for the four higher education systems annually pay toward the debt. Legislators, including McFarland, currently seem in favor of allowing higher education to retain that savings, but this would not be finalized until the Legislature crafts the 2025-26 budget in the spring legislative session. Allowing higher education to retain these savings would make up for the approximately $20 million in support institutions will lose by dissolving the three state funds. The total package is aimed at stabilizing the state budget after years of relying on a temporary sales tax scheduled to expire June 30. If the plan passes in its entirety, analysts say it will result in a small, permanent increase to the state general fund, which pays for most state services. But it also will lead to an overall loss of revenue, particularly money kept in reserve accounts, of a few hundred million dollars annually. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A federal judge in Louisiana has blocked a controversial state law that wouldve required the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, from elementary school through college. Judge John W. deGravelles (who was appointed by Barack Obama) ruled that the law was unconstitutional and barred the state from enacting it (it was set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2025). DeGravelles said the law was coercive to students, arguing there was no way they could opt out of viewing the Ten Commandments when they are displayed in every classroom, every day of the year, every year of their education. He also said there were any number of ways the state could advance an alleged interest in educating students about the Ten Commandments that would be less burdensome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisianas Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill, whose office defended the law before deGravelles, said she disagreed with the decision and would appeal (via The New York Times). That expected appeal will put the case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit one of the most conservative courts in the country. Religious freedom the right to choose ones faith without pressure is essential to American democracy, said Alanah Odoms, Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana, which is involved in the case. Todays ruling ensures that the schools our plaintiffs children attend will stay focused on learning, without promoting a state-preferred version of Christianity. The Ten Commandments law was passed and signed in June, making Louisiana the first state to enact such a law since the Supreme Court struck down Kentuckys efforts to do the same in 1980. DeGravelles, in his ruling, cited the Supreme Courts precedent in Stone v. Graham, agreeing that the Louisiana law violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, speaking with Rolling Stone this summer after signing the law, rebuffed the 1980 ruling, saying, The Supreme Court got it wrong about the separation of church and state. He argued the First Amendment protects people from government persecution of their religious practices, but doesnt prevent majority governments from ruling as they see fit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democracy doesnt say the majority has to sit in the back and listen to what the minority says, because the minority have some feelings that have been hurt, he said. Its likely that the Ten Commandments issue will inevitably make its way back to the Supreme Court. Murrill, in audio obtained by Rolling Stone, admitted as much herself while speaking with undercover reporters for liberal documentarian Lauren Windsor at a Moms for Liberty town hall in July. Murrill even spoke about how she hopes to sway the court with mock-ups of sample Ten Commandment posters that she said would be constitutionally compliant. Id like to incorporate some photos from the east frieze of the United States Supreme Court, so when Im standing in the United States Supreme Court, I can point out that Moses is right there, in their building, in quite a few places, she said. The case has a long way to go, but I do think some people are going to move similar legislation. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) A new book sheds light on an unsung World War Two hero and she has four paws and a wagging tail. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The book, Lucy: Mascot of the 442 Medics tells the true story of Lucy, a stray dog who became the beloved mascot of the 442nd Regimental Combat Teams Third Battalion medics. Lucys journey with the 442nd begins in the small, war-torn Italian town of Luciana in 1944. Its a true story of the scrappy dog who won the hearts of Hawaiis Nisei soldiers during the toughest time of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 15 Halawa Correctional Facility inmates celebrate newest achievement So she was a little puppy, and the medics, they bartered with some kids, they traded some candy for her, they fed her with an eyedropper, they even got her her own dog tags, explained Stacey Hayashi, the books author. Hayashi, who made a film on the 100th Infantry, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, has been wanting to tell the story of Lucy for 11 years now, after stumbling upon pictures of her in a photo album of 442nd veteran Eddie Yamasaki. And then theres a charming picture of like the group photo of all the medics, and shes in the middle, you know, and so theyve totally loved her. And Im like, Why didnt anybody tell me about the dog?' said Hayashi. As the story goes, while bullets flew and bombs fell, Lucy was a loving and loyal friend as the unit fought through Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They really needed some happiness and joy and luckily, there was Lucy, said Hayashi. Lucys story is brought to life through animation legend, Willie Ito, who has worked with Disney, Hanna Barbera, and Warner Brothers, over his 50-year career. I finally made it to Walt Disney and my very first assignment was on the film, Lady and the Tramp. I was fortunate enough to work on the iconic spaghetti kissing scene from Lady and the Tramp and so ever since I was like working in the industry from Disney and Warner Brothers to Hanna-Barbera, I was always working on some kind of a dog character, Huckleberry Hound, Scooby Doo, you name it, said Ito. How the SPCA is helping Oahus houseless, their pets Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ito said being historically accurate was the hardest part of the project. Not having been, you know, in person in those experiences, theres a certain amount of research, like the uniforms they wore during that period. And try to keep it, you know, as authentic as I can and yet focus on Lucy as the cute character, said Ito. There was this one scene where, you know, theres not too much written about the Battle of Luciano. In fact, you dont even know that its a battle, said Hayashi. I sent it to my historian friend in Italy and I was like, what did it look like? Was there anything written that youve come across? And he actually sent me memoirs, like unpublished memoirs of a K-Company veteran. In telling Lucys story, the book shines a new light on the bravery and camaraderie of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most highly decorated unit in US military history for its size and time in combat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I pack in all the information because this might be the only thing that people see. Like a person living on the mainland, whos not Japanese-American, they might grab it because they think Oh what a cute dog! you know? So its a way of telling history, an important part of history through the eyes of a dog, but maybe appealing to a certain part of the population, Hayashi explained. After the war, Lucy was brought to Hawaii by one of her soldier friends, where she spent her final years surrounded by love and gratitude. More than a mascot, Lucy embodies the resilience and loyalty of the 442nd. Lucys story is also keeping Willie from retiring. Old cartoonists never die. They just keep working and working and working, said Ito. Check out whats going on around the nation on our National News page Were not going to let him retire. He doesnt want to anyway, laughed Hayashi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The book is going to print this week with hopes of launching the book in December. You can pre-order the book 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 KHON2. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday criticized the leaders of rich countries for skipping the climate talks under way in Azerbaijan's capital and said the climate crisis is being exacerbated by conflicts around the world. "The people who are responsible for this are absent," admonished the strongman leader and close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a speech on the second day of the UN climate talks in Baku. Lukashenko singled out French President Emmanuel Macron, noting that the landmark agreement to pursue efforts to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 Celsius was forged in Paris in 20015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Macron is just one of several big names missing from the two-week summit in Baku. Others include US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Lukashenko said his own country had nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to global warming and that Belarus was meeting all of its climate obligations. "We have a war in the Middle East, a war in Ukraine, a war in the south of Yemen more than 50 conflicts in the world that have a severe impact on the climate," Lukashenko continued in his speech to the plenary in Baku. Belarus was a partial staging ground for Putin's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. YEMASSEE, S.C. (WSAV) Local law enforcement warned drivers of a Wacky Mac spill on I-95 Southbound Tuesday. At mile marker 37.5, a tractor trailer accident resulted in a spill of macaroni pasta. The Yemassee Police Department (YPD) said to expect delays. YPD and the South Carolina Department of Transportation are on the scene of the spill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have held a private conversation about the situation in Ukraine. Source: European Pravda with reference to The Telegraph Details: The discussion lasted 20 minutes. Starmer and Macron spoke face-to-face, without the involvement of a large delegation of aides. Quote from UK government spokesperson: "The leaders started by discussing the situation in Ukraine, including how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Telegraph noted that Starmer became the first UK Prime Minister in 80 years to attend Jour du Souvenir (the French name for Remembrance Day) events in Paris, including the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe. The two leaders also discussed the potential shift in the US stance regarding the Storm Shadow missile. These missiles are produced by the UK and France but could be deployed using US systems. Ukraine has permission to use them for strikes near the Russian border, but not far beyond it. "Weve always said that where we discuss our support for Ukraine, we do so in terms of broader strategy to ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position going forwards," Starmer stated after the meeting with Macron, responding to questions about the Storm Shadow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It has been my constant refrain for four months now, since Ive been Prime Minister, in all the discussions that Ive had. That is the heart of the discussions that weve been having," Starmer said. He declined to provide details about any discussions on military operational matters. Background: Before the meeting, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced that they would try to convince US President Joe Biden to allow Ukraine to launch Storm Shadow missiles against targets deep in Russian territory. The White House said earlier that Joe Biden will be talking about the need to support Ukraine until the end of his presidential term against the backdrop of the arrival of the Donald Trump administration. Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, confirmed that the administration would seek to use all resources allocated by Congress for military support for Ukraine before the end of its term. Support UP or become our patron! Todays edition of quick hits. * The war in Ukraine: Russia has massed tens of thousands of troops as part of a major effort to retake land in its Kursk region that was seized by Ukraine, according to the commander in chief of Kyivs armed forces. * On a related note: The push to retake territory comes as the two sides exchanged an intense wave of drone attacks that Ukraine said killed eight people, and after President-elect Donald Trumps election victory, which could upend the U.S. approach to the war. The Kremlin on Monday denied that Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Wildfires: Firefighters from coast to coast are battling wildfires even as the country begins to prepare for the holiday season, with fires in New Jersey covering thousands of acres in tinderbox conditions created by a historic drought. * In Haiti: A transitionary council created to reestablish democratic order in Haiti signed a decree Sunday firing interim Prime Minister Garry Conille and replacing him with Alix Didier Fils-Aime, a businessman who was previously considered for the job. * Team Trump personnel moves, Part I: President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Stephen Miller as his deputy chief of staff for policy at the White House, a source with knowledge of the transition teams plans said Monday. While Trump hasnt made his choice public yet, Vice President-elect JD Vance appeared to confirm the news in a post on X as he reacted to CNNs report about Miller being chosen for the role. * Team Trump personnel moves, Part II: President-elect Donald Trump on Monday selected former Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to oversee the Environmental Protection Agency in his administration. In a statement announcing the appointment, Trump described the former four-term House Republican from Long Island as a true fighter for America First policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Of course this ruling was issued by a Trump-appointed judge: A federal judge on Friday overturned Illinois ban on semiautomatic weapons, leaning on recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that strictly interpret the Second Amendment right to keep and bear firearms. * A scary threat: A former felon was arrested with weapons and a manifesto threatening Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) back in his home district in southeast Florida, the lawmaker disclosed late Friday. * Veterans Day: President Biden urged Americans to take a moment to honor those who serve in the military and their families on Monday, using the backdrop of Arlington National Cemetery to observe Veterans Day one last time as the countrys commander in chief. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com This is an adapted excerpt from the Nov. 11 episode of "The Rachel Maddow Show." The last time Donald Trump was president, his Interior secretary was embroiled in a corruption scandal and ended up referred to the Department of Justice for a potential criminal investigation. His Transportation secretary was also embroiled in her own corruption scandal and also was referred to the Justice Department for a potential criminal investigation. Trumps Labor secretary resigned in scandal, following a ruling from a federal judge that he had broken the law when he signed a plea deal agreement with Jeffrey Epstein in 2008. Trumps Energy secretary, head of the Environmental Protection Agency and Health and Human Services secretary all also resigned in corruption and ethics scandals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It used to be if you had one Cabinet official involved in a big ethics and/or corruption scandal that forced them out of the job or led to them being referred for criminal investigations, that would be enough to brand your whole presidency a disgraced and scandal-ridden mistake. Just consider Warren G. Harding whats remembered about his presidency? Maybe that he died in office? Or that he had an affair? No, its the Teapot Dome corruption scandal, which resulted in a Cabinet official being criminally charged. A century later, that one scandal involving one Cabinet official is basically all we remember about Hardings presidency. The first Trump term had so many Cabinet officials forced out of office in disgrace and referred to the Justice Department for criminal charges that its actually hard to remember them all. However, despite an unprecedented number of Cabinet officials being referred for criminal investigations, the supposedly independent DOJ decided to bring charges against precisely none of them. One of the more memorable ethical disasters along these lines from the first Trump term was a situation involving his secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert Wilkie. This might be the most memorable scandal because it happened right at the end of his administration, Dec. 10, 2020 after Trump lost re-election to Joe Biden but before the Jan. 6 attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MaddowBlogs headline at the time, by Steve Benen, read, Yet another Trump Cabinet secretary caught up in scandal: As Donald Trumps presidency comes to an ignominious end, its apparently not too late for one more Cabinet controversy. Wilkie was accused of having discredited a female veteran who said she had been sexually assaulted at a VA facility. The VA inspector general investigated those allegations against him, found evidence that he seemed to have broken the law and referred him to the Justice Department for investigation. (Wilkie has denied questioning the woman's credibility.) The Justice Department didnt charge Wilkie, just like they didnt charge any of these guys. But more than 20 different veterans groups rose up in outrage against him. Disparate veterans groups with very different takes on the world banded together everyone from the American Legion to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to the Veterans of Foreign Wars all demanding that Wilkie resign or be fired. It was just a disaster, and it was a sign that even right up to the very bitter and ultimately violent end of Trumps first term, things werent merely bad. Its not normal to have a half-dozen members of the Cabinet referred for investigations into potential crimes committed while they were serving in the Cabinet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as the nation marked Veterans Day, a day to honor and celebrate our veterans, we learned Trump has decided to bring Wilkie back, tapping him to lead the transition efforts for the entire Defense Department. At a time when the country is looking to the U.S. military for assurances that they wont deploy against American civilians the way Trump has threatened, the guy charged with staffing up the Defense Department leadership for the military is same guy who left office last time while his possible criminal conduct was under investigation by federal prosecutors. Wilkie is not the only one whos been tapped for the second Trump administration in recent days. NBC News has learned Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who once memorably cast aspersions on the size of Trumps genitals in a presidential debate, is expected to be the president-elects choice for secretary of state. Trump has also chosen Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida to be his national security adviser. Walz helped in the effort to try to overthrow the government and keep Trump in power after he lost re-election in 2020. Waltz has distinguished himself by claiming that Trump was not responsible for Jan. 6 and that Dulles Airport should be renamed the Donald J. Trump International Airport. So clearly, hes checked all the boxes he needs to be national security adviser. We learned Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trumps first term, will be his administrations border czar. Remember when Republicans used to maintain with a straight face that it was a huge scandal and evidence of communism to call anyone the czar of anything? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, Homan will now be Trumps border czar. Hes one of the architects of the policy that had the U.S. government deliberately and systematically separating kids from their parents at the border. Hes also spent this interregnum period while Trump has been out of office barnstorming the country bragging about how hes going to be the man mercilessly coming after immigrants if Trump gets back in power. Trump has put the other architect of family separation, Stephen Miller, in charge of all policy planning for the transition. A source tells NBC News that Miller will also serve as deputy chief of staff for policy in the second Trump White House. So anyone telling you that a second Trump administration is going to be at all moderate or normal in terms of what theyre going to do, that person is living on a nice planet that Id like to visit sometime, but its not our planet. Any expectation that the most extreme things Trump talked about were just talk and that normal people would come into his administration to do normal things, well, that wishful thinking hasnt survived one week after the election. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) National statistics show that in January 2023 more than 35,000 veterans experienced homelessness in a single night. Its an issue that persists across the country and here in Kentucky. Organizations in Madison County are joining forces to ease the burden on those whove sacrificed for our freedom. Shelbi Poole told FOX 56 that Veterans Day holds a special place in her heart, saying she understands the weight of this sacrifice because her father and brother served in the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These men and these women sacrificed so much for our country, said Poole. And it seems as if the least we could do is make sure they have a place to put their head at night or food that they can eat so that their bellies arent hungry or health care. Through her service at the UP Initiative of Madison County, Poole said shes learned how serious the homeless crisis is in the county. It saw a record number of evictions in 2023, and she said far too many veterans have been impacted. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: This summer, state lawmakers passed the Safer Kentucky Act, allowing cities to enforce bans on people sleeping in public places, which can result in fines and jail time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The solution to homelessness is a home, said Michael Harrington. And this law says that the solution to homelessness is to put people behind bars. Harrington, who serves as an organizer for the Madison County Tenants Union, said their area has seen the devastating effects of this law as the county currently does not have a permanent emergency shelter program. Thats critical because homelessness is now a crime across the state of Kentucky. But our county has no permanent solution to offer a place for people to be indoors if we dont have a roof over our heads. The Tenants Union is urging the Madison County Fiscal Court to provide public funding to go toward a year-round shelter. Harrington says the money would be made available through the American Rescue Plan from the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, the group set a goal to raise $2,000 by Veterans Day for an initiative to help them provide more resources for veterans and everyone else in need. Read more of the latest Kentucky news It takes dedication and heart and effort and, unfortunately, some funds to make this dream happen here, said Poole. Its an opportunity for us to really get back to a critical mission, to making sure that we dedicate ourselves to service alongside our neighbors, because were not going to end the eviction and shelter crisis without working together, added Harrington. For those in need of housing assistance or other resources, Harrington encourages people to reach out to Madison Home Inc. or UP Initiative. For veterans, he recommended Kentucky River Foothills or Supportive Services for Veteran Families. 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. By John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Tuesday to hear a bid by landlord groups to challenge rent stabilization laws in New York City that cap rent hikes and make it harder to evict tenants. The justices turned away appeals by property owners of lower court rulings that found the city's price and eviction controls do not violate what is known as the "takings clause" of the U.S. Constitution's Fifth Amendment, which bars the government from taking property without compensating owners. New York City's modern rent stabilization system, enacted in 1969, was designed to address a shortage of affordable housing by capping rent increases and curbing the authority of property owners to remove tenants. The law, which was passed by the New York state legislature and is implemented by the city, generally applies to buildings constructed before 1974 with at least six units, covering nearly one million apartments - around half of all apartment rentals in the most populous U.S. city. According to proponents, the housing measures protect communities by reducing tenant dislocation and homelessness, and by allowing residents to have long-term homes in a neighborhood. The law firm Selendy Gay, along with advocacy groups that represented some of the parties defending the law, hailed the court's decision on Tuesday. "Since 1969, New Yorks rent stabilization law has provided affordable housing for millions of New Yorkers, preventing displacement and combating homelessness, and we will continue to challenge any and all efforts aimed at eroding the well-established and lawful protections that the communities we serve rely on," the groups said in a statement. The New York law was amended in 2019 to expand tenant protections, drawing legal challenges from landlords and trade associations seeking higher investment returns and more control over their property. One group of challengers, led by G-Max Management, said the new law "transforms a temporary rent regulation system into a permanent expropriation of vast swaths of private real estate, without just compensation, in the name of 'affordable housing.'" The Manhattan-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in related rulings in March rejected two challenges, prompting appeals to the Supreme Court. Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch indicated on Tuesday that he wanted to take up the cases. The "takings clause" states that private property shall not be "taken for public use, without just compensation." A Pennsylvania mans reasoning behind his vote for Donald Trump has gone viral and left social media users aghast. The mans quote was included in an article by The Philadelphia Inquirer that explored how the president-elect, buoyed by voters economic anxieties, won Pennsylvania despite being called a fascist. The excerpt that went viral on social media read: In Scranton on Wednesday, Matt Wolfson, a 45-year-old former construction worker, looked around at poverty in the Rust Belt city and thought the nation needed a change in leadership. Wolfson said he didnt love the dictatorial aspect of Trumps personality, but thought it could help keep the country out of wars and maybe bring peace to some other conflicts, including in Ukraine. Hes good and bad. People say hes a dictator. I believe that. I consider him like Hitler, Wolfson said. But I voted for the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the campaign, Trump was compared to Adolf Hitler, who started World War II by invading Poland. Trump used similar rhetoric to that of the Nazi dictator, calling opponents vermin and claiming that undocumented immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. Trumps own former chief of staff, John Kelly, came forward in the final stretch of the campaign to say that Trump praised Hitler to him more than once. He also warned Trump would govern like a dictator. Still, voters, citing the economy and cost of living as top concerns, chose to return him to the White House. (Economists have said Trumps proposals could actually raise prices for consumers.) Social media users, stunned by the Pennsylvania mans quote, shared their takes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The quote is insane, but its not at all atypical, ex-Rep. Joe Walsh (Ill.), who left the Republican Party in 2020, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Ive heard so many variations of this very same quote this past year from so many people who intended to and/or did vote for him. The Daily Beast columnist Julia Davis, who monitors Russian propaganda, said the passage was MAGA in a nutshell. See those reactions and others below. The quote is insane, but its not at all atypical. Ive heard so many variations of this very same quote this past year from so many people who intended to and/or did vote for him. https://t.co/7lIIaIDuh4 Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) November 11, 2024 MAGA in a nutshell: I consider him like Hitler, but I voted for the man. https://t.co/DDyOhjcCi7 Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) November 11, 2024 You vote this way when you do not believe you will be the dictators target. This is why more than merely a class analysis, or one that defines identity politics exclusively as the realm of progressives and not conservatives, is necessary to understand what brought Trump to power https://t.co/ZuI6TNGWPV Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) November 11, 2024 This is gonna make Thanksgiving awkward unless the rest of the family has a lot of Hitler fans in it https://t.co/SaTj6R23oX Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) November 11, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are more people who think and voted like Mr. Wolfson than a lot of people may want to believe. This is a very tough reality to combat on any front. https://t.co/YwIOHouqyG Lee Edwards (@Mario_Demiuex) November 11, 2024 Were in a bad place. https://t.co/kbZRKwy7Kg Kyle Sweetser (@sweetser_kyle) November 11, 2024 Reading this sounds like the Department of Education was already eliminated. https://t.co/BJnpyBxlMV John C. Varner III (@LilHulkQ) November 11, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My biggest concern is staying out of war so I voted for the guy I think is Hitler." https://t.co/KpGP2ZZIPL Shadow Of The Nerdtree (@agraybee) November 11, 2024 This is the voter Kamala was supposed to sway with better messaging https://t.co/mMRnzBq5r0pic.twitter.com/kAeWfd3qZF Alliigator Tears biggest fan (@TWDJenn) November 11, 2024 calling trump hitler to dissuade people from voting for him doesnt work when people want hitler https://t.co/ybNV22565k Anjali (@AnjaliVBhatt) November 11, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The race for Senate majority leader has moved from the halls of Congress to social media as allies of Donald Trump rally around Sen. Rick Scotts (R-FL) bid for the Senate gavel. On Sunday, Elon Musk took to X endorsing Scott, joining fellow Trump world insiders Tucker Carlson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in their support of the Florida statesman. Driving much of the leadership race buzz, however, is a group of lesser known Trump-aligned internet personalities flooding Musks platform with pro-Scott messaging. Here are the micro power players flexing the MAGA media machines muscles. Charlie Kirk Charlie Kirk is the chief executive and founder of Turning Point USA, a powerful right-wing grassroots movement that promotes conservative values on college campuses by mobilizing young voters. The organization and Kirk have deep ties to the Trump family, namely Donald Trump Jr. who by and large helped drum up millions of dollars in donations for Turning Point. Kirks digital presence, however, has largely allowed him to dominate the MAGA media arena throughout the 2024 election season using his podcast and social media. Charlie Kirk speaks on stage on the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention. The 31-year-old conservative activist hosts one of the core right-wing radio talk-shows. His three-hour program, The Charlie Kirk Show is No. 7 on the Apple Podcast charts , ranked just below Tucker Carlsons show. According to leading podcast database Rephonic, Kirks show draws in at least 16.8 million monthly listeners across platforms. He has used this massive platform to spread COVID-19 misinformation , election fraud conspiracy theories and racist stereotypes. In January, Kirk called Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy a myth and later told his podcast listeners If I see a Black pilot, Im gonna be like boy, I hope he is qualified. Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump and right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk speak during a Turning Point USA event. Kirks reach is amplified by his millions of followers on social media, with whom he shares his unfiltered takes on American politics, clips of him debating young liberals, and his support for the president-elect. His posts on X are often reposted by fellow MAGA insiders including Musk and Don. Jr. Benny Johnson Benny Johnson is a highly popular right-wing political commentator and YouTuber who hails himself as Godfather of the Conservative Internet. Aside from his 3 million followers on X, he runs three YouTube channelsBenny Johnson, Benny On The Block, and Benny Brewswith a combined total of more than 2.7 million subscribers. Johnsons main content arm is his weekly program, The Benny Show which he streams live to his fan base, known as the Salty Army. American conservative political commentator Benny Johnson speaks at The People's Convention hosted by Turning Point Action on Jun. 15, 2024. A veteran of digital media, Johnson got his start in digital media at BuzzFeed in 2012 where he was once the viral politics editor, only to be exposed as a serial plagiarist and be fired two years later. He then joined the Independent Journal Review in 2015, where he was also ultimately accused of plagiarism. Although he wasnt booted from IJR until 2017, Johnson was demoted after reports of him verbally abusing and driving staffers away from the publication surfaces. Johnson joined the MAGA media sphere officially after being fired from IJR, working first at The Daily Caller, then as a chief creative officer at Turning Point and becoming a host on Newsmax. Eric Trump speaks with political commentator and YouTuber Benny Johnson outside the 2024 Republican National Convention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 2024, Johnson was one of several right-wing influencers embroiled in the Tenet Media scandal, during which Russian state media employees were charged with pouring nearly $10 million into a Tennessee company to produce political content that would benefit Russia by influencing the United States. Johnson, who hosted a Tenet Media podcast, responded to the saga by describing himself, and other involved influencers as victims in the alleged scheme. His links to Tenet Media, however, have not dissuaded key power players like Musk and RFK Jr. from interacting with Johnson regularly on social media. Jack Posobiec Jack Posobiec is a far-right political activist and commentator with ties to white nationalist communities. The former United States Navy intelligence officer is a highly popular pro-Trump influencer with an active following of 2.8 million on X. Posobiec, who once worked as a political correspondent for One America News Network, a far-right cable channel, and is a senior editor at the conservative news site Human Events. Far-right activist Jack Posobiec speaks during a Turning Point Action Posobiec describes himself as a Republican political operative, and according to Semafor, he was one of the most influential voices with GOP strategists during the 2024 campaign season. His involvement with Trump began in 2016 when he became a special projects director of Citizens for Trump. In September 2024, Posobiec was hired by the Republican National Committee to train volunteer election monitors in Michigan and Wisconsin. Far-right political activist Jack Posobiec and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones chant slogans at a Turning Point USA event. Once called the King of Fake News, Posobiec was one of the most leading promoters of the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, which falsely claimed that high-ranking officials were involved in a child-sex ring centered at a Washington, D.C., pizzeria. He also hawked a deepfake video depicting President Joe Biden announcing a military draft and posted fake Biden quotes from the video on X. And, for years, Posobiec has disseminated information linked to Russian intelligence operations and disinformation campaigns. Scott Pressler Scott Presler is a conservative voter registration activist who rose to social media prominence, gaining more than 2 million followers on X, by espousing far-right conspiracy theories under QAnon hashtags and entrenching himself in the Dark MAGA movement. The founder of Early Vote Action, he appeared alongside Trump at his second Butler Pennsylvania rally and moved to the state to drum up votes for Trump ahead of the 2024 election with the help of a $1 million donation from Musk. American conservative activist Scott Presler addresses the Turning Point People's Convention. Preslers involvement in right-wing politics, however, has long been a source of controversy. In 2016, he first made a name for himself after being forced to resign from the Republican Party of Virginia following allegations that he had sex in one of its offices. Politico reported that three people familiar with the incident said Presler both engaged in sexual activity in the office and posted pictures of the encounter to Craigslist. Upon his outster, he became the 2017 chair of Gays for Trump in 2017 before taking a job with the anti-muslim group ACT for America as a coordinator for their March Against Sharia events. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) A man is accused of choking a woman to death near a Times Square hotel last month in a brutal attack caught on surveillance video, according to police and sources. Jaheem Warren, 33, was arrested Tuesday and charged with murder, assault, and strangulation, police said. Warren allegedly put the 23-year-old woman in a chokehold outside the Hotel Riu Plaza New York on West 46th Street in Times Square early on the morning of Oct. 29, sources and police said. Officers received a call from the hospital at around 1:30 a.m. notifying them an unidentified woman was assaulted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, Leslie Torres, was unconscious when she was rushed to the hospital and put on life support until she died on Nov. 4, according to the NYPD. Hotel surveillance video showed a man attacking Torres until she lost consciousness. Sources said Warren was allegedly high on drugs and has a history of addiction. Investigators dont believe Warren, a New Jersey resident, and Torres, who lived at a nearby homeless shelter on West 45th Street, knew each other. More Local News A hotel spokesperson told PIX11 News the suspect and victim were not staying at the hotel. We lament the violent incident that took place in front of our hotel, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, a 53-year-old cab dispatcher died after he was punched by a man outside the Riu Hotel on West 47th Street, according to police. Jaime Rosario, 54, was arrested and charged with assault in the case, police said. Patino was assigning fares to the cabs as guests came out of the hotel when Rosario aggressively confronted Patino and punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious, police said. Patino fell and hit his head on the concrete. He was in a coma until he passed away on June 27, police said. Midtown Manhattans 18th Precinct has seen an uptick in murder and felony assaults this year compared to 2023, according to NYPD data. Warrens arraignment was pending Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who reports said fired a shot after getting off a bus is expected to be arraigned later Tuesday in municipal court. Alfred Cooper, 49, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail Friday on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony; carrying concealed weapons, a fourth-degree felony; obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony; and discharging firearms within city limits, a first-degree misdemeanor. Cooper was arrested after police were called about 3:25 p.m. to Glenwood and West Woodland avenues for a report of a man who got off a WRTA bus and fired a shot from a gun before walking away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cooper, who reports said fit the description of the person who fired the shot, was spotted by police at Glenwood and West Warren avenues. He failed to stop for police, reports said, and he ran away before officers caught up with him in a yard in the 1900 block of Volney Road. Police searched a bag that Cooper was carrying and found a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun that was reported stolen in July; an airsoft gun; and two bags of marijuana, reports said. A records check found Cooper is not allowed to have a gun because of a 1997 rape conviction in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Reports said police looked for the bus driver but could not find the bus that Cooper exited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A Fulton County judge says the man accused of a mass shooting inside a midtown Atlanta medical office last year is not competent to stand trial. The judge ruled Tuesday that Deion Patterson cannot be tried at this time and must be committed to the care of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. After consideration of all the medical and psychological evidence, the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is incapable of understanding the nature of the charges against him or of understanding the object of the proceedings against him and is incapable of rendering his attorney the proper assistance in his defense, the order said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patterson, a 24-year-old military veteran, was accused of shooting five women inside a Northside Hospital clinic in May 2023 before going on the run and being caught hours later. Patterson injured four women and killed a fifth, Amy St. Pierre, a mother of two and an employee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the incident, Patterson allegedly stole a vehicle and tried to escape, driving through Cobb County, where he was eventually arrested. A doctor testified during a bench trial on Oct. 3, that Patterson was unable to remember details about the incident, describing events as a blur, only able to remember places but not the details of what he did or the actions of others who were present. Another hearing will be held in three months to see if Patterson has made any progress. Within 90 days after the Department of Behavioral Health has received actual custody of the Defendant, the Defendant shall be evaluated and a diagnosis made as to whether the Defendant is presently mentally incompetent to stand trial and, if so, whether there is a substantial probability that the Defendant will attain mental competency to stand trial in the foreseeable future, the order said. Patterson was indicted in June 2023 and charged with murder, felony murder, four counts of attempted murder, five counts of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal damage to property, theft by taking and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) A Philadelphia man who law enforcement officers say led a Morgantown-based drug ring has admitted to his role in trafficking drugs into West Virginia, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday. Rodney Johnson According to a release, Rodney Johnson, 47, has admitted that he helped transport significant quantities of illicit drugs from Philadelphia to Morgantown including large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine. Johnsons organization allegedly used several properties in Monongalia County to store the drug supply. During a search for Johnson earlier this year, he and 24 other people were indicted in connection to the drug ring, including several West Virginians. Previous coverage Johnson faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the seven counts which he pled to. He is currently being held by the US Marshals Service Northern District of West Virginia in the North Central Regional Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mon Metro Drug Task Force investigated this incident and consists of members of the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia State Police; the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office; the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorneys Office; the Morgantown Police Department; the Granville Police Department; and the Star City Police 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 WBOY.com. A man accused of murder after a 911 call about a fake bear attack in the mountains of Tennessee led authorities to a dead man last month has been found and arrested, police said Sunday. The arrest of Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, in Columbia, South Carolina, ends a manhunt that was launched after the call late Oct. 18 to 911 dispatchers in Monroe County. The Monroe County Sheriffs Office said it was informed Sunday that Hamlett, who had been sought on a first-degree murder warrant, was found and arrested in South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sharing of Hamletts wanted poster led the public, whom is our most valuable resource, to act as our eyes and ears, Monroe County Sheriff Tommy J. Jones II said in a statement. Nicholas Wayne Hamlet. The case began when a man claiming to be Brandon Andrade called 911 and claimed that was injured after he was chased by a bear and fell off a cliff, authorities have said. The call was pinged in the area of the Charles Hall Bridge on the Cherahola Skyway in Tellico Plains, a small mountain town in Tennessee with a population of about 800 people. A body was found, with an ID of Brandon Kristopher Andrade but it wasnt him, and Andrades identity had been stolen and used multiple times, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person also was not killed by a bear, officials said. Once detectives laid eyes on the body, the injuries that the deceased had was not consistent with a bear attack, was not consistent with a fall, Jones said at a news conference last month. The cause of death was found to be blunt-force trauma to the head, he said. "It was very easy to rule out," Jones said. A first-degree murder warrant was obtained against Hamlett after investigators determined that Hamlett, who was wanted on a parole violation out of Alabama, had been using the stolen identification before the body was found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dead man was later identified as Steven Douglas Lloyd, 34, who authorities have said Hamlett befriended during the summer, NBC affiliate WBIR of Knoxville reported. Hamlett was arrested in South Carolina after a hospital employee recognized him and alerted authorities, Columbia police said. Fingerprints confirmed his identity, police said. Hamlett was in custody Sunday and arrangements were being made to extradite him to Tennessee, Columbia police said. It was not clear whether Hamlett had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. His case did not appear to be available online on Monroe County court records Monday. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 50-year-old man was arrested after an officer-involved shooting Monday night, Nov. 11, outside a Las Cruces apartment complex, according to Las Cruces Police. Police say they responded at around 10:30 p.m. to the 1300 block of S. Espina St. to reports of a man armed with a gun yelling outside an apartment complex. Upon arrival, police encountered the suspect, identified as Danny Garcia De Leon, and an officer ended up firing at least one round. De Leon was shot at least once and received medical attention. He has since been released from the hospital and arrested, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Leon was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center and was charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a peace officer with no bond, according to Dona Ana County jail records. According to court documents obtained by KTSM, De Leon also verbally harassed and threatened a neighbor earlier that day. The victim was taking his trash out when he had the encounter with De Leon. The victim told police that De Leon was outside with his dog, and De Leon began to verbally harass and threaten the victim, according to court documents. The victim told police that while he was being threatened, he noticed De Leon had a silver firearm in his waistband and also had a bow and or arrow in his possession, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim told police as he began to walk up the stairs to reach his apartment, he could still hear De Leon yelling at him. The victim then looked at De Leon and saw De Leon point the bow and arrow toward the victim, according to court documents. After a search warrant was executed, a long thin stick was found by the front door of De Leons apartment, which was consistent with the victims description of a bow and or arrow, according to court documents. A knife was also found at De Leons apartment. The victim told police that there was an ongoing history with De Leon where multiple threats had been made toward the victim for the past two years, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While at the hospital, De Leon told police that he did have a pistol but that it was only a toy, according to court documents. De Leon also told police that he had knives in his possession, according to court documents. No officers were injured in the incident, Las Cruces Police said. The Dona Ana County Officer-Involved Incident Task Force made up of the New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office, the New Mexico State University Police Department, and the Las Cruces Police Department are investigating the incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A man has been charged in connection to killing a 24-year-old man in southwest Charlotte, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. On Tuesday, Nov. 12, officers with CMPD, the United States Secret Service, and the Hickory Police Department arrested 41-year-old Shamario Tyeast Bethea. He has been charged with murder, kidnapping, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Around 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, officers responded to the 400 block of Peachtree Drive South about a call to assist Medic. When they arrived, they found 24-year-old Curtis Gregory Lampkin, with an apparent gunshot wound who was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lampkins next of kin has been notified of Betheas arrest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. MOOSIC, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) State police report they arrested a man wanted on 34 warrants after a DUI incident on Interstate 81. According to Pennsylvania State Police, on November 10, around 11:50 p.m., troopers pulled over a vehicle on I-81 in Moosic. State police charge man with killing dog Police say they learned the driver, Jeremy Crisi, 44, of Moscow, had 34 arrest warrants issued out of various Lackawanna County magisterial district courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers say they tried to arrest Crisi for the warrants and he was driving while under the influence, however. Crisi then allegedly resisted arrest and threatened police. Eventually, Crisi was placed under state police custody and is waiting for arraignment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. AI is the kind of once-in-a-century advancement that will forever change how the world works. It has also created tremendous wealth-building opportunities in sectors providing AI logistic support. One example is the utility stock boom, created partly by AI's insatiable appetite for power. CNBC's Jim Cramer recently shared his affection for one utility stock in particular. Keep reading to find out which one and why. Don't Miss: One of Jim Cramer's most famous segments is his lightning round, where he answers questions from investors who call into his show. When a caller asked about Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG), Cramer emphatically said, "It's a great company ... That is a terrific stock." So, what about Essential Utilities makes Jim Cramer so excited? According to its website, Essential Utilities is one of America's largest publicly traded natural gas and water companies. It mainly comprises two companies, Aqua (water) and Peoples (natural gas), which provide services for more than five million customers across nine states. Water is a basic human necessity, giving Essential Utilities a permanently locked-in (and lucrative) customer base. Trending: Wondering if your investments can get you to a $5,000,000 nest egg? Speak to a financial advisor today. SmartAssets free tool matches you up with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. However, it's not the strength of Essential Utilities' water business that's exciting investors. Big Tech and data center developers are increasingly looking at natural gas as a potential energy source for AI. Natural gas offers several distinct advantages over traditional energy sources, most notably its ability to meet AI's power needs while having a smaller carbon footprint than coal and other fossil fuels. This is becoming an increasingly important consideration as AI businesses and data centers continue moving closer to large cities and as the effects of climate change become more pronounced. Peoples is Essential Utilities' natural gas arm, which means they already have infrastructure in place to power AI operations and hyperscale data centers. It has over 2.5 million miles of natural gas pipelines in the markets it serves across several states. PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (WFLA) A man died Tuesday after becoming trapped under a van at an Amazon warehouse in Port St. Lucie. A mechanic, identified as Andrew Tabannah, 42, was working under an Amazon van when the jack stand holding it up failed, according to NBC affiliate WPTV. Caribbean disturbance has potential path toward Florida, models show | Tracking the Tropics Coworkers pulled Tabannah from underneath the van and he was rushed to Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement is working with OSHA to investigate the death. Officials said foul play is not suspected and the death appears to be an 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 WFLA. Man dies after being shot at park in Capitol Heights, police investigating CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. (DC News Now) Police in Prince Georges County said a man has died after he was shot at a park in Capitol Heights on Friday. According to the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD), at around 5:50 p.m., Maryland-National Capital Park Police and PGPD officers responded to the Walker Mill Regional Park in the 7700 block of Walker Mill Road for a shooting. There, they found 43-year-old Morris Haskins Jr., of Washington, D.C., with a gunshot wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responders took him to the hospital, where he died the next day. The kindest and greatest person ever: Beloved owner of RJ Bentleys in College Park dies The park, which is a popular place for families and children to jogging or play basketball and soccer at, has District Heights residents like Rukia Malipula worried for their safety. It was very sad that I heard that someone shot and killed a 43-year-old and I dont know what they were doing or why that person was killed theres no good reason to kill someone period. This is scary and I am concerned, Malipula said. Monica from Suitland, who didnt want to share her last name spoke to DC News Now, and said she is also worried. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wasnt aware of the shooting, so this is a bit unsettling and I come here a lot to walk my dog or to go walking and enjoy nature and they have a couple of nature walking trails here so this is pretty concerning to me. I think its horrible anytime a life is cut short by violence, and I am sending my prayers up for that family, she said. Detectives said they are working to identify those responsible and a motive. Police encourage anyone with information to call 301-516-2512. Tipsters can also contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com or through the P3 Tips app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. PAHOA, Hawaii (KHON2) A man is dead on Hawaii Island after being hit by a van in the driveway of a residence on Sunday, Nov. 10. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The single-vehicle collision happened on Sunday morning in the 15-2700 block of Maiko Street. Honolulu EMS respond to multiple Central Oahu incidents Reports said a 50-year-old man from Keaau was driving a white, 2008 Ford Econoline van when he struck the 79-year-old man in the driveway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was later identified as George D. Coit. Paramedics transported Coit to Hilo Benioff Medical Center where doctors pronounced him dead at 3:40 p.m. Officials said the driver of the van was not injured. Hawaii Island police opened a negligent homicide investigation for the incident. Anyone with information is advised to call Officer Johnathan Rapoza at (808) 961-2339. Check out more news from around Hawaii According to HPD, the collision does not count as a fatality because it did not happen on a public roadway. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sacramento Police are searching for clues into a deadly stabbing Sunday night at a South Natomas apartment complex. Officers who were called just after 8 p.m. to the complex on the 2800 block of Gateway Oaks Drive in the Metro Center neighborhood found an unidentified man with at least one stab wound, police officials said Monday afternoon. The man later died at a hospital, officers said. His identity is expected to be released by the Sacramento County Coroners Office once next of kin are notified. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-5471. An 81-year-old man in Montana was sentenced to six months in federal prison for illegally cloning and creating a giant hybrid sheep, according to the Guardian. Arthur "Jack" Schubarth was arrested for conspiring with five other people to use tissue and testicles from Marco Polo sheep that were illegally brought into the U.S. to make a larger hybrid sheep. The hybrid sheep were intended for captive trophy hunting in Texas and Minnesota. Marco Polo sheep are the largest in the world, weighing up to 300 pounds, and the cloning process created an even larger hybrid animal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. district court judge Brian Morris said he had difficulty coming up with an appropriate sentence for Schubarth. Morris considered Schubarth's age and lack of a criminal record, combined with the need to impose a sentence that would stop others from trying to "change the genetic makeup of the creatures" on Earth. Hybrid animals can often experience a myriad of health issues, including rapid growth and heart problems, per National Geographic. Another consequence of creating hybrid animals is the risk it poses to an endangered species. Marco Polo sheep are already under threat of extinction. Hybridization of them could further endanger the animal due to genetic swamping an occurrence in which the normal genetic makeup is replaced by the hybrid. Schubarth, who pleaded guilty in March, was fined $20,000, and Morris ordered him to pay $4,000 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The hybrid sheep has been confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will be held until it can be transported to a zoo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Holden, Schubarth's attorney, said that committing this cloning act has ruined his client's "life, reputation, and family." Holden was seeking only a probationary sentence due to Schubarth being a hard-working man who had cared for animals in the past. Sarah Brown, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, asked for prison time. Brown cited that Schubarth's illegal breeding operation was widespread, involved forethought, and included many illegal acts. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Brown also noted that Schubarth's crime endangered the well-being of other wildlife. "This case exemplifies the serious threat that wildlife trafficking poses to our native species and ecosystems," said assistant director Edward Grace of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law Enforcement, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. "Mr. Schubarth's actions not only violated multiple laws designed to protect wildlife, but also risked introducing diseases and compromising the genetic integrity of our wild sheep populations." 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. Police are investigating after a man was found dead in a tanning bed at an Indianapolis gym. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police were called to a Planet Fitness in the citys south side on Monday after a man was found dead inside a tanning bed, according to the Indy Star. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Derek Sink, 39, went into the tanning bed on Friday before being found dead on Monday, WTHR reported. Sinks family confirmed to WTHR that he struggled with drugs and that a needle was found in the room with him. The cause of Sinks death hasnt been determined at this time. The family had reported him missing on Friday. He was wearing an ankle monitor, which his family said helped investigators determine that he never left the gym. Planet Fitness released the following statement to WTHR after the incident: We were deeply saddened by the passing of one of our members, and the franchise owner is working with the local authorities in their investigation, said Chief Corporate Affairs Officer McCall Gosselin. At Planet Fitness, we have robust operational brand protocols in place, as the safety and well-being of our members is our top priority. We are working closely with our local franchisee to ensure they are upholding those brand protocols. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] We were deeply saddened by the passing of one of our members," said a Planet Fitness official Indianapolis authorities are investigating the case of a man found dead in a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness location after he was reported missing by his family The Marion County Coroners Office identified the victim as Derek Sink, 39, in an email to PEOPLE on Tuesday, Nov. 12. As reported by the Indianapolis Star, police received a report of a body found in the tanning bed inside a Planet Fitness on Indianapolis' Hardegan Street on the morning of Monday, Nov. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Family of Georgia Teen Found Dead Inside Gym Mat in 2013 Hopes for Answers in Reopened Investigation According to NBC affiliate WTHR, family members said that Sink got himself into the tanning bed on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Planet Fitness on Hardegan Street. His family reported him missing on Sunday, Nov. 10, per the Indianapolis Star. 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. Sinks family told WTHR that their loved one had substance abuse issues, and a needle was discovered in the room with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Cause of Death Revealed for Wells Fargo Worker Found Dead at Desk 4 Days After Clocking In When contacted by PEOPLE on Nov. 12 about Sinks death, an Indianapolis Metro Police Department spokesperson said: This remains an ongoing death investigation. The Marion County Coroners Office (MCCO) will determine the exact manner and cause of death. Local affiliate WPTA reported that Sink wore an ankle monitor, according to his family, which assisted authorities in determining that Sink did not leave the Planet Fitness location. We were deeply saddened by the passing of one of our members, and the franchise owner is working with the local authorities in their investigation," McCall Gosselin, Planet Fitnesss chief corporate affairs officer, said in a statement with PEOPLE on Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Cousins of Murdered Teen Arrested After His Body Is Found Wrapped in Comforter Near Highway At Planet Fitness, we have robust operational brand protocols in place, as the safety and well-being of our members is our top priority. We are working closely with our local franchisee to ensure they are upholding those brand protocols, the statement concluded. A sign posted on Nov. 11 on the door of the Planet Fitness location in Indianapolis stated that tanning was currently unavailable, WPTA reported. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) Virginia State Police are investigating a single-vehicle accident in Franklin County that killed a man from Hardy on November 10. VSP said around 1:26 a.m. on Sunday, 29-year-old Tyler Austin Wade Hale-Camp was driving north in a 2012 Honda Accord on Booker T. Washington Highway near Harmony School Road when he ran off the right side of the road and hit a tree. Man killed in hit and run on Williamson Road Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Hale-Camp was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing his seatbelt. Police said the crash is still 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 WFXRtv. MARION COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) A Phil Campbell man is dead following a single-vehicle crash in Marion County on Sunday night, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Stephen Lauderdale, 46, was fatally injured around 10:30 p.m. when the Honda CR-V he was operating left a road and hit a tree. The Honda then overturned down an embankment and collided with a fence. The crash occurred on Alabama 172 near Tessner Road. How many veterans live in Alabama? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lauderdale was found at the scene Monday and pronounced dead. Troopers with the ALEAs Highway Patrol Division are investigating 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 CBS 42. But the president-elects trade proposals could have a huge downside. Hes proposed 60% tariffs on Chinese goods and tariffs of 10% to 20% on other imports. Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, a research firm, said retailers would either take a big hit on profits or be forced to increase prices. Trump has proposed extending 2017 tax cuts for individuals and restoring tax breaks for businesses that were being reduced. He also wants to further cut the corporate tax rate. Those would be tailwinds for shoppers and businesses, analysts said. Still, in a sign of techs more conciliatory attitude, Trumps election was greeted by congratulatory posts from most of the industrys luminaries, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Trumps vow to impose tariffs and other restrictions on trade does pose a potential downside for chip makers, particularly stock market darling Nvidia. A possible rollback of Biden administration efforts to boost U.S. semiconductor production also is a concern. This time around, tech could benefit from an anticipated loosening of antitrust regulation that discouraged big deals from getting done and threatened to rein in the power of Google, Apple and Amazon. Whats more, Trump is expected to clear the way for Big Tech to make more inroads in artificial intelligence technology an area increasingly seen as a crucial battleground in the duel for global power between the U.S. and China. Technology stocks soared in Trumps first term, helped by the administrations tax policies. But the relationship was tempestuous: Trumps immigration stance threatened a source of high-skilled immigrants that comprises a significant part of the industrys work force and his trade wars threatened international sales and supply chains. Here's a look at where Wall Street is placing its bets at the moment: Professional investors are warning about the risk of getting carried away by the momentum. While strong rhetoric on the campaign trail can cause these big swings, not all of the promises turn into actual policy. Plus, the broad U.S. stock market tends to move more on long-term growth in profits than anything else. Since Election Day, investors have sent prices zooming for stocks of banks, fossil-fuel producers and other companies expected to benefit from Trumps preference for lower tax rates and lighter regulation . For retailers, meanwhile, the outlook is murkier because of uncertainty about whether theyll be able to absorb any of the higher costs created by tariffs. NEW YORK (AP) Wall Street is already making big bets on what take two for a White House led by Donald Trump will mean for the economy. Story Continues As opposed to Trumps first term, retailers will have a harder time absorbing tariffs this time because their costs of doing business are already higher, Saunders said. Many companies, including Nike and eyewear retailer Warby Parker, have been diversifying their sourcing away from China. Shoe brand Steve Madden says it plans to cut imports from China by as much as 45% next year. The National Retail Federation is forecasting higher prices for U.S. shoppers if Trumps new tariffs are implemented. For example, an $80 pair of mens jeans would cost $90 to $96. Anne D'Innocenzio Energy Trump has said he wants to drill, drill, drill starting on Day 1 of his presidency, so its expected that traditional fossil fuel-focused companies will get a boost and renewable energy outfits could be disadvantaged. Oilfield services companies including Haliburton and Schlumberger would likely benefit from initiatives to expand drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. Natural gas companies including EQT and CNX Resources could benefit from facilities and pipeline projects. Meanwhile, clean energy companies, such as First Solar and many electric vehicle makers, could have a harder time growing if Trump cuts tax credits and other incentives for the industry. But remember Trumps first term, says Austin Pickle, investment strategy analyst at Wells Fargo Investment Institute. The thought back then, like now, was that Trump would boost prices for oil-and-gas stocks. But energy stocks ended up struggling late in his term when the price of oil briefly went below zero during the COVID-19 pandemic. Damian Troise Health Care Drugmakers, insurers and other health care companies could benefit from fewer regulatory roadblocks to mergers and a lighter regulatory stance overall. Insurers, in particular, may see some regulatory relief for Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of the governments Medicare program mainly for people ages 65 and older. Under Democratic leadership, some insurers were facing smaller bonus payments tied to their Medicare Advantage plans. Some drugmakers are facing revenue hits on certain drugs covered by Medicare. Those challenges could abate under Republican rule, analysts at Morningstar noted. A second Trump administration also may challenge health care companies. The approval of drugs and vaccines could become less predictable, depending on the role anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plays, said Morningstar analyst Karen Andersen. Health insurers that sell coverage on the Affordable Care Acts insurance marketplaces or manage state-and-federally funded Medicaid coverage could face challenges if Republicans attempt to dismantle parts of the law, said Julie Utterback of Morningstar. In particular, extra subsidies that help people buy marketplace coverage are slated to expire at the end of next year, which could lead to enrollment drops. Tom Murphy Autos The auto industry is another that should welcome less restrictive regulations but dread tariffs. Trump is likely to roll back or scrap tailpipe emissions limits for 2027 through 2032 imposed by the Biden administration. Companies like General Motors, Ford and Stellantis could more easily sell larger, less-efficient vehicles without paying hefty fines. Companies would also face less pressure to sell more electric vehicles to offset emissions from big trucks and SUVs, which make big profit margins, said Kevin Tynan, research director for The Presidio Group. Tariffs are a different story. Trump has threatened tariffs on imported vehicles to force more production in the U.S. The threat of 100% tariffs on vehicles imported from Mexico is a big concern. Morningstar analyst David Whiston said such tariffs could potentially cost General Motors, Stellantis and Ford billions in profits. About 30% of GMs North American production comes from Mexico, while its 24% for Stellantis and about 15% for Ford. Whiston notes that tariffs on vehicles built in Mexico would violate the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement negotiated during Trumps first term. But that can be reworked in July of 2026. Whiston said those tariffs would mean higher prices and many buyers already cant afford the current average price of over $47,000. Trump also has threatened to get rid of electric vehicle tax credits that have helped boost sales of EVs. Tom Krisher Banks Bank stocks could benefit if Trump's policies boost the U.S. economy and more customers apply for loans. In addition, Wells Fargo banking analyst Mike Mayo believes the Trump victory can usher in a new era of lighter financial regulation after 15 years of stricter oversight following the financial crisis of 2008-2009. Under Biden, banks were facing requirements to set aside more capital to reduce risk, but the Trump administration is likely to take a step back. Dealmaking could see a revival under Trump, which would help banks with large investment banking operations like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. That also increases the odds the pending merger between Capital One Financial and Discover Financial gets federal clearance. Regional banks should benefit if a growing economy prompts the creation of new small businesses or the expansion of existing ones. Paul Harloff Building materials and construction Construction companies are looking at a mixed bag, with lighter regulations a plus but higher materials costs a potential minus. Construction companies, including homebuilders KB Home and PulteGroup, could benefit from tax incentives and more friendly regulations. A surge in development could help relieve some pressure on a housing market pressured by a lack of supply for new homes. A boost in construction could also help suppliers of raw materials including steel and aggregates used in concrete. But the potential for overall raw material price increases is a threat. Higher costs could cut into profits for construction companies and homebuilders. Steel tariffs could help shield U.S. producers from competition, but a jump in global prices as a result could negate that benefit, while also squeezing construction companies. Plans for an immigration crackdown could worsen an existing labor shortage and result in delays for projects. Damian Troise Crypto Trump, once a crypto skeptic, has pledged to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the planet and create a strategic reserve of bitcoin. Money has poured into crypto assets since he won. Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, has surged above $86,000. Shares of crypto platform Coinbase have surged more than 60% since the election. Crypto industry players welcomed Trumps victory, in hopes that he would push through legislative and regulatory changes that theyve long lobbied for. And Trump had promised that, if elected, he would remove the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. governments crackdown on the crypto industry and repeatedly called for more oversight. Wyatte Grantham-Phillips BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo man has pled guilty for his role in a fatal shooting that occurred in 2023 on Genesee Street, the Erie County District Attorneys Office said Tuesday. Twandrell Dean, 25, admitted to his role in the shooting death of 31-year-old Devin Lockwood in the early morning hours of July 22, 2023 on Genesee near Mortimer Street. Two other men were injured. Dean shot and killed Lockwood with an illegal gun. He pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case against his co-defendant, 41-year-old Ernest Brown, is still pending. Brown is facing second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and returns to court on Thursday. Dean faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 29. He is currently being held without bail. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The United States Attorneys Office District of Kansas announced on Tuesday that a California man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being charged with crimes related to child pornography. According to court documents, 38-year-old Timothy Vigil pleaded guilty in a Kansas court to one count of receipt of child pornography. Vigils 240-month sentence comes after the FBI arrested 18-year-old Kansas City, Kansas resident Jordan Escobar in 2023 after he admitted to recording child sexual abuse content and distributing it online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man charged in connection to deadly shooting near Strawberry Hill Escobars admittance resulted in his electronic devices being seized and investigated. The search revealed that he had been sending Vigil the images of the pornographic material and that Vigil had directly asked Escobar through messages for the child pornography. According to court documents, Escobar pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and is waiting to be sentenced. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey McCormick. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The man convicted of shooting and killing Alamogordo Police Officer Anthony Ferguson was sentenced Tuesday, Nov. 12 to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus an additional 6 1/2 years, the Office of the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney announced in a news release. Man found guilty in murder of Alamogordo police officer This sentence follows Dominic De La Os, 27, recent conviction by an Otero County jury, which found him guilty of first-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The additional sentence of 6 1/2 years reflects his convictions on additional charges including tampering with evidence, aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer, and criminal trespass, according to the news release. Alamogordo police officer dies after being shot in line of duty During Tuesdays sentencing hearing, the court listened to powerful, emotional testimony from Officer Fergusons family and colleagues, read the news release. The prosecution also presented audio from a jail call in which De La O appeared to boast about the incident just days after Officer Fergusons passing. District Attorney Scot D. Key commended the law-enforcement officers involved in the case, offering a heartfelt well done, according to the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Key also acknowledged the challenges they have faced and will continue to face as a result of Fergusons death. As we previously reported, Ferguson died on Sunday, July 16, 2023, a day later after being shot on July 15, in the line of duty following a traffic stop that ended in a pursuit and shots fired. Alamogordo police officer laid to rest Thursday Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. (WKBN) Just days after being sentenced in a Mercer County murder case, a Meadville man faces a hearing Tuesday in another case out of Crawford County. Read next: Ohio Amber Alert ends with deadly police-involved shooting Johnny Frank Henry entered a guilty plea to a third-degree murder charge on Friday afternoon and was immediately sentenced to five to 10 years in prison, along with 15 years of concurrent probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had been charged in the strangulation death of Joseph DeTello in November 2022 in Jackson Township. His body was found dumped in a field in Slippery Rock Township. Authorities in Columbus arrested Henry in connection with the crime, and he was extradited to Mercer County. Since then, Henry also faces involuntary manslaughter and other charges in Meadville for allegedly supplying another with drugs. That victim later died. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) A man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after an attempted breakup led to a deadly shooting at a Brighton hotel in 2022. Ricardo Perales-Cordero, 33, was convicted of first-degree murder after shooting a woman who tried to end their relationship, according to the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office. The 28-year-old victim met Perales-Cordero online. The DA said the pair was in a long-distance relationship, as Perales-Cordero lived in Houston. However, a few days before her murder, she tried to end the relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DA said Perales-Cordero traveled to Brighton in October 2022 and met up with the victim at a hotel along Brighton Road in Brighton. According to employee reports, they heard an argument and then two gunshots. Shortly after, the employees said Perales-Cordero had left the hotel and taken off in his car. The DA said the employees found the victim dead in the hotel room with a large gunshot wound to the head. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Perales-Cordero was later found in Trinidad. While he admitted to shooting the victim, the DA said he told authorities that she asked him to do it as part of a suicide pact since the two could not be together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perales-Cordero was convicted after a lengthy trial. The DA announced his conviction on Tuesday. This defendant, rather than let the victim return to her children, murdered her in cold blood in a Brighton hotel, said District Attorney Brian Mason in a press release. It is heartbreaking to see another incident of domestic violence take the life of a mother, who now leaves behind her children and family. Despite several weeks of jury trial in Adams County District Court, the jury returned its guilty verdict in less than two hours. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 homeless 21-year-old man was stabbed to death in a Brooklyn playground Tuesday morning, police said. The scene of the slaying, Clinton Hills Steuben Playground, is where a Venezuelan migrant was shot to death in July. In the latest violence, the victim was stabbed in the stomach during a confrontation with a man near Flushing Ave. and Steuben St. about 8:45 a.m. Medics rushed him to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Brooklyn Methodist, where he was pronounced dead at 9:20 a.m., police said. His name was not immediately released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They need to do something because its a bunch of people from the shelter that set up in the park, said a truck driver who gave his name as Ralph. This isnt surprising. There was a incident a few months ago of a shooting. It used to be a lot of kids playing in this park, now you dont see that no more, he added. Everything is just upside down. They have camps set up here at times. People are scared to come to that park and it just gets worse and worse. The victim lived in a migrant shelter on nearby Ryerson St., though his immigration status was not immediately clear. In July, two men were shot outside the shelter by a moped passenger who jumped off the vehicle and opened fire, striking the intended target, Enny DeJesus Urbina Mendez, 21, and another man, Francisco Fuentes Rangel, 59. The younger victim died that night, the other victim two days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter got back on the moped and fled with the driver. They crashed about two minutes later and police arrested Jorge Said Benitez Villa, 26, who broke his hip in the smashup. His accomplice is still being sought. Police at first thought the double murder was connected to the playground shooting, which occurred seven minutes earlier, and that they were each sparked by ongoing tensions between the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and an offshoot, Anti-Tren. But cops later determined the playground shooting, unlike the shelter slayings, was not related to those tensions, with police charging a city Parks Department cleaner, Elijah Michell, with shooting Venezuelan Arturo Jose Rodriguez Marcano, 30. Michell is charged with murder as a hate crime. According to prosecutors, Mitchell and Rodriguez Marcano got into a heated argument about a migrant tent in the park on July 18, when Mitchell ranted about the encampment and started tearing down the tarps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell then retreated to his car, only to return to confront Rodriguez Marcano by lifting his shirt and revealing a gun but was held back by other park workers, according to the Brooklyn district attorney. Three days later, while off duty, Mitchell went back to the park and shot Rodriguez Marcano in the chest while the victim was sleeping, prosecutors said. DENVER (KDVR) A Loveland man and a teenager were arrested and accused of attempted first-degree murder in connection to a series of drive-by shootings. On Sunday shortly after 5 a.m., the Loveland Emergency Communication Center received a call about a drive-by shooting in the 1000 block of East 5th Street near Sunnyside Park. According to Loveland police, the caller said a family members home had also been shot at. Police said a second person called to report a separate weapons complaint in the 1400 block of Platte Street. The caller said they werent sure if their house was shot but that they did hear multiple gunshots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man sentenced for murder in Brighton hotel after woman tried to breakup with him Loveland police said they quickly located the vehicle of interest in the case and conducted a high-risk traffic stop in the 2300 block of Greeley Drive about four miles away from the first shooting location. Police said three people were in the car two adults and one juvenile. All three were taken into custody without incident and a weapon was located. Loveland police said they developed probable cause and arrested 20-year-old Robert Jacobs of Loveland on the following charges: Two counts of attempted first-degree murder extreme indifference Two counts of aggravated retaliation against a witness or victim Providing a handgun to a juvenile Two counts of illegal discharge of a firearm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 17-year-old male was also arrested and booked into the Platte Valley Youth Detention Center. Because of his age, police will not be releasing his identity. He was arrested on the following charges: Two counts of attempted first-degree murder extreme indifference Two counts of illegal discharge of a firearm Possession of a handgun by a juvenile The third person in the car was released without charges. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Following an initial investigation, police said the three shootings took place within a 30-minute time frame, and it is believed the suspects knew the victims. Police said they do not have reason to believe there is an ongoing danger to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with additional information on the shootings is asked to call the Loveland Police Department Tip Line at 970-962-2032 or Larimer County Crime Stoppers at 970-221-6868. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ATHENS, Ga. (AP) A man on Tuesday waived his right to a jury trial in the killing of a Georgia nursing student, a case that became a flashpoint in the national immigration debate. Jose Ibarra was charged in the February killing of Laken Hope Riley, whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus. A 10-count indictment accused Ibarra of hitting the 22-year-old Augusta University College of Nursing student in the head, asphyxiating her and intending to sexually assault her. Prosecutor Sheila Ross told the judge that Ibarra's attorneys contacted her last week to say that he wanted to waive his right to a jury trial, meaning it would be heard only by the judge. Then Ibarra's attorney Kaitlyn Beck presented the judge with a signed waiver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After questioning Ibarra with the aid of a translator, Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard said he found that Ibarra had made the decision to waive a jury trial willingly. Prosecutors had chosen not to seek the death penalty but said in a court filing that they intended to seek a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jury selection had been expected to begin on Wednesday, but after discussion with the lawyers the judge said the bench trial would begin Friday. Shortly after his arrest, federal immigration officials said Ibarra, a Venezuelan citizen, illegally entered the U.S. in 2022 and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case. Immigration was already a major issue in the presidential campaign, and Republicans seized on Riley's killing, with now-President-elect Donald Trump blaming Democratic President Joe Biden's border policies for her death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he spoke about border security during his State of the Union address just weeks after Riley's killing, Biden mentioned Riley by name. Rileys body was found on Feb. 22 near running trails after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run. Police have said her killing appeared to be a random attack. Ibarra was arrested the next day and is being held in the Athens-Clarke County Jail without bond. The indictment charged Ibarra with one count of malice murder, three counts of felony murder and one count each of kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, hindering an emergency telephone call, tampering with evidence and peeping Tom. The indictment said that on the day of Rileys killing, Ibarra peered into the window of an apartment in a university housing building, which is the basis for the peeping Tom charge. Defense attorneys had tried unsuccessfully to have the trial moved out of Athens, to have the peeping Tom charge handled separately and to exclude some evidence and expert testimony. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A North Carolina man wanted for murder in Chesterfield County is behind bars in Horry County after his arrest on a drug charge on Saturday, according to a police report. Horry County police arrested Jamison Jashawn Chambers of Wingate, North Carolina, and another man after stopping a vehicle for speeding on Highway 501 near Conway. According to an arrest warrant, Chambers was a passenger in the car, which was going 64 mph in a 45 mph speed zone. During the traffic stop, officers found a loaded Smith and Wesson handgun, 2.2 grams of methamphetamine pills and 14.3 grams of what was believed to be marijuana inside the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chambers remains in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, where he is charged with distribution of meth. He was given a $10,000 bond. The second person arrested was given a citation for simple possession of marijuana and released. News13 has reached out to Chesterfield County authorities for more details about the murder investigation and Chambers role in the death. Chambers was also arrested in July in Monroe, North Carolina, and charged with driving while impaired and child abuse after authorities stopped his vehicle for having an expired license plate, according to WJZY, News13s sister station in Charlotte. At the time, WJZY also reported that he was wanted for murder in Chesterfield County and had fugitive warrants including failing to appear on charges of murder, possessing a weapon during a violent crime and armed robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was booked into the Union County Detention Center on several charges, including carrying a concealed weapon, driving while impaired, child abuse, possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce, having an expired registration/tag and having an expired inspection sticker but was never extradited to South Carolina to face the murder charge. Its unclear when he was released from jail in North Carolina. * * * 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. 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 WBTW. Disappointing news from the laboratory weighed on AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) stock as the trading week kicked off. The company had high hopes for a schizophrenia drug it was developing; however, it did not do well in recent testing. On the company's latest readout, investors were aggressively trading out of the shares, leaving them with a 12% decline in late-afternoon trading. Schizophrenia drug didn't do well in the lab Just before the market open on Monday, AbbVie revealed that its emraclidine schizophrenia treatment did not meet its primary endpoint in a phase 2 trial. It failed to show a statistically significant reduction in the benchmark Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) compared to a placebo. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free The company said, perhaps understating the case, that it is disappointed by the results. It pledged to continue analyzing the data from the trial to determine the next steps with emraclidine. Often, such results put an end to a drug's development. In the news release about the trial, AbbVie's chief scientific officer Roopal Thakkar said that the company is still "committed to finding better treatments for people living with psychiatric and neurological disorders." All is not lost It's no surprise that management would express hope that it'll successfully develop a new product for such afflictions. In early August, it closed a deal valued at $8.7 billion to acquire emraclidine's developer, Cerevel Therapeutics. The schizophrenia drug was one of the main reasons AbbVie bought the company. Cerevel wasn't a one-trick pony, however. For its considerable spend, AbbVie also acquired several other pipeline programs from the neuroscience-focused biotech. The most promising of these is Parkinson's disease tavapadon, which in contrast to emraclidine has done well in recent late-stage trials. Dont miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then youll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a Double Down stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If youre worried youve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before its too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: In a sign of just how much Donald Trumps election has overwhelmed his criminal cases, Manhattan prosecutors this weekend asked the judge in his hush money case to pause it while they assess the implications of Trump becoming president-elect. The Manhattan court in which Trump was found guilty in May released an email exchange on Tuesday between attorneys for Trump, the Manhattan DAs office, and the clerk of court. In the email thread, its clear that the Manhattan DAs office is unsure of how to proceed after Trumps election. As a result, a clerk for Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial earlier this year, told the parties that the judge would delay a key ruling in the case by one week, until Nov. 19. Merchan had previously said that he would rule by today on whether the Supreme Courts July immunity decision would negate the result of the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo initiated the thread in a Sunday email to the court. Per his message, Trump attorneys first conferred with prosecutors for a stay of proceedings on Friday, in order to consider the impact of Trumps anticipated certification as president-elect on Jan. 6 and his inauguration on Jan. 20. Colangelo wrote that prosecutors agree that these are unprecedented circumstances, and added that it would require careful consideration to weigh two factors: the jurys verdict that Trump is guilty and the Office of the President. After Colangelo asked the judge for a delay, Trump attorney Emil Bove followed up with a request to both delay and dismiss the case. Trumps lawyers have been asking for the case to be dismissed since he was charged; theyve repeated the request, amid continuous rejections from the judge, through the trial and post-guilty verdict. Bove wrote that stay and dismissal are necessary to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trumps ability to govern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exchange reflects a broader quagmire in the four criminal cases brought against Trump in 2023. Last week, Special Counsel Jack Smith asked the court in the Jan. 6 case to freeze proceedings, citing the DOJs policy on not prosecuting sitting presidents. Merchan had planned to issue a ruling on Tuesday addressing whether the immunity decision, which places the vast majority of presidential acts above the law and excludes them from use as evidence in criminal trials about non-official acts, requires dismissal of Trumps case. Should Merchan decide to keep the case alive, sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 26. Forest Home Cemetery is the final resting place for many of Milwaukees social elites and beer barons. But there are other lesser-known names etched on its granite headstones that figure prominently not only to Milwaukees history but the citys Black community. Just ask Sara Wong, a school social worker by day and a history buff by night. There's William T. Green, the first Black lawyer to argue before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. There's Louis Hughes, whose autobiography, Thirty Years a Slave, was published here in Milwaukee. And there are Ezekiel Gillespie and his wife, Catherine, who established the citys first Black church, St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal. The gravestone of Ezekiel Gillespie will be part of a walking tour of influential Black people at Forest Home Cemetery. Ezekiel Gillespie who was the founder of St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church. Gillespie and his first wife, Sophia, whose headstone is pictured on the left, moved to Milwaukee from Ohio in about 1851. He worked as a grocer before becoming a messenger for the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. He was also involved in helping secure suffrage for Black men in 1866. There is just such a rich history there that goes beyond and goes deeper than the beer barons, but is equally fascinating and is equally inspiring, Wong said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wong has had a passion for local history, specifically Black history in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. She has led historic neighborhood walking tours for the last three years through Milwaukee Recreation. This year, she teamed with Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum to tell the life stories of the cemeterys Black inhabitants. On Saturday, Nov. 23, Wong will lead a 90-minute walking tour, highlighting prominent Black figures who helped establish key institutions in Milwaukee and advocated for voting and civil rights. The Stories of Strength Honoring Black Milwaukeeans walking tour runs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and costs $10. The tour steps off in front of the Halls of History building at Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum, 2405 W. Forest Home Ave. Here's how to regsiter for the tour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wong wants the tour to challenge peoples notions about Blacks presence in and contribution to the city. Most assume Blacks started coming during the Great Migration from the South to northern, midwestern and western states in the early to mid-1900s. But the earliest settlers came long before the Civil War. Among them was Joe Oliver, who worked on lake steamers as a cook and was the first Black man to vote in Milwaukees first election in 1835. Sully Watson's photograph has been placed at his gravestone on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, and will be part of the walking tour of influential Black people at Forest Home Cemetery. Watson was enslaved in Virginia throughout his youth and much of his adult life. At about age 45, he negotiated to purchase his freedom and labored for five years to pay the debt of $500. Watson married Susanna and they had five children. After Watson obtained his certificate of manumission in 1834, the family moved to Columbus, Ohio. In their later years, he and wife moved to Milwaukee in 1850. Their great-granddaughter, Mabel Watson Raimey, became the first Black female lawyer in Wisconsin. Then there's the Watson family, whose roots in Milwaukee go as far back as the mid-1800s, Wong said. Sully and Susanna Watson came to Milwaukee in 1850, following their daughter, who came with her husband in the early 1840s. Their great-granddaughter, Mabel Watson Raimey, was the first Black woman admitted to the state bar in 1927. Their son, William Watson, was a stone mason who helped build the Iron Block Building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people, she said, dont realize the role early Black settlers played in the citys development and construction of some of the citys landmark buildings, including City Hall. Black people have been at the foundation and formation of our city since the very beginning, Wong said. Some stories and names on the tour may already be familiar to people, like Ardie and Wilbur Halyard, the founders of Columbia Savings and Loan, which financed the subdivision that bears their name. For other names, though, their whole story is still not known. Wong said most are familiar with the tragic death of George Marshall Clark, who in 1861 became the citys first lynching victim and is buried at Forest Home. Efforts by a local artist and the cemetery staff led to placing a headstone on Clarks previously unmarked grave. After 160 years, the unmarked grave of George Marshall Clark has a granite headstone. It was unveiled in September 2021 at Forest Home Cemetery. Clark's death on Sept. 8, 1861, is the only recorded lynching in Milwaukee. But Wong said many dont know Clarks familys history. His father, George Clark Sr., settled in the city in 1847, worked as a barber and mobilized other Black men to oppose the Fugitive Slave Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was a very active, vocal member of an anti-slavery group here in Milwaukee, Wong said. Digging into the history of the city's Black residents even challenged Wong's own assumptions about the past. She often thought of the civil rights movement as occurring in the 1960s. But there were efforts to achieve voting and civil rights going back to the 1800s. While Green worked to draft the state's first civil rights law in 1895, Gillespie challenged opposition to Black male suffrage, eventually securing the vote in 1866. Thats what took me by surprise less about whos buried there but just the fascination of their lifes stories and their lifes works, Wong said. Susanna Watson's photograph has been placed at her gravestone on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, which will be part of a walking tour of influential Black people at Forest Home Cemetery. Watson was born free in Virginia. She was literate and worked as a seamstress throughout her life. She married Sully Watson between 1820 and 1850. Because she was free, so were their children. The Watson family are featured in the "Streets of Old Milwaukee" exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She wants people to walk away from the tour with a deeper understanding of Blacks' contribution to the state and city, as well as know that changemakers in communities are not always people with political power. Its every-day people, she said. These are people who we might label as doing ordinary work," Wong said, "but they are doing really extraordinary work at the same time for their community." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Many Milwaukee Black historical leaders buried in Forest Home Cemetery The claim: Map shows all the dams removed around Valencia prior to October flooding A Nov. 2 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a map of the area around Valencia, Spain. Dozens of blue and green dots are shown on the map. "The blue dots represent all the dams that have been removed around Valencia," reads text above the map. The post's caption reads: "Wow I wonder why it flooded." The post was shared more than 2,000 times in less than two weeks. More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False The dots show existing river barriers that are still in place, not dams that have been removed, according to the organization that produced the map. Map shows existing barriers, not removed dams Severe flooding killed more than 200 people in Valencia, Spain in late October. At least 80 additional people are missing and thousands lost their homes. Local authorities did not issue cell phone alerts for hours after the flooding began, BBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement The flooding occurred after the region was struck by a DANA a Spanish acronym that refers to a type of storm system that gets cut off from the jet stream and may remain relatively stationary, according to NASA and the European Space Agency. Nearly 20 inches of rain fell in eight hours in one part of Valencia, according to NASA. The map shown in the post was created by AMBER, a European river management-related consortium of "large hydropower businesses, rivers authorities, non-governmental organizations, universities and the European Joint Research Centre," according to the group's website. The map shows existing water barriers in the Valencia area, including dams and weirs, not structures that have been removed, Carlos Garcia De Leaniz, the AMBER project principal investigator and aquatic biosciences professor at Swansea University, told USA TODAY. Weirs are barriers across a river similar to dams, but unlike dams they typically allow water to flow over the top of the barrier. "These are NOT dams that have been removed," Garcia De Leaniz said in an email. "Somebody out there is spreading malicious disinformation using our data. We are spending an inordinate amount of time debunking these lies." Advertisement Advertisement The key to the map on the AMBER site says blue dots represent existing weirs and green dots represent existing dams. Fact check: Can we count on renewable energy? Four ways wind, solar and water can power the US USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. Advertisement Advertisement 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: Blue dots show existing weirs, not Valencia dam removal | Fact check A sculpture bought for just 5 ($6) and used as a doorstop could sell for more than 2.5 million ($3.2 million) after a Scottish court gave the green light for its sale. It has taken years to decide the fate of the Bouchardon Bust, which was made by French sculptor Edme Bouchardon in the early 18th century and depicts the late landowner and politician John Gordon. However, after a local government that owns the bust sought approval from the Scottish Highlands Tain Sheriff Court to sell it, no objections were made when the case was heard on Thursday, a spokeswoman for the regions Highland Council told CNN on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Invergordon Town Council acquired the sculpture which survived a 19th-century castle fire in 1930 because Gordon was said to be the founder of Invergordon, officials said, and the council agreed to place it in the town hall. However, it was never put on display and was instead misplaced. In 1998, the bust was found being used to keep open a shed door on an industrial park, according to the Highland Council. In a May report on the proposed sale, the Highland Council said a private overseas buyer had contacted auction house Sothebys and put forward an offer of more than 2.5 million. The unidentified buyer also offered to pay for a museum-quality replica of the bust to be displayed in the local area. Local officials said they had not put the bust on display due to its high value, although it was loaned to the Louvre in Paris in 2016 and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles the year after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a public consultation earlier this year, members of a council committee recommended that the bust should be sold. By June, the wider council had agreed to the proposal, the spokeswoman told CNN. She added that, after getting court approval last week, a legal process used to determine whether objects are national treasures barred from overseas export known as the Waverley Criteria will almost certainly be triggered. CNN asked if an auction will take place but the spokeswoman did not confirm. In 2018, a rock that was used as a doorstop at Central Michigan University for three decades turned out to be a meteorite that later sold for $75,000. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President-elect Donald Trump will likely appoint Marco Rubio as U.S. secretary of state, Reuters reported on Nov. 12. citing unnamed sources. Rubio was among the 15 Republican lawmakers in the Senate who voted against the $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine, eventually passed in 2024 April. Shortly after Trumps election victory, Rubio said on air that Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has reached a "stalemate" and "needs to be brought to a conclusion." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Rubio described Ukrainians as "incredibly brave and strong" but there's "the reality of the war," he added. "That doesn't mean we celebrate what Vladimir Putin did or are excited about it, but I think there has to be some common sense here," he said. "We are funding a stalemate that's costing lives... and Ukraine is going to take 100 years to rebuild with everything they're facing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If appointed, Rubio will replace Antony Blinken. Its just the latest report of Trump planning to appoint a team with a dramatically different stance on Ukraine from the Biden administration. Earlier it was reported Trump has chosen Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, bringing a former special forces officer into a role that will steer U.S. global posture amid several high-stakes conflicts. Waltz, known for his plain-spoken approach and strong advocacy for Trumps vision, is expected to oversee a strategic shift in the handling of key international challenges, including the war in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Middle East, Politico reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has been nominated as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, according to a Trump statement on Nov. 10. "Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America first fighter," he said. Stefanik has shown mixed views on Ukrainian aid over the last few years. While she supported increased U.S. military assistance to Ukraine in the past, and even co-authored legislation to impose sanctions on Russia before its full-scale invasion against Ukraine started, she has since opposed further aid packages. Read also: For 2nd day straight, Russias reported losses in Ukraine surge to record levels Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Donald Trump is set to appoint Marco Rubio as the new US Secretary of State. The senator for Florida will become the first Latino to serve as Americas top diplomat, according to sources close to the president-elect. Mr Rubio was one of the more hawkish names on the shortlist for Secretary of State and the 53-year-old has hardline views on China and Iran. Over the last few years, Mr Rubio has softened some of his stances to align more closely with Mr Trumps views. The president-elect has accused past US presidents, including current president Joe Biden, of leading America into costly and futile wars and has pushed for a more restrained foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump has vowed from day one of his second term in the White House to negotiate an end to Russias war with Ukraine. Since his first term, Beijing has also aligned itself more closely with Moscow and Iran, amid deepening global divisions. The Ukraine crisis will be high on Mr Rubios agenda. He has said in recent interviews that Ukraine needs to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia rather than focus on regaining all territory that Russia has taken in the last decade. Mr Rubio was also one of 15 Republican senators to vote against a $95 billion (74 billion) military aid package for Ukraine, which cleared Congress in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not on Russias side but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement, Mr Rubio told NBC in September. Mr Rubio, whose grandfather fled Cuba in 1962, is also an outspoken opponent of normalising relations with the Cuban government, a position Mr Trump shares. While he was far from the most isolationist option, Mr Rubios likely selection nonetheless underlines a broad shift in Republican foreign policy views under Mr Trump. Mr Rubios selection is also significant domestically given Mr Trumps success in winning over the Latino vote at last weeks presidential election, as many Latinos switched from the Democrats to the Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was also considered as a possible running mate for Mr Trump, who ultimately picked JD Vance. It comes as Mr Trump has in recent days been assembling his top team ahead of his inauguration in January. On Monday, he appointed the fiercely pro-Israel Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik as the next US ambassador to the UN. Mr Rubio ran against Mr Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016 but could not keep pace with the future president or Texas senator Ted Cruz. Representatives for Mr Trump and Mr Rubio did not immediately respond to requests 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. A Marine Corps recruit fled boot camp earlier this month before being apprehended at the San Diego airport, the Marine Corps said. The recruit in question was attending boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and was snagged by local law enforcement nearby. We can confirm that a recruit assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego was apprehended by San Diego Harbor Police at the San Diego International Airport on November 4, 2024, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego said. The recruit was returned safely to the MCRD Provost Marshalls Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Marine Corps declined to comment on why the recruit was at the airport in the first place, or the circumstances that led to him leaving basic training. The service also declined to name the recruit. We take this matter seriously as the safety and welfare of our recruits and permanent personnel is of the highest priority, the spokesperson said. In respect to the privacy of our recruits and permanent personnel, no further details will be released at this time. The service confirmed that a video posted to Reddit, titled Recruit Escape, is of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The subheading of the video reads: Recruit from MCRDSD made a break to the airport lmao. We all had the same idea at one point. In the video, several San Diego Harbor Police, one in a tactical vest, capture the recruit and place him in handcuffs. Midway through the video, Linkin Parks hit 2000 song In the End fades in. The camera pans as the recruit is escorted out of the building by the police. His DIs back at the barracks rubbing their hands and licking their lips just waiting, one Redditor commented. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A Marine veteran received some recognition on Monday morning that was long overdue. He was wounded during Vietnam but never received a Purple Heart. Thankfully now he has, and KFOR was there when he got it. I wouldnt change it if I could, Jimmy Ohlheiser said. There aint no way. Thats a statement coming even 56 years after Ohlheiser was wounded in Vietnam. Now as he says it though, he finally dons an award on his chest that he so rightfully deserves, which is a Purple Heart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What does your country mean to you? News 4 asked. Damn near everything, he said. Veterans Day closures and events around Oklahoma He was just 19 years old in September 1968 when he was shot in the head while fighting overseas. A devastating injury, Ohlheisers brother John said. He ended up paralyzed on the left side. Im just glad I came through it in one piece, Jimmy said. After over a year of being in the hospital on leave, the military retired him. The only problem is his discharge paperwork never recognized his Purple Heart. However, after some talking between Sen. James Lankfords office and the Marines, a full house was inside the Norman Veterans Home Monday morning to watch that oversight be corrected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our country is a better place because of your service, and I am grateful Oklahomans can call you one of our own, a woman read from a letter from Lankford to Jimmy. His brother John and fellow Marine Kenny were by his side the whole time as got the recognition he deserved. Despite quite the delay, alls well that ends well for one of our nations true heroes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mark Freeman, a two-term city council member,has won the Mesa mayoral race to lead the city by defeating former city mayor Scott Smith. Freeman claimed victory for a second time late Monday in an official statement from his campaign, as county elections officials started to wrap up counting ballots. Freeman in a statement late Monday wrote, "Over the past year and a half, I have seen firsthand how many Mesa residents have a great passion for our community, our neighborhoods, and the quality of life that we enjoy. I look forward to working with everyone to make the city we all call home the very best city it can be." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He initially claimed victory Thursday in a Facebook post after AZFamily declared him the winner, which he later took down. Freeman did not immediately respond to The Arizona Republic's request for comment on the victory and concession from Smith because he was out of town at a conference. In a statement on Mesa Mayor John Giles' X account, formally known as Twitter, he congratulated Freeman on the win. "Mayor-elect Mark Freeman is a steadfast advocate for Mesa's residents and neighborhoods," he wrote. Giles wrote he was confident Freeman would "lead with integrity" and he looked forward to seeing Freeman's vision for the city. Term-limited Mayor John Giles will leave the mayoral seat in January after a decade in the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith told The Republic he called Freeman Monday night to concede the race and to congratulate him on his win. "As a Mesa Resident who loves Mesa I only hope that he succeeds," Smith said. Smith was previously elected as mayor twice in 2008 and 2012. He resigned in the middle of his second mayoral term to run as the Republic gubernatorial nominee in 2014, which he lost to Doug Ducey. He later served as the Valley Metros CEO from 2016 to 2022. Councilmember Mark Freeman speaks during the Mesa mayoral debate at Mesa City Hall on Oct. 8, 2024. He was retired since he left the post at Valley Metro and said after the loss he'll go back to enjoying it for a while. However, he said he has a lot of life to live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I would probably not consider running for any office in the future," Smith said. "I think I still have something to give and I'm sure some opportunity will come up somewhere." The race marks one of the most competitive Mesa mayoral races in recent history. The past four election cycles for the mayoral race were either won by wide margins or had no opponent to the incumbent. Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2-term Councilmember Mark Freeman wins Mesa mayor race Illinois voters approved a constitutional amendment, Marsys Law for Illinois (Illinois Crime Victims Bill of Rights) in November 2014, guaranteeing specific rights to those impacted by violent crime. Our Quad Cities News Illinois Capitol Bureau correspondent Theodora Koulouvaris explains how the list of victims rights is much larger, thanks to the law. For more information, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) The control of Congress is still up for grabs with only 19 seats undecided. Social media map reveals early favorites for 2028 election; Massachusetts favors Gov. Newsom The final races will determine whether there will be a Republican or Democratic majority. Congressman Richard Neal shared, The federal government needs a plan. President-Elect Donald Trump is eager to take office, now announcing his plans for the first few days. Mass deportation of undocumented immigrants is a top priority for Trump. Just days a go, Massachusetts Governor Healy shared on MSNBC that Massachusetts State Police would not assist in mass deportations. In the case of Governor Healy what shes saying here, lets get on with national legislation before we begin a process that inhibits our ability to grow economically, shared Congressman Richard Neal. The House is still up for grabs, and it is crucial for President-Elect Donald Trump to execute his agenda. Some of the items on his agenda include increased tariffs on international trade and replacing the Affordable Care Act. The outcome for the House of Representatives is close, and if Republicans do win, they will control all of Washington, D.C., a plus for the Trump administration. 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. The News Mauritius opposition coalition won the countrys election emphatically. It paves the way for a peaceful handover that would buttress the countrys credentials as a stable investment hub after a high-profile wiretapping scandal last month. Alliance du Changement, led by three-time former premier Navinchandra Ramgoolam (pictured), took all seats in the countrys parliament. Pravind Jugnauth, the Indian Ocean islands prime minister since 2017, on Monday conceded that his LAlliance Lepep was heading for a huge defeat after Sundays parliamentary election. Know More Mauritius routinely tops rankings of African investment destinations, due its economic performance and political stability. But recordings leaked in recent weeks suggested government-sanctioned wiretapping has been widespread, prompting fears that civil liberties were under threat. The government briefly banned social media in response to the scandal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that Mr Jugnauth conceded early is a positive reflection of the credibility of state institutions and belief in democratic principles, said Jacques Nel, head of macro at advisory firm Oxford Economics Africa, in a note. The View From Botswana Last month Botswanas voters kicked out the Botswana Democratic Party, which had ruled the country since independence in 1966. President Mokgweetsi Masisi quickly acknowledged that his party had lost in a landslide and congratulated Duma Boko, then leader of the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Boko was sworn in as president two days later. NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday that Democrats have themselves to blame for President-elect Donald Trumps growing margins of support in New York City, contending that their embrace of a far-left agenda is backfiring on them. Adams, a conservative Democrat who often clashes with members of his own party, offered the analysis after being asked in his weekly briefing whether he was surprised by how much support Trump received in the traditionally deep-blue city in the Nov. 5 election. It doesnt surprise me. This far-left agenda that Ive been talking about for a long time, where were not focusing on working-class people some of the things that you talk about, its not what working-class people are talking about, Adams replied, referring to reporters. How do I get the MetroCard? How do I make sure that I can put food on the table? These are real issues, and so when youre not talking about those real issues, then it doesnt surprise me that people are saying, Listen, youre not speaking on my behalf anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams, who used to be a registered Republican, didnt elaborate on what specific issues he deems part of a far-left blueprint. His spokesmen didnt immediately return requests for comment after his briefing. Adams has said he supported Vice President Kamala Harris in the election Trump handily won. She centered her campaign around a number of economic issues, including providing first-time homebuyers with $25,000 down payment assistance. Harris won New York City in this months election by a 68%-to-30% margin over Trump. Thats a much thinner margin than when President Biden beat Trump by 53 percentage points in the 2020 election, and Trumps boost this year can be attributed to growing support for him in the Bronx and Queens. City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive Democrat, argued Adams recent rhetoric on various issues helped Trump locally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Adams) correctly identifies problems that are top issues for our constituents, but rather than elevate the solutions available, he joined his fellow conservatives in fearmongering and scapegoating, Williams said. Whether in hopes of special treatment or in genuine belief of the ultraconservative Trump talking points he parrots, this mayor seems willing to either stand alongside Trump, or to look the other way in the face of an agenda that harms the same people that the mayor claims to represent. Adams is under federal indictment on corruption charges. Williams and other local Democrats have recently questioned whether Adams is avoiding criticizing Trump in hopes the incoming Republican president could help quash the criminal case against him. Adams has declined to say whether he has spoken with Trump about his case. _____ Mayor Adams voiced concern Tuesday about a City Council bill that would prohibit landlords from forcing tenants to pay broker fees, arguing the measure could result in long-term affordability concerns for everyone involved. I think the bill has the right intention, but sometimes good intentions do not get the results youre looking for, Adams told reporters about the bill, known as the FARE Act. The City Council is expected to pass the measure in a vote Wednesday. The bill, which has locked in support from a majority of Council members, proposes to ensure that whoever hires a real estate broker to facilitate an apartment rental would be responsible for paying the brokers fees. Under current laws, landlords can and often do hire brokers and then make their tenants pay their fees, a practice that adds thousands of dollars on to New Yorkers move-in tabs that would become illegal under the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his weekly news conference Tuesday, Adams offered a different perspective. Adams, who often mentions that he previously worked as a real estate broker, lamented that theres no mechanism in the bill that would prevent landlords from rolling the cost of the broker fee into a tenants monthly base rent. We need to find ways of ensuring that we get that affordability, but we cant do it with just a knee-jerk reaction. Think for a moment: If you pass the cost on to the small property owners, nothing in that law stops them from building it into their rent, so it goes from a one-time fee to a permanent fee, Adams said. Adams didnt say one way or the other whether he might veto the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His arguments echo those of the Real Estate Board of New York, a powerful industry group that has aggressively lobbied against the bill. Brooklyn City Councilman Chi Osse, a progressive Democrat who introduced the legislation, dismissed Adams argument as REBNY talking points. He noted that pass-along rent costs wont be an issue for the roughly 2 million New Yorkers who live in stabilized units, as increases for their apartments are limited by law. For those who live in nonstabilized units, Osse said, hes not concerned about pass-along costs because he believes broader market forces, not a ban on some broker fees, dictate rent levels. Its really hypocritical for the mayor to talk about how hes skeptical about a bill that would save New Yorkers thousands of dollars and then criticize the left for not focusing on pocketbook issues, Osse told the Daily News, referring to an unrelated comment the mayor made at Tuesdays news conference. This is the definition of a pocketbook issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of late Tuesday, Osses bill had 33 co-sponsors, one vote shy of the supermajority threshold required to override a veto should the mayor issue one. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Queens) is also expected to vote for Osses bill Wednesday, though, as are several other members who arent signed up as co-sponsors, he said. Since taking office in January 2022, Mayor Adams has used his veto pen three times in an attempt to block housing and public safety-related bills and each time, a supermajority of Council members have voted to override him to force the measures into law. Osse said he doesnt believe Adams would attempt to veto his bill given the level of support. But Im not the mayor, so well see what happens, he added. EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) On Veterans Day, Meals on Wheels volunteer Lt. Julie Rowland showed her appreciation for Vietnam Veteran Charles Nunleys 22 years of service in the Navy while delivering a meal and some magic tricks. If Im walking around town, if Im on my lunch break and Im in my uniform, people will stop me and say thank you for your service, but that wasnt the culture then, Roland said. Nobody said anything. It was Oh, youre back. Oh okay. Hmph, Nunley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meals on Wheels San Diego County delivers to seniors and disabled veterans of any age. Nunley and his wife Marie, who has Alzheimers, have been clients since July of this year. Deals from restaurants, retailers for Veterans Day 2024 Its really cool to think that this is a Vietnam Veteran, but he was there when women were first breaking into the field, Roland said. I was on the ship that brought on board the first women, Nunley said. Roland, an active-duty naval aviator, describes her relationship with Navy Veterans as a bond that transcends time, and gives them a lot to talk about. That was kind of neat because like I said the outfits I was in we had women. Im just glad to see theyre still doing it, Nunley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meals on Wheels San Diego County says they serve 650 customers who are Veterans or spouses of Veterans. If you would like to get involved, 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A reputed CIA asset, Turkish billionaire Sezgin Baran Korkmaz, is allegedly cooperating with federal officials in the sweeping investigation into New York City Mayor Eric Adams and is expected to take the stand in the former NYPD captain and Brooklyn Borough President's 2025 trial, Los Angeles has learned. Korkmaz was indicted in Utah on money laundering charges connected to a scheme run by an LA fuel magnate and a Mormon polygamist cult sect that pilfered a half billion dollars in bogus biofuel subsidies. Prosecutors say Korkmaz helped the unlikely criminal compatriots launder $133 million in stolen taxpayer cash, and when the green energy swindle led to a slew of arrests in L.A. and Utah, the billionaire went on the run. Interpol tracked his movements for years and found him in June 2021 getting a massage at a five-star hotel in Austria. Korkmaz was extradited to Utah in 2022, where a judge ordered him held without bail after the government argued he was a flight risk," one with every incentive to flee the United States as well as the financial means to do so. However, sometime after he arrived in the U.S., Korkmaz was inexplicably released from a Utah jail and was spotted in New York City this summer distributing food from a Turkish restaurant, a free man despite the litany of criminal charges he continues to face in Utah, and the government's own assertion that he is a flight risk with access to tens of millions of dollars. According to the docket in his federal criminal case, Korkmaz is now slated to go on trial in November 2025, four years after his arrest. Korkmaz, who court records call a man with"longrunning entanglements with domestic and foreign governments," has now been identified as "Businessman #3" in the 57-page federal indictment that charges Mayor Adams with accepting luxury travel and foreign cash from bad actors in Turkey. Sezgin Baran Korkmaz New Yorkun unlu Turk restoran Ali Baba'ya ortak oldu, yaptg yemekleri "hayrsever" olarak sokakta dagtt.https://t.co/2VRDtbznsE pic.twitter.com/rL7VSLZ5U9 serbestiyet (@serbestiyetweb) August 5, 2024 Adams' relationship with Turkish officials and the country's wealthiest occupants began in 2014 when he was elected as Brooklyn's Borough President, federal prosecutors say. Over the next decade, according to the indictment, he "sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel including from wealthy foreign business people and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him." New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference outside Gracie Mansion, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York after he was indicted on charges he took bribes from Turkish foreign nationals to ignore the Armenian Genocide and circumvent inspections at that country's Manhattan embassy. Yuki Iwamura / ASSOCIATED PRESS Korkmaz, who counts former CIA Director James Woolsey as a friend, was once a keynote speaker alongside Adams and members of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's administration during the United Nations General Assembly in 2017. Then, during a trip to Istanbul in 2019, and against the advice of a Turkish official who warned Korkmaz was "under suspicion of wrongdoing," Adams met with the "Businessman-3," now identified as Korkmaz. The two discussed Kormaz making a $50,000 campaign contribution to Adams' 2021 Mayoral campaign, "believing he [Adams] might one day be the President of the United States," according to the indictment. Because Korkmaz is a foreign national, the discussion turned to the use of straw donors in the U.S., which would make the contributions illegal. Before those monies could prop up Adams' campaign, prosecutors unraveled a money trail that led to the Turkish billionaire, saying, "Korkmaz and his co-conspirators allegedly used the biofuel fraud proceeds to acquire luxury homes and assets, as well as businesses such as Biofarma, the Turkish airline Borajet, a yacht named the Queen Anne, a hotel in Turkey and a villa and apartment on the Bosporus river in Istanbul." Related: Beverly Hills Lawyer Disbarred Two Years After Admitting He Paid a Ringer to Take the Bar As this complicated and bizarre case was unwinding in Utah, Adams cut off contact with Korkmaz and refused to meet with the indicted billionaire in New York City, according to his indictment. He never accepted the troubled businessman's contribution, the indictment states, because "Businessman-3's legal troubles in Turkey and the United States became public." Adams, the first sitting New York City Mayor to be indicted, has pleaded not guilty and refuses to step down as he insists on his innocence. View the original article to see embedded media. When he became Mayor, the indictment says, Adams agreed to ignore Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in 2022 after a Turkish official "repeatedly" demanded Adams bypass any statements of condolences to its victims in deference to Turkey's ongoing denial of the atrocities that began in 1915 when the Ottoman Empire began a targeted decimation of its civilian Armenian population. The systematic killings continued until 1923, when the Ottoman Empire ceased to exist and was replaced by the Republic of Turkey. On Monday, attorneys for Adams filed a letter with a federal judge requesting an early trial date so that the Mayor could push his reelection bid. In it, his attorney wrote that Adam's scheduled March 2025 trial date will impede his campaign schedule. "It is likely that many New Yorkers will cast their ballots on the first days of early voting, which begins on June 14, 2025. An earlier trial date will ensure that Mayor Adamss speedy trial rights are upheld, that the Mayor will be able to fully participate in his reelection campaign, and that this Citys voters can be rid of the distraction of this misguided indictment," he wrote, adding criticism for federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. "The prosecutors could have indicted Mayor Adams on a timeline that did not interfere with the campaign or waited until after the election. But, they chose to proceed him knowing that their preferred schedule would put the trial right in the middle of the Democratic primary." General counsel and executive vice president Michael Stephens will oversee Tampa International Airport next year, positioning the airport for a new chapter of leadership during a time of breakneck growth for the transportation hub and Tampa Bay. He will succeed Joe Lopano, who has helmed the airport since 2011 and whose legacy looms large. Lopano brought the airport a new rental car center; a remodeled main terminal with local concessionaires; key international flights to Europe, Latin America and the West Coast; and an upcoming international terminal, set to open in 2028. Lopano, 69, announced earlier this year that he will step down when his contract expires in April 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillsborough County Aviation Authority board members considered two finalists before making a final decision. The choice was between two executive vice presidents: general counsel Michael Stephens and operations head John Tiliacos. The board went 4-1 for Stephens. The contenders were clear-eyed about the challenges facing the airport and regional transportation networks as Tampa Bays population swiftly grows. Passenger count is expected to near 26 million in 2025. In 2040, that number is expected to increase by 15 million, Stephens said. More than two-thirds of current passenger traffic comes from residents of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. By 2042, Tampa Bays metro population is expected to grow by 750,000 people, eclipsing four million, according to numbers presented by Stephens. It doesnt take a lot to realize that we have a problem coming over the horizon, he said. As (Lopano) likes to say often, well bring the wide-body in from Europe, right? But then theyll end up going five to 15 miles an hour on Tampa Bay roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephens focused on alleviating congestion and connecting threadbare public transit. He proffered a vision of Tampa International as an urban transit hub, with an expanded SkyConnect rail service that, in partnership with Tampa and Hillsborough County, could help take airline passengers to the Westshore District, downtown Tampa and Water Street. He compared the proposed transit system to Miamis Metrorail, which spans more than 24 miles. Four board members, including Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen, praised Stephens specific vision for the future of transportation in Tampa Bay. If the airport is not at the center of the transportation discussion for this region, we are not going to move forward, Cohen said. And what I heard in Michaels presentation... was a relentless focus on the future, looking at what we can do with St. Petersburg, looking at how we can connect the intermodal systems that are already being envisioned across the other transportation platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephens holds degrees from Morehouse College and American Universitys Washington College of Law. He has served as a No. 2 at the Tamp airport since 2015, when he left his executive role at Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Army. Stephens will be the fourth CEO in the airports history and the first Black man to hold the position. MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) A fire protection district in Champaign County is starting to discuss raising taxes for more funding. A public meeting to discuss a property tax levy increase for Cornbelt Fire Protection Districts is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 5:45 p.m, according to a posted announcement. The meeting will take place at the Cornbelt Fire Protection Districts station at 506 E Main Street in Mahomet. 20 fire trucks respond to large Danville home fire over weekend Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who is interested in testifying at the meeting should contact Cornbelt Fire Chief John Koller at 217-586-3380. Officials note the proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2024 will increase by 10% since last year. Central Illinois voters approved two measures to increase taxes to help fund firefighters and equipment in Tolono and Westville earlier 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 WCIA.com. Melania Trump is expected to decline an invitation to meet with Jill Biden at the White House, but reports differ on the reason. The New York Post, citing an anonymous source familiar with the decision, reported that the incoming first lady will not attend because of lingering bitterness over the FBIs raid of Mar-a-Lago. Jill Bidens husband authorized the FBI snooping through her underwear drawer, the source claimed. The Bidens are disgusting. The FBI converged on the Trumps Florida residence in 2022 to recover classified documents that were allegedly being stashed there illegally by the former president, but a Trump-appointed judge dismissed the case last summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first lady and her successor traditionally meet to help reflect a peaceful transition, but that did not happen in 2020, when then-President Donald Trump contested Joe Bidens victory under false pretenses. President-elect Trump and Biden are scheduled to meet at the White House on Wednesday. It appears the former first lady wont be headed to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for tea, however. CNN reported Melania Trumps likely rejection of Jill Bidens invitation, but a source told the network it was due to a scheduling conflict with her book promotion tour. The source also said the decision was not final. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Trumps first victory in 2016, then-first lady Michelle Obama invited Melania Trump for tea and gave her a tour. Melania Trump, right, is set to turn down Jill Biden's White House invitation, according to reports. Getty Related... LACY LAKEVIEW, Texas (FOX 44) Arrests have been made after a group of men were seen attempting to steal an ATM from a 7-Eleven. The Lacy Lakeview Police Department received a report of an ATM theft in progress at approximately 6 a.m. Monday. The event occurred at the 7-Eleven store located on the Interstate 35 frontage road. Officers quickly responded and witnessed three individuals attempting to drag the ATM out through the business window using a rope. Two suspects attempted to evade in a vehicle, while the third suspect fled on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say an officer apprehended the subject on foot, and another officer pursued the vehicle, stopping it in the Towneplace Suites parking lot. An additional suspect was subsequently apprehended. Tadarius Patton and Cameron Bryant were both arrested on numerous charges including Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a first-degree felony; Theft of Property Less Than $300,000, a second-degree felony; Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, a state jail felony; Criminal Mischief Greater Than $2,500 Less Than $30,000, a state jail felony; Criminal Mischief Causes Impairment to ATM, a third-degree felony; and Evading Charges. Man accused of injuring Waco officers during arrest Tadarius Patton. (Courtesy: Lacy Lakeview Police Department) Cameron Bryant. (Courtesy: Lacy Lakeview Police Department) Police say an additional investigation will follow in order to obtain the identities of all involved parties. 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. Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn is calling for Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago staff to be subjected to polygraph tests after a series of press reports about the incoming presidents cabinet picks. Flynn, who briefly served in the Trump administration, made the remarks on X/Twitter on Tuesday in response to a tweet by controversial far-right activist Laura Loomer. It would be very easy to catch someone doing this. Give everyone that is there a one question poly (this is very easy to do). Ask them one question, have you communicated with any media outlets in the past week? Youll see the leaks disappear, Flynn said in response to a tweet by Loomer, a hard-right conspiracy theorist who traveled with Trump on the campaign trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, The New York Times reported that Trump had nominated Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio to serve as his secretary of state. CNN reported that hed also selected South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Both of the outlets cited unnamed sources familiar with the presidents thinking. Reacting to news of the apparent leaks, Loomer wrote on X: Why are people inside Mar-a-Lago leaking Trumps possible cabinet picks to the media? Not a good sign that things are being leaked already. People should be respecting President Trumps privacy and the privacy of the transition team. The leaks came as Trump announced several of his cabinet picks this week, including his incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and United Nations Ambassador Elise Stefanik. Exactly Laura. This should not be happening and it would be very easy to catch someone doing this. Give everyone that is there a one question poly (this is very easy to do). Ask them one question, have you communicated with any media outlets in the past week? Youll see the General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) November 12, 2024 Its unclear if Flynn himself will make a political comeback in Trumps second administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The retired US Army general was appointed as Trumps first national security adviser in 2017, despite outgoing president Barack Obama having reportedly warned Trump against hiring Flynn. Michael Flynn on the campaign trail with Donald Trump in 2016 (Getty Images) However, Flynn lasted only weeks, resigning amid a media storm over claims he had discussed US sanctions on Russia with the then-Russian ambassador to the US, Sergei Kislyak, despite multiple official denials. Trump said he had fired Flynn because he had lied to the vice-president, Mike Pence, and the FBI about his contacts with Kislyak. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to FBI officials in late 2016 about the conversations as part of a plea deal although he later sought to withdraw his guilty plea. Trump went on to pardon him before leaving office. In May 2023, Trump vowed to bring him back while speaking at the ReAwaken America Tour hosted by Flynn. Laura Loomer with Trump. Her presence on the 2024 campaign reportedly caused consternation among his closest advisers (Screenshot / Twitter / Laura Loomer) You just have to stay healthy because were bringing you back. Were going to bring you back, Trump said. Were proud of you, general. I knew it from day one youre really somebody very special. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former aide has been one of the lead proponents of Trumps 2020 election fraud claims. Hes continued repeating Trumps unfounded claims since exiting the administration and encouraged his former boss to seize voting machines and order the military to demand another vote in certain states. Loomer is known for spreading conspiracy theories about 9/11 being an inside job and for her anti-Muslim rhetoric. She aired a conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio eating domestic pets a day before Trump said it in his one debate with Kamala Harris. City officials said there was no evidence to support the claims. Some Republicans blamed Loomer for the remark and grew concerned about her closeness to the campaign after she started flying on Trumps plane and attending events, including one to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. At a news conference in September, Trump said: I dont control Laura. Laura has to say what she wants. Shes a free spirit. Trump will continue to make appointments ahead of Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025. On Monday, he demanded that anyone hoping to secure the coveted Senate majority leader spot agree to recess appointments, allowing him to bypass Congresss votes on each of the nominations, a hallmark of the countrys democratic process. A Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his cousin after a family pet helped identify him as the killer, authorities said. The body of Mandy Rose Reynolds was found burning in a storage container in a field in McLennan County, Texas on April 5, 2023, according to the district attorney's office. The remains were burned beyond recognition, and a .380 shell casing was found inside the container. Responding officers also found a white dog which barked frantically and refused to leave the scene or be captured, officials said. The body was removed, and the next morning, a citizen reported seeing the dog sitting in the same spot it had been. Officials took custody of the dog, which they later learned was named Titan. They found the canine had a microchip and were able to identify it as having belonged to Reynolds. This led police to suspect Reynolds was the person whose body had been found. They went to her home and found it completely empty, with all her possessions, including her car, missing. From left: Prosecutor Ryan Calvert, prosecutor Alyssa Killin and investigator Keith Kunz with Titan. / Credit: McLennan County District Attorney's Office Two days later, a man was spotted driving Reynolds' car near Wichita, Kansas. Police attempted to pull the driver over, but he started a high-speed chase, reaching speeds of over 100 miles per hour before crashing into another vehicle. The driver then fled on foot, running into a grocery store and hiding behind canned goods. He was quickly found by police and taken into custody. A .380 handgun was found inside the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver was identified as Derek Daigneault, 29, a cousin of Reynolds'. Police began to investigate his movements between the discovery of Reynolds' body and the car chase. Security footage from an area Wal-Mart showed Daigneault purchasing a storage container that matched the one Reynolds' body was found burning in. He had also purchased a shovel and a gas can in the same visit. Video showed Daigneault driving away from the store in Reynolds' car, officials said. In the footage, Titan can be seen sticking his head out the window of the vehicle. He also had Reynolds' phone, which police used to track his location. Derek Daigneault. / Credit: McLennan County District Attorney's Office The gun in the vehicle was determined to be Reynolds' grandmother's weapon and matched the shell casing found with her body, according to CBS affiliate KWTX. Daigneault was reportedly on felony probation with a warrant out for his arrest at the time of the murder, KWTX reported. He convinced Reynolds to drive from San Marcos, Texas to Kansas to pick him up, and she allowed him to stay with her for about a month before the murder, the station reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daigneault has previous felony convictions for aggravated burglary, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, possession of methamphetamine, attempted interference with law enforcement, criminal discharge of a firearm at a residence, fleeing officers, aggravated battery and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to KWTX. Jurors deliberated for about 40 minutes before returning with a life sentence on November 7. Daigneault will be eligible for parole in 30 years, KWTX reported. An attorney for Daigneault said they will appeal the verdict. In a statement, McLennan County assistant district attorneys Ryan Calvert and Alyssa Killin, who prosecuted the murder, called Titan a "heroic and loyal dog" and said he served as one of the "keys to this case." Trump expected to pick Rubio for secretary of state, Kristi Noem for Homeland Security secretary Tom Homan on what mass deportation immigration plans may look like Robots sculpt marble in Italy, sparking worries about future of art form | 60 Minutes MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH) Veterans Day is a day dedicated to honoring those who served our country. To all of you that have served and your family members, please hold your head high, we are all so very proud of you, said Commissioner Ron Welch, of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs. Our country can never thank you enough for the service and sacrifice to our great state and nation. At the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, veterans were honored and thanked for their bravery, service and sacrifice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the greatest country in the face of this earth and it wouldnt be here without each and every one of you fighting every day for the ideals we hold dear, Gov. Ned Lamont said. During the ceremony on Monday, the six branches of the U.S. military were recognized. Its a beautiful day, a lot of people here, said David Pina, a veteran of the Marine Corps. Its a pride day for me. Veterans said they were touched by the ceremony and the support theyve received. To have a nation and people come out and honor us, it really makes us feel good, said Bob Westendorff, a Navy veteran. They also took a moment to remember the veterans who are no longer here and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It really is amazing to see all these graves decorated with the American flags, said John Landry, an Army veteran. It takes your heart away. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. But for a twist of fate, Connor Rand would not be an MP. The first Labour MP to represent the constituency of Altrincham and Sale for a century was only selected to stand at the general election at the very last minute, after the existing candidate pulled out for personal reasons. Now this quiet trade unionist, who has never been in the public eye, has been thrust to the frontline of the battle over illegal immigration and is discovering just how uncomfortable it can be. Rand is facing an onslaught from constituents over the sudden arrival of up to 300 male asylum seekers in the market town and understandably so. For locals have been caught completely off guard. When they voted Labour, some may have been encouraged by a pledge to end the use of hotel accommodation for illegal migrants. To their dismay, now one has sprung up right in their midst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first residents knew of it was when Best Western Cresta Court Hotel suddenly cancelled all bookings including weddings to make way for the migrants. To say feelings are running high is an understatement. A public meeting held in a church, designed to address concerns, quickly descended into acrimony, as those alarmed by the prospect of dozens of undocumented young men hanging around the community clashed with Refugees Welcome campaigners. Furious residents heckled a local police inspector sent to field questions, while a handful of pro-asylum seekers hurled insults at those who dared express any disquiet. Amid the furore, Rand seems like a proverbial rabbit in the headlights. Chief among the fears of those who live near the new migrant hotel is crime. As anxious mothers pointed out at last weeks fractious meeting, the Cresta is within walking distance of two all-girls schools. Few have much confidence that the authorities can be sure who all the new arrivals are and that none have criminal records. Such fears are not (as the usual placard-waving suspects tried to claim at the public meeting) racist. They are entirely reasonable. It is well known that many of those who cross the Channel in small boats deliberately jettison their passports and other documentation en route. Moreover, a number of asylum seekers and other illegal immigrants have been linked to truly heinous crimes in this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, for example, a Moroccan asylum seeker was sentenced to life in prison for murdering an innocent British pensioner in revenge for the Israel-Hamas conflict. The judge in the case said the killer wanted to frighten the British people and undermine the freedoms they enjoy. In another case last month, a 27-year-old woman working in a migrant hotel in Walsall was stabbed to death. Quite how many other violent crimes and other shocking offences are committed by illegal migrants is uncertain because the Home Office very deliberately does not collect such statistics. It would be easy for police to obtain information about those who are caught and arrested, at the very least. The absence of official statistics only fuels suspicion of a cover up. In a response that has inflamed many of his constituents, the newly elected MP for Altrincham seems content to parrot vague assurances that the authorities have it all covered. He has told locals that all the new arrivals have been checked out, and there is no reason to fear any spike in crime. Unsurprisingly, the community is far from convinced. Indeed, they feel completely fobbed off. Amongst angry locals, there is now talk of bombarding him with daily emails, and staging peaceful demonstrations. At this rate, Rand may soon rue the day he unexpectedly swapped a life out of the limelight for his new role as an MP. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (NewsNation) The Biden administrations CBP One app, launched in early 2023 aimed to provide migrants with a safer way to schedule appointments to present themselves at the southern border, ease overcrowding and encourage a legal path to entry. President-elect Donald Trump, however, has pledged to end the program and reinstate mass deportations. Meanwhile, some officials anticipate a potential rise in migrant crossings before Trump takes office. NewsNation spoke with migrants in a shelter who recently arrived in Piedras Negras and made appointments on the CBP One App to enter the U.S. legally. They said they felt lucky, but fear deportation under Trump. Who is Trumps new border czar Tom Homan? An uncertain future either way This man (Trump) is, as we say, anti-immigrant, one man from Venezuela told NewsNation. So the truth is that he scares me a little bit but were going with everything with the faith of God alone. Not all migrants in Piedras Negras were able to secure asylum appointments. Others say they feel like time is running out ahead of Trumps inauguration in January and say they must cross now. NewsNation watched as a group of Venezuelan men prayed before crossing the Rio Grande in an area with lower water levels. They clung to each other as the current strengthened and, eventually, they made it safely to the other side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group was met by the Texas National Guard, who armed with PepperBall guns blocked the men from crossing onto American soil. One of the migrants tried unsuccessfully to bypass a razor-wire barrier. Afraid of deportation but desperate to cross Later, another group took to the Rio Grande. A woman holding a baby faced a strong current. Texas authorities ultimately blocked her from entering the U.S. Immigration advocates brace for Trump: Buckle up State officials are doubling down on Operation Lonestar. Despite fears of deportation under Trump, migrants say theyre desperate to enter the U.S. are running out of time and are desperate to cross. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border are coming from impoverished countries, driven by poverty and political instability. Texas authorities say theyll remain on high alert until 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 NewsNation. President-elect Donald Trump has announced former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as his pick for U.S. Ambassador to Israel. In a statement, Trump referred to Huckabee as a "great public servant, governor and leader in faith" for many years. The former governor is also the host of his own weekly talk show, "Huckabee" on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which is filmed in Hendersonville. "He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him," said Trump. "Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has expressed staunch support for Israel more than one year into its war in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. As president, Trump moved the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and was considered a strong ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reported USA TODAY. Here's what to know about Huckabee. More: Is Nashville the nation's new conservative-media nerve center? Who is Mike Huckabee? Huckabee, a Baptist minister and former Fox News host, served as governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He ran an unsuccessful bid for president in 2008 and then again in 2016 against Trump. Huckabee's daughter, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary during Trump's first presidency. Mike Huckabee photographed at the TBN campus in Hendersonville Oct. 2, 2017 talks about his new show. According to the National Governors Association, his talk show first aired on Fox News in 2007. What are Mike Huckabee's views on the war in Gaza? Huckabee has previously signaled he opposes negotiating a cease-fire deal with Hamas, arguing the only way to end the war is for the Islamist militant group to surrender. In June, Huckabee told NewsNation there is "no valid reason" to pursue a cease-fire with Hamas, which the Biden administration has worked for months to secure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Theres no valid reason to have a cease-fire with Hamas. Theyre not capable of having an honorable negotiation," Huckabee said, accusing the terrorist organization of pretending to listen to cease-fire details but always rejecting a deal. This is like trying to negotiate with the Nazis in World War II. You just dont, Huckabee said. You beat them. You defeat them. You eradicate them. Who has Donald Trump picked for his Cabinet so far? Chief of Staff: Susie Wiles Deputy chief of staff for policy : Stephen Miller Ambassador to the UN: Elise Stefanik 'Border czar' : Tom Homan EPA head: Lee Zeldin National security adviser: Mike Waltz Contributing: USA TODAY Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 is Mike Huckabee? Trump's pick for Israel ambassador has TN ties WASHINGTON House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Tuesday that the widespread voter fraud hed warned about all year turned out not to be a problem in last weeks elections that Republicans happened to win. Im happy to report to you that because of all the emphasis we placed on that, and because of all the attention the American people put on it, that I think we were able to limit, to a high degree, the amount of fraud and irregularity and many of the things that concerned all Americans after 2020, Johnson said in response to a question from HuffPost. Johnson spoke in front of the House steps, at a lectern adorned with a New Day in America sign, as Republicans are on the verge of controlling both Congress and the White House following last weeks decisive victory by former president Donald Trump and Republicans in Senate and House races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, speaking at the same location, Johnson had warned that voting by undocumented immigrants presented an unprecedented and a clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system. On Tuesday, he said noncitizens may have voted in some places around the country, but that it wasnt a problem for the election results thanks to efforts by state lawmakers and Republican poll watchers. So thats a good sign. Its another hopeful reason, another thing to celebrate about our new day in America, Johnson said. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), center, speaks during a news conference on the results of the 2024 election outside of the U.S. Capitol Building on Nov. 12. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images Not all House races have been called, but Republicans are leading in most of the remaining contests and will likely retain control of the House with a slim majority with Johnson as speaker. The Louisiana Republican said Republicans would hit the ground running next year with tax cuts and deregulation. Its not clear if Republicans America First agenda will also include the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, the bill Johnson and Trump said before the election was necessary to prevent Democrats from committing massive voter fraud. Among other things, the proposal would require voters to prove their citizenship in order to register, rather than simply asking them to attest to it under penalty of perjury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been isolated instances of noncitizens voting in federal elections, but its a relatively rare phenomenon and not something thats tipped an election before. Johnson admitted in May that while he knew intuitively that noncitizens vote in large numbers, theres no proof. Still, Johnson attached the SAVE Act to a must-pass government funding bill this fall, and Trump even encouraged Republicans to shut down the government if Democrats wouldnt agree to the reforms. (Johnson ultimately relented and Congress passed a clean government funding bill.) Trump, for his part, complained Democrats were CHEATING at the ballot on the afternoon of Election Day, but didnt revisit his claims that evening as favorable returns came in. Johnson suggested Tuesday that Trumps margin of victory was wide enough that even if noncitizens voted for Democrats in significant numbers, it didnt affect the outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mantra and what we said at the rallies, and what President Trump was apt to say all the time, is we had to make it too big to rig and we did, Johnson said. Related... American forces in the Middle East came under attack on multiple fronts over the weekend, and U.S. forces struck back against the involved Iran-backed militias in recent days, the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command said Tuesday. On Monday, the Navy destroyers Stockdale and Spruance were attacked by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as the warships transited the Bab al-Mandeb strait that links the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Pentagon said. The attack involved at least eight attack drones, five anti-ship ballistic missiles and three anti-ship cruise missiles, which were successfully engaged and defeated, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vessels were not damaged, no personnel were hurt, he said. Over the weekend, U.S. forces had struck Houthi storage sites housing a variety of advanced conventional weapons, Ryder said. On Sunday, Iran-backed militants in Syria attacked U.S. forces at Mission Support Sight Green Village in Syria, using a mix of air drones and rockets, and no troops were injured in those attacks, Ryder said. Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) support operations against Iran-backed Houthis in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/8Y4yqsAepd U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 12, 2024 Central Command took appropriate action again to protect our forces and send a clear message that attacks against our forces wont be tolerated, Ryder said. Neither he nor CENTCOM said what groups were responsible for the attacks on the American military nor which groups were later targeted in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. hit nine targets across two sites associated with Iranian groups in Syria in response, according to CENTCOM. There are around 900 American forces in Syria, fighting the terrorist group ISIS as part of an international coalition that will wind down over the next two years. CENTCOM conducted a similar series of strikes in mid-October, and this latest round came in response to Houthi attacks on shipping vessels and American forces, Ryder said. Such attacks have been almost continuous over the last year as the Houthis have menaced commercial and military ships in the Red Sea following Israels war in Gaza. The U.S. launched an international coalition to protect shipping in the corridor late last year, though most companies have rerouted their travel rather than risk damage in transit. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) On the day we honor those who served in the military, retired Army Lieutenant George Otto believes most veterans never fully take credit for the contributions their service has made. The most important, of course, was national security of our nation, he said. Otto, who served in Vietnam, was Monday mornings guest speaker for the annual Veterans Day program hosted by the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local events honor Valleys veterans He told the audience one of the most valuable contributions was bringing men and women from all races and backgrounds together for a common goal. I think one of the greatest lessons that people learn who were in the military is that they had to overlook differences of various kinds and do something that was important, Otto said. 2024 Veterans Day events and deals Organizers admit those attributes are often overlooked. We are the cross-section of American society. We cover the entire political strata, were all over the place when it comes to our economics, were everywhere in the community, said Brian Kennedy, with the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the ceremony, a chair was marked in recognition of those held as prisoners of war or still missing in action. Afterward, a small group from the Catholic War Veterans carried a wreath from the courthouse to the Man in the Monument memorial to honor those whove given their lives over the course of a dozen major conflicts, making sure their sacrifices were neither in vain nor forgotten. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. President-elect Donald Trump named Stephen Miller, a longtime confidante and vocal opponent of immigration and asylum, as his next deputy White House chief of staff for policy on Monday, furthering his plans to fulfill a key campaign promise to conduct mass deportations of immigrants out of the United States. But Millers own policy proposals may undermine those plans from the start. Miller has repeatedly railed against a program that became a linchpin in the Biden administrations strategy to slow a historic flow of migrants to the U.S. southern border and convince Mexico to accept up to 30,000 deportees a month a critical diplomatic breakthrough that increased the capacity of U.S. authorities to deport people from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti that previously did not exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These four countries have represented some of the biggest sources of immigration to the United States in recent years and either have governments hostile to Washington, often unwilling to accept deportation flights, or are in a state of chaos, unable to reliably accept them. Only by creating new, legal pathways for migrants to enter was the Biden administration able to convince Mexico to accept deportees, an aim the Department of Homeland Security had held for years, according to court records. Eliminating those legal pathways could ultimately undermine the ability of the U.S. government to conduct tens of thousands of deportations a month to its southern neighbor. Mexico has made clear that its willingness to accept returns of [nationals from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Venezuela] to Mexico is contingent on the continued availability of lawful processes for nationals from those countries to come directly to the United States, the agency said last year in documents submitted as part of a federal lawsuit. If DHS cannot provide lawful processes for some nationals [of those countries] to come directly to the United States, it continued, Mexico will almost certainly stop accepting returns or removals of nationals [of those countries] at the southwest border. FAST-PASS FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS The parole program has allowed over half a million people from these countries to temporarily come to the United States through legal means, as long as they had a U.S. financial sponsor and underwent U.S. government vetting. When the federal government expanded the program in January 2023, it also announced it would increase the use of expedited deportations and restrict access to asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration first launched the program for Venezuela in October 2022 and later expanded it to Cuba, Nicaragua, and Haiti three months later. Over 110,000 Cubans, almost 211,000 Haitians, over 93,000 Nicaraguans, or more than 117,000 Venezuelans have flown to the United States through the program, according to federal government data. Miller has been highly critical of the widely publicized program, stating it has secretly flown nearly half a million illegals into the United States and characterizing the effort as one of the gravest criminal acts in American history. CHNV is the federal government acronym for the migrant flights of illegals into Small Town USA, Miller wrote on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, in September. The H stands for Haiti. What is the CBP One App? Its Kamalas fast-pass entry program for illegal aliens, Miller wrote last month, referring to Trumps election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrive at border without a visa. Press button on a smart phone. Entry on demand. 95% acceptance rate for all illegals, he wrote. Take American jobs. NO RENEWALS FOR CURRENT BENEFICIARIES Anticipating a potential transfer of power to Republican hands, the Biden administration confirmed last month that it was not planning on renewing paroles for existing beneficiaries, giving those currently under the program time to prepare and pursue other legal pathways to remain in the country. Those individuals will have to either find another way to stay in the United States or leave the country altogether. Many Venezuelans and Haitians that arrived through the program are eligible for Temporary Protected Status, which protects people from countries in turmoil from deportations. No Nicaraguans who have arrived under the program are eligible for their countrys TPS, which was last designated at the turn of the century. Meanwhile, Cubans can apply for a green card after a year and one day of being admitted or paroled into the U.S. because of a decades-old legislation. The specter of the incoming administration also makes the future of Temporary Protected Status uncertain. Trump previously moved to end the program for several countries, including Haiti and Nicaragua, during his last administration. During his campaign, he said his administration would end Temporary Protected Status for Haiti again. And many newly arrived Cubans are struggling to legalize already because they are not eligible for green cards under the Cuban Adjustment Act because of the paperwork they were given at the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America First Legal, Millers aggressively conservative legal group, along with 20 Republican-led states, filed a lawsuit to terminate the Biden parole process in April 2024. The legal challenge came months after a federal judge in Texas dismissed a lawsuit where Florida, Texas, and several other states requested the program be deemed unlawful. At the time, Miller described the program as a clandestine migrant smuggling operation. It is a covert plan to resettle our communities, and we will use every legal tool we have to oppose it, said Miller in a statement. Although sexually transmitted infections are still at an epidemic level in the US, scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expressing cautious optimism about some decreases emerging in the newest data. Overall, CDC scientists say, theres evidence that the nations STI epidemic may be slowing down, particularly when it comes to gonorrhea and syphilis, but theres still a long way to go. I am encouraged, and its been a long time since I felt that way about STIs, said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of the CDCs National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. However, there were still more than 2.4 million STIs reported in the US in 2023, and the impact of STIs on the health of Americans remains severe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are more than 30 kinds of bacteria, viruses and parasites that people can pass to their partners while having vaginal, anal or oral sex, the World Health Organization says. Some of these infections can also be transmitted from a pregnant person to their child, sometimes with deadly results. Globally, 1 million curable STIs are passed to a partner or a child every single day, according to WHO. STIs can also cause health problems beyond initial symptoms; some may lead to reproductive problems and even organ damage if left untreated. A CDC report, released Tuesday, tracks three nationally notifiable STIs chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis and finds that over a million more cases were reported annually in the US in 2023 than 20 years prior. Chlamydia Chlamydia, a bacterial infection, was the most common STI in the new report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of chlamydia cases reported in the US in 2023 more than 1.64 million was about the same as the year before. There was a slight increase in the rate of cases among men and a slight decrease among women. Adolescents and young adults consistently make up more than half of chlamydia cases. Chlamydia trachomatis causes a sexually transmitted infection that can go undetected causing infertility. Adolescents and young adults consistently make up more than half of chlamydia cases. - Science Photo Libra/Getty Images One of the biggest challenges with chlamydia is that there are often no symptoms, or an infection may have minor signs that are shared with other diseases, like a burning sensation when urinating or abnormal discharge. However, without treatment, chlamydia can cause problems that make it difficult to get pregnant later. A person with chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics, and condoms can prevent infections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC recommends that sexually active gay and bisexual men get tested for chlamydia every year. The agency also recommends annual testing for women who are sexually active and younger than 25 or who are are older than 25 and have risk factors like multiple sex partners. Gonorrhea There were 601,319 cases of the bacterial infection gonorrhea reported in 2023, the second straight year of declines. The rate of gonorrhea cases decreased 7.7% from 2022 to 2023 and 9.2% from 2021 to 2022. The decreases were seen across the board, for all demographics. As with chlamydia, gonorrhea may not cause symptoms, but an untreated infection may lead to fertility problems. It can be prevented by using condoms and treated with antibiotics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors recommend annual testing for all sexually active women under the age of 25 or those older with multiple sex partners, and the CDC suggests that sexually active gay and bisexual men get tested every year. Syphilis Syphilis, a bacterial infection that can damage the brain, nerves, heart and eyes if left untreated, has been a growing challenge for health care providers in the United States. The country has seen double-digit increases in case rates over the past few years, but in 2023, rates increased only slightly, at 1%. The total number of syphilis cases reported in 2023 was 209,253, the highest number since 1950. The new report notes that there were significant declines in people in the first two stages of the disease, which are more infectious than later stages. Syphilis spreads when a person comes into contact with a syphilis sore, and not all sores may be covered by a condom, so condoms dont prevent all cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC recommends that people who are sexually active and who identify as a gay or bisexual man get tested regularly. The agency also suggests testing for people who have HIV, people taking PrEP to prevent HIV, those living in a community with high rates of syphilis or those who have a partner who has tested positive for syphilis. Pregnant people can pass syphilis to their fetus, for whom an infection can be highly dangerous, possibly leading to stillbirth, preterm birth or even newborn death. All pregnant people should also get tested on their first prenatal visit. If they have an infection, antibiotics can prevent the spread of the disease to the fetus. The number of congenital syphilis cases for 2023 was the highest since 1992, with 3,882 cases reported, including 279 related stillbirths and neonatal/infant deaths. However, the rate of congenital cases shows signs of slowing, with only a 3% increase between 2022 and 2023. By comparison, some previous years saw increases of up to 30%, the CDC said. Whats behind the trends? The researchers behind the new report say they cant explain exactly why so many people have STIs, although the epidemic in the US follows a global trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDCs Mermin believes that there are several factors driving STI trends, including a concerted effort among leaders in the public health community to diagnose and treat diseases early on, to help control the spread. He also says the increasing number of people who are going on PrEP to prevent HIV may be driving down the numbers because they get regularly tested for STIs. Additionally, Mermin noted an unprecedented temporary infusion of funding for disease intervention specialists at public health departments from the Biden administration. There is no clear indication that such funding would continue or increase under the second Trump administration, and funding varies at the local and state levels. Its important that we put our resources where our epidemics are, and STI prevention is a component of public health, Mermin said. The numbers in the report reflect what Dr. Philip Chan is seeing at his own clinic, Open Door Health, the only publicly funded STI clinic in Rhode Island. Although the improvement in rates of disease is encouraging, he said, good numbers from one year dont mean the epidemic is over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chan, an associate professor of behavioral and social sciences and associate professor of medicine at Brown University, said he believes that increased testing and treatment are disrupting STI transmissions in the community. He also points to other positive trends like a decline in the number of high schoolers who have four or more sex partners and a 10% decrease in the number of high schoolers who say theyre having sex at all. Thats good news, and we know that regardless of your views on sex, that the later sexual debut is, is generally associated with better health outcomes, said Chan, who was not involved with the new report. For this positive trend among STIs to continue, he said, what would help most is something that would help Americans health in general. I think the biggest thing that we could do as we talk about STIs is just improve general access to primary care and health in general, Chan said. Access to care is really probably the most important thing. CNNs Deidre McPhillips contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Verizon customers across the east coast have been impacted by service outages. Tens of thousands of Verizon customers early Tuesday morning reported experiencing an outage, Down Detector shows. The most affected regions include Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, New York City, and Washington, DC, according to the site. But customers across 45 cities reported experiencing outages, according to Outage.Report. The company told The Independent in a statement: A network issue early this morning disrupted service for some Verizon Fios customers in the Northeast for a short period of time. As soon as the issue was identified, our engineering teams quickly restored the service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outage reports started pouring in shortly after midnight. While 52 percent reported issues with 5G internet, 33 percent reported landline issues, and 15 percent reported total blackouts. The issue appears to have been fixed just before 4 a.m., Outage.Report shows. New details about the murder-for-hire plot that led to the killing of a 44-year-old Minnesota missionary in Angola have been revealed by authorities working the case in West Africa. Buea Shroyer, a 44-year-old from Detroit Lakes, was killed on Oct. 25 while serving as a missionary in Africa. His wife, Jackie Shroyer, was later arrested in connection with his death. According to Angola media, Jackie Shroyer was arrested "as the mastermind behind the crime." The media outlet, citing local authorities, reports that she and the Shroyer's 24-year-old home security guard, who was "allegedly her lover," were arrested four days after the homicide "following hours of questioning." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackie is accused of having the security guard hire others to carry out the killing, including a 23-year-old man and a 22-year-old man who was nicknamed "Vin Diesel." All three men had previous criminal records. The local news agency quoted an investigator in its report who allegedly said there were "strong suspicions of a romantic relationship between the person who ordered the crime and her accomplice, the guard at the couple's residence." Beau and Jackie Shroyer Lakes Area Vineyard Church It goes on to say Jackie plotted to have her husband killed offering $50,000 to carry out the killing because she did not want to leave Angola when her husband's mission concluded. The guard she was allegedly having an affair with and the two men he hired were with Jackie when they faked car trouble. When Beau arrived to help, Jackie allegedly went into a wooded area to pee, at which the men killed him with a knife, according to local press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beau's body was found on Oct. 25 in the town of Thienjo. The Shroyers have five children together. The family was among the first missionaries to begin service with North Carolina-based missions organization SIM USA after COVID restrictions were eased. In a 2020 interview with the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Beau Shroyer said that the family planned to become long-term missionaries in a community he described as a "remote bush village" without electricity or sewer and water systems. (Bloomberg) -- The newfound influence of opposition lawmakers in Japan has investors looking for gains in the shares of retailers and electricity generators. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats due to expectations that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may cut taxes to keep smaller parties on side increasing workers disposable income and because both the ruling coalition and its most likely allies want to restart more of Japans nuclear reactors. The outlook for other sectors is less clear. Defense-related shares face risks from parliamentary division over how to fund a planned increase in military spending. Investors also worry that a more fractured government will be slower to make decisions, delaying key moves like corporate governance reforms and trade negotiations with an upcoming Trump administration in the US. With the ruling parties now in a minority, theyll have no choice but to coordinate with the opposition, said Yuko Iizuka, an economist at Asset Management One. While this raises risks of parliamentary instability, the increased bargaining power of opposition lawmakers pushing for higher consumer incomes will be a positive for businesses, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ishiba was confirmed as the prime minister of a minority government in a special parliamentary vote on Monday, after his ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito, lost their majority for the first time since 2009 in Octobers lower-house election. AI-related stocks could see long-term upsides from Ishibas re-election, after he promised a 10 trillion ($65.1 billion) aid package for artificial intelligence and semiconductors by 2030 following Mondays vote. But to proceed with policies, Ishiba will have to rely on the support of like-minded opposition groups, particularly the Democratic Party for the People, which quadrupled its seats in the election on a promise to introduce tax breaks for low-income workers. Shares of chip component maker Renesas Electronics Corp. climbed 8.2% on Tuesday, boosted by Ishibas aid pledge and speculation that the company might gain market share from US rival Monolithic Power Systems Inc. Other chip-related stocks, including Tokyo Electron Ltd. and Advantest Corp., declined on weak US tech shares overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japans broader Topix Index was up 0.1% as of market close in Tokyo, while the Nikkei 225 fell 0.4%, as stocks fluctuated on uncertainty over US and domestic politics. Winners and Losers Retail companies are expected to win out if the DPPs pledge to raise the ceiling of tax-free income from 1.03 million to 1.78 million a move that would increase spending money for young and part-time workers comes to fruition. Shares of consumer retailers like Ryohin Keikaku Co., MatsukiyoCocokara & Co. and Shimamura Co. all rose more than 1.2% on Oct. 31, despite a 0.3% decline in the broader Topix, after DPP leader Yuichiro Tamaki posted on X that his party could not cooperate with the ruling coalition unless the 1.03 million wall was raised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The LDP has said its open to realistic discussions on the policy, but has cited concerns about how much income the government may lose as a result. Supermarket and department store stocks have an upside if government discussions on the proposed tax breaks proceed, said Yukihiro Kawanishi, a senior strategist at Aizawa Securities. Shares of energy companies also stand to benefit from the pro-nuclear power stance of emboldened opposition parties, said Hiroshi Namioka, chief strategist and fund manager at T&D Asset Management. The DPP is basically in favor of nuclear energy, so were unlikely to see any slowdown in the governments plan to restart more reactors, he said. The Japan Innovation Party, another key potential ally for the LDP, also supports atomic energy. The Topixs gauge of electricity and gas providers gained 4.4% in the week after the election, outperforming the broader indexs rise of 1%. The restarting of a nuclear reactor located near the epicenter of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake on Oct. 29, two days after the vote, helped boost the sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The LDP-led government has been attempting to revive Japans largely-dormant atomic energy industry since the 2011 disaster triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The Constitutional Democratic Party, the LDPs largest rival, opposes that policy, but support from the DPP and others would enable the ruling party to push it through, Namioka said. I expect utility shares across the board will rise, he said. The outlook is murkier for defense-related stocks, as a plan to increase Japans defense budget is expected to become a sticking point between parties. Before its election losses, the LDP had said it would hike corporate, income and tobacco taxes to pay for extra military costs, but the DPP, while in favor of bolstering defense, has made clear it would oppose such tax rises. Inter-party squabbling is also likely to slow down the overall pace of policymaking, potentially delaying future government decisions on issues like corporate governance, said Chris Smith, co-manager of the Japan Value Fund at Polar Capital in London. Corporate reform is fundamentally the most important thing in terms of direction for Japanese equities, Smith said. I think all parties appreciate the need for Japan to change, but the pace of change going forward will depend on those in power right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Aya Wagatsuma. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Plans have been submitted for a mixed use community that would include about 400 custom-made multi-million dollar homes on several hundred acres just west of State Route 109 in Wilson County. Mira Bella is the name of the proposed community that would be located between Lebanon Road, Beckwith Road and Bass Lane between the downtown areas of Mt. Juliet and Lebanon. Kyle Allen, the owner and developer of Mira Bella Inc., is trying to annex the property into Mt. Juliet. Plans show 434 home lots, but Allen expects to develop about 400 of them, he said, noting that prices could range from $1 million to around $5 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And all the homes would be contained in a private, gated community if the development is approved, Allen said. An executive community, Allen said, describing the Mira Bella outlook. To me, looking at the eastern side of Nashville, something of this magnitude there is there is not a development like this." Plan details are still being worked through and elements could change. Mira Bella was targeted to be on the Nov. 21 planning commission agenda, but Allen now said he expects to start the approval process in January. The project's plans require a rezoning and a land use amendment approval should the development be annexed into Mt. Juliet, city officials said. The Mira Bella plan will ultimately need city commission approval. A rendering that is part of the Mira Bella mixed-use development seeking approval by Mt. Juliet. Proximity to Nashville International Airport, Percy Priest and Old Hickory Lakes are among the reasons Allen says he has moved forward with Mira Bella in Wilson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A promotional video also shows that a restaurant, boutique, amphitheater and convenience market are part of the Mira Bella plan as they now stand. The commercial portion of the planned unit development is closer to Lebanon Road, Mt. Juliet City Planner Jon Baughman said. Walking trails, ponds and fountains are also shown with a substantial portion of the land to remain as open space, Allen said. He described plans to use stone, stucco, wood and other materials for an earth-tone and European type feel. If approvals are gained from Mt. Juliet, Allen would like to start work on putting in roads within the community this summer. A rendering of the Mira Bella community a developer is seeking approval to build on land that would be annexed into Mt. Juliet. Mt. Juliet Mayor James Maness has seen proposals for the property in the past, but was still reviewing the Mira Bella proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Road and infrastructure improvements that Mt. Juliet could recommend as conditions for the development's approval were still being evaluated at deadline for this story, city Traffic Engineer Todd Serbent said. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles. This story has been updated to add video. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mira Bella proposes 400 multi-million dollar homes in Middle Tennessee The lawyers for three Massachusetts women who were severely injured when a falling tree crashed down on top of them over the summer formally announced Tuesday a lawsuit against an out-of-state property owner who they allege is responsible for the near-fatal incident. The lawsuit was filed in a Franklin County court by Boston-based Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers on behalf of Danyelle Bushee, of Orange, and Brittany Bushee and Melissa Chiasson, both of Athol. The three women were standing outside Danyelles home on Maple Street in Orange on the afternoon of Aug. 9 when a tree plummeted and crashed into her driveway, inflicting catastrophic injuries to the three women, the lawsuit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The toppled tree left two of the three women unresponsive, including Danyelle, who required intubation after suffering a traumatic brain injury, broken vertebrae, fractured ribs, and a broken femur. Censored bodycam video showed emergency responders racing to tend to Danyelle, who was violently knocked to the ground. Danyelle, who was working as a nurse at the time of the incident, now requires 24/7 at-home care, according to the lawsuit. She was the most critically injured of the three women and may never fully recover. I have a broken back, I have a broken neck. Im probably going to have surgery, they said, in January, Danyelle said at a news conference announcing the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her sister, Brittany Bushee, spent three nights at UMASS Memorial with a fractured right skull and brain bleeding. She continues to suffer memory and hearing loss, rendering her unable to work for the foreseeable future. Its really a miracle that all of us made it through alive, Brittany said. Chiasson suffered abrasions across her head and body in addition to shoulder and neck injuries, which have required ongoing physical therapy. In the lawsuit, the three women allege that the badly decaying tree collapsed from 92 Mechanic Street, owned by Danyelles neighbor, Peter Rocklin, of Jersey City, New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon information and belief, Defendant Peter G. Rocklin is responsible for maintaining the property at 92 Mechanic Street, including monitoring and remedying any defective conditions of the premises, the lawsuit states. Upon information and belief, the fallen tree was decayed, and therefore defective. After the collapse, authorities reportedly stated the tree was planned to be taken down given its state of rot. There are trees falling all the time over there! Danyelle exclaimed at the news conference. There are tree branches today. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages related to indefinite medical expenses, serious bodily injuries causing physical pain, disfigurement and impairment, mental anguish, and emotional distress, as well as loss of earnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for the women are still trying to serve the property owner with the lawsuit. Boston 25 News tried to reach out to Rocklin but hasnt heard back. Read the full legal complaint below: Orange Tree Fall Legal Comp... by Fox Boston Staff Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) Watertown Police have located a missing 16-year-old boy that went missing earlier this month. According to authorities, Christopher Pierce was located and safely returned. Pierce was reported as a runaway from the 500 block of North Hycliff Driver on Friday, November 1. NYSP: Man dies in motorcycle crash in Oneida County A similar request to locate Pierce was made by Watertown Police last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York State Police also made the same request in September. Pierce was located after reported being missing from Theresa. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ryan Borgwardt, a married father of three, has been missing since August after leaving for a relaxing fishing trip on Green Lake, about an hour north of his home in Watertown, Wisconsin. Investigators now suspect the experienced kayaker faked his own death and fled to Europe via Canada. Local and state authorities, along with volunteers, searched for the 44-year-old for 54 days, fearing he might have drowned and his body was somewhere at the bottom of the lake, Green Lake Sheriff Mark Podoll said at a news conference on Friday. Bruces Legacy, a nonprofit that assists law enforcement in searching for drowned bodies, deployed high-end sonar equipment to scan the lakes bottom, while the sheriffs office used drones to search from above for any signs of Borgwardt. Cadaver dogs were brought in at one point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After eight weeks, the entirety of Green Lake had been searched, Podoll said. There was no sign of Borgwardt. On October 7, I got my crew together my three detectives and my chief deputy and we talked, and we said, We have got to go in a different direction, Podoll said. Investigators suspect Borgwardt did not drown but seemingly faked his own death before crossing into Canada, Podoll said. As investigators delved into Borgwardts life, they discovered he had transferred funds to a foreign bank account, changed his email and communicated with a woman in Uzbekistan. In January, Borgwardt took out a $375,000 life insurance policy, Podoll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to these discoveries of the new evidence, we were sure that Ryan was not in our lake, Podoll said. Tracing Ryans steps Borgwardt was reported missing on the morning of August 12 after failing to return home from a fishing trip, according to officials. That morning, his capsized kayak was found in the lake and his vehicle, along with a trailer, was found at a nearby park, Podoll said. The following day, two fishermen casting along the lake found a fishing rod that belonged to Borgwardt, his wife told officials. A tackle box was found later that day with several of Borgwardts belongings: a set of keys, a wallet and his license. Podolls team found months later that Canadian officials ran Borgwardts passport on the same day he crossed into Canada, according to Green Lake Sheriff Deputy Chief Matt Vande Kolk, who said officials have reason to believe he used a new passport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The discovery that Borgwardt might have left the country prompted investigators to search his computer, according to Podoll. Through a digital forensic analysis, investigators found that Borgwardt replaced the hard drive on his laptop and cleared his browser history on the day of his disappearance, Podoll said. We found out that he moved funds to a foreign bank, changing his email and (had communicated) with a woman in Uzbekistan, Podoll said. He took out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January and purchased airline cards. Borgwardt is now likely in Eastern Europe, Vande Kolk told CNN. It is unclear who the woman in Uzbekistan is, Podoll added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our investigation has many steps to take, Podoll said. Its a puzzle that were putting together we have got many pieces, but we have got a lot more pieces to find. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations are now involved in the case, according to Podoll. Podoll says officials are working to identify if any crimes were committed and if anyone helped Borgwardt. No charges have been filed against Borgwardt, the sheriffs office said in an email to CNN Tuesday. Officials are also seeking restitution for expenses of the searches that have been funded by taxpayers, Podoll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keith Cormican, director of Bruces Legacy, told CNN he spent nearly 30 days working on the case. The first two weeks of the search alone will cost him about $10,000 due to damaged equipment and other expenses, he said. We had our share of problems out there being in such a difficult lake, Cormican told CNN Tuesday. Cormican has been involved in public safety diving for over 30 years and says he started the nonprofit in 2013 in honor of his brother, Bruce, who drowned during a canoe trip. Searching for missing persons is a stressful job, Cormican adds, and the inability to locate Borgwardt caused him a lot of emotional stress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My success rate is pretty good, Cormican told CNN. To not be able to find him really had me questioning my abilities. And I lost a lot of sleep over it. Anyone with information about Borgwardts disappearance is encouraged to call the Green Lake Sheriffs office, Podoll said. Tips can be left anonymously. Podoll also called on Borgwardt to come home: Ryan, if youre viewing this, I plead that you contact us or contact your family, he said. We understand that things can happen but theres a family that wants their daddy back. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A husband and father of three who vanished at a Wisconsin lake this summer may have faked his own death and fled to Eastern Europe, authorities said, and the sheriff is now urging the missing man to come forward. "Our most important thing, for us, is to know that you're safe," Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said in his message to Ryan Borgwardt. "We can talk through all this and we can work things out." The case began on the morning of Aug. 12, when authorities learned Borgwardt, 45, hadn't returned home and was last known to be on Green Lake, according to the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office. PHOTO: An undated photo of Ryan Borgwardt, who authorities believe faked his own death in a Wisconsin lake and fled to Europe. (Green Lake County Sheriff's Office) Borgwardt last texted his wife on the night of Aug. 11, saying he was turning his kayak around and heading to shore soon, Podoll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials discovered Borgwardt's overturned kayak and life jacket in the lake, authorities said, and they later found his fishing rod and tackle box. MORE: Delphi man found guilty on all charges in murders of teen girls Responders believed the missing dad drowned and they scoured the lake using divers, drones, sonar and cadaver K-9s, officials said. "The search continued for about 54 days, with no sign of Ryan," the sheriff said during a news conference on Friday. "Near daily drone searches were completed. And Bruce's Legacy [a volunteer search organization] methodically searched approximately 1,500 acres. ... Keith Cormican, [who leads] Bruce's Legacy, sifted through hours and hours of sonar data and images." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Keith's expertise and equipment led us to believe either something very odd occurred and Ryan was outside the area that had been searched, or something else had occurred," the sheriff said. PHOTO: Green Lake County authorities and volunteers search for missing kayaker Ryan Borgwardt. (WBAY) The case took a turn in October when investigators discovered Borgwardt's name had been checked by law enforcement in Canada on Aug. 13, the sheriff said. Authorities also learned Borgwardt had been communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan, the sheriff said. MORE: 84-year-old arrested in 1974 cold case murder after he's ID'd with genetic genealogy Other behavior included clearing his browsers the day he disappeared, inquiries about moving funds to foreign banks, getting a new life insurance policy, obtaining a new passport and replacing his laptop hard drive, the sheriff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was totally shocked," Podoll told ABC News on Monday. "It was just unbelievable that we would have a case like this where some party actually staged his death." PHOTO: Green Lake County authorities and volunteers search for missing kayaker Ryan Borgwardt. (WBAY) Authorities have stopped searching the lake. "As far as we know, he's someplace in Eastern Europe," the sheriff told ABC News. Investigators are "looking into what charges could be filed," Podoll said, adding, "that's a work in progress." Authorities hope to pursue restitution for the expenses of the search, the sheriff's office said. MORE: Driver hurt after car plummets from edge of mall parking lot to the street below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He wasted a lot of my time and it cost me a lot of money," Cormican of Bruce's Legacy said. Podoll said it's not clear if Borgwardt was given help, and he urged anyone with information to come forward. Podoll praised Borgwardt's wife, whom he said was not involved, calling her "a very, very strong lady." "I was there when the sheriff broke the news to the whole family. And it was pretty, pretty heart-wrenching to see," Cormican told ABC News. "I feel horrible for the family. They're the ones that are going to really struggle." ABC News' Karolina Rivas contributed to this report. Missing Wisconsin kayaker likely faked his own death, fled to Europe; charges are possible: Sheriff originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Jackie Shroyer has been arrested by Angolan authorities in connection with the murder of Beau Shroyer Beau Shroyer/Facebook Beau Shroyer Beau Shroyer A Minnesota missionary was killed in Angola and his wife has been arrested in connection with his death. Beau Shroyers death was announced by Lakes Area Vineyard, a church in Detroit Lakes, Minn. In a statement, Pastor Troy Easton said Shroyer was killed in an act of violence while serving Jesus in Angola, Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shroyer, who died on Oct. 25, had five kids and began serving a mission with his family after COVID restrictions eased, SIM USA President Randy Fairman said in a statement. The Angola Press Agency, a government-owned news outlet, citing Angolan police, reported that Jackie Shroyer, Beaus wife, and two Angolan men Bernadino Elias, 24, and Isalino Kayoo, 23 were arrested in connection with the missionarys killing. Another suspect, Gelson Ramos, 22, is still on the run. Jackies arrest was also announced by Lakes Area Vineyard. Im so sorry and simply do not have words to express my disbelief and sorrow about this news, Easton said in the statement announcing Jackies arrest. What I can tell you is that the Shroyer children are well cared for and we will work alongside SIM USA and SIM Angola to ensure that continues to be the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angolan authorities allege that Jackie was having an affair with Elias, who was working as the familys security guard, the Angola Press Agency reported. Authorities claim that Jackie recruited her boyfriend for the crime and that he hired both Kayoo and Ramos with a promise of $50,000, according to the outlet. It is not immediately clear if the suspects have been officially charged. Police said the murder weapon was a knife that Beau had given to Elias, per the Angola Press Agency. Jackie was reportedly described as the mastermind by police, who said she went with Elias to the crime scene three days before the killing to determine where she would lure her husband, the news agency reported. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. On the day of the murder, Kayoo and Ramos allegedly drove to the scene and feigned car trouble before allegedly killing Beau, according to the Angola Press Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manuel Halaiwa, a spokesperson for the countrys Criminal Investigation Service, told the Angola Press Agency that authorities have strong suspicions here of a possibly romantic relationship in relation to the person who ordered the case and her accomplice. Halaiwa reportedly said authorities presume that Jackie did not want to leave Angola after Beaus mission concluded. A GoFundMe has been started to raise money to bring Beau's body home. "Originally from Minnesota, Beau left behind his career as a police officer and real estate agent to answer a higher calling, dedicating his life to sharing hope and love in communities far from home," the organizer wrote. "With a heart full of faith and compassion, Beaus mission was to make a difference and spread kindness wherever he went." ANGOLA, AFRICA A Minnesota missionarys wife conspired with her lover to have her husband killed where they were living in Africa, according to local authorities. Jackie Shroyer, 44, is accused of offering her secret lover and two accomplices $50,000 to murder Beau Shroyer, also 44, in Angola, the Angola Press Agency reported. Authorities believe Jackie Shroyer, the "mastermind" behind the killing was romantically involved with the couple's security guard, according to the news outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackie Shroyer was reportedly concerned about leaving Angola once her husbands mission there ended. She and two others including the security guard have been arrested in the case. On Friday, Oct. 25, Beau Shroyer was lured to a remote area where suspects were pretending to have car problems, police claim. Investigators seized a knife and Angolan currency worth about $5,000. With the support of their Detroit Lakes church Lakes Area Vineyard Jackie and Beau Shroyer and their five children moved to Angola in 2021. Beau was killed in an "act of violence" in Angola, the church's lead pastor, Troy Easton, announced last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Easton later wrote that "our grief and sadness has deepened immeasurably as weve learned that his wife, Jackie Shroyer, has been arrested in connection with his death." Easton said the Shroyer children "are well cared for" through SIM USA, the Christian missionary organization the family is a part of. Before the family left for Africa, Beau Shroyer was a Detroit Lakes police officer and real estate agent, the Star Tribune reported. The Shroyers were one of the first SIM USA families to move to Angola after COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns began to ease in 2021. Founded in 1893 and based in Charlotte, North Carolina, SIM USA "has been a catalyst for cross-cultural mission work for 130 years" and "have maintained our identity as a diverse group of people joined together by the shared belief that no one should live and die without hearing the good news of the gospel," states its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Easton concluded his most recent letter by asking church members to "cry out to the Lord for his grace, mercy and comforting presence for the Shroyer children and family. We must honor God and love each other by how we communicate about this, and we must continue to stand together, asking God to do in and through all of this what only He can." MN Missionarys Wife Plotted With Lover To Murder Husband: Police originally appeared on the Minneapolis Patch MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) Deputies with the Mobile County Sheriffs Office are searching for two men who have not been seen since Nov. 4. Mary B. Austin Elementary closes for day after gas leak, school officials say According to MCSO officials, brothers James and Roscoe Scott were last seen in the 4900 block of Lambert Cemetery Road. A photo of James and Roscoe Scott in front of a truck. The photo is on a blue WKRG.com background (Mobile County Sheriffs Office). The brothers were reported missing on Nov. 8. Deputies said the brothers may be in the Washington County area where they have some friends and family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police respond to swatting call at Foley High School Anyone with information on the Scotts can contact MCSO at 251-574-8633. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A theatrical night of inspirational talks, networking and more is coming to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Thursday, Nov. 14. Modern Warrior Live, presented by CareSource Military and Veterans, tells the story of one vets return to civilian life and his path to healing from trauma. The production has done more than 150 shows over the years, and this will be their second time in Dayton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minds behind the show say its a powerful story they always love to share with the public. Its such an incredible, timeless, and impactful story of loss and perseverance, of resilience, of all the different human qualities, said Dominick Farinacci, co-creator of the show. How can we bring that story outside of its own echo chamber, and to be able to bring it to people of all different walks of life to help better understand, and at the same time celebrate the sacrifice and journey of our veterans. Tickets to Modern Warrior Live are free, but visit EventBrite.com to reserve yours. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Students who graduated in the last 25 years from Modesto high schools most likely took a world religions class as freshmen. That requirement ends with this school year. In May 2023, the Modesto City Schools Board of Education voted to change the requirement to make way for a high school ethnic studies course the state will require starting with the Class of 2030. Were the first public school district in the nation, and I would argue probably the world, to offer or to require a world religions course for graduation, and I believe were still the only one, said Sherry McIntyre, a social studies teacher at Johansen High. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McIntyre is one of two teachers who have taught the course since 2000. She was told the course will be an elective credit class for students. She is doubtful about student interest because sophomores, juniors and seniors who usually are able to take more elective classes already took the class. Sherry McIntyre teaches class at Johansen High in 2014. By the time it comes around to where there were enough kids who never took it, several years from now, by then the class would just disappear, she said. Thats my prediction. Janeen Zambo, Modesto City Schools history and social science curriculum coordinator, said beginning in the fall of 2025, districts statewide must offer courses based on the California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum. Zambo said this will emphasize cultural understanding, self-empowerment and critical analysis of historical and social structures. The course will be a graduation requirement for students entering their freshman year in the fall of 2026. This approach will ensure our students meet the graduation requirement and benefit from a curriculum that advances cross-cultural understanding and prepares them for college and career, she said. Additionally, core topics in geography and religion are embedded across history/social science standards from grades 4-12, maintaining continuity in those subject areas. What is the world religions class? Its nice when students get to their sophomore year and their junior year, and they start studying world religions in world history and U.S. history, they already know all of it, McIntyre said. The teachers in their sophomore and junior years dont have the burden of stopping history and teaching about world religions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The course covers 10 religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Daoism, Shintoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism. McIntyre recalls when the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred, she was thankful a class like this was in place because she said it made a difference by teaching students about different religions, respect and kindness. The first half of the course focuses on geography and the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The second half goes over the 10 major religions and their elements. We just figured when the class was developed that we would spend a few weeks on geography, she said. Its good for a lot of reasons, but it will build that rapport and that classroom respect, so that when we get into world religions, thats done already. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The course has been referenced by books, academic papers and California Resolution 154, where the legislature praised the class. McIntyre also was featured in a TED Talk to discuss the class. At this time, she does not know what course she will teach next year. There were tears. It was heartbreaking because its one of the jewels in our crown in Modesto, McIntyre said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has handed Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov a note of protest over Russian interference in the elections and two Russian drones whose wreckage was recently found in the country's regions. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, reported by European Pravda Details: The country's Foreign Ministry handed a note of protest to the Russian diplomat against "Russia's illegal interference in the elections and referendum in Moldova in order to distort their results, undermine and delegitimise the democratic process in Moldova". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly called on the Russian authorities to immediately cease these actions and refrain from any future interference in Moldova's internal affairs." More details: In addition, Moldova condemned the violation of the country's airspace by Russian drones on 10 November. "Two Russian drones were detected on the territory of Moldova. The relevant institutions of our country have information that these drones were indeed launched from Russia," the ministry said. Moldova emphasised that "such aggressive incursions are a serious violation and unfriendly gesture on the part of the Russian Federation and endanger the lives of civilians". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On 10 November, two drones were discovered in Moldova in the Causeni district and Riscani district. Following this incident, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry summoned Ozerov on 11 November. The Russian Foreign Ministry then demanded evidence from Moldova. Support UP or become our patron! Moldova's Foreign Ministry said on Nov. 12 that it had handed a note of protest to the newly appointed Russian Ambassador, Oleg Ozerov, over Russian interference in the recent presidential election and the downing of two Russian drones on Moldovan territory. Moldovan authorities, independent observers, and officials from the EU and the U.S. have pointed to a malign influence campaign involving criminal networks and political groups tied to Russia. Moldovan lawmakers claimed that Moscow had spent millions of dollars to fund Alexandr Stoianoglo, a pro-Russian candidate who lost to President Maia Sandu in the Nov. 3 election. The Foreign Ministry protested to the Russian ambassador against "Russia's illegal interference in the elections and referendum in Moldova to distort their results, undermine and delegitimize the democratic process in Moldova." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Foreign Ministry has repeatedly called on the Russian authorities to immediately cease these actions and refrain from any future interference in Moldova's internal affairs," the statement read. Apart from that, Moldova condemned the violation of the country's airspace by Russian drones on Nov. 10. Moldovan authorities found two Russian drones in the Causeni and Riscani districts after a Russian mass drone attack against Ukraine. "Such aggressive incursions are a serious violation and an unfriendly gesture on the part of the Russian Federation and endanger the lives of civilians," the statement read. On the evening of Nov. 12, Moldovan law enforcement confirmed the downing of another drone in the country, the third in the last three days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drone was found on the outskirts of the village of Cosernita, in the Floresti district of central Moldova, approximately 20 km outside of the capital, Chisinau. Read also: How Russia attempted to steal Moldovan election, referendum, and what comes next Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Alexander Tanas CHISINAU (Reuters) -Moldova handed Russia's ambassador to Chisinau a protest note on Tuesday over alleged interference by Moscow in a presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union. The Moldovan foreign ministry said in a statement that Russia had sought to delegitimise the democratic process of the country's presidential election, won by pro-Western President Maia Sandu, and an Oct. 20 referendum on inserting a clause in the constitution defining EU membership as a goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has denied the allegations. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented today to the Ambassador ... a note of protest in connection with the illegal and deliberate interference of the Russian Federation in the electoral process of the Republic of Moldova," Moldova's foreign ministry said. Russian ambassador Oleg Ozerov said of the meeting: "The conversation made it possible to clarify issues related to our acute and complex bilateral relations." The Foreign Ministry also summoned the charge d'affaires of Georgia for comments by the former Soviet state's prime minister it said called into question the integrity of Moldova's polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry said Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze had resorted to "distortions and an improper manner" in suggesting the Moldovan votes should be subject to an investigation. Kobakhidze's Georgian Dream party won a parliamentary election last month after campaigning on a platform of maintaining closer ties with Russia, an outcome disputed by opposition groups alleging vote rigging. Moldova has accused Moscow and fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor of meddling throughout the run-up to voting, saying a scheme he ran sought to buy the votes of 300,000 people. Shor, who lives in Russia, denies wrongdoing. Russia has said the election, in which there were two rounds of voting on Oct. 20 and Nov. 3, was unfair and that it does not see Sandu as the legitimate president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MOLDOVAN PUSH FOR EU MEMBERSHIP Ties between Russia and Moldova, which was formerly part of the Soviet Union, have deteriorated as the Moldovan government accelerated the push to integrate with the EU. Last month's referendum narrowly backed enshrining the wish to join the EU in Moldova's constitution. Moldova's foreign ministry also used Tuesday's meeting with Russia's ambassador to condemn a violation of its airspace by two drones which it said crashed on its territory on Sunday. Ozerov said there was no evidence the drones were Russian and that Moscow did not fly drones through countries neighbouring Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has regularly attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles since its full-scale invasion of Moldova's neighbour in 2022. Moldova has on several occasions recovered weapons debris on its territory. It said on Sunday that two Russian "decoy" drones had been found in the northern village of Borosenii Noi and the southern village of Firladeni, after a Russian drone attack on Ukraine. No one was reported hurt. (Reporting by Alexander Tanas; writing by Max Hunder; editing by Andrew Heavens, Timothy Heritage, Ron Popeski and Jonathan Oatis) Pete Rose's visitation at Great American Ball Park saw high attendance Sunday. The headcount of those who entered the stadium for the visitation was 6,580, according to Cincinnati Reds spokesperson Michael Anderson. Pete Rose, the all-time MLB hit leader and Cincinnati native, died on Sept. 30 at his Las Vegas home. He was 83. A long line of fans formed at the main entrance of the ballpark to pay respects to Rose's daughters, Fawn and Cara Rose. The women spearheaded the effort to put on a public visitation for their father in Cincinnati. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event was 14 hours long, a homage to Pete Rose's retired No. 14 jersey number. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Pete Rose: Headcount over 6K for Cincinnati Reds legend's visitation 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? Attorney General Patrick Morrisey addresses the press on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, during a briefing about his transition governor of West Virginia. (Caity Coyne | West Virginia Watch) One week after winning his bid to be West Virginias next governor, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Tuesday shared his plans and priorities as he prepares to advance to the states highest office. Helping Morrisey will be a team of seven transition team co-leaders who along with yet-to-be-named members of the full transition team will assist the governor-elect in creating policy priorities that he says will allow him to get to work on his first day in office. Among those co-leaders is a former coal lobbyist and operator, House Majority Leader Eric Householder, R-Berkeley, and several Republican political operatives, among others. Co-leaders of Morriseys transition team House Majority Leader Eric Householder, R-Berkeley Douglas P. Buffington II, chief deputy for the West Virginia Attorney General Karen S. Evans, former first assistant secretary for Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response at the U.S. Department of Energy and treasurer for the West Virginia Federation of Republican Women Julie Kominsky, chair of the Raleigh County Republican Executive Committee James Laurita, Jr., former chair of the West Virginia Coal Association, former operator of coal company MepCo, LLC and a former chair of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia Conrad Lucas II, former chair of the West Virginia Republican Party James R. J. Martin II, President and CEO of Citynet, a West Virginia-based telecommunication company Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All members of the transition team are volunteers, Morrisey said. The transition work is being organized through the West Virginia Prosperity Group, an independent nonprofit organization focused on advocating for conservative values. According to the Secretary of States Office, the West Virginia Prosperity Group was formed as a 501(c)4 nonprofit on Sept. 11 and was incorporated by Scott Will, who previously worked as Morriseys campaign manager for his attorney general races. Will also worked as a senior advisor with the Black Bear PAC, a political action committee that spent more than $11 million this election supporting Morriseys bid for governor, according to Open Secrets. Morrisey said Tuesday that Will along with Marisa Findlay, president of the states Federation of Republican Women was working as a consultant for the transition The goals for a Morrisey administration at this point seem, for the most part, to echo the priorities of his predecessor, Gov. Jim Justice, who is preparing to start his first term as West Virginias newest senator. Im looking forward to building on past successes but really also taking some additional steps to really help West Virginia rise in those economic rankings, Morrisey said. Im not satisfied with being 48th, 49th, and 50th. So I think what youre going to see over the course of the next four years is an aggressive effort to rise in those rankings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the weeks and months leading up to him taking office, Morrisey said he wants to meet with legislative leaders to discuss legislation that could come up in next years regular session and, maybe, reach consensus before the Legislature even gavels in. We want to develop a common agenda where the governor, the House, the Senate, all come together and we could move a series of bills that might be agreed to up front, Morrisey said. Im excited to do that, and so Im looking forward to sitting down at great length with them to develop the agenda. Morrisey said he wants to see advancements in the states economics and commerce through more investment from the private sector, a focus on policies to help the state reach its energy potential and efforts conducive to maintaining West Virginia values, including defending the Second Amendment and the sanctity of life. Ive always been very worried that there were agendas coming out of the Biden-Harris Administration, Morrisey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youve heard the word woke before, youve heard the word DEI before, and those are not, in my mind, West Virginia values, and were not going to be an administration thats going to be advancing those values, he continued, referring to the acronym commonly meaning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. As attorney general, Morriseys office has spearheaded and participated in numerous legal proceedings to limit the rights of and health care access for people who are transgender. Throughout his time in office, Morrisey has been vocally anti-abortion and critical of policies he associates with liberal ideology. Hes been a proponent for school choice educational policies including the school voucher program, which gives public dollars to private institutions saying during last months gubernatorial debate that he wants to see them expanded in coming years. On the environment, his office has actively fought against measures to increase environmental regulations that reduce the impacts of climate change and hold companies accountable for the damage their extraction activities cause to communities and public health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, however, the soon-to-be governor said that he wants his administration to work for all West Virginians, even those he disagrees with and those who have been on the opposing side of or targeted by his legal work. Anyone in the state is invited to submit feedback on the West Virginian Prosperity Groups website, Morrisey said, and he wants to read everything that is sent in. I make no bones about it. I am conservatively oriented, but I like to be open-minded to different ideas and listen to people to try to come up with the right decisions, Morrisey said. we have specific values, and I dont hide what they are. So I will say that, and if we disagree, I think we could disagree respectfully and we can do so in a civil manner. Thats the approach I try to use, and Ive always tried that and I think people can have a chance to see that. Morriseys inauguration will be on Jan. 13. He said that more announcements will be made in coming weeks regarding staffing for his administration, policy priorities and more. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Book bans in U.S. schools and libraries during the 2021-22 school year disproportionately targeted childrens books written by people of color especially women of color according to a peer-reviewed study we published. They also tended to feature characters of color. In addition, we found book bans were more common in right-leaning counties that were becoming less conservative over time. These findings were based on a comprehensive review of a then-record 2,532 bans that took effect in 32 states during the 2021-22 school year and compiled by PEN America, a nonprofit that defends the freedom of expression. The bans involved 1,643 unique book titles. We combined this with data on counties, sales of restricted books and author demographics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While much has been written about the rise in book bans, there has been little empirical work done on their content, causes and consequences. In our review, we found that 59% of banned books were childrens books featuring diverse characters or nonfiction books about historical figures and social movements. The top banned books were Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe, which was banned by 41 school districts; All Boys Arent Blue, by George M. Johnson, with 29 bans; and Out of Darkness, by Ashley Hope Perez, with 24 bans. Whats more, authors of color particularly women of color were far more likely to be banned compared with white authors. Authors of color wrote 39% of the banned books in our study. Women of color alone penned almost a quarter of them. Thats even though authors of color make up just 10% of U.S. authors and write less than 5% of the most popular books in the U.S. We also found that while most book bans occurred in counties with a Republican majority, they were even more likely to occur in counties where that majority had decreased over the previous two decades. Districts where the majority had increased or grown stronger since 2000 were less likely to ban books. Why it matters The number of book bans has only increased since the data from our study came out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 2022-23 school year, PEN America reported 3,362 book bans, affecting 1,557 unique titles. And its latest data, released Nov. 1, 2024, shows that the number of book bans soared in the 2023-24 school year to more than 10,000, with Florida and Iowa accounting for over 8,000 of them. While those pushing book bans often claim they are doing so to protect children, there is little evidence to suggest that book bans actually shield them from harmful content. The costs can be high. Theyre causing conflict and tension in the local communities where they are occurring, and some estimates put the monetary cost of implementing book bans in the millions of dollars for some states. But because the focus of these bans tends to be on titles featuring characters of color or LGBTQ+ themes, theres a risk that diverse characters will become even more underrepresented in childrens literature. This could negatively affect childrens sense of belonging and learning outcomes, even in schools not directly affected by these bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Book bans often initiated by school boards, legislators and prison authorities are one of the most symbolic forms of censorship, but our findings also suggest they are being used as a form of political activism. This means that in addition to the traditional questions around censorship, such as what information children have or dont have access to, there are questions about the political actions behind book bans and how they might attract or dampen a communitys civic participation. And given our finding about where these bans are most often occurring and that we found little impact on state and national levels of interest in the targeted books, as measured by Google searches and book sales, it seems that many of these bans amount to symbolic political gestures aimed at galvanizing a shrinking electoral base. What still isnt known Research on book bans is just emerging. Our study is one of the first, in part because of a lack of data about the publishing industry overall. We encourage future work to bring data together about books to facilitate this, we made much of the data we used public. The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katherine Spoon has received funding from the National Science Foundation. This research was assisted by a Social Science Research Council (SSRC)/Summer Institutes in Computational Social Science Research Grant. This research was assisted by a Social Science Research Council (SSRC)/Summer Institutes in Computational Social Science Research Grant. (Bloomberg) -- Mozambican opposition leader Venancio Mondlane called for fresh protests against the results of last months election and encouraged supporters to target trade routes with neighboring South African and Zimbabwe. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fiery former lawmaker, who rejects the outcome of the Oct. 9 ballot as fraudulent, urged truck drivers plying the routes to the Beira port in the center of the country and Maputo port in the south to blockade them for three days, starting Wednesday. The call ratchets up risks to the southeast African nations economy, which is already straining under weeks of turmoil since the vote. If successful, it could clog a key ferrochrome export route for South Africa the worlds biggest producer of the stainless-steel ingredient. Beira is an important port for landlocked Zimbabwe and is also used by copper mines in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We will paralyze all activities, Mondlane said in a live stream late Monday. We will ask all truck drivers to take time off during these three days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His previous call for protests last week led to the temporary closure of Mozambiques main land border with South Africa, one of the regions busiest crossings. The demonstrations have also interrupted commercial activity in Maputo, the capital, and raised concerns about further delays to a $20 billion natural gas export project led by TotalEnergies SE. Dozens of people have died since the demonstrations began, according to the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, after police used teargas and live ammunition to disperse protesters. The government has deployed the army to the streets of Maputo and the border crossing with South Africa at Ressano Garcia, where rioters last week torched buildings and vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondlane also called for demonstrations in each of Mozambiques provincial capitals. He said supporters shouldnt force anyone to protest, and hes repeatedly urged peace. Mozambiques ruling-party candidate Daniel Chapo was declared the winner of the presidential elections with nearly 71% of the vote, while Mondlane came second with 20%. Local and international observers have raised concerns over a raft of irregularities, including signs of ballot box stuffing and altering the tallies. The party backing Mondlane challenged the outcome with the Constitutional Council, which is yet to proclaim the final results. In the 2019 general elections, it took until Dec. 23 to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police are asking the public for help identifying three suspects they say were involved in a homicide in September. On September 18 at 9:00 p.m., officers responded to the Airport Express Gas Station in the 2000 block of Airways Boulevard regarding a shooting. Officers were told that a male suspect pulled onto the lot in a silver/gray SUV (which MPD believes was likely a Chevy Tahoe.) The vehicle MPD says the homicide suspects fled in. (MPD) The vehicle was also occupied by two women fitting the following description: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woman shot in face, suspect still on the run: Police Female suspect #1: Slim-build wearing a white shirt and black pants Female suspect #2: Medium-build wearing a black shirt, short pink shorts and black and red shoes MPD released images of suspects they say were responsible for the homicide. (MPD) The male suspect allegedly fired two shots from the vehicle before chasing the victim on foot to the door of the business. A struggle ensued and ended when the victim was shot and later died. Police say the male suspect and two female suspects returned to the SUV and fled westbound on Democrat Road. If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. 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 WREG.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A 18-year-old woman was killed when she was hit by a vehicle on Interstate 24 Monday night. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the multi-vehicle crash was reported in the westbound lanes near the Bell Road exit before 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11. Metro police told News 2 that two vehicles were ultimately involved. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Traffic backup on Interstate 24, November 11 (Source: WKRN) According to a release, the Antioch woman was walking in the middle of the interstate when she was hit by a vehicle that kept going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other vehicles also struck her following the crash and stayed at the scene, but none are believed to be the initial vehicle, according to Metro police. Investigators do not know why she was walking on the interstate. The woman died at the scene and was later identified by officials as 18-year-old Bethany Doolittle. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The roadway was closed to traffic for hours and vehicles were diverted at Exit 59. Anyone with information on the vehicle or driver involved is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. No other information about the crash was immediately released. 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. SPINDALE, N.C. (WSPA) Spindale police are looking for a man they said has been scamming people by promising to sell car ports he does not own. According to the Spindale Police Department, on Ocotober 12, officers were called to a home on Kentucky Street after a resident saw a man he didnt know disassembling his metal carport without his permission. The man told police he had purchased the carport from someone who identified himself as Joseph Lane. The resident contacted the homeowner and confirmed the carport had not been sold nor had they given anyone permission to sell it on their behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man reassembled the carport and filed a police report due to being scammed out of his money. Police said Joseph Lane was later identified as Christopher Joseph Fite. When confronted about the incident, Fite told police he had sold the carport at the request of a third party. Since then, police said at least three other carports have been reported stolen in Spindale, and Fite has been identified as a suspect in at least one of those incidents. Police are asking anyone who has purchased a carport from Fite or his alias, Joseph Lane, or from Facebook Marketplace to please contact the police department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spindale Police Department would also like to remind people that when using Facebook Marketplace it is important to be vigilant for scams and to verify ownership of the property they are purchasing, the department said on Facebook. If you are in doubt, please reach out to Law Enforcement so that you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim. Fite currently has outstanding warrants for obtaining property by false pretense. Anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts is asked to call police. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. AUSTIN (KXAN) No injuries were reported after a fire on State Highway 71 near Garfield on Tuesday, according to a social media post from the Austin Fire Department. Fire crews at the scene saw multiple cars on fire under a pavilion-like structure in the 5000 block of East SH 71 westbound. Possible explosions were also reported by callers, AFD said. AFD said at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday that the fire was out. Crews were still at the scene Tuesday afternoon for clean up. 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 KXAN Austin. MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) Murfreesboro police arrested a man for bringing a gun onto two Murfreesboro City Schools campuses Monday. Murfreesboro police said that Austin Diller, 22, was arrested at his home on multiple felony warrants for possession of a firearm on school property. Authorities added that neither students, nor staff members, were in any danger. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diller reportedly went to John Pittard Elementary Schools campus just before 11:30 a.m. on Monday looking for information about enrollment for a younger sibling. Diller then allegedly went to Erma Siegel Elementary School seeking the same information and was told that he could find enrollment information online. When Diller turned to leave the school, office staff saw that he had been openly carrying a gun in a holster. The school resource officer, who had been in another part of the building, and was notified. The 22-year-old left the school before the SRO made it to the entrance, a press release from the Murfreesboro Police Department reads, in part. Since Dillers location wasnt known after leaving the school, all MCS schools and nearby private schools were placed on a soft lockout as a precaution. A soft lockout means no visitors were allowed inside the schools or any students outside. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police added that Diller was eventually tracked down with the help of crime data analysts in the Murfreesboro Police Departments Real Time Crime Center using license plate reading cameras. As of publication, Diller is being held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $5,000 bond. He has been scheduled to appear in Rutherford County General Court on December 16. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. (Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk surfaced once more in a round of phone calls US President-elect Donald Trump is making with world leaders, driving home the billionaires outsized influence in the next administration. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the worlds richest man was present during his phone call with Trump on Sunday. The Balkan leader stressed that he was among the first 10 or 15 world leaders to speak to Trump following his Nov. 5 election victory, calling it a great honor. The exchange took place after Musk, who runs SpaceX and Tesla Inc., sat in on a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week, in a display of the status of an executive who threw his wealth and influence behind Trumps campaign. This week Argentine President Javier Milei will make his way to Mar-a-Lago to see Trump and likely Musk at his resort in Florida as leaders far and wide scramble to get close to the winner of the US election. Its unusual for an incoming administration to be giving a private citizen access to calls with world leaders given national security risks and the confidential nature of those talks. In the case of Vucic, the lines were even further blurred by the presence of Chris Ruddy, chief executive officer of the Newsmax TV network, a Trump-supporting cable news channel. President Trump knows Serbia very well, and Elon Musk, who was with him, as well as Chris Ruddy, also know it particularly well, maybe even the best, Vucic told reporters at the COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan. The conversations, he added, were partly about sports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear what in particular drew Musk and Ruddy to an exchange with a leader in the western Balkans. Vucic, who has maintained a careful balancing act as he maintains ties to both the Kremlin and the West, spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin early last month and told Bloomberg in an interview that the next US president must push through a truce between Moscow and Kyiv. Serbia has also emerged as a potentially important player in a supply chain of critical raw materials for electric-vehicle production with a plan to develop Europes biggest lithium mine. Musks participation last week in the call with Zelenskiy hadnt been planned in advance and Trump put the phone on speaker as Musk sat in the room, according to a person familiar with the discussion. Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., took the Republican campaign to the Balkan region in September, reinforcing the former presidents aim to end Russias war in Ukraine. A second Trump presidency would be a great benefit to eastern Europe, Trump Jr. told a group of business leaders in the Serbian capital Belgrade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elects family and allies have other ties to the region. Son-in-law Jared Kushner is investing in luxury hotels in Serbia and Albania, while his former special envoy to the region, Richard Grenell who was a contender for Trumps secretary of state maintained ties with Balkan governments after the former president left office in 2021. (Adds details on Milei meeting with Trump and possibly Musk also in third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. DETROIT (WOOD) William Kitchen III, a Muskegon Heights man whose life has been transformed by redemption, will be among 38 recipients honored this Thursday with a Governors Service Award for outstanding community contributions. Kitchen, 39, was just 14 when he was sentenced to prison for robbery and felony firearm charges. After serving 21 years, he has since become a passionate advocate for change and a leader in West Michigans efforts to support at-risk youth and individuals re-entering society. Since his release, Kitchen has founded the Redemption Coalition, joined the Fresh Coast Alliance, and created a chess-based curriculum designed to teach youth impulse control and structure. He also organizes youth poetry slams and contributes to Black history events in the region. His work as a motivational speaker has reached more than 20 area schools, and he regularly visits the Juvenile Detention Center and works with the Michigan Department of Corrections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To him, his advocacy is personal. There is someone who knows how to help you, but they would never know if they can provide you that service if they dont hear it from you, Kitchen said. We have a saying: Closed mouths dont get fed. So, I started opening my mouth: I dont know how to do this. I dont know where this is. I dont know how to create this I would ask people, Can you help me?' Kitchens efforts have helped hundreds of people, according to those at the Fresh Coast Alliance, an organization that assists individuals leaving prison or addiction recovery with housing, job training, and transportation. Joy Sparks, the groups executive director, credits Kitchens ability to connect with people from all walks of life. William can say, This is where you can belong. Here is a positive path for how you can fit in and be a part of something,' Sparks said. Just walking alongside kids who maybe feel like they dont belong is a great spot for William. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kitchen attributes much of his success to modeling the message of hope and transformation. The key is to be able to model the message, he said. Anybody can tell you anything, any day, any given time. But to visually see the model of the message, they know that its attainable they know that its reachable. Kitchen will receive his award Thursday at the Detroit Opera House, and his work will continue as he pursues a degree in social work and criminal justice at Grand Valley State 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 WOODTV.com. The estate of a woman who died after being shot at a Myrtle Beach hotel while unloading her items is suing the resort and the man who shot her. Rhonda Harris, of Lancaster, died several weeks after being shot on March 1, 2022, at the Yachtsman Resort, 1304 N. Ocean Blvd., by Lashawn Jarrett. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Harris representative, Mary Harris, on Nov. 8, 2024. A person answering the phone at the Yachtsman said he could not comment on the suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rhonda Harris was shot by Jarrett after he was involved in a violent altercation with a person inside the vehicle, according to the suit. Jarrett, of North Carolina, fired several times, shooting the victim inside the vehicle and Harris who was parked nearby, unloading items, according to Myrtle Beach Police. Harris, 38, was taken to the hospital where she later died from her injuries. The suit claims that Yachtsman owed plaintiff a duty of care to keep the premises in a safe condition and to warn of/or eliminate unreasonable risks and dangerous conditions. The hotel is located in a high-crime area and was the source of regular and repeated crimes leading up to the time of the shooting, according to the suit. However, despite regular and on-going crimes, the Yachtsman did not employ on-site security personnel, the suit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jarrett was arrested on March 23, 2022, in the shooting. The suit claims that the hotel was negligent in not providing security and creating a dangerous climate for criminal activity. In addition, the hotel failed to respond to the boisterous disturbance on the premises or notify the authorities and failed to ensure that medical treatment for Harris would arrive promptly. Mary Harris is seeking a jury trial and is asking actual and punitive damages against the Yachtsman and Jarrett. Nashville police are investigating after a man died after being shot Monday at an Antioch apartment complex. Police responded to the emergency call, in the 1400 block of Rural Hill Road, just after 8 p.m. They found Jacori D. Wynn, 28, suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest in a breezeway of the complex, police said. A spokesperson with Metro Nashville Police Department said Tuesday that Wynn was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he later died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about the fatal shooting of Jacori Wynn or the person or people responsible is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward. Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville police seek clues after fatal shooting at Antioch apartments As far as Florida is concerned, the weather in the tropics is fairly calm right now. But a tropical wave currently dumping torrential rain over central and parts of the northern Caribbean has an 80% chance of developing into a tropical depression later this week, forecasters said. The wave is approaching the same region that produced hurricanes Rafael, Milton and Helene, but an approaching front and increasing wind shear may prevent it from becoming a problem. However, that zone is still capable of producing more tropical cyclones and AccuWeather predicts that the zone of wind shear north of the Caribbean that has been preventing any new storms from moving north since Milton could dissolve next week and leave us open for more activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, remnants of Rafael may meander around the Gulf of Mexico and get swept up into a cold front moving over the U.S. Wednesday and Thursday, bringing heavy rain to Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tenneessee, and the tip of the Florida Panhandle. The northern Gulf Coast, including Florida, can expect high surf and dangerous rip currents. "The new cool front will also be more progressive than the one that unloaded 8 inches of rain on Saturday and the storm that unloaded a foot of rain on South Carolina and Georgia last week. Although downpours can produce minor flooding, persistent downpours arent expected and widespread flooding is not anticipated," AccuWeather meteorologist Grady Gilman said. Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location The next named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane season would be Sara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 7 a.m. EST Tuesday, Nov. 12: National Hurricane Center map: What else is out there and how likely are they to strengthen? Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include: Central and Western Caribbean Sea: A tropical wave over the central Caribbean Sea is producing an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form by the end of the week as the system moves slowly westward into the western Caribbean Sea. Afterward, the disturbance is expected to meander over the western Caribbean Sea through the weekend and begin moving slowly, generally northwestward, by early next week. Interests across the western Caribbean Sea should monitor the progress of this system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Formation chance through 48 hours: medium, 40 percent. Formation chance through seven days: high, 80 percent. What do the colored areas on the NOAA map mean? The hatched areas on a tropical outlook map indicate "areas where a tropical cyclone which could be a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane could develop," said National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome. The colors make it visibly clear how likely a system could develop with yellow being low, orange medium and red high. The National Hurricane Center generally doesn't issue tropical advisories until a there is a named storm, but there is an exception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If a system is near land and there is potential for development, the National Hurricane Center won't wait before it issues advisories, even if the system hasn't become an actual storm. This gives residents time to prepare," Rhome said. Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida When does hurricane season end? The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city Excessive rainfall forecast Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Tropical depression likely to form in Caribbean by weekend, NHC says The Navajo Nation is set to address longstanding chemical and petroleum contamination across its lands, targeting abandoned business sites and a significant former tribal enterprise in a mountainous region. On Thursday, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren praised Navajo EPA Director Stephen Etsitty and Council Delegate Andy Nez for their determination in securing the Navajo Environmental Remediation Fund's approval. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I remember when Dr. Nez and Stephen came to my office, he said. They threw the number of $500 million that's going to be needed for remediation. I'm glad that we recognized the problem and now they've come up with the solution. The newly established Remediation Fund, signed into law by Nygren, marks the first step in working toward this goal. It allocates 2% of the Navajo Nations projected revenues from its general fund, which could grow the fund by about $4.4 million annually based on fiscal year 2026 forecasts. Approximately 40 abandoned industrial and commercial sites across the Navajo Nation require environmental remediation. These sites include former trading posts, laundromats, gas stations, and the notably contaminated Navajo Forest Products Industries (NFPI) site in Navajo and Sawmill, New Mexico. Cleanup costs are estimated to exceed $47.6 million. This fund supports the clean-up of former businesses and industrial sites that sit empty or abandoned with contamination and pose a public health risk to Dine people, to natural resources like groundwater, and to livestock, President Nygren said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NFPI site, originally established as the Nation's first tribally-owned enterprise, functioned as a sawmill and particle board facility. Built in Sawmill in 1939 and relocated in 1960, it closed in 1994, leaving contaminated soil and groundwater after years of operation. A 2021 soil assessment at the site detected high levels of harmful chemicals, including chromium, lead, diesel fuel, mercury, and solvents at varying depths. Groundwater tests also revealed hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen. While the fund's annual contributions wont cover all estimated cleanup costs, Director Etsitty stressed the significance of this investment, which allows for the prioritization of contaminated sites. The Navajo EPA has already completed assessments and contamination removal efforts at multiple segments of the NFPI site, addressing asbestos and petroleum-contaminated soils. Etsitty highlighted plans for site redevelopment, envisioning these locations transformed to meet community needs. Across our lands, that fulfills other needs in community locations for all manner of our society, from our children to our elderly, he said. So the land can be redeveloped. What was there before that came out of the 20th century can be redeveloped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Remediation Fund will provide sustained financial support for long-term cleanup projects, reducing reliance on federal funding or lawsuit settlements. According to the legislation, the Controllers office is expected to establish the fund by October 7, 2025, ensuring it can support the Navajo EPAs cleanup operations at contaminated former business and industrial sites across the Nation. With this legislation, we are thinking for the future and building a healthier future for our people, the President said. The Navajo Nation is hopeful that, by investing in environmental remediation and redevelopment, they are paving the way for new community and economic opportunities over the next five to 15 years. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) One veteran in Wichita believes his time protecting others is not over yet. Chris Anders spent eight years in the Navy, from jumping out of airplanes to deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. A decade after coming home, he said, he couldnt shake his itch to get back out and help others, so he submitted his application to become a Wichita firefighter. Fuel to an old flame. That burning need, that itch that you just want to help others, said Anders. US Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Veteran Chris Anders came home from Afghanistan in 2013. He moved to Wichita to work at McConnell Air Force Base earlier this year and said hes trying to find his next chapter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its less about yourself and more about the community, more about this country, and its just what can you do for other people, said Anders. He said he missed the comradery he felt in the service and was eager to join the Wichita Fire Department for the same bond. Anders has been training for months and said being in his late 40s will not stop him. Theres not an easy day in anything you love. Thats what I really embraced in the military. We dont get paid much, but you look left, you look right, its those people at your side that carry you through the day and the years, said Anders. Wichita Fire Union President Ted Bush said he has no doubts Anders will fit in at the Wichita Fire Department. He said a lifetime dedication to service and military skills can make for a great firefighter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont bear that weight alone: Wichita veteran turned his trauma into advocacy Its just a natural transition for him. Its physical; its teamwork, leadership, learning how to lead, learning how to follow orders, and getting the job done. Its all a natural progression, and I think thats probably why he would be great in the Wichita Fire Department, said Bush. Anders wanted to live for those who died while he was at war. I felt like I should live my days out of respect for what theyve done, what theyve given up, and for their families also. So I dont think theres one veteran who hasnt lost anyone that says, Im just going to mail it in, no we want to do our best, to represent those who served before us, and those who will come again, said Anders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He hopes to eventually become a fire investigator down the road for the WFD. Anders said its a hard transition coming back from overseas, and anyone looking for guidance should contact their local VA or American Legion. You can find those resources 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 KSN-TV. Adrin Nazarian claimed victory Tuesday in a race to represent parts of the San Fernando Valley on the Los Angeles City Council, while Heather Hutt held on to the seat she was appointed to in 2022. With Ysabel Jurado's victory over incumbent Kevin de Leon to represent parts of downtown and the Eastside, the council will be majority female for the first time. Hutt on Tuesday emailed supporters to thank them for helping elect her to represent a district stretching from Koreatown to the Crenshaw corridor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hutt, 65, was first appointed to the post by the council in 2022, after then-Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas was indicted on corruption charges. She is the first woman, and first Black woman, elected to the seat. When the new members start work on Dec. 9, she will be one of eight women on the 15-member council. "We felt good with seven eight makes it great," Hutt said in an interview Tuesday. She said homelessness, public safety and cleaning the streets and sidewalks would be her priorities for the next four years. Hutt led in the District 10 race with 63% of the vote Monday night, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a dwindling number of votes left to count, her opponent, Grace Yoo, appears to have no path to catch up. Hutt was backed by Mayor Karen Bass and had support from business and labor unions. She was a strong supporter of Healthy Streets L.A, which was passed by voters in March and requires the city to build bus and bike lanes. Yoo, an estate planning attorney and longtime City Hall critic, raised nearly half a million dollars in the primary and general elections slightly more than Hutt. Yoo had run two previous times for the District 10 seat, losing to incumbent Herb Wesson in 2015 and to Ridley-Thomas in 2020. Ridley-Thomas was indicted by federal prosecutors the following year and remains free while he appeals his conviction. Read more: With Jurado victory, L.A.s audio leak scandal takes down another Latino politician Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 10 takes in all or parts of Mid-City, Little Ethiopia, Leimert Park, La Cienega Heights, Baldwin Hills, Jefferson Park, Koreatown and South Robertson. In the race to replace outgoing City Councilmember Paul Krekorian representing the eastern San Fernando Valley, Nazarian had 54% of the vote as of Monday night, a lead of nearly 10 percentage points over Jillian Burgos, a small business owner and member of the NoHo Neighborhood Council. Nazarian, a former state Assembly member and former aide to Krekorian, said in a phone call Tuesday that he was tired but in great spirits. The longtime politician raised more than $1 million during his campaign, a fraction of the amount brought in by Burgos. He was backed by business and labor groups and also endorsed by Bass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burgos, who was endorsed by a number of left-of-center groups, including the L.A. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, had been hoping to expand the bloc of super-progressives who have been pushing the council to the left. The group includes Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez, who will soon be joined by Jurado, the new District 14 representative. Neither Burgos nor Yoo immediately responded to requests for comment. Nazarian, 51, said that some of his first actions as a council member will be focused on homelessness in District 2, which include all or parts of North Hollywood, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, Valley Village and other areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Summing up the mood of the city, Nazarian cited a sense of insecurity that a lot of people are feeling. Voters told him during the campaign that they didnt feel comfortable walking down the sidewalks, and in some instances, seeing open drug use, he said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A group of masked demonstrators were seen waving Nazi flags outside a production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" in Howell, Michigan, on Saturday. Witnesses said the five individuals were heard shouting racist and antisemitic slurs in the parking lot of the American Legion Post 141, where the play about the young Holocaust victim was being held. Bobby Brite, a veteran who took video of the group, told Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ that people attending the play were shocked and frightened. PHOTO: This still from a video shows a Nazi rally outside a performance of 'The Diary of Anne Frank' at an American Legion in Howells, Mich, Nov. 9, 2024. (Bobby Brite) "We had 75 people downstairs that watched that play, and out of that 75, there were 50 or 60 of them that were afraid to leave this building. We had to escort them to their cars. Nobody in America should feel like that," said Brite, who said he served 26 years in the Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Livingston County Sheriff Michael J. Murphy said they were called to respond to a "disturbance." After the demonstrators were asked to leave the property, they continued protesting across the street, at which point "a subject then approached them, and an argument ensued." MORE: Neo-Nazi planned poisoned candy attack on Jewish children in Brooklyn, federal prosecutors say "Nothing physical transpired and ultimately the parties involved separated," Murphy said. According to Fowlerville Community Theatre, which put on the play, the audience and cast were informed of the incident during intermission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Although some were understandably shaken, they pulled together and finished the performance with strength and professionalism," the theatre organization said in a statement. PHOTO: Nazi demonstrators protested outside a production of 'The Diary of Anne Frank' at an American Legion in Howell, Mich. (WLAJ) The play continued, and was performed again the following day without incident. "This production centers on real people who lost their lives in the Holocaust, and we have endeavored to tell their story with as much realism as possible," the community theater group said. "On Saturday evening, things became more real than we expected; The presence of protesters outside gave us a small glimpse of the fear and uncertainty felt by those in hiding." MORE: Donald Trump's history with Adolf Hitler and his Nazi writings: ANALYSIS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a theatre, we want to make people feel and think," the group continued. "We hope that by presenting Anne's story, we can help prevent the atrocities of the past from happening again." In a statement on X, the Anti-Defamation League's Michigan chapter denounced the incident. "We are disgusted by the far-right extremists who praised Hitler and waved Nazi flags outside of an American Legion hosting the play 'The Diary of Anne Frank,' and we stand with American Legion 141 and @HowellTownship who know that hate doesn't belong in their community," the ADL said. Nazi demonstrators gather outside 'Diary of Anne Frank' play in Michigan originally appeared on abcnews.go.com CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) With Republicans expected to lose their complete supermajority in Raleigh come January, the GOP is trying to take full advantage of their current numbers. They hold 3/5 of the seats in both the Senate and House, allowing the caucus alone to override any veto from the governor. The General Assembly is scheduled to convene at least two times before the balance of power is set to change in January when Democrats will likely gain one seat in the House. During their session next week, GOP leadership promises to bring House Bill 10 to the floor and override a veto from Governor Roy Cooper that was handed down in late September. The legislation provides nearly half a billion dollars in funding to a private school voucher program. Cooper accused the idea of being devastating for education across the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Tim Moore previously said North Carolinians are on their side, that there are some families who want to have an opportunity to have a choice. Moore argued too many families are forced to attend underperforming public schools. MORE: Republicans win control of the US House of Representatives In addition to school choice funding, HB10 contains language requiring sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration officials. While the override vote is set for November 19, Republicans are not revealing what else they want to get done for that session and another one in December. Their vote on the 19th could be the last override before they lose a supermajority in the House and Governor-Elect Josh Stein assumes office. Yet, Republicans insist that this will not change their legislative priorities. While hoping more democrats switch parties, State Rep Destin Hall, the potential next Speaker, said there are enough democrats they can work with, not the majority of their caucus, but theres a number of them who well be able to work with on specific policy items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers will convene in Raleigh at noon on Tuesday, November 19. Members of the legislature will also be in town on Monday for a meeting focused on the response to Hurricane Helene. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The state's top committee of coastal experts has said North Carolina and coastal communities needs to plan to deal with at least 1 foot of sea-level rise by 2050 a date officials warn that's not too far out. In a sea-level rise update report released last month, the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission Science Panel said the evidence is becoming increasingly clear that the seas are rising, faster than originally thought in some cases, and that the trend will accelerate in the coming decades. In recent years, confidence regarding the expected amount of sea level rise by 2050 has increased, the science panel states in its update report. "Regardless of how much warming occurs by 2100, trajectories evaluated by the 2022 sea level rise technical report indicate sea level rise of 1 foot to 1.4 feet by 2050, relative to sea level in 2000." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The science panel relied on a 2022 report by a federal sea-level rise task force composed of several agencies, including FEMA, NOAA and the EPA, that aims to provide states and local governments with the best data and ways to address the challenges that sea-level rise poses for coastal communities. While factors from how quickly or slowly humans reduce the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gasses being pumped into the atmosphere in coming decades and how quickly the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica melt will determine how quickly and by how much the seas rise, researchers said it's all but certain that sea-level rise will increase in the latter half of this century. Mapping impacts out to 2100 is inherently an inexact science. But Dr. Reide Corbett, dean of the Integrated Coastal Programs at East Carolina University and a member of the CRC science panel, said that 1-foot marker by 2050 needs to be embraced as what will happen along the coast, not seen as just a possibility. "That is something key that we need to grasp, accept and start planning for," he said, "because it's hard to deny the data, the facts, the direction of where we are headed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RISING RATES: NC coastal insurance rates are going up, but by how much is still to be determined Residents and others look over the standing flood waters that remain around the Carolina Beach Lake area Tuesday Sept. 17, 2024 in Carolina Beach, N.C. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS Corbett said it isn't just the communities along the state's 320 miles of oceanfront that should start planning ahead. He said the rising seas also have implications for inland coastal communities, since increased sea-level rise will see more water pushed up into North Carolina's extensive network of estuaries, rivers and tidal creeks. That could see increased salinity, changes in flooding patterns, and rising water tables as the heavier salt water pushes groundwater up potentially impacting septic and drainage systems. Corbett said coastal communities should start planning now on how best to deal with what's projected to happen with sea-level rise, with a self-assessment of their vulnerabilities to rising waters an important and positive first step. "Then, with the public's involvement, they can make some decisions on how they invest and develop policies that best suit that community," he said. "There's still time, but we need to start planning and adapting now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Wilmington area, Carolina Beach is actively looking into what it can do to improve drainage in the flood-prone northern area of town knowing that the situation will likely get worse in the coming years if nothing is done. New Hanover County also is looking to limit any heavy development of the west bank of the Cape Fear River across from downtown Wilmington over concerns about increased tidal flooding in the future. The Battleship North Carolina, also on the river's west bank, has decided to try and live with the rising water instead of engineering ways to control it by turning much of its parking lot into wetlands. SLOWING DEVELOPMENT: With New Hanover's updated vision for the west bank, leaders toss around ideas for use Flooding has become an increasing problem for the Battleship North Carolina in recent years. Officials are hoping a new project incorporating new wetlands and a raised parking lot will help alleviate some of the issues. Building back better Corbett said the federal and state governments also need to play a role in helping finance and direct projects to help coastal communities prepare for what's coming due to climate change. North Carolina has a chequered history when it comes to dealing with and even acknowledging the threat posed by sea-level rise, highlighted by state legislators last decade deciding to ignore scientific date on sea-level rise because it might damage the coastal property market. That led to the state being skewered by environmentalists and even late-night comedians, most notably Stephen Colbert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state's position has changed since then, largely because of the embrace of the dangers of climate change by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. But overwhelming evidence along with some major natural disasters from 2016's Hurricane Matthew to Hurricane Florence two years later to last month's Tropical Storm Helene also has brought the challenges posed by the world's changing weather patterns home. That includes more powerful and bigger tropical weather systems, extended droughts and heat waves pocketed with intense rainfall events, and rising seas. Cooper has made building back better and smarter after a natural disaster, like a hurricane or flooding event, an important part of disaster recovery efforts while he's been in office. The idea is by building a more resilient community, there will be less damage and loss of life down the road when not if another disaster hits. That includes moving people and infrastructure out of harms way, building roads and bridges with rising water levels in mind, and not allowing development in places that are inherently vulnerable. But climatologists and environmentalists say North Carolina also has taken some steps back even as it has tried to steer recovery efforts with future disasters in mind. They include the GOP-controlled N.C. General Assembly last year rejecting stronger and more energy-efficient building codes over concerns they would make homes less affordable. The CRC is accepting comments on the recent sea-level update report. They can be sent to DCMcomments@deq.nc.gov. Please list 2024 Sea Level Rise Science Update in the subject line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NC science panel says coast will see 1 foot of sea-level rise by 2050 LINCOLN (NEBRAKSA EXAMINER) A panel of state lawmakers passed over one idea for reducing property taxes but expressed dismay Friday that a state agency isnt generating more investment income for Nebraska schoolchildren, the Nebraska Examiner reports The idea of selling some of the 1.25 million acres of land owned and rented by the Nebraska Board of Educational Lands and Funds and using the proceeds to lower property taxes emerged during debate this year on reducing the states traditionally high taxes on land. An interim study hearing, called by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, called for exploring the viability of doing that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But testimony and discussion Friday before the Legislatures Education Committee veered from that idea and instead focused on why the independent agency wasnt generating more investment income from its more than $1 billion in financial assets. Relic from settlement days Nebraskas Board of Educational Lands and Funds is a relic from settlement days. At that time, two-square-mile sections of land per township were set aside in trust for schools. Originally, that added up to 2.8 million acres of land across Nebraska. But around 1900, about half of the land was sold, mostly in eastern Nebraska. From time to time, state lawmakers have looked at the agency, without much success, to help with issues such as property tax relief and revenue shortfalls because o its vast holdings of land and money. Rents land to farmers Some background: The board currently provides about $60 million a year to the states pre-K-12 schools or about $161 per student from money it earns by renting its land to farmers and ranchers and from cash investment income. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But state senators on the Education Committee raised questions after the agencys CEO/executive secretary, Kelly Sudbeck, told them it was getting a return of about 2.86% on its cash investments, made by a state investment council. This seems like not a very good return on our investment, said Elkhorn Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who noted that recent investments in stock did much better than 2.86%. Siouxland sees smaller voter turnout at 2024 presidential election If someone gave me a million dollars, Id do the best I could to make the most from it, said Linehan, who chairs the Legislatures Revenue Committee, which guides tax policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudbeck, however, said that as a trust, the agency is bound by rules that require conservative investments that dont risk losses. We have a fiduciary duty to do what is in the best interest of the school land trust, he said, noting that the return on its property has been 3.63%, higher than its return on its cash investments. North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson, who is a banker, told the committee it appears that the Board of Educational Lands and Funds is locked into fixed income investments that dont yield the kind of income that the stock market has in recent years. But, Jacobson added, state lawmakers might look at whether the agency could be allowed to make investments with higher yield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is that something statutory that we can change? Thats worth looking at, Jacobson said. Representatives of four school groups testified against a fire sale of the agencys lands, arguing that the money it sends to local schools is a reliable and stable source of funding that shouldnt be traded for a short-term benefit. The agencys funds, they noted, already help reduce property taxes. Land generates more revenue Sudbeck said the agency has an ongoing plan to sell off a few of its poorest performing properties. Currently, 158,000 acres of its land is for sale, he said, and between 1,000 and 2,000 acres have been sold in each of the last three years. Sudbeck added that the board has consistently decided that land is generating higher revenues than its cash investments so selling it off wholesale doesnt make sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, he said, many of its renters cant afford to purchase their rental tract, and renting allows smaller and younger farmers a more affordable way to obtain land for their farming and ranching operations. Interim hearings, such as the one conducted Friday by the Education Committee, are designed to explore legislative topics. Often, such studies will result in drafting legislation, but it appeared after the hearing Friday that no proposal would be introduced to sell off large tracts of land to benefit property tax relief. Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and X. This story was republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 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. ST. LOUIS A longtime firefighter with the St. Louis Fire Department is facing a felony weapons charge for firing his gun into the ground during a recent dispute. Court documents reveal 17-year department veteran Christopher Dandridge is charged with unlawful use of a weapon, a Class E felony, after police say he confronted a group of people walking in his community and then fired a gun into the ground. The incident occurred on the morning of Oct. 28 at an apartment complex off of North Theresa Avenue in the Grand Center neighborhood of St. Louis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The probable cause statement reads as follows: The facts supporting this belief are as follows: We were advised by the victims that they were walking through an apartment complex when a man later self-admitted as the defendant approached them and asked them if they lived there. When they replied no, he went into an apartment, came out with a pistol, asked if they were scared now, and fired a shot into the ground. When the defendant was apprehended, he admitted his conduct. MoDOT halts work on Chesterfield curb bump out islands Dandridge is on paid leave from the department pending the outcome of his case. The department provided FOX 2 with the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have been made aware of the criminal charges brought against one of our members, and the subsequent investigation that is currently underway. In accordance with department and city policies/regulations, the member in question has been placed on administrative leave until the legal proceedings conclude. Any further updates will be provided as they become available and are appropriate to share. Dandridges neighbors describe him as a stand-up guy who looks out for everyone in the community. Neighbor Andre Davis tells FOX 2 he and his mother saw the whole incident happen. They said a group of teenagers were loitering in their complex, where theyve had to deal with a rash of car break-ins and thefts. They allege Dandridge was out walking his dog when he confronted the teens, and that he only fired his gun into the ground because they started running toward him. Daviss mom, Brenda, has lived in the neighborhood for nearly 15 years. She feels teenagers have gotten out of control and hopes Dandridge does not get punished for doing what she views as the right thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I pray for these children. I pray for the world as a whole. Chris has not done anything wrong. He didnt put his hands on them. He was just protecting himself, she said. Dandridge was released from jail on Oct. 29, one day after his arrest. His first court date is set for Tuesday, Dec. 3. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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) is searching for a suspect in a deadly shooting at one of the Districts historic cemeteries. Officers say 22-year-old Brandon Ward, who lived a few blocks away from Rock Creek Cemetery, was killed in the shooting. It happened Saturday afternoon in Northwests Petworth neighborhood. Intentionally thoughtless: DC delivery drivers handling of three pizzas on scooter prompts frustration, questions about refunds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors living nearby were shocked Monday afternoon, some hearing the details of the deadly shooting for the first time. Officers say they found Ward unconscious with at least two gunshot wounds and he was pronounced dead shortly after. MPD said it does not yet know what led up to the shooting. Neighbors Donna and D.L. Smith told DC News Now that its not uncommon for people living near the cemetery to go for walks and runs through it. They said they rarely, if ever, see gun violence in the neighborhood nearby. Theres never been anything like this. So its a shock, Donna Smith said. Its normally a quiet neighborhood. We like living by the cemetery because we feel safe. Now, we dont know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC police looking for 2 juveniles allegedly involved in Northwest shooting DC News Now reached out to Wards family but did not hear back in time for publication. MPD is asking anyone with any information at all to come forward. The department is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again addressed the people of Iran directly in a video, saying their leadership is wasting money with attacks on Israel that could be invested in their future. Another Iranian attack would cost the country billions of dollars and cripple the economy, the Israeli prime minister said in a video message released on Tuesday. "I know that you don't want this war. I don't want this war either. The people of Israel don't want this war," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is one force putting your family in grave danger: The tyrants of Tehran. That's it," Netanyahu said, referring to the regime of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Instead of investing the $2.3 billion that the recent Iranian attack in early October cost in hospitals, the country's infrastructure, clean water or the education of its people, Netanyahu stated that Tehran had squandered the money on a war it cannot win. How much Israel had to pay for its attack on Iran was not disclosed by Netanyahu. The regime obsesses "about destroying Israel, rather than about building Iran," the Israeli prime minister continued, adding, "What a shame." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that the Iranian regime was getting weaker every day, while Israel was getting stronger. There is one thing the regime fears more than Israel, and that is the people of Iran, he said. "That is why they spend so much time and money to trying to crush your hopes and curb your dreams." Netanyahu urged Iranians not to give up their hopes for freedom and equality: "And know that Israel and others in the free world stand with you." "I have no doubt that one day in a free Iran, Israelis and Iranians will build together a future of prosperity and peace," said Netanyahu. "That is the future Israel deserves; That is the future Iran deserves. "Together, let us turn this beautiful dream into a reality." At the end of September, Netanyahu had already addressed the Iranian population directly in a speech. By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a direct message to Iranians on Tuesday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's government feared the people of Iran more than Israel. "That's why they spend so much time and money trying to crush your hopes and curb your dreams," he said in a video message. "Well, I say to you this: Don't let your dreams die. I hear the whispers: Women, Life, Freedom. Zan, Zendegi, Azadi," he said, referring to the women's rights movement in Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Don't lose hope. And know that Israel and others in the free world stand with you," Netanyahu said. In his message, he referred to Iran's Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel, saying it cost about $2.3 billion of "your precious money" but caused marginal damage in Israel. Israel hit back on Iran on Oct. 26. Netanyahu has made previous appeals addressing the Iranian people directly, as well as to civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. He said life in Iran could be different if the country were free and that funds could be used education, roads, water and hospitals instead of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But that's what Khamenei's regime denies you every single day. They obsess about destroying Israel, rather than about building Iran," he said. "I know that you dont want this war. I dont want this war either. The people of Israel dont want this war." (Reporting by Steven Scheer, Editing by William Maclean and Ros Russell) Cintia Ribeiro Barbosa was found strangled to death in Goiania, Brazil Getty Police siren Police siren A newlywed Brazilian caregiver was the victim of a homicide, and authorities allege she was killed after refusing to kiss a co-worker. The body of Cintia Ribeiro Barbosa, 38, was found on a property next to the house where she worked in Goiania, Brazil, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, a day after she was killed, according to reports from Brazilian news outlets Metropoles, g1 and UOL, which cite local authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlets, citing authorities, all report that her co-worker, Marcelo Junior Bastos Santos, confessed to the murder, allegedly saying that he strangled Ribeiro to death after she refused to kiss him. Ribeiro worked as a caregiver for elderly people, as did Bastos Santos. A video of his alleged confession was published by g1. Bastos Santos reportedly said he had tried to kiss Ribeiro, a mother of four children, who refused and slapped him, g1 reported. He allegedly responded by strangling her using a chokehold, according to the reported confession. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The suspect then allegedly used diaper tape to tie Ribeiros hand, according to the outlets. UOL reported that after she had died, Bastos Santos allegedly threw her body over the wall and hid it at the unoccupied property next door to the house where they cared for an elderly couple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not immediately clear if Bastos Santos has been officially charged. Police began searching for Ribeiro after she was reported missing by her husband, whom she had married just eight days before her death, g1 reported. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is traveling to the nations capital this week amid a push to protect Californias policies from President-elect Trump, following Trumps decisive victory in the White House race. The Democratic governor is seeking a $5.2 billion reimbursement for emergency funding, updates to Californias Medicaid program and other priorities during his meeting with the Biden administration, The Associated Press reported. Newsom left his home state Monday and is expected to return Wednesday after a trip where he will also meet with Californias Congressional representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His trip to Washington comes less than a week after he issued a proclamation to convene a special session of the state Legislature in December to safeguard his policies, particularly those regarding the climate, immigration and reproductive freedoms. California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond, Newsom said. We will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive. A day after issuing the proclamation, Trump slammed the blue-state governors push. He is using the term Trump-Proof as a way of stopping all of the GREAT things that can be done to Make California Great Again, but I just overwhelmingly won the Election, Trump wrote Friday on Truth Social. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are being forced to leave due to his, & others, INSANE POLICY DECISIONS, the president-elect added. Newsoms administration filed more than 100 lawsuits during Trumps first term in the White House. Trumps administration warned California officials in 2019, alleging the states deal with automakers over tailpipe pollution is violating federal law. Recently, Trump has gone after the Golden State governor, including criticism him last year over regulations that would transition cars from gas-powered to electric vehicles. Along with crooked Joe Biden, Newsom is also killing our car industry, 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 The Hill. Colorado's second-highest court ruled last week that an "undetermined" cause of death from a county coroner does not preclude prosecutors from presenting their own evidence that the death was actually a homicide. BALTIMORE As his victorious U.S. Senate opponent was set to head to the U.S. Capitol for orientation Tuesday, Larry Hogan was preparing to take his grandkids to Disney World. The Republican former two-term governor probably faced a long wait not just for popular rides at the Florida theme park, but for political relevancy in a party that has bolted further from his moderate brand. As they did when he left the Maryland governors office in January 2023, Hogans Republican allies rallied around him following last weeks election loss to Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and expressed hope that his political resurgence may still come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when? The only certainty Monday were his immediate activities. He and his wife, Yumi Hogan, attended a reception in Southern Maryland over the weekend for his daughter, Jaymi Sterling, the Saint Marys County states attorney. Next up was Disney. His Senate campaign would not address any professional or political plans he may consider after that. He is deeply proud of the campaigns work to center the conversation around the issues that matter to Marylanders, said a statement issued Monday by campaign spokeswoman Blake Kernen and the need to fix our nations broken politics something hell always care about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longtime aides and allies saw hope in Hogans 53.1% to 44.3% loss to Alsobrooks, the Prince Georges County executive, in a state in which registered Democrats outnumber their Republican counterparts more than 2 to 1. Alsobrooks will succeed Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, who is retiring. Donald Trump, the Republican president-elect whom Hogan has opposed politically, overwhelmed Vice President Kamala Harris nationally, but lost in Maryland by 61.1% to 35.6%. Hogan massively outperformed his presidential candidate, said GOP strategist Doug Heye, a former Republican National Committee communications director. Maryland is an excessively difficult state for Republicans to carry statewide and he was able to defy gravity twice, Heye said. Hogan won the 2014 and 2018 gubernatorial elections, becoming the first Republican to be reelected Maryland governor since Theodore McKeldin in 1954. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hogan was term-limited from seeking reelection, but he could run again in 2026. Republican Dan Cox, a Trump backer who sought to succeed Hogan, was routed by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore in the 2022 election. The lesson is that Maryland Republicans seeking statewide success have to be more like Larry Hogan independent, pragmatic and personally likeable than like Donald Trump, Doug Mayer, a longtime Hogan strategist said Monday. But nationally, there appears to be little opening for Hogan, who has urged the GOP to veer away from Trumps partisanship and bluster. Hogan has contrasted Trumps style with Republican former President Ronald Reagans, suggesting Reagans more tempered approach was preferable for the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think people like him (Hogan) are really squeezed out, said David Karol, a University of Maryland associate professor of government and politics. For a long time, people made a distinction between Trump and Republicans. Its Trumps party now, Karol said Monday. But while Hogan was limited by law from seeking a third consecutive gubernatorial term, he legally could come back and run again, Karol said. There is certainly that speculation, said Mileah Kromer, director of UMBCs Institute of Politics. Beyond speculation, I think at this point it is really premature. If Harris had defeated Trump, Hogan could have been a public voice guiding the party forward, Kromer said. But with Trumps win, I have no idea what hell end up doing, Kromer said, although she said she wouldnt be surprised if he became a regular speaker on college campuses. ____ State superintendents, outside organizers and even former rivals of President-elect Trump have all been floated as potential picks to lead his Department of Education. Trumps Cabinet picks are coming fast and furious one week after his election, and the next Education secretary could also be the last, as Trump and his allies have regularly discussed eliminating the entire department. The president-elect has floated some potential names for the position on the campaign trail, and experts are pointing to others who have positioned themselves favorably for the role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pick could send a strong signal about his plans for the future of the department, which will also include rolling back Biden administration efforts on student loans and protections for transgender students. Id probably be looking for a strong, capable, demonstrated state leader, somebody who had been the state chief school officer, said Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Recently, Oklahomas Ryan Walters has made big waves for his culture war battles, including mandating Bibles in every public school classroom and backing the nations first openly religious charter school, whose creation has been blocked by the courts. The first name that comes to mind for who, at least, I feel like has been resonant with Trump and what he emphasizes in education is Ryan Walters, the superintendent of public instruction in Oklahoma, said Neal McCluskey, director for the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He seems to be keyed in to the same things as Trump is. He is very much opposed to things he calls woke and has acted on that, and he is a supporter of school choice, which Trump is as well, he added. And Walters has welcomed Trumps election, on Monday announcing a state committee to streamline education changes under the second Trump White House, including the potential death of the federal department. The future of Oklahomas public education is bright with incoming President Donald Trump who has been a fearless champion of efforts to eliminate the federal bureaucracy that has shut local communities and parents out of the decisions that impact their students educations, he said. While Walters has consistently made headlines in recent months, there are other states with education leaders that conservatives would like to see elevated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ones that come to mind when I think of those are Cade Brumley in Louisiana, who I think is, you know, is terrific. His conservative bona fides are in very good order. And hes, just very, very smart and far-sighted, Pondiscio said. Penny Schwinn would be on that list. She was, until recently, the education commissioner in the state of Tennessee, and did terrific work there in terms of improving literacy, which I think is important. Manny Diaz is the third one that comes to mind in the state of Florida, who Florida has had just a very consistent run, like, for almost 20 years. Florida has been a very steady presence in its performance under successive governors and state chiefs, he added. Floridas efforts on education have been national news for years, from its attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion offices to its public battle with the College Board over its African American studies course. And Trump, who changed his official residence from New York to Florida in 2019, is already in the process of tapping multiple Sunshine State officials for his Cabinet, including Sen. Marco Rubio (R) as secretary of State and Rep. Michael Waltz (R) to serve as national security adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One famous Floridian who would make for an attention-grabbing choice would be Tiffany Justice, the co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a group that became active during the COVID-19 school closures and has continued to grow, wading into issues including school book bans and transgender rights. While Justice does not have a college degree and her experience in politics beyond sitting on a school board is limited before Moms for Liberty, experts say she is a great messenger for Trump and would carry out his objectives well. If I had to put a bet on the likeliest I would put Tiffany down as probably the likeliest, insofar as you would expect that Trump would want somebody who would be an extremely good, bold, fearless, effective communicator and surrogate. And I think that Tiffany has proven herself to be kind of one of the most courageous communicators on the right on education policy since [former Education Secretary] William Bennett, said Max Eden, a research fellow at AEI. The Trump campaign did not respond to The Hills request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump himself floated two names on the campaign trail for Education secretary: former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and former New York GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin. But Trump has since picked Zeldin to oversee the Environmental Protection Agency, and observers dont think Ramaswamy is a good fit for the role. Maybe Vivek wants it, maybe hell get it. I would be more surprised than not, because it would not seem to be a clear stepping stone to future success. I think its kind of a job for somebody who wants to do that job, Eden said. And its always possible Trump could return to a previous pick. Betsy DeVos, his Education secretary from his first term, has expressed interest in the position, though her resignation on Jan. 7, 2021, in the wake of the Capitol riot, likely dooms her chances. I have been really clear about what I think needs to be the agenda, which is to get the federal tax credit passed and to depower the Department of Education. If President-elect Trump wanted to talk to me, I would be very open to talking, DeVos told Education Week. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Western Tennessean was scammed out of over $400,000 by a group of Nigerians who have since been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in the conspiracy, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Western District of Tennessee. Four Nigerians residing in the United States and Canada were sentenced for taking part in a conspiracy involving romance and investment scams against victims across the United States, including Western Tennessee. Stolen Maxima sold on Facebook a day after theft, victim says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were all convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a scheme that used fake identities and email accounts on Internet dating sites to trick people into wiring or mailing money to shell companies and fake agents. A Federal Grand Jury in the Western District of Tennessee indicted the four men in June 2023. Below is a list of those convicted. Patrick Edah , 40, a Nigerian citizen residing in the Toronto, Canada area, Efe Egbowawa , 41, a Nigerian citizen residing in the Atlanta area, Igocha Mac-Okor , 40, a Nigerian citizen residing in the Atlanta area, and Kay Ozegbe, 44, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Atlanta. The U.S. Attorneys Office says that from 2017 to November 2021, the men assumed fake identities on social media, gaming applications, dating websites, and other platforms to scheme victims into entering friendships and romantic relationships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They then convinced victims to send them money via wire, check, U.S. mail, and package delivery services. If the victim sent the scammer money, the scammer would increasingly ask for larger amounts. Reports say dozens of victims lost between several thousand dollars and several hundred thousand dollars. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, over several months, one person in Western Tennessee lost over $400,000 to the scheme. The four men worked with other members of the conspiracy to move the financial proceeds of the scams through several bank accounts and shell companies to hide the sources of the money and make it difficult to trace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. Egbowawa was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, Ozegbe to 36 months, Edah to 30 months, and Mac-Okor to 50 months. These individuals used deception and fraud to prey on the vulnerable causing unmeasurable emotional damage and significant financial losses, said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office, Memphis Resident Agency. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to target these predators and bring them to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Irwin, the Better Business Bureau Director of Public Relations says their websites Scam Tracker helps victims share their unfortunate experiences. He says hes heard similar stories from many different age groups. We had a person that was 21 contact our office not too long ago who fell for a scam. He thought he was in a relationship and sent quite a bit of money, said Irwin. But we also find that its seniors that have been involved in romance scams. Theyre lonely, sometimes widowed, and then out of the blue someone strikes up a conversation with them. Irwin says many times victims dont get their money back but use their platform to warn others of the red flags of dating online. In the majority of the situations with romance scams, its highly unlikely youll get your money back. But it is important to contact law enforcement, and have a report on file, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irwin warns that filing a police report can safeguard more than just your finances it can also protect your identity from falling into the scammers hands. Especially with elderly people, they may be tricked into giving up their social security number thinking it was safe because they thought they were in a real relationship, so oftentimes you might also be a victim of identity theft, Irwin 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 WREG.com. Nov. 12 (UPI) -- There will be no cease-fire in Lebanon, Israel's new defense minister declared Tuesday, countering claims from Israel's foreign minister, who a day prior said that progress had been made to end the fighting with Hezbollah. The confusing back-and-forth comes days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Israel Katz minister of defense, replacing Yoav Gallant due to differences over how Israel has conducted its war against Hamas. Katz, a staunch far-right supporter of Netanyahu's war, was the foreign minister, and the prime minister named Gideon Saar his replacement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Saar told foreign reporters in a press conference that "there is some progress in the attempts to reach a settlement in Lebanon." On Tuesday, Katz in a statement on X said that he told an Israel Defense Forces General Staff meeting on Monday: "In Lebanon, there will be no cease-fire and there will be no respite" until Israel's war objectives have been met. Hezbollah spokesman Mohammad Afif speaks in front of a portrait of late Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, during a press conference in south Beirut, on Monday, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. Photo by Fadel Itani/UPI Israel has been fighting Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza since October of last year, during which it has also been trading attacks across the Lebanese border with Hezbollah, another Iran-proxy militia. In mid-September, Netanyahu's Security Cabinet updated its war objectives to include the return of the tens of thousands of northern Israelis evacuated from their homes due to the cross-border fighting with Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The updated war objectives marked a transition in the fight, and since Sept. 23, Israel has greatly increased its airstrikes and launched ground incursions into Lebanon to achieve this new goal, killing thousands of people, including Hezbollah leaders and operatives as well as civilians. Katz said in his Tuesday statement that the Israeli military "must continue the offensive actions to further diminish Hezbollah's capabilities and realize the fruits of this victory." "We will continue to strike Hezbollah with full force until the war's objectives are achieved," he said. "Israel will not agree to any arrangement that does not guarantee its right to independently enforce and prevent terrorism, meeting the war's objectives in Lebanon, disarming Hezbollah, pushing them beyond the Litani River and ensuring the safe return of northern residents to their homes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Hezbollah, its spokesman, Mohammad Afif, denied on Monday having received proposals from Israel for a cease-fire, Lebanon's Iran-aligned Al Mayadeen news organization reported. Hezbollah "has received no updates and we are still gauging the situation," he said during the press conference, noting that "we are ready for a prolonged war with the occupation on all levels." According to Lebanon's ministry of health, more than 3,240 people have died, and more than 14,130 have been injured, during the year of fighting, though the majority of the casualties have occurred since mid-September. Wichita State University freshman Ryan Whalen, right, said the decision not to sanction WSU president Richard Muma for failure to properly attribute writing of other scholars in his 2004 doctoral dissertation didn't mean there should be greater tolerance of plagiarism among students and faculty. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) WICHITA Freshman Ryan Whalen briefly pondered whether a new academic benchmark was set when no sanctions were levied against Wichita State University president Richard Muma after it was revealed up to 5% of his doctoral dissertation was copied without quotation marks to recognize original scholars. Whalen, a business administration student from Colorado Springs, Colorado, rejected the suggestion that the Muma controversy meant fresh precedent had been established for WSU students accused of plagiarism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What if we had a 5% rule like that? he said. No. In my opinion, you cheat or you dont cheat. Theres no half-cheating. Kansas Reflector in October reported on Mumas failure to properly credit more than 20 authors of books and journal articles in his 2004 dissertation that led to awarding of a doctorate from University of Missouri in St. Louis. At least 10 professors at public and private colleges outside of WSU said the lifting of more than 50 phrases, sentences and paragraphs without quotation marks amounted to plagiarism. Muma said in an email to faculty and students that a university inquiry led by his administrative subordinates revealed no more than 5% of his dissertation lacked full attribution. He said the inquiry considered those to be technical omissions rather than academic misconduct. The president, who was a tenured professor when he completed the Ph.D., said he would submit a revised version of his 88-page dissertation to UMSL to address flaws regarding reuse of text. Mathew Muether, president of Wichita States Faculty Senate, said the eight-member executive committee of Faculty Senate was given access to the confidential campus review of Mumas dissertation. They examined the materials behind closed doors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee unanimously found that the University Misconduct in Research Policy (9.13) was appropriately and fairly applied in this matter following (the) process afforded to all WSU faculty, said Muether, a professor of physics. The committee is recommending no further action related to this matter. Wichita State University president Richard Muma has downplayed questions about attribution in his doctoral dissertation. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector) The Kansas Board of Regents, which hired Muma, accepted WSUs analysis and didnt order an independent, transparent assessment of the dissertation. In campus interviews with WSU students, many said they read the October email Muma sent them in conjunction with publication of Kansas Reflector stories about his dissertation. Several said the universitys president was given a pass for apparently violating fundamental rules that could get a student flunked, suspended or expelled. Cheyenne Englebright, a Wichita State student from Pittsburg, said standards of conduct ought to be consistently applied to students and faculty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be folly to interpret the response to Mumas dissertation as a declaration that academic theft should be tolerated as long as the offense didnt exceed 5% of an assignment, thesis or dissertation, she said. I dont feel like you should be able to do that, Englebright said. In public speaking class, definitely, if something is taken from a resource, we have to properly cite it or we could be plagiarizing. Half of the WSU students interviewed said they were convinced plagiarism shouldnt be tolerated, but offenders ought to be given an opportunity to correct their work. Ethan Vanderweide, who is studying chemistry at WSU, said students were routinely told at the start of each semester that it was improper to plagiarize. Students who crossed that line should be given a chance to redeem themselves, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a firm believer in second chances, Vanderweide said. If you get caught doing this, you should still get at least one more chance to actually learn from your mistakes. If its a repeated thing, like if its multiple situations where theyre caught cheating, then thats definitely not OK. Chemistry student Rylee Schaffer said what Muma did with his dissertation 20 years ago was improper. I think it was a mistake, and we all make mistakes, she said. Its probably for the best that you dont just let people cheat. Editors Note: This is the first in a three-part series Aging on the Streets on senior homelessness in San Luis Obispo County, reported through a fellowship from the USC Annenberg School of Health Journalism. On a cool April morning in San Luis Obispo, Brett Cross and his dog set out for their regular bike ride and run around nearby Laguna Lake. Cross, a lifelong resident of San Luis Obispo, said it was common to encounter the homeless residents who often park their vehicles or camp there overnight, but during that month, he began to notice a woman sleeping on the trail with her belongings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It became part of his daily routine to say hello to the woman, though she was rarely social, Cross said, leading him to start a Nextdoor thread with other neighbors to try to identify her and get her connected to some form of assistance. Cross made several attempts through San Luis Obispos AskSLO app to have Social Services check on the woman, but she remained on the trail through the start of spring, braving cold overnight temperatures without any shelter save for the clothes on her back, her sleeping bag and the assorted possessions she hauled in a pair of shopping carts. Sheryl Glidden, a lifelong resident of San Luis Obispo County, rests at her campsite in Laguna Lake Park, prior to her death while homeless on April 30, 2024. Glidden was found on a Laguna Lake trail by San Luis Obispo resident Brett Cross, who attended San Luis Obispo High School with Glidden. Though she never said much and largely kept to herself, Cross eventually realized he had been riding past 63-year-old Sheryl Glidden, who was not only a fellow lifetime San Luis Obispo resident like himself, but also a former classmate of Cross at San Luis Obispo High School. Thats somebody who I probably had contact with in high school she was couple years in front of me, but who was that? Cross said. I was on the phone with my buddy looking for pictures (in yearbooks) trying to figure if we knew her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, on the morning of April 30, Cross discovered Glidden lying on the trail in clear distress, unable to speak and extremely cold to the touch. After Cross called 911, Glidden was transported to a hospital and became unresponsive. Her temperature was noted at 32.6 degrees Celsius 90.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Glidden died later that day from complications related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. She also was suffering from Addisons disease a rare adrenal insufficiency and a lice infestation at the time of death, according to county sheriff-coroner reports. San Luis Obispo resident Brett Cross stands in Laguna Lake Park at the spot where he found 63-year-old homeless resident Sheryl Glidden the morning of April 30, 2024. Cross, pictured Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, was high school classmates with Glidden, who died while homeless. Glidden had also struggled with fibromyalgia, Lyme disease and schizophrenia, an autopsy found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other homeless residents who park or camp in the Laguna Lake area said they had limited contact with Glidden, who kept to herself and could be outwardly antisocial. Cross said that since Gliddens death, hes felt a mix of anger, frustration and disappointment about the way his hometown has failed to house and care for its own lifelong residents who have found themselves in the same vulnerable position as Glidden. How do you wrap your head around that? How did that happen? How does so much go wrong? Cross said. San Luis Obispo resident Brett Cross stands in Laguna Lake Park at the spot where he found 63-year-old homeless resident Sheryl Glidden the morning of April 30, 2024. Cross, pictured Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, was high school classmates with Glidden, who died while homeless. Older adults make up a significant share of homeless population post-pandemic Gliddens story may seem surprising in a small, tight-knit town like San Luis Obispo, but its merely one local example of a larger trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, senior and older adult homelessness is among the fastest-growing demographics within the unhoused population in California, and SLO County is no exception. Glidden was one of at least 339 homeless people over the age of 55 living without shelter recorded in San Luis Obispo Countys 2024 Point-in-Time Count a number that has been on the rise across California in recent years. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, SLO County service providers have warned of a silver tsunami of older individuals seeking more services than ever before as the states high cost of living and other factors combine to push people with little or no income out of housing and onto the streets. Between the 2019 and 2022 Point-in-Time Counts, the share of individuals between the ages of 51 and 60 experiencing homelessness grew from 15% to 26% of the total, while the share of people 61 and older jumped from 8% to 18%, meaning people over the age of 51 accounted for around 44% of the countys homeless population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the 2024 count used slightly different age ranges when categorizing homelessness 45-54, 55-64 and 65 or over people 55 and over made up around a third of San Luis Obispo Countys homeless population, with 239 between the ages of 55 and 64 and 100 over the age of 65. Seniors are more likely to suffer adverse health impacts from living without shelter than any other homeless population, and the tumultuous post-pandemic years have not made the issue any easier to manage. In this three-part series, The Tribune examined why homelessness has grown among San Luis Obispo Countys senior population, how seniors health fares while theyre homeless and whats being done to get seniors off the streets and into stable shelter. To report this public health story, The Tribune partnered with the University of Southern Californias Annenberg School of Health Journalisms Lori Yearwood Fund for Reporting on Homelessness, which provides money for reporters to pursue a health topic of their choosing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tribune reporter Joan Lynch spent six months working on the project, conducting six focus groups and interviewing more than 20 currently homeless San Luis Obispo County residents over the age of 50 to understand the cause of and solutions to health inequities experienced by homeless seniors. She also spoke with service providers and experts on homelessness about how best to help this particularly vulnerable population, some of whom have lived on the Central Coast their entire lives. The San Luis Obispo Fire Departments Mobile Crisis Unit vehicle rolls along the Bob Jones Trail on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why do people become homeless in San Luis Obispo County? Like an increasing number of lifelong older residents of San Luis Obispo County, Glidden found herself homeless about four years ago, police records show. According to one of her final posts to her Facebook page in October 2020, she was actively searching for a place to stay when she became homeless. In that time, law enforcement and outreach services contacted Glidden more than 20 times, largely due to trespassing, with the Police Departments Community Action Team and the Fire Departments Mobile Crisis Unit making contact with her as recently as April 26, according to police records. Gliddens repeated unwillingness to engage with service providers may have been for a number of reasons but was a common theme among focus group participants, many of whom told The Tribune they dont trust homeless service providers or the shelter system as a matter of principle or because of repeated negative interactions with providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exact reason Glidden lost her housing is unknown. The Tribune repeatedly attempted to contact next of kin but was unable to establish why Glidden ended up on the streets. However, respondents in The Tribunes focus groups commonly listed loss of a job, eviction, having a poor rental history and, most commonly, the rising cost of living as their main reason for losing housing. If they dont have enough income, their options for safe housing are limited. San Luis Obispo County has a total of around 900 beds reserved for people over the age of 55, between its independent and assisted living communities, nursing homes, memory care facilities and affordable housing, but in a given week, only a handful are open, SLG Senior Care senior placement specialist Sue Gibson told The Tribune. Sue Gibson, SLG Senior Care senior placement specialist, said the prices at senior living communities and care facilities in San Luis Obispo County are almost always out of reach for people on a fixed incomes. Gibson said affordable, deed-restricted housing for seniors simply does not get built quickly enough to meet the growing demand in the region. Waiting lists for the few age-restricted affordable housing developments are long, Gibson said, and many new projects of this kind hit the market already booked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin Solheim, director of operations and development at the El Camino Homeless Organization in Atascadero, said the post-pandemic years have been particularly difficult for many seniors. While the rise in housing costs hurts all renters in the county and has caused a bump in homelessness in general, its effects on the senior population have been more profound, Solheim said. We have kind of seen a progression of more seniors and more people in an older age range having to use our services than before, Solheim said. Specifically, were seeing a lot of seniors that have been pushed out of where they were renting. According to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, 125 of 152 unsheltered people over 55 who answered the countys questions on their needs listed housing as their top service need, followed by transportation, documentation storage and legal assistance. That data also showed that individuals struggling with homelessness are more likely than their counterparts in the general population to suffer from conditions such as a substance abuse disorder, disability and sexual violence. Further analysis showed that older people in San Luis Obispo County are at an elevated risk of homelessness when compared to other groups, though they do not make up the largest proportion of homeless individuals in the county. Sheryl Glidden, a lifelong resident of San Luis Obispo County, died while homeless April 30, 2024. Glidden was found on a Laguna Lake trail by San Luis Obispo resident Brett Cross, who attended San Luis Obispo High School with Glidden. He took photos of her campsite prior to her death. Is living in SLO County long-term still attainable for low-income seniors? In San Luis Obispo County, housing is priced at a premium unattainable to many people and seniors are no exception. Focus group participants reported incomes ranging as high as $2,000 a month from jobs, Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income and General Assistance, though most reported their monthly incomes fell somewhere between $500 and $1,200. At best, that adds up to an annual income of $24,000. At worst, its a mere $6,000. Compare that to San Luis Obispo Countys median household income, which was just over $90,000 in 2024, according to U.S. Census data. Nena Kosbab-Jones smokes pipe tobacco using note paper to roll it. She was on the Bob Jones Trail near San Luis Creek, a short distance from 40 Prado Homeless Services Center, on Oct. 9, 2024. Against San Luis Obispo Countys high rents, which routinely clear $2,000 a month for studio and one-bedroom apartments, those totals are simply not enough money to afford housing, much less have enough left over for food, clothing and other essentials. In addition, many seniors on fixed incomes are not in a stable enough environment to re-enter the workforce while experiencing homelessness and realistically will need some form of support, be that housing, financial aid or other services, Solheim said. In many cases, these are people like Sheryl Glidden who have spent their entire lives here. They are longtime community members, friends and neighbors, parents and grandparents. Of the 20 focus group participants interviewed by The Tribune, 12 said they were born in San Luis Obispo County and became homeless here; only one participant said they were born outside of California. That was largely in line with the survey results from the 2024 homeless count, which found that 117 of the 152 unsheltered respondents over 55 have lived in San Luis Obispo County for more than five years, with 19 reporting living in the county between one and five years, three living here between 90 days and one year, three between a month and 90 days and just four living in SLO County for less than one month. Six did not specify how long theyd lived here. According to the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispos 2023 needs assessment, San Luis Obispo Countys senior homeless population is slightly more top-heavy than the rest of California, with 13.5% falling between the ages of 55 and 64 and 20.2% over the age of 65. By comparison, 12.5% of California residents are between the ages of 55 and 64, while 15.8% are over the age of 65. Limited number of beds and high prices Even seniors who do have more resources face a shortage of housing options in their later years and may not be able to afford staying in such a pricey place. Spring Angelotti, a community relations coordinator at independent and assisted facility The Villages of San Luis Obispo, said that data suggests that living in San Luis Obispo County from birth to death is simply no longer a viable strategy for many people who have lived and worked here all their lives. Angelotti said a months stay at The Villages, which has a minimum age requirement of 55, can run a client between $4,000 on the low end and $7,000 at the high end, depending on what services a client needs. She said open apartments dont last long and tend to go to people with the means to move in as soon as possible. Angelotti estimated that she has to turn away around 35% of all requests for rooms she receives solely because the clients income is insufficient. Homeless resident Mathew Jones talks about recovering phones recently seized when he was arrested. He attributed his bruises to the arrest. His partner Nena Kosbab-Jones brushes his hair back. They were on the Bob Jones Trail near San Luis Creek, a short distance from 40 Prado Homeless Services Center, on Oct. 9, 2024. Gibson, with SLG Senior Care, said shes seen a similar problem. Its only gotten worse since I arrived here, Gibson said. It was still already challenging when it was $3,500 a month for a shared room. That was already above the $1,200 which was the Social Security most people are getting, so we already had a gap, and now the gap is $1,200 against $5,000. As senior-specific housing goes, The Villages is on the less expensive end, Gibson said. In her four years helping seniors plan out their housing in San Luis Obispo County, Gibson said shes seen very little new development in senior-specific independent homes, assisted living or memory care. That recent elevation in prices means that even seniors who own housing and are looking to downsize may not be able to stretch the money from selling their home as far, Gibson said. Gibson said not unlike San Luis Obispo Countys housing market, the local senior living industry has become less attainable to people who live and work in the county, due to competition from wealthier people living in the area looking to place their older relatives into senior housing. Those factors have led Gibson to advise most lower-income seniors struggling with cost of living to move out of the county or in with relatives, as their chances in the rental and senior housing markets are slim. And if they cant or wont do that, what happens? Theres no place to send them, Angelotti said. Theres nothing to refer them to there is nothing. There is one low-income senior building in San Luis Obispo, and it had Im not sure its ever had an opening. Read Part 2: How being homeless in SLO County pushes seniors to the brink. LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) This Veterans Day, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced that it delivered 40 mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families, including to the family of Virginia volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown. Brown, 45, was a member of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company. He died while responding to a gas leak that prompted an explosion at a home in the 300 block of Silver Ridge Drive on Feb. 16. The leak involved a 500-gallon underground propane tank that had been uncontained. Firefighter Trevor Brown (Loudoun County Fire and Rescue) The explosion seriously injured 11 other first responders, injured two others and left around $2.5 million in damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the explosion, officials said on Oct. 22 that Roger Bentley, a former employee of Southern States Cooperative, Inc. Leesburg Fairfax Petroleum Services (Souther States) faced charges. WWII Purple Heart Battle of the Bulge veteran turns 99 The Tunnel to Towers Foundation pays off the mortgages of law enforcement officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty, such as Brown, through the Fallen First Responder Home Program. The foundation was created after 9/11 and aims to carry out the mission to do good by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building adapted homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. The North Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments via Zoom Sept. 9, 2024, in a case involving Mitchell Sanderson of Park River and state Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg. (Screenshot taken from livestream) The North Dakota Supreme Court has sided with state Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, who was sued by a constituent after she blocked him from her Facebook page. Justices, in an opinion published Friday, affirmed that the district court was correct when it dismissed claims brought by Mitchell Sanderson of Park River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanderson claimed Myrdal violated his First Amendment rights when she barred him from commenting on her Facebook page. He said during a hearing in September that he was blocked for disagreeing with the lawmakers political views. Myrdals attorney, Howard Swanson, argued in September that Myrdal created the Facebook page before she was elected. He said her profile isnt an official government site, and therefore she did not violate Sandersons constitutional rights. Justices agreed that Myrdal created the Facebook page in her private capacity and has always had exclusive control over the page. Justices also noted that Myrdal does not have the authority to speak on the states behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanderson also argued the Supreme Court should overturn a district courts ruling that requires him to pay Myrdals attorney fees of $4,975. The Supreme Court sided with Myrdal. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX North Korea has ratified the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty with Russia, signed on 19 June in Pyongyang. Source: Voice of Korea Quote: "The 'Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation' signed in Pyongyang on 19 June 2024 was ratified as a decree of the President of the State Affairs of the DPRK." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The decree was signed by North Korea's leader on 11 November 2024. The treaty stipulates that in the event of an armed attack on one party, the other is obligated to provide immediate military and other assistance. Both parties also agreed not to form agreements with third countries aimed against each other and to prevent the use of their territory for violations of each other's sovereignty. The treaty also includes commitments to strengthen a "multipolar world order" and enhance cross-border cooperation. Previously: Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed the law ratifying this treaty on 10 November. Background: On 5 November, reports indicated that the first military clash between Ukrainian soldiers and North Korean troops had taken place in Russia's Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian forces were conducting an operation. Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korean troops who had arrived in Russia for training had begun to move towards Kursk Oblast, with some of them already present there. The latest US estimate is that North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia for training and combat operations against Ukraine. CNN sources believe that some of the North Korean military may already be in Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence suggested that Russia had deployed over 7,000 North Korean troops to areas near Ukraine in the last week of October. Support UP or become our patron! A federal judge concluded on Friday that a Denver officer did not violate a man's clearly established constitutional rights by using excessive force during a physical confrontation at a downtown hotel. North Korea has formalized a mutual defense treaty with Russia, according to state media reports on Nov. 12. The agreement commits both nations to come to each other's aid in the event of an armed attack. The announcement follows reports of first clashes between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and North Korean soldiers stationed in Russias border region of Kursk. North Koreas KCNA news agency confirmed that Kim Jong Un ratified the treaty as a decree. The treaty will take effect from the day when both sides exchanged the ratification instruments, KCNA reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian lawmakers unanimously approved the treaty last week, and President Vladimir Putin signed it into law. The agreement, signed in June during Putins visit to Pyongyang, mandates immediate military assistance by either nation in the event of an attack. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, during her recent visit to Moscow, expressed solidarity with Russia, saying that Pyongyang would stand with Russia "until the day of victory." South Korea, Ukraine, and Western nations have accused North Korea of deploying approximately 10,000 troops to support Russias war effort. Western governments have also alleged that Pyongyang has supplied Moscow with artillery shells and missiles for use in Ukraine. The G7 nations last week denounced the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. They voiced concerns that North Korean soldiers might receive training in the use of ballistic missiles, which would violate UN Security Council resolutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: NATO chief Rutte wants to discuss Russia-North Korea threat with Trump Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SEOUL, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- North Korea ratified a defense treaty with Russia, state media reported Tuesday, formally deepening military cooperation that has seen Pyongyang send thousands of troops to help Moscow in its war against Ukraine. The "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty was ratified on Monday by a decree from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, state-run Korean Central News Agency said. It was originally signed in June during a state visit to Pyongyang by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia earlier completed its own ratification of the pact, with Putin signing it into law on Saturday after approval by the upper house of Russian parliament last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the event that either party is in a state of war as a result of armed aggression by individual or multiple states, the other side shall provide military and other assistance without delay by all means at its disposal in accordance with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter," the agreement states. The U.N. Charter's Article 51 stipulates "the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations." The pact also promises "the expansion and development of cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, investment and science and technology." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said last week that the treaty reflects "a new geopolitical situation, which has emerged after 2022," according to Russian news agency TASS, pointing to deepening military ties between the United States and South Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. policy "involves flooding [the Korean Peninsula] with weapons, deploying new cutting-edge systems there, including with a nuclear component, and forming new military and political alliances," Rudenko said. The Pentagon, meanwhile, confirmed last week that around 10,000 North Korean troops are massing in the Kursk region of southwest Russia, where Ukrainian forces have occupied hundreds of square miles since an incursion in August. On Sunday, Ukraine's military intelligence said it intercepted what it claims are radio communications between North Korean soldiers in Russia amid media reports of a massive troop buildup ahead of an attack. The New York Times, citing U.S. and Ukrainian officials, reported that Russian troops are amassing 50,000 soldiers, including North Koreans, to launch an imminent assault to regain territory. South Korean officials have raised concerns that Moscow may be sharing missile and nuclear technology with Pyongyang in exchange for the troop deployment. Seoul's military intelligence said Monday that North Korea's new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, test-fired on Oct. 31, could have been developed with Russian technical assistance. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea ratified a major defense treaty with Russia stipulating mutual military aid, the Norths state media reported Tuesday, as the U.S., South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Russia had completed the ratification of the treaty last week after it was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June. It is considered both countries biggest defense deal since the end of the Cold War. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership treaty will take effect when both sides exchange documents on the ratification, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea ratified the treaty through a decree signed Monday by the country's president of state affairs, KCNA said, using one of Kim's titles. North Koreas rubber-stamp parliament, the Supreme Peoples Assembly, has the right to ratify treaties but Kim can unilaterally ratify major ones, according to South Koreas Unification Ministry. The treaty requires both countries to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance if either is attacked. It also calls for the two countries to actively cooperate in efforts to establish a just and multipolar new world order and strengthen cooperation on various sectors including peaceful atomic energy, space, food supply, trade and economy. Some observers speculate the treatys ratification in both countries could signal North Korea could formally enter the Russia-Ukraine war soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence assessments, up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia likely as part of the June treaty. Last week, Ukrainian officials said Ukraine and North Korean troops engaged in small-scale fighting while Ukraines army fired artillery at North Korean soldiers in Russias Kursk border region. North Koreas troop dispatch threatens to escalate the almost three-year war. South Korea, the U.S. and their partners also worry about what Russia could give North Korea in return. Possible Russian transfer of sensitive technology to enhance North Koreas already-advancing nuclear and missile programs would be an alarming development for the U.S. and its allies. North Korea and Russia have been significantly strengthening their military and other cooperation. South Koreas spy agency said last month that North Korea had sent more than 13,000 containers of artillery, missiles and other conventional arms to Russia since August 2023 to replenish its dwindling weapons stockpiles. North Korea has signed off an a treaty with Russia calling for a "comprehensive strategic partnership," Pyongyang's state-controlled news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday. It comes as North Korean troops are in Russia fighting against Ukraine, according to Ukrainian and other military sources. In a statement, KCNA said North Korea signed the treaty, which was concluded on June 19 in Pyongyang, on Monday. It will take effect once both sides exchange their ratification documents, the agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on the agreement on Saturday, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, citing Russia's TASS news agency. Moscow's lower house of parliament or Duma okayed the treaty on October 24. The agreement takes the military cooperation between the two countries to a new level and stipulates that they will provide mutual assistance should either country be attacked. It was signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in June, but had to then be approved by the Duma and signed by the countries' leaders. A local senior center celebrated its community members who served in Americas armed forces for Veterans Day. The Northwestern Senior Center in Albion brought together its residents and those in the area to honor those whove fought to preserve Americas freedom. Several veterans shared their experiences and duties in the military while others spoke on their perspectives from the wars they served in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center also reserved an empty table with six chairs to honor the Americans who were or are missing from every branch of the military and highlight the need to never forget the brave men and women who put their lives on the line. Our own Meteorologist Tom Atkins stopped by to visit the vets, hear their stories and talk about the weathers importance during the June 6 D-Day invasion. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Reuters) - Norwegian defence manufacturer Kongsberg Gruppen said on Tuesday it has signed a five-year missile contract with the United States Navy for around 10 billion Norwegian crowns ($904.04 million). The contract includes options that could bring the total value to about 12 billion Norwegian crowns, it added. Kongsberg said it will deliver its Naval Strike Missile (NSM), an advanced anti-ship missile system, to the US Navy and Fleet Marine Force under this contract. "This contract is the largest missile contract in Kongsberg's history and an important milestone for us," said CEO Geir Haoy. ($1 = 11.0615 Norwegian crowns) (Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber) Allan Lichtman, the American University professor and election forecaster who accurately predicted nine of the last 10 elections, offered an explanation on why his famed 13 keys system failed to predict Donald Trumps win over Kamala Harris. As I said, things could go wrong. There could be unprecedented events that change the pattern of 160 years of history. Thats what happened here, Lichtman told NewsNations Chris Cuomo in an interview on Monday. An embarrassed Lichtman pulled his prediction model around 10:30 p.m. on Election Night last Tuesday and said he would take time to investigate why he was wrong. Almost a week later, the professor reflected on the election results with the NewsNation host, and said two main factors threw a wrench into his prediction model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lichtman blamed disinformation first and foremost, and called out two culprits by name: You talked about a grievance-driven election, but a lot of that grievance was driven by disinformation. It starts with Fox News and conservative media. Conservative podcasters with tens of millions of views. But weve seen something brand new this timethe $300 billionaire, Elon Musk, putting his thumb on the scales through his control of X, formerly Twitter. Lichtman said that voters were given vast disinformation on a variety of issues, including jobs, immigration, unemployment, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and even hurricane relief. The second factor, according to Lichtman, was what he called the dark side of American historyelements that included racism, misogyny, xenophobia, antisemitism. Cuomo pushed back on the American history professors assertion, noting that Trump made significant gains in non-white demographics where Republicans usually struggle, including Black men and Latino men and women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats lost because they underperformed, Allan, Cuomo said. They misread the main motivators for the voters and they underperformed. Lichtman seemed to agree with the host, and said the primary cause was still disinformation that can affect all demographics of voters. Lichtman said he was planning to reassess his famous 13 keys system, and told Cuomo it was possible he would add more factors to his model. I admitted I was wrong, I admitted the keys dont work, Lichtman said. Remember, the premise of the keys is that a rational, pragmatic electorate decides if a White House party has governed well enough to get four more years. But if views of the White House party are controlled by disinformation, particularly driven by those that are so rich that they have extraordinary influence beyond anyone else, than maybe the premise of the keys needs to be changed. The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops. Boston Police are asking for the publics help in identifying a suspect who reportedly had both a machete and gun during two armed robberies in East Boston. Police advised the public to call 911 immediately if you see this man and to not approach him. The suspect, who is believed to be armed with a machete and a firearm, speaks both English and Spanish, police said. Police released several photographs of the suspect on Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the photos, the suspect is wearing a blue-colored winter jacket inside out with the Honda logo on it, black pants, black shoes, a black backpack on his back, blue vinyl gloves, a silver watch, black sunglasses, and a gray covering over his mouth. In one photograph, he is seen drawing the machete with his right hand while holding a gun in his left hand. Both armed robberies happened in East Boston on Saturday, Nov. 2. The first armed robbery happened at 9:48 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the East Boston Corner Market at 83 Bennington St., police said. A few minutes later, at 9:55 p.m., the second armed robbery happened at East Coast Variety store at 223 London St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both robberies remain under investigation. Anyone with information is strongly urged to call Boston detectives at 617-343-4234. Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). 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) -- Two years ago, the sudden collapse of Sam Bankman-Frieds FTX sent several of the worlds high-flying crypto billionaires scrambling to preserve their wealth from the regulatory backlash to come. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bitcoins surge to a record on Tuesday shows how quickly their fortunes have changed. The richest digital-asset tycoons have gained about $70 billion in wealth since the end of 2022, propelled in recent days by Donald Trumps US election win. Binance Holdings Ltd.s Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, leads the recovery, with a surge of about $49 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Its a dramatic turnaround that few could have predicted when FTX was going bust, the culmination of a disastrous run for digital assets. CZ earlier this year spent four months in jail after cutting a deal with US authorities to end an investigation that had hung over him and the company he built. Last week he reflected on his time in a US prison in his first interview since his release. Bitcoin has surged since the presidential election to an all-time high, topping $89,000 on Tuesday, as traders bet on a boom with a changing administration. Bullish sentiment also lifted smaller coins, crypto exchanges and miners. Trumps supportive stance on bitcoin contrasts with a crackdown on digital assets under President Joe Biden. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler repeatedly labeled the sector as rife with fraud and misconduct. In July, Trump pledged to fire Gensler and pick crypto-friendly regulators if he returned to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are the top crypto gainers on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Changpeng Zhao The co-founder of the worlds largest cryptocurrency-exchange has a fortune of $61.6 billion, as of Nov. 11, thats up $49 billion since 2022. Hes the worlds 23rd richest person. Binances former CEO went to prison in California after he pleaded guilty to failing to implement an adequate anti-money laundering program at the exchange. Crossing the chasm, finally, Binances CZ posted on X this week, referring to bitcoins record high. Michael Novogratz The founder of Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd. a cryptocurrency-focused merchant bank, saw his net worth jump to $5.6 billion this week, up $3.8 billion from the end of 2022. His digital asset firm posted its largest trading day of the year on Wednesday Nov. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We own a lot of crypto, but our franchise was operating at full boar trading with counterparties both in the US and abroad, lending, the derivative desk, Novogratz, who was a supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris in the race, said last week. It really felt like an affirmation of everything weve been working for. Brian Armstrong The net worth of Coinbase Global Inc.s co-founder grew near tenfold since the end of 2022 to $14 billion this week. Coinbases mission is broader than most people think: to increase economic freedom in the world, Armstrong posted on X on Nov. 11. Mostly this means using crypto to update the financial system. But sometimes, it also means pushing back on bad government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winklevoss Twins The Winklevoss twins poured money into the US presidential race. Cameron said in June he had donated $1 million in bitcoin to Trump and has posted on social media on Trumps threat to fire Gensler. The twins are now worth $5 billion each, with their fortune almost doubling since 2022. The shackles are off, 100k incoming, Tyler Winklevoss said on X on Nov. 11, pointing to his view of where the price of Bitcoin may go next. --With assistance from Pui Gwen Yeung and Pei Yi Mak. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary, said that President Joe Biden notified the Department of Defense on Monday that he made the decision after a "thorough and deliberate evaluation process" China built a prototype nuclear reactor that could power a large warship, researchers say. Satellite images and Chinese documents point to work on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. A nuclear-powered carrier would be a major step toward China's "blue-water" navy ambitions. Researchers say they found evidence that China has built a prototype nuclear reactor to power a large warship, like an aircraft carrier. Such a development could mark a major step forward for a country relatively new to carrier operations. New research from a team at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California relying on satellite images courtesy of Planet Labs PBC and Chinese documents, China has been working on the reactor at a site in the mountains in Leshan in the Mucheng township in Sichuan province. The satellite images detailing the sites were shared with Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The research was first reported by the Associated Press. The satellite images are telling, and a range of documents helped fill the gaps. One indicated China's 701 Institute, an operation also known as the China Ship Research and Design Center that deals with aircraft carrier development, is pursuing a nuclear reactor "for installation on a large surface warship," making a strong case for work on a new kind of aircraft carrier. The AP reported that other documents identify the work being done in the mountains of Sichuan as the Longwei Project, a secret "national defense-related construction project." If China is working on a next-generation nuclear-powered carrier, it would be a move toward a blue-water navy with a potentially global reach, something it lacks right now. China has been making technological advances in its aircraft carriers, including its newest one, CNS Fujian. Planet Labs PBC/Middlebury Institute of International Studies "It's a goal for China," Matthew Funaoile, a senior fellow with the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told Business Insider in an interview prior to the news about the work in Leshan. "They know that this is the hallmark of technology for propulsion on aircraft carriers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was USS Enterprise, commissioned in 1961. All of US Navy's current carriers, which are a mix of Nimitz- and Ford-class carriers, are nuclear powered. China has three carriers, the operational Liaoning and Shandong and the Fujian, which is in sea trials. All of these are conventionally powered ships. Each ship has been an improvement over its predecessor. The Liaoning was built from the unfinished hulk of a Soviet-era carrier. The Shandong featured a similar design but was domestically produced and came with upgrades, like the ability to carry a larger carrier air wing. Both, however, featured a ski jump for aircraft launch. The new Fujian was a bigger capability jump. It is larger and features a modern flattop design that includes an advanced electromagnetic catapult launch system, similar to the technology on the new US Ford-class carriers. China effectively jumped from ski-jumps to a new system, skipping steam-powered catapults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Fujian first set sail for sea trials, experts assessed that such an advancement reinforced the view that China continues to demonstrate an ability to field, test, refine, and develop capabilities faster than some of its peers. A nuclear-powered carrier wouldn't be a strange step for China to take, but the timing is unclear. Developing nuclear propulsion technology is a complex, difficult process. Historically, China has made incremental movements toward domestically producing the technology, Funaoile said, but it's unclear when it'll be fielded. China's fourth carrier, which is confirmed to be under construction, may instead improve on Fujian's design and capabilities but remain conventionally powered, with nuclear propulsion coming sometime later. China has been increasingly operating its aircraft carriers in the Indo-Pacific region. The country marked a milestone last month with dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea with the Liaoning and Shandong. And also during a major military exercise surrounding Taiwan last month, Liaoning operated off Taiwan's main island. Fujian effectively skipped a step, jumping from a ski-jump ramp for launching aircraft to an electromagnetic catapult system like the US has on its new class of carriers. Pu Haiyang/Xinhua via Getty Images A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier would extend China's naval reach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nuclear power would allow China to sail for longer times and distances without refueling. Such a capability would be a major step in China's goals of becoming a "blue-water" navy, like the US, that can operate in waters around the world, projecting power and heightening China's global military presence. Nuclear power also frees up space for weaponry and other resources by removing the need to store fuel oil, potentially increasing the ship's combat capabilities. That goal is in line with Chinese military ambitions. China has been making rapid advancements across its military, which is operating on deadlines like 2027 to be a modernized military. By mid-century, China hopes to be a world-class military. China recognizes that naval power is a key element of national military power. Read the original article on Business Insider Mark Trahant ICT The national news media has been trying to sell a story. It goes like this: A significant number of Indigenous voters shifted right and favored Donald J. Trump in this election. Last month in a report for NBC News Alyssa London said: President Trump has had an advantage with Native voters nationwide. She went on to describe how Navajos for Trump was using social media and other initiatives to reach Indigenous voters. Then just after the election, NBC News released its exit poll that showed that nearly 2/3s of Native American voters supported Trump. This is this elections something else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a story that stretches every time its told. The right-wing National Review posted a story over the weekend that said American Indians are the most pro-Trump demographic in America. It cites the exit poll that NBC used and even identifies the problem within the data. Granted, American Indians make up just 1 percent of the respondents in the exit poll, and its possible that the small sample size is throwing the percentages off a bit, but the exit poll results come from interviews of 22,914 randomly selected voters as they exited voting places across the country on Nov. 5; as well as from early in-person voting locations and through live telephone, text-to-web or by email. So while its possible Trumps support in this demographic was lower than two-thirds . . . it wouldnt be that much lower. Uh, yeah. It would be and it was. Mark Trahant The best way to account for how Indian Country voted would be to look at the precinct reports thats probably two or three weeks away. But we do now have a good picture from Native American communities at the country level and the headline is that Trump picked up only a handful more votes than did Vice President Kamala Harris. The numbers remain one-sided and overwhelmingly favored the Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets start with an easy return: Oglala Lakota County in South Dakota. (More than 90 percent of the voter population is Lakota or Native American.) Harris picked up 84 percent of all ballots, down by 4 percent from the campaign of President Joe Biden. And thats the story: Across the board, Harris slightly underperformed Biden. (A lot less sexy, right?) And if you want more: The series of laws designed to reduce the turnout from tribal communities worked. Across the board there were fewer voters this time around. Across the country the numbers show what happened. Menominee County Wisconsin voted 80.5 percent for Harris; down from 81 percent for Biden four years ago. The data is similar in the few Native American counties that favor Republicans, such as Oklahomas Adair County. Trump indeed did better, Slight better. His support grew from 78.6 percent to 82 percent. The news media makes a huge error when it relies on an exit poll to characterize how Indian Country voted. (Especially when there is hard data.) There are just too many questions to ask, ranging from the sample size (always my first question) because you need a huge number of respondents if you want to accurately measure tribal communities to how the Native American respondents are defined. There may be a difference, for example, between Native voters in tribal communities and those living in cities. And thats more of a question than an answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why does a false data story matter? Because at the same time thats happening there is a real numbers scandal: the failure to properly administer the election in at least one key state, Arizona. Apache County the largest number of Native American voters in Arizona had a major meltdown this election. Navajo voters were standing in line, in the cold, and not everyone voted. And even those who did cast a ballot were lost to procedure, minor mistakes like no signature or one that was off. The law says voters have an opportunity to fix a minor mistake, its called ballot curing. The American Civil Liberties Union unsuccessfully asked the Arizona Supreme Court to order Apache (and other Arizona counties) to extend that process. The ACLU said: "tens of thousands of Arizonans stand to be disenfranchised without any notice, let alone an opportunity to take action to ensure their ballots are counted. Because these ballots have not even been processed, respondents have not identified which ballots are defective and have not notified voters of the need to cure those defects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to remember Arizona already starts with disenfranchisement as an election framework. Voters had to register in early October and the ordinary task of keeping up with phone numbers and address changes is impossible. This is the story we should be telling: The systematic rejection of tens of thousands of Native Americans ballots. That is no way to run an election. Mark Trahant, Shoshone-Bannock, is editor-at-large for Indian Country Today. On Threads and Instagram: @TrahantReports Trahant is based in Phoenix. I am truly honored to earn President Trumps nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate. President Trumps historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead both at home and abroad. America continues to be the beacon of the world, but we expect and must demand that our friends and allies be strong partners in the peace we seek. The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership that significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries. I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trumps restoration of America First peace through strength leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations. I will forever be grateful to my beloved constituents in New Yorks 21st Congressional District for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to work my very hardest to serve and give them a voice at the highest levels of Congress. Ten years ago, Upstate and North Country voters took a chance on a young, first-time, unknown candidate who very few believed could win. I was proud to be the youngest woman elected to Congress at the time and to earn their overwhelming vote of confidence in six general elections. Thank you to my colleagues in the House for entrusting me to serve as House Republican Conference Chair as a part of your leadership team. I am proud of my strong record as a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and the Education and Workforce Committee, as well as the legislative and constituent services results my office successfully delivered to our district. Thank you to the hardworking families, small businesses, farms, law enforcement officers, military families, veterans, seniors, and local elected officials whom I have worked so closely with on behalf of our communities. And most especially, thank you to my extraordinarily dedicated staff in the District and Washington offices for serving our constituents tirelessly for the past decade. My family and I are excited for this next chapter in New York and Washington to work hard to serve our country on President Donald Trumps team. No matter where this journey takes us, Upstate New York the cradle of the American Revolution will always be my heart and home. NEW YORK A Manhattan judge has delayed a highly-anticipated decision in Donald Trumps hush money case following his election victory at the request of the president-elects lawyers and the Manhattan district attorney, according to court documents filed Tuesday. State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan granted a joint motion to postpone his decision on Trumps request to throw out the case and other deadlines until Nov. 19, according to email correspondence between his clerk and the parties uploaded to the cases docket. The clerk said that was the deadline for prosecutors to advise Merchan of their view of the appropriate steps going forward. Trumps legal team on Friday asked the DA to agree to pause all upcoming proceedings to provide time to review and consider a number of arguments based on the impact on this proceeding from the results of the Presidential election, Trumps forthcoming certification as President-elect on Jan. 6, and his inauguration on Jan. 20, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo informed the court in an email Sunday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The People agree that these are unprecedented circumstances, Colangelo wrote. Colangelo said the next steps required careful consideration to appropriately balance the competing interests of a jurys verdicts finding Trump guilty of felonies and the Office of the President. With all deadlines in the case put on pause, Trumps sentencing, set for Nov. 26, remains in limbo. Merchan previously said he would sentence him on that date after ruling on the immunity motion if necessary. In an email to Merchan following Colangelos on Sunday, Trump lawyer Emil Bove said, There are strong reasons for the requested [pause], and eventual dismissal of the case in the interests of justice, citing the Supreme Courts immunity decision and the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said federal prosecutors from the Department of Justice had recently sought and obtained the same relief in Trumps federal election subversion and classified documents cases, and they are reportedly considering dismissing both of their prosecutions. The [pause], and dismissal, are necessary to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trumps ability to govern, Bove wrote. Trump, 78, has asked Merchan to set aside the verdicts and dismiss the underlying indictment or grant him a new trial by arguing that the July immunity decision by the Supreme Courts conservative majority which granted presidents sweeping protections from criminal prosecution barred the Manhattan DAs office from showing evidence at trial relating to his official acts. The decision also barred prosecutors from presenting evidence related to a presidents official acts to prove personal acts were illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the official acts Trump argues were out-of-bounds were tweets from his presidential Twitter account about his former fixer Michael Cohen and testimony concerning private conversations with former White House staffers, including his communications director, Hope Hicks. Prosecutors have opposed the effort, underscoring that the crimes Trump was found guilty of committing were related to his personal life and not his presidency. They have argued that even if the Supreme Court decision which came down after Trump was found guilty meant they improperly showed some evidence to the jury, the evidence of his guilt was, regardless, overwhelming. An anonymous Manhattan jury delivered the guilty verdicts on May 30, finding Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records tied to his secret payback to Cohen for silencing Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued at trial that the hundreds of thousands of dollars Trump issued to Cohen in 2017 in Sharpie-signed checks were falsely logged as payment for legal services to cover up an illicit scheme to hide information from voters. The historic case was the first of four brought against Trump after his first term in office and likely the only one to see a jurys conclusion on the front end of his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside of the winding-down federal cases, the racketeering case against Trump in Georgia, in which hes accused of election subversion efforts alongside Rudy Giuliani and more than a dozen others, has stalled significantly, and legal experts say its unlikely he will go on trial in Fulton County in the next four years. Trump is still trying to get his hush-money proceedings transferred to federal court where he could more easily target an appeal toward the Supreme Court having been denied two previous efforts. This summer, he appealed the latest rejection with the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, which is yet to hear oral arguments. The Manhattan DAs office and Trumps lawyers declined to comment. --------- NEW YORK A Manhattan judge is poised Tuesday to decide whether to let stand the guilty verdicts against Donald Trump stemming from hush money payoffs to Stormy Daniels and others in a 2016 election interference scheme. State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has said he will rule on Trumps motion to toss the case based on presidential immunity in an off-calendar decision. It asks him to set aside a jurys verdict finding him guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and dismiss the indictment handed up by a separate set of New Yorkers in March 2023. Should Merchan grant the motion, he may order a new trial, which likely wouldnt occur for several years following Trumps election victory, or outright dismiss the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less clear is what will happen if he denies it. Before the election, Merchan said hed sentence Trump on Nov. 26 if necessary on the charges carrying up to four years in prison. Trumps legal team is sure to challenge the proceeding from going ahead as he positions to retake the White House. The seven men and five women who declared Trump a felon returned their verdicts on May 30 after hearing from 22 witnesses about a plot to corrupt the 2016 presidential election devised among Trump, his former fixer Michael Cohen and tabloid publisher David Pecker, and then cover it up. The anonymous jury determined Trump lied about why he was paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to Cohen in 2017 to cover up the plot claiming a series of checks covered Cohens legal services when in reality he was reimbursing his then-lawyer for silencing a porn star about a seedy extramarital encounter so voters wouldnt learn about it. Trumps motion, among other arguments, argues that the case presented by prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office violated the U.S. Supreme Courts July decision on presidential immunity because it included evidence related to his official acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say the jury should never have heard from former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks, who testified about Trump privately acknowledging to her in 2018 that Cohen had paid off Daniels before the 2016 election and that it would have been bad to have that story come out before the election. They have argued that the judge shouldnt have allowed prosecutors to call as a witness Madeleine Westerhout, Trumps former Oval Office aide, who testified about how Trump liked to sign things hed first read himself with a Sharpie or a felt-tip pen. Trumps lawyers have also argued that tweets that Trump published on his presidential account on Twitter, now known as X, about Cohen should have been prohibited. Prosecutors have opposed the motion, arguing that the hush money scheme was entirely personal and largely committed before the election, and it had no relationship whatsoever to any official duty of the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say the verdict should stand even if evidence improperly came in because the trial record contains overwhelming evidence of Trumps guilt. The historic criminal case, one of four brought against Trump after his first term, saw him become the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. The others are unlikely to include a jurys conclusion, at least in the near future. The Justice Department is reportedly winding down the two federal cases against Trump, and legal experts believe Georgia prosecutors case against him is unlikely to see a revival before he takes office. _____ MANHATTAN (PIX11) An off-duty New York City employee was arrested in Manhattan Monday afternoon, according to the NYPD. Elijah Watt was taken into custody around 12:45 p.m. More Local News The 22-year-old is an employee of the New York City Department of Education, police say. Watt was charged with grand larceny, identity theft, and criminal possession of stolen property. 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). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. MEDINA, Ohio (WJW) A statewide Amber Alert has come to a deadly end in Medina County after a police-involved shooting. The 7-year-old girl who was abducted in Southeast Ohio on Monday, Nov. 11 is safe and has been returned to family members without injury, according to an overnight press release from the Medina County Sheriffs Office. I-Team: Armed suspect made threats in Tower City Earlier on Monday, the child was reportedly abducted in Empire, Jefferson County, according to the Ohio Amber Alert website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, Charles Alexander, 43, reportedly left a family members house after an altercation, taking the girl with him, despite not having custody of the girl, according to the alert. Officers said they feared for the childs safety. On Monday evening, sources told the I-Team that state troopers and local police pursued the suspects stolen vehicle. According to an updated press release, at about 8 p.m. on Monday, the Brunswick Division of Police attempted to pull over the suspects vehicle in a traffic stop but said, Alexander did not stop. Multiple jurisdictions pursued the suspect southbound on Interstate 71 toward Medina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Ridgeville schools employee arrested, on leave During the pursuit, stop sticks were deployed causing the vehicle to become disabled, reported police. The vehicle continued to drive southbound and exited on SR 18 in Medina Township where it eventually came to a stop in a business parking lot. According to police, Alexander was armed and officers attempted to negotiate with him while he communicated with several dispatch centers by telephone. Multiple guns shots were fired in an officer-involved shooting. Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene by the Medina County Coroner, Dr. Deranek, read the release. FOX 8 photo FOX 8 photo FOX 8 photo FOX 8 photo Officials did not immediately detail how long negotiations lasted or the moment that led up to the gunfire. No officers were injured during the incident, read the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State agents and the Medina County Sheriffs Office are handling the investigation. Agencies on scene included the Medina County Sheriffs Office, Medina Township Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Brunswick Division of Police, Montville Police Department, US Marshals, Medina Fire Department and Cleveland Clinic Life Support Team. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Colorado Department of Transportation wants Colorado drivers to begin preparing for Jan. 1, 2025, when state law will crack down on people holding cellphones while driving. MEDINA, Ohio (WCMH) A Jefferson County man is dead after an Ohio Amber Alert led police to Medina County Monday evening, where he was shot and killed near Medina, Ohio. According to the Medina County Sheriffs Office, the Brunswick Division of Police located an Ohio Amber Alert suspect on Interstate 71 at around 8 p.m. The suspect, 43-year-old Charles Alexander, was driving a 2023 U-Haul truck with Arizona license plates while in possession of his non-custodial 7-year-old daughter. Multiple jurisdictions pursued Alexander southbound on I-71 towards Medina after initial attempts at a traffic stop failed. During the pursuit stop sticks were used in an effort to disable the U-Haul. Alexander continued southbound and eventually exited on State Route 18 in Medina Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus plans to invest $2.5 million to help qualifying residents with financial costs The Sheriffs Office said the vehicle came to a stop in a business parking lot, where authorities attempted to negotiate with Alexander, who was armed. Alexander communicated with several dispatch centers by phone before multiple gunshots were fired between him and officers at the scene. Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene by the Medina County Coroner. The 7-year-old child was uninjured and safely returned to family members and the Amber Alert was canceled. No other injuries were reported during the incident, which included additional aid from agencies such as The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Medina Township Police, Montville Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Medina Fire Department and the Cleveland Clinic Life Support Team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Medina County Sheriffs Office, in conjunction with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation continues to investigate the incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. The suspect in an Ohio AMBER Alert is dead following a police chase and shooting involving law enforcement officers in northeast Ohio on Monday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As News Center 7 previously reported, an AMBER Alert was issued after a 7-year-old girl was reportedly taken by her non-custodial father in Jefferson County. Deputies said 43-year-old Charles Alexander left a family members house after a fight and took his daughter, who he did not have custody of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 8 p.m., the Brunswick Police Department in Medina County located Alexanders vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, according to CBS affiliate WOIO-19. TRENDING STORIES: He did not stop, which led to a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies on I-71. Stop sticks were deployed during the chase, causing Alexanders vehicle to be disabled. Alexander exited on SR 18 in Medina Township and stopped in a business parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement attempted to negotiate with Alexander, who was armed, and he also communicated with several dispatch centers by telephone, WOIO reported. Multiple gunshots were fired by officers and Alexander was pronounced dead at the scene. The 7-year-old daughter was safely recovered from the vehicle and returned to family members. The child is okay, thank God. And a tragedy has been escaped, Medina County Sheriffs Captain Eric C. Bors said. The child appeared to be okay at this time physically. No officers were injured. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Charles Alexander, 43, took his non-custodial daughter from a relative's house, leading police on a long chase that ended in his death, say authorities Ohio Amber Alert Charles Alexander and his daughter Charles Alexander and his daughter An Ohio man is dead following an encounter with police after he abducted his 7-year-old non-custodial daughter from a relatives house, authorities said. On Monday, Nov. 11, at about 3 p.m., Charles Alexander, 43, took the girl from a relatives house in Empire following an argument and a physical altercation, the Associated Press reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Amber Alert was immediately issued, asking the public to be on the lookout for a Ford F-650 U-Haul truck with Arizona plates after Alexander took the girl without permission, WOIO reports. At about 8 p.m. that night in Brunswick, police tried to stop Alexander, who led authorities on a chase involving multiple departments, the Medina County Sheriffs Office said, according to the AP. 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 deployed law enforcement devices that deflated his tires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexander drove the U-Hall with the flattened tires off an exit to a fast-food restaurant, where he spoke with several dispatch centers by phone before he was shot, the sheriffs office said, the AP reports. He died shortly after, The Columbus Dispatch reports. The sheriffs statement didnt say whether Alexander was armed or what led officers to open fire, the AP reports. The girl was found safe in Medina and returned to her relatives, the sheriffs office said. DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) A man from Ohio was arrested in Danville last week after authorities said he traveled there to meet minors for sex. Despite the arrest happening in Danville, authorities from the other side of the state were the primary investigators. The Knox County Sheriffs Office said on Facebook they gained information that Ryan Loveless, 38 of Hilliard, Ohio, was communicating with minors and had traveled across state lines to meet them. The information also indicated Loveless was bringing his infant child with him because he could not find a babysitter. UPDATE: Coroner IDs people found dead in Mattoon home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said they learned Loveless had rented a hotel room in Danville and instructed the minors to meet him there. The Knox County States Attorneys Office then issued a warrant for his arrest and Knox County authorities began working with their counterparts in Vermilion County to arrest him. Loveless was found in the parking lot of the hotel, officials said, and he was taken into custody. His child was indeed with him; after a medical evaluation confirmed no injuries, the infant was turned over to a member of Loveless family. Loveless was transported to Knox County and was booked on 10 counts: four of indecent solicitation of a child and two each of traveling to meet a minor, grooming and solicitation to meet a child. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma National Guard honored our veterans at its annual ceremony Monday morning. We often hear the term freedom isnt free and it rings true when we consider the sacrifices our veterans have made, said Brig. Gen. Robert Walter, the Assistant Adjutant General for the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Behind every uniform there is a person And sometimes a friend that did not return home. Dozens attended Mondays ceremony. Veterans Day at the Oklahoma National Guard Museum. Image KFOR. Veterans Day at the Oklahoma National Guard Museum. Image KFOR. We honor the veterans of not just the Oklahoma National Guard, but also of all services Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and all the branches, the Coast Guard as well, said Ted Hibbard, the Deputy Director at the Oklahoma National Guard Museum. I dont think we have a grasp of the sacrifice these people have made, not just the veterans, but their families as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event included a massing of the colors, a performance from the 145th Army Band and keynote speaker Brig. Gen. Walter. Ive seen a group of people, men and women, that came together for everybody, regardless of what they thought, what their political opinions were to defend the nation and make the world a better place, said Walter. He touched on veterans sacrifices and service, their opportunities to continue to serve in leadership roles and our nations responsibilities to our veterans. Will mail, packages be delivered on Veterans Day? I would say that if you know a veteran, I would reach out to them, not just today, because its Veterans Day, but any day, just check on them. It doesnt have to be something big, said Walter. It could be a text, could be a quick call, something like that, and do it regularly, just kind of check on them. 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. MAGEE, Miss. (WJTV) Magee police arrested an Oklahoma man after officers said they found drugs during a traffic stop. The traffic stop occurred on Highway 49 South at Siloam Road on Saturday, November 9. An officer stopped the vehicle with no tag lights. Longtime member of Mississippi law enforcement community dies The officer reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Investigators said the driver, Gavin Micah Bowen, of Oklahoma, was operating the vehicle with a suspended drivers license and without proof of insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magee police said the officer discovered six pounds of marijuana, 10 bottles of THC-infused canna syrup and 83 THC vape cartridges inside the vehicle. Bowen was arrested and transported to the Magee Police Department. Gavin Micah Bowen (Courtesy: Magee Police Dept.) Magee police arrested an Oklahoma man after officers said they found drugs during a traffic stop. (Courtesy: Magee Police Dept.) Bowen was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, driving with license suspended, improper equipment, and no proof of insurance. 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. Oklahomas legislative leadership is shaping up in the Senate after Republican and Democratic lawmakers tapped their next leaders. The Republican Caucus announced Sen. Lonnie Paxton, of Tuttle, is in line to become president pro tempore. Democrats chose Sen. Julia Kirt, of Oklahoma City, as minority leader. The decisions come after a long election season when both parties' previous leaders, Republican Sen. Greg Treat and Democratic Sen. Kay Floyd, both from Oklahoma City, were not on the ballot due to term limits. In addition, several experienced Republicans lost their seats to newcomer candidates, some who are more far-right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GOP controls 40 of the 48 seats in the Senate. The final vote to install Paxton as pro tem will take place Jan. 7, a few weeks before the legislative session begins Feb. 3. The Oklahoma Senate will have new Republican and Democratic leaders in 2025: Republican Sen. Lonnie Paxton and Democratic Sen. Julia Kirt. In a statement, Paxton said he was grateful to be chosen to lead the Senate and was excited to take on the new role. The Oklahoma Legislature has never been in a better position overall to make changes and pass legislation that benefit Oklahomans, he said. Paxton was first elected in 2016 to District 23, which includes parts of Grady and Canadian counties. During the most recent legislative session, he served on eight committees, education, agricultural and rural affairs and energy and telecommunications, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Oklahoma governor says he's launching a new 'faith-based' office Democratic Sen. Julia Kirt, left, and Republican Sen. Lonnie Paxton will take over leadership of their parties in the Senate for the 2025 legislative session. Kirt said she and other Democrats are ready to work in bipartisan fashion with Paxton and other Republican lawmakers. Thats just the way we operate, and thats how we look for policy solutions that work, that rise above politics, so that wont stop, she told The Oklahoman. Kirt was elected in 2018. She served on 12 committees, including appropriations, finance and rules, during the 2024 legislative session. Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts She said she believes Paxton is honest and upfront, and added that she doesn't anticipate that will change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New leadership brings new changes, Kirt said, and though shes not sure exactly what those changes will be, she said voters will play a big role. We really want to dig into what are the most challenging things people are facing, where the biggest pain points in their lives are and how is that we can make sure they dont feel left behind and make sure they feel like real change can be made in our state, she said. Other Senate Republicans tapped for leadership roles In a statement, Paxton said the Senate's Republican leadership is also "united in its vision to advance Oklahoma." In addition to Paxton, at least two other Republican lawmakers are to take on new leadership roles. Sen. Julie Daniels, of Bartlesville, will be the second woman to serve as majority floor leader. Sen. John Haste, of Broken Arrow, will be vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Chuck Hall, of Perry, will continue to be chairman of the Appropriations Committee. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Legislature names new House, Senate leaders for 2025 session PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) One person was killed Tuesday morning in a wreck in Pickens County. The Pickens County Coroners Office confirmed Tuesday morning it was investigating a wreck on U.S. Highway 123 South near Highway 153. The road is currently closed while the wreck is being investigated, and drivers are asked to detour to Highway 153 while crews investigate the wreck. The Pickens County Coroners Office identified the man that died as Dennis Edward Gorecki, 77, of Taylors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gorecki died at the scene, after hitting a car in an oncoming lane, the coroners office said. The Easley Police Department is investigating the crash at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating the death of a person who was found shot at a southwest Charlotte gas station. The incident occurred Tuesday morning at the Circle K on South Tryon Street near Ayrsley Town Boulevard. Police said 22-year-old Apree Dontell Leak was taken from the scene to an area hospital, where he later died. ALSO READ: Suspect accused of returning to same place to attack more women Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel 9 crews observed several patrol cars in the parking lot of the gas station but did not see any crime scene tape. CMPD said they believe Leak was shot at a separate location before arriving at the gas station. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. WATCH: Suspect accused of returning to same place to attack more women Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the deadline for automatic recounts in Colorado. The Colorado Springs community has inched closer to a definitive answer about whether recreational marijuana sales will be permitted in city limits, but elections officials in El Paso County were holding off on issuing a final answer as additional votes still were being tallied, six days after last weeks election. County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker said on Monday that elections officials are still processing hundreds of additional ballots, including some which require additional steps to address issues including missing signatures or identification checks, as well as military and overseas ballots. The period for addressing such cured ballots, and counting returned military and overseas ballots, ends Wednesday. Schleikers office expects to announce updated unofficial results Thursday, after the additional ballots have been tabulated. Races will not be officially called until the Canvass Board certifies the vote count on Nov. 27. Two competing ballot questions that propose either banning recreational marijuana establishments by city charter, or authorizing the citys roughly 90 existing medical marijuana shops to also opt into selling retail cannabis products, were both passing after initial results were reported on Election Day and throughout much of last week. The vote for the recreational marijuana ban, known as Question 2D, flipped after results were updated Saturday evening. According to results last updated Saturday at 5:33 p.m., Question 2D is now failing by a thin 1-point margin: 49.50% to 50.50%, with 385,313 ballots about 77% counted. Which means, unless the numbers shift drastically, recreational marijuana will be legal in Colorado Springs. Daniel Cole, who represents the Colorado Springs Safe Neighborhood Coalition that supported the charter ban, previously told The Gazette that confusing ballot language in the opposing question to authorize recreational sales, Question 300, was likely the reason both competing questions were passing last week. Part of the Question 300 wording read as if it supported restricted marijuana stores when in fact it legalizes them, he said. Colorado law requires automatic recounts if the margin of victory in a contest is equal to or less than 0.5%. Automatic recounts must be completed within 31 days after the election for races conducted by the county. With a difference of 2,413 votes, according to unofficial Saturday vote totals, Question 2D is not currently within the margin for an automatic recount. Anyone may request a discretionary recount within 28 days after the election. Discretionary recounts are paid for by the requestor. Featured Local Savings Cole said Monday the Colorado Springs Safe Neighborhood Coalition wont request a recount of Question 2D at its current vote margin. In response to questions about whether the opposition will ask for a recount if results remain close, he said the opposition campaign shouldnt close any doors yet, but its not likely. Lets see how the final results look. In contrast, the competing Question 300 to authorize recreational marijuana sales has continued to pass by wider margins as counts have been updated in the week since the election. As of Saturday, it is passing 54.64% to 45.36%. Meghan Graf, a spokesperson for the pro campaign Citizens for Responsible Marijuana Regulation, on Saturday night referred back to statements she made last week that voters in Colorado Springs have shown they want recreational marijuana sales to be legalized locally. The city will reap the benefits of a much-needed source of tax revenue, which will help residents with public safety needs, mental health services, and (post traumatic stress disorder) treatments for veterans, Graf said in a written statement last week. An estimated $10 million to $15 million in revenues would support those initiatives, as outlined in Ballot Question 300. If retail sales are officially legalized, questions remain about where recreational marijuana shops can do business. The City Council in late September preemptively limited shops possible operating locations to mostly the eastern edge of Colorado Springs by prohibiting facilities that sell recreational cannabis from operating within one mile of K-12 schools, residential and child care, or drug or alcohol treatment facilities. Proponents of recreational sales and other city leaders who did not support the zoning ordinance said that, because of its limitations, the ordinance is a de facto ban on retail marijuana sales. Question 300 proposes prohibiting recreational marijuana shops from operating within 1,000 feet of schools and other facilities. A city-provided map has shown how the current locations of all medical marijuana shops in Colorado Springs do not comply with the one-mile buffer rule. Though discussion at public meetings in the summer operated under the understanding that the buffer will take precedence over the zoning requirements in Question 300, city officials have not yet provided a clear answer. In September, spokesman Max DOnofrio said the planning department will need to evaluate each request for a new retail marijuana license to ensure it complies with zoning and licensing requirements in city code. Last week, DOnofrio said there has been no update from the city on which setback requirements would take precedence. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A GoFundMe online fundraiser has been started for a City of San Angelo Animal Services officer who was attacked by dogs on Nov. 6. According to the GoFundMe webpage, the fundraiser was created on Nov. 11 by a relative of Floyd Jay Bias. The GoFundMe page stated that Bias was flown to Lubbock after being attacked by a pack of pit bulls and sustaining multiple injuries. His left arm is mangled and broken, the webpage reads. They bit his head, shoulders, and legs too. They had to give him several units of blood because his pressure dropped so low it was hard to register. He almost bled to death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The San Angelo Police Department held a joint press conference with the City on Nov. 7. Bias was not identified during the conference or in press releases issued in relation to the incident. According to information provided during the conference and through a press release, San Angelo Public Safety Communications received several 911 calls at approximately 3 p.m. on Nov. 6 regarding a man that was being attacked by numerous dogs on Cloud Street. PREVIOUS: San Angelo City Animal Services officer in critical condition after aggressive dogs attack Upon arriving at the scene, responding SAPD officers discovered that an Animal Services employee had been attacked by at least two large breed dogs, causing injuries to his face, arms and legs. The employee was given medical aid and transported to Shannon ER, later being airlifted to an out-of-area hospital for a higher level of care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SAPD reported that the dogs involved in the attack were surrendered by their owner and subsequently euthanized in adherence to local and state procedures. The organization stated that the SAPD Criminal Investigation Division was actively investigating the incident at the time of the press releases publication, adding that charges could be forthcoming depending on the outcome of that investigation. A press release issued by City Manager Daniel Valenzuela on Nov. 7 stated that the employee was in critical condition. Valenzuela said in an update issued the day after that the employee was in Lubbock and now in stable condition, although there was no estimated date for the workers release. The online fundraiser has raised almost $700 as of the time of publication and has a goal of $5,000. Information provided on the GoFundMe webpage stated that Bias had 3 heart stents put in 3 weeks ago and that he will now undergo multiple reconstructive surgeries to regain the use of his left arm. Anyone who has ever met him knows he is a good, honest, and hardworking person, the webpage reads. He would never ask for a handout or for help for that matter. Im going to ask for him. He will need any extra help he can get. 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. To try to keep young people from becoming addicted to tobacco, Congress took two steps in 2020 to keep minors from posing as adults to buy vaping products online: It barred e-cigarette sites from delivering through the U.S. Postal Service, and it required whatever delivery service they did use to check the recipient's ID. The state of California added its own twist that year, banning most flavored tobacco products. That prohibition did not explicitly cover online sales, but the city of San Diego is one of a number of local governments that adopted laws to eliminate any potential loophole. Researchers at UC San Diego, Cal State San Marcos and Stanford decided to test how well those protections were working. If the results in San Diego are any indication, they're hardly working at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team lined up eight pairs of adults to try to buy flavored nicotine vaping products from 78 online retailers in October 2023. Each team made two identical orders from each retailer, with one buyer ordering from within the city of San Diego and the other in a different city in San Diego County with no explicit restrictions on online delivery of flavored vapes. In each order, they asked for delivery by the Postal Service if it was offered. Ideally, the researchers would have struck out completely none of the 156 orders delivered, given the state's ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, and certainly none delivered by the Postal Service. Failing that, at least the purchasers within the city of San Diego should have come up empty, considering the city's explicit ban on online sales of flavored vapes. And even if those measures failed, at the very least, each buyer's ID should have been checked upon delivery to make sure they weren't minors. Read more: 'Theyre a huge vibe.' A new wave of photogenic products aims to help Gen Z quit vaping Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results of the study, which were published online Monday by the Journal of the American Medical Assn., showed that more than two-thirds of the buyers successfully obtained flavored vapes, including almost 70% of the buyers in the city of San Diego again, where those sales are explicitly prohibited, the study said. Of the successful deliveries, 80% were handled by the Postal Service, which shouldn't have carried any of them, the study found. An additional 9% came from services such as UPS and FedEx that have policies against delivering tobacco products. Finally, 93% of the deliveries were completed with no attempt to verify the buyer's age. In the vast majority of cases, the products were dropped off without any interaction between the buyer and the delivery person, according to the study. And in only one case did the delivery person scan the buyer's ID, as required by federal law. "These results demonstrated pervasive nonadherence to age verification, shipping, and flavored tobacco restrictions among online tobacco retailers," the study's authors wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authors also acknowledged that they examined sales in just one county. But that county has some of the toughest anti-tobacco measures in the country. Read more: Catastrophic: Looming restrictions on popular THC drinks and gummies alarm hemp industry Eric Leas, an assistant professor at UCSD and director of the Tobacco E-commerce Lab, said in a statement that online sales of e-cigarettes are the largest and fastest growing sector of the tobacco industry. There are longstanding surveillance systems in place that help implement laws at brick-and-mortar stores, but we do not have a system in place for online retailers, Leas said, adding, The results of this study highlight the need for greater oversight and enforcement of online tobacco retailers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A top official at the Vapor Technology Assn., a trade group for the e-cigarette industry, said the study raised "an academic issue that is interesting, but not particularly relevant to what is really happening in this country with respect to youth and vaping products." Tony Abboud, the association's executive director, said vaping by youth has plummeted since the age to purchase these products was raised to 21 in 2019. "The daily use of vaping products by youth is almost negligible," he said, especially compared to other products that are banned for minors, such as alcohol and marijuana. Abboud also said the UCSD research didn't examine the age-verification systems used by online retailers. "There is no reason to believe youth are accessing vaping products online," he said. The latest survey by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration found that although vaping remains the most popular form of tobacco use among minors, the number of middle- and high-school students who said they were currently vaping dropped sharply from 2023 to 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "No tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are safe, especially for children, teens, and young adults." 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. (NewsNation) Former Fox News host Bill OReilly predicted President-elect Donald Trump will face no Republican opposition in Congress now that he has GOP control of the House and Senate. The NewsNation contributor called it a unique time in history that would give the former president a free-fire zone to implement his agenda. OReilly said Monday on NewsNations On Balance that there wont be one Congressperson now that will be in dissent on the Republican side, though he noted Democratic lawmakers likely wouldnt support any Trump initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OReilly compared Trumps potential second term to Grover Cleveland, the only other nonconsecutive president, but noted Cleveland faced strong congressional opposition while Trump would likely have a cooperative Republican majority. Donald Trumps new administration: Who has he chosen so far? OReilly advised Trump to focus on five or six really solid bills that are almost unopposable, including border security, immigration reform, tax cut extensions and legislation targeting sanctuary cities. The political commentator suggested Trump could stop the madness culturally through carefully worded legislation that could withstand federal court challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NewsNation contributor also emphasized the importance of Cabinet selections, advocating for experienced advisers who will speak their mind while maintaining loyalty to Trump. He contrasted this with Jimmy Carters administration, which he said failed partly due to inexperienced cronies. Trump has begun announcing Cabinet picks, including Elise Stefanik as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Marco Rubio as 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 NewsNation. Crucial to President-elect Donald Trumps first victory in the popular vote were his gains with nonwhite voters. According to exit polls, Trump received 45% of the Latino vote including a majority of Latino men in what was a record high for a Republican presidential candidate. He doubled the share of young Black men he got in 2020. He made a 5-point gain with Asian Americans. In the heavily Arab American city of Dearborn, Michigan, where Democrats usually dominate, Trump easily won. Exit poll numbers dont tell the full story, and the details could change as more sophisticated voter data comes out in the coming months. But combined with pre-election polling and trends from earlier elections, the emerging picture is clear: Trumps coalition is becoming more racially diverse even as he leans into bigoted, hateful rhetoric more than ever before. Trumps victory is shattering a common slogan and guiding principle in Democratic circles that demographics is destiny. There has long been a belief in the party that Democrats were destined to hold a long-term majority in the country as the nation became more diverse. That belief was predicated on the idea that the party won ethnic minorities because it presented itself as the multicultural and socially inclusive party, and because it treated minorities as interest groups to cater to based on priorities specific to their ethnicity. That belief has always been problematic, and now it is collapsing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps playbook has thrown a grenade into the Democratic worldview, and the fallout among the left hasnt been pretty. Where I expected to see introspection and sadness there have instead been expressions of spite. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania told Semafor, Dearborn delivered for Trump? OK, congratulations. Youre going to love the next Muslim ban. Some progressive commentators have pitted ethnic minorities against each other and described the ones who appeared loyal to the party more favorably. Black people did their job. Trumps gains with Latinos were real. Trump is their guy, declared one liberal commentator. There were even cruel viral jokes circulating on social media about how liberals now considered themselves indifferent to Trumps promised bloody deportation operation because they felt betrayed by the Latino swing to the GOP. This anger is reductive and retrograde and it helps illuminate why the Democratic Party is in this predicament. Yes, people from the same ethnic group do often share common experiences and exhibit trends in their values and priorities. But many liberals forget that those groups are never a monolith, and their members also have other identities that shape how they view the world, including class, gender, age and the countless subcultures they choose to associate with. New York Times political correspondent Astead Herndon, who has long flagged Black men voters changing political attitudes, has rightly called it a racist assumption that people from racial minorities will automatically support the Democratic Party. Setting aside the finger-pointing, I do understand why it is shocking for some that Trump could win over racial minorities even while saying or implying bigoted things about them. Some wonder how could Trump win over huge swaths of Latinos even as he demonizes Latino migrants with degrading, fascist language? How could Trump win over Muslim voters even after promising to re-institute a ban on migration from Muslim majority countries? There are a lot of explanatory factors. First, people who are part of racial minorities are strategic voters just like white voters. Given the choice between only two options in an election, a voter of color can simultaneously object to Trumps language, but still prefer the GOPs right-wing policy positions on issues such as abortion. The economy is a particularly big example. Thomas Wood, a political scientist at Ohio State University, told The Atlantic that the breadth of the swing to the right across countless demographic groups since 2020 suggested a really simple story that secular dissatisfaction with Bidens economic stewardship affected most demographic groups in a fairly homogeneous way. The Austin American Statesman found a number of undocumented immigrants arguably the most vulnerable demographic group in the country now were optimistic about Trumps victory because they thought it would be good for business and worth the increased risk of deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the case of the Dearborn switch, one big reason is obvious: Many Arab Americans switched sides out of disgust at the Biden administrations support for Israels military operation in Gaza. These voters made a (misguided, in my opinion) bet that there is some chance that Trump will take a different course of action. Of course, racial minorities can also share Trumps worldview about race. People of color can and regularly do hold bigoted attitudes toward other minorities. Whats to say that conservative voters of color dont just tune out or laugh off Trumps remarks when theyre trained on their specific community, but nod along as he calls out every other marginalized group under the sun? Or whats to say they dont endorse his offensive language but agree with the policy outcomes they help support, such as being tough on immigration, crime, or China? Democrats cling to their old demographics are destiny worldview at their own peril. Not only is anti-bigoted messaging inadequate to hold onto voters of color, it can sometimes put them at odds with their lived experience. A good example of this is how Democrats have controversially incorporated the term Latinx into some of their messaging to Latino voters, in an attempt to be gender inclusive. A recent study by scholars from Harvard University and Georgetown University found that the term actually drives Latino voters away. While that backlash effect is driven by conservative attitudes, according to the study, the broader takeaway is that Democrats should not assume maximizing the vocabulary of inclusivity is always in the partys interest. This is not an argument that the Democrats ought to mimic the GOPs right-wing nationalism or discard its commitment to multiculturalism. Rather, the point is Democrats ought not to take racial minorities for granted as meek loyalists who have to choose them because the alternative is assumed to be worse, or see them as an interest group that can be pandered to based on a race-specific lens. They ought to treat voters of color the way they would white voters as complicated, ideologically flexible people who care about kitchen table issues. And they need to excite them the same way too by making a compelling case for the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Trumps dark vision for that future is winning. But there is one obvious way to keep anti-bigotry at the center of the Democratic Party and the broader left while staying laser focused on economic liberation: hammering home that prejudice and culture wars are used to divide us us distract us from the class war at the heart of American unfreedom. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com For years, press freedom advocates warned the Biden administration not to hand future authoritarians weapons to wield against their critics in the media. No-one listened, and now were all going to face the consequences. But its not too late for the Democrats to avert some of the harshest repercussions. Here are a few of the lowlights: Bidens Department of Justice continued Donald Trumps prosecution of Julian Assange , and most Democrats went along with it. Under Biden, for the first time, the DOJ extracted a guilty plea under the Espionage Act for talking to a source and publishing classified documents. Assanges plea may not set a legal precedent, but it sets a historical oneTrump can use it to prosecute journalists he doesnt like for publishing government secrets, or to claim false equivalencies when his fascist friends lock up reporters. The Biden administration has offered nothing but thoughts and prayers over the killings of over 130 journalists in Israeli strikes in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, and has ignored calls from dozens of lawmakers to pressure its ally to allow US journalists access to Gaza. This cowardice will give Trump cover to stand by when Putin or other authoritarians he admires commit atrocities outside the view of the press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have also stayed silent about Republican calls to prosecute American journalists under anti-terrorism laws for criticizing Israel. Some even supported legislation that would allow Trumps Treasury Secretary to revoke the tax exempt status of nonprofits that dont toe this line. Republicans are wasting no time taking advantage of that openingthe bill is back on the congressional agenda and scheduled for a vote today. Theres more still: Democrats support of legislation expanding Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which could see Americans conscripted into spying on their local news outlets; their backing a TikTok ban , precedent which could empower Trump to ban foreign news outlets; their attempts to stamp out encryption , which could leave journalists and their sources even more vulnerable to investigations into leaks and whistleblowers. So what now? Come January, the second Trump administration will not only largely control all three branches of government, itll have an arsenal of new tools to punish the Fourth Estate. Still, there are some things Democrats can do to at least mitigate the damage theyve enabled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, Senate Democrats need to pass the bipartisan PRESS Act , a shield bill that would protect journalist-source confidentiality and end federal surveillance of journalists. The PRESS Act would go a long way toward reining in Trumps plans to punish journalists who refuse to reveal their sources, and would be a check on future administrations too, whether Democrat or Republican. The bill passed the House unanimously in January, and it has strong Republican support in the Senate. But so far, Democrats have been unwilling to devote much energy to getting it over the finish line, despite Project 2025s call to repeal existing protections against subpoenaing reporters. This is legislative recklessness. Another way to protect whistleblowers is to increase transparencyso they dont have to blow the whistle in the first place. Democrats need to limit Trumps ability to needlessly classify documents or otherwise remove them from the public record. Among other things, Biden must immediately amend the executive order on classified national security information to prohibit classifying evidence of illegality . Theres plenty more that could be done to Trump-proof the press, like reforming the Espionage Act and fixing their sloppily drafted FISA amendment so its not abused to surveil journalists. They must work to protect end-to-end encryption , crack down on SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) and do everything possible to stop Trump from siccing the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Elections Commission, the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service on his enemies, including in the press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if they cant get all of that done, theres time to check some important items off the list. Hopefully theyll at least go out fighting for the rights they claim Trump threatens. But its the Democrats. If theyve earned anythingand they haventits lowered expectations. Seth Stern is the director of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation and a First Amendment attorney. Democrats spent $10 million on their effort to flip the Arizona Legislature. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs exercised her political clout such as it is to weaken Republicans grip on power. Hopes were high in blue spaces that, with abortion rights on the ballot and Republican control of the Legislature hanging by a thread, Democrats would be able to grab at least a seat at the big kids table. Its kind of the perfect storm, Hobbs told Capitol Media Services Howard Fischer in July. This is the first time weve been this close and had a Democratic governor. And this is what Im focused on this election is governing majorities who will work with me. Advertisement Advertisement Turns out, that perfect storm was a full-on Trump tornado, one that blew away Hobbs plans and left her hobbled as she enters her final two years as governor, with a strengthened Republican Legislature that despises her. Life just got a lot tougher for Katie Hobbs For all the Democrats work, Republicans picked up two seats in the House, for a 33-27 split. If former GOP Sen. Vince Leach holds on in his tight southern Arizona race against Democrat John McLean, Republicans also will pick up a seat in the Senate, for a 17-13 split. If youre a supporter of taxpayer-financed private education, youre thrilled, as Hobbs hopes of putting a few controls on Empowerment Scholarship Accounts just died. Might be a good time to put in for that publicly financed kayak or trampoline time. If youre a fan of good government, prepare for combat as Hobbs already dim hopes of getting her chosen state agency picks confirmed just got dimmer. Its difficult to see how she can attract the best and the brightest while Sen. Jake Hoffman, who heads the Senates confirmation/interrogation squad, is sharpening his knives. Advertisement Advertisement And if youre a fan of watching politicians skilled in the fine art of bipartisan compromise and getting stuff done say, to boost the economy or improve public education or protect rural groundwater you really need to find a new hobby. Arizona Legislature is more MAGA than before Coming soon to a state Capitol near you is a Legislature more conservative even than the last one. Gone is Republican Sen. Ken Bennett, one of the few remaining moderates who on occasion said no to some of his colleagues more extreme ideas. In his place comes MAGA firebrand Mark Finchem. Gone is Democratic Sen. Christine Marsh, a huge supporter of public schools. In her place comes GOP Sen.-elect Carine Werner, who earlier this year applauded state Superintendent Tom Hornes decision to offer PragerU curricula in public schools. PragerU is a conservative nonprofit that markets itself as the alternative to the dominant left-wing ideology in culture, media, and education. Perhaps the best known of its videos for kids is the one featuring an animated Christopher Columbus saying: Being taken as a slave is better than being killed, no? I dont see the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Werner blew right by Marsh as Republicans went from occupying one of three seats in one of the states most highly competitive Phoenix district to owning all three. It was that kind of election in Arizona and in America. Democrats' bills have no chance of being heard So, what comes now? Come January, Democrats will be proposing an array of bills that have absolutely no chance of being heard. And Republicans will be passing an array of bills that have absolutely no chance of becoming law. Opinion: Kari Lake loses again. Will the GOP ever learn? I expect a lot of border policy, sprinkled among culture war issues like trans rights, Republican consultant Barrett Marson told me. You could see that head to the ballot since Hobbs wont sign it. Advertisement Advertisement A lot of vetoes, and an ugly legislative session, Democratic strategist D.J. Quinlan said. Expect the next 2 years to be rough As for Hobbs, she has two years remaining in her term as governor. She could heed the voters message and work more closely with the Republicans to get at least a few things done, though its difficult to see that happening and more difficult still to see the Republicans incentive to give her any wins, what with the next election just around the corner (as they always are). More likely, Hobbs will be the Democrats last line of defense in a state that has once again declared itself reliably red. Kind of the perfect storm, she said in July. Advertisement Advertisement Just not at all the kind she imagined. Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @LaurieRobertsaz and on Threads at @LaurieRobertsaz. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Opinion: Republicans strengthen their grip on the Arizona Legislature After 55 years of protection, 250 of Indianas bobcats could be trapped, snared and killed across 40 counties starting next year. The proposed rule authorizing these activities represents an outdated system that privileges a minority that seeks to kill wildlife for profit and recreation over the vast majority of Hoosiers who value wildlife and the safety of their pets and working animals. The state Department of Natural Resources proposed this high quota of 250 bobcats after the Indiana General Assembly pushed through a law that forces the DNR to open a bobcat trapping season, despite a complete lack of data justifying any need to kill them. There is no conservation goal involved; this move only benefits one small constituency: recreational and commercial trappers. Briggs: Braun, Beckwith and Banks win. Welcome to Indiana's crackpot era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During legislative debate, the bills sponsor specifically stated that the DNR could set a quota of zero bobcats under the new law. Thats precisely what the agency should do, especially since it has yet to conduct a thorough population count. In other words: We dont even know how many bobcats are in the state. Killing bobcats helps no one The bobcat is Indiana's only native wild cat. Killing bobcats provides no benefit to the Indiana public. To the contrary, strangling neck snares and steel-jawed leghold traps pose a direct threat to pets and working animals. These archaic devices already litter our landscapes targeting other wildlife species killed for profit, trophies, or as a hobby. Leghold traps are buried underground, designed to snap shut on any animal that steps on them. Snares, or thin cable loops hung along game trails, close around the necks of animals who unknowingly walk into the loops. In 2020, a dog went missing while hunting rabbits in southern Indiana. She was found with a wire snare tightly wrapped around her muzzle, with injuries so severe that she had to be euthanized. Bobcat killing doesnt benefit farmers, many of whom appreciate bobcats service as rodent control. In the rare event that someone experiences an issue with a bobcat, they can request a permit from the DNR to kill that animal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence that indiscriminately killing bobcats who are minding their own business in the woods will prevent conflicts. Studies of other carnivore species have found that hunting and trapping seasons do not reduce conflicts. Instead, proactive measures such as wildlife-proof chicken coops are much more effective. Recreation is bigger business than hunting This map from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources shows reported bobcat sightings across Indiana through spring of 2020. Only about 4,000 Hoosiers hold trapping licenses, about half of 1% of the states population. They trap wildlife to profit from selling furs to overseas markets, to obtain trophies or as a recreational hobby. In the analysis of the proposed bobcat quota, trappers are listed as the group that will benefit, while Hoosiers who care about wildlife, or the safety of their domestic animals, are not mentioned. The DNR estimates that only half of licensed trappers will choose to participate in bobcat trapping, generating just $30,000 for the agency in the first year. That is less than half the annual salary of one conservation officer trainee. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, non-hunting outdoor recreation generated 26 times more money for Indianas economy than hunting in 2022. Nationally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that wildlife watchers outnumber hunters by tenfold and outspend them by nearly sixfold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like most Americans, Hoosiers value wildlife alive and thriving, and understand that non-consumptive use and tourism generate far more income for the state and more benefits for more citizens who enjoy the outdoors. The Natural Resources Commission the policymaking body for the DNR is accepting public comment on the quota through a hybrid public hearing online and in Butlerville on Thursday. The proposed bobcat trapping quota of 250 is a slap in the face to Hoosiers who care about wildlife, enjoy time in our natural areas and worry about the safety of our pets and working animals. For these reasons, the DNR should set a quota of zero. The agency represents the states authority and responsibility to manage wildlife and wildlands in the public trust. It shouldnt be in the business of betraying it. Samantha Chapman is Fishers resident, attorney and the Indiana state director for the Humane Society of the United States. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Opinion: Open bobcat season in Indiana? The DNR can still stop it. President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday morning that he intends to nominate Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Its a big move for the 40-year-old rising star, who first joined the House only a decade ago and is now serving in a top leadership spot. For people with backgrounds in diplomacy, USUN (as the job is known inside the State Department) would be a crown jewel in their careers. For Stefanik, the appointment brings her closer into Trumps orbit on paper at least. In practice, though, accepting the job at Turtle Bay could cause her ascendancy through the MAGA ranks to come crashing back down to Earth. If Stefanik takes over from current Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield extending a run of women representing the U.S. at the U.N. Security Council and other forums shed be at the forefront of some of the most complex challenges that the international community faces, from the war in Ukraine to halting climate change to determining global rules for artificial intelligence. Stefanik would also be expected to serve as a chief translator for the Trump administrations actions during daily interactions with other ambassadors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stefaniks sole contribution to foreign affairs recently has been her extremely vocal defense of Israel as it continues its onslaught against Gaza. Beyond that, her diplomatic skills might be a little atrophied. Whereas Trumps first U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley, was governor of South Carolina and her successor, Kelly Craft, at least had a business background to draw on, Stefanik has spent the last several years operating with little more than Trumps approval in mind. That skill set was built for the halls (and the greenrooms) of the Capitol, not U.N. headquarters. We can also look to Haleys tenure for an idea of what Stefaniks run might resemble. Haley found herself relatively isolated from the rest of the chaos of the early Trump years, for good and for ill. On positive side, she didnt have to put up with the infighting that was occurring daily. And though she ostensibly worked for Secretaries of State Rex Tillerson and Mike Pompeo, she formed a power center of her own in New York. She even managed to form decent relationships with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and many of her fellow ambassadors before her departure in 2018. The downside for Haley was that being removed from Washington also meant that she had less influence on the course of the administration overall. She also could never fully say that she spoke directly for the U.S., not when Trump could contradict her via tweet at any moment. Haleys experience doesnt bode well for Stefanik, who will be peppered with questions about Trumps intentions, and her power bases among the Washington elite and the MAGA faithful wont be particularly helpful in negotiating with China and Russia. The potential wrench in Stefaniks apparent career trajectory would be the one thing most likely to make her hesitate at Trumps offer. After coming to Washington as a moderate Republican, she remade herself in the MAGA image, impressing Trump with her aggressively fact-free defense of him during his first impeachment. Since his first presidency, she has continued ingratiating herself at every turn, attacking the judge in his New York trial, refusing to guarantee that shed certify a Trump loss in this years election and trying to get his impeachments expunged from the Congressional Record. It was supplicant enough to have her among those Trump was considering to be his running mate this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stefaniks rise among the House GOP made the reasoning behind her transformation rather transparent. She was quick to pounce when the Republicans demoted Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., from her role as chairwoman of the House Republican Conference for daring to say Trump sparked the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. During last years struggle to find a new speaker, Stefanik was considering making a run for a promotion, potentially jumping up to House majority leader. Other Republicans are already jockeying on the Hill to replace Stefanik in House leadership, should the Senate confirm her next year. Her vacant seat might also make things more difficult for Republicans potentially narrow majority to pass anything while a special election is held in her district. But the fact that the domestic politics of her appointment will likely overshadow any discussion of the policy implications speaks volumes about what her nomination would mean for the U.N. itself. Setting aside its struggles to secure peace and security, the humanitarian works the broader U.N. system carries out are vital to millions of people globally. Stefaniks appointment suggests a lack of willingness to support those missions, especially considering her desire to defund the U.N.s relief works in Gaza and the West Bank. Stefanik as U.N. ambassador would signal a further retreat from a position of authority and leadership as she carries out her boss wishes to put America First. The ambition Stefanik has displayed so far makes it likely that shell want to continue to claw her way closer to the center of power in Trumps world. The U.N. ambassador role is a difficult post from which to pull off that climb, as its public-facing nature belies its distance from the decision-making in Washington. She seems similarly unlikely to throw herself into the role the same way Haley did, risking souring Trumps opinion of her. And there are few things Trump hates more than a loser in his midst, meaning she must at least try to show competency in diplomatic fights. Its a balancing act that Stefanik, publicly one of MAGAs most ardent disciples, may privately come to resent. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A scant 24 hours after Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and special counsel Jack Smith were already discussing how to withdraw the two federal indictments and ongoing criminal prosecutions against Donald Trump, according to multiple news outlets. Soon thereafter, prosecutors moved to suspend proceedings in the January 6th matter a request that was quickly granted. While the DOJ has made no announcement on precisely why or how it wishes to proceed, the move by the special counsel is generally thought to be mandated by the departments longstanding policy, as captured in several Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) memos, that says that a sitting president cannot be indicted. The department may be strategizing around how best to preserve the cases for revival after Trump leaves the White House; perhaps Smith believes invoking the DOJ policy will prove useful toward that goal, as it may provide a basis for requesting a stay, rather than an outright dismissal, of the proceedings. Even so, withdrawing from the cases at this juncture would appear to be a grave mistake, in at least two respects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, even if one accepts the DOJ memos, they are arguably inapplicable to the present moment. And second, the memos reflect a seriously flawed policy for a democratic society supposedly governed by the rule of law. Rather than re-affirm them, the memos should be withdrawn. At a minimum, it should be made clear that the policy they advance is not a constitutional requirement. As co-author Richard Painter and I explain in an article we recently published in the University of Southern California Law Review, the case of a previously indicted individual who becomes president in the middle of a criminal proceeding is not at all the same as that of the president who is indicted in the middle of his term. In the case of a previously indicted individual charged with a federal crime before he became president, there is no concern that the indictment was brought to interfere with the work of the administration. In this case the reverse is true: the more appropriate worry is that a previously indicted individual is using the presidency to shield himself from prosecution for his alleged crimes. The DOJ policy is particularly problematic if it suppresses any ongoing, pending legal matters with respect to a candidate when that individual wins the presidency. With regard to the policy overall, it is high time for the department to withdraw the memos, which stand in significant tension with the 2020 decision of Trump v. Vance and other Supreme Court precedent. Worse, the stature of the policy has been badly misunderstood, as it is often said to be constitutionally mandated. Notably, the OLC memos cannot render the policy constitutionally binding, since such opinions are only advisory to the department. They are not laws and they do not impose legal obligations on anyone to adhere to them, least of all the department, which can easily reverse course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if one accepts the wisdom of the policy, however, there are several other concerns with applying it to the instant case. It is widely anticipated that, were Jack Smith to continue to prosecute the two federal cases until Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump would fire, or ask his new attorney general to fire, Smith immediately upon taking office. However, as Painter and I have argued elsewhere, this may arguably constitute obstruction of justice under federal law, despite broad presidential power to remove members of the executive branch under the unitary executive conception of the presidents Article II authority. And this would be the case even if one takes the view that removal is always an official act and hence is not punishable under the Supreme Courts immunity decision. If the sole purpose of the removal of a federal employee is to immunize the president against investigations into his own wrongdoing, that is a misuse of presidential authority, and one that is unrelated to the protections that the presidency is meant to afford. Under those circumstances, the removal should be deemed a personal capacity act to which immunity does not apply. While the Supreme Court has largely failed to define what counts as an official capacity act, one might suppose that avoiding accountability for the commission of a personal capacity crime is the quintessential personal capacity act. If the department were to withdraw the cases prior to Inauguration Day, the DOJ would be rescuing Trump from his own obstruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the standpoint of the rule of law, the DOJ should continue with the prosecutions and let Trump be the one to pull the plug on the special counsel. That way, Trump would have to commit a crime to fire Jack Smith a crime that could potentially be prosecuted once Trump leaves office in 2028. At the very least, he, or his attorney general, would have to do something that would cast great opprobrium on the department and on Donald Trump, rather than suggesting that Trump has an unfettered right to eliminate the need to answer to the legitimate federal charges brought against him. By preempting firing Smith and ridding Trump of the risk of prosecution, the DOJ would thus be committing three critical mistakes: 1) it will have assisted Trump in his intended obstruction of justice without ever requiring Trump to take a political or legal risk; 2) it will have reaffirmed the problematic principle that a sitting president cannot be indicted, and indeed extended it to a set of circumstances involving an already indicted individual who ascends to the presidency pending trial; and 3) it will have degraded the DOJs mission by determining prosecutorial decisions in accordance with political, rather than legal, imperatives. These are all aspects of the decision that fundamentally damage the rule of law in ways the department and the country may never overcome. Claire Finkelstein is the Algernon Biddle Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy, and the faculty director of the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law at the University of Pennsylvania. 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. As a key architect of Michigan's forthcoming paid sick leave legislation, I write today to underscore the critical importance of this policy for our state's workers, families and overall economic health. With these transformative changes set to begin taking effect in February, we stand on the brink of a new era for labor rights in Michigan. Michigan is poised for a significant shift in labor policy. I'm the executive director of Mothering Justice, and along with a coalition of workers' rights advocates, we successfully fought to reinstate the original 2018 voter-driven proposals for paid sick leave and minimum wage increases. The Michigan Supreme Court's decision in August to uphold these proposals marks a significant victory for working families across our state. Starting in February, businesses with 10 or more employees will be required to offer up to 72 hours of paid sick leave annually, while smaller firms must provide up to 40 hours. This policy ensures that workers can earn one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, providing a safety net that allows individuals to care for their health and that of their families without risking financial stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: When it comes to the economy and inflation, you're asking the wrong questions Fast food workers and activists demonstrate outside the McDonald's corporate campus on May 21, 2014 in Oak Brook, Illinois. The demonstrators were calling on McDonald's to pay a minimum wage of $15-per-hour and offer better working conditions for their employees. Minimum wage doesn't meet basic needs The stark realities of living wages in Michigan underscore the necessity of these changes. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a family of three in Wayne County requires $19.86 per hour to meet basic needs. In Oakland County, that figure rises to $22.31, with a statewide average of $20.46. Our current minimum wage falls woefully short of these benchmarks. The scheduled increases to $12.48 in 2025 and $14.97 by 2028 represent crucial steps toward ensuring that work provides a pathway out of poverty for Michigan families. Critics have voiced concerns about the potential impact on businesses, particularly small enterprises. However, evidence from other states that have implemented similar policies suggests these fears are largely unfounded. Economist Michael Reich's 2023 statement that "a minimum wage increase doesn't kill jobs. It kills job vacancies, not jobs," encapsulates a crucial point: these policies redistribute existing resources more equitably without stifling economic growth. Lets go back to 2010 when Michigan introduced a statewide smoking ban, aiming to create healthier public spaces by eliminating indoor smoking in restaurants, bars, and most casinos. There was widespread panic about the potential negative impact on Michigan businesses. However, 14 years later, the law is now a standard that seems unimaginable to be without. Michigan was the 38th state to implement the change. Our state needs to lead, rather than follow, in adopting smart policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, paid sick leave policies have been shown to reduce workplace illness transmission, increase productivity and can foster a more stable workforce. We believe the long-term benefits to public health and economic stability far outweigh the short-term adjustments businesses may face during implementation. By joining 15 other states and Washington, D.C. in mandating paid sick leave, Michigan is positioning itself at the forefront of progressive labor policy. This forward-thinking approach will not only improve the lives of countless workers but also enhance our state's competitiveness in attracting and retaining talent. Opinion: Michigan minimum wage will increase next year. Thank the Supreme Court, not Republicans. Don't water these worker protections down To our legislators, I urge you to stand firm against pressure to dilute these vital protections. The original, voter-driven proposals reflect the will and needs of Michiganders. Any attempt to exempt businesses or weaken these laws would be a disservice to the workers who form the backbone of our economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the business community, I encourage you to view these changes not as a burden, but as an investment in your most valuable asset your employees. A workforce that can attend to their health needs without fear of losing their livelihood is a more productive, loyal and stable workforce. To all Michiganders, I ask you to recognize the significance of this moment. This isn't merely about paid sick leave or wage increases; it's about affirming our values as a state that prioritizes the well-being of its residents and the strength of its communities. Michigan has the opportunity to set a new standard for worker protections and family support. As we implement these crucial policies, we take a significant step toward creating a state where every resident can work with dignity, care for their family without fear, and contribute to a thriving economy. This is the Michigan we have fought for, and the Michigan we all deserve. Danielle Atkinson is the executive director of Mothering Justice. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we may publish it online and in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Opinion: Don't derail Michigan minimum wage increase, paid sick time As Donald Trump's reelection to the presidency raises new questions about the permanent home of U.S. Space Command, here are six key things to know as it's determined whether it stays in Colorado Springs at Peterson Space Force Base or moves to Huntsville, Ala. What is Space Command headquarters? Space Command headquarters employs about 1,700 people across the military branches in Colorado Springs who protect and defend assets in space. It is expected to eventually employ 1,870, according to Air Force environmental assessments done for a future permanent headquarters building. The command is focused on the area 62 miles above the Earth, above the realm of spy balloons, but in an area beset with space junk and a rapidly growing number of satellites, particularly from political rivals such as China. The command supports hundreds of organizations flying thousands of satellites, former Space Command Gen. James Dickinson said in written testimony to Congress. Why is the decision important to the community? Space Command was expected to deliver $1 billion in annual economic impact to the community, according to the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, in previous Gazette reporting. It helps support an ecosystem of more than 150 aerospace and defense companies. What tipped the scales for Colorado Springs last year? The Associated Press and other outlets reported last year that President Joe Biden was convinced to keep the command in place by Dickinson, who argued at the time that moving his headquarters would jeopardize military readiness. According to officials, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who ordered his own review of the matter, leaned toward Huntsville. The officials said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin presented both options to Biden. Numerous other factors might have played a role in Colorado Springs' favor, including the city's existing space infrastructure and civilian workforce. There are 100,000 national security professionals employed in Colorado Springs, according to a news release from the office of Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. How much money could it save? An analysis by two retired generals in 2021 showed moving the command could cost more than $1.2 billion and take years of work, The Gazette reported previously. Why is the battle with Alabama? Before Trump left office in 2021, he declared Space Command would move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville. He said in a radio interview later that he single-handedly made the decision. Huntsville had been in the running for the command. The northern Alabama city is home to the Missile Defense Agency, Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. Colorado Springs in the rankings Colorado Springs vaulted to No. 3 in U.S. News & World Report's Best Places to Live rankings for 2024-25 earning a top spot, in large part, because of its desirability as a city to live. In the national publication's annual best places list released in May, Colorado Springs climbed six spots from its No. 9 ranking in 2023-24 and trailed only Naples, Fla., and Boise, Idaho. Huntsville ranked No. 7. In its methodology, the publication used data from the Census Bureau, FBI, the federal Department of Labor and its own internal sources, while it also surveyed thousands of people to determine the most important factors to them when they choose a place to live. Colorado Springs has a population near 500,000 while Huntsville had about 225,000, according the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2023. 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. Editors note: Welcome to an abbreviated edition of War Notes by way of explanation, my father (and his dog) are in town and staying with Rachel and I. For those of you who have older parents that come visit well, you know. YOURE FIRED! For some reason, the American media believes federal employees and the bureaucracy in general deserve endangered species-like protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forbes, in particular, just ran a long piece about the dangers of eliminating the Department of Education: In a video message posted last year, Trump baselessly claimed the Department of Education is staffed by many people who in many cases, hate our children and said we want states to run the education of our children, because theyll do a much better job of it. You cant do worse. Welcome to 2025 : If Donald Trump is for it, the media ecosystem must be against it. If Elon Musk thinks its a good idea, it must be a threat to democracy. Que the meltdown: Over the weekend, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised to blow up the FDA, CDC, and National Institute of Health. If we cant fire them, we can ship them to a new Health and Human Services headquarters in Guam, he said. Ship them to Guam is a reference to the herculean effort it takes to fire one government employee, much less hundreds. Zoom out: By the FDA and CDCs own measures, America keeps getting fatter and less healthy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why shouldnt they get fired? By the Department of Educations own measure, American kids keep getting dumber why shouldnt they get fired? Donald Trump speaks with moderator and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem during a town hall at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and Fairgrounds in Oaks, Pennsylvania, on October 14, 2024. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) Up for the Job We have been largely, if not entirely, positive about Trumps administration picks so far. To be fair, its hard to say anything bad about Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., running the State Department. Rubio flipping the script on pro-Hamas cease-fire protesters a few months ago is a master class. Full disclosure: Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., is a good friend of mine and a man of real integrity. Not to mention, hes world-class in his understanding of threats against America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Huckabee and I go back to 2005 when he was governor of Arkansas. Again, he is one of the finest men I know and will represent America well. He and I spent a lot of time in Israel together when I was there, and he would bring church groups on tours. He is as pro-Israel as you get. The list of good things goes on. Which makes Trump picking South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to run the Department of Homeland Security all the more perplexing. There are three things I know about her, all of which I got from her book, No Going Back. She killed her dog. Somehow, she thought telling people she killed her dog was a good idea. She lied about meeting Kim Jong Un then gave the interviewer a bull answer by saying she wouldnt talk about her private conversations with world leaders. Popcorn : This Senate confirmation hearing will be must-see TV! 4D Chess: Is this the sacrificial Cabinet lamb? Trump gives Democratic senators a layup to embarrass and either cuts her loose or she makes it through. The real power will be Tom Homan at ICE as the border czar. Melania Trump addresses the Republican Convention during its second day from the Rose Garden of the White House on August 25, 2020, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) Second Term of Melania When Trump comes to meet Biden at the White House tomorrow, for the first time in recent history, the president-elect will not be accompanied by his wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I am thinking : We have never fully understood Melanias role in the Trump world or the MAGA movement. Look forward: Melania 2.0 could be far more fun to watch. Perhaps the I really dont care, do you jacket was just the beginning. 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. After falling backward into the presidential nomination, Kamala Harris, will soon find herself without a job. She ran a campaign of hope and optimism that was largely rejected; the final electoral score was Donald Trump 312, Harris 226. It wasnt a nailbiter it was a blowout. Trump made gains with Hispanic and Black Americans, and in rural and urban areas. Whats worse, Harriss support from women (53 percent) was down compared to President Bidens (57 percent) in 2020. After such a humiliating defeat, what will Harris do next? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris could try to run for president again. She could escape to private life and relax on a beach. She could join the nonprofit world and take the fight for civil rights there. She could join the mainstream media or start her own podcast. Or she could do as John Quincy Adams did: go to Congress and represent the unrepresented. Kamala Harris grew up in a lower-middle-class neighborhood. Her parents, who met at UC Berkley, were involved in the civil rights movement, taking Harris to protest while she was still in her stroller. This had a profound effect on her. She would reflect in her memoir that she saw justice from the outside and ultimately, she wanted inside power. Harris worked her way up through law school, eventually becoming Californias attorney general, a senator and a vice president. She achieved the type of power she wrote about; she was at the top of the ticket for the establishment. When activists came marching and banging on doors, Harris said, she wanted to be on the other side to let them in. But now that power is gone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a moment that nearly propelled her to the presidency, during a Democratic debate in 2020, when Harris challenged Joe Bidens past stance on bussing. There was a little girl in California, Harris recalled, who was bused to school every day as part of the second class to integrate her public schools. With a quiver in her voice, she revealed, That little girl was me. Harris was passionate because she understood that the opportunity for better education was vital to her standing on that stage. She wanted to have power so she could help more little girls like her. Harris is only 60. She has a long life ahead of her. She doesnt have to stop fighting for civil rights because she lost the presidency. John Quincy Adams was defeated by Andrew Jackson in the election of 1828. Adams was a passionate defender of civil rights and equal representation. Instead of returning to private life or trying to avenge his defeat, Adams decided to serve in Congress and was elected a representative from Massachusetts in 1830. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While in Congress, Adams stood up for the American founding principle of the right of representation. He argued against the gag rule (a rule that prohibited discussions of slavery in the House of Representatives). He made repeated petitions for enslaved persons, arguing they had a right to be represented. In 1841, he defended a group of Africans who were captured and illegally transported aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad. He argued in front of the Supreme Court and secured their freedom. Adams accomplished more for civil rights and equal representation in the House of Representatives than he ever did as president. He chose substantive reform over symbolic power. History often remembers him as the man upon whom Andrew Jackson took revenge, but, in reality, he was a dutiful servant standing up for the unrepresented and was united with Jackson during the Nullification Crisis of 1832. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation and strengthened voting rights, finally expanding the right of representation that John Quincy Adams had fought for. However, since then, the population has nearly doubled, from 191 million to over 330 million, while representation has remained the same, at 435. While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 addressed equal representation in principle, the dramatic rise in population has diluted this representation over time. Each representative in 1964 represented about 439,000 people; now, each represents about 756,000 people. Harris could go to Congress and write a new apportionment bill that ensures every American, regardless of background, has a closer connection to their government and adequate representation. She could also build a bipartisan coalition to stand united should any constitutional crisis come up between now and the next presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The life of a congressional representative isnt as glamorous as one might think. Its a thankless job, and history often relegates members to obscurity. While many in recent years have leveraged their positions of power for profit, historically, its not a job for the rich and powerful. Its a job for dutiful servants like John Quincy Adams, who put representation over personal ambition. Its a job for those to stand up for those unrepresented and stand against those trying to tear us apart. What Harris does next will likely determine how history will remember her. Jeff Mayhugh is the founding editor of Politics and Parenting and vice president at No Cap Fund. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. It is legacy-building time for Donald Trump. The former president and president-elect has already entered the history books as only the second American to have won the presidency, lost reelection, then get elected again for a nonconsecutive second term. But Trumps ultimate legacy will prove to be a lot more consequential on national security and foreign policy for better or worse. Four major conflicts are either raging or brewing thanks to the anti-U.S. cabal of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Americas adversaries will not wait until Trumps administration is settled in before they begin acting; one or more of them may even decide the opportune time to make their next move is right now, during the two-month interregnum while the Biden administration is disintegrating and the Trump team is still forming and consolidating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if they decide to defer new action until Trump takes office to see what deals or concessions he may offer, the clock is already running on a tight deadline Trump set for himself: settlement of the war in Ukraine. Several times during his campaign, he pledged to resolve the conflict within 24 hours. Trump later doubled down on what already seemed to many an impossible boast by asserting that he would accomplish the feat even before officially taking office on Jan. 20. All he would have to do, he claimed, was to talk with Vladimir Putin, with whom he has a mutually respectful personal relationship notwithstanding Putins record as a war criminal, and with Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he has publicly blamed for provoking Putins aggression. The only way Trump could end the war, it was clear, was to compel Zelensky to endure a partition of his country by accepting permanent Russian occupation of Crimea and/or Eastern Ukraine, and for Putin to accept that he would get no more of Ukraines territory. So far, neither leader has expressed interest in the kind of deal Trump is contemplating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, the Trump team is seeking to make it happen. According to still-sketchy reports, Trumps plan envisions a quick ceasefire, Ukraine committing not to pursue NATO membership for a period of 20 years, and the Wests continued flow of weapons for Ukraines self-defense. Sure enough, there would be significant territorial concessions on both sides virtually all of it involving Ukrainian territory, except for a sliver of Russian land in Kursk recently occupied by Ukraine. In the effort to pressure Ukraine to make concessions for peace, a potentially disturbing development occurred over the weekend. Trump reportedly took a call from Zelensky when, coincidentally, Elon Musk entered the room and Trump gave him the phone. They discussed Musks Starlink communications system, which is critical to Ukraines wartime operations. Early in the war, Musk cut off the service and demanded payment, restoring service only when the Pentagon came up with the money for the billionaire. Musk could easily use the Starlink service as further leverage to compel Ukraines submission to the Trump settlement if the president-elect chooses to achieve his ill-considered promise in that manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further insight into Trumps coercive foreign policy thinking came last week when a former aide dismissed any idea that a return of Crimea to Ukraine was included in Trumps settlement proposal. Bryan Lanza told BBC that the incoming Trump administration would expect Ukraine to have a realistic vision for peace. If President Zelensky comes to the table and says, we can only have peace if we have Crimea, he shows to us that hes not serious. Crimea is gone, said Lanza. The priority for the U.S. would be peace and to stop the killing. The comments suggested a Neville Chamberlain-like posture of appeasement that would attain peace at any price and peace in our time at the cost of long-time European stability and international order. Fortunately, as soon as that report surfaced, Team Trump issued a statement that the former aides remarks did not reflect the president-elects views. He does not work for President Trump and does not speak for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is still hope that the incoming president will not validate the Obama-Biden administrations acquiescence to Putins original seizure of Crimea. Trump has a historic opportunity to create a positive legacy of peace through strength more in line with that of Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan, by standing with Ukraine and putting an end to a weakened Putins aggressive rampage. Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-Un, and Irans supreme leader will take notice of the new American sheriff in town. They, together with Putin, should be made to fear the prospect of regime change if they dont change their hostile and threatening behavior. Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006 and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan Institute and member of the advisory board of The Vandenberg Coalition. 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. Im sure that failed governor and failed senator candidate Kari Lake, parched and feeling abandoned, would love it if the president-elect allowed her to quench her political thirst at the Trump trough. Perhaps by tossing her some mid-level (but high-profile) job in his administration. Shed love a job that would afford her the opportunity to stay in the public eye, but with enough free time for her to immediately begin campaigning for some office thats coming open in Arizona in 2026 or beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Are you paying attention, Sen. Mark Kelly? Are you ready for a rematch, Gov. Katie Hobbs? Charlie Kirk hasn't given up on Kari Lake Lake may have lost an election, again, but I wouldnt count on her fading into the woodwork. Particularly since she doesnt seem to have lost the support of Arizona Republican power brokers. People like Turning Point USAs Charlie Kirk, to whom Donald Trump owes so much, and admires so much, and who operates right here. Opinion: Lake loses again. Will the GOP ever learn? Kirk and those in his inner circle do not blame Lakes loss on her prickly public presence or her constant whining about stolen elections, but largely on the failure of Republican Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, who controls the Senate Leadership Fund, to financially support Lakes campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Kirk posted on X, formerly Twitter: McConnell spent $50 million on Larry Hogan in Maryland and he lost by 8 points. He spent ZERO on Kari Lake and shell probably fall 20-40k ballots short when all is said and done. Republicans deserve better leaders. Lake, like Trump, runs a perpetual campaign If Lake has learned anything from Donald Trump, and she has, shes figured out that political campaigns do not end when all the votes are counted. Trump has been nonstop campaigning since 2015. He campaigned all during his presidency, and he has campaigned all during the four years that President Joe Biden has been in office. Likewise, Lake has been on the campaign trail since losing to Hobbs two years ago. Advertisement Advertisement I dont suspect shell stop campaigning anytime soon. Especially with MAGA Republicans feeling so emboldened by the election and Democrats in such a funk. Arizona Democrats better lace up their gloves Given that, if Hobbs and Kelly want to keep their jobs, theyre gonna need to get their Fontes and Mayes on. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes are just about the only Democrats in Arizona operating with the necessary grit and in-your-face attitude. And theyre doing it in the right way. Not by whining or harping on perceived grievances, but by very publicly and very vocally doing their jobs, and making their case for keeping them. Happily taking on all comers. Advertisement Advertisement Democratic office holders in Arizona with elections in two years need to likewise lace up their gloves. Because Id guess Lake is coming. (This column has been updated to add new information.) Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. For more opinions content, please subscribe. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Opinion: Kari Lake loses again, but that won't stop her in 2026 Irans leaders must be wondering if theyve poked the bear (i.e., Donald Trump) for the last time. Their scheme to assassinate a U.S. presidential candidate, Trump, can be considered an act or war so says President Joe Biden. Irans belligerence has gone unchecked for too long. The Iranian swamp needs to be drained, and Trump might just do it. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced last Friday, There are few actors in the world that pose as grave a threat to the national security of the United States as does Iran. The Justice Department has charged an asset of the Iranian regime who was tasked by the regime to direct a network of criminal associates to further Irans assassination plots against its targets, including President-elect Donald Trump. FBI Director Christopher Wray added, The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a designated foreign terrorist organization has been conspiring with criminals and hitmen to target and gun down Americans [including Trump] on U.S. soil and that simply wont be tolerated. Right, it shouldnt be tolerated. But whats the appropriate response? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington Post reports that Biden directed the National Security Council to warn Irans government to stop plotting against Trump and former U.S. officials, adding that the United States would view any attempts on Trumps life as an act of war. And Bidens not alone. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) complained last July that, along with trying to assassinate Trump, Iran hacked into and stole information from the campaign. I think this is an act of war against the American people, Graham said. When you find a foreign power trying to kill a nominee of a major party, you should do something about it. But its doubtful the outgoing Biden will do anything, except perhaps impose a few more ineffective sanctions. The president has spent the last four years trying to appease Iran, including by not enforcing existing oil export sanctions against the country. A new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates Irans oil revenue hit $144 billion in Bidens first three years, plus another $34 billion in 2024. Iran uses that money to make weapons and fund its terrorist proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, including the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. So, a serious U.S. response to Irans assassination scheme and other mischief will likely have to come from Trump, and hes responded by saying, An attack on a former President is a Death Wish for the attacker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irans in a tough spot. Israel has diminished its military-threat potential with impunity and successfully blocks Iranian retaliatory rocket attacks. And Irans Hamas and Hezbollah proxies and leaders have been decimated. In short, Iran is in no position economically or militarily to fight a war, even as it commits acts of war against other countries. Thats why its the right time for Trump, along with our allies, to demand a regime change, backed by a strong but unstipulated military threat. Trumps done something similar with respect to the U.S. hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. Trump has simply said those hostages better be returned by the time he takes office or Hamas will pay a very big price. No one knows what the big price would be, but there are lots of possibilities. Granted, Irans rulers would very likely refuse to step down, whereupon Trump could take more decisive action, including coordinating with Israel, taking whatever steps are necessary to neutralize Iranian belligerence, including its development of a nuclear weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would some other countries and the United Nations decry these actions? Probably, but the long-suffering Iranian people would love the change. And there could be corollary benefits. Russia and China have vastly stepped up their cyberattacks and election interference. Russia reportedly was behind a plot to plant bombs on cargo planes headed to the U.S. Officials said it was sheer luck that one of the bombs caught fire on the ground exposing the threat. Both Russia and China are testing the Wests resolve to oppose their expansionist efforts. Holding Iran accountable for its actions would have a deterring effect on other bad actors. There will be no peace in the Middle East until the Iranian menace is addressed. Trump has long campaigned on draining the Washington swamp. He still needs to do that. But he, perhaps with the aid or Europe and Israel, also needs to drain the swamp in Iran. Merrill Matthews is a public policy and political analyst and the co-author of On the Edge: America Faces the Entitlements Cliff. Follow him on X@MerrillMatthews 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 2024 presidential election is finally over, and within 48 hours of the results being called, The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story with the headline: Shapiro 2028? In other words, the jockeying to succeed Donald Grover Cleveland Trump has begun. So because there are less than fourteen hundred days until November 7, 2028, here is The Daily Beasts guide to the frontrunners in the next race for the Oval Officeassuming anyone other than Donald Trump will even legally be allowed to run under the soon-to-be-passed 28th Amendment, which will change the main eligibility qualification for president from must be 35 years of age to must have almost 35 felony convictions. (Yes, under the current U.S. Constitution, Trump cannot run again, but we all know he respects the Constitution about as much as he respects Liz Cheney.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, the top Democrats Gavin Newsom If you called central casting for someone who just looks like a Presidentor who could play the lead in the rumored Pierce Brosnan biopic The Name is Steele, Remington Steeleit would be Gavin Newsom. He is already making moves to fight the Trump agenda, having already called a special session of the California legislature to block Trumps attempts to put a tariff on hair oil imports. He is considered such a strong candidate the Secret Service has taken time out from its busy schedule not protecting the President to give him a codename: Eye Candy. His main positive: Taller than Mayor Pete. Negative: He willingly married Kimberly Guilfoyle. Gretchen Whitmer The popular governor of a diverse, Midwestern electorate of union members, African Americans, Muslims, Jews and non-college educated white women or as we now call that, Trumps base. I guess that makes Gretchen Whitmers support bipartisan? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her main positive: Also taller than Mayor Pete. Negative: Was divorced, and only Republicans nominate divorcees. Josh Shapiro Look, The Inquirer knows what its talking aboutafter all, the paper endorsed Hillary in 2016 and Kamala in 2024. Still, Governor Josh Shapiro is effective, popular, and a dynamic speaker who can deliver Pennsylvaniaand should have been the 2024 Vice Presidential nominee. His main positive: The fact he wasnt the Democrats 2024 Vice Presidential nominee, aka first mate on the Titanic, and is taller than Mayor Pete. Negative: He looks like the love child of Al Franken and Adam Sandler. Michelle Obama According to SportsBettingDime, Michelle Obama is already the Democratic frontrunner. She is well liked, already knows the White House works and we all know fronting a female candidate for President has been working well since 1788. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her main positive: She can unite the party, and is also taller than Mayor Pete. Negative: Russian bots are spreading the rumor she had sex with a (married) president. And now the top Republicans JD Vance The vice president-elect has, of course, been hand-picked as the new face of MAGA. Currently, JD Vance is spending his time planning when to unleash the 25th Amendment and force out a sitting Presidentor as Democrats call it, the full Pelosi. His main positive: Was recently named People Magazines Sexist Man Alive. Negative: May have had sex with a couch. Ron DeSantis A governor of Florida who like Jeb Bush before him, ended up as Trump roadkill. But Ron DeSantis is clearly running again, though, which is no easy feat in shoelifts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His main positive: Hes not Ted Cruz. Negative: Hes more dislikable than Ted Cruz. Donald Trump Jr The Sonny Corleone of the Trump Family, at least as compared to his brother Eric Fredo Trump. And if Ivankas truly given up on politics, hes the next best' hope for a Trump dynastyor as those who worked with him call him, The Great White Dope. Main Positive: 34 fewer convictions than his Dad. Negative: Apparently hes not willing to marry Kimberly Guilfoyle. (Although that may be a positive?) Marjorie Taylor Greene Very few members of Congress go directly from the House to the White House. Then again, very few members of Congress believe in Jewish space lasers. (I mean, if they existed wouldnt a mohel save time by using one?) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her main positive: Slightly less crazy than the female villains in The Handmaids Tale. Negatives: Crazier than Lauren Boebert, author of The Handjobs Tale, plus you can never truly trust someone whos that into Crossfit. And, of course, lets not forget there is one independent. Its not Jill Stein. RFK Jr. For a while it looked like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s 2024 campaign might take off, but then he started talking. Why is he even a possibility? For one thing according to his diary, he does very well with women, Second, he will be the sane voice in the Trump White House. Please pause reading while you think about that last sentence. His main positive: The Kennedy name. Negative: He could be suffering from long-term brain worm, which is way worse than long-term Covid-19. Or herpes. Of course with four long years ahead of us, the fortunes of these and so many other candidates could rise and fall like Elon Musks stocks or Kimberly Guilfoyles face. Really, there is only one way to know who will actually win in 2028, and thats to see who Allan Lichtman predicts with his magical 13 keys, because itll be someone else. After a strong show of support for Joe Biden and against Donald Trump in the 2020 election, the Arab and Muslim American communities in the swing state of Michigan, and around the country, swung decisively in the other direction. Despite some early claims to the contrary, this didnt determine the outcome, either in the popular vote or in the electoral college. However, the shift in Arab and Muslim American sentiment toward Trump and away from Kamala Harris, if not all other Democrats, tells a fascinating part of the 2024 election saga. The swing in Michigan was quite dramatic. In the largest Arab American-majority city in the country, Dearborn, Trump beat Harris 42.5% to 36%. Tellingly, the usually irrelevant Green Party candidate Jill Stein pulled down an impressive 18% of the vote in Dearborn, undoubtedly voters who could not stomach voting for either Trump or Harris. Trump similarly prevailed in Dearborn Heights, and in Michigan generally. Biden had won all of these areas handily in 2020. The turnabout has its origins, obviously, in the Gaza war. Arab and Muslim American sentiment was, from the outset, appalled at the savagery of Israels retaliation for the Hamas-led killing spree in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. And these communities were nearly unanimous in outrage at the virtual carte blanche for Israel provided by the Biden administration, especially in the first few months of the war. Anger was so intense that few even registered the subtle shifts away from unconditional support for Israel or the fact that the United States was among four parties along with the U.N. and its subordinate agencies, nongovernmental organizations and key donors Qatar and the UAE that helped prevent a mass starvation or uncontrolled epidemic in Gaza, making matters worse. Instead, all that was seen was the U.S. as the principal arms supplier and diplomatic protector of Israel, accusations that are undeniable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It mattered little that Harris was the leading official who publicly pressed the case for a cease-fire and the strongest in expressing concerns about the suffering of Palestinian civilians. All that most people in these communities saw was an administration complicit in what they plausibly considered a genocidal war, and they werent terribly interested in the footnotes or the details. Moreover, the Harris campaign made a number of crucial blunders regarding Arab and Muslim American voters. They had the opportunity to give a platform at the Democratic National Convention this year to a Palestinian or pro-Palestinian speaker. They refused to provide any, even in some marginal afternoon time slot. It was one of many obvious unforced errors. Harris campaign staffers dispatched to meet with friendly officials in Michigan were unable to provide Arab and Muslim American voters a plan, a timetable or even a convincing policy direction for ending the war in Gaza, which continued to seem to spiral out of control, especially as Israel escalated and then launched a ground invasion against Hezbollah in Lebanon, home country of the biggest Arab American communities in Michigan. The Trump campaign cannily saw an opening and pounced. While there was an initial misstep by dispatching Richard Grenell, Trumps hawkish and extremely pro-Israel foreign policy adviser, to meet with community representatives, the campaign quickly recovered and found its footing. Led by Tiffany Trumps father-in-law, Massad Boulos, a wealthy Lebanese businessman, Trump launched a highly effective charm offensive arguing that he is the peace candidate. He managed to convince significant numbers of Arab and Muslim American voters that he, in contrast to Harris, would end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon (though he never began to hint how, or on what terms), and that he would somehow be the American politician who could finally get Israel under control. Given his track record accumulated during his first administration when he moved the U.S. Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, issued a statement vaguely recognizing Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, validated Israels annexation of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, and issued a peace plan that invited Israel to annex 30% more of the remaining occupied West Bank, including the Jordan Valley this was a remarkable achievement. But for a candidate who is willing to tell everyone what they want to hear and play off of the clear-cut vulnerabilities of his opponent, it worked very well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Trump was reportedly telling Jewish donors that he wanted to deport pro-Palestinian student protesters and knock that movement back 25-30 years. Arguably one of Harris biggest failings is that she was unwilling to tell different constituencies completely contradictory things under different circumstances, as Trump was. This worked as well for him among Arab and Muslim Americans as with any other group. At the same time, Boulos reportedly paid for very effective anti-Harris propaganda aimed at Arab and Muslim American voters. When I was in Dearborn a few days before the election, I was struck by billboards featuring her face in profile across a large blue Star of David and billowing Israeli flag saying something like Kamala Harris can always be relied upon to defend Israel and protect our Jewish communities. It was hardly subtle the message was designed to reach Arab and Muslim American voters and pump up the idea that she was beholden to the Jewish community and wedded to Israel. While this was reported to be the work of a PAC tied to billionaire Trump-backer Elon Musk, it did nothing to undermine the effectiveness of the advertising. I was also shown anonymous flyers that can only be described as antisemitic, pouring out venom against Harris and her Jewish American husband. Indeed, the main complaint about Harris I heard beyond the most predictable ones was that her husband was a radical Zionist activist, which is an apt description of several of Trumps closest advisers, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and former ambassador to Israel David Friedman, but not, in reality, second gentleman Douglas Emhoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest differences in the end was the perception that Trump was willing to listen to Arab and Muslim Americans in Michigan whereas Harris was not. Toward the final days of the campaign, the Harris team inexplicably dispatched the highly pro-Israel New York City politician Rep. Richie Torres and, most disastrously, former President Bill Clinton, who gave a virulently, and indeed at times viciously, anti-Palestinian speech in favor of Harris a move that made absolutely no sense. In contrast, Trump personally met with locally elected Arab American politicians and Muslim clerics, in all likelihood promising them the polar opposite of what he was telling other constituencies like his Jewish donors, bringing them onto his rally stages with him something Harris never did and making every appearance of being interested in forming an alliance. He crucially won over Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi and Hamtramcks Yemeni-American Mayor Amer Ghalib. Meanwhile, Dearborns Democratic Arab American Mayor Abdullah Hammoud refused to meet with Trump but also declined to endorse Harris. Harris outreach to community leaders was, in short, a pathetic failure. Trump, on the other hand, was able to convince people that he was listening, was against war and for peace, that he was sympathetic to Arab and Muslim Americans despite his track record, and, more subtly through surrogates and anonymous advertisements, that Harris was pro-Israel to the extent of being pro-genocide and almost pathologically anti-Arab and especially anti-Palestinian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was game, set and match. In the final analysis, neither the Arab and Muslim American votes in Michigan and elsewhere, nor even the outcome in Michigan itself, was decisive. Independent voters clearly broke strongly for Trump, viewing Harris as the incumbent in what amounted to a change election in an atmosphere of global anti-incumbency fervor. But the sad story of how the Harris campaign absolutely blew it when approaching Arab and Muslim American voters in Michigan and beyond, and Trumps highly effective counterattack with the resulting inversion of the 2020 outcome in Michigan and among Arab and Muslim American constituencies that had gone heavily for Biden is a microcosm of the entire 2024 calamity. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com UPDATE (Nov. 25, 2024, 1:30 p.m. ET): On Monday. Jack Smith officially filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to dismiss the federal election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump. Was it all for nothing? Late last week, special counsel Jack Smith took steps toward winding down the Jan. 6 prosecution of now-President-elect Donald Trump. Smith notified Judge Tanya Chutkan that by Dec. 2 he would provide an additional update given the unprecedented circumstance of his defendant being elected to the presidency. Justice Department policy prohibits prosecuting a sitting president, a policy that is binding for federal prosecutors. Although Smith could continue his work until the curtain drops on the Biden administration, it sounds like a different course is now under consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Smiths classified documents prosecution in the Southern District of Florida remains in legal limbo. The case is on appeal after it was dismissed by Judge Aileen Cannon, who ruled the special counsels appointment was unconstitutional. Thats an important legal issue, with legs beyond this particular prosecution, that the Justice Department will want resolved so it knows what the rules are for future special counsel cases. The case is in a different posture from the Jan. 6 case because there are two defendants in addition to Trump. Dismissing the case against him wouldnt automatically kill the entire prosecution, although thats the likely scenario once he regains control over the DOJ. As of now, we dont know how Smith intends to proceed in Florida. But his reply brief, the closing brief in the appeal now before the 11th Circuit, is due Friday. Its possible DOJ intends to push forward to resolve the legal issue, if possible, but still intends to wrap the case up before the end of the administration. Hopefully, no matter how Smith proceeds in Florida, he wont permit the investigative work that allowed him to build his case to disappear. The facts of the Washington, D.C., case, and much of the governments evidence, are publicly known. They were revealed in pleadings and extensively discussed in the media. There is a public record that preserves the evidence. But thats not the situation in the classified documents case, where aside from the material in the search warrant affidavit, very little is known beyond the basic facts. We dont know a lot about a case in which Americas next commander in chief is charged with mishandling classified information and obstructing the investigation into it. We dont know what Trumps motive was or what he did with any of the information. If Smith closes the classified documents case on his watch, hell be the one writing the final report that goes to the attorney general and is likely to be publicly released. That doesnt mean, by the way, that there would be full public disclosure of all of the evidence Smith and his team accumulated. There are restrictions, for instance, on the release of grand jury material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This situation is very different from special counsel Robert Muellers dilemma during the first Trump administration. In that case, Mueller declined to make a charging decision because a sitting president cant be indicted, so he would never get a day in court to establish his innocence if charges were recommended. As a result, Mueller simply laid out his evidence without making charging decisions. Thats not the dynamic in the Florida case. Trump and his co-defendants have already been charged, and the case, at least for now, is dismissed. If Smith writes a closing report, Justice Department officials will have to decide what is appropriate to include and be made public. They will have to determine whether, since the case was dismissed on a technical legal basis and did not proceed to a verdict based on the evidence, its appropriate to make the facts publicly known. That would be a departure from the normal practice when a court dismisses a prosecution, but this is not a normal case and there are important equities to be considered on both sides. The next commander in chief was charged by a grand jury with mishandling classified information and obstructing justice. There is value in having a public record documenting the evidence, regardless of what it reveals. A criminal trial is arguably the best vehicle for uncovering that truth. Unlike the court of public opinion, a jury hears the relevant evidence. The law is thoroughly explained. The members of the jury deliberate and decide whether the government has proven specific charges beyond a reasonable doubt. That will not happen here, which benefits no one neither the public, in whose name the case is prosecuted, nor the defendant, who will not have the opportunity to persuade a jury that he is not guilty. Given this imperfect situation, there should be, at minimum, a permanent public record of the evidence, in so far as releasing it complies with other legal restrictions. Thats a decision the Justice Department has the opportunity to make in the next two months, perhaps the most momentous one left to it in these cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com German opposition leader Friedrich Merz has welcomed his party's agreement with Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government to hold early elections in February. "February 23 is a good solution," Merz said in Berlin on Tuesday after a meeting with lawmakers from his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU). Merz - the favourite to become the country's next chancellor - said holding an election in January would have brought a whole host of difficulties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, he argued that Germany was losing around a month of valuable time needed to form a new government. The 69-year-old said a number of critical bills could yet be passed in the German parliament with his bloc's support, but Scholz must first hold a vote of confidence in order to formally kickstart the electoral process. Scholz is currently planning to table the vote on December 16, dpa understands. Its no secret that Oprah Winfrey was a staunch supporter of Kamala Harris during her Presidential campaign. The legendary talk show host made multiple public appearances for the Vice President this year. But her most notable show of support for Harris was in September, when Winfrey hosted a town hall in Michigan titled, Unite for America. Joined by a slew of celebrities virtually, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, and Ben Stiller, Harris discussed of myriad of topics important to voters such as abortion and gun violence. The Washington Examiner, a conservative publication, reported that Winfreys production company, Harpo Productions,was paid $1 million to host the town hall meeting. The story was picked up by Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, TMZ asked Winfrey to confirm if she that helped drum up support for Harris, and she did not hold back on her answer: Im not talking about the election, she said. When she was questioned if she was paid to endorse Harris, she said, Not true. I was paid nothing. Never. Harpo Productions also denied the claims, telling Variety in a statement, The campaign paid for the production costs of Unite for America, a live streaming event that took place Sept. 19 outside Detroit, Mich. Oprah Winfrey was at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee, nor did she receive a fee from Harpo. In August, Winfrey made an appearance at the Democratic National Convention in her stomping grounds of Chicago to not only get support for Harris but for the entire party. In November, just a day before the election, she spoke at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Penn. to help push the Harris/Walz campaign over the top. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. When Russia shot down a Korean Airlines flight in 1983 with air-to-air missiles, the crew and everyone on board paid the ultimate price for st Oprah Winfreys production company, Harpo Productions, has denied rumors that the TV host was paid $1 million to participate in an online event in support of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The campaign paid for the production costs of Unite for America, a livestreaming event that took place Sept. 19 outside Detroit, Michigan, a spokesperson for Harpo said in a statement, via Variety. Oprah Winfrey was at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee, nor did she receive a fee from Harpo. The statement comes following a report published by the Washington Examiner, which looked at how the Harris campaign used the $1 billion they raised over three months. The report said the campaign paid more than $15 million, according to federal filings, on event production. This included a $1 million payment to Harpo Productions for the Unite for America event, which took place in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several outlets subsequently reported that Winfrey herself was paid for the event. On Monday, TMZ published a video asking Winfrey if it was true that she was given $1 million to endorse Harris. Not true, Winfrey replied. I was paid nothing, ever. Winfrey was an avid Democratic supporter throughout the election cycle. In August, she spoke during the DNC, calling on independent and undecided voters to support Harris. America is an ongoing project, Winfrey told the crowd. It requires commitment. It requires being open to the hard work and the heart work of democracy and every now and then, it requires standing up to lifes bullies. She added, Let us choose the sweet promise of tomorrow over the bitter return to yesterday. We wont go back. We wont be set back, pushed back, bullied back, kicked back. Were not going back. Let us choose truth. Let us choose honor and let us choose joy! Because thats the best of America. The Unite for America event took place on Sept. 19 as a livestream. It featured Winfrey interviewing Harris along with appearances by Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, and Bryan Cranston. According to Reuters, Harris campaign said nearly 200,000 people signed up to watch the livestream, while nearly 100,000 people joined to watch on YouTube. Winfrey later joined Harris at her Philadelphia rally ahead of Election Day. 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. House Minority Leader Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, talks to reporters about the upcoming session with House Speaker Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, and House Majority Leader Julie Fahey, D-Eugene. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) State Rep. Jeff Helfrich will not seek reelection as minority leader in the Oregon House. The Hood River Republican, who represents the 52nd House District in the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood, made the announcement late Monday in a news release, indicating he wants to spend more time with his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, as I laid my father to rest, I found myself contemplating what truly matters in life. For me, its the unwavering love of family, Helfrich said. Helfrich, a retired Portland police officer who served in the Air Force during the First Gulf War, was elected minority leader last September. He took over for Republican Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, who stepped down. At the time, Helfrich was a newcomer to the House. He was appointed in 2017 to fill a vacancy but then lost to Democrat Anna Williams in 2018 and again in 2020. He won in 2022, after Williams had decided not to run again, citing the pay. Helfrich quickly rose to the minority leadership position, winning election last September, only nine months into his first full term. He won a second term in last Tuesdays election with a 3.6 point lead over Democrat Nick Walden Poublon. Also in the election, former Republican leader, Christine Drazan, who stepped down to make an unsuccessful bid for governor against now-Gov. Tina Kotek, won election on Tuesday to the 51st House District, which includes Canby. She could not be reached for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the statement, Helfrich said that under his leadership Republicans had rolled back a key part of Measure 110 by recriminalizing illegal drug possession, which kicked in on Sept. 1. Helfrich also said that Oregon Republicans had not only held their ground but had increased Republican votes throughout the state. Republicans did hold their ground in the House, thwarting Democratic attempts to increase their representation to a supermajority. Any party that holds 60% or 36 of the seats in the House can pass new taxes or increase taxes without the support of the other party. Democrats are just one seat short of a supermajority in the state House, but they gained a supermajority in the state Senate in Novembers election. Democrats also were elected in the three statewide positions up for a vote, with Former House Speaker Dan Rayfield winning the attorney generals race, outgoing Treasurer Tobias Read winning in the secretary of states race and state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner being elected treasurer. As leaders, Rayfield, Helfrich and then-House Majority Leader Julie Fahey worked together, just as Breese-Iverson had a working relationship with the Democratic leadership. Helfrich said he was optimistic about his partys future: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I move forward, I remain hopeful and excited about the future of conservatism in Oregon. Let us continue to champion the values that uplift the lives of everyday Oregonians: hard work, personal responsibility, and the belief that together we can build a stronger, more prosperous state, Helfrich said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Authorities said Joshua James McCoy, who has autism, was last seen on Nov. 9 Coos County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Joshua McCoy Joshua McCoy Authorities in Oregon say a mother woke up from a nap over the weekend to find her 5-year-old son had disappeared. Joshua James McCoy, who has autism, was last seen at his home on Stage Road in Hauser on Saturday, Nov. 9, according to a missing persons bulletin released by the Coos County Sheriffs Office (CCSO). The sheriffs office said the childs mother took a nap around 1:00 p.m. local time and awoke around 5:30 p.m. to find Joshua missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities revealed some clues were found early in the search for Joshua but noted nothing definitive was located. Related: Missing Man Found Dead Miles from Home with Loyal Pit Bull by His Side: 'Comforting Knowing He Wasnt Alone Nothing is being ruled out at this time as we are considering all possible avenues, the CCSO said in a statement on Monday, Nov. 11. We maintain hope that Joshua will be found alive and well. Joshua is said to be about 3 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs between 50 and 60 lbs., according to the missing persons bulletin. He has brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child is said to respond to either Josh or Joshie, although he may not respond when called to. 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. CORSAR, a search and rescue effort between seven counties in Oregon and California, is assisting with the search for Joshua, providing 61 ground personnel as well as aerial support and K-9 resources, according to the department. The sheriffs office has also requested assistance from State and Federal agencies and expects additional resources will arrive on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Missing 5-Year-Old Boy with Autism Found Dead in Pond Near Home: A Nightmare Almost always the person is found within 300 meters of the last known location, and weve already expanded well beyond the 300-meter point, said Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio, per CBS affiliate KPIC. Authorities are asking civilians not to attempt to search for Joshua in the area on their own at this time. The concern is that evidence would be missed or tainted with an overwhelming number of personnel on scene, the Coos County Sheriffs Office explained in their statement. The department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Anyone with information about Joshua is asked to call authorities at 541-269-8911. A 5-year-old Oregon boy whose mother said he vanished over the weekend while she was taking a nap has been found dead, authorities said Tuesday evening. Joshua James McCoy. The Coos County Sheriff's Office said the body of Joshua James McCoy was found Tuesday afternoon less than 2 miles from his home in Hauser, an unincorporated community that runs along Route 101 in Oregon. No other details were immediately released. Joshua, who officials said had autism and went by Josh or Joshie, was reported missing after sundown Saturday. His mom told officers that she and her son had both fallen asleep Saturday afternoon and that when she woke up at 5:30 p.m., Joshua was gone, according to the sheriffs office, which did not identify his mother by name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children on the autism spectrum tend to wander, or elope, from home and other safe places at a higher rate than their peers, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The child protection organization says children with autism may be drawn to dangerous environments such as bodies of water, construction sites, highways and train tracks. In a statement Tuesday evening, a sheriffs spokesman, Sgt. Christopher Gill, said that "it is with immense sadness that we have to report that missing Joshua McCoy has been found deceased." Gill said that as part of the search, a "pond on the property was drained and nothing of interest was located." The sheriffs office said in an update Monday evening on Facebook that teams had been searching for Joshua using drones and K-9 units, among other resources. It also said it had requested additional assistance from state and federal agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities did not answer questions Tuesday evening about whether any charges were possible. "The investigation is still ongoing," Gill said in an email. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Rep. David Osborne has again been chosen by his Republican colleagues to serve as Kentucky House speaker. (LRC Public Information) Rep. David Osborne has won a fourth term as speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, the first Republican to accomplish that, according to the House Majority Caucus. He had no opposition for his new term, the caucus said in a news release, after members gathered ahead of the 2025 legislative session and chose their leaders on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am humbled by the support of this Caucus and look forward to continuing in my role as Speaker of the House, Osborne, R-Prospect, said in a statement. Our legislative agenda for the 2025 session reflects those priorities and continues to build on what weve already done to cut taxes, create jobs, invest in road, water and technology infrastructure and drive economic investment throughout the commonwealth. House Republicans also reelected other members of their leadership team. Speaker Pro Tem David Meade, R-Stanford, will serve a fourth term in that role. Rep. Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, was reelected House majority floor leader. Rep. Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro, will remain as caucus chair and Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, will be majority whip for a second term. The leadership team is already engaged in preparing for the upcoming session, the caucus said in a statement. Legislators are expected to take the next step in eliminating the state individual income tax by lowering it to 3.5% in 2026. Lawmakers will also continue their efforts to provide resources to address the workforce shortage, strengthen education, and eliminate the burden of unnecessary government intrusion. Osborne and Meade will be affirmed by the House when the new session begins on Jan. 7. You will see us build on what we have accomplished since being given the majority in 2016, Osborne said. We are going to pass good, intentional policies that strengthen our states position and take into consideration the basic premise that state government should put the people of Kentucky first. Since the beginning of the day, 110 combat clashes have occurred on the battlefield. Most of these clashes were reported on the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk fronts. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Details: On the Pokrovsk front, the Russians launched 24 assaults against the communities of Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Hryhorivka, Pustynka, and Novooleksiivka. The Ukrainian army has repelled 13 attacks, and nine combat clashes are currently ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Kurakhove front, the Russians launched 41 attacks. Quote: "The occupiers 17 intents to advance have already been repulsed. The clashes continue, with the hottest spots currently being around Illinka and Novoselydivka. Enemy aircraft assaulted Kurakhove, Dalnie and Andriivka, dropping 10 guided bombs," the report says. It is also reported that in Kursk Oblast, Ukraines defence forces "repelled 7 enemy attacks, 7 combat clashes are still ongoing". On 12 November, the Russians carried out 8 air strikes in that area, dropping 11 guided aerial bombs on their own territory. Support UP or become our patron! Carlos Santiago, an ambassador and driver for the Greater Hartford Harm Reduction Coalition, which is 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. (Courtesy of Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance) 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, like Oregon Capital Chronicle, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. A pregnant woman who wants an abortion is suing in Jefferson Circuit Court to challenge Kentucky laws banning the procedure, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Tuesday. (ACLU photo by Kira Meador) LOUISVILLE A pregnant woman who wants an abortion is suing in Jefferson Circuit Court to challenge Kentucky laws banning the procedure, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Tuesday. The plaintiff, identified by the pseudonym Mary Poe in the lawsuit, said in a statement that ending my pregnancy is the best decision for me and my family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel overwhelmed and frustrated that I cannot access abortion care here in my own state, and I have started the difficult process of arranging to get care in another state where its legal, Poe said. This involves trying to take time off work and securing child care, all of which place an enormous burden on me. This is my personal decision, a decision I believe should be mine alone, not one made by anyone else. Among others, the lawsuit names as defendantsAttorney General Russell Coleman and Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander. In a statement, Coleman said, my position has not changed. Its the Attorney Generals responsibility to defend the laws passed by the General Assembly, and we will zealously work to uphold these laws in court, Coleman said. After listening to prosecutors, crime victims and my family, I believe the law should be amended to include exceptions for rape and incest in addition to the existing exception for life and health of the mother. This mainstream position is consistent with my faith, and I believe is shared by most Kentuckians, including so many who consider themselves pro-life. Irreparable harms Poe, who is about seven weeks pregnant and lives in Louisville, is asking that the states abortion bans be overturned and declared unconstitutional and unenforceable, according to the 42-page lawsuit. The court document also states the bans and the irreparable harms they inflict are an affront to the health and dignity of all Kentuckians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also states that Mary Poe and the other putative and future class members are suffering medical, constitutional, and irreparable harm because they are denied the ability to obtain an abortion. Amber Duke, executive director for the ACLU of Kentucky, said in a statement that voters rejection of Amendment 2 in 2022 showed Kentuckians support access to abortion care without government interference. That amendment would have stated that there is no right to abortion in the commonwealths Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While that victory at the ballot box kept an abortion ban out of the state Constitution, this lawsuit, brought by a person actively seeking care, is the next step in overturning the bans currently in place, Duke said. We hope for an ultimate victory that aligns with the will of the people and overturns these unconstitutional bans. Poe said she wants to ensure that other Kentuckians will not have to go through what I am going through, and instead will be able to get the health care they need in our community. Standing versus merit Kentuckians defeated an anti-abortion constitutional amendment on Nov. 8, 2022. Bans off our bodies balloons decorated the Protect Kentucky Access watch party that night in Louisville. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes) Poes lawsuit is the fourth challenging Kentucky abortion laws since the United States Supreme Court in 2022 overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that had protected the right to abortion for almost 50 years. The ruling triggered Kentuckys ban into effect. The first challenge, filed by abortion providers, advanced in Jefferson Circuit Court but was rejected on appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last December, a woman filed a lawsuit similar to the newest challenge, stating she was pregnant and did not wish to be. Within days of filing her lawsuit, though, the pregnancy lost viability and she ended her challenge of the law. In two cases, Kentucky courts, including the state Supreme Court, have rejected challenges to the ban on grounds that the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the action; the U.S. Supreme Court has likewise avoided ruling on the merits of abortion bans. Kentuckys Supreme Court is changing in makeup after the Nov. 5 election. In January, Appeals Court Judge Pamela Goodwine will succeed Justice Laurance VanMeter, the current chief justice, who did not seek reelection. For the first time, Kentuckys highest court will be majority female. This story may be updated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX President-elect Donald Trump isnt expected to waste any time going through with the plan to move Space Command headquarters out of Colorado Springs to Alabama. Space Command employs about 1,700 people and draws not just on Space Force capability, but also from across the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and the Navy. It has been the center of a years-long controversy about whether to put its headquarters in Colorado or Alabama. Trump has favored the deep-red Alabama, while Biden favored the deep-blue Colorado. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., told Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5 that Trump would settle the dispute as one of his first moves in office. President Trump said in the campaign that he was going to reverse that decision if elected, he said, referring to President Joe Bidens decision to move the headquarters to Colorado. But I knew he would because if you remember, not only did Alabama win two nationwide competitions, but President Trumps secretary of the Air Force recommended Huntsville, President Bidens secretary of the Air Force recommended Huntsville, and then Biden took it away for political reasons. But its going to be a big point now because President Trumps already announced it, and I think youll see in the first week that hes in office, hell sign an executive order reversing Bidens directive, he continued. And we will start construction next year in Huntsville. Space Command reached the full operational capability in December a milestone that showed it command has personnel with the right skills, the correct infrastructure and the right command processes and functions. It also judged whether the command can accomplish its command plan in addition to completing exercises and responding to crisis, among other factors, according to a news release at the time. The ability to reach full operational capability faster in Colorado Springs was a factor throughout the debate about whether to move it to Alabama. The office of Rep.-elect Jeff Crank, R-Colorado Springs, expressed its opposition to the prospect of a move. Speaking with Al.com, Crank pledged to resist any attempt to move the headquarters to Alabama. He also issued some rare criticism of the president-elect by an elected Republican. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. With Donald Trump, you never know, he said. He changes his positions and his stance on issues by the day, and sometimes by the hour. If he wants to build out the Space Force and Space Command and have it meet the national security moment and our threats, then he will keep it here. A spokeswoman for Sen. Michael Bennet D.- Colo. said he would also work to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs. Colorado is the rightful home for Space Command. Our states space and military assets are critical to Americas national security, and Colorado is the best place for our service members and their families to train, live, work, and retire. No matter who is in the White House, Sen. Bennet will keep fighting for the nearly 58,000 members of Colorados military community, Larkin Parker said, in a statement. The Biden administration always defended its move to keep the headquarters in Colorado Springs as a purely national security-focused move, without any political considerations. Its main argument was the perceived threat to readiness. A senior White House official told The Gazette last year that Biden primarily considered the impact a move would have to operational readiness to confront space-enabled threats during a critical time in this dynamic security environment. U.S. Space Command headquarters will achieve full operational capability at Colorado Springs later this month. Maintaining the headquarters there maintains operational readiness and ensures no disruption to its mission or to its personnel. A senior administration official told the Washington Examiner at the time of Bidens decision that a new site in Alabama would not open until the early to mid-2030s. Space Command is separate from the Space Force and provides combatant commanders with support such as weather monitoring; space control; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; position, navigation and timing; satellite communications; and missile warning, according to previous Gazette reporting. The command is focused on the area 62 miles above the Earth, above the realm of spy balloons, but in an area beset with space junk and a rapidly growing number of satellites, particularly from political rivals such as China. The command supports 680 organizations flying 7,500 satellites, Space Command head Gen. James Dickinson said in previous written testimony to Congress. The command operates a 24/7 operations center that tracks and reports major space incidents. For example, the center tracked Russias direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test in November 2021 that generated more than 1,500 pieces of orbital debris. Since the August announcement, defense companies such as Boecore and Infinity Systems Engineering have announced major expansion plans. The Gazettes Mary Shinn contributed to this story. Parents and educators at Clovis Unifieds Pinedale Elementary School say theyve seen a troubling rise in drug use, loitering and antisocial behavior near the campus and want a greater police presence in the north Fresno neighborhood. Debra Bolls, principal of Pinedale Elementary, said the school and neighborhood west of the busy Blackstone Avenue corridor have always grappled with homelessness in the 14 years shes worked at the campus. But several observations this school year have left Bolls alarmed and concerned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The principal says she often sees people sitting at the schools ramp on weekday evenings using drugs. Staff spotted a needle on a grass patch outside the campus where children walk by each school day. On a recent morning sweep, Pinedale Elementary staff found a utility knife underneath the kindergarten playground, Bolls said. Bolls told dozens of concerned parents at a recent meeting at Pinedale Elementary that staff have seen people out during daylight using drugs and are trying to prevent our students from becoming desensitized. It is not uncommon to see people wandering near the campus, Bolls said. For years, school administrators have gotten familiar with the faces of the homeless people who wander in the neighborhood with few incidents. That changed this year, Bolles said. Pinedale Elementary educators have seen an influx of homelessness and theyve witnessed people smoking drugs, urinating and defecating outside the school, spending the night on campus and leaving potentially hazardous materials at or near the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We used to know who our unhoused people were, Bolls said. Our current reality is not only do we not know the people or why theyre coming through here, but theyre doing drugs around our school site. Pinedale Elementary parents and the school have been concerned about the homeless doing drugs and leaving drug paraphenalia on school grounds and the playground at night. Photographed Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 in Pinedale. Located near the busy intersection of Blackstone Avenue and Herndon Avenue, Pinedale Elementary sits across the street from a commercial block home to a motel, liquor store and a smoke shop that opened last year. Parents and community members who attended a meeting at the school earlier this month told The Bee the situation has worsened since the smoke shop opened. They are finding drugs. Having to tell your child not to pick anything up, not to touch anything, to tell an adult when people come into school, you shouldnt have to do that, said Alejandra Chavez, a Pinedale Elementary parent. Unfortunately it has not become a safe zone for anybody. All parents are on high alert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolls tried to reassure a group of 50 or so anxious parents and community members that the school is trying to bolster safety at the school. Staff sweep the campus early in the morning, the principal said. Bushes outside the school grounds were cleared so loiterers cant hide and defecate, Bolles added. The school plans to install fencing and lighting around the campus, as well as cut off power from outdoor electrical outlets after school hours. Clovis Unified has an open campus policy, meaning the district considers its school sites as amenities to their communities, and kids can play at school grounds on the weekend. Clovis Unified Trustee Clinton Olivier, whose area of representation includes Pinedale Elementary, said the school district doesnt want Pinedale Elementary to become the first school in the district to rescind its open campus policy because of homelessness. Pinedale Elementary parents and the school have concern after noticing an increase of homeless doing drugs and leaving drug paraphenalia on school grounds at night ever since a smoke shop opened near a liquor store and motel along Blackstone Avenue. Photographed Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 in Pinedale. Olivier said he is working with Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi and Fresno Police Department, and is lobbying for Pinedale Elementary to have its own on-site police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clovis Unified has its own police department with officers stationed at each secondary school site throughout the day. Bolls said if she calls for help during the school day, the nearby Clovis West High School or one of the intermediate schools can dispatch an officer to Pinedale. Officers also patrol Pinedale at night. We have support, but we still have ongoing issues, said Bolls. Fresnos new anti-camping ordinance gives police the authority to arrest unhoused people camping in public places. A Fresno Police Department representative told Pinedale parents that police are using the new ordinance to relocate homeless people from school zones, and encouraged parents to report disturbances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community members from the Pinedale neighborhood are also trying to help. Linda Amparano, a Pinedale resident of 35 years, noticed the deteriorating situation before the school year started and called for volunteers on Facebook to stand guard near the campus an hour before school starts. At least 10 volunteers show up daily, Amparano said. Its proven effective at deterring loiterers, she said, If theyre going to choose this lifestyle, they need to do it somewhere else, not in front of the school, thats not appropriate, I dont want our kids to be desensitized to that, Amparano said. I dont know any parent who would want that by their school. Former Republican U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte won the New Hampshire governors seat Tuesday, giving her a platform to push for the universal school choice and parental rights she called for during the campaign. Ayotte beat Democrat Joyce Craig, the former mayor of Manchester, the states largest city, with 53.6 percent of the vote. Ayotte previously served one term in the Senate from 2011 through 2016 after four years as New Hampshires attorney general. The race gained national attention after Ayotte backed, then criticized; and then again backed iPresident-Elect Donald Trump between 2016 and today. Ayottes anti-abortion stance was another sharp difference between her and Craig that attracted attention. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter But the candidates also took different positions on school choice issues, mostly centering on New Hampshires Education Freedom Accounts, a plan the state created in 2021 to give parents money to spend on private school tuition or approved homeschooling expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar to vouchers, the accounts give parents $4,100 a year if family income is under 350 percent of the federal poverty level, or $109,000 a year for a family of four. More money is available for families with lower income, English language learners or students with disabilities. Attempts to expand eligibility for the money this year won some support in the state legislature, but not enough to pass. Ayotte has repeatedly called for choice to be universal, not just expanded to some groups. I believe that parents make the best decisions for their children, Ayotte said when she started her campaign last year. Im a strong believer in education freedomwe want to give every child in this state the opportunity to go to the school or the educational setting that is best for them. Ayottes husband, Joseph Daley is a math teacher at a private school, St. Christopher Academy in Nashua, where students use the accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her opponent vigorously opposed the accounts, calling them a voucher scheme that takes millions of dollars of tax money away from public schools. The American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire endorsed Craig, calling the accounts a tax on middle class families to help the rich. Ayotte also pledged to back and sign a parental bill of rights if elected. There have been several bills in New Hampshire and nationally. Ayottes campaign did not clarify what the bill would include. The most prominent in New Hampshire, shelved by the legislature last year, required schools to share with parents if students identify as a different gender at school, including using different names. That bill sparked emotional debate last year, with the LGBTQ community saying students have the right to not be outed to judgmental parents and parents saying they have a right to raise their children as they want. The New Hampshire Supreme Court this August backed the Manchester school district policy of withholding gender identity information from parents, the first state supreme court to rule on an issue flaring up in several states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ayotte, however, said throughout the campaign and on her campaign website that she will enthusiastically work to pass and sign the Parental Bill of Rights. Parents have a right to decide what is best for their child period, according to her site. The ball is now in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's court after political party leaders in Germany agreed to hold early parliamentary elections on February 23. Here are the next steps: \- Scholz puts forward a motion in the Bundestag for a vote of confidence in his government in the expectation that it fails as he no longer holds a majority. \- The Bundestag votes on the motion 48 hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement \- The chancellor proposes the dissolution of the Bundestag to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier under the terms of Article 68 of the German constitution. \- Steinmeier then has 21 days to dissolve the Bundestag. The constitution does not compel him to do so. \- If the president does dissolve the Bundestag, he will simultaneously set a date for the elections. This has to take place within 60 days of the dissolution of the Bundestag, according to Article 39 of the constitution. \- The president normally follows the government's recommendation for an election date. \- Elections are expected to take place on Sunday, February 23 - less than three and a half months from now. German national elections always take place on a Sunday. In April, just 12 weeks into her pregnancy, Kathleen Clark was standing at the receptionist window of her OB-GYNs office when she was asked to pay $960, the total the office estimated she would owe after she delivered. Clark, 39, was shocked that she was asked to pay that amount during this second prenatal visit. Normally, patients receive the bill after insurance has paid its part, and for pregnant people thats usually only when the pregnancy ends. It would be months before the office filed the claim with her health insurer. Clark said she felt stuck. The Cleveland, Tennessee, obstetrics practice was affiliated with a birthing center where she wanted to deliver. Plus, she and her husband had been wanting to have a baby for a long time. And Clark was emotional, because just weeks earlier her mother had died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre standing there at the window, and theres people all around, and youre trying to be really nice, recalled Clark, through tears. So, I paid it. On online baby message boards and other social media forums, pregnant people say they are being asked by their providers to pay out-of-pocket fees earlier than expected. The practice is legal, but patient advocacy groups call it unethical. Medical providers argue that asking for payment up front ensures they get compensated for their services. How frequently this happens is hard to track because it is considered a private transaction between the provider and the patient. Therefore, the payments are not recorded in insurance claims data and are not studied by researchers. Patients, medical billing experts, and patient advocates say the billing practice causes unexpected anxiety at a time of already heightened stress and financial pressure. Estimates can sometimes be higher than what a patient might ultimately owe and force people to fight for refunds if they miscarry or the amount paid was higher than the final bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up-front payments also create hurdles for patients who may want to switch providers if they are unhappy with their care. In some cases, they may cause pregnant people to forgo prenatal care altogether, especially in places where few other maternity care options exist. Its holding their treatment hostage, said Caitlin Donovan, a senior director at the Patient Advocate Foundation. Medical billing and womens health experts believe OB-GYN offices adopted the practice to manage the high cost of maternity care and the way it is billed for in the United States. When a pregnancy ends, OB-GYNs typically file a single insurance claim for routine prenatal care, labor, delivery and, often, postpartum care. That practice of bundling all maternity care into one billing code began three decades ago, said Lisa Satterfield, senior director of health and payment policy at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. But such bundled billing has become outdated, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, pregnant patients had been subject to copayments for each prenatal visit, which might lead them to skip crucial appointments to save money. But the Affordable Care Act now requires all commercial insurers to fully cover certain prenatal services. Plus, its become more common for pregnant people to switch providers, or have different providers handle prenatal care, labor and delivery especially in rural areas where patient transfers are common. Some providers say prepayments allow them to spread out one-time payments over the course of the pregnancy to ensure that they are compensated for the care they do provide, even if they dont ultimately deliver the baby. You have people who, unfortunately, are not getting paid for the work that they do, said Pamela Boatner, who works as a midwife in a Georgia hospital. Kathleen Clark felt stuck after her OB-GYNs office in Cleveland, Tennessee, asked her to pay $960 just weeks into her pregnancy. It would be months before the medical provider could file a claim with her insurer, but she went ahead and paid the bill. (Joseph Slayton) While she believes patients should receive pregnancy care regardless of their ability to pay, she also understands that some providers want to make sure their bill isnt ignored after the baby is delivered. New parents might be overloaded with hospital bills and the costs of caring for a new child, and they may lack income if a parent isnt working, Boatner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the United States, having a baby can be expensive. People who obtain health insurance through large employers pay an average of nearly $3,000 out-of-pocket for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. In addition, many people are opting for high-deductible health insurance plans, leaving them to shoulder a larger share of the costs. Of the 100 million U.S. people with health care debt, 12 percent attribute at least some of it to maternity care, according to a 2022 KFF poll. Families need time to save money for the high costs of pregnancy, childbirth and child care, especially if they lack paid maternity leave, said Joy Burkhard, CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, a Los Angeles-based policy think tank. Asking them to prepay is another gut punch, she said. What if you dont have the money? Do you put it on credit cards and hope your credit card goes through? Calculating the final costs of childbirth depends on multiple factors, such as the timing of the pregnancy, plan benefits and health complications, said Erin Duffy, a health policy researcher at the University of Southern Californias Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. The final bill for the patient is unclear until a health plan decides how much of the claim it will cover, she said. But sometimes the option to wait for the insurer is taken away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Jamie Daws first pregnancy in 2020, her OB-GYN accepted her refusal to pay in advance because Daw wanted to see the final bill. But in 2023, during her second pregnancy, a private midwifery practice in New York told her that since she had a high-deductible plan, it was mandatory to pay $2,000 spread out with monthly payments. Daw, a health policy researcher at Columbia University, delivered in September 2023 and got a refund check that November for $640 to cover the difference between the estimate and the final bill. I study health insurance, she said. But, as most of us know, its so complicated when youre really living it. While the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover some prenatal services, it doesnt prohibit providers from sending their final bill to patients early. It would be a challenge politically and practically for state and federal governments to attempt to regulate the timing of the payment request, said Sabrina Corlette, a co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. Medical lobbying groups are powerful and contracts between insurers and medical providers are proprietary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the legal gray area, Lacy Marshall, an insurance broker at Rapha Health and Life in Texas, advises clients to ask their insurer if they can refuse to prepay their deductible. Some insurance plans prohibit providers in their network from requiring payment up front. If the insurer says they can refuse to pay up front, Marshall said, she tells clients to get established with a practice before declining to pay, so that the provider cant refuse treatment. Clark said she met her insurance deductible after paying for genetic testing, extra ultrasounds and other services out of her health care flexible spending account. Then she called her OB-GYNs office and asked for a refund. I got my spine back, said Clark, who had previously worked at a health insurer and a medical office. She got an initial check for about half the $960 she originally paid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, Clark was sent to the hospital after her blood pressure spiked. A high-risk pregnancy specialist not her original OB-GYN practice delivered her son, Peter, prematurely via emergency cesarean section at 30 weeks. It was only after she resolved most of the bills from the delivery that she received the rest of her refund from the other OB-GYN practice. This final check came in October, just days after Clark brought Peter home from the hospital, and after multiple calls to the office. She said it all added stress to an already stressful period. Why am I having to pay the price as a patient? she said. Im just trying to have a baby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. The post Pay first, deliver later: Some pregnant people are being asked to prepay for their baby appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WHTM) Theres a lot of soul-searching in the Democratic Party after a red wave election. Theres also an intra-party food fight in Philadelphia, the biggest city in the most important battleground state. The Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign began with much promise in Philadelphia this summer, but by fall it fizzled in Philly. The border and economic anxiety were two things that Democrats knew were a problem two years ago and they did nothing to address either of them, says Democratic strategist Mike Manzo. His advice to the party is to not overreact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have a tendency to overreact, to burn the house down, said Manzo. But its, you know, step back, hone your message a bit. The house is ablaze in Philly after Harris got approximately 45,000 fewer votes than Joe Biden did four years ago. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter I would like to have, you know, a little bit better, better cooperation, expressed Bob Brady, the longtime Chairman of the Democratic Party of Philadelphia. Hes been an ambassador to presidents past and present, from having cheesesteaks with Bill Clinton to welcoming Joe Biden on the tarmac in Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We tried to get cooperation as best as we can, but it just didnt happen, you know, and thats a shame, said Brady. The Harris campaign bristled at the suggestion saying Brady wanted cash more than cooperation. Chairman Bradys decades-long practice of fleecing campaigns for money to make up for his own lack of fundraising ability or leadership is a worthless endeavor that no future campaign should ever be forced to entertain again, said Brendan McPhillips, a senior advisor to the Harris campaign. Brady responded saying yes, thats totally ridiculous. There have been calls for Brady to step aside following disastrous election results in Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve been saying that for years, said Brady. They dont like me and Im not that fond of them. Brady adviser Gianni Hill crunched the numbers and says New York, Miami, Detroit, and Chicago bled Democratic votes more than Philadelphia, and that other candidates had something to do with it. In coming years, the parties and the names may change. What wont change? Experts say Pennsylvania will continue to be a very important battleground state. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. (WHTM) It is beginning to look like the holiday season in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry inspected 749 toys to make sure they were safe and compliant. The toys will be donated to families across Pennsylvania through the Department of Human Services annual Holiday Wish Program, which kicked off today. Were making sure that theres nothing that could come off that could pose a choking hazard like eyes on toys that might be able to come off and kids can ingest and choke or materials that would come out and again be a choking hazard or something that kids would eat, said Nancy Walker, the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. So were just making sure that the seams are secure and the materials are otherwise safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts It really becomes like a whole a government response to make sure that families wishes are met, added Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The DHS county assistant offices help select the families, and the National Guard helps others deliver the toys. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WHTM) Republican Dave McCormick is in Washington attending Senate orientation as votes continue to be counted in his race against incumbent Senator Bob Casey. According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, the race between Casey and McCormick as of Tuesday afternoon is separated by about 33,000 votes and within the half-percent margin for an automatic recount. The Associated Press has projected McCormick as the winner, however, votes are continuing to be counted across the state. Overseas and military ballots have until 5 p.m. on November 12 to be delivered and provisional ballots are undergoing a review process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of State says once unofficial returns from all counties are received on Tuesday afternoon the Secretary of the Commonwealth will determine whether an automatic statewide recount has been triggered in the U.S. Senate race. Casey has continuously called for all votes to be counted in the race and on Tuesday thanked election workers for their service. 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. By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was sentenced on Tuesday to 15 years in prison for leaking online highly classified U.S. military documents, including some related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Teixeira, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston after pleading guilty in March to perpetrating what federal prosecutors have called "one of the most significant and consequential violations" of U.S. anti-espionage law ever committed. He apologized in court for his actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm sorry for all of the harm that I've brought and that I've caused," Teixeira, dressed in an orange jail uniform, told Talwani during his sentencing hearing. The judge said that despite extensive training on how to handle classified documents and warnings about the penalties for disclosing them, Teixeira "posted on the internet, on Discord, hundreds of documents over a period of a year." "The fact that others did not do more to stop you is truly unfortunate," she told Teixeira. Teixeira, who has remained in custody since his arrest in April 2023, pleaded guilty to six counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information relating to national defense over a leak last year of a trove of classified records to a group of gamers on the Discord messaging app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of his sentencing, Teixeira also agreed to resolve separate military charges brought by the Air Force that he obstructed justice and failed to obey a lawful order, defense lawyer Michael Bachrach said in court. The Air Force declined to confirm a deal had been reached, while noting Teixeira currently faces a court-martial in March. Before his arrest, Teixeira had been an airman first class at Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, where he worked as a cyber defense operations journeyman, or information technology support specialist. Despite being a low-level airman, Teixeira held a top-secret security clearance. Starting in January 2022, he began accessing hundreds of classified documents related to topics including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to prosecutors. Teixeira shared classified information on Discord in private servers while bragging that he had access to "stuff for Israel, Palestine, Syria, Iran and China," according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He did so even though his superiors admonished him twice in 2022 about his handling of classified information and warned him against conducting deep dives into intelligence information, prosecutors said. His leaks included information concerning the U.S. provision of equipment to Ukraine and how it would be used, following Russia's 2022 invasion. Prosecutors pushed for nearly 17 years in prison, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Dolan said would ensure Teixeira would be "a cautionary tale for the men and women in the military and the clearance holders in the U.S. government." Teixeira's lawyers had urged Talwani to impose only an 11-year term. They said Teixeira was autistic and isolated, and that his intent was never to harm the United States but to educate friends he made online about world events, including the Ukraine war. "He naively believed he could trust his friends," Bachrach said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, the U.S. Air Force announced it had moved to discipline 15 personnel over the leak and relieved Colonel Sean Riley of the command of the unit to which Teixeira belonged. It did so after an Air Force inspector general report on the incident found that some members of Teixeira's unit and leadership "had information about as many as four separate instances of his questionable activity." (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Will Dunham, Alexia Garamfalvi, Rod Nickel and Lisa Shumaker) A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty earlier this year to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act following his arrest in the most consequential national security case in years. He was brought into court in an orange jumpsuit and showed no visible reaction as he was sentenced by US District Judge Indira Talwani. Earlier in the hearing he apologized before the judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors had originally requested a 17-year sentence for Teixeira, saying he perpetrated one of the most significant and consequential violations of the Espionage Act in American history. Defense attorneys had sought an 11-year sentence. In their sentence memorandum, they acknowledged that their client made a terrible decision which he repeated over 14 months, But they argued that Teixeiras actions, though criminal, were never meant to harm the United States. He also had no prior criminal record. The security breach raised alarm over the United States ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain the diplomatic and military fallout. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com If youre someone is a big advocate for animals and youre looking to put more of that passion in the right place, then we have the two most perfect opportunities for you. There are two events in this edition of our Pet Community Calendar that will benefit you, local rescues, and the animals they take care of. The Central Vermont Humane Society is looking for new volunteers in and around the East Montpelier community. CVHS is even offering a Volunteer Orientation over Zoom on December 2nd from 7 PM to 8:30 PM. This session allows you to ask questions about how you can chip in and help your local homeless pet community. Central Vermont Humane Society are hoping to garner more volunteers to help clean the facility, but they are also looking for potential fosterers for their cats and kittens. If you can help out in any capacity and have a free two hours every week, then please consider helping CVHS. You can find more information on their website, www.centralvermonthumane.org. The Rutland County Humane Society is also asking for the publics help in finding more foster parents. Instead of cat and kitten fosterers, RCHS is seeking foster parents for their precious pups that are awaiting their Forever Homes. If you live around Rutland County or southern Vermont, consider helping these fine, friendly folks out in a big way. You can visit www.rchsvt.org for more information, or you can reach out to Carissa at volunteer@rchsvt.org. They say it takes a village to raise a kid but in the case of these local shelters, it often takes villages to help keep up with the stray pet population. Thank you for checking out these new, upcoming Pet Community Calendar events, and an extra big thanks to those who are willing to spread the word. If you have any other Pet Community Calendar events you would like us to add for the near future, SkyTracker Meteorologist Alex Wasilenko is awaiting your message. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Tuesday that he didn't expect President-elect Donald Trumps next administration would demand that the Philippines pay more for military protection because both allies faced the shared threat of China. Teodoro was speaking at a news conference with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles following an inaugural bilateral annual meeting aimed at improving security ties. Asked if Trump would expect the Philippines, like Taiwan, to pay for U.S. protection, Teodoro replied: I really dont expect some sort of a statement from Mr. Trump, hopefully not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really dont have any preconditions or any assumptions as to what will be the outcome of this administration, except on what we are working on on institutional ties, he said. We have an interest, both the United States and the Philippines, in ensuring that our partnership continues because not totally, but principally ... of shared threats. And that is undoubtedly the overreach and the aggressive and illegal activities of China, he added. Marles said that Australia had been confident that regardless of the U.S. presidential election outcome, Australias alliance with Washington would remain in good shape. What we see in the election of President Trump and in the formation of his administration, is an administration which will maintain Americas role of leadership in the world, which is really important in terms of maintaining the global rules-based order, which is very much in Australias national interest, Marles said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed two laws reaffirming the extent of his countrys maritime territories and right to resources, including in the South China Sea, angering China, which claims the hotly disputed waterway almost in its entirety. Chinas Foreign Ministry said it summoned the Philippine ambassador to China to lodge a stern protest. The ministry condemned the move as an attempt to solidify the illegal ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case through domestic legislation. Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the disputed sea passage have spiked alarmingly since last year. That has sparked fears that the United States Manilas longtime treaty ally may get drawn in a major conflict. The laws, called the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, were signed by Marcos in a nationally televised ceremony attended by top military and national security officials. They further cement Manilas rejection of Chinas claims to virtually the entire sea passage, and stipulate jail terms and stiff fines for violators. By Peter Hobson and Lewis Jackson CANBERRA (Reuters) -China is stepping up pressure on the Philippines to concede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, Manila's Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Tuesday after meeting his Australian counterpart in Canberra. The fifth such meeting since August 2023 reflects growing security ties between the countries, which have both voiced concern about Chinese activity in areas of the busy waterway claimed by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What we see is an increasing demand by Beijing for us to concede our sovereign rights in the area," Teodoro said after meeting Australian counterpart Richard Marles, adding that the Philippines was a "victim of Chinese aggression". The two countries signed a strategic partnership in September 2023 before holding their first joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea months later. This year, the Philippines also joined war games in Australia for the first time. A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing has taken measures to assert its rights after the Philippines "infringed first". "If the Philippines no longer infringes and provokes, there will be no more escalation of the maritime situation," Lin Jian told a press briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China and the Philippines have sparred repeatedly this year over disputed areas of the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal, one of Asia's most contested places. On Sunday, China said had defined a baseline of "territorial waters" around the shoal in response to Philippine approval of two laws defining its sea lanes and maritime zones to bolster its territorial claims around the South China Sea. Manila's national maritime council said on Tuesday it objected to China's establishment of baselines and accused Beijing of violating its sovereignty. "The establishment of the baselines by China around the shoal is a continuation of its 2012 illegal seizure of the shoal, which the Philippines continues to strongly oppose," it said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has ramped up its maritime patrols in the South China Sea, state-backed Global Times said late on Monday, deploying vessels capable of longer patrols and stricter enforcement after the Philippines passed new laws to protect its rights in the vast waterway. Thousand tonne-class ships with "strong cruising and resupply capabilities" will be used, while hundred tonne-class patrol boats with "high maneuverability and flexible enforcement tactics" will enable pursuit and interception of fast-moving targets and boarding inspections, the Global Times said. Since seizing the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 after a standoff with the Philippines, China has maintained a constant deployment there of coastguard and fishing trawlers, some accused by Manila of being maritime militia. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, a ruling Beijing rejects. Teodoro said China's claims and behaviour were contrary to international law and defence deals with partners such as Australia were an important way to deter Chinese incursions. "Although they (China) claim to act under the aegis of international law, everybody knows that what they're doing is contrary to the tenets of international law," he said. "The biggest evidence of this is that nobody has actually supported their actions or activities." In addition to closer ties with countries such as Australia and the United States, the Philippines also plans to spend at least $33 billion on new weapons, such as advanced fighter jets and mid-range missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marles said Australia wanted to work more closely with the Philippine defence industry and would send an engineering assessment team there early next year. (Reporting by Peter Hobson, Lewis Jackson and Alasdair Pal; Additional reporting by Mikhail Flores in Manila and Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Kim Coghill) The streets of Phoenix were filled with patriotism and pride on Veterans Day as people gathered to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Phoenix Veterans Day Parade brought together service members, veterans, community groups, families and civilians for a morning of remembrance, unity and gratitude. Members of the military marched with pride, joined by dancers, bands and children waving flags. Veterans from all branches of the military, representing various generations of service, took to the streets, some marching and others riding in military vehicles, to be recognized and appreciated by the supportive community. Spectators lined the streets, watching as participants made their way through the parade route, each group paying tribute to the courage and sacrifices of those in uniform. Kids waved flags and cheered, while dancers brought energy to the crowd. Flag-draped military vehicles rolled by, serving as a reminder of the country's commitment to honoring its veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One attendee, Billie Brodman, who has a long family history of military service, expressed the depth of her appreciation. "My husband was in the military. All eight of my brothers were in the military. My father was in the military. My father-in-law was in the military; he served in World War I," Brodman shared with emotion. I am here to honor the men. They came here to march and to be seen. They want our presence and to support them. For Brodman, this day also held a deeply personal meaning. She recounted her youngest brothers experience after returning home with a Purple Heart and Silver Star, having saved many lives. "He suffered from PTSD for 10 years and couldnt go to any of the ceremonies. His wife pushed him out the door, and he came back crying," Brodman said. The hugs he received from the men who served with him, that alone is why I am here, just to stand for a few minutes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to honoring those in uniform, the parade served as a place for veterans and families to connect with each other. For Richard Russell, a veteran who served for two years, the day was especially important. "My brother was in the military as well, and he recently passed away. Coming here means a lot to me," Russell reflected. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Attendees share personal stories at Phoenix Veterans Day Parade A resident of the Rhode Island Veterans Home listens to Seth Fontenault of Smithfield read his winning Patriots Pen essay at a Veterans Day ceremony in Bristol. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Rhode Island Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi chose to forgo his notes at a Veterans Day ceremony Monday. Speaking to a crowd of veterans, their families, and lawmakers and state officials at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol, Shekarchi opted for a three-minute speech that concluded with a quote he found particularly resonant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a quote I want to read very carefully, because I dont want to mess it up, Shekarchi said. Coretta Scott King remarked that Freedom is never really won. You earn it, and you win it in every generation. So today, lets thank the generations of service members who answered the call to duty. Shekarchi joined a slate of elected officials including Gov. Dan McKee, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and U.S. Reps. Gabe Amo and Seth Magaziner at the hour-long Veterans Day program. Leading the ceremonies was Kasim J. Yarn, the states director of Veterans Services. Veterans should know theyre not alone, said Yarn, who served for 20 years in the Navy before retiring in 2016 to serve as Rhode Islands first director of veterans affairs. Yarn pointed to the need for adequate funding and legislative support for veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Gregg Amore said the state is meeting that challenge. You can judge a society, a nation, a state, by how we take care of those who have borne the battle, Amore said. Rhode Islanders should be proud of how we meet that challenge for our veterans every single day. Seth Fontenault, a homeschool student from Smithfield, read his first-place essay from the annual Patriots Pen contest held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Rhode Island. Americainspires me to help other people and to make a difference in my nation, Fontenault said. It is a country where I can actually help make a change and be heard. When I am older I can vote to decide who gets elected as the president and other elected positions. Im thankful I do not have to wait until I get older to make a difference though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Linda Ujifusa and Reps. Susan Donovan of Bristol and Samuel Azzinaro of Westerly, who chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee, also attended. The 88th Army Band of the Rhode Island National Guard provided music. Gov. Dan McKee is seen shaking hands with a resident of the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) A member of the 88th Army Band performs at a Veterans Day ceremony in Bristol on Nov. 11, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Seth Fontenault of Smithfield speaks at a Veterans Day ceremony in Bristol on Nov. 11, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 88th Army Band performs at a Veterans Day ceremony in Bristol on Nov. 11, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Residents of the Rhode Island Veterans Home are seen sitting outside the home on Nov. 11, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Pictured is a piece of sheet music used by the 88th Army Band. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) A woman embraces a veteran as both sit in the audience at a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Residents of the Rhode Island Veterans Home return inside after a Veterans Day ceremony. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kasim J. Yarn, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Veterans Affairs, is seen introducing a speaker at a Veterans Day in Bristol on Nov. 11, 2024. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting that happened early Saturday morning in northeast Columbus. Police said on Monday that Abdulrahman Mohamed, 40, was pronounced dead near the intersection of Walford Street and Fitzroy Drive Saturday morning. Mohamed and a second person were found suffering from gunshot wounds at approximately 8:21 a.m. The second victim was initially hospitalized in critical condition, but later upgraded to a stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have identified Devon Ford, 26, as the suspect in the shooting Saturday afternoon and said there is a warrant filed for his arrest. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call Columbus police at 614-645-4730. To submit information anonymously, people can also call Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. DEL CITY, Okla. (KFOR) According to the Del City Police Department, investigators are looking into a fatal shooting that happened on Saturday, November 9. Around 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 9, officials say officers responded to Rag City Customs in the 3200 block of Delwood Drive regarding a shooting. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Del City community creates memorial, mourning the loss of auto shop owner Upon arrival, they found 43-year-old Tony Ganther with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators are still looking into the shooting. No arrests have been made and no more details have been released. Memorial for body shop owner in Del City. Image KFOR. There were signs of sadness sitting outside of the shop Sunday, as the Del City community mourns the loss of Ganther. Tony was the type of person that would give you the shirt off his back, he was very active in the lowrider community here in Oklahoma. said Marlon Thomas, a friend of Ganther. Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Del City Investigations Division by calling 405-677-2443 or submitting an anonymous tip online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. FREDERICK, Md. (DC News Now) The Frederick Police Department (FPD) is investigating a shooting that led to a crash over the weekend. Police said on Saturday, Nov. 9, police officers responded to a report of shots fired in the Hayward Road and Amber Drive area. Once on the scene, the victims told police officers they were driving when another vehicle pulled up and began shooting at them. As the victims tried to drive away, they were involved in a crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Truck rams into 7-Eleven, group tries to steal ATM in Alexandria During the investigation, police said they learned the victims vehicle was struck by gunfire during the shooting. Police said no one was hurt. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information or who may have caught the incident on camera should contact detective Yackovich by calling 301-600-2102 or emailing kyackovich@frederickmdpolice.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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. State House Democrats elected its slate of leaders for the 2025 session on Monday. House Speaker Julie McCluskie of Dillon, who is entering her fourth and final term, will serve as the nominee for another term as Speaker. McCluskie was elected by acclimation. McCluskie was nominated by Rep. Emily Sirota of Denver, with a second from Rep. Matthew Martinez of Monte Vista. The full House must ratify that decision when it convenes on Jan. 8. Outgoing Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy of Lakewood conducted the speaker's election. He told the new members that they are in the same position he was in eight years ago, when there was barely time to celebrate because of President-elect Donald Trump's election. But the work of state legislatures is more important than ever, he told the caucus. Current House Majority Leader Monica Duran of Wheat Ridge won another term. She was nominated by Rep. Javier Mabrey of Denver, with a second from Rep. Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs. Duran was elected by acclimation. She is also entering her fourth and final term in the House. Duran addressed the 2024 election and the toxic environment in the House, most notable in the 2023 session. Two Democratic members resigned before the year ended, citing the environment as a factor. "It increasingly falls on us to protect our citizens' rights and their freedoms," she told the caucus. While they have a lot to be proud of, including one of the most diverse caucuses in history, she said it is also a time to grapple with the challenges they will face with Trump back in the White House. State Houses across the country will play a key role in protecting the nation's democracy as well as revitalizing it, she added. As to the House's environment, Duran said they came up short on the team dynamic in the last two years, and primary voters noticed it, too. "They sent a strong message that we all need to work together ... We are a team and cannot accept any members fostering a toxic environment." Featured Local Savings The battle for Assistant Majority Leader was one contested race that failed to materialize. That had been expected to be between Rep. Jennifer Bacon of Denver, who currently holds that seat, and Rep. Andrew Boesenecker of Fort Collins. A letter sent by 200 members of the Black community on Sunday protested the challenge, pointing out that Bacon was the only Black House member in leadership. Boesenecker wrote his House colleagues shortly before the election that he was withdrawing for the good of the caucus. "The dynamics of division in the House leadership elections have been resoundingly rejected in the rest of the country. We should take notice," he wrote. Boesenecker claimed he had support from the majority of the caucus but was withdrawing "to rise above the actions of those who wish to divide instead of unite us. The time for pitting our caucus against ourselves must be over. While withdrawing from this race, let me be clear: our caucus will continue to require leadership that seeks to heal divisions, not amplify them." Bacon was nominated by Rep. Elisabeth Velasco of Glenwood Springs, with a second by Rep. Brianne Titone of Arvada. Bacon was elected by acclimation. Martinez was nominated to be one of two majority co-whips, a nomination made by Duran, and seconded by Rep. William Lindstedt of Broomfield. The other co-whip is Rep. Iman Jodeh of Aurora, who currently holds that position. She was nominated by Mabrey, with a second from Lukens. Both were elected by acclimation. Titone nominated caucus co-chairs: current co-chair Rep. Mandy Lindsay of Aurora and Rep. Junie Joseph of Boulder, who will replace Titone. Rep. Karen McCormick of Longmont seconded Lindsay's nomination. Rep. Sheila Leider of Littleton seconded Joseph's nomination. Both caucus co-chairs were elected by acclimation. Among those attending Monday's election, which was conducted via Zoom, were Rep. Stephanie Vigil of Colorado Springs and Jillaire McMillan of Longmont, both of whom are in contested House races that have not yet been decided. As of Monday's meeting, Republican Rebecca Keltie was leading Vigil by 21 votes, the closest race in the state. Former Republican Rep. Dan Woog of Erie was leading McMillan by 207 votes. Should those two seats go to Republicans, House Democrats would lose their supermajority, dropping to 43 seats while Republicans would have 22. One other seat held by a Democrat, Rep. Mary Young of Greeley, conceded her HD50 race to Republican Ryan Gonzalez over the weekend. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Budapest court ordered the alleged murderer of Fredonia native Mackenzie Michalski to remain behind bars Monday night, and for the foreseeable future, after the suspect was detained and confessed to the crime. Michalski, who was living in Portland, Oregon, was reported missing on Nov. 5 after she was last seen at a nightclub in central Budapest, where she was visiting as a tourist. Investigators said Michalski and the suspect, a 37-year-old man of Ireland, met at a nightclub and danced before leaving for the mans apartment. It was there that the man, whom police identified by the initials L.T.M., killed Michalski while the two were intimate. He was detained on Nov. 7 and confessed to the killing, telling police it was an accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said L.T.M attempted to cover up the crime by cleaning the apartment and hiding Michalskis body in a wardrobe before purchasing a suitcase and placing her body inside. He then rented a car and drove to Lake Balaton, 90 miles southwest of Budapest, disposing of her body in a wooden area. Video released by police shows the suspect guiding authorities to the location of the body. Police also released the suspects recent search history. L.T.M looked up the following: Do pigs really eat dead bodies? Texas woman killed by a wild boar. Wild boar sighting in Lake Balaton coastal towns. What does a corpse smell like after it decomposes? Getting rid of the smell of rotting meat. Budapest webcams. What happens after a person is reported missing? How do the police handle missing person cases? How reliable is the police in Budapest? New York State leaders have vowed for justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill do everything I can to help the family and see that the perpetrator is brought to justice, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. While friends of the Michalski family still mourn, their message is to keep living. I want you to feel alive still and not take that for granted. Take what Mackenzie has lost right now and live your life, said family friend Melissa Pietrkiewicz. The man is currently in Budapest police custody and authorities are initiating formal charges against him for murder. Over $40,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe for Michalskis family to bring her home. Latest Local News Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. 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 News 4 Buffalo. Eagan police provided updates on Monday about the reported attacks at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, saying the two instances this fall may not be related. The Eagan Police Department announced over the weekend that it would be increasing its presence near Lebanon Hills Regional Park after two separate assaults were reported, the most recent being last Thursday. New information retrieved by police states that the most recent victim had parked at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center at 860 Cliff Road last Thursday and walked the trails nearby before being sexually assaulted around 11 a.m. Joe Passe, Flickr A similar incident occurred on Sept. 7, with new information being shared by police stating that the victim in that assault had reported parking at the Jensen Lake Trailhead lot at 1350 Carriage Hills Drive before walking the trails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the September incident, the woman was able to escape from her male assaulter. Police say that there is no evidence that these incidents are related or were committed by the same man. Police are still actively looking into both cases as of Monday. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. Related: Police to increase patrols after sex assaults at Lebanon Hills Regional Park Two people were killed in separate collisions in Lexington Monday night, according to the Lexington Police Department. The first collision happened at 5:55 p.m. on Winchester Road, near Ashton Drive. Lexington police Lt. Dillan Taylor said a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle and declared dead at the scene. The Fayette County Coroners Office identified the victim as 43-year-old Angelina Wells, of Lexington. She died from blunt force injuries, and her death was labeled an accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver remained on scene, and charges are not expected to be filed, Taylor said. The second collision happened at 11:10 p.m. at Richmond and Squires roads. Taylor said it was a hit-and-run involving a vehicle and a moped. The driver of the moped died in the crash. The coroners office identified the rider as 47-year-old James Stamper, of Paris. The coroners office said Stamper was riding a moped when it was struck by a vehicle, and his manner of death was an accident. Later Tuesday, police said 21-year-old Logan Rogers was charged with leaving the scene of accident/failure to render aid leading to death or serious physical injury. Rogers was identified through polices real-time intelligence center as the other driver involved in the hit-and-run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogers is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center without a bond, according to jail records. In October, Rogers was charged with running a red light in Harrodsburg, according to court records. He was also charged with failure to wear a seat belt, failure to produce an insurance card and failure to maintain required insurance. There have been 28 fatal collisions in Lexington this year as of Nov. 7, according to Kentucky State Police data. Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski has stated that the upcoming EU Foreign Affairs Council will discuss the European Union's future as a strategic player. Source: Sikorski during a press conference with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as reported by RMF24 Radosaw Sikorski emphasised that "history is being made right now in Ukraine, in our part of the world." He also pointed out that a serious discussion is expected at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "What we do, or fail to do, at this meeting could determine the future trust in the EU and its role as a strategic player," the Polish foreign minister stated. He stressed that Europe has a responsibility to its citizens, neighbours, and future generations. Quote: "Europe must make every effort to secure a fair agreement, uphold international law, and reaffirm the principle that borders in Europe cannot be changed by force," Sikorski said. "If these principles are compromised by our actions or inaction, we face a dark future," he added. The next EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting will take place on 19 November, focusing on defence and EU support for Ukraine. Background: Last week, EU leaders met in Budapest to discuss how to sustain military support for Ukraine if Donald Trump decides to end US assistance. It was also reported that UK Defence Secretary John Healey is confident the US will continue supporting Ukraine "for as long as necessary", even under a Trump presidency. Support UP or become our patron! The postmortem of how Vice President Kamala Harris lost to former President Donald Trump is well underway, with strategists poring over exit polling data and turnout numbers to figure out what happened. There is also the finger-pointing and tsk-tsking on the Democratic side that typically accompanies a loss, especially when its a blowout in what was thought to be a close race. One factor thats ripe for more examination is how various religious groups voted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a bid to shake the devotion white Christians have of Trump, Harris pointed out his criminality and profanity. Didnt work. White evangelical Christian backing of the former president was around 80 percent, according to exit polling data from The Associated Press. In a bid to assuage Muslim American anger about the Biden-Harris administrations continued support for Israel as the death toll in Gaza climbs, Harris stepped up calls for a cease fire between Israel and Hamas. Didnt work. Muslim Americans followed through on their threat to punish Harris at the polls, backing no-hope third party candidate Jill Stein and even Trump over Harris, according to exit polling data from the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Our final exit poll of American Muslim voters confirms that opposition to the Biden administrations support for the war on Gaza played a crucial role, leading to a sharp drop in support for Vice President Harris compared to the support President Biden received from Muslim voters in 2020, and a sharp rise in support for third party candidate Jill Stein, CAIR said in a statement. President-Elect Trump also managed to make in-roads with Muslim voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In registering their unhappiness with the Biden-Harris approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict, Muslim Americans backed a man who wont do them any favors. Trump, after all, is the president who moved the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a divided city claimed by conservative Jews in Israel and by Palestinians as a capital. Muslim Americans told Harris to shove it; Trump is likely to tell Israel to have at it. One religious group of voters did stay with the Democratic Party nominee: Jewish American voters. Nearly eight in 10 Jews said they backed Harris, according to data from the National Election Pool, which compiles exit polling data for a variety of media outlets. Thats in line with the level of support other Democratic candidates got from Jewish Americans. Indeed, Jews have long been a key part of the Democratic Partys constituency. And American Jews have a long history of supporting Black Americans as they pushed for an end to segregation and for equal opportunity. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. In 2022 it appeared the political winds in Portland, Oregon, one of the USs most progressive cities, were beginning to shift. Residents who had grown frustrated over the citys approach to homelessness rejected the incumbent, Jo Ann Hardesty the first Black woman to serve on the city council in favor of the law-and-order Democrat Rene Gonzalez, who pledged to back an expanded police force and clean up Portland. But this month, as swaths of the US electorate moved to the right, the Pacific north-west city took a markedly different approach. Residents elected the most diverse city council in Portland history, opting for more progressives, and rejected Gonzalez as mayoral candidate. Instead, they chose Keith Wilson, a businessperson who has never before held office and has promised to end unsheltered homelessness in a year. Wilson had large leads over his competitors in the election, the first in which the city used ranked-choice voting and in the latest results was leading the second place candidate 60% to 40%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Anti-Trump protests erupt across US from New York City to Seattle The most conservative candidates for mayor and the county board, who took hardline stances, lost, Richard Clucas, a political science professor at Portland State University, pointed out. Both were defeated significantly because Portland remains a very progressive city despite what people may have heard elsewhere, Clucas said. The results came as the city was in the midst of what officials have described as a once-in-a-generation change to its government system and major voting reforms. This month, for the first time ever, Portland used ranked-choice voting to elect a mayor and a larger, more representative city council. The new officials will have different roles as Portland moves from a commission form of government to one overseen by a city administrator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters approved the overhaul two years ago the same year Gonzalez won as the city of 630,000 people grappled with a declining downtown, rising homelessness, a fentanyl crisis, growing public drug use and a sluggish recovery from the pandemic. Voters appeared to take out their dissatisfaction with crime, homelessness and drug use on Hardesty, the most progressive member of city council, said Ben Gaskins, a political science professor Lewis & Clark College in Portland. Some have speculated the city was beginning to recoil from its progressive values, particularly after voters in the county ousted the progressive district attorney for a challenger endorsed by police groups. That came shortly after Oregon moved to reintroduce criminal penalties for the possession of hard drugs, in effect scrapping the states groundbreaking drug decriminalization law. Claims the city is turning away from progressivism are significantly overstated, Gaskins said instead, the shifts indicate an electorate that is more focused on tactical concerns rather than ideological ones. Gonzalez was widely considered a frontrunner in this years mayoral race. Calling it a make-or-break election, the commissioner said that as mayor he would add hundreds of officers to city streets and stop enabling the humanitarian crisis on our streets by ending the distribution of tents and drug kits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson, who serves as the chief executive of a trucking company and founded a non-profit to expand shelter capacity and ultimately end homelessness, made the issue the center of his campaign, pledging to reform the citys approach to alleviating the crisis. He insisted the issue could be addressed with care and compassion, the Oregonian reported, and said he would increase the number of night-time walk-in emergency shelters available in churches and community centers. That approach appealed to city voters, Clucas said, over harsher remedies. They dont simply want a crackdown, arrests and other things; they want to find some way to compassionately address it. At a debate in October, Wilson said he would give city leaders an F for their efforts to address homelessness, according to the Oregonian. Letting people suffer and die on our streets is unacceptable I believe that every person in Portland deserves a bed every night, he said. The progressive Carmen Rubio, a city council member, was also a frontrunner in the race. But she lost endorsements after reporting from the Oregonian revealed that she had received about 150 parking and traffic violations since 2004, many of which she failed to pay for months and years, and that she had her license suspended multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalezs campaign was hurt by reporting from the Willamette Week that showed the public safety champion had also received seven speeding tickets between 1998 and 2013, and had his license suspended twice. Wilson was once considered a long-shot candidate, but he was probably bolstered by the citys new ranked-choice voting system, experts said. His position as a businessperson coming from outside the political system allowed him to be a compromise candidate, Gaskins said. Wilson fit the gap of someone who is progressive but still represents a change to the status quo, he said. I think the fact Keith Wilson was able to win shows Portland wants someone who is clearly on the left but who is focused on policy solutions and getting things done versus just being the most ideologically pure candidate in the race, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is a candidate of this particular moment. In an acceptance speech last week, Wilson pledged to build trust and take advantage of a transformative opportunity. Its time to end unsheltered homelessness and open drug use, and its time to restore public safety in Portland, he said. Voters arent interested in pointing fingers. They just want us to get things done. Along with Wilson, residents also elected 12 city councillors, nearly half of whom are people of color, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported a remarkable shift given that just seven years ago, only two people of color had ever been elected to city government. At least four of the new councillors identify as LGBTQ+, the outlet reported, and five received endorsements from the Democratic Socialists of America chapter in Portland. A pregnant Kentucky woman who wants an abortion but is unable to legally get one is suing the state in an effort to reverse its near-total ban on abortions. The woman, about seven weeks pregnant, is seeking to overturn a pair of state laws that took effect soon after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022: a six-week ban on abortion, and a trigger law, so named because it immediately banned abortion in nearly all cases once federal abortion protections were overturned. Together, the two laws prohibit any pregnancy from being terminated if there is still detectable fetal cardiac activity, except in cases where the life of the pregnant person is at immediate risk. Neither law includes exceptions for rape, incest or fetal abnormalities incompatible with life. Republicans and Democrats, alike, have filed bills to add these exceptions in the two legislative sessions since both bans took effect. But GOP-controlled leadership declined to assign those bills committee hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLUs suit, filed Tuesday in Jefferson County, gives the woman a pseudonym of Mary Poe. I have decided that ending my pregnancy is the best decision for me and for my family, Poe said in a statement. I feel overwhelmed and frustrated that I cannot access abortion care here in my own state, and I have started the difficult process of arranging to get care in another state where its legal. Poe added: This involves trying to take time off work and securing child care, all of which place an enormous burden on me. This is my personal decision, a decision I believe should be mine alone, not one made by anyone else. I am bringing this case to ensure that other Kentuckians will not have to go through what I am going through, and instead will be able to get the health care they need in our community. By denying Poe an abortion, the government has denied her access to the care she needs, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, which is representing Poe, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 42-page filing, Poe argues that Kentuckys bans violate her constitutional right to self-determination and privacy. Shes also requesting the court certify a class of all pregnant Kentuckians who seek access to abortion, but cannot obtain that care because of the abortion bans. Former Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron staunchly defended the states abortion bans in court as-is, arguing that the laws minimal health exceptions were adequate. In 2023, he attempted to build a criminal case against two OBGYNs for allegedly providing abortions on the taxpayers dime, according to court documents that were unsealed in October, though no charges were ever filed. Kentucky law prohibits the use of tax dollars to pay for abortions. Current Attorney General Russell Coleman, also a Republican, vowed on Tuesday to fulfill his statutory responsibility and zealously work to uphold these laws in court. But those laws should be amended by the General Assembly to include more exceptions, Coleman added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After listening to prosecutors, crime victims and my family, I believe the law should be amended to include exceptions for rape and incest in addition to the existing exception for life and health of the mother. This mainstream position is consistent with my faith, and I believe is shared by most Kentuckians, including so many who consider themselves pro-life. Poes case is the third time Kentuckys abortion bans have been challenged in court. Abortion providers sued the state in 2022, arguing both laws were unconstitutional because they violated patients privacy and right to self-determination. The Kentucky Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision in February 2023, ruled the providers lacked appropriate constitutional standing to challenge the full scope of those laws on behalf of their patients and denied providers request for injunctive relief. That left the responsibility of challenging state abortion laws to individuals who are actively pregnant and in need of an abortion a reality that makes Kentuckys ban uniquely difficult to challenge in court, legal experts have told the Herald-Leader. Last December, a Kentuckian eight weeks pregnant, anonymously referred to as Jane Doe, became the first pregnant person to sue over the bans. But less than a month later, she had a miscarriage and asked a judge to dismiss her case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brigitte Amiri, deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, said abortion bans have wreaked havoc on peoples lives. While some women are able to scrape together the resources may be able to travel out of state to get care, others will be forced to carry their pregnancies to term against their will, often at great cost to their health or lives, Amiri added. We hope that the court will finally strike down for good Kentuckys blatantly unconstitutional abortion bans. David Walls, executive director of the Family Foundation, a conservative Christian lobbying group, decried the new legal challenge. This new legal attack on pre-born Kentuckians and their mothers is as meritless as the previous failed challenges, he said in a statement late Tuesday afternoon. The ACLUs suggestion that the Kentucky Constitution somehow secretly contains a hidden right to terminate the life and stop the beating heart of an unborn human being . . . is completely absurd. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President-elect Donald Trump is already busy staffing up his next White House. The president-elect will be in Washington, D.C., later this week to meet in the Oval Office with President Biden but hes wasting no time announcing some of the biggest picks for his next administration. President-elect Donald Trump announced his choice to take charge of the nations borders giving Tom Homan the title of border czar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the millions of illegal aliens that Joe Bidens released in our country in violation of federal law: you better start packing now, said Homan. Homan served as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trumps last administration. Trump also announced his longtime adviser Stephen Miller will be his deputy chief of policy. We can be a country that doesnt let illegal aliens violate our borders and kill and murder American children, said Miller. Miller most notably crafted the Trump-era policy to separate thousands of immigrant families as a deterrence program. Trump is also nominating one of his most loyal allies in Congress, New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, to serve as his ambassador to the United Nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump is the leader the American people need, said Stefanik. The president-elect also issued a key demand to Senate Republicans as they choose their next leader. Trump wants to be able to make recess appointments which would let him fast-track many of his picks without Senate approval. While votes are still being counted to determine control of the House Democrats like Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal say theyre not waiting for the results to prepare for defense. Were going to continue to see a number of people with disturbing histories being appointed to many of these positions, said Jayapal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels president will also be in Washington this week and just announced he will be meeting with Stefanik 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT) President-elect Donald Trump could bring Space Command to Huntsville, even after President Joe Biden opted to keep the command headquarters in Colorado in 2023. Following last weeks election, several members of Congress are pointing out that President-elect Trump has been a strong supporter of an Alabama-based Space Command. The headquarters for the U.S. Space Force is currently based in Colorado Springs, but that wasnt always the preferred location. Trial date moved for Decatur chiropractor accused of poisoning wife Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., told Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5 Monday that Trump would settle the dispute as one of his first moves in office. President Trump said in the campaign that he was going to reverse that decision, Rogers said. In the radio interview, Rogers claimed President Biden kept the command in Colorado for political reasons. But I knew he would because if you remember, not only did Alabama win two nationwide competitions, but President Trumps secretary of the Air Force recommended Huntsville, President Bidens secretary of the Air Force recommended Huntsville, and then Biden took it away for political reasons, Rogers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representative Robert Aderholt said he believes Trump is likely to throw his support behind Huntsville. Im very optimistic. It looks very good at this point. Of course, as you know, President Trump was always keen on seeing that it got in the best place. That best place was Alabama, Aderholt said. In a statement Tuesday, Senator Katie Britt said she expects Trump to support moving Space Command to Huntsville. There is no doubt that Redstone Arsenal should be home to the permanent Space Command Headquarters, said Senator Britt. Huntsville finished first in the Air Forces Evaluation Phase and Selection Phase and had the most advantages in the decision matrix. President Trump will cast aside President Bidens partisan political considerations and restore the Air Forces merit-based decision to select Redstone Arsenal as the permanent basing location for Space Command HQ. I expect Space Command to come home to Alabama where it belongs. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phil Campbell man killed in northwest Alabama crash Despite the Trump campaign having said he will move Space Command HQ, the office of Rep.-elect Jeff Crank, R-Colorado Springs, expressed its opposition to the prospect. Obviously, I believe that if its down to military value, (then) Colorado is the place for it to be, Crank said in a report by The Denver Post. Sen. Michael Bennet took to social media on Nov. 12, writing, Colorado is the rightful home for Space Command. No matter who is in the White House, I will keep fighting for Colorados military community. He continued by writing, Our states space and military assets are critical to Americas national security, and Colorado is the best place for our service members and their families to train, live, work, and retire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 19 was sent an article from FOX21 in which they reached out to the Colorado Springs Mayor to provide a statement about the permanent home of USSPACECOM. You can read the full statement provided to FOX21 below. Id like to congratulate President-elect Trump on his winning campaign. We look forward to engaging with the new administration and transition team and are eager to share the great things underway in Colorado Springs, especially our citys strong history and contributions to national security. We are the proud home of five military installations and have been home to U.S. Space Command since its birth under President Trump in 2019. Since that time, the command has grown from 100 to 1,200 jobs, and in December 2023, it reached full operational capability. Its efforts and excellence are bolstered by the more than 150 aerospace and defense companies in our city, our highly skilled workforce and leading technology and resources. This robust ecosystem is a key factor in the early success of USSPACECOM, and we are committed to working together to support its mission to defend our great nation. Mayor Yemi Mobolade Huntsville was named a finalist in early 2021. Then, in 2022, the Department of Defense named the city as the preferred permanent location for U.S. Space Command headquarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rocket City finished first in both the Air Forces evaluation phase and the selection phase, while Colorado Springs finished fourth and fifth respectively. In June 2023, a U.S. Space Command General reportedly confirmed to Alabama politicians in D.C. and the Alabama Delegation that the state is still the preferred location for SPACECOM headquarters. Out-of-state warrants leads to Tennessee mans arrest during traffic stop Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, as well as Congressman Dale Strong, said the Alabama Delegation had a meeting with USSPACECOM Commander General James Dickinson, where they discussed the looming decision on Space Command headquarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meeting, all three leaders say Dickinson reiterated that Huntsville deserves to be the permanent location for Space Command headquarters. Senator Tubberville took to social media saying Enough is enough, its time to bring @US_SpaceCom home to Huntsville. However, come July 2023, the Pentagon released a statement that President Biden selected Colorado Springs as the permanent location for the U.S. Space Command Headquarters. Today, following a thorough and deliberate evaluation process, and after consultation with Secretary Austin and weighing the input of senior military leaders, President Biden notified the Department of Defense that he has selected Colorado Springs as the permanent location of the U.S. Space Command Headquarters. From the start, DoD and the Department of the Air Force have worked diligently to ensure the basing decision resulted from an objective and deliberate process informed by data and analysis, in compliance with federal law and DoD policy. Secretary Austin, Secretary of the Air Force Kendall, and U.S. Space Command commander Gen. Dickinson all support the Presidents decision. Locating Headquarters U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs ultimately ensures peak readiness in the space domain for our nation during a critical period. It will also enable the command to most effectively plan, execute and integrate military spacepower into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression and defend national interests. Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. General Patrick Ryder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following this statement, Britt, Strong and Aderholt all released statements saying that the decision made by President Biden was the wrong move and said Huntsville was still the best place for Space Command. Latest Headlines In September 2023, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the decision for Space Command about the decision to select Colorado Springs over Huntsville for the command headquarters. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, the committee chairman, said the committees investigation determined that the justification of concerns about operational readiness as the basis for leaving the headquarters in Colorado is just fabricated. 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 WHNT.com. UPDATE: Colorado Springs police announced Nov. 18 that Gary Johnson has been safely located. Colorado Springs Police Department are asking for assistance with locating a man who hasn't been seen since the early morning of Nov. 10. Gary Johnson, 59, was last seen at about 8 a.m. near Park Lane and South Wahsatch Avenue. Johnson weighs about 185 pounds, stands 601 tall and is possibly wearing a black leather jacket. Anyone with information on Johnsons whereabouts are asked top contact CSPD at 719-444-7000. An independent investigation is being launched into the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, over allegations of sexual harassment, the president of the body overseeing the court in The Hague said on Monday. Paivi Kaukoranta stated that an independent body would examine the allegations to ensure an "independent, impartial, and fair process." In October, it emerged that a report of sexual misconduct had been received from a third party. The alleged victim, an employee of Khan's at the prosecution office, reportedly refused an investigation by the court's trust office and did not comment on the allegations. As a result, the investigation was reportedly discontinued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khan had dismissed the allegations as unfounded and assured that he would cooperate with an investigation. He had stated that during his 30-year career, no similar allegations had ever been made against him. Khan had also linked the allegation to his request for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming in October that he and the court had become the target of numerous attacks and threats. The ICC and, in particular, the chief prosecutor have been under intense international pressure for months due to the requests for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and the leadership of the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas. The ICC's judges have yet to decide on the requests. (FOX40.COM) Californias Proposition 6 will not pass, the Associated Press said Sunday. Proposition 6, if passed by voters, would have amended the state constitution to prohibit all forms of involuntary servitude, including forced prison labor. As of Nov. 11, No votes made up 53.8% of the total, Yes votes held 46.2% of the vote. In neighboring Nevada, voters deciding on a similar amendment to their constitution chose 60.5% to 39.5% to ban involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other states have passed similar amendments since 2018 including Alabama and Colorado. Advocates argued that prisons should offer more options for rehabilitation instead of forcing people to work. There was no formal opposition to the amendment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. HONOLULU (KHON2) Fares for the Skyline, TheBus and TheHandi-Van may be on the rise and the City and County of Honolulu want to hear from you on the proposed changes. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The proposed fare increases would help keep the transportation system reliable and sustainable to help meet the changing needs of Oahus transit riders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honolulu bus stop not fixed for months is awful According to the Department of Transportation, fares have not been raised since 2022. Its always hard to find the balance between what taxpayers contribute to the upkeep of the system, and the riders that use the system. The fare policy changes under consideration will simplify the current fare structure, making the system more user-friendly for residents and visitors. Roger Morton, Department of Transportation director Kids, grab your pencils/tablets. Its Dear Santa Week! The proposal calls for a $10 decrease in Monthly Pass rates for residents in the Senior, Medicare, Disabled and Low-Income categories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said it would increase prices for the following: $10 and $5 increase in Monthly Pass rates for Adults and Youths $110 increase for the Adult Annual Pass When aloha and conflict intersect: Kumu Brad Lum breaks it down for us The meeting will be held in person and through Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 12, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Those who would like to attend the meeting in person should head to the Manoa Falls Conference Room at 711 Kapiolani Boulevard Suite 1600. If you would like to attend the meeting virtually, visit this Zoom link. Cant make it to the meeting? The City will also be accepting written testimony through the following forms: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Email: ratecomm@honolulu.gov Fax: (808) 768-4730 Mail: 711 Kapiolani Boulevard, 16th Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; Attention: Rate Commission Written testimonies with the testifiers address, email and phone number will be available to the public on the Rate Commissions website. We encourage everyone to offer comments to assist the Rate Commission in preparing their upcoming recommendation to DTS and the Honolulu City Council. Check out whats going on around the nation on our National News page Full details regarding the proposed changes can be found on the Rate Commission website here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WATE) One of the most popular supermarket chains in the Southeast will soon open their doors to shoppers in Hamblen County. A Publix spokesperson announced Monday that the company has executed a lease on a new store in Morristown. Referred to as Publix at Bellwood Farms, the new 46,000-square-foot store will be located on the Southeast corner of Andrew Johnson Highway and Bellwood Road. A grand opening date for the store has not yet been announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement License plate readers, mobile surveillance system could be coming to Morristown The announcement is the latest sign of growth in Morristown. City Mayor Gary Chesney told 6 News in March that the citys population has grown by about 3,000 in the last five years, with 3,000 more expected to move to the area in the next five years. To help keep up with the growth, the city broke ground on a new fire station and conducted a new transportation survey to help determine what types of projects should be prioritized over the next 25 years. Aerospace company bringing new jobs to Morristown in $28M expansion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Publix has nearly 1,400 locations across the Southeastern United States, including 58 in Tennessee. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Trump may have secured a second term in the White House, but his Russia problems are far from overat least according to suspiciously phrased comments by some of Russian President Vladimir Putins closest allies. Speaking with Russian state media on Monday, Russian presidential aide Nikolay Patrushev noted that while the U.S. election may be over, Trump is still beholden to certain forces. To achieve success in the election, Donald Trump relied on certain forces to which he has corresponding obligations, Patrushev told the business daily Kommersant in response to a question about whether the outcome of the presidential election would bode well for Russia. As a responsible person, he will be obliged to fulfill them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That statement was elevated by Tass, the Russian news agency. In a curious follow-up about Trumps susceptibility to being pressured and influenced, Patrushev made another eyebrow-raising comment: Rather than answer the question directly, the Putin aide made a point to bring up assassination attempts against the president-elect. We know of two cases of attempts on his life during the election campaign, Patrushev told Kommersant. In general, throughout the history of the United States, attempts have been made on the lives of presidents and candidates regularlymore than 20 times. Four U.S. presidents have died at the hands of assassins while in office. Therefore, it is extremely important for U.S. intelligence agencies to prevent a repetition of such cases. Trumps history with Russia goes way back to the early days of his first campaign. In 2019, former FBI director and Trump-Russia special counsel Robert Mueller noted that Russia had blackmail material on Trump during the 2016 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that relationship appears to be ongoing. On Wednesday, veteran journalist Bob Woodward revealed that he had spoken about the unusual relationship between Trump and Putin several months ago with Trumps former Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats. Its so close, it seems like it might be blackmail, Coats said, according to Woodward. Woodward also recounted a separate conversation he had with CIA Director Bill Burns, who reportedly emphasized that Putin manipulates and is professionally trained to do so. According to Woodward, Burns believed that Putin has got a plan to repeat what he did during the forty-fifth presidential administration by playing Trump. NATO allies believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aiming to recapture territory lost to Ukraine in the Kursk region before Donald Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20, The Telegraph reported on Nov. 11. Western diplomats caution that Putin may be acting swiftly to capture territory before Trump assumes office, hoping to gain leverage in future peace negotiations, according to the media outlet. A British defense intelligence assessment, seen by The Telegraph, warns that Russia is likely to intensify kamikaze drone attacks on Ukrainian positions, using new launch sites near the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a bid to regain control, Russia has deployed 50,000 troops, including soldiers from North Korea, to Kursk Oblast. Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that "tens of thousands of enemy soldiers from the best Russian shock units" are aiming to push Ukrainian forces out of the Russian enclave, raising concerns of a significant escalation in the war. The Kremlins actions may also signal an attempt to build momentum for a larger offensive into Ukraines northeastern Sumy Oblast. Ukrainian analysts noted that Russia has already reclaimed roughly half of the territory it lost in Ukraine's Kursk incursion launched in early August. U.S. media reports suggest that Trump spoke with Putin after the presidential election, reportedly cautioning the Russian leader against escalating the war, particularly with the addition of North Korean troops and supplies to the Russian military effort. While the Kremlin has denied reports of a conversation between Trump and Putin, U.S. media outlets have confirmed that the two leaders spoke, with Putin congratulating Trump on his election win and calling him "courageous." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Trump on his victory, urging the incoming president to maintain military support for Ukraine in the coming months. Read also: Opinion: Trump holds all the cards in Ukraines peace gamble will he use them? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has deployed 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops in an attempt to reclaim the territories in Kursk Oblast captured by the Ukrainians before Donald Trumps inauguration as US president in January. Source: The Telegraph Details: NATO allies believe Putin aims to regain territories lost to Ukraine by 20 January, Trumps inauguration date. According to a UK Defence Intelligence assessment seen by The Telegraph, Russia is likely to increase kamikaze drone attacks on Ukrainian positions in the coming days using new launch sites near the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 12,000 North Korean conscripts are expected to join combat in Kursk Oblast under this years Russian-North Korean mutual military assistance treaty. Ukrainian analysts suggest the Kremlin may also intend to leverage a major counteroffensive in Kursk Oblast to gain momentum for advancing into Ukraines northeastern Sumy Oblast. The Telegraph stated that Russia has so far reclaimed about half of the territory held by Ukraines defence forces in Kursk Oblast. General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, stated that "tens of thousands of enemy soldiers from the best Russian shock units" are attacking Ukrainian positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Western diplomats are concerned that Putin may try to reclaim territory quickly before Trumps inauguration to strengthen Russias position in any peace talks. The Telegraph also noted that Russian forces captured more Ukrainian territory in October than in any other month since mid-2022. Fighting in Donbas in the east of Ukraine is focused on the southern section of the front. Support UP or become our patron! NEW YORK (PIX11) Bill Vallely was 20 years old and looking for a challenge when he decided to join the United States Marine Corps in 1999. He served until 2005, completing several tours in Iraq. When he returned home, he struggled. More Local News I felt I had some anxiety, some PTSD condition just from my time in service, he recently told PIX11 News. Vallely started working in the autobody and collision industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt until 2019, when the father of three ran into an old tour mate, Dre Popow, that he realized he needed support. It was time. I needed a beacon of help, he said. Popow faced similar challenges when he returned from his time in the Marines. Thats why, in 2011, he started the Astoria-based nonprofit Veterans Rebuilding Life. At the time, I didnt even know there were options for me, and Dre said to me, These are your benefits. You need to seek them, and I did with the help of him and his staff, Vallely said. Vallely is an example of the hundreds of people Veterans Rebuilding Life has aided and provided services to over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group helps with housing, training, education, and even counseling. The organization is made up of volunteer veterans, the majority of whom the group has previously helped. Once we provided them with that assistance, their gratitude made them ask how we can repay this, and we just told them you can help the next vet that comes through the door, Popow said. Popow, who is executive director of the organization, served in the Marines from 2003 to 2010, completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He co-founded the organization when he realized the dire need for more services. More Stories: Veterans Voices Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of the veterans who come to us are in a time of desperation in their lives, and they often have suicidal ideation as a result of their chronic PTSD, which is directly connected to their service in combat overseas, Popow said. They have to figure out everything on their own and often get discouraged in doing so because its a huge bureaucratic process. Popow says one of the most meaningful parts of the groups work is their mission overseas, where they pair veterans with humanitarian efforts in the countries they served. One of the largest contributors to chronic PTSD related to combat is called collateral damage, which is generally the accidental killing of women and children, Popow said. They get closure through atonement. Theres nothing you can do about the memories of war or the kids that died years past, but there is something you can do for this kid who is suffering from the same war and infrastructure we left behind. Popow said helping others has changed his life for the better. Vallely agrees. He now volunteers with the group, running an autobody and collision course for veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If its someone who has suicidal ideation or feel theyre depressed or anxious or whatever it may be, giving them employment a sense of meaning and belonging makes all the difference in the world so that in itself is healing for me, Vallely said. Veterans Rebuilding Life is run on donations. For more information, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. After a record-setting winter storm, quieter weather returns to New Mexico this week. Another storm is possible late this upcoming weekend. It is a calm and quiet start to the week across New Mexico with temperatures generally warmer than on Sunday. Highs are back closer to average for this time of year. Winds are going to increase Tuesday afternoon as a dip in the jet stream crosses the state. This could bring westerly wind gusts up to 45 mph in northern New Mexico. A cold front will also sweep across the state, leaving temperatures as much as 10 to 15 cooler than today. A warming trend starts again on Thursday and will continue into Friday. A ridge of high pressure builds to the south Thursday then southwest winds increase Friday as another storm begins approaching New Mexico. There is a lot of uncertainty still with this next storm system, but it will likely start bringing back rain and mountain snow to parts of New Mexico Sunday, with more widespread rain and snow and colder temperatures next Monday. Stay tuned 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. Tolls on all Colorado toll lanes will see the amounts change as often as every five to 15 minutes, depending on how heavy traffic is. Called dynamic tolling, the Colorado Department of Transportation claimed it will help to better manage demand during peak hours to maintain free flow traffic in express lanes. The agency said dynamic tolling started earlier this year on the Central 70 express lanes, and it is scheduled for later this year for I-25 South Gap and the I-70 mountain corridor. It will eventually take effect on all express lanes in Colorado. Tolls on both the South Gap and Mountain Express Lane corridors will be similar to the time-of-day pricing drivers are accustomed to seeing on each corridor, ranging from $1.50 to $4.75 for South Gap and up to $9 on the Mountain Express Lane, the agency said in a news release. Officials insisted that the move would improve traffic flows, while some studies suggested its designed precisely to make the managed lanes more attractive, allowing operators to charge higher tolls. According to the Colorado Transportation Investment Office, dynamic tolling is used to improve traffic flow on congested highways by reducing delays on the most seriously congested corridors, creating reliable travel times, providing flexible and reliable mobility choices, and improving travel speeds in the non-tolled general-purpose lanes. The office is a state-owned enterprise, which means that it is not subject to Taxpayers Bill of Rights limitations on revenue or taxation. A board of directors, some of which are appointed by the governor, oversees the office, which cannot receive more than 10% of its total revenues from state or local governments. Instead, it has the authority to issue revenue bonds and collect tolls from highway usage in amounts it determines and sets. Studies on the utility of tolled lanes have been going on for decades, but dynamic tolling, which involves changing the toll amount very quickly, according to the office, has emerged as vehicle detection technology has improved. The basic principle of toll lanes is that travel time can be reduced and travel speeds increased in both the toll and general-purpose lanes by making it more expensive than most people care to pay for the privilege of a faster trip; thus, keeping them in the free general-purpose lanes. The primary difference between time-of-day (peak traffic) tolling and dynamic tolling is that the latter can make real-time adjustments to tolls based on traffic flows, and toll amounts can be determined by what are usually proprietary algorithms that best suit the objectives of the highway operators. By how much speed increases and time decreases with either type of tolling is the subject of much research and debate, and is highly location dependent, but it seems to gravitate towards overall benefits of about 20%, according to studies. But the benefits are not evenly distributed among all drivers, and they favor toll lane drivers the most. The goal of this operational change is better traffic management, Timothy Hoover, a spokesperson for CTIO, told The Denver Gazette. We obviously have to charge a toll sufficient to cover the costs of paying back the money we borrowed to build an Express Lane and for operations and maintenance, but the primary goal of the toll is to manage demand. In its 2023 annual report to the Colorado General Assembly, the office suggested it intended to generate revenue for new transportation projects. CTIO has the legal responsibility to aggressively seek out opportunities for innovative and efficient means of financing and delivering important surface transportation infrastructure projects in the state. Among other benefits, it has the statutory power to impose tolls and other user fees, issue bonds, and enter into contracts with public and private entities to facilitate Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), the office said. Hoover pointed out that the US 36 Express Lanes corridor is the only one with a private operator. Featured Local Savings The Federal Highway Administration said congestion tolls pay for a different set of costs that include the indirect costs of loss of productivity because some people are stuck in traffic, increased pollution from idling vehicles, and delays in delivery of goods. The delays that vehicles impose on one another on congested highways temporarily balance demand and supply but only by deterring travelers (and shipments) whose time may be more valuable, while wasting large amounts of others time, said the federals agency FAQ on the subject. The idea behind congestion pricing is that each user should pay the external costs (i.e., the congestion) that their use of the road imposes on the network and other users, said a 2021 research study called Investigating the impacts of I-66 Inner Beltway dynamic tolling system in the Journal of Transportation Engineering. On Jan. 24, 2018, Washingtons Top News reported that on I-66 in Virginia, drivers using the toll lanes who began the nine-mile trip from the Beltway to Rosslyn or D.C. at 8:30 a.m. were charged $46.75. Hoover told The Denver Gazette that tolls are determined based on traffic volumes and speeds only in the Express Lanes. Toll rates increase when traffic volumes increase and speeds decrease, and toll rates decrease when traffic volumes decrease, and speeds increase in express lanes. But, said Hoover, all lanes benefit to some extent by the traffic using the managed toll lane. Prior to the start of dynamic tolling in 2024, from June through August of 2023, the percentage of time that corridor speeds dropped below 45 mph was an average of 1.31%, Hoover said. In 2024, during that same time period, the percentage was down to .31%. Our data for Central 70, the first corridor to see dynamic tolling, shows that for speeds from January to October 2024, average speed in the peak hour was 45 mph for general purpose lanes and 59 mph for Express Lanes in both directions, said Hoover. The highest traffic peak occurred at 4 p.m. Thats a 14-mph speed differential. The Central 70 speed limit is 55 mph. Decreasing toll amounts at the right time incentivizes drivers to use the Express Lane. For example, if you are driving westbound on the I-70 Mountain Express Lane early on a Friday, traffic might not be quite heavy enough for you to consider paying the standard $9 toll, which is a time-of-day price, Hoover said. But, if the toll were just $6, which is the new lowest rate on the Mountain Express Lane, you might consider paying it. According to research, dynamic tolling also allows toll authorities to maximize revenues that it can use to achieve their statutory mandates. A 2015 working paper from the Columbia University Center for Pricing and Revenue Management said maximizing operator revenues is achieved by (raising) tolls prior to anticipated peaks in order to divert traffic to the unmanaged lanes and thereby increase congestion on those lanes and decrease congestion on the managed lanes an approach we call jam-and-harvest. These two effects combine to make the managed lanes more attractive to future drivers, enabling the controller to charge higher tolls than would have been otherwise possible, said the paper, Revenue Maximizing Dynamic Tolls for Managed Lanes: A Simulation Study. Studies of tolling, both time-of-day and dynamic tolling confirm there are speed and time improvements from having toll lanes. The question is how much of an improvement is there? A 2021 study, called Comparing Pricing Mechanisms for Managed Lanes from the National Institute for Congestion Reduction at the University of South Florida, suggested there is little difference between the two tolling methods. Overall, both pricing measures were found to keep traffic flowing on (managed lanes), and neither pricing method was clearly superior, the study said. Dynamic pricing was found to perform slightly better in most metrics. However, both pricing mechanisms did work well to keep MLs flowing and thus are viable options for ML operators. COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) Residents of College Station have come together to honor local veterans in a unique and heartfelt way. As part of a special Veterans Day project, volunteers created quilts to be presented to veterans as a symbol of appreciation for their service. Marjean Neve, the coordinator of the Quilts of Valor (QOV) chapter in College Station, said this year was a particularly special one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, we actually presented 34 quilts to people, to veterans, male and female and military personnel. So its been a big year for us, so were excited about it, she said. Each quilt represents more than just a blanket; it is a tapestry of love, care, and history. Volunteers spend months, sometimes up to a year, crafting these quilts, with every patch and stitch holding deep personal meaning for the recipient. Licia Kim, who became a volunteer nearly four years ago, shared how the project has personal significance for her, not just for the veterans she honors but for her husband as well. As Im sewing Im thinking about that person constantly and it just brings a smile to my face because I know they will enjoy it that much more, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Licias husband, Steve Kim, a recipient of a Quilt of Valor himself, who served in the U.S. Air Force expressed deep gratitude for the volunteer efforts. The fact that the volunteer took hours out of their own precious life and theyre willing to do that for us veterans, especially my wife, doing what she did for me is just a huge blessing. And I certainly, certainly appreciate what they did, Steve Kim said. For some veterans, the act of giving and receiving quilts is a way to ensure that service members are not forgotten. Charles Gilreath, an Army veteran and current volunteer with the program, explained why he joined the effort after receiving a quilt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want veterans to know that they havent been forgotten, that their service is valuable. Even though we may not be receiving medals, the country still believes in the service we did, and we appreciate it, said Gilreath. The College Station Quilts of Valor group is made up of dedicated senior citizens who work tirelessly to show appreciation for the veterans in their community. The materials for the quilts are donated, and volunteers work hand-in-hand with local veterans to ensure their service is honored. As each quilt is carefully crafted and presented, the deep sense of gratitude from the veterans and their families is evident, creating a lasting bond between the community and those who have 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 KWKT - FOX 44. It is not easy to teach about race in todays political and social climate. One hundred and sixty years after the United States abolished slavery, racial differences continue to spark pervasive misunderstanding, engender social separation and drive political and economic disparities. American educators are naturally intimidated and, at times, discouraged by the huge task before them. Yet race and racism are key components of American history. Understanding this history illuminates central aspects of American identity for students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are university faculty members one Black, one white who decided to tackle this topic head on. Following the rash of police killings of unarmed Black Americans in 2014 and 2015 that inspired the Black Lives Matter protests, we began collaborating on a unique effort at the University of Missouri, where we both taught at the time, to heal our campus and society using the tools of education. The shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, had enormous reverberations at Mizzou. It spurred walkouts and protests, and ultimately the resignation of the universitys president. Yet we knew the memory and lessons of this event could too soon fade into the past. Race and the American story American history is punctuated by recurrent cycles of racial injustice, response and forgetfulness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Revolution inspired a wave of abolitionist fervor even Thomas Jefferson vehemently condemned slavery as a cruel war against human nature itself. Then the political and economic concerns of white Americans eclipsed the issue for decades. This cycle repeated itself after the Civil War ended slavery in the U.S. in 1865. Reconstruction efforts in the South were incredibly successful in securing social and political equality for the freedmen. Then came the backlash: the rise of the racist and violent Ku Klux Klan in 1865, followed by the federal governments political compromises with the South and the withdrawal of federal troops. Justice was delayed another century. As documented in our new book, Race and the American Story, the course we created at Mizzou was a conscious effort to halt this vicious cycle of forgetfulness and apathy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Race and the American Story course launched in 2017 with the aim of bringing white and Black students and faculty together in the same classrooms to have honest conversations about issues of race in American history. It combines a focus on historical documents and music with an emphasis on small group discussion. Students are regularly surprised by how directly the historical texts we assign relate to their own experiences as 21st-century Americans. Frederick Douglass Fourth of July speech in which Douglass, who escaped slavery, wonders what patriotism means to Black Americans reads to them like a Black Lives Matter manifesto. They are amazed that Alexis de Tocqueville, writing in the 1830s, predicted that the civil rights struggle would be even more difficult than abolition of legal slavery. Students share these reactions and other insights with each other, rather than responding to the professor. By engaging in a common learning process about race and humanity, our students become friends through and because of their differences, not despite them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Music also serves as a shared touchstone if not always a common ground between white and Black Americans. In one assignment, our students create an annotated playlist of songs that deal with the topic of race. We spend a class period or two listening to this music. Students explain why they chose particular songs, and then everyone reacts to that track. Students who have recently read and discussed Ida Wells report on lynching in the South, for example, may hear similar themes in Billie Holidays iconic performance of Strange Fruit. As students get to know each other on a personal level through their shared love of music, they may not even notice that profound learning about race and difference is also happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In many ways, the course design hinges on the fact that we are so different from each other, both as academics and as people. When one professor is a Black female ethnomusicologist and the other is a white male political theorist, students can expect an eclectic blend of disciplinary knowledge and lived experiences. We learned about race and the American story through very different lenses, and we leverage our own experience and knowledge to make students feel more comfortable sharing theirs. We invite our students to begin examining issues of race in American history from multiple entry points and from cultural perspectives that can speak powerfully to both Black and white Americans. K-12 race education is lacking We believe many U.S. students havent gotten a satisfactory education on issues of race for a long time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most elementary, middle school and high school students over the past 50 years have received some version of what we call the Mount Rushmore narrative of American history. It goes something like this: A few great white men, plus Martin Luther King, Jr., did great things for America, a country that has had its problems in the past but is always getting better and better. This version of history emphasizes progress and minimizes the gravity of past and present injustices against African Americans. In recent years, this K-12 situation has worsened. In the place of unthinking Mount Rushmore-ism, U.S. schools now sit at two extreme poles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On one side, some schools have begun instituting curricula inspired by Howard Zinns 1980 book A Peoples History of the U.S.. Zinns text surfaces the stories of people overlooked by most historical accounts, from the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 to the 1960s California farm workers movement led by Cesar Chavez. Curricula based on Zinns work for example, Californias ethnic studies program complement and counterbalance the Mount Rushmore narrative. But they tend to downplay or reject the founding principles of the U.S. and the understanding of humanity that gave rise to the American political tradition itself. Meanwhile, many states and school systems have adopted textbooks and curricula that emphasize the countrys fundamental goodness, omitting or neglecting historical racial injustices. Florida and Oklahoma have even enacted laws that some teachers interpret as prohibiting the teaching of slavery and historical racism. Trapped between these two extremes are many educators so fearful of saying the wrong thing that they simply avoid the subject of race altogether. The crowd at a 2021 school board meeting in Yorba Linda, Calif., to discuss how the district teaches about race. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Race and the American story: A bigger project Some colleges do a little better. Black Studies programs may balance out the Mount Rushmore narrative with not just Zinns untold stories model but also the works of Black historians like Carter G. Woodson and Darlene Clark Hine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet many American higher education institutions still teach Mount Rushmore in some courses and Zinn in others, contending that this approach provides intellectual diversity. We see this as a recipe for incoherence and confusion. The successful course we co-designed at Mizzou demonstrates that colleges can tackle race in a thoughtful, nuanced way that builds bridges. We find that students are hungry to learn in this way. They regularly express gratitude for the opportunity to talk about race in ways they didnt think was possible in higher education today. After Race and the American Story launched in 2017, faculty members at other universities began to get in touch. They wanted to coordinate their efforts to teach honestly and productively about race with ours. In 2019, we hosted our first annual symposium for these faculty members and their students. We have since hosted many more events and conversations with professors, community members and students nationwide. Our approach gives students and citizens a kind of North Star to orient race relations in the U.S. one based on deep historical knowledge, a commitment to justice and a disposition toward genuine cross-racial conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mutual understanding doesnt appear out of thin air, but educators can teach it. 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: Adam Seagrave, Arizona State University and Stephanie Shonekan, University of Maryland Read more: Stephanie Shonekan has received funding from the research council at the University of Missouri, where she previously worked. She belongs to the Society for Ethnomusicology and the Association for the Study of African American Life and Music. Adam Seagrave 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Capitol Modern Museum in Honolulu was filled with energy and excitement on a recent evening as hundreds of Honolulu teens gathered for the Rainbow Prom, organized by the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC). Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The event, designed as a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth, comes at a time when many young people in Hawaii still face bullying and discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tech Savvy Teens keep kupuna up to date in growing digital world The Department of Health has done several surveys of Hawaii high school students. Weve seen time and time again that LGBTQ+ students are much more susceptible to bullying and feeling unsafe in public spaces, said Andrew Ogata, the Development and Marketing Director for HHHRC. The Rainbow Prom really came out of the need to provide a supportive environment for these young people. For many, the prom offered a chance to express themselves freely without fear of judgment. Its liberating, said Crow Villanueva, a senior at Punahou School. There are so many stresses in our day-to-day lives, especially as a senior applying to colleges and keeping up with AP classes. Its just so nice to have a little time where I can be fully myself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event also served as an opportunity for students to experience what it feels like to be truly seen and accepted. Theres a lot of people in the past that had to hide what gender they liked, or how they identify, said Rihanna Sanchez, a student from Leilehua High School. This prom allows them to express themselves. Jay Kanaprach, a student at Punahou, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of having a safe space. How Lucy became the beloved mascot of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team If you dont have a safe and welcoming environment, then you arent able to open up and be yourself. And if you cant do that, you might feel distanced or isolated. Thats what leads to so many youth feeling alone or isolated, and thats the last thing we want for our youth, Kanaprach said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Rainbow Prom highlighted the progress made in creating more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, it also served as a reminder of the ongoing challenges they still face. I think its because of fear, Villanueva reflected. A lot of people are afraid of change, and fear leads to hatred. Ignorance is at the root of much of that fear. The prom delivered a powerful message of acceptance that resonated with both LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. It is a new generation, and things change a lot. Everyone should be accepted as who they are, said Faith Perez, a student from Leilehua High School. For some, the event was an opportunity to reflect on their identities and the pressure to conform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, I just identify as queer, and I have no other specific label, said Kanaprach. Your identity is not something set in stone. Youre always learning things about yourself. For others, like Villanueva, the prom was a chance to remind queer students that they are not alone. With all the hate and vitriol floating around, its very important for queer students to have a place to feel seen, heard, and, most importantly, loved, Villanueva said. They need to understand that the hate passing now is just temporary, and theres a life worth living for themselves and for everyone around them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Erie gets much of its culture and identity from local breweries, with the citys first brewery opening over 200 years ago. This week, local breweries are celebrating that culture, kicking off Erie Craft Beer Week at Lavery Brewing. Erie Craft Beer Week is a long-standing tradition in Erie, were trying to make it a little bit more exposed and more of a thing in erie to highlight the breweries, the 17 breweries that make up the Lake Erie Ale Trail, said Kristin Hubert, Lake Erie Ale Trail executive director. Were just trying to highlight their hard work, show off the beer that they make, drink a little bit more of the beer they make. Theres also food specials. Theres limited releases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those limited releases is Laverys Higher Calling, a beer releasing Wednesday which will raise money for breweries hit hard by hurricanes in North Carolina. New cigar lounge opening soon in Millcreek Along with preparing some new releases, Lavery and other breweries are also preparing for some beer tourism. Beer tourism, like I said, is a huge thing these days. People will travel to come visit breweries. We just had four people in today from Lycoming, Pennsylvania, said Jason Lavery, Lavery Brewing Company president. Of course, they dont just spend their money at breweries, they go to visit all of our other businesses to sleep, eat and play, but for the breweries its huge to show off how awesome the beer in this region is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, this week in Erie is all about beer as we take a closer look into the brewing process here at Lavery Brewing, but it also comes amid some uncertainty with the citys open container laws. The City of Erie is considering banning open containers, with council tabling the issue back in September. Erie Anime Fest returns welcoming fans from across the nation And if the city chooses to go through with the ban, Lavery said it could be harmful to breweries like his. Were the third biggest city in the country that has open container laws behind Las Vegas and New Orleans. It kind of has become part of our identity, said Lavery. Its a huge cultural thing for the last 10 years to come to Lavery Brewing Company, grab a beer and then walk down to watch the otters play, same with the SeaWolves. Its going to have a huge impact on the whole city, tourism and everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, open containers will stay open in Erie. Looking forward to Erie Craft Beer Week, local breweries are looking to reschedule a Jeer Fest event, which will have the pub owners read bad reviews for their own 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois Attorney Generals Office is settling a lawsuit it filed against a chemical company following an incident involving its Danville facility. Attorney General Kwame Raoul said his office is filing a consent order with Brainerd Chemical Midwest LLC to resolve the lawsuit. He noted that Brainerd had cooperated fully in the investigation and taken steps to comply with an interim order they agreed to. Further, they will not be restarting operations at their Danville facility involving hydrogen fluoride, which was the chemical involved in the incident that prompted the lawsuit. This consent order will ensure the companys continued compliance, which enhances the publics safety and environment in an environmental justice community, Raoul said. My office will continue to work with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to ensure our communities are protected from the impact of dangerous chemical emissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois Attorney General sues TikTok for exploiting childrens mental vulnerabilities The lawsuit was filed based on a referral from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). In July of 2022, three people living near the Danville facility contacted the IEPA to complain their grass had turned brown and plants appeared to die overnight. The IEPA inspected the facility and found dead or damaged vegetation for a quarter mile south of the facility. Raoul said that during their inspection, IEPA officials observed a plume of emissions from the facility. When they asked for operational, inspection and maintenance records for the device to control hydrogen fluoride emissions, the plant manager told them no such records existed. This was a violation of the facilitys air pollution control permits, Raoul said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His office filed the lawsuit following the incident. Now, two years later, Raoul is settling the case given Brainerds cooperation and corrections. The parties have agreed to a consent order that brings legal action to a close. Judge rules Illinois assault weapon ban unconstitutional This agreed consent order is a positive resolution to our enforcement case against Brainerd Chemical for the release of hydrogen fluoride from storage tanks in 2022, said IEPA Acting Director James Jennings. While the incident resulted in environmental impacts and an unnecessary threat to nearby residents, this order provides protections to prevent any future releases. Under the terms of the consent order, Brainerds Danvilles facility will continue to comply with environmental laws and regulations and avoid future environmental violations. Additionally, the company is required to pay a $124,000 fine and $1,000 in avoided construction permit fees. 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. The 2024 elections are over and reading is a fine way to detach from politics. (Photo: Getty Images) The 2024 election is over but, if you are like me, sometimes you just need a break. People voted how they wanted to and this grandmother can be angry about it or I can sing to myself, Let There be Peace on Earth, Yall. The holiday season will soon be here which means most of us will spend time with our extended family and news flash not every family votes the same way I do, so I need to get my head and emotions in a place where I anticipate family and friend gatherings with feelings of love, not tension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all need to exercise and eat right to take care of our body, but what about our brain? Where does our mind need to go to tune out the news and the talking heads? I go to bookstores just to wander around other readers and pick up something engrossing. I want to read something that makes me laugh, be inspired or terrified and below are a few recommendations of what to read right now. What in the World? by Leanne Morgan made me laugh a lot. A Knoxville-based stand-up comic and graduate of the University of Tennessee, Morgan is famous for her explanations of female hormones and the challenges of motherhood. There are many great audiobooks to lift your spirits, including Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris and How Yall Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived by the late, great Leslie Jordan, a Chattanooga native. Anything by Carl Hiassen is funny and my favorite is Tourist Season, because who doesnt enjoy reading about dismemberment of body parts near a convention of Shriners in Florida? The Wedding People by Alison Espach, Sandwich by Catherine Newman, Colored Television by Danzy Senna or Erasure by Percival Everett adapted into the 2023 film American Fiction will keep a grin on your face most of the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement History lovers should read the newest by Doris Kearns Goodwin, An Unfinished Love Story, The Demon of Unrest, by Eric Larson or, John Lewis: A Life by David Greenberg. Looking for scary fiction? Try Stephen Kings It. (Photo: Holly McCall) If you want to be a troublemaker, then read the classic, A Peoples History of the United States by Howard Zinn. Zinns book gives what he considered a nontraditional history of the country. How do you pick a really scary novel that will definitely take your mind off politics, at least for a few hours? Salems Lot, by Stephen King, is so scary that my husband, Larry, read it only during daylight hours. I kid you not, and he has read every book by King. If you want books that are too scary for me but just right for Larry then try The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker, I am Legend by Richard Matheson, Kindred by Octavia Butler, The Wolfs Hour by Robert McCammon, and It by Stephen King. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We both loved the original Dracula by Bram Stoker, but I prefer books that are gothic and humorous including The Southern Book Clubs Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, or The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. However, The Exorcist, by William Peter Blatty stayed with me, because I believe there has always been a battle between good and evil in our world. Want to be encouraged by selfless acts? The Kingdom of the Poor by the late Father Charles Strobel a revered figure in Nashville his niece, Katie Seigenthaler, and former Metro Nashville Schools board member Amy Frogge, is the true story of how Strobel started the Room at the Inn program for people who are unhoused. My Black Country, A Journey through Country Musics Past, Present and Future by best-selling Nashville author and songwriter Alice Randall blends the history of Black music along with the story of Randalls life. Ghosted, An American Story is unforgettable as Franklin, Tenn.s Nancy French courageously shares the horror of being sexually assaulted by the male youth director of her church. She met her husband, New York Times columnist David French, while in college, and after they married, she became a successful ghostwriter for famous Republicans. Her work suddenly stopped when she and her husband would not endorse Donald Trump for president in 2016. Her story is inspirational and leaves the reader feeling hopeful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Learn from nature with The Backyard Bird Chronicles of Amy Tan. Tan began watching birds and drawing them when she needed some quiet time alone. Those daily sketches and her thoughts put on paper will bring you some much needed peace. Another Nashvillian, Margaret Renkl, is my favorite essay writer and her latest book is Leaf, Cloud, Crow: A Weekly Backyard Journal, which is a companion to her previous bestseller, A Comfort of Crows. Nashville native Reese Witherspoon, who was a student of Renkls, just selected A Comfort of Crows, as her 100th pick for Reeses Book Club. Some of us need sweet and endearing books (think Hallmark or Great American Family movies for television). Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks, The Cat who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt are all charming. (Shh: dont tell Larry!) And, Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy is in my top 10 books of 2024. This is a dear story about a woman of a certain age and her relationship with a mouse. I will never feel the same about mousetraps. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In both my head and my heart, I knew that Donald Trump and MAGA were going to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats. For the last few years, I have desperately tried to warn the public of this growing reality. I am not a doomsayer or alarmist. I am a realist committed to democracy and the hard work it takes to protect it. Black Americans, as a people, deeply understand and carry this history and lived experience and the knowledge and burden of democracy as contingent and imperiled in our collective bodies, psyches, and memories. For us, America has only been a democracy for sixty years. As I often remind myself, there are white people alive right now who personally watched (and participated in) the lynchings of Black people during the Jim and Jane Crow terror regime. Unfortunately, too few Americans listened. Even worse, as seen last Tuesday, there are tens of millions of Americans, who want what Trump and his fascist MAGA movement are offering. A week later, the words do not exist yet to accurately describe such a national and global tragedy. I was not going to watch the election results on Tuesday. My plan was to go somewhere far away from the television or any screen. I planned to read about the election that night or the next day. I relented. For reasons of history and professional responsibility, I decided to turn on the TV to confirm my worries in real time. I knew that this version of the United States of America was not going to elect a supremely qualified Black woman even if the alternative is an aspiring dictator who is a White man. And there it was, the creeping inevitability that became a torrent. The hosts and guests on the cable news networks two in particular looked sickened as 2016 repeated itself and they tried to convince themselves and the viewers that matters could not possibly be so dire and that somehow Harris was going to find a way to win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 9 pm I turned off the cable news programs and decided there was no need to watch the American people doom themselves in real time. I put on my old Army trench coat and boots and, as I have on many days, and especially in these monumental moments, I made my pilgrimage to Trump Tower in downtown Chicago. I would sit there and think and try to find some peace as I talked to myself and looked up at that horrible building. I asked several of my friends who are psychologists about my ritual. Is it healthy? They told me that my trips to Trump Tower are a reasonable and positive response to extreme danger and stress because, unlike others, I am making Trump and Trumpism into something tangible so I can manage my feelings and do my work properly. They both added that if I were not doing something like taking these long walks they would be very concerned about my state of mind because it would indicate, that like too many of their patients, I am in a state of deep denial and/or not finding a constructive way to work through my feelings. So, I walked all over downtown Chicago in the rain at night. There were only a few people outside at first and I felt like I was in some type of bad film noir, a Black man wearing an old trench coat in the rain as his country succumbs to fascism is walking to one of the headquarters of the elected dictator. I walked by the emergency room of one of the big hospitals downtown. Sometimes I go to the emergency room late at night to gain some life perspective. So many people are experiencing hard times in this country. The rain had stopped. There were more people outside. Some were drunk. Others were dressed up like they were going to a fancy party or a formal event. They appeared to be indifferent to the world-historical events that were happening that day and night. I crossed over the bridge to Trump Tower. In the middle of the bridge, an attractive young woman was wearing a stylish dress. Of course, she was trying to take a picture of herself. A middle-aged man asked her if she needed some help. She said yes. He was German or Austrian. Do you want the Trump Tower in the background on this very historic night? His emphasis on historic did not have a tone of dread, pathos, or regret. He was almost gleeful or somehow found the situation humorous. I watched, disgusted at both of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the street immediately next to Trump Tower, there were dozens of police and other security. One of the police was a Hispanic man. He took out his phone, smiled, and took a picture of himself with the huge Trump sign in the background, as he gave a big thumbs up. I murmured, You did this to us all. Such people are common across history; in prison, there are always snitches; on the chattel slavery plantations of the American South and elsewhere (what are more accurately described as slave labor camps) the driver (he served under the White overseer) was often a Black man. A Black man walked by and dutifully played the role of sycophant. He was performing for the police and the security outside of Trump Tower, loudly proclaiming that Trump is about to be president again, he is the boss, and we better respect him! Trump is back in the seat. We better respect him. This is Donald Trumps building! Thank God he is back! I said to myself, we are in hell. I again pleaded with the entity that is running this infernal simulation to please stop. We the Americans have suffered enough. The (mostly) white police and security guards laughed and generally showed their approval of him. I stood there outside of Trump Tower, watching more people walk by. Most of them, as before, did not appear to care what was happening that night with the election, or maybe they just wanted some respite or escape from it. I heard more laughter and cheers. A large group of White Trumpists were coming out of the building, leaving what looked like an Election Night Watch Party. There were the obligatory Black and South Asian Trumpists scattered about in different groups or standing alone outside. It was almost like they were trying to get attention (and affirmation) from the White Trumpists for being the good ones who are special and exceptional and so very "articulate." Almost all of the Trumpists I saw were pleasantly drunk or appeared to be almost there. They had on their MAGA hats. Some wore the Trump uniform of tan khakis and a white dress shirt. Other Trumpists had on his signature red tie. They were a reminder that on this Election Day and night, and more generally, one groups dystopia is another groups utopia. These Trumpists, like the much larger mass of them in all parts of the United States, radiated entitlement and menace. They had won. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was tired and spent. But I had one more place to go to confirm a nagging instinct. I walked several more blocks north to the casino. It is a temporary casino and very sad and desperate in its energy. I am unsure if that energy is from the building itself or the people who it attracts or the combination of the two. There was a group of young red hat-wearing MAGA men inside. They were playing cheap hands of Blackjack (fifteen dollars) and poker. Many of the people at the casino that night were working-class (or working poor) Black and brown people. There is always a very large group of older Asian people from Chinatown at the casino too. There was also a smaller group of white men who were more serious gamblers, quiet and not very social, playing at one of the more high dollar tables. I surveyed this radically democratic space of people, all of them united in their gambling, in their own worlds, and the MAGA people there desperate for attention (and/or trouble). A few people looked askance at them, their eyes and facial expressions signaling annoyance or disgust mixed with curiosity, but they quickly went back to playing cards or craps. Here is the enduring problem and fact that too many Americans, especially in the news media and political class, continue to ignore: Trump and Trumpism and American fascism are symptoms and not a cause of much deeper problems. These malign forces will not magically disappear if Harris or some other Democrat or even a responsible Republican and real small c conservative were to become president. The Age of Trump and his elevation back to the White House reflect a deep nihilism and despair. When people are made to feel like nothing really matters anymore, and the system and the elites and their society are broken and illegitimate, they will engage in behavior that is individually and collectively destructive. The election of Donald Trump and his MAGA movement (he won both the popular vote and the Electoral College) is a distillation of this collective malaise and nihilism. In a comprehensive must-read new essay in Time Magazine, Eric Cortellessa describes the magnitude of Trumps victory on Tuesday: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scale of his success was stunning. Trump carried North Carolina, flipped Georgia back to his column, and smashed through the Blue Wall. His campaign outperformed its goal of turning out men and holding women. Exit polls showed Trump winning large numbers of Latino men in key battleground states, improving his numbers with that group in Pennsylvania from 27% to 42%. Nationally, Trump's support among Latino men leaped from 36% to 54%. Trump also increased his share of voters without a college degree, gained ground with Black voters in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and held steady nationally with white women, shocking Democrats who had expected a post-Dobbs uprising. Among first-time voters, Trump boosted his support from 32% four years ago to a 54% majority. Here is an important qualifier: There were fewer votes in 2024 than in 2020. That so many Republicans and Democrats did not vote in one of the most important presidential elections in the countrys history, is an exclamation mark on a society in crisis. Authoritarians, fascists, autocrats, and demagogues actively encourage such malaise and surrender and related sentiments and behavior. Donald Trumps victory over Kamala Harris and the Democrats will likely not be the last one for the MAGA movement and the American (and global) fascists and other enemies of democracy. Americas political culture and society may be irrevocably broken at least in the near to mid-term. Cortellessa warns us that Come Jan. 20, we will all be living in Trumps America. The American people did this to themselves. Trump and his agents are experts at political sadism, trauma, and cruelty. On Election Day 2024, the American people said Yes! Please! Give us more! They are soon going to regret giving that permission and invitation, but then it will be much too late. The Veterans Day ceremony at the Pennsylvania Soldiers & Sailors Home took place in the historic chapel honoring veterans of the armed forces. The ceremony included a presentation of colors by McDowell Air Force Jr. ROTC, a remembrance hymn by the Mercyhurst Prep show choir and guest speakers. Its really special today because both of our guest speakers are veterans and Erie natives that made the journey back to their hometown and serve as our keynote speakers, said Ken Vybiral, volunteer resources coordinator for the PA Soldiers & Sailors Home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the guest speakers, a retired Air Force major general, recalled the importance of Veterans Day. PA Soldiers & Sailors Home pays tribute to veterans with annual ceremony The freedoms we have today are based upon the sacrifices that veterans made in Erie veterans have been part of that Strong Vincent and Charles Gridley who have paid the ultimate sacrifice owe it to the kids out there today so its about sacrifice its about freedom and we pay the price, said Edward I. Bolton Jr., a retired Air Force major general. Vybiral said thanking a veteran for their service every day shows your appreciation for all they have done throughout the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It reminds them that their service still matters even years after theyve taken their oath of enlistment so it just kind of reinforces us as a community and our countrys contributions and dedication to our veterans and let them know that their service matters, said Vybiral. Boltons sister, Dr. Karen Bolton, also spoke to guests Monday morning. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. As temperatures continued to drop in western North Carolina, the need for heat in the shelters for Helene victims continued to rise. Wednesday morning, a business in Mooresville took in donations for those in need. The people who are most affected by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, theres very little money in that part of the state to begin with. The people who were affected most generally dont have a lot, said realtor Mark Gibson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson works with Coldwell Banker Realty. He said he and his family spend a lot of time in western North Carolina each fall. He said they know firsthand how cold it can get, and he knows firsthand how devastated the area is. The first day I was there, I noticed the devastation and the washout, but really it looked like a bunch of water had rushed through. It wasnt until after the fact that I realized that everywhere I was seeing water was a community, Gibson explained. Gibson was when to say that seeing that devastation made him want to do something to help, so he posted on a realty newsletter that reached well over 10,000 people in his area. He said the response was overwhelming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Charlotte woman helps Helene victims through self-initiated drive We were able to fill a 53-foot semi with pallets of supplies. We have two vehicles donated. We were able to give $3,000 in cash to three different families, Gibson said. He said that the mission expanded from everyday supplies to large space heaters after he spoke with a college student from Spruce Pines. That student told Gibson that she wanted to help keep people in her hometown warm while they were without shelter. Gibson then posted in the same newsletter for more help and started a wholesale account with Mr. Heater. And the community once again stepped up to help, with hundreds of heaters being donated along with $25,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its imperative because they dont have homes to heat. Most of them are living in tents, Gibson elaborated. The latest shipment headed up to the mountains Tuesday morning, with more than 400 heaters. Something Gibson said is a small way for the community to help but one that will go a long way. He said he will continue donating heaters as long as he can. If you would like to donate, you can do so here. VIDEO: Charlotte woman helps Helene victims through self-initiated drive BOSTON (WWLP) This Veterans Day, 22News is celebrating our western Massachusetts lawmakers who served our country. There are 24 lawmakers who represent Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties in both the House and the Senate. Of those 24 lawmakers, three served in the Army or Air Force. State Senator John Velis, who represents Hampden and Hampshire, enlisted in the United States Army in 2010. That same year, he was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Velis served in the US Army Reserves, and spent a month at the North Korean border, after returning home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, Velis deployed to Afghanistan for a second tour and was promoted to the rank of Major. Since 2023, Velis has been a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Map: How many veterans live in Massachusetts? On the House of Representatives side, State Representative Shirley Arriaga, who represents the 8th Hampden district, is an Air Force veteran. Arriaga enlisted at age 20 during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where she was part of the Women in Aviation Initiative. While deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan, she earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Arriaga raised her daughter, completed her Bachelors Degree while serving, and was honorably discharged in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representative Kelly Pease, who represents the 4th Hampden district, served 20 years in active duty in the Army. Before retiring in 2011, he earned the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Peases son, Christopher, is currently on active duty in the Air Force. With Velis, Arriaga, and Peases service, 12.5% of western Massachusetts lawmakers are veterans, while only 4.3% of Massachusetts residents are veterans themselves. 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. Colorado Springs police are saying that a scary report of a man with a rifle near an area school Tuesday appears to be a hoax. Colorado Springs police received reports around 11 a.m. of a man with a rifle outside of Ridgeview Elementary School making threats. However, after responding and investigating, police say this incident appears to be a "hoax." The department has not received any additional reports of shots fired or injuries. No one matching the initial description has been located near the District 49 school, which is east of the intersection of Dublin and North Powers boulevards. Officers were still on the scene as of noon but will be clearing out soon, according to a department spokesperson. During the investigation, and "out of an abundance of caution" the school was placed on lockdown meaning external doors were locked but the school day continued uninterrupted inside, the the spokesperson said. Police say they will continue to investigate the hoax phone call, which has impacted additional schools, according to an online blotter entry. This article will be updated. A new Red Flag Warning has been issued for Tuesday as firefighters across the Commonwealth continue to battle brush fires. The recent windy, arid weather is causing dangerous conditions, making ongoing wildfires hard to contain. According to officials, more than 150 brush fires are currently burning in the state. Governor Healey is expected to visit one of the affected communities on Tuesday to provide an update on drought conditions and wildfire risks. She will also be thanking firefighters and first responders for their ongoing efforts. NORTH ANDOVER In North Andover, exhausted firefighters were seen taking a rest during an air water drop from the Massachusetts National Guard over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews battled flames and smoke conditions in the area near Sharpeners Pond Road. Residents were warned that heavy smoke may be prevalent in the area as companies try to contain the fires. Anyone who sees active flames is urged to call 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LYNN Over the weekend, more than 400 acres in Lynn Woods was set ablaze by fast-moving wildfires. Its impossible to stop this because of how dry the ground is and how compromised the root system has become, said a Facebook post from the City of Lynn Fire Department. MIDDLETON Brush fires have been burning in Middleton for over two weeks, scorching more than 200 acres. In an update on Sunday, officials say significant progress was made extinguishing hot spots and pockets of flames on Old Hundred Lane. Crews estimate that 80% of the wildfires in the town have been contained. The Fire department would once again like to thank members of the community for the outpouring of support during this 2-week incident, the Middleton Fire Department wrote in a Facebook post. We are humbled by your generosity and well-wishes. Brush fires continue to burn in Mass. Governor Healey joins fire officials in urging fire safety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GLOUCESTER Companies in Gloucester requested mutual aid battling a brush fire near Quarry Street on Sunday. Officials say the flames began around 11:23 a.m., where approximately 3 acres of woods were on fire. The dry and windy conditions made containing the blaze difficult. Residents in the area are reminded that outdoor burning is prohibited due to the extremely high wildfire risk across the state. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Four Redmond firefighters are home after helping communities in North Carolina and Florida in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Helene made landfall in Florida on the evening of Sept. 26 as a Category 4 with winds reaching 140 miles per hour. Milton plowed ashore about a week and a half later, as a Category 3 storm on Oct. 9. While on deployment, Battalion Chief Caleb Freeman, Fire Marshall Rich Gieseke, Driver and Engineer Coy Morris, and Firefighter-Paramedic Matt Nelson served as safety officers, logistics specialists, rescue specialists, and medical specialists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was the widest-spread devastation I have seen from any deployment, including wildfires and other hurricanes, said Freeman in a news release. However, despite the destruction and years of rebuilding facing them, I am continually amazed at the resilience of people. The power to come together and support one another is astonishing. The federal response to these storms was the third largest mobilization of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) search and rescue resources, behind the responses to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The National Response Framework that FEMA operates for disaster response relies heavily on local rescue resources from agencies like Redmond Fire that are from outside the affected area. For the first half of the deployment, Freeman and one other safety officer were responsible for the safety of responders in all of North Carolina and Tennessee. During this time, they oversaw 22 task forces and thousands of people. According to a news release, he worked to prevent an outbreak of norovirus, investigated injury accidents involving task force personnel, coordinated with the regional power company to measure power restoration progress, and drove several hundred miles each day. The City of Redmond deeply appreciates its first responders, the work they do to keep our community safe, and how they represent Redmond on the regional and national stage, the release from the city said. Remarkable Women Contest 2025: Nominate someone remarkable through December 20, 2024 The contest entry period runs from Nov. 12 through Dec. 20, 2024. After we review all nominations, well select finalists as we approach International Womens Month in March. Those local women will be considered for Nexstars nationwide 2025 Woman of the Year Award, as well as featured and celebrated on The Rhode Show. On April 1, 2025, a regional winner will be crowned and sent to Hollywood. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Remarkable Women are all around us. They lead, inspire and make an impact in our community in may ways. So, who are the women whove made a difference in your life? Remarkable Women Contest 2025 - Nominate Now! WPRI 12 wants to share their stories and celebrate them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the Remarkable Women contest, WPRI 12 is once again recognizing the contributions women have made locally and around the country. Its part of an annual Nexstar Media initiative to honor the influence that women have had on public policy, social progress and quality of life. Leading up to International Womens Month in March, WPRI 12 will celebrate women in Southern New England who inspire, lead, and forge the way for other women. Its not just about one day or month its about what they do, day in and day out. The entry period runs through Friday, Dec 20. Early next year, well feature four finalists and crown a local winner, who will be considered for Nexstars nationwide 2025 Woman of the Year Award. Nominate a Remarkable Woman Now! Full Coverage: Remarkable Women Remarkable Women Contest: Meet Our Past Winners Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Contests & Sweepstakes Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson spoke to business owners and community members at the Greater Des Moines Partnership as part of the organization's candidate forum series Oct. 16, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson said Monday she is not interested in serving as House GOP conference chair following New York U.S. Rep. Elise Stefaniks expected departure to serve in President-elect Donald Trumps 2024 administration. Hinson, who won reelection to serve in Iowas 2nd Congressional District in the Nov. 5 election, was considered a top contender for the U.S. House GOP leadership position, in charge of party messaging for the caucus. While much of House Republican leadership is expected to remain the same following the election, the conference chair seat officially opened Monday as Trump announced his plan for Stefanik to serve as ambassador to the United Nations in his upcoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elise is a strong and very smart America First fighter, Trump said Monday in a written statement. She will be an incredible ambassador to the United Nations, delivering peace through strength and America First national security policies! Since the announcement, several Republican representatives stepped up to take the New York Republicans place on the House GOP leadership team. According to The Hill, Reps. Lisa McClain of Michigan and Kat Cammack of Florida have announced their desire to take the post that will be filled when the House GOP caucus holds its internal leadership elections Wednesday. Several other candidates have been floated as potential replacements for the No. 4 position, including Hinson. During the 2024 campaign season, the Iowa Republican was tapped as a surrogate by Trump and House GOP leadership, campaigning in competitive states like Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nebraska supporting Republicans on the ballot. But Hinson took herself out of the running as Stefaniks replacement Monday. Im humbled that my colleagues would consider me for this important post, but I am not running for a leadership position, Hinson said in a statement. My focus is on serving Iowas Second Congressional District and working to ensure we carry out President Trumps agenda. Utah Rep. Blake Moore is reportedly exploring a bid for House Republicans fourth ranking leadership position after Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., accepted a position as President-elect Donald Trumps ambassador to the United Nations. News broke Sunday night that Stefanik, the current chair of the House Republican conference, had been tapped to play the role in the Trump administration previously filled by former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. On Monday, Stefanik officially withdrew from the conference chair race, telling her House colleagues, Together with President Trump, we will save America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stefaniks exit left the House GOPs No. 4 spot open for the taking. In advance of Wednesdays House leadership vote, several lawmakers declared their intentions to run for the seat. Reps. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., Erin Houchin, R-Ind., and Kat Cammack, R-Fla., have already made their bids for chair official. Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds had been rumored to run, after challenging Stefanik in 2023, but instead he chose to endorse Cammack. Moore is considered a potential candidate for the leadership role, according to several news outlets which reported that Utahs 1st District congressman had been making calls on Monday to gauge support. Moore congratulated Stefanik on her cabinet appointment Monday morning in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is the perfect choice and ready for the job and will be a courageous voice as we seek peace, support our allies, and abolish antisemitism at home and abroad, Moore said. Rep. Moore in party leadership Moore has risen to the top levels of GOP leadership since entering office in 2021. The Ogden native was elected as vice chair of the Republican conference over six other GOP hopefuls after multiple rounds of voting in November 2023. Over the course of two terms he has also secured positions on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax policy, and the Budget Committee. As conference vice chair, Moore has been tasked with organizing daily one-minute speeches from conference members and assisting Stefanik with party messaging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With his role in leadership, Moore aims to promote a more optimistic vision of American conservatism, he told the Deseret News shortly after his election. Instead of serving as a spokesperson for individual members, Moore said his job is to help every GOP House member communicate the partys values effectively. I look at this role as a way to help other members, oftentimes freshmen or less tenured folks, to communicate what I believe is the Ronald Reagan sort of optimism that exists within conservative principles, to go out and win the future, Moore said at the time. RUSSELL, Mass. (WWLP) Three construction workers were injured after a building partially collapsed at the former Strathmore Mill in Russell on Monday. According to the Russell-Montgomery Police Department, at around 2:52 p.m. officers were called to a report of a building collapse at the former Strathmore Mill #1 located at 261 Woronoco Road, with individuals trapped with possible injuries. Upon arrival, it was reported that seven workers who were subcontractors for Complete Property Solutions LLC from Batavia, Ohio were inside the building when the north side of the complex collapsed and caved in. Three of the workers who were trapped with injuries were pulled out of the building by their coworkers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the injured people were taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, one by ambulance, and the other by a Life Star helicopter. According to police, the individuals are expected to recover. PHOTOS: Strathmore Mill Russell Fire Department Russell Montgomery Police Department Russell Montgomery Police Department Russell Fire Department Russell Fire Department Russell Fire Department Russell Fire Department Russell Fire Department Russell Fire Department Suspect arrested in connection with shooting in Florence MAP: Woronoco Road in Russell Residents are being asked to avoid the area for safety purposes. Woronoco Road is closed to through traffic until further notice and unauthorized individuals in the area are subject to arrest. Members of the Massachusetts State Police, Russell Fire Department, Hilltown Ambulance, Huntington Fire Department, Northampton Control (Dispatch), and Russell Highway Department assisted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russell-Montgomery Police Department is expected to release additional details on Tuesday. About Strathmore Mill The former Strathmore Paper Company dates back to 1914, but the history of the company and its founder begins in the 1800s. Horace A. Moses founded the Mittineague Paper Mill in West Springfield, which eventually, after many changes, merged with Woronoco Paper Company and formed the Strathmore Paper Company. International Paper closed the Strathmore Paper Companys mill complex in the 1990s after a change of owners. The mill complex has been vacant for around 30 years, but in the past four years, there were two separate fires. In 2020, mill number two burned for days after the paper left behind caught fire, and in 2022, there was another fire in the complex impacting mill number three and one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work conducted by Complete Property Solutions LLC began over the last month removing and recycling building materials. The property is owned by Donald Voudren Sr. of Huntington. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who reports say was driving a stolen car Monday and led police on a chase from the South Side to the West Side is expected to be arraigned later Tuesday in municipal court. Read next: Man accused of trying to rob woman of car keys at local gas station George Short, 47, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on charges of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm, all third-degree felonies; four fifth-degree felony counts of possession of drugs; improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony; receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony; and a misdemeanor drug charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said an officer on patrol at about 2:35 p.m. received a notice from the citys new Flock Camera system of a stolen car, and the officer spotted the car traveling north on Steel Street. The car failed to stop when the officer tried to pull it over, although a passenger jumped out at Silliman and Steel streets, reports said. The car led police to Fifth Avenue on the North Side, then downtown, then up the Market Street bridge. The car made it as far as West Myrtle Avenue before one of the tires fell off and the driver, later identified by police as Short, jumped out. He was caught after a short foot chase and taken into custody, reports said. Reports said Short was searched, and police found $79 cash, methadone, fentanyl, cocaine and pills. Inside the car, police found methamphetamine, reports said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As police were searching the car, they got a call that a gun was found downtown on the route that Short was driving. An officer was sent to retrieve it, reports said. The gun, a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, was taken into evidence. Reports said Short told paramedics he threw a gun out of the car as he was being chased. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Getty Images With the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) releasing two reports outlining the potential benefits of a state paid leave program, members of the MI Paid Leave for All Coalition are continuing to press lawmakers to move forward with bills establishing family and medical leave programs. In her August 2023 Whats Next Address, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer identified paid family and medical leave as one of her legislative priorities, and doubled down on her support for the policy while speaking at the Moms First Summit in New York, according to a report from Bridge Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) and state Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) in May 2023 introduced policies Senate Bills 332 and 333 and House Bills 4574 and 4575 that would provide Michigan workers with up to 15 weeks of paid leave, funded for through contributions by both employers and employees. However, the legislation has sat dormant, with neither set of bills receiving a hearing in their respective committees in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. Next term, Republicans will have a majority in the House. The release of these two most recent reports in tandem with an actuarial analysis commissioned by LEO and released in July make a strong case for taking action on these policies, said Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, a nonprofit focused on advocating for policy solutions to policy solutions to undo racial and economic inequities. Cleveland Paid Family Medical Leave Health Employment Outcomes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [The reports] show that paid leave is not only affordable and sustainable, but also the right thing to do for the people who call Michigan home and the smart thing to do for our state, Stanton said in a statement. The first report, published by Cleveland State University Professor Patricia Stoddard Dare, examines the health and business outcomes of paid family medical leave policies. In a review of existing research on paid family medical leave, maternity leave, paternity leave and paid health-related leave, Stoddard Dare listed out the variety of benefits these policies bring. This includes decreasing poverty and reliance on social welfare, having a positive or neutral effect on both employees future earnings and U.S. businesss profitability as well as a positive to neutral effect on employee morale and a reduction in employee turnover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The review also pointed to a 20% reduction in infant death, a 7% reduction in premature birth, a 47% decrease in the re-hospitalization of newborns, a 51% reduction in re-hospitalization of mothers for 21 months after childbirth, increased on-time childhood vaccination, double the duration of breastfeeding and a reduction in postpartum depression when leaves least up to six months. Another review, published by Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, notes that paid family and medical leave policies serves as a safeguard for the health and economic wellbeing of workers and their families. Alongside benefits to workers and employers, the U of M report also noted that paid leave policies including parental, family caregiving, and medical leave could address gender and racial inequities, particularly benefiting women of color who bear a disproportionate share of caregiving responsibilities. With women leaving their children to care for children more commonly than men, parental leave policies help caregivers maintain employment over the long-term, and addresses economic inequities across gender, the review notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also pointed to a study of parental leave policies across 200 countries which found including paid paternity leave as part of a parental leave policy contributed to a more equitable division of caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, the review notes households of color tend to experience more caregiving responsibilities than white households often creating challenges in balancing caregiving with paid work duties. Workers of color are also more likely to work in jobs that are not bound by the Family and Medical Leave Act leave acts requirement that provides eligible workers with 12 weeks of unpaid leave without risk of losing their job or health benefits. As such, comprehensive paid family and medical leave policies would grant all families, but particularly families of color, with the critical time and financial stability to care for their loved ones. The U of M review also examined the business impact of state-mandated leave policies pointing to a survey where 90% of employers in California reported no noticeable or a positive effect on profitability, turnover, and morale as a result of the states paid leave policy. It also pointed to another report in which 90% or more of California businesses experienced a positive or neutral effect on productivity and business morale, and no increased costs resulting from the policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U of M Economic and Health Impacts of Paid Leave These reports confirm what we already knew: that a paid family and medical leave program would be transformational for workers, families and businesses here in Michigan, said Danielle Atkinson, the national executive director and founder of Mothering Justice, a national advocacy group focused on supporting mothers of color. Providing our states workers with the time away that they need for critical caregiving responsibilities will make Michigan families, businesses and our economy stronger as a whole. The time is now for Michigan to join the 13 states that have already passed paid family and medical leave laws, Atkinson said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the Michigan Supreme Court determined that the Legislature subverted the rights of citizens in gutting a ballot initiative to guarantee workers paid sick leave by adopting and amending the policy, prompting a lawsuit from Mothering Justice. By Feb. 21, 2025, the Earned Sick Time Act will require all Michigan employers to offer 72 hours of sick leave. While companies with fewer than 10 employees must offer up to 40 hours of paid sick leave, employers with 10 or more employees must offer a full 72 hours of paid sick leave. Following the decision, business groups have cautioned this new policy would force employers to make drastic changes to their sick time policies, while speaking out against the lack of exemptions for businesses based on the type of employees or size of the businesses. While state Sen. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) has introduced legislation to keep the states current paid leave exemption for businesses with less than 50 employees, state Rep. Graham Filler (R-St. Johns) is working with businesses to finalize details on a bill to address their concerns with the paid leave changes while maintaining the spirit of the Earned Sick Time Act. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rep. John Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) has won his reelection bid in Arizonas 6th Congressional District, The Hill/Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) projects. Ciscomani defeated Democratic challenger Kirsten Engel for the seat in the swing district representing the suburbs of Tucson, Ariz. The contest was a rematch between the two hopefuls, as the incumbent narrowly beat Engel in 2022 by roughly 2 percent. The moderate Republican also received an endorsement earlier this year from former President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the top issues on the ballot in the Grand Canyon State a key battleground in 2024 is ensuring the right to abortion access. The procedure is banned in the state after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with a medical exception for the life of the mother, but not for rape or incest. Proposition 139 is an amendment that would protect abortion up until fetal vitality, with exceptions deemed necessary by a physician. DDHQ has projected that Proposition 139 will pass, with 61.8 percent support and more than 95 percent of votes tallied, as of Monday evening. Some vulnerable Republicans have spoken up about reproductive rights in recent months, seeking to distance themselves from some of the more aggressive anti-abortion proposals within the party, including Ciscomani, The Associated Press reported. I want you to hear directly from me: I trust women, the GOP lawmaker said in an advertisement earlier this year, per the AP. I cherish new life. And I reject the extremes on abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an August debate, Engel criticized her Republican rival over his vote in favor of a House bill that would prohibit mail delivery of abortion medication and for serving on the board of a pro-life organization. The bill, however, did not make it to the House floor. Ciscomani, 42, pushed back at the time, accusing his Democratic counterpart of misrepresenting his position and completely grasping for straws, reiterating that he opposes a federal abortion ban and supports in vitro fertilization (IVF). Before serving in the House, the Arizona Republican was a senior adviser to former GOP Gov. Doug Ducey and served as vice chair of the Arizona-Mexico Commission. Ahead of Election Day, The Hill/DDHQ ranked the states 6th district as likely Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 8:50 pm EST. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is calling it like he sees it. Johnson on Monday blasted the Republican party in the U.S. for having a homoerotic fascination with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some of these people think hes an all-around stand-up guy and they love his manly Christianity, Johnson said at Fortunes Global Forum. It seems like the famous 2009 picture of Putin horseback riding shirtless in the Siberian mountains burns bright in Johnsons mind. He joked at a G7 conference in 2022, Jackets on? Jackets off? Shall we take our clothes off? We have to show that were tougher than Putin, as leaders sat down for lunch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson on Monday took a more serious tone regarding Putin in his speech, which came less than a week after Donald Trumps re-election. Trump campaigned on the promise that he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, and before he even entered office. Its complete nonsense. Hes a tyrant and a kleptocrat and a murderer and a very, very dangerous and bad man, he said of Putin. But theres no question that some of those people are in the 47th Presidents ear, and theyre whispering a lot of absolute nonsense to him. Johnson served as prime minister and leader of the Conservative party from 2019 to 2022, overlapping with two of Trumps years in office and Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Im absolutely convinced that it would be a disaster for the world if Ukraine were to go down, he added. I nonetheless cling to my memory of Trump when he was in office, where actually he was pretty tough on Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This memory is perhaps only shared by Trump himself. Trumps flattery of the authoritarian leader was a defining mark on his presidency and post-presidency life much to the chagrin of his national security advisers and intelligence officers. Trump has relentlessly criticized President Joe Biden for sending aid to Ukraine and failing to end the war, but has not offered his own plan as to how to end it. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Trump actually does not have a plan, and is currently taking suggestions from aides. But his posturing on the issue has already gained him a fan Putin himself. We surely hear that Mr. Trump says he will resolve all burning issues within several days, including the Ukrainian crisis. We cannot help but feel happy about it, Putin said in 2023. Well, I like that he said that, Trump responded. Because that means what Im saying is right. The Republican Party of Kentucky will soon get a new leader in Frankfort. Sarah Van Wallaghen, the GOPs executive director since 2017, is leaving her role to join a government relations firm, The Rotunda Group, as a partner, according to a Tuesday morning news release. It has been an honor to serve as the Executive Director of the Republican Party of Kentucky, Van Wallaghen said in a statement. I am incredibly proud of what weve accomplished together, and Im excited for this new chapter to advocate for Kentuckys future in a different capacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RPK Chair Robert Benvenuti said in a statement that Van Wallaghen put party before self, leading with great intellect, unmatched work ethic, and unwavering commitment to the mission of the party. During her time as Executive Director, Kentucky Republicans achieved remarkable victories at every level of government, contributing directly to the economic success brought by the candidates she helped elect, he added. Sarah Van Wallaghen, executive director of the Republican Party of Kentucky since 2017, is leaving at the end of the year to join The Rotunda Group in January. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said Van Wallaghen has been instrumental to the success of our party. She has been crucial to our pivotal achievements electing a Republican Governor, a historic flip of the State House, and expanding our majorities in the legislature, all while preserving our strength in Congress, Stivers said in a news release from The Rotunda Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, said Van Wallaghen has been a true asset to the state party. Her ability to unite people and commitment to supporting candidates at the local, state, and federal level have made a lasting impact on our party and state, he said in a statement. In her new role, Van Wallaghen will focus on representing various industries and organizations to advance key policy initiatives before Kentuckys government leaders, according to The Rotunda Group. Information about a timeline for naming Van Wallaghens replacement was not immediately available. The party holds a strong advantage over Democrats in the state legislature, boasting four-fifths majorities in the House and Senate. However, long-term control over the governors office has eluded it. No Republican has ever been elected to consecutive terms as governor in Kentucky. Van Wallaghen is a Glasgow native and University of Kentucky graduate. She lives in Louisville. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin Republicans reelected Robin Vos as the speaker of the state Assembly on Tuesday, a position he has held longer than anyone in state history and that he reclaimed despite a challenge from a more conservative lawmaker and Democratic gains in the election. The speaker is the most powerful position in the Assembly and Vos, who has held the post since 2013, will preside over the smallest Republican majority in 18 years. Vos was challenged by Rep. Scott Allen, who supported impeaching the state's nonpartisan election leader. Vos opposed impeachment. The vote on Vos was held in secret and he did not say at a news conference how the vote broke down. Allen did not attend the news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vos overcame opposition among some conservatives in his party and a stormy relationship with President-elect Donald Trump. Vos has frequently butted heads with Trump, most notably after his 2020 defeat when Vos refused to decertify President Joe Bidens victory. Trump endorsed a Republican challenger to Vos in 2022 and Trump backers mounted unsuccessful recall attempts targeting Vos this year. Vos got behind new legislative maps this year that were drawn by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, partly out of fear that the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court could enact something even worse for Republicans. The Legislature approved the Evers map, which allowed Democrats to cut into Republican majorities in the Senate and Assembly but not enough to flip control. Some Democrats had hoped to gain a majority in the Assembly, but Republicans won enough key districts to maintain control. Under the new maps, the Republican majority in the Assembly dropped from 64-35 to 54-45 and in the Senate it dropped from 22-11 to 18-15. During Vos' time as speaker, Republicans have held between 60 and 64 seats. Republican Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August said Democrats had an atrocious election because they could not take control on a map that they had engineered to put themselves in the majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the more narrow majorities could lead to more compromise between the Legislature and Evers. But Vos said Republicans would continue to bring forward issues where there is broad consensus among them, like cutting taxes, but others where there is less agreement, like legalizing medical marijuana, would be more difficult. Evers, who rarely met with Republican legislative leaders last session, said he hoped there would be more compromise. Fair maps matter, Evers posted on the social media platform X on Monday. I look forward to working together next session with a Legislature that is more collaborative, more cooperative, and more responsive to the will of the people. Evers will submit a new two-year state budget early next year. Evers and Republicans were able to reach agreement last session on increasing state aid to local governments and extending the lease on American Family Field to keep the Milwaukee Brewers in Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evers signed a budget last year that cut taxes, but not as much as Republicans proposed, and he used his veto power to increase school funding, a move that Republicans are challenging in court. Evers has pushed for a wide array of policy and funding proposals that Republicans have blocked, including expanding paid family leave and Medicaid, legalizing marijuana, and increasing the minimum wage. Senate Republicans reelected Sen. Devin LeMahieu as their majority leader last week. Senate Democrats reelected Sen. Dianne Hesselbein as minority leader on Tuesday. Assembly Democrats were meeting Nov. 19 to elect their leaders. House Speaker Mike Johnsons job may be in jeopardy once again. Some conservative lawmakers are plotting to nominate an alternative candidate to Johnson during internal GOP elections this week, The Hill reported Tuesday. One source told The Hill that there will be a nomination on Wednesday. Johnson, a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, has expressed confidence that he will be reelected. I think youll have total unity in the party, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Louisiana Republican previously faced a failed challenge to vacate the speakership from Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie. He has also been openly criticized by Representative Chip Roy, who said that there were a lot of Republicans who were concerned about Johnson. Roy said Tuesday that it seems likely that Johnson will have a challenger in the vote but did not clarify whether he or someone else would be the one to challenge the current speaker. Johnson said Tuesday that Republicans will be ready to deliver Trumps 2025 agenda. We will be ready day one. We are prepared this time, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ready for what, exactly? Johnson has previously promised to push for government spending reform that could threaten Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and Social Security. Johnson has also said he would repeal the CHIPS Act, which is set to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and bring in billions of dollars, even though its not currently on the GOP agenda. He later walked back that statement by saying it wasnt on the agenda. Republicans have begun warning Trumps transition team that it cannot select any more Republican representatives to the president-elects Cabinet, because it threatens the GOPs narrow House majority. Republicans are selecting their next Senate majority leader on Wednesday, to take power from the increasingly decrepit Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Will the next GOP leader be a thorn in Trumps side, as the old-school corporate conservative McConnell occasionally was, or a MAGA fixer, greasing the skids to ram controversial appointees and legislation through the Senate? The election will offer an early glimpse into official Washingtons view of Trumps return to power. The ballot is also secret providing a buffer of anonymity that may embolden the Senates holdovers from the days when the Republicans stood for small government, muscular foreign policy, and free trade rather than mass deportations, deference to Vladimir Putin, and soaring tariffs. Who Is Out: Mitch McConnell The Kentucky stalwart, 82, has been the GOP leader in the Senate since 2007. Although the men viscerally dislike one another McConnell was booed at Trumps 2024 convention McConnell and Trump were fully aligned on tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and the Republican takeover of the judiciary, in particular the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Trump was first on the ballot, McConnell blocked Barack Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland to the high court on the pretext that it had come too close to the election only to jam through the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett four years later even closer to the 2020 election. The result was a 6-3 conservative supermajority on the high court that has proven pivotal in overturning Roe v. Wade, and granting presidents sweeping criminal immunity. McConnell was probably the last Republican who could have blocked Trumps political recovery after Jan. 6; but despite declaring Trump practically and morally responsible for the Capitol insurrection, McConnell weakly led the Senate GOP in punting on conviction during the second impeachment, which would have disqualified Trump from seeking the presidency again. Whats At Stake: Following last weeks election, Republicans will have a small majority in the Senate, likely 53-47. Two of those votes are Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska who are perceived as moderates and could potentially withhold consent on extreme nominees. Another vote is a wild card: whomever Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine chooses to replace Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. DeWine recently clashed with Vance and Trump over their racist lies about Haitian immigrants living in Springfield, Ohio, and may not send a MAGA rubber stamp to Washington. Clearly anticipating trouble confirming some of his most ideological nominations, Trump has been demanding that the next GOP Senate leader agree to allow him recess appointments. These appointments made when the Senate is out of session would allow him to install controversial cabinet secretaries for up to two years. (Currently the Senate conducts short, ceremonial, pro forma sessions every few days while on breaks to prevent presidents from bypassing the Senates duty to advise and consent.) Who Is In Contention: John Thune: The South Dakota senator has been McConnells second-in-command as the GOP Senate whip since 2019. Thune has held his Senate seat since 2004, when he defeated Democratic incumbent Tom Daschle, who was the Senate majority leader. Thune, a one-time lobbyist, is seen as a favorite of corporate K-Street interests, long McConnells base of power. (Thune once worked for the railroad lobby, and he has been credited with blocking rail-safety reforms after the horrific 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.) Thune endorsed Tim Scott during the GOP presidential primaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Cornyn: Cornyn has been a Texas senator since 2002; he held the post of whip prior to Thune from 2015 to 2019. Where Ted Cruz has been an obstructionist ideologue, Cornyn is more identified with the big-business wing of the GOP. Cornyn has money ties to much of the GOP conference as a former chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the official fundraising arm for Senate Republicans. Previously, Cornyn served as the attorney general in Texas and also as a Texas Supreme Court judge. In 2023, Cornyn opined that Trumps time had passed him by and insisted the MAGA leader would need to look beyond his base to win again. (He later came around and endorsed Trump.) Rick Scott: Rick Scott is the former governor of Florida who became a Sunshine State senator in 2019. Scott has been touting his record as a business guy, having built one of the countrys largest hospital chains, Columbia/HCA. But under Scotts watch, the company was also a corporate criminal, systematically defrauding Medicare, among other illicit practices. Scott was ousted as CEO in 1997, and the company later pleaded guilty to 14 felonies and paid out some $1.7 billion in fines. In legal proceedings, Scott infamously invoked his Fifth Amendment rights 75 times. Scott is more ideological than Thune or Cornyn. He ran the NRSC in 2022, but went rogue by releasing his own hard-right policy prescriptions for the chamber including finishing the border wall and naming it after Trump; imposing income taxes on all Americans who dont pay them; ending debt-ceiling increases without a declaration of war; and sunsetting all federal legislation after five years a plan that threatened the existence of Social Security and Medicare, though he later revised the proposal to exempt the programs. Scott previously challenged McConnell for the leader post in 2022 and lost badly, winning just 10 votes. Scott endorsed Trump over current Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last November. (For his faults, Scott has some shred of backbone denouncing neo-Nazi activity in Florida when DeSantis would not.) How Are They Jockeying? Scott has emerged as the MAGA favorite touted by the likes of Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, and Charlie Kirk. Hes connected to incoming Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles, who served as Scotts top consultant in his 2010 campaign for governor. Scott has also endorsed Trumps plans for recess appointments, retweeting Trumps demands and adding: 100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible. Scott has also told Fox News that, if elected, hell be Trumps yes man: Im doing everything I can to make sure his agenda gets accomplished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thune and Cornyn have also promised stiff, if somewhat less heroic, measures to get Trumps cabinet nominations through. Cornyn has vowed to overcome Democratic opposition with a pledge to stay in session, including weekends, until they relent. Thune has promised that all options are on the table. Both highlighted recess appointments as a backstop. Of the three, Thune has shown the most institutional independence. Prior to the current round of MAGA meddling in the leadership race, he attempted to deliver a brushback pitch, saying of Trump: I think its probably in his best interest to stay out of that. Whats The Process? The Senate GOP conference, including incoming members who just won election, will reportedly vote for Senate majority leader via secret ballot on Wednesday. The voting will feature a runoff to ensure the victor emerges with a majority. On Tuesday evening, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) is hosting a candidate forum in a Senate meeting room. He told the Washington Examiner: This forum gives the candidates a chance to convince us that theyll run things better than the old guard. 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. (NewsNation) The Republicans have won control of the U.S. House of Representatives after the party took 218 seats in national elections, NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ called. Click on the map to see results from your state. All 435 House seats were up for reelection leaving the chambers balance of power up for grabs. House members are elected to two-year terms. Going into the election, the GOP had a narrow majority in the House with 220 seats over the Democrats, who held 212, and three seats being vacant prior to Tuesdays election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In taking the House, Republicans have solidified total control of Congress and the White House, which will create a smoother path for the GOP to lay down its platform. How often does the US see a unified government? Republicans took back the House by a slim margin during the 2022 midterm elections, flipping key seats in Washington, New York and California. In 15 House races in 2022, winners came out on top by fewer than 2 percentage points over their opponents, and this year, seven of those races were rematches between incumbents and the same challengers. In Californias 13th District, Republican freshman Rep. John Duarte faced Democratic challenger Adam Gray once again, while in the states 22nd District, Republican Rep. David Valadao and former California Assemblyman Rudy Salas also met in a rematch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there were hundreds of races, just a tenth were deemed competitive by the Cook Political Report. Twenty-five were considered toss-ups, and 18 races were rated as either leaning Democratic or leaning Republican. Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here. Much of the lack of competition has been attributed to redistricting that took effect this year. Five states changed their congressional district lines since the 2022 midterm elections. Alabama, Louisiana and Georgia were mandated to redraw their lines by federal courts, which found that the old lines violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. North Carolina and New York had their old maps thrown out by their state supreme courts, which allowed each state legislature to redraw the lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Rep. Barry Moore left Alabamas 2nd District to run in the 1st District to give himself a better shot at reelection. In North Carolina, freshman Democrat Rep. Don Davis was challenged by Republican and retired Army Col. Laurie Buckhout in the 1st District, which was redrawn in hopes of giving Republicans a better chance of winning. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Data provider Decision Desk HQ projected on Monday that President-elect Donald Trump's Republican Party had won a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, which would signal that Republicans would hold a majority in both chambers of Congress. Edison Research has not yet projected House control. It has projected that Republicans will hold at least 215 seats, with Democrats holding at least 206. Races on 14 seats remained uncalled. The smallest House majority is 218. Republicans had already secured a U.S. Senate majority of at least 52-46, Edison Research projected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first presidential term in 2017-2021, Trump's biggest achievement was sweeping tax cuts that are due to expire next year. That legislation and Democratic President Joe Biden's signature $1 trillion infrastructure law both came during periods when their parties controlled both chambers of Congress. By contrast, during the past two years of divided government, Biden has had little success in passing legislation and Congress has struggled to perform its most basic function of providing the money needed to keep the government open. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Additional reporting by Shubham Kalia; Editing by Scott Malone, Howard Goller and Lincoln Feast.) Every year, whales by the thousands are fatally struck by ships in oceans that are increasingly crowded and commercialized. Thankfully, as reported by Phys.org, researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts have developed a solution to keep these gentle giants safe ship-mounted cameras that can detect whales at a distance. The cameras use thermal imaging technology to spot whales disturbing the surface by swimming or blowing their spouts. Images from the cameras are fed into an integrated artificial intelligence system trained to distinguish the surface activity of whales as opposed to boats, waves, or other marine animals. With the technology, whales can be detected from several miles away, giving captains time to change course or slow their ship's speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaii-based Matson Navigation Company is already testing the cameras on three of its container ships. One ship reported 1,169 whale and dolphin detections in the first three months of use; some of the whales were up to 6,500 meters (four miles) away. "This initial data is very exciting for our team, as it gives us real-world feedback on how well the thermal-infrared system is performing on a large container vessel platform," said Daniel Zitterbart, a WHOI scientist. More than 20,000 whales are hit by ships and killed annually around the world. WHOI further detailed that roughly 80 endangered whales are fatally struck each year off the West Coast of the United States alone. Some particularly busy commercial routes send ships along the West Coast of the U.S. and out to Hawai'i, putting them smack in the middle of migration routes used by at least 16 different whale species, per WHOI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner, and that includes finding ways to reduce the risk of whale collisions," said Matt Cox, Matson's chairman and CEO. "Our vessels navigate some of the most pristine areas in the Pacific, and we look forward to working with Woods Hole on other projects that benefit the environment." "Thermal-imaging systems are a powerful tool in real-time whale detection," said Zitterbart. "Used alone or in conjunction with other proven protections like passive acoustic monitoring, this technology can significantly reduce the risk of vessel strikes and be a positive force in the protection of marine animals." 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Youngstown restaurant owner is looking to keep a family tradition alive for new generations as customers return to the downtown area. Read next: Radio talk show host announces reboot Its been about a month and a half since downtown Youngstown was able to reopen following the explosion at the Realty Building last May. Although some work is still being done on the site where the Realty Building once stood, traffic is once again moving easily and business is improving. Restaurant owner Mark Canzonetta says hes seen a noticeable revitalization over the last six weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since reopening last month, Canzonetta says hes been passing out crisp new $2 bills to children coming into his restaurant Casa di Canzonetta. He says its something his older relatives would do during the holidays or special occasions for good luck. Now, when he sees kids 12 and under coming in with their families, hes continuing the tradition. Anytime somebody comes in, I just reach in my wallet and pull out one of these $2 bills and I give it to them and you should see the smile on their face immediately, its just unbelievable, Canzonetta said. He says while the kids are thrilled to get the money, their parents often say they didnt realize $2 bills were still being printed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canzonetta tells the kids to be sure to save the money for another day and, when theyre older, to pay the tradition forward and give $2 bills to another generation of children. Monday, workers were busy getting Casa di Canzonetta decorated for the Christmas holiday. Canzonetta hopes the parade and tree-lighting next month will draw even more people to see what the downtown has to offer. I see it going to the other areas; the other restaurants are starting to say that theyre getting busy too, so its just not me. I think people are seeing that Youngstown is in fact alive again and open for business and its fantastic, Canzonetta said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Despite dropping out of the presidential race nearly three months before Election Day, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received more votes in Alabama than any other third-party candidate combined, according to the Alabama Secretary of States Office. Kennedy, who adamantly told people not to vote for him after withdrawing from the race and endorsing Donald Trump over the summer, received 12,026 votes in Alabama, or 0.53% of the nearly 2.3 million votes cast across the state last Tuesday, according to unofficial results released by the SOS. This marks more votes than the total combined number of ballots cast for Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver statewide. Stein, a doctor who has ran for president under the Green Party ticket in the 2012 and 2016 elections, received 4,2917 votes (0.19%) across Alabama. Oliver, who had unsuccessfully ran for House and Senate seats in Georgia before running for president as a Libertarian, received 4,914 votes (0.22%). However, more Alabamians cast write-in ballots than voted for third-party candidates not named Kennedy, with 8,720 votes written in, marking 0.39% of the vote in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which county had the highest voter turnout in Alabama during the 2024 election? Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and activist who first ran as a Democrat challenging President Joe Biden before going it alone as an independent under no third-party banner, dropped out of the presidential race on Aug. 23, subsequently giving his support to President-elect Trump. The day Kennedy withdrew from the race was the same day of Alabamas deadline for ballot access. Kennedy would go on to receive nearly 594,000 votes nationwide on Election Day, or roughly 0.4% of the popular vote, according to NewsNation. Following Trumps win, there has been speculation that Kennedy, whose controversial views on vaccines have garnered both support and outrage, could potentially be nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, according to CBS News. Neither Trump or his campaign team have commented on the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Gov. George Wallace remains the only third-party presidential candidate in history to win the popular vote in Alabama, receiving 691,425 votes (65.86%) when he ran under the American Independent Party ticket in 1968, beating out both Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey. The only other third-party candidate to receive more than 10% of the vote in Alabama was Texas businessman Ross Perot, who received 183,109 votes (10.85%) across the state in 1992. For more information on how Alabama voted in the 2024 election, 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 CBS 42. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha joined a national coalition of attorneys general to announce a $49.1 million settlement with drugmakers Apotex and Heritage Pharmaceuticals over alleged price manipulation. (Mint Images/Getty) Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha joined a national coalition of attorneys last week announcing a $49.1 million settlement with drugmakers Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex. The settlement addresses allegations that Apotex and Heritage, a subsidiary of pharma company Emcure of India, colluded to manipulate drug prices and restrain competition. Both companies have pledged to enact internal reforms that support fair competition, and have also agreed to cooperate with further litigation against other drugmakers who have also been accused of involvement in price manipulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anticompetitive behavior is always problematic, but when companies collude to manipulate prices to achieve enormous profits, its downright sinister, Neronha said in a statement. Heritage is responsible for $10 million of the settlement and Apotex will pay $39.1 million. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is leading the multi-district lawsuit, which was first announced by the state on Oct. 31. Tong wrote that this initial settlement is a victory against widespread, long-running conspiracies of artificially inflated generic drug prices that date back to 2016. An additional 30 corporate defendants and 25 individual executives face scrutiny, officials said. The 50 plaintiffs include 46 states as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii and Texas are not included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who purchased either companys generic drugs between 2010 and 2018 might qualify for compensation. Eligibility details can be found at the settlement website, by calling 1-866-290-0182, or by emailing info@AGGenericDrugs.com. A list of qualifying drugs can be found on the settlement website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rick Scott mingling with supporters outside of La Teresita Restaurant in Tampa on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) While the public campaign to get Senate Republicans to select Rick Scott as their next leader has reportedly been a turn-off for some members of the body, could it be that his signing of gun safety legislation while governor of Florida will give GOP members permission to deny the Florida man his shot at succeeding Mitch McConnell in Washington? The issue that has rankled Second Amendment activists goes back to Scotts signing of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act in March 2018. That took place less than four weeks after the Parkland school massacre, which led to the deaths of 17 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bipartisan legislation raised the minimum age to purchase a rifle from 18 to 21; required a three-day waiting period to purchase a firearm; allowed some teachers and other school personnel who underwent special training to arm themselves, and allowed for extreme-risk protection orders, better known as a red flag law. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX That provision allows law enforcement to ask a judge to temporarily bar dangerous individuals from possessing or purchasing a firearm. Following mass shootings in the summer of 2019, Scott wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post declaring that he supported a national version of a red-flag law, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its that provision (among others) that has led gun rights activists to argue that, at the least, Scott needs to answer for before he is elected to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader. Does he still support a national Red Flag law? asks the American Firearms Association on X. Does he support waiting periods on our 2A rights? Does he support raising the age to buy long guns to 21? Does he support abolishing the ATF? Does he support repealing the NFA? Does he support overturning FIX NICS and Joe Bidens 2022 gun control package? These are questions (and many more) that he must answer based on his history of supporting gun control as Governor of Florida. The NFA is the National Firearms Act of 1934, a federal law that taxes the manufacturing and sale of certain guns and requires owners to register those guns. FIX NICS is a bill signed into law by then President Trump in 2018 that was intended to strengthen the reporting of prohibited purchasers, including domestic abusers, by state and federal agencies into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Irredeemable squish Gun rights groups have also criticized Idaho Sen. John Thune and Texas John Cornyn for their stances on guns, as well, but its Scott, now the pick for GOP majority leader by MAGA supporters like Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk, who is feeling the heat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, he signed a bill in Florida to raise the age of gun ownership to 21, writes the National Reviews Charles Cooke. In response, the NRA refused to endorse him in his Senate run, and sued to stop the law from going into effect. In 2019, Scott came out in favor of red-flag laws. Why is that different? Why doesnt that make Scott an irredeemable squish? Conservative talk-show host Dana Loesch, a former spokesperson for the National Rifle Association, adds Scotts perceived failures as head of the National Republican Senate Committee in 2022 to her bill of particulars about why he should not become the next GOP Senate leader. Rick Scott cost Republicans the Senate in 2022 at NRSC, steamrolled over 2, 4, & 5A rights as governor, backs amnesty, but sure, put him in charge of Trumps agenda in the Senate, that s [sic] great F-You to voters, she wrote on X on Monday. Middle-of-the-road gun grabbers Luis Valdes, Florida state director of Gun Owners of America, says all three candidates are bad choices for those who care about gun rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We the people have voted, and weve sent a clear mandate to Washington, D.C., that we dont want political party hacks, Valdes told Loesch on her podcast on Monday. We dont want middle-of-the-road gun grabbers. We want Second Amendment patriots. Valdes said that sadly it appears one of the three mentioned candidates will win the position. What we can do is we can put pressure and make sure that they will not get our support unless they turn the page, they turn the cheek, and they tell us and they show us through action because actions speak louder than words that they are better than what they were before. Scott has the backing of at least five senators who have endorsed him in recent days. Up until this weekend, he had been considered a dark horse candidate behind Thune and Cornyn, notwithstanding his personal relationship with Trump. The president-elect has not endorsed any candidate for the position as of Tuesday morning. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Phoenix reached out to Sen. Scotts office for comment, but did not receive an immediate response. Four multi-convicted felons have learned their fate for their involved in an attempted-smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in Dunwoody. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to court documents, in July 2023 the Federal Bureau of Investigation began investigating jewelry store robberies in the southeastern U.S. Agents learned that the robberies were arranged by Deuntria Lyons. Lyons, who was an inmate at the Valdosta State Prison was serving six life sentences for planning other robberies from behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Nov. 2023, the FBI intercepted several phone calls and text messages between Lyons and his associates, including Melvin Asbury, Mark Oliver, and Santino Parks. Officials said, in those conversations, Lyons and Oliver discussed the date, location, and other details of Lyonss plan to rob a jewelry store in Dunwoody. This also included plans for two of the suspects to enter the store armed with handguns while a third person waited in a getaway car. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 1, 2023, FBI agents spotted three of the suspects in a car near the jewelry store that Lyons talked about previously. Oliver, Parks, and Jamaury Marshall were arrested at the scene. Authorities said they found masks, gloves, trash bags, two sledgehammers, two loaded Glock pistols, and a loaded high-capacity magazine in the car. Moments later, Georgia State PAtrol arrested Asbury in another car. Lyons and a second person were indicted on Dec. 12 on a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery and other charges. These defendants posed a significant threat to public safety when they terrorized innocent victims during their crime spree, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] At the time of their arrests, Asbury, Marshall, Parks, and Oliver were all on probation or parole with the state of Georgia following convictions for violent crimes. In 2022, Asbury was granted parole after serving nearly 17 years of a 20-year sentence for armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault, burglary, and weapons possession charges. Marshall was on probation after being in prison for burglary, aggravated assault, and weapons-possession charges. Parks was on probation for robbery by force, aggravated battery, and burglary. Oliver was on probation for robbery and acts of violence while in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were sentenced as follows: Melvin Asbury, 39, of Atlanta, was sentenced to five years, and three months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty on June 20, 2024, to attempted Hobbs Act robbery. Jamaury Marshall, 29, of Johns Creek, was sentenced to eight years, and four months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty on June 7, 2024, to possession of a firearm, which he was prohibited from possessing due to his status as a convicted felon. Mark Anthony Oliver, 23, of Atlanta, was sentenced to five years, and three months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty on June 26, 2024, to attempted Hobbs Act robbery. Santino Demarco Parks, 29, was sentenced to seven years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty on June 20, 2024, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. These defendants clearly showed no regard for the law as they continued their crimes even while on parole. All four were willing to put innocent civilians at risk during the commission of these armed robberies and it is fortunate no one was hurt because of their selfish desire for wealth, said Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. Hopefully this federal sentence will send the message that the FBI will not tolerate the behavior of repeat violent offenders. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) The City of Rockford is planning to spend $421,000 to reconfigure restrooms at a fire station to be usable by firefighters of any gender. The project to renovate the existing restrooms at Rockford Fire Department Station 6, at 3329 W. State Street, will be brought up for approval at the City Councils Finance and Personnel Committee on Tuesday night. The city plans to use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to pay contractor Ringland Johnson to transform the existing facility by increasing the number of restrooms and gender-appropriate amenities for both the Academy and the personnel assigned to Fire Station 6, aligning with the departments goal for equity and inclusion, according to a memo from Fire Chief Michele Pankow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2020, all single-occupancy public restrooms in Illinois are required to be gender-neutral. In 2023, Gov. JB Pritzker signed additional legislation that allowed for multi-occupancy gender-neutral restrooms. Under the law, public restrooms require floor-to-ceiling, locking dividers on stalls, inclusive signage, trash receptacles in each stall, a menstruation supplies vending machine, a baby changing station, and be ADA compliant. Urinals are not allowed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ruben Gallego in August 2024. Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 U.S. Congressman Ruben Gallego will be Arizonas newest senator, according to the Associated Press, which called the race for Gallego Monday night. Almost a week after Election Day, with more than 93% of votes in the state counted, Marine veteran and Democrat Gallego was 2.2 percentage points and 72,626 votes ahead of Lake, a Trump-endorsed Republican and former Phoenix television news anchor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Growing up the way I did in the environment I did, growing up poor, being here is something that was literally a dream, Gallego said during a celebratory press conference Monday night. His supporters cheered as he reminded them he would be the first Latino senator from Arizona. As hard as I fought in the Marines, I will fight as hard for Arizona in Washington, D.C., Gallego said. He promised to work to fix the broken immigration system, as well as to help lower costs for housing, gas and groceries. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lake did not concede or make any public statements after the race was called for Gallego. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as she ran for Senate, Lake continued to unsuccessfully challenge the results of the 2022 gubernatorial race that she lost by more than 17,000 votes to Democrat Katie Hobbs. Two years later, a day after the Nov. 5 election, the Arizona Supreme Court dismissed her final appeal request. As vote tallies slowly trickled in over the last six days, Gallego maintained a fluctuating lead over Lake, but pulled further ahead as more votes that favored him were tallied in Maricopa County. Gallego defeated Lake in Maricopa, which is home to some 60% of the states voters, by about 5 percentage points. Gallego increased his lead over Lake significantly on Sunday and Monday, from Saturday when he was up only 1.5 percentage points and 45,054 votes. As of Monday night, Arizona had tabulated more than 3.2 million ballots, according to the Secretary of States Office, and had more than 179,000 left to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lakes campaign undertook an aggressive effort to recruit volunteers to encourage voters to cure any issues with their ballot so that they could be counted, such as verifying their signature on an early ballot envelope if it had been flagged as inconsistent with previous signatures. The curing deadline ended Sunday, after the Arizona Supreme Court rejected a request from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Campaign Legal Center, which requested an extension to give voters more time to cure their ballots. But none of the counties charged with counting the ballots that responded to the high court requested more time for curing, The Hill reported. The ACLU claimed that more than 60,000 ballots had yet to be processed by Sundays deadline and therefore could not have been contacted, but counties claimed they all made efforts to contact voters whose signatures were questioned. Some of Lakes most ardent followers shared baseless rumors in the days after the election that Democrats were attempting to steal a win from Lake. That echoed Lakes false statements when she lost the 2022 race for Arizona governor to Democrat Katie Hobbs, as well as her evidence-free claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallego has represented the states 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House since 2015. He ran on a platform of making life more affordable for the middle and working class, abortion rights and measured increases in border security that include increased manpower and better use of technology. Lake toed the MAGA line during her campaign, calling for completed construction of Trumps border wall, mass deportation of undocumented immigrants and an extension of Trumps tax cuts. Lake sought to align Gallego with Democratic President Joe Biden and what she called his open borders, while Gallego reminded voters that Lake had drastically moderated her stance on abortion in the past year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the coming year, Lake faces the prospect of paying yet-to-be determined damages to Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, after she legally conceded fault in his defamation suit regarding Lakes false claims that Richer helped rig the 2022 governors race against her. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Arizona Senate candidates Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Republican Kari Lake answer questions during the Arizona Clean Election Commission debate at BitFire Studios on Oct. 9, 2024 in Phoenix. Photo by Cheryl Evans | The Arizona Republic/Pool Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego will be Arizonas newest senator, according to the Associated Press, which called the race for Gallego Monday night. Almost a week after Election Day, with more than 93% of votes in the state counted, Marine veteran Gallego was 2.2 percentage points and 72,626 votes ahead of Lake, a Trump-endorsed Republican and former Phoenix television news anchor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Growing up the way I did in the environment I did, growing up poor, being here is something that was literally a dream, Gallego said during a celebratory press conference Monday night. His supporters cheered as he reminded them he would be the first Latino senator from Arizona. As hard as I fought in the Marines, I will fight as hard for Arizona in Washington, D.C., Gallego said. He promised to work to fix the broken immigration system, as well as to help lower costs for housing, gas and groceries. Lake did not concede or make any public statements after the race was called for Gallego. Even as she ran for Senate, Lake continued to unsuccessfully challenge the results of the 2022 gubernatorial race that she lost by more than 17,000 votes to Democrat Katie Hobbs. Two years later, a day after the Nov. 5 election, the Arizona Supreme Court dismissed her final appeal request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As vote tallies slowly trickled in over the last six days, Gallego maintained a fluctuating lead over Lake, but pulled further ahead as more votes that favored him were tallied in Maricopa County. Gallego defeated Lake in Maricopa, which is home to some 60% of the states voters, by about 5 percentage points. Gallego increased his lead over Lake significantly on Sunday and Monday, from Saturday when he was up only 1.5 percentage points and 45,054 votes. As of Monday night, Arizona had tabulated more than 3.2 million ballots, according to the Secretary of States Office, and had more than 179,000 left to go. Lakes campaign undertook an aggressive effort to recruit volunteers to encourage voters to cure any issues with their ballot so that they could be counted, such as verifying their signature on an early ballot envelope if it had been flagged as inconsistent with previous signatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The curing deadline ended Sunday, after the Arizona Supreme Court rejected a request from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Campaign Legal Center, which requested an extension to give voters more time to cure their ballots. But none of the counties charged with counting the ballots that responded to the high court requested more time for curing, The Hill reported. The ACLU claimed that more than 60,000 ballots had yet to be processed by Sundays deadline and therefore could not have been contacted, but counties claimed they all made efforts to contact voters whose signatures were questioned. Some of Lakes most ardent followers shared baseless rumors in the days after the election that Democrats were attempting to steal a win from Lake. That echoed Lakes false statements when she lost the 2022 race for Arizona governor to Democrat Katie Hobbs, as well as her evidence-free claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. Gallego has represented the states 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House since 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He ran on a platform of making life more affordable for the middle and working class, abortion rights and measured increases in border security that include increased manpower and better use of technology. Lake toed the MAGA line during her campaign, calling for completed construction of Trumps border wall, mass deportation of undocumented immigrants and an extension of Trumps tax cuts. Lake sought to align Gallego with Democratic President Joe Biden and what she called his open borders, while Gallego reminded voters that Lake had drastically moderated her stance on abortion in the past year. In the coming year, Lake faces the prospect of paying yet-to-be determined damages to Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, after she legally conceded fault in his defamation suit regarding Lakes false claims that Richer helped rig the 2022 governors race against her. Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and X. The win makes Gallego Arizonas first Latino U.S. senator Chip Somodevilla/Getty; OLIVIER TOURON/AFP via Getty Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake Democrat Ruben Gallego has won the U.S. Senate race in Arizona, defeating his far-right Republican rival, Kari Lake, according to a race call by Associated Press late on Monday, Nov. 11. The news comes after former President Donald Trump won Arizona over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, flipping the sate that had helped elect President Joe Biden in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Gallegos victory, the GOP now have secured 53 seats of the 100-member Senate. Gallego, 44, held a steady lead in polling over Lake, 55, throughout the election, but Democrats were wary of feeling overconfident given the state's firmly purple politics. Gallego is now in line to replace outgoing independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, 48, who announced in March that she would not seek another six-year term in office. Related: Donald Trump Wins Arizona, Completing Swing-State Sweep His win makes him Arizonas first Latino U.S. senator. Gracias, Arizona! he wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). Thank you for all the Arizonans who supported me, the Democrats, Republicans and Independents," he said in a late night victory speech shared on X. "And for those who did not support me or did not vote for me, please know that I will always still fight for you. I will treat you with respect. And we may not agree all the time, but I will always do my best to serve you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As hard as I fought to get out of poverty, as hard as I fight now for my family, as hard as I fought in the race, I will fight for Arizona in Washington, D.C.," he added. Related: Arizona Republican Kari Lake Booted from Gubernatorial Town Hall Audience: She 'Brought the Drama' Gallego, currently a congressman whose district includes large portions of Phoenix, announced his Senate campaign in a post on X in January 2023. "Growing up poor, all I had was the American dream. It kept me going: as a kid sleeping on the floor, a student scrubbing toilets, a Marine losing brothers in Iraq," he said. "Today, too many Arizonans see their dream slipping away. I'm running for the U.S. Senate to win it back for you!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lake, a longtime ally of Trump, joined the race after suffering a contentious loss in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election. Following projections that Lake would not win the governorship in 2022, she took to X (then known as Twitter) to call the election "BS." "Arizonans know BS when they see it," she wrote in a post at the time. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Kari Lake speaks on the 3rd day of the CPAC conference Kari Lake speaks on the 3rd day of the CPAC conference Related: Kari Lake Falsely Claims There's a 'Lot of Corruption' in Electoral System, Suggests Restricting Early Voting Lake also attempted to overturn the Arizona gubernatorial election results in court, alleging that intentional malfeasance with ballot printers at some polling sites had manipulated the election in favor of her opponent, Democrat Katie Hobbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson, who was appointed by former Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, rejected Lake's petition and affirmed that Hobbs had fairly won the seat, the AP reported at the time. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Lake supported Trump in his claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, and baselessly insisted that "there's a lot of corruption" in the electoral system. She also said that if she had been governor at the time, she would not have certified the state's vote for Biden, and called for the arrest of officials who were in charge of the 2020 election. After facing backlash in the media, Lake began walking back some of her claims of election denialism, offering vaguer statements in interviews and calling the media "obsessed" with the topic. PHOENIX Rep. Ruben Gallego defeated Kari Lake in the U.S. Senate race in Arizona. The Associated Press, CNN and Fox News, as well as other news outlets, called the race for Gallego on Monday night. According to the secretary of states website, Gallego is 2 percentage points, or 72,626 votes, ahead of Lake with more than 93% of the ballots counted. Growing up the way I did in the environment I did, growing up poor, being here is something that was literally a dream, Gallego, 44, said during an impromptu celebratory press conference Monday night. Will Kari Lake concede? He is set to become Arizonas first Latino U.S. senator, filling the seat left open by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who was elected as a Democrat but switched her party affiliation to independent while in office. She decided not to seek reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallego is a Harvard alumnus who later fought in the Iraq war before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015. After his win was official, he made a promise: As hard as I fought in the Marines, I will fight as hard for Arizona in Washington, D.C., he said. Despite Gallegos growing lead in recent days, Lakes campaign volunteers, in partnership with Turning Point Action, hit the streets to cure ballots. This involves reaching voters with ballots that need fixing, but the deadline to cure passed Sunday, closing the final pathway to close the gap. The Arizona Supreme Court declined a voter rights groups request to extend the curing deadline since 60,000 ballots had yet to be processed. Thank you to all of the grassroots patriots who worked so hard to ensure that every vote gets counted, Lake said in a post on X. I love you, Arizona. Barring a last-minute legal intervention, the period for ballot curing has closed. Thank you to all of the grassroots patriots who worked so hard to ensure that every vote gets counted. I love you, Arizona. pic.twitter.com/NTLTqz8puK Kari Lake (@KariLake) November 11, 2024 She has not yet conceded the race, even though, earlier this week, she said, I will accept the results of the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have had a few concerns, but weve done a lot of legwork to prevent any problems, she added. Republican majorities in Senate and House Lake ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 2022. She alleged fraud and challenged the results in court. Her past performance led to doubts about her ability to win, and a GOP-funded PAC, run by allies of Sen. Mitch McConnell, didnt run ads for Lake, according to the Phoenix New Times. Lakes loss doesnt affect Republicans gaining control over the Senate. They will capture the upper chamber with a 53-seat majority, while Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents are projected to have 47 seats. The Republican Conference successfully flipped seats in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Montana. Republicans are also projected to reclaim control of the U.S. House of Representatives. More than a dozen races have not yet been called, but the results appear favorable for GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson. President-elect Donald Trump's expected choice of Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Mike Waltz as his secretary of state and national security adviser, respectively, indicates China is going to be at the center of U.S. foreign policy, deepening U.S.-China tensions. Rubio and Waltz are both staunch China hawks. In fact, Rubio was sanctioned twice by Beijing in 2020 and may still be banned from entering China. Naming Rubio and Waltz is a "strong sign that Trump's foreign policy priority will focus on China above all else," said Neil Thomas, a fellow for Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis. Though there will be a near-term focus on finding a resolution to the wars overseas, "over the next four years, China -- by far and away -- will be the major focus," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump transition live updates That tracks with what Waltz has said himself. Earlier this month, he co-wrote in The Economist that the U.S. should "urgently" bring the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to an end so the U.S. can "finally focus strategy attention where it should be: countering the greater the threat from the Chinese Communist Party." PHOTO: In this split image, Rep. Waltz, R-Fla., speaks outside the hush money criminal case of former president Trump in New York, May 16, 2024, and Florida Senator Rubio speaks during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis., July 16, 2024. (AP Photo and AFP via Getty Images, FILE) Rubio has called China the "threat that will define this century" and backed a bill to prevent the import of goods made by China's Uyghur minority. Waltz, who has said the U.S. is in a "cold war" with China, called for the U.S. to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Trump has vowed to slap 60% tariffs on Chinese goods. He'll likely act on tariffs early in his administration, experts say, as an easy win that he can act on unilaterally to show he's delivering a key campaign promise. It will be highly disruptive to U.S.-China relations and U.S. businesses, so experts say there will likely be a lot of lobbying from Trump's allies in the business world to narrow the tariffs to a few key sectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to tariffs, the U.S. has a "huge toolkit for economic warfare" that the Trump administration could use, according to Thomas, including more sanctions on Chinese companies and expanding export controls to more industries. MORE: Would Trump's tariffs trigger a global trade war? Experts weigh in. But billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk could be a moderating voice for a softer approach to China amid all of this. Musk has deep business interests in China and could become a key middleman for dialogue between Trump and China's Xi Jinping. Telsa depends on China for production and as a key consumer market. Musk is a household name in China and gets the red-carpet treatment from Chinese officials when he visits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk could become the "principal, go-between interlocutor" between Xi and Trump, according to Ian Bremmer, the founder of Eurasia Group. "I think Elon would certainly be interested in it." The Chinese government "certainly will" reach out to Musk to see how they can use him to influence Trump, Bremmer added. MORE: Elon Musk weighing in on Trump staffing decisions: Sources About half of all Tesla EVs are made in China, and Musk has received perks from the Chinese government that are rarely given to foreign players. Musk has even parroted Beijing's views on geopolitical issues, saying Taiwan is an "integral part of China." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless, Beijing is gearing up for a volatile four years under Trump. Beijing is trying to revive a struggling economy, and the uncertainty of a Trump presidency is "deeply worrying," according to Bremmer. "They will want the relationship to be more constructive in this environment because this is a bad time for them to have a crisis." Rubio and Waltz picks put China back at the center of US foreign policy originally appeared on abcnews.go.com President-elect Donald Trump has moved quickly to name loyal aides and allies to key posts in his new administration, as the transition to a second Trump term begins. Heres a running list of who hes inviting to join him in the White House: President-elect Donald Trump calls Susie Wiles, the manager of his 2024 presidential campaign, the ice maiden. Alex Brandon/Associated Press Susie Wiles, White House Chief Of Staff Wiles, the manager of Trumps 2024 presidential campaign, is expected to become the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff when Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Wiles is a longtime Washington confidant and worked on the presidential campaigns of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. She has largely avoided the spotlight, but has been a long-standing figure in Trumps inner circle, a rarity for the president-elect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Susie is tough, smart, innovative and is universally admired and respected, Trump said last week. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud. Trump calls Wiles the ice maiden. Stephen Miller has been a key Trump aide since the president-elect's first run for office. Alex Brandon/Associated Press Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy Miller has been by Trumps side since the president-elects first bid for office and has long been considered one of his most influential aides. Hes an architect of Trumps immigration policies and said on the campaign trail that he would send the illegals back home. So far, Miller has spoken the most about the next administrations plans to unleash a massive deportation program targeting the nations undocumented immigrants. He said in September the plan would be an undertaking that would be greater than any national infrastructure project weve done to date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three more loyalists have also been handed a deputy chief of staff role. Dan Scavino, one of Trumps most trusted aides, will return to the White House as an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff. James Blair will serve as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs. Taylor Budowich has been named as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel. Sen. Marco Rubio was a frequent guest at Trump's rallies during his 2024 campaign. Matt Rourke/Associated Press Sen. Marco Rubio, Secretary Of State Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a key campaign surrogate for the former president, will be nominated as the next secretary of state. In the role, the lawmaker would be responsible for handling the complicated task of guiding the U.S. through twin international crises: the widening war between Israel and Hamas and Russias invasion of Ukraine. Rep. Elise Stefanik attends a campaign rally for Trump at Madison Square Garden. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Elise Stefanik, Ambassador To The United Nations Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is a loyal ally to the president-elect and serves as the House Republican Conference chair. But she has little foreign policy experience, presenting concerns about Trumps decision to nominate her for a role facing off against the ambassadors of antagonistic nations like Russia and China. She would succeed U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a career diplomat and former assistant secretary of state for Africa. Tom Homan recently told Democratic governors planning to obstruct mass deportation efforts to get the hell out of the way." Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images Tom Homan, Border Czar Trump tapped Tom Homan, a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to be his border czar and enact his sweeping plans to tackle undocumented immigration. The president-elect said Homan would be in charge of all deportation of illegal aliens back to their country of origin. Homan recently told Democratic governors planning to obstruct those efforts to get the hell out of the way, warning of unnamed consequences if they dont. During his time in Congress, Lee Zeldin voted against legislation to limit fossil fuel emissions and strengthen clean air and water standards at the Environmental Protection Agency. via Associated Press Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator Trump announced he will nominate former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) to serve as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, saying the onetime House member would work to pass fair and swift deregulatory decisions. Zeldin does not seem to have much experience with environmental issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former lawmaker has promised to deliver on Trumps key campaign pledges, including the restoration of U.S. energy dominance and the American auto industry. Rep. Mike Waltz has been a member of several House committees related to national security. Rod Lamkey Jr./Associated Press Rep. Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, has reportedly been asked to be Trumps national security adviser. He is considered a hawk on China and urged the U.S. to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Waltz has been a member of several House committees related to national security. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem suffered political setbacks after publishing her memoir this year. Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Kristi Noem, Department Of Homeland Security South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has been nominated to serve as Trumps secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, a role that will put her in close proximity to Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, both of whom are eager to orchestrate Trumps mass deportation scheme. Noem was rumored to be in the running for Trumps vice presidential pick until the release of her 2024 memoir, No Going Back, tanked her political standing. The book featured numerous questionable anecdotes about world leaders, including a falsehood about having once stared down North Korean despot Kim Jong Un. Noem also bragged about killing her puppy. All nine of South Dakotas indigenous tribes have banned Noem from entering their land equivalent to roughly 20% of the state after she baselessly began accusing tribal leaders of cooperating with Mexican drug cartels. Mike Huckabee has criticized the Biden administrations efforts to broker a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Oded Balilty/Associated Press Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ambassador To Israel Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is Trumps pick to serve as ambassador to Israel, a pick with heightened importance given Israels assault on Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon since Hamas October 2023 terror attacks on Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, has been nominated to be The United States Ambassador to Israel, Trump said in a statement. Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. In June, Huckabee criticized the Biden administrations efforts to broker a cease-fire in the region. This is like trying to negotiate with the Nazis in World War II. You just dont, he told NewsNation. You beat them. You defeat them. You eradicate them. Huckabees daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the current governor of Arkansas, served as Trumps White House press secretary from 2017-2019 and acknowledged under oath that she had lied to the press during her tenure. Former Rep. John Ratcliffe served as director of national intelligence during the last year of Trump's first term. Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press Former Rep. John Ratcliffe, CIA Director Trump will nominate Ratcliffe, who served as director of national intelligence during Trumps final year of his first term, to lead the CIA. Ratcliffe served as a congressman from Texas and was a fierce supporter of Trumps agenda while in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump called him a warrior for truth and honesty with the American public on Tuesday. William McGinley initially worked as White House Cabinet secretary from 2017 to 2019 in Trumps first term. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images William McGinley, White House Counsel McGinley will serve as White House counsel after originally working as White House Cabinet secretary from 2017 to 2019 during Trumps first term. Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement, Trump wrote. Trump declared Steve Witkoff would be an "unrelenting Voice for PEACE." Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy To The Middle East Witkoff, a campaign donor and friend of Trumps, will serve as a special envoy to the Middle East. He has no government or diplomatic experience. The real estate developer testified on behalf of the president-elect during his civil fraud trial in New York and has also spoken of their relationship on the campaign trail. Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, Trump declared. Fox News host Pete Hegseth was named Trump's pick for defense secretary. Terry Wyatt via Getty Images Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary Trump named the Fox & Friends Weekend co-host as his pick for secretary of defense. Hegseth, a 44-year-old veteran, served in the Army National Guard in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense, Trump said in a statement. Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody fights harder for the Troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our Peace through Strength policy, Trump continued. According to Hegseths website, the Fox News host received his bachelors degree from Princeton University and a masters degree in public policy from Harvard University. Hegseth once made a spectacle on-air during an episode of Fox & Friends by taking out his Harvard degree, crossing out the university name with a Sharpie and replacing it with critical theory. Then he wrote over the degree in large letters: Return to sender. In his 2020 book, American Crusade, Hegseth vowed to return his degree to Harvard because, as he wrote, I can no longer support your leftist cause. Elon Musk (left) and Vivek Ramaswamy are charged with leading a new department with the acronym DOGE. Associated Press photos Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Department of Government Efficiency Billionaire Elon Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy are to front a proposed government entity called the Department of Government Efficiency, or what has been nicknamed DOGE. But it is not an official agency and wont have the same powers or responsibilities as other government departments. New departments cant be formed without an act of Congress. Nonetheless, Trump has high hopes for its cost-cutting mission. Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies - Essential to the Save America Movement, Trump said in a statement. Tulsi Gabbard gets the nod from Trump to be director of national intelligence. Associated Press Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Director Of National Intelligence Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is Trumps pick for director of national intelligence. Announcing his nominee, the president-elect called the former Democrat a proud Republican. For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans, Trump said of Gabbard, a former Army National Guard member and current Army Reserve officer. I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud! Trump said in his announcement. Gabbard endorsed Trump for president in August despite calling him unfit for office just five years prior. Last month, with Trump at her side, she announced she was officially leaving the Democratic Party. Trump wants Matt Gaetz to be U.S. attorney general. via Associated Press Rep. Matt Gaetz, Attorney General In the biggest shock of the bunch, Trump said he wants to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to be attorney general. This is despite Gaetz being under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for his alleged involvement in sex trafficking. He denies the allegations. Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department, Trump said. Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Rebecca Noble via Getty Images Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health And Human Services Secretary Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, giving the prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist control of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and several other public health agencies. For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health, Trump said in his announcement. Kennedy has also advocated for the end of fluoridation of U.S. drinking water supplies, citing bunk claims about its risks. Experts say fluoride saves Americans billions of dollars in dental bills every year as it helps prevent tooth decay. Trump has suggested hell allow Kennedy to conduct a major overhaul of American health guidelines. Im going to let him go wild on health. Im going to let him go wild on the food. Im going to let him go wild on the medicines, Trump said at a campaign rally last month. Former Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) is Trump's choice to run the Department of Veterans Affairs. via Associated Press Doug Collins, Veterans Affairs Secretary Former Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia is Trumps nominee to run the Department of Veterans Affairs. Doug is a Veteran himself, who currently serves our Nation as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command, and fought for our Country in the Iraq War, Trump said in his announcement, adding that Collins will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families. Collins denied that Trump lost the 2020 election and has been a fierce ally of the president-elect. Trump nominated D. John Sauer, a member of his legal team, to be U.S. solicitor general. Bloomberg via Getty Images D. John Sauer, Solicitor General D. John Sauer is Trumps choice to be U.S. solicitor general, a position tasked with supervising and conducting government litigation in the U.S. Supreme Court. Sauer, who served as Missouris solicitor general from 2017 to 2023, was part of Trumps legal team in his successful Supreme Court appeal that led to a ruling asserting presidential immunity to various criminal charges. In 2015, Sauer represented a priest accused of sexually abusing children and helped the priest sue his accusers. Todd Blanche, one of Trump's personal attorneys, is his pick for deputy attorney general. via Associated Press Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General Trump has picked Todd Blanche, a former supervising federal prosecutor in Manhattan, to be his deputy attorney general. Blanche was Trumps lead lawyer in his hush-money payments trial earlier this year, which resulted in Trump being found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump tapped his attorney Emil Bove as principal associate deputy attorney general. JEENAH MOON via Getty Images Emil Bove, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, another lawyer who helped defend Trump in his hush-money case, is the president-elects choice for principal associate deputy attorney general. Not much else is publicly known about him. Related... MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's lower house of parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday to ban what authorities cast as pernicious propaganda for a child-free way of life, hoping to boost a faltering birth rate. Official data released in September put the birth rate at its lowest in a quarter of a century while mortality rates are up as Moscow's war in Ukraine rages on. The Kremlin called the figures "catastrophic for the future of the nation". President Vladimir Putin, who has cast Russia as a bastion of "traditional values" locked in an existential struggle with a decadent West, has encouraged women to have at least three children, saying that will help secure the future of Russians. There are already financial and other incentives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law, expected to be swiftly approved by the upper house of parliament and Putin, joins other restrictions on free expression including a ban on content deemed to promote "non-traditional lifestyles" such as same-sex relationships or gender fluidity, as well as on dissenting accounts of the conflict in Ukraine. Authors of "child-free propaganda" will be subject to fines of up to 400,000 roubles ($4,100) for individuals, twice that amount for officials, and up to 5 million roubles ($51,000) for legal entities. Some 599,600 children were born in Russia in the first half of 2024, which is 16,000 fewer than in the first half of 2023 and the lowest since 1999. The number of deaths jumped by 49,000. However, immigration jumped by 20%. Estimates in the CIA's World Factbook put Russia among the 40 countries with the lowest birth rate in 2023 at around 9.22 per 1,000 population, slightly ahead of Germany on 9.02 but well behind China on 9.7 and the United States on 12.21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are talking about protecting citizens, primarily the younger generation, from information disseminated in the media space that has a negative impact on the formation of people's personality," said Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the lower house and a senior Putin ally. "Everything must be done to ensure that new generations of our citizens grow up centred on traditional family values." WOMEN SAY BETTER LIVING STANDARDS WILL BOOST BIRTH RATE But some women were sceptical. Alina Rzhanova, a 33-year-old who lives in Yaroslavl, 250 km northeast of Moscow, was once determined not to have children but now has an eight-month-old son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People want children, but there's no money," she said. "That's why people are not having children. Not because someone somewhere wrote something." In Moscow, Yana, a 40-year-old woman who said she did not want children and declined to give her surname because of the subject's sensitivity, said she too felt that ensuring decent living standards, particularly beyond the big cities, could help reverse the declining birth rate. "People have children when they are confident in tomorrow. But when mortgage rates reach 20% a year, I don't think it's a good time to have unlimited children," she said. "A child-free community is where people on the same wavelength discuss why they don't want children. Do they have the right to discuss it? They do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's unlikely that a lot of young people will read it and say 'I don't want children either'." ($1 = 98.0000 roubles) (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Kevin Liffey) MOSCOW/BEIJING (Reuters) - The most important task for Russia and China is to counter any attempt by the United States to contain their countries, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Chinese foreign minister on Tuesday. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose steep tariffs on China and other countries, raising the prospect of a trade war. The United States regards China as its biggest competitor and Russia as its biggest nation-state threat. Putin increasingly calls China "an ally", and he and Xi Jinping pledged a "new era" of partnership in May. Beijing and Moscow cast the U.S. as an aggressive Cold War hegemon sowing chaos across the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing that strong relations between Moscow and Beijing were a stabilising influence on the world. "I see the most important task as countering the policy of 'dual containment' of Russia and China pursued by the United States and its satellites," Shoigu was quoted as saying by Russian state news agencies. The U.S. did not immediately comment on Shoigu's remarks. Xi and Putin depict the post-Cold War era of U.S. dominance as crumbling, three decades after the 1991 Soviet collapse and following centuries of European colonial dominance of China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin has used the word "ally" several times in relation to China, including last week, but the countries' formal agreements say they have a partnership. Wang, China's top diplomat, said China and Russia needed to stand together in an increasingly challenging and complex world. "The more complex the international situation becomes and the more external challenges arise, the more the two sides need to stand firm in solidarity and coordination to safeguard common interests," Wang said. China said Wang and Shoigu had a comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on strategic security issues of common concern and enhanced strategic mutual trust. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Ella Cao in Beijing, Editing by Andrew Osborn and Timothy Heritage) The Russian army is deploying trained assault groups to frontline positions in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Southern Command, told the news outlet Suspilne on Nov. 12. A day before, Voloshyn said that a new Russian assault in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could begin "any day." In early October, Russian troops reportedly renewed their attack in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Kyiv warned of a potential Russian push in the southern region, just as Moscow's troops continue advancing in Ukraine's east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Voloshyn, Russia is preparing to intensify its offensive toward the town of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This move will allow the Russian military to gain control of the logistics routes from Zaporizhzhia to eastern Ukraine, the spokesperson added. Another Russian target in Zaporizhzhia Oblast is the Hulyaipole sector, where "important" logistics routes for the Russian military are located, he said. Besides, Russian troops intensified their assault actions towards the village of Vremivka, trying to break through Ukrainian defensive positions near the settlements of Rivnopillia and Velyka Novosilka, according to Voloshyn. Voloshyn said in October that Russian forces were massing for a breakthrough in the direction of Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The area was the main axis of Ukraine's southern counteroffensive in 2023, which led to the liberation of the settlement of Robotyne but achieved no major results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian troops have intensified attacks against Zaporizhzhia, targeting its civilian infrastructure with guided aerial bombs. Read also: Russia has reportedly made gains in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Should Ukraine expect a broader offensive? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine has managed to repatriate 1,002 children from Russia and temporarily occupied territories, while Russia has forcibly relocated almost 20,000 more. Source: Radio Liberty, citing Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Details: Ombudsman said that Russia has forcibly relocated 19,546 children, though the actual figure could be much higher. Quote: "They [the Russians ed.] provide no information about Ukrainian children. There are 1.5 million Ukrainian children living in temporarily occupied territories. How many of them have already been deported? We can only assume... but I am convinced that the number of children deported by the Russian Federation will continue to rise." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Lubinets emphasised that international partners, primarily Qatar, play a significant role in assisting Ukraine with the return of children. He also noted that Russia is "deliberately delaying" the process of returning Ukrainian children. Background: On 8 November, Lubinets met with Russian Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova in Belarus. They exchanged lists of prisoners of war (POWs) visited by either of them and established a new format for communication. Support UP or become our patron! Russia carried out several missile strikes and launched 110 drones against Ukraine on the night of 11-12 November: Ukraines air defence downed 46 drones, 60 had disappeared from radar and 2 entered the Belarusian airspace. Source: Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram Details: Russian forces launched an S-300 guided anti-aircraft missile on the northeastern city of Kharkiv from Russias Belgorod Oblast and two Kh-59/69 guided air-to-surface missiles on Chernihiv Oblast from Russias Kursk Oblast, dropped glide bombs on Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, and deployed 110 Shahed attack drones and other drones that have not been identified from Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Bryansk in Russia between 21:00 on 11 November and the morning of 12 November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 11:00 on 12 November, Ukraines Air Force confirmed that 46 Russian drones were downed in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv oblasts. Sixty Russian drones had disappeared from radar in different parts of Ukraine, and two entered the Belarusian airspace. Anti-aircraft missile troops, aircraft, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and other defence forces of Ukraine were involved in countering the Russian attacks. Background: Russian forces launched a record 145 drones on Ukraine on the night of 9-10 November. Ukrainian air defence units destroyed 62 Russian UAVs, 67 drones disappeared from radar, and 10 flew into Moldova, Belarus and Russia. In October, Yurii Ihnat, Acting Head of Communications for the Ukrainian Armed Forces Air Force Command, said that in addition to Shahed drones, Russia was increasingly using a new type of drones, which are often affected by Ukrainian electronic warfare systems and crash to the ground without causing harm. Defence Intelligence of Ukraine said that over the course of October 2024, Russia launched more than 2,000 drones against Ukraine, with Ukrainian intelligence estimating that about half of these drones were decoys or fake targets that Russia used to distract and overwhelm Ukrainian air defences. Support UP or become our patron! Moscow Russian lawmakers on Tuesday passed controversial legislation banning "propaganda" that urges people to opt against having children, the latest measure targeting what Moscow depicts as Western liberal ideas. Facing an ageing population and low birth rates, Moscow is seeking to reverse a demographic slump accentuated by its ongoing full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine that threatens its economic future. Members of the Russian parliament's lower house, the Duma, voted unanimously in favor of the draft bill, which would apply to materials online, in media, advertising and in films that promote a "rejection of childbearing." The bill targets "destructive content" that promotes a "conscious" rejection of having children. The bill's authors have said it will not be used as punishment for "a personal choice or lifestyle" but only for promoting such a lifestyle, although it is unclear how this would be differentiated in practice. Under the ban on "child-free propaganda," violations would be punishable by fines up to 400,000 rubles (about $4,000) on individuals and up to 5 million rubles, or about $51,000, for businesses. The bill also includes a provision to deport foreigners found guilty of disseminating the banned information. "This is a fateful law... Without children, there will be no country. This ideology will lead to people stopping giving birth to children," the Duma's speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said ahead of the vote. A photo released by The State Duma, the Lower House of the Russian Parliament, Nov. 12, 2024, shows Russian lawmakers preparing to attend a voting session. / Credit: Russian State Duma/AP He also said the legislation was about "protecting citizens, primarily the generation growing up, from information spread in the media space that negatively affects the development of personality." The effort was "so new generations of our citizens grow up orientated towards traditional family values", he said. Nina Ostanina, a Communist Party lawmaker who heads the Duma committee on family policy, said the bill aims to "guard our youth from unnecessary ideologies." The legislation will now be considered by the upper house of parliament on November 20, before coming before President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to sign it into law. It comes on top of existing bans on "propaganda" of LGBTQ relationships or changing gender. The Duma also unanimously passed legislation Tuesday banning foreigners living in countries that allow gender reassignment from adopting Russian children. The bill is aimed at stopping Russian-born children being able to legally change their gender. Moscow has long portrayed itself as a bulwark against liberal values, but that trend has hugely accelerated since the Kremlin launched its Ukraine offensive, further rupturing ties with the West. The bill would ban adoption by citizens of countries that authorize "the change of sex by medical intervention, including with the use of medicine," or allow individuals to change their gender on official identity documents. Since 1993, foreigners have adopted 102,403 children from Russia, Volodin said, warning that "Western policy towards children is destructive." Russia previously banned all U.S. adoptions in 2012 with a bill named after a Russian toddler who died of heat stroke in 2008 after his adoptive American father forgot him in a car. Russia has created an inhospitable environment for LBGTQ people for years. In July 2023, it banned the "international LGBT movement" as extremist and made gender reassignment illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin himself has repeatedly mocked people who have undergone gender reassignment as well as LGBTQ people. Trump expected to pick Rubio for secretary of state, Kristi Noem for Homeland Security secretary Tom Homan on what mass deportation immigration plans may look like Robots sculpt marble in Italy, sparking worries about future of art form | 60 Minutes The News Russian lawmakers voted Tuesday to ban all content that promotes a child-free lifestyle, including social media. Individuals found advocating childlessness can be fined up to $4,080 and businesses up to $60,000 under the bill. The bill is expected to clear the upper parliament and be signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law. One lawmaker said the ban would protect young people from having the ideology of childlessness imposed on them, The Guardian reported. The Kremlin has repeatedly suggested choosing not to have children is a Western idea that isnt in line with Russian values. Russias birth rate is at its lowest level in 25 years, a trend fueled both by the countrys aging population and the war in Ukraine. The ban marks the latest attempt by a state to intervene in falling birth rates, with efforts ranging from governments issuing subsidies for childcare to tax exemptions for parents with many children. SIGNALS Russian population decline pushed as ideological battle Sources: The New York Times, Meduza Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has increasingly conflated its demographic problems with its ideological battle with the West, The New York Times wrote, portraying Russian values in contrast to the perceived decadence of the West. Rather than face other causes of Russias population decline, like conscripting men to fight in Ukraine or the fact many people just cant afford children, Russia has made birth rate a political issue. Because it is impossible to describe approved Russian values comprehensively, one expert told the Times, they do it by contrasting them with the Western ones. Some media have already responded to the changing values: Reality television show Pregnant at 16 has been edited to omit mentions of abortion, and almost every episode has a happy ending, independent Russian outlet Meduza reported. World is approaching a low fertility future Source: The Guardian According to a University of Washington study published earlier this year, the world is approaching a low fertility future, where, by 2100, only six countries will see the fertility rates required for a stable population. While some world governments have passed laws to try and encourage women to have children, these typically result in less of a baby boom and more the occasional baby bump, The Guardian wrote.Once [countries] fall below [replacement level], they tend to stay there, one expert told the outlet. Populist leaders put emphasis on family Source: Politico Concern over population decline has grown significantly among populist and right-wing political figures. One of the most vocal is Elon Musk, who campaigned fiercely alongside US President-elect Donald Trump, and who considers the issue a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming. The language echoes that of Hungarian right-wing leader Viktor Orban, who, like Trump, whose policies espouse traditional values alongside anti-immigrant measures. In 2015, Orban established the annual Budapest Demographic Summit to discuss ways to help European nations increase their birth rates. However, critics said the conference had echoes of Handmaids Tale-style dystopia, Politico wrote. [The summit participants] will have plenty to discuss not least because everything theyve tried so far hasnt really worked, the outlet added. Over the past week, Russia had been gathering forces in what appears to be preparations for a decisive push in the country's Kursk Oblast. "The situation is changing every day. Not long ago, we were on the offensive, and now we are on the defensive," a 35-year-old artilleryman with the callsign Spys, fighting in the area, told the Kyiv Independent. In light of the recent advances of Russian troops in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv oblasts, the country now faces a new challenge: defending the positions gained in the August cross-border offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian soldiers are holding off nearly 50,000 troops in Russia's embattled Kursk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 11. Spared from decreasing the number of personnel conducting assaults in Ukraine's east and beefed up by over 10,000 soldiers from North Korea, Russia is likely to attempt to launch a major offensive from the north, potentially not stopping at the now nonexistent border. Read also: This is how North Korean troops could be used in Russias war in Ukraine Imminent attack Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported in early October that Russia had transferred around 50,000 soldiers from the front to Kursk Oblast. In early November, Ukrainian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the New York Times (NYT) that an assault involving these soldiers would take place "very soon." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian grouping in Kursk Oblast consists of marine brigades, including the 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade of the Pacific Fleet and the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet, an airborne division, special forces battalion units, and a number of assault battalions, according to Vadym Mysnyk, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Operational Tactical Group Siversk. Experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent noted that Russia had also deployed troops from the Leningrad Military District, stationed near St. Petersburg, and even formed some infantry units from military personnel who had previously maintained Russian airfields. "The Ukrainian military was able to gain advantageous heights in Kursk Oblast and thus lured Russian reserves," Ukrainian military expert Dmytro Zhmailo told the Kyiv Independent. A visualization of Russian advances around Kursk Oblast over autumn 2024. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent) "If we had not done this, 50,000 troops would have definitely replenished the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and other priority directions for the Russians, and then the (Russian) advance in the east (of Ukraine) would have been more painful," Zhmailo added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the Kursk operation has been ongoing for several months, the Russian military involved in the area is still coordinating and forming combat units. As of early November, about 11,000 North Korean soldiers were already in Kursk Oblast. According to a report by the New York Times, North Korean troops would be fighting as light infantry, vulnerable to Ukrainian artillery and drone attacks, without the assistance of armored vehicles. Zhmailo agreed with the following assessment, adding that the number of North Korean soldiers transferred to Kursk Oblast will not significantly affect the course of the battle, given the recent Russian losses. Read also: Face-to-face with Russians in Ukrainian-occupied Kursk Oblast Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that it is difficult to determine how effective North Korean troops are as there have been very few military clashes. Another Ukrainian defense expert, Andrii Kharuk, echoes Zhmailo's stance, mentioning that North Korean troops have not been involved in wars since 1953. The deployment of North Korean soldiers as light infantry is the most rational in terms of tactics, Kharuk added. "During the Korean War in 1950-1953, North Korean troops acted in small groups, using the tactic of 'infiltration' (between the opponent's military units) and consolidation of assault operations. This is a traditional tactic for them," Kharuk said. Among the challenges faced by North Korean soldiers, Kharuk mentioned the language barrier and that the North Korean army mainly fought in mountainous terrain. In Kursk Oblast, it faces a gently undulating plain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, the expert emphasized that in any case, 50,000 personnel in this area is a "rather large number." "These are actually Russian losses of a month or a month and a half. It will take us a month and a half to knock out this number of troops ," Kharuk said. "Their accumulation in Kursk Oblast is a positive thing. On the other hand, we cannot say for sure how many Ukrainian troops are involved in deterring Russian and North Korean troops." Open road to Sumy The Ukrainian command hasn't provided updates on the state affairs for Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast. Officials also do not disclose which units are fighting in this area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeepState, a Ukrainian crowdsourced monitoring website, reported late on Oct. 10 that Russia managed to push through the left flank of Ukraine's salient in Kursk Oblast. "The enemy is now trying to establish a foothold near the settlements of Novoivanovka and Zeleny Shliakh," DeepState reported on Telegram. The two settlements lie some 15 kilometers from the Ukrainian-held town of Sudzha and around 10 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border. Parallel messages also appeared on Russian pro-war channels. The well-known Rybar channel wrote that Russian forces launched several attacks in the Korenevsky and Sudzhansky districts, in which Ukraine established its foothold. Read also: Morning in Sudzha: Inside Ukrainian-occupied Russia as Kursk operation continues Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I suspect both sides are taking significant losses in Kursk Oblast, with the Russians likely suffering considerably higher losses given that they are on the offensive," John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told the Kyiv Independent. "Ukraine's casualty rate may start to rise as trees shed their leaves, providing less concealment from Russian reconnaissance drones and exposing Ukrainian troops to greater threats from Russian artillery, glide bombs, and so on." Ukraine continues to maintain its positions on Russian territory not only from a strategic point of view but also from a geopolitical one, experts interviewed by the Kyiv Independent said. "Withdrawing Ukrainian units from Kursk Oblast could help in the east (of Ukraine), though it would also mean sacrificing a potential bargaining chip in peace talks. However, stabilizing its lines in the east is also critical for Ukraine's negotiating position, and I doubt Moscow will be willing to begin negotiations until it has retaken all the territory in Kursk (Oblast)," Hardie said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Ukraine continues to retain Russian territories in Kursk Oblast, Russia keeps advancing at an increased pace deeper into Donetsk Oblast and beyond. In August and September, Moscow seized 5.5 times more Ukrainian territory than in all of 2023, according to the Ua War Infographics project. Read also: Burning horizon: As Russia makes gains near Pokrovsk, civilians remain frozen in inaction Kharuk called the potential loss of positions in Kursk Oblast in favor of reinforcing troops in other parts of the front "insignificant" for Ukraine from a psychological point of view, as it is Russian territory. At the same time, experts agree that Ukraine can hold Russian territories at least until early 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zhmailo said that Russian troops would most likely advance into northern Sumy Oblast if they breach Ukrainian defenses in the neighboring Kursk Oblast. Ukraine's operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast has helped prevent the occupation of Sumy Oblast and its regional center, the city of Sumy, Zelensky said on a number of occasions since the start of the offensive in early August. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election has cast a shadow over further American assistance to Ukraine. The Republican candidate has repeatedly made controversial statements about the war and the Ukrainian government, including Zelensky. "No country in the world, except for the U.S. and China, can stand up to Russia's military on its own. So, unfortunately, we are dependent on our partners here," Zmailo added, speaking about further Ukrainian operations on Russian soil. While the debate over future military aid for Ukraine rages on, the Ukrainian military still holds the front in Kursk Oblast. The artilleryman with the call sign Spys, who has been fighting in the Kursk sector since August, said that things are still "more or less stable." "Russian troops are bombarding us with glide bombs. One road leading to this (Kursk) direction is constantly monitored by Russian FPV (first-person-view) drones. This road is dotted with broken equipment. And we can't do anything about it the territory is small, and drones can be launched from any direction," Spys told the Kyiv Independent. "It is hard to say what will happen next. Our positions are being attacked regularly, but the contact line has not changed significantly so far." Additional reporting by Natalia Yermak. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- Russias seaborne crude exports rebounded in the latest week, with a jump in cargoes from the Arctic region helping to stabilize the four-week average. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weekly flows rose by about 260,000 barrels a day in the period to Nov. 10, as a recovery in shipments from the Arctic port of Murmansk more than offset a dip in flows from Russias main Pacific terminal at Kozmino. Shipments from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk also rebounded from the previous week's maintenance-hit level. Four-week exports edged higher. The increase in Arctic shipments was expected, with four tankers at, or very close to, Murmansk fjord at the start of last week. Loadings there are likely to slip back again, with one tanker already off the port and two more expected to arrive, but toward the end of the week. Russias primary refining rate edged higher in the first week of November, as seasonal maintenance passed its peak. That will likely reduce the volume of crude available for export, though the effect could be offset by a Ukrainian drone strike on Rosnefts Saratov oil refinery. Russia pumped crude almost in line with its OPEC+ output target in October, according to people familiar with Energy Ministry figures, including a modest compensatory cut to make up for earlier over-production. That came after the group of oil producers, which Russia leads alongside Saudi Arabia, delayed for the second time a plan to start adding back some of the supply it has cut in recent years. Moscow will have to wait until at least the start of next year to enjoy a rising production target, though that could be postponed again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crude Shipments A total of 31 tankers loaded 23.96 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to Nov. 10, vessel-tracking data and port-agent reports show. The volume was up from a revised 22.13 million barrels on 30 ships the previous week. Daily crude flows in the week to Nov. 10 rose by about 260,000 barrels to 3.42 million, recovering about 70% of the previous weeks drop. The increase was driven by a jump in flows from the countrys Arctic region, which more than offset lower shipments from the Pacific. Less volatile four-week average flows also rose, edging up to average 3.39 million barrels a day, an increase of 30,000 from the period to Nov. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crude shipments so far this year are about 40,000 barrels a day, or 1.2%, below the average for the whole of 2023. One cargo of Kazakhstans KEBCO crude was loaded at Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea and one at Novorossiysk on the Black Sea during the week. Russia terminated its export targets at the end of May, opting instead to restrict production, in line with its partners in the OPEC+ oil producers group. The countrys output target is set at 8.978 million barrels a day until the end of December, after a planned easing of some output cuts was delayed for a second time. Moscow also pledged to make deeper output cuts in October and November this year, then between March and September of 2025, to compensate for pumping above its OPEC+ quota earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Export Value The Kremlins oil income rose with an increase in weekly-average prices for Russias major crude streams adding to the effect of the higher export volume. Together they pushed the gross value of Moscows exports up by about $160 million to $1.56 billion in the week to Nov. 10. The price gain was in line with broader increases for oil in the run-up to the US election won by Donald Trump. Export values at Baltic ports were up week-on-week by about $2.40 a barrel. Prices for Black Sea loading Urals and key Pacific grade ESPO rose by about $2.70 and $2.80 respectively, compared with the previous week. Delivered prices in India were up by about $2.60 a barrel, all according to numbers from Argus Media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four-week average income moved in the opposite direction, edging down to about $1.53 billion a week, from a revised $1.54 billion in the period to Nov. 3. On this basis, the price of Russias shipments from the Baltic and Black Sea in the four weeks to Nov. 10 was down by almost $1 a barrel from the period to Nov. 3. Prices for key Pacific grade ESPO were lower by about $0.60 a barrel. Flows by Destination Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Observed shipments to Russias Asian customers, including those showing no final destination, edged lower to 3.02 million barrels a day in the four weeks to Nov. 10. About 1.36 million barrels a day of crude were loaded onto tankers heading to China. The Asian nations seaborne imports are boosted by about 800,000 barrels a day of crude delivered from Russia by pipeline, either directly, or via Kazakhstan. Flows on ships signaling destinations in India averaged 1.23 million barrels a day, down from a revised 1.38 million for the period to Nov. 3 and 1.63 million in the four weeks to Oct. 27. The Indian figures, in particular, are likely to rise as the discharge ports become clear for vessels that are not currently showing final destinations. Most of those heading from Russias western ports through the Suez Canal end up in the south Asian nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The equivalent of about 300,000 barrels a day was on vessels signaling Port Said or Suez in Egypt. Those show up as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent. The Other Unknown volumes, running at about 140,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to Nov. 10, are those on tankers showing no clear destination. Most originate from Russias western ports and go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey. Others may be moved from one vessel to another. One Suezmax tanker, Sakarya, appears to have transferred its cargo into a VLCC near the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. A second, Cankiri, may be doing the same. Separately, Greek naval exercises that have been running since May and have forced most ship-to-ship cargo transfers out of the Laconian Gulf and nearby waters, are due to end this week, unless they are extended again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries have ceased, with flows to Bulgaria halted at the end of last year. Moscow also lost about 500,000 barrels a day of pipeline exports to Poland and Germany at the start of 2023, when those countries stopped purchases. Turkey is now the only short-haul market for shipments from Russias western ports. Flows in the 28 days to Nov. 10 rose to about 370,000 barrels a day, the highest in more than four months. NOTES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story forms part of a weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the gross value of those flows. The next update will be on Tuesday, Nov. 19. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga and are not subject to European Union sanctions or a price cap. The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export stream. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies. Vessel-tracking data are cross-checked against port agent reports as well as flows and ship movements reported by other information providers including Kpler and Vortexa Ltd. If you are reading this story on the Bloomberg terminal, click for a link to a PDF file of four-week average flows from Russia to key destinations. --With assistance from Sherry Su. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Russia is suffering nearly 2,000 casualties a day trying to recapture the Kursk region and seize ground along the main front line in eastern Ukraine, according to Kyivs military. The figure is almost double Russias casualty rate over the summer, highlighting a push by the Kremlin to secure as much territory as possible before Donald Trump, the US president-elect, potentially tries to impose a peace deal when he takes office in January. In Kursk, Ukrainian soldiers insisted they were repelling the 50,000 Russian troops that the Kremlin has tasked with retaking the partially occupied region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anastasiia Blyshchyk, a spokesman for Ukraines 47th separate mechanised brigade, said the situation was difficult but under control and that Russian forces were suffering dark days. A video, purportedly filmed in the region on Monday, showed a column of Russian armoured vehicles, each carrying around 30 soldiers, driving one after another into a minefield and then blowing up. Credit: X / @maria_drutska DeepState, a leading Ukrainian military blogger, said that fighting had focused on the village of Novoivanovka, 10 miles west of Sudzha, the centre of the Ukrainian salient. It reported that Ukrainian forces had destroyed 18 of 29 armoured vehicles sent to capture the village and killed up to 300 Russian soldiers, but still described difficult days for the men as they repelled waves of attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The enemy does not stop trying to achieve at least some tactical success in the Kursk region, DeepState said. The Ukrainian claim that the Kremlins forces were suffering 2,000 daily casualties has been supported by Adml Sir Tony Radakin, who told the BBC on Sunday that total Russian casualties since the start of the war were about to reach 700,000 people killed or wounded. He said the figure showed the enormous pain and suffering that the Russian nation is having to bear because of [Vladimir] Putins ambition. However, despite Ukraines reportedly dogged defence, Russian military bloggers bragged that Moscows armies were pushing forward and that Ukraines Nato equipment was failing because of the conditions in Kursk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Towards Sudzha, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are using captured construction equipment to move through muddy roads because their equipment is getting stuck, claimed the Two Majors military Telegram channel. It published a video of a Ukrainian soldier desperately trying to dig his bogged-down off-road vehicle out of the mud. In the footage, a rocket is then seen flying into the vehicle and exploding. When the smoke clears, the Ukrainian soldier is shown lying motionless on the ground. Analysts have said that the Kursk offensive has become a critical test for Putin, who allowed Ukrainian forces to build up their defences in the region before launching the counterattack. A man examines the aftermath of a Ukrainian missile strike in Kursk earlier this summer - Anatoliy Zhdanov/REUTERS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An aerial photograph purporting to show a Russian building on fire following a Ukrainian strike in Kursk earlier this summer - 'Black Swan' unit of the 225 Seperate Assault Battalion/via REUTERS Frustration with the Kremlins slow response to Ukraines invasion of the region in August has bubbled over, with displaced residents of Sudzha holding a rare unsanctioned protest in Kursk city over the weekend. On the main front line in Donbas, reports said Russian forces were continuing to push their advance along the southern sector. It is claimed that the Russian military there is banking on probing attacks to find weaknesses in Ukrainian defences, which can then be exploited by calling up reinforcements to launch swarm infantry attacks. Towards Pokrovsk, a town considered a strategic lynchpin for Ukraines forces, maps showed Russian forces fanning out into a Popasna Rose formation after breaching Ukrainian defences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The term is used to describe a scenario in which an attacker presses their advantage in all directions after a breakthrough, rather than just concentrating on a single point. It is known to be a favourite tactic of General Valery Gerasimov, the head of the Russian military. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have announced the enforced evacuation of all civilians from 10 more villages in the Kharkiv region due to advancing Russian forces. The villages lie on the eastern bank of the Oskil River, where Moscows soldiers have made steady gains over the past few months. 12:39 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage on the war in Ukraine. It has now ended for the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well be back soon with more updates and analysis. 12:33 PM GMT Rutte: Russia working with North Korea, China and Iran Mr Rutte said the immediate challenge facing Nato is the ongoing support for Ukraine as he accused Russia of working with North Korea, China, and Iran. He said the challenge was to ensure Ukraine can be victorious in the fight against Russia, rather than keeping them in the fight. Nato allies must provide Ukraine with the support it needs to change the trajectory of the conflict, he added. 12:24 PM GMT Nato chief and French president speaking in Paris Mark Rutte, the new chief of Nato, and Emmanuel Macron, the French president, are speaking in Paris now. Well bring you updates as they come in. 11:54 AM GMT Moldova protests to Russian envoy over election meddling Moldova handed Russias ambassador to Chisinau a protest note on Tuesday over alleged interference by Moscow in its recent elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia sought to delegitimise its presidential election and referendum on joining the European Union, the Moldovan foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday. Moscow has denied the allegations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented today to the Ambassador ... a note of protest in connection with the illegal and deliberate interference of the Russian Federation in the electoral process of the Republic of Moldova, Moldovas foreign ministry said. Russian ambassador Oleg Ozerov responded: The conversation made it possible to clarify issues related to our acute and complex bilateral relations. 11:35 AM GMT Ukraine: Situation in Kursk difficult but under control Anastasiia Blyshchyk, a spokesman for the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade of Ukraine, said the situation on the frontline in Kursk was difficult but under control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Blyshchyk said Monday was a dark day for Russian occupation forces as Ukrainian forces had destroyed 10 of their armoured vehicles. A battalion deployed to launch waves of attacks in Kursk was effectively neutralises, Ms Blyshchyk added. 11:13 AM GMT Watch: Russian tanks destroyed in Kursk Footage circulating on social media reports to show Russian tanks being destroyed in Kursk. It comes after Russia launched a counter-offensive in its southern region, which was invaded by Ukraine in August. Credit: X / @maria_drutska 10:57 AM GMT Russian warship conducts drills in English Channel A Russian Navy warship equipped with hypersonic missiles has conducted drills in the English Channel, Russian state news agencies reported on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The frigate, which is equipped with Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missiles, reportedly conducted counter-terrorism drills repelling air and sea drone attacks from a mock enemy. RFS Admiral Golovko was escorted by the Royal Navys HMS Iron Duke after it conducted exercises in the Barents, Norwegian and North seas, according to TASS news agency. The Russian ministry of defence said the frigate had crossed the narrowest part of the channel, Pas-de-Calais, on Sunday after leaving its base in Severomorsk, Russia on Nov 2. Read the full story here. The Russian Navy frigate Admiral Golovko firing a missile during a naval exercise in September - Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP 10:41 AM GMT Medvedev: Europe trying to escalate war after Trump win Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president, accused European leaders of trying to escalate the war in Ukraine after Donald Trumps election victory. Mr Medvedev wrote on Telegram that their goal was to drive conflict with Russia into an irreversible phase. The risk of the conflict escalating into the most dangerous stage is greatly increased by cruise missile strikes, he added. European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, the French president, have called on the continent to be more self-sufficient and back Ukraine for as long as necessary. 10:24 AM GMT In pictures: Ukrainian air force troops undergo training Ukrainian recruits of the Airborne Assault Forces go through an obstacle course during training on Friday - Global Images Ukraine Training for Ukrainian recruits has increased from 30 to 45 days - Global Images Ukraine 10:09 AM GMT Trump interested in two points of Zelenskys victory plan Donald Trump has expressed interest in two aspects of Volodymyr Zelenskys Victory Plan. One involved replacing some of the American troops stationed in Europe with Ukrainian troops after the war. The other, initially suggested by Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, involved sharing Ukraines critical natural resources with Western partners, the Financial Times reported. Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump meet at Trump Tower in New York in September - Shutterstock 09:46 AM GMT Ukraine shoots down 46 drones overnight Ukraines air force said it shot down 46 out of 110 Russian drones fired overnight. The air force said 60 Russian drones were lost in Ukrainian air space and two more left toward Belarus. Russian forces also used three missiles during the overnight attack, the air force added. 09:20 AM GMT Truss was preparing for Putin to fire nuclear weapons Crisis meetings were held in Britain because of concerns Vladimir Putin was close to deploying nuclear weapons in Ukraine in October 2022, an updated biography of Liz Truss claims. The former prime minister was concerned wind would carry the fallout to British skies, according to the book Out of the Blue. It says she spent her final days in office studying weather maps and preparing for radiation to hit Britain. Exquisite US intelligence is reported to have concluded there was a 50 per cent chance Russia would deploy a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine or a larger one over the Black Sea. Read the full story here. 08:58 AM GMT EU must back Ukraine as long as it takes The European Union must back Ukraine for as long as it takes in its fight to repel Russias invasion, the blocs designated foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday. The situation on the battlefield is difficult. And thats why we must keep working every day. Today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes and with as much military, financial and humanitarian help as needed, the former Estonian leader told lawmakers. It comes amid fears that the incoming Donald Trump administration could drastically reduce financial and military aid to Kyiv and essentially force Ukraine into conceding territory to Russia. 08:37 AM GMT Russian strike on Zelenskys home town kills four A Russian strike on Volodymyr Zelenskys home town killed a mother and her three children, according to Ukrainian authorities. The strike on Kryvyi Rig a day earlier ripped into the upper storeys of a Soviet-era apartment block in the industrial town, burying victims beneath debris. The youngest victim of the Russian strike was just two months old. The missile attack killed four people: a mother with three children, Igor Klymenko, Ukraines interior minister, said. Rescuers carry the body of a woman found under debris of an apartment building which was hit by a Russian missile in Kryvyi Rih - REUTERS 08:22 AM GMT Where does Trumps new secretary of state stand on Ukraine? Donald Trump has reportedly decided on Marco Rubio to become Washingtons next secretary of state. Mr Rubio was one of 15 Republican Senators who voted against the $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which eventually passed in 2024 April. After Mr Trumps victory last week, Mr Rubio said the war between Ukraine and Russia had reached a stalemate and needed to be brought to a conclusion. That doesnt mean we celebrate what Vladimir Putin did or are excited about it, but I think there has to be some common sense here, he said. We are funding a stalemate thats costing lives... and Ukraine is going to take 100 years to rebuild with everything theyre facing. Marco Rubio is likely to be Donald Trumps secretary of state - AFP 08:10 AM GMT Putin rushes to recapture Kursk before Trump takes office Vladimir Putin has deployed 50,000 Russian and North Korean troops in an attempt to recapture Kursk from Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office as US president in January. Ukraines top military commander said tens of thousands of enemy soldiers had arrived to expel Kyivs forces from the Russian enclave, fuelling Western fears of a significant escalation of the war. Nato allies believe Putin is hoping to recapture territory lost to Ukraine before Mr Trumps inauguration on Jan 20. A British defence intelligence assessment seen by The Telegraph shows Russia is likely to ramp up kamikaze drone attacks on Ukrainian positions in the coming days, using new launch sites close to the border. Read the full story here. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin reportedly spoke on the phone after last weeks US election - AFP 08:07 AM GMT North Korea ratifies defence treaty with Russia North Korea has ratified a mutual defence treaty with Russia, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The agreement commits both nations to aid one another in the event of an armed attack. It has been seen as Vladimir Putins way of justifying deploying thousands of North Korean troops in the Kursk region. 07:57 AM GMT Welcome to our live coverage Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine. Well be bringing you the latest updates from throughout the day. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PRZEMYSL, Poland (KDVR) On the same day Russian bombs, drones and missiles smashed into southern Ukrainian cities, killing six and injuring 30 others, a medical volunteer from Colorado was hard at work in the war-torn country. Doug Amis is aware of the peril, and its not the first time hes run toward the danger that so many others run from. 101-year-old Navy vet Marie West gets to visit Omaha Beach for D-Day anniversary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The way I look at it is, if I can, I should, Doug Amis, a physicians assistant from Castle Rock, told FOX31. Hes on his third program in Ukraine with a Lenexa, Kansas, non-profit called Global Care Force. They send teams of medical and trauma workers to Ukraine monthly to help local residents get the healthcare they need. Its the only medical care many Ukrainians have received since the war started. Not a lot of people have the availability or the temperament to be able to do those kinds of things, and I figure because I can, I should, he told FOX31s Jeremy Hubbard, who will be traveling with the volunteer team in Ukraine this week, documenting the work theyre doing to rebuild lives that have been shattered by a war thats dragged on for nearly three years. Every (Ukrainian) family has somebody that has suffered because of this war, said Roxanne Alexander Jones, a registered nurse and Vice President of Global Programs at the charity. This is her fourth time working with the team in Ukraine this year, and her 15th visit since the invasion began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air raids are frequent, and you never know for how long, she said. For the volunteers, the reward of helping others outweighs any risk. Nonprofit helping veterans, first responders cope with PTSD with time in Colorado outdoors Volunteers have come back a second or third time and theyve seen the same patients over and over again, and they built a relationship, said Scott Oberkrom, President and CEO of the non-profit. The team will hold clinics in small Ukrainian villages throughout the rest of the way, providing primary health care and helping meet the needs of those overwhelmed by the trauma of a prolonged war. FOX31 will share how theyre helping in Ukraine, each night this week during the FOX31 9 p.m. news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very fulfilling to have found a purpose in life, Alexander Jones said. To donate to Global Care Force, visit their donation page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The Kremlin-controlled state media channel Russia 1 ran explicit photos of Melania Trump during a segment last week in the wake of her husband's U.S. election victory. The sequence, which highlighted several pictures from her modeling career, was shown during the prime-time show "60 Minutes," hosted by propagandists Olga Skabeeva and Yevgeny Popov. "Here is how Melania looked in the year 2000. This is the cover of the magazine GQ," Popov says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In one of the shots, the model is only wearing her underwear, lying on a blue carpet with the United States seal, as though the editors of the men's magazine knew something in advance about the future of their model," he added with a smirk. Beside him, Skabeeva can be seen visibly trying to suppress laughter. Melania Trump, originally from Slovenia, was a professional model when they first met in 1998. It's not immediately clear why the government-controlled TV and its prime-time news program chose this particular angle. Since Russian President Vladimir Putin suppressed freedom of speech in the country in the early 2000s and placed a tight grip on all mainstream TV networks, with little has been allowed to be aired in Russia without the government's permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won the presidential vote on Nov. 6, defeating his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. The election is expected to have a profound impact on Russia's war in Ukraine, as some worry Trump might seek to cut a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the cost of painful concessions by Kyiv. Putin congratulated Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election, saying he was ready "to have discussions" with Trump during the Valdai forum in Sochi on Nov. 7. But earlier this week, the Kremlin denied that a widely reported phone conversation took place between the two during which Trump reportedly warned Putin "not to escalate" the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine reacts warily to Trump appointments as Russias war rages on Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The bodies of two children have been retrieved from under the rubble of a residential building hit by a Russian missile on 11 November. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "The bodies of two children were retrieved from under the rubble of the building in Kryvyi Rih... The missile strike on the city the day before killed three people." Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Lysak added that rescue workers are continuing their operation and are still searching for one more child under the rubble. Updated: Later, Lysak reported that the body of a third child, who was less than one year old, was found under the rubble. "Overall, the Russians killed four people during yesterday's attack on Kryvyi Rih. A terrible tragedy. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. The search and rescue operation has been completed," he concluded. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Correspondents from the national joint 24/7 newscast reported from the scene that an entire family, the mother and her three children: two and ten-year-old boys and a two-month-old girl, was killed in the Russian attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On 11 November, Russian forces attacked Kryvyi Rih with ballistic missiles, damaging a five-storey apartment building and injuring 14 people. Later, it became known that emergency workers had retrieved the body of a woman from under the rubble. Support UP or become our patron! The Institute for the Study of War analysts point out that Russian troops are using the capture of Vuhledar to further their offensive and to level the line of contact by eliminating the Ukrainian advance in the western part of Donetsk Oblast. Source: ISW Details: Russian forces have been effectively utilising their recent capture of Vuhledar to achieve tactically crucial gains south of Kurakhove, supporting ongoing Russian offensive operations that seek to align the frontline and eliminate the Ukrainian salient in western Donetsk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces ramped up offensive actions in western Donetsk Oblast in early September 2024, now aiming to encircle Kurakhove from the north and south and align the line of contact between Sontsivka (northwest of Kurakhove) and Shakhtarske (northwest of Vuhledar). Analysts note that further Russian advancements into Dalne and westward could compel Ukrainian forces to pull back from positions in the pocket north and northeast of Vuhledar, enabling Russian forces to advance along the C051104 motorway with minimal resistance. Such progress would allow Russian forces to intensify pressure on Ukrainian positions in Kurakhove from the south. ISW has revised its prior assessment that Russian forces would be unlikely to exploit the capture of Vuhledar for further offensive operations in western Donetsk Oblast, acknowledging that this assessment was mistaken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces also continued their advances in other areas of the Kurakhove and Vuhledar fronts on 10-11 November. Russian advances persist along the border of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, with movements northwest of Vuhledar and south of Velyka Novosilka potentially increasing pressure on Ukrainian positions in Velyka Novosilka. Russian forces have progressed in western Donetsk Oblast at a steady pace; however, they are still unlikely to achieve the rapid mechanised manoeuvres needed to successfully encircle Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian and Russian sources reported on 11 November that damage to the dam at the Kurakhove Reservoir is causing localised flooding in nearby settlements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian and Russian sources diverged on who was responsible for the dam damage, though Russian forces reportedly struck the dam in September 2024. Russian forces may have targeted the dam to induce extensive, persistent flooding west of Kurakhove Reservoir, potentially aiding Russian efforts to encircle Ukrainian forces north and south of Kurakhove. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 11 November: Russian forces are successfully leveraging their recent seizure of Vuhledar to make tactically significant gains south of Kurakhove in support of ongoing Russian offensive operations that aim to level the frontline and eliminate the Ukrainian salient in western Donetsk Oblast. ISW is revising its previous assessment that Russian forces would not likely be able to take advantage of the seizure of Vuhledar for further offensive operations in western Donetsk Oblast. That assessment was incorrect. Russian forces reportedly continue to advance in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and Russian advances northwest of Vuhledar and south of Velyka Novosilka may begin to pressure Ukrainian positions in Velyka Novosilka. Russian forces have advanced in western Donetsk Oblast at a moderate tempo, but Russian forces remain highly unlikely to be able to conduct rapid mechanised manoeuvres that could successfully encircle Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian and Russian sources stated on 11 November that damage to a dam of the Kurakhove Reservoir is causing limited flooding in nearby settlements. Ukrainian and Russian sources disagreed about who was responsible for damaging the dam, but Russian forces reportedly struck the dam in September 2024. Russian forces may have struck the dam in order to cause significant, long-lasting flooding west of Kurakhivske Reservoir that could facilitate Russian efforts to envelop Ukrainian forces north and south of Kurakhove. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied on 11 November reports of a recent phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast. Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Kreminna and Kurakhove. Russian regional governments continue to commit large portions of their social budgets towards payments to Russian veterans, likely as part of ongoing efforts to incentivise Russian military service. Support UP or become our patron! Russian troops have attacked settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, damaging a residential building. Source: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration Quote: "After 20:00, the enemy launched six strikes on Zaporizhzhia and Vasylivka districts. Early reports indicate no casualties. In one of the settlements, a residential building was damaged. We are currently assessing the overall extent of the damage from the strikes." Support UP or become our patron! On Tuesday 12 November, the Russian army with Molniya UAVs attacked apartment buildings in Kharkiv, and three people were injured. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: Around 13:55, a Russian drone hit an open area in the Saltivskyi district. Two people were injured. A woman, 50, was diagnosed with an acute reaction to stress. Another woman aged 55 suffered a shrapnel wound and a burn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to preliminary information, the Russians used a new modification of drones, the Molnia attack UAV. At 15:35, a Russian drone hit an eleven-storey apartment building in the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv. Aftermath of Russian attack on Kharkiv Photo : Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office According to prosecutors, a woman, 70, was injured. Early reports say the Russian army again used the Molniya-1 attack UAV. Support UP or become our patron! On 12 November, Russian forces struck the villages of Havrylivka and Stanislav, Kherson Oblast, from a drone, injuring two men aged 77 and 70. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram Quote: "Around 11:00, Russian forces attacked Havrylivka using a UAV. A 77-year-old man was injured by the drone's explosives, which caused shrapnel wounds to his chest, hands, and face, as well as a contusion." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The victim was reportedly taken to hospital for medical treatment. Later, Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported that a resident of Stanislav was injured as a result of a Russian drone attack as well. The 70-year-old man on whom the Russians dropped explosives was diagnosed with an explosive injury, contusion, and shrapnel wounds to his head, chest, arms, and legs. Updated: At 16:00, the Russians struck Zelenivka, injuring two women. A 54-year-old resident received an explosion injury, a head injury, and a shin wound. A 86-year-old woman suffered an explosive injury and a head injury. Both victims were hospitalised and are receiving medical treatment. Support UP or become our patron! Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and current deputy chair of the country's Security Council, has accused German conservative leader Friedrich Merz of making incendiary comments about Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Merz has said in the past that if he was in power Germany could send long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev - a step Chancellor Olaf Scholz has steadfastly refused to take. Medvedev wrote on Telegram that these missiles are incapable of significantly altering the course of the battle in Ukraine's favour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But the risk of the conflict escalating into a more dangerous phase is greatly increased by cruise missile strikes," he said. He claimed Merz and some other European politicians want "to drag the war onto their territory." Merz, who is gunning to become Germany's next chancellor following the collapse of Scholz's centre-left coalition, recently told the news magazine Stern he was still open to sending the missiles to Kiev. In the interview published on Sunday, he proposed that an ultimatum be given to Moscow: If the bombing of the civilian population in Ukraine does not stop within 24 hours, the range restrictions on existing weapons already supplied to Kiev will be lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that's not enough, Taurus missiles will be delivered a week later, Merz said. Ukraine has been defending itself with Western aid against the Russian invasion for more than two and a half years. Medvedev, who was regarded as a liberalizing force during his time as president of Russia from 2008 to 2012, has frequently attracted attention since the beginning of the war with harsh threats, including the use of nuclear weapons against the West. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused European leaders on Tuesday of seeking to dangerously escalate the Ukraine conflict following the re-election of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Medvedev, a senior security official, wrote on Telegram that European politicians were aiming to "push the conflict with Russia into an irreversible phase" while they could and warned against allowing Kyiv to use Western long-range missiles to fire at targets inside Russia. Medvedev dismissed what he called "ultimatums" issued by German opposition leader and possible next chancellor Friedrich Merz about Ukraine's use of such weapons as "electioneering in nature". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is clear that these missiles are not capable of changing anything significantly in the course of military operations", he said. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed their support for Kyiv during talks in Paris on Monday, while France's foreign minister urged Ukraine's allies not to prejudge how Trump will handle the conflict. "Generally speaking, it is surprising to what extent the current generation of European politicians wants to drag the war into their territory", Medvedev said. Medvedev previously said that Trump's win would likely be bad news for Ukraine. Trump, a Republican, has repeatedly criticised the scale of Western aid to Kyiv and has promised to end the conflict swiftly, without explaining how. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin dismissed on Monday reports that Trump had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent days as "pure fiction." (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Andrew Osborn/Guy Faulconbridge) Senior care providers in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova and Davis must pay more than $800,000 in fines after failing to pay overtime pay to dozens of their workers. U.S. Department of Labor officials announced the fines Tuesday after a wide-ranging investigation into alleged exploitation of workers, many of whom are women and low-wage earners, at the facilities in the capital region. Labor investigators recovered more than $306,000 from the owner of six regional elder residential care facilities in Sacramento, Rancho Cordova and Elk Grove. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the owner failed to pay overtime wages owed to 44 employees at Laguna Village RCFE, Laguna Springs RCFE and Signature Living on Lavelli Way in Elk Grove; Havenwood RCFE and Capital Senior Care in Sacramento; and Signature Living RCFE in Rancho Cordova. The care homes owner was also assessed more than $18,000 in additional penalties, federal officials said. The Department of Labor is committed to stopping the exploitation of workers by residential care industry employers and holding them accountable for their unscrupulous employment practices, Sacramento-based Wage and Hour Division District Director Cesar Avila said in a statement. Our investigations find many of care workers harmed are women and low-wage earners, who can least afford to be denied their full wages. Also fined was Home health care provider Timeless Homecare Inc. operates Amada Senior Care in Davis. Labor investigators recovered nearly $28,000 in wages and damages from the facility and assessed more than $2,000 in penalties after they found a pair of employees had been paid only partial overtime wages, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal labor officials say wage violations are all too common in a home health and personal care industry that employs more than 700,000 workers in California and where Department of Labor investigators have recovered millions of dollars in back wages for thousands of employees so far this fiscal year. More than 2,300 investigations by the Department of Labors Wage and Hour Division recovered more than $37.8 million in back wages for nearly 30,000 health care workers nationwide in fiscal year 2024. The division also slapped employers with more than $2.8 million in penalties for violating federal labor regulations. (FOX40.COM) A Sacramento man was arrested on Monday for allegedly fatally stabbing a man on Sunday night, according to the Sacramento Police Department. At 8 p.m., officers were called to the 2800 block of Gateway Oaks Drive for a reported stabbing. Northern California man goes missing after Uber ride from Bay Area to Placer County A man was found in the area without at least one stab wound and was given medical care by officers before personnel from the Sacramento Fire Department arrived and took over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man would later die at an area hospital from his injuries, according to police. The 30-year-old suspect has been booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail and is facing homicide-related charges. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Sadiq Khan considered charging motorists up to 2 per mile to drive in London, leaked documents show. The flagship pay-per-mile road charging scheme was expected to be introduced in September 2026 as part of the Labour mayors drive to meet ambitious net zero targets. The plans would have seen the cost of road journeys from outer London into the centre of the capital almost trebling. It comes after Mr Khan spent 150m of taxpayers money on secret technology to deliver pay-per-mile road pricing, as previously revealed by The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such road pricing schemes have been branded inevitable because the Treasury faces a 30bn loss in tax revenues thanks to net zero policies enforcing the switch to electric vehicles in coming years. Plans leaked on Tuesday showed how the London mayor plotted to charge motorists up to 2 per mile to drive inside the current congestion charge zone, on top of a 5 daily tax. Mr Khan has since made clear he has ruled out the pay-per-mile policy. However, internal modelling by Transport for London (TfL) seen by the London Centric blog shows the proposals would have added tens of pounds to road journeys in the capital. Under the Labour mayors plans, the cost of driving from Upminster to Oxford Circus and back again would have almost trebled, rising from 15 for the congestion charge to around 40. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, at present somebody driving a Ulez-compliant car on a 30-mile return trip across inner London from Highgate to Fulham would have incurred no cost other than petrol. Under the TfL modelling, the journey would have cost an extra 18 in pay-per-mile charges, according to the London Centric blog. Codenamed Project Gladys inside TfL, the scheme was formally known as Next Generation Charging. Those in inner London the original Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) would have been charged 60p per mile, with a 40p per mile fee applying across the rest of Greater London. It is understood that no final decision on pricing was made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The London mayor expanded the Ulez in August 2023 to include all 32 of the capitals boroughs. Most non-compliant vehicles are charged 12.50 daily under the rules. The Project Gladys modelling also suggests that 600,000 fewer car trips would have been made under the policy, replaced by 170,000 extra bus journeys and 210,000 trips made on foot. Officials expected that the remaining 220,000 road journeys would simply evaporate, London Centric claimed. The documents set out a roadmap for implementing the pay-per-mile scheme. Following an initial trial, public consultations would have taken place throughout 2024, and London signage would have been replaced in 2025 with drivers charged by the mile from September 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is understood that Mr Khan backed away from the proposals after the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election in July 2023 was won by the Conservatives who ran an anti-Ulez campaign. The Telegraph revealed in April that Mr Khan had already spent 3m of taxpayers money planning a future pay-per-mile charging system called Future RUC. Nine Labour-run London councils have voiced support for pay-per-mile or road user charging in recent years. Sir John Armitt, the Governments infrastructure tsar, said last month that motorists will inevitably end up paying per mile to drive on Britains roads as the switch towards electric cars drains away fuel taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mayor of London spokesman said: Pay-per-mile charging has been ruled out by the Mayor and no such scheme is on the table. A TfL spokesman said: When we consulted on expanding the Ulez London-wide in 2022, we also asked people for their views to help shape the future of road user charging in the capital. We did exploratory work around a number of different policy options including distance-based charging, but such a scheme has not been developed as a proposal in London, and the Mayor has ruled it out. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (COLORADO) Safe2Tell released its yearly report and confirmed it had a historic year since its inception in 2004. Data included in the report released by the Colorado Attorney Generals Office contained data from Aug. 1, 2023, through July 31, 2024. Overall, Safe2Tell saw a total of 28,128 reports and experienced a 25% volume increase compared to the previous school years. The rise in reports reflects both the increasing challenges young people are facing and the commitment of Safe2Tells trainers and ambassadors in building awareness across Colorado, said Attorney General Phil Weiser. Todays students need support more than ever, and I am thankful Safe2Tell offers a trusted, accessible platform where they can voice their concerns and help make our schools safer for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time, school complaints rose to the most-reported category for the first time in Safe2Tells history. Suicide, bullying, drugs, and school threats also led the list of concerns. School complaint reports included a spectrum of concerns about school policy, staff behavior, building/facility concerns, inappropriate relationships, and others. The program found that a portion of these reports were not safety-related and would have been more appropriately taken to the school directly per the report. Therefore, for the 2024-2025 the school complain event was replaced and broken into three event types. These categories sharpen our focus on specific safety concerns, empowering school districts and law enforcement to better support children and communities across Colorado, said Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins. This approach ultimately creates safer schools, where students feel their concerns are understood and appropriately addressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the total number of reports during the 2023-2024 school year, 3.7% were false reports that contained untrue information and were submitted to the program with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person. Safe2Tell is a violence intervention and prevention program for youth and community members to anonymously report threats. To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233, submit it online at Safe2Tell.org, text S2TCO to 738477, or go through the Safe2Tell app which is available on Apple App Store or Google Play. To review the full report, click the link 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 FOX21 News Colorado. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) November 11th is a day we pause as a nation to remember and honor our veterans who have made tremendous sacrifices for our freedoms, many who paid the ultimate price. The Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls held a special ceremony, where veterans from all branches of the military were thanked and saluted. Noem responds to Trump question from News Nation From songs to salutes, veterans took center stage at the Military Heritage Alliance as they were thanked for serving our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sioux Falls Mayor Paul Tenhaken was one of the guest speakers. I dont think a lot of people fully appreciate and can comprehend what true freedom means and how fragile that is, and how we have to fight for that and we have to deploy and we have to enlist and we have to honor those who have helped us keep those freedoms, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul Tenhaken said. Tenhaken says he took an oath to serve our city, but it pales in comparison to those who took an oath to wear the uniform and are willing to die for our country. I will tell you the men and women who have decided to serve and enlist thats a very real possibility and we dont take that lightly at all, Tenhaken said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Kristi Noem spoke about the history of our nation and how the men and women fought for freedom back in those days and that fight continues today. Our kids are our future and they need to know what this country is what the past was and what theyre continuing to fight for going forward, Noem said. Noem echoed what the mayor said. We dont get asked every day to pledge our lives and our fortunes and our sacred honor but our men and women of our military do, Noem said. And she says thats why everyone should continue to honor veterans not only today, but every day. We are incredibly grateful for you and may God Bless you and continue to bless the United States of America, Noem 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 KELOLAND.com. Justice Samuel Alito has slammed the door on overeager Republicans hopes for a Trump-packed Supreme Court. With Republicans inching toward trifecta control of the House, Senate, and White House after their sweeping victory last week, the party has now turned its attention to the nations highest court. Republicans will have at least two years of uninhibited ability to mold the Supreme Court in their image, especially if conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Alito76 and 74, respectivelyget the message and step down. But Alito quickly shut down rumors of his retirement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite what some people may think, this is a man who has never thought about this job from a political perspective, a friend of Alito told The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday. The idea that hes going to retire for political considerations is not consistent with who he is. Alito was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2006 and has been a bastion of conservative originalism ever since. He penned the opinion on the devastating overturning of Roe v. Wade, something that was made possible in part thanks to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs passing away in 2020, after stubbornly refusing calls to step down during President Barack Obamas termgiving President Donald Trump the conservative majority needed to overturn the crucial reproductive rights law. Liberal Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, 70, has also faced calls for her to step down, but she has no plans to retire either. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) As of this past weekend, the average price of gas in San Diego County was at its lowest of the entire year. San Diego joins other major metropolitan areas in Southern California to dip to its lowest gas prices since January 2024. Free gas offered to veterans and military members on Veterans Day The state of California this week is seeing average gas prices of $4.50, compared to the national average of $3.07, the Auto Club of Southern California reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In San Diego, the average price of gas as of Nov. 12 was $4.54, which is down from last weeks average of $4.58, last months average of $4.67, and last years $5.21 per gallon average. With the exception of San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura, all major metro areas in Southern California now have the lowest gas price levels of the year, said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe on Nov. 7. Oil Price Information Service reports that California gasoline inventories have increased for three straight weeks. This time last year, Californias average price for a gallon of gas was $5.07. California air regulators approve controversial standards that could affect gas prices Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement View the breakdown of current gas prices by county in California and across the nation at gasprices.aaa.com. Although San Diegans are currently seeing some relief at the pump, California regulators on Friday approved plans to strengthen the states carbon reduction standards which could, in turn, drive up gas prices, the Hill reported. AAA reports the highest recorded average price of gas in San Diego County was $6.43 on Oct. 5, 2022. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The San Angelo Police Department has encouraged the public to submit information regarding an incident that occurred on Field Street on Nov. 9 that resulted in two people being hospitalized, one of whom had sustained a stab wound. According to information provided by the SAPD, officers were called to the 2800 block of Field Street at approximately 9:09 p.m. in response to an unknown problem in the alleyway involving a black passenger car. Arriving at the scene, law enforcement located a vehicle matching the description in the 2600 block of Field Street and encountered three male subjects with various injuries. The SAPD reported that one of the subjects involved had sustained a stab wound and was later taken to an area hospital to be treated. The man was found to have non-life-threatening injuries and was kept overnight for observation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SAPD: Sunlight influencing crashes in San Angelo Another one of the subjects refused medical treatment at the scene. The third male was treated and released from an area hospital later. The SAPD stated that its Criminal Investigation Division was contacted and a detective responded to the scene. Initial interviews conducted with the involved subjects revealed conflicting accounts leaving it unclear whether they are suspects or victims in this case. The department said that the investigation is still underway. It encourages anyone with knowledge about the incident to contact Concho Valley Crime Stoppers at (325)-658-4327 to submit information anonymously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any information leading to the arrest of responsible parties will result in a reward when reported through Crime Stoppers, the SAPD 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has accused Israel of carrying out collective genocide in Gaza, in some of his strongest criticism of the country since the war began last year. During a gathering of leaders of Islamic nations hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on Monday, the countrys de facto leader said: The Kingdom reiterates its condemnation and absolute refusal of the collective genocide committed by Israel against the brotherly Palestinian people. More than 43,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its attacks on the enclave last year. On Tuesday, at least 30 people were killed in Gaza city and northern Gaza, with many more still under the rubble, according to the spokesperson for Gazas Civil Defense, Mahmoud Basal. CNN has asked the Israeli military for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year the kingdom was in the process of negotiating a historic normalization agreement with Israel but recently said that was off the table without Palestinian statehood, a demand rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Saudi crown prince, widely known by his initials MBS, also defended Iran a stark contrast to his comments in 2017 comparing the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Adolf Hitler. MBS urged the international community to compel Israel to respect Irans sovereignty and not to attack (Iranian) territories. Riyadh and Tehran repaired ties last year after decades of animosity over regional influence. With no solution in sight for the regional conflicts and amid a stalled normalization process with Israel, Saudi Arabia has changed its messaging over the past year from condemnations to publicly accusing Israel of genocide while urging more international protection for Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran sent its First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref to Mondays Riyadh conference, who in his speech mourned the deaths of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. Saudi Arabia strongly opposes Iran-backed militias such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Others attending the high-level meeting included Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Jordans King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The conference was hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on November 11. - APAImages/Shutterstock Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Bashar al-Assad of Syria, who were also at the meeting, remain embroiled in an ongoing conflict over Turkeys military operations in northern Syria and its support for rebel groups. The stated goal of Mondays meeting was unifying positions and exerting pressure on the international community to take steps to end the ongoing attacks and establish lasting peace, in the region, Saudis governmental state agency said. Unifying in the wake of the US election Experts say MBS gathered regional allies and old foes to exhibit his strength in unifying Islamic nations ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump assuming office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his 2024 campaign, Trump had not specified how he would approach the Israel-Hamas war, or how his policies would differ from those of his predecessor Joe Biden. In April, Trump said that Israel needs to finish what they started and get it over with fast, noting that it was losing the PR war because of the images coming out of Gaza. But the incoming US president would likely seek to reinstate the sanctions regimes on Tehran to isolate Iran diplomatically and weaken it economically, Brian Hook, who was Trumps Iran envoy during his first administration, told CNNs Becky Anderson last week. Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, Trumps pick for national security adviser, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who sources say is likely to be his selection for secretary of state, have hardline policies on Iran. He has a lot of friendships in the region with leaders. Those friendships, I think, are only going to deepen and I think the cooperation and the bonds of friendship, security and commerce are all going to be much better in the coming years, Hook said of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabia, which had helped Trump in his policy of Iranian containment during his first term, is wary this time of supporting a maximum pressure campaign on Iran, due to skepticism of US willingness to protect the kingdom in the face of an Iranian attack, analysts say. Instead, the kingdom has been expanding its relationship with Iran. This week, MBS spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, welcomed his vice president in Riyadh and dispatched the Saudi army chief of staff to Tehran for meetings with his Iranian counterpart. The kingdom is trying to make sure its staying out of any war that involves the US, Israel and Iran because of domestic anger against Israel from their own populations but also because of the effectiveness of Iranian ballistic missiles, executive vice president of the Washington, DC-based Quincy Institute Trita Parsi said. There are several political risks to normalizing relations with Israel today, said Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. With normalization Saudi Arabia recognizes that it will be risking possible internal political dissent, a regional Arab leadership role and a global Islamic leadership role that is very contested, Ibish said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message from Riyadh is we want to play ball, but you have to give us something, and not just on Palestine, on Iran too were not going to do a deal with the Israelis if you dont make it worth our while, Ibish said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Savage couple was convicted on Friday for kidnapping their infant last January after Child Protective Services removed the baby from their care. Amanda Wamack, 31 and Zachariah Whitehead, 32, have each been found guilty with one count of kidnapping after attempting to flee out of state with their infant on Jan. 16, 2023. The complaint states that the two had brought their week-old child to the Children's Emergency Department for a fractured arm on Jan. 12, 2023. Scott County jail roster The two parents were being initially cooperative, saying it may have been accidental while changing the baby's clothing, because the child was "wiggly." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However a report was made to Scott County Child Protection and when they decided to place the child with another family member, they became "very upset," stating that they were "sovereign citizens" and did not agree with the government's laws. The baby was placed with the grandmother, and the couple was not allowed stay at the home until further meetings with CPS, charges state. On Jan. 17, 2023, CPS asked the Savage Police Department for help after Whitehead and Wamack were not answering phone calls. When officers went to the grandmother's home in Savage, they learned that the couple had taken the baby the evening before and had left town. Officers also learned that the grandmother had "rescinded" her role as caregiver for the state, as "she did not agree with it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While checking with other law enforcement agencies, Whitehead's Ford Explorer had been seen pulling a U-Haul trailer in both St. Paul and then Chicago on Jan. 16. Emergency pings on Whitehead's phone also showed it to be within 3,000 meters of his former residence in Kentucky, and police ultimately found the vehicle outside of Wamack's home in Lexington. After six hours of negotiations, Whitehead and Wamack were arrested. Wamack and Whitehead will be sentenced on Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. CT. Related: Savage couple accused of kidnapping baby arrested in Kentucky A young boy walks down a hallway at Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville, Ky. Kentucky is one of three states with school choice questions on the ballot this fall. (File/Jon Cherry/Getty Images) COLUMBIA A South Carolina philanthropists donation will help cover more of the private school tuition for some students who lost their taxpayer-funded scholarships following a state Supreme Court ruling. Ravenel B. Curry III, co-founder of a financial planning firm, donated $500,000 to pay tuition for roughly half of the 700 students enrolled in private schools under the states voucher program, allowing those students to stay in their schools for the next quarter, according to the Palmetto Promise Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are honored and profoundly grateful for Ravenel Currys generous gift, Palmetto Promise Institute CEO Wendy Damron said in a news release. Gov. Henry McMaster last year signed the law establishing so-called education scholarship accounts, providing parents $6,000 a year in public funds to pay for tuition, transportation, supplies or technology at either private schools or public schools outside a students district. Then in September, the state Supreme Court declared the payments violated the state constitutions ban on public money directly benefiting private education. By that point, the state had already deposited the first of four, quarterly $1,500 installments into parents accounts. While the court did not require schools to pay back that money, it did halt payments for private tuition, leaving families scrambling to keep from having to transfer their children back to public school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The money was available only to Medicaid-eligible students this school year, so the parents were less likely to be able to afford tuition on their own. The Palmetto Promise Institute, which for years had pushed for the law, stepped in with fundraising support. This latest donation from Curry follows a $900,000 donation last month from Jeff Yass, a Pennsylvania billionaire who co-founded a global investment firm. That money helped keep students in their chosen schools until the end of this semester, the Palmetto Promise Institute said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether the conservative think tank will be able to raise the money to cover tuition for the remaining students, or for all students during their final quarter of school, remains to be seen. This contribution is not just a gift to these families, Damron said. Its an investment in the long-term health of South Carolinas school choice movement and a powerful example of the impact individuals can make to keep this issue at the forefront of public policy. The money will go directly to schools, not to parents, said the Palmetto Promise Institute. The Catholic diocese for South Carolina also has been raising money to keep 195 students who lost their school vouchers in the groups 32 schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the high courts ruling stopped payments for private tuition, it left other parts of the law intact, allowing the quarterly payments to parents accounts to continue for other expenses such as tutoring and books. It also allows sign-ups for the program to continue for next year, when income eligibility expands to 300% of the federal poverty level. In 2026-27, parents who make up to 400% of the poverty level can qualify. But the ruling gutted the purpose of helping parents pay for private tuition. Republican leaders in the state House have cited reinstating the taxpayer-funded scholarships as a priority for the coming legislative session starting in January. Legislators could try to pass a new law in the hopes that a court with a different makeup gives a different decision. They could also ask voters in 2026 whether the state constitutions ban on public money benefiting private schools should be removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents of the program have called on legislators to find other ways to improve the states education system instead of continued attempts to pass school choice laws. I just wish in South Carolina we could focus on our public institutions, Sherry East, president of the South Carolina Education Association, said previously. I wish wed stop attacking them and work on making them stronger. A South Carolina man who attacked police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot was sentenced to 18 months in prison Tuesday by a federal judge in Washington. Christopher George Rockey, 55, of Cross, in Berkeley County, had pleaded guilty in June to assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer in June before Judge Rudolph Contreras, who sentenced him Tuesday. I accept 100% of the responsibility for my actions on that day. I never intended for anything that happened to take place. I never envisioned myself on the wrong side of the law, Rockey said in a presentencing memorandum filed with the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rockey, a supporter of former President Trump and a former Marine who saw combat in Iraq, also agreed to pay $2,000 in restitution for his part of the approximately $2.9 million in damages done by the mob to the Capitol the day of the riot. More than 100 police were injured by the mob. Prosecutors had sought 27 months in prison because, they said, he was part of an attack on the Capitol to stop the peaceful transfer of power in a presidential election. Brady Vannoy, the Moncks Corner attorney who represented Rockey, said his client apologized to the judge Tuesday. The judge apparently took Rockeys apology, his military service in the Marines and disabilities from that service into consideration in giving him a sentence more lenient that prosecutors wanted, Vannoy said. Vannoy said he had informed Rockey that with incoming President-elect Donald Trump pledging to pardon or commute sentences of some or all rioters, a delay in Tuesdays hearing might be possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He didnt want that. He is a stand-up guy. He said, No, I have done wrong. I want to answer for my conduct now. I dont want any delays, Vannoy said. Now if he is offered a pardon or a commutation, hes obviously going to take it. In his guilty plea, Rockey admitted assaulting and interfering with Metropolitan police officers on the Upper Terrace of the Capitol while officers were holding the line against an advancing crowd of angry rioters. In return for his guilty plea, seven other criminal counts against Rockey were dropped, according to court records. The maximum penalty for interfering with a police officer in this case is eight years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Rockey was estimated to get from 24 to 30 months in prison, according to court records. Rockey is one of 29 South Carolinians arrested so far by the FBI in the Jan. 6 riots. He is one of five to get prison terms ranging from 18 to 57 months. Twelve have gotten short terms in jail ranging from 14 to 120 days. Four have gotten probation. Other defendants have yet to plead guilty, go to trial or be sentenced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many in the riot, Rockey had attended then-President Trumps Stop the Steal rally and proceeded to the Capitol with a crowd of thousands that became a mob who broke through police barricades and entered the Capitol, which was closed to the public that day, according to court records. He had entered the Capitol and spent about 30 minutes inside before exiting to an upper portion on the buildings north side. During the riot, he wore a helmet, camouflage pants, reinforced gloves and goggles. He also carried pepper spray and a two-way radio. His confrontations with the police took place after he exited the Capitol and went to the north side of the building, where a mob was battling law officers, according to court records. At the time, officers were telling the crowd to move back, but rioters were yelling traitor and hold the line and push, according to court records. The defendants decisions to confront the officers were part of an effort by the mob to stop law enforcement from advancing and clearing the Upper Terrace of rioters, a statement of facts about the case in court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all, approximately 1,560 people have been arrested in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report earlier this month. The arrests are part of the largest investigation ever in Justice Department history. FBI agents have arrested many of the defendants, including the ones arrested in South Carolina. Approximately 960 have already pled guilty to felonies or misdeanors. Trump supporters had been told that Democrats committed fraud and stole the election from Trump. Despite some 60 court cases in battleground states, audits and recounts of votes, no significant voting fraud was ever found. Trump, now president-elect, continues to assert without evidence that the election was stolen from him. A sentencing memo by Vannoy on Rockeys behalf called his participation in the Capitol riot the worst decision of his life. Since that time, he has constantly lived on the edge of destitution; he is nearly broke, is disabled, shamed and understandably fearful about the potential of spending years in prison. Vannoy said Tuesday after the hearing that Rockey is a proud Marine Corps veteran who served with honor in Operation Desert Storm and he still suffers from the psychological wounds received in service to our nation. It has been a privilege to represent him. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Sioux City Fire Rescue has released more information regarding the structure fire at the old LAMB Theater on Sunday. According to the press release, the fire started at approximately 6:05 a.m. at 417 Market Street with heavy flames and smoke coming from the second floor of a vacant two-story commercial structure. Fire crews started to put out the fire on the northeast side of the building. After the flames had calmed, the crew made entry to determine the cause of the fire and to perform further fire control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities reported that there was significant fire damage on the second floor as well as smoke and water damage throughout. There were no people in the building at the time of the fire. Sioux City Ford helps install new driveway for 82-year-old veteran Seven fire apparatus with twenty-three fire personnel responded with no injuries reported. City officials have red-tagged the structure and the cause of this fire is currently under investigation. If you have any information regarding this fire, or any other fire, please contact Sioux City Fire Rescue at 712-279-6377 or at fireprevention@sioux-city.or 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. (Bloomberg) -- Germanys election campaign kicks into high gear on Wednesday, when Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes his case in a public address for another term, despite polls showing voters are overwhelmingly looking for a change. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholzs Social Democrats will tout the chancellors experience while criticizing the opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who heads the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and is leading opinion polls by a wide margin. Theyll say hes incapable of leading Europes largest economy through a world of growing threats and uncertainties. The candidates will have to convince voters ahead of the Feb. 23 election that theyre best placed to pull Germany out of its economic malaise and safeguard its important manufacturing sector. The next chancellor will also have to navigate a new relationship with incoming US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to upend the global order, potentially at the expense of European companies. Ill guarantee a new leadership in Europe for Europe, Merz said on Tuesday. Germany is a sleeping middle power and must become an active middle power. Scholz will address the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, his first major public address since a date was set for the election. Hes expected to lay out the stakes of the vote and underscore that this will decide the countrys political path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholz threw the German government into crisis last week by firing his Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party in a dispute over more debt-financed support for Ukraine. That marked the end of the fractious coalition between Scholzs SPD, the liberal FDP and the Green party. Stock investors initially welcomed the call for the snap election, with Germanys benchmark DAX Index surging 1.7% following the announcement. The move higher has since been erased, as the threat of US tariffs under Trump, as well as doubt over economic growth in China, has hit European equities. The next chancellor will also confront a bleak economy, which has failed to mount a sustained rebound from the pandemic and war in Ukraine, with some economists predicting 2024 output to shrink for a second year in a row. The main weakness is its manufacturing sector, which is dragged down by soft foreign demand, high energy costs and structural issues at home. Investor sentiment in Germany unexpectedly worsened in November, with an expectations index by the ZEW institute falling to 7.4 from 13.1 the previous month. Economists had expected an increase to 13.2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German bonds have gained over the past week, as the market prices in slower growth particularly if there are tit-for-tat tariffs between the EU and US and a faster pace of interest-rate cuts from the European Central Bank. What Bloomberg Economics Says... While the short-term impact of a power vacuum should not be overstated, the absence of a mandate to govern will also constrain Germanys ability to respond to unfolding events, like the restoration of President-elect Donald Trump to the White House. Martin Ademmer, Antonio Barroso and Jamie Rush, economists. For full note, click here The other big question for investors is whether a new government in Berlin does away with the nations rigid debt brake, paving the way for extra issuance and fiscal stimulus. The prospect of added bond sales last week drove a widely watched gauge of supply to record levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholz will lead a minority government with the Greens until the February election. In the interim, lawmakers from the SPD and Greens are pushing for limited cooperation with opposition lawmakers to pass legislation, including some military procurement projects, which would guarantee planning security for defense contractors, according to people familiar with the planning. Scholzs minority government will first need to pass a supplementary budget for this year and the 2025 finance plan approved in parliament. To do so, theyll need the votes of opposition lawmakers. Finance Minister Joerg Kukies conceded on Tuesday that its not realistic that the 2025 budget will get approval by the end of the year, meaning the government will be forced to resort to a temporary finance planning process to keep funds flowing. While its not an ideal state of affairs and some new projects may face delays, Kukies said its not technically problematic and has happened multiple times before, including earlier this year after a constitutional court ruling upended the governments finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholzs support plunged to record lows this fall amid political fragmentation in Germany, which has seen the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany and the new far-left Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht. Both of those parties have taken advantage of rising resentment over the governments management of irregular migration. Merzs alliance is leading with more than 30%, putting it in prime position to win back the chancellery after it lost to Scholzs SPD party three years ago. Backing for the SPD is at about 16% in third place, behind the AfD in second with around 18%. The Greens are at about 11% in fourth, while the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht is fifth with roughly 8%. The FDP is polling as low as 3%, down from 11.5% in the 2021 election, putting it in danger of missing the 5% threshold for getting into parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coalition negotiations in Germany usually take several months which means that the next government may not be in place before April at the earliest. As things stand, a CDU/CSU-led grand coalition with the Social Democrats looks the likeliest outcome, with possibly the Greens as a junior partner. --With assistance from Michael Msika and Constantine Courcoulas. (updates with additional speech details from the fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A bus driver was cited Monday following a downtown crash that sent four students to the hospital. Officials with the Charleston Police Department said the driver was found to have contributed to the crash and cited for driving too fast for conditions. The crash happened between a school bus and a GMC truck shortly before 8 a.m. on Morrison Drive. Four students were on board at the time of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charleston PD said the driver and three of the four students were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the truck was also taken to the hospital with unknown injuries. The Charleston County School District said the bus was taking students to Daniel Jenkins Academy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. There have been four school shootings in the United States so far this year, as of February 7. Two were on college campuses, and two were on K-12 school grounds. The incidents left one person dead and at least five other victims injured, according to CNNs analysis of events reported by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety. CNN cross checks these reports of school shootings against school and police accounts and media reports. All incidents of gun violence are included if they occurred on school property, from kindergartens through colleges/universities, and at least one person was shot, not including the shooter. School property includes but is not limited to, buildings, fields, parking lots, stadiums and buses. Accidental discharges of firearms are included, as long as at least one person is shot, but not if the sole shooter is law enforcement or school security. In the first year of the pandemic, when schools were closed, there was a major decline in gun violence incidents on school grounds. Since then, recent years saw a stark increase in school shootings, with 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 all setting records since at least 2008. There were at least 83 incidents in 2024, but 2022 was one of the deadliest years, with 47 fatalities, according to CNNs analysis. That year saw the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 students and two educators were killed and more than a dozen others were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students and educators have engaged in activism around the issue of gun violence, and some educators have quit the profession. Some states in the south have seen the highest rate of school shootings relative to their populations since 2008, according to CNNs analysis. Washington, DC had the highest rate 6 total shootings, almost 1 per 100,000 people while Texas had the most overall with 62 school shootings. Meanwhile, just five states Montana, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island had no school shootings in that period, according to CNNs analysis. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The big story: Its been Florida law since 2018 that making threats of violence against schools is a criminal offense. The state has had a zero tolerance policy toward weapons on campus even longer. With a spate of threats occurring this fall, the Orange County school district wants to make sure theres no misunderstanding. So its created a threats and weapons online course for parents and students. The course comes at the direction of the Florida Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the training, parents should understand that all threats will be taken seriously and will result in severe consequences up to and including arrest, restitution and expulsion, education commissioner Manny Diaz wrote. Read more from WKMG. Hot topics Trumps education agenda: Observers expect president-elect Donald Trump to base his education agenda on Floridas system. Superintendents: Newly elected Pasco superintendent John Legg sends a message with his choice of his second in command. Scholarships: Orange Countys outgoing elections supervisor Glen Gilzean created a stir by using $2.1 million from his office funds to establish a new student scholarship in his name, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faculty hiring: New College staff members complain that the schools recent hiring has focused more on administrative ideology and fiat than academic qualifications, The Guardian reports. Elections: School board candidates who won seats after getting Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsement called his support invaluable, Florida Politics reports. Bus safety: A Miami-Dade County resident is challenging the illegal passing citation he received based on video taken from a school bus camera, WFOR reports. The question involves whether the bus was fully stopped when he passed, as the recently implemented law seems to require. Book bans: The Florida Department of Education released a list of more than 700 books removed from schools after public challenges during 2023-24, WMFE reports. The number was an increase over the past year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attendance zones: More than 600 Palm Beach County students will be reassigned to a new school aimed at easing crowding in Wellington-area schools. Officials are still trying to decide which ones, the Palm Beach Post reports. From the police blotter ... A Flagler County middle school employee was arrested on accusations of hitting a student with disabilities, WPEC reports. The arrest has prompted a push for cameras in special education classrooms, WTVT reports. From the court docket ... A Palm Beach County teacher is accused in a federal lawsuit of sexually assaulting a fourth grade student, WPBF reports. No criminal charges have been filed. Dont miss a story. Yesterdays roundup is just a click away. Before you go ... How many times a day do you say OK? Do you know where the word came from? CORTLAND, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is touting nearly $4 million in federal funding to help upgrade the freight railways from Cortland to Onondaga Counties. In Cortland on Monday, Schumer said, Rail is quicker, more efficient, cheaper, and reduces congestion on the highways, so its actually cleaner. It has loads of advantages. The money announced will help the New York, Susquehanna, and Western Railway Company rebuild a nearly century-old section of track from Cortland to Onondaga Counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer shared the upgrade in the context of the Micron project, which will benefit from the upgraded rail lines. Weve neglected rail and freight rail, in particular, in this country, said Schumer. It helped make the country great. It helped make Central New York and Upstate New York great, but were bringing it back. This award will help the company finish the third and final phase of its rail line modernization project between the City of Cortland and the City of Syracuse. Schumers office explained that phase three of the project will upgrade over eight miles of worn, jointed rail to new continuous welded rail, lay over 3,000 tons of ballast and surfacing, and install over 3,000 new ties on the NYSW Cortland to Syracuse main line. NYSW will upgrade nearly six miles of rail in the Cortland County Towns of Homer and Preble, as well as 2.5 miles of rail in the Onondaga County Towns of LaFayette and DeWitt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Press Release November 12, 2024 Cayetanos lead Senate's approval of 'historic measure' on natural gas development Senator Pia Cayetano on Monday led a "momentous step" toward energy security and affordable electricity as she guided the Senate's approval of the bill to develop the country's natural gas industry, with her brother, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, also voicing his support. Sponsored by Senator Pia, Senate Bill No. 2793 or the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act passed on third and final reading with 14 affirmative votes. Senator Pia, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy, thanked her colleagues for backing this "historic measure" that will pave the way for the country's energy security. "This bill will help us ensure that we have our own supply [of natural gas]. We can be a nation of importers if that is what we want. But no -- we take a stand, we decide that we want to develop our own indigenous sources," she said in her manifestation. SB No. 2793 aims to attract investors to explore the country's natural gas fields by offering incentives, especially as Malampaya's supply nears depletion. Senator Pia also highlighted the environmental benefits of shifting to natural gas. "We have to remember...our goal is to move to renewables," she said. "This legislation supports our own and also international commitments to cleaner and more efficient energy production," she added. Natural gas is considered a transition fuel to renewable energy because it emits far less carbon dioxide and pollutants compared to coal -- one of the country's main energy sources. In her manifestation, Senator Pia rejected the idea that prioritizing local natural gas would lead to higher energy prices, saying natural gas has historically been cheaper than other fuels. The Philippines has long had some of the highest electricity prices in the ASEAN region, with generation charges -- what distribution companies pay suppliers -- making up about half of the total bill. According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, one reason for this is the country's heavy dependence on imported fuel, which can be affected by global disruptions like wars and pandemics as well as fluctuations in the value of the peso. "With the encouragement of more investments in natural gas, we will have energy security that will be able to provide for more accessibility to natural gas," Senator Pia said. "Anyone who wants to import can still do that, but now we are paving the ground for indigenous sources. We will make it cheaper for our consumers," she added. She also clarified that the bill does not eliminate the bidding stage in the procurement of natural gas, but instead includes transparency mechanisms to ensure consumers benefit from the lowest possible price. "Hindi ko tinatanggalan ng bidding kasi wala hong bidding sa level na 'yon. Negotiated po 'yon -- those are supply agreements. Same ang patakaran: fair and open access to all the information available," Senator Pia said. Both Cayetanos believe this bill is a necessary step in the country's effort to transition to a more sustainable energy mix. "As technologies for solar and wind energy are still being developed, I believe this bill points us in the right direction for the transition," Senator Alan said. "This bill is good for the country. This bill is good for the environment and this is good for the Filipino consumers," Senator Pia said. "Energy security is a generational commitment. So this is for the next generation," she added. Magkapatid na Cayetano, pinangunahan ang pagpasa ng 'historic measure' para sa natural gas development Pinangunahan ni Senador Pia Cayetano nitong Lunes ang isang malaking hakbang tungo sa seguridad sa enerhiya at mas abot-kayang kuryente sa bansa. Ito ay matapos pumasa sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa sa Senado ang Senate Bill No. 2793 o ang Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act. Labing-apat (14) na senador ang bumoto para sa pagpasa nito, kabilang ang kapatid ni Senador Pia na si Senador Alan Peter Cayetano. Nagpasalamat si Senador Pia, na siyang Senate Committee on Energy Chair, sa kanyang mga kapwa senador para sa suporta sa "historic measure" na ito na magbibigay daan sa seguridad sa enerhiya ng bansa. "This bill will help us ensure that we have our own supply [of natural gas]. We can be a nation of importers if that is what we want. But no -- we take a stand, we decide that we want to develop our own indigenous sources," wika ni Senador Pia. Layunin ng SB No. 2793 na hikayatin ang mga mamumuhunan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga insentibo na mag-explore ng mga natural gas field sa bansa, lalo na't paubos na ang supply ng Malampaya. Binigyang diin din ni Senador Pia ang mga benepisyong pangkalikasan ng paglipat sa natural gas. "We have to remember...our goal is to move to renewables," sabi niya. "This legislation supports our own and also international commitments to cleaner and more efficient energy production," dagdag niya. Itinuturing na "transition fuel" ang natural gas patungo sa renewable energy dahil mas kaunti ang inilalabas nitong carbon dioxide at mga pollutant kumpara sa coal, na isa sa pangunahing pinagmumulan ng enerhiya ng bansa. Pinabulaanan naman ni Senador Pia ang ideyang magdudulot ng mas mataas na presyo ang pag-prioritize sa lokal na natural gas. Aniya, malinaw na makikita sa kasaysayan na mas mura na noon pa ang natural gas kumpara sa ibang mga fuel. Isa ang Pilipinas sa mga bansa sa ASEAN na may pinakamahal na kuryente. Ayon sa Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, isa sa mga dahilan nito ay ang pagdepende ng bansa sa imported fuel, na naaapektuhan ng mga pandaigdigang krisis gaya ng pandemya at mga digmaan pati na paggalaw sa halaga ng piso kontra dolyar. "With the encouragement of more investments in natural gas, we will have energy security that will be able to provide for more accessibility to natural gas," wika ni Senador Pia. "Anyone who wants to import can still do that, but now we are paving the ground for indigenous sources. We will make it cheaper for our consumers," dagdag niya. Nilinaw din ng senadora na hindi tinatanggal ng panukalang batas ang bidding kapag bibili ng natural gas ang mga distributing company, at sa halip ay may mga mekanismo pa ngang nakalatag para masiguradong mababa ang ipapataw na presyo sa mga consumer. "Hindi ko tinatanggalan ng bidding kasi wala hong bidding sa level na 'yon. Negotiated po 'yon -- those are supply agreements. Same ang patakaran: fair and open access to all the information available," pahayag ni Senador Pia. Naniniwala ang magkapatid na Cayetano na mahalaga ang batas na ito sa pagtahak ng bansa sa mas sustainable na energy mix. "As technologies for solar and wind energy are still being developed, I believe this bill points us in the right direction for the transition," sabi ni Senador Alan. "This bill is good for the country. This bill is good for the environment and this is good for the Filipino consumers," wika naman ni Senador Pia. "Energy security is a generational commitment. So this is for the next generation,"dagdag niya. A scientist who managed to treat her breast cancer by injecting her tumor with viruses grown in a lab has ignited a debate regarding the ethics of self-experimentation. Beata Halassy discovered in 2020, at the age of 49, that she had breast cancer at the location of a previous mastectomy. This marked the second recurrence in that area since her left breast had been removed, and she was unwilling to undergo another round of chemotherapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halassy, a virologist at the University of Zagreb, examined existing research and experimented with an experimental treatment to control her situation. Lab-grown viruses A case report featured in Vaccines describes how Halassy used a treatment known as oncolytic virotherapy (OVT) on herself to aid in the treatment of her stage 3 cancer. She has been free of cancer for four years now. In choosing to self-experiment, Halassy becomes part of a long history of scientists who have engaged in this discreet, stigmatized, and ethically complex practice. It took a brave editor to publish the report, says Halassy. OVT is a developing area in cancer treatment that utilizes viruses to attack cancer cells and stimulate the immune response to combat them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until now, most OVT clinical trials have focused on late-stage, metastatic cancers, but recently, there has been a shift towards earlier-stage diseases. One specific OVT known as T-VEC has received approval in the United States for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, but currently, no OVT therapies are approved for breast cancer at any stage globally. Halassy emphasizes that she is not an expert in OVT, but her background in virus cultivation and purification in the lab assured her she would pursue the treatment. She opted to target her tumor with two distinct viruses in successiona measles virus and a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both viruses can infect the type of cells from which her tumor is derived and have previously been utilized in OVT clinical studies. A measles virus has been tested against metastatic breast cancer. Ethics questioned Halassy believed it was her duty to share her discoveries. However, she encountered over twelve rejections from various journalsprimarily, as she explains, due to her paper, which she co-authored with her colleagues and featured self-experimentation. The major concern was always ethical issues, says Halassy. She was particularly determined to persevere after she came across a review highlighting the value of self-experimentation. The concerns raised by the journals do not surprise Jacob Sherkow, a law and medicine researcher at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who has studied the ethics of researchers' self-experimentation with COVID-19 vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Sherkow, the issue isnt that Halassy engaged in self-experimentation per se. However, sharing her findings might motivate others to forgo traditional treatments in favor of similar approaches. Individuals diagnosed with cancer may be especially inclined to seek out treatments that lack scientific validation. However, he emphasizes that preserving the insights gained from personal experimentation is also crucial. The paper emphasizes that self-medicating with cancer-fighting viruses should not be the first approach in the case of a cancer diagnosis. I think it ultimately does fall within the line of being ethical, but it isnt a slam-dunk case, says Sherkow, adding that he would have liked to see a commentary fleshing out the ethics perspective published alongside the case report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halassy has no regrets about self-treating or her dogged pursuit of publication. She thinks it is unlikely that someone will try to copy her because the treatment requires so much scientific knowledge and skill. The experience has given her research a new direction: in September, she received funding to investigate using OVT to treat cancer in domestic animals. The focus of my laboratory has completely turned because of the positive experience with my self-treatment, she says. Actually Skynet Scientists are baffled after the UK's oldest satellite, Skynet-1A, which was launched in 1969, appears to have moved to an entirely different position in its geostationary orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth's surface and nobody knows who did it or why. As the BBC reports, the communications relay for the British forces mysteriously wandered west, from above Africa's east coast to over the Americas, even though gravitational shifts should've moved it further east. According to the report, orbital mechanics simply can't account for its drifting, which only leaves one obvious possibility open: somebody moved Skynet-1A. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Worse yet, its new position could be hazardous for many other geostationary satellites circling the Earth. "It's now in what we call a 'gravity well' at 105 degrees West longitude, wandering backwards and forwards like a marble at the bottom of a bowl," space consultant Stuart Eves told the BBC. "And unfortunately this brings it close to other satellite traffic on a regular basis." "Because it's dead, the risk is it might bump into something, and because it's 'our' satellite we're still responsible for it," he added. Lost in Orbit Despite his best efforts, Eves has yet to figure out why the UK's oldest spacecraft mysteriously wandered thousands of miles west. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it helped British forces to communicate with other bases across the entire globe, Skynet-1A was built by and launched in the United States. "The Americans originally controlled the satellite in orbit," Graham Davison, who directed the satellite at the operations center at Royal Air Force Oakhanger in the UK, told the BBC. "They tested all of our software against theirs, before then eventually handing over control to the RAF." Davison couldn't recall when or if control was handed back to the US. Documents suggest the US was in control when Oakhanger lost sight of the ancient satellite in June 1977. However, instead of being retired in our planet's "orbital graveyard," where most geostationary satellites go to spend the rest of their days as space junk, Skynet-1A shifted to a far more unfortunate location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our planet's orbit has become incredibly cluttered, particularly at the spacecraft's current longitude. An active satellite, according to the BBC, may come close to space junk up to four times a day. Just last month, a Boeing satellite suddenly exploded into about 500 trackable pieces of debris in geostationary orbit. Fortunately, numerous companies are working on a potential solution: specially designed spacecraft that can pluck defunct satellites out of the sky and move them out of harm's way. And the clock is ticking. Scientists have long warned of a situation called "Kessler syndrome," in which one space junk collision could lead to a cascading series of events that make an already dangerous space junk problem into an orbital crisis. More on space junk: Boeing Satellite Exploded Into at Least 500 Pieces of Debris NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Southern Connecticut State University celebrated the 249th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps with an event on Tuesday on campus. City of New Haven holds annual Veterans Day ceremony The school is hosting a series of events this week to honor veterans and members of the military. When you served in the military, theres a lot of ceremony and tradition thats important to military culture, Britt Conroy, coordinator for veteran, military and adult learner services, said. And for the marines, they celebrate their birthday, thats a big deal to any marine you meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, the school will hold a VA Disability Claims Clinic. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Miami Beach police continued to search for a 19-year-old man who disappeared in an ocean rip current Saturday night. Victor Castaneda was last seen around 6 p.m. going into the ocean at South Point Beach with his younger sister when the current began to take them. After yelling for help, bystanders were able to rescue his sister, but they could not find him, his older sibling, Jessica Castaneda, told NBC 6. She told the station that as the pair struggled, Victor threw his sister toward shore so she could be saved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So my brother died a hero, Jessica Castaneda said. Officer Christopher Bess, spokesman for the Miami Beach Police Department, told the Herald Tuesday that Victor Castaneda still remains a missing person and the investigation continues. Miami Beach Fire Rescue, which was the lead agency in the case, turned it over to the police, said department spokeswoman Lissi Hernandez. A post on Jessica Castanedas Facebook page Tuesday indicates the family has accepted that their loved one may have drowned and they are grieving their loss. The pain Im left with is insurmountable. My heart is completely and irreparably shattered. Your absence will never be accepted. No words could ever describe how much I love you Victor. To the top of the highest mountain and to the depths deeper than the titanic, I love you little brother, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I love you so much. I will miss you every second of every minute of every single day for the rest of my life. I will dream of your smile and your infectious laugh until I find you in the next life, in every life I will find you. Over the weekend, several agencies participated in the search, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) The 2024 presidential race had Americans and foreign countries alike anxiously awaiting the results. However, some voters may have had second thoughts on who they casted their ballot for whether that was at the federal, state or local level. On the morning of Election Day, before the polls were even closed, Google Trends saw a spike in searches for How to change my vote. Google Trends places a value of 0-100 on searches relative to the total number of searches in the allotted time. Looking from Nov. 4-11, the searches peaked on Election Day, Nov. 5, at 7 a.m. with a value of 100, and progressively decreased throughout the day. This data was up to date as of Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. Meanwhile the next day, on Nov. 6, President-elect Donald Trump was declared the winner, and many state and local leaders were also announced. Data showed significantly less people were inquiring about changing their vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa was the state that saw the highest number of people searching how to change their votes, specifically in their Des Moines-Ames and Cedar Rapids-Waterlook-Iowa City and Dubuque areas. Even though the state went red, the searches in those areas correspond with areas that had a large portion of votes for Vice President Kamala Harris in the state. Surprisingly, the highest number of searches took place on Monday at 5 a.m., just under a week after Election Day. Other states with high search interest include Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska and Alabama all states won by Trump. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows talks to reporters while a law enforcement officer wheels in locked ballot boxes from Presque Isle after attorneys requested to review the town's receipts during the ranked-choice tabulation for Maine's 2nd Congressional District. (Photo by AnnMarie Hilton/ Maine Morning Star) Maines Department of the Secretary of State started the process of running a ranked-choice tabulation for the 2nd Congressional District race Tuesday that is likely to take multiple days to complete. This is likely to take the rest of the week, said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows about an hour into the proceeding, which took place at the Maine State Police headquarters building in Augusta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bellows said the tabulation is necessary because neither U.S. Rep. Jared Golden nor his challenger, Republican state Rep. Austin Theriault, earned more than 50% of the vote and second-choice votes could change the current standing, which has the Democratic incumbent ahead by fewer than 2,200 votes. More than 12,000 voters either selected unofficial write-in candidate Diana Merenda as their first choice or left it blank. The tabulation will look at the second choice on those ballots and assign the votes to Golden or Theriault to determine a winner. The Secretary of States office said Theriault has requested a recount, but it is premature since the ranked-choice tabulation is needed to really determine which candidate is trailing. First, verify the results Before state elections staff actually started counting second-choice votes, they needed to verify the results reported by town clerks. Towns that use tabulators put their results on memory devices that staff were able to upload onto computers, while ballots from municipalities that hand count were run through a high-speed tabulator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, while those ballots were verified, the entire vote was uploaded so that elections staff could go back and review second choice votes without having to rescan the ballots. Election staff systematically reviewed materials from each of the 11 counties in the 2nd District, starting with the farthest away geographically: Aroostook County. This order was selected in the event that law enforcement would need to travel back to any towns to gather more materials. Once those memory sticks were uploaded and hand-count ballots were run through the machine, the staff verified that their results matched what was reported by clerks. That information was also shared with the attorneys present to represent each candidate. Attorneys also asked to review the receipts created by the tabulators in Presque Isle, specifically. Law enforcement brought in the 17 ballot boxes from Presque Isle so attorneys could see the results from that original counting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Carey, an attorney from the Golden campaign, also reviewed the log of who had custody of the ballot boxes as law enforcement brought them from each municipality to Augusta. About two and a half hours into the process, Bellows informed the crowd of about 25 people, including congressional observers from both political parties from the House Administration Committee, that so far the results have matched those originally reported by clerks. Even though ranked-choice tabulations are arduous and detailed, Bellows said it verifies the vote and demonstrates to voters the integrity of our processes. This is the third time Maine has done a ranked-choice tabulation, Bellows said, each time for Maines 2nd Congressional District. The first one, in 2018, took five business days, while the second one in 2022 took three and a half. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A second man has been arrested in connection with a point-blank shooting in Davenport last month. According to Scott County Jail records, Jonathan Thorson, 18 of Davenport, was arrested on Wednesday, November 6 on charges of: attempted murder, assault while displaying a weapon, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit forcible felony, first degree robbery, willful injury, person ineligible to carry a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and trafficking in stolen weapons. Jonathan Thorson (Scott County Jail) All charges except the ineligible to carry a weapon and possession of a controlled substance are felonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The criminal complaint in the case says that the Davenport Police Department responded to Genesis East Hospital on Sunday, October 27 for a report of a shooting victim in critical condition. Officers discovered the shooting took place in the 7200 block of Jebens Avenue. During the investigation, offices learned that Thorson and the co-defendant worked together to arrange to meet with the victim in the 7200 block of Jebens Avenue. Thorson and the co-defendant got into the back seat of the victims vehicle and tried to steal two ounces of marijuana from the victim while inside the vehicle. During the attempted theft, Thorson produced a pistol, pointed it at the victim and fired three rounds into the victim at point blank range. One of the rounds struck the victims neck, according to the criminal complaint. Thorson and the co-defendant fled the vehicle after the shooting and returned to an apartment in the 7200 block of Hillandale Road. The victim was taken to the Emergency Room and was placed in critical condition. The victim suffered serious life-threatening injuries, underwent emergency surgery and is still receiving medical care in a hospital. Thorson and the co-defendant were positively identified on video before, during and after the shooting. Interviews with the victim, witnesses and text messages also helped identify Thorson and the co-defendant, according to the criminal complaint. Thorson is in the Scott County Jail on a total cash-only bond of $105,000. Court records show he has a preliminary hearing on November 15. 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. A second teen has been arrested in connection with a shooting outside a Medford pizza shop earlier this month, police announced Tuesday. On Friday, November 1 around 1 a.m. police responded to reports of two individuals firing multiple shots at a victim during an altercation outside Pizza Days. Officers on the scene that morning located a firearm along with several shell casings. There were no reported injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 18-year-old, Sinai Stephens of Cambridge was arrested on Tuesday and will face charges of assault & battery with a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building. A 16-year-old from Somerville was also arrested in connection with the shooting last week. The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information related to this incident, including home surveillance or dashcam video, is strongly encouraged to contact the Medford Police Department Detective Division at 781-391-6767. 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 It wasn't just the presidency at stake in the Nov. 5, 2024, U.S. election 34 seats in the Senate and all 435 in the House of Representatives were up for grabs, too. The results in the Senate elections were similar to those in the presidential election, which was won by former President Donald Trump, a Republican. Trump's party flipped seats in Ohio, West Virginia, Montana and Pennsylvania, giving it 53 seats, more than the 50 needed for a majority. But it wasn't just Senate seats at stake, either. At the end of February, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate majority leader in American history, had announced he would step down from his post after the November election. As holders of the majority, Republican senators would have to vote on McConnell's replacement. The three contenders for the role were South Dakota Sen. John Thune, Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Florida Sen. Rick Scott. Trump and many of his followers publicly endorsed Scott, but as of this writing, the race isn't over just yet. Republicans will decide their new leader on Nov. 13, in a secret ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some conservative social media pundits felt that the secret ballot was problematic, even "disgraceful": Absolutely disgraceful that our US Senate is considering a SECRET vote for GOP leader Our cops have to wear body cameras but our US SENATORS take SECRET votes?! No This is how tyranny is facilitated, not freedom DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) November 10, 2024 Such posts appeared to assume that party leaders are normally chosen via open ballot and the Republicans had simply chosen to conduct their vote secretly this time. However, that is not the case. It's normal for party leaders to be elected in secret. For instance, The Associated Press reported in 2020 that both McConnell and Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer had won their party's leadership elections in secret ballots (although which of the two would be the "majority" leader and which would be the "minority" leader was still up for debate, since runoff elections in Georgia had not yet taken place). Party leaders do not hold a position spelled out in the U.S. Constitution. Instead, the position formed over time because the political parties found it useful. According to the official Senate.gov website, the conference chairs of each party's Senate coalition served in a similar role throughout the 1800s. During the 1910s and 1920s, that position was slowly expanded to resemble its modern form. Sources: "2024 Election Highlights: Republicans Win Senate Majority." AP News, https://apnews.com/live/senate-house-election-updates-11-5-2024. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kane, Paul. "Harry Reid Endorses Chuck Schumer to Succeed Him as Senate Democratic Leader." Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/03/27/harry-reid-endorses-chuck-schumer-to-succeed-him-as-senate-minority-leader/. Kight, Stef W., and Mike Allen. "MAGA Media Flexes Muscle on Race for Senate Leader." Axios, 10 November 2024, https://www.axios.com/2024/11/10/maga-media-rick-scott-senate-majority-leader. "McConnell, Schumer to Lead, but Senate Majority Uncertain." AP News, 10 Nov. 2020, https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-mitch-mcconnell-elections-7272b7d9dc6d00b02ec7dbfbafe6a0c0. "McConnell Will Step down as the Senate Republican Leader in November after a Record Run in the Job." AP News, 28 Feb. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-senate-republican-leader-stepping-down-ba478d570a4561aa7baf91a204d7e366. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporter, Flynn Nicholls US News. "Full List of Republican Senators Endorsing Rick Scott for Majority Leader." Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/full-list-republican-senators-endorsing-rick-scott-majority-leader-1984005. ---. "Rick Scott's Chances of Becoming Senate Leader, According to Oddsmakers." Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/rick-scott-chances-becoming-senate-leader-according-oddsmakers-1983681. U.S. Senate: About Parties and Leadership | Majority and Minority Leaders. https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/parties-leadership/majority-minority-leaders.htm#:~:text=Depending%20on%20which%20party%20is,coordinate%20their%20respective%20legislative%20strategies. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024. "U.S. Senate Election Results." The New York Times, 5 Nov. 2024. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-senate.html. PENN YAN, N.Y. (WROC) U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer launches a two-pronged push to increase federal funding to help farmers and communities keep Upstate New Yorks lakes and waters clean. The Finger Lakes saw record high harmful algal blooms, or HABs, at the end of the summer and into the fall, more than anywhere else in NYS, potentially threatening drinking water, our environment and the regions robust tourism economy. Here in the Finger Lakes, we saw one of the worst increases in harmful algal blooms. Or they called them HABs. In recent memory at one point every single finger lake had a toxic algae outbreak except just one. This is scary not only for public health, but also for the local economy because it could shut down tourism, which is one of our great things here, Senator Schumer said. HABs were documented all around the Finger Lakes region, with some places far worse than others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seneca county has three beautiful lakes, the finger lakes, Seneca Lake alone saw a record-breaking 50 confirmed blooms in just one week this summer, more than ever before. Canandaigua Lake also face significant challenge is 42 blooms in a single week and Keuka Lake reported 21 blooms 11 of which were identified as HABs, Senator Schumer said. Senator Schumer realized something had to be done. And he needed help doing so. Im here to launch a two pronged push to deliver federal resources so we can help remove these HABs from our local lakes first in two parts. We need to boost funding for EQUIP that stands for environmental quality incentives program and that helps pay farmers to protect our land. Its a win-win, says Senator Schumer. Second, we also need to re-authorize the Great Lakes restoration initiative because that actually funds Yates County and other governments to clean up the lake itself. One is to help the farmers, one to help clean up the lake itself. But its not just the funding that will help the lake. Local organizations, like the Finger Lakes Land Trust, are partnering up with other organizations to do their part on keeping the lakes clean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting in 2017 we had a region wide outbreak on every finger leg and a lot of efforts are underway and that continues but in particular we we the land trust are focused on working with partners and RCS so water conservation district counties local governments are lake associations to address nutrient loading at the lakes these blooms benefit from nutrient runoff wherever thats from farms homes wherever, says Andy Zipp, who is the president of the Finger Lakes Land Trust. As Senator Schumer put it, we cant have the Finger Lakes Swimming with toxic algae, so now its time for the federal government to invest now to prevent another outbreak. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SEPTA Chief Operating Officer Scott Sauer speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Nov. 12 about proposed SEPTA fare increases. (Capital-Star photo by John Cole) PHILADELPHIA Describing SEPTA as being at the edge of the fiscal cliff, the transit agencys chief operating officer on Tuesday unveiled a proposal that would lead to fare increases of nearly 30% by January 1. Unfortunately, we have news to share thats going to be very difficult for SEPTAs customers and stakeholders. The state legislative session ends this week, and were still without a funding solution for public transportation, SEPTA COO Scott Sauer said Tuesday at a press conference. For the last two years, we warned and discussed with everyone the fact that we would be facing major fare increases and severe service cuts without a new funding solution for the everyday operations of the public transportation system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sauer said there will be two public hearings on the fare increase proposals beginning on Dec. 13 as well as hearings scheduled in the spring or late winter on the looming service cuts. He said the Pennsylvania Constitution Center was selected as the site of public hearings because large turnout is expected. Sauer said the details of the specific service cuts are still being finalized, but will result in an overall service reduction of 20% across all modes, including buses, subways, and trains. Dozens of routes would also be eliminated, and those that continue to operate will do so with significantly less frequency, he said. With major service cuts and fare increases, this is the beginning of what weve been saying is the transit death spiral, Sauer said. He added that the effects of the coronavirus pandemic were partly responsible for the agency reaching the fiscal cliff. Sauer told reporters Tuesday that the fare increases would not close the agencys budget gap and the proposal is not a long term solution to solving SEPTAs problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Discussion over public transit funding in the Pennsylvania General Assembly has gone on for months. Sauer said the agency was promised a solution by the end of this legislative session, but it didnt happen. The Philadelphia House delegation said in a statement Tuesday that the announcement was not a surprise, and blamed Senate Republicans, who hold a majority in that chamber. The House approved funding for mass transit three times over the last session, with no real action and vague concepts of ideas from the Senate in return, said Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia). Our delegation is hopeful that 2025 will bring a more productive collaboration on a responsible solution that will serve the daily needs of nearly one million daily SEPTA riders and the increased tourism expected for our region in 2026. In the short term, Philadelphians who are already struggling through difficult finances will brace for another impact to their wallets and time, Cephas added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Republicans have said there needs to be a new revenue stream for public transit which would not place additional pressure on the General Fund. SEPTA must take steps to increase the safety and efficiency of the organization before any additional taxpayer dollars are committed, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) said in a statement Tuesday. Additionally, I have made it clear that any transit discussion at the state level cannot occur without consideration of transportation infrastructure investment. Gov. Josh Shapiros initial 2025 budget proposal included more funding for transit although the final budget included significantly less than what he proposed. Some advocates of public transportation have suggested that Shapiro use federal flex funding to assist SEPTA, since the legislature has not reached an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sauer told reporters on Tuesday that hes not aware of any specific conversation about Shapiro being able to use flexible funding to assist SEPTA, but said hes aware that something like that happened years ago. Shapiros spokesperson Manuel Bonder said in a statement Tuesday that the state House passed the governors budget proposal on a bipartisan basis, and sent it to Senate Republicans three times. The Governor believes its past time for the Senate to send this funding to his desk to support mass transit all across our Commonwealth, drive economic growth, and ensure Pennsylvanians can get to their destinations safely and efficiently. Sauer said that SEPTA has had meetings with the southeast delegation as recently as last week and participates in ongoing conversations with the governors office on the matter. I would say hopeful more than optimistic that we can get something done, but we cant wait anymore, Sauer said. Thats really the message that I want to say. We cant wait any longer. This is the end. Spirit Airlines has temporarily suspended some service to Haiti after a flight out of Fort Lauderdale was struck by gunfire. Pictures of the plane were shared with Channel 9 after the flight was diverted to the Dominican Republic on Monday. Officials in Haiti said the plane was shot four times. Read: Haitis main airport shuts down as gang violence surges and a new prime minister is sworn in The plane was within 550 feet of the runway in Port-au-Prince before it aborted its landing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spirit Airlines released a statement on Monday, saying in part, One flight attendant on board reported minor injuries and is being evaluated by medical personnel. No guest injuries were reported. The plane has been taken out of service, and we are arranging for a different aircraft to return our guests and crew to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport today. Read: Gangs in Haiti open fire and hit a UN helicopter midair as violence surges JetBlue and American Airlines also suspended flights to Haiti. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Shell has won an appeal against a landmark climate ruling in the Netherlands that would have forced the oil and gas giant to radically cut back its greenhouse gas emissions. The appeals court in The Hague dismissed the entire 2021 ruling on Tuesday, saying Shell was already on its way to meet required targets for its own emissions. The court added that it was unclear if demands for Shell to reduce emissions caused by the use of its products would help the fight against climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling overturned a 2021 judgment ordering Shell to slash its greenhouse emissions by 45pc by 2030, including those from using its products. It was originally prompted by a case brought by local environmental group Milieudefensie, which is linked to Friends of the Earth. The 2021 ruling had threatened to cripple Shells operations in the Netherlands and further afield, setting an example that other countries might follow. The outcome of the case was seen as vital to the future of both the company and the whole sector. Wael Sawan, chief executive of Shell, said: We are pleased with the courts decision, which we believe is the right one for the global energy transition, the Netherlands and our company. Our target to become a net zero emissions energy business by 2050 remains at the heart of Shells strategy and is transforming our business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes continuing our work to halve emissions from our operations by 2030. We are making good progress in our strategy to deliver more value with less emissions. It comes as Shell faces separate legal action in Scotland where a judge is set to decide on whether to allow the company to continue work on its Jackdaw gas field. Two other companies, Norways Equinor and independent producer Ithaca, are involved in the same case, defending their licence to develop the separate Rosebank oil field. The challenges by green pressure groups Greenpeace and Uplift follow the UK Supreme Courts Finch ruling that environmental impact assessments for oil and gas production facilities had to consider the effects of burning the products. Battle not settled The Dutch ruling marks a huge victory for Shell but the legal battles will continue, with Milieudefensie expected to appeal to the Dutch supreme court. A final ruling may not be delivered until 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Pols, Milieudefensie director, told Bloomberg outside the court after the verdict: It is certainly a setback. It could have been a very important step but the battle has not yet been settled. The organisation will make a decision on whether to appeal or start a new case based on the implications of the ruling, Mr Pols said. Donald Pols, the Mileudefensie director, insisted the legal battle had not yet been settled - JEROEN JUMELET/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The Dutch courts originally ordered Shell to reduce three types of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021: its scope one emissions, which come from a companys own operations, in this case extraction and refining of oil and gas; its scope two emissions generated indirectly through the energy it consumes; and its scope three emissions, which are those generated in a companys supply chain and by its customers. For a company like Shell producing refined fossil fuels, the vast majority of emissions about 90pc are scope three. It means that a ruling to control scope three emissions would be devastating for any oil and gas producer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shell argued in its appeal that the ruling had no legal basis. It argued that court-mandated emissions targets would be an ineffective and counterproductive way of managing the energy transition. The court supported this position, rejecting any attempts at enforced reductions for all three scopes. It is not possible to determine what percentage Shell must adhere to, the judges said in their verdict. Some sectors are more difficult to make sustainable than others. The court removed the obligation to control emissions from the use of Shells products the biggest component saying it was unclear if this would help the fight against climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the court did agree with the climate activists who brought the case in 2019 that Shell had a general obligation to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to protect people from global warming. It noted that Shell was meeting the required targets for its own emissions. A Shell spokesman said: As Shell has stated previously, a court ruling would not reduce overall customer demand for products such as petrol and diesel for cars, or for gas to heat and power homes and businesses. It would do little to reduce emissions, as customers would take their business elsewhere. We believe that smart policies from governments, along with investment and action across all sectors, will drive the progress towards net zero emissions that we all want to see. Substantive error of law In a separate case that began on Tuesday, the Scottish Court of Session heard arguments as to why judges should block two of the UKs largest remaining oil and gas fields in a crucial case for the UK offshore industrys future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental groups Greenpeace and Uplift argued that the last UK government and the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) had failed to consider the full impact of the projects emissions. They said the carbon footprint of consumers using the gas from the Jackdaw field being developed by Shell and the oil produced by the massive Rosebank field being developed by Norways Equinor along with Ithaca Energy should also be considered. Ruth Crawford KC, representing Greenpeace UK, told the court that a substantive error of law had been made when consent was granted for the two schemes based on limited information on their environmental impact. Ms Crawford argued for both developments to be paused and for the oil companies involved in the projects to be made to submit revised environmental impact assessments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three oil and gas companies are expected to accept that the Government made a legal error in granting them licences for the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields. However, all three say they acted in good faith and should not be blamed for errors made by the then government. They argue they should be allowed to press on with the two projects because it would cost billions to remove the existing kit and plug the wells. Shell said Jackdaw is a vital project for UK energy security and will provide enough fuel to heat 1.4m homes. Equinor has similarly said Rosebank is vital for the UK in terms of local investment, jobs and energy security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case, before Lord Ericht, is expected to take four days with Shell, Equinor and Ithaca presenting their arguments too. A written judgment is expected some weeks or months later. 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) A woman was injured after a shooting early Tuesday morning in Joelton, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. The shooting was reported just after 4 a.m. on the 4000 block of Little Marrowbone Road. Officials told News 2 that the call came in after a man began banging on the doors of nearby houses claiming his girlfriend was dying. Investigators said they believe the shooting occurred after the two had a physical altercation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The woman was found with a gunshot wound to her leg and was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, officials said. The man reportedly had a laceration to his eye area and was transported to Nashville General Hospital for treatment. Investigators said he has been detained for questioning. No additional details have been released as the investigation remains underway. 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. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Thanksgiving is a little over two weeks away and Americans have already been making their way to the stores to pick up some traditional foods for the holiday. Thanksgiving is almost here and if you havent already done so, now is the time to get out there and catch some of those holiday sales. Millions of Americans celebrate this holiday which means many people are still heading to the stores to get their groceries. During this time of year, shoppers will be racking up on the Turkey, stuffing, Cranberry sauce, pie, and the list goes on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sam Newell at Fruit Fair in Chicopee says many people have been coming in and putting in their orders for the holiday. We definitely have a lot of specials and pre-orders so we usually have 4-5 butchers in our meat department and they cut the meat and make the roast according to specifications and how many people each family is trying to feed, says Newell. Newell says Fruit Fair has various meats, pastries, and ingredients for Thanksgiving dishes including some that are on sale. 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. Getty Images Sign up for The Agenda Them's news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday. For those looking to aid in the fight for gender-affirming care nationwide, the American Civil Liberties Union has offered one simple way to show your support: sign their Defend Trans Freedom petition. The ACLU recently posted the petition on its website ahead of oral arguments on December 4 in U.S. v. Skrmetti, a case that will rule on whether trans kids in Tennessee are guaranteed access to gender-affirming care through the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Though the case began in Tennessee, its decision could have an impact felt far outside that state, and have consequences for cis and trans people alike. Because Tennessee has essentially banned care for only a select group of people cisgender minors can still access gender-affirming care the state has set a precedent of covering care for some people and not others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families and doctors are challenging Tennessee's ban under the Constitutional guarantee of equal protection no one should be targeted by the government just because of who they are, the petition reads. But if the Court rules against transgender people and our families, it poses a risk to the freedom of all people and all families, allowing states that have already banned abortion and gender-affirming health care to go even further, and rubber stamping other anti-trans laws. The petition, which has a goal of 75,000 signatures, currently has just over 66,000 as of this writing. For those who do sign with their name, the ACLU says it will proudly display your support with us at the steps of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments for U.S. v. Skrmetti in October. The ACLU is defending Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville, Tennessee, as well as their 15-year-old trans daughter, who are challenging a law signed by the states governor, Bill Lee, in 2023. Trans advocate and attorney, Chase Strangio, also co-director of the ACLUs LGBTQ & HIV Rights Project, will present the plaintiffs argument. The law bars medical professionals from prescribing hormones or puberty blockers to minors, as well as performing any gender-affirming procedures on minors. The law also forced trans youth who were receiving care at the time it passed to end that care by March 31, 2024. After the law was temporarily blocked by a legal challenge, an appellate court upheld the ban a few months later, in July 2023. How the Supreme Court Case *U.S. v. Skrmetti* Could Decide the Fate of Gender-Affirming Care Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The review of the case comes at a critical time for transgender rights in the United States. Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, told The 19th that a loss in this case would be devastating and catastrophic for trans people. If we dont win here, its going to be open season on any health care related to transgender people, Minter said. Minter said it would open up the potential for private insurers to exclude gender-affirming care from plans covered under the Affordable Care Act. Some experts say that could set a bad precedent for access to health care for all people, not just trans kids. What the state of Tennessee is arguing is really dangerous for any person who has any sort of medical condition, Ezra Young, a civil rights lawyer and constitutional scholar, told The 19th. Young said that Tennessee went beyond its authority in regulating medicine. The state can make sure that the doctor you see has a medical degree and has an active medical license, for instance, he says. What the state can't do is micromanage the medical decision-making of patients or doctors, and that's for good reason. Bureaucrats or lawmakers arent medical experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. Read More on the 2024 U.S. Election SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Students at Sioux City North High School showcased their culinary skills by making a Thanksgiving dinner for each other and for staff members. The school has two ProStart cooking classes that students can take, and each year, students get to cook one dish that they believe is a traditional Thanksgiving meal. The students prep and make all the food in class ,then eat together while talking about what they are thankful for. Elk Point-Jefferson students learning an uncommon instrument Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students said the reason they even took the class is for the Thanksgiving meal, as it is a highlight of many kids years. I feel like it brings an opportunity for everyone to try what everyone else likes and everyone has their own preferences, student Maxwell Moon said. Not everyone is going to have the same thing that you might have. Some people will have something different. I have my own thing. Its one of my personal favorites for any holidays. Mac and cheese is my personal favorite choice, so why not stick with it? This year marks six years since the ProStart cooking classes started the Thanksgiving meals, and students say its a great way to get closer with one another (and to eat delicious food.) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Springfield police are looking for the publics help to identify two suspects wanted in connection with allegedly placing a skimming device inside a convenience store over the weekend. Card skimming devices discovered at these Massachusetts Cumberland Farms According to the Springfield Police Department, detectives are investigating after four incidents of skimmers were located by an employee or retrieved by a suspect inside convenience stores. Police are looking to identify the suspects pictured who allegedly placed a skimming device over a point-of-sale device inside at least one of the convenience stores. (Springfield Police Department) (Springfield Police Department) (Springfield Police Department) Businesses are being urged to be vigilant in checking for skimming devices at their point-of-sale devices, ATMs, and gas pumps daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Springfield police did not name the stores affected in the news release. If you can identify the suspects or have any information you are asked to contact the Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355 or anonymously Text-A-Tip. Text CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7) type SOLVE and your tip. What is a card skimmer? Credit: Springfield Police Department Credit: Springfield Police Department Credit: Springfield Police Department Credit: Springfield Police Department Card skimmers are illegal devices installed at gas pumps, ATMs, and other locations that can steal credit and debit card information. When swiped, the skimmer scans your card information and uses Bluetooth to send card information to the thiefs computer or phone. How to detect a card skimmer Before putting your card into a reader, Springfield police say, there are some easy and effective ways to protect your information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is recommended never to use a debit card with a pin number unless absolutely necessary, instead choose the credit option. Be cautious of using non-bank ATMs. FICO reports that 60% of skimming occurs at privately-owned ATMs. Do a quick scan. Before using any machine, take a look to make sure it hasnt been tampered with. If the card reader seems loose, crooked, or damaged that is a red flag. Check the keypad. If the numbers are hard to press or feel thick, it might have a false keypad installed and you should move on to the next machine. Block your PIN. If you need to enter a PIN, cover the keypad with your other hand in case a camera is recording your number. Checking card transactions regularly and setting up account alerts can also help you spot suspicious activity. If you notice something wrong, call your card issuer immediately so they can cancel the card and protect your information. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. 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. An elegant cruise ship was seen plying the waters of Battery Creek over the weekend where its double-hulled bow turned heads and had residents wondering if more ships would be returning to Port Royals marina in the future. The answer is yes. The 241-foot-long American Liberty, a small cruise ship designed specifically for near-shore cruising, was christened in August in Newport, Rhode Island by American Cruise Lines. Now its meandering through the intracoastal waters of the southeast coast. The ship is one of the cruise ship companys new coastal cats, and was docked at the Safe Harbor Marinas facilities in Port Royal. It was hard to miss by motorists crossing the Bell Bridge or locals on their way to the towns popular beach and boardwalk. American Liberty is a different kind of cruise ship I just love seeing the pretty lights on the boats coming and going, said Norma Cooler, a resident who took photographs of the American Liberty, which accommodates 100 guests and features 4 decks and a unique catamaran bow and an unusual number of amenities for a small ship including private balconies, outdoor and indoor lounges, a restaurant and cafe and fitness center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This coastal cat category of vessel is in stark contrast to the dozen or more decks that a typical oasis class ship will offer. Those ships often feature deck top pools, water slides and other attractions. A cruise ship was spotted tied up at Safe Harbor Marina in Port Royal recently. The sight of the cruise ship tied up in Port Royal was a surprise because American Cruise Lines, the countrys largest river and intracoastal waterway cruise ship operator, usually docks at Waterfront Park in neighboring Beaufort during its popular Lowcountry excursions. But thats changing, at least for the foreseeable future. In July, the city of Beaufort informed the Connecticut-based company it could no longer dock at Waterfront Park due to deterioration of the underwater pilings that support it. That development was a disappointment for downtown businesses that rely on the tourist income that sails in with the ships. But city officials, fearful that the weight of the vessels would put undue pressure on the aging waterfront infrastructure, said they had no choice. So American Cruise Lines has made alternative docking arrangements with Safe Harbor Marinas in Port Royal, where the marina owner and operator is in the process of developing Port Royals deep harbor with a new marina. After docking in Port Royal, the company is busing its passengers to Beaufort where the itinerary includes various tours including horse-drawn carriage rides through the citys historic district. An American Cruise Lines bus was on hand in Port Royal when one of its cruise ships tied up at Safe Harbor Marinas recently. Between Nov. 17 and Jan. 1, American Cruise Line ships will dock 18 times in Port Royal, including a double docking by two ships over Thanksgiving and one ship on New Years Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By docking in Port Royal and busing guests to Beaufort, American Cruise Lines is fulfilling agreements it has with Beaufort companies that provide tours of the city for passengers while the ships are in port of call, said Robb Wells, president and CEO of Visit Beaufort, Port Royal, and Sea Islands, which markets northern Beaufort County. Those itineraries include tours featuring antebellum homes, locations where Hollywood films have been made and Gullah-Geechee culture and history. This is as good a solution, given the circumstances, Wells said. Its very important to a lot of our retail partners downtown that they know American Cruise Lines is still bringing some of that business in. The cruise ship American Liberty was docked at Safe Harbors Marina in Port Royal Monday morning. Cruise ships typically bring about 2,730 visitors to Beaufort a year. The ships usually cruise into the area late in the evening with the passengers disembarking the following morning for a day of sightseeing before the ships leave early the following morning. But some of those visitors might be spending more time in Port Royal in the future, said Alexa Paolella, an American Cruise Lines spokeswoman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the stops the company previously made in Beaufort are now in Port Royal, she said. And although the company is currently busing passengers to Beaufort, We may be adding options in and around Port Royal, Paolella said. Its possible, she added, that the company could end up docking in both locations in the future because it has multiple boats with different itineraries. The company, she added, is always looking to expand docking options and relationships with communities. It may not ultimately end up either or, Paolella said of docking in Beaufort or Port Royal. Currently, cruise ships that are stopping in Port Royal and Hilton Head this fall and early winter are part of southeast and holiday cruises from Charleston to Amelia Island, Fla. The four-deck American Liberty in Battery Creek as it leaves Port Royal Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Cruise Lines has 21 small cruise ships that operate in rivers and in coastal areas across the country. Five different boats alone are used in Southeast Sea Islands cruise, Paolella said, which has an incredibly popular itinerary. The popularity of river cruising, she said, is increasing and the company has increased its fleet from 7 to 21 ships in the past nine years, with all of the smaller ships built by the famous shipyard Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. The American Liberty that showed up in Port Royal is part of a new fleet called the Coastal Cats designed for inland exploration, offering rare access into small ports and ability to travel on almost any river or waterway in the U.S. But the small ships, which can carry 100 passengers, still offer the luxuries of larger ships that can carry up to 5,000 passengers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were talking a very, very different animal, Paolella said. These are more equivalent to some peoples large personal yachts. Which is why we are able often to dock in the heart of the communities. The last time cruise ships were docked in Port Royal came during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 when two ships owned by Victory Cruise Line waited out the pandemic along the wharf because of cruise ship restrictions. Port Royal residents have mixed feelings about having cruise ships stop in the town, said Cooler, the Port Royal resident. Some people dont want to see cruise ships because we want to keep our town small, she said. However, the ships are welcomed by some business people who want to see passengers enjoy our village as well, she added. Whenever American Cruise Lines adds a port of call, it tries to add short excursions throughout the community but we try not to swamp people with guests, said Paolella, noting that no ship in the fleet can carry more than 180 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The river and coastal cruises are destination driven, and less about the ships, which is one reason demand is increasing, Paolella said. Its culturally-focused cruising, Paolella said. I think you have a lot of boomers, retired mature adults who have cruised all over the world and in particular are now interested in cruising closer to home. American Cruise Lines has introduced 19 of the 22 U.S.-built cruise ships launched over the past two decades, she said. More than 200 people gathered at a Santa Margarita ranch on Saturday to celebrate the life of 34-year-old Todd Pinion, who was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23. The memorial had all of Pinions favorite things a tie-dye station, a rock-painting station, karaoke and a sound bath. Police found Pinions body on Nov. 3 in a remote area near Tassajara Creek, about a week after he had been reported missing on Oct. 30. Spock, his dog who never left his side, was found dead at the bottom of the Cuesta Grade on Oct. 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tyler Stevens, 21, has since been charged with Pinions murder and animal cruelty. The San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office alleged Stevens killed Pinion because of his actual or perceived sexual orientation. Melody Pinion, Todds mother, described her son as her hippie boy. Photos of Todd Pinion are displayed at his memorial in Santa Margarita on Nov. 9, 2024. Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. It was peace, love, serenity and unity for all. Thats all he wanted. He didnt think there was an evil bone in anybodys body, Melody said. If he felt negativity, he felt like he had to heal you through that negativity. At the memorial, she wore a bright orange top, cream crochet vest and colorful yoga pants with a swirl pattern. Her nails had a orange-and-green tie-dye pattern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt her style, she said, but it was Todds. She was wearing it for him. Especially the rainbow-colored, heart-shaped sticker that read, Justice for Todd. In the year leading up to his death, Melody said, Todd struggled with homelessness after a severe head injury left him unable to work and pay his rent. She said she tried to convince to him to move to Oklahoma to live with her temporarily as he got back on his feet, but he wanted to stay in California. There were people there who needed his healing still, she said he told her. He had just so many different types of people in his life that he had a connection with, Brandi Anderson, one of Todds best friends, told The Tribune. Melody Pinion hugs a loved one at her son Todds memorial in Santa Margarita on Nov. 9, 2024. Todd Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. Todd Pinion left profound impression, friends say Anderson helped plan the memorial in three days. She said she felt like she owed it to Todd to make the day day special. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two met in 2008 when they were 17 or 18, just when being gay was starting to become more acceptable, she said. It was starting to kind of come out literally come out of the closet, she said. I think we both had each others backs in that alliance in the beginning and we just ended up having so many similarities. Anderson said Todd helped her battle addiction, and both went through the loss of friends, partners and family homes being sold. Her grandpa sold her familys property last year after her grandma died, Anderson said, and she was struggling with the loss. She was working in Utah at the time, and Pinion unbeknownst to her went to the property and cut a rose off each of her grandmas rose bushes and repotted them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made sure that my grandmas roses lived on, Anderson said. He just knew how to show you he cared in the most genuine, deep possible way you could think of, like that meant everything to me. A photo of Brandi Anderson, left, and Todd Pinion displayed at Pinions memorial in Santa Margarita on Nov. 9, 2024. Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. Jakey Harper, another one of Todds best friends, said one of his superpowers was making the person he was with feel special. He always gave his full attention to people, 100%, he said. Harper said he met Todd through a mutual friend in 2015. One of his favorite memories was attending a onesie party in San Miguel, where he and Todd spent the entire night dancing, singing and sharing goofy glances from across the room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few years ago, Harper said, Todd found an orphan baby goose at Pirates Cove and decided to save and rehabilitate it. He named the goose Pirate, Harper said, and cared for it until it left his home one day. Harper, like several others, has been struggling with Todds death. But there was a moment prior to the memorial where Harper felt his presence. All I heard him say was, Dont despair. So I decided to really remember our good times together. Hes an easy person to remember the good times. Hes gonna be so memorable. He made such a profound impression. Jakey Harper hold a Squirtle stuffed animal given to him by Todd Pinion, at Pinions memorial in Santa Margarita on Nov. 9, 2024. Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alleged hate crime is shock to SLO County community Katie Pena wore the same outfit she was wearing the last time she saw Pinion at SLO Pride a drag unicorn with a full face of makeup, sleeves to look like hooves, a rainbow horn and fluffy and colorful tail. She sang Chappell Roans Pink Pony Club on karaoke, an LGBTQ+ anthem about loving, embracing and accepting yourself as you are. When the machine lost its connection, the crowd at the memorial helped her finish the chorus a cappella. She described Todd as a free spirit who would open his heart to anybody who needed help. Its hit a lot of people. Its just a shock for the area to have that kind of thing happen, she said. Im part of the queer community, and for that kind of thing to happen to somebody, its really sad. But we just have to keep showing love. We cant hate. Katie Pena sings Chappell Roans Pink Pony Club during karaoke at the memorial for Todd Pinion in Santa Margarita on Nov. 9, 2024. Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. Alicia Jernigan, who was friends with Todd, said he was a shining rainbow light of love and the absolute gentlest, sweetest healer, who touched so many people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This shouldnt happen to anybody. But if you ever met Todd, you would be shocked that anyone could ever hurt him. Hes just the sweetest thing, Jernigan said. She said she is devastated that an alleged hate crime could happen in San Luis Obispo County. Its not OK. We wont stand for it and we need to stop the hate, Jernigan said. We need to keep our eye on it, and we need to make sure everyone knows hate doesnt stand a chance here. Yesenia Echevarria didnt know Todd, but said she felt compelled to honor his life at the memorial to make sure his family knew they were not mourning alone. This is a dark moment in the history of SLO County, Echevarria said. Todd was someone that was beloved in the queer community, and more than ever our queer community, especially our kids, are scared and theyre horrified. Thats why we need to be united and show that love has way more weight that hate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Echevarria said she and the SLO County community wont let Todds spirit die. If anything, that fuels us as the community to continue to do the work and to stand in the gaps now that he is longer here, for the protection of everyone else. From left to right, Shanna, Melody and Todd Pinion attend Shannas wedding. Todd Pinion, Shannas older brother and Melodys son, was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. Beloved family member loved nature, rocks, animals Roger and Jalynn Smith, Todds cousins, said Todd always saw the good in people, no matter what. Just him being in your presence would bring out your best, Roger said. A memory the two love was just last Christmas, they said, when Pinion visited them from Oklahoma. Their 5-year-old daughter loves unicorns, and Pinion had found the perfect unicorn sweater to give her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she was opening it up, he ran into the room, put on a unicorn onesie and came out and they were both unicorns together, Jalynn said. Now, thats a memory theyll treasure forever. Roger Smith, left, shares one of his favorite stories about Todd Pinion, who was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024, at Pinions memorial on Nov. 10, 2024. Smith said Pinion gave his daughter a unicorn sweater for Christmas. Gabriel Legault, Todds younger cousin, said that he hadnt been that close with Pinion growing up, but when his dad died a few years ago, Todd showed up with welcoming and comforting arms. The two decided to plan a trip to Big Sur to hunt for jade one of Todds favorite activities. I just remember, its very easy to be yourself around him, because theres no feeling of judgment, Legault said. Hes just himself, and he just wants you to be, too. Todd showed Legault all of his secret spots, Legault said, then the two decided to camp. They woke up early to drive home, but were still tired so pulled over on the side of the road. Todd played Pink Floyd, and they took a nap in the car. Todds love of rocks started as a young child, his mother, Melody, said. When he was just 5, Todd would spend hours in the backyard collecting and playing with rocks. So, for Christmas when he was 6, Melody got a shoe box, filled it with rocks, wrapped it and then told Todd that Santa wanted him to open that gift first. His eyes just lit up, she said. Loved ones of Todd Pinion make tie-dye shirts and bandannas at his memorial in Santa Margarita on Nov. 9, 2024. Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. His love for nature didnt just stop at rocks, Melody said. He had a gift for connecting with animals he had a special understanding with his grandmothers donkey, Dart and loved creating jewelry out of anything he found. After her sons death, Melody received a message from a woman who had only met Todd once while he was on a road trip passing through Flagstaff, Arizona, before visiting the vortexes in Sedona. The woman said Todd was one of her last customers one night, and the two had a conversation that lasted for hours. They laughed, they cried, they hugged. Then Todd gave her earrings he made out of crystals. Just that one conversation had such an impact on her, the woman told Melody. Melody doesnt take any credit when it comes to the kind soul she raised Todd was just born that way, she said. All she did was ensure he felt loved, and that their family was always a soft place to fall. Right now, she is trying to practice what Todd has taught her: patience and forgiveness. Im trying to find it in my heart. I dont think Ill ever forgive Tyler Stevens, ever. I dont know when and how, but I know Todd would want me to forgive because thats how Todd was. I need to learn that. Until then, Melody said, she is thankful for all the support from her family, friends, her sons friends and the community, especially those who have shared the positive way her son has impacted their lives. Thats whats getting me through this, because they loved him so much, she said. Melody Pinion, left, and a friend listen to people share stories about her son, Todd Pinion, at his memorial in Santa Margarita on Nov. 9, 2024. Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. People wrote messages for Todd Pinion on a tablecloth at his memorial in Santa Margarita on Nov. 9, 2024. Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. Brandi Anderson hugs a loved one at Todd Pinions memorial in Santa Margarita on Nov. 9, 2024. Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime on Oct. 23, 2024. Todd Pinion, left, and his mother, Melody, drive in Hawaii while on vacation. Todd Pinion was killed in an alleged hate crime in San Luis Obispo County on Oct. 23, 2024. The U.S. will not change its policy on arms transfers to Israel even though the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains dire, the State Department said Tuesday, the deadline the White House set for Israel to ramp up access to aid in the besieged Palestinian enclave. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters the decision came as "Israel has taken a number of steps" outlined in a letter from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Israeli counterparts last month. "We continue to be in discussion with Israel about the steps they took and other steps they need to take," he said. An average of just over 30 trucks a day have been let into Gaza in recent weeks, representing just over six percent of the daily needs, according to Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is being allowed into Gaza is not enough, he wrote Friday on X. Before Israel launched its offensive in Gaza, around 500 trucks entered the enclave each day, according to the British Red Cross. Tuesday's deadline was set by Washington for Israel to meet a host of requirements aimed at boosting aid into Gaza or face restrictions on U.S. military assistance, as required under U.S. law. American spending on Israels military operations reached more than $17.9 billion from Oct. 7 last year to Sept. 30, according to Brown Universitys Costs of War Project. A displaced Palestinian family crosses into Jabalia, in northern Gaza, on Tuesday. Over the weekend, the World Health Organization warned that northern Gaza in particular is at risk of imminent famine as the area falls under heavy Israeli bombardment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany, a firm ally of Israel and one of its leading weapons suppliers, on Sunday issued unusually critical comments about Israeli actions in Gaza. At no time in the past 12 months has so little help reached the Gaza Strip as is the case at the moment, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. Israels right to self-defence is limited by international humanitarian law, which includes the stipulation that humanitarian access must be guaranteed at all times and must never be used as a method of warfare. Time and again, promises have been made and not kept. Meanwhile, Israel has informed the United Nations that it planned to sever ties entirely with UNRWA, which has long played a vital role in aid distribution in the enclave, including during Israels more than yearlong offensive in Gaza. According to a copy published by Axios, the letter from Blinkin and Austin to their Israeli counterparts last month noted that Washington must continually assess whether Israel is directly or indirectly impeding the transport of U.S. aid to Gaza a requirement stemming from Provision 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act, under which the U.S. is prevented from providing military assistance to a country that restricts the delivery of humanitarian aid, unless a national security waiver is issued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NBC News has not seen an original copy of the letter and the Pentagon could not confirm to NBC News whether the letter published by Axios was the final version sent to the Israeli officials. Meanwhile, fears are growing that pressure to address the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza will fade as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Israel hasnt come close to allowing the amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza that the Biden administration says is a requirement for ongoing U.S. military aid, Kenneth Roth, the former executive director of Human Rights Watch, said Monday. Indeed, if anything, the starvation and deprivation in northern Gaza have gotten worse. An injured child is carried to safety after an Israeli strike on the Jabalia refugee camp last week. Roth, who is now a visiting professor at Princeton University, warned that now, with the Biden administration on its way out and Trump, a strong ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on his way in, it is unlikely that Netanyahu will be feeling much pressure to fulfill the requirements outlined by Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Netanyahu government is thumbing its nose at the Biden administration," Roth said, calling it "a predictable result of the Biden administration setting its ultimatum for a compliance date after the U.S. election." "Now that Trump has won, Netanyahu can just wait out any cutoff of (military) aid, counting on Trump to restore in it a couple of months," he said. On Nov. 4, the day before the U.S. election, the Biden administration said Israel had so far "failed" to do enough to improve access to aid in Gaza. "Failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for U.S. policy under NSM-20 and relevant U.S. law, the U.S. secretaries warned according to a source familiar with the letter. The source verified the contents of the letter as first reported by Axios. Displaced Palestinian children ride on the back of a donkey in the northern Gaza Strip following Israeli evacuation orders Tuesday. Last week, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Israel had taken a number of important steps to increase humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including opening more roads and a fifth crossing, but what we want to see over the coming days and coming weeks is to see these new routes actually have more humanitarian assistance delivered over them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller declined to say whether the U.S. would go so far as to restrict U.S. military aid if the Israelis failed to meet their list of requests to improve the situation for Palestinian civilians. More than 43,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive in the enclave following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks in which some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials, in an assault that marked a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict. The United Nations said over the weekend that women and children make up more than 70% of those who have been killed in Gaza since the war began. Israeli officials did not immediately comment on the State Department's decision. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Federal Bureau of Investigation Jacksonville Division (FBI) and the Duval County Public Schools Parent Academy are partnering up to host the Be Smart with your Kids Smartphone program on Thursday, Nov. 14 at Mandarin High School. Since 2018, more than 2,500 parents and educators across North Florida have attended Be Smart events to learn how to help protect their kids from online predators. FBI Special Agents and deputies who investigate crimes against children and terrorism matters will discuss the latest technology and social media apps that offenders are using to target, influence, and manipulate youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be Smart with Your Kids Smartphone is free and open to parents, caregivers, and educators. Content may not be appropriate for youth, and parental discretion is advised. Youre asked to register for the event by clicking this link. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 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. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) As the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) continues to recognize National Diabetes Month, health officials are highlighting a major risk factor of the deadly chronic disease. If you smoke, you are 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than someone who doesnt, said Tiffany Johnson, Interim Director of the Office of Tobacco Control at MSDH. Smoking not only increases your risk of developing diabetes, but it also impacts how well your insulin works. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the chemicals found in cigarettes cause cellular inflammation, which results in less response to insulin. Diabetics who smoke require higher doses of insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childrens of Mississippi receives $1.5 million for surgical unit MSDH offers free programs by phone or text to support those who are quitting smoking, including professional counseling seven days a week and nicotine replacement resources. We offer specific one-on-one support, said Johnson. We want to see you succeed in your quit journey. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW and lets get started. And, if you want support for diabetes, the Health Department can help, too. Youth and young adults ages 13 to 24 who vape can also get help by texting VapefreeMS to 88709. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. PUPUKEA, Hawaii (KHON2) HPD said the man who went missing while snorkeling on the north shore of Oahu has died. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The incident happened around 3:20 p.m. on Monday when the Honolulu Fire Department received a report of a 29-year-old male snorkeler was separated from his friends after getting caught in large surf. Coast Guard investigating after divers lost at sea for 90 minutes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival at the scene, HFD and Ocean Safety conducted water searches throughout the area. Officials said Ocean Safety rescued one male and one female; both suffered lacerations. Paramedics evaluated both patients, who later declined transport to a hospital. According to EMS, the third snorkeler, was found just after 4:30 p.m. and received CPR and life support treatment from first responders upon arriving at shore. The man was hospitalized in critical condition but was later pronounced dead. EMS said strong current, no swimming and no lifeguard on-duty signs were posted at the beach. During the time of the rescues, the surf was between six to 10 feet and was said to be building. 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. Peanut, the social media star squirrel at the center of a national furor after it was seized from its owner in upstate New York and euthanized, has tested negative for rabies, a county official said Tuesday. The state Department of Environmental Conservation took the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred on Oct. 30 from Mark Longo's home and animal sanctuary in rural Pine City, near the Pennsylvania border. The agency said it had received complaints that wildlife was being kept illegally and potentially unsafely, but officials have faced a barrage of criticism for the seizure. Government workers said they have since faced violent threats. The DEC and the Chemung County officials have said the squirrel and raccoon were euthanized so they could be tested for rabies after Peanut bit a DEC worker involved in the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chemung County Executive Chris Moss said tests on the two animals came back negative during a news conference detailing the county's role in the incident. He said the county worked with the state and followed protocols. Peanut gained tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms in the more than seven years since Longo took him in after seeing his mother get hit by a car in New York City. Longo has said he was in the process of filing paperwork to get Peanut certified as an educational animal when he was seized. Longo on Tuesday said the negative test results were no surprise and criticized the government's actions. Its no real big shocker to me, considering I lived with Peanut for seven-and-a-half years and Fred for five months. Im not foaming at the mouth, he said. I knew the test results were going to be negative. The DEC said in a prepared statement there was an internal investigation and that they were reviewing internal policies and procedures. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolinas Supreme Court has not set a date for the states next execution after lawyers for four inmates out of appeals asked them to postpone deaths until after Christmas and New Years. The justices typically issue notices on Fridays because it gives the maximum amount of time of 28 days to prepare for the execution which by law is to be carried out on the fourth Friday after the receipt of such notice. The Supreme Court also promised in August to space out the executions in five week intervals to give prison staff and defense lawyers, who are often representing several condemned inmates, time to handle all the legal matters necessary. That includes making sure the lethal injection drugs as well as the electric chair and firing squad are ready and researching and filing last minute appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Carolinas death chamber has a backlog because of a 13-year pause in executions in part because the state couldnt obtain the drugs needed to carry out lethal injections until the General Assembly passed a law keeping the name of the provider secret. Six inmates ran out of appeals during that time. Two have been executed and four are awaiting their fate. The justices could have issued a death warrant this past Friday for Marion Bowman Jr. that would have been carried out on Dec. 6. But the day passed with no word from the Supreme Court, including what the justices thought of the request from the inmates last Tuesday to take a break from executions until early January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six consecutive executions with virtually no respite will take a substantial toll on all involved, particularly during a time of year that is so important to families, the lawyers for the inmates wrote in court papers. Attorneys for the state responded that prison officials were ready to keep to the original schedule and the state has conducted executions around the Christmas and New Years holidays before, including five between Dec. 4, 1998, and Jan. 8, 1999. Bowman, 44, was convicted of murder in the shooting of friend 21-year-old Kandee Martin whose burned body was found in the trunk of her car in Dorchester County in 2001. Bowman has spent more than half his life on death row. Bowman would be the third inmate executed since September after the state obtained the drug it needed to carry out the death sentence. Freddie Owens was put to death by lethal injection Sept. 20 and Richard Moore was executed on Nov. 1, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Carolina was among the busiest states for executions back then, but that stopped once the state had trouble obtaining lethal injection drugs because of pharmaceutical companies concerns they would have to disclose they had sold the drugs to officials. The state Legislature has since passed a law allowing officials to keep lethal injection drug suppliers secret, and in July, the state Supreme Court cleared the way to restart executions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YEMASSEE, S.C. (AP) Employees at a South Carolina compound that breeds monkeys for medical research have recaptured five more animals that escaped last week from an enclosure that wasn't fully locked. As of Monday afternoon, 30 of the 43 monkeys that made it outside the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee are back in the company's custody unharmed, police said in a statement. Most if not all of the Rhesus macaques appeared to stay close to the compound after their escape Wednesday and Alpha Genesis employees have been watching them and luring them back with food, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They cooed at the monkeys remaining inside and interacted with the primates still inside the fence, the company told police. Veterinarians have been examining the animals that were brought back and initial reports indicate they are all in good health, police said. Alpha Genesis has said that efforts to recover all the monkeys will continue for as long as it takes at its compound about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from downtown Yemassee and about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Savannah, Georgia. The monkeys are about the size of a cat. They are all females weighing about 7 pounds (3 kilograms). Humans have been using the monkeys for scientific research since the late 1800s. Scientists believe that Rhesus macaques and humans split from a common ancestor about 25 million years ago and share about 93% of the same DNA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alpha Genesis, federal health officials and police all said the monkeys pose no risk to public health. The facility breeds the monkeys to sell to medical facilities and other researchers. If people encounter the monkeys, they are advised to stay away from them and to not fly drones in the area. Alpha Genesis provides primates for research worldwide, according to its website. Hundreds of people lined up Monday outside Wind Creek Chicago Southland, waiting to be among the first to see the south suburb casino on opening day. The opening culminates a more than two-decade goal of south suburban politicians, and patrons, who began getting in line more than a hour before the opening, saying they were eager to see it. Ive been looking forward to this for a long time, said Tony Barber, of Lansing. Im hoping I will win some money today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angelique Harper, of Calumet City, said she drives by the site, southwest of Halsted Street and Interstates 80/94, each day on her way to work in Joliet. Im off today and had to come by to try it, she said. Im thinking maybe because its opening day the slots will be a little looser so people come back. For now, just the casino and some food offerings are open, and the casino will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. seven days a week, according to Donia Lewis, a spokeswoman for Wind Creek. The casino itself is in East Hazel Crest and adjacent parking garages are in Homewood. The two communities have a revenue sharing agreement thats been in place since 2012, and some of the gaming revenue will flow to more than 40 other south suburbs, primarly Black and brown communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, suburbs including Country Club Hills, Chicago Heights, Ford Heights and Dolton have floated proposals for casinos. In the selection process that culimnated in the Wind Creek project being selected in December 2021 to proceed, proposals from Calumet City, Lynwood and Matteson were also considered by the Illinois Gaming Board. A steady stream of traffic flowed from southbound Halsted into the property, and traffic was backed up not only on that street but, as a result, from exit ramps off the highway. Brian and Carmelita Townsend, of South Holland, were among the visitors. Brian Townsend said they came just to see how it was, for the brand new experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife said they were impressed. Inside, it was absolutely beautiful, Carmelita Townsend said. I think they have something for everyone, as far as games. The couple said they visit Indiana casinos, such as Horseshoe in Hammond and Hard Rock in Gary. Right now this is No. 1, Brian Townsend said. Leaving the casino, Viola Bigelow said she was blown away by what she saw. The Calumet Park resident said she tried her hand at a couple slot machines and didnt have much luck, but was impressed with the casino. I had to see what this place looked like, she said. Its really nice, more than I expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barber said hell visit Horseshoe and Hard Rock from time to time, and backers of the Southland casino said they hope it will keep Illinois gamblers, and the money they spend, from crossing the state line. Wind Creek is a subsidiary of PCI Gaming Authority Inc., which manages 10 casinos and other gambling properties on behalf of the Alabama-based Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The Southland casino, at 17300 S. Halsted St., spans 75,000 square feet. A 16-story, 252-room hotel with a spa and a steakhouse on the top floor is scheduled to open early next year. The casino opened at 11 a.m., but Bigelow was there more than an hour early, and as people walked up they began forming their own lines, with little security visible to direct them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One line stretched to the north of the main doors, out to the surface parking lot, while another approached from the south, outside parking garages. Some people grew impatient as doors would open, then close briefly. There was no pushing or shoving as people tried to make their way in, but some people asked why the line wasnt moving faster. A security guard came out, hands in the air and asking people to be patient. Im only one person so stand by, Im trying to make it happen, he said. At one point after the opening, an East Hazel Crest Fire Department ambulance was slowly driven from Halsted onto the property, contending with lines of vehicles waiting to get in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 11 a.m. opening on Veterans Day was intended to coincide with the signing of the armistice agreement, ending hostilities in World War 1 and taking effect on the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. It was a very special date and time for us to open, Wind Creeks Lewis said. Brian Townsend, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1978 to 1985, was stationed in Louisiana and at some point deployed to Germany. The Townsends said they expected large crowds, but said they have to work some kinks out in handling patrons. Legislative efforts in Springfield held out hope for at least since May 2011 of clearing the path for a south suburban casino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Homewood-East Hazel Crest site and Country Club Hills had been considered solid contenders for the states 10th casino license, which ultimately went in 2008 to Des Plaines and resulted in the hugely successful Rivers Casino. Wind Creek is projecting gross gaming revenues approaching $160 million a year by 2025. As part of its license application, Wind Creek has promised to establish the Southland Public Benefit Fund. Initially, Wind Creek plans to distribute $150,000 annually during the first five years of operation, with the money providing scholarships to disadvantaged students in the south suburbs and helping bolster access to health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wind Creek said it intends to create a fund of $20 million after five years to boost yearly disbursements to $1 million. The 2019 law that provided a license for a land-based casino in the south suburb provides for the host community and 42 other south suburbs to share in 5% of revenue generated by the casino. In this instance, with two host communities, they would each keep 2% of monthly adjusted gross receipts, while another 3% would be shared among 41 other south suburbs. The host communities also would get $1 of the $3 admission tax for each person entering the casino. Taxes are levied on a casinos adjusted gross receipts, or revenue minus winnings paid to bettors. Hofeld said that 55% of the casino site is in East Hazel Crest and 45% is in Homewood, and that is how the two communities shares of tax revenue would be divided, according to an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wind Creek has estimated that $3 million in tax revenue would flow annually to Homewood and East Hazel Crest, and another $4 million a year to the other communities. Those communities are Beecher, Blue Island, Burnham, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Crete, Dixmoor, Dolton, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Lansing, Lynwood, Markham, Matteson, Midlothian, Monee, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Park Forest, Phoenix, Posen, Richton Park, Riverdale, Robbins, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, South Holland, Steger, Thornton, Tinley Park, University Park and Worth, according to the state. Noise from vessels installing offshore wind turbines from the SouthCoast Wind project has the potential to have moderate adverse impacts on endangered North Atlantic right whales, according to a new report from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (NOAA Fisheries) A 147-turbine offshore wind project planned off the coast of Marthas Vineyard will not harm local species and habitat any more than climate change already is, according to a federal review published on Friday. One exception: North Atlantic right whales, which could face moderate adverse direct and indirect impacts from the SouthCoast Wind project that would not otherwise exist, according to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Managements report. The report specifically named vessel noise as potentially disruptive to marine mammals, especially fin and endangered right whales. However, it does not link these disruptions to whale deaths, a contention which has been largely debunked by scientists, including within the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no relationship between offshore wind and dead whales, said Bob Kenney, an emeritus marine research scientist at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography. The 2,400-page environmental impact statement on SouthCoast Wind marks a significant step though not the final sign off in the multilayered, multi-step regulatory process governing offshore wind. Project developers are still awaiting federal approval on a construction and operations plan a date for which has not been set alongside a host of state-level reviews, including several in Rhode Island. The federal environmental review does not mention the potential for manufacturing problems, believed to be the cause of a broken blade that fell off one of Vineyard Winds turbines in July, scattering debris across area beaches. BOEM said previously it was still reviewing the Vineyard Wind blade failure, as well as incident-response protocols for other offshore wind projects, Ocean Winds, the Spanish developer behind the 1,287-megawatt SouthCoast Wind project planned south of Marthas Vineyard, struck tentative power purchase agreements with Rhode Island and Massachusetts. If approved, Rhode Island Energy would buy 200 megawatts of the projects nameplate capacity, while the remaining 1,087 megawatts would be funneled to the Commonwealth. The Rhode Island Energy contract remains in negotiations, with a final agreement expected to be submitted to state utility regulators at the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no relationship between offshore wind and dead whales. Bob Kenney, an emeritus marine research scientist at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography Meanwhile, a separate state regulatory body the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board is reviewing the developers plans to run transmission lines from the wind farm up the Sakonnet River and out Mount Hope Bay before connecting to land in Somerset, Massachusetts. Advisory agencies have until January to submit comments to the Energy Facility Siting Board on the transmission line proposal. Despite the obstacle course of regulatory hoops still in front of it, Ocean Winds touted BOEMs environmental review as an important regulatory milestone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Final Environmental Impact Statement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is an important regulatory milestone that allows SouthCoast Wind to bring substantial economic development to the region and to increase energy reliability for the New England grid, Jennifer Flood, head of permitting for Ocean Winds North America, said in a statement Friday. We thank both BOEM for their extensive environmental evaluation of the SouthCoast Wind lease area, and the many government agencies, partners, and the public among others who provided valuable input during the process. The report looks at a range of environmental and economic issues for various configurations of the project air quality, bats, sea turtles, boat navigation, recreation and tourism as well as if there is no project at all. In most cases, the potential consequences to species, habitats and fishing that could result from the project would happen anyway due to warming waters and coastal erosion, the report states. Except for the already vulnerable right whale population. Impacts are magnified in severity for [North Atlantic right whale] due to low population numbers and the potential to compromise the viability of the species from the loss of a single individual, the report states. Although a measurable impact is anticipated, most other marine mammals would likely recover completely when [impact-producing factor] stressors are removed, or remedial or mitigating actions are taken. The proposed SouthCoast Wind OCS-A 0521 lease area is located approximately 26 nautical miles south of Marthas Vineyard and 20 nautical miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts. (Docket No. BOEM-2024-0055) Underwater drilling activity is bigger issue Kenney, however, insisted that pile-driving, which is used to drill foundations for the turbines into the seafloor, is much more disruptive to right whales than vessel traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Old whalers managed to go back over and over to places like Cintra Bay to keep killing whales until they were all gone, Kenney said. The whales kept coming back. The report acknowledges the developer must refrain from underwater drilling activity from Jan. to May 15 to minimize impact to marine mammals. Prior projects called for restrictions on pile driving starting in December. I would rather see the window made smaller, Kenney said. The National Marine Fisheries Service is conducting a separate review of the project specifically as it relates to disturbance of marine mammals, as part of a partnership between BOEM and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration aimed at protecting endangered right whales while advancing offshore wind development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The many measures taken to protect right whales, and other marine species, seem to have done little to assuage public concerns. Disinformation linking offshore wind to whale deaths continues to dominate on social media, which Kenney said was driven by NIMBYism and dark money from the fossil fuel industry. A 2023 report by Brown Universitys Climate and Development Lab also showed fossil fuel companies and right-wing think tanks pouring money into local offshore wind opposition campaigns in Rhode Island. Pending remaining federal, state and local permits, SouthCoast Wind is expected to begin construction on its project in late 2025, with a 2030 completion date. That is, of course, if President-elect Donald Trump, a vocal wind opponent, doesnt try to stop its construction. Kenney was unsure if Trump could halt the already in-progress development, but suspected the president-elect would try. BOEM did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment on Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A southeastern Pennsylvania man incarcerated at Rockview state prison died Monday, the prisons top official said in a news release Tuesday. Gary Vandenberg, 52, was found unresponsive in his cell Monday, Superintendent Bobbi Salamon said in the release. Staff and emergency medical service responded and attempted life-saving measures, she said. Vandenberg was pronounced dead about 7:10 p.m. Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections said. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, the Centre County Coroners Office told the Centre Daily Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police at Rockview are investigating, as required by state policy. It was not immediately clear if foul play is suspected. A message left with a spokesman was not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon. Vandenberg pleaded guilty in July 2011 to felony counts of aggravated assault and conspiracy, as well as misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and a weapons charge. He was part of a violent Bucks County home invasion in which a man was slashed across the face with a knife, PhillyBurbs reported. Vandenberg was sentenced in September 2011 to 8 1/2 to 20 years in state prison, as well as five years of probation. He was at Rockview state prison since Nov. 23, 2015, the DOC said in its release. Florida has already exceeded the record 72 launches that lifted off from the state last year by a half dozen liftoffs. But Space Florida has a lofty 10-year goal of sending 5,000 metric tons to space from the state. Right now, that number hovers right above one-thousand metric tons. Read: Tropical Disturbance 99L is expected to strengthen and could become the next name storm Sara So, were talking about a five-fold increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Don Platt, Associate Professor of Space Systems at Florida Tech told WFTV, You know, it used to be that five in a month would be an amazing month. And so, the infrastructure was designed for that. It wasnt designed for what were looking at here. Space Florida officials have identified six projects to support growth which include replacement of the NASA-owned Roy D. Bridges Jr. Bridge to accommodate larger loads to additional wharf space in or near Port Canaveral for space operators. Read: FAA prohibits US airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after plane was shot by gangs In the short-term Space Florida estimates $103 million a year is needed to meet those infrastructure challenges and others like additional wastewater treatment capacity, upgraded power distribution, wetland mitigation credits, and expanded distribution of natural gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a meeting last week highlighting infrastructure priorities, Space Floridas Sr. Vice President for the Spaceports Business Unit said to solve these needs There needs to be a combination of both federal resources, state resources, as leverage we have one of the biggest user bases in the world. Read: Pentagon secrets leaker Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison by a federal judge Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. (Bloomberg) -- A Spanish socialist with a long record in charting her countrys climate policy is on the cusp of taking over from Big tech nemesis Margrethe Vestager as the European Unions next antitrust chief. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teresa Ribera, who faces an audition from EU lawmakers in Brussels late on Tuesday, was picked by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for one of the top jobs among a new cohort at the blocs increasingly political executive arm. At her confirmation hearing, shes likely to face some tough questions about her and her governments response to last months deadly floods in Valencia. But barring a disastrous performance before the European Parliament, the 55-year-old will be responsible for reining in tech giants, nurturing regional champions and in all likelihood locking horns with China and incoming US President Donald Trump. Ribera, who comes to the new role with relatively little antitrust experience, would succeed Vestager, who leaves after two terms with an impressive legacy of wins against some of the most powerful businesses and a trail of expletives from their CEOs. As well as taking charge of the blocs competition brief, Ribera will also oversee a broader portfolio that encompasses the EUs quest to boost its green industries, including solar and electric batteries, which China dominates. One of the toughest parts of Riberas new job will be to meet the growing expectation to help rather than hinder Europes struggle to grow businesses strong enough to compete globally, said Andreas Schwab, a German member of the European Parliament from von der Leyens center-right CDU party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task of the competition commissioner in 2024 is a special challenge, said Schwab. Plenty of policymakers would like to see some sort of protectionist move. A report by former Italian premier Mario Draghi offers Ribera a road map for European champions to emerge across the tech, green, defense, and telecom industries as Europe demands an end of an era of blocking the creation of firms capable of competing on the world stage just because they could threaten local EU markets. As Spains deputy prime minister in charge of the green transition, Ribera is a close ally of the countrys Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who said that the nation had achieved the highest level of influence its ever had in Brussels after she was nominated for the EU post. Ribera is being pitched as a consensus builder but a tough and demanding negotiator. Shes a Madrid matriarch at the helm of a three-daughter family with a strong regulatory pulse her husband being on the board of Spains financial watchdog. Ribera forged her EU reputation during the energy crisis following Russias invasion of Ukraine, with Spain emerging as one of the first countries to cap prices and tax producers, and shes locked horns in the past with Spanish industry over her steadfast climate commitments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking On China Riberas role in the United Nations climate talks led her to confront some of the worlds largest polluting nations. In Brussels, her new position will take on a similarly geopolitical hue. Using a new foreign subsidy law, shell have powers to vet potentially anticompetitive sovereign-state subsidies into the bloc and can issue fines or outright vetoes of state takeovers with Chinese investments in her crosshairs. Ribera has indicated that it is important to find effective tools that do not spur a trade war, said Jonas Koponen, partner at the global law firm Cooley. Despite blocking a raft of big deals including telecom mergers that reduced local competition just 0.8% of nearly 4,000 transactions were vetoed or withdrawn under Vestagers watch. More noticeably, the Dane issued nearly 25 billion ($26.6 billion) in fines against powerful companies, ranging from banks who rigged benchmarks to industrial powerhouses that colluded on prices. Silicon Valley was a favorite target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Vestager, Ribera will be tasked with enforcing the blocs freshly minted Digital Markets Act which sets strict guardrails for mainly American technology firms. Shell also inherit an antitrust case against Googles advertising technology arm that could result in a hugely controversial breakup order. Ribera will have to tread carefully with the US. Vestager angered both Apple Inc. boss Tim Cook and, during his first term, President Trump, when she ordered the firm to pay Ireland 13 billion in unpaid taxes. In October, Trump revealed Cook called him to complain some more. There is a huge appetite globally to keep Big Tech under control, said Cecilio Madero former director general for competition in the commission. Von der Leyen will expect her to be tough. --With assistance from John Ainger, Ewa Krukowska, Rodrigo Orihuela, Kevin Whitelaw and Jorge Valero. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Spain's AEMET weather service issued renewed storm warnings for much of the country for Tuesday to Thursday, two weeks after rains and flooding claimed more than 220 lives, most of them around the eastern city of Valencia. Valencia authorities reduced the number missing to 23 from 32, as they continued searches mainly in the sea and in coastal wetlands using ships, drones and echo-sounding equipment. The official death toll following the October 29 storms now stands at 222. A year's worth of rain fell within hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather warnings at the third-highest and in some cases second-highest level were issued for parts of Valencia province, for the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and for parts of Galicia in the far north-west, Catalonia in the north-east and Andalusia in the south. Almeria province in Andalusia saw heavy rainfalls and flooding on Monday. Nuria Rodriguez, mayor of the small coastal town of Balanegra, expressed concern. "All of us still have the images of Valencia in our minds," she said. Weather forecaster Monica Lopez told state broadcaster she did not expect the new storms to be as violent as those in Valencia two weeks ago. Life was returning to normal, with 47 schools reopening on Monday, as clearing up work proceeded. Some roads remained blocked with refuse and mud, and many people are still unable to return home. The high-speed rail link between Madrid and Valencia was to be reopened on Thursday. Spain's national weather service issued renewed storm warnings for much of the country for Tuesday to Thursday, two weeks after rains and flooding claimed more than 220 lives, most of them around the eastern city of Valencia. Valencia authorities reduced the number missing to 23 from 32, as they continued searches mainly in the sea and in coastal wetlands using ships, drones and echo-sounding equipment. The official death toll following the October 29 storms now stands at 222. A year's worth of rain fell within hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather warnings at the third-highest and in some cases second-highest level were issued for parts of Valencia province, for the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and for parts of Galicia in the far north-west, Catalonia in the north-east and Andalusia in the south. Almeria province in Andalusia saw heavy rainfalls and flooding on Monday. Nuria Rodriguez, mayor of the small coastal town of Balanegra, expressed concern. "All of us still have the images of Valencia in our minds," she said. Weather forecaster Monica Lopez told state broadcaster she did not expect the new storms to be as violent as those in Valencia two weeks ago. Life was returning to normal, with 47 schools reopening on Monday, as clearing up work proceeded. Some roads remained blocked with refuse and mud, and many people are still unable to return home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high-speed rail link between Madrid and Valencia was to be reopened on Thursday. Royal visit expected Another visit to Valencia by King Felipe VI was expected on Tuesday, this time without Queen Letizia. When they visited Paiporta in Valencia on November 3, they were pelted with mud and insulted. The king is expected to inspect the troops deployed to assist the rescue and clearing up operations. Almost 20,000 soldiers and police, along with volunteers, are assisting in the worst-affected 80 municipalities. Many in the local population have accused the authorities of failing to issue timely warnings and for mismanagement of the response. Around 130,000 people demonstrated in Valencia on Sunday in protest. By Eva Manez and Michael Francis Gore CATARROJA, Spain (Reuters) - Thousands of students in Spain's eastern Valencia region returned to classes on Monday, two weeks after floods killed over 200 people and devastated towns in the area. Controversy over the regional government's handling of the floods still rages, and a teachers' union accused it of exaggerating the number returning and leaving the clean-up to teachers and pupils. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-three people remain missing in the Valencia region after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, sending tides of muddy water through densely populated city suburbs, drowning people in cars and underground car parks, and collapsing homes. A total of 47 schools in 14 affected municipalities reopened to more than 22,000 children on Monday, the region's education department said. Last week, it said it expected around 70% of students in the worst-affected areas to return this week. "The schools that have opened their doors today have followed cleaning and disinfection protocols to ensure maximum safety for students, teachers and staff," it added. But the regional teachers' union STEPV said it believed that the numbers returning on Monday were lower, without providing an alternative figure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokesperson Marc Candela said many schools were not ready to resume lessons, adding: "Teachers and parents are cleaning the schools with their own materials such as brooms." Educators wanted professional cleaning crews to sanitise facilities, as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Parents are also worried about their children's emotional states, said Ruben Pacheco, head of the regional federation of parents' associations, FAMPA: "Families are exhausted, suffering psychologically, and nothing should be decided without consulting them so as not to generate more discomfort than they've already suffered." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Candela said the department had held an online course for teachers last week with recommendations for psychological care, but had not dispatched additional counsellors. Carolina Marti, head teacher at a school in Castellar-Oliveral, said it had received 60 children from neighbouring towns, while five teachers were on medical leave. She said children and teachers were struggling to reach the school as many roads remained impassable. (Reporting by Eva Manez and Michael Gore; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Aislinn Laing and Kevin Liffey) Nov. 11 (UPI) -- A Spirit Airlines flight was hit by gunfire while attempting to land in Haiti and a crew member sustained "minor injuries," officials said Monday. Florida-based Spirit Airlines' Flight 951 reportedly was struck by gunfire while it attempted land in the Haitian capitol of Port-au-Prince after it departed via Fort Lauderdale, Fla. It was diverted to the Dominican Republic at a Santiago airport, where it landed safely. A crew member on the plane experienced "minor injuries" and the aircraft has since been taken out of air service, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other injuries were reported. A source with the National Airport Authority said the plane was roughly one mile from the local airport above Clercin -- one of the known battlegrounds in Haiti's ongoing gang war -- when it was fired at. According to a CNN diplomatic source in Haiti, its main international airport, the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, has temporarily paused its operations. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti says it was "aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports, and airports," according to a security alert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with the Haiti-based Sunrise Airways, other U.S.-based air carriers JetBlue and American Airlines until at least Thursday have cancelled flights to and from the island nation. In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice to pilots that all flight traffic ops were temporarily suspended into the international airport in Port-au-Prince. Amid widespread turmoil on the island of Hispaniola on its Haitian side for nearly a year now, the shooting incident took place the same day Haiti's ruling transitional council fired Prime Minister Garry Conille just six months after the doctor and former UNICEF Latin America head was appointed to lead the troubled nation. And more recently, a United Nations helicopter was targeted hit by bullets while flying over Haiti's capital city. And in October, rebel gangs targeted American embassy vehicles by gunfire which prompted an evacuation of 20 U.S. embassy personnel. Editors note: This story has been corrected to fix the flights path. It originated in Florida. (The Hill) A Spirit Airlines flight was hit by gunfire in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was landing and was diverted when it was hit. The airline said Flight 951 landed safely in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Spirit said in a statement that an inspection revealed evidence of damage to the aircraft consistent with gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One flight attendant on board reported minor injures and is being evaluated by medical personnel. No airline guests reported injuries. Spirit said it took the plane out of service and is arranging for a different aircraft to return its guests to Florida on Monday. The safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority, and we have suspended our service at Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien pending further evaluation, Spirit said in a statement. FAA opening Boeing safety review The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince posted on the social platform X that it was aware of reports and possible protest activity and civil unrest in the coming week. It warned Americans to not travel to Haiti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The embassy later released a statement to say it was aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince. The Touissant LOverture airport has a temporary pause in operations, the U.S. Embassy said. The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel, it added. The violence comes a day after the transitionary council created to reestablish democratic control in Haiti signed a decree firing interim Prime Minister Garry Conille. He was replaced with Alix Didier Fils-Aime, continuing the rocky democratic transition for the country thats been plagued by gang violence, The Associated Press reported. 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. Passengers and crew aboard a Spirit Airlines flight were subjected to a terrifying ordeal on Monday when the aircraft was riddled with bullets while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. One flight attendant was even grazed by a bullet and sustained minor injuries. The flight had been arriving at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport from Fort Lauderdale, FL when the incident occurred, in what was believed to have been gang-related activity. After bullets pierced the plane's cabin the flight was safely diverted to nearby Santiago, in the Dominican Republic, where TMZ reports that the injured flight attendant was being evaluated by medical personnel. In the wake of the shooting, all commercial flights out of Port-au-Prince were grounded, and all U.S.-based carriers canceled flights to Port-au-Prince through Tuesday. Flight tracking data on Monday likewise showed JetBlue Airways, Air Caraibes, and Amerijet Cargo planes rerouting away from Haiti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spirit Airlines spokesperson confirmed to the Miami Herald that the damaged aircraft was taken out of service and that the airline was arranging for a different flight to return passengers and crew to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Monday. "Following the flights arrival at STI, an inspection revealed evidence of damage to the aircraft consistent with gunfire," the spokesperson said. "The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority, and we have suspended our service at Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien pending further evaluation." Just last month, another similar incident occurred when a United Nations helicopter was struck by gang gunfire while departing Port-au-Prince, and was forced to return to the airport. Thankfully, no one was injured in that instance. Tonight features an increase in cloud cover once again with a secondary cold front pushing through tonight. This will bring in a secondary punch of cooler air that will make for a chilly Tuesday. That front will bring a gusty west wind that will turn northerly Tuesday that could bring gusts as high as 25 mph. Temperatures tonight will drop down into the mid to upper 30s a few snowflakes over the highest peaks are a good bet, but no accumulation is expected. Sprinkle chances will be most likely between midnight and 4am with flakes being held to the mountains by dawn. Tuesday begins on a cloudy note, with a few snowflakes lingering over the high country in Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties. Again, no accumulation is expected but its definitely a November-like feel on the way. Clouds will be tough to break initially, but we will see some sunshine return by the mid-afternoon a couple of hours before sunset. The clouds, along with a northerly breezy will make it a real struggle for temperatures to reach 50 degrees. The reality is that this is only a few degrees below our average high of 55 degrees weve just been so warm, so it may be a shock to the system! Expect a freeze for many areas Tuesday night as temperatures drop back to around 30 degrees under mostly clear skies. Wednesday continues the November feel, with a strong high-pressure system up to our north in Canada. This means we will keep our northerly breeze and, as a result, our cooler temperatures. With plenty of sunshine, we should reach normal for this time of year with highs in the mid 50s. Well begin to see a few high-level cirrus clouds in the afternoon, which is a sign of change as we move onward into Thursday, as showers will return from west to east toward dawn. Thursday will be a wet day, with scattered showers likely beginning right around dawn with a low-pressure system moving into the Great Lakes. Well see a warm front move through during the early morning hours, followed by a cold front during the early evening. This system will provide a better chance for rain than what we saw on Sunday, with a general half inch of rain being a good bet just about area wide. Thats not enough to get us out of drought by a long shot but it will definitely help with our fire threat. Despite a warm front and a brief southerly breeze during the day, temperatures will struggle mightily to reach 50 degrees most will remain in the 40s. Showers will continue into the overnight, but with mostly cloudy skies, only the highest peaks could see a brief transition to snowflakes as temperatures dip back to around 40 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday features an isolated shower with our northwest breeze over the mountains in the morning, but weve got plenty of sunshine in store area-wide by the late morning. However, with high pressure to our west, we will keep a chilly west/northwest flow that will hold high temperatures down into the low 50s. That high pressure system will be the dominating feature once again for a few days, which will bring dry conditions and a gradual warming trend back into the picture. StormTracker59 Power Outage Map Saturday sees temperatures returning to around normal for this time of year, as the mercury will climb back up into the mid 50s with plenty of sunshine expected. Sunday features high pressure shifting down to our south, which will give us more of a southerly breeze and a warmer day as a result. High temperatures will soar up into the mid 60s as a result. The weekend overall looks fantastic weather-wise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How does drought affect groundwater? Monday continues the warm and dry trend with high pressure still in control, as well see high temperatures in the mid 60s. Clouds will be on the increase as our next front approaches, but we should stay dry before dark. Looking ahead in your extended forecast, well see a cold front pass through early Tuesday morning. There does not appear to be much juice with this system, but a couple of showers will be possible. That will cool us down just in time for Thanksgiving highs on Tuesday will dip back into the 50s, which look likely into Wednesday and Thanksgiving. TONIGHT Mostly cloudy, scattered sprinkles after midnight/mountain flakes. Lows in the mid 30s. TUESDAY AM clouds, PM sun. Cool. Highs in the low 50s. WEDNESDAY Mostly sunny, increasing clouds late. Highs in the mid 50s. THURSDAY Showers likely wet day overall. Highs in the upper 40s. FRIDAY AM mountain drizzle. PM sunshine. Highs near 50. SATURDAY Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. SUNDAY Mostly sunny. Warmer. Highs in the mid 60s. MONDAY Mostly sunny, increasing clouds late. Highs in the mid 60s. TUESDAY Isolated shower early. PM sun. Cooler. Highs near 60. WEDNESDAY Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. THANKSGIVING Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. 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 WVNS. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis County man appeared in U.S. District Court on Tuesday and admitted being caught with child sexual abuse material less than two weeks while under home confinement orders. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said John V. Knowles, 45, had previously been convicted in a 2018 possession case. Upon his release from prison in that case, Knowles lived in a halfway house as part of supervised release. He was then allowed to live at his residence under home confinement on Sept. 1, 2023. Approximately 11 days later, probation officers visited Knowles residence and found numerous electronic devices, such as iPads, iPhones, and laptops. Knowles was prohibited from owning, possessing, or accessing such devices. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News The officers searched the electronic devices and found child sexual abuse material. Knowles admitted that he downloaded the illicit material way back in 2018, after police initially searched his home and seized computer equipment, but prior to his indictment in the original case. Knowles pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography in this new case. Hell be sentenced on Jan. 30, 2025. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Proposition 36, which increases sentencing for certain drug and theft offenses, clearly is on its way to passage, with 69% of California voters supporting it, according to the Nov. 12 report by the Secretary of State. It wont go into effect, however, until five days after the Secretary of State certifies the vote, which could be as late as mid-December. But at least one prosecutor in the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office had intended to start applying the new law right away. The day after the election, Deputy District Attorney Patrick Hogan said that, hypothetically, a person arrested at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 6 could be subject to the stiffer penalties of Prop. 36. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not everyone agreed. Stanislaus County Public Defender Jennifer Jennison questioned the legality of enforcing the new law before the state certifies the election. In court yesterday, the DAs were trying to say it was already in effect, Jennison said Thursday. Of course, it wasnt. Theyre wrong, and it does go into effect five days after certification. Hogan walked back his statements, and the DAs Office released a statement Friday that local policy affected by Prop. 36 would be implemented Dec. 18. Proposition 36 was overwhelmingly passed by Stanislaus County voters this Tuesday, reads the statement by DA Jeff Laugero. It notes his support of the proposition and says his office will implement the new law as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hogan expressed the same commitment as his boss, telling The Bee, Theres no doubt that the will of the voters, both in the state and especially in our county, points to strong prosecutions for these offenders. And its something that we plan to follow through on, were already working on that. The latest election results for Stanislaus County, released Thursday evening, show Proposition 36 has even higher support here 76.8% than statewide. But counting continues, with over 69,000 ballots yet to be tallied, according to the county registrar. What will Prop 36 change about local drug laws? A new code section will be added so that those whove been arrested multiple times for drug offenses can be sent to state prison. The new charge, Health and Safety Code 11395, applies to those with two or more prior convictions for either felony or misdemeanor possession of a hard drug. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treatment options have to be considered by a court first. If someone is sentenced to treatment and completes it, there would be no technical conviction. However, if treatment is refused, and the person is arrested again, he or she would face a felony charge. If arrested again after the felony charge, the offender is eligible to be sent to state prison. We wanted to give the judges... a hammer to be able to take hard-core drug users and actually say, Listen, if you dont get serious about treatment options, then there are going to be negative consequences for you, Hogan said. Fentanyl would be added to the list of drugs a person cannot possess while also possessing a loaded firearm. The list already includes meth, heroin, cocaine and crack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If drugs are found on a person who is armed, the offender would be eligible for a state prison enhancement. Theres also a kilo/ounce enhancement for charges related to drug sales charges. A kilo for drugs such as meth, heroin and cocaine will have a state prison enhancement, as will an ounce of fentanyl for sale. A new health and safety code section would add Alexandras Law to the books. The law is named after Alexandra Capelouto, who died of a fentanyl overdose in Riverside County. According to a DAs Office memo, versions of Alexandras Law have been introduced but have been repeatedly shut down by the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed law requires that suspects arrested on suspicion of narcotics possession or intent to sell will be read the following: If you illicitly manufacture, distribute, sell, furnish, administer, or give away any real or counterfeit drugs or pills, and that conduct results in the death of a human being, you could be charged with homicide, up to and including the crime of murder, within the meaning of Section 187 of the Penal Code. In an ever-more-costly world, Starbucks is actually aiming to make your dairy-free latte cheaper. The largest coffee company in the U.S. announced it will no longer charge extra for non-dairy milks starting on Nov. 7. Starbucks currently offers soy, oat, almond, and coconut milks as non-dairy options. But those options have historically come with an upcharge. By removing the extra charge on non-dairy milks, Starbucks says customers can expect a more than 10% price reduction on their coffee order. "Core to the Starbucks Experience is the ability to customize your beverage to make it yours," Starbucks chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said in a statement. "By removing the extra charge for non-dairy milks, we're embracing all the ways our customers enjoy their Starbucks." When you're choosing health and beauty products, which of these factors is most important to you? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind According to Starbucks, substituting non-dairy milk in a drink is the second-most requested customization from customers, behind adding a shot of espresso. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving away from a non-dairy milk upcharge isn't only a good thing for your wallet but a good thing for the planet. According to the BBC, all non-dairy milks are significantly better for the environment than cow's milk. Producing non-dairy milk uses less land and less water than dairy farming. Non-dairy milk production also releases significantly less planet-warming pollution than cow milk production. According to an Oxford University study, a glass of cow's milk contributes at least three times the planet-warming pollution than a glass of any non-dairy milk alternative. The BBC article reported that the least-polluting non-dairy milk is almond milk because almond trees store a significant quantity of carbon as they grow, though the outlet noted that "it does require the most water to produce of the vegan milks." Soy milk, the article noted, requires the least water and is produced with only slightly more net carbon pollution. Starbucks has a history of testing and implementing climate-minded practices. The company recently announced its testing of compostable lids for cold drinks. Earlier in the year, Starbucks announced it plans to build electric vehicle charging stations outside of locations along the West Coast. 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, Mass. (WWLP)Massachusetts has been awarded $490,000 in grant funding from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to support family caregivers. The money will be spread over a two-year period to develop programs aimed at increasing the well-being and reducing the stress of family caregivers by identifying priorities for caregivers and barriers to accessing services. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs will also develop and distribute a guide to resources for information and referral specialists for caregivers. Recognizing western Massachusetts lawmaker veterans Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Maura Healey signed a proclamation declaring November as Family Caregiver Month in recognition of the contributions of family caregivers. Family caregivers should be celebrated every day, but especially throughout Family Caregiver Month. Families are often the primary source of support for older adults and people with disabilities, said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. We recognize and thank Massachusetts family caregivers for their around-the-clock dedication, scheduling, and hands-on care supports. We have been actively engaging with our communities to learn how the Commonwealth can be more age- and dementia-friendly. A consistent theme is around caregiving and how we can do more to support family caregivers, said Executive Office of Elder Affairs Acting Secretary Robin Lipson. Residents are calling out for more support for family caregivers, and we heard them. This grant will enable us to continue investing in our vital caregiving supports. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs will lead the grant funding implementation and partner with the Department of Developmental Services to focus on breaking down silos at the state level and engaging diverse populations that have been historically underserved and under-resourced. 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. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) Tensions are rising in the Centre County government over the Solar Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA), and how the legal fees are being handled. The SPPA is meant to obtain the lowest cost of alternative source electricity. The agreement began in 2019, and five years later, the contracts still are not set in stone. State College Borough Council Member Josh Portney says this and climbing legal fees have led him to start asking questions. Even after I asked these questions, I was threatened to stop, Portney said. I still to this day receive threats to stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeff Tech parting ways with LPN program Through a Right to Know request, Portney obtained a copy of a text conversation between the Mayor of State College Ezra Nanes, and SPPA Member Peter Buck. In those conversations, Buck asks Nanes if it would be possible to remove Portney from his Council of Governments duties. This came after Portney went on a local radio show and called the SPPA a financial scandal. Portney called this request reprehensible, and wants Nanes to condemn Bucks words. WTAJ reached out to Nanes, and he confirmed the messages were real. However, he said they were taken out of context. He said he could see how upset Buck was, so he said in the message that removal was an option in order to acknowledge Bucks feelings. Nanes said he never brought the idea up to the borough council president, and he never discussed it beyond the brief text conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nanes went on to say that he publicly asked Portney to apologize for his provocative, incendiary language on the radio show, but was denied. Nanes said that Portney is telling a false narrative, and that it could be political vengeance against Buck. Both Portney and Tor Michaels, the host of the radio show where Portney made the financial scandal remarks, are employed by Rep. Scott Conklin (D-77). Michaels is Conklins chief of staff, and Portney works in Conklins constituent services office. Despite the connection, Portney says that his fight against the SPPA is not about politics, citing that he was Bucks campaign manager in 2020. Im here for the taxpayer, Portney said. I have no reason to trash and to destroy something that hes done. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Nanes said that it is okay that Portney is asking questions, and that he is willing to talk with him in a public setting, but no effort has been made thus far. 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. THORNHURST TWP., LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A man is facing charges after police say he killed a dog in Lackawanna County. According to state police, on October 22, troopers learned that 30-year-old Jack Giles of Thornhurst Township stabbed a dog and cut its throat. Man charged with DUI on I-81 wanted on 34 warrants Police say after killing the dog, Giles placed it in a plastic tote and covered it in clothing then fled the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A warrant was obtained for Giles on aggravated cruelty to animal charges and he was arrested on October 31. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. 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. Homeowners insurance should be there for you when you need it, and California is making sure it stays that way for 750,000 people affected by wildfires. According to Bloomberg, California has put a moratorium on insurance companies canceling coverage for people affected by the Line, Airport, and Bridge fires and did so before those fires even stopped burning. It affects all homeowners in the outlined areas, even if they didn't suffer property damage from the fires. People affected live in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Ricardo Lara, the state insurance commissioner, put it this way, per Bloomberg: "Wildfire survivors should not have to worry about insurance while they are recovering." Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind The moratorium makes sense since most people are victims of fires, not perpetrators. In fact, hot, windy weather made the fires worse, Bloomberg revealed, and may have caused them in the first place. The Environmental Defense Fund explained that these conditions are often tied to changes in the climate. Even when fires are started by people, these kinds of conditions make them worse than they would otherwise have been. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These kinds of fires are wreaking havoc on lives around the globe, not just in California. They're affecting the insurance industry in particular, according to the World Economic Forum. Insurance prices are going up, and some companies are refusing to cover people in fire-prone areas at all. That makes the step California is taking even more important. Fire victims deserve the chance to recover and to have help and coverage while they do so instead of having to worry about how they will pay for rebuilding their lives. If you want to see change when it comes to the climate and how we respond to these disasters, vote for pro-climate candidates who will advocate for things like controlled burns to keep fires in check. You can also learn about wildfires yourself, so you can be a resource when needed. You can also fight against our changing climate in the choices you make every day. 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 State House dome, and the statue of Gen. John Stark, beneath partly cloudy skies on Nov. 11, 2024. (Dana Wormald | New Hampshire Bulletin) A week past Election Day, a clearer picture has emerged of legislative priorities, voter turnout, and results ranging from Executive Council seats to a proposed constitutional amendment. Both parties Republicans with bolstered control and Democrats losing seats in both chambers have also begun to make their picks to lead them in the next legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Sharon Carson, a Londonderry Republican, was chosen unanimously by Senate Republicans to take over as Senate president from retiring Wolfeboro Sen. Jeb Bradley, according to a Friday news release from the Senate Republicans. In a statement, Bradley, who has led the Senate since 2022, said the Senate president needs to have a steady hand and common sense and that Carson was the perfect choice. The body will formally elect its leader during Organization Day on Dec. 4. Carson, who was promoted from majority leader, is set to take the helm with an expanded majority for Republicans in the chamber, with the party bringing its advantage to 16-8 after picking up two seats from Democrats. We live in the greatest state in the nation and this is a historic office that many great Granite State leaders have had the privilege of sitting in, Carson said in a statement. I will never lose sight of that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carson was first elected to the Senate in 2008 and will soon begin her ninth term in the chamber. She is an adjunct history and political science professor at Nashua Community College, according to her Senate biography. Sen. Tim Lang, a Sanbornton Republican, said in a statement that the Republicans have a strong mandate to continue down the path of low taxes, reducing government regulations and fiscally sound government. On the other side of the aisle, Portsmouth Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, a lawyer, was chosen as the next Senate Democratic leader by a unanimous vote of her caucus, according to a Friday release from the state Democratic Party. She will replace Manchester Sen. Donna Soucy, who after six terms in the Senate was knocked out by Republican Victoria Sullivan, a former state representative. Perkins Kwoka said the caucus would focus on fighting for policies that increase affordable housing and child care, lower energy costs, and protect the fundamental rights and freedoms we hold dear. She also said Democrats were prepared to serve as a wall against what is coming from Republicans at the state and federal level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House will also hold elections for House speaker on Organization Day, with Republicans expected to prevail. In that race, Rep. Len Turcotte, a Barrington Republican, is challenging Speaker Sherman Packard, a Londonderry Republican. As the dust settles from Election Day, here are other important outcomes. Ballot measure falls New Hampshire voters narrowly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have increased the mandatory retirement age for state judges from 70 to 75. About 65.6 percent of those who answered the question on their ballot were in favor of raising the age, according to totals from the Secretary of States Office, falling just short of the two-thirds majority needed for it to pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many voters didnt weigh in at all: 138,636 under voted, essentially meaning they left the question blank. The ballot question had passed the House, 321-27, and the Senate, 22-1. A familiar Executive Council divide In the Executive Council, Karen Liot Hill kept up a tradition of being the lone Democrat on the five-member body, winning the District 2 seat previously held by Cinde Warmington. Liot Hill, the former mayor of Lebanon and a current Lebanon city councilor, beat Republican Kim Strathdee by about 14 percentage points, following a long line of Democrats who have held the safe seat, including Warmington, Andru Volinsky, and Colin Van Ostern. Those three have also all run unsuccessful campaigns for governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats were hoping to win seats in at least two other districts in order to flip the current 4-1 Republican advantage into a 3-2 Democratic advantage. But their other candidates did not fare well. Jon Morgan, a former state senator, failed to unseat Republican Janet Stevens in District 3 after Stevens won by about 10 points. And Melanie Levesque, another former Democratic state senator, fell nine points behind the Republican incumbent David Wheeler in District 5. Meanwhile, in District 4, an open seat after Republican Ted Gatsas announced he wasnt running again, Democrat Jim OConnell lost to John Stephen, the Republican former commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services. Republican Joe Kenney comfortably held onto his North Country seat in District 1, beating Emmett Soldati by about 10 percentage points. Big-time turnout More Granite Staters than ever before made their voices heard in this election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A record-breaking 833,023 voters cast ballots, according to totals from the Secretary of States Office. That total trumps a high last set in 2020, when 814,499 residents voted. About 11.9 percent of votes this year were through absentee ballots, a total of 99,356. On Election Day, 733,667 voters showed up to the polls. New Hampshire is one of few states without early voting and has only limited excuses for absentee ballots, but residents still vote at greater rates than most of the nation. Voters exceeded even the high expectations of Secretary of State David Scanlan, who had predicted before Election Day that the state would achieve record turnout with 824,000 residents casting ballots. Scanlan said Election Day is a social event in New Hampshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The whole election and campaign process reaches the climax on that day, Scanlan said ahead of the election. And you know, voters want to be a part of that, and thats why we have such high turnout. 10 recounts on tap While initial results show Republicans taking 222 seats in the House to Democrats 178, the Secretary of States Office will oversee 10 recounts in the coming week. Unlike in 2022, when the House was very narrowly divided, the recounts cannot change control of the House. But they could slightly affect the margins. In one case, an incumbent Democrat is seeking to hold onto her seat. Rep. Linda Tanner is seeking a recount in Sullivan District 5, after she was ousted by just 14 votes, or 0.42 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recount efforts that could benefit Republicans include Hillsborough District 17, where Republican Ben Prescott lost by just 28 votes, or 0.38 percent; Hillsborough District 24, where Dennis Demars lost by 27 votes or 0.74 percent; Grafton District 7, where Jon Gablinske lost by 28 votes; Merrimack District 8, where Natalie Wells was 57 votes short; and Strafford District 4, where Republican Rep. Kurt Wuelper is trying to reverse his loss by just 16 votes, or 0.06 percent Democrats have one pickup opportunity, too: In Hillsborough District 18, Democrat Juliet Smith was six votes away 0.07 percent from winning a seat. Some recounts are more of a long shot. In one, Grafton District 9 Republican Kevin Howard lost by 72 votes 2.84 percent of the vote. Democrat Patricia Turner is challenging her 134 vote loss in Strafford District 5, which amounts to a 4.68 percent loss. And Republican Daniel Furman lost in Strafford District 13 by 223 votes, or 7.66 percentage points. According to state law, if a candidate loses by more than 1 percent, the cost of the recount is free only if they are successful in overturning the results. Candidates within 1 percent do not need to pay for a recount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recounts will be held from Tuesday, Nov. 12, to Monday, Nov. 18, at the State Archives Building in Concord; a schedule of recounts can be found at the Secretary of States Office (sos.nh.gov). About those bill requests The filing period for legislative service requests, or LSRs, in the House is ongoing House representatives have until Nov. 22 to submit proposals. Those proposals serve as drafts for what the lawmakers want to change in the statute. The drafts are taken in by the Office of Legislative Services a nonpartisan team of lawyers. OLS staff then convert the request into a formal draft bill that interacts with the appropriate statutes. The lawmaker then has the opportunity to review the final draft bill and decide whether they still want to sponsor it. If they sign off, the LSR becomes a bill and is introduced by the speaker and assigned to a committee in early January. It is unusual for those who were elected to the House for the first time last week to file LSRs so early; typically first-term representatives wait a year to get acclimated to their committees and will submit LSRs in their second year. But freshmen representatives are still eligible to submit LSRs this month if they choose. What about LSRs that were submitted earlier this fall by lawmakers who lost their reelection? Those may be transferred to a lawmaker that did win their election, such as a co-sponsor, to keep the bills moving forward. If they are not transferred, they do not move ahead. So far, 186 LSRs have been filed, all from the House. But there is likely to be a post-election deluge. In typical years, lawmakers file between 800 and 1,000 bill requests. Lawmakers in the Senate have more time to file their LSRs typically until the end of December, though the chamber has not announced its filing deadlines in the calendar. Senators also have a special tool not available to House representatives: They can file LSRs confidentially, meaning they are hidden from the public until the start of the session in January. The 2024 election changed the landscape of abortion access in the United States once again. Measures on abortion access were decided by voters in 10 states. In seven states, voters enshrined abortion rights in their constitutions or further protected rights while in three states, such measures failed to pass, leaving strict bans in place. The election came more than two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion and allowing states to decide whether to restrict access to the procedure or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday, 13 states have ceased nearly all abortion services and four states have enacted six-week bans, according to an ABC News tally. Here is a state-by-state breakdown of where abortion laws stand in each state, according to a review of state laws, ballot measure results and the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that focuses on sexual and reproductive health. PHOTO: Abortion Access in the United States Post-Election (State laws, Ballot measure results, Guttmacher Institute) Alabama Alabama has ceased nearly all abortion services, prohibiting the procedure at all stages of pregnancy unless medically necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant woman. Patients are required to wait 48 hours after a counseling session to receive an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patients must receive an ultrasound even if medically unnecessary and to receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. MORE: Abortion ballot initiatives could have helped Harris win, instead Trump overperformed Alaska There are no laws in place restricting abortion based on gestational age in Alaska. Arizona On Tuesday, Arizonians passed a ballot initiative that enshrines the right to an abortion in the state constitution up until viability or after viability if the life or health of the pregnant person is endangered. Additionally, under the amendment, individuals cannot be penalized for assisting a pregnant person exercise the right to an abortion. PHOTO: A sign is displayed to get students to vote yes on Proposition 139, for abortion access, on Election Day at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., Nov. 5, 2024. (Allison Dinner/EPA/Shutterstock) The amendment will undergo state canvassing, after which it will be sent to Arizona's secretary of state's office. Lastly, it will go to the governor's office, which will officially certify the results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, abortion was banned at Arizona at 15 weeks' gestation or later. Patients were required to make two trips 24 hours apart, one for an in-person consultation and another for the procedure. Arkansas Abortion is banned in Arkansas with limited exceptions including saving the health of life of the pregnant person. Patients are required to wait 72 hours after an in-person counseling session to receive an abortion and must receive an ultrasound, even if medically unnecessary. Abortion rights proponents had attempted to get a measure on the ballot amending the state constitution to protect the right to an abortion, but it was rejected by election officials, who claimed the organizer didn't properly submit required statements about paid signature gatherers. The decision was upheld by the state Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: In 2024, abortion rights initiatives are on the ballot in 10 states California California allows abortions up until fetal viability, which is considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. Last year, voters decided to amend the state constitution to prohibit the state from denying or interfering with a person's "reproductive freedom." Colorado Colorado does not restrict abortion based on how far along a patient is in their pregnancy. In Tuesday's election, voters passed a measure recognizing a right to abortion in the state's constitution. Voters also repealed a previous constitutional amendment that denied health insurance coverage for abortion services for state and local public employees or through Medicaid. PHOTO: Derek Torstenson makes a pro-choice statement with the use of a bullhorn as Edgar Mares and Susan Gills join others rallying against Amendment 79 at the Colorado State Capitol, Oct. 30, 2024. (Aaron Ontiveroz/Denver Post via Getty Images) Connecticut Connecticut allows abortions up until fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. Delaware Abortions are prohibited in Delaware after fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. District of Columbia Abortion is not restricted based on how far long someone is in their pregnancy in Washington, D.C. Florida In Florida, a measure that would have enshrined protections for abortion rights in the state's constitution failed to reach the 60% threshold needed to pass. PHOTO: Campaign signs are posted outside the early voting site at The Center of Deltona, Fla. in favor of and opposed to Amendment 4 on the Florida ballot, Nov. 6, 2024.The amendment proposes to legalize access to abortion. (Mark Harper/Daytona Beach News-Journal/ USA Today Network ) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means that the six-week abortion ban enacted in Florida earlier this year will remain in place. Exceptions for rape, incest and human trafficking are allowed until 15 weeks of pregnancy. An exception is also allowed if the abortion is to "avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function" of the pregnant woman or to save their life. Georgia Georgia bans abortions at six weeks or later. Exceptions are allowed in cases of rape or incest up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, if a police report was filed regarding the incident. Exceptions also include if the fetus has a condition that would likely result in death or if the pregnant person would face harm or potentially death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all cases, patients are required to wait 24 hours in between a counseling session, which does not have to be in person, and undergoing the abortion. Hawaii Hawaii allows abortions up until fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. Idaho Idaho has banned nearly all abortions, with the only exceptions being to save the life of the pregnant woman. Patients are required to wait 24 hours after a counseling session, which does not have to be in person, to obtain an abortion. Illinois Illinois allows abortions up until fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump does not commit to vetoing national abortion ban in debate with Harris Indiana Abortion is banned in Indiana with limited exceptions including in cases of rape or incest up to 10 weeks post-fertilization and in cases of fetal anomaly up to 20 weeks post-fertilization. Patients are required to have an in-person counseling session and then wait at least 18 hours for the abortion. Patients are required to receive an ultrasound even if medically unnecessary and to receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. Iowa In July, a six-week ban went into effect in Iowa. Patients are required to make two trips, one for an in-person counseling session and then 24 hours later for the abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than a month earlier, the state's Supreme Court was deadlocked on whether a lower court's injunction of a six-week abortion ban should be dissolved, leaving the procedure legal in Iowa. Kansas Kansas allows abortions up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. In August 2022, Kansas voters rejected a ballot measure that would have removed the right to from the state constitution. Kentucky Kentucky has banned abortion with limited exceptions including to save the health or life of the pregnant woman. Patients are required to make two trips, one for an in-person counseling session and then 24 hours later for the abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patients must receive an ultrasound even if medically unnecessary and to receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. MORE: Fighting for their lives: Women and the impact of abortion restrictions in post-Roe America Louisiana Abortions are banned in Louisiana except in cases of medical emergency and to preserve the life and health of the pregnant woman. Patients are required to make two trips, one for an in-person counseling session and then 24 hours later for the abortion. Patients must receive an ultrasound even if medically unnecessary and to receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. Maine Maine allows abortions up until fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. Maryland Maryland does not restrict abortion based on gestational age. In Tuesday's election, voters passed a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to reproductive freedom, including the ability to prevent, continue or end one's own pregnancy. MORE: Delayed and denied: Women pushed to death's door for abortion care in post-Roe America Massachusetts Abortion is allowed in Massachusetts up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Michigan Abortion in Michigan is not restricted based on gestational age. In 2022, Michiganders voted overwhelmingly in favor of Proposal 3 (Prop 3), which enshrined abortion rights in the state's constitution. Minnesota Minnesota does not prohibit abortion based on how far along someone is in their pregnancy. Mississippi Mississippi is banned with limited exceptions, including to save the life of the pregnant woman. Exceptions are also allowed for rape if a formal charge has been field with law enforcement. Patients are required to make two trips, one for an in-person counseling session and then 24 hours later for the abortion. Patients must receive an ultrasound even if medically unnecessary and receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. Missouri Missouri voters approved an amendment enshrining the right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution, including abortion care. This makes Missouri the first state with a near-total abortion ban in effect to approve an abortion rights initiative. PHOTO: People at an election night watch party react after an abortion rights amendment to the Missouri constitution passed, Nov. 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (Charlie Riedel/AP) The amendment will go into effect 30 days after the vote, but there is likely many legal battles that will follow to determine how exactly abortion access will be restored in the state. Previously, abortions were prohibited in Missouri except in a few cases, including medical emergencies to save the life or health of the pregnant person. Montana A ballot measure approved by voters in Montana on Nov. 5 would amend the state's constitution, adding protections for the right to make and carry out decisions about one's pregnancy, including the right to abortion abortions. The measure would also prohibit the government from denying or imposing burdens on the right to abortion before fetal viability and in cases where medical professionals determine it is medically indicated to protect the pregnant woman's life or health. Montana currently allows abortions up until fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. Nebraska On Nov. 5, voters in Nebraska approved an initiative to enshrine the state's current 12-week abortion ban in the state constitution. The measure allows abortions past the first trimester of pregnancy in cases of medical emergencies or pregnancies that are the result of sexual assault or incest. A second ballot measure in Nebraska that would have amended the state constitution to create a fundamental right to abortion, also passed, but received fewer votes. It is unlikely to go into effect because the initiative with the higher number of votes will take effect if there is a conflict. PHOTO: Blue dot signs, representing Democratic-voting households of Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District in a state surrounded by Republican red, are displayed outside a home on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (Bonnie Ryan/AP) Nevada Nevada allows abortions up until 24 weeks' gestation. A ballot measure that would amend the state constitution and make abortion access an individual right through fetal viability or whenever necessary to protect the life or health of a pregnant woman throughout pregnancy was approved by voters on Nov. 5. The measure needs to be approved by voters again in 2026 to take effect. New Hampshire Abortion is banned in New Hampshire after 24 weeks of pregnancy. New Jersey New Jersey does not restrict abortion based on how long a woman has been pregnant. New Mexico Abortion is not prohibited based on gestational duration in New Mexico. New York New York allows abortions up until fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. MORE: Despite concerns about ACA and reproductive rights, health care was not a voting issue: Experts North Carolina North Carolina bans abortions after 12 weeks. Abortions are allowed up to 20 weeks for rape or incest, up to 24 weeks for "life-limiting" fetal anomalies and for medical emergencies. Patients are required to make two trips, one for a counseling session -- which does not have to be in person -- and then 72 hours later for the abortion. North Dakota In September, North Dakotas near-total abortion ban was repealed after the state Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutionally vague. This means that abortion is currently allowed in the state up until fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks gestation. The ruling is being appealed and, while abortion may be legal, there are currently no abortion clinics in the state. Ohio Ohio currently allows abortion up to 22 weeks' gestation. Last year, a ballot measure passed, changing the Ohio constitution to establish "an individual right to one's own reproductive medical treatment, including but not limited to abortion." Treatment includes contraception, fertility treatments, miscarriage care and abortion care. Patients are required to make two trips at least 24 hours apart, first for an in-person counseling session and second for the procedure. Oklahoma Oklahoma has banned abortion with no exceptions except to save the life or health of the pregnant woman. MORE: What to know about mifepristone after Supreme Court strikes down legal challenge to abortion pill A 72-hour waiting period is required after a counseling session to receive an abortion. Patients must receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. Oregon Oregon does not prohibit abortion based on how far along someone is in pregnancy. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania allows abortions up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. However, a 24-hour waiting period is required after a counseling session to receive an abortion. Rhode Island Rhode Island allows abortions up until fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. South Carolina South Carolina has a six-week abortion ban in place. Exceptions for rape or incest are allowed through the first trimester as well as for a "fatal fetal anomaly" and to save the life or health of the pregnant woman. Patients are required to make two trips, one for a counseling session -- which does not have to be in person -- and then 24 hours later for the abortion. Patients must receive an ultrasound even if medically unnecessary and receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. South Dakota South Dakota has banned all abortions except to preserve the life or health of the pregnant woman. Patients are required to make two trips, one for an in-person counseling session and then 48 hours later for the abortion. PHOTO: Yes on G stickers and information sit on the table during the election watch party, Nov. 5, 2024, at ICON Events + DaDa Gastropub in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Samantha Laurey/Argus Leader/USA Today Network) Patients must receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. In the Nov. 5 election, voters failed to approve a proposal that would have established a constitutional right to abortion but allow some restrictions based on the stage of pregnancy. Tennessee Tennessee has banned abortion except to save the life or health of the pregnant woman. Patients are required to make two trips, one for an in-person counseling session and then 48 hours later for the abortion. Patients must receive an ultrasound even if medically unnecessary and receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. Texas Abortions are banned in Texas except if the person has a life-threatening condition or is at risk of "substantial impairment of a major bodily function." Patients are required to make two trips, one for an in-person counseling session and then 24 hours later for the abortion. Patients must receive an ultrasound even if medically unnecessary and receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. Utah Abortions are allowed in Utah up to 18 weeks' gestation. Patients are required to make two trips, one for an in-person counseling session and then 72 hours later for the abortion. Patients must receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. MORE: 5 takeaways as Supreme Court questions sweeping challenge to abortion pill access Vermont Vermont does not restrict abortion based on gestational age. In 2023, Vermont voters decided to amend the state's constitution to include a right to "personal reproductive autonomy," which includes abortion. Virginia Abortion is prohibited starting in the third trimester in Virginia. Washington In Washington, abortion is banned at fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. MORE: Idaho woman shares 19-day miscarriage on TikTok, says state's abortion laws prevented her from getting care West Virginia West Virginia has banned nearly all abortions with limited exceptions including if the fetus is non-viable, in cases of medical emergency and to save the life of the pregnant woman. Exceptions are allowed in cases of rape and incest but only up until eight weeks' gestation and if the incident is reported to law enforcement. MORE: Ohio judge strikes down parts of state's 6-week abortion ban Wisconsin Abortions are banned in Wisconsin after 22 weeks' gestation. Patients are required to make two trips, one for an in-person counseling session and then 24 hours later for the abortion. Patients must receive an ultrasound even if medically unnecessary and to receive a medication abortion in person because state laws ban the use of telehealth. Wyoming Wyoming allows abortions up until fetal viability, considered between 24 and 26 weeks' gestation. ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab contributed to this report. A state-by-state breakdown of where abortion stands after ballot initiatives pass originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com A state agency has told Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard her temporary choice for police chief is not authorized to exercise law enforcement authority and urged her to remove him from public service. Tiffany Henyard, at a Nov. 6 Village Board meeting, named Ronnie Burge Sr. to a temporary 30-day posting as chief, after trustees voted against the appointment. A Nov. 8 letter from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board states Burge has been wearing a Dolton Police Department uniform and carrying a firearm publicly for the last few weeks, even though hes not authorized to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Henyard tried twice previously to name Burge as chief, and some village trustees sued in Cook County Circuit Court to block the action. Burge is a former Dolton police chief and also was also chief in Harvey and Dixmoor. In 2021, he ran for Dolton mayor, losing to Henyard. The standards board said Burge is listed as inactive as of April 30, 2021. The letter said Burge has also not received the required requalification to carry a firearm. The board said it learned of Henyards appointment of Burge but had not received an appointment form or request to waive his training, according to the letter from Anthony Cobb, deputy director of the professional standards division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until Dolton files necessary paperwork with the state, Burge has no authority to make arrests or carry a firearm and we strongly encourage you to remove him from public service, the letter states. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus Wilson ruled Sept. 25 Henyard didnt abide by proper procedure when she named Burge as chief, as well as Michael Smith as village administrator and Angela Lockett as village attorney. The judge at that time invalidated Henyards appointments. Henyard, at the Nov. 6 meeting, cited her authority as chief executive in again making those appointments as well as naming McStephen Max Solomon as the villages special counsel, all to 30-day posts. Solomon is representing Henyard in the lawsuit trustees filed and in a separate eviction case involving a Dolton home the mayor allegedly rents along with a Thornton Township employee. Henyard is also Thornton Township supervisor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Nov. 6 meeting, Henyard said even though trustees voted against it, she was naming Smith executive assistant. The letter from the police standards board said that, in order to carry a firearm, Burge needs to undergo a requalification, which he hasnt done since May 2018. The letter also reminds Henyard that a background check of Burge is needed. We also wish to remind you and the Dolton Police Department of your duty to conduct a thorough background check of Mr. Burges criminal and employment history before making your determination of appointment, it reads. Some trustees said Nov. 6 they hadnt received any information from the mayor about the salaries Burge and others would receive, nor whether background checks had been completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decision by Wilson, made Nov. 7, said the position of executive assistant is not an appointed position that the mayor is entitled to make, and that the job of special counsel does not exist in Dolton. The judge said the naming of both were not subject to the temporary restraining order he granted trustees in their lawsuit Sept. 25, but it was not clear if they are cleared to hold the jobs, even on a temporary basis. Wilson said the appointment of Burge for 30 days, starting Nov. 6, meets the terms of the temporary restraining order but, again, it was not clear if the judge is saying Burge can hold the job for a brief time. The attorneys representing trustees in their lawsuit challenging Henyards appointments did not respond to numerous messages seeking comment. One borough, one parade. After 60 years, one of Staten Islands largest and most influential civic organizations is allowing gay and lesbian groups to march in the boroughs official St. Patricks Day Parade. The Richmond County St. Patricks Day Parade Committee wishes to announce that the Staten Island Pride Center has been invited to march, under their own banner, in the 2025 St. Patricks Day Parade, the committee said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This invitation has been extended by new leadership of the parade committee, installed on Oct. 30, 2024, The breakthrough was first reported by the Staten Island Advance. The parade committee is entrusted with ensuring the focus of the parade remains upon St. Patrick, the history, traditions, culture and faith of the Irish people, the statement said. In this endeavor, the leadership of the Pride Center has assured the parade committee that they are ready to provide support to the parade in fulfilling this obligation. The LGBTQ+ Pride Center immediately accepted the invitation. We are truly honored to be invited to march in the St. Patricks Day Parade, said Carol Bullock, the Pride Centers executive director. This event is a time-honored tradition that brings people together from all walks of life to celebrate Irish culture, and we are excited to be part of this vibrant community celebration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parade will be held on Sunday, March 2. Over the last several years, participation in the popular procession has dwindled as many groups and individuals boycotted the annual event over the controversial LGBTQ ban. The decadeslong exclusion of LGBTQ groups led to the formation earlier this year of a second and more inclusive island parade, which quickly won the support of local merchants and politicians, including Mayor Adams, who marched with the LGBTQ groups. In 2014, Manhattans New York City St. Patricks Day Parade ended its two-decade ban. Parades in Boston and Dublin, Ireland, have since done the same. The Staten Island event was one of the last holdouts to exclude LGBTQ groups from marching under their own banners. NEW YORK One borough, one parade. After 60 years, one of Staten Islands largest and most influential civic organizations is allowing gay and lesbian groups to march in the boroughs official St. Patricks Day Parade. The Richmond County St. Patricks Day Parade Committee wishes to announce that the Staten Island Pride Center has been invited to march, under their own banner, in the 2025 Saint Patricks Day Parade, the committee in a written statement.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This invitation has been extended by new leadership of the parade committee, installed on Oct. 30, 2024, The breakthrough was first reported by the Staten Island Advance. The parade committee is entrusted with ensuring the focus of the parade remains upon Saint Patrick, the history, traditions, culture and faith of the Irish people, the statement said. In this endeavor, the leadership of The Pride Center has assured the parade committee that they are ready to provide support to the parade in fulfilling this obligation. We are truly honored to be invited to march in the St. Patricks Day Parade, said Carol Bullock, the Pride Centers executive director. This event is a time-honored tradition that brings people together from all walks of life to celebrate Irish culture, and we are excited to be part of this vibrant community celebration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parade will be held on Sunday, March 2. Over the last several years, participation in the popular procession has dwindled as many groups and individuals boycotted the annual event over the controversial LGBTQ ban. The decades-long exclusion of LGBTQ groups led to the formation earlier this year of a second and more inclusive island parade, which quickly won the support of local merchants and politicians, including Mayor Adams, who marched with the LGBTQ groups. In 2014, Manhattans New York City St. Patricks Day Parade ended its two-decade ban. Parades in Boston and Dublin, Ireland, have since done the same. The Staten Island event was one of the last holdouts to exclude LGBTQ groups from marching under their own banners. _____ OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma City property owner tells News 4 an ongoing legal battle hasnt been enough to stop an oil companys plan to build a replacement pipeline through his backyard. In October, News 4 spoke with farmer Don Eckroat who said he and other property owners nearby received a letter last year, informing them of Phillips 66 plans to build a replacement pipeline. The company says it plans to replace 37 miles of lines that run from Ponca City through Oklahoma City. The part of the pipeline impacting Eckroat is near Britton Road and Midwest Boulevard. Phillips 66 says the project is a public good, and has used Oklahomas eminent domain law to move forward with work regardless of Eckroats wishes. Contractors place sign for pipeline construction project Monday. KFOR. Eckroats farm primarily grows Bermuda grass, and he wants it to be capable of sustaining future generations of his family who are willing to keep it going. When News 4 crews first visited it in October, there seemed to be no indication work would be starting inside of Eckroats land in the immediate future; but thats changed a month later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They decided to cut almost an 80 foot wide path through our farm to deposit a 10-inch pipeline, Eckroat explained while showcasing the dramatic changes. There was also significant flooding in the property from water drainage. Eckroat said a culvert system was installed just outside of his property line that isnt sufficient for the amount of rain the metro has seen the past several days. Land dug up by crews has turned into a partially muddy mess. Eckroat says the longer the water stands, the more difficult itll be to restore oxygen rich nutrients his soil needs to make money. KFOR employees survey damage to Don Eckroats property Monday. KFOR. KFOR employees survey damage to Don Eckroats property Monday. KFOR. KFOR employees survey damage to Don Eckroats property Monday. KFOR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don Eckroat surveys pipeline work Monday. KFOR. KFOR employees survey damage to Don Eckroats property Monday. KFOR. Its going to probably cost us well over $50,000 damage that theyve done right here, said Eckroat. This is David and Goliath and this is big company and stepping on a small little farmer. News 4 reached out to Phillips 66 Monday and received the following statement from a company spokesperson: Phillips 66 has willingly had multiple conversations with Mr. Eckroat over the last year. This includes offering reasonable settlement terms for the small portion of land being used for pipeline construction. His attorney also appointed one of the three independent appraisers used to determine this settlement. Phillips 66 only chose to pursue other legal channels after Mr. Eckroat declined compensation that was higher than market value and rejected other recent attempts at resolution. Phillips 66s commitment to the safety of its operations and community has guided our efforts on this project. As dense urban development has increased along the pipelines current path, more proactive measures are required to update its infrastructure that was first built in the 1930s. The new route ensures the continued safe transport of essential fuels to Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. We have also ensured legal compliance with all regulations to construct this pipeline along the proposed path. We are working with all affected landowners to minimize disruption to their land, restore it and maintain frequent contact with them throughout this project. Phillips 66 spokesperson Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A woman is warning people to be careful about shopping for vehicles on social media after her 2019 Nissan Maxima was sold on Facebook Marketplace a day after it was stolen from her East Memphis driveway. The victim, who did not want to be identified, said the car thieves spent at least 30 minutes at her home in the Colonial Acres neighborhood and managed to remove a club and air tag from her car. Thieves broke out the back passenger window to steal Maxima Victims car before it was stolen from her home in East Memphis The scariest part to me was how long they spent outside my home, knowing they were all armed. You can see that in the video, she said. They got the club out and threw it in the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owner of Beale Street landmark heartbroken after vandals tag building Surveillance video showed several masked males arriving in a black vehicle. At one point, you can see three people outside the victims car after they drove it into the middle of the street. The owner said it was the third time the Maxima had been stolen in the Memphis area over the last two years. The other times, the vehicle was recovered in Memphis, but this time, the car was discovered parked behind a home in Senatobia, Mississippi. Suspects steal 2019 Nissan Maxima from East Memphis home Suspects vehicle Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senatobia Police said the man told them he bought the car on Facebook Marketplace. Detectives told her the man had a bill of sale, a working key fob, and what he thought was the vehicles title. The guy who supposedly bought it was supposedly upset and, you know, made it look believable that he bought it, she said. She said the man in Senatobia told officers he paid $6,500 for the car, about a quarter of its worth. She said the extremely low price should have raised a huge red flag that the vehicle was stolen. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is, she said. Car thieves steal car from Colonial Acres neighborhood in East Memphis The victim said since the theft, she has added more cameras and lights around her home and has purchased a vehicle with built-in tracking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does not appear police have made any arrests. If you recognize anything about the suspects or have any information that can help investigators, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) The wind has been a factor today across the region, and we have a few more breezy days on the wayincluding tomorrow. Even with the sunshine we had, the wind was able to cut through and make it feel a bit on the chilly side even with temperatures today getting into the 50s in many areas. As of 3 pm CST Tuesday Cloud cover will move in as we head into the night, especially in central and eastern KELOLAND. Rain begins to make its move in southern South Dakota before spreading into the eastern part of the region by daybreak on Wednesday. The closer to and east of I-29 you go, the more likely you are to deal with showers through a good portion of the day. Keep this in mind with any plans. The rain and cloud cover get out of here as we head into the day on Thursday. This marks the beginning of a nice run of weather across the boardwith ample amounts of milder temperatures for this time of year and varying levels of sunshine. We should stay quiet through at least Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Monday, our next system begins to make its move and head into the region. While the day starts off quietly, well have rain building into the south and east by the evening and elsewhere overnight. More rain is possible into Tuesday, with some snow mixing in at times to the west. As we head later into November, odds for above average temperatures are not as heavily favored. In fact, we begin to introduce better odds for cooler than average conditions from the southwest headed toward Thanksgiving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at your extended forecast: 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Kern County loves its veterans, a fact thats never more obvious than on Nov. 11 each year, when the streets of downtown Bakersfield are packed. There are old cars, old songs, old veterans, and of course young matching bands, young daredevils and young soldiers. And young families: Greg Gutierrez brought his granddaughter and new grandson. Havent been here in a couple years, so I wanted to be out here, show my respect, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They all come together on this day every year to pay tribute to the men and women who give up a piece of their youth and sometimes much more than that to serve. Lenora Alvarado was 10 months old in August 1969 when her father Leonard Alvarado was killed in a Vietnamese jungle protecting members of his company from a machine gun ambush. He received the Medal of Honor for his gallantry. Why does she keep Veterans Day special? Because of the sacrifices that these men made for their families, she said, to leave their mothers, their fathers, their children, their wives. So, yes, we have to honor them. We have to honor the veterans, we have to be proud and patriotic and let them know that what they did was not in vain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memory of last years Christmas Parade disaster is still fresh. Eleven months ago a DUI driver smashed into a family watching the holiday parade from a curb on 21st Street, seriously injuring at least two people. That kind of thing wont happen again if city officials have any say. And they do. Get used to this new reality: An extra police presence all across the parade route, with city sanitation department garbage trucks helping to block side access streets. One sanitation worker told KGET that 18 of the massive white vehicles had been deployed as roadblocks on wheels, and no incidents were reported. With safety no longer a serious concern, parade goers could focus on the mission at hand celebrating the sacrifices of our veterans. On this 11th day of the 11th month, veterans going all the way back to World War II were on hand to be honored by the citizens of Bakersfield. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Bristol Bay sockeye salmon "mob" gathers in August 2004 in the Wood River, which flows into the Nushagak River just north of Dillingham, the region's largest community. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has forecasted a strong 2025 run of Bristol Bay sockeye salmon, though there are many uncertainties. (Photo by Thomas Quinn/, University of Washington) The worlds biggest sockeye salmon run will be larger than average next year, state biologists have forecasted. The Bristol Bay sockeye run is expected to total 51.21 million fish in 2025, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Games preseason forecast, issued last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is 38% more than the long-term average of 37.07 million, calculated from 1963 to this year, the departments forecast said. However, it is 16% smaller than the most recent 10-year average, a period that included extremely large runs and consecutive records in 2021 and 2022. Next years run is expected to support a sockeye salmon harvest of 36.33 million fish, according to the departments forecast. The forecast is based on models that consider the relationships between different age classes of fish, past performances and other factors. The calculations are complex, the department said in its forecast statement, and the resulting estimate is 51.21 million sockeye is within a range of 37.02 million to 65.6 million fish. Forecasting future salmon returns is inherently difficult and uncertain, the department said in its statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet to be determined is whether next years anticipated sockeye return will lift the fortunes of the fishers, salmon-dependent communities and the wider seafood industry. Annual observed total run of sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay compared to preseason total run forecasts from 2005 to 2025. Error bars represent 80% confidence intervals of forecasts. (Graph provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game) Salmon harvesters and the Alaska seafood industry in general have struggled in recent years with glutted markets notably, from competing Russian suppliers softened demand and low prices, on top of rising operating costs. This years Bristol Bay salmon season reflected some of those challenges. While the sockeye run totaled 51.6 million fish, about 7% above the average over the past 20 years, the value to fishers of the 31.6 million fish harvested was about a third lower than the average over the past 20 years. Payments to fishers for their salmon upon delivery, known as the ex-vessel value, totaled $128.1 million this year, down from the 20-year average of $193.4 million. However, this years total value improved over the difficult year prior, when the ex-vessel value was only $117.4 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The value of this years Bristol Bay sockeye salmon harvest was also hurt by what turned out to be a record-small average fish size. Pacific salmon have been shrinking in size, a change attributed to faster maturity in the ocean and earlier returns to spawning grounds. Climate change is believed to be at play, though there are other factors also contributing to the trend, according to scientists. The economic challenges facing the Bristol Bay salmon industry are reflected in job numbers, although improvement in employment is possible, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The Bristol Bay region lost 7.2% of its fish-harvesting jobs in 2023, compared with the year prior, said the department, which analyzed job data in the November issue of its research magazine, Alaska Economic Trends. This area has the highest likelihood of rebounding, however, because its decline had nothing to do with biology. If prices recover, harvesters will return, the Alaska Economic Trends analysis said. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria Riverfront Museum is able to teach children about the planets, stars sun and moon . . . on the go. Thanks to a partnership with PNC Bank, the museum is traveling around central Illinois and showing schools its Mobile Planetarium. The Mobile Planetarium is more than 13 feet tall and can fit up to 40 kids inside its inflatable bubble. On Tuesday morning, students at Valeska Hinton Learning Center in Peoria had a chance to view an educational solar system showing put on by Big Bird and Elmo. This ties in with the Jim Henson exhibit happening now at the Riverfront Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Rae, the museums senior planetarium educator, said the Mobile Planetarium is a great learning resource for any kids and/or families. Sometimes its much easier if the content comes to you than having to arrange a field trip and get busses and find a time when you can get to the museum, he said. Its a wonderful free resource for these young kids to get to explore outer space without having to make a trip to the museum. Rae also said the environment of the Mobile Planetarium is unique in its own way. Even though the museum is wonderful, this has a really different feeling, he said. Its like youre camping out in space inside this weird space bubble. So its just a cool special environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opportunity to bring the Mobile Planetarium to schools in the area is thanks to PNC Banks Grow Up Great initiative. The multi-million dollar program finds and offers new and engaging ways to learn. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. The USS New Jersey made waves when it was commissioned the first submarine in the U.S. Navy's fleet designed specifically with women in mind. It is Machinist Mate Kianna Gonzalez's first submarine. "I am the first female on this boat to qualify as an engine room supervisor," she told CBS News. She is looking forward to a promotion, noting she's next in line to be placed in charge of her division. The Navy lifted the ban on women on submarines back in 2010, retrofitting bathrooms and sleeping quarters to accommodate them. The New Jersey's crew, however, is historic. "I have about 40 women on board, which, there's no other fast attack submarine with that volume of women part of the crew," said Steven Halle, the commanding officer of the ship's 135 crew members. He said it feels "great" to be heading up a historic crew, noting, "Studies have shown that a fully integrated diverse crew, they just perform better. Up to 15 or 20% better." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked what he thinks accounts for that increased performance, Halle said, "If we have everyone thinking the exact same way, we end up with one school of thought. Having all genders, all races, really brings an additional level of perspective." As more women join the submarine force, the Navy says they are bringing important capabilities. "Integration is not just vital to problem-solving, but it is a war-fighting necessity," said Lt. Victoria Meyer, the Navy's Women in Submarines coordinator. "When I was on the USS New Jersey, I was one of just a couple female officers, and now almost half the wardroom is female officers who are absolutely crushing it out there," Meyer said. The crew of every Navy ship has to work as a team. On a submarine, it's mission critical. "I think anyone who doesn't agree women should be in the submarine force has to ask themselves why they would think about that," Meyer said. "Is it because they have a notion that women are not capable? That is not true. Is it a notion that men can't conduct themselves around women? Because that is not true. I think it's an archaic way of thinking." The New Jersey is the most advanced fast attack submarine in the Navy's fleet, capable of carrying a payload of a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles and 24 torpedoes. As the New Jersey heads out into sometimes uncertain waters, its skipper believes the women submariners have brought more than war-fighting skills to his crew. "I've learned things from the ladies on the ship," Halle said. "I think they've taught me most, to have grace and compassion. Their talent and their professionalism is matched to the rest of the crew." A promising new treatment for PTSD Honoring a Civil War veteran who was lost to history Ted Danson on his new comedy series "A Man on the Inside" The conservative group Citizens United, 16 state Republican parties and one territorial GOP party filed a complaint with the FEC on Thursday over the transfer of campaign funds from the Biden campaign to the Harris campaign. Getty Images. Split-ticket voting supporting candidates from different parties for different offices is no longer common in U.S. elections. But in close contests that can be decided by just a few dozen votes, every partisan defection counts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont know exactly how many ticket-splitters there are in Minnesota this year, because individual ballots arent made public (for good reason). But differences between the winning margins in various contests give a good sense of voters willingness to cross party lines for the right candidate. Kamala Harris, for instance, beat Donald Trump by about 4 points overall. But GOP Senate candidate Royce White got hundreds of thousands fewer votes than Trump, leaving Democrat Amy Klobuchar with a 16-point margin in the end. Its likely that the majority of Trump voters who didnt support White either voted for Klobuchar or skipped the Senate race entirely. (Interviews with voters back this theory up.) But comparing the presidential race to the legislative contests yields the opposite story: The Democratic-Farmer-Labor margin across all House races was just one half of one percent, meaning Minnesotas Republican legislative candidates ran well ahead of Trump. Those defects were enough to tie the House 67-67 at the very least, depending on the outcomes of several pending recounts. One caveat: There were a handful of safe House districts where one party or the other didnt run a candidate, so comparing those races to the presidency isnt exactly apples-to-apples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if we exclude those one-sided races, we can map where in the state voters were most likely to split their presidential and legislative votes. Across virtually all of Minnesota, Republican House candidates received more support than Trump. Broadly speaking those differences were greatest 5 points or more in two regions: the rural western part of the state, which is reliably conservative, and the suburban Twin Cities battlegrounds, which effectively determined the control of the House. DFL candidates, on the other hand, were only able to run ahead of Harris in a handful of deep blue Twin Cities districts, with one critical exception: Rep. Dan Wolgamott of St. Cloud, who managed to pull in a few dozen votes more than Harris, enough to just barely edge out his Republican competitor. Overall, the average Minnesota House Republican candidate performed about 3 points better than Donald Trump, while the average DFLer ran about one point behind Kamala Harris. Put those numbers together and youve got a recipe for turning a D+4 presidential election into an effectively deadlocked statehouse. Theres been a striking trend among each of Donald Trumps appointees that have rolled in since his election wintheyve each shared some over-the-top praise of the president-elect. The sucking up has gone as far as suggesting Trumpwho famously wears the same style jacket, shirt, and tie nearly every dayis somehow a fashion icon who should be added to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. Below is a look at some of the brown-nosing those in Trumps orbit have done publicly to earn favor with the soon-to-be 47th president. Kristi Noem - Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem repeatedly campaigned alongside Donald Trump, but had her appearances slow after she bizarrely admitted to executing her familys puppy earlier this year. Kristi Noem, the infamous puppy-executing governor of South Dakota, was once rumored to be among the favorites to be Trumps running mate this election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was derailed by her bizarre revelation this summer shed gunned down her familys puppyin addition to some pretty egregious lies in an autobiographybut her unfettered praise of Trump appears to have paid off in the end. Sources told CNN that Noem, 52, has been tapped to be the Homeland Security Secretary. That powerful position may not have been in the offing for Noem without her ring-kissing that went as far gifting Trump a four-foot replica of Mt. Rushmore three years ago that emblazoned Trumps stoic face next to those of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. More recently, she sung Trumps praises in a speech at the RNC just days after he narrowly survived an assassination attempt. We already knew that Donald Trump is a fighter, she said. He is the toughest man Ive ever met. Nobody has endured more than what hes been through. They attacked his reputation, impeached him, tried to bankrupt him, and unjustly prosecuted him. But even in the most perilous moment this week, his instinct was to stand and fight. Mike Waltz - National Security Adviser Mike Waltz speaks on Day 1 at the RNC. Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) was among the most outspoken critics of the Secret Service in the aftermath of the first attempt on Trumps life in July. Now, hes been chosen to be Trumps National Security Adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The retired Green Beret, a known China hawk whos married to a Trump homeland security adviser from the first term, has recently praised the president-elect as a necessary disruptor who needs to shake up bad old habits in the Pentagon. He was also among a group of Republican lawmakers who backed a push to rename Washington Dulles International Airport to the Donald J. Trump International Airport. Perhaps what caught Trumps eye the most, however, was Waltzs fervor as a member of the House task force that probed the Butler rally shooting. In that role, Waltz accused Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of denying repeated requests for stronger Secret Service protection for Trump. Waltz, 50, also spoke at the RNC and praised Trump for overseeing relative peace abroad during his first presidential term. I have never in my lifetime seen the world falling apart like it is under Joe Biden, and thats because, under President Trump, we had a president who defeated ISIS, broke Iran, stood with Israel, he said. Always stood with our allies. Made China pay. You didnt see any spy balloons under President Trump, did you? He deterred Russia. You know what he told Putinyou try anything and Ill take the tops off the Kremlin. Tom Homan - Border Czar Tom Homan is known as an immigration hard-liner. Among the most polarizing appointments by Trump has been his choice of Tom Homan to be his so-called border czar. The 62-year-old, who worked under six presidents, had promised to run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen. They aint seen s--t yet. Wait until 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homan first became a border patrol agent under Ronald Reagan. He served in some capacity at the border under each president aftersans Joe Bidenand declared proudly at a Trump event in January that the president-elects first term was the most secure border in my lifetime. The most secure border weve ever seen, he said. And Donald Trumps going to do it again. Were going to lock the border down. Were going to protect Americans because whats happening at the border right now, record our Americans have died from fentanyl poisoning, record number migrants have died. A record number women and children to sex trafficking. A record number known and suspected terrorists across the border. Theres one man whos proven he can secure the border, and hes standing to my left, Donald J. Trump, and hes going to do it again. Elise Stefanik - United Nations Ambassador Rep. Elise Stefanik has proudly boasted that she was the first lawmaker to endorse Donald Trumps re-election bid way back in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps nobody has been as steadfast in their support of Trump since 2022 than Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), whos often pointed out that she was the first lawmaker to endorse Trumps re-election bid. That early endorsement surely helped elevate her to being vetted as a potential VP pick at one point. The 40-year-old from upstate New York has only upped the praise of her partys leader throughout this election year, which included her publicly taking back an endorsement for a GOP candidate after he was caught on mildly criticizing Trump on tape in January. More recently, she sung Trumps praises in a speech to the Israeli Knesset in May. In July, she said on stage at the RNC that nothing, absolutely nothing, will stop President Trump from standing and fighting for our great country. She added that night, President Trump will bring back moral leadership to the White House, condemning antisemitism and standing strong with Israel and the Jewish people. President Trump will once again deliver the most secure border in our nations history and unleash the American economy, and he will bring peace through strength as commander in chief, standing with our allies and causing our enemies to fear us. Stephen Miller - Deputy Chief of Staff For Policy Stephen Miller has praised Donald Trump endlessly, going as far as referring to him as a style icon earlier this year. The infamous White Nationalist sympathizer Stephen Millerwho the Southern Poverty Law Center labels an extremistappears poised to take once again take on a significant role in a Trump White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller, 39, said during a Fox News interview in April that Trump, who famously wears slight variations of the same outfitred or blue tie, a blue jacket, and white shirtis the most stylish president in our lifetimes. The most stylish president and first lady in our lifetimes are Donald Trump and Melania Trump, he insisted on Hannity. Donald Trump is a style icon! Miller went on to reference Trumps fashion during his years as the central figure on NBCs The Apprenticea show that featured Trump, then just a New York real estate mogul and socialite, largely dressed in typical business suits. People spent the next 10 years trying to dress like Donald Trump, Miller said, without offering any evidence. So, if anybody deserves a puff piece on their sense of style, its Donald Trump and the first lady. Lee Zeldin - Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin is among the most prominent Republicans in New York. Before he made an unsuccessful gubernatorial run in New York, Lee Zeldin was a staunch defender of Trump in Congress. So much so, an NBC News analysis found that he spoke the most out of any congressional Republican in Trumps defense during Trumps impeachment hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeldin, 44, hasnt been in Congress since 2022, but hes remained a strong backer of Trumpsomething the president-elect acknowledged himself this week, calling the Long Island native a true fighter for America First policies. At the RNC in July, Zeldin told Fox News that Democrats had taken their anti-Trump and anti-GOP rhetoric too far. There is a very extensive effort basically throwing everything that they can against President Trump outside of the ballot box to try to prevent him from taking office Its gone too far. Its sick and it needs to end. Earlier in the year, Zeldin drew wide praise for a statement he made criticizing the criminal prosecutions of Trump and likening them to the persecution of Russias opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Zeldin wrote: As the world reflects on the murder of Alexei Navalny at the hands of Putin, its worth remembering that Democrats are actively doing Bidens bidding as they also try to imprison his chief political opponent, Donald Trump, remove him from the ballot, and ensure he dies in prison. Marco Rubio - Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Democrats of not accepting election results. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has come a long way from being slapped with the moniker Little Marco by Trump during the 2016 GOP primaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once considered to be on Trumps short list of VP candidates this summer, Trump has called on the 53-year-old Miami native to be his secretary of state. The shift from foes to friends didnt happen overnight for the pair of Republicans, but the two have had nothing but glowing remarks for each other in 2024. There is absolutely nothing dangerous or divisive about putting Americans first, Rubio said at the RNC. By giving voice to every day Americans, President Trump has not just changed our partyhe has inspired a movement. HINTON, WV (WVNS) Veterans Day 2024 marks the first time in years that Curt Messer was not a part of Summers Countys Veterans Day ceremony. Summers County veteran laid to rest with full honors Messer passed away in May of 2024. He was an active member in the Summers County community, as well as an active member of the veteran community. Messer served in the US Army and West Virginia National Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has normally been the speaker at Summers Countys Veterans Day ceremony. This year though it was Terry McIntyre, a retired Master Chief of the US Navy. McIntyre said he cannot remember a Veterans Day in Summers County without Curt Messer. I do not know that anybody could fill Curt Messer shoes, and I would not even begin to try. But I know wherever he is, he is with us here today and helping us right along, said McIntyre. If there was anything veteran related that arose in Summers County, odds were that Messer would be right there in the middle of it. He even helped maintain the Veterans Memorial Museum of Southern West Virginia for many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all looked up to him. We respected him. He was a local photographer that was not just here on Veterans Day. Curt was very involved in all matters Hinton. Every day of the year. A true patriot and a true friend. We so much miss him, said McIntyre. Memory will still live on for the fallen Korean War hero in Summers County Those in attendance said McIntyre did a very good job in his first Veterans Day speaking in Messers place, addressing the recent election in his speech. He said that during his time in the Navy, none of his comrades discussed what party they were affiliated with. The only thing that mattered to any of them was the fact that they are Americans. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) A 38-year-old Summerville man is facing charges following a South Carolina drug bust. Anthony Lavar Simmons was arrested Friday morning after officials with the Hampton County Sheriffs Office said he was found with more than 30 pounds of marijuana. A K-9 deputy, Achilles, and his handler were credited with discovering the drugs during an operation. Our K-9 units are essential to our mission of keeping drugs off the streets, said Hampton County Sheriff Anthony Russell. Achilles did an outstanding job in locating these narcotics, reinforcing the vital role of our K-9 team in protecting the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simmons is charged with trafficking marijuana. He is being held at the Hampton County Detention Center after his bond was denied. We remain dedicated to targeting the sources of illegal drugs in our county and protecting our citizens, added Sheriff Russell. Marijuana is illegal in the State of South Carolina, and this arrest sends a strong message to those engaged in drug trafficking that Hampton County will continue to pursue justice with all resources 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 WCBD News 2. Tonight will be a cold night in the two Virginias! With dry air in place, mostly clear skies and a light northerly breeze, we will see temperatures in many towns drop to freezing with some 20s likely in the sheltered spots. Wednesday continues the November feel, with a strong high pressure system up to our north in Canada. This means we will keep our northerly breeze and, as a result, our cooler temperatures. With plenty of sunshine, we should reach normal for this time of year with highs in the mid 50s. Well begin to see a few high-level cirrus clouds in the afternoon, which is a sign of change as we move onward into Thursday, as showers will return from west to east toward dawn. Thursday will be a wet day, with scattered showers likely beginning right around dawn with a low pressure system moving into the Great Lakes. Well see a warm front move through during the early morning hours, followed by a cold front during the early evening. A brief mix is possible in the Greenbrier River Valley early Thursday but slick conditions are not likely, as this will be very short-lived. A mix of rain and snow over the high country will also be a good bet, but no snow accumulations are expected. This system will provide a great chance for a decent rain finally, with a general half inch of rain being a good bet just about area-wide. Thats not enough to get us out of drought by a long shot but it will definitely help with our fire threat. Despite a warm front and a brief southerly breeze during the day, temperatures will struggle mightily to reach 50 degrees most will remain in the 40s. Showers will continue into the overnight, but with mostly cloudy skies, only the highest peaks could see a brief transition to snowflakes as temperatures dip back to around 40 degrees. Friday features a couple of isolated showers with our northwest breeze over the mountains in the morning, but weve got plenty of sunshine in store area-wide by the late morning. However, with high pressure to our west, we will keep a chilly west/northwest flow that will hold high temperatures down to around 50 degrees. That high pressure system will be the dominating feature once again for a few days, which will bring dry conditions and a gradual warming trend back into the picture. Saturday sees temperatures returning to around normal for this time of year, as the mercury will climb back up into the low to mid 50s with plenty of sunshine expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When were the biggest snows in West Virginia history? Sunday features high pressure shifting down to our south, which will give us more of a southerly breeze and a warmer day as a result. High temperatures will soar up into the low 60s as a result. The weekend overall looks fantastic weather-wise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday sees our next system scoot into the region in the form of a cold front, but the air behind this system doesnt look much cooler and there wont be much rain with it. An isolated shower or two is possible with highs around 60. How does drought affect groundwater? Tuesday continues the risk for an isolated shower or two, with highs in the low 60s. Looking ahead in your extended forecast, there are signs of cooler weather approaching late next week, with temperatures dipping back into the 50s likely Wednesday, Thanksgiving and Friday as a secondary front on Tuesday brings some cooler weather into the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TONIGHT Mostly clear and cold! Lows around freezing. WEDNESDAY Mostly sunny, increasing clouds late. Highs in the mid 50s. THURSDAY Showers likely, brief mountain mix early wet day overall. Highs in the upper 40s. FRIDAY AM mountain drizzle. PM sunshine. Highs near 50. SATURDAY Mostly sunny. Highs in the low to mid 50s. SUNDAY Mostly sunny. Warmer. Highs in the low 60s. MONDAY Isolated showers. Highs around 60. TUESDAY Isolated shower early. PM sun. Highs near 60. WEDNESDAY Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. THANKSGIVING Partly sunny. Isolated sprinkle. Highs in the mid 50s. BLACK FRIDAY Isolated shower. Highs in the mid 50s. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Stay up to date on the latest headlines in todays Sunrise Smart Start for Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Expect clouds to sun today with temperatures in the 30s and 40s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the coldest air weve felt this season will swoop in Tuesday night and Wednesday, sending numbers down to the 20s. Expect highs to climb up toward the mid 40s with sunny afternoon skies. A storm system approaches Thursday, but deep high pressure across Eastern Canada will fight against this system and likely prevent much, if any rain throughout the day. That high pressure keeps us dry through Friday and Saturday. Temperatures should go on a day-to-day warming here with lows in the 30s and highs in the 50s. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Supreme Court has declined to take up Mark Meadows pretrial appeal in the state election interference case in Georgia. Donald Trumps former White House chief of staff wanted to move his charges to federal court, in a case in which Trump was also indicted. The denial came in the high courts routine order list that published Tuesday morning, which mainly consisted of appeals like Meadows that the justices declined to review. As is typical of such denials, the court did not issue an opinion explain why it chose not to take the case. Its the courts latest action in a Trump-related criminal matter, following last terms decision granting Trump broad immunity in the federal election interference case. Now that both of the president-elects federal criminal cases will effectively vanish as he returns to the White House, the Georgia case will be the only one left in which he hasnt been tried, and he wont be tried until after he leaves office. (Trumps sentencing in his hush money case in New York was tentatively scheduled for Nov. 26, but that could also be delayed ahead of his White House return.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Meadows had won removal to federal court, that wouldnt have turned his prosecution into a federal case that Trump could get dismissed or issue a pardon for. So what was he after, then? In Meadows petition to the justices, his lawyers cited the Trump immunity ruling. They wrote that that decision makes clear that federal immunity fully protects former officers, often requires difficult and fact-intensive judgment calls at the margins, and provides not just a substantive immunity but a use immunity that protects against the use of official acts to try to hold a current or former federal officer liable for unofficial acts. All of those sensitive disputes plainly belong in federal court. In her brief opposing Supreme Court review, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis wrote that Meadows had placed inordinate reliance on the Trump immunity case. She noted that Trumps case involved immunity, while Meadows appeal involved the removal issue. Willis further wrote that the Trump immunity case applied only to former presidents, adding that the case hadnt sought to create a broader Executive Branch immunity or otherwise seek to apply to officers such as Petitioner [Meadows], whose role is not prescribed by the Constitution or even mentioned within it. Meadows petitioned the justices after his claim was rejected in the lower federal courts, most recently by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The appellate rejection was authored by the circuits chief judge, William Pryor, a GOP appointee who has long been respected in conservative circles. Pryor wrote that former officers such as Meadows cant move their state cases to federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, he was joined in the opinion by two Democratic appointees, who legally agreed with the outcome but lamented the nightmare scenario of not extending removal to former officers. In a concurring opinion, they argued that not extending the federal-officer removal statute to former officers for prosecutions based on their official actions during their tenure is bad policy, and it represents a potential threat to our republics stability. The removal issue which other Georgia defendants also have been pressing isnt the only factor complicating the racketeering case, in which Meadows has pleaded not guilty. The 2020 election-related prosecution has been paused as an unrelated pretrial appeal is pending in state court, where defendants are trying to disqualify Willis and her office from handling the case. If that effort is successful, then when and even whether another office or prosecutor takes it over is an open question. By rejecting Meadows appeal, the justices removed one potential complication from the case, but its overall fate remains uncertain. 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 Dropping poison in a drink. Serving food gone dangerously bad. Or, hiring hitmen to take out a foe. Are those violent crimes? The Supreme Court appeared unconvinced Tuesday by a New York crime family associates argument that his conviction in a foiled murder-for-hire plot does not qualify as a crime of violence because he used no physical force. However, the justices seemed open to ruling that some crimes committed through inaction cannot be deemed violent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salvatore Delligatti, a Genovese crime family associate also known as Fat Sal, was found guilty of charges including racketeering and attempted murder after plotting to kill a local bully. He hired members of the Crips street gang and provided them with a .38 revolver and getaway car, but police intervened before the plot was carried out. Delligatti was also convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five consecutive years in prison. He was sentenced to 25-year prison term in total. Delligatti lawyer Allon Kedem argued Tuesday that a crime requiring death or bodily injury like murder, but committed through inaction, cannot be deemed a crime of violence. He asked the justices to throw out that conviction. Using physical force against another requires taking some step to bring force into contact with the victim, Kedem said. That can happen directly, as with a kick or punch, or indirectly, such as giving a gentle push to someone teetering on the edge of a cliff. But it does not involve an offense that can be committed by pure omission, such as failing to render aid to someone suffering from a natural disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court filings, Delligattis counsel contended that while perhaps morally reprehensible failing to provide a person with necessary medical care or nutrition, causing serious injury or death, does not involve the use of any force. The same is true in Delligattis case, where no one pulled the trigger, he said. The justices seemed skeptical, posing several hypothetical questions about whether inaction can still be violent. Justice Elena Kagan asked whether offering an enemy food so spoiled it was completely toxic would qualify as a violent crime, while Justice Sonia Sotomayor raised scenarios about choosing not to offer the Heimlich maneuver to a random person choking versus ones own child, noting the obligation to act. Justice Samuel Alito called the legal arguments fascinating, but noted that Delligattis crime is perhaps more cut-and-dry than others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would you argue that your client is not the kind of armed career criminal that Congress was trying to get at when they enacted this statute? he asked. We would not argue that, Kedem replied. Justice Neil Gorsuch, pointing specifically to states with Good Samaritan statutes, questioned if letting a little old lady step into a manhole without intervening would qualify. Physical force (is), I guess, the gravity what more powerful force in the universe is there than that? Gorsuch said. Would that, in your view, fall within the governments understanding of what will qualify as the application of violent force? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would have to, Kedem replied. The governments view, essentially, is, anytime you have a bad result, you know that there must have been violent physical force. Which means that, not only would the death or other injury in your example be violent physical force, it would also be involved in literally every death since the beginning of time, because in every death, something bad happens. Eric Feigin, deputy solicitor general, strongly pushed back. Its hard to believe that were actually here debating whether murder is a crime of violence, Feigin argued before the justices Tuesday. Despite the justices skepticism of Delligattis position, sharp hypothetical questions were asked of the government, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson posed a scenario where a lifeguard sees a child she hates get into the pool; when the child starts drowning, she doesnt jump into the water to save him. Is it your position that she uses physical force against this kid if she doesnt jump into the water when she sees him drowning? Jackson asked. Federal appeals courts have split over how to apply the gun charge to other cases, with two of 10 appeals courts that have weighed the matter determining that use of force is not an element of such crimes if the crime can be committed by inaction, as Delligatti contends. In an unusual move, the government agreed that the justices should hear Delligattis appeal to give lower courts better clarity, despite opposing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decision is expected by next 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 The Hill. The Supreme Court refused Tuesday to hear former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadowss appeal seeking to move to federal court his Georgia criminal charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) charged Meadows, President-elect Trump and more than a dozen others over accusations they unlawfully attempted to overturn President Bidens 2020 victory in Georgia. Refusing to hear Meadowss bid to move courts marks a win for Willis, who has attempted to keep the defendants together for a singular trial in state court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps election as president Tuesday has complicated that goal, however. His attorneys are expected to argue the Constitution prohibits Trumps charges from moving forward while he is in the White House. It remains unclear how any pause would impact the Trump allies charged alongside him. The trial proceedings already are on indefinite pause amid an appeal by some defendants seeking to remove Willis over her once-romantic relationship with a top prosecutor on the case who has since stepped aside. In his appeal to the Supreme Court, Meadows cited a provision that allows federal officials to move their criminal prosecution to federal court if it relates to an act taken under color of such office. Meadows signaled he was making the gambit to assert immunity from his charges. Lower courts rejected Meadowss contention he was acting in his capacity as White House chief of staff, and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals further ruled that the protections dont extend to former officials, as opposed to current ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Clement, a veteran conservative Supreme Court advocate who represented Meadows, said that holding contradicts the proposition behind the courts landmark decision in July carving out criminal immunity for former presidents. Just as immunity protection for former officers is critical to ensuring that current and future officers are not deterred from enthusiastic service, so too is the promise of a federal forum in which to litigate that defense, Clement wrote in his petition. Fulton County prosecutors urged the justices to turn away Meadowss appeal, arguing the lower court arrived at the right conclusion. The opinion below applied long-established principles of statutory interpretation to arrive at its holding, and review is neither necessary nor urgent, prosecutors wrote in court filings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 11th Circuits decision has doomed similar efforts mounted by four other defendants in the case Trump Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, and three pro-Trump individuals who signed documents purporting to be Georgias electors despite Bidens victory to move their charges to federal court. Their efforts have proceeded on a slower timetable, and they still retain the option of going to the Supreme Court, too. Meadows has also mounted an effort to move to his charges in Arizona over the 2020 election to federal court, but he has so far been unsuccessful there, too. The Fulton County district attorneys office declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement George Terwilliger, another attorney representing Meadows, called the prosecution politically motivated and expressed confidence Meadows immunity claims will eventually lead to his exoneration. The Supreme Courts not hearing this case now only means that we will have to continue to assert his rights and his substantive innocence in state courts for the time being, Terwilliger said in a statement. In the meantime, allowing the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to stand puts all former federal officers, including those soon leaving office, at risk of being left to the wiles of every politically hostile district attorney or state AG in the country without what for 200 years has been access to a federal court for a fair hearing, he added. Updated at 11:12 a.m. EST 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 Supreme Court declined Tuesday to let Mark Meadows move his Georgia election subversion case to federal court, effectively barring the former chief of staff during Donald Trumps first term from claiming immunity from those charges. Meadows, a former North Carolina congressman who served as White House chief of staff late in Trumps term, was indicted last year in Fulton County, Georgia, on racketeering and other charges tied to phone calls and meetings in which Trump leaned on state officials to change the outcome of the 2020 election in the state. Meadows has pleaded not guilty and Trump won election to a second term last week. Meadows wanted to have his case heard in federal rather than state court, where he would be able to raise immunity claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meadows attorney George Terwilliger III says he still believes Meadows can fight for immunity from the charges, because of federal authority in the case. We are confident that eventually Mr. Meadows Constitutional Immunity under the Supremacy Clause will lead to his exoneration in these politically motivated state prosecutions. The Supreme Courts not hearing this case now only means that we will have to continue to assert his rights and his substantive innocence in state courts for the time being, Terwilliger said in a statement Tuesday. In the meantime, allowing the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to stand puts all former federal officers, including those soon leaving office, at risk of being left to the wiles of every politically hostile district attorney or state AG in the country without what for 200 years has been access to a federal court for a fair hearing. The Atlanta-based 11th Circuit ruled last year that the Georgia prosecution against Meadows should continue in state court, concluding that former federal officials are not covered by that statute removing state cases against government officials to federal court. Importantly, Chief Judge William Pryors opinion also said that the events giving rise to this criminal action were not related Meadowss official duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Meadows is seeking a different form of immunity than the Supreme Court granted Trump earlier this year, his appeal nevertheless relied heavily on the courts divisive decision from July. In that decision, the Supreme Courts conservative majority relied in part on the idea that the presidents power would be hampered if he faced prosecution for his official actions as soon as he ended his term. This court reiterated that the threat posed by prosecutions against federal officers for actions relating to their federal functions does not evaporate once they leave federal office, Meadows lawyers told the Supreme Court in their appeal this summer. A White House Chief of Staff facing criminal charges based on actions relating to his work for the president of the United States should not be a close call. The Supreme Court, however, did not grant immunity for unofficial actions and lower courts found that Meadows actions on behalf were not related to his official duties. While Meadows case raises concerns about unscrupulous prosecutors pursuing unfounded prosecutions against former federal officials, prosecutors in Georgia argued that possibility remains entirely hypothetical. Meadows assumes that the scenario is inevitable and sure to be widespread, but his references to the overheated words of opinion editorials, cannot suffice to demonstrate that a new era of ubiquitous prosecution of former federal officials is at hand, they told the high court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Georgia case has been at a standstill while an appeals court considers ethics allegations against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Willis, who is a Democrat, also won reelection last week. Meadows has also sought to move his criminal case related to the 2020 election in Arizona to federal court but failed to convince a judge in September. CNNs Tierney Sneed and Katelyn Polantz contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Supreme Court refused Tuesday to let former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows move the election interference case against him in Georgia to federal court. Meadows was one of 19 people indicted in Georgia and accused of participating in an illegal scheme to keep then-president Donald Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. Trump was also charged, though after he won reelection last week any trial appears unlikely, at least while he holds office. Both men have denied wrongdoing. Its unclear what affect the election results could have on others charged in the case, which is largely on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meadows had gone to the Supreme Court in an effort to move the charges out of Georgia courts. He argues the case belongs in federal court because it relates to his duties as a federal official, and he pointed to the Supreme Court ruling giving Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution to support his argument. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Mark Meadows tried to appeal to the Supreme Court over his election interference charges in Georgia, and was swiftly shut down. Hoping to have his case moved to federal court, Meadows appealed to the Supreme Court, but on Tuesday the court denied his request. A former White House chief of staff under Donald Trump, Meadows faces two charges over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the Peach State. Meadowss legal team argued that since he was a federal officer at the time, the case should be moved to federal court, where he likely hoped to claim immunity from prosecution. Meadows was rebuffed in the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled against the former Trump staffer because he doesnt work for the federal government anymore. The lower court also ruled that even if he was still a federal officer, the events giving rise to this criminal action were not related to Meadows official duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, 19 people, including Meadows and Trump, face criminal charges in the effort to overturn Georgias 2020 election results. They have all pleaded not guilty. But Trumps reelection last week makes any prosecution of him in the next four years unlikely. Its not yet clear what effect his victory has on his co-defendants. The Georgia Court of Appeals is expected to hear oral arguments on December 5 on Trumps appeal to have Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis thrown off the case, but that may change now that Trump is the president-elect. The Supreme Courts July ruling on presidential immunity affirmed that a sitting president cant be prosecuted for any crimes, meaning that the Georgia case against Trump will at best be in limbo for several years and at worst disappear altogether. That will be of little comfort to Meadows and the other defendants in the case, especially since Willis was reelected last week. He and his fellow 2020 election conspirators will be hoping that the Fulton County prosecutor is eventually kicked off the case, or that it gets dismissed altogether. The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up a bid by Donald Trumps former White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, to transfer his criminal election-fraud case in Georgia to federal court, part of a move that he hoped could derail the case altogether. No justice indicated any dissent from the high courts action, which was included in a routine order list and taken without comment or explanation. The decision leaves in place a ruling by a panel of the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found that Meadows as a former government official is not eligible to wrest his case away from Georgias state courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meadows had hoped that shifting the case to federal court would increase his chances of having the charges against him thrown out. Meadows argues that his work for Trump is protected from prosecution because it stemmed from his official duties as White House chief of staff. The decision is a reminder that even though Trumps election last week has largely derailed the criminal cases against him, many of his closest allies in 2020 are still facing significant potential punishment for their efforts to help him subvert that election. When Trump returns to office, he will have the power to grant pardons or get his subordinates to dismiss federal criminal cases. But his clemency power won't extend to state cases like the one in Georgia. Despite the adverse ruling, the Georgia case which charged Trump and 18 other defendants with conspiring to corrupt Georgias 2020 election results is still likely months away from going to trial. The case has been on hold for months while the lead prosecutor, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, fights allegations of a financial conflict of interest over her romantic relationship with a top prosecutor she hired to help manage the historic probe. Meadows is facing criminal charges in Arizona as well and has similarly failed to gain traction to transfer that case to federal court. Its been one week since the general election, so you may be wondering if you can check to make sure your vote was counted. While a persons votes are private, their voting history is public information that can be easily found on the Kansas Secretary of States VoterView website. To view your information, enter your first and last name and date of birth. From there, click voting history, where you will find a list of all the elections you participated in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for now at least, voters who cast votes Nov. 5 may not see this years general election under the list of elections they participated it. But dont worry, just because your history hasnt been updated doesnt mean that your vote hasnt been counted. Voter history is not posted immediately after an in-person vote is cast but is done so after each county certifies the election, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. According to Sedgwick Countys election calendar, the post-Election Day audit is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12, while the county canvass is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14. The audits purpose is to verify that the voting machines accurately tallied the results while the county canvass will certify the results. Schwab said that once the county certifies the election results, county officials will then enter individuals voting history. That should happen across the state by Dec. 1, Schwab said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater said that Sedgwick County voters history will be updated the week of Nov. 18. My office has received inquiries regarding our VoterView website. Voter history is not posted immediately after an in-person vote is cast but is done so after each county certifies the election. County election officials are then responsible for updating voter credit. Scott Schwab (@ScottSchwabKS) November 8, 2024 How can I track my mail-in ballot? If you voted by mail, checking your voting history is easier. Thats because your ballot status is automatically updated as it goes through the process. In Sedgwick County, if your ballot was dropped off by 7 p.m. on Election Day (in a ballot box, at a polling place or at the election office) or mailed to the election office and postmarked by Election Day and received by Friday, Nov. 8, your vote was counted. If the county office got your ballot returned to them in time, your ballot status will say accepted on VoterViews website. You can access that information just as you access other voting information, by entering your name and date of birth. It looks like the guy who has made it perfectly clear he doesnt care about federal law is violating federal law. Oh, and also hes about to be the president of the United States. Donald Trump and his campaign are currently in violation of the Presidential Transition Act, a federal law that coordinates and funds the transition of power from one administration to the next. The PTA has a few components that must be submitted by the Trump campaignand so far, the president-elects team hasnt handed over a single one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has yet to submit a Memo of Understanding to the General Services Administration, which would theoretically articulate an ethics policy pledging not to hire individuals with conflicts of interest to assist with its transition. The document would provide $7.2 million to fund Trumps transition, and was due at the beginning of October. Its become increasingly clear the president-elect has no intention to submit one. Thats possibly because the PTA also requires candidates to disclose all of their private donors, and places a $5,000 cap on individual donations to the transition. Trump will be sworn in regardless of whether he complies with the Presidential Transition Act, but his noncompliance will likely stall and disrupt the transition process. In lieu of federal funding, Trump might look elsewhere for big dollar donations, such as his inaugural committee, which is set to be headed by millionaire real estate investor Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler, a former Republican U.S. senator. Trump has also failed to submit security clearance requests for members of his administration, with each appointment more disturbing than the last. Last week, the Department of Justice said that it was ready to process requests for security clearances for those who will need access to national security information. Trumps top advisers have previously suggested that the president-elect hand out security clearances without FBI vetting. A Manhattan Family Court judge ordered Tuesday that the three surviving siblings of 4-year-old JahMeik Modlin, the Harlem boy who died of starvation and neglect, be placed temporarily in a Westchester County foster home while permanent custody is hashed out. The three children, ages 5, 6 and 7, had been receiving medical treatment at Harlem and Bellevue hospitals after they were rescued Oct. 13 from the apartment where JahMeik died. Their parents, Nytavia Ragsdale, 25, and Laron Modlin, 26, are at Rikers Island awaiting trial, charged with manslaughter, assault and endangering the welfare of children for their alleged abuse and neglect of JahMeik and the other kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Janet McFarland refused Tuesday to immediately place the surviving children with JahMeiks aunt Nyisha Ragsdale, or allow her to visit them, after a lawyer with the citys child welfare agency opposed those requests. The aunt saw the three kids on Facetime a week before JahMeik passed away and indicated that the kids were fine, said Morgan Malinoff of the city Administration for Childrens Services. Nyisha Ragsdale had hired lawyers less than 10 days after JahMeik died and filed a $40 million notice of intent to sue, blaming the city for failing to remove JahMeik and his siblings from the home. Malinoff noted the aunt had not seen the children in-person for the past four years and spoke with them only through the internet. No assessment of her home has yet been made, Malinoff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laron Modlins family is also seeking custody of the survivors. Their lawyer Alexandra Rosin said an aunt on his side resides in New York State and should be explored as an option. Brad Martin, the lawyer appointed by the court to represent the childrens interests, said their health needed continued assessment. McFarland ordered a medical report on the three siblings prepared by next Tuesday. She also asked the Administration for Childrens Services to evaluate all the relatives on both sides of the family and look at other placement alternatives. Meanwhile, the survivors will live in a Westchester County foster home arranged by Childrens Aid, a large nonprofit based in Harlem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cops were called before 8 a.m. on Oct. 13 after JahMeik became unresponsive in the apartment on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. near W. 145th St. He died the next morning. The ensuing investigation revealed that Nytavia Ragsdale and Modlin had been starving JahMeik and his siblings for two years, prosecutors said. One of the bedrooms was covered in feces. None of the children were in school, nor had they seen a doctor in two years. At death, JahMeik weighed just 19 pounds and suffered from malnutrition, dehydration and starvation, prosecutors said. President-elect Donald Trump plans to restore multiple executive orders from his first term that President Joe Biden rescinded as soon as he takes office, Susie Wiles, the incoming White House chief of staff, told Republican donors at a private event on Monday. While speaking with donors at a closed-door conference in Las Vegas, Wiles said Trump is prepared to take action on day one by reinstating previous policies through executive orders though, she did not specify which ones Trump is prioritizing, the New York Times reported. Biden reversed at least 24 Trump administration policies within his first 100 days in office. Susie Wiles, the Trump campaigns former co-chair and incoming White House chief of staff, hinted that the president-elect has plans to reimplement his previous policies on day one (Reuters) He rejoined the World Health Organization and Paris Agreement, reversed the Muslim Ban, reinstated allowing transgender people to serve in the military, ceased border wall construction and revoked the Keystone Pipeline permit among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the Trump campaign focused heavily on immigration during the campaign, it is expected the president-elect will reverse multiple Biden administration policies and reinstate several of Trumps. Its common practice for the incoming president to issue executive orders within the first week of taking office to swiftly implement the changes they promised on the campaign trail. Former president Barack Obama, Trump and Biden all exercised their executive orders power to reverse their processors policies. However, executive orders are often subject to legal challenges and can easily be rescinded by the next president. Wiles reportedly told the group of GOP donors on Monday that Trump likely only has two years to overhaul the government and implement sweeping change and that he is prepared to take immediate action on day one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That appears to be an allusion to how midterm elections can often throw a wrench in a presidents plans with congressional and state elections. The private event in Las Vegas was for the Rockbridge Network, a political advocacy group founded by Vice President-elect JD Vance. Wiles, Trumps former campaign manager, appeared alongside other campaign staff like senior adviser Chris LaCivita and campaign pollster Tony Fabrizio, a copy of the agenda seen by the Times said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was also slated to speak at the event. Trump announced he would tap Wiles to become his White House Chief of Staff on Thursday evening. She will be the first woman to hold the position. The suspect accused of killing 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia's campus has waived his right to a jury trial. The judge granted the defense's motion for a bench trial for the suspect, Jose Ibarra, during a hearing in Athens-Clarke County on Tuesday. The bench trial is scheduled to begin on Friday before Judge H. Patrick Haggard, who will render a verdict in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: FBI director says agency doing all it can to get 'justice' for Laken Riley Her death became a rallying cry for immigration reform from many conservatives, including now President-elect Donald Trump. Trump mentioned her by name as recently as Nov. 3 when he visited Macon, Georgia, in a final pitch to voters in the battleground state. Jury selection had been scheduled to start in the case on Wednesday. When asked by Haggard if he understood the waiver of jury trial, and if it was "freely, knowingly and intelligently signed and considered," Ibarra said yes. The defense also said they agree with their client's decision to waive a jury trial, and confirmed that the form had been translated appropriately into Spanish by a court interpreter for Ibarra. PHOTO: Jose Ibarra sits with defense counsel in pre-trial hearing before his first-degree murder trial in Athens, Ga., Nov. 1, 2024. (Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire via Shutterstock, FILE) Last month, Haggard denied the defense's motion for a change of venue in the high-profile case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ibarra, 26, was indicted by an Athens Clarke County grand jury on malice murder and felony murder and other offenses in May. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Riley, a student at Augusta University, was found dead in a wooded area on the Athens campus on Feb. 22 after she didn't return from a run. The indictment alleges Ibarra killed her by "inflicting blunt force trauma to her head and by asphyxiating her" and seriously disfigured her head by striking her "multiple times" with a rock. MORE: FBI director says agency doing all it can to get 'justice' for Laken Riley Additional charges in the 10-count indictment include aggravated battery, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, obstructing or hindering a person making an emergency telephone call and tampering with evidence. The latter charge alleged that he "knowingly concealed" evidence -- a jacket and gloves -- involving the offense of malice murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was also charged with a peeping tom offense. The indictment alleges that on the same day as Riley's murder, he spied through the window of a different person who lived in an apartment on campus. The judge last month also denied a motion seeking to sever that charge from the case. PHOTO: Laken Riley is seen in an undated photo. (Augusta University) Ibarra was denied bond following his arrest on Feb. 23 and is being held at the Clarke County Jail. Police have said they do not believe Ibarra -- a migrant from Venezuela who officials said illegally entered the U.S. in 2022 -- knew Riley and that this was a "crime of opportunity." Suspect accused of killing Laken Riley waives jury in murder trial originally appeared on abcnews.go.com BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The suspect of a fatal shooting Sunday night at The Marketplace has been identified as a 15-year-old Albert Briseno Jr., according to the Bakersfield Police Department. When 17 News visited the scene late Monday morning, cleanup efforts were still ongoing. And 17 News saw yellow circles on the ground, which indicate where bullet case markings were located. Heres what shoppers and businesses here at the Marketplace had to say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pretty devastating to hear what happened, said Alex Tieu, a Stockdale High School freshman. Dust storm blankets Bakersfield area Monday afternoon Dont go at night, advised shopper Jeffrey Wood. You wouldnt expect something like that like on a Sunday evening, said Manuel Compian, an employee at Old River Grill. Its shock and fear that linger after a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed Sunday evening around 8:30 in southwest Bakersfield. Its really scary for our kids that are growing up. I feel like theyre killing off our kids so faster than we can make them, said Misty Thomas-Roberts, a rehabilitation specialist for Kern Bridges Youth Homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas-Roberts visited cinema in the mall on Monday afternoon with a group of foster children. She remarked that one of the kids expressed surprise when she was told theyd still be going to the movies, despite what happened. As many shoppers said, the Marketplace is a popular spot. I always come here to watch movies with my friends, and I was about to come here last night., and it was shocking to hear that that happened so close to us, recalled Jozilyn Tran, a Stockdale High School sophomore. Arron Horne, a resident of southwest Bakersfield, agreed: Ive been coming here I remember since like high school, this used to be our hangout spot like every weekend, so, and itd always be a safe place to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Horne added that it was always Valley Plaza Mall he was told to stay away from; he said hes surprised such violence made its way to this part of town. My kids used to come here, said Jeffrey Wood, a shopper. We used to drop our kids off here. But now, I wouldnt suggest it. I think Ill still come, just being a little nervous around what actually could happen, Tran said. BPD told 17 News late Monday afternoon that an arrest warrant for murder has been issued for the suspect, Albert Briseno Jr., though his whereabouts as well as the location of the firearm used in the shooting remain unknown. Multiple businesses told 17 News that hours before the shooting, a large group of kids perhaps 50 or so were in the area and got in a fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said mall security dispersed them. Hours later, the businesses said, they heard multiple gunshots. Mountain Mikes Pizza shared surveillance video from the night with 17 News. Its unclear if those pictured in the footage have a connection to the shooting, but it helps depict the young crowd on Sunday evening. The shooting prompted Cal State University Bakersfield right across the street to go on lockdown and send out warnings to its community. An automated voicemail from the campus police goes, Be advised, shooting at Marketplace. [Suspect is] wearing a black sweatshirt with a diamond logo. Last seen north from Marketplace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Management for The Marketplace told 17 News is a statement, First and foremost, our deepest sympathies are with the victims family. We are cooperating fully with the ongoing police investigation. For further updates, please direct any questions to the Bakersfield Police Department. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage Getting a gun on the streets is like getting candy Whos influencing them? Well, the streets are, explained Manuel Carrizalez, touching on the greater issue of youth access to guns. He added, [These kids are] not even thinking about the other kids walking by, or anybody else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carrizalez is the founder and director of Stay Focused Ministries, which works to curb youth gun violence. Kern High School District officials confirmed the victim in the shooting attended Stockdale High School. The district released the following statement: The Stockdale High School community is heartbroken over the loss of one of our students this past weekend. While this tragedy did not occur on campus, we recognize its impact on our entire Mustang family. Grief counselors will be available to students and staff needing support. Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with this students family during this difficult time. Kern High School District 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. Nov. 12PHILADELPHIA A Syracuse man was arrested after he allegedly led police on a high-speed chase early Saturday morning. Police said he was seen speeding on Route 11 in the town of Philadelphia, a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office states. While the vehicle fled, it was identified to be a stolen vehicle from Camillus, west of Syracuse. An alert stated that the operator may be armed. Police said that the operator's reckless driving caused a crash with a marked sheriff's patrol vehicle, causing damage to both vehicles. No injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operator continued north into St. Lawrence County where state police helped to stop the vehicle, according to the news release. Police allege that shortly before 3:30 a.m., state police had stopped the vehicle outside of Canton and the operator and a passenger were taken into custody. The operator was identified by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office as Sean W. Patterson, 25. He was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, a felony, second-degree reckless endangerment, unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and numerous vehicle and traffic violations. Patterson was arraigned later in the day Saturday and remanded to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building on $10,000 cash bail. (Bloomberg) -- The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan said it wants a fresh start with the US under President-elect Donald Trump and secure long-sought access to more than $9 billion of the nations foreign exchange reserves seized three years ago. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We seek a new chapter of relations with the Trump administration and want the coming Trump administration to reciprocate this, the head of the Talibans political office in Qatar, Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, said via text message. We want all the Da Afghanistan Bank reserves to be unfrozen and returned to us, he added, referring to the nations central bank. Its not clear how realistic the Talibans hopes for an improved relationship really are. The Trump administration brokered the original 2020 agreement with the Taliban for US forces to withdraw, sending then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to negotiate directly with the groups leadership in Qatar. But the botched withdrawal of US forces under President Joe Biden in 2021 was frequently raised by Trump on the campaign trail. Trumps pick for national security advisor, Mike Waltz, is a veteran of the Afghan war from his days as a Green Beret. That history could also impact the next administrations views of the Taliban. Read: EU Nations Mull Reopening Afghan Embassies, Recognizing Taliban Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Establishing normal relations with the US would help the Talibans efforts to get international recognition for its pariah government, and the funds would be a huge relief for the cash-strapped Taliban, which has been battling to rebuild an economy devastated by sanctions and the loss of international aid. The US and its Western allies had previously said they want to see the Taliban address human rights issues in Afghanistan and to ensure no terror groups flourish in the country before any significant engagement. But the human rights situation has only deteriorated in recent years, with the Taliban ramping up ever-more severe restrictions on women. Biden ordered the freezing of more than $7 billion in Afghanistan government reserves held in the US since August 2021 and has refused to recognize the Taliban as the countrys official rulers. Several US allies followed suit on $2 billion deposited in their financial systems. Biden later agreed to release $3.5 billion in assets and transfer it to an independent Afghan Fund in Switzerland to boost the nations economy while keeping the cash out of the hands of the Taliban, with the remaining half left for the families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to pursue in court. It is unknown how the Afghan Fund operates or handles financial transactions when the country is cut off from the global financial system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a handful of countries, including China, Pakistan and Russia, have accepted Taliban diplomats, they dont formally recognize the government, which has been condemned internationally for repeated human rights violations. China was the first nation to grant diplomatic credentials to the Taliban last year. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. BOSTON (WWLP) Massachusetts businesses are being offered an incentive to hire active members of the National Guard. A new program through the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and the Department of Revenue will provide a $2,000 tax credit in addition to the expansion of the Veteran Hire Tax Credit, a $2,500 tax break awarded to small business owners that hire qualified veterans. Historic significance of November 11th as Veterans Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The programs aim is to provide more employment opportunities by encouraging more businesses to hire and retain Guard members. It is open to businesses with 100 or fewer employees that hire and employ active members of the MNG for at least six months. The Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) will begin accepting applications for 2024 starting Veterans Day, November 11, 2024, and then accept applications on an annual, rolling basis beginning January 1 of each year. Massachusetts is home to so many talented, dedicated service members, and there are employers across the state who want to hire them, said Governor Maura Healey. The National Guard Hiring Tax Credit Initiative will increase employment opportunities for our National Guard members and also encourage more businesses to hire and retain them by offering financial support. This is just the latest step in our administrations efforts to support the economic wellbeing of our service members, veterans and small businesses. We are addressing the employment roadblocks active service members face and expanding valuable job opportunities statewide,said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. The National Guard Hiring Tax Credit will incentivize businesses to hire skilled service members, empowering these businesses to grow and strengthening our local economies. The National Guard Hiring Tax Credit, provided through EOEDs Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), will support job security for Guard members who are often called away for military duties while also supporting employers that hire Guard members. The Legislature adopted this Tax Credit last session through comprehensive legislation supporting veterans and military families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The skills, discipline, and resilience of National Guard members make them invaluable to any employer, said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. Through the HERO Act and initiatives like this tax credit, were strengthening our workforce and reaffirming our commitment to those who serve, ensuring they receive support both in uniform and at home. Active service members are critical contributors to our state economy, and we are excited to launch this new program to expand economic opportunity for these members of our community, said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao.By supporting service member employment, this tax credit not only boosts our economy and supports job growth, but also strengthens Massachusetts as a leader in supporting our dedicated service members. This tax credit is a meaningful investment in our National Guard members, expanding opportunities for them in the workforce while encouraging more businesses to recognize and leverage their unique skills and dedication, said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. By supporting employers who hire active Guard members, were strengthening our local economies, honoring the service of these individuals, and building a more resilient workforce across Massachusetts. More information can be found on the states website. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. 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. I-Team: Armed suspect made threats in Tower City [Watch in the player above: What to do if you witness a crime] CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team has learned an arrest warrant has been issued for a man accused of walking into Tower City with a gun and making threats. Court records show Cleveland police were looking for 21-year-old George Ivery. Amber Alert: Girl, 7, abducted in Ohio A complaint shows on Saturday afternoon police started getting calls for a man making threats with a gun in the Tower City complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint says Ivery threatened to commit a shooting and made threats to intimidate a civilian population. Police also said on a social media post Ivery can be seen with a gun firing multiple rounds in the air. Hudson considering fire department staffing changes Investigators said in another post Ivery can be seen in a Cleveland State University garage pointing a gun at vehicles passing by on Interstate 90. And in yet another post police said Ivery can be seen in the downtown area with a rifle, talking about carrying out a shooting. Ivery was arrested Sunday on a charge of making a terroristic threat and is due in court soon. 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 8 Cleveland WJW. CLEVELAND (WJW) An exhaustive 22-month investigation by the Ohio Auditor of State has cleared Dr. Akram Boutros, the former CEO of The MetroHealth System, of any wrongdoing related to his compensation. Thats according to a press release from Boutros attorney. The report, obtained by the FOX 8 I-Team, sharply criticizes the MetroHealth Board for its failure in effectively overseeing the CEOs compensation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio Amber Alert ends with deadly police-involved shooting Dr. Boutros was fired as the CEO of MetroHealth in November of 2022. WJW photo The board said at the time that an independent investigation found Boutros gave himself $1.9 million in bonuses without disclosing it to the board. But the auditors report cleared Boutros saying the independent investigation was incomplete. Based on the special audit procedures and investigation, the Auditor of State was not able to determine whether Dr. Boutros had proper authorization to receive the SPBVC, as there was reasonable doubt based on the information gathered. We concluded that while Dr. Boutros did not share the development and management of the SPBVC program directly with the Board, he did share information with Findley Davies, which was tasked with reviewing executive compensation matters and reporting directly to the Board. However, we were unable to identify any supporting documentation for overt authorization by the Board for Dr. Boutros participation in the SPBVC. Additionally, our work concluded the Board did not effectively oversee the CEOs compensation as his total compensation was processed through the payroll system, which appears not to have been reviewed by either the Board or the compensation consultants, thus directly contributing to its unawareness about the SPBVC program. Ohio Auditor of State Report on Dr. Boutros and MetroHealth Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin Spellacy and James Wooley represented Dr. Boutros. North Ridgeville schools employee arrested, on leave The Auditor of State, the agency with the statutory authority to determine whether there has been a wrongful expenditure of public funds, conducted a thorough two-year investigation and did not find misappropriation or concealment by Dr. Boutros, Wooley said in a press release. This is a man who led MetroHealth to remarkable success and deserved far better than the public smear campaign he endured. Wooley further criticized MetroHealths Board for publicly accusing Dr. Boutros of criminal activity based on a flawed report, which he said ultimately destroyed Dr. Boutros reputation, livelihood, and even his health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Boutros, who led MetroHealth for a decade, expressed relief and gratitude following the release of the Auditors report. I am gratified that the Auditor of States comprehensive investigation has confirmed the truth about my compensation and proves that I have done nothing wrong, said Dr. Boutros said in a statement. Despite how my tenure ended, my 10 years at MetroHealth were the most gratifying of my career. I love the staff and patients and am honored to have led a team that significantly improved healthcare in Cuyahoga County, and shepherded MetroHealth to become the most socially responsible health system in Ohio. Hudson considering fire department staffing changes Boutros filed suit against MetroHealth following his termination saying he was wrongfully discharged. FOX 8 has learned that Boutros dropped his lawsuit in December of 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio Auditor of States investigation, which began in early 2022, concluded that while the Board failed in its oversight duties, Dr. Boutros actions were within reasonable bounds and did not constitute criminal behavior. The I-Team has reached out to MetroHealth for a response to the findings. Heres what they said in a statement: While the Auditors report does not find sufficient evidence to support a criminal referral, the report is clear on several key facts, including (1) Dr. Boutros did not share the development and management of the (supplemental performance based variable compensation) program directly with the Board, (2) the Auditor was unable to identify any supporting documentation for overt authorization by the Board for Dr. Boutros participation in the SPBVC, and (3) when confronted with the payment of the unauthorized bonuses, Dr. Boutros repaid the SPBVC bonuses, including interest, at a total of $2 .1 million. These facts make it clear that the Board acted properly in terminating Dr. Boutros for cause and recouping millions of dollars in unauthorized bonus payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MetroHealth also faces a potential lawsuit from Dr. Airica Steed, who replaced Boutros as CEO at MetroHealth. Steed was let go in August of 2024 and says she was also wrongfully terminated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An Adams County voter casts a general election ballot at the Adams County Human Services Center on Nov. 5, 2024. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline) Advancements in AI technology, and the changing information environment undoubtedly influenced how campaigns operated and voters made decisions in the 2024 election, an elections and democracy expert said. Technologists and election academics warned a few months ago that mis- and disinformation would play an even larger role in 2024 than it did in 2020 and 2016. What exactly that disinformation would look like became more clear in the two weeks leading up to the election, said Tim Harper, senior policy analyst for democracy and elections at the Center for Democracy and Technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think a lot of folks kind of maybe prematurely claimed that generative AIs impact was overblown, Harper said. And then, you know, in short order, in the last week, we saw several kinds of disinformation campaigns emerge. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Harper specifically mentioned the false claims that vice presidential nominee Tim Walz was alleged to have perpetrated an act of sexual misconduct, and a deep fake video of election officials ripping up ballots, both of which have been shown to be Russian misinformation campaigns. AI also played a role in attempted voter suppression, Harper said, not just by foreign governments, but by domestic parties as well. EagleAI, a database that scrapes public voter data, was being used by a 2,000-person North Carolina group which aimed to challenge the ballots of suspicious voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emails obtained by Wired last month show that voters the group aimed to challenge include same-day registrants, US service members overseas, or people with homestead exemptions, a home tax exemption for vulnerable individuals, such as elderly or disabled people, in cases where there are anomalies with their registration or address. The group also aimed to target people who voted from a college dorm, people who registered using a PO Box address and people with inactive voter status. Another shift Harper noted from the 2020 election was a rollback of enforcement of misinformation policies on social media platforms. Many platforms feared being seen as influencing the election if they flagged or challenged misinformation content. Last year, Facebook and Instagrams parent company Meta, as well as X began allowing political advertisements that perpetuated election denial of the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement YouTube also changed its policy to allow election misinformation, saying In the current environment, we find that while removing this content does curb some misinformation, it could also have the unintended effect of curtailing political speech without meaningfully reducing the risk of violence or other real-world harm. But there are real-world risks for rampant misinformation, Harper said. Federal investigative agencies have made clear that misinformation narratives that delegitimize past elections directly contribute to higher risk of political violence. Platforms with less-well-established trust and safety teams, such as Discord and Twitch also play a role. They experienced their first rodeo of mass disinformation this election cycle, Harper said. They were tested, and I think were still evaluating how they did at preventing this content, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Podcasters and social influencers also increasingly shaped political opinions of their followers this year, often under murky ethical guidelines. Influencers do not follow ethical guidelines and rules for sharing information like journalists do, but Americans have increasingly relied on social media for their news. Theres also a lack of transparency between influencers and the political campaigns and candidates theyre speaking about some have reportedly taken under-the-table payments by campaigns, or have made sponsored content for their followers without disclosing the agreement to viewers. The Federal Election Commission decided late last year that while campaigns have to disclose spending to an influencer, influencers do not have to disclose such payments to their audience. In terms of kind of the balkanization of the internet, of the information environment, I think this election cycle may end up being seen kind of as the influencer election, Harper said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SAN MARCOS, Texas A 17-year-old boy drowned while swimming near Capes Dam on the San Marcos River, the city of San Marcos said. A city spokesperson said he was caught underwater near Thompson Island, a feature along the river. CPR was conducted on scene, and he was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, the city said. We are just heartbroken over the news that we have lost a life in the San Marcos River, said Dianne Wassenich, who retired from being the director of the San Marcos River Foundation several years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement River advocates have for years encouraged the city to remove the Capes Dam, saying it was a safety concern and negatively impacted the rivers health. The San Marcos City Council voted to remove the dam in 2016 but shortly after reversed that decision, Wassenich said. Wassenich said the dam was built in the 1800s. It was used for power, she said. There was a farm on the property surrounding it that was irrigated with water that was retained behind the dam and then pumped out. It has been in disrepair for a long time, she continued. Wassenich said while she was with the San Marcos River Foundation, studies were conducted on the dam which concluded the dam should be removed for safety and to better passage for fish in the river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe that it is very sad that it has not been removed, she said. I dont mean to point fingers at anybody. I just am so sad about it, and I wish that this dam were gone. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Teen drowns at Florida beach while saving sister caught in rip current MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) A 19-year-old swimmer reportedly drowned in Miami Beach over the weekend while saving his younger sister. Miami Beach Police said they responded to South Pointe Park around 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, after receiving reports of two people in distress. Caribbean disturbance has potential path toward Florida, models show | Tracking the Tropics Victor Castaneda Jr.s family told NBC 6 Miami the teen had just gotten into the water with his younger sister when they got caught in a rip current. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two children began yelling for help, and amid their struggle, the 19-year-old reportedly threw his sister closer to shore. Castanedas family said a Good Samaritan helped pull the teens sister to shore. But the time they looked back, Castaneda had vanished from sight. Police searched for the missing swimmer Saturday and Sunday before suspending their efforts. According to Castanedas family, his younger sister was uninjured after the rescue. The teens family told reporters they have accepted that he likely drowned and now just hope to find his body. My brother died a hero, Jessica Castaneda, the 19-year-olds older sister, told NBC Miami. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say his body couldve traveled south and were just hoping somebody sees him out in the water, she added. We just really want to bring him home. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. MANHATTAN (KSNT) Police in Manhattan said three teenagers landed in serious trouble after they allegedly set a warehouse on fire and used a social media app to record the crime. Ashley Tokoi with the Riley County Police Department (RCPD) said in a press release that officers received a call around 2:50 p.m. on Nov. 9 with a report that a large warehouse under construction the 1200 block of Kretschmer Drive had been set on fire. Witnesses told police three juveniles were spotted running from the area toward some businesses on McCall Road. Officers arriving in the area found the three juveniles in the 400 block of McCall Road. They identified two 15-year-old boys and a 12-year-old boy as being connected to the arson incident at the warehouse. Tokoi said one of the 15-year-olds admitted to setting some cardboard boxes on fire using a spray can and lighter. Officers were recovered a Snapchat video of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little Apple crime spree ends in arrest of 23-year-old Police detained the two 15-year-olds as juvenile offenders. The teens are now facing charges of arson, burglary and contributing to the misconduct of a minor. Police released the 12-year-old to his guardian after the incident. 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 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 KSNT 27 News. A Telegraph journalist is facing a Kafkaesque investigation for allegedly stirring up racial hatred in a social media post last year. Allison Pearson, an award-winning writer, has described how two police officers called at her home at 9.40am on Remembrance Sunday to tell her she was being investigated over the post on X, formerly Twitter, from a year ago. In an article for The Telegraph, she said she was told by one officer that I was accused of a non-crime hate incident. It was to do with something I had posted on X a year ago. A YEAR ago? Yes. Stirring up racial hatred apparently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Pearson asked what she had allegedly said in the tweet, the officer said he was not allowed to disclose it. However, at this time last year, she was frequently tweeting about the October 7 attacks on Israel and controversial pro-Palestinian protests on the streets of London. The officer also refused to reveal the accusers name. Pearson recalled: Its not the accuser, the PC said, looking down at his notes. Theyre called the victim. Essex Police said on Tuesday night that officers had opened an investigation under section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986 relating to material allegedly likely or intended to cause racial hatred. A police spokesman said: Were investigating a report passed to us by another force. The report relates to a social media post which was subsequently removed. An investigation is now being carried out under section 17 of the Public Order Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of that investigation, officers attended an address on Sunday November 10 to invite a woman to attend a voluntary interview on the matter. Police sources indicated that it was being treated as a criminal matter rather than an non-crime hate incident. However, it comes in the wake of an intense debate over the policing of protests and how forces should deal with alleged hate speech. Last year, Suella Braverman, then the home secretary, raised the threshold for police recording non-crime hate incidents over a perceived threat that laws posed to freedom of expression. It was amended following a Court of Appeal ruling in favour of Harry Miller, a former police officer, who successfully challenged the previous national policy for forces to record gender-critical views as non-crime hate incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judges said the policy had had a chilling effect on his freedom of speech. Under the change, officers are only allowed to record a non-crime hate incidents if the incident is clearly motivated by intentional hostility and where there is a real risk of escalation causing significant harm or a criminal offence. Judges said the policy had had a chilling effect on Harry Millers freedom of speech - Dominic Lipinski/PA Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, is considering reversing the changes to the guidance and restoring requirements for police officers to record non-crime hate incidents. She wants to strengthen police recording of hate incidents amid concerns that the new guidance is preventing police from monitoring and identifying threats to Jewish and Muslim communities that may escalate into violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are recording more non-crime hate incidents than before, despite the crackdown. Data obtained from 30 of the 43 forces in England and Wales showed that the number increased by 0.4 per cent from 11,642 in the year to June 2023 to 11,690 in the year to 2024. However, Essex Police only solved 14.3 per cent of reported crimes in the year to September 2024. Elon Musk, the owner of X, has criticised British police forces for launching investigations into users over their posts. In her article, Pearson said she was shocked to be confronted on her doorstep on Remembrance Sunday while still in her slippers and dressing gown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was definitely shocked. Astonished. That too. Upset. How could I not be? Its never nice having the police at the door if youre a law-abiding person, because police at the door can mean only one of two things: tragedy or trouble. But to have them here on the saddest most solemn date in the calendar with this kind of malevolent nonsense, it was surreal. I have hundreds of black and Asian followers on X/Twitter, none of them ever suggested Id said something bad or hateful. Besides, who decides where you set the bar for whats offensive? This is supposed to be 2024 not 1984, yet the police officers seemed to be operating according to the George Orwell operational manual. When she asked the officers why she could not know what she was accused of, she said: The two policemen exchanged glances. Clearly the Kafkaesque situation made no sense to them, either. On Tuesday night, Mrs Braverman said: As Home Secretary, I changed the rules on recording non-crime hate incidents to protect freedom of speech. As I repeatedly urged, the police should not be policing opinions on social media but should be arresting shoplifters and tackling anti-social behaviour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Non-crime hate incidents have been expanded by the police and really should be scrapped so that they stop wasting time and focus on the publics priorities. Toby Young, of the Free Speech Union, said: Its little wonder that 93 per cent of car-related crimes went unsolved in Essex last year. The local officers are too busy policing journalists tweets to police their streets. Im sure theyd prefer to be investigating actual crimes rather than non-crimes, but their politically correct bosses are more concerned with punishing wrongthink. 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. Attorney General Kris Mayes speaks to reporters on Nov. 12, 2024. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes revealed Tuesday that two-thirds of Arizonas counties twice as many as was previously known received bomb threats on Election Day. The FBI said on Election Day that several states received bomb threats against particular polling locations and that the threats originate from Russian email domains. None of the threats have been deemed credible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a roundtable discussion with journalists, Mayes elaborated on those threats when asked by the Arizona Mirror, adding that 10 of Arizonas 15 counties had received threats. She said that a county supervisor in La Paz County called her personally after they received one. The counties that received threats were Cochise, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma. It is a really troubling sign of where we are as a country, Mayes said. It has a very disruptive effect. Mayes said that the non-credible threats did not impact the election as a whole, but many places across the country and in Arizona had to undergo evacuations due to the threats. Mayes said that officials in La Paz County had to evacuate on Election Night as ballots were starting to arrive to be tabulated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were dealing with that on a real-time basis with local law enforcement, she said, adding that Arizonas Counter Terrorism Information Center was helping coordinate efforts. Other states seemingly had it worse, like Georgia, which reported over 60 bomb threats. An analysis of the threats by NBC News found that many targeted largely Democratic areas. The Arizona Secretary of States Office said it does not have any additional info to add. On the night of the election, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer was seen evacuating his office due to one of the threats. Despite the threats, elections across the country ran relatively smoothly. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A fugitive accused of killing a man in Tennessee and trying to pass off the body as someone elses by calling 911, identifying himself as that person and saying he had fallen off a cliff while being chased by a bear, has been captured in South Carolina, authorities said. Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, was recognized by an employee at a hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, the citys police department said Sunday in a Facebook post. Authorities confirmed his identity with a fingerprint scanner, and he was in the temporary custody of the U.S. Marshals Service while awaiting extradition to Tennessee. Authorities in Monroe County, Tennessee, and elsewhere had been looking for Hamlett since last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After observing Hamlett at a local hospital, a good citizen alerted the authorities and brought this manhunt to a peaceful end, Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones said in a social media post. The sheriffs office said last month that Hamlett called 911 on Oct. 18 claiming to have fallen off a cliff while running from a bear. Using the name Brandon Andrade, Hamlett claimed he was injured and partially in the water, authorities added. When emergency responders searched the area near a highway bridge in Tellico Plains, where the call had come from, they found the body of a man with Andrades ID on it. However, authorities determined that the man was not Andrade, whose ID had been stolen and used multiple times. The person using Andrades stolen identification was Hamlett, who was wanted in Alabama for a parole violation, the sheriffs office said. Andrade was alive and well, authorities confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forensics officials also determined that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, which isnt consistent with a high fall or a bear attack, Jones said. Hamlett likely fled his Tennessee home before police could verify his real identity, authorities said. That set off a manhunt for Hamlett, who was considered armed and dangerous. The U.S. Marshals Service had been offering a reward of up to $5,000 for help finding him. On Oct. 31, law enforcement officers searched Chapin, South Carolina, with helicopters and police dogs after getting information that Hamlett was in the area, telling residents to lock their doors on Halloween night. He was spotted near a high school in the city the next day. On Nov. 4, the Tennessee sheriffs office identified the dead man as Steven Douglas Lloyd, 34, of Knoxville. Deputies said Hamlett befriended Lloyd, then lured him into the woods to kill him and take his identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the sheriff, Lloyds family said he was diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder and would leave home and live on the streets, but remain in touch with his family. Steven loved the outdoors and was so helpful when it came to others, Jones wrote in a Nov. 4 social media post. The family was shocked to learn that their beloved sons life had been taken by someone that Steven trusted. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Cordova, Tennessee man is facing multiple child sex crime charges out of Indiana, Memphis Police say. Lance Smith, 23, is charged with two counts of Child Exploitation and three counts of Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors. Lance Smith (Photo courtesy of the Memphis Police Department) According to MPD, investigators with the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force opened an investigation in January 2024 after receiving a complaint that someone was using an online account to buy pictures depicting child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith was determined to be the owner of the account. Nigerian men sentenced for scamming TN resident out of $400,000 The Wabash County, Indiana Prosecutors Office issued an arrest warrant for Smith following the investigation. On November 7, MPD served an arrest warrant on Smith and a search warrant on his home. Police say multiple electronic devices were found and seized from the home, and Smith was taken into custody. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail while he awaits an extradition hearing, at which time he will be transported to Wabash, Indiana. This is an ongoing 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 WREG.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A teenager in Humboldt, Tennessee has been arrested and charged with several sex crimes including incest. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation received a tip on Nov. 7 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about child sex abuse material that had recently been produced. That led investigators to search a house in Humboldt, where they say a 16-year-old male had recorded video of a younger sibling performing a sex act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested and charged with one count of incest, one count of rape of a child, one count of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. The suspect is being held in a juvenile detention center in Murfreesboro. TBI is investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. When Victoria Elizondo first went to see a doctor about her symptoms at Legacy Community Clinic, a low-cost clinic in Houston, she didnt know what was wrong with her but she knew something wasnt right. Her hands would shake uncontrollably, her heart would beat fast even while resting and she suffered from insomnia. After the appointment, she was told her immune system was attacking an overactive thyroid, a disorder called Graves disease, and that an endocrinologist was the only doctor who could help her. But without health insurance, the cost to see one was exorbitant as much as $800 for a visit. I thought it was a joke, said Elizondo, a 33-year-old restaurant owner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elizondo, who has been paying thousands of dollars a year for treatment, may soon find relief. She is now one of nearly 90,000 DACA recipients in Texas more than 500,000 across the nation who finally get a chance at signing up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Through Jan. 15, DACA recipients those who under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program are temporarily protected to live and work in the U.S. after being brought to the country unauthorized as children can enroll in the federal health insurance marketplace for the first time since launching 10 years ago. Advocacy groups say access to the marketplace will help alleviate the health disparities DACA recipients face, such as high uninsured rates and unmet medical needs after years of putting off care. However, a lawsuit threatens to take this eligibility away as Texas, along with 18 other states, argues the policy would financially harm them. Looming even larger is the uncertainty around the existence of DACA as President-elect Donald Trump has promised mass deportations and ending birthright citizenship for people born to undocumented immigrants. In 2017, he attempted to rescind DACA, arguing that it was unconstitutional. Three years later, the Supreme Court ruled that his attempt was unlawful. A photograph of Elizondo with her parents when she was a baby is on display at her restaurant in Houston. Elizondo was brought unauthorized to the U.S. as a child, qualifying her for some legal protections to live and work in the country under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune With premium tax credits that help lower health insurance costs set to expire at the end of 2025, Trump also has the ability to not renew them. These subsidies, as well as cost-sharing reductions, are also now available to DACA recipients, lowering the amount they have to pay for premiums, deductibles and co-payments. DACA recipients cannot qualify for Medicaid, the public health insurance program for low-income individuals, under federal law. Its also unclear how many DACA recipients in Texas receive health insurance coverage through an employer or as a dependent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than one-third of DACA recipients currently do not have health insurance, so making them eligible to enroll in coverage will improve their health and wellbeing, and help the overall economy, said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a news release. Cost of health care Elizondo pays about $200 for each endocrinologist visit and $100 every month for blood work. To cure Graves' disease, she would need to undergo a thyroid gland removal surgery which can cost up to $30,000. Having health insurance would mean she could spend less time worrying about her personal costs and physical limitations and put more focus on her growing business. Its a big deal for me, Elizondo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, DACA recipients are currently three times more likely to be uninsured than the general U.S. population, resulting in many delaying care because of high out-of-pocket costs. A 2023 survey by the National Immigration Law Center found that more than a third of DACA recipients skipped recommended medical treatments and tests, which can lead to worsening health outcomes and heftier medical costs in the future. "Right now, people are getting sicker because of (not receiving) preventative care. More folks will have to go to the emergency room," said Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston, Inc., an immigration advocacy group. Espinosa would know. When he was an uninsured DACA recipient 16 years ago, he collapsed in front of his mothers door and was rushed by ambulance to the emergency room. He found out there that he had Type 2 diabetes. Without health insurance, he had to rely on the Harris Health Financial Assistance Program to cover those hospital costs. After losing access to that help, he now needs to find a way to pay for medication, which can cost about $970 without insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im looking forward to also being able to afford a better quality of health care, he said. Espinosa, now a permanent resident who also plans to enroll in federal marketplace insurance, hopes others take advantage of the new eligibility, particularly for their mental health needs. The law center report listed mental health as a top medical concern for DACA recipients, but 36% of them said costs were too high to access treatment. The uncertainty associated with the future of DACA is considered a source of trauma, leading to increased fear, sadness, and distrust, according to the report. You can never be at peace, Espinosa said. This distrust of public programs has motivated navigators, nonprofits that receive federal funding to help first-time enrollees sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage, to develop strategies to better help DACA recipients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navigators at health organization MHP Salud in Weslaco have printed flyers, brochures, and DACA-related one-pagers and messaging on their website. They cover six regions in Texas, including El Paso, Eagle Pass, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley, working with community health partners and individuals they work with to spread the word. Eight days into open enrollment, Martinez said MHP Salud had received five inquiries from DACA recipients through their online information form about coverage. Jennifer Martinez, a program manager at MHP Salud, said the biggest challenge is trying to find where DACA recipients are located. They can be students or business owners, just graduating college or starting their own family. In July, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro along with five other Texas officials wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urging them to expand their outreach and enrollment assistance efforts for DACA recipients. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, speaks at the first general session at the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso on June 7, 2024. Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune Were going on a first date with DACA recipients, said Stacey Thompson, a program director at Civic Heart Community Services, another health navigator organization. Were nervous but were also excited to serve them. Fear of taking subsidies According to health policy research organization Kaiser Family Foundation, 43% of DACA-eligible individuals have incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level compared with 26% of U.S.-born individuals in the same age group. Thats $30,120 for one person and $62,400 for a family of four. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since many DACA recipients are low-income and are generally barred from Medicaid, tax credits and cost-sharing reductions for marketplace plans could make the difference between having health insurance or not. The tax credits are huge, said Scott Heard, senior program coordinator for the Prosper Health Coverage Program at Foundation Communities in Austin. I dont think some people realize just how essential that is to the program. Its pretty much not affordable without the tax credits. During his previous term, Trump had led an unsuccessful effort to rid the Affordable Care Act, and although he could renew the charge in his upcoming term, a more likely action is that he could whittle away subsidies that help low-income individuals afford a marketplace plan, regardless of their citizenship. Further complicating the issue, DACA recipients also fear using subsidies could block their paths to citizenship. During the last Trump administration, federal officials broadened rules so that certain immigrants who received Medicaid, housing assistance, child care subsidies, and other benefits for more than 12 months within any 36-month period could be deemed a public charge. Being labeled a public charge or a potential public charge carries high consequences: the inability to become lawful permanent residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Espinosa said DACA recipients fear using Affordable Care Act subsidies will carry the same penalty. We tell them the truth and that this is not a public charge, he said. They are not here illegally. They do have a permit to be here. We are hoping to be able to explain to people what this really means and hoping that theyll take a chance and do it. An uncertain future DACA recipients were originally excluded from the Affordable Care Act because they were not considered lawfully present. In a 2023 report, Medha Makhlouf, a Pennsylvania State University law professor, suggested that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decision to exclude DACA recipients was not based on health policy. It relied on a desire to not interfere with immigration policymaking, Makhlouf wrote. The decision to carve out DACA beneficiaries from the category of lawfully present noncitizens was made under pressure from an administration that was concerned about appearing too lenient on immigration issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those fears that the move would cause political pushback have been validated by a lawsuit, first filed in August, that seeks to reverse DACA recipients eligibility for Affordable Care Act coverage. The attorney generals from 19 states, including Texas, argue that by allowing DACA recipients to benefit from subsidized health insurance and making them lawfully present in their health care system, these individuals will want to stay in the United States longer. This will in turn cause states to spend more money on education, health care, law enforcement, and other limited resources, they say. Texas spends more than $250 million each year on social services to DACA recipients, according to the lawsuit. However, Waco-based economist Ray Perryman told the Dallas Morning News that to his knowledge there is no Texas database or study that tracks what costs the state incurs because of DACA recipients. Texas used Perrymans estimates in the lawsuit but he said that none of my analysis regarding immigration or the DACA recipients has identified any cost to the state imposed by DACA recipients. DACA advocates say that health insurance coverage helps lower costs because people do not have to wait until their health problems become more serious and more expensive, possibly putting more financial burden on health systems. Navigators say that federally-funded clinics are the closest thing uninsured DACA recipients have to reliable quality health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicolas Espiritu, the deputy director of legal at the National Immigration Law Center, said that he does not believe that any states will be harmed if the marketplace is opened up to DACA recipients. If anything, it would be a benefit to states. Texas also doesnt bear any costs for administering the program, he said. The health care access and quality and overall health care outcomes will only improve by ensuring that everyone has health care. Victoria Elizondo, a DACA recipient and chef-owner of Cochinita & Co., poses for a portrait at her restaurant on November 8, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune Victoria Elizondo, a DACA recipient and chef-owner of Cochinita & Co., right, laughs with employees in the kitchen at her restaurant on November 8, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune Elizondo has been excited to sign up for Affordable Care Act insurance, listing out all the appointments she would like to make those for regular health checkups, a gynecologist and mental health therapy. But with the results of Election Day, Elizondo fears she may never get it. In the meantime, Elizondo, a decorated chef and owner of Houston-based Cochinita & Co., will continue to do what she has always done push through tired and physically draining days as best she can. I have 17 employees, so its like I have 17 children, she said. The amount of energy it requires is high. Sometimes I feel like Im not able to meet the demands the business requires. This story has been updated with new information. Texas voters elected three new Republican judges backed by President-elect Donald Trump and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to the states highest criminal court, marking a significant victory for the state's top lawyer nearly three years after Paxton began a pressure campaign against jurists who ruled that he could not prosecute voter fraud cases. Attorneys David Schenck, Gina Parker and Lee Finley will replace three GOP incumbents on the all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals after ousting them in the March GOP primary and defeating their Democratic opponents on Nov. 5 by 16 percentage points or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three winners have criticized the appeals court's 2021 voter fraud ruling and touted their endorsements from Paxton and Trump, who blasted the incumbents for their votes. The Court of Criminal Appeals is the state's court of last resort for criminal cases, including death penalty cases, while the Texas Supreme Court is the state's highest civil court. Both have entirely Republican benches. The results mark a "new partisan era" for Texas courts, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor and author. "Weve seen the ideological shift that has taken place in Texas miss the judiciary. That time has passed," Rottinghaus told the American-Statesman in a phone interview. "We are now officially in a phase where the elected Republican leaders have got a tremendous sway over the Republican electorate, and that can be used to direct influence on the courts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: GOP sweeps Texas Supreme Court, despite efforts of abortion rights PAC Republican candidates comfortably defeat Democratic opponents Schenck, a former Dallas state appeals court judge who is now a commercial litigation attorney, will replace Presiding Judge Sharon Keller, who became the first woman elected to the Court of Criminal Appeals in 2000. He served under Gov. Greg Abbott while Abbott was Texas attorney general, and he has also chaired the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Schenck is the only one of the three Republican candidates who has judicial experience. He won 58% of the vote against Democrat Holly Taylor, director of the Public Integrity and Complex Crimes Division at the Travis County DAs office. Taylor has not served as a judge, but she helped author numerous decisions during her tenure as a staff attorney and rules attorney for the Court of Criminal Appeals, she told the Statesman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said her campaign was an "incredible journey." "To the 4.5 million Texans who voted for me, I am truly honored and grateful thank you so much for standing up for independent and fair courts and for believing that change is possible," she wrote in an email to the Statesman, adding that she congratulated Schenck last week. Schenck did not respond to the Statesman's request for comment. Parker, a former city, county and district attorney who owns a dental manufacturing company and has a legal practice, ousted Judge Barbara Hervey in the GOP primaries and will take her seat on the bench in January. Parker, who lives in Waco, also previously served as an appointed commissioner and chair of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 5, Parker won 58% of the vote for the Place 7 seat against Nancy Mulder, the presiding judge of Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 6. THANK YOU Attorney General Ken Paxton, Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller, and the grassroots conservatives who delivered a victory in my race for Judge for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals!" Parker wrote in a Facebook post on Nov. 6. "It was a win for 'We the People!' Lets continue to pray and work hard. MAKE JUSTICE GREAT AGAIN!" Mulder, Parker's Democratic opponent, said she felt the millions of dollars that the Judicial Fairness Political Action Committee spent on "misleading ads" against Dallas judges "had a major impact on our judicial races, both statewide and local." Funded by several business magnates, the PAC blasted residents with warnings that Democratic judges were responsible for crime in the city, though they endorsed only intermediate appellate judges, as KERA reported. "Last week was a difficult week for Democrats, for sure, but I do want to thank all of the 4.5 million voters who voted for me," Mulder said in a phone interview with the Statesman. "I'm so proud to have represented the Texas Democratic Party in this race." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Place 8, Finley, a private criminal defense attorney and Marine Corps veteran, will replace Judge Michelle Slaughter. Finley is from Collin County, Paxtons home turf. Finley won 59% of the vote against Criminal District Court Judge Chika Anyiam, a Democrat from Dallas. After the election, Anyiam wrote in a social media statement that she is proud to continue serving as the presiding judge of Criminal District Court No. 7 in Dallas County, "where the rule of law, fairness, equal access to justice and decorum are the standard." Neither Parker nor Finley responded to the Statesman's requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nov. 5 victories were expected in a state where no Democrat has been elected to a statewide court for nearly 30 years. They also came amid a wave of enthusiasm for Trump, which helped Republicans flip appeals court seats in Democratic strongholds of Houston and Dallas. While fewer than 1.9 million voters cast ballots in the Republican primary, which determined whether the incumbents survived, 10.8 million Texans voted in the general election. Paxton congratulated the judges-elect on Nov. 5, writing on social media that they will "champion conservative values on the court." Rottinghaus emphasized that because all state and county judge elections are partisan, "We should not be surprised when the outcomes are dictated by partisanship, especially not in a state like Texas." Victories part of yearslong pressure campaign by Paxton In the Dec. 15, 2021 ruling that set off Paxtons election revenge tour, eight of the courts nine Republican judges found that a 1985 state law authorizing the attorney general to prosecute criminal voter fraud cases violated the separation of powers clause in the Texas Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision affirmed that only district and county attorneys considered part of the judicial branch can prosecute criminal cases, and it said the attorney general can only assist with those efforts if districts and counties ask him for help. Because Paxton is part of the executive branch, the 1985 law delegate(d) to the Attorney General a power more properly assigned to the judicial department, the court found. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton campaigned against fellow Republicans on the state Court of Criminal Appeals who, on constitutional grounds, had opposed his efforts to prosecute cases of alleged voter fraud. Paxton started working to pressure the court to reverse its decision in January 2022, when he asked viewers of a conservative online show hosted by MyPillow CEO and election conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell to call, mail and email the eight Republican judges who decided against him in the case, Stephens v. Texas. "Call them out by name," Paxton said of the judges. "I mean, you can look them up. There's eight of them that voted the wrong way. Call them, send mail, send email." He made the same demand the next day on War Room with Steve Bannon, a former Trump White House strategist who recently served a four-month prison sentence for contempt of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that time, Paxton's request that the court reverse its ruling was still pending. The judges later rejected Paxtons appeal in September 2022. The TV statements led hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals from across this state and other states to engage in attempts at impermissible ex parte communications with the Court, Judge Michelle Slaughter wrote in a 73-page dissent from the reconsideration decision. While rejecting the efforts to sway her, Slaughter said a narrow interpretation of the election code could weigh in Paxtons favor. An Austin lawyer launched a State Bar complaint against Paxton over the pressure campaign, accusing him of violating rules that prohibit attorneys from lying and from communicating with judges outside of formal channels. It didnt go anywhere. Paxton, his grudge still burning in the 2024 primaries, told attendees of his rallies to memorize the names of his favored candidates and to vote for them. He also enlisted Trumps help in spreading the word. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former-president-turned-president-elect used identical language in online endorsements of Finley, Parker and Schenck, matching Paxton's criticism of the incumbents' decision. Slaughter "stripped the authority to prosecute Election Fraud from Texas' Great Attorney General Ken Paxton, Trump wrote in a Feb. 26 post on social media network Truth Social. As a Judge, Lee will Fight to Secure our Elections, Hold Criminals Accountable, and Protect and Defend our Constitution. Lee Finley has my Complete and Total Endorsement! What's next Because the Court of Criminal Appeals has twice denied Paxton's request to reconsider its decision on voter fraud prosecutions, Paxton would need to bring a new case before the court to have a chance at overturning the precedent. The attorney general could also wait until the next election cycle to see if voters return any incumbents or oust enough judges to overturn the previous majority opinion, which was 8-1. The newly remade court will also have a role in any future cases concerning death row inmate Robert Roberson, who still does not have a new execution date set after his death was put on hold when a Texas House committee subpoenaed the inmate to testify in relation to the state's "junk science" law. Some of Roberson's supporters, who maintain he is innocent of killing his 2-year-old daughter in 2002, have expressed hope that once the new judges are sworn in they could change their predecessors' votes on his failed appeal and revive his case. "My guess is that we're not likely to see any change" on the Roberson decision, Rottinghaus said. "I think the judiciary seems to have taken its final stand on this ... and if (the new judges) have a political predilection, it's towards allowing the death penalty to continue." Paxton vehemently opposed efforts to delay Roberson's execution, emphasizing a jury had convicted the man of murder. Though judges have immense influence over the cases they oversee, especially those at the top of the state appellate ladder, many voters are unfamiliar with the candidates, Rottinghaus added. He encouraged voters to evaluate whether judges are doing their jobs well rather than making decisions based only on candidates' partisan affiliations. "I would love to encourage people to pay attention to these judicial races, because they have real, tangible effects on the outcome of law and order in Texas," he said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals election results 2024: GOP sweep HOUSTON (AP) A judge on Tuesday sentenced a woman to 50 years in prison for forcing three of her children to live with the decomposing body of their dead 8-year-old brother for more than a year in a soiled, roach-infested Houston-area apartment. Gloria Williams, 38, expressed deep regret before being sentenced, the Houston Chronicle reported. Williams sentence came after she had pleaded guilty in October to two counts of injury to a child for abuse that involved 8-year-old Kendrick Lee, who was beaten to death by her boyfriend, and another child, the newspaper reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When authorities discovered the boys body in October 2021, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said many officers indicated it was the most disturbing scene they had worked in their careers and that it seemed too horrific to be real. Lees three abandoned brothers had been living alone for months and were thin, malnourished and hungry when authorities found them in an unfurnished Harris County apartment that was infested with flies and roaches and had soiled carpet. Authorities said the children had waited for Williams to call authorities to report that their brother had been beaten to death by her boyfriend, Brian Coulter. Investigators say the mother never made that call and the oldest surviving sibling, then a 15-year-old, finally overcame his fear and called authorities. The two other siblings were 7 and 10 years old when they were found by authorities. Williams was sentenced following a nearly two-day court hearing that focused on the extent of her role in Lees death. Her defense attorneys blamed Coulter for most of the abuse. Coulter was sentenced in April to life in prison without parole for Lees death. The sheriffs office had previously said Coulter had consistently hit the younger children and had fatally beaten Lee sometime around Thanksgiving in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few months after the fatal beating, Williams and Coulter moved out and went to live at another apartment about 25 minutes away, leaving the three surviving siblings to fend for themselves as their brother's body slowly decomposed, authorities said. Williams relinquished parental rights over her children after her arrest. The two younger siblings have since been adopted, while the eldest is with a foster family, the newspaper reported. HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) Briannon ONeil pleaded over voicemail to the districts transportation department for an update on her sons case. It had been more than a month since she called to report her 8-year-old was touched inappropriately by another kid on a Hutto Independent School District bus one day in late February. Email records obtained through public information requests and provided by ONeil. The day ONeil made the report, the districts bus ride safety coordinator assured her over the phone she would be contacted by an employee who handles Title IX a federal law requiring schools to respond promptly to sexual assault and harassment claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Email records show the employee called the Title IX coordinator that same day about the allegations and surveillance video she said she found of the incident. Email records obtained through public information requests and provided by ONeil. Records show ONeil did not hear from the Title IX coordinator until more than a month after her report. By then, ONeil said her son had already experienced more bullying on and off the bus. Federal judge blocks Biden administration move to expand Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students The district later found that while the transportation department rearranged the bus seating, the school had not yet initiated a bullying investigation or provided her son with any counseling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Im] very mad and very sad for my son, ONeil said. What they didnt do is 100% on them. ONeil filed a formal complaint against the Title IX coordinator, a move the district said resulted in change. However, advocates say what happened in ONeils case underscores issues nationwide in K-12 schools. Title IX is a federal regulation. It doesnt come with any funds. So, what that means is, in each state, K-12 school districts have to figure out for themselves how they are going to implement this, Stop Sexual Assault in Schools Board Chair Heidi Goldstein said. The non-profits mission is to educate K-12 students, families and schools about sexual harassment and their rights under Title IX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think, generally, smaller school districts have more trouble sort of massing what they need in terms of the investment and in terms of people who are knowledgeable to really handle this, Goldstein added. ONeils Title IX complaint In her complaint, ONeil told the district the Title IX coordinator failed to provide information and options for her son, which she said allowed for more bullying. She asked the district to remove the coordinator from that role. Following an investigation, the district agreed in multiple letters to ONeil including one from the then-interim superintendent, Dr. Cara Malone that the office did not act promptly to contact her to discuss supportive measures or explain the process for filing a formal complaint, according to a review of dozens of school records ONeil provided. Bidens new Title IX rules protect LGBTQ+ students, but avoid addressing transgender athletes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Malone told ONeil that, because of her concerns about the districts response, changes are already being made to avoid similar missteps in the coming school year. The district, citing confidentiality, would not tell ONeil if the Title IX coordinator had been removed. The district later provided records to KXAN showing a new person had taken over the role. Dr. Malone and other district officials declined to be interviewed for this report. However, they said in a statement, While all Title IX concerns are thoroughly investigated, some reports may not meet the specific criteria or rise to the level of a Title IX violation as defined by federal regulations. They need to have better protocols. They need to have better training, ONeil said. Title IX training in Texas In her letter to ONeil, then-interim superintendent Dr. Malone promised that all administrators would receive additional Title IX training by October. The letter also revealed questions circulating across the state about Title IX training amid a legal fight between the Texas Attorney General and the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2024, Dr. Malone told ONeil, Because of pending litigation involving implementation of the 2024 Title IX regulations in Texas, Title IX training available from the states Regional Education Service Centers has been paused statewide. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in federal court in April attempting to block federal rule changes that would have required schools and universities to be responsible for investigating discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. A judge blocked the rule from taking effect in Texas in June. Gov. Abbott directs Texas colleges, universities to ignore Title IX changes Texas Education Agency officials told KXAN Title IX training was not officially paused, but due to the timing of Summer Title IX training and continued questions on what regulations would be in effect given pending legal action, some (Education Service Centers) made the decision to postpone or not hold regularly scheduled trainings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Region 13, the education service center for Hutto ISD, postponed its scheduled Title IX training for districts that would have covered the new 2024 regulations in July, according to Region 13 officials. The regions leadership said it notified districts and gave them contact information for the trainers, but it has not provided Title IX training since. In the letter to ONeil, Dr. Malone said that Hutto ISD would seek training from a private provider. District records obtained through a public information request show the district documented nine Title IX trainings since promising the ONeil family additional training would take place, including one course in child abuse mandatory reporting and another in Title IX Laws and Requirements. KXAN contacted every education service center in the state to ask whether they paused training because of the states federal lawsuit over Title IX. Regions 1 and 5, which cover the Edinburg and Beaumont areas, both said they dont provide that specific training; instead, districts rely on legal counsel, associations and attorneys for training. ESC 11 said it plans to hold annual Title IX training in May, and regions 3, 9 and 18 said they did not postpone training. Homebound Records show that a month after her complaint, the district put in a no-contact agreement between ONeils son and the student he said touched him inappropriately, and a month later, the district initiated a bullying investigation. The district also agreed to reimburse the ONeil family for the therapy he began after the incident. Briannon ONeal stands in her backyard. (KXAN Photo/Kelly Wiley) But ONeil said she continued to struggle to get her son comfortable with going back to school. She asked the district if he could be enrolled in homebound a program requiring a teacher to provide instruction at the students home but ultimately, the district said he did not qualify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes gone for eight hours plus a day at school. He doesnt feel he has a trusted adult in case something happens, and thats his biggest fear, ONeil said. ONeils son no longer attends the Hutto ISD school and is unenrolled from the district. His parents are now paying for an online homeschool program. They need to have better training because if and when it happens to another student, I dont want any other mom or parent to have to see the disappointment, sadness and fear in their kids eyes for months, ONeil 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. Fresh off election wins across the country, Republican U.S. senators will soon pick whether they want Sen. John Cornyn of Texas as their leader. Cornyn is running for Republican Leader against Sen. Rick Scott of Florida and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, who serves as Senate Republican whip. Senators are expected to vote by secret ballot on Wednesday to decide who they want in the leadership role. Cornyn announced his bid in February after Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he was stepping down from the post. At the time, there had been speculation that Cornyn, who served as Republican Whip from 2013 to 2019, would seek the leadership position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout my time Ive built a track record of listening to colleagues and seeking consensus, while leading the fight to stop bad policies that are harmful to our nation and the conservative cause, Cornyn said in a February statement. Once new members are sworn in following the Nov. 5 election, the winner will oversee a Republican-controlled Senate with President-elect Donald Trump in the White House. Republicans are positioned to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives as votes continue to be tallied. As second in command of Senate Republicans, Thune is somewhat a front-runner. I think the expectation is that Thune will win that position, said SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson. But if Cornyn were elected Majority Leader, it means that every decision about how the Senate runs from where bills are assigned to how they come to the floor to receive consideration on final passage, how the bills are put together. The majority leader has a role in that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cornyn was not available for an interview on Tuesday, Nov. 12. He is respected among Republican members of the chamber, Jillson said. Cornyn was first elected in 2002, and serves on the Finance Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Intelligence Select Committee. Before taking office in Washington, he was a district judge, a Texas Supreme Court Justice and Texas attorney general. Cornyn played a key role in the passage of bipartisan gun safety legislation in Congress following the May 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, despite opposition from some within his party. Some Trump allies are backing Scott, including billionaire Elon Musk, who has been growing his presence in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader! Musk posted Nov. 10 on X, the social media platform he owns. Trump hasnt made an endorsement, but has called on whoever is picked to let him make federal appointments while the Senate is in recess. Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner, Trump said on Truth Social, his social media platform, on Sunday. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY! Additionally, no Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU! All three Republican Leader candidates are open to Trumps ask, according to ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unacceptable for Senate Ds to blockade President@realDonaldTrumps cabinet appointments, Cornyn said on X. If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent. Additionally, the Constitution expressly confers the power on the President to make recess appointments. Article II, Section 2, Clause 3: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. (Bloomberg) -- Thailands cabinet approved two additional holidays next year to encourage people to travel during the long weekends to stimulate tourism and accelerate growth in Southeast Asias second-largest economy. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The special holidays on June 2 and Aug. 11 next year being Mondays will allow people to plan longer trips during those weekends, government officials said at a briefing on Bangkok on Tuesday. The cabinet also declared Jan. 2, 2026 as a holiday that will stretch the new year break to five days. Public holidays in 2025 will total 21 days, officials said. Tourism-reliant Thailand has in recent years granted additional holidays to support its travel industry and ensure its recovery from the pandemic blow. The sector accounts for about 12% of Thailands gross domestic product and nearly a fifth of jobs. The nations economy has lagged the expansion pace of its neighbors in the past decade, notching up an average annual growth rate of just 1.9%. The cabinet also approved a total of 75 billion baht ($2.2 billion) in cheap loans to support the nations sluggish property sector. State-owned Government Housing Bank and Government Savings Bank will give loans to finance purchases of residential properties, construction and renovation, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. More stimulus measures are set to be unveiled next week, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat told reporters. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is scheduled to chair the meeting of a panel set up to oversee the government efforts to boost the economy on Nov. 19, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel will consider short- and medium-term proposals from the ministries of finance, commerce and tourism besides discussing the next phase of a cash handout program, Julapun said. The declaration of additional holidays will also be in line with the Paetongtarn administrations move to designate next year as the year of tourism and sports, deputy government spokeswoman Sasikan Wattanachan said. About 30 million tourists have visited the country so far this year, on course to meet Thai governments full-year target of 36.7 million. In 2019, Thailand saw record foreign arrivals almost 40 million which generated $60 billion in revenue. Foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand popular for its vibrant nightlife, beaches and national parks is on course to top the pre-pandemic record next year as the recovery in global travel demand gathers momentum, online travel platform Agoda said last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with stimulus plans in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. OUGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) The last three years have been tough for Fanta Charlotte Dabone, a mother of three from the conflict-battered West African country of Burkina Faso. She fled her village after it was attacked by extremists, leaving her husband and her farm behind. Since then, she has been moving from place to place, struggling to pay rent and to buy enough food for her children, including a 2-year-old toddler. But last month, she got to be a queen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every day for a week, together with dozens of other Burkinabe men and women who have been displaced by extremist violence, she swirled, danced and chanted for almost two hours in front of captivated audiences at Recreatrales, an international theater festival held in Ouagadougou, the country's capital. I was so happy about it," she said. "I don't even know how to explain how it felt. Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation of 23 million in Sahel, an arid strip of land south of the Sahara, used to be known for its bustling arts scene, including renowned film and theater festivals, and its sophisticated craftsmanship. But in recent years, the country has become the symbol of the security crisis in the region. It has been shaken by violence from extremist groups and the government forces fighting them, much of it spilling over the border with Mali, and by two ensuing military coups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military junta, which took power by force in 2022, failed to provide the stability it promised. Instead, the situation deteriorated: According to conservative estimates, more than 60% of the country is now outside of government control, more than 2 million people have lost their homes and almost 6.5 million need humanitarian aid to survive. The country's leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, installed a system of de-facto censorship, where those critical of the regime disappear or get forcefully drafted into the army, and where even friends are afraid to discuss politics with each other. But against all odds, last month the Bougsemtenga district in the capital turned into a festival grounds to host Recreatrales for the 13th time. Bougsemtenga derives its name from bougtenga, which means happiness district in Moore, one of the local languages. True to its origins, this year its streets were transformed into a dreamy universe, resembling a crossover between a traditional village festival and Alice in Wonderland." More than 150 African and European artists performed and over 4,500 theater lovers were able to escape the country's grim reality, if just for a little while. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Improvised theater stages were constructed inside peoples courtyards. The streets were decorated with colorful lights and abstract sculptures made by locals from plastic bottles and scraps of wax-printed fabrics. Residents put up hand decorated stands, selling beer and meat sticks to multinational crowds of theatergoers, ranging from Western diplomats to local mechanics. The ticket booth was a giant frog, its mouth wide open. Aristide Tarnagda, the festivals artistic director, said he was convinced that regardless of the insecurity engulfing the country, the festival had to take place as planned. Theater is an affirmation of the primacy of life over death, Tarnagda said. He added that getting together to perform and watch theatrical productions is a form of resistance against adversity and violence. This is why this year's theme was "Turning the face to the sun. Humans are capable of love and freedom, but sometimes they forget it, he said. The role of the theater is to remind them about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Held every two years, the festival is the culmination of the yearlong work that the organizers do with residents of the Bougsemtenga district, which was home to two theaters and a theater association even before the first Recreatrales in 2002. They run art workshops, including in writing, theater, dance and scenography, for young people from the district and from all of Africa, and organize mentoring sessions and business skills classes for local women. The goal is to get as many people as possible involved, said Odile Sankara, the festival's director. Its a working class district," Sankara said. We want to encourage people to take an interest in art, to get a taste of it." She added: Art is a powerful weapon to fight for more light, more humanity and more love, especially while her country and the whole Sahel region were going through a security and humanitarian crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Claude Ilboudo, a 30-year-old from Bougsemtenga, has performed in the opening ceremonies of Recreatrales as a dancer since its first edition. He used to work as a glazier, and dancing was just his past time. But Ilboudo's life took a turn when five years ago he severely injured his right hand at work and could no longer do his job. It was then that Ilboudo discovered a passion for theater and started working for the Recreatrales association. Theater saved me, he said. It made me discover what I could do. This year, Ilboudo was part of the team that prepared the opening play with the internally displaced actors from scratch, including the concept, scenario and choreography. It was also the first time he personally interacted with people who had to flee their homes because of extremist violence. For internally displaced people, theater is not just a tool for therapy, helping them to process trauma, said Sankara, the artistic director. It's a way for a group that has been marginalized and isolated in Burkinabe society to be seen by others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the play, Dabone, the displaced mother of three, stood at center stage with her toddler tied to her back and spit out a long, white paper strip. It symbolized all the haunting thoughts leaving her body, she said. But the question remains for how long. Life is very difficult, she said. But when I am on the stage, I feel joy. Its when I have to go back home that all these thoughts are coming back to my head." ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. . Copperheads, alligators and black bears South Carolina has its fair share of dangerous wild animals. But when it comes to rabies, even a usually harmless creature can be deadly. Fortunately, there are ways to tell if an animal you see has rabies. And there are things you can and should do if you see such an animal as well as steps to take if you or a pet are exposed to rabies. Heres what to know. What is rabies? Rabies is a disease that affects the central nervous system in mammals and is transmitted through saliva a few days before death with the infected animal shedding the virus, according to the Humane Society. The virus is not transmitted through the air or through blood, urine, or feces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each year, 60,000 Americans receive medical care after potential exposure to rabies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states. Rabies in South Carolina According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, the primary carriers of rabies in the state are: Raccoons Skunks Foxes Bats DPH statistics show that between 2002 and 2023, 52% of reported animals with rabies were raccoons. Skunks accounted for 16%, and foxes 14%. Dogs accounted for just 2% of cases. Every year, about 148 animals test positive for rabies in South Carolina, and about 30% of those involve human exposure. How to identify rabies in animals There are multiple signs that an animal may have rabies. Wild animals may appear to be agitated or they may bite or snap at imaginary and real objects and drool excessively. In other instances, wild animals may appear tame and seem to have no fear of humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes, the animal may appear drunk or excessively wobbly, seemingly partially paralyzed or mutilating itself. If a typically nocturnal animal, like a raccoon or skunk, is active during the day and showing signs of abnormal behavior, theres a good chance it has rabies. What to do if you see an animal with rabies Three firefighters were injured after battling a blaze in Conneaut, Ohio, over the weekend. First responders were called to a structure fire near Mill Street and Monroe Street around 11 p.m. on Nov. 8. Firefighters on the scene reported heavy smoke and flames coming from a two-story house. According to first responders, three firefighters who entered the home got trapped by flames on the second floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were told two of them jumped onto a nearby metal roof outside to escape, while another held on to the outside of the building waiting for help. Conneaut officials said all three were taken to the hospital but are now recovering at home. No one was home at the time of the fire, and Ohio fire marshals are looking into the cause. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An hour before the fireworks went off at Poulsbo, Washingtons annual Fourth of July celebration in 2019, three police officers approached Stonechild Chiefstick, a citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Reservation and father of six. The officers had received a report that Chiefstick was threatening people with a screwdriver. Less than 10 seconds later, following a brief confrontation, officer Craig Keller shot Chiefstick twice. An hour later, the celebration returned to normal. The fireworks went off as planned. The Kitsap County Sheriffs Office investigated. As is common with police shootings, local prosecutors declined to charge Keller, who is white, with a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, Washington lawmakers created the nations first state-funded office to investigate police killings like Chiefsticks, providing an extra layer of accountability for deadly use-of-force incidents that disproportionately impact Native Americans but that are rarely prosecuted. Three years since the legislation passed, the office hasnt officially launched any investigation. Chiefsticks case is one of five put under review by the office. That means little to Trishandra Pickup, who shared four children with Chiefstick. They need to do an investigation; a review is not enough, Pickup said. Legislation passed in 2021 as part of a spate of police-reform laws in the wake of the killing of George Floyd created a new agency, the Office of Independent Investigations, and tasked it with reviewing past fatal uses of force, then conducting full investigations in some cases, as well as accepting civilian complaints about police use of force. The office was meant to use civilian investigators to add transparency and accountability in cases where people challenge the use of deadly force and subsequent investigations by law enforcement and prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reform advocates who pushed the legislation are criticizing the offices slow pace in opening investigations, its focus on hiring investigators from within the world of law enforcement and its failure to begin monitoring uses of force in the three years since the law was passed. The agency will begin accepting use-of-force complaints for the first time in December, in just one of six regions in the state. Families affected by police violence have been waiting too long for independent investigations, Dominic Campese, spokesperson for the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability, said in a written statement. Three of the five cases under review by the office involve the deaths of Native Americans. Native Americans encounter disproportionate police violence in Washington and across the country, with statistics showing they die at the hands of law enforcement at a rate five times higher than whites nationally. After Chiefsticks death, Pickup filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Poulsbo, alleging negligence, excessive force and inadequate training, which it settled for $2 million in 2021. The shooting caused outrage in the local Indigenous community and strained relations between the city of Poulsbo and the nearby Suquamish Tribe, where Chiefstick had kinship ties and long resided. Poulsbo, a predominantly white town of 12,000, directly abuts the Suquamish Tribe Reservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pickup sees the shooting and the response as representative of systemic racism against Native Americans. None of this would be happening if Native lives were important in this country, Pickup said. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee throws two thumbs up after completing the signing of 12 bills about police accountability during ceremonies at the Eastside Community Center in Tacoma, Wash., on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (Tony Overman/The News Tribune via AP) A slow start A small percentage of law enforcement officers are convicted in connection with killing a civilian in the line of duty it was roughly 1% nationwide in 2022, according to the police data nonprofit Mapping Police Violence. Experts say thats true for a variety of reasons. Laws protect police officers right to use force to protect themselves and others, and the vast majority of uses of force are deemed justified by the involved agency, but critics also cite bias in internal investigations by police and prosecutors who often work closely with the officers they must investigate. Investigations into fatal use-of-force cases have long been criticized by police-reform advocates as lacking rigor and independence, given that they are carried out by the officers own agency or a neighboring one. Charging decisions are made by local prosecutors who work closely with police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Washington, there have been roughly 200 fatal police shootings since 2015, according to the nonprofit Alliance for Gun Responsibility. In 2018, Washington voters passed an initiative creating regional teams made up of local law enforcement officers to investigate police killings, but reform advocates continued to push for more independence in those investigations. For us to feel safe we need to have a body to investigate those that we must trust, said Waldo Waldron-Ramsey, political director for the Washington Community Action Network and former regional director for the NAACP. Waldron-Ramsey served on the task force that recommended the creation of the Office of Independent Investigations. Part of public safety is that the public trusts those who are doing the job and who are responsible for our safety law enforcement and prosecution, Waldron-Ramsey said. In the aftermath of the police killing of Floyd in 2020, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee convened a task force to examine independent oversight of uses of force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task forces primary recommendation was the creation of an independent state agency to investigate police uses of force. Eventually, legislation creating the office tasked it with probing past police killings in cases where new evidence is presented and taking over the process of accepting civilian use-of-force complaints from local law enforcement departments. The agency is unique in the nation as a state-funded, fully independent agency with investigative powers, and it has emphasized that it will be overseen by civilians and employ civilian investigators. Although other states like New York have agencies with independent investigative functions, the Washington offices mandate goes father by empowering it to look at past cases when new evidence arises. Other states like California employ their Department of Justice in certain high-profile cases, but typically only at the request of local agencies or the behest of the states attorney general. In the three years since its inception, the Washington offices effects have been muted. The agency cites staffing shortages and the difficulty of building the agency up from scratch as the primary challenges. Hector Castro, community relations and communications director for the Office of Independent Investigations, said the agency has had a lengthy to-do list since its inception, and that theres no set timeline for the agencys review process but that it involves a comprehensive and thorough consideration of all relevant information in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office is under the states general budget and has struggled to secure funding. Its $23.9 million budget through 2025 is far less than the $67 million it requested. The agency has been slow to hire staff, according to Castro, and only secured a director former prosecutor, defense attorney and judge Roger Rogoff shortly before it was originally to begin investigations in July 2022. Since then, it has proceeded with the painstaking process of hiring and training investigators, leaving it with limited staff to prepare to accept current use-of-force complaints and deal with past cases, according to Castro. Reform advocates expressed concern that multiple investigators with the office have worked in a law enforcement capacity in the last 24 months, which Campese said is contrary to the spirit of the legislation creating the agency. The agency also has faced challenges with restrictions on the materials its investigators can use. After a use-of-force incident, law enforcement agencies compel officers to make statements about the incident, known as Garrity statements. These statements and any evidence from the internal investigation based on them cannot be used in the independent investigation in order to protect officers against self-incrimination. As a result, the agency has to rely mainly on other evidence, which might be biased or incomplete, for its case reviews. One thing that weve learned at this agency as were starting out is you need to be able to adapt, Castro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tensions remain between reform advocates, legislators and law enforcement groups over independent investigations. Reformers want to add an additional layer of accountability to the process by creating an independent state prosecutor to handle use-of-force cases, rather than local elected prosecutors, who have opposed what they perceive as a possibly unconstitutional circumvention of their jurisdiction. Law enforcement groups also have opposed the prospect of an independent prosecutor. We take significant issue with the idea of spending $12 million to hire two dozen people whose sole job it is to charge police officers with murder, James McMahan, policy director for the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, said in 2023 testimony against the bill. So far, two bills that wouldve created an independent prosecutors office have died in committee. Washington Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, who sponsored the bills, said its an important component of independent investigations into uses of force and was always envisioned to work alongside the OII, but she acknowledges obstacles remain to getting her bill through the House of Representatives. Waldron-Ramsey said that a state prosecutor would be a vital element of creating a truly accountable oversight system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont have trust in local prosecutors investigating police killings because they work so closely with those local law enforcement agencies, he said. Stonechild Chiefstick, a citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Reservation, was shot and killed after a confrontation with police in Poulsbo, Washington, in 2019. His case is one of five that is under review by the newly formed Office of Independent Investigations in Washington state. Cases under review Although the office has yet to announce any official investigations, it has identified five cases that passed its initial requirements and are under full review. Three of the five victims were Native American. For a case to meet the standard for a full review, there must be new evidence that was not considered during the initial investigation, including new witnesses or photo or video evidence that was not previously considered. The review process differs from an investigation in a review, investigators are examining existing materials and the purported new evidence rather than conducting fresh interviews. In the aftermath of Chiefsticks death and before creation of the state office, Pickup and her lawyer, Gabe Galanda, met with representatives from Inslees office, asking for an independent investigation into his killing. Months passed, and no news came, so they requested and received a second meeting with the Governors Office, shortly after Inslee signed legislation creating the new office. Pickup said she left the second meeting feeling reassured that there would be a full, independent investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, it was referred to the agency for review. Pickup said her lawyer also referred Chiefsticks case to the office, presenting evidence of multiple new witnesses to the shooting. Police, witnesses and the familys wrongful-death lawsuit offer conflicting narratives of the confrontation between Chiefstick and Keller. Police say they went to arrest Chiefstick in the crowded festival after a woman reported he threatened someone with a screwdriver and a physical confrontation between Chiefstick and Keller occurred, causing Kellers body-worn camera to fall to the ground. Chiefsticks family members dispute that he threatened bystanders or police with the screwdriver and contend that he retreated, tripped and dropped what he was holding before Keller shot him twice. Keller later said in a statement that he feared for his life and the life of others, and that Chiefstick tried to stab him with the screwdriver. The case is still under review, and the agency cant say when it will announce a decision on an investigation. Castro says the agency stays in regular communication with families so they understand the agencys progress and decision making. They want to try to put on a show with these reviews, Pickup said. Until they open a case and put their money where their mouth is, and do an investigation, its only talk, and Im not falling for their smoke and mirrors. The historical relationship between Native American communities and law enforcement is fraught with violence and abuse on the part of the latter, and multiple police shootings of Native Americans in Washington have outraged Indigenous communities. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions most recent data shows Native Americans were more than five times as likely to die from police violence than whites in 2020. Apart from the Chiefstick case, the office is reviewing the police killings of Native American victims Cecil Lacy Jr. and Jacqueline Salyers. Lacy, a citizen of the Tulalip Tribe, was walking along a road on the reservation in September 2015 when police stopped him for wandering into the street, according to news reports. The street had no sidewalks. Following a brief confrontation, Snohomish County sheriffs deputy Charles Pendergrass tased Lacy before he and two other officers pinned Lacy to the ground. Lacy reportedly told officers, I cant breathe, while he was pinned by Pendergrass, until he became unresponsive and died. Local prosecutors declined to file charges against Pendergrass. Lacys family received a $1.75 million settlement from Snohomish County in a wrongful death lawsuit. In the case of Salyers, a pregnant citizen of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, police shot and killed her on Jan. 28, 2016, as she fled from them in a vehicle with her boyfriend, who was wanted by law enforcement, according to news reports. Police allege that she tried to run them over, which her family disputes. Prosecutors declined to file charges against the officers, Scott Campbell and Aaron Joseph. The Puyallup Tribe alleges that new evidence in the case demands further investigation. The state office is reviewing two additional cases. Jason Hale was shot in the back of the neck by Cpl. David Reed of the Stevens County Sheriffs Department on Aug. 19, 2015, during a confrontation where Hale was walking away; police said he pulled a handgun before the shooting but witnesses disputed that, according to news reports. On Sept. 20, 2020, Redmond police officer Daniel Mendoza shot Andrea Churna six times as she surrendered to police after she called 911 while in crisis. Her family settled a wrongful death suit with the city of Redmond for $7.5 million. Carrying a memory Pickup and Chiefstick have four children together. The youngest recently graduated from high school, surrounded by family and community members but their fathers presence was missed. Although their relationship didnt work out, Pickup said Chiefstick was a good parent, known for playing and joking with kids in the community. Now, Pickup forges on. On a recent morning, she was sitting in the living room of her home in the Suquamish Tribe Reservation making the final preparations for Halloween, when she goes all out for her kids in the neighborhood. I bought an old pizza warmer from a pizza shop, the kind that holds like four pizzas at once, and I fill it up with Costco pizza, Pickup said. A mother of six, Pickup dedicates much of her time and energy to her family, stitching homemade powwow regalia and homeschooling. She became heavily involved in the police accountability movement after Chiefsticks death, driving around Suquamish Nation in her car emblazoned with Justice for Stony on the windows. Today, she serves on the Criminal Justice Training Commission as a civilian commissioner and keeps track of Chiefsticks case. She works closely with the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability and other families affected by police violence. She juggles child care, homeschooling and advocating for Chiefstick, all while waiting on a decision from the agency. Theyre meeting with us just to meet with us because they need to, Pickup said. There is no information; theyre not giving us any information because as far as I know they dont have any information. InvestigateWest (investigatewest.org) is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Reporter Melanie Henshaw covers Indigenous affairs and communities in the region. Reach her directly at melanie@invw.org or at 971-258-1430. ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) The Elmira Police Department SWAT Team will be getting new throwable tactical robots. The light-weight robots are designed for video surveillance and communication. The SWAT team will receive three different models: the MK-2 Under Door Camera Robot, the MK-4 Tactical Robot, and the MK-8 Stair Climbing Robot. Two of the robot models, the MK-4 and MK-8, also have compartments that can deliver a cell phone. The robots are made by a Long Island based company called Innvotronics. The company says they are being used by several major police departments, including the NYPD. The robots are distributed by Safeware, Inc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The robots can be tossed through doors or windows in dangerous situations like a barricaded suspect or during an arrest warrant. Innvotronics says the robots work no matter how they land. The new devices will replace an outdated robot the SWAT team has been using for nearly 15 years. Its either gotten stuck on something or we couldnt deploy it because it didnt have the capability, said Capt. Chris Zelko, the commander of Elmiras SWAT team. We couldnt get the team into a structure that we could put somewhere. So, these ones give us a few more options to deploy to get them to places that we traditionally havent been able to, and have a couple of extra sets of eyes inside before we actually have to put people potentially into a dangerous situation, Capt. Zelko said. The stair climbing and the looking under doors is just something weve never had the ability to do with our robots before. The Elmira City Council approved the purchase of the robots last week. All three cost a total of nearly $49,000. The money is coming from a nearly half-a-million-dollar New York State Law Enforcement Technology grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Elmira Police Department is also using some of the grant money to install a new gunshot detection system around the city. It would cost abut $70,000 for the installation and a two-year subscription to the FLOCK safety system. The gunshot audio detection is being added by FLOCK to existing license plate reading cameras mounted on street lights around the city. Elmira PD received the New York State LETECH grant after Detective Sgt. William Goodwin submitted an application. The purpose of the technology grant and our push for updating these modern technological devices is to make the community safer, and for us to be able to solve crimes more quickly and effectively, Sgt. Goodwin told 18 News. Sergeant Goodwin, you know, he does an excellent job, Capt. Zelko added. Hes up on all the tech. He was paramount in getting this grant for the department. The FLOCK cameras we have, obviously the gunshot system like you said, the camera systems in the city, it helps us solve things that, you know, were able to get information that we couldnt before. Its making things safer for us where we can deploy, you know, robots or drones. Its just the future. I mean, thats the way policing is going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Captain Zelko says the new robots should arrive 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The race for Senate majority leader will be decided in two days. South Dakotas John Thune faces John Cornyn of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida. Republican senators will vote by secret ballot for the person they want to lead them. Current majority leader Mitch McConnell will step down after two decades in power. Saluting our veterans So, on Wednesday Thune will find out if all his years of hard work in positioning himself for party leadership will once again pay off. Youve often seen him standing behind current majority leader Mitch McConnell during major announcements. Thune currently sits in the number two spot as whip, which has given him the opportunity to form relationships with the senators in his party. Thunes fundraising prowess has also added to his reputation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesdays vote will take place by secret ballot. Some supporters of president Trump are suggesting the vote should be made public. Trump has not endorsed anyone, but yesterday he made it clear that he expects the new leader to go around regular Senate protocol and allow him to make appointments when the chamber is in recess, bypassing a confirmation vote. Thune says all options are on the table and told us moving quickly would be a priority for him. Obviously, we now get to set the agenda in the Senate, said Thune. And working with the Republican president we can help confirm get his people in the right positions to implement his agenda and work with him on that. Obviously, that applies to executive branch, agencies and departments, also the courts. South Dakotas other U.S. Senator, Mike Rounds tells us he is excited about the prospect of Thune in charge of the Senate. We are going to do everything we can to continue to support his candidacy. I think the Senate is better off with John in that position, said Rounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rounds also says with Thune in charge South Dakotas interests will get the attention they deserve. Thune has been working to shore up support, talking with his fellow senators and helping get Republicans elected to the Senate. Clearly it is a lot of listening, said Thune. And this has been going on for some time weve known for about 8 months that Senator McConnell was not going to run again for his leadership job and so Ive sat down with every one of my colleagues, in many cases multiple times. Ive been out on the trail helping as much as we can to make sure we are doing everything we can to make sure the team succeeds. Newly elected senators will vote in the party election, while those leaving the Senate will not. The last and only South Dakota Senator to serve as Majority Leader was Tom Daschle, the man Thune beat to become a member of the senate 20 years ago this month. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-South Dakota, speaks at a news conference after a weekly policy luncheon with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building on Dec. 12, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) It was in December of 2004 that I got an odd phone call from the South Dakota Republican Party. The caller, a young fellow, probably an intern, wanted to thank me for helping his party defeat Tom Daschle. As a journalist, my personal standard was that I should be registered as an independent. That year, my wife made a modest donation to a Republican candidate. I guess my name was also on the check. I should have given the phone to my wife; instead I got into an argument with the intern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I assured him I had nothing to do with his party defeating Daschle. I told him in no uncertain terms that I thought voters made a mistake when they sent Daschle home in favor of Thune. My wife made a donation to a specific candidate, I explained. What the party did with it after that was out of my hands. Unschooled in the ways of wooing potential donors, the intern insisted on arguing with me. The phone call did not end well. (I felt a certain amount of vindication the next year when Ellsworth Air Force Base was targeted for closure, something that never happened while Daschle was the Senate leader of the Democratic Party. Ellsworth was saved from closure by a team effort from Rounds, the newly elected Thune and Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson. Look back at the old news clippings and youll see that, happy as they were to keep Ellsworth open, none of them look particularly comfortable being photographed together.) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Now, so many years later, Thune is at the point where he wants to take on the same kind of party leadership role for Republicans that Daschle had for Democrats. Hes been campaigning among his colleagues for some time now, stumping for them during the election and donating generously to their campaigns coffers. At this point, however, he cant be blamed for asking himself if it was worth the effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An election for the Senate leadership of the GOP is set for Wednesday. On Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump said that his administration should be able to make Cabinet and judicial appointments without the approval of the newly Republican-controlled Senate. So much for checks and balances. Surely Trump would have his way with a Senate that includes a likely 53-member Republican majority. Getting his Cabinet and judicial appointees approved shouldnt be a problem. That, it seems, is not good enough for our dictator-for-a-day-in-waiting. As if Trumps request isnt weird enough, senators seem to be embracing it. According to a Washington Post story, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, a late entry in the sweepstakes to be the Senate leader for Republicans, enthusiastically embraced the idea. 100% agree, Scott said right away on X. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thune wasnt as enthusiastic, but gave a politicians measured response to a loony idea that would set aside years of precedent. One thing is clear, Thune said, we must act quickly and decisively to get the presidents Cabinet and other nominees in place as soon as possible to start delivering on the mandate weve been sent to execute, and all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments. The U.S. Constitution allows presidents to make recess appointments when the Senate is not in session. The Senate, in recent years, has taken to conducting brief, pro-forma sessions. While no business is handled, they meet the standard for staying in session expressly for keeping the president from making recess appointments. While the majority of its members are in the Republican Party, senators still have a role in the approval of presidential appointments. Give up that role and there may come a day when they wake up to find that Tucker Carlson is the new secretary of state and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the new secretary of health. Trump was elected to run the executive branch, not the Senate. Thune and his colleagues are the ones who were elected to run the Senate and use that chambers traditional role as a check on presidential power. Handing the reins of that chamber to Trump would be a tremendous dereliction of duty. Two former TikTok employees are suing the social media company, saying TikTok never paid them, and refused to pay them, for several hours of overtime they worked weekly. There are many more current and former sales employees whove been denied wages by TikTok, according to the federal lawsuit filed as a collective action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Nov. 11. TikTok didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit against ByteDance, which does business as TikTok, both worked for the company as inside sales representatives in Travis County, Texas, the complaint says. One of the employees, who stopped working for the company in November 2023, was repeatedly told by two of his managers that he was required to put in overtime for his sales position. The managers told him that that was the expectation and par for the course, the complaint says. On average, he worked about 12 hours of overtime every week without pay for roughly two years, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When work was busy, he sometimes worked dozens of hours of overtime, the complaint says. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, if employees work more than 40 hours weekly, their employers have to pay them at a rate not less than time and one-half their regular rates of pay, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This doesnt apply to employees who are exempt from overtime requirements. According to the lawsuit, TikTok wrongly classified the two inside sales representatives, and others, as exempt from required overtime pay. In July 2023, the one inside sales representative estimated he worked 65 or more hours one week, and 75 or more hours the following week, the complaint says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other former employee whos named as a plaintiff worked for TikTok for nearly three years and worked about nine hours of overtime every week, according to the complaint. Similar to the other employee, she worked several more hours a week when it was busy, the complaint says. She often worked overtime hours on weekends, either from (TikToks) office or remotely from her home office, taking calls from and/or making calls to, potential and current clients and often worked through her lunch break, according to the complaint. The lawsuit accuses TikTok of knowingly not paying its sales employees overtime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was (TikToks) policy and practice to set sales goals that required overtime work and to encourage its sales employees to work on weekends and additional overtime hours throughout each sales period, but especially during the last portion of each sales period, the complaint says. TikTok is further accused of not recording the hours its sales employees worked. The plaintiffs legal counsel said in a statement provided to McClatchy News on Nov. 12 by attorney Daniel S. Brome, one of the attorneys representing the case: Companies like TikTok know that individuals performing inside sales work are generally entitled to overtime premiums, and know that demanding sales expectations and quotas pressure these employees to work long hours. We believe plaintiffs and other inside sales representatives should be fairly paid for their extensive overtime work, the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TikToks unlawful conduct is widespread, repetitious, and consistent, the complaint says. The lawsuit demands a judgment against TikTok for accusations that the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act. It also seeks to recover unpaid back wages for the former employees, the complaint shows. Severed pigs head left at work to threaten employee who asked about pay, feds say Contractors stole nearly $600K in worker wages, posed as employees to hide it, feds say Over $161 million waits for thousands of workers. How to tell if youre owed money Unpaid 15-year-old Subway workers were threatened when they asked for wages, feds say Credit - Photo-Illustration by TIME (Source Image: Courtesy Dickon Mitchell) Dickon Mitchell, the Prime Minister of Grenada since 2022, knows all too well the devastation a natural disaster can visit upon a small island nation like his. He also understands why climate resiliency is so urgent for countries facing financial and structural ruin. This July, when Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the Grenadian islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique as a Category 4 tropical cyclone, the destruction was immense: roofs torn from homes, boats scattered across the land, public water supplies and health infrastructure decimated. Three people were killed. Because of the scale of that wreckage, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) made a record $44 million payment to Grenada to help it rebuildand that allowed Mitchell to activate a first-of-its-kind debt clause postponing $30 million in repayments from the Grenadian government to private investors, including U.S. investment firms Franklin Templeton and T. Rowe Price. While the debt will still be paid back later, the near-term flexibility allowed Mitchells government to increase its liquidity and put the additional resources to disaster reliefa form of climate resiliency that had never before been tested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchells historic move may not have been possible if not for storms that rocked the nation twenty years prior. Grenada was pummeled in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan, which killed 37 people and damaged 90% of the homes in its path. Less than a year later, Hurricane Emily struck, compounding an already strained recovery effort. The tab for rebuilding was equal to 200% of the nations GDP at the time, catapulting Grenada into a cycle of debt on which it ultimately defaulted. In 2015, as Grenada negotiated with creditors, the country introduced disaster clauses to prevent crippling debt from exacerbating the pain of rebuilding in the future. The creditors ultimately agreed that if Grenada received an insurance payout exceeding $15 million from CCRIF, it would trigger the suspension of certain debt paymentsprecisely what happened this year. With international partnership we developed innovative financial toolswhich allow us to receive financial payouts and recover more swiftly from natural disasters, Mitchell told the United Nations General Assembly in September as he advocated for more relief. These efforts reflect more than just economic policy; they show that small nations like Grenada can develop sophisticated solutions to the challenges we face. The world has taken notice. Based on Grenadas rebuilding efforts, countries like Spain are now advocating that wealthy nations across the globe offer these types of pause clauses to help developing countries recover. Its a loan structure the World Bank has recently been working on as well. Meanwhile, Mitchell has been active at home and abroad leading the conversation about climate resiliency. In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, he took over as the rotating chairman of CARICOM, a regional bloc of Caribbean nations, and stressed the urgency of finding solutions to climate disasters. He also formed a task force within his government focused on securing climate justice and compensation for the nations most vulnerable to destructive storms. In doing so, he has invited the international community to partner with Grenada in developing resilience policies. We have lived through the destructive power of hurricanes, which can erase decades of progress in just a few minutes, but we have also seen that when communities are preparedwe can save lives and livelihoods, Mitchell told the U.N. We are a living lab on the front lines of a global challenge. Contact us at letters@time.com. Credit - Photo-Illustration by TIME (Source Image: Courtesy Ester Baiget) In the fight against climate change, biosolutionsusing natural processes and technology to solve environmental problemshave the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 8%, according to a study by consultancy Copenhagen Economics. Ester Baiget, CEO of biotechnology company Novonesis, and vice-chair of The B Team, is at the forefront of this burgeoning sector. With Baiget at the helm, Novonesis, in partnership with agricultural company Andermatt Group AG, this May introduced Cell-Tech, which uses a nitrogen-fixing bacteria to increase soybean yield in Southern and Eastern Africa, even as planting conditions change. The company also innovated a solution that uses enzymes to break down PET plastic, and in 2023 established a long-term partnership with biochemistry firm Carbios to produce and supply PET-degrading enzymes at an industrial scale. Other innovations include Luminous, a non-petroleum-based detergent enzyme that helps maintain the whiteness of fabrics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Novonesis is the merger of biotech companies Novozymes (where Baiget served as CEO from 2020 to 2024) and Chr. Hansen. The global brand now has more than 10,000 employees and clients across more than 30 industries like food and beverage, energy, and plastics. Novonesis is chasing ambitious internal sustainability targets under Baigets leadership, including a goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and an aim to reach gender parity in its workforce by 2030. The company is on track to source 100% of its energy from renewables by next year. Lets remember that sustainability is more than just a goal; it must be the driving force embedded at every level of our companies and organizations, Baiget wrote in a May 2024 blog post for The B Team, which promotes progressive corporate leadership norms. In addition to her work with The B Team, Baiget sits on the board of trustees for the Science Based Targets Initiative and co-chairs the World Economic Forums Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders. Contact us at letters@time.com. Credit - Photo-Illustration by TIME (Source Image: Paulo Nunes dos SantosBloomberg/Getty Images) There are few experiences quite so frightful as the inability to draw a simple breathsomething the nearly 500 million people worldwide with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could tell you. Thats why pocket-sized, pressurized inhalers have been such a life-saving boon to this large and growing population. But the very same puffs that clear struggling lungs make a surprisingly big contribution to fouling the air around us, releasing hydrofluorocarbon propellanta powerful greenhouse gasinto the atmosphere. Now, AstraZeneca, the maker of the Breztri inhaler, is doing something about it. Under the leadership of Pam Cheng, the companys chief sustainability officer, Breztri may soon be released in a new package with a new propellant that has 99.9% less global warming potential than the hydrofluorocarbons now in use. The company plans to submit its regulatory filings in Europe, the U.K., and China by the end of the year. Currently, the use of AstraZenecas consumer products contributes to the release of 6.7 million tons of greenhouse emissions per year worldwide. The new Breztri would slash that total by 1.3 million tons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats not all. As part of its Ambition Carbon Zero program, the company is seeking to decarbonize its clinical trials, implementing such straightforward changes as minimizing participants travel to their trial sites and consolidating shipments of lab kits and sample-collection materials. All of this is part of Chengs and AstraZenecas goal of halving the companys overall emissionsincluding factory outputby 2030, and cutting it by 90% by 2045. A company that is helping to give close to half a billion COPD patients their breath is taking steps to ensure that the rest of the human population benefits too. Write to Jeffrey Kluger at jeffrey.kluger@time.com. Credit - Photo-Illustration by TIME (Source Image: Leigh VogelGetty Images) London Mayor Sadiq Khan was under immense pressure to abandon a key green policy ahead of his re-election last May. Months before, Labour Party leader and now Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Khan to reflect on his plan to expand a tax on high-polluting vehicles, blaming it for their partys failure to win an important London parliamentary seat. Instead, Khan doubled down, saying clean air was a human right and launching a new 10-point climate action plan. He won a historic third term by a large margin. "This is a moment which demands the courage to take decisions, meet responsibilities and find a way," he said afterward. Khan, the first Muslim mayor of a major European capital, has a simple rationale for why politicians shouldnt shy away from climate-centered platforms: Green policies aren't just environmentally friendly, theyre really popular as well. The key to persuading voters, he says, is showing that green projects like improving home efficiency and slashing pollution "are also policies that tackle social injustice, racial injustice, and health inequalities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 54-year-old has faced criticism for building a new road tunnel under the River Thames, but his list of climate achievements is significant. London has the most electric buses of any city in Western Europe, and he has dramatically expanded bike lanes and EV charging points, moved to divest the citys pension funds from fossil fuels, planted half a million trees, and even released beavers into the city as part of a rewilding drive. In his third term, Khan aims to put London on track to hit net zero by 2030, which will mean insulating over 2 million homes, installing 2.2 million heat pumps, slashing car use, and ending the sale of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Max de Haldevang What is the single most important action you think the public, or a specific company or government (other than your own), needs to take in the next year to advance the climate agenda? The climate crisis is the biggest challenge we face, and the battle for survival in which we are now engaged will be won or lost in our cities. More than half the worlds population live in cities. By 2050, that figure will be nearly 70%. Today, cities account for around 70% of global energy consumption and global greenhouse gas emissions. I agree with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres when he says mayors are the worlds first responders to the climate emergency. Through C40 Cities a global coalition of almost 100 cities, of which I am co-chair were demonstrating the gap in both ambition and achievement between cities and nations. C40 cities have pledged to cut fossil fuel consumption by half by 2030, demonstrating the difference our cities can make. Now we need national governments to follow our lead. Where should climate activism go in the next year? Time is short and there is work to do in every direction. Collaboration with the public and private sector is key. We need to redirect public subsidies away from fossil fuels and into green technologies. In London, weve adopted strong divestment policies, moving billions of pounds out of fossil fuel industries into sustainable alternatives. Not only have we divested from fossil fuels, but we lead a C40 network helping cities across the world do the same. This collective divestment now totalling over $500 billion across 20 cities creates a global ripple effect, pushing for a green economy. This has not only proven financially sound but has also catalyzed investment in green industries. London was once again and for the fifth time in a row found to be the top city in the world for green finance. But we can always do more. If you could stand up and talk to world leaders at the next COP, what would you say? The climate crisis isnt intractable there is hope. With a clear message that is well-delivered and backed up by policy, you can make change happen. And if you want evidence, then look to London and what weve done to clean our air. Exposure to air pollution has a disastrous impact on peoples health. Its also a matter of social and racial justice. In London, thanks to the worlds largest clean air zone, 10 million Londoners now breathe cleaner air. The level of roadside nitrogen dioxide pollution has been cut by half. In 2016, we had 455 schools located in areas with illegal levels of air pollution. At the last count, that number was under 20. Soon, itll be zero. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I first ran to be mayor, I was told it would take 193 years to bring the quality of Londons air within legal limits. Now were on course to get there next year, 184 years earlier than projected. Weve still got a long way to go, but my message would be: Dont yield to cynicism. Be a part of the change you want to see. History will judge our leaders on what they do to tackle climate breakdown today, and whether they are brave enough to take the bold action necessary to ensure everyone thrives into the future. Contact us at letters@time.com. The US Army will begin producing locally manufactured Trinitrotoluene (TNT), often regarded as the worlds most powerful non-nuclear explosive, for use in bombs, hand grenades, and 155 mm artillery shells after nearly 4 decades. In a press release, Mitch McConnell, the Republican Leader of the US Senate from Kentucky, announced that the US Army would award $435 million to Repkon USA to build a TNT production facility in Graham, Kentucky. It will be the first domestic source of TNT in the United States since the 1980s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this new facility, the US Army plans to produce 100,000 rounds per month by fiscal year 2026. Local TNT production TNT is utilized to create various types of explosive weaponry, such as ammunition, bombs, and 155-millimeter artillery shells. However, the military has depended on foreign suppliers for these materials. The decision to establish a new production facility comes as service leaders strive to increase weapon production in response to the Ukraine war, particularly for 155 mm artillery rounds. TNT is a crucial explosive the military uses in artillery shells, bombs, grenades, and other munitions. The Muhlenberg County facility will use advanced technology to enhance automation and digitization and employ a new waste-neutralization process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time in decades, America will produce TNT on its own soil, manufacturing the explosive material our military uses for everything from hand grenades to 155mm artillery, said Senator Mitch McConnell. I am proud that the National Security Supplemental I championed in the Senate will bring home $435 million in federal funding to establish this TNT capability right here in Kentucky, helping retool the defense industrial base our military relies on. He said, Through this partnership with the Army and Repkon USA, our state is proving once again that we have the infrastructure, workforce, and logistics edge to take on projects critical to our national defense, Working alongside Congressman Guthrie and CJE McGehee, I will continue to ensure Western Kentucky always punches above its weight, he added. After nearly 4 decades In 1986, all forms of TNT production ended in the United States. This decision was based on several social and environmental issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The process of manufacturing TNT includes the use of some highly toxic substances, which are risky to the health of the workers and the surrounding ecosystem. In addition, undiluted waste materials, especially those from TNT production processes, can pose an extreme risk, as they tend to contaminate the soils and water bodies surrounding the plants. Such dangers were recognized as early as the 1980s, and considering that cost-effective means to manage the processes of trinitrotoluene production did not exist in the USA, the country stopped producing this explosive. Moreover, the military could stock more than enough ready-made TNT and seek less environmentally and safety-hazardous explosives with the same functionality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the evolution in explosive technology, it was possible to make new explosives such as RDX and HMX, which served military purposes but were more stable when stored and had less impact on the environment. Today marks the start of TNT production returning to American soil, a capability we have not had since 1986, stated Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, the Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition and the Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. This history-making initiative underscores our commitment to strengthening our national security and reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical materials. A domestic source of TNT is a crucial step in strengthening and building resilience in our Defense Industrial Base to ensure our armed forces have timely access to essential resources. VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A one-year-old was hit and killed last week by a vehicle in Valley Center, local medical officials said. Adriel Estevan Garcia was identified as the victim, the San Diego County Medical Examiners Office said on its website. The incident occurred on Monday, Nov. 4 around 8:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Morningstar Road on the Rincon Reservation, according to CHP. Man, 29, hit by Tesla in Mira Mesa dies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say the one-year-olds mother was attending to her other child when the toddler exited the home on his own. A family member then asked about the toddlers whereabouts and were initially unable to find him until they located him lying in the street. Garcia was hit by a vehicle and taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries. The driver of the vehicle, however, left the scene after hitting the toddler. There is no description of a suspect vehicle at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Senator Tom Cotton will be gaining a lot more power in the Senate thanks to Donald Trumps Cabinet appointments. On Monday night, The New York Times reported that Trump will appoint Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state, allowing Cotton to move up and become chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee as Republicans take control of the Senate. Cotton was initially reportedly in the running to be Trumps vice president, but ultimately was passed over in favor of his Senate colleague JD Vance. If he does take over the Senate Intelligence Committee, he will bring his record of foreign policy hawkishness and support for violent solutions with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before his political career began, Cotton called for American journalists to be jailed for reporting on classified information, and in the Senate, he made a name for himself by constantly calling on the United States to attack Iran. In 2020, the Arkansas senator called for invoking the Insurrection Act and sending in federal troops to crush Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Later that year, he claimed that Americas Founding Fathers saw slavery as a necessary evil upon which the union was built. Recently, Cotton has made headlines for again calling for the military to be used against protesters, this time against opponents of Israels brutal massacres in Gaza and Lebanon, which he staunchly supports. As the Intelligence Committee chair, we can expect more sound bites like his racist badgering of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in January, where he repeatedly asked the Singaporean social media executive if he was a member of the Chinese Communist Party and ignored Chews protests about his actual place of birth. Cottons support of military force against Americans probably endears him to Trump, who has also called for military force against his domestic enemies. The Arkansas senator will also be pushing to use the full force of Americas intelligence apparatus against Americans he disagrees with. Cotton and Trump will very likely be working together to stamp out any dissent, especially if Congress grants the presidency unprecedented new powers. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located at Arlington National Cemetery. It is located on a hill at nearly the perfect geographic center of the cemetery and serves as a symbolic grave. The tomb is dedicated to soldiers whose remains have not been found or identified. The idea for the Tomb was first developed from ceremonies in London and Paris in 1920, when the British and French interred their Unknown Soldiers from World War I. In 1921, one of the four exhumed American unknowns was selected to be interred at the Arlington National Cemetry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arlington National Cemetery hosts 71st Annual National Veterans Day Observance Five years later, the first soldiers were assigned to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at the cemetery to discourage visitors from climbing or stepping on it. In 1937, the guarding became a 24/7 presence. According to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), over 4,000 other unknown soldiers are buried at the Arlington National Cemetery. The unknowns buried are from the Civil War to the 20th Century. Each year, the president or a representative of the United States lays a wreath on Memorial Day and Veterans Day to honor the sacrifices of American service members. The design of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider The construction of the final design of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider was completed in 1932. Designed in the Beaux-Arts Style with neoclassical elements, the tomb features three sculpted figures that symbolize peace, victory and valor on the east panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the north and south panels, there are three sculpted wreaths. Inscribed on the tomb is the message, Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known but to God. The first unknown to be laid to rest was interred On Nov. 11, 1921. Unknown soldiers from the Korean War and World War II were interred on May 30, 1958. From left to right, they hold the Korean War Unknown, the Vietnam War Unknown (now empty) and the World War II Unknown. (Photo Courtesy: U.S. Department of Defense) Virginia National Guard member rises to social media stardom From left to right, there are three crypts designated for the Korean War Unknown, the Vietnam War Unknown and the World War II Unknown. The DOD said the unknown soldier from World War I lies underneath the large sarcophagus. Unidentified service members from World War II and the Korean War lie in two crypts in front of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third crypt represents missing service members from Vietnam, but remains empty. Changing of the guard The changing of the guard takes months to perfect, but only minutes to perform. According to the DOD, the routine is characterized by practices of precision performed by sentinels who are members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard. A sentinel from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) walks the mat during a rain storm at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, July 8, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released) The department said a guard has been on duty in front of the site every minute of the day since 1937. To learn more about the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. WINCHESTER, England (AP) In the half-light of dusk, Martin Edwards surveys the shadows of the ancient woodland from a high seat and waits. He sits still, watching with his thermal camera. Even the hares dont seem to notice the deer stalker until he takes aim. The bang of his rifle pierces the stillness. Hes killed a buck, one of many wild deer roaming this patch of forest in Hampshire, southern England. Edwards advocates humane deer management: the culling of deer to control their numbers and ensure they dont overrun forests and farmland in a country where they no longer have natural predators. For these advocates, shooting deer is much more than a sport. Its a necessity because England's deer population has gotten out of control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are now more deer in England than at any other time in the last 1,000 years, according to the Forestry Commission, the government department looking after Englands public woodland. That has had a devastating impact on the environment, officials say. Excessive deer foraging damages large areas of woodland including young trees, as well as the habitats of certain birds like robins. Some landowners have lost huge amounts of crops to deer, and overpopulation means that the mammals are more likely to suffer from starvation and disease. They will produce more young every year. Weve got to a point where farmers and foresters are definitely seeing that impact, said Edwards, pointing to some young hazel shrubs with half-eaten buds. If theres too many deer, you will see that theyve literally eaten all the vegetation up to a certain height. Forestry experts and businesses argue that culling the deer and supplying the meat to consumers is a double win: It helps rebalance the ecosystem and provides a low-fat, sustainable protein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While venison a red meat similar to lean beef but with an earthier flavor is often perceived as a high-end food in the U.K., one charity sees it as an ideal protein for those who cant afford to buy other meats. Why not utilize that fantastic meat to feed people in need? said SJ Hunt, chief executive of The Country Food Trust, which distributes meals made with wild venison to food banks. Pandemic population boom An estimated 2 million deer now roam Englands forests. The government says native wild deer play a role in healthy forest ecosystems, but acknowledges that their population needs managing. It provides some funding for solutions such as building deer fences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But experts like Edwards, a spokesman for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, believe lethal control is the only effective option, especially after deer populations surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic was a boon to deer because hunters, like everyone else, stayed home and the restaurant market the main outlet for venison in the U.K. vanished overnight. There were no sales of venison and the price was absolutely on the floor, said Ben Rigby, a leading venison and game meats wholesaler. The deer had a chance to breed massively. Rigbys company now processes hundreds of deer a week, turning them into diced venison or steaks for restaurants and supermarkets. One challenge, he said, is growing the domestic appetite for venison so it appears on more dinner plates, especially after Brexit put new barriers up for exporting the meat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not really a game-eating nation, not like in France or Germany or Scandinavia, he said. But the U.K. is becoming more and more aware of it and our trade is growing. From the forest to the table Shooting deer is legal but strictly regulated in England. Stalkers must have a license, use certain kinds of firearms and observe open seasons. They also need a valid reason, such as when a landowner authorizes them to kill the deer when their land is damaged. Hunting deer with packs of dogs is illegal. Making wild venison more widely available in supermarkets and beyond will motivate more stalkers to cull the deer and ensure the meat doesnt go to waste, Edwards said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forestry England, which manages public forests, is part of that drive. In recent years it supplied some hospitals with 1,000 kg (1.1 tons) of wild venison, which became the basis of pies and casseroles popular with patients and staff, it said. The approach appears to have been well received, though it has attracted some criticism from animal welfare group PETA, which advocates veganism. Hunt, the food charity chief, said theres potential to do much more with the meat, which she described as nutritious and free-range to the purest form of that definition. Her charity distributed hundreds of thousands of pouches of venison Bolognese meals to food banks last year and people are hungry for more, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She recalled attending one food bank session where the only protein available was tinned sardines, tinned baked beans and the venison meals. There were no eggs. There was no cheese. Thats all that they could do, and people were just saying, Thank you, please bring more (of the venison), she said. Thats fantastic, because people realize theyre doing a double positive with helping the environment by utilizing the meat as well. TOPEKA (KSNT) One local business in the capital city spent this Veterans Day giving back. Topeka Man Cave, located at 4153 SW Twilight Dr. offered free haircuts this Veterans Day to all active and nonactive veterans. The women-owned business told 27 News this holiday is extra special to them, and they look forward to it every year. Free car washes for veterans in Topeka Its something that is very near and dear to our hearts. We all have veterans in our families, stylist Tara Montgomery said. We wouldnt be afforded the freedoms that we have today, so we just want to show our form of appreciation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giving back is nothing new for the Topeka Man Cave. The local business also provides free haircuts to kids during back to school season. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) A jury in Shawnee County found a man guilty following a five-day trial of murder in the first degree and other charges connected to a 2023 Topeka killing. Katie Garceran with the Shawnee County District Attorneys office said in a press release that Jacorey Porter, 24, was found guilty following a jury trial on Friday, Nov. 8. Porters charges stem from an incident in September last year that lead to the death of 44-year-old Jeremy Palmer. Voluntary manslaughter. Murder in the first degree. Criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling, building or structure. Aggravated endangering a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were called on Sept. 28, 2023 to the 3700 block of Southwest Park South Court after receiving reports of a shooting in the area. Officers found Porter who said he was involved in the shooting incident and had sustained injuries. Little Apple crime spree ends in arrest of 23-year-old The Topeka Police Department detained Porter and moved into a nearby home where they found Palmer lying on his back in the hallway. First responders declared Palmer to be dead at the scene while Porter was taken to a hospital for treatment. Porter was later charged with murder in connection to the incident on Oct. 4, 2023. Porter is set for a sentencing date at 4 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2025. 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. 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. The majority of Germans (57%) still support military assistance to Ukraine two and a half years after the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion. Source: a poll by the Verian Institute on Germany's foreign policy, published on Tuesday by the Korber Foundation in Hamburg, as reported by European Pravda, citing ntv Details: Although the majority of Germans continue to support military aid to Ukraine, the proportion has decreased compared to last year (66%). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Support is particularly low in the east of Germany, where only 40% back continued military assistance. A total of 47% of respondents believe that Ukraine should defend itself until all territories occupied by Russia are regained, while 43% think that Ukraine should cede part of its territory to Russia in order to end the war. A total of 52% in the east of Germany believe Ukraine should cede territory, compared to 40% in the west of Germany. Overall, the share of Germans who want a more active involvement of Germany in international crises has risen to 46%, the highest figure since the beginning of the foreign policy poll series. Meanwhile, 71% want increased diplomatic activity, 15% advocate higher financial spending and only 10% support increasing Germany's military intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Verian sociological institute interviewed 1,000 German voters over 18 years old about their views on foreign policy, commissioned by the Korber Foundation. Background: Another survey showed that fears of a potential war in Europe ranked as the top concern among German youth. It is worth noting that among Ukrainians who believe Russia is depleting its resources, over 90% are confident that Ukraine will be able to inflict significant losses on Russia with proper support from the West. Support UP or become our patron! ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Its not every day a helicopter lands at your school, but thats what hundreds of kids experienced on Monday. During the special occasion, kids had the chance to see a National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk. This is something new, different, and unique, said Hope Christian Head of School Terry Heisey. The event was to celebrate this Veterans Day by honoring those who have served. It didnt just give the students something rare to see in person, but it was also a chance to hear from Guardsman about the meaning of service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its really awesome for them to come out, and its really cool that we get to honor them as well, said Hope Christian student Coden. Nob Hill motel torn down after lengthy closure It really touched my heart, said another student, Ali. It was really nice to see; I felt really grateful that I can experience this. Its also a way to showcase their work to the next generation as Pilot Dominic Anderson said its a rare moment to share the sacrifices Guardsmen make. Just the amount of energy of all the kids just rushing to the aircraft, thanking us for our service on this Veterans Day, and just showing how excited they were to see something they potentially never seen before in their life was just amazing, Anderson explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also a chance for them to share their experiences about their time in the military and explain why they chose to serve. NM Highlands University receives 16 NMED violations after science building shutdown These people are saving us, and serving our country to protect us, and keep us free and safe, Ali added. I feel that they sacrifice so much for us, and they make us so much safer, said another Hope Christian Student, Elli. In years past, Hope Christian students have normally taken Veterans Day off, but the school decided having students in class for the presentation was a better way to honor the holiday. 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. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) Nearly four months after the CEO of a Utah company and his daughter were killed in a crash in Ogden Canyon officials sought to arrest the tow truck driver involved in the incident for manslaughter. On July 6, 2024, Richard Hendrickson and his daughter, Sally, were killed in a crash in Ogden Canyon. Hendrickson was identified as a victim and the CEO of Utah-based company Lifetime Products in a statement from the company. His wife and other children were taken to the hospital after the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Utah Tech president faces lawsuit over vulgar display attributed to employees, alleged retaliation In Oct. 2024, an arrest warrant and a pretrial detention request were filed for Michael John Love, 51, who is the owner and manager of Loves Towing. Love was driving a tow truck with a bulldozer improperly secured on the back on July 6, according to documents. The dozer was secured with one small chain on the back and with the tow-hook winch on the front, a Utah Highway Patrol Trooper wrote in a warrant for Loves arrest. This method of securing the dozer was wholly inadequate for retaining the weight of the dozer in place. Documents said the bulldozer weighed about 32,000 pounds which was 4,300 pounds over the weight limit for the tow truck Love was driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love was driving up the canyon in the eastbound direction at a speed of about 30 miles per hour, documents said. Hendrickson and his family were traveling in the other direction, but as both vehicles approached a curve in the canyon, the bulldozer slid off the tow truck. Officials said the bulldozer crushed and killed Hendrickson and his daughter, and seriously injured another passenger. After officials responded to the scene, Love was seen near a storage compartment for the truck and admitted to a sheriffs deputy that he was moving chains. Documents said the chains were not present prior to the accident. When speaking to officers after the incident, after being informed of his Miranda rights, Love reportedly lied to officers about securing the bulldozer. He drew on a diagram and claimed that the bulldozer was secured with six restraints, but documents said he knew that that information was false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents said security footage from a gas station near the site of the crash showed that the bulldozer was not as secure as Love claimed, and Love was seen on footage walking around without having to step over any non-existence chains on the back of the tow truck. Love claimed the victims vehicle struck his and caused the bulldozer to break free. Witnesses reported that neither the tow truck nor Hendricksons vehicle left their lanes before the crash. The fact that some of Michael Loves first actions after the crash were to attempt to place more chains into the scene to indicate the bulldozer was secured properly, demonstrates that he knew the bulldozer was not properly secured, documents said. Love was set to be charged with two counts of manslaughter, both second-degree felonies; one count of aggravated assault (serious bodily injury), a second-degree felony; one count of obstruction of justice (other felony conduct), a third-degree felony; and one count of obstruction of justice, a class A misdemeanor, according to documents. 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) Administrators with Topeka Public Schools joined the 27 News Morning crew with a look at how the district honored Filipino Heritage Month in October, whats in store for Novembers Native American Heritage Month, principal for the day and 2024s Thanksgiving holiday. Watch the video above for more information. 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 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump has long viewed the nation's spy services with suspicion, accusing them of trying to undermine his first term and campaigns. Now that he's returning to the White House, Trump's promises to overhaul the U.S. intelligence agencies put him on a collision course with one of most secretive and powerful parts of government. Trump announced Tuesday that he is nominating John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA. A former Republican congressman from Texas, Ratcliffe served as director of national intelligence for the final months of Trumps first term, leading the U.S. governments spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. Ratcliffe is a more traditional pick for the position, which requires Senate confirmation, than some rumored loyalists pushed by some of Trumps supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the CIA and other intelligence agencies, the start of Trump's second administration is a way to reset an often challenging relationship with a leader who has in the past dismissed them as the deepest of the deep state Trump's label for the thousands of career federal employees that carry out the work of government regardless of who is president. For Trump, the return to power offers an opportunity to follow through on promises to clean house of officials that he believes have tried to challenge his leadership and criticize his actions. Former and current intelligence officials also are watching for clues indicating whether Trump will use U.S. intelligence to inform foreign policy and national security decisions or whether he will realize the fears of critics, who worry he could spill classified secrets or seek to weaponize intelligence work against Americans. If he comes in committed to retribution and cleaning house, thats going to impact the agency. We're going to lose people, and there's going to be this fear: What will get me in trouble politically? said Douglas London, a 34-year CIA veteran who now writes about intelligence work and teaches at Georgetown University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In selecting Ratcliffe to lead the nation's premier spy agency, Trump chose a loyalist who has been willing to defend him in some of his most politically charged battles in Washington. When serving in the House, Ratcliffe was on Trump's advisory team during his first impeachment proceedings. As intelligence director during the final days of the 2020 election, Ratcliffe angered Democrats by declassifying Russian intelligence alleging damaging information about Democrats during the 2016 race even though he acknowledged it might not be true. Given his experience in Congress and the intelligence community, Ratcliffe is seen as a relatively traditional pick for the position of CIA director. House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, hailed Trump's selection in a statement, saying Ratcliffe knows what it will take" to lead the agency and counter threats posed by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. If confirmed by the Senate, Ratcliffe will be responsible for carrying out any changes Trump has in mind for the CIA. Trump has said he wants a complete reorganization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will clean out all of the corrupt actors in our national security and intelligence apparatus, and there are plenty of them, Trump said in a video from 2023 that supporters recirculated following his win last week. The departments and agencies that have been weaponized will be completely overhauled. In an effort to head off any difficulties with the president-elect, intelligence agencies are emphasizing their nonpartisan mission and their usefulness to any new president looking to understand a globe complicated by wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and the growing partnership between China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. London said that in his experience, intelligence officials work hard to avoid any appearance of partisanship and put their constitutional oaths ahead of politics. Theres very little agency officials can do, London added, other than to show: Were here, were on your team, were here to support you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intelligence officials won't say if Trump has already received an intelligence briefing, but the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a statement saying it is following a standard procedure for new presidents that dates to Dwight Eisenhower's election. ODNI is acting consistent with the tradition, in place since 1952, of providing intelligence briefings to the president-elect," the office wrote. During his time in the White House or on the campaign trail, Trump has been anything but traditional, displaying an animosity toward the nations spy agencies unlike any seen since Richard Nixon, who believed the CIA and other agencies sought to undermine his presidency. Trump often railed against the CIA and other spy agencies, accusing them of working to undermine his first administration and seeking to prevent him from retaking the White House. He also has blamed intelligence officials for questioning his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump received fewer intelligence briefings as president than any other recent commander in chief. In 2021, President Joe Biden suggested that Trump should no longer receive the standard intelligence briefings given to former presidents, calling Trump erratic. Trump also was accused of mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate a case now stalled in the courts that prosecutors are seeking to wind down following the election. Trump's win gives him a mandate to carry out his vision for national security and intelligence, said Elbridge Colby, who served as a deputy assistant secretary of defense in the first Trump administration. Colby said wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, along with China's growing rivalry, show Trump doesn't have time to be delicate with the nation's national security and intelligence agencies, likening them to the Titanic heading toward an iceberg. If you turn the Titanic 90 degrees, people are going to fall out of their bunks, chandeliers and beautiful plates are going to get broken," Colby said Sunday on Tucker Carlson's internet show. But that's where we are. ... President Trump ran against the system. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Why do some missing persons cases receive a statewide AMBER alert while others dont? Ohio has seen six AMBER alerts in the first four months of 2024. This is compared to nine in all of 2023, and six in 2022. So what exact qualifications lead to an Amber Alert? What is an AMBER alert? AMBER alerts were introduced in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters partnered with local law enforcement to create an alert system to find abducted children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AMBER stands for Americas Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, and was created to honor 9-year-old Amber Hagerman who was kidnapped and murdered in Texas. Each state has their own criteria for their own AMBER alert systems, but these criteria are shaped by the Department of Justice guidelines for best practices. AMBER alerts are broadcast notifications that alert residents to missing children in their area. These alerts are typically regional, but can sometimes be broadcast statewide. 5 signs its a scam call before you even pick up, according to an expert What circumstances trigger an AMBER alert? The Ohio Revised Code lists four main criteria that must happen in order for an AMBER alert to be issued: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement confirms the child is under 18 years of age. Law enforcement believe the abduction poses credible threat of immediate danger including serious bodily harm or death. There is sufficient descriptive information about the child, suspect and/or circumstances surrounding the abduction Law enforcement has determined the child is not a runaway and the abduction is not a result of a family abduction, unless investigation suggests the child is in immediate danger. Once these criteria have been met, an AMBER alert is issued. Character count increased for emergency, Amber Alert messages What happens when an AMBER alert is issued? Once an AMBER alert is issued, the alert is broadcast to a region or multiple regions of Ohio. Sometimes alerts are broadcast statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the alert is issued, the Emergency Alert System is activated, sending notifications to mobile devices and broadcasting the alert on television and radio stations. Secondary notifications can be sent out via social media, text message, email or fax. Residents can also find the alert in its entirety, including description of victim and location, at OhioAMBERPlan.org or by calling 1-877-AMBER-OH. Data shows how the Ohio Amber Alert that ended with a 5-year-old being found dead is uncommon Other types of alerts Not every child receives an AMBER alert, but Ohio has three other main alert types to find missing persons and suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Endangered Missing Child Alert This alert is issued when a child is considered at risk but does not meet AMBER alert qualifications. Endangered Missing Adult Alert This alert is used to help located missing adults with mental impairments or are over 65 years old. Ohio Blue Alert This alert is issued to enlist the publics help in finding a suspect involved in killing or seriously injuring a law enforcement officer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Dallas County absentee and special precinct board met in Adel Tuesday, Nov. 12 to count absentee and provisional ballots submitted in the 2024 general election. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The Dallas County absentee and special precinct board met Tuesday to discuss ballots that will be counted in the tight Iowa Senate race between incumbent Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-Waukee, and Republican challenger Mark Hanson. According to updated unofficial results released at 1:07 p.m. after the conclusion of the boards review, Trone Garriott was ahead by 24 votes a slight increase from the 19 votes shown in earlier, unofficial results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results remain unofficial. There are still several steps left before the results are officially certified, including the canvassing process by the Dallas County Board of Supervisors, now set for Wednesdays meeting. Dallas County Auditor Julia Helm said Tuesday she is expecting candidates to ask for a recount in the election. Iowa allows candidates to request a recount no more than three days after a canvass. The recount would be performed by a board consisting of a representative from each campaign and one neutral member who is agreed to by both parties. Boards met across the state Tuesday to review absentee and provisional ballots, one of the final steps before finalizing and certifying results from the 2024 election. The Dallas County board met quickly after the deadline noon on Tuesday passed for Iowans who cast provisional ballots or had their credentials challenged to return to their local county auditors office with additional proof of their identity and citizenship. The board then reviewed the ballots and the additional evidence provided to decide whether they were eligible voters and whether their votes would be counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the votes being counted Tuesday were ballots cast by overseas and military voters through the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, by people who did not bring the necessary identification to their polling place on Election Day and did not have an attester, and by people who did not sign their ballot. Additionally, 25 of the ballots reviewed by the board were from voters who had their credentials challenged on the basis of U.S. citizenship. Of those 25, six were rejected and 19 were accepted. In October, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate issued guidance to county auditors in challenging more than 2,000 ballots if the individuals participated in the 2024 general election. The individuals had registered to vote after indicating to the Iowa Department of Transportation or another government entity that they were noncitizens at some point in the past 12 years. Voting in an Iowa election as a noncitizen is a felony offense. However, immigration and voting rights advocates say a majority of those challenged are understood to be naturalized citizens who have the right to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a district court case from the ACLU challenging Pates guidance, federal officials said 250 people on the Secretary of States list were noncitizens. The guidance calling for local elections officials to challenge the listed individuals ballots was allowed to stand, in part because of the federal government confirmed there were noncitizens who appeared on Pates list. Helm said that in Dallas County, voters on the list were sent letters or called to notify them of the issue and were informed theyd need to bring additional proof of U.S. citizenship to their polling site. However, she said there have been changes to the secretary of states guidance throughout the process. In a public letter released Tuesday, Helm wrote that the Dallas County Auditors Office has complied, in food faith, with both the directives of the Iowa Secretary of States Office and the Iowa Code. Unfortunately, the guidance from the Secretary of States Office has changed throughout this process, Helm wrote in the letter. On November 12, 2024, the Auditors Office received new guidance regarding the review of affidavit envelopes (and) they were made immediately available to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Secretary of States Office said in a statement that the process was complicated by the lack of cooperation from the federal U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in sharing the citizenship status of listed individuals. Our guidance to county auditors was to follow the established challenge process which is outlined in Iowa Code 49.79, the statement said. In fact, the first reason listed in the code for why a voter may be challenged is citizenship. This process includes the potential for a challenge at the polling place to be withdrawn if the individual can provide evidence of whatever is being challenged (identity, residency, in this case, citizenship), and the individual can cast the ballot as normal. Again, this is all established in the existing challenge process. After two decades of fighting for justice over abuses at Iraq's infamous Abu Ghraib prison, Troy attorney Shereef Akeel's efforts paid off Tuesday when a federal jury in Virginia did what has never been done before: It ordered a U.S. company to pay $42 million to three men who were tortured inside a foreign prison. What's noteworthy is that the plaintiffs were not Americans, but Iraqis a fruit vendor, a journalist and a middle school principal and their abuses did not happen on U.S. soil. Yet, an American jury concluded that a U.S. defense contractor should be held liable for their abuse, which was captured in leaked photographs and videos that shocked the world 20 years ago images that included naked and hooded detainees posed in human pyramids, prisoners on leashes and sexual abuse. The jury concluded that the company played a role in those abuses, which took years of legal feuding to get heard in an American courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Lawsuit: Inmate kept 6 days beyond release when Wayne Co. jail staff couldn't locate him More: Wayne County buys heavy-duty sprinkler heads as inmates flood troubled new jail Perhaps equally noteworthy is how the plaintiffs fought and won this case: They relied on a centuries-old law that was once used to prosecute pirates who kidnapped French ambassadors. 'The jury sent a message to the world' "This is amazing. America is shining today," Akeel, the plaintiffs' attorney, told the Free Press shortly after the landmark verdict was announced. "The jury sent a message to the world: If you are working in America's name, the respect of humanity is universal, whether you are an American or a citizen of another country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Akeel, the verdict not only vindicated his belief in the ideology of America. "Its a confirmation of what we are all about, and how good we can be," Akeel said, stressing: "The purpose of this case is to show that whether you were tortured in Iraq, the laws of America will reach and hold people accountable." The landmark case involves abuses that occurred two decades ago inside Abu Ghraib following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, when the U.S. hired a company to interrogate prisoners held inside the prison. The shocking pictures of nude inmates being humiliated by police eventually emerged. Company denies abusing anyone The company hired to do the interrogating was Virginia-based CACI Premier Technology Inc., which has long denied being involved in any abuse of Iraqi detainees. No CACI interrogators have ever been criminally charged in the case. The company also has long argued that there is no evidence that it is responsible for what happened at Abu Ghraib. Specifically, CACI has argued that the plaintiffs failed to allege "a single contact" with a specific CACI employee. Instead, the company maintained, the men wrongly sought to "hold the CACI defendants liable on a co-conspiracy theory for the conduct of others." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement released Tuesday, CACI said it plans to appeal, maintaining the military police are responsible for the abuse of prisoners, not its employees. "We are extremely disappointed in the verdict," the statement reads. "For nearly two decades, CACI has been wrongly subjected to long-term, negative affiliation with the unfortunate and reckless actions of a group of military police at Abu Ghraib prison from 2003 through 2004. The individuals liable for the egregious behavior were court martialed and punished for the crimes that occurred well over a decade ago." The statement continued: "To be clear: no CACI employee has ever been charged criminally, civilly, or administratively in this matter. CACI employees did not take part in, nor were any of our employees responsible for these disturbing events. Our view remains that there is no evidence of a conspiracy to abuse detainees, and we will continue to pursue justice by appealing this verdict." The Iraqi plaintiffs, however, maintain the interrogators also played a role in their abuse, alleging they conspired with military police to "soften up" detainees by subjecting them to abuse before they were interrogated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their lawsuit, they allege they were rounded up without cause and subjected to electric shocks, stripped and kept naked, beaten with batons, threatened with dogs and forced into cages. One said he was sexually assaulted by a woman at the prison. They alleged that CACI employees "directed and caused much of the egregious torture and abuse" at Abu Ghraib. In the end, the jury sided with the plaintiffs. 'We used a very old law' Akeel brought this unprecedented case under the Alien Tort Statute, a 1789 federal law that allows foreigners to seek justice in U.S. courts for various violations of international law. It was enacted during a time when pirates were kidnapping ambassadors from France, and was meant to promote goodwill on behalf of America. That law still is on the books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We used a very old law," said Akeel, noting most of the players involved in the abuse were held accountable for their actions. The military police were convicted in military courts, but "the only ones who have gotten away with it were the contractors," he said. Until now. It took years for the case to go to trial as CACI long fought to get it thrown out, making more than 20 attempts to have the case dismissed. When it finally did go to trial in April 2023, the jury deadlocked. On retrial, though, a second jury would rule in favor of the plaintiffs. One of the plaintiffs flew in and testified on the first day of trial, while two others testified by Zoom. They were the first survivors of alleged U.S. post-9/11 torture to testify in a U.S. courtroom. The trial also included the testimony of U.S. generals, CACI employees and former military police involved in the torture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's been a long time coming," Akeel said of the verdict. "You dont understand. We went through 21 motions. They tried to throw out the case. We traveled to Iraq, to Malaysia to Turkey and we kept hitting wall after wall until, finally, today the jury spoke." It all started with a visit in Dearborn It was in 2004 when an Iraqi named Saleh came to visit Akeel. The man had managed to get out of Iraq, made it to Dearborn, and told Akeel of being stripped naked in a prison back home and having a rope tied to his genitals. "He said it was in Abu Ghraib, and I said, 'What's that?'" Akeel previously told the Free Press. Two weeks later, a story would air on the television news show "60 Minutes," complete with the haunting photographs of nude Iraqis being humiliated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Akeel, a Muslim born to Egyptian parents in California and raised in Michigan, took immediate action. With the help of a former schoolmate who was working in Iraq, he traveled to the Middle East to begin looking for and interviewing detainees with a plan to file federal lawsuits. In 2008, a federal lawsuit was ultimately filed in U.S. District Court in Virginia against CACI, though there were many roadblocks, including a U.S. Supreme Court decision that the Alien Tort Statute does not apply to actions taken in other sovereign nations. Attorneys for CACI argued that ruling negated the case, maintaining the Supreme Court decision meant the statute could not be used to settle wartime violations outside the U.S., and that Iraq remained a sovereign nation even when it was under the control of what's known as the Coalition Provisional Authority, a transitional government established in Iraq following the U.S. invasion on March 19, 2003. Akeel and his colleagues argued that the Supreme Court ruling didn't apply, especially since the U.S. was effectively in control of Iraq at the time of the Abu Ghraib abuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the setbacks, the case finally went to a jury twice. Baher Azmy, legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, which also worked on the case, thanked the jury for holding a company accountable "for its role in this shameful episode in American history." But more than that, he said, for "affording our clients the measure of justice they came to a United States court to seek." Free Press reporter Todd Spangler and Reuters contributed to this report. Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Michigan lawyer won $42 million verdict for Abu Ghraib prisoners A pickup driver died Tuesday morning after crashing into a tractor-trailer that was parked on Interstate 95 in Harford County, causing a fire that shut down the highway for hours, according to Maryland State Police. Troopers responded at 6:30 a.m. to northbound I-95 near the Maryland House Travel Plaza and found the pickup truck, which had crashed into the tractor-trailer and caught fire, police said. The pickup trucks driver, whom police did not immediately identify, died at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The fire engulfed both vehicles, causing northbound lanes of the interstate near Exit 80 to close throughout rush hour and into the afternoon as crews worked to extinguish the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harford County hazmat technicians responded, along with the Maryland Department of the Environments emergency response team, due to lithium-ion batteries onboard the blazing tractor-trailer. The batteries were determined not to be a threat to the environment, MDE spokesperson Jay Apperson said, as they appeared to be components of items such as watches and toys, as opposed to a large shipment of batteries alone. Environmental response crews stayed on the scene, to ensure that firefighting foam was properly cleaned up, Apperson said. The Maryland Transportation Authority said around 1:25 p.m. that the scene was cleared and all lanes were reopened. Have a news tip? Contact Dan Belson at dbelson@baltsun.com, 443-790-4827, on X as @DanBelson_ or on Signal as @danbels.62. Donald Trump wants to save TikTok, after trying to get it banned during his first administration. Before leaving office in 2020, Trump attempted to ban TikTok through an executive order claiming the app was a threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. Now he is expected to halt a ban put in motion by President Joe Biden. So what changed? Kellyanne Conway explained the president-elects newfound support for the insidiously addictive video-sharing app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He appreciates the breadth and reach of TikTok, which he used masterfully along with podcasts and new media entrants to win, Conway told The Washington Post. There are many ways to hold China to account outside alienating 180 million U.S. users each month. Trump recognized early on that Democrats are the party of bansgas-powered cars, menthol cigarettes, vapes, plastic straws, and TikTokand to let them own that draconian, anti-personal choice space, she said. Conway managed to describe the president promising to bring back his travel ban targeting people from predominantly Muslim countries, including refugees from Gaza, as being in opposition to the so-called party of bans. As Conway said, Trump was able to use TikTok to appeal to younger voters, which helped propel him to victory. Trumps social media team garnered 3.2 billion TikTok views since the president-elect started using the app in June, according to the Post. In one of his first videos on the app he declared, Im gonna save TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trumps affair with TikTok started before he ever used the app. After Trump stated his intent to ban the app, TikTok altered its algorithm and content moderation so that pro-Trump content would do better, according to The Information. Trump would go on to court Jeff Yass, a major Republican donor and one of the largest investors in TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Yass also reportedly donated to Accuracy in Media, which funded the doxxing of pro-Palestinian college students. The deadline by which ByteDance must divest from its U.S.-based TikTok operations is January 19, the day before Trumps inauguration. The company has given no indication that it intends to comply, and challenged the ban as being unconstitutional. (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump is stocking his cabinet with people he wants to carry out his America First policies on the economy, border, trade, national security and more. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has put a premium on loyalty with his choices, selecting lawmakers and aides who defended him as he navigated the fallout from the Jan. 6, 2021, attempted insurrection and multiple criminal cases. Hes giving priority to those who have expressed an eagerness to hit the ground running as he prepares an expected flurry of executive actions and legislative proposals to quickly implement his agenda and roll back President Joe Bidens policies. The president-elect intends to get as many nominees that require Senate confirmation in place before his inauguration. Subscribe to the Bloomberg Daybreak podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. One controversial pick has already withdrawn from consideration: Matt Gaetz, who had announced his intention to resign from Congress when Trump selected him as his attorney general earlier this month. He faced an uphill battle to be approved on Capitol Hill amid allegations of sexual misconduct. He has continued to deny any wrongdoing, while the president-elect applauded his decision to avoid being a lingering distraction to the incoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at some of the people Trump has lined up so far: Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary If confirmed, Bessent, a Yale graduate who runs the macro hedge fund Key Square Group, would become the nations highest ranking economic policymaker. In that role, he will be managing Trumps sweeping economic agenda that he has vowed to enact in a second term. The job also involves navigating Washington political thickets, spearheading international economic diplomacy and providing a steady hand in crises. Bessent will be closely watched by investors and financial institutions, who are looking for predictability and stability. He has been a proponent of realigning US currency policy, but has stopped short of supporting an overt strategy of depreciating the dollar. Pam Bondi, Attorney General Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps new pick to lead the Department of Justice hes vowed to overhaul is another longtime ally who publicly championed his baseless claims of voter fraud in 2020. In his first administration, Bondi worked out of the White House assisting in communications related to his first impeachment trial. She also worked on an opioid and drug abuse commission in Trumps first term. As Floridas attorney general, Bondi earned national attention for her efforts to overturn the Affordable Care Act and provisions banning health insurance companies from charging more to customers with preexisting conditions. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary If confirmed, Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican congresswoman from Oregon, will be charged with managing Trumps relationship with labor after he made inroads with union voters in this months election. The Labor Department is primarily responsible for administering laws to guarantee workers rights, including receiving a minimum wage and unemployment insurance. Its also the parent agency of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which publishes inflation and jobs data that are often the two biggest market-moving events of any given month. Chavez-DeRemer was the first Republican woman to represent her state in the US House but lost her bid for reelection earlier this month. Scott Turner, Housing Secretary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner, a former NFL player, served as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trumps first term. He is the first Black American picked for a cabinet post in the second Trump administration. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for coordinating national policy addressing the countrys housing needs, including programs to bolster affordable housing, provide assistance to low-income Americans, prevent discrimination in the market and spur urban development. Dave Weldon, CDC Director Weldon was a practicing physician before being elected to several congressional terms in Florida, starting in 1994. If confirmed, he would take the helm of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, an organization thats been trying to regain public trust and address shortcomings identified during the coronavirus pandemic. The agency is also bracing for major changes under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who has been selected to run the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Makary, a pancreatic surgeon at Johns Hopkins Medicine, has had a long career as a health researcher, writing about hospital safety and quality and health-care prices. He gained prominence in recent years after questioning public health authorities and the medical establishment about Covid boosters and mask mandates. With a budget of about $7 billion, The Food and Drug Administration is considered the gold standard among the worlds top authorities for judging the safety and efficacy of medicines. Janette Nesheiwat, US Surgeon General Nesheiwat has been a Fox News contributor and says on her website that shes a board-certified medical doctor and medical news correspondent. The Office of the Surgeon General is responsible for providing Americans with scientific information about healthcare options and how to reduce the risk of illness, and best known for issuing warnings on products like cigarettes. Shes expected to work in the new role alongside Kennedy. Linda McMahon, Education Secretary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMahon led the Small Business Administration from 2017-2019 during Trumps first term, and stayed close to him afterwards, co-leading his transition team this year. She made her wealth as co-founder and chief executive officer of World Wrestling Entertainment. If confirmed for this latest post, McMahon will run a cabinet-level agency with a $114 billion budget that Trump and many of his allies say theyd like to see abolished, leaving its key responsibilities to the states. Such a move would require congressional approval. Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary Trump plans to install his transition co-chair Lutnick to the agency in charge of promoting US businesses and supporting economic growth. The chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald LP is a Wall Street pick who would be expected to carry out policy around Trumps avowed favorite word tariffs and continue to tout a populist economic agenda. Among his comments berating the Biden administration on the campaign trail for Trump, Lutnick has said high inflation is the meanest thing you can ever do to your people. Trump also signaled Lutnick could have outsize responsibility for the office of US Trade Representative typically filled by a separate appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary Ex-congressman and television personality Sean Duffy is set to be Trumps point person when it comes to decisions about Americas transportation infrastructure, including the expansion and upgrading of highways, rail networks and airports. The former Wisconsin lawmaker is one of several Fox News contributors Trump has tapped for a cabinet post. Hell have to navigate the tricky issue of the president-elects criticism of the electric vehicle industry, a focus of Bidens administration, with the backing Trump has received from Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk. Chris Wright, Energy Secretary A Colorado-based oil and natural gas fracking services executive and Washington outsider, Chris Wright is Trumps pick to lead the Energy Department. As CEO of Liberty Energy Inc., Wright has been a vocal proponent of fossil fuels and his company published a paper this year concluding there is no climate crisis. He is credited by Trump for being a pioneer of the American Shale Revolution and if confirmed, Wright would also sit on the newly formed National Energy Council. While the departments mission includes helping to maintain the nations nuclear warheads, studying supercomputers and maintaining the USs several hundred million-barrel stockpile of crude oil, Wright can be expected to push Trumps over-arching mission to boost domestic energy production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins got Trumps nod to run Veterans Affairs, the second-largest federal government department with more than 400,000 employees tasked with providing health care and other assistance to military veterans and their families. Collins, who left Congress in 2021, would preside over sprawling operations the department is one of the biggest consumers of medical equipment in the world. Hed also have to ensure the families get adequate support, especially in the wake of a 2014 scandal in which secret wait lists at VA hospitals shattered confidence in the system just as Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were needing fresh aid. Doug Burgum, Secretary of Interior North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is Trumps pick to run the Interior Department, which oversees energy development, grazing and other activities on some 500 million acres of public land, as well as US federal waters. That includes national parks such as Yellowstone and the Everglades. The 68-year-old raised his profile by running for the Republican nomination, but dropped out early and backed Trump. If confirmed, Burgum would likely be responsible for ramping up the sale of oil and gas leases, including in the Gulf of Mexico, which had been constrained under the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Health & Human Services Secretary The selection of Kennedy, a vocal vaccine skeptic, drew some worries for what it would mean for public health policy, and the news sent vaccine-makers stocks for a plunge. The Democrat-turned-independent who suspended his presidential candidacy in favor of Trump has long fielded criticism for his controversial comments on vaccines and the Covid-19 pandemic. The son of former Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy became a public face in recent months for Trumps call to Make America Healthy Again. In the final days of his campaign, Trump said he would let Kennedy go wild with health policy in his administration. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence Former US Representative and one-time Democrat Gabbard got Trumps nod to be his head of the office that overseas the countrys 17 intelligence agencies. In Gabbard, Trump is making another unorthodox pick, elevating a loyalist and skeptic of support for Ukraine. Gabbard is a veteran of the Iraq War and continues to serve as an officer in the Army Reserve. Shes another voice backing Trumps peace through strength strategy, having advocated for fewer deployments of US troops abroad. Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary An Army veteran and Fox News personality, Hegseth would oversee the US military amid Russias continuing war in Ukraine, conflicts raging across the Middle East and heightened tensions with China around Taiwan and the South China Sea. While hes a loyalist, the 44-year-old Hegseth has little experience managing a bureaucracy like the Defense Department, with its 770,000 employees and 2 million men and women in uniform. Its budget is more than $840 billion, and its finances are so complicated its never successfully completed an audit. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Government Efficiency Trump turned to his richest supporter and a former primary opponent to oversee what he calls the Department of Government Efficiency whose acronym, DOGE, is the same as a popular meme coin that Musk has promoted online. While department suggests a government agency, its more likely to be a presidential commission that looks at ways to cut spending. Musk whose companies receive billions in federal contracts at one point in the campaign suggested that $2 trillion in government outlays could be slashed from the budget. John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Trump is turning to his former director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, to lead the CIA. The 59-year-old ex-congressman was a fierce defender of Trump during his first impeachment before winning Senate confirmation to oversee the intelligence services in 2020. Assuming he wins confirmation this time around, Ratcliffe is expected to bring a sharp focus on countering national security threats and foreign adversaries such as China and Iran to the role. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Rubio is a one-time rival of the president-elect who later became one of his biggest supporters in the Senate. Hes also a longtime critic of China, and technically barred from entering the country under retaliatory sanctions. Rubio has defended Trumps position to bring a swift end to Russias war in Ukraine, calling for talks that could result in Kyiv giving up occupied territory. Mike Waltz, National Security Advisor Waltz is a former Army Green Beret and combat veteran of Afghanistan. As chairman of the House Armed Services Committees readiness panel, he criticized the Pentagon over teaching Critical Race Theory at military institutions and an overpriced bag of metal bushings for the Air Force, among other objections. Waltz has written that he views China as a greater threat to the US than any other nation. Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, once a potential VP pick for Trump, is now his choice to lead the Homeland Security Department. Noem became the subject of intense criticism after she admitted in her book to shooting her own 14-month-old dog. Front and center for the 52-year-old in her expected new role will be implementing Trumps policies on immigration, including his pledge to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants. Elise Stefanik, UN Ambassador Trump has described Stefanik as an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter. Stefanik was among the House Republicans who voted against certifying Bidens 2020 victory over Trump and was the first House member to endorse him in this third White House bid. Tom Homan, border czar The man Trump has chosen to put in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin was the public face of the zero tolerance immigration policies during the Republicans first term. That episode broke with the practice of keeping families together during detentions and deportations, resulting in thousands of undocumented migrant children getting separated from family members and drawing widespread backlash. Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator The former New York congressman was a member of Trumps impeachment defense team and a vocal supporter in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riots. His environmental credentials are less robust, though he worked on Capitol Hill to protect the Long Island Sound from dredge dumping. Zeldin said he will seek to roll back regulations preventing energy development in the role, while also seeking to protect the air and water. Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff The Republican political operative brought stability, order and financial discipline to a campaign whose 2016 and 2020 iterations were far more volatile. Shes set to become the first woman tapped to become chief of staff and will likely help set strategy for Trumps first 100 days in office. --With assistance from Kevin Dharmawan, Justin Sink, Daniel Flatley, Ramsey Al-Rikabi, Meghashyam Mali, Skylar Woodhouse, John Harney and Romy Varghese. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. One of Donald Trumps first acts as president will be to rescue TikTok, one of Americas favorite social media obsessions, his allies tell The Washington Post . If the app does not find an owner based outside of China by January, Americans are set to lose access to it under a bill passed by a large, bipartisan majority in Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. Under that law, TikToks Chinese parent company is due to divest by Jan. 19. However, it has challenged the ban as unconstitutional, potentially pushing it into a second Trump administration. According to four sources in Trumps orbit, the president-elect is ready to advocate for TikTok as needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are many ways to hold China to account outside alienating 180 million U.S. users each month, Trumps 2016 campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told The Washington Post. Trump recognized early on that Democrats are the party of bansgas-powered cars, menthol cigarettes, vapes, plastic straws, and TikTokand to let them own that draconian, anti-personal choice space. Trump has flip-flopped on the app. In 2020, he threatened to ban it and signed an order that would do so amid concerns that it allowed the Chinese government access to Americans data. But by spring of this year, he reversed course. He even joined the app himself, racking up more than 14 million followers, and promised to save TikTok. To achieve that goal, he could either push Congress to repeal the law or simply instruct his team not to enforce it. But both paths could prove tricky, with the first leaving leaders in Washingtonlikely including new members of his own administration, including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), a China hawk, and Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noemworried about Chinas influence. The second, meanwhile, could leave app stores that offer the app leery of skirting the law according to Trumps whims. By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As President-elect Donald Trump seeks to consolidate his grip on the levers of power in Washington before returning to office next year, his supporters are pushing to shake up the normally clubby Republican leadership rituals of the U.S. Senate. Trump backers ranging from Elon Musk to conservative commentators Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson are leading a loud public campaign for the chamber's new Republican majority to elect Trump loyalist Rick Scott rather than institutionalists John Thune or John Cornyn when Republicans meet in a closed-door session on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drive is a test of the Senate's independence, as Trump has already called on the next Republican leader to give him leeway to bypass the normal system of hearings and votes to approve Cabinet nominees. Thune, Cornyn and Scott all quickly signaled their openness to the idea. Republicans are on track to have a Senate majority of at least 52-48, with a Pennsylvania race not yet called. They also appear poised to retain a majority in the House of Representatives, which would give Trump great leeway in governing. "Rick Scott clearly has been very loyal to Donald Trump ... I certainly think that Rick Scott would do an amazing job," Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump, the president-elect's daughter-in-law, told conservative political commentator Benny Johnson this week. "Rick Scott is not only immensely qualified but he's a mover and shaker, and I think would be the strongest support for President Trump's agenda," Fox News commentator Sean Hannity posted to his 6.8 million followers on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple Senate Republicans have pushed back against the idea of simply voting to back Scott because of public pressure. The job of majority leader, they said, requires someone who has spent time in building trust and support within the caucus. "It's about relationships inside the Senate. The Senate is a small body," said Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Thune ally. "It's not hard to build that many relationships. That's the way it should be. It's all about building relationships." Thune, who is currently Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's top lieutenant, and Cornyn, who held the same job earlier, are veteran legislators who have helped usher major legislation through Congress and aided the campaigns of fellow Senate incumbents and other Republican candidates. But, like McConnell himself, they have run afoul of some of Trump's leading allies and advisers, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who view Scott as the most likely candidate to push the Trump agenda through the Senate over the objections of Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott, a former Florida governor, is still serving his first six-year term in the Senate. SECRET BALLOT Mullin pointed to a dynamic that may allow some senators to buck the public pressure: "It's also a closed, private ballot that will never be made public." Some of Scott's backers say he will need a Trump endorsement to succeed in Wednesday's secret ballot. In 2022, Scott tried to take the leader's job from McConnell but lost in a 10-37 vote despite Trump's backing. A similar public pressure campaign in October 2023 by Trump supporters to install hardline Republican Representative Jim Jordan as House speaker failed when the caucus retreated behind closed doors to unify behind a candidate before voting in public on a speaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans in the end elected Speaker Mike Johnson to lead them in the House. Johnson is expected to be easily reelected so long as his party retains the majority. McConnell -- the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, holding the top role since 2007 -- plans to step down from leadership when the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3. McConnell played a critical role in securing many of Trump's first-term accomplishments, including passing tax cuts and approving three Supreme Court justices. But he also pushed back against Trump at times, including rebuffing his calls to eliminate the chamber's "filibuster" rule, which requires 60 of the 100 senators to agree on most legislation, and faulted Trump for his conduct leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol before endorsing him for reelection in 2024. Senator Josh Hawley, another party hardliner, said he planned to vote for Cornyn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Nobody has done more to win back the majority than he has. He tirelessly raised millions of dollars for competitive Senate races, including mine," said Hawley. "I know he will work closely and effectively with President Trump to deliver on the promise of our new majority." Spokespeople for Scott and Cornyn declined to comment for this story. A Thune spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump's allies say his election sweep on Nov. 5 amounts to a public mandate for his proposals to extend tax cuts for businesses and corporations, eliminate taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security benefits, impose tariffs on imported goods and deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Independent analysts warn that the Trump agenda could add upwards of $8 trillion to a U.S. debt burden that currently stands at nearly $36 trillion. (Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis) MAGA Republican Kari Lake has lost her race for the Arizona Senate to Democrat Ruben Gallego, who becomes the Grand Canyon States first Latino senator. Gallegos win helps prevent the GOP further extending its majority in the upper chamber of Congress and continues his partys successful run in Arizona over the last decade, where voters have repeatedly rejected candidates backed by Donald Trump. Trump himself beat Kamala Harris there in last weeks presidential race, however, securing his clean sweep of the swing states. The race was called in Gallegos favor minutes before midnight ET on Monday, almost one week on from Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gracias, Arizona! Gallego, 44, wrote on X after his victory was confirmed, thanking the states voters for a win that nevertheless means Republicans still hold 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate. I will fight for Arizona in Washington, Gallego told cheering supporters as he gave a victory speech in Phoenix late on Monday night, as he pledged to fight for people who did not vote for him as well as those who did. Yes, he could! his supporters shouted in Spanish in celebration. Gallego continued by paying tribute to his mother, a Colombian immigrant who raised him alone in Chicago and sent him to Harvard University. He also pledged to fix the countrys immigration system, which he said was broken, further promising to support veterans and protect womens reproductive rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrat is a five-term House member and a Marine Corps Reserve veteran of the Iraq War, who will replace Kyrsten Sinema, whose 2018 victory as a Democrat created a formula that the party has successfully replicated ever since. (Ruben Gallego/X) Sinema then left the party after angering its left-wing arm and briefly considered running as an independent before deciding against a re-election bid after concluding she could not win. Gallego maintained a significant fundraising advantage throughout his race against Lake, whom he relentlessly attacked over her support for a state law dating back to the American Civil War that outlawed abortions under nearly all circumstances. He also portrayed his opponent as a liar who would do and say anything to gain power. Lake, a former TV news anchor who became a MAGA favorite when she pushed Trumps false 2020 election fraud narrative and then ran, unsuccessfully, to be Arizonas governor in 2022, has yet to respond to her defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She refused to accept her loss two years ago in the gubernatorial race and went on to refer to herself as the states lawful governor in a 2023 book. With Gallegos win, there is only one more major race left uncalled in Arizona. The contest between Republican Representative Juan Ciscomani and Democrat Kirsten Engel for the 6th Congressional District, which currently remains too early to call, according to the Associated Press. Ruben Gallago beat Kari Lake (left and right) in race for Senate seat in Arizona (Reuters) Gallego garnered more support in his race than Harris did in the presidential vote, suggesting that a substantial number of voters supported Trump at the top of the ticket but backed the Democrat for the Senate, a pattern also seen in Sinemas victory six years ago and both of Democratic Senator Mark Kellys wins in 2020 and 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ticket-splitters also were decisive in the Michigan, Wisconsin and Nevada Senate races this year, which Democrats won even as Trump won their states. Republicans flipped Democratic-controlled Senate seats in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Montana. In the latter three cases, defeated Senators Sherrod Brown, Bob Casey and Jon Tester also ran ahead of Harris but could not overcome their states shifts toward the GOP. Gallego led comfortably after the first results were released on Election Night, but his lead narrowed as more ballots were counted. Arizona is notorious for a drawn-out count because most people vote by mail which takes longer to verify and process including many who drop off ballots on Election Day. Additional reporting by agencies. The News US President-elect Donald Trump is doubling down on his hawkish stance toward China with his projected White House appointments. Relations between the two powers have markedly deteriorated in recent years as Washington has curbed Chinas access to cutting-edge technology and complained of Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea. Trumps choices for his team he is reportedly eyeing Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and former Green Beret Mike Waltz for national security adviser along with his threat of blanket 60% tariffs on Chinese goods suggest ties with Beijing may worsen further. SIGNALS Rubio and Waltzs positions reflect a bipartisan belligerence toward China Sources: CNN, Foreign Policy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the potential appointments of Rubio and Waltz underline the upcoming administrations hawkish approach to China, the two are not more out there than others in Washington, which has become far more aggressive toward China on a bipartisan level, CNNs chief national security analyst argued. China is perceived as the US biggest national security threat and the current administration has taken a hard stance, so in that respect, President Joe Biden will just be passing the baton back to Trump, Foreign Policy noted. However, on certain issues like sky-high tariff proposals and in terms of overall style, Trump will be different, and his cabinet appointments may end up having significant sway on his decisions, the outlet added. Beijing is already working to protect itself Sources: The Wall Street Journal, South China Morning Post Perhaps expecting an America that may shut it out, China has been racing to win over US allies by way of reduced levies, investments, and other incentives, The Wall Street Journal reported. It may also benefit from resolving its disputes with Europe, as both struggle with ailing economies and face the prospect of Trumps protectionism: No one wants to return to the law of the jungle, no one wants to go back to the era of confrontation and the Cold War, and no one wants to return to unilateral hegemony, the Chinese foreign ministrys deputy head said. Domestically, more measures to support growth and increase demand may be needed, an economist told the South China Morning Post. Trumps vitriol and suspicion may be hurting the US advantage over China Source: Bloomberg Trumps rhetoric of vitriol and suspicion and the widening trade and ideological war that began when he first took office eight years ago are causing the long-standing soft power the US held in China to dwindle, creating a deeper-than-ever division between the two countries that could escalate tensions, Bloomberg noted. In China, thats exemplified by a growing preference for local brands over American ones, increased government propaganda and censorship to shut out American ideas, and general disillusionment with the US as a global superpower. The US was like a light bulb a shining example for development and governance, an expert on China policy said. Now, that bulbs busted. WASHINGTON (AP) President-elect Donald Trump has asked U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, a person familiar with the matter said Monday. The nod came despite simmering concerns on Capitol Hill about Trump tapping members of the House, where the final tally is still uncertain and there are worries about pulling any GOP members from the chamber because that would force a new election to fill the empty seat. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter before Trump made a formal announcement. The move would put Waltz at the forefront of a litany of national security crises ranging from the ongoing effort to provide weapons to Ukraine and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz, a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida, was the first Green Beret elected to the U.S. House, and easily won reelection last week. He has been chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Waltz is an ardent Trump advocate who backed efforts to overturn the 2020 election. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its ongoing mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. He has been a sharp critic of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and has called on the U.S. to hold accountable those who bear responsibility for the deaths of the 13 U.S. service members at Abbey Gate and for thousands of Americans and allies behind enemy lines. He has also repeated Trumps frequent complaints about a so-called woke military that the former president has derided as soft and too focused on diversity and equity programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement last year, Waltz said that as head of the readiness subcommittee: I am ready to get to work to better equip our military and turn our focus away from woke priorities and back to winning wars. Our national security depends on it. A graduate of Virginia Military Institute, Waltz was a Green Beret. He served in the active-duty Army for four years before moving to the Florida Guard. While in the Guard he did multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa and was awarded four Bronze Stars, including two with valor. He also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. President-Elect Trump will begin making decisions on who will serve in his second Administration soon," said Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump transition. "Those decisions will be announced when they are made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richard Goldberg, who served at the National Security Council during Trumps first term, called Waltz an impressive pick whose background as an elite U.S. service member and experience on Capitol Hill will be of great value to Trump. With fires raging across the world right now, Waltz is well positioned to help the President put out those fires, said Goldberg, who is now a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington. Waltz's selection was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. AP writers Jill Colvin in New York and Zeke Miller and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. President-elect Donald Trumps incoming border czar Tom Homan has pushed back against critics, claiming that legal immigrants are perfectly safe from the administrations mass deportation efforts. Trump has pledged to deport tens of millions of undocumented migrants, a group which includes people who have lived in the US for decades. Some have also voiced concerns that the administration could go after immigrants who are citizens or try denaturalization of longstanding citizens. Homan appeared on Fox Business, where host Elizabeth MacDonald showed clips of MSNBCs Nicole Wallace noting that Homan has connections to Project 2025, the conservative agenda for the next Republican administration that Trump has been attempting to distance himself from, and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro saying that Homan has a cowboy attitude. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castro also said that Trumps immigration agenda will need a lot of pushback and Ana Navarro, the co-host of The View, said, When he says Yes, families can be deported together, what he is saying, is that US citizens can be deported. Are you saying that, Tom? MacDonald asked Homan. The incoming border czar said that US citizens and legal immigrants are perfectly safe, for Gods sake. Homan responded to a question from CBS late last month in which he was asked about going ahead with mass deportations without separating families. Families can be deported together, Homan said at the time. Tom Homan has been named as Donald Trumps border czar and tried to downplay some of the concerns over the administration's deportation plans (AFP via Getty Images) He also claimed in his Fox Business appearance that the Biden administration has deported families together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If these people demand due process, they demand the right to claim asylum, they demand the right to see a judge, and we give [that] to them at ... taxpayer cost, at the end of that due process, if [a] federal judge [says] You must go home, they have to go home, Homan said. If they dont, then what the hell are we doing? Jessica Tarlov, a co-host of The Five on Fox News, addressed Homans comments, saying that a key contributor to Project 2025 had been put in charge of immigration enforcement. Tom Homan was interviewed on 60 Minutes and asked Is there a way to carry about mass deportation without separating families? He said ... families can be deported together, Tarlov noted. He also said ... if someone was going to be rounded up and grandma was in the house and she is undocumented, it didnt necessarily mean she wouldnt be taken too. You can say Donald Trump has the mandate until youre blue in the face, taking grandma is not what people were voting for, she added. They were voting for criminals to be kicked out of this country. Trump has said he will deport millions starting day one of his presidency as he looks to overhaul immigration in the US (AFP via Getty Images) Commentator Ed Krassenstein wrote on X that most Americans ... dont want the US-born children (American citizens) of undocumented immigrants forced to leave. They dont want Grandma deported. And many dont want hardworking contributors to our economy expelled, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: People voted for stronger borders, but what theyre getting looks like an extreme approach. Trump didnt tell you the whole story. Were going to see videos of young American kids deported alongside their immigrant parents. Well see elderly women being forced to leave. Homan said on Monday that the incoming Trump administration will conduct workplace raids to find illegal immigrants. During an appearance on Fox & Friends on Monday, the former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the raids would take aim at labor and sex trafficking. Where do we find most victims of sex trafficking and forced labor trafficking? At worksites, Homan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But immigration advocates have said the tactic probably wont address the problem. The director of federal advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center, Heidi Altman, said Homan is conflating the traffickers with the people being trafficked, according to The Hill. Tom Homan is skilled at using public safety rhetoric to justify vicious tactics that tear families apart. During his stint in the first Trump administration, Homan pushed for the zero tolerance policy which led to the separation of more than 4,000 children from their families. While Homan told Fox that hell mainly target public safety threats and national security threats, he also said that foreigners with deportation orders become fugitives, meaning that immigrants without criminal pasts but with a deportation order could be prioritized for removal. Donald Trumps pick for his administrations border czar suggested that immigrants should self-deport ahead of the president-elects massive deportation scheme. During an interview Monday with Tom Homan, Trumps former director of Immigration Customs and Enforcement, Fox Newss Sean Hannity pitched the idea of a two- or three-month grace period for undocumented immigrants to self-deport. If you dont self-report-deport, then you will never be given an opportunity at citizenship and when you leave, you will never be invited back, you will never be able to apply to come into the country, said Hannity. Sound like a good idea or no? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Criminals and gang members get no grace period, Homan, the incoming border chief, said. But, while were out prioritizing the public safety threats, and national security threats, if you want to self-deport, you should self-deport. Because, again, we know who you are, and were gonna come and find you. So, if you want to self-deport, thats fine. But criminals and gang members, they get no favors from this administration. You came to this country illegally which is a crime. You committed crimes against United States citizens, some heinous crimes, you get no grace period, so were coming for you. But for those others, the non-criminals, you wanna self deport Im all for it, Homan said. Because when they self-report they can put everything in order, their family business that they got, homes, or whatever. They can put all that in order and leave with their family all together. It makes perfect sense for the ones that are not criminals. Homan: For the others, the non criminals, you want to self deport, Im all for it. They can put everything in order.. Hannity: How are the going to get home? pic.twitter.com/NedVHKIAUS Acyn (@Acyn) November 12, 2024 Homans rambling response leaves room for interpretation, resting on the administrations definition of non-criminal, which would likely include both undocumented and legal immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JD Vance has previously suggested that Trump would deport immigrants who are in the country under legal programs such as temporary protected status, or TPS. There were 863,880 foreign nationals in the United States under TPS as of August. Vance has also refused to rule out deporting immigrants with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, status. The details of Trumps plan to execute the largest mass deportations in history are still unclear. Homan said Tuesday he expected support from the U.S. military and special operations. Donald Trumps incoming border czar says hes all for undocumented immigrants doing his job for him and self-deporting. Tom Homan appeared Monday on Fox News Hannity, where host Sean Hannity asked whether he would consider a grace period for undocumented immigrants to turn themselves in for deportation, and then eventually be allowed to apply to return to the U.S. legally. Criminals and gang members get no grace period, Homan replied. We know who you are and were gonna come and find you Were coming for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if non-criminals want to leave voluntarily, hes all for it, Homan said. The vast majority of undocumented immigrants dont commit crimes. When you self-deport, they can put everything in order: their family business, if they got homes or whatever, Trumps former acting director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement said. They can put all that in order and leave with their family all together. Its not clear what would happen to those homes or businesses, and Homan didnt specify whether self-deporting would grant some type of amnesty that would let people apply to re-enter the U.S. in the future. Homan was the chief architect of one of Trumps central campaign promises to deport up to 11 million undocumented immigrants and contributed to the far-right Project 2025 blueprint for a second Trump term. He has famously said its possible to carry out mass deportation without splitting up families by simply deporting whole families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would mean deporting an estimated 4.4 million U.S. citizens living with their undocumented parents, according to data from the American Immigration Council. The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops. Donald Trump promised over the course of his campaign to abolish the Department of Education. Its been a pet policy goal of the right ever since the agency was created in 1980 under former President Jimmy Carter and is spelled out in Project 2025, the conservative playbook that Trump will probably use once he is back in the White House. But Trump doesnt need to shut down the department in order to launch an all-out war on public schools. He outlined his plan for education in a video last year, saying that not only will he close down the agency, he will bring back prayer in schools, end the supposed indoctrination of students and take politics out of schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will ensure our classrooms are focused not on political indoctrination but on teaching the knowledge and skills needed to succeed, Trump said, adding, We will teach students to love their country, not to hate their country like theyre taught right now. Its the same agenda that right-wing culture warriors have been pushing in red states for the last four years and Trump wants to spread it across the country. This renewed push to go after the Department of Education isnt so much a sincere push for smaller government or even reducing the federal role, Jon Valant, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, told HuffPost. Its more about this continued attack on public education as a concept and eroding support for public schools in general. The Department of Educations primary functions are providing funding for programs that serve low-income publicschools and children with disabilities and protecting students from discrimination. If Trump were able to abolish it, it would spell disaster for the entire country. But public education has increasingly become politicized, and support for public schools, especially among Republicans, is now at an all-time low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The upcoming Trump administration will likely seize on that sentiment to further attack public schools through rolling back Biden-era rules designed to make them safe and equitable for all students, supporting the expansion of programs that take away funding from public schools and promoting laws that restrict books and censor teachers. One of their first moves would be pulling back Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students, Valant said. Title IX is the federal regulation that protects students from sex-based discrimination. The Biden administration expanded it to include protections for students in the LGBTQ+ community. Republicans have fought against the change from the beginning, and several GOP-led states sued to block the rule. An overwhelming majority of transgender students have reported feeling unsafe or unwelcome at school. Then theres the Office for Civil Rights. This arm of the Department of Education allows students, parents and families to sue their school districts over civil rights violations. Often, the department works with both sides to seek a resolution because its a low-risk way of settling civil rights violations. But Project 2025 proposes gutting the office and only allowing lawsuits to go through the courts, thus eliminating an avenue for addressing discrimination in our nations schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parental rights have been at the forefront of the conservative agenda for years, and the approaching Trump administration has already signaled that it will follow suit. The term is broad, but Republicans have been using it to pass laws and measures that restrict books and censor teachers. There is broad support among the Republican Party for some form of parental rights bill and theres some shared understanding of what that should mean, Valant said. Multiple states have already passed their own versions of parental rights bills, like in Iowa and Tennessee. These laws often ban books that conservatives believe are sexually explicit but usually target books with LGBTQ+ themes. Teachers are typically restricted in what they can say about gender identity and sexual orientation and are required to inform parents if their child wants to go by another name or pronouns at school even against the students wishes. Abolishing the Department of Education would also mean getting rid of Title I funding, the program that supports low-income schools across the country. But since red states disproportionately rely on these funds, the Trump administration would face fierce opposition from both parties to any rollbacks of Title I. Instead, Republicans will likely focus on school voucher programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These programs, which are often expensive and operate with little oversight, give parents the opportunity to send their children to alternative schools like religious ones with public funding. I think they will try a federal school choice program, Valant said. And if theres a new tax bill, he noted that Republicans might build in some tax credits that would essentially function almost as a school voucher program as a way of getting public funds to private schools. But diverting funds from public schools can wreak havoc on the students who are left behind and on the states resources. In Arizona, the state is facing a $1.4 billion shortfall. And after North Carolina expanded its voucher program, the number of students who were already enrolled in private schools getting taxpayer funding to subsidize tuition exploded. These big universal voucher programs are dramatically restructuring how schools are run in some states and creating threats for public education systems that we havent had at any time in the recent past, Valant said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Education doesnt need to be abolished in order for Trump to damage public education. Its unlikely that hell succeed in abolishing it, but theres a reason he made it a priority on the campaign trail. As his base grows increasingly against public schools, chipping away at them has become a way to shore up support. Its just a way of going after public schools, and its not just a symbolic battle that just scores political points, but it has real consequences, Valant said. Related... President-elect Trump has assembled his Cabinet, and senior staff positions are filling up for his second term in the White House before taking office in January. Trump has nominated leaders for 15 government agencies that make up a presidential Cabinet, plus other top administration jobs that require Senate confirmation, along with appointing senior staff. Heres a look at who has been tapped to serve so far. Cabinet Agriculture secretary: Brooke Rollins The president and CEO of the American First Policy Institute, a think tank for the former president manned by previous staffers, Brooke Rollins was part of Trumps Council of Economic Advisers in 2016. Rollins launched a $10 million campaign against President Bidens economic agenda and spoke out in favor of Trumps second White House bid when it fell under scrutiny. The pick drew some surprise Trump had been reportedly considering former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) for the role before he officially announced Rollins. Commerce secretary: Howard Lutnick Cantor Fitzgerald chair and CEO Howard Lutnick is currently serving as co-chair of the Trump transition. He has notably publicly embraced Trumps tariff plans, which will be a major part of the job leading Commerce. Lutnick, a longtime friend to Trump, was also on the short list to serve as Treasury secretary. Defense secretary: Pete Hegseth An Army National guard officer who did tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, earning two Bronze Stars, Pete Hegseth is currently a co-host for Fox & Friends Weekend. Trump has pledged to fire generals involved in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and to eliminate woke initiatives that focus on diversity and equity in the military. The choice of Hegseth came as a surprise even to some Trump allies, as the Fox commentator was not among the names considered in the running for the job. Education secretary: Linda McMahon Linda McMahon, who led the Small Business Administration during Trumps first term, is currently serving as co-chair of the president-elects transition. Trump said he expects her to expand school choice to every state and empower parents to make education decisions for their children. McMahon co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with her husband, Vince McMahon. Energy secretary: Chris Wright Chris Wright is the CEO of Liberty Energy, a fracking and oil field services company, as well as a Trump donor. In addition to the role of Energy secretary, Trump said Wright would serve on a newly formed Council of National Energy being led by Doug Burgum, his nominee for Interior secretary. The Energy Department oversees oil and gas production and exports, as well as the nations nuclear weapons program. Health and Human Services secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Democrat-turned-independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer from the storied family of Democratic politics. He suspended his own presidential campaign and pledged his support to Trump in August. Kennedy founded one of the most prominent anti-vaccine groups in the country and has promoted the debunked claim that childhood vaccines cause autism. He has vowed to purge entire departments at the Food and Drug Administration to root out corruption. Homeland Security secretary: Kristi Noem Having served as South Dakota governor since 2019, Kristi Noem is a loyal Trump ally and would help oversee his immigration crackdown in a second term. She was also in consideration for Trumps running mate before early excerpts of her book revealed she killed her hunting dog 20 years ago. Housing and Urban Development secretary: Scott Turner Before he served in Trumps first administration as executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, Scott Turner was a football player whose NFL career spanned nine seasons and ended in 2004. He is a former member of Congress from Texas. Interior secretary: Doug Burgum North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum endorsed Trump after ending his own presidential bid earlier this year and has developed a strong political and personal relationship with the president-elect; he was among the finalists to serve as his running mate. Burgum has ties to the oil and gas industry and is expected to play a central role in Trumps push to increase oil drilling and energy production. Labor secretary: Lori Chavez-DeRemer Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), who lost her reelection bid to a Democratic challenger earlier this month, had the backing of the Teamsters union before she was officially picked by Trump to head the Labor Department. She has served in city government in Happy Valley and was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Oregon. Secretary of State: Marco Rubio Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is seen as a foreign policy hawk who is tough on China and Iran. His selection to serve as Trumps top diplomat completes a drastic turnaround from 2016, when the two were fierce rivals in the GOP presidential primary. Rubio was also in consideration for Trumps running mate this year, before he selected Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio). Transportation secretary: Sean Duffy A former Wisconsin congressman and Fox Business Network host, Sean Duffy also appeared on MTVs Real World reality show series around the turn of the century. He left the House in late 2019 after learning one of his children had a heart condition and has historically been a supporter of the president-elect, defending Trumps controversial 2017 executive order that imposed a 90-day ban on nationals from seven mostly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Treasury secretary: Scott Bessent Billionaire investor Scott Bessent is set to become the key leader of the president-elects economic team, which will be tasked with imposing an aggressive tariff regime meant to shake up global trade while keeping financial markets calm amid the disruption. Bessent, founder and CEO of hedge fund Key Square Group, served as an economic adviser to the Trump campaign, often appearing on financial talk shows to argue in favor of the president-elects economic policies. Veterans Affairs secretary: Doug Collins A former Georgia congressman, Doug Collins was a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve and was one of Trumps biggest defenders in the House. He has served as a legal counsel for Trump, particularly on the MAGA movements false claims that the 2020 election was stolen in Georgia due to illegally cast ballots. Collins has served in the Air Force Reserve since 2002 and was deployed to Iraq in 2008 as part of the 94th Air Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga. Attorney general: Pam Bondi Trump announced Pam Bondi would replace former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as his nominee for attorney general after Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration earlier that same day. Bondi was the first woman elected to serve as Floridas attorney general, where she heavily prosecuted cases that involved drug trafficking and eventually worked on Trumps Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission in his first term. Key appointments Director of national intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard Before leaving the Democratic Party in 2022, Tulsi Gabbard served four terms as a Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and made a run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. She is a National Guard veteran who served two tours of duty in the Middle East and has long been critical of the Democratic establishment, especially of U.S. engagement in wars in that region. She officially became a Republican earlier this year and is on Trumps transition team. CIA director: John Ratcliffe John Ratcliffe, who served as director of national intelligence for about eight months at the end of Trumps first term, has been selected to lead the CIA for his second. He was previously a congressman from Texas; Trump, in a statement, called him a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public. Ratcliffe also served as a member of Trumps impeachment team during the Democrats first effort to boot the then-president from office. Office of Management and Budget director: Russell Vought Russell Vought was serving as Office of Management and Budgets director at the end of Trumps first term, after starting as the offices deputy director. He wrote the chapter on the executive office of the president of the United States which largely references OMB in The Heritage Foundations Project 2025, a governing agenda filled with conservative priorities and insight from scholars and policy experts. Surgeon general: Dr. Janette Nesheiwat A double board-certified medical doctor, Janette Nesheiwat serves as a medical director at CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She is listed as a contributor on Fox Newss website. Her website notes she has led medical relief missions in Haiti, Ukraine and Africa. CDC director: Dr. Dave Weldon Former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon (R) was tapped to serve as the director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A medical doctor and Army veteran, Weldon was a seven-term lawmaker until 2008. While in Congress, Weldon served on several committees, including Appropriations, Health and Human Services, Education and Labor, and Science. He returned to practicing medicine and working as a consultant after not seeking reelection in 2008. Federal Drug Administration: Marty Makary A Johns Hopkins surgeon who has espoused contrarian views about the COVID-19 pandemic, Marty Makary was picked to lead the Federal Drug Administration. He is a surgical oncologist at Johns Hopkins University and an author. He will lead Trumps health arm under the guidance of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was tapped to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Environmental Protection Agency director: Lee Zeldin Trumps selection to lead the EPA is Lee Zeldin, a Republican former New York congressman and gubernatorial candidate who was an outspoken defender of the 45th president during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Trump mentioned Zeldins legal background, a sign he will likely lean on the EPA to roll back environmental regulations. FCC chair: Brendan Carr Currently a commissioner, Brendan Carr has been nominated to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under Trump. He was first nominated to the FCC in 2017 and he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate. In one of his first statements since the announcement, Carr wrote on social media that the FCC would get rid of its diversity, equity and inclusion promotion. White House Chief of staff: Susie Wiles Well-respected as a political operative, Susie Wiles spent the past two years co-running Trumps campaign. She will become the first woman to serve as a White House chief of staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wiles, who was among the people Trump thanked after his 2024 victory, was largely a behind-the-scenes figure during his run. She has also worked for Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and was a deputy director during former President Reagans 1980 campaign. Deputy chief of staff for policy: Stephen Miller One of Trumps closest advisers during his first term, Stephen Miller was an architect of policies such as a ban on travel from several Muslim-majority countries and family separation. He is expected to lead efforts to enact Trumps immigration crackdown in a second term. Border czar: Tom Homan A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, Tom Homan has been named Trumps border czar, tasked with cracking down on immigration and overseeing the the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security, according to a statement from the president-elect. Homan has said he will crank up workplace raids as a way to address labor and sex trafficking and will prioritize public safety threats and national security threats for deportation as border czar. He was an early proponent of the zero tolerance policy that separated more than 4,000 children from their parents in the first Trump administration. National security adviser: Mike Waltz Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, an Army veteran who was the first Green Beret elected to Congress, will serve as Trumps top national security official, leaving the House after representing the Sunshine State since 2019. Waltz has called for Europe to do more to support Ukraine and for the U.S. to be more stringent with its support, aligning with a key foreign policy goal of the president-elect. He has also been a staunch critic of the Biden administrations 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Senior director for counterterrorism: Sebastian Gorka Sebastian Gorka will join Trumps national security team with a focus on combating terrorism. Gorka is a British-Hungarian American, and his statement announcing the appointment, Trump touted him as a legal immigrant. Gorka served in the first Trump administration advising the president on counterterrorism matters. Gorka was close with Trump ally Steve Bannon but was forced out of the first Trump administration when John Kelly became Trumps chief of staff. White House counsel: Bill McGinley After spending more than two years as Cabinet secretary during Trumps first term, Bill McGinley will return to the White House as the president-elects counsel. He has also served as general counsel at the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, in a statement, called McGinley a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement and said he played a major role in the GOP victory in the 2024 election. Principal deputy national security adviser: Alex Wong A staunch ally of Trump, Alex Wong was picked to serve as assistant to the president and as the principal deputy national security adviser, the transition team announced. During the president-elects first term, Wong served as the deputy special representative for North Korea. He later served as the deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs within the State Department. In his announcement, Trump praised Wong for helping to broker his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his first administration. Middle East envoy: Steven Witkoff Steven Witkoff, a New York businessman, will serve as special envoy to the Middle East, a role Trump said in a statement will involve him being a voice for peace. He is a longtime friend of the president-elect, is known as a real estate tycoon and is chair and CEO of Witkoff. Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Trump announced Elon Musk, a billionaire backer, and Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP primary rival who endorsed Trump after dropping his own bid, would lead an effort to slash government spending and regulations. They are expected to conclude their work by July 4, 2026, just a few months before the midterm elections. Trump said the effort would partner with the Office of Management and Budget but would provide guidance from outside of Government. Musk in particular has extensive financial holdings with government contractors that could complicate an official government job. White House staff secretary: Will Scharf Will Scharf represented Trump as one of his lawyers during a hearing on presidential immunity before the Supreme Court and was a regular on TV defending Trump amid his hush money trial in Manhattan. Staff secretary is a lower profile position that carries significant importance within the White House, managing paper flow to the president and typically being in close proximity to the commander in chief. Ambassadors United Nations ambassador: Elise Stefanik The House GOP conference chair who just won her fifth term representing an upstate New York district, Elise Stefanik has limited diplomatic experience but has been an outspoken critic of the United Nations and a staunch ally of Israel. Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee The president-elect selected former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee for what will be a major diplomatic role amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Huckabee, who led the Bear State from 1996-2007, has never held a diplomatic post previously but has at times weighed in on the war in Gaza. He told NewsNation that he did not see a reason to support an Israel-Hamas cease-fire and that the only way to end the war would be to eradicate the terrorist group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has urged Israel to finish the problem in the fight against Hamas following its October 2023 attacks, even as he has been critical of how the country has carried out the military campaign. Ambassador to NATO: Matthew Whitaker Whitaker, Trumps former acting attorney general, would fill the role at a crucial time amid Russias war in Ukraine. Trump touted Whitaker as a choice who can strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, amid tensions over defense spending across the security alliance. Trump has pledged to end the war in Ukraine by the time he takes office, a vow that has stoked fears in Europe and among NATO allies that he will concede territory in Ukraine to reach a deal. He has also long demanded more defense spending from non-US members. Ambassador to Canada: Pete Hoekstra Former GOP Michigan Rep. Pete Hoekstra is Trumps pick to serve as ambassador to Canada. I am very pleased to announce that former Ambassador, and former Congressman, Pete Hoekstra, has been nominated as my United States Ambassador to Canada, Trump said in a statement. Pete is well-respected in the Great State of Michigan A State we won sizably. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoekstra served as a Michigan representative from 1993 to 2011, chairing the House Intelligence Committee during his final four years in office. He served as Trumps ambassador to the Netherlands beginning in 2018. Earlier this year, the Republican National Committee officially recognized Hoekstra as the leader the Michigan GOP. Withdrawn Attorney general: Matt Gaetz The most controversial of Trumps initial Cabinet selections, the possibility of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) becoming attorney general immediately led to a slew of headlines about the years of rumors and investigations hes faced regarding alleged sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and more. Trump said the Florida Republican would end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department, and Gaetz just reelected to a fifth term resigned from Congress immediately following the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz withdrew from attorney general consideration about a week later, saying it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. Updated Nov. 25 at 9:55 a.m. EST Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Of the hundred ways that Democrats lost the White House and Senate, one was by being pro-democracy but against republicanism. If you were a Trump-skeptical conservative or moderate open to perhaps voting for Kamala Harris, the vice presidents support for rolling back the 60-vote threshold for most legislation in the Senate in order to codify the right to abortion access nationally after the fall of Roe v. Wade was a big warning sign. In the context of the Democrats post-Roe flirtation with packing the Supreme Court, the center-right received with alarm any other moves to grease the skids for majoritarian rule in the upper chamber of Congress. After Harry Reids 2013 deployment of the tactical nuclear option of suspending the 60-vote threshold on most presidential appointments so Democrats could push through then-President Barack Obamas picks for lower federal courts and administration posts, the idea that the next change to the rulethat only abortion legislation would have been exempt under Harris proposalwould be the last one was risible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Democrats themselves had been able to resist the temptation of expanding the power of simple majorities to other issues, Republicans surely would have cranked the ratchet when they took back control, just as they did in 2017 by adding Supreme Court nominations to Reids list of exemptions. Progressives, who hate the filibuster anyway, wanted promises from Harris of bold action on abortion, arguing that since Americans were voting pro-choice in huge numbers in state referenda, allowing the minority in the Senate to blockade abortion legislation was undemocratic. Conservatives, though, say it is important to preserve the power of political minorities, and, by extension the power of the Senate to act as a stabilizing force in our politics. Democracy is about the will of the people, republicanism is about the liberties of persons and powers of institutions charged with protecting them, even when those things are unpopular. Our system needs both, always held in tension. The filibusterthe privilege of individual senators to hold up the work of the entire bodyevolved in the early Senate as a reflection of the Constitutions anti-majoritarian attitude. Harris enthusiasm for making the Senate more representative and less cautious was therefore anathema to the small-r republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his victory speech last week after Senate Republicans won back the majority they had lost four years earlier, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed the filibuster will stand. I think this shifting to a Republican Senate majority helps control the guardrails, keep people who want to change the rules in order to achieve something they think is worthwhile are not successful, the outgoing GOP leader said in remarks no doubt aimed as much at his party as the other side. McConnell, having lived through the push by Donald Trump in his first administration to ditch the filibuster, could reasonably expect that his successor, who will become majority leader when the new Senate convenes on January 3, would face similar pressures. The new GOP leader will be chosen by a secret-ballot vote on Wednesday by the 49 current Republican members of the Senate, plus the three new ones elected last week (Jim Justice of West Virginia, Bernie Moreno of Ohio, and Tim Sheehy of Montana) as well as one more who probably won but is still waiting for the final ballots to be counted, David McCormick of Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contenders for the top job are Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, Sen. John Cornyn of Texasboth veterans of McConnells team during his 18-year tenure as party leaderand Rick Scott of Florida, a McConnell foe who failed in a long-shot bid to oust him in 2022. If none of the three candidates gets to an outright majority of 27 votes on the first ballot, the third-place finisher is eliminated and another round is held. This initially looked like a shoo-in for either Thune or Cornyn, experienced members of leadership with prodigious fundraising records for the campaigns of their fellow Republicans. Scott got only 10 votes in his 2022 run after presiding over the partys unhappy efforts that year as chairman of the GOPs Senate campaign arm. And whoever won, at first it seemed the filibuster would be safe. Cornyn and Thune are both stalwart proceduralists and Scottwhile unconventional on other issueshas been an outspoken supporter of the 60-vote threshold. But then, things got weird. Scott was always likely to be the MAGA favorite, drawing support from populist firebrands like Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. But the outside game got cooking, with Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, and other top advisers to the president-elect campaigning publicly for Scott. And Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Bill Haggerty of Tennessee, both in line for big jobs in the new Trump administration, signed on with Scotts bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday came the oddest move. Trump posted on his social media platform that Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments. Six minutes later, Scott chimed in: 100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible. So what does Trump mean? In the darkest interpretation of his demand, Trump is saying that the new Senate should just go home for at least 10 days after the inauguration, which would trigger the constitutional clause allowing presidents to make recess appointments. That would give Trump the chance to pick anyone for any position without hearings or Senate approval to serve until the next Congress ends, a term of nearly two years. Thune and Cornyn, at least publicly, interpreted it in a more benign way, with Thune saying all options are on the table when it comes to getting Trumps picks confirmed, including recess appointments. Cornyn went the civics education route, explaining the constitutional authority for recess appointments. Most tellingly, both threatened to allow Trump to make these picks if Senate Democrats were to block them, which, of course, they cant. Thanks to Reid, it takes only 51 votes to confirm nominees. Republicans will have 52 or 53 seats. The only people who could blockade a Trump pick would be Republicans who refuse to go along. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2017, when Trump also had a Republican Senate, his nominees faced unusually long delays before getting a vote, mostly owing to his choice of some seriously wealthy individuals for top posts. Disclosures and ethics compliance stretched out the time to 25 days, but after that it was a snap. Trump had the final piece of his Cabinet in place by late April, one day sooner than his predecessor, Barack Obama, managed in 2009. It seems like Trump, who hasnt put forward anyone for a Senate-confirmed job yet who would have any trouble getting through, must have some real doozies in mind for other jobs if he is already worried about them getting rejected by his own party. Scotts message is clear. The Senate majority leader has broad latitude to set the chambers calendar, and hes ready to use it to clear the way for Trump. Thune and Cornyn, meanwhile, seem to be saying that if they had to allow a recess appointment in order to get through a pick that was hung up for weeks, then maybe they would. Theres no good version of the Senate in which the party in power ditches its constitutional duty to advise and consent on executive appointments. Not only is the duty a check on presidential power, it is, like the filibuster, a moderating force. When presidents are forced to find consensus nominees, even if that consensus is only within their own parties, it taps the brakes on ideological excesses and preserves some ethical and characterological standards for nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Republicans obliged Trump and stood back, it would set a precedent that Democrats would surely be pressured to follow when they next take control of the White House and Senate, leaving us with an even greater imbalance of power between the branches on a permanent basis. While it seems unlikely to work, since senators, voting by secret ballot, are unlikely to reward Scott for being an enthusiastic champion of the executive branch power, it is our first big hint of what kind of relationship Trump expects to have with his fellow Republicans in the Senate. Hes not looking for a honeymoon where he and the GOP in Congress start with the stuff they all liketax cuts, border security, etc.before moving on to the tough stuff. The president-elect is looking for domination. Condolences to whomever wins the vote on Wednesday, because they are either in for the fight of their lives or will get to go down in history as the man who made the Senate the vassal of the executive. I dont know how quickly Trumps picks are going to get through next year, but Ive got to give it to Republicans: To go from winning the majority to the start of a bloody internal conflict over presidential power in less than a week must be a new land speed record. 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. Donald Trump wants to divide US rivals Russia and China. An area of tension is China's new assertiveness in Central Asia. The region contains rare-earth mineral resources that several countries want to access. At the Valdai forum last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin was keen to tamp down rumors of simmering tensions with his closest global ally, China's leader Xi Jinping. The source of the perceived tension is China's growing assertiveness in Central Asia. The region is the latest area in which Xi has launched an audacious bid to increase China's political and economic authority and cement its dominance in rare-earth minerals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What is happening in Central Asia? Many expected it to be a site of conflict or clash between China and Russia," Putin told the forum. "This has not happened." But the reassurances will not convince everyone, and among those on the lookout for signs of division between Putin and Xi is President-elect Donald Trump. The Republican, days before his election, criticized the Biden Administration for allowing China and Russia, the US' two most powerful adversaries, to draw closer together and said that when he takes office, he'd be seeking to drive them apart. The power grab over rare-earth minerals in Central Asia could be among the issues he will seek to exploit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The American people re-elected President Trump because they trust him to lead our country and restore peace through strength around the world. When he returns to the White House, he will take the necessary action to do just that," Karoline Leavitt, a Trump-Vance Transition Spokeswoman, told BI. A power struggle over rare-earth minerals At stake for the US in Central Asia is not just political power but access to the region's reserves of rare-earth minerals such as uranium, lithium, and tantalum. Rare-earth minerals are needed to make all sorts of products, from F-35 stealth fighters and smartphones to internet fiber-optic cables and MRI machines. "If rare earth elements are the crude oil of the 21st century, then Central Asia and Mongolia may be the Saudi Arabias of these strategic minerals," wrote Wilder Alejandro Sanchez, an analyst at consulting firm Second Floor Strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Just like the Middle East, the region is subject to intense and divergent political pressures. Russia and China border the region, each exercising their influence at the other's expense and eager to keep the West out." Russian President Vladimir Putin has been keen to tamp down rumors of simmering tensions with his closest global ally, China's leader Xi Jinping. ALEXANDER RYUMIN via Getty Images China has the biggest global reserves of these materials. It produces around 60% of the world's rare-earth minerals and processes nearly 90%, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. To cement its dominance, China is also spending billions on infrastructure in Central Asia and brokering new trade and security deals. At the same time, Western leaders are seeking to strengthen their influence in the area and secure access to its resources. France's President Emmanuel Macron visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan last November and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the region in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'It would be a blow to our interests if either China or Russia established overwhelming influence there," John Herbst, who served as US Ambassador to Uzbekistan between 2000-2003, told Business Insider. "The key, of course, are Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan." "Rare earths, especially in Kazakhstan, are one more reason to establish closer relations in the region and especially its two principal nations." Stefan Wolff, a professor of international security at the University of Birmingham in the UK told BI that Trump could seek to broker a deal with Putin to gain better US access to developing Central Asia's rare-earth mineral resources and exclude China. "There are rare-earth minerals worth exploring/exploiting, and if the US/EU could strike a major deal with [Kazakhstan's capital] Astana, this would certainly contribute to breaking China's monopoly," said Wolff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So, the incentive is clearly there to regain a foothold in Central Asia." China's leader Xi Jinping ahead of the China-Central Asia Summit in Xian, Shaanxi province in May 2023. FLORENCE LO via Getty Images Central Asian nations seek autonomy from the Kremlin China's growing presence in Central Asia is likely enraging the Kremlin, say observers. But Russia is so indebted to China for its diplomatic and economic support in Ukraine, that it's in no position to protest. "There are clearly tensions between Russia and the Central Asian successor states of the Soviet Union," Wolff said. He pointed to recent tensions between Kazakhstan and Russia. The Central Asian nations refused to join the BRICS alliance, which Russia has sought to expand as a bulwark against the US. In October, Russia banned some agricultural exports to Kazakhstan in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Putin's bid to portray the relationship with China in Central Asia as part of a mutually beneficial "no limits" partnership, tensions remain between them. For now, Xi and Putin are determined to supplant the US as the world's dominant powers. "But if one of them decides that working against the US damages their international position, their partnership will wither away because even today there are tensions in their relationship," said Herbst. "Even today, China has not hidden its long-term revanchist ambitions over Russian, Kazakhstani, Kyrgyz, and Tajikistani territory." Russia and China have too much to gain For now, dismantling China and Russia to gain more US access to Central Asia seems like a long shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia and China have too much to gain from excluding the US from Central Asia, regardless of how much Trump may seek to exploit tensions between Putin and Xi. "It is unlikely that as long as Putin considers the US its main adversary, Russia would break with China. That would not change because of some American initiative in Central Asia," said Herbst. Putin sees in Xi a more predictable partner than the mercurial Trump, said Wolff. "Putin and his regime are simply more likely to survive in partnership with Xi. I don't think that Putin sees Trump as a dependable partner in any potential deal," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's not to say that there won't be a transactional improvement in relations between Washington and Moscow, but it will not derail the relationship between Beijing and Moscow." Read the original article on Business Insider For nearly a year, Elon Musks X Corp. has been waging a secret courtroom battle to weaken a potent and increasingly common tactic employed by the Justice Department: legal gag orders that prohibit social media companies from telling users when prosecutors demand access to their accounts. So far, the fight over these nondisclosure orders has been a losing battle for the company most emphatically in a failed bid to protect President-elect Donald Trumps account from the prying eyes of special counsel Jack Smith. But now Musk is arguably one of the most influential advisers to Trump, who is about to take over the Justice Department and plans to radically change the way it operates. Musks portfolio appears to be broad and undefined. By January 2025, the man in charge of Xs policies may be helping Trump guide DOJs. If Musks efforts spark a change in DOJs policy on nondisclosure orders, the consequences could be far-reaching. Prosecutors describe these orders as a critical tool to prevent criminal suspects from destroying evidence, intimidating witnesses or fleeing justice. But the social media companies that have resisted them, backed by a growing bipartisan coalition in Washington, say prosecutors have overused them, infringing on the companies First Amendment rights to communicate with their customers. The companies also say that prosecutors leave the gags in place for too long without enough scrutiny from the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the Supreme Court declined to take up Xs bid to challenge nondisclosure orders in the case of Trumps account, the company has secretly revived the fight in the case of two ex-FBI officials who were suspected of leaking details of the FBIs probe related to conservative media organization Project Veritas. Both men have denied wrongdoing. The details of Xs fight, which has played out in confidential court filings throughout 2024, have not been previously reported. In fact, due to the secrecy of grand jury proceedings, both men were unaware of the extent to which X had taken up their cause. The social media companys effort resumes Tuesday morning, when the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C. X took up the cause of the ex-FBI officials Garret OBoyle and Kyle Seraphin after prosecutors served a grand jury subpoena on the company on Jan. 5, 2024, seeking detailed records associated with both mens X accounts. The subpoena was accompanied by a nondisclosure order that forbade the social media giant from notifying the two men about the demand. The company quickly went to court to invalidate the order and inform OBoyle and Seraphin about the subpoena. Though judges have unsealed some aspects of the case between X and the Justice Department, the names of the men and the specifics of their fight remain under a court-ordered seal. Using details in the unsealed filings and speaking with sources familiar with the matter, POLITICO has confirmed that the case is related to OBoyle and Seraphin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xs battle on behalf of the two men came after they had already become a cause celebre on the right because of their public claims of political bias in the Justice Department and FBI. OBoyle and Seraphin shared some of their concerns with congressional Republicans, who cast them as whistleblowers resisting Biden administration pressure. When X launched its fight against the nondisclosure order, the company argued that based on what was publicly known about the two men, the grand jury subpoena may have been retaliatory. Washington, D.C.s Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg rejected Xs claims. Prosecutors, Boasberg concluded, had demonstrated that their investigation could be impaired if OBoyle or Seraphin were told of the subpoena. Seraphin has since publicly claimed he was targeted by DOJ for retaliatory purposes. Despite the political overtones of the case, X and its high-powered legal team from WilmerHale have framed the battle as a pivot point in a much larger First Amendment fight that cuts across partisan lines: whether the government should be able to force social media companies to hand over their users information without first giving those users a chance to fight back. The DOJ and FBI's attempt to regulate free speech is something I have been vocal about, including in whistleblower disclosures to several members of Congress, Seraphin said in a statement to POLITICO. I hope those who have engaged in this behavior are appropriately investigated and charged with their malfeasance. Secret subpoenas and freedom of speech Nondisclosure orders are not new: Prosecutors have long deployed them when serving subpoenas on companies such as financial institutions holding customer records that may be relevant to a criminal investigation. But the issue has taken on new salience in the age of social media, as investigators increasingly seek to mine suspects private messages, posting history and other account data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one disputes the authority of prosecutors to use subpoenas to obtain these records when they have an adequate investigatory basis and even that the targets of those subpoenas should at times be prevented from learning about ongoing investigations. But lawmakers and civil liberties advocates are concerned about the ease and frequency with which prosecutors and courts prohibit companies from alerting users about the subpoenas, sometimes for years. Those arguments have largely fallen flat in recent years. The biggest wild card now is the incoming Trump administration. Trump has personal reasons to side with Musk in opposing nondisclosure orders: The special counsel who brought two cases against Trump used the same process to obtain the account data for @realdonaldtrump in early 2023. Federal judges sharply rejected X Corp.s attempt to give Trump advance notice, and a judge held the company in contempt for its delayed compliance. At the time, Washington, D.Cs then-Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell scolded the companys lawyers and suggested X had stepped in only because Musk was seeking to cozy up to Trump. The attorneys sharply rejected that contention. Instead, X told the courts it receives thousands of subpoenas, court orders, and warrants for user information every year. And the company cited public data to show that other massive telecom providers receive similarly voluminous requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of these requests for user information are covered by nondisclosure orders that block providers from speaking about the requests until they expire months or years later, Xs lawyers wrote in their court papers. These orders may impede users ability to protect their constitutional and common-law privileges. The Supreme Court ultimately declined to take up the companys challenge arising from the Trump case. But the issue is not going away. Other tech companies have raised alarms about the ease and frequency with which prosecutors obtain their customers data without notice. And the widespread use of nondisclosure orders has prompted bipartisan concern in Congress. A bill called the NDO Fairness Act, which would set strict time limits on the duration of nondisclosure orders and permit more robust challenges by tech companies, passed the House 412-0 in 2023. A similar bill in the Senate is sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), considered a contender to become Trumps attorney general, and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a close ally of President Joe Biden. Now, Musks close alignment with the president-elect could intensify the push for a policy change on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the federal judges who have handled the most recent battles have expressed skepticism over X Corp.s claims that it is standing on First Amendment principles. It may not be a coincidence that X has chosen to take up the fight in subpoenas targeting individuals championed by the right. Still, some experts say that social media companies see more to this fight than political opportunism. Internet companies were born with this libertarian streak against the secrecy and volume of government legal process, said Al Gidari, an expert on privacy law and electronic surveillance. Call it a cultural aversion to government interference in online activities of users, but from the earliest days of the internet, providers sought to be as transparent as legally possible. X takes up cause of ex-FBI officials The conflict over OBoyle and Seraphins accounts has its roots nearly two years ago in controversial congressional testimony given by the two men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February 2023, Seraphin spoke to congressional Republicans about claims that the FBI had targeted some Catholics as potential domestic terrorists. The claims were rooted in a memo from Richmond-based FBI agents that the bureaus leaders quickly withdrew and repudiated. Though a Justice Department watchdog later found the Richmond memo was isolated and not driven by malicious intent, the revelation forced the FBI to publicly repudiate the sentiment and spawned a year of pointed inquiries from congressional Republicans. In May 2023, OBoyle testified to congressional Republicans about alleged politicization within the Justice Department and testified before Congress about the claim. His security clearance had been suspended over FBI officials concern that he was behind a leak to Project Veritas. The leak concerned details about a DOJ probe into the outlet over its work to obtain the personal diary of Bidens daughter Ashley. DOJ suspected that Seraphin, too, may have been involved in the leak. Prosecutors delivered a federal grand jury subpoena for the X account information for the two men on Jan. 5, 2024, a move that revealed to the company that they were eyeing criminal charges for the leak. A federal magistrate judge approved the Justice Departments request for a nondisclosure order. X challenged the subpoena a month later. Based on publicly known information about the two mens conversations with Congress, X argued in court papers that the subpoena may have been retaliatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg backed the Justice Department in April 2024, ruling that the nondisclosure order was constitutional and justified by legitimate concerns that the leak investigation could be impaired if OBoyle and Seraphin were given notice of the subpoena. X ultimately complied with Boasbergs order and turned over the account data, but appealed the ruling anyway as part of the larger battle against nondisclosure orders it hopes will upend the entire practice on First Amendment grounds. Nondisclosure orders are contrary to Xs commitment to notify users about government requests for their account information, the companys attorneys wrote in an 81-page brief to the D.C. Circuit in May. X therefore challenges nondisclosure orders where it has reason to believe they may be improper or unfounded. Shortly after receiving the account information, prosecutors agreed to lift the nondisclosure order, and X quickly notified OBoyle and Seraphin about the grand jury subpoena. The Justice Department also notified OBoyle that it had subpoenaed X for information that fell within the scope of its criminal probe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of today, June 13, 2024, our office is not investigating your client and is not seeking criminal charges as to your client, prosecutors wrote in the letter to OBoyle from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington D.C. However, this letter is not an announcement of any findings, factual or legal. Its unclear if the grand jury probe that led to the subpoena has concluded, though X has surmised it is over based on certain clues in prosecutors filings. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misidentified Ashley Biden. She is the president's daughter. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine with US President-elect Donald Trump. Source: CTK, a Czech news agency, citing Fialas conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the COP29 climate summit in Baku, as reported by European Pravda Details: Fiala noted that his conversation with Trump "surprised me in two aspects". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "It was a truly open discussion. Donald Trump asked me for my views on the Russo-Ukrainian conflict and its resolution. I was also surprised by the cordiality and friendliness of the conversation." The Czech Prime Minister added that Trump mentioned his personal ties to the Czech Republic and spoke positively about his relationship with the country. When asked whether Trump, who previously promised to end Russias war against Ukraine before his inauguration, shared any details of his plan, Fiala declined to provide specifics. However, he expressed confidence that everyone would say publicly what they intended to convey. "Certainly, dealing with Russian aggression in Ukraine, handling this situation, will not be easy I think we all know that," Fiala stated. Background: Donald Trump, elected as the next President of the United States, has already conducted phone calls with a number of world leaders. Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he had an "excellent" first phone conversation with Trump after his re-election. However, Kyiv and its allies worry that the US may reduce its military support once the Republican takes office in January. In particular, there is a belief in Kyiv that Trumps victory in the US elections has diminished the chances of Ukraine being invited to join NATO. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump has only begun to fill out the ranks of his incoming administration. His first choices confirm that his son Donald Jr. and the former Fox TV personality Tucker Carlson have emerged as major influences over his picks. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carlson and Trump Jr. played a role in persuading Trump to choose JD Vance as his running mate at the Republican convention in Milwaukee. They appeared to have wielded their influence again this weekend as Trump announced Saturday that former Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley wouldnt serve. Pompeo had been angling for a job as defense secretary but was seen as too supportive of Ukraine. Pompeo had also considered a presidential run this year and criticized Trump though never by name several times. But Trump Jr. and Carlson, who now holds forth with a webcast on X, made no secret of their opposition. In May, Don Jr. said Pompeo should be smart enough not to run against his father. And a day after Trump made the announcement about Pompeo and Haley, Don Jr. wrote on X: Agreed 100% 100% 100%!!! Im on it in response to a tweet that said the stop Pompeo movement is great but its not enough. Carlson had said in a podcast in April he thought Pompeo was sinister. And in an episode of his show aired Sunday, he said: Someone like Mike Pompeo, Ill just say the name, who I dont think is going to get a job in this administration I would pray that hes not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for the Washington Edition newsletter to find out how the worlds of money and politics intersect in the US capital. In the end, they appear to have gotten what they wanted. And Carlson may get another chance to demonstrate his sway soon with Elbridge Colby, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense whom he was interviewing when he made the remark about Pompeo. Colbys name has been mentioned repeatedly for a senior Pentagon post. Youre one of the very few people with deep experience in national security who shares the presidents priorities in national security, Carlson told Colby at the beginning of the interview. Colby declined to comment when contacted Monday, but in an X post linking to Carlsons interview, he said he makes no presumptions about roles for myself. But I deeply and fervently hope that @realDonaldTrump is able to implement the foreign policy vision that he has so ably and bravely laid out, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That endorsement reverberated quickly. One person familiar with the situation, asking not to be identified discussing the internal deliberations, said other people vying for jobs are now courting Carlson and trying to persuade him to endorse them too. The dynamic will be a familiar one for those who followed Trumps first term. Back then Carlson was a leading advocate for the president to quit the United Nations World Health Organization. Trump did so, though Pompeo worked behind the scenes to try to claw back some funding. This time, it seems Trump has broadened his circle of informal advisers even more. Most famously that includes Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, who like Carlson has been at Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in recent days. Musk, who also owns X, even joined Trumps phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week and has been vocal in his opinions about who should serve in the administration. It all amounts to a process that is entirely off the rails, according to Max Stier, the chief executive of the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The normal process is that the dominant source of information about potential nominees comes through a process that is very careful and run by people who have been at this for for a long period of time, and involves a series of efforts around vetting, Stier said. This time, it appears the vetting is coming largely from Trumps family. That includes Trump Jr., who took a back seat to Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump in the first term but is playing a more prominent role this time around, especially as a gatekeeper. Kushner and Ivanka Trump have forsworn such roles this time. In an interview with Fox and Friends on Nov. 7, Trump Jr. said his job was to ensure the loyalty of those who work for the president. I want to make sure now that we know who the real players are, the people who will actually deliver on the presidents message, the people who dont think that they know better than the duly elected president of the United States I want to make sure that those people are in his cabinet, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One litmus test for Trump 2.0 may focus on the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and the response. A person familiar with the matter said the transition team is scouring potential candidates comments for how they described the attack and whether they blamed Trump for it. Even as Trump Jr. plays an active role in advocating for his favorite personnel picks, he has opted for a role outside the White House for himself. Hes joining 1789 Capital, a conservative venture capital firm run by Trump donor Omeed Malik. Still, he wont stray far from Carlsons sphere of influence. Last year, 1789 Capital invested $15 million into Last Country, a social media venture that Carlson co-founded. And Carlson has ruled out any formal role in the Trump administration for himself. I dont think Im suited for it, Carlson said on an episode of his show posted Monday, when asked if he would serve. One of the things Ive disliked all of my life and had no respect for is people who get out of their lane. Do what youre good at. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Katrina Manson. (Updates final paragraph with Carlson saying he wouldnt serve in the Trump administration. A previous version of this story corrected a date in the seventh paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Donald Trump is expected to select US Senator Marco Rubio as the Secretary of State in his second administration, according to a report. The president-elect has chosen the Republican Florida lawmaker, who was a regular on the 2024 campaign trail with Trump, to become the countrys top diplomat, sources told The New York Times on Monday evening. The Cuban-American will become the first Latino to serve in the role when Trump takes office in January. Hell face a geopolitical landscape where multiple U.S. allies are at war abroad, including Ukraines defense against the Russian invasion, and Israels conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Hell also be expected to deliver on key campaign promises that are closer to home, like dramatically cutting illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio, 53, was elected to the US Senate in 2010 and was reportedly considered as a 2024 running mate by Trump. He is viewed as a hawk on both China and Iran, and a staunch supporter of Israel. The newspaper said that Trump could still change his mind at the last minute but looked likely to choose his former Republican primary rival. Rubio said last year he wouldnt call for a ceasefire in Gaza and hopes Israel can destroy every element of Hamas, whom he labelled as vicious animals responsible for the thousands of civilian deaths on both sides in the conflict. Amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, Rubio called last month for the reimposition of a maximum pressure campaign against Iran and said he supports Israel in responding disproportionately to Iranian attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has also pushed for legislation banning TikTok alongside other social networks deemed to be connected to China, and is a sharp critic of the Maduro regime in Venezuela. Rubios fellow US Senator from Florida, Rick Scott, took to X on Monday to congratulate him on his new role. Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 4, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images) Im thrilled for my friend, Florida colleague, and our next Secretary of State @marcorubio! He will restore American leadership around the world, especially in Latin America, as he represents the United States with dignity and courage! Its been an honor to serve the people of Florida alongside him and look forward to continuing our work together, he wrote on Elon Musks social media platform. Rubio currently serves as the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio has called for Ukraine to reach a negotiated peace deal with Russia and not try and regain the land that Moscow has taken from it in recent years. He voted against a $95bn military aid package for Ukraine in April. Im not on Russias side, but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement, Rubio told NBC in September. The reported pick caps a dramatic evolution in Rubio and Trumps relationship, which has seen the two go from extreme adversaries to allies on the world stage. During the 2016 campaign, Trump mocked Rubio as Little Marco who he wouldnt let run one of his corporate enterprises, while the senator often referred to Trump as a con man who couldnt be trusted in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubios vision of foreign policy also seems somewhat at odds with the Trump 2024 campaign, where Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance derided their opponents as war hawks and sold themselves as the candidates of peace and ending foreign military engagements. Rubio himself also once co-sponsored legislation that would make it harder for the U.S. to pull out of NATO, despite Trumps frequent criticisms of the transatlantic alliance. Trump has already chosen Florida Representative Michael Waltz as his national security adviser and Representative Elise Stefanik as his ambassador to the United Nations. (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Marco Rubio as secretary of state, a person familiar with the matter said, granting a top job in his second administration to a one-time rival who later became one of his most ardent supporters in the Senate. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio campaigned extensively for Trump and was on the short list to be his running mate. Floridas senior senator helped the campaign reach out to Latino communities, and spoke at a rally Pennsylvania on the final day of the campaign to introduce Trump in Spanish. The New York Times reported the news earlier Monday. Rubio has taken an aggressive stance on Chinas emergence as an economic power and has supported Israels war in Gaza and its attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, while also being a strong supporter of NATO. He served on both the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee. Rubio has defended Trumps position to bring a swift end to Russias invasion of Ukraine, calling for talks that could result in Kyiv giving up territory occupied by Russian forces. Im not on Russias side but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement, Rubio said on NBCs Meet the Press in September. And I want, and we want, and, I believe Donald Trump wants, for Ukraine to have more leverage in that negotiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Bloomberg Daybreak podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. Like others among Trumps foreign-policy advisers, he has described China as the real threat. In a report released in September, he said the US must wake up to the seriousness of the challenge China presents. Communist China is the most powerful adversary the United States has faced in living memory, he wrote in the opening line of the report. The selection of the Florida senator comes as Trumps foreign policy team is starting to take shape. Earlier Monday, Trump picked Florida Congressman Mike Waltz as his national security advisor, a person familiar with the matter said, elevating the former Army Green Beret and combat veteran who has advocated focusing US efforts on confronting China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Department, where political appointees lead thousands of career foreign- and civil-service members, will be core to Trump projecting his peace through strength mantra. Trumps first administration included two secretaries of State: Rex Tillerson, the former Exxon Mobil Corp. chief executive who ruffled feathers with his effort to streamline the bureaucracy, was fired in March 2018. His successor, former Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo, promised to restore swagger to the department. Morale suffered among career diplomats throughout the first term, with a wave of departures and the office of the inspector general examining allegations of political retaliation and misuse of government resources. Trump also pulled Washington back from many international agreements hammered out by his predecessors, including the Paris climate agreement, a nuclear weapons treaty with Russia, the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and the Asia-focused Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. The Trump administration also pushed NATO allies to spend more on defense, arguing that the US was shouldering too much of the burden of protecting Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the campaign trail, the president-elect pledged to shatter the deep state, in part by reviving his 2020 executive order that removed civil-service employment protections. Trump also has promised mass firings at various federal departments and agencies, with particular focus on the national-security apparatus. Rubios nomination as top US diplomat would cap off his evolving relationship with Trump. The two faced off in the 2016 Republican primary for president, and Trump mocked Rubio on the debate stage by nicknaming him Little Marco. Rubio responded by pointing out the size of his opponents hands. Rubio responded by calling Trump the most vulgar person to ever aspire to be president. Yet once Trump entered the White House, he worked hard to repair the relationship. He has also known Trumps incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for years, both having been ensconced in Republican politics in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio, who has served in the Senate since 2011, is expected to receive a quick and easy confirmation from the chamber. That would create a vacancy, allowing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint someone to fill the empty seat. (Updates throughout. A previous version of this article corrected Rubios response to Trump insult, in ninth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida for secretary of state in his administration in the coming days, according to three sources familiar with the selection process. Trump could still change his mind, the sources cautioned, noting that the decision wouldn't be finalized until he makes a formal announcement. The New York Times first reported Trump's plans to select Rubio to be the country's top diplomat. Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., on March 8, 2023. Foreign policy is one of the few areas in which there is a deep philosophical disagreement among Trump's base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A main pitch from Trump during the campaign was that he would implement America First policies, a doctrine that emphasizes less foreign aid, trying to curtail U.S. involvement in current foreign conflicts and avoiding future ones. But there remains a different strain of foreign policy thinking among even prominent Trump supporters. Even though Rubio is an avowed Trump supporter, the perception is that he was one of the "less MAGA" options, a Trump ally told NBC News. Its a position that requires appealing enough to Trumps more isolationist political base but also carrying water for the less disruptive brand of foreign policy that those Trump backers generally oppose. Rubio, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and vice chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence, was seen as a potential pick able to thread the needle of appealing enough to Trumps political base while not needlessly eroding relationships with foreign allies. One Trump ally said Rubio was someone Trumps base could trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Marco is a little more hawkish than the incoming president and vice president, hes actually not as far away from them as many people might assume at first blush, another Trump ally said. Hes become far more aligned with the president on issues regarding tariffs. He has a similar stand on the China issue, and he even voted against the last round of Ukraine funding. A current senior administration official told NBC News that Rubio would be a serious and qualified choice. The person said picking Rubio would be a relief given reporting that Ric Grenell, the highly controversial ambassador to Germany during Trumps first term, was also in the mix. Multiple career diplomats said they were concerned about the State Departments becoming politicized if Grenell were nominated. During the last Trump administration, the number of diplomats in senior ranks at the State Department plummeted, at first through voluntary departures soon after his election and later through attrition as the authority of their positions was redirected to political appointees. Trump had considered Rubio as a running mate before he ultimately chose Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Rubio becomes secretary of state, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis would get to choose a replacement. That pick would serve until at least 2026, when an election would be held for the seat. Trump has made a series of other staffing announcements in recent days. On Monday, he announced plans to nominate former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., as the Environmental Protection Agency's top administrator and to appoint Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., as his national security adviser. Last week, he said Susie Wiles, his campaign manager, would be White House chief of staff. On Sunday, he named immigration hard-liner Tom Homan as his border czar. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President-elect Donald Trump is expected to try to halt a potential U.S. ban of TikTok next year, after he promised on the campaign trail to save the popular social media app if he won, according to people familiar with his views on the matter. The video-sharing app faces a January deadline to find a new owner not based in China or lose access to U.S. users, under a law passed in April with bipartisan support. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He appreciates the breadth and reach of TikTok, which he used masterfully along with podcasts and new media entrants to win, said Kellyanne Conway, who ran Trumps first presidential campaign, served in the White House and remains close to him and now also advocates for TikTok. There are many ways to hold China to account outside alienating 180 million U.S. users each month. Trump recognized early on that Democrats are the party of bans - gas-powered cars, menthol cigarettes, vapes, plastic straws and TikTok - and to let them own that draconian, anti-personal choice space. The president-elect has not yet announced a decision on if, or how to proceed, but some advisers expect him to intervene on TikToks behalf if necessary - including Conway and three others, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. Trump promised during the campaign to protect the app even though he also signed an executive order in his first term that would have effectively banned it: Im gonna save TikTok, he said in one of his first videos on the app this June. The deadline in the law for TikToks China-based owner ByteDance to divest is Jan. 19 - the day before Trumps inauguration. But the firm has challenged the ban as unconstitutional, and even if TikTok doesnt win, the litigation could push the question into Trumps second term, giving him more latitude. The law, called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, grants the president the power to extend the divestment deadline by 90 days if the administration sees that significant progress has been made toward a sale. If the deadline comes after Trump takes office and he wanted to halt the ban outright, Trump could push Congress to repeal the law or encourage his attorney general to refrain from enforcing it, according to Alan Rozenshtein, a former national-security adviser to the Justice Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump does try to halt the ban, it would amount to a significant policy shift for an incoming president who has spared almost no opportunity to attack China. Toward the end of his first term, Trump presided over a federal investigation into ByteDance that also sought to orchestrate TikToks sale. The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. TikTok declined to comment. ByteDance recognized months ago that a Trump victory was its best chance to retain control of TikTok, said one person familiar with the firms internal discussions, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private talks. The outcome of the election puts him in an even better place than he was already trending. And thats what the company is hoping for, the person said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halting the ban without formal action might be tricky, Rozenshtein said. The law is enforced against app stores offered by tech giants including Apple and Google - subjecting them to fines if they continue to offer TikTok - and those internet giants may be leery of disobeying a law based on the whims of an inconsistent president. If youre the general counsel of Apple and [chief executive] Tim Cook turns to you and says, Can we host TikTok on our app stores, youre in a very awkward position if the answer is Trump said we could in a random tweet, Rozenshtein said. How much do you trust Trump? If he changes his mind, are they retroactively liable? Do they really want to be in that position? Repealing the law outright would leave TikTok under ByteDances ownership and could reignite concerns in Washington, including among top Republicans, over Chinas potential influence on the app. But ByteDance in 2022 offered the Biden administration an extensive proposal, known as Project Texas, that would grant the U.S. government enormous sway over its workforce and technical underpinnings in exchange for continued operation in the United States, which the administration declined. ByteDance has previously said the proposal is still on the table, and the Trump administration could agree to it as part of a potential compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Capitol Hill, lawmakers in both parties continue to argue that TikTok represents a national-security threat to Americans. They fear its popularity could open the door for the Chinese government to collect U.S. users data and manipulate the videos that Americans see in their feeds - a charge that TikTok strenuously denies. Trumps early picks for national security posts in his second term include China hawks who have supported the TikTok ban. His choice for secretary of state, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), wrote in The Washington Post in 2022 that TikTok gave the Chinese government a unique ability to monitor American teens and that we must ban this potential spyware before it is too late. Trumps pick for secretary of homeland security, South Dakota Gov. Kristi L. Noem (R), was the first governor to order TikTok banned on state-owned devices. In a statement, Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Michigan), who heads the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, defended the law as affording the Trump administration a unique opportunity to broker an American takeover of the platform. Trump shared some of the same concerns as the hawks have during his first term in office, even signing an executive order in 2020 that declared TikTok a national emergency - and warned it could enable China to track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage. His administration even tried to foster a last-minute sale of TikTok in a process led by then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, but it never came to fruition - and Mnuchin later declared his interest in acquiring pieces of the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump has tempered his views in recent months, breaking with his party as he emerges as one of the apps biggest defenders on the right. The incoming president has argued that a ban would only help TikToks social media rival, Facebook, which he has said cheated in the [2020] Election and is a true Enemy of the People. After debating whether Trump should join TikTok this spring, his campaign ultimately staffed a small TikTok team to help play him up as the biggest celebrity entertainer on the planet. By the time he declared victory, the incoming president had amassed more than 14 million followers on the app. For all of those who want to save TikTok in America, vote for Trump. The other side is closing it up, but Im now a big star on TikTok, he said in a video monologue this September posted on his own social media site, Truth Social. Trump has told allies that he is impressed by his popularity on TikTok and recognized it to be a major political asset over the summer, according to two people familiar with his attitude toward the app. Others have told Trump that the national security establishment unfairly targeted TikTok with allegations of Chinese state influence, one person involved with those conversations said, adding that the message appeared to personally resonate with Trump because it mirrors Trumps own views about investigations into his personal and business activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Support for a TikTok ban has crumbled in the United States, including among Republicans, falling from 50 percent last year to 32 percent this summer, the Pew Research Center said in September. Tony Romm contributed to this report. Related Content Trump allies push to punish Jack Smith in first test of retribution vow Beatles versus Beyonce? The Grammys are talking nonsense again. Trump coalition marks a transformed Republican Party Donald Trump has asked Republican Florida congressman Mike Waltz to serve as his national security adviser, multiple news outlets report. President-Elect Trump will begin making decisions on who will serve in his second Administration soon, Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for the Trump transition team, told The Independent. Those decisions will be announced when they are made. The Independent has contacted Waltz for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reacting to the reported offer, former Florida governor Jeb Bush praised Waltz on X as a great choice and a patriot. If Waltz joins the Trump White House, hell confront a number of complicated national security issues, including Israels expanding regional war with Hamas and Lebanon, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and competition with China. The highly influential position does not require Senate confirmation. Mike Waltz is known as a sharp China critic (Getty Images for Concordia Summi) Waltz, a former Green Beret and policy adviser to Defense Secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates, is known for advocating a tougher position towards Iran and China, a country which he argues is locked in a new Cold War with the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Waltz introduced a bill calling for more U.S. cooperation with Indo-Pacific nations to counter Chinese and other malign influences in the Asia-Pacific region. He has advocated for Europe to do more to support Ukraines fight against Russia and has called on the U.S. to define more clearly its objectives and timeline in supporting the country, deriding the current policy as a blank check to Ukraine. The Biden administration has neither explained the American objective in Ukraine nor his strategy to achieve it, Waltz wrote in a Fox News op-ed last year. Will American military spending continue until Ukraine has pushed Russia back to its prewar boundaries? Its pre-2014 boundaries? Or until the Putin regime collapses? Waltz has been a sharp critic of the Biden administrations national security policy on issues like the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and Chinese spying in the U.S. His wife, Dr. Julia Nesheiwat, served as Homeland Security Adviser in the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have never in my lifetime seen the world falling apart like it is under Joe Biden, Waltz told Florida Politics in July. We had a president who defeated ISIS, broke Iran, stood with Israel, always stood with our allies, made China pay. You didnt see any spy balloons under President Trump, did you? He also claimed the military under Joe Biden was focused on DEI and pronouns. After Trump won in 2024, Waltz told NPR the new administration has a strong mandate to return to the previous Trump administrations policies on issues like the border. He also called for more oversight of the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still have a Pentagon that cannot audit itself, despite years and years of trying the basics of understanding where every tax dollar goes, he said. It seems - I can go through the weapons systems. They just, over and over again, cost twice as much, deliver half as much and take twice as long as originally planned. And there is a whole slew of new technologies from Silicon Valley and elsewhere that are really chomping at the bit to help with our defense and security issues, and they cant break through the bureaucracy. The Trump transition team has filled a number of key positions in recent days, choosing New York Republican Representative Elise Stefanik to serve as ambassador to the UN, anti-immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy, Tom Homan his border czar, and former New York Republican Representative Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. Trumps transition team has a warrior board executive order ready for the president-elects desk. An executive order draft is floating around MAGA world that would establish a Trump-appointed warrior board with the power to purge any three- or four-star generals as it sees fit. The board would send its dismissal recommendations to Trump and they would be acted upon within 30 days. The draft executive order, which was first reported on by The Wall Street Journal, makes it easy to quickly remove military officials lacking in requisite leadership qualities but leaves open the question of what those requisite qualities are. The executive order draws on General George C. Marshalls 1940 creation of a plucking board led by retired general officers to remove from line promotion any officer for reasons deemed good and sufficient. But that plucking board was to uplift young officers with high potential, not to cull anyone not perfectly aligned with MAGA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not yet clear if Trump will sign the executive order, but Trump has held vitriol toward certain military leaders for some time now. He has vowed to weaponize them against the enemy within, to fire anyone involved in the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and to create a task force to weed out woke generals. This looks like an administration getting ready to purge anyone who will not be a yes man, former Army lawyer Eric Carpenter told The Wall Street Journal. If you are looking to fire officers who might say no because of the law or their ethics, you set up a system with completely arbitrary standards, so you can fire anyone you want. This draft may be ready to see President-elect Trumps desk on day one. Before he was elected a second time as president, Donald Trump openly threatened to use or abuse his power by ordering federal prosecutors to pursue criminal cases against those he deems enemies. There's little in the law that would stop him. That's because the Supreme Court has made clear the Constitution gives the president total authority over enforcing federal law. Since the Watergate scandal of the early 1970s, the Justice Department has sought to separate law enforcement from politics, and keep the White House at a distance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that separation is a matter of department policy, not the law. "It's the norm and the custom. It's embedded in the U.S. attorneys manual," said Washington lawyer Stuart Gerson, a former acting U.S. attorney general. "But under the 'unitary executive' theory, it is not illegal for the president to intervene in individual cases. It's just a terrible idea." The late Justice Antonin Scalia popularized the unitary executive theory, dissenting in 1988 when the court upheld the independent counsels that had been created by Congress. Scalia maintained that the Constitution puts all executive power in the hands of the president, and that neither the Congress nor the courts may interfere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That view was adopted by the Supreme Court in July when the 6-3 conservative majority said Trump and other presidents are generally immune from criminal charges for abusing their official power. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. singled out law enforcement and the Justice Department. "Investigative and prosecutorial decision-making is the special province of the Executive Branch, and the Constitution vests the entirety of the executive power in the president," he wrote in Trump vs. United States. Roberts said "the president occupies a unique position in the constitutional scheme, the only person who alone composes a branch of government." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the head of the executive branch, the president "has exclusive authority and absolute discretion to decide which crimes to investigate and prosecute," he said. Read more: Trump's win may extend conservative control of the Supreme Court for decades Even if Trump had lost last week, that opinion could have shielded him as a former president from much of the pending criminal case over efforts to overturn his loss in the 2020 election. Now the court's opinion gives him a blank check for a second term. He would be largely free to pursue his enemies using the powers of federal investigators and prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At campaign rallies and social media posts, Trump threatened to go after his political foes if he returned to the White House. Last year, after he was indicted by the Biden administration's special prosecutor, Trump said he would "appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president" in American history: "Joe Biden and the entire Biden crime family." He said Vice President Kamala Harris should be impeached and prosecuted. He said that former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming could be charged with treason, and that critics of the conservative-dominated Supreme Court "should be put in jail." It does not mean Trump will carry out his threats. Some of his aides and advisors say that he has been a victim of "weaponized" prosecutions by Democrats but does not plan to seek revenge through the Justice Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump will not use the DOJ for political purposes, that is go after the individuals simply because they are political opponents," Mark Paoletta, a Washington attorney and longtime friend of conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, wrote in a social media post. Paoletta, who served in Trump's first term, has been mentioned as a candidate for attorney general. He cited the court's opinion in July as confirming that a president's broad power to control the Justice Department includes intervening in individual cases. "The president has a duty to supervise the types of cases DOJ should focus on and can intervene to direct DOJ on specific cases," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal experts see danger in politically driven investigations. "There is reason for alarm. The president could send over a list to the DOJ of people he wants investigated," said Peter Shane, a New York University law professor. "Trump would think he is entitled to do that. And his advisors will tell him he is constitutionally entitled to do it." Prosecutions require proof of a criminal violation. And judges can throw out indictments that do not allege a true crime. But Shane said the danger is not so much of "a conviction or going to trial. It's the investigation itself." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veteran Washington attorney Michael Bromwich agreed. "This will scare people. It is a very effective scare tactic," he said. He knows from experience. He represented Andrew McCabe, the former deputy director at the FBI who was fired by Trump and subjected to a lengthy criminal investigation. "He was pursued because Trump did not like him. But in the end, a grand jury would not indict him," Bromwich said. Bromwich, who was formerly a federal prosecutor and inspector general at the Justice Department, said the second Trump term will "test the mettle" of prosecutors and judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is part of the culture of the Justice Department," he said. "You take an oath to defend the Constitution, and it is well understood that you pursue cases based on the facts and the law, not for partisan or political reasons." He said Justice Department lawyers will face a test of their oath. "Do they pursue something because of the president's personal grievances?" he said. "Do they ignore their oath? And if they say 'no,' will they be fired? They will test the mettle of prosecutors throughout the Justice Department." 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. Lock up your dogs cause Kristi Noem is back. Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that the South Dakota governor will serve as Homeland Security secretary in his upcoming administration. Kristi has been very strong on Border Security, Trump wrote in a statement. I have known Kristi for years, and have worked with her on a wide variety of projectsshe will be a great part of our mission to Make America Safe Again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem, for her part, said she was honored and humbled to accept the role. She will be joined by two other anti-immigration firebrandsformer ICE chief Tom Homan and alleged white supremacist Stephen Millerserving in senior positions within the department. Its something of a return from the cold for the South Dakota rancher and farmer after her admission in an autobiography published earlier this year to having once killed a family dog saw her sidelined from the Republican shortlist for Trumps running mate. In fairness, shes not the only right-wing figure to have recently been outed over a penchant for animal cruelty. Theres also Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts, whos accused of once having delivered his neighbors dog to a similar fate, and the revelations over new NRA chief Doug Hamlins role in the 1980 torture-slaying of a frathouse cat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nor is it the only bizarre claim to have come out of her 2024 memoir No Going Back , which features a fairly unhinged anti-seatbelt crusade and a passage implying she allowed motorcycle gangs to break COVID-19 laws in South Dakota as an F-you to the nanny state. Oh, and thats all before you get to the bit about an apocryphal meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un that weve, um yet to hear any evidence actually took place. Whatever her flair for autofiction, theres little doubting Noems anti-immigration credentials make her a natural Trump pick for Homeland Security secretary. She gave full-throated backing to the Republican presidents Muslim ban, and has tried to block the Biden administration from housing undocumented migrants in South Dakota. What may be more up for debate is her awareness, if any, of the irony of her appointment as adjudicator of who doesnt and doesnt get to come into the country. Thats as a governor who, lest we forget, is presently banned from entering any tribal lands in her home state after making unsubstantiated claims in January that South Dakotas reservations are facilitating an invasion of Mexican drug cartels. Donald Trumps new national security adviser once proposed removing the American handcuffs placed on Ukraines use of Western long-range missiles. Mike Waltz was suggesting that Washington should lift its veto on firing the weapons into Russia as a way of forcing an end to the war. It is an eye-catching hardline stance on Russia that reflects a notably hawkish new foreign policy arm of Mr Trumps incoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed Mr Waltzs views on the Russia-Ukraine war may have softened more recently, but his pick reflects a future administration that may be willing to confront Russia, Iran and China head-on. Recent Trump appointments including Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Elise Stefanik as ambassador to the UN also raise questions about the centre of power inside the Make America Great Again agenda. Ukraine-Russia Both Mr Waltz and Mr Rubio were both initially staunch supporters of US military support for Ukraine. The longer Kyivs fight against the Russian invasion dragged on, they have become sceptical of the steady flow of aid and finances being sent east from Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither advocate a complete withdrawal of US military support for Ukraine as Mr Trump attempts to negotiate a swift end to the fighting, which he promised on the campaign trail. But they will certainly push for Washingtons European Nato allies to shoulder more of the burden and invest in defence. Despite being seen as a Trump surrogate Mr Rubio was the Republican co-sponsor of legislation preventing any US president unilaterally withdrawing from Nato. Mr Trump has been vague on how he proposes to end the war in Ukraine. Under the guidance of Mr Waltz, it is unlikely the president-elect will adopt Kyivs strategy of Nato membership as the ultimate security guarantee to prevent further Russian attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When advocating for the US lifting its ban on Ukraine using missiles in Russia, Mr Waltz said last year, he predicted that maximum strength on Russia would lead to Vladimir Putins economy and his war machine drying up. I think that will get Putin to the table, he said. Given their public statements, both Mr Waltz and Mr Rubio would likely back a two-pronged strategy to end the fighting reportedly being mulled over by the Trump camp. It would involve European soldiers policing an 800-mile-long demilitarised zone, while Washington contributed weapons to Ukraine to deter attacks from Russia. Israel-Iran Mr Trumps election victory has been a cause for celebration in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benjamin Natanyahu, Israels prime minister, has spoken to the president-elect at least three times since his election victory, saying they see eye to eye on the Iranian threat. And some hardline figures in the Jewish State have suggested it might usher in an era of acceptance at the annexation of parts of the West Bank. An existing commitment to prevent Israeli annexation agreed between the US and UAE during Mr Trumps first term expires in 2024. Mr Rubio is likely to be much more supportive of Israels war on Hamas in Gaza than the Biden administration. Last year, he said the Jewish state had no choice but to seek the complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later said it was Americas role to re-supply Israel with the weapons needed to carry out the task. Mr Rubio has also said a ceasefire would only prolong the war in Gaza by allowing Hamas to prepare for a new phase in the conflict. Credit: X / @codepink Mr Waltz would also likely advise Mr Trump to give Israel more room in any future attacks against Iran. Mr Biden reportedly stopped Mr Natanyahu from attacking Iranian nuclear and oil facilities in response to a 180-missile barrage from the Islamic Republic. But Mr Waltz said Israel should have hit back against Kharg Island, a key hub for Irans oil exports, and its nuclear facilities at Natanz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new national security adviser publicly questioned whether Mr Biden had pressured Israel once again to do less than it should. Even before the war in Gaza, Mr Waltz was a supporter of the US allowing Israel to strike Irans nuclear facilities. Mr Trumps appointment of Ms Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman, as the US ambassador to the United States also suggests there will be strong backing for Israel. Elise Stefanik speaks during a rally for Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York in October - Andrew Kelly/REUTERS Ms Stefanik has accused the UN of being plagued by anti-Semitic rot and suggested blocking funding for the UNs agency for Palestinian refugees. She campaigned against anti-Semitism on university campuses in the US and for the sacking of several Ivy League presidents. China Both Mr Waltz and Mr Rubio are considered hawks on China, with the latter having been sanctioned twice by Beijing for his opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their advice to Mr Trump will likely be similar: fix the Middle East and end Russias war on Ukraine to begin preparations for hostilities with China. Beijing is widely expected to make an attempt possibly militarily to capture US ally Taiwan in the coming years. Mr Waltz has criticised the American military for not building an army that could prevent a Chinese attack on the island nation. As well as modernising the US armed forces, the former Green Beret wrote in his book, Hard Truths: Think and Lead Like a Green Beret, published earlier this year, that Washington should start arming Taiwans military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Rubio would likely attempt to usher in a series of non-military policies to contain China, including sanctions against Beijing for its genocide against the Uyghur minority. He has previously advocated investments in American industry in response to competition from China and called for an end to tax breaks on electric vehicles made with Chinese batteries. Sanctions against China for its support of Russias war on Ukraine could also be extended. Mike Waltz has criticised the American military - Tom Williams His work on what is described as the China Threat theory extends back over a decade. He has also co-sponsored legislation that calls for an international response, by force if necessary, to any Chinese attempt to seize Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting Rubio is worse for China than getting Pompeo again, a former Trump administration official told CNN. MAGA Donald Trump Jr, the son of the president-elect, recently said war hawks would not be appointed to the next Republican administration. The America First policy of Mr Trump has been key to securing the support of voters, who often believe Washington focuses more of its energies overseas instead of on domestic problems. Mr Rubio was seen as one of the less MAGA options as Washingtons top diplomat, an ally to Mr Trump told NBC News. Despite backing many of Mr Trumps positions on Ukraine, Israel and China, he is more outward looking on foreign policy than the president-elect. While Marco is a little more hawkish than the incoming president and vice-president, hes actually not as far away from them as many people might assume at first blush, another Trump ally told the broadcaster. Hes become far more aligned with the president on issues regarding tariffs. He has a similar stand on the China issue, and he even voted against the last round of Ukraine funding. And also while being a supporter of Mr Trump, Mr Waltz has been a long-time government adviser, suggesting he is more conventional than other MAGA candidates. With two wars and the ever-growing threat of China on his plate, Mr Trumps picks suggest he may be trying to avoid any embarrassing foreign policy gaffe at the start of his term, as Mr Biden did with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. 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 Financial Times has reported that US President-elect Donald Trump expressed interest in two points of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys Victory Plan for Ukraine during their meeting in September 2024. Source: The Financial Times (FT), as reported by European Pravda Details: According to the FT, Ukrainian and European officials said that Ukraines allies in Europe and the US including influential Republican politicians have given advice to President Zelenskyy regarding how to better formulate proposals that would stimulate close cooperation between the US and Kyiv rather than the US cutting off crucial aid for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to people involved in the development of Ukraines victory plan, the plan was aimed specifically at Trump, and two of the ideas suggested by Ukraines allies were incorporated in it. These proposals were later presented to Trump when Zelenskyy met with him in New York in September. One of them envisaged replacing some of the American troops stationed in Europe with Ukrainian troops after the war. The other first developed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, according to people involved in drafting the Victory Plan proposed sharing Ukraines critical natural resources with Western partners. Trump was "interested" in these two points, according to a person briefed on the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, business leaders in Ukraine are also in talks with the government about offering Trump "investment screening" powers, which would allow him to effectively pick and choose who can do business in the country. One person involved in the planning described the idea as "ABC Anybody But China", which could play particularly well into Trumps hands. Ukrainian industries that are dependent on Chinese technology and materials, such as telecommunications, could switch to American suppliers and attract more Western investment, according to the source. The idea is in its early stages, but some business leaders close to the presidents office believe it could appeal to Trump. So far, Ukraines allies in the West have reacted to Zelenskyys Victory Plan, especially to the call to formally invite Kyiv to join NATO and provide it with more modern weapons, in a rather lukewarm way. Background: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 7 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, which Zelenskyy said was "excellent". However, Ukraine and its allies are still worried that the US might withdraw its military support after Trump takes office in January. A Ukrainian official told Reuters that Kyiv believes that with Donald Trump's victory in the US election, the chances of Ukraine joining NATO have decreased. Support UP or become our patron! With 67% of the vote in Idaho, a vast majority of Idahoans clearly want Donald Trump to be president again. So whats in it for Idaho? Promises made, promises kept, was a motto of the Trump campaign. So heres a look at some of the promises made that could have a direct impact on Idaho. Mass deportations Trump promised mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, which would have a devastating impact on Idahos economy, from agriculture and manufacturing to construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Idaho Statesmans Sarah Cutler reported last week, about 30,000 undocumented immigrants work in Idahos dairy industry. Without these workers, who often take the jobs that Americans dont want to take, I dont think there would be milk, Idaho Dairymens Association president Pete Wiersma told The New York Times. I just dont think we could get it done. Thats just the dairy industry alone. This doesnt include other agriculture workers, food manufacturing workers and construction workers. Think the cost of a home in Idaho is high now? Wait until builders and subcontractors cant find enough workers for new construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make no mistake, it would be devastating to Idahos economy. Is hiring undocumented immigrants a wonderful solution? No, but its reality. And having mass deportations is not the answer, either. What we need is a comprehensive solution that allows immigrants to work in the United States legally at jobs that Americans arent filling, to fuel our best-in-the-world economy. Perhaps the bipartisan immigration reform bill that Trump got Republican senators to scuttle because passage would have hurt his campaign will be revived. Keep in mind that the United States still has a labor shortage of nearly 3 million workers. Idaho has 53 available workers for every 100 open jobs, with 55,000 job openings and 28,947 unemployed workers, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. That shortage will only be exacerbated by deporting millions of workers already here. Tariffs Trump promised more tariffs in his second term as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont need to speculate what the impact will be. We already know, based on what happened when he imposed tariffs his first time in office. Tariffs led to higher prices for consumers and businesses, and retaliatory tariffs affected U.S. producers, including Idaho farmers. Retaliatory tariffs affected Idahos dairy, wheat, barley and potatoes. Despite the tariffs, the overall U.S. trade deficit did not significantly decrease, and some studies suggested that the tariffs had a negative impact on U.S. GDP growth. The Tax Foundation estimated that the long-run effects of the tariffs would reduce U.S. GDP by 0.2% and decrease total employment by 142,000 jobs, and the Congressional Budget Office estimated a reduction in real GDP by 0.3%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those tariffs contributed to inflation in the United States. We recognize that the Biden administration has kept many of Trumps tariffs in place, and even increased some of them in May, but Trump has promised to increase them even more. Three wrongs certainly dont make a right. Donald Trump has reportedly held a phone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, where the president-elect reportedly encouraged the Russian leader not to escalate the military situation in Ukraine. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI Foreign policy What does foreign policy have to do with Idaho? U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, is slated to once again become chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a position he held in Trumps first term. Risch is going to have his hands full, trying to understand a disjointed Trump policy that could turn over parts of Ukraine to Russia as well as the possibility, according to Trump, of allowing Russia to invade a NATO ally that hasnt increased its military spending to 2% of its GDP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Risch might find it difficult to explain why the president is publicly declaring, as Trump did at a press conference during his first term, that he takes the word of Vladimir Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies. Risch has had his hands full before, and we have an indication of what hell do when confronted with a challenge. Hell kowtow to Trump. Even though Congress is supposed to act as a check and balance against the executive branch, Risch in 2020 failed to hold to account then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had fired an inspector general who was investigating Trumps alleged sale of arms to Saudi Arabia. The budget Many conservative Idahoans have expressed their ire over the federal budget deficit, but those concerns went by the wayside when Trump and a Republican-led Congress passed the 2017 GOP tax cuts, which benefited the wealthy and helped contribute $8 trillion to the national debt. Further, the tax cuts did not stimulate the economy to the degree predicted or needed to pay for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If history is an indication of future performance, wealthy Idahoans could see a tax cut while the federal deficit increases. True, Trumps promise of cutting taxes on Social Security income and on tips would help a large swath of Idahoans, but the consequent loss in tax revenue would contribute to more budget deficits that could be made up only by draconian budget cuts, as suggested by Elon Musk, whom Trump has brought on as a transition team adviser. Capitol rioters. Protesters supporting then-U.S. President and current President-elect Donald Trump break into the U.S. Capitol on January 06, 2021, in Washington, DC. Pardons Some Idahoans who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol could get pardoned by a convicted felon, despite their role in attacking one of our nations institutions and forcing all of the politicians there Republicans and Democrats alike into hiding. It was all part of an effort to stop the certification of the free and fair 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost and still wont concede he lost. So much for the party of law and order. Vaccines Idaho already has the highest rate of vaccine exemption claims in the country. With Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, running all the federal health agencies, we could see national vaccine bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho, along with other parts of the country, has seen breakouts of preventable diseases such as whooping cough and measles. What other diseases shall we bring back? Polio? Yellow fever? Taking him at his word Is Trump really going to do all of the crazy things he says? Who knows? He lies frequently, and says things for effect and bluster. And he has a track record of not keeping promises (Mexico will pay for the wall, well get rid of Obamacare and replace it with something beautiful, well pass a massive infrastructure bill, I have proof the election was rigged). The only signature accomplishments were two things he didnt promise publicly: tax cuts for the wealthy and stacking the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. It remains to be seen what Trumps second term will mean for Idahoans not to mention the country but one way or another, two-thirds of Idahoans asked for it, and one way or another, theyre going to get it. Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Greg Lanting, Terri Schorzman and Garry Wenske. President-elect Trump knocked his ex-White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci as a major loser, in reaction to his constant criticism. Trumps rebuke of Scaramucci came just days after he tangled with CNBC host Joe Kernen during an interview on the network last week over his attacks on his former boss. Trump reacted to the exchange Monday on Truth Social, slamming Scaramucci, who has become a vocal critic of the president-elect in recent years, while praising Kerner for doing a great job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthony Scaramucci is a major loser who was fired from the Administration after only 11 days for his insane brother from another mother interview with Chris Cuomo, then with CNN, Trump wrote in his post. GREAT JOB BY JOE K. In the Friday exchange on CNN, Kernan told Scaramucci, You have had an utter disdain for Trump. Youll always be welcome at the table of legacy media and have people nodding as you trash Trump. Thats always going to happen. He then added a question, But arent you the slightest bit embarrassed, or at least humbled, about how wrong you were about the feeling of most Americans? The former Trump official, who served in the administration for only 11 days before being fired and predicted Vice President Harris would win the White House, fired back at Kernen, saying he congratulated the former president on his election triumph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What would you like me to do? Do you want me to get on bended knee before you? Scaramucci told the CNBC host. We have a violent disagreement about lots of things related to Trumps personality. You like Trump I was close to Trump, I got to see the ugliness of what he is. And by the way, Joe, its not just me, he added. Kernen noted that Trump has been very good for your career and that Scaramucci will be able to live off this for another four years. Why dont you calm down a second, Joe, Scaramucci fired back. We know each other a long time. Are you saying that you and I cant disagree on somebodys personality? Is that what youre saying? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scaramucci, who is just one of many aides who supported Harris, said Trumps victory in the contest last week was a sad day for a lotta people. I just think its a its a sad day for a lotta people, you know, they talk about non-white immigrants [in the] United States in a very us versus them, dehumanizing sort of a way, Scaramucci said in an interview on CNN. And so hopefully, when he takes that mantle of leadership again, I hope that he takes [a] pause and thinks about that, that the country needs to unite and there needs to be a healing process in the country, he added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gov. Ron DeSantis could soon have a Marco Rubio-sized hole to fill in the U.S. Senate. Rubio is widely reported to be President-elect Donald Trumps pick to be the next Secretary of State. Those same reports say the decision isnt final, but if Rubio is selected and confirmed by his colleagues in the U.S. Senate, DeSantis would get to name his replacement. It would present DeSantis, who ran against Trump for the GOP nomination in 2024 and lost, with a major decision that could affect his possible future aspirations to run for President in 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person selected would serve until 2026, when a special election would be held to serve out the remaining two years of Rubios term. DeSantis, a former U.S House member, could pick someone who would run in 2026, or someone who would be a placeholder if he chose to attempt to return to Washington ahead of a potential 2028 run for President. The initial list of possible picks includes Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and DeSantis chief of staff James Uthmeier. Nunez is from Miami and has Cuban-American heritage, like Rubio. Moody has been a DeSantis loyalist and Uthmeier just helped lead the effort to kill a pair of ballot measures opposed by DeSantis that were aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana and installing a right to an abortion in the state constitution. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) speaks during the rally of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz., on Oct. 24, 2024. Could DeSantis appoint himself to be the next US senator? DeSantis could also appoint himself or his wife, Casey, but DeSantis has often joked about recovering from his time in Congress and said he prefers being a state executive who is able to get more done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also pressure Trump and his allies could put on DeSantis to name a preferred replacement. The name of Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trump a Florida resident and co-chair of the Republican National Committee is already being floated by his supporters. Lara Trump needs to be the nominated replacement by (DeSantis) for Rubio, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-St. Petersburg, posted on X. She will keep the seat and avoid a messy primary for FLORIDA. Well spoken. Kicked butt on election integrity. Etc. .@LaraLeaTrump needs to be the nominated replacement by @GovDeSantis for Rubio. She will keep the seat and avoid a messy primary for FLORIDA. Well spoken. Kicked butt on election integrity. Etc. Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) November 12, 2024 To be sure, DeSantis has previously eyed Rubios Senate seat. In 2016, two years before he ran for governor, he initially ran for the seat Rubio said he would leave as he ran for the presidency that year. Rubio initially said he wouldnt run for reelection if he lost the bid for the GOP nomination, but had a change of heart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubios decision led DeSantis to opt to run for reelection to the U.S. House instead. The last time a sitting Florida governor fulfilled a vacancy in the U.S. Senate was in 2009, when then-Gov. Charlie Crist picked chief of staff George LeMieux to replace U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, who resigned. Crist ran for the seat in 2010, but as Rubio garnered more and more support within the GOP, Crist left the party to run as an independent, ultimately losing to Rubio. DeSantis is on a trade mission in Italy and wont return to Florida until Friday. When he gets back hell have the possibility of an open Senate seat confronting him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He could also have to call a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, R-St. Augustine Beach, whom Trump has asked to be National Security Advisor. Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis to pick US Senate replacement if Rubio gets Trump job U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, according to his statement on Nov. 10. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America first fighter, he said. Stefanik has shown mixed views on Ukrainian aid over the last few years. While she supported increased U.S. military assistance to Ukraine in the past, and even co-authored legislation to impose sanctions on Russia before its full-scale invasion against Ukraine started, she has since opposed further aid packages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, she voted against the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, citing her preference for prioritizing domestic issues such as the U.S.-Mexico border situation. The Biden administration has already committed to sending Kyiv the remaining $6 billion in allocated military aid before Trump's second term begins. Sullivan said those funds would be sent "on time and in full" before Jan. 20. Read also: Trumps Ukraine policy should not be prejudged, French foreign minister cautions Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trump picked Florida congressman Mike Waltz as his national security advisor, a person familiar with the matter said, elevating the former Army Green Beret and combat veteran to become one his closest aides. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz, who served multiple tours in Afghanistan, will hold a critical position of power, coordinating foreign policy from within the West Wing and briefing the president on global crises. But it also could be a perilous role given that Trump churned through four national security advisors in his first term. The person familiar with the appointment asked not to be identified discussing the selection. Waltzs congressional office didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the move on Monday. Waltz is the second current House member alongside Elise Stefanik, who Trump will nominate as US ambassador to the United Nations selected by the president-elect so far for his new administration, threatening to cut into what will likely be a slim GOP majority in the lower chamber. Trump also selected former congressman Lee Zeldin as his Environmental Protection Agency administrator, part of a push of loyalists named in the transitions early days. The job will give him enormous influence over Trump. Successive administrations have imbued more power into the national security advisor role, giving the office a bigger and far more influential staff. The job has become so central that the influence of the national security advisor now usually eclipses the secretary of state, who is nominally responsible for implementing the presidents foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will have challenges from the very start. Trump has promised to end the war in Ukraine and has pressed Israel to wrap up its campaign against Hamas and Hezbollah. The new administration will also need to confront an increasingly assertive China. The next president should act urgently to bring the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to a swift conclusion, and finally focus strategic attention where it should be: countering the greater threat from the Chinese Communist Party, Waltz said in an article he co-wrote in a recent issue of the Economist. On Capitol Hill, Waltz distinguished himself among Republicans with aggressive questioning of Biden administration witnesses over the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. He served as chairman of the House Armed Services Committees readiness panel, and criticized the Pentagon over everything from the teaching of Critical Race Theory at military institutions to an overpriced bag of metal bushings for the Air Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz has also criticized what hes said was the Biden administrations focus on climate change as a national security priority. The national security advisor job had the highest turnover of any top position in Trumps first term. The first person to hold the role was Michael Flynn, was pushed out after less than a month for giving Trump and Vice President Mike Pence what he said was incomplete information about his interactions with Russias ambassador. Two others were HR McMaster, who said Russian President Vladimir Putin manipulated Trump, and John Bolton, who later wrote a memoir and said Trump was unfit for office. Trumps final first-term national security advisor, Robert OBrien, has been mentioned as a possible secretary of state in Trumps second term. Waltzs military career is unique in that he deployed to Afghanistan on several combat tours as a Reservist Army Special Forces soldier even as he was an Afghanistan policy adviser at the Pentagon under then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Waltz was award four Bronze Stars for his actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes also been a notable cheerleader of both Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who donated millions to aid the president-elects campaign and has emerged as an influential adviser during the transition process. In a recently published book, Waltz credited Musk by saying that few entrepreneurs have had the extraordinary record of endeavor and achievement of Elon Musk. Waltz was elected to represent Floridas 6th Congressional District, which includes Daytona Beach, in 2018. Separate from military service, Waltz led a defense and intelligence consultancy called Metis Solutions. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President-elect Donald Trump has selected an almost cartoonishly evil man to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Trump said he will nominate former Republican House member and failed New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin for the next administrator of the EPA. And Zeldin has gleefully accepted the role. Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies, Trump said in a statement posted to Truth Social Monday. He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is an honor to join President Trumps Cabinet, Zeldin posted on X in reply. We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water. If confirmed by the Senate, Zeldin would be an absolute disaster for the environment. A staunch climate denier, Zeldin wants to make fracking and offshore drilling easier and supports new pipeline construction. He is also one of Trumps biggest fans, refusing to admit he lost the 2020 electionand so hes all but guaranteed to do Trumps bidding. Zeldin has made his pro-business vision for the EPA crystal clear. So day one and the first 100 days, we have the opportunity to roll back regulations that are forcing businesses to be able to struggle, Zeldin said on Fox News Monday, shortly after news of his pick broke. Theyre forced to cut costs internally, they are moving overseas altogether to be able to bolster liquidity in the American economy, where businesses strive to grow, expand here and have the ability to export what they produce, as opposed to exporting their jobs in the companythe companies themselves. Rest assured, this EPA head wont be protecting anything. President-elect Trump has chosen Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) to serve as his national security adviser, tapping the former Green Beret to fill a top White House post, multiple sources confirmed to The Hill. Waltz, 50, has served in Congress since 2019. He has called for Europe to do more to support Ukraine and for the U.S. to be more stringent with its support, aligning with a key foreign policy goal of the president-elect. He has also been a staunch critic of the Biden administrations 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Wall Street Journal first reported on Trumps choice of Waltz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz had been open about his willingness to serve in the administration and was considered a candidate to lead the Pentagon. The role of national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation. Republicans are expected to have an extremely narrow House majority, and Waltzs exit to join the administration will further complicate efforts to pass bills at the beginning of Trumps term. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) has also been tapped for an administration role, leaving two vacant GOP seats. Trump went through multiple national security advisers during his first term. Michael Flynn was in the role for just a few weeks before resigning amid controversy over his conversations with Russia. Others to hold the post included H.R. McMaster, John Bolton and Robert OBrien. The former president has been quickly assembling a roster of senior staff since winning last weeks election. He has already announced his chief of staff, his border czar, and nominees for ambassador to the United Nations and administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mychael Schnell contributed reporting Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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-elect Donald Trump said he intends to nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel, a high-profile diplomatic posting in a tumultuous region. Huckabee, if confirmed, would be the first non-Jewish person to hold the role since 2011. He would arrive in Jerusalem to face conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon that have raged for more than a year. On the campaign trail, Trump, a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed to end the conflict. Peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled in recent days after Qatar pulled out of its mediation efforts. Huckabee would most likely be at the center of international pressure on the U.S. to help broker a cease-fire deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps announcement Tuesday on Truth Social elevated a longtime loyalist and rival for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. Huckabee, the host of a namesake television talk show, campaigned for Trump this election cycle, hitting the trail with him, including in battleground Pennsylvania in the final throes of the race. I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, has been nominated to be The United States Ambassador to Israel, Trump said in a statement. Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East! In a statement congratulating Huckabee, the Republican Jewish Coalition praised him as "a long-time friend" of the group, focusing on his "abounding love of Israel" and promising his appointment would "strengthen the US-Israel relationship to even greater heights." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huckabee's daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the current governor of Arkansas and a former Trump administration official, was also a top surrogate for Trump. The elder Huckabee, 69, was governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. During his 2016 presidential run, Huckabee staked out an arch-conservative position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rejecting the notion of an "occupied" West Bank. Instead, he referred to the area using the biblical term Judea and Samaria. At the time, received earned the Adelson Defender of Israel award at a Zionist Organization of America dinner in New York. Miriam Adelson, the widow of Sheldon Adelson, remains a top Trump donor, and she gave lavishly to his 2024 campaign. Top Israeli officials celebrated the news later Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar congratulated Huckabee on X, saying, "As a longstanding friend of Israel and our eternal capital Jerusalem I hope you will feel very much at home." During his first term, Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved the U.S. Embassy to the city from Tel Aviv, fulfilling a controversial campaign promise. He also brokered bilateral agreements to normalize relations among Israel and Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain. Now, Trump has promised to bring lasting peace to the region and to "stop wars" amid a raging humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and a conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The war in Gaza has ground on since Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed in Hamas attack and over 250 were taken hostage, including American citizens. Over 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the war, according to Gaza health officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate statement Tuesday, Trump announced he would appoint businessman Steve Witkoff, who founded a namesake real estate company in 1997, to be his special envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in July, is a longtime friend and political donor of Trump's. The two were golfing together in September during the second attempt on Trump's life. Witkoff also attended Netanyahus address to Congress in July. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump has chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security, selecting a loyalist once seen as a potential vice presidential candidate for a job that includes securing the US border and carrying out a promised mass deportation. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem would join Tom Homan, Trumps pick for White House border czar, and Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner, in the administration after the president-elect takes office Jan. 20. Unlike Homan and Miller, however, Noems position requires Senate confirmation. Kristi has been very strong on Border Security. She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, Trump said in a statement on Tuesday. She will work closely with Border Czar Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries. Created following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the department holds diverse responsibilities, including cybersecurity, investigating domestic terrorism threats, responding to natural disasters and enforcing customs laws. DHS also manages the Secret Service, which came under scrutiny this year after it failed to prevent a July shooting that nearly took Trumps life and led to the resignation of the agencys director. Front and center for the 52-year-old Noem, however, will be implementing Trumps policies on immigration, including his pledge to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants, one of the key elements of the incoming presidents second term agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any effort to remove millions of migrants from the US faces multiple obstacles, including the basic logistics involving Immigration and Customs Enforcements ability to locate and remove those people, legal challenges, funding questions as well as the willingness of other countries primarily Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to accept people being sent back. Some countries, like China, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, havent always agreed to receive deportation flights. In his first term, Trump made progress on but struggled to ultimately deliver on his promises of large-scale removals or completing a wall across the US-Mexico border. In his first term, deportations never surpassed 360,000 a year, below the levels seen under former President Barack Obama. Trumps deportation operations are likely to start by targeting the more than 1 million people in the US who have no legal basis to stay in the country, either because they have committed crimes or exhausted their appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The many DHS secretaries both acting and confirmed during Trumps first term included John Kelly, now-prominent critic of the president-elect; Kirstjen Nielsen, who was ousted amid frustration over advancing Trumps immigration policies; and Chad Wolf. Dog Shooting Bidens Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, was a lightning-rod for criticism of the administrations handling of border security and surge in crossings. The Republican-led House in 2024 made him the first cabinet member to be impeached in more than a century. Like Trumps other choices so far, Noem is an ardent loyalist to him and the MAGA movement. At one point in the campaign, she was seen as a potential vice presidential candidate, but a controversy over her admission in a book about shooting her own 14-month-old dog drew widespread criticism and ridicule that damaged her candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem nevertheless continued to actively campaign for Trump and spoke at the Republican National Convention where he was officially nominated, days after an assassination attempt. (Updates with Trump statement announcing the pick, details on Noem) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, bringing a former special forces officer into a role that will steer U.S. global posture amid several high-stakes conflicts. Waltz, known for his plain-spoken approach and strong advocacy for Trumps vision, is expected to oversee a strategic shift in the handling of key international challenges, including the war in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Middle East, Politico reports. Waltz has expressed reservations about continued extensive U.S. military aid to Ukraine, arguing that European nations should increase their support to ensure regional stability. His stance includes backing a peace plan aimed at drawing Ukraine closer to Western alliances while diplomatically isolating Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This view, while reflective of a significant portion of Republican thought, contrasts with positions held by many Senate Republicans and most Democrats who continue to advocate for sustained or increased aid to Ukraine. The incoming advisers approach aligns with President-elect Trumps campaign promise to address the Ukraine-Russia war swiftly, aiming to end the war on his first day in office. Waltzs focus on urging Europe to take on more responsibility and his push for a negotiated solution mark a departure from the more interventionist positions of previous administrations. In addition to his views on Ukraine, Waltz will face the task of formulating responses to an evolving geopolitical landscape, including direct confrontations involving Israel and Iran. The selection of Waltz comes as Trump continues to build a foreign policy team that reflects his priorities. President-elect Trump is also expected to name Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as secretary of state, sources familiar with the decision told the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio, initially known for skepticism toward foreign interventions, has recently echoed Trumps view that the war in Ukraine has reached a stalemate and must be brought to a conclusion. Read also: For 2nd day straight, Russias reported losses in Ukraine surge to record levels Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President-elect Donald Trump has selected Florida Republican Rep. Mike Waltz to be his national security adviser. Trump called the congressman "a nationally recognized leader in National Security, a bestselling author, and an expert on the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism" in a statement announcing his pick on Tuesday." "Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda, and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!" Trump said in his announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation. Waltz is a China hawk and is the first Green Beret elected to Congress. He emerged as a key surrogate for Trump, criticizing the Biden-Harris foreign policy record during the presidential campaign. Elected to the House in 2018, Waltz sits on the Intelligence, Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees. He also serves on the House China Task Force with 13 other Republicans. MORE: Trump transition live updates He has supported aid to Ukraine in the past, but has demanded "conditions," including increased spending from European allies, additional oversight of funds, and pairing the aid with border security measures. PHOTO: Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., speaks outside the hush money criminal case of former president Donald Trump in New York, May 16, 2024. (Ted Shaffrey/AP, FILE) Waltz, a vocal critic of the Biden administration's policy towards Ukraine who has visited the country, criticized the White House and allies for not providing Ukraine with more lethal aid -- such as MiG fighter planes from Poland -- earlier in the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before running for elected office, Waltz served in various national security policy roles in the George W. Bush administration in the Pentagon and White House. He retired as a colonel after serving 27 years in the Army and the National Guard. Trump picks Rep. Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret, as national security adviser originally appeared on abcnews.go.com President-elect Donald Trump plans to tap U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, making him the first Latino to helm the State Department, according to a source familiar with the plans. Trumps selection of Rubio, born in Miami to Cuban parents, is expected to assuage fears among GOP lawmakers seeking a continued U.S. presence abroad amid a lurch toward isolationism within the party. His appointment is likely to sail through the confirmation process with the support of his colleagues in the Senate, where Republicans have won majority control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Rubios office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump had considered the three-term senator as his vice presidential running mate before choosing another senator, JD Vance of Ohio, instead. Rubio won the appointment over jockeying from several other prominent allies of the president-elect, including Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur, and Ric Grenell, Trumps former U.S. ambassador to Germany, who emerged as a favorite of far-right firebrands who earlier this week cast Rubio as a neocon war hawk out of step with Trumps MAGA movement. Currently serving as vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and as a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio has kept focus like few others in Congress on U.S. policy toward Latin America, advocating harsh sanctions on dictatorial regimes in Cuba and Venezuela. He has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war against Ukraine, but also this week said the war had entered a stalemate and would need to end, echoing statements from the president-elect. And Rubio is an outspoken critic of the Chinese government and said this summer that Trump would continue supporting Taiwan against a potential invasion, penning legislation that would boost deterrence against a war in the Pacific. Im thrilled for my friend, Florida colleague, and our next Secretary of State @marcorubio! He will restore American leadership around the world, especially in Latin America, as he represents the United States with dignity and courage! Its been an honor to serve the people of pic.twitter.com/wO39115QO2 Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) November 12, 2024 In the Middle East, Rubio has consistently pressed for a maximum-pressure strategy against Iran and supported Trumps decision to withdraw from an international agreement governing its nuclear program. And he has broadly backed Israels wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, rejecting accusations that Israeli forces have used excessive force in either conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio, a former Florida state House speaker, was first elected to the Senate in 2010. He ran against Trump for the Republican nomination for president in 2016. While he ultimately lost that contest, he won reelection to his Senate seat that year. Rubios appointment to the State Department would allow Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint a replacement until the next regularly scheduled federal election in 2026. Trumps selection of Rubio was first reported by the New York Times and Reuters. Huge congratulations to my friend @marcorubio on his nomination for Secretary of State! As Cuban Americans from Miami & members of the exile community, we share a commitment to fighting communism & protecting freedom. Marco will restore American leadership abroad! pic.twitter.com/jDYzAEQlTT Maria Elvira Salazar (@MaElviraSalazar) November 12, 2024 Miami Herald staff writer Jacqueline Charles and el Nuevo Herald reporter Nora Gamez Torres contributed to this report. After a tumultuous year filled with anxiety and a legal battle about its future in the U.S., TikTok may have just been thrown a lifeline by the man who was once its biggest foe: Donald Trump. President-elect Trump, who tried to ban the social media platform the last time he was in the White House, has repeatedly pledged during his most recent campaign to oppose a ban on the short-form video app, which could happen as soon as mid-January if the company loses a court case thats currently underway in Washington. For months, TikTok, and its China-based parent company ByteDance, have been embroiled in a legal battle with the U.S. over a federal law that forces them to cut ties for national security reasons or stop operating in one of their biggest markets in the world. The measure, signed by President Joe Biden in April, gives ByteDance nine months to divest its stakes, with a possible three-month extension if a sale was in progress. If that happens, the deadline could be extended into the first 100 days of Trumps presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The companies have claimed that divestiture is not possible, and the law, if upheld, would force them to shut down by Jan. 19, just a day before Trumps second inauguration. Attorneys for both sides have asked a federal appeals court reviewing the case to issue a ruling by Dec. 6. The losing side is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority and could decide to take up the case, potentially dragging out the process even longer. When reached for comment, the Trump transition team did not offer details on how Trump plans to carry out his pledge to save TikTok, as he said on a Truth Social post in September while encouraging people who care about the platform to vote for him. But Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the transition team, indicated in a statement that he plans to see it through. The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, Leavitt said. He will deliver. During a March interview with CNBC, Trump said he still believed TikTok posed a national security risk but opposed banning it because doing so would help its rival, Facebook, which he has continued to lambast over his 2020 election loss. He also denied changing his mind on the issue because of Republican megadonor Jeff Yass, a ByteDance investor that Trump, at the time, said that he had only met very briefly. He said Yass never mentioned TikTok during their meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, ByteDance and groups connected to Yass have been attempting to exert their influence. Lobbying disclosure reports show that this year, ByteDance paid veteran lobbyist and former Trump campaign aide David Urban $150,000 to lobby lawmakers in Washington in favor of TikTok. The company has also spent more than $8 million on in-house lobbyists and another $1.4 million on other lobbying firms, according to Open Secrets. Meanwhile, in March, Politico reported Kellyanne Conway, a former senior Trump aide, was being paid by the Yass-funded conservative group Club for Growth to advocate for TikTok in Congress. A spokesperson for the organization said Conway was hired as a consultant to conduct polling. Conway and Urban did not respond to requests for comment. TikTok, which has long denied its a national security risk, declined to comment. If the courts uphold the law, it would fall on Trumps Justice Department to enforce it and punish any potential violations with fines. The fines would apply to app stores that would be prohibited from offering TikTok, and internet hosting services who would be barred from supporting it. Leah Plunkett, a lecturer at Harvard Law School, said from her reading of the statute, the attorney general has to investigate violations but can decide whether or not to drag such companies to court and force them to comply. Trump could do other things to prevent TikTok from disappearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He could issue an executive order to nullify the ban which Plunkett believes would not be lawful or urge Congress to repeal the law. That would require support from Congressional Republicans who have aligned themselves with Trump but have also supported the prospects of getting TikTok out of the hands of a Chinese company. In a statement sent to the AP after the election, Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, said Trumps long-standing concerns about TikTok align with the laws requirement for divestment. The Trump Administration will have a unique opportunity to broker an American takeover of the platform, he said. ByteDance, though, has previously said it has no intention to sell the platform despite interest from some investors, including Trumps former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Analysts say the company is even less likely to sell the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app. That means even if TikTok is sold to a qualified buyer, it is likely to be a shell of its current self and would need to be rebuilt with new technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell Universitys Tech Policy Institute, said its also possible that Trump could take the issue back to the drawing board and direct his administration to negotiate a new deal with TikTok. TikTok said in 2022, it presented the Biden administration with a draft agreement that would bolster protections for users and provide it more oversight over the companys U.S. operations. But the administration has argued in court documents in recent months that it would be challenging to enforce the agreement due to the size and the technical complexity of the platform. Trump hasnt been privy to new intelligence material on the matter for a few years and it's possible he could change his mind - and abandon his campaign promise - once he does, Kreps said. Plunkett, the Harvard Law faculty and author of Sharenthood: Why We Should Think before We Talk about Our Kids Online, said if she were counseling TikTok, she would advise them to come up with a divesture plan that is compliant with the law and as favorable to them as possible. There is too much uncertainty about what a Trump administration is likely to do, she said. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, one of his closest allies in Congress, to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter, the president-elect said in a statement sent to the Daily Beast by a transition team spokesperson. Stefanik was first elected to represent New Yorks 21st District in 2014 at age 30, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at the time. She was named the chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although she began her career as a moderate conservative, Stefanik has spent the last few years closely aligning herself with Trump, defending him during scandals like the Jan. 6 Capitol riots and the sexual abuse and defamation lawsuits brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll. My statement on accepting President Donald J. Trumps nomination to serve in his Cabinet as Ambassador to the United Nations: I am truly honored to earn President Trump's nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. During my conversation with Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 11, 2024 Stefanik has little foreign policy experience, but she used her position on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to lead the charge against Ivy League administrators during hearings on campus antisemitism after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war last year. The highly publicized hearings eventually lead to the resignations of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill and Harvard University President Claudine Gay . Politico first reported that Stefanik was under consideration for a diplomatic post by the incoming Trump administration. Her appointment to the U.N. job was reported by CNN, who learned about the job offer from two anonymous sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley served as Trumps first U.N. ambassador during his first administration. Haley left the job in December 2018 and was eventually replaced by Kelly Craft, Trumps former ambassador to Canada. Haley, who ran against Trump in the 2024 Republican Primary, is not under consideration for a Cabinet position in the new administration, the president-elect said on Saturday. In a statement posted on social media, Stefanik thanked the president-elect and accepted the nomination. The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership that significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries, Stefanik wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stefanik also thanked her colleagues in the House of Representatives and her constituents in upstate New York, but said she was excited for this next chapter that will require her to vacate the seat she held for six years. The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops. Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump greets South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem after she introduced him at the Monument Leaders Rally hosted by the South Dakota Republican Party on Sept. 8, 2023, in Rapid City. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is President-elect Donald Trumps choice to run the federal Department of Homeland Security. After CNN and other news outlets reported the news early Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the situation, Trump and Noem confirmed the reports Tuesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump issued a statement saying Noem would guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries. I have known Kristi for years, and have worked with her on a wide variety of projects, Trump said. She will be a great part of our mission to Make American Safe Again. Trumps statement included comments from Noem. With Donald Trump, we will secure the Border, and restore safety to American communities so that families will again have the opportunity to pursue The American Dream, Noem said. Noem, 52, is serving her second four-year term as governor. Term limits prevent her from running again in 2026. She previously served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem has been closely associated with Trump since at least 2020, when she convinced the then-president to authorize and speak at a Mount Rushmore fireworks show during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX She was widely considered to be a potential running mate for Trump in his recent campaign, until last April. Thats when media reports began to emerge about her new book, No Going Back, in which she disclosed that she had once fatally shot a hunting dog in anger over its poor performance, and then fatally shot a goat while still angry about the dog. She also retracted a story in the book about meeting North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un after reports questioning whether the meeting had happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those and other revelations from the book made Noem a figure of ridicule for weeks as she went on a book tour. National television anchors grilled her in interviews, late-night TV hosts mocked her, and she was the butt of jokes and memes on social media. Yet, several months later, she delivered a televised speech at the Republican National Convention. As Trump continued his campaign, speculation grew that Noem could be considered for a job in his administration. Jon Schaff, a professor of government at Northern State University in Aberdeen, in northeastern South Dakota, said Noems appointment would be the culmination of her yearslong devotion to Trump. Trump rewards loyalty, and Kristi Noem has been loyal, Schaff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump rewards loyalty, and Kristi Noem has been loyal. Jon Schaff, professor of government, Northern State University The president-elects choice of Noem to run Homeland Security which includes the Secret Service also signals Trumps high level of trust in her. Shes been given a position that deals with a Trump administration priority: the border. Schaff said. This is a big, important task. It requires more than photo opportunities and media spots. It takes hard work. Trump has also selected Tom Homan as border czar for his administration as the president-elect seeks to carry out his campaign commitment of mass deportations of immigrants who lack permanent legal status. Homan is the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the previous Trump administration who backed the controversial zero tolerance policy that separated families at the southern border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his statement Tuesday evening, Trump said Noem would work closely with Border Czar Tom Homan to secure the Border. The Department of Homeland Securitys responsibilities include border and immigration enforcement, disaster response, antiterrorism and cybersecurity. Then-President George W. Bush created the department in 2002 in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Offices under the departments umbrella include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration, Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Secret Service. Noem has been a vocal supporter of Trumps calls to strengthen border security. While serving as governor, she has ordered three National Guard deployments to support border security efforts in Texas and has signed off on several other federally ordered border deployments. Shes also visited the southern border multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Noems appointment is subjected to Senate confirmation hearings, she could face difficult questioning about the Kim Jong Un anecdote in her book and its retraction, Schaff said. Trump has called for the Senate to recess after he takes office early next year so he can make appointments without going through the confirmation process. That will be among the first choices facing the next Senate majority leader, who is scheduled to be elected by Republican senators on Wednesday. South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune is among the candidates. Speculation begins about 2026 governor race Noems appointment as secretary of Homeland Security would elevate Republican Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden to governor for the rest of her term. Meanwhile, a campaign would likely begin for the 2026 Republican gubernatorial nomination, with Republicans including U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and state Attorney General Marty Jackley among those rumored to be interested in running. Rhoden did not immediately respond to a message Tuesday from South Dakota Searchlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson, who was reelected to the U.S. House last week, told Searchlight in a text message, Im not making any political announcements anytime soon. Jackley provided Searchlight with a statement: Right now Im focused on being the best attorney general I can be for South Dakota and doing the job South Dakotans elected me to do. Jackley lost to Noem in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary election, and she went on to become the states first female governor. When Noem ran for reelection in 2022, she beat Democratic nominee Jamie Smith in that years general election. He said Tuesday that hes focused on serving in the state Senate after his election last week from a district in Sioux Falls. In our race, we called that she wouldnt finish her second term, and it turns out we were likely correct, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated since its original publication with additional information. More about Kristi Noem Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump greets South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem after she introduced him at the Monument Leaders Rally hosted by the South Dakota Republican Party on Sept. 8, 2023, in Rapid City. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is President-elect Donald Trumps choice to run the federal Department of Homeland Security. After CNN and other news outlets reported the news early Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the situation, Trump and Noem confirmed the reports Tuesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem, 52, is serving her second four-year term as governor. Term limits prevent her from running again in 2026. She previously served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Noem has been closely associated with Trump since at least 2020, when she convinced the then-president to authorize and speak at a Mount Rushmore fireworks show during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was widely considered to be a potential running mate for Trump in his recent campaign, until last April. Thats when media reports began to emerge about her new book, No Going Back, in which she disclosed that she had once shot a hunting dog in anger over its poor performance, and then shot a goat while still angry about the dog. She also retracted a story in the book about meeting North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un after reports questioning whether the meeting had happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those and other revelations from the book made Noem a figure of ridicule for weeks as she went on a book tour. National television anchors grilled her in interviews, late-night TV hosts mocked her, and she was the butt of jokes and memes on social media. Yet, several months later, she delivered a televised speech at the Republican National Convention. As Trump continued his campaign, speculation grew that Noem could be considered for a job in his administration. Jon Schaff, a professor of government at Northern State University in Aberdeen, in northeastern South Dakota, said Noems appointment would be the culmination of her yearslong devotion to Trump. Trump rewards loyalty, and Kristi Noem has been loyal, Schaff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elects choice of Noem for the Homeland Security post also signals Trumps high level of trust in her. Shes been given a position that deals with a Trump administration priority: the border. Schaff said. This is a big, important task. It requires more than photo opportunities and media spots. It takes hard work. The Department of Homeland Securitys responsibilities include border and immigration enforcement, disaster response, antiterrorism and cybersecurity. Then-President George W. Bush created the department in 2002 in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Noem has been a vocal supporter of Trumps calls to strengthen security at the nations southern border. While serving as governor, she has ordered three National Guard deployments to support border security in Texas and has signed off on several other federally ordered border deployments. Shes also visited the southern border multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Noems appointment is subjected to Senate confirmation hearings, she could face difficult questioning about the Kim Jong Un anecdote in her book and its retraction, Schaff said. Trump has called for the Senate to recess after he takes office early next year so he can make appointments without going through the confirmation process. That will be among the first choices facing the next Senate majority leader, who is scheduled to be elected by Republican senators on Wednesday. South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune is among the candidates. This story via South Dakota Searchlight has been updated since its original publication. Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump greets South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem after she introduced him at the Monument Leaders Rally hosted by the South Dakota Republican Party on Sept. 8, 2023, in Rapid City. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) This story originally appeared on South Dakota Searchlight. South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem is President-elect Donald Trumps choice to run the federal Department of Homeland Security, according to reports from media outlets including CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news network cited two people familiar with the situation in its story early Tuesday morning. Noems office did not immediately respond to messages from South Dakota Searchlight. Noem, 52, is serving her second four-year term as governor. Term limits prevent her from running again in 2026. She previously served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Noem has been closely associated with Trump since at least 2020, when she convinced the then-president to authorize and speak at a Mount Rushmore fireworks show during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was widely considered to be a potential running mate for Trump in his recent campaign, until last April. Thats when media reports began to emerge about her new book, No Going Back, in which she disclosed that she had once fatally shot a hunting dog in anger over its poor performance, and then fatally shot a goat while still angry about the dog. She also retracted a story in the book about meeting North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un after reports questioning whether the meeting had happened. Those and other revelations from the book made Noem a figure of ridicule for weeks as she went on a book tour. National television anchors grilled her in interviews, late-night TV hosts mocked her, and she was the butt of jokes and memes on social media. Yet, several months later, she delivered a televised speech at the Republican National Convention. As Trump continued his campaign, speculation grew that Noem could be considered for a job in his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jon Schaff, a professor of government at Northern State University in Aberdeen, in northeastern South Dakota, said Noems appointment would be the culmination of her yearslong devotion to Trump. Trump rewards loyalty, and Kristi Noem has been loyal, Schaff said. Trump rewards loyalty, and Kristi Noem has been loyal. Jon Schaff, professor of government, Northern State University The president-elects choice of Noem for the Homeland Security post also signals Trumps high level of trust in her. Shes been given a position that deals with a Trump administration priority: the border. Schaff said. This is a big, important task. It requires more than photo opportunities and media spots. It takes hard work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Securitys responsibilities include border and immigration enforcement, disaster response, antiterrorism and cybersecurity. Then-President George W. Bush created the department in 2002 in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Noem has been a vocal supporter of Trumps calls to strengthen border security. While serving as governor, she has ordered three National Guard deployments to support border security efforts in Texas and has signed off on several other federally ordered border deployments. Shes also visited the southern border multiple times. If Noems appointment is subjected to Senate confirmation hearings, she could face difficult questioning about the Kim Jong Un anecdote in her book and its retraction, Schaff said. Trump has called for the Senate to recess after he takes office early next year so he can make appointments without going through the confirmation process. That will be among the first choices facing the next Senate majority leader, who is scheduled to be elected by Republican senators on Wednesday. South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune is among the candidates. Speculation begins about 2026 governor race Noems appointment as secretary of Homeland Security would elevate Republican Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden to governor for the rest of her term. Meanwhile, a campaign would likely begin for the 2026 Republican gubernatorial nomination, with Republicans including U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and state Attorney General Marty Jackley among those rumored to be interested in running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Rhoden nor Johnson immediately responded to messages Tuesday from South Dakota Searchlight. Jackley provided Searchlight with a statement: Right now Im focused on being the best attorney general I can be for South Dakota and doing the job South Dakotans elected me to do, Jackley said. Jackley lost to Noem in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary election. When Noem ran for reelection in 2022, she beat Democratic nominee Jamie Smith in that years general election. He said Tuesday that hes focused on serving in the state Senate after his election last week from a district in Sioux Falls. In our race, we called that she wouldnt finish her second term, and it turns out we were likely correct, Smith said. More about Kristi Noem Noem rejects more than $70 million in federal funds for energy and environmental programs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $42,000 lawsuit settlement adds to costs of Noem-ordered border deployments Commentary: Challenge accepted: Reading Noems book yields even more damning info Commentary: Flood washes away Noems false veneer of leadership Noem, who sent Guard troops to Texas, resists using them for her own states flooding Man in photo Noem used as alleged proof of cartels says its hindered his right to a fair trial Commentary: Noems dog killing was bad, but to really understand her, consider the goat Commentary: What Noems shot heard around the world says about her approach to problems Full archive Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com. Follow South Dakota Searchlight on Facebook and X. The election of former President Donald Trump to a second term has put a spotlight on what his return to the White House may look like, particularly when it comes to women's health. Online searches for topics related to women's health have spiked since the Nov. 5 election, particularly when it comes to birth control, Google data shows. Searches for IUDs, birth control pills, and Plan B are trending higher than they have since June 2022, when Roe v. Wade was overturned, giving states the power to decide abortion access. Since then, at least 14 states have ceased nearly all abortion services, and 21 states have put into effect restrictions on abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current abortion landscape combined with Trump's comments about birth control on the campaign trail and his first administration's efforts to roll back insurance coverage of contraceptives have led to uncertainty about what will happen in his second term. PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an election night event, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Here are five questions answered. 1. What does the term 'birth control' include? Birth control, also known as contraception, is the broad term for the act of preventing pregnancy. The term includes everything from medicines and methods to devices and surgery used to prevent pregnancy, according to the National Library of Medicine. One of the most widely-known and used types of contraception is the birth control pill, an oral, hormonal medication that commonly requires a prescription. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 14% of women in the United States between the ages of 15 to 49 currently use the pill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2. What did Trump say about birth control on the campaign trail? During an interview with a Pittsburgh TV station in May, Trump was asked if he supports any restrictions on a person's right to contraceptives. "Well, we're looking at that and we're going to have a policy on that very shortly," Trump responded with. "And I think it's something you'll find interesting and it's another issue that's very interesting." When asked to clarify if he was suggesting he was open to supporting some restrictions on contraceptives, "like the morning-after pill," Trump responded, "Things really do have a lot to do with the states and some states are going to have different policy than others." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former president quickly took to social media to clarify his position, claiming that he was not advocating for restrictions on contraceptives. "I HAVE NEVER, AND WILL NEVER ADVOCATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL, or other contraceptives," he wrote in a May 21 post on his social media platform. The Trump campaign further attempted to clarify, claiming the policy Trump was referring to during the interview was mifepristone, often used in pregnancy termination. However, Trump was not asked about the abortion medication. After winning the 2024 presidential election, Trump and the transition team have been advised on health-related appointments by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has also been in discussions to possibly fill a major role in the next administration, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News has not found public comment from RFK Jr. on the issue of birth control. 3. What happened on birth control during Trump's first administration? During Trump's first term, the Department of Health and Human Services issued new rules allowing more employers to opt-out of the Affordable Care Act mandate guaranteeing no-cost contraceptive services for women. What a 2nd Trump term may look like for health care issues including ACA, abortion The Supreme Court upheld the HHS decision in a 7-2 ruling in 2020, giving an employer or university with a religious or moral objection to opt out of covering contraceptives for employees. PHOTO: A pile of birth controls pills are seen in this stock image. (STOCK PHOTO/Peter Dazeley/Getty Images) 4. As president, what power does Trump have over birth control? As president, Trump would have the authority to order rollbacks of measures implemented by President Joe Biden's administration to protect birth control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As recently as October, the Biden administration announced a plan to require insurers to fully cover over-the-counter contraceptives. 3 states uphold abortion restrictions, 7 others protect abortion access In January, the administration announced several other measures to protect contraception access, including federal agencies issuing new guidance to "clarify standards" and make sure Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive medications are available for free under the Affordable Care Act. Once Trump is in office, he will also have the chance to appoint Supreme Court justices if vacancies arise. During his first term, Trump appointed three justices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump could also work with Congress to enact legislation on women's reproductive rights, including birth control. Following the Nov. 5 election, control of the House of Representatives is still up in the air, while ABC News has projected that Republicans will win the Senate. 5. What has the Supreme Court said on birth control? When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, a solo concurring opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas included a line on birth control. In his opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the court "should reconsider" Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a Connecticut law that made it illegal to use birth control devices or to advise about their use. "We have a duty to 'correct the error' established in those precedents," Thomas wrote, citing the Griswold ruling among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Will McDuffie, Kelsey Walsh and Soo Rin Kim contributed to this report. What Trump has said about birth control, and what he could do as president originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com House Republicans want to be in Trumps Cabinet so badly that theyand the president-electare willing to leave Speaker Mike Johnson vulnerable in the next Congress. Trump on Monday announced that New York Representative Elise Stefanik will serve as his U.N. ambassador and Florida Representative Mike Waltz will serve as his national security adviser. With even more appointments on the way and a slim GOP majority, some Republicans have warned the president-elects transition team that they cannot select any more Republican representatives for Trumps Cabinet. At least 12 other Republican House members have already been floated for Cabinet positions. Five of them are from Florida alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have 10 colleagues who think theyre going to the Cabinet, an anonymous House GOP member told CNN. If weve got a four-seat minority, you can let one or two go. But youre not going to let three or four go. I think we have some really qualified people. But I wouldnt want to drop us down to a one, two (seat) majority tactically, said outgoing GOP Representative Kelly Armstrong. We have a lot of talent. But you have to give Mike [Johnson] some room to operate. Trump may also dip his fingers further into Senate Republicans majority, as he already did with his pick of Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state. (Bloomberg) -- US President-elect Donald Trump is poised to pick two men with track records of harshly criticizing China for key posts in his administration, a sign ties between the superpowers may deteriorate further in coming years. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listen to the Bloomberg Daybreak Europe podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. Senator Marco Rubio who has taken an aggressive stance on Chinas emergence as an economic power is set to become the first sitting secretary of state to have been sanctioned by Beijing, adding fresh turbulence to a tense relationship. Florida Representative Mike Waltz, who in 2021 declared America was in a Cold War with the Chinese Communist Party, is in line to become national security adviser. Elise Stefanik, Trumps nomination as US ambassador to the United Nations, has also been outspoken on China. She cited countering national security and economic threats posed by the Chinese Communist government as one of her priorities when serving as congresswoman for New York. Trumps emerging bench of high-profile China hawks gives some indication of the direction his next term will take, after the Republican campaigned on threats to unleash a 60% tariff on Chinese products. Economists say that would decimate trade between the worlds largest economies, dealing a blow to Beijing just as policymakers roll out a major stimulus package to put their nations wobbling economy on firmer footing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is assembling a foreign policy team packed with tough-on-China politicians that will worry leaders in Beijing, said Neil Thomas, a fellow for Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institutes Center for China Analysis. Xi Jinping may become more paranoid about US intentions and feel compelled to undertake stronger shows of force that heighten bilateral tensions. Unease over the future of Chinas relationship with the US is already playing out in the market. Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong slumped on Tuesday, with the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index tumbling more than 3% to extend a 1.4% loss in the previous session. This underscores the high likelihood of Trump following through on his campaign pledge to implement punitive tariffs on Chinas exports to the US, Homin Lee, senior macro strategist at Lombard Odier, said of the reported appointments. Trump wouldnt be solely surrounded by hawks. Elon Musks presence in his inner circle could provide a rare moderating force among Trumps universe of China advisers. The billionaire chief executive officer of Tesla Inc. has extensive business interests in the Asian nation his company makes half its electric vehicles in China and hes routinely courted there by senior leaders, including longtime Xi loyalist Premier Li Qiang. The mercurial Trump could also change his mind about appointments at the last minute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinas top leader has already congratulated Trump on his White House comeback, in a sign the ruling Communist Party wants to keep things cordial. Xi is also expected to meet outgoing President Joe Biden in Peru this week at a summit of leaders from the Asia-Pacific region, providing an opportunity for Beijing to pass any message to the next administration. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said he had no comment on the flurry of reported appointments Tuesday at a regular press briefing in Beijing. Chinas policy on the US is consistent and clear, he added. Nightmare Come True Rubio is among a handful of US officials who China took the rare step of sanctioning twice in 2020, as tensions spiraled during the first Trump administrations push to punish Beijing for its handling of Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Rubio sponsored a bill trying to prevent the import of goods made by Chinas ethnic Uyghur minority, which Biden later signed into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months after Rubios sanctions, outgoing secretary of state Michael Pompeo was slapped with similar curbs just as Biden was being inaugurated, in a move seen as a symbolic swipe. A flurry of diplomatic engagements from senior Biden officials has since helped both sides manage differences, after an alleged Chinese spy balloon crossing the US sent ties into another tailspin early last year. Trumps decision to appoint Rubio who ran against him in 2016 for the Republican nomination could undermine that approach, if Americas top diplomat is barred from entering the Asian country. Chinas former Defense Minister Li Shangfu faced a similar predicament, after being elevated to that job while sanctioned by America. Li refused to hold talks with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin until such measures were lifted, although American officials claimed the restrictions didnt prevent such a sitdown. Rubios elevation would be a nightmare come true for Beijing, according to Zhu Junwei, a former researcher in the Peoples Liberation Army who is now director of American research at Grandview Institution in Beijing. China has to consider what to do with the sanctions before being able to have any engagement with him, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political Weirdos Both Rubio and Waltz have publicly expressed support for Trump bringing Russias war in Ukraine to an end, a move that would free Washington to focus more on China. Theyve also advocated for taking an even tougher line militarily and economically on Americas top rival. In a 2022 speech to the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank, Rubio called China the threat that will define this century. The senator mapped out two scenarios: One where a rising authoritarian power replaced a free society as the worlds most powerful country, or an alternative where the US prospered. The year before, Chinas state-run Global Times newspaper published an opinion piece that branded Rubio one of Washingtons political weirdos for leading his country to dangerous decisions by stoking anxiety that America was facing an existential threat from China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz, a former Army Green Beret and combat veteran of Afghanistan, has been equally outspoken. Days before the US election, he wrote in the Economist newspaper that the US should end conflicts in Europe and the Middle East so it can confront the greater threat from China. America is not building armed forces to deny a Chinese attack on Taiwan, he wrote in the article, co-authored with former Pentagon strategist Matthew Kroenig. A new administration should increase defense spending and revitalize the defense-industrial base to make sure its armed forces are clearly capable of denying a Chinese attack on Taiwan. China sees Taiwan as a wayward province to be brought under its control someday, by force if required. Biden has repeatedly said Washington would come to Taipeis aid in the event of a Chinese invasion, blurring Americas long-standing position of strategic ambiguity a confusing policy that Waltz said had benefited Beijing, without elaborating. There were a great number of people in China who were hopeful Trump was a business-oriented pragmatist who would in some way be able to push the US-China relationship forward, said Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of international relations at Shanghais East China Normal University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With these two people at the helm, he added, that seems very, very unlikely. --With assistance from Philip Glamann, Katia Dmitrieva and Charlotte Yang. (Updates with Foreign Ministry response and other details throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to announce his intention to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for secretary of state, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. Rubio, 53, has served in the Senate since 2011. He is currently the vice-chair of the Senate Select Committee on Foreign Intelligence and also sits on the chamber's Committee on Foreign Relations. MORE: Trump transition live updates Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several long-serving State Department officials tell ABC News they respect Rubio's extensive foreign policy experience and view him as unlikely to overly politicize the secretary of state role. PHOTO: Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets Senator Marco Rubio during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, N.C., on Nov. 4, 2024. (Ryan M. Kelly/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) Rubio was also said to be favored for the role by Trump's chief of staff and veteran Florida political operative Susie Wiles, potentially helping the lawmaker edge out loyalists from the first Trump administration like former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell and former National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien. MORE: Trump selects Rep. Elise Stefanik to be UN ambassador In an interview following Trump's election victory, Rubio told CNN that the U.S. was entering "an era of pragmatic foreign policy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The world is rapidly changing. You know, adversaries are uniting -- in North Korea, Iran, China, Russia -- increasing coordinating," Rubio said. "It is going to require us to be very pragmatic and wise in how we invest overseas and what we do." Rubio has consistently held many hawkish and traditionally Republican positions on international concerns, including Russias invasion of Ukraine, but has bent to align with Trumps agenda -- including his skeptical view of sustained support for Kyivs war effort. While Rubio was initially a leading advocate for Ukraine, he voted against a supplemental funding bill passed in April that allocated about $61 billion dollars for the country, explaining at the time that he rejected the legislation because he did not believe it adequately addressed immigration concerns. Im not on Russias side -- but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement, Rubio said during an interview in late September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I want, and we want, and, I believe Donald Trump wants, for Ukraine to have more leverage in that negotiation, he added. Because of Rubio's stature in the Senate and long tenure in Washington, his Senate confirmation process is broadly expected to run smoothly. Rubio's appointment is not anticipated to create problems for Republicans in the Senate. Florida law authorizes the state's governor, Republican Ron DeSantis, to fill the empty seat by appointment until the next scheduled general election, when Floridians would vote for candidates to serve out the remainder of Rubio's term. MORE: Senate leadership race heats up as Trump issues demands Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans see Trump's double-digit win over Vice President Kamala Harris in Florida, the highest margin of victory for a presidential candidate in the state for 36 years, as a sign that the former battleground is now a firmly cemented as a GOP stronghold. Rubio has also dramatically shifted toward the president-elect in recent years, transforming from a rival Trump once dubbed "Lil Marco" to a contender for a top Cabinet post in his second administration During the 2016 presidential election, Rubio ran against Trump for the Republican nomination -- slamming him as a "con artist" on the campaign trail before dropping out after losing to Trump in the Florida primary. Rubio eventually endorsed Trump's bid for the White House and was widely supportive of his policies during his first term, during which Rubio served as an unofficial adviser on strategy for Latin America and was described by the New York Times as a "virtual secretary of state" for the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, Rubio again endorsed Trump for president and was on the shortlist of potential running mates before Trump ultimately selected Ohio Senator JD Vance. Trump expected to select Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com President-elect Donald Trump has chosen South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CNN reported Tuesday. Noem, who was at one point up for consideration to be Trumps running mate, will head the agency responsible for everything from deportations to natural disaster relief efforts. The DHS has a $60.4 billion budget and oversees thousands of employees, including those with the U.S. Secret Service. Trump, who ran his campaign on the promise of mass deportation, also selected Stephen Miller and Tom Homan to serve in his administration. Both men are unapologetic defenders of Trumps hardline border policies and along with Noem, show that Trump is filling his cabinet with loyalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Dakota governor has long been an immigration hardliner. Throughout President Joe Bidens term, Noem maintained that her state wont be taking any illegal immigrants. My message to illegal immigrants call me when youre an American, she wrote in a post on X in 2021. Noem has had a tumultuous year, facing immense amount of backlash for revealing in her memoir that she killed her 14-month-old puppy, later claiming it was a danger to her children. The admission horrified the media and politicians on both sides of the spectrum, spurring Noems unpopularity and likely damaging her standing as a vice presidential candidate. In Trumps last term, the DHS saw five different leaders, only two of whom were approved by the Senate. By Phil Stewart, Steve Holland and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President-elect Donald Trump has picked Republican Representative Mike Waltz to be his national security adviser, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday, tapping a retired Army Green Beret who has been a leading critic of China. Waltz, a Trump loyalist who also served in the National Guard as a colonel, has criticized Chinese activity in the Asia-Pacific and has voiced the need for the United States to be ready for a potential conflict in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The national security adviser is a powerful role, which does not require Senate confirmation. Waltz will be responsible for briefing Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies. While slamming the Biden administration for a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Waltz has publicly praised Trump's foreign policy views. "Disruptors are often not nice ... frankly our national security establishment and certainly a lot of people that are dug into bad old habits in the Pentagon need that disruption," Waltz said during an event earlier this year. "Donald Trump is that disruptor," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz has a long history in Washington's political circles. He was a defense policy director for defense secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates and was elected to Congress in 2018. He is the chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee overseeing military logistics and also on the select committee on intelligence. Waltz is also on the Republicans' China Task Force and has argued the U.S. military is not as prepared as it needs to be if there is conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. In a book published earlier this year titled "Hard Truths: Think and Lead Like a Green Beret," Waltz laid out a five-part strategy to preventing war with China, including arming Taiwan faster, re-assuring allies in the Pacific, and modernizing planes and ships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Ukraine, Waltz has said his views have evolved. After Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he called for the Biden administration to provide more weapons to Kyiv to help them push back Russian forces. But during an event last month, Waltz said there had to be a reassessment of the United States' aims in Ukraine. "Is it in America's interest, are we going to put in the time, the treasure, the resources that we need in the Pacific right now badly?" Waltz asked. Waltz has praised Trump for pushing NATO allies to spend more on defense, but unlike the president-elect has not suggested the United States pull out of the alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Look we can be allies and friends and have tough conversations," Waltz said last month. Waltz demonstrated his loyalty to Trump earlier this year when he appeared at Trump's May 16 hush-money court hearing in Manhattan, one of only a handful of lawmakers to do so. WHAT IT MIGHT MEAN FOR THE MILITARY? Waltz, who was in the running to be defense secretary, could rankle some in the uniformed ranks. As a congressman from Florida, he has been at the forefront of a conservative movement opposed to teaching certain theories about racism and has criticized military officials for it. He has also lamented the Pentagon's failure to fire generals and civilian bureaucrats who fail to perform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to get a culture of accountability into that place. No one ever seems to get fired, with these massive cost over-runs, massive waste," Waltz told Fox News last week. "We don't need managers there. We need reformers." Trump is expected to have a far darker view of his military leaders in his second term, after facing Pentagon resistance over everything from his skepticism toward NATO to his readiness to deploy troops to quell protests on U.S. streets. He has criticized the military for being political under President Joe Biden's administration. In 2023, Waltz introduced an act in Congress that would have required an audit of "unnecessary and political DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs" in the military and "restore a merit-based culture to our ranks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a tense congressional hearing with the top U.S. general in 2021, Waltz was critical of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for teaching critical race theory, which maintains that legacies of slavery and segregation have created an uneven playing field for Black Americans. (Reporting by Phil Stewart, Steve Holland and Idrees Ali; Additional reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Eric Beech and Chris Reese) Four months ago, Thomas Homan, a former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Donald Trump, took to the stage at the Republican National Convention to issue a warning to immigrants living in the country illegally. As a guy who spent 34 years deporting illegal aliens, I have a message for the millions of illegal aliens that President Biden released in our country in violation of federal law, he said. You better start packing now. Less than a week after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, the Republican president-elect announced that he plans to appoint Homan as his border czar, one of many signs Trump will act swiftly and decisively on his campaign promise to secure the border and clamp down on illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who made mass deportations a centerpiece of his 2024 election campaign, is also expected to appoint another longtime ally and immigration hard-liner, Stephen Miller, as deputy chief of staff for policy. Homan and Miller are just two of the intended appointments that show Trump is setting up to deliver on the key platforms of his campaign. On Monday, he also named former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Miller, a former speechwriter and campaign advisor to Trump who worked closely with the former president in the White House during Trump's first term, was a key architect of Trumps zero tolerance immigration policies, including a travel ban that reduced the number of refugees accepted to the U.S. from Muslim-majority countries and the separation of migrant children from their parents. Trump is plainly delivering a message that he intends to do what he said he would do, said Andrew Arthur, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, a nonpartisan group that supports immigration restriction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his campaign, Trump promised to deport millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, carrying out the largest deportation operation in American history on Day One. And in his first interview after he won last week, the former president told NBC that he was committed to a mass roundup of undocumented immigrants, whatever the cost. Its not a question of a price tag, Trump said. Its not. Really, we have no choice when people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries. And now theyre going to go back to those countries because theyre not staying here." Read more: Column: What can a new President Trump really do on Day One? A guide for the worried But athough Trump can order a clampdown on undocumented immigrants as soon as he becomes president, few experts expect his administration to immediately deport the millions of people estimated to be in the United States illegally. According to the Pew Research Center, about 11 million immigrants were living illegally in the country in 2022 and more than 2 million people have entered the country illegally since then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Immigration Council, a nonprofit advocacy group, has estimated that deporting everyone in the U.S. illegally would cost at least $315 billion and take at least a decade. Still, Trumps crackdown on immigrants has the potential to create chaos across the nation and economic disruption across many industries that rely on immigrants particularly in California, home to about 1.8 million immigrants without legal status. In L.A. County, a recent USC Dornsife report found that more than a third of residents are immigrants and about 8% are undocumented immigrants. This time around, the Trumps administration is going to be a lot more prepared, said Masih Fouladi, executive director of California Immigrant Policy Center. "If we thought they acted quickly in 2017, with a Muslim ban a week after Trump was sworn into office, its going to be even faster this time. Trump is going to stay true to his word, advancing mass deportation on Day One, and we similarly have to work with that kind of urgency to make sure that we're protecting our communities. Immigrants living in California and other blue states already benefit from protections that immigrants in red states do not have. For example, California has already established a series of policies that limit local agencies cooperation with federal immigration officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Fouladi said immigrants and their supporters had to work immediately with state and national partners to prevent harm to immigrants and their families. He urged the state to strengthen the protections of the California Values Act and invest in rapid response networks and legal services for immigrants who might be deported. Former White House aide Stephen Miller speaks at a campaign rally in October 2024 for Donald Trump in State College, Pa. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) There are a lot of mixed families in California, where there might be certain parents that are undocumented, but children that are U.S. citizens, Fouladi said. "Plans for those families to be taken care of should be one of the top priorities of state lawmakers, the governor, local mayors. Fouladi said California leaders had already made provisions to defend immigrants, but they were not working with the same urgency as the Trump administration. Although Trump has claimed that many of the migrants who entered the U.S. illegally over the last 3 years are murderers, drug dealers, people from jails, research shows people living in the U.S. illegally are arrested at significantly lower rates for violent, drug and property crimes than native-born Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fouladi said he hoped key leaders in California agriculture, industry and chambers of commerce would highlight the vital role immigrants have played in boosting the state's economy. We need urgency in advance of Trumps taking office, Fouladi said. I think this time around folks believe hes going to advance policies that deport individuals, I just dont think they appreciate the scope and scale. When Trump announced Sunday on his platform Truth Social that he would make Homan "border czar," he also said Homan would be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. In July, according to the news website Semafor, Homan told a panel on immigration policy during a conservative conference: I will run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Olivia Troye, a former White House national security official under Trump, warned that Homan was a divisive figure. When deadly wildfires swept through Northern California in 2017, she noted, Homan spread false claims that an undocumented immigrant had started them and blamed the Sonoma County sheriff for so-called sanctuary policies that left their community vulnerable to dangerous individuals and preventable crimes. The immigrant had NOTHING to do with the wildfires, Troye posted on X. Those of us working at DHS who were actually committed to homeland security watched this with horror internally as it played out. Remember this going forward when things like this happen again. Miller has said that a Trump administration could deploy the U.S. military and National Guard troops to assist in deporting immigrants, setting the stage for showdowns between the federal government and local jurisdictions that bill themselves as sanctuary cities and states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If President Trump gets reelected, the border is going to be sealed, the military will be deployed, the National Guard will be activated, and the illegals are going home," Miller told conservative podcast host Charlie Kirk this year. Read more: How a liberal Santa Monica high school produced a top Trump advisor and speechwriter Last month, Trump said at a campaign rally that he would invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used 1798 law to deport anyone who is not in the country legally. But legal experts believe such a policy would face protracted legal battles. Arthur said he expected the Trump administration to prioritize the completion of its southern border wall and reinstate its Remain in Mexico policy that forced people to stay in Mexico after applying for asylum in the United States actions that would deter migrants from trying to enter the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To fund completion of the border wall, Arthur expected Trump would declare a border emergency or draw upon military assets or go to Congress for a special supplemental appropriation. But even then, Arthur said, it would be impractical to expect immediate results. We're not going to have a fence that stretches from Brownsville to Imperial Beach, but you're definitely going to be plugging the gaps in key areas of Arizona, California and Texas, he said. At the same time, Arthur said, the Trump administration would prioritize returning migrants who have committed serious crimes who are deemed to pose a threat or those who have entered illegally after November 2020. Asked whether law-abiding immigrants without papers should fear they might be deported if law enforcement pulled them over in a traffic stop, Arthur said: I'm not going to say they shouldn't be worried." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If they're encountered, they are going to be taken into custody," he said. "But are you, all of a sudden, going to go out and try to arrest 13 to 15 million people? That's a resource issue, and it's probably not feasible." 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. A surge of misogynistic social media posts featuring men laying claim to womens bodies has coincided with President-elect Donald Trumps election victory last week, according to a new report. Trump ran a campaign that included denying women their free will. He vowed to be women's protector whether the women like it or not, and he repeatedly praised the chaos that has ensued after the Supreme Courts decision to overturn womens federal right to abortion as beautiful. His victory has some in the MAGA movement eager to subjugate women, and their remarks all but affirm some peoples fears that a Trump win would unleash misogyny akin to that in The Handmaids Tale. The nonpartisan Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which tracks the spread of disinformation and propaganda online, released a report Friday that found an initial spike in blatantly misogynistic statements including men telling women your body, my choice and calling for womens voting rights to be repealed following Trumps victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id been keeping track of such misogyny in the lead-up to Election Day. But the ISD report explains how this kind of bigoted bile exploded online after Trumps win. According to the report: In a national election heavily focused on women and reproductive rights, women in the United States have faced an onslaught of online abuse, harassment, and denigration following Vice President Kamala Harriss loss. This is more than just a continuation of misogynist trends that ISD documented in both the run-up to this election and in the aftermath of previous cycles including 2020 and 2022. As an emboldened group of manosphere influencers, extremist ideologues and politicians exploit Donald Trumps election as a rebuke of both reproductive rights and womens rights, the impact on women could extend into the next presidential election and beyond. The manosphere is an online, multiplatform community of angst-ridden men who believe feminism and womens independence, more broadly is a key source of societys problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report quotes a widely shared post-election tweet from far-right manosphere podcaster Andrew Tate, who suggested he hit the gas pedal in his car when he saw a woman at a crosswalk because you no longer have rights. It also quotes a social media post from Nick Fuentes, Trumps white nationalist dinner date from 2022, who tweeted, Your body, my choice. Forever, and garnered tens of millions of impressions. In just a 24-hour span after the election, researchers reportedly found a 4,600% increase in mentions of the terms your body, my choice and get back in the kitchen on X. The report refers to multiple social media users who said they or their children were told "your body, my choice" in class. The researchers found tens of thousands of accounts using the phrase dumb c--t to refer to Vice President Kamala Harris and other women on Election Day itself, using an insult Elon Musks super PAC referred to in a suggestive anti-Harris ad. And the researchers also found calls for rape and rape squads garnered thousands of views on social media after last weeks election. This research aligns with research from other experts whove talked about invective targeting women in politics. Disinformation expert Nina Jankowicz, for example, wrote for MSNBC that the vicious attacks Harris has received are incomparable to those any woman in politics before her has faced. And this fits a troubling global trend. Around the world, many of the repressive, authoritarian-like figures Trump and his movement idolize have all been bolstered by movements of petulant men who harass and threaten women. They include Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Argentinian President Javier Milei and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All have learned how to use the misogynistic angst of their countrys men to their political advantage, and Donald Trump is no different. The topic of "MAGA masculinity" is one I've been covering closely over the past several months, and I'm going to stay on this beat. To read some of my previous coverage, check the links here, here, here, here and here. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Donald Trump plans to choose Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as his secretary of state, the New York Times reported on Monday. Four years after losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden, Trump has repeatedly stated that he will be returning to the White with a literal agenda to prosecute his political opponents. Following his win over Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump has begun choosing which of his loyalists to reward with a powerful appointment or Cabinet position. Citing people familiar with Trumps plans, the Times said the president-elects decision could still change but he appears to have settled on Rubio. The Florida senator, a rising star in the Republican party, was among the names considered as a possible running mate for Trump prior to his selection of Ohio Senator. JD Vance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio was first elected to Congress nearly 14 years ago. In 2016, he entered the GOP primaries in a race that saw the Florida senator and Trump exchange verbal insults. In response to Trump calling Rubio little Marco, the senator called Trump a con artist and said that he has small hands. The name-calling appears to be water under the bridge, however, and following Trumps victory last week, Rubio said that the the U.S. is entering a period of pragmatic foreign policy. The ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Rubio cited threats from the closer ties of Russia, North Korea, Iran and China, stating that the U.S. would need to very pragmatic and wise in how we invest overseas and what we do, how we approach things. 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. (The Hill) President-elect Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), multiple outlets reported Tuesday. Noem was first floated as a possible running mate for Trump, but her consideration fizzled after the release of her biography, in which she described killing a dog that was untrainable. Instead, the Republican governor will be tapped to lead the sprawling agency tasked with protecting the U.S from terror threats, securing the borders and enforcing U.S. immigration law. Trump has also tasked DHS with carrying out the largest deportation operation in American history. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks prior to remarks from Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally, March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File) If confirmed, Noem would work closely with Stephen Miller, who Trump tapped to serve as his deputy chief of staff for policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also selected Tom Homan as his border czar, an early proponent of child separation during his work under the first Trump administration who recently said that families can be deported together. Noem has little national security experience, but she did send the South Dakota National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border and has been vocal on immigration issues. South Dakota wont be taking any illegal immigrants that the Biden Administration wants to relocate. My message to illegal immigrants call me when youre an American, Noem wrote on social platform X in 2021 shortly after President Biden took office. She also supported Trumps Muslim travel ban while serving as a member of Congress and also supported pausing some refugee screening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I share the Presidents concerns about our ability to screen refugeesespecially those from terrorist hotbed areas, Noem said in 2017. I support putting a temporary pause on accepting refugees from terrorist-held areasat least until the administration can certify that asylum-seekers do not present a safety threat to the U.S. Noem was also previously floated as a possible Interior Secretary. I love being Governor of South Dakota, and President Trump knows that Ill help him however I can, Noem said at the time. Noem was a regular with Trump on the campaign trail, including at one event that turned into a music listening session after multiple medical emergencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS contains a number of key public safety agencies. Beyond its immigration duties, it also contains the Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It also contains the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) which is tasked with helping companies prevent cyber attacks as well as attacks on physical infrastructure. The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment. Brett Samuels 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. President-elect Trumps nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations sets the stage for one of the organizations most vocal and combative critics to have a powerful seat at its table. Stefanik, 40, the fourth-ranking House Republican and a devoted Trump loyalist, has little foreign policy experience. But she has built a reputation over the last year as a leading champion of Israel, in part by repeatedly hammering the U.N. for its reproach of the countrys military response to last years attacks by Hamas. In September, she accused the organization of being infected by antisemitic rot. Her nomination as Americas top envoy to the U.N. sends an early signal that Trump intends to side squarely with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a conservative Trump ally who has ignored President Bidens calls for a regional cease-fire, as the Middle Eastern conflict expands and intensifies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The posting also sends a broader message to the world that Trumps America First approach which envisions a shrinking role for the United States in world diplomacy and global affairs is likely to reign supreme in his second term. That strategy is likely to surface most prominently in Ukraine, where Trump has declined to commit more military support as Kyiv continues the years-long battle against Russias invading forces. Stefanik called for devastating action to defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin early in the war, but voted against a multibillion-dollar aid package to Ukraine earlier this year. In accepting the nomination Monday, Stefanik defended Trumps shift toward isolationism, suggesting it would nudge Americas allies into taking a more active role in the pursuit of global peace. America continues to be the beacon of the world, she said in a statement, but we expect and must demand that our friends and allies be strong partners in the peace we seek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps Republican allies on Capitol Hill quickly hailed the nomination on Monday, praising Stefanik as a fantastic choice for the position. She is extremely qualified for this new role in public service, and the Houses loss will be a huge gain for the Trump Administration and the country. There is nobody better to represent President Trumps foreign policy and Americas values at the United Nations than Elise Stefanik, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said in a statement. But her promotion to global envoy is sure to ring alarm bells among both traditional conservatives, who still support a muscular defense of NATO and Americas overseas allies, and Democrats, who consider Stefanik to be an unscrupulous political opportunist and a blind sycophant to Trump. Trumps pick of Rep. Stefanik is a gift to Vladamir Putin, said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She abandoned Ukrainians in April, and this further signals Donald Trump and MAGAs retreat from the global stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stefaniks imminent jump to the administration immediately sparked the race to replace her in GOP leadership, with a handful of GOP lawmakers already announcing their bids. It could also complicate Trumps ambitious 100-day legislative agenda by cutting into what is already expected to be a slim majority for the House Republicans. Although Stefanik serves on the House Armed Services and Intelligence committees, she has made greater waves from her perch as a senior member of the Education and Workforce Committee, where she was in line for the gavel before jumping into House leadership. But the New York Republican saw her star rise rapidly in December when, during a hearing of the Education committee, she questioned a trio of university presidents about antisemitism on their campuses following Hamass Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel an episode that went viral and prompted two of the three leaders to resign from their posts. Since then, the House GOP conference chair has made combating antisemitism a prime part of her portfolio on Capitol Hill, a posture that has included incisive criticism of the United Nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, for example, the New York Republican appeared to threaten U.S. funding for the U.N. over the Biden administrations alleged silence regarding perceived antisemitism in the organization. The statement was in reaction to the Palestinian Authority eyeing an effort to expel Israel from the United Nations. Should the Palestinian Authority succeed in their antisemitic pursuit, it would result in a complete reassessment of U.S. funding of the United Nations. American taxpayers have no interest in continuing to fund an organization that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have allowed to rot with antisemitism, Stefanik wrote. She also took a jab at the United Nations in her May address before the Israeli Knesset, when she became the highest-ranking House member to visit Israel after the Oct. 7 attack. When the enemy is inside the gates of the United Nations, America must be the one to call it by its name and destroy it, Stefanik said. President Trump understood that, and Bezrat hashem, we will return to that strategy soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stefanik is already making clear that Israel will remain a top priority of hers if she is confirmed as ambassador: The congresswoman is scheduled to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday, according to The Times of Israel. The nomination highlights Trumps penchant for rewarding his most loyal allies with plum assignments. It also marks the culmination of Stefaniks head-snapping turn from moderate lawmaker with a reputation for reaching across the aisle to fierce partisan who emerged as one of Trumps most ardent defenders on Capitol Hill. That support first gained prominence during Trumps first impeachment in 2019, and it only grew louder in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. That loyalty to the former president was quickly rewarded in the months following the rampage when House Republicans infuriated that Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.), a member of their own leadership ranks, had voted to impeach Trump for his role in the attack voted to oust Cheney and promote Stefanik as the conference chair. As House investigators began examining the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, Stefanik blamed then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for the rampage. It was a familiar argument one initiated by Trump. 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. Donald Trump has appointed a leading critic of the UKs Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius as his national security adviser, in the clearest indication yet that the president-elect will oppose the plan. Mr Trump, who will take office on Jan 20, appointed Mike Waltz to the key post of national security adviser on Monday, according to media reports. Mr Waltz, a Florida congressman, is a leading China hawk who has called for Nato countries to share the burden more fairly with the US by boosting their defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also opposed plans for the UK to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, in a deal that was finalised under Sir Keir Starmers government last month. In December 2022, after reports that the Conservative government was planning to cede control to Mauritius, Mr Waltz wrote to the US defence secretary and secretary of state to oppose the plans. Should the UK cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius, I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum, he said. He said the deal would endanger the Diego Garcia air base on the islands, which he compared to the loss of the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan after the USs chaotic exit in August 2021. Mr Waltz compared the potential loss of Diego Garcia to that of Bagram air base during the 2012 Afghanistan withdrawal - Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images I urge you to work with your UK counterparts to ensure that our countries retain control of Diego Garcia, as well as make certain that China is prohibited from militarising any of the other islands in the Chagos Archipelago, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Waltz has consistently supported Mr Trumps call for Nato countries to spend more on defence. In a video published by the Atlantic Council think tank last week, he said the US should celebrate countries that hit the 2 per cent of GDP target and pressurise those that do not. He has previously criticised Italy, Germany and Canada for their lower defence budgets, and said the US needs to make clear it is time for our allies to invest in their own security. Mr Waltz will take office at a time of global instability and uncertainty about Mr Trumps strategy for the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. The president-elect has said he will seek to end the Ukraine war in a day by brokering territorial negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, in exchange for peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Sir Keir met Emmanuel Macron in Paris, as the UK and France both vowed to continue Western support for Kyiv, regardless of the state of US aid under a second Trump administration. Mr Waltz is a former member of US special forces, and the first Green Beret to be elected to Congress. He previously served as an adviser to Donald Rumsfeld in the aftermath of 9/11. 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. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President-elect Donald Trump is busy building his new administration. He is filling key White House positions with leaders who will shape federal policy for the next four years. The new Trump White House will be staffed with close allies of the incoming president, many of whom are familiar faces. It is time to put our country and our people first again, said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Trump is tapping two prominent members of Congress to lead his foreign policy agenda. Hes expected to nominate Senator Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state, and he announced Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) will be the new United Nations ambassador. Standing with our allies and causing our enemies to fear us, said Stefanik. The incoming president is bringing back members of his former administration to spearhead immigration efforts. His former Ice Director Tom Homan will serve as the new border czar. To the millions of illegal aliens that Joe Bidens released in our country in violation of federal law: you better start packing now, said Homan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also returning to be deputy chief of policy is Stephen Miller, who is best known as the advisor behind the controversial Trump era family separation policy. We can be a country that doesnt let illegal aliens violate our borders and kill and murder American children, said Miller. Plus, President-elect Trump says he will appoint former congressman Lee Zeldin to be head of the Environmental Protection Agency. As the roster grows Democrats say theyre increasingly concerned. Were going to continue to see a number of people with disturbing histories being appointed to many of these positions, said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Trump is also urging Senate Republicans to allow him to make recess appointments so that he can fast track his picks without needing Senate confirmation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. The News President-elect Donald Trump seems intent on fulfilling his hardline immigration proposals, an ambition reflected in the people he has so far chosen to staff the administration. Thomas Homan, a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief, will be his border czar, while long-time Trump aide Stephen Miller was named his deputy chief of staff, and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has reportedly been tapped to head homeland security. All of them have rallied behind the president-elects promise to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants living in the US. However, experts have questioned both the financial and logistical wisdom of attempting to deport an estimated 10 to 12 million people. Economists have also warned that the program could exact a considerable toll on the US economy, and further destabilize Latin America. SIGNALS Mass deportations could raise food, housing prices Source: CNBC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Donald Trump follows through on deporting all undocumented migrants, critical industries including construction and agriculture could lose an estimated one in eight workers, ultimately leading to US GDP shrinking by as much as $1.7 trillion, according to one analysis. Migrants have helped fill the labor shortages these industries saw in the post-COVID-19 period, and rapidly removing these workers from the US labor pool without replacing them could raise both house and food prices, as these sectors would essentially be paralyzed by the sudden loss of workers, the leader of one construction trade group told CNBC. Specialized immigration also at risk Sources: India Today, Bloomberg Law, Business Insider The H-1B visa, designed for foreigners to work in the US in high-skilled sectors like tech, is also in the spotlight. Trumps decision to appoint Stephen Miller, known for his outspoken opposition to legal immigration, could signal a rolling back of the scheme, India Today wrote. While the program is unlikely to be scrapped, people pursuing H-1Bs may find the process more bureaucratic, more delayed, with more requirements imposed, a researcher at libertarian think tank the Cato Institute said, which could ultimately deter high-skilled immigrating to the US. In Silicon Valley, theres a sense of the need to prepare, an immigration attorney told Business Insider, with many tech leaders hoping that Elon Musk might moderate Trumps stance on the program. Economic, security impact reverberates beyond US Source: The Washington Post Deporting millions of undocumented immigrants to Mexico which the Trump team has suggested would be cheaper and easier than sending them to more distant Latin American countries could create chaos in areas already suffering from poverty and organized crime, immigration experts told The Washington Post. Mexicos economy would take a significant hit from the drop in remittances US migrants send to family members back home, estimated to exceed $60 billion in 2023. And with Mexican cartels largely in control of many northern parts of the country, migrants are going to be more vulnerable to organized crime, according to one migrant activist. Do not let anyone fool you or tell you anything different: The elites won the 2024 United States presidential election. For the past two years that this reporter has covered Donald Trumps now-successful campaign to reconquer power and stay out of prison, there has been one line of dialogue from a decade-and-a-half-old movie that has pounded in my brain, unstoppably, right up until the moment I stood in the center of a West Palm Beach convention center, listening to a decrepit, openly racist game-show host feeling himself on election night. One look at Trump and his jolly band of propagandists, moneymen, and aspiring ethnic cleansers, its difficult not to recall a line from the 2009 film In The Loop, by master satirist and filmmaker Armando Iannucci, formerly of HBOs Veep. Near the movies climax, U.K. spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker (who is working frantically to start a new war in the Middle East) says to a senior U.S. government official a character modeled partly on former Trump adviser John Bolton You know, Ive come across a lot of psychos, but none as fucking boring as you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Standing in the center of Trumps election night 2024 watch party thrown near the president-elects Florida home, it was gratuitously apparent just how much the American elites and our ruling class are disproportionately populated by Trumps most shockingly boring psychos. Wealthy donors in immaculate attire and with too much time on their hands were there. Nativists who ran the federal government into the ground, and are on track to run it yet again, were there, too. Hollywood actors like Jon Voight, who just acted in a Francis Ford Coppola movie, and a blue-blazer-donning Kevin Sorbo were enjoying the electoral nightlife. The elites and the establishment honchos of the wealthiest country the world has ever known arent just the ethnic whites who ride and breed horses for fun, and who would rather be tortured to death than be photographed dining at a chain restaurant. They have for decades, if not centuries, been a debauched, easily bored, overeducated, vicious, and lawless constellation of old and new money. This is a matter of historical record. There is no person alive today, not a single guy, who embodies that culture more than Donald John Trump, a rich kid who inherited a family business empire just like he inherited recovered economies that were destroyed on Republicans (and his) watch and a bored dilettante who bullshitted and partied his way through life, just as he did during the Covid-19 disaster that flourished during his presidency and ultimately killed more than a million souls in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you think of our nations elites, it is a mistake to see in your minds eye an image of Oprah endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, or even liberal mega-donor George Soros. An image Ill forever think of instead is from the makeshift dance floor at the Trump campaigns 2024 election night bash, when Rolling Stone observed a well-groomed, middle-aged couple, with drinks in hand, rushing to the center of the room, so they could gyrate and cheer to the sounds of the Village People disco-era hit, Y.M.C.A., blasting on the loudspeakers, as the large video screens projecting a montage of Trump awkwardly jiggling to the song at his campaigns Beer-Hall-wannabe rallies. It is this reporters previously stated position that if we are truly witnessing the gradual death of the great American empire, it should be noted the downfall was largely set to the tune of the Y.M.C.A. The man in the MAGA couple on Election Night seemed to agree on how oppressively lame that is, rolling his eyes visibly as his partner dragged him toward the crowd of bodies to dance. This is what the elites are. As Trump himself has admitted repeatedly in the past, he and his people are the super-elite, in part because were richer, were better-educated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the true financial and moral constitution of the elites are typified nowadays by the incredibly boring, fantastically wealthy psychos of the Trump orbit ranging from Elon Musk, who spent at least $119 million on a pro-Trump Super PAC even though the president-elect thinks hes a boring weirdo; the bosses of the crypto industry; the billionaires who cant get enough of Trump; the Mitch McConnells of the universe; the literal Kennedy dynastys most visible heir; and the overstimulated media titans who run the global Murdoch empire. Theyre not just boring, theyre totally joyless. Not one of them radiates happiness with life, Iannucci messaged Rolling Stone in recent months, as he watched Trumps abrasively corny, morally vacant campaign and 2024 Republican National Convention unfold from afar. The more people are alerted to the tense balls of sadness and rage rattling behind their eyes, the better! Many millions of voters were alerted, and didnt care. Or they did care because they like Trump. But the political and industry elites of this nation were not as various interested parties or media personalities would have you believe punished or snubbed by Trumps latest election to the White House. The elites have been mightily rewarded for their class solidarity with the Trump family and his Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And on Election Day 2024, Americas elites won a commanding victory to take back the country that has always been theirs. The fact that they did it when Trump managed to wrest control of the popular vote from Harris and the Democratic Party does not change the reality of what Trumps true support actually is, even today. But one reason that so many citizens, voters, and (of course) well-paid pundits refuse to define Trump or Musk as one with the elites is because so many of these people refuse to accept how barbaric and hideously empty-headed the elites of business, policymaking, and stardom have always been. There is a reason the more unhinged and personally destructive Kanye West got, the warmer his embrace by Trump and his media allies became. There is definitely a reason why the worlds richest person has forged an enthusiastic and expensive alliance with Trump, loudly declaring that his happy life would implode if Harris won. And there is surely a reason why after Trump led a failed coup that left several people dead in early 2021 and horrified even some of his staunchest backers virtually the entirety of the GOPs upper crust, including the then-top Republican in the U.S. House, came crawling back to Trump within three tiny weeks of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and have stayed simpering at his side ever since. Its because Trumps fellow elites are just as depraved and craven as he is, and that bond could never truly rupture in the face of pro-Trump political violence, or any other fleeting disagreement between friends. And for the duration of his two-year campaign to get his old job back, Trump did what any famous elite is accustomed to chronically doing: He constantly obsessed over the dumbest shit imaginable and complained about other famous rich people, further underscoring that for all its pageantry, ideological literature, and superiority complexes fascism in all its forms has always been inescapably stupid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT, the former and now future leader of the free world exclaimed on the internet in September, showing where his mind was at in the crucial final weeks of his presumably final presidential campaign. Trumps obsessions with marginalia and media and pop-cultural pettiness was often met with amusement, or at times disgust, by his Democratic opponent who was once, we suppose, on track to becoming the first female president of the United States. Throughout her truncated 2024 run, the vice presidents staff would regularly have to brief her on the latest campaign news and developments and this would at times necessitate staffers scrupulously briefing her on Trumps latest bizarre outbursts or insult-riddled tangents about Harris. In August, right around the time of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the former president kept remarking on Harris Time magazine cover, including while he was on stage at a rally in Pennsylvania. During that rally speech, Trump declared to the world how much hotter he thinks he is than Harris. Time magazine doesnt have a picture of [Harris], they have this unbelievable artist drawing her and I said, Is that [Italian actress] Sophia Loren? I couldnt tell, Trump told his audience. But I say that I am much better looking than the vice president, Trump added. Im a better-looking person than Kamala. The multi-layered, ridiculous nature of Trumps sustained remarks was difficult to explain in a professional setting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an in-person briefing right around the time Harris accepted the Democratic nomination in Chicago, she was made fully aware of Trumps fixation on her physical hotness or notness, according to a Harris adviser. But because of the peculiar, stream-of-consciousness word vomit of Trumps rally monologues, it was surprisingly hard for staff to explain to the vice president exactly what Trump meant, and the different layers of his live analysis of her, the Time magazine illustration, the now 90-year-old Italian actress, and Trumps own alleged sexiness. In this utterly surreal moment during the campaign, the Harris adviser says the vice president visibly shuddered, formed a weirded-out expression on her face, and tried in vain to make sense of what Trump was talking about. The adviser did not recall precisely what the vice president said, only that it was akin to ew and what the hell? But Trumps constant, petty obsessions are, whether we like to think of it this way or not, quintessentially emblematic of Americas elites and the powerful few who rule over the rest of us. This is not a deviation. This is who they are. 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. This article was originally published in Chalkbeat. Doomed. Baffled. Scared. Happy. I dont care. We are so cooked. Those were the reactions to the presidential election result that students scrawled on a white board Wednesday morning inside Joshua Fergusons 11th grade government class at Ypsilanti Community High School in Michigan. Before he knew that former President Donald Trump had won a second term, Ferguson thought he would do a lesson on disinformation in politics. Instead, he gave students room to talk. The most important piece of this lesson, he said, was for his students to feel safe and heard. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter I think thats my job as a teacher, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Educators across the country awakened Wednesday to the news of a second Trump presidency, then headed into school buildings where students were feeling everything from elation to shock to despair. Some had carefully scripted lesson plans at the ready. Others, like Ferguson, scrapped what they prepared and simply listened. For civics and social studies teachers who had been monitoring the 2024 presidential election, Wednesday presented both a pedagogical challenge and opportunity. Chalkbeat reporters fanned out to schools across the country to see how teachers approached this monumental day. This story was reported by Caroline Bauman, Gabrielle Birkner, Hannah Dellinger, Jessie Gomez, Dale Mezzacappa, Amelia Pak-Harvey, Carly Sitrin, and Alex Zimmerman. Why do people keep voting for Trump? Ahead of his 7:30 a.m. social studies class Wednesday, teacher John Winters had prepared a worksheet to spur conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you know, [fill in the blank] has been elected as the next U.S. President, the sheet read. Please share your thoughts, feelings, concerns, questions, etc. His students at Philadelphias Murrell Dobbins Career & Technical Education High School didnt need much prompting. He IS a convicted felon and shouldve never been allowed to run ever again, wrote one student. People dont want to see a girl/woman be the president, wrote another. Why do people keep voting for Trump? Especially people that he doesnt even like and is racist towards? still another wrote. The responses conveyed dismay and fear among some at the 800-student technical school, which is 89% Black and located in the citys lowest income ZIP code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the class, one junior held back to talk to Winters. Anxiety, even fear, was written all over his face as he struggled for words. He asked a series of questions, like how many bills a president could pass and how an impeached president could be elected again. Winters answered but sensed there was something larger the boy wanted to know. I was born here, but Im scared for my parents, he said. Theyre from Haiti. Its bad there right now. Winters reminded him that strongly Democratic Philadelphia has been a sanctuary city, meaning it doesnt always cooperate with the federal government in enforcing immigration law. He told the young man to clarify with his parents their status. But then, reluctantly, he added: I cant lie, its a concerning situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boy put his head down, and slowly walked to his next class. A rightward shift, especially among boys At The Global Learning Collaborative, a high school situated in the deep-blue Upper West Side of Manhattan, students reacted to Trumps victory with a mix of fear, ambivalence and support. More than 70% of the schools students are Latino, and many expressed alarm over Trumps anti-immigrant rhetoric. But there was still a sizable number of students who supported the Republican candidate during a mock election held during a Wednesday morning assembly: 136 students voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, while 70 supported Trump. Junior Alix Torres said she has undocumented relatives and worries about his promise to ramp up deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I woke up kind of angry this morning, Torres said, noting that she helped persuade some family members to vote for Harris. I hope he hears the public and chooses to not go through with that. We built this country. Others at The Global Learning Collaborative said they supported Trump or didnt have a firm opinion of him; nearly all were under 10 years old during his first presidency. Senior Sara Otero, who is 18, voted for the first time on Tuesday, casting a ballot for the former president. A devout Christian, Otero said she believed Trump would preserve religious liberty, though she hadnt followed the election closely. I wasnt as educated as I wish I was on the whole thing, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris decisively won New York City, but by a much smaller margin than Biden did in 2020. Civics teacher Martin Gloster said he has seen a rightward shift in political attitudes in his classroom. I think teenage boys are really attracted to that strongman presence, he said. Gloster said he has struggled with teaching contemporary politics, including the presidential debate in which Trump falsely suggested Haitian immigrants were eating cats and dogs. In a class that discussed the debate, one student had faced an arduous journey emigrating from Guatemala, while others were more sympathetic to Trump. Its difficult because obviously I play it down the middle Trump is just a different thing, Gloster said. Im learning on the fly. I dont have all the answers. Taking lessons from Gores 2000 concession speech When Reid Stuart arrived for his first class on Wednesday, he had three goals for students: Give space to process this huge political moment, impart tools to combat misinformation online and watch Al Gores concession speech from 2000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an incredible speech, by a Tennessean, after a tense moment that calls for unity, said Stuart, who teaches at Crosstown High School, a diverse public charter school in Memphis, Tennessee. It feels relevant. His students in AP Human Geography settled into class, some joking with each other about the election and others speaking somberly. Before watching Gores 2000 concession speech, Stuart asked: What did his students expect from a conceding presidential candidate? To show respect to the other candidate. To show respect for the system. To actually concede, students chimed in. Stuart then asked, If you are Al Gore, how are you feeling? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheated. Mad. Unaccepting of loss. Bitter. Gore, a Democrat, gave his speech more than a month after the 2000 Election Day and after a historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling paved the path to victory for Republican George W. Bush amidst public confusion and outcry. Stuart asked his students what they thought of Gores delivery and message. I think he was being sarcastic, said one student. Like you could tell he didnt really believe what he was saying, and felt like he should have won, but he still called for unity and respect. As other students in the room nodded in agreement, Stuart said: This is a hallmark of a free and fair election, that the person who lost, can get up there and offer a unifying message, even if he is bitter. Right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that Harris was expected to give her concession speech later Wednesday. I encourage you to watch it, he told students. See if she has the same message of unification and moving forward, even though you can guarantee she is feeling deeply about the loss. An election that turned on grocery prices and utility bills Philadelphia social studies teacher Charlie McGeehan prepared for every election outcome but, he admitted to his students Wednesday morning, this is not what I expected. When he went to bed Tuesday night before midnight, McGeehan had anticipated explaining to the juniors and seniors in his classes about how long vote counting can take. About how we might not know the outcome of the election for several days. About the role deep-blue Philadelphia would play in deciding the election. By the time he woke on Wednesday, that plan was moot. So, he figured, lets just give the students many of whom had spent long hours working the polls the day prior space to decompress. Together, they combed through the election results guided by students questions like How was the polling yesterday so surprising? Which state did the race ultimately come down to? and Does Kamala Harris have any path to winning at all? To that last question, McGeehan was straightforward: No, she doesnt. Many of McGeehans students at the Academy at Palumbo are first- or second-generation Americans or immigrants. On notecards, students laid out their more personal fears, ones they didnt necessarily want to share with the class. As a woman and a child of an immigrant, Im honestly scared read one. I saw a post saying how Trump pledged to launch mass deportation which makes me feel like not researching more because of how much more sick stuff I might read, said another. One said I feel great because Trumps [positions] align with what I want. Especially with the issues of censorship, grocery prices, and utility bills. Kind of a very depressing day Nehemiah Legrand tried to eat dinner Tuesday but couldnt finish. She was glued to her phone. She was up until 3 a.m. The 13-year-old student at Enlace Academy, a pre-K-8 school in the International Marketplace area of Indianapolis, is an American citizen by birth whose parents are legally living in the country. The family fled Haiti after her older brother was kidnapped in 2020 amid the countrys political turmoil. Still, Trumps campaign rhetoric around immigration scared Nehemiah and made her fear that her family would be deported. I just feel like today it doesnt feel normal, she said, sitting in the schools hallway on Wednesday, looking out the window at the rain. People are not talkative or none of that. Its very, very strange. Its kind of a very depressing day. Because everyone just doesnt know whats going to happen next, and you can tell everyone is stressed. The presidential election has loomed large over her and her classmates at the school, where many students come from Latin America and Haiti. At this school, students have to grow up fast. Many carry trauma from their immigration to the United States, said lead social worker Hailey Butchart. Now, students like Nehemiah are preparing for what the next four years with Trump whose platform includes deploying the largest deportation operation in American history will mean for them. A lot of the students I speak with have had a family member that has been deported, and they live with that fear as well, Butchart said. The power of social media in elections On the morning after Election Day, ZyAsia Weathers rolled over in bed to grab her phone on a nearby nightstand and scrolled through TikTok. But instead of seeing videos of makeup reviews or the latest trends, ZyAsias feed was filled with women and girls crying about the outcome of Tuesdays election and the potential impact on female reproductive rights. People were even saying, like, very vague things, like, just thinking the worst of the worst, added ZyAsia, 17, a senior at KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy. Throughout the school day Wednesday, ZyAsia and her peers talked about other videos they saw, like people celebrating former president Donald Trumps reelection and others questioning what his victory would mean for the nation. ZyAsia is also the president of her schools Student Government Association, and on Wednesday, the group met to discuss the presidential outcomes. Yanibel Feliz, the advisor of the group, walked students through an exercise to discuss the election process, the outcome, and the effect of social media. Some students said they were shocked about Trumps victory because they had seen much support for Harris on social media. Sometimes, social media might paint a picture of how elections will go, said Trinity Douglas, a junior at the school, during class. But it has a big effect on our generation. Im afraid what will happen to my family The icebreaker in Joel Snyders government classes on Wednesday was to respond to the prompt: I am feeling because The responses were wide-ranging and included students who were enthusiastic about the election outcome and those who were disappointed the U.S. would not, after all, elect a woman as president. In the few minutes they were given, students took pencil to paper and wrote that they were shocked to hear how well Trump did with Latinos, furious at what they saw as sexism in the results, and concerned that America had once again elected a man whose flaws and felony convictions are, by now, well known. Some answers hit closer to home. I am feeling uneasy, one student wrote, because Im afraid what will happen to my family who are undocumented. Standing at the front of his class at Animo Pat Brown Charter High School in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South Los Angeles, the teacher reminded his students that whether or not they are U.S. citizens, they have the duty to be the protectors of democracy and of each other. Snyder teaches about 140 students across five government classes, including one AP course. Of the roughly 600 students enrolled at Animo Pat Brown, almost all of them are Hispanic their families hailing from Mexico, Guatemala, and elsewhere in Latin America. Snyder also asked his students to write down one issue that they care about and how they think Trumps election might impact it. The students chose abortion rights, the economy, constitutional norms, and, again and again, immigration. They shared their fears of mass deportations and stories of family members who had waited years for green cards they may never get. My main concern is how, even despite being a citizen, I still wont be protected because my parents are immigrants, Natalie, 17, a student in Snyders AP U.S. Government and Politics class, told Chalkbeat. This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. Donald Trump is considering establishing a warrior board to review senior officers in the US military and weed out woke generals, according to reports. A draft executive order under consideration by the president-elects transition team would set up a board of retired senior officials to audit top brass that do not meet standards of leadership capability, strategic readiness, and commitment to military excellence. The move is thought to be Mr Trumps first step in tackling the issue of woke generals, which he complained about on the campaign trail, arguing that diversity and inclusion politics had become more important than war-fighting ability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A copy of the order, seen by the Wall Street Journal, suggests the process will effectively be outsourced to trusted former officers. The suggestion comes amid Pentagon fears of a purge after Mr Trump takes office on Jan 20 next year. The Republican platform policy document formally signed off at the partys National Convention before the presidential election promised to get woke Left-wing Democrats fired as soon as possible. Mr Trump has said that any generals involved in the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan should resign by lunchtime on the day he takes office. Called general a loser The former president has faced criticism from several of the generals who served in his first administration, including Gen Mark Milley, who called him fascist to the core. In return, Mr Trump called Gen Milley a loser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair clashed in 2021 after Mr Trump called for the officers resignation over his comments about critical race theory in a congressional hearing. On the issue of critical race theory, etc, a lot of us have to get much smarter on whatever the theory is, Gen Milley said. Mr Trump said later that he had defended critical race theory being shoved down the throats of our soldiers. Separately, Jack Teixeira, a former Massachusetts Air National Guard member, was on Tuesday sentenced to 15 years in prison for sharing Pentagon secrets online. Prosecutors said he had leaked information about US support for Ukraine and a foreign adversarys plot to target American forces on the social media site Discord. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teixeira said: I wanted to say Im sorry for all the harm Ive wrought and Ive caused. I cant really sum up how contrite I am that my behaviour has caused such a maelstrom. 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 the coming days, North Carolinas State Board of Elections will direct election audits across all 100 counties before results are certified. Activists, including a grassroots group with ties to a lawyer who helped try to overturn the 2020 election, are using data cobbled together from public sources in an attempt to do the same. Some are gearing up to challenge North Carolina ballots before county boards certify the election Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts warn that these efforts appear to use unreliable evidence of presumed election irregularities to undermine confidence in the final outcome. Its a lingering effect of misinformation that mounted four years ago, said Ishan Mehta, director of the Media and Democracy Program at the government-watchdog group Common Cause. The foundation for everything were seeing is the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen, Mehta said at a media briefing last week. And then everything sort of builds on top of it, like a Jenga puzzle. Posts on X about election fraud conspiracy theories waned when it became clear that former President Donald Trump would win the presidential race, the Washington Post reported. But now, some skeptics are shifting focus to suggest there was fraud in down-ballot races while some on the left alleged there was fraud in the presidential race. Its weird to me how many North Carolina voters decided to elect Democrats for Governor, Senator, and a whole lot of other positions, but they were like nah to Kamala, one user said on X in reference to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. He said activists shouldnt lead an insurrection but should demand an investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, U.S. Senate races werent on the ballot this year. Both North Carolina senators are Republicans. Its also not unusual for North Carolinians to cast a vote for presidential and gubernatorial candidates of different political parties. Amateur auditing ramps up One Anson County Facebook activist said Wednesday that he trained 28 Election Contest Monitors to comb through results for indications of election fraud. He has claimed there are discrepancies with the voter roll data files, which the State Board of Elections posts weekly, that must be remedied before results are certified. The public data files from the state board are merely a snapshot of voter registrations at that point in time. They do not have the granularity to capture every single change in voter registrations across the state, the boards spokesperson, Patrick Gannon, previously told The News & Observer. And the state board has a system to prune its voter rolls. In fact, from the start of 2023 to August of this year, North Carolina counties removed roughly 1,200 registrations from the voter rolls daily. The Republican National Committee in August sued the state board over voter registrations it said were suspicious, but thus far, the suit hasnt been successful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolina law requires the county and state boards to perform list maintenance by removing ineligible voters and updating the addresses of people who have moved within the state. Federal law also requires states to have a system to keep voter rolls up-to-date. Still, ostensible issues in the data are fodder for people motivated by misinformation, said Stephen Prochaska, a doctoral candidate and graduate research assistant at the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington. In the past few years, groups have mobilized to build infrastructure that gathers evidence of alleged election interference to prove their thesis, he said. One app crowdsources footage of vote totals from volunteers across the country. Another calls on voters to report election incidents to a public dashboard. The North Carolina Election Integrity Team is part of a national network led by Cleta Mitchell, a lawyer who advised former President Donald Trump in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Mitchell was on the call Trump made to Georgia election officials asking them to find more votes for him. Jim Womack, the Lee County GOP chair, heads North Carolinas team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Womack, who made headlines last month when CBS reported that he told volunteers to flag Hispanic-sounding last names as potentially suspicious voter registrations, said hes trained members to scour voter lists to find what could be ineligible ballots. The group, which Womack said is nonpartisan, has prepared nearly two dozen ballot challenges. Itll continue to investigate voters until Wednesday, which is the last day to challenge absentee ballots. Every vote must be scrutinized, Womack told The News & Observer in an interview. Every vote is sacred. The group uses a program called EagleAI, pronounced eagle eye, to streamline the process of finding ballots to question, Womack said. The tool, which compiles public data like death and property records, has helped election skeptics challenge voters en masse in other states. But it lacks access to private government data on voters, sparking concern that it could be used to threaten legal votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, NBC News reported that members of the North Carolina team found problems with the EagleAI data. One member called the tool completely nonfunctional, NBC reported, though Womack defended its use. North Carolina law requires voters be challenged individually, so Womack said he doesnt expect to lodge thousands of challenges. In the past two months, the groups membership exploded, Womack said. It boasts over 2,000 members, and he said in the final stretch leading up to the election, 30 to 40 people joined the ranks each day. 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. Assyrian Archbishop Voices Hope for Peace Under Trump Trump Iraq Syria Genocide Relief Act President Donald J. Trump is joined by legislators and Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil-Kurdistan, Iraq, left, as he signs H.R. 390, the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018 on Dec. 11, 2018, in the Oval Office of the White House. ( Shealah Craighead) As a leading voice for Middle Eastern Christians, Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, head of the Chaldean Eparchy of Erbil, expressed hope that the election of a new U.S. president would positively impact the efforts for peace in the region. Speaking with ACI Mena, CNA's Arabic-language news partner, Warda noted that "Christians in the region have borne the brunt of ongoing conflicts and wars in their homelands. Despite fears that rising tensions could bring more violence, they continue to hold on to a realistic yet profound hope of living in safety alongside their compatriots. They believe their shared future hinges on the promise of peace, prosperity, and nation-building." Warda said people around the world now have their eyes fixed on Washington, D.C., watching closely to see if the president-elect will fulfill his campaign promises to end conflicts in the Middle East. "Christians hope the American administration will maintain its commitment to supporting peace, guaranteeing stability to these ancient communities in their homelands, and cooperating with local governments to ensure their persistence and prosperity -- especially in areas where Christians are relatively present." Warda recalled a previous meeting with Trump in December 2018 at the White House during the signing ceremony for H.R. 390, a bill that officially recognized the atrocities committed against Christians and Yazidis as genocide. "This bill was the culmination of our campaign to bring the world's attention to the suffering of Christians and Yazidis, with the support from friends in both the Republican and Democratic parties," Warda explained. "It enabled government and human rights agencies to investigate ISIS' horrific crimes, prosecute its members, and directly support religious institutions in helping their communities heal from the aftermath of destruction." How this happened: Asians Making America Great Again (AsiansMAGA), the leading grassroots PAC supporting Trump among Asian Americans, attributes the political shift to targeted voter education and outreach. The group says it organized in-person and online rallies, placed advertisements in swing states, published op-eds and distributed an Asian Voter Guide in five Asian languages. AsiansMAGA identified a gap in educating and messaging key policy issues to Asian American voters. We helped close that gap in Asian communities across battleground states, increasing this key voting bloc's support for former President Trump, said AsiansMAGA co-founder Holly Ham. The movements appeal lies in addressing frustrations with Democratic policies, which AsiansMAGA claims have harmed core community interests like economy, education, public safety and immigration. In an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times, James Zarsadiaz, an associate professor of history at the University of San Francisco, pointed out that the GOPs appeal is not merely a reflection of Trumpism but a broader dissatisfaction with the left. Pundits and strategists alike have acknowledged that the Democratic Party is now perceived as the party of highly educated elites, A-list celebrities and wealthy cosmopolitans culturally out of step with everyday Americans, Zarsadiaz wrote in part. The judge overseeing President-elect Donald Trumps hush money trial has further delayed his long-expected decision on Trumps guilty verdict in light of the Supreme Courts decision on presidential immunity earlier this year. New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan agreed with prosecutors and defense attorneys to allow more time to figure out whether the verdict should stand, given the unprecedented nature of the circumstances surrounding the case. Trumps sentencing in the state criminal trial had already been pushed back more than four months from its original date in July, after he was found guilty on all 34 felony counts in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sentencing had been set for Nov. 26. Prosecutors now have until Nov. 19 to file their assessment on how to proceed, given that Trump was just elected to a second presidential term. The case against Trump revolved around a hush money payment made to the porn actor Stormy Daniels in the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election. She maintains that she once had a brief affair with Trump, which he denies. In July, the Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling on presidential power, decreeing that U.S. presidents enjoy absolute immunity from prosecution for acts undertaken as part of their core constitutional powers. Trump was president while he signed checks in the repayment scheme that was at the heart of the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Trumps direction, his personal attorney at the time, Michael Cohen, had arranged a $130,000 payment to Daniels in exchange for her silence about the alleged affair. Cohen was then reimbursed in installments over the course of around a year for what was described in financial records as legal fees records that the jury agreed had been fraudulent. Trump had been facing the possibility of jail time on the charges, although they are low-level, and his status as a first-time offender would likely be taken into account. While the Department of Justice has a general policy against prosecuting sitting presidents, the hush money case was brought at the state level, not federal. However, Merchan could decide to honor the spirit of the federal policy. In any case, if the verdict stands, Trump would be unable to pardon himself on the charges once he takes the oath of office in January remaining, at least for now, the only felon president in history. In the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election, legal experts had made clear that if Donald Trump were to win a second White House term, his legal troubles would all but evaporate. On Monday, the New York judge in his hush money trial the one criminal case against Trump in which a jury has already handed down a guilty verdict postponed his decision on whether to reverse the conviction in light of Trumps victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. Heres a rundown of where that case and the others filed against the president-elect now stand. New York hush money In May, Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony when a New York City jury found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentencing in that case had been set for Nov. 26, but Trumps lawyers had argued that the conviction should be nullified given the Supreme Courts July ruling that presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts carried out while in office. Because Manhattan prosecutors used evidence obtained from the Trump White House to make their case, Trumps lawyers told the judge, the verdict should not be allowed to stand. Judge Juan Merchan was scheduled to issue his ruling on the Supreme Court immunity question on Tuesday but, citing Trumps election win, he delayed that decision until Nov. 19. Trumps lawyers have also argued that the conviction should be tossed to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trumps ability to govern. In an email to Merchan, prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office agreed that these are unprecedented circumstances, and the judge has asked them to suggest a path forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even in the event that Merchan allows Trumps conviction to stand, it is all but certain that he will not, as a first-time offender and a newly reelected president, be sentenced to jail time in the case. Jan. 6 election interference In the waning days of the 2024 election, Trump was asked if he planned to fire special counsel Jack Smith if he was reelected. "We got immunity at the Supreme Court. It's so easy. I would fire him within two seconds. He'll be one of the first things addressed," Trump told interviewer Hugh Hewitt. Appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, Smith brought four felony counts against Trump stemming from his attempts to overturn his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. While the Supreme Courts ruling on presidential immunity delayed the trial, Smith recast his case and secured a second grand jury indictment against Trump tailored to withstand another immunity challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But last week, following Trumps election victory, Smith filed a motion with Judge Tanya Chutkan saying the government "respectfully requests that the Court vacate the remaining deadlines in the pretrial schedule to afford the Government time to assess this unprecedented circumstance." Chutkan agreed. That pause is seen as the first step by Smith to wind down the case against Trump. As with the hush money case, the judge asked prosecutors to file a status report "indicating its proposed course for this case going forward." Smiths team now has until Dec. 2 to do so. Once he is sworn in, Trump can simply order his attorney general to remove Smith from the case, all but ensuring that it will never make it before a jury. Classified documents The other federal case brought against Trump by Smith concerns his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House in 2021. But Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, dismissed the case in July, finding that Smiths appointment by Garland was unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, Smith appealed Cannons ruling to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, writing, Congress has granted the Attorney General not only the power to appoint special counsels, but discretion to determine how much independence to give them. With Trump returning to power, however, Trump can easily make the case vanish. "He can instruct the Justice Department to not even bother with the appeal," NBC News legal analyst Danny Cevallos told the network, adding, The federal cases are going to go away. Georgia election interference Trump faces eight felony counts in the Georgia election interference case that involves his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden in the key swing state. While four of Trumps original 18 co-defendants charged have pleaded guilty in the case, the remaining 14, including Trump, still could end up going to trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But lawyers for the remaining defendants have appealed Judge Scott McAfees ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting the case, further delaying the start of Trumps trial. If their efforts to boot Willis from the case are successful, a new prosecutor could take it up again, though that is far from a certainty in such a complex case. Trumps lawyers have also signaled that his election victory means that they will ask the court to delay the case from going to trial until after he leaves office, and, as with the Jan. 6 case, that they will again challenge it on the grounds that presidential immunity protects him from prosecution. Does that mean Trump will never set foot in a Georgia courtroom in this matter? No. But it does look as though the chances of that happening over the next four years are slim to none. So much for keeping out the war hawks. President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly chosen Rep. Mike Waltz (RFla.) to be his national security adviser and Sen. Marco Rubio (RFla.) to be his secretary of state. Rubio is a longtime regime change and war enthusiast, although he's recently pivoted to Trump's position that the war in Ukraine has to end diplomatically. Waltz, on the other hand, doesn't even have a pretense of wanting to stay out of wars. He's been passionately in favor of escalating conflicts that Trump wants out of, including in Afghanistan and Ukraine. And he supports not only threatening to attack Iran but also militarily confronting Russia, which Waltz calls a "gas station with nukes." If last week was a bad time to be a member of the Cheney family, this week is shaping up to be a good one. After working as a Department of Defense policy planner for the Bush administration, Waltz served as former Vice President Dick Cheney's counterterrorism adviser. And it shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think we're in for a long haul and I think our nation's leadership needs to begin telling the American people, I'm sorry, we don't have a choice, we're 15 years into what is going to be a multi-generational war because we're talking about defeating an idea," Waltz said about Afghanistan at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2017. Lest anyone think that Waltz has changed, he fought tooth and nail against Trump's negotiations to withdraw from Afghanistan, voting to tie the president's hands and whining that Afghanistan is strategic real estate on the "flank" of Iran, Russia, and China. (That idea seems to have caught on with Trump, who argued during the campaign that Afghanistan would have been a good base from which to confront China.) After U.S. forces left in 2021, Waltz called for restarting the war with both "American air power" and boots on the ground. It's no surprise, then, that Waltz voted against ending U.S. support for the Saudi war in Yemen and voted for keeping the Iraq War authorization on the booksin 2021. And, of course, he's been arguing for years that the United States should be threatening to bomb Iran. Last month, he begged President Joe Biden to go ahead and "punch Iran in the nose" in response to Iraqi guerrilla attacks. At an event with the liberal Atlantic Council last month, Waltz got excited about the idea of fighting outside powers in the Middle East, praising Trump for bombing Russian forces in Syria. "The facts show that [Trump] was far tougher on Russia than the narrative that floats around Washington," he said, arguing that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is "struggling, he's a gas station with nukes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The "gas station" turn of phrase is the same one that former Sen. John McCain and former Obama administration adviser Jason Furman used. At least Waltz acknowledges the nukes, although that hasn't seemed to faze him, since he's also excited with the idea of bombing Russians inside Russia. At the Republican National Convention this year, he bragged that Trump told Putin that "you try anything, and I'll take the tops off the Kremlin." In an interview with NPR last week, he said that the Russian-Ukrainian war can end if the United States applies some leverage. And what is that leverage? Making sure Russia's "war machine will dry up very quickly" with U.S. economic sanctions, Waltz said, as well as "taking the handcuffs off of the long-range weapons we provided Ukraine." Ukraine has been demanding permission to use American missiles against targets on Russian soil. Ukrainians forces are currently only allowed to use them to defend Ukrainian soil. From the beginning of the war, Waltz has wanted U.S. troops to be more directly involved. "I'm not advocating for American troops on the frontlines in Ukraine. Absolutely not. But what the British are doing is they're helping with planning. They're helping with logistics. They're helping Ukrainians use the equipment that we're funding at a headquarters level, in their supply depots," he told independent journalist Michael Tracey in July 2022. If wars in the Middle East and Europe weren't enough, Waltz has proposed that Congress authorize a war of "cyber, drones, intelligence assets, naval assets" against drug cartels in Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps Waltz has been so successful in the competition for administration jobs becauseunlike classic neoconshe's been so successful at disguising escalation as a path to "peace through strength." More aggression is a way to "bring the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to a swift conclusion," Waltz argued in an essay for The Economist that came out just before the election. And putting American boots on the ground in Ukraine? Why, that's just a way to stop U.S. aid from going into a "black hole." But all the fancy word games in the world can't change reality. What Waltz is promising is, as he admitted in 2017, more of the same "multi-generational war" that every president from George W. Bush to Joe Biden waged. And he's going to be waging it with the same overstretched tools of American power that Biden inherited. After all, the Biden administration itself has tried to sell the same "deescalation through escalation" strategy over the past couple months. Say hello to the new boss, same as the old boss. The post Trump's Reported National Security Advisor Supports Bombing Russia and Afghanistan appeared first on Reason.com. Nov. 12 (UPI) -- As Donald Trump returns to the White House, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un must be feeling complex emotions. For North Korea, the U.S. presidency -- just a four-year term -- is almost a blink of an eye compared to Kim's extended grip on power. Yet, who leads the United States profoundly affects North Korea's politics, economy, and international standing. And while Pyongyang's interest in U.S. elections has grown over the years, North Korea is under no illusion that a new administration will bring significant changes to American policy. However, if President Trump is to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, his administration must adopt a realistic and principled strategy toward North Korea. Trump's previous interactions with Kim Jong Un drew global attention and marked a bold shift from conventional diplomacy. But they were ultimately symbolic rather than substantive. To be frank, Trump's meetings with Kim did not bring North Korea any closer to denuclearization. Instead, they lent Kim a certain legitimacy on the world stage -- one that he has leveraged with increasing confidence, aligning more closely with powers like Russia. Since his first term, Trump has portrayed Kim as a "friend," a stance that weakens U.S. credibility and sacrifices universal values. I would caution against this approach. Kim Jong Un is not a democratically elected leader. He presides over an authoritarian state with a track record of severe human rights abuses. Praising such a figure harms American values and lowers the nation's standing. The world needs to see American leaders as advocates for freedom, dignity, and human rights, not as casual supporters of despots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump may have returned to power with promises to reduce conflicts and improve global relations, but his second term faces unprecedented challenges. Beyond North Korea, he must contend with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, China's rising threat to Taiwan, and volatile relations in the Middle East. All of this while managing U.S.-China competition and persistent domestic concerns. In such a climate, North Korea will not be the top priority, and North Korea knows this. Kim Jong Un has observed that each American administration struggles to address its relationship with Pyongyang meaningfully, and his regime has become adept at exploiting these dynamics. Yet if Trump aims to make real progress, he must shift from grand gestures to concrete, practical steps. He could start by showing that North Korea's nuclear program poses a direct threat to Kim's regime survival. Without denuclearization, there should be no guaranteed security for Kim. Anything less than this stance merely allows North Korea to continue its game of delay, holding onto its nuclear arsenal while enjoying intermittent economic relief. Trump's transactional approach -- "one for one" negotiations -- may yield some results. For example, he might be able to negotiate the temporary freezing or dismantling of select North Korean nuclear facilities in exchange for modest sanctions relief or limited economic support. But any agreement must be coupled with robust verification mechanisms. Without that, Kim will simply wait out Trump's term while keeping his nuclear ambitions intact. Additionally, Trump must prioritize North Korean human rights. For years, North Korea has remained one of the world's most repressive regimes, denying its people basic freedoms and subjecting them to brutal repression. President Trump has an opportunity to incorporate human rights into the North Korea dialogue, working with South Korea, Japan, and, when possible, China, to pressure North Korea toward reforms. This approach would bolster American credibility and demonstrate a principled commitment to the people of North Korea, who deserve the same rights and freedoms enjoyed in much of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump genuinely wants to secure a legacy on the Korean peninsula, he must focus not just on holding summits but on achieving tangible results. His previous meetings with Kim were historic but ultimately failed to bring about real change. To make a difference, Trump needs a team equipped with a deep understanding of North Korea and a realistic strategy to dismantle its nuclear program. If we have learned anything from history, it's that North Korea will continue to seek out ways to delay, manipulate, and leverage its nuclear status for maximum advantage. That's why a new approach, grounded in pressure and pragmatism, is essential. Trump's administration must be clear-eyed and recognize the complex challenge of dealing with North Korea, pursuing not just optics but outcomes. Only a clear, principled, and strategic approach will prevent North Korea from further embedding itself as a nuclear power. Ri Jong Ho is a former senior North Korean economic official who served under all three leaders of the Kim family regime. His most recent role was in Dalian, China, where he headed the Korea Daehung Trading Corporation, overseen by the clandestine Office 39 under the direct control of the ruling Kim family. Before his assignment in Dalian, Jong Ho held pivotal positions, including Executive Director of the Daehung General Bureau of the North Korean Workers' Party, a role equivalent to Vice-Minister rank in the North Korean party-state. Subsequently, he was appointed Chairman of the Korea Kumgang Economic Development Group (KKG) under the North Korean Defense Committee by Kim Jong Il. Jong Ho is a recipient of the Hero of Labor Award, the highest civilian honor in North Korea. Following a series of brutal purges by Kim Jong Un, he defected with his family to South Korea in late 2014. Currently, Jong Ho resides in the greater Washington D.C. area. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. A life-sized statue of abolitionist Harriett Tubman stands in the Old House Chamber in the State House in Annapolis. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. A once-enslaved Maryland woman who became a leader in the Underground Railroad was awarded the rank of general more than 110 years after her death. Harriet Tubman was given the posthumous commission as a brigadier general in the Maryland National Guard on Monday by Gov. Wes Moore during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Dorchester County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With each act of courage, Harriet Tubman helped bring us together as a nation and a people. She fought for a kind of unity that can only be earned through danger, risk, and sacrifice. And it is a unity we still benefit from to this day, Moore said, according to a statement released by his office. The commission was presented to Ernestine Tina Martin Wyatt, Tubmans great-great-great-grandniece. Tubman escaped the slavery she was born into on a Dorchester County farm. She became an abolition leader and is credited with rescuing 70 people during 13 trips to Maryland, according to the Harriett Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. She later worked as a cook, nurse, scout and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. According to the museum, Tubman became the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That expedition is credited with the liberation of 700 enslaved people. The posthumous commission is just the latest recognition for Tubman, whose supporters have been fighting for years to have her represented on the $20 bill. In addition to the Tubman Byway on the Eastern Shore, the state in 2020 dedicated statues of her and of another Maryland native, famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass, in the Old House Chamber of the Maryland State House. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) In honor of Veterans Day, nonprofit Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgages for 40 families of fallen first responders, including two in San Diego. The Tunnel to Tower Foundation has been providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children since Sept. 11, 2001. The Tunnel to Towers Gold Star Family Home Program honors the legacy of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by paying off mortgages for surviving spouses and young children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Veterans Day, Tunnel to Towers is not only paying off the mortgages for dozens of families, the organization in recent months has also broken ground on Veterans Villages in Denver, Colorado; Buffalo, New York; Detroit, Michigan; and North Charleston, South Carolina. Deals from restaurants, retailers for Veterans Day 2024 Here in San Diego, Tunnel to Towers paid off the mortgages on Veterans Day 2024 for the families of Navy Petty Officer First Class Christopher John Chambers and Navy Chief Petty Officer Delfin Dulay. Navy Petty Officer First Class Christopher John Chambers United States Navy Petty Officer First Class Christopher J. Chambers passed away on Jan. 11, 2024. While leading a covert mission in the Gulf of Aden, Chambers jumped in after a fellow Navy SEAL who slipped and fell into a gap between a combat craft and the Naval vessel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an 11-day search-and-rescue effort off the coast of Somalia, Chambers and a fellow SEAL were declared lost at sea. Navy SEALs presumed dead off Somalia received training in Coronado According to the Department of Defense, Chambers enlisted in the Navy in May 2012. He graduated from boot camp several months later in July, before moving to Naval Base Coronado to gain his SEAL qualification training. He graduated from SEAL training in 2014. Tunnel to Towers on Veterans Day paid off his familys mortgage to allow his wife, Alyssa Mikale Chambers, and daughter, Kennedy, to remain in their San Diego home. Navy Chief Petty Officer Delfin Dulay Navy Chief Petty Officer Delfin Dulay died on April 30, 2007, due to injuries he sustained while stationed in Guam. He was a Desert Storm Veteran and worked as a recruiter and Navy counselor when he was not deployed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While stationed in Guam, Dulay and his team had been attempting to repair one of the boilers when it exploded, causing them to inhale extremely hot steam. While evacuating, Dulay stayed back to make sure no one was left behind, causing him to inhale even more steam. Dulay was treated in the ICU burn unit at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas for nearly six months where he eventually succumbed to his injuries. Dulay is survived by his wife, Joan, and his two children, Johnerick and Keanu. Tunnel To Towers on Veterans Day 2024 paid off the mortgage for Dulays family. In-N-Out giving out complimentary meals for Veterans Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit also paid off mortgages for 40 other families on Veterans Day 2024. Tunnel to Towners says its Homeless Veteran Program is expected to provide housing assistance to over 10,000 veterans by the end of the year. Whats closed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11? This Veterans Day, Tunnel to Towers is honoring the memory of those who never got the chance to become veterans, who lost their lives protecting us overseas like Sergeant William Rivers and Petty Officer First Class Christopher Chambers. As these families grieve the tremendous loss of a husband and father, I know being able to stay in the homes they shared can bring some peace of mind, and stability to their lives, said Tunnel to Towers CEO and Chairman, Frank Siller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community can donate at T2T.org to help support Tunnel to Towers and its mission to support Americas veterans, Gold Star families, and fallen first responder families. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On election night, at a political watch party, Abbas Alawieh, a Lebanese American from Dearborn, Michigan, felt zero surprise as he saw Donald Trump outperform his 2020 numbers in county after county, pulling off a nightlong march to victory. Alawieh, a lifelong Democrat and onetime chief of staff for Rep. Cori Bush, has spent years mobilizing Democratic voters in Dearborn. Earlier this year, frustrated by Bidens steadfast support for Israel, he and two fellow Palestinian Americans co-founded Listen to Michigan, a coalition urging local voters to send Biden a message by voting uncommitted in the Democratic primary. More than 100,000 voters did, hoping to push Biden to reconsider his stance on Gaza. When that didnt work, even after Kamala Harris took over the ticket, the movement expanded nationwide, sending 30 uncommitted delegates to the Democratic National Convention, where Alawieh, a Michigan delegate, personally urged Democratic leadership to allow a Palestinian American speaker at the convention. We were asking Democratic leadership to empower us, Alawieh said. They flat-out said, No thanks. Were good without you. Id hoped that, whatever calculus they were making, there were some 101,000 Liz Cheney voters out there somewhere they were catering to. It turns out those voters dont exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dearborn, the heavily Arab American and Muslim American city, is still coming to terms with Trumps election victory. The former president won there with 42.5 percent of the vote, compared with Harris 36 percent. Jill Stein, who chose a Muslim American running mate, captured 18 percent. In neighboring Dearborn Heights, with another large Arab American community, Trump claimed 44 percent to Harris 38 percent, marking a shift once unthinkable toward a man who had spent his first run for president demonizing the nations Muslims and enacting a Muslim ban during his first term in office. (Until now, no Republican for president had won in Dearborn since George W. Bush in 2000.) For a city long seen as the heart of Arab American political influence, Trumps success here highlighted a growing gap between Democratic leadership and the communities that once formed its base. Alawieh couldnt bring himself to vote for Trump; he voted for Harris. But he didnt necessarily want her to win either. I wanted her to beat Trump, but Harris winning would mean my family stays in the same nightmare weve come to know. Trump winning makes that nightmare more uncertain, and the ways it will harm my family less clear. But what is clear is that the U.S. government, whether Democrat or Republican, will keep sending weapons to Benjamin Netanyahu illegally. Thats what I have a problem with. For Alawieh, like many Dearborn residents, the conflict is personal. As a child, he and his family sheltered in their home while Israel dropped U.S.-made bombs overhead. Earlier this year, when Israel expanded its war to take on Hezbollah, Southern Lebanon was decimated again, forcing Alawiehs relatives to flee for safety. He is in close contact with his family there. People are very scared, he said. The question they keep asking is, Does this mean the bombs will stop? And with Trumps election, the overwhelming feeling is, probably not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike Alawieh, Layla Elabed, another leader in Dearborns anti-war movement and the sister of Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, said she didnt vote for Harris, leaving the top of her ballot blank. She called this election heartbreaking, a painful choice for a lifelong Democrat deeply connected to the party, introduced to it by her father, a staunch United Auto Workers member. On election night, her heart broke not only because of Trumps victory but because it underscored a different reality: It solidified that our anti-war movement did very little to stop the bombs from killing our people, she said. Elabed now feels both grief and disillusionmentnot with the Democratic party but with its leadership. When I think of Democrats, I dont think of people like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, she said. You cant claim to represent the values of your base and then ignore them. Youre not going to winand thats exactly what happened. She laments that the Harris campaign didnt take their appeals seriously from the beginning. We gave the campaign a signal on a silver platter back in February, when they had plenty of time to shift to a policy that could have won them this election, she said. They decided they didnt need their base to win. James Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute and a longtime Democratic advocate, woke up the day after Trumps win and it hit him anew. Im mad, he said. I woke up empty and depressed. Within 10, 15 minutes, I was mad. And then I started making calls. Its what I do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Zogby, who has spent decades mobilizing Arab American voters, Trumps success in places like Dearborn isnt a surprising outcome. But its an indictment of a Democratic Party he feels is ruled by a consultant class that reduces the party to nothing more than a fundraising vehicle for consultants. And though the defeat was resounding, Zogby is not optimistic the party will learn from it. They never do, because they never loseconsultants get their paycheck at the end, and thats all that matters, he said. Theyll find groups to blame. But its not like there werent chances to do this differently. He points to the partys refusal to campaign in Dearborn as gutless. Why is Trump the one at the Lebanese restaurant? Why, after everything hes done and said, is he the one going directly to the community? he asked, referring to a well-publicized Trump visit on Nov. 1. And I know theyll say they were afraid of demonstrations. How lacking in imagination. How out of touch with voters. Even Rola Makki, a Lebanese American Republican and vice chair of outreach for the Michigan Republican Party, is greeting her preferred candidates victory with mixed emotions. People are heartbroken over the ongoing destruction and massacres happening back home. The Gaza genocide has been going on for over a year now, and the Lebanon war started a couple months ago. Its fresh, and people are devastated, she said. Were losing family members. Im happy he won, but theres so much destruction right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Makki notes that the shift began before Gaza became an issue and was evident during midterms, when Republican messages on LGBTQ+ books in classrooms resonated. Things just kept piling up. The books in schools, then the war, and more people shifted. A lot voted for Trump to punish Harris, and a lot voted for him because they started to believe, Maybe this guy is the real deal, she said. Trumps win in Dearborn is a warning to Democrats, says Zogby. Despite his frustrations, he doesnt see this as the end for Arab Americans in the Democratic Party or the other demographics the Republicans made gains with this election. He views the shift as fluid, pointing to modern politics departure from grassroots structures that once fostered a sense of belonging. If another Bernie or Jesse Jackson comes along, Arabs will go back to Democrats, he said. But he also believes that the pro-Palestine and anti-war movements within the Democratic Party will continue as long as the grievance remains and justice is denied. This election season has fractured us, Elabed said. It feels like its only aiding our opposition. She is connected with Arab Americans in her community who supported Trump, drawn by the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric of his party. Some people supported him regardless of Gaza, she said, but she believes they were still winnable. Im willing to do the work to build a Working Families Party within the Democratic Party, one that can support candidates like Rashida and other true progressives. The mood in Dearborn, Alawieh said, is a complex mix of disbelief and wary curiosity. Trump came to Dearborn and made a lot of promises, he said, adding that residents he has spoken to are wondering what Trump will do for Palestinians. Alawieh thinks the reality is obvious. Its clear as day that hes playing us, he said. I think hes going to target us. Thats what hes going to do. Hes going to target our families, and its going to hurt. So, I think were about to find out. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) From Desert Shield to Ascension Sacred Heart, two veterans journeys keep overlapping. Richard Byrd and Daniel Alyea first met in the 90s while serving in the United States Air Force managing field hospitals in active war zones during the Gulf War. When I actually flew into Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where we were actually stationed, Dan was an NCO and he was kind of like showing me around. He picked me up and then hed say, you have to drive like, in an area drive like the natives do. Dan definitely did. It scared the heck out of me, his driving so thats how we first met. And then after that, he kind of took me under his wing, Senior Operations Manager Richard Byrd said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Re-Bath and United Way gift a veteran a bathroom makeover After helping set up all the medical assets for the Gulf region they went their own way. I got reassigned to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, where Rick was actually assigned to. So when I came back, I actually ran into him again because we were assigned to the same hospital in New Mexico. Actually, they actually even lived down the street from each other on-base housing, Operations Manager ASHB Daniel Alyea said. They lost touch in the years following military retirement, but their paths would cross again. On his first day of work at Ascension Sacred Heart Alyea found himself asking a nurse if anyone from Eglin Air Force Base worked in the hospital. She pointed him in the direction of Byrds office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Byrd is the head of supply operations across all Ascension Sacred Heart locations. When Alyea first walked into his office Byrd asked What are you doing here? before pulling him in and telling him he had a job for him. Theres so much going on behind the scenes each and every day. I dont have the time to really oversee everything specifically. So I have to rely on Dan to do what he needs to do over here at bay. So I sleep easy knowing that Dans got my back. And I know that the clinical experts, the leadership here have what they need to take care of their patients, Byrd said. Remembering Danilin Lyon Byrd says Alyea hit the ground running and has had a profound impact since hes overseen the supply team at bay. The two agree that the skills they learned while serving in uniform have translated perfectly into the civilian sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leadership here, both the medical leadership and the administrative leadership have to trust us. And we bring that from a military standpoint that our role number one is integrity. First, so they can trust our word, make sure that we meet their mission, that we can get the supplies or whatever the equipment that they need, Alyea said. Their dedication to service before self has changed the culture at Ascension Sacred Heart. Ascension Sacred Heart Bay honored the two vets along with many other veterans who work at the hospital this morning with a ceremony. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) Two people were killed Monday evening in a wreck in Greenville. According to Greenville Police Department, at around 6:24 p.m. officers were called to the area of f Woodlark St. and Adrianna St in reference to a single-vehicle wreck. On the scene they found a car which had overturned with three people inside. Two Two men, Terrance Syvodda Glover Jr, 23, and Amir Rashard Woodruff, 19, were pronounced dead at the scene. The third was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries. The wreck remains under investigation. 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. ST. LOUIS Someone shot and killed a man overnight Tuesday morning at a north St. Louis gas station. This comes after another murder in the city less than 12 hours earlier. Both investigations are active Tuesday morning. At this point, no suspects are in custody. Detectives are trying to piece together all of the facts as both of these investigations unfold Tuesday morning. The latest shooting took place around 1:40 a.m. Tuesday morning. District 6 officers responded to a call for a shooting at a VP gas station at Broadway and Riverview in the Baden neighborhood of north city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exotic cat humanely euthanized following car accident injury Authorities say an adult man was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. It appears the shooting may have happened right by the gas pumps at the station. FOX 2s Nissan Rogue Runner Brian Howe said it looked like the back window of a car had been shot out. At this point, there is no word on the victims age or identity, as police have only said that the victim was an adult male. The murder comes after another man was shot and killed Monday afternoon in the West End neighborhood. Officers from District 5 rushed to the scene on the 700 block of Goodfellow, just north of Delmar, for a shooting call around 3:20 p.m. Monday afternoon. When authorities arrived, they found an adult male had been shot and killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Homicide detectives are now working this case as well. No name or age have been released yet on this victim. There are no indications that this killing and the one from overnight are connected. If you have information, you are advised to dial 911 or contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Court proceedings are set to happen this afternoon in the case of Rowvaughn Wells versus the City of Memphis after her son Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by several former MPD officers. She claims that the Memphis Police Scorpion Unit used seething aggression and unjustified force against Tyre Nichols when they pulled him over for an alleged traffic violation back in January 2023. Ben Crump who is the attorney representing the Nichols family says the focus of the lawsuit is ultimately to rid communities of so-called police oppression units like the now-disbanded Scorpion Unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is our mission to make it financially unsustainable for these police oppression units to unjustly kill black people in the future, Crump said. Trial date set for Tyre Nichols familys $550M lawsuit against Memphis The $550 million federal civil lawsuit was filed against the city of Memphis, Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis, and 10 current and former city employees. The trial date for the case is set for January 27, 2025, which is exactly two years from the date the city released the video of Nichols beating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A Navy destroyer that was sunk by Japanese forces during World War II has been discovered, the U.S. Navy confirmed on Monday. The Royal Australian Navy found the USS Edsall at the bottom of the Indian Ocean more than 80 years after it went down with more than 200 crew members on board. The USS Edsall, a 314-foot destroyer, was built in 1919 and commissioned in 1920. During World War II, the ship took part in numerous conveys, protecting other vessels from Japanese attacks in Australian waters. Naval forces aboard the USS Edsall. / Credit: U.S. Embassy Australia On March 1, 1942, Japanese naval forces attacked the ship. During the extended engagement, the Edsall was able to dodge heavy shelling, which led some Japanese soldiers to nickname the ship "the dancing mouse," according to the Naval History and Heritage Command. Japanese air forces later joined the attack, and several hours after the fight began, the Edsall sank with over 200 crew members on board, having taken just one fatal hit among thousands of rounds. The USS Edsall. / Credit: U.S. Embassy Australia Almost all of the crew members were lost, according to the U.S. Navy, making the wreck "a hallowed site." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shipwreck was recently found by the Royal Australian Navy. The announcement of the discovery was made on November 11, which marked Veteran's Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in other parts of the world. A still image of the sinking of the USS Edsall. / Credit: U.S. Embassy Australia "This is part of our continuing efforts to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice," said U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy in a statement announcing the discovery. "We will now be able to preserve this important memorial and hope that the families of the heroes who died there will know their loved ones rest in peace. We will tell their stories, learn from their bravery, and be inspired by their sacrifice. We will always remember them." Little information was provided about how the ship was found. Royal Australian Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said that his fleet used "advanced robotic and autonomous systems, normally used for hydrographic survey capabilities, to locate USS Edsall on the seabed" of the Indian Ocean. There were no details provided about what condition the ship was in, or how the wreck will be preserved. The announcement of the Edsall's discovery came just three days after U.K. military officials revealed that a shipwreck discovered off the coast of Scotland was confirmed to be a British cruiser sunk by a torpedo during World War I, killing more than 500 crew members on board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robots sculpt marble in Italy, sparking worries about future of art form | 60 Minutes Russian defectors, Putin critics suffer mysterious, violent deaths | 60 Minutes The factors that led to Donald Trump's victory The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected the motion of former North Carolina congressman and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to have his Georgia state court criminal prosecution for allegedly seeking to subvert the 2020 election moved to federal court. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Former North Carolina U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows will have to try his election subversion case in Georgia after the Supreme Court rejected a bid to remove it to federal court Tuesday. Meadows, who was charged with racketeering and a slew of other felonies for participating in then-President Donald Trumps scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, sought to move the case to federal court on the grounds that he was acting in his official capacity as Trumps White House Chief of Staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Meadows argument failed, as the law did not provide for the removal of cases against former federal officials, only current ones. Further, the court found that the crimes alleged did not fall under Meadows official duties. Meadows had petitioned the Supreme Court to take up his appeal, but the justices denied his motion for certiorari Tuesday morning, meaning the case will continue in Georgia state court. George J. Terwilliger III, an attorney for Meadows, warned that the Supreme Courts decision leaves in place a ruling that puts former federal officials at risk of being left to the wiles of every politically hostile district attorney or state AG in the country. We are confident that eventually Mr. Meadows [sic] Constitutional Immunity under the Supremacy Clause will lead to his exoneration in these politically motivated state prosecutions, Terwilliger wrote in a statement. The Supreme Courts not hearing this case now only means that we will have to continue to assert his rights and his substantive innocence in state courts for the time being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trumps reelection as president appears to have cleared the way for him to skate free from legal trouble, Meadows prospects are far murkier. Because he is charged at the state level, Trump cannot pardon him, nor can he pressure Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to do the same. Georgia is one of a few states that does not grant its governor the power to pardon criminal charges. Instead, that power is invested in a state pardon and parole board, which only considers pardons after a sentence has already been served. Its also not clear whether Trump would be willing to intercede on his former chief of staffs behalf with what influence he does have. Trump, who returns to the presidency vowing retribution against a list of enemies, repeatedly warned former officials against cooperating with any of the investigations into him. I dont think Mark Meadows would lie about the Rigged and Stollen 2020 Presidential Election merely for getting IMMUNITY against Prosecution (PERSECUTION!) by Deranged Prosecutor, Jack Smith, Trump wrote in an October 2023 Truth Social post. Some people would make that deal, but they are weaklings and cowards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immediately prior to that post, ABC News reported that Meadows had been granted immunity in exchange for his cooperation with Smiths election interference investigation a report that if accurate, would put Meadows in Trumps crosshairs alongside many of his other former officials. I dont think that Mark Meadows is one of them, but who really knows? Trump wrote. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg The UK is in the final stages of negotiating a free trade agreement with a group of oil-rich Middle Eastern nations including Saudi Arabia, according to several people familiar with the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A deal with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council is a priority for the government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer as it looks to boost economic growth and attract foreign investment, and may be signed as early as this year, said UK and Gulf officials, who asked not to be identified as the information is private. The UKs trade with the bloc, which also comprises the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, is worth $73 billion (57 billion) annually, according to the UK government. It sees an FTA boosting trade by around 16% and the UK economy by $2.1 billion in the long term. Trade deals like this one play a vital role in boosting the UK economy, the Department for Business and Trade said in a statement to Bloomberg. Were seeking a modern trade deal with the Gulf as a priority, and our focus is securing a deal that delivers real value to businesses on both sides, rather than getting it done by a specific date. If an agreement is concluded soon, it will give a political boost to the Labour government, which has yet to sign any FTAs since coming to power in July. Starmer promised, during his election campaign, to reset international relations and attract more money from abroad to get the economy firing. FTAs can boost business between countries by lowering tariffs and easing other trade barriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK has struggled to negotiate trade agreements since leaving the European Union in 2020. While its signed them with the likes of Australia and New Zealand, talks with the US and India have stalled. Other countries still in discussions with the UK include Switzerland and South Korea. GCC countries have a gross domestic product of around $2.2 trillion, roughly the same as Brazil. Together, they were the UKs seventh-largest export market last year, according to British government data. The GCC has FTAs with New Zealand, Singapore and some others. Its in negotiations with the EU, India and China, though those talks have been going on for years. While the GCC is still heavily dependent on oil and gas, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar are spending hundreds of billions of dollars to diversify their economies and develop sectors such as artificial intelligence, chips manufacturing and tourism. They see foreign investment as crucial to their transformations. They also have some of the biggest sovereign wealth funds in the world. Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, Abu Dhabis Mubadala Investment Co. and the Qatar Investment Authority have been large sources of foreign investment in the UK over the past decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK and GCC have held seven rounds of trade negotiations since 2022. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds was in Dubai, the commercial capital of the UAE, this month as part of the UKs efforts to finish the talks. We see a real opportunity here, a real partnership that is very strong, he said to Bloomberg on Nov. 1. A trade deal can substantially improve on that. The UK government has said it wont compromise on its environmental, public health, animal welfare and food standards in the talks with the GCC. In addition, its said the National Health Service and the services it provides are not on the table. The FTA will potentially be followed by some of the GCC countries pursuing individual trade pacts with the UK. The UAE has signed several bilateral deals called Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements in recent years. They often address areas of trade not covered by the GCCs FTAs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Corrects units in second chart to pounds from dollars.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Sarah Young LONDON (Reuters) - A proposed law allowing terminally ill adults in England and Wales to end their lives was published on Tuesday, setting out safeguards such as ensuring the approval of doctors and judges to try to ease concerns in Britain over its possible misuse. The proposed law has polarised opinion and has split the governing Labour Party. Lawmakers will vote on the proposed law on Nov. 29, almost 10 years since parliament rejected an earlier bid to legalise assisted dying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Labour lawmaker who has proposed the new law, Kim Leadbeater, described it as "very robust", saying the legislation offers layers of safeguards to protect vulnerable people, who some critics fear might feel pressured to end their lives if assisted dying becomes legal. Assisted dying would only be an option for mentally competent, terminally ill adults with six months or less left to live, as expected, under the proposed new law. The other safeguards include two doctors confirming seven days apart that the person is eligible and has made their decision free from pressure, while a judge would then speak to one of those doctors before a 14-day period of reflection. "This is just for terminally ill adults. It's not for anybody else. It's for people who are dying, and it is about shortening death rather than ending life," Leadbeater told BBC radio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would make it illegal to pressure or coerce someone into ending their life by assisted dying. The offence would be punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Under current laws assisting suicide is punishable by up to 14 years in jail but Leadbeater argues that current rules do not reflect a shift in public opinion over the issue during the last 10 years. Supporters of assisted dying say Britain is a laggard after Australia, Canada, New Zealand and some U.S. states legalised it under certain circumstances in recent years. It has been legal in Switzerland since 1942 and in the Netherlands since 2002. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said politicians will be able to vote with their consciences on the matter, rather than along party lines. He has supported changing the law in the past while health minister Wes Streeting has said he will oppose it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should the proposal, known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Members Bill, pass a first vote, it would kick off the formal process for a law change, subjecting it to further scrutiny and requiring approval by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the upper house of parliament. In 2015, British lawmakers voted 330 to 118 against the second reading of proposed legislation to legalise assisted dying. (Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Elizabeth Piper and Alison Williams) Key developments on Nov. 12: Ukrainian drone strikes oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, local official claims Russia deploys assault groups to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, military says Ukraine's 2025 budget includes $1.3 billion for weapons production, minister says Ukrainian volunteers in Poland sign contracts with Armed Forces British PM Starmer to press Biden to release $20 billion aid for Ukraine before Trump takes office, Telegraph reports A Ukrainian drone struck an oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, igniting one silo, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on his Telegram channel on Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ten fire crews worked at the scene and quickly extinguished the fire," Gladkov said, adding there were no reports of casualties. The oil depot is located near the city of Stary Oskol, he added. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us 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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's concerted campaign to get permission to use Western-supplied weapons like the U.S-made ATACMs and the U.K's Storm Shadows to strike deep inside Russia has, to date, failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, drones can potentially have an outsized impact when they hit highly flammable and less protected targets, such as ethanol distilleries or fuel depots. Ukraine in September established the Unmanned Systems Forces, a separate branch of Ukraine's Armed Forces dedicated to drone warfare. Kyiv said it aims to produce 1 million drones this year, in addition to the thousands pledged by foreign partners. Russia deploys assault groups to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, military says The Russian army is deploying trained assault groups to frontline positions in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Southern Command, told the news outlet Suspilne on Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day before, Voloshyn said that a new Russian assault in Zaporizhzhia Oblast could begin "any day." In early October, Russian troops reportedly renewed their attack in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Kyiv warned of a potential Russian push in the southern region, just as Moscow's troops continue advancing in Ukraine's east. According to Voloshyn, Russia is preparing to intensify its offensive toward the town of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This move will allow the Russian military to gain control of the logistics routes from Zaporizhzhia to eastern Ukraine, the spokesperson added. Another Russian target in Zaporizhzhia Oblast is the Hulyaipole sector, where "important" logistics routes for the Russian military are located, he said. Besides, Russian troops intensified their assault actions towards the village of Vremivka, trying to break through Ukrainian defensive positions near the settlements of Rivnopillia and Velyka Novosilka, according to Voloshyn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voloshyn said in October that Russian forces were massing for a breakthrough in the direction of Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The area was the main axis of Ukraine's southern counteroffensive in 2023, which led to the liberation of the settlement of Robotyne but achieved no major results. Russian troops have intensified attacks against Zaporizhzhia, targeting its civilian infrastructure with guided aerial bombs. Read also: Russia has reportedly made gains in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Should Ukraine expect a broader offensive? Ukraine's 2025 budget includes $1.3 billion for weapons production, minister says Ukraine's budget for 2025 envisages Hr 55 billion ($1.3 billion) for weapons production, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin said on Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine began actively developing its defense production after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Some Hr 54.55 billion ($1.3 billion) will be directly allocated for the development and implementation of new technologies, and the expansion of defense production capacity, according to Smetanin. The minister added that the 2025 figure is almost Hr 3.5 billion ($84.4 million) more than in 2024. Another 500 million will be allocated to an affordable loans program for defense companies. This program, created in 2024, allows manufacturers to take out loans at 5% per annum. The state budget will cover the rest of the interest, according to the minister's statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the draft state budget for 2025 on Sept. 13. The state expects to get Hr 2 trillion ($48.2 billion) in revenues, while expenditures are planned at Hr 3.6 trillion ($86.8 billion). The draft state budget for 2025 envisages spending Hr 2.2 trillion ($53 billion) on Ukraine's defense, which is 26.3% of the country's projected gross domestic product (GDP). Ukraine's proposed 2025 budget passed its first reading in parliament on Oct. 31. The budget law will go through additional rounds of consideration before lawmakers hold a final vote, expected by Dec. 1. Read also: For 2nd day straight, Russias reported losses in Ukraine surge to record levels Ukrainian volunteers in Poland sign contracts with Armed Forces The first Ukrainian citizens have signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported on Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legion was unveiled in July as a volunteer military unit made up of Ukrainian men living in Polandand trained by the Polish Armed Forces. The first volunteer recruitment center was opened in October at the Ukrainian consulate in the eastern Polish city of Lublin. The unit is part of an effort to replenish the ranks of Ukraine's military as the all-out war with Russia continues into its third year. After signing the contracts, the volunteers went to a Polish Armed Forces military training ground to undergo 35-day basic training. Upon completing the training, the servicemen can continue training in their chosen specialties at European NATO bases. The training will be conducted under the guidance of Polish instructors using modern weapons. Commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with combat experience will also participate in the exercises, according to the ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Nov. 12, the Legion's recruitment center had received about 700 applications from Ukrainians around Europe to join the military, the statement read. The legion will allow Ukrainians to join the fight while being able to return to Poland after completing their service. Under martial law instituted in 2022 after the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainian men aged 18-60 are not permitted to leave Ukraine without permission. The U.N. estimates that 6.7 million Ukrainians were driven abroad as a result of Russia's all-out invasion. This is in addition to a sizeable diaspora living in Europe, the U.S., Canada, and elsewhere since before 2022. Read also: Poland and Ukraine to form a military unit from Ukrainians in Europe. Will it be effective? British PM to press Biden to release $20 billion aid for Ukraine before Trump takes office, Telegraph reports British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to press outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden to release a $20 billion loan for Ukraine during next week's G20 summit in Brazil, the Telegraph reported on Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loan is part of the Group of Seven (G7) has reached an agreement to provide Ukraine with approximately $50 billion in loans backed by the revenue from foreign Russian assets, the G7 announced on Oct. 25. The United States will contribute the bulk of the loan with $20 billion in assistance. The U.S. is closely followed by European Union countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, with a combined $19.4 billion. The remaining approximately $10 billion will be divvied up with Canada providing $3.7 billion, Japan providing $3.07 billion, and the U.K. providing $2.9 billion in loan funding. This would be the latest part of European power's attempt to persuade Biden to step up help to Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office in January, including allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia's territory with Western-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. The U.K. prime minister will also press for a one-on-one discussion with Biden during the G20 summit, according to the Telegraph. Starmer also met and released a joint statement on Nov. 11. with French President Emmanuel Macron, "stressing their determination to support Ukraine unwaveringly and for as long as necessary to thwart Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine." The two leaders will meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk soon as the trio attempts to "Trump-proof" the Western bloc's aid to Ukraine in case the incoming U.S. president decides to radically cut aid for Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly promised to end the war "in 24 hours," and though he hasn't yet elaborated a plan, it is largely expected to involve Ukraine ceding land to Russia. Republican Senator Marco Rubio is expected to become the US next chief diplomat, who said on air shortly after Trump's victory that Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has reached a "stalemate" and "needs to be brought to a conclusion." He also voted against the U.S' $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in April 2024. Read also: Olga Rudenko: Trump wont be my president, but he may decide my future Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has met with representatives of the public and volunteers, including blogger, volunteer, and social activist Serhii Sternenko, who linked his being put on the wanted list by a military enlistment office to his criticism of the military leadership. Source: General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine; Sternenko on X (Twitter) Details: The meeting was reportedly held under the coordination and facilitation of Dmytro Lytvyn, the Ukrainian president's communications adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteer Ihor Lachenkov, Liubov Shypovych, founder of the Dignitas charity foundation, and Liubov Halan, human rights activist and co-founder of the Community Organisation Principle, attended the meeting. Quote: "We discussed a number of issues that are crucial for the functioning of all components of the Ukrainian defence forces. Starting from technological innovations implemented in the military to the current problems of consolidating society around the army. The participants agreed that such meetings are useful, as they provide an opportunity for constructive discussion." Sternenko also said that he joined the meeting to discuss all the issues he had been raising for a long time". Quote from Sternenko: "I raised the most pressing issues, such as the creation of an effective mechanism for changing service location (transfer), the need to assess commanders effectiveness in maximising the safety of personnel, and structural and organisational issues. Separately, I spoke about the further development of unmanned systems, including for air defence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The General Staff said in a statement that the participants agreed that such meetings are useful, as they provide an opportunity for constructive discussion. "Such a practice will further help to neutralise the enemy's destructive influence on personnel and Ukrainian society," the General Staff noted. Background: Sternenko stated that he had been placed on the wanted list for failing to appear at the Prymorskyi Recruitment Centre in Odesa Oblast upon receiving a call-up notice, linking this to his criticism of the army system and calls for military reforms. He explained that the call-up notice had been sent to his old address, where he has not lived for a long time, and that he had entered his new address and all his recent data into the Reserve+ app (the official Ukrainian Defence Ministry app for conscripts, persons liable for military service and reservists). Moreover, there is no information about the activist being wanted in the Reserve+ system. The Odesa military recruitment centre has responded to say that they act "exclusively within the law" and stated that Sternenko failed to report several important details, including the fact that he had apparently already visited the Primorskyi Recruitment Centre, where he paid an administrative fine for breaching military registration rules, and that he had been referred to a military medical board. Sternenko accused Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, of personally instigating a Territorial Recruitment Centre hunt for him as revenge for criticising the military command system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For reference: Sternenko is a prominent Ukrainian blogger, volunteer and public activist. In his videos, which get hundreds of millions of views, he denounces Russian propagandists and Ukrainian pro-Russian collaborators. Sternenko has been accused of a variety of crimes, including kidnapping, rioting and assaulting a police officer, drug trafficking, and killing someone who attacked him. He denies all the charges. In May 2021, the Odesa Court of Appeal overturned a verdict of robbery in a case in which Sternenko and Ruslan Demchuk were accused of kidnapping and torturing local parliamentarian Serhii Shcherbych in the spring of 2015, but Sternenko received a suspended sentence on a firearms charge. The court closed the case against Sternenko in December 2023 after the statute of limitations for the 2018 incident expired. Subsequently, Sternenko was assaulted three times. On the second occasion, he apprehended the attacker. During the third incident, Sternenko was attacked by two professional athletes. He injured his assailants, one of whom died at the scene. Support UP or become our patron! U.S. trade policy has changed significantly since the United States last passed a new free trade agreement (FTA), all the way back in 2011. During the past decade, securing new agricultural market access has become more difficult as it has been frustrated at times by both a lack of support in Washington, D.C., as well as an unwillingness from our trading partners to engage in earnest negotiations. Although the United States has at times proposed new regional pacts and secured more targeted trade expansions in specific sectors, these proposals were typically seen as unbalanced and ultimately were found to be lacking in terms of political support here at home. Unfortunately, this trend looks poised to continue to the detriment of U.S. dairy producers and exporters. Despite these headwinds, U.S. dairy (and agriculture) exports have grown exponentially over the last 15 years, due in key part to established FTAs, World Trade Organization access, and more targeted agreements, but also because the growth in consumer demand for our dairy products outside the U.S. has risen in parallel with greatly improved economic conditions since the recession of 2009. With Donald Trump returning to the White House in January, the National Milk Producers Federation is examining how his second administration may approach trade policy and what it means for U.S. dairy producers. Comprehensive trade agreements and tariffs President Trumps America First economic policy was the cornerstone of his trade policy decisions in his first term, and it is a trend expected to accelerate in a second term. The first Trump administration focused on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) now the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) while also securing sectoral trade agreements with China and Japan and a pursuit of FTAs with the United Kingdom (UK) and Kenya. Negotiations with the UK faltered as a result of the enormous complexity of the UKs exit from the European Union. Discussions with Kenya ended with the change from the Trump to Biden administrations. A resumption of trade negotiations with both could be explored under a second Trump administration in conjunction with Congress passing a renewal of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. New comprehensive trade agreements, or deals announced in specific sectors along the lines of those pursued under Trump 1.0 would open new markets for U.S. dairy producers. In contrast, tariff hikes imposed on trading partners invite the potential for retaliatory duties on U.S. dairy exports, exacerbating any competitive disadvantage that American dairy producers might face while reaching international customers. USMCA review President Trumps renegotiation of NAFTA resulted in USMCA in 2020, with newly negotiated aspects of dairy products trade between the United States and Canada featured as a key element of the agreement. As USMCA prepares to enter its six-year mandatory review period in 2026, Canadas persistent attempts to circumvent its dairy market access and protein export cap obligations will be front and center in the discussions, both on Capitol Hill and within the administration. The role of Congress While trade policy is largely driven by the executive branch, Congress will have a significant role in several areas over the next four years. In addition to any TPA discussion, there could also be a debate over Chinas Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status. Congress will also want to have input regarding the USMCAs 2026 review process, and a renewal of the trade title of the farm bill will influence dairys participation in U.S. food aid programs. Across these issues, the U.S. dairy community will have to make its voice heard to ensure that policymakers prioritize the issues that impact dairy producers and workers on the ground. These are just a sample of the many trade issues that NMPF, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), and their allies will prioritize in the Trump administration. With the backing of more than 26,000 dairy farms and millions of additional workers, NMPF is confident that it will be able to work with Congress and the administration to pursue new market access, resolve harmful barriers to trade, and promote the U.S. dairy industry as the global supplier of choice. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2024 November 7, 2024 Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov expressed hope that the Ukraine Defense Contact Group format, known as Ramstein, will continue under the upcoming administration of Donald Trump. Source: Umierov at the annual general meeting of the European Business Association (EBA) in Kyiv on 12 November, as quoted by Interfax-Ukraine and reported by European Pravda Details: Umierov referenced his recent phone conversation with Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin, during which he emphasised the importance of the Ramstein format. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We want it to continue... We discussed this with him [Austin ed.]. We reached out to them to discuss it with the new defence secretary as well. I will also send a letter emphasising its importance for us." He also noted that recent talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President-elect Donald Trump "went well". Background: The US-led Ramstein format was established in spring 2022 following the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine to coordinate military support for Kyiv. It has brought together over 50 countries. In November, the Ramstein meeting is expected to be held at the level of leaders of countries for the first time, but it is expected to be held online. Originally planned to take place at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, US President Joe Biden had to cancel his trip due to the approaching Hurricane Milton. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces are currently not showing any activity that would indicate preparations for a "major" offensive on Zaporizhzhia. Most of the Russians active operations remain within Donetsk Oblast. Source: Ukrainian analytical project DeepState Details: Analysts noted that spreading reports of an impending Russian offensive on Zaporizhzhia mislead the public and cause unnecessary concern. Quote: "For about a month, the public has been hearing about a 'major' offensive on Zaporizhzhia, supposedly set to start near the city of Vasylivka, specifically in the town of Kamianske. Its unclear what this statement is based on, as we dont see significant accumulation of forces around Vasylivka as described. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are two airborne assault divisions in the area, one of which was partially redeployed elsewhere, along with a new regiment made up of disparate forces. Currently, theres no major activity around the town of Kamianske. If something does happen, its better to prepare physically rather than alarm the residents of Zaporizhzhia with daily claims. The situation in the village of Robotyne also remains unchanged, with no signs of escalation." Details: DeepState also pointed out that reports of a potential offensive on Zaporizhzhia often reference enemy activities near the village of Huliaipole. Quote: "These events are being linked due to a lack of geographical knowledge, confusing Russian movements around the villages of Rivnopil and Novodarivka, and attempts to advance from Staromaiorske towards Makarivka. Firstly, Rivnopil and Makarivka are located in Donetsk Oblast, not the south. Secondly, these settlements are nowhere near Huliaipole, so mentioning them is puzzling. Thirdly, referencing Zaporizhzhia Oblast in this context makes little sense, even though it borders Rivnopil. This does not justify claims of a 'Zaporizhzhia offensive'." Background: On 11 November, Russian forces intensified assaults on Ukrainian positions around Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, advancing from the north, south and east in an effort to encircle the city. Support UP or become our patron! Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, Commander of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has met with his Danish counterpart Henrik Ryberg in Odesa. Source: European Pravda, citing Ukrainian Navy on Facebook Ryberg and Neizhpapa discussed the current situation in the Azov-Black Sea region and joint steps to strengthen defence. The discussion focused on projects aimed at developing missile systems and surface and underwater unmanned systems, which are strategically crucial for countering maritime threats. Ukrainian naval personnel also showcased the operational capabilities of their boats, highlighting their manoeuvrability, technical equipment, and ability to execute tasks efficiently. A boat. A boat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Ukrainian Navy Ryberg expressed Denmark's readiness to strengthen cooperation in these areas, the Navy noted. Quote: "Denmark is one of our most reliable partners, especially in bolstering Ukraine's defence capabilities. Our collaboration goes beyond just exchanging experience; it is a partnership focused on defeating the enemy, strengthening Ukraine, and protecting our people," emphasised Neizhapapa. Background: On 21 October, Germany launched a new multinational naval command in the Baltic Sea, capable of overseeing NATO operations. Personnel from 11 countries, including Denmark, will be stationed there. Additionally, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Strategic Industries recently signed a series of implementation agreements with Denmark's Ministry of Defence, totalling around 535 million. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov has held a phone conversation with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, during which they discussed the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Source: Umierov on X (Twitter), reported by European Pravda Umierov wrote that he informed his US counterpart about the current battlefield situation in Ukraine. Quote: "We discussed further steps to strengthen our army and ensure Ukrainian soldiers have everything they need by the end of the year." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He expressed gratitude to the United States for its unwavering support and strong partnership. Background: Last week, EU leaders in Budapest discussed options for continuing Ukraine's military defence in the event that US President-elect Donald Trump decides to end support. Additionally, reports indicated that UK Defence Secretary John Healey is confident that the US will support Ukraine "for as long as necessary" under Trump's presidency. Support UP or become our patron! The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has signed a strategic agreement with the ICEYE company, a leader in the field of satellites with high-precision imaging of the earth's surface (SAR satellites). Source: Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov Quote: "Thanks to this contract, our military will have access to high-precision satellite imagery with full coverage of the combat zone." Details: Umierov said that the command would be able to independently determine priority surveillance areas and quickly receive up-to-date data through the ICEYE satellite system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By introducing advanced space reconnaissance technologies, we are creating a technological advantage that increases combat capability and protects our military," the minister added. For reference: SAR satellites (SAR Synthetic Aperture Radar) are satellites equipped with radars that use aperture synthesis technology to create highly accurate images of the earth's surface in all weather conditions and at any time of the day. SAR technology provides detailed radar images that can "see" through clouds, smoke and even in the dark, making them valuable for surveillance and reconnaissance. Background: On 18 August 2022, volunteer Serhii Prytula said that his foundation had bought a satellite and access to a satellite image database for the Ukrainian forces for more than a year for 600 million hryvnias (about US$14.4 million) raised by Ukrainians. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian forces repelled a major Russian assault in Russias Kursk Oblast and neutralised a Russian assault battalion. Source: Anastasiia Blyshchyk, spokeswoman for the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Ukraines national 24/7 newscast Quote: "Yesterday really was a dark day for Russian occupation forces, which attempted 5-6 waves of assaults. They tried deploying armoured vehicles and assault troops to break through, and assaulted individual settlements, but the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade destroyed 10 of their armoured vehicles. Three armoured personnel carriers exploded after triggering mines, and others were destroyed using FPV drones and the Stuhna anti-tank guided missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Units deployed near to our positions destroyed more armoured vehicles A group of [Russian troops] were also killed, and those who survived scattered around nearby woods." Details: Blyshchyk also said that Russia deployed a battalion to carry out this assault operation on 11 November and that "in effect, soldiers from [Ukraines] defence forces have neutralised this battalion". She added that drones will be deployed to find and kill those Russian soldiers that hid in the woods. According to Blyshchyk, the situation on the Kursk front is difficult, but under the Ukrainian forces control. She also said, with regards to the presence of North Korean troops on the front, that neither the 47th brigade nor units stationed nearby have seen them yet and Russia might still be waiting to deploy them. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian journalists visit KXAN to learn, discuss the impact of war on news coverage AUSTIN (KXAN) Three Ukrainian journalists visited Austin to share their experiences covering the war with Russia and learn how journalists in the U.S. cover news here. The trip is part of a week-long cultural exchange program with journalists from the online publication 1kr.ua, which covers Kryvyi Rih in Central Ukraine. While they hope Americans never find themselves in a similar situation, the journalists said learning how to harden during stressful situations is key to reporting in a war zone. Watch the full interview 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 KXAN Austin. The first Ukrainian citizens have signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported on Nov. 12. The legion was unveiled in July as a volunteer military unit made up of Ukrainian men living in Poland and trained by the Polish Armed Forces. The first volunteer recruitment center was opened in October at the Ukrainian consulate in the eastern Polish city of Lublin. The unit is part of an effort to replenish the ranks of Ukraine's military as the all-out war with Russia continues into its third year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After signing the contracts, the volunteers went to a Polish Armed Forces military training ground to undergo 35-day basic training. Upon completing the training, the servicemen can continue training in their chosen specialties at European NATO bases. The training will be conducted under the guidance of Polish instructors using modern weapons. Commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with combat experience will also participate in the exercises, according to the ministry. As of Nov. 12, the Legion's recruitment center had received about 700 applications from Ukrainians around Europe to join the military, the statement read. The legion will allow Ukrainians to join the fight while being able to return to Poland after completing their service. Under martial law instituted in 2022 after the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainian men aged 18-60 are not permitted to leave Ukraine without permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. estimates that 6.7 million Ukrainians were driven abroad as a result of Russia's all-out invasion. This is in addition to a sizeable diaspora living in Europe, the U.S., Canada, and elsewhere since before 2022. Read also: Poland and Ukraine to form a military unit from Ukrainians in Europe. Will it be effective? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Catarina Demony and Ben Makori LONDON (Reuters) - For some Nigerians and their descendants who call Britain their home, Kemi Badenoch becoming the first Black woman to lead a major British political party is a source of hope and pride. But not everyone is celebrating. Some fear Badenoch, who was born in London to Nigerian parents but lived in Lagos until she was 16, will undermine progress towards racial equality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 44-year-old former software engineer represents the right wing of the opposition Conservative Party and was elected its leader on Nov. 2, after it lost power in a July election. A defender of meritocracy, she said she prefers not to focus on her race, arguing she would like the colour of her skin to be no more significant than the colour of her hair or eyes. For Nigerian-born Abel Fayemi, who has lived for more than two decades in Peckham, a south London neighbourhood that is home to one of the largest Nigerian communities in Britain, Badenoch's election by Britain's most successful political party was a "remarkable achievement". "It has given us hope," said Fayemi, one of the nearly 300,000 Nigerians in Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigerian Ajofoyinbo Oluwajuwon, 24, has lived in London for six years and sees Badenoch as someone to look up to. "A Black woman doing something like that (is) definitely an inspiration." Yahed Lawal, a 64-year-old from Nigeria, also agreed with Badenoch's approach, saying: "Colour don't really matter." 'USED TO GASLIGHT US' However, some of Badenoch's remarks have caused alarm among some within the Black community and anti-racism activists in Britain. At the Conservative Party conference in October 2023, she said she tells her children that Britain is the "best country in the world to be Black because it's a country that sees people, not labels". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has described calls for reparations for slavery, which advocates say are crucial to overcome racial discrimination today, as a "scam", and has opposed the teaching in schools of critical race theory - an academic concept that rests on the premise that racial bias is baked into Western institutions. Badenoch has previously argued that critics were trying to "silence people like me" as they believed all Black people should have the same views. "There is a left-wing view of racial politics that's assumed to be the Black view of politics," she told the Spectator magazine in 2020. The Conservative Party did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Badenoch, who has said she has a hard-nosed view on immigration, supported a plan to deport asylum-seekers arriving in Britain without permission to Rwanda, which has since been scrapped by the new Labour government. She said in a newspaper article in September it should not be assumed that "all cultures are equally valid" when it comes to deciding who should be allowed into the country, and said those moving to Britain should accept its values. She later told the BBC she was referring to "cultures that believe in child marriage, or that women don't have equal rights". Janett Walker, CEO and founder of Anti Racist Cumbria, said in a statement that Badenoch's approach would be "used outside of politics to gaslight us and our concerns", adding: "The denial is coming from someone who looks like me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission, unemployment rates are higher among Black people, they earn less, are more likely to live in substandard and overcrowded accommodation and face tougher rates of prosecution and sentencing. British-Nigerian writer Nels Abbey, one of many who criticised Badenoch on social media following her appointment, said some would feel they could "convey racism without having to deal with the baggage of actually being labelled a racist" as the rhetoric would be "outsourced" to a Black person. Annabel Sowemimo, of British-Nigerian heritage and founder of Reproductive Justice Initiative, which aims to address health and racial inequalities, said Badenoch pointed to her own success as something she achieved on merit, but did not acknowledge obstacles such as racism that others might face to accomplish the same. "It would be a much more formidable thing if she... had challenged sexism and racism to get to this position... but she has not done that," Sowemimo said. "And that is actually what attracted a lot of people to her as a candidate." (Reporting by Catarina Demony, Ben Makori and Mina Kim; Editing by Alex Richardson) By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council is discussing a British-drafted resolution that demands Sudan's warring parties cease hostilities and calls on them to allow safe, rapid and unhindered deliveries of aid across front lines and borders. War erupted in April 2023 from a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule, and triggered the world's largest displacement crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has produced waves of ethnically driven violence blamed largely on the RSF. The RSF has denied harming civilians in Sudan and attributed the activity to rogue actors. In the first U.N. sanctions imposed during the current conflict, a Security Council committee designated two RSF generals last week. "Nineteen months in to the war, both sides are committing egregious human rights violations, including the widespread rape of women and girls," Britain's U.N. ambassador, Barbara Woodward, told reporters at the start of this month as Britain assumed the Security Council's presidency for November. "More than half the Sudanese population are experiencing severe food insecurity," she said. "Despite this, the SAF and the RSF remain focussed on fighting each other and not the famine and suffering facing their country." Britain wanted to put the draft resolution to a vote as quickly as possible, diplomats said. To be adopted, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the U.S., France, Britain, Russia or China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AID ACROSS BORDERS The U.N. says nearly 25 million people - half of Sudan's population - need aid as famine has taken hold in displacement camps and 11 million people have fled their homes. Nearly 3 million of those people have left for other countries. Britain's draft text "demands that the Rapid Support Forces immediately halt its offensives" throughout Sudan, "and demands that the warring parties immediately cease hostilities." It also "calls on the parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate the full, safe, rapid, and unhindered crossline and cross-border humanitarian access into and throughout Sudan." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The draft also calls for the Adre border crossing with Chad to remain open for aid deliveries "and stresses the need to sustain humanitarian access through all border crossings, while humanitarian needs persist, and without impediments." A three-month approval given by Sudanese authorities for the U.N. and aid groups to use the Adre border crossing to reach Darfur is due to expire in mid-November. The Security Council has adopted two previous resolutions on Sudan: in March it called for an immediate cessation of hostilities for the holy month of Ramadan, then in June it specifically demanded a halt to a siege of a city of 1.8 million people in Sudan's North Darfur region by the RSF. Both resolutions - adopted with 14 votes in favor and a Russian abstention - also called for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols at United Nations, Editing by Matthew Lewis) Donald Trumps criminal convictions have officially entered legal limbo while prosecutors try to decide how to respond to his election victory. Over the weekend, lawyers for the incoming president asked the court to halt a pair of scheduled hearings in his New York hush money caseincluding an immunity hearing and a sentencing hearingin light of Trumps re-election. Prosecutors agreed to a week-long delay while they decide on their next steps, NBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The People agree that these are unprecedented circumstances and that the arguments raised require careful consideration, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote in a letter to the judge. The court must decide how to balance the competing interests of a guilty verdict handed down by a jury in a criminal trial that has the presumption of regularity, versus the interests of the Office of the President, the letter said. Trump was scheduled to be sentenced November 26 after a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal involving former adult film star Stormy Daniels. It was the first time a former president had ever been convicted of a crime. The 34 felony counts carry a possible sentence of up to four years in prison, and if Trump were a normal defendant, there would be a good chance hed be headed to Rikers Island, according to an analysis of similar cases from the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Department of Justice has a policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents, and state courts are generally expectedthough not requiredto follow suit. Trumps lawyers have already argued the case should be dismissed altogether based on presidential immunity, or moved to federal court where Trump could most likely pardon himself. A hearing on the immunity claim was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but that was when Trump was a former president and not an incoming president. Now, prosecutors have asked the court to let them have until November 19 to file a motion outlining what they think should happen next. Judge Juan Merchans clerk wrote back saying the court had agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If prosecutors do seek jail time, theyll be raising a host of complex constitutional questions about whether a state court can sentence a president-elect. At a minimum, Trumps lawyers are likely to argue he cant be sentenced until after he leaves office in 2029, making him unlikely to actually serve any time, some legal experts predict. The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops. Following Donald Trumps 2024 Presidential Election victory, Uncle Luke took to Instagram Live and blasted the Latinos who cast their vote for Trump. Per NBC News exit polls, Trump earned 45 percent of the Latino vote while Harris held 51 percent which is a 13-point uptick for the twice-impeached president elect compared to the 2020 election. Its also a record high for a Republican presidential nominee, as Trump toppled George W. Bushs 44 percent in the 2004 election. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All yall who didnt vote for Kamala, yall stupid a gon get deported. Yall having marches and st already. We are not going out there to march, Luke said. Black people are not going to march for you. Im sorry, we will not be marching. Its no more such thing as Black and brown people. Its Black. We will not be marching with you. The former 2 Live Crew frontman continued: The line got drawn last Tuesday, he continued. We know where we stand with all yall. White people know where they stand with white women. Black people know where they stand with Hispanics. We though yall were our friends. Yall go through some things, we be out there fighting and marching and then you do this. Luke believes some Black people may be distancing themselves from Latinos in the future, and joked about how ICE agents looking to deport illegal immigrants will be singing along to Vanilla Ices chart-topping 1990 single Ice Ice Baby. Now you got to worry about the little Black ladies who sitting there looking out the window calling the people on you, he said. Hey ICE. They going to be singing the song. Ice Ice Baby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lukes commentary caused quite a stir on social media. Luke isnt a Black American so idk why he cackling talking about we, one fan fired back on X. You are Carribean not Black American. Trump overwhelmingly beat out Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election. In addition to winning the popular vote, per NBC News, the business mogul who in May was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records also took the Electoral College 312 to 226, and swept all seven swing states. Watch Uncle Lukes rant below. Uncle Luke says that he will not support Latinos on deportation matters after 60% of them voted for Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/u53Piw6PH4 The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) November 11, 2024 Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Good morning and welcome to the Under the Dome newsletter. Im Emily Vespa. For the third straight presidential election, North Carolina voters split their ticket, electing Republican Donald Trump for president and Democrat Josh Stein for governor. Social media conspiracy theorists from both sides of the aisle have suggested its a sign of election fraud. In truth, ticket splitting is part of the states political DNA, Michael Bitzer, professor and politics department chair at Catawba College, said on X. In eight of the past 15 presidential and gubernatorial elections, North Carolinians elected candidates of dueling political parties for the top seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans lost five of the 10 Council of State races to Democrats, in part because Democrats dumped money into ads that tied GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson to his partys down-ballot candidates, Danielle Battaglia reports. Robinson was already controversial, but his campaign became embroiled in scandal after a September CNN report linked him to lewd and racist comments he allegedly made on a porn website, which he denied. For more on how North Carolinas ticket split compares to the previous presidential election, see this data analysis by David Raynor. MORROW EYES ROLE IN TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Having lost the race for North Carolinas superintendent of public instruction last week, Republican Michele Morrow has her sights set on a role in the Trump administration. Morrow, a staunch Trump supporter, was suggested to fill a position in the U.S. Department of Education on a website created by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., though theres no indication Trump is using the list to make nominations, T. Keung Hui reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morrow posted the link to her social media pages Monday and urged people to vote for her to be selected for a position. Lets help get Michele to Washington where she can fight to save our children in North Carolina and beyond! Morrows campaign wrote on X. HELENE MISINFORMATION HAS SLOWED, BUT HASNT STOPPED The volume of Hurricane Helene misinformation has seemed to drop from its peak last month, but theres still some circulating. One X user claimed Sunday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is acquiring land in Western North Carolina. The post has garnered nearly half a million views. This claim harkens back to previous allegations that FEMA was seizing land or property in impacted areas, which The News & Observer previously reported is false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post references the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which is funded by FEMA but managed by the state. The programs purpose is to fund solutions that minimize the impact of future disasters, like raising homes in areas prone to flooding. In some cases, the grant can fund a buyout of properties in areas at risk of flooding or landslides. Interested property owners can must apply for a buyout, which is voluntary, and they can change their mind at any time before its finalized, the North Carolina Emergency Management website says. WHAT ELSE WERE WORKING ON If you voted in North Carolina and want to be sure your vote counted, Renee Umsted has the details on how to check. The North Carolina attorney generals office and UNC-Chapel Hill police are investigating anonymous, racist text messages that appear to target Black people, including some UNC students, reports Korie Dean. Federal agencies are also investigating the texts, which have been sent to people nationwide after Election Day and tell recipients they have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. Greensboros WFMY reports that students at North Carolina A&T State University were among those who reported receiving racist text messages referencing slavery. In response, the university planned to hold a town hall Monday for students to express their feelings about the texts with leaders from its counseling center. Todays newsletter was by Emily Vespa. Check your inbox tomorrow for more #ncpol. The Federal Aviation Administration has banned US flights to Haiti for the next month after a flight was hit with gunfire while trying to land in the Caribbean nation. The FAA made the announcement on Tuesday, one day after a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince diverted to the Dominican Republic after it was struck by gang gunfire during its descent toward Toussaint Louverture International Airport. One flight attendant suffered minor injuries. The airline JetBlue also announced one of its flights was damaged by gunfire while leaving Haiti, CNN reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FAA said they made the call due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing security instability. A Spirit Airlines flight pictured taking off. The FAA banned all US flights to Haiti for one month after gang gunfire struck a Spirit Airlines flight during its descent into Port-au-Prince on Monday (Getty Images) Authorities at Toussaint Louverture International Airport halted all commercial flights on Monday, effective until November 18. Flight tracking showed JetBlue Airways and Amerijet cargo planes diverting away from Haiti following the incident. The United Nations also announced its flights to Haiti are grounded in light of Mondays violence. As a result, all UN flights have been suspended, obviously limiting the flow of humanitarian aid and humanitarian personnel into the country, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, gang gunfire hit a United Nations helicopter, forcing it to return to the airport. No one was injured. Spirit Airlines resumed flights to Haiti in May following a two-month pause in commercial operations due to widespread gang violence across the country. Police guard the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, which is now closed after gang gunfire struck a descending Spirit Airlines flight on Monday (AFP via Getty Images) The American Embassy in Port-au-Prince has also issued an alert warning US citizens to avoid travel to Haiti. The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports and airports, the alert reads. The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous, the alert continues. Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The US government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel. BALTIMORE (AP) As U.S. Catholic bishops gathered for their annual fall meeting this week in Baltimore, the specter of President-elect Donald Trumps resounding victory hung over the proceedings. In a letter read at the opening of their public sessions, the bishops asked Pope Francis to pray for the people of the United States during this post-election transition. We pray that the transfer of power will be peaceful, and that the incoming administration will promote the life and dignity of all people, it read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration offers promise and peril for American Catholic leaders top policy concerns, which include abortion and immigration. Catholic teaching prioritizes both the end of abortion and the humane care of migrants. In Trump, as for many U.S. Christians, Catholics find an imperfect standard-bearer. His anti-abortion rhetoric has been mixed: While Trump has taken credit for the end of federal abortion rights, he has waffled on the concept of a national abortion ban and said abortion policies should be left to the states to decide. On immigration, he provides a less sanguine picture for Catholic prelates. Trump has campaigned three times on harsh immigration policies and vowed to carry out the largest deportation operation in American history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, noted in his opening address that the bishops certainly do not encourage illegal immigration. Rather, he said they would encourage immigration reform, while we continue to care for those in need who cross our borders. Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, who chairs the U.S. bishops committee on migration, said in an interview, Were very, very concerned about the impact of all this, referring to Trumps anticipated immigration measures. Catholic and faith-based organizations have long shouldered most of the care of migrants on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. For those migrants in his border diocese fleeing violence or facing deportation, Seitz said, We hear the fear that they live with every day. Seitz will present to his fellow bishops on Wednesday about a plan to educate people in parishes on the plight of migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, who also serves on the bishops migration committee, sounded a note of cautious optimism about a second Trump term, believing that the reality of migrants contributions to the U.S. economy will matter more than the hyperbole about mass deportations. If he wants to accomplish the greatest economy ever, hes going to have to work on some type of accommodation on the immigration issues, said Wenski, who has also worked closely with migrant and refugee communities. On abortion and other issues, Wenski said in an interview the Biden administration had sometimes given people of faith heartburn because of policy decisions that seem to intrude on religious liberty. Wenski was relieved Floridas abortion rights amendment failed gaining 57% support when it needed 60% to prevail. But he forecast a long road ahead of us in promoting a culture of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bishops stress in their voting guide that fighting abortion is our pre-eminent priority. At a press conference, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, who chairs the USCCBs committee on pro-life activities, commended the hard work of the bishops in states where there have been ballot initiatives on abortion. The anti-abortion movement has a losing record on those ballot measures. We will never be able financially to keep up with those who are fighting to legalize abortion in their states, Burbidge said. He said the bishops have learned to get out early during election cycles with their messaging on the extreme positions taken by abortion rights supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is ongoing, he said. We celebrated the tremendous victory over Roe v. Wade, but we knew soon thereafter the work is only just beginning. For anti-abortion Catholics like Charles Camosy, a bioethics professor at Creighton University School of Medicine, neither U.S. political party feels like home. While Vice President Kamala Harris staunchly defended abortion rights, Trump in his view is no anti-abortion warrior either. Camosy cited Trumps statement about being great for women and their reproductive rights, as well as his support of IVF and state autonomy on abortion. In my view, thats a pro-choice position, Camosy said. Camosy is cautiously optimistic that incoming vice president, JD Vance, could better represent the fullness of Catholic teaching. Vance, a Catholic convert, is part of the growing traditionalist wing of the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this election, Trump strengthened his support among Catholics compared to 2020, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 120,000 voters. Catholics overall broke for Trump 54% supported him and 44% supported Harris but there was a racial divide. About 6 in 10 white Catholics supported Trump, and about 4 in 10 supported Harris. By contrast, about 6 in 10 Latino Catholics supported Harris, and about 4 in 10 supported Trump. In Baltimore, the bishops had their own elections for committee chairmen, who will begin their terms next November. Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis will serve as the next treasurer for the USCCB. The other chairmen-elect are Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, for the committee on clergy, consecrated life and vocations; Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost of Cleveland for the committee on divine worship; Archbishop Shelton Fabre of Louisville, Kentucky, for the committee on domestic justice and human development; Bishop Edward Burns of Dallas for the committee on laity, marriage, family life and youth; and Bishop Brendan Cahill of Victoria, Texas, for the committee on migration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bishops also heard about the ongoing war in Ukraine from Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Bishop Stepan Sus, who thanked the prelates for their support. Discussing the possible end of the war, Sus said a big concern for Ukrainians is that our fate is not decided without us. We don't want to be on the menu. We want to be at the table when the world starts any negotiations with Russia, said Sus, who received a standing ovation. Beyond domestic and international politics, the bishops meeting covers drier, bureaucratic fare like the yearly budget approval. On Tuesday, the bishops voted to advance the cause of beatification and canonization of Benedictine Sister Annella Zervas and Gertrude Barber, a Catholic laywoman who worked with people with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bishops also received an overview of this years National Eucharistic Revival and the latest synod meeting in Rome, part of a process to reform the church launched by Pope Francis, whose leadership at times has clashed with the right-leaning American Catholic hierarchy. From his post along the U.S.-Mexico border, Bishop Seitz said the church will continue to work within U.S. laws while advocating to change those laws it finds unjust. Two days after the election, Seitz participated in a prayer service for migrants. The following morning, he helped drop water off in the desert for migrants crossing over dangerous terrain. No matter who is in office, he said, We as the church will continue to do what the church does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement __ AP reporter Giovanna DellOrto contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. By Daphne Psaledakis WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a commander of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, accusing him of being involved in human rights abuses in West Darfur, as Washington increases pressure over the war in the African nation. The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla led the RSF's campaign in West Darfur, which the department said was marked by credible claims of serious human rights abuses, including the targeting of civilians, conflict-related sexual violence and ethnically-motivated violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The action follows sanctions imposed on Barkalla by a United Nations Security Council committee last week and marks the latest action by Washington over the war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 from a power struggle between the Sudanese army and RSF ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule. "Today's action underscores our commitment to hold accountable those who seek to facilitate these horrific acts of violence against vulnerable civilian populations in Sudan," Bradley Smith, Treasury's acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in the statement. "The United States remains focused on supporting an end to this conflict and calls on both sides to participate in peace talks and ensure the basic human rights of all Sudanese civilians," Smith said. The war in Sudan has produced waves of ethnically-driven violence blamed largely on the RSF. The RSF denies harming civilians and attributes the activity to rogue elements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. says nearly 25 million people - half of Sudan's population - need aid. Famine has taken hold in displacement camps, 11 million people have fled their homes and nearly three million of those people have left for other countries. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Paul Simao) The News A US jury awarded $42 million in damages to three former detainees of the notorious Abu Ghraib prison Tuesday. The jury had heard the case as a retrial after a different jury couldnt agree on whether a Virginia-based military contractor was liable for the work of its civilian interrogators alongside the US army in Iraq during 2003 and 2004, decided after deliberations that CACI was indeed responsible for facilitating their torture and mistreatment. The trials marked the first time a US jury heard claims by former Abu Ghraib detainees since photographs that showed detainees being mistreated alongside smiling US military personnel emerged in 2004, an incident that prompted international condemnation and ultimately led to the conviction of 11 US soldiers. None of the three plaintiffs in this case were in the photos, but their allegations of mistreatment at the prison were consistent with the images. Lawyers for the former detainees did not explicitly allege that CACIs interrogators participated in abuse, however they successfully argued that the company was liable even if they couldnt prove direct involvement. CACIs lawyers had argued liability lay with the US government. Two US Navy destroyers came under attack by the Houthis on Monday. The Iran-backed rebels fired a mix of anti-ship missiles and exploding drones. The US military defeated all the threats, a Pentagon spokesperson said. The US Navy defeated a complex attack launched by the Houthis on Monday that saw the rebels fire several missiles and drones at two American warships off the coast of Yemen, a Pentagon spokesperson said on Tuesday. The destroyers USS Stockdale and USS Spruance came under fire as they were transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic maritime choke point between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navy repelled multiple Houthi attacks involving at least three anti-ship cruise missiles, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and eight one-way attack drones, the Pentagon press secretary, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, told reporters at a press briefing Tuesday. Ryder said that the attacks were "successfully engaged and defeated" and that "the vessels were not damaged; no personnel were hurt." Earlier, the Houthis said they attacked the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea and two unnamed American destroyers in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed rebels said they achieved their objectives. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale alongside the Egyptian navy's El Suez-class corvette Abu Qir in October. The Stockdale is one of the vessels that came under attack on Monday. US Navy photo Ryder said he was unaware of any attack on the Lincoln. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His announcement came several hours after US Central Command published footage showing fighter jets taking off from the Lincoln to "support operations" against the Houthis. It wasn't immediately clear whether that footage was related to the Monday attack on the destroyers or earlier US military action against the rebels. Ryder also shared that US forces carried out precision airstrikes against multiple Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen over the weekend. He said the operation involved F-35 stealth aircraft, which were seen in Centcom's footage. The attack against the destroyers on Monday marks the latest Houthi attack on Navy warships off the coast of Yemen. In late September, US forces fended off a similarly complex missile and drone assault. Aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) support operations against Iran-backed Houthis in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/8Y4yqsAepd U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 12, 2024 The Navy has routinely intercepted Houthi missiles and drones targeting military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over the past year. The rebels have said their actions are in response to the Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday's engagement came against the backdrop of a similar interaction that occurred between American forces and other Iranian groups in Syria over the past few days. On Sunday, US personnel at Mission Support Site Green Village in northeast Syria came under two separate attacks involving a drone and indirect rocket fire, Ryder said. In response to the attacks, American forces carried out airstrikes the next day against nine targets in two locations linked to Iranian groups. Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the Centcom commander, said attacks against US and coalition partners in the Middle East "will not be tolerated." "We will continue to take every step necessary to protect our personnel and coalition partners and respond to reckless attacks," he said in a statement on the US airstrikes. Read the original article on Business Insider By Nichola Groom (Reuters) -The U.S. oil and gas industry on Tuesday called on President-elect Donald Trump to scrap many of President Joe Biden's policies aimed at fighting climate change, saying the measures threaten jobs, consumer choice and energy security. The American Petroleum Institute (API), the nation's top oil and gas trade group, urged Trump's incoming administration to do away with vehicle emissions standards meant to move the auto industry to produce more electric vehicles, lift a pause on export permits for liquefied natural gas facilities and work with Congress to repeal a fee on methane emissions from drilling operations, among a range of other actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group unveiled the requests in a policy document shared with the media. During his campaign, Trump vowed to reverse dozens of environmental rules and policies deemed onerous by oil and gas drillers. Despite stiffer regulations under Biden, who has sought to transition the U.S. economy to clean energy sources, the domestic industry is producing more oil and gas than at any time in history. "Looking at the results of last week's election, it is clear that energy was on the ballot," API CEO Mike Sommers said on a call with reporters. "Whether it was EV mandates in Michigan or fracking in Pennsylvania, voters across the country and on both sides of the aisle sent a clear message to policymakers that they want an all-of-the-above approach to energy, not government mandates and restrictions." API sought to rescind California's ability to enact state tailpipe emissions that are stricter than federal rules and to repeal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency clean vehicle rules. It also advocated supporting LNG exports, holding more auctions for oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and reversing rules that the group says limits oil and gas development on federal lands. It wants Trump to make it easier to obtain drilling permits via changes to the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act, and implement tax incentives to infrastructure and overseas investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group unveiled its policy priorities hours after ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods said at the United Nations COP29 climate summit that the U.S. should not exit the Paris climate agreement as Trump has pledged to do. "A second U.S. exit from the Paris climate agreement will have profound implications for the United States' efforts to reduce its own emissions and for international efforts to combat climate change," ExxonMobil said in a statement. The company also advocated for staying in the accord in 2017, before Trump withdrew the nation from the landmark global agreement to fight climate change. Exxon also supported Biden's decision to rejoin the agreement in 2021. API's Sommers, when asked about Woods' comments, said his group was focused on both reducing emissions and meeting the world's energy needs. "We're going to continue to do that regardless of whether the United States is part of the agreement or not," Sommers said. (Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by David Gregorio) President-elect Donald J. Trump's Mar-a-Lago home now features a United States Secret Service robot dog as part of its security team. The newest addition to his security team has even been spotted on regular patrols around the estate. Boston Dynamics supplied the high-tech security robot, which comes with a range of advanced surveillance tools designed to ensure the safety of the President-elect and his team. First reported by the New York Post (NY Post), the quadruped security robot has been seen patrolling the Florida estate, moving effortlessly around its lawns and pavements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warning signs like "DO NOT PET" indicate that this new robot dog means business. As you can imagine, technical details of the robot dog's full capabilities are not publicly available. Trump's new robot dog security detail Still, given its role as part of the Secret Service, it shouldn't be taken lightly. This is especially the case after the President-Elect had two very close calls with would-be assassins (perhaps even three). "Safeguarding the President-elect is a top priority," Anthony Guglielmi, U.S. Secret Service Chief of Communications, shared in a statement with USA Today on Friday (November 6). "While we cannot get into the specific capabilities, the robotic dogs are equipped with surveillance technology and an array of advanced sensors that support our protective operations," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Secret Service showcased the capabilities of robots in a video shared during the NATO Summit held in Washington, D.C., in July 2024. In the video, a Secret Service official explains that these robots are part of the "ASTRO" program, which stands for "Autonomous Systems and Technical Robotic Operation." The official stated that the "dogs" can be equipped with technology to detect bombs and chemical threats. They are fitted with cameras that have thermal imaging and high-resolution zoom capabilities. Im kind of excited to see whats going to come out [of the ASTRO program] as it [progresses], an official explains. With just a quick download, the robot just continues to improve with every software update," they added. Also used by the police, firefighters, and military NY Post also highlighted the growing popularity of robot dogs in the U.S. for safety purposes. For example, police and fire departments increasingly use these robotic dogs to handle dangerous situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New York, in particular, the police have their own "Digidog" robot dogs, which they deploy in hazardous areas instead of sending in officers. Called "K-9" units, their remote-controlled robotic dogs are essentially saving lives and keeping the peace. For instance, following the collapse of a parking garage in New York last year, the fire department utilized a robot dog to search for survivors among the rubble. This technology allows robots to navigate where it would be too dangerous for people to go. Robotic dogs are also now being employed by various military forces worldwide. For example, they have been deployed in Ukraine to assist soldiers by delivering supplies and monitoring enemy areas, thereby preventing potential human harm. The United States Army has also commissioned robot dogs for similar roles and purposes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y40zpon4PdM&t=6s U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Monday that last weeks election giving Republicans control of the chamber and leaving Democrats in the minority is now part of the calculus as he evaluates his political future. Durbin, the Senates No. 2 ranking Democrat, turns 80 on Nov. 21 and has yet to say if hell run for reelection in 2026. He has been in the Senate since 1997 after serving 14 years in the House. After the Nov. 5 election, Republicans will hold at least 53 Senate seats with one race, in Arizona, yet to be decided, though Democrat Ruben Gallego was leading Republican Kari Lake by nearly 70,000 votes with 92% of the expected ballots counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GOP victories undid a 50-50 tie in the Senate that gave Democrats control of the chamber because Vice President Kamala Harris was a tiebreaker as Senate president. Im going to watch and see what this means, Durbin said in an interview after the citys Veterans Day remembrance ceremony at Soldier Field. I enjoy serving in the Senate. Im a realist about the future. But I want to see how the relationship works. Durbin noted that he was able to engineer what he called the most significant sentencing reform bill in modern history during Donald Trumps first administration, working with Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley. The First Step Act reduced mandatory minimum federal prison sentences for some nonviolent drug offenses and created programs to reduce recidivism so things can be done if youre doing it the right way, he said. Durbin is expected to announce his future intentions in the new year. Should he decide not to seek reelection, a host of Democrats would be expected to seek the seat and it also could open the door for several Republican contenders, though Illinois has not elected a GOP senator since Mark Kirk won his single term in 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats loss of power in the chamber will strip Durbin of his chairmanship of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, a position from which he led nomination hearings for Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. . Asked if he would serve as the ranking minority member on the judiciary panel, Durbin said it remains to be seen who will take over as chair. I hope its Lindsey Graham, he said of the South Carolina senator who currently leads the minority on the panel, but I can live with Chuck Grassley if hes chosen. What I tried to do when I was chairman for four years at judiciary was to establish some bipartisan standards, Durbin said, such as retaining the blue slip process that allows the home state senator of a judicial candidate to block a nomination. It was being challenged by my own party. I can go chapter and verse and tell you people who are madder than hell at me because I said Im going to respect the blue slip because Lindsey Graham told me hell respect it if hes chairman, Durbin said. So it remains to be seen how that works. Durbin said the process enabled him to fill every vacancy on the federal bench in Illinois during Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Trump administration, we filled every vacancy in Illinois, every judgeship I had to sit down and bargain with the chief counsel for President Trump, which wasnt always easy, he said. He got some people I didnt like. I got some people he didnt like, Durbin said. In the latter group was Mary Rowland, who in 2019 became the first openly lesbian judge to serve in the Chicago areas Northern District. So, as far as staying on the Judiciary Committee, Durbin said, the short answer is, it depends on what the Trump administration is going to do when it comes to judges, and it depends on who will chair the Senate Judiciary Committee. Durbin lamented that passing major legislation like the prison sentencing reform measure is now increasingly rare in the Senate amid a pattern of more limited action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the nature of the Senate now. I mean, it used to be we had a handful of big bills moving every year. Not so anymore. Not so on a regular schedule, he said, also noting changes that limit floor amendments to legislation. It just isnt the Senate anymore. It isnt the way it works. Durbin also said he and his staff are researching major transportation funding-related items for Illinois to make sure the money will flow despite a Trump presidency. Weve got to make sure weve nailed down the projects, he said. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said Monday that last weeks election giving Republicans control of the chamber and leaving Democrats in the minority is now part of the calculus as he evaluates his political future. Durbin, the Senates No. 2 ranking Democrat, turns 80 on Nov. 21 and has yet to say if hell run for reelection in 2026. He has been in the Senate since 1997 after serving 14 years in the House. After the Nov. 5 election, Republicans will hold at least 53 Senate seats with one race, in Arizona, yet to be decided, though Democrat Ruben Gallego was leading Republican Kari Lake by nearly 70,000 votes with 92% of the expected ballots counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GOP victories undid a 50-50 tie in the Senate that gave Democrats control of the chamber because Vice President Kamala Harris was a tiebreaker as Senate president. Im going to watch and see what this means, Durbin said in an interview after the citys Veterans Day remembrance ceremony at Soldier Field. I enjoy serving in the Senate. Im a realist about the future. But I want to see how the relationship works. Durbin noted that he was able to engineer what he called the most significant sentencing reform bill in modern history during Donald Trumps first administration, working with Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley. The First Step Act reduced mandatory minimum federal prison sentences for some nonviolent drug offenses and created programs to reduce recidivism so things can be done if youre doing it the right way, he said. Durbin is expected to announce his future intentions in the new year. Should he decide not to seek reelection, a host of Democrats would be expected to seek the seat and it also could open the door for several Republican contenders, though Illinois has not elected a GOP senator since Mark Kirk won his single term in 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats loss of power in the chamber will strip Durbin of his chairmanship of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, a position from which he led nomination hearings for Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Asked if he would serve as the ranking minority member on the judiciary panel, Durbin said it remains to be seen who will take over as chair. I hope its Lindsey Graham, he said of the South Carolina senator who currently leads the minority on the panel, but I can live with Chuck Grassley if hes chosen. What I tried to do when I was chairman for four years at judiciary was to establish some bipartisan standards, Durbin said, such as retaining the blue slip process that allows the home state senator of a judicial candidate to block a nomination. It was being challenged by my own party. I can go chapter and verse and tell you people who are madder than hell at me because I said Im going to respect the blue slip because Lindsey Graham told me hell respect it if hes chairman, Durbin said. So it remains to be seen how that works. Durbin said the process enabled him to fill every vacancy on the federal bench in Illinois during Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Trump administration, we filled every vacancy in Illinois, every judgeship I had to sit down and bargain with the chief counsel for President Trump, which wasnt always easy, he said. He got some people I didnt like. I got some people he didnt like, Durbin said. In the latter group was Mary Rowland, who in 2019 became the first openly lesbian judge to serve in the Chicago areas Northern District. So, as far as staying on the Judiciary Committee, Durbin said, the short answer is, it depends on what the Trump administration is going to do when it comes to judges, and it depends on who will chair the Senate Judiciary Committee. Durbin lamented that passing major legislation like the prison sentencing reform measure is now increasingly rare in the Senate amid a pattern of more limited action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the nature of the Senate now. I mean, it used to be we had a handful of big bills moving every year. Not so anymore. Not so on a regular schedule, he said, also noting changes that limit floor amendments to legislation. It just isnt the Senate anymore. It isnt the way it works. Durbin also said he and his staff are researching major transportation funding-related items for Illinois to make sure the money will flow despite a Trump presidency. Weve got to make sure weve nailed down the projects, he said. _____ By Andrew Chung (Reuters) - Donald Trump's former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has failed in his bid to move his Georgia 2020 election interference criminal case out of state court and into the potentially friendlier venue of federal court, as the U.S. Supreme Court rebuffed his request on Tuesday. The justices turned away an appeal by Meadows, a former Republican congressman, of a lower court's decision rejecting his effort to have his case heard in federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors in Georgia's Fulton County in 2023 indicted Meadows along with Trump and other allies in a sweeping racketeering case accusing them of conspiring to overturn Trump's 2020 loss in the state to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump won the Nov. 5 U.S. election and is set to return to the presidency on Jan. 20. Both Meadows and Trump have pleaded not guilty. Meadows has sought have the case heard in federal court under a U.S. law that lets federal officials transfer cases involving their official duties out of state courts. Meadows has argued that the Georgia charges involved his responsibilities as chief of staff and that he has defenses that can be mounted under federal law. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones rejected Meadow's bid. The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that decision in December 2023, ruling that the law cited by Meadows "does not apply to former federal officers, and even if it did, the events giving rise to this criminal action were not related to Meadows's official duties." Moving the case to federal court could give Meadows a friendlier jury pool because such a trial would draw from a larger and more politically diverse area than Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold. Meadows would also be able to argue in federal court that he is immune from state prosecution because the charges involve actions arising from his duties as a federal official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mounting an immunity defense is critical, his lawyers told the Supreme Court in a filing, as it is "the principal protection federal officers enjoy against the whims of literally thousands of state and local prosecutors." Unlike charges brought by federal prosecutors, Trump when he resumes his duties as president will not be able to scuttle a criminal case in state court. But his lawyer has already said he will seek to pause any legal activity related to Trump based on an argument that a president should not face the burden of a criminal prosecution while in office. Trump and some of his co-defendants have asked a Georgia appeals court to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the lead prosecutor, from the case over her alleged misconduct stemming from a romantic relationship she had with a former deputy. If that effort fails, the case would be able to proceed against Meadows and the other co-defendants, Legal experts expect that the case against Trump would not proceed while he serves a second four-year term as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meadows is a former Republican congressman who served as chief of staff during the last roughly 10 months of Trump's first term as president. Prosecutors have accused him of arranging calls and meetings in which they have said Trump pressured election officials to change the vote count in his favor, including a call in which the then-president urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to deliver him the state. Prosecutors have argued that those acts were not "necessary and proper" duties for a U.S. president and his chief of staff. Meadows has said they were part of his portfolio as Trump's top White House aide. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Bidens administration is setting out plans for the US to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050, with demand climbing for the technology as a round-the-clock source of carbon-free power. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under a road map being unveiled Tuesday, the US would deploy an additional 200 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity by mid-century through the construction of new reactors, plant restarts and upgrades to existing facilities. In the short term, the White House aims to have 35 gigawatts of new capacity operating in just over a decade. Over the last four years the United States has really established the industrial capacity and the muscle memory across the economy to carry out this plan, said Ali Zaidi, the White House national climate adviser. Bidens administration is addressing issues that have hampered nuclear developments including a lack of skilled labor, domestic fuel supply and regulatory infrastructure, he said. Weve taken out a lot of the impediments that have stood in the way of going big on this source of carbon-free electricity, Zaidi said in an interview. Long-Unloved Nuclear Power Is Staging a Comeback: QuickTake Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strategy is one that could win continued support under President-elect Donald Trump, who called for new nuclear reactors on the campaign trail as a way to help supply electricity to energy-hungry data centers and factories. The nuclear industry and its potential resurgence also enjoys bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, culminating in the July enactment of a law giving the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission new tools to regulate advanced reactors, license new fuels and evaluate breakthroughs in manufacturing that promise faster and cheaper buildouts. Demand for nuclear is increasing as nations aim to accelerate the addition of low-emissions power sources, and as a result of rising electricity consumption by energy-intensive industries including data-processing for artificial intelligence. Microsoft Corp. struck a deal in September for electricity from a revived Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, while Alphabet Inc.s Google, Amazon.com Inc. and billionaire financier Ken Griffin are all among those to have recently expressed new interest in the development of atomic energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US initiative comes as world leaders converge on the two-week COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan and face pressure to step up their carbon-cutting ambitions. At last years United Nations conference, the US and roughly two dozen other countries signed a pledge to triple nuclear capacity by 2050. As technologies like solar and wind have surged since 2010, nuclear capacity has remained relatively stable, according to the International Energy Agency. That reflects the impact of the 2011 tsunami and meltdown at Japans Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant, though many governments are now reappraising their stance on the technology. Advocates of nuclear power say that by setting out a domestic deployment target, the US can provide encouragement to nuclear developers. Just achieving the 2035 goal would require swift action to establish sufficient orders for multiple reactor designs, a step that would in turn unlock investment in fuel and component supply chains, the Biden administrations report says. The 36-page framework outlines other steps the US should take to rebuild its capacity and to restore the nations eroded status as a developer of nuclear technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is imperative that US and allied countries compete effectively to supply the world with clean and safe nuclear energy, the document says. Other nations also typically want new reactor technologies demonstrated in the supplier country first, it says. Key recommendations include steps meant to accelerate federal technology licensing for large reactors and to ensure long-term clarity for tax support. The strategy also calls for opportunities to be examined to add new reactors at existing plants, and for consideration to be made of deploying micro reactors at Defense Department facilities. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris addresses a crowd of 7,000 at the Rawhide Event Center on the Gila River Indian Community on Oct. 10, 2024. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror WASHINGTON Women have led the governments of nearly a third of the countries on Earth as presidents, prime ministers and chancellors. Vice President Kamala Harris defeat kept the 235-year-old glass ceiling in the United States unbroken. It absolutely will happen, said Jean Sinzdak, associate director of the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just not yet. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in last month as the 66th president and the first woman on that list. Margaret Thatcher, Britains first female prime minister, held office from 1979 to 1990 longer than all but six occupants of Downing Street since 1721 when the title was first used. Angela Merkel led Germany as its first female chancellor from 2005 to 2021, longer than all but two since Otto von Bismarck. Indira Gandhi broke the barrier in India when she became prime minister in 1966, three years before Golda Meir became Israels fourth prime minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The barrier has been shattered on every continent except Antarctica. The U.S. is far behind other nations, unfortunately. I think it will be a slow process, said Kim Fridkin, an Arizona State University political scientist who studies women in politics, although women are having more success in gaining office statewide as governors and U.S. senators. Of 193 current members of the United Nations, 13 have female leaders now nine of those for the first time. Sixty have been led by women at some point, according to a Pew Research study, starting with Sri Lanka in 1960. In the United States, 45 men have served as president, starting with George Washington in 1789. Donald Trumps reelection extends that streak. He was the 45th president and will be the 47th. Grover Cleveland also served non-consecutive terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No major American political party even nominated a woman for president until 2016. Hillary Clinton, a U.S. senator and former first lady, came close in 2008 but lost the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama. She joined his cabinet as Secretary of State and, with that added credential, nabbed the 2016 nomination, only to lose to Trump, as Harris did on Tuesday when Democrats put a woman on the ticket a second time. In 1984, former Vice President Walter Mondale named New York Rep. Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate on the Democratic ticket, making her the first female vice presidential nominee from one of the major parties. Mondale lost to President Ronald Reagan, but it was an important step forward for women in politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona Sen. John McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate in 2008. Harris became the third woman nominated for vice president when Biden put her on the ticket in 2020, and she became the nations first female vice president. Five out of seven of the countries in the G7, the group of major Western democracies, have elected a woman as head of government: Canada, Germany, France, Britain and Italy, whose current prime minister is a woman. Japan and the U.S. are the outliers, and Canadas only female prime minister, Kim Campbell, held the office for just five months in 1993. Fourteen members of the G20 have selected a woman for the top job. Apart from the five from the G7, that list includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea and Turkey, plus the European Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The half-dozen holdouts in the G20 include three democracies, the United States, Japan and South Africa, plus Russia, Saudi Arabia and China. There are cultural factors at play. There are certainly other countries that are more supportive of advancing womens status culturally overall, Sinzdak said. Karen Beckwith, a Case Western Reserve University political scientist who studies women in politics in Western Europe and the U.S., pointed to the difference between a parliamentary system and a presidential system. In a parliamentary democracy, the parties pick their leaders and the electorate decides whether to put that party into power. That is, voters decide whether a female party leader will become prime minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Party insiders can topple a leader in that system. A U.S. president can only be forced from office through impeachment or if the cabinet invokes the 25th Amendment and declares the president incapacitated. Neither has occurred, though the House has impeached three presidents who were later acquitted in the Senate: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Trump, twice. A president, once in office, cant be removed, Beckwith noted. This might be part of the reluctance of political parties in the U.S. The first hurdle to getting elected president is winning the nomination. Until recent decades, the talent pool of senators and governors was so male-dominated that the odds remained stacked heavily against women having a shot at national office. If parties are truly committed to eventually electing a woman as president, they need to make intentional efforts to recruit more women for lower office, Sinzdak said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only 60 women have ever served in the U.S. Senate, according to Senate records 25 of them in office now, accounting for one quarter of the chambers membership. That includes Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who is retiring. The U.S. House has 126 female members out of 435, according to the Clerk of the House, plus four women in non-voting seats from U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Thats an all-time high. But at the current rate of progress, Beckwith said, it could take another 90 years before Congress has equal numbers of men and women. Arizona hasnt seemed to blink at electing women to high office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state was the first to have five women as governor, according to data from Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. Arizona also was home to the Fab Five the women elected in 1998 to the top statewide offices of governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer and superintendent of public instruction. Paul Bentz, a conservative analyst at the HighGround consulting firm, said that despite Arizonas electoral history, factors other than gender worked against Harris. That included her decision to focus more on Trumps negatives than her own proposals, and the brevity of her campaign after Biden dropped out. She had policy challenges and she suffered from an onslaught of attacks that were very difficult to come back from, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fridkin added that women do face a balancing act when running for office. They need to project positive female stereotypes, she said, while also showing they are tough, a strong leader, competent and able to deal with issues that dont conform to gender stereotypes. Three days before Election Day, Saturday Night Lives Weekend Update anchor Michael Che summed up the double-standard many experts see for women. He offered a long riff about Trumps flaws, then quipped, But this lady got a weird laugh, so I still cant decide. Politics isnt the only realm with a gender gap at the top. In the Fortune 500, just 10% of CEOs are women and nearly a quarter of them got the job in the last year. Sinzdak takes heart that, despite Harris defeat, her role as vice president and presidential nominee helps normalize the idea of female political leadership. Women are just part of the presidential election process and its not an unusual thing, she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United States stressed at the United Nations on Tuesday that "there must be no forcible displacement, nor policy of starvation in Gaza" by Israel, warning such policies would have grave implications under U.S. and international law. The remarks by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield came just hours after Washington said its ally Israel was doing enough to address the humanitarian crisis in Israel to avoid facing potential restrictions on U.S. military aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Still, Israel must ensure its actions are fully implemented - and its improvements sustained over time," Thomas-Greenfield told the U.N. Security Council. It was also urgently important that Israel pause implementation of a law banning the operation of the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, she added. The council met over a report by global hunger experts that said there was a "strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas" of northern Gaza as Israel pursues a military offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas in the area. "Most of Gaza is now a wasteland of rubble," acting U.N. aid chief Joyce Msuya told the council. "As I brief you, Israeli authorities are blocking humanitarian assistance from entering North Gaza, where fighting continues, and around 75,000 people remain with dwindling water and food supplies," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon rejected the famine warning by the global hunger experts as "simply false" and outlined efforts by Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. "I urge each of you to consider the facts. Look closely at Israel's actions on the ground. Consider the risks our soldiers take to uphold these humanitarian commitments, often in the face of active threats," Danon told the council. Slovenia's U.N. Ambassador Samuel Zbogar said the Security Council needed to take action. "More than a year into the war, we cannot accept assurances implying that everything possible is being done for protection of civilian population in Gaza. This is simply not true," he told the council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. Security Council is currently discussing a draft resolution that "demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire to be respected by all parties" in Gaza. It also "demands the facilitation of full, rapid, safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance at scale to and throughout the Gaza Strip and its delivery to all Palestinian civilians who need it." The text was drafted by the elected 10 members of the council, who began negotiating with the permanent five veto-wielding members - Russia, China, the U.S., Britain and France - at the beginning of November. Russia and China on Tuesday backed the draft text and called for it to be put to a vote as soon as possible. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes to pass. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Eric Beech and Lincoln Feast.) NEW YORK (AP) The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that students eligible for free or reduced price school meals cannot be charged processing fees beginning in 2027. School districts currently work with processing companies to offer cashless payment systems for families. But the companies can charge processing fees for each transaction. By law, students who are eligible for reduced price meals cannot be charged more than 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. With processing fees, however, families can end up paying 10 times that amount. Processing companies charge as much as $3.25 or 4% to 5% per transaction, according to a recent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. For families with lower incomes who cant afford to load large sums in one go, processing fees can arrive weekly or even more frequently, increasing costs disproportionately. Families that qualify for free or reduced lunch pay as much as 60 cents per dollar in fees when paying for school lunches electronically, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new Agriculture Departments policy becomes effective starting in the 2027-2028 school year. With this rule, the USDA will lower costs for families with income under 185% of federal poverty guidelines, which equals $57,720 for a family of four. USDA and schools across America share the common goal of nourishing schoolchildren and giving them the fuel they need to learn, grow and thrive, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement Friday. While todays action to eliminate extra fees for lower-income households is a major step in the right direction, the most equitable path forward is to offer every child access to healthy school meals at no cost. We will continue to work with Congress to move toward that goal so all kids have the nutrition they need to reach their full potential. The decision by the USDA follows a CFPB report that found online school meal payments predominantly affect low-income families. School lunch fees collectively cost families upwards of $100 million each year, according to the report. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has mandated that school districts inform families of their options since 2017, but even when parents are aware, having to pay by cash or check to avoid fees can be burdensome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just massively inconvenient, said Joanna Roa, 43, who works at Clemson University in South Carolina as a library specialist and has two school-aged children. Roa said that when her son was in first grade and she saw the $3.25-per-transaction fee for lunch account transactions, she and her husband decided to send him to school with packed lunches instead. A dollar here and there, I expected, she said. But $3.25 per transaction, especially here in rural South Carolina where the cost of living is a lot lower as are the salaries is a lot. Roa said packing lunch for two kids every day became a burden in both time and effort for two working parents. For the past two years, thanks to surplus funds, her school district has been providing free school lunches which has changed the equation, but Roa said that could end at any point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its review of the 300 largest public school districts in the U.S., the CFPB found that 87% of sampled districts contract with payment processors. Within those districts, the companies charge an average of $2.37 or 4.4% of the total transaction, each time money is added to a childs account. While payment companies maintain that school districts can negotiate fees and rates before they agree to contracts, the CFPB found that complex company structures may insulate companies from competition and make school districts less likely to negotiate. Just three companies MySchoolBucks, SchoolCafe, and LINQ Connect dominate the market, according to the report. Without the ability to choose which company to work with, families have fewer ways to avoid harmful practices, the agency said, including those that may violate federal consumer protection law. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Hundreds of thousands of people have signed up for a rival social media platform after Elon Musks X helped propel Donald Trump to a second term in the White House. In the week since the election, more than 700,000 new users signed up for Bluesky, a site that aims to capture the freewheeling feeling of Twitter back before it became Xand was over-run with bots and virulent hate speech, the Guardian reported. Musk has been one of Trumps biggest campaign supporters, pouring an estimated $200 million into pro-Trump super PACs and running the Republican presidential candidates ground game in key battleground states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes also allowed X to become a cesspool of misinformation and Russian interference. Throughout the election, the platforms algorithm seemed to push pro-Trump content while burying posts from liberal politicians and pundits. Musk himself created more than 85 inaccurate posts that were viewed a collective 2 billion times, Reuters reported. Most of Blueskys new users are from North America and the UK, the Guardian reported, suggesting that people are tired of Xs billionaire owner acting as Trumps unofficial minister of propaganda. Despite the surge on Bluesky, X still has far more users. The platform reports 250 million daily users and 550 million monthly visitors, compared to Blueskys 14.5 million global users. Threads, a competitor from Mark Zuckerbergs Meta, boasts more than 275 million users, while Trumps Truth Social has a paltry 2 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with more and more people fed up with billionaire-backed platforms, Bluesky has emerged as an alternative for people who want fewer rage posts, better moderation and more control over their feeds. No one is threatening me here, and its making me suspicious, wrote one user with more than 15,000 followers. That feeling has recently inspired several high-profile liberal users to become active on the site. Hello Less Hateful World, Mark Cuban posted on Tuesday. The site started as a project within Twitter and became an independent company in 2022. Its a Public Benefit Corporation mostly owned by its chief executive, Jay Graber, and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey previously sat on the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A quick perusal of the Bluesky homepage feed does indeed feel like the Twitter of old: cat videos, dog memes, comics and election jokes instead of tirades. Should I tell Twitter Im here? New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted on Tuesday. I dont want to inadvertently cause an influx of all the worst accounts on the internet. Half an hour later, shed decided: Im gonna wait for now. Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, is pictured on the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Results for 15 Utah Senate seats that were on the ballot may not be yet certified, but with many races apparently decided, the Utah Senate Democrats chose minority leadership at a caucus meeting Friday. While some names may be familiar, there was a little restructuring in an all-female group of leaders. Salt Lake City Democratic Sen. Luz Escamilla is returning as minority leader, a spot she has held since 2023. Shes a banker who last general session sponsored a few health care bills, including an annual update of the states medical cannabis code and legislation aimed to include coverage for doula services under Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also a resident of Salt Lake Citys west side, she has advocated for air quality regulations and child care programs. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX I am honored to continue serving as Senate Minority Leader and to continue serving with the Senate Minority Caucus to represent and stand up for all Utahns, especially those who often feel underserved and underrepresented in our Capitol, Escamilla said in a news release. We will continue working collaboratively with the Majority to create good policy always upholding integrity, respect, and the values that strengthen our Senate and our state. Sen. Karen Kwan, D-Taylorsville, a psychology associate professor at Salt Lake Community College, will now serve as minority whip. Kwans seat was challenged by West Valley City Republican Rep. Judy Weeks-Rohner. However, unofficial results show that Kwan is leading that contest by about 13 percentage points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a change from last year, when Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, held that role. Riebe, a teacher, will now serve as minority caucus manager, replacing Sen. Stephanie Pitcher, D-Salt Lake City in that leadership position. Pitchers district wasnt on the ballot this election cycle. Shes expected to keep her seat at the Senate until 2027. Sen. Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City, a physician who was elected to the Legislature in 2022, was reelected as minority assistant whip. House Democrats havent met to elect their new set of leaders. More information may be available after a caucus meeting planned for Nov. 19. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The University of Texas Permian Basin said it will be offering admission to nearly 900 students across the Ector County Independent School District as part of its Direct Admissions Program. The program looks to provide automatic admission for qualified seniors, streamlining their journey to college. By offering this pathway, UTPB said it reinforces its mission to make college more accessible and attainable. The UTPB Admissions team said it will be visiting ECISD high schools over the next couple weeks on the following dates: Permian High School Thursday, November 14 Odessa Collegiate Academy and OCTECHS Friday, November 15 New Tech Odessa Monday, November 18 Odessa High School Wednesday, November 20 STEM Academy Thursday, November 21 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are excited to continue our partnership with ECISD, providing a seamless path to higher education for students in our community, said Dr. Becky Spurlock, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. This program reflects UTPBs commitment to making college accessible for all and ensuring that higher education remains within reach for every student. UTPBs direct admissions program streamlines the process of applying for college, making it easier for our students to enter college and continue to pursue their academic dreams, said ECISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Keeley Boyer. Simply removing some of the challenges of applying makes a college education more accessible and attainable for hundreds of ECISD students. This is a partnership that truly transforms lives through opportunity. You can learn more about UTPBs Direct Admissions Program and the University on the UTPB website here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. BURLINGTON, Vt. (myCV) University of Vermont Police continue their search for a man who allegedly assaulted someone near campus earlier this month after a potential lead on a suspect fell through. On November 10, in a Campus Advisory, UVM police sought to identify a man they briefly detained near Slade Hall, after receiving reports that the man had been seen near and on campus in recent days. The department released photos of the man and asked that anyone who saw him call UVM police. Vermont veteran gives back to his community, one busload at a time Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UVM police now say that man was likely not involved. In a statement issued Thursday, they said the investigation into the assault is trending towards identifying these two incidents as being unassociated. Burlington police initially investigated the attack, which occurred around 1 a.m. November 2. According to UVM Police, Burlington police did not notify campus law enforcement of the alleged attack until November 8, when a UVM Campus Advisory reported that a man tackled a woman near South Prospect and Maple streets and attempted to remove her clothing. Police said friends of the victim intervened and the assailant fled on foot. He was described as white and in his 30s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the assault, UVM Police say they have increased security and are asking anyone with information to call 802-656-3473. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EMPORIA (KSNT) An Emporia nonprofit health center said it is experiencing a shortage of vaccine necessary for children to attend school. CareArc based out of Emporia announced in a press release on Tuesday, Nov. 12 that it has a shortage of the meningitis vaccine provided to the community through its Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. Meningitis vaccines are required for children to attend school. CareArc said it is waiting for additional shipments of the vaccine but have been told deliveries of this will be delayed for November. The health center said it is working with state officials to acquire more of the vaccines for local children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We encourage families to stay in touch with us, and we will notify them immediately once the vaccine arrives, said Melissa Smith, CareArc Community Health manager. Our commitment is to ensure that every eligible child has access to the vaccines they need, and we appreciate our communitys patience during this delay. Teens record themselves setting fire to Manhattan warehouse: RCPD People interested in learning more about the VFC or CareArcs services can call 620-342-4864 or head to its website. VFC provides vaccines for children who are uninsured, underinsured or covered by Medicaid to ensure all children have access to necessary immunizations regardless of their financial situations. 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. Jorge Cortes/X Marbella has been hit by a tornado as residents on Spains Costa del Sol rushed to save their cars by tying them to lamp posts amid further flood warnings in the region. Three waterspouts were seen twisting across the surface of the sea, with one making landfall in the coastal city and destroying property, footage posted on social media showed. Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes in the Malaga province, which includes Marbella, Velez and Estepona, on Tuesday evening as the area braced for an extreme storm known as Dana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came just two weeks after the Valencia region, to the north-east, was ravaged by the worst flooding in Spains modern history, killing at least 220 people. The city of Malaga also flooded on Wednesday as the Guadalmedina River was overwhelmed by heavy rainfall. In one hour in the morning, 78 millimetres of rain fell in the city centre. A woman takes a photo as she wades along a flooded street in Malaga - Maria Alonso/Shutterstock Floodwater cascades into a department store in Malaga - Social media Videos showed fast-flowing muddy water rushing down streets, washing away motorbikes and partially submerging cars as residents waded through waist-high floods, with more rain expected. Ahead of the storms arrival, some residents attempted to protect their vehicles with DIY methods. Images posted on social media showed cars wrapped in layers of plastic and attached to breeze blocks and lamp posts. A car is seen wrapped in plastic and tied to a lamp post following warnings of more heavy rain - A/NPZ/SM/SOCIAL MEDIA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday evening, Spains Aemet meteorological agency placed the coastal areas of Valencia, including the worst-affected areas from the previous floods, on a red alert for heavy rainfall. Valencias regional government quickly sent a text message alert to the population in those areas saying that schools, sporting facilities and daycare centres would be closed on Thursday. It also said the use of private vehicles was now restricted. Catalonia, in the north-east particularly the coast near Tarragona was also on red alert on Wednesday as it braced for expected torrential rain. Schools across the province of Malaga were closed on Wednesday, while all train services were suspended. Strong winds and rain also caused the re-routing of several flights that had been scheduled to land at Malaga airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no immediate reports of any casualties as a result of the latest flooding. The Civil Protection Agency for Malaga province also sent out alerts in Spanish and English to all mobile phones in the area on Tuesday night, telling people to avoid leaving their homes on Wednesday if possible. Malagas capital and coast are flanked to the north by steep hilly areas, where rivers can quickly become raging torrents in heavy rainstorms. Spains Aemet meteorological agency issued a red rain warning for Malaga province on Tuesday - Guillaume Pinon/Shutterstock In one hour on Wednesday morning, 78 millimetres of rain fell in Malagas city centre - Guillaume Pinon/Shutterstock The fast response from officials comes in contrast to the lack of preventive action taken by Valencias regional authorities on the eve of the Oct 29 disaster. There were no generalised closures, and a mobile phone alert was issued only once the fatal flooding had begun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our aim is to avoid people travelling, Juanma Moreno, Andalusias regional president, said on Wednesday. His comments come after dozens of people died in the earlier floods after being swept away while driving. During the Oct 29 rainstorms, a 71-year-old British man died of a cardiac arrest after being rescued from his home in Alhaurin de la Torre, near Malaga. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After millions on the East Coast experienced Verizon Fios internet outages on Tuesday morning, the internet provider failed to provide an estimated restoral time. Verizon Fios is a fiber-optic internet, telephone, and television service provider by Verizon Communications. According to Newsweek, many people reported Verizon Fios internet outages on November 12, with the network receiving thousands of customer complaints. In a new X (formerly Twitter) post, the company assured customers they would restore services as soon as possible. Verizon responds to Fios customers having no internet On November 12, Verizon Support responded to customer complaints about internet outages on X (formerly Twitter). The service provider responded to a customers complaint about a massive internet outage. They further confirmed getting several reports from the users area for service issues. Although the company couldnt provide an estimated restoral time, they assured the customers of working on restoring the services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As per Newsweek, reports of the outage increased between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m. ET early Tuesday morning. Based on a map of user-reported issues on Downdetector, the outage spanned approximately 300 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Richmond, Virginia. The outlet further reported that most of the complaints were about internet-related issues, followed by problems of total blackout and disruptions in TV streaming. Earlier, Verizon Support posted a notice on X, assuming either an outage or network maintenance impacting the area. They were trying to gather information to provide users with an update. However, the service provider has yet to provide a restoral time. The Verizon outage has left its customers anxious, as evidenced by their tweets. One user claimed that the service provider left all the night owls worried, confirming outages in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Meanwhile, others used the opportunity to trend memes about Verizons response to the massive outage. The post Verizon Provides Internet Outage Update to Fios Customers appeared first on Mandatory. Larry Brown has spent most of his life serving others, from spending time in the military to working in construction to getting kids to school. To all my brothers and sisters on Veterans Day, regardless of their service, or how long theyve been in, he says. I respect each and every one of them and I just just stay strong. Thats the biggest thing, just stay strong. Brown joined the military when he was 17. Now more than 45 years later the 63-year-old is giving back to his community in a new way, by keeping Vermonts kids safe. Brown has been driving school buses for Mountain Transit for close to a decade and says his time as a soldier is what has given him strength to do his job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vermont Air National Guard to hold night flight training this week It taught me compassion and understanding and patience. And as a bus driver, anybody who has ever been on a school bus, whether a student or an adult, can understand that it can get pretty hectic sometimes. Brown has served many roles in Minnesota, Germany, Virginia, Texas, Vermont and Massachusetts. He was a military guidance counselor before returning to Vermont for retirement in 1999 and falling in love with the girl next door, who would become his wife. While Brown looks back fondly on his time in the military, he says it could be hard to miss life events with family. But at the end of the day, he says does not regret a minute of his service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its the best thing since sliced bread. If I had to do it all over again I certainly would. Today, Brown says, he makes an effort to check-in with every single kid on his route. He has even saved a life, by using his military skills to perform first aid on a 5th grader who was choking on a piece of candy on his bus. Part of that compassion, he says, comes from recognizing hardships of returning back to normal life. All youve got to do is ask. And I say that to any service member, anyone getting out of the service. Ask for the help you think you may or may not need, because theres agencies out there to give you the exact help you do need. Resources for veterans can be found 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 ABC22 & FOX44. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Spirit Airlines suspended flights to Haiti after gunfire hit the plane, and injured a crew member. A passenger on flight 951 shared his experience. A flight attendant on board had reported minor injuries. No guest on the airline reported injuries from the incident. It was very intense. It was normal until there was a loud bang or crash sound when the bullets hit the fuselage. And then the plane which was cruising into regular landing hit the gas and took altitude and got the heck out of the Port-au-Prince area, said Kevin Adair, a passenger on the flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, they are aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince. NBC NBC Spirit alongside JetBlue and American Airlines have suspended flights to Haiti due to warnings. According to NBC News, a JetBlue flight arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Port-au-Prince and found evidence during a post-flight inspection that the plane exterior was struck by a round. The Spirit Airlines flight was from Fort Lauderdale and was heading to Port-au-Prince when it was struck by gunfire. The plane was diverted and landed in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first announcement was from the pilot. He said due to the circumstances on the ground in Haiti, we were going to be diverting to Santiago in the Dominican Republic, Adair said. Spirit Airlines suspended flights until Nov. 18 to and from Cap Haitien, Haiti, and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Due to the ongoing civil unrest flights to and from Haiti through JetBlue will be suspended until at least Dec. 2, JetBlue announced in a Travel Alert. In a travel alert on the American Airlines website, they announced due to civil unrest they have suspended flights to Port-au-Prince as well. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti advises the public to avoid travel to Haiti 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 WFLA. Marquez, TX (FOX 44) Army veteran Bryan Vadney used to love life, was being active, spent time with family and friends, and took part in his favorite activities. The Veteran began suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, also called OSA. Combined with other underlying conditions, this began taking a toll on his physical and mental health. My whole world was just falling apart, and I didnt think I was going to last much longer. I was getting sick all the time, says Bryan. I was just so tired. I couldnt remember anything. I had brain fog all the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryans wife, Michele Vadney, watched him go from a lively, energetic person who was always on the move to someone struggling just to make it through each day. I had been watching him and just kind of his mannerisms. I knew he was in a low spot and he would pull away and he would hide, says Michele. Bryans doctors hoped that getting his OSA under control would help with all his other issues, but the standard treatment options werent working. Including everything, Id probably say like 30 different things, including the all the pillows and the machines and the surgeries, probably 30 different things, says Bryan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryans doctors urged him to try a new treatment called Inspire Sleep for his disorder. The treatment would involve undergoing another surgery. He was nervous and hopeless, but he was at rock bottom and figured it was either that or nothing. Bryan has sensors and devices on his right side near his ribs, another on his right pectoral muscle and another under his jaw that is connected to the tongue nerves. It starts about my mindset about 45 minutes after I turn it on, because thats about how long it takes me to go to sleep, says Bryan. Bryan doesnt remember much of when his first child was a baby because of the struggles he was facing, but he is making up for it now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont need nothing else. Not one thing in this house, not the house, nothing else. I just needed them, says Bryan. He wakes up every morning to get his kids ready for school, has the energy to play with them and feels like he finally has hope for 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 KWKT - FOX 44. Zoho Corporation, a global leader in business technology solutions, is making waves Down Under with a remarkable surge in growth and a renewed commitment to bolstering Australian businesses. At the annual Zoholics user conference in Sydney, Zoho announced a 19% increase in new customers and an 18% boost in revenue, signaling not just numbers but a deepening relationship with the Australian market after setting up shop in Adelaide, South Australia. In a business landscape where adaptability and innovation are paramount, Zohos approach resonates with the entrepreneurial spirit inherent in Australian businesses. The company isnt just expanding; its embedding itself within the fabric of the local business community through strategic partnerships, innovative products, and community-driven initiatives. Its a move that goes beyond mere market penetrationits about strengthening Australian businesses from the grassroots level. iTWire was on-site at Zoholics Sydney 2024, mingling with a diverse crowd of enthusiastic attendees. From the show of hands during the welcome address, it was evident that for many, this was their first foray into the world of Zoho. It brings to mind a sentiment that has followed Zoho for some time: Zoho might just be the biggest tech company youve never heard of. But with over 100 million users globally, perhaps its time we all paid a bit more attention. Having had the pleasure of attending Zoholics in Austin, Texas earlier in the year I was able confirm the level of excitement in Sydney from those experiencing Zoho for the first time was refreshing. The true value of Zoholics lies not just in the wealth of knowledge shared by Zohos own experts but in the connections forged between attendees. Theres a certain magic in seeing business owners and professionals come together, sharing challenges and solutions, and realising that they are not alone in their journeys. Its this sense of community that sets Zoho apart and I for one know that chatting with other business owners and employees to hear their pain points, their objections and how they are overcoming them is eye opening and you always walk away with a newfound appreciation on how you can make changes or implement things in your own company. But its not just about feel-good moments; Zoho is backing up its Australian investment with its new Adelaide office with some serious commitments. The company recently announced a significant partnership with NVIDIA, investing a total of approximately $30 million over the next 12 months to build and deploy large language models tailored specifically for enterprise use. This move will undoubtedly benefit the 700,000 businesses using their suite of applications, propelling them into the future of AI-driven efficiency. Image: Chief Strategy Officer, Vijay Sundaram welcomes everyone to Zoholics Rakesh Prabhakar, Head of Zoho Australia and New Zealand, encapsulated the companys ethos perfectly: Since our arrival in Australia over five years ago, this market has grown significantly and is now among our fastest-growing globally. But as we continue our expansion, were committed to putting down deep roots, maintaining a focus on social responsibility, and empowering local businesses. Our goal isnt just to drive growth; its to support the very communities were part of. One of the most intriguing aspects of Zohos Australian strategy is its choice of Adelaide for its new officea decision that aligns with their transnational localism model. While tech giants often flock to Sydney or Melbourne, Zoho sees immense value in investing in regions that are ripe for innovation but perhaps overlooked. By choosing Adelaide, Zoho isnt just opening an office; its making a statement about its commitment to fostering growth where it can have the most significant impact. This decision is more than symbolic. Zoho plans to double its Australian workforce within the next three years to cater for Australian client's growth and has already demonstrated continued commitment by establishing data centers in Sydney and Melbourne. This local infrastructure not only ensures faster and more reliable services for Australian customers but also reinforces Zohos dedication to data sovereignty and privacya critical concern in todays digital age. Speaking of growth, Zohos trajectory in Australia is nothing short of impressive. Since formally landing in 2019, the company has enjoyed a compound annual growth rate of over 22% over the past three years. Their flagship productsZoho Workplace, Zoho One, Zoho Books, and Zoho CRMhave found a home across key industries, including education, healthcare, financial services, construction, and retail. Whats particularly noteworthy is that Australian customers are using an average of 18 Zoho applications, highlighting the depth and integration of Zohos offerings. I have been in the procurement process of finding application suites or tools to implement into a business. It is time consuming. It is fraught with risk of not having done the due diligence correctly. Will the integration be seamless? Will it cater to the needs in the long term? Will the business continue to be around in a few years? Zoho answers all these questions and more with their vast 55 plus application suite that lets you take one, some, or as many as you may need. With many offerings fully featured free versions and 14-day noncommittal trials, Zoho takes the approach that you will fall in love with their products like many of the 700,000+ other businesses already have just by giving them a go and seeing the value in person. Vijay Sundaram, Chief Strategy Officer at Zoho describes the investment in South Australia as creating a benchmark of success in the region that they can continue to replicate around the country, built upon a foundation of great relationship with customers and partners and based on their growth numbers they are on track. Its not just about the products, though. Zoho has doubled its partner network since 2021, creating a diverse ecosystem of resellers, distributors, and integration partners. This network plays a crucial role in providing services like data migration, third-party integrations, and customised applications, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can leverage Zohos tools effectively. Something that sets Zoho apart from others is its commitment to the broader community. In India their School of Zoho does away with traditional academic models and focuses on mentorship and guidance to those that may have fire in their bellies. Similar programs are being looked at in the United States with community colleges. This community and knowledge and culture transfer has been brought to Australia through its partnership with SA Leaders. Zoho is investing in the next generation of business owners and leaders in South Australia, providing mentorship and development opportunities that foster a thriving business environment. Zohos workshops guide entrepreneurs in streamlining critical business functions, contributing to South Australias reputation as a hub of innovation. In the realm of cybersecurity, Zohos collaboration with Cyber Wardensa government-backed cybersecurity education initiativeis both timely and essential. With cyber threats escalating, small businesses are particularly vulnerable. Zohos partnership aims to equip these businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to defend against digital attacks. Its a proactive approach that underscores the companys understanding of the challenges facing modern businesses. Having been through a cyber incident, knowing both the financial and emotional toll it can have on an organisation, this level of support is refreshing and often small to medium businesses lack the knowledge, expertise and budget to fortify their businesses. Zoho aims and from what I have seen, can solve that problem. Further extending its community focus, Zoho has partnered with local councils to offer educational events and training sessions. A recent workshop in Wyndham, Victoria, saw Zoho teaching small business owners and leaders how to optimise sales processes and build effective funnels. Additionally, Zoho supports Australian nonprofits through ConnectingUp, offering discounted access to key products like Zoho One and Zoho CRM, ensuring that organisations doing good can also operate efficiently. The investment into Australia is real, and whilst their time within the country has been short, they are proving that they offer real world solutions and are here to help. At the heart of all this is a steadfast commitment to privacy. Zohos global privacy pledge is unambiguous: no ad revenue, full data ownership, and complete customer control. By operating its own data centers, Zoho ensures end-to-end oversight of data security and privacy, a critical promise in a world where data breaches are all too common. This philosophy has filtered down to their products where permissions and team-based roles and access are in the hands of the administrators of the application. Zohos investment in Australia is the real deal, and even though theyve not been here long, theyre showing theyve got real-world solutions and are here to lend a hand. Looking back on the hustle and bustle at Zoholics Sydney, its clear that Zoho is more than just a bunch of business apps; its a game-changer in the Aussie business landscape. Their holistic approachmixing innovative tech, community engagement, and a deep respect for privacyreally hits the mark for modern businesses. I reckon many left Zoholics with a newfound belief that theres a tech giant out there, ready and willing to tackle any of the daily challenges businesses face. You could see and hear it as people exited every session. How did I make it this far without mentioning AI? I think it is some kind of record. Dont worry, Zoho have not forgotten that either and their platform is deeply embedding AI and special mention will go to their agent Zia, the all-encompassing best friend across all your Zoho apps. Zia allows natural language querying against your (and yours alone) data to help navigate, make sense and interact with it. In the ever-growing field of AI and agents I can see Zia growing to have independent brothers and sisters deployed across as many verticals as possible, each talking to each other to ensure task specific success and working seamlessly together. Questioned on whether this is the case, well, time will tell, but I think we have only seen the beginning of Zias capabilities and with a 16,000 strong workforce, Zoho are continuing to innovate at a rapid pace. As someone deeply embedded in the tech community, its exciting to see a company not just expanding but doing so thoughtfully, with a genuine commitment to making a positive impact. Zoho might have been the biggest IT company youve never heard of, but judging by their trajectory and the buzz at Zoholics, thats about to change. In a world where tech can often feel cold and impersonal, Zohos approach is a breath of fresh air. Its not just about the software; its about empowering people, fostering connections, and building a community that thrives together. As Aussie businesses steer through the challenges and opportunities of the digital age, having a mate like Zoho in their corner could make all the difference. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A retired Marine who was once in a fight for his life is now helping educate younger generations in West Michigan. With a father and grandparents who served, the military has always been a part of Bryan Forneys life. I was born on a Marine Corps base in Camp Pendleton, California. My dad was an artillery Marine, Forney said. After graduating high school in 1993, he attended the Naval Academy, earning a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering. An undated photo of Bryan Forney. (Courtesy) An undated photo of Bryan Forney. (Courtesy) Forney was later service-selected to the Marine Corps where he became qualified as a CH-46 helicopter pilot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Female reservist who graduated Ranger School honored at GVSU veterans event Always wanted to serve something greater than myself. Always been a patriot, and love the country and what it stands for, Forney said. I cant really remember a time when I wasnt thinking of going to the military. An undated photo of Bryan Forney (right). (Courtesy) On Feb. 20, 2013, Forneys life changed forever. While doing mountain training in Thailand during Exercise Cobra Gold, he was critically injured during a helicopter mishap. We as a crew just kind of lost sight of a tree that was behind us, Forney said. As I took power off the airplane, the rotor blades came down a little bit, hit the tree, and broke one of the rotor blades. That put the airplane out of balance and about five seconds after we hit the tree, the airplane basically ripped itself apart. An undated photo of Bryan Forney. (Courtesy) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forney was with others who were able to escape the wreckage, but he remained trapped. Just when he thought he may be out of time, he was rescued. Kent County veterans called to honor brothers and sisters at funerals I was able to get my feet out from underneath the console and across my copilots seat. That was as far as I could get because of my other injuries, and luckily for me my crew chief ran up and made one last time attempt to basically reach through the flames, found my boots, and pulled me out, Forney said. An undated photo of Bryan Forney and his wife. (Courtesy) The whole time, he said his mind was on his family. They say your life kind of flashes before your eyes, I didnt really experience that. It was just kind of Man, I screwed up and Im not going to see my wife and kids,' Forney said. An undated photo of Bryan Forney. (Courtesy) An undated photo of Bryan Forney and his children. (Courtesy) The incident left Forney with severe burns and injuries to his left hand and arm, which now causes him to use a prosthetic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New trees spruce up Wyoming veterans memorial wall After being treated at facilities overseas, he was flown to the U.S. militarys burn center in San Antonio, where he continued to recover. I joke with people all the time. Theyre like Hey, its really impressive you made it through. And Im like, My job for like five straight months was to just not stop breathing,' Forney said. Earlier in his career Forney also taught at the U.S. Naval Academy. So when he was able to work again, life led him to give back to young people. I remember going through my recovery and I was like, one of the things I can still do is teach, Forney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He taught for several years within Grand Rapids Public Schools. Hes now an engineering department leader and teacher at the West Michigan Aviation Academy. As a Marine Corps officer, we spend a lot of time with young Marines. Well, theyre not a whole lot older than high school students, Forney said. Veteran gets accessible shower through Baths for the Brave initiative In his role, he wants to help fill a need for trained engineers. Its also about giving students skills through engineering that they can carry throughout life. Take a complex problem, break it down into pieces, identify what the actual problem is, and then start looking at what success looks like and then start that process. So I think everyone benefits from it, Forney explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said interacting with students and being in the classroom has been very fulfilling. How a Caledonia alum created an interactive memorial wall honoring veterans There are days when Im making them write stuff down in their engineering notebooks that theyre not super thrilled with me but by and large they have fun in these classes and thats what makes this great, Forney said. He also told News 8 hes thankful that the support of his family and his faith guided him through adversity. Everything is burning around you and its all falling apart, having a little bit of faith, hope and trust. Its amazing what (God) can do with whatever mess you create, Forney 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 WOODTV.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The entire Miami Valley celebrated Veterans Day today, Nov. 11. Of all Ohios counties, Greene and Clark County are home to the highest number of veterans in the state. Annual breakfast gives Oakwood students a chance to say thanks to veterans Heres how our community paid their respects to those who fought: Springfield Springfield City School District held a schoolwide program kicking off at Kenwood Elementary with student speeches, plus performances from the high school marching band, drill team and color guard. The program honored community veterans and staff members who are also veterans. The Springfield High School chamber choir also performed during the Veterans Day Memorial Service at Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield. Students at Warder Park-Wayne Elementary also created cards to be distributed to veterans dining out for the holiday. Miamisburg The City of Miamisburg held a Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park today. Attendees heard speeches, bagpipes, and a 21 gun salute. Moraine The Mayor of Moraine led the Veterans Day Memorial service with guests including the citys manager, councilmembers, and residents. The Moraine Police Honor Guard performed the posting of the colors followed by a speech from Chaplain (MAJ-P) Brian Hargis. Centerville Centerville held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Cornerstone Park. The event began with the presentation of colors by representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9550, Centerville Police Department Honor Guard, and Washington Township Fire Department Honor Guard. The Centerville Community Band led attendees in the national anthem, with additional musical performances later in the program. The event featured keynote speaker Colonel Travis Pond, Deputy Commander of the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. A special acknowledgment was also made for the 2024 Veteran Honorees. Beavercreek Beavercreeks Parks, Recreation & Culture Division held a Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. 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. SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (KCAU) A special ceremony to honor veterans was held at Siouxland Freedom Park on Monday. The event included a presentation of the colors by several American Legion posts; the South Sioux City Middle School choir singing The Star-Spangled Banner; and a 21-gun salute. Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program John Ludwick, post commander of American Legion Post 307, said the event is a great way to remind residents the sacrifice these veterans made for future generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We always think about our brothers who are on the wall who didnt come back, who served gallantly, those of us who watched brave men die, Ludwick said. These kids today, the young people singing, theyre worth it. Thats what we fought for, so we can give them a future. Officials say the ceremony was going to happen no matter the weather. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Peterson Meadows Senior Living Center held its own Veterans Day celebration for veteran residents and their family members. Larry Sunke, a US Army veteran who served during the Korean War said military service instills a lot of discipline, a lot of organization, and everybody serving with you is your buddy. Theyre all looking out for you. The veterans and the families gathered on Monday had a chance to reminisce on their time in the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have this every year, said Karen Holmes, whose aunt answered the call of duty. And we have things during the year where just the vets all get together for coffee or something like that, you know? And that camaraderie is always going to be there. Veterans like Sunke were able to bring loved ones with them to Mondays event. Carol Ostroms son, Chuck, left for the military at the age of 18. He was home the evening before he left and after we had dinner he said, Mom, I need to say goodbye. Im on my way to serve our country,' she recalled. Holmes said her aunts strength is motivational for her, to this day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She learned to fly. And it was just always interesting to hear her story and hear my uncles story, too. It was very inspirational, she said. Ostrom offered advice for parents sending a child off to military service: Pray and ask for guidance and safety, and be proud. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS Veterans on both sides of the Mississippi River were honored across the area Monday. Members of the Manchester Department of Parks and Recreation hosted a veterans breakfast at American Legion Post 208. We just werent recognized for the job that we didits coming back to us now later on in life, Retired Navy veteran Bob Bell said. Ive gone through the honor flight program going to Washington, D.C., for a day, and that was awesome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers served pancakes, sausage and eggs to hundreds of those who served. Manchester Veterans Commission also flew a banner for their hometown heroes. Those of us who did serve in the Vietnam War era, we didnt get much when we came back. One of the parts in our program tonight is to recognize the Vietnam War era veterans and to say thank you to them again, Manchester Mayor and Army veteran Mike Clement said. Spire Missouri to lower monthly gas bills by 16% in St. Louis area Downtown, the French Society of St. Louis placed its annual wreath at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum. In the Metro East, combat veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth honored veterans and their families at Bellevilles 26th annual Veterans Day Ceremony. She also stopped at a veterans food giveaway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a day to thank all the military men and women who served, Duckworth said. To be here with the food pantry is so important. By the way, 26 percent of military men and women are food insecure, so it means a lot especially on Veterans Day to be here helping my fellow Americans who might be in need. The St. Louis Area Foodbank speaking to veterans food insecurity. We are looking to serve over 200 families here in Belleville and the same in St. Louis this afternoon, President & CEO St. Louis Area Foodbank Meredith Knopp 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 2. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)On Monday, as the country honored our veterans for their service and dedication to our nation, a special ceremony was held locally at the American Legion Memorial Plaza on Cross Lake. The plaza recognizes members of the five branches of the United States military. Bricks of Honor were laid in the walkway for military members who served at different times and in different conflicts. The posts commander says its a heartfelt way to recognize veterans service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a time when you can tell the very few that served, men and women that volunteered for our country, thank you, said Ben Cothran, the American Legion Post 14 commander. He adds that the United States might be a very different place without the service of the men and women in our Armed Forces. Veterans Parkway in N. Bossier will honor service, alleviate traffic Be glad that you are free. Theres a lot of places in the world where the people arent free. And they cant do what they want to, he said. Even as diverse of a country as we have we have to be thankful that we have the right to argue, bicker and fight. And we can do it peacefully, because you know theres a lot of places where its not like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Cothran, if you are interested in purchasing a Brick of Honor, they cost $50. He says the bricks are laid on the walkway every Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Contact American Legion Post 14 to purchase a brick for the memorial. The person does not have to be deceased to buy the brick in their honor. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Veterans from all branches were honored during two annual ceremonies at the state Capitol Campus on Monday, the Veterans Day holiday. At the annual Veterans Day ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, the invocation was given by Aaron SgtQ Quinonex, followed by keynote speaker Abuoh Neufville, an Army veteran who is now assistant director for veterans services, counseling and wellness for the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. Neufville encouraged all veterans to stay active in serving the community. Longtime Olympia broadcaster Dick Pust was the Master of Ceremonies for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda in Olympia Monday morning. He was joined at the podium by fellow Army veteran and current Olympia Mayor Dante Payne. Longtime Olympia broadcaster Dick Pust was the programs Master of Ceremonies and was joined at the podium by fellow Army veteran and current Olympia Mayor Dante Payne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Music was provided by the Washington State American Legion Band and the Olympia Youth Chorus. Immediately after the ceremony, the Sacajawea Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored those who served in the Vietnam war with a ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, just north of Sid Snyder Avenue Southwest. Along with the reading of names on the wall, a pinning ceremony was conducted for the spouses and other family members of deceased Vietnam veterans. MARYVILLE , Tenn. (WATE) Thirteen local veterans were honored Monday at their senior living community in Maryville. During the event the veterans sang patriotic tunes, received certificates and medallions for their service, as well as enjoyed food. It put tears in my eyes East TN group helps bring recognition to women veterans A Korean War veteran and New York police officer, Peter Leaming spoke about how service means everything to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its nice to know the people here are appreciative of what we tried to do. And we kept the country free and I really am proud of the fact that I served. Later, I joined the police department in Rochester, New York and served under or was bodyguard to President Kennedy, President Nixon, bodyguard for Hubert Humphrey and several other famous people, he explained. Its been quite a trip, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. Leaming now creates and sells artwork in his free time with 50% of the proceeds going to wounded soldiers in Florida. Another veteran that was honored named George Dillion, who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Dillon was a medic and combat veteran who explained he was a volunteer for many years in the Air Force and even spent some time in the Navy as well. Thank you Gatlinburg honors those who served at annual Veterans Day celebration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I served 26 and half years continuously, volunteer. The Air Force is all volunteer, no draft for the Air Force. They get more people than they can handle, Dillon said. I served 60 days with the Navy on the destroyer during the early space project, Project Mercury. Brookdale Sandy Springs senior living community has been around since 2000 and honors their veterans with this event every year. They also honor them daily with a wall of honor that includes photos of those who served. See more top stories on WATE.com Im thankful they recognize people here, Leaming said. This place where Im living is just a really nice place and I give thanks to the people that look after us. 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. BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A nearly-complete parkway is name in honor of a commitment to those who serve the nation. The Bossier Parish Police Jury held a dedication ceremony Monday afternoon for Veterans Day officially naming a new thoroughfare Veterans Parkway. The stretch of roadway in north Bossier connects Swan Lake road to Interstate 220, alleviating traffic on Airline Drive and Benton Road. The police jury wanted it as a way to signify the parishs important relationship with Barksdale Air Force Base. The bases Deputy Wing Commander Colonel Erick Lord said symbols like this are not just for veterans, but their families as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For service members we all willingly raise our right hand to give up rights and freedoms to defend rights and freedoms of those around the world. Our families however, they dont get a vote as often as they should. So when you come to a community like this. When every time Im off the installation and someone recognizes me and without fail say, what can we to support you and Barksdale Air Force Base? So quite heart-warming to know that no matter what happens inside the gates of the installation, every one outside the gates has our backs, Col. Lord said. The ceremony was attended by local and military leaders from across the state. Including the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, Colonel Charlton Meginley. Bossier Parish does it a little differently. You have a major installation here who is at the forefront of national security so the parish understands what it means to take care of the military and veterans families, Col. Meginley said. To let all veterans know and their families that we support them. We remember them and never forget them, said Douglass Rimmer, Bossier Parish Police Jury District 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four-mile veterans parkway project used $20-million in tax payer dollars to construct. It took two-years to complete and will officially be open to drivers by the end of 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 KTALnews.com. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Another Veterans Day goes by for Shoshana Johnson, yet the scars of war still live deep inside of her. The U.S. Armys first Black female prisoner of war still wonders why she is still standing and alive today. I question why Im still here considering that things could have been so different, said the El Paso, Texas, native. Johnson was recently invited to Charlotte to speak to fellow former service members with the group Impact100 Global Veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was there that the Iraq War veteran told her story of fear, torture and even hope. Over two decades ago, in the early days of the war in Iraq, the world watched on television the recorded images of a scared 30-year-old mother and Army cook as she was interrogated by Iraqi insurgents. Why the US celebrates Veterans Day and how the holiday has changed over time On March 23, 2003, during an early convoy to Baghdad, Johnsons unit, the 507th Maintenance Company, somehow made a wrong turn into An Nasiriyah. They quickly came under enemy attack. That morning of the ambush, I knew something was wrong deep in my soul deep in my soul, recalled Johnson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson points to unreliable radios and lack of proper checkpoint communications as some of the main logistic failures that day. As time has gone on, Ive let go of a lot of that but, there were mistakes made, said Johnson. Mistakes: Nine of her fellow soldiers were killed in that ambush. Johnson was shot in both of her lower legs. She was also beaten by enemy soldiers. Unable to walk, her tormentors dragged her into solitary confinement. Alone, Johnson was haunted by uncertainty and fear. As a female, I think of rape. Ive already been beaten slapped when I objected to being groped so it was very scary very scary, Johnson remembered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days later, massive Allied forces advanced on Baghdad, and Saddam Hussein went into hiding. In her book Im Still Standing, Johnson described a plan that was in the works to exchange Saddams freedom for the release of her and her fellow POWs. But that never happened. It didnt have to. Something much better was Johnsons rescue by the U.S. Marines. Her 22-day nightmare was over. Her many prayers were answered. My faith was there. It gave me comfort through those long days, and its given me comfort since then, said Johnson. VIDEO: Stewart-Haas plane gets water cannon salute for final race as NASCAR team Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson still struggles with the daily mental agony associated with combat-related illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder. But her new mission working with fellow veterans aids in her healing. It helps me as I try to help them, said Johnson. Her close friend and fellow veteran, Nichelle Gautier, agreed. Her story of bravery is amazing, said Gautier. She shows them (veterans) all shes been through and look how shes come out. All these years later, Johnson is grateful that she is still standing while pausing to reflect and remember fallen friends who arent. Me talking it means that people dont forget because I sure dont. I dont, said Johnson. 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. GUEST OPINION: In a world where market shifts, rising costs, and new regulations are constant, being flexible with finances helps businesses of all sizes react quickly to these changes. It lets them make smarter decisions and make sure their resources are working hard. However, recent research showed 60% of finance leaders found financial forecasting challenging due to its complexity.[1] Businesses without the right tools lack full visibility into operations and costs, making growth challenging to achieve. Fabian Calle, managing director, small and medium business, SAP Concur Australia and New Zealand said, "When businesses of all sizes approach their finances with agility, they can get real-time insights that help them act quickly and make smarter decisions. However, every business is different. Some need a clear view of expenditure specifically, while others are more focused on managing cashflow or staying compliant with legislation, regulations, or internal policies. "The value of scalable solutions is that they can flex to fit a businesss unique needs, whether its just getting started or in growth mode. These solutions give businesses the tools to stay on top of their finances, automate to save time, and tick all the compliance boxes while giving the insights needed to make confident choices." There are three ways scalable solutions can help businesses of all sizes manage their budgets effectively: Get a clear view of spending One of the biggest challenges for finance teams is managing spend. When businesses centralise their data, whether its travel, procurement, or daily expenses, they can see the full picture. With a central system in place, businesses can track every dollar, spot cost-saving opportunities, and reduce risk. This keeps businesses compliant and lets teams focus on more strategic work. Automate to save time and avoid mistakes Manual processes take time, lead to errors, and drain resources. In contrast, automation speeds things up, increases accuracy, and frees businesses up to focus on core tasks and projects. Businesses can flag potential issues immediately and ensure every expense follows policies by automating tasks such as audits. This cuts down manual work and lets teams focus on growth. Stay in control of cashflow Keeping cashflow steady is crucial for running and growing a business. Scalable solutions give businesses the tools to forecast spending and make real-time adjustments, so they always know where they stand. With these tools, businesses can keep their cashflow stable, even when things change unexpectedly. That flexibility keeps them prepared for whatever comes their way. How to get started with agile financial management Getting started doesnt have to be complicated. Businesses can make agile financial management work with: Centralised data: bring all expense, travel, and invoice information into one system to make tracking and reporting easier. bring all expense, travel, and invoice information into one system to make tracking and reporting easier. Automated processes: use automation to save time, reduce errors, and keep transactions moving smoothly. use automation to save time, reduce errors, and keep transactions moving smoothly. Flexibility: make sure the system offers real-time insights to quickly adjust when things change. make sure the system offers real-time insights to quickly adjust when things change. Empowered teams: give managers the tools they need to track budgets and make decisions before spending happens. Fabian Calle said, "Agile financial management is advantageous for organisations of all sizes, not just large enterprises. Every business can benefit from scalable solutions that grow with them. Whether businesses are looking to streamline the basics or fully automate workflows, these tools give them exactly what they need to succeed. When businesses of all sizes take the right approach, they stay in control of their finances, ready for whatever comes their way, and can keep driving growth without missing a beat." [1] https://www.concur.com.au/resource-centre/ebooks/7-ways-increase-visibility-and-control-over-spend DEAN (KFDX/KJTL) The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the identity of a man killed in a three-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon. According to Sergeant Gutierrez with the Texas DPS, the crash happened on Highway 79, approximately 5 miles northeast of Dean. RELATED STORY: DPS releases initial details in fatal Clay County wreck Brian Wayne Wilson, a 54-year-old Petrolia man, was stopped behind a 2012 Dodge Ram waiting for a school bus to finish unloading children when a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado struck him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His 2014 Chevrolet Cruze was then pushed into the Ram in front of him. Wilson was pronounced deceased on the scene. The crash remains under investigation. 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. U.S. Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego promised to fight for all Arizonans even the ones who didnt vote for him in a victory speech that noted his personal climb from poverty to the halls of power in Washington, D.C. Wearing the Marine Corps cap he often wore on the campaign trail and noting it was Veterans Day, the Iraq War vet acknowledged his own struggles, traced the contours of his own life story and said he wanted others to share in a triumph that should give hope. For the veterans out there that suffer from PTSD, for the single moms working two jobs and raising their three kids, the dads who have to miss bedtime because they want to work that extra shift, for the kids sleeping on the floor dreaming about a better, better America and a better, better future, this victory is for you, he said at American Legion Post 65 in Phoenix. Thank you, Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallego spoke late Monday night moments after media outlets projected he would win the race over Republican Kari Lake, whom he didnt mention in his remarks or wait to see if she would concede his victory. Lake made immediate no public statement on the result on social media or through her campaign. She never conceded her 2022 gubernatorial loss to Gov. Katie Hobbs. Gallego, a five-term Democrat in the House of Representatives, joins a Senate that will flip to Republican control when he arrives. On Monday, he said he would fight to ensure the Constitution and due process were followed, in an acknowledgement of battles to come with the second Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When its time to fight, we will fight the administration, he said. And if theres places where we can find common ground, well find common ground. But were going to make sure that we look at it every day from that sense and that point of view because at the end of the day, what is best for the state of Arizona? Asked if there were lessons from his success in an election cycle when many Democrats, especially Vice President Kamala Harris did not fare well, Gallego turned to retail politicking. What I learned is that you have to earn every vote. This is a swing state. There are 300,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats. I needed to earn support from all Arizonans, and so I went out and talked to everybody, he said. A long campaign: Ruben Gallego wins US Senate race, making Arizona history Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt agree with them all the time. They didnt agree with me all the time. But we had respectful conversations, and we walked away sometimes with support and sometimes we didnt. But I had to make sure that people knew I was out there talking to them and fighting for them, because hopefully at least then we could build some trust. From the start of his victory speech, Gallego nodded to the historic nature of his election. He was the first Latino elected to the Senate in Arizona history. Growing up poor, being here was something that was literally a dream, he said. His mother, Gallego said, did not have it easy. But she gave us everything she could. She worked night and day, all to give us a shot at the American Dream. Only in America can four children raised by an immigrant single mom grow up to be a teacher, a doctor, a businesswoman and, now, a soon-to-be senator. Filibuster should go, newly elected senator says Gallego held to his rhetoric on the legislative filibuster, saying the rule that can stymie majorities in the Senate needs reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a key point of disagreement he had with U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., whom he will succeed in the Senate. That position could be tested when Republicans take power by thin margins in the House and Senate in January and with Trump looking to move swiftly on his agenda. Ive always said that the filibuster should be reformed, Gallego said. I do think that it has been a tool of obstruction. It doesnt change that. Now its up to the Republicans in charge to figure out if they want to do that. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is for us to come up with solutions for Arizonans and for the American public. The filibuster effectively sets a 60-vote supermajority requirement for passing legislation in the Senate, often leading to gridlock in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sinema has called the filibuster an important guardrail for the institution. In January 2023, Sinema, speaking in Davos, Switzerland, told many of the worlds wealthiest and most influential leaders there was no need to dispense with the legislative filibuster after the 2022 midterms two months earlier. Most election deniers lost across the country, she said then. And individuals of both political parties some extreme, some moderate won. So, we had a free and fair election. So, one could posit that the push by one political party to eliminate an important guardrail and an institution in our country may have been premature or overreaching in order to get the short-term victories they wanted. At the same time, Gallego, not long after entering the Senate race, told MSNBC he wanted to change a rule that prevented Democrats from passing voting-rights legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My position is that the filibuster has to get reformed. Its not a tool of compromise. Its a tool of obstruction, he said then in words he repeated Monday. We pass bills out of the House that die in the Senate. At the end of the day, this is actually really used to stop real moral movement and actual laws actually help people in this country. How big was Gallego's margin of victory? The final margins of Gallegos win will depend on the official results once all the votes are counted, but by Monday night he was on track to win about 50% of the vote and defeat Lake by 2.2 percentage points. That would be nearly identical to Sinemas 2018 win over then-U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., when Sinema snapped a 30-year drought for Democrats in Senate races and won by 2.3 points. In 2020, Mark Kelly won by 2.3 points over McSally, who had been appointed to the Senate seat opened after the 2018 death of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallegos seat was the last seat decided on the 2024 Senate map. Overall, Democrats lost three seats to Republicans in Ohio, Montana and Pennsylvania. They split two seats held by former Democrats who became independents, one in Arizona and the other in West Virginia. It means that the GOP will effectively have a 52-48 edge over Democrats and their independent allies in the chamber beginning Jan. 3. Vice president-elect JD Vance will break any ties in the new Senate once he is sworn in on Jan. 20. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona's Ruben Gallego talks of his Senate win and the Trump agenda BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The Wall That Heals has been displayed in almost 700 American communities. On Tuesday afternoon, Panama City Beach Police and dozens of bikers escorted the display to the Callaway recreational complex for what will be the last stop of the year. This wall that heals provides a unique and emotional opportunity for community members, short of going to Washington D.C. The Wall That Heals is a 3/4 scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., it is 7.5 feet tall and 375 feet in length. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We realized that not everyone could come to Washington, D.C., either emotionally or physically or financially. And so we went out on the road bringing this to 29 communities each year allows us to have these people who can come and down and recognize that and come down. If theyre a Vietnam vet, they can bring their families, they can sit there and they can point to a name on the wall and say, This is the guy that I told you about. This is the guy who was with me and died the day that I was wounded, and they can help and share those stories, Director of Outreach for The Wall That Heals Tim Tetz said. City of Callaway hosts annual Veterans Day Celebration The Bay County Veterans Council is one of the many sponsors who played a part in coordinating the walls arrival. Members escorted the wall from Panama City Beach to Callaway with flags flying as high as their spirits. It mainly honors those that made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and gave their lives for their country and for their brothers and sisters in arms, Bay County Veterans Council Member Beast said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1,280 names on the wall are from Florida, 23 are from Bay County, and 4 are from Port St. Joe. This exhibit is free to attend and will open to the public on Wednesday, November 13, at 2:00 p.m. at the Callaway Recreation Complex. There will be an opening ceremony on Thursday, November 14, at 8:00 a.m. This wall is better looking than our wall in Washington, D.C. because of the new era lights that we have on it. So coming out and sitting there to reflect and understand that our nation turned our backs on our Vietnam veterans, but then we built this memorial. And because of our Vietnam veterans, we have transformed the nation now, Tetz said. On Friday, November 15, there will be an Agent Orange Awareness Candlelight Ceremony at 4:45 p.m. There will be a closing ceremony on Sunday, November 17, at 1:45 p.m. 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. VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) A Veterans Day parade swept the streets of Terre Haute. The parade had over 100 entries and spanned from 4th and Wabash all the way down to 12th Street. Marine Corps League 471 Commandant Randy Torrence says that the parade is only the beginning of a series of events honoring veterans. Were just going to drive down Wabash, throw a bunch of candy out for the kids, Torrence said. Then, we go to the VFW there at 12th and Mulberry, and we have an Armistice Ceremony where well be honoring our Grand Marshal, and hes a 96-year-old marine, Korean War veteran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parade spectator Eddy Adams says it is an easy choice for him to come out and support the veterans and their families and the sacrifices they have made over the years. I have family myself that served in several wars. Ive got friends that are with me today, their families have served as well, Adams said. Were here to show our support of the community and our support of veterans and its such a beautiful day, may God bless all of those folks and their families. Torrence says that the largest turnout the parade has seen means a great deal to everyone involved. With all the work that goes into it and all the people that come out to show their support to the veterans, it makes it all worth while, Torrence said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Torrence says that the turnout has grown each of the last three years, and he expects that trend to continue into 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 MyWabashValley.com. VIRGINIA BEACH The City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to again ask the General Assembly to change the city charter so that it aligns with the election system Virginia Beach used for the 2022 and 2024 elections. The vote has teed up a fight over the future of the citys election system and could have implications for how residents choose elected leaders for years to come. Several groups are publicly voicing their opinions about the election system including the Virginia NAACP, which wants the council to stand behind the current system in which residents within the citys 10 districts elect only their district representative and the mayor. On the flip side, several business and community groups along with a prominent local developer are urging the council to hold off on a charter change request and to consider bringing back a minimum of three seats elected at-large. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city charter amendment request is included in the citys draft legislative agenda, which is a list of requests presented to state legislators each year before they head to the General Assembly in January. The proposed amendment would allow the city charters text to formalize the so-called 10-1 system currently in use, which includes a 10-member City Council and the mayor. Virginia Beach made the same request at this years General Assembly. The governor ultimately vetoed it citing a pending lawsuit. The same lawsuit challenging the validity of the citys district voting system is currently moving forward in court. Previously, every City Council seat was at-large and voters across the city could vote for every council member. The 10-1 election system was implemented in 2022 after a federal judge deemed the previous at-large system illegal because it diluted minority voting power. Its adoption had an immediate impact on the citys representation. The council sworn into office in 2023 was the most diverse and possibly the youngest in city history with four Black representatives and four members under 45. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We stand firm with the 10-1 voting system in Virginia Beach, said Eric Majette, president of the Virginia Beach chapter of the Virginia NAACP. The 10-1 system gave us the most diverse city council in the history of the city. In last weeks election, voters choose one Black candidate and one Native American candidate to take the place of the two Black council members who ran for mayor and lost. The council will hold its second public hearing on the proposal Tuesday night followed by a vote on whether to include it in agenda. The council will also vote on the final agenda in its entirety. But some voters who live in one district and work in another say they deserve more representation, according to several business/community organizations that want reinstitute a few at-large seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, the presidents of the Virginia Beach Hotel Association, Virginia Beach Restaurant Association and Atlantic Avenue Association sent a letter to the City Council asking members not to pursue the charter change. The associations say they want a system that would reduce the number of district seats and create several at-large seats that would be elected by voters across the city. They suggested implementing three or four at-large seats, while keeping district-based representation for the remaining seats and the mayor elected at-large. The Atlantic Avenue Associations membership includes resort area businesses as well as two dozen Virginia Beach civic leagues and homeowner associations. Developer Bruce Thompson also recently weighed in on the matter, sending a letter to the council with his thoughts and results from two polls he said he commissioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My issue in the 10-district system, as it is currently proposed, is that citizens of Virginia Beach are only permitted to vote in every other election cycle for one City representative out of a ten-member council, Thompson wrote in the letter. Citizens being excluded from a complete election cycle in fact disenfranchises half or approximately 150,000 voters in Virginia Beach each election. City Council seats are for four-year terms, and elections take place every two years. This year, for example, the mayor and five council seats were up for election. Thompson recommended that the council gauge voters support for a 7-3-1 system that includes minority-majority districts through public hearings or by a ballot referendum. But Majette questions the motives behind those asking for at-large seats again and touted the district system for enabling a diverse slate of candidates to run for election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (District) representatives work for the people, not special interests, Majette said. You dont need to have a million dollars to run a citywide campaign. Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com On Nov. 5, 20204, A voter casts their ballot at the polling place inside Main Street Station in downtown Richmond. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) A majority of Virginians supported a referendum expanding the state Constitution to provide real estate tax relief to surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty. The Constitution only applied to 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action as determined by the U.S. Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginias unofficial election results show that 93% of Virginians supported the amendment through a referendum that was on the ballot last week. Its humbling to see the overwhelming support and to be able to help just over a hundred or so families, said Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, who carried the amendment in the Senate. I think people, once they read it and understood it, they got why it was so important. As part of the requirement to make any changes to the Constitution of Virginia, McPikes amendment had to pass successfully by a majority in both chambers in two separate sessions, intervening with a general election. McPike was able to garner the votes in 2023 and 2024. He said the expansion of the law will now also cover the spouses of service members, who, for example, may have died in a training accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under current law, the property tax exemption applies only to the spouses of service members who are either 100% disabled or who were killed in action a specific Department of Defense term indicating that the death occurred due to enemy action. Mitch Rubenstein, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Virginia, said in a statement that the organization appreciated the votes in support of the amendment. We are grateful to the voters for expanding the property tax exemption offered to surviving spouses of service members killed in action to spouses of any service member killed while honorably serving this nation, Rubenstein said. In 2022, lawmakers passed legislation carried by Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, that gave localities the authority to provide property tax relief to certain surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty (LODD). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the passage of the amendment, Friends of the Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP), an advocacy group for ensuring the states tuition beneficiary program is sustainable, said it hopes that localities will continue to offer the tax relief benefit in addition to the statewide tax exemption. Our hope is that, for the purposes of enactment, the amendment enabling language will include the ability for local authorities to continue or choose to provide additive relief, by establishing or continuing a special tax classification for LODD Survivors, to include Survivors of LODD Suicide, Friends of VMSDEP said in a statement. Enabling language should include property tax relief when the property is held in a revocable trust. The group also said it is seeking enabling language to allow survivors who lost their spouses in service prior to 9/11 when Line of Duty Determination Investigations were first conducted in order to render Line of Duty Death Determination Letters to provide alternative qualifying documentation. In addition, the organization said it is asking for language to recognize and include partial ownership for the purposes of proportional tax relief. Going forward, Friends of VMSDEP will advocate for and support legislation that provides statewide parity between tax relief for Survivors of LODD and survivors of the 100% disabled, the group said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX VIRGINIA BEACH Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration launched an all-in-one website for statewide veterans benefits during a Veterans Day event. Youngkin said the website, called the Virginia Veterans Network, would help veterans access state services like compensation, family support, disability services, job opportunities and other matters related to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and other organizations. We have systematically moved the needle in a big way, Youngkin said in a speech Monday during a Veterans Day luncheon in Virginia Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Services at the statewide agency for veterans are split up into six departments. Veterans accessed services by bouncing around from one office representative to another, Youngkin said. The new website provides an online portal that both brings together those state services and helps veterans access other services from hundreds of organizations outside the agency, according to a news release. This online portal includes hundreds of resources and is another example of how Virginia is committed to providing an excellent quality of life for veterans and their families, said Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Craig Crenshaw in the release. After the speech, Kim Lewis, secretary for the Hampton Roads Sapphire Veterans Inc. womens group, was helping people sign up for the website at an information booth inside the event. Dozens of veterans attended the Veterans Day celebration luncheon organized by the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis, a former master chief petty officer of the Navy, said she could have used the website when she retired in 2020 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. I got out during COVID, so there was literally nothing available for me to link me to and get my hands on, Lewis said. During his speech, Youngkin also praised lawmakers for fixing issues with a military family financial aid program for college and university tuition. After several chaotic meetings in the Virginia General Assembly, Youngkin signed a bill fully repealing controversial changes to the popular and growing Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program in July. Lawmakers are still debating how to make the program financially viable in the long term. Veterans can sign up for the new portal website at dvs.virginia.gov. Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com EMPORIA (KSNT) Visit Emporia announced Monday, Nov. 11 that its director is stepping down to take a new role at a different community organization. LeLan Dains is leaving his position as Director of Visit Emporia, according to a news release from the organization Monday, after serving in this role since April of 2021. He will take on the role of Executive Director at Emporia Spanish Speakers. LeLans vision and passion have left an indelible mark on Visit Emporia, and while he will be missed, the organization is thrilled to see him take on this vital role within Emporia Spanish Speakers. His commitment to serving the Emporia community will continue in a meaningful way, as he brings his expertise in community-building to foster cross-cultural connections and resources for Spanish-speaking residents. Statement excerpt from Visit Emporia news release Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restaurant offers $5,000 reward for eating challenge in Manhattan, Topeka The news release states that the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce will soon launch a search for a new director of Visit Emporia. The organization is looking for a candidate who shares the passion, dedication and leadership LeLan brought to the position. LeLan has been an invaluable asset to Visit Emporia, and we are deeply grateful for his contributions over the years, Jeanine McKenna, President of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, said. We look forward to the next chapter and welcome new ideas and energy as we work to find our next Director to lead Emporias tourism efforts. For more information on the search for the new Director of Visit Emporia, please contact Jeanine McKenna with the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce at jmckenna@emporiakschamber.org. 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. 9.40am: All my things were laid out ready for Remembrance Sunday. Black dress, black opaque tights, coat, a new poppy to go with the vintage enamel one that glints in my jewellery box awaiting its annual outing. I was still not dressed when Himself called up to say that there were police at the door for me. I did vaguely wonder what on earth they were doing here something to do with our road being closed for the parade? But I went downstairs to greet them at the door and apologised to the two young constables standing outside for still being in my dressing gown. I wasnt sorry for long. PC S, the one on the left, who did all the talking, told me that they were here to inform me that I had been accused of a non-crime hate incident (NCHI). It was to do with something I had posted on X (formerly Twitter) a year ago. A YEAR ago? Yes. Stirring up racial hatred, apparently. WHAT? I stood there in my slippered feet trying to take in what the police officer had said; our market town was filled with the sounds of preparation for the forthcoming parade a distant drummer, the metallic clang of barriers going up. Life going on as normal, but this wasnt normal; it was far from normal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What did this post I wrote that offended someone say? I asked. The constable said he wasnt allowed to tell me that. So whats the name of the person who made the complaint against me? He wasnt allowed to tell me that either, he said. You cant give me my accusers name? Its not the accuser, the PC said, looking down at his notes. Theyre called the victim. Ah, right. OK, youre here to accuse me of causing offence but Im not allowed to know what it is. Nor can I be told whom Im being accused by? How am I supposed to defend myself, then? The two policemen exchanged glances. Clearly, the Kafkaesque situation made no sense to them, either. I think, even by then, they dimly surmised they had picked on the wrong lady. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shocked. I was definitely shocked. Astonished. That too. Upset. How could I not be? Its never nice having the police at the door if youre a law-abiding person, because police at the door can mean only one of two things: tragedy or trouble. But to have them here on the saddest, most solemn date in the calendar with this kind of malevolent nonsense. It was surreal. (I have hundreds of black and Asian followers on X/Twitter; none of them ever suggested Id said something bad or hateful. Besides, who decides where you set the bar for whats offensive?) This is supposed to be 2024, not 1984, yet the police officers seemed to be operating according to the George Orwell operational manual. All those fluttering feelings and thoughts were elbowed aside by a surge of instinctive anger. A non-crime what the hell? Today, I began, trying to compose myself and aware of people on the other side of the street stopping to stare at the woman in a dressing gown addressing two coppers, we are commemorating hundreds of thousands of British men, most of them roughly the age you two are now, who gave their lives so that we could live in a free country, not under the jackboot of tyranny. And you, YOU come here on this sacred day You know, those soldiers, they could never have imagined that their country, our country, the country they died for, would ever become a place where the police would turn up at the door of a person who has done nothing wrong I think thats roughly what I said. Its what I felt, anyway. And as I spoke, warming to my theme, which was freedom, I realised how truly appalling this was. How un-British in the most painful way, this unwarranted intrusion of the state into my private life, this humiliating public reprimand for some casual comment online that had done what, exactly? Hurt whom, exactly? Stirred up hatred how, exactly? It was bloody outrageous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are living through an epidemic of stabbings, burglaries and violent crime not the non-crime variety which is not being adequately investigated by the police, yet they had somehow found time to come to my house and intimidate me. I really dont know what post they were referring to, although I do know that a year ago, I was consumed with the aftermath of the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas and the anti-Semitic slogans being brandished and chanted at pro-Palestine marches. Standing there on the doorstep, I suddenly thought of my friend who earlier this year had reported domestic violence, coercive control and fraud by their partner to the same Essex police force that this pair before me belonged to. The lackadaisical response from a constable assigned to the case was that a) It was a first offence so the abusive person probably wouldnt get charged so not worth bothering; b) The prisons were full so not worth bothering; and c) It was only my friends word against their partner. I drafted an Exocet of a reply for my friend. It told the policeman concerned that he had a duty to investigate this serious crime and that there was abundant evidence from banks, credit card companies and family members. With some reluctance, the force eventually made an arrest after the constable whined in a letter to my friend about the excessive language I had used in the Exocet which I had targeted at his lazy rear end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday morning, I suppose there was a certain grim satisfaction in knowing that, here I was, living proof that two-tier justice exists in the UK. If I went to a supermarket and helped myself to 199 of groceries, the police would almost certainly do nothing. We know that for a fact. Retailers all over the country have been complaining for months about soaring incidents of theft. But the police prefer to go after middle-aged women like me. People who have said something someone on the internet didnt like. Dont you think youre wasting police time? I asked the two young coppers. The one with a beard on the right had shuffled sideways and was now some distance from the door after my stirring Remembrance Day peroration, perhaps hoping to stay away from the blast area should your columnist self-combust. A very real possibility given the provocation. If my Twitter post was a year ago, why has it taken 12 months for you to come here and accuse me? What have the police been doing all that time? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Awkward silence. They were only doing their job, I knew that, and I almost felt sorry for them, but how sinister and odious that job has become. PC S asked for my phone number and email address in case they needed to call me in for an interview; I gave him my email only. What did those young officers feel as they left my home? Any tingle of shame for defiling Remembrance Sunday with authoritarian behaviour that would not have been out of place in the regime Britain gave her treasure and the flower of her youth to defeat? More likely, they went to Costa round the corner to grab a coffee and have a laugh at the crazy woman in the dressing gown who had ranted some stupid stuff about living in a free country: the unthinking commissars of wokery and censorship. Look, I was lucky. I am reasonably well-informed, I have a wonderful platform here at The Telegraph and as a member of the Free Speech Union (FSU) I can get crucial advice about how to fight back against vexatious NCHIs solicited by grievancemongers who despise those of us who hold centre-Right views and who dont agree that uncontrolled mass immigration has been an altogether unmitigated blessing. But a person who was more vulnerable and unsupported than I am would have been very scared by what I had just experienced. A visit from the police has a chilling effect on free speech, and thats exactly what NCHIs are designed to do, I think. Not just to shut down hate, whatever that is, but to make thinking outside the new approved public morality a dangerous activity. On Tuesday evening, Essex Police issued a statement to The Telegraph saying that they were investigating me under Section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986, relating to material allegedly likely or intended to cause racial hatred. In other words, my tweet was being treated as a criminal matter, rather than a non-crime hate incident, but that is not what I was told on Sunday. Purely by chance, I was scheduled to interview Bernie Spofforth on Monday for this weeks Planet Normal podcast. After the Southport massacre, in which three little girls were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, Bernie, a successful Cheshire businesswoman, retweeted a post that misidentified the alleged attacker as an asylum seeker. (The police told her that using the phrase asylum seeker was racist. Bernie had added the caveat, If this is true.) Normally the most conscientious researcher, Bernie realised her mistake and deleted the retweet within an hour, but not fast enough to avoid being partly blamed for inciting the Southport riots. It was a preposterous insinuation, and cynics might suggest the authorities were grateful for a white, middle-class scapegoat (look how keen they are to throw up a smokescreen around a crime if there is any hint of Islamist involvement). Six police officers came to Bernies farmhouse in three vehicles, including a van for prisoners. Treated like a terrorist in front of her ashen husband and daughter, she was taken to the police station and held in a cell for 36 hours. Just for a social media post, please note; not for being in possession of a bioweapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernies harrowing ordeal was followed by an NFA (No Further Action) ruling, because police evidence came nowhere near reaching the necessary threshold. Nonetheless, an emotional Bernie told me that, formerly a brave campaigner for truth in public life, she had been destroyed by what the police had done to her and the resulting damage to her reputation and career. Although my own brush with the law on Remembrance Sunday was a mere midge bite compared with what Spofforth endured I found myself getting tearful as I talked to her. For crying out loud, what has our country become? Big Brother really is watching us. I asked Toby Young, the founder and general secretary of the FSU, to explain NCHIs to me. The idea, Toby says, is if you nip hateful behaviour in the bud while it is still non-crime, the person wont go on to commit an actual crime. The trouble is, there is not a shred of evidence that it does anything of the sort. In January 2020, an ex-police officer called Harry Miller was shocked to be interviewed by a Humberside police constable after the force had received a complaint over tweets he had made in which he questioned whether transgender women were real women. It was recorded on a national database as a non-crime hate incident. Even though I had committed no crime the constable said he needed to check my thinking, recalled Miller, who said it made him frightened for his countrys future. Me too. Harry Miller went on to win an important case in the Court of Appeal (Miller v The College of Policing) which concluded that the recording of an NCHI interferes with the right to freedom of expression. Additional safeguards were necessary. Such interference, the court said, is lawful only if it can be justified as seeking to achieve a legitimate aim namely the prevention of crime or disorder or the protection of the rights of others and if the recording is made in accordance with a common-sense approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im afraid that commodity has been in perilously short supply. The FSU found that a quarter of a million NCHIs have been recorded since 2014 in England and Wales alone an average of more than 65 a day. So it seems I am in good or bad company as a non-criminal. Young points out that the FSU managed to get an NCHI removed from no less a person than a vice-chair of the Conservative Party last year. And even Amber Rudd, when she was home secretary, had an NCHI recorded against her after an Oxford professor complained about a speech she had made at wait for it the Tory party conference. If a senior politician can get slapped with a non-crime hate notice for making the not entirely controversial or repugnant suggestion that British job applicants should be prioritised over foreign workers, you know we really are in bonkers Alice in Wonderland, sentence-before-the-verdict territory. When Suella Braverman became the secretary of state, she saw, quite rightly, how NCHIs are in direct conflict with free speech, which she considers to be a cornerstone of our democracy. She wanted to get rid of them altogether but, not for the last time, Rishi Sunak was too timid to do the right and the Conservative thing. Instead, Braverman (assisted by the FSU lobbying in the Lords) introduced legislation that made the recording and retention of NCHIs subject to a statutory Code of Practice. That forced the College of Policing to issue new guidance telling officers to record an event as a non-crime hate incident only when the subject was motivated by intentional hostility towards a person based on a particular characteristic (disability, race, transgender etc). In theory, the evidence bar was now set very high and would prevent police hanging on to personal data like mine, which might come up on a search and cause problems in the future. Forces were on notice to take decisions that were sensible and in the public interest. In practice, police continued to do what most people regard as a complete waste of time and the number of NCHIs actually increased. I am told by a senior Home Office source that chief constables like NCHIs because they win them Brownie points from various pressure groups. Good news, we recorded 15 NCHIs for Islamophobia this month! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im afraid I dont share their enthusiasm for those blunt instruments of censorship and social control. Was it really in the public interest to send two police officers to my house on Sunday morning? What proof did Essex Police have that I was motivated by intentional hostility in a tweet 12 months ago whose contents they refuse to disclose? What threat of actual crime or disorder do I pose to anyone with a protected characteristic if any? How much common sense informed the polices approach? Most people would think this was stark staring mad, I reckon, yet it seems that Yvette Cooper, the new Home Secretary, may want to repeal Suella Bravermans statutory instrument and unleash ever more spurious NCHIs, presumably to encourage the British people to keep their traps shut. That does not suggest a happy, confident country or a political class that believes it governs with popular support. As the writer Charles Bukowski observed, Censorship is the tool of those who have the need to hide actualities from themselves and from others. Lets hope Yvette Cooper changes her mind and police stop bothering people who have done nothing wrong and stick to the bad guys. There is zero evidence that recording non-hate crimes reduces hate crimes, insists Young, Its just a smokescreen. The real reason is to punish people who dont comply with the gospel as promulgated by the church of woke. I didnt go to the Remembrance service after all that, the vintage poppy brooch went back in its box. I felt this terrible sadness. (What about my civil liberties do I have any?) I want to be proud of our country on that most solemn day, not ashamed and fearful of what we have become. Surely, if we know anything its that those who laid down their lives died for us to be free. Their astonishing sacrifice should be honoured, not traduced by stupid authoritarian measures like NCHIs. That really would be a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can listen to Allisons Planet Normal interview with Bernie Spofforth from Thursday Nov 14 at telegraph.co.uk/planet-normal or wherever you get your podcasts 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. FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) The spirit of Christmas was strong on Monday in Fairmont as two organizations partnered together to help local children have a magical Christmas. Volunteers with the Union Rescue Mission and Pierpont Community and Technical College spent their morning wrapping presents for families in need in preparation for the Union Rescue Mission Christmas Party which will take place on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Its an honor to be able to do this for the community of Fairmont. I dont currently live here, but I lived here for 22 years and now I live in Bridgeport and I keep coming back to this community, Union Rescue Mission Christmas Party Chairman Virginia Gallion said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds attend annual Fairmont Veterans Day parade Monday also marked the start of a series of community-oriented events at Pierpont Community and Technical College that it will be hosting as part of Your Community College Week. One of the delights of being part of a community technical college is that we are the communitys college and so were working very hard to put the community back in the college. So, this is not a one-off for us, but its part of who we are, Pierpont Community and Technical College President Milan Hayward said. To find out more about Pierpont Community and Technical Colleges events you can visit its website at Pierpont.edu. 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 WBOY.com. Bravo Zulu Barbeque logo (Image: New Sanno Hotel) The New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo is excited to announce the Nov. 18th opening Bravo Zulu Barbeque, a restaurant specializing in all things BBQ. Slow and low is the way to go is a mantra heard throughout time in smokehouses, backyard pits and fancy city barbecue joints across America. in Texas, Missouri, Tennessee and The Carolinas, its a time-honored tradition to prepare your meat, sauces and sides with tried-and-true recipes, handed down from generation to generation. At Bravo Zulu Barbecue, we are tipping our trucker hats and paying homage to the great barbecue regions of America, blazing a new trail while respecting the pit masters before us. Providing quality and value, there is something for everyone at this family-friendly joint. Its time to BBQ at New Sanno! For more information, check out our website. SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) Voters in a Southern California city rejected a measure that would have allowed residents who arent U.S. citizens to vote in local elections. Measure DD was rejected by 60% of the voters in Santa Ana, a city of about 310,000 in Orange County thats southeast of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday. Santa Ana, a predominantly Latino community, had more votes for Vice President Kamala Harris than President-elect Donald Trump. Experts say the rejection of the measure may indicate that voters, especially Latino voters, are shifting their attitudes about immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is kind of in line with trends weve been seeing in both polling and elections of the Latino community getting more conservative on issues of immigration, said Jon Gould, dean of the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine. The measure faced steep opposition from local officials and conservative groups such as Policy Issues Institute, which claimed it would be costly and litigious and upend citizens' rights. Carlos Perea, an immigrant rights advocate who supported the measure, said those groups hit the panic button. The results reflect Trumps influence in a year when the former president campaigned heavily against illegal immigration said Perea, executive director of the Harbor Institute for Immigrant and Economic Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its illegal for people who are not U.S. citizens to vote for president or other federal offices, and there is no indication of widespread voter fraud by citizens or noncitizens, though many leading Republicans have turned the specter of immigrants voting illegally into a major issue. They argue that legislation is necessary to protect the sanctity of the vote. But a growing number of communities across the United States are passing laws allowing residents who arent U.S. citizens to vote in local elections, such as city council and mayoral races. Supporters say its only fair since they live in the communities and pay taxes. San Francisco passed Proposition N in 2016 to allow noncitizens with children under 18 years old to vote in school board elections. Prop N passed after two similar measures were rejected in 2004 and 2010. Other states with municipalities that allow residents without citizenship to vote include Maryland, Vermont, and recently, Washington, D.C., New York City granted local voting rights to noncitizens in 2022, but a state judge struck down the law months later and stopped it from ever going into effect. The city is now in the process of appealing the decision. WACO, Texas (FOX 44) The streets of downtown Waco were awash with red, white, and blue as the annual Veterans Day parade made its way down Austin Avenue, drawing a massive crowd of community members eager to honor the service and sacrifice of the nations veterans. Flags waved, smiles were abundant, and the sound of cheers echoed through the streets as local heroes were celebrated. The parade, a time-honored tradition in Waco, featured an array of participants, including marching bands, decorative floats, motorcycle clubs, and veteran organizations, all coming together to pay tribute to those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many in the crowd, attending the parade was about more than just enjoying the festivities it was a powerful way to show support for the veterans who have shaped their community. Brianna Grams is a representative from local organization Visiting Angels who expressed her deep gratitude. So grateful that the people who have shown up and shown out today is just absolutely wonderful. We are so eternally grateful to be able to serve our community and help the veterans who need us, says Grams. We love that we were able to do this kind of work. Among the sea of spectators were many families of veterans, some attending the parade for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opal Matthews, whose husband served in Vietnam, shared her appreciation for the turnout. My husband was a Vietnam veteran. This is the first time Ive been to the parade, and Im loving it, Matthews said, clearly moved by the outpouring of support from the community. As veterans proudly waved from their floats, the crowd roared with applause. The event served as a vivid reminder that the gratitude felt by Wacos residents for those who served their country is not limited to a single day. Its anything I think any veteran could have asked for, Grams said. It is just absolutely amazing, and we are so happy to be part of such a great community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Matthews, the day was a reflection of something much larger than a parade it was a sign of unity, of a community coming together to honor those who have sacrificed so much. I was surprised we had this many out today, she added. As the parade concluded and the crowd began to disperse, there was a shared sense of pride and appreciation in the air. The day was a testament to Wacos deep respect for its veterans, and a reminder that the spirit of gratitude and unity will continue far beyond the November 11 celebrations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. The Walgreens near Timmerman Airport on Milwaukee's northwest side will close its doors by Dec. 3, according to Ald. Lamont Westmoreland. Westmoreland said the decision to close this location, 5201 N. 91st St., by the retail and pharmacy giant "will impact residents access to prescriptions, healthcare services, and essential items." Westmoreland is asking constituents to plan ahead. "Now is the time to connect with your healthcare team to seek alternative pharmacy options - whether that means transferring prescriptions to another Walgreens location, or exploring non-Walgreens pharmacies nearby," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As your Alderman, I am actively working to bring additional pharmacy options to our area to meet the communitys needs and ensure everyone has access to the medications and healthcare resources they rely on." This is the second Milwaukee location Walgreens has closed since announcing plans to close about 1,200 stores by 2027 and 500 by the end of next year. Walgreens on South Layton Boulevard and West National Avenue on the south side was supposed to close by mid-November but abruptly closed early on Oct. 18. The company said it was "due to several incidents of criminal activity at this store" and the pharmacy drive-thru remains open. Walgreens didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the closure of the North 91st Street and West Appleton Avenue location. There are two nearby Milwaukee locations on West Capitol Drive. One on Highway 100 and another on North 76th Street. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Walgreens near Timmerman Airport in Milwaukee to close by Dec. 3 SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was charged with illegally carrying a gun in his vehicle during the altercation in a parking lot that led to his arrest in the Dominican Republic over the weekend, prosecutors said Tuesday. The attorney general's office in the Dominican Republic said in a statement that police found a Glock pistol with a 15-round magazine inside the Mercedes Benz that Franco was driving during what police called an altercation over a woman's attention. The gun was registered to Francos uncle, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franco, 23, who awaits trial in a sexual abuse case involving a minor, was arrested Sunday after an argument broke out in a San Juan de la Maguana apartment complex parking lot. Another man and a woman also were detained in the confrontation. Two firearms were seized, police said. Teodosio Jaquez, Franco's lawyer, told media outlets Monday that Franco was not the aggressor, but rather a victim in the altercation. Prosecutors said no one was hurt in the dispute and both parties agreed not to press charges. A conviction for illegally possessing a firearm could call for a three- to five-year prison sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jaquez wasn't immediately reachable Tuesday for comment on the charge. Franco is scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 12 in the northern province of Puerto Plata in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. He was also charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. Franco was conditionally released on Jan. 5, four days after his arrest on the abuse allegations. Franco, who has refused to speak to the media, has said about the sexual abuse case: Everything is in Gods hands. Franco was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list on July 10, cutting off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Durham County sheriffs deputies pulled up to a cancer screening centers parking lot just before midnight in July, looking into a report of a person hit by a car. They found EMS doing chest compressions on Oscar Santos, while blood pooled beneath him. Several potential witnesses, including Santos brother, were in the parking lot marred with blood and looping tire tracks, according to a search warrant obtained five days after the June 13 incident. No one at the scene explained what happened to the 22-year-old Santos, who officials rushed to Duke University hospital, where he died, states a warrant request from Sheriff Detective J. Tran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Santos mother arrived at the hospital, she grabbed a gun in an attempt to commit suicide, the warrant states. On Tuesday, the Durham County Sheriffs Office announced that a 16-year-old has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death that deputies believed to have occurred during a car meetup. The search warrant indicates that the youth is Santos younger brother. Lots of witnesses, no explanation After detectives arrived at the parking lot on N.C. 54 outside the Grail company in Research Triangle Park, they spoke to people they believed had gathered for a meetup, events where drivers execute stunts in cars, SUVs and motorbikes and sometimes take over busy intersections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People there told detectives that they didnt see the incident, but heard a loud noise before several cars sped away, the warrant says. No one provided a plausible explanation, including Santos younger brother before he was rushed away to the hospital to check on his brother, the warrant says. Detectives collected bits of scattered plastic and other debris in the parking lot, marked with Santos blood and looping tire marks which are often left from car meetups where drivers circle at high rates of speed before a crowd of people. In recent years, car meetups have increased following promotion on social media and other places, the warrant states. They can include situations where dozens of vehicles and SUVs take over busy intersections, racing through traffic and doing stunts. Investigation leads to brother Detectives used Google Lens to match a piece of the car debris to a plastic cover piece from a side mirror of a Chevy Trailblazer, a small SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After news reports on the death and its tie to a car meetup, police received information and videos from anonymous sources, the warrant application says. One video showed a gray Trailblazer, driving in circles, leaning on two left tires before falling back down to all four tires. In the video, the vehicle moved out of view while a crowd sprints toward Santos body, the warrant states. The source who provided the video said Santos brother was driving the vehicle, lost control and ran over his brother in an accident. Another source told detectives that Santos younger brother was driving and Oscar Santos was hanging out the window recording the stunt, the warrant states. The younger brother lost control of the Trailblazer, flinging Oscar Santos out and then running over him, the source said, according to the warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SUV was towed to Benson, where the brother lives, and stored under a tarp, the source told detectives, according to the search warrant. Detectives contacted Benson police, who found the vehicle shortly. During the July 19 search of the vehicle, deputies seized the left side mirror, the warrant states. Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead said in a statement released Tuesday that his office has worked to address illegal meetups. Activities at and after these events are not only illegal but as in this case dangerous for both participants and bystanders. Mr. Santos death is a tragic example of what can happen at these gatherings, Birkhead said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Potential consequences for those involved in car racing and meetups include seizure of their vehicle pending trial, sale of the vehicle upon conviction and potential suspension of their drivers license, a Sheriffs Office press release states. Virginia Bridges covers criminal justice in the Triangle and across North Carolina for The News & Observer. Her work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The N&O maintains full editorial control of its journalism. WACO, Texas (FOX 44) Baylor University rang out the bells across campus on Monday to commemorate Veterans Day. Those in the area could hear different types of hymns ringing during the day. If you would like to see and hear some of them, you can watch the 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 KWKT - FOX 44. WARNING: The video in this story contains graphic material that may be upsetting to viewers. Discretion is advised. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma City officer is under investigation over his actions during an encounter with a 71-year-old driver at the scene of a car accident on Oct. 27. Police say the officer used force on the driver, leaving the man seriously injured. The officer initially gave the man, Lich Vu, a ticket for causing a minor crash, but the encounter escalated and Vu ended up in handcuffs and unconscious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch: Gunman opens fire in busy barbershop in Queens Oklahoma City police released body camera footage Friday, more than a week after the encounter. The officer, who has not been named, was called to a crash along NW 39th Expressway. Both drivers were given tickets, but Vu felt he shouldnt receive one. Throughout the encounter with Vu, who is Vietnamese, there appears to be a language barrier. The officer later tells Lich if he doesnt sign the ticket, he will be taken to jail. Moments later, the officer speaks with Lich again about what he allegedly did wrong. Lich and a woman with him argued that the other driver was at fault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that moment, Lich appears to hit the officers chest lightly and tells the officer to shut up. The officer then grabs Lich and forcefully takes him to the ground. Lich suffered serious injuries, according to police. In a report, the officer wrote, I perceived Lich touching me that things were going to escalate. He went on to say, I placed Lich in handcuffs and observed Lich not respond and appeared to be unconscious. Lich later regained consciousness and was treated for his injuries at a local hospital. The officer has been placed on administrative leave, and the Oklahoma City Police Department said it will soon hand over the findings of its investigation to the District Attorneys 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 PIX11. House GOP leadership will speak Tuesday morning after clinching the majority in last weeks election, handing Republicans full control of Congress and the White House next year. Their remarks come as the House weighs whether to complete lawmakers annual funding work by the Dec. 20 deadline or punt it to next year, when President-elect Trump takes office. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, are among those set to attend the news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST. 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. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) A terrifying moment caught on camera shows the rescue of an unconscious kayaker in the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville. According to the Volusia Sheriffs Office, the kayaker passed out and fell into the water. Thankfully, the victims friend saved him from drowning and called for help. Pregnant teen, grandmother allegedly killed in Florida home invasion The video shared Sunday shows deputies arriving on the boat to assist with the kayaker. A Good Samaritan also helped out, loading the unconscious victim onto the vessel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kayaker was then taken to land, where fire rescue crews performed live-saving measures and transported him to a nearby hospital. According to officials, the kayaker regained a pulse while receiving treatment and is recovering. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Marco Rubio told pro-Palestine protesters that he did not want a ceasefire in Gaza and that Israel should destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on in a video that has reemerged since he became Donald Trumps pick for secretary of state. The Florida senator, 53, is reportedly set to be appointed by Mr Trump, eight years after the pair sparred on the campaign trail, earning him the nickname Little Marco. His appointment is likely to mark a significant change of policy from the Biden administration, which has unsuccessfully pursued a ceasefire-for-hostages deal between Israel and Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video circulated online after Mr Rubios new role was reported, he told pro-Palestinian demonstrators that he did not want a ceasefire, and that Hamas was 100 per cent to blame for the deaths of civilians in Gaza. Credit: X / @codepink After being ambushed with demands for him to call for a ceasefire in December last year, he replied: No, I will not. On the contrary I want [Israel] to destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on. These people are vicious animals who did horrifying crimes. To the activists, he added: I hope you guys post that, because thats my position. Credit: X / @codepink Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Rubio has since said he would only accept a ceasefire if Hamas surrendered and released all hostages. News of his expected appointment came as Mr Trumps legal team successfully delayed a decision on his sentencing in the New York hush money case, which he hopes to have thrown out. He has not yet appointed an attorney general, who would oversee federal cases and may look to prosecute some of his enemies. Mr Rubios expected appointment suggests Mr Trump intends to follow through on his plan to give Israel more diplomatic space to wage war in Gaza next year. In October, the president-elect told Mr Netanyahu: Do what you have to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Rubio is also critical of China and Iran, having run on a hawkish foreign policy platform during the 2016 Republican primaries against Mr Trump. He has since reigned in his view that the US military should participate in foreign wars, and fallen in line with Mr Trumps America First agenda. On Tuesday, Mr Trump confirmed that he would appoint Michael Waltz, a noted China hawk in the House of Representatives, as his foreign policy adviser. Michael Waltz, the new national security adviser, is seen as a hawk on foreign policy - Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images Mr Waltz is a former Green Beret, who is married to a former homeland security adviser to Mr Trump. He has been critical of plans for the UK to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, fearing that China would fill the vacuum left by Britain and endanger the joint US-UK Diego Garcia air base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deal has since been finalised by Sir Keir Starmers government and is expected to be signed in the coming weeks. Mr Rubio and Mr Waltz will become two of the most important diplomats in the world when Mr Trump takes office on Jan 20, and they are likely to steer his administration towards a tough line on China and a reduction in US military aid for Ukraine. On Nov 6, Mr Rubio described Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine as a stalemate war that needs to be brought to a conclusion. Mr Trump is thought to be preparing for territorial negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, and has warned Putin not to escalate the war further. Mr Trumps first appointments also suggest he will double down on his campaign promises to deport one million illegal migrants soon after taking office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has nominated Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota who has fiercely criticised migration policy under the Biden administration, as his secretary for the Department for Homeland Security. Kristi Noem had been tipped as Donald Trumps running mate until her comments about shooting her dog came to prominence Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Noem was thought to be in contention to be Mr Trumps running mate, but fell out of his favour after she published a memoir earlier this year revealing that she shot dead her 14-month old dog because it was not suited to hunting pheasants. After the story emerged, the president-elect reportedly told aides he was concerned about Ms Noems grasp of public relations. The Department of Homeland Security employs the most dogs of any US government department, with a headcount of almost 3,000 as of December 2022. Tom Homan, a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration, has been appointed as border czar and will be given responsibility for reducing illegal migration. On Tuesday, Mr Trump announced that Mike Huckabee, a baptist minister and former governor of Arkansas, would be the next ambassador to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East! 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. Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A Missouri thrift store is unraveling the mystery of a cache of World War II love letters found in a donation bin. Tina Eifert, manager of the Salvation Army Family Store in Hannibal, was sorting through donations when she found the pile of letters sent by Chester McMeen to his wife, Alma Bernice Modglin, while he was stationed in the Philippines during World War II. She said there was no way to trace whose donation the letters, which were dated from between Sept. 11, 1944, and Nov. 27, 1945, had come from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's a lot of history, so I wanted to find who they belonged to," Eifert told WGEM-TV. Eifert teamed up with Megan Duncan, a local investigative journalist, to solve the mystery. Duncan discovered McMeen and Modglin had reunited after the war to raise three children and run a woodworking business in Carbondale, Ill. "[In the letters, Chester] talked about how 'When I get back together, we're going to open a business, we're going to do these things,'" Duncan said. "And then when you look at their lives, and you look at their obituary and you look at the pictures, all of that came true." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duncan said she has been working hard to try to track down relatives of the couple, and discovered an address that might belong to their son. She said she sent a letter to the address and is now hoping for a reply. People cast their ballots at the Besse Building in Albion, Maine on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. (Photo by Michael G. Seamans/ Maine Morning Star) The Maine Department of the Secretary of State will host its ranked-choice run-off for the 2nd Congressional District race Tuesday afternoon. The tabulation will start at 1 p.m. at the Maine State Police headquarters in Augusta. It will also be livestreamed on the Secretary of States YouTube page. The tabulation will help determine whether Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden will serve a fourth term or if he will be unseated by Republican challenger state Rep. Austin Theriault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the congressman already gave a victory speech, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said the tabulation is necessary because neither named candidate earned more than 50% of the vote and second-choice votes could change the current standing, which has Golden ahead by fewer than 2,200 votes. More than 12,000 voters either selected unofficial write-in candidate Diana Merenda as their first choice or left it blank. The tabulation will look at the second choice on those ballots and assign them to Golden or Theriault to determine a winner. Live results from the tabulation can be viewed below, courtesy of Decision Desk HQ. The story will be updated. WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) A Waterbury man who a United States attorney called a recidivist, hands-on child sexual predator will spent more than 37 years in prison, according to an announcement Tuesday. Jesus Maldonado was previously convicted three separate times for sexually assaulting minors. He impregnated one child, according to officials, and took another over state lines to sexually assault them. He also didnt register as a sex offender. This defendants long and sordid history reflects a repeated determination to prey on and sexually assault minor victims, inflicting lasting damage on their lives, United States Attorney Zachary Cunha said in the written announcement. That ends today. With this sentence, we have ensured that the public and future victims are safe from Mr. Maldonados predations for decades to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malonado sent explicit messages to who he thought was a 13-year-old girl, but was actually a Rhode Island detective with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He started talking online to the detective in March 2019, and said he wanted to marry her, wrote sexually graphic messages to her and sent explicit images. He pleaded guilty in June 2023 to the latest charges attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor and committing those crimes while he was required to register as a sex offender. He will spend 447 months in prison. Once released, he will be on federal supervised release for the rest of his life. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert! HOW CAN CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS HELP TRANSGENDER PEOPLE? In less than one month, a new session of the California Legislature will begin. But lawmakers wont have to wait til January to start work, because Gov. Gavin Newsom has convened a special session to begin after lawmakers are sworn in on Dec. 2. Newsom and his Democratic allies, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, have indicated that the purpose of this session is to harden the Golden States resistance to the incoming administration of President-Elect Donald Trump. That includes Trump-proofing the state on issues of abortion, immigration, the environment and LGBTQ equality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan is to approve a reservoir of funds for Bontas office to challenge the Trump administration in court a strategy Bonta and his predecessor, Xavier Becerra, employed extensively during the first Trump administration. But how else might a Democratic supermajority-controlled Legislature help protect LGBTQ people, particularly transgender people, after Trump is sworn in next year? Journalist and transgender activist Erin Reed had some ideas. In her Substack, Erin In The Morning, she wrote about ways that California lawmakers can shield trans people from a hostile presidential administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a journalist who has covered legislative attacks on the transgender community for years, I see this as a pivotal moment that will demand creative solutions, political will, and a clear message that Democrats are committed to protecting marginalized communities in their darkest hour. Here is what (Newsom) can do, Reed wrote. Among the avenues that she encouraged state lawmakers to explore were to fill likely gaps in federal funding for gender-affirming medical care. She wrote that a GOP-controlled Congress could use the the Hyde Amendment, which blocks federal dollars from being spent on abortion-related services, as the blueprint for denying federal funding for gender-affirming care. Likewise, Reed wrote that California could take steps to stockpile puberty blockers and hormone therapies (such as estrogen, testerone and progesterone) much as it did for the abortion medication misoprostol. Reed had other policy recommendations, which you can read about here. ARE YOU ON BLUESKY? REACH OUT! And finally, the micro-blogging social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has seen an exodus (X-odus?) of users to upstart competitor Bluesky, partially in response to billionaire owner Elon Musks decision to change how blocking works so that blocked accounts can still see the blockers posts. It also comes as misinformation and disinformation has thrived on Musks platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question now is, if or when will #CALeg people journalists, staffers and lawmakers make the jump? Newsom has an account there, though he hasnt used it in months. Several lawmakers and staffers have established accounts on another X competitor, Threads (which is owned by Meta), but thus far none appear to have an account on Bluesky. Who will be the first? Despite the many criticisms of the platform, Newsom and many other elected officials, as well as federal, state and local government agencies, still maintain accounts on X, viewing it as an important method of communication with the public. Never fear, The Bee has established a beachhead on Bluesky. You can follow reporters Andrew Sheeler and Jenavieve Hatch here and here, respectively. And if youre a Capitol reporter, staffer or elected official, be sure to reach out to Sheeler, who is putting together a starter pack of must-follow #CALeg accounts. QUOTE OF THE DAY There have been times before when Americans have confronted forces of alienation, fragmentation and plutocratic control but the work starts with us and the will to change, and nowhere else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Former Los Angeles Times journalist Matt Pearce, discussing journalisms fight for survival in the current media economy, in a Substack blog post. Best of The Bee: There have been some grisly ends down the centuries for holders of the great ecclesiastical office of Archbishop of Canterbury, not least for Thomas a Becket, Thomas Cranmer and William Laud. Until the 20th century, most occupants died in harness before it became usual to retire, as is now required by the age of 70. But Justin Welby is the first to be forced out for non-ecumenical reasons since the Norman Conquest. It is an ignominious departure for a cleric whose arrival at Lambeth Palace in 2013 was greeted with some relief after the rarefied tenure of Rowan Williams. A former oil company executive from the evangelical wing of the Church, Welby was seen as just the sort of managerial figure needed to steer it away from the rocks of controversy in a rapidly secularising world, whether it be dealing with gay marriage or female bishops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even as he took up the post, the very subject that would prove to be his undoing raised its very ugly head child abuse in the Church. In the aftermath of the Jimmy Savile scandal every institution was obliged to avoid the mistakes made by the BBC. But when the Archbishop was told about the brutish activities of John Smyth, a barrister who ran Christian camps and abused scores of children, he failed the test. An independent report into the way the Church handled the case was published last week and made difficult reading for the Archbishop, so much so, indeed, that he considered resigning then. It would have been better had he done so rather than wait until a head of steam gathered within the Church to remove him. At least one bishop had demanded he go and he had few supporters among the clergy who never forgave him for shutting their churches during the Covid pandemic then disappearing on a spiritual sabbatical before it was over. Ordinary clergy who fear being hauled over the coals for safeguarding failures are angry to see the head of the Church failing to practise what he preached. The double standards were evident and so was the loss of the Archbishops moral authority. More than 12,000 members signed a petition drafted by members of the General Synod calling for his resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One cleric said he could not think of an Archbishop who had caused such damage to the Church since the Reformation. That is a damning epitaph. 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. One of the most difficult things about Christianity is forgiveness; the belief that we should forgive those who repent, who show serious desire to atone for their sins just as we hope that our own trespasses might be forgiven by God. Justin Welby has done the right thing, albeit far too late. Having admitted hed erred, taken responsibility and resigned, his repentance should be taken seriously. The rest of that pathway to redemption is now in the hands of a higher power. That said, the Archbishops welcome resignation should, like all acts of repentance, be the beginning of a process, not the end. First, there is the scandal itself. Welby was not the only high-ranking cleric to fail the victims of the appalling John Smyth. There are still clergy, many more culpable than Welby, named in the Makin review who retain their permission to officiate at services. There are still unaccountable structures within the Churchs methods of dealing with complaints. There are still countless victims who go unlistened to and ignored. If Welbys resignation is to mean anything, it must be the beginning of better practice throughout the Church. Second, and perhaps most significantly, is the issue of what Welby embodied long before Makin, but invariably linked to its findings. He was a symbol of a managerial elite, interested in process not people, in jargon not holiness, in making the Church more like the world instead of making people more like Christ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evangelical circle around Welby influenced by a particular group of London churches appeared smugly convinced that they alone were the standard bearers of the true church. This in turn created an accountability vacuum. Rather than embracing the plurality of thought and religious tradition which had ensured a balanced and accountable Church for centuries, Welby tended to recruit and promote in his own image people who agreed with, or would at least fail to challenge, him. This mix of clique mentality and blob-like managerialism created a particular outlook which regarded parochial ministry as, at best, an irritation and, at worst, an asset to be rapidly stripped in favour of small conventicles of the like-minded. I have written before of the increasing sense that there are two Churches of England in operation today; the one which dictates from above and that which you encounter on the ground. Some worshippers have been, understandably, repelled by some recent pronouncements from the wackier echelons of Lambeth Palace. But go to your local parish church and you will find people of all backgrounds performing extraordinary acts of charity and decency. Indeed, attending church and being humbled by what I saw was part of what drew me back to faith after years of agnosticism. There is a vast disconnect between these two churches; but too often the Reverend Mr Hyde has been allowed to supersede the Reverend Dr Jekyll. Over the course of Welbys tenure and thanks to the culture which he and the shadowy CEO of CofE Inc, William Nye, engendered, parish priests were disparagingly described as limiting factors. The people in the pews and the rank-and-file clergy tasked with serving them were deemed a problem, not a treasure. The ecclesial blobs support for Paula Vennells whom Welby personally recommended for the role of Bishop of London was no coincidence. Both belonged to the same top-down caste who mistrusted the people on the ground and were ultimately tripped up by their own standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wokeness was certainly part but not all of this problem. For it itself embodied the remoteness between parishes and the church hierarchy which often descended into active hostility. The recent Boateng race report, commissioned by the central Church of England, attempts to codify different types of parishes in a bizarre chart, deeming some of them to be essentially racist. High Anglicans are accused of preferring white male leadership, while rural parishes are described as being uniformly conservative/traditional, and their congregants casually smeared as [viewing] UKME/GMH [Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage] people with suspicion purely on the basis of their living in the countryside. The contempt is striking. When the Church of England pledged 100 million to help redress the wrongs of historic slavery, it wasnt simply the cause that irked some worshippers. It was also the contrast with the institutional Churchs eternal stinginess whenever a medieval roof needed replacing or a parish wanted a vicar who actually lived there, rather than having to dash between seven other parishes on a half-stipend. Having so often claimed poverty when faced with such requests, suddenly the Church found itself flush with cash for reparatory justice and endless dubiously-titled DEI jobs. Like the explosion of business jargon within ecclesiastical structures, all this proved alienating. Whoever follows Welby must make restoring trust within the Church their first priority, for it is currently near breaking point. That means more accountability, greater transparency, the eradication of a managerial culture across the board. Crucially, it means actually listening to those on the ground. Only then can the Church return to the people of England, and get on with serving them, loving them and leading them to God. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. As a tax credit that makes it easier to build affordable developments faces legislative resistance, architects are showing that they dont have to skimp on aesthetics. This story is part of our annual look at the state of American design. This year, were highlighting work that shines through an acrimonious momentand makes the case for optimism. This summer, while most Americans were focused on the big-picture politics of the election, a small but consequential political event transpired in Washington. On the Senate floor, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Actwhich had passed the House of Representatives with an overwhelming bipartisan majoritywas blocked during an August 1 procedural vote. As reported by Politico, Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, blamed the failure on "Senate Republicans [who] decided theyd rather wait around and hope Trump wins" than take action now. In Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Studio Libeskinds Atrium at Sumner project sits on formerly vacant land at the edge of a public housing complex. For the firms founder, this project was a personal one: Architect Daniel Libeskind grew up in a historic affordable housing development in the Bronx. "I always associate social and public housing with something fantastic," he says. Photo by Hufton & Crow, courtesy Studio Libeskind The bills death, like so many others, was a quiet one, barely noted in the media. But its repercussions may be very audible. Across the nation, cities and counties struggle to build adequate housing for working people. The now-defunct tax bill contained provisions that would have supercharged the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC), the federal subsidy that since 1986 has constituted the primary mechanism for privately built, low-cost development in America. The success of that programalways a contentious one and limited in impactnow hangs in the balance, along with a path forward for the housing movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, designers and builders are intent on showing how much can be done with the means now available and what might be possible with more and better tools in the future. Architects are expanding the visual language of LIHTC-sponsored housing. Case in point: the Atrium at Sumner, a new 190-unit senior and supportive project in Brooklyns Bed-Stuy neighborhood. "These building typologies are often very limited," says architect Daniel Libeskind. "But you can turn them around." Renowned for his Jewish Museum in Berlin and the master plan for Manhattans rebuilt World Trade Center, Libeskind is a relative newcomer to the affordability field, having only recently completed his first such project, on Long Island. The LIHTC development processwhich requires builders to meet special benchmarks to qualify for partial reimbursement at tax timewas daunting, though the team at Studio Libeskind viewed it as an opportunity to do more with less. "You can work within the budget and all the limitations and still produce something that has dignity," says the architect. A large atrium brings light deep into the interior. Photo by Hufton & Crow, courtesy Studio Libeskind Atrium manages to do just that, breaking the mold for affordable housing in more ways than one. While 50 percent of its $132 million budget was covered through the federal LIHTC reimbursement, the team behind the project was able to realize huge upfront savings by building on the vacant green space surrounding an existing public housing project, the 1958 Sumner Houses. Usually stymied by bureaucratic and political considerations, this economical maneuver has the added advantage of highlighting just how much Studio Libeskinds design solution differs from the outdated 20th-century housing type next door: In contrast with the blocky brick towers of Sumner, Atrium is a sharp, irregularly shaped meteorite of a building, with exterior planes that jut and recede at odd angles. Even more striking is its eponymous central feature, a mezzanine courtyard that allows the buildings interior to "glow with radiance and joy," as Libeskind describes it, marking a more definitive break with the low-cost housing of yesteryear. In Boston, MASS Design Groups J. J. Carroll Apartments used a low-income housing tax credit to transform an outdated senior-housing complex. Courtesy MASS Design Group Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See the full story on Dwell.com: Well-Designed Low-Income Housing Is Possible Related stories: Light pollution is making bees sleep-deprived and harming their mating waggle dance, a study has found. Artificial light from vehicles, street lights, road signs and other sources are seeping into the natural world and increasingly disrupting the lives of insects and also animals. A study of honey bees has found that exposure to light around the clock disrupts the internal body clock of the insects and causes them to sleep less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sleep deprivation has been linked to a worsening of the waggle dance which is essential to how the bees find a mate and breed. The waggle dance is also an intricate communication system between the bees which informs hive mates about the location of food sources. Long exposure to light significantly disrupted the circadian rhythms of honey bees and their behaviour, said researchers - School of Biological Sciences, UC San Diego/ SWNS Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, compared groups of bees that enjoyed normal sleep in the dark with others that were subjected to continuous artificial light. The results clearly showed that prolonged exposure to light significantly disrupted the circadian rhythms of honey bees, leading to impaired behaviour. As the bees were videoed 24 hours a day during the experiments, study lead author Ashley Kim, a PhD candidate, said the impact was immediately obvious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even without analysing the data, you can tell that there was something going on. The bees that were under constant light slept less, she said. The effects of light pollution on biological systems is fairly unknown and something people normally dont think about, which is why its a rapidly evolving field. You can tell that there was something going on, said Ashley Kim, pictured with fellow study author Prof James Nieh at the University of California, San Diego - School of Biological Sciences, UC San Diego/ SWNS She added that there are significant concerns about the health of the bees, but also what knock-on implications this may have on the wider environment because bees play such a key role as a pollinator. Honey bees usually prefer to nest in dark environments, although a small amount of light can enter through the hive entrance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the prevalence of light pollution varies from region to region, urban environments are increasingly exposed to artificial light conditions. The research team say bees are now more exposed to light pollution as a result of urban sprawl and also due to a surge in the popularity of beekeeping in urban areas. The research showed that bees exposed to continuous light slept less and were more frequently disturbed by other bees compared to those kept in normal darkness. Bees under continuous light also showed a preference for darker areas within their experimental cages. Light pollution in America has led to researchers fearing honey bees are being sleep-deprived and the same may apply to the UK - School of Biological Sciences, UC San Diego/ SWNS Prof James Nieh, study co-author, added: Understanding the factors that affect bee health, such as light pollution, is essential for developing strategies to protect pollinator populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Light pollution is a growing issue, with artificial light now covering a quarter of the Earths surface, and this research sheds new light on how such disturbances may be harming pollinators. A 2022 report from the House of Lords states that biodiversity loss (along with climate change) is among the biggest medium to long term risks to UK domestic food production. A report on the impact of light pollution by the London Assembly said: It is essential for our survival to understand and address the different contributing factors to biodiversity loss, and light pollution is part of that picture. The US study is published in the journal Scientific Reports. 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. One man is dead following a car accident Monday afternoon in Harris County, according to Harris County Coroner Joe Weldon. Weldon identified the victim as Jarret Jackson, 30, of West Point, Ga. Weldon said Jackson was driving and entered another lane, striking another vehicle and then an 18-wheeler. Jackson was the at fault driver in the accident, according to Weldon. The accident occurred a few minutes after noon Monday on Highway 103 near mile marker 11 in the Flat Shoals Bridge area, Weldon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weldon said it is not believed that drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident. The Georgia State Patrol provided preliminary details on the investigation into the accident. GSP said a black Ford Fusion was traveling north on State Route 103 when the driver failed to maintain his lane of travel and struck the rear driver side of a red GMC Yukon that was traveling south. The Fusion then continued north in the southbound lane and struck a tractor trailer head on before traveling off the roadway, according to GSP. GSP said the Fusion driver was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where he was pronounced dead by hospital staff. The tractor trailer driver and a passenger from the Yukon were transported to Piedmonts midtown Columbus hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to GSP. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) West Virginia governor-elect Republican Patrick Morrisey will be sworn in Jan. 13, he said during a press briefing on Tuesday. Morrisey, who has served as West Virginia's attorney general since 2013, addressed the media for the first time since his Nov. 5 victory speech after winning the race against Democrat Steve Williams, the mayor of Huntington. The 56-year-old will succeed the state's current two-term governor, Republican Jim Justice, who is heading to the U.S. Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morrisey named a few people who would be co-leaders in his transition team, including Doug Buffington, his chief deputy in the West Virginia Attorney Generals Office, and House of Delegates Majority Leader Eric Householder. Morrisey said he's been meeting with state lawmakers and legislative leadership to develop a common agenda" ahead of his inauguration and the start of the new legislative session in the new year. We could move a series of bills that might be agreed to up front, he said. Im excited to do that. And so Im looking forward to sitting down at great length with them to develop the agenda. He said maintaining West Virginia values will be important to him and his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youve heard the word woke before. Youve heard the word DEI before. And those are not, in my mind, West Virginia values. And were not going to be an administration thats going to be advancing those values," he said. Morrisey called West Virginians wonderful-hearted people who want freedom to reign across West Virginia. They care a lot about ensuring that their Second Amendment rights are protected, he said. I think they believe in the sanctity of life and they want to protect kids and their parents. He said he would announce other people who will be part of his transition team in the coming weeks. He urged residents to submit ideas and feedback on his West Virginia Prosperity Group website. If you voted for me, great. Thank you, he said. If you didnt vote for me, let me tell you, were all on team West Virginia now. The election is over. Western NC first responders expand resources to assess Helene damage TRYON, N.C. (WSPA) First responders in Western North Carolina are continuing to assess disaster recovery efforts more than six weeks after Helene tore through the region. Town of Tryon Fire Department Chief Josh Walton told 7NEWS he is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clear the debris Helene left behind. Right now the Army Corps of Engineers have a plan to come in for debris removal, said Walton. Weve worked on some of the bridges that were gone, but we havent gotten really far on that as of yet, but the plan is in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walton said his team has worked with The National Guard and task force to clear damage from the Pacolet Valley area and others heavily impacted. However, the work is far from over. He said around 60 to 75 percent of the damage Helene left behind has yet to be cleared in Polk County. His department is working with emergency management on a game plan. Moving forward we continue to assess trees down, and trees on houses, more of the mild rescues, they were not in danger, but they needed an evacuation, and that transitioned into Tryon becoming a distribution point for this community, Walton also said. Walton added the town of Tryon has served hundreds of families as a distribution point in the wake of Helene, providing food, water and hygiene supplies to those in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got a lot of donations to us, the town hall set up, volunteers came into the town, and really stepped up, Walton went on to 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 WSPA 7NEWS. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asked voters why they either chose to vote for her and President-elect Trump or for Democrats and Trump. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) joins Katy Tur to share how she thinks the Democratic Party can course correct for the next election. Ryan Borgwardt GREEN LAKE What started as a case of a missing kayaker in Green Lake County developed into something completely different after local authorities were led to believe Ryan Borgwardt staged his own disappearance. The news unfolded Nov. 8 when Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll held a press conference to reveal evidence that supported law enforcements findings that Borgwardt faked his own death in an effort to flee the country to Europe. It brought an end to an extensive 54-day search conducted by underwater drones, towable submersible sonar, divers and three K-9 cadaver teams that failed to turn up Borgwardts body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Deputy Sheriff for Green Lake County Matthew Vande Kolk told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Nov. 12 there have been no further updates in the Borgwardt case. Heres what we know so far. Ryan Borgwardt case timeline: Key events in the case of Ryan Borgwardt, Wisconsin man who may have faked his death Who is Ryan Borgwardt? According to the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office, Borgwardt is a 44-year-old woodworker from Watertown. He is married with three children. October 8: still no news. Please lift up Emily, Jeremiah, Levi and Norah in prayer as they are still and know.Update... Posted by Lakeside Lutheran High School on Monday, August 12, 2024 When was Borgwardt first reported missing? Dodge County Sheriffs Office initially sent notice to the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office Aug. 12 that Borgwardt did not return home after taking his kayak onto Green Lake Aug. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borgwardts wife informed law enforcement her last known contact with Borgwardt came via text message at 10:49 p.m. Aug. 11 when he said he was turning around and heading to shore soon. Sheriffs deputies found his kayak overturned with a lifejacket in the middle of the western basin of Green Lake after first locating Borgwardts vehicle and trailer around Dodge Memorial Park. Location sharing data showed the last digital contact from Borgwardts phone on Big Green Lake just off Dodge Memorial Park. How extensive was the search for Borgwardt? The search lasted 54 days and included the Sheriffs Office watercraft, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, volunteer search organization Bruces Legacy, Nortons Dry Dock and Pierless Boat Rentals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aerial and underwater drones, towable submersible sonar, divers and three K-9 cadaver teams were deployed. Why do the authorities believe Borgwardt staged his death and fled to Europe? According to Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll, law enforcement shifted the focus of its investigation Oct. 7 as the expertise of Bruce's Legacy suggested Borgwardt was not in the search area. With the assistance of Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, authorities quickly unveiled that Borgwardt's name was checked by Canadian law enforcement Aug. 13 one day after he was reported missing. This led to the discovery that Borgwardt obtained a second passport after he reported the initial one missing. His family easily located the first passport, according to Podoll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A digital forensic analysis of his laptop revealed the following: Communication with a woman from Uzbekistan Borgwardt taking out a new $375,000 life insurance policy in January Inquiries about transferring funds to foreign bank accounts. Changed email addresses lined to financial accounts on the day of his appearance. The syncing of the laptop to Borgwardt's iCloud Aug. 11. Photos of passports. An airline gift card. More on the case: Wisconsin authorities believe kayaker staged his disappearance and fled to Europe Is the investigation still ongoing? The Green Lake County Sheriff's Office is working with the FBI, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations and Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center to "continue to unravel the digital information available." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to contact the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office at 920-294-4134, ext. 1162, or text GETTHEM to 847411. People can also call 1-800-GET THEM. Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Ryan Borgwardt: Did Wisconsin father of 3 fake death, flee to Europe? A White House spokesperson on Monday pushed back on President-elect Trumps demand that the Democratic Senate stop confirming judges during the lame-duck period before he takes office and the upper chamber flips to GOP control. Senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates in a statement pointed to past precedent and the real-life toll such a pause would take on constituents to reject Trumps request, which the Republican posted over the weekend on social media. Regardless of party, the American people expect their leaders to prioritize the rule of law and ensuring the criminal justice system can function effectively in every state, Bates said in a statement to The Hill. Delaying the confirmation of strongly qualified, experienced judges takes a real-life toll on constituents and leads to backlogs of criminal cases meaning there is every urgent reason for Republicans and Democrats to continue working together in good faith to staff the federal bench. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bates noted that the then-GOP-led Senate confirmed 55 nominee during the lame-duck period of Trumps first term after President Biden had won the 2020 election, including 18 judges. There is no excuse for choosing partisanship over enforcing the rule of law, Bates said. Democrats still hold a narrow majority in the Senate until the new session of Congress gets seated in early January. Republicans are poised to have at least 52 Senate seats in the next Congress, with GOP nominee David McCormick leading in the Pennsylvania race that is still too close to call. Trump weighed in on the ongoing GOP Senate leadership race Sunday, posting on Truth Social that anyone seeking the top job must be willing to make recess appointments, which can allow a president to appoint nominees without going through the confirmation process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the same post, Trump wrote that no Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Seven Nation Army is apparently retreating. In the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election, The White Stripes have dropped their copyright infringement lawsuit against the Donald Trump campaign for using their signature song without their permission. Attorneys for the Grammy-winning rock duo filed legal documents in New York federal court to voluntarily dismiss the complaint. A reason was not stated in the one-sentence motion. Reps for Jack and Meg White who dissolved the band in 2011 have also not commented about the decision to cease litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Billboard, the motion was filed without prejudice, meaning the case can be refiled at some point in the future. Last Wednesday, Jack White didnt mince words when expressing his disdain over the outcome of the polarizing political race. Trump won the popular vote. End of story, he wrote on Instagram. Americans chose a known, obvious fascist and now America will get whatever this wannabe dictator wants to enact from here on in. White threatened Trump with legal action on Aug. 28 after the Republicans presidential campaign allegedly used a riff of Seven Nation Army in a promotional video posted on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opening of the 2003 chart-topping track was the backdrop of a clip in which the 78-year-old MAGA candidate was seen boarding a plane on the campaign trail, while traveling to stops in Michigan and Wisconsin. In the lawsuit, The White Stripes objected to not only the flagrant misappropriation of their work, but also to the implication of their support for the 34-time convicted felony, whose policies and actions they vehemently oppose. The groups public defiance against Trump was among a growing chorus of musicians including Beyonce, The Rolling Stones, Celine Dion, Abba and the estate of Isaac Hayes who took legal action against his campaign for using their music without permission. The White Stripes are dropping a copyright infringement lawsuit against Donald Trump and his campaign following the former presidents Election Day win. The band had accused Trump and his 2024 campaign of flagrant misappropriation of its song Seven Nation Army in September, after an aide to the 45th president posted a video that featured the 2003 hit. Margo Martin, Trumps deputy director of communications, shared a video clip in August of the 45th president traveling to a pair of rallies with Seven Nation Army playing as he boarded a plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oh. Dont even think about using my music you fascists, band member Jack White wrote on social media at the time, before the video was removed. This machine sues fascists, White had posted when the lawsuit was filed. But this week, an attorney for White and his bandmate and ex-wife, Meg White, said the duo was asking the Southern District of New York to dismiss the claims without prejudice, meaning the musicians can choose to refile. An attorney for Jack White declined ITKs request for comment, while one for Trumps campaign did not respond. Jack White denounced Trump after he won his reelection bid last week against Vice President Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americans chose a known, obvious fascist and now America will get whatever this wannabe dictator wants to enact from here on in, the 49-year-old performer said in an Instagram post. Its absolutely dumbfounding that this con man succeeded in pulling the wool over so many Americans eyes not once, but twice, he continued. Updated at 11:10 a.m. EST Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Democrat George Whitesides, a former NASA chief of staff and a first-time candidate, will represent northern Los Angeles County in Congress next year after defeating Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in one of the nation's most fiercely contested House races. Whitesides' narrow victory against the thrice-elected Republican incumbent is a bright spot for the Democratic Party amid a decisive rightward shift in American politics, with voters sending President-elect Donald Trump back to the White House and Republicans seizing control of the U.S. Senate. As of Tuesday afternoon, Republicans appeared likely to retain control of the House of Representatives, though votes were still being counted in several races that will determine which party wins the majority. If Republicans gain control of both chambers, Trump probably will have support for enacting his stated policy priorities, including an increase in tariffs, new tax breaks and deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally though a narrow win by Republicans could complicate the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Congress, you can count on me to fight to create more good local jobs, lower everyday costs, build safe communities, protect Social Security and Medicare, and protect reproductive freedom," Whitesides, who lives in Agua Dulce, said in a statement posted on social media Monday evening after Garcia conceded. Whitesides told The Times on Tuesday that he planned to focus on "results" in Washington. "People are hungry for folks to actually solve problems rather than just tweet and send out press releases," he said. "Authentically, the reason I ran is because I am good at solving problems and we have a bunch of them right now." Democrats' long-shot path to taking power could run through California, home to several competitive House races, most of which remained too close to call Tuesday. Key races in suburban Orange and Riverside counties and the rural Central Valley remain outstanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide, 16 House races had yet to be called, according to the Associated Press. Republicans needed to win just four to keep their slim majority, while Democrats would need to win a dozen seats to gain control. Although votes were still being counted in northern L.A. County's 27th Congressional District, Garcia conceded Monday evening, with 83% of ballots counted. At that point, Whitesides led by 2.4 percentage points, or 6,983 votes. "I will always seek to serve this wonderful nation in any capacity and remain at her disposal for the maintenance of her splendor, the security of her people and the protection of her future," Garcia, of Santa Clarita, said in his statement. He promised to ensure "a smooth handoff of open constituent case work packages" to Whitesides and his team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dan Gottlieb, a spokesman for House Democrats' campaign operation, called Whitesides' victory a hopeful reminder that Californians want pragmatic leadership when our country needs it most." "As we wait for all Californians to have their voices heard, we remain confident that George will be joined by other Democratic champions who will offer true representation to California and hold the next administration accountable, Gottlieb said. The race between Garcia, 48, and Whitesides, 50, had been considered a toss-up and was closely watched across the country as one of several swing districts that could help determine which party wins control of the House. The once staunchly conservative district which stretches from Santa Clarita to the Kern County line and includes the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale has become more favorable in recent years to Democrats, whose growing voter registration advantage made Garcia one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redistricting after the 2020 census made the district bluer by excising conservative Simi Valley. Just over 41% of registered voters are Democrats, and about 30% are Republicans. More than a fifth are independents. Garcia, a former Navy pilot and former executive with defense contractor Raytheon, first won his seat in a 2020 special election after Katie Hill a millennial Democrat who had unseated a Republican incumbent in 2018 resigned amid a sex scandal. Garcia retained his seat in two subsequent elections. In all three elections, he defeated the same Democratic rival, former state Assemblywoman Christy Smith. Whitesides the deep-pocketed former chief executive of Mojave-based Virgin Galactic, who lent his campaign more than $1 million had major backing from the Democratic Party, which did not rally as forcefully around Smith. The top Democrat in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, came to the Antelope Valley last month to campaign for Whitesides, a sign of the race's importance to the national party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitesides campaigned as a moderate, focusing on reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights as well as increasing funding for law enforcement. He came out in favor of Proposition 36, the successful statewide ballot measure that calls for stiffer penalties for some drug and theft crimes. Whitesides told The Times he supported the measure which was endorsed by the California Republican Party but divided Democrats because residents want to get smash-and-grab robberies under control and are rightly concerned about public safety. The congressman-elect who says he created more than 700 jobs in the Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita while leading Virgin Galactic focused heavily on jobs, telling The Times that he did so because so many of the districts residents endure long commutes to work in Los Angeles while living in the Antelope Valley, where housing is more affordable. People are hungry for local job opportunities so they dont have to spend four hours on the road, Whitesides said. He cast Garcia as a pro-Trump sycophant, emphasizing the congressmans vote against certifying the 2020 presidential election results after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and his push to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a first-time candidate, Whitesides had no voting record to scrutinize. So, Garcia focused on his opponent's hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to progressive candidates and causes, attempting to portray him as a far-left megadonor using his personal wealth to try to buy a congressional seat. Garcia focused heavily on California's high cost of living and gasoline, blaming both on Democrats. Garcia, the son of a Mexican immigrant who moved to the U.S. in 1959, also leaned into the GOP message of strengthening immigration enforcement along the southern border. In a summer town hall in Santa Clarita, he said his late father "came here legally" and "did it right" and that illegal immigration is one of the nations biggest threats. In Congress, he voted against creating a path to citizenship for so-called Dreamers who were brought to the U.S. as children. Whitesides said Tuesday that he and his family were adjusting to the news of his victory a week after election day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My kids are 12 and 14," he said. "I think it's starting to sink in for them that their dad is going to go to Congress." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a ceremony for Michigan veterans in Heritage Hall on Nov. 12, 2024. | Kyle Davidson Following a Tuesday morning ceremony at the Michigan Capitol commemorating Veterans Day, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was asked by reporters about the outcome of the 2024 election and the future of her administration in working with President-elect Donald Trump and a Republican-led state House. Whitmer served as a co-chair of Vice President Kamala Harriss presidential campaign and was a popular surrogate for the campaign around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Democrats took control of the Michigan House and Senate in 2022, Whitmer has signed a number of bills for Democratic priorities, including repealing the states 1931 abortion ban, instituting gun safety regulations, repealing Michigans Right to Work laws and expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to outlaw discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. However, Republicans are set to take control of the House in January with a 58-52 majority, riding the coattails of Trump, who defeated Harris in Michigan. I think one of the things that I know having lived in this state my whole life and served in public service most of the last 25 years is things change, right? And so my job is to continue to stay focused on the people of Michigan and ensuring that were building a state where every person can thrive, Whitmer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if her administration would take any steps to future-proof the state from any potential Trump administration policies, Whitmer said her colleagues had staked out some aggressive strategies, though she is focusing on areas where she can find shared priorities with the incoming administration. Obviously, there will be areas in which we dont agree. I dont agree with anyone on everything, and so thats not going to be a surprise. But you know, we have worked with the Trump administration before. Well figure out how to work with the Trump administration, going into this last two years of my term, said Whitmer. Trump and Whitmer had a fraught relationship during his first term, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. At one point, Trump said he instructed his vice president at the time, Mike Pence, not to take her calls about getting help for the state. Whitmer, who was elected to her first term in 2018, will be term-limited in 2026. Fellow Democrats Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, also will be termed out of office that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benson has expressed interest in running for governor in 2026, while Whitmer is considered a top presidential contender in 2028. With less than two months remaining for Michigans first Democratic trifecta in 40 years, Whitmer said she continues to have an open dialogue with Democratic and Republican leadership in each chamber. Whitmer noted she congratulated House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland) on his election as House speaker for the upcoming legislative session and said she looked forward to seeing if she and Hall could find common ground in the coming months. That said, the Legislatures not been in session a ton this year. And so I would anticipate that well get a number of things done during lame duck, Whitmer said. Had a meeting this morning with some of the leadership and [talked] about our shared priorities as were going forward, and anything we want to get done prior to the end of the year. So that will be coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to her future plans, Whitmer also responded to a recent protest of white supremacists in Howell, where a group waved Nazi flags outside of a production of the play The Diary of Anne Frank, based on the life of a Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis for more than two years during World War II. This is the third time since the summer that white supremacists have gathered in Livingston County, which lies between Lansing and Detroit and was once a Ku Klux Klan hotspot. Its distressing. I think that some of the rhetoric that were already seeing is really corrosive and very concerning. And as you see rallies like this, and how the local community was really shocked by it, just tells you that we are wading into some, you know, concerning territory, Whitmer said. Thats why Im going to continue to try to make sure that Michigan residents feel safe and do everything I can to find common ground with people. But you know, hate speech and demonstrations to scare and intimidate fellow Americans is not something I take lightly, Whitmer said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Australias proposed social media ban for kids under 16 is sparking a global conversationand U.S. parents are listening. In what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls a world-first national approach, this law would make platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X responsible for verifying user ages and blocking those younger than 16 from signing on. Albaneses message is direct: Social media is doing social harm to our young Australians, he stated, emphasizing the need to prioritize the safety and mental health of young people. As this policy moves through the Australian Parliament, U.S. parents are taking note. In a country where kids social media use is skyrocketing, many are wondering: could a law like this be part of the answer to protecting our kids? How Australias move hits home for U.S. families While Australia may be leading the charge, these issues hit close to home. In the U.S., 95% of teens report having access to a smartphone, and nearly half say theyre almost constantly online, according to Pew Research Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This near-constant connection has correlated with troubling trends: A 2023 U.S. Surgeon Generals report highlights social media as a factor in rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges among U.S. teens. Todays adolescents face pressures that previous generations didntfrom continuous peer comparison to exposure to cyberbullying and harmful content. With 24/7 access to likes and endless scrolling, U.S. kids are navigating a digital world that can feel overwhelming. For many parents, Australias approach is a chance to reflect: Are we creating a balanced digital space for our kids? Are we having open conversations about social medias impact on their mental health? Protecting mental health and social well-being Australias proposed age limit aims to act as a safety measuresimilar to age limits around alcoholto protect young people from potential harm. According to the U.S. Surgeon Generals Advisory, social media use among youth can amplify risks related to sleep disruptions, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would a social media ban work in the U.S.? Its a mixed bag for many parents. A national age limit could take some pressure off parents trying to set boundaries in a world where everyone else has it. But it also raises questions: Should the government decide, or should families be in charge of when and how their kids go online? The challenge of enforcement While the goal is clear, enforcing this ban could be challenging. Tech-savvy kids might find ways around age restrictions, creating ghost accounts or using alternate profiles. Without effective oversight, the ban could push social media use underground, adding secrecy to the mix and making it harder to monitor. Susanne Schweizer, Associate Professor at the University of NSW, warns that the ban could be the silver bullet or backfire terribly. A one-size-fits-all approach lacks nuance, she says, and taking away the thing as a whole is not going to be the most effective means of keeping kids safe. For some families, setting social media boundaries feels personal, and they may prefer to handle it themselves rather than rely on government intervention. Social media can offer essential support, particularly for kids who feel isolated. Critics of an age-based ban argue that it risks isolating young people who rely on these digital spaces, overlooking the unique needs of each child. Balancing connection with caution Australias policy brings up a crucial consideration: saying no to social media isnt just about keeping kids offlineits about keeping them safe. Social media can offer valuable connection, enabling teens to interact with friends, share interests, and stay informed. A blanket policy might not account for the diverse ways kids benefit from these interactions, and for some, cutting off access could feel isolating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Surgeon Generals Advisory notes that social media has both positive and negative impacts. Many teens report that it helps them feel connected, with 67% saying it provides a space to showcase their creativity. But the advisory also warns that problematic use can overstimulate reward centers in the brain, leading to addictive patterns. Building digital literacy at home Instead of a strict ban, many experts advocate for teaching digital literacy and developing healthier social media habits. If kids understand how social media can affect their mental health, theyre better equipped to make thoughtful decisions. Parents play a significant role here by modeling healthy screen habits and keeping open dialogues about social media use. Studies suggest that involved parents can help lower the risk of negative impacts by creating a supportive environment for kids to explore social media responsibly. Setting up a family media plan, creating tech-free zones, and teaching kids how to navigate online spaces are all steps that support healthier use. What this means for U.S. parents Australias age limit proposal invites parents everywhere to consider: How can we guide our kids through the digital world safely? How can we create online spaces that protect their mental health without cutting them off from valuable connections? While we wait to see how Australias policy unfolds, we dont need a government rule to start these conversations at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, lets use this as a reminder to check in with our kids. Are we creating a space where they feel safe to talk about how social media makes them feel? Are we helping them understand that they dont need likes to feel valued? With steps like establishing media plans, fostering tech-free zones, and modeling responsible use, we can guide our kids toward a healthier relationship with social mediaone conversation, one boundary, and one moment of connection at a time. Sources: Speculation is mounting over anchor Chris Wallaces recent exit from CNN, stirring buzz in the media world. As a respected political journalist, his shift from cable to independent platforms has sparked curiosity about his next steps. So, what prompted Wallaces departure, and what does his future hold? Lets dive into the details of his career shift and explore what might be on the horizon for the revered broadcaster. Chris Wallace announces exit from CNN Chris Wallace has announced his departure from CNN after a three-year tenure, marking the end of his contract with the network. Wallace shared his plans to move into independent media, exploring opportunities in streaming or podcasting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wallaces decision comes after a high-profile career spanning over five decades, with notable roles at NBC, ABC, Fox News, and most recently, CNN, where he joined in 2021. His time at CNN included the launch of Whos Talking to Chris Wallace? on the short-lived CNN+ streaming service, which continued on Max after CNN+ closed (via The Daily Beast). This move reflects broader shifts in media as audiences turn increasingly to digital platforms. Traditional cable networks now face reduced viewership and financial strain. As Wallace begins his next career phase, he expressed gratitude toward CNN. He described his choice as a proactive shift to new media and not a response to dissatisfaction. This move honors his familys broadcasting legacy as he redefines his path in the evolving digital media landscape. CNN Chief Executive Mark Thompson said, Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming. He further added, We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom hes brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for the future. The post Why is Chris Wallace Leaving CNN? Exit Explained appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. California drivers may see gas prices climb next year after state regulators voted to toughen fuel standards in an effort to cut pollution and reliance on fossil fuel. The updated standards approved Friday by the California Air Resources Board set new goals for slashing emissions from fuel by 30% by 2030 and 90% by 2045. The low carbon fuel standard has already successfully created lower-cost, lower-carbon alternatives, and the benefits of the proposal vastly outweigh those costs, Steven Cliff, the agencys executive officer, said last month. CARB acknowledges that the changes could add around 47 cents per gallon by 2025. However, a study from the University of Pennsylvania warns the impact could be closer to 65 cents a gallon in 2025, reaching 85 cents by 2030 and nearly $1.50 by 2035. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only a few states offer 85-octane gas: Heres why Critics, including the states Republican minority, didnt hold back. Todays vote is nothing short of blatant price gouging by the Newsom Administration, said Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego). The Air Resources Boards 65-cent gas price hike is a direct assault on hardworking Californians [who] are forced into electric vehicles against their will. Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) echoed those concerns. Californians cant afford higher gas prices. Democrat politicians have blocked every attempt to stop this spike, and theyll have to answer to angry constituents when prices go up again, Gallagher said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in California was $4.51 per gallon, the second highest in the nation behind Alaska, according to AAA. In 2019, the Trump administration revoked Californias ability to enforce its own tailpipe emissions standards. President Joe Biden later restored the states authority, which was upheld in federal court. CARBs vote came one day after Gov. Gavin Newsom called the state Legislature into a special session to protect some of Californias environmental and other liberal policies ahead of former President Donald Trumps second term in office. 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 KTLA. With the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the King has lost both a close confidante and a spiritual guide. The two, both of the same generation, found their lives increasingly intertwined in recent years as affairs of Church and state combined. As they navigated the formalities of public life the ridiculous and the sublime they developed a warm, personal relationship that transcended official roles and duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Archbishop, the King found an intellectual match, someone with whom he could discuss his own spirituality and complex religious concepts at length. Although they exchanged private words through aides on Tuesday morning, launching the formal process of the Archbishops resignation, the King did not express any personal views about the decision and simply granted permission for him to stand down. He is not expected to speak publicly on the matter until the point of formal departure or handover. However, one source noted that, as ever in such situations, his thoughts would be with the Archbishops whole family. In the Archbishop, the King found an intellectual match and someone to provide spiritual guidance throughout the death of Queen Elizabeth II - Aaron Chown/PA Wire The monarch takes his faith, and his titles of Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, extremely seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His professional relationship with the Archbishop intensified in the aftermath of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, as together they prepared for her funeral. The Archbishop delivered the sermon, describing how the late monarch had touched a multitude of lives during her 70-year reign. He spoke from the heart, having developed a close relationship with the late Queen, and proved a particular source of comfort following the Duke of Edinburghs death in 2021. After the funeral, attention soon turned to the Coronation, and the King and the Archbishop held regular private meetings to thrash out the shape and tone of the Westminster Abbey ceremony, which sources insist was very much their joint creation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The King turned to the Archbishop for spiritual guidance as he prepared for his crowning, seeking advice on key elements of the service including the significance of his Coronation oath and the symbolism of the regalia. His decision to break with tradition and speak the words I come not to be served but to serve at the opening of his ceremony was considered a public demonstration of his faith. The sacred moment of anointing, which took place behind a screen, was shared only between the two men and God. The Archbishop would later describe the moment as the most significant part of the ceremony. There was a stillness there, an absolutely mysterious and almost mystical stillness and a sense of the presence of God, he said. It felt almost as though we were alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described the extraordinary moment of crowning as a mixture of the ridiculous and the sublime and admitted that he worried he would drop the heavy St Edwards Crown. King Charles was crowned with St Edwards Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury - Aaron Chown/PA Wire Footage taken during rehearsals captured the rapport that had developed between the pair, with both giggling as they brought some levity to the otherwise solemn proceedings. Scenes later broadcast as part of Charles III: The Coronation Year, a 90-minute documentary, showed how the Archbishops dry sense of humour was frequently deployed to break the ice. At one point, he solemnly told the Prince of Wales, as he tried to get to grips with his movements: If you ever get lost, Sir, in this, you just look confident and bow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As they practised putting on the St Edwards Crown gesturing in thin air before the crown itself was delivered for the real ceremony the King advised him to jam it on. The Archbishop replied: I dont want to break your neck, Sir. It might ruin the service. The documentary also showed the moment they practised the Queens crowning. Camilla looked at her husband and said youve got to say yes or no, prompting laughter from onlookers before the Archbishop interjected: If you dont say anything, if you dont nod or indicate, Sir, I cant crown Her Majesty. Not only is the King deeply religious, but he also holds a deep interest in other faiths, particularly Islam and Greek Orthodoxy. A few months after the Coronation, he joined the Archbishop to meet faith leaders from across the country at Lambeth Palace Library amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Archbishop said the occasion reflected Charless longstanding commitment to supporting all faiths in the UK and described it as a wonderful encouragement to remain united in partnership and friendship. The then Prince of Wales received the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof Dr Mohamed Ahmed el-Tayeb alongside the Archbishop at Clarence House in London in 2015 - Anthony Devlin/PA Archive In May, the Archbishop marked the first anniversary of the Coronation by praising the Kings sense of duty as he returned to public-facing events following his cancer diagnosis. He also paid tribute to the Kings openness in sharing his condition, which he hailed as a characteristic of his willingness to help and support others. The warm sentiment was reciprocated as the King knighted the Archbishop at Windsor Castle days later. The monarch appeared delighted to honour the man with whom he had taken such a significant personal journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it was not just the King who relied on his counsel. The Archbishop also enjoyed a close relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after officiating at their marriage at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, in 2018. Since then, the couple have turned to him on multiple occasions. His sage, independent advice and refusal to cast judgment proved invaluable during a turbulent time. Asked about the possibility of a reconciliation between the warring factions of the Royal family, the Archbishop said in December 2022: Theres always a way forward, but it has to be at the right time. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Social media can help people stay connected from anywhere in the world. But its also a platform where predators can connect with children more easily than ever before. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders podcast, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez joins Chris and Gabby to explain why hes taking internet giants, Meta and Snapchat, to court over what he believes are dangerous platforms for children. Are Meta and Snapchat doing enough to keep adult strangers from accessing children? Are there enough safeguards in place already? Torrez shares why he considers these local court battles as a starting point for bringing about major changes to the worldwide platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. You can now watch our podcasts in video form both on-air or online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13. Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. JERUSALEM (AP) The United States decided not to punish Israel over the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip after giving it an ultimatum to increase aid entering the territory. But the flow of food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians is still at nearly its lowest level of the entire 13-month-old war. The White House last month gave Israel 30 days to improve conditions or risk losing military support. As the deadline expired Tuesday, leading international aid groups said Israel had fallen far short. But the U.S. State Department announced it would not take any punitive action, saying Israel has made limited progress. However, it called for more steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aid groups accuse the Israeli military of hindering and even blocking shipments in Gaza. Almost the entire population of around 2.3 million Palestinians relies on international aid for survival, and doctors and aid groups say malnutrition is rampant. Food security experts say famine may already be underway in hard-hit north Gaza. Its really frustrating because by almost every objective metric, all agencies say that the humanitarian situation has gotten worse in that time frame that the U.S. has specified, Aseel Baidoun, a senior manager of the aid group Medical Aid for Palestinians, said Wednesday. Even though we have provided all the evidence that there is a risk of famine ... still the U.S. miraculously finds Israel not violating the humanitarian aid law. Israel, which controls all crossings into Gaza, says it is committed to delivering humanitarian assistance and has scrambled to ramp up aid. COGAT, the military body in charge of aid passage, said they had taken a number of steps over the past month to increase the amount entering the territory, including opening a fifth crossing into central Gaza this week. Israel says the U.N. and international aid groups need to do a better job of distributing supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where do aid levels stand? Aid into Gaza is typically measured in terms of truckloads of food and supplies entering the territory. The U.S. has demanded 350 trucks daily still below the 500 a day that entered before the war. In October, aid entry plunged to its lowest level since the first month of the war. Israeli government figures show roughly 57 trucks a day entering on average. The average has risen to 100 a day so far in November, slightly lower than the same month last year. The U.N., however, says even less is entering. It reports receiving an average of 39 trucks daily since the beginning of October. This is largely because it says it cannot reach the main crossing point in the south to collect cargos due to Israeli military restrictions and lawlessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. says virtually no food or other aid has reached the northernmost part of Gaza since the beginning of October. Thats when the Israeli military launched a major offensive against Hamas fighters in the area of Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, cutting them off. Israel says October's drop in aid was because it closed crossings into Gaza during the Jewish high holidays. It said it couldnt allow deliveries to the far north in October because of the fighting. Under international pressure, COGAT allowed two deliveries to the far north this month. But little of it got through. Last week, the World Food Program said troops on the ground ordered its trucks to unload their cargo before reaching their destination. In another planned shipment on Monday, the WFP could only deliver three out of 14 trucks because of delays in getting movement permits from the troops. When it tried to deliver the rest the next day, it said the military denied permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denial of passage and entry One reason for the large difference between Israels and the U.N.s count of aid trucks entering Gaza: Hundreds of truckloads are piled up on the Gaza side of the main crossing in the south, uncollected by the U.N. for distribution. Israel accuses UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, of not doing enough to retrieve the cargos. The U.N. and aid groups say they often cannot reach the crossing because the Israeli military doesnt always coordinate safe passage amid military operations in the area and widespread lawlessness. If we are not provided a safe passage to go and collect it (aid), its not possible for us to have it. And it will not reach the people who need it, said Louise Wateridge, an UNRWA spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNRWA has been the main agency procuring and distributing aid in Gaza, and a feud between Israel and the agency, led Israel to take steps toward banning it last month. Israel says Hamas has infiltrated UNRWA -- a charge the agency denies. Aid groups also accuse the Israeli army of blocking aid trucks from reaching areas where fighting is most intense, including northern Gaza. During October, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that Israeli authorities rejected roughly 43% of all humanitarian movement requests and impeded a further 16%. Israeli authorities have also prohibited some vehicles and goods from entering the enclave, aid groups say, often without explanation. Rachel Morris, of the aid group Mercy Corps, said trucks carrying the groups tent supplies have been turned away more than five times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel says it denies entry to supplies that could be weaponized by Hamas. I witnessed during my visit to Gaza last week the deliberate starvation of almost 2 million civilians, whilst the bombardment continues, said Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, a major relief provider. There is barely any aid crossing into Gaza. Lawlessness along aid routes Theft is also stymying distribution. The military and aid agencies both acknowledge that criminal gangs often based in local families are robbing trucks. An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity under military briefing guidelines, estimated that on some days, up to 30% to 40% of aid supplies are stolen by criminals or Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COGAT spokesperson Shani Sasson said that the Israeli army has tried to secure part of the route and find alternate routes for drivers but cant accompany each aid truck and the criminal groups are always moving. Gaza's police stopped protecting trucks long ago, according to the U.N/., because Israel has targeted them, considering them part of Hamas. Baidoun, with MAP, said that drivers sometimes have to pay fees to move their aid from the crossing into Gaza. He said that the Israeli military was failing to provide an enabling environment to bring in sufficient humanitarian goods to Gaza. ___ Melanie Lidman contributed to this report from Tel Aviv, Israel. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the international aid groups said that Israel had fallen far short, not the U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps expected nomination of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio as his secretary of state signals a dramatic shift from the current U.S. policy towards Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro. For years, the Cuban-American senator from Miami has been advocating for the U.S. to take off the gloves when dealing with what he denounces as a cruel dictatorship run by a drug cartel. Rubio, one of the most knowledgeable voices in Washington on the risks that the Havana and Caracas regimes pose for the hemisphere, has been an intense critic of the Biden administrations attempt to negotiate a democratic transition in Venezuela with Maduro, claiming the outgoing president gave away the store in exchange for empty promises. In a statement he gave after Venezuelas controversial election on July 28, which the U.S. and a number of nations believe was once again stolen by Caracas socialist regime, Rubio claimed that its outcome was not only easy to foresee but also facilitated by the current administrations efforts to lure Maduro into allowing a democratic transition in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through a series of engagements between U.S. officials and top Maduro lieutenants, which included secret meetings in Qatar during 2023, the Biden administration agreed to release officials and family members close to Maduro convicted or facing charges in the U.S. on corruption or drug-trafficking charges and to begin lifting the U.S. sanctions imposed on the regime. In exchange, Maduro committed to holding free and fair elections and to release a number of American citizens being held in Venezuela whom Washington believed had been arrested unjustly. Those efforts, Rubio sustained, were ill-conceived. The Biden-Harris administration met secretly with the Maduro regime and made an arrangement in which Biden gave the following: Alex Saab, a criminal that we had here in this country; Maduros nephews, who were convicted drug traffickers and were in a federal prison, and the removal of the oil sanctions and that is generating billions of dollars a month for the Maduro regime, Rubio said. In exchange, the administration obtained the regimes promise to hold the presidential election, which we all knew that Maduro was going to steal, Rubio said, before adding that Trumps election would immediately lead to a very different approach towards Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many countries believe that the Venezuelan presidential election was won by former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, with the help of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who had been barred by the regime from competing in the election in what was seen as one of the firsts violations to the promises Maduro had made to the Biden administration. Gonzalez was forced to flee Venezuela after the election, when the regime made it clear that his arrest was imminent. Machado has remained in hiding inside the South American country, from where she congratulated Trump for his victory last week and asked him not to forget the Venezuelan people. We have always counted on you, she said. The Venezuelan opposition had for long counted Rubio among its friends in Washington. The Florida senator had a close relationship with opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and was a major supporter of the first Trump administrations policy backing opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela in 2019. Rubio was also one of the main voices reminding Washington that the Maduro regime was not a typical South American dictatorship, claiming that it is headed by a criminal consortium made up of high-ranking military and regime officials involved in a series of illicit operations, ranging from drug trafficking and money laundering to gold smuggling and widespread embezzlement of government funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When talking about the leadership of the Caracas regime, Rubio is often quick to point out that they are wanted fugitives of the U.S. justice system, with rewards for their capture. The United States is offering $25 million for Maduro and Diosdado Cabello, the regimes number two man, the senator said through his social media accounts back in July. You can help us make Maduro and Cabello new residents of the U.S. federal prison system. The statement was not the first time Rubio called for Maduros arrest. In 2022, Rubio asked U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to request an Interpol red alert notice for the arrest of the Venezuelan strongman so he could be brought to the United States to face drug-trafficking charges. Both Maduro and Cabello have been indicted in the U.S. on charges of heading Venezuelas Soles Cartel, which according to U.S. officials exports between 250 and 350 tons of cocaine each year, going mainly to the United States and Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Caracas, Rubios nomination reinforces an omen of things to come for the Venezuelan regime that started immediately after it became clear that Trump had won the election. Even while Maduro claimed publicly that Trumps election can serve as a new start to the troubled relationship between Washington and Caracas, sources in Venezuela told the Miami Herald that there is growing concern within the regime that the country will soon be slapped with even tougher sanctions than the ones implemented during the first Trump administration. Those included putting dozens of high-ranking regime officials on a Treasury Department list of leaders accused of corruption and drug trafficking, dismantling the countrys democratic system or committing brutal human-rights violations. The Trump administration also imposed sanctions in 2017 and 2019 that closed off the U.S. market to state-run oil giant Petroleos de Venezuela, known as PDVSA, and froze $7 billion of the companys U.S. assets, sending the already faltering Venezuelan economy, which depended heavily on oil exports to the U.S., into a tailspin. Some of those sanctions were partially lifted in 2022, when the Biden administration began to grant licenses to Chevron, which had assets in Venezuela, to increase oil production in Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the negotiations held in Qatar last year and Maduros commitment to holding free elections, the U.S. lifted oil sanctions even further but these were reimposed soon after it became clear that Maduro had no real intention of fulfilling his promises. As of now, Chevron is the only U.S. company allowed by the U.S. to sell Venezuelan oil, but this licenses constitute an important source of income for the cash-strapped socialist regime. The companys output, which comes out of three joint venture projects with PDVSA, currently amounts to about 200,000 barrels per day and is expected to reach 250,000 next year. With Chevrons help, along with a handful of other international companies also licensed by the U.S., Venezuelas output has grown to over 950,000 barrels per day, a substantial improvement over the low point of 400,000 reached in 2020, but way down from the 3.2 million that Venezuela was producing before late president Hugo Chavez launched his socialist revolution in 2000. While new sanctions would further hurt the regimes finances, there are also worried at the Miraflores presidential palace that the new administration might go much further, a fear that weighed heavily on Maduros mind during the first Trump presidency when he invoked the Vatican and Pope Francis for help. May the pope help us prevent Trump from sending his troops and invading Venezuela, Maduro told reporters back in 2017. I ask the pope for help against the military threat from the United States. May he not abandon me. May he not abandon us. Dominick WilliamsThe Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service/ Getty Images Credit - Supporters and organizers of Amendment 3 and Proposition A, which grants the right to reproductive freedom, celebrate the results of the election at a watch party at Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Mo. on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. In the 2024 Presidential election, voters simultaneously cast their ballot for abortion rights and for President-elect Donald Trump. A new Rutgers School of Public Health analysis shows that support for abortion ballot initiatives exceeded support for Vice President Harris in every state in which there was a measure. Given Trumps past full-throated claims of credit for the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wadeand given how central abortion was to Vice President Harriss campaignthe divergence has raised many an eyebrow. A New York Times article on the split screen outcome indicates abortion did not amount to voters top priority, as compared to immigration and the economy. The ACLUs Political Advocacy Officer Deirdre Schifeling observed a cognitive dissonance among voters, and Montana State University professor and political theorist Sara Rushing suggested casting mixed ballots were a way for voters to have [their] cake and eat it too. More From TIME Rushing further notes the impact of Trumps attempt to soften his stance on abortion during the campaign, his awareness of its political potency. To shut down debate and distance himself, he asserted the centrality of state-by-state policy, declaring on Truth Social: The states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both. At the end of the day, this is all about the will of the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For voters who took Trump at his (more recent) word, the election outcomes are not just unsurprising, they also reinforce the bipartisan popularity of abortion rights. Since the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling, ballot measures have passed in six states, even in unexpected places like Kansas. The 2024 election brought opportunities for an additional 10 states to have a direct voice. Meaning that for millions of voters, they were not just casting a ballot for abortion in their own state, but witnessing fellow citizens across a wide swath of the country do the same. Read More: Why Abortion Rights Won in Three States That Voted for Trump Against that backdrop, voters tuned in to the Trump campaign likely saw a system working exactly as they were told it would. Harris voters saw a continued catastrophe. Now all abortion supporters must contend with the reality of how a Trump administration paired with a Republican-led Senate (and possibly House)plus a conservative supermajority at the Supreme Court, a dynamic of Trumps makingcould easily undo their will. For split-ticket voters who helped return Trump to the White House, this means accepting that there is much unfinished business to tend to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Trump keeps his word, the federal government has multiple ways to ban abortion nationwide. Options range from the Department of Justice reviving enforcement of the long-dormant Comstock Act (an 1873 law, still on the books, that prohibits the mailing and receiving of materials used to produce abortions), to the Food and Drug Administration imposing further restrictions on prescribing abortion pills. Congress may pursue a national banor a national minimum standard to the same effectwhich the president could sign or veto. Split-ticket voters should be aware that even if their home state protects basic rights, they are not inoculated from the trickle-down effect of other states with bans. Abortion may still be hard to obtain, given higher demand or lack of meaningful access in many states even now, particularly for abortions beyond the first trimester of pregnancy. All pregnancies in the United States are more dangerous without abortion access. The domino effect will show up in the broader healthcare system. OB-GYNs and midwives have left states with abortion bans; as medical students and residents go elsewhere to train, all reproductive care is harder to obtain. The people who provide care during the prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum period are the same people who provide abortions. Health insurance policy matters too. Trumps actions when last in office included multiple attempts to get rid of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which has provided health insurance to close to 50 million people between 2014-2024. Among the required services are well-woman care and access to contraception without a co-pay. These national requirements mean that people who have private health insurance also have these benefits. If the protections in the ACA or the ACA itself is overturned, the result will be less access to preventive care, including to prevent pregnancytaking us full circle back to abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what needs to happennow and as the new administration begins? We can all help ensure abortion access by understanding the current status in our own state. We can call out misinformation, which is likely to proliferate. We can give to local abortion funds that help people afford care, including collateral costs like travel. And we can exert pressure and remind political leaders of the numbers in this election: abortion is more popular than they are. Contact us at letters@time.com. An increasing number of districts across America are rightly procuring so-called high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for use in their schools. These English Language Arts and math materials meet grade-level state standards for skills and knowledge and are thus rated green (fully meets expectations) by EdReports. While these materials vary greatly in the quality of included texts or support of conceptual mathematical reasoning, these materials are unquestionably an improvement on the plethora of home-grown curricula. They are vastly preferable to teachers acting as instructional DJs, spending hours a week concocting idiosyncratic playlists of instructional materials. When teachers use HQIM effectively and continuously as they did back in 2016 in Duval County, Florida, or recently in Caesar Rodney, Delaware students show major learning gains. But overall, results have been modest. In math, researchers have found no overall gains when districts adopted HQIM materials. Evidence of major outcomes in ELA are also lacking: Louisiana and Tennessee, which lead the nation in the adoption of HQIM, show mixed NAEP results. Why arent there stronger positive outcomes? Because most teachers simply dont use the new materials for most instructional purposes. They might pull a quiz or a homework assignment from the curriculum, but when it comes to daily instruction, they water it down, mix it with stuff from the internet or skim over material by giving students few opportunities to grapple with the rigorous content. Telling teachers to just do it teach the darn curriculum isnt working. To address the situation, school districts are spending some $18,000 per teacher per year on professional learning, an increasing portion of which goes to curriculum-related instruction. The plausible idea is that if teachers are given adequate support to understand the new materials and present them effectively, resistance to using them will diminish. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter There isnt much strong research on the impact of this type of professional learning. One rigorous study shows a very modest effect, while a review that analyzed previous research found small to moderate positive impacts. This is because at the core of resistance is a mindset: Teachers dont believe their students can manage the rigor of grade-level HQIM instruction thus, the avoidance and watering down. The general response (especially from the publishers of these materials) has been frustration. Perhaps teachers dont trust themselves to handle the material, or perhaps they dont like the curriculum because they havent tried it (to paraphrase a British beer commercial from my youth) or they just need more curriculum-integrated professional learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there is surely some truth to these responses, I think they miss a key point teachers are often behaving rationally. In 2022, 26% of eighth-graders performed at or above proficient on the NAEP in math, and 31% in ELA. While NAEP standards are more demanding than those in most states, what this means (conservatively) is that more than half of the students in an average American public school classroom lack grade-level skills and content knowledge. In the inner cities and many rural communities, that proportion is much higher: In the economically troubled city of Baltimore, where I live, the proficiency rate for eighth graders on the math NAEP in 2022 was 8%. If you were a teacher faced with 25 13-year-olds whose knowledge of math and ELA ranged from one to three years below grade level, would you readily teach materials that assumed grade-level competence? School districts in Baltimore and across the country arent blind to this reality. For many years, they have tried to help underperforming students through remedial education that attempts to teach what wasnt mastered in previous years. This effort has had various labels for example, MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) or RTI (Response to Intervention). It usually involves grouping students into what is called Tier 2 or Tier 3 and then giving them various doses of remediation. There is no rigorous research that suggests this effort has succeeded at scale. Related Rethinking the Definition of High-Quality Instructional Materials for Math More recently, this approach has been adopted for the use of HQIM in the classroom (also called Tier 1 instruction). The idea, reasonable on its face, is that weaker students should be given extra time, usually through pulling them out of arts or even social studies courses, to master the materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is a quick sketch of how the approach works in theory. Students take diagnostic assessments a week or two before the start of a new HQIM unit. In math, these test students mastery of the prerequisite skills that will make effective learning in the forthcoming unit possible. In ELA, the assessment will test for key vocabulary and background knowledge without which the forthcoming text(s) will be inaccessible. Then, the results are given to the Tier 2 teacher, who focuses on preparing the students with just in time knowledge what students must know to successfully understand their upcoming Tier 1 HQIM unit. But in practice, these efforts underdeliver. And thats not simply due to the challenges of organizing the student groupings and the instructional differentiation; its because there simply arent effective assessments to do the job. A state test administered the previous year is largely useless (and most teachers are ignorant of how their students performed). Nationally normed tests such as i-Ready and MAP arent designed for educators to be able to translate results into curriculum content. A previous end-of-unit assessment (if the teacher even gave it) might work if the new skills and knowledge in each new curriculum build directly on what students had successfully learned in the previous unit. However, ELA units often introduce completely new subjects, and math curricula are full of skills that arent used in subsequent units and grades. The Tier 2 teacher is left trying to guess what to teach and too often uses materials that arent even from the same curriculum as the Tier 1 instructor is using. In short, there is too little connection between what students are being taught in Tier 2 instruction and what they need to know to be ready for Tier 1 HQIM material. Teachers and schools are rightly trying their best in adverse circumstances: In Houston, students are tested during their Tier 1 classes and then given appropriate Tier 2 teaching for the second part of the 90 minutes, an approach requiring extremely tight planning and many hours pre-analyzing every unit to design the tests and instruction. Superbly led districts and schools (regular and charter) create time for such analyses. But in most districts, Tier 1 instructors are given some exposure to a curriculums content and then told to differentiate their teaching on the fly, remediating while simultaneously teaching the grade-level material. Related Improving Americas Schools: Why Its Long Past Time to Rethink Curriculum What teachers and students need is urgent action from the curriculum publishers (and AI-based providers such as Coursemojo and Brisk Teaching). They should be providing short, focused pre-unit diagnostics that are integrated with the most-used curriculum. These short quizzes will pinpoint the material Tier 2 instructors need to highlight. The bottom line: If Tier 2 classes across the United States were focused on teaching what students most need to know to access their forthcoming Tier 1 curriculum unit, Tier 1 teachers would rightly have more confidence that their students could manage Tier 1 HQIM. Instead of watering down that material, they could teach it, thus fulfilling the considerable promise of the new high-quality curriculum. This wont be a panacea. Theres no way to ensure that a child who is two years behind will be ready for next weeks grade-level instruction a problem that goes back to the nations pre-K universe, with its uneven access and lack of quality control. But it is possible to give that child a chance. Currently, Tier 2 teachers are flying blind wasting hundreds of instructional hours, unable to provide students with any chance of benefiting from HQIM. And Tier 1 instructors? Many will go on watering down those materials, knowing how few students are ready to learn rigorous, grade-level content. An enormous, rancid-smelling, 52-foot sperm whale has lain beached on the shoreline of the Caspian Sea, the worlds largest lake, since Monday. Its a jarring sight; no sperm whales live in this vast body of water. Many of the people who gathered to see the giant marine mammal on the coast of Azerbaijans capital Baku have never seen a whale like it. This dead whale, however, is not real. Its a hyper-realistic model made by an organization called Captain Boomer, a Belgian-based collective of actors, sculptors and scientists, who are trying to raise awareness of global ecological destruction, including the human-caused climate crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was created using molds from real whales and its smell comes from buckets of rotting fish hidden nearby to add to the illusion. Since it was created a decade ago, the model whale has been touring cities and coasts, from Europe to Australia. When we think the story is right, we pop up in a city, said Bart Van Peel of Captain Boomer. Now, the collective has decided to beach the whale on the shores of Baku, as global leaders gather in the city for the UN-backed climate summit COP29, where they will discuss how to tackle the escalating climate crisis. The aim is to play with fact and fiction, to challenge peoples beliefs and make them think, Van Peel told CNN. This incongruous animal makes people feel that their bond with nature is disturbed, he said. The beached whale installation lies on an embankment as a collective member hoses it down. - Aziz Karimov/Reuters Thousands have gathered to see the beached whale installation, according to Captain Boomer. - Aziz Karimov/Reuters The whales journey to Azerbaijan from its home in Belgium was long. Members of Captain Boomer loaded it onto a truck and drove through Europe, Turkey and Georgia, before finally arriving in Baku two weeks later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group got approval from Azerbaijani authorities for the installation, with help from a local activist Adnan Hussein who started the FINS initiative, which works to protect marine species. They plan to keep the whale there through the whole of the climate conference. The installation is accompanied by a kind of street theater, where members of the collective play the roles of scientists trying to establish what happened to the whale. They make up a tapestry of stories, Van Peel said. Like, maybe because of climate change, it changed its migration route. As humans continue to heat up the world by burning fossil fuels, whales, like all marine life, are increasingly vulnerable. Warmer ocean temperatures can affect their food and force them to change their migration routes, potentially placing them more at risk from human activities like shipping and fishing. So far, thousands of people have gathered to stare at the whale since it was installed early Monday morning, Van Peel said. Some have stayed more than an hour and many have had very emotional reactions, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Van Peel the power is in bringing people together around the sperm whales anomalous presence. Its this gesture of a beast coming from another element and throwing itself at our feet and saying: Look, I cant anymore. Theres an exhaustion. Its a big question mark. What are you going to do? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -His nickname was Wild Bill because of how he handled controversial and political issues. Now theres a new book out about former South Dakota governor and Congressman Bill Janklow. A passion for found object assemblage art KELOLAND News sat down with the author to find out why he wrote a book about one of South Dakotas most popular politicians. I wanted to write another novel; one with a larger scope a bigger canvas, and what better canvas than Bill Janklow, author Greg Redlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The book Bill Janklow: Politics and Power on the Prairie was written by author Greg Redlin of Vermillion. Redlin, who once worked for Janklow in the budget office as an analyst, says its not a factual autobiography, but rather a 300-page novel. But it goes into great detail about the life of Bill Janklow from his childhood to when he dropped out of high school and joined the Marines to his political career. Janklow holds the record for the longest tenure as Governor of South Dakota: 16 years in office. He was first elected governor in 1978. He was re-elected in 1982 with nearly 71 percent of the vote, the highest percentage won by a gubernatorial candidate in the states history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes a larger-than-life figure; he had perhaps the most significant accomplishments as governor in this state and he was Wild Bill, Redlin said. The nickname Wild Bill was coined when Janklow began doing things others may never thought possible. For instance when he convinced Citi Bank to move its headquarters to South Dakota. Were all familiar with what Citi Bank has meant to the state and to Sioux Falls; millions and millions of dollars, good jobs, IT jobs, Redlin said. Redlin says Janklow is also credited with saving the railroads in South Dakota. He persuaded the legislature to buy 700 miles of track to create a core system which the state then contracted with Burlington Northern to run rolling stock on the core system in South Dakota, Redlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Redlin says Janklow was controversial in many ways; like when he proposed turning the University of South Dakota Springfield campus into a minimum security prison. Redlin says people living in that area, who turned out for a large town hall meeting, were not happy with him. I dont have to come here frankly sir to tell anybody anything, I came down here tonight to listen to what people had to say, I said when I started you may not agree with me, and I may not agree with you, Janklow said. He made a joke after that if he ever had car trouble or a flat tire in Bon Homme County hed have to drive on the rims for a ways to Yankton before he could get his tires fixed, Redlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The townspeople lost their argument and the state legislature approved of Janklows plan. The former campus is still a state prison today. For all that he accomplished, Janklows political career was destroyed in an instant while he was serving in Congress. On August 16, 2003, Janklow ran a stop sign near Trent, South Dakota and killed motorcyclist Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minnesota. It was a horrific accident and it brought the titan of South Dakota politics down; nothing else seemed to do that, but the accident did, Redlin said. Janklow was convicted of manslaughter and was sentenced to 100 days in jail. A month later, he resigned his seat in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the media could get any information about Janklow when he was locked up, but Redlins book details some of what Janklow went through while behind bars. Well Im not going to reveal all of my sources, because I promised not to and that way I secured some candor and honesty from some of the people who were close to him, otherwise I wouldnt have been able to do that, but just let me say this it was an incredible source, Redlin said. Redlin says people either loved Janklow or hated him, but he says theres no doubt hes the most consequential political figure South Dakota has ever had. He says he was great during disasters like the Spencer Tornado or the Blizzards of 97. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was especially good in a crisis, he managed and led the state through those crises as no other governor has in the past and probably in the future I think its fair to say Bill Janklow was more concerned with solving the problems rather than advancing his own political career, Redlin said. You can find the book Bill Janklow: Politics and Power on the Prairie at Zanbroz Variety Store in Sioux Falls and also on Amazon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When a Wisconsin father of three disappeared during a kayaking trip back in August, it seemed like a straightforward case. However, when extensive search failed to turn up a body, authorities began piecing together what appears to have been an elaborate faked death plot. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, of Watertown, WI had initially been reported missing on August 12 after he didn't come home from kayaking on Green Lake. Rescue crews recovered his fishing pole, wallet, keys, driver's license, car, and capsized kayak. But after search crews with Bruce's Legacy, a nonprofit organization that specializes in water searches, spent nearly two months dredging the lake, police realized they needed to pivot their investigation. "We don't know where he is, but he is not in our lake," Green Lake Sheriff Mark Podoll said during a press conference on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Podoll said that authorities initially became suspicious last month when they learned that Canadian border officials had run a check on Borgwardt's name on Aug. 13, just one day after he disappeared. After some further digging, they found that Borgwardt had acquired a second passport, replaced a hard drive on his laptop, synced the laptop to the Cloud the day on Aug. 11, and cleared his browsers on the day he disappeared. He had also taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy and transferred funds to a foreign bank in the months leading up to his disappearance. It was then that authorities also learned that Borgwardt had been communicating with a woman in Uzbekistan. But beyond the plight of his abandoned family, the search for Borgwardt also cost a lot of taxpayers dollars. "It's a little tough to swallow because it required a lot of expenses on this one," said Bruce's Legacy founder Keith Cormican, via ABC 7 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Green Lake Sheriff's Office is now working to identify the full extent of Borgwardt's crimes and whether anyone assisted him. Podoll said that the sheriff's office will also pursue restitution for the expenses of the search, but moreover, want Borgwardt to come home and return to his family. "Ryan, if you are viewing this, I plead that you contact us or your family," he said. "We understand that things can happen but there is a family that wants their daddy back." NEW YORK (PIX11) As the drought watch and red flag warnings continue in New York City, local leaders are cracking down on potential fire risks. New York City Mayor Eric Adams banned grilling in parks across the boroughs following a two-alarm fire in Prospect Park on Friday. More Local News As New York Citys historic streak of dry weather creates new safety risks, today, we are taking additional measures to keep New Yorkers safe, the mayor said while speaking at the fire scene on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the holidays roll around, the mayor also reminded New Yorkers that using streetlights for electricity, especially to power decorations, is both illegal and poses a significant fire risk. Smoking, open flames, and fireworks remain illegal in all NYC Parks. Sunday nights rain does little to help on the drought Local leaders urged New Yorkers not to litter and to call 311 if they see fire hazards, such as illegally tapped streetlights. New York City has been under a drought watch since Nov. 2 and under a red flag warning since Friday. They come after October was the citys driest month in recorded history, according to the Mayors office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A Wisconsin man who went missing during a kayaking trip is now thought to have faked his disappearance and fled to Europe. According to local authorities, Ryan Borgwardt, 45, was reported missing after he failed to return home from a trip to Green Lake, WI on Aug. 12. His capsized kayak, life jacket, water bottle, tackle box and fishing pole were found in the water at Dodge Memorial Park where his car and trailer were also parked nearby. Emergency services searched the area for the father-of-three, but ultimately abandoned the operation after 54 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll says that they believe Borgwardt staged the accident and left his family. We do not know where he is. We know that he is not in our lake, Podoll told reporters Friday. Officers suspect Borgwardt is likely in Europe. The father-of-three allegedly spent seven months planning to leave his family, beginning with him purchasing a $375,000 life insurance policy. Podoll revealed that, while looking through his electronic devices for clues, authorities discovered Borgwardt had been talking to a woman from Uzbekistan online. He had also opened a new bank account, obtained a new passport, and wiped his computer before leaving for his kayaking excursion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His new passport was run by law enforcement in Canada on Aug. 13, the day after his wife reported him missing. Podoll urged Borgwardt to return home at a Friday press conference, saying Ryan, if you are viewing this, I plead that you contact us or contact your family. We understand that things can happen, but theres a family that wants their daddy back, he added. Officials in Wisconsin believe a man who disappeared after he was kayaking at a lake this summer is alive and well, possibly having faked his death and traveled to Europe after he took out a life insurance policy and communicated with a woman from Uzbekistan. Ryan Borgwardt a married father of two went missing on Aug. 12, and his last known location was Green Lake, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said at a news briefing Friday. Deputies found a capsized kayak in the lake and Borgwardt's vehicle and trailer parked in Dodge Memorial County Park, Podoll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fishing rod Borgwardt's wife identified as belonging to him and a tackle box containing his wallet, license and keys were also found, Podoll said. The search- and-recovery volunteer organization Bruce's Legacy helped look for Borgwardt's body in the lake, but it was never found. On Aug. 24, three cadaver dogs and a dive team were brought in to assist with the search. An almost eight-week extensive search produced no findings, Podoll said. Ryan Borgwardt. Podoll said the investigation shifted focus across the Atlantic when it was discovered that Borgwardts passport was run on Aug. 13, the day after he disappeared. On that day, law enforcement officials in Canada ran Borgwardts name, Green Lake County authorities said. Chief Deputy Matthew L. Vande Kolk said by email that detectives discovered the records check on Oct. 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Canadian name inquiry allowed Wisconsin investigators to learn that Borgwardt had gotten a new passport. We learned that he reported his original passport lost or stolen, and obtained a new passport, the chief deputy said. Borgwardt's former passport was "easily located" through his wife, he said. "We expect that he traveled on the 'new' passport," Vande Kolk said. Meanwhile, the discovery that Canadian authorities had run his passport prompted investigators to conduct a digital forensic analysis of Borgwardts laptop. "Searching that ... we have found that he was in some place in Europe," Podoll said, alleging that Borgwardt replaced the laptop's hard drive and cleared his browser the day he disappeared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borgwardt also is also alleged to have taken photos of his passport, moved funds to a foreign bank and changed his email address, and he was believed to have been communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan, Podoll said. In January, he took out a $375,000 life insurance policy. "Due to these discoveries of the new evidence, we were sure that Ryan was not in our lake," Podoll said. Podoll said the investigation still has a lot of missing pieces, including a motive and where he is right now. "Our goals is to identify any crimes that have been committed by any individuals who assisted with this crime," Podoll said, adding that the sheriff's office will pursue compensation for search efforts funded by taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Podoll said it is too early to identify what charges Borgwardt might face. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are assisting in the investigation. Podoll asked anyone with information about Borgwardt to call the sheriffs office. Tips can be left anonymously, he said. "Ryan, if you're viewing this, I plead that you contact us or contact your family," Podoll said. "We understand that things can happen, but there's a family that wants their daddy back." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com MADISON The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a case that will determine the future of abortion access in the state, grounded in a challenge to a 19th Century law that was thought to almost entirely ban it. Here's what to know about the state's existing laws, the lawsuit being heard and other potential legal debates. 1849 law at the center of debate Passed in Wisconsin more than a century before the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade, which established a constitutional right to abortion, an 1849 law was interpreted to ban doctors from performing abortions in every case except when the mother will die without the procedure. Doctors would face up to six years in prison on felony charges and $10,000 in fines if they violated the law. After Roe, Wisconsin enacted abortion restrictions In the decades following the Roe ruling, Wisconsin enacted a number of abortion regulations. Under the state laws that existed prior to the 2022 decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Care, abortion was banned 20 weeks after "probable fertilization." Women were required to undergo an ultrasound before an abortion, along with a counseling appointment and a 24-hour waiting period. In the case of medication abortions, the doctor who administers the pills must be the same one the woman saw for her counseling appointment, and the pills cannot be taken remotely via telemedicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the 1849 law is overturned, the state would return to those regulations. Is abortion currently legal in Wisconsin? Three Planned Parenthood clinics and one independent clinic immediately stopped providing abortions after the Dobbs decision. That changed last year, when Dane County Circuit Judge Diane Schlipper in July released an order signaling her belief that the 1849 law only applied to the intentional killing of a fetus by someone other than the mother, and not to consensual abortions, and in December issued a decision affirming the previous order. A consensual abortion is sought out by a pregnant woman who voluntarily determines to end a pregnancy. Schlipper's ruling was based on a 1994 state Supreme Court decision that determined feticide is a nonconsensual act in which somebody batters a woman to the point she loses the pregnancy. Planned Parenthood resumed providing abortion services in September 2023 and has not faced any legal challenges to the move. Who filed the lawsuit being heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court? Attorney General Josh Kaul and Gov. Tony Evers, both Democrats, filed the lawsuit shortly after the Dobbs decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaul argued in the lawsuit that the 1849 law has been invalidated by abortion laws passed since the Roe v. Wade decision. Anti-abortion proponents and attorneys for Republican lawmakers disagreed, arguing the original law was still in effect. Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski argues the 1849 law is still enforceable. His attorney argued to the state's high court on Monday that the dispute is not over what the law should be, but about how it currently exists. What happens next in the abortion case being heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court? The court, which currently has a tight liberal majority, will consider the arguments justices heard Monday. No timeline has been given for a ruling, but it's likely one will come before the April election, when liberal Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford is expected to face off against Waukesha County Circuit Judge Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general, in a race that will determine the courts ideological balance. Are there other abortion lawsuits before the court? The court is also considering a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin requesting recognition of a constitutional right to bodily autonomy, including abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planned Parenthood argues the rights declared by the state Constitution "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" inherently include "the right to determine what one does with ones own body, including whether and when to have a child. How do Wisconsinites feel about the issue of abortion? A Marquette University Law School poll released in October found that 63% of Wisconsin voters believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 37% believe it should be illegal in all or most cases. An April Marquette poll found that 54% of Wisconsin voters would support a national abortion ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life or health of the mother, while 42% would oppose it. Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Supreme Court hears abortion ban arguments. What to know. Justice Jill Karofsky appeared immediately opposed to attorney Matthew Thomes proposed interpretation Wisconsin's 1849 law with regard to abortion. (Screenshot via Wiseye) Several of the Wisconsin Supreme Court liberal justices appeared opposed to the enforcement of a 174-year old law when it comes to abortion during oral arguments Monday in a high-profile case meant to clarify law in the state. Wisconsin abortion law has been unsettled since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, sending decisions about abortion legality back to states. Health care providers in Wisconsin immediately ceased providing abortion care due to the states 1849 law. Attorney General Josh Kaul and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers filed a lawsuit challenging the statute in June 2022, arguing that it had been superseded by other laws passed by the state, including a ban on abortions after 20 weeks enacted in 2015, and could not be enforced as applied to abortions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Access ceased for 15 months until a Dane County judge ruled in December 2023 that the law applies to feticide, not abortion, allowing providers to resume services. Sheboygan District Attorney Joel Urmanski, a defendant in the case, appealed the decision to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and Kaul also wanted a review of the decision from the Court. Milwaukee County DA John T. Chisholm and Dane County DA Ismael Ozanne are also defendants in the case, but both oppose enforcing the law. The pre-Civil War Wisconsin statute states that any person other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child is guilty of a Class H felony and that any person who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn quick child is guilty of a Class E felony. It specifies that unborn child is defined as a human being from the time of conception until it is born alive. It includes no exceptions for rape or incest or specific medical complications. The only exception for the law is the life of a mother. Urmanskis attorney, Matthew Thome, defended the enforcement of the statute Monday morning, saying lawmakers never repealed it. Republican lawmakers have proposed updates to the 1849 law in the last two years, including a 14-week abortion ban, but the proposals have failed to become law. Policymakers have not repealed it. Indeed, they have expressly declined to do so at multiple opportunities and until they do, it can be enforced, Thome said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He argued that the question over whether Wisconsinites would be better served by a different law is not for the Court to decide. Justice Jill Karofsky appeared immediately opposed to Thomes proposed interpretation of the law. Just to be clear, a 12-year-old girl, who was sexually assaulted by her father, and as a result became pregnant under your interpretation [of the law], she would be forced to carry her pregnancy to term, correct? Karofsky asked. Under the policy choice the Legislature made, that would be correct, Thome said. So in that case, a child would be forced to deliver a baby, Karofsky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karofsky pushed the point, asking about the consequences of a victim of sexual assault seeking an abortion under the law if it were enforceable. How about a woman who is a college freshman here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison? If she is sexually assaulted and its charged as a third degree sexual assault that would be intercourse without consent. If she became pregnant, as a result of the sexual assault, it would be illegal for her to obtain an abortion? Karofsky said. Correct, it would be illegal for a doctor to provide an abortion to her in the state of Wisconsin, Thome said. Attorney Matthew Thome defended the enforcement of Wisconsins 1849 statute as an abortion ban Monday morning, saying lawmakers never repealed it. (Screenshot via WisEye) If her assaulter is charged, he would be facing a 10-year maximum imprisonment because that would be a Class G felony, Karofsky said. In that case, the penalty for aborting, after a sexual assault, would be more severe than the penalty for the sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that since the Dobbs decision more than 64,000 pregnancies have been cause by rape in states with abortion bans. I fear what you are asking this Court to do is to sign the death warrants of women and children and pregnant people in this state because under your interpretation they could all be denied life-saving medical care while the medical professionals who are charged with taking care of them are forced to sit idly by, Karofsky said. This is the world gone mad. Justices also asked about the web of laws passed in the state, and appeared to disagree with Thomes argument that the 1849 law completely negates them. We have statute after statute that you are somehow asking us to just absolutely ignore in your interpretation, Justice Rebecca Dallet said. We have a statute that talks about when an abortion can be performed and thats after 20 weeks. We have a 24-hour waiting period. We have informed consent provisions. We have a ban on what they label to be partial birth abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dallet asked Thome how he reconciles the 1849 statute with the later statute passed in 2015 that prohibits abortion after 20 weeks and the other laws related to abortion. I fit those things together because that statute doesnt say you can have an abortion, Thome said. Justice Brian Hagedorn appeared to agree that the 1849 law applies to abortion, and said later laws dont negate it. Its a matter of straight reasonable statutory interpretation, Hagedorn said. The laws still there. Its still there. The judiciary doesnt get to edit laws. The judiciary doesnt get to rewrite them. We didnt delete it. We prevented its enforcement now, its still there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Hannah Jurss, who represented Kaul, argued that there was an implied repeal of the 1849 law, when lawmakers passed other statutes regulating abortion access in the state. The standard implied repeal rule is its the earlier law that falls and theres nothing in the text of the Wisconsin statutes that would say disregard all of that, and instead in the event of Roe being overturned go back to 940.04, and we know state Legislatures knew how to do this because a number of states enacted trigger bans, Jurss said. Wisconsin did not. Kaul said at a press conference following the arguments that the Legislature should take up some of the other laws related to abortion access in the state, no matter the outcome of the lawsuit. There are now relatively narrow majorities for Republicans in the state Legislature, Kaul said. The Assembly is now a 54-45 Republican majority, while the Senate is an 18-15 Republican majority. It is very clear that Wisconsinites overwhelmingly support having safe access to abortion in the state. For those legislators in these districts that are very moderate, where those districts could go either way, I think we ought to ask those folks, do they support some common sense changes that will protect access to abortion care in Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wisconsin Supreme Court has also agreed to hear a second lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin against Urmanski, which asks the Court to find that the state Constitutions right to equal protection grants a right to receive an abortion and a doctors right to provide one. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In 2023, Sydney Towle, then 23, developed a bump on her abdomen that she could feel. When she exercised, she experienced a stinging in her stomach. Worried that she developed a hernia, Towle visited an urgent care clinic. The doctor thought I had a hernia, but he was like, Ill send you in for an ultrasound, just in case, Towle, now 25, of New York City, tells TODAY.com. I got an ultrasound, and it showed a solid mass. Follow-up tests revealed Towle had bile duct cancer, also called cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer that forms on the network of tubes that link the liver, gallbladder and small intestine, according to the National Cancer Institute. According to the American Cancer Society, bile duct cancers are most often diagnosed in people in their 70s. Towle felt stunned by the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive never heard of bile duct cancer, she says. I only knew the major forms of cancer like breast cancer, lymphoma. Unexpected bump and pain While she noticed the bump for a few months, Towle didnt visit the doctor immediately because she was young and healthy, she recalls. But when she started experiencing pain, she realized she needed to seek medical care. When I was going on walks, I started feeling a burning sensation in my stomach, she says. After the ultrasound showed a mass, Towle underwent an MRI. (It) showed that it was cancerous, she says. I had to go to the hospital to get a biopsy, which determines the type of cancer that I had. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biopsy revealed she had bile duct cancer, and doctors considered how to proceed with her care. At the time, it had not spread to other locations in her body. Theres not one set treatment plan because its such a rare cancer, she says. Still, doctors believed that chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor paired with surgery that would effectively treat her cancer. For five months, Towle did chemotherapy and immunotherapy. At times, she felt overwhelmed with its side effects. The first few days after I got chemo, I was pretty much in bed the whole time because it makes you extremely tired, she says. Then I would try to go about my life as normally as possible. By sharing her experience with bile duct cancer on TikTok, Sydney Towle has connected with other young people grappling with cancer diagnoses. She experienced extreme bloating and swelling, as well as exhaustion, but nothing more serious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like I got pretty lucky with the symptoms because I am pretty young and healthy, she says. I wasnt getting extremely sick. The chemotherapy worked, too. I responded very well, my oncologist said, Towle recalls. They reduced it to good margins to the point where I could get surgery. Towle underwent surgery in January of this year to remove the remaining mass. It went really well. I came out of it, and the surgeon said that she got all of it pretty much, Towle says. There was some cancer like left on the margin where they resected my liver. But overall the tumors were gone. That meant she didnt need to restart chemotherapy, though she still had some cancer lingering in her body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My oncologist was like, Youre not cancer free. You still have cancer on the margins of where they took out the tumor. ... You should be fine for now and well just keep an eye on it,'" Towle explains. For several months, she underwent regular scans to make sure the remaining cancer didn't grow. Everything was clear until an MRI in in August detected a small lesion. Doctors initially thought it could've been scar tissue from her previous surgery and scheduled another MRI for a month later to see if the spot had changed at all. Doctors told Towle that if the follow-up MRI showed the spot had grown, then it was likely cancer, but if it stayed the same, it was just scar tissue. It had doubled in that time so that proved it was cancerous," Towle says. Bile duct cancer Bile duct cancer is rare and comes with few symptoms, which means many people are diagnosed at later stages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, we do often find these in stages where theyre not surgically manageable, Dr. Antony Ruggeri, a medical oncologist at Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center, who did not treat Towle, previously told TODAY.com. According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms can include: Jaundice or yellowing of the skin Pain the upper right quadrant of the abdomen Itchiness Greasy or pale stool Unintentional weight loss or lessened appetite Dark-colored urine Fever People at higher risk include: Those with certain liver or bile duct conditions, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis B or C Older populations Those with inflammatory bowel disease Those with diabetes Facing cancer again Towle cannot receive chemotherapy again because her white blood cell count is too low from her previous treatment and the cancer growing back. She currently has cancer on her liver, and it has spread to one abdominal lymph node. She was told her options were surgery or joining a clinical trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think Ive processed it, she says. Ive kind of disassociated from it. After recently moving to New York City for work, Towle is seeing a new medical team, who will conduct their own scans and take a biopsy of her cancer growth to understand it and come up with a new treatment plan. Sydney Towle hopes her story encourages others to be kind to people because it's hard to know what struggles people are facing in their lives. While Towle appreciates that her new doctors are being thorough, it also feels "very frustrating" because all the retesting feels like a step back, she shared on her TikTok account. I'm trying to feel positive about it, she said. But it just kind of feels like I'm restarting everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Towle has been telling her story on social media, and connecting with others has helped her navigate having such a rare cancer. They reach such a wide audience that I will get messages from people my age or with parents (who have it), she says. Its been a really great way to connect with people even if its not my specific cancer. When she was first diagnosed, she felt touched by all the messages of support she received, and that has motivated her to continue being transparent about her health. Im bringing light to this, and so that has encouraged me to continuing posting and sharing, especially when I am not doing well or when I receive good news, she says. It always seems to help people feel less alone like theyre not the only ones that are going through something thats very challenging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Towle hopes her experience teaches people the importance of seeking medical care when something seems wrong. If you have some sort of warning signs, do not ignore them because I did, she says. This article was originally published on TODAY.com PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) More than a year-and-a-half after two men were shot and killed on Dale Drive in Portsmouth, a woman was arrested Tuesday on a pair of first-degree murder charges. Akea Faison (Photo U.S. Marshals Service) Akea Faison, 33, was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi after law enforcement had been searching for her for 20 months, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Tuesday, the U.S. Marshals Services Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task force, along with Portsmouth Police and the USMS Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, were able to arrest Faison, who, in addition to the first-degree murder charges, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faison, according to the U.S. Marshals Service, was allegedly involved in a March 5, 2023 robbery on Dale Drive in which two men were shot and killed. Previously: Suspect wanted for first-degree murder charges in double homicide on Dale Drive in Portsmouth Around 7:42 a.m. March 5, 2023, police responded to the 260 block of Dale Drive in reference to a shooting, and when officers arrived, they found two men who had been shot one who was pronounced dead at the scene and another who was taken to a hospital and later died. The victims were identified as Carlos Cordova, 28, and Carlos Castro-Murillo, 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Marshals Service said the case had developed several leads, and investigators learned Faison was working in Jackson, Mississippi under an assumed identity, at which point, Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force investigators requested help of the USMS Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force to find and arrest her. On Tuesday, investigators set up surveillance on a business in the 100 block of West Northside Drive in Jackson, Mississippi and found Faison working there. They approached her and arrested her without incident, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Faison is being held at the Madison County Detention Center in Mississippi and is awaiting extradition to Virginia for an initial court appearance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) A traffic stop in Asheville led to a womans arrest after officers discovered over 30 grams of drugs to be in her possession Saturday night. Officers conducting proactive enforcement in the north area of downtown Asheville around 9:21 p.m. witnessed a vehicle committing multiple traffic violations and initiated a stop, according to the Asheville Police Department. Reports state during the traffic stop on Crescent Street, the driver, identified as Alexis Helena Cromer, was found to be in possession of a trafficking amount of fentanyl, methamphetamine and Oxycodone. The 28-year-old was taken into custody without incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers seized the following: 9 grams of fentanyl 25 grams of methamphetamine 6 DU Oxycodone Miscellaneous scales, baggies, and foil $240 Cromer was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond due to a parole violation. She has been charged with the following: Trafficking fentanyl Possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver methamphetamine Felony possession of schedule II possession of drug paraphenalia Misdemeanor possession of schedule II Parole commission violation Felony probation violation out of county Driving while license revoked Failure to stop for a red light Unsafe lane change Improper use of lane 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. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) A woman has been charged after troopers found a home with a severe amount of dog feces housing multiple juveniles and an elderly woman in Harrison County. On Nov. 11, troopers with the Harrison County detachment of the West Virginia State Police arrived at a residence in Clarksburg to speak with a woman, according to a criminal complaint. Crystal Kelley When the woman, identified as Crystal Kelley, 42, of Clarksburg, answered the door, troopers noted that a significant number of flying insects emerged which began to land on their face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While at the home, troopers also noted that the residence lacked water service, and that there were three juveniles in the home, as well as an 18-year-old who was still under Kelleys care, according to the complaint. While in the home, troopers noted that the juveniles appeared to have dog feces on their feet and were covered in filth from the condition of the floors in the residence. They also noted that there was evidence of dog urine throughout the home, including in the closets, which were being used as makeshift defecation areas due to the bathrooms not having operational water. Fairmont bar altercation sends one to hospital, suspect in custody The complaint added that troopers saw feces coming up from the toilet and mold located on the floor within the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint said that an elderly woman also lived in the residence and that Kelley is employed by a company tasked with providing care for her. Troopers also noted dogs in the home, one of which had multiple scratches to the top of its head, and none of the animals had water, troopers said. In the downstairs area, troopers noted a severe amount of dog feces located where the dogs are forced to stay. Kelley had also told troopers that she had smoked marijuana 30 minutes prior to their arrival and that she had smoked methamphetamine in one of the juveniles bedrooms, according to the complaint. Kelley has been charged with child neglect, elder abuse and animal cruelty. She is being held in North Central Regional Jail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police are investigating after a woman was shot in Southeast D.C. on Monday night. According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), around 10:30 p.m., officers received a call for a shooting in the 1900 block of 19th Place. This is near the Anacostia Library. On the scene, responding officers found a woman with a gunshot wound. 1-year-old girl missing since Halloween found safe, DC police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was conscious and breathing. As of Tuesday morning, there was no word on her condition. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 25-year-old woman wanted in connection with a stabbing in Manchester last month has turned herself in to police. Analeysa Pringle turned herself in to Manchester Police on Monday, police said Tuesday. Police had a warrant for Pringle for first degree assault in connection with a stabbing that happened in the Victory Parking Garage last month. Along with the assault charge, Pringle is facing two counts of falsifying evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 26, at approximately 2:15 p.m., police responded to Victory Park for a report of an argument. When officers arrived, a large group of people were in the center of the park yelling that someone had been stabbed. Police found a 54-year-old man with blood on his clothing and lacerations on his back. Police said they learned that the victim had gotten into a fight with a man in the parking garage. While they were fighting, a woman and her dog came up behind the victim, who told police he initially thought he had been bitten by the dog, but later realized he had been stabbed. He was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An initial investigation determined that Pringle was the woman who came up behind the victim, police said. She was expected to be arraigned on Tuesday in Manchester Circuit Court. 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 STAVANGER, Norway (AP) In 1965, a Norwegian woman gave birth to a baby girl in a private hospital. Seven days later she returned home with a baby. When the baby developed dark curls that made her look different from herself, Karen Rafteseth Dokken assumed she just took after her husband's mother. It took nearly six decades to discover the true reason: Rafteseth Dokken's biological daughter had been mistakenly switched at birth in the maternity ward of the hospital in central Norway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The girl she ended up raising, Mona, was not the baby she gave birth to. The babies one born on Feb. 14 and the other on Feb. 15, 1965 are now 59-year-old women who together with Rafteseth Dokken are suing the state and the municipality. In their case, which opened in the Oslo District Court on Monday, they argue that their human rights were violated when authorities discovered the error when the girls were teenagers and covered it up. They claim Norwegian authorities had undermined their right to a family life, a principle enshrined in the European human rights convention, and demand an apology and compensation. Rafteseth Dokken, now 78, was in tears as she described learning so many years later that she got the wrong baby, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was never my thought that Mona was not my daughter," she said in court on Tuesday. She was named Mona after my mother. Mona described a sense of never belonging as she grew up. That sense of uncertainty pushed her in 2021 to do a DNA test, which showed that she was not the biological daughter of those who raised her. But the woman who raised the other baby knew long before. A routine blood test in 1981 revealed that the girl she was raising, Linda Karin Risvik Gotaas, was not biologically related. The woman raising her, however, did not pursue a maternity case. Norwegian health authorities were informed of the mix-up in 1985, but refrained from telling the others involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both women who were swapped at birth have said in interviews that it was a shock to learn about the mix-up, but the knowledge made pieces of their lives fall into place, explaining differences both in terms of appearance and demeanor. Kristine Aarre Haanes, representing Mona, said the state violated her right to her own identity for all these years. They kept it secret. Mona could have learned the truth when she was a young adult, but instead "she did not find out the truth until she was 57. Her biological father has died. She has no contact with her biological mother, added Aarre Haanes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Circumstances surrounding the 1965 swap at Eggesboenes hospital are unclear, but media reports by NRK suggest there were several cases during the 1950s and 1960s where children were accidentally swapped at the same institution. At the time babies were kept together while their mothers rested in separate rooms. In other cases the errors were spotted before the children were permanently placed with the wrong families, according to the reports. An official from the Norwegian Ministry of Heath and Care Services said the state was unaware of similar cases and that there were no plans for a public inquiry. Asgeir Nygaard, representing the Norwegian state, is fighting the case on the grounds that the 1965 switch took place in a private institution and that the health directorate in the 1980s did not have the legal authority to inform the other families when they discovered the error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documentation from that time indicates that government officials found the assessments difficult, inter alia because it was legally unclear what they could do, he wrote in a statement to The Associated Press ahead of the trial's opening. Therefore, in court, we will argue that there is no basis for compensation and that the claims being made are in any case statute-barred. The trial is scheduled to run through Thursday, but it was not clear when a ruling is expected. ___ Associated Press writer Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report. THE HAGUE -Judges at the International Court of Justice ruled on Tuesday that competing anti-discrimination cases between Azerbaijan and Armenia can move forward. The court first threw out all objections Azerbaijan raised against Armenia's case, which accuses its Caucasus neighbour of violating a U.N. anti-discrimination treaty in 2021. In a competing case filed by Azerbaijan accusing Armenia of violating the same treaty, the court upheld some objections by Armenia. This limits the scope of Azerbaijan's case because the court ruled it can only look at incidents after September 1996 and ruled out examining alleged environmental harm caused by Armenia. Still, both cases can proceed to hearings on their merits, expected some time next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each side has said the other is carrying out ethnic cleansing. Azerbaijan's deputy foreign minister, Elnur Mammadov, hailed the court's ruling in a post on social media platform X, saying it would allow the ICJ to look at what Azerbaijan says is an Armenian campaign to lay landmines and booby traps. Last year, the court issued emergency measures in Armenia's case, ordering Azerbaijan to let ethnic Armenians, who fled the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave in September 2023, return. Azerbaijan retook the former breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, after 30 years of de facto independence, prompting almost its entire ethnic Armenian population of around 100,000 to flee to Armenia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Azerbaijan says it has pledged to ensure all residents' safety and security, regardless of national or ethnic origin, and that it has not forced ethnic Armenians to leave Karabakh. Azerbaijan, in its case, says Armenia is carrying out an ethnic cleansing campaign against Azeris. The ICJ, also known as the World Court, is the United Nations' top court for resolving disputes between countries. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Alex Richardson, Rod Nickel and Leslie Adler) The worlds first full-size purely-electric running robot, Tiangong from China, has gone open source. The move aims to boost secondary development and speed up the robots' integration into daily life. Tiangong, developed by the state-backed Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, is a versatile humanoid robot capable of maintaining a steady speed of 3.73 miles per hour (6 kilometers per hour). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tiangong combines visual perception sensors, 3D vision sensors, and high-precision IMU to tackle motion control challenges effectively. The robot was revealed at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area on May 4. Advancing robotics development The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center aims to advance secondary development in embodied robotics and explore areas like body mechanics and embodied intelligence through Tiangong, their foundational platform. According to Global Times, after extensive testing and validation, the platform is now open-source, allowing other enterprises and research institutions to access it directly. This move is expected to shorten the development cycle and reduce research costs. The open-source project includes two versions of the humanoid robot: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Tiangong 1.0 LITE" and "Tiangong Pro," with software and structural design documents already available. By the end of the year, the center plans to release additional structural blueprints, software architecture, and electrical systems. https://youtu.be/016eCv_v-8Y According to the Global Times, Tiangong has already been used in various situations since its formal release such as power plant patrols and warehouse pick-and-place duties. China has outlined a plan to lead in humanoid robot development. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced a vision in November 2023 to mass-produce humanoid robots by 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These robots are expected to think, learn, and create by 2027. The Economic and Technological Development Area in Beijing has gathered 110 robotics businesses to build a complete industrial chain, including apps, machines, and key components. The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center is focused on developing both software and hardware platforms while addressing industry challenges, such as open-source operating systems. Chinas humanoid robotics sector is growing, with notable models from companies like UBtech Robotics and Unitree. Human-like motion Tiangong's fully electric actuators allow it to move its head, arms, and legs in various ways. With a processing speed of 550 trillion operations per second, the 163 cm tall Tiangong is equipped with many sensors for visual perception and high-precision six-axis force sensors for precise force feedback. The humanoid robot operates entirely on electricity and is lightweight (94.7 pounds or 43 kilograms), which guarantees stability when moving, especially when sprinting. State Memory-based Predictive Reinforcement Imitation Learning, a state-of-the-art motion learning technique used by humanoid robots, gives it its lifelike running motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIjJ00HYCcM&pp=ygUgaHVtYW5vaWQgaW50ZXJlc3RpbmcgZW5naW5lZXJpbmc%3D In addition, the Tiangong humanoid robot incorporates a high-precision inertial measurements unit (IMU), 3D vision sensors, and a range of visual perception sensors. This extensive sensor suite addresses the robot's fundamental motion control issues. Notable is Tiangong's ability to go fluidly upstairs and down slopes without visual cues, as seen in a public video. Additionally, it showed improved flexibility by quickly changing its gaits to get back up after stumbling or falling. Tiangong's inventors claim that it has already demonstrated human-like sprinting abilities and offers open-source compatibility for further advancement, opening the door to more extensive commercial applications. Dozens of leaders are set to give speeches at the UN's Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan on Tuesday, setting the tone for the two-week negotiations. Among others, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is expected to speak. Representatives from almost 200 states are attending the summit, known as COP29, in Azerbaijan's capital Baku, which got under way on Monday. They are to discuss how to contain the climate crisis and mitigate its consequences, which include more frequent and severe flooding, cyclones, forest fires, heatwaves and droughts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summit also aims to address new financial commitments to poor countries that are particularly affected by climate change. Some international leaders have decided to miss the conference, including French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Brazilian President Lula da Silva, whose country is to take over the COP presidency in 2025. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meanwhile cancelled his trip to Baku due to the collapse of his governing coalition last week. WARWICK, N.Y. (PIX11) Firefighters battling the Jennings Creek wildfire got a little relief from rain on Monday, but thats the last time wet weather will be in the forecast until next week. The fire is anticipated to burn at least 5,000 acres by the time its fully contained roughly half in New York, where it started, and the other half in New Jersey. Fire crews will have an uphill battle on Tuesday navigating high winds and rough and rugged terrain. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters have managed to prevent any structural damage, but 12 homeowners in New York voluntarily evacuated and 10 structures remain threatened in New Jersey. Lets make no mistake this is one of the worst natural disasters the town of Warwick has seen in many, many years, said Jesse Dwyer, the Warwick town supervisor. And if things turn south, the threat to life and the threat to property could really take a turn for the worst. At least six New Jersey Forest Fire Service helicopters are on the scene and can drop 350 gallons of water each. Its gonna smolder like a cigar until it gets dry enough and then that fire can pop up again, said New York incident commander Brian Gallagher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on tracking the wildfires, 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. WASHINGTON (AP) A writer for a conservative media outlet pleaded guilty on Tuesday to joining a mobs attack on the U.S. Capitol nearly four years ago, after a federal judge refused to pause his case until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Steve Baker, who has written articles about the Jan. 6, 2021, riot for Blaze News, entered his guilty plea on the day that his bench trial had been scheduled to begin. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper is scheduled to sentence Baker on March 6, but the judge acknowledged that the case may never reach the punishment stage. Trump has repeatedly vowed to issue pardons to Jan. 6 riot defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker, 64, of Durham, North Carolina, had asked Cooper to postpone all of the deadlines and hearings for his case until after Trump's inauguration. But the judge denied Bakers request. Other judges have rejected similar requests by Capitol riot defendants who hope Trump will pardon them. After his guilty plea, Baker told reporters that he is "very confident that I'm at the top of the list" if Trump hands out pardons. Baker said he pleaded guilty to avoid the shaming exercise of a trial and maintained that he didn't do anything wrong on Jan. 6. I don't have a regret about my behavior that day, he said outside the courthouse. Blaze News is part of an online platform that conservative political commentator Glenn Beck founded in 2011 after leaving Fox News. Baker started writing for the media outlet after the Jan. 6 siege. He was working as a freelance journalist on Jan. 6 and later sold videos of the riot to The New York Times and HBO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bakers coverage of the Jan. 6 attack included the trial of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and four associates charged with seditious conspiracy for a plot to keep Trump in the White House after he lost the 2020 election. Baker covered the trial from a courthouse room reserved for news reporters. Baker was arrested and charged in March with four misdemeanor counts, including trespassing and disorderly conduct charges. He pleaded guilty to all four counts. After the riot erupted, Baker entered the Capitol through a broken door and joined the mob at the barricaded doors to the House chamber, according to an FBI agents affidavit. In another part of the Capitol, the affidavit says, Baker antagonized police officers who tried to keep him on the other side of a doorjamb, repeatedly asking, Are you going to use that (gun) on us? He remained inside the building for approximately 37 minutes before police led him out of the Capitol, according to the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit cites statements that Baker made during and after the riot. After leaving the Capitol, he told a local television station that he was quite excited to see this going on. Do I approve of what happened today? I approve 100%, he said, according to the affidavit. Baker also told the station that approximately 20 to 30 people were inside then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office at the time that I got there. In a video uploaded to a YouTube channel on Jan. 6, Baker also referred to Pelosi with a sexist expletive. The only thing I regret is that I didnt like steal their computers because God knows what I couldve found on their computers if Id done that. But by the time I got into Pelosis office, unfortunately there was some damage done, Baker said, according to the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cooper said he was troubled by Baker's rhetoric that day. If you haven't reassessed those comments, I'm not sure there's anything I could say today that would change your mind, the judge added. More than 1,500 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Over 1,000 convicted rioters have been sentenced, with over 650 receiving prison time ranging from a few days to 22 years. Cooper said the Jan. 6 prosecutions have been decided by facts and evidence, exemplifying the rule of law. They have not been governed by unsupported opinions and conspiracy theories, the judge said. Baker and his attorneys accused the Justice Department of selectively prosecuting him for his political beliefs. But the judge rejected that claim, calling it unfounded speculation. FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) We invite you to nominate a woman in your life who has gone above and beyond for their community for the Remarkable Women contest. Extraordinary women are out leading communities and making a difference in peoples lives all around us and we want to recognize them with this contest. Their stories will be shared and highlighted on national and local media to be recognized for their selflessness, accomplishments, and community impact. The winner of the contest will receive a trip to Los Angeles along with 124 other winners from across the country and receive a $1,000 donation to the non-profit of her choice. The Los Angeles trip will be for the National Celebration Event where they will get the VIP treatment including round-trip airfare, hotel room, and transportation to and from the event. The winner will also be considered for WTWO and WAWVs parent company Nexstars Woman of the Year contest. Five regional finalists will also receive an additional $5,000 donation to their 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Nexstars Woman of the Year will receive a $25,000 donation. Nominations are currently open and will end at 1 a.m. on December 21. You can nominate someone here on our website by clicking this link. Nominees will be announced in April following National Womens History Month. To date, Nexstar has donated more than $480,000 from this initiative since its inception and has showcased more than 2,200 women making a difference in their communities. 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 MyWabashValley.com. Welcome to The Hills Technology newsletter {beacon} (WJET/WFXP) A New York man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to robbing a Pennsylvania bank and using a stolen truck to do so back in June. McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer announced Edwin McPeak Jr., 39, of Olean, New York was sentenced to 5-10 years in state prison uneligible for parole along with consecutive supervision and restitution to victims. New York man pleads guilty to charges related to PA bank robbery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McPeak was arrested back on June 6 after robbing the Hamlin Bank in Edlred Borough, McKean County with a handgun saying to the tellers No ones going to get hurt. Give me all of your money and taking over $18,000 in real and decoy money. After robbing the bank, McPeak fled in a car he stole in Cattaraugus County, NY and leading to a police chase that ended a crash in the 1300 block of South Kendal Ave. in Bradford. Lottery ticket worth over $1 million sold in Mercer County McPeak previously pleaded guilty to robbery of a financial institution with a firearm, placing two victims in fear of serious bodily injury with a firearm, theft from a bank and receiving stolen property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to the robbery, PSP Lewis Run had received a BOLO from Cattaraugus County for the car, which they said was involved in a separate bank robbery in New York. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. A mother and three children were killed in a Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih. The youngest was only 2 months old. Source: Oleksandr Vilkul, Head of Kryvyi Rih City Military Administration Details: On the morning of 11 November, Russia attacked Kryvyi Rih with a ballistic missile launched from Crimea. The strike destroyed the third and fourth entrances and the roof of a five-storey residential building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack claimed the lives of 32-year-old Olena Kulyk and her three children: 10-year-old Kyrylo, Demyd, who was 2 years and 9 months old, and 2-month-old Uliana. The only survivor of the family was the father, Maksym Kulyk. The man survived because he was in another room at the time of the attack. "My son went to the kitchen to cook breakfast. He survived; he fell to the first floor," Maksym Kulyk's mother, Iryna, told Suspilne.Dnipro. The woman was at work when the explosion rang out. She says she immediately started calling her family, but they did not answer. Then she went to their house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The search operation lasted until the morning of 12 November. At midnight, rescue workers uncovered the woman's body. Later, they found the two older children, and only in the morning the youngest. A child's shoe in the destroyed house. A child's shoe in the destroyed house. Photo: Dnipropetrovsk State Emergency Service/Facebook "It was a very nice couple. They were everywhere together! They're a great family," wrote Yevhenia Bezymenko under one of the Instagram posts, who noted that she knew the family personally. ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih company said that Olena Kulyk worked for its subsidiary, Stil Service. She was a cargo and luggage receiver at the railway shop. At the time of the tragedy, the woman was on maternity leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Kryvyi Rih-based Rudana TV channel, Maksym Kulyk and his mother, Iryna, also work for ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih. The man is a railway dispatcher. The family are members of the Blahoslovinnia (Blessing) Church in the village of Radushne. "They came to us about 6-7 years ago. Since then, they have been helping the needy, distributing lunches to homeless people in the Skhidnyi and Sotsmisto [districts of Kryvyi Rih ed.], and in the House of Comfort. Maksym took part in all our events and helped in children's shelters. They were People with a capital P. Olenka was also a member of our church, but she was busy with her three children. She was a good woman, a wonderful mum to the kids, and had a very kind heart. She supported Maksym in his help to the needy," evangelist Mykola Koroliuk told the TV channel. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, 14 November, at the Salvation House of Prayer, 22A Sobornosti Street. Support UP or become our patron! YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstown State University kicked off its campaign to raise money for the renovation of Kilcawley Center. Kilcawley Center is located in the heart of campus and has student dining and meeting spaces, as well as housing The Jambar student newspaper, IT Service Desk and Graphic Services. Built in 1965, YSUs Kilcawley Center is starting to show its age, prompting the university to kick-start a fundraising campaign Kilcawley: Centered on the Future to help pay for a major renovation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buildings built back in the 60s long hallways, low ceilings, narrow stairwells. Thats unusable space, said YSU President Bill Johnson. The university estimates the project to cost around $43 million. So far, its gathered about half of that $21 million through donations and state funding. Major donors were recognized Tuesday, including Johnson and First Lady LeeAnn, who made a gift of $100,000 to the project in January. Scott Schulick, a former YSU trustee and local financial advisor who will also serve as a chairperson for the campaign, donated $100,000. His donation will go toward the naming of the Student Government suite, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will be a redo from the inside out. The shell of this building will remain. The facade will be renovated but inside, youre basically going to have an entirely new design, and look and feel, Schulick said. Enhancing the student experience has become a priority for YSU. University leaders are hoping to create a modern and vibrant hub for students with flexible event spaces and expanded dining options. Planned enhancements include a new black-box theater for performances, a revamped Chestnut Room for larger gatherings, and improved connectivity to the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Additionally, the design will integrate indoor and outdoor spaces, according to YSU. Youngstown State is essential to the cultural, social and economic survivability of this region. So goes this university, so goes this region, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why the fundraising campaign looks to curb the financial burden put on the university, limiting the amount of debt it takes on for the renovation project. Everybody has questions about the value, the cost of a four-year college degree. Were in probably one of the best financial situations than any of the other major universities in our state, certainly our region. We want to keep it that way, Johnson said. The goal is to ensure campus life continues with as little disruption as possible. Construction will start in the spring of next year. We want to give students a place where they feel like theyre looking forward, rather than looking 50 years backward, Johnson 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 WKBN.com. By Praveen Menon and Renju Jose (Reuters) -New Zealand offered a historic national apology on Tuesday to victims and families of hundreds of thousands of young people and vulnerable adults who were subjected to physical and sexual abuse in institutions over the last 70 years. The apology follows a report by a public inquiry in July that found some 200,000 children and vulnerable adults in state and faith-based care experienced some form of abuse from 1950 to 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said with around 200 abuse survivors and families watching on from the public gallery at parliament in Wellington. "Today I am apologising on behalf of the government to everyone who suffered abuse, harm and neglect while in care. I make this apology to all survivors on behalf of my own and previous governments." The government had completed or started work on 28 recommendations from the inquiry, the prime minister said, and will provide its full response early next year. Luxon said a National Remembrance Day would take place on Nov 12 next year and work will begin to remove memorials like street names, public amenities, and other public honours of proven perpetrators. Instead, the country would honour the victims, many of whom were buried in unmarked graves at psychiatric and other sites that were places of care in New Zealand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bill to include a range of measures to improve safety in state care will have its first reading in parliament on Tuesday. The Royal Commission of Inquiry was the longest and the most complex inquiry undertaken by New Zealand. The inquiry spoke to more than 2,300 survivors of abuse in the country of 5.3 million. The inquiry detailed a litany of abuses in state and faith-based care, including rape, sterilisation and use of electric shocks, which peaked in the 1970s. Those from the Indigenous Maori community were especially vulnerable to abuse, the report found, as well as those with mental or physical disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final report outlined 138 recommendations, including calling for public apologies from New Zealand's government, as well as the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, heads of the Catholic and Anglican churches respectively, who have condemned child abuse. It also called for new legislation including mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, including admissions made during religious confession. The report estimated the average lifetime cost to an abuse survivor was approximately NZ$857,000 ($511,115) per person as of 2020, although it did not make a clear recommendation on how much survivors should be compensated. ($1 = 1.6767 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting by Renju Jose and Praveen Menon; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has enacted a decision by Ukraines National Security and Defence Council to impose sanctions on certain individuals and businesses. Source: the relevant decrees, published on the President's Office website Details: By Decree No. 761/2024, Zelenskyy enacted the decision of the National Security and Defence Council to sanction 15 individuals for a period of 10 years, including Mikhail Razvozhayev, a Russian native and the so-called governor of temporarily occupied Sevastopol, and the collaborator Vladimir Nemtsev. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same decree gives effect to the NSDCs decision to impose 10-year sanctions on 39 companies. By Decree No. 762/2024, the President put into effect the NSDC's decision to impose sanctions for 10 years on 63 companies, including Russian airlines and airports such as Sheremetyevo Handling; Domodedovo Airport Handling; Airport Service; Northern Capital Air Gate; Aeroflot Techs; and Sky Food Vnukovo. Oil and gas companies were also sanctioned, including RussNeft, Tuimaada-Neft Oil Company, and Gazpromneft-Aero Novosibirsk. Both decrees came into force on the day of their publication, 12 November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Last month, Zelenskyy signed two decrees enacting an NSDC decision On the Application of Personal Special Economic and Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions). The legal entities sanctioned by the NSDC included Russian and Chinese companies, notably the state-owned Rostec Corporation. Pro-Russian Ukrainian lawyer Tetiana Montian was one of the individuals sanctioned. Support UP or become our patron! NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Suspected drug overdose deaths have declined in Nashville compared to this time last year, but the presence of the so-called zombie drug xylazine has risen, according to the Metro Nashville Board of Health (MNBH). According to the latest drug overdose data from the MNBH, detections of xylazine, or tranq, have nearly doubled so far in 2024 compared to this point last year. The data also showed that in 2022 years ago, xylazine only appeared in about 5% of toxicology reports for people who died of a suspected drug overdose in Nashville. So far this year, that number is nearly 13%. Read the latest drug overdose data report from the MNBH here Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in this vicious cycle of kind of feeding an addiction until people either want treatment or can get treatment and it is something that keeps the drug suppliers in business, said Mary Linden Salter, the executive director of the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug & other Addiction Services (TAADAS). Salter said to keep up with demand, suppliers have laced illegal drugs with xylazine, which is relatively cheap to produce. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people often dont even know theyre taking it. Salter said that she believe that getting off xylazine should be medically managed. There might be people who are on waiting lists for treatment even, but they continue to be drug-dependent until they can find treatment, Salter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salter added that because only certain groups qualify for Medicaid in Tennessee, that could also create a barrier for those looking to seek rehabilitation. 2 men arrested in drug bust at McFerrin Park MNBHs report also shows while fentanyl deaths are slightly decreasing, fentanyl was still responsible for more than 70% of overdose deaths in Nashville so far this year. The state has taken steps to address this issue by passing a law to decriminalize fentanyl test strips in 2022. The law that would need to be reenacted during the next legislative session to stay in effect. TAADAS also wanted to remind people that Tennessees Good Samaritan Law provides legal protection for anyone who needs to dial 911 for a drug overdose. 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. Highlighting their new painted-in-Italy WPNT colors inspired by classic car paintjobs, 3T almost glossed over a really big update to their core RaceMax gravel bike an Integrale shift finally gives the bike fully internal cable routing. Sure, 3T already adopted fully internal routing on their aero road bike a couple of years ago, and then incrementally on each of their premium made-in-Italy Italia models since. But now, the more affordable standard 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale drops the annoying toptube routing port. And its also available as a frameset for 1/2 the cost of the Italia edition! 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale carbon gravel bike is integrated! For four years, the 3T RaceMax has been 3Ts best-selling gravel bike aerodynamic, versatile with faster and wide 700c tires or even wider 650b tires for bigger adventures, and plenty of mounts for bikepacking and adventure. Now, 3T gives the RaceMax a fresh coat of paint by adding it to their new WPNT program, with 5 special edition metallic & iridescent colors said to be inspired by classic cars. That We Paint label meaning that 3T paints the bikes themselves in Italy, letting them run more special edition colors. 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale aero carbon gravel bike gets integrated, clean cockpit At the same time, the 3T RaceMax WPNT also becomes Integrale like their top-tier made-in-Italy Italia edition carbon road & gravel bikes Why does an integrated gravel bike update matter? Inside 3T Cycling Factory Tour, How 3T Torno carbon cranks are made by hand, 100% made-in-Italy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2020 3T Exploro RaceMax aero gravel bike, all-new aerodynamic carbon gravel race bikeRealFast 3T Exploro Race Max Boost gravel e-bike powered by ebikemotion, riding 3T Exploro Ultra carbon adventure aero gravel bikepacking bike Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 3T Exploro has been around as an aero gravel bike since 2016. And, Ive ridden every generation since at least 5 or 6 different Exploros with one inelegant cable routing solution. The RaceMax platform itself, has been around for 4 years, now. I reviewed this latest bike back in the summer of 2020. And all-in-all I think its still one of the best, most versatile but still race-ready gravel bikes out there. Well, except for one major nit I had to pick 2020 Exploro RaceMaxs worst feature (Photo/Cory Benson) The cable routing into the frame just behind the headset was simply bad. Always in the way, whether mounting devices over the stem or using any toptube bag. It was annoying enough that I wasnt bothered when it was time to return that test bike to 3T. 2023 3T Exploro Extrema Italia solved the internal routing problem, but was expensive (Photo/Cory Benson) And I was genuinely psyched when I first rode the made-in-Italy Exploro Extrema Italia which fixed the internal cable routing issue (even if the toptube bolts didnt exactly seem to be in the correct spot). Sure, it meant that the new made-in-Italy bikes were only compatible with electronic shift drivetrains. And they were a lot more expensive. But, it was so much better a solution that this was a gravel bike I would like to keep around for a bit longer. Now, thats no longer holding it back, I can say this made-in-Taiwan RaceMax is one of the best all-rounder gravel bikes out there. It does everything the RaceMax Italia does the same shaping, tire sizes, component standards, and geometry just with a frameset that costs half as much built with pre-preg carbon instead of filament winding. 2025 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale Pricing, options & availability 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale, angled front Avorio white Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale, frameset Malva purple 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale, angled rear Mara blue The newly integrated RaceMax WPNT is now available directly from 3T in 5 special edition paint colors: Camo gray, Indaco blue, Mara blue, Malva purple & Avorio off-white. And it is offered both as a 2975 frameset, or a complete bike build for 6150 with a new GRX Di2 2x build and aero carbon 3T Discus 40/30 wheels. Either way featuring the 3T Fango RaceMax Integrale compact crown fork & Apto Integrale Stealth stem to route all cables (electronic shift only) through the headet. 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale aero carbon gravel bike gets integrated, complete Both new iterations of the new 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale are painted and built-to-order, with a 6-8 week lead time. 3T.bike The post 3T RaceMax WPNT Finally Integrates Internal Cable Routing For Popular Gravel Bike appeared first on Bikerumor. By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - Adobe on Tuesday added software tools that let its customers use artificial intelligence to create images based on its library of stock images, while still paying the original creators of those images. Adobe, the company behind tools such as Photoshop that are widely used in the content creation business, has been rushing to add AI tools to its software as it faces image generation technology from newer firms such as OpenAI. Adobe's strategy has been to ensure that content it generates is legally safe to use in commercial work and to compensate artists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tools released Tuesday let customers start with a stock image from Adobe's collection then modify it with AI to meet their needs. The creator of the original image is compensated as if their unmodified original image was used. Matthew Smith, vice president at Adobe for strategy, design and emerging products, said that while some Adobe users like to generate images from text prompts, many customers want conventional stock imagery modified a bit for their specific purpose. "A majority of people still have a blank canvas problem," Smith told Reuters. "Generative AI is not replacing stock (imagery). It's not replacing creatives or contributors. It's enhancing and giving them more potential opportunity to increase their earnings." (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Japanese cloud computing provider Sakura Internet has embarked on an ambitious project to try to meet demand for AI compute power in Japan and abroad. The company says it's launching a three-year project to scale out a data center focused on artificial intelligence and expects to be fully booked by the time it's complete in 2027. To get the data center ready to meet existing and future demand, Sakura will be buying a whole lot of Nvidia GPUs, according to a new Bloomberg report. The article quotes the company's CEO as saying he is in talks with Nvidia to buy 10,000 GPUs a year to meet demand. However, that demand is currently exploding, he said, so a more appropriate number of GPUs would be between 50,000 and 100,000 GPUs each year just to meet its current needs. Looking ahead, the company's CEO said if demand remains as high as it is now, the data center would need 1 million GPUs to keep up 10 years from now. Nvidia HGX H200 Nvidia's HGX H200 is the latest iteration of its Hopper architecture, and likely within reach for smaller cloud providers who might not be able to afford Blackwell servers. Credit: Nvidia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the data center is fully operational in 2027, it will allow local companies, universities, and research institutes to tap into the AI infrastructure Sakura is building. The CEO says its compute capacity is currently fully booked, with a waiting list that extends for years, thus the mad rush to acquire more Nvidia hardware. The CEO also noted that demand for compute can be a bit sporadic right now but will likely explode when AI becomes commonplace in cars and household appliances. Despite those two growth vectors, he doesn't believe AI will fundamentally change the experience of using a smartphone or a PC, which we're sure Google, Apple, and Microsoft would beg to differ on. Bloomberg reports that Sakura was the first company in Japan to be chosen by the government to build what it calls a "public cloud." As such, it relies on government subsidies to help it foot the bill for its upcoming purchase of Nvidia hardware, which will total almost $60 million in the next two months. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central What you need to know Google appears to be prepping a standalone Gemini app for iOS. From the beginning, iOS users have had to access Gemini through the Google app or web client on their iPhone. At least one user has already downloaded and used the Gemini app with Gemini Live on iOS, but the test looks to be limited. The experience of using Gemini on Android and iOS might be getting more consistent. Google is apparently planning to ship a dedicated Gemini app to the App Store on iOS, and at least one Reddit user already downloaded it (via 9to5Google). From the beginning, iPhone users found Gemini in the Google app, whereas Android users had a standalone Gemini app since the beginning of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The app is called "Google Gemini," and it's available on the iOS App Store in select regions under this link. The Reddit user u/lostshenanigans was able to download it on the Philippines App Store, and some have found success changing their App Store country to the Philippines to view this app. For most users, including those in the U.S., the app won't be available. Instead, following the above listing page will return the following message: "This app is currently not available in your country or region." Google describes the Gemini app for iOS as "Your AI assistant from Google" and that it can "Unlock the power of Google AI on your iPhone." Aside from serving as a basic AI chatbot, the App Store listing reveals that Gemini Live will be available at launch. In a series of screenshots, u/lostshenanigans revealed Gemini Live was already working on their iPhone, and they could continue a conversation with Gemini Live even from the lockscreen. This can be either achieved by Google using a Live Activity, or by treating Gemini Live like an iOS voice call or potentially a combination of the two. Per the App Store listing, Google released the Gemini app in select regions about a week ago, starting with version 1.2024.4330807. Since then, the release notes say that version 1.2024.4330809 recently added Gemini Live support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, the Google app and Google Assistant app are available for download separately from the App Store on iOS. There's a separate tab in the Google app for Gemini on iOS, which functions similarly to the Gemini web client. To make reaching Gemini easier, there's a Gemini widget for the Google app that can be added to the iPhone Home Screen. However, the Google app lacks feature parity with the Gemini app for Android, and Gemini Live is a glaring omission. All iPhone 16 models (plus the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max) have the Action button, which could easily be mapped to open the upcoming Gemini app. Now that Google appears to be prepping the Gemini app and Gemini Live for iPhone, it could become a sneaky Siri competitor. Flights from two U.S. carriers had a scary incident in Haiti. CNN (WBD) reports that planes operated by JetBlue Airways (JBLU) and Spirit Airlines (SAVE) were struck by bullets in the country on Monday. Spirit Airlines told Quartz in a statement its flight was diverted to the Dominican Republic after attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. Following the flights arrival at [Cibao International Airport in Santo Domingo], an inspection revealed evidence of damage to the aircraft consistent with gunfire, the company said. One Flight Attendant on board reported minor injuries and was evaluated by medical personnel. No Guest injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JetBlue Airways, in a comment to Quartz, said that no passengers were injured and the plane landed safely in the United States. On Monday, November 11, JetBlue flight 935 from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, landed safely at New Yorks JFK Airport, the company said. While no issues were initially reported by the operating crew, a post-flight inspection later identified that the aircrafts exterior had been struck by a bullet. We are actively investigating this incident in collaboration with relevant authorities. Haiti has struggled with violence and political instability since its founders achieved independence from France in 1804. For decades, militant groups have fought for control with a series of governments installed by foreign governments including the U.S., France, and Canada. An op-ed last year from the The Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti directly links the countrys loss of sovereignty with its current turmoils. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although international analysts often date Haitis crisis to the July 2021 assassination of President [Jovenel] Moise, it has been brewing for far longer, the group wrote. For over a decade, individuals associated with the Pati Ayisyen Tet Kale (PHTK) political party have deliberately dismantled Haitis democratic institutions, corrupted its accountability mechanisms, and built up gangs as instruments of political violence, all while continuing to receive international support. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Russia was subject to numerous trade restrictions following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but that hasn't done much to keep Western tech out of Russian weapons. A new report claims that a recently recovered Russian drone contained at least 30 chips from Western companies, including Marvell, Micron, Texas Instruments, and more. These firms didn't sell the chips to Russia, but they ended up there anyway. Ukrainian forces make a point of inspecting every piece of Russian equipment they can find, searching for illicit use of Western technology. Recently, a Russian jet shot down a Russian Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B that had lost control and was gliding toward Ukrainian territory. The vehicle crashed 16 kilometers behind Ukrainian lines, but it was sufficiently intact that Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR) was able to analyze its construction. The S-70 is an unmanned fighter aircraft that is supposed to act as an AI wingman for the Sukhoi Su-57 human-piloted stealth fighter. The autonomous aircraft has a flying wing design reminiscent of US stealth aircraft like the B-2 and F-117. The S-70 is a prototype UAV capable of carrying up to 2,000 pounds of munitions, but it's currently used for reconnaissance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German publisher Golem.de reports that Ukraine's GUR identified multiple foreign chips inside the S-70, and you can see all of them on Ukraine's War Sanctions site. The component list can be filtered for the S-70, revealing transistors from Germany's Infineon, microcontrollers from Texas Instruments, microcircuits from Switzerland's STMicroelectronics, and more. In all, the GUR identified 30 foreign components in the S-70 wreckage. Ukraine components Several of the Western components found in the downed S-70. Credit: Military Intelligence of Ukraine As with America's attempts to limit China's access to technology, it appears the Russian trade restrictions have limited impact on military systems. The GUR claims that more than 4,000 Western components have been found in 147 different Russian weapons. Several companies have responded to the report, noting that they abide by American sanctions and do not knowingly distribute components within Russia. In some ways, the appearance of Western parts in Russian weapons is a result of the same global economy that empowers the US to put pressure on Russia. With its vast influence over low-level technologies, the United States can block access to important components even if they aren't manufactured in America. However, numerous middlemen around the world are willing to purchase restricted technology and pass it off to Russia or China, which is also facing strict US trade restrictions. You are the owner of this article. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. 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: "We announce with a sad heart that Balaton Sound will be forced to rest in 2025, so it will definitely not be staged next year," the organisers wrote on Facebook on Monday. This news was not unexpected, as the mayor of Zamardi, Gyula Csakovics, told a local newspaper earlier that such an announcement would be made soon about the festival in the town at Lake Balaton, HVG adds. He also said that the Strand Festival, also staged in Zamardi, is more accepted, with fewer problems. Sonline.hu reported: This long running summer festival had 100's of thousands of visitors in 2024. Rumours about the festivals future started circulating on the last day of the four-day event this year, with some already suggesting then that this might be the last Balaton Sound in Zamardi, Sonline reported. Some vendors at the festival told attendees that 2024 would be the final year for this annual festival. In a now-deleted Instagram post, influencer Pumped Gabo, who rose to fame through this festival, tearfully said there would be no more Sound at the Hungarian Sea. Established in 2007, the festival quickly gained a reputation for its picturesque lakeside location on the shores of Lake Balaton and an impressive lineup of international DJs and top contemporary artists. It grew to be one of Europes largest and most popular electronic music festivals. From The Sound Team: "Dear Friends, Months have passed since this years Balaton Sound, and you havent heard from us. We have remained silent because we were facing a difficult decision that required careful consideration. Unfortunately, the consequences of the economic situation that have lingered since the pandemic have also affected Balaton Sound. Over the past three years, weve done everything we could to keep the festival going despite the challenges. But in the end, we had to decide that we wont be able to continue Balaton Sound in 2025 at the quality level youre used to. We need to rethink the future, and for that, we need time. It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Balaton Sound will be taking a break in 2025, meaning the festival will not be held next year. Its been a long journey since the beginning, filled with countless amazing experiences and joyful moments. We are incredibly grateful that you have been with us all this time. With friendship, The Sound Team" Hungary's diplomacy "has not been as strong in the past 100 years," Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview broadcast by commercial TV2.. The prime minister added that Hungary had not had "such strong influence in the world as now" especially considering Hungary's small size. While "they say so many things (about Hungary) in the West and it is difficult to tell what should be taken seriously ... the problem cannot be too large if forty plus European heads of state will come to Hungary at the invitation of the Hungarian prime minister," Orban said referring to the recent European Political Community summit in Budapest. Orban seeks 'great Hungary-US deal' Prime Minister Viktor Orban is seeking to strike "a great agreement" between Hungary and the United States, with US president-elect Donald Trump, the PM said in an interview to commercial TV2 on Sunday. Hungary and the US will need to sign an agreement to prevent double taxation, as the incumbent administration "has failed to renew the one that expired", Orban said, adding that he was seeking agreement with Trump "on some major economic matters". "I think we will have to opportunity to do so," he said. Referring to the recent EU summit in Budapest, Orban said participants had realised that "Europe cannot go on doing what it has done so far" and that it needed change. European leaders "so far giving Ukraine everything will now switch to the opposite", he said, adding that "we will need to manage the change together". "I wouldn't want to see Europe being torn apart into opposing camps," the prime minister said, adding that his goal was to "shift from a pro-war position to a pro-peace approach together". Orban: 'We are not alone anymore, the whole of America is with us' Donald Trump is "not our saviour but our comrade-in-arms" and now "we are not alone anymore, the whole of America is with us, the American government," Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Sunday in an interview with television channel TV2. Analysing the American elections, he said the most important question is what will happen to Hungarians. "We Hungarians, the current Hungarian government must stand up for Hungarian interests," he added. Regarding Donald Trump's election, he said that "we can achieve our interests and goals more easily than before, but only we can achieve them." Donald Trump is fighting for things that Hungary is also fighting for, he added. Orban: Decision to lower energy prices within six months a must Within half a year, decisions resulting in a reduction in European energy prices must be made, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Sunday in an interview with television channel TV2. Speaking about an agreement adopted at an informal meeting of EU heads of state and government in Budapest on Friday, the PM said in Hungary households receive the cheapest gas and electricity in all of Europe, so this agreement will primarily be good for entrepreneurs, who pay very high prices in the same way as European entrepreneurs. This is largely down to politicians, because the formulas used to set energy prices in Europe have been set up badly, he added. Orban pointed to an anti-bureaucratic revolution as a second step in the series of measures. He said that within half a year, the number of rules that clearly hinder free competition and the operation of companies must be radically reduced. He noted a new rule that no new legislation can be created that does not have a competitiveness test. The prime minister said 2025 would be a fantastic year, things will happen in Hungary that have never happened before. He noted offering subsidised credit for young, blue-collar workers, doubling the tax allowance for families raising children, housing subsidies and the Demjan Sandor Programme to support SMEs. Orban: Trump's victory to restore peace, increase economic possibilities "Donald Trump's victory will primarily restore peace and broaden our economic possibilities," Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview broadcast by commercial TV2 on Sunday night. The prime minister added that "important achievements could be made, which would not be possible if the war (in Ukraine) went on, with a continued risk of Hungary becoming involved." Orban said Hungary's diplomacy "has not been as strong in the past 100 years". The prime minister added that Hungary had not had "such strong influence in the world as now" especially considering Hungary's small size. While "they say so many things (about Hungary) in the West and it is difficult to tell what should be taken seriously ... the problem cannot be too large if forty plus European heads of state will come to Hungary at the invitation of the Hungarian prime minister," Orban said referring to the recent European Political Community summit in Budapest. The prime minister highlighted the "efforts of many years" by European Affairs Minister Janos Boka and Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto that contributed to the success of Hungarian diplomacy. Orban said similar European summits "could be met with disinterest" but the Budapest meeting was the first such occasion after the US presidential election, and it also had the EU competitiveness pact, as proposed by the Hungarian EU presidency, on its agenda. According to the prime minister, "it is certain" that the government would prepare a "peace time budget" under which "we will spend less on war-related items and we could afford a lot more measures aimed at prosperity for the people." Orban said next year would see "an unprecedented" programme to promote small business, loans for employees, as well as "opportunities for cheaper, more affordable housing" and a maintained 13th month pension scheme. He said Trump's election was bringing the world "an enormous step closer to peace", adding that "now the whole world is speculating" how the new president would achieve that. Analysing the American elections, Orban said the most important question is what will happen to Hungarians. "We Hungarians, the current Hungarian government must stand up for Hungarian interests," he added. After Trump's election, he said "we can achieve our interests and goals more easily than before, but only we can achieve them." He warned however, that Trump is "not our saviour but our comrade-in-arms". While Hungary "has often felt alone", now "we are not alone anymore, the whole of America is with us, the American government," Orban added. "Everybody was surprised at Trump's win," Orban said, but he added that he had been "as certain as two and two make four". He said people both in Europe and in the US were fed up with war, migration, and "this gender thing" and the Democrat administration was "pro-war, pro-migrant, and pro-gender". Orban said he was seeking to strike "a great agreement" between Hungary and the US. Hungary and the US will need to sign an agreement to prevent double taxation, as the incumbent administration "has failed to renew the one that expired", Orban said, adding that he was seeking agreement with Trump "on some major economic matters". "I think we will have to opportunity to do so," he said. Referring to the recent EU summit in Budapest, Orban said participants had realised that "Europe cannot go on doing what it has done so far" and that it needed change. European leaders "so far giving Ukraine everything will now switch to the opposite", he said. "I wouldn't want to see Europe being torn apart into opposing camps," the prime minister said, adding that his goal was to "shift from a pro-war position to a pro-peace approach together". On another subject, Orban said "Europe would be on the losing side as long as it pays four times for gas and three times for electricity as its American competitor." Within half a year, decisions resulting in a reduction in European energy prices must be made, he said. Speaking about an agreement adopted at an informal meeting of EU heads of state and government in Budapest on Friday, the PM said in Hungary households receive the cheapest gas and electricity in all of Europe, so this agreement will primarily be good for entrepreneurs, who pay very high prices in the same way as European entrepreneurs. This is largely down to politicians, because the formulas used to set energy prices in Europe have been set up badly, he added. Orban pointed to an anti-bureaucratic revolution as a second step in the series of measures. He said that within half a year, the number of rules that clearly hinder free competition and the operation of companies must be radically reduced. He noted a new rule that no new legislation can be created that does not have a competitiveness test. 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 leadership of the opposition Tisza party has decided to expel Evelin Vogel from the party, and party leader Peter Magyar will file a report with the police alleging blackmail, the party said. Magyar had known "for days" about "attempts of the state party and [Cabinet Minister] Rogan's propaganda to discredit him" using "illegally obtained and digitally manipulated material", the party said in a statement. "The reason is that the party has a realistic chance of removing the mafia government," they said. The recording in question "is clearly edited and manipulated, at least one of the sentences is definitely not said by Magyar," the statement said. Meanwhile, "Vogel should rather tell the press how many tens of millions of forints she has received from Fidesz, and why she's living in an apartment provided by Fidesz deputy leader Gabor Kubatov and [billionaire entrepreneur] Gyorgy Vertan." Magyar to file complaint against former partner Peter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza Party, said on Sunday at a press conference that he will file a complaint against his former partner Evelin Vogel as she had made 11 hours of audio recordings in secret and demanded 30 million forints to keep silent. Magyar also said that he expects the "state party" to launch a discrediting campaign against him next week. Magyar said recordings obtained illegally, as well as recordings purchased from Vogel or faked with artificial intelligence, will be mixed and published online and there will be attempts to discredit him on a YouTube channel and a Facebook page. The politician said his former partner had made an agreement with the ruling Fidesz party, handed over audio recordings and tried to blackmail people tied to the Tisza Party. Magyar said he would file a complaint against Vogel on Monday and hand over evidence to the authorities. 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. UPPCS Protest: In Uttar Pradesh, bypolls for nine seats are set to be held on November 20 while campaigning is going on at a full pace. Amid the bypolls contest, the Yogi Adityanath government is facing a challenge which the BJP was not anticipating at this time. Thousands of aspirants including female canddiates joined the protest against the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission on Tuesday. For the second consecutive day, candidates continue their protest outside the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). Multiple rounds of discussions between the candidates, the commission, and the police administration have ended without any resolution. The commission has asked candidates to suggest ways to address discrepancies, but the candidates remain firm in their demand that the exam be conducted on a single day and in a single shift. Some female candidates have stated that they will only leave once the commission withdraws its decision to hold the exam over two days. Candidates insist they wont back down until their demands are met, alleging that there are ongoing efforts to suppress their movement, including police teams being sent to their homes. Last night, the District Magistrate (DM) and Police Commissioner also visited the protest site outside the UPPSC to try to persuade the students to end their protest. Despite these discussions, the candidates refuse to step back until their demands are fully met. They demand that the examination be held on a single day, as advertised, opposing the commission's rule change after the advertisement. Meanwhile, the UPPSC has issued a statement explaining the normalization formula and how it will be implemented. According to this statement, due to a shortage of exam centres that meet the required standards, the exam has to be conducted in multiple shifts. It also mentions that the normalization formula has been approved by the Supreme Court based on expert recommendations in various cases. As the students continue to protest, the opposition has got a chance to corner the ruling party. Amid the protests, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav quipped, "Will BJP apply the normalization formula even in the elections being held on different days? Parents today say, we don't want BJP. When BJP will go, jobs will come." In another post on X, Yadav said, "It is ridiculous that the BJP, which has made the social, economic and political conditions of the country and the state 'abnormal', is talking about 'normalization'. This is a bad joke on the present of the youth, forget about the future." These youth hail from different parts of the state and are voters as well. If their grievances are not resolved, it might impact bypolls as well. Now, CM Yogi Adityanath is facing a dual challenge - one to stop the paper leaks and another to find a way out to end the ongoing protest. The stage is set for bypolls to Tarari, Imamganj, Belaganj and Ramgarh assembly seats in Bihar where more than 12 lakh voters will decide the fate of 38 candidates on Wednesday. Voting will take place in a total of 1,277 booths, of which 1,196 fall in rural areas. As per figures made available by the Election Commission, about 5.73 lakh voters are women while 19 are of the third gender. There are also 631 voters who are aged 100 years or above, while those aged over 85 years are 11,510. More than 2.40 lakh voters are under the age of 29. All the poll-bound seats fall in the area south of the Ganga, considered a stronghold of the Mahagathbandhan, the INDIA bloc's Bihar prototype comprising RJD, the Left and the Congress. Not surprisingly, leader of the opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who spearheaded the RJD's campaign, asserted, "We must win bypolls handsomely if we are to set the tone for our victory in the 2025 assembly elections." However, the NDA, led by the BJP which is contesting Tarari and Ramgarh seats, is putting up a stiff fight, realising that it must maintain the tempo if it were to retain power in next year's elections. However, the pitch has been queered for both the ruling and the opposition coalitions with the entry of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj, which is contesting all four seats. In Imamganj, a reserved seat, where the by-election was necessitated by election to Lok Sabha from Gaya of Jitan Ram Manjhi, a Union minister and founder of the Hindustani Awam Morcha, the party has fielded Deepa, wife of his son Santosh Suman who is also a minister in the state's Nitish Kumar government. The bid of Deepa to retain her father-in-law's seat is being challenged by RJD's Raushan Manjhi, a former member of Zila Parishad, and medical practitioner-turned-politician Jitendra Paswan who has been fielded by Jan Suraaj. In neighbouring Belaganj, Vishwanath Kumar Singh is making his debut on an RJD ticket, hoping to retain the seat his father Surendra Prasad Yadav had won many times on the trot before getting elected to Lok Sabha from Jehanabad. The main challenge in the seat has come from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) which has fielded former MLC Manorama Devi. Jan Suraaj has fielded local social activist Mohd Amjad, in a clear bid to upset the apple cart for the two established parties, both of which vie for votes of the minorities. Another seat that the RJD seeks to defend is Ramgarh, where its state president Jagadanand Singh's younger son Ajit is in the fray. The bypoll was necessitated by the election of Singh's elder son Sudhakar to the Lok Sabha from Buxar. The BJP has given the ticket to former MLA Ashok Kumar Singh while the Jan Suraaj candidate is Sushil Kumar Kushwaha, formerly associated with Mayawati's BSP which has some influence in the area close to Bihar's border with Uttar Pradesh. The CPI(ML) has fielded Raju Yadav from Tarari, a seat won by Sudama Prasad twice before getting elected to Lok Sabha from Arrah. The BJP has fielded Vishal Prashant, a debutant whose father Sunil Pandey is a local strongman and a several term former MLA. Jan Suraaj had initially announced former Vice Chief of the Army Lt Gen S.K. Singh as its candidate from the seat but on account of some technical reasons he was later replaced by Kiran Singh, a local social worker who is known to be active in education sector. Kupwara: A gunfight erupted between terrorists and security forces early Thursday in the dense forests of Nagmarg, located in the border district of Kupwara in North Kashmir. The encounter began when terrorists opened fire on a search party conducting an operation in the mountainous terrain connecting Kupwara with Bandipora, according to security officials. A senior police officer on the scene stated, "As the troops intercepted the terrorists, the forces came under heavy fire, which was retaliated effectively." Security officials believe that 2-3 terrorists are in the area, which has been cordoned off to prevent any escape. Additional reinforcements have been deployed to the site to tighten the security cordon and ensure the terrorists remain contained. This incident marks the 10th encounter in Jammu and Kashmir this month, with nine encounters reported in Kashmir and one in Kishtwar. In these operations, security forces have reportedly neutralized eight terrorists and arrested nine over-ground workers (OGWs) involved in aiding terrorist activities. However, casualties on the security side include one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) killed in Kishtwar and three personnel injured in recent encounters. A tragic road accident in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, claimed the lives of at least six students, while one sustained injury. The accident happened around 2 a.m. on Tuesday near the ONGC intersection when a truck collided with an Innova car, smashing it into pieces. All the victims are said to be students from a private college. The truck driver fled the scene after abandoning the vehicle. The bodies of the victims have been sent to Doon Hospital, while the injured student was taken to Mahant Indresh Hospital. The concerned SP visited the hospital to monitor the situation. The victims, both male and female students, were from Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. They were identified as Guneet (19), Kamakshi (20), Navya Goyal (23), Rishabh Jain (24), Kunal Kukreja (23), and Atul Agarwal (24). The injured student, Siddhesh Agarwal, is a resident of Dehradun, reported IANS. In a bid to boost the presence of women in security institutions, the Narendra Modi government has approved a first-ever all-women CISF battalion comprising more than 1,000 personnel. The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday sanctioned the battalion keeping in mind the burgeoning duties of the force in VIP security, airports and other vital installations. According to a PTI report, the all-women unit will be raised from within the sanctioned manpower of the force of about two lakh personnel. On Monday, the Union Home Ministry approved the establishment of a dedicated womens unit within the force, termed the reserve battalion, with an authorized strength of 1,025 personnel under the leadership of a senior commandant. Currently, women make up over seven per cent of the force, which has an overall strength of around 1.80 lakh personnel. A spokesperson for the force stated that preparations have begun for swift recruitment, training, and selection of a location to station this new reserve battalion. According to the report, the training is being specially designed to create an elite battalion capable of performing a multifarious role as commandos in VIP security and also security of airports, Delhi Metro, etc. Once established, this will be the first all-women reserve battalion in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Currently, the CISF maintains 12 reserve battalions that are staffed with both male and female personnel. As reserve units, these battalions are kept in a state of readiness, serving as reinforcement for new assignments, such as election security or permanent duties like protecting key installationsincluding the Parliament House complex, which came under CISF protection this year. The CISF frequently interacts with female commuters and visitors at the various facilities it secures, including 68 civil airports, the Delhi Metro, and landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort, where female personnel are already deployed. Founded in 1969, the CISF also provides counter-terrorist protection for critical infrastructure in sectors like nuclear energy and aerospace, as well as private-sector sites such as Infosys offices in Bengaluru and Pune, and the Reliance refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The CISF projected a requirement of having an all-women reserve battalion early this year following the directions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the 53rd Raising Day of the force that was held in March 2023, a home ministry official said. Jharkhand is all set to vote in Phase 1 on Wednesday with 683 candidates in the fray for the 43 seats. Out of the 43, 17 seats are reserved for general, 20 for scheduled tribes and 6 seats for scheduled castes. These seats are distributed across the Kolhan coal belt, the tribal-majority South Chotanagpur area, and the northern region of Palamu. The first phase of voting comes amid a heated campaign in which the BJP-led NDA and JMM-led INDIA bloc were locked in a fierce verbal fight over alleged demographic change in the state's tribal region. Total Voters, Polling Booths A total of 1.37 crore voters out of the total 2,60 crore are eligible to participate in the voting on November 13. For the first phase of elections, 15,344 polling stations have been established, with 12,716 situated in rural areas and 2,628 in urban regions. Key Candidates The key candidates in the first phase include former Chief Minister and BJP candidate Champai Soren, who is in the fray from Seraikella. In Jamshedpur East, Congress leader Ajoy Kumar is pitted against Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Odisha Governor Raghubar Das. In Jamshedpur West, Congress leader Banna Gupta is taking on JD(U) leader Saryu Roy, who had defeated Raghubar Das. In Jaganathpur, BJP's Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda is pitted against Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku. JMM has fielded sitting Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji from Ranchi. Who Has An Edge - NDA or INDIA When compared to the 2019 assembly elections and the assembly-wise trends as per the Lok Sabha polls 2024, the NDA appears to have an edge against the INDIA bloc. In the 2019 assembly polls, the JMM had won 30 seats and the BJP had bagged 25 seats. A total of 17 of the JMM's 30 seats and 13 of the BJP's 25 were among the 43 going to the polls on Wednesday. The Congress had won 16 seats with eight of these coming from these 43 seats. However, as per the Lok Sabha polls results, the BJP is leading in at least 26 of the 43 Assembly segments while the Congress led in 12 segments and the JMM in six. Kerala IAS officer N Prashanth, known as 'Collector Bro,' and K Gopalakrishnan were recently suspended on disciplinary grounds. The Kerala government has ordered the suspension of Gopalakrishnan faced suspension for establishing a religion-based WhatsApp group for government officials, while Prashant was penalized for publicly criticizing a senior IAS officer on social media. Prashanth, who has over 3 lakh followers on Facebook and 50,000 on Instagram, has previously stirred reactions among politicians due to his social media presence. Despite the scrutiny, he has maintained that social media is an effective platform for engaging with the public. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered their suspension based on the intel he received from the Chief Secretary. The governments suspension orders on Monday night cited both officers actions as serious indiscipline and violations of the All India Service Conduct Rules, 1968. Gopalakrishnan, serving as the Director of Industries and Commerce, and Prasanth, the Special Secretary in the Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers' Welfare, were both suspended recently. Prasanth accused Additional Chief Secretary A Jayathilak on Facebook of orchestrating baseless media reports against him, claiming Jayathilak had turned into a special reporter working to discredit him. Known as Collector Bro from his time as Kozhikode District Collector, Prasanth has previously used Facebook to counter allegations made against him. Gopalakrishnan, meanwhile, was investigated by Kerala police after he reported that his WhatsApp account had been used to create religion-based groups without his consent. Thiruvananthapuram city police investigated and submitted a report to the state police chief. Despite reports suggesting the IAS officer's phone was not hacked, Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner Sparjan Kumar clarified that its still uncertain, as the device had been "reset." The disputed WhatsApp group, labeled as a Hindu community group, included officers from various communities. Maharashtra Election 2024: A routine check of Uddhar Thackeray's bag ahead of a poll rally has boiled into a political storm with Shiv Sena-UBT questioning the poll officials whether they have also searched ruling party leaders including Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis. However, Shinde Sena was quick to highlight that Eknath Shinde's bag was also checked during the Lok Sabha election but the CM did not make a fuss about it. Speaking to the media, "The Election Commission does its work during the elections... Our luggage, helicopter, private jet, cars, and everything else are checked. They reach our homes. We don't have a problem with it if it is done impartially. Where Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis are contesting, Rs 25-25 crores have already reached... We also showed videos during the Lok Sabha elections of how 20-20 bags were brought via helicopters. Our luggage is checked but are the helicopters and cars of Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah also checked?" Raut questioned whether the observers are not able to see the money distribution going on in Maharashtra. "If someone checked PM Modi's helicopter in Odisha, that person was suspended. Does PM Modi not come under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission? Can the PM, HM and union minister distribute anything among the people? What kind of unbiased justice is this?..." said Raut. On the other hand, the poll officials also responded to the controversy. Sources in the Election Commission on Tuesday told PTI that aircraft and helicopters of top leaders across the political spectrum are checked as part of the standard operating procedure (SOP). "There have been strict SOPs followed by enforcement agencies for a level playing field. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a similar issue was raised in Bihar and it was clarified that the helicopters of prominent leaders, including Nadda checked in district Bhagalpur on April 24 and Shah in district Katihar on April 21 were also checked as per SOP," a functionary pointed out. Thousands of Kashmiri youths turned out for an Army recruitment rally organized by the 161 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army in the Gantmulla area of Baramulla district in North Kashmir. Despite there being only 306 vacancies, more than 20,000 youths gathered at the recruitment ground. Many expressed their frustration, noting the limited number of vacancies. Bilal Ahamed, an aspirant, said, We came for the recruitment, but they are telling us to go back because 2,000 youths are already inside, and it's unlikely their physical tests will be completed by evening. They've given us a new date of the 16th. Its true that many youths are inside, but if the same situation happens on the 16th, we should be given a date for the 17th. There is a huge rush, and unemployment is a major problem. These rallies provide us with an opportunity, but the vacancies are too few. The last recruitment was in 2019, after a five-year gap. There should be more vacancies to help curb unemployment. Despite the cold weather, youths travelled tens of kilometres to reach the assembly ground before sunrise, forming long queues. The majority of them were graduates, all eager to join the Indian Army, not only for employment but also for the dignity that comes with serving the nation. For many, it was the fulfilment of a long-held dream. Syed Toufiq Gillani, an aspirant, said, It's hard to put into words how happy I am. This is the result of three years of hard work. I joined NCC to stay fit, and today I qualified for the running test with excellent marks. My father was in the army, and I grew up dreaming of joining. It's important to be a good citizen, and serving the country is a great thing. I will never let my country down. Ajaz Ahmad, another aspirant, said, Im very happy. Joining the Indian Army means everything to me. I dream of serving my country. Zubair Ahmed, also an aspirant, said, Weve been waiting for five years for an opportunity like this. We want to serve the country, and these rallies provide some hope for employment. May Allah grant success to all. Many of the youths are educated and aspire to join the army, not only to protect the nation but also to ensure the safety of its citizens. Shafat Ahmad, an aspirant, said, Ive had a passion for joining the Indian Army since childhood. I first tried for Agniveer but didnt qualify. Today, I did. It takes hard work, but with Allah's help, I will give my 100%. Its a great thing that these rallies are happening, as they provide employment for the youth. The youth of Kashmir expressed that these recruitment rallies are extremely helpful and that they hope the army will conduct more such rallies in the valley to fulfill the aspirations of those who dream of donning the uniform. Manzoor Ahmad, another aspirant, said, Ive had this ambition since childhood, and now Im getting employment too. The management of the rally was excellent, and I liked it a lot. It has been a very positive experience, and Inshallah, it will continue to benefit the youth in the future. All this is happening amid rising terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, but it has not deterred the youth. Their desire to join the Indian Army and lead a life of dignity reflects a shift in the local Kashmiri youth mentality, with many now focused on contributing to the country and securing a better future. UP Exam Date Row: Aspirants continued their protest on Tuesday outside the Uttar Pradesh Public Service commission (UPPSC) office, demanding that the PCS aand RO/ARO exams be held in a single day and one shift. Tensions escalated among the students after UPPSC announced a new schedule for the preliminary exams. For PCS December 7 and 8 in two shifts, while the RO and ARO Preliminary Exam 2023 is scheduled for three shifts on December 22 and 23. What Are Agitating Students Demands Students protesting against the upcoming exams are demanding that tests be conducted in a single shift, as previously done. Ankit Patel, an aspirant leading the protest told PTI that students want a return to the single-shift format. Another protester, Manorama Singh, argued that the commissions decision to hold exams over two days violates established rules. "The notification didnt specify that exams would span two days. Students want them completed in a single day," Singh #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Aspirants in Prayagraj continue their protest outside the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) office. They are demanding that the PCS and RO/ARO exams be conducted in one day and one shift. pic.twitter.com/dL243KGJon ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 12, 2024 What The UPPSC Replied The exam body issued a statement on Monday saying that ensuring candidates convenience and maintaining the sanctity of exams are its top priorities. A Commission spokesperson said that to protect the integrity of its exams and secure students' futures, exams are held only at centers where there is no chance of any misconduct or irregularities. To ensure fair and quality exams, tests must be held in multiple shifts when there are more than 500,000 candidates, the spokesperson said. He added that for exams spread across multiple days, a normalization process is crucial to assess results accurately. The spokesperson also cited the Supreme Court's Radhakrishnan Committee, which recommended two shifts for the NEET exam, as well as the Police Recruitment Exam, which was similarly held in two shifts. The UPPSC spokesperson further mentioned that Commission has received complaints from candidates about Telegram channels and YouTubers spreading false information about the exam schedule. (With PTI inputs) MCD Parking Charges In Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is planning to double its parking charges in a bid to discourage the use of private vehicles and curb air pollution caused by vehicular emissions, officials said on Monday. A proposal for this will be tabled at the upcoming MCD House meeting scheduled for November 14, the same day as the elections for Delhi's next mayor and deputy mayor. The idea of raising parking charges under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-II has been on the agenda for a while but has been repeatedly referred back to the House for reconsideration. Initially, the MCD had proposed increasing the charges fourfold, but following deliberations, a revised proposal to raise the fees by just two times has now been prepared, officials said. However, the official did not specify the reason for reducing the proposed hike. "In the upcoming House meeting, we will seek approval for increasing the parking charges. After extensive deliberations, the MCD has revised its proposal to double parking charges instead of the initially planned fourfold increase. Once this proposal is passed, it will be implemented as soon as possible," the official said. While other agencies, including the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), have already implemented the fee increase under CAQM's directions, the MCD has yet to enforce the hike. In October, NDMC doubled its parking charges complying with directives to curb air pollution. The MCD is waiting for the proposal's clearance from the House before it can be implemented. If disruptions occur during the House session, as is often the case during elections, the proposal may face further delays. As part of the Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle pollution, additional restrictions are imposed, such as bans on the use of coal and firewood in restaurants and the use of diesel generators, except for essential services. Parking charges are also enhanced to encourage people to switch to public transport, which would help reduce overall pollution levels. Mumbai: Kiara Advani is facing backlash online after a video of her referring to herself as a nobody in the industry is going viral. In a statement, she claimed that she was nobody and this hasn't gone down well with the netizens and they troll her saying that she has attempted to present herself as an outsider. In her interview during the promotions of Bhool Bhuliyaa 2 along with Kartik Aaryan, Kiara was seen praising Karan Johar over the nepotism debate, she even claimed that Karan took her when she was a nobody, and netizens reminded her who she was. Kiara belongs to a filmy family, she was very close to Salman Khan who suggested she change her name from Alia Advani to Kiara Advani. Kiara is getting mocked how, as the video also shows one clip of Kartik Aaryan taking a sly dig at the industry insiders that today everyone wants to become an outsider. Kiara who has had notable successes in Bollywood, seemingly intended to highlight her journey and struggles before finding recognition. However, her words didnt sit well with some fans, who felt it came across as an attempt to downplay her background and connections in the industry. Many social media users commented that Kiaras success was facilitated by her association with established actors and filmmakers, and some accused her of being desperate to appear as an outsider to relate better with audiences. Despite the trolling, her fans defended her, highlighting her hard work and talent that have contributed to her success. This incident sheds light on the challenges celebrities face in framing their narratives and connecting with fans amid the ongoing discourse on insiders and outsiders in Bollywood. Kiara will be seen next in Don 3 along with Ranveer Singh and War 2 opposite Hrithik Roshan. New Delhi: Indian superstar Tabu is gearing up for the highly anticipated release of Dune: Prophecy, the latest addition to the Dune saga, which will premiere on HBO Original and JioCinema Premium on November 18. The actress, known for her powerful performances, shared a heartwarming moment ahead of the show's release, posting a photo with her sister, actress Farha Naaz, along with the caption, "Sisterhood above all." The photo reflects the central theme of Dune: Prophecy, which delves deep into loyalty, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. The series, set 10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreides, focuses on two Harkonnen sisters as they face off against forces that threaten humanitys future. They play a pivotal role in the creation of the Bene Gesserit, the legendary sect that plays a key part in the Dune universe. The series is based on Sisterhood of Dune, a novel by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Joining Tabu in the series are a talented ensemble cast, including Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Mark Strong, Jodhi May, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, and Charithra Chandran, among others. Fans can catch Dune: Prophecy starting November 18, with new episodes available every Monday. The show will be available in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi. Mark your calendars and dive into the epic world of Dune: Prophecya tale of power, survival, and the strength of sisterhood. New Delhi: The excitement surrounding Kubera, the highly anticipated socio-drama directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sekhar Kammula, has just reached new heights with the release of a striking new poster featuring Nagarjuna Akkineni. The poster, shared on social media, reveals Nagarjuna in a tense, intense pose, set against a dimly lit cityscape that promises a gripping narrative. The accompanying caption teases fans: "The epic tale is ready to unfold Stay tuned to KING @iamnagarjunas strikingly cool role in #KuberaGlimpse." The film, which will be released simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu, has been the talk of the town since its announcement. Kubera features a stellar ensemble cast, including Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna, and Jim Sarbh, alongside music by National Award-winning composer Devi Sri Prasad. The films grand scale and ambitious storyline are already generating significant buzz ahead of its release. With Sekhar Kammula at the helm, a powerhouse cast, and an intriguing plotline, Kubera is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly awaited films across India. The first official glimpse of the movie is set to drop on November 15th, offering fans a sneak peek at what promises to be a cinematic experience of epic proportions. Vivo Y18t India Launch: Chinese electronic brand Vivo has launched the Vivo Y18t smartphone in the Indian market. The IP54-rated handset runs on a Unisoc T612 chipset with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. The newly launched smartphone is available in two colour options: Gem Green and Space Black. Notably, the Vivo Y18t is a dual-SIM (Nano) smartphone that operates on Funtouch OS 14, which is based on Android 14. Vivo Y18t Price In India And Availability The smartphone is priced at Rs 9,499 in India for the single 4GB RAM + 128GB storage model. Consumers can purchase the Vivo Y18t smartphone via the Vivo India e-store and Flipkart. Vivo Y18t Specifications The handset features a 6.56-inch HD+ LCD display with a resolution of 720x1,612 pixels, offering up to a 90Hz refresh rate, 269ppi pixel density, and a peak brightness of 840 nits, providing clear visuals and smooth scrolling. It is powered by a robust 5,000mAh battery with 15W fast charging support, it delivers up to 62.53 hours of music playback and around 6.8 hours of PUBG gameplay on a single charge. (Also Read: OPPO Find X8 Series And ColorOS 15 India Launch Date Confirmed; Check Expected Specs) For photography, the Vivo Y18t is equipped with a dual rear camera setup, including a 50-megapixel primary sensor and a 0.08-megapixel secondary sensor, while the front houses an 8-megapixel camera for selfies and video calls. Adding further, it has essential sensors like an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, e-compass, gyroscope, and proximity sensor, along with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure access. For Connectivity, the smartphone supports Bluetooth 5.2, FM Radio, GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, OTG, Wi-Fi, and a USB Type-C port, offering a comprehensive range of modern connectivity solutions. Mumbai: Television actor Amit Tandon was a popular name once upon a time. Lately, the actor made headlines after his shocking confession of cheating on his wife multiple times. In an interview with Sidharth Kannan, he revealed about making his wife feel miserable after he had several affairs. Amit spoke about the ups and downs in her personal life where he admitted to having affairs that destroyed his wife Ruby. Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actor was quizzed by the interviewer if he had ever cheated on his wife to which he said", Yes, I did. Now what do I say. Yes, I have had moments where...I am thinking of how to put it respectfully but this has no respect. I let my impulses get the better of me. In that moment, I let parts of my past carry forward. Obviously, kuch waqt to usko kuch pata bhi nahin tha (for some time she had no idea). But eventually, when she got to know, it destroyed her." Amit further added that his infidelity had a huge impact on his marriage," It creates a crack in your relationship, and sometimes it can't be repaired. It just keeps on growing. Fast forwarding, we had a child thinking that bacha hone se sab theek ho jayega (a kid can fix everything). It doesn't". Amit and Ruby got married in 2007 and they drifted apart in 2017, but eventually, they sorted out in 2019. Talking about reconciliation with his wife, Amit says it was much needed. Mukesh Ambani and his family have a favorite street vendor in Jaipur whose Dahi Vada they cant get enough of. This vendor, lovingly known as "Pandit Ji," has not only served his signature dish at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants grand wedding but has also been invited to the Ambani residence, Antilia, three times to showcase his culinary skills. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants wedding was one of the year's most anticipated events, capturing attention worldwide for its opulent celebrations and guest list of high-profile figures. But beyond the glamour, one detail that stood out was the weddings unique menu, featuring over 2,500 dishes from around the globe. Among the standout dishes was Pandit Jis iconic Dahi Vada, a street-food staple elevated to celebrity status by the Ambanis. Personally selected by Nita Ambani, who wanted to include beloved street-food vendors at the wedding, Pandit Ji was a must for his renowned Dahi Vada. His dish had already become a favorite for the Ambani family, prompting several invitations to Antilia, and his presence at the wedding only solidified his status as a cherished part of their celebrations. In a recent Instagram reel shared by food vlogger Foodpandits, Pandit Ji shares his experience and recipe. When asked where he might have been seen before, he proudly responds, You would have seen me at Anant Ambanis wedding. Ive been to Antilia three times. In the video, Pandit Ji even shows his caterers pass for the wedding, proof of his prestigious invitation. As he prepares the Dahi Vada for the vlogger, Pandit Ji unveils his special recipe. He starts by placing two crispy dal vadas on a plate, generously drizzling them with creamy yogurt. His secret spice mix comes next, followed by a blend of chole chutney, date chutney, and mint chutney to layer in complex flavors. A hint of red chili paste finishes the dish, creating a mouthwatering treat. The vlogger, echoing the Ambanis love for the dish, calls it a whirlwind of flavors. If youre a food enthusiast visiting Jaipur, be sure to stop by Pandit Ji Vade Wale in Ashok Nagar to try this celebrated dish for yourself. Jaipurs love for Dahi Vada runs deep, but Pandit Jis version has a distinct charm that even locals find irresistible. A trip to Jaipur wouldnt be complete without a taste of this extraordinary treat! The Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre has cancelled an Indian consulates life certificate event amid the fears of extremely high level of violent protest. Scheduled to take place on November 17, the event was planned to renew important life certificates og the Indian-origin Hindus and Sikhs community. The temple clarified in a statement issued on Monday by saying, Please be advised that the Life Certificate Event scheduled at Brampton Triveni Mandir by the Indian Consulate on November 17, 2024, has been cancelled. It attributed the decision to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests. The community center called on Peel Police to investigate the threats directed at Brampton Triveni Mandir and to provide security for both the Canadian Hindu community and the wider public. "We apologize to all community members who were depending on the event. We are deeply saddened that Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu Temples in Canada," Brampton Triveni Community Centres release further read. The Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre serves as a spiritual hub where Hindus and others come together for Puja, Kirtan, Sewa, and Pravachan. However, on November 3, an Indian consular event at the nearby Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, just outside Toronto, was marred by a violent disruption. The incident has since drawn significant criticism both within Canada and internationally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada, calling the cowardly attempts to intimidate Indian diplomats unacceptable. He expressed that India expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and maintain the rule of law. Relations between India and Canada have recently worsened after Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau- led government made baseless allegations regarding the assassination of an India-designate Khalistani separatist on Canadian soil. (With ANI inputs) Foreign policy hardliner and longtime supporter of US-India relations, Senator Marco Rubio is expected to be President-elect Donald Trumps choice for Secretary of State. Multiple media outlets, citing Trumps close sources, report that Rubiocurrently a Senator from Floridawas on Trumps initial list for vice president, though Trump ultimately chose JD Vance for that role. Strong Backer of India Against China Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has a clear stance on global power dynamics. He sees India as a strong counter to China, both regionally and globally. Earlier this year, he introduced the US-India Defense Cooperation Act, a bill aimed at elevating Indias defense status to that of close US allies like Japan and Israel. Rubios proposal also seeks to grant India an exemption from CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), which otherwise restricts defense dealings with Russiaa key arms supplier for India. Rubio expressed this stance ahead of Prime Minister Modis Washington visit, saying, We are at a new stage in history where the US and India can strengthen this vital partnership, building on shared democratic values and interests. He highlighted that both countries face a growing threat from the Chinese Communist Party, particularly in the Himalayas and Indian Ocean. ### Mixed Views on Russia and Ukraine While Rubio has been vocal against Russia in some instances, he shares Trumps view on ending the Ukraine conflict through compromise. Some see this approach as giving Russia an edge, though Rubios position suggests a practical stance on complex global conflicts. Isolationist Streak Despite Foreign Focus Despite his foreign policy engagement, Rubio has shown an America First tendency, voting against aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in April, citing concerns about President Bidens border policies. However, Rubios support for Israel remains firm. Extensive Experience in Foreign Policy Rubio brings significant experience to the role. He serves on the Foreign Relations Committee, chairs the Select Intelligence Committee, and is a member of the Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism. A former rival of Trump in the 2016 Republican primaries, Rubio endorsed him in both 2020 and the current election season. Washington: President-elect Donald Trump's choice for defence secretary is still up in the air, but it is a sure bet he will look to reshape the Pentagon and pick a loyalist. During his tumultuous first term, five men held the job as Pentagon chief only to resign, be fired or serve briefly as a stopgap. While he has yet to announce a decision, the names of potential Pentagon chiefs stretch from the well-known such as Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee to an array of former administration loyalists, including retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who held national security posts during Trump's first term. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been floated, but Trump said on social media Saturday that Pompeo would not be joining the new administration. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida had also been mentioned, but he's now been tapped to be Trump's national security adviser. Some decisions may linger for days as candidates jostle for attention and officials wait for the final results from House races, weighing whether Republican lawmakers can be tapped or if others are a safer pick to avoid a new election for an empty congressional seat. The choice is going to tell us a lot about how he will deal with the Pentagon, said Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a retired Marine colonel. He said someone with a deep military background may not be as dramatic of a change as others who may be viewed as stronger Trump loyalists. With a number of top jobs at the State Department, National Security Council and Defense Department up for grabs, Trump is expected to lean toward those who back his desire to end U.S involvement in any wars, use the military to control the U.S-Mexico border and take a hard line on Iran. The key test, however, will be loyalty and a willingness to do whatever Trump wants, as he seeks to avoid the pushback he got from the Pentagon the first time around. Trump's relationship with his civilian and military leaders during those years was fraught with tension, confusion and frustration, as they struggled to temper or even simply interpret presidential tweets and pronouncements that blindsided them with abrupt policy decisions they weren't prepared to explain or defend. Time after time, senior Pentagon officials both in and out of uniform worked to dissuade, delay or derail Trump, on issues ranging from his early demand to prohibit transgender troops from serving in the military and his announcements that he was pulling troops out of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan to his push to use troops to police the border and stem civil unrest on the streets of Washington. In his first administration, Trump hewed toward what he considered strong military men and defence industry executives. Initially enamoured with generals, Trump over time found them to be not loyal enough. He soured on them, Cancian said. They were not as pliable as he had thought. ... I've heard people speculate that maybe the chairman would be fired. So that's something to watch. Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, took over as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in October 2023 for a four-year term, but military leaders serve at the pleasure of the president. Brown, a combat pilot and just the second Black officer to serve as chairman, spoke out after the police killing of George Floyd, describing the bias he faced in his life and career. Trump also is expected to choose someone as defence secretary with disdain for equity and diversity programs and less likely to counter his plans based on limits laid out in the Constitution and the rule of law. But he also may well push for increased defence spending, at least initially, including on U.S. Missile defence. A key overriding concern is that Trump will select someone who won't push back against potentially unlawful or dangerous orders or protect the military's longstanding apolitical status. On Thursday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin raised that red flag. In a message to the force, he said the U.S military stands ready to obey all lawful orders from its civilian chain of command, adding that troops swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. He echoed retired Army Gen. Mark Milley's pronouncement during a speech as he closed out four years as chairman of the Joint Chiefs. We don't take an oath to a king or a queen or to a tyrant or a dictator. And we don't take an oath to a wannabe dictator, Milley said. We don't take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and we're willing to die to protect it. Trump's first defence chief, retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis, learned quickly to stay off his boss' radar by largely eliminating press conferences that Trump could see. Mattis and Milley, along with Trump's chief of staff John Kelly, a retired Marine general, and retired Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, who also served as Joint Chiefs chairman, all worked quietly behind the scenes to temper some of Trump's decisions. They stalled his demands that troops be quickly and completely withdrawn from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and managed to prevent the use of active-duty troops to quell civil unrest in Washington. Two years in, Mattis abruptly resigned in December 2018 in frustration over Trump's national security policies, including a perceived disdain for allies and his demands to pull all troops out of Syria. Patrick Shanahan, the deputy defence secretary, took over as acting Pentagon chief but withdrew as the nominee six months later due to personal family problems that were made public. Then-Army Secretary Mark Esper took over in an acting role, but he had to step aside briefly when nominated, so Navy Secretary Richard Spencer served as the acting chief until Esper was confirmed. Esper was fired days after Trump lost the 2020 election, largely because the president did not believe him to be loyal enough. Trump was especially angry over Esper's public opposition to invoking the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty troops in the District of Columbia during unrest following the police killing of George Floyd. Trump named Christopher Miller, a retired Army officer who has been director of the National Counterterrorism Center, to serve as acting secretary and surrounded him with staunch loyalists. That is the Pentagon that officials quietly say they expect to see in Trump's new administration. US President-Elect Donald Trump has entrusted one of his loyal supporters, Lee Zeldin, with the task of remaking the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to align it with his campaign promise of dismantling its onerous regulations. As EPA's administrator -- a cabinet-level job -- "he will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses," Trump said on media platform Truth Social. At the same time, he said that Zeldin "will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance, that will allow the US to grow in a healthy and well-structured way". Trump added, "He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet." Zeldin wrote on X: "We will restore US energy dominance, revitalise our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water." His appointment with the mandate to dismantle environmental regulations came ominously on a day that the United Nations Climate Change Conference began in Baku, Azerbaijan, where countries are to negotiate measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Trump has threatened to again pull out of the Paris Climate Accord on fighting global warming. Zeldin's is Trump's third cabinet nomination after his Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and United Nations Permanent Representative Elise Stefanik. Like Stefanik, Zeldin also voted against certifying the election of Joe Biden in a show of loyalty by endorsing Trump's claim that the election was "stolen". His nomination among the first came a day after Trump announced the appointment of Tom Homan as the "Border Czar" which appeared to show his priorities. While immigration was a key issue in his campaign, increasing fossil energy production was also important, with his cries of, "Drill baby, drill" (for oil and gas), at his rallies. Some of the laws and regulations would have to be dropped or weakened to increase drilling for oil and gas, and with this in mind, Trump wrote: "Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies." Trump, who is a climate change skeptic, criticised throughout his campaign various measures adopted by President Joe Biden like the mandate to move away from petrol cars to electric vehicles, with a target of going 50 per cent electric and stopping the building of pipelines. In his first administration, he scrapped scores of environmental regulations and Biden reinstated many of them and introduced new ones. Zeldin is a former member of the House of Representatives from New York and ran unsuccessfully for the state's governor. Washington: The U.S struck nine targets at two locations in Syria Monday to hit Iranian-aligned militias that had launched attacks on U.S personnel over the last 24 hours, U.S. Central Command said. No U.S personnel were injured in the attacks, but as of late Monday the Pentagon did not provide further details on what U.S sites in Syria had been attacked or what sites the U.S. Struck in return. The U.S has about 900 personnel in Syria to assist partnered forces in conducting missions against Islamic State militants. In February it launched a massive attack on Iranian-backed militia sites in Syria in response to a drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. Service members. Since the October 7 attack by Hamas in Israel, and Israel's large-scale response in Gaza, Iran-backed fighters who are loosely allied with Hamas have carried out drone and rocket attacks on bases housing U. US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday announced Mike Waltz, who is the co-chair of the India Caucus, as his new National Security Adviser (NSA), reported Associated Press, citing sources familiar with the development. During his tenure as co-chair of the India Caucus in the House, he advocated for advancing US defence and security cooperation with India. Who Is New US National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz? Mike Waltz, 50, is a retired Army colonel and former Green Beret. He was born in Boynton Beach, Florida, and raised by a single mother in Jacksonville, Florida. Waltz's father and grandfather both served as Navy Chiefs. Deeper ties urged to boost green technology 09:48, November 12, 2024 By Shi Jing ( China Daily Despite geopolitical uncertainties and setbacks to free trade, China and Finland can further strengthen their cooperation in developing green technologies, which is conducive to sustainable growth globally, said government officials and senior executives of Chinese and Finnish companies. They made the remarks during the 2024 Finland-China Business Summit held in Shanghai late last month where Finnish President Alexander Stubb was present as part of his four-day state visit to China from Oct 28. According to Stubb, executives from 25 Finnish companies accompanied him during the latest visit. They signed 10 memorandums of understanding with governments and around 20 business agreements. About 250 Finnish companies have set up operations in China, of which 130 are based in Shanghai. Finland is a trustworthy trade partner, as Finnish companies are straightforward, law-abiding and have much interest in expanding their businesses, said Stubb. Expressing concern over protectionism, Stubb said that such language is being heard in a lot of countries and that there has been increasing talk of tariffs, impediments to trade or bringing value chains home. However, Stubb stressed that "economic growth does not happen only inside borders". "Without free trade, we will not have growth. And without growth, we will not have welfare." In the spirit of free trade, trust and cooperation, it is very important that Finnish and Chinese companies keep the channels open, he said. While climate change has become one of the pressing tasks that the world has to address now, China and Finland can strengthen their cooperation to come up with more innovative solutions, he added. Patrick Zhong, founding managing partner of Chinese private equity firm M31 Capital, one of the organizers of the summit, said Finnish companies have long valued sustainability and a clean environment. They have a deep understanding of the world, including economic cycles, markets, innovation and geopolitics. On the other hand, Chinese companies are making due progress in sustainable development. Industry leaders in new energy, electric vehicles, energy storage and smart logistics have been actively advancing green transition within their industries, he said. Zhong further said that sustainability is not only about the environment but also building sustainable business partnerships. Kari Hietanen, executive vice-president of Finnish marine and energy solutions provider Wartsila, said that Chinese and Finnish companies can step up their cooperation in developing green technologies for the maritime industry. In April, Wartsila said it will supply the methanol-fueled auxiliary engines for five new container vessels for COSCO Shipping Lines Co Ltd and seven new container vessels for Orient Overseas Container Line. This is the Chinese maritime sector's largest order to date for methanol-fueled vessels. Meanwhile, Chinese companies have been making investments in solar energy technologies. Cooperation between the Chinese and Finnish counterparts will help to promote the world's green transition, said Hietanen. Wang Haijun, chairman of Tsingshan Industry, said the company will look for cooperation opportunities in the new battery project of Finnish Minerals Group. Zhang Chuanwei, chairman of Mingyang Smart Energy Group, lauded the innovation capabilities of Finnish companies. Chinese companies have formed long-term cooperative partnerships with Finnish companies in computer numerical control equipment. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Trust is vital to the provision of quality health care. Quality outcomes have shown a correlation with exceptional health care experiences, with patients associating higher trust in health care professionals with more beneficial health behavior, fewer symptoms, and improved quality of life. Sadly, trust in American health care is on the decline. Stress placed on the health care system by the COVID-19 pandemic amplified growing concerns, with forty-eight percent of Americans expressing eroding confidence in the systems ability to handle major crises. The decrease in trust in the health care system mirrors that seen in government, media, and science, where political polarization, inequality, and failures of leadership have led to growing skepticism in our countrys ability to overcome difficult challenges. Other factors have widened the trust gap in the U.S. health care system. Nearly half of working-age, insured adults reported receiving medical bills in the past year for a service they thought should have been free or covered under their insurance. Further, seventeen percent of respondents said their insurer denied coverage for care recommended by their doctor. Nearly sixty percent of adults experiencing coverage denials said care was delayed as a result. Thirty-three percent of patients have been unable to see a doctor in the past year due to availability issues, and over half have had their appointments delayed by their practitioner. Health care practitioners are aware of delays, with sixty-five percent reporting that their facilities experience delays and thirty percent citing outdated tech systems as major hurdles for patient scheduling. While the insurance system is certainly fraught with challenges, practitioner fraud also contributes to declining public trust in the health care system. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program empowers and funds Medicare beneficiaries in reporting health care fraud. In 2023 alone, SMP recoveries exceeded $111 million, and SMP estimates that Medicare fraud results in losses of $60 billion annually. In the first six months of 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed criminal charges against 193 defendants, including 76 doctors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals for alleged participation in fraud schemes totaling $1.6 billion in actual losses. Reporting of these charges is motivating fodder for public mistrust of the professionals whom they rely on in times of health stress. Blame can be spread further, as pharmaceutical companies use monopoly ownership of medications to raise prices to unconscionable levels. Hospital pricing games are rampant, with many hospitals claiming large operating losses while sitting on balance sheets with tens of billions of dollars. Profits are translated into salaries and benefits for health care executives in the range of several million dollars a year. Of the ten highest-paid corporate executives in the US in 2020, three were from a single health care company, with the CEO alone reportedly receiving compensation totaling $568 million. Mergers and acquisitions of hospital systems and physician practices theoretically designed to create savings through economies of scale almost always increase prices. By 2021 over half of US debt collections were for medical bills, a number not seen in other developed nations. Practice stress and debts can pressure willful and negligent financial misdeeds. It is an injustice to ignore the role greed has in fomenting distrust by the public. These notions force conflicts between health care profit, patient access, and costs to achieve high-quality services. How can trust be restored in U.S. health care? Opportunities abound and are beyond the scope of this commentary. Possibilities include (and are not limited to) moving away from fee-for-service and toward value-based care, leveraging AI platforms to improve access, and shifting care to the home. Enhancement of the patient experience deserves exploration and has been discussed as a means of rebuilding trust between patients and providers. Authors have implored providers to no longer see patients as being separate components of the health care system who receive the services that practitioners and administrators design and deliver but rather as integral partners in the design and delivery of their own care. Patient engagement has been called the next blockbuster drug of health care, with data pointing toward improved relationships between patients, care partners, and providers, as well as better outcomes and more cost-effective care. Our business colleagues have long understood the value of the customers voice, and recent research points to relationship marketing as a key tactic for service organizations to create long-term competitive advantage. Relationship marketing, defined as efforts to closely know each customer, create two-way communication with consumers, and manage mutual relationships with customers and consumers, has gained favor over more transactional marketing strategies that focus primarily on individual sales. Relationship marketing instead aims to build and strengthen connections with customers. The effect of relationship marketing on customer trust is significant, with better relationship marketing efforts directly and positively impacting customer trust. The idea of building a connection between patients and their practitioners lies at the heart of the field of narrative medicine. With its primary tenets deriving from the work of Drs. Rita Charon and John Launer, narrative medicine is built upon the central concept that attention to narrative (either the patients story, the clinicians story, or a story constructed by both) is vital to patient care. Narrative medicine thus serves to fortify health care with the capacity to skillfully receive the accounts persons give of themselves and be moved to action by the stories of others. Narrative medicine training involves close reading of literary pieces, responsive telling, attentive listening, reflective writing, open receiving of shared stories, and mindful affirmation of the emotions of oneself and others. By connecting with each other relationally, clinicians ought to be better able to answer the patients question, What would you do if you were me? Like relationship marketing, shared approaches to medical decision-making acknowledge the humanity of patients and clinicians rather than viewing the relationship as episodic transactional actors in isolated encounters. Industry has long understood that the consumers experience is the nucleus of value creation. Health care has the opportunity to similarly value and champion the patient experience by embracing the principles and further developing the humanities-based tenets of narrative medicine. Matthew Sherrer is an associate professor and director of care team collaboration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. With clinical interests in collective intelligence and value in health care, he is a founding member and physician liaison for the Anesthesia Care Team Optimization Committee at UABa team making unprecedented strides in building inclusive and respectful anesthesia care teams. He is also the program director for UABs Perioperative Leadership Fellowship, the only one of its kind in the Southeast. A graduate of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, Dr. Sherrer is a board member of the Association of Anesthesia Clinical Directors (AACD) and is committed to developing future physician leaders and creating fulfilling work experiences for all members of the anesthesia care team. He can be reached on X @MattSherrerMD and LinkedIn. He is also the co-host of the Fresh Flow podcast and has publications on PubMed. Martin Nowak is a health care consultant. (Image: Ananti) Village dAnanti, known as a popular Christmas tree destination last winter, is bringing back its festive Tree Village this season in Gijang, at G-Square. The village features 100 snow-covered Christmas trees ranging in height from 4 to 10 meters, decorated with 3,000 lights and festive ornaments, and is set to operate until the years end. Visitors can enjoy artificial snowfall two to three times daily, with weekend snowfall scheduled at 12 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. and weekday snowfall at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. in December. Additionally, a pop-up snack bar will be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting November 15, offering seasonal treats like hot chocolate, lemon yuzu tea, fish cake skewers, and more. Various eateries in the area will also introduce special holiday menus, and the Tree Village is free for all visitors. (Photo by Erin Henderson) Its less than two weeks until my family moves across the world (again), and I find myself four hours south on South Koreas coastal island of Geoje. I am bracing among the rocks of the waves on a small fishing boat, angling to get the best images as Sohee Jin and Jungmin Woo jump overboard, armed with their nets and tuwaks, to begin their day of work in the water. The boat captain graciously idles for a few minutes while I snap some more photos before we speed away to let the girls work. Thats when it dawns on me; these girls will dive for hours without a break in the open water and harsh sun. Its incredible. When you think of the famous haenyeo of South Korea, perhaps your mind conjures up the famous images of the beautifully weathered elder haenyeos of Jeju Island. If you have never heard of these iconic women divers, haenyeo, or sea women, are free divers who have been free diving to collect abalone, sea urchins, seaweed, octopus, and other sea creatures since before the Joseon Dynasty. They do so without the help of oxygen tanks. Their strength, resilience and ability to hold their breath for long periods are just a few characteristics that make these women unique. Sohee and Jungmin relocated to Geoje from the bustling city of Busan, though they did not know each other then. Sohees aunt encouraged her to become a haenyeo because she thought it would provide a great opportunity and source of income. Shortly after her move to Geoje, Sohee did a one-year apprenticeship without pay, learning as much as she could from seasoned haenyeo. For several years, Sohee and Jungmin worked on different boats, eventually pairing up with one other haenyeo who only dives part-time as she is 77. They explained that in the past, the boat captains would take a percentage of whatever was harvested and sold, taking a large piece of the profit. Now, they pay a flat monthly fee to the captain for use of the boat and can keep the profits from their harvest sales. It is clear from the moment you meet Sohee and Jungmin that they are close friends and deeply passionate about what they do. After their dive, we rejoined them while they quickly prepared a special order for a long-time customer who had driven in from Busan. They offered samples of fresh abalone and oyster, and Jungmin joked that they make such a great pair because Sohee loves to sell the seafood, and Jungmin loves to eat it. Their love for their work is truly inspiring. (Photo by Erin Henderson) (Photo by Erin Henderson) (Photo by Erin Henderson) (Photo by Erin Henderson) (Photo by Erin Henderson) (Photo by Erin Henderson) (Photo by Erin Henderson) After Sohee finished her negotiations, we chatted over lunch. Curious about how they sell their catch, I learned the girls are utilizing their following on social media to take orders and share updates about what they have available. They are also in the process of setting up a storefront on Naver. They have amassed fame and quite the following online within South Korea for their appearance in the movie Smugglers. They have also appeared on local news programs and were visited by popular South Korean radio hosts. Jungmin was even featured in a Korea Disney Plus commercial as the haenyeo shown before the clip of Ariel from The Little Mermaid. After lunch, we found ourselves back at the docks while the girls quickly showered and began prepping the remainder of their catch from the morning. They moved seamlessly around each other, completing a task in unison while I bombarded them with questions. I learned that though the population of haenyeo is dwindling, Sohee and Jungmin are doing their best to be ambassadors for this ancient practice. They estimate around 100 haenyeo are in Geoje, and 10 younger haenyeo have joined over the last few years to follow in the footsteps of Sohee, 32, and Jungmin, 38. When asked about the dangers of diving, they shared stories of getting caught in discarded fishing nets underwater and being clipped by a ships propeller when they came up during a dive. In addition to the physical dangers, they stressed that climate change plays a pivotal role in their ability to continue diving; warmer water equals less sea life. They also deal with illegal poachers who dive at night without a license and remove far more than what is allowed. Though the girls dive year-round, the peak season is December through February, sometimes early March, as that is mating season for sea life. The haenyeo of Geoje dive more often than the haenyeo of Jeju simply due to Geojes location. Jeju sees harsher shifts in tides and larger swells, making the conditions more challenging for safe diving, thus resulting in fewer days to be in the water. Though the future of haenyeo remains unclear, one thing is sure: Sohee and Jungmin love what they do and are proud to call themselves haenyeos. They see diving as a bridge to connect their culture to the outside world and do everything they can to encourage the younger generations to get involved in diving. When I arrived, one of the first things the girls said to me was, Thank you for showing an interest in our culture. Their dedication to preserving their culture is a reminder of the importance of staying connected to our traditions. Sohee and Jungmin, thanks to you for allowing me to spend the day learning about your beautiful culture. I am forever grateful for our time together. Authors Bio: Erin Henderson is a professional freelance photographer and writer whose work has been featured in a variety of publications. She is also a mother of two and a Marine Corps spouse living in Stuttgart, Germany. You can find more of her work at erinhendersonmedia.com or follow her travels on Instagram @erinhendrsn. An experimental satellite made out of wood has been launched into space. Japanese developers of the device say it is the first time a wooden satellite has ever been sent to space. The small satellite, called LignoSat, launched aboard an uncrewed Cargo Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). The satellite will later be released into orbit about 400 kilometers above Earth. The satellite was built in the form of a box, with each side measuring about 10 centimeters. It was developed jointly by researchers at Kyoto University and Japanese homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry. A spokeswoman for Sumitomo Forestry told the French news agency AFP that the launch of the satellite was successful. She said the plan calls for the device to be released into orbit in about a month, when its strength and effectiveness will be tested. While made mostly of wood, LignoSat contains electronic elements that will control its movements and collect data on its operation. Once deployed, the satellite is expected to remain in orbit for about six months. The main goal of the experimental satellite is to see whether wood material can be used to build additional satellites or other space equipment. Wood is considered more environmental friendly. This is because it can just burn up when reentering Earths atmosphere. Satellites and other materials made of metal can release polluting particles into the air and oceans upon reentry. International officials have already identified space junk as a growing problem. This includes things like dead satellites, lost pieces of equipment or small pieces of paint. Such objects can present threats to spacecraft and satellites operating in space. Takao Doi is an astronaut who has flown on past space missions and studies human space activities at Kyoto University. He told Reuters he thinks wood can greatly improve future stays for long-term space travelers. "With timber, a material we can produce by ourselves, we will be able to build houses, live and work in space forever," Doi said. He added that the experiment is designed to demonstrate the abilities of wood to serve as a suitable material for developing future space equipment. "Early 1900s airplanes were made of wood," said Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata. "A wooden satellite should be feasible, too." Murata noted that wood can last longer in space than on Earth because water or oxygen cannot burn or destroy it. Doi said it is possible metal satellites could be banned in the future. "If we can prove our first wooden satellite works, we want to pitch it to Elon Musk's SpaceX." The team said a 10-month experiment aboard the ISS found that honoki a native tree in Japan and traditionally used to make sword covers is well-suited for spacecraft. LignoSat is made of honoki as part of a traditional Japanese crafting method that does not use screws or glue. Kenji Kariya is a leader at Sumitomo Forestry Tsukuba Research Institute. He told Reuters the wooden satellite will also test the ability of the material to reduce the effects of space radiation on semiconductors. "It may seem outdated, but wood is actually cutting-edge technology as civilization heads to the moon and Mars." Kariya noted that expanding into space technologies could support the timber industry. Im Bryan Lynn. Reuters and Agence France-Press reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. _____________________________________________ Words in This Story junk n. material that is no longer of use or working timber n. wood used to construct buildings feasible adj. possible to do pitch v. try to persuade someone to do something sword adj. a weapon with a long, metal blade and a handle, that was especially used in the past crafting n. an activity in which you make something using a lot of skill, especially with your hands semiconductor n. a material, such as silicon, that permits electricity to move through it more easily when its temperature increases outdated adj. not modern enough cutting-edge adj. very modern, with all the newest developments Merchants and consumers alike found the Singles Day shopping festival yesterday less shiny than in years past as e-commerce firms look abroad for growth. The annual event named by the numeric form of its Nov. 11 date was started by e-commerce platform Alibaba, which offered attractive discounts to entice shoppers to spend big. The extravaganza has since expanded to other platforms like JD.com and Pinduoduo in China as well as abroad. While Singles Day was previously a one-day event, shopping platforms in China now kickstart the festival weeks ahead to drum up sales volume. The festival has also traditionally been regarded as a barometer of consumer sentiment. But amid Chinas lagging domestic economy, dragged down by a real estate crisis and deflationary pressures, consumers no longer go all out on purchases during the shopping extravaganza. I only spent a few hundred yuan on daily necessities, said Wang Haihua, who owns a fitness center in Beijing. Wang said that the prices offered on e-commerce platforms during Singles Day are not necessarily cheaper than usual. Theyre all tricks and weve seen through it over the years, she said. Zhang Jiewei, a 34-year-old who runs a barber shop in Xian city, echoed Wangs sentiments, saying that he no longer trust Singles Day promotions as some merchant tend to raise the usual price of a product before offering a discount, giving consumers the illusion they are getting a deal. I used to buy a lot two or three years ago and I even purchased a mobile phone (during Singles Day), he said. I stopped doing that following the pandemic because of less income. I am not going to buy anything this year, Zhang added. Some experts say that Beijings recent stimulus measures have had little impact to boost consumer confidence. People are not interested in spending and are cutting back on big-ticket items, said Shaun Rein, founder and managing director of China Market Research Group in Shanghai. Since October 2022, the weak economy means that everything has been on discount year-round, 11.11 is not going to bring in more discounts that the month before. Rein said he expects low growth for the Singles Day shopping festival as consumers tighten their spending in anticipation of difficult economic times ahead. Categories such as sportswear and fitness, however, have been doing well as customers trade down a Gucci bag for Lululemon sportswear, he said. Platforms like JD.com and Alibaba, which operates e-commerce platforms Taobao and Tmall, previously used to publish the value of transactions made during the festival, but have since stopped revealing the total figure. While yearly growth used to be in the double digits, estimates of recent figures have dwindled to low single-digit growth. Syntun, a data provider, estimated that last years gross merchandising volume sales across major e-commerce platforms grew just 2% to 1.14 trillion yuan ($156.40 billion), a far cry from double-digit growth before COVID-19. Merchants who typically take part in the Singles Day shopping festivals say the costs of participation no longer pay off, amid high advertising fees and unsatisfactory sales. Zhao Gao, who owns a garment factory in eastern Zhejiang province, said that after paying advertising costs to e-commerce platforms he would only break even after sales. The platforms have so many rules for promotions and customers have become more skeptical, he said. As a merchant, I no longer participate in the Singles Day promotions. Another merchant, Du Baonian who runs a food company processing mutton in Inner Mongolia, said that overall sales in the past year have fallen 15% as consumers downgraded and reduced consumption. Du said that while he still takes part in the Singles Day promotions, the higher expenses do not typically generate returns because of sluggish sales. We are seeing shrinking revenue, but advertisement on the platform can help us to maintain our leading sales position, he said, adding that he was considering advertising on more e-commerce platforms to target more consumers. Meanwhile, e-commerce platforms grappling with a slowing domestic market have also turned to overseas markets to seek new growth, offering promotions like global free shipping and allowing merchants to sell globally with ease. Alibaba, for example, said in a blog post on its Alizila site that some 70,000 merchants saw sales double with global free shipping. In markets like Singapore and Hong Kong, new customers also doubled, Alibaba said. ZEN SOO, HONG KONG, MDT/AP Editor's note: This story contains descriptions of physical and sexual violence. On a windy January 2024 night in South Phoenix, only a scattering of attendees occupied the pews at a church called Jericho Tabernacle. But as the regular Wednesday service began, the sounds of a busier church filled the sanctuary. It was the start of a recorded sermon, played over the speakers, from a church in Jeffersonville, Indiana, six decades before. In 1963, children cried and grown-ups coughed as the sermon began. In Phoenix, the words of the 60-year-old sermon began scrolling across two mounted video monitors, one showing Spanish, the other English. The speaker was William Branham, an American preacher considered Gods prophet in Jericho Tabernacle and by millions of people around the world. Those followers have included a series of men who used Branhams teachings to form destructive cults. The back wall of the tabernacles pulpit featured a portrait of Jesus Christ on one side and a photo of Branham on the other. They were the same size. As Branhams voice occasionally rose to peaks in the tinny recording, present-day attendees in Phoenix murmured Amen and raised their hands toward the ceiling. The sect known as The Message, or "The Message of the Hour," continues to grow in countries as far apart as India, El Salvador and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, thanks in part to this unique feature of Branham's ministry. Long before the advent of televangelists, Branham had all of his sermons recorded. From 1947 until his death in 1965, more than 1,200 were recorded, many of them up to two hours long. The recordings, along with written translations of Branhams words, allow The Message to continue spreading, even now, almost six decades after his death in December 1965. For many followers, that simply means following a strict, rule-bound faith focused on preparing for the approaching End Times. But the unaccountable, independent structure of Message churches has often lent itself to the growth of destructive groups dominated by powerful central figures, an Arizona Daily Star and Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team investigation found. The year-long investigation is the first news-media account of The Message and its global influence. Leaders influenced by Branham have overseen a deadly starvation cult in Kenya in 2023, a colony in Chile that murdered and tortured prisoners and abused children in the 1970s, a trailer-park commune in Arizona that abused children in the 1960s and other high-control groups that have been accused of psychological manipulation and sexual crimes. Message leaders say those atrocities do not represent their religious movement or their prophet. Brother Branham never stood for those kinds of things, said Jeremy Evans, spokesperson for Voice of God Recordings, which distributes Branhams sermons worldwide. I think its a shame some of the things that have happened that falsely represent The Message of the Hour. Branhams son and VGR president Joseph Branham said it is a disgrace, and truly a stain on Christianity when people misuse his fathers message or twist biblical teachings to form a cult. Joseph Branham declined an interview but answered questions via email. We do not stand for that, Joseph Branham said. We are firmly against using the Holy Bible to empower an individual or group to dominate a congregation. But former Message believer and now researcher Rod Bergen said the lack of governing structure over Message churches allows pastors to take authoritarian control over their congregations. The problem is the way that William Branham said that churches should be run makes things ready-made for abuse. He basically said the pastor and the pastor only should call the shots, Bergen said. Theres no accountability. If you have no accountability, youre gonna get abuse. Fringe Christian sect During the height of his fame in the 1950s, Branham stood alongside Oral Roberts as one of the two giants of the post-World War II healing revival, according to historian David Harrell Jr. Thousands were drawn to Pentecostal tent meetings to see Branham or Roberts perform faith healings. But today, Roberts has a university named after him, and Branham is largely unknown in mainstream American culture. From backwoods boy to 20th century 'prophet': How William Branham gained a global following Although William Branham died in 1965, millions of people worldwide still follow his teachings. The sect has expanded, in part, through more than 1,200 recordings of his sermons. That hasnt kept The Message from growing in large part due to Voice of God Recordings efforts to translate and distribute Branhams sermons in written booklets, cassette tapes, CDs, mp3 players and now computer tablets worldwide. Over the last 40 years, the sect has grown tenfold from an estimated 300,000 followers in 1986 to an estimated 3 million today, according to Voice of God Recordings distribution figures. The estimates are based on how many people get VGRs materials, but the nonprofit doesnt verify whether those people have accepted The Message, Evans said. Africa has the most Message churches of any continent, Evans said. About 1,500 churches in Kenya alone claim to follow The Message, he added. The Message also has a sizeable following in Latin America due not only to Voice of God but also other missionaries. Phoenix resident Jorge Hernandez Jr. worked for decades helping his father establish Message churches in Mexico, his native El Salvador, Peru and other countries, he said. An incomplete list shows nearly 600 Message churches in more than 70 countries and on every continent except Antarctica, according to a Message church directory maintained by Living Word Broadcast. Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team identified more than 50 YouTube pages in 25 countries dedicated to playing Branham sermons and disseminating The Message. Together, the YouTube channels had nearly 1 million subscribers and 200 million views as of July. One Brazilian Message YouTube channel had more than 90 million views and 400,000 subscribers. Douglas Weaver, chair of the Department of Religion at Baylor University, noted Voice of God Recordings figures could be exaggerated. The Message is small compared to global religions like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is on the fringe of Christianity, he said. Many former Message followers call the sect a "cult." They say theyve experienced brainwashing and other manipulation tactics in Message churches. Some say they have experienced sexual and physical abuse. But that experience is not universal. Many adore their prophet, whom they affectionately and reverently refer to as Brother Branham. Their faces light up with joy when they describe how Branham healed their family members decades ago. Some have gone to the point of deifying him; a small group shows up at his grave every Easter to see if hell rise from the dead. But others have a more reserved view. There are people who have thought of him as more than just an ordinary man. I dont, said Ohio Message believer Margaret Ball, 80. But I just know he was a man who was chosen by God to deliver a message. I was fortunate to hear that message. Ball has attended Literal Life church in Michigan for about 20 years and has been part of The Message for 40. Some Message congregations listen to Branhams recorded sermons at each service, eliminating the need for a pastor. Most others including Jericho Tabernacle, which only sometimes listens to tapes have lead pastors who deliver sermons based on the Bible and Branhams interpretations of Scripture. In a typical service, congregants pray for the sick, greet their neighbors, sing gospel songs and receive a message. Joseph Branham said his father never wanted to start a cult or a following. He condemned such things. Were not a cult. Were not a bunch of fanatics, William Branham said in 1965. As a historian, Weaver said he doesnt use the word cult because its always a derogatory term, but he wouldnt question those who said they had a cultish experience in The Message. I simply chose not to use it because I did not feel like the people were brainwashed, Weaver said. And I have never met Message people that were dangerous. They were hardworking Americans who had a religion that I absolutely didnt follow. John Collins, a former Message believer who now runs an anti-Branham research website, said its the wrong question to ask whether or not something is a cult. The more important question, he said, is whether its destructive. He said some Message churches are somewhat benign, but others are very, very controlling and very manipulative. Third-largest cult killing Although many Branham groups are led by benign pastors, a few leaders have become extreme. Thats what happened in Malindi, Kenya last year when doomsday cult leader Paul Mackenzie allegedly led his followers into the Shakahola forest and told them to starve themselves to death to meet Jesus, according to the Associated Press. Experts say Mackenzie was influenced by Branham. More than 400 of Mackenzies followers died, making it the third-largest cult killing in modern history. Authorities discovered the bodies in shallow graves over months of investigation starting in April 2023, Reuters reported. Mackenzie and 29 cult members were formally charged in February with the torture and murder of 191 children found among the dead. They denied responsibility for the deaths. Rick Ross, executive director and founder of the Cult Education Institute, said Mackenzie was influenced by the teachings of Branham and David McKay, founder of a group called the Jesus Christians. Ross said there are certain doctrines Mackenzie taught that are signature Branham. Detectives told local newspaper People Daily Kenya that Mackenzie brainwashed his converts using William Branhams End of Days Theology. Investigators found Voice of God Recordings booklets containing Branham sermons inside abandoned homes near the mass graves. Like Branham, Mackenzie was obsessed with the end of the world, Ross said. They both told their followers to prepare for an apocalypse that could come any day a doctrine that makes followers easy to manipulate, Ross said. The reason that the people starved to death was they were fasting and praying in preparation for the end, Ross said. Branham preached that theres nothing in the Bible that justifies fasting to the point of starvation, supporters point out. Usually in a fast, I never feel hungry. If you feel hungry, its time to eat, Branham said in 1953. Evans said Voice of God Recordings has never had any contact or association with Mackenzie. The recent tragedy is the farthest thing from The Message that you can get, he said. To associate this Kenya pastor with The Message because he had a few of Rev. Branhams sermons in his church library is absurd," Evans said. "It would be like blaming Billy Graham, Joel Osteen or Kenneth Copeland for his actions because he had their books in the church library. Ross said its unsurprising that Voice of God Recordings would want to distance themselves from Mackenzie. Of course, nobody wants to say, Oh yeah, Paul Mackenzie. Yeah, Im aware of him, and he believes some of what we teach, and hes been influenced by some of what we put out there, Ross said. Nobody wants to admit that given that hes now considered the third-most destructive cult leader in modern history. Jim Jones connection Branham also played a role in popularizing the ministry of the most deadly cult leader in modern history, the Rev. Jim Jones, according to a book on Jones life written by journalist Tim Reiterman, who covered Jones cult for the San Francisco Examiner. Jones led hundreds to their deaths in 1978 in what is now known as the Jonestown massacre. Backed by guards armed with guns and crossbows, Jones ordered his followers at an isolated compound in Guyana to kill themselves by drinking cyanide-laced punch, according to Reitermans book Raven: The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People. Those who resisted were murdered with forced injections of poison. Children and babies were force-fed the poison punch with syringes. More than 900 people died, including 300 children. Jones died from a gunshot wound to the head, possibly self-inflicted. About 20 years before the massacre, Jones only had about 100 followers and was looking for ways to expand his ministry, Reiterman wrote. Jones enlisted Branham at the height of his fame as a faith healer to headline a Pentecostal religious convention from June 11 to June 15, 1956, in Indianapolis. The event drew more than 10,000 people, Reiterman reported. Glossary: Common words and phrases at Message churches The Bride. End Times. Serpents seed. These are some of the words and phrases youll hear if you attend a Message church. Both Jones and Branham used peoples addresses, Social Security, phone and insurance policy numbers to tell people about their pasts and futures like fortune tellers, Reiterman wrote. The two preachers would then lay their hands on people in prayer and give them a good shove on the forehead with the healing power of the Holy Spirit. Those healed by Jones and Branham would fall to the floor twitching as the crowd cried out in praise, Reiterman said. The publicity Jones received at the convention was invaluable to the growth of his ministry, Reiterman wrote. Collins said he confirmed at least two more events where Jones and Branham preached alongside each other. He credits Branham with helping launch Jones career during the Indianapolis convention. Not long after that Jones began hosting and sponsoring William Branham's revival meetings in multiple states, Collins said. Joseph Branham said it's "ludicrous" to try to tie his father to Jim Jones. "There is of course nothing William Branham ever taught that would support such an evil crime as Jim Jones made," he said. Doomsday colony Collins wrote that Jonestown bears "striking similarities" to a Branham-influenced colony in Chile: Colonia Dignidad. "Both communes initially started as 'agricultural communities.' Both were led by a narcissistic authoritarian figure. Both communes regulated and deprived members of sleep, sex and more. Both resulted in horrific deaths of members," Collins wrote in his book, "Weaponized Religion: From Latter Rain to Colonia Dignidad." The Chilean colony started in 1955 in post-war West Germany when a preacher named Paul Schafer showed up to see Branham preach in Karlsruhe, said Carlos Basso, a Chilean journalist and author of a book on the religious sect Schafer founded, called La Secta Perfecta. Basso said Schafer offered himself and a collection of followers to provide security for the rest of the tour. Branham accepted. Schafer had already established an orphanage and a small religious colony of fundamentalist Christians in West Germany. After seeing Branham, he adopted more of the American preachers doctrine and style, Basso said. Before Schafer got acquainted with Branham, he never said anything about the end of the world, Basso said. After that, he became convinced the world was going to stop spinning one day. Joseph Branham said even if these alleged connections are true, they're thin at best, and Schafer's group is in no way reflective of William Branham's ministry. In those early years of the colony, Schafer was already being accused of molesting boys, and when he was charged by German authorities, he took off, Basso said. Finally, in 1961 he ended up in southern Chile and re-established his colony there. He called it Colonia Dignidad. Schafer retained some similarities to Branhams sect while creating his own little German world in the south of South America. As in many Branham churches and sects, the leader, Schafer, was considered a prophet who could communicate with God, referred to by residents as their permanent uncle. The community he established treated the outside world as a demonic place to be feared, Basso said. But the control was not just psychological: Fences surrounded the property, and Schafer used sensors and cameras to monitor the boundaries, Basso said. Those who escaped were tracked down ruthlessly and even tortured. Quote Before Schafer got acquainted with Branham, he never said anything about the end of the world. After that, he became convinced the world was going to stop spinning one day. - Journalist Carlos Basso As the years passed, Schafer continued molesting boys, but eventually there were too few German boys of the age he preferred, 8 to 12, Basso said. Thats when the colony began recruiting local families to supply their children through various ruses. He started to bribe the judges of the towns near Colonia to get boys from poor people adopted by him or by his friends, Basso said. Chilean boys very, very poor boys became the next victims of Schafer. Communism loomed as the most tangible expression of evil in Schafers worldview, as researcher Bruce Falconer wrote in a detailed account of Colonia Dignidad published in 2008 in The American Scholar. When military leaders overthrew socialist president Salvador Allende in 1973, Schafer offered the colony as a detention, torture and killing camp, Falconer explained. As early as 1977, Amnesty International accused Colonia Dignidad of being a torture center for the military government. Killings probably took place there as well, maybe many of them, but Chilean investigators have scoured the property and been unable to clarify the full scope of the deaths there, Falconer and Basso reported. That relationship with the dictatorship bought Schafer protection from his crimes for many years. It wasnt until 1996 that a Chilean judge issued a warrant for his arrest, on charges of child molestation, and later on charges of aiding in the disappearance of a left-wing activist. In 2006, Schafer was convicted of molesting 25 children and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He died in prison in 2010. Trailer park commune Shortly before Branham died in 1965, he visited an Arizona trailer park nestled in the woods along a quiet stream. He compared the Message commune, called The Park, to the Promised Land. To come here this morning and look, this fine little Jerusalem setting out here, little Goshen, Branham preached before the community in Prescott in 1964. I can see why you people would want to stay here. The communes leader, Leo Mercier, was one of the tape boys who recorded Branhams sermons. Branham said he always knew Mercier was made for something greater in life. Mercier used Branhams blessing to paint himself as a sort of king or demi-prophet over the commune members, said Deborah Thibodeau, who grew up in the commune. Thibodeau and about 100 other children were routinely beaten at the commune on Merciers orders until The Park dissolved in 1975, according to Thibodeau, another former member and court records. Theres also evidence that Mercier molested children, according to the California Supreme Court. Leaders revered Across the U.S., men have used Branhams framework to seize power and create cultish communities, former members and experts say. In Camp Verde, Arizona in 1992, Ross said he helped a young mother get her daughter out of a Branham cult called the Spoken Word Tabernacle. Authorities feared the pastor was planning a mass killing of his followers on Christmas of that year the date he predicted the world would end, according to The Associated Press. The pastor, also named Jim Jones, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for child molestation in a 1998 trial in Arizona, the Verde Independent reported. He was accused of sexually abusing two girls in his church. Jones died in prison a couple of years after he was convicted. A Lee Enterprises and Arizona Daily Star investigation also found: A Tucson Message church where the pastor uses threats of hell and shunning to exert control over congregants finances, health decisions and personal lives. Twenty former members said the church, Golden Dawn Tabernacle, has devolved into a cult. An Arkansas Message church where everyone reveres the leader almost as if hes God, former member Sarah Kiser said. She now calls the group a cult. Members cannot have TVs, listen to secular music or have friends outside church. Women must follow a strict dress code and cannot move out of their parents' homes until they marry. A polygamous Message group active from the early 80s to 2007 in western New York, central Ohio and Arkansas. The group believed their leader was the prophet or voice box of God who was preparing the world for Jesuss third and final coming, former member Naomi Wright said. She described the group as a cult. No accountability Bergen, who now runs an anti-Branham research website, said coverups are common in The Message. Its not just that theres no governing board to hold people accountable, Bergen said. When congregants believe they are part of the chosen Bride of Christ who will survive the rapture, theyre motivated to sweep misconduct under the rug, he said. This stuff doesnt happen in a perfect church, Bergen said. So what do you have to do? You just gotta cover it up. Former Message member Milton Rosa said he witnessed a lack of accountability at his church in Brazil. Four women accused Brazilian Message pastor Joaquim Goncalves Silva of sexual abuse dating back to 2002, according to Metropoles, a Brazilian news website. Silva denied the allegations. He died later in 2021 before he could be tried in court. Rosa said church leaders were aware of other sexual abuse allegations against Silva years before. It came to light. People did nothing about it. And he continued doing it, Rosa said. People turned a blind eye to it. The pattern, Rosa said, is that of powerful spiritual leaders like Silva using their influence and position to manipulate vulnerable people. It happened in Brazil, Kenya, Chile and Arizona and will continue across the globe, he said. We hear the story of the trailer park, Rosa said. That story is not only there. If you dig deep, you see that that story repeats, and it repeats over and over. About this series The Senate on Monday passed on third reading a measure that supports the comprehensive development of the Philippine natural gas industry, a step crucial for achieving the countrys energy security and sustainable economic growth. Senate Bill No. 2793, known as the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, establishes a legal framework designed to promote the development of the natural gas industry, covering aspects from transmission and distribution, to the supply of natural gas. - Advertisement - The bill aims to accelerate the exploration and development of domestic natural gas resources and facilities, prioritizing the use of indigenous over imported natural gas to enhance energy security. This is a momentous step forward as we strive to achieve energy security and sustainable economic growth. This legislation supports our own and also international commitments to cleaner, more efficient energy production, Senator Pia Cayetano, chair of the Senate committee on energy and sponsor of the bill, said. Cayetano said SB 2793 also protects consumer welfare because encouraging more investments in natural gas will enhance energy security, providing for more accessibility to natural gas. Historically, indigenous natural gas has been cheaper, and increasing opportunities for natural gas will only make the prices cheaper, she said. We are looking forward to seeing the benefits of this measure, not tomorrow or by the end of the year, because energy security is a generational commitment. This is for the next generation. We hope to live healthy lives to witness the benefits of this measure, she said. The senator emphasized that the passage of the measure would ensure the countrys supply, rather than making it dependent on imported natural gas. We take a stand and we decide that we want to develop our own indigenous sourcesThis is a transition fuel that we are also saying, give priority because its indigenous fuel, not just importation, Cayetano said. Cayetano also refuted claims that the measure would lead to higher electricity costs. I repeat, this bill is good for the country. This bill is good for the environment. And this bill is good for the Filipino consumers, Cayetano said as she thanked her colleagues for supporting the approval of SB 2793. In explaining his vote, Senator Raffy Tulfo emphasized that relying on foreign energy sources is not a viable strategy for achieving energy security. He said this was validated when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in 2022, which led to the oil industry being held hostage by factors beyond everyones control. The senator warned that the country should not rely on luck and external circumstances to ensure its essential services, economic infrastructure, and continuity of business operations. While a strong advocate for renewable energy, Tulfo acknowledged its current limitations. Natural gas has been identified as a reliable fuel for power plants that can address the peak, mid-merit, and baseload demands of the country, helping to achieve energy security while gradually transitioning to renewable energy sources, the measure states. Tulfo said natural gas is crucial to energy security, and it is imperative for the country to develop its own indigenous sources of gas, as excessive reliance on external sources could be costly. Weve observed this in other countries that are overly dependent on foreign energy sources, including some of our neighbors in Southeast Asia. The Natural Gas Act provides sufficient incentives for private entities to develop indigenous resources and ensure total independence from foreign energy, Tulfo noted. The provisions of the bill will ensure that there are no sudden price fluctuations in the energy market, making energy more accessible and affordable for everyone, not just large businesses, so that regular Filipino households will benefit from this legislation, he said. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Tuesday it imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty in the form of a cash bond on imported gypsum board from Thailand for four months starting with the issuance of a relevant Customs memorandum order. Gypsum board, also called drywall or plasterboard, is a building material used for interior walls and ceilings. - Advertisement - The DTI said the measure aims to address allegations of dumping, protect the domestic industry and prevent further harm to the domestic industry while the investigation proceeds. Knauf Gypsum Philippines Inc., which filed a petition requesting anti-dumping duties on gypsum board imported from Thailand, initiated the appeal. The gypsum board in question, categorized under AHTN Codes 6809.11.00 and 6809.19.90, consists of a hardened extruded gypsum core enclosed in a paper linerboard. Knauf Gypsum alleged that imports from Thailand were being sold at unfairly low prices, causing significant harm to the local industry. The DTI said that following an investigation covering the period January 2022 to May 2023 and an additional injury assessment spanning from 2019 to September 2023, it concluded that gypsum boards of 9mm and 12mm thickness from Thailand were being dumped in the Philippines. The DTI acknowledged that the practice was causing material injury to the domestic market. Under Section 8 (a) of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 8752, or the Anti-Dumping Act of 1999, the DTI directed the immediate imposition of a cash bond equivalent to the estimated dumping margin. It said further updates on the final outcome of the investigation would be released after the four-month provisional duty period. Meanwhile, local cement manufacturers welcomed the DTIs probe into the rising influx of imported cement. Local companies reported significant challenges due to the surge in cement importation, which created an uneven playing field. In 2023, the local sector suffered losses amounting to P15 billion, the local players said. Cemex Philippines vice president for commercial Roberto Martin Javier expressed strong support for the DTIs actions. We wholeheartedly endorse DTIs decisive measures to investigate these imports. Safeguard policies will enable us to cultivate a more robust local cement industry, ensuring that high-quality, locally produced materials meet the countrys infrastructure demands, said Javier. We are nearing the completion of our new cement line in Rizal, which will expand Solid Cements annual production capacity from 1.5 million tons to 3.4 million tons. With a total investment estimated at around $350 million, this project underscores our commitment to competitively meet the nations infrastructure demands and support economic growth, Javier said. Cemex Philippines, in collaboration with local manufacturers, said it stands firmly behind policies that foster fair competition and long-term sustainability within the industry. Cemex Philippines also pledged vigilance against violations of industry standards and unfair trade practices. We believe proactive cooperation between industry stakeholders and the government is crucial for protecting the interests of local businesses and reinforcing national economic resilience, Javier said. By supporting local production through these safeguard measures and the recently passed Tatak Pinoy Act, the government plays a crucial role in stabilizing employment, bolstering local industries, and maintaining essential construction standards, said the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP). President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. assured the public that both local and national governments are fully mobilized to protect lives and provide relief as the country braces for a series of typhoons. Speaking on the sidelines of the Seatrade Cruise Asia 2024 Welcome Reception in Paranaque City, President Marcos said equipment and relief supplies have been strategically prepositioned, enabling response teams to act swiftly once storm conditions permit. - Advertisement - He also acknowledged the complex challenges posed by the rapid succession of storms. Tropical storm Ofel slightly intensified while moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea as tropical cyclone Nika left the Philippine Area of Responsibility around 2 p.m. Tuesday, the state weather bureau said. Fresh weather warnings on Tuesday as Ofel the fifth major storm in three weeks bore down on the archipelago. PAGASA said another tropical storm, which will be named Pepito once its enters the PAR, is currently near the Northern Mariana Islands and may also threaten the country next week. A total of 36,788 families in five regions have been impacted by Nika, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in an update on Tuesday. The affected families are spread across 329 barangays in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 5 (Bicol), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Currently, 4,593 families are being sheltered in 246 evacuation centers, while 723 families are receiving aid outside of these centers. About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the archipelago nation or its surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people and keeping millions in enduring poverty. With AFP Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Ofel intensifies into severe tropical storm; Cagayan, Isabela at risk again. TOKYOA small amount of radioactive debris removed by a robot from Japans stricken Fukushima nuclear plant has arrived at a research lab near Tokyo, the plant operator said Tuesday, after a journey kept secret for safety reasons. The announcement comes after operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said last week that a tricky trial debris removal operation using a specially developed extendible device had been completed. - Advertisement - More than 13 years after a catastrophic tsunami caused by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered one of the worlds worst nuclear accidents, around 880 tons of hazardous material remain. Removing this debris is seen as the most daunting challenge in the decades-long decommissioning project, because of the dangerously high radiation levels. Despite delays caused by technical snags, the trial debris removal from the plant in northeastern Japan went ahead with the aim of studying the sample for clues about conditions inside the reactors. TEPCO said in an email to reporters on Tuesday that the transportation of the fuel debris collected during the test removal operation was completed during the afternoon. The company had not previously given details of when the 160 kilometre (100 mile) journey to the Oarai Nuclear Engineering Institute of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) would take place, citing safety concerns. According to Japanese media reports, while the sample retrieved by the robot weighs 0.7 grams (0.02 ounces), the JAEA has said it would need at least one gram to conduct a proper analysis. Three of Fukushimas six reactors went into meltdown in 2011 after the huge tsunami swamped the facility. Japan last year began releasing into the Pacific Ocean some of the 540 Olympic swimming pools worth of reactor cooling water amassed since the disaster. On Saturday 9 November, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Valencia to show their anger against the Government of the Generalitat Valenciana (the Valencian local government), and its president, Carlos Mazon, for their criminal actions after the Dana flood on 29 and 30 October. [Originally published in Spanish at comunistasrevolucionarios.org] Although the official figures counted 130,000 demonstrators, the real figure could well be as high as 250,000. This is despite the fact that Valencia remains unconnected with the most affected area, L'Horta Sud, due to the damage caused by the Dana, preventing or delaying several tens of thousands of people from travelling to the capital. In fact, the entire route from the starting point of the demonstration, in the Placa del Ajuntament (the Town Hall square), to the end of the route, in front of the Palau de la Generalitat (Palace of the Generalitat) about 900 metres away was completely packed with people, spilling into the side streets. The demonstration was called days ago by several left-wing and neighbourhood groups, but the tens of thousands of people who were there came not because they were linked to the organisers, but to use this opportunity to express their anger and indignation at those politically and economically responsible for the disaster. Another demonstration of about 15,000 people marched through the streets of Alicante, and there were also demonstrations in Elche and other towns in the Valencian Country. La Placa del Ajuntament y las calles adyacentes completamente llenas, toda Valencia colapsada en la mayor movilizacion en Valencia desde hace decadas #ValenciaIndignada #SolsElPobleSalvaElPoble pic.twitter.com/JPd6SEAv2L Organizacion Comunista Revolucionaria (@comunistas_ocr) November 9, 2024 A couple of days before the demonstration, it was revealed that Mazon had been eating in the private dining room of a restaurant on the fateful day of Tuesday 29 October. There, he supposedly remained with a journalist until 6 pm, when the first figures of the dead and disappeared were already being counted, before joining the emergency committee of the Generalitat. The latter, in turn, had rejected all the warnings from the various public and meteorological bodies throughout the day about the extreme severity of the storm (the national meteorological agency AEMT, the hydrographic confederations, the Ministry of Ecological Transition, etc.). Remarkably, hours before the start of the demonstration, the organisers had appealed through the press for the demonstration to be silent, as a tribute to the victims. But that was the last thing the tens of thousands of angry protesters were willing to accept. From the beginning they were heard shouting: Mazon, dimision (Mazon, resign), Asesinos [Murderers], Ni olvido ni perdon (Neither forgetting, nor forgiving), El presidente a Picassent (The president to Picassent [the largest penitentiary centre in Valencia]), No son muertos, son asesinatos (Theyre not deaths, theyre murders), Mientras tu comias, la gente se moria (While you [Mazon] were eating, people were dying) and Mazon, dimite, salga del escondite (Mazon, resign, come out of hiding). And, of course, the masses were heard raising the slogan, Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo (Only the people save the people). Movilizacion historica de la clase obrera valenciana, la Organizacion Comunista Revolucionaria presente #ICR #ValenciaIndignada #SolsElPobleSalvaElPoble pic.twitter.com/UhoKbmP8do Organizacion Comunista Revolucionaria (@comunistas_ocr) November 9, 2024 Sporadically one could also hear We need a general strike now, among many other slogans. The youth made up most of the demonstration, but many workers, elderly people and entire families were present. Although there were rumours about the possibility of the appearance of right-wing extremist infiltrators who might provoke disturbances to justify breaking up the demonstration, the actions of these little groups were minimal and hardly noticed by the crowd. They tried to burn the flags of the Ajuntament (Town hall) by throwing flares, and were prevented from doing so by the crowd in that section of the demonstration, shouting Fascists off our streets, and Out, out! In the end, the government fearing provocations by these thugs could escalate the tense mood in such a large demonstration, the police were sent in to disperse them without great difficulty. This is enough to answer the hysteria in the media and the so-called progressives about the extreme right wing capitalising on peoples unrest around the Dana crisis. Once the working class takes a step forward, as it did in this demonstration, one really notices how these thugs lack a social base. It is worth noting that several thousand more came to the demonstration from other parts of the peninsula beyond the Valencian Country, to show their solidarity with their Valencian brothers and sisters, above all from Catalonia, but also from Madrid, Murcia, Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Euskadi (Basque Country) and Andalusia. The Revolutionary Communist Organisation mobilised dozens of comrades from all parts of the state to participate in the demonstration. We put up a big banner that read: Capitalisme criminal, Lluita pel comunisme Sols el poble salva al poble (Criminal capitalism, fight for communism, only the people save the people). Our comrades handed out thousands of leaflets with our position, which can be summed up as follows: the cost of the Dana should be paid for by the bosses, not by the working class through public aid financed by our taxes. Rather, all those businessmen who forced their workers to work, causing a risk to life and even loss of life, must be expropriated. And, of course, that Mazon and all those politically and economically responsible be tried and sent to prison. The social impact of this demonstration has been enormous, despite the fact that the mainstream media has treated it as a secondary event. Only the people save the people has been the most widespread slogan in demonstrations and protests / Image: OCR Unfortunately, the leadership of key mass organisations, such as the main trade unions, CCOO and UGT, were nowhere to be seen. They have sided with the bosses, the government and the PP in their appeal for calm and quiet. Shamefully, the CCOO and UGT, together with the bosses, called for rallies in the main cities of the state to honour the victims of the Dana. That is, together with the same bosses who forced their workers to remain at work, preventing them from evacuating on time on Tuesday 29 October. The majority of the Valencian people will settle for nothing less than the resignation of Mazon and his entire cabinet. It is an incredible scandal that this scoundrel intends to hold on to the Generalitat at any cost, laughing in the faces of his victims: people who have lost family members, their homes, their jobs, and people who have been living in mud and desolation for weeks. If it were not for the tens of thousands of volunteers who, without direction, without an organisation, simply out of a deep sense of humanitarianism and solidarity, use their free time to help clean up the affected areas and bring food and clothing, the situation would be far more catastrophic. The capitalist state has shown its total incapacity to deal with this catastrophe. Only the people save the people has been the most widespread slogan in demonstrations and protests. The best way to make this slogan concrete is to organise neighbourhood committees, that coordinate among themselves, with delegates who can be elected and recalled at any time. Local committees can alone ensure control of the reconstruction of the affected areas from below, could assess the real scale of the damage, so that aid can reach whoever needs it, and could sustain a stable neighbourhood structure that will last beyond the catastrophe of this Dana, ready to organise the fight against any failure of the state and future mobilisations. It must be stated loud and clear, the whole capitalist regime has united tightly for fear of a popular outbreak of revolutionary proportions in the area, especially after the outburst against King Felipe VI and his entourage in Paiporta on Sunday 3 November. Distrust of the regime must be maintained, and the struggle must go on / Image: OCR This is why the central government has already pledged more than 14 billion for the victims (and losses of companies). And this is also the reason why PSOE (the Socialist party) and the government have shamefully refused to demand Mazon's immediate resignation. They know that the dismissal of this individual would be received as a popular victory and would seal the rupture of broad sectors of the population with the regime, encouraging the feeling that the masses can depose presidents and even crowns. This is what they want to avoid. They will probably attempt to wait for the popular mobilisation to wane, and only then reach an agreement with Mazon to shuffle him out of office. Distrust of the regime must be maintained, and the struggle must go on. The idea of a general strike in the whole of Valencia has been hinted at as a measure to force the fall of Mazon and his government. But those who ought to take up this initiative, principally the leaderships of the UGT and the CCOO, are not in favour of it. Their hands must be forced. That is why those affected, the social, neighbourhood and committed left organisations are going to continue to mobilise, to seek the escalation of the protests, to bring down Mazon's government and the right wing in the Valencian Country. The Organizacion Comunista Revolucionaria (OCR) stands with them in all their struggles. Capitalism is culpable! Place Mazon and his cabinet on trial! Today, Venezuela is used as a horror story by right-wingers and reactionaries, who hold it up as an example of why socialism never works. In fact, the Venezuelan Revolution was an inspiring episode in recent history, which showed the immense power of the masses and the potential of workers to run their workplaces without bosses. But it also demonstrated that you cannot have half a revolution: once the process has begun, it must end with the expropriation of capitalism and socialist reconstruction as our comrade Luis Romero from Caracas explains! The oppressed masses, rallying behind the figure of Hugo Chavez, mobilised to fight imperialism and oligarchy, who used the immense oil of the country for the betterment of the working class and the poor. When the bosses and oil barons tried to sabotage the revolution by halting production, the workers took over the companies and land themselves, and began running them under workers control. Luis talks all about these experiences. Despite all his strengths, Chavez never fully broke with the state bureaucracy and did not help the workers manage the economy under a common, national plan. However, the ingenuity of the masses and the power of workers management were demonstrated in practice during the Bolivarian Revolution, which is full of lessons for class fighters today! For more on the Venezuelan Revolution, we recommend this selection of articles available on the In Defence of Marxism website: https://marxist.com/theory-venezuelan-revolution.htm We also recommend this recent podcast by the US section of the Revolutionary Communist International: https://communistusa.org/audio-what-happened-in-the-venezuelan-revolution/ Listen and subscribe below Youtube Spotify Apple Podcasts Marxist.com Podcasts: https://podcast.marxist.com/2024/11/12/venezuelan-communist-discusses-revolution-hugo-chavez-and-workers-control/ Russia has intensified its diplomatic and economic engagement with Africa, offering comprehensive support across multiple sectors while positioning itself as an alternative to traditional Western partnerships. This strategic outreach, announced at a summit in Sochi, encompasses assistance in counter-terrorism, development programs, and technological cooperation. Several African nations, particularly former French colonies, have demonstrated increasing receptivity to Russian involvement. Countries including Burkina Faso and Mali have explicitly favored Russian partnerships over historical Western alliances, citing Moscows non-interventionist approach to internal affairs. Russian influence extends beyond military cooperation to include energy development, with multiple African nations signing nuclear power agreements. Rwanda exemplifies this diversification, maintaining Western ties while pursuing Russian nuclear expertise and educational partnerships. Despite falling short of earlier trade expansion goals, Russia has significantly enhanced its continental presence through strategic resource agreements and security arrangements. The rebranded Africa Corps, formerly Wagner Group, has established operations in several nations, though achieving mixed results in counter-terrorism efforts. European diplomatic representatives acknowledge Russias historical African connections and the regions increasingly diverse international partnerships. This evolving landscape reflects African nations pragmatic approach to international relations, seeking varied partnerships while managing complex regional challenges and development needs. The shift represents a significant realignment in Africas international relationships, though some observers note that practical outcomes, particularly in security arrangements, have not always matched strategic promises. On the evening of Friday, November 9, Terence Holohan, CEO of the Australian mining company Resolute, along with two expatriate colleagues, was unexpectedly detained at a hotel in Bamako and taken to the economic crimes brigade, Resolute confirmed on Monday, November 11. The company, which operates the Syama gold mine in southwestern Mali, faces a financial dispute with Malian authorities, who have accused it of forgery and damage to public property. A source close to the investigation stated: This is a significant financial matter. Resolute owes a large sum to the Malian Government, and its business practices are perceived as unorthodox. While Holohan and his colleagues have been actively defending their position to investigators, they are, for now, avoiding any direct confrontation with Malian authorities. According to an official document, Resolute has indicated a willingness to settle part of the considerable amount sought by the government. Resolute is working towards an agreement with the Malian government that would secure the long-term future of the Syama gold mine. The companys primary concern remains the safety and well-being of its employees, Resolute stated, noting that its executives have the support of British and other foreign embassies present in Mali. If no resolution is reached, the three senior executives face potential charges, especially as the ruling junta currently shows no sign of compromise. Resolute holds an 80% stake in the company that owns the Syama mine, with the remaining 20% controlled by the Malian state. Cape Verde saw a 16% increase in goods exports and a reduction in imports year-on-year in the third quarter, with a notable rise in canned goods exports to Spain, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). Europe remains Cape Verdes primary export market, absorbing 97.1% of all exports, INE reported. Spain led as Cape Verdes top European trade partner, accounting for 74.3% of exports in the third quarter of 2024, up by 14.6 percentage points from the same period in 2023. Following Spain were Italy, Portugal, and the United States, though these markets recorded year-on-year declines in imports from Cape Verde. Prepared and preserved fish remained Cape Verdes dominant export category, representing 83% of goods exports and showing a 4.4% increase over the previous year. Apparel and footwear followed, making up 6.6% and 3.6% of exports, respectively. These three product groups accounted for 93% of Cape Verdes total merchandise exports in the third quarter, marking a 4.2 percentage point increase compared to the same period in 2023, noted INE. Cape Verdes canned goods production relies on imported fish, which benefits from European Union (EU) customs exemptions, treating it as Cape Verdean origin for access to European markets. Although goods exports are modest compared to service exports, primarily in tourism, they are critical for local employment across the archipelago. On the import front, Cape Verdes imports fell by 8.5% in the third quarter, with Portugal remaining the leading supplier, making up 36.7% of imports, followed by Spain (10.5%) and India (9.2%). The main imports included fuels (44%), motor vehicles (4.6%), reactors and boilers (4.5%), machinery and engines (3.8%), and iron (2.8%). INEs Foreign Trade Statistics bulletin also reported a 14.6% increase in re-exportsgoods resold without being used domestically. During this period, Cape Verdes trade deficit narrowed by 9.3%, while the trade coverage rate improved by 0.8 percentage points. Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth conceded defeat in the November 11 parliamentary elections, amid concerns over the political and economic future of one of Africas most stable and prosperous democracies. By midday, partial results indicated a win for the Alliance for Change, led by 77-year-old Labour Party leader and former Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam. We are headed towards a clear defeat, said 62-year-old Jugnauth, whose Alliance Lepep appeared to be facing a significant loss. The people have chosen a different team. I wish them success, he added. Jugnauth had campaigned strongly on a recent historic agreement reached in early October with the United Kingdom on the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, a longstanding point of pride for Mauritius after decades of diplomatic effort. However, his hopes of electoral gain from this achievement were shaken by the leaking of phone conversations between political figures, diplomats, and journalists on social media in October. In response, the government briefly proposed blocking social media until after the election, but public outcry from opposition groups and media outlets forced them to retract this plan on November 1. Final election results are expected later today, with voter turnout projected at around 80% among the one million registered voters, according to local media. Out of 891 candidates, 62 will be elected to parliament, with an additional eight seats allocated by the Election Supervisory Commission to ensure balanced community representation. Mauritius, a majority-Hindu nation known for its stability and economic growth, has built a robust economy driven by tourism, financial services, and textiles, achieving a GDP growth rate of 7% in 2023. However, analysts are urging the island to diversify its economy and are increasingly concerned about governance challenges and rising corruption. The islands pristine white-sand beaches and turquoise waters drew 1.3 million tourists last year, contributing significantly to its economy. While the Chagos Archipelago agreement marked a diplomatic win for the outgoing administration, it included terms allowing the UK for an initial period of 99 years to retain sovereign rights over the US military base on Diego Garcia. Some observers have suggested that the outcome of the recent U.S. election, which saw Donald Trump returning to power, could potentially complicate the agreements future. The Lake Chad region has experienced another significant security incident as insurgent forces clashed with Chadian military personnel, resulting in 17 soldiers and 96 militant casualties. The weekend confrontation at a military installation highlights the persistent security challenges in Chads western territory. This latest assault has reignited concerns about regional stability following a period of relative calm achieved after successful military operations in 2020 to dismantle extremist strongholds. The attack follows a disturbing pattern of escalating violence, including last months deadly assault that claimed 40 soldiers lives and prompted President Mahamat Deby Itno to initiate new counter-insurgency operations. The situation reflects broader regional security challenges, as militant groups continue to expand their influence across West African nations, including Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria. The insurgency, which originated as opposition to Western education, has evolved into a broader campaign to establish Islamic law across the region. The security crisis compounds Chads political complexities as the nation of 18 million grapples with aftermath of a controversial presidential election. President Deby Itnos leadership, which began following his fathers death in 2021, faces significant challenges in maintaining stability and combating extremist threats. Military authorities have intensified their response to these security threats, though the frequency of attacks suggests persistent challenges in securing the Lake Chad region against insurgent activities. 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 Strabismus, a misalignment of the eyes that occurs especially in children, has no bearing on intelligence or personality, but animated movies tend to use the condition to signify a villainous, dopey, or clumsy character, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "When animators are figuring out what a character is going to look like, they have to decide on every little detail of that character's appearance, and so it's not by chance that an animated character happens to have strabismus," says Michael Puente, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology who focuses on pediatric ocular health. "That's something that the animation team made a deliberate decision to do, and I imagine that they have reasons for that decision." "Our study suggests that commonly, the reason that a character is depicted as having strabismus is if that character is unintelligent or undesirable, and that animators see strabismus as a way of visually conveying that undesirable trait," he continues. The research, published this month in the journal Pediatrics, analyzed 46 characters from 125 animated films made by Walt Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks and Studio Ghibli, and found characters with strabismus were 14 times more likely to be depicted as unintelligent than intelligent and six times more likely to be followers than leaders. These depictions, the researchers say, can have harmful effects on children with strabismus by perpetuating stereotypes that can negatively affect a patient's self-confidence and influence the perception of strabismus by young impressionable audiences. The role of strabismus in mental development There are several causes of strabismus, which can look like crossed eyes or one of the eyes drifting toward the ear. For some young patients, the condition can be a sign that they need glasses, but for most it's a neurological issue where the signals from the brain to the muscles that control the eyes are not calibrated correctly, causing some of the eye muscles to pull too hard or not enough. Surgery can help address those muscles and is successful about 80% of the time, Puente says. Often, he encounters young patients who ask for the surgery because they are self-conscious about their appearance. "Every day I have kids that are asking me for surgery, and that says a lot, as children tend to be apprehensive of medical care," he says. "But strabismus often affects these kids so much that they're asking for a fix. I don't think there are a lot of other pediatric surgeons that have that experience." While strabismus can have an impact on a child's visual development, it also impacts the way that they interact with society, their peers, teachers, and their friends. "Kids with strabismus, unfortunately, get bullied a lot for that difference in appearance," Puente says. "There have been studies that find that they're less likely to get invited to birthday parties. Kids in school are less willing to sit next to a kid with strabismus. There have been surveys of teachers that have found that teachers tend to assume that students with strabismus are less intelligent, and all this stigma affects the way that children develop psychosocially." Trends translating to reality Negative perceptions in the media can contribute to and magnify these stereotypes, Puente and his fellow researchers say. They weren't able to find a single primary protagonist with strabismus, but comic-relief characters or villainous characters with strabismus were common. Researchers found only three characters that were considered "leaders," but one was a villain and the other was depicted as "unintelligent." In 125 films and 46 characters with strabismus, there was only one that was found to be intelligent, the character Forrest Woodbush from Pixar's "The Good Dinosaur." Puente says he hopes the study can shine a light on how pervasive negative depictions are in media created for children and show animators how it affects young patients. "If animators recognize that they tend to always portray strabismus so negatively, I hope they can reflect on that and maybe when they have an undesirable character or a bad guy or a 'dumb' character, they think twice before giving it strabismus," Puente says. "It sends a message to their very young, impressionable audience." "There are lots of people with strabismus, and it would be great to have some characters with strabismus that could be role models and are portrayed positively," he continues. "That just doesn't exist in any of these movies in our study, but I think that would be a really impactful change." More information: Jintong Liu et al, Depictions of Strabismus in Children's Animated Films, Pediatrics (2024). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2024-067355 Journal information: Pediatrics 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: Kindel Media from Pexels For many people, filling out paperwork about their family's health history is a routine part of a medical visit. For adopted people like Ramya Gruneisen, it's impossible. "We don't have any information about my biological mom or dad, so there's quite literally nothing to go off of," said Gruneisen, who was born in India and adopted by a couple in St. Louis. At times, she's just drawn a line straight through columns of family history questions. She doesn't even have to read them. "It's not like we can contact birth parents and request medical records," said Gruneisen, a public health worker who speaks and writes regularly about adoption. Lack of such knowledge is a common situation for adopted people, one that's layered in legal, medical and personal matters. But Gruneisen and other experts say that adoptees, adoptive parents and health professionals can take steps to help the situationstarting with acknowledging that there is a situation. "The challenge is that once a child is adopted, there's this notion that everything that happened before the adoption doesn't exist or it's been erased. And that's just not the case," said Dr. Elaine E. Schulte, vice chair of academic affairs and faculty development at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx borough of New York City. Many health organizations, including the American Heart Association and American Medical Association, emphasize the importance of family history. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages gathering family medical records, death certificates and other information from all kinds of relatives. The surgeon general provides a tool for doing so. Family history even has its own holiday: Thanksgiving is also National Family Health History Day, where families are encouraged to talk about health. An adoptee with no information can take part in none of it. Schulte, who also is a professor of pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and medical director of its adoption program, acknowledged that adoptees aren't the only people who might lack full details about their family history tree. But, she said, adoption is unique. "People who are adopted were born to other people than people who are caring for them. They have a whole set of biologic family and relatives that they may never, ever know." The exact number of adoptees in the U.S. is not reliably tracked. In July, the Washington Post estimated that 1% to 3% of Americans under the age of 18 are adopted. A 2020 American Academy of Pediatrics report on adoption, which Schulte helped write, used an estimate of 2.1 million adopted children, which wouldn't include adult adoptees. Access to family history will vary depending on each adoptee's circumstances, said Dr. Julian K. Davies, co-director of the Center for Adoption Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. International adoptions often involve children with either no known biological family history or "some skimpy details of uncertain reliability," said Davies, who also is a clinical professor of pediatrics and a practicing pediatrician whose patient population consists of mostly adoptees. Most domestic adoptions today are open, which means birth and adoptive families are able to communicate with one another. But from the mid-20th century until the 1980s, adoptions were more likely to be closed, where birth parents' and adoptees' identifications were not shared. Many states still keep adoption records and unamended birth certificates sealed, although some have taken steps toward openness. The foster care system can add another layer of personal and legal barriers for people adopted that way, Davies said. The role of adoptive parents The effort to acquire as much family medical information as possible can start early in the process. Families traveling abroad should ask questions on site, Schulte said. "It may be your only chance to get as much as you possibly can." At adoption programs such as the ones she and Davies lead, doctors can counsel adoptive parents on what to ask. Davies' program also suggests details for agencies to gather, but most agencies already have collected what they can. "It's rare that we ask these questions and then magically unlock a trove of biological family history," he said. Asking questions early is important in open adoptions, too, because levels of communication can change over time, Schulte said. But when possible, Davies said, adoptive parents can reach out to not just birth parents but biological grandparents or other relatives. As a child ages, Schultemother of two daughters adopted from Chinaemphasized the need for honest, open and age-appropriate conversations about what information is and isn't known. "You have to be a really good listener and detective and know your child," she said. It's also important to acknowledge a child's emotions as they're expressed. Gruneisen said that adoptive parents and pediatricians can work with children so they're ready to take ownership of their health when they reach adulthood. And if there's a way for adoptive parents to help their children connect with their biological family and obtain a medical history, "that needs to be prioritized, no matter how uncomfortable it makes the parents," she said. "It's a priority to ensure that adoptees have access to their medical history." Looking for answers Adult adoptees can sometimes piece together details of their history by examining their own files or checking with the agencies their parents worked with. Some states offer registries that provide an opportunity for birth parents and adoptees to connect if both are interested. That rarely happens, Schulte said. So adoptees sometimes look to genetic testing to deliver answers. Gruneisen tried a consumer-oriented test that over the years has repeatedly shifted its answers on her precise heritage. Davies understands why people would be curious. But given concerns about accuracy and privacy, he said such direct-to-consumer tests should be approached with caution. That said, he's aware of nonprofit organizations that have helped adoptees from China connect with birth families through such tests. Genetic testing for a specific medical condition can be tricky to navigate, Davies said. In young children, the advice often is to wait. "If it's not going to be something likely to show up in childhood in a way that we can do something about it, then generally, the genetics ethics specialists recommend that, if possible, we hold off," he said. As a young adult, patients can make their own decisions about what they want to learn. For cases where family history or symptoms hint at the need for such testing, Davies recommended working with genetics counselors, who are trained in guiding people through the issues, which can be thorny. Davies said the lack of family history might influence the likelihood he'd order other types of tests, such as screening for a rare form of high cholesterol. The health care system Health care professionals need awareness of and empathy for adoptees, said Dr. Julia Small, a pediatric and internal medicine resident at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora. Small, who was born in China and adopted by parents in Massachusetts, was lead author on a report about adoption and health care for the National Council for Adoption, a nonprofit advocacy group. Gruneisen and Schulte were her co-authors. Small also has surveyed adult adoptees to understand their health care experiences. Although the study pool was limited and the results are preliminary, Small said, many participants talked about how difficult it was to not have family history information and said they feel as if they are treated differently in health care settings. It's not always just problematic paperwork. Gruneisen once had a doctor who, upon learning she was adopted, said, "You probably want to know your real family, because blood is thicker than water." Other times, nurses have looked at cholesterol results and said, "Oh, your parents must be so healthy!" And all she can do is shrug. Happily, Gruneisen's current primary care physician is sensitive to her adoption experience and helpful with her questions. But she and Small said that physicians should be mindful of how they talk about family history and recognize, as Small said, that "not all families are biologically related to themselves, that families come together in many different ways." Small also recommended making sure forms make it easy to indicate that someone doesn't have their family medical history, so patients aren't confronted with those questions over and over. "I think inherently, when we have to leave an entire sheet blank, there's something that 'others' us from the general population," Gruneisen said. Davies has heard similar feedback from the families he works with. In dealing with patients who are frustrated by their lack of knowledge, he said it's important for doctors to acknowledge the sense of frustration, loss or grief that can come from not having information that most other people have. "In a bit more of a reassuring direction," he also tells families that even without family history, "I also can absolutely provide great care to you and address issues that come up for you." Perspective As helpful as family history is, Schulte said, the key advice is the same regardless of hereditary risk. Someone worried about a family history of heart disease, for example, would be advised to practice healthy habits, such as eating right, getting plenty of exercise and enough sleep. Small was adopted through a now-closed agency and has no information about her birth family. But her own medical training has reassured her about the gaps in her past. "I certainly won't say that I haven't had moments of feeling anxious, like, "Oh, is this the time that I'm going to have this rare disease?'" In general, though, she doesn't worry about what she doesn't know. But health care teams need to be aware that for adopted people, such issues run deeper than disease risk, she said. "Family history tends to be a part of your self-narrative, or your identity, and it speaks to this time where you didn't really know what happened." 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 It's only during the last few decades that neuroglia, a diverse group of cells found in the brain that perform a variety of functions to support neurons, have been the subject of research. Prior to that, brain research focused heavily on the role of neurons. But as investigations continue, scientists increasingly suspect that these cells, often called glia cells or "nerve glue," may play an important role in psychiatric illnesses, such as depression and schizophrenia. "When we think of the brain we're usually thinking about neurons, but that's only about 50% of what makes up the brain," says Sukumar Vijayaraghavan, Ph.D., professor of physiology and biophysics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who works at the intersection of neuroscience and society and previously led a lab dedicated to studying the brain's signaling mechanisms. The other cells, neuroglia, were believed to function as the brain's janitorial staff, keeping the environment appropriate for optimal neuronal signaling. Then, scientists discovered that neuroglia have their own signaling system different from the electrical signals neurons give off. Glia cells have calcium signals. "We started wondering what all these cells do," says Vijayaraghavan, who first took up an interest in glia cells more than 20 years ago. As it turns out, a lot. Vijayaraghavan is the first author of a recent clinical commentary on this topic appearing in Biological Psychiatry . 'Bringing neuroscience into psychiatry' A subset of neuroglia, called astrocytes, seem to be intricately connected to how the synapses work in neurons, and because these cells play a role in the brain's stress response, it's possible that they are connected to some mental health conditions. "Calcium signaling was the key impetus to this field in the sense that we found that they have elaborate mechanisms of signaling to each other, to the neurons, and to the blood vessels in the brain," Vijayaraghavan says. "We previously thought they were non-excitable cells, but it's actually a unique form of excitability." In a 2017 study, researchers in China showed that when astrocyte function is compromised, animal models tended to develop depression-like symptoms. Vijayaraghavan and Andrew Novick, MD, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, write in their commentary that this is just one example of how glia cells "seem to play a critical role in psychiatric illness." "Not only do astrocytes from individuals with psychiatric disorders have different characteristics than those of healthy control participants, but there are also differences based on their clinical profiles," they write in the essay. "For example, one study enrolled individuals with schizophrenia who had either responded to or failed a trial with clozapine (an antipsychotic medication). Astrocytes from both groups had deficits in glutamate signaling. The cool part is what happened next: When they exposed astrocytes to clozapine, glutamate signaling normalizedbut only in the group of clinical responders," they continue. Better understanding of neuroglia could add value in clinics in other ways, too. Many psychiatric disorders are primarily described in terms of symptoms. The problem with that, researchers say, is that there may be many reasons for those symptoms. "We're bringing neuroscience into psychiatry in the sense that it's thinking more in mechanistic terms as to what is specifically happening, rather than just relying on symptomatology," Vijayaraghavan says. Technology and the future Novick says it's important to be able to explain to patients why they're experiencing psychiatric symptoms and what might be malfunctioning in the brain. So far, that can be difficult to do. "If you went to the doctor with a stomachache and they only responded with a medicine that could fix the stomachache but not what actually caused the stomachache, that wouldn't be satisfactory," Novick says. "That's not a proper understanding of things, and so we're trying to figure out what's causing these psychiatric diseases, not just how to treat them." Fortunately, investigating glial cells may help meet both of those aims. "From all the data we have, we know that there seems to be a connection between astrocytes and depression," Novick says. "This means there's likely some impact from drugs used to treat depression, and so that's an important aspect of how understanding these cells influences psychiatry." New technology is allowing deeper investigation into glia cells. Scientists can now take a person's skin or blood cellwhich is easier to obtain than a glial celland program it into an embryonic-like state and then turn it into the cell of interest. "We find a lot of astrocytic markers that are correlated with diseases like depression. That prompts questions of whether that gives us a diagnostic or even a predictive tool to look at what these astrocytes are doing and what causes the depression," Vijayaraghavan says. In the future, this work could help develop personalized treatments. "We could take a cell from a person with schizophrenia or depression, make astrocytes and figure out the dysfunction and design a therapeutic with the individual in mind," Vijayaraghavan says. More information: Sukumar Vijayaraghavan et al, Under the Microscope: Nerve Glue and the Evolution of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Biological Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.08.017 Journal information: Biological Psychiatry 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 At the California Poison Control System in San Francisco, a call has just come in from a mother whose toddler accidentally drank a stain remover called "Grandma's Secret." "I'm not sure how much she had and whether I should take her to the hospital," the mom says. "She's acting like her normal self, but she has her 'disgusted face' on." "Got it," says the operator. "So, most stain removers aren't a problemthey're detergent-based. With ingestion, mostly what you'll see are mild effects, like an upset stomach or brief gagging or vomiting. Typically, the remedy is you wash out their mouth, give them some water or juice, and they'll be absolutely fine." Just like that, crisis averted. It's all in a day's work for the poison center's operators, the specially trained physicians, pharmacists and nurses at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. Somebody comes into contact with something they shouldn't, and a cry for help comes into the center's 24/7 hotline (1-800-222-1222). The San Francisco office is one of four in California, with others in Sacramento, San Diego and the Fresno/Madera area. Together, they handle about 235,500 cases per yearroughly 650 a day or one every two minutesinvolving everything from drug overdoses to rattlesnake bites, toxic plants and weirder things. Californians poison themselves in ways that generally follow nationwide trends. In 2022, most poisoning cases in America involved (in order) painkillers, household cleaners, antidepressants, cosmetics and personal care products, with rising numbers for exposure to fentanyl and Delta-8 THC, a compound found in cannabis. Some 47% of those cases involved children, with those ages 3 and under accounting for a whopping 35% of all cases. It's important parents keep everything locked up because children can get into anything, says toxicology management specialist Ting Regelman. About once a month, there's a case involving a child who ate a button battery, the type that powers small devices like car key fobs. "They get stuck in the esophagus and are still inducing current," says Regelman. "If you want to do an experiment at home, put one of those button batteries on a piece of ham and leave it for a few hours. You'll see it's eating through itthat's why we send them to the hospital." "People call with all sorts of questions," says managing director Raymond Ho. Much of it is drug-relatedpainkiller overdoses, for example, vomiting from psychedelic mushrooms or hallucinating from jimsonweed, made infamous in Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Tylenol overdoses are a big problem, and ever since cannabis was legalized, there are more and more calls about children getting into mommy's gummies. Then there are the Black Widow bites, Ivermectin and other drugs meant for large animals and the spicy "One Chip Challenge" (the hotline advises ice chips and Mylanta for that one). "This guy once called and said he swallowed a bullet," says Ho. "He was worried the bullet would explode in his stomach. I told him, "That's not going to happen, but there is lead in the bullet, and you can actually die from lead poisoning.'" The next phone call is from a hospital about a 13-year-old patient who swallowed 20 magnesium supplement tablets. Her vitals look fine, but there's another potential issue. "It sounds like this was some kind of self-harm gesture?" the operator asks. "Yeah, we put her in a 5150 hold," says the medical worker, referring to involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. The operator advises pursuing "full labs" to see what else she might have taken. Dealing with self-harm is part of the job. "We have suicidal patients calling and asking, 'How much can I take of this drug, so I can kill myself?'" says Ho. "Of course, we don't give that information out." In a conference room adorned with an "Arizona Rattlesnakes: Creatures of Mystery and Myth" poster, residents and medical students gather to discuss the previous day's cases with Timur Durrani, the poison center's assistant medical director. Among those cases: a man in his 60s who presented with diffuse pulmonary nodules in his lungs. It turns out, he's a present-day gold miner. The Gold Rush may be long over, but there are still hobbyists hunting for flakes or nuggets using a process that involves heating mercuryand hot mercury releases toxic, colorless fumes. "Inhaling mercury can cause some interstitial and acute injury," says Durrani. "If he's at home cooking mercury, then the question is, who does he share the home with? If there are kids there, or if they're in an apartment that has shared ventilation with other apartments, you have to notify the health department about mercury contamination, which is expensive and not fun." Next up is a woman who came to the ER with vomiting and auditory hallucinations. She could be a late-presenting case of Tylenol poisoning. But she also has high iron levels, which might indicate an overdose of elemental-iron supplements. "When you have iron sitting in someone's stomach, it's corrosive to the point where it not only is eating through their gut, but getting into their bloodstream, so you see liver failure," says Durrani. "Usually what happens is nausea and vomiting, and blood coming out of both ends." Back in the call center, a mother is on the line describing how her kid just ate a tube of toothpaste. "A small amount of fluoride isn't going to hurt her," the operator reassures the anxious mother. "But she can have an upset tummy. What you can do to help is give her some milk." There's no doubt that hotline work is important, but aiding a parent in crisis is one of the most satisfying aspects of the work. "They call, almost frantic," says Regelman. "Then you talk with them, and you can almost hear them sobbing with relief. I find that to be the most rewarding part of the job." If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available. Poison 411and when to call 911 Whether you've somehow mistaken bleach for a smoothie, downed a Tide POD or caught your toddler eating unknown medication off a hotel room floor, here's what to do. If the person is having life-threatening symptomsdifficulty breathing, for example, uncontrollable shaking or unconsciousnessyour first call should be to 911. Otherwise, if you have a poison-related question or someone has eaten, breathed or touched something potentially poisonous, call the California Poison Control System at 1-800-222-1222. The hotline is free, private and operates 24 hours a day. There are translation services available in more than 200 languages. Expertly trained hotline staff can tell you what to do with your individual casewhether to go to the hospital, for instance, or stay at home, and whether to induce vomiting. Some substances will further endanger your health should you throw up. The list of poisons is long, but here are some common things to be aware of: Household hazards: prescription and over-the-counter medicines, cleaning substances and small batteries. If you have young children, keep everything locked up and store purses and bags out of reach to avoid children getting into medicines, cosmetics and hand sanitizers. Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and test every six months to check if they're working. Pesticides like fungicides, herbicides and insecticides: common substances include bug repellent, bathroom mold-and-mildew removal agents, pet flea-and-tick treatments and algae killer for pools and fish tanks. Keep these substances in their original containers and out of sight of children. Nature and wildlife: insect stings, toxic plants and mushrooms, poison oak, rattlesnakes and bites from spiders and ticks. Food and drink: alcohol and contaminated foods can lead to poisoning. Lead: This toxic metal might be present in homes built before 1978, as well as in some spices produced in other countries, recalled toys and contaminated soil. Find more information at calpoison.org. 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Epilepsia Open (2024). DOI: 10.1002/epi4.13093 The Finnish epilepsy care pathway has been published in Epilepsia Open. This Finnish model for epilepsy care provides a streamlined, multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, and combines modern digital tools, data sharing and peer support. The Finnish epilepsy care pathway can serve to model how integrated health care systems can effectively manage complex conditions. "The Finnish model could serve as a template for other health care systems looking for a benchmark to improve their epilepsy care," says Professor Reetta Kalviainen of the University of Eastern Finland, who chaired the national work group. Integrated care pathways are essential for consistent, effective epilepsy care, offering equal access and quality regardless of socioeconomic status. They must align with the WHO Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Diseases, ensuring best practices and cost-effective management. The Finnish national epilepsy care pathway includes multiple levels of care, from initial diagnosis to long-term care for all types of epilepsy, with a specific focus on rare and complex cases integrated with the European Reference Network (ERN) for Rare and Complex Epilepsies, ERN EpiCARE. In 2017, the Finnish government nominated Kuopio University Hospital to coordinate diagnostics and care for severe epilepsy in Finland. A national multidisciplinary consensus panel, including specialists from both adult and pediatric neurology departments across all five Finnish university hospitals, as well as patient representatives from the Finnish Epilepsy Association, was established. The resulting pathway was adopted into the Finnish evidence-based current care guidelines for epilepsy. The Finnish epilepsy care pathway focuses on timely referrals, continuity of care and enhanced communication between health care providers at different levels of care. Patient involvement is assured with an individualized digital application offering secure online messaging, a seizure calendar and remote visits. The pathway enhances virtual consultations and includes regular national diagnostic multidisciplinary meetings for severe epilepsies before selected cases are consulted in ERN EpiCARE meetings. More information: Reetta Kalviainen et al, Epilepsy care pathway: The Finnish model, Epilepsia Open (2024). DOI: 10.1002/epi4.13093 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: Optical biosensor decodes signaling of endosomal TLRs. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53770-9 Immune cells are capable of detecting infections just like a sniffer dog, using special sensors known as Toll-like receptors, or TLRs for short. But what signals activate TLRs, and what is the relationship between the scale and nature of this activation and the substance being detected? In a recent study, researchers from the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) used an innovative method to answer these questions. The approach that they took might help to speed up the search for drugs to combat infectious diseases, cancer, diabetes or dementia. Their findings have been published in Nature Communications. TLRs are found in great numbers on the surface of many of our cells, particularly those in the mucous membranes and those of our immune system. They work like the olfactory receptors in our nose, being activated when they encounter a specific chemical signal. The alarm that they trigger starts a series of reactions inside the cells. When scavenger cells "sniff out" a bacterium, for instance, they initiate a process known as phagocytosis by engulfing and digesting it, while other immune cells release special messengers that call for reinforcements and thus provoke inflammation. TLRs activated by danger signals There are several groups of TLRs, each of which responds to different smells. "These are molecules that have crystallized into important danger signals over the course of evolution," explains Professor Gunther Weindl from the Pharmaceutical Institute at the University of Bonn. Among them are lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which form integral parts of a bacterium's cell wall. "What we don't yet know for certain in many cases is what responses are prompted by a signal being detected," says Weindl, who is also a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs) Life & Health and Sustainable Futures. "For instance, it's quite possible that different molecules stimulate the same TLR but trigger different responses." Researchers usually attempt to answer this question by marking molecules in a different color, which tells them, for example, when the receptor switches on a certain signaling pathway in which these molecules play an important role. However, this method is very time-consuming and laborious and requires the observer to be very familiar with the signaling pathways already. "Instead, we trialed a different technique that doesn't require any color-coding and that's already been used successfully to shed light on how other receptors work," Weindl says. "We've now used this method for the first time to study TLRs." The process is based on the fact that cells tend to change their form when they come into contact with a signal molecule in order, for example, to gear themselves up to "swallow" a bacterium or transform into infected tissue. Felicitas Lauber (left), Dr. Janine Holze (center) and Professor Gunther Weindl (right) used an innovative method to observe immune receptors at work. Credit: Katrin Limani/University of Bonn Changing the wavelength to make TLR activation visible This change of form can be seen very easily by placing the cells on a specially coated transparent plate and shining a broadband light source on them from below. Certain regions (wavelengths) of the light spectrum are reflected where the light meets the coatingwhich ones in particular will depend on the processes and changes under way inside the cell. "We were able to demonstrate that these changes in the reflected wavelengths kick in just a few minutes after adding the signal molecule," says Weindl's colleague Dr. Janine Holze. "We also brought cells into contact with E. coli and Salmonella lipopolysaccharides. "Although both components of the cell wall stimulate the same TLR, the reflected spectrum changed in a different way after introducing the E. coli LPS than after adding their Salmonella counterparts." This suggests that the same receptor is activated by different molecules in different ways and then triggers specific responses depending on the signal. Says Weindl, "This method thus permits a much more nuanced explanation than before of how the receptors work as well as simplifying the search for potential drugs with a highly specific profile of action." Possible uses include strengthening the immune response so that the body's own defense forces can fight cancer cells more effectively. With diseases such as diabetes, rheumatism or Alzheimer's, by contrast, the aim is to weaken specific aspects of the immune response that could otherwise damage healthy tissue, and the new method may well take researchers one step further toward this goal. More information: Janine Holze et al, Label-free biosensor assay decodes the dynamics of Toll-like receptor signaling, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53770-9 Journal information: Nature Communications This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Spatial distribution and characteristics of the six LULC maps covering the 48 contiguous states of the USA incorporated in the UrbanSat indicators. Credit: Nature Mental Health (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44220-024-00318-x A recent study links satellite and brain imaging data to identify how environmental factors can impact mental health, cognition and brain development in young people. The research, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, is part of a collaboration involving a team of university researchers from around the world led by experts in the tri-institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS Center) based at Georgia State University and New Light Technologies. The study, titled "Urban-Satellite Estimates in the ABCD Study: Linking Neuroimaging and Mental Health to Satellite Imagery Measurements of Macro Environmental Factors," represents an advance in understanding how specific environmental conditions may impact the brains of young people. The study's senior author and principal investigator, Vince Calhoun, is a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and Distinguished University Professor of Psychology at Georgia State with faculty appointments at Georgia Tech and Emory University, and leads the collaborative TReNDS Center. "The findings highlight the importance of the urban environment in mental health. We see a critical window during childhood and adolescence where environmental factors can shape future cognitive and behavioral development," Calhoun said. Researchers used a dataset from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which is the largest ongoing study on child brain development in the U.S. For the study, the team analyzed data collected from 11,800 children across 21 U.S. cities. Calhoun said by linking fMRI imaging with satellite data, including the location of study participants, researchers were able to more robustly identify how the physical environment influences cognition and mental health outcomes in children ages 9 to 10. Collaborating closely with the ABCD team, the researchers released their results as part of ABCD Data Release 5.0. This enables the research community to address critical questions regarding the connection between the environment and mental health. Lead author and New Light Technologies Chief Scientist Ran Goldblatt said researchers analyzed satellite-based observations, including different types of land cover and land use and the amount of light emitted at night as captured by satellites. This "UrbanSat" data can be coupled to neuroimaging and behavioral measures to provide insights. "The ABCD dataset provides a unique opportunity for a much deeper understanding of associations between a range of indicators of the complex physical urban environment and their impacts on mental health," Goldblatt said. "This dataset also allows us to observe dynamic environmental changes and their impact on mental health over time, pinpointing specific interventions to boost mental well-being in various communities." The study looked at how land is used, including factors like light pollution and the number of buildings in an area, as a way to understand the area's social and economic status. The researchers found that places with more light at night and more buildings tended to have lower levels of parental education and household income, while areas with more trees and plants were linked to higher education and income. "With the precise, objective measurements of environmental aspects such as greenspaces, the density of urban areas and water bodies, the ABCD dataset can enrich our understanding of how physical surroundings impact brain activity through diverse complex physiological, psychological and social processes," Calhoun said. "In this new study, we see that unique environmental and physical features may impact the extent and patterns of the brain's gray and white matter and its functional network connectivity." More information: Ran Goldblatt et al, Linking neuroimaging and mental health data from the ABCD Study to UrbanSat measurements of macro environmental factors, Nature Mental Health (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44220-024-00318-x Journal information: Nature Mental Health 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 On a warm autumn morning, Roger Brown walked through a grove of towering trees whose sap fuels his maple syrup business. He was checking for damage after recent flooding. But these days, his workers' health worries him more than his trees." The cost of Slopeside Syrup's employee health insurance premiums spiked 24% this year. Next year it will rise 14%. The jumps mean less money to pay workers, and expensive insurance coverage that doesn't ensure employees can get care, Brown said. "Vermont is seen as the most progressive state, so how is health care here so screwed up?" Vermont consistently ranks among the healthiest states, and its unemployment and uninsured rates are among the lowest. Yet Vermonters pay the highest prices nationwide for individual health coverage, and state reports show its providers and insurers are in financial trouble. Nine of the state's 14 hospitals are losing money, and the state's largest insurer is struggling to remain solvent. Long waits for care have become increasingly common, according to state reports and interviews with residents and industry officials. Rising health costs are a problem across the country, but Vermont's situation surprises health experts because virtually all its residents have insurance and the state regulates care and coverage prices. For more than 15 years, federal and state policymakers have focused on increasing the number of people insured, which they expected would shore up hospital finances and make care more available and affordable. "Vermont's struggles are a wake-up call that insurance is only one piece of the puzzle to ensuring access to care," said Keith Mueller, a rural health expert at the University of Iowa. Regulators and consultants say the state's small, aging population of about 650,000 makes spreading insurance risk difficult. That demographic challenge is compounded by geography, as many Vermonters live in rural areas, where it's difficult to attract more health workers to address shortages. At least part of the cost spike can be attributed to patients crossing state lines for quicker care in New York and Massachusetts. Those visits can be more expensive for both insurers and patients because of long ambulance rides and charges from out-of-network providers. Patients who stay, like Lynne Drevik, face long waits. Drevik said her doctor told her in April that she needed knee replacement surgeriesbut the earliest appointment would be in January for one knee and the following April for the other. Drevik, 59, said it hurts to climb the stairs in the 19th-century farmhouse in Montgomery Center she and her husband operate as an inn and a spa. "My life is on hold here, and it's hard to make any plans," she said. "It's terrible." Health experts say some of the state's health system troubles are self-inflicted. Unlike most states, Vermont regulates hospital and insurance prices through an independent agency, the Green Mountain Care Board. Until recently, the board typically approved whatever price changes companies wanted, said Julie Wasserman, a health consultant in Vermont. The board allowed one health systemthe University of Vermont Health Networkto control about two-thirds of the state's hospital market and allowed its main facility, the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, to raise its prices until it ranked among the nation's most expensive, she said, citing data the board presented in September. Hospital officials contend their prices are no higher than industry averages. But for 2025, the board required the University of Vermont Medical Center to cut the prices it bills private insurers by 1%. The nonprofit system says it is navigating its own challenges. Top officials say a severe lack of housing makes it hard to recruit workers, while too few mental health providers, nursing homes, and long-term care services often create delays in discharging patients, adding to costs. Two-thirds of the system's patients are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, said CEO Sunny Eappen. Both government programs pay providers lower rates than private insurance, which Eappen said makes it difficult to afford rising prices for drugs, medical devices, and labor. Officials at the University of Vermont Medical Center point to several ways they are trying to adapt. They cited, for example, $9 million the hospital system has contributed to the construction of two large apartment buildings to house new workers, at a subsidized price for lower-income employees. The hospital also has worked with community partners to open a mental health urgent care center, providing an alternative to the emergency room. In the ER, curtains separate areas in the hallway where patients can lie on beds or gurneys for hours waiting for a room. The hospital also uses what was a storage closet as an overflow room to provide care. "It's good to get patients into a hallway, as it's better than a chair," said Mariah McNamara, an ER doctor and associate chief medical officer with the hospital. For the about 250 days a year when the hospital is full, doctors face pressure to discharge patients without the ideal home or community care setup, she said. "We have to go in the direction of letting you go home without patient services and giving that a try, because otherwise the hospital is going to be full of people, and that includes people that don't need to be here," McNamara said. Searching for solutions, the Green Mountain Care Board hired a consultant who recommended a number of changes, including converting four rural hospitals into outpatient facilities, in a worst-case scenario, and consolidating specialty services at several others. The consultant, Bruce Hamory, said in a call with reporters that his report provides a road map for Vermont, where "the health care system is no match for demographic, workforce, and housing challenges." But he cautioned that any fix would require sacrifice from everyone, including patients, employers, and health providers. "There is no simple single policy solution," he said. One place Hamory recommended converting to an outpatient center only was North Country Hospital in Newport, a village in Vermont's least populated region, known as the Northeast Kingdom. The 25-bed hospital has lost money for years, partly because of an electronic health record system that has made it difficult to bill patients. But the hospital also has struggled to attract providers and make enough money to pay them. Officials said they would fight any plans to close the hospital, which recently dropped several specialty services, including pulmonology, neurology, urology, and orthopedics. It doesn't have the cash to upgrade patient rooms to include bathroom doors wide enough for wheelchairs. On a recent morning, CEO Tom Frank walked the halls of his hospital. The facility was quiet, with just 14 admitted patients and only a couple of people in the ER. "This place used to be bustling," he said of the former pulmonology clinic. Frank said the hospital breaks even treating Medicare patients, loses money treating Medicaid patients, and makes money from a dwindling number of privately insured patients. The state's strict regulations have earned it an antihousing, antibusiness reputation, he said. "The cost of health care is a symptom of a larger problem." About 30 miles south of Newport, Andy Kehler often worries about the cost of providing health insurance to the 85 workers at Jasper Hill Farm, the cheesemaking business he co-owns. "It's an issue every year for us, and it looks like there is no end in sight," he said. Jasper Hill pays half the cost of its workers' health insurance premiums because that's all it can afford, Kehler said. Employees pay $1,700 a month for a family, with a $5,000 deductible. "The coverage we provide is inadequate for what you pay," he said. 2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Attending suicide callouts is taking a toll on the mental health of paramedics, causing nightmares and flashbacks and harming their personal relationships, a study by the University of Otago, WellingtonOtakou Whakaihu Waka, Poneke, has found. Psychologist Dr. Renan Lopes de Lyra interviewed nine paramedics in New Zealand as part of his Ph.D. research in the University's Department of Psychological Medicine. His findings are published in the journal Paramedicine. Two of the nine paramedics he interviewed had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders, while others described symptoms consistent with PTSD and anxiety, such as flashbacks and nightmares and said they avoided places where suicide deaths had occurred. The paramedics talked in detail about the trauma of attending suicide callouts and the impact it was having on their mental health and relationships, Dr. Lyra says. "For some participants, their mental distress arose from a single traumatic encounter they could recall in detail, while for others the emotional toll came from the cumulative effect of numerous traumatic encounters with suicide. "Several described the tension they experienced between having a public front as a health professional skilled in an emergency response and the private reality of being a vulnerable human like anyone else. One of the paramedics commented, 'If you're a human being and you've got feelings, how can you not be traumatized?'" The cumulative emotional distress could lead to feelings of isolation, and emotional disconnection from family and friends, with some paramedics withdrawing from social interactions in order to avoid 'spreading trauma'. "The participants in the study would have liked more training in dealing with mental health crises and felt unprepared to deal with suicide callouts," Dr. Lyra says. Most developed the skills they needed through 'trial and error' experience while on duty. Some were concerned that taking the wrong approach to discussing the subject of suicide could aggravate the crisis, a common misconception. "Paramedics found they needed different skill sets for mental health callouts than those they had learned in their emergency health training. In critical situations, the focus of paramedics is generally to stabilize vital signs and keep the patient alive using protocol-based approaches, whereas mental health situations require intuitive skills on how best to approach and de-escalate the situation." The absence of suicide-related protocols for managing patients meant paramedics had to deal with situations based on their own experience and knowledge, increasing their anxiety levels. Those interviewed felt they were being required to 'fill in the gaps' for a health system that was failing to adequately support those experiencing mental health crises, Dr. Lyra says. "They were often surprised to find the people they transported to hospital were discharged without any apparent treatment plan in place. This left them feeling frustrated and helpless, particularly when they were called out to attend the same patient in subsequent shifts. "Paramedics felt they had become de facto support people to frequent callerssomething they had not thought of as being part of their role." The study highlights the risks that on-the-job exposure to suicide can pose to people's mental health, he says. "Organizations that employ first responders really do need to be thinking about the impact of suicide callouts on their staff." More information: Renan Lopes de Lyra et al, 'How can you not be traumatised': Experience of paramedics occupationally exposed to suicide, Paramedicine (2024). DOI: 10.1177/27536386241283986 Ambassador of Belarus V.Denisenko meets the First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan On November 11, 2024, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Tajikistan, Viktor Denisenko, met with the First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, Jamshed Jurazoda. During the conversation, topical issues of further development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Tajikistan in the fields of education and science were discussed. The schedule of bilateral events in the humanitarian sphere for the near future was agreed. print version No one knows who will be targeted: N.J.s Indian community fears ICE raids Undocumented Indian immigrants, some of whom have overstayed their visas, are anxious about the possibility of being detained and deported by ICE. Piano fans will probably be no stranger to the name of Maksim Mrvica, who is also known as just Maksim, a renowned Croatian pianist celebrated for his classical crossover mastery, technical virtuosity and charisma onstage. Born in 1975 in Sibenik, Croatia, Maksim is one of the best-selling crossover pianists in the world. His albums have sold millions of copies in more than 50 countries and regions across the globe, reaching gold and platinum sales. Often labeled as the pianist incredibly able to hit 16 notes per second, his masterpieces such as Croatian Rhapsody, Exodus, The Flight of the Bumblebee are among the best known worldwide. Adorned with tattoos, chic hairstyles and dressed in a casual outfit with personalized decorations onstage, Maksim looks unlike a classical musician. "I enjoy what I do. I love my job, traveling, interacting and meeting so many people around the world. I love being onstage and performing and I feel comfortable there since I was a child. If someone has an office in the building, my office is the stage all around the world," says the musician after the Segmenti world tour premiered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Oct 2. Starting to play the piano at 9 and performing his first concert as a soloist at 11, Maksim actually had a solid education and proven achievements as a classical musician. He won his first major piano competition in Zagreb, capital of Croatia, in 1993. Later, Maksim studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Hungary. He moved to Paris in 2000 to study with Igor Lazko at the Russian Conservatory Alexander Scriabin. During his time as a student, he won first prize in a number of major piano competitions in Europe. While trained as a classical pianist, Maksim is more renowned and internationally acclaimed for his crossover music that continuously explores the fusion of classical music and modern styles transcending boundaries. "I have always wanted to experiment with the presentation of classical music, so I used lighting shows and lasers at the venue where I played the piano concerto with the orchestra. I have always had such new ideas of different presentation. Then I met my manager Mel Bush, who was back then a pioneer of crossover music and was looking for the pianist for a long time," he recalls. That was the start of Maksim's crossover music and it has proved to be a big success. With a career catalog spanning 13 albums since 2003, Maksim has grown into one of the top-selling crossover pianists in the world. More than five years since the last album, Maksim released his 14th album Segmenti at the end of September, announcing the start of a new classical crossover concert world tour of the same name from China a few days later. The new album consists of eight tracks, including two covers, three originals and three classics, which showcase as always a refreshing blend of different musical segments, genres and styles, explains the artist. Among the eight tracks is The Show Must Go On, a notable rock hit from the legendary band Queen. "This is one of the songs which I always wanted to do. I like Queen and I did Bohemian Rhapsody before. The songs from Queen are so powerful. It was round the time of the pandemic and the end of it (when making this song), a period when the world stopped for two years. And I thought it's a perfect song to do as we need to continue with our lives," says Maksim. Although different from the original version, Maksim's covers are never about making them easier to play. In addition to the piano as the main instrument, he usually infuses the songs with rich symphonic sounds from the orchestra, as well as difficult and complex arrangement and techniques to interpret the themes with no less power. Maksim is crossing his own boundaries too, with the challenging classical piece Prokofiev Fantasy presented on the album. "It is one of the most technically complex and difficult pieces I ever had to record for my crossover albums. It comes in three parts, including the famous Romeo and Juliet Ballet and the coda from the Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 3. This concerto is one of my favorites since I was a child. I've heard it a million times, and I want to keep the coda as it is, without changing any note. It's so difficult and complex, literally, to play 20 pages in one minute. I was laughing to myself when learning it, but it was so much joy and fun in the end," he says, laughing. The original track Glorietta on the album, written by Croatian composer Tonci Huljic, is highlighted for its traditional Asian instruments and Oriental melodies, such as the pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute) and Chinese bamboo flute. This is not the first time that Maksim and Huljic absorbed Chinese and oriental elements into their creation. In his last album released in 2018, they made a majestic piece named New Silk Road, which integrated musical elements from China, Russia, India and Central Europe, and is well-received by Asian audiences. Jake Zeng, a trade manager in Hangzhou, spoke highly of such elements. "My favorite piece used to be the Croatian Rhapsody, but later, I like New Silk Road more. In his previous albums, he made the arrangements more on Western classical pieces. So the Chinese elements in New Silk Road are refreshing, and we as Chinese people are more connected and excited about such arrangements," says Zeng after the Segmenti world tour premiere in the city. This world tour premiered in Hangzhou only a few months after the end of his two-year The Collection world tour, during which he presented more than 100 shows in 22 countries and regions on four continents. Basically, he has been crossing geographic boundaries as well. Asked about how to keep in good condition for an energetic and passionate two-hour concert each time in tight schedules, he says it is all about "love" and the audiences' appreciation always fuels him up. "For me, it's always interesting to come to the country where I've never been, and to introduce myself to the audiences for the first time. It is so rewarding for me as an artist to see the audiences' reaction, enthusiasm and excitement when they listen to my music," he says with a smile. Maksim first came to China 21 years ago, winning an MTV music award in the country, which kicked off his journey here. Since then, he has visited China with extensive concerts and shows across the nation, nurturing a large crowd of fans at all ages. Maksim says he was always impressed by Chinese culture and the Chinese audiences for their enthusiasm. "As soon as I come onstage at the beginning of the show, I have huge ovations (from Chinese audiences). This is something that exists only when they really know you, and are happy to be here. For me, to begin the concert like that is amazing. It's like a huge push for the general energy of the concert," he says. As a professional pianist for about four decades, Maksim is still actively open for explorations and challenges in music. Over the past two decades, he has been on many shows and collaborated with quite a few Chinese musicians, including Chinese cellist Ouyang Nana, guzheng (Chinese zither) player Zhao Jienan and erhu (a two-stringed Chinese fiddle) player Chen Yimiao. "I always consider myself lucky because I was born with this talent and the love for the instrument and classical music. I can't physically be without the piano for a long time. It is part of my life and part of who I am. Music can be very powerful in terms of touching your life and moments. Many people might underestimate the power of music, but it is a very powerful element in life," says Maksim. The Segmenti classical crossover world tour is continuing to hit several cities across China within this year, including Fuzhou, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Kunming, Chengdu, Nanjing, Qingdao, Changchun and Shanghai. Former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has sparked speculation about her potential return to the ODM party following her appearance at Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wangas Thanksgiving ceremony. Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma shared a photo of Jumwa at the event, hinting at her possible re-entry into ODM. He wrote, Hon. Aisha Jumwa was also present at the ODM function. Something is cooking During the ceremony, Jumwa praised ODM leader Raila Odinga, calling him her political mentor. She lauded his commitment to democratic principles and his strong political foundation. She also expressed gratitude to Odinga for his role in uniting the country through cooperation with President William Ruto. I want to thank Raila Odinga for prioritizing the country by joining President William Ruto in uniting the country. The country is now experiencing peace because of the cooperation between these two leaders, she said. Jumwa further acknowledged both Odinga and Ruto for advancing womens leadership by appointing women to key positions. She highlighted figures such as Cecily Mbarire, the Chairperson of the ruling UDA party, and Governor Gladys Wanga, who is now the ODM National Chairperson. Responding to speculation about her return to ODM, the former CS did not dismiss the idea. She said, Mnataka nirudi? Msichana akilelewa na babake hutafuta boma lake na mimi nimelelewa na mheshimiwa Raila kama babangu. Wakati nimekomaa nimetafuta boma langu. Na maisha inasonga mbele, which loosely translates to, Do you want me to return? A girl raised by her father seeks her own home, and I was raised by Hon. Raila as my father. Now that I have matured, Ive sought my own home. Life goes on. Jumwa also announced her plans to contest the Kilifi gubernatorial seat in 2027, though it remains uncertain which party she will use for her bid. Jumwa, who switched allegiance to Rutos UDA party in 2022, initially won her first seat as Kilifi Woman Representative on an ODM ticket in 2013 and later served as Malindi MP in 2017. In 2022, she ran for Kilifi governor under UDA but lost to ODMs Gideon Mungaro. Despite this, her loyalty to President Ruto earned her a Cabinet position as the CS for Gender, Culture, the Arts, and Heritage, a role she held for nearly two years. On Monday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba reassured parents, students, and teachers that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will stop canceling entire centers results when cheating is detected. Addressing examiners at Langata Sub-County Headquarters in Nairobi, Ogamba announced that KNEC will now handle cheating cases on an individual basis to avoid punishing innocent students. Ogamba explained that KNEC has implemented new security measures to curb exam leakages and prevent misconduct. He emphasized that those involved in cheating, including students, will be individually accountable, with no undue impact on others. Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to report that we have put very serious measures in place. If there is any malpractice this year, we will not condemn the whole school or center. We will address it on an individual level, Ogamba affirmed. The CS detailed how KNECs approach will involve tracking serialized exam papers to identify the source of any malpractice. If a student is caught cheating, investigators will use the unique serial numbers on the exam papers to pinpoint the individuals responsible, ensuring that those involved face direct consequences. Ogamba also addressed concerns about coordinated cheating within schools. He reassured the public that in cases where multiple individuals collaborate to cheat, the government will conduct thorough investigations before holding the involved individuals accountable. If we find that individuals have collaborated, as we saw in Homa Bay, we will follow the evidence and ensure that those directly involved are penalized, he stated. This approach aims to prevent innocent students from being implicated in dishonest activities committed by a few. He further explained how KNEC will identify students using serialized exam papers, particularly in cases where students take photos of exam materials and circulate them. If a student brings a phone into the exam room, takes a photo of their paper, and sends it around, we can track that student because all papers are serialized. Only that student will face consequences, not the entire institution, he added. Ogamba faulted the past practice of blanket punishments, noting that innocent students suffered unfairly while a few individuals tarnished the reputation of their schools. He expressed a commitment to making the examination sector ethical and transparent, saying, We want to clean this sector, keep it ethical, and do the right thing for the future. The case challenging the deal between the Kenyan government and Adani Airport Holdings was postponed on Monday after the court informed the parties that the judge handling the case was unavailable. However, the courts orders to halt the execution of the deal remain in place until the matter is resolved. The petitioners have moved to court to block a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the government and Adani, which would grant the Indian firm a 30-year lease to develop and manage Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). After the adjournment, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, who represent aviation workers in the case, addressed the media. They urged the government to cancel the deal, emphasizing that Kenya can expand JKIA independently. This is state capture Adani operates with secrecy. We are committed to fighting for transparency for both this generation and future generations, Kalonzo stated. Eugene Wamalwa added, If Adani controls JKIA, they will paralyze our country. The court has rescheduled the case for November 27, while the case filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) will be heard on November 17, 2024. Additionally, a preliminary objection has been filed in the case, challenging the courts jurisdiction to hear and decide the matter. The petitioner seeks to have the deal declared unconstitutional, arguing that the process was rushed and bypassed standard procedures. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has pledged to lead street protests if the Kenya Kwanza government moves forward with plans to reintroduce parts of the Finance Bill 2024. Musyoka criticized the governments proposal, arguing that increased taxes would only burden ordinary Kenyans while benefiting a small, wealthy elite. We cannot remain silent while Kenyans suffer. If they try to bring back the Finance Bill, we will not remain quiet. This is a revolution, Musyoka declared. He made these statements after a church service in Nairobis Umoja estate. Following the service, Musyoka led his supporters to Kimoroni Stadium in Muranga County, where they participated in a gospel concert. In Muranga, Kalonzo ramped up his criticism of President William Rutos administration, openly condemning the provisions of the Finance Bill. He was joined by DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa, who supported Musyokas stance and emphasized that the oppositions role is to protect the interests of ordinary Kenyans. We are here with Kalonzo, and we are fighting to protect Kenyans, not just the wealthy few, Wamalwa asserted. Reflecting on the youth-led protests earlier this year, Kalonzo praised Gen Z activists for standing up for ordinary Kenyans. He assured them that their efforts would not be in vain and that they were part of a broader movement for fairness and justice. Musyoka also condemned Nandi Senator Samson Cherargeis recent proposal to extend term limits for elected leaders, calling it out of touch with the needs of ordinary Kenyans. He stressed that reforms should focus on improving the lives of the majority, not expanding privileges for the political elite. Mr. Ruto, do not make the mistake of bringing that seven-year presidential term limit to us. Drop it like a hot potato if you love your country, Musyoka warned the president. He suggested that if such a bill is proposed, it should aim to shorten the presidential term from five years to four, as Kenyans are tired. Moses Kuria has hinted at the creation of a new political coalition for the 2027 elections. Kuria claimed he had made the right political calculations, predicting that a new movement would emerge to support President Rutos reelection. Speaking on Sunday, Kuria urged the country to prepare for a nationalist movement similar to the Rainbow Coalition, which governed from 2002 to 2005. The coalition, formed after the defeat of the government-sponsored draft constitution, united then-President Mwai Kibaki and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga. Kuria predicted, What I foresee in 2027 is a new nationalist movement, similar to the 2002 Rainbow movement. Those with with brains should join because or they will regret being left out. He added, I studied mathematics, and I make precise calculations in politics. I dont make mistakes. Kuria made these comments during a thanksgiving service in Homa Bay County, where Governor Gladys Wanga celebrated her appointment as ODM national chairperson. Raila Odinga also attended the event, which brought together unexpected allies from both ODM and President Rutos UDA party. Meanwhile, recently impeached Rigathi Gachagua has hinted at a political comeback, suggesting that he may join forces with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa for the 2027 polls. On Sunday, detectives from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), in collaboration with their Masaba North counterparts, arrested a notorious exam fraudster in Kisii County. The suspect, who ran the KCSE 2024 Leakage Group on Telegram, was apprehended after a detailed surveillance operation. Sleuths tracked the suspect to his residence in Masaba North, where they ambushed and arrested him. A search of his premises led to the discovery of a mobile phone and a laptop, tools he allegedly used to exploit parents and students involved in cheating. The suspect now faces charges for possessing unauthorized materials, contrary to Section 27(1) of the KNEC Act No. 29 of 2021 (Revised 2019). The Act stipulates that anyone in possession of exam papers or related materials without lawful excuse commits an offense and may face up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to two million shillings, or both. Police are also targeting other individuals engaged in similar fraudulent activities, extorting money from students and parents. The authorities said they continue to investigate and pursue those responsible for undermining the integrity of the exams. Former Laikipia Woman Representative Cate Waruguru expressed strong support for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, asserting that he has paid the price for her generation. Speaking to a congregation at Priesthood Fellowship Church in Kahawa West, Nairobi, Waruguru pointed out that Gachagua, who lost his position after being impeached by both the Senate and National Assembly, has faced challenges similar to those endured by past leaders, including former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. Waruguru reassured Gachagua that he was not alone, stressing that the people of the Mount Kenya region continue to support him through every step of his journey. In reference to Gachaguas ouster, Waruguru emphasized the importance of being prepared to face challenges in pursuit of positive outcomes. Theres nothing good that will come if youre not ready to pay a price. Youve paid a price for my generation. Mzee Kibaki paid a price some 20 years ago, Uhuru Kenyatta paid his price. I want to tell you my brother that you are not alone, she said. Waruguru also urged the Mount Kenya region to reject any disparaging remarks regarding Gachaguas ouster. She warned that the regions silence should not be mistaken for ignorance of the situation. When you see this people quiet, they are not quiet because they dont know what is happening in this country. Watu wakiona tumenyamaza waache kushinda wametuambia sisi ni waoga, we are not going to allow you to take us to that path of incitement, making ridicule of our community, nobody is going to incite us against our community, we have invested in this country and over beyond we are into the diaspora and every corner of the world, she added. A new Chinese series is not only attracting domestic audiences but also appealing to viewers worldwide with its unique Chinese aesthetics and fantasy themes. A still from "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy." [Photo courtesy of Tencent Video] "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy," directed by Zhao Yilong and starring Yu Shuxin, Ding Yuxi and Zhu Xudan, is a historical fantasy that incorporates video game elements with ancient Chinese motifs. Adapted from the web novel "The Guide to Capturing a Black Lotus" by Bai Yu Zhai Diao Gong, the series follows a modern-day, white-collar worker who gets trapped within the novel "Monster Hunting," becoming the character Lin Yu, the county magistrate's daughter. In order to return to the real world, Lin must capture the affection of the novel's second protagonist, a mysterious, young monster hunter with a dark side. Besides dealing with demon catchers, Lin also finds herself battling monsters, leveling up and working to mend a deep-seated animosity between the human and demon clans, ultimately seeking to change a doomed fate and save the world. The 32-episode series debuted on Nov. 1 on Tencent Video and quickly generated significant online buzz as well as a large viewership. On Douban, a major social platform and review website in China, the series has received a rating of 7.7 out of 10 based on more than 180,000 user reviews, crowning the series with the highest score for a Chinese fantasy so far this year. The historical fantasy is now also available on international platforms like Netflix, YouTube, WeTV and Rakuten Viki, and has received high ratings 9.4 on Rakuten Viki, 8.1 on IMDb and 8.4 on MyDramaList. Acclaimed for its themes of love and inclusiveness, "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" has sparked extensive discussions worldwide. Audiences are particularly drawn to the characters' development and self-discovery, which unfold against a backdrop of traditional Chinese culture that is enriched by modern thinking. According to viewers, the series is also celebrated for its blend of Chinese cultural elements with a cybernetic costume comedy style, resulting in a refreshing and youthful narrative. "Eastern aesthetics have sparked a new trend with 'Love Game in Eastern Fantasy,' a fantasy story infused with the beauty of traditional Chinese culture that profoundly touches audiences and demonstrates Tencent Video's deep insight and determined potential in creating quality content," reads Tencent Video's statement for the series. "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" is scheduled to next be broadcasted on platforms in South Korea, Japan and China's Taiwan region. A visitor poses for photos with an exhibitor at the South Africa Pavilion during the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Many of the South African companies taking part in the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) have secured some trade and investment opportunities, the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) said Monday. The seventh CIIE took place in Shanghai, China, from Nov. 5 to 10. The DTIC sponsored 35 companies to take part in the expo and showcase their products. In a statement issued on Monday, the department said the South African enterprises are confident that the trade leads will soon result in concrete deals. The CIIE is a platform created to provide an opportunity for companies from all over the world to showcase their production capabilities at the event, but most importantly to potential buyers of goods and services. On display at the South African stands were a variety of products, including wines, jewellery, agricultural and agro-processed products, bags and other services such as engineering, among others, according to the statement. Siphamandla Kumkani, director of export promotion and marketing at the DTIC who led the South African business delegation to the CIIE, said he is pleased with the results. "The companies have performed exceedingly well. One of the key features of the CIIE is that one gets an opportunity to meet companies from different regional blocks. Many of our companies have received bankable trade and investment leads," said Kumkani. "It is our view that the event is getting bigger every year and provides huge business for not only small and medium companies but also emerging exporters," he added. Abednico Mkhari, founder and director of NTGR Engineering, an award-winning multidisciplinary engineering company in South Africa, said his company signed a memorandum of understanding for a joint venture with a major Chinese company for the construction of a road in Tanzania. "We are now finalizing finer details of our agreement," he said. "We are obviously very happy that our participation in the CIIE has enabled our company this significant opportunity." Garron Arendse, international commercial manager at Rhodes Food Group of South Africa, said participating in the CIIE has allowed his company to find new opportunities for potential expansion into the Chinese markets. "The interactions at the CIIE allowed us the opportunity to gain knowledge into the Chinese market environment, pricing trends, understanding what is in demand," he said. You are here: Business According to official statistics released Monday, South China's Guangdong province demonstrated a strong demand for major imported products in the first 10 months of this year. Guangdong, China's biggest foreign trader, imported 1.75 trillion yuan ($246.48 billion) worth of mechanical and electrical products from January to October, a year-on-year increase of 20.3 percent. This category accounts for 66.6 percent of the province's total import value, revealed statistics from the Guangdong Sub-Administration of General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) on Monday. The volume of imported integrated circuits amounted to 915.54 billion yuan, while the imports of automatic data processing equipment and their components came to 237.55 billion yuan. The figures represented a year-on-year growth of 16.6 percent and 138.8 percent, respectively. Imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment reached 43.64 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 62 percent, customs statistics said. The global manufacturing base purchased more than 83.52 million metric tons of energy products, including coals, crude oil and natural gas, valued at 109.94 billion yuan, up year-on-year 26.8 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively. The province's imported grain reached over 11.43 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 29.1 percent, valued at 31.27 billion yuan, up 9.3 percent. Guangdong's sustainable growth of major imported products demonstrates the province's strong economic growth and high domestic demand since the beginning of the year, according to a statement from the Guangdong Sub-Administration of GACC. The strong import performance has helped the province achieve an import and export volume of more than 7.5 trillion yuan in the first 10 months, up year-on-year by 10.6 percent and representing 20.9 percent of the country's total. Guangdong sold 4.88 trillion yuan worth of products abroad while purchasing goods valued at 2.64 trillion from the rest of the world, up year-on-year 8.8 percent and 14.1 percent, respectively, for a trade surplus of 2.24 trillion yuan in the first 10 months. They represented 15.9 percent, 12.5 percent, 11.9 percent, 11.4 percent and 8.2 percent of Guangdong's total, said the statement. The province's foreign trade volume with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative totaled 2.73 trillion yuan from January to October, a year-on-year increase of 9.2 percent and accounting for 36.4 percent of Guangdong's total. China's foreign trade witnessed a year-on-year growth of 5.2 percent during the same period, it said. Apec host Peru eyes tourist dollars from Asia Only around 3.4 percent of foreign travellers to Peru come from Asia, while more than half are from neighbouring regions such as Chile and Ecuador. Photo: RTHK The Lima Cathedral and the nearby presidential palace are must-see places for most tourists. Photo: RTHK RTHK's Raymond Yeung reports from Lima Sizeable delegations from many Asian countries and territories will be converging this week on the Peruvian city of Lima for this years Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit including ones led by President Xi Jinping and Chief Executive John Lee. The influx of Asian visitors will be a bit of an anomaly for the South American country since tourists from Asia normally make up just 3.4 percent of all international arrivals. Its a figure that Peru for which tourism is the third-biggest industry wants to pump up. RTHK spoke to some Chinese migrants to the country who believe theres growing interest among Asian travellers in making the long and expensive trip to the region. Alicia Tay moved to Peru in 1983 and now runs a travel agency in Lima specialising in MICE tourism catering to business travellers attending meetings, conferences and exhibitions. She noted a growing number of Chinese firms wishing to bring their employees to Peru and other parts of South America in recent years. A lot of our customers have travelled extensively around the world, such as Europe and of course Asia. Even the United States and Canada, many have been to these places. But for South America, it is certainly a new destination for them, Tay explained. On the other hand, she said many Peruvian holidaymakers are curious about Asia, and see mainland China and Hong Kong as places with cutting-edge technology. There are also businessmen who are looking for investment opportunities abroad. I think the Peruvians consider China as a potential country [to invest in] industries and technologies. I think its a point of interest, they want to visit China, she said. The Peruvian government has been going all out in recent years to lure tourists, telling them theres much more to see than just the ancient Inca town of Machu Picchu. It is a lucrative business after all: holidaymakers who are willing to travel halfway across the world to Peru usually have deep pockets. That includes Hue, a visitor from Sydney, Australia. I'm here for a 19-day South American tour to see Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, mainly for sightseeing, she said, adding she was planning to spend nearly US$10,000 for the trip. Do I think it's worth it? Look, I think it is. I mean, for me, experience is more valuable than goods, so that's where I splurge my money. Shenzhen natives Rachel and her sister planned to spend even more. Its around US$30,000, because we have a plan to go to Antarctica, I think that costs a lot. It takes around 28 days, she said. Peru hopes that the Apec meetings, which is held in Lima for the third time since 2008, will further raise the nations profile and attract more visitors and even investment. The report noted that Foreign flows, especially from Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) in the equity market, are not just drivers of stock prices but essential to maintaining macroeconomic stability in India. It said "In the event of a sharp increase in oil prices (causes unknown) combined with large-scale FII sell-offs, India''s Balance of Payments could deteriorate rapidly". The report also highlighted that historically, India has struggled with a high dependency on imported crude oil, a crucial input that deeply impacts the nation''s external balance. It added that every time crude oil prices surge past USD 100 per barrel, India''s merchandise trade deficit grows substantially, putting pressure on the country''s economic resilience. However, over the last decade, rising net flows from services exports and remittances have helped offset the impact of high oil prices on India''s BoP. Even with crude oil at USD 100 per barrel, these inflows have helped keep India''s merchandise deficit in check. It said "In years when India faces an oil shock, foreign inflows come to its aid". Yet, this buffer does not make India immune to external shocks. When oil prices spike unexpectedly, the BoP position becomes fragile, and India has often relied on foreign capital inflows to stabilize its finances. During the 2013 crisis, for instance, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched the USD 34 billion FCNR deposit scheme to attract dollar inflows, providing a much-needed cushion. Similarly, in financial years 2013, 2018, and 2019, India raised substantial foreign loans to manage deficits. So the report noted that if capital inflows were to fall short, a currency crisis could emerge, compelling the RBI to intervene. It said "when India''s financial and capital accounts are unable to cover the current account deficit, a currency threat looms, which the RBI must manage". Therefore, ensuring steady foreign flows remains a priority for India''s economic stability, especially in times of volatile oil prices and uncertain global capital flows. (ANI) The Russian-Indian Business Council is opening its permanent office in New Delhi, this highlights the high level of cooperation between the tow nations. Speaking on the sidelines of the Russian Indian Business Forum in Mumbai, Alexey Valkov, Director of St Petersburg International Economic Forum stated that India and Russia are witnessing a lot of diversification in trade as there are sectors that could be useful for both sides. The mission of the forum is to create a platform to assist businesses in both nations, while offering Russian tech and products among other services He said, "We got a great level of mutual relations right now. Actually, I'm here in Mumbai to participate in Russia-India Business Forum. It's really a great event with a huge representative from both sides. And for us, it's really important to keep moving forward to the goals that were aimed by our leaders in the mutual relations. There are a lot of traditional sectors between our countries, but now we see that diversification of the mutual trade is going now." Meanwhile, German Maslov, Vice President of Liner and Logistics opined that India-Russia Business Forum is an important event, opening new opportunities between both countries. "This is a huge development for the last 2-3 years of India-Russian business...we see more and more opportunities...we as FESCO, are increasing the capacity of our fleet between India and Russia and we have tripled it already...we believe that the trade between India and Russia will be growing up," he said. Russia-India Business Forum provides an opportunity to interact with the visiting business delegation and understand the emerging trade and investment opportunities between India and Russia. Durig the event delegates of both countries discussed on trade opportunities in sectors such as Infrastructure and logistics, Finance, Energy, Mining, Manufacturing, IT and general trade. Speaking at the event, Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar said by 2030 India-Russia bilateral trade will cross USD 100 billion. The minister outlined ten critical areas of development that signal a promising trajectory for strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries. Highlighting the vision set forth by the leaders of India and Russia, Jaishankar underlined opportunities for deeper economic engagement, aiming for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership by 2030. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of accelerating negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty to bolster investor confidence. (ANI) PRNewswire Gurugram (Haryana) [India], November 12: VVDN Technologies, a global provider of software, electronics engineering, and product manufacturing services and solutions, today announced it has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for Cybersecurity collaboration with SecureThings.ai Pvt Ltd, a leader in Vehicle Cybersecurity Solutions. This collaboration represents a major step forward in delivering robust cybersecurity assurance for Automotive, Networking & Wi-Fi, IoT, and Cloud solutions globally, with a special focus on the connected vehicle ecosystem. The engagement enables the integration of SecureThings.ai's advanced cybersecurity solutions into automotive products and solutions designed and manufactured by VVDN for its customers, which include Vehicle Connectivity, in-vehicle Infotainment and Instrument Clusters, ADAS solutions, Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) solutions, Network & Wi-Fi Devices, IoT, and Cloud Services & Solutions. The collaboration aims to ensure that VVDN meets global regulatory requirements, including the adoption of ISO 21434 standards for cybersecurity in the automotive industry. Key initiatives under this collaboration include: * 'Intrusion Detection and Protection Solutions' - To monitor, detect, and prevent cyber-attacks in real time * 'Threat Intelligence Services' - For continuous monitoring, vulnerability detection, and correlation with products/solutions developed by VVDN for its customers * Setting up of a 'Security Research Lab' - To focus on developing customized security concepts to address the cybersecurity requirements of VVDN's customers * 'Red Team as a Service' - To be deployed to conduct independent cybersecurity assessments across multiple customer deployments, ensuring comprehensive protection Both companies are exploring possibilities for extending the collaboration into other allied domains, further expanding the scope of their collaboration. This long-term engagement highlights their shared vision of driving innovation and excellence in cybersecurity for the automotive and IoT sectors. Vivek Bansal - Co-founder and President of VVDN Technologies: "Cybersecurity is a prime focus for VVDN.This collaboration with SecureThings.ai underscores our commitment to delivering secure and reliable automotive solutions globally. By integrating SecureThings.ai's cutting-edge Cybersecurity expertise, we aim to set new benchmarks in safeguarding connected vehicles and IoT ecosystems. With the landscape of automotive connectivity rapidly evolving and stringent cybersecurity regulations like R 155/156 and AIS 189/190 in India coming into play, it's crucial to fortify every device on the vehicle with robust cyber assurance. SecureThings will bring invaluable cybersecurity expertise, independent insights, and unbiased security concepts to our solutions. This collaborationmarks the beginning of a proactive approach in this direction." SecureThings.AI is a leader in vehicle cybersecurity, offering a robust suite of multi-layered AI/ML-powered Real-time Protection and Threat Intelligence solutions that protect vehicles throughout their lifecycle. Vishal Bajpai, Co-Founder and CEO of SecureThings.ai highlighted the significance of this collaboration: "Our mission is to revolutionize automotive cybersecurity by leveraging deep security research and cutting-edge technologies. We empower OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers to combat cyber threats and effectively adhere to evolving regulatory standards. Collaborating with VVDN, known for its extensive product engineering prowess and esteemed OEM partnerships, not only strengthens our market position but also enhances VVDN's capabilities as a leading secure devices provider." About VVDN: Founded in 2007, VVDN is a technology innovation company focusing primarily on Software Services, Product Engineering and Manufacturing Services. VVDN's India HQ is located at Gurgaon, India, and its North America HQ is located in Fremont, CA, USA. VVDN has a presence across the world with offices in US, Canada, Europe, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. With 11 advanced R&D Centres, VVDN is fully equipped to design, develop & test the complete hardware, mechanical & software required for a complete product or solution. VVDN's 7 Manufacturing facilities are located at Manesar, Gurgaon, and Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India, which includes in-house best-in-class SMT Factory, Mold & Tooling Factory, Injection Molding, Die Casting, Powder Coating, Sheet Metal, Product Assembly Factory, and Product Certifications labs. Company offers a comprehensive suite of services from Hardware to Mechanical, Embedded Software to Cloud & Apps, Testing & Validation to Automation as well as Mass Manufacturing to its global customers. About SecureThings.ai Pvt Ltd: SecureThings.AI leads the charge in automotive cybersecurity innovation, equipping industry players with advanced solutions and insights to navigate regulatory complexities and emerging threats. Their flagship AI/ML solutions, like xSecureSquadron, are pivotal in securing mobility solutions for OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers worldwide. For further information, please contact:Kunwar SinhaKunwar.sinha@vvdntech.com+91 9971887719 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1531036/3360584/VVDN_Technologies_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 12: Indian multinational, Vedanta Limited ("Vedanta") (NSE: VEDL), world's leading critical and future minerals, energy and technology conglomerate announced its results for Q2 and H1 ending September 30, 2024. It reported highest-ever 1H EBITDA at $2.47 billion, up 46% YoY1. The company's Q2 consolidated revenue was $4.4 billion, up 5% QoQ and 10% YoY1, while the consolidated EBITDA was $1.2 billion, up 44% YoY1. PAT before exceptional items was $533 million, up 230% YoY1. Vedanta registered industry best EBITDA margin2 of 34%, up ~900 bps YoY1. It generated free cash flow (pre capex) of $1.02 billion up 50% YoY1. Net debt/EBITDA at 1.49x in 2QFY25, marking the best position in the last 6 quarters. Commenting on the results, Ajay Goel, CFO, Vedanta Limited, said, "This has been an outstanding quarter, highlighted by significant progress in our corporate and strategic initiatives, strong financial results, and excellent operational performance. This strong performance is driven by cost efficiency, volume growth, and favourable commodity prices. Additionally, we raised $1.4 billion at Vedanta through a $1 billion QIP and a $400 million HZL OFS. At the same time, with the $1.2 billion VRL bond issuance and ongoing deleveraging, we have reduced Holdco. debt to $4.8 billion, the lowest level in a decade." Vedanta expects to build on this momentum in the second half of this year as many of its growth projects come online. Historically, Vedanta has recorded over 60% of its revenues in the second half of the year. Arun Misra, Executive Director, Vedanta Limited added, "Through our structural interventions and initiatives, we have significantly reduced our cost of production over the past 12-15 months, and we will continue this trend in the coming quarters. As we move forward, operational excellence, sustained growth, ESG leadership and a robust pipeline of growth projects remain our strategic priorities." Vedanta has proposed one of India's largest demergers that will ultimately result in six separate listed companies. The company's demerger is on track and is in its final stages. For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com. Note: USD-INR exchange rate used in the release: 83.8 for Q2 & 83.6 for H1. 1Comparatives exclude impact of one-time cairn arbitration gain in 2Q FY24. 2Excludes custom smelting at copper business. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Taipei [Taiwan], November 12: Ubiqconn Technology Inc, an innovative manufacturing company specializing in industrial Internet of Vehicle (IoV) and embedded Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, will be exhibiting at the 2024 International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans, from November 12 to 14 at Booth #3359. Ubiqconn will showcase its latest marine solutions designed to meet the growing demands of the maritime industry. During the exhibition, Ubiqconn will demonstrate its cutting-edge GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) technology, Gateway, and VoIP solutions, alongside RuggON Corporation's rugged tablets and VMC products, designed for seamless integration into maritime operations. Ubiqconn's technologies are engineered to enhance vessel communications, improve operational efficiency, and ensure safety in even the harshest maritime environments. "We're thrilled to be part of the International WorkBoat Show, where we'll highlight how our advanced technologies can transform the way maritime operations are conducted," said Tim Tsai, North America CEO at Ubiqconn. "Our GMDSS technology is vital for ensuring safety at sea, and our Gateway and VoIP solutions are designed to provide reliable communication in remote locations. Additionally, our collaboration with RuggON allows us to offer rugged, durable hardware solutions that thrive in the most demanding maritime conditions." Attendees are invited to visit Booth #3359 to explore Ubiqconn's full range of marine solutions, meet with experts, and see live demos of our latest technologies designed to optimize maritime operations. Join us at the International WorkBoat Show and explore how Ubiqconn's cutting-edge solutions can enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of your maritime operations. For more information about Ubiqconn and RuggON, or to please visit http://www.ubiqconn.com and http://www.ruggon.com, or follow us on Ubiqconn Technology and RuggON's LinkedIn. About Ubiqconn Ubiqconn is a subsidiary of the FIC Group, a leader in global high-tech design, engineering, and manufacturing for over 40 years. Given this experience, Ubiqconn's professional team also provides high-quality assurance in ODM and OEM products. Ubiqconn is an innovative manufacturing company that specializes in the industrial Internet of Vehicle (IoV) solutions and embedded Internet of Things (IoT) solutions With a perfect balance between technology and application know-how, Ubiqconn can achieve the customer demand to conquer the increasing challenge in IoT. For more information, visit http://www.ubiqconn.com or follow us on LinkedIn About RuggON RuggON Corp. is a a subsidiary of Ubiqconn Technology and a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computing solutions. Combining Ubiqconn's advanced technology to drive innovation and expand in the Mobile Industrial (IioT) market. With decades of ruggedized mobile solution expertise, RuggON strives to improve mobile productivity in harsh environments. A committed engineering team delivers devices of exceptional value and quality that improve user experience. The company is dedicated to understanding the various demands of different industries in order to provide application-oriented, tailored solutions that are efficient and effective. RuggON is committed to higher standards to achieve customer satisfaction. It prides itself on providing endless possibilities today to meet the demands of tomorrow. For more information, visit our website http://www.ruggon.com or follow us on LinkedIn. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 12: iValue Group, a strategic technology advisor, today announced their new strategic partnership with RSA, the security-first identity leader. This move aims to help more organizations in iValue's extensive network defend themselves from cyberattacks with RSA's cutting-edge identity and access management (IAM) and identity governance and administration (IGA) solutions. The partnership will see iValue Group become a key distribution partner for the RSA Unified Identity platform, which combines automated identity intelligence, authentication, access control, governance, and lifecycle capabilities. Key RSA solutions the iValue Group will offer include: * RSA ID Plus , a cloud-based IAM solution that prioritizes security and seamless user experiences. Offering advanced multi-factor authentication (MFA) like biometrics and FIDO2-certified passkeys, it ensures secure access for every user, from any device, anywhere. ID Plus features like RSA Mobile Lock and RSA Risk AI enhance security by scanning for threats on users' devices and providing adaptive risk scores, reducing unauthorized access. Additionally, RSA ID Plus extends across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments and offers hybrid failover capabilities that ensure continuous access and security even during service interruptions or outages. * RSA Governance & Lifecycle , which offers industry-leading IGA capabilities, enabling secure identity management across IT environments. Key features include automated user provisioning, access certification, and policy enforcement, all aimed at reducing risks and ensuring compliance. With advanced analytics and gamification, it provides real-time insights and accelerates compliance, optimizing security posture across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises deployments. * RSA SecurID, which is a leader in securing on-premises resources with comprehensive identity management. Supporting various authenticators, including OTP, passwordless options, and biometrics, RSA SecurID ensures only authorized users access critical systems. Seamlessly integrating with existing IT environments, RSA SecurID enhances security and reduces risks through robust authentication and management capabilities. With the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently issuing new mandates focused on enhancing IAM, including mandatory MFA, the timing of this partnership is critical. RSA's solutions are secure by design and meet stringent regulatory and data sovereignty requirements, providing enterprises with the tools necessary to protect digital identities and ensure compliance. R. Venkatesh, Co-Founder and Vice President of Business Management at iValue Group, said, "The collaboration with RSA marks a significant milestone for iValue Group. By combining RSA's industry-leading solutions with our extensive channel network and market expertise, we are well-positioned to address the growing demand for robust identity and access management solutions in India. The partnership will empower organizations to strengthen their security frameworks and confidently manage digital identities in an increasingly regulated environment." "India is a strategic market for RSA and this partnership with iValue reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in and supporting local leaders secure and strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities. India continues to grow and mature in security sensitive verticals like finance, government and technology and with the increased regulatory requirements and reporting, customers are seeking out RSA and its partners to help them mitigate their risk," said Charles Lim, RSA Director of Channels and Commercial. About iValue Group iValue Group, the fastest-growing strategic tech advisor, specializes in securing and managing digital applications and data for enterprises in hybrid-cloud environments. With 16 years of expertise, we offer customized solution stacks and associated services, collaborating closely with 80+ OEMs, 1000+ partners, and system integrators. Our 500+ strong team, with over 50% technical experts, provides comprehensive Professional and Managed Services. iValue's cloud-based Center of Excellence features 25+ integrated solutions, streamlining technology adoption. With a significant presence in SAARC and Southeast Asia, we blend local insights with global practices, covering the business and technical needs of partners to address their enterprise needs across the regions. To know more, visit www.iValueGroup.com or follow @iValueGroup on LinkedIn. About RSA The AI-powered RSA Unified Identity Platform protects the world's most secure organizations from today's and tomorrow's highest-risk cyberattacks. RSA provides the identity intelligence, authentication, access, governance, and lifecycle capabilities needed to prevent threats, secure access, and enable compliance. More than 9,000 security-first organizations trust RSA to manage more than 60 million identities across on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. For more information, go to RSA.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Gurugram (Haryana) [India], November 12: The Advanced Study Institute of Asia (ASIA), a research institute affiliated with SGT University, has entered into a landmark partnership with the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) to address the critical issue of lead poisoning affecting rural and vulnerable populations across Africa and Asia. This collaborative initiative brings together AARDO's extensive network of 32 member countries (and 2 associate members) and ASIA's research expertise in South and Southeast Asian studies, marking a significant step forward in the fight against lead exposure and its devastating health impacts, particularly on children and women in rural communities. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of AARDO's Secretary-General, Dr Manoj Nardeosingh. He emphasised the organisation's commitment to addressing lead poisoning through collaborative efforts and talked about how children with lead exposure suffer from IQ loss, cognitive problems, and behavioural issues. "Lead is a silent killer, thus it should be addressed until it's too late," he said. The signing was also attended by members of ASIA's lead research team, Chairman of ASIA Sh. Najeeb Jung, and other representatives from AARDO and SGT University. While talking about the problem at hand, Prof. Amogh Rai, Research Director at ASIA, said, "Poverty is an issue that we are working to address; however, lead exposure is a significant factor that is interconnected with it and can contribute to its persistence." Through this partnership, both organisations look forward to fostering behavioural change, enhancing knowledge dissemination, and creating lasting positive impact for those who need it the most. Founded in 2023, the Advanced Study Institute of Asia (ASIA) is an interdisciplinary research centre devoted to deepening our understanding of Asia, especially South and Southeast Asia. With its headquarters in New Delhi, ASIA seeks to use the knowledge of top academics and professionals to successfully negotiate the complexities of a range of disciplines, such as international relations, health, law, and societal issues. The goal of ASIA is to establish a thorough research environment that encourages a sophisticated comprehension of Asian dynamics from a multidisciplinary perspective. SGT University, Gurugram, one of India's youngest "NAAC A+" universities, offers courses across 18 faculties, including various undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs. It has a noble mission of providing opportunities for higher education to all sections of society and a vision of bridging the existing skill gap and developing world-class industry professionals. It is a research and innovation powerhouse and home to the world-class National Reference Simulation Centre for Nursing, founded in collaboration with Jhpiego, Laerdal Medical India, and the Indian Nursing Council. The university also has a multi-speciality SGT Hospital that is NABH and NABL accredited. The hospital serves the surrounding communities and provides practical experience to medical students. SGT University is known for its advancements in medicine, dentistry, environmental science, engineering, and data science. The university has also partnered with world leaders to establish several "Centres of Excellence," which support SGT University's efforts towards cutting-edge research and academic excellence. Because of the university's strong industry connections, world-class labs have been established in partnership with well-known international organisations like Apple, IBM, SAP, Oracle, SMC India, UNESCO Bioethics, and many others. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], November 12: World University of Design (WUD), India's first University dedicated to education in the creative domain, has honored Professor Lalit Kumar Das with the prestigious "Design Guru" Award on November 11, 2024, at a glittering ceremony on their campus. Professor LK Das stands out as a pioneering force in industrial design education, renowned for his innovative approaches to inclusive and sustainable design. His leadership in the field has not only shaped the next generation of designers but also underlined the importance of creating products and environments that are accessible and beneficial for all. This award presented by the World University of Design, marks the occasion of National Design Guru Day, commemorating leaders who have made transformative contributions to design education in India, shaping the future of design and inspiring generations of creative minds. National Design Guru Day, celebrated each year on November 9th, was established to recognize the pioneering generation of design educators who laid the foundation for design education in India. The day these design leaders are honored coincides with the birth anniversary of late Professor MP Ranjan, an influential figure in design thinking and education at the National Institute of Design (NID). Over the years, World University of Design has honored distinguished leaders with the "Design Guru" Award, including Prof. A G Krishna Menon, Prof. Iftikar Mulk Chishti, Rajeev Sethi, Prof. Jatin Bhatt, Prof. Archana Shastri and Laila Tyabji. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of World University of Design (WUD), stated, "Since its inception in 2017, we have made this day an opportunity to celebrate those who have exceptionally impacted the Indian design landscape. It's our privilege to carry forward this legacy by acknowledging a leading design pioneer every year. WUD is thrilled to recognize Professor Das's contributions with the 2024 Design Guru Award, celebrating his commitment to advancing design education and his profound impact on the design community." The "Design Guru" Award recognized Professor Das's notable contributions to Industrial Design education in India, particularly through his foundational work at IIT Delhi, where he developed a unique curriculum that seamlessly integrates design thinking with industrial expertise. His influence as an educator has left a significant impact on numerous students who have excelled in national and international design competitions and have risen as leaders across India's top design studios. Prof. Lalit Kumar Das- A pioneering force in industrial design education. Professor Das's academic journey began with a B.Tech from IIT Kanpur, followed by an M.Tech in Design Engineering from IIT Delhi, and culminated in a Master of Arts in Industrial Design from the prestigious Royal College of Art, London. Spanning across a range of sectors, he has contributed to innovative product design, ergonomic studies for Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad metro systems, and has also made impactful contributions to inclusive design for individuals with disabilities. As the founding editor of the Design for All India newsletter, Professor Das has championed the cause of accessible and inclusive design. He has also extended his expertise to policy discussions on design and artisan development, promoting meaningful collaboration between the design community and government initiatives. His recent work with distant education programs for artisans in partnership with IGNOU is a testament to his deep commitment to societal impact through design. Beyond his academic role, Professor Das continues to engage as a Visiting Professor at IIT Bombay, an Advisor at Mahindra University, and an Honorary Faculty member at Delhi Technological University. He is an influential mentor who guides students and young professionals in fields ranging from sustainability and circular economies to frugal design and complex systems. In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Professor Das has served on juries for major national design awards and contributed as an expert member in various government programs, including the 'Science & Society' and Technopreneur Promotion Programmes of the Department of Science & Technology. His recent TEDx talks on innovation, values, and complex systems highlight his ongoing thought leadership. The World University of Design sets benchmarks in education by combining academic excellence with extracurricular activities, preparing students for both careers and life. As India's first university focused solely on creative education, WUD offers diverse undergraduate and postgraduate programs in design, fashion, communication, visual arts, architecture, and management. Located in Sonipat, Haryana, WUD is dedicated to nurturing creative professionals ready to shape the future. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) How Henan is leading the charge in the new energy vehicle industry People's Daily Online) 09:51, November 12, 2024 On Nov. 9, 2024, a development and cooperation matchmaking event for the automobile industry was held in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. Representatives from government, industry, and academia in the automotive field gathered to discuss global insights on automotive development, technological evolution, and industrialization pathways, jointly planning the future of Henan's new energy vehicle (NEV) and intelligent connected vehicle industries. Photo shows a scene of the development and cooperation matchmaking event for the automobile industry held in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo/People's Daily Online) The automobile industry is an important indicator of a country's industrial strength and capabilities. In recent years, China has been actively working to advance its NEV industry, achieving a transformative shift towards the holistic development of the entire industry supply chain. In response to the accelerated development of automotive industry and supply chains, Henan Province has made NEVs a key focus for industrial chain clusters. Currently, Henan has attracted 17 complete vehicle manufacturing companies and over 600 automobile parts manufacturing enterprises above designated size, driving forward the integrated growth of vehicle assembly, parts production, and the aftermarket. The NEV industry has grown from nonexistence to excellence, quickly becoming a new growth pole in Henan's economy. So, what advantages does Henan offer? Policy: Strong government leadership In 2022, the Henan provincial government issued guidelines for the further development of the NEV industry, aiming to reach an annual production of over 1.5 million NEVs and establish a 300 billion yuan ($41.7 million) NEV industry cluster by 2025, creating a nationally influential NEV industry base. In 2023, Henan designated NEVs as a key industry chain cluster and introduced a province wide action plan for developing the industrial chain, focusing on supporting NEV industry development, clarifying industry positioning, overall strategy, and primary directions, and advancing toward developed NEV regions in China. Momentum: Innovation-driven development Currently, Henan has established research institutes for NEVs, new energy power, energy storage battery materials, and automotive electronics, with a focus on electric drive systems, electronic control systems, and battery management systems. Henan is a national leader in areas such as intelligent connected buses, emergency braking systems, information security, and image recognition. The province has distinct advantages in NEV buses, pickup trucks, and cargo vehicles, positioning itself as a "nursery" for NEV technology. Ecosystem: Rapid industry clustering In recent years, Henan has continuously optimized the industry ecosystem, mapping out four key blueprints: industry chain, technology, talent, and equipment. It has fostered and attracted strong enterprises in critical areas, addressing gaps and weaknesses in the industry chain. Henan ranks among the national leaders in output for more than 10 types of components, including batteries and steering systems, forming a complete industry chain from raw materials to core components and whole vehicle support equipment and the Internet of Things (IoT), providing robust support for the industry's sustained and stable development. Moreover, Henan boasts significant transportation and geographical advantages, abundant human resources, and strong consumer demand. With promising development prospects for the NEV industry, numerous automotive companies have invested deeply in Henan, making it a powerful engine for high-quality economic growth. Statistics show that in the first three quarters of 2024, Henan's automotive export trade reached 23 billion yuan, an increase of 22.3 percent. Among this, electric vehicle exports accounted for 5.2 billion yuan, up 67 percent. Henan's NEV industry is now on a fast development track. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) This photo taken on Nov. 3, 2023 shows models of C929 (R) and C919 (C), both of which are China's homegrown jets, displayed at the booth of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., during an aviation industry event in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua] A user framework agreement for the C929 passenger aircraft, China's first jet-type long-range wide-body aircraft independently developed in accordance with international airworthiness standards, was signed on Tuesday. The agreement between the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and Air China was signed at the ongoing 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China), which made Air China the first intended user of this aircraft type. The baseline version of the C929 accommodates 280 seats with a range of 12,000 kilometers, effectively meeting the global demand for international and regional air passenger transport. This is a fresh move for China, a massive civil aviation market with great potential, to enhance its competitiveness in the global aviation market. The C919, China's self-developed large passenger aircraft, completed its first commercial flight in May 2023, marking its official entry into the civil aviation market. As of late September this year, COMAC had delivered nine C919 aircraft to three leading Chinese airlines. With its self-developed trunk jetliner, China aims to secure a share of the global civil aviation market, which Boeing and Airbus currently dominate. According to a market forecast released by COMAC in late 2022, over the 2022-2041 period, China's civil aviation market will receive 9,284 new passenger jets, including 6,288 single-aisle jetliners. Launched in 1996, Airshow China is the only international aerospace trade show approved by the Chinese central government, with support from Chinese aerospace industries. The show takes place biennially in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, featuring displays of actual products, trade talks, technological exchanges, and flying displays. SMPL New Delhi [India], November 12: Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology (SCIT) has long been at the forefront of shaping future leaders with its flagship MBA in Information Technology Business Management (ITBM) and MBA in Data Sciences & Data Analytics (DS & DA) programmes. These programmes are designed to transform aspiring managers into highly skilled technocrats, ready to tackle the challenges of the ever-evolving data-centric industry. Aspiring candidates who wish to enroll for any of these programmes can now apply through the Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP), with registration closing on November 22, 2024. Key Dates for SNAP 2024 Admission Process: * SNAP Registration Deadline: November 22, 2024 (Friday) * SNAP Exam Dates: December 8, 2024 (Sunday), December 15, 2024 (Sunday), and December 21, 2024 (Saturday) * Last Date of Online Registration & payment of Registration Fee for SCIT - December 20, 2024 (Friday) Dr Dhanya Pramod, Director, SCIT says, "In today's fast-paced world, where technological innovations are shaping the future, it is crucial to equip students with not only strong technical knowledge but also the management expertise to lead organisations effectively. Our programmes are a perfect blend of both, ensuring that graduates are prepared to thrive in high-demand data driven decision-making roles". Programmes Designed for the Future The MBA in Information Technology Business Management (ITBM) equips students with the critical skills necessary to lead IT organisations effectively. The programme blends comprehensive management skills with in-depth knowledge of IT products and services domain along with IT competencies, preparing graduates for a range of leadership roles in the technology sector. Students can also specialise in specific niches of Information Security Management (ISM), Systems (SYS), Digital Transformation (DT), and Data Science (DS). This dual focus ensures that graduates are well-versed in both management and technology, making them highly sought after by top employers. On the other hand, the MBA in Data Sciences and Data Analytics (DS & DA) focuses on developing analytical competencies that enable students to solve real-world problems using data-driven insights. Over four semesters, students gain a deep understanding of data science tools, machine learning, and analytics while enhancing their ability to make informed decisions in business contexts. The programme ensures that students are not only familiar with the tools but also understand the underlying theories that make these tools effective, preparing them to become versatile leaders in the data-driven economy. Opportunities and Career Pathways Graduates from the institute's MBA programmes can expect to enter dynamic and high-paying roles across a variety of sectors. For ITBM graduates, career opportunities abound in areas like functional consultancy, business analysis, development, process optimisation, ERP planning and implementation, and quality management among others. DS & DA graduates can venture into fields like data science, machine learning, and data analysis, with roles that demand a blend of technical prowess and business acumen. Employers highly value the skill sets that SCIT's graduates bring to the table, with top recruiters in diverse sectors such as Technology, Consulting, BFSI, Engineering, Manufacturing and Healthcare. SCIT's impressive alumni network also plays a significant role in shaping future career paths, offering guidance and mentorship to current students while actively participating in initiatives like internships, guest lectures, and hackathons. High Academic Standards and Recognition The institute's commitment to academic excellence is reflected in its recent ranking of 19th among India's top 50 private B-schools in the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2024. This recognition underscores the institution's unwavering focus on maintaining high educational standards and preparing students to meet the demands of the rapidly changing IT and data industries. Why SCIT? The institute's programmes are designed with a clear goal: to develop well-rounded professionals who can successfully navigate the complexities of the tech-driven business world to successfully drive digital transformations as expert technofunctional leaders. The institute's innovative teaching-learning methodology, diverse and globally spread alumni, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and opportunities for peer learning ensure that students receive a holistic education. SCIT's focus on industry collaboration, real-time learning opportunities, and professional development ensures that students graduate as industry-ready professionals. With the registration deadline for SNAP 2024 fast approaching on November 22, prospective candidates are encouraged to apply soon and take the first step toward securing a future in one of India's most promising sectors. For more information, please visit: https://www.scit.edu/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], November 12: When it comes to financial planning, many people focus on savings accounts, mutual funds, and stocks, often overlooking the value of life insurance. But what if you could protect your loved ones and invest in your future at the same time? Life insurance is not just about providing financial security to your family in the event of your untimely death; it can also serve as a valuable investment tool that helps you achieve your financial goals. If you're unsure whether life insurance is worth it, this guide will help you understand why it's a wise investment choice that goes beyond mere risk coverage. What is Life Insurance? A life insurance plan is a contract between you and an insurance company in which you pay regular premiums in exchange for financial protection for your loved ones. In the event of your passing, the insurance company provides a death benefit--a lump sum payment--to your beneficiaries, ensuring they are financially secure. Life insurance comes in different types, such as term plans, whole life plans, endowment plans, and Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). Some of these policies also include an investment component, allowing you to build wealth while ensuring financial security for your family. Life insurance is not just about covering risks; it's also about building a financial safety net for your future. Reasons to Invest in Life Insurance in India 1. Financial Security for Your Family: Life insurance provides a safety net for your loved ones in case of your untimely demise. The death benefit can help your family cover expenses, pay off debts, and maintain their lifestyle without financial strain. 2. Tax Benefits: Life insurance policies in India offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, allowing you to save on your taxable income. Additionally, the death benefit is exempt from taxes under Section 10(10D), making life insurance a tax-efficient investment. 3. Long-Term Savings: Endowment plans and ULIPs combine life coverage with savings or investment opportunities, helping you accumulate wealth over time. These plans encourage disciplined savings and can help you achieve long-term financial goals, such as buying a home or funding your child's education. 4. Wealth Creation: ULIPs allow you to invest a portion of your premiums in equity or debt funds, offering the potential for market-linked returns. This makes life insurance not only a risk-covering tool but also a way to grow your wealth over time. 5. Retirement Planning: Certain life insurance policies, such as pension plans, help you build a retirement corpus. These plans provide a regular income during your retirement years, ensuring financial stability when you're no longer earning a regular salary. 6. Loan Facility: Some life insurance policies offer the option to borrow against the policy's cash value. This can be a convenient way to access funds in times of need without having to liquidate other investments. 7. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your loved ones will be financially secure if something happens to you provides peace of mind. Life insurance ensures that your family's future is protected, allowing you to focus on living your life without constant financial worry. 8. Legacy Planning: Life insurance can be used as a tool for legacy planning, allowing you to leave behind a financial gift for your loved ones or support a charitable cause that is meaningful to you. Choosing the Right Life Insurance Policy Choosing the right life insurance policy depends on your financial goals, life stage, and specific needs. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a policy: - Financial Goals: Determine your financial goals--whether it's providing for your family, saving for retirement, or creating wealth. Different policies cater to different needs, so choose one that aligns with your objectives. - Coverage Amount: Assess how much coverage you need based on your current income, debts, and future financial obligations. Make sure the coverage is sufficient to support your family in your absence. - Policy Type: Understand the different types of life insurance available. Term plans are ideal for pure risk coverage, while endowment plans and ULIPs offer both coverage and savings/investment opportunities. Choose a policy type that suits your risk tolerance and financial needs. - Premium Affordability: Ensure that the premium fits within your budget. Life insurance is a long-term commitment, so it's important to choose a policy with premiums you can comfortably pay over the policy term. - Riders and Add-Ons: Riders are additional benefits that can be added to your base policy to enhance coverage. Consider adding riders such as critical illness, accidental death, or waiver of premium to customise your policy based on your specific needs. By carefully considering these factors, you can select a life insurance policy that provides the right balance of protection and investment, helping you achieve your financial goals while ensuring your family's security. Conclusion Life insurance is more than just a safety net; it is a versatile financial tool that can help you achieve multiple financial goals. From providing financial security to your loved ones and offering tax benefits to helping you save for the long term, life insurance serves as both a protective measure and an investment opportunity. Whether you are looking to build wealth, plan for retirement, or ensure your family's financial stability, investing in life insurance can be a wise decision. By choosing the right policy that fits your needs and budget, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are well-protected and your financial future is secure. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], November 12: HaveUs AeroTech India, your one-stop solution for MRO needs is thrilled to announce the commission of first-of-its-kind Engineering Mega Warehouse to store engineering spares that are integral to maintenance, checks and repairs of the aircraft. The 70,000 square feet facility will have the capacity to store thousands of engineering spares and components along with aircraft engines and radomes. The new HaveUs warehouse is located about 6 kilometers from the Bengaluru International Airport, in Devanahalli aimed at significantly improving the turnaround time for airlines. This 24/7 facility will also provide logistics support to airlines in the form of air suspension trucks. These trucks will operate round-the-clock to pick up and drop aircraft engines and radomes from the airport to the facility. The facility will offer one-stop solution for storing aircraft spares, tools and ground support equipment ranging from wheels and brakes, hardware to sophisticated and complex avionics, hydraulics, structural, pneumatic, and mechanical components. Feeling elated on the opening of the new warehouse, Anshul Bhargava, Managing Director of HaveUs AeroTech India Limited said: "Today a part of my dream has come true. I have always dreamt of a self-reliant India in terms of MRO. This warehouse will help airlines operating out of Bengaluru airport reduce their TATs and help in supplying crucial spares as need arises." "The choice of Bengaluru for this warehouse was a very obvious one. The city is evolving as a major aerospace and MRO hub of India. All major domestic as well as international airlines have already commenced operations from this airport. At this pace, the instances of AOG due want of spares is most likely to occur at the base station, leading to need of more such warehouses in and around the airport vicinity." "The spares facility has the capacity to store equipment worth hundreds of millions of dollars, including small and big components," says HaveUs AeroTech "India has a hot and humid climate and having environmental controlled warehouses is critical to preserve the life of aircraft components," says HR Jagannath, Technical Director, HaveUs AeroTech. "To fulfill this critical need, Haveus has earmarked lots of resources to build world class warehouses. This initiative will go a long way to fulfill the pressing need of storing aircraft components and prolonging their life," adds Jagannath HaveUs AeroTech's selection of Bengaluru for its spares warehouse comes on the backdrop of evolution of Bengaluru as a premier aviation and aerospace hub of South India. Just recently Air India inked a deal with BIAL to develop Bengaluru as its aviation hub. Other domestic as well as international carriers like IndiGo, Akasa Air, Singapore Airlines, Salam Air, SpiceJet, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, British Airways and many more. Apart from being the IT-hub of India, Bengaluru is connected to 72 domestic destinations, the highest in the country and 28 international destinations that is set to increase over the next few months. Touted as the third busiest airport in the country, Bengaluru's choice for the spares warehouse was a strategic choice. Apart from Bengaluru, the company is planning to expand further to metros like Delhi and Mumbai by acquiring 80,000 square feet area for spares warehouse. "This robust expansion in spares warehouse segment is on the backdrop of rising global supply chain issues in India," says HaveUs AeroTech. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Actor Gal Gadot will next be seen in the action thriller 'The Runner'. As per Deadline, Kevin Macdonald has come on board to direct the project, which is set in London. Amazon MGM Studios has acquired worldwide rights to the film which was developed and will be produced by David Kosse under the veteran exec's new venture, Rockwood Pictures. Prolific award-winning filmmaker Macdonald (One to One: John & Yoko, The Last King of Scotland, The Mauritanian, State of Play, Whitney) is directing from a script by Mark Gibson (The Wild, Snow Dogs). In the film, audience will see Gadot playing a high-powered attorney who must race through London, following the cryptic commands of a mysterious Caller, as she fights against time to save her abducted son. Wonder Woman star Gadot's recent credits include Netflix's Red Notice and Heart of Stone, which marked the Hollywood debut of Bollywood star Alia Bhatt. 'Heart of Stone' revolved around Rachel Stone (Gadot), a highly accomplished spy who is also secretly a member of the Charter, a covert organization that relies on advanced technology to thwart potential threats to global safety. In the coming months, Gadot will also be seen starring as the Evil Queen in Disney's live-action Snow White which is due for domestic release on March 21, 2025. Gadot also recently wrapped production on In the Hand of Dante from director Julian Schnabel, and has numerous projects in development under her production company, Pilot Wave, alongside her partner Jaron Varsano. The Runner was packaged and developed by Kosse, the former Universal, Film4 and Netflix executive whose credits include Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Adrift and All Quiet on the Western Front. This is the first film he will produce out of his London-based Rockwood Pictures which was established 18 months ago, and which has other projects percolating. Kosse is also executive producing the Peaky Blinders movie. (ANI) A police case was filed in Prakasam district following a complaint lodged by TDP Manadal secretary Ramalingam. According to sub-inspector Siva Ramaiah, the case was registered under the provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act. "An investigation into the allegations has been launched," the sub-inspector informed. Ram Gopal Varma allegedly posted controversial content on social media as part of the promotions for his movie 'Vyuham'. The complaint was lodged on Sunday night against him. Ram Gopal is best known for directing films such as 'Rangeela', 'Company' and 'Satya'. (ANI) The suspect is currently being questioned by the police officials. Last week, the Mumbai Police received a call threatening Shah Rukh at the Bandra station. The caller even demanded Rs 50 lakh, following which the police registered a case and dispatched a team to Raipur for further investigation. More details regarding the suspect have not been disclosed yet. The threat to Shah Rukh follows a series of threats issued to fellow friend and Bollywood star Salman Khan, allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Earlier on October 24, Mumbai Police arrested a man from Jamshedpur who had threatened Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 crore. The police registered a case against an unknown person and started an investigation after Mumbai Traffic Police received a threatening message. Both actors have been surrounded by tight security for a while now. Salman was upgraded to Y+ security especially after a firing incident outside his residence in April this year. The firing incident took place on April 14 outside Salman''s residence at Galaxy Apartments in the Bandra area of Mumbai. The subsequent arrests revealed connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, leading the Mumbai Police to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all involved in the shooting. Earlier, police said that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi''s brother, Anmol Vishnoi, played a key role in motivating the shooters. After receiving weapons delivery in Panvel on March 15, 2024, Anmol provided the shooters with the target''s information, instructing them to carry out the firing at the actor''s residence. The planned firing incident was executed as per instructions, during which the shooters received a total of Rs 3 lakh. In October, politician Baba Siddique was shot multiple times while he was leaving his son''s Bandra office on October 12. The Nationalist Congress Party leader and former minister succumbed to injuries at the hospital shortly after the attack. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack. The demise of Baba Siddique and death threats to stars like Salman and SRK have raised concern among fans. (ANI) As India celebrated the auspicious occasion of Ekadashi on Tuesday, the country was filled with joy and spiritual devotion. Ekadashi is a significant festival in Hinduism, observed twice a month during the lunar calendar, and is especially dedicated to fasting and worship of Lord Vishnu. The Ekadashi celebrated this week, known as Prabodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi, marks the end of the four-month-long Chaturmas period, during which Lord Vishnu is believed to be asleep. On this day, devotees offer prayers, perform rituals, and take holy dips in rivers across the country to seek blessings and spiritual upliftment. In Madhya Pradesh, the holy city of Ujjain saw large numbers of devotees gathering at the famous Mahakal Temple. The temple was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and the Sandhya Aarti (evening prayer) was performed with great devotion. The Prabodhini Ekadashi is considered an important day for devotees in Ujjain, as they believe offering prayers on this day brings prosperity and blessings from Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva alike. In Uttar Pradesh, the towns of Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj witnessed massive gatherings of devotees. In Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, thousands of people thronged the Saryu Ghat to take a holy dip and offer prayers. The aarti at the Saryu River was performed with much enthusiasm, creating a serene atmosphere. Similarly, in Varanasi, the banks of the Ganga River were crowded with devotees taking a holy dip. In Prayagraj, the tradition of performing 'Tulsi Vivah' was observed at Balua Ghat. This symbolic marriage of the Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu is believed to bring harmony and happiness to households. In Rajasthan, the town of Pushkar, known for its sacred lake, saw devotees offering prayers and taking a holy dip on the occasion of Dev Uthani Ekadashi. The ghats around the Pushkar Lake were crowded with people performing rituals and prayers, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth. In West Bengal, devotees gathered at Gangasagar in the South 24 Parganas district to offer prayers on the occasion of Dev Uthani Ekadashi. The celebrations of Dev Uthani Ekadashi were observed in several other parts of the country as well. In Garhmukteshwar, a town in Uttar Pradesh, people gathered at the Ganga River to take a holy dip and perform prayers. The riverbanks were packed with devotees seeking blessings on this sacred day. The significance of Ekadashi lies in its spiritual value, where devotees fast and pray to cleanse their minds and bodies. The day also marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu, and devotees believe that the Lord grants their wishes and brings peace and prosperity to their lives. (ANI) One person was killed and two others were injured in an explosion at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) refinery in Gujarat's Vadodara on Monday, officials said. The explosion occured at the IOCL refinery in the Koyali region of Vadodara on Monday afternoon, prompting an immediate evacuation of workers from the facility. "The blast occurred in benzene tank, which came in contact with an adjoining tank. One person has lost his life, and two others are injured. They have been hospitalized," Vadodara Assistant Commissioner of Police DJ Chavda told ANI. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Mumbai's Killa Court on Monday sent Shiva Kumar, the main accused and shooter in Baba Siddiqui murder case, along with four other accused, to police custody till November 19. All accused were arrested by a joint team of UP Special Task Force (STF) and the Mumbai Crime Branch from Nanpara area of Uttar Pradesh's (UP) Bahraich on Sunday. NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants near his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique's, office in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar on October 12. The gang led by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has claimed responsibility for the murder. Meanwhile, in the backdrop of NCP leader Baba Siddique's murder, the Mumbai Crime Branch has revealed that another Pune leader was on the radar of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which was planning to eliminate the latter and had given the responsibility of carrying out the crime through its shooters. According to the information received from a senior officer of the Mumbai Crime Branch, the investigation of the Mumbai Crime Branch has revealed that after the murder of Baba Siddiqui, a big leader of Pune was also on the radar of the Bishnoi gang. "The Lawrence Bishnoi gang was planning to kill the Pune leader too and the responsibility of carrying out the crime was given to the shooters involved in Plan B," said the official. As per the official, the matter came to light after the Mumbai Crime Branch recovered a pistol which was going to be used to carry out the crime. The Crime Branch has not disclosed the name of the leader. After the Bishnoi gang's plan was exposed, the Crime Branch shared the inputs and information with Pune Police. The police are also investigating whether the recce was done by the accused in this case or not. (ANI) After being suspended from the Congress party for anti-party activities, Aba Bagul, a rebel candidate from Parvati assembly constituency, broke his silence on Monday and questioned the party leadership. Bagul, who was denied a ticket from Parvati Assembly Constituency of Pune city asked why senior leaders had not approached him before the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures on November 4. "Why were they silent until November 10? The last date was November 4 (for withdrawal of candidatures) before that did you meet anyone (referring to rebel candidate), did you try to convince them (to withdraw their nomination)?" Aba Bagul said while speaking to ANI. Bagul also expressed his disappointment about being promised a ticket for four years, only to be overlooked by senior leaders of the party. He claimed that senior leaders in the state were attempting to weaken the Congress party, stating, "You were appointed to manage the Congress; do not try to become its owner." Currently hospitalized, Bagul said that he would resume campaigning soon. With the election date approaching, political campaigning in Maharashtra is intensifying. The Parvati Assembly Constituency seat was alloted to collation partner NCP SP where Ashwini Kadam fielded as candidate. She lost thrice on the seat against BJPs Madhuri Misal. The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), aims to reclaim power in the state, challenging the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. One of the most closely watched contests will be in Baramati, where NCP leader Ajit Pawar is set to face his nephew, Yugendra Pawar. Yugendra is the son of Ajit Pawar's younger brother, Shrinivas Pawar. Baramati was also a high-profile constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Sunetra Pawar contested against Supriya Sule. The latter emerged victorious, winning by a margin of 1.5 lakh votes. The Maharashtra Assembly elections will take place on November 20, votes will be counted on November 23. In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42. (ANI) You are here: China Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory letter to Sun Yat-sen University on its centennial anniversary. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended congratulations to the university's faculty, students and alumni at home and abroad. Xi urged the university to align its development with major national strategies and the needs of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. He said the university should step up efforts to build itself into a world-class university with Chinese characteristics, contributing significantly to the advancement of Chinese modernization. Xi's letter was read out at a gathering commemorating the university's centennial anniversary, held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday. During the event, Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, noted in his speech that Guangdong would fully support Sun Yat-sen University in its efforts to make new contributions. Sun Yat-sen University was founded by and named after Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of China's democratic revolution. Sun led the 1911 Revolution that ended over 2,000 years of feudal rule in China. Founded in 1924, the university has cultivated over 800,000 professionals across various fields during its century-long history. Pawar also claimed that the Mahayuti alliance would fall short of the 175-seat mark in the assembly elections. "I don't think that they'll (Mahayuti) get 175 seats. The Maha Vikas Aghadi will get maybe close to 175 or 180 seats. On November 23, we will get to see what the exact margin is...Victory will be ours...Water is a very big issue. Unemployment, increasing crime rates and corruption, all are big issues and we'll work on all of these issues...The country in general at large has always been secular," he said while speaking to ANI. One of the most anticipated battles in these elections will unfold in Baramati, where Yugendra Pawar is set to compete against his uncle, Ajit Pawar, a prominent NCP leader. Yugendra is the son of Shrinivas Pawar, Ajit Pawar's younger brother. Baramati also drew attention in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when Sunetra Pawar challenged Supriya Sule, who ultimately won by a margin of 1.5 lakh votes. As the election date nears, political campaigning is gaining momentum in Maharashtra. The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), aims to reclaim power in the state, challenging the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The Maharashtra Assembly elections will take place on November 20, votes will be counted on November 23. In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said on Monday that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed the law and order machinery to remain alert and take immediate action to prevent terror incidents in the region. While speaking to reporters about the recent security situation, Rather emphasized the need for heightened vigilance following a series of terror attacks in the Union Territory. "Our Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah) has asked the law and order machinery to be alert and bring such incidents to a stop," Speaker Rather said. Earlier, J-K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary called on security forces to take decisive actions and revise their strategies in light of recent terror attacks in J-K. "We are saddened. The government will never tolerate this...We want peace in J-K. National Conference has always made sacrifices for this peace. Thousands of our leaders and workers have been killed. So, the National Conference wants to strengthen this country, J-K and the Constitution of India," he said while condemning the attacks. He emphasized the importance of ending the cycle of violence, stating, "We would want these deaths to be the last. So, the security grid will have to contemplate and change its policy. They will have to take strong steps." The Deputy CM was commenting on recent incidents, including the encounter in Kishtwar in which a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army was killed on Sunday, and the abduction and killing of two Village Defence Guards in Kishtwar on Thursday. Their bodies, identified as Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar, were found in the Kuntwara forest area. (ANI) The ED, Patna Zonal Office filed the complaint against the accused identified as Punj Kumar Singh, Ashok Kumar, and Sudama Kumar before the Special Court, Patna on October 29 this year, under the PMLA. The Court has cognizance of the same on November 11. The first Prosecution Complaint was filed in the case on November 10, 2023. Taking to its official handle on X, ED posted, "ED, Patna Zonal Office has filed Supplementary Prosecution Complaint (PC) in connection with money laundering case related to illegal sand mining and sale of sand against 3 accused namely Punj Kumar Singh, Ashok Kumar, and Sudama Kumar before the Hon'ble Special Court, Patna on 29.10.2024, under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The Hon'ble Court has taken cognizance of the same on 11.11.2024. First Prosecution Complaint was filed in the case on 10.11.2023." Further details on the matter are awaited. (ANI) Posters put up by Samajwadi Party leaders praising party Chief Akhilesh Yadav and targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party were seen in Amethi ahead of the Assembly by-polls in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. The posters had several slogans on them, including, "Akhilesh ji ka fear hai, BJP ka anth near hai" (There is fear of Akhilesh ji and the end of the BJP is near) and "Jitna chunav taloge utna bura haroge" (The more you delay the elections, the worse your defeat will be). Notably, the Election Commission has postponed by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Punjab to November 20 from November 13. Earlier, Akhilesh Yadav claimed that 'BJP postponed' the election so people affected from "Maha-Berozgari" in UP, who had to move out of the state for employment and returned home on festival, 'can't cast their votes'. "First the Milkipur by-election was postponed, now the dates for by-elections for the remaining seats have been announced. The BJP was never so weak. The fact is that due to 'Maha-Berozgari' in UP, people move different parts of the country for work," Akhilesh Yadav said on X. EC's decision to postpone by-polls comes after requests from national and state parties, including INC, BJP, BSP, and RLD, to avoid low voter turnout. National and state parties had requested the EC to shift the dates in these states due to various festivities. One assembly constituency in Kerala, four constituencies in Punjab and nine constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will now go to polls on November 20. The date of Counting and Completion of the Poll of these ACs shall remain unchanged i.e. November 23 and 25, respectively. According to the EC order, the Assembly constituencies, where the polling has been postponed to November 20, include Palakkad in Kerala; Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, Gidderbaha, Barnala in Punjab; and Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari and Majhawan in Uttar Pradesh. (ANI) The Delhi government passed a proposal on Monday to reinstate 10,000 bus marshals in a bid to ensure the safety of women and elders. The proposal will be forwarded to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena urging to make the appointments permanent. Addressing a joint press conference on Monday along with Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, Chief Minister Atishi said that due to the absence of bus marshals in buses, women and elderly people are feeling unsafe and so the proposal to re-instate bus marshals was made in the Cabinet meeting held on Monday. "We are writing to the LG to make a policy to permanently employ bus marshals for the safety of women. Delhi government has decided that until a policy is made, 10,000 bus marshals should be reinstated on an 'as-is, where-is basis," CM Atishi said. "Yesterday, an all ministers meeting was held. The policy of bus marshals is a matter of services and it is under LG. On behalf of the ministers of Delhi government, we are sending a proposal to LG that since it is under him, bus marshals should be appointed on a permanent basis. The joint opinion of the ministers was that it may take time to make a policy. But during this time, the safety of women cannot be compromised. Therefore, the Delhi government has decided to appoint 10,000 bus marshals with immediate effect. And they should work until the policy of their permanent appointment comes. It is expected that LG will approve this proposal," she said. She further highlighted that the Delhi government has done a lot for women's safety, from installing CCTV cameras to appointing bus marshals. "Under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi government has continuously worked for the welfare of women. Women who live in Delhi are aware of the challenges of travelling on DTC buses. To prevent incidents of misbehaviour on these buses, marshals were deployed in Delhi's buses. This scheme started in 2015, with marshals present in two shifts to ensure women's safety. However, since 2023, the BJP has been trying to obstruct this scheme through its officials. Since April 2023, the salaries of these marshals have been withheld. Finally, in October 2023, all bus marshals were removed," she said. The Delhi CM also mentioned that for the past year, bus marshals have been protesting on the streets, and AAP leaders have fully supported them. "The Delhi government recently decided to deploy these marshals in pollution control activities for four months. However, the absence of marshals in buses makes women feel unsafe. After extensive discussions, it was revealed that the bus marshals scheme falls under a service matter, which is not within the jurisdiction of the Delhi government but rather under the authority of the LG (Lieutenant Governor)," CM Atishi said. In October, the bus marshals held a protest to get reinstated after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena terminated their services in October last year. (ANI) BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Monday labelled Godda, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's constituency, as the "biggest centre of corruption," alleging that land and forest resources in the area have been exploited through illegal deals. Dubey further alleged that the Chief Minister's office has connections with overseas companies and is colluding with local mafias. Addressing reporters, Dubey said, "Godda is the biggest center of corruption of the current government. Hemant Soren is the head of the Jharkhand government and is an MLA from Godda." Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to the region, the BJP leader added, "There is no need to tell about Godda, how they looted the forest and land, how they sent chips to Bangladesh in connivance with the stone mafia... How a Dubai company is formed, which does not even have the permission of RBI, which is not even mentioned in the income tax... Corruption is a big issue for them." Dubey added, "We will also come to see what kind of a Chief Minister he is who is not able to provide drinking water to the people of his area." Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also criticized Soren's government, accusing it of allowing illegal land transfers to immigrants. Speaking at a rally in Tamar, Shah said, "The illegal immigrants are taking up the jobs meant for tribals of the state... The infiltrators are dangerous for our daughters, our resources, and our land... When we form the government, we will bring a law which will prohibit the immigrant from registering tribal land in his name, even if he marries a tribal girl. We will make the immigrant give back the acquired land." Shah also accused Jharkhand's Chief Minister of vote bank politics, claiming that "Bangladeshi infiltrators" are moving into Jharkhand under Soren's administration. He assured voters that the BJP would remove all such infiltrators, promising, "Trust us; we (BJP) do what we say. I promise you today that we will pick out all the infiltrators who have entered Jharkhand." The Union Home Minister also highlighted recent political tensions within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), referring to the removal of senior party leader Champai Soren from his position. According to Shah, this dismissal showed a lack of respect for Jharkhand's tribal community. "Champai Soren has been loyal for so many years... but how he was humiliated and removed is not just an insult to him but to the entire tribal community. The main issue was that Champai Soren stated that corruption should stop, but the JMM was not willing to end it," Shah alleged. The remarks come as Jharkhand heads into assembly elections, scheduled for November 13 and 20, with results to be announced on November 23. In the previous elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, the BJP won 25, and the Congress won 16 seats. (ANI) Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh hits out at Congress and its President Mallikarjun Kharge over his statement where he stated that India faces threats from the RSS-BJP, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Giriraj said if the country faces a threat, it is from the Congress party that wants to have a 'civil war' in the country. He also attacked Rahul Gandhi and stated that the Congress leader wants to create 'unrest' within the country. "If the country faces a threat, it is from the Congress party that wants to have a civil war in India. Rahul Gandhi wants to create unrest within the country. By creating unrest, they want to not only fuel civil war in India but also want to destroy India through civil war," Giriraj Singh said. Taking a further dig at the Congress President, the Union Minister said, "Kharge Sahab, your intentions won't be fulfilled because the youth has awoken and understood your policies." This came following Kharge's statement, where he said that the country 'faces threat' from the RSS, BJP, Modi, and Amit Shah, in a rally in Maharashtra in the run-up to the upcoming state assembly polls. Speaking at the Samvidhan Bachao Sammelan' on Sunday, Kharge said, "BJP is coming up with new slogans these days. I just want to ask is there any danger in the country? If the country is in danger, it is from BJP-RSS. Because these are the people who talk about division and killing from morning to evening. We have always tried to keep the country united. Indira Gandhi ji was martyred for keeping the country united." Following this, BJP leaders criticised Kharge and Congress, alleging Congress of creating "divides in society" and "pitting castes against one another". Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Arun Sao said, "People of the country know very well who is a threat to the nation. Congress is creating divides in society, pitting castes against one another, pitting sections against each other; it is spreading misinformation in society. We are nationalists. We are building Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat." Earlier on Saturday, at a rally in Maharashtra's Nanded, PM Modi accused Congress of pursuing divisive tactics and said people should remain alert. "In 'farziwada', Congress has broken its own record. The 'Laal Kitab' of the Constitution, which the Congress party was flaunting and distributing, contained 'nothing'. It was an empty book. This is nothing but a testament to Congress' disregard and hate for Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The entire country is in shock over this foolish and unfortunate political play of Congress," PM Modi said at a rally in Nanded. (ANI) Coming out in support of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's slogan "batenge toh katenge" (divided we perish), Jagadguru Rambhadracharya said on Tuesday that the statement is true as a single finger is weak but a fist is strong. Speaking to ANI, Jagadguru emphasized that even if the sects are different, all of Hindus should be united. "This is true. We don't have to get divided. 'Chahe panth anek ho, hum sab Hindu ek hon' (Even if the sects are different, all of us Hindus should be united). No one would be able to harm us if we are one. A single finger is weak but a fist is strong," he said. Notably, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had given the slogan 'batenge to katenge' while speaking at a campaign rally in Maharashtra. After that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the slogan 'ek hai toh safe hai'. Further, responding to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's statement on "Sadhus", Jagadguru Shri Rambhadracharya Ji said that Bhagwadhari should do politics. "Where is it written? Should goons be into politics? Should loafers do politics? 'Bhagwadhari' should do politics. Bhagwa is a colour of 'Bhagwan'. Shivaji hoisted the same Bhagwa flag and united the whole nation and Maharashtra. Bhagwadhari should do politics. Suited-booted should not do politics in India," he added. On Sunday, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, while speaking at an election rally in Maharashtra, took a jibe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath without taking his name and said that many of the leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians and some have even become chief minister as well. Speaking at the Samvidhan Bachao Sammelan', the Congress President also slammed Adityanath for his recent 'batoge toh katogey' (If we divide, we will be cut), a slogan calling for Hindu unity, and accused him (Yogi) of spreading hatred. "Many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians. Some have even become chief ministers. They wear 'gerua' clothes and have no hair on their heads...I would say to the BJP, either wear white clothes or if you are a sanyasi wear 'gerua' clothes, then get out of politics. On the one hand, you wear 'gerua' clothes and on the other hand, you say 'batoge toh katogey'...They are spreading hatred among the people and trying to divide them...," Kharge said. (ANI) Kerala government has suspended two IAS officers N Prasanth and K Gopalakrishnan for breach of dicipline. The suspension order for Prasanth was given late on Monday. While Gopalakrishnan was suspended over the charges of creating a religion-based WhatsApp group, action was taken against Prasanth for criticising a senior officer. Prasanth, serving as Special Secretary for Agriculture Department, was suspended for making derogatory remarks on social media against Finance Department's Additional Chief Secretary A Jayathilak. The November 11, suspension order was given by the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Kerala government and both the officers were found to have violated the All India Service Conduct Rules of 1968. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan suspended the officials based on an inquiry report submitted by Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan. "The government is prima facie satisfied that these remarks of Shri Prasanth N IAS, amount to grave indiscipline and that such remarks undermine the public image of the administrative machinery in the State. The remarks prima facie also have the potential of creating divisiveness and disaffection in the Indian Administrative Service in the State that can also affect service to the public," the GAD order read. This suspension comes after Prasanth created headlines for making these remarks against the senior IAS officer Additional Chief Secretary A Jayathilak. The remarks made by IAS Prasanth were in violation of Rules 3(1), 3(1A)(i), 3(1A)(iv), 3(2B)(iii), 3(2B) (xi), 3(2B)(xiii), Rule 9 and Rule 17 of the All India Service Conduct Rules of 1968, the GAD order said. Meanwhile, Director of Industries Gopalakrishnan came under scrutiny for allegedly creating a WhatsApp group of civil servants intended to divide, sow disunity and break the solidarity within the cadres. The Whatsapp group was also found to be creating communal formations within the cadres. Mr. Gopalakrishnan came under departmental scrutiny for allegedly creating a WhatsApp group of civil servants Gopalakrishnan had filed a police complaint alleged that the said WhatsApp group was created and contacts were added without his consent by hacking his mobile phone. The GAD order details that the State Police chief had forwarded a report recievived from the Ispector General and Commissioner of Police , Thiruvananthapuram City, which states that a State police inquiry said thater wa no evidence indicating tha the device was hacked. "The Government is prima facie satisfied that the above acts of Shri Gopalakrishnan K IAS (KL:2013) in creating a Whatsapp group to foment division, sow disunity and break the solidarity with the All India Service Cadre in the State amounts to violation of Rules 3(1), 3(1A)(i), 3(2B)(i), (ii), (iii) and (x) of the All India Service Conduct Rules of 1968," the GAD order said. (ANI) According to an official release, the event was organised on November 11 and featured an insightful discussion with the attendees focusing on the transformative role of education in engaging young minds and emphasising its significance as a cornerstone for personal and community advancement. The event was attended by over 100 students and 10 teachers. Throughout the session, speakers highlighted the essential role of education in shaping responsible citizens and creating pathways for socio-economic progress. The key themes of the event included skill development, critical thinking, and equality, motivating youth to actively participate in nation-building through their educational pursuits. The event concluded with a collective pledge from students, teachers, and community members to uphold the principles of education and support government initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access. This initiative not only reinforced the bond between the security forces and the local community but also showcased the Indian Army's commitment to social and educational welfare, said the release. (ANI) You are here: China China held a ceremony on Tuesday to commemorate the 158th birth anniversary of Sun Yat-sen, a great national hero, a great patriot, and a great forerunner of China's democratic revolution. Hosted by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the event took place in downtown Beijing's Zhongshan Park, a site named after Sun. Senior officials from the CPPCC National Committee, the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and the Beijing municipal government laid flowers in front of Sun's statue. Leading officials from the central committees of non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, alongside representatives of prominent figures without party affiliation, also paid their respects. Sun Yat-sen, born in 1866 in south China's Guangdong Province, played a leading role in the 1911 Revolution, which overthrew the imperial Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and ended more than 2,000 years of feudal rule in China. Ahead of the first phase of polling in Jharkhand, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K. Ravi Kumar said that all political workers including political leaders who are not the voters will not be present at the voting constituency during the polling process. Ravi Kumar says, "All political workers including political leaders who are not the voters will have to go out of the voting constituency. No exemptions to this. Voters should not take pictures inside the booth as happened last time. Clicking selfies with EVMs and inside booths is a criminal offence. Within the 200 meters of the booth, no posters or banners will be allowed. Apart from voter cards, there are 12 other identification cards which can be used for voting. For NRI voters passport is a must." He appealed to voters to follow the secrecy of voting. "During the last polls, two voters clicked selfies with the EVM. Within the 200 meters of the booth, no food items can be eaten. Here two people will be present to distribute information slips. The slip will have no photo or name. The single plain paper will have only voter identification with serial numbers," he added. Campaign ended on Monday for the first phase of assembly polls in Jharkhand with leaders making strong efforts to woo the electorate. Campaigning in the state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and accused him of "humiliating" Champai Soren. "Champai Soren has been loyal for so many years, standing with Hemantji, but how he was humiliated and removed is not just an insult to Champai Soren but an insult to the entire tribal community. The main issue was that Champai Soren stated that corruption should stop, but the JMM was not willing to end it," he alleged. The Jharkhand Assembly elections are set to be held in two phases on November 13 and 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23. In the previous assembly election, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, the BJP won 25 and Congress won 16 seats. (ANI) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Manoj Pandey on Tuesday criticised the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) recent raids in Jharkhand and West Bengal, which are part of an investigation into money laundering linked to suspected Bangladeshi infiltration. Pandey accused the central agencies of targeting opposition states ahead of elections. Pandey said, "You do such exercises before the elections and try to set a narrative. Whatever exercise the central agencies have done till now, nothing has happened, they have not found anything, nor have they been able to establish anything. But the central agencies have to bow down to the pressure of the central government and such acts are seen... BJP is losing badly once again. This truth needs to be accepted..." Earlier in the day, ED conducted raids across more than a dozen locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering activities connected to alleged Bangladeshi infiltration. The ED is examining several individuals and organizations suspected of involvement in illegal financial dealings tied to cross-border activities. The ED has also taken over a case filed on June 6 in Ranchi, regarding the alleged infiltration. The investigation focuses on financial and logistical networks that may be facilitating such activities, which could have broader implications for cross-border security. Earlier on Monday, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey labelled Godda, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's constituency, as the "biggest centre of corruption," alleging that land and forest resources in the area have been exploited through illegal deals. Dubey further alleged that the Chief Minister's office has connections with overseas companies and is colluding with local mafias. Addressing reporters, Dubey said, "Godda is the biggest centre of corruption of the current government. Hemant Soren is the head of the Jharkhand government and is an MLA from Godda." Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to the region, the BJP leader added, "There is no need to tell about Godda, how they looted the forest and land, how they sent chips to Bangladesh in connivance with the stone mafia... How a Dubai company is formed, which does not even have the permission of RBI, which is not even mentioned in the income tax... Corruption is a big issue for them." Dubey added, "We will also come to see what kind of a Chief Minister he is who is not able to provide drinking water to the people of his area." Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also criticized Soren's government, accusing it of allowing illegal land transfers to immigrants. Speaking at a rally in Tamar, Shah said, "The illegal immigrants are taking up the jobs meant for tribals of the state... The infiltrators are dangerous for our daughters, our resources, and our land... When we form the government, we will bring a law which will prohibit the immigrant from registering tribal land in his name, even if he marries a tribal girl. We will make the immigrant give back the acquired land." Shah also accused Jharkhand's Chief Minister of vote bank politics, claiming that "Bangladeshi infiltrators" are moving into Jharkhand under Soren's administration. He assured voters that the BJP would remove all such infiltrators, promising, "Trust us; we (BJP) do what we say. I promise you today that we will pick out all the infiltrators who have entered Jharkhand." The Union Home Minister also highlighted recent political tensions within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), referring to the removal of senior party leader Champai Soren from his position. According to Shah, this dismissal showed a lack of respect for Jharkhand's tribal community. "Champai Soren has been loyal for so many years... but how he was humiliated and removed is not just an insult to him but to the entire tribal community. The main issue was that Champai Soren stated that corruption should stop, but the JMM was not willing to end it," Shah alleged. The remarks come as Jharkhand heads into assembly elections, scheduled for November 13 and 20, with results to be announced on November 23. In the previous elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, the BJP won 25, and the Congress won 16 seats. (ANI) Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole has stirred controversy with a purported "dog" jibe against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticising its alleged treatment of the OBC community in the Akola district of the State, which is heading to Assembly polls Campaigning for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, of which Congress is a part of, Patole on Monday, "I want to ask, will the OBC people of Akola district vote for the BJP who are calling you dogs? It is time to make the BJP a dog now; they have become so arrogant." Patole accused the BJP of disrespecting the OBC community. His remarks are expected to intensify the ongoing political rivalry between the MVA and Mahayuti. Similar controversies have taken place earlier. Previously Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant reportedly referred to Shaina NC, a leader who defected from the BJP to the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, as "imported maal." Sawant criticized her defection, saying, "Look at her condition. She was in the BJP all her life and now she went to another party. Imported 'maal' doesn't work here; only original 'maal' does." Sawant later apologized for his sexist remark. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, Congress leader Irfan Ansari's comments about Sita Soren, BJP's candidate for the Jamtara constituency, also sparked controversy. Ansari referred to Sita Soren as a "rejected" and "borrowed" player, which led to a strong reaction from Sita Soren. She broke down emotionally, asserting that the tribal community had decided to bar Ansari from entering tribal villages. Earlier on Sunday, Patole emphasized the promises made by the MVA in their election manifesto, focusing on the welfare of farmers, youth, and poverty alleviation. He said, "We have played out the idea of delivering justice to the people of the state. On that basis, we have promised a capable and corruption-free Maharashtra with good law and order." As the election date of November 20 approaches, political tensions continue to rise, with the two major alliances, the Mahayuti (BJP-led) and MVA, gearing up for a fierce contest. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.(ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday, alleged that huge amounts of money are being distributed in Maharashtra by the top leaders of the Mahayuti alliance, yet the Election Commission of India is not taking action. Taking a jibe at the ECI, Raut asked why only the vehicles and planes of opposition leaders are being checked, amid the model code of conduct in poll-bound Maharashtra. "The Election Commission does its job. You check our cars, planes, and everything. If you carry out this work impartially, we have no problem. But in Maharashtra, where Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and BJP are contesting the election, 25 crores have already reached...We also showed videos during the Lok Sabha elections of how 20-20 bags were brought via helicopters...Do you stop the convoys of Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah and check them?...the way money distribution is happening in Maharashtra, does the Election Commission not see this?" he said addressing a press conference on Tuesday. "If someone checked PM Modi's helicopter in Odisha, that person was suspended. Does PM Modi not come under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission? Can the PM, HM and union minister distribute anything among the people?...What kind of unbiased justice is this?..." he added. Earlier, Thane Police seized around Rs 2.5 crore in cash from a row-house in Sector 16 of Nerul in Navi Mumbai on Monday, amid the model code of conduct in place for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections. The cash was seized in a joint operation by the Election Commission and Thane Police. "We have seized the cash from a row-house. We are investigating whose money it is and where it came from. The seizure was made jointly by the Election Commission and the police," Senior Inspector Bramhanand Naikwadi told ANI. On November 6, the Election Commission seized Rs 558 crore worth of cash, freebies, liquor, drugs, and precious metals in ongoing elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and by-polls across 14 states, as per an official release. In Maharashtra alone, EC has yielded about Rs. 280 crores since the announcement of elections. Another Rs. 158 crores worth of seizures from Jharkhand so far. In Maharashtra, Cash worth Rs 73.11 crore has been seized while Liquor worth Rs 37.98 crore and Drugs worth Rs 37.76 crore has been seized. EC also yielded Precious Metals worth Rs 90.53 crore and Freebies worth Rs 42.55 crore. The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with votes for all 288 constituencies to be counted on November 23. (ANI) Jharkhand BJP president and BJP candidate from Dhanwar assembly constituency Babu Lal Marandi took a jibe at Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) manifesto and said that it is a bundle of lies. Babulal Marandi said, "No one trusts their manifesto. They did not fulfil the promises made in the previous manifesto, so how will anyone trust them? Their manifesto is a bundle of lies." Reacting to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha candidate for the Assembly polls, Kalpana Soren being denied permission to land her helicopter for election campaign in Jagannathpur, Torpa and Latehar he said that even BJP leaders have to face such situation several times. He further said, "Clearance was not given. Even we are not given clearance on many occasions if there is any problem. Yesterday even our leader could not go there and meeting was scheduled as Air Force was conducting a practice session. Our leaders had programme at Ghatshila and Baharagora. Mithun Chakraborty had event at Baharagora which was cancelled." JMM on Monday released its manifesto for the upcoming state assembly polls.The party has focused on nine points including agriculture, education and women empowerment. It has promised 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs. The manifesto also assured to provide loans of up to Rs 5 crore to MSME entrepreneurs under the Credit Guarantee Scheme. It promised to waive loans of small and medium-level traders. Earlier in the day, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Manoj Pandey on Tuesday criticised the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) recent raids in Jharkhand and West Bengal, which are part of an investigation into money laundering linked to suspected Bangladeshi infiltration. Pandey accused the central agencies of targeting opposition states ahead of elections. Pandey said, "You do such exercises before the elections and try to set a narrative. Whatever exercise the central agencies have done till now, nothing has happened, they have not found anything, nor have they been able to establish anything. But the central agencies have to bow down to the pressure of the central government and such acts are seen... BJP is losing badly once again. This truth needs to be accepted..." ED conducted raids across more than a dozen locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering activities connected to alleged Bangladeshi infiltration. The ED is examining several individuals and organizations suspected of involvement in alleged illegal financial dealings tied to cross-border activities. The first phase of elections in Jharkhand is scheduled to take place on Wednesday and the second phase is scheduled for November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23. In the previous assembly election, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, the BJP won 25 and Congress won 16 seats. (ANI) The Supreme Court extended interim protection from arrest to actor Siddique on Tuesday in connection with a rape case. A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma extended the relief to Siddique till the next date of hearing. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing on behalf of Siddique informed the top court that the probe agency kept asking him about his phone and laptop from 2016, which he didn't have. The apex court sought to know from the Kerala Police whether Siddique appeared whenever called. The Kerala Government replied to the court that he is appearing but not cooperating. Justice Sharma remarked that when Siddique bought the new phone he gave the old one to the shop. Senior advocate Rohatgi sought adjournment due to his bad throat. The actor had approached the Supreme Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the rape case. Earlier, Kerala Police issued a lookout notice against Siddique suspecting he may have fled the state. The actor was allegedly on the run after the Kerala High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail application. The case is being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala government. Siddique was booked by the museum police in Thiruvananthapuram on August 27 under the charges of rape and criminal intimidation, based on a complaint filed by a young actor. However, Siddique categorically denied the allegation. This came after the Malayalam film industry was rocked by a "Me Too" movement exposing various allegations of sexual abuse earlier in August this year. Following the allegations, Siddique resigned from his position as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Consequently, the entire 17-member executive committee of AMMA also resigned. Serious accusations have been made by several women actors against prominent figures in the industry, including director Ranjith and actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, and Edavela Babu, among others. The surge in these allegations came in the wake of the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed disturbing accounts of harassment, exploitation, and the systematic mistreatment of women in the industry. The report, made public on August 19, after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, noted that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry. (ANI) Reacting to Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav's remarks on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said on Tuesday that "All is Well" and there is no problem anywhere. Speaking to ANI, OP Rajbhar said that even before, he heard such things but CM Yogi completed five years as Chief Minister. "Even in the last tenure, I heard such things...But he (Yogi) completed five years. Elections were held and claimed to form the government but it was not formed. Yogi ji came to power again...I think that has been happening for 1-1.5 years...This is just for the sake of saying. All is well, there is no problem anywhere. Yogi ji is doing his work, MLAs and ministers are taking the scheme of their respective departments to people, as per the directions of the CM," he said. On Monday, while addressing a rally in Moradabad, Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at CM Yogi Adityanath and said that "people in Delhi are waiting to replace him (Yogi) after the coming Maharashtra elections." Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday lashed out at the Samajwadi Party (SP), saying that the party has become the "production house of criminals and mafia" spreading anarchy and violence against weaker sections of the society. "SP has become the production house of the mafia and criminals. Akhilesh Yadav (national president of SP) is the CEO of these criminals and Shivpal Yadav (SP leader) is their trainer," Adityanath said here in an election rally for the by-election in Majhwan Assembly constituency. Nine Assembly seats including Sisamau in Kanpur, Katehri in Ambedkar Nagar, Kundarki in Moradabad, Ghaziabad, Majhwan in Mirzapur, Karhal in Mainpuri district, Khair in Aligarh, Phulpur in Prayagraj and Meerapur in Muzaffarnagar district are going for by-elections on November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Uttarakhand's folk festival 'Igas' on Tuesday. Igas festival, also known as Budhi Diwali, honours the Goddess Nanda Devi and celebrates harvest, fertility, and prosperity. In a video message shared on X, CM Dhami appreciated efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the state and celebrate the local festivals. "Greetings to everyone on the occasion of Uttarakhand's folk festival "Igas" and Budhi Diwali. It is extremely pleasant to see the effort of the locals to preserve the cultural heritage of the state and celebrate the local festivals. Last year under the guidance of PM Modi all the workers were rescued from the Silkyara tunnel and after that, Igas was celebrated along with them. Igas is getting recognition at national and international levels. It is being celebrated with enthusiasm outside the state also," the Chief Minister said. He said that the state government is committed to preserving the folk festival of the state. "For the preservation of our cultural heritage and traditions, the efforts of all the people of the state to celebrate local folk festivals with full enthusiasm and to take them to our future generations are commendable," he said. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings to all the countrymen and wished for happiness, prosperity and well-being on the occasion. "Many congratulations to all the countrymen including my family members of Uttarakhand on the occasion of Igas festival! Today in Delhi, I also got the privilege of participating in this festival at the residence of Anil Baluni ji, Lok Sabha MP from Uttarakhand. I wish that this festival brings happiness, prosperity and well-being in everyone's life," PM Modi said in a post on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with CM Dhami attended the celebrations at the residence of BJP MP Anil Banuli in New Delhi on Monday night. PM Modi was wearing a traditional Uttarakhand cap and greeted with Sadhus and Saints present at the residence of Baluni. On the occasion PM Modi, worshipped the Tulsi plant, lit the Igas flame and performed Aarti. Igas Bagwal festival is widely celebrated in Uttarakhand, after 11 days of Diwali. It is also called Budhi Diwali. (ANI) Mumbai police on Tuesday filed a case of assault against the man who was arrested from Chhattisgarh for allegedly issuing a death threat to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The accused has been identified as Faizan Khan. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Raipur, Santosh Singh said, "A team of Bandra police from Mumbai reached Pandri police station. They have arrested Faizan Khan in the case of threatening actor Shah Rukh Khan. He was given a notice a few days ago. After the investigation, he was found guilty and arrested." "The accused is being taken to Mumbai on transit remand. A case of assault is already registered against him," said the SSP. The suspect is currently being questioned by the police officials. Last week, the Mumbai Police received a call threatening Shah Rukh at the Bandra station. The caller even demanded Rs 50 lakh, following which the police registered a case and dispatched a team to Raipur for further investigation. More details regarding the suspect have not been disclosed yet. The threat to Shah Rukh follows a series of threats issued to fellow friend and Bollywood star Salman Khan, allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Earlier on October 24, Mumbai Police arrested a man from Jamshedpur who had threatened Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 crore. The police registered a case against an unknown person and started an investigation after Mumbai Traffic Police received a threatening message. Both actors have been surrounded by tight security for a while now. Salman was upgraded to Y+ security especially after a firing incident outside his residence in April this year. The firing incident took place on April 14 outside Salman's residence at Galaxy Apartments in the Bandra area of Mumbai. The subsequent arrests revealed connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, leading the Mumbai Police to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all involved in the shooting. Earlier, police said that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi, played a key role in motivating the shooters. After receiving weapons delivery in Panvel on March 15, 2024, Anmol provided the shooters with the target's information, instructing them to carry out the firing at the actor's residence. The planned firing incident was executed as per instructions, during which the shooters received a total of Rs 3 lakh. In October, politician Baba Siddique was shot multiple times while he was leaving his son's Bandra office on October 12. The Nationalist Congress Party leader and former minister succumbed to injuries at the hospital shortly after the attack. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack. The demise of Baba Siddique and death threats to stars like Salman and SRK have raised concern among fans. (ANI) Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with other top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Assam CM Hemant Biswa Sarma of polarising the society by spreading enmity and "communal venom." Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in-charge for Communications, said that they have no other agenda besides polarisation. The Election campaigning carried out by the BJP leaders in Jharkhand and Maharashtra shows that they are baffled and scared, he remarked. "The Election campaigning of our non-biological PM, HM and others in BJP in Jharkhand and Maharashtra clearly show that they are baffled and scared. They have not been able to recover from the results of the 2024 elections. The only agenda of PM Modi, Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, and Assam CM is social polarisation. Massive polartisation. Spread enmity, create communal tension and spread communal venom. They have no agenda besides polarisation," said Ramesh while speaking to ANI. The senior Congress leader said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra was raising issues related to farmers, women, youth and social justice during their campaigning. However, the BJP has only worked towards polarisation, he said, adding that in Jharkhand also the parties associated with the INDIA alliance including Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) are highlighting the roadmap for the next five years which focuses on working for Adivasis, SCs, STs and OBCs. "In Maharashtra, Congress, NCP-SCP, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Maha Vikas Aghadi has campaigned on issues of farmers, women, youth, issues of social justice. But they do polarisation in Maharashtra. Go to Jharkhand - what are we, JMM and Congress, campaigning about? Our work in 5 years and our roadmap for the next 5 years, the work for Adivasis, SCs, STs, OBCs, every section of society, issues of jungle and forest. These are our issues. But even in Jharkhand, the only agenda of the BJP is polarisation. This clearly shows that BJP is baffled and scared," the Congress leader said. "I would like to tell the PM that when you have the census, only then will you be able to go forward. What is the basis of social justice? Census. Why are they backtracking on the census? If you don't have caste survey, caste census, how would you deliver social justice?" Ramesh said. The assembly elections get underway oin Tuesday with Jharkhand's Phase 1 going to the polls, the second phase in Jharkhand and the Maharashtra Assembly elections are to be held on Nov 20 with the resulst on Nov 23. (ANI) You are here: China Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged all-out efforts to treat those who were injured in a car ramming incident on Monday in Zhuhai City, south China's Guangdong Province. In an instruction on the case, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, demanded the perpetrator be severely punished according to the law. The incident occurred in a sports center in Zhuhai, killing 35 people and severely injuring 43 others. Xi urged all localities and relevant authorities to draw lessons from the case, and to strengthen their prevention and control of risks at the source. He also emphasized the importance of resolving disputes in time, preventing the occurrence of extreme cases, and making every effort to safeguard the security of people's lives and social stability. Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for appropriately handling the aftermath of the incident, swiftly investigating into the case and severely punishing the perpetrator in accordance with the law. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged coordinated risk prevention and control efforts to ensure social stability. Following Xi's instruction, China's central authorities have dispatched a team to oversee the handling of the case. Amid the ongoing tension between India and Canada after the attack on Brampton temple, Takhat Sri Patna Sahib President Jagjot Singh Sohi condemned the remarks made by Khalistani separatist leader Gurpanwant Singh Pannu, saying that it was a matter of regret that he has been giving such wrong statements. Pannu had said that his group would attack the Ram Janambhoomi temple in Ayodhya. Reacting to this, Sohi said that Pannu was habitual of talking nonsense that was baseless and disrespectful. The Justice Trudeau government was sponsoring them, he added. "It is a matter of great regret that he has given such a wrong statement which we strongly condemn. He has said nonsense many times before which is baseless, and disrespectful and he is not a Sikh at all, he always gives wrong messages, so we are strongly condemning it. Somewhere the Justin Trudeau government is sponsoring them. If we look at the recent incidents, it is clear that the Canadian government is supporting him," President of Takhat Sri Patna Sahib said. "As I told you, we strongly condemn the statement given by Pannu. He has no connection to the Sikh religion. The teaching of our gurus does not affect them. Sikhs have always been martyrs for the Hindu religion," he added. Hours after the Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre cancelled a Life Certificate Event owing to fears of 'violent protests' and requested the local police to address the threats faced by them, the Peel Regional Police requested the temple authorities to consider 'rescheduling' the upcoming event owing to threats. The Consular Camp event was scheduled to be held on November 17. Nishan Duraiappah, the Chief of Police with the Peel Regional Police serving Brampton and Mississauga, said the postponement could help in "de-escalating the present tensions" and safeguarding the wellbeing of attendees. "We believe that a temporary postponement could contribute meaningfully to de-escalating the present tensions and safeguarding the wellbeing of those attending your location," the letter reads. Earlier, the Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre announced that it is cancelling a Life Certificate Event amid fears of an "extremely high level of violent protests." On November 3, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, near Toronto, witnessed a "violent disruption". The incident sparked widespread criticism in and outside Canada. (ANI) Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday defended party leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi's remarks about investments in Maharashtra being transferred to Gujarat. He said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has discriminated against Maharashtra. His reaction comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) complained to the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Rahul Gandhi, saying that he was creating enmity between states. Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in-charge for Communications and MP from Rajya Sabha, while talking to ANI said that several projects and investments meant for Maharashtra have been moved to Gujarat. "What are they complaining about? What has Rahul Gandhi said? Everyone has said it. It has been printed in newspapers that several projects and investments that were scheduled to come to Maharashtra have been shifted by the PM to Gujarat. That is what we have said, that you have discriminated against Maharashtra. You speak of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. So, bring development in all states," the Congress leader said. Ramesh said that people who want to invest in Maharashtra shouldn't be threatened to move to Gujarat because the former state already has infrastructure in place. "Those who want to invest in Maharashtra, you can't threaten them and tell them to go to Gujarat. We will welcome if Gujarat gets investments for projects, but don't stop those who want to invest in Maharashtra which has the infrastructure in place. This is what Rahul Gandhi has said and the data is also available on this," he added. The senior leader claimed that the Congress party was confident about the public supporting them in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. He said that their alliance would get a clear mandate in both the states. "We are confident that the public will support us. The negative political campaigning of BJP, especially that of the PM, Amit Shah, UP CM and Assam CM who are busy spreading communal poison will be rejected by the public. We are confident that Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra and the alliance of JMM-Congress in Jharkhand will get a clear and decisive mandate," Ramesh said. (ANI) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao on Tuesday alleged irregularities in tenders awarded under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme in Telangana under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Alleged "corruption" and "crony capitalism" in tenders worth Rs 8,888 crore awarded under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, the BRS president has urged for an investigation by the Central government. Addressing a press briefing in the national capital today, KTR alleged that a contract worth Rs 1137 crore was awarded to a company that belongs to the brother-in-law of chief minister Reddy. Under AMRUT 2.0, tenders were called in February this year... Packages totalling Rs. 8,888 crores were called for in February this year..." "I am going to talk more about the rampant corruption in Telangana... AMRUT is a scheme launched by the government of India to facilitate the creation of infrastructure in towns with a population of more than 1 lakh. I want to point out one company called Shodha Constructions. Directors audited report 2021-22 shows a net profit of Rs. 2.2 crore. It is a very small company which has no qualifications or capital to execute any kind of work. In 2021, this company's net profit was Rs. 3.5 crore... This company belongs to the brother-in-law of CM Revanth Reddy. The brother-in-law's name is Srujan Reddy and this company Shodha Constructions is an unknown entity as far as Telangana and Andhra are concerned," KT Rama Rao said. He further stated that the company got attention after Revanth Reddy became the Chief Minister of the state and termed it as a "classic" example of "crony capitalism." "As soon as Revanth Reddy becomes CM, this company magically starts getting a lot of attention and the crony capitalism that Rahul Gandhi keeps talking about, this is a classic example of that," he said. "This company is an unknown entity with no qualifications to be able to execute a large quantum of work to the extent of Rs 1137 crore and has been awarded a package which is humongous for a company of this size... This came to the fore on March 13, when the Indian Hume Pipe Company wrote a letter to the NSE and BSE...that they have made a joint venture with AMR and Shodha Construction and got a tender of Rs 1137 crore," he said. "In this letter, IHP says, 'the value of the work awarded is Rs 1137 crore excluding GST and the share of the works executed by IHP is 20 per cent only...' The money is from government of India but the Department comes under the CM... The company is of CM's brother-in-law and 80 per cent of the work is awarded to him in the Joint Venture," BRS working president alleged. KTR who is currently in Delhi said, "... There is rampant corruption in Telangana. The state has become an ATM for the Congress. In the AMRUT scheme, there has been corruption. CM's brother-in-law's company which does not qualify, has been awarded a work of Rs. 1137 crore... We came here to expose this crony capitalism to Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar... He said that he would look into it... We will continue to question them inside and outside of the Parliament if we don't get an answer... Shodha Construction's owner, Srujan Reddy is the brother-in-law of Revanth Reddy... The company which was used to get the qualification, Indian Hume Pipe, got only 20 per cent of the work..."(ANI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla on Tuesday to enquire about the well-being of Chairman Seventh State Finance Commission Nand Lal, who is recuperating from an illness. He wished speedy recovery to him. He also paid a surprise visit to the newly established Trauma ward of the college and interacted with the patients admitted enquiring about the services being provided to them. He asked, "When the doctors and para-medical staff come, do you receive proper attention and what is your opinion of the quality of food being served to them." The Chief Minister also interacted with the nurses and said that the State Government is recruiting doctors and nurses to ensure an international ratio of doctors-nurses and patients so that they could perform their duties efficiently. Chairman, the Kangra Co-Operative Primary Agriculture & Rural Development Bank Ram Chander Pathania also accompanied the Chief Minister. Earlier CM Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri expressed condolences to the family of the army jawan, Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar, who lost his life during a gunfight between the security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar was a resident of Barnog village, Chhamyar Panchayat, in the Nachan Assembly Constituency of Mandi district. Naib Subedar Kumar lost his life in an encounter with terrorists in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Sukhu said the nation will forever honour the ultimate sacrifice of this brave soldier. He further extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving family members and prayed for the peace of the departed soul, it added. Deputy Chief Minister Agnihotri also said that the nation and the state would always be indebted for the selfless and supreme sacrifice of this brave son. He prayed the almighty to bless peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss, read the release. (ANI) Amid the heavy rainfall in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday assured that the state government was prepared to tackle the (heavy) rainfall. He further informed that the government has increased the number of motor pumps and volunteers after studying the impact of rains in October. "Based on the study of the impact of rains in October, we have increased the number of motor pumps and volunteers. We have 1194 motor pumps,152 super sucker machines. Placement of motors and machines has been increased by 21 per cent compared to October. The Tamil Nadu government is fully prepared for the rains. The Tamil Nadu government is totally prepared for the rains," Stalin said. He said that there was no report of flooding in the metropolis. Of 22 subways in Chennai, 21 subways are operational, he said, adding that no flooding was reported in any area of the city. Deputy CM Stalin assured that all arrangements (to manage the heavy downpour) have been made by Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). "Till this morning, Chennai has recorded only 3.2 cm of rain. Based on the direction of our CM, we have inspected all the ICCC (Integrated Command and Control Centre) centres of Chennai Corporation. We have enquired about the impact of today's rain and the arrangements made by GCC. All arrangements have been made. There is no report of flooding in any area and 21 out of 22 subways in Chennai are operational. The one subway that is closed is also due to train work," Udhayanidhi Stalin said. Speaking about the start-up meeting, Stalin said that the government was encouraging start-up companies. "As our Chief Minister has already said our target is a 1 trillion dollar economy. We are encouraging all kinds of investments," he added. Earlier in the day, the Deputy CM inspected the arrangements made by the GCC officials for the northeast monsoon rains. "The Greater Chennai Corporation has opened 329 relief camps in Chennai. 120 kitchens have been opened to the public. As of 9:30 AM, there is no waterlogging in Chennai and we are taking steps to ensure that the situation remains normal. The corporation commissioner, mayor, ministers and all officials are on the ground," Stalin said As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate rain at a few places with thunderstorm and lightning at one or two places is likely to occur over Tamilnadu Puducherry and Karaikal area. Heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar and Madurai districts on Wednesday. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the opposition 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' over the growth in the state and accused the alliance of putting a break in the development of Maharashtra. Likening the MVA as the 'biggest player of corruption,' the Prime Minister said that the MVA has done a 'PHD' in putting brakes and 'stalling, hanging and wandering' the development projects of the city. Addressing a rally in Chandrapur's Chimbur, PM Modi said, "Maharashtra ka tez vikas Aghadi walo ki baski baat nai hai. MVA ne keval kaamo par break lagane mai PHD ki hai. Kaamo ko atkana, latkana aur bhatkana." Taking a shot at the Congress, PM Modi said that the party has done a double PhD and is an expert in this concept of putting a break in the development works "Ye Congress wale toh isme expert hai, 2.5 years mai inhone har vikas ki projects ko rokne ki koshish ki hai. Aghadi wale hai bhrashtachar ke sabse bade Khiladi," said PM Modi. Raising a question to the audience, PM Modi asked whether the people of Chimbur will let the MVA put a pause on the development of the city. "Kya aap inhe dobara loot ka licence milne denge kya? loot karne denge kya, khazana bharne denge kya??? Will you let the MVA put a break in the development of Maharashtra?" questioned the Prime Minister. In a sharp remark, PM Modi criticized the speed at which the Mahayuti government operates, saying that the people of Chandrapur are the best witnesses to how these Aghadi parties hinder progress. "At what speed does the Mahayuti government work and how do these Aghadi people stop the work, who will know this better than the people of Chandrapur? People here have been demanding rail connectivity for decades, but the Congress and Aghadi people never allowed this work to happen," said PM Modi, while taking a swipe at the opposition alliance. The Prime Minister in his address also congratulated the people of the state for the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections, which includes 25 promises aimed at benefiting the people of Maharashtra if the party is re-elected for another term. PM Modi said that the BJP's manifesto will become a 'Vikas Ki Guarantee' (development guarantee) for Maharashtra in the next five years. He said that along with Mahayuti, the NDA government at the centre means double engine government in Maharashtra, which means double speed of development. "Today I would like to congratulate the Maharashtra BJP, which has released a wonderful manifesto. In this, many wonderful resolutions were taken for our daughters and sisters, for the farmers, for the youth power of the country, and for the development of Maharashtra," he said. "Whether it is the AI university, water green project or water pipelines in houses, permanent residences or to increase digital connectivity, the manifesto has presented several initiatives," added PM Modi. "Along with Mahayuti, the NDA government at the centre means double engine government in Maharashtra. This means double speed of development. The people of Maharashtra have seen this double pace of development in the last 2.5 years," said PM Modi. Highlighting the developments in the state under the BJP governance, PM Modi said, "Today Maharashtra is the state in the country where maximum foreign investments are taking place. New airports and new expressways are being built here. Around a dozen Vande Bharat trains are running in Maharashtra, more than 100 stations here are being renovated and many railway routes are being expanded." PM Modi further stated that the election results in Maharashtra are clear, as evidenced by the massive turnout of people. He asserted that this surge of support indicates that a Mahayuti government with a full majority is set to be formed in the state. "The results of elections in Maharashtra have been made clear by you people today. This 'jan sailaab' (wave) of people is saying that a Mahayuti government is going to be formed with huge majority in Maharashtra. The people of Chimur and entire Maharashtra have accepted that the alliance of BJP-Mahayuti will form the government," said PM Modi. PM Modi remarked, "Log hi log -- aisa lag raha hai, 'Kesariya Sagar' lehra raha hai," referring to the overwhelming support and enthusiasm, and likening it to the rising waves of a saffron sea, symbolizing the strong backing for the BJP. As the elections for the 288 seats in the Assembly approach closer, the political battle between the two major alliances, the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) intensify. The polls are scheduled for November 20 and counting will be held on November 23. The opposition MVA, comprises Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SCP). (ANI) Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje asserted that there will be a census in the country but it will not be on the basis of caste as suggested by the Congress party. Speaking to ANI in Mumbai on Tuesday, Karandlaje pointed out that the census was to be conducted in 2021 but could not be done due to Covid. "There will be a census in the country but it will not be on the basis of caste. We cannot divide the country on the basis of caste and religion. Congress is doing this. For us, the country is one. 'Ek hai toh safe hai'," she said. "To please Muslims in Karnataka, they are giving farmers' land to Waqf. Congress is talking about dividing the country, we are not doing this," the Union Minister added. Caste census is among the five guarantees promised by the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the run-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections. MVA released its manifesto on Sunday and have promised to conduct a caste-based census and remove the 50 per cent cap on reservations in the state. Earlier this month, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh slammed the Congress for its vision for a nationwide caste survey and termed it as a 'dhoka' to the people of the country, citing the non-success of a socio-economic caste census in 2011. Addressing a rally in Jharkhand's Khunti, Rajnath Singh said, "These days you must be seeing that Congress is claiming to conduct a caste-based survey after they come into power. I want to say this is dhoka." "I want to remind Congress that in 2011, a socio-economic caste census was conducted. In this 46 lakh castes, tribes and lineage came to the fore. This statistic was so wide that the people who had prepared this report back then did not even make it public," he added. (ANI) In a fresh controversy ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) checked Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's bag after his helicopter landed in the Yamatwal assembly constituency where he was to address an election rally. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday came in support of the former Maharashtra Chief Minister, saying that it was wrong to target a party leader. Thackeray expressed his anger, asking whether ECI officials checked the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar. Gehlot said that Thackeray was right in asking such a question. "Uddhav Thackeray ji is right. If they are checking, they should inspect every one. There's no problem then. But to target a party leader is wrong. The Election Commission should look into this and everyone should be checked," the senior Congress leader said while talking to ANI. Reacting to slogans raised by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gehlot said that it was unfortunate that a situation has arisen in the country where elected people are raising such slogans. "Unfortunately, such a situation has arisen in the country where such slogans are being raised and that too by elected people. Where do you want to take the country? Today there is unity in diversity, we are united, but they are trying to divide us," he added. Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with other top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Assam CM Hemant Biswa Sarma of polarising the society by spreading enmity and "communal venom." Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticised PM Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath for their slogan "Ek hai toh safe hai" and "batenge toh katenge," respectively, saying that their intention was to finish unity and show their dominance. (ANI) Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel ordered an inquiry on Tuesday into the deaths of two patients at Khyati Hospital in Ahmedabad. In a post on X, Minister Patel called the incident "very serious" and said that an immediate inquiry will be carried out by the State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). "The alleged incident at Khyati Hospital is very serious. I have ordered an immediate inquiry by the State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) of PMJAY. If there is any substance to the allegations or evidence of medical negligence, severe action will be taken against the hospital and the doctors involved," the post mentioned. The deaths allegedly occurred following medical procedures. Speaking to ANI, PMJAY Deputy Director UB Gandhi expressed concern over the incident. "This is a very unfortunate incident. Our team is en route to the hospital and will gather all relevant information, such as the number of angiograms and angioplasties performed, and whether each angioplasty was indicated." "The records will be thoroughly reviewed, and our cardiology team will also be involved in the investigation. A report will be submitted to the commissioner, and necessary action will be taken," Gandhi said. Nayan Patel, a resident of the village where the incident took place, shared his concerns with ANI. He explained, "There was an issue related to Khyati Hospital; they informed us about something. Later, my mother faced health issues related to this report, and they asked her to come for another test the following day." Patel's father then took his mother for the test, where the hospital conducted an angiography without fully explaining the procedure or its results. He said, "My father was informed that there was no issue with his heart, yet they placed two stents without notifying anyone. This happened without any proper communication." He added, "I'm not feeling any physical discomfort, but I don't know what steps to take next." Patel then expressed concerns over a lack of transparency regarding the medical procedures conducted in hospitals. "I heard that out of the seven people tested, two passed away, even though they were all farmers with no health problems. How did they die? Everyone had stents placed, and angiographies were done without informing their families. I don't even know who signed the documents authorizing these procedures. Everyone came alone, and there's no clarity on who signed for them," Patel told ANI. Speaking to ANI, Mitesh Patel, a resident of Boris village, said, "A medical camp was set up here. Two days before the 10th, banners were put up, and on November 10, the camp began at 9 am They informed everyone that if further treatment was needed, they'd have to go to the hospital. On November 11, a bus arrived at 9 am to transport people to the hospital. In total, 19 villagers went, including both men and women. Out of them, 90 percent were completely healthy, yet the hospital staff used their Ayushman cards without notifying family members and quickly performed angiographies on all of them. When they decided stents were necessary, they inserted them without family notification or permission." "Two people lost their lives in this process. The hospital prioritised cash payments at the reception before proceeding with the surgeries. Now, we are in the process of seeking justice. We have filed a police complaint and submitted a formal request," he added. (ANI) According to a Defence Ministry release, the ill person was onboard an Indian Fishing Boat that was about 60 km at sea South East of Diu. "Swiftly responding to a call for rendering assistance to a critically ill fisherman onboard Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Dhan Prasad (Regd No. IND-GJ-14-0597) that was about 60 km at sea South East of Diu, ICGS Pipavav diverted ICGS C-419 for immediate medical evacuation," the release mentioned. The release stated that the Indian Coast guard reached the datum and safely embarked the patient. Following providing first-aid assistance, the ship entered RNEL Jetty, Pipavav and all vitals were checked by the Station Medical Officer, it stated further. As per the release, the critical patient was shifted to Local Hospital at Rajula for further medical treatment in the presence of his family members. The condition of patient is reported stable, it added. (ANI) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called on state governments on Tuesday to join the Centre in implementing key examination reforms proposed by the Radhakrishnan Committee, underlining the need for "zero-error entrance exams." Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Pradhan shared that the primary goal is to strengthen the National Testing Agency (NTA) and address loopholes ahead of the new entrance exam cycle starting in January 2025. The Radhakrishnan Committee, the 7-member panel, established following a recent NEET paper leak, submitted its report to the Supreme Court last month. The report recommends online entrance exams wherever feasible and suggests a hybrid model. "I have appealed to all state government education secretaries. A new entrance exam series for the upcoming year will begin in January. Based on last year's experiences, the government has introduced numerous reforms," Pradhan said, noting the Supreme Court aligned with the Radhakrishnan Committee's recommendations on revamping the NTA. "To implement it, the states' cooperation is essential. I have appealed to everyone on this matter, especially regarding entrance examinations. Bringing examinations, especially entrance exams, to zero error is the responsibility of both the Government of India and the state governments. We will work as a team to build confidence in the children of our country. I also appealed this topic today," he added. Pradhan's remarks came after he addressed education secretaries and directors responsible for higher education in states and Union Territories during the National Workshop on Higher and Technical Education. The Radhakrishnan Committee, tasked with examining exam security issues and proposing improvements, submitted its report earlier this month. Its key recommendations aim to reduce errors, improve exam integrity, and strengthen NTA's operations. "The report mainly focuses on strengthening the NTA. There are recommendations to make the examination centre selection process foolproof, addressing previous loopholes in the system. Recommendations have also been made regarding the type of examination to be conducted and the necessary dos and don'ts to ensure effectiveness. There is a need for some essential actions in this regard,," Pradhan explained. The committee proposed a gradual transition to online testing, a hybrid model with digitally transmitted question papers, and a multi-stage NEET-UG format to lessen student stress and improve evaluation accuracy. It also recommended streamlining subject options in CUET to emphasize general aptitude and core subjects and increasing permanent staffing at NTA to ensure consistent, secure exam processes. The Ministry of Education's two-day workshop, held on November 12-13, gathered education secretaries from across the country to further the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and assess its progress so far. Addressing the workshop, Pradhan highlighted, "Several new dimensions have emerged, such as the credit architecture and the establishment of a national admission entrance base for institutions. We also discussed unique approaches taken by different states and the National Research Foundation's participation model." The discussions included challenges faced by states and strategies for improvement. Student mental health and well-being were key themes discussed in line with NEP goals. Pradhan said, "The NEP suggests various measures to address student mental health, and we reviewed the impact of these suggestions. Furthermore, previously extracurricular activities like drama, art, sports, and gaming are being recognized as professional courses and are set to be integrated into the academic system." Pradhan also underlined that employability is now central to the NEP's vision, with measures to align educational outcomes with labor market needs. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad hit out at the Congress party on Tuesday of conspiring with conservative and divisive elements within the Muslim community to gain votes in the upcoming Jharkhand and Maharashtra elections. "The BJP is very clear that the Congress party is conspiring with all the conservative, divisive elements in the Muslim community for the sake of votes as they are apprehensive about their imminent defeat," said Prasad. He alleged that Congress have a problem with unity and is conspiring with forces who want to break the country and emphasized that the BJP stands for unity, citing PM Modi's slogan "Ek rahenge toh safe rahenge." "PM Modi says 'Ek rahenge toh safe rahenge' and they (Congress) are making fun of it and knocking on the doors of the Election Commission. They have a problem with unity and are conspiring with forces who want to break the country...," added the BJP MP. In a press conference, the MP claimed that Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh has supported the opposition coalition Maha Vikas Agadhi in Maharashtra. "You would remember how a few days ago in another conference we had raised the issue of the All India Ulema Board, and today too, we have this flyer by Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh, there are a lot of issues being talked about here, it is being forcefully pushed. Congress party and its alliance party are trying to get the muslim vote and pushing this agenda, this is what we are accusing them of. In many places, NGOs are being made and other work is being done," he said during the conference. Earlier, on November 6, Congress had denied any letter being sent by the All India Ulema Board to their state party's president Nana Patole, saying that no such letter was sent and Patole's signatures were fake. In a post on X, the Maharashtra Congress said that the Mahayuti alliance was resorting to lies in desperation seeing that it was losing the Maharashtra assembly polls. "With defeat in sight, the corrupt alliance Mahayuti has started trying to mislead people by creating fake photos of things that never happened, and letters that were never sent. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patoleji's signature was also forged on this letter. But no matter how many lies you tell, the truth will always come out," said the post written in Marathi. Regarding the Jharkhand elections, the MP held up a letter allegedly issued by the Jamiat Ulama's unit in Lohardaga town in Jharkhand. According to Prasad, the letter urged Muslims to unite and vote for the INDIA alliance, as the community is being harassed by using the laws of uniform civil code, NRC and Waqf. Quoting the alleged letter, Prasad said, "Looking at the situation in the country... the way NCR, Uniform Civil Code, Waqf laws are being used to make Muslims scared, and how they are being threatened by using the excuse of infiltrators in Jharkhand, so looking at this, the Jamiat Ulama is requesting Muslims to unite and give their votes to the INDIA gatbandhan," he said purportedly reading the letter. The BJP MP also highlighted Priyanka Gandhi's upcoming Wayanad electoral fight, "Priyanka Gandhi, who is fighting the elections from Wayanad, and taking her support from Jamaat-e-Islami, that we are not saying, Kerala's CM is saying." (ANI) The study tour of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 has been postponed in Guwahati, Patna and Lucknow, as many of its members are engaged in assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, as well as by-elections in other states. Members of the JPC have requested the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, Jagdambika Pal, to postpone the study tour due to the assembly elections. On October 31, the Lok Sabha Secretariat announced that the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, would conduct a study tour across five Indian cities. The committee was scheduled to visit Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow from November 9 to November 14 as part of its examination of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. According to an official communication from Joint Secretary JM Baisakh, the study visit program is designed to assist committee members in their review of the proposed bill. "The Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will undertake a Study Visit to Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow from 09.11.2024 to 14.11.2024 in connection with the examination of the 'Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024,'" the letter read. The study visit is part of the legislative review process and reflects the Joint Committee's commitment to understanding the implications of the proposed amendments in the Waqf Bill, which relate to managing and regulating Waqf properties across India. Meanwhile, the JPC committee is expected to present its report on the bill to the House by the end of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament, which runs from November 25 to December 20. The JPC's efforts are part of a larger national initiative to reform the Waqf Act and ensure that waqf properties are used for the greater good of the community. Since August 22 of this year, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has held 25 meetings. The JPC reviewed the work of six ministries and heard from 123 stakeholders, including representatives from six states, eight Waqf boards and four minority commissions. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Delhi Government's Finance Department for allegedly failing to allocate funds to the Department of Social Justice for the takeover of a building from the MCD aimed at de-congesting Asha Kiran. Earlier, the Court had directed the Secretary of the Social Welfare Ministry of Government of NCT Delhi to visit the shelter home in connection with the recent Death of several inmates at Asha Kiran, a shelter home in Rohini's Delhi for the intellectually disabled. On Tuesday, the bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela expressed dissatisfaction with the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, noting a lackadaisical approach to addressing the issue of fund allocation. In response, the Additional Chief Secretary assured the court that action would be taken swiftly.Counsel for the Delhi Government informed the court that a fresh report would be submitted by the next hearing. The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 13. During the hearing, the bench expressed strong disapproval, stating, "The urgency is not impressed upon you... 14 people have died... You should have called the MCD official and asked him the queries." Additionally, the court directed the Secretary of the Social Welfare Department to appear at the next hearing. Previously, the Court directed all concerned authorities to address the urgent needs at Asha KiranShelter's Home without delay. Expressing urgency and disappointment, the Court instructed the Secretary to prioritize immediate action over procedural formalities and stressed that financial constraints should not be a barrier to addressing the critical issues. The bench also asked the Secretary to request additional resources and staff, including contractual hires, to address the emergency. The court recorded the assurance from the Social Welfare Secretary that he would personally monitor the situation. Earlier, the Court noted that despite the efforts, the shelter is still dealing with an excess of 400 inmates. The bench emphasised the urgency of the situation by highlighting that human lives are invaluable and must be protected. The bench insists that the Secretary act swiftly to address the deficiencies at the shelter, including ensuring that the facilities are connected to nearby hospitals and that fully equipped ambulances are stationed at these locations. The court stressed that if these measures are not implemented, there should be accountability and changes in management. The court direction came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation by an NGO called Samadhan Abhiyan concerning Deaths that took place in said Shelter Home recently. The official report stated that a total of 25 deaths were recorded from February 2024, out of which 14 deaths occurred (Male-6, Female-8) in the shelter home in July 2024. (ANI) "The CISF headquarters has started preparations for the early recruitment, training and selection of location for the HQrs of the new Battalion," CISF Deputy Inspector General Deepak Verma said in a statement. "The training is being specially designed to create an elite Battalion capable of performing multifarious roles as Commandoes in VIP security and also security of airports, Delhi Metro Rail duties," mentioned the statement. The proposal for the creation of all-women battalions in the force was initiated in pursuance of the direction of the Union Home Minister on the occasion of the 53rd CISF Day function. The addition of an all-women battalion would encourage more aspiring young women across the country to join the CISF and serve the nation. It will give a new identity to women in CISF, the statement said. CISF has been a preferred choice for women who wish to serve the nation in the Central Armed Police Force constituting over seven per cent of the force at present. (ANI) BJP National President JP Nadda on Tuesday in a public rally at Giridih in Jharkhand expressed confidence in a wave of support for the BJP and NDA in the upcoming elections. He stated that there's no one better than the BJP-NDA to wish well for Jharkhand, highlighting PM Modi's efforts in bringing the state into the mainstream. Nadda praised the BJP's role in creating Jharkhand, giving credit to Atal Bihar Vajpayee. He proudly claimed that the BJP made the state and will be the one to make it prosper. The party has also marked the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as Adivasi Gaurav Diwas, showcasing their commitment to the state's heritage. "There is a wave in favour of BJP & NDA in Jharkhand...There is no one other than BJP-NDA who is a well-wisher of Jharkhand. PM Modi has done the work of bringing Jharkhand into the mainstream...The credit for the creation of Jharkhand goes to Atal Bihar Vajpayee. We can proudly say that we made this state and only we will make it prosper...We did the work of marking the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as Adivasi Gaurav Diwas....," said the BJP National President. He also launched a scathing attack against the ruling INDIA alliance in Jharkhand, which he alleged indulged in massive corruption and promoted dynastic politics at the cost of people's welfare. He called on the people to uproot Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, RJD and Congress from the state and form the BJP-NDA govt in the state. "The time has come for Jharkhand to uproot Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, RJD and Congress from the state and form BJP-NDA govt here. Where there are JMM, Congress and RJD, there is corruption and familial politics there," said Nadda. "There is a wave in favour of BJP and NDA in Jharkhand... The people have made up their minds to get rid of this JMM-led corrupt government," he added. He slammed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav for opposing the agitation for the formation of Jharkhand. "When the agitation for the creation of Jharkhand was going on Lalu Prasad Yadav opposed the formation of Jharkhand saying it could be created over his dead body. Lalu ji you are still alive and Jarkhand also exists. We also bring Adivasi people and leaders into the mainstream," he added. The BJP president also urged the people to vote for the BJP-led NDA in the upcoming Assembly election to bring "fast development". "Today under PM Modi's leadership the country is developing fast. You have to know this. We want this fast development to happen in Jharkhand too," he said. Nadda said that while many other major economies around the world struggled in the post-pandemic period, the Indian economy continues to be a bright spot. "After Covid, the US economy has shaken, the European economy has shaken, Japan's economy has shaken, and Australia's economy has shaken, but the IMF and other international institutions say if there is any bright spot it is in India which is developing fast," he said. The first phase of elections in Jharkhand is scheduled to take place on Wednesday and the second phase is scheduled for November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23. In the previous assembly election, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, the BJP won 25 and Congress won 16 seats. (ANI) Armies of India and China have agreed to carry out one coordinated patrol every week in the Demchok and Depsang areas in eastern Ladakh sector and have already completed one round of patrolling there. The two sides had started coordinated patrols in the first week of the month after completing disengagement in both Demchok and Depsang in the last week of October. The two sides have agreed to carry out one patrol each by both sides every week in Depsang and Demchok. In each area, one patrol would be carried out by Indian troops and one patrol would be done by the Chinese troops, defence sources told ANI. The two sides reached the agreement for disengagement from Depsang and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control after multiple rounds of talks at political, diplomatic and military levels. Indian and Chinese sides will continue to hold ground commanders-level of engagements at regular intervals in these areas. The two sides have also carried out verification patrols to ascertain the process of disengagement after the agreements were reached. India and China had commenced troop disengagement from two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh after being engaged in a four-year military standoff. Relations between India and China were tense since a violent clash occurred in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, causing the most serious military conflict between the two nations in decades. (ANI) The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has taken a strong stance against jihadist attacks on Hindus by releasing a comprehensive list of hundreds of incidents, highlighting the growing concern over Hindu safety and security in India. Warning the so-called secular and Musalmeen (pro-Jihadi) parties and leaders of Bharat, Joint General Secretary of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Dr Surendra Jain released a list of attacks on Hindu society, their festivals and temples saying that these lists prove that Jihadis are offenders and aggressors and thus cannot play any victim card. VHP leader Jain said that in the greed for power, they have been inflaming and egging on these Jihadis fuelling their bloodthirsty proclivities and triggering them off to take the country towards civil war whereas Jihadis need to be taught a lesson in their life, not given covering fire. "Every citizen must respect the Constitution, law, judiciary and national civilization, culture and traditions. This is also a pre-condition for peaceful coexistence," he said. While addressing a press conference, Jain said that this list of 300+ incidents is only of the attacks and atrocities that took place between January 2023 and Chhath Puja 2024. "This is only a tenth of the atrocities and attacks that took place during this period. The barbarity and cruelty of these attacks are inhuman, and their types are also beyond human imagination. The whole world is already troubled by terror jihad, love jihad, land jihad, and population jihad; now their hatred towards non-Muslims (Kafirs) is coming to the fore through spit jihad, urine jihad, train jihad, minor Jihad, etc. Today thinkers of the whole world are searching for the answer to where the Jihadi hatred towards non-Muslims comes from!" added Jain. VHP Joint General Secretary raised concern over the ghastliness of these jihadi attacks and atrocities and said that these acts have gone global and are not just the problem of India, highlighting the attacks of Hamas and Bangladeshi jihadis "The massacre of Hindus in Kashmir or the attacks on Hindus in Bengal, the brutal dance of cruelty and lust is very much visible in all these. This character of theirs has been troubling humanity for 1400 years. It is the biggest surprise to the world that the biggest aggressors of the world call themselves victims. There is no Islamophobia anywhere in the world and the truth is the Jihadists are the ones who suffer from Kafirphobia," he said. Jain called upon the civilized and humanist world to join forces to defeat and neutralise this inhuman and gruesome Jihadi mindset. Surendra Jain further said that the kind of threats of killing and slaughtering that many Maulanas and Muslim clerics and leaders of Bharat are giving to the Hindu society is following their Jihadi mindset and mandate. But, the silence of the pseudo-secular community on them is extremely surprising. "Similar threats were being given in 1946 CE. Do these Maulanas and Muslim clerics and leaders mean to repeat the "Direct Action Day" massacre in Bharat? They should remember that this is not 1947," he added. "Today Hindus are awakened and united. They can respond to every challenge by staying within the constitutional limits. But today the double character and split personality of all these leaders has been exposed," he added. VHP Joint General Secretary further questioned how many Maulanas, who call all these forms of terrorism unIslamic, have issued fatwas against these terrorists. "Why not accept that everything from the Kashmir massacre to the atrocities by Hamas, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh have been happening with their connivance? VHP is studying the affronting, intimidating and bullying statements of all these menacing Maulanas and Muslim leaders," he added. He said that the possibility of legal action against all these will be considered. "Now the attacks and other atrocities have also gone too far. All these leaders, including the pseudo-secular ecosystem, should understand that the path of Jihad is the path of suicide and annihilation. It is not only not in the national interest but also not in the interest of the perpetrators and their backers. The organized and powerful Hindu society is capable of stopping these anti-national and anti-Hindu conspiracies," the VHP leader added. (ANI) Slamming Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole for asking OBC community to "make the BJP a dog", Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said that the Congress has only done injustice with the OBCs and used them for vote bank politics. Saini emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown unprecedented respect to OBCs, citing the establishment of the OBC Commission and its constitutional status. "Congress has only done injustice with the OBCs. They used the OBCs for vote bank politics. No one in history has ever given such respect to OBCs the way Modi ji has. Maybe Nana Patole doesn't know about the Kaka Kalelkar report. He should see (former PM) Rajiv Gandhi's debate in Lok Sabha where he spoke on why OBCs should not get constitutional rights and status," he said. "In 2018, Modi ji brought a bill to give constitutional status to OBC. The bill was passed in Lok Sabha but in Rajya Sabha, we didn't have the mandate. Nana Patole should tell what was Congress' stand on this...PM Modi made OBC Commission and gave it constitutional status," the Haryana CM added. The controversy erupted when Patole, campaigning for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Akola on Monday, said "I want to ask, will the OBC people of Akola district vote for the BJP, who are calling you dogs? It is time to make the BJP a dog now; they have become so arrogant." Speaking on Congress alleging the BJP of vote polarisation, CM Saini said that we will remain safe only when we stay united. "Congress has done the work of dividing...In 1947, when the country got freedom, who did the work of dividing?... Only when we stay united, we will remain safe, and the country will new heights of development," he said. Further exuding confidence in winning the Maharashtra Assembly polls with a thumping majority, the Haryana CM said, "This time Jalebi will be distributed in Maharashtra also...With a big mandate, NDA is going to form the govt for the second time in the state." "Congress along with the people of INDI Alliance parties decide which lies need to be told today and then take it forward. But now, Congress has been exposed and rejected by the people. On 20th November, in Maharashtra also, people will reject them. NDA will form government in Maharashtra," he added. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting on November 23. The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), aims to challenge the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. (ANI) Taking the 'Ease of Living' initiative a step further and in a move to empower the electricity consumers, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on 23.10.2024 has launched a single-window Online Portal to facilitate consumers to file complaints with the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) of State-owned power distribution companies. The State-owned power distribution companies have established a Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) at the Circle and Corporate level as per GERC (CGRF & Ombudsman) Regulation, 2019. The consumer/applicant can contact the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum in case if not satisfied with the action taken by the distribution company in relation to the complaint or in case of a dispute. Until now, Consumers were able to lodge grievances with the CGRF through letters, e-mail ID or in person. However, with the launch of this portal, they can do it online from anywhere and also track/monitor its status/progress. Power distribution companies are committed to providing continuous and quality power supply as well as quality services to consumers. To provide better facilities to the consumers as part of the "Ease of Living" scheme, a single-window online portal has been developed to help consumers file their grievances with the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) established at all four distribution companies of the state government. Through this portal, consumers can now file an online grievance covered under the GERC (CGRF & Ombudsman) Regulation, 2019. The consumer will get facilities like e-filing, application tracking, and online orders, which will increase the transparency and facility for the consumer. For more information, consumers can visit the online portal cgrf.guvnl.com. Consumers of the state can lodge electricity-related complaints through the complaint redressal services established by the power company, such as 24x7 toll-free call centres, mobile applications, online portals, Whats App numbers, local fault centres, web chat, etc. Separate fault rectification teams are constantly working at the regional offices of the power distribution companies to resolve the problems of the consumers immediately. (ANI) Flash The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has ratified the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the DPRK and Russia under a decree of the president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday. The KCNA said that the DPRK head of state signed the decree on Monday and the treaty will take effect from the day when the two sides exchange ratification instruments. In June, the top leaders of the two countries signed the treaty following their summit in Pyongyang. The visit focused on evaluating the readiness and effectiveness of the local forces in addressing emerging threats and ensuring the safety of residents. According to the officials, during the review, ADGP Anand Jain inspected the Basantgarh Police Station and met with officers from various units, including the Special Operations Group (SOG) team, to discuss ongoing security measures and assess available equipment, resources, and training levels. IPS Anand Jain also emphasised the need for round-the-clock vigilance, proactive intelligence gathering, and swift response strategies to counter potential security challenges in the area. Addressing the officers, the ADGP underscored the importance of community engagement in strengthening security and urged the teams to work closely with local communities to build trust and gather real-time intelligence. Anand Jain also instructed the personnel to ensure seamless coordination with other security and intelligence agencies operating in the region, reinforcing a united front against security threats. The ADGP acknowledged the dedication of the forces stationed in Basantgarh. He assured that additional resources and support would be provided to enhance operational effectiveness and address any logistical needs. (ANI) As Uttar Pradesh prepares for the Mahakumbh 2025, one of the largest human congregations in the world, which will begin on January 13, Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar addressed the media on Tuesday, announcing that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other high-tech technologies will be integrated into the CCTV arrangements for the event. Speaking to the media in Prayagraj, UP DGP Prashant Kumar discussed the extensive preparations being made by various government departments, especially the police, to ensure the safety of the millions of devotees expected to attend the Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. He further mentioned that the police will use AI and other advanced technologies in surveillance systems. "Mahakumbh is the biggest human congregation in the world. This time, for Mahakumbh 2025 we are expecting a footfall of approximately, 40-50 crore people. The arrangements are being made by all the departments of administration as well as the police department according to this. We will start our checking from inter-district borders. Then the checking will be done at the zonal level. We will include AI and other hi-tech technologies in our CCTV arrangements. All the non-social elements will be monitored during this time," UP DGP Prashant Kumar said. In a first, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government will illuminate the Mahakumbh fairgrounds with over 40,000 rechargeable bulbs, ensuring 24/7 lighting. These innovative bulbs will continue to operate during power outages, ensuring the divine ambience. The lighting will play a significant role in enhancing the grandeur and spirituality of the MahaKumbh, casting a mystical glow over the sacred waters of the Ganga and Yamuna. Additionally, in a major security move, 220 highly skilled deep-sea divers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will be stationed at the Sangam waters to provide safety. These divers will be on high alert round-the-clock, supported by 700 boats, to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the holy bathing rituals. India's top Water Police personnel from Goa, Kolkata, and Maharashtra will also join forces in Prayagraj this year to safeguard the devotees. This marks the first time such a large deployment of high-tech divers will be in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims and saints. In addition to this, teams from the NDRF, SDRF, water police, PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary), and healthcare staff will work together to ensure the safety and security of devotees during the Kumbh. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, comprehensive security measures are being implemented to handle the millions of devotees arriving from across India and abroad. The MahaKumbh will begin with the Paush Purnima Snan (holy bath) on January 13, 2025, and will conclude on February 26, 2025, with the last bath on Mahashivratri. (ANI) A six-member academic delegation from the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation called on Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif today at his office, a press release said. The delegation was led by Professor (Dr) Stanislav Prokofiev, Rector, Honored Economist of the Russian Federation, Class II Full Counsellor of the State of the Russian Federation, and Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation. The other members included Professor (Dr) Ekaterina Kameneva, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs; Professor (Dr) Grigory Ostapenko, Vice-Rector for digitalization; Dr Liliya Prikhodko, Head of the International Relations Department; Dr Pavel Seleznev, Dean, Faculty of International Relations and Daniil Shakhov, Deputy Head of the Executive Office. According to the release, the delegation conveyed their keen interest in forming a partnership with JMI, recognized as the third leading university of India, as this aligns with one of the primary objectives of the Financial University's internationalization strategy. The purpose of the visit was to lay the foundation for potential collaborative initiatives that could be executed together in future. In his address, JMI VC Asif stated that it is a privilege to welcome the delegation and expressed optimism that the productive discussion held by both parties would lead to active collaboration in the future. Professor Mukesh Ranjan, OSD, International Institutional Relations, Office of International Relations, JMI along with Professor Rashmi Doraiswamy from the MMAJ Academy of International Studies, JMI, provided an in-depth discussion regarding the humble beginning of JMI, its rich historical background, and its current distinguished standing. This presentation was subsequently followed by a screening of a film highlighting the university's achievements. (ANI) The special cell of the Delhi Police arrested a key member of the infamous Nandu Gang on Tuesday, who played a key role in multiple shootings across the national capital. According to the police, a "pivotal figure," identified as Shivam (alias Bhola) was arrested from Najafgarh on November 12. "His arrest is a significant disruption in the ecosystem of the gang," read a statement by Delhi police. The Police further said that the arrested person also played a key role in the gun firing at a departmental store in Paschim Vihar and a car showroom at Chhawla. Describing the incident, the police said, "In one such incident, on 06.11.2024 firing outside a Departmental Store at Paschim Vihar, Delhi was reported. On the same day, another incident of gun fire in a car workshop at Chhawla was also reported. These incidents were found to be handiwork of gangster Kapil Sangwan (alias Nandu)." The special cell formed multiple teams to work on these cases, and the police said that the teams engaged various sources and finally narrowed down the suspects. "The dedicated team made continuous indefatigable efforts and finally on 12.11.24 succeeded to arrest Shivam (alias Bhola). On interrogation, he disclosed to be a member of Rahul Baba gang having alliance with Nandu gang and his specific role in providing transportation and financial help to the shooters involved in Paschim Vihar & Chhawla gun fire incidents," read the statement by the Police. "His interrogation shed light on the modus operandi of the extortion racket being run by Nandu from abroad. His arrest revealed critical details about the organized crime network including structure and operational tactics, which are designed to evade capture of other members of the gang, even if foot soldiers are apprehended, which has always been a challenge to law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime syndicates," the statement added. The police also recovered one pistol along with three live cartridges from his possession. Further investigation into the case is ongoing. (ANI) The Supreme Court will deliver order on Wednesday on the issue of framing pan-India guidelines relating to demolition drive of properties in the country. The judgement will be delivered by a bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan. On October 1, the top court reserved the order after hearing the matter for a length. The Supreme Court on October 1 also extended interim order for not demolishing any property without permission, till further orders. However, the interim order will not apply to any unauthorised constructions including religious structures on roads, footpaths, among others. Supreme Court had earlier remarked that public safety is paramount and whether it be temple, dargah or gurudwara in the middle of road it has to go as it cannot obstruct public The top court had remarked during the hearing that India is a secular country and clarified that it will issue directions for pan India which apply for all religions. The court made it clear that demolition can't be conducted merely on the ground that the person is accused or convicted. The top court had said that it is only concerned about misuse of the municipal laws. The Supreme Court had also expressed concern on the issue that if there are two structures in violation and action is taken only against one and later one finds the criminal background soon after. SC had also said that there has to be law for unauthorised constructions and it is not dependent on religion or faith or beliefs. The court had remarked that there will be different laws for municipal corporations, nagar panchayats and suggested an online portal for awareness. On September 17, the top court ordered that across the country, no demolition of property will take place without permission of the court till October 1, the next date of hearing but clarifies this order will not be applicable on any unauthorised construction on public road, footpaths, among others. The top court was hearing various petitions relating to bulldozer practice by the authorities to demolish immovable properties. One of the applications filed recently said that the increasing culture of illegal demolitions in the country turning extra-legal punishment by the State intoa norm and minorities and marginalized communities have been increasingly victimised by using extra-legal demolitions as a tool of punishment and creating a harrowing precedent for people in general and for the members of the minority communities in particular. The petitioner sought to issue direction that no action be taken against the residential or commercial property of any accused in any criminal proceedings as an extra-legal punishment. The plea also sought that any demolition exercise of must strictly be carried out in accordance with the law. Strict action to be taken against officials who have participated in an illegal exercise of demolition of properties of accused persons without following the due process of law, the plea demanded. (ANI) The folk festival Igas was celebrated at Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's residence. The CM prayed for peace and prosperity in the state by offering prayers and reciting Sundarkand. CM Dhami also played Bhelo and worshipped the same on the occasion of the Igas festival. During this, he also played Dhol Damau. Wishing all the people of the state on Igas, the Chief Minister said, "We have to take our folk traditions and folk culture forward. Today the whole state is celebrating Igas with great pomp and show." Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his affection for Uttarakhand and its culture. "PM Modi has also wished all the people of the state on the occasion of Igas. The Prime Minister has a special attachment to Uttarakhand that he participated in the Igas festival. PM Modi has always promoted the folk festivals and culture of Uttarakhand." Calling the folk culture and tradition "identity of Devbhoomi", Chief Minister Dhami said, "The festival of Igas is very special for us. To make this folk festival reach the people, the tradition of public holidays has also been started in the last few years. In the recently held Pravasi Uttarakhandi Sammelan, he had also requested the migrant Uttarakhand residents to go to their villages and celebrate the folk festival." The Chief Minister said that on the State Foundation Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address had requested the people of Uttarakhand to preserve their dialect and connect with the village. "On the occasion of the Igas festival, we have to take a pledge to connect with our village and preserve the language and folk festivals," he added. Earlier on Monday, PM Modi celebrated the Igas Bagwal festival at the residence of BJP MP Anil Banuli in New Delhi. PM Modi was wearing a traditional Uttarakhand cap and greeted with Sadhus and Saints present at the residence of Baluni. PM Modi worshipped the Tulsi plant, lit the Igas flame and performed Aarti. Igal Bagwal festival is widely celebrated in Uttarakhand, after 11 days of Diwali. It is also called Budhi Diwali. Igaas festival honours the Goddess Nanda Devi and celebrates harvest, fertility, and prosperity. (ANI) 7.321 kg of suspected white heroin worth Rs 29.28 crore approximately has been seized and the Indian passenger has been booked. He was intercepted after he had crossed the green channel and was approaching towards exit gate of the International arrival hall, said officials. During the search, a white colour narcotics substance packed in seven green colour polythene packets was recovered from the trolley bag of the pax, said officials. The said passenger had violated various provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Accordingly, the pax was placed under arrest under section 43(b) of the NDPS Act, 1985 on Sunday at 8 pm, said officials. Further investigation into the matter is underway. More details are awaited. (ANI) Sharing the details in the letter, Stalin mentioned that on November 9 Sri Lankan Navy took into custody twenty-three fishermen from Rameswaram, two mechanized fishing boats and again on November 12, another fishing boat and 12 fishermen were apprehended. Stalin highlighted that "apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen in 2024 is the highest in the last seven years." And said that "arrests not only disrupt their livelihoods but also cause immense distress to their families." "On 09.11.2024, the Sri Lankan Navy took into custody twenty-three fishermen from Rameswaram, two mechanized fishing boats," said Stalin in the letter. "Further, on 12.11.2024, another fishing boat from Nagapattinam and 12 fishermen were apprehended," he added further. I, therefore, request you to make immediate diplomatic efforts to prevent the arrests of our fishermen and to secure the expeditious release of all the fishermen and their fishing boats, read the letter. (ANI) Mumbai's Bandra police on Tuesday arrested one accused Faizan Khan from Chhattisgarh in connection with the case of threatening actor Shah Rukh Khan. Bandra Police has obtained a three-day transit remand of Faizan Khan till 15th November and will take him to Mumbai for further probe. Earlier in the day, Mumbai police filed a case of assault against Faizan Khan. Last week, the Mumbai Police received a call threatening Shah Rukh at the Bandra station. The caller even demanded Rs 50 lakh, following which the police registered a case and dispatched a team to Raipur for further investigation. More details regarding the suspect have not been disclosed yet. The threat to Shah Rukh follows a series of threats issued to fellow friend and Bollywood star Salman Khan, allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Earlier on October 24, Mumbai Police arrested a man from Jamshedpur who had threatened Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 crore. The police registered a case against an unknown person and started an investigation after Mumbai Traffic Police received a threatening message. Both actors have been surrounded by tight security for a while now. Salman was upgraded to Y+ security especially after a firing incident outside his residence in April this year. The firing incident took place on April 14 outside Salman's residence at Galaxy Apartments in the Bandra area of Mumbai. The subsequent arrests revealed connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, leading the Mumbai Police to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all involved in the shooting. Earlier, police said that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi, played a key role in motivating the shooters. After receiving weapons delivery in Panvel on March 15, 2024, Anmol provided the shooters with the target's information, instructing them to carry out the firing at the actor's residence. The planned firing incident was executed as per instructions, during which the shooters received a total of Rs 3 lakh. In October, politician Baba Siddique was shot multiple times while he was leaving his son's Bandra office on October 12. The Nationalist Congress Party leader and former minister succumbed to injuries at the hospital shortly after the attack. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack. The demise of Baba Siddique and death threats to stars like Salman and SRK have raised concern among fans. (ANI) BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Tuesday criticised Congress's national president, Mallikarjun Kharge and his party for insulting Indian culture, further highlighting that BJP has given a big blow to terrorists, corrupt people, fraudsters, and extortionists. "Mallikarjun Khargeis insulting Indian culture, its symbols like the saffron colour, and things that represent Indian honour. The BJP has dealt a blow to terrorism, extremism, separatism, communalism, extortion, corruption, and other forms of misconduct. It is unclear what kind of relationship Congress has with those involved in such activities. What is this relationship called? Why is Congress so agitated when action is taken against them?" he said while speaking with ANI. This comes after Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge took a jibe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath without taking his name and said that many of the leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians and some have even become chief ministers as well. Kharge was targeting Yogi Adityanath who is also the head priest of Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur. On Sunday, Speaking at the Samvidhan Bachao Sammelan', the Congress President also slammed Adityanath for his recent 'batoge toh katogey' (If we divide, we will be cut), a slogan calling for Hindu unity, and accused him (Yogi) of spreading hatred. "Many leaders live in the guise of sadhus and have now become politicians. Some have even become chief ministers. They wear 'gerua' clothes and have no hair on their heads...I would say to the BJP, either wear white clothes or if you are a sanyasi wear 'gerua' clothes, then get out of politics. On the one hand, you wear 'gerua' clothes and on the other hand, you say 'batoge toh katogey'...They are spreading hatred among the people and trying to divide them...," Kharge said. Talking about the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's statement made in the US about ending reservation for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe (SC/STs). Tarun Chugh said that Congress has always been involved in conspiracies to divide the nation and society, and continues to do so. "The Congress has always been involved in conspiracies to divide the nation and society and continues to do so even today. Rahul Gandhi speaks on foreign soil about ending reservations for ST, SC, and OBC communities. Congress's former Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi's father, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, firmly opposed reservations for OBCs in the sacred house of the nation. Whether it was the committee led by Kaka or the Mandal Commission's report, the recommendations were never allowed to be implemented," he said. "Congress has consistently pressured to break the fabric of India, Indian identity, and society. They tried to oppose the election of the first tribal woman President, insulted her, and opposed granting constitutional status to the OBC Commission. These actions show how much venom Congress harbours against SC, ST, and OBC communities," Chugh further added. Notably, in September while interacting with students and faculty at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress party would think of scrapping reservations when India becomes a "fair place," which it is not. He also reiterated the need to conduct a caste census while saying that 90 per cent of the country's population -- OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis-- not having proper representation in the country is the "elephant in the room." He further said that the Caste Census is a simple exercise to assess the participation of lower castes, backward castes, and Dalits since independence. Being asked about his stand on the reservation, Rahul Gandhi said that the Dalits, Adivasis and OBC communities are still not participating in the system, adding that India is not a "fair place." (ANI) Flash This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City in north China's Tianjin Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said in Singapore on Monday that China is willing to maintain communication with Singapore on major international and regional strategic issues and jointly safeguard economic globalization, as global trade protectionism is on the rise and unilateralism is prevalent. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He said that leaders of the two countries jointly announced the new positioning of China-Singapore all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership last year, which has drawn the blueprint for the development of the two countries' relations in the new era. Noting that next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Ding said that China is ready to work with Singapore to further implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen high-level exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust and firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns. He called on the two sides to synergize their development strategies more closely, strengthen overall planning, and constantly explore new areas of mutual interest and cooperation growth. Ding said that China will continue to deepen institutional opening-up, build a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized, adding that China expects to see more foreign companies, including those from Singapore, to invest and do business in China, creating a better future together. For his part, Wong said that Singapore attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and will continue to adhere to the one-China policy. He said that Singapore is willing to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in such areas as economy, trade, science and technology and people-to-people exchanges to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, so as to bring more benefits to the two countries and two peoples. He said that Singapore is willing to play a constructive role in the development of ASEAN-China relations and work with China to safeguard free trade and promote regional stability and openness. Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi explored Wayanad and experienced Kerala's longest zipline as the campaigning ended for the Lok Sabha bye-elections in the constituency. Posting his journey on his Youtube channel, the Congress leader said that despite the recent challenges faced by the landslide, the area is filled with "incredible attractions." During his visit, he asked the locals about the effects of the landslide in the area, with the locals explaining their problems to both the Congress leaders. He also jokingly challenged his sister to try the state's longest zipline in her saree "On Priyanka's campaign trail in Wayanad yesterday, I had the chance to connect with some truly inspiring locals. Despite the recent challenges, they're not giving up. They've built incredible attractions here--the largest giant swing in South India, a drop tower, and a thrilling zipline--all to show visitors that Wayanad is as stunning and safe as ever," Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday. A series of landslides in Wayanad were triggered by torrential rainfall starting on July 30 that killed hundreds of people in the state. The landslides had occurred in Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district. Gandhi highlighted that the recent landslides had taken a hit to tourism in the state, affecting the livelihoods of people. "But the reality is tough. The recent landslide has left tourism hanging by a thread, and livelihoods are really suffering--from shopkeepers to homestay owners and the adventure park team, everyone is working hard just to keep things going. Hearing their stories, I felt both deep concern for their struggles and immense admiration for their resilience," he added. The Congress leader also contested and won the recent 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad and Raebareli constituencies. He vacated the Wayanad seat afterwards, which is now being contested by his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Rahul Gandhi added, "This is more than politics for me; the people of Wayanad have truly won a place in my heart. Priyanka and I have taken it up as a mission to make Wayanad a top destination in Kerala. Wayanad embodies the best of India." (ANI) The Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Reliance Industries securing a Rs 65,000 crore investment in Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) projects. "Today, the GoAP has signed a landmark MoU with Reliance Industries, securing a Rs65,000 Cr investment for Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) projects. This partnership is set to generate 2.5 lakh employment opportunities in our state," Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said in a post on X. The Chief Minister informed that out of Reliance's national target of 2,000 CBG plants, 500 state-of-the-art CBG plants will be built throughout Andhra Pradesh over the next three years. "This will make our state a frontrunner in clean energy and sustainable development. With Reliance's commitment to enhancing lives and livelihoods in AP, this partnership will also drive growth across multiple sectors. By attracting such transformative investments, our Integrated Clean Energy Policy is proving instrumental in positioning our state as a preferred destination for industries - a swing in AP's favour," he added in the post. Meanwhile, Chandrababu Naidu expressed confidence in achieving a 15 per cent growth rate by formulating and implementing various plans. "Creating wealth is possible only by providing various kinds of opportunities following which the living conditions of the poor can be increased by distributing this wealth to them," Chandrababu Naidu said while interacting with various industrial giants during a Task Force meeting on the steps to be taken to achieve the goal of Vision-2047 on Monday. Recalling that a 13.5 per cent growth rate was achieved during the previous TDP regime, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that now 15 per cent growth rate will certainly be achieved. Making it clear that the State Government will certainly take the decisions to implement the necessary plans and policies to reach this target, Chandrababu said. "Our mandate is to spearhead consultations, identify economic growth avenues, assess infrastructure needs, and recommend policy reforms to drive AP's transformation. To achieve our growth target for Andhra Pradesh, we have identified several key priorities across various sectors, spanning infrastructure, entrepreneurship, skills development, MSMEs and manufacturing. The Taskforce shall chart a comprehensive roadmap to drive substantial growth by 2030 and 2047, attract new investments, and position Andhra Pradesh as a leader in economic advancement, laying the foundation for long-term prosperity," CM Naidu said. (ANI) In a video message on X, Stalin said on Tuesday that the statue's 25th installation anniversary will be celebrated on January 1, 2025. https://x.com/mkstalin/status/1856248626101792870 Thiruvalluvar statue was unvield on January 1, 2000.The Thiruvalluvar Statue stands proudly at a total height of 133 feet, symbolising the 133 chapters of Tirukkural. The stone sculpture is located atop a small island near the town of Kanniyakumari on the southernmost point of the Indian peninsula where Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean meet. Thiruvalluvar Day is celebrated annually on January 15th in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to honour the poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi after concluding his election campaign for Lok Sabha Polls 2024 has visited the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and paid floral tributes at the Thiruvalluvar statue. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the CBI on a plea moved by Lakshay Vij, who is challenging his arrest by the agency. Vij has been arrested by the CBI in a transnational cryptocurrency cheating case. Justice Anish Dayal issued notice to the CBI and listed the matter on November 14 for a hearing. Lakshay Vij has sought his release from custody. Advocate Prabhav Ralli appeared for the petitioner Lakshay Vij. He has moved a petition seeking an order declaring the arrest of the petitioner by the CBI on October 24, as illegal. He has also sought a direction for setting aside all proceedings including his remand to CBI Custody on October 24, and Judicial Custody on October 28. The Petitioner Lakshay Vij has also challenged the order of October 23, for issuance of production warrant by the Magistrate for his production for the purpose of investigation/interrogation and the order of October 24, whereby the magistrate had permitted the CBI to investigate Lakshay Vij in court premises pursuant to being produced from judicial custody in another case. On October 28, the Rouse Avenue court remanded Lakshay Vij to judicial custody after the CBI's interrogation. CBI arrested Vij in a cryptocurrency cheating case. Earlier he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court had said that from the investigation carried out so far, it is seen that there exists a transnational racket of cyber criminals whereby vulnerable foreign nationals are defrauded by gaining unauthorized access to their computer systems and inducing them to transfer funds in cryptocurrency. "From the evidence gathered so far, the involvement of accused Lakshay Vij, in conspiracy with other accused persons, is prima facie clear," the court had observed. While seeking Judicial remand, Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) for the CBI submitted that during police custody, accused Lakshay Vij was confronted with incriminating material recovered and seized from other accused persons. He disclosed his association with accused Prafful Gupta and Karan Chugh. It was also submitted that efforts were made to recover the mobile phone used by accused Lakshay Vij in the commission of the offence but it could not be recovered. The APP further submitted that the identity and whereabouts of other accused persons is yet to be ascertained. To prevent the accused from influencing the witnesses and tampering with the evidence, he is to be remanded to judicial custody. On the other hand, Advocates Prabhav Ralli along with Yuvraj Bansal and Vanya Gupta Counsel for the accused had submitted that since the initial arrest was not in accordance with law, all subsequent proceedings would also fall through. It was further submitted that since the accused Lakshay Vij is already in judicial custody in the ED case, there is no chance of his influencing the witnesses or tampering with the evidence. After hearing the submissions, the court said that the production, arrest and remand of the accused have not been challenged to date. No bail application on behalf of the accused in this case has been filed. (ANI) Delhi's Patiala House Court on November 11 granted regular bail to Chinese national Guangwen, alias Andrew, in the Vivo Mobile money laundering case. Andrew, who worked as an admin manager, was arrested in October 2023 in connection with the alleged proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 20,000 crores. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Kiran Gupta after considering the facts, circumstances and period of custody granted bail to Guangwen alias Andrew. His earlier bail application was dismissed. "Considering the totality of the facts and circumstances; the fact that the applicant is one of the employees and nothing has been received in his account except salary; the period of custody undergone; that the trial is yet to commence, keeping in mind the import of the catena of decisions of Honorable Supreme Court and High Court of Delhi as discussed, the present application is allowed," the court ordered on November 11. ASJ Kiran Gupta observed, "In the present case, the present applicant is in Judicial custody since October 10, 2023. He had already suffered incarceration for around 13 months. The complaint and the relied upon documents by the Agency are running into 1000 pages and 16 trunks." The court noted that the main complaint is at the stage of supplying of documents and service of accused persons who are foreign nationals. Nothing adverse regarding the conduct of the applicant in the past has been brought to the notice of the court. He has been granted bail on furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs.2 lakhs with two sureties of the like amount. The court imposed conditions including that he shall surrender his passport immediately and shall not leave the country without prior permission of the court. He shall ordinarily reside at his place of residence and keep his phone operational at all times. He shall immediately inform in case of change in the address by way of an affidavit, to the investigating officer as well as the Court. The applicant shall not directly or indirectly communicate or visit co-accused persons or the witnesses or offer any inducement, threat or intimidate or influence any of the prosecution witnesses or tamper with the evidence of the case, the court ordered. It was submitted by the defence Counsel that there is change of circumstances pursuant to the rejection of the first bail application of the applicant as supplementary prosecution complaint has been filed against additional accused persons. It was further submitted that the number of persons who have been named as an accused in the Prosecution Complaint (PC) have not been served, hence, the trial in the instant case is not likely to start in the near future. It was also submitted that the investigation related to the applicant is complete as Prosecution Complaint (PC) has been filed on 06.12.2023. The record is bulky in 16 trunks and prosecution has cited 527 witnesses in the PC. The counsel further submitted that the association of the applicant with VIVO China prior to becoming an employee of VIVO India, has no bearing in the present matter, the predicate offence or the allegations in the PC. He was working in the capacity of HR and Admin Manager in the Greater Noida Factory since March 2016, the counsel submitted. The counsel also submitted that the applicant is a permanent resident of China and has been legitimately working in India pursuant to an employment Visa granted by the concerned authorities. He is not a key managerial person or beneficial owner or shareholder of any of the companies allegedly involved in the investigation of the ECIR. He has nothing to do with the finances of any of the companies allegedly involved in the investigation of ECIR. It was also submitted that the emails relied upon by the Agency showing the applicant co-ordinating with consultants and employees of the SDCs in relation to the status of obtaining PAN, TAN and Bank Account are prior to 2016. On the other hand, while opposing the bail plea, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) submitted that the investigation has clearly established that applicant is one of the key employee's / office bearer of VIVO India. He along with other Chinese employees has supervised the incorporation of VIVO India and SDCs in India. He in connivance with the co-accused persons created a mesh of companies all over the country, which was then used for acquiring and siphoning of PoC. He wilfully assisted in acquisition of Proceeds of Crime (PoC). It was submitted that there is presumption under Section. 24 PMLA, the ED said. Vivo China through its employees and accused persons has created an elaborate network of companies under a corporate veil controlled by Vivo India, which in turn is controlled by Vivo China and has acquired PoC of around Rs 20,000 crores, which were siphoned off by Vivo India to overseas trading companies based in Hong Kong, Samoa and British Virgin Islands, which were predominantly under the control of Vivo China. The agency prayed that since the applicant has failed to satisfy the twin condition & triple test, the application be dismissed. (ANI) India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Parvathaneni Harish, on Monday stressed the need for UN Security Council reform, noting that despite decades of discussions, there have been no significant changes since 1965. https://x.com/indiaunnewyork/status/1856032615125426409?s=46 Addressing the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly in New York, Harish said, "As we begin this year's deliberations, we note that the reform of the UN Security Council was once again identified as a critical and immediate priority at the summit of the future discussions by our leaders. However, in spite of several decades of collective reiteration of this sentiment, it is disheartening that we have had no results to show in this regard since 1965 when the Council was last expanded in the non-permanent category alone." Harish pointed to three key factors hindering progress: the ineffective intergovernmental negotiation process, the insistence on consensus by some countries, and the lack of representation for the Global South. "First, the nature of the process of the intergovernmental negotiations itself. Sixteen years since its inception, the IGN remains largely confined to exchanging statements, speaking at rather than with each other. No negotiating text, no time frame and no defined end goal. Second, there is the argument pushed by a select few countries who favour the status quo of consensus. They argue that even before we begin text-based negotiations, we must all agree on everything. Surely we cannot have a more extreme case of putting the cart before the horse. Third, As a member of the Global South, we believe that representation stands as the unassailable prerequisite for both the legitimacy and effectiveness of not just the Council, but the United Nations as a whole. Younger multilateral frameworks have been much more adaptive and nimbler on their feet," Harish said. He highlighted India's commitment to cooperative and inclusive international relations, stressing that reform is essential for the UN's legitimacy and credibility. He pointed to the example of the G20, where India's presidency last year welcomed the African Union as a member, demonstrating that with political will, change is possible. "An example is the G20, which under India's presidency last year, welcomed the African Union as its member. This is proof that with political will, change is indeed possible. The UN turns 80 next year. Tasked with the responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council has too often find itself paralyzed by the geopolitical realities of today, which have evolved far beyond the realm of that of 1945," he added. As the UN approaches its 80th anniversary, Harish urged member states to work constructively towards concrete outcomes on Security Council reforms, respecting the sentiments of the majority. He emphasized that convergences are not consensus and should not be used to delay meaningful change. "The world of today is vastly different from the world of 1945. We cannot go on with the relics of the past for the demands of the future. India has consistently championed a cooperative, inclusive, and consultative approach to international relations. We firmly believe that the calls for reform multilateralism, with Security Council reforms at its core, is supported by the overwhelming majority of the membership," he said. "While we seek real, tangible progress in the intergovernmental negotiations (IGN), including with regard to development of a new model of reform of the Security Council, as a precursor to text-based negotiations, we urge caution on two counts. First, the search for a minimum threshold of input from member states should not lead to indeterminate period of waiting for them to present their model. Second, the development of a consolidated model based on convergences should not lead to a race to the bottom to trace the lowest common denominator. Convergences are not consensus. There is every danger that the search for such a lowest common denominator might be used as a smokescreen to attempt a mere tinkering of the existing framework of the UN Security Council and terming it as a major reform. This would indefinitely postpone significant elements such as the expansion in the permanent category and addressing the underrepresentation of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to a very distant future," he added. In conclusion, Harish stated, "India is hopeful that the member states will work constructively to ensure a concrete outcome on UN Security Council reforms. An outcome that respects the sentiments of the major through the time-tested manner of negotiations. The legitimacy and credibility of the UN must be preserved by updating it. That indeed should be our resolution for the UN's 80th anniversary." (ANI) Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdeva believes India has little to worry about with Donald Trump's return to the White House. Despite global concerns, Sachdeva notes that India mainly be affected by global policies, such as tariffs, that Trump may impose. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Sachdeva said, "There are huge worries in many parts of the world with Trump's return. But, luckily and fortunately for us, India does not have much to worry. Yes, we will be affected by some of his steps if he takes them like tariffs, but those will be applicable to all over the world." He further emphasized, "Other than that, there are no such friction points or worry points between America and India, especially Trump and India. So India is in a very sweet spot, if I could say, with the incoming Trump administration." Sachdeva highlighted that India and the United States have no major conflicts, making them natural partners as the oldest and youngest democracies, sharing common values and worldviews. "Top of the tops is that Trump and Prime Minister Modi are good friends, have a huge camaraderie and a chemistry. Along with it is the fact that the position of India, where India is today, the market size, the population, and the geopolitical and military heft that India has, make it one of the key pillars of the world," he said. "And we have no conflicts with America. We are natural partners, the best of the natural partners. They're the oldest democracy on this planet. America will be celebrating 250 years of its independence next year. They're the oldest. We are the youngest. Both of these democracies have a lot in common, including in our worldview. So there are no friction points. Yeah, sure, there will be some hiccups which happen, as in any good relationship could happen. But India is in a sweet spot," he added. In a historic political comeback, Donald Trump won a second term as President of the United States after securing 295 electoral votes in the 2024 presidential election, defeating Democratic rival Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes. This makes Trump the first US president since 1892 to return to office after losing a previous election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Trump on his re-election during a phone call on November 6. Modi also congratulated the Republican Party for its success in the Congressional elections. Trump's return to the White House marks only the second time in US history that a president has served two non-consecutive terms. The first such instance was Grover Cleveland, who served as president in 1884 and 1892. Trump had earlier served as US President from 2016 to 2020. (ANI) Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Chief Director General S Paramesh visited Sri Lanka on Monday and met with India's High Commissioner, Santosh Jha, to discuss ways to strengthen regional maritime security. https://x.com/IndiaCoastGuard/status/1855992535769854119 "@IndiaCoastGuard DG S Paramesh, PTM, TM, #DGICG on his visit to #SriLanka called on HE Mr. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of #India in #SriLanka today. Discussions focused on strengthening regional maritime security, enhancing cooperation between maritime forces and fostering closer bilateral ties between #India and #SriLanka," the ICG wrote in a post on X. During his visit, Director General Paramesh also met with Sri Lanka Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, to discuss enhancing the cooperation between the two maritime agencies. https://x.com/IndiaCoastGuard/status/1856005069231034459 "@IndiaCoastGuard Director General S Paramesh, PTM, TM, #DGICG called on Commander of #SriLanka Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera on his visit to #SriLanka and deliberated on enhancing the strong bonds of cooperation and collaboration between the two maritime agencies. This meeting underscores the importance of #India-#SriLanka maritime relations, mutual growth and strengthening of maritime defence," ICG wrote in another post on X. Earlier, both nations held the 7th Annual High-Level Meeting (HLM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts to combat transnational maritime crime and promote regional cooperation between the two nations. This annual meeting was followed by institutionalised mechanisms as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both maritime agencies in May 2018. The four-member ICG delegation was led by Director General S Paramesh of the Indian Coast Guard, while the SLCG side was led by Rear Admiral YR Serasinghe, Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. The high-level meeting underscored the commitment of both Coast Guards to jointly address maritime challenges while focusing on a range of contemporary regional maritime issues, including drug trafficking, marine pollution, safety of mariners, adoption of best practices, capacity-building programs and other collaborative arrangements. The outcome of the meeting reiterates enhancing mutual cooperation in addressing these challenges, thereby strengthening the maritime safety and security framework in the region. The 8th annual ICG-SLCG meeting will be hosted by the Indian Coast Guard in the year 2025. On October 15, DG Paramesh Sivamani took over as the 26th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The Flag Officer, during his illustrious career spanning over three and a half decades, has served in various capacities in ashore and afloat appointments. DG Paramesh Sivamani was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in September 2022, and was subsequently posted at the Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. He was given the additional charge of Director General Coast Guard in August 2024. (ANI) The number of fruit trees, including apples, pears, and cherries, has dropped dramatically from 35 million in 1930 to just around 4.2 million in 2020. The study, conducted by the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Federal Association for Fruit Farming, attributed the deterioration of fruit farming and the decrease in agricultural productivity to the impact of climate change on fruit trees. Extreme weather events, such as winter frosts, high summer temperatures, water shortages, drought stress, and severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and floods, were identified as key factors. The study also included data from Austria's 2023 Agricultural Structure Survey, which painted a bleak picture of the fruit farming sector. It showed a 14 per cent decline in total fruit-growing area between 2017 and 2023, with significant reductions in the areas planted with apples, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, and strawberries. The study concluded that a temperature increase of between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius would lead to significant and dangerous changes in fruit farming, placing traditional forms of fruit cultivation at particular risk. (ANI/WAM) The event took place on the sidelines of a working visit to Azerbaijan, where he is attending the COP29 climate conference. During the dinner, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the guests engaged in cordial conversations reflecting the strong relations between the UAE and their respective countries. They affirmed their shared commitment to further advancing these ties for mutual benefit and growth, and also discussed the important role of the COP29 climate conference - being hosted in Azerbaijan from 11th to 22nd November - in promoting international climate action. The Jordanian Crown Prince, Belarusian President, and Albanian Prime Minister expressed their appreciation for this kind gesture, wishing him good health and continued progress and prosperity for the UAE. (ANI/WAM) Flash A man carries a body of a victim at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the Nuseirat camp, central Gaza Strip, on Nov. 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] At least 25 people were killed and more than 30 others injured on Monday due to intense Israeli bombings in a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, and a tent sheltering displaced people in the southern Gaza Strip. At least five people were killed and several others injured in the evening during an Israeli bombardment targeting a tent sheltering displaced people west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a report by the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. In a separate attack, at least 20 Palestinians were killed and more than 30 others injured due to an Israeli bombing of Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, according to Al-Awda Hospital in the camp. A statement from the hospital said that Israeli artillery had bombed water tanks, causing water outage in parts of the hospital, adding that its administration building also sustained damage from Israeli drone attacks. It called on international organizations to protect healthcare facilities amid the ongoing killings of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army has not commented on these incidents yet. Israel has been waging a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,603, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday. In a statement, Borrell noted that the term "ethnic cleansing" is increasingly being used to describe the situation in northern Gaza, highlighting the daily reality of forced displacement as a violation of international law. He stressed that the use of hunger as a weapon of war contradicts international humanitarian law, and cited United Nations warnings about the strong likelihood of famine spreading in northern Gaza. Borrell called for urgent action to prevent this man-made disaster, emphasising that, as an occupying power, Israel is obligated to allow humanitarian aid access. He urged the international community and Israel's key allies to take immediate steps to alleviate Palestinian suffering and secure the release of hostages. Borrell further referenced the International Committee of the Red Cross's report, which calls for swift action from all parties involved, within days, not weeks. (ANI/WAM) The Taiwanese MND stated that eight of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan''s northern, central southwestern and eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1856139855232938225 "10 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan''s northern, central and southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." Taiwan MND said on X. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1855777463629934617 On Monday, the Taiwanese MND detected 7 Chinese aircraft and five vessels around it. "7 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan''s southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." Taiwan MND said on X. Notably, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan by deploying aircraft and naval vessels since September 2020. It is using grey zone tactics to achieve its security objective. Earlier, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security conference in which he assured the public about the government''s commitment to neutralising any threat to Taiwan''s democracy and security after China staged a large-scale military drill around the island. He made his remarks in response to the Chinese People''s Liberation Army''s (PLA) announcement of military drills, named "Joint Sword-2024B," in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, which were described as a "stern warning" to advocates of Taiwan independence, according to the Taipei Times. In an attempt to modernise Taiwan, on November 4, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te attended the keel-laying ceremony for the Taiwanese Navy, also known as the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) new light frigate prototype at Kaohsiung shipyard. (ANI) According to a notification issued by the DC Lahore, outdoor activities will remain suspended starting from November 11 to 17. All sports, exhibitions, and events are suspended, as is outdoor dining at restaurants; however, religious gatherings are exempt, the notification read. Further, shops, markets, and malls will close by 8 PM, while medical stores, labs, petrol pumps, and grocery stores are exempt from the restrictions, ARY News reported. Large department stores are permitted to keep only grocery and medical sections open. Notably, Islamabad also imposed restrictions to tackle the city's worsening smog and air pollution, by closing all brick kilns and factories that emit smoke. Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon recently held a meeting with key stakeholders, including Assistant Commissioners, Islamabad Transport Authority, and Excise Department, outlining strict steps to curb harmful emissions across the city. According to the decisions taken in the meeting, factories that emit smoke will be temporarily shut down while all brick kilns will remain closed until further notice to help reduce smog levels. Meanwhile, the smoke-emitting vehicles will be banned from the roads in Islamabad Capital Territory. Further, the burning of garbage, leaves, or any other materials outdoors is prohibited and activities that harm the environment will face restrictions. On the other side, the Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) has been conducting regular inspections to enforce these measures. Green Master Plan's recent report has shed light on the alarming rise of Lahore smog, highlighting six main causes contributing to the increase in smog and air pollution in the city. According to the report, the city's rapid development has transformed Lahore into a concrete jungle, exacerbating the Lahore smog issue. Reduced green spaces have led to a rise in temperatures, turning the city into a 'heat island.' The report reveals that 33 square kilometres (kms) of industrial zones are situated near residential areas, significantly contributing to Lahore's smog problem. It warns that if dispersed industries are not relocated to designated industrial areas within the next decade, irreversible damage may occur. (ANI) President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Sen Marco Rubio as his Secretary of state, The New York Times and other US news outlets have reported citing sources. Rubio, the 53-yearold Republican Senator from Florida has been tapped for the position the US daily said on Monday (local time) citing three people familiar with Trump's thinking. Following his win over Democratic candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump is moving to fill out his foreign policy and national security team ahead of his formal inauguration in January 2025. Trump had considered choosing Rubio as his running mate earlier this year. Rubio was elected to the Senate in 2010, and has staked out a position as a foreign policy hawk, taking hard lines on China and Iran in particular as per the New York Times. CNN reported that Trump set his sights on Rubio after initially favouring former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell for the job. Previously Rubio had said that he believed a Trump administration would broker "a negotiated settlement" to end the war in Ukraine. Rubio and Trump were bitter rivals in 2016 when they were both competing for the Republican party's presidential primaries. Rubio had then called Trump a "con artist" while the president-elect liked to call the former "Little Marco." Born to Cuban immigrants in Miami, Rubio holds a political science degree from the University of Florida. He was elected to the US Senate as senator for Florida in 2010 after serving in the state house -- including as speaker -- for more than a decade. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio advocated for Libyan intervention in 2011, and criticized then-President Trump in 2019 for proposing to withdraw from Syria and Afghanistan. Following Trump's win, Rubio in an interview with CNN said that the US. will see "pragmatic foreign policy" with Trump in the White House. "We're entering into an era of pragmatic foreign policy in which the world is rapidly changing," Rubio said in an interview with CNN. "Adversaries are uniting -- North Korea, Iran, China, Russia are increasingly coordinating -- it's going to require us to be very pragmatic and wise and how we invest overseas and what we do," he was cited as saying. Also, Trump has asked Mike Waltz, Republican senator from Florida, to serve as his national security adviser, according to CNN and Fox News among other outlets. Further, as per Politico Trump has also announced his pick of Lee Zeldin, Republican Senator from New York as the chief of the the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A statement said that Trump ally Zeldin, "will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American business while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards." Yesterday, the president-elect announced his White House chief of staff and border czar.Attorney general, CIA director, White House counsel and secretaries of defence, state and homeland security are top priorities for Trump, according to The New York Times,Trump on Monday nominated Republican representative Elise Stefanik to serve as the next US Ambassador to the United Nations, according to a report by CNN. Trump also praised Stefanik as "an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter" in a statement. Earlier in the day yesterday, Trump named Tom Homan, who was the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in his last administration as in charge of the nation's borders. "I am pleased to announce that the former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation's Borders ("The Border Czar"), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security," Trump said in a post on Truth Social late Sunday, as reported by CNN. (ANI) In yet another manoeuvre into the Taiwanese territory, 20 Chinese aircraft were detected around the territory of the self-governed island, Taiwan's Ministry of Defence stated. In a post on the social media platform, X, the Ministry shared further details. It noted that the PLA aircrafts were of various types such as J-11 and Y-8. Out of the 20, 13 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1856178339628581137 The Ministry responded saying that it has monitored the situation and responded accordingly. In another post on X, the Ministry of Defence announced that on Sunday its Air Force conducted the annual air combat tactics assessment, Exercise Sky Dragon. The exercise evaluated a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat skills and tactics across all fighter wings to enhance its capability to defend its airspace. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1855462889483817067 China has increased its military activities around Taiwan by deploying aircraft and naval vessels since September 2020. It is using grey zone tactics to achieve its security objective. Earlier, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security conference in which he assured the public about the government's commitment to neutralising any threat to Taiwan's democracy and security after China staged a large-scale military drill around the island. He made his remarks in response to the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) announcement of military drills, named "Joint Sword-2024B," in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, which were described as a "stern warning" to advocates of Taiwan independence, according to the Taipei Times. In an attempt to modernise Taiwan, on November 4, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te attended the keel-laying ceremony for the Taiwanese Navy, also known as the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) new light frigate prototype at Kaohsiung shipyard. This marks a major milestone in Taiwan's self-defence efforts and defence industry development. This incident follows a recent pattern of escalated manoeuvres by the PLA around Taiwan, raising concerns over regional stability as Beijing continues to assert its claims over the island. In recent weeks, Taiwan has observed an uptick in such military operations, with multiple incidents involving Chinese aircraft crossing into Taiwan's ADIZ. Taiwan's defence forces have responded by closely monitoring these activities and bolstering airspace security. This uptick in activity is viewed as a show of force by Beijing, aimed at intimidating Taiwan amid ongoing diplomatic support from the United States and other international allies. The Taiwan Strait remains a focal point of heightened tensions, with Taiwanese officials repeatedly condemning the increase in Chinese military operations in and around the area as a direct threat to the island's sovereignty and regional peace. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. (ANI) Under the theme, 'Thriving Under Pressure - Navigating New Global Paradigms', the event brought together stakeholders from governments to retailers to discuss collaborative strategies. Juma Al Kait, UAE Chief Trade Negotiator and Assistant Under-Secretary for International Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Economy highlighted the importance of global collaboration, stating, "The Dubai Diamond Conference offers a vital platform for addressing challenges and forging long-term solutions, reinforcing Dubai's role in supporting the industry." Dubai, now the world's largest diamond trading hub, saw nearly 120 million carats traded in the first half of 2024, reflecting strong year-on-year growth. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC and Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange, emphasised Dubai's leadership in fostering industry collaboration, "As the global diamond hub, Dubai is uniquely positioned to unite stakeholders and drive meaningful discussions for the sector's sustainable growth." Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, praised Dubai's visionary leadership, highlighting its role as a key trade bridge between Africa and the world. He also acknowledged Ahmed Bin Sulayem's efforts in enhancing transparency within the Kimberley Process. The conference featured panels on pressing market issues, including geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown in China, and competition from lab-grown diamonds. Experts discussed leveraging strategies from other sectors, tech-driven solutions, and the importance of embedding ESG principles. Dubai Diamond Conference was backed by sponsors like Stargems, Choron, and Catoca, and will be followed by JGT Dubai and the 2024 Kimberley Process Plenary Session, where DMCC's CEO will present UAE's milestones during its "Year of Delivery." (ANI/WAM) Hours after the Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre cancelled a Life Certificate Event owing to fears of 'violent protests' and requested the local police to address the threats faced by them, the Peel Regional Police requested the temple authorities to consider 'rescheduling' the upcoming event owing to threats. The Consular Camp event was scheduled to be held on November 17. Nishan Duraiappah, the Chief of Police with the Peel Regional Police serving Brampton and Mississauga, said the postponement could help in "de-escalating the present tensions" and safeguarding the wellbeing of attendees. "We believe that a temporary postponement could contribute meaningfully to de-escalating the present tensions and safeguarding the wellbeing of those attending your location," the letter reads. Earlier, the Brampton Triveni Mandir and Community Centre announced that it is cancelling a Life Certificate Event. amid fears of an "extremely high level of violent protests." The event, a consular camp, was scheduled to take place on November 17, where Indian-origin Hindus and Sikhs could renew essential life certificates. "Please be advised that the Life Certificate Event scheduled at Brampton Triveni Mandir by the Indian Consulate on November 17, 2024, has been cancelled. This is due to official intelligence from Peel Regional Police, stating that there is an Extremely High and Imminent Threat Level of violent protests," the temple administration said in a statement. The authorities apologized to the community members, stating, "We apologize to all community members who were depending on the event. We are deeply saddened that Canadians now feel unsafe coming to Hindu Temples in Canada." "We call on Peel Police to address the threats being circulated against Brampton Triveni Mandir and provide security guarantees to the Canadian Hindu Community and the general public," the temple administration added. On November 3, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, near Toronto, witnessed a "violent disruption". The incident sparked widespread criticism in and outside Canada. (ANI) Pakistan security forces have detained two local youths and moved them to an unknown location after a military operation in the Dukki and Dasht areas of Kench district on Sunday. The military operation was intensified after an attack on the military camp by armed assailants, as reported by The Balochistan Post. This resulted in the abduction of Talal, son of Umar, and Amir Baloch, son of Ibrahim who were taken to an undisclosed location. Other details about the detention were unclear due suspension of Internet and mobile services. According to the Balochistan Post, the armed assailants attacked the military camps, resulting in the death of a soldier and injuries to eight personnel. This was followed by intensified security actions against the people of the region. The Balochistan Post reported that the armed forces imposed a strict curfew across the region after the attack and suspended mobile connectivity. The curfew led to the closure of shops and educational institutions, hampering the needs of the people. In addition to this, helicopters were seen patrolling in the area with the high number of military forces deployed in the area. The fearful situation has created an atmosphere of terror in the minds of residents. The incident has infuriated people amid the background of the ongoing situation of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Meanwhile, Dostain, son of Shah Murad Bugti, from Dera Bugti was forcibly disappeared by the military forces. Recently, Khan Mohammad Bugti, a shop owner in Dera Bugti's Phelawgh area, was detained by the Pakistani security forces from his shop. In another incident, Irshad was assaulted and abducted by the armed forces during a raid. The families protested but received no answers from the armed forces. Earlier, the families of Sher Jan Darvesh and Irshad staged a protest at Fida Chowk in Turbat, demanding justice and the immediate release of their loved ones. (ANI) Former US First Lady Melania Trump is not expected to attend the traditional White House meeting with first lady Jill Biden, according to a report by CNN. This development follows on the heels of Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 US Elections. As per CNN, the sources familiar with Melania Trump's plans cited a prior scheduling conflict for the former first lady related to her newly released memoir. One source said the decision had not been finalized. Jill Biden extended Melania Trump the customary invitation last week as her husband also invited the president-elect to the Oval Office, a symbolic gesture to show the country and the world that there will be a peaceful transition of power. Donald Trump and Joe Biden are set to meet on Wednesday, according to the White House. There was discussion about encouraging Melania Trump to come to Washington for the meeting, as some members of the president-elect's team felt it was important, the report stated. Aside from 2020, it has been tradition for the current first lady to host the incoming first lady at the White House. In 2016, then-first lady Michelle Obama hosted Melania Trump for tea in the White House's Yellow Oval Room and took her on a tour of the private residence. In a historic political comeback, Donald Trump won a second term as President of the United States after securing 295 electoral votes in the 2024 presidential election, defeating Democratic rival Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes. This makes Trump the first US president since 1892 to return to office after losing a previous election. Trump's return to the White House marks only the second time in US history that a president will serve two non-consecutive terms. The first such instance was Grover Cleveland, who served as president in 1884 and 1892. Trump had earlier served as US President from 2016 to 2020. (ANI) Leading Bangladesh factory owner expressed concern over the unrest taking place in the garment industry which is alarming for the country's economy. The crisis is also affecting the import of raw materials from India.Factory owners say that the interim government has failed to control the volatile situation due to a lack of experience. The readymade garment (RMG) industry is the single biggest export earner for Bangladesh. The sector accounts for 83 per cent of the total export earnings of the country. The apparel industry is Bangladesh's biggest export earner with a value of over USD 28 billion of exports in a year. The "Made in Bangladesh" tag has also brought glory to the country, making it a prestigious brand across the globe. More than 150 countries import ready-made garments from Bangladesh. The industry employs 4 million employees; of which most are women. The workers made an 18-point demand including raising wages, attendance bonuses, night shifting and others during the previous government. The demands were fulfilled after intensive consultations between the government, factory owners and, workers' leaders. After the change of government through the uprising in August, dissatisfaction arose in various garment factories. 29 factories failed to pay salaries for September, sparking renewed discontent in the garment industry. "Most of the issues were already solved because they came all together made a decision and workers back to work. Again, unrest started and it really horrible", said Jannatul Baker Khan, Managing Director of Needle Works BD Limited, an export-oriented garment factory. "Most of the factories are OK and meet the requirements. But few factories may be facing problems. They are unable to meet, they are not even settled, and workers are unhappy. But the quantity of the factories is less", he added. "For example, there are a hundred factories around but two factories have unrest. It creates problems for all", Khan exclusively told ANI. He blamed the inefficiency of the interim government to control the situation. "The interim government is not able to solve the problem. They are not very experienced. Everything is new for them that's why the issue is increasing and increasing and it is out of control now", he said. Khan, who also runs a buying house, NW RMG LTD, talked about shifting tof foreign buyers from Bangladesh to its competitors. According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), clothing imports are decreasing in the world, during January-August of this year, clothing imports from the United States increased by 1.5 per cent in terms of volume, while from Bangladesh decreased by 3.8 per cent, but from China increased by 3.6 per cent, and from Vietnam increased by 5.2 per cent, up 7.6 per cent from India and 7.7 per cent from Cambodia. Total imports to Europe increased by 3.3 per cent in the January-July period, while those from Bangladesh increased by only 2.8 per cent, but those from China increased by 6.4 per cent, India increased by 5.18 per cent, Cambodia increased by 18.35, Vietnam increased by 18.3 per cent, BGMEA said. Judging by the comparative export growth in the period of July-September of this year, where the export growth of Bangladesh has been 5.34 per cent, the growth of Vietnam has been 15.57 per cent and the growth of India has been 13.45 per cent, BGMEA said. "The foreign buyers are shifting their orders to other countries. It will be a big disaster for us. The factories are facing losses in different ways. The workers are becoming injured during protests. When production stopped, the shipment became delayed. Due to this reason, buyers are asking for air shipments or delay penalties. If the factory is laid off, the workers also will lose their jobs. In that case, a big problem is waiting before us", he said. He warned about serious consequences for the social, economic and industrial sectors if Bangladesh failed to control the unrest in the garment industry. "If the unrest continues, the industry will suffer long time. The garment industry is not only a matter of workers and owners. It links up backwards and forward industries. It is a big chain. It is not only that 4 million workers are working including 60 per cent women; but also backwards and forward links with the export chain. So, this is really the backbone of our economy," he said. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), India exports nearly USD 14 billion worth of products to Bangladesh in a year. The main products that India exports to Bangladesh are refined petroleum (9.93 per cent), non-retail pure cotton (9.93 per cent), and raw cotton (6.82 per cent). "Already the import from India is going slow. Mostly we buy fabrics, huge denim and non-denim, from India. We also source from other countries including China. If we lose the order, the raw materials import automatically will be slowed down from India", Khan said without details. "Most of the employees from India are senior employees. If you consider the buying house, they work as country managers, senior merchandisers, technicians and other industries, the textiles, washing plants and other factory technical managers senior positions of industry. If the factory loses order, it will be impacted everywhere", he said. (ANI) The recommendations, presented during Pakistan's second review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), highlight areas requiring immediate attention, including military courts, privacy laws, and freedom of expression, The Balochistan Post reported. Among the report's key recommendations is an end to civilian trials conducted in military courts, a practice the committee described as violating Articles 14 and 15 of the ICCPR. These provisions ensure the right to a fair trial and protect individuals from retroactive criminal laws. The committee also called for urgent reforms to Pakistan's surveillance, data, and privacy laws, emphasising the need for compliance with Article 17 of the ICCPR, which guarantees citizens' right to privacy. Existing legislation, according to the report, lacks adequate safeguards to protect personal data and private lives, reported The Balochistan Post. The report strongly criticised Pakistan's practice of imposing widespread internet shutdowns and restricting social media platforms, labelling these actions as excessive and harmful to freedom of expression. It urged the government to end such measures to uphold free speech rights. In addition, the committee recommended a thorough review of legal frameworks related to the Exit Control List, blacklists, and visa control policies. It emphasised that these mechanisms must adhere to ICCPR standards protecting freedom of movement. On the treatment of Afghan refugees, the committee urged Pakistan to implement a dedicated asylum and refugee protection law, aimed at preventing forced deportations and ensuring the rights of refugees are respected, The Balochistan Post reported. The report also advised Pakistan to lift its ban on student unions and reform its blasphemy laws to align with ICCPR standards. Amnesty International welcomed the committee's findings, urging Pakistan to act swiftly to enhance its human rights situation. (ANI) The human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), PAANK, has released a harrowing report documenting an increase in human rights abuses across Balochistan in October 2024. The report highlights 110 enforced disappearances, six extrajudicial killings, and an alarming escalation in military operations, underscoring what PAANK describes as a dire humanitarian crisis, The Balochistan Post reported. The report alleges that these abuses are part of a systematic campaign targeting Baloch students, political activists, human rights defenders, and ordinary civilians. PAANK accuses Pakistani security forces, intelligence agencies, and their allied local militias, referred to as "death squads," of orchestrating these acts. The organisation strongly condemns the actions, describing them as a "deliberate campaign of violence" and asserting that they constitute a "systematic genocide" requiring urgent international intervention. According to the report, the 110 cases of enforced disappearances occurred across 14 districts of Balochistan, with some incidents reported in Karachi and Punjab. Dera Bugti reported the highest number of disappearances, accounting for 27 cases, most of which involved Baloch students allegedly abducted by military and intelligence forces, reported The Balochistan Post. The report also details six extrajudicial killings attributed to Pakistani forces and their allied 'death squads.' Among the documented cases is the killing of Pir Jan in Panjgur's main market on October 1, allegedly carried out by a military-backed squad. Another incident occurred on October 6, when a man named Altaf was killed in the Buleda tehsil of Kech district. Military operations have reportedly intensified in Dera Bugti, Kech, and Barkhan, with civilians subjected to violence and forced displacement. The PAANK report specifically mentions a group called the 'Aman Force' (Peace Force), an alleged military-backed militia, as responsible for many of these actions. PAANK also referenced the violent dispersal of a peaceful protest against enforced disappearances outside Karachi Press Club on October 26. Security forces arrested multiple protesters, including Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Lala Wahab Baloch, who was later released by court order, The Balochistan Post reported. Calling for urgent global action, PAANK has urged the international community to investigate what it describes as war crimes in Balochistan. The organisation stated, "The evidence is clear, and silence from the global community can no longer be justified." (ANI) The assertion comes as military confrontations and territorial disputes in the area intensify, Focus Taiwan (CNA) reported. In a statement, Taiwan''s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) declared, "The Republic of China (Taiwan) enjoys all rights to island groups and their surrounding waters in the South China Sea following international law and maritime laws." The MOFA emphasised that Taiwan''s claims remain unaffected by the competing assertions of other countries, according to Focus Taiwan. The statement followed recent developments involving both the Philippines and China. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed two laws defining maritime entitlements and designating sea lanes and air routes to solidify the country''s sovereignty over parts of the South China Sea. In response, China published baselines for a contested shoal it seized from the Philippines in 2012 and reaffirmed its sweeping claims over the region, including areas asserted by the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan, reported CNA. China''s Foreign Ministry declared, "China will continue to take all necessary measures following the law to resolutely defend China''s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests." Beijing has long dismissed the 2016 ruling by the International Arbitration Court, which invalidated most of China''s claims over the South China Sea, and has continued its aggressive actions in the region. Recent incidents include the Chinese coast guard using water cannons against Philippine vessels, further escalating tensions, CNA reported. Taiwan, which controls two islands in the South China Sea, including the strategically significant Taiping Island, has expressed serious concerns over the growing regional instability. The MOFA warned that "actions taken by China have escalated tensions and would jeopardise regional peace and stability." Taiping Island, situated 1,600 kilometres southwest of Kaohsiung, is the largest of the Spratly Islands. (ANI) Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov who is in presently on a visit to India on Tuesday highlighted the significant progress in bilateral trade between the two countries while emphasising the potential for further growth. At the 25th Session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation held in the national capital, Manturov stressed the importance of enhancing collaboration through large-scale congress and exhibition events in both countries, which he said would "allow to rhythmically expand the growth rates of trade turnover in accordance to fashion." Pointing to the impressive trajectory of trade relations, Manturov said, "Here I would like to point out the stable positive dynamics, and over the last five years, trade turnover of our country has grown more than fivefold. India is now the second country among all the foreign economic partners of Russia." He noted that this positive trend has continued in 2024, with a nine per cent increase in trade turnover in the first eight months compared to last year. Manturov highlighted the diversification of trade between the two countries, citing traditional exports of energy sources and mineral fertilisers alongside the growing food exports, particularly sunflower and soybean oil. On the other hand, he noted Russia's imports from India include industrial equipment, components, pharmaceutical drugs, and substances. He further mentioned plans to address the trade imbalance and diversify the product range as part of a comprehensive roadmap for cooperation until 2030. Speaking on future initiatives, Manturov reaffirmed Russia's commitment to finalising key agreements. "Among other things, we confirm our strong commitment on signing the Free Trade Agreement between the EEU and India, as well as the bilateral agreement on services and investments. This fully meets the needs of our business community," he said. The session, held in New Delhi, also saw the participation by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. It focused on reviewing the progress of bilateral initiatives and exploring new areas of collaboration. (ANI) As part of the four-day visit, French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou praised Sikkim's extraordinary achievements in the field of sustainable agriculture, particularly highlighting its status as the world's first state to adopt 100 per cent organic farming. This landmark initiative has not only transformed Sikkim into a global leader in sustainable agriculture but has also positioned the state as a key model for environmental stewardship. Mathou took to social media to express his admiration for Sikkim's groundbreaking efforts. He stated, "Met officials from different ministries of Sikkim, the world's first 100 per cent organic state. Sustainable Development, climate and biodiversity protection are shared priorities of France & India." His post underscored the importance of Sikkim's commitment to organic farming as a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural practices, aligning it with the shared goals of France and India in tackling global environmental challenges. https://x.com/thierry_mathou/status/1856218538434015562?t=8QVlrXVAKoOvzQ0yQajDEQ&s=08 Sikkim is the first state in India to achieve 100 per cent organic status. According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the transformation process began in 2010 with the launch of the Sikkim Organic Mission, which accelerated the shift towards organic farming. By 2015, all agricultural land in the state had been certified organic, and in 2016, Sikkim was officially declared as a 100 per cent organic state. In addition to its organic farming initiatives, the Sikkim government has implemented various other measures aimed at environmental conservation, sustainable development, and the broader goal of creating a 'Green Sikkim'. During his visit, Ambassador Mathou held productive discussions with key officials from various ministries in Sikkim, focusing on areas of mutual interest such as climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices. These discussions reflect the strong, shared commitment between France and India to support sustainable development, both within India and globally. In his remarks, Mathou also expressed his appreciation for the Sikkim government's balanced approach to development, which prioritises environmental protection while fostering economic growth. "In Sikkim for my maiden official visit, I met Hon'ble CM Shri Prem Singh Tamang and discussed possible areas of cooperation with France. I congratulate the people and government for the Sikkim Model of Sustainable Development, balancing environmental protection and economic growth," Mathou stated on X. https://x.com/thierry_mathou/status/1856174936982696373?t=Gg6qnTdHZWOw3qnxCDtVyA&s=08 French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, arrived in Gangtok as part of his official visit to North Bengal and Sikkim from November 10 to 13, 2024. The Ambassador, accompanied by his wife, Cecile Mathou, and a distinguished delegation including Didier Talpain, Consul General of France in Kolkata, Samuel Bouchard, Cooperation Attache, and Anjita Roychaudhary, Press and Diplomatic Liaison Officer to Sikkim, was warmly received by local officials upon his arrival. The Ambassador's visit serves as an important step in strengthening the diplomatic ties between France and India, particularly in areas related to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Sikkim, with its innovative model of organic farming, offers an exemplary case study of how a state can simultaneously protect its natural resources and promote sustainable economic growth. Photos from the visit captured Mathou in conversations with Sikkim's ministers and officials, showcasing the strong commitment both nations share in advancing environmental protection. These interactions reflect the growing recognition of Sikkim's leadership in sustainability, not just within India, but on the global stage as well. (ANI) The civil society of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) took to the streets in a fierce protest against the government's failure to allocate funds for the repair and development of the Sudhan Gali Road in Bagh district. The road, once a tourist attraction, has fallen into severe disrepair, and locals are increasingly frustrated by the government's inaction. The protesters, chanting anti-government slogans, voiced their concerns about the road's deteriorating condition. They emphasised that the road has become a major safety hazard for both locals and tourists who rely on it for travel to the region's scenic destinations. Activist Raja Abdul Hafeez shared details of the protest, recounting previous efforts to secure government support. "On June 12, the Prime Minister visited and we called off the protest after the Chief Secretary's intervention, promising a fund of 15.36 crore. We have been pursuing this matter through various channels, but despite our efforts, the file has been stuck in Muzaffarabad for months. Now, we have no choice but to take to the streets," Hafeez said. This is the first time that local civil society groups have been forced to stage a public demonstration in such numbers. They demand that the government urgently allocate funds to repair the Sudhan Gali Road, which is vital for local transportation and tourism. The lack of infrastructure development is not just a safety concern, but also an economic one. The Sudhan Gali Road was once a major draw for tourists, but its current state has led to a decline in visitors, putting pressure on the local economy, which heavily relies on tourism. "We are left with no other option but to raise our voices," Hafeez added. "We are asking all political parties to come forward and help resolve this issue for the sake of the people and the economy." With local communities in PoJK increasingly facing challenges due to poor infrastructure, this protest reflects broader concerns about the government's neglect of essential services and development projects in the region. As of now, there is no indication from the government on when funds will be allocated or when work on the Sudhan Gali Road will resume. The protesters have vowed to continue their efforts until their demands are met, warning that further action may be taken if the issue remains unresolved. The road's disrepair is emblematic of a wider pattern of infrastructure neglect in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where residents continue to demand better attention to their basic needs. (ANI) Al-Saud will arrive at the Air Force Station at Palam in Delhi. On Wednesday, he will hold a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Hyderabad House. Earlier on November 1, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated. 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 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 the 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. (ANI) Lawyer bodies of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan convened a meeting at Ghizer Press Club to reject the controversial land reform bill as it is illegal and against the rights of the local population, as per Pamir Times. The body said, "The government should take people from both settled and unsettled areas on board before implementing the bill," as reported by the Pamir Times. According to the Pamir Times, the lawyers stated that the representatives of Gilgit Baltistan are in favour of the act to please the government. They further added that both impartible and partible lands could be occupied by the government under the act. But the definition of partible and impartible land is not mentioned clearly in the bill. The Lawyers highlighted, "Points 1, 2 and 4 of the bill are against the personal interest of the residents." They also condemned the provision that exempts representatives of the bill from any impeachment process. There would be no proceedings against the representatives for any false distribution. These representatives will work according to the government as they are loyal to them. Earlier, the bar association had decided to boycott court proceedings till November 16. The boycott was called by several bar associations, including the High Court Bar Association, the Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Council, the Supreme Court Bar Association, and district bar officials. Pamir Times reported that the lawyers called for urgent amendments to the bill, safeguarding the public interest. The major problem arises in the unsettled areas. According to the bill, the stream is classified under impartible lands without addressing how local people might benefit from this change. According to the provision of the bill, the secretary planner would be appointed from outside the region, unaware of Gilgit Baltistan's jurisdiction. The lawyers further insisted that the bill must be amended to safeguard the interests of the residents. They also emphasised that the opposition should raise their voices against the bill to maintain checks and balances. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], November 12 (ANI/WAM): Under the esteemed patronage of Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, XPANSE 2024, a pioneering global forum dedicated to envisioning exponential technology futures, will make its debut in Abu Dhabi from 20th to 22nd November. Hosted by ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, and organised by ADNEC Group and MATTER, an internationally renowned think tank, this inaugural event, taking place at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, will bring together some of the world's foremost experts in technology and advanced science, setting a global vision for the future in the heart of Abu Dhabi. Nahyan bin Mubarak said: "Abu Dhabi is honoured to welcome such an extraordinary gathering of esteemed scientists, Nobel Laureates, and visionary business leaders to the inaugural XPANSE event. This convening of the world's brightest minds represents a powerful milestone in our pursuit of transformative innovation and knowledge exchange. With XPANSE, Abu Dhabi takes a bold step forward, embracing the opportunities of exponential technologies that will redefine industries, elevate communities, and shape the future." XPANSE 2024 will gather 3,000 influential leaders, including Nobel laureates, CEOs, ministers, and scientists from various domains, all of whom will be immersed in discussions about quantum AI, fusion energy, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and more. Additionally, the event fosters high-level collaboration and networking among C-Suite executives and key decision-makers, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global nexus for innovation. It highlights the transformative potential of exponential technologies to shape the future of cities, communities, and industries, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's commitment to driving forward-thinking solutions on the world stage. Going beyond the traditional conference or exhibition format, XPANSE acts as a catalyst for exponential technologies. This unique initiative advances Abu Dhabi's leadership in sustainable development, promoting knowledge localisation and pioneering solutions to global challenges. The event underscores the Abu Dhabi's growing influence in the global technology ecosystem and highlights ADNEC Group's commitment to fostering innovation that meets critical global demands. From brain-machine interfaces to sentient cities, quantum computing to genomics, attendees will dive into the technologies that will define the next era of human progress. XPANSE goes beyond high-level concepts. The event will offer immersive experiences that demonstrate the real-world applications of these technologies. Participants will witness first-hand how these breakthroughs will impact industries, economies, and everyday life. This landmark event has the potential to advance the region's technological journey, showcasing innovations poised to advance environmental sustainability, health breakthroughs, and societal resilience. By bringing together world-renowned thinkers and sparking transformative dialogues with key decision-makers, XPANSE 2024 aims to empower communities and inspire future generations to envision a future that surpasses today's boundaries. (ANI/WAM) On the diplomatic row between India and Canada, British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron on Tuesday said hope "our friends" can find a way forward, and that the "investigation" will help resolve the issue. Cameron told ANI that Britain takes "sovereignty and the rule of law seriously." "We take sovereignty and the rule of law extremely seriously. We hope that our friends and partners, India and Canada, can find a way through this and the investigation will help to resolve it," Cameron told ANI. The UK High Commissioner also inaugurated a refurbished UK visa application centre as part of a new agreement between UK Visas and Immigration and VFS to expand visa application services across India. Expressing her thoughts on the launch, Cameron said, "I'm delighted to be here and watching the refurbished Visa Application Center. It's one of the 18 that we have around India which helps us to make sure that we give fantastic service to all the hundreds of thousands of people who want to apply for a UK visa. We issued over 800,000 visas last year, and it's really important to us that we're able to process the vast majority of those within three weeks, and really make sure people get the customer service that they want, shortening the times for applying and the shorter times for picking up their passports as well and that's part of what I'm here today to see." Cameron also discussed the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and noted that both countries are actively working on it with great potential for mutual growth. "The Labor government was very clear in their manifesto, they were committed to an FTA. And the Foreign Secretary, when he was here, just three weeks after the government was formed, was really clear about the scale of his ambition to the partnership. We think that there's real potential to get even more for both UK growth and Indian growth for this partnership, and we're working on that at the moment," Cameron said. Notably, India's ties with Canada have seen sharp deterioration with India repeatedly expressing its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has asked Canadian authorities to take action against these activities. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has claimed that he has "credible allegations" of India's hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year. India has denied all the allegations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated" and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country. Earlier this month, India recalled six diplomats from Canada after they were declared "persons of interest" by the Canadian government in the investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. (ANI) As part of their advocacy efforts to garner international support for Tibet's autonomy, Tibetan parliamentarians Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Pende and Wangdue Dorjee launched a campaign in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 11. According to a press release from the Central Tibetan Administration, the campaign began with a meeting with Dainius Zalimas, a Member of the European Parliament and former President of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania. During the meeting, the MPs highlighted the Chinese government's ongoing repression of Tibetan religious freedoms and the systematic Sinicisation of Tibetan Buddhism and culture. Sinicisation is the process by which non-Chinese groups or societies are assimilated into Chinese culture. This includes the adoption of Chinese language, societal norms, culture, and ethnic identity. They handed MEP Zalimas an official appeal letter signed by the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, urging him to advocate for the preservation of Tibet's culture and autonomy. The MPs extended an invitation to Zalimas to attend the upcoming World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet (WPCT), stressing the necessity of sustained global support for Tibet's cause. In response, MEP Zalimas reiterated his unwavering support for Tibet, despite the challenges posed by the current political climate. The Tibetan delegation included Kunga, Secretary of the Office of Tibet in London, and was joined by prominent Lithuanian supporters of Tibet, Professor Vytis Vidunas and Robertas Mazeika. Tibet's struggle for autonomy remains a complex issue that intertwines political, cultural, and human rights concerns in a region celebrated for its rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Since China invaded Tibet in 1950 and its subsequent incorporation into the People's Republic of China, the region has faced sweeping changes in governance and society. Tibetan leaders, including the Dalai Lama, have consistently called for greater autonomy, citing threats of cultural erosion, religious restrictions, and human rights violations. Meanwhile, Beijing insists that Tibet is an integral part of China, justifying its policies as measures to foster economic growth and modernisation. This divergence in narratives continues to spark global debate and activism, with Tibet remaining a central issue in international human rights and diplomatic discussions. (ANI) Germany is set to hold early elections on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government. The news was first reported by DW Politics in a post on X, stating that the governing SPD and the opposition CDU/CSU parliamentary groups had reached an agreement on the date. "BREAKING: Germany is expected to hold early elections on February 23. The governing SPD and the opposition CDU/CSU parliamentary groups have reportedly agreed on the date. It comes after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition," DW Politics posted on X (formerly Twitter) with a breaking update. https://x.com/dw_politics/status/1856275257608348055 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired his finance minister last week, leaving the government teetering on the brink of collapse. The collapse of the coalition was triggered by Scholz's dismissal of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leader of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). The FDP subsequently withdrew from the government, leaving Scholz without a majority in the Bundestag, DW reported. In a televised address, Scholz said he had dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner saying it "was necessary to prevent harm to our country." To formalise the process leading to the snap elections, Scholz is expected to call a vote of confidence in the lower house of parliament on December 16, reported DW. Scholz and the head of the country's largest opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friederich Merz came to an agreement that a no-confidence vote should be set for 16 December, with elections to follow in February of next year. Scholz previously suggested a no-confidence vote to be held on 15 January, with elections following around March, reported Euronews. This was rejected by Merz, who argued that Scholz's government were no longer able to claim a parliamentary majority in order to run the country effectively. Scholz will ask the question of no confidence in the Bundestag on 16 December. His government is widely expected to not survive the vote, with elections set to follow 60 days later. The traffic light coalition, named for the parties' respective colors, consisted of the center-left SPD, the FDP, and the Greens. Formed in 2021 after lengthy negotiations, the alliance marked a shift from the previous "grand coalition" of the SPD and CDU/CSU under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Despite initial alignment on EU, foreign, and security policies, the coalition was frequently at odds over domestic issues, including taxation, climate policy, and economic recovery measures. The FDP opposed the SPD and Greens' proposal to increase taxes on the wealthiest to address pandemic-induced national debt and resisted their vision for climate policy, favouring market-driven solutions over government intervention. More recently, disagreements over the 2024 budget and strategies to revive Germany's economy deepened the rift within the coalition, culminating in its collapse last week, reported DW. Germany's 2021 general election saw the SPD emerge as the largest party in the Bundestag, overtaking the CDU/CSU. However, the coalition's dissolution now sets the stage for a potentially pivotal election, as Germany navigates critical economic and political challenges. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday launched the official website for the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) alongside Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, Minister of State, Kirti Vardhan Singh. "MEA is proud to partner with Odisha and welcome our diaspora to the temple city of Bhubaneshwar to experience India's rich culture and heritage. Our biennial #PBD is a longstanding occasion to renew bonds and develop friendships. Invite diaspora to register in large numbers and join us in this celebration of our shared roots," posted Jaishankar on X. He said that the Indian diaspora is a pillar of strength in tackling global issues highlighting the journey of Indians abroad which is more than a tale of migration. Jaishankar said that Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas is more than just a celebration it is an invitation to action. Jaishankar said that 'Viksit Bharat ki Sankalpna Mein Pravasi Bhartiyon Ka Yogdan', that is diaspora's contribution to a developed India, is the theme for the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas convention to be held from January 8-10. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1856301620880982417 "Today, as we confront various global challenges, the strength of our diaspora provides us a pillar of support and a strong foundation to address them adequately. I am confident that the diaspora will continue to play a notable role in India's march towards becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047. Let us walk this path together with the strength and unity that has always defined us. That is why we have chosen 'Viksit Bharat ki Sankalpna Mein Pravasi Bhartiyon Ka Yogdan', which is the diaspora's contribution to a Viksit Bharat, as the overarching theme for the upcoming 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas," he said. Jaishankar emphasised that the Indians who have migrated have done works that have left a unique legacy both in India and in their host countries. The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, Minister of State, Kirti Vardhan Singh, distinguished members of the diaspora, heads of Indian missions and posts overseas, and senior officials from the MEA and Government of Odisha, were present at the occasion. "It is really a great pleasure today to join the Honorable CM and the Minister of State in the Ministry on the important occasion of the launch of the website for the 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharti Diwas that we will be co-hosting with the Government of Odisha at Gobindeshwar from 8 to 10 January next year. Friends, the journey of Indians abroad is more than a tale of migration. It is a testament to their resilience, innovation and spirit which has always defined our people. From the early indentured labourers to the modern entrepreneurs and professionals who have now made their mark globally, every generation of Indians abroad has left a unique legacy, enriching both their host countries and India," he said. Jaishankar said that India always prioritises the diaspora, and it is evident from the interactions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the diaspora during his visits. "The Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has always prioritized the well-being of the Indian diaspora worldwide. The Prime Minister's regular interactions with the diaspora during his official visits abroad, the organization of the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, and the tremendous support demonstrated by our diaspora on events like this are testimony to the strong bonds between India and its global community. Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas is more than just a celebration it is an invitation to action," he said. Jaishankar said that Temple City of Bhubaneshwar will host the delegates for a period of three days, where a wide range of events would be held. "I am sure that Bhubaneswar, known as the Temple City, will offer a unique experience to delegates attending the PBD. Blessed with natural beauty and a remarkable cultural and architectural heritage, Bhubaneswar provides an ideal setting for delegates to experience India's rich cultural legacy. As you all know, the PBD is a three-day event which begins with the youth PBD on day one, the formal inauguration on day two, and a valedictory session chaired by President Droupadi Murmu on day three, during which the Pravasi Bhartiya Sammaan awards will be covered. The 18th PBD will feature five thematic plenary sessions covering themes ranging from sustainable development to women's empowerment," he said. Jaishankar said that the ministry will invitation to the winners of the ongoing quiz. "The event will also showcase exhibitions on Ramayana and for the first time highlight the contributions of the diaspora to technology as part of our message that India moves on both tradition and technology together. State Government of Odisha also intends to install an exhibition to showcase its rich cultural heritage, diversity and artistry. The Ministry will be extending invitations to the winners of the ongoing Bharat Pujaniya Quiz and to participants of two batches of its flagship Know India program to attend the upcoming PBD. The website of the 18th PBD has been designed and developed to serve as a single point for important information required by Pravasis. It would facilitate registration of participants, booking of accommodation and other necessary formalities. It also provides details of the program, logistics, advisories, tourist attractions and religious sites in Odisha. With the launch of the website today, the registration process for participants is now open and delegates are encouraged to register as soon as possible," he said. Jaishankar urged the diaspora to popularise the event among other Indians to make the event a huge success. "The success of the PBD hinges around the participation of pravasis in large numbers. I urge all missions and posts abroad as well as diaspora organizations to promote the event among the Indian diaspora to ensure that they register in adequate numbers and actively participate in the PBD. I look forward to welcoming them along with the honourable chief minister in Bhubaneshwar at the 18th PBD event," he said. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar co-chaired the 25th meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission here and the deliberations covered a range of areas including trade cooperation and facilitating mobility of talent and skills. The 25th Session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation was held here. Russia's First Deputy PM Denis Manturov also co-chaired the session. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar expressed confidence that the bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion will be achieved before 2030. He said India is on a high growth path and values a reliable partner when it comes to resources, technology and best practices. "We note Russia's growing interest in the Make in India programme and would encourage joint ventures and other forms of collaboration. There have been challenges to trade in regards to payments and logistics. Perceptible progress has been made in that regard, but there is still some more work to be done," he said. "Our joint endeavours in regard to connectivity such as the INSTC, Chennai Vladivostok corridor and the northern sea route must go forwards. Looking ahead, we are also exploring the mobility of talent and skills and customising them for the Russian market has to be a shared enterprise. I am confident that we will achieve the trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030, well before that. In parallel, we will also take our partnership forward, through the program of Economic cooperation till 2030 that we hope to finalise," he added. He said talks with the visiting Russian leader have both a bilateral context and global setting. "As two major nations in an increasingly multi-polar world, a more substantive relationship between us has a larger resonance," he said. Jaishankar later said the talks were "productive and wide ranging". "Co-chaired a productive and wide ranging 25th meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission in Delhi. Thank my co-chair First DPM Denis Manturov and our delegations for their contribution. Our deliberations covered the complimentary and beneficial economic and trade cooperation, reinforcing critical food, energy & health security and facilitating mobility of talent and skills. Confident that our deliberations today will make a strong contribution to the direction and progress of our strategic partnership," Jaishankar posted on X. Denis Manturov said Russia is interested in expanding direct air traffic between the two countries. He also expressed Russia's commitment on signing the Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and India "We deem it especially necessary to continue our work on expanding relations between Russian and Indian banks. We're interested in expanding direct air traffic between our countries. Right now, flights are operated solely by the Russian Airlines Aeroflot, conducting 12 regular flights per week from Moscow and Yekaterinburg to Delhi and Goa. We hope to see more frequent flights development of the route network as well as the resumption of flights by Indian air carriers...We are interested in expanding complex cooperation in the nuclear field, including the successful results of realizing the project of Kudankulam NPP...We're conducting work on creating joint production of high-speed electric trains for Indian railways within the initiative Make in India," he said. "Over the last five years, trade turnover of our country has grown more than fivefold. And India is now the second country among all the foreign economic partners of Russia. The positive tendency is maintained this year as well... Among other things, we confirm our strong commitment on signing the Free Trade Agreement between the EEU and India, as well as the bilateral agreement on services and investments. This fully meets the needs of our business community," he added. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday signed and exchanged an MoU with First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov, in Delhi after the completion of the 25th Session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation. Jaishankar said that he co-chaired a productive and wide-ranging 25th meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission in Delhi and thanked Manturov and the delegations for their contribution. "Our deliberations covered the complimentary and beneficial India-Russia economic and trade cooperation, reinforcing critical food, energy & health security and facilitating mobility of talent and skills. Confident that our deliberations today will make a strong contribution to the direction and progress of our strategic partnership," the EAM posted on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1856271114923655657 Manturov is on a visit to India from November 10-12. The IRIGC-TEC mechanism, set up under an Inter-Governmental Agreement, signed in 1992, comprises 14 Working Groups and 6 Sub-Groups in diverse areas. It is the major coordinating mechanism for bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, economic ties, science and technology, and culture, read a press release of the Ministry of External Affairs. The agenda of the 25th Session of the IRIGC-TEC included cooperation in trade, investments, hydrocarbons, nuclear energy, connectivity, agriculture, science and technology, IT, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, fertilizers, education, culture and other areas. The two Co-Chairs expressed satisfaction at the continued progress in bilateral engagement and cooperation, added the release. In the backdrop of decisions taken by the Leaders during the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in Moscow in July 2024, the Co-Chairs directed the Working Groups and Sub-Groups to work expeditiously for early finalization of the Programme of Economic Cooperation 2030 and take steps to enhance market access that could enable businesses communities of the two countries to achieve the bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030. Both sides also agreed to work towards developing a broad-based enabling framework for increasing economic engagement between the two countries. Following the conclusion of the Plenary Session, the Co-Chairs signed a Protocol for the 25th Session of IRIGC-TEC, added the release. The IRIGC-TEC Sessions were preceded by the India-Russia Business Forum, which was convened in Mumbai on November 11 with the participation of the Co-Chairs and which witnessed participation by a wide range of stakeholders including officials as well as representatives from businesses and industries of India and Russia. Some key themes in discussions during the event included manufacturing, connectivity, and investments. Manturov's other bilateral engagements included a call on the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi on November 11, and meetings with the Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, and National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval. The rich exchange of views on matters of mutual interest during the visit of First Deputy Prime Minister Manturov to India will contribute towards developing a better understanding between the countries and help expedite the implementation of bilateral priorities, as well as further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, the release added. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a three-nation tour from November 16 to 21, visiting Brazil for the G20 Summit, and to strengthen bilateral ties with Nigeria and Guyana. At the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, PM Modi will visit Nigeria, from 16-17 November 2024. This will be the first visit by a Prime Minister of India to Nigeria in 17 years, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Tuesday. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold talks to review the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and discuss further avenues to enhance the bilateral relationship. He will also address a gathering of the Indian community in Nigeria, the MEA said. India and Nigeria have been strategic partners since 2007 with growing economic, energy and defence collaboration. More than 200 Indian companies have invested over USD 27 billion in important sectors in Nigeria. India and Nigeria also share a strong development cooperation partnership, the MEA added. According to the MEA statement, PM Modi will then travel to Rio De Janeiro from November 18-19 to attend the G20 Summit hosted by Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva. India is part of the G20 Troika along with Brazil and South Africa and has been actively contributing to the ongoing G20 Summit discussions. During the Summit, the Prime Minister will put forward India's positions on various issues of global importance and build on the outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration and Voice of the Global South Summits which were hosted by India in the past two years, the MEA said. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister is expected to meet several leaders, it added. At the invitation of Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, PM Modi will undertake a state visit to Guyana from November 19-21, the first by an Indian Prime Minister since 1968, the MEA said. Earlier in 2023, Guyanese President Ali visited India as the Chief Guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, when he was also awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. During the visit, Prime Minister will hold discussions with President Ali, meet other senior leaders of Guyana, address the Parliament of Guyana and address a gathering of the Indian diaspora, the MEA said. In Georgetown, Guyana, Prime Minister will also participate in the Second CARICOM-India Summit and hold meetings with leaders of CARICOM member countries to further enhance India's long-standing friendship with the region, the MEA added. (ANI) During his visit, he will co-chair the 2nd meeting of the Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Committee of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) on Wednesday. The SPC was established in 2019, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia in October of that year. https://x.com/meaindia/status/1856401324524630112?s=46 "Warm welcome to FM HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia as he arrives in India on an official visit. During the visit, he will co-chair the 2nd meeting of the Political, Security, Social and Cultural Committee of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC). This visit will provide further impetus to the multifaceted - bilateral ties." Randhir Jaiswal, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said in a post on X. According to his schedule, the Saudi Foreign Minister will meet with External Affairs Minister (EAM), S Jaishankar, at Hyderabad House on Wednesday. Earlier this month, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia. 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, as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He highlighted the critical role of international partnerships and economic diplomacy in fostering global cooperation, innovation, technological advancement, and investment, the ministry said. 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. (ANI) "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Scientists have officially spotted characteristics of superfluidity (a quantum fluid with zero viscosity) inside a two-dimensional supersolid for the first time. In a new study, physicists from the University of Innsbruck in Austria used magnetic fields to carefully stir a supersolid of erbium atoms and spotted quantum vortices. This will help scientists study the characteristics of supersolids under extreme conditions while also examining certain aspects of celestial objects like neutron stars. As a kid, you probably learned that there are three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. But like most things in life, it gets a bit more complicated as you get older. For example, super hot plasma powering the Sun (and, hopefully, future fusion reactors) is an important fourth state of matter, and the fifththe super-cold Bose-Einstein Condensateshelps scientists study the nature of the quantum world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it gets even more complicated. Within these states of matter reside other, potentially even more counterintuitive objects. Take, for example, the supersolida material thats both a superfluid (exotic matter with zero viscosity) and a solid. The existence of this bizarre example of matter was first hypothesized more than half a century ago, but examining a supersolids free-flowing atoms through its crystalline lattice has been an extremely difficult undertaking. Now, scientists from University of Innsbruck in Austria state in a new paper (published in the journal Nature) that theyve successfully stirred a two-dimensional supersolid and observed quantum vorticesa phenomenon that physicist Francesca Ferlaino told AFP is the smoking gun of superfluidity. It is a bit like Schrodingers cat, which is both alive and dead, a supersolid is both rigid and liquid, Ferlaino said in a press statement . This work is a significant step forward in understanding the unique behavior of supersolids and their potential applications in the field of quantum matter. The first stage of this remarkable breakthrough actually occurred back in 2021, when Ferlainos team developed the first long-lived, two-dimensional supersolid out of an ultracold gas of erbium atoms, a rare-earth metal. At the time, supersolids had only been observed as a series of droplets in one dimension. The team hoped that this first breakthrough could allow for the study of vortices within the supersolid itself. While that hope wasnt misplaced, observing those quantum tornadoes was far from simple. The next stepdeveloping a way to stir the supersolid without destroying its fragile staterequired even greater precision, Eva Casotti, lead author of the study, said in a press statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team used magnetic fields to deftly rotate the supersolid, and because liquids within the lattice of the supersolid dont rotate rigidly, this high-precision movement created quantum vortices that are a tell-tale sign of superfluidity. The discovery of this phenomenon has big implications for laboratory studies of supersolid dynamics in exotic conditions, but it could also help answer some questions about one of the most extreme celestial objects in the known universe: the neutron star. It is assumed that the change in rotational speed observed in neutron starsso-called glitchesare caused by superfluid vortices trapped inside neutron stars, Thomas Bland, co-author of the study, said in a press statement. Our platform offers the opportunity to simulate such phenomena right here on Earth. Considering that the surface of a neutron star would vaporize the human body immediately, studying their physical characteristics from afar seems like a good idea. You Might Also Like By John Irish and Anne Kauranen PARIS (Reuters) - Forcing neutrality onto Ukraine will not bring about a peaceful solution to the crisis with Russia, Finland's foreign minister said on Monday, adding that Moscow could not be trusted to adhere to any agreement it signs. Ruled by tsarist Russia for more than a century, Finland gained independence in 1917. It then desperately fended off a Soviet invasion in 1939 and for a time sided with Nazi Germany in a bid to win back lost territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the war ended with Allied victory, Finland found itself compelled to spend decades maintaining friendly and accommodating relations with its eastern neighbour and treading a sometimes precarious path of neutrality to preserve independence - a tactic known as "Finlandisation". With the prospect of U.S. president elect Donald Trump seeking to end the conflict as quickly possible and concerns from some allies that the terms could be imposed in Kyiv, one scenario could be to force a neutral status on Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly demanded Ukraine remain neutral for there to be peace, which would de facto kill its aspirations for NATO membership. RUSSIA TRUST ISSUES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking in an interview with Reuters, Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen poured cold water on using the "Finlandisation" model, pointing out that firstly Helsinki had fended off Russia in World War 2 and that despite the ensuing peace had always continued to arm itself fearing a new conflict. "I'm against it (Finlandisation), yes. Let's face it, Ukraine was neutral before they were attacked by Russia," Valtonen, whose country has a 1,300-km (810-mile) border with Russia, said on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum. "It's definitely not something I would be imposing on Ukraine. Definitely not as a first alternative," adding that it would not make the problems go away. The Ukraine invasion led both Finland and Sweden to abandon decades of military non-alignment and seek safety in the NATO camp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valtonen questioned whether Russia could be trusted even if it agreed a deal and said forcing Ukraine's hand to accept terms against its will would tear down the international system. "I really want to avoid a situation where any European country, or the United States for that matter, starts negotiating over the heads of Ukraine," she said. "A larger power can not just grab territory, but also essentially weaken the sovereignty of another nation," she said. (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Sharon Singleton) China launches new satellite to monitor methane emissions Xinhua) 09:52, November 12, 2024 A Lijian-1 Y5 commercial carrier rocket with 15 satellites onboard blasts off from a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in northwest China, Nov. 11, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) JIUQUAN, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday launched the Lijian-1 Y5 commercial carrier rocket with 15 satellites onboard, including the Xiguang-1 04 satellite, which is China's first high-resolution methane monitoring commercial satellite. The rocket blasted off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) from a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in northwest China. According to the satellite developer, Xiopm SPACE, a commercial space company set up by Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, it is equipped with a methane camera, a chlorophyll camera and a multi-spectral camera. The satellite has multiple functions such as methane emission monitoring and trend tracking, carbon source identification, and carbon neutrality capability assessment. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has a strong impact on global warming. The satellite will achieve high-frequency, high-precision observations of methane leaks from point sources globally -- providing both data and technical support for the construction of a comprehensive methane emission supervision system. It will not only provide strong support for China's efforts in ecological and environmental protection, industrial emission supervision, and gas leak detection, but also enhance China's influence in the global carbon neutrality quest. According to Qin Jing, chairperson and general manager of Xiopm SPACE, the successful launch of the Xiguang-1 04 satellite is an important breakthrough in the field of high-resolution methane monitoring, demonstrating China's comprehensive strength in space technology and underlining the country's determination to address global climate change. The batch of satellites launched on Monday also includes the Xiguang-1 05 satellite, equipped with a hyperspectral camera and a panchromatic camera, which can be widely used in fields such as agricultural monitoring, mineral exploration and environmental surveillance. Qin also revealed that the company is developing a new generation of both high-resolution methane monitoring satellites and carbon monitoring satellites to meet domestic and international market demands. The Xiguang-1 series hyperspectral remote sensing satellite constellation is an example of such efforts. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sarah Palin and the New York Times have explored trying to settle the former Alaska governor and Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate's closely watched defamation case against the newspaper, their lawyers said on Tuesday. The disclosures came during a phone conference where U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan scheduled a retrial for April 14, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That followed a federal appeals court's decision in August to throw out a February 2022 verdict in the Times' favor, saying it was tainted by several of the judge's rulings. Palin, 60, sued the Times in 2017 over an editorial that incorrectly suggested she may have incited a 2011 mass shooting in Arizona where six people died and Democratic congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was seriously wounded. The Times corrected the editorial quickly, but Palin said it damaged her reputation and should pay damages. James Bennet, the Times' editorial page editor at the time, is also a defendant. Lawyers for both sides had asked for a July 2025 retrial, to accommodate people's schedules and allow more time to negotiate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While neither side said talks are ongoing, the Times' lawyer David Axelrod said a "non-trial disposition" of the case was possible, and "we may not need a trial date at all." Kenneth Turkel, a lawyer for Palin, said both sides "wanted to give it a shot." Rakoff suggested that a magistrate judge or mediator get involved. "If you're seriously interested in settling, it could be settled in a matter of days," he said. Turkel declined to make an additional comment after the conference. Times spokesman Charlie Stadtlander said in an email that the newspaper anticipates a retrial, "but the court in every litigation expects the parties to discuss whether they can reach a resolution." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'SULLIVAN' VEHICLE In reviving Palin's case, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said Rakoff wrongly excluded evidence that Palin believed reflected the Times' "actual malice," and wrongly instructed jurors on how much proof she needed to prevail. The court also found it problematic that Rakoff announced during jury deliberations his plan to dismiss the case even if jurors ruled for Palin, and jurors saw his decision through news alerts on their cellphones. Palin and media critics have viewed the case as a vehicle to overturn New York Times v. Sullivan, a landmark 1964 U.S. Supreme Court decision that made it much harder for public figures to prove defamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sullivan decision requires proof that media demonstrated "actual malice," meaning they knowingly published false information or had reckless disregard for the truth. Two conservative justices on the current high court, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, have urged a reconsideration of the Sullivan decision. Palin was Alaska governor from 2006 to 2009. She was also the late Republican Senator John McCain's running mate in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Rakoff had wanted a retrial by February 2025, and was taken aback when Axelrod proposed a July date. "July! Oh forget it," Rakoff said. The case is Palin v. New York Times et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 17-04853. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Bill Berkrot) A man has been accused of kidnapping a pregnant woman at gunpoint from her Washington home before leaving her stranded thousands of miles away in Mexico. Daniel Lopez, 24, faces charges of first-degree kidnapping and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to charging documents first seen by Komo News. The Auburn Police Department (APD) said Lopez was located following a joint investigation between the FBI and local authorities in connection with the disappearance of 21-year-old Auburn resident Jackelin Perez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested more than 2,300 miles away from Auburn in Houston, Texas, after authorities tracked down his license plate, the APD said. Lopez was said to have been extradited to Washington before he was charged, as per the local TV station. Perez had emigrated to Washington with her husband from Guatemala months prior to when she went missing last month, according to authorities. Police said that the victim, who was six-weeks pregnant, was taken from her home under duress in an extraordinarily violent kidnapping between 6pm and 7pm on October 13 from her home in the north-east of the city. Perezs husband arrived home approximately 20 minutes after she was abducted by at least two men including Lopez before reporting her disappearance on the morning of October 14, according to charging documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kidnappers brought the victim to Mexico before subsequently releasing her, police said. It is not currently clear why the kidnappers decided to take her to Mexico. Police speculated that Perez was caught up in illegal activity which she was not directly involved in. Search efforts were also made in Guatemala and Mexico before she was tracked down. Jackelin Perez has been located and is alive. She was found in Mexico earlier this week by Mexican authorities, APD said in a statement on October 23. After speaking with Perez, she confirmed that she was, in fact, kidnapped at gunpoint. Kolby Crossley, a public information officer for the APD, told WSAZ3: It was shocking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a surprise to all of us and really just thrilled, he added of Perez being located. A job well done by our detectives, who have been working around the clock to find Jackelin. We also want to thank the FBI and the other agencies that assisted in this case, the APD added in its statement. The Independent has contacted the APD for more information. Florida forecasters said Tuesday that they expect a tropical weather system moving near Hispaniola and Puerto Rico to strengthen over the coming days potentially into another hurricane that could hit the state. The low-pressure area in the Caribbean should develop into Sara later this week or over the weekend, according to Orlandos WFTV. The station said the system is anticipated to drift into the western Caribbean as Tropical Storm Sara, and will likely become a hurricane in the southern Gulf of Mexico. While it remains too early to tell where it will end up, WFTV said some models show the system moving east and into Florida. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disturbance in the Caribbean Sea, which is expected to strengthen over the coming days. The system will likely become Sara, the next named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and could impact Florida (National Hurricane Center) The National Hurricane Center said Tuesday that environmental conditions appear to be right for development in the Caribbean Sea. A tropical depression is likely to form by the end of the week, as the system shifts westward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By early next week, the Hurricane Center said it would shift northwestward. Sara would be the 18th named tropical cyclone of the 2024 season. Last week, Rafael hit western Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane, knocking out its entire power grid. Only a few days later, eastern Cuba was rocked by an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8. Children wade through a flooded street after Hurricane Rafael in Batabano, Cuba, earlier this month. The storm was followed by a major earthquake ((AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)) Rafael brought dangerous and life-threatening surf and rip currents to beaches along the Gulf Coast. Climate change is bringing hurricanes later into the year, with ocean water temperatures reaching record or near-record highs in the Gulf of Mexico. The normal Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30. Dont let your guard down just because the calendar says were heading into mid-November. Conditions and water temperatures in the tropics are still primed for tropical storms to form in the final weeks of hurricane season, AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva warned on Monday. History shows that Florida faces a higher risk of tropical impacts than any other state during the month of November. Anyone who voted against Kamala Harris last Tuesday to protest the Biden-Harris administrations policy on the war in Gaza may soon feel the pangs of buyers remorse. The first qualms might have come on Friday, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Yechiel Leiter to be Israels new ambassador to the United States. Leiter is a prominent writer and activist in Israels settler movement. He advocates formally annexing the West Bank, the illegally occupied territory from which Israelis have steadily and forcibly displaced many Palestinians. As both men have admitted, Donald Trump and Netanyahu have talked several times in the past few weeks. It is unlikely that Netanyahu would have appointed Leiter without getting a green light from Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many settlers, Leiter grew up in the United States, where he joined Rabbi Meir Kahanes Jewish Defense League, which was founded in the late 1960s initially to quell antisemitism but eventually grew into a radical organization calling for the violent expulsion of Palestinians from all of Israel. At one point, the U.S. declared the JDL to be a terrorist organization; Kahane, who emigrated to Israel in 1971, was too radical even for his host country, which arrested him 62 times over the next decade. (One of his books, written in jail, was called They Must Gothey being Arabs in Israel.) He was assassinated in Brooklyn in 1990 by an Egyptian American. Leiter has never been charged with any violent activity. An article this past week in the left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz calls him a thoughtful and respected writer with a deep understanding of American politics. However, the same article notes that by appointing Leiter, Netanyahu is making his intentions extremely clear: His focus is on annexation, not normalization. The move signals that the prime minister believes Trump will support him in that focus, not only in the West Bank but also in parts of Gaza. Trump has been saying for a long time now that Netanyahu should finish the fighting in Gazanot by signing a peace deal but by winning the war, and doing so quickly, preferably before Inauguration Day. In conversations with Muslim leaders in Michigan, Trump said he was for peace in the Middle Eastbut how he accomplishes this seems reminiscent of Richard Nixons plan for peace in Vietnam, which helped him win the 1968 presidential election but turned out to be bombing the North Vietnamese into submission. (The bombing was ferocious, but the enemy didnt submit.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Trumps case, the plan amounts to letting Israel bomb, invade, and occupywhatever it takes, as the president-elect later said. In the last days of the campaign, he said President Biden had put too many restraints on Israel. When Sen. Chuck Schumer, one of the most pro-Israel members of Congress, criticized Israels behavior in the war, Trump said he was acting like a Palestinianand he didnt mean it as a compliment. Netanyahu also said this past week that he and Trump see eye to eye on Iran. During his first go-around as president, Netanyahu persuaded Trump to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, which had been signed by President Obama and five other world leaders in 2014. A few weeks ago, after Iran attacked Israel with missiles, Trump said Israel should hit the nucleari.e., it should respond by destroying Irans nuclear facilities. President Biden persuaded Netanyahu to launch a proportional retaliation, which he did, destroying Iranian missile factories, aircraft, and air-defense sites. These last targets were most important, as their destruction left much of Irans critical infrastructureenergy and some nuclear sitesexposed. Irans Ayatollah Khamenei recently said he would deliver a crushing blow to Israel in response to that attack. He might want to reconsider. Even Biden told him that if he did, the U.S. would not hold Israel back this time. Trump would outright encourage Netanyahu to do his utmostand maybe even send the U.S. Air Force to help. Despite Trumps clear favoritism toward Israel and utter disregard for the Palestinians, an exit poll indicated that just 20 percent of Muslim Americans voted for Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday. Slightly more, 21 percent, voted for Trump, while 53 percent voted for the protest candidate, Jill Stein. In Michigan, just 14 percent of Muslims voted for Harris. In Dearborn, Michigan, where many Muslims are concentrated, 42 percent voted for Trump, 36 percent for Harris, and 18 percent for Stein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, back in 2020, Biden beat Trump among Michigan Muslims, 6917. There are about 240,000 Muslims in Michiganjust about 2.5 percent of its 10 million people overall. Harris lost the state on Tuesday by about 78,000 votes. In other words, though it wouldnt have mattered in the overall election, the war might have cost the Democrats Michigans 15 electoral votesdespite the fact that Trumps position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is, was, and always has been tilted far more sharply toward Israel. It is possible that Trumps extra pressure could push the regions antagonists in a conciliatory direction. Shortly after the election, Qatars leaders said they would expel Hamas political spokesmen, who have been lounging in the small oil-rich countrys capital, Doha, since before the war began. Whether this spurs Hamas to get more serious in cease-fire negotiationsor, for that matter, whether the Doha contingent has any influence over the militias fighters in Gazais hard to say. For the moment, Netanyahu still sees total victory, including the elimination of Hamas as a political and military force in Gaza, as his goal. Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, reached out to Trump soon after the election, saying he hoped the two could achieve peace in the region. Abbas sent his message, along with congratulations, through Tiffany Trumps father-in-law, a prominent Lebanese American businessman who had campaigned for the president. However, Abbas has long ago lost all leverage with other Palestinian groups in the Middle East. The once-and-future American president probably is keenly interested in facilitating normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, seeing it as a continuation of the Abraham Accords, which his son-in-law Jared Kushner helped engineer in his first term and which formalized the Jewish states ties to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. However, the Saudis have said normalizationwhich they also very much wantis impossible without an end to the fighting in Gaza and real negotiations toward a Palestinian state. Netanyahu opposes even discussions about the latter; it is unclear how much Trump would insist on it as a condition for his continued friendship with the prime minister. Trumps reemergence may further deter Irans leaders from firing more missiles at Israel. It may even spur them to make diplomatic overtures on broader issues; Irans currency, the rial, already in dismal shape, dropped precipitously the day after the American election. However, Netanyahu has never welcomed any such moves from Iran, even during the period of the nuclear deal, when they seemed genuine. Sources in Trumps entourage say that he is likely to restart the maximum pressure policy of his first termthough that had little effect except to compel the Iranians to restart their nuclear program, which they had begun to dismantle. OSAKA, Nov 12 (News On Japan) - The "Ikefes" festival in Osaka invites visitors to explore over 100 historic buildings for free, showcasing the citys architectural heritage from historic landmarks to modern structures. Now in its 11th year, the event offers a rare glimpse into Osakas living architecture and allows residents and tourists alike to rediscover the citys history embedded in everyday scenery. A highlight of the festival is the Nishihori Apartments, a restored residential building from 1958, which once housed prominent figures. The Semba area in Osakas Chuo Ward is another focal point, where architecture specialist Shinya Hashi explains Osakas historical prosperity in the 1920s and '30s. Many structures from that era remain, such as the Menkyo Kaikan, an Important Cultural Property. Originally a social club for the textile industry elite, the buildings unique design and gold-laced windows reflect Japans early 20th-century history. Osakas streets also feature historic public baths like the Hashi Public Bath, an iconic Showa-era structure that no longer functions as a bath but now serves as a cultural venue. Among the most popular attractions is the Taishoji No. 100 in Nishinari Ward, a former high-class brothel now operating as a restaurant. Tours of this venue are highly sought after, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into Osaka's past through preserved Japanese-style interiors. Overall, Ikefes connects Osakas rich architectural legacy with the present, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate the citys enduring cultural assets. Source: YOMIURI TOKYO, Nov 12 (News On Japan) - Renowned guitar brand Fender has partnered with the beloved character Hello Kitty in a new collaboration. Fender, headquartered in the United States, launched a range of Hello Kitty-themed guitars and accessories on Tuesday. The brands flagship store in Harajuku, which opened last year as Fender's first flagship location in Asia, has been attracting a steady stream of inbound tourists. With this new collaboration, Fender aims to reach a broader customer base, including women. Fender Music President Edward Cole: "Our expectations for Japan and the Asia-Pacific region are high. Sales have been growing over the past decade, and we anticipate this trend will continue. We will keep investing across the Asia-Pacific region." Source: BIZ TOKYO, Nov 13 (News On Japan) - A new exhibition at the Eisei Bunko Museum in Tokyo showcases a unique collection of 60 letters by the renowned warlord Oda Nobunaga, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of his character. This includes recently discovered letters, with some bearing his own handwriting, offering rare insights into Nobunaga's personal thoughts and actions. Among the collection is a notable letter Nobunaga personally wrote, which is unusual as samurai often relied on scribes. In it, he praises Hosokawa, a young retainer, for his efforts to counter a rebellion, reflecting a side of Nobunaga that was compassionate and appreciative of loyalty, traits not commonly associated with the historical figure. Another significant letter dates back to March 7th of the final year of the Muromachi shogunate, detailing Nobunaga's complex relationship with Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the last shogun. Despite their eventual clash, Nobunagas correspondence reveals his initial efforts to preserve the shogunate and his reluctance to break ties, indicating his loyalty and struggle with political conflicts of his time. A newly discovered scroll from 2022, addressed to retainer Hosokawa Fujitaka, provides further evidence of Nobunagas attempts to maintain alliances and avoid conflict. This correspondence highlights Nobunagas desire for stability rather than outright domination, challenging common perceptions of him as purely a conqueror. The exhibition, open until December 1st, allows visitors to explore these intimate glimpses into Nobunaga's life, illustrating the complexities and humanity of one of Japan's most formidable historical figures. Source: ANN Key Takeaways: AI enhances enrollment management by quickly analyzing large datasets, helping universities efficiently target and communicate with potential students. Human insight brings empathy, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of applicant stories, which are critical for fostering inclusivity and responding to complex situations. Combining AIs efficiency with human empathy creates a balanced approach, allowing institutions to mitigate biases and offer a more authentic, personalized recruitment experience. Future enrollment strategies will likely center on augmented intelligence, where AI supports human expertise, offering scalable solutions that adapt to changing demographics and student needs. As AI takes on a growing role in student recruitment, higher education faces an intriguing challenge: blending cutting-edge technology with the irreplaceable human touch. By analyzing large datasets, AI can pinpoint patterns, identify ideal candidates, and optimize recruiting efforts on an unprecedented scale. Yet, for all its computational prowess, AI lacks a crucial elementthe nuanced, empathetic human insight that understands the unique stories behind each application. As universities seek to attract diverse, dedicated students, the big question arises: Will AI replace human expertise in enrollment, or will it serve as an indispensable tool that supports human insight? AIs Role in Enrollment Management AIs ability to process and analyze myriad data with speed and precision is revolutionizing enrollment management in higher education. Algorithms tailored to identify specific demographics can quickly parse through millions of records, targeting potential applicants who might be an excellent fit for the institution. For enrollment teams, this targeting capability means reaching out to students with customized, compelling messages, making recruitment more effective and efficient. Beyond recruitment, AI can forecast enrollment trends, helping universities manage resources more effectively. Predictive analytics let institutions gauge the number of students likely to accept offers, guiding decisions around housing, faculty hiring, and course availability. The efficiency of AI extends to its ability to run analyses that would typically take months to conduct manually, cutting decision-making time significantly. However, the question remains: While AI is quick and precise, does it miss nuances that are only visible through human perception? Strengths of Human Insight Human insight offers invaluable elements that AI algorithms currently cannot replicateempathy, adaptability, and cultural understanding. When admissions professionals review applications, they often bring a deep understanding of the context that goes beyond numbers and statistics. A students background, personal statement, and unique experiences provide insights that arent always quantifiable but are crucial to forming a more complete picture of the applicants potential. This human insight is particularly essential in cases where sensitivity is paramount, such as recruiting students from underrepresented backgrounds or responding to crises affecting applicants lives. In such cases, enrollment officers can adjust criteria, use discretion, and take into account non traditional markers of student success. Additionally, the human element in enrollment fosters a personal connection with prospective students, contributing to a sense of belonging and community, which can increase student satisfaction and improve retention rates over time. AI and Human Insight: The Power of Synergy Rather than viewing AI and human insight as competitors, higher education institutions can benefit greatly from combining the two. AI can handle the bulk of data processing and trend prediction, freeing human enrollment officers to apply their unique skills in areas where empathy and understanding are critical. Together, they form a balanced approach, where AI brings speed and precision while human insight provides context and flexibility. This synergy is also important for addressing some of the limitations of AI, such as algorithmic bias. Algorithms can sometimes reflect biases present in the training data, which could lead to unintended discrimination or a lack of diversity. Human oversight can help catch these biases, making adjustments to ensure fair and inclusive recruitment practices. By blending AI-driven efficiency with human discernment, institutions can provide a more authentic, well-rounded experience for applicants, leading to higher satisfaction and a stronger alignment with institutional values. Future AI Trends in Enrollment Management Looking ahead, the future of enrollment management in higher education is likely to center on augmented intelligencean approach that treats AI as a powerful assistant rather than a replacement for human expertise. With advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, AI tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, capable of understanding and responding to more complex human language cues. This, in turn, could support more personalized communications with students. Additionally, AI-driven platforms will continue to improve, with increasingly intuitive interfaces and real-time data analysis capabilities that make them more accessible and useful for enrollment teams. As these tools become more refined, they will further assist institutions in adapting to enrollment shifts, such as changing demographics and economic factors, by providing real-time insights and automated solutions for dynamic challenges. A Balanced Path Forward The future of enrollment management will not lie in choosing between AI and human insight but in skillfully combining the two. While AI enhances efficiency, human expertise remains essential for making decisions rooted in empathy and ethics. For enrollment teams, this means utilizing AI to streamline data-heavy processes while relying on human judgment to navigate the complexities of individual applications. With a balanced approach, higher education institutions can prepare for a future that benefits from both technological innovations and the enduring value of human connection. Zach Varga serves as the vice president of Client Success at Liaison, where he collaborates with higher education institutions and partnerships, providing solutions to enable the attainment of enrollment and student success goals. He leads the Client Success, Implementation, Technical Support, and Managed Services teams for the TargetX and Othot solutions within Liaison. He brings over 10 years of leadership experience in customer success, project management, and operations from various industries, including edtech, robotics, transportation, and more. Zach received his Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts from Duquesne University. By Joseph Erunke, Abuja ASUU accuses the World Bank and IMF of efforts to destroy and bury Nigerias public university system. The union criticizes delays in renegotiating the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement. ASUU provides Ph.D. grants of N500,000 to selected members across public universities. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has claimed that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are actively undermining Nigerias public education. The accusation was made as the union expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in renegotiating its 2009 agreement with the federal government. Despite multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action (MoAs), ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke lamented that the agreement remains unsigned. Speaking during ASUUs Heroes Day 2024-2025 ceremony in Abuja, Prof. Osodeke highlighted additional grievances, including the enforced Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and the withholding of ASUU members salaries for three and a half months. ASUU also announced the distribution of Ph.D. grants worth N500,000 each to selected members following rigorous proposal evaluations. Prof. Osodeke commended members for their resilience in defending Nigerias public university system and expressed solidarity with ASUU members facing hardships in Kogi State University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. The Heroes Day event honors past and current members for their sacrifices to improve public education. Prof. Osodeke cited the late Prof. Festus Iyayi, a former ASUU president, and others who have contributed significantly to ASUUs mission. By Joseph Erunke, Abuja The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced on Tuesday that the death toll from the Lassa Fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 174 out of 1,035 confirmed cases as of October 13, 2024. The figures, obtained across 28 states and 129 local government areas in the country, were derived from 8,569 suspected cases reported nationwide. At a news briefing in Abuja, the Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that more states were reporting cases of Lassa Fever, indicating a steady increase in the outbreaks reach. In 2022, Nigeria reported 1,067 confirmed cases across 27 states and 112 local government areas, while in 2023, 28 states and 114 local government areas were affected, with 9,155 suspected cases, 1,270 confirmed cases, and 227 deaths, Dr. Idris recalled. Lassa Fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by the Lassa virus, primarily spreads through contact with infected multimammate rats (also known as African rats), though other rodents can also act as carriers. We continue to see a rise in the number of states reporting Lassa fever cases, driven by improved surveillance, heightened community awareness, and environmental degradation due to climate change and harmful human activities, he explained. Dr. Idris reported that as of October 13, 2024, 8,569 suspected cases, 1,035 confirmed cases, and 174 deaths have been recorded across 28 states and 129 local government areas. He highlighted the significant impact of the disease on affected communities, stating: When heads of households are exposed to Lassa fever, they are often unable to work. The associated costs of care and treatment place a financial strain on families, pushing many toward poverty. He emphasized that Lassa Fever outbreaks are not only deadly but also place healthcare workers at high risk. The loss of life from this disease is not just a statistic; it represents beloved family members, spouses, and parents. Healthcare workers are also vulnerable, and the loss of experienced medical personnel due to infection further strains the countrys limited healthcare workforce, he added. By Ikenna Ngere The African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, recently shared a memorable story about his only meeting with Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. At the time, 21-year-old Sowore, then the University of Lagos Student Union leader, led a delegation to visit Abiola shortly after the election was annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida. Sowore recounted this experience during his appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, which Glitch Africa Studios released on YouTube on Monday. In that meeting, Abiola reportedly offered him N800,000, a sum that Sowore chose to decline. Reflecting on this encounter, Sowore described it as their first and last meeting, one that left a lasting impression on him. The podcast, co-hosted by Nedu, Husband Material, Deity Cole, and Ezinne, opened with a question to Sowore about his now-viral photo with Chief MKO Abiola, then one of Africas richest men. Sowore explained that the photo was taken in 1993, just after the June 12 election had been annulled. We started protesting immediately, but while the protest was going on, we were concerned about whether Abiola was strong enough to fight the battle we were ready forthe battle of our lives. This was the year I was supposed to graduate from university, Sowore explained. In describing the encounter, Sowore recounted how he and his colleagues drove to Abiolas residence in a student union bus, broke through protocol, and directly asked to see him. Abiola recognized Sowore as a student union leader and praised his efforts. So one day, we drove directly to his house in the Student Union bus and walked into his parlour. We asked to see him, breaking all the protocols. When we arrived, he asked, Who are these peopleN and I stepped forward. He recognised me and said, Ah, student union leader, I know you. Good job! he said. Sowore recalled asking Abiola if he was truly ready for the struggle and was prepared to sacrifice everything for Nigeria. In the room with Abiola were several politicians who, according to Sowore, seemed more interested in Abiolas wealth than his cause. Sowore said he warned Abiola that some of these politicians didnt believe in his vision and would eventually betray him. I said to him, Are you ready for this battleN Are you ready to die for NigeriansN and he said yes. Then, as we walked into the room, we saw politicians clinging to their bags because they were there to collect money. Abiola had a large duffel bag of cash beside him. I told him that these people didnt believe in his mandate and would betray him. Abiola then reached for his duffel bag and started counting N800,000. He placed it on our side and said, Student union leaders this is for your transportation. I told him, Chief, forget the transportation; how can N800,000 cover transport from UNILAG to hereN We did not take the money, but he insisted. He had never given money to anyone before, but we rejected it, Sowore recounted. Sowore noted that his refusal made some of the politicians in the room uncomfortable. I was wearing slippers and my only Ankara outfit. When they saw my firm stance, Chief Anthony Enahoro, who was also there, supported me. Abiola later walked them out to ease the tension. Outside, John Momoh, now the owner of Channels Television, was waiting with his cameraman to interview Abiola. Thats when the famous photo was taken, Sowore said. Sowore shared that he only discovered the existence of this photo in 2018. I didnt know the footage existed until 2018. A photographer, Tunji Oyelero, who worked at Vanguard, had taken the photo but never gave it to me. He passed away before I got it, and one day, someone sent it to me. 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. The enraged Algerian military regime is beating the drums of war again in reaction to consecutive Moroccan inroads in defending its sovereignty over the Sahara and its autonomy plan for the territory. Unable to swallow a painful blow dealt by the UN Security Council in its recent resolution on the Sahara issue, Algeria seems to be emboldening the Polisario to use terrorist tactics against civilians in Moroccos Sahara. These tactics can be read as an expression of Algerian and Polisario frustration following the UN Security Council resolutions which describe Moroccos efforts to end the conflict as serious and credible, while calling for the parties including Algeria- to return to round tables and show compromise to find a mutually acceptable political solution to the conflict. The momentum is now unstoppable. The return of Trump would play into Moroccos interest in settling the conflict based on the autonomy plan, which has the support of global powers like France, Israel, and Sapin as well as most of Africa and the Arab World. Mired in anachronism under the grip of a deepening economic and social crisis, the Algerian regime is no longer satisfied with pulling the strings of the Polisario on the Sahara issue. The Algerian octogenarian men in uniform have now replaced the Polisario speaking on its behalf in international forums and warmongering on its behalf, while staging military parades to tell the world they are ready for war as they also aim to distract their own people from a deepening social and economic crisis. Moroccos foreign minister Nasser Bourita told Moroccan MPs that Algeria seeks to escalate the dispute into a war, according to Moroccan media citing sources who attended the meeting. If Algeria decides to enter the conflict directly after decades of using the Polisario proxies to unsettle Morocco to no avail, that would vindicate Morocco which has always been saying that Algeria is the real party to the conflict and the belligerent that has blocked any progress towards the autonomy solution. Beating the drums of war is an expression of the failure of Algerian diplomacy in defending a separatist chimera from a bygone era. Arab and Islamic leaders have hailed the substantial support provided by Al Quds Committee, chaired by King Mohammed VI, to the Palestinian people, especially the Maqdissis. The supportive stand comes in a resolution adopted by the joint Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit held Monday in Riyadh to discuss Israels ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Head of Govt. Aziz Akhannouch represented King Mohammed VI at the Riyadh Summit. He was accompanied by foreign minister Nasser Bourita and several diplomats. In his speech before the Summit, Akhannouch said King Mohammed VI places the Palestinian cause at the top of Moroccos foreign policy, underlining the Monarchs steadfast commitment to continue to back constructive initiatives aimed at finding practical solutions, achieving a tangible and permanent ceasefire, and addressing the humanitarian situation. He also cited the Sovereigns recent remarks saying that the deteriorating conditions in the region require going beyond the logic of crisis management and seeking, instead, a final solution to this conflict. If putting an end to the war in Gaza is an urgent priority, then this must be achieved concurrently with opening up political prospects conducive to a just and lasting peace in the region, had said the King of Morocco, affirming that that security and stability in the region can be achieved only within the framework of the two-state solution, with Gaza an integral part of the territory of the independent Palestinian state, and East Jerusalem its capital. As Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, the Sovereign had given his instructions to Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, the operational arm of the Al-Quds Committee, to deliver urgent humanitarian and medical aid to our Palestinian brothers in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Al-Quds Asharif, underlined Akhannouch, who pointed out that Morocco condemns the decision to end UNRWAs activities. The expansion of Israels operations to Lebanon shows that the whole region is heading towards escalation, said the Moroccan Prime Minister, noting that Morocco joins Arab and Islamic countries in expressing solidarity with Lebanon to preserve its sovereignty over all its territories, national unity, safety and stability. Frances Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, praised, on Monday in Paris, Frances exemplary partnership of North-South cooperation with Morocco. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the first day of the Paris Peace Forum, attended political, business and civil society leaders from around the world, the French minister stressed that with Morocco we are now looking towards a future that we have decided to build and defend together. We decided together to launch a renovated partnership for the years to come, and we will make it stronger, he said. Barrot also called for a new cooperation approach with Africa. We must do more and better with Africa, because we have a long history with this great continent. Because we know we have many common challenges, stressed the head of French diplomacy. The 7th edition of the Paris Peace Forum, held under the theme Wanted: A Functioning Global Order, featured several sessions dedicated to geopolitics, peace and conflict, including the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East and Sudan. Morocco was represented at the forum bu ambassador to France, Samira Sitail. The French ambassador Christophe Lecourtier will be visiting the cities of Dakhla and Laayoune to meet the local population and local officials and explore cooperation paths, the French embassy to Rabat said. Lecourtiers visit comes a few days after French President Macron reiterated full support for Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory. The visit is also the second of its kind by an ambassador of a global power recognizing Moroccos full territorial integrity after that of the US ambassador in 2020, after the US backed Moroccos rights to the Sahara. During his three-day visit, Lecourtier will hold talks with leaders in the field of politics and the economy as well as representatives of strategic institutions and development programs. His agenda includes a visit to the UM6P University of Laayoune and the Atlantic port of Dakhla and the citys desalination plant which are both under construction by French energy firm Engie. During the trip, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morocco (CFCIM) will be organizing a conference bringing together the business community of the region along with other Moroccan and French firms. During the visit by Macron to Rabat, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said his country was interested in expanding partnership with Morocco, including in the Southern Provinces, the Sahara. He said France will also extend its consular and cultural services to the Sahara territory. At least 17 Chadian soldiers were killed in a weekend attack by Boko Haram militants on a military post that also left 96 of the attackers dead in the countrys west, according to Chadian army sources. The attack in the Lake Chad region, which has been plagued this year by frequent attacks from insurgents, happened on Saturday (9 November), army spokesperson Gen. Issakh Acheikh has said without providing further details. The attacks by Boko Haram, the Islamic State in West Africa and other armed groups have revived fears of violence after a period of peace following a successful operation launched in 2020 by the Chadian army to destroy the extremist groups bases. In October, an attack on a military base claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers, prompting Chads President Mahamat Deby Itno to launch a military operation to dislodge Boko Haram insurgents from the Lake Chad region. In March, an attack the government blamed on Boko Haram killed seven soldiers. Boko Harams insurgency, launched more than a decade ago, aiming to establish Islamic law in Nigerias northeast, has since spread also to West African neighbors including Chad, Cameroon and Niger. Chad, a Central African country of nearly 18 million people, has been rocked by political turmoil before and after a controversial presidential election in 2021 that resulted in Deby Itnos victory. Australian gold miner, Resolute Minings shares dropped as much as 32% on Monday (11 November) following the arrest of its CEO and two executives while in Mali to discuss claims made against the company with the countrys authorities. CEO Terence Holohan and his two colleagues were in Bamako to discuss with mining and tax authorities the companys business practices in Mali generally and to make progress on ongoing claims against Resolute, which continues to claim they are unfounded, Resolute said in a statement on Sunday (10 November). The three employees were unexpectedly detained after the end of these meetings on Friday, the Australian company added. The three executives were subsequently taken to the unit specializing in the fight against corruption and economic and financial delinquency, and placed in police custody in a case of alleged forgery and damage to public property, according to the reports by AFP. Foreign mining companies, which have long dominated Malis mining sector, have become the subject of increased pressure from the junta that came to power by force in 2020. The junta-led government has thus introduced a revised mining code as part of its push to acquire a larger portion of the mining industrys juicy revenues. This code aims to boost the governments ownership in gold projects, part of efforts to funnel more mining profits into state coffers. This arrest of Resolutes executives makes it the second time in two months employees of foreign mining firms have been detained in Mali, which is one of Africas leading gold producers. In September, the junta-led government ordered the arrest of four employees of the Canadian company, Barrick Gold. French ambassador to Morocco Christophe Lecourtier started Monday an official visit, the first of its kind, to the Moroccan Saharan cities of Laayoune and Dakhla. He is the first European ambassador to visit Moroccan Sahara and the second diplomat of a major global power recognizing Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara, after the visit paid by U.S. ambassador David Fisher to Dakhla in 2021. The three-day trip of the French ambassador to the Moroccan Sahara is a big blow to the Algerian military rulers who spent billions of petrodollars on a lost separatist cause. The French move, which comes after the victory of Donald trump in the presidential election, is a historical milestone. It will encourage other European countries to follow suit building on the growing international support for Moroccos sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory. The French ambassador travelled to the Southern provinces of the Kingdom with a large delegation of businessmen to identify joint partnership projects. In parallel to this trip, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morocco (CFCIM) is organizing Economic Days in the regions of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, which will be attended by around fifty business leaders and economic decision-makers from Morocco and France, said Frances embassy in Rabat. Since the opening of its delegations in Laayoune in May 2017, in Dakhla in March 2019, and recently in Guelmim in February 2024, the CFCIM has exerted continuous efforts to promote economic partnership between France and Morocco. The ambassadors visit was announced by French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot during the state visit paid lately by President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. Mr. Barrot had reiterated his countrys determination to promote Morocco-French partnership throughout the Kingdom, including the Moroccan Sahara. French companies will be supporting the development of Moroccan Saharan territory through investments and sustainable initiatives that benefit local populations, he had said, adding that the French ambassador to Morocco will be visiting the southern provinces to explore joint business opportunities in various sectors of common interest. We are going to increase our consular and cultural presence there, with a view to creating a French alliance, he had affirmed. In an address before the Moroccan parliament during his state visit to the Kingdom, President Emmanuel Macron had solemnly affirmed that for France, the present and future of this territory (Sahara) lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, and that for France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue shall be resolved. The French President also reaffirmed his commitment that France will further support Moroccos efforts to promote the economic and social development of the region, for the benefit of the local populations. And I say this here with great emphasis: our operators and businesses will support the development of these territories (of Moroccan Sahara) through investments, sustainable initiatives, and solidarity for the benefit of local populations, President macron had said before the Moroccan Parliament. Spanish Civil Guard, in collaboration with Moroccos Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), seized over 4.7 tons of cannabis aboard two rubber boats between the islands of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. The operation, made possible thanks to close police cooperation with Morocco, involved use of a maritime surveillance system which located the boats loaded with 131 bundles of drugs around 80 kilometres off the coast, local press reported on Tuesday, citing police sources. The four crew members of the two boats were arrested by Guardia Civil units on site during this intervention in the high seas. Suspects were placed under Spanish judicial authorities custody, who ordered their pre-trial detention. Photo: Morry Gash/AP Photo These days in the Senate, there are some incoming lawmakers whose personal brand does not fit with decorum. From the 2022 class, there is Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman, whose hoodies and big-ass shorts were anathema to his colleagues. After a few months of this indignity, they passed a bipartisan resolution last year to make him wear pants to work. This year, we have incoming West Virginia Republican Jim Justice. Like many exceptionally rich people, Justice, who inherited a coal empire from his father, likes to bring his dog everywhere he goes. The dog, a 60-pound English bulldog named Babydog, was Justices mascot while he was West Virginias governor, with recent appearances on the campaign trail and at the Republican National Convention. But on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. where new senators just arrived for orientation Justice was rudely informed by Senate-floor staffers that he could not bring Babydog on the Senate floor. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Babydog are getting ready for their prime-time appearance at tonights RNC. pic.twitter.com/Hs2SOXuQQI Jason Calvi (@JasonCalvi) July 16, 2024 Axios reports that floor staffers told Justice that service dogs are the only animals allowed in legislative sessions and only after what the outlet describes as an analysis on potential allergies. Justice did not respond to requests for comment about his dog, which, unlike other famous D.C. dogs, does not have a history of biting Secret Service agents. Thankfully, though, Babydog shouldnt suffer from too much separation anxiety, as several senators are allowed to keep pet-friendly offices. Can Mike Johnson keep his troops together? Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Donald Trump is feeling his 78-year-old oats and MAGA activists are ready to rumble in the wake of his solid presidential win and the very likely GOP trifecta in Washington. (The Senate is already safely in the bag and a House majority is very near.) But they should all exercise a bit of caution. The first Trump administration demonstrated that narrow congressional majorities can be fragile when it comes to enacting controversial legislation. And the leverage that tiny majorities confer on potential dissenters can become a real problem for would-be legislative steamrollers. Right now, barring recounts, Republicans will have a 53-to-47 margin in the upper chamber. In the House, there remain enough unresolved races (particularly in California, which has eight of them) to create a sliver of doubt about party control, or more realistically, doubt about the Republican margin. But theres no doubt at all the number of GOP House seats in the next Congress will be far short of the 241 they held in 2017 (somewhere south of 2020 remains a strong possibility). Its very clear Republicans will want to put together a mammoth budget-reconciliation measure that can include most of Trumps legislative priorities in a single bill; such bills cannot be filibustered in the Senate. But when they tried this last time around (with the budget-reconciliation bill known as the Obamacare repeal or Trumpcare legislation because of its most prominent provisions), they lost three Republicans senators in the most important vote (punctuated by John McCains famous thumbs-down gesture) and the whole thing fell apart. Two of the three GOP Trumpcare dissenters (Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski) are still in the Senate, but then again, the Republican majority is a vote larger. The underlying problem for Team Trump is the Senates tradition of independence compounded by the temptation an unknown number of Republicans will face to shake down the leadership for home-state goodies or, worse yet, form an alliance with like-minded Democrats to wield some real power. That possibility could be enough to restrain the White House or the leadership from some of the more egregiously unpopular measures they might be considering. Its also important to remember that not every Trump or GOP priority can be included in a budget-reconciliation bill: Theres a requirement for budgetary impact that could exclude some policy legislation, particularly on issues like reproductive rights. In such cases Democrats can successfully deploy a Senate filibuster, assuming Senate Republicans dont do a total 180-degree turn by abolishing the filibuster, one of their favorite weapons for minority rule. Even if they can wrangle the Senate into submission, Team Trump could have problems in the House if the Republican majority is as small as it may well be (a two- or three-seat majority remains entirely plausible). Assuming theres no revolt against Mike Johnson right out of the gate (he could further alienate hard-core fiscal conservatives by too much bipartisanship during the lame-duck session that will occur before the next Congress gathers in January), he will still be under intense pressure early in 2025 from three different directions. The first, of course, is from the Trump White House; his close alliance with the 47th president is the only reason hes survived so far, and he is extremely unlikely to display any independence now that his lord and master is back in the presidency. The second pressure point will be from Johnsons pre-existing tormenters in the House Freedom Caucus, who will be determined to resist any compromises with a probably less conservative Senate, particularly on the Freedom Caucuss pet plans to demolish non-defense discretionary spending and abolish federal agencies. If, as expected, Republicans decide to include tax cuts in their first budget-reconciliation bill, the red ink may be all Freedom Caucus types need to go medieval on federal spending, even beyond what the administration wants. The challenge to Mike Johnson (and indirectly, to Trump) that no one much is talking about, however, is from less doctrinaire House Republicans from swing districts who narrowly won in 2024 and are looking down the barrel of potential defeat in 2026 when more than likely there will be a midterm reaction against the party in power (since there almost always is). Like Murkowski and Collins (and perhaps others) in the Senate, House Republican mavericks could threaten defection if they dont get rich concessions from Johnson and the administration concessions that, of course, would be bitterly resented by the HFC folk on the Speakers other flank. And if the GOP agenda loses popularity with any speed, then the temptation will arise for swing-state House Republicans to defect altogether on reconciliation and other must-have votes. So as the final House races are resolved, Republicans had better hope for every seat they can get. Otherwise the whole overpowering trifecta lineup for the GOP can be on treacherous ground. Photo: Mark Peterson/Reuters As Donald Trumps victory ushers in a new political era for the country, it also marks a likely end to the president-elects legal troubles at the federal level. Special counsel Jack Smith, who was leading the election-subversion and classified-documents cases, indicated last week that he was in the process of winding down the probes in light of Trumps return to the White House. (Its a long-established Justice Department policy to abstain from prosecuting a sitting president.) But Trumps chances of eluding legal repercussions on the state level appeared to grow this week, too. Judge Juan Merchan had been expected to issue a ruling on whether the Supreme Courts decision regarding presidential immunity has any impact on Trumps upcoming sentencing in his hush-money case in Manhattan. But on Tuesday, the judge officially postponed his decision to November 19 after both sides requested additional time to determine how to proceed in the light of Trumps win last Tuesday. But Trumps legal team has indicated that they intend to push for the cases dismissal entirely. Trumps attorney Emil Bove wrote in a letter that delaying Merchans decision as well as dismissing the case are necessary to avoid unconstitutional impediments to President Trumps ability to govern. In May, Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to payments made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair. Though Trump was initially slated to be sentenced in July, that hearing was delayed following the Supreme Courts immunity decision, which stated that past and current presidents could not be prosecuted for official acts taken while holding the office. The hearing was ultimately pushed back to November 26, ensuring that no sentence would be handed down prior to Election Day. So far, Trumps sentencing hearing remains on the calendar, though that could potentially change. If Merchan does ultimately decide to levy a sentence against Trump, hell find himself in uncharted legal waters, and Trumps legal team would file an immediate appeal against any such sentence. A New York Times analysis found plenty of precedence of defendants being handed jail time for the same charges Trump was convicted on. However, the likelihood of an incoming president facing time behind bars appears fairly remote, and any other more lenient punishment will likely face its own challenge from Trumps attorneys. Photo: Fanny Singer In 2023, when my daughter was 10 months old, my husband and I bought a house in east L.A. and spent a chaotic few months trying to get ourselves settled in our new space. One of the selling points of the house was a tiny little cabin in the backyard that could be an office for me and an occasional guest accommodation. Because I wanted it to feel more like an office than a bedroom, I felt the only solution for a guest bed was a sleeper sofa. Thus began my agonizing, six-odd-month search for a sleeper sofa I could endure looking at all day while working but that could also be a serviceable bed but crucially, not, like, too comfortable, lest I be tempted to snooze instead of write. My search was multi-pronged: word of mouth (I asked every friend and designer I knew whether they had a recommendation); press (Wirecutter, this publication, Architectural Digest, etc.); infinite late-night Googling sessions in the hope of uncovering some small obscure brand; polling my IG followers; cruising around a bunch of furniture stores in the Melrose area. I actually lost sleep as I began to be convinced that ugly sofas were handsome, if you squint; I would mentally commit to one, only to pull out at the last moment before making the purchase. I was functionally paralyzed unfamiliar territory for an inveterate online shopper. To make matters worse, most brick-and-mortar furniture shops have at most one sleeper sofa on the floor, and the majority I visited didnt stock any. The idea that you might want to, you know, test the thing out seemed anathema to brands prepared to take $5,000 off your person. When I visited the Design Within Reach shop in Pasadena in the vain hope of seeing one, I was treated with something resembling condescension (I could have been projecting) when I dared to ask if the vast store had a sleeper model on the floor. I returned to the internet. The thing is, sofas that are not beds cost a ton of money. Add in a sleeper function, and you have another couple thousand dollars to contend with. But even after youve entered a state of Zen acceptance and clicked the Affirm button to pay over time, it still feels like you should really, really like the thing, not merely tolerate it. I demurred. Plus it required a lot of research. You had to know your sleeper-sofa types. For instance, theres the futon, which I feel confident needs no explanation. We all have an image of a futon in our minds. And that futon probably has stains on it, and lives in a common room. The best of these I foundwhich I seriously consideredwas from an old-school source: The Futon Shop, which, to its credit, uses organic and non-toxic materials. The Okinawa Bi-Fold Wood Futon Frame with Drawers in the Natural wood finish for $935 (not including the mattress thatll add another $600 to the equation) is quite handsome. I contemplated returning to 2002 but remembered the outrageous discomfort of the futon couch that accompanied me throughout college and decided, I cant go back. A cousin of the futon, but with a generally more couch-like mien is the convertible sofa. These have a backrest that can be laid flat without needing to pull out a mattress and often involve what I think of as sardine style sleeping because the sleeper(s) will be positioned parallel to what was formerly the back of the couch, as opposed to perpendicular to it. There are advantages to this construction and I was closest to buying one from Room & Board (which, for what its worth is the brand that most of my IG followers suggested for sleeper couches) called the Deco ($1,999 includes a very essential-seeming topper) before my husband came into the room and said, Are you crazy, you hate tufted sofas [true] and also, whats that hunchback business? referring to the part of the mattress that swings down when the couch is serving as a couch, but which looms uncomfortably like a giant malignant tumor. Room & Board, I feel compelled to note, is one of the few furniture stores I visited that did have a sleeper model on the floor, but it was the boxy, generic-looking Viva sofa for $2,499 if youre into that style, I feel like, why not just go for the Ikea Finnala for $1000 less? Also in the convertible category (I think? The distinctions start to blur) goes the type of sofa where the seating surface simply unfurls onto the floor to become a bed. I eyed the undeniably cool vintage 1960s De Sede, folds-out-onto-the-floor DS 85 model recommended to me by someone whose aesthetic sensibility I revere, designer Sally Breer. This piece ranges from $7,000 to $14,000 (depending on the online vintage dealer) and looking at photos makes me think of spilt martinis and various instances of sexual misconduct. I also consider but really consider the Rove Concepts Milo Sleeper Sofa for $2,665 which, in the Cobalt Velvet (regrettably, the totally wrong color palette for my office), is actually very chic. The downside of many of the couches in this category is that the sleeping surface is on the ground which is not great when the visiting parents in question are pushing 80 and cranky about their knees. I know you dont necessarily want me to go on, but Im sorry, there are too many types of sleeper couches we must forge ahead! And, perhaps the variety we all most associate with the genre is the pull out (sounds a bit dirty but I guarantee that intimacy is rarely top of mind for anyone sleeping on said type of bed). The ones most recommended to me by the IG hivemind were by American Leather. The best night of sleep Ive had in my life, said one commenter, I used an American Leather pull-out sofa as my main bed for five years, said another. My in-laws say its more comfortable than their bed at home, claimed another enthusiast. Its not that I disbelieved these well-intentioned folks I have had some extremely decent nights of sleep on an American Leather sleeper sofa at my godfathers house. Its just that, well, its called American Leather. Why does it have to sound so MAGA-y? And even if I were to clear the hurdle of the macho-patriotic name, Im still not wowed by their designs, which are strongly reminiscent of couches Ive sat on in therapists offices. Plus, not cheap! Most styles in a queen size come in at around $5,000 or more. At some point in late December we had moved in July I had narrowed it down to the Serena & Lily Spruce Street Sleeper in a tony nautical stripe for a whopping $7,400 (despite never having purchased a single thing from the brand, or frankly having any familiarity whatsoever with their product mix) and Sixpennys Neva Sleeper sofa in a yellow cotton-linen called Honey Bee for $4,149, whose principle attraction is that the baseboard (lets call it) of the sofa extends out when you pull it out and makes the bed iteration look sturdier and more legitimate. I had lost the plot. After receiving sage and sobering advice from my husband, I closed those browser windows only to decide that I didnt deserve anything fancier than the $399 cottage-core-y Ikea Hemnes sofa in a cheery on-trend marigold hue. I didnt go for it, but I still kinda wish I did. Its a daybed and a queen bed, thanks to a kind of trundle mechanism and stacking mattresses. I had nearly given up hope when my friend, the very aesthetically-attuned photographer Sam Contis, came to stay and casually mentioned that the only sleeper sofa she had ever coveted was the Guest Bed from a Belgian company called Bautier, an original design created by Marina Bautier for her eponymous line of minimalist furniture. Bautier, I discovered, is a lovely shop located in Brussels with a modest online storefront. Founded by designer Marina Bautier in 2013, they make pared-down, functional, and durable pieces intended to be used for a lifetime. In the brands own words, Bautier is not about making standout objects. Its designs are pure and modest, reduced to its bare essentials. Sustainability is also a major factor in the brands philosophy they fastidiously select local suppliers, manufacturers, and materials. The shop, which Im dying to visit, comprises a full home collection, including small accessories, books, and classic homeware from other like-minded brands. I spent a long time with the Guest Bed. The browser window stayed open for a month. A link to it was messaged to many a friend for corroboration. Finally, I decided it was, in fact, my unicorn: a piece of timeless minimalist furniture ingeniously designed to slide frictionlessly open into something that actually looked like an attractive, intentional bed frame thanks to interlocking wood slats and stacking mattresses. Open, it measures something close to 63 x 81 inches, bigger than an American Double and smaller than a Queen, but not in a cant find sheets that fit kind of way. It was also made of solid oak wood (unlike most pull-out sofas whose rickety metal legs resemble the prongs on stacking chairs at a corporate convention). Its cushions were also covered in a natural fiber blend of wool and viscose. As a new mom, one of my search parameters was to find something made with non-toxic materials, and in this regard the Bautier Guest Bed also fit the bill. I placed the order, opting for a pale yellow textile from the sustainable Danish company Kvadrat (one of ten upholstery options). I waited, I think, about 8 or 10 weeks for it to be delivered from Europe, and when it arrived in a Raiders of the Lost Ark crate (I had to buy a crowbar just to open it) it was perfect. Easily assembled, exceedingly chic, and a perfect office daybed to festoon with an absurd number of throw pillows. More often than not I find myself sitting there to write rather than at my desk. Comfortable without being distractingly plush. Is it the most deluxe sleeping surface for guests that ever was? No. Apparently you need to compromise on your aesthetic credo for that pleasure. But I throw a Turmerry natural latex topper (which gets stored in the slim clearance area beneath the sofa) on there whenever anyone comes to stay and, so far, Ive had nary a complaint. get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. The presence of the Taliban at COP29 offers an opportunity for regional dialogue on critical issues like water management. The 29th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, held this year in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, kicked off November 11 with a plea for attendees to clean up a mess. One single COP cant deliver the full transformation that every nation needs, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell stated in his opening remarks. Parties need to agree [on] a way out of this mess. Thats why were here in Baku. We must agree [on] a new global climate finance goal. Stiell argued that climate finance assistance should not be viewed as charity but something in the best interests of all nations, from the wealthiest to the poorest. If at least two-thirds of the worlds nations cannot afford to cut emissions quickly, then every nation pays a brutal price. If nations cant build resilience into supply chains, the entire global economy will be brought to its knees, he continued. No country is immune. Up to 80,000 participants from almost 200 countries, including government leaders, experts and activists, will convene in Baku over the next two weeks to grapple with climate-finance and other global warming-related issues. The conferences primary goal is to secure $100 billion annually to address climate-related challenges mainly in developing nations. In his own welcoming remarks, COP29 president and Azerbaijans ecology minister, Mukhtar Babayev, said the outcome of the gathering will hinge on actions, not words. The new efforts to be defined must include more effective results, he said. We understand that the negotiations will not be easy, but we must achieve the main goal of the conference. For Azerbaijan, a major fossil fuel producer and a controversial choice to serve as host of the climate conference, COP29 represents an opportunity, and perhaps a risk. President Ilham Aliyevs administration sought to host the conference out of a desire to boost Azerbaijans international prestige. Accordingly, success in achieving the $100 billion fund-raising goal would likely reflect well on the hosts. Conversely, Bakus image could take a hit if the meeting ends inconclusively. In the months leading up to the conference, COP29 generated lots of publicity for Azerbaijan, but much of it was negative. Aliyevs administration received widespread criticism for carrying out a far-reaching crackdown meant to silence all forms of internal dissent in advance of the meeting. Influential Western news outlets, including the Financial Times and Economist, published analysis pieces that poked holes in Azerbaijans climate action record, prompting Aliyev to complain about a smear campaign against Baku. Aliyev undermined his own climate messages in September with a vow to ramp up production of oil and gas. We are currently working on several new projects in the oil-and-gas sector, and based on their development, we have new production forecasts, he said. I am confident that growth in the oil-and-gas sector will be positive. The chances that COP29 will produce desired action and financial commitments are murky. Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, many of the worlds most influential leaders, including Chinas Xi Jinping, are staying away from the conference. Among the high-profile personalities who will attend are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko and a world-famous Indian guru, Sadhguru. The United States is sending a relatively low-profile delegation led by White House senior adviser John Podesta. Donald Trumps electoral victory raises questions about whether the United States will make any contribution toward the COP29 financing target. Trump has vowed to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. While the forecast for the financing goal remains cloudy, COP29 may create chances to achieve progress on regional issues with potentially large social and economic ramifications. For example, the Taliban in Afghanistan has sent representatives to Baku, marking the first time the radical Islamic leadership has opted to participate in the annual climate conference. The Talibans presence creates an opportunity for officials from Central Asian states to engage Afghan counterparts on the issue of the Qosh Tepa canal, a project in northern Afghanistan that can upend a delicate water balance across Central Asia. Central Asian states, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, want to bring Afghanistan into a regional water-management framework, a concept that the Taliban has so far resisted. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil markets have kicked off the new week on the back foot, with oil prices sliding after a disappointing Chinese stimulus while traders continue to digest news of Trump winning a second term in the White House. Whereas China's top legislative body approved a $1.4T package to help local governments swap some of their mounting debts off their balance sheets, the lack of new fiscal stimulus for the lagging economy underwhelmed financial markets. According to SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes, Beijings latest move "felt more like a quick fix than the full-blown stimulus bazooka the markets had hoped for, a response met with collective eye-rolls." Brent crude for January delivery was trading at $72.11 per barrel at 13.00 pm ET in Tuesdays session, considerably lower than a nearly one-month high of $75.97 they reached on Thursday shortly after the American presidential elections. Trumps re-election has temporarily removed the worlds focus on the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. Unfortunately, the war rages on: a Lebanese health ministry has reported that at least 23 people including seven children were killed on Sunday following Israeli strikes on northern Lebanon and Gaza. On Monday, Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman demanded that Israel immediately ends its military aggression in Gaza and Lebanon. Speaking at the opening of a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders in Riyad, MBS urged Israel to refrain from any further act of aggression and called on other countries to recognise Palestinian statehood. Many observers have predicted that Trumps administration would be far worse for Palestine and the Middle East, thanks to his pro-Israel rhetoric and threats to bomb Iran. Tehran is certainly wary of Trump, recently urging him to reconsider the maximum pressure policy he pursued against Iran in his first term. Related: California's New Fuel Rules Could Raise Gas Prices by $0.50 Per Gallon Trump must show that he is not following the wrong policies of the past, Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters on Saturday. Caught up in this snafu are multiple countries, including India, a key driver of oil demand growth. Indias geostrategic positioning and access to two of the worlds most critical maritime chokepoints--the Malacca and Hormuz Straits--make it a critical player in the global oil trade. Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit choke point. Chokepoints are narrow channels along widely used global sea routes that are critical to global energy security. Even temporary disruptions that occur along these critical routes can lead to substantial increases in shipping costs, increasing world energy prices. Located between Oman and Iran, Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime link to the rest of the world for Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, with their economies highly dependent on imports for basic necessities. Over 85% of Indias oil is imported via the Strait of Hormuz while key trade routes pass through the Malacca Strait. Together, these straits see over 60% of the worlds oil flow and a third of global trade, underscoring their strategic importance for not only Indias but the worlds energy security and economic continuity, according to the EIA. Whereas a lot of focus lately has been on Indias surging imports of Russian oil, the country actually buys the lions share of its oil from the Middle East. In August, the Middle East accounted for 44.6% of Indias crude imports, up from 40.3% in July. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait are the main Middle Eastern suppliers of oil to India. In contrast, the share of Russian crude fell to 36% after five straight months of increases. India imports nearly half of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar. Back in February, India's Petronet LNG (PLL) and QatarEnergy inked a long-term LNG Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the supply of around 7.5 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA) of LNG to India over the next 20 years. The deal involves LNG imports of $78 billion by the PLL during the contract period. Important oil shipping routes such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz can be easily disrupted. The blocking of the Strait of Hormuz would be particularly alarming for India since its the route it uses to get oil from Iraq and Saudi Arabia and LNG from Qatar. Further, India's economy would definitely take a hit if oil and gas from the Middle East were cut off. An oil price shock would likely force the government to divert funds from activities such as building infrastructure to spend on heavier fuel subsidies. According to a Morgan Stanley report, every $10 per barrel increase in oil prices could result in a 0.5-percentage point increase in Indias Consumer Price Index (CPI). Meanwhile, Clearview Energy Partners has predicted that oil prices could gain as much as $28/bbl if flows are blocked in the Strait of Hormuz; $13/bbl if Israel strikes Iranian energy infrastructure and $7/bbl if the U.S. and its allies placed economic sanctions on Iran. Will Iran try to block Hormuz? The Iranian coastline overlooks the Strait for more than 100 nautical miles. Even limited Iranian attacks might be sufficient to close down traffic. Iran has shore batteries of anti-shipping missiles covering the strait. The IRGC has a mining capability that would likely be highly effective in the shallow and constricted waters of the strait, having specialized for years in speedboat swarm attacks on merchant vessels. Israel regards Iranian leadership of its Axis of Resistance as critical to effectively attacking Israel on multiple fronts and could be feeling more emboldened with Trump in the White House again. Only time will tell how much Tehran would be willing to tolerate Israels assaults without dramatically escalating the conflict. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Two of the worlds latest oil exploration hotspots, South American neighbors Guyana and Suriname, could become major LNG exporters early next decade if they develop the vast non-associated natural gas resources discovered in their offshore blocks. The resource is there, the costs could be competitive, and export destinations plentifulfrom other countries in central and South America to Southeast Asia, according to energy consultants Wood Mackenzie. However, uncertainties about the fiscal and commercial structure of LNG export projects in both countries could delay or discard development projects, WoodMac said in a report last week. Guyana and Suriname have been the focus of exploration and development by oil majors in recent years. Guyana already produces more than 660,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude from the Stabroek block operated by ExxonMobil. Total production capacity from the Stabroek block, where more than 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels have been discovered, will reach 1.3 million bpd by the end of 2027, Exxon said earlier this year, when it announced the green light to the $12.7 billion Whiptail development, its sixth offshore Guyana. In neighboring Suriname, French supermajor TotalEnergies has just announced the final investment decision (FID) for the GranMorgu development, which will see 220,000 bpd oil output from the Sapakara and Krabdagu oil discoveries in 2028. Related: Venezuela's Gas Pipeline Explosion Highlights Crumbling Infrastructure The early developments in both Guyana and Suriname focused on crude oil, but non-associated natural gas reserves are also worth noting, and potentially developing, exploration and production companies say. Malaysias state firm Petronas, which has made several oil and gas discoveries in Surinames Block 52, said in August that it had achieved outstanding successes in its exploration and appraisal activities in Malaysia and internationally. A successful drilling of the Sloanea-2 appraisal well in Block 52 offshore Suriname has bolstered PETRONAS prospects in the basin and opens the possibility of developing a standalone Floating Liquified Natural Gas (FLNG) project at the field in the future, the company said. Petronas is currently assessing the feasibility of an integrated development strategy for gas and oil extraction within Block 52, where its partner is Exxon. The global LNG market would welcome new supply in the early 2030s from sources other than the big threethe United States, Qatar, and Australia. The U.S. and Qatar will dominate new LNG supply in the late 2020s, but there could be a supply gap opening in the early 2030s that Guyana and Suriname could help fill, according to Wood Mackenzie. Global LNG imports are set to continue rising as Asia pulls in a lot of additional demand, analysts and industry players say. For example, Shell, the worlds top LNG trader, expects global LNG demand to surge by 50% by 2040, driven by higher demand from Asia, with coal-to-gas switching in China and a boost in LNG consumption to fuel economic growth in South and Southeast Asia. The global LNG market is set to continue growing into the 2040s, largely driven by Chinas industrial decarbonization and strengthening demand in other Asian countries, Shell said in its annual LNG outlook earlier this year. In view of an LNG supply window in the early 2030s, Guyana and Suriname can offer a new cost-competitive LNG supply source and serve as regional suppliers, holding shipping costs advantage to address Caribbean and South American demand, said Amanda Bandeira, research analyst, Latin America Upstream Oil and Gas for Wood Mackenzie. They are also on par with US Gulf and West Africa projects to deliver to the main demand centres in Southeast Asia. But in order to take a market share of the global LNG supply, Guyana and Suriname need to move quickly with fiscal and regulatory issues, according to WoodMac. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Organizations and activists skeptical of climate change have sent a memo to Trumps transition team to call for gutting most of the science behind EPAs regulations and reversing President Bidens anti-coal policies, Bloomberg reports. The groups include Illinois-based think tank Heartland Institute, Virginia-based Energy & Environment Legal Institute, and the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, which runs a website that promotes climate change skepticism. Donald Trumps win in last weeks presidential election is a tremendous opportunity to reverse most of President Bidens climate and environmental protection policies, James Taylor, the president of the Heartland Institute, told Bloomberg. Donald Trump has demonstrated during his first four years in office that he will not be misled by the climate crisis myth, Taylor said. The groups are urging the president-elect to support coal for electricity production and gut the science behind the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) rules on pollution. They are also seeking delisting of areas designated by the current administration for offshore wind, and preventing the U.S. grid from becoming too reliant on variable wind and solar power generation as a matter of national security. Trump himself has vowed to scrap offshore wind, on day one. They destroy everything, theyre horrible, the most expensive energy there is. They ruin the environment, they kill the birds, they kill the whales, Trump said on the campaign trail. Climate skeptics are also urging Trump to repeal the so-called endangerment finding of the EPA, which found that rising emissions endanger public health and which underpins many EPA regulations. Another Trump pullout from the 2015 Paris climate agreement should be accompanied by a Senate vote to prevent a future president from rejoining, the organizations say. Yet, one of the top U.S. oil companies, ExxonMobil, has just warned President-elect Trump it would be a bad idea to leave the Paris Agreement, saying it would create uncertainty for the business world. I dont think the stops and starts are the right thing for businesses, Exxons CEO Darren Woods told the Wall Street Journal in an interview. It is extremely inefficient. It creates a lot of uncertainty. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Exxon Mobil Corp. will offload some of its conventional oil assets in the Permian Basin, selling to Hilcorp Energy for approximately $1 billion, according to industry insiders who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday. This move aligns with Exxons aggressive shift toward higher-margin shale plays following its recent $60 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources. Exxon expects the deal to close in early 2025. The move exemplifies Exxon's strategy of pivoting from aging vertical wells to the more lucrative shale assets that define the Permians future. Hilcorp Energy, a private firm led by billionaire Jeffrey Hildebrand, emerged as the winning bidder for these assets. Known for its specialty in mature asset acquisitions, Hilcorp has been capitalizing on industry giants' divestments. This deal mirrors Hilcorps recent $1 billion purchase of Enis offshore Alaska properties and its acquisition of APA Corps $950 million Permian assets in September. For Exxon, this divestiture is about liquidity, focusing investments on core assets, and boosting its balance sheeta prudent move following recent megamergers that reshaped its portfolio. Exxons sale to Hilcorp excludes properties acquired from Pioneer, focusing instead on older wells producing a stable, if unspectacular, 26,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). By shedding these non-core properties, Exxon is homing in on shale, an area where it now has a significant edge following the Pioneer takeover. That acquisition doubled Exxons Permian footprint and expanded its access to prolific acreage in the Delaware and Midland basins. Exxon expects production to soar to 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) within the Permian and is on track for 2 million bpd by 2027. This sale further emphasizes the need for U.S. majors to streamline their portfolios and focus on the most productive assets by selling off less lucrative ones. In August, Exxon said it was looking to sell some of its conventional oil and gas assets in the Permian, with sale proceeds expected to be around $1 billion. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com India aims to be a refining hub in Asia as it is boosting refining capacity and expects to continue relying on fossil fuels until at least 2040, according to Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Our existing refineries will increase in terms of capacity and they will also become regional hubs in terms of providing to other countries, the minister told Reuters on Tuesday. India will drive up to 35% of global energy demand growth over the next 20 years, Puri said at the Gastech conference in Houston earlier this year. If you say that global demand is increasing by one percent, ours is increasing by three times that, Puri said. In the next two decades, 35% of the increase in global demand will come from India. India is set to overtake China soon to become the biggest driver of oil demand growth. OPECs World Oil Outlook 2050 says that India, Asia outside China, Africa, and the Middle East will be the key sources of incremental demand in the coming years. Combined demand in these four regions is set to increase by 22 million barrels per day (bpd) between 2023 and 2050. India alone will add 8 million bpd to its oil demand by 2050. China, for its part, will see its oil demand increase by 2.5 million bpd, according to OPEC. In the near term, Indian refiners are on the lookout for funding to build new refineries, as they seek to expand their refining capacity to meet growing domestic demand for fuels amid higher-than-average economic growth and rising middle-class numbers. For example, state-controlled refiner Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) is in talks with major local banks to secure a loan of about $3.8 billion which it will use to expand the capacity of one of its refineries. Another state-owned refiner, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, is reportedly in discussions with banks to obtain a loan of $3.33 billion (280 billion Indian rupees) that would help it build a refinery in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Norwegian government has agreed to buy from private companies the majority of the natural gas export network of Western Europes biggest oil and gas producer, the Energy Ministry said on Tuesday. The government laid out plans in 2023 to take full ownership of the gas export network, which it considers an asset of national interest and importance. The government launched talks last year with the private companies that hold interests in the three joint ventures operating the export network, Gassled, Nyhamna, and Polarled. Norway has sought to take full state ownership over the network before many concessions expire in 2028. The government has now reached purchase agreements with seven companies to buy their interests in key parts of the infrastructure, for a combined $1.64 billion (18.1 billion Norwegian crowns). The purchase is considered to be value-neutral for the state of Norway, the energy ministry said. The government has reached agreements with Equinor, Shell, CapeOmega, Hav Energy, Silex Gas Norway, Orlen, and ConocoPhillips to buy their stakes in the Gassled, Nyhamna, and Polarled joint ventures. However, agreements have not been reached with all owners in the system. North Sea Gas Infrastructure AS and M Vest Energy AS did not accept the states offer for their interests in Nyhamna and Polarled, respectively. But Norway aims to have full ownership in Nyhamna JV and Polarled JV, too. The State aims to take over the remaining interests in these two joint ventures when the license periods expire or through an agreement prior to this, the Energy Ministry said. The governments rationale for the takeover is that Ensuring low tariffs, right capacity, and high regularity in the gas infrastructure best facilitates good resource management and high-value creation from the petroleum resources on the Norwegian continental shelf. Norway is now Europes single largest natural gas supplier after Russian deliveries collapsed following Russias invasion of Ukraine. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The return of Libyas oil production to full capacity raised the total OPEC output by 466,000 barrels per day (bpd) in October from September, the cartels monthly report showed on Tuesday, less than two months ahead of a planned reversal of part of the cuts. Total crude oil production in all 12 OPEC members averaged 26.53 million bpd in October 2024, up by 466,000 bpd compared to September, according to secondary sources in OPECs Monthly Oil Market Report published today. Crude oil output increased mainly in Libya, Nigeria and Congo, while production in Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait decreased, OPEC said. Libya saw a jump of 556,000 bpd in its production last month after the political impasse that had halted more than half of its output was resolved. Libya had most of its output halted for the whole month of September, and its oil production was decimated after the countrys two rival administrations locked horns over the appointment of a new central bank governor. Following the resolution of this latest crisis, Libyan oil production resumed in early October and is now estimated to have exceeded pre-crisis levels and hit 1.3 million bpd. Irans oil production, on the other hand, dropped by 68,000 bpd in October, per OPECs secondary sources. Awaiting a retaliatory strike from Israel, the Islamic Republic reduced output and also exports last month. Early last month, Iranian oil tankers were spotted moving away from Kharg Island, Irans biggest oil export terminal, amid fears of an imminent Israeli attack on the most important crude export infrastructure in Iran. Israel opted for a limited strike on Iran, which has somewhat defused tensions in the region, for now. Elsewhere among OPECs producers, Saudi Arabia, the top producer in the cartel, saw its output stable at just below 9 million bpdas the Kingdom pledged more than a year ago. OPEC is set to begin reversing the production cuts in January 2025, market conditions permitting. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Rosneft has denied reports that there were plans to consolidate the countrys biggest oil companies into one entity, the company said in a statement. Rosneft cited an unprecedented amount of coverage in foreign media alleging imminent consolidation of assets in the Russian oil industry with a direct hint on Rosneft's intention to take over the main players in the domestic oil domain, and went on to refer sarcastically to Igor Sechins insidious intentions of absorbing assets that Rosneft does not need. The statement said those intentions, as originally reported by the Wall Street Journal, had nothing to do with reality or any reasonable business logic but were rather more likely a diversion tactic to a false flag subject. The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Russia may be considering the creation of a massive state oil company by combining current state assets Rosneft and Gazprom Neft, and private Lukoil. The WSJ cited unnamed individuals as sources of the information. The report cited a Rosneft official as dismissing the information from the sources as false, saying that the report may be aimed at creating competitive market advantages in the interests of other market participants. A Lukoil spokesman told the Wall Street Journal that the company was not on merger negotiations with any parties as this would not be in the interest of the company. Rosneft is Russias biggest oil company and one of the biggest globally. Before Aramco went public, Rosneft was the worlds biggest listed oil producer in terms of volumes, Reuters noted in a report on the latest news. The companys output represents about 4% of the total global market. Rosnefts financial report for the first half of the year showed a 27% increase in profits to some $8.40 billion. The company also reported liquid hydrocarbon production of 92.8 million tons for the period. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A Dutch court of appeal handed on Tuesday a victory to Shell in a landmark climate case, overturning a lower court ruling that had obliged the supermajor to slash its greenhouse gas emissions. The Court of Appeal of The Hague on Tuesday overturned the 2021 ruling of the District Court of The Hague, in the case brought against Shell by the environmentalist organization Milieudefensie, other NGOs, and a group of private individuals. Back in 2021, the District Court in The Hague ordered Shell to slash its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 in a landmark ruling that had the potential to set precedents for other oil companies. Three years ago, the court ordered Shell to slash net carbon emissions by 45% and start complying with the ruling immediately. These emission reductions would include the so-called Scope 3 emissions, those generated by the use of its producers, per the order of the district court in 2021. Shell appealed the ruling. Now the court of appeal accepted Shells arguments and overturned the district courts ruling. The court's final judgement is that Milieudefensie's claims cannot be granted. The Appeals Court is therefore quashing the original judgement, judge Carla Joustra said. Shell welcomed the appeals court judgment, with CEO Wael Sawan saying We are pleased with the courts decision, which we believe is the right one for the global energy transition, the Netherlands and our company. Shell has argued that a court ruling would do little to reduce overall customer demand for petroleum products or for natural gas to heat and power homes and businesses. It would do little to reduce emissions, as customers would take their business elsewhere, the company said today. Milieudefensie expressed shock at Tuesdays ruling and vowed to keep fighting. We are shocked by todays judgment. It is a setback for us, for the climate movement and for millions of people around the world who worry about their future, said Donald Pols, Director of Milieudefensie. Large polluters are powerful. But united, we as people have the power to change them. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The stocks of LNG exporters in the United States have seen a jump following Donald Trumps election victory, with many seeing the industry as one of the main beneficiaries of an upcoming new trade deal between Washington and Brussels. Trump has spoken about the trade deficit that the U.S. has been running with the European Union for years and wants to change that by imposing tariffs on European imports. The European Commissions president, Ursula von der Leyen, responded to that threat by suggesting the EU could boost the amount of U.S. LNG it buys. We look forward to working with the incoming Trump administration to cement Americas role as the worlds leading supplier of clean liquefied natural gas, Venture Globals chief executive Michael Sabel told the Financial Times. In recent years, Europe has moved swiftly to build out the necessary infrastructure needed to support a surge of LNG into the region and with the necessary policy support and regulatory certainty the United States is well positioned to meet that long-term demand, Sabel added. Other industry executives also spoke positively about the expected trade talks between Washington and Brussels. We can supply thats the good thing about natural gas reserves in America, Continental Resources Harold Hamm told the FT. I would expect that the LNG permit pause is going to go within the first couple of days of the Trump administration, American Petroleum Institute president Mike Sommers said. Last week, a couple of days after the U.S. elections, Commission President von der Leyen told media she had touched on the subject of more U.S. LNG imports during a phone call with te president-elect. We still get a whole lot of LNG via Russia, from Russia. And why not replace it with American LNG, which is cheaper, and brings down our energy prices, Von der Leyen said, as quoted by Bloomberg, at the time. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A local group of Muslim extremists on Oct. 30 killed an evangelist in eastern Uganda after he and another Christian refused to convert to Islam, the other Christian said. After three days of a scheduled six-day evangelistic event at Nawaikoke trading center in Kaliro District at which 18 Muslims put their faith in Christ, area Islamists surrounded Emmanuel Dikusooka, a 29-year-old father of three children, and a fellow church member, Jack Mbulante, at about 6:30 p.m. as they returned to their hotel in Kaliro town, Mbulante said. The six Muslim youths stopped the motorcycle the two Christians had rented just before crossing Lumbuye bridge, Mbulante said. Wearing traditional Islamic dress of tunics and capes and armed with long Somali swords (pangas), sticks and iron bars, the assailants forced them to surrender their bags, which contained Bibles and other Christian books, he said. They threw them all into the River Lumbuye, then ordered us to hold the Quran up that they had and told us to recite and swear in the name of Allah, Mbulante told Morning Star News. They tried to force us to renounce Jesus Christ and our faith and then embrace the Islamic faith. We openly refused, which angered them, and they hit Dikusooka with an iron bar on the head, and he fell down. Mbulante said he jumped into the river and started swimming as Dikusooka wailed and screamed for help. After crossing to the other side of the river, he recruited some Christians to try to rescue the evangelist. But unfortunately, when we arrived at the scene of the incident, Dikusooka was dead in a pool of blood, Mbulante said. He had deep head injuries, cuts at the neck and back and an injured mouth. Dikusooka leaves behind a wife and children ages 9, 6 and 4. The Christians have reported the attack to police, who were said to be searching for the killers. Some of the former Muslims whom Dikusooka led to Christ know the assailants and fear for their lives, Mbulante said. They have taken refuge at an undisclosed location. Dikusooka had organized the open-air event in predominantly Muslim Nawaikoke along with other evangelists from Pentecostal churches in Kaliro, Namwendwa and Bulumba villages. It began on Oct. 28 and was scheduled to end on Nov. 2. The attack was the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented. Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country. The sun gleamed on the white memorial colonnade, and a friendly breeze whipped the flags at Memorial Park as Omahans gathered Monday morning to pay tribute to the citys veterans. American Legion Post 1 hosted the largest and oldest of the citys Veterans Day events at a park dedicated in 1948 by President Harry Truman, no less to honor the memory of service members from Douglas County who died in World War II. Since then, monuments have been added honoring the dead from Korea and Vietnam. Mayor Jean Stothert described the locale as a revered place of honor, where patriotism and sacrifice are recognized. Here at Memorial Park, we are surrounded by stories of heroism and service, she said. More than 250 people gathered for the solemn event, which featured a rifle salute, the rendering of taps and the singing of God Bless America. One of them was Erin OHara, 23, a newcomer to Omaha, who said she often takes walks in Memorial Park. The daughter of two retired military officers grew up on bases around the world. It was great to see so many people from so many branches here, she said. It brings a sense of community that only the military can create. Representatives of veteran service organizations laid 20 wreaths in the colonnade circle, including four honoring 1st Lt. Simeon Josselyn, Sgt. John Mott McMahon, Cpl. Andrew Traynor and Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith. All are recipients of the Medal of Honor the nations highest award for combat valor and all are buried at Omahas Forest Lawn Cemetery. Eric Krelle, the Omahan whose work a decade ago revealed the misidentification of Marines in the iconic Iwo Jima flag-raising photo, told the story of three men from Omaha named William who served in the Navy during the 1960s. Each, Krelle said, represents a different kind of veteran. Capt. William Ecker, he said, represents a service member whose actions literally changed the course of world events. He was born in 1924, graduated from Omaha Technical High School and joined the Navy in 1942 after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Ecker served as a fighter pilot in the Pacific during World War II and remained in the Navy after the war. In October 1962, he was the commander of a photo reconnaissance squadron in Jacksonville, Florida, and personally led a hair-raising, treetop-level mission over the Cuban countryside to confirm the presence of Soviet nuclear missile sites in Cuba. Ecker flew directly to Washington, D.C., to brief senior military leaders. A month later, President John F. Kennedy personally presented him with a Navy Unit Commendation. He retired from the Navy in 1974 and died in 2009. Capt. William Ecker is the definition of a veteran whose service mattered on a global scale and whose actions quite literally saved the world, Krelle said. Not too bad for a guy from Omaha. He also told the story of Lt. William Roark, who commanded the Junior ROTC unit at Omaha Central High School before graduating in 1956. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and became a pilot. On April 7, 1965, Roark was flying an attack mission from the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea against an anti-aircraft battery in North Vietnam when his plane was shot down. Just off the coast, he ejected from his crippled A-4 Skyhawk, but he was killed when enemy aircraft continued to fire during and after his parachute descent to the sea. The Vietnamese government returned his remains in 1977, and he was buried at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Omaha. A Navy frigate, the USS Roark, was named in his honor in 1967 and decommissioned in 1991. He was named to Omaha Centrals Hall of Fame in 2004. Krelles third William was his own father, whom he said represents the most common type of veteran, one who serves a few years honorably and then returns to start a new chapter in their lives. They might only have been recognized by their families and a few close friends or co-workers, Eric Krelle said. William Krelle joined the Navy after graduating from Benson High School in 1962. He was in Navy boot camp that fall during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He trained as a radar operator, and served a combat tour in 1965-66 in the combat information center of the carrier USS Oriskany, one of the workhorses of the Vietnam War. He left the ship just three months before a fire broke out in the Oriskanys hangar deck, killing 44 sailors and injuring 156. It was the Navys worst ship fire since World War II. William Krelle returned to Omaha and began a 34-year career with the Metropolitan Utilities. He married and raised three children, and loved listening to oldies and rebuilding classic cars. He died in 2016. He wasnt a big shot or a flashy guy, Eric Krelle said. He was the funniest man in any room, and also the kindest. Krelle wrapped up by urging those attending to spend Veterans Day remembering the Williams in their lives who served their country with honor, whatever their name. They may just be a quiet unassuming friend or neighbor. Or maybe, you know someone who made the ultimate sacrifice, Krelle said. But please, thank them. Thank our veterans and hold their memories dear. African Voices sponsored by Globacom on the Cable News Network(CNN) is profiling the impactful contributions of three change agents to their communities through education and innovation in its latest edition. The trio who are guests in this weeks edition of the magazine programme include Tanzanias girls advocate, Rebecca Gyumi; Solomon King Benge, the founder of Fundi bots from Kampala and a social entrepreneur, Misan Rewane, who hails from Nigeria. Gyumi, a lawyer, is the Founder & Executive Director at Msichana Initiative, a Tanzanian NGO which empowers the girl-child through education, while addressing key challenges which limit girls rights to education. has equally worked for over eight years with Femina, a youth focused organisation, as a TV personality. Gyumi is respected for a landmark case on child marriages which she won consequent upon a petition she filed at the High Court of Tanzania. She had challenged the Tanzania Marriage Act, 1971 which legalises marriage by adolescent girls from the age of 14. Her victory on the case led to the decision to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 for both Tanzanian boys and girls. This, among other achievements culminated in the award of the UN Human Rights Prize to her. The second guest on the programme, Ugandas Solomon King Bende founded Fundi Bots which employs robotics training within and outside African schools to create and inspire a new generation of students and innovators who are better prepared for careers in the technology sector and who can become change-makers in their communities. An engineer by training, Benge deploys science through robots to drive home the possibility of new innovations in Uganda. The third guest, Nigerias Misan Rewane, is equipping young adults with the skills to build careers of their choices. Harvard-trained Rewane is the Chief Executive Officer of WAVE (West Africa Vocational Education). He has a resolve to ameliorate the incidence of youth unemployment in Nigeria, by teaching young people the skills needed to maintain successful careers in their chosen fields of human endeavour. After losing at the Kaduna High Court last week, the Kaduna state executive and legislature are allegedly dusting up their files to appeal the ruling that nullified the Religious Preaching Bill the government was pushing. But an Islamic scholar in Kaduna has advised Gov. Nasir el-Rufai to not embark on what the scholar described as an exercise in futility. According to Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Maraya, issuing a license to preachers before they would be permitted to propagate their religion and belief was inconsistent with section 38(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended. Maraya was a special advisers to former governors like the late Patrick Makowa and Mukhtar Yero. The cleric has also guested in occasions el-Rufai himself organizes. Definitely, in the event the government appeals against the judgment, the Court of Appeal will affirm the judgment of the State High Court as preaching is a right given to Nigerians by section 38(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, he said in a recent statement. Maraya said he personally warned the governor in 2016, asserting that that issuing license to preachers before they would be permitted to propagate their religion and belief was inconsistent with section 38(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended. The recent judgment on the issuance of license has vindicated me, he told the Daily Post. Arguing, Maraya section 38 (1) gives Nigerians the right to preach without any license, therefore, the Court of Appeal will affirm the judgment of the High Court because it is based on the aforementioned section of the constitution. Undoubtedly, the constitution shall prevail whenever any other law becomes inconsistent with it. This is the position of section 1(3) of the 1999 constitution as amended, he added. A Muslim does not need a license to invite people to do what is good and also to keep away from doing what is bad, the Muslims dont need a license to do it. He warned the government to stop dabbling into the affairs of religion. and should not adopt any religion(s) as a state religion(s) Doing such is contrary to section 10 of the 1999 constitution as amended. That the government of the federation or state shall not adopt any religion as a state religion. To start licensing and screening preachers, he said, is like adopting a state religion, and it is contrary to the constitution of the land. Post Views: 179 Fearing Islamist rage, residents in an area of Lahore on Nov. 3 fled their homes after a Christian was arrested under Pakistans blasphemy laws, sources said. Panic spread in Ward No. 12 of Kahna in Lahore, Punjab Province, after area Muslims accused Zafar Iqbal of setting fire to quranic pages in the courtyard of his house, said rights activist Napolean Qayyum. As news spread, many Christian families locked their homes and left for safer places, fearing a Jaranwala-type attack on their homes, he said. The complainant in the First Information Report (FIR) registered by Kahna police, Qari Mujahid Abbas Fareedi, imam of the Noorani Mosque in Kahna, said he was at the mosque after leading the afternoon prayers when two local Muslims told him Iqbal was burning pages of the Quran in the courtyard of his house, according to the FIR. According to the complainant, when he and the other Muslims went to Iqbals house, they found him standing next to the burning papers, Qayyum said. He claimed that when they sifted through the burnt pages, they found that they were from the Quran. The FIR states that the complainant and other Muslims immediately took Iqbal into custody and called police, Qayyum said. Many Christian residents fled their homes as news of the alleged blasphemy spread, and members of Islamist outfits, including the extremist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), started gathering there, he said. The residents feared that the situation could turn violent, so they left as a precaution, Qayyum said. However, timely intervention by senior officials and arrest of the suspect helped in placating the religious activists and thwarting any violence against other Christians. Christian families began returning to their homes, he added. Iqbal was charged under Section 295-B of Pakistans widely condemned blasphemy statutes, which prescribes a life term in prison for Quran desecration. Iqbal is now in prison on judicial remand, while his family has gone into hiding and are inaccessible, Qayyum said. Iqbal is over 40 years old and has three children. He is also said to be suffering from some mental illness. The situation will become clearer when we make contact with his family. Christian lawyer Lazar Allah Rakha said that if reports of Iqbal being mentally challenged were true, then he would not be fit to stand trial or be punished under the law. A medical board should be formed to ascertain his mental health, and he should be discharged from the charges if it is found that he is not of sound mind, said Rakha, who has successfully defended several persons accused of blasphemy. Multiple churches and homes of Christians were ransacked and burned by Muslim mobs in Jaranwala, Faisalabad District, Punjab Province on Aug. 16, 2023, after two Christian brothers were accused of desecrating the Quran and writing blasphemous content. The charges were dismissed in March after a court learned that another Christian had falsely accused them. Blasphemy Business Mere allegations of blasphemy in Muslim-majority Pakistan can ignite public outrage and sometimes result in mob violence. Hundreds of people have been accused and jailed for alleged blasphemy, and some were handed the death penalty, though none has been executed so far. An investigative report by Pakistans National Commission for Human Rights issued on Oct. 31 revealed that a steep increase in blasphemy cases this year, many of them filed against Christians and other religious minorities, is tied to collusion between Muslim vigilantes and federal investigators. Pakistan saw three times as many blasphemy cases in the first seven month of this year compared with all of last year, according to the NCHR investigation. As of July 25, there were 767 people accused of blasphemy languishing in jails across Pakistan, whereas in 2023 there were 213 suspects incarcerated for blasphemy, 64 in 2022, nine in 2021 and 11 in 2020, according to the data gathered by the NCHR. Most of the blasphemy cases were registered with the Federal Investigation Agencys Cybercrime Unit in collaboration with a private entity, the NCHR noted, adding that young men were targeted through entrapment tactics involving females using pseudonyms to lure them into blasphemous activities online. At least 594 blasphemy suspects were imprisoned in Punjab Province alone, followed by 120 in Sindh Province, 64 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and two in Balochistan Province, the NCHR added. The report follows a study by the Special Branch of the Punjab Police released in January, which for the first time revealed the presence of a blasphemy business that exploits the controversial blasphemy laws to entrap victims for extortion. The United Nations Human Rights Committee on Oct. 17 observed that Pakistani authorities have failed to curb a range of human rights violations, including a sharp increase in blasphemy-related violence. Expressing serious concern over frequent attacks against religious minorities, including accusations of blasphemy, targeted killings, lynchings, mob violence, forced conversions, and desecration of places of worship, the committee stated that Pakistani society has become increasingly intolerant of religious diversity. Religious minorities are facing a constant threat of persecution and discrimination amid the rise of religious radicalism, the committee stated. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. Expressing alarm over an increase in false blasphemy accusations in Pakistan, the UN Human Rights Committee last week urged repeal or amending of the countrys harsh blasphemy laws. The committee noted that false blasphemy accusations led to Islamist mob violence and recommended amending the laws in accordance with requirements of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In Nov. 7 concluding observations of the committees second periodic report on Pakistan, it stated concern over sections 295 and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carry severe penalties, including the death penalty, and have a disproportionate impact on religious minorities. It is also concerned about the increasing number of persons incarcerated under blasphemy charges, the high number of blasphemy cases based on false accusations, violence against those accused of blasphemy, fostering vigilante justice, and allegations of entrapment of persons, in particular young persons, on accusations of on-line blasphemy under cybercrime laws, the committee stated. It emphasized ending use of cybercrime laws, such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, to prosecute and detain those accused of breaching blasphemy laws online. The committee also urged the government to investigate allegations of massive abuse of blasphemy laws in connection with cybercrime laws and publish the results of the inquiries. [The committee] is also concerned about the chilling effect that criminal defamation laws, blasphemy, sedition and counter-terrorism laws, and other recently passed legislation have on the exercise of freedom of expression by journalists, activists, human rights defenders and members of ethnic and religious minorities, it stated. Urging Pakistan to take all necessary measures to guarantee prompt and fair trials for all persons charged with blasphemy or other offenses against religion, the committee highlighted jail conditions, stating that it was also concerned about reports of abuse of women prisoners, including sexual violence, and that individuals accused of blasphemy are often placed in solitary confinement for extended periods of time. It remains concerned about the widespread recourse to prolonged pretrial detention. Mob Violence The committee cited reports of increased violence and intimidation against religious minorities, along with the destruction of their worship places in Pakistan. It also pointed out lack of protection of the religious minorities and lack of accountability for the crimes committed against them. The UN rights body recommended that Pakistan prevent all forms of discrimination and violence against religious minorities. The Human Rights Committee is deeply concerned about reports of the increase of discrimination, hate speech and crimes, mob violence, harassment, and intimidation against religious minorities, in particular Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, Shias and Sikhs, as well as the destruction of their places of worship and cemeteries, as was the case in Jaranwala in August 2023, it stated. In particular, [Pakistan] should take all the measures necessary to prevent violent attacks against persons accused of blasphemy, in particular those under police custody or in detention, and investigate these attacks, including mob lynchings and killings, ensuring that all perpetrators are prosecuted, convicted and appropriately sanctioned. It added that authorities should ensure that all who incite or engage in violence based on allegations of blasphemy, as well as those who falsely accuse others of blasphemy, be brought to justice and duly punished. Forced Conversion/Marriage Calling for immediate measures to protect women and girls, particularly religious minorities, from forced conversion to Islam and from forced marriage, the committee said the government must raise the minimum age of marriage for both boys and girls to 18 years throughout the country without exceptions. [The committee] is concerned about reports of the persistent practice of abducting girls who belong to religious minorities and forcing them to marry regardless of their age and the prevailing law and convert to Islam under the threat of violence, which results in rape, trafficking and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence against these girls, it stated. It expressed concern about reports of the widespread impunity surrounding these cases. Victims are usually not returned to their families during investigations but forced to stay with their abductors, including members of organized criminal groups, or placed in unnecessary and inappropriate alternative care facilities, with no or limited regard for child protection standards, exposing victims to further risk of exploitation, abuse and harmful practices, the committee stated. It urged Pakistan to intensify efforts to eradicate forced conversions and forced marriages, including strengthening its legal framework and enforcement mechanisms. The state party should also ensure that all allegations of forced conversions and forced marriages of girls are promptly, impartially and effectively investigated, that those responsible are brought to justice, and that all victims have access to effective remedies and support services such as adequate shelters, legal aid, psychological counselling and rehabilitation programs, it stated. While noting the adoption of the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021, the committee expressed concerns about frequent reports of forced disappearances, torture, killing, threats, and harassment of journalists and human rights defenders. Pakistan should investigate such incidents, prosecute the perpetrators and compensate victims, it stated. Expressing concern about alarmingly frequent internet shutdowns among other means of blocking social media platforms and online content, it called upon Pakistan to stop restricting freedom of expression and ensure that criminal laws and counter-terrorism legislation are not used to silence journalists and human rights defenders. The committee noted that Pakistani legislation punishes with the death penalty more than 30 crimes, including non-violent offenses that do not meet the threshold of the most serious crimes within the meaning of the ICCPR, including blasphemy. The committee considered reports from six nations Ecuador, France, Greece, Iceland, Pakistan and Turkiye during its 142nd session on Oct. 17-18 in Geneva. The concluding observations contain concerns and recommendations to implement the ICCPR and other related conventions. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. Two strong earthquakes measuring 5.9 and 6.8 on the Richter scale surprised the Cuban population on Sunday, Nov. 10. Cities in different regions in the southestern part of the island, which were close to the epicenter, reported collapsed buildings. As of this moment, no fatalities have been reported yet. But it only adds to the suffering of a population that experienced storms and blackouts, as Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition, reported earlier. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the 6.8 magnitude earthquake had its epicenter located 40 kilometers from Bartolome Maso, in the province of Granma, located in the eastern region of the island. The origin of the earthquake had a depth of only 12.8 kilometers. The information was confirmed by the National Center for Seismological Research of Cuba (CENAIS). Although the epicenter was in the sea, no tsunami warning was issued. ???? Terremoto en #Cuba: Afectada la ESBU Juan Vitalio Acuna por el efecto de los sismos en la manana de este domingo 10 de noviembre 2024, en Pilon, Granma. Aun se suenten replicas, informo Evaristo Pardo Fonseca con estas imagenes. pic.twitter.com/OplUnzTaKo Alberto Arego (@albertoaregocu) November 10, 2024 "> The ESBU (Urban Basic Secondary School) Juan Vitalio Acuna was affected by the effects of the earthquakes on the morning of this Sunday, November 10, 2024, in Pilon, Granma. Aftershocks are still being felt, freelance journalist Evaristo Pardo Fonseca reported on the social network X. State newspaper Granma said no deaths had been immediately reported but the quake had been felt across the Caribbean island. There is fear in the streets. My house suffered damage to the structure of the living room wall, said Pastor Andre Wanton Roca, from Santiago. There is desperation in the streets, especially among people who live in buildings. There are many people sleeping in the parks, he added. Cuba's population has been affected by a series of blackouts, and recently Hurricane Rafael - a Category 3 hurricane - passed over the island. From Havana, communicator Sandy Cancino, a member of the Evangelical League of Cuba church, told Diario Cristiano, We are living through a crisis without parallel in the history of our nation. Cancino added that his congregation is beginning to distribute aid among those affected. On the twelfth we will be leaving for the Far East, to distribute food aid there... as well as things necessary to rebuild roofs and so on. Previously, Cuban pastor Yarrian Sierra asked believers around the world to pray for Cuba, not only for the restoration of basic services, but also for the spiritual strength of Christians on the island. Please pray for the nation of Cuba. Please pray for the Cuban people. Please pray for the Cuban churches. And I especially ask you to pray for those whom God has been pleased to put as shepherds of his flock in this land. He also expressed his hope that despite the difficulties, faith in God remains a beacon of light for Cubans. Although we appear to be a ghost island, an island forgotten by everything and everyone, God has not forgotten Cuba. Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition. In Christianity, Archangel Gabriel plays a pivotal role as a messenger of God, delivering key divine revelations that shape the course of salvation history. Gabriel is most famously known for announcing the births of two central figures in the Christian faith: John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. John the Baptist One of the most significant appearances of Gabriel in the New Testament occur in the Gospel of Luke. He is sent by God to Zechariah, the priest, to announce the birth of his son, John, who would later be known as John the Baptist. Advertisement This announcement, made while Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were elderly and childless, alludes to the miraculous nature of God's work in the Bible and foreshadows the extraordinary role John would play in preparing the way for the Messiah. Gabriel's message to Zechariah is filled with awe and wonder, emphasizing that the birth of John is not merely a personal blessing but part of God's grand plan for salvation. Virgin Mary However, Gabriel's most famous role in Christianity comes in his announcement to the Virgin Mary, revealing to her that she will conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, who will be the long-awaited Messiah. In the Gospel of Luke (1:26-38), Gabriel appears to Mary in the town of Nazareth, delivering the momentous news that she has been chosen to bear the Son of God. This moment, known as the Annunciation, is one of the most important events in Christian theology, marking the Incarnation of Christ and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the coming of a Savior. Divine Grace Gabriel's role in Christianity goes beyond these specific appearances. He is often seen as a symbol of divine grace and intervention. His presence in both the Old and New Testaments links the prophetic and messianic ages, serving as a bridge between the law given to Israel and the grace brought by Christ. In many Christian traditions, Gabriel is associated with God's holy will, acting as a guide and a harbinger of divine promises fulfilled. His association with the announcement of Christ's birth underscores his role in bringing the ultimate good news of redemption to the world a theme that resonates with Christian hope and salvation. He is often depicted in art as a radiant figure, either as a protector of the faithful or as a herald of new beginnings. 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: University of Chicago On a college trip to Nigeria, Assoc. Prof. Samuel Fury Childs Daly was struck by just how many people wore uniforms. There were different colors and every pattern of camouflage imaginable; some were conventional military uniforms, while others were bright blue or hot pink for different militias or youth groups. But everyone seemed to be wearing one. "I got a lesson in the power of uniforms one day when somebody tried to confiscate the shirt that I was wearing," recalled Daly, now an associate professor in the Department of History at the University of Chicago. "It was a fast-fashion button down with epaulets that this policeman decided was too close to a military uniform. That got me thinking about militarism as a more general force in this society." In his new book, "Soldier's Paradise: Militarism in Africa after Empire," Daly explores militarism's appeal as a political ideology and what happens when soldiers take over the government. A historian of 20th-century Africa, his previous book, A History of the Republic of Biafra: Law, Crime, and the Nigerian Civil War, looked at African politics as they connect to warfare and to militaries. "A lot of people crave structure and security, and military officers understand that intuitively," said Daly. "Military regimes offer people a firm hand that, in times of crisis or uncertainty, is actually very reassuring. There's always the risk that firm hand might crush you, but that is a risk that a lot of people are willing to accept." Martial law To answer his book's core questions, Daly embarked on a project he describes as being on the cusp of history, anthropology and the study of lawone that was both observational and archival. The archival piece, however, is particularly tricky when dealing with military dictatorships who, notoriously, aren't very forthcoming about their activities. Records might be incriminating someday. Regimes also form in a hurry, often without concern for posterity or precision. However, Daly was able to mine court cases, some administrative records, as well as memoirs. "This is a pretty piecemeal way to do research," he said. This project, even though it's about a period that isn't very long ago, is based on very scattered materials. My task was to find a story to tell in these records that really are not very complete." What Daly learned, and what he describes in "Soldier's Paradise," is that military officers believed that they could govern better than civilians and that they could transform their societies from the ground up. They believed they could make civilians think and act like they did, leading to a kind of utopia. Of course, not everyone shared that vision. Daly also found evidence of people pushing back, often in the courts, or trying to bend the military's plans to their own personal interests. Throughout the book, Daly uses their stories to understand militarism as a system of thought. Several chapters in "Soldier's Paradise" focus on individuals who got caught up in military law. "It's a system of law like any other," Daly said, "with its own internal tensions and rules. I wanted to learn about how martial law worked when you applied it not just to soldiers, but to everybody." For example, one chapter highlights Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti, who had some very complicated entanglements with the law during several military dictatorships. Another chapter is about psychiatrist and political philosopher Frantz Fanon and how military regimes used his ideas to license their vision for society. 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. After gaining independence, many people felt they were sold a bill of goods; they were disappointed with corrupt politicians or how their quality of life improved slower than the nationalists had promised. However, the stories also show that not everyone was against militarism or dictatorship. "The cold truth is that for a lot of people, there were advantages to this ideology," Daly said. "There were things that they liked about it, and there were ways that they sought to improve their lot in life by hitching their personal fortunes to the fortunes of the military." According to Daly, the animating force of African politics for a long time after independence was not freedom, but discipline. "This history shows that how people define freedom is very contingent on their own circumstances," he said. "To people in this era, freedom meant not the liberal freedom to do what you wanted, but freedom from the tyranny of your own instincts. Military regimes told people that if everyone behaved like a soldier, everyone would eventually become self-disciplined enough that their freedom would mean something." Daly says this era of African history is uncomfortable to talk about because it challenges many of the moral certainties that people hold about the period after independence. And considering that many people would rather forget about this era, he notes it could make his book rather controversial. More information: Samuel Fury Childs Daly, A History of the Republic of Biafra: Law, Crime, and the Nigerian Civil War, www.dukeupress.edu/soldiers-paradise 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: Elephant numbers in Tsavo rose from around 6,000 in the mid-1990s to almost 15,000 in 2021, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service. "We used to hate elephants a lot," Kenyan farmer Charity Mwangome says, pausing from her work under the shade of a baobab tree. The bees humming in the background are part of the reason why her hatred has dimmed. The diminutive 58-year-old said rapacious elephants would often destroy months of work in her farmland that sits between two parts of Kenya's world-renowned Tsavo National Park. Beloved by touristswho contribute around 10 percent of Kenya's GDPthe animals are loathed by most local farmers, who form the backbone of the nation's economy. Elephant conservation has been a roaring success: numbers in Tsavo rose from around 6,000 in the mid-1990s to almost 15,000 elephants in 2021, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). But the human population also expanded, encroaching on grazing and migration routes for the herds. Resulting clashes are becoming the number one cause of elephant deaths, says KWS. Refused compensation when she lost her crops, Mwangome admits she was mad with the conservationists. But a long-running project by charity Save the Elephants offered her an unlikely solutiondeterring some of nature's biggest animals with some of its smallest: African honeybees. William Mwanduka inspects hives housing colonies of African honeybees. Cheery yellow beehive fences now protect several local plots, including Mwangome's. A nine-year study published last month found that elephants avoided farms with the ferocious bees 86 percent of the time. "The beehive fences came to our rescue," said Mwangome. Hacking nature The deep humming of 70,000 bees is enough to make many flee, including a six-tonne elephant, but Loise Kawira calmly removes a tray in her apiary to demonstrate the intricate combs of wax and honey. Kawira, who joined Save the Elephants in 2021 as their consultant beekeeper, trains and monitors farmers in the delicate art. The project supports 49 farmers, whose plots are surrounded by 15 connected hives. Each is strung on greased wire a few meters off the ground, which protects them from badgers and insects, but also means they shake when disturbed by a hungry elephant. Charity Mwangome said rapacious elephants would often destroy months of work on her farmland. "Once the elephants hear the sound of the bees and the smell, they run away," Kawira told AFP. "It hacks the interaction between elephants and bees," added Ewan Brennan, local project coordinator. It has been effective, but recent droughts, exacerbated by climate change, have raised challenges. "(In) the total heat, the dryness, bees have absconded," said Kawira. It is also expensiveabout 150,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,100) to install hiveswell beyond the means of subsistence farmers, though the project organizers say it is still cheaper than electric fences. 'I was going to die' Just moments after AFP arrived at Mwanajuma Kibula's farm, which abuts one of the Tsavo parks, her beehive fence had seen off an elephant. The five-tonne animal, its skin caked in red mud, rumbled into the area and then did an abrupt about-face. A nine-year study published last month found that elephants avoided farms with the ferocious bees 86 percent of the time. It costs about 150,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,100) to install hive fences. Hendrita Mwalada uses rags soaked with a mixture of fuel and chili around her farm. Charity Mwangome says she was refused compensation when elephants destroyed her crops. "I know my crops are protected," Kibula said with palpable relief. Kibula, 48, also harvests honey twice a year from her hives, making 450 shillings per jarenough to pay school fees for her children. She is fortunate to have protection from the biggest land mammals on Earth. "An elephant ripped off my roof, I had to hide under the bed because I knew I was going to die," said a less-fortunate neighbor, Hendrita Mwalada, 67. For those who can't afford bees, Save the Elephants offers other solutions, such as metal-sheet fences that clatter when shaken by approaching elephants, and diesel- or chili-soaked rags that deter them. It is not always enough. "I have tried planting but every time the crops are ready, the elephants come and destroy the crops," Mwalada told AFP. "That has been the story of my life, a life full of too much struggling." 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Levels of epigenetic modifications and embryogenic potential during somatic embryogenesis in conifers. Credit: Horticulture Research (2024). DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae180 Conifers are foundational to ecosystems globally, providing critical environmental and economic value. Yet, their long life cycles slow traditional breeding methods, positioning somatic embryogenesis (SE) as a more effective option for rapid propagation and genetic research. Although SE has shown promise, ongoing issues like low initiation rates and unstable embryogenic tissue continue to impede progress. Given these challenges, research into scalable, high-efficiency propagation techniques remains essential. In an article published in Horticulture Research, researchers from Beijing Forestry University describe a breakthrough in tackling SE bottlenecks in conifers through small molecules. The study highlights how these compounds offer a practical solution for improving SE without genetic modification. Redox regulators and epigenetic inhibitors demonstrate the ability to modulate gene expression and cellular metabolism, creating a more reliable foundation for conifer propagation and conservation efforts. The research explores three small-molecule categories: redox agents, epigenetic inhibitors, and metabolic regulators. Redox agents like glutathione (GSH) balance reactive oxygen species (ROS), essential for successful SE. Epigenetic inhibitors such as trichostatin A (TSA) were shown to boost embryogenic potential by modulating gene expression without altering genetic material. Additionally, metabolic regulators like -aminobutyric acid (GABA) facilitate cell reprogramming, which supports the induction and longevity of embryogenic tissues. Together, these small molecules hold the potential to streamline SE in conifers, supporting both reforestation and commercial forestry without relying on genetic engineering. "This innovative application of small molecules in SE addresses fundamental challenges in conifer propagation," notes Dr. Jinfeng Zhang, a researcher on the study. "These molecules serve as adaptable tools, fine-tuning cellular states to enhance embryo initiation and development. This approach shows significant potential for sustainable forestry and biodiversity conservation." Applying small molecules in SE could vastly increase the production of high-quality conifer seedlings for reforestation and commercial forestry. By boosting propagation rates and preserving genetic consistency, this method offers a feasible solution for both reforestation and the preservation of endangered conifer species. Additionally, its non-genetic nature aligns well with regulatory preferences in various regions, making SE advancements more readily adoptable worldwide. More information: Tao Guo et al, Small molecules, enormous functions: potential approach for overcoming bottlenecks in embryogenic tissue induction and maintenance in conifers, Horticulture Research (2024). DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae180 Journal information: Horticulture Research Provided by TranSpread This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A fossil bryozoan colony smaller than a grain of rice seen under the microscope. Credit: Sarah Leventhal Human societies have long depended on the division of labor to thrivewalk into any town, and you can probably find bakers baking bread, truck drivers driving that bread to market and grocers selling it. A new fossil study from paleobiologists at the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History offers insight on how some colony-forming animals, like ants or bees, may have evolved their own system for divvying up work millions of years ago. The team's findings suggest that when colonies share resources like food efficiently, it can free up some individuals to evolve never-before-seen traits. The research taps into a universal drive for both tiny animals and human beings, said Sarah Leventhal, lead author of the study published last month in the journal PNAS Nexus. "If we look around us, this division of labor exists almost everywhere," said Leventhal, who earned her Ph.D. in geological sciences from CU Boulder this year. "But before this study, it hadn't really been investigated using the fossil record." Floating time capsules The study casts a spotlight on a little-known group of aquatic animals called bryozoans. They tend to be small and sometimes look like globs of mucus floating in the water. They also grow in thin sheets over surfaces like corals and piers. They're not really individuals: Bryozoans are made up of dozens to thousands of microscopic "zooids" that live together in a single, cohesive colony. In the new research, the team assembled fossils from a short but critical period in the evolution of bryozoans belonging to the genus Wilbertoporaroughly from 103 to 96 million years ago, or during the reign of dinosaurs. The researchers discovered that during that window, some zooids in bryozoan colonies began to lose the ability to feed themselves. But they didn't die off. Instead, other members of the colony likely shared resources to keep those evolutionary oddballs alive. In the process, these new zooids were able to evolve a wide range of never-before-seen abilities. "Despite this loss in feeding, those non-feeding members could still be supported by the colony without costing it much," Leventhal said. "This gave them the freedom to explore all those different functions." Fossil bryozoan colony as seen under the microscope. Each of the oval shapes was once an individual zooid. Credit: Sarah Leventhal Specialized workers Leventhal noted that, among modern bryozoans, most zooids in a colony, which are genetically identical, tend to look the samethey're shaped like tiny shoe boxes with a round hole at the top. But a few strange zooids, known as "avicularia," don't fit the mold. In some species, for example, avicularia have evolved appendages that look a bit like the head of a flamingo. They use them to poke at animals that get too close to their colonies. "You can find some Caribbean colonies that, to avoid getting buried by sand, use their avicularia to crawl over the sea floor," Leventhal said. To date, however, scientists have struggled to explain how such a division of labor could emerge in natural populations. One popular explanation borrows from human economics. In early human societies, the thinking goes, every individual did a little bit of everything: They cooked. They cleaned. They hunted and gathered, and on and on. But over time, some individuals became specialists in one job (say, hunting), while others did something else (say, cooking). In the same way, ancient animals may have evolved distinct jobs by becoming specialists at tasks their ancestors were already doing. In their new research, Leventhal and her colleagues decided to put that idea to the test. The group assembled roughly 120 fossils of bryozoan colonies from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. The Smithsonian's Stewart Edie was also a co-author of the new study. Bryozoan colonies vary in growth form and therefore in their network of physiological connections. Credit: PNAS Nexus (2024). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae476 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. Sharing is caring Leventhal explained that bryozoans began to evolve avicularia roughly 103 million years ago. But in the blink of an eyeevolutionarily speakingthe holes at the top of those zooids began to take on shapes and sizes unlike anything seen in their ancestors. (Some, for example, became spatula-shaped, not round). Many of these new zooids also lost the ability to feed. Put differently, these organisms weren't just specializing like the conventional wisdom might suggest. They were becoming something entirely new. "It's like, all of a sudden, they discovered these new possibilities, and they just ran with them," said study co-author Carl Simpson, curator of invertebrate paleontology at the CU Museum of Natural History and assistant professor in the Department of Geological Sciences. To find out how they managed to survive, study co-author Rebecca Morrison, assistant professor of computer science at CU Boulder, developed a series of mathematical simulations. They mimicked how nutrients and other resources may have cycled through these ancient bryozoan colonies. The group discovered that normal zooids could easily have collected enough nutrients to sustain their entire colonies, including the non-feeding avicularia. Those avicularia, in turn, may have played a critical role in keeping food moving through the colony's digestive system. The researchers can't be sure whether other colony-forming animals, such as ants and bees, underwent similar evolutionary pathways. Simpson, for his part, recently teamed up with a group of archaeologists to study how the division of labor may have emerged in a completely different group of animals: humans. "We get together and say, 'We can't believe we're studying the same problem,'" Simpson said. More information: Sarah Leventhal et al, Origin of division of labor is decoupled from polymorphism in colonial animals, PNAS Nexus (2024). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae476 Journal information: PNAS Nexus 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: Jordan Strickler, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment/University of Kentucky University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) researchers are turning one of the state's largest and fastest-growing industries into an unlikely renewable energy source. In a study published in the Journal of Environmental Management, the team discovered that stillagea leftover byproduct from bourbon and whiskey productionholds the potential to be a sustainable energy supply. The research team was led by Tyler Barzee, assistant professor of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) and faculty fellow at the UK James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits (JBBI); Czarena Crofcheck, professor of BAE and faculty fellow at JBBI; and graduate researcher Danielle Hockensmith. Stillage, which remains after grains are distilled into bourbon, has traditionally been used as feed for livestock. However, Kentucky's cattle population has reached its lowest point since 1962, while bourbon production is expected to double in the next five years. This imbalance has prompted distilleries to seek alternative ways to manage increasing stillage. This is where anaerobic digestion, a process that transforms organic material into renewable natural gas by using microorganisms without oxygen, plays a role. "Stillage has been piling up, and there just aren't enough cattle to consume it all," Crofcheck said. "So, distilleries are beginning to explore new ways to use this material, and renewable energy is one of the most promising solutions." Research findings and impact The team's research analyzed how the composition of bourbon stillageaffected by the different grains used in productionimpacts the amount of renewable natural gas generated. Whiskey and bourbon production involves a variety of mash bills (grain combinations such as corn, rye, barley and wheat). The researchers found that these differences significantly alter the biogas output during anaerobic digestion. This discovery provides distilleries with critical insights into how their byproducts can be efficiently turned into energy, with each type of mash bill producing different methane and carbon dioxide levels. While this process is common in waste management for agriculture and wastewater treatment industries, it is still relatively new to Kentucky's bourbon industry. Some large distilleries are leading the way by incorporating anaerobic digesters to convert their stillage into renewable natural gas. The benefits are twofold: distilleries can use the gas for their operations, reducing their reliance on external energy and lowering waste disposal costs. The researchers noted that the gas can be used in multiple ways, including fueling trucks, heating homes or generating electricity. This creates a valuable opportunity for distilleries to cut energy costs and become more self-sufficient. Some distilleries are exploring the possibility of using their renewable gas to power their operations, such as steam boilers, which are essential for production. 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. "This study shows that not only can distilleries help alleviate the environmental burden of excess stillage, but they can also create a circular system where waste turns into fuel," Barzee said. "This is a local solution that could position Kentucky as a leader in both bourbon and renewable energy." The project also highlights the broader impact that stillage-based energy production can have. The researchers calculated the potential energy yield from distillery waste as part of the study. If implemented at scale, anaerobic digestion could provide significant energy, equivalent to powering entire distillery operations or neighboring facilities. It can also be upgraded to renewable natural gas, a pipeline-quality gas that can replace conventional natural gas. Hockensmith, who worked on the project as part of her master's degree research, personally gathered and analyzed 14 different samples of stillage from Kentucky distilleries. This hands-on effort provided a deep understanding of the chemical composition of the byproducts and their potential for energy production. "This project was extremely exciting because it provided some insight into a much larger problem and provides a potential solution for one of the state's largest industries," Hockensmith said. "I had the opportunity to visit distilleries I had never visited before. Engineering is all about problem solving and continuous improvement, and this project was exactly that." The work is already catching the attention of major distillers, and Kentucky could soon see an increase in digesters dedicated to processing bourbon stillage. Beyond individual distilleries, the research opens doors to regional hubs where smaller producers could contribute stillage to centralized digesters, creating a network of renewable energy production. More information: Danielle Hockensmith et al, Impacts of material characteristics on the anaerobic digestion kinetics and biomethane potential of American bourbon and whiskey stillage, Journal of Environmental Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121975 Journal information: Journal of Environmental Management 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: Drilling tent preparation during the 20232024 season in Antarctica. Credit: Anthony Powell Kiwi climate researchers are part of an ambitious mission to recover critical geological records to help forecast future sea-level rise. The first team members have embarked on a 1,128 km journey across the Ross Ice Shelf to set up camp on the edge of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The vast West Antarctic Ice Sheet holds enough ice to raise sea level by 4 to 5 meters if it melts completely. Research has found a collapse might be inevitable for some parts of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, such as the area around the "Doomsday Glacier" (Thwaites Glacier) in the Amundsen Sea, due to the presence of warm water next to it. In contrast, water underneath the large Ross Ice Shelf remains cold. The Ross Ice Shelf serves as a stabilizing buttress to the inland ice of other areas of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. But we lack direct evidence as to if and when we will lose it. Understanding what temperature will trigger unavoidable melt of the Ross Ice Shelf, and the subsequent collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, is critical for all of humanity. This is the challenge driving the scientists, drillers, and Antarctic field specialists from 13 countries who have come together as part of the SWAIS2C (Sensitivity of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to 2C) project, and why the "on-ice" team of 27 will camp at the KIS3 drilling site this Antarctic summer. The team is seeking insights contained in sediment layered in the seafloor under the Ross Ice Shelf. To obtain this record, they must melt a hole through about 580 m of the ice shelf, pass through a 55 m ocean cavity, and use a custom-designed drilling system to retrieve a sediment core from up to 200 m deep into the seabed. This is no easy tasksomething the team knows all too well. Due to technical difficulties, their efforts to do so last year were scuppered after reaching the seafloor. "We were making the first ever attempt to obtain a core this deep so far from a base and so close to the center of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet," said Professor Richard Levy, SWAIS2C co-chief scientist, from GNS Science and Te Herenga WakaVictoria University of Wellington. "Cutting-edge Antarctic frontier science is challenging and we learned valuable lessons. We're heading back this year to finish what we started, with an even greater sense of urgencythe climate warning signs are only getting louder. "Since our last deployment we've seen global temperatures reach record highs across the world. Last year, the average increase in Earth's annual surface temperature exceeded the 1.5C target of the Paris Agreement for the first time since we started routinely measuring temperature with instruments. While this increase may be temporary, we are well on track to permanently cross this threshold in the next five to 10 years," said Professor Levy. The coveted core is expected to reach back hundreds of thousands of years, potentially millions of years. Such a record would include the last interglacial period 125,000 years ago, when Earth was around 1.5C warmer than pre-industrial temperaturessimilar to the temperatures we've approached this year due to human-caused climate change. The sequence of rocks and mud will reveal how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet behaved during this past time of warmer temperature. If the researchers find marine algae, indicating open ocean conditions, it's likely the ice sheet retreated. The team calls SWAIS2C "the discovery for our lifetime" and hopes the results will guide plans to adapt to unavoidable sea-level rise, while amplifying the imperative to mitigate global greenhouse gas emissions. "Retrieving this sample from such a remote location will help us build a clearer picture of how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will respond to future warming, which parts will melt first, and which parts will remain. We're using the past to help us prepare for our future," said Professor Tina van de Flierdt, SWAIS2C co-chief scientist, from Imperial College London. 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 mission for 'the discovery for our lifetime' begins with an extreme polar road trip Drilling at a deep-field research camp so far from a research station requires a large amount of gear, both for the drilling itself and the operations of the camp. Antarctica New Zealand is leading the logistical support for the project. A team departed Scott Base on 1 November in a convoy of PistenBully polar vehicles, towing sleds laden with fuel, equipment, and provisions to sustain the camp for the approximately eight-week season. Their 1,128 km journey is expected to take 15 days over the Ross Ice Shelf, the largest on Earth, and requires ground penetrating radar to help them detect and avoid treacherous crevasses. Once they've arrived at KIS3, they'll create a runway on the ice for ski-equipped aircraft, allowing the drillers and scientists to fly in (860 km "as the crow flies") later in November. Antarctica New Zealand's acting chief executive Professor Jordy Hendrikx said quantifying Antarctica's contribution to sea level rise was a strategic priority for New Zealand, an island nation dominated by coastal homes and infrastructure. "This project underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing the critical questions surrounding our planet's future, with New Zealand playing a key role. Despite our size, we've built a strong reputation for field operations, enabling cutting-edge science through experience, robust planning and efficiency. We are proud to support this vital work, ultimately aiming to protect our own and global communities from the impacts of rising sea levels." 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 illustration shows the contours of a complex energy plane. Each color corresponds to a different D-meson pair. Although the shapes are very different, they circle around a common peak. This signifies the presence of a single resonance coupled to all three channels. Credit: Jefferson Lab illustration/David Wilson An elusive particle that first formed in the hot, dense maelstrom of the early universe has puzzled physicists for decades. Following its surprise discovery in 2003, scientists began observing a slew of other strange objects tied to the millionths of a second after the Big Bang. Appearing as "bumps" in the data from high-energy experiments, these signals came to be known as short-lived "XYZ states," for lack of a better label. They defy the standard picture of particle behavior and are a leading problem in contemporary physics, sparking several attempts to understand their mysterious nature. But theorists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility suggest that the experimental data could be explained with fewer XYZ states, also called resonances, than currently claimed. Representing Jefferson Lab's Center for Theoretical and Computational Physics and the U.K.'s Cambridge University, the researchers used a branch of quantum physics to compute the energy levelsalso known as massof particles containing a certain "flavor" of the subatomic building blocks known as quarks. The team found that multiple particle states sharing the same degree of spin (angular momentum) are coupled, meaning only a single resonance exists at each spin channel. This fresh interpretation is contrary to several other theoretical and experimental studies. "We would advocate that we're more likely to get to an understanding of the experimental spectrum if the data are combined into a coupled-channel analysis," said Jozef Dudek, a Jefferson Lab staff scientist and professor at the College of William & Mary. "Our hypothesis is that the approach might end up reducing the number of resonances needed to explain all the data." Dudek and his Theory Center colleagues presented their results in a pair of companion papers published for the international Hadron Spectrum Collaboration (HadSpec) in Physical Review Letters and Physical Review D. The exciting work could also soon provide clues about a perplexing particle with an enigmatic name: X(3872). The charm of X(3872) The charm quark, one of six quark "flavors," was first observed experimentally in 1974. It was discovered alongside its antimatter counterpart, the anticharm, and particles paired this way are part of an energy region called "charmonium." Fast forward to 2003, and the Belle experiment at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) in Japan discovered a new charmonium candidate dubbed X(3872). Its cryptic name conjures images of interstellar objects such as exoplanets, but X(3872) is a short-lived particle state that appears to defy the present quark model. Some scientists claim X(3872) could be a tetraquark, which is a composite particle (hadron) made up of two quarks and two antiquarks. For comparison, protons and neutrons are hadrons with three quarks. Other possible explanations for X(3872) include a molecule-like bound system of two mesons, each containing two quarks, or some sort of quark-gluon hybrid. "X(3872) is now more than 20 years old, and we still haven't obtained a clear, simple explanation that everyone can get behind," said David Wilson, a Jefferson Lab scientific user from the U.K."s University of Cambridge and the lead author on the HadSpec study. Other exotic candidate states have been observed, such as Y(4260) and Zc(3900); hence the label XYZ. In fact, so many states were being discovered that in 2017, the Particle Data Group revamped its naming scheme. This hodgepodge of excited states is the result of an explosion in the amount of data captured by modern particle accelerators. "High-energy experiments began measuring processes that are hundreds of times fainter," Dudek said. "They started seeing bumps, interpreted as new particles, almost everywhere they looked. And very few of these states agreed with the model that came before." The "XYZ" alphabet soup motivated the HadSpec group to begin sorting the spectra of states using quantum field theory. Spectra in irreps =+1, +, and +2 with zero overall momentum, having leading =0++, 2++ and 2++ partial waves respectively. Points are the computed finite-volume energies colored according to their dominant operator overlap, with colors given in the key on the right. Black points have large overlap with both -like and -like operators. Solid curves indicate noninteracting meson-meson energies and dashed lines indicate kinematic thresholds. Degenerate noninteracting levels are indicated by multiple parallel curves, slightly displaced in energy for visual clarity. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.241901 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. From the lattice Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) describes quarks' interactions with gluons, the photon-like carriers of the strong force. Supercomputers, with their ability to crunch huge numbers of numbers, can be applied to QCD by placing the theory on a lattice. Think of the lattice as a small, tightly packed grid of points representing space and time. Theorists can use the possible configurations of quarks and gluons inside this "box" to predict properties of hadrons such as their masses and lifetimes. The lattice box is tiny, with dimensions of 2 to 3 femtometersnearly a million times smaller than a single atom. But even such a tiny volume requires an enormously powerful computer to sample the possible behaviors of quarks and gluons. That's why the HadSpec group used several high-performance computing clusters, including those at Jefferson Lab, to perform the mind-boggling math. "If you hated calculus in school, just imagine the worst calculus problem ever," Dudek said. The HadSpec group computed the masses and lifetimes of mesons in the charmonium region, where XYZ states have been claimed in experiments. These mesons decay rapidly into "D mesons" and their antimatter counterparts. D mesons consist of a charm quark, which is heavy, and a lighter antiquark of the flavors "up," "down" or "strange." Anti-D mesons are the exact opposite: They contain an anticharm quark and an ordinary quark of one of those lighter flavors. If you're wondering where the extra quarks are coming from, QCD predicts vacuum fluctuations in which quark-antiquark pairs are constantly created and annihilated. These phenomena are a long-theorized quantum quirk of empty space. "Somewhere along the line, at least one pair of light quarks must have come into existence," Dudek said. "They weren't there when you had a charm-anticharm just buzzing around, but they are there in this well-separated, D-meson pair." The authors used the lattice results to infer all the possible ways in which the charmonium mesons could decay. To do this, they had to relate the results from a tiny box to what would happen in a virtually infinite volumethat is, the size of the universe. "In our calculations, unlike experiments, you can't just fire in two particles and measure two particles coming out," Wilson said. "You have to simultaneously calculate all possible final states, because quantum mechanics will find those for you." The results can be understood in terms of just a single short-lived particle (a resonance) whose appearance could differ depending upon which possible decay state it is observed in. "We're trying to simplify the picture as much as possible, using fundamental theory with the best methods available," Wilson said. "Our goal is to disentangle what has been seen in experiments." Now that the HadSpec team has proved this type of calculation is feasible, they are ready to apply it to the mysterious particle X(3872). "X(3872) is quite interesting," Wilson said. "Its origin is an open question. It appears very close to a threshold, which could be accidental or a key part of the story. This is one thing we will look at very soon." 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: Pacific climate disaster costs and average loss of GDP for countries affected, averaged across the pacific ($AUD billions.) Credit: Escalating Emergencies: 20 Years of Pacific Climate Disasters (2024) Climate disasters are costing the Pacific eight times more than they did a decade ago The number of people impacted by climate disasters in the Pacific increased 700% on average in the last decade, compared to the previous decade, according to new analysis by Oxfam Australia released as COP29 climate negotiations begin today in Baku. Oxfam Australia reviewed the last 20 years of climate-induced disasters in the Pacific, uncovering data that shows the economic and human impacts of climate change have rapidly increased in the past decade. The new research highlights the need for funding for climate change loss and damage to be included in the new climate finance goal, the most significant agreement to be made this COP. According to the analysis, in a region numbering 14 million, climate disasters have affected 6.9 million Pacific Islanders in the last 20 years, not accounting for individuals and households who are affected by multiple disasters. Total costs from climate disasters have increased eight-fold in the last decade. In the last two years, costs reached a high of $7.3 billion. The average GDP losses of Pacific countries are also increasing from decade to decade, with average yearly loss from climate disasters increasing four-foldfrom 3.2% between 2004 to 2013, to 14.3% of GDP in the last decade. In the case of Vanuatu, these losses reached 80% of country GDP, a devastating occurrence that happened twice for the island nationin 2015 and 2020. For context, Australia's costliest disaster in recent memory (The QLD-NSW floods of 2022) resulted in damages that were 0.4% of GDP. Meanwhile, Australia's current climate finance pledge for 20202025 is $3 billion out of Australia's aid budget. When focusing on climate finance dedicated to the Pacific, the amount is even smaller. In 202223, when total disasters cost $7.3 billion, Australia committed just $265.9 million in climate finance to the Pacific. Oxfam is calling on Minister Bowen, in his influential role of Ministerial Co-Chair of the New Collective Goal on Climate Finance negotiations, to advocate for Pacific priorities, particularly loss and damage being included, and find a pathway to support a strong goal that meets the needs of developing countries. Oxfam in the Pacific's Executive Director, Eunice Wotene calls for ambition from the Australian government to address the scale of climate damage in the Pacific. "We recognize that the ambition from climate activists in the Pacific and around the world is for a climate finance goal that is in the trillions," said Wotene. "To the Australian government and many other western governments this might seem too ambitiousbut if this research shows anything, it is that the scale of climate damage is beyond what we have imagined and getting worse by the day. "Unless Australia acts decisively and commits the funds that are so urgently needed now, that number will only get bigger and the struggle for a climate-secure Pacific even harder to achieve. Now more than ever we need to work together recognizing the great ocean that we share and this region that we call our home," she said. 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. Oxfam Australia Policy and Advocacy Lead, Josie Lee, says Australia's climate finance remains far below the scale of need in the Pacific and well below our fair share. "Australia's climate finance commitments are grossly insufficient. This funding shortfall hinders Pacific Island and other countries from protecting and adapting their homes and agriculture to rising sea levels, and recovering properly after extreme cyclones destroy their villages," said Lee. "If Australia is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Pacific at COP29, and indeed credibly partner with the Pacific to host COP31 in Australia in 2026, we must step up on the make-or-break issue at COP29setting a new global climate finance goal for developing countries. "Funding for recovery from the losses and damages caused by climate change must be included in the new global climate finance goal. Without adequate funding, Pacific and other low-income countries cannot protect their communities, rebuild after disasters, and adapt to the escalating impacts of climate change," she said. Provided by OXFAM 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: Schematic of the in situ experimental setup on ID23-2 with the PM installed on MD3-Up and a loaded CD plate. It also illustrates the fast switching from the conventional mini-kappa goniometer head to in situ setup (diffractometer drawing provided by Arinax, Moirans, France). Credit: IUCrJ (2024). DOI: 10.1107/S2052252524005785 Scientists at EMBL Grenoble and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) have developed a new method for using in situ serial crystallography (iSX) to study the structure of macromolecules. They recently described this new technique in a paper published in the journal IUCrJ. The method is now operational at the ID23-2 beamline, jointly operated by EMBL and the ESRF. Nicolas Foos, the first author of this publication, was part of the first generation of ARISE fellowsa program designed to support the development of new technologies and methods in life sciences and train scientists in research infrastructure management. After completing his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology at the Universite de Marseille, France, Foos gained experience through postdoctoral positions at the SOLEIL and ESRF synchrotrons. In 2021, he joined the McCarthy team at EMBL Grenoble as part of the three-year ARISE program to focus on developing methods and instrumentation for macromolecular crystallography. In this interview, he talks about this new method and the ARISE fellowship program. What are the main features of this new method for using in situ serial crystallography? The main feature of the method is that it works directly from the crystallization plate. A crystallization plate can have an average of 96 wells (very small holes), each containing three tiny drops of crystallized protein. Harvesting these crystals to find just a few good oneswhich is the regular approachis tedious and time-consuming. Instead of harvesting only the 'best-looking' crystals, in situ experiments consist of screening them directly in the crystallization plate and getting the data from there. However, this type of experiment was not seen as an accessible method for everyday use. To make this simple and efficient, we developed a new method relying on a micro-diffractometer combined with a plate holder accommodating SBS-96 plates. These instruments offer excellent technical performance in terms of movement and accuracy of data collection, which is key to the quality of the final data. Once you have the right tools, you need the appropriate interface to use them in the best possible way. To ensure a reliable, precise, and well-controlled method, we developed a user interface adapted to the user's needs. This has been an important aspect of our work. What are the advantages of this new method for structural biology? The main advantage is that it creates a shortcut in the usual structure determination workflow. Our new method makes in situ experiments straightforward and efficient. This will ultimately reduce the cost and time needed for structure determination, especially for challenging projects. It's also a great approach for drug discovery projects. Screening compounds directly in the plate will be easier and allow experiments to be carried out at room temperaturewhich is extremely important for studying targets in their natural and flexible state. This will improve the quality and reliability of the final output. Taking this a step further, we are also opening up new opportunities for even more automated experimental workflows. We may soon see the development of a 'From the plate to the 3D model' pipeline, without human intervention which I believe should be the ultimate goal. My objective in applying for the ARISE fellowship was to make crystallography more accessible to a larger number of scientists, even non-experts, envisioning that X-ray crystallography would become a popular tool in the larger 'integrative biology' toolbox. I believe this method is one more step in this direction. What did you enjoy most in the ARISE program? The ARISE fellowship program offers excellent training from day one. When applying for the fellowship, it is essential to define all the aspects of your project in detail, from the scientific and technical aspects to addressing specific bottlenecks, the people you would collaborate with, and how you would communicate your project. 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. A unique feature of this program is also the mandatory secondments, with secured time to work in a partner organization, other EMBL teams, or service provision facilities. During my three-year ARISE fellowship, I worked closely with the ESRF and experienced working with ARINAXthe company that commercializes EMBL Grenoble's instrument prototypes worldwide and ALPXEMBL Grenoble's spin-off that provides crystallography services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. ARISE is an excellent option for people who, like me, enjoy working in a multidisciplinary field. The program is aimed at people who either have a strong scientific background but are also interested in technical or methodological aspects, or who are coming from a technical domain and want to imagine and create new solutions to support high-level scientific projects. This approach allows for bridging between people, academic research, and industrial companies. Creating permeability is the whole strength of the ARISE program. I also benefited a lot from a great mentor who supported me during my career development, and from the ARISE community. ARISE brings together a unique and diverse group of fellows, with a unique sense of cooperation and mutual support. The dedication and quality of exchange to support each other have been unbelievable. More information: Nicolas Foos et al, In situ serial crystallography facilitates 96-well plate structural analysis at low symmetry, IUCrJ (2024). DOI: 10.1107/S2052252524005785 The head of the worldwide Anglican Communion - the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, has announced today (November 12) his resignation following concerns about his handling of a sex abuse case involving the deceased John Smyth QC who sexually abused countless boys and young men in the 1970s and 1980s. The Makin Review published last week, looking into the matters of Smyths abuse, concluded that the serial abuser could have been stopped sooner if Welby had formally reported concerns disclosed to him a decade ago. Smyth was reported to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England, a previous independent review concluded. He died aged 77 in Cape Town, South Africa in 2018, after being accused of abusing boys at his home in Winchester, England, whom he worked with at a Christian summer camp in the county of Dorset in the 1970s and 1980s, according to the BBC. Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury, said Welby in a statement published on his official website. He added the date of his departure depended upon constitutional and church responsibilities. The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. Welby acknowledged that he should take personal and institutional responsibility for what happened between 2013 and 2024 - a long and retraumatising period. I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse. Welby also said that recent days, in which clergy including the Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen;-Ann Hartley, called for his resignation, had renewed his long felt and profound sense of shame at historic safeguarding issues at the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done. In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete. Welby asked for prayers for his wife Caroline and children at this time, who have supported him. I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. I pray that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us. For above all else, my deepest commitment is to the person of Jesus Christ, my saviour and my God; the bearer of the sins and burdens of the world, and the hope of every person. The resignation also follows criticism by evangelicals after Welby openly supported homosexual behavior, as reported by Christian Daily International. 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 Researchers from Erasmus University and KU Leuven have published a new study that examines how retailers respond when suppliers establish direct channels to reach end-consumers and how suppliers can take steps to avoid a backlash. The study, appearing in the Journal of Marketing, is titled "How Retailers Change Ordering Strategies When Suppliers Go Direct" and is authored by Michiel Van Crombrugge, Els Breugelmans, Femke Gryseels, and Kathleen Cleeren. Recently, Sony began selling PlayStation products through its PlayStation Direct online store in the UK, which includes many products available at major retail stores such as Currys and Argos. This is an example of encroachment, when suppliers like Sony, Nike, and Lego establish their own direct channels to reach end-consumers. Such direct channels offer suppliers visibility and control over the customer experience, but they potentially come at the cost of upsetting downstream retail partners who may perceive the direct channel as competition. This raises an important question for suppliers: Will retailers change their ordering strategies at the encroaching supplier, and if so, how? Should retailers respond adversely and disengage from the retailer-supplier relationship, typically leading to decreased orders and higher wholesale prices (i.e., an exit response)? Or should they respond cooperatively and engage in constructive discussions with the supplier to seek improved terms of trade, typically leading to lower wholesale prices and increased orders (i.e., a voice response)? This new study analyzes the ordering strategy responses of nearly 2,000 retailers that were confronted with a supplier's launch of their own webshop in the toy industry. The research team finds that on average, retailers choose an exit response to a supplier's direct channel introduction. Van Crombrugge states, "Our findings show that on average, retailers disengage from the retailersupplier relationship. The average retailer decreases the number of distinct SKUs ordered, which is met by the wholesaler increasing prices, possibly reflecting the worsened terms of trade." Specifically, retailers decrease the number of distinct SKUs ordered by 15 (or 18.75%) in the period after direct channel entry. Possibly due to these fewer orders, they also pay a higher average wholesale price of .79 (or 20.84%). The increased wholesale price, however, does not compensate for the loss in quantity ordered. The total order value for the average retailer at the supplier decreases by 399.50 (or 11.69%) in the first six months after direct channel entry. The importance of retailer power Such an adverse reaction is troublesome for the encroaching supplier, yet not all retailers respond the same way. "Our studies provide clear evidence that retailer power is a key driver of ordering strategy responses," Breugelmans says, "such that larger, powerful retailers are much less likely to exit the retailersupplier relationship than less powerful retailers. In fact, for the largest retailers, we observe no change in order value." Gryseels explains, "One mechanism underlying this finding is confidence from powerful retailers that the supplier will continue to support their retail operations despite the introduction of the direct channel." Specialist retailers differ from generalist retailers in their ordering response depending on two countervailing forces. Specialists experience higher switching costs because these specialized, go-to retailers cannot afford to exclude the brands of important suppliers, which makes it harder to disengage from the relationship. On the flip side, specialists perceive more channel conflict than generalists because the direct channel threatens their core business, which can evoke stronger emotional inclinations to disengage. The weights of these two mechanisms determine the specialist retailer's ultimate decision. Cleeren adds, "We find the relationship quality between the supplier and retailer to have a substantially lower effect on a retailer's response than expected. Only when the relationship is particularly strong are we able to find the expected mitigating effect on a retailer's exit response." 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. Lessons for chief marketing officers These findings offer important insights and caveats to suppliers that consider selling directly to end-consumers. Introducing direct channels may provide suppliers with opportunities to get closer to their end-customers, but the backlash by retailers makes this step risky because retailers may significantly reduce their orders. Smaller retailers with less power are more likely to disengage from the relationship after encroachment, driven mainly by their lack of confidence in the supplier. Suppliers should pay special attention to smaller retailers and design specific incentives and stimuli to increase their confidence and convince them to keep placing orders. This will sacrifice some short-term profits, but it provides retailers with a credible signal that the supplier wants to minimize the potential harm from the direct channel. The supplier might reduce the competition created by the direct channel through differentiation. The extent to which channels compete depends on their similarity, in terms of product, price, and/or service. This means the supplier can clearly differentiate what it offers through retailers versus through its direct channel (e.g., channel-specific exclusives, online-only personalization services) to limit competition. More information: Michiel Van Crombrugge et al, How Retailers Change Ordering Strategies When Suppliers Go Direct, Journal of Marketing (2024). DOI: 10.1177/00222429241266576 Journal information: Journal of Marketing 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: Ocean and Climate: an ocean that is no longer impacted by climate change. Credit: European Marine Board A publication recently launched by leading European Ocean scientists, titled Navigating the Future VI (NFVI), calls attention to the fact that we do not yet sufficiently consider how climate-induced changes in the ocean will impact how we live alongside it. The result is that development and management plans are not able to deal with these changes. As COP29 on climate change opens in Baku, Azerbaijan, it is timely to reconsider the interactive role of the ocean and climate in our everyday lives. "The ocean and coastal areas are changing much faster than previously due to climate change, and our approach to coastal planning is struggling to keep up. We need to both have insights into how climate change will affect the habitability of our coasts and have management plans that are adaptive to these ongoing changes," says Katrin Schroeder, lead author of the NFVI chapter on Ocean and Climate. "These plans should ensure that adaptations to climate change are appropriate and take a holistic approach to managing housing, food, fresh water and nature. Otherwise, we risk making our coastal towns unliveable." Critical questions Written by a team of European marine science and climate experts, Navigating the Future VI discusses the ocean as part of the climate system, its critical role as a climate change mitigator, and the impacts that climate change is having on the ocean and coasts. This document provides governments, policymakers and funders with robust, independent scientific advice on future sea and ocean research. The NFVI Ocean and Climate chapter highlights the need for better understanding of the links between the ocean and climate. The chapter raises the following critical questions: How much and when will sea levels rise as ice sheets melt due to climate change? How is ocean circulation being affected by climate change and how does this affect weather? Where are naturally-occurring CO 2 and methane found in the ocean and when could the ocean start releasing them? and methane found in the ocean and when could the ocean start releasing them? What ocean and climate research and measurements do we need to prioritize to know more about the links between the ocean and climate? How will people be affected by these and other ocean changes, and how will they impact our daily lives? Can we future-proof the way we live with and by a changing ocean so that we can continue to live by the sea? More information: Navigating the Future VI. www.marineboard.eu/publications/nfvi This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The ER-phagy receptor FAM134B is initially distributed via the membrane surface (left). Its IDRs move back and forth in a largely disordered manner, like tentacles. The formation of local clusters initiates the curvature of the membrane (2nd from left), which is further strengthened by the condensation of the tentacles into more compact structures (2nd from right). The pinching off of the membrane vesicle (not shown) is initiated by a targeted redistribution of proteins (sorting, right). Credit: Bhaskara Group, Goethe University Frankfurt Inside cells, there exists an extensive system of canals known as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which consists of membrane-encased tubes that are partially broken down as neededfor instance in case of a nutrient deficiency. As part of this process, bulges or protrusions form in the membrane, which then pinch off and are recycled by the cell. A study by Goethe University Frankfurt has examined this protrusion process using computer simulations. Its finding: certain structural motifs of proteins in the ER membrane play a central role in this process. The study was carried out as part of the SCALESubcellular Architecture of Life cluster initiative. The paper is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The endoplasmic reticulum functions as a reservoir for calcium and carbohydrates and also serves as the site for the synthesis of various hormones. Cells adjust the expansion and networking of their internal canal system as needed. A process known as ER-phagy ("ER-eating") plays a central role here. During this process, a part of the membrane of an ER tube bulges out and eventually pinches off into a small vesicle. At the same time, a kind of internal cellular "trash bag," the autophagosome, forms around it. This then fuses with another container that contains highly reactive enzymes, which shred the contents of the autophagosome and recycle it. "We have known for several years that specific proteins, known as ER-phagy receptors, play a key role in this process," explains Dr. Ramachandra Bhaskara from Goethe University's Institute of Biochemistry II. These receptors are located in the membrane of ER tubes and consist of an anchor that inserts into the membrane. Attached to this anchor are two long protein strands that extend outward from the membrane surface like flexible tentacles. "Using complex simulations in supercomputers, we were recently able to show, together with other research groups, that the anchor causes the membrane to curve," Bhaskara says, adding that "under certain conditions, this can result in a protrusion. In the current study, we have demonstrated that the filamentous structures increase the likelihood and significantly accelerate the formation of such a bulge." The ER-phagy receptor FAM134B is initially distributed via the membrane surface (left). Its IDRs move back and forth in a largely disordered manner, like tentacles. The formation of local clusters initiates the curvature of the membrane (2nd from left), which is further strengthened by the condensation of the tentacles into more compact structures (2nd from right). The pinching off of the membrane vesicle (not shown) is initiated by a targeted redistribution of proteins (sorting, right). Credit: Bhaskara Group, Goethe University Frankfurt Proteins form disordered 'tentacles' from amino acids Most proteins adopt a defined three-dimensional shape after they are produced: some parts form coiled, helical structures, while others fold back and forth like the bellows of an accordion. This gives them a compact, relatively rigid form, which also applies to the anchor region of ER-phagy receptors. The tentacles, however, consist of long chains of amino acids that oscillate back and forth in a largely disordered mannerwhich is also why they are referred to as "intrinsically disordered (protein) regions" or IDRs for short. These extensive movements require space, which they create by causing the membrane in which they are anchored to bulge. "Added to this is another effect," says Dr. Sergio Alejandro Poveda Cuevas, the study's first author. "The IDRs contain short sequences that can fold back under certain conditions. We were able to show that they do this during the formation of the bulges. They then nestle against the membrane like a scaffold, thereby reinforcing its curvature." The pinching-off is thus the result of various finely orchestrated processes, as demonstrated by the simulation: initially, the anchor regions of various ER-phagy receptors approach each other. This clustering increases the curvature of the membrane caused by the receptors. Initially, the IDR tentacles are extended. They make contact with the autophagy machinery and direct it toward the membrane. The IDRs then condense into more compact structures, further enhancing the bulge until the membrane pinches off and the vesicle is packaged in the autophagosome. "In addition to offering a detailed insight into this important cellular process, our study also shows that receptor IDRs play a crucial role in ensuring smooth functioning," Bhaskara explains. These results are particularly interesting because some congenital neurological diseases are associated with disrupted ER-phagy. A better understanding of the membrane degradation process might one day enable targeted manipulation. More information: Sergio Alejandro Poveda-Cuevas et al, Intrinsically disordered region amplifies membrane remodeling to augment selective ER-phagy, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2408071121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: RDNE Stock project from Pexels A study reveals a surprising transformation: as social media turns everyday household chores into profitable ventures, it may also be bringing back outdated gender stereotypes. Published in the Journal of Marketing Management, the research explores how digital trendslike the TikTok-fueled #tradwife movement, which has garnered over 300 million viewsare creating both new revenue streams and a resurgence of nostalgia for traditional domestic roles. Adele Howes, Ph.D. student in the School of Business and Management at Queen Mary University of London and her team examine the evolution of domestic tasks across four key phases, illustrating how these once-hidden activities have become central to the influencer economy: Expertization (18401920): As domestic servants disappeared and home appliances emerged, housework transformed into a recognized skill. Valorization (19601988): After WWII, consumer culture celebrated the well-kept home as a symbol of care and family pride. Objectification (19902010): With more women balancing work and home life, convenience products took center stage, making efficiency a priority. Professionalization (2010Present): Today, influencers turn cleaning, cooking, and organizing into content that generates income. Yet movements like #tradwife prompt a crucial question: does this visibility empoweror restrict? "With social media, household expertise has moved into the spotlightbut we're also seeing the return of a very specific image of womanhood," says Howes. "When millions tune in to content like #tradwife, it shapes how we view women's roles, and not always for the better." Howes emphasizes that as digital media redefines domesticity, this shift presents a double-edged sword. While social platforms offer women opportunities to monetize their skills and gain visibility, they may also reinforce traditional gender roles, making it harder to challenge stereotypes about who should be responsible for household work. "This has far-reaching consequences for gender equality, social expectations, and how society values unpaid laborboth online and offline," Howes adds. "The findings challenge us to reconsider what true empowerment looks like in the digital age and how we can shape a more inclusive narrative." More information: Adele Howes et al, Towards an understanding of domestic practice as commodified work, Journal of Marketing Management (2024). DOI: 10.1080/0267257X.2024.2406940 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 As student absenteeism reaches record highs in schools across the United States, new research finds that student absences are linked to lower teacher job satisfaction, raising concerns that this may exacerbate growing teacher shortages. The findings were published in Educational Researcher. The study, by Michael Gottfried and Colby Woods at the University of Pennsylvania, and Arya Ansari at The Ohio State University, is the first to examine the connection between student absenteeism and teacher satisfaction. Using nationally representative data from the U.S. Department of Education on 2,370 kindergarten teachers, the researchers found that when teachers have more absent students, they report feeling less satisfied with their jobs. This was true for new teachers as well as more experienced teachers. "Our findings show that a lack of good student attendance has the potential to detract from the satisfaction teachers get from instructing and helping their students learn and grow," said Gottfried, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. "This has important implications for the current educational landscape. Addressing absenteeism is critical not only for improving student outcomes, but also for bolstering the teacher workforce, which faces a host of challenges." The study found that student absenteeism had no link to teachers' feelings about other aspects of school, such as their teaching ability or school climatejust job satisfaction. There was also no indication that teachers who were less satisfied to begin with were being assigned to the students who were more likely to be absent. "We show that student absenteeism emerges as a teacher challenge, and so there is a need for a more well-rounded approach to addressing the effects of absenteeism in the classroom," Gottfried said. "Approaches need to go beyond only those that are focused on students. Broader efforts will have the potential to yield positive impacts across teachers, contributing to a more satisfied and engaged workforce." Examples of effective efforts include investing in interventions that strengthen teachers' relationships with students and families, implementing trauma-informed teaching, and professional development to support the diverse needs of students, including those at risk of absenteeism. Absenteeism initiatives could also improve working conditions for teachers. For example, reducing administrative burdens and increasing staffing support to better address absenteeism-related challenges could bolster more regular school attendance and, in turn, improve satisfaction, according to Gottfried. More information: Michael A. Gottfried et al, Do Teachers With Absent Students Feel Less Job Satisfaction?, Educational Researcher (2024). DOI: 10.3102/0013189X241292331 Provided by American Educational Research Association This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain The federal tax gapmoney people and companies owe Uncle Sam but fail to pay on timehas climbed to historic highs: $696 billion in 2022, according to the IRS. It's money thatif recoupedcould fund infrastructure or education or pay down government debt. One way to collect that money is through lawsuits prompted by corporate whistleblowersoften present or former employees who know a company's finances and expose its transgressions. Federal law includes protections and rewards for tax whistleblowers. Washington, D.C., also has such measures, but at the state level, only New York does. Proposals have failed to pass in at least four other states. Could these laws be a relatively cheap and easy way for states to narrow their tax gaps? New research from Texas McCombs suggests that the answer is yes. Aruhn Venkat, assistant professor of accounting, found that a 2010 New York whistleblower law deterred businesses from avoiding state income tax. It brought in an extra 7.7% in state tax revenue, amounting to $281 million a year. Weighed against costs of enforcement, the state's return on investment exceeded 3,000%. "These whistleblower laws do work, and they're reasonably inexpensive from a government perspective," Venkat says. The study is published in the journal Management Science. Prodding companies to pay The 2010 amendment to New York's False Claims Acts (FCA) awards whistleblowers up to 30% of delinquent taxes recovered. It protects them from retaliation, and it also makes companies pay their attorneys' fees. In 2018, for example, Sprint paid $330 million to New York's attorney general to settle a tax fraud case, with $63 million going to the whistleblower. Did such examples scare other companies into dodging fewer taxes? With Yoojin Lee from California State University, Shaphan Ng from Singapore Management University, and Terry Shevlin from the University of California-Irvine, Venkat looked at hundreds of companies subject to New York's FCA. Using financial data for 2005-2015from five years before to five years after the law was passedthe researchers calculated the companies' effective tax rates: the shares of income they paid in state taxes. They compared those rates with those for similar companies in neighboring states. They found: On average, companies increased their state effective tax rates 7.1% after the law's passage, indicating lower tax avoidance. Rates for the most aggressive tax avoiders increased 34.9%. Companies paid more in taxes, in part, because they reduced their use of several avoidance strategies, such as shifting money overseas or moving it to separate companies called special purpose entities. The law had a double punch, the researchers found. Both general knowledge of the law and publicity around actual whistleblower lawsuits had deterrent effects on companies. "They're complementary," Venkat says. "Just the passage of the law will deter state tax avoidance. So, you don't need only whistleblower events to deter firms." 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. Risks and rewards The researchers found a few downsides to the law. Companies with minimal business in New York lowered their numbers of establishments in the state after the FCA. But those that already had large presences did not reduce them. "There could be a cost here, with firms just leaving," Venkat says. "But whatever is lost from a few firms leaving is probably made up by others reducing their tax avoidance." The law doesn't always work out for whistleblowers, either, he adds. They run the risk that their claims may not be vindicated legally. "It can still be a raw deal for employees who are whistleblowers, because they do end up being fired fairly often, even though that's illegal," he says. "There can be a cost for employees who do this." More information: Yoojin Lee et al, The Deterrence Effects of Tax Whistleblower Laws: Evidence from New York's False Claims Acts, Management Science (2024). DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2023.02999 Journal information: Management Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Dr Michelle Rafter with weevil candidates undergoing host specificity testing in quarantine. Credit: CSIRO Fortunately for us, weeds have enemies. Biocontrol harnesses the power of these natural adversaries, limiting the otherwise unchecked growth and spread of weeds. Biocontrol methods offer safe, cost-effective, landscape-scale weed control. Host-specificity testing is our special sauce. It makes sure these biocontrol agents are safe for releaseand ready to work as weed-busting warriors. We put these potential agents through multiple rounds of host-specificity testing. It's like a whole series of really tough interviews and exams before they're hired. First past the host Michelle Rafter is an entomologist researching plant-insect interactions. "We're looking at how an insect finds and recognizes plants as a potential host, and then how the insect completes its lifecycle across host plant species," Michelle said. "Even if an insect seems like a generalist in that it can use multiple plant species, we investigate further. We usually find there is a primary host plant and then a series of less preferred secondary hosts they might use less frequently." Plant chemical signatures allow the insect to recognize host plants. Alternative host plants might have chemical blends that are similar to, but not quite the same as, the primary host plant. "Ideally, we are searching for insects and fungi that are specialists," Michelle said. "They're locked into recognizing the chemical signatures from one specific plant speciesthe target weedas their host." There's no place like home The journey starts overseas wherever the weeds have come fromSouth America for the Cabomba weevil, and France for the sea spurge fungus. Researchers look for insects that feed on the weed. Then they check if these insects are also feeding on close relatives of the target plant in the native range. If the insect is found only on the target weed, that indicates its likely pretty host-specific already in its natural environment. If the insect is found on a host plant and closely related plants, it's less specialized. This insect could still be a potential biocontrol agent if those related plants aren't present in Australia. Cabomba weevil underwater on Cabomba weed. The cabomba weevil is smaller than a grain of rice. It's the first biocontrol agent to be used against Cabomba weed. Credit: CSIRO Weed it to me For each weed we need to figure out the crucial part of the life cycle to target. "If you have an insect that eats the leaves, but the plant can drop its leaves to persist through droughts, that agent won't have as much impact as a seed feeder that burrows into the seeds and stops them reproducing," Michelle said. The insects undergo initial screening to see how they react to different test plants that are close relatives to the target weed. "We have to be very stringent with host testing because these insects have never encountered our native plants before," Michelle said. "If any of our native plants are close relatives of the target weed, they may have overlapping chemical signals for the insects." 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. Meal or no meal Once we've imported the potential insect agents, we put them through a full risk assessment in quarantine. It starts with a "no choice" test, which is our fundamental and toughest test. The insects only have access to the test plants. These plants come from a host test list based on detailed plant family trees showing closely related species. Researchers monitor their feeding and whether they're mating and laying eggs. They also observe whether those eggs are developing into larvae or nymphs, eventually becoming the next generation of adults. "If they're doing all those things across different plants then they're probably not sufficiently host specific and they won't pass the test," Michelle said. But if they're in a cage with a particular plant and they're not feeding or laying eggs then that plant is obviously not a host for them. Buffet indecision The second stage of testing is called "choice testing." The insects are given a choice between the target weed and the plants which they fed on in the first no-choice tests. "We're looking at what they do when they have options, and with all the chemical cues of different plants," Michelle said. We're trying to get an indication of what would happen in the field when they're presented with a choice. If the insect or fungi only feeds and develops on the target weed despite the presence of alternative test plants, it's unlikely to use that test plant in the environment. From here to paternity If we see larvae or nymphs completing development in a no-choice test, we need to check if they can sustain a population over multiple generations. We offer the next generation that same test plant species to see if they can continue to feed, breed and reproduce. "Sometimes what we see is the population crashes and they're not able to sustain multiple generations," Michelle said. This shows that the insect couldn't sustain a population in Australia using just that test plant. Back to the future If we still need more information to get a complete picture of any risk to our native plant species, there's one last test we can do. We send our test plants overseas to the native range of the insect, with all the correct permissions, for open field testing. The plants are put out into the field to see if the insects can recognize them as a potential host in an open field environmenteven if they're not their preferred host. If there's damage and egg laying, clearly the insects can use those plants as a host, and it would be too risky to release them in Australia. The cane toad: Unscientific biocontrol gone bad The case study that's always front of mind for biocontrol is the cane toad. But the cane toad example wasn't a science-based biocontrol program. "To start with, there was no testing done for the cane toad," Michelle said. "It doesn't even feed on the cane beetles it was meant to control." The cane beetles live higher up on the cane stem. The cane toads can't even reach this area of the plant let alone feed on the beetles there. There's a complete mismatch in ecologies. The cane toad would never have passed all the detailed host testing that we do today. Future of biocontrol Weed biocontrol remains a landscape scale, sustainable and safe weed management tool. "I really think weed biocontrol is a tool that's still going to be needed in the weed management toolbox," Michelle said. "It's not a silver bullet, and it won't eradicate weeds. But it can effectively complement integrated weed management approaches." Our rigorous host testing makes sure our modern biocontrol agents are safe, targeted and effectivebefore being approved for release under Australia's stringent biosecurity regulations. Provided by CSIRO 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: People watch lava from the Mauna Loa volcano Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, near Hilo, Hawaii. Credit: AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File Scientists can't know precisely when a volcano is about to erupt, but they can sometimes pick up telltale signs. That happened two years ago with the world's largest active volcano. About two months before Mauna Loa spewed rivers of glowing orange molten lava, geologists detected small earthquakes nearby and other signs, and they warned residents on Hawaii's Big Island. Now a study of the volcano's lava confirms their timeline for when the molten rock below was on the move. "Volcanoes are tricky because we don't get to watch directly what's happening insidewe have to look for other signs," said Erik Klemetti Gonzalez, a volcano expert at Denison University, who was not involved in the study. Upswelling ground and increased earthquake activity near the volcano resulted from magma rising from lower levels of Earth's crust to fill chambers beneath the volcano, said Kendra Lynn, a research geologist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and co-author of a new study in Nature Communications. When pressure was high enough, the magma broke through brittle surface rock and became lavaand the eruption began in late November 2022. Later, researchers collected samples of volcanic rock for analysis. The chemical makeup of certain crystals within the lava indicated that around 70 days before the eruption, large quantities of molten rock had moved from around 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) to 3 miles (5 kilometers) under the summit to a mile (2 kilometers) or less beneath, the study found. This matched the timeline the geologists had observed with other signs. Spectators watch the lava flow down the mountain from the Mauna Loa eruption, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, near Hilo, Hawaii. Credit: AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File The last time Mauna Loa erupted was in 1984. Most of the U.S. volcanoes that scientists consider to be active are found in Hawaii, Alaska and the West Coast. Worldwide, around 585 volcanoes are considered active. Scientists can't predict eruptions, but they can make a "forecast," said Ben Andrews, who heads the global volcano program at the Smithsonian Institution and who was not involved in the study. Andrews compared volcano forecasts to weather forecastsinformed "probabilities" that an event will occur. And better data about the past behavior of specific volcanos can help researchers finetune forecasts of future activity, experts say. "We can look for similar patterns in the future and expect that there's a higher probability of conditions for an eruption happening," said Klemetti Gonzalez. More information: Kendra J. Lynn et al, Triggering the 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52881-7 Journal information: Nature Communications 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.